Carlsen Game 1 WCC

I am trying to understand why I - a total mediocre player - could spot that ...Rg3, Nxg3, hxg3, and Carlsen didn't play it.
What was that? Fear of what?

The circumstances maybe played a part? I know top GMs *should* be used to pressure/high stakes etc, but they're still human, and there's obviously a massive difference between playing the position in the match vs casually analysing it afterwards when there is no pressure. The first game of the World Championship sounds like the most pressure-filled thing in chess.

Probably he wasn't sure that he has enough compensation for an exchange, and if he has, that it's actually enough to win. You see, they are not playing Rapid or Blitz, it's not enough to have a "pushing position", it should rather be objectively winning. For me, it's no-brainer to play like that, but I would likely lose many other positions where this exchange actually matters and draw even more positions where there is a better move :D

Well, having a good position before and after it is not easy to „burn bridges“ in mutual zeitnot. Indecisiveness is evil and cashing in too early might be even worse. Worst case: if he pushed too hard he would have brought the third result into play?

By the way, seeing the move and calculating it correctly without an engine might be a different story.

Thanks a lot mCoombes314, Wolfram_EP and Sarg0n.

Sometimes you spot a winning move, even prepare this particular move (...h5-h4!) and yet you go for another one...

So many good moves to make, but always the opponent plays too. Chances, counter-chances. It's not ever so easy behind the board, for any mere mortal ...let alone those especially at the very top end of the game. Wonderful battle in Game 1. Game 2 not bad either, with time-trouble and surprise element reversed. Both opening games and black with the early initiative.

Game 3 another instant repetition here of the Nezhmetdinov-Rossolimo Sicilian set-up. Just because Caruana had major difficulties in Game 1 does not mean that the line is either busted or else found-out. So many subtly different ways to play the Bxc6 Sicilian, for both sides. Often WC's go this way, with both players often willing to revisit a common theme - both confident in their own chances. Then it goes one way or another. Fascinating battle so far!! Loving it, except for the almost zero TV (or mainstream media) coverage

I agree on the poor coverage... It's a pity. And I feel to blame for it the FIDE. But for what I've seen in the chess system it's a common trait, the poor marketing and the improvvisation of the event organization. Even the post match press conference seems not at a decent level for a World championship.

Chess24 has a very good coverage, in my opinion. Top GMs - Svidler & Grischuk - commentary without engine and without much babbling about themes unrelated to the actual position.