An Even Match

Overall, Caruana did not outplay or out-prepare Carlsen. If he had, there would be a new world champion now.

Nor is Caruana a better classical player or more worthy champion. Both are currently equally matched in classical, and both had winning chances they did not take.

With regards to round 12... Carlsen did what he thought was best to retain the world title, not to please the fans. It’s a tactic that payed off and is justified in my opinion. To risk losing the world title just to please people is an insane and stupid standard to live up to.

I agree there should be more classical games in the match, but beyond this how do people propose to decide the match? Just keep on playing for months and months until a win occurs? It’s just not practical... a line has to be drawn somewhere, and there have to be tie breaks at some point. The only other alternative is the champion retaining the title in the event of a draw - which I think people would also be in uproar about.

In my opinion Carlsen is a thoroughly worthy world champion because he is a better all round player than Caruana (Classical, rapid, and blitz taken into account). And there is no other way to decide such a tight match, than in shorter time formats.

But I’m taking nothing away from Caruana, who I have upmost sympathy and respect for after losing this match. He conducted himself in an entirely praiseworthy manner, and was very respectful towards Magnus after the match. Dignified in defeat (unlike some of his supporters it seems).

For his part, Magnus has equally respectful, acknowledging that there is nothing between them in classical, and praising Caruana as his toughest ever opponent.

I wouldn’t be surprised if the two meet again in two years time.