Karjakin - M. Carlsen (Game 7) Do not blame the messenger.
by greenpawn34 on Nov 20 2016 23:31 | 3005 views | 2 edits | Last edit on Nov 20 2016 23:36
We have to remember that Karjakin is not there in New York to
entertain us by losing in the style of one of Morphy victims, he
is there to take the Chess Crown away from a better chess player.
So far Karjakin all though this match has been waiting for Carlsen
to do something so he can react. I do not know if this is because he
in awe of Carlsen or feels this is his best chance. (a bit of both?)
We can moan and mump and scream ‘Foul Play’ but we cannot
argue with his method. It is played 7 games and drawn 7 games.
Don’t bother playing through this. Skip it. I have included a much better game.
S. Karjakin - M. Carlsen, World Championship 2016 Game 7.
1. d4 {Karjakin played 1. d4 v Carlsen in Bilbo this year. It was QGD and drawn in 19 moves.} 1... d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. e3 a6 5. Bd3 dxc4 6. Bxc4 e6 7. Nf3 c5 8. O-O b5 {In the next game the RHP player played Bxb4+ here. It is a Masterpiece.} 9. Be2 Bb7 10. dxc5 Nc6 11. Nd2 Bxc5 12. Nde4 Nxe4 13. Nxe4 Be7 14. b3 Nb4 15. Bf3 O-O 16. Ba3 Rc8 {Some were calling this a minor mistake. What follows does allow White to win a pawn but it is of little value.} 17. Nf6+ {This move kicks off a brief flurry of captures where we say goodbye to the Queens, a pair of Rooks, a pair of Bishops and a pair of Knights.} 17... Bxf6 18. Bxb7 {It is the fact the Bishop is now hitting the c8 Rook that the future books will drop a '?' on 16...Rc8} 18... Bxa1 19. Bxb4 Bf6 20. Bxf8 Qxd1 21. Rxd1 Rxf8 {There were no cute in-between moves either player could have slipped in to upset that run of captures.} 22. Bxa6 {Karjakin has won a pawn but with the match trademark. Opposite Coloured Bishop (OCB) on the board it is nothing.} 22... b4 {The curtain could fallen here. Karjakin makes a token gesture on the Kingside.} 23. Rc1 g6 24. Rc2 Ra8 25. Bd3 Rd8 26. Be2 Kf8 27. Kf1 Ra8 28. Bc4 Rc8 29. Ke2 Ke7 30. f4 h6 31. Kf3 Rc7 32. g4 g5 33. Ke4 Rc8 {You lose these positions by trying to win them. Both players know that and now feel the paying spectators have had their money's worth. Draw Agreed.}
Now let us see some Man Chess..OOPS! sorry...Mad Chess from this year.
1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 dxc4 4. e3 Nf6 5. Bxc4 a6 6. Nc3 c5 7. O-O {This is the same position as move 8 in Game 7 of the Carlsen - Karjakin match. The RHP lads got there a move quicker.} 7... b5 {Karjakin wimped out with Be2.} 8. Bxb5+ axb5 9. Nxb5 {A piece sac for two pawns. I'm OK with that. I was wondering what White was going to v Ba6 when I noticed...} 9... Ba6 {It is what Black played. 10.Qa4 sets a trap and traps are what White needs right now.} 10. a4 {Possibly not the best move on the board because it does not stop the actual threat.} 10... Bxb5 {The a-pawn is pinned.} 11. Bd2 {This unpins the a-pawn but allows....} 11... Bxf1 12. Qxf1 {Two pawns for a Knight, yes in some circumstances if it's unclear then do it, but 2 pawns for a Knight and Rook. Even I'm not sure about it.} 12... Ne4 13. Ne5 {White's bluffing. Black can play 13...Nxd2 answering the intended 14.Qb5+ with Nd7.} 13... Qb6 {Black believes him but this move is OK.} 14. a5 Qxb2 {Now it's warming up, White has some hope here.} 15. Rb1 {Don’t panic. Wrap it up with 15...Nxd2. White has to swap Queens else Black will play QxR.} 15... Qxd2 {In case you are wondering, or have lost count, it is now 1 pawn for a Rook, Knight and Bishop.} 16. Qb5+ Ke7 17. Qb7+ {Black got themselves into this mess and now they try to trick their way out by offering a Rook.} 17... Nd7 {18.Qxa1 Qxf2+ 19.Kh1 Qxe3 and Black is threatening Philidor’s Legacy.} 18. Qxd7+ {White refuses the Rook, he is after the King.} 18... Kf6 19. Qxf7+ Kg5 20. Qf4+ Kh5 21. Qg4+ Kh6 22. Nf7 {Checkmate. Somebody show Carlsen and Karjakin this game.....Please.}