Magnus Carlsen wins Chess World Championship 2018 after beating Fabiano Caruana in tie-breakers

Carlsen won the first three tie-breakers to end the impasse

Magnus Carlsen beat Fabiano Caruana after a long tense match (Reuters)

Magnus Carlsen retained his world chess crown after finally seeing off the challenge of American Fabiano Caruana in a best-of-four tie-breakers.

Carlsen won the first three tie-breakers to end the impasse after the pair had drawn all 12 of their matches, something unprecedented in the 132-year history of the competition.

The Norwegian grandmaster sealed the third defence of a world title that he first won in 2013, dominated the much faster format used to decide a drawn match.

Carlsen also takes away the €1m (£880,000) top prize.