Total Chess: Abhimanyu holds his own against Carlsen

BUDAPEST Abhimanyu Mishra had welcomed the chance to play Magnus Carlsen twice when the Total Chess World Championship Tour pilot’s draw was announced. On Thursday, the youngest Grandmaster in the field drew both games against the World No. 1, who had to defend an inferior position in their second meeting. Abhimanyu, the 17-year-old American with a rating of 2644 to Carlsen’s 2823, held firm with black in round three of the Fast Classic group stage.

The position in the Italian Game remained balanced despite Carlsen’s bishop sacrifice on h6, and a rook exchange on move 50 led to a draw. Carlsen chose the Scandinavian Defence in the return game, but his position worsened after he moved his king to d7 on move 26. Abhimanyu manoeuvred his knight to h5 and picked up the g7 and h6 pawns, gaining a substantial advantage. Carlsen reached an opposite-coloured bishop ending and held on for an 80-move draw, his fourth in as many games.

Abhimanyu moved to three points in Group C, one behind Carlsen with six games to go. Ian Nepomniachtchi and Haik Martirosyan shared the lead with six points.