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Magnus Carlsen
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Kamran Jebreili / AP
Chess world champion Magnus Carlsen has so far been grappling with his Russian challenger Jan Nepomnjaschtschi.
After the two opponents agreed on a draw on Sunday in Dubai in the shortest game so far after 41 moves and 2:42 hours, they go head to head on the first day on Monday.
"It's good to have a day off now," said the Norwegian defending champion Carlsen: "The result is okay so far, but obviously I have to work out some options at a certain point."
On Sunday neither the 30-year-old Carlsen nor his one year older opponent had a real chance of victory in the course of the game, the draw came logically.
On Saturday, when the tie came after 58 moves and around four and a half hours, Nepomnyashchi had defended wide awake against the more aggressive Carlsen and made no mistake.
The first game ended in a draw on Friday after around four hours and 45 moves.
A maximum of 14 games are played, the starting right changes after each match.
One point is awarded for a win and half a point for a draw.
Whoever reaches 7.5 points first is world champion.
Carlsen, who successfully defended his title in 2014, 2016 and 2018, has known his one year older opponent since childhood.
Nepomnyashchi had prevailed against seven other top players in the candidates' tournament.
Although the Russian is only fifth in the world rankings, before the start of the World Cup he led in a direct comparison with industry leader Carlsen with 4: 1 wins in six draws.
In addition, the Russian is considered a player who can combine quickly and, in the event of a tie, could keep up in the decisive rapid or blitz chess mode.
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