DUBAI – Time is running out for Russian challenger Ian ‘Nepo’ Nepomniachtchi at the FIDE World Championship being held at Expo 2020 Dubai. A successful comeback would arguably be a miracle at this point, but with a shot at the world title, a miracle had to be his business on Wednesday.
Those expecting – or hoping – for the challenger to lash out and try to win despite defending the black pieces, were startled to see yet another Petroff, or Russian Defence, one of the most dry and solid choices, though popular in the war of attrition that is often the setting for a title match.
Carlsen chose a pragmatic approach, avoiding risk and looking instead to create some kind of subtle pressure in a simplified position. ‘Nepo’ played at his preferred brisk tempo, soon leaving the champion over half an hour behind on the clock, while keeping Carlsen puzzled about how to keep, or inject, some life in the game.
After methodical simplifications the game was agreed drawn once they cleared the time control at move 40.
FACT SHEET, Game 10, FIDE (International Chess Federation) World Championship:
White: Magnus Carlsen
Black: Ian Nepomniachtchi
Result: ½-½
Match score: 6½-3½
Game length: 41 moves
Opening: Petroff Defence
The ceremonial start saw the first move being made by Amna Al Qubaisi, the first Emirati female racing driver, who joined Deputy FIDE President Bachar Kouatly onstage.
The World Championship will be played over 14 classical games for a EUR 2 million (USD 2.25 million) prize fund, with 60 per cent going to the winner and 40 per cent to the runner-up. It was originally scheduled to start on 20 December last year, but was postponed because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Game 11, with Nepomniachtchi having the advantage of the white pieces, will take place on 10 December, with Thursday being a rest day.
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