Does Karjakin even have a "puncher's chance"?

"I believe that this is largely what we see here. At the top level, even if they pick fighting openings such as the Marshall, the Najdorf, the KID - in these openings too - and we "chess plebeians" don't know this - there are "hidden" ways to reach exactly those dull, dead, playless positions and the players will find them to kill the action. "

Yes, true and it can be an irony in chess. Some of the most complicated openings out there, might not be complicated if the opponent plays them in a certain way. Strong players can often find ways to deaden the play. Sometimes it's the quieter looking openings that end up with the decisive results because there is time to gradually build up, rather than kill all of the play with some particular tactical sequence for example.

And that tends to work well for Carlsen. Many of these draws have been fighting draws. This is why I said Karjakin's chances even with the drawing strategy are not good. These draws aren't draws where Magnus fails to get anything, they are games Magnus easily could have won. Most of the time Magnus would have gotten a win by now, but of course it's not guaranteed.

Yeah, chess is definitely not played out. It's more about safety. Some lines are safer than others, and of course, top players are good at finding the ones they want. There are plenty of lines super GMs are quite confused about, but they don't often play them for that very reason. Which makes sense. They know that if they do, they might just lose. Perhaps that's why lower level GMs tend to have much sharper looking games than the higher level ones. To get to super GM level, you need to be incredibly good yes, but also incredibly pragmatic.

The heavyweight just knocked Carlsen down. 

There's your puncher's chance. 

It was a well played game by Karjakin, but Carlsen made several unforced mistakes.

Its not surprising. Karjakin is 2700+ and have an excellent team assisting him. Still I expect Carlsen to retain the WCC. I want him to be GOAT by 2020.

I'm mildly surprised, bong. I agree with the rest of what you say. But this isn't an earth-shattering upset. Not yet, at least. The match is short and Karjakin always had a chance as long as Carlsen kept pushing. 

I predicted +2 for Carlsen. Looks like I'll be wrong again. 

I have a dislike for dynasties including WCC dynasty. So my bet is on Carlsen. Carlsen is like Fischer who defeats the mighty Russian Chess Empire. And I want him to remain WCC for at least 10 years.

Looks like I was wrong too! Carlsen pushed way too hard for a win there.

You dislike dynasties, yet you want Carlsen to reamin WCC for at least 10 years? How does that work?

LOL! At least Carlsen is from Norway. We had too many Russian (Soviet) champions already. And I want Kasparov's hold on GOAT to be replaced by Carlsen. If Carlsen remain WCC and highest rated player by 2023, IMO that is enough. 

Dang, I was thinking about putting a few quid on Sergei, since I found 8/1 for him on one betting site - which seemed like very good odds in a two-horse race. But then I didn't for some reason.

madhacker- You didn't cause betting is always loosing

Indeed it seems good. I remember a guy who put on Raikkonen in 2007's F1 championship before last race. It was 9/1 for him if I'm not wrong.

i hear a certain bloke was 4-1 in a two horse race for a recent election.

In case no one noticed the score is 4.5-3.5 Karijakin winning, and we all know how easy it is for a GM to draw.

Carlsen is very cspable of scoring at least 2.5 in 4 games against Karjakin. Im expecting the English opening would score the point.

Yeah, an English would be nice.

Taking a page out of Kasparov's book.

Lots of people saying SK had no chance may need to wipe the egg off their faces.

Kasparov's comments were especially aggressive about the matter: "who's Karjakin? He's there by accident, Carlsen will slaughter him", or something like that.

Today's game was the first game where I thought Sergey pretty much had comfort and control the entire game.