Carlsen’s decision to offer a draw in a better position on Monday had been heavily criticized by many chess fans, including former world champions Garry Kasparov and Vladimir Kramnik. Today, he gave them a proper reply.
By winning all three rapid games, Carlsen silenced his critics and proved that his decision was both practical and founded in his confidence to win the tiebreak. Carlsen chose the path he felt would give the best chance to retain his title, and today he justified that choice.
Carlsen revealed at the press conference that he had made up his mind already before game 12, reasoning: "If I had a slightly favorable position…Then I was indeed going to offer a draw. I understand that’s not the mindset that everybody wants but I felt that’s what gave me the best chance to win the match.”
And he did not regret it: "Based on the information I had at that point I think I made a very good decision," said Carlsen. "There are some things that I had missed during the game, which kind of made me underestimate my position at that point, but I still felt that with the mindset I had and everything that I think I made the right decision. And not solely based on today."
Adding to that, he couldn't resist addressing his two great predecessors: "As for the opinion of Garry and Vlad, then they’re entitled to their stupid opinion!" said Carlsen.
Later in the press conference, he added: "I suppose if I had lost today part of me would have regretted my approach to the 12th game."
By winning all three rapid games, Carlsen silenced his critics and proved that his decision was both practical and founded in his confidence to win the tiebreak. Carlsen chose the path he felt would give the best chance to retain his title, and today he justified that choice.
Carlsen revealed at the press conference that he had made up his mind already before game 12, reasoning: "If I had a slightly favorable position…Then I was indeed going to offer a draw. I understand that’s not the mindset that everybody wants but I felt that’s what gave me the best chance to win the match.”
And he did not regret it: "Based on the information I had at that point I think I made a very good decision," said Carlsen. "There are some things that I had missed during the game, which kind of made me underestimate my position at that point, but I still felt that with the mindset I had and everything that I think I made the right decision. And not solely based on today."
Adding to that, he couldn't resist addressing his two great predecessors: "As for the opinion of Garry and Vlad, then they’re entitled to their stupid opinion!" said Carlsen.
Later in the press conference, he added: "I suppose if I had lost today part of me would have regretted my approach to the 12th game."
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