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Norway Chess R5: Karjakin beats Carlsen in Classical first time since 2016

by Shahid Ahmed - 13/09/2021

Sergey Karjakin defeated Magnus Carlsen for the first time since their World Championship match in 2016, in the exact same round as Duda ended the world champion's unbeaten streak last year in the very same event. Karjakin moved to the third place 7.0/15, a full point ahead Carlsen 6.0/15. Rapport suffered his first proper loss of the event against Nepomniachtchi in Armageddon, however he is still in the sole lead 9.5/15, followed by the current world championship challenger 8.5/15. Firouzja scored his first win of the tournament against Tari as he beat him in their Classical game. Round 6 starts today at 8:30 p.m. IST. Photo: Lennart Ootes/Norway Chess

Nepomniachtchi bests Rapport in Armageddon

Tournament leader Rapport suffered his first loss of the event against Nepomniachtchi in Armageddon. However, a draw in their Classical game made sure that the Hungary no.1 maintains his sole lead.

Karjakin stopped Carlsen's momentum | Photo: Lennart Ootes/Norway Chess

Firouzja - Tari: 3-0

Firouzja took a chance by avoiding repetition, which created an opportunity for his opponent Tari.

Position after 25.Kh1

The game continued 25...Ng6 which forced 26.Qxe8+ Rxe8 27.Rxe8+ Kh7. Instead 25...Bc4 could have made things difficult for White.

Position after 29...c5

29...c5 relinquished the d-file which allowed White to create a battery on the same file and invade with his rooks 30.Rd1 Qc6 31.Red2 Bxg2+ 32.Kh2 Bf3 33.Rd8+ white king is absolutely safe, same cannot be said for the black king.

Firouzja scored his first win of the event | Photo: Lennart Ootes/Norway Chess

Nepomniachtchi - Rapport: 1.5-1

After a draw in the Classical game, Rapport decided to sacrifice his queen for a rook and bishop in an already difficult position against Nepomniachtchi.

Position after 20.Rh3

Rapport went for the adventurous 20...Nxd2 21.Rxh2 Nf3+ 22.Kd1 Nxh2. Nepomniachtchi's queen proved to be stronger than Black's rook and bishop in the endgame as there were no way to hold the position.

Nepomniachtchi beat Rapport in Armageddon | Photo: Lennart Ootes/Norway Chess

Karjakin - Carlsen: 3-0

Karjakin handed Carlsen his first loss of the event. It was also Karjakin's first victory in a Classical game since their World Championship match in 2016.

Position after 24.Rc6

Carlsen made a big mistake by accepting the exchange sacrifice. 24...Qa7 and Black remains absolutely fine.

Position after 26.a4

26...Rxa4 makes sure White does not get to have connected passed pawns on the queenside. 26...d5 was also another option. However, 26...Nd4 27.Nxd4 Bxd4 28.axb5 d5 29.Rc1 and White eventually went on to win the game using the connected passed pawns.

Karjakin handed Carlsen his first loss of the event | Photo: Lennart Ootes/Norway Chess

Photo Gallery

Alina Shehzad makes the first move on Nepomniachtchi's board | Photo: Lennart Ootes/Norway Chess

Githiha Sathish makes the first move on Firouzja's board | Photo: Lennart Ootes/Norway Chess

Sophie Damiano makes the first move on Karjakin's board | Photo: Lennart Ootes/Norway Chess

Carlsen observes Rapport's game | Photo: Lennart Ootes/Norway Chess

Will Rapport finish ahead of the sleeping giant Carlsen? | Photo: Lennart Ootes/Norway Chess

Will the Russian duo of Karjakin-Nepomniachtchi be the cause of undoing of the world champion? | Photo: Lennart Ootes/Norway Chess

Laser focused Nepomniachtchi | Photo: Lennart Ootes/Norway Chess

Players in action | Photo: Lennart Ootes/Norway Chess

Replay Round 5 games

Pairings

Pairings for all rounds | Photo: chess24

Results

Firouzja scored his first Classical victory of the event | Photo: Norway Chess

Nepomniachtchi is yet to lose a game with the White pieces | Photo: Norway Chess

Karjakin scored his first Classical victory | Photo: Norway Chess

Standings

Rapport is still in the sole lead | Photo: Norway Chess

Scoring

Players will get the following points per round:

Victory in main game: 3 points

Loss in main game: 0 points

Draw in main game & victory Armageddon: 1.5 points

Draw in main game & loss Armageddon: 1 point

Armageddon Rules

• If there is a draw in the classical game, then the players will move on to Armageddon.

• White pieces will continue with white in Armageddon. With this, there will be a winner in each game due to the fact that black pieces will win if the game ends in a draw.

Replay the Live Stream

Greatest female chess player of all time GM Judit Polgar and IM Jovanka Houska are the Official Commentators | Video: chess24

Links

Norway Chess official site