Karjakin – Carlsen game 7 LIVE Commentary!

Karjakin – Carlsen game 7

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 We have a new opening, Slav! This is the first time Karjakin plays 1. d4 in this match!

3.Nc3 Nf6 4.e3 We have the Meran variation.

4… a6  Carlsen played this line before vs strong players. 2 draws & 2 losses. Karjakin also had this position before vs Solak and he drew with 5. Nf3.

5. Bd3 No one played this move against Carlsen before according to my database. Karjakin is tired of being “surprised” by Carlsen too many times in this match so he took matter in his own hands in game 7.

5…dxc4 6. Bxc4 e6 7. Nf3 c5 Now we are in a regular Queen’s Gambit Accepted.

8. 0-0 b5 9. Be2 Bb7 10. dxc5 Nc6 Black is completely fine in this position. This game will very likely lead to an drawn endgame with symmetrical pawn structure. Not much will happen 🙂 Karjakin cannot be happy with getting nothing out of another white game. After game 7, Carlsen will have 3 white in the final 5 games.

11. Nd2 An inexplicable move. I like black better now. White has an issue with the bishop on c1.

11…Bc5 Black has space advantage and space advantage. Still drawish but white got less than zero out of the opening.

12. Nde4 Nxe4 13. Nxe4 And now 13…Be7 is expected

13…Be7 14. b3 White is OK but black has a very comfortable position. I still believe that it will be a draw. 14…Nb4 is the most aggressive move. But still nothing much will happen 🙂

14…Nb4 15. Bf3 0-0 Slightly better position for black. 16. Bb2 or 16. Ba3 are both OK for white.

16. Ba3 It is very puzzling that with a day off and extra time to prepare, Karjakin got nothing out of the opening. Black can probably play the safe bet 16…Rb8 to protect the b7 bishop.

16…Rc8 A very curious move. Now white can play 17. Nf6+ and white is slightly better. 17. Nf6+ Bxf618. Bxb7 Bxa1 19. Bxb4 Rb820. Bxf8 Qxd1 21. Rxd1 Rxb7 Still a draw but black no longer has any pressure.

17. Nf6+ Bxf6 The only move is 18. Bxb7

18. Bxb7 Bxa1 19. Bxb4 Still drawish

19… Bf6 20. Bxf8 Qxd1 21. Rxd1 Rxf8 22. Bxa6 b4 23. Rc1 g6 They are just going through the motion to reach move 30 before a draw can be offered.

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 1/2 Dead draw. Impossible to win in this level.