Karjakin talks about Carlsen and Kasparov

What makes the Norwegian the world’s best player?

The average level of his moves is very high. While I can finish first or sixth, Carlsen maintains his level and rarely falls below second place. He makes almost no mistakes.

In your opinion, who’s stronger: Kasparov in his best years or Carlsen?

Magnus, I think. It’s not just that I lost to him. It’s simply that the Norwegian is a more universal chess player. Kasparov had very good openings and tactically he was at a very high level, but in positional play and the endgame it seems to me that he was far inferior to the current Carlsen. I consider the Norwegian a more universal chess player.

Karjakin also talked about his relationship with Kasparov.

"In general Kasparov and I don’t speak, and I have no intention of doing that since I think that he’s doing a lot of bad things, including for chess. Anatoly Karpov and I, meanwhile, have excellent relations. From time to time I go to visit him and we play training games. In particular, before my trip to America I was at his house again and he gave me tips that I employed. They were useful."

https://chess24.com/en/read/news/karjakin-and-kasparov-lock-swords-after-match

Interesting article. Thanks.

Thanks for sharing Nimzo!

No problem

Someone should really make Ka$parov shut his mouth, terrible person. The way he spoke about Karjakin just because of his Putin connection really sucks. It's clear that propaganda will shelter his image among chessplayers (always has) but I'm content with the fact that he's hated by the vast majority of his compatriots.

Wow, harsh words for Kasparov!  

No politics please.

This is not a pedo-girl-stalking thread so what are you actually doing here stuzzi?

Though I admire Karjakin's tenacity, I think Kasparov is spot on with his comments.  Carlsen is a much better player than him, and I think "drab" though rather harsh given what a good player Karjakin is, is quite an appropriate word for his style of play.  Thanks for the post nimzo - intereting stuff.

Interesting about the consistent "average level of his moves".  Carlsen is a lot better than other supergms, so even when he's not playing 100%, it's still not far below their level.

Yes, an interesting comment. Many people just coming to chess will rightly be impressed by Carlsen's queen sac at the end, but the real story is his propensity to make fewer mistakes then most others. it's consistency not superficial brilliancy.

There are reasons to dislike Karjakin's chess in the WC match. He made no active plays the entire match, and even as white was looking to exchange at every opportunity. Think Kasparov was correct, in that if he had won, would have been the first World Champion to show no new ideas, or aspect of playing.