WCC R8: Karjakin Wins Game 8
11.21.16 After seven straight draws, Sergey Karjakin was able to win Game 8 in the World Chess Championship and take a 4.5-3.5 lead in the match with four games to go. In a game that Carlsen's manager called "an emotional roller coaster" both players made game-changing errors in time trouble just before the 40-move time control. .
Carlsen played 35.c5, a move described by GM Ian Nepomniachtchi as "completely crazy" and the computer evaluation jumped to a huge advantage for Black. Just three moves later Karjakin returned the favor with 37...Qd3. Commentators' opinion was that 37...Qa4 would have nearly guaranteed the win for Black. After the time control was reached the position was again dead equal until Carlsen eschewed the draw with 44.Qc6 instead of 44.Qg6. It was downhill for the Champion from there and 52.h4 allowing Black's 52...a2 was the death knell
Magnus Carlsen finds himself in the unenviable position of being a point down with four games remaining in the match.
Karjakin has proved to be the magician with the Black pieces in this match.
Tomorrow is a rest day. The Match will resume on Wednesday, November 23 with Game 9.
The match will consist of 12 games. The first player to reach 6.5 points will be declared winner and World Champion. If, after 12 rounds, the score is even, the Match will be decided by a series of tie break games.
Official site of the World Chess Championship
Tickets to attend the Match in person
Schedule
All games begin at 2:00 p.m. New York City time
Thursday, November 10 Opening Ceremony
Friday, November 11 Game 1
Saturday, November 12 Game 2
Sunday, November 13 Rest Day
Monday, November 14 Game 3
Tuesday, November 15 Game 4
Wednesday, November 16 Rest Day
Thursday, November 17 Game 5
Friday, November 18 Game 6
Saturday, November 19 Rest Day
Sunday, November 20 Game 7
Monday, November 21 Game 8
Tuesday, November 22 Rest Day
Wednesday, November 23 Game 9
Thursday, November 24 Game 10
Friday, November 25 Rest Day
Saturday, November 26 Game 11
Sunday, November 27 Rest Day
Monday, November 28 Game 12
Tuesday, November 29 Rest Day
Wednesday, November 30 Tie Breaks/ClosingCeremony
