[Event "Ronne Jubilaum"]
[Site "Ronne"]
[Date "2001.06.27"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Lindberg, Henrik"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B35"]
[WhiteElo "2288"]
[BlackElo "2210"]
[PlyCount "106"]
[EventDate "2001.06.24"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "DEN"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2023"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2022.10.05"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2022.10.05"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 g6 4. d4 cxd4 5. Nxd4 Bg7 6. Be3 Nf6 7. Bc4 O-O 8. Bb3 a5 9. a4 Ng4 10. Qxg4 Nxd4 11. Qd1 Nxb3 12. cxb3 d6 13. Bd4 Be6 14. Bxg7 Kxg7 15. O-O Qb6 16. Nd5 Bxd5 17. Qxd5 Rac8 18. Rac1 Rc6 19. Rc4 $146 ({RR} 19. Rc3 Rfc8 20. Rf3 f6 21. Qe6 R8c7 22. Rc3 Qd4 23. Rfc1 Rxc3 24. bxc3 Qd2 25. Rf1 Qxc3 26. f4 Qe3+ 27. Kh1 Rc1 28. Qxe7+ Kh6 {0-1 (28) Ilic,A (2147)-Dimitrijevic,D (2135) Vrnjacka Banja 2015}) 19... Qxb3 20. Rxc6 Qxd5 21. exd5 bxc6 22. dxc6 Rc8 23. Rc1 Kf6 24. Kf1 Rc7 25. Rc4 Ke6 26. b4 axb4 27. Rxb4 Rxc6 28. Re4+ Kd7 29. g4 g5 30. h3 Rc3 31. Kg2 Ra3 32. f4 h6 33. f5 d5 34. Rb4 Kc6 35. Rb8 Rxa4 36. Rh8 d4 37. Rxh6+ Kd5 38. Rh8 Ke4 39. Rd8 Ra1 40. f6 e5 41. Rd7 Ra2+ 42. Kg3 Ra3+ 43. Kg2 Ra2+ 44. Kg3 d3 45. Rxf7 Ra6 46. Kf2 Rd6 47. Ke1 Ke3 48. Re7 e4 49. f7 d2+ 50. Kd1 Rf6 51. Rd7 Rf1+ 52. Kc2 Rc1+ 53. Kb2 Rc8 0-1

[Event "Ronne Jubilaum"]
[Site "Ronne"]
[Date "2001.06.29"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Baekgaard, Martin"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C03"]
[WhiteElo "2288"]
[BlackElo "2270"]
[PlyCount "102"]
[EventDate "2001.06.24"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "DEN"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2023"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2022.10.05"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2022.10.05"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nd2 Be7 4. Ngf3 Nf6 5. Bd3 c5 6. dxc5 dxe4 7. Nxe4 Nxe4 8. Bxe4 Qxd1+ 9. Kxd1 Bxc5 10. Ke2 Nd7 11. Be3 Ke7 ({RR} 11... Bxe3 12. Kxe3 Nc5 13. Rhd1 Ke7 14. Bd3 f6 15. Bc4 Bd7 16. b4 Na4 17. Rxd7+ Kxd7 18. Bb5+ Ke7 19. Bxa4 Rhc8 20. Bb3 a5 21. bxa5 Rxa5 22. Rd1 g6 23. Rd4 Rc7 24. Rh4 h5 25. Rb4 Rd7 26. Rb6 {Svidler,P (2753)-Yu,Y (2759) Shenzhen 2018 ½-½ (52)}) ({RR} 11... Bxe3 12. Kxe3 Nc5 13. Rhd1 Ke7 14. Rd4 Nxe4 15. Kxe4 Bd7 16. Ne5 Be8 17. Rb4 Rb8 18. f4 f6 19. Nd3 Bc6+ 20. Ke3 Rhd8 21. Re1 b6 22. g3 Rbc8 23. Re2 Be8 24. Rd4 Rxd4 25. Kxd4 Bg6 26. Rd2 {Postny,E (2551)-Manukyan,S (2253) chess.com INT 2023 0-1 (50)}) 12. c4 $146 ({RR} 12. Rhd1 Bxe3 13. Kxe3 Nf6 14. Ne5 Nxe4 15. Kxe4 f6 16. Nd3 b6 17. c4 Bb7+ 18. Ke3 Rac8 19. b3 Rhd8 20. Rac1 e5 21. f3 Rd4 22. Nf2 Rxd1 23. Rxd1 f5 24. Nd3 Kf6 25. Nb4 Ke6 26. a4 g5 {Gomez Garrido,C (2461)-Bruzon Batista,L (2615) Ciego de Avila 2010 ½-½}) ({RR} 12. Rhd1 Bxe3 13. Kxe3 Nc5 14. Rd4 Nxe4 15. Kxe4 Bd7 16. Ne5 Be8 17. Rad1 f6 18. Nc4 Rc8 19. Nd6 Bg6+ 20. Ke3 Rxc2 21. Nxb7 Rc7 22. Nd6 e5 23. R4d2 Rb8 24. Ne4 Rb4 25. Nc3 Bf7 26. g3 g5 {Marciano,D (2498)-Edouard,R (2666) Switzerland 2013 ½-½ (37)}) 12... a5 13. Bd2 Nf6 14. Bc2 b6 15. Rhd1 Bb7 16. Ba4 Rhd8 17. Rac1 Rac8 18. Bg5 h6 19. Be3 Bxe3 20. Kxe3 Rxd1 21. Bxd1 Ng4+ 22. Ke2 Bxf3+ 23. gxf3 Ne5 24. h3 Kd6 25. Rc2 Rc5 26. Ke3 Nc6 27. f4 g5 28. Rd2+ Ke7 29. fxg5 Re5+ 30. Kf4 Rf5+ 31. Ke3 Re5+ 32. Kf4 Rxg5 33. Bf3 Nb4 34. b3 Na6 35. Bc6 Rc5 36. Rd7+ Kf6 37. Bb5 Nc7 38. a4 Nxb5 39. axb5 a4 40. bxa4 Rxc4+ 41. Kg3 Rxa4 42. Rd6 Ke5 43. Rxb6 Ra3+ 44. Kg2 Rb3 45. Rb8 Kf4 46. b6 f5 47. b7 e5 48. Rh8 Rxb7 49. Rxh6 Rg7+ 50. Kf1 e4 51. Rh4+ Ke5 1/2-1/2

[Event "NOR Championship Group Elite"]
[Site "Roros"]
[Date "2002.07.06"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Djurhuus, Rune"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B76"]
[WhiteElo "2214"]
[BlackElo "2480"]
[PlyCount "102"]
[EventDate "2002.07.06"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2023"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2022.10.05"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2022.10.05"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 g6 6. Be3 Nc6 7. f3 Bg7 8. Qd2 O-O 9. O-O-O Bd7 10. Kb1 Rc8 11. g4 Ne5 12. Be2 Be6 ({RR} 12... b5 13. Ndxb5 Bxb5 14. Nxb5 Rb8 15. c4 a6 16. Nd4 Qc7 17. Rc1 Rb7 18. Nb3 Nfd7 19. f4 Nc6 20. c5 dxc5 21. e5 g5 22. Bxc5 Ndb8 23. Bf3 Rd8 24. Qe3 gxf4 25. Qxf4 Bxe5 26. Qg5+ Bg7 27. Be4 {Korneev,O (2560)-Fedorov,A (2595) Krasnodar 1998 0-1 (64)}) ({RR} 12... a6 13. h4 b5 14. h5 Be6 15. hxg6 Nxg6 16. Nf5 b4 17. Nd5 Bxd5 18. exd5 {1-0 (18) Perunovic,M (2501)-Vesovic,N (1812) Herceg Novi MNE 2025}) ({RR} 12... b5 13. Ncxb5 a6 14. Nc3 Nc4 15. Bxc4 Rxc4 16. b3 Qb8 17. Ka1 Rfc8 18. Nde2 Bxg4 19. e5 Bxf3 20. exf6 Bxf6 21. Bd4 Bxd4 22. Nxd4 Bxh1 23. Rxh1 Qb7 24. Rg1 R4c5 25. Rg3 {1-0 (25) Korneev,O (2566)-Carlsen,M (2484) Reykjavik 2004}) 13. Bh6 $146 ({RR} 13. h4 Qa5 14. Nxe6 fxe6 15. h5 Nc4 16. Bxc4 Rxc4 17. hxg6 hxg6 18. Bh6 Rf7 19. Bxg7 Rxg7 20. Rh2 g5 21. Rdh1 Nd7 22. Nd1 Qxd2 23. Rxd2 Ne5 24. Rf2 Rc8 25. b3 Rf8 26. Rh3 Rgf7 27. f4 Rxf4 {Klimes,J (1525)-Pisk,P (2331) Chess.com INT 2021 0-1 (32)}) ({RR} 13. h4 Qa5 14. Nxe6 fxe6 15. h5 Nc4 16. Bxc4 Rxc4 17. hxg6 hxg6 18. Bh6 Rf7 19. Bxg7 Rxg7 20. Rh2 g5 21. Rdh1 Nd7 22. Nd1 Qxd2 23. Rxd2 Ne5 24. Rf2 Rc8 25. b3 Rf8 26. Rh3 Rgf7 27. f4 Rxf4 {Klimes,J (1525)-Pisk,P (2331) Chess.com INT 2021 0-1 (32)}) 13... Bxh6 14. Qxh6 Rxc3 15. Nxe6 fxe6 16. bxc3 Qa5 17. Qd2 Rc8 18. c4 Qb6+ 19. Ka1 Nxc4 20. Bxc4 Rxc4 21. e5 Nd5 22. exd6 exd6 23. Rhe1 Qc5 24. Rxe6 Nb4 25. c3 Rxc3 26. Qf4 Qb5 27. Re8+ Qxe8 28. Qxb4 Qe5 29. Kb1 Rc6 30. Qd4 Qxh2 31. Qd5+ Kg7 32. Qd4+ Kg8 33. Qd5+ Kf8 34. Qd4 Qc2+ 35. Ka1 Qc3+ 36. Qxc3 Rxc3 37. f4 Rc4 38. Rf1 Rc3 39. Rh1 Kg7 40. Re1 Kf6 41. g5+ Kf5 42. Re7 Kxf4 43. Rxb7 Kxg5 44. Rxh7 a5 45. Rb7 Rc5 46. Kb2 Kf4 47. Rf7+ Rf5 48. Rd7 g5 49. Rxd6 g4 50. Rd4+ Kf3 51. Rd3+ Ke2 0-1

[Event "Bergen Sommer op"]
[Site "Bergen"]
[Date "2002.07.23"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Anagnostopoulos, Dimitrios"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B76"]
[WhiteElo "2214"]
[BlackElo "2446"]
[PlyCount "43"]
[EventDate "2002.07.20"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 089 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2002.09.10"]
[SourceVersion "2"]
[SourceVersionDate "2002.09.10"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 {Rogozenco,Dorian} c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 g6 6. Be3 Bg7 7. f3 Nc6 8. Qd2 O-O 9. O-O-O d5 10. exd5 Nxd5 11. Nxc6 bxc6 12. Nxd5 cxd5 13. Qxd5 Qc7 14. Qc5 Qb8 ({RR} 14... Qb7 15. Qa3 Bf5 16. Bd3 Rab8 17. b3 Rbc8 ({RR} 17... Rfc8 18. Bxf5 gxf5 19. Rd3 Qc7 20. c4 a5 21. Rhd1 Ra8 22. Rd7 Qe5 23. Bd4 Qf4+ 24. Kb1 Bf8 25. Qc1 Qxc1+ 26. Kxc1) 18. Bxf5 gxf5 19. Rd3 Qc6 20. c4 Qf6 21. Rhd1) 15. Qa3 ({RR} 15. b3 Bf5 16. Bd3 Rc8 17. Qa5 Rc3 18. Bxf5 Rxe3 19. Be4 Qf4 20. Bxa8 Rxb3+ ({RR} 20... Rd3+) 21. Rd2 Rb8 22. Bd5 Bh6 23. Rhd1) 15... a5 ({RR} 15... Be6 16. Ba6 Qe5 17. g3 ({RR} 17. Bd4 Qg5+ 18. Qe3 Qxg2) 17... Rad8 18. Bf4 ({RR} 18. Bc5 Bxa2 19. Bxe7 ({RR} 19. f4 Bh6 20. Rhe1) 19... Bh6+) ({RR} 18. Bxa7 Ra8 19. Bd4 Qc7 20. Bxg7 Kxg7 21. Rd4 ({RR} 21. b4 Qe5) 21... Rfc8) 18... Qf6 19. Rhe1 Bf5 20. Rxd8 Rxd8 21. c3 ({RR} 21. Bc4 Rc8 22. Bb3) 21... Qb6 22. Be3 Bh6 23. f4 ({RR} 23. Bxh6 Qf2) 23... Qc6 24. Bd2 ({RR} 24. Qxe7 Re8 25. Qxa7 Qe4 26. Re2 Qb1+ ({RR} 26... Rd8 27. Bd4 Qb1+ 28. Kd2 Qxb2+ 29. Ke3 Qc1+ 30. Kf2 Qh1) 27. Kd2 Bc2) 24... Qd5 ({RR} 24... Rd6 25. Bf1 Qd5 26. Re2 ({RR} 26. Rd1 Qe4) 26... Qd3) 25. Re2 e5 26. Qa4 exf4 27. gxf4 ({RR} 27. Re8+ Rxe8 ({RR} 27... Kg7 28. Rxd8 Qxd8 29. Bxf4) 28. Qxe8+) 27... Bxf4 28. Re8+ ({RR} 28. Bxf4 Qh1+) 28... Kg7 29. Qxf4 Rxe8 30. Bc4 {Adams,M (2746)-Fedorov,A (2575) Wijk aan Zee 2001 CBM 081 [Rogozenco,Dorian] 0-1 (31)}) 16. Bd4 ({RR} 16. c3 Be6 17. Bd3 Rc8 18. Be4 Ra6 19. Bd4 Qb4 20. Bxg7 Kxg7 21. Qxb4 axb4 22. Kc2 Rxa2 23. Rd3 b3+ 24. Kb1 Rc7 25. Rdd1 Rca7 26. Kc1 Ra1+ 27. Kd2 Rd7+ 28. Ke2 Bc4+ 29. Bd3 Rxd3 30. Rxa1 Rxc3+ {Jimenez Salas,M (2223)-Levkov,D (1984) chess.com INT 2025 0-1 (34)}) 16... Rd8 17. Qc5 $146 ({RR} 17. Bc3 Bh6+ 18. Bd2 Rxd2 19. Rxd2 Bf5 20. g3 Qb7 21. Qb3 Bxd2+ 22. Kxd2 Rd8+ 23. Kc1 Qd7 24. Bd3 a4 25. Qb5 Qd4 26. Re1 a3 27. Qe5 Qb4 28. bxa3 Qxa3+ 29. Qb2 Qa5 30. Qe5 Rd5 31. Qb8+ Kg7 {Danin,A (2314)-Kosintseva,T (2358) Vladimir 2002 ½-½ (32)}) 17... Bf5 18. Bc4 Rc8 19. Qd5 e6 20. Qxa8 Qxa8 21. Bxg7 Kxg7 22. Bd3 0-1

[Event "Kiel op 15th"]
[Site "Kiel"]
[Date "2002.08.13"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Kopylov, Michael"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B04"]
[WhiteElo "2214"]
[BlackElo "2421"]
[PlyCount "104"]
[EventDate "2002.08.10"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2003"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2002.11.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2002.11.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 Nf6 2. e5 Nd5 3. d4 d6 4. Nf3 g6 5. c4 Nb6 6. exd6 cxd6 7. Be2 Bg7 8. O-O O-O 9. Nc3 Nc6 10. Be3 Bg4 11. b3 d5 12. c5 Nc8 13. b4 a6 14. b5 axb5 15. Nxb5 e6 16. h3 Bxf3 17. Bxf3 N8e7 18. Qd2 Qa5 $146 ({RR} 18... Nf5 19. Rab1 Nxe3 20. fxe3 Bh6 21. Qf2 b6 22. cxb6 Qxb6 23. Bg4 Na5 24. Kh1 Nc4 25. Rfe1 Qd8 26. Rb3 Bg5 27. a3 Rb8 28. a4 Ra8 29. Be2 Rxa4 30. Bxc4 Rxc4 31. Ra3 Bh4 32. g3 Bg5 33. h4 {Spitzl,V (2365)-Tymrakiewicz,R (2168) chess.com INT 2024 0-1 (58)}) ({RR} 18... Nf5 19. Rab1 Nxe3 20. fxe3 Bh6 21. Qf2 b6 22. cxb6 Qxb6 23. Bg4 Na5 24. Kh1 Nc4 25. Rfe1 Qd8 26. Rb3 Bg5 27. a3 Rb8 28. a4 Ra8 29. Be2 Rxa4 30. Bxc4 Rxc4 31. Ra3 Bh4 32. g3 Bg5 33. h4 {Spitzl,V (2365)-Tymrakiewicz,R (2168) chess.com INT 2024 0-1 (58)}) 19. Qb2 e5 20. Rfd1 e4 21. Be2 Nf5 22. Nd6 Nxd6 23. cxd6 Ra7 24. Bb5 Qb6 25. Rab1 Rd8 26. Bxc6 Qxb2 27. Rxb2 bxc6 28. Rb6 Bf8 29. Rxc6 Bxd6 30. Bg5 Be7 31. Bxe7 Rxe7 32. Rdc1 Ra7 33. Rc8 Rxc8 34. Rxc8+ Kg7 35. Rc5 Rxa2 36. Rxd5 Ra1+ 37. Kh2 Ra3 38. Re5 f5 39. Re7+ Kh6 40. g4 Rd3 41. gxf5 gxf5 42. Rd7 f4 43. Rf7 Kg5 44. Re7 Rxd4 45. Rxh7 Rd2 46. Kg1 Rd1+ 47. Kh2 Rd2 48. Kg1 f3 49. Rg7+ Kf6 50. Rg4 Ke5 51. Rg8 Ra2 52. Rd8 Ra7 0-1

[Event "OSS Club Ch Group Master"]
[Site "Oslo"]
[Date "2002.10.24"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Johannessen, Svein"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C02"]
[WhiteElo "2250"]
[BlackElo "2337"]
[PlyCount "65"]
[EventDate "2002.09.26"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "6"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2023"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2022.10.05"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2022.10.05"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. c3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. cxd4 d5 5. e5 Nc6 6. Nf3 Nge7 7. Nc3 Nf5 8. a3 Bd7 9. Be2 Be7 10. O-O O-O 11. b4 Rc8 12. Qd3 ({RR} 12. Bb2 f6 13. exf6 Bxf6 14. Na4 Ncxd4 15. Bxd4 Nxd4 16. Nxd4 Bxa4 17. Qxa4 Bxd4 18. Rad1 Qf6 19. Bf3 Bb6 20. Qd7 Rc7 21. Qd6 Rc6 22. Qd7 Rf7 23. Qe8+ Rf8 24. Qd7 Qf7 25. Qxf7+ Kxf7 26. Rfe1 Rc2 {Nissinen,N (2171)-Caprio,G (2435) chess.com INT 2025 0-1 (36)}) 12... f6 13. g4 $146 ({RR} 13. Bf4 fxe5 14. Bxe5 Bf6 15. Rad1 Bxe5 16. dxe5 Be8 17. Nb5 a6 18. Nbd4 Nfxd4 19. Nxd4 Nxe5 20. Qe3 Qf6 21. f4 Nc4 22. Bxc4 dxc4 23. Nxe6 Rf7 24. Ng5 Rfc7 25. Rfe1 Bc6 26. Qg3 h6 27. Re6 Qf5 {Giessmann,S-Djingarova,E (2263) Genova 2000 0-1}) 13... fxe5 14. gxf5 e4 15. Nxe4 dxe4 16. Qxe4 Rxf5 17. b5 Rxf3 18. Bxf3 Nxd4 19. Rd1 e5 20. Be3 Bc5 21. Bg2 Qe8 22. Qxb7 Bxb5 23. Kh1 Rd8 24. Rab1 Ba4 25. Rd2 Bb6 26. Be4 Rd7 27. Qa6 Rc7 28. Qd3 g6 29. f4 Qc8 30. Bxd4 Bxd4 31. fxe5 Rc1+ 32. Kg2 Qg4+ 33. Qg3 0-1

[Event "EU-ch U12"]
[Site "Peniscola"]
[Date "2002.10.03"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B04"]
[WhiteElo "2306"]
[BlackElo "2214"]
[PlyCount "81"]
[EventDate "2002.09.29"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 090 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2002.11.07"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2002.11.07"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 Nf6 2. e5 Nd5 3. Nf3 d6 4. d4 dxe5 5. Nxe5 g6 6. Bc4 c6 7. Nc3 Be6 8. O-O Nd7 9. Qf3 Bg7 10. Re1 O-O 11. Qg3 $146 ({RR} 11. Bb3 Nxe5 12. dxe5 Qc7 13. Nxd5 Bxd5 14. Qg3 Qd7 15. Bg5 h6 16. Bf4 Qf5 17. c4 Be6 18. Qe3 g5 19. Bg3 Qg6 20. Rad1 h5 21. h4 gxh4 22. Bxh4 Bh6 23. Qc3 Bg5 24. Bc2 Qh6 25. Qg3 {1-0 (25) Pandavos,E (2370)-Oney,A (2320) Nea Makri 1990}) ({RR} 11. Bb3 N7f6 12. Bg5 Nc7 13. Rad1 Nfd5 14. Qg3 f6 15. Nxd5 cxd5 16. Nxg6 fxg5 17. Nxf8 Kxf8 18. Qxg5 Bf7 19. Rd3 e6 20. Qf4 Kg8 21. Rg3 Ne8 22. c3 Qf6 23. Qg4 Nd6 24. Bc2 Nf5 25. Rf3 Bg6 {Sgnaolin,D (2213)-Robertsen,T (2273) Milan 2009 ½-½}) 11... Nxe5 12. dxe5 Nxc3 13. Qxc3 Bxc4 14. Qxc4 Qd5 15. Qe2 Rad8 16. Bg5 Qe6 17. Qe3 b6 18. a4 Rd5 19. Bf4 Qf5 20. Qe4 Qd7 21. c3 Rd8 22. h3 Qe6 23. Qe2 Rd3 24. a5 b5 25. a6 c5 26. Qe4 Qd5 27. Qxd5 R3xd5 28. Ra5 c4 29. Kf1 e6 30. Be3 R8d7 31. Bd4 Bf8 32. Rb1 Be7 33. b3 Bd8 34. Ra2 Rxd4 35. cxd4 c3 36. b4 Bg5 37. Rd1 Rc7 38. Rc2 Be7 39. d5 Bxb4 40. d6 Rc8 41. Rb1 1-0

[Event "EU-ch U12"]
[Site "Peniscola"]
[Date "2002.10.06"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Andreikin, Dmitry"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B06"]
[WhiteElo "2369"]
[BlackElo "2214"]
[PlyCount "85"]
[EventDate "2002.09.29"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 090 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2002.11.07"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2002.11.07"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 g6 2. d4 Bg7 3. Nc3 d6 4. Be2 Nd7 5. h4 c5 6. Be3 h5 7. Nf3 cxd4 8. Bxd4 Ngf6 9. Ng5 O-O $146 ({RR} 9... a6 10. a4 O-O 11. g4 hxg4 12. Bxg4 Nxg4 13. Bxg7 Kxg7 14. Qxg4 Nf6 15. Qg2 Rh8 16. O-O-O Qa5 17. Rdg1 Rh6 18. f4 Bd7 19. Qe2 Nh5 20. Qc4 Rf8 21. Qd4+ f6 22. b4 Qc7 23. Nd5 Qc6 24. Nxe7 {Doyle,J-McNab,C (2418) Glasgow 1999 0-1 (66)}) 10. f3 Ne5 11. Qd2 Nc6 12. Be3 Bd7 13. Bc4 Ne5 14. Bb3 b5 15. Nd5 Nxd5 16. Bxd5 Nc4 17. Bxc4 bxc4 18. c3 Qa5 19. Bd4 Rab8 20. Bxg7 Kxg7 21. O-O f6 22. Nh3 Bxh3 23. gxh3 Rb7 24. Kh1 Qe5 25. Qg2 f5 26. Rae1 Qf6 27. f4 Rb5 28. Rg1 Rf7 29. Re3 Kh7 30. Rg3 Rg7 31. Rg5 Rc5 32. Qe2 Qe6 33. Kh2 fxe4 34. Rxc5 dxc5 35. Re1 Qd6 36. Qxe4 Rf7 37. Kg3 Qd2 38. Re2 Qd1 39. Kg2 Qd3 40. Qe6 Kg7 41. Rf2 Qd6 42. Qxc4 e5 43. Qxf7+ 1-0

[Event "EU-ch U12"]
[Site "Peniscola"]
[Date "2002.10.08"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Khairullin, Ildar"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B29"]
[WhiteElo "2214"]
[BlackElo "2329"]
[PlyCount "48"]
[EventDate "2002.09.29"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 090 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2002.11.07"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2002.11.07"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nc3 Nc6 4. e5 Ng4 5. Qe2 d6 6. exd6 Qxd6 7. d4 cxd4 8. Nb5 Qb8 9. Nbxd4 Nxd4 10. Nxd4 e5 11. h3 Nf6 12. Bf4 $146 ({RR} 12. Bg5 Bb4+ 13. c3 Be7 14. Nf3 e4 15. Bxf6 Bxf6 16. Qxe4+ Be6 17. Bb5+ Kf8 18. O-O g6 19. Nd4 Bc8 20. Rad1 Kg7 21. Rfe1 a6 22. Bc4 Qc7 23. Bb3 Bd7 24. Qd5 Rhf8 25. Nc2 Bc6 26. Qd6 Qxd6 {Dodgson,J (2141)-Fletcher,J Jersey 2004 ½-½ (62)}) 12... Bd6 13. Nb5 O-O 14. Bh2 Re8 15. O-O-O Bf8 16. Qe3 a6 17. Na3 b5 18. Be2 Qa7 19. Qxa7 Rxa7 20. Rhe1 Bc5 21. Bf3 Bd4 22. Be4 Nxe4 23. Rxe4 Rae7 24. Re2 f6 1/2-1/2

[Event "NOR-chT east 0203"]
[Site "Norway"]
[Date "2003.03.08"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Gudbrandsen, Gustav"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C41"]
[WhiteElo "2253"]
[BlackElo "2279"]
[PlyCount "116"]
[EventDate "2002.11.09"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2023"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2022.10.05"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2022.10.05"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d6 3. Bc4 f5 4. d3 Be7 ({RR} 4... Nf6 5. Nc3 c6 6. a4 a6 7. Qe2 fxe4 8. dxe4 Bg4 9. h3 Bh5 10. g4 Bg6 11. g5 Bh5 12. Be6 Nfd7 13. Bg4 Bf7 14. h4 Nc5 15. h5 Ne6 16. Rh3 Bg8 17. Be3 Nd7 18. Qd2 Qc7 19. Nh4 {Gonzales,R (2290)-Elissalt Cardenas,H (2380) Matanzas 1995 1-0 (58)}) 5. O-O ({RR} 5. Nc3 c6 6. h4 Nd7 7. Ng5 Nb6 8. Bf7+ Kf8 9. Qh5 Bxg5 10. hxg5 Qe7 11. g6 h6 12. Bg5 Qc7 13. exf5 Bxf5 14. g4 Bd7 15. Ne4 Nd5 16. O-O-O Ndf6 17. Bxf6 Nxf6 18. Nxf6 gxf6 19. f4 Be8 {engenheirochess (1850)-Vangill (1985) lichess.org 2024 1-0 (33)}) 5... Nc6 6. c3 $146 ({RR} 6. Re1 Na5 7. Bxg8 Rxg8 8. b4 Nc6 9. b5 Nb8 10. Nc3 a6 11. d4 fxe4 12. Nxe4 Bg4 13. Qd3 Rf8 14. dxe5 Bxf3 15. exd6 Bxe4 16. Rxe4 Qxd6 17. Bg5 Rf7 18. Rd4 Qxd4 19. Qxd4 Bxg5 20. Qe4+ Re7 {Hvenekilde,J (2245)-From,S Aarhus 1976 1-0}) ({RR} 6. a3 f4 7. c3 Bg4 8. Nbd2 Qd7 9. h3 h5 10. Qb3 Na5 11. Bf7+ Kf8 12. Qa2 Nh6 13. b4 Nxf7 14. bxa5 Bxf3 15. Nxf3 g5 16. Rb1 g4 17. hxg4 hxg4 18. Nh2 b6 19. Rd1 Kg7 20. d4 g3 {Chagnaud,B-Burguiere,B Agneaux 2001 ½-½ (57)}) 6... Nf6 7. Ng5 d5 8. exd5 Nxd5 9. Qf3 Bxg5 10. Bxd5 Bxc1 11. Rxc1 Qf6 12. Na3 Ne7 13. Re1 c6 14. Bb3 Ng6 15. Nc4 Kd8 16. Qe3 Re8 17. Qc5 b6 18. Qd6+ Bd7 19. d4 e4 20. Rad1 Qxd6 21. Nxd6 Rf8 22. g3 Kc7 23. Nf7 Rae8 24. h4 h6 25. h5 Ne7 26. Ne5 Nd5 27. c4 Nb4 28. a3 Nd3 29. Nxd3 exd3 30. Rxe8 Rxe8 31. Rxd3 Re2 32. Re3 Rxb2 33. c5 Kd8 34. Be6 Rd2 35. cxb6 axb6 36. g4 Rxd4 37. gxf5 Be8 38. Rg3 Bxh5 39. Rxg7 Rg4+ 40. Rxg4 Bxg4 41. Kg2 Ke7 42. Kg3 Bh5 43. Kf4 Kf6 44. Bd7 c5 45. Bb5 Bf7 46. Be2 Bb3 47. Ke4 Bf7 48. Bd1 h5 49. Kf4 h4 50. Kg4 Ba2 51. Kxh4 c4 52. Kg4 Bb3 53. Be2 c3 54. Bd3 c2 55. Bxc2 Bxc2 56. Kf4 b5 57. f3 Bxf5 58. Ke3 Ke5 0-1

[Event "Wch U12"]
[Site "Heraklion"]
[Date "2002.11.22"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Susilodinata, Andrean"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B05"]
[WhiteElo "2242"]
[BlackElo "2250"]
[PlyCount "78"]
[EventDate "2002.11.15"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "GRE"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 091 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2003.01.09"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2003.01.09"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 Nf6 2. e5 Nd5 3. d4 d6 4. c4 Nb6 5. exd6 exd6 6. Nf3 Be7 7. Be2 O-O 8. O-O Bg4 9. b3 Nc6 10. Bb2 Bf6 11. Nbd2 Re8 12. Re1 d5 13. c5 Nd7 14. Rc1 Nf8 15. Ne5 Bxe2 16. Rxe2 Bxe5 17. dxe5 Nb4 $146 ({RR} 17... Ne6 18. Nf3 Ne7 19. Nd4 c6 20. Rc3 Qa5 21. Nxe6 fxe6 22. a3 Rf8 23. b4 Qc7 24. Rh3 Rf7 25. Ree3 Raf8 26. Ref3 Rxf3 27. Rxf3 Rxf3 28. Qxf3 Ng6 29. Kf1 Qf7 30. Qxf7+ Kxf7 31. g3 Ne7 32. f4 {Schumacher,D-Gruettner,R (2055) Bad Zwesten 1998 0-1 (90)}) 18. Rc3 Nxa2 19. Rg3 Ne6 20. Nf3 Nb4 21. Nd4 Nc6 22. Nf5 d4 23. Re4 Qd5 24. Qf3 Kf8 25. Rh4 Qxf3 26. gxf3 g6 27. Nxd4 Nexd4 28. Bxd4 Nxd4 29. Rxd4 Rxe5 30. b4 a5 31. f4 Re1+ 32. Kg2 a4 33. Ra3 Rb1 34. Rd7 Rb3 35. Ra2 a3 36. Rxc7 Rb2 37. Ra1 a2 38. Rd7 Rb1 39. Rd1 Rxd1 0-1

[Event "Troll Masters"]
[Site "Gausdal"]
[Date "2003.01.10"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Johansen, Paul Arne"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C26"]
[WhiteElo "2239"]
[BlackElo "2279"]
[PlyCount "86"]
[EventDate "2003.01.07"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 092 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2003.03.07"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2003.03.07"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 Nf6 2. Nc3 e5 3. d3 Nc6 4. Bg5 ({RR} 4. g3 d5 5. exd5 Nxd5 6. Bg2 Nxc3 7. bxc3 Bc5 8. Be3 Bb6 9. Ne2 Bg4 10. h3 Bh5 11. O-O Bxe3 12. fxe3 Qg5 13. Bxc6+ bxc6 14. Kf2 f5 15. Qd2 O-O 16. Kg2 Rae8 17. Rf2 Re6 18. Rg1 Rh6 {Tavoularis,N (2196)-Sowray,P (2364) Coulsdon 2005 0-1}) 4... Bb4 ({RR} 4... Be7 5. Qd2 d6 6. Nge2 Be6 7. d4 exd4 8. Nxd4 Nxd4 9. Qxd4 c5 10. Bb5+ Bd7 11. Qa4 Bxb5 12. Qxb5+ Qd7 13. Qxd7+ Kxd7 14. O-O-O Ng4 15. Bxe7 Kxe7 16. Nd5+ Kd7 17. Rd2 Ne5 18. Ne3 Rad8 19. Rhd1 {Pichuaga,J (1973)-Gonzalez Prestes,M (1596) Montevideo URU 2025 1-0 (38)}) 5. a3 Ba5 $146 ({RR} 5... Bxc3+ 6. bxc3 d6 7. Nf3 Bg4 8. h3 Bxf3 9. Qxf3 O-O 10. O-O-O Qe7 11. Be2 h6 12. Bh4 g5 13. Bg3 Qd7 14. Qe3 Na5 15. Bg4 Qb5 16. Kd2 Nc4+ 17. dxc4 Qxc4 18. Qd3 Qa2 19. Ra1 Qb2 20. Rab1 {Helbig,L-Wahl,F (681) Magdeburg 2012 0-1 (34)}) ({RR} 5... Bxc3+ 6. bxc3 d5 7. Bxf6 gxf6 8. exd5 Qxd5 9. Qh5 Be6 10. Be2 Qxg2 11. Bf3 Qg5 12. Qxg5 fxg5 13. Ne2 O-O-O 14. Rg1 Rhg8 15. Bxc6 bxc6 16. Rb1 f5 17. f3 Rg6 18. Rb4 Rdg8 19. Kf2 Rh6 20. Kg2 {Posch,J (1820)-Cornelissen,W (1995) Leeuwarden 2001 0-1 (45)}) 6. Nf3 h6 7. Bd2 d6 8. h3 Be6 9. Ne2 Bb6 10. c4 g5 11. g4 Qe7 12. Ng3 h5 13. gxh5 g4 14. Bg5 gxf3 15. Qxf3 Nd4 16. Qxf6 Qxf6 17. Bxf6 Rh6 18. Bg7 Rh7 19. h6 Nc2+ 20. Ke2 Nxa1 21. Nh5 Ke7 22. f4 Rah8 23. Bf6+ Ke8 24. Bxh8 Rxh8 25. h7 Ke7 26. f5 Rxh7 27. Ng3 Bd7 28. h4 Kf6 29. b4 Nc2 30. Kd2 Nd4 31. Bg2 c6 32. Rh3 Rh8 33. Kd1 a5 34. Nh1 axb4 35. axb4 Ra8 36. Rg3 Ra1+ 37. Kd2 Ra2+ 38. Kd1 c5 39. h5 Ne2 40. Rg8 Nc3+ 41. Ke1 cxb4 42. h6 Be3 43. h7 Ra1# 0-1

[Event "Troll Masters"]
[Site "Gausdal"]
[Date "2003.01.11"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Nordahl, Helge Andreas"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B46"]
[WhiteElo "2279"]
[BlackElo "2303"]
[PlyCount "72"]
[EventDate "2003.01.07"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 092 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2003.03.07"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2003.03.07"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nc6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Be3 Nge7 7. Nb3 Ng6 8. Be2 Be7 9. a4 b6 10. O-O O-O 11. Qd2 ({RR} 11. f4 Bb7 12. Qe1 Rb8 13. Rd1 Nb4 14. Rd2 f5 15. exf5 Nh4 16. g4 Ng2 17. Qg3 Nxe3 18. Qxe3 exf5 19. g5 Re8 20. Qf2 Qc7 21. Rfd1 Rbd8 22. Bf1 Bf8 23. Bg2 Bc6 24. h4 g6 25. Rd4 Bxg2 {Suyarov,M (2482)-Flores Quillas,D (2387) Lima PER 2025 1-0 (51)}) 11... Qc7 12. Rad1 $146 ({RR} 12. f4 f6 13. a5 Nxa5 14. Nxa5 bxa5 15. Nd5 Qc6 16. Nxe7+ Nxe7 17. Rxa5 Rb8 18. b3 Qxe4 19. Bf3 Qg6 20. Qd6 Nf5 21. Rxf5 Qxf5 22. Qxb8 Qxc2 23. Rc1 Qd3 24. Kf2 Qb5 25. Qa8 Qxb3 26. Rxc8 {1-0 (26) Grochulski,G (1949)-Wyszomirski,K (1683) Milanowek 2009}) 12... Rb8 13. f4 f6 14. Nd5 exd5 15. exd5 Re8 16. Bh5 Na5 17. Nxa5 bxa5 18. f5 Bc5 19. Bxc5 Qxc5+ 20. Kh1 Re5 21. Bxg6 hxg6 22. fxg6 Rxb2 23. Rde1 Rxc2 24. Qd1 Rf2 25. Rxe5 fxe5 26. Rg1 Bb7 27. Qh5 Bxd5 28. Qh7+ Kf8 29. Qh8+ Bg8 30. Qh3 Qd6 31. Rb1 Rf6 32. Rc1 Rxg6 33. Qh8 Qd2 34. Rf1+ Ke7 35. Qh4+ Rf6 36. Re1 Qf4 0-1

[Event "Troll Masters"]
[Site "Gausdal"]
[Date "2003.01.12"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Nygren, Kim"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B43"]
[WhiteElo "2202"]
[BlackElo "2279"]
[PlyCount "102"]
[EventDate "2003.01.07"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 092 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2003.03.07"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2003.03.07"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 a6 5. Nc3 b5 6. g3 Bb7 7. Bg2 Nc6 8. O-O Nxd4 9. Qxd4 Ne7 10. Bf4 ({RR} 10. Re1 Nc6 11. Qd1 d6 12. a4 b4 13. Nd5 exd5 14. exd5+ Ne5 15. f4 Be7 16. fxe5 dxe5 17. Rxe5 O-O 18. Re1 Bf6 19. a5 Qd7 20. Qd3 Rad8 21. Rd1 Rfe8 22. c4 bxc3 23. bxc3 Qc7 24. Be3 Qxc3 {Safarli,E (2657)-Svidler,P (2727) Berlin 2015 ½-½ (36)}) ({RR} 10. Bg5 f6 11. Be3 Nc6 12. Qd2 Ne5 13. b3 Rc8 14. Ne2 Qc7 15. c3 Ng4 16. a4 Nxe3 17. Qxe3 Bc5 18. Qd3 bxa4 19. Rxa4 O-O 20. Nd4 Qb6 21. b4 Bxd4 22. Qxd4 Qxd4 23. cxd4 Rc4 24. Rd1 Rfc8 {Bodnaruk,A (2334)-Maksimovic,B (2505) chess.com INT 2025 0-1 (57)}) 10... Nc6 11. Qd2 Na5 $146 ({RR} 11... d6 12. Rad1 Ne5 13. a4 bxa4 14. Nxa4 Qc7 15. Qd4 Be7 16. b3 Rd8 17. c4 Bf6 18. Qd2 O-O 19. Be3 Qb8 20. f4 Nc6 21. Bb6 Ba8 22. Kh1 Rd7 23. b4 Be7 24. b5 axb5 25. cxb5 Na7 26. Nc5 {Lach,A (2191)-Alexakis,D (2486) Katowice POL 2022 0-1 (67)}) ({RR} 11... d6 12. a4 b4 13. Na2 e5 14. Be3 a5 15. c3 Ba6 16. Rfc1 Be7 17. cxb4 Nxb4 18. Nxb4 axb4 19. Qxb4 O-O 20. Qd2 Rb8 21. Rc6 Bb7 22. Rb6 Ba8 23. a5 f5 24. exf5 e4 25. b4 Rxf5 26. Bh3 {Urzica,A (2335)-Filipowicz,A (2385) Lublin 1976 1-0}) 12. b3 Rc8 13. Nd5 exd5 14. exd5 Be7 15. d6 Bf6 16. Rae1+ Kf8 17. Re7 Bxg2 18. Kxg2 Nc6 19. Re4 g5 20. Be3 Kg7 21. h4 Re8 22. Rxe8 Qxe8 23. hxg5 Bd8 24. Re1 Qe4+ 25. f3 Qg6 26. Rh1 Ne5 27. c3 Qd3 28. Qxd3 Nxd3 29. Bd4+ Kg8 30. f4 b4 31. c4 Rc6 32. Kf3 Bb6 33. Bxb6 Rxb6 34. Ke3 Nc5 35. Kd4 Nb7 36. Rh6 a5 37. g4 a4 38. bxa4 Ra6 39. Rh2 Rxd6+ 40. Ke5 Ra6 41. Rh6 d6+ 42. Kd5 Rxa4 43. Kc6 Nd8+ 44. Kxd6 Rxa2 45. Ke7 Ne6 46. f5 Ra7+ 47. Ke8 Nc5 48. Rh1 b3 49. Rb1 Rb7 50. Kd8 b2 51. Kc8 Kg7 0-1

[Event "Troll Masters"]
[Site "Gausdal"]
[Date "2003.01.13"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Shumiakina, Tatiana"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B26"]
[WhiteElo "2279"]
[BlackElo "2364"]
[PlyCount "93"]
[EventDate "2003.01.07"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 092 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2003.03.07"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2003.03.07"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nc3 Nc6 3. g3 g6 4. Bg2 Bg7 5. d3 d6 6. Nge2 e6 7. Be3 Nd4 8. O-O Ne7 9. f4 O-O 10. Qd2 f5 11. Rab1 ({RR} 11. Rae1 Rb8 12. a3 Bd7 13. Nc1 Kh8 14. Nd1 b6 15. b3 Ndc6 16. b4 Qc7 17. b5 Na5 18. c4 d5 19. exd5 exd5 20. Bf2 Qd6 21. Qc2 Rfe8 22. Ne3 Be6 23. Re2 dxc4 24. Nxc4 Nxc4 25. dxc4 Rbd8 {Markovic,V (2300)-Peev,P (2385) Pancevo 1989 0-1 (39)}) ({RR} 11. Nd1 Rb8 12. c3 Nxe2+ 13. Qxe2 b6 14. Qc2 Bb7 15. Nf2 d5 16. Rad1 Qd7 17. Rfe1 Rbc8 18. Bc1 Rfe8 19. Qb1 b5 20. e5 d4 21. c4 Bxg2 22. Kxg2 Rb8 23. b3 Nc6 24. Bd2 a5 25. Qc2 b4 {Manon,R (2164)-Murshed,N (2418) Dhaka 2022 ½-½ (63)}) 11... Rb8 12. b4 Nxe2+ $146 ({RR} 12... Bd7 13. Bf2 b5 14. e5 dxe5 15. bxc5 b4 16. Nd1 Nxe2+ 17. Qxe2 exf4 18. gxf4 Qc7 19. Qd2 Nd5 20. Bxd5 exd5 21. d4 Rfe8 22. Bg3 a5 23. Re1 Bb5 24. c3 bxc3 25. Nxc3 Bc6 26. Qd3 Rb4 27. Rxb4 {Vargas Rodriguez,W (2013)-Hernandez Carmenates,H (2169) San Nicolas de Bari 2009 1-0 (40)}) 13. Nxe2 cxb4 14. Bxa7 Ra8 15. Bd4 Rxa2 16. Bxg7 Kxg7 17. Rxb4 Nc6 18. Rb5 Qf6 19. e5 dxe5 20. Bxc6 bxc6 21. Rxe5 Bd7 22. Rb1 Rfa8 23. Qc3 Kf7 24. Kf2 R2a3 25. Qc5 Qe7 26. Nd4 Qxc5 27. Rxc5 Ke7 28. Nf3 Ra1 29. Rb4 Kd6 30. Rcc4 c5 31. Rb6+ Kc7 32. Rb3 R8a5 33. Rbc3 Kd6 34. Ne5 Be8 35. d4 cxd4 36. Rxd4+ Rd5 37. Rxd5+ exd5 38. Rc8 Bb5 39. Rb8 Kc5 40. Rb7 Rc1 41. Ke3 Re1+ 42. Kf3 Rf1+ 43. Kg2 Rc1 44. Kh3 Bc4 45. Rxh7 Rxc2 46. Rc7+ Kd4 47. Nxc4 1/2-1/2

[Event "Troll Masters"]
[Site "Gausdal"]
[Date "2003.01.15"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Bluvshtein, Mark"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B42"]
[WhiteElo "2461"]
[BlackElo "2279"]
[PlyCount "126"]
[EventDate "2003.01.07"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 092 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2003.03.07"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2003.03.07"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 a6 5. Bd3 Bc5 6. Nb3 Ba7 7. O-O Nc6 8. Qe2 d6 9. Be3 Bxe3 10. Qxe3 Nf6 11. N1d2 ({RR} 11. c4 e5 12. Nc3 Be6 13. Rad1 O-O 14. Be2 Rc8 15. Rd2 Na5 16. Nxa5 Qxa5 17. Rxd6 Bxc4 18. Bxc4 Rxc4 19. f3 Qc7 20. Qb6 Qxb6+ 21. Rxb6 Rb8 22. Rd1 Kf8 23. Kf2 Ke8 24. Ke3 Rc7 25. g3 Rd7 {Grischuk,A (2764)-Vitiugov,N (2712) Loo 2013 ½-½ (68)}) ({RR} 11. Nc3 e5 12. Rad1 Be6 13. Qe2 Qc7 14. Kh1 O-O 15. h3 b5 16. a3 Rac8 17. Nc1 Nd4 18. Qe1 Bc4 19. Bxc4 bxc4 20. Rd2 Qb7 21. N1e2 Nxe2 22. Qxe2 Qxb2 23. Qe3 Qxa3 24. f4 exf4 25. Rxf4 Rfe8 {Soderstrom,A (2318)-Zhukov,M (1835) chess.com INT 2024 0-1 (45)}) 11... O-O 12. f4 Rb8 $146 ({RR} 12... Qc7 13. Qh3 Nb4 14. Qh4 Nxd3 15. cxd3 b5 16. Rf3 Rd8 17. Raf1 Bb7 18. g4 Nd7 19. f5 exf5 20. Rh3 Nf8 21. gxf5 Qb6+ 22. Rf2 f6 23. Rg3 Kh8 24. Kf1 Rd7 25. Rfg2 d5 26. Qh6 Ng6 27. Qe3 {Kinnmark,O-Ivarsson,J Eksjo 1974 1-0}) ({RR} 12... e5 13. Kh1 Qe7 14. Nc4 Rb8 15. Nb6 Be6 16. f5 Bxb3 17. axb3 Nd4 18. Rac1 Qc7 19. Nc4 Rbc8 20. Nd2 Rfe8 21. g4 Qe7 22. Rg1 Kh8 23. c3 Nc6 24. Rcf1 Rg8 25. g5 Nh5 26. g6 fxg6 27. fxg6 {Brod,M (2260)-Pilaj,H (2215) Austria 1998 ½-½}) 13. Rae1 b5 14. e5 Nd5 15. Qh3 g6 16. c4 bxc4 17. Bxc4 dxe5 18. fxe5 Kg7 19. Ne4 Nxe5 20. Bxd5 exd5 21. Qc3 Qb6+ 22. Rf2 dxe4 23. Qxe5+ Kg8 24. Qxe4 Be6 25. Re3 Rfe8 26. Nd4 Rbd8 27. Rd2 f5 28. Qd3 Rd6 29. Kh1 Rc8 30. h3 Bxa2 31. Qa3 Bf7 32. Red3 Rc1+ 33. Kh2 Qb8 34. Rg3 h5 35. h4 Qd8 36. Ne6 Qxh4+ 37. Rh3 Rh1+ 38. Kxh1 Qe1+ 39. Kh2 Qxd2 40. Ng5 h4 41. Rf3 Rb6 42. Qe7 Qd6+ 43. Qxd6 Rxd6 44. Nxf7 Kxf7 45. Rf4 Rb6 46. b4 Ke6 47. Rxh4 Kd5 48. Kg3 g5 49. Rh1 Kc4 50. Rf1 Rf6 51. Rb1 Re6 52. Rf1 Rf6 53. Rb1 Kb5 54. Rb3 Re6 55. Kf2 Re4 56. Rd3 Kxb4 57. Rd5 a5 58. g3 a4 59. Rxf5 a3 60. Kf3 Rc4 61. Ke2 a2 62. Rf1 Kc3 63. Rc1+ Kb3 0-1

[Event "Training match Norway-Holland"]
[Site "Oslo"]
[Date "2003.01.23"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Spoelman, Wouter"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B63"]
[WhiteElo "2206"]
[BlackElo "2279"]
[PlyCount "50"]
[EventDate "2003.01.23"]
[EventType "team-match"]
[EventRounds "1"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2023"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2022.10.05"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2022.10.05"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 Nf6 4. Nc3 cxd4 5. Nxd4 Nc6 6. Bg5 e6 7. Qd2 Be7 8. O-O-O O-O 9. f3 Nxd4 10. Qxd4 Qa5 11. h4 Bd7 ({RR} 11... e5 12. Qd2 Be6 13. Kb1 Rfc8 14. Nd5 Qxd2 15. Nxe7+ Kf8 16. Rxd2 Kxe7 17. g4 h6 18. Be3 h5 19. g5 Nd7 20. b3 Nf8 21. f4 exf4 22. Bxf4 Rd8 23. Be2 Bg4 24. Bxg4 hxg4 25. Rg2 d5 26. Rxg4 {Kamsky,G (2665)-Lavrik,D (2414) chess.com INT 2023 1-0 (32)}) ({RR} 11... Rd8 12. g4 a6 13. Be3 b5 14. Kb1 b4 15. Ne2 Rb8 16. g5 e5 17. Qd2 Be6 18. Nc1 Nh5 19. Bh3 d5 20. Bxe6 fxe6 21. Qh2 d4 22. Bd2 Qc7 23. Nd3 Bd6 24. Qh3 Qe7 25. Rdf1 Rf8 26. Rf2 {Karademir,B (2142)-Efimov,L (2260) Denizli TUR 2025 ½-½}) ({RR} 11... a6 12. Kb1 b5 13. g4 b4 14. Ne2 e5 15. Qd2 Be6 16. Nc1 Rfd8 17. Bxf6 Bxf6 18. g5 Be7 19. Bh3 Bxh3 20. Rxh3 Rac8 21. Rh2 Qb5 22. Nb3 a5 23. Qd5 Qxd5 24. Rxd5 a4 25. Na5 Rd7 26. b3 {Spoelman,W (2169)-Mohandesi,S (2337) Vlissingen 2003 1-0 (79)}) 12. Kb1 Rfc8 13. g4 b5 14. Bd3 $146 ({RR} 14. Bd2 b4 15. Ne2 Rab8 16. g5 Nh5 17. Nc1 e5 18. Qf2 Be6 19. Nb3 Qc7 20. Rc1 a5 21. f4 a4 22. f5 axb3 23. cxb3 Qb7 24. fxe6 Qxe4+ 25. Ka1 Rxc1+ 26. Bxc1 Qxh1 27. Qxf7+ Kh8 28. Kb1 Qe4+ {Lauridsen,J (2225)-Finegold,B (2476) Chess.com INT 2020 0-1 (37)}) ({RR} 14. Bd2 b4 15. Ne2 Rab8 16. g5 Nh5 17. Nc1 e5 18. Qf2 Be6 19. Nb3 Qc7 20. Rc1 a5 21. f4 a4 22. f5 axb3 23. cxb3 Qb7 24. fxe6 Qxe4+ 25. Ka1 Rxc1+ 26. Bxc1 Qxh1 27. Qxf7+ Kh8 28. Kb1 Qe4+ {Lauridsen,J (2225)-Finegold,B (2476) Chess.com INT 2020 0-1 (37)}) 14... e5 15. Qf2 Rxc3 16. bxc3 Be6 17. Bxf6 Bxf6 18. Kb2 Rc8 19. Qe1 d5 20. exd5 e4 21. Qxe4 Bxc3+ 22. Kb1 Qa3 23. Qxh7+ Kf8 24. Qh8+ Ke7 25. d6+ Qxd6 0-1

