Chess - 2018 World Rapid and Blitz Chess Championships - Rapid Open - Saint Petersburg, Russia - December 26, 2018. Sergey Karjakin of Russia looks at a board during a game against Anton Demchenko of Russia. REUTERS/Anton Vaganov 

Current World Chess Champion Magnus Carlsen of Norway, reacts to a move from Sergey Karjakin of Russia during the first game of their rapid chess tie-breaker match, at the 2016 World Chess Championship match in New York, U.S., November 30, 2016. REUTERS/Mark Kauzlarich TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY 

World Chess Champion Magnus Carlsen of Norway waves the crowd at a news conference after defeating Sergey Karjakin (R) of Russia at the 2016 World Chess Championship match in New York, U.S., November 30, 2016. REUTERS/Mark Kauzlarich TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY 

Sergey Karjakin of Russia wears a medal and holds a commemorative pen after losing to Magnus Carlsen of Norway (not shown) at the 2016 World Chess Championship match in New York, U.S., November 30, 2016. REUTERS/Mark Kauzlarich 

Sergey Karjakin of Russia smiles after being cheered by fans at an award ceremony after losing to Magnus Carlsen of Norway (not shown) at the 2016 World Chess Championship match in New York, U.S., November 30, 2016. REUTERS/Mark Kauzlarich 

Sergey Karjakin (R) of Russia wishes World Chess Champion Magnus Carlsen a happy birthday after Karjakin's loss at the 2016 World Chess Championship match in New York, U.S., November 30, 2016. REUTERS/Mark Kauzlarich 

World Chess Champion Magnus Carlsen of Norway, smiles after defeating Sergey Karjakin (not shown) of Russia at the 2016 World Chess Championship match in New York, U.S., November 30, 2016. REUTERS/Mark Kauzlarich 

Sergey Karjakin of Russia sits at a news conference after losing to Magnus Carlsen of Norway at the 2016 World Chess Championship match in New York, U.S., November 30, 2016. REUTERS/Mark Kauzlarich 

World Chess Champion Magnus Carlsen of Norway, arrives at a news conference after defeating Sergey Karjakin of Russia (L) at the 2016 World Chess Championship match in New York, U.S., November 30, 2016. REUTERS/Mark Kauzlarich 

World Chess Champion Magnus Carlsen of Norway, smiles after defeating Sergey Karjakin (not shown) of Russia at the 2016 World Chess Championship match in New York, U.S., November 30, 2016. REUTERS/Mark Kauzlarich 

World Chess Champion Magnus Carlsen (L) of Norway, smiles during a news conference after defeating Sergey Karjakin of Russia at the 2016 World Chess Championship match in New York, U.S., November 30, 2016. REUTERS/Mark Kauzlarich 

World Chess Champion Magnus Carlsen of Norway waves the crowd at a news conference after defeating Sergey Karjakin (R) of Russia at the 2016 World Chess Championship match in New York, U.S., November 30, 2016. REUTERS/Mark Kauzlarich 

Current World Chess Champion Magnus Carlsen of Norway, ponders a move against Sergey Karjakin of Russia during the second game of their rapid chess tie-breaker match, at the 2016 World Chess Championship match in New York, U.S., November 30, 2016. REUTERS/Mark Kauzlarich 

Businessman Peter Thiel makes the honorary first move in the rapid chess playoff match between Sergey Karjakin of Russia (L) and current World Chess Champion Magnus Carlsen of Norway (R) at the 2016 World Chess Championship match in New York, U.S., November 30, 2016. REUTERS/Mark Kauzlarich 

Sergey Karjakin of Russia ponders his next move against current World Chess Champion Magnus Carlsen of Norway (R) during the first game of their rapid chess tie-breaker match, at the 2016 World Chess Championship match in New York, U.S., November 30, 2016. REUTERS/Mark Kauzlarich 

Current World Chess Champion Magnus Carlsen of Norway, looks at the state of the board after a move from Sergey Karjakin of Russia, during the first game of their rapid chess tie-breaker match, at the 2016 World Chess Championship match in New York, U.S., November 30, 2016. REUTERS/Mark Kauzlarich 

Current World Chess Champion Magnus Carlsen of Norway, reacts to a move from Sergey Karjakin of Russia during the first game of their rapid chess tie-breaker match, at the 2016 World Chess Championship match in New York, U.S., November 30, 2016. REUTERS/Mark Kauzlarich 

