Carlsen, Karjakin register sixth straight draw in world chess title fight

PanARMENIAN.Net - The dreaded opposite-colored bishops made another appearance and it was yet another draw in the world chess championship match Friday, November 18 between Norwegian champion Magnus Carlsen and Russian challenger Sergey Karjakin in New York City, The Washington Times reports.

The players have now played six straight draws to open the scheduled 12-game title match, leaving the score at 3-3 as they enter the second half of the fight. If the score is still tied after Nov. 28’s final game, a rapid playoff will be held on Nov. 30.

Karjakin as White seemed to get very little advantage in against the champion’s Ruy Lopez Defense, and despite some tricky central piece play the simplifying exchanges brought on after 22. c3 Rxe6 24. Rxe6 Qxe6 24. cxb4 cxb4 25. Rc1 Rc8 26. Rxc8+ Qxc8 left both sides with a queen and a bishop.

As in several games so far in the match, the bishops were of opposite colors, blunting any change for either player to generate new chances. After 32. Qxb4 Be6, material is dead even and neither player could make progress. The players agreed to the draw.

Game 7, with Karjakin again having the White pieces, will take place Sunday at the Fulton Market building at Manhattan’s South Street Seaport.