[Event "Valle d'Aosta op 11th"]
[Site "Saint Vincent"]
[Date "2003.02.11"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Sedina, Elena"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C47"]
[WhiteElo "2425"]
[BlackElo "2279"]
[PlyCount "93"]
[EventDate "2003.02.08"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ITA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 092 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2003.03.07"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2003.03.07"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. g3 Nxe4 5. Nxe4 d5 6. Nc3 d4 7. Bg2 dxc3 8. bxc3 Bd6 9. O-O O-O 10. Rb1 Rb8 11. d4 Bg4 12. h3 Bh5 13. g4 Bg6 14. dxe5 Nxe5 15. Nxe5 Bxe5 16. Qxd8 Rfxd8 17. f4 Bxc2 18. Rb2 Bd3 19. fxe5 Bxf1 20. Bxf1 b6 21. Kf2 $146 ({RR} 21. Bf4 Rd1 22. Kg2 Rbd8 23. Bc4 Re1 24. Rf2 Re4 25. Bb3 c5 26. Bg3 Rd7 27. Bc2 Re1 28. Bb3 Re7 29. Kf3 Ra1 {1-0 (28) Sedina,E (2358)-Ben Nasser,K (2270) Sousse 2007}) 21... Rd5 22. Bf4 Rbd8 23. Be2 h6 24. h4 Kf8 25. h5 Rc5 26. Rc2 Ra5 27. Ke3 Rc5 28. Ke4 Re8 29. Kf3 Re6 30. a4 c6 31. Bd3 Ra5 32. Bf5 Re7 33. Rd2 Rd5 34. Rd4 Re8 35. Be4 Rc5 36. c4 Kg8 37. Bf5 a6 38. Bd7 Ra8 39. e6 fxe6 40. Bd6 Ra5 41. Bxc6 Ra7 42. Bb4 Rg5 43. Rd8+ Kh7 44. Be4+ g6 45. hxg6+ Kg7 46. Bf8+ Kf6 47. Bxh6 1-0

[Event "Valle d'Aosta op 11th"]
[Site "Saint Vincent"]
[Date "2003.02.13"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Saldano Dayer, Horacio"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C47"]
[WhiteElo "2442"]
[BlackElo "2279"]
[PlyCount "41"]
[EventDate "2003.02.08"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ITA"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2023"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2022.10.05"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2022.10.05"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 Nf6 2. Nc3 e5 3. Nf3 Nc6 4. g3 Bb4 5. d3 d5 6. exd5 Nxd5 7. Bd2 Nd4 ({RR} 7... O-O 8. Bg2 Bxc3 9. bxc3 h6 10. O-O Re8 11. Re1 Nf6 12. Rb1 Rb8 13. Be3 b6 14. Nh4 Bb7 15. Bd2 Qd7 16. c4 Nd4 17. Bxb7 Rxb7 18. Bc3 c5 19. Bxd4 Qxd4 20. Nf5 Qd7 21. Qf3 Re6 22. Re2 {Martinez Alcantara,J (2612)-Hansen,E (2610) chess.com INT 2024 ½-½ (88)}) ({RR} 7... Bxc3 8. bxc3 O-O 9. Bg2 Bg4 10. O-O Qd7 11. Re1 Rae8 12. Rb1 b6 13. c4 Nf6 14. Bc3 e4 15. Bxf6 exf3 16. Rxe8 fxg2 17. Rxf8+ Kxf8 18. f3 Bh3 19. Bc3 Nd4 20. Kf2 c5 21. Qd2 h6 22. Re1 {Ahn,H (2304)-Bonin,J (2077) chess.com INT 2025 1-0 (41)}) 8. Bg2 Bg4 9. a3 $146 ({RR} 9. O-O O-O 10. a3 c6 11. axb4 Qf6 12. Ne4 Qxf3 13. Bxf3 Bxf3 14. Qe1 Ne2+ 15. Qxe2 Bxe2 16. Rfe1 Bf3 17. Nc5 f6 18. c4 b6 19. Na6 Ne7 20. Nc7 Rad8 21. Ne6 Rxd3 22. Rxa7 Re8 23. Be3 Kf7 {Gunnarsson,J (2357)-Thorfinnsson,B (2314) Seltjarnarnes 2002 0-1 (36)}) ({RR} 9. h3 Bxf3 10. Bxf3 c6 11. O-O Bxc3 12. bxc3 Nxf3+ 13. Qxf3 O-O 14. c4 Ne7 15. Bc3 Ng6 16. Rfe1 Qc7 17. h4 f6 18. a4 a5 19. Rab1 b6 20. Rb2 Rab8 21. Reb1 c5 22. Qd5+ Kh8 23. Qe6 Rfe8 {Nguyen Duy Dien,N-Vaicekauskas,G (1818) Vung Tau 2008 1-0 (44)}) 9... Bxc3 10. bxc3 Nxf3+ 11. Bxf3 Bxf3 12. Qxf3 b6 13. c4 Ne7 14. Bc3 f6 15. Qg4 O-O 16. Qe6+ Rf7 17. O-O Qd6 18. Qxd6 cxd6 19. f4 exf4 20. Rxf4 d5 21. a4 1/2-1/2

[Event "Valle d'Aosta op 11th"]
[Site "Saint Vincent"]
[Date "2003.02.14"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Vassallo Barroche, Mauricio"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B06"]
[WhiteElo "2279"]
[BlackElo "2443"]
[PlyCount "27"]
[EventDate "2003.02.08"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ITA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 092 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2003.03.07"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2003.03.07"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 g6 2. d4 Bg7 3. Nc3 c6 4. Be3 d6 5. Qd2 Nd7 6. f3 b5 7. O-O-O Bb7 ({RR} 7... Nb6 8. b3 Qc7 9. g4 b4 10. Nce2 a5 11. Kb1 Nf6 12. h4 h5 13. g5 Nfd7 14. f4 c5 15. Ng3 c4 16. f5 a4 17. Qxb4 Rb8 18. Qa3 O-O 19. b4 c3 20. Nf3 Bb7 21. Ka1 Rfc8 22. fxg6 {Skliarov,V (2387)-Jumabayev,R (2628) Chess.com INT 2022 0-1 (67)}) ({RR} 7... Nb6 8. g4 h5 9. g5 d5 10. exd5 Nxd5 11. Nxd5 Qxd5 12. Kb1 Be6 13. b3 a5 14. Bh3 Bxh3 15. Nxh3 e6 16. Nf4 Qd6 17. Nd3 Ne7 18. Bf4 Qxd4 19. Ne5 Qd5 20. Qxd5 Nxd5 21. Nd3 Nc3+ 22. Kc1 {Coelho,R (1981)-Krivenko,D (2216) chess.com INT 2024 0-1 (47)}) 8. h4 $146 ({RR} 8. Kb1 Nb6 9. Bd3 e6 10. h4 Qc7 11. h5 O-O-O 12. a3 e5 13. Qf2 exd4 14. Bxd4 Bxd4 15. Qxd4 Ne7 16. hxg6 Nxg6 17. Qf6 a6 18. Nh3 h6 19. Nf4 Kb8 20. Nxg6 fxg6 21. Bf1 d5 22. exd5 cxd5 {Bedoya Rosales,L (1970)-Padilla,H (2206) Lima 2013 0-1 (36)}) 8... h5 9. Nh3 Qc7 10. Ng5 Ngf6 11. f4 b4 12. Ne2 c5 13. e5 cxd4 14. Nxd4 1/2-1/2

[Event "NOR-ch U20 op 13th"]
[Site "Oslo"]
[Date "2003.04.15"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Nithander, Victor"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B40"]
[WhiteElo "2246"]
[BlackElo "2315"]
[PlyCount "154"]
[EventDate "2003.04.??"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2005"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2004.11.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2004.11.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 {ChessBase II} c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 Bb4 6. Ndb5 ({RR} 6. e5 Nd5 7. Bd2 ({RR} 7. Qg4)) 6... O-O 7. a3 Bxc3+ 8. Nxc3 d5 9. e5 ({RR} 9. Bg5 d4 10. e5 dxc3 11. Qxd8 Rxd8 12. exf6 cxb2 13. Rb1 Rd5 14. h4 ({RR} 14. Bd2 gxf6 15. Bc3 Rc5 16. Bxf6 Rxc2 17. Bd3 Rc1+ 18. Kd2) 14... Re5+ 15. Kd2 gxf6 16. Bxf6 Rf5 17. Bxb2 Rxf2+ 18. Ke3 Rxc2 19. Bd3 Rxb2 20. Rxb2 Nd7 21. Rb5 Nf6 22. Rf1 Nd5+ 23. Kd4 b6 {Roos,L (2385)-Plachetka,J (2435) Bagneux 1982 EXT 2000 [ChessBase II] ½-½ (39)}) ({RR} 9. exd5) ({RR} 9. Bd3 d4 10. Ne2 e5 11. O-O Nfd7 12. b4 a5 13. Bd2 Nc6 14. Ng3 g6 15. Qc1 Nb6 16. b5 Nb8 17. f4 N8d7 18. f5 f6 19. Qe1 a4 20. Bb4 Rf7 21. c3 Nf8 22. c4 Rc7 23. c5 Nbd7 {Valenzuela Gomez,F (2312)-Guasch Figuerola,A (1991) Torredembarra ESP 2025 1-0}) 9... Nfd7 10. Qh5 $146 ({RR} 10. Bd3 Nxe5 11. Bxh7+ Kxh7 12. Qh5+ Kg8 13. Qxe5 Nc6 14. Qg3 Qf6 15. O-O Nd4 16. Bg5 Qg6 17. Qf4 Nc6 18. Qd2 Ne5 19. f4 Nc4 20. Qe2 f6 21. Bh4 Qf7 22. Ne4 Nxb2 23. Nxf6+ gxf6 24. Rf3 Rd8 {Richter,K-Elstner,R Berlin 1932 1-0 (39)}) ({RR} 10. Bd3 Nxe5 11. Bxh7+ Kxh7 12. Qh5+ Kg8 13. Qxe5 Nc6 14. Qg3 Qf6 15. O-O Nd4 16. Bg5 Qg6 17. Qf4 Nc6 18. Qd2 Ne5 19. f4 Nc4 20. Qe2 f6 21. Bh4 Qf7 22. Ne4 Nxb2 23. Nxf6+ gxf6) ({RR} 10. f4 f6 11. exf6 Nxf6 12. Bd3 Qb6 13. b4 Re8 14. Na4 Qc7 15. O-O Bd7 16. Nc5 Nc6 17. Bb2 Rf8 18. Nxd7 Qxd7 19. Qe2 Rfe8 20. b5 Nd8 21. c4 Rc8 22. Rad1 b6 23. Bxf6 gxf6 24. Qg4+ Qg7 {Rivera,G (1643)-Alarcon,R (2198) Lima 2015 0-1 (46)}) 10... Nc6 11. f4 f5 12. Bd3 Nc5 13. O-O Ne4 14. Nd1 Bd7 15. Be3 d4 16. Bf2 Ne7 17. Bh4 Bc6 18. Nf2 Nd2 19. Bxe7 Qxe7 20. Rfe1 Qc5 21. Qh3 Nc4 22. Bxc4 Qxc4 23. Qd3 Qd5 24. Qg3 Rac8 25. Rad1 Rfd8 26. Rd2 Qb5 27. c3 dxc3 28. Qxc3 Bd5 29. Qe3 Rc4 30. b3 Rc6 31. b4 Rdc8 32. Rdd1 Rc3 33. Rc1 Qc4 34. Nd3 Rc2 35. Rxc2 Qxc2 36. Re2 Qd1+ 37. Re1 Qb3 38. Nc5 Qxe3+ 39. Rxe3 b6 40. Nb3 Rc2 41. Rg3 Rc4 42. Nd2 Rxf4 43. Rc3 a5 44. b5 g5 45. Rc8+ Kg7 46. Rb8 g4 47. Rxb6 Rd4 48. Nf1 Rd3 49. g3 Rxa3 50. Kf2 Rf3+ 51. Ke1 a4 52. Nd2 Rc3 53. Ra6 a3 54. b6 Rc6 55. Rxa3 Rxb6 56. Re3 Kg6 57. Kf2 h5 58. Rc3 Rb2 59. Ke3 h4 60. Rc8 Ra2 61. Rg8+ Kf7 62. Rg5 Ra3+ 63. Kf2 hxg3+ 64. hxg3 Rd3 65. Nf1 Rf3+ 66. Ke1 Bc4 67. Nd2 Re3+ 68. Kd1 Bd3 69. Nb3 Rxg3 70. Nc5 Bc4 71. Nb7 Bd5 72. Nd6+ Kf8 73. Ke2 Rh3 74. Kf2 Rf3+ 75. Ke2 g3 76. Rg6 f4 77. Ke1 Re3+ 0-1

[Event "Gausdal Classics GM"]
[Site "Gausdal"]
[Date "2003.04.03"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Daly, Colm"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B82"]
[WhiteElo "2315"]
[BlackElo "2353"]
[PlyCount "53"]
[EventDate "2003.04.03"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "8"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 093 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2003.05.09"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2003.05.09"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nc6 5. Nc3 d6 6. Be3 Nf6 7. f4 Be7 8. Qf3 O-O 9. O-O-O Qc7 10. Nb3 a6 11. g4 b5 12. g5 Nd7 13. h4 $146 ({RR} 13. Bd3 Nb4 14. Kb1 Bb7 15. f5 Ne5 16. Qf4 Rfc8 17. a3 Nbxd3 18. cxd3 a5 19. Ka2 a4 20. Nd4 Nxd3 21. Rxd3 Qc4+ 22. Ka1 Qxd3 23. Rd1 Qc4 24. Ndxb5 e5 25. Qf3 Qb3 26. f6 Bf8 27. fxg7 Be7 {Martin Duque,J (2449)-Fernandez Lledo,J (2281) Veliko Gradiste 2021 0-1 (38)}) ({RR} 13. Bd3 Nb4 14. Kb1 Bb7 15. f5 Ne5 16. Qf4 Rfc8 17. a3 Nbxd3 18. cxd3 a5 19. Ka2 a4 20. Nd4 Nxd3 21. Rxd3 Qc4+ 22. Ka1 Qxd3 23. Rd1 Qc4 24. Ndxb5 e5 25. Qf3 Qb3 26. f6 Bf8 27. fxg7 Be7 {Martin Duque,J (2449)-Fernandez Lledo,J (2281) Veliko Gradiste 2021 0-1 (38)}) 13... Bb7 14. g6 Nb4 15. a3 Nc6 16. Bh3 hxg6 17. h5 g5 18. f5 Nce5 19. Qg3 g4 20. Bxg4 Nxg4 21. h6 g5 22. Qxg4 Ne5 23. Qh5 g4 24. Bd4 Bf6 25. Bxe5 Bxe5 26. Qxg4+ Kh8 27. Rdg1 1-0

[Event "Gausdal Classics GM"]
[Site "Gausdal"]
[Date "2003.04.04"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Paehtz, Elisabeth"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B32"]
[WhiteElo "2315"]
[BlackElo "2384"]
[PlyCount "97"]
[EventDate "2003.04.03"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "8"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 093 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2003.05.09"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2003.05.09"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 e5 5. Nb5 d6 6. N1c3 a6 7. Na3 b5 8. Nd5 Nf6 9. Nxf6+ Qxf6 10. c4 b4 11. Nc2 Qg6 12. Qd5 ({RR} 12. Qf3 Be7 13. Bd3 O-O 14. O-O a5 15. Be3 Rb8 16. b3 h5 17. h3 Be6 18. Kh1 Bg5 19. Rad1 a4 20. Be2 Bxe3 21. Qxe3 Rfd8 22. Bf3 h4 23. Rd2 Qf6 24. Rfd1 Qe7 25. Qe2 axb3 26. axb3 Ra8 {Baches Garcia,G (2318)-Buksa,N (2400) chess.com INT 2025 0-1 (60)}) 12... Bb7 13. Nxb4 Nd8 14. Qd1 $146 ({RR} 14. Qd3 Bxe4 15. Qg3 Qxg3 16. hxg3 Nc6 17. Bd2 Nxb4 18. Bxb4 a5 19. Bc3 a4 20. O-O-O Be7 21. f3 Bc6 22. Bd3 h6 23. Rhe1 O-O-O 24. Be4 Bxe4 25. Rxe4 f5 26. Re2 Bf6 27. Kc2 Kb7 28. Rd5 Kc6 {Hajnal,Z (2407)-Zambor,N (2333) Fuzesabony 2004 1-0 (52)}) 14... Qxe4+ 15. Be3 Be7 16. Nd5 Bh4 17. Qd3 Qxd3 18. Bxd3 Ne6 19. O-O Rc8 20. b4 e4 21. Be2 Bf6 22. Nxf6+ gxf6 23. Rac1 f5 24. f4 exf3 25. Bxf3 Be4 26. Bxe4 fxe4 27. Rf5 Rf8 28. a4 Ke7 29. b5 axb5 30. axb5 Ng7 31. Rd5 Ne6 32. Rf5 Ng7 33. Rf2 Ne6 34. b6 f5 35. g3 Kd7 36. Rb2 Rb8 37. b7 Nd8 38. Rcb1 Nc6 39. Bf4 Rfe8 40. c5 Ne5 41. Rc2 dxc5 42. Rxc5 Nd3 43. Bxb8 Nxc5 44. Bf4 Na6 45. b8=Q Nxb8 46. Rxb8 Rxb8 47. Bxb8 Ke6 48. Kf2 Kf6 49. h4 1-0

[Event "Gausdal Classics GM"]
[Site "Gausdal"]
[Date "2003.04.05"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Westerinen, Heikki MJ"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B30"]
[WhiteElo "2360"]
[BlackElo "2315"]
[PlyCount "90"]
[EventDate "2003.04.03"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "8"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 093 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2003.05.09"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2003.05.09"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 e6 4. O-O Nge7 5. c3 a6 6. Ba4 d5 7. exd5 Nxd5 8. d4 ({RR} 8. Bxc6+ bxc6 9. d3 Be7 10. Na3 O-O 11. Nc4 f6 12. Re1 e5 13. d4 exd4 14. cxd4 a5 15. b3 Ba6 16. Ba3 Bxc4 17. bxc4 Nb4 18. Qe2 Re8 19. Qe6+ Kh8 20. Bxb4 axb4 21. dxc5 Qc8 22. Qxc8 Raxc8 {Xiong,J (2709)-Maghsoodloo,P (2698) Chess.com INT 2021 ½-½ (55)}) ({RR} 8. Bxc6+ bxc6 9. Na3 Bd6 10. Nc4 Bc7 11. d3 O-O 12. Re1 f6 13. Nfd2 Nf4 14. Ne4 Nxd3 15. Re3 Nxc1 16. Rxc1 Bf4 17. Rd3 Qe7 18. Rc2 e5 19. Ncd6 f5 20. Nxc8 Raxc8 21. Rd7 Bxh2+ 22. Kf1 Qh4 {Tregubov,P (2551)-Alavkin,A (2367) chess.com INT 2025 1-0 (32)}) 8... Bd7 9. Re1 $146 ({RR} 9. Be3 b5 10. Bc2 c4 11. Nbd2 Be7 12. Re1 O-O 13. Ne5 Nxe5 14. dxe5 Bc6 15. Qh5 f5 16. Nf3 Be8 17. Qh3 Bg6 18. Nd4 Qc8 19. Rad1 Nxe3 20. Qxe3 Bh5 21. Rd2 Rd8 22. Bd1 Be8 23. Bf3 Rb8 {Begna,B (1932)-Tenschert,H (1716) Nordrheinwestfalen 2013 ½-½ (48)}) 9... Be7 10. dxc5 O-O 11. c4 Nf6 12. Nc3 Bxc5 13. Be3 Bxe3 14. Rxe3 Qc7 15. Ne4 Nxe4 16. Rxe4 Rad8 17. Qe1 e5 18. Re3 f6 19. h3 Be6 20. Bxc6 Qxc6 21. b3 Rd7 22. Rd1 Rfd8 23. Rxd7 Rxd7 24. Qc3 Bf5 25. Nh4 Be4 26. Qe1 Rd4 27. Qe2 b5 28. cxb5 axb5 29. Nf3 Bxf3 30. Qxf3 Qxf3 31. gxf3 b4 32. Re2 Kf7 33. Rc2 g5 34. Kg2 Kg6 35. Rc6 Kf5 36. Rb6 h5 37. Kg3 g4 38. hxg4+ hxg4 39. fxg4+ Rxg4+ 40. Kf3 Rh4 41. Kg3 Rd4 42. Kf3 Rd2 43. Rxb4 Rxa2 44. Ke3 Rc2 45. f4 Rc3+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "Gausdal Classics GM"]
[Site "Gausdal"]
[Date "2003.04.06"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Sarbok, Torsten"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B04"]
[WhiteElo "2325"]
[BlackElo "2315"]
[PlyCount "100"]
[EventDate "2003.04.03"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "8"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 093 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2003.05.09"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2003.05.09"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 Nf6 2. e5 Nd5 3. d4 d6 4. Nf3 dxe5 5. Nxe5 g6 6. Bc4 c6 7. O-O Bg7 8. c3 Nd7 9. Nxd7 Bxd7 10. Nd2 O-O 11. Nf3 Be6 $146 ({RR} 11... Rc8 12. Re1 Bg4 13. h3 Bxf3 14. Qxf3 e6 15. Bb3 b5 16. Bd1 Qb6 17. Bc2 Rfd8 18. a3 a5 19. Bd2 b4 20. axb4 axb4 21. Be4 Rd7 22. Qe2 Qb8 23. Qf3 Qb6 24. Qe2 Qb8 25. Qf3 Qb6 {½-½ (25) Ankit,R (2362)-Abhishek,K (2276) New Delhi 2011}) ({RR} 11... b5 12. Bd3 a5 13. Bg5 h6 14. Bh4 b4 15. Qd2 bxc3 16. bxc3 c5 17. Rab1 cxd4 18. cxd4 Rc8 19. Rfe1 Re8 20. Ne5 Nb4 21. Be4 Be6 22. a3 Nd5 23. Bd3 Nc3 24. Rbc1 Qxd4 25. Nxg6 fxg6 26. Rxe6 {Avsar,G (2389)-Mahdavi,R (2480) chess.com INT 2025 0-1 (33)}) 12. Qe2 Nc7 13. Bf4 Bxc4 14. Qxc4 Ne6 15. Be5 Qd5 16. Qxd5 cxd5 17. Rfe1 f6 18. Bg3 Kf7 19. Re2 Nd8 20. Ne1 Rc8 21. Nd3 e6 22. Rae1 Bh6 23. Kf1 Rc6 24. Nb4 Rc8 25. Bd6 Re8 26. Nxd5 Nc6 27. Nb4 Nxb4 28. Bxb4 Rcd8 29. g3 Bg7 30. b3 f5 31. Ba3 Bf6 32. Re3 Rd7 33. Ke2 Rc8 34. Kd3 e5 35. Rxe5 Bxe5 36. Rxe5 h5 37. h4 f4 38. gxf4 Kg7 39. c4 Rf7 40. Ke4 Rd7 41. d5 b6 42. Be7 Kf7 43. d6 Rb7 44. Kd4 a5 45. f5 gxf5 46. Rxf5+ Ke6 47. Rxh5 Rg8 48. Rg5 Rh8 49. h5 Rh7 50. f4 Rxh5 1-0

[Event "Gausdal Classics GM"]
[Site "Gausdal"]
[Date "2003.04.09"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Bluvshtein, Mark"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B03"]
[WhiteElo "2451"]
[BlackElo "2315"]
[PlyCount "105"]
[EventDate "2003.04.03"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "8"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 093 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2003.05.09"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2003.05.09"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 {ChessBase II} Nf6 2. e5 Nd5 3. d4 d6 4. c4 Nb6 5. exd6 exd6 6. Nc3 Nc6 7. h3 Be7 8. Nf3 Bf6 ({RR} 8... O-O 9. Be2 Bf6 10. O-O Bf5 11. Bf4 Re8 12. Re1 ({RR} 12. b3 h6 13. Qd2 g5 14. Be3 Bg7 15. Rac1 Bg6 16. Rfd1 Ne7 17. Bd3 Nf5 18. Re1 c6 19. Re2 d5 20. c5 Nd7 21. Rce1 Qf6 22. b4 Re6 23. g4 Ne7 24. Kg2 Re8 25. h4 Bxd3 26. Qxd3 gxh4) 12... Nb4 ({RR} 12... Qd7 13. Rc1 h6 14. Qd2 Rad8 15. b3 Ne7 16. g4 Bh7 17. Bf1 Ng6 18. Bg3 Rxe1 19. Rxe1 Rf8 20. Bd3 c6 21. Bf5 Qd8 22. Qd3 d5 23. Re3 Re8 24. cxd5 Rxe3 25. Qxe3 Nxd5 26. Nxd5 Qxd5 27. Qe8+) 13. Rc1 Rxe2 14. Nxe2 Nd3 15. Qb3 a5 16. Be3 d5 17. c5 a4 18. Qb5 Qd7 19. Qxd7 Nxd7 20. Ng3 Bg6 21. Bg5 Bxg5 22. Nxg5 f6 23. Nf3 {Degraeve,J (2569)-Bauer,C (2636) Cannes 2005 CBM 105 Extra [ChessBase II] 0-1 (41)}) 9. Be3 O-O 10. Rc1 $146 ({RR} 10. Be2 Bf5 11. O-O Re8 12. Nh2 Na5 13. b3 Nc6 14. Ng4 Bg5 15. Qd2 Bxe3 16. Nxe3 Bg6 17. Bf3 Nd7 18. Rfe1 Nf6 19. Bxc6 bxc6 20. Nc2 Qd7 21. Nb4 a5 22. Nd3 h6 23. Rxe8+ Rxe8 24. Re1 Bxd3 {Burzak,W (1376)-Matuszewski,M (1638) Borowice 2012 0-1 (40)}) ({RR} 10. Be2 Re8 11. O-O Ne7 12. Ne4 Nf5 13. Nxf6+ Qxf6 14. Bg5 Qe6 15. Re1 Qd7 16. Qb3 h6 17. Bf4 Qd8 18. Rad1 Bd7 19. Qc3 Nc8 20. d5 Nce7 21. c5 Ng6 22. Bh2 dxc5 23. Qxc5 c6 24. dxc6 bxc6 {Ergazaki,E (1577)-Galani,D (1492) Tornelo INT 2021 ½-½ (45)}) ({RR} 10. Qd2 Bf5 11. g4 Bg6 12. h4 d5 13. cxd5 Nxd5 14. h5 Nxc3 15. hxg6 Ne4 16. Qc2 Qe7 17. gxf7+ Kh8 18. O-O-O Nb4 19. Qb3 c6 20. Bc4 Rad8 21. Be6 g6 22. Rxh7+ {1-0 (22) Kunal,M (2350)-Arjun,A (1849) Bhubaneswar 2015}) 10... Re8 11. b3 Bg5 12. Nxg5 Qxg5 13. d5 Ne5 14. Ne2 Qf6 15. Qd2 Qh4 16. Qd4 Qf6 17. f4 Ned7 18. Qxf6 Nxf6 19. Kf2 Ne4+ 20. Kf3 c6 21. dxc6 bxc6 22. Nc3 Bf5 23. Bd3 Nd2+ 24. Bxd2 Bxd3 25. Rhe1 f5 26. Re3 Rxe3+ 27. Kxe3 Be4 28. c5 dxc5 29. Nxe4 Re8 30. Rxc5 Nd5+ 31. Ke2 Rxe4+ 32. Kf3 Rd4 33. Bc1 Rd3+ 34. Ke2 Rg3 35. Kf2 Rc3 36. Rxc3 Nxc3 37. Ke3 Kf7 38. Kd3 Nd5 39. g3 Ke6 40. Ba3 Nf6 41. Bc5 a6 42. Bd4 Ne4 43. Bxg7 Kd5 44. g4 fxg4 45. hxg4 Nf2+ 46. Ke3 Nxg4+ 47. Kf3 Nh2+ 48. Kg2 Ng4 49. Kf3 Nh2+ 50. Kg3 Nf1+ 51. Kf2 Nh2 52. f5 Ke4 53. Kg3 1/2-1/2

[Event "Gausdal Classics GM"]
[Site "Gausdal"]
[Date "2003.04.11"]
[Round "11"]
[White "Lie, Kjetil A"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B20"]
[WhiteElo "2430"]
[BlackElo "2315"]
[PlyCount "117"]
[EventDate "2003.04.03"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "8"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 093 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2003.05.09"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2003.05.09"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. b3 b6 3. Bb2 Bb7 4. Nc3 Nc6 5. f4 e6 6. Nf3 d5 ({RR} 6... Nge7 7. Qe2 a6 8. O-O-O Nd4 9. Qf2 Nec6 10. Nxd4 Nxd4 11. Bd3 Qc7 12. Rde1 O-O-O 13. Kb1 Kb8 14. Ne2 Nc6 15. f5 Ne5 16. Nf4 Bd6 17. Rhf1 Ka8 18. h3 b5 19. Be2 Rc8 20. Bd1 c4 21. d4 {Morozevich,A (2731)-Cheparinov,I (2682) Dubai 2014 1-0 (43)}) 7. exd5 ({RR} 7. Bb5 d4 8. Ne2 a6 9. Bxc6+ Bxc6 10. d3 Nf6 11. Ne5 Bb7 12. c3 dxc3 13. Bxc3 Bd6 14. O-O Bc7 15. b4 Bd6 16. a3 O-O 17. h3 Rc8 18. Kh1 b5 19. bxc5 Bxc5 20. Qe1 Nh5 21. Ba5 Qe7 {Golubka,P (2316)-Miezis,N (2384) Kuressaare EST 2025 ½-½ (67)}) 7... exd5 8. Qe2+ $146 ({RR} 8. Bb5 Nf6 9. O-O Be7 10. Ne5 Rc8 11. Qe2 O-O 12. Nxc6 Bxc6 13. Bxc6 Rxc6 14. Rae1 Bd6 15. Qf3 d4 16. Qxc6 dxc3 17. Bxc3 Be7 18. d3 Nd5 19. Bb2 Bf6 20. Bxf6 Nxf6 21. Qf3 Qd4+ 22. Qf2 Qb2 {Kumala,A (2160)-De Lomas Busquets,A (2026) chess.com INT 2024 0-1 (94)}) ({RR} 8. Bb5 a6 9. Qe2+ Be7 10. Bxc6+ Bxc6 11. O-O Nf6 12. Ne5 Bb7 13. Rae1 O-O 14. Ng6 hxg6 15. Qxe7 Qxe7 16. Rxe7 Bc6 17. Ne2 d4 18. Re5 Rfe8 19. Rxe8+ Rxe8 20. Ng3 Ne4 {½-½ (20) Elez,N (2245)-Cabarkapa,N (2070) Banja Vrujci 2010}) 8... Nge7 9. d4 cxd4 10. Nb5 Qd7 11. Ne5 Nxe5 12. Qxe5 f6 13. Nd6+ Kd8 14. Nxb7+ Qxb7 15. Qxd4 Nf5 16. Qd3 Qe7+ 17. Be2 Qb4+ 18. c3 Qe4 19. O-O-O Kc7 20. Qxd5 Qxd5 21. Rxd5 Ne3 22. Rd3 Re8 23. Bf3 Bd6 24. g3 h5 25. Re1 Ng4 26. Red1 Rd8 27. R1d2 Rhe8 28. Bxg4 hxg4 29. Kd1 b5 30. Rd5 a6 31. R2d4 g6 32. c4 Kc6 33. Rd2 Be7 34. Re2 Bc5 35. Rxe8 Rxe8 36. Bxf6 bxc4 37. bxc4 Bg1 38. Rg5 Bxh2 39. Rxg4 Kc5 40. Rxg6 Kxc4 41. Be5 Kd3 42. Rxa6 Ke4 43. Ke2 Rg8 44. Ra4+ Kf5 45. Kd3 Rxg3+ 46. Kc4 Rg2 47. Kb5 Rc2 48. a3 Ra2 49. Bd6 Rd2 50. Kc6 Rc2+ 51. Kd5 Rd2+ 52. Rd4 Ra2 53. a4 Bg3 54. Rc4 Bh2 55. Kc6 Ke6 56. Re4+ Kf5 57. Rb4 Bg3 58. Rb5+ Ke4 59. f5 1-0

[Event "NOR-chT"]
[Site "Asker"]
[Date "2003.05.28"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Snarheim, Dagfinn"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B76"]
[WhiteElo "2315"]
[BlackElo "2216"]
[PlyCount "71"]
[EventDate "2003.05.28"]
[EventType "team"]
[EventRounds "5"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 094 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2003.07.09"]
[SourceVersion "2"]
[SourceVersionDate "2003.07.09"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 g6 6. Be3 Bg7 7. f3 O-O 8. Qd2 Nc6 9. O-O-O Nxd4 10. Bxd4 Be6 11. g4 Qa5 12. Kb1 Rfc8 13. a3 Rab8 14. Ne2 Qa4 15. g5 Nh5 16. Bxg7 Nxg7 17. Nd4 b5 18. Qb4 Qa6 $146 ({RR} 18... Bd7 19. h4 a5 20. Qxa4 bxa4 21. Rh2 Rb6 22. c4 Ne6 23. Nb5 Rcb8 24. Rc2 Bc6 25. Kc1 Nc5 26. Kd2 Kg7 27. Ke3 h6 28. Rdd2 Rh8 29. Rh2 Rbb8 30. Rcg2 hxg5 31. hxg5 Rxh2 32. Rxh2 Ne6 33. f4 {Agopov,M (2450)-Carlsson,P (2502) Porto Carras 2011 ½-½ (42)}) 19. Nxe6 Nxe6 20. h4 Qb6 21. h5 Qf2 22. Bd3 Nxg5 23. hxg6 hxg6 24. e5 Nxf3 25. exd6 exd6 26. Qf4 b4 27. Qh6 Qd4 28. Bxg6 Qg7 29. Bh7+ Kh8 30. Qxd6 bxa3 31. Qxa3 Rc3 32. Bg6+ Kg8 33. Bxf7+ Kxf7 34. Qxa7+ Kf6 35. Rd6+ Kf5 36. Qxg7 1-0

[Event "NOR-chT"]
[Site "Asker"]
[Date "2003.06.01"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Heim, Sverre"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B31"]
[WhiteElo "2315"]
[BlackElo "2399"]
[PlyCount "74"]
[EventDate "2003.05.28"]
[EventType "team"]
[EventRounds "5"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 094 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2003.07.09"]
[SourceVersion "2"]
[SourceVersionDate "2003.07.09"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 g6 4. c3 Nf6 5. e5 Nd5 6. d4 cxd4 7. Qb3 Nc7 8. Bc4 Ne6 9. cxd4 Na5 10. Qc3 Nxc4 11. Qxc4 Qc7 12. Qc3 d5 13. O-O Bd7 14. Qb3 Qb6 $146 ({RR} 14... Bc6 15. Nc3 Qd7 16. Be3 Bg7 17. Ne1 O-O 18. Nd3 f6 19. Rfd1 Rad8 20. Rd2 {½-½ (20) Georgiev,K (2487)-Spasov,V (2569) Pamporovo 2001}) 15. Qxb6 axb6 16. Nc3 Nc7 17. Bg5 h6 18. Be3 e6 19. Rfc1 Be7 20. Nd2 Bc6 21. Kf1 Kd7 22. Ke2 b5 23. a3 b4 24. axb4 Bxb4 25. Nb3 b6 26. Rxa8 Nxa8 27. Bd2 Nc7 28. Ra1 h5 29. Na4 Bxa4 30. Rxa4 Be7 31. Kd3 Ra8 32. Rxa8 Nxa8 33. Nc1 Nc7 34. g3 Kc6 35. Ne2 Kb5 36. Nc3+ Kc6 37. h3 Na6 1/2-1/2

[Event "Salongernas IM-tournament"]
[Site "Stockholm"]
[Date "2003.06.09"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Olsson, Anders"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C18"]
[WhiteElo "2356"]
[BlackElo "2383"]
[PlyCount "70"]
[EventDate "2003.06.07"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "8"]
[EventCountry "SWE"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2023"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2022.10.05"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2022.10.05"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e5 c5 5. a3 Bxc3+ 6. bxc3 Qc7 7. Qg4 f5 8. Qh5+ g6 9. Qd1 Bd7 10. Nf3 Ba4 11. dxc5 Nd7 12. Be3 Nxc5 13. Rb1 Ne4 14. Qd4 Bd7 $146 ({RR} 14... Nxc3 15. Bd2 Nxb1 16. Qxa4+ Kd8 17. Qb4 Nxa3 18. Qf8+ Kd7 19. Qxa8 Nxc2+ 20. Kd1 a6 21. Bd3 Na1 {1-0 (21) Groszpeter,A (2478)-Lahiri,A (2385) Paks 2000}) 15. Qb4 b6 16. c4 Ne7 17. Be2 Rc8 18. O-O dxc4 19. Bh6 Nd5 20. Qb2 Qc5 21. Rbe1 Ndc3 22. Qc1 Bb5 23. Be3 Qd5 24. Nd4 Ba6 25. f3 Nc5 26. Bf2 O-O 27. Qe3 N5a4 28. Bh4 f4 29. Qf2 Rc7 30. Bf6 Rd7 31. Rd1 Nxd1 32. Rxd1 Nc3 33. Rd2 Nxe2+ 34. Qxe2 Rxf6 35. exf6 c3 0-1

[Event "Salongernas IM-tournament"]
[Site "Stockholm"]
[Date "2003.06.11"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Hermansson, Emil"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B33"]
[WhiteElo "2379"]
[BlackElo "2356"]
[PlyCount "67"]
[EventDate "2003.06.07"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "8"]
[EventCountry "SWE"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2023"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2022.10.05"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2022.10.05"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 e5 6. Ndb5 d6 7. Bg5 a6 8. Na3 b5 9. Bxf6 gxf6 10. Nd5 f5 11. c3 Bg7 12. exf5 Bxf5 13. Nc2 Be6 14. g3 O-O 15. Bg2 a5 16. O-O Rb8 17. Qe2 Qd7 ({RR} 17... Ne7 18. Rad1 f5 19. Nce3 Kh8 20. a3 Qd7 21. Nxe7 Qxe7 22. Nd5 Qf7 23. Rd2 e4 24. Rfd1 Be5 25. f4 exf3 26. Qxf3 Bxd5 27. Rxd5 Qg7 28. Rf1 f4 29. g4 Rg8 30. h3 h5 31. Qe4 Qf6 32. Bf3 {Leko,P (2725)-Kramnik,V (2758) Linares 2000 ½-½ (41)}) ({RR} 17... b4 18. Nce3 bxc3 19. bxc3 Ne7 20. Rad1 Nxd5 21. Nxd5 Kh8 22. f4 exf4 23. Nxf4 Bxc3 24. Be4 Qg5 25. Kh1 Be5 26. Qd2 Qh6 27. Qxa5 Rb2 28. Bg2 Rxa2 29. Qc7 Bg4 30. Rde1 Qg5 31. Qc4 Rb2 32. Nd3 {Cordoba Roa,A (2396)-Margl,R (2289) chess.com INT 2025 ½-½ (36)}) 18. Rfd1 f5 $146 19. Rd2 {RR} e4 20. Nce3 Ne7 21. Nf4 Be5 22. Nxe6 Qxe6 23. f4 exf3 24. Bxf3 Kh8 25. Nd5 Nxd5 26. Rxd5 b4 27. c4 a4 28. Rad1 Qf6 29. b3 axb3 30. axb3 Rg8 31. Qg2 Rg6 32. R5d3 Rbg8 33. Bd5 R8g7 34. Rf1 {Andreev,E (2471)-Krapivin,A (2378) Serpukhov 2003 ½-½ (36)} 1/2-1/2

[Event "Salongernas IM-tournament"]
[Site "Stockholm"]
[Date "2003.06.12"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Von Bahr, Oskar"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B53"]
[WhiteElo "2356"]
[BlackElo "2377"]
[PlyCount "81"]
[EventDate "2003.06.07"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "8"]
[EventCountry "SWE"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2023"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2022.10.05"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2022.10.05"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Qxd4 Bd7 5. Bg5 Nc6 6. Qd2 h6 7. Be3 Nf6 8. Nc3 e6 9. O-O-O a6 10. h3 b5 11. Bd3 Be7 12. g4 $146 ({RR} 12. Kb1 Qc7 13. Rhe1 b4 14. Ne2 e5 15. g4 Be6 16. g5 Nd7 17. gxh6 gxh6 18. Bxh6 Nc5 19. Be3 Rxh3 20. Ng5 Bxg5 21. Bxg5 b3 22. axb3 Nxd3 23. cxd3 Qb7 24. Rc1 Qxb3 25. Rxc6 Qa2+ 26. Kc1 Qa1+ {Florian,J-Miguel,F (2300) Lima 1998 0-1 (35)}) 12... Qa5 13. Kb1 b4 14. Ne2 e5 15. g5 hxg5 16. Nxg5 Nd8 17. Ng3 g6 18. h4 Ne6 19. Bc4 Rc8 20. Bb3 Ng4 21. Nxe6 Bxe6 22. Bxe6 fxe6 23. Bg5 Qc5 24. Bxe7 Kxe7 25. Qg5+ Nf6 26. h5 a5 27. Rd2 a4 28. hxg6 Rxh1+ 29. Nxh1 b3 30. a3 bxc2+ 31. Kc1 Qc4 32. Ng3 Qa2 33. Rxc2 Rxc2+ 34. Kxc2 Qc4+ 35. Kd2 Qd4+ 36. Ke2 Qxb2+ 37. Kf1 d5 38. exd5 exd5 39. Nh5 Qb1+ 40. Kg2 Qe4+ 41. Kg3 1-0

[Event "Salongernas IM-tournament"]
[Site "Stockholm"]
[Date "2003.06.13"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Eriksson, Jonas"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B31"]
[WhiteElo "2288"]
[BlackElo "2356"]
[PlyCount "140"]
[EventDate "2003.06.07"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "8"]
[EventCountry "SWE"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2023"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2022.10.05"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2022.10.05"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 g6 4. Bxc6 dxc6 5. d3 Bg7 6. h3 Nf6 7. Nc3 Nd7 8. O-O e5 9. Be3 Qe7 10. a3 Nf8 11. Na4 Ne6 12. b4 b6 13. bxc5 $146 ({RR} 13. Qd2 Nd4 14. Nxd4 cxd4 15. Bh6 Bxh6 16. Qxh6 f6 17. f4 Be6 18. fxe5 fxe5 19. Rf3 O-O-O 20. Raf1 Kb8 21. Rf6 Bf5 22. R1xf5 gxf5 23. exf5 Rc8 24. Nb2 b5 25. Re6 Qc7 26. Nd1 e4 27. Rxe4 c5 {Solozhenkina,E (2282)-Srdanovic,J (2200) Cheliabinsk 2022 1-0 (38)}) ({RR} 13. c4 O-O 14. bxc5 bxc5 15. Qd2 Nd4 16. Nxd4 cxd4 17. Bh6 Bxh6 18. Qxh6 Rb8 19. f4 exf4 20. Qxf4 Rb3 21. Qf6 Qxf6 22. Rxf6 Rxd3 23. Rd6 Re8 24. Nc5 Rd2 25. Rxc6 Rc2 26. Rb1 d3 27. Nxd3 Be6 {Ozen,D (2397)-Firouzja,A (2570) Nakhchivan 2017 ½-½ (133)}) 13... b5 14. Nb2 Nxc5 15. Qd2 Ne6 16. a4 a6 17. axb5 cxb5 18. c4 Bd7 19. cxb5 Bxb5 20. Nc4 O-O 21. Nb6 Rad8 22. Nd5 Qb7 23. Bh6 Bxh6 24. Qxh6 f6 25. Rfd1 Rxd5 26. exd5 Qxd5 27. Qe3 Rd8 28. Qb6 Kg7 29. Rac1 g5 30. Rd2 Rd7 31. Qb8 Bc6 32. Qb6 Bb7 33. Rb2 Kg6 34. Ne1 Nf4 35. Kh2 Nxd3 36. Rd1 e4 37. Nxd3 exd3 38. f3 Qe5+ 39. Kg1 d2 40. Rbxd2 Rxd2 41. Rxd2 Qe1+ 42. Kh2 Qxd2 43. Qxb7 Qd6+ 44. Kh1 a5 45. Qe4+ Kg7 46. Qb7+ Kh6 47. Qb3 Qd4 48. Qa3 Qb4 49. Qa1 Kg6 50. Qa2 a4 51. Qg8+ Kh6 52. Qd8 Qe1+ 53. Kh2 Qe6 54. Qf8+ Kg6 55. Qd8 Kg7 56. Qc7+ Kh6 57. Qd8 Kg7 58. Qc7+ Qf7 59. Qc5 Qe8 60. Qc7+ Kh6 61. f4 Kg6 62. Qc2+ f5 63. g4 Qe4 64. gxf5+ Kxf5 65. Qc5+ Kxf4 66. Qf2+ Ke5 67. Qc5+ Kf6 68. Qf8+ Kg6 69. Qg8+ Kh6 70. Qf8+ Kg6 {and about 30 more moves} 1/2-1/2

[Event "Barents Region-chA"]
[Site "Alta"]
[Date "2003.06.20"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Nordahl, Helge Andreas"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B53"]
[WhiteElo "2315"]
[BlackElo "2330"]
[PlyCount "77"]
[EventDate "2003.06.20"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "6"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 094 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2003.07.09"]
[SourceVersion "2"]
[SourceVersionDate "2003.07.09"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 Nf6 4. Nc3 cxd4 5. Qxd4 a6 6. Bg5 Nc6 7. Qd2 e6 8. O-O-O b5 ({RR} 8... Bd7 9. Kb1 Be7 10. h3 h6 11. Be3 b5 12. Bd3 Qc7 13. g4 Ne5 14. Nxe5 dxe5 15. f4 b4 16. Ne2 exf4 17. Bxf4 e5 18. Be3 Be6 19. Ng3 Bc5 20. Nf5 Bxf5 21. exf5 Ke7 22. Rhe1 Rhd8 23. Bf4 {Zhang,Z (2632)-Kazhgaleyev,M (2641) Manila 2008 1-0 (32)}) 9. Qe3 $146 ({RR} 9. e5 dxe5 10. Qxd8+ Nxd8 11. Nxe5 Bb7 12. Nxb5 Nd5 13. Bxd8 Rxd8 14. Nc7+ Ke7 15. Nxd5+ Rxd5 16. Rxd5 exd5 17. Be2 Ke6 18. Re1 Bc5 19. Nf3 Bxf2 20. Rd1 Be3+ 21. Kb1 Rd8 22. c3 a5 23. Nd4+ Ke5 {Micheel,P (1665)-Schmidt,P (1590) Mecklenburg VP 2017 1-0 (35)}) ({RR} 9. a3 Bb7 10. Nd4 Qb6 11. Nxc6 Bxc6 12. Bxf6 gxf6 13. Re1 Bd7 14. f4 a5 15. Qe3 Qxe3+ 16. Rxe3 Rb8 17. g3 Bc6 18. Bg2 f5 19. Re2 b4 20. axb4 axb4 21. Nd1 fxe4 22. Bxe4 d5 23. Bd3 Bg7 {Vereggen,L (2326)-Boucquet,E (2206) Wachtebeke 2022 ½-½ (35)}) ({RR} 9. e5 dxe5 10. Qxd8+ Nxd8 11. Nxb5 axb5 12. Bxb5+ Bd7 13. Rxd7 Nxd7 14. Rd1 Be7 15. Bxe7 Kxe7 16. Rxd7+ Kf6 17. a4 Rb8 18. Nd2 Nb7 19. Ne4+ Kg6 20. b4 Rhd8 21. Rxd8 Nxd8 22. Nc5 f6 23. c4 Kf7 {Tseitlin,M (2430)-Pieniazek,A (2315) Gdynia 1989 1-0}) 9... Be7 10. e5 Ng4 11. Qf4 Ngxe5 12. Bxe7 Qxe7 13. Ne4 O-O 14. Nxd6 Nxf3 15. Qxf3 Bb7 16. Bd3 f5 17. Nxb7 Qxb7 18. Rhe1 Rae8 19. g4 Qc7 20. gxf5 Ne5 21. Qg3 Nxd3+ 22. Rxd3 Qxg3 23. hxg3 exf5 24. Rxe8 Rxe8 25. Kd2 Kf7 26. a4 bxa4 27. Rd5 g6 28. Ra5 Rb8 29. Rxa4 Rxb2 30. Rxa6 h5 31. Rc6 Kg7 32. Kd3 Rb4 33. c4 g5 34. Kd4 Rb2 35. Ke3 Rb3+ 36. Ke2 Rb2+ 37. Kf3 Rb3+ 38. Kg2 Rc3 39. c5 1/2-1/2

[Event "Barents Region-chA"]
[Site "Alta"]
[Date "2003.06.22"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Kiselev, Gennady Aleksandrov"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B45"]
[WhiteElo "2437"]
[BlackElo "2315"]
[PlyCount "69"]
[EventDate "2003.06.20"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "6"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 094 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2003.07.09"]
[SourceVersion "2"]
[SourceVersionDate "2003.07.09"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. Nc3 Nc6 4. d4 cxd4 5. Nxd4 Nf6 6. g3 Bc5 7. Nb3 Bb4 8. Bg2 O-O 9. O-O Bxc3 10. bxc3 d5 11. exd5 exd5 12. Be3 $146 ({RR} 12. Re1 Bf5 13. Bf4 Ne4 14. c4 dxc4 15. Bxe4 Bxe4 16. Qxd8 Rfxd8 17. Rxe4 cxb3 18. axb3 f6 19. Kg2 Kf7 20. Rc1 Rd5 21. Be3 Re8 22. Rxe8 Kxe8 23. h4 h5 24. Kf3 Kd7 25. Ke2 {½-½ (25) Brodsky,M (2512)-Volzhin,A (2569) Koszalin 1999}) ({RR} 12. Qd3 Bg4 13. Re1 Rc8 14. h3 Bh5 15. f4 Re8 16. Bd2 Qb6+ 17. Kh2 Ne7 18. Nd4 Kh8 19. g4 Bxg4 20. hxg4 Nxg4+ 21. Kg3 h5 22. Bh3 Rg8 23. Bxg4 hxg4 24. Kxg4 f5+ 25. Kg3 Qg6+ 26. Kf2 {1-0 (26) Forcen Esteban,D (2479)-Borisenko,V (2276) Maribor 2012}) 12... Bg4 13. f3 Re8 14. Qd2 Bf5 15. Rfe1 Ne5 16. Bd4 Nc4 17. Qf2 b6 18. a4 Qd6 19. Bf1 h6 20. Red1 Bg6 21. Nd2 Ne5 22. Ra2 Nc6 23. Bb5 Re6 24. Bxc6 Qxc6 25. Qf1 Rae8 26. Qb5 Qc8 27. Kf2 R6e7 28. Raa1 Qh3 29. Nf1 Ne4+ 30. fxe4 Bxe4 31. Be3 Qg2+ 32. Ke1 Bf3 33. Qd3 Rxe3+ 34. Nxe3 Qxh2 35. Rdb1 0-1

