Provocative title? Maybe a little, but I feel he has grown into this match. If we rewind back to the match with Karjakin, it was right around now that Carlsen started to wobble. While I don't expect him to go to pieces, i do feel that his confidence can get effected when he fails to win for a while. Caruana seems more balanced psychologically atm. Take the first game out of the equation (Caruana must have been super nervous! First WC and all), Fabi has just gotten better and better. I really don't see Carlsen as a favourite any more, unless the games go to rapid, obviously..
@marinkatomb said8 games 8 draws and Carlson being the better rapid Player...
Provocative title? Maybe a little, but I feel he has grown into this match. If we rewind back to the match with Karjakin, it was right around now that Carlsen started to wobble. While I don't expect him to go to pieces, i do feel that his confidence can get effected when he fails to win for a while. Caruana seems more balanced psychologically atm. Take the first game out ...[text shortened]... etter. I really don't see Carlsen as a favourite any more, unless the games go to rapid, obviously..
Maybe Caruana will make some fatal mistake in the quest to earn a win?
@ponderable saidThe way they are both playing, it could come down to one win. Caruana seems to be getting the sort of positions he is looking for. I question whether Magnus is really achieving what he wants out of the opening. IMO, he should consider getting a trainer (like Mamedyarov did). He seems to be a bit stuck. The ability is still there, he just needs a fresh perspective. Inspiration is what's lacking in his play (i feel). I am guessing here, but i suspect he might be relying too heavily on his seconds for opening preparation.
8 games 8 draws and Carlson being the better rapid Player...
Maybe Caruana will make some fatal mistake in the quest to earn a win?
@greenpawn34 saidYeh it's very close indeed. Carlsen is favourite in Rapid/blitz under normal circumstances, but i'm not sure the rating difference will do much to calm any nerves! If it comes down to that, it will be a test of nerve more than anything else. If feel Carlsen has a huge advantage there as he is a more intuitive player (as Nakamura commented the other day). However, I do expect Caruana to have worked on this! Obviously he is going to have specific preparation for this eventuality. The blitz section in particular is open for the biggest upset, there being only two games at that time control, one win and it could be over with no time for a come back.
I have a minor bet on Caruana to win, the odds on Carlsen were not worth it.
6 of the 8 games have been very good and I agree Carlsen seems to be
below par. This is more due to Caruana's play than anything else.
I think the rapid chances are 50/50. In Blitz, Carlsen. But four games to go.
@Marinkatomb
Will Magnus start an all out attack now that he has 8 draws in a row? Seems like he is playing very conservatively in the games so far. It is not for nothing Caruana has a rating so close to Magnus now 2832 V 2835. But blitz is another matter, Carlsen is rated over 2900 there, 200 points higher than Fab.
@sonhouse saidGuess not, 10 draws now. Crunching to a blitz game or two. Maybe Maggie is just cruising knowing he can always draw till the blitz games come and then show his skill there.
@Marinkatomb
Will Magnus start an all out attack now that he has 8 draws in a row? Seems like he is playing very conservatively in the games so far. It is not for nothing Caruana has a rating so close to Magnus now 2832 V 2835. But blitz is another matter, Carlsen is rated over 2900 there, 200 points higher than Fab.
@sonhouse said11 draws. One more and blitz here we come. What happens if THOSE games are tied too?
Guess not, 10 draws now. Crunching to a blitz game or two. Maybe Maggie is just cruising knowing he can always draw till the blitz games come and then show his skill there.
@sonhouse
It's too close to call now. Lets see what Fabi has in store for the last game. He has pressed with white the last two games. Will he try and avoid a playoff? I suspect he might go for the kill today. Magnus's record in playoff's is pretty impressive (from memory). I can't remember him losing one since he was a teenager. I think Fabi's best chance to win the title is a win in classical. I just pray it doesn't go to armageddon, that has to be the most unfair tiebreak system ever devised!
@marinkatomb saidmore unfair than tossing a coin?
@sonhouse
It's too close to call now. Lets see what Fabi has in store for the last game. He has pressed with white the last two games. Will he try and avoid a playoff? I suspect he might go for the kill today. Magnus's record in playoff's is pretty impressive (from memory). I can't remember him losing one since he was a teenager. I think Fabi's best chance to win the ti ...[text shortened]... just pray it doesn't go to armageddon, that has to be the most unfair tiebreak system ever devised!
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@ponderable saidThat system is definitely preferable to arm wrestling, caber tossing or logrolling.
more unfair than tossing a coin?
Personally, I'd prefer darts or single game of snooker. 😀
@marinkatomb saidMay his sleep be irksome
Shameful finish! My Goodness, how can a World champion do that?? Urgh