After a relatively easy hold in game 1, Karjakin will now have white in game 2. To have a chance to win the match, Karjakin must try to score first, something which Anand failed to do in the past 2 World Championship matches. Game 2 LIVE analysis will begin at 2pm NY time. In addition to this site, please feel free to check out my commentary on www.twitter.com/SusanPolgar and www.facebook.com/SusanPolgarChess.
Karjakin – Carlsen (game 2)
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Ruy Lopez
3…a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. 0-0 Be7 6. d3 More solid way to play to avoid the main lines
6…b5 7. Bb3 d6 8. a3 0-0 9. Nc3 Na5 10. Ba2 Be6 11. d4 Bxa2 12. Rxa2 Re8 Only 1 game I can find with this continuation Paravyan – Harutyunian (Aeroflot Open 2016). Carlsen as black played 12…Nc6 vs Topalov in June at Paris. He won with black. 12…Re8 is unexpected for Karjakin, This is why you see him taking a lot of time for his 13th move. However, Karjakin also plays this line with black himself.
13. Ra1 In the other game, white played 13. Qd3. So 13. Ra1 seems to be the new move according to my database. White could have won a pawn with 13. dxe5 dxe5 14. Nxe5 However, black would win the pawn back soon with 14…Bf8 or have excellent compensation. Because of the new move by Karjakin, Carlsen has to think. It is a guessing game for him. Did Karjakin prepare this move at home or did he just come up with it over the board. Total mind games 🙂
Carlsen has been thinking for 20+ minutes so far on this 13th move. He knows how important this is. He doesn’t want to walk into home prep. I can tell you from personal World Championship experience, no one wants to face opponent’s home prep. It’s nerve wrecking!
13…Nc4 Carlsen moved, finally, after about 25 minutes! 🙂 From personal experience, I can tell you that it is so much easier & so much more enjoyable watching the game as a fan instead of playing in a World Championship 🙂 I enjoyed the outcome but the preparation and mental drain was brutal 🙂
14. Re1 Simple, logical developing move.
14…Rc8 seems harmless. Not my first option. 14…c6 is OK too. Watching this game so far is like watching a heavyweight boxing match. They move around the ring feeling each other out 🙂
15. h3. Karjakin is saying I call your 14…Rc8 and raise you a penny with 15. h3. Bold move 🙂
15…h6 Carlsen called Karjakin 15. h3 and double down to 2 pennies with 15…h6! They’re doing a slow dance and not a Texas Two Step 🙂
16. b3 getting rid of the Knight on c4
16… Nb6 17. Bb2 Bf8 White is slightly better due to space advantage. Easier to play with white but black is OK. This game is like yesterday. White has small edge and will carefully and slowly push. But not much happening, yet 🙂 Karjakin has options: 18. Qd2, 18. d5, 18. dxd5, 18.a4 … He has to decide what type of position he wants. Personal preference. Given how solid and how well Karjakin can defend, it’s crucial for Carlsen not to fall behind. Remember Kasparov v Kramnik?
18. dxe5 dxe5 19. a4 Now Carlsen can simplify with 18…Qxd1 19. Rexd1 c6 =
19…c6 20. Qxd8 Rcxd8 21. axb5 axb5 The beginning of a peaceful endgame phase. White is still very slightly better (if you are a human) because of the pressure on the weak e5 pawn.
22. Ne2 I think Carlsen has to feel good now because Queens are off the board and he can play virtually risk free.
22…Bb4 Once the e pawns are off the board, we can expect a peaceful end to this game.
23. Bc3 Bxc3 24. Nxc3 Nbd7 25. Ra6 Rc8 Very drawish position. I do not expect an unexpected result.
26. b4 if 26…c5 27. Nxb5 cxb4 28. Nd6 forking the 2 Rooks but black can escape with 28…Re6 =
26…Re6 Not the first move which comes to my head. But it should not do any damage to his position. I prefer 26…c5
27. Rb1 = Will we ever see a Sicilian Najdorf or something insanely sharp in WC play? 🙂 Let’s make chess EXCITING again 🙂
27…c5 28. Rxe6 fxe6 Still pretty much a drawish position.
29. Nxb5 cxb4 30. Rxb4 Rxc2 The players simplified the position even more. Draw becomes inevitable.
31. Nd6 Rc1+ 32. Kh2 Rc2 33. Kg1 Draw!
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