[Event "NOR-ch"]
[Site "Fredrikstad"]
[Date "2003.07.04"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Gabrielsen, Stig"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B40"]
[WhiteElo "2385"]
[BlackElo "2269"]
[PlyCount "35"]
[EventDate "2003.07.04"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 095 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2003.09.04"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2003.09.04"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. b3 b6 4. d4 cxd4 5. Nxd4 Bb7 6. Qe2 ({RR} 6. Nb5 Na6 7. N1c3 Nc5 8. Bf4 Rc8 9. Qd4 Nf6 10. f3 Na6 11. Nd6+ Bxd6 12. Bxd6 Nb8 13. Qd2 a6 14. a4 Ng8 15. Bc4 Ne7 16. O-O O-O 17. Rad1 Nbc6 18. Kh1 Re8 19. Bd3 Ng6 20. f4 e5 {Adams,M (2746)-Polgar,J (2676) Cannes 2001 0-1 (43)}) 6... Nc6 $146 ({RR} 6... d6 7. Bb2 Nf6 8. Nd2 Nc6 9. O-O-O Nxd4 10. Bxd4 Qc7 11. Kb1 e5 12. Bb2 Bc6 13. f4 O-O-O 14. Qf3 h5 15. Ba6+ Kb8 16. fxe5 dxe5 17. Nc4 Re8 18. Bxe5 Rxe5 19. Nxe5 Bxe4 20. Nd7+ Nxd7 21. Qxe4 {Shytaj,L (2454)-Lapiccirella,D (2213) Gallipoli 2018 1-0}) 7. Nxc6 dxc6 8. Bb2 Bb4+ 9. Nd2 Nf6 10. O-O-O Qc7 11. Nc4 b5 12. e5 Nd5 13. Nd6+ Bxd6 14. exd6 Qxd6 15. Bxg7 Rg8 16. Be5 Qa3+ 17. Bb2 Qxa2 18. Rxd5 1-0

[Event "NOR-ch"]
[Site "Fredrikstad"]
[Date "2003.07.11"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Trygstad, Kristian"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B41"]
[WhiteElo "2385"]
[BlackElo "2330"]
[PlyCount "97"]
[EventDate "2003.07.04"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 095 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2003.09.04"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2003.09.04"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 a6 5. c4 Nf6 6. Nc3 Qc7 7. a3 Nxe4 8. Nxe4 Qe5 9. Bd3 Qxd4 10. O-O f5 11. Be3 Qe5 12. f4 Qc7 13. Ng5 Bc5 14. Qh5+ g6 15. Qe2 Qb6 16. Bxc5 Qxc5+ 17. Kh1 Nc6 $146 ({RR} 17... Qe7 18. b4 b6 19. Qf3 Ra7 20. Qe3 Rb7 21. Be2 h6 22. Nh3 Nc6 23. Bf3 b5 24. Bxc6 dxc6 25. c5 O-O 26. Nf2 e5 27. fxe5 g5 28. Rad1 f4 29. Qe4 Rc7 30. Rd6 Bf5 31. Qd4 Re8 32. Re1 {Heinz,T (2231)-Vuillermoz,R (2046) France 2005 ½-½ (67)}) 18. b4 Qf8 19. Qb2 h6 20. Nf3 Rg8 21. b5 Nd8 22. Qd4 Nf7 23. c5 Qg7 24. Qe3 Qf6 25. bxa6 bxa6 26. Rab1 Kf8 27. Ne5 Kg7 28. g4 Ra7 29. gxf5 exf5 30. Rb6 d6 31. cxd6 Rb7 32. Rfb1 Nxd6 33. Qc5 Rd8 34. Rxb7+ Bxb7+ 35. Rxb7+ Nxb7 36. Qc7+ Kf8 37. Qxb7 g5 38. Nd7+ Rxd7 39. Qxd7 Qa1+ 40. Kg2 Qb2+ 41. Kf3 gxf4 42. Qxf5+ Ke7 43. Qc5+ Ke6 44. Qc6+ Ke7 45. Qc7+ Ke6 46. Bc4+ Kf6 47. Qd6+ Kg5 48. h4+ Kxh4 49. Qxh6# 1-0

[Event "Politiken Cup 25th"]
[Site "Copenhagen"]
[Date "2003.07.22"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Byklum, Bjornar"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B20"]
[WhiteElo "2214"]
[BlackElo "2385"]
[PlyCount "80"]
[EventDate "2003.07.14"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "DEN"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 095 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2003.09.04"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2003.09.04"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. g3 d5 3. exd5 Qxd5 4. Nf3 Bg4 5. Bg2 Qe6+ 6. Kf1 Nc6 7. h3 Bh5 8. Nc3 Nf6 9. d3 Qd7 10. g4 Bg6 11. Bf4 e6 12. Ne5 Nxe5 13. Bxe5 Bd6 14. Bxd6 Qxd6 15. b3 O-O-O $146 ({RR} 15... Rb8 16. Rb1 O-O 17. Qe2 Nd5 18. Nxd5 exd5 19. Re1 c4 20. dxc4 dxc4 21. bxc4 Qd7 22. Bd5 Rfe8 23. Qf3 Rxe1+ 24. Kxe1 b5 25. Kf1 bxc4 26. Bxc4 Bxc2 27. Kg2 Rc8 28. Bd5 Rc5 29. Re1 {½-½ (29) Lie,E (2357)-Gabrielsen,T (2235) Moss 2006}) 16. a4 Nd5 17. Nxd5 exd5 18. a5 a6 19. Rb1 Rhe8 20. Qd2 Re7 21. Bf3 f5 22. g5 f4 23. b4 c4 24. b5 cxd3 25. cxd3 axb5 26. Rxb5 Qe5 27. d4 Qd6 28. Rxd5 Qa6+ 29. Kg2 Rxd5 30. Bxd5 Qd6 31. Bf3 Kb8 32. Rc1 Be4 33. Bxe4 Rxe4 34. Qc3 Re8 35. Qc5 Qd7 36. Rc3 Ka8 37. Rf3 Re4 38. Qf8+ Ka7 39. Qc5+ Ka8 40. Qf8+ Ka7 1/2-1/2

[Event "Politiken Cup 25th"]
[Site "Copenhagen"]
[Date "2003.07.23"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Harestad, Hans Krogh"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C98"]
[WhiteElo "2385"]
[BlackElo "2249"]
[PlyCount "75"]
[EventDate "2003.07.14"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "DEN"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 095 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2003.09.04"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2003.09.04"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 {Wedberg,Tom} e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O b5 6. Bb3 Be7 7. Re1 d6 8. c3 O-O 9. h3 Na5 10. Bc2 c5 11. d4 Qc7 12. Nbd2 Nc6 13. d5 Nd8 14. a4 Ra7 ({RR} 14... Qb7 15. Nf1 Ne8 16. N3h2 f6 17. b3 ({RR} 17. Ng3 g6 18. f4 exf4 19. Bxf4 Nf7 20. Nf3 Bd7) 17... Nf7 18. f4 exf4 19. Bxf4 Ne5 20. Ne3 g6 21. Neg4 Bxg4 22. Nxg4 Nxg4 23. hxg4 ({RR} 23. Qxg4 Ng7) 23... Nc7 24. Rf1 Rf7 25. Qf3 b4 26. Bd2 ({RR} 26. c4) 26... a5 27. cxb4 cxb4 28. Rac1 Raf8 ({RR} 28... Na6) 29. Bd3 {Svidler,P (2710)-Piket,J (2605) Tilburg 1998 EXT 1999 [Wedberg,Tom] 1-0 (47)}) 15. Nf1 ({RR} 15. b4 cxb4 16. cxb4 a5 17. axb5 axb4 18. Rxa7 Qxa7 19. Nb3 Bd7 20. Be3 Qb8 21. b6 Nb7 22. Qa1 Rc8 23. Qa7 Nc5 24. Qxb8 Rxb8 25. Nxc5 dxc5 26. Nxe5 Rxb6 27. Nc4 Ra6 28. f3 Bb5 29. Bb3 Nd7 {Vogt,L (2401)-Bentsen,H (2071) Fornebu 2017 ½-½ (37)}) 15... g6 $146 ({RR} 15... Ne8 16. Ng3 g6 17. Bh6 Ng7 18. Nh2 f6 19. Qe2 Bd7 20. axb5 axb5 21. Bd3 c4 22. Bc2 Nf7 23. Be3 Ra5 24. Ng4 Rfa8 25. Rxa5 Rxa5 26. Nh6+ Nxh6 27. Bxh6 Ra2 28. Rb1 Qa5 29. Qd1 Bd8 30. Be3 {Elseth,R (2358)-Harestad,H (2196) Panormo 2001 1-0 (59)}) ({RR} 15... Ne8 16. Be3 f6 17. Bd3 Bd7 18. axb5 axb5 19. Qe2 Rxa1 20. Rxa1 Qb7 21. b4 Nf7 22. Qa2 Nc7 23. Qa7 Qxa7 24. Rxa7 Rc8 25. N3d2 Kf8 26. bxc5 dxc5 27. c4 Ke8 28. cxb5 Nxb5 29. Rxd7 Kxd7 30. Bxb5+ {Kashdan,I-Balogh,J Hamburg 1930 1-0 (54)}) 16. Bh6 Re8 17. Ng3 Nd7 18. Nh2 f6 19. Be3 Nb6 20. axb5 axb5 21. Bd3 Bd7 22. Qd2 Nf7 23. Rxa7 Qxa7 24. Qe2 Qa6 25. Ng4 Kg7 26. Bc1 Na4 27. Bc2 Ra8 28. Qe3 c4 29. Rf1 Nc5 30. Nh6 Ng5 31. f4 exf4 32. Qxf4 Bxh3 33. Qh4 Bd7 34. e5 dxe5 35. Nh5+ gxh5 36. Qxg5+ fxg5 37. Rf7+ Kxh6 38. Rxh7# 1-0

[Event "David Loever Memorial Group A"]
[Site "Vikersund"]
[Date "2003.08.09"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Scheerer, Christoph"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B22"]
[WhiteElo "2391"]
[BlackElo "2385"]
[PlyCount "107"]
[EventDate "2003.08.09"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "5"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2023"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2022.10.05"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2022.10.05"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. c3 Nf6 3. e5 Nd5 4. Nf3 Nc6 5. d4 cxd4 6. Bc4 Nb6 7. Bb3 d5 8. exd6 Qxd6 9. O-O Be6 10. Na3 Bxb3 11. Qxb3 e6 12. Rd1 Be7 13. Be3 ({RR} 13. Nb5 Qb8 14. Nbxd4 O-O 15. Nxc6 bxc6 16. Bg5 Bxg5 17. Nxg5 Qf4 18. Nf3 Rfd8 19. Nd4 Qc7 20. Nc2 h6 21. Ne3 Nd5 22. Nc4 Nb6 23. g3 Nxc4 24. Qxc4 Rd7 25. Rd4 Rxd4 26. cxd4 Rd8 27. Rc1 Qb6 {Blatny,P (2525)-Pigusov,E (2570) Philadelphia 1994 ½-½ (58)}) ({RR} 13. Nb5 Qb8 14. Nbxd4 Nxd4 15. Nxd4 O-O 16. a4 Nd5 17. Nf3 a6 18. Bg5 Bxg5 19. Nxg5 h6 20. Nf3 Qc7 21. Rd4 b5 22. axb5 axb5 23. Rad1 Rfb8 24. h3 Qc5 25. Qc2 Rc8 26. Qe2 Ra2 27. R1d2 Rb8 {De la Colina,N (2118)-Vakhlamov,I (2413) Chess.com INT 2022 0-1 (76)}) 13... O-O $146 ({RR} 13... Qd5 14. Nxd4 Bxa3 15. bxa3 O-O 16. Nf3 Na5 17. Qb4 Nc6 18. Qb3 Na5 19. Qb1 Qc6 20. Ng5 f5 21. Re1 Rae8 22. Bxb6 axb6 23. Nf3 Nc4 24. Qb4 e5 25. Rad1 Re6 26. a4 Rc8 27. Qb5 h6 28. Rd5 {Smagin,S (2550)-Beshukov,S (2445) St Petersburg 1993 1-0 (39)}) 14. Nxd4 Nxd4 15. Bxd4 Qc6 16. Nb5 Bc5 17. Rd3 Bxd4 18. Nxd4 Qc4 19. Qxc4 Nxc4 20. b3 Ne5 21. Rd2 Rfd8 22. Rad1 g5 23. c4 a5 24. Nf3 Rxd2 25. Rxd2 Nxf3+ 26. gxf3 b6 27. Rd7 Rc8 28. Rd6 Rb8 29. Rc6 Kf8 30. Kf1 h6 31. Ke2 Ke7 32. Rc7+ Kf6 33. a3 Kg6 34. Rd7 f6 35. Ke3 Kf5 36. b4 axb4 37. axb4 Ke5 38. Ra7 Rc8 39. Kd3 Rd8+ 40. Kc3 Kf4 41. Rf7 f5 42. Rf6 Rd6 43. c5 bxc5 44. bxc5 Ra6 45. Kc4 Kxf3 46. Kb5 Ra1 47. Rxe6 Kxf2 48. Rxh6 f4 49. Rg6 f3 50. Rxg5 Ke3 51. Rf5 f2 52. Rxf2 Kxf2 53. c6 Kf3 54. c7 1/2-1/2

[Event "Schwarzach op-A 18th"]
[Site "Salzburg"]
[Date "2003.08.25"]
[Round "3.2"]
[White "Zelcic, Robert"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B33"]
[WhiteElo "2543"]
[BlackElo "2385"]
[PlyCount "77"]
[EventDate "2003.08.23"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "AUT"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2004"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2003.11.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2003.11.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 e5 6. Ndb5 d6 7. Nd5 Nxd5 8. exd5 Nb8 9. c4 Be7 10. Bd3 O-O 11. O-O a6 12. Nc3 f5 13. f3 Nd7 14. Kh1 Bg5 15. b4 Bxc1 ({RR} 15... a5 16. a3 axb4 17. Bxg5 Qxg5 18. axb4 Rxa1 19. Qxa1 Qe3 20. Be2 b5 21. Qc1 Qxc1 22. Rxc1 bxc4 23. Nb5 Bb7 24. Nxd6 Bxd5 25. Bxc4 Bxc4 26. Rxc4 e4 27. fxe4 fxe4 28. Kg1 e3 29. Re4 Nf6 30. Rxe3 {Leko,P (2736)-Kramnik,V (2807) Monte Carlo 2003 ½-½ (32)}) ({RR} 15... b6 16. Qe2 Qf6 17. Bxg5 Qxg5 18. f4 Qh6 19. Rae1 e4 20. Bc2 Nf6 21. h3 Bd7 22. Qe3 Rac8 23. Bb3 Ng4 24. Qxb6 Qh4 25. Kg1 e3 26. Ne2 Rce8 27. Qxd6 Bc8 28. hxg4 Rf6 29. Qxf6 gxf6 30. c5 {Ivannikov,M (2100)-Bulgak,D (2254) chess.com INT 2025 1-0 (36)}) 16. Rxc1 e4 $146 ({RR} 16... Qh4 17. Qc2 Qg5 18. Na4 a5 19. c5 axb4 20. c6 Rxa4 21. Qxa4 Nc5 22. Qd1 bxc6 23. dxc6 Be6 24. Bc4 Qe7 25. Bxe6+ Qxe6 26. c7 Qe7 27. Qd5+ Kh8 28. Qc6 Rc8 29. Rfd1 Qxc7 30. Qxc7 Rxc7 31. Rxd6 {Strzemiecki,Z (2306)-Mondrzycki,B (1945) Szklarska Poreba 2007 1-0 (36)}) ({RR} 16... Qh4 17. Qc2 g6 18. Qf2 Qxf2 19. Rxf2 b6 20. Bc2 a5 21. a3 axb4 22. axb4 Ba6 23. Ba4 Nb8 24. Bb5 Bxb5 25. Nxb5 Rd8 26. Kg1 Ra4 27. Rb2 Kf8 28. c5 dxc5 29. bxc5 bxc5 30. Nc7 Ke7 31. Rb7 {Dauletova,G (2218)-Kornyukov,A (2437) Taganrog 2014 ½-½ (42)}) 17. fxe4 f4 18. Ne2 g5 19. Nd4 Ne5 20. Nf5 Qf6 21. c5 Bxf5 22. exf5 Nxd3 23. Qxd3 Qxf5 24. Qd2 Rac8 25. c6 Rf7 26. a4 Re7 27. h3 Kf7 28. b5 axb5 29. axb5 bxc6 30. dxc6 Qxb5 31. Qxd6 Qe5 32. Qb4 Qf6 33. Qa5 Kg7 34. c7 h6 35. Rc5 Re3 36. Qd2 Qe6 37. Rd1 Kf7 38. Kh2 Ke7 39. Qd8+ 1-0

[Event "Schwarzach op-A 18th"]
[Site "Salzburg"]
[Date "2003.08.28"]
[Round "6.2"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Shchekachev, Andrei"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B08"]
[WhiteElo "2385"]
[BlackElo "2550"]
[PlyCount "68"]
[EventDate "2003.08.23"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "AUT"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2004"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2003.11.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2003.11.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 g6 2. d4 Bg7 3. Nc3 d6 4. Nf3 Nf6 5. Be2 O-O 6. O-O Nc6 7. Be3 Ng4 ({RR} 7... a6 8. a4 e5 9. dxe5 dxe5 10. Qxd8 Rxd8 11. Rfd1 Bg4 12. h3 Bxf3 13. Bxf3 Nd4 14. Bxd4 exd4 15. Nd5 Nd7 16. Nxc7 Rac8 17. Nd5 Rxc2 18. b4 d3 19. Rac1 Bh6 20. Ne3 Rxc1 21. Rxc1 Ne5 22. Kf1 {Kostolansky,S (2393)-Shchekachev,A (2515) Tornelo INT 2021 ½-½ (66)}) 8. Bg5 h6 9. Bc1 ({RR} 9. Bh4 a6 10. Re1 g5 11. Bg3 e5 12. dxe5 Ngxe5 13. Nxe5 Nxe5 14. Nd5 f5 15. exf5 Bxf5 16. c3 Kh8 17. f4 gxf4 18. Nxf4 Qg5 19. Nh5 Rae8 20. Bf4 Qg6 21. Qd2 Bg4 22. Nxg7 Bxe2 23. Bxe5 Rxe5 {Guseinov,G (2634)-Mamedyarov,S (2736) Berlin 2015 ½-½}) ({RR} 9. Bh4 Nf6 10. Qd2 Bg4 11. Rfe1 a6 12. Rad1 Nd7 13. Qe3 Nb4 14. Rd2 c5 15. dxc5 Nxc5 16. a3 Nc6 17. h3 Bxc3 18. bxc3 Bxf3 19. Bxf3 Kg7 20. Be2 Qa5 21. c4 Nxe4 22. Rd5 Qxe1+ 23. Kh2 Nf6 {Bus,T (2119)-Skotheim,A (2224) chess.com INT 2025 0-1}) 9... e6 $146 ({RR} 9... e5 10. dxe5 Ngxe5 11. Nxe5 Nxe5 12. Be3 Kh7 13. Bd4 f5 14. f4 Nc6 15. Bxg7 Kxg7 16. Bf3 fxe4 17. Bxe4 Bf5 18. Qd3 Qd7 19. Nd5 Bxe4 20. Qxe4 Rae8 21. Qc4 Qf7 22. Rae1 Kh7 23. Rxe8 Rxe8 24. Rd1 {Curtis,J (2292)-Saveliev,A (2386) Chess.com INT 2022 0-1 (53)}) ({RR} 9... e5 10. dxe5 Ngxe5 11. Nxe5 dxe5 12. Qxd8 Rxd8 13. Nd5 Nd4 14. Bd3 Rd7 15. f4 c6 16. Nc3 exf4 17. Bxf4 Ne6 18. Be3 b5 19. Rad1 Bb7 20. Be2 Nd4 21. Bg4 Rdd8 22. Rd2 h5 23. Bh3 c5 24. Nd5 {Schneider,I (2481)-Mamedov,R (2657) Berlin 2015 0-1 (83)}) 10. h3 Nf6 11. Be3 b6 12. e5 dxe5 13. Nxe5 Ne7 14. Bf3 Nfd5 15. Nxd5 exd5 16. Bf4 Be6 17. Re1 Rc8 18. c3 c5 19. Qd2 Kh7 20. Rad1 Re8 21. Be2 c4 22. b3 b5 23. Bf3 Nf5 24. bxc4 bxc4 25. Rb1 Nd6 26. Ng4 h5 27. Bg5 Qd7 28. Nf6+ Bxf6 29. Bxf6 Bf5 30. Rbc1 Be4 31. Be2 Re6 32. Be5 f6 33. Bh2 Rce8 34. Bf1 g5 1/2-1/2

[Event "Schwarzach op-A 18th"]
[Site "Salzburg"]
[Date "2003.08.31"]
[Round "9.3"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Ivanov, Mikhail M"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C43"]
[WhiteElo "2385"]
[BlackElo "2406"]
[PlyCount "98"]
[EventDate "2003.08.23"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "AUT"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2004"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2003.11.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2003.11.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. d4 Nxe4 4. dxe5 d5 5. Nbd2 Nxd2 6. Qxd2 c5 7. Bd3 ({RR} 7. c3 Nc6 8. Qf4 h6 9. Bd3 Be6 10. O-O g5 11. Qe3 Qc7 12. b4 g4 13. Nh4 Qxe5 14. bxc5 O-O-O 15. Nf5 Bxc5 16. Qxc5 Bxf5 17. Bb5 Qd6 18. Ba3 Qxc5 19. Bxc5 Kc7 20. f3 gxf3 21. Rxf3 Be6 {Harikrishna,P (2726)-Caruana,F (2828) Saint Louis 2019 0-1 (54)}) ({RR} 7. c4 d4 8. Bd3 Be7 9. O-O Nc6 10. Re1 ({RR} 10. Qf4 Be6 11. Qg3 Qd7 ({RR} 11... Qc7 12. Ng5 Bxg5 13. Bxg5 h6 14. Bd2 g5 15. Rfe1 O-O-O 16. a3 Qd7 17. b4 Bf5 18. b5 Ne7 19. a4 Bxd3 20. Qxd3 Kb8 21. e6 fxe6 22. Re5 Rhf8 23. Rae1 Rf6 24. Rxc5 Ng6) 12. Bd2 h6 13. a3 g5 14. Rfb1 g4 15. Ne1 O-O-O 16. b4 Rdg8 17. Ra2 h5 18. Qf4 h4 19. g3 Rh5 20. bxc5 Rxe5 21. Qh6 Qd8 22. f4 Rxc5 23. Qh7 hxg3 24. hxg3 Rh8) 10... Be6 11. a3 h6 12. Qe2 Qd7 13. Nd2 a5 14. Ne4 a4 15. Bd2 Na5 16. Bxa5 Rxa5 17. f4 g6 18. Nf6+ Bxf6 19. exf6 Ra6 20. g4 Qd8 21. f5 gxf5 {Ragger,M (2567)-Laurusas,T (2504) Rhodes GRE 2025 1-0 (40)}) 7... Nc6 8. O-O h6 9. Bb5 $146 ({RR} 9. Re1 Be6 10. c3 Qd7 11. a3 g5 12. h3 O-O-O 13. b4 Rg8 14. Rb1 g4 15. hxg4 Rxg4 16. Qc2 c4 17. Bh7 d4 18. b5 Qd5 19. bxc6 Qxf3 20. Be4 Qxc3 21. cxb7+ Kb8 22. Qxc3 dxc3 23. f3 Rxe4 {Audi,A (2347)-Nikcevic,N (2429) Djenovici 2018 0-1 (36)}) ({RR} 9. c4 dxc4 10. Bxc4 Qxd2 11. Bxd2 Be6 12. b3 O-O-O 13. Bc3 Bxc4 14. bxc4 Nd4 15. Bxd4 cxd4 16. Rad1 d3 17. Rb1 Bc5 18. Rfd1 Rd7 19. Rb5 b6 20. Rb3 Rhd8 21. Kf1 g5 22. h3 Kc7 23. Ne1 Bd4 {Chylewski,P (2275)-Grabarczyk,M (2392) Jastrzebia Gora 2018 ½-½}) 9... Be6 10. c4 dxc4 11. Qc2 Be7 12. Bxc4 Qc8 13. Be3 b6 14. Bb5 O-O 15. Qe4 Nb4 16. a3 Bf5 17. Qf4 Nd5 18. Qg3 Nxe3 19. fxe3 Qe6 20. Qf4 Bh7 21. Bc4 g5 22. Bxe6 gxf4 23. Bd5 fxe3 24. Bxa8 Rxa8 25. Rfd1 c4 26. Rd7 Bc5 27. Kf1 Bf5 28. Rd5 Be4 29. Rd7 Bf5 30. Rd5 Be6 31. Rdd1 a5 32. Rac1 a4 33. Nd4 Bg4 34. Nf3 Be6 35. Nd4 Bg4 36. Ne2 b5 37. Rd5 Rc8 38. h3 Be6 39. Rdd1 b4 40. axb4 Bxb4 41. Nd4 Bd2 42. Rc2 Bd7 43. Ke2 a3 44. bxa3 Ba4 45. Rb1 c3 46. Rb7 Bxc2 47. Nxc2 Rc5 48. Re7 h5 49. a4 Kg7 1/2-1/2

[Event "EU-ch U14"]
[Site "Budva"]
[Date "2003.09.15"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Olszewski, Michal"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C86"]
[WhiteElo "2385"]
[BlackElo "2227"]
[PlyCount "129"]
[EventDate "2003.09.13"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "YUG"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 096 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2003.10.22"]
[SourceVersion "2"]
[SourceVersionDate "2003.10.20"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Qe2 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. c3 d6 9. Rd1 Na5 10. Bc2 c5 11. d4 Qc7 12. d5 Ne8 13. b4 ({RR} 13. Nbd2 g6 14. Nf1 Ng7 15. Ng3 Nc4 16. a4 Bd7 17. Bd3 Na5 18. axb5 c4 19. Bc2 axb5 20. Bh6 Rfb8 21. Qd2 Nb7 22. Ng5 Nc5 23. Kh1 f6 24. Nf3 Ra5 25. Rdb1 Kf7 26. Ne1 Na6 27. Qc1 b4 {Jablonski,P (1793)-Marcinkowski,A (1918) Lazy POL 2025 0-1 (53)}) 13... cxb4 14. cxb4 Nc4 15. a4 bxa4 $146 ({RR} 15... Rb8 16. Bd3 f5 17. axb5 axb5 18. Nc3 fxe4 19. Nxe4 Bg4 20. Bg5 Bxg5 21. Nexg5 h6 22. h3 Bxf3 23. Nxf3 Nf6 24. Rdc1 e4 25. Bxc4 bxc4 26. Nd4 Nxd5 27. Ne6 Nf4 28. Nxf4 Rxf4 29. Qxc4+ Qxc4 30. Rxc4 {Hristodoulou,P (2119)-Pavlidis,A (2330) Peristeri 2010 ½-½ (34)}) 16. Bd3 Nb6 17. Be3 Qb7 18. b5 a5 19. Nc3 Bd7 20. Rdc1 Rc8 21. Bxb6 Qxb6 22. Nxa4 Rxc1+ 23. Rxc1 Qb7 24. Nd2 Bd8 25. Rc6 g6 26. Nc4 Bxc6 27. bxc6 Qb4 28. Bc2 Nc7 29. g3 Nb5 30. Ne3 Nd4 31. Qd1 f5 32. exf5 gxf5 33. Kg2 Kh8 34. Bb1 f4 35. Be4 Nb3 36. Bxh7 f3+ 37. Kg1 Kxh7 38. Qc2+ Kh6 39. c7 Bxc7 40. Qxc7 Nd4 41. Ng4+ Kg6 42. h3 Nf5 43. Nc3 a4 44. Qc6 Qd4 45. Kh2 Rh8 46. Kg1 a3 47. Qd7 Rf8 48. Qe6+ Kg7 49. Qd7+ Rf7 50. Qd8 Re7 51. Ne3 Kg6 52. Nxf5 Qxc3 53. Nxe7+ Kf7 54. Kh2 Qb2 55. h4 Qxf2+ 56. Kh3 Qg2+ 57. Kg4 f2 58. Qd7 Qe4+ 59. Kg5 Qe3+ 60. Kh5 Qf3+ 61. g4 Qf6 62. Ng6+ Kg8 63. Kh6 Qxh4+ 64. Nxh4 f1=Q 65. Qg7# 1-0

[Event "EU-ch U14"]
[Site "Budva"]
[Date "2003.09.16"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Bindrich, Falko"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B90"]
[WhiteElo "2334"]
[BlackElo "2385"]
[PlyCount "230"]
[EventDate "2003.09.13"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "YUG"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 096 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2003.10.22"]
[SourceVersion "2"]
[SourceVersionDate "2003.10.20"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 Nf6 4. Nc3 cxd4 5. Nxd4 a6 6. Be3 e5 7. Nb3 Be6 8. f3 Be7 9. Qd2 h5 10. O-O-O Nbd7 11. Bg5 Qc7 12. Kb1 b5 13. a3 Rc8 14. Nc1 $146 ({RR} 14. h4 Nb6 15. Bxf6 Bxf6 16. Qxd6 Qa7 17. Na5 Be7 18. Qxe5 O-O 19. Nd5 Bxd5 20. exd5 Bf6 21. Qf5 Na4 22. Bd3 Rfe8 23. Qh7+ Kf8 24. Bf5 Nc3+ 25. bxc3 Qc5 26. Qh8+ Ke7 27. d6+ Kd8 28. Qxe8+ Kxe8 {Demchenko,A (2610)-Perez Gormaz,M (2413) Chess.com INT 2021 1-0}) ({RR} 14. h4 Nb6 15. Bxf6 Bxf6 16. Qxd6 Qa7 17. Na5 Be7 18. Qxe5 O-O 19. Nd5 Bxd5 20. exd5 Bf6 21. Qf5 Na4 22. Bd3 Rfe8 23. Qh7+ Kf8 24. Bf5 Nc3+ 25. bxc3 Qc5 26. Qh8+ Ke7 27. d6+ Kd8 28. Qxe8+ Kxe8 {Demchenko,A (2610)-Perez Gormaz,M (2413) Chess.com INT 2021 1-0}) 14... Qb7 15. N1a2 O-O 16. h3 Nb6 17. g4 Rfd8 18. Bxf6 Bxf6 19. Nb4 Rc5 20. Nbd5 Bxd5 21. Nxd5 Nxd5 22. exd5 Rdc8 23. Bd3 e4 24. Bxe4 b4 25. axb4 Rc4 26. c3 Rxc3 27. g5 Be5 28. f4 R3c4 29. fxe5 Rxe4 30. exd6 Rxb4 31. Rc1 Rb8 32. Rc2 Qd7 33. Qd3 Rb3 34. Qe4 R8b4 35. Qe5 Kh7 36. h4 a5 37. Rf1 Rb7 38. Qe4+ g6 39. Qe7 Qxe7 40. dxe7 Rxe7 41. d6 Reb7 42. Rd1 Rd7 43. Rc7 Rd8 44. Rxf7+ Kg8 45. Rf6 Kg7 46. d7 Rb7 47. Rdd6 Rdxd7 48. Rxg6+ Kh7 49. Rh6+ Kg7 50. Rxd7+ Rxd7 51. Rxh5 Rd4 52. Kc2 a4 53. Rh6 Rc4+ 54. Kb1 Rd4 55. Ka2 Rb4 56. Ka1 Rd4 57. Kb1 Rb4 58. Kc2 Rc4+ 59. Kd3 Rb4 60. Kc3 Rb3+ 61. Kc2 Rb4 62. h5 Rh4 63. Kc3 Rh3+ 64. Kd4 Rh4+ 65. Kd3 Rh3+ 66. Ke4 Rh4+ 67. Kf5 Rb4 68. Rg6+ Kh7 69. Ra6 Rxb2 70. Ra7+ Kg8 71. Rxa4 Rb5+ 72. Kg4 Rb1 73. Re4 Kg7 74. Kf5 Rf1+ 75. Rf4 Ra1 76. Rf3 Rh1 77. Kg4 Rg1+ 78. Rg3 Ra1 79. Rc3 Rg1+ 80. Rg3 Ra1 81. Rd3 Rg1+ 82. Kf4 Rf1+ 83. Kg4 Rg1+ 84. Kf3 Rf1+ 85. Kg2 Rf5 86. Rg3 Ra5 87. Kh3 Ra1 88. Rb3 Rh1+ 89. Kg4 Rg1+ 90. Kf4 Rf1+ 91. Rf3 Rh1 92. Kf5 Rxh5 93. Ra3 Rh1 94. Ra7+ Kf8 95. Kg6 Rg1 96. Ra8+ Ke7 97. Kh6 Kf7 98. Ra7+ Kg8 99. Rb7 Kf8 100. Kg6 Rg2 101. Rf7+ Kg8 102. Rg7+ Kf8 103. Rh7 Kg8 104. Ra7 Kf8 105. Ra4 Rg1 106. Rh4 Kg8 107. Kh6 Ra1 108. Rb4 Ra6+ 109. Kh5 Kg7 110. Rb7+ Kg8 111. Rc7 Rb6 112. Rc8+ Kg7 113. Ra8 Rc6 114. Ra7+ Kg8 115. g6 Rc1 1/2-1/2

[Event "EU-ch U14"]
[Site "Budva"]
[Date "2003.09.17"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Krivoborodov, Egor"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B19"]
[WhiteElo "2385"]
[BlackElo "2298"]
[PlyCount "85"]
[EventDate "2003.09.13"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "YUG"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 096 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2003.10.22"]
[SourceVersion "2"]
[SourceVersionDate "2003.10.20"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Bf5 5. Ng3 Bg6 6. h4 h6 7. Nf3 Nf6 8. Ne5 Bh7 9. Bd3 Nbd7 10. Bxh7 Nxe5 11. dxe5 Qa5+ 12. c3 $146 ({RR} 12. Kf1 Nxh7 13. e6 Qb5+ 14. Kg1 Nf6 15. exf7+ Kxf7 16. b3 Qd5 17. Qe2 Rd8 18. Be3 e6 19. c4 Qe5 20. Kh2 h5 21. Qf3 Bc5 22. Bxc5 Qxc5 23. Rhe1 Rd4 24. Kg1 Rxh4 25. Rad1 Rd4 26. Ne4 Rxd1 {Shomoev,A (2486)-Yevseev,D (2554) St Petersburg 2004 ½-½ (34)}) ({RR} 12. Kf1 Nxh7 13. e6 Nf6 14. exf7+ Kxf7 15. Qe2 Rd8 16. Be3 e6 17. c3 Bd6 18. Rh3 Qa4 19. Bd4 e5 20. Be3 Rhe8 21. Nh5 Be7 22. Rg3 g6 23. Nxf6 Bxf6 24. Rg4 Qb5 25. c4 Qb4 26. Kg1 h5 {Leko,P (2723)-Mamedyarov,S (2765) Beijing 2014 1-0 (47)}) ({RR} 12. Kf1 Nxh7 13. e6 Qd5 14. Qxd5 cxd5 15. Be3 fxe6 16. Bd4 e5 17. Bxe5 e6 18. Ke2 Kf7 19. Nh5 Nf6 20. Nf4 Rc8 21. c3 Rc4 22. Nd3 Nd7 23. Bg3 Be7 24. f3 Bf6 25. Rad1 a5 26. Kf2 Rhc8 {Ronka,E (2297)-Olsen,F (2428) chess.com INT 2023 0-1 (57)}) 12... Qxe5+ 13. Be4 Nxe4 14. Qe2 Nc5 15. Be3 O-O-O 16. O-O e6 17. Rad1 Be7 18. Qf3 Qf6 19. Qg4 b6 20. b4 Nd7 21. Bd4 e5 22. Be3 Qe6 23. Nf5 Kc7 24. Qf3 g6 25. Nxe7 Qxe7 26. a4 f5 27. b5 Qe6 28. Rfe1 Qc4 29. h5 f4 30. Bc1 g5 31. Ba3 g4 32. Qxg4 Rhg8 33. Qf3 Nf6 34. Rxe5 Rxd1+ 35. Qxd1 Nd5 36. bxc6 Kxc6 37. Qf3 Qb3 38. Bc1 Rd8 39. Bxf4 Qxa4 40. Re6+ Kb7 41. Re7+ Ka8 42. Bc7 Rd7 43. c4 1-0

[Event "EU-ch U14"]
[Site "Budva"]
[Date "2003.09.19"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Andreikin, Dmitry"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B33"]
[WhiteElo "2400"]
[BlackElo "2385"]
[PlyCount "100"]
[EventDate "2003.09.13"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "YUG"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 096 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2003.10.22"]
[SourceVersion "2"]
[SourceVersionDate "2003.10.20"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 e5 6. Ndb5 d6 7. Bg5 a6 8. Na3 b5 9. Nd5 Be7 10. Bxf6 Bxf6 11. c3 O-O 12. Nc2 Rb8 13. g3 Bg5 14. Bg2 a5 15. O-O Ne7 16. f4 ({RR} 16. Nce3 Be6 17. Nxe7+ Qxe7 18. Nf5 Qd8 19. Qxd6 g6 20. Qxd8 Rfxd8 21. h4 Bf6 22. Ne3 Rd2 23. b3 a4 24. Rfd1 Rxd1+ 25. Rxd1 axb3 26. axb3 Bxb3 27. Rb1 Ba2 28. Rb2 Be6 29. Bf3 Be7 30. Bg4 Bxg4 {Nakamura,H (2760)-Rapport,R (2764) Madrid 2022 ½-½ (96)}) 16... Nxd5 17. Qxd5 Be6 $146 ({RR} 17... Qb6+ 18. Kh1 Bb7 19. Qd2 exf4 20. gxf4 Bf6 21. Rad1 Rfe8 22. Rfe1 b4 23. cxb4 axb4 24. Nxb4 Bh4 25. Re2 Bc8 26. Nd5 Qa7 27. Bf3 Qxa2 28. Rg2 g6 29. f5 Qb3 30. Qf4 Bb7 31. Nc3 Be7 32. Rdg1 {Gosh,C (2018)-Mohammad,J (2129) Dhaka BAN 2025 1-0 (48)}) 18. Qd2 Bh6 19. Ne3 Qb6 20. Kh1 Qc5 21. b4 Qc7 22. Rad1 Rbc8 23. bxa5 Qxa5 24. Qxd6 exf4 25. gxf4 Qxa2 26. Qe5 g6 27. Qxb5 Rxc3 28. Nd5 Bh3 29. Rg1 Rc2 30. Qf1 Rf2 31. Qxf2 Qxf2 32. Bxh3 Bxf4 33. Rg2 Qh4 34. Rg4 Qxh3 35. Rxf4 Rb8 36. Rf2 Rb2 37. Rdf1 Qd3 38. Nf6+ Kg7 39. Kg2 Qd4 40. Ne8+ Kf8 41. Rxb2 Qxb2+ 42. Rf2 Qxf2+ 43. Kxf2 Kxe8 44. Kf3 Ke7 45. Kf4 Ke6 46. Kg5 Ke5 47. h4 Kxe4 48. Kf6 Kf4 49. Kxf7 Kg4 50. Kg7 Kxh4 0-1

[Event "EU-ch U14"]
[Site "Budva"]
[Date "2003.09.20"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Zhigalko, Sergei"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B33"]
[WhiteElo "2385"]
[BlackElo "2399"]
[PlyCount "121"]
[EventDate "2003.09.13"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "YUG"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 096 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2003.10.22"]
[SourceVersion "2"]
[SourceVersionDate "2003.10.20"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 {Rogozenco,Dorian Rogozenco,Dorian} c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 e5 6. Ndb5 d6 7. Bg5 a6 8. Na3 b5 9. Bxf6 gxf6 10. Nd5 f5 11. Bd3 Be6 12. O-O Bxd5 13. exd5 Ne7 14. c3 Bg7 15. Qh5 e4 16. Bc2 Qc8 17. Rae1 O-O 18. Bb3 Kh8 $146 ({RR} 18... Ng6 19. f4 exf3 20. Rxf3 Re8 21. Ref1 f4 22. Rh3 h6 23. Nc2 Qc5+ 24. Kh1 a5 25. a3 Re4 26. Nd4 Bxd4 27. cxd4 Qxd4 28. Bc2 Re5 29. Qxh6 Qf2 30. Bd3 Re1 31. Qh7+ Kf8 32. Qh6+ Kg8 33. Qh7+ {Van Blitterswijk,S (2320)-De Vreugt,D (2265) Amsterdam 1996 ½-½ (33)}) ({RR} 18... a5 19. Qg5 ({RR} 19. Qg5 Qd7 ({RR} 19... Qb7) 20. f3 Ng6 21. fxe4 f4 22. Nb1 b4 23. cxb4 axb4 24. Nd2 Bxb2 25. Nc4 Bc3 26. Re2 Rac8) 19... Qb7 ({RR} 19... Ng6 20. Nxb5 a4 21. Bd1 Qc5 22. c4) 20. f3 ({RR} 20. Nxb5 Qxb5 21. Qxe7 a4 22. c4 ({RR} 22. Bd1 Qxd5) ({RR} 22. Bc2 Qxb2) 22... Qe8 23. Qxe8 Rfxe8 24. Bc2 Bxb2) 20... h6 21. Qg3 ({RR} 21. Qh5 a4 22. Bc2 b4 23. Nc4 bxc3 ({RR} 23... Qxd5 24. Ne3 Qe5 25. fxe4) 24. fxe4 ({RR} 24. bxc3 Bxc3 25. fxe4 Bxe1 26. exf5 ({RR} 26. Rxe1 Qb4) 26... Qa7+ 27. Kh1 Qd4 28. Qxh6 Qh4) 24... fxe4 25. bxc3 ({RR} 25. Rxe4 cxb2 26. Rg4 Qxd5 27. Qxh6 Ng6) 25... f5 26. Ne3 Qb2 27. Re2 ({RR} 27. Qh4 Rf7) 27... Qxc3 28. Nxf5 Nxf5 29. Rxf5 Rxf5 30. Qxf5 Bd4+ 31. Kh1 Qa1+) 21... a4 ({RR} 21... Nxd5 22. fxe4 fxe4 23. Rf5 ({RR} 23. Rd1 Ne7 24. Rxd6 a4 25. Bc2 b4 26. Nc4 bxc3 27. bxc3 Rac8 28. Ne5 f5)) 22. Bc2 b4 ({RR} 22... Ng6 23. fxe4 f4) 23. Nc4 ({RR} 23. cxb4 Qxb4 ({RR} 23... Nxd5 24. fxe4 f4 25. Qh4 Nxb4 26. Bb1 Nc6) 24. fxe4 f4 25. Rxf4 Ng6 26. Rff1 Bxb2) ({RR} 23. fxe4 f4 24. Rxf4 bxa3) 23... Qxd5 24. fxe4 ({RR} 24. Nxd6 Rfd8 ({RR} 24... bxc3 25. fxe4 ({RR} 25. bxc3 Rfd8 26. Rd1 Qc5+ 27. Kh1 Qxc3) 25... Qc5+ ({RR} 25... Qd4+ 26. Kh1 f4 27. Qxf4 Ng6 28. bxc3 Qc5) 26. Kh1 f4 27. Qd3 ({RR} 27. Qxf4 Ng6 28. Qg3 Be5) 27... Be5 28. Nf5 ({RR} 28. Nc4 cxb2 29. g3 f3)) ({RR} 24... Qxa2 25. fxe4 Qxb2 26. exf5 Qxc2 27. f6) 25. Rd1 Qxa2 26. fxe4 Qxb2 27. exf5 Qxc3 ({RR} 27... Qxc2 28. f6 Ng6 29. fxg7 Qxc3 30. Qf2 Qxg7 31. Nf5) 28. f6 Qxg3 29. hxg3 Nc8 30. Be4 Ra6 31. Nxc8 Bxf6 32. Rxd8+ Bxd8) ({RR} 24. Ne3 Qxa2 25. fxe4 f4) 24... Qxc4 25. exf5 Nd5 ({RR} 25... Nxf5 26. Rxf5 Qxa2 27. Qd3 ({RR} 27. Rf4 Qxb2 28. Qd3 f5) 27... Rfe8 28. Ref1) 26. f6 Nxf6 27. Rxf6 Rae8 ({RR} 27... Qc5+ 28. Kh1 Qg5 29. Qd3 Rfe8 30. Rff1 ({RR} 30. Rxe8+ Rxe8 31. Rf1 bxc3 32. bxc3) 30... Rxe1 31. Rxe1 bxc3 32. bxc3) 28. Ref1 Re2 ({RR} 28... bxc3 29. Rxh6 ({RR} 29. bxc3 Qc5+ 30. Kh1 Re3 ({RR} 30... Qg5 31. Qd3) 31. R6f3 ({RR} 31. Qf4 Qe5 ({RR} 31... Bxf6 32. Qxh6)) 31... Qc4 ({RR} 31... Rxc3 32. Bxa4 Qc4)) 29... Qc5+ 30. Kh1 Qe3 31. Bh7+ ({RR} 31. Qxe3 Rxe3 32. Rxd6 cxb2 33. Bxa4 Rc8 34. Rdd1 Rec3) 31... Kh8) 29. Bd3 Qc5+ 30. Kh1 Re3 31. R6f3 Rxf3 32. Qxf3 bxc3 33. bxc3 {Shirov,A (2723)-Kramnik,V (2807) Wijk aan Zee 2003 CBM 093 [Rogozenco,Dorian] 1-0 (44)} {RR} Qxc3 ({RR} 33... Bxc3 34. Qe4 f5 35. Qxa4) 34. Qf5) ({RR} 18... Ng6 19. Nc2 Re8 20. f4 exf3 21. Qxf3 f4 22. Rxe8+ Qxe8 23. Re1 Qd7 24. Qe4 a5 25. a3 Qa7+ 26. Kh1 Qf2 27. Qe2 Qb6 28. Ba2 Qc5 29. Bb1 Rb8 30. Qe4 Qf2 31. Qe2 Qc5 32. Qd3 Qf2 33. Rf1 {Della Morte,G (2404)-Aranha Filho,A (2293) Florianopolis 2016 ½-½ (46)}) ({RR} 18... a5 19. Nxb5 a4 20. Bd1 ({RR} 20. Bc2 Qc5) 20... Qc5 21. Nd4 ({RR} 21. Be2 Nxd5 ({RR} 21... f4) 22. Qg5 ({RR} 22. Qxf5 Nxc3 23. Qxc5 Nxe2+ 24. Rxe2 dxc5 25. Rxe4) 22... Rab8 23. Nd4 h6 24. Qxf5 Rxb2) 21... Qxd5 22. Re3 ({RR} 22. Qg5 Qe5 23. f4 ({RR} 23. f3 f4 24. Qh4 f5 25. g4 Ng6 26. Qh3 fxg4 27. Qxg4 e3) 23... Qf6 24. g4 d5 25. a3 Rfb8 26. Re2) 22... Qe5 ({RR} 22... Rfb8 23. Rh3 ({RR} 23. b3 f4) 23... h6 ({RR} 23... Rxb2 24. Qxh7+ Kf8) 24. b3 a3) ({RR} 22... f4 23. Rxe4 ({RR} 23. Qxd5 Nxd5 24. Rxe4 Rfb8) 23... Qxe4 24. Bc2) 23. Rh3 ({RR} 23. Rg3 Qf6 24. f3) 23... h6 24. f4 Qf6 25. Kh1 ({RR} 25. g4 Qg6 ({RR} 25... fxg4) 26. Qxg6 fxg6 27. Ne6 Rfb8) 25... Kh7 26. g4 Qg6 27. Nxf5 Nxf5 28. Qxf5 Qxf5 29. gxf5 Bf6 30. b3 ({RR} 30. Re1 d5 31. c4 dxc4 ({RR} 31... Rfd8) 32. Rxe4 Rfc8) 30... d5 31. bxa4 Rfc8 32. Bb3 Ra5 33. Rd1 {Carlsen,M (2385)-McShane,L (2619) Rethymno 2003 CBM 098 [Rogozenco,Dorian] ½-½ (41)} {RR} Bxc3 34. Rxd5) ({RR} 18... Ng6 19. Nc2 Re8 20. f4) ({RR} 18... a5 19. Nxb5 a4 20. Bd1 Qc5 21. Nd4 Qxd5 22. Qg5 Qe5 23. f4 Qf6 24. g4 d5 25. a3 Rfb8 26. Re2 Qxg5 27. fxg5 fxg4 28. Ref2 Bxd4 29. cxd4 Nc6 30. Bxg4 Ra7 31. Bh5 Nxd4 32. Bxf7+ Rxf7 33. Rxf7 {Nunn,J (2620)-McShane,L (2455) Hastings 1998 ½-½ (37)}) 19. Kh1 Ng6 20. Nc2 Nf4 21. Qh4 Be5 22. Ne3 Rg8 23. Bc2 b4 24. g3 Nd3 25. Bxd3 exd3 26. Qxb4 Rb8 27. Qc4 f4 28. Qxc8 Rgxc8 29. Nd1 Rc5 30. gxf4 Bxf4 31. Re4 Be5 32. f4 Bg7 33. Rfe1 Bf6 34. c4 Kg7 35. b3 Ra5 36. Rg1+ Kf8 37. Rg2 Ra3 38. Re3 Re8 39. Rd2 Rxe3 40. Nxe3 Bd4 41. Nf5 Bc5 42. Rxd3 Rxa2 43. Rh3 Kg8 44. Rh6 Ra1+ 45. Kg2 Ra2+ 46. Kf3 Ra3 47. Nxd6 Rxb3+ 48. Ke4 Rb6 49. Nf5 Rxh6 50. Nxh6+ Kf8 51. Nf5 a5 52. d6 a4 53. Kd5 Bb4 54. c5 Ke8 55. c6 Ba5 56. Kc4 Kd8 57. Ne7 h5 58. f5 h4 59. h3 f6 60. Nd5 a3 61. Kb3 1-0

[Event "EU-ch U14"]
[Site "Budva"]
[Date "2003.09.22"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Sanikidze, Tornike"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B33"]
[WhiteElo "2250"]
[BlackElo "2385"]
[PlyCount "135"]
[EventDate "2003.09.13"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "YUG"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2023"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2022.10.05"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2022.10.05"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 e5 6. Ndb5 d6 7. Bg5 a6 8. Na3 b5 9. Bxf6 gxf6 10. Nd5 f5 11. c3 ({RR} 11. exf5 Bxf5 12. c3 {½-½ (24) Wang,P (2360)-Lalic,B (2545) Linares 1998}) 11... Bg7 12. exf5 Bxf5 13. Nc2 O-O 14. Nce3 Be6 15. Bd3 f5 16. Bc2 f4 17. Qh5 Rf7 18. Bxh7+ Kf8 19. Bf5 Qe8 20. Bxe6 Qxe6 21. Qg4 Qh6 22. Nf5 Qe6 23. Nfe3 Qh6 24. Nc2 $146 ({RR} 24. O-O e4 25. Nf5 Qe6 26. Nfe3 Qh6 27. Nf5 Qe6 28. Nfe3 Qh6 {½-½ (28) Radulski,J (2560)-Spasov,V (2598) Sunny Beach 2009}) 24... e4 25. Qe2 ({RR} 25. Qh3 Qxh3 26. gxh3 Ne5 27. O-O Nd3 28. a4 Rb8 29. Ncb4 bxa4 30. Rxa4 Nxb2 31. Rxa6 Nc4 32. Rfa1 Be5 33. Nc6 Rb5 34. R6a4 Nd2 35. Ra8+ Kg7 36. Nce7 Kh7 37. Kh1 Rg7 38. h4 e3 39. fxe3 Ne4 {Ivanchuk,V (2746)-Carlsen,M (2770) Leon 2009 ½-½ (100)}) 25... Re8 26. Qd2 Ne5 27. O-O-O Nc4 28. Qe1 b4 29. Ncxb4 f3+ 30. Ne3 Rb8 31. Rd2 Nxd2 32. Qxd2 Rfb7 33. Qd5 a5 34. Qxa5 Rb5 35. Qa6 Rxb4 36. cxb4 Qf6 37. Qa3 fxg2 38. Nxg2 Qxf2 39. Ne1 e3 40. Nc2 Rc8 41. Qd3 Kg8 42. Kb1 e2 43. Qd5+ Kh7 44. Qd3+ Kg8 45. Ne1 Bh6 46. Qg6+ Kf8 47. Qxh6+ Ke7 48. Qg5+ Ke8 49. Qg8+ Kd7 50. Qg4+ Kc7 51. Qc4+ Kb7 52. Qd5+ Ka7 53. Qf3 Rf8 54. Qd5 Qf5+ 55. Qxf5 Rxf5 56. Rg1 Rf1 57. Rg7+ Kb6 58. Kc2 Rxe1 59. Re7 Ra1 60. Rxe2 Rxa2 61. h4 Ra7 62. h5 Kb5 63. h6 Rh7 64. Rh2 Kxb4 65. Kd3 Kc5 66. Ke4 d5+ 67. Kf5 d4 68. Kg6 1-0

