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NEW YORK, NY – NOVEMBER 12: Reigning Chess Champion Magnus Carlsen speaks during the press conference after a draw at 2016 World Chess Championship at Fulton Market Building on November 12, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images for Agon Limited)
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NEW YORK, NY – NOVEMBER 12: Reigning Chess Champion Magnus Carlsen speaks during the press conference after a draw at 2016 World Chess Championship at Fulton Market Building on November 12, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images for Agon Limited)
In what is turning out to be an incredible Chess World Championship, Magnus Carlsen has further extended his lead. After Russia’s Ian Nepomniachtchi held him off for the first five games, the Game 6 loss has adversely affected Nepomniachtchi. Winning Game 8 magnificently, and gaining a stronger hold on the championship, things now look bleak for the challenger.
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Former grandmaster Garry Kasparov talked about the mental pressures of competing after a marathon loss. Now, the World Championship is heading to its anti-climax with six games to go.
Garry Kasparov opens up on Nepomniachtchi’s loss
The former World Champion spoke about the problems Ian is facing now after his loss to Carlsen in game six. With the seventh game ending in a draw, the pressure is on Nepomniachtchi to get back to winning ways. However, it is not an easy road. In a recent tweet, Kasparov opened up on the troubles of staying focused after a devastating loss.
“The mental and physical pressure of match play can easily turn one loss into two. There is no doubt that the grueling game 6 marathon loss was the indirect cause of Nepomniachtchi’s collapse in game 8.”
The mental and physical pressure of match play can easily turn one loss into two. There is no doubt that the grueling game 6 marathon loss was the indirect cause of Nepomniachtchi's collapse in game 8. https://t.co/UVcCB0wjgc
— Garry Kasparov (@Kasparov63) December 6, 2021
Where the Russian goes from here remains to be seen. Game six saw him losing the match in an intense battle against Carlsen, who seems to have peaked in at the right moment. He now holds a significant 5-3 advantage over Nepomniachtchi to strengthen his chances of retaining his World Championship.
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Magnus Carlsen wins again
Significantly, the game went out of his hand when Ian made a blunder, losing his pawn in the middle of the game. This made him resign to a defeat after four hours and six minutes. Carlsen spoke on behalf of the player as he spoke about the mistake that led to his victory.
“I suspected it was a mistake. I thought it was just a blunder. But I had plenty of time so I thought I will double-check to see what he was intending. It turned out it was nothing,” said Carlsen.
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LONDON, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 28: Norwegian Magnus Carlsen is presented with the trophy after beating his opponent, American Fabiano Caruana, to regain his World Chess Championship title on November 28, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)
To sum up, it’s clearly a long way back for Ian Nepomniachtchi, while Magnus Carlsen gets close to winning his fifth World Championship and cements his legacy as the greatest chess player of all time. What are your expectations of game 9?
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