Carlsen up 1-0 on Caruana going into Game Two of Chess960

Magnus Carlsen defeated Fabiano Caruana with the white pieces in the first game of their Chess960 match in Singapore. It was a messy one, never truly coming back to resembling a ‘normal’ chess game, which prompted an energetic Magnus after the game to say “Honestly, this is what we should play freestyle for; it’s for games like this, when it’s just free-flowing and fun!”

Magnus held an edge for just about the whole game, and quickly took advantage of Fabi’s one big mistake, which allowed White’s remaining pieces to co-ordinate in a way Black’s couldn’t. Caruana will have his chance to equalize on day two, playing as White, and a must-win scenario should ensure another entertaining game.

Game one can be viewed here, and game two will broadcast at 12:00 UTC, November 22nd, with tiebreaks to follow should Caruana tie the match.