[Event "EU-Cup 19th"]
[Site "Rethymno"]
[Date "2003.09.28"]
[Round "1.1"]
[White "Sutovsky, Emil"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B04"]
[WhiteElo "2639"]
[BlackElo "2385"]
[PlyCount "77"]
[EventDate "2003.09.28"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "GRE"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 098"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2004.02.03"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2004.02.03"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Lipovec"]
[BlackTeam "Asker"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "SVK"]
[BlackTeamCountry "NOR"]

1. e4 Nf6 2. e5 Nd5 3. d4 d6 4. Nf3 dxe5 5. Nxe5 c6 6. Bd3 Nd7 7. O-O Nxe5 8. dxe5 Nb4 9. Be4 Qxd1 10. Rxd1 f5 ({RR} 10... g6 11. Na3 Bg7 12. c3 Na6 13. Nc4 O-O 14. Be3 Nc7 15. a4 Nd5 16. Bd4 b6 17. a5 b5 18. Ne3 Be6 19. a6 Rfc8 20. Nxd5 Bxd5 21. Bxd5 cxd5 22. Ra3 Rc7 23. Rb3 Rb8 24. Ra1 e6 25. Ra5 {Carlsen,M (2852)-Bortnyk,O (2605) chess.com INT 2023 1-0 (38)}) 11. a3 Na6 12. Bf3 g6 13. Nd2 $146 ({RR} 13. b4 Nc7 14. Bb2 Be6 15. Nc3 Bg7 16. b5 Nxb5 17. Nxb5 cxb5 18. Bxb7 Rb8 19. Bc6+ Kf7 20. Bd4 a6 21. c3 Rhd8 22. f4 Bh6 23. g3 g5 24. fxg5 Bxg5 25. Rf1 Kg6 26. Bf3 h5 27. Kg2 Rbc8 {Gonzalez de la Torre,S (2357)-Mirzoev,A (2543) Elgoibar 2006 0-1 (64)}) 13... Be6 14. Be2 Nc7 15. Nf3 Bd5 16. Nd4 Bg7 17. c4 Bf7 18. f4 Ne6 19. Nf3 Rd8 20. Be3 O-O 21. b4 a6 22. g3 Rxd1+ 23. Rxd1 Rd8 24. Rxd8+ Nxd8 25. Nd4 Be8 26. Nb3 Bd7 27. Nc5 Bc8 28. b5 axb5 29. cxb5 cxb5 30. Bxb5 Bf8 31. Kf2 Kg7 32. Nd7 Kf7 33. a4 Bxd7 34. Bxd7 e6 35. Bb6 Be7 36. a5 g5 37. Ke2 h5 38. Bc8 h4 39. Bxb7 1-0

[Event "EU-Cup 19th"]
[Site "Rethymno"]
[Date "2003.09.29"]
[Round "2.1"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Kiik, Kalle"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B00"]
[WhiteElo "2385"]
[BlackElo "2439"]
[PlyCount "53"]
[EventDate "2003.09.28"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "GRE"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 098"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2004.02.03"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2004.02.03"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Asker"]
[BlackTeam "Joensuu"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "NOR"]
[BlackTeamCountry "FIN"]

1. e4 Nc6 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 Nf6 4. Nc3 Bg4 5. d5 Bxf3 ({RR} 5... Ne5 6. Be2 Bxf3 7. Bxf3 Nxf3+ 8. Qxf3 g6 9. O-O Bg7 10. Be3 O-O 11. Bd4 c5 12. dxc6 bxc6 13. e5 Nd7 14. Qxc6 Nxe5 15. Qe4 Rb8 16. f4 Rb4 17. Ne2 d5 18. Qe3 Ng4 19. Qc3 Bxd4+ 20. Nxd4 {Albornoz Cabrera,C (2603)-Yoo,C (2583) chess.com INT 2024 0-1 (34)}) 6. Qxf3 ({RR} 6. gxf3 Ne5 7. f4 Ned7 8. Be3 c5 9. Be2 g6 10. h4 Bg7 11. h5 gxh5 12. Bxh5 Nxh5 13. Qxh5 Bxc3+ 14. bxc3 Qa5 15. Bd2 Qa4 16. Qf5 O-O-O 17. Rg1 Rhg8 18. Rxg8 Rxg8 19. O-O-O Qxa2 20. Be3 Rg7 {Kenneskog,T (2338)-Olcum,A (2221) Rhodes GRE 2025 0-1 (84)}) 6... Ne5 7. Qg3 c6 $146 ({RR} 7... g6 8. f4 Ned7 9. Be2 Bg7 10. Be3 c6 11. dxc6 bxc6 12. O-O Qb8 13. Rab1 O-O 14. Kh1 Qb4 15. a3 Qa5 16. Bf3 Rab8 17. Qe1 Qc7 18. Qd2 Rfd8 19. Ne2 e5 20. g3 d5 21. exd5 cxd5 22. fxe5 {Jukic,J-Mestrovic,Z (2470) Pula 1996 0-1 (34)}) ({RR} 7... g6 8. f4 Ned7 9. Be2 c6 10. dxc6 bxc6 11. O-O Qc7 12. Rb1 Bg7 13. Bd2 O-O 14. f5 Nc5 15. Bf3 Rab8 16. h4 Qb6 17. Kh1 Qb4 18. Qe1 Qb7 19. h5 gxh5 20. Qh4 Ncd7 21. Ne2 d5 22. Ng3 {Liscinska,J (1712)-Toshali,V (1766) Khanty-Mansiysk 2016 0-1 (55)}) 8. f4 Ned7 9. dxc6 bxc6 10. e5 Nd5 11. exd6 exd6 12. Nxd5 cxd5 13. Bd2 Be7 14. Qxg7 Bf6 15. Qh6 Bxb2 16. Rb1 Qf6 17. Qxf6 Bxf6 18. Bb5 Bd4 19. Kd1 O-O-O 20. Re1 Bb6 21. Re7 f6 22. a4 Nc5 23. a5 Bc7 24. Bc6 Rdg8 25. Bxd5 Re8 26. Rf7 h5 27. a6 1-0

[Event "EU-Cup 19th"]
[Site "Rethymno"]
[Date "2003.09.30"]
[Round "3.1"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "McShane, Luke J"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B33"]
[WhiteElo "2385"]
[BlackElo "2619"]
[Annotator "Rogozenco,Dorian"]
[PlyCount "82"]
[EventDate "2003.09.28"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "GRE"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 098"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2004.02.03"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2004.02.03"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Asker"]
[BlackTeam "Werder Bremen"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "NOR"]
[BlackTeamCountry "GER"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. d4 cxd4 5. Nxd4 e5 6. Ndb5 d6 7. Bg5 a6 8. Na3 b5 9. Bxf6 gxf6 10. Nd5 f5 11. Bd3 Be6 12. O-O Bxd5 13. exd5 Ne7 14. c3 Bg7 15. Qh5 e4 16. Bc2 Qc8 17. Rae1 O-O 18. Bb3 {This move was long time underestimated, and in some theoretical sources considered even dubious, based on the game Nunn-McShane, 1998. In reality 18.Bb3 is a natural move and it leads to a very solid line, requiring accuracy from Black. Nevertheless it has certain drawish tendencies, which constitutes its main drawback.} a5 {A temporary pawn sacrifice, introduced by McShane in the above-mentioned game.} (18... Ng6 19. Nc2 Re8 20. f4 $14) 19. Nxb5 (19. Qg5 Qd7 ({Also} 19... Qb7 {is enough for Black to keep the balance.}) 20. f3 Ng6 21. fxe4 f4 $44 22. Nb1 b4 23. cxb4 axb4 24. Nd2 Bxb2 25. Nc4 Bc3 26. Re2 Rac8 {was good for Black in another game of McShane: Lindberg,B-McShane,L/Malmo 2003.}) 19... a4 20. Bd1 ({After} 20. Bc2 Qc5 {White cannot play 21.Nd4 anymore, because of 21...Bxd4 22.cxd4 Qxc2. Also to protect the knight by the bishop is not possible, so the only move remaining is 21.Na3, which gives Black excellent play (with either 21...Qxd5 or 21...Rfb8 first).}) 20... Qc5 21. Nd4 {The strongest continuation.} (21. Be2 {is artificial - too many moves by the bishop (Bf1-d3-c2-b3-d1-e2), only to end up on inconvenient square e2.} Nxd5 (21... f4 $5) 22. Qg5 (22. Qxf5 Nxc3 23. Qxc5 Nxe2+ 24. Rxe2 dxc5 25. Rxe4 $11) 22... Rab8 23. Nd4 h6 {and Black has a good play, since} 24. Qxf5 Rxb2 {points out the clumsy position of White's pieces (rooks and bishop).}) ({RR} 21. Be2 Nxd5 22. Qg5 Rab8 23. c4 Nc7 24. Nxc7 Qxc7 25. Qxf5 Rfe8 26. b3 axb3 27. axb3 Rxb3 28. Bd1 Rc3 29. Rxe4 Rxe4 30. Qxe4 Qxc4 31. Qxc4 {½-½ (31) Pelletier,Y (2597)-McShane,L (2643) Biel 2004}) 21... Qxd5 22. Re3 (22. Qg5 Qe5 23. f4 (23. f3 f4 24. Qh4 f5 25. g4 Ng6 26. Qh3 fxg4 27. Qxg4 e3 $13 {1-0 Van den Doel,E-Bade,J/Germany 2002 (56)}) 23... Qf6 24. g4 d5 25. a3 Rfb8 26. Re2 {was absolutely equal in Nunn,J-McShane,L/Hastings 1998, which soon ended in a draw.}) 22... Qe5 (22... Rfb8 23. Rh3 (23. b3 f4 $5) 23... h6 (23... Rxb2 $5 24. Qxh7+ Kf8) 24. b3 a3 $13 {1-0 Vallejo Pons,F-Van Wely,L/Bled 2002 (49)}) (22... f4 $2 23. Rxe4 $1 ({Even better than} 23. Qxd5 Nxd5 24. Rxe4 Rfb8) 23... Qxe4 24. Bc2 $18) 23. Rh3 $146 (23. Rg3 Qf6 $6 24. f3 $14 {1-0 Spoelman,W-Ris,R/Enschede 2003 (69)}) ({RR} 23. Rg3 Qf6 24. f3 f4 25. Rh3 Qg6 26. Qh4 Nd5 27. fxe4 Ne3 28. Rf2 Qxe4 29. Nf5 Qxf5 30. Rxe3 Qb1 31. Re1 Rae8 32. Ref1 Qxa2 33. Bc2 f5 34. Rxf4 Qxb2 35. Bxf5 Rxf5 36. Rxf5 a3 37. Qc4+ Kh8 {Spoelman,W (2183)-Ris,R (2183) Enschede 2003 1-0 (69)}) 23... h6 24. f4 Qf6 {The position has the drawish tendencies I was talking before. Soon White will attack and destroy opponent's pawn chain with the help on g2-g4. That would lead to some exchange of pawns. On the queenside Black has open files for counterplay. Most likely there will be more exchanges (either White plays b2-b3, or Black pushes a4-a3). However, as long as queens are on the board, there are plenty of fighting resources. Unfortunately the queens will disappear soon from the board.} 25. Kh1 (25. g4 Qg6 (25... fxg4 $5 { 26...g6=}) 26. Qxg6 $140 fxg6 27. Ne6 Rfb8) 25... Kh7 26. g4 Qg6 $11 27. Nxf5 Nxf5 28. Qxf5 Qxf5 29. gxf5 Bf6 30. b3 (30. Re1 d5 31. c4 dxc4 $1 (31... Rfd8 $11) 32. Rxe4 Rfc8 {with some hopes for Black, although it's still a draw.}) 30... d5 31. bxa4 Rfc8 32. Bb3 Ra5 33. Rd1 Rxc3 (33... Bxc3 $2 34. Rxd5 $16) 34. Rxc3 Bxc3 35. Bxd5 e3 36. Bxf7 Rxf5 (36... e2 37. Bg6+ Kg7 38. Rd7+ Kf8 39. Rd8+ Kg7 40. Rd7+ Kg8 41. Rd8+ $11) 37. Rd7 Kh8 38. Bc4 Rxf4 39. Bd3 Rf2 40. Re7 Rxa2 41. Rxe3 Rxa4 1/2-1/2

[Event "EU-Cup 19th"]
[Site "Rethymno"]
[Date "2003.10.02"]
[Round "5.1"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Arduman, Can"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C65"]
[WhiteElo "2385"]
[BlackElo "2336"]
[PlyCount "93"]
[EventDate "2003.09.28"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "GRE"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 098"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2004.02.03"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2004.02.03"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Asker"]
[BlackTeam "Ankara Kolejiler"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "NOR"]
[BlackTeamCountry "TUR"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. Qe2 Be7 5. O-O d6 ({RR} 5... O-O 6. c3 Bc5 7. Rd1 Qe7 8. d4 exd4 9. cxd4 Bb6 10. Nc3 a6 11. Ba4 d6 12. h3 h6 13. Bf4 Ba7 14. Rac1 b5 15. Bc2 Bb7 16. a3 Rfe8 17. Qd3 Qf8 18. Nd5 Nxe4 19. Nxc7 f5 20. Bb3+ {Ocampos,I (2195)-Padmini,R (2354) chess.com INT 2025 1-0 (41)}) 6. d4 Bd7 ({RR} 6... exd4 7. Nxd4 Bd7 8. Bxc6 bxc6 9. Rd1 O-O 10. e5 Nd5 11. c4 dxe5 12. Nf3 Nf4 13. Qxe5 Ng6 14. Qa5 Qc8 15. Bg5 Bd6 16. Nbd2 Re8 17. Re1 Qb7 18. c5 Bf8 19. Qc3 Be6 20. Nd4 Bd5 21. b3 {Tiviakov,S (2639)-L'Ami,E (2628) Amsterdam 2015 ½-½ (45)}) ({RR} 6... exd4 7. Nxd4 Bd7 8. Bxc6 bxc6 9. Rd1 O-O 10. e5 dxe5 11. Nxc6 Qe8 12. Nxe7+ Qxe7 13. Bg5 Bc6 14. Qc4 Qe6 15. Qxe6 fxe6 16. Nd2 Rab8 17. b3 Nd5 18. Nc4 Rf5 19. Be3 Nf4 20. Bxf4 exf4 21. Re1 {Carlsen,M (2450)-Isonzo,D (2349) Taormina 2003 1-0 (63)}) 7. Bxc6 $146 ({RR} 7. dxe5 Nxe5 8. Nxe5 dxe5 9. Bxd7+ Qxd7 10. Rd1 Qc6 11. Bg5 O-O 12. Nc3 Rfe8 13. Bxf6 Bxf6 14. Nd5 Bd8 15. Rd3 Qe6 16. Rb3 c6 17. Ne3 Rb8 18. a4 Bg5 19. Rd1 g6 20. g3 h5 21. h4 Bd8 {Larino Nieto,D (2463)-Martinez Duany,L (2450) Oeiras 2015 1-0 (65)}) ({RR} 7. d5 Nb8 8. Bd3 Bg4 9. Be3 O-O 10. Rd1 Re8 11. Nbd2 Nbd7 12. Nf1 Nf8 13. Ng3 Ng6 14. Rdc1 Nf4 15. Qd1 N6h5 16. h3 Bxf3 17. Qxf3 Nxd3 18. cxd3 Nxg3 19. Qxg3 Rc8 20. a4 a5 21. Bd2 c5 {Kong,V-Abbou,M Skopje 1972 1-0 (44)}) 7... Bxc6 8. Nc3 exd4 9. Nxd4 Bd7 10. f4 O-O 11. Kh1 Re8 12. e5 dxe5 13. fxe5 Bd6 14. Bf4 Bg4 15. Qb5 Bd7 16. Qxb7 Bxe5 17. Bxe5 Rxe5 18. Rad1 Qc8 19. Qf3 c5 20. Nb3 Bc6 21. Qg3 Qg4 22. Qxg4 Nxg4 23. Na5 Be8 24. Nc4 Re6 25. h3 Nf6 26. Rf5 Rc8 27. Nd6 Rc6 28. Nb7 g6 29. Rxc5 Rb6 30. Nd8 Red6 31. Rxd6 Rxd6 32. Rc8 Rd2 33. Nc6 Rxc2 34. Nxa7 Rxb2 35. Ne4 Kg7 36. Nxf6 Ba4 37. Ne8+ Kh6 38. Nd6 f5 39. a3 Rb3 40. Nf7+ Kh5 41. Rh8 g5 42. Ne5 g4 43. Rxh7+ Kg5 44. hxg4 fxg4 45. Rg7+ Kf6 46. Rxg4 Rxa3 47. Nac6 1-0

[Event "Wch U14"]
[Site "Chalkidiki"]
[Date "2003.10.26"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Coleman, Teddy"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B76"]
[WhiteElo "2450"]
[BlackElo "2275"]
[PlyCount "67"]
[EventDate "2003.10.23"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "GRE"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2004"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2003.11.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2003.11.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 g6 6. Be3 Bg7 7. f3 Nc6 8. Qd2 Bd7 9. O-O-O O-O 10. g4 Rc8 11. h4 Ne5 12. Be2 Qa5 13. Kb1 Rxc3 14. Qxc3 Qxc3 15. bxc3 Rc8 16. Kb2 Nc4+ $146 ({RR} 16... Be8 17. Nb3 b6 18. Bd4 Nc6 19. Be3 h5 20. g5 Nd7 21. f4 Nc5 22. Bf3 Na4+ 23. Kc1 Nxc3 24. Rd2 Nb4 25. Bd4 Bxd4 26. Nxd4 Ncxa2+ 27. Kb2 a5 28. e5 dxe5 29. fxe5 Nc3 30. Ne2 Na4+ 31. Kb1 {Ibarra Jerez,J (2563)-Djokic,M (2221) chess.com INT 2023 0-1 (74)}) ({RR} 16... Be8 17. Nb3 b6 18. Bd4 Nc6 19. Be3 h5 20. g5 Nd7 21. f4 Nc5 22. Bf3 Na4+ 23. Kc1 Nxc3 24. Rd2 Nb4 25. Bd4 Bxd4 26. Nxd4 Ncxa2+ 27. Kb2 a5 28. e5 dxe5 29. fxe5 Nc3 30. Ne2 Na4+ 31. Kb1 {Ibarra Jerez,J (2563)-Djokic,M (2221) chess.com INT 2023 0-1 (74)}) 17. Bxc4 Rxc4 18. h5 a6 19. hxg6 fxg6 20. Rh4 b5 21. Rd3 a5 22. Nb3 a4 23. Nd2 Rc8 24. Bd4 Be6 25. e5 Nd5 26. exd6 exd6 27. Bxg7 Kxg7 28. a3 Rc6 29. g5 Nb6 30. Rhd4 d5 31. Rb4 Nc4+ 32. Nxc4 dxc4 33. Re3 Rb6 34. Re5 1-0

[Event "Wch U14"]
[Site "Chalkidiki"]
[Date "2003.10.27"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Wang, Hao"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B31"]
[WhiteElo "2215"]
[BlackElo "2450"]
[PlyCount "79"]
[EventDate "2003.10.23"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "GRE"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2004"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2003.11.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2003.11.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 {Finkel,Alexander} c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 g6 4. Bxc6 dxc6 5. d3 Bg7 6. h3 Nf6 7. Nc3 Nd7 8. Be3 e5 9. Qd2 h6 10. O-O Qe7 11. a3 Nf8 ({RR} 11... b6 12. Ne2 Bb7 13. b4 Rd8 14. Ng3 Ba6 15. Rfd1 Bc8 16. Rab1 Kf8 17. bxc5 Nxc5 18. d4 Kg8 19. Qc3 exd4 20. Bxd4 Bxd4 21. Nxd4) ({RR} 11... a5 12. Nh2 a4 13. f4 exf4 14. Bxf4 Ne5 15. Nf3 Nxf3+ 16. Rxf3 g5 17. Be3 O-O 18. Raf1) 12. b4 Ne6 13. bxc5 ({RR} 13. Na4 b6 14. Rae1 ({RR} 14. Nh2 f5 15. f3 f4 16. Bf2 h5 17. bxc5 b5 18. Nb2 g5) 14... Ba6 15. bxc5 b5 16. Nb2 Rd8 17. a4 Nd4 18. Bxd4 exd4 19. axb5 Bxb5 20. Qb4 a5 21. Qxa5 Qxc5 22. Nc4) 13... f5 ({RR} 13... Nxc5 14. Ne2 ({RR} 14. Rfe1 Ne6 15. Ne2 h5 16. a4 O-O 17. Bh6) 14... Ne6 15. Rab1 f5 16. exf5 gxf5 17. Qb4 Qf6 18. Rfe1 Kf7 19. Ng3) 14. exf5 gxf5 15. Qe1 O-O 16. d4 $146 ({RR} 16. Rb1 Rf7 ({RR} 16... Qf6 17. Na4 Kh7 18. Bd2 Rg8 19. Kh2 Bh8 20. Rg1 Ng5 21. Qe2 Nxf3+ 22. Qxf3 Qf7 23. g4 f4 24. Nc3) 17. Na4 f4 18. Bc1 ({RR} 18. Bd2) 18... Ng5 ({RR} 18... Nxc5 19. Nxc5 ({RR} 19. Qb4 Nxa4 20. Qxa4 Be6 21. Re1 Bd5) 19... Qxc5 20. Bb2 Bf5 21. Qb4 Qxb4 22. axb4 e4) 19. Nxg5 Qxg5 ({RR} 19... hxg5 20. f3) 20. Kh2 Qh5 21. Rg1 ({RR} 21. f3 Bf6 22. Nc3 Bh4 23. Qe2 Bg3+ 24. Kg1 Rg7) 21... Bf6 ({RR} 21... f3 22. g4 Qh4 23. Rg3 h5 24. gxh5 Qxh5 ({RR} 24... Qxa4 25. h6 Qh4 26. Rb4) 25. Nc3) 22. Nc3 Rg7 23. Ne4 Bh4 24. Bb2 Be6 ({RR} 24... Bd7 25. Ba1) 25. Qc3 Ba2 26. Ra1 Bd5 27. Qxe5 Qxe5 28. Bxe5 {1-0 (28) Malakhov,V (2694)-David,A (2591) Moscow 2006 CBM 112 [Finkel,Alexander]}) ({RR} 16. Rb1 e4 17. dxe4 f4 18. Bd2 Qxc5 19. e5 Ng5 20. Nxg5 hxg5 21. Ne4 Qxc2 22. Nf6+ Bxf6 23. exf6 Rxf6 24. Qe7 Qg6 25. Rfe1 Bf5 26. Rxb7 Rf7 27. Qb4 a5 28. Qb2 Qg7 29. Qxg7+ Kxg7 30. Bc3+ Kg8 {Nemeth,F (2294)-Shishkin,V (2473) Bucharest 2003 ½-½ (47)}) 16... e4 17. Ne5 f4 18. Ng6 Qf7 19. Nxf8 Kxf8 20. f3 Kg8 21. fxe4 Qg6 22. Rd1 fxe3 23. Qxe3 Bd7 24. Kh1 Re8 25. e5 Ng5 26. Qd3 Qh5 27. Ne2 Be6 28. Ng3 Qh4 29. Qe3 Nf7 30. Rf4 Qg5 31. Ne4 Qg6 32. Rdf1 h5 33. R1f3 Qh6 34. Rg3 Kh8 35. Qf2 Nxe5 36. dxe5 Bxe5 37. Rg5 Bxf4 38. Qxf4 Bd5 39. Nf6 Bxg2+ 40. Kh2 1-0

[Event "Wch U14"]
[Site "Chalkidiki"]
[Date "2003.10.31"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Zhigalko, Sergei"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B33"]
[WhiteElo "2450"]
[BlackElo "2460"]
[PlyCount "66"]
[EventDate "2003.10.23"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "GRE"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2004"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2003.11.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2003.11.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 {Rogozenco,Dorian Rogozenco,Dorian} c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 e5 6. Ndb5 d6 7. Bg5 a6 8. Na3 b5 9. Bxf6 gxf6 10. Nd5 Bg7 11. Bd3 Ne7 12. Nxe7 Qxe7 13. c4 f5 14. O-O O-O 15. Qf3 d5 16. cxd5 fxe4 17. Bxe4 Rb8 18. Rad1 ({RR} 18. Rfd1 f5 ({RR} 18... Qd7 19. d6 Rb6 20. Qd3 Rd8 21. Rac1 Bf8 22. Rc7 Qxc7 23. Bxh7+ Kg7 24. dxc7 Rxd3 25. Bxd3 Bxa3 ({RR} 25... Rc6 26. Nc2 f5 27. Ne3 e4 28. Bb1 Rxc7 29. g4) 26. bxa3 Rc6 27. Be4 Rxc7 28. Bd5 Rc3 29. h4 Bf5 ({RR} 29... Rxa3) 30. Bb3 a5 31. a4 {RR} bxa4 32. Bxa4 Rc4) 19. d6 Qf6 20. Bc6 Be6 21. Bd5 Rbd8 22. Qb3 Bf7 ({RR} 22... Bxd5 23. Rxd5 Kh8 24. Rad1) 23. Nc2 Rxd6 24. Bxf7+ Rxf7 25. Rxd6 Qxd6 26. Ne3 f4 ({RR} 26... Qg6 27. a4 bxa4 28. Qxa4) 27. Rd1 Qg6 28. Nd5 Bf8 ({RR} 28... Kh8 29. Nc3 ({RR} 29. f3 e4) 29... f3 ({RR} 29... e4 30. Nxe4) 30. g3 Qf5 31. Rd8+ Bf8 32. Nd1 Kg7 33. Ne3 Qg6 34. Qc3 Qb1+ 35. Rd1 Qe4 36. Rd5 Be7 37. h4 Bf6 38. Kh2 h5 39. Qc8 Be7 40. Qxa6 Bxh4 41. gxh4 ({RR} 41. Qe6 Bf6 42. Nf5+ Kg6 43. Nd6) 41... Qxh4+ 42. Kg1 Kh7 43. Nf5) 29. f3 Kh8 ({RR} 29... Bc5+ 30. Kf1 Kg7 31. Nc3 Bd4 32. Ne4 Rc7) 30. Nc3 Rg7 ({RR} 30... Bc5+ 31. Kf1 Bd4 32. Ne4 Rc7) 31. Rd2 Bc5+ 32. Kf1 Bd4 {Anand,V (2791)-Radjabov,T (2761) Linares 2009 CBM 129 [Rogozenco,Dorian] 1-0 (61)}) ({RR} 18. Rfd1 Qh4 19. g3 Qd8 20. d6 f5 21. d7 Bxd7 22. Bc6 Bxc6 23. Qxc6 Qb6 24. Rac1 e4 25. Rd7 Qxc6 26. Rxc6 Bxb2 27. Rxa6 f4 28. gxf4 Rxf4 29. Nc2 Rbf8 30. Rd2 Rg4+ 31. Kf1 Rh4 32. Kg2 Kh8 {Isaev,J (2400)-Zhigalko,S (2592) Dresden 2008 ½-½ (45)}) ({RR} 18. Rfd1 Qd7 19. d6 Rb6 20. Qd3 ({RR} 20. Qc3 Rxd6) 20... Rd8 21. Rac1 Bf8) 18... Qd7 ({RR} 18... Rb6 19. Bf5 Rf6 20. d6 Rxd6 21. Rxd6 Qxd6 22. Nc2 Bxf5 23. Qxf5 Qg6 24. Ne3 Qxf5 25. Nxf5 Rd8 26. Rc1 Rd2 27. g4 Rxb2 28. Rc8+ Bf8 29. Ne7+ Kg7 30. Nf5+ Kg8 31. Ne7+ {½-½ (31) Dobrowolski,A (2100)-Iwanczuk,K (2136) Wroclaw POL 2025}) ({RR} 18... Rb6 19. Qd3 Qd7 20. g3 f5 21. Bg2 Rh6) 19. d6 Rb6 20. Bd5 $146 ({RR} 20. Qc3 Rxd6 ({RR} 20... Rd8 21. Bf5 Qxf5 22. Qc7) 21. Bf5 Rxd1 ({RR} 21... Rxd1 22. Bxd7 Rxd7 23. Nc2) ({RR} 21... Qxf5 22. Rxd6 e4 23. Qd2) 22. Bxd7 Rxd7 23. Nc2 Rfd8 24. Ne3 Rd2 25. h4 Be6 26. a3 f5 27. Qc6 R2d6 28. Qc2 Rd2 29. Rd1 Rxd1+ 30. Nxd1 Bf6 31. g3 Rc8 32. Qd2 Rd8 33. Qe2 Bc4 34. Qc2 f4 {Anand,V (2766)-Topalov,V (2735) Monte Carlo 2004 1-0 (67)}) ({RR} 20. Qc3 Rxd6 21. Bf5 Qc6 22. Rxd6 Qxd6 23. Nxb5 ({RR} 23. Bxc8 b4 24. Qc4 ({RR} 24. Qh3 bxa3 25. Bf5 h6) 24... bxa3 25. bxa3 a5) 23... axb5 24. Bxc8 f5 ({RR} 24... e4 25. Qh3 Bxb2 26. Bf5 h6 27. Bxe4) 25. Qb3+ Kh8 26. Rd1 Qc5 27. Bd7 b4 28. a3 bxa3 29. Qxa3 Qc2 30. Qd3 Qxd3 31. Rxd3 e4 ({RR} 31... Rd8 32. b4 ({RR} 32. Bxf5 Rxd3 33. Bxd3 e4 34. Bxe4 Bxb2 35. Bxh7 ({RR} 35. f4 h6 36. g4 Kg7 37. Kg2 Bf6 38. Kg3 Bd8 39. h4 Be7 40. g5 hxg5 41. hxg5 Bd8 42. Kg4 Be7 43. f5 Bd8) 35... Kxh7) 32... e4 33. Rd5 f4 ({RR} 33... Bc3 34. b5 Ba5 35. g3 Kg7 36. Kf1 Bb6 37. Ke2 Ba7 38. f4 Bb6 39. h3 h5) 34. b5 Ra8) 32. Rb3 f4 33. Kf1 Rd8 34. Bf5 e3 {Bacrot,E (2664)-Yakovich,Y (2591) Moscow 2004 CBM 100 [Rogozenco,Dorian] 1-0 (72)}) ({RR} 20. Qd3 Rd8 21. Bxh7+ Kh8 22. Qe3 Rxd6 23. Rxd6 Qxd6 24. Bb1 f5) 20... Rxd6 21. Bb3 Kh8 22. Rxd6 Qxd6 23. Rd1 Qg6 24. Qd5 f5 25. Qd6 Qg5 26. Qc6 e4 27. Nc2 Bxb2 28. g3 Bg7 29. Nd4 e3 30. Nf3 Qe7 31. Re1 Bb7 32. Rxe3 Bxc6 33. Rxe7 Bxf3 0-1

[Event "Wch U14"]
[Site "Chalkidiki"]
[Date "2003.11.01"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Rohit, Gogineni"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C95"]
[WhiteElo "2346"]
[BlackElo "2450"]
[PlyCount "96"]
[EventDate "2003.10.23"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "GRE"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2004"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2003.11.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2003.11.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 d6 8. c3 O-O 9. h3 Nb8 10. d4 Nbd7 11. Nbd2 Bb7 12. Bc2 Re8 13. Nf1 Bf8 14. Ng3 g6 15. b3 Bg7 16. d5 Qe7 17. Be3 c6 18. c4 Rec8 ({RR} 18... Nc5 19. Qd2 a5 20. a3 a4 21. Bxc5 dxc5 22. cxb5 cxd5 23. exd5 axb3 24. Bxb3 Qd6 25. Ra2 h6 26. Qd3 Rad8 27. Rd2 Nxd5 28. Red1 Qb6 29. Qc4 Qc7 30. Rxd5 Bxd5 31. Rxd5 Rxd5 32. Qxd5 Rd8 33. Qc6 {Anand,V (2773)-Harikrishna,P (2729) Kolkata 2018 1-0 (33)}) 19. Nd2 a5 20. a4 $146 ({RR} 20. cxb5 cxd5 21. Rc1 h6 22. exd5 Nxd5 23. Nc4 Nxe3 24. Nxe3 Rc5 25. Be4 Rxb5 26. Bxb7 Rxb7 27. Ne4 Nf6 28. Nxf6+ Qxf6 29. Qd5 Rbb8 30. Rc7 a4 31. b4 a3 32. Rec1 Qe6 33. Qxe6 fxe6 34. Rd7 Rd8 {Svidler,P (2733)-Harikrishna,P (2599) Playchess.com INT 2004 ½-½ (53)}) 20... bxc4 21. bxc4 Ba6 22. Rb1 Qf8 23. Ngf1 Bh6 24. Bxh6 Qxh6 25. Ne3 cxd5 26. cxd5 Rc3 27. Nb3 Nc5 28. Nxc5 Rxc5 29. Rb6 Qf8 30. Qd2 Qd8 31. Reb1 Qc7 32. R1b2 Bc8 33. Kh2 Bd7 34. Qe2 Rc8 35. Qa6 Ne8 36. Rb7 Qd8 37. Qa7 Nf6 38. Qb6 Qf8 39. Bd1 Be8 40. Bg4 Ra8 41. Ra7 Rxa7 42. Qxa7 h5 43. Bf3 Qh6 44. g3 h4 45. Qe7 hxg3+ 46. Kg2 Kg7 47. Qxd6 Bd7 48. fxg3 Qxe3 0-1

[Event "Wch U14"]
[Site "Chalkidiki"]
[Date "2003.11.02"]
[Round "11"]
[White "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B06"]
[WhiteElo "2447"]
[BlackElo "2450"]
[PlyCount "105"]
[EventDate "2003.10.23"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "GRE"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2004"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2003.11.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2003.11.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. c3 d5 3. exd5 Qxd5 4. d4 g6 5. Nf3 Bg7 6. Na3 cxd4 7. Bc4 Qe4+ 8. Be3 Nh6 9. Nb5 O-O 10. cxd4 Na6 11. Nc3 Qc6 12. Qb3 Nf5 13. O-O Qb6 $146 ({RR} 13... Nd6 14. Bd5 Qe8 15. Rfe1 Nc7 16. Bf4 Qd8 17. Bg5 Re8 18. Rac1 Bg4 19. Ne5 Be6 20. Bxe6 Nxe6 21. Nxf7 Nxf7 22. Qxe6 Qxd4 23. Nd5 Rad8 24. Nxe7+ Kf8 25. Nxg6+ hxg6 26. Qxg6 Rxe1+ 27. Rxe1 Qe5 28. Be3 {Schellmann,F (2110)-Ross,C (2231) Chennai 2012 ½-½}) ({RR} 13... Nd6 14. Be2 Nc7 15. Rfd1 Qe8 16. d5 Bg4 17. h3 Bxf3 18. Bxf3 Ncb5 19. Ne2 Nf5 20. Bc5 Nbd6 21. Rac1 Qd8 22. Qb4 Bf6 23. g3 a5 24. Qb3 a4 25. Qb4 Qa5 26. Qxa5 Rxa5 27. Ba3 Nb5 28. Bb4 {Vaz,E (2409)-Dau Khuong Duy (2359) Hanoi VIE 2024 ½-½ (49)}) ({RR} 13... Nd6 14. Be2 Nc7 15. Rfd1 e6 16. Rac1 Nd5 17. Ne5 Qb6 18. Nxd5 exd5 19. Qxd5 Be6 20. Qc5 Qxc5 21. dxc5 Nf5 22. Nc4 Nxe3 23. fxe3 Rad8 24. b4 b5 25. Nd6 a6 26. Rd2 Be5 27. Bf3 Rd7 28. Bc6 {Abasov,N (2561)-Akshat,K (2358) Basel 2017 1-0 (47)}) 14. Qxb6 axb6 15. Na4 Nd6 16. Bb3 Nb4 17. Nxb6 Ra6 18. Nd5 Nxd5 19. Bxd5 Bf5 20. Rfc1 Ra5 21. Bb3 Be4 22. Nd2 Bc6 23. Bc2 Rd8 24. Bd3 Rd5 25. Nf3 Rh5 26. Be2 Rd5 27. g4 Nb5 28. Bc4 R5d6 29. Ne5 e6 30. Bxb5 Bxb5 31. a4 Be8 32. b4 Rxd4 33. Bxd4 Rxd4 34. Rc8 Kf8 35. Re1 Rxb4 36. h3 Rxa4 37. Nc4 Ke7 38. Rd1 Rxc4 39. Rxc4 Bc6 40. f4 f5 41. Kf2 fxg4 42. hxg4 h5 43. gxh5 gxh5 44. Rc5 h4 45. Rh5 Bf6 46. Rh7+ Kf8 47. Rd6 Be4 48. Rc7 Bd5 49. Ke3 Ke8 50. Rh7 Be7 51. Rxd5 exd5 52. Kd4 Bd6 53. f5 1-0

[Event "Claude Pecaut Memorial"]
[Site "Taormina"]
[Date "2003.11.15"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Aldrovandi, Costantino"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B76"]
[WhiteElo "2450"]
[BlackElo "2414"]
[PlyCount "54"]
[EventDate "2003.11.15"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ITA"]
[EventCategory "7"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 097 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2004.01.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2004.01.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 {Schulz,Andre} c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 g6 6. Be3 Bg7 7. f3 Nc6 8. Qd2 O-O 9. O-O-O d5 10. exd5 Nxd5 11. Nxc6 bxc6 12. Bd4 e5 13. Bc5 Be6 14. Ne4 Rb8 ({RR} 14... Re8) 15. Bc4 a5 ({RR} 15... Qc7 16. Bxf8 Bxf8 17. Bb3 a5 18. a4 Qb6 19. Ng5 Bh6 20. h4 Ne3 21. Rde1 Nxc2 22. Bxc2 Qxb2+ 23. Kd1 Bc4 24. Bd3 Qb3+ 25. Qc2 Bxd3 26. Qxb3 Rxb3 27. Kd2 f6 28. Re3 Bc4 29. Rxb3 Bxb3 30. Rb1 {Wu,D (2295)-Korol,D (2287) chess.com INT 2024 1-0 (44)}) ({RR} 15... Rb7 16. Bb3 Rd7 17. Bxf8 Bxf8 ({RR} 17... Qxf8) 18. c4 Nf4 19. Qxd7 Bxd7 20. Rxd7 Qa5 ({RR} 20... Qxd7 21. Nf6+) 21. c5 Nd5 22. Kb1 Qb5 ({RR} 22... Z0 23. Bxd5) 23. Rd1 ({RR} 23. Bxd5 cxd5 24. Rxd5 Qe2 25. Rd2) 23... Qe2 24. Nc3 Nxc3+ 25. bxc3 Bxc5 26. Bxf7+ Kf8 27. Bb3 Be3 28. Rxh7 Bd2 29. Rxa7 ({RR} 29. Rf7+ Ke8 30. Rb7 Z0 31. Ba4) 29... Qd3+ 30. Bc2 {Drei,A (2349)-Aldrovandi,C (2350) Reggio Emilia 1999 CBM 075 [Schulz,Andre] ½-½ (31)}) ({RR} 15... Re8 16. h4 h6 17. g4) 16. h4 ({RR} 16. Bb3 Re8 17. h4 Ra8 18. Ba4 Qc7 19. h5 Bf5 20. g4 Bxe4 21. fxe4 Nf4 22. hxg6 fxg6 23. Qd7 Qxd7 24. Rxd7 Rad8 25. Rxd8 Rxd8 26. Bb6 Ra8 27. g5 h5 28. gxh6 Bf6 29. Rd1 Kh7 30. Rd6 Bg5 {Pavlovic,M (2505)-Shulman,Y (2555) Ubeda 1997 0-1 (54)}) 16... h6 17. h5 $146 ({RR} 17. g4 Re8 18. g5 h5 19. Bb3 Qc7 20. Qf2 Ra8 21. a4 Red8 22. Rd2 Rd7 23. Rhd1 Rad8 24. Ba3 Nf4 25. Bd6 Qa7 26. Qxa7 Rxa7 27. Bxe6 Nxe6 28. Nf6+ Bxf6 29. gxf6 Rb7 30. c3 Kh7 31. Bxe5 Rxd2 {Blees,A (2450)-De Vreesse,S Ghent 1997 1-0 (42)}) ({RR} 17. g4 Re8 18. h5 g5 19. Rhe1 a4 20. a3 Bf8 21. Bxf8 Kxf8 22. Qf2 Qc7 23. Qc5+ Re7 24. Rd2 {½-½ (24) Newrkla,K (1666)-Gerold,A (1977) Vienna 2005}) 17... g5 18. Bxf8 Bxf8 19. Qf2 Qe7 20. Rhe1 f5 21. Nc3 Nxc3 22. Rxe5 Nxd1 23. Qd2 Nxb2 24. Bxe6+ Kh8 25. Qxa5 Qd6 26. Bb3 Bg7 27. Re1 Nc4 0-1

[Event "Claude Pecaut Memorial"]
[Site "Taormina"]
[Date "2003.11.17"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Isonzo, Davide"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C65"]
[WhiteElo "2450"]
[BlackElo "2349"]
[PlyCount "125"]
[EventDate "2003.11.15"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ITA"]
[EventCategory "7"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 097 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2004.01.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2004.01.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. Qe2 Be7 5. O-O d6 6. d4 exd4 7. Nxd4 Bd7 8. Bxc6 bxc6 9. Rd1 O-O 10. e5 dxe5 $146 ({RR} 10... Nd5 11. c4 Nb6 12. Nc3 Qc8 13. exd6 Bxd6 14. Be3 Re8 15. Qd3 c5 16. Ndb5 Bf5 17. Nxd6 cxd6 18. Qxd6 Nxc4 19. Qxc5 Nxb2 20. Rd5 Be6 21. Qxc8 Rexc8 22. Rc5 Nd3 {½-½ (22) Iordachescu,V (2609)-Varga,Z (2515) Baile Tusnad 2005}) ({RR} 10... Nd5 11. c4 dxe5 12. Nf3 Nf4 13. Qxe5 Ng6 14. Qa5 Qc8 15. Bg5 Bd6 16. Nbd2 Re8 17. Re1 Qb7 18. c5 Bf8 19. Qc3 Be6 20. Nd4 Bd5 21. b3 Reb8 22. a3 Re8 23. Be3 Qc8 24. f3 Be7 25. Nc2 {Tiviakov,S (2639)-L'Ami,E (2628) Amsterdam 2015 ½-½ (45)}) 11. Nxc6 Qe8 12. Nxe7+ Qxe7 13. Bg5 Bc6 14. Qc4 Qe6 15. Qxe6 fxe6 16. Nd2 Rab8 17. b3 Nd5 18. Nc4 Rf5 19. Be3 Nf4 20. Bxf4 exf4 21. Re1 Rg5 22. g3 Bd5 23. Ne5 Rf8 24. c4 Bb7 25. Nd7 Rf7 26. Re5 Rgf5 27. g4 Rxe5 28. Nxe5 Rf8 29. Rd1 h5 30. Ng6 Re8 31. Nxf4 hxg4 32. Rd7 Bf3 33. Nh5 Rf8 34. Rxg7+ Kh8 35. Rd7 Rf5 36. Ng3 Re5 37. Kf1 Ra5 38. a4 Ra6 39. Ke1 Rb6 40. Rd3 e5 41. Kd2 a5 42. h4 Kh7 43. Re3 Re6 44. Ne4 Kg6 45. Ng5 Rd6+ 46. Kc3 e4 47. Nxe4 Rd1 48. Ng3 Rc1+ 49. Kd2 Ra1 50. h5+ Kf6 51. Re8 Ra2+ 52. Ke3 Rb2 53. h6 Kg6 54. Re6+ Kh7 55. Kf4 Rxb3 56. Nf5 Rb6 57. Re7+ Kh8 58. Kg5 Rc6 59. Nd4 Rxc4 60. Re8+ Kh7 61. Ne6 Re4 62. Re7+ Kh8 63. Kg6 1-0

[Event "Claude Pecaut Memorial"]
[Site "Taormina"]
[Date "2003.11.18"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Godena, Michele"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B06"]
[WhiteElo "2523"]
[BlackElo "2450"]
[PlyCount "96"]
[EventDate "2003.11.15"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ITA"]
[EventCategory "7"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 097 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2004.01.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2004.01.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. c3 d5 3. exd5 Qxd5 4. d4 g6 5. Nf3 Bg7 6. Na3 cxd4 7. Nb5 Na6 8. Be3 Bd7 9. Bxd4 Nf6 10. a4 O-O 11. Be2 Bxb5 12. axb5 Nc5 13. O-O Rfd8 14. Ra3 $146 ({RR} 14. Ne5 Qd6 15. Bc4 Nd5 16. Re1 Ne6 17. Qf3 Bf6 18. Rad1 Nxd4 19. Rxd4 e6 20. Rde4 Rac8 21. Bb3 Bxe5 22. Rxe5 Rc5 23. h3 b6 24. R5e4 Nc7 25. c4 Qd3 26. R4e3 Qd7 27. Ba2 Ne8 28. b4 Rf5 {Richards,H (2150)-Muhren,B (2269) Gothenburg 2005 0-1 (59)}) 14... Qf5 15. Qb1 Qh5 16. Re1 Ne6 17. Bxa7 Nf4 18. Bf1 Rd5 19. Be3 Rxa3 20. bxa3 Bh6 21. Qb4 Rf5 22. Qxe7 Ng4 23. Qh4 Nxe3 24. fxe3 Nh3+ 25. Qxh3 Qxh3 26. gxh3 Rxf3 27. Bg2 Rxe3 28. Rxe3 Bxe3+ 29. Kf1 b6 30. Ke2 Bc5 31. a4 Kf8 32. Kd3 Ke7 33. Kc4 Kd6 34. Bd5 f6 35. Bg8 h6 36. h4 g5 37. hxg5 hxg5 38. Bh7 Bg1 39. h3 Ke5 40. Kb4 Bc5+ 41. Kc4 Bg1 42. Kb4 Bc5+ 43. Kc4 Bg1 44. Bd3 f5 45. Kb4 Bc5+ 46. Kc4 Bg1 47. Kb4 Bc5+ 48. Kc4 Bg1 1/2-1/2

[Event "Claude Pecaut Memorial"]
[Site "Taormina"]
[Date "2003.11.19"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Ljubisavljevic, Zivojin Z"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B52"]
[WhiteElo "2450"]
[BlackElo "2316"]
[PlyCount "89"]
[EventDate "2003.11.15"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ITA"]
[EventCategory "7"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 097 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2004.01.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2004.01.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. Bb5+ Bd7 4. Bxd7+ Qxd7 5. c4 e5 6. Nc3 Nc6 7. d3 g6 8. a3 ({RR} 8. h4 h6 9. h5 g5 10. Nd2 Bg7 11. g4 Nf6 12. f3 O-O 13. Nf1 Nd4 14. Be3 Ne8 15. Ng3 Nc7 16. Bxd4 exd4 17. Nd5 Nxd5 18. cxd5 Be5 19. Nf5 Kh7 20. a3 a5 21. a4 Ra6 22. b3 Rb6 {Vachier Lagrave,M (2789)-Grischuk,A (2766) Paris 2018 ½-½ (56)}) 8... h5 $146 ({RR} 8... Bg7 9. Rb1 Nge7 10. b4 b6 11. Bg5 f6 12. Bd2 Kf7 13. O-O Nd4 14. Nxd4 exd4 15. Ne2 Rhe8 16. Ng3 Kg8 17. Rb2 Rf8 18. f4 f5 19. bxc5 dxc5 20. e5 Qc6 21. Re1 Rae8 22. Nf1 h5 23. Bc1 {Savon,V-Cobo Arteaga,E Cienfuegos 1973 1-0 (55)}) ({RR} 8... Bg7 9. b4 Nge7 10. Rb1 b6 11. O-O O-O 12. Nd5 Rad8 13. h3 Nxd5 14. cxd5 Nd4 15. Nxd4 exd4 16. bxc5 dxc5 17. Bg5 Rc8 18. Qb3 Rfe8 19. Rfe1 Qc7 20. a4 h6 {1-0 (20) Mukund Hemant Agarwal (2169)-Saisarvesh S (1977) Guntur IND 2025}) 9. O-O Bh6 10. Be3 Kf8 11. b4 b6 12. Nd5 Kg7 13. Ng5 Bxg5 14. Bxg5 f6 15. Be3 Nge7 16. bxc5 dxc5 17. f4 exf4 18. Bxf4 Nxd5 19. cxd5 Ne5 20. Ra2 Rae8 21. h3 Rhf8 22. Raf2 Qe7 23. Qd2 g5 24. Bh2 c4 25. d4 Nd3 26. Re2 Kg6 27. Qe3 Qd7 28. d6 b5 29. h4 Qg4 30. hxg5 fxg5 31. Rxf8 Rxf8 32. e5 Qe6 33. Qe4+ Kh6 34. d5 Qf7 35. Qf3 Qg7 36. Qh3 h4 37. d7 Kh5 38. Bg3 Qf7 39. Kh2 Qf1 40. Re4 Nf4 41. Rxf4 gxf4 42. Qxh4+ Kg6 43. Qg4+ Kh7 44. Qh5+ Kg7 45. Bh4 1-0

