Chess World Cup: Carlsen is just missing a win for the title

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Magnus Carlsen

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GIUSEPPE CACACE / AFP

Chess world champion Magnus Carlsen is only one victory away from successfully defending his title.

After 2:05 hours and 41 moves, the Norwegian agreed on a draw with challenger Jan Nepomnjaschtschi after an unspectacular duel and thus maintained his lead.

After the tenth game, the 31-year-old is in the lead at the World Cup in Dubai with 6.5: 3.5 points.

Whoever reaches 7.5 points first, wins the title.

Carlsen offered his opponent from Russia with the white pieces no attack surface.

Despite the large backlog, Nepomnyashchi shied too high a risk and found no solution against the expansion of Carlsen's kingside.

Nepomnjaschtschi had given Carlsen a duel at eye level in the first World Cup games.

In the two previous encounters, however, he made one serious mistake.

The game is closed on Thursday, on Friday (1.30 p.m.) Carlsen could already defend his title ahead of schedule.

Two more draws would be enough.

A total of four games are still scheduled.

One point is awarded for a win and half a point for a draw.

Carlsen had already won the title in 2014, 2016 and 2018.

mon / sid