# World Chess Championships are underway **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Tags:** chess\ **Created:** [April 11, 2023, 1:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-chess-championships-are-underway/982509 "2023-04-11T13:16:48Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2023, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-chess-championships-are-underway/982509/21 "2023-04-17T14:22:00Z")
In terms of classical chess, his overall record is 452 W - 337 D - 86 L with white. With black, he is 259-467-101. His current rating is 2853. The second in the world (Nepo) is 2794. Doing a quick ELO calculation, for an individual game (accounting for both white and black), that rating difference should mean Carlsen wins 30% of the time, draws 56% of the time, and loses 14%. For a best-of-14, that would be Carlsen 77%, Nepo 12%, 10% draw and moves on to tie-breaks. (According to [this online calculator](https://wismuth.com/elo/calculator.html#rating1=2853&rating2=2794&best_of=14).) That’s just based on what numbers we have, not real world conditions, psychology, etc. Carlsen certainly does not win every tournament he enters. For example, at the Tata Steel Chess Tournament earlier this year, he finished third behind Giri and Abdusattorov. The time limits are slightly tighter than the World Championship (you get 100 min for first 40 moves vs 120 in the WC, then 50 for the next 20 instead of 60), but it’s not a rapid chess format. But I also would guess he prepares somewhat less intensely than he would for a World Chess Championship. ---
**Author:** ![Akaj](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/akaj/32/145_2.png) [@Akaj](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Akaj)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2023, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-chess-championships-are-underway/982509/22 "2023-04-18T16:55:59Z")
Nepo wins game 7 with white as Ding gets into time trouble. > **[Nepomniachtchi Wins After Ding's Time Pressure Collapse, Takes Lead](https://www.chess.com/news/view/fide-world-chess-championship-2023-game-7)** > > GM Ding Liren produced the latest surprise in the seventh game of the 2023 FIDE World Championship. He opted for a French Defense to combat GM Ian Nepomniachtchi's 1.e4 but fell at the crucial moment after blundering under severe time pressure.... ---
**Author:** ![Dead\_Cat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9fc29f/32.png) [@Dead\_Cat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dead_Cat)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2023, 2:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-chess-championships-are-underway/982509/23 "2023-04-26T14:12:53Z")
Extraordinary result today as a see-saw game ended with Nepo making essentially a one-move blunder that cost him the game, meaning the scores are now level at 6-6 with 2 games to go. So it’s really anybody’s now - will Nepo change plans tomorrow and push harder for a win with White? He’ll regret it if he goes for a conservative draw, only for Ding to snatch the title with victory in the final game. ---
**Author:** ![Jasmine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jasmine/32/2964_2.png) [@Jasmine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jasmine)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2023, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-chess-championships-are-underway/982509/24 "2023-04-26T14:23:18Z")
> [@Lantern2](#): > > This seems to be an unusually exciting championship and it’s a bit of a pity that no one believes that the winner will be the best player in the world. Am I wrong in thinking that this is a highly unusual number of positive results for a championship match? There is usually a ton of draws. ---
**Author:** ![Jasmine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jasmine/32/2964_2.png) [@Jasmine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jasmine)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2023, 2:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-chess-championships-are-underway/982509/25 "2023-04-26T14:26:48Z")
> [@Dead\_Cat](#): > > So it’s really anybody’s now - will Nepo change plans tomorrow and push harder for a win with White? One thing for sure, if either player has an ace left up his sleeve, we’ll be seeing it played in these next two games. ---
**Author:** ![Maserschmidt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maserschmidt/32/18829_2.png) [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2023, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-chess-championships-are-underway/982509/26 "2023-04-26T14:30:44Z")
> [@Jasmine](#): > > Am I wrong in thinking that this is a highly unusual number of positive results for a championship match? There is usually a ton of draws. You are not wrong. ---
**Author:** ![Jasmine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jasmine/32/2964_2.png) [@Jasmine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jasmine)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2023, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-chess-championships-are-underway/982509/27 "2023-04-26T14:33:44Z")
> [@Maserschmidt](#): > > You are not wrong. Why? Someone mentioned “exploiting weaknesses”, but it seems to me that players with that many weaknesses shouldn’t have made it to the championship in the first place. ---
**Author:** ![Jasmine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jasmine/32/2964_2.png) [@Jasmine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jasmine)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2023, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-chess-championships-are-underway/982509/28 "2023-04-26T14:36:59Z")
> [@Dead\_Cat](#): > > So it’s really anybody’s now - will Nepo change plans tomorrow and push harder for a win with White? He’ll regret it if he goes for a conservative draw, only for Ding to snatch the title with victory in the final game. Agreed! Using a football analogy, it’s time for an empty backfield and five wide receivers! LOL ---
**Author:** ![Maserschmidt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maserschmidt/32/18829_2.png) [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2023, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-chess-championships-are-underway/982509/29 "2023-04-26T14:37:30Z")
Well, some of the speculation I saw on streaming was simply nerves, but that’s pretty hard to prove. That said, Nepo blundered a winning position, so it’s a fair guess. ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2023, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-chess-championships-are-underway/982509/30 "2023-04-26T14:54:16Z")
