Game 1 Draw

Carlsen was being stubborn from a theoretical drawn position. I can’t say I blame him though.  What does he have to lose by hoping for an off chance of a goof by Caruana?

 At one point Carlsen had a nearly won position with the black pieces.  I’m glad Fabs was able to hold. ‘Merica! 🇺🇸 

If you historically choke a 10 point eval advantage like Carlsen did, then 115 moves will lessen the average centipawn loss.

Fabi was lucky to eke out that draw.  Game 2 coming up; which player will appear more tired from game 1?  Team America, let's go!

I can't believe Fabiano got a draw!  I thought he was going to lose for sure.  Fabiano better start playing better because Magnus won't always blunder away the win.  

Fab has this ability to hold positions. I am hoping for a Russian/Petroff Game 2 as I do not really know the opening. 

Yeah, I thought Fabi was gonna lose that one... he did well to hold the draw.

Probably a Bishop's Opening, unless Magnus prepared against the Petroff

I've seen Maggie play Nf3 before, too.

Third game in a row Carlsen outplays Caruana and he couldnt convert any of those advantages, I wonder how can that fact affect psychollogycally both players, must be frustrating being outplayed over and over but also wasting good chances repeatidly.

I'm 63 and feeling perky right now.  My cat is getting ready to do a lap drop.

My 10-year old and I watched the game before I had to take him to school.  First hour and 15 minutes, and I thought that not only was Magnus going to win game 1, but that it was going to be so psychologically devastating for Fabi, that I was more than ready to say that Magnus was going to win the match!  Less than 20 moves into Game 1, and I was more than ready to say that Magnus is going to retain his crown.  Not only that, but I could see no way that Magnus was even going to drop 1 game to Fabio.  Not going to be a 6-0 Fischer whitewash of Taimanov and Larsen, but that Magnus was going to win all the decisive games.  I simply could not believe that after months of preparation, that that was the best preparation that Fabio could muster against a Sicilian.   Magnus not only equalized easily, but he had the enduring advantage.  Plus Magnus was so psychologically ahead because he had 20-30 minutes time advantage on the clock.  I was so sure that Magnus was going to do his brutal Boa Constrictor choke hold and brutalize Fabi.

I had to meet with a client.  At 2:00pm I check my phone and found out that the game was still on!!  And then...  Fabio gets the draw.  The draw!!!!  Are you freaking kidding me??

I don't know who's more disgusted.  Fabi?  For getting tossed around like a ball of yarn by the Cat King of the Jungle.  Or Magnus... for blowing an easy win.  Yeesh.

Can't wait for game 2 to see if Fabio can steady his nerves and pull out another draw, or miracle of miracles, get a win with the black pieces against Machine-Gun Magnus.

Based on the analysis from chess24 it seemed like carlsen had some practical chances in the endgame, thats why he kept playing. The problem was he did not commit to playing a5 when he could, than he never got the chance to play it again. 

This was the choke. Rg3. Its an automatic move....I mean what was the plan for the earlier moves if not to place the rook at g3. Thats how easy it was...everything lead up to this.

What about Caruana's 48th unhappy move ?

Maybe 48. e7 - was Caruana's mistake ?  And it was better for Fabi no to move e-pawn forward so fast ?

He lost e-pawn soon then. 

He did put this e-pawn on black square… And it became vulnerable for Magnus' black Bishop.

What if instead of that... Fabi made 48. N h6... then 49. N f7....  and 50. N f 7 !?

What do our Chess experts think ?

yes. but you allow white to have a passed h pawn, and the chance to break the center, maybe that which prevented Magnus from playing Rg3

The more automatic move was Qe5 a few moves earlier, which was also winning.

Indeed. Honest opinion? Mental warfare WC 2018. Magnus defers white. Fabian plays a "weak" club opening (where, incidentally, Carlsen had an improvement from their game back in '15). Heh. I'm with Caruana because I truly think it's his time now, not because he is a fellow American. But yeah, I was disappointed that Fabi kind of asked for it by not going straight at Magnus and go into mainline.