...more about a tie breaker.
exactly 2 years ago the championship tile was won in a tiebreaker game. i followed it closely and posted some elements of the rules in this thread.
viewtopic.php?p=2046150#p2046150
to add the details. there are several rapid and blitz rule systems. all differ by the teir time controls.
according to the fide rules used in the world championships, if the classic/traditional 12 games end in a draw, a set of 4
rapid games should . in a rapid, by the time control definition, each player will be given 25 minutes plus 10 seconds for each move. if the 4 games end in a draw still, the separate blitz consisting of 2 games will be played. by definition blitz is a 5 minute allotment plus 3 seconds after each move. five such 2-game matches are the maximum. if it is still a draw, only then the Armageddon game will be due. in that
last game the odds are deliberately tilted to produce a result. that is, the whites get 5 minutes and the black get 4 minutes.
some more significant notes. carlsen is objectively stronger than the american in both the rapid and blitz. it is a fact that might have contributed to magnus' tactic.
many outstanding players and former champions strongly criticize the current system considering it not reflective of the depth of the game of chess.