Dhe title defense remains a tough affair for world chess champion Magnus Carlsen. One day after his 31st birthday, the Norwegian had to be content with a draw against his Russian challenger Jan Nepomnjaschtschi in his fifth duel in Dubai. Before the sixth game on Friday, it is 2.5: 2.5.
Nepomnyashchi went into the game with White and put the defending champion under pressure early on. Carlsen kept brooding for a long time, but defended himself effortlessly. On move 43, the Russian brought about the fifth draw with a triple repetition of positions.
A maximum of 14 games are played, the starting right changes after each match. One point is awarded for a win and half a point for a draw. Whoever reaches 7.5 points first is world champion.
Carlsen, who successfully defended his title in 2014, 2016 and 2018, has known his one year older opponent since childhood. Nepomnyashchi had prevailed against seven other top players in the candidates’ tournament.
Although the Russian is only fifth in the world rankings, before the start of the World Cup he led in a direct comparison with industry leader Carlsen with 4: 1 wins in six draws.
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