Sergey Karjakin of Russia and current World Chess Champion Magnus Carlsen of Norway (R) play the first game of their rapid chess tie-breaker match, at the 2016 World Chess Championship match in New York, U.S., November 30, 2016. REUTERS/Mark Kauzlarich 

Sergey Karjakin of Russia ponders his next move against current World Chess Champion Magnus Carlsen of Norway (R) during the first game of their rapid chess tie-breaker match, at the 2016 World Chess Championship match in New York, U.S., November 30, 2016. REUTERS/Mark Kauzlarich 

Sergey Karjakin of Russia ponders his next move against current World Chess Champion Magnus Carlsen of Norway (R) during the first game of their rapid chess tie-breaker match, at the 2016 World Chess Championship match in New York, U.S., November 30, 2016. REUTERS/Mark Kauzlarich 

Sergey Karjakin of Russia and current World Chess Champion Magnus Carlsen of Norway (R) play the first game of their rapid chess tie-breaker match, at the 2016 World Chess Championship match in New York, U.S., November 30, 2016. REUTERS/Mark Kauzlarich 

Sergey Karjakin of Russia and current World Chess Champion Magnus Carlsen of Norway (R) wait for the start of the first game of their rapid chess match playoff, at the 2016 World Chess Championship match in New York, U.S., November 30, 2016. REUTERS/Mark Kauzlarich 

Sergey Karjakin of Russia and current World Chess Champion Magnus Carlsen of Norway (R) prepare for the start of the first game of their rapid chess match playoff, at the 2016 World Chess Championship match in New York, U.S., November 30, 2016. REUTERS/Mark Kauzlarich 

Sergey Karjakin (R) of Russia makes a move against his opponent Magnus Carlsen (L) of Norway during round 12 of the 2016 World Chess Championship match in New York U.S., November 28, 2016. REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton 

Magnus Carlsen (L) of Norway reacts during his match with Sergey Karjakin of Russia in round 12 of the 2016 World Chess Championship match in New York U.S., November 28, 2016. REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton 

Magnus Carlsen (L), of Norway, takes notes during his match with Sergey Karjakin of Russia in round 12 of the 2016 World Chess Championship match in New York U.S., November 28, 2016. REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton 

A man uses his smartphone to video the move monitor of round 12 of the chess match between Magnus Carlsen of Norway and Sergey Karjakin of Russia during the 2016 World Chess Championship match in New York U.S., November 28, 2016. REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton 

Magnus Carlsen (L), of Norway, shakes hands with Sergey Karjakin, of Russia, before round 12 of the 2016 World Chess Championship match in New York U.S., November 28, 2016. REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton 

Magnus Carlsen, of Norway, reacts at his match with Sergey Karjakin, of Russia, during their round 5 of the 2016 World Chess Championship in New York U.S., November 17, 2016. REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton 

Magnus Carlsen, of Norway (L), takes notes during his match with Sergey Karjakin, of Russia, during their round 5 of the 2016 World Chess Championship in New York U.S., November 17, 2016. REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton 

Sergey Karjakin, of Russia, makes a mover during his match with Magnus Carlsen, of Norway, in the fifth round of the 2016 World Chess Championship in New York U.S., November 17, 2016. REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton 

Magnus Carlsen, of Norway, looks out during his match with Sergey Karjakin, of Russia, during their round 5 of the 2016 World Chess Championship in New York U.S., November 17, 2016. REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton 

Sergey Karjakin, of Russia, stares at the chess board during his match with Magnus Carlsen, of Norway, in the fifth round of the 2016 World Chess Championship in New York U.S., November 17, 2016. REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton 

Spectators watch as Magnus Carlsen (L), of Norway, and Sergey Karjakin, of Russia, compete during their opening match in the 2016 World Chess Championship in New York U.S., November 11, 2016. REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton 

Magnus Carlsen (L), of Norway, makes a move against Sergey Karjakin, of Russia, during their opening match in the 2016 World Chess Championship in New York U.S., November 11, 2016. REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton 

Actor Woody Harrelson smiles with Magnus Carlsen (L) of Norway and Sergey Karjakin of Russia, before their opening match in the 2016 World Chess Championship in New York U.S., November 11, 2016. REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton 

Magnus Carlsen (L), of Norway, makes a move against Sergey Karjakin, of Russia, during their opening match in the 2016 World Chess Championship in New York U.S., November 11, 2016. REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton 