[Event "Budapest FS12 GM"]
[Site "Budapest"]
[Date "2003.12.06"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Howell, David"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C86"]
[WhiteElo "2450"]
[BlackElo "2381"]
[PlyCount "88"]
[EventDate "2003.12.06"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "HUN"]
[EventCategory "8"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 097 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2004.01.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2004.01.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 {Dolmatov,Sergey} e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Qe2 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. c3 d6 9. Rd1 Bg4 ({RR} 9... Na5 10. Bc2 c5 11. d3 Re8 12. Nbd2 Bf8 13. Nf1 h6 14. Ng3 d5) 10. h3 Bh5 11. d3 d5 ({RR} 11... Na5 12. Bc2 c5 ({RR} 12... Nd7 13. g4 Bg6 14. Nbd2 Nb7 15. Nf1 c6 16. Ng3 Re8 17. Nf5 Qc7 18. Kh1 Nd8 19. Nxe7+ Rxe7 20. Nh4 Ne6 21. Nf5 Ree8 22. h4 f6 23. Qf3 Bf7 24. Rg1) 13. Nbd2 Nd7 ({RR} 13... Qc7 14. Nf1 Bg6 15. Ne3 Rae8 16. Nh4 Bd8 17. Nhf5 Qd7 18. g4 d5 19. g5 Nh5 20. Nxd5 Bxf5 21. Qxh5 Bxh3 22. f3 Be6 23. Nf6+ gxf6 24. gxf6) ({RR} 13... Nc6 14. Nf1 Qc7 15. Ne3 Rfe8 16. g4 Bg6 17. Nh4 Qb7 18. Nhf5 Rad8 19. Qf3 Bf8 20. Kh2 Ne7 21. Bb3 Kh8 22. g5 Nxf5 23. Nxf5 Bh5 24. Qg2) 14. g4 ({RR} 14. Nf1 Bxf3 ({RR} 14... f6 15. g4 Bf7 16. Ng3 g6 17. Kh2 b4 18. Nd2 Rc8 19. c4 Nc6 20. Nf3) 15. Qxf3 Bg5 16. Ne3) 14... Bg6 15. Nf1 Nb6 ({RR} 15... Nc6 16. Ng3 Re8 17. Nf5 Nf8) ({RR} 15... h6 16. Ng3 Bg5 17. Nxg5 hxg5) 16. Ng3 Nc6 17. Nf5 Re8 18. h4 Bxf5 19. gxf5 d5 ({RR} 19... Bxh4 20. Kh1 ({RR} 20. Nxh4 Qxh4 21. Kg2 Qe7 22. Rh1)) 20. Kh1 ({RR} 20. h5 h6 21. Kh2 Bg5 22. Rg1 f6) 20... Bxh4 21. Rg1 ({RR} 21. Nxh4 Qxh4+ 22. Kg2 d4) 21... Bf6 22. Nh2 g6 23. Qf3 dxe4 ({RR} 23... d4 24. Ng4) 24. dxe4 Nd7 25. Qh3 Qe7 26. Be3 {Anand,V (2715)-Timman,J (2635) Riga 1995 CBM 047 [Dolmatov,Sergey] 1-0 (45)}) ({RR} 11... Re8 12. Nbd2 Nb8 13. Nf1 Nbd7 14. Ng3 Bg6 15. Nh4 c5 16. Nhf5 Bf8 17. h4 Nb6 18. h5 Bxf5 19. Nxf5 d5 20. Bg5 c4 21. dxc4 bxc4 22. Bc2 g6 23. hxg6 hxg6 24. Ne3 Be7 25. Bxf6 Bxf6 26. Nxd5 {Tang,A (2019)-Kolmagorov,A (2145) chess.com INT 2025 1-0 (42)}) 12. Bg5 $146 ({RR} 12. Nbd2 d4 13. Nf1 a5 14. g4 Bg6 15. a4 dxc3 16. bxc3 b4 17. Bb2 Re8 18. Bc4 bxc3 19. Bxc3 Nd4 20. Nxd4 exd4 21. Bd2 h5 22. g5 Nd7 23. f4 Bb4 24. Qg2 h4 25. Qg4 Rb8 26. Qxh4 Nb6 {Mamedov,R (2566)-Naiditsch,A (2663) Moscow 2007 1-0 (31)}) ({RR} 12. Nbd2 d4 13. g4 Bg6 14. Nf1 dxc3 15. bxc3 Rb8 16. Ng3 Nd7 17. d4 exd4 18. Bd5 Rb6 19. cxd4 Nb4 20. Bb3 a5 21. a4 bxa4 22. Bxa4 c6 23. Bf4 h6 24. Rac1 Bh4 25. d5 Bxg3 26. Bxg3 c5 {Chavez,R (2226)-Omorere,B Dresden 2008 1-0}) 12... d4 13. Bxf6 Bxf3 14. Qxf3 Bxf6 15. Bd5 Qd6 16. a4 Rab8 17. axb5 axb5 18. Ra6 Rb6 19. Rxb6 cxb6 20. Nd2 dxc3 21. bxc3 Ne7 22. c4 Qc5 23. Rb1 bxc4 24. dxc4 Nc6 25. Qb3 Rb8 26. Qa4 Bh4 27. Qxc6 Qxf2+ 28. Kh1 Qxd2 29. Rf1 Qe2 30. Rxf7 Kh8 31. Rf3 Qe1+ 32. Kh2 Bf2 33. Rxf2 Qxf2 34. Qd6 Qf4+ 35. Kh1 Qf1+ 36. Kh2 Qf4+ 37. Kh1 Rf8 38. Qxb6 Qc1+ 39. Kh2 Qf4+ 40. Kh1 Qg3 41. Kg1 h6 42. Qb2 Kh7 43. Qe2 Rb8 44. Qf1 Qe3+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "Budapest FS12 GM"]
[Site "Budapest"]
[Date "2003.12.09"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Vajda, Albert"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B52"]
[WhiteElo "2477"]
[BlackElo "2450"]
[PlyCount "80"]
[EventDate "2003.12.06"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "HUN"]
[EventCategory "8"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 097 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2004.01.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2004.01.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. Bb5+ Bd7 4. Bxd7+ Qxd7 5. O-O Nf6 6. Re1 Nc6 7. c4 g6 8. d4 cxd4 9. Nxd4 Bg7 10. Nc3 O-O 11. Nde2 ({RR} 11. h3 Rfc8 12. Nf3 Qd8 13. Bg5 h6 14. Be3 a6 15. Qd2 Kh7 16. Nd4 Qa5 17. Nc2 Ne5 18. b3 b5 19. Bd4 bxc4 20. b4 Qc7 21. Bxe5 dxe5 22. Ne3 e6 23. Qe2 Rd8 24. Rec1 Rd4 25. Nc2 Rd3 {Dubov,D (2708)-Mamedov,R (2646) chess.com INT 2022 0-1 (35)}) ({RR} 11. Nf3 Rac8 12. Qd3 Ng4 13. b3 b5 14. Bb2 bxc4 15. Qxc4 Nd4 16. Qd3 Nxf3+ 17. Qxf3 Ne5 18. Qe2 Rc6 19. Rac1 Rfc8 20. Nd5 e6 21. Rxc6 Rxc6 22. Nb4 Rc8 23. f4 a5 24. fxe5 axb4 25. Qd2 Qa7+ {Petersen,M (2259)-Gabrielian,A (2407) chess.com INT 2025 0-1 (68)}) 11... Qe6 12. Qb3 $146 ({RR} 12. Nd5 Qxe4 13. Nec3 Qxc4 14. Nxe7+ Nxe7 15. Rxe7 Qc6 16. Bf4 Rad8 17. Qb3 Rd7 18. Rxd7 Qxd7 19. Rd1 Rd8 20. Rxd6 Qe7 21. Rxd8+ Qxd8 22. Qxb7 Ne4 23. Nd5 Bxb2 24. Qxb2 Qxd5 25. g3 Qd1+ 26. Kg2 Qd8 {Thorsteinsdottir,H (1906)-Lindestrom,A (1322) Haraldsheim 2008 1-0 (49)}) ({RR} 12. Nd5 Qxe4 13. Nec3 Qxc4 14. Nxe7+ Nxe7 15. Rxe7 Rfe8 16. Rxb7 Nd5 17. Bd2 Nxc3 18. bxc3 Re2 19. Rab1 Rae8 20. Rb8 h5 21. Rxe8+ Rxe8 22. Qc2 Re2 23. Re1 Bh6 {0-1 (23) Neumann,J (2135)-Jaworski,M (2337) Karvina 2011}) 12... Na5 13. Qb4 b6 14. Nd5 Qxe4 15. Nef4 Qxc4 16. Nxe7+ Kh8 17. Qxc4 Nxc4 18. b3 Ng8 19. Rb1 Nxe7 20. Rxe7 Rfe8 21. Rxe8+ Rxe8 22. Kf1 Bc3 23. Ne2 Nd2+ 24. Bxd2 Bxd2 25. Rd1 Bb4 26. Rd4 a5 27. Rc4 Kg7 28. Rc6 d5 29. Rxb6 d4 30. a3 Bxa3 31. Nf4 Rc8 32. Ke2 Rc2+ 33. Kf3 Bb4 34. Nd3 Rc3 35. Ke4 Rxb3 36. Rb7 Kg8 37. Rb8+ Kg7 38. Rb7 Kg8 39. Rb8+ Kg7 40. Rb7 Kg8 1/2-1/2

[Event "Budapest FS12 GM"]
[Site "Budapest"]
[Date "2003.12.10"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Vajda, Szidonia"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C45"]
[WhiteElo "2450"]
[BlackElo "2360"]
[PlyCount "108"]
[EventDate "2003.12.06"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "HUN"]
[EventCategory "8"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 097 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2004.01.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2004.01.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 exd4 4. Nxd4 Qf6 5. Nxc6 Bc5 6. Qd2 dxc6 7. Nc3 Be6 8. Qf4 O-O-O 9. Bd3 Qe7 $146 ({RR} 9... Bd6 10. Qxf6 Nxf6 11. Bg5 Rhg8 12. O-O-O Be5 13. f4 Bxc3 14. bxc3 h6 15. Bxf6 gxf6 16. g3 b5 17. Kb2 Bg4 18. Rde1 Rge8 19. Rhf1 a6 20. a4 Re7 21. Ra1 Kb7 22. Ra3 Rb8 23. Rfa1 Re6 24. axb5 {Bik Mukhamedov,M (1911)-Zarodov,A (1957) Kimry 2009 0-1 (60)}) ({RR} 9... Bd4 10. Qxf6 Nxf6 11. Ne2 Bc5 12. f3 Nd7 13. Nf4 Ne5 14. Nxe6 fxe6 15. Ke2 h6 16. Be3 Bxe3 17. Kxe3 Rd6 18. Be2 Nd7 19. f4 e5 20. g3 Re8 21. Rad1 Nf6 22. f5 Rxd1 23. Rxd1 Rd8 24. g4 {Mosquera,M (2496)-Valderrama Quiceno,E (2542) Quibdo 2015 ½-½ (37)}) ({RR} 9... Bd4 10. Ne2 Qxf4 11. Nxf4 Bd7 12. O-O Nf6 13. Ne2 Bc5 14. Bg5 Rde8 15. Bxf6 gxf6 16. Ng3 h5 17. Rfe1 h4 18. Nf5 Bxf5 19. exf5 Re5 20. Kf1 Rhe8 21. Red1 Rd8 22. g4 h3 23. Bc4 Re7 24. Rxd8+ {Cordoba Perez,J (2022)-Guzman Lozano,C (1868) Medellin COL 2025 1-0 (50)}) ({RR} 9... Bd4 10. Qxf6 Nxf6 11. O-O c5 12. Re1 c4 13. Bf1 Ng4 14. Re2 Rd7 15. h3 Nf6 16. Nb5 Bb6 17. Be3 Bxe3 18. Rxe3 a6 19. Nc3 Rd2 20. Re2 Rxe2 21. Bxe2 Rd8 22. Rd1 Rxd1+ 23. Bxd1 b5 24. a3 {Cetina,K (2053)-Bezjak,G Ptuj 2002 1-0 (52)}) 10. Be3 Nf6 11. Qg5 Bxe3 12. Qxe3 Kb8 13. h3 Nd7 14. O-O-O f6 15. f4 Rhe8 16. Be2 Bf7 17. Bf3 Nb6 18. Rxd8+ Rxd8 19. Rd1 Nc4 20. Rxd8+ Qxd8 21. Qd3 Qe7 22. Qd4 Qd6 23. Ne2 a6 24. b3 Qa3+ 25. Kd1 Nd6 26. e5 fxe5 27. fxe5 Nf5 28. Qd8+ Ka7 29. Qxc7 Bd5 30. Bxd5 Ne3+ 31. Kd2 Nxd5 32. Qd6 Qa5+ 33. Kd3 Qe1 34. Qc5+ b6 35. Qg1 Nb4+ 36. Ke3 Nxc2+ 37. Kd3 Nb4+ 38. Ke3 Qh4 39. Qf1 Qg5+ 40. Ke4 Qg6+ 41. Qf5 Qxg2+ 42. Ke3 Qd5 43. Nf4 Qc5+ 44. Kf3 Kb8 45. Qg5 Qf8 46. Ke4 Nd5 47. Nxd5 cxd5+ 48. Kxd5 g6 49. Qf6 Qc5+ 50. Ke6 Qc6+ 51. Kf7 Qd7+ 52. Kg8 Qxh3 53. e6 Kc7 54. Qe5+ Kd8 1-0

[Event "Budapest FS12 GM"]
[Site "Budapest"]
[Date "2003.12.11"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Kayumov, Sergey"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B92"]
[WhiteElo "2434"]
[BlackElo "2450"]
[PlyCount "119"]
[EventDate "2003.12.06"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "HUN"]
[EventCategory "8"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 097 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2004.01.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2004.01.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Be2 e5 7. Nb3 Be7 8. O-O O-O 9. Re1 Be6 10. Bf1 Nbd7 11. Nd5 Rc8 ({RR} 11... Nxd5 12. exd5 Bf5 13. a4 Rc8 14. c3 Re8 15. a5 e4 16. Bf4 Bf8 17. Qd4 g5 18. Bd2 Bg6 19. Qe3 h6 20. f4 exf3 21. Qxf3 Ne5 22. Qf2 Qd7 23. h3 Bg7 24. Be3 g4 25. h4 h5 26. Nd2 {Ye,J (2681)-Sakaev,K (2664) Moscow 2004 ½-½}) ({RR} 11... Bxd5 12. exd5 Re8 13. c4 Bf8 14. Be3 g6 15. Nd2 Nh5 16. b4 f5 17. Nb3 Bg7 18. Rc1 Rc8 19. c5 dxc5 20. Nxc5 Nxc5 21. Bxc5 Kh8 22. d6 Qd7 23. g3 Nf6 24. Bg2 e4 25. Qb3 Rc6 26. Red1 {Fishbein,A (2387)-Alvarado Diaz,A (2477) chess.com INT 2024 1-0 (36)}) ({RR} 11... Nxd5 12. exd5 Bf5 13. a4 Rc8 14. c3 e4 15. a5 Re8 16. Ra4 Bg5 17. f4 Bf6 18. g4 b5 19. axb6 Nxb6 20. Rxa6 Bd7 21. g5 Be7 22. Be3 Rb8 23. Na5 Qc7 24. Qd4 Bd8 25. Nc6 Bxc6 26. dxc6 {Kayumov,S (2422)-Ghaem Maghami,E (2549) Esfahan 2004 ½-½}) 12. c4 Nb6 13. Nd2 Nbxd5 $146 ({RR} 13... Nfd7 14. Nxe7+ Qxe7 15. b3 Nc5 16. Nb1 f5 17. exf5 Bxf5 18. Nc3 Rcd8 19. Be3 Nbd7 20. b4 Ne6 21. Nd5 Qf7 22. Qf3 Rde8 23. Rad1 Nb8 24. b5 Nd7 25. Nc3 e4 26. Qg3 Ne5 27. Rxd6 Nd3 28. Rd1 {Geller,E (2540)-Petrosian,A (2510) Riga 1985 1-0 (37)}) ({RR} 13... Nfxd5 14. exd5 Bd7 15. b3 f5 16. Nf3 Be8 17. Qd2 h6 18. Bb2 Nd7 19. Be2 a5 20. Rad1 Bf6 21. a3 Nc5 22. b4 Ne4 23. Qe3 b6 24. Qb3 Bd7 25. Bd3 Ng5 26. Nxg5 Bxg5 27. Bc3 e4 28. Bf1 {Smagin,S (2495)-Savon,V (2445) Pinsk 1986 1-0 (72)}) 14. exd5 Bg4 15. Qb3 b5 16. cxb5 axb5 17. Nb1 Qa5 18. Bd2 b4 19. Bxb4 Qxd5 20. Nd2 Qd4 21. Bc3 Qa7 22. Ne4 Be6 23. Nxf6+ Bxf6 24. Qd1 Qb8 25. Qh5 g6 26. Qe2 Bg7 27. a4 f6 28. a5 d5 29. a6 Qa7 30. Bb4 Rfd8 31. Rec1 d4 32. Ba5 Re8 33. b4 f5 34. b5 e4 35. Qd1 d3 36. Rxc8 Rxc8 37. Rc1 Rxc1 38. Qxc1 Bd4 39. Qc6 Bxf2+ 40. Kh1 Qd7 41. Qb7 Kf7 42. b6 Ke7 43. Qxd7+ Kxd7 44. b7 Ba7 45. Bb6 d2 46. Bb5+ Ke7 47. Bxa7 d1=Q+ 48. Bg1 e3 49. b8=Q e2 50. Bxe2 Qxe2 51. Qb7+ Kd6 52. a7 Bd5 53. Qxd5+ Kxd5 54. a8=Q+ Kd6 55. Qa3+ Ke6 56. Qe3+ Qxe3 57. Bxe3 Ke5 58. Bg5 f4 59. Kg1 Kf5 60. h4 1-0

[Event "Budapest FS12 GM"]
[Site "Budapest"]
[Date "2003.12.12"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Porat, Shay"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C02"]
[WhiteElo "2450"]
[BlackElo "2360"]
[PlyCount "42"]
[EventDate "2003.12.06"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "HUN"]
[EventCategory "8"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 097 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2004.01.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2004.01.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. e5 c5 4. c3 Nc6 5. Nf3 Nge7 6. Na3 cxd4 7. cxd4 Nf5 8. Nc2 Bd7 9. Bd3 Qb6 10. O-O a5 ({RR} 10... Rc8 11. Be3 Be7 12. a3 a5 13. Rb1 O-O 14. Bd2 f6 15. Bxf5 exf5 16. Bc3 f4 17. exf6 Bxf6 18. Ne5 Bf5 19. Rc1 Kh8 20. Re1 Bxe5 21. dxe5 Bxc2 22. Rxc2 d4 23. Bd2 f3 24. e6 fxg2 25. Qg4 {Nguyen Ngoc Truong Son (2632)-Xiong,J (2636) chess.com INT 2025 1-0 (33)}) 11. Rb1 $146 ({RR} 11. a3 a4 12. Bxf5 exf5 13. Re1 h6 14. Bd2 Be6 15. Bc3 Be7 16. Re2 Qb5 17. Nfe1 f4 18. Qd3 Qxd3 19. Nxd3 g5 20. f3 Na5 21. Bxa5 Rxa5 22. Ncb4 Kd7 23. Rc1 Rc8 24. Rxc8 Kxc8 25. Rc2+ Kd7 {Obregon Rivero,J (2529)-Sanchez Enriquez,O (2324) Mexico City 2021 1-0 (44)}) ({RR} 11. Kh1 Rc8 12. Rb1 Qa7 13. Be2 Qb6 14. h4 h5 15. Bd3 a4 16. Bxf5 exf5 17. Bg5 Qa6 18. Ne3 Be6 19. Rc1 a3 20. bxa3 Bxa3 21. Rb1 O-O 22. Qb3 Rc7 23. Qb5 Qxb5 24. Rxb5 Nb4 25. Rb1 Nxa2 {Mehmed,E (2248)-Krishna,C (2453) Sofia BUL 2025 ½-½ (46)}) ({RR} 11. Be3 Be7 12. g4 Nxe3 13. fxe3 f6 14. exf6 gxf6 15. g5 O-O-O 16. gxf6 Bxf6 17. b4 a4 18. b5 Ne7 19. Qd2 Ng6 20. Nb4 Kb8 21. Nc6+ Bxc6 22. bxc6 Qxc6 23. Rab1 Qd6 24. Qa5 Rd7 25. Rb6 Qa3 {Dargali,H (1885)-Torun,S (1719) Denizli TUR 2024 ½-½ (43)}) 11... Nb4 12. Nxb4 axb4 13. Kh1 Bb5 14. a3 h5 15. Be3 Bxd3 16. Qxd3 Be7 17. Rfc1 O-O 18. axb4 Qxb4 19. Bd2 Qb6 20. g3 Rfc8 21. Rc3 Qa6 1/2-1/2

[Event "Budapest FS12 GM"]
[Site "Budapest"]
[Date "2003.12.14"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Taylor, Timothy"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B76"]
[WhiteElo "2450"]
[BlackElo "2385"]
[PlyCount "77"]
[EventDate "2003.12.06"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "HUN"]
[EventCategory "8"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 097 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2004.01.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2004.01.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 g6 6. Be3 Bg7 7. f3 O-O 8. Qd2 Nc6 9. O-O-O Bd7 10. g4 Qa5 11. Kb1 Rfc8 12. h4 Ne5 13. Be2 Nc4 14. Bxc4 Rxc4 15. h5 Rac8 16. Nb3 Qd8 17. hxg6 $146 ({RR} 17. Bd4 b5 18. Rc1 a5 19. Nd5 a4 20. Nxf6+ exf6 21. Na1 Be6 22. c3 d5 23. exd5 Qxd5 24. Qe3 Rxd4 25. Qxd4 Qxa2+ 26. Kc2 f5 27. Qb4 fxg4 28. fxg4 Bxc3 29. Qxc3 Rxc3+ 30. Kxc3 Qc4+ 31. Kd2 Qd4+ {Maciulaityte,B (1508)-Baliuniene,M (1924) Vilnius 2021 0-1 (32)}) ({RR} 17. Bd4 b5 18. Rc1 a5 19. Nd5 a4 20. Nxf6+ exf6 21. Na1 Be6 22. c3 d5 23. exd5 Qxd5 24. Qe3 Rxd4 25. Qxd4 Qxa2+ 26. Kc2 f5 27. Qb4 fxg4 28. fxg4 Bxc3 29. Qxc3 Rxc3+ 30. Kxc3 Qc4+ 31. Kd2 Qd4+ {Maciulaityte,B (1508)-Baliuniene,M (1924) Vilnius 2021 0-1 (32)}) 17... hxg6 18. e5 Nxg4 19. fxg4 Bxg4 20. Qh2 Bxe5 21. Qh7+ Kf8 22. Bd4 Rxd4 23. Rxd4 Bf5 24. Rd5 e6 25. Rxe5 dxe5 26. Qh8+ Ke7 27. Qxe5 Qd6 28. Qe3 Kf6 29. Nd2 Qe5 30. Nde4+ Bxe4 31. Nxe4+ Ke7 32. Qa3+ Kd7 33. Rd1+ Kc6 34. Qa4+ Kb6 35. Qb4+ Ka6 36. Rd3 b6 37. Nd6 Rc5 38. Ra3+ Ra5 39. Qc4+ 1-0

[Event "Budapest FS12 GM"]
[Site "Budapest"]
[Date "2003.12.15"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Grigore, George Gabriel"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B32"]
[WhiteElo "2450"]
[BlackElo "2485"]
[PlyCount "61"]
[EventDate "2003.12.06"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "HUN"]
[EventCategory "8"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 097 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2004.01.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2004.01.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 e5 5. Nb5 d6 6. N1c3 a6 7. Na3 Be6 8. Nc4 b5 9. Ne3 Nf6 10. g3 b4 11. Ncd5 Nxe4 12. Bg2 f5 13. O-O Be7 14. Nxf5 Bxf5 15. Ne3 Bg6 16. Qd5 Rc8 17. Bxe4 Bf7 18. Qd3 Nd4 19. Nd5 Rc5 $146 ({RR} 19... Bxd5 20. Bxd5 Qa5 21. Be4 Nxc2 22. Rb1 Qxa2 23. Bd2 Qc4 24. Rbc1 Qxd3 25. Bxd3 b3 26. Bxa6 Rc5 27. Bc3 O-O 28. Bd3 Bf6 29. Bxc2 bxc2 30. Rxc2 d5 31. Re2 Re8 32. Rfe1 e4 33. Bxf6 gxf6 34. Rd2 {Munoz Pantoja,M (2474)-Grigore,G (2479) Badalona 2005 ½-½ (57)}) 20. c3 bxc3 21. bxc3 Bxd5 22. cxd4 exd4 23. Bxd5 Rxd5 24. Re1 Re5 25. Bb2 Qa5 26. Rac1 O-O 27. Qxd4 Qd5 28. Rcd1 Qxd4 29. Bxd4 Rxe1+ 30. Rxe1 Bf6 31. Bxf6 1/2-1/2

[Event "Budapest FS12 GM"]
[Site "Budapest"]
[Date "2003.12.16"]
[Round "11"]
[White "Vajda, Levente"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B22"]
[WhiteElo "2537"]
[BlackElo "2450"]
[PlyCount "68"]
[EventDate "2003.12.06"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "HUN"]
[EventCategory "8"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 097 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2004.01.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2004.01.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. c3 d5 3. exd5 Qxd5 4. d4 g6 5. dxc5 Qxc5 6. Be3 Qc7 7. Na3 Nc6 8. Nf3 ({RR} 8. Nb5 Qb8 9. Nf3 Nf6 10. Nbd4 Bg7 11. Bb5 Bd7 12. Ba4 O-O 13. O-O e5 14. Nxc6 Bxc6 15. Bxc6 bxc6 16. Qe2 e4 17. Nd4 Qc7 18. Rad1 Rfe8 19. Bg5 Nd5 20. Qc4 Rac8 21. Rfe1 h6 22. Bc1 Re5 {Simacek,P (2485)-Gajewski,G (2634) Poland 2017 0-1 (60)}) ({RR} 8. Nb5 Qb8 9. Nf3 Nf6 10. Nbd4 Bg7 11. Bc4 O-O 12. O-O Na5 13. Be2 Ng4 14. Bd2 e5 15. h3 Nf6 16. Nb3 Nc6 17. Qc1 Qd6 18. Bh6 b6 19. Bxg7 Kxg7 20. Rd1 Qe7 21. Qe3 Bb7 22. Bb5 e4 {Silva,A (1933)-Movsesian,J (2276) Rhodes GRE 2024 1-0 (59)}) ({RR} 8. Nb5 Qb8 9. a4 Bg7 10. Qd2 Nf6 11. Bf4 Ne5 12. Nf3 Nh5 13. Bxe5 Bxe5 14. Nxe5 Qxe5+ 15. Qe2 Qb8 16. Qc4 Qe5+ 17. Qe2 Qb8 18. Qc4 Qe5+ 19. Be2 O-O 20. Qd4 Qxd4 21. Nxd4 e5 22. Nb5 Nf4 {Vajda,L (2454)-Nevednichy,V (2563) Bucharest 2001 ½-½ (55)}) 8... Nf6 9. Qa4 $146 ({RR} 9. Nb5 Qb8 10. Be2 Bg7 11. O-O O-O 12. h3 Rd8 13. Qa4 a6 14. Na3 Nd5 15. Bg5 h6 16. Bh4 b5 17. Qc2 Bf5 18. Qc1 Qb7 19. Nc2 Rac8 20. Rd1 b4 21. c4 Nb6 22. Rxd8+ Rxd8 23. Ne3 Be4 {Dimitrijevic,D (2069)-Natalicchio Escalante,N (2238) Gibraltar 2009 0-1 (37)}) ({RR} 9. h3 Bg7 10. Be2 O-O 11. O-O Rd8 12. Qa4 Nd5 13. Bd2 e5 14. Rad1 Qe7 15. Bg5 f6 16. Bc1 Be6 17. Qh4 Nb6 18. b3 Nd5 19. Nb1 Rac8 20. c4 Ndb4 21. Nc3 Bf5 22. Nd5 Qf7 23. g4 Be4 {Sivanandan,B (2373)-Vishnu,P (2340) Chennai 2008 0-1 (39)}) 9... Bg7 10. Nb5 Qd8 11. Nxa7 Bd7 12. Nxc6 Bxc6 13. Qd4 Qa5 14. Be2 O-O 15. O-O Nd5 16. Qd2 Rfd8 17. Bd4 Qc7 18. Bxg7 Kxg7 19. Rfe1 e5 20. Bf1 f6 21. Qc2 Nf4 22. Nd2 Qd7 23. Ne4 f5 24. Rad1 Qe7 25. Ng3 h5 26. Rxd8 Rxd8 27. Qc1 Qg5 28. Qe3 h4 29. b4 e4 30. b5 Bd5 31. c4 Bf7 32. Ne2 Nxe2+ 33. Bxe2 Qxe3 34. fxe3 Rd2 1/2-1/2

[Event "Budapest FS12 GM"]
[Site "Budapest"]
[Date "2003.12.18"]
[Round "13"]
[White "Antal, Gergely"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B33"]
[WhiteElo "2473"]
[BlackElo "2450"]
[PlyCount "90"]
[EventDate "2003.12.06"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "HUN"]
[EventCategory "8"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 097 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2004.01.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2004.01.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 e5 6. Ndb5 d6 7. Bg5 a6 8. Na3 b5 9. Bxf6 gxf6 10. Nd5 Bg7 11. Bd3 Ne7 12. Nxe7 Qxe7 13. O-O O-O 14. c4 f5 15. Qf3 Re8 16. Rfe1 b4 17. Nc2 f4 18. Nxb4 Rb8 19. Nc6 Qg5 20. Nxb8 Bg4 21. Qxg4 Qxg4 22. Nxa6 f3 23. g3 Bh6 24. Nc7 Rb8 25. Nd5 Bg5 26. b4 h5 27. a4 $146 ({RR} 27. Bf1 h4 28. h3 Qd7 29. g4 Qa4 30. b5 Bd2 31. Red1 Ba5 32. Ne7+ Kf8 33. Nc6 Ra8 34. Nxa5 Rxa5 35. Rxd6 Qa3 36. Rdd1 Ra8 37. b6 Qc5 38. Rab1 Rb8 39. Rb5 Qd4 40. Rdb1 Qxe4 41. c5 f5 {Montanes Arribas,A (2147)-Ramirez Garcia,J (2255) Madrid 2011 1-0 (49)}) 27... h4 28. Ra3 Kg7 29. Ne3 Bxe3 30. Rxe3 hxg3 31. fxg3 f5 32. Bf1 fxe4 33. b5 f2+ 34. Kxf2 Qd1 35. Kg2 Rf8 36. Be2 Qe1 37. Rxe4 Rf2+ 38. Kh3 Qh1 39. Rg4+ Kf6 40. Rf3+ Rxf3 41. Bxf3 Qxf3 42. Kh4 Qf5 43. Kh3 e4 44. b6 e3 45. b7 Qh7+ 0-1

[Event "Corus-C"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2004.01.10"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Lagno, Kateryna"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B09"]
[WhiteElo "2484"]
[BlackElo "2493"]
[PlyCount "150"]
[EventDate "2004.01.10"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "9"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 099"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2004.03.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2004.03.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 d6 2. d4 Nf6 3. Nc3 g6 4. f4 Bg7 5. Nf3 O-O 6. Be3 b6 7. Qe2 Ba6 8. Qd2 Bb7 9. e5 Ng4 10. O-O-O dxe5 11. Nxe5 Nxe5 12. dxe5 Qxd2+ 13. Rxd2 Nc6 $146 ({RR} 13... Rc8 14. Nd5 Nc6 15. Bb5 Kf8 16. Rhd1 a6 17. Be2 e6 18. Nf6 Bxf6 19. exf6 Nb4 20. a3 Nd5 21. Bf3 Rab8 22. Bd4 b5 23. b3 Ke8 24. Be5 Ne3 25. Re1 Bxf3 26. Rxe3 Bb7 27. Rc3 h5 28. Rxc7 {Estremera Panos,S (2341)-Di Caro,C (2322) Cesenatico 2004 ½-½ (48)}) ({RR} 13... g5 14. Nd5 Bxd5 15. Rxd5 e6 16. Rd3 gxf4 17. Bxf4 Nc6 18. Rg3 Kh8 19. Rc3 Ne7 20. Bg5 Nd5 21. Rh3 Bxe5 22. Bd3 f5 23. Rf1 Rg8 24. Bd2 Rxg2 25. c4 Nf6 26. Re1 Bxb2+ 27. Kxb2 Rxd2+ 28. Kc3 {Sop,S (2028)-Tan,Z (2471) Astana 2013 0-1 (60)}) 14. Be2 Bh6 15. Nd5 Rac8 16. Bf3 Ba8 17. Rhd1 Kh8 18. Kb1 e6 19. Nc3 Kg8 20. Re1 Rfd8 21. Rxd8+ Rxd8 22. Rd1 Rxd1+ 23. Nxd1 Bb7 24. Nc3 a6 25. b4 Nd8 26. Bxb7 Nxb7 27. Ne4 Bg7 28. c4 Kf8 29. Kc2 Ke7 30. g4 h6 31. Kd3 Kd7 32. h4 Nd8 33. b5 axb5 34. cxb5 Nb7 35. h5 gxh5 36. gxh5 Ke7 37. Bf2 f5 38. exf6+ Bxf6 39. a4 Kf7 40. Be3 Bg7 41. Bf2 Bf6 42. Be1 Bg7 43. Bb4 Bb2 44. Ke3 Bg7 45. Kf3 Bd4 46. Kg4 Bg7 47. Bd2 Ke7 48. Be1 Kf7 49. Bd2 Ke7 50. f5 Nd8 51. f6+ Bxf6 52. Nxf6 Kxf6 53. Bxh6 Nf7 54. Bf4 e5 55. Be3 Nd6 56. Bg5+ Ke6 57. Bd8 Kd7 58. Bf6 Ke6 59. Bh8 Nf5 60. Kg5 e4 61. Kf4 e3 62. Kf3 Kd5 63. Bf6 e2 64. Kxe2 Ng3+ 65. Kd3 Nxh5 66. Bd8 Nf4+ 67. Kc3 Ne6 68. Bxc7 Nxc7 69. Kb4 Kd4 70. a5 Nd5+ 71. Kb3 bxa5 72. Ka4 Kc5 73. Kxa5 Nb6 74. Ka6 Nd7 75. b6 Nxb6 1/2-1/2

[Event "Corus-C"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2004.01.11"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Peng, Zhaoqin"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C02"]
[WhiteElo "2484"]
[BlackElo "2419"]
[PlyCount "87"]
[EventDate "2004.01.10"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "9"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 099"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2004.03.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2004.03.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. e5 c5 4. c3 Qb6 5. Nf3 Bd7 6. a3 c4 7. g3 Nc6 8. h4 h6 9. Bh3 Nge7 10. Nbd2 Na5 11. O-O Qc7 $146 ({RR} 11... O-O-O 12. Re1 Nec6 13. Nh2 Re8 14. Qf3 Nd8 15. Ng4 Kb8 16. Ne3 Ba4 17. Bg4 Be7 18. Bh5 g6 19. Bg4 h5 20. Bh3 g5 21. hxg5 Reg8 22. Kg2 Bxg5 23. Ndf1 Nb3 24. Rb1 Rh6 25. Nxd5 exd5 26. Qf5 {Chlost,M (2131)-Owczarzak,J (2343) Polanica Zdroj 2008 0-1 (37)}) ({RR} 11... O-O-O 12. Nh2 g5 13. h5 Nf5 14. Ng4 Be7 15. Ne3 Nxe3 16. fxe3 Rhf8 17. e4 f5 18. exf6 Bxf6 19. exd5 exd5 20. Bxd7+ Rxd7 21. Rb1 Rdf7 22. Kg2 Qe6 23. Re1 Qf5 24. Rf1 Qh7 25. Qg4+ Kb8 26. Rf5 {Diaz Gonzalez,A (1247)-Ortiz Monsalve,S (1636) Medellin 2022 0-1 (33)}) 12. h5 O-O-O 13. Nh4 g5 14. Ng2 Bg7 15. f4 f5 16. g4 Rhg8 17. Nf3 Nb3 18. Rb1 Nxc1 19. Qxc1 Rdf8 20. fxg5 hxg5 21. Qxg5 Qd8 22. Qh4 fxg4 23. Bxg4 Nf5 24. Qxd8+ Kxd8 25. Nfh4 Nxh4 26. Nxh4 Rxf1+ 27. Rxf1 Bxe5 28. Ng6 Bg7 29. Rf7 Bh6 30. Kh2 Bc1 31. Ne5 Bc8 32. Rf2 Ke7 33. Kh3 Ke8 34. Ng6 Bd7 35. Rc2 Bg5 36. Re2 Bc1 37. Bxe6 Bxe6+ 38. Rxe6+ Kd7 39. Re2 Re8 40. Ne5+ Kc7 41. Rc2 Be3 42. Rg2 Re6 43. Rg7+ Kc8 44. Rg6 1-0

[Event "Corus-C"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2004.01.13"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Pavlovic, Milos"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B31"]
[WhiteElo "2548"]
[BlackElo "2484"]
[PlyCount "66"]
[EventDate "2004.01.10"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "9"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 099"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2004.03.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2004.03.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 g6 4. O-O Bg7 5. Re1 Nf6 6. Nc3 O-O 7. e5 Ng4 8. Bxc6 dxc6 9. h3 Nh6 10. Ne4 b6 11. d3 ({RR} 11. Ng3 Nf5 12. Nxf5 Bxf5 13. b3 Qc7 14. d3 Rad8 15. Bf4 h6 16. Qc1 g5 17. Bg3 Qc8 18. a4 Bg6 19. Nd2 f5 20. f4 gxf4 21. Bxf4 Kh7 22. Qd1 Rg8 23. Qf3 Bf7 24. Qf2 Bf8 25. Re3 Bd5 {Fawzy,A (2522)-Aakash Sharadchandra,D (2180) Bhubaneswar IND 2024 1-0 (36)}) 11... f6 12. Bxh6 $146 ({RR} 12. a4 a5 13. Bd2 Nf5 14. Be3 Nd4 15. Bxd4 cxd4 16. exf6 exf6 17. Qd2 Ra7 18. Re2 Re7 19. Rae1 Rfe8 20. Ng3 c5 21. Rxe7 Rxe7 22. Rxe7 Qxe7 23. Qf4 h6 24. Qb8 Qb7 25. Qd6 Bxh3 26. Ne4 Bf5 {Pcola,J (2073)-Lasanda,M (2085) Slovakia 2019 1-0 (44)}) ({RR} 12. Bf4 Ba6 13. Qd2 Nf5 14. Qc3 Qd5 15. exf6 exf6 16. g4 Nd4 17. Nxd4 cxd4 18. Qa3 Bc8 19. Qd6 f5 20. Ng5 fxg4 21. Qxd5+ cxd5 22. Bd6 Rd8 23. Bc7 Rf8 24. hxg4 Bxg4 25. Ne6 Bxe6 26. Rxe6 Rfe8 {Przybyla,K (2072)-Pekacki,S (2124) Warsaw 2006 0-1 (46)}) 12... Bxh6 13. Qe2 f5 14. Neg5 Bxg5 15. Nxg5 h6 16. Nf3 Be6 17. Rad1 Kh7 18. c4 b5 19. cxb5 cxb5 20. d4 c4 21. d5 Bxd5 22. e6 Qd6 23. Qd2 Rad8 24. Qa5 Qb6 25. Qb4 Rfe8 26. Ne5 a5 27. Qa3 b4 28. Qg3 Qxe6 29. Nxc4 Bxc4 30. Rxe6 Rxd1+ 31. Kh2 Bxe6 32. Qc7 Rd5 33. Qc6 Bf7 0-1

[Event "Corus-C"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2004.01.14"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Popov, Valerij"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B97"]
[WhiteElo "2484"]
[BlackElo "2580"]
[Annotator "Gofshtein,Leonid D"]
[PlyCount "51"]
[EventDate "2004.01.10"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "9"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 099"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2004.03.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2004.03.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 {[%mdl 4]} c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Bg5 e6 7. f4 Qb6 8. Qd2 Qxb2 9. Rb1 Qa3 10. f5 Nc6 11. fxe6 fxe6 12. Nxc6 bxc6 13. e5 Nd5 {13...de is more popular} (13... dxe5 $5) 14. Nxd5 cxd5 15. Bd3 $5 {A relatively rare continuation. Usually white plays 15.Be2 or 15.c4. The idea of Bd3 is to force e5-e4 which easies later the break of the black pawn chain in the center.} (15. c4 $5 dxc4 16. Bxc4 Qc5 (16... d5 17. Bxd5 $2 exd5 18. Qxd5 Bb4+ $19) 17. Be2 d5 (17... Qxe5 $2 18. O-O $16 {1-0 Vogt,L-Espig,L/Colditz 1967/EXT 99/[Bulletin] (29)}) (17... Bd7) 18. Be3 Qc7 19. Rc1 Qxe5 20. Bd4 $36 {1-0 Van de Velden,E-Baak,K/Soest 1995/EXT 98 (37)}) (15. Be2 dxe5 16. O-O Bc5+ (16... Ra7 17. c4 Qc5+ 18. Kh1 d4 $13 {½-½ Grechihin,V-Popov,V/Cherepovets 1997/EXT 99 (38)}) 17. Kh1 Rf8 18. c4 Rxf1+ 19. Rxf1 $44 {0-1 Fischer,R-Geller,E/Monte Carlo 1967/MCD (25)}) ({RR} 15. Be2 dxe5 16. O-O Ra7 17. c4 Qc5+ 18. Kh1 d4 19. Bh5+ g6 20. Bd1 Be7 21. Ba4+ Kd8 22. Rf7 h6 23. Bxh6 e4 24. h3 e5 25. Bg5 e3 26. Bxe3 Rh5 27. Rg7 Rb7 28. Re1 Qb4 29. Qd1 Qd6 {Timman,J (2600)-Sunye Neto,J (2415) Wijk aan Zee 1980 ½-½ (69)}) ({RR} 15. Be2 dxe5 16. O-O Bc5+ 17. Kh1 Rf8 18. c4 Rxf1+ 19. Rxf1 Bd4 20. Qc2 g6 21. cxd5 Qc3 22. Qe4 Bb7 23. Qg4 Bxd5 24. Qh4 Qc2 25. Qxh7 Bxg2+ 26. Kxg2 Qxe2+ 27. Kg3 Ra7 28. Qg8+ Kd7 29. Qd8+ Kc6 {Schuermans,R (2113)-Khabichev,V (2104) Brasschaat BEL 2025 1-0 (39)}) ({RR} 15. Be2 dxe5 16. O-O Ra7 17. c4 Qc5+ 18. Kh1 d4 19. Bh5+ g6 20. Bd1 Be7 21. Ba4+ Kd8 22. Bxe7+ Rxe7 23. Qg5 Kc7 24. Rfe1 Rf8 25. Rxe5 Qb4 26. Rc5+ Kd8 27. Rd1 Qxa4 28. Rxc8+ Kxc8 29. Qc5+ Kb8 {Grechihin,V (2490)-Popov,V (2430) Cherepovets 1997 ½-½ (38)}) 15... dxe5 $146 {[%mdl 8] A novelty. 15...Qc5 was played before as the game given below shows} (15... Qc5 16. Be3 Qc7 17. O-O dxe5 18. Qf2 Bd6 19. Qh4 e4 20. Be2 Be5 21. Bb6 Qd6 22. c4 $44 {1-0 Bezgodov,A-Savon,V/Alushta 1993/TD (36)}) 16. O-O Be7 {Black tries to exchange pieces and to neutralize white's pressure.} 17. Kh1 $146 {A typical prophylaxic move for this kind of position. White gets his king off possible checks} ({RR} 17. Bxe7 Qxe7 18. Qa5 e4 19. Bb5+ Bd7 20. Bxa6 Rf8 21. Qb6 Rf6 22. Bb7 Rxa2 23. Bc6 Rxc2 24. Qb8+ Qd8 25. Bxd7+ Kxd7 26. Qb3 Qc7 27. Qa4+ Ke7 28. Qa8 Rxf1+ 29. Rxf1 Qb6+ 30. Kh1 Rf2 31. Ra1 Kf7 {Matlega,B (2282)-Klimaszewski,D (2000) Wisla 2000 0-1 (33)}) ({RR} 17. Bxe7 Qxe7 18. c4 e4 19. Be2 Bb7 20. cxd5 exd5 21. Qd4 Bc6 22. Bh5+ Kd7 23. Rf7 Qxf7 24. Bxf7 {1-0 (24) Apaydin,F (2103)-Keler,F (2176) Kusadasi 2004}) 17... e4 18. Be2 Rf8 {Black continues with his plan - to exchange as many pieces as possible} (18... Bxg5 19. Qxg5 Qe7 20. Qh5+ g6 21. Qe5 $36) 19. c4 $1 $36 {White breaks black's center in the proper time. Black can't keep his pawn chain} dxc4 (19... Rxf1+ 20. Rxf1 Qb4 21. Qf4 Bxg5 22. Qxg5 Qb2 23. Bd1 $36) 20. Rxf8+ Kxf8 (20... Bxf8 21. Bh5+ g6 22. Qd8+ Kf7 23. Rf1+ Kg8 24. Qc7 $18) 21. Qf4+ Ke8 (21... Kg8 22. Qxe4 Ra7 23. Rb8 $18) 22. Rf1 {Black's position is already defenceless because of the position of his king} (22. Qxe4 $1) 22... Ra7 (22... Bxg5 23. Qf7+ Kd8 24. Rd1+ $18) 23. Qf7+ Kd7 24. Rd1+ Kc6 25. Qe8+ $18 Kb6 (25... Bd7 26. Qxe7 $18) 26. Qxc8 1-0

[Event "Corus-C"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2004.01.19"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Werle, Jan"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B41"]
[WhiteElo "2484"]
[BlackElo "2407"]
[PlyCount "73"]
[EventDate "2004.01.10"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "9"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 099"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2004.03.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2004.03.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 a6 5. c4 Nf6 6. Nc3 d6 7. g3 Qc7 8. Be3 b6 9. Bg2 Bb7 10. O-O Nbd7 11. Rc1 Be7 12. Nd5 exd5 13. cxd5 Qb8 $146 ({RR} 13... Nc5 14. b4 O-O 15. bxc5 bxc5 16. e5 dxe5 17. Nf5 Rfd8 18. d6 Rxd6 19. Rxc5 Qd7 20. Nxd6 Bxg2 21. Kxg2 Bxd6 22. Ra5 Qc7 23. Qf3 e4 24. Qf5 h5 25. Rc1 Qb7 26. Rd1 Be7 27. h3 Re8 28. Ra4 {Baghdasaryan,V (2469)-Kalashian,D (2389) Yerevan 2017 1-0 (55)}) 14. Nc6 Bxc6 15. dxc6 Ra7 16. cxd7+ Nxd7 17. Bh3 O-O 18. Bxd7 Rxd7 19. Qd5 b5 20. Rc6 Qa8 21. Rfc1 Rfd8 22. Bb6 Re8 23. Qf5 Rb7 24. Bd4 Bf8 25. Rc8 Rb8 26. R8c7 Re7 27. Rxe7 Bxe7 28. Rc7 Re8 29. Qd7 Qd8 30. Qc6 Bf8 31. Ra7 Qc8 32. Qd5 Qe6 33. Qxe6 Rxe6 34. f3 d5 35. Ra8 Rc6 36. exd5 Rc7 37. Bc3 1-0

[Event "Corus-C"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2004.01.20"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Pavasovic, Dusko"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C45"]
[WhiteElo "2615"]
[BlackElo "2484"]
[Annotator "Postny,Evgeny"]
[PlyCount "117"]
[EventDate "2004.01.10"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "9"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 099"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2004.03.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2004.03.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 exd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nxc6 bxc6 6. e5 Qe7 7. Qe2 Nd5 8. c4 Nb6 9. Nc3 Qe6 ({Another popular continuation is} 9... a5) 10. Qe4 d5 {This continuation forces the exchange of queens and leads to slightly worse, but playable position for black.} ({The main alternatives are:} 10... Ba6) ({and} 10... Bb4) 11. exd6 cxd6 12. Bd3 (12. Be3 {- see the annotated game Rublevsky,S-Lautier,J/Halkidiki 2002/CBM 92 [Postny,E] (36)}) (12. Bf4 {- was checked in the game Oral,T-Sokolov,I/Selfoss 2002/CBM 92 [Postny,E] (41)}) 12... Qxe4+ (12... Ba6 13. Be3 Qxe4 14. Bxe4 Rc8 15. c5 $1 $36 {1-0 Sutovsky,E-Van den Doel,E/Plovdiv 2003/CBM 98 [Postny,E] (51)}) 13. Bxe4 Bb7 (13... Bd7 14. b3 O-O-O 15. O-O Be7 16. Be3 Rhe8 17. Rac1 Kc7 18. Rfd1 Bf6 19. Bf3 Bf5 20. a4 $14 {½-½ Rublevsky,S-Kunte,A/Bled 2002/EXT 2003 (64)}) 14. b3 g6 $146 {In the preceding games black played 14...d5, but did not manage to equalize.} (14... d5 15. cxd5 cxd5 16. Bf3 $14 {- see the annotated games Movsesian,S-Kharlov,A/Halkidiki 2002/CBM 92 [Postny,E] and Rublevsky,S-Sokolov,I/Halkidiki 2002/CBM 92 [Postny,E]}) 15. Bb2 Bg7 16. O-O-O O-O-O 17. Bf3 {White has small, but stable pressure thanks to superior pawn structure.} c5 $146 {Quite a committing decision.} ({Comes to consideration} 17... f5 $14 {covering the e4 square.}) ({RR} 17... Rhe8 18. Ne4 Bxb2+ 19. Kxb2 Kc7 20. Nf6 Re5 21. Nxh7 Nd7 22. h4 f6 23. h5 gxh5 24. Rxh5 Rxh5 25. Bxh5 Rh8 26. Bg6 Rg8 27. Be4 d5 28. cxd5 cxd5 29. g3 Re8 30. Bd3 Re7 31. Kc3 Kd6 32. Bf5 {Obregon,C (2500)-Dos Santos,R (2432) Buenos Aires 2014 1-0 (57)}) 18. Nb5 $6 {[%csl Ra7,Rd6] An attractive move, but not the best one.} ({Stronger was} 18. Bxb7+ Kxb7 19. Rhe1 Be5 20. Kc2 {keeping stable plus in the endgame.}) 18... Bxb2+ 19. Kxb2 Bxf3 20. gxf3 d5 21. cxd5 Nxd5 22. Rd2 (22. Nxa7+ Kb7 23. Nb5 Kc6 24. Na3 Nb4 25. Nc4 f6 {followed by 26...Nd3 with good chances for a draw.}) 22... a6 23. Rhd1 axb5 $1 {[%mdl 4096] Quite a mature decision from young prodigy. Black goes for rooks endgame with a pawn down, but with clear drawish tendencies.} ({Possible alternative was} 23... Nf4 24. Nd6+ Kc7 25. Nxf7 Rxd2+ 26. Rxd2 Rf8 27. Ng5 $14) 24. Rxd5 Rxd5 25. Rxd5 Kc7 26. Rxc5+ Kb6 27. Re5 (27. b4 Rd8 $11) 27... b4 $1 28. Re7 Rd8 29. Kc2 (29. a4 Rd2+ 30. Kc1 Rxf2 31. Rxf7 Rxh2 $11) 29... Ra8 30. Kb1 Rd8 {White can not prevent the invasion of black's rook.} 31. Rxf7 Rd1+ 32. Kc2 Ra1 33. Kd3 (33. Kb2 Rf1 34. Rxh7 Rxf2+ 35. Kb1 Rxf3 $11) 33... Rxa2 34. Kc4 Rxf2 {Every exchange of pawns keeps black closer to a draw.} 35. h4 Ka5 36. Ra7+ Kb6 37. Rxh7 Rxf3 38. Kxb4 Rf4+ 39. Ka3 Kb5 {Despite an extra pawn, the endgame is drawish. Black just need to exchange kingside pawns.} 40. Rh8 Rg4 41. Rb8+ Ka5 42. Ra8+ Kb5 43. Ra4 Rg3 44. Re4 Rg2 $2 {This blunder may be the result of lack of concentration.} (44... Rh3 $2 45. Rg4) (44... Kc6 $1 45. Kb4 g5 {was leading to clear draw.}) 45. Re5+ Kb6 46. Rg5 $18 {Black can not afford the exchange of rooks and loses his last pawn.} Rh2 47. Rxg6+ Kb5 48. Rg5+ Kb6 49. Rh5 Rg2 50. Ka4 Rf2 51. Rh6+ Kb7 52. b4 {White's win now is just a matter of time.} Rf5 53. h5 Re5 54. b5 Re1 55. Rf6 Ra1+ 56. Kb4 Rb1+ 57. Kc5 Rc1+ 58. Kd6 Kb6 59. Rf5 1-0

[Event "Corus-C"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2004.01.22"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Etmans, Maarten D"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B30"]
[WhiteElo "2484"]
[BlackElo "2225"]
[PlyCount "49"]
[EventDate "2004.01.10"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "9"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 099"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2004.03.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2004.03.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 Nd4 4. Bc4 e6 5. O-O d6 6. Nxd4 cxd4 7. Ne2 Nf6 8. d3 Qb6 $146 ({RR} 8... e5 9. c3 d5 10. exd5 Nxd5 11. cxd4 exd4 12. Nxd4 Bc5 13. Re1+ Ne7 14. Qh5 Qxd4 15. Qxf7+ Kd8 16. Bg5 Qxf2+ 17. Qxf2 Bxf2+ 18. Kxf2 Rf8+ 19. Kg1 Re8 20. Rxe7 Rxe7 21. Re1 b5 22. Rxe7 bxc4 23. Rxa7+ {Smith,W-Vaughn,G Detroit 1991 1-0 (38)}) 9. c3 dxc3 10. Nxc3 Bd7 11. Be3 Qa5 12. d4 d5 13. exd5 exd5 14. Bb3 h6 15. Re1 O-O-O 16. Bf4 Bc6 17. Qf3 Bd6 18. Bxd6 Rxd6 19. Qg3 Qc7 20. Rac1 Re6 21. Qxg7 Rg8 22. Qxh6 Ng4 23. Qh7 Rge8 24. Rxe6 Rxe6 25. Qg8+ 1-0

