On Friday 26th November 2021 reigning World Chess Champion Magnus Carlsen and Challenger Ian Nepomniachtchi sit down opposite the chessboard for the first game of the 2021 World Chess Championship in Dubai.
This match has been delayed by a year because of the Covid pandemic, which forced a year-long hiatus between the two halves of the Candidates Tournament held in Yekatrinburg, Russia. Of the competitors, Nepo retained the same high level of play on both sides of the break.
In a lavish opening ceremony the drawing of colours gives Nepo the white pieces in game 1.
| Game | White | Result | Black | Opening | Moves |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Nepomniachtchi | ½-½ | Carlsen | Ruy Lopez, Anti-Marshall | 45 |
| 2. | Carlsen | ½-½ | Nepomniachtchi | Catalan | 58 |
| 3. | Nepomniachtchi | ½-½ | Carlsen | Ruy Lopez, Anti-Marshall | 41 |
| 4. | Carlsen | ½-½ | Nepomniachtchi | Petroff, Classical | 33 |
| 5. | Nepomniachtchi | ½-½ | Carlsen | Ruy Lopez, Anti-Marshall | 43 |
| 6. | Carlsen | 1-0 | Nepomniachtchi | Catalan | 136 |
| 7. | Nepomniachtchi | ½-½ | Carlsen | Ruy Lopez, Anti-Marshall | 41 |
| 8. | Carlsen | 1-0 | Nepomniachtchi | Petroff, Modern | 46 |
| 9. | Nepomniachtchi | 0-1 | Carlsen | English; 1… e6 | 39 |
| 10. | Carlsen | ½-½ | Nepomniachtchi | Petroff, 4. Nd3 | 41 |
| 11. | Nepomniachtchi | 0-1 | Carlsen | Italian Game | 49 |
| Carlsen | 7½-3½ | Nepomniachtchi |
The Candidates Tournament
The Candidates Tournament to decide Carlsen’s challenger was run under controversial circumstances in the face of a global pandemic. It was halted mid-way for a year as the situation in Russia resulted in its closing of international travel, leaving the players stranded.