Magnus Carlsen (L), of Norway, sits while Sergey Karjakin, of Russia, looks at the chess board during their opening match in the 2016 World Chess Championship in New York U.S., November 11, 2016. REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton 

Magnus Carlsen (L), of Norway, watches as Sergey Karjakin, of Russia, makes a move during their opening match in the 2016 World Chess Championship in New York U.S., November 11, 2016. REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton 

World chess champion Magnus Carlsen (C) and Sergey Karjakin (2nd-R) attend a news conference ahead of the 2016 World Chess Championship in New York City, U.S., November 10, 2016. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid 

Sergey Karjakin (R) speaks during a news conference with World chess champion Magnus Carlsen (L) ahead of the 2016 World Chess Championship in New York City, U.S., November 10, 2016. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid 

Sergey Karjakin looks at a virtual reality viewer during a news conference ahead of the 2016 World Chess Championship in New York City, U.S., November 10, 2016. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid 

Sergey Karjakin looks at a virtual reality viewer during a news conference ahead of the 2016 World Chess Championship in New York City, U.S., November 10, 2016. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid 

World chess champion Magnus Carlsen (L) and Sergey Karjakin attend a news conference ahead of the 2016 World Chess Championship in New York City, U.S., November 10, 2016. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid 

World chess champion Magnus Carlsen (C) and Sergey Karjakin (R) attend a news conference ahead of the 2016 World Chess Championship in New York City, U.S., November 10, 2016. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid 

(L-R) Chess grandmasters Wesley So, Yi Wei, Sergey Karjakin and Hikaru Nakamura play a friendly doubles game at the end of the IX Chess Masters Final in Bilbao, northern Spain, July 23, 2016. REUTERS/Vincent West

Russian grandmaster Sergey Karjakin waits to start a game at the IX Chess Masters Final in Bilbao, northern Spain, July 23, 2016. REUTERS/Vincent West

Norwegian world chess champion Magnus Carlsen looks at the board during a game against Russian grandmaster Sergey Karjakin at the IX Chess Masters Final in Bilbao, northern Spain, July 21, 2016. REUTERS/Vincent West

Norwegian world chess champion Magnus Carlsen (R) plays against Russian grandmaster Sergey Karjakin alongside a game between Chinese grandmaster Wei Yi (L) and U.S. grandmaster Hikaru Nakamura during the IX Chess Masters Final in Bilbao, northern Spain, July 21, 2016. REUTERS/Vincent West

Norwegian world chess champion Magnus Carlsen looks at the board during a game against Russian grandmaster Sergey Karjakin at the IX Chess Masters Final in Bilbao, northern Spain, July 21, 2016. REUTERS/Vincent West

Russian grandmaster Sergey Karjakin adjusts his pieces before a game against Norwegian world chess champion Magnus Carlsen at the IX Chess Masters Final in Bilbao, northern Spain, July 21, 2016. REUTERS/Vincent West

Norwegian world chess champion Magnus Carlsen plays against Russian grandmaster Sergey Karjakin (not pictured) during the IX Chess Masters Final in Bilbao, northern Spain, July 21, 2016. REUTERS/Vincent West

Norwegian world chess champion Magnus Carlsen (R) plays against Russian grandmaster Sergey Karjakin during the IX Chess Masters Final in Bilbao, northern Spain, July 21, 2016. REUTERS/Vincent West

Norwegian world chess champion Magnus Carlsen (L) plays against Russian grandmaster Sergey Karjakin during the IX Chess Masters Final in Bilbao, northern Spain, July 21, 2016. REUTERS/Vincent West

Ukrainian chess master Sergei Karjakin studies the board against Russian chess master Alexandra Kosteniuk (not pictured) during a chess festival in the Zocalo main square plaza in Mexico City, October 22, 2006. The total of 14,000 competitors participated to earn a place in the Guinness Book of World Records for the most simultaneous games of chess. REUTERS/Tomas Bravo (MEXICO) 

Twelve year old Sergey Karjakin (L) of Ukraine concentrates during a
chess match against Vaselin Toplov of Bulgaria at the UAE Chess Grand
Prix April 3, 2002. Toplov after having an initial difficult time,
secured a convincing win over Karjakin on the opening day.
REUTERS/Anwar Mirza.

AM/AA 

Sergei Karjakin, 12, of the Ukraine concentrates during a match with
Vaselin Toplov of Bulgaria at the UAE Chess Grand Prix April 3, 2002.
Toplov secured a convincing win over Karjakin on the opening day of the
tournament. REUTERS/Anwar Mirza

AM/GB