[Event "Corus-C"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2004.01.23"]
[Round "11"]
[White "Barendse, Ted"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B79"]
[WhiteElo "2206"]
[BlackElo "2484"]
[Annotator "Rogozenco,Dorian"]
[PlyCount "58"]
[EventDate "2004.01.10"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "9"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 099"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2004.03.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2004.03.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 g6 6. Be3 Bg7 7. f3 O-O 8. Qd2 Nc6 9. Bc4 Bd7 10. O-O-O Qa5 11. Bb3 Rfc8 12. g4 (12. h4 $142) 12... Ne5 13. Kb1 b5 {A standard reaction after g2-g4, which weakens pawn f3.} (13... Nc4 14. Bxc4 Rxc4 15. Nb3 Qd8 {is a reasonable alternative.}) 14. Nd5 $2 {White must have mixed up something. Unfortunately the precise knowledge of theory is required in chess, especially when playing such lines of Dragon. On the other hand I must admit that the multitude of variations in these lines require from White a very good memory. General hints might help for that. For instance here the type of arising endgame after Nc3-d5 (in this particular line of Dragon with Qa5 and Rfc8) rarely favours White.} (14. h4 Nc4 15. Bxc4 bxc4 $132) (14. g5 $142 b4 $1 (14... Nh5 15. Nd5 $14 {[%csl Rh5]}) (14... Ne8 $6 15. h4 $14 {/}) 15. Nce2 Nh5 16. Ng3 $13) 14... Qxd2 $15 15. Rxd2 (15. Bxd2 Nxd5 16. exd5 $2 (16. Bxd5 Rab8 $15) 16... Nxg4 17. fxg4 Bxd4 18. h3 Be5 $19 {0-1 Rylander,R-Rosell,T/Haninge 1997 (58)}) 15... Nxd5 16. exd5 (16. Bxd5 Rab8 $15 17. h4 $2 e6 18. Bb3 a5 19. a3 a4 20. Ba2 b4 {and White was in deep troubles in Leygue,D-Rausis,I/Creon 1999}) ({RR} 16. Bxd5 Nc4 17. Bxc4 Rxc4 18. h4 a5 19. h5 b4 20. hxg6 hxg6 21. g5 a4 22. Ne2 a3 23. b3 Rc7 24. Bd4 Rac8 25. Bxg7 Kxg7 26. Nf4 e6 27. Rdh2 Kf8 28. Rh8+ Ke7 29. Nxg6+ fxg6 30. R1h7# {1-0 (30) Sahib,S (2397)-Molina Carretero,D (2189) chess.com INT 2023}) 16... a5 {One single mistake in a theoretical postion might be enough to lose the game in Dragon. Here the disappearance of queens from the board won't save White - he is not able to stop Black's attack anyway.} 17. a3 Rab8 $19 18. c3 $146 (18. Bg5 a4 (18... b4 $2 19. a4) 19. Ba2 b4 {is also hopeless:} 20. Bxe7 (20. axb4 Rxb4 21. Ka1 Nxf3 22. Nxf3 Bxb2+ 23. Kb1 Bxg4 $19) 20... bxa3 21. b3 axb3 $19) ({RR} 18. Re2 a4 19. Ba2 b4 20. axb4 Rxb4 21. Rd1 a3 22. b3 Nxg4 23. fxg4 Bxg4 24. Red2 Bxd1 25. Rxd1 Bxd4 26. Rxd4 Rxd4 27. Bxd4 h5 28. c4 g5 29. Be3 g4 30. Ka1 Rb8 31. Bg5 f6 32. Bh4 Kf7 {Braspenning,R-Boeykens,M (2255) Brasschaat 1991 0-1 (40)}) ({RR} 18. g5 a4 19. Ba2 b4 20. axb4 Rxb4 21. Rf1 Bh3 22. Rff2 Nc4 23. Bxc4 Rcxc4 24. c3 Rxc3 25. Nc6 Rb7 26. Bd4 Bf5+ 27. Ka2 Rc1 28. Rfe2 Bb1+ 29. Ka3 Bc2 30. b4 axb3 31. Rxe7 Bxd4 32. Rxd4 Rb5 {Cabralis,Q (2024)-Harper,R (2236) Port of Spain 2009 0-1 (38)}) 18... b4 19. axb4 (19. cxb4 axb4 20. a4 Ra8 $19) 19... axb4 20. cxb4 (20. c4 Nxc4 21. Bxc4 Rxc4 22. Rc1 {would have been a lesser evil.}) 20... Rxb4 21. Rf1 Bb5 {Black attacks with all pieces. It's a complete disaster for White. The rest does not need any comments, Black can win in many ways.} 22. Rff2 Nd3 23. Nxb5 Rxb3 24. Nd4 Bxd4 25. Bxd4 Nxf2 26. Rxf2 Rd3 27. Bc3 Rcxc3 28. bxc3 Rxc3 29. Re2 Kf8 0-1

[Event "Corus-C"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2004.01.24"]
[Round "12"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Ernst, Sipke"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B19"]
[WhiteElo "2484"]
[BlackElo "2474"]
[Annotator "Lukacs,Peter"]
[PlyCount "57"]
[EventDate "2004.01.10"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "9"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 099"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2004.03.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2004.03.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 {McShane} c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Bf5 5. Ng3 Bg6 6. h4 h6 7. Nf3 Nd7 8. h5 Bh7 9. Bd3 Bxd3 10. Qxd3 e6 11. Bf4 Ngf6 12. O-O-O Be7 13. Ne4 Qa5 14. Kb1 O-O 15. Nxf6+ Nxf6 16. Ne5 Rad8 17. Qe2 (17. Qb3 Qb6 18. Qxb6 axb6 {This  is again slightly better for White, but against a good technique this cannot be converted into a win.} 19. c4 b5 $5 {clearing the way for × d5.} 20. cxb5 cxb5 21. g4 Nd5 22. Bc1 Rd6 (22... Rc8 23. f4) 23. f4 Ra8 24. g5 {White still has some activity on the  even without queens.} Rda6 $1 (24... f6 {is a bit passive.} 25. Ng6 Rda6 26. gxh6 gxh6 27. f5 exf5 28. Bxh6 Rxa2 29. Nxe7+ Nxe7 30. Kc2 $14 {Ledger-Gyimesi, Catalan Bay 2003}) 25. gxh6 (25. a3 b4 26. gxh6 gxh6) 25... Rxa2 26. Rdg1 Nb4 27. Rxg7+ Kf8 28. Rxf7+ Ke8 29. Rxe7+ Kxe7 30. b3 Ra1+ 31. Kb2 Nd5 $11) (17. Qg3 {is the theoretical main line these days.} Kh8 18. c4 (18. Rd3 Nd5 (18... c5 $5 19. dxc5 (19. Qf3 Rxd4 (19... cxd4 20. Qxb7 Qc5) 20. Rxd4 cxd4 21. Qxb7 Nd5 22. Bg3 Qa4 23. Qb3 Qa6 {Black has to keep the  for the  on the .} 24. Qd3 Qa4 $13 {Adams-Bareev, Canditas Tournament Gp 2002}) 19... Qxc5 (19... Bxc5 20. Bxh6 $5 gxh6 21. Qf4 Ng8 22. Rxd8 Qxd8 23. Nxf7+ Rxf7 24. Qxf7 $14) 20. Rxd8 Bxd8 21. Be3 Qa5 $13) (18... Qb6 19. Be3 {provoking} Nd5 {after which the  can be hit by c4.} 20. Rb3 Qa6 21. Bc1 Bf6 22. f4 Ne7 23. Qf2 Nf5 24. c3 Bxe5 25. fxe5 Qd3+ 26. Qc2 Qxc2+ 27. Kxc2 Rd7 28. g4 $14 {Z.Almasi-Bareev, BIH-chT Jahorina 2003}) 19. Bd2 Qb6 (19... Qa4 $5) 20. c4 Nf6 21. Be3 Qa6 $1 (21... Qa5 $2 {This slight inaccuracy is enough for getting into trouble.} 22. Rb3 $1 Qa6 23. Qf3 $1 $16 { g4 Apicella-Bauer, Aix les Bains 2003 CBM 97}) 22. Qf3 Kg8 23. g4 Nd7 $1) (18. Qf3 Qd5 19. Qxd5 cxd5 {is a clearly favourable exchange for Black.} 20. f3 Nd7 21. g4 Nxe5 22. Bxe5 Rc8 23. Bf4 Rc6 24. Rhg1 Kh7 25. Rg2 g5 26. Bc1 Bd6 27. Re1 Bb8 28. Rge2 Kg7 $11 {Cao Sang-Ruck, Balatonlelle 2002}) (18. Qb3 Qb6 19. c3 Kg8 20. g4 c5 21. Qxb6 axb6 {The doubled pawns are not really weak.} 22. dxc5 Bxc5 23. f3 Nd5 24. Bc1 b5 $11 {strengthening the position of the blockading  on d5, Dominguez-Dreev, North Sea Cup 2003.}) 18... c5 (18... Nd7 19. Rd3 Bf6 (19... Qa6 {- Akopian-Bareev, Enghien les Bains 2003 CBM 96}) 20. Rhd1 Nxe5 21. Bxe5 Bxe5 22. Qxe5 Qb4 23. Qc5 Qa4 24. b3 Qa6 25. g4 b5 $13 {Karjakin-Van Delft, Open Vienna 2003}) 19. Qf3 (19. Be3 cxd4 20. Bxd4 Kg8 21. Qe3 Rd6 22. Bc3 Qc7 23. g4 Rxd1+ 24. Rxd1 Rd8 25. Rxd8+ {In this  White has a microscopical advantage, which cannot be enough against an expert like Dreev.} Qxd8 26. Qd4 (26. Kc2 a6 27. f3 Qc7 28. Qd4 Bc5 29. Qd3 Bd6 $11 {Wedberg-Dreev, SWE-chT 2002/03}) 26... a6 $11 {De Firmian-Dreev, SWE-chT 2002/03}) 19... cxd4 20. Qxb7 Bd6 21. Rhe1 Rb8 {concentrating on the  on the  looks more to the point.} (21... Nxh5 $6 {Black takes the , but loses the .} 22. Bd2 Qc7 23. Qxc7 Bxc7 24. Nc6 Rd7 25. Bb4 (25. Nxa7 $5) 25... Re8 26. Bc5 $1 (26. Rxd4 Rxd4 27. Nxd4 Nf4 $132 {Landa-Schneider Zinner, Vienna 2003}) 26... d3 27. Nxa7 Nf4 28. g3 d2 (28... Ne2 29. Nb5) 29. Rh1 Nd3 30. Be3 $16) 22. Qf3 Rb6 $1 (22... Nxh5 $4 23. Bd2 $1 $18 {Shirov-Kacheishvili, Rethymnon 2003 CBM 98} (23. Bxh6 $4 gxh6 24. Qxh5 Rxb2+ $19)) (22... Kg8 23. Re2 Rb6 24. Rxd4 Rfb8 25. g4 Qa4 26. Rd3 Rc8 27. b3 Qb4 28. Bd2 Qa3 29. Bc1 Qb4 30. Bb2 a5 31. g5 hxg5 32. h6 $40 {Van Delft-Schuurman, Wijk aan Zee 2003}) 23. g4 Ra6 24. a3 Rb6 25. Ka2 Qa4 $132) 17... c5 $2 { falling into the well-known motif!} (17... Qb6 {- Thipsay-Prakash, IND-ch Mumbai 2003 CBM 94}) (17... Nd5 18. Bc1 c5 19. c4 Nf6 20. dxc5 {½-½ Guerra Bastida-Magem Badals, Mondariz 2002}) 18. Ng6 $1 {[%mdl 64] This devastating  is a simple copy of a previous analyse.} fxg6 $2 {Accepting the sacrifice loses by force.} (18... Rfe8 {was the humble, but best choice.} 19. Nxe7+ Rxe7 20. dxc5 Red7 21. Rxd7 Rxd7 (21... Nxd7 $1 {McShane: Black should be able to recover the c5 pawn.}) 22. Bd6 b6 23. g4 $1 bxc5 24. Be5 $16) 19. Qxe6+ Kh8 20. hxg6 $1 Ng8 $146 ({RR} 20... Rxd4 21. Rxd4 cxd4 22. Qxe7 Kg8 23. Bd6 {1-0 (23) Espinoza Palomino,W (2324)-Condori Aranya,E (2162) Lima 2013}) 21. Bxh6 $1 gxh6 22. Rxh6+ $1 Nxh6 23. Qxe7 {Up to this moment there is no deviation.} Nf7 {} 24. gxf7 $1 $18 {This strong move decides the game immediately!} (24. Qf6+ Kg8 25. Rh1 Nh6 26. Qe7 Nf7 27. Rh3 $1 (27. Qf6 {led only to a draw by repeating of moves after} Nh6 28. Qe7 Nf7 {½:½ Almagro llanos-Gustafsson, Pablo Gorbea mem 2003}) 27... Ng5 28. Rh7 $18) 24... Kg7 (24... Qb6 25. Qe5+ Kh7 26. Rh1+ $18 {and mate is inevitable.}) 25. Rd3 Rd6 (25... Qb6 26. Rg3+ Qg6 27. Rxg6+ Kxg6 28. d5 $18 {and the  is hopeless.}) 26. Rg3+ Rg6 27. Qe5+ Kxf7 28. Qf5+ Rf6 (28... Ke7 29. Re3+ $18) 29. Qd7# {It is rare to give mate nowadays.} 1-0

[Event "Corus-C"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2004.01.25"]
[Round "13"]
[White "Smeets, Jan"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B76"]
[WhiteElo "2505"]
[BlackElo "2484"]
[Annotator "Rogozenco,Dorian"]
[PlyCount "64"]
[EventDate "2004.01.10"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "9"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 099"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2004.03.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2004.03.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 g6 6. Be3 Bg7 7. f3 O-O 8. Qd2 Nc6 9. O-O-O Bd7 {This set-up against 9.0-0-0 is less justified than against 9.Bc4. The explanation is simple - the typical counterplay ...Rc8 followed by ...Ne5-c4 loses all its attractivness, since White will take on c4 at once, without wasting time for Bc4-b3.} 10. g4 Rc8 (10... Qa5 11. Nb3 $16) 11. h4 Ne5 (11... h5 12. gxh5 Nxh5 13. Rg1 $16) 12. h5 {A strong (and most direct) continuation. Another possibility is to start with Kb1 (and eventually Be2 next, keeping the pawn on h4). Then after Qa5 Black must consider Nd5. Generally, in this line White must know precisely when to play h5, Kb1 or Be2 and how to combine these moves.} Qa5 (12... Nc4 $2 13. Bxc4 Rxc4 14. hxg6 fxg6 15. e5 {is bad for Black}) 13. Be2 (13. Kb1 {Playing this move here allows Black favourable complications:} Nxf3 $1 {The correct move order. Now the main line goes:} (13... Rxc3 14. Qxc3 Qxc3 15. bxc3 Nxf3 16. h6 $1 {this intermediate move limits Black's options}) 14. Nxf3 Rxc3 15. Qxc3 Qxc3 16. bxc3 Bxg4 17. Bg2 Nxe4 18. Rd3 Nxc3+ 19. Kb2 Nd1+ $11) (13. Nb3 $1 Qc7 14. Be2 b5 (14... Nc4 {is bad again. White takes and then plays e5 at some moment (after 16.hxg6 or 16.h6).}) 15. Kb1 $14 {/} ({Opening the f-file would be a mistake} 15. hxg6 $2 fxg6 $13 {[%cal Gf8f3]})) 13... b5 14. Kb1 (14. Nb3 Qa6 $5 $13) 14... Rxc3 $5 15. Qxc3 Qxc3 16. bxc3 Rc8 {Black gets a typical compensation for Dragon. However, it can hardly secure totally equal chances.} 17. hxg6 $146 ({RR} 17. Kb2 a6 18. Nb3 Be6 19. hxg6 fxg6 20. Bd4 Nfd7 21. f4 Nxg4 22. Bxg7 Kxg7 23. Nd4 Nf2 24. Nxe6+ Kf6 25. Ng5 Nxd1+ 26. Rxd1 h6 27. Bg4 Rc7 28. e5+ dxe5 29. Ne4+ Kf7 30. Rxd7 Rxd7 31. Bxd7 exf4 {Daurelle,H (2223)-Montheard,X (2247) Evry 2005 1-0 (37)}) 17... fxg6 $1 (17... hxg6 18. Kb2 $16) 18. Kb2 a5 19. Bh6 (19. g5 Nh5 20. Rhg1 Nc4+ 21. Bxc4+ Rxc4 $44) 19... Bh8 20. Rhf1 {Protecting pawn f3 and thus threatening to take on b5. However, Black is in time to create some initiative and escape.} (20. Rb1 $1 b4 $140 (20... Be8 21. Bd2 $16 {[%cal Gb2c1]}) 21. cxb4 Nc4+ 22. Kc1 Nxg4 23. fxg4 Bxd4 24. bxa5 Nxa5 25. Bd2 $16 Nc4 26. Rb4 Be6 27. Bxc4 Bxc4 28. a4 $16) (20. Bxb5 $2 Bxb5 21. Nxb5 Nxf3 $17 {[%csl Rc3,Re4,Rg4]}) 20... Nc4+ 21. Bxc4+ Rxc4 22. Rd3 (22. Rb1 b4 $36) 22... Be8 $132 {[%cal Gf6d7,Gd7c5,Ge8f7]} (22... b4 23. Kb3) 23. Rb1 b4 24. Kc1 (24. Kb3 $2 Bf7) 24... Nd7 25. Nb3 Bxc3 26. Nxa5 Rc8 27. Bd2 Ne5 $11 28. Bxc3 Nxd3+ 29. cxd3 Rxc3+ (29... bxc3 $5 $13 {it is not clear how can White prove that pawn on c3 is a weakness. Black wants to push the h-pawn (not mentioning the concrete threat 30...Ra8) and his chances are by no means worse, while White needs more accuracy.}) 30. Kd2 Ra3 31. Nc4 Rxa2+ 32. Ke3 Bb5 (32... Ra4 33. Nb6 $11) 1/2-1/2

[Event "Moscow Aeroflot op-A"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2004.02.18"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Yurtaev, Leonid"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B92"]
[WhiteElo "2527"]
[BlackElo "2484"]
[Annotator "Ftacnik,Lubomir"]
[PlyCount "74"]
[EventDate "2004.02.17"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 100"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2004.06.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2004.06.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Be2 e5 7. Nb3 Be7 8. O-O O-O 9. f4 b5 10. Bf3 Bb7 11. fxe5 ({RR} 11. a3 Nbd7 12. Kh1 Rc8 13. Re1 Qc7 14. Re2 Rfe8 15. Qe1 Bf8 16. f5 h6 17. Qg3 Kh8 18. Bd2 Nb6 19. Na5 Ba8 20. Rae1 {½-½ (20) Seitaj,I (2386)-Soylu,S (2385) Istanbul 2001}) 11... dxe5 (11... Qb6+ 12. Qd4 Qxd4+ 13. Nxd4 dxe5 14. Nf5 Bb4 15. Bg5 Nbd7 16. Rad1 h6 17. Bd2 Rfd8 18. Rfe1 Nb6 19. Ne3 Bc5 {0-1 Saastamoinen,A-Tyni,J/Tampere 1989/ (35)}) 12. Qxd8 {Yurtaev simplifies into an endgame, in which he keeps the slight initiative due to the better developed pieces.} (12. a3 Nbd7 13. Kh1 Qc7 14. Qe1 Rac8 15. Bd2 Nb6 16. Na5 Ba8 17. Qg3 Kh8 18. Rad1 h6 19. Bg4 Rcd8 20. Bf5 Nh7 21. Bxh7 Kxh7 22. Qg4 Qc8 {0-1 Wolter,K-Heinemann,T/Muenster 1992/ (40)}) 12... Rxd8 (12... Bxd8 13. Be3 Nbd7 14. Rad1 Rc8 $11) 13. Na5 $146 ({RR} 13. Bg5 Nc6 14. Rad1 Nd4 15. Nxd4 exd4 16. Bxf6 Bxf6 17. Nd5 Be5 18. Rd2 Kf8 19. g3 Rac8 20. Bg4 Rc5 21. Bf3 Rdc8 22. Nb4 Rc4 23. Nd3 Bb8 24. Rff2 Re8 25. Rde2 Rec8 26. Kg2 Ke7 27. e5 Bxf3+ {Demaria,J (2215)-Kutowski,M (2258) chess.com INT 2025 0-1 (35)}) 13... Bc8 14. Nd5 (14. Be3 Bb4 15. Bb6 Rd6 16. Rad1 Nbd7 $11) 14... Nxd5 15. exd5 Bc5+ 16. Kh1 Bb6 (16... f5 $1 17. Bg5 Re8 18. Rad1 Bb6 19. Nb3 Nd7 $11) 17. Bd2 Bf5 (17... f5 18. c4 e4 19. Be2 $11) 18. c4 (18. Rae1 $1 f6 (18... Bxc2 19. Rxe5 Nd7 20. Re7 Nf6 21. Nb7 Rd7 22. d6 $16) 19. d6 e4 20. Bxe4 (20. Rxe4 Bxe4 21. Bxe4 Ra7 22. Bd5+ Kf8 23. Bb4 Rad7 24. c4 Bxa5 25. Bxa5 Rxd6 26. Bb4 a5 27. Bxd6+ Rxd6 $11) 20... Bxe4 21. Rxe4 Rxd6 22. Bb4 Rd7 23. Re8+ Kf7 24. Rfe1 Rda7 $11) 18... Bd3 19. Rfe1 Nd7 20. Rac1 $6 {White is still ambitious, but he probably should have worried about equality.} (20. Nc6 bxc4 (20... Re8 21. d6 Bf2 22. Nxe5 Bxe1 23. Rxe1 Rxe5 24. Rxe5 Nxe5 25. Bxa8 Bxc4 26. b3 $16) 21. Nxd8 Rxd8 22. Bc3 Bf2 23. Rxe5 Nxe5 24. Bxe5 Bc5 $11) 20... Re8 (20... Bf2 $1 21. d6 (21. Red1 e4 $17) 21... Bxe1 22. Rxe1 bxc4 23. Bxa8 Rxa8 24. Rc1 $15) 21. b3 (21. Be2 Bxa5 22. Bxa5 bxc4 $17) 21... e4 22. Be2 Bf2 $1 (22... Ne5 $2 23. c5 $1 e3 24. Bb4 Bxa5 (24... Bxe2 25. cxb6 Nd3 26. Nc6 Nxc1 27. b7 Rab8 28. Nxb8 Rxb8 29. Rxc1 Bg4 30. h3 Bf5 31. g4 $18) 25. Bxa5 Bxe2 26. Rxe2 Nd3 27. Rc3 Nf4 28. Rexe3 Nxd5 29. Rxe8+ Rxe8 30. Rd3 $14) (22... Nc5 23. Nc6 Bxe2 24. Rxe2 Nd3 25. Rf1 $11) 23. Rf1 e3 $1 {[%mdl 64] Suddenly Carlsen is so active, that he can afford small combination aiming at the dislocated knight on a5.} 24. Bxd3 (24. Bxe3 Bxe2 25. Bxf2 Bxf1 26. Rxf1 Re2 $17) 24... exd2 25. Rcd1 Re1 26. Rxd2 (26. g4 Ne5 27. Rxd2 Nxd3 28. Kg2 Rxf1 29. Kxf1 Be1 30. Rxd3 Bxa5 31. c5 Bb4 32. c6 Bd6 $17) 26... Rxf1+ 27. Bxf1 Be1 28. Rd1 (28. Rb2 Bxa5 29. b4 Bd8 30. cxb5 a5 $17) 28... Bxa5 29. cxb5 axb5 30. Bxb5 Rd8 {White is left with two pawns for the piece, but no real chance for successful resistance.} 31. d6 Kf8 32. g3 (32. a3 Nf6 33. d7 Bc3 34. Rd3 Be5 35. Kg1 Ke7 $19) 32... Nf6 33. d7 Ke7 34. a3 Nxd7 35. b4 Ne5 36. Rxd8 (36. Re1 Bc7 37. a4 Rd4 38. Rb1 Bd6 $19) 36... Bxd8 37. a4 Kd6 0-1

[Event "Moscow Aeroflot op-A"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2004.02.22"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Yakovich, Yuri"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B80"]
[WhiteElo "2484"]
[BlackElo "2591"]
[PlyCount "74"]
[EventDate "2004.02.17"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2005"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2004.11.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2004.11.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 e6 4. d4 cxd4 5. Nxd4 a6 6. g3 d6 7. Bg2 Bd7 8. O-O Nf6 9. Nxc6 Bxc6 10. a4 Be7 11. a5 O-O 12. Qe2 ({RR} 12. Re1 Rc8 13. Be3 Nd7 14. Nb1 Bf6 15. Ra2 Qc7 16. c4 Rfd8 17. Qe2 Ra8 18. Rc1 Rdc8 19. Nd2 b6 20. Nb3 e5 21. axb6 Nxb6 22. Na5 Bd7 23. b4 Be6 24. Rac2 Be7 25. f4 Rab8 26. f5 Bd7 {Yuste Valenzuela,A (2170)-Sanchez L,S (2418) Alicante ESP 2025 0-1 (49)}) 12... Qc7 13. Rd1 b5 $146 ({RR} 13... Rae8 14. Bf4 Nd7 15. b3 Ne5 16. Be3 f5 17. f4 Ng4 18. Bb6 Qc8 19. Rd3 fxe4 20. Nxe4 e5 21. Nxd6 Bxd6 22. Rxd6 Bxg2 23. Qxg2 exf4 24. gxf4 Rxf4 25. Rad1 Ne3 26. Bxe3 Rg4 {0-1 (26) Rodriguez Vila,A (2541)-Mekhitarian,K (2503) Villa Martelli 2012}) ({RR} 13... Rae8 14. Bf4 Nd7 15. h4 Ne5 16. Be3 Nd7 17. f4 Rc8 18. g4 Bf6 19. Ra3 Bxc3 20. bxc3 d5 21. exd5 Bxd5 22. Bxd5 exd5 23. Qf3 Nf6 24. Bd4 Ne4 25. g5 Rfe8 26. h5 Qd7 27. Qg2 Qf5 28. Rf1 {Kolosowski,M (2423)-Gritsak,O (2544) Szklarska Poreba 2013 1-0 (49)}) 14. axb6 Qxb6 15. b3 Rfd8 16. Ba3 Bf8 17. Rd3 a5 18. Rad1 Ne8 19. e5 Bxg2 20. Kxg2 Rac8 21. exd6 Bxd6 22. Na4 Qc7 23. Bxd6 Rxd6 24. Rxd6 Nxd6 25. Qe5 Nb7 26. Qb5 Nd6 27. Qe5 Qc6+ 28. Kg1 Nb7 29. c4 h6 30. Qb5 Qe4 31. Nb6 Qe2 32. Nxc8 Qxd1+ 33. Kg2 Nd6 34. Qd7 Qd3 35. Nxd6 a4 36. Qxf7+ Kh8 37. Qe8+ Kh7 1-0

[Event "Moscow Aeroflot op-A"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2004.02.23"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Volokitin, Andrei"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B87"]
[WhiteElo "2594"]
[BlackElo "2484"]
[Annotator "Ftacnik,Lubomir"]
[PlyCount "55"]
[EventDate "2004.02.17"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 100"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2004.06.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2004.06.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 {Ftacnik,Lubomir} c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Bc4 b5 7. Bb3 e6 8. Qf3 Qc7 9. g4 ({RR} 9. Bg5 Nbd7 10. O-O-O Bb7 11. Rhe1 h6 ({RR} 11... Be7 12. Bxe6 Ne5 13. Qh3 fxe6 14. Nxe6 Qc4 15. Nxg7+ Kf8 16. Nf5) 12. Qh3 hxg5 ({RR} 12... Nc5 13. Bxf6 ({RR} 13. f3 Be7 14. Be3 b4) 13... gxf6 14. a3 Rc8 15. Kb1) 13. Qxh8 Qc5 ({RR} 13... b4 14. Na4 Nxe4 15. f3 Nec5 16. Nxc5 Nxc5 17. Qh5) 14. Qh3 ({RR} 14. Bxe6 fxe6 15. Nxe6 Qxf2 ({RR} 15... Qb6 16. Nxf8 Nxf8 17. Qxg7) 16. Nc7+ Kd8 17. Nxa8 Bxa8 18. e5) 14... Qe5 15. Kb1 ({RR} 15. Bxe6 fxe6 16. Qxe6+ Be7 17. Nd5 Qxe6 18. Nxe6 Nxd5 19. exd5 Kf7 20. Nxg7) 15... O-O-O 16. f3 Re8 ({RR} 16... b4 17. Nce2 g4 18. Qg3) 17. a4 ({RR} 17. g4 Kb8 18. Qg2) 17... b4 18. Na2 Qc5 19. c3 bxc3 ({RR} 19... g4 20. Qg3 gxf3 21. gxf3 bxc3 22. Re3) 20. Re3 Kb8 ({RR} 20... cxb2 21. Rc3) 21. Rxc3 Qb6 22. Qg3 Be7 ({RR} 22... g4 23. Bc2 gxf3 24. gxf3 Rc8 25. Nb3 Rxc3 26. Nxc3) 23. h4 ({RR} 23. Bc2 g4 24. Rb3) 23... gxh4 {Amonatov,F (2569)-Makarov,M (2531) Sochi 2004 EXT 2020 [Ftacnik,Lubomir] 1-0 (39)} ({RR} 23... Bxe4+ 24. fxe4 Nxe4 25. Qf3 Nxc3+ 26. Nxc3 Ne5 27. Qg3 gxh4 28. Qxg7 Rc8)) 9... b4 ({RR} 9... h6 10. h4 b4 11. Na4 Bb7 12. Qe2 Nxe4 13. Rg1 Nd7 14. Be3 Be7 15. f3 Bxh4+ 16. Kd1 Nec5 17. Nf5 Bf6 18. Bd4 Bxd4 19. Nxd4 O-O-O 20. a3 bxa3 21. Rxa3 Ne5 22. Kc1 Nc6 23. Nxc6 Qxc6 24. Nxc5 {Dragnev,V (2582)-Khayrullin,D (2331) chess.com INT 2024 ½-½ (100)}) 10. g5 Nfd7 $146 (10... bxc3 $5 11. gxf6 Nd7 12. fxg7 Bxg7 13. Qxc3 Qxc3+ 14. bxc3 Nc5 15. f3 Be5 $13) ({RR} 10... bxc3 11. gxf6 Nd7 12. Rg1 Nxf6 13. Ba4+ Bd7 14. e5 Nd5 15. exd6 Qxd6 16. Bxd7+ Qxd7 17. bxc3 Rc8 18. Bb2 g6 19. c4 Rxc4 20. Qe2 Qa4 21. O-O-O Ba3 22. Nxe6 Bxb2+ 23. Kxb2 Re4 24. Nc7+ Kf8 25. Qf3 {Morawietz,D (2393)-Matthaei,A (2351) Cologne 2004 0-1 (39)}) 11. Na4 Nc6 12. Be3 Na5 (12... Bb7 13. O-O-O $36) 13. O-O-O $6 {Volokitin plays extremely aggressive chess as befits young player, but sometimes the chosen set up just doesn't yeld results.} (13. O-O Ne5 14. Qe2 Bb7 15. Nb6 Rb8 (15... Qxb6 16. Ba4+ $18) 16. Ba4+ Kd8 17. Nf3 Nec4 $13) 13... Bb7 14. Bd2 (14. Kb1 Nxb3 15. cxb3 d5 16. Qh5 Qe5 $17) 14... Nxb3+ (14... d5 15. Qh3 Nxb3+ 16. Qxb3 Rc8 $17) 15. Qxb3 Be7 {Carlsen avoids direct danger, but 15...e5! might have been a refutation of white ideas.} (15... e5 $1 16. Ne2 Bxe4 17. f3 Bc6 18. Bxb4 Rb8 $19) (15... Bxe4 16. Nxe6 Qxc2+ 17. Qxc2 Bxc2 18. Nxg7+ Bxg7 19. Kxc2 Rc8+ 20. Kb3 $14) 16. Bxb4 Bxe4 $2 (16... Bxg5+ 17. Kb1 Be7 18. f3 Rb8 $13) 17. Rhe1 $1 {All white pieces are in active positions (with a small exception of knight a4), the situation is critical for black.} Bd5 (17... Bxg5+ 18. Kb1 d5 (18... Bg6 19. Bxd6 $16) 19. f3 Bh4 (19... Bg6 20. Qxd5 $18) 20. fxe4 Bxe1 21. Rxe1 dxe4 22. Nxe6 fxe6 23. Qxe6+ Kd8 24. Rd1 $18) (17... Bg6 18. f4 Rc8 19. f5 exf5 (19... Bh5 20. g6 hxg6 21. fxe6 $18) 20. Nb5 axb5 21. Bxd6 O-O (21... Qxc2+ 22. Qxc2 Rxc2+ 23. Kxc2 bxa4 24. Rxe7+ Kd8 25. Ba3 f4+ 26. Kc3 Bf5 27. Rxf7 $18) 22. Bxc7 Bxg5+ 23. Kb1 bxa4 24. Qxa4 $18) 18. Qg3 O-O (18... Rb8 19. Ba3 g6 20. Nc3 Ba8 (20... Nb6 21. Nxd5 Nxd5 22. Nxe6 fxe6 23. Rxd5 $16) 21. Nxe6 fxe6 22. Bxd6 Bxd6 23. Rxe6+ Kd8 24. Rexd6 Bc6 25. Rxc6 $18) 19. Nf5 $1 exf5 (19... Bd8 20. Bxd6 Qb7 21. Nc3 Bf3 22. Rd3 exf5 23. Bxf8 Nxf8 24. Qxf3 Bxg5+ 25. Kb1 $18) 20. Rxe7 Qc4 (20... Rfc8 21. Nc3 Be6 22. Qxd6 Qc4 23. b3 Qg4 24. Nd5 $18) 21. Qxd6 {It becomes obvious, that black has failed in the defensive task.} Be6 (21... Bc6 22. b3 Qb5 23. c4 Qb7 24. Bc3 $18) 22. b3 Qh4 23. Rxe6 fxe6 24. Qxe6+ Kh8 (24... Rf7 25. Rxd7 Qxg5+ 26. Kb2 $18) 25. Be7 $1 {Very fine move that underlines the hopless location of knight d7.} (25. Bxf8 Qxg5+ 26. Qe3 Qxe3+ 27. fxe3 Nxf8 28. Nc5 $16) 25... Qxf2 26. Qxd7 Rfe8 27. Bc5 Qh4 28. Qxf5 1-0

[Event "Moscow Aeroflot op-A"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2004.02.25"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Rustemov, Alexander"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C02"]
[WhiteElo "2484"]
[BlackElo "2585"]
[PlyCount "44"]
[EventDate "2004.02.17"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 100"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2004.06.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2004.06.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 {Psakhis,Lev} e6 2. d4 d5 3. e5 c5 4. c3 Qb6 5. Nf3 Bd7 6. a3 ({RR} 6. Be2) ({RR} 6. Bd3) 6... Bb5 7. b4 ({RR} 7. c4 Bxc4 8. Bxc4 dxc4 9. d5) 7... cxd4 8. Bxb5+ Qxb5 9. cxd4 Nd7 10. Nc3 Qc6 11. Na4 ({RR} 11. Bb2 Nb6 12. Nd2 Ne7 13. O-O Nf5 14. Rc1 Qd7 15. Ne2 Be7) ({RR} 11. Bd2 Nb6 12. O-O Ne7 13. b5 Qc4 14. a4 Nf5 15. a5 Nd7 16. Ra4) 11... Ne7 ({RR} 11... Nb6 12. Nxb6 ({RR} 12. Nc5 Nc4) 12... axb6 13. Bb2 Ne7 ({RR} 13... Nh6 14. Rc1 Qd7 15. Rc3 Be7 16. Bc1) 14. O-O Nc8 15. Rc1 Qd7 16. Rc3) 12. Be3 Nb6 ({RR} 12... Nf5) 13. Nxb6 Qxb6 14. O-O Nf5 $146 ({RR} 14... Nc6 15. Ne1 Be7 ({RR} 15... a5 16. Qa4 Be7 17. Nd3 O-O 18. b5 Na7 19. Rab1) 16. Qg4 g6 17. Nd3 O-O ({RR} 17... a5 18. Nc5) 18. Nc5 Qc7 ({RR} 18... Bxc5 19. bxc5) 19. Rac1 Rfc8 20. h4 ({RR} 20. Rc3) 20... b6 21. Nd3 Qd7 22. h5 Bf8 ({RR} 22... a5 23. b5 Nd8 24. a4) 23. Nf4 Bg7 ({RR} 23... b5 24. Nd3 a5 25. Nc5 Qe8) 24. h6 Bxh6 ({RR} 24... Bh8) ({RR} 24... Bf8 25. Nh5 Be7) 25. Nh5 ({RR} 25. Nxg6 fxg6 26. Bxh6 Ne7) 25... Bg7 26. Nxg7 Kxg7 27. Qh4 Kg8 ({RR} 27... h5 28. Qf6+ Kh7 29. g4 Qe7 30. Qf4 ({RR} 30. Rxc6 Qxf6 31. Rxc8 Qf3 32. Rxa8 Qxg4+) 30... g5 31. Qh2 h4 32. f4) 28. Bg5 f5 ({RR} 28... h5 29. Bf6) 29. exf6 {Grischuk,A (2712)-Gurevich,M (2634) France 2003 CBM 095 [Psakhis,Lev] 1-0 (34)} {RR} e5 30. f4 e4 31. f5) ({RR} 14... Qb5 15. a4 Qd7 16. b5 Nf5 17. Qd3 Be7 ({RR} 17... Nxe3 18. fxe3 Be7)) ({RR} 14... Nc6 15. Ne1 Be7 16. Qg4 g6 17. Nd3 O-O 18. Nc5 Rfc8 19. h4 a5 20. h5 axb4 21. axb4 Qxb4 22. Rab1 Qa3 23. hxg6 hxg6 24. Nxe6 Qd3 25. Nf4 Qe4 26. Rxb7 Re8 27. Qf3 Ra4 28. Nxd5 Qxf3 29. gxf3 {Kubecka,D (2252)-Cifka,S (2347) Prague 2005 1-0 (47)}) 15. Rc1 Qd8 16. Qa4+ Qd7 17. Qa5 Be7 18. Rc7 b6 19. Rxd7 bxa5 20. Rb7 axb4 21. axb4 O-O 22. g4 Nxe3 1/2-1/2

[Event "Reykjavik op 21st"]
[Site "Reykjavik"]
[Date "2004.03.08"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Timman, Jan H"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B46"]
[WhiteElo "2484"]
[BlackElo "2578"]
[PlyCount "102"]
[EventDate "2004.03.07"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ISL"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 099 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2004.05.04"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2004.05.04"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 {Ribli,Zoltan ChessBase} c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 e6 5. Nc3 a6 6. g3 Nge7 7. Nb3 d6 8. Bg2 Bd7 9. O-O Nc8 10. a4 Be7 11. Qe2 O-O 12. Be3 Na5 ({RR} 12... Qc7 13. f4 Rb8 ({RR} 13... Bf6 14. a5 Nb4 ({RR} 14... N6a7 15. e5 dxe5 16. Ne4 Be7 17. fxe5 Qxe5 18. Bd4 Qc7 19. Qh5) 15. Qd2 Rb8 16. Rfd1 Rd8 17. Bd4 e5 18. Be3 b5 19. f5 Be7 20. g4 Be8 21. Qf2) 14. g4 Re8 15. g5 Nb4 ({RR} 15... Bf8 16. a5) 16. Qf2 b5 17. axb5 axb5 18. f5 Nxc2 ({RR} 18... Bf8 19. g6) 19. Qxc2 b4 20. g6 e5 ({RR} 20... bxc3 21. gxf7+ Kxf7 22. fxe6+ Kxe6 23. Bh3+ Ke5 24. Bd4#) ({RR} 20... hxg6 21. fxg6 fxg6 22. e5 bxc3 23. Qxg6) 21. Nc5 bxc3 ({RR} 21... dxc5 22. Nd5 Qd8 23. gxf7+ Kxf7 24. Nxe7 Qxe7 25. Qc4+ Kf8 26. Bxc5) 22. Na6 Rxb2 ({RR} 22... Qb7 23. Nxb8 Qxb8 24. gxf7+ Kxf7 25. bxc3) 23. Nxc7 Rxc2 24. Nxe8 Bxe8 25. f6 Rxg2+ ({RR} 25... Bxf6 26. Bh3 Ne7 27. Ra8) 26. Kxg2 Bxf6 27. Ra8 {Topalov,V (2645)-Illescas Cordoba,M (2590) Alcobendas 1994 CBM 045 [Ribli,Zoltan] 1-0}) ({RR} 12... Qc7 13. f4 Nb4 14. Qf2 Rb8 15. Rfd1 b5 16. axb5 axb5 17. Nd4 Bf6 {½-½ (17) Barbosa,E (2407)-Di Berardino,D (2490) Guarapari 2012}) ({RR} 12... Qc7 13. f4 Bf6 14. Rfd1 Rb8 15. a5 Rd8 16. Na4 N6e7 17. c3 e5 18. f5 b5 19. Nb6 h6 20. h4 b4 21. c4 Be8 22. Qf2 h5 23. Qf3 Nxb6 24. Bxb6 Rxb6 25. axb6 Qxb6+ 26. Qf2 Qc7 27. c5 {Timman,J (2610)-Romanishin,O (2580) Sarajevo 1984 1-0 (40)}) 13. Nxa5 Qxa5 14. Qd2 $146 ({RR} 14. Bd4 Bd8 15. Rfd1 ({RR} 15. Rad1) 15... Bc6 16. Qc4 Nb6 17. Qb3 Nd7 18. Qa3 Be7 19. Nd5 Bxd5 ({RR} 19... exd5 20. exd5 Bxa4 21. Qxa4 Qxa4 22. Rxa4) 20. exd5 e5 21. Be3 Rac8 22. Rac1 f5 23. c4 Qc7 24. a5 e4 25. b4 Ne5 26. c5 Qd7 27. Bf4 Bf6 28. f3 Nd3 {De Firmian,N (2540)-Zapata,A (2535) Tunis 1985 IZT [ChessBase] 1-0 (58)}) ({RR} 14. Bd4) ({RR} 14. Bd4 Bc6 15. Qg4 g6 16. Rad1 b5 17. axb5 axb5 18. Rfe1 b4 19. Nb1 e5 20. Be3 Qc7 21. Bh6 Re8 22. c4 Nb6 23. Nd2 Na4 24. Rb1 Nc5 25. Nf1 Qb7 26. Qe2 b3 27. f3 Ra4 28. Ne3 Ne6 {Subasic,I (2320)-Zapata,A (2495) Zenica 1986 ½-½ (65)}) 14... Qc7 15. Ne2 Bf6 16. c3 Rd8 17. f4 Rb8 18. g4 b5 19. g5 Be7 20. a5 d5 21. f5 dxe4 22. f6 Bc5 23. Kh1 Bc6 24. Qc1 Bxe3 25. Qxe3 Rd3 26. Qg1 Nd6 27. Nf4 Rf3 28. Rad1 Nc4 29. Qc5 Nxa5 30. Nh5 Nb7 31. Qa7 g6 32. Ng3 Rxf1+ 33. Nxf1 a5 34. Ng3 Rd8 35. Rxd8+ Qxd8 36. Bxe4 Bxe4+ 37. Nxe4 Qd5 38. Kg1 h6 39. Qa8+ Nd8 40. Qxd5 exd5 41. Nd6 hxg5 42. Nxb5 Nc6 43. Kf2 Ne5 44. Kg3 a4 45. Nc7 Nc4 46. Nxd5 Nxb2 47. Nb4 Kh7 48. Kf3 Kh6 49. Ke4 g4 50. Kd5 a3 51. Kd6 g5 0-1

[Event "Reykjavik op 21st"]
[Site "Reykjavik"]
[Date "2004.03.09"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Arngrimsson, Dagur"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B06"]
[WhiteElo "2239"]
[BlackElo "2484"]
[PlyCount "70"]
[EventDate "2004.03.07"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ISL"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 099 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2004.05.04"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2004.05.04"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. c3 d5 3. exd5 Qxd5 4. d4 g6 5. Nf3 Bg7 6. c4 Qe4+ 7. Be3 cxd4 8. Nxd4 Nf6 ({RR} 8... Bxd4 9. Qxd4 Qxd4 10. Bxd4 Nf6 11. Nc3 Nc6 12. Bxf6 exf6 13. Nd5 O-O 14. O-O-O Kg7 15. f3 Be6 16. Nc7 Rac8 17. Nxe6+ fxe6 18. Be2 Ne5 19. b3 b5 20. f4 Nc6 21. Rd7+ Rf7 22. Rhd1 bxc4 23. Bxc4 {Garcia,A (1951)-Pica,E (1663) chess.com INT 2025 1-0}) 9. Nc3 Qe5 10. Be2 O-O 11. Ndb5 $146 ({RR} 11. O-O Nc6 12. Nxc6 bxc6 13. Rc1 Bf5 14. Qd4 Qc7 15. Qh4 Rfd8 16. Rfd1 Rab8 17. b3 Qa5 18. Na4 e5 19. Rxd8+ Rxd8 20. f3 Bd3 21. Qe1 Qc7 22. Bxd3 Rxd3 23. Rd1 Rxd1 24. Qxd1 e4 25. Nc5 exf3 {Hanley,C (2387)-Dvorak,T (2319) Millfield 2003 1-0}) ({RR} 11. O-O Rd8 12. Qb3 Rxd4 13. Bxd4 Qxd4 14. Rfd1 Qc5 15. Rd8+ Bf8 16. Rad1 Nc6 17. Na4 Qe5 18. R8d2 Bh6 19. Rc2 Bf5 20. Qxb7 Rb8 21. Qxc6 Bxc2 22. Nc3 Bxd1 {0-1 (22) Snap,C-Hughes,D Oklahoma 2008}) 11... Nc6 12. Qc1 Bg4 13. f3 Be6 14. Bf4 Qh5 15. Nc7 Rad8 16. Nxe6 fxe6 17. O-O Nd4 18. Re1 Qf5 19. Bd1 Nd7 20. Be3 Nc5 21. Rf1 Nd3 22. Qb1 Qe5 23. Bf2 Nxf2 24. Rxf2 Qe3 25. Qe4 Bh6 26. Kf1 Qxe4 27. fxe4 Be3 28. Rxf8+ Rxf8+ 29. Bf3 Nxf3 30. gxf3 Rxf3+ 31. Kg2 Rf2+ 32. Kg3 Rxb2 33. Nd1 Re2 34. Kf3 Re1 35. Rb1 Bd4 0-1

[Event "Reykjavik op 21st"]
[Site "Reykjavik"]
[Date "2004.03.10"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Nataf, Igor Alexandre"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B30"]
[WhiteElo "2484"]
[BlackElo "2569"]
[PlyCount "96"]
[EventDate "2004.03.07"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ISL"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 099 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2004.05.04"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2004.05.04"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bb5 Qc7 5. Bxc6 dxc6 6. e5 Nd5 7. Ne4 ({RR} 7. h3 Bf5 8. O-O h6 9. Re1 e6 10. Ne2 g5 11. Ng3 Bg6 12. d3 Be7 13. a3 O-O-O 14. Qe2 Rhg8 15. Bd2 b6 16. Reb1 c4 17. dxc4 Nf4 18. Bxf4 gxf4 19. Nf1 Bh5 20. Re1 Rg7 21. Qe4 Rdg8 {Chen,Y (2074)-Annaberdiev,M (2436) chess.com INT 2025 ½-½ (47)}) 7... Bg4 8. O-O e6 9. c4 $146 ({RR} 9. Re1 Be7 10. h3 Bxf3 11. Qxf3 Qxe5 12. d3 O-O 13. c4 Nf6 14. Bf4 Qf5 15. Ng3 Qg6 16. b3 Rfd8 17. Rad1 Rd7 18. Be5 Rad8 19. Bxf6 Bxf6 20. Ne4 Bd4 21. Re2 b6 22. Red2 e5 23. Ng3 Rd6 {Kleibel,U (2302)-Domin,Y (2088) chess.com INT 2024 0-1 (50)}) ({RR} 9. d4 cxd4 10. Qxd4 Bxf3 11. gxf3 O-O-O 12. Qxa7 Qxe5 13. Qa8+ Qb8 14. Qxb8+ Kxb8 15. c4 Nc7 16. Ng5 Rd7 17. Bf4 Bc5 18. Rad1 Rhd8 19. Rxd7 Rxd7 20. Be5 h6 21. Ne4 Bf8 22. Re1 f6 23. Bg3 e5 {Matinian,N (2472)-Shchukin,D (2318) St Petersburg 2013 0-1 (66)}) 9... Nb4 10. d4 Rd8 11. Qb3 Bxf3 12. gxf3 Rxd4 13. Be3 Rd3 14. Qa4 Na6 15. Rad1 Rxd1 16. Rxd1 Qxe5 17. Qb3 Qc7 18. Qd3 Be7 19. Bf4 Qc8 20. Nd6+ Bxd6 21. Qxd6 f6 22. a3 Rf8 23. b4 cxb4 24. axb4 Rf7 25. b5 cxb5 26. cxb5 Nc5 27. Rc1 b6 28. Be3 Rc7 29. Kg2 Kf7 30. Rc4 Qd7 31. Qg3 e5 32. Rg4 Kg8 33. Qh4 Ne6 34. Rg3 f5 35. Rh3 Nf8 36. Qb4 f4 37. Bd2 Qf7 38. Rh4 Rc4 39. Qb2 Rc5 40. Rg4 Ne6 41. Qb1 h5 42. Rg6 Rxb5 43. Qe4 Rd5 44. Qxd5 Qxg6+ 45. Kf1 Qb1+ 46. Kg2 Qf5 47. Bc3 Kh7 48. h4 Nf8 0-1

[Event "Reykjavik op 21st"]
[Site "Reykjavik"]
[Date "2004.03.14"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Korneev, Oleg"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B76"]
[WhiteElo "2566"]
[BlackElo "2484"]
[PlyCount "49"]
[EventDate "2004.03.07"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ISL"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 099 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2004.05.04"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2004.05.04"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 g6 6. Be3 Bg7 7. f3 Nc6 8. Qd2 O-O 9. O-O-O Bd7 10. g4 Rc8 11. Kb1 Ne5 12. Be2 b5 ({RR} 12... a6 13. h4 b5 14. h5 Be6 15. hxg6 Nxg6 16. Nf5 b4 17. Nd5 Bxd5 18. exd5 {1-0 (18) Perunovic,M (2501)-Vesovic,N (1812) Herceg Novi MNE 2025}) 13. Ncxb5 ({RR} 13. Ndxb5 Bxb5 14. Nxb5 Rb8 15. c4 a6 16. Nd4 Qc7 17. Rc1 Rb7 18. Nb3 Nfd7 19. f4 Nc6 20. c5 dxc5 21. e5 g5 22. Bxc5 Ndb8 23. Bf3 Rd8 24. Qe3 gxf4 25. Qxf4 Bxe5 26. Qg5+ Bg7 27. Be4 a5 {Korneev,O (2560)-Fedorov,A (2595) Krasnodar 1998 0-1 (64)}) 13... a6 ({RR} 13... Nexg4 14. fxg4 Nxe4 15. Qd3 Nc5 16. Qa3 a6 17. Nc3 Rb8 18. Bf3 Qc8 19. h3 e5 20. Nb3 e4 21. Nd5 Re8 22. Be2 Bc6 23. Bxc5 dxc5 24. Qxc5 Qb7 25. Rhf1 Re5 26. c4 e3 27. Qd6 Re6 28. Qa3 {Korneev,O (2602)-Ortiz Fernandez,V (2138) Linares 2005 1-0 (36)}) 14. Nc3 Nc4 $146 ({RR} 14... Qc7 15. h4 Rb8 16. h5 Rfc8 17. Nb3 Be6 18. hxg6 fxg6 19. g5 Nh5 20. Rdg1 Nc4 21. Bxc4 Qxc4 22. Nd5 Bxd5 23. Qxd5+ Qxd5 24. exd5 a5 25. Rh4 Rf8 26. Ra4 Rxf3 27. Bc1 Ng3 28. Re1 Be5 29. Rxa5 {Bruhovich,O (2208)-Golubev,M (2461) chess.com INT 2024 0-1 (39)}) ({RR} 14... Qc7 15. h4 Rb8 16. h5 Rfc8 17. Nb3 Be6 18. hxg6 fxg6 19. g5 Nh5 20. Rdg1 Nc4 21. Bxc4 Qxc4 22. Nd5 Bxd5 23. Qxd5+ Qxd5 24. exd5 a5 25. Rh4 Rf8 26. Ra4 Rxf3 27. Bc1 Ng3 28. Re1 Be5 29. Rxa5 {Bruhovich,O (2208)-Golubev,M (2461) chess.com INT 2024 0-1 (39)}) 15. Bxc4 Rxc4 16. b3 Qb8 17. Ka1 Rfc8 18. Nde2 Bxg4 19. e5 Bxf3 20. exf6 Bxf6 21. Bd4 Bxd4 22. Nxd4 Bxh1 23. Rxh1 Qb7 24. Rg1 R4c5 25. Rg3 1-0

