Nepo blunder offers Carlsen 5-3 lead; tiredness creeping in

After a fast draw to finish Game 7 of the World Chess Championship, Ian Nepomniachtchi was requested by a reporter within the publish match presser when he would begin to lastly assault Magnus Carlsen? After having misplaced the longest world championship match within the historical past of chess, Nepomniachtchi was sooner or later anticipated to come back out all weapons firing.
Yesterday although, not one of the weapons fired and Nepomniachtchi dug himself into a fairly spectacular gap. He has now misplaced twice to the present World Champion within the area of three days, the most recent loss coming final evening in Game 8 of the World Chess Championship. Both losses have are available harrowing vogue the place Nepomniachtchi has performed into the palms of Magnus Carlsen by letting the Norwegian dictate the tempo of the sport.
Game 8 although was vastly completely different from Game 6. Nepomniachtchi conceded in 45 strikes and made varied inexplicable blunders all through the sport to provide Carlsen the benefit. Most of the blunders got here as a result of the Russian was keen to maintain the sport dynamic and hope for a gap or a mistake from Carlsen. There have been at the very least two events the place Nepomniachtchi might have traded queens with Carlsen and performed protected.

The last moments of Game 8.#CarlsenNepo #FIDEmatch2021 pic.twitter.com/Nso5OyQqNH
— International Chess Federation (@FIDE_chess) December 5, 2021
“It was pretty cagey at the start (of the match),” Carlsen mentioned. “Obviously a win changes the dynamic of the match. I don’t think I would have won this game if I hadn’t won the first one,” added the Norwegian after taking a 5-3 lead within the 14-game world championship sequence.

The Nepo blunder
But the most important mistake got here when Nepomniachtchi initiated a sacrifice of pawns for each gamers however then for causes unknown pushed one other one in every of his pawns ahead on 21…b5. “It becomes truly unpleasant and frankly speaking it’s hard to defend after such a blunder,” Nepomniachtchi mentioned after the sport.

Magnus Carlsen on the press convention after Game 8: “I am very happy with the result. Obviously, it’s huge. Otherwise, pretty tired, looking forward to the rest day.”#CarlsenNepo #FIDEmatch2021 pic.twitter.com/nVzTANRCym
— International Chess Federation (@FIDE_chess) December 5, 2021
Both gamers have admitted in come what may that tiredness has performed its half in these World Championships. But Nepomniachtchi has appeared to be significantly affected by the pace at which these video games have come.

Ian: “It was a chain of slightly weird decisions, starting with 10… Kf8. It was somewhat more artificial than just 10… Qe7. But that position is still almost equal. Perhaps after 19…h4 and 20.c4 it became slightly unpleasant. And indeed 21…b5 was just a very bad blunder.” pic.twitter.com/ybqIurYBUK
— International Chess Federation (@FIDE_chess) December 5, 2021
“I don’t think it’s very easy for black to force a draw. And as long as you cannot force the draw then it’s always to be a little bit of pressure that you have to neutralize. Then of course, b5 … I thought that was a blunder. Both of us are really tired at that point but it always helps to have the initiative,” mentioned Carlsen.
Both gamers will get a a lot wanted relaxation day, publish which Game 9 of the World Championships will happen on the Dubai Expo centre on Tuesday.