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Magnus Carlsen at the World Chess Championship
Photo: GIUSEPPE CACACE / AFP
Defending champion Magnus Carlsen was not able to reward himself with his first victory at the Chess World Cup in 2021 on his 31st birthday.
The Norwegian and his challenger Jan Nepomnjaschtschi also split in the fourth game at the World Chess Championship in Dubai.
It is 2-2 in the World Cup duel.
The result was clear after 33 moves and a playing time of two hours and 37 minutes.
It was the shortest duel at this World Cup so far.
Carlsen started with the white stones.
On the first move, the Norwegian switched from the queens' pawn to the king's pawn.
Nepomnyashchi responded with one of the most solid openings that many players in World Cup matches had trusted: Russian.
"If the Russian flag is not allowed to be on the board, at least I'll play the Russian opening," said the Russian, referring to the Wada ruling, which currently bans Russian symbols at world championships because of state-organized doping.
The Russian defended skilfully afterwards, too, Carlsen saw no more chance of winning after a long period of thought and brought about the fourth draw with a triple repetition of positions.
For the three-time world champion Carlsen (2014, 2016, 2018), the 18th World Cup game in a row ended in a draw.
A maximum of 14 games are played at the World Cup, with the right of dress changing 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.
On Monday there was the first day of rest.
The next game will follow on Wednesday (1.30 p.m. CET).
jan / dpa