[Event "Reykjavik op 21st"]
[Site "Reykjavik"]
[Date "2004.03.16"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Bjornsson, Sigurbjorn"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B06"]
[WhiteElo "2337"]
[BlackElo "2484"]
[PlyCount "86"]
[EventDate "2004.03.07"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ISL"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 099 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2004.05.04"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2004.05.04"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. c3 d5 3. exd5 Qxd5 4. d4 g6 5. Nf3 Bg7 6. Be3 cxd4 7. cxd4 Qa5+ 8. Nc3 Nh6 9. Bc4 Nf5 10. O-O O-O 11. Qb3 Nc6 12. d5 ({RR} 12. Rad1 Nd6 13. Be2 Bg4 14. h3 Bxf3 15. Bxf3 Rac8 16. Ne2 Rfd8 17. Rc1 Qb5 18. Qxb5 Nxb5 19. Bxc6 Rxc6 20. Rxc6 bxc6 21. Rc1 Nxd4 22. Nxd4 Bxd4 23. Rxc6 Bxe3 24. fxe3 Rd2 25. Rc8+ Kg7 26. Rb8 h5 {Khoo-Thwe,L (2275)-Harish,N (2028) Fagernes NOR 2025 ½-½}) 12... Ne5 13. Nxe5 Bxe5 14. Ne4 $146 ({RR} 14. Rad1 Nd6 15. Be2 Bf5 16. Bd4 Bg7 17. Bxg7 Kxg7 18. Rd4 a6 19. g4 Bd7 20. h4 Qc7 21. Ne4 e5 22. dxe6 Bxe6 23. Qc3 Qxc3 24. Nxc3 Nc8 25. Rfd1 Ne7 26. Bf3 Rab8 27. a3 Rfc8 28. R1d2 Nc6 {Schuetzhold,R-Goutor,V (1909) Vancouver 2004 1-0 (52)}) ({RR} 14. Rfe1 Bd6 15. Ne4 Bb4 16. Red1 Nd6 17. Bd3 Nxe4 18. Bxe4 Bd6 19. Rac1 Bd7 20. Qxb7 Bg4 21. f3 Rfb8 22. Qc6 Rc8 23. Qb7 Rcb8 24. Qc6 Rc8 25. Qb7 {½-½ (25) Henderson,D (2132)-Stewart,A (2073) England 2016}) 14... Nxe3 15. fxe3 Qb6 16. d6 e6 17. Rad1 Bd7 18. Qxb6 axb6 19. Nf6+ Bxf6 20. Rxf6 Ra5 21. Bb3 Kg7 22. Rf4 Rc8 23. Rb4 Rb5 24. Rxb5 Bxb5 25. e4 Kf6 26. a4 Ba6 27. Kf2 Ke5 28. Ke3 Rd8 29. d7 Kf6 30. Rd6 Ke7 31. e5 Rxd7 32. Rxd7+ Kxd7 33. Kd4 Bf1 34. g3 Ke7 35. Bd1 Bg2 36. h4 f5 37. b4 h6 38. b5 Bd5 39. Ke3 g5 40. h5 Kf7 41. Kd4 f4 42. gxf4 gxf4 43. Kd3 Ke7 1/2-1/2

[Event "Dubai op 6th"]
[Site "Dubai"]
[Date "2004.04.20"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Deepan Chakkravarthy, J."]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B30"]
[WhiteElo "2552"]
[BlackElo "2331"]
[Annotator "Postny,Evgeny"]
[PlyCount "39"]
[EventDate "2004.04.19"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "UAE"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 101"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2004.07.27"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2004.07.27"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bb5 e5 {Relatively rare and risky line.} ({More popular continuations are:} 4... Nd4) (4... Qc7) (4... g6) 5. Bxc6 {The best reaction. In other cases black has easy equality.} (5. O-O d6 6. d3 Be7 7. h3 O-O 8. Bc4 h6 9. a3 Re8 10. Nh2 Be6 $11 {0-1 Morozevich,A-Kramnik,V/Frankfurt 2000/CBM 78 (45)}) 5... dxc6 6. Nxe5 (6. h3 Nd7 7. d3 {--> 1-0 Nizamov,I-Sitnikov,D/St Petersburg 1999/CBM 71 [Smirin] (49)}) 6... Nxe4 7. Nxe4 (7. Qh5 $6 Nd6 8. Ne4 g6 9. Qe2 Nxe4 10. Qxe4 Qd5 11. d3 Bf5 12. Qxd5 cxd5 $15 {0-1 Brkljaca,A-Kontic,D/Becici 1993/EXT 2000 (34)}) 7... Qd4 8. O-O (8. d3 Qxe5 9. f4 Qd5 10. Qe2 Be7 11. c4 Qd8 12. O-O O-O 13. f5 $14 {[%csl Rc8] 1-0 Glek,I-Kupreichik,V/Germany 2000/CBM 80 [Glek] (51)}) (8. Qe2 Qxe5 9. f4 Qxf4 (9... Qe7 10. f5 g6 11. f6 Qe5 12. d3 Bf5 13. Bd2 O-O-O 14. Bc3 Qe6 15. O-O c4 $132 {½-½ Gruenfeld,Y-Blanco,C/Philadelphia 2001/EXT 2002 (45)}) (9... Qe6 10. f5 Qe5 11. O-O Be7 12. d3 O-O 13. Qf2 f6 14. g4 c4 $13 {1-0 Pridorozhni,A-Smirnov,P/Tomsk 1999/EXT 2001 (33)}) 10. d4 (10. Nf6+ Kd8 11. Qe8+ Kc7 12. Qxf7+ Kd8 13. Qe8+ Kc7 14. Qf7+ Kd8 15. Qe8+ {½-½ Korneev,O-Murey,J/Paris 1995/EXT 97 (15)}) 10... Qh4+ 11. g3 Qe7 12. O-O f5 13. Nd6+ Kd7 14. Qxe7+ Bxe7 15. dxc5 Bxd6 16. Rd1 Ke8 17. cxd6 Be6 18. Bg5 Kd7 $11 {½-½ Anand,V-Kramnik,V/Monte Carlo 2003/CBM 93 ext (40)}) 8... Qxe5 9. d4 $1 {Sacrificing a pawn for a quick development.} (9. d3 Be7 10. Bd2 O-O 11. Bc3 Qc7 12. Qh5 $14 {1-0 Georgiev,K-Popadic,D/Budva 2003/CBM 96 ext (54)}) ({RR} 9. Re1 Be7 10. d3 O-O 11. Bd2 Qxb2 12. Bc3 Qb6 13. Qh5 f6 14. Re3 Qc7 15. Rae1 b6 16. Nxf6+ Bxf6 17. Bxf6 gxf6 18. Re7 {1-0 (18) Paravyan,D (2612)-Andreikin,D (2729) chess.com INT 2023}) 9... cxd4 $6 {Considering what happened in the game later, probably black should capture with the queen.} (9... Qxd4 10. Qf3 Be7 11. Bg5 f6 12. Rad1 Qxb2 13. Nd6+ Bxd6 14. Rfe1+ Kf7 15. Rxd6 Rf8 16. c3 Kg8 17. Bxf6 Bd7 18. Rxd7 Rxf6 19. Qg3 Rg6 20. Qd3 Rf6 $11 {0-1 Ovetchkin,R-Kokarev,D/Voronezh 2003/CBM 94 ext (34)}) 10. Re1 Be6 ({RR} 10... Be7 11. Bg5 O-O 12. Nf6+ Bxf6 13. Rxe5 Bxe5 14. Qd2 Re8 15. Re1 Bf5 {½-½ (15) Kwon,S (2239)-Kraus,T (2412) Pardubice CZE 2025}) 11. Bg5 $1 $146 {[%csl Re5][%cal Ge4f6][%mdl 136] Strong improvement. White simply prevents from black queenside castling and it's very hard (if possible at all) for black to neutralize white's initiative. White's development advantage is quite significant.} (11. Ng5 Qd5 12. Qg4 Kd7 13. Nxe6 fxe6 14. Be3 c5 15. Rad1 h5 16. Qg6 Qf5 17. Qxf5 exf5 18. c3 Bd6 19. cxd4 c4 $15 {0-1 Ristic,N-Kovacevic,P/Igalo 1994/EXT 2002 (41)}) 11... Be7 $146 {Black is already ready to give up his queen.} ({In case of} 11... Qd5 12. Bf6 $1 $36 {is very unpleasant for black. For example:} c5 13. c3 d3 14. c4 $1 Qxc4 $140 15. Bxg7 $1 $18) ({RR} 11... Qd5 12. Bf6 d3 13. c4 Qa5 14. Bc3 Qd8 15. Re3 Qh4 16. Qxd3 Rd8 17. Qe2 Be7 18. Bxg7 Rg8 19. Rg3 Kd7 20. Be5 Kc8 21. Rxg8 Rxg8 22. Bg3 Qg4 23. Qe3 b6 24. c5 Kb7 25. Nd6+ Bxd6 26. cxd6 {Kurmann,O (2452)-Markos,J (2566) Zuerich 2010 1-0 (46)}) 12. f4 $1 {Remarkable move. Magnus refrains from capturing the queen and correctly playing for the attack, which appears to be far stronger than expected...} (12. Nf6+ Bxf6 13. Rxe5 Bxe5 14. f4 Bc7 15. f5 {is in white's favour as well.}) 12... Qd5 (12... Qc7 13. Bxe7 Kxe7 14. Qxd4 Qb6 15. Nc5 Rhd8 16. Rxe6+ fxe6 17. Qxg7+ {with decisive attack.}) 13. Bxe7 Kxe7 {[%tqu "En","How should white continue?","","","f4f5","This is obvious, so no exclamation mark...",5]} 14. f5 {This is obvious, so no exclamation mark...} Qxf5 15. Qxd4 {Black's extra pawn does not help him to parry white's threats.} Qd5 (15... Rhd8 16. Qb4+ Ke8 17. Rad1 $18) 16. Qb4+ c5 17. Nxc5 a5 18. Qa3 Qd4+ 19. Kh1 Qb4 20. Qe3 {Black resigned in view of inevitable destruction of his position.} 1-0

[Event "Dubai op 6th"]
[Site "Dubai"]
[Date "2004.04.21"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Al Hadarani, Hatim"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B31"]
[WhiteElo "2356"]
[BlackElo "2552"]
[Annotator "Postny,Evgeny"]
[PlyCount "60"]
[EventDate "2004.04.19"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "UAE"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 101"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2004.07.27"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2004.07.27"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 g6 4. O-O Bg7 5. Re1 Nf6 6. c3 ({Solid alternative is} 6. e5 Nd5 7. Nc3) 6... O-O 7. d4 d5 8. exd5 {Black is doing fine in this opening line.} ({The alternative} 8. e5 {is more promising for white.}) 8... Qxd5 9. c4 Qd6 10. d5 $6 {After this move white is already worse!} (10. dxc5 Qxd1 11. Rxd1 Ne4 $132 {1-0 Ricardi,P-Kotronias,V/Yerevan 1996/EXT 97 (81)}) 10... Nd4 $1 (10... Na5 $6 11. Na3 a6 12. Ba4 b5 13. cxb5 Nxd5 14. Bg5 Rd8 15. Rb1 axb5 16. Nxb5 Qb6 17. Qe2 Nc6 18. Bb3 Bg4 19. h3 Bxf3 20. Qxf3 $14 {Anand,V-Kramnik,V/Moscow 1994/CBM 40 ext (71)}) 11. Nxd4 cxd4 12. h3 $6 (12. Qxd4 $6 Ng4 13. Qf4 Qxf4 14. Bxf4 Bxb2 $17 {½-½ Novik,M-Pantev,V/Sofia 1994/TD (51)}) ({Objectively better is} 12. Nd2 a6 (12... e5 13. Ba4 Bf5 $15 {0-1 Cozianu,C-Grigore,G/Bucharest 1994/EXT 98 (40)}) 13. Ba4 b5 14. Bb3 Bb7 15. cxb5 axb5 16. Nf3 Nxd5 17. Nxd4 Rfd8 18. Nf3 h6 $15 {0-1 Speelman/NN-Kasparov/Short/London 1993/EXT 2002 (48)}) 12... a6 13. Ba4 b5 {Breaking white's pawns chain in the centre black gets a big advantage.} 14. cxb5 axb5 15. Bxb5 (15. Bb3 Nxd5 16. Bxd5 Qxd5 17. Rxe7 Be6 $19 {[%csl Re7]}) 15... Qxd5 16. a4 (16. Be2 {--> 0-1 Gubanov,A-Svidler,P/St Petersburg 1995/CBM 47 [Svidler] (27)}) 16... Bb7 17. Bf1 e5 {Black achieved a dream from the opening. His control over the centre is absolute. It's curious that all this already appeared in practice...} 18. b4 $146 (18. Na3 $142 $17 {1-0 De Andrade,W-Coelho,L/Brasilia 2001/CBM 80 ext (35)}) 18... e4 {A picturesque position. All white's pieces are on the back rank, while he tries (for no avail) to push forward his queenside passed pawns...} 19. b5 $146 ({RR} 19. Nd2 e3 20. fxe3 dxe3 21. Nc4 Qxd1 22. Rxd1 Nd5 23. Ra3 Nc3 24. Re1 e2 25. Rxe2 Bd4+ 26. Be3 Nxe2+ 27. Bxe2 Bxe3+ 28. Nxe3 f5 29. b5 f4 30. Nc4 Rae8 31. Bf1 f3 32. gxf3 Bxf3 33. Ra1 Be2 {Hidalgo Santana,F (2116)-Molina Rodriguez,B (2070) Tenerife 2019 ½-½ (46)}) 19... Nd7 20. Ra3 $6 (20. Bb2 {was the least of the evils, but black is dominating in any case.}) 20... d3 21. Nd2 f5 {The rest of the game is rather pointless, but black definitely enjoyed every moment of it...} 22. Qb3 Rfc8 23. Qxd5+ Bxd5 24. a5 Bf8 25. Ra4 Nb6 26. Ra1 Bb4 {Big material losses are inevitable for white.} 27. a6 Rc2 28. Rd1 Bc3 29. Ra3 Rxc1 30. Rxc1 Bxd2 0-1

[Event "Dubai op 6th"]
[Site "Dubai"]
[Date "2004.04.22"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Vladimirov, Yevgeniy"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B67"]
[WhiteElo "2552"]
[BlackElo "2621"]
[Annotator "Gofshtein,Leonid D"]
[PlyCount "69"]
[EventDate "2004.04.19"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "UAE"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 101"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2004.07.27"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2004.07.27"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 d6 6. Bg5 e6 7. Qd2 a6 8. O-O-O Bd7 9. f3 Rc8 {Black has tried several moves in this position, for example: a) 9...b5 or b) 9...d4. The main idea of 9...c8 is counterplay on the queenside as soon as possible.} (9... Qa5) (9... Be7) (9... Nxd4) (9... b5 10. Nxc6 Bxc6 11. Ne2 Be7 12. Nd4 Rc8 13. h4 O-O 14. Kb1 d5 15. e5 Nd7 16. Qe3 Re8 17. g4 Qb6 $132 {0-1 McShane,L-Boidman,Y/Rethymnon 2003/CBM 98 (53)}) (9... Nxd4 10. Qxd4 Be7 11. g4 Bc6 12. Be3 O-O 13. g5 Nd7 14. h4 b5 15. Kb1 b4 16. Ne2 d5 17. exd5 Bxd5 $132 {½-½ Tal,M-Balashov,Y/Tallinn 1973/MCL (28)}) 10. Be3 {10.g4 was also played, which usually leads to the same positions with a different move order} (10. g4 Be7 11. Be3 Ne5 12. g5 Nh5 13. Rg1 Qc7 14. f4 Nc4 15. Bxc4 Qxc4 $132 {1-0 Spivak,I-Aseev,K/Rostov 1993/TD (35)}) ({RR} 10. Nxc6 Bxc6 11. Kb1 Be7 12. h4 O-O 13. Bd3 b5 14. Ne2 Bb7 15. Nd4 Nd7 16. Qe3 Ne5 17. Be2 Qc7 18. f4 Nc6 19. Nxc6 Bxc6 20. Bxe7 Qxe7 21. Bf3 Qc7 22. Rd2 Rfd8 23. Rhd1 b4 24. h5 d5 {Jakovenko,D (2708)-Timofeev,A (2658) Sochi 2007 ½-½ (39)}) ({RR} 10. h4 Nxd4 11. Qxd4 h6 12. Be3 e5 13. Qd2 Qa5 14. Kb1 Be6 15. g4 Be7 16. Bh3 g5 17. hxg5 hxg5 18. Bg2 Rg8 19. Nd5 Qxd2 20. Nxf6+ Bxf6 21. Rxd2 Kd7 22. Bf1 Rh8 23. Rdh2 Rxh2 24. Rxh2 b5 {Bharadia Yash (2355)-Damljanovic,B (2388) Belgrade SRB 2025 1-0 (36)}) 10... Ne5 {Black decides not to exchange and keeping tension in the center. 10...d4 was also met with a further d7-c6 as was in the game given below.} (10... Nxd4 11. Bxd4 b5 12. g4 Bc6 13. g5 Nd7 14. h4 b4 15. Nb1 Qa5 $132 {Socko,B-Blehm,P/Warsaw 2001/CBM 82/½-½ (121)}) 11. g4 $146 ({RR} 11. Kb1 b5 12. Bd3 b4 13. Nce2 d5 14. exd5 Nxd5 15. Nf4 Nxd3 16. Qxd3 Nxe3 17. Qxe3 Bc5 18. Qd2 Ba4 19. b3 Bc6 20. Qe2 Qe7 21. Qxa6 Bd7 22. Nf5 exf5 23. Rhe1 Be3 24. Nd5 Qc5 25. Rxe3+ Kf8 {Venkatesh,M (2462)-Bluvshtein,M (2548) Montreal 2008 1-0 (34)}) 11... h6 {Black is stopping the advance of the white pawns and prepares d6-d5.} 12. h4 (12. Kb1 b5 13. Qe1 b4 14. Nce2 Nc4 15. Bc1 Qc7 $132 {½-½ Romero Leon,A-Campos,J/Mondariz 1996/EXT 98 (28)}) 12... b5 (12... g6 13. Be2 b5 14. g5 Nh5 15. f4 b4 16. Nb1 Nc4 17. Bxc4 Rxc4 $132 {1-0 Rasmussen,C-Ziska,B/Aarhus 1991/EXT 98 (40)}) 13. Bd3 b4 14. Nce2 d5 15. exd5 Nxd5 16. Nf4 Qa5 $5 $146 {Only this move is a novelty.} (16... Nxd3+ $5 17. Qxd3 Nxe3 18. Qxe3 Bc5 19. Nh5 O-O 20. g5 (20. Qe5 f6 21. Qe4 $13) 20... Qc7 $132 {0-1 Gazik,I-Popovic,P/Stary Smokovec 1991/CBM 26/[Boensch,U] (29)}) 17. Kb1 Nxf3 (17... Nxd3 18. Qxd3 Nxe3 19. Qxe3) 18. Qf2 $8 {[%mdl 512]} (18. Nxf3 Nc3+ 19. bxc3 bxc3 20. Qc1 Ba3 $19) 18... Nxe3 19. Qxe3 (19. Qxf3 Nxd1 20. Rxd1 Bd6 $19) 19... Nxd4 $5 (19... Bc5 20. Qxf3 Bxd4 21. Ng6 $1 $44) 20. Qxd4 Qc5 21. Qe4 {In spite of black's material advantage, white has a serious compensation. He has a development advantage and black's king is weak as well.} Qc6 {Black tries to remove the white queen from a central position. The tempting 21...c6 was bad as the next variations show.} (21... Bc6 22. Qe1 Bxh1 23. Nxe6 Qe7 24. Bf5 $3 $16 Bb7 25. Rd8+ $3 Rxd8 26. Nc7#) 22. Qe2 a5 (22... Bd6 23. Nh5 O-O 24. g5 $40) 23. Nh5 $44 {White activizes his pieces and brings them closer to the black king.} a4 24. Rhf1 $1 {[%cal Rf1f7]} Rc7 {[%cal Rc7f7] preparing the defence of f7} (24... Qc5 25. Qf3 Qe7 26. Qb7 $36) 25. Qf2 {[%cal Rf2f7]} Bc8 26. Qd4 $1 {[%cal Rh5g7,Rd4g7,Rd4d8] Further activizing the queen and creating concrete threats ro the black king.} Rd7 {Black is already not able to cope with the white's threats} (26... Rg8 27. Bb5 $18) 27. Nxg7+ $18 Bxg7 28. Qxg7 Rf8 29. Qxh6 {[%cal Rg4g6] White's material advantage and an open position of the black king make black's position undefencible.} b3 (29... a3 30. Qg5 $36 {[%cal Rd3b5]}) 30. axb3 axb3 31. cxb3 Ba6 {The exchange of the bishops doesn't change anything.} 32. Bxa6 Qxa6 33. Qf4 $1 Ra7 (33... Qb5 34. Qc4 $18) 34. Qb8+ Ke7 35. Qb4+ 1-0

[Event "Dubai op 6th"]
[Site "Dubai"]
[Date "2004.04.27"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Fedorov, Alexei"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C39"]
[WhiteElo "2616"]
[BlackElo "2552"]
[PlyCount "34"]
[EventDate "2004.04.19"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "UAE"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 101"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2004.07.27"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2004.07.27"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. f4 exf4 3. Nf3 g5 4. h4 g4 5. Ne5 d6 6. Nxg4 Nf6 7. Nxf6+ Qxf6 8. Nc3 Nc6 9. Bb5 Kd8 10. Bxc6 bxc6 11. d3 Rg8 12. Qf3 Bh6 13. Qf2 Rb8 14. Ne2 Rxb2 15. Bxb2 Qxb2 16. O-O $146 ({RR} 16. Qd4 Qxc2 17. Rc1 Qxa2 18. Qa1 Qxa1 19. Rxa1 Rxg2 20. Rf1 Bh3 21. Rg1 f3 22. Rxg2 Bxg2 23. Nc3 Bg7 24. Ra3 Bf6 25. Nd1 Bxh4+ 26. Nf2 Bg3 27. Rxa7 h5 28. Ra8+ Ke7 29. Rg8 h4 30. Rg4 c5 {Westerinen,H (2412)-Bae,T (2318) Oslo 2002 0-1 (35)}) 16... Qxc2 17. Nxf4 Qxf2+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "Sigeman & Co 12th"]
[Site "Malmo/Copenhagen"]
[Date "2004.04.30"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Hector, Jonny"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B33"]
[WhiteElo "2512"]
[BlackElo "2552"]
[Annotator "Rogozenco,Dorian"]
[PlyCount "76"]
[EventDate "2004.04.30"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "SWE"]
[EventCategory "13"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 101"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2004.07.27"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2004.07.27"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 {Rogozenco,Dorian} c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 e5 6. Ndb5 d6 7. Bg5 a6 8. Na3 b5 9. Bxf6 gxf6 10. Nd5 Bg7 11. c3 f5 12. exf5 Bxf5 13. Nc2 O-O 14. Nce3 Be6 15. Bd3 f5 16. O-O Ra7 {Besides the obvious idea to transfer the rook to the kingside and support active actions there, 16...Ra7 also prepares ...Ne7.} (16... Ne7 $2 17. Nxe7+ Qxe7 18. Nxf5 Bxf5 19. Bxf5 Rxf5 20. Qd5+ $18 {[%csl Ra8]}) 17. a4 (17. f4 Ne7 $1 {offers Black excellent prospects.}) (17. Qh5 Raf7 $13) 17... Ne7 18. Nxe7+ ({The piece sacrifice} 18. axb5 Nxd5 19. Bc4 Nf4 20. Bxe6+ Nxe6 21. Qd5 {leads to unclear play, where Black's chances shouldn't be worse:} Qf6 22. Rxa6 Rd7 23. Rxd6 (23. Qc4 Qf7 {looks good for Black.}) 23... Rxd6 24. Qxd6 Rd8 25. Qc6 $13) 18... Rxe7 19. axb5 axb5 20. Bxb5 (20. Bc2 Kh8 $5 (20... d5 21. Bb3 f4 22. Nxd5 Rd7 23. Nb4 Rxd1 24. Bxe6+ Kh8 25. Raxd1 Qe7 26. Bd5 e4 27. Rfe1 e3 28. Bf3 Qc5 $11 {½-½ Golubev,M-Rogozenko,D/Germany 2003 (33)}) 21. Ra6 (21. Bb3 $5) 21... e4 22. Nd5 Ree8 23. Nf4 Bc4 24. Re1 Be5 $15 {½-½ Shirov,A-Kramnik,V/Linares 2004 (32)}) ({RR} 20. Bc2 d5 21. Bb3 f4 22. Nxd5 Rd7 23. Nb4 Rxd1 24. Bxe6+ Kh8 25. Raxd1 Qe7 26. Bd5 e4 27. Rfe1 e3 28. Bf3 Qc5 29. Re2 exf2+ 30. Kf1 Bf6 31. Nd3 Qg5 32. Nxf2 Rd8) 20... d5 21. Ra6 ({RR} 21. Nc2 Rb7 22. Bc6 Rxb2 23. Ra8 Qd6 24. Ra6 Qc5 25. Nb4 Qxc3 26. Bxd5 Qxb4 27. Bxe6+) 21... Kh8 $1 (21... f4 22. Rxe6 Rxe6 23. Qxd5 $14) ({RR} 21... f4 22. Rxe6 Rxe6 23. Qxd5) 22. Qa4 (22. Nc2 Qb8 23. Qe2 f4 24. f3 Bc8 25. Ra2 e4 26. Nb4 Bb7 $44 {Cerqueira Filho,R-Dias,S correspondence game 2000.}) (22. Qh5 f4 23. Ng4 Qb8 24. Be2 Qxb2 $17 {Hodova,L-Priborsky,J/Plzen 2003.}) (22. f4 d4 23. cxd4 exf4 24. Rxf4 Bc8 ({RR} 24... Qb8 25. Qf1 Bc8 26. Ra3 Re4 27. Rxe4 fxe4 28. Qc4) 25. Ra3 Bh6 26. Rf3 f4 27. Nc2 Bg4 $13 {0-1 Hector,J-Rogozenko,D/Gothenburg 2004 (56)}) (22. Nc2 Qb8 23. Qe2 f4 24. f3 Bc8 25. Ra2 e4 26. Nb4 Bb7 $44 {Cerqueira Filho,R-Dias,S correspondence game 2000.}) (22. Qh5 f4 23. Ng4 Qb8 24. Be2 Qxb2 $17 {Hodova,L-Priborsky,J/Plzen 2003.}) (22. Qa4 f4 23. Nc2 Bc8 24. Ra8 Re6 25. Ra1 Rh6 26. Qb4 Qh4 27. h3 Rg6 28. Bd7 Bxd7 29. Rxf8+ Bxf8 30. Qxf8+ Rg8 31. Qd6 Rxg2+ {0,5-0,5 Teichmann-Marotta, 15 e-mail OL 2003}) ({RR} 22. f4 d4 23. cxd4 exf4 24. Rxf4 Bc8 25. Ra3 Bh6 26. Rf3 f4 27. Nc2 Bg4 28. b4 Bxf3 29. Rxf3 Qb6 30. Qd3 Bg7 31. h3 Qd6 32. d5 Ra7 33. Kh2 ({RR} 33. Bc4) 33... Ra2 34. Qe4 Qe5 35. Bd3 Qxe4 36. Bxe4 Re8 {Hector,J (2518)-Rogozenco,D (2517) Gothenburg 2004 CBM 099 [Rogozenco,Dorian] 0-1 (56)}) ({RR} 22. Nc2 Qb8 23. Qe2 f4 24. f3 Bc8 25. Ra2 e4 26. Nb4 Bb7) ({RR} 22. Qh5 f4 23. Ng4 Qb8 24. Be2 Qxb2) 22... f4 23. Nc2 Rg8 $146 ({A more convincing plan was demonstrated in the following little known game:} 23... Bc8 24. Ra8 Re6 $1 {Black is going to attack first h2, not g2.} 25. Ra1 Rh6 26. Qb4 Qh4 27. h3 Rg6 28. Bd7 Bxd7 29. Rxf8+ Bxf8 30. Qxf8+ Rg8 31. Qd6 Rxg2+ {0,5-0,5 Teichmann-Marotta, 15 e-mail OL 2003}) 24. Ra1 Bc8 $146 ({RR} 24... Bf8 25. Ne1 Bf5 26. Qa5 Qc8 27. Bc6 Bh3 28. Bxd5 Bxg2 29. Nxg2 Qg4 30. Qb6 Reg7 31. Qf6 Qh5 32. Ra7 {1-0 (32) Eggleston,D (2372)-Woods,C (1934) Liverpool 2008}) 25. Ra8 Bf8 (25... f3 26. g3) 26. Bf1 Reg7 27. Qc6 $1 Rc7 28. Qb5 Bc5 $5 29. b4 Bxf2+ {Unexpected decision, which suddenly requires from White a very precise defence.} 30. Kxf2 Rxc3 31. Ne1 (31. Qe2 $1 {[%csl Re5]} e4 32. Kg1 {[%csl Rh8][%cal Ge2d2,Gd2d4] and White defends against direct threats. Black keeps the initiative though, thanks to his strong central pawns.}) 31... f3 $1 {A very nice sacrifice, winning time for bringing more pieces into attack.} 32. Nxf3 (32. gxf3 $2 Qh4+ 33. Ke2 Qd4 $19) ({The cool} 32. Kg1 $5 {was a better alternative} Qf6 (32... fxg2 33. Bxg2 e4 $44 34. Rd1 $5) 33. Kh1 $13) 32... e4 33. Ne1 (33. Qe2 $2 Qb6+ (33... exf3 $4 34. Qe5+ $18) 34. Ke1 Re3) 33... Qf6+ 34. Kg1 Rf8 35. R8a2 Ra3 $1 36. Qe2 (36. Rxa3 $4 Qf2+ 37. Kh1 Qxf1+ 38. Qxf1 Rxf1#) 36... Qb6+ 37. Kh1 Qf6 38. Kg1 Qd4+ ({Without any risk, Black could play on with} 38... Qd4+ 39. Kh1 Bg4 $1) 1/2-1/2

[Event "Sigeman & Co 12th"]
[Site "Malmo/Copenhagen"]
[Date "2004.05.01"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Hansen, Curt"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C02"]
[WhiteElo "2552"]
[BlackElo "2635"]
[Annotator "Psakhis,Lev"]
[PlyCount "82"]
[EventDate "2004.04.30"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "SWE"]
[EventCategory "13"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 101"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2004.07.27"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2004.07.27"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. e5 c5 4. c3 Nc6 5. Nf3 Bd7 6. Be2 Nge7 7. Na3 (7. O-O Ng6 8. g3 {[%cal Gh2h4]}) 7... cxd4 8. cxd4 Nf5 9. Nc2 Qa5+ {At this moment Black had a great choice of reasonable alternatives, for example:} (9... Nb4 10. O-O (10. Ne3 Nxe3 11. fxe3 Be7 12. O-O O-O 13. Bd2 Nc6 14. Bd3 f6 15. exf6 Bxf6 16. Bc3 Qb6 17. Rf2 Ne7 18. Qe2 Be8 19. Ne5 $36 {1-0 Dvoirys,S-Wempe,J/Dieren op 2002 (30)}) 10... Nxc2 11. Qxc2 Qb6 12. Qd3 a6 13. a4 Bb4 14. h4 a5 15. g3 h6 16. Kg2 O-O-O 17. Bd2 Kb8 18. Rfc1 Rc8 19. b3 Rhd8 20. Bf4 Ne7 21. Rxc8+ Rxc8 22. Rc1 $14 {1-0 Potkin,V-Berkes,F/Wch B20 Goa 2002/ (50)}) (9... Qb6 10. O-O Rc8 (10... a5 11. Kh1 Nb4 12. Ne3 Be7 13. Nxf5 exf5 14. Bd2 O-O 15. a3 Nc6 16. Bc3 Rfb8 $5 17. Qd2 Qd8 18. b3 Rc8 19. Bd3 g6 20. Rfe1 Be6 21. Reb1 Qf8 22. Bb2 Qd8 23. Bc1 $14 {0-1 Cherniaev,A-Dzhakaev,D/EUR-ch Istanbul 2003/CBM 96 (34)}) 11. Kh1 Na5 12. g4 Ne7 13. Nfe1 h5 14. gxh5 Nf5 15. Bg4 Nh6 16. Bh3 Nc6 17. b3 Kd8 18. Ng2 Kc7 19. Nf4 Rd8 20. Rg1 Kb8 21. Bb2 Ne7 22. Ne3 $14 {[%csl Gf4,Gh3] 1-0 Charbonneau,P-Barsov,A/Montreal 2003/CBM 97 (38)}) 10. Bd2 Qb6 11. Bc3 a5 12. O-O Be7 13. a4 (13. a3 $5 O-O 14. Bd3 Kh8 15. Re1 Na7 16. a4 Nc6 17. Bb5 Be8 18. Qd2 f6 19. exf6 Rxf6 20. Ne3 Nxe3 21. Rxe3 Bd6 $13 {½-½ Timman,J-Sokolov,I/Amsterdam (m/3) 1996/[Sokolov,I] (34)}) (13. Ne3 $5 Nxe3 14. fxe3 O-O 15. Bd3 Nb4 16. Bb1 a4 17. a3 Nc6 18. Qe1 Na5 19. Bb4 $1 Qd8 (19... Bxb4 $2 20. Bxh7+ $1 $18) 20. Bd3 Nc6 21. Bxe7 Qxe7 22. Qg3 $14 {1-0 Galdunts,S-Bricard,E/Bischwiller-A 1999/EXT 2001 (27)}) (13. Qd2 O-O 14. Ne3 Nxe3 15. Qxe3 Nb4 16. Rfc1 Bb5 17. Bd1 Bc4 18. b3 Bb5 19. a3 Nc6 20. h4 Rfc8 21. g3 Rc7 22. Kg2 Rac8 23. Qd2 Qa6 $15 {[%cal Gb5d3] 0-1 Zlotnik,B-Romero Holmes,A/Villa de Albox 2003/ (66)}) ({RR} 13. a3 O-O 14. Bd3 Kh8 15. Re1 Na7 16. a4 Nc6 17. Bb5 Be8 18. Qd2 f6 19. exf6 Rxf6 20. Ne3 Nxe3 21. Rxe3 Bd6 22. g3 Nb4 23. Bf1 Bg6 24. Nh4 Be4 25. Rae1 Rh6 26. f3 Rxh4 27. fxe4 Rxe4 {Timman,J (2590)-Sokolov,I (2670) Amsterdam 1996 ½-½ (34)}) ({RR} 13. a3 Na7 14. a4 Rc8 15. Qd2 Nc6 16. Bb5 Nb4 17. Nxb4 axb4 18. Bxb4 Bxb5 19. axb5 Qxb5 20. Bxe7 Nxe7 21. Qg5 Nf5 22. Rfc1 O-O 23. Qd2 h6 24. h3 Rc4 25. Rxc4 dxc4 26. Ra5 Qd7 27. Rc5 Rc8 {Kapechun,M (1985)-Badacsonyi,S (2309) London ENG 2025 ½-½ (39)}) 13... O-O 14. Bb5 $146 (14. Na3 f6 (14... Rac8 $5) 15. exf6 Rxf6 (15... Bxf6) 16. Nb5 Raf8 17. Qd2 Nd6 18. Rac1 Ne4 19. Qe3 Be8 $11 {1-0 Rozentalis,E-King,D/Mondorf 1991 (37)}) ({RR} 14. Na3 f6 15. exf6 Rxf6 16. Nb5 Raf8 17. Qd2 Nd6 18. Rac1 Ne4 19. Qe3 Be8 20. Nd2 Nxc3 21. bxc3 e5 22. Rb1 exd4 23. Nxd4 Qa7 24. Bf3 Bf7 25. Rb5 Bc5 26. N2b3 Re8 27. Nxc6 Rxc6 28. Qd2 Rd8 {Rozentalis,E (2575)-King,D (2505) Mondorf 1991 1-0 (37)}) ({RR} 14. g4 Nh6 15. Ne3 f6 16. exf6 Rxf6 17. g5 Rxf3 18. Bxf3 Bxg5 19. Be2 Rf8 20. Bb5 Qc7 21. Qh5 Bf4 22. Kh1 Nf5 23. Nxf5 Rxf5 24. Qe2 Bxh2 25. Bxc6 bxc6 26. f4 Bg3 27. Qg4 Bxf4 28. Bxa5 Qb8 {Ward,C (2430)-King,D (2500) Gausdal 1993 0-1 (44)}) 14... f6 {Black is ideally developed, now it is time for action!} 15. g4 (15. exf6 Bxf6 $11) 15... Nh6 16. exf6 Rxf6 {[%cal Gf6f1]} (16... gxf6 $5 {[%cal Gh6f7]}) 17. Ne5 ({Black doing well after} 17. g5 Rxf3 18. Qxf3 Bxg5 $44) 17... Nxe5 18. dxe5 Rg6 $1 {Seemingly, this move escaped Carlsen's attention. Now we see, that black has succeeded to solve his opening problems and it's White, who must think about defence now.} ({Weaker} 18... Bxb5 19. exf6 Bxf1 20. fxe7 Ba6 21. Qd2 {[%csl Gc3,Ge7]}) 19. Bd4 $2 ({I think White should have taken his chances with} 19. Bxd7 $5 {for example:} Nxg4 20. Bd4 (20. Kh1 Nxf2+ 21. Rxf2 Qxf2 22. Qf1 Qxc2 $19) 20... Qb3 21. Bxe6+ $1 Rxe6 22. Ne3 Qxd1 23. Raxd1 Nxe5 24. Nxd5 Nf3+ 25. Kg2 Nxd4 26. Nxe7+ Rxe7 27. Rxd4 Rae8 $11) 19... Bc5 $1 20. Bxd7 (20. Bxc5 Qxc5 21. Bxd7 Nxg4 22. Bxe6+ Rxe6 23. Nd4 (23. Qxg4 Rg6 24. Qxg6 hxg6 25. Rac1 Rc8 $17) 23... Rxe5 24. Qxg4 Re4 $17) 20... Bxd4 21. Nxd4 Rxg4+ 22. Qxg4 (22. Kh1 Rxd4 23. Qc2 (23. Bxe6+ Kh8 $19) 23... Rf8 $19) 22... Nxg4 23. Bxe6+ Kh8 24. Rad1 Nxe5 $19 {Black's positional and material advantage is decisive.} 25. Bxd5 (25. Rfe1 Nc6) 25... Rf8 ({Maybe} 25... Qg6+ $5 26. Bg2 (26. Kh1 Rd8) 26... Nd3 $19 {[%cal Rd3f4] was better choice.}) 26. Ne6 (26. Rfe1 Ng6 {[%cal Gg6f4]}) 26... Rf6 27. Rc1 Nc6 $1 28. b3 (28. Rc2 $5) 28... Ne7 29. Nc7 $8 h6 (29... h5 $5) 30. Be4 Rf8 (30... Rf4 $5) 31. Nb5 (31. Rc3) 31... Qe6 $1 32. Rc4 Ng6 33. Nc7 $2 {Final mistake.} (33. Bxb7 $142 $5 Nf4 {[%csl Gf4]}) 33... Qg4+ 34. Kh1 (34. Bg2 Nf4 $19) 34... Qe2 {Further casualties are unavoidable because of unstable position of White's king.} (34... Ne5 $1 35. Rg1 Qe2 36. Rd4 Rc8 $19) 35. Bg2 Rxf2 36. Rg1 (36. Rxf2 Qxf2 37. h3 Nf4) 36... Rxg2 $1 37. Rxg2 Qf1+ 38. Rg1 Qf3+ 39. Rg2 Nf4 40. Rxf4 Qxf4 41. Rxg7 (41. Nb5 Qf1+ 42. Rg1 Qf3+ 43. Rg2 Qxb3) 41... Qc1+ $1 0-1

[Event "Sigeman & Co 12th"]
[Site "Malmo/Copenhagen"]
[Date "2004.05.04"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Aagaard, Jacob"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B33"]
[WhiteElo "2400"]
[BlackElo "2552"]
[PlyCount "78"]
[EventDate "2004.04.30"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "SWE"]
[EventCategory "13"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 101"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2004.07.27"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2004.07.27"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 e5 6. Ndb5 d6 7. Bg5 a6 8. Na3 b5 9. Bxf6 gxf6 10. Nd5 Bg7 11. c3 f5 12. exf5 Bxf5 13. Nc2 O-O 14. Nce3 Bg6 15. a4 b4 ({RR} 15... Rb8 16. axb5 axb5 17. Ra6 Nd4 18. Bd3 e4 19. Bb1 Nf5 20. Nxf5 Bxf5 21. Ne3 Bg6 22. h4 h5 23. g4 hxg4 24. Rxd6 Qe7 25. h5 Bh7 26. h6 Be5 27. Qxg4+ Kh8 28. Rd7 Qe8 29. Nd5 Rg8 30. Qh3 {Juarez Flores,C (2374)-Otero Acosta,D (2348) Manizales 2021 1-0 (39)}) 16. Nxb4 Nxb4 17. cxb4 e4 ({RR} 17... f5 18. Bc4+ Kh8 19. Bd5 f4 20. Nc4 Rb8 21. Qd2 e4 22. O-O Qh4 23. Rfd1 f3 24. g3 Qh3 25. Ne3 Rf6 26. Bc4 Bf7 27. Bf1 Qh5 28. b5 axb5 29. axb5 Rh6 30. h3 Be6 31. g4 Qe8 32. Ra6 {Lie,K (2536)-Moiseenko,A (2641) Tromsoe 2007 1-0 (41)}) 18. Bc4 $146 ({RR} 18. Qb3 Kh8 19. Bc4 f5 20. O-O f4 21. Nd5 Be5 22. Qh3 Rf5 23. g4 Rg5 24. f3 h5 25. Nc3 exf3 26. Kh1 Rxg4 27. Qxf3 Rb8 28. b5 Qh4 29. Rf2 Rg3 30. Qe2 Re3 31. Qd2 Bxc3 32. bxc3 Be4+ {Ostradicky,D-Maly,A (2300) Bratislava 1996 ½-½ (47)}) ({RR} 18. Ra2 f5 19. Bc4+ Kh8 20. Nd5 f4 21. b3 Qg5 22. Kf1 f3 23. g3 Bf7 24. h4 Qe5 25. Kg1 Rae8 26. Kh2 Re6 27. Bxa6 Rh6 28. Bc4 Rxh4+ 29. Kg1 Rxh1+ 30. Kxh1 Be6 31. a5 Bh3 32. Ne3 Qg5 {Nguyen,K (2060)-Reeve,J (2364) Edmonton 2005 0-1 (42)}) 18... Bxb2 19. h4 h6 20. Rb1 Bc3+ 21. Kf1 Kh8 22. g3 f5 23. Nd5 Be5 24. Qd2 Kh7 25. Kg2 Ra7 26. Nf4 Bxf4 27. Qxf4 Bh5 28. Rhe1 Rg7 29. Rbd1 Bxd1 30. Rxd1 Rf6 31. Be6 Kh8 32. Rxd6 Qe7 33. Qe5 f4 34. Rxa6 e3 35. Ra8+ Rf8 36. Rxf8+ Qxf8 37. fxe3 fxg3 38. Qf4 Qxf4 39. exf4 Ra7 1/2-1/2

[Event "Sigeman & Co 12th"]
[Site "Malmo/Copenhagen"]
[Date "2004.05.07"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Rozentalis, Eduardas"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B31"]
[WhiteElo "2619"]
[BlackElo "2552"]
[Annotator "Postny,Evgeny"]
[PlyCount "97"]
[EventDate "2004.04.30"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "SWE"]
[EventCategory "13"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 101"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2004.07.27"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2004.07.27"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 g6 4. O-O Bg7 5. Re1 Nf6 ({Another theoretical direction is} 5... e5) 6. e5 ({The main alternative is} 6. c3 {[%cal Gd2d4]}) 6... Nd5 7. Nc3 Nc7 8. Bxc6 dxc6 9. Ne4 Ne6 10. d3 {This is very solid theoretical line, where white does not get much, but plays almost without any risk.} O-O (10... h6 {--> 0-1 Lederer,Y-Mikhalevski,V/Israel 2003/CBM 94 [Mikhalevski,V] (42)}) 11. Be3 b6 12. Qd2 f5 {Black wants to get rid of the annoying e5 as soon as possible.} ({Solid alternative is} 12... Nd4 {--> 1-0 Benjamin,J-Ni Hua/Shanghai 2002/CBM 91 [Rabinovich,Al] (32)}) (12... f6 13. exf6 exf6 {- see 12...f5.}) 13. exf6 exf6 14. Bh6 Qd7 $6 $146 {This novelty is a serious inaccuracy.} ({Stronger is} 14... a5 15. Bxg7 Kxg7 16. Qc3 (16. Re2 Ra7 17. Rae1 Raf7 18. h4 h5 19. b3 Qc7 20. Ng3 Nd4 21. Nxd4 cxd4 $11 {½-½ Kramnik,V-Kasparov,G/Moscow 1996/CBM 52 ext (29)}) (16. Ng3 Ra7 {--> ½-½ Timman,J-Lautier,J/Pamplona 1999/CBM 75 [Gershon] (30)}) 16... Ra7 17. a3 a4 18. b4 axb3 19. Qxb3 Nf4 20. Rab1 Ra6 $132 {½-½ Lutz,C-Khalifman,A/New Delhi/Teheran 2000/CBM 80 (33)}) ({RR} 14... a5 15. Bxg7 Kxg7 16. Re2 Ra7 17. Rae1 Raf7 18. h4 h5 19. b3 Qc7 20. Ng3 Nd4 21. Nxd4 cxd4 22. c3 Rd8 23. Re4 dxc3 24. Qxc3 c5 25. Ne2 Bf5 26. Nf4 Qd7 27. Ne6+ Bxe6 28. Rxe6 Qxd3 29. Qxd3 {Kramnik,V (2775)-Kasparov,G (2775) Moscow 1996 ½-½}) ({RR} 14... Nd4 15. Nxd4 Qxd4 16. Nc3 Bf5 17. Re7 Rf7 18. Rae1 Raf8 19. h3 Rxe7 20. Rxe7 Rf7 21. Re8+ Rf8 22. Re2 Qd7 23. Bxg7 Kxg7 24. Qe1 Kf7 25. Ne4 Bxe4 26. Rxe4 Re8 27. Rxe8 Qxe8 28. Qxe8+ Kxe8 29. f4 {Piliposyan,R (2415)-Jai Sankar Subramanian (2306) Abu Dhabi UAE 2025 ½-½ (35)}) ({RR} 14... a5 15. Bxg7 Kxg7 16. Ng3 Ra7 17. h4 h5 18. Re4 Re7 19. Rae1 Rfe8 20. Qe3 Kf7 21. Qh6 Rh8 22. Qd2 Rhe8 23. a3 Ng7 24. Qf4 Ne6 25. Ne5+ Kg7 26. Nxh5+ gxh5 27. Qg3+ Kh8 28. Nxc6 Qc7 29. Nxe7 {Stellwagen,D (2512)-Carlsen,M (2581) Hoogeveen 2004 1-0 (53)}) 15. Bxg7 Kxg7 16. a3 $146 {[%cal Gb2b4] If black's pawn would have been placed on a5, black could play now a5-a4 preventing white's b2-b4 advance. Now white seizes the initiative.} ({RR} 16. Re2 Bb7 17. Rae1 Rae8 18. Ng3 Nd4 19. Nxd4 cxd4 20. Qf4 Rxe2 21. Rxe2 c5 22. b3 Qc6 23. Re7+ Rf7 24. Rxf7+ Kxf7 25. Ne4 f5 26. f3 Qd7 27. Ng5+ Kg8 28. Qe5 Bd5 {½-½ (28) Habes,K-Bengherabi,K (2117) Algiers 2013}) 16... Nd4 17. Nxd4 cxd4 18. b4 {Preventing the c6-c5 advance.} Bb7 19. Qf4 Rad8 20. h4 {Trying to create a target on the kingside.} h5 21. f3 c5 $1 {Sooner or later black has to make this move, he can not suffer the strong e4 forever.} 22. bxc5 Bxe4 23. Rxe4 {Rozentalis decided to keep the "e" file open.} ({Possible was} 23. fxe4 bxc5 24. Rab1 {with slight pressure.}) 23... bxc5 24. Rae1 Rde8 {Black is very close to solve all his problems.} 25. g4 {Looks like the only attempt to achieve progress.} Rxe4 26. Qxe4 Qd6 27. Kg2 hxg4 28. Qe7+ (28. fxg4 Rf7 $11 {[%cal Gf6f5]}) 28... Qxe7 29. Rxe7+ Kh6 $6 (29... Rf7 $1 {It appears that black could afford himself to go for pawns endgame.} 30. Rxf7+ Kxf7 31. fxg4 Ke6 {and black holds on, despite white's possibility to organize an "h" passed pawn, for instanse:} 32. Kg3 (32. Kf3 f5 {the same like 32.Kg3.}) 32... f5 33. Kf4 fxg4 34. Kxg4 Kf6 35. a4 a5 36. Kf4 Ke6 37. Kg5 (37. Ke4 Kd6 $11) 37... Kf7 $11) 30. fxg4 c4 $2 {This move wastes an important tempo and weakens the d4.} ({The right continuation was} 30... Rb8 31. Kf3 Rb2 {and black seems to survive, for example:} 32. Kf4 g5+ 33. hxg5+ fxg5+ 34. Kf5 Rxc2 35. Re6+ Kg7 36. Kxg5 Rc3 37. Ra6 Rxd3 38. Rxa7+ Kf8 $11) 31. Kf3 cxd3 32. cxd3 Rc8 33. Kf4 $1 {Threatening mate in three.} g5+ $8 34. hxg5+ fxg5+ 35. Ke4 Rc1 36. Kxd4 Rg1 37. Re4 Ra1 38. Kc5 $1 {[%mdl 4096] Good endgame technique. Rozentalis concentrates on his passed "d" pawn, which is the decisive factor in the position.} ({Worse is} 38. Re6+ $6 Kg7 39. Ra6 Rg1) 38... Rxa3 39. d4 {[%csl Gc5,Gd4,Ge4,Gg4]} Kg6 40. d5 {It should be noted that black's king is out of the game, so white wins easily, nothing can stop the "d" pawn.} Rc3+ 41. Kb5 Kf6 42. d6 Rd3 43. Kc6 a5 44. d7 Rc3+ 45. Kb7 Rb3+ 46. Kc7 Rc3+ 47. Kd8 Kf7 48. Re7+ Kf8 49. Re5 1-0

