World Chess Championship: Carlsen keeps lead after draw in game 7
Magnus Carlsen and Ian Nepomniachtchi played out a quick 41-move draw in the seventh game after their epic marathon clash in the previous round on Saturday.
Published : Dec 04, 2021 22:13 IST
After the gruelling, marathon sixth game, Magnus Carlsen and Ian Nepomniachtchi played out a rather quick 41-move draw, in just over two and a half hours, in the seventh game of the World chess championship match in Dubai on Saturday. With Nepo playing from the white side of Ruy Lopez, Carlsen avoided complications. Despite taking about 40 minutes between the 11 and the 16th moves, Carlsen was never in trouble. On the 20th move when Nepo placed his rook - instead of the other rook - on a queenside file of the back rank, he clearly missed out on a powerful continuation. Thereafter, the players were comfortably placed and appeared almost in a hurry to sign peace. With seven games to go, Carlsen leads 4-3.
READ: Nepo said, “Today, no missed chances for both of us. It was a balanced game. I believe, it was just boring.” Nepo did mention playing two games on the same day (the previous game ended in the early hours of Saturday) was weird. Looking at the first seven games, he said, “Not going too well though I had some promising positions. Yesterday’s game was kind of poor from both sides, particularly during the time trouble.” About the seventh game, Carlsen said, “A draw is a very nice result. White is better but has no clear way to increase the advantage.” At the halfway stage, Carlsen looked pleased and said, “I’ve made my breakthrough.”
READ: Game 7 - the moves
White - Nepomniachtchi; Black - Carlsen 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. a4 Rb8 9. axb5 axb5 10. h3 d6 11. d3 h6 12. Nc3 Re8 13. Nd5 Bf8 14. Nxf6+ Qxf6 15. c3 Ne7 16. Be3 Be6 17. d4 exd4 18. cxd4 Bxb3 19. Qxb3 Ng6 20. Rec1