So, Karjakin still tied in World Chess Cup’s Round 2

Filipino grandmaster Wesley So and world’s No. 5 Sergey Karjakin remain tied in the second round of the FIDE World Chess Cup in Khanty-Mansiysk, Russia after their second game ended in a draw at their 26th moves Thursday. It was So’s turn to play white and he decided to attack from his left, queenside. He first sent out two pawns to meet the black knight Karjakin let loose. Then Karjakin opened up his center by sending his king’s pawn forward. Expecting a strong attack, So released his queen’s knight so it could stand guard at the outer perimeter. Karjakin did launch his offensive by deploying his bishop to meet the knight. So quickly moved his queen behind the knight. Perhaps sensing danger or maybe just to be sure, Karjakin castled his king. So moved his rook’s pawn a step forward in an effort to scare off the attacking bishop, but the clergy piece was undeterred and took the knight standing guard. So promptly disposed of the bishop. The top seed Karjakin launched another offensive but So sent out his queen’s bishop to support her majesty from the right flank, effectively keeping the black pieces from advancing. The Russian then moved out his castling rook. Sensing another attack, So positioned his queen’s rook and king’s knight close to his king to defend against any strikes from the left side. A king's rook check Karjakin did strike first by making his king’s rook check both the white queen and its companion bishop, whose moments of life on the board were numbered. But So made those moments count by having that bishop take out one of the black knights. Unfortunately for the bishop, the black queen was there to pounce on it. So retaliated by sending his queen deep into the heart of the black king’s lair. Karjakin moved his majesty out of danger and brought back his rook to check the intruding queen. So retreated and then Karjakin made his remaining bishop streak across the field and take out one of So’s pawns and threaten the white king’s rook. But the Filipino’s other bishop was still there and quickly took out the invader. Karjakin’s reprisal was his black queen overcoming the bishop. So tried to counter-attack by sacrificing his queen. The black queen moved in for the kill against the opposite queen. The remaining white knight avenged the loss of So’s queen. With both camps having two rooks, one knight, five pawns and few options, the combatants saw the futility of fighting any further and called it a draw. — Earl Victor Rosero/VS, GMA News