FIDE World Chess Championship 2016

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The FIDE World Chess Championship 2016 took place in New York City, featuring reigning champion Magnus Carlsen (Norway) and challenger Sergey Karjakin (Russia). After 12 classical games ended 6–6—highlighted by Carlsen’s equaliser in Game 10—Carlsen won the rapid tiebreaks to retain his title.

FIDE World Chess Championship 2016, Magnus Carlsen, Sergey Karjakin

Photo: И. Иванов, “World Chess Championship 2016 Game 3 – 25”, via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0).

Winner/Reigning Champion: Magnus Carlsen

Born: 1990, Tønsberg, Norway

By 2016, Magnus Carlsen was widely regarded as the world’s most complete chess player. Renowned for his versatility, deep endgame mastery, and psychological resilience, he entered the match as the top-rated player. Though favored, he lost Game 8 and was forced to strike back in Game 10. The tiebreaks showcased his dominance in faster formats, culminating in a brilliant queen sacrifice checkmate. This victory reinforced Carlsen’s legacy as a universal genius and proved his unmatched composure under pressure.

Challenger: Sergey Karjakin

Born: 1990, Simferopol, then part of the Ukrainian SSR (Soviet Union)

Sergey Karjakin earned the challenger’s spot by winning the 2016 Candidates Tournament. Famous for his ironclad defense and counterattacking skill, he frustrated Carlsen and seized the lead in Game 8. Although he fell short in the rapid tiebreaks, his gritty performance won international praise and stirred national pride in Russia. The match remains the highlight of Karjakin’s career.

Match Overview

Match Dates: November 11 – November 30, 2016
Location: New York City, United States
Format: Best of 12 classical games, followed by 4 rapid tiebreaks if necessary
Time Control: 100 minutes for 40 moves, 50 minutes for the next 20, then 15 minutes for the rest of the game with a 30-second increment from move 1
Prize Fund: $1.1 million (60% to champion, 40% to runner-up)
Main Sponsors: PhosAgro, EG Capital Advisors

Historical and Cultural Context

The 2016 championship sparked global media coverage. Played in a glass enclosure at Manhattan’s Fulton Market, it combined elite chess with modern spectacle. Carlsen’s global fame, the match’s narrative arc, and Karjakin’s role as a Russian underdog drew headlines in The New York Times, BBC, Le Monde and others. His final move became a viral sensation. Despite concerns about the many draws, the dramatic finale renewed confidence in the classical format’s future.

FIDE World Chess Championship 2016, Magnus Carlsen (NOR), Sergey Karjakin (RUS)

FIDE World Chess Championship 2016 Games

Game 1

Game 2

Game 3

Game 4

Game 5

Game 6

Game 7

Game 8

Game 9

Game 10

Game 11

Game 12

Tie breaks

Game 13

Game 14

Game 15

Game 16

FIDE World Chess Championship 2016

Magnus Carlsen, Norway

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FIDE World Chess Championship 2016 Sources

General Sources

Last updated: 11 January 2026