16 November 2016

Karjakin Draws Game 4

After four games, the score in Carlsen-Karjakin match is 2-2.

The fourth game of the World Chess Championship match in New York was played on November 16. The challenger had White. 

The Russian grandmaster once again started the game with 1.e4, to which the World Champion again replied by the Ruy Lopez with 3...a6, avoiding the Berlin. Karjakin was first to deviate from the second game, and another Anti-Marshall branch appeared on the board. In the early middlegame White decided to develop some piece activity on the kingside without settling the situation in the center, however, his maneuvers were too slow. Carlsen replied with a central break d6-d5, creating pressure against the e4-pawn. Black's 17th and 18th moves were very strong and allowed him to seize the initiative. 

On the 19th move Karjakin made a serious positional mistake, trading his light-squared bishop for the black knight. This gave Black the bishop pair and also turned White's b2-pawn into a permanent weakness. Soon the players entered a complex ending. Karjakin's position was critical, just like the day before. 

And once again, facing a possible defeat, Karjakin demonstrated resourcefulness and tenacity, proving his reputation of one of the best defenders in modern chess. He got some help from the opponent, too. For instance, Carlsen probably should have abstained from trading his d6-pawn for the h4-pawn. 45...f4 also looks highly questionable, as it allowed Karjakin to establish a positional fortress that Black was unable to break for another 50 moves. 

The game ended in a draw on the 94th move and lasted six hours. 

The match score is now 2-2. Wednesday, November 16 is a rest day. The 5th game will be played on Thursday, November 17. Magnus Carlsen will have White. 

Official site  

Photos by Vladimir Barsky