[Agadmator’s analysis](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-XThX7H2cdQ). THE move starts at the 18 minute mark. ---
**Author:** ![Great\_Antibob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e47c2d/32.png) [@Great\_Antibob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Great_Antibob)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2023, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-chess-championships-are-underway/982509/31 "2023-04-26T15:02:22Z")
> [@Jasmine](#): > > One thing for sure, if either player has an ace left up his sleeve, we’ll be seeing it played in these next two games. Maybe not. If it’s tied after 14 games, they go to tiebreaker games with less time on the clock. If either feels their speed or blitz chess game is better than their opponent, it’s better to avoid losses than go for wins. ---
**Author:** ![Jasmine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jasmine/32/2964_2.png) [@Jasmine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jasmine)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2023, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-chess-championships-are-underway/982509/32 "2023-04-26T15:08:55Z")
I understand what you’re saying, and it may very well be true. Prudence is often the better part of valor. Still, were I in that position, my whole feeling about this match and the way it has unfolded is that aggression is going to carry the day. Since I have an aggressive personality to begin with, I’d take that route. ---
**Author:** ![Akaj](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/akaj/32/145_2.png) [@Akaj](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Akaj)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2023, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-chess-championships-are-underway/982509/33 "2023-04-26T17:43:49Z")
> [@Dead\_Cat](#): > > Extraordinary result today as a see-saw game ended with Nepo making essentially a one-move blunder that cost him the game > [@Saint\_Cad](#): > > [Agadmator’s analysis](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-XThX7H2cdQ). > THE move starts at the 18 minute mark. I just watched it, and wow. Anton calls it the worst blunder ever in a World Championship match: “Pure pain.” ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2023, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-chess-championships-are-underway/982509/34 "2023-04-26T19:07:06Z")
> [@Akaj](#): > > Anton calls it the worst blunder ever in a World Championship match He says “maybe the greatest blunder ever” to be accurate. I somehow don’t believe it is. ---
**Author:** ![Akaj](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/akaj/32/145_2.png) [@Akaj](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Akaj)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2023, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-chess-championships-are-underway/982509/35 "2023-04-26T19:35:43Z")
No, I imagine in decades of championships there’s probably been a worse one. But it’s extraordinary to see one of the world’s top players, three games from securing a championship, blunder so badly that he resigns a heretofore winnable game right after his opponent’s next move. ---
**Author:** ![Snarky\_Kong](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a183cd/32.png) [@Snarky\_Kong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snarky_Kong)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2023, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-chess-championships-are-underway/982509/36 "2023-04-26T21:17:42Z")
Nepo had a blunder in the last championship against Magnus that I wouldn’t have made and all the commentators said he should just resign at that point. After watching the video, yeah, I think this one is worse. I immediately saw the correct response. Weird to be so good at what you do and your reputation is just making terrible blunders. ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2023, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-chess-championships-are-underway/982509/37 "2023-04-26T23:49:32Z")
> [@Snarky\_Kong](#): > > Nepo had a blunder in the last championship against Magnus that I wouldn’t have made and all the commentators said he should just resign at that point. Right. When he trapped his own bishop. ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2023, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-chess-championships-are-underway/982509/38 "2023-04-27T17:28:39Z")
1 game left (before tie-breaks) Tied 6.5 to 6.5 Ding has the white pieces in game 14 Who will be the aggressor? ---
**Author:** ![Akaj](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/akaj/32/145_2.png) [@Akaj](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Akaj)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2023, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-chess-championships-are-underway/982509/39 "2023-04-27T17:37:46Z")
> [@Saint\_Cad](#): > > Who will be the aggressor? My guess is neither. Based on their quick and apparently mutual willingness to get into repeated moves and draw game 13, I don’t think either player wants to risk a blunder in the decisive game. Much like an American football team taking a knee in the final minute of regulation, they’ll be more willing to take their chances in overtime (the rapid round). ---
**Author:** ![Akaj](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/akaj/32/145_2.png) [@Akaj](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Akaj)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2023, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-chess-championships-are-underway/982509/40 "2023-04-28T14:56:55Z")
And during all of this, where is Magnus Carlsen? > **[The King in the Endgame](https://www.theringer.com/2023/4/25/23696962/magnus-carlsen-world-chess-championship-2023-rating-elo)** > > Magnus Carlsen’s legacy is still being written > When Tiger Woods was in his prime, was there any doubt that he was the best in the world? Did he need to be officially crowned the world champion? Didn’t his results speak for themselves, even if he took a month or a year off? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-chess-championships-are-underway/982509.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-chess-championships-are-underway/982509.md?page=3)