& # 39; Armageddon & # 39; in the world's craziest showdown

Armageddon occupies a prominent place in the World Chess Championship after the most spectacular showdown against the title.

The World Chess Federation's championship between American challenger Fabiano Caruana and Norway's Magnus Carlsen has already become the first title clash between the grand masters who failed to record a winning victory in the 12 classic matches scheduled.

Each showdown in the previous world championships since 1886 – 132 years ago – was marked by a breakthrough, but Caruana and Carlsen remain stuck after more than 50 hours of play for nearly three weeks in the theater of the College of Holborn in London, reports news.com.au. .

12 matches. 12 draws.

It does not begin to tell the story of pure drama.

The clash was first immersed in the scandal when a three-minute video posted online revealed the secrets of Fabiano's training camp in St. Louis.

Defending champion Carlsen went on to present in the 9th match with a black eye that he had suffered during an amateur football game on the weekend. Before he could continue the championship, he needed to be allowed by his own medical team to commit a concussion.

In the next match, Carlsen inexplicably dropped his pack as he was about to win a famous victory. His only mistake allowed Caruana to sneak into another draw.

The 27-year-old admitted to having "suffered". Grandmasters around the world have said that Carlsen may be suffering from the effects of a concussion.

In Game 12, Carlsen took control of the match after Caruana had adopted the so-called Petrov Defense and was separated by his Norwegian rival. Once again, the world of chess was shocked when Carlsen proposed a draw with Caruana after 21 shots. Victory was within reach.

"I am very shocked by Magnus' decision," Hikaru Nakamura, a great American master, told Chess.com.

All the delicious drama series from the last 12 games of regulation is simply the aperitif of the main event of the chaos scheduled for the end of the championship Thursday morning (AEDT).

The match – which takes place behind a soundproof glass on a stage in London – now boils down to a series of fast games.

The opinion of chess commentators is divided before the sudden death test – but many are already predicting that the title of world champion will be decided by a tie-break "Armageddon".

The two players will play for the first time in four games with quick time checks: 25 minutes plus 10 seconds per shot for each player.

If the match remains in a stalemate after that, they will play a series of five-minute games.

And if that does not give the winner, the match will end with a game "Armageddon" – the player with the white coins will have five minutes on the clock while the person playing the black will only have four minutes, but a match no one counts as a victory. for black.

An Armageddon match has never been used to decide the world championship in 132 years of history. This is now likely to change.

Carlsen drew the white pieces of the round of sudden death.

While Carlsen, who defends his crown for the third time, is considered the highest ranked top speed player, question marks surround his mental state after his inexplicable peace offer in the 12th classic match.

"In light of this shocking pulling offer from Magnus occupying a higher position with more time, I reconsider my assessment that he is the favorite of the rapids," tweeted former world champion Garry Kasparov.

"Breaks require huge nerves and he seems to lose his."

Even Caruana acknowledged that he was "relieved" to be able to break the tie after being on the ropes in the final game.

"When you feel that you are on the verge of defeat, or at least you have a very dangerous position, then that is quite good," said the American.

Carlsen, however, remained confident in his ability to surpass the fast failing challenger.

"I think I obviously have very good chances," said the Norwegian.

"But I do not know what's going to happen."

Nobody does it, and that is why this clash is the best thing in the sport right now.

The winner will receive 550,000 euros (860,000 USD), the finalist pocketing 450,000 euros (700,000 USD).

– with AP