‘Catastrophic’ blunder means Magnus Carlsen is close to retaining world chess championship

Magnus Carlsen is in the box seat to retain the title of world chess champion after defeating his challenger Ian Nepomniachtchi again.

Norwegian grandmaster Magnus Carlsen is a step closer to retaining the title of world chess champion after he defeated challenger Russian Ian Nepomniachtchi for a second time.

Playing with the white pieces in the eighth game of the FIDE World Chess Championship in Dubai, Carlsen played e4 and Nepomniachtchi answered with e5, steering the game into the Petrov defence (Russian defence).

Russian Ian Nepomniachtchi tries to think his way out of an uncomfortable position.

It was Carlsen who pulled out the first surprise move in the game playing 7. Nd2 in the Steinitz attack variation.

Nepomniachtchi soon responded with a thunderbolt of his own, playing the shocking 9. h5 after Carlsen castled.

The caveman-style move sent Carlsen into a long think while Nepomniachtchi paced in the playing hall.

Magnus Carlsen settles in for a long think after the shocking move h5. Picture: YouTube/Chess.com

Carlsen responded with the odd-looking Qe1+, sending Nepomniachtchi’s king scurrying to Kf8.

The resulting middle game was uncomfortable for Nepomniachtchi. Carlsen’s precise moves kept the Russian under pressure.

In response to Carlsen’s energetic sequence 20. c4 dxc4 21. Bxc4, Nepomniachtchi played the “catastrophic” blunder b5 and Carlsen found the right move — the sharp 22. Qa3+.

Norwegian chessmaster Magnus Carlsen as seen playing against Russian chessmaster Ian Nepomniachtchi during Game 2. Picture: AFP

Computers analysed the resulting position as +6, an overwhelming advantage for Carlsen.

Soon afterwards, Nepomniachtchi resigned after reaching a dead-lost queen and pawn endgame.

Nepomniachtchi said after the game he probably didn’t defend in the best way.

“It becomes truly unpleasant and frankly speaking it’s hard to defend after such a blunder,” he said.

Carlsen said: “I am very happy with the result. Obviously, it’s huge. Otherwise, pretty tired, looking forward to the rest day.”

A shocking collapse by @lachesisq gives @MagnusCarlsen a two point lead at the @FIDE_chess World Championship. #CarlsenNepo#FIDEmatch2021https://t.co/Q6Gs2MPNLgpic.twitter.com/PvnzMALWw5

— US Chess (@USChess) December 5, 2021

It’s the second win for Carlsen after he drew first blood in game six in what was a 136-move marathon.

The Norwegian is now in the box seat to retain the top title in chess, which he’s held since 2013.

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