Carlsen, Caruana draw game 10 too

NEW DELHI: Champion Magnus Carlsen could not convert superiority into a win as he played out a 10th straight draw with challenger Fabiano Caruana in the World Chess Championship Match in London on Thursday.

The Norwegian, world champion since 2013 and seeking a third title, played with black pieces and held the advantage for the most part of the game.

But the American found a way to blunt the threat to ensure a 54-move draw after five hours and 19 minutes. The players are tied on five points each.

If the last two of the 12 classical games also end in draws, or Carlsen and Caruana finish 1-1, the match will be decided over rapid or blitz games, or a suddendeath game if it is still level. Carlsen holds a far superior record in rapid and blitz.

In a Sveshnikov Sicilian game, Carlsen focused all energies on black’s kingside in a bid to force mate, but Caruana with- stood the pressure.

“I felt it was very close. The problem is if I don’t mate I’m losing. So, I was trying to find some middle ground and my time was running out… I was just so nervous, I couldn’t make it happen. It ended up just being nothing,” Carlsen said after the game.

Caruana said: At some point I had a big advantage but I couldn’t see how to play it… it’s always very complicated because he’s attacking me and I always have to deal with a mating attack. So it’s not like I’m only playing for two results (win or draw).”