Carlsen hits back, levels series 5-5

In a nervous game, a mixture of Spanish and the Italian Opening, with mistakes by both sides Carlsen finally managed to convert a clear advantage into a win. The accumulation of many favourable positions finally paid dividends for the world champion. He wasn’t perfect in the conversion, but he was good enough. “It feels very good,” Carlsen said, visibly much more ebullient than at any other point in the match. “It wasn’t easy, but I made him break.” Longtime second GM Jon Ludvig Hammer, viewing from Norway, told Chess.com he had never seen Carlsen this happy before. In a position far more strategic than tactical, Carlsen got to lean on Karjakin for some time. After Black’s rooks formerly planted their flag on the Kingside, Carlsen took over that line, and hit multiple weak pawns. The Norwegian attempted to open up a second flank right on the first time control.  “It was ugly,” Karjakin said of the position he tried to hold in the ending. “It’s a huge relief obviously,” Carlsen said. “I haven’t won in 10 games and that’s something that really hasn’t happened to me before...The first loss left me in a pretty desperate situation.” Asked about his fitness, Carlsen admitted that the match is “taking its toll.”