[Event "Sigeman & Co 12th"]
[Site "Malmo/Copenhagen"]
[Date "2004.05.08"]
[Round "8"]
[White "De Firmian, Nick E"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C88"]
[WhiteElo "2542"]
[BlackElo "2552"]
[PlyCount "126"]
[EventDate "2004.04.30"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "SWE"]
[EventCategory "13"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 101"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2004.07.27"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2004.07.27"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. a4 b4 9. d3 d6 10. a5 Be6 11. Nbd2 Rb8 12. Nc4 Nd7 ({RR} 12... Bg4 13. Be3 Nd7 14. h3 Bxf3 15. Qxf3 Bg5 16. Ba4 Bxe3 17. Qxe3 Nd4 18. c3 bxc3 19. bxc3 Nb5 20. d4 Qe7 21. Rad1 Rfd8 22. Qg3 Qe6 23. Ne3 g6 24. Nd5 c6 25. Bxb5 axb5 26. Nb4 Qc4 27. Qd3 {Kasparov,G (2838)-Grischuk,A (2702) Moscow 2002 ½-½ (39)}) ({RR} 12... Qc8 13. c3 bxc3 14. bxc3 h6 15. h3 Rd8 16. Bc2 Bf8 17. Qe2 Nd7 18. d4 exd4 19. Nxd4 Nxd4 20. cxd4 d5 21. Ne3 Nf6 22. e5 Ne4 23. f3 Ng3 24. Qd3 g6 25. Ng4 c5 26. Nxh6+ Bxh6 27. Bxh6 {Vokhidov,S (2641)-Goganov,A (2511) Al Ain UAE 2025 1-0 (37)}) 13. Be3 d5 $146 ({RR} 13... Nf6 14. h3 h6 15. c3 Qc8 16. Nfd2 Nh7 17. d4 exd4 18. cxd4 d5 19. exd5 Bxd5 20. Nf3 Nf6 21. Nfe5 Bd6 22. Nxc6 Bxc6 23. Rc1 Qd7 24. Ne5 Bxe5 25. dxe5 Ne4 26. Qxd7 Bxd7 27. Rxc7 Be6 28. Bxe6 {Bodnaruk,A (2428)-Cyfka,K (2419) Riadh 2017 1-0 (43)}) ({RR} 13... Bf6 14. c3 bxc3 15. bxc3 Rb7 16. Qc2 Na7 17. d4 Qb8 18. d5 Bg4 19. Nfd2 h6 20. h3 Bh5 21. Ba4 Nb5 22. Na3 Nc5 23. Bxc5 dxc5 24. Reb1 Nxa3 25. Rxa3 Rxb1+ 26. Nxb1 c4 27. g4 Bg6 28. Nd2 {De Firmian,N (2537)-Beliavsky,A (2679) Copenhagen 2004 1-0 (41)}) ({RR} 13... Bf6 14. Nfd2 Nd4 15. Ba2 Nc5 16. Bb1 Bg5 17. c3 bxc3 18. bxc3 Bxe3 19. Rxe3 Nb5 20. Qc2 f5 21. Ba2 Kh8 22. Ree1 Qf6 23. f3 f4 24. Rad1 Rbd8 25. Nb1 Bg8 26. Qf2 Nb7 27. d4 Bxc4 28. Bxc4 {Hodgson,J (2211)-Cobb,J (2425) Sunningdale 2008 0-1 (49)}) 14. exd5 Bxd5 15. Ncd2 Bxb3 16. Nxb3 Rb5 17. Qe2 Kh8 18. d4 e4 19. Qc4 Qa8 20. Nfd2 f5 21. Bf4 Nf6 22. Bxc7 Nd5 23. Bb6 Nf4 24. Nf1 Rf6 25. Ne3 Rg6 26. Kf1 Rh6 27. h3 Qe8 28. Bc7 Bd6 29. Bxd6 Rxd6 30. Rad1 h6 31. Rd2 Qd8 32. d5 Ne5 33. Qd4 Qf6 34. Nxf5 Qxf5 35. Qxe4 Qxe4 36. Rxe4 Neg6 37. g3 Rbxd5 38. gxf4 Rxd2 39. Nxd2 Rxd2 40. f5 Nf8 41. Rxb4 Rxc2 42. Rb8 Kg8 43. b4 Rc6 44. Ke2 Kf7 45. Ke3 Nd7 46. Rb7 Rd6 47. b5 Ke7 48. Ke4 Kd8 49. bxa6 Rxa6 50. Rb5 Kc7 51. Kd5 Rd6+ 52. Ke4 Rd2 53. f3 Kc6 54. Rb1 Ra2 55. Rg1 Re2+ 56. Kd4 Re7 57. Rc1+ Kd6 58. Rc8 Ne5 59. a6 Ra7 60. Rg8 Nxf3+ 61. Kc4 Rxa6 62. Rxg7 Ke5 63. Kd3 Ra3+ 0-1

[Event "NOR-chTA final"]
[Site "Trondheim"]
[Date "2004.05.20"]
[Round "2.1"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Madsen, Dag"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B04"]
[WhiteElo "2552"]
[BlackElo "2287"]
[PlyCount "65"]
[EventDate "2004.05.19"]
[EventType "team"]
[EventRounds "5"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 100 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2004.07.06"]
[SourceVersion "2"]
[SourceVersionDate "2004.07.06"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "06"]
[BlackTeam "07"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "NOR"]
[BlackTeamCountry "NOR"]

1. e4 Nf6 2. e5 Nd5 3. d4 d6 4. Nf3 dxe5 5. Nxe5 c6 6. Be2 Bf5 7. O-O Nd7 8. Nf3 e6 9. c4 Nb4 10. a3 ({RR} 10. Nc3 Nc2 11. Rb1 Nb4 12. Bg5 Be7 13. Bxe7 Qxe7 14. Rc1 O-O 15. a3 Na6 16. b4 e5 17. d5 Nf6 18. dxc6 bxc6 19. Qa4 Nb8 20. Rfe1 Re8 21. Bf1 Qc7 22. c5 Nbd7 23. Bc4 Bg6 24. Ng5 e4 {Eynullayev,A (2214)-Frayna,J (2243) chess.com INT 2023 1-0 (55)}) 10... Nc2 11. Ra2 Nxd4 12. Qxd4 c5 $146 ({RR} 12... Bxb1 13. Bg5 f6 14. Rxb1 fxg5 15. Qg4 Qf6 16. Nxg5 O-O-O 17. b4 h5 18. Qg3 Ne5 19. Qe3 Qf5 20. Rf1 Be7 21. f4 Bxg5 22. fxg5 Ng4 23. Qxa7 Qxg5 24. Bxg4 hxg4 25. Raf2 Qe5 26. Qa8+ Qb8 27. Qxb8+ {Koykka,P (2142)-Nguyen,P (2394) Krakow 2010 ½-½ (52)}) ({RR} 12... Bxb1 13. Bg5 f6 14. Rxb1 Bc5 15. Qe4 fxg5 16. Qxe6+ Qe7 17. Nxg5 Qxe6 18. Nxe6 Kf7 19. b4 Kxe6 20. Bg4+ Kf6 21. Bxd7 Bd4 22. Rd1 c5 23. bxc5 Bxc5 24. Rd5 b6 25. Re2 g6 26. Re6+ Kg7 27. Rc6 {Lienhard,A (2099)-Hugentobler,P (2233) Flims 2012 1-0 (41)}) 13. Qc3 Bxb1 14. Bg5 f6 15. Rxb1 fxg5 16. Qe3 Be7 17. Rd1 Bf6 18. b4 Qe7 19. Rad2 Nf8 20. Rd6 cxb4 21. axb4 h5 22. c5 g4 23. Nd2 Kf7 24. Ne4 Rh6 25. Bc4 Kg8 26. Nxf6+ Rxf6 27. b5 Kh8 28. c6 bxc6 29. bxc6 a5 30. Qg5 Qf7 31. Rd8 Rxd8 32. Rxd8 Rf5 33. Qxf5 1-0

[Event "NOR-ch"]
[Site "Molde"]
[Date "2004.07.03"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Dannevig, Oystein"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C66"]
[WhiteElo "2552"]
[BlackElo "2372"]
[PlyCount "43"]
[EventDate "2004.07.03"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 101 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2004.09.01"]
[SourceVersion "2"]
[SourceVersionDate "2004.09.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 {ChessBase II} e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. d3 ({RR} 4. Nc3) ({RR} 4. O-O) 4... d6 5. O-O g6 6. d4 exd4 7. e5 dxe5 8. Nxe5 Bd7 ({RR} 8... Qd5 9. Qe2 Be7 10. Re1 d3 11. Bxc6+ Qxc6 12. Qxd3 Qd6 13. Qe2 O-O 14. Nc3 Be6 15. Qf3 Nd5 16. Bh6 {½-½ (16) So,W (2760)-Nakamura,H (2816) Las Vegas 2015}) ({RR} 8... Qd6 9. Re1 Be7 10. Qf3 Bd7 11. Bf4 Qb4 12. Na3 O-O 13. Nd3 Qa5 14. Bh6 Ng4 15. Rxe7 Nxh6 16. Rxd7 Rad8 17. Bxc6 bxc6 18. Qxc6 Rxd7 19. Qxd7 {1-0 (19) Ertan,C (2369)-Unver,C (2012) Ankara TUR 2025}) ({RR} 8... Qd5 9. Re1 Be6 10. Nxc6 bxc6 11. Nc3 Qc5 12. Qf3 Kd7 13. Qxf6 Be7 14. Ne4 Qxb5 15. Qxd4+ Qd5 16. Qc3 Rhb8 17. Bg5 Bxg5 18. Rad1 Be7 19. Nf6+ Bxf6 20. Qxf6 Rb4 21. b3 Kc8 22. Rxd5 cxd5 23. Rxe6 {Carlsen,M (2646)-Bae,T (2284) Oslo 2006 1-0}) 9. Re1 Nxe5 10. Rxe5+ Be7 11. Bg5 $146 ({RR} 11. Qe2 Bxb5 12. Qxb5+ Qd7 13. Qxb7 O-O 14. Qf3 Rfe8 15. Bg5 Bd6 16. Rxe8+ Rxe8 17. Nd2 Ng4 18. h3 Ne5 19. Qd5 Bf8 20. Qxd7 Nxd7 21. Bf4 c5 22. Kf1 Nb6 23. Re1 Rc8 24. Be5 Nd5 25. a3 f6 {Libiszewski,F (2467)-Marcelin,C (2441) France 2006 CBM 111 Extra [ChessBase II] 0-1 (37)}) 11... Ng8 12. Qxd4 f6 13. Nc3 c5 ({RR} 13... Bxb5 14. Rd5) 14. Bxd7+ Qxd7 15. Qxd7+ Kxd7 16. Rd1+ Kc7 17. Nd5+ Kc6 18. Nxe7+ Nxe7 19. Re6+ Kb5 20. Bxf6 Rhd8 21. Rxd8 Rxd8 22. Re1 1-0

[Event "NOR-ch"]
[Site "Molde"]
[Date "2004.07.05"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Agdestein, Simen"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C02"]
[WhiteElo "2552"]
[BlackElo "2595"]
[PlyCount "76"]
[EventDate "2004.07.03"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 101 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2004.09.01"]
[SourceVersion "2"]
[SourceVersionDate "2004.09.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. e5 c5 4. c3 Nc6 5. Nf3 Bd7 6. Be2 Nge7 7. Na3 cxd4 8. cxd4 f6 9. O-O fxe5 10. Nxe5 ({RR} 10. dxe5 Ng6 11. Nb5 Ncxe5 12. Nxe5 Nxe5 13. Bf4 Bxb5 14. Bxb5+ Nc6 15. Qh5+ Kd7 16. Rad1 Bd6 17. Bxd6 Kxd6 18. Rfe1 Qf6 19. Qh3 Rhf8 20. Qg3+ Qf4 21. Qxg7 Qxf2+ 22. Kh1 Rg8 23. Rxe6+ Kxe6 24. Qh6+ Rg6 {Maslovskiy,V (2367)-Nesterov,A (2601) chess.com INT 2025 0-1}) 10... Nxe5 11. dxe5 Nc6 12. Nb5 $146 ({RR} 12. f4 Qb6+ 13. Kh1 O-O-O 14. Rf3 g5 15. Nb5 Kb8 16. a4 Bc5 17. Bd2 Rdf8 18. a5 Qd8 19. Rc1 Be7 20. a6 gxf4 21. axb7 Qb6 22. Rb3 Rhg8 23. Bf1 Nxe5 24. Nc7 Qxc7 25. Rxc7 Kxc7 26. b8=Q+ Rxb8 {Petrov,M (2448)-Thavandiran,S (2363) Trieste 2022 1-0 (34)}) ({RR} 12. f4 Qb6+ 13. Kh1 O-O-O 14. Rf3 g5 15. Nb5 Kb8 16. a4 Bc5 17. Bd2 Rdf8 18. a5 Qd8 19. Rc1 Be7 20. a6 gxf4 21. axb7 Qb6 22. Rb3 Rhg8 23. Bf1 Nxe5 24. Nc7 Qxc7 25. Rxc7 Kxc7 26. b8=Q+ Rxb8 {Petrov,M (2448)-Thavandiran,S (2363) Trieste 2022 1-0 (34)}) 12... a6 13. Bd3 g6 14. Qg4 Nxe5 15. Qg3 axb5 16. Qxe5 Rg8 17. Bxb5 Qb6 18. Bd3 Bg7 19. Qg3 e5 20. Be3 Qe6 21. Rac1 Rxa2 22. Qh4 e4 23. Be2 Bxb2 24. Rb1 Bf6 25. Qxh7 Rg7 26. Qh8+ Rg8 27. Qh7 Rxe2 28. Rxb7 Rc2 29. Rfb1 Rg7 30. Qh8+ Rg8 31. Qh7 Rg7 32. Qh8+ Qg8 33. Qh6 Bc8 34. R7b6 Bd8 35. Rb8 Rgc7 36. R1b6 Qg7 37. Qf4 g5 38. Qd6 Rc1+ 0-1

[Event "NOR-ch"]
[Site "Molde"]
[Date "2004.07.06"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Elsness, Frode"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C84"]
[WhiteElo "2552"]
[BlackElo "2408"]
[PlyCount "107"]
[EventDate "2004.07.03"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 101 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2004.09.01"]
[SourceVersion "2"]
[SourceVersionDate "2004.09.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. d3 d6 5. O-O Be7 6. c3 O-O 7. Re1 a6 8. Ba4 b5 9. Bc2 Re8 10. Nbd2 Bf8 11. Nf1 h6 ({RR} 11... Nb8 12. d4 Nbd7 13. Ng3 Bb7 14. b3 g6 15. a4 Bg7 16. Bd3 d5 17. Bg5 dxe4 18. Bxe4 Bxe4 19. Nxe4 exd4 20. Nxd4 c5 21. Nc6 Qc7 22. Qd6 Qxd6 23. Nxd6 Rxe1+ 24. Rxe1 bxa4 25. bxa4 Bf8 26. Ne7+ {Carlsen,M (2840)-Hansen,E (2603) Chess.com INT 2017 1-0 (44)}) 12. Ng3 ({RR} 12. d4 g6 13. h3 Bg7 14. Ng3 Bb7 15. Be3 exd4 16. cxd4 Nb4 17. Bb1 Nxe4 18. Nxe4 Bxe4 19. Bxe4 Rxe4 20. Qb3 c5 21. a3 cxd4 22. Bxd4 Rxe1+ 23. Rxe1 Nc6 24. Bxg7 Kxg7 25. Qc3+ Ne5 26. Nxe5 dxe5 {Morozevich,A (2741)-Anand,V (2786) Monte Carlo 2005 ½-½}) ({RR} 12. h3 d5 13. Ng3 dxe4 14. dxe4 Qxd1 15. Rxd1 Bb7 16. Be3 Na5 17. Nd2 c5 18. f3 Bc6 19. Kf2 Nd7 20. b3 g6 21. Bd3 c4 22. bxc4 Nc5 23. Be2 Na4 24. cxb5 axb5 25. Rac1 Nb2 26. Rf1 Rec8 {Llari,M (2291)-Moreno Tejera,E (2418) Maia POR 2025 0-1 (51)}) 12... g6 13. h3 d5 14. d4 $146 ({RR} 14. Bd2 Bg7 15. Nh2 dxe4 16. dxe4 Be6 17. Qc1 Kh7 18. f4 exf4 19. Bxf4 Bc8 20. Nf3 Nd7 21. Rd1 Qe7 22. Bb3 Nce5 23. Qe3 Bb7 {½-½ (23) Larduet Despaigne,C (2335)-Nunez Vallina,J (2370) Matanzas 1992}) ({RR} 14. a4 Bb7 15. a5 Bg7 16. Bb3 dxe4 17. dxe4 Qxd1 18. Rxd1 Rad8 19. Rxd8 Rxd8 20. Be3 Ne8 21. Bd5 Nd6 22. Nd2 Ne7 23. Ba2 Kh7 24. Nb3 f5 25. exf5 gxf5 26. f4 Nc4 27. Bc5 Ng6 28. fxe5 f4 {Calero,H (1845)-Oliveros,C (1990) Cali 2016 0-1 (49)}) 14... dxe4 15. Nxe4 Bf5 16. d5 Bxe4 17. Bxe4 Nxe4 18. Rxe4 Ne7 19. Rxe5 Bg7 20. Re2 Qxd5 21. Qe1 Kf8 22. Bf4 Qb7 23. Be5 Bxe5 24. Nxe5 c6 25. c4 bxc4 26. Qc3 Kg8 27. Rae1 Nd5 28. Qxc4 Re6 29. Qg4 Kh7 30. Nc4 Rxe2 31. Rxe2 Qc8 32. Qd4 Qc7 33. g3 Rd8 34. Qc5 Kg8 35. Kg2 Qb7 36. b3 Qb5 37. Qa7 Rf8 38. Re5 Rd8 39. Kh2 Rf8 40. Nd6 Qb8 41. Qd7 Qb6 42. Kg2 Nf6 43. Qe7 Nd5 44. Qh4 Qd8 45. Qxh6 Qf6 46. Nc4 a5 47. Re4 Ra8 48. Nxa5 Nc3 49. Rf4 Qe5 50. Nxc6 Qd5+ 51. Kh2 Qxc6 52. Rh4 f5 53. Qh8+ Kf7 54. Qe5 1-0

[Event "NOR-ch"]
[Site "Molde"]
[Date "2004.07.08"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Djurhuus, Rune"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B74"]
[WhiteElo "2483"]
[BlackElo "2552"]
[PlyCount "74"]
[EventDate "2004.07.03"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 101 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2004.09.01"]
[SourceVersion "2"]
[SourceVersionDate "2004.09.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 {ChessBase} c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 g6 4. d4 cxd4 5. Nxd4 Bg7 6. Be3 Nf6 7. Be2 O-O 8. Nb3 d6 9. O-O a6 10. f4 b5 11. Bf3 Bb7 12. e5 dxe5 13. fxe5 Nd7 14. e6 fxe6 15. Bg4 Rxf1+ 16. Qxf1 Nce5 17. Bxe6+ Kh8 18. Rd1 Qc7 19. Qe2 ({RR} 19. Qf4 Rf8 20. Qg3 ({RR} 20. Rxd7 Qc6 21. Rxb7 Rxf4 22. Bd5 ({RR} 22. Rb6 Nf3+ 23. gxf3 Qxf3 24. Bxf4 Qxf4) 22... Qf6) 20... Nf6 21. Nc5 Nh5 22. Qe1 Bxg2 23. Kxg2 Nf3 24. Qh1 Nf4+ ({RR} 24... Nh4+ 25. Kh3 Rf3+) 25. Kf2 Nd4 {0-1 (25) Svidler,P (2750)-Carlsen,M (2813) Nice 2010 CBM 135 Extra [ChessBase]} {RR} 26. Nd7 Nh3+ 27. Kg2 Qc6+ 28. Bd5 Qxd7 29. Rxd4 e6) 19... Rf8 20. Bd4 $146 ({RR} 20. Nd5 Bxd5 21. Bxd5 Nb6 22. Be4 Nec4 23. Bf2 Na4 24. Rf1 Ncxb2 25. Bf3 e5 26. Qd2 Nc4 27. Qg5 Nc3 28. Qg4 e4 29. Bd1 Qf7 30. Nc5 e3 31. Ne6 exf2+ 32. Kh1 Ne3 33. Ng5 Qc4 34. Qh3 Qxf1# {Sevian,S (2393)-Robson,R (2628) Saint Louis 2013 0-1 (34)}) 20... b4 21. Ne4 Rf4 22. Ng5 h6 23. Bxd7 hxg5 24. Be8 Re4 25. Qf2 Rg4 26. g3 Nf3+ 27. Kf1 Qc4+ 28. Rd3 Bxd4 29. Nxd4 Rxd4 30. b3 Rxd3 31. bxc4 Rd1+ 32. Ke2 Rd2+ 33. Ke3 Rxf2 34. Kxf2 Kg7 35. c5 Nd4 36. Ke3 e5 37. Kd3 Bd5 0-1

[Event "Politiken Cup 26th"]
[Site "Copenhagen"]
[Date "2004.07.25"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Koskela, Niina"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B92"]
[WhiteElo "2268"]
[BlackElo "2567"]
[PlyCount "92"]
[EventDate "2004.07.24"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "DEN"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 101 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2004.09.01"]
[SourceVersion "2"]
[SourceVersionDate "2004.09.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Be2 e5 7. Nb3 Be7 8. O-O O-O 9. Be3 Be6 10. Qd2 Nbd7 11. a4 Rc8 12. Rfd1 Qc7 13. a5 Rfd8 14. Qe1 h6 ({RR} 14... Nc5 15. Nxc5 dxc5 16. Rxd8+ Rxd8 17. f3 Qc6 18. Na4 Nd7 19. c4 Nf8 20. Nb6 f6 21. Nd5 Bd6 22. Ra3 Bf7 23. Rb3 Ne6 24. Rb6 Qd7 25. Qa1 Rc8 26. Bd1 Rb8 27. Ba4 Qd8 28. Qa3 Nd4 29. Bxd4 {Ponomariov,R (2718)-Alekseev,E (2708) Moscow 2008 1-0 (53)}) ({RR} 14... Nc5 15. Nxc5 dxc5 16. Bg5 Rd4 17. Bxf6 Bxf6 18. Nd5 Bxd5 19. exd5 e4 20. c3 Rxd1 21. Bxd1 Re8 22. Ra4 c4 23. d6 Qxd6 24. Rxc4 g6 25. Ba4 Qd5 26. Bxe8 Qxc4 27. Qd1 e3 28. fxe3 Qe4 29. Bd7 {Koskela,N (2249)-Lujan,C (2378) Turin 2006 ½-½ (44)}) 15. Nc1 ({RR} 15. h3 Qc6 16. Bf3 Nh7 17. Nc1 Ng5 18. Bxg5 Bxg5 19. Nd3 Nb8 20. Nb4 Qc4 21. Nbd5 Bxd5 22. Rxd5 Qb4 23. Qb1 b5 24. axb6 Qxb6 25. Rda5 Bh4 26. Nd1 Rc5 27. R5a4 a5 28. c3 Nc6 29. Qd3 Ne7 {Sandu,M (2204)-Ajay Krishna,S (2388) Arad ROU 2023 ½-½ (54)}) 15... Qb8 $146 ({RR} 15... Bf8 16. Bf3 Bg4 17. Bxg4 Nxg4 18. Bd2 Ngf6 19. Nd3 Qc4 20. Ra4 Qe6 21. Nb4 {½-½ (21) Payen,A (2310)-Britton,R (2295) London 1994}) ({RR} 15... Nh7 16. Nd3 Bg5 17. Nb4 Qb8 18. Ncd5 Kf8 19. Bb6 Nxb6 20. Nxb6 Rc5 21. b3 Qa7 22. Bc4 Be7 23. Qe3 Qb8 24. Bxe6 fxe6 25. c4 Nf6 26. Nd3 Rc7 27. f4 Rc6 28. Qh3 Kf7 29. f5 Nxe4 30. fxe6+ {Voitsekhovsky,S (2527)-Alexikov,A (2384) St Petersburg 2002 1-0 (57)}) 16. N1a2 Ng4 17. Bxg4 Bxg4 18. Rd2 Nf6 19. f3 Be6 20. Qd1 Rc4 21. b3 Rcc8 22. Rd3 Rd7 23. Qd2 d5 24. Bf2 dxe4 25. Rxd7 Bxd7 26. Nxe4 Nxe4 27. fxe4 Bc6 28. Qe2 Qd6 29. Rd1 Qa3 30. Nc3 Qxa5 31. Nd5 Bxd5 32. exd5 Bd6 33. c4 Re8 34. Qe3 Rc8 35. Rc1 Bc5 36. Qe2 e4 37. Rd1 e3 38. Bg3 Qc3 39. d6 Qxb3 40. Rd5 Qb1+ 41. Qe1 Qxe1+ 42. Bxe1 b6 43. Kf1 Rd8 44. Bg3 Rd7 45. Ke2 f6 46. Bf4 Kf7 0-1

[Event "Politiken Cup 26th"]
[Site "Copenhagen"]
[Date "2004.07.26"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Dannevig, Oystein"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C67"]
[WhiteElo "2567"]
[BlackElo "2363"]
[PlyCount "69"]
[EventDate "2004.07.24"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "DEN"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 101 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2004.09.01"]
[SourceVersion "2"]
[SourceVersionDate "2004.09.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. d4 Nd6 6. Bxc6 dxc6 7. dxe5 Nf5 8. Qxd8+ Kxd8 9. Nc3 Ke8 10. h3 Ne7 11. b3 ({RR} 11. Rd1 Ng6 12. b3 Be7 13. Bb2 h5 14. Re1 h4 15. Ne4 Kf8 16. Rad1 Rb8 17. Nf6 Nf4 18. Nd7+ Bxd7 19. Rxd7 Ke8 20. Rdd1 c5 21. Nd2 Kd7 22. Nc4+ Ke6 23. Rd6+ cxd6 24. exd6+ Kd5 25. Re5+ Kc6 {Gukesh,D (2766)-Firouzja,A (2751) Saint Louis USA 2024 ½-½ (73)}) 11... Ng6 12. Bb2 a5 13. Rad1 Bb4 $146 ({RR} 13... Be7 14. Rfe1 Be6 15. Nd4 Rd8 {½-½ (15) Hernandez Guerrero,G (2551)-Fernandez,D (2451) Merida 2006}) 14. Nd4 Bxc3 15. Bxc3 Nf4 16. Rfe1 h5 17. e6 fxe6 18. Bd2 Ng6 19. Nxe6 Bxe6 20. Rxe6+ Kf7 21. Rde1 Rhd8 22. Bc3 Rd5 23. R6e3 a4 24. Rf3+ Kg8 25. Rg3 Rd6 26. f4 axb3 27. axb3 Rf8 28. Bb4 Nxf4 29. Bxd6 cxd6 30. Re7 g6 31. Rf3 b5 32. Re4 g5 33. h4 Ng6 34. Rxf8+ Kxf8 35. Re6 1-0

[Event "Politiken Cup 26th"]
[Site "Copenhagen"]
[Date "2004.07.28"]
[Round "6"]
[White "De Firmian, Nick E"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B87"]
[WhiteElo "2537"]
[BlackElo "2567"]
[PlyCount "97"]
[EventDate "2004.07.24"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "DEN"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 101 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2004.09.01"]
[SourceVersion "2"]
[SourceVersionDate "2004.09.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Bc4 e6 7. O-O Be7 8. Bb3 b5 9. f4 Bb7 10. e5 dxe5 11. fxe5 Bc5 12. Be3 Nc6 13. exf6 Bxd4 14. Qe2 Bxe3+ 15. Qxe3 Qd4 16. Rae1 gxf6 17. Ne4 O-O-O 18. Rxf6 Qxe3+ 19. Rxe3 Rd1+ 20. Kf2 Ne5 21. h3 $146 ({RR} 21. Nd6+ Rxd6 22. Rxe5 Rd2+ 23. Re2 Rd7 24. g4 Kd8 25. Kg3 Ke7 26. Ref2 Ke8 27. Kh4 Rg8 28. Kh5 Rg6 29. R6f4 Rc7 30. c4 b4 31. Bc2 Rc5+ 32. Kh4 Rg7 33. b3 e5 34. Rf6 e4 35. R6f5 Rxf5 {Tsyrennimaev,V-Dashibalov,E (2289) Ulan-Ude 2006 ½-½ (62)}) 21... Rg8 22. g4 Rd4 23. Nc5 Nd7 24. Nxd7 Rxd7 25. Rh6 Rg7 26. Re5 Rd1 27. c4 Rd2+ 28. Ke3 Rxb2 29. cxb5 axb5 30. Rxb5 Kc7 31. Rbh5 Kd6 32. Rxh7 Rxh7 33. Rxh7 Ke7 34. g5 Rg2 35. h4 Bd5 36. Bxd5 exd5 37. a4 Kf8 38. a5 Ra2 39. Rh8+ Kg7 40. Ra8 Rh2 41. Rd8 Rxh4 42. Rxd5 f6 43. Kd3 fxg5 44. Rd4 Rh8 45. a6 Kf6 46. Kc4 Ke5 47. Rd7 g4 48. a7 g3 49. Rg7 1/2-1/2

[Event "Politiken Cup 26th"]
[Site "Copenhagen"]
[Date "2004.07.31"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Rozentalis, Eduardas"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C42"]
[WhiteElo "2567"]
[BlackElo "2619"]
[PlyCount "26"]
[EventDate "2004.07.24"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "DEN"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 101 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2004.09.01"]
[SourceVersion "2"]
[SourceVersionDate "2004.09.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nxe5 d6 4. Nf3 Nxe4 5. d4 d5 6. Bd3 Be7 7. O-O Nc6 8. c4 Nf6 9. Nc3 O-O 10. h3 Nb4 11. Be2 dxc4 12. Bxc4 c6 13. Bg5 Nbd5 1/2-1/2

[Event "Politiken Cup 26th"]
[Site "Copenhagen"]
[Date "2004.08.01"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Lindberg, Bengt"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B92"]
[WhiteElo "2422"]
[BlackElo "2567"]
[PlyCount "99"]
[EventDate "2004.07.24"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "DEN"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 101 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2004.09.01"]
[SourceVersion "2"]
[SourceVersionDate "2004.09.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Be2 e5 7. Nb3 Be7 8. Be3 Be6 9. Nd5 Nbd7 10. Qd3 O-O 11. c4 b5 12. cxb5 axb5 13. O-O Rb8 ({RR} 13... Bxd5 14. exd5 Nb6 15. Qxb5 Nbxd5 16. Bd2 e4 17. Rfc1 Rb8 18. Qa4 Qb6 19. Rc6 Qb7 20. Rac1 Qd7 21. Ra6 Qf5 22. Nd4 Qe5 23. Nc6 Qxb2 24. Qd1 Rb7 25. Rc2 Qb1 26. Nxe7+ {1-0 (26) Chasin,N (2458)-Heinrich,J (2351) Hajduszoboszlo HUN 2025}) 14. Rfd1 Bxd5 15. exd5 Re8 $146 ({RR} 15... Ne8 16. Qd2 b4 17. a3 Nc5 18. Nxc5 dxc5 19. Rac1 Qb6 20. Qc2 Rc8 21. Rd2 Bd6 22. Qb3 Nf6 23. Rdc2 Rb8 24. Qd3 e4 25. Qc4 Rfd8 26. h3 h6 27. Bxc5 Bxc5 28. Qxc5 Qxc5 29. Rxc5 Nxd5 30. Bc4 {Roser,K (2406)-Royset,P (2208) Helsingor 2014 1-0 (61)}) ({RR} 15... Ne8 16. Qd2 b4 17. a4 f5 18. f3 Bh4 19. Bd3 Kh8 20. a5 f4 21. Bf2 Bxf2+ 22. Qxf2 Nef6 23. a6 Ra8 24. a7 Nb6 25. Bb5 Rf7 26. Ra6 Nc8 27. Rda1 e4 28. fxe4 Ng4 29. Qf3 Ne5 30. Qf2 {Roser,K (2406)-Edouard,R (2679) Helsingor 2014 0-1 (41)}) 16. Rac1 e4 17. Qd2 Ne5 18. Nd4 Nxd5 19. Nc6 Nxc6 20. Qxd5 Nb4 21. Qd2 Nd3 22. Bxd3 exd3 23. Qxd3 Bf6 24. Rc2 Be5 25. g3 h5 26. h4 Qf6 27. Kg2 Qe6 28. Qd5 Qg6 29. Re2 Re6 30. Qd3 Qg4 31. Bg5 f6 32. Bc1 Bxg3 33. f3 Rxe2+ 34. Qxe2 Qg6 35. Qd3 Qxd3 36. Rxd3 Bxh4 37. Rxd6 Rc8 38. Be3 Re8 39. Rd3 f5 40. f4 Bf6 41. Rb3 Bxb2 42. Kf3 Bf6 43. Rxb5 g6 44. a4 Re4 45. Rb6 Kg7 46. Rb7+ Kh6 47. Bc5 g5 48. fxg5+ Kxg5 49. Rb4 Rxb4 50. Bxb4 1/2-1/2

[Event "NOR-ch playoff"]
[Site "Oslo"]
[Date "2004.09.04"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Ostenstad, Berge"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C18"]
[WhiteElo "2567"]
[BlackElo "2482"]
[PlyCount "56"]
[EventDate "2004.09.04"]
[EventType "match"]
[EventRounds "2"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 102 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2004.11.03"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2004.11.03"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e5 c5 5. a3 Bxc3+ 6. bxc3 Ne7 7. Qg4 O-O 8. Bd3 Nbc6 9. Qh5 Ng6 10. Nf3 Qc7 11. Be3 c4 12. Bxg6 fxg6 13. Qg4 Bd7 14. h4 Rf5 15. h5 gxh5 16. Rxh5 Raf8 17. Kd2 Be8 18. Rxf5 exf5 19. Qg3 Nd8 20. Ng5 Bg6 21. Rh1 $146 ({RR} 21. Bf4 Qd7 22. Rh1 Ne6 23. Nxe6 Qxe6 {½-½ (23) Fogarasi,T (2470)-Farago,I (2465) Hungary 2003}) 21... Qc6 22. Qh4 f4 23. Nxh7 Qa4 24. Nxf8 Qxc2+ 25. Ke1 Qb1+ 26. Ke2 Qd3+ 27. Kf3 Qe4+ 28. Ke2 Qd3+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "Lausanne YM 5th"]
[Site "Lausanne"]
[Date "2004.09.15"]
[Round "1.1"]
[White "Alekseev, Evgeny V"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C55"]
[WhiteElo "2606"]
[BlackElo "2567"]
[PlyCount "80"]
[EventDate "2004.09.15"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "3"]
[EventCountry "SUI"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 104"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2005.01.27"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2005.01.27"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. d3 Be7 5. O-O O-O 6. Bb3 d6 7. c3 d5 8. Nbd2 dxe4 9. dxe4 Bc5 10. Qe2 Qe7 11. Nc4 Bg4 ({RR} 11... h6 12. Bc2 a5 13. Be3 b6 14. Rfd1 Ba6 15. Bd3 Rfd8 16. Bxc5 Qxc5 17. Ncxe5 Nxe5 18. Nxe5 Bb7 19. Ng4 Nxg4 20. Qxg4 Rd6 21. Bc2 Rg6 22. Qe2 Ba6 23. Qe1 Re8 24. Rd5 Qe7 25. Rad1 Bb7 26. Rd7 {Alekseev,E (2606)-Carlsen,M (2567) Lausanne 2004 1-0 (59)}) 12. h3 $146 ({RR} 12. Bg5 h6 13. Bh4 g5 14. Bg3 Nh5 15. Ne3 Bxe3 16. Qxe3 Nf4 17. Bc2 Bxf3 18. Qxf3 Rad8 19. Rfd1 Qf6 20. Qe3 Nh5 21. b4 Nxg3 22. hxg3 a6 23. a4 Rxd1+ 24. Rxd1 Rd8 25. Rd5 Rd6 26. Qc5 b6 {Pikula,D (2290)-Matkovic,T (2355) Kladovo 1991 ½-½ (76)}) 12... Be6 13. Kh2 a6 14. Bg5 h6 15. Bh4 g5 16. Bg3 Nh5 17. Ncd2 Rad8 18. Rad1 Ba7 19. Ba4 b5 20. Bb3 Rd6 21. a4 Rb8 22. axb5 axb5 23. Ra1 Bb6 24. Rfd1 Rbd8 25. Qxb5 Bxb3 26. Qxb3 Nxg3 27. fxg3 Qe6 28. Qxe6 fxe6 29. Rf1 Rxd2 30. Nxd2 Rxd2 31. Rf6 Nd8 32. Raf1 Kg7 33. Rf8 Rd7 34. Re8 Bc5 35. b4 Be7 36. g4 Bf6 37. b5 Kf7 38. Rh8 Kg7 39. Re8 Kf7 40. Rh8 Kg7 1/2-1/2

[Event "Lausanne YM 5th"]
[Site "Lausanne"]
[Date "2004.09.16"]
[Round "1.2"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Alekseev, Evgeny V"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B33"]
[WhiteElo "2567"]
[BlackElo "2606"]
[PlyCount "84"]
[EventDate "2004.09.15"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "3"]
[EventCountry "SUI"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 104"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2005.01.27"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2005.01.27"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 e5 6. Ndb5 d6 7. Bg5 a6 8. Na3 b5 9. Bxf6 gxf6 10. Nd5 f5 11. g3 fxe4 12. Bg2 Be6 13. Bxe4 Rc8 14. Qh5 Bg7 15. c3 Ne7 16. Rd1 Rc5 17. Nxe7 Qxe7 18. Nc2 d5 19. Bf5 d4 20. O-O Bxf5 21. Qxf5 dxc3 22. bxc3 O-O $146 ({RR} 22... e4 23. Qg4 O-O 24. Rd7 f5 25. Qxf5 Rfxf5 26. Rxe7 Rxc3 27. Ne3 Rf7 28. Rxe4 Ra3 29. g4 Rxa2 30. Nf5 Bf8 31. Rc1 Ra4 32. Rxa4 bxa4 33. Rc4 a3 34. Ra4 Rb7 35. Ne3 Rb2 36. Kg2 Bc5 37. Kf3 {Sanhueza,C (2325)-Gomez,C (2300) Buenos Aires 2019 ½-½ (48)}) 23. Ne3 e4 24. Rd5 Rxd5 25. Nxd5 Qe6 26. Qh5 Qe5 27. Qxe5 Bxe5 28. a4 bxa4 29. Ra1 Rd8 30. Ne7+ Kf8 31. Nc6 Bxc3 32. Rxa4 Rd1+ 33. Kg2 Ra1 34. Rc4 Bf6 35. Nb8 Kg7 36. Rxe4 a5 37. Nd7 Bb2 38. Rg4+ Kh8 39. Rf4 Kg7 40. Rg4+ Kh8 41. Rf4 Kg7 42. Rg4+ Kh8 1/2-1/2

[Event "Lausanne YM 5th"]
[Site "Lausanne"]
[Date "2004.09.16"]
[Round "1.3"]
[White "Alekseev, Evgeny V"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C55"]
[WhiteElo "2606"]
[BlackElo "2567"]
[PlyCount "117"]
[EventDate "2004.09.15"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "3"]
[EventCountry "SUI"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 104"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2005.01.27"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2005.01.27"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. d3 Be7 5. O-O O-O 6. Bb3 d6 7. c3 d5 8. Nbd2 dxe4 9. dxe4 Bc5 10. Qe2 Qe7 11. Nc4 h6 ({RR} 11... Bg4 12. h3 Be6 13. Kh2 a6 14. Bg5 h6 15. Bh4 g5 16. Bg3 Nh5 17. Ncd2 Rad8 18. Rad1 Ba7 19. Ba4 b5 20. Bb3 Rd6 21. a4 Rb8 22. axb5 axb5 23. Ra1 Bb6 24. Rfd1 Rbd8 25. Qxb5 Bxb3 26. Qxb3 {Alekseev,E (2606)-Carlsen,M (2567) Lausanne 2004 ½-½ (40)}) 12. Bc2 $146 ({RR} 12. Ba4 Bd7 13. Ne3 Rfe8 14. Nd5 Nxd5 15. exd5 Nb8 16. Bc2 e4 17. Nd4 c6 18. Qh5 cxd5 19. Qxd5 Nc6 20. Nf5 Bxf5 21. Qxf5 Qe5 22. Bxe4 Qxe4 23. Qxc5 Qc2 24. Qb5 Rad8 25. Qxb7 Re6 26. Qb3 Qe4 {Bastian,H (2328)-Fuellgrabe,T (2244) Saarbruecken 2015 1-0 (42)}) ({RR} 12. Ba4 Bg4 13. h3 Bh5 14. b4 Bxb4 15. cxb4 Nd4 16. Qb2 Bxf3 17. gxf3 b5 18. Bxb5 Nxb5 19. Nxe5 Nh5 20. Kg2 Rae8 21. a4 Nd6 22. Nc6 Qh4 23. Be3 Nxe4 24. Qd4 Re6 25. Ne5 Nf4+ 26. Bxf4 Qxf4 {Shinkarchuk,M-Tichonov,J (2180) Alushta 2006 0-1 (72)}) 12... a5 13. Be3 b6 14. Rfd1 Ba6 15. Bd3 Rfd8 16. Bxc5 Qxc5 17. Ncxe5 Nxe5 18. Nxe5 Bb7 19. Ng4 Nxg4 20. Qxg4 Rd6 21. Bc2 Rg6 22. Qe2 Ba6 23. Qe1 Re8 24. Rd5 Qe7 25. Rad1 Bb7 26. Rd7 Qg5 27. g3 Rge6 28. f3 R6e7 29. Rxe7 Qxe7 30. Qf2 Bc8 31. Qd4 Be6 32. a3 Qg5 33. Kf2 Qh5 34. h4 Qc5 35. Qxc5 bxc5 36. Rd2 Rb8 37. Ba4 Kf8 38. Ke3 Ke7 39. f4 f5 40. exf5 Bxf5 41. Bd1 Kf6 42. g4 Be6 43. g5+ hxg5 44. hxg5+ Ke7 45. Bf3 Rh8 46. Bd5 Rh3+ 47. Ke4 Bc8 48. Bc4 c6 49. Bf1 Rg3 50. Rg2 Rh3 51. Rf2 Rg3 52. Rg2 Rh3 53. Re2 Rg3 54. Bg2 Ba6 55. Rd2 Ke6 56. f5+ Ke7 57. Kf4 Rd3 58. Rxd3 Bxd3 59. Ke5 1-0

[Event "Lausanne YM 5th"]
[Site "Lausanne"]
[Date "2004.09.16"]
[Round "1.4"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Alekseev, Evgeny V"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B29"]
[WhiteElo "2567"]
[BlackElo "2606"]
[PlyCount "95"]
[EventDate "2004.09.15"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "3"]
[EventCountry "SUI"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 104"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2005.01.27"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2005.01.27"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. e5 Ng4 5. Qe2 d6 6. exd6 e6 7. Qc4 Nf6 8. Qxc5 Bxd6 9. Qg5 ({RR} 9. Qe3 O-O 10. Bc4 Nd5 11. Qe4 f5 12. Qe2 Nf4 13. Qf1 Kh8 14. d3 a6 15. Bb3 b5 16. Bxf4 Bxf4 17. Qe2 a5 18. a4 b4 19. Nb5 Qf6 20. O-O Bd7 21. Rfe1 Rae8 22. d4 g5 23. Rad1 e5 {Onischuk,V (2610)-Mekhitarian,K (2560) chess.com INT 2024 1-0}) 9... O-O 10. Bd3 $146 ({RR} 10. Bc4 e5 11. d3 Bg4 12. Ne4 Nxe4 13. Qxg4 Nf6 14. Qh4 Nb4 15. O-O Nxc2 16. Rb1 Rc8 17. Bd2 e4 18. Ng5 exd3 19. Bc3 h6 20. Ne4 Nxe4 21. Qxe4 Bxh2+ 22. Kh1 Re8 23. Qxd3 Qh4 24. Bxf7+ Kf8 {Savchenko,B (2518)-Kuznetsov,V (2232) Samara 2004 0-1 (54)}) 10... Nb4 11. O-O Nxd3 12. cxd3 b6 13. b3 Bb7 14. Bb2 h6 15. Qh4 Nd5 16. Qg4 Nf6 17. Qh3 Rc8 18. Rae1 Rc5 19. Ne4 Nxe4 20. dxe4 Ba6 21. Qg4 g6 22. d3 Bxd3 23. e5 Be7 24. Rd1 Rd5 25. Rfe1 Bf5 26. Rxd5 Bxg4 27. Rxd8 Rxd8 28. Bc1 Kg7 29. Be3 Bxf3 30. gxf3 g5 31. Rc1 Rd7 32. Rc8 Kg6 33. Rg8+ Kf5 34. Rh8 Bc5 35. Bxc5 bxc5 36. Rxh6 Kxe5 37. h4 Kf5 38. Rh5 f6 39. hxg5 fxg5 40. Rh8 Rd2 41. a4 Rb2 42. Rc8 Rxb3 43. Rxc5+ Kf4 44. Kg2 Ra3 45. Rc4+ Kf5 46. Kg3 e5 47. Rb4 Ra2 48. Rc4 1/2-1/2

[Event "Lausanne YM 5th"]
[Site "Lausanne"]
[Date "2004.09.17"]
[Round "2.1"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Papa, Severin"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C48"]
[WhiteElo "2567"]
[BlackElo "2397"]
[PlyCount "113"]
[EventDate "2004.09.15"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "3"]
[EventCountry "SUI"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 104"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2005.01.27"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2005.01.27"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. d3 Bc5 5. Nc3 d6 6. Na4 Bb6 7. c3 O-O 8. Bg5 Ne7 9. Nxb6 axb6 10. Nh4 Ng6 11. Bc4 Kh8 $146 ({RR} 11... Nxh4 12. Bxh4 Be6 13. O-O h6 14. Qf3 g5 15. Bg3 Bxc4 16. dxc4 Nd7 17. Qg4 Kg7 18. h4 Nf6 19. Qf5 Nh5 20. Qg4 Nf6 21. Qf5 Nh5 22. Qf3 Kg6 23. Qf5+ {½-½ (23) Harikrishna,P (2673)-Vescovi,G (2646) Khanty-Mansiysk 2005}) 12. O-O h6 13. Nxg6+ fxg6 14. Be3 Qe7 15. f4 Ng4 16. Qe2 Nxe3 17. Qxe3 exf4 18. Rxf4 Rxf4 19. Qxf4 Be6 20. Bxe6 Qxe6 21. a3 Qf6 22. Rf1 Rf8 23. Qf2 Kg8 24. g3 g5 25. Kg2 Rf7 26. a4 Rf8 27. b3 Rf7 28. b4 Kf8 29. Qxf6 gxf6 30. Rf5 Ke7 31. Kf3 Rf8 32. Kg4 Ra8 33. a5 c5 34. axb6 cxb4 35. cxb4 Ra4 36. b5 Ra2 37. h4 Rd2 38. Rf3 Kf7 39. Kh5 gxh4 40. gxh4 Rb2 41. Rf5 Rh2 42. d4 Re2 43. Rf4 Rb2 44. e5 dxe5 45. dxe5 Rxb5 46. Rxf6+ Kg7 47. Rg6+ Kf8 48. Kxh6 Rxe5 49. Rf6+ Ke7 50. Kg6 Re4 51. h5 Rg4+ 52. Kf5 Rh4 53. Rh6 Kd7 54. Kg5 Rh1 55. Rg6 Rg1+ 56. Kf6 Rh1 57. h6 1-0

[Event "Lausanne YM 5th"]
[Site "Lausanne"]
[Date "2004.09.19"]
[Round "3.1"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Lagno, Kateryna"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C42"]
[WhiteElo "2567"]
[BlackElo "2472"]
[PlyCount "106"]
[EventDate "2004.09.15"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "3"]
[EventCountry "SUI"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 104"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2005.01.27"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2005.01.27"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nxe5 d6 4. Nf3 Nxe4 5. Bd3 Nf6 6. h3 Be7 7. O-O O-O 8. c3 b6 9. Bc2 Bb7 10. Re1 Re8 11. d4 Nbd7 12. Bg5 ({RR} 12. Nbd2 Bf8 13. Rxe8 Qxe8 14. Nf1 Be4 15. Bf4 Bxc2 16. Qxc2 Qe4 17. Qd2 b5 18. Bg3 Nd5 19. Re1 Qf5 20. Qe2 a6 21. Ne3 Nxe3 22. fxe3 Qd5 23. b3 f5 24. c4 bxc4 25. bxc4 Qe4 26. Ng5 Qe7 {Carlsen,M (2675)-Erenburg,S (2585) Rishon Le Ziyyon 2006 0-1 (59)}) 12... Nf8 13. Nbd2 Ng6 $146 ({RR} 13... N6d7 14. Be3 a6 15. Nf1 Bf6 16. N3h2 b5 17. Ng4 Bh4 18. b3 Nf6 19. g3 Nxg4 20. Qxg4 Bf6 21. Kh2 Qd7 22. Qxd7 Nxd7 23. Rac1 Nb6 24. c4 b4 25. Nd2 g6 26. d5 Nd7 27. Ne4 Bg7 28. f4 {Lavendelis,E (2274)-Salo,H (2228) Antalya 2017 ½-½ (60)}) ({RR} 13... Ne6 14. Bh4 Nf4 15. Bg5 N6h5 16. Ba4 c6 17. Bxf4 Nxf4 18. Nf1 b5 19. Bc2 c5 20. Qd2 Ng6 21. Re3 Bf6 22. Rae1 Rf8 23. Ng3 Rc8 24. Ne4 Be7 25. dxc5 dxc5 26. Rd3 Qa5 27. a3 b4 28. c4 {Mar,K (2279)-Mamedjarova,Z (2259) Bled 2002 0-1 (35)}) 14. Ba4 Nd7 15. Be3 a6 16. Nf1 b5 17. Bb3 Nb6 18. Ng3 Nd5 19. Nh2 Nh4 20. Qg4 Qc8 21. Qh5 g6 22. Qh6 Nxg2 23. Kxg2 Bf8 24. Qh4 Nxe3+ 25. Kg1 Nc4 26. Ng4 Bg7 27. Qg5 Rxe1+ 28. Rxe1 Qf8 29. Bc2 h6 30. Qf4 Re8 31. Rxe8 Qxe8 32. Be4 Bxe4 33. Nxe4 Qe7 34. Nef6+ Bxf6 35. Nxf6+ Kg7 36. Nd5 Qd8 37. b3 Nb6 38. Ne3 Qg5+ 39. Qxg5 hxg5 40. Kg2 f5 41. Kf3 c5 42. dxc5 dxc5 43. c4 bxc4 44. Nxc4 Nxc4 45. bxc4 Kf6 46. Ke3 Ke5 47. f3 a5 48. a4 Ke6 49. Ke2 g4 50. hxg4 fxg4 51. fxg4 Ke5 52. Kd3 Kf4 53. g5 Kf3 0-1

[Event "Lausanne YM 5th"]
[Site "Lausanne"]
[Date "2004.09.20"]
[Round "3.2"]
[White "Lagno, Kateryna"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B56"]
[WhiteElo "2472"]
[BlackElo "2567"]
[PlyCount "128"]
[EventDate "2004.09.15"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "3"]
[EventCountry "SUI"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 104"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2005.01.27"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2005.01.27"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 Bd7 6. Be2 Bc6 7. O-O ({RR} 7. Nxc6 bxc6 8. O-O Nbd7 9. Be3 g6 10. Qd3 Bg7 11. f4 O-O 12. Qa6 Qc7 13. Rad1 Rfd8 14. Bf3 e5 15. g3 Bh6 16. Kh1 Kg7 17. Bg2 Kg8 18. Qc4 Rac8 19. Qa6 Qb8 20. Qa3 Nb6 21. Qb3 Nfd7 {Kulaots,K (2573)-Jobava,B (2664) Abu Dhabi 2015 0-1 (48)}) ({RR} 7. Nxc6 bxc6 8. Be3 Nbd7 9. f4 g6 10. O-O Bg7 11. Kh1 O-O 12. Qd2 Qc7 13. Rad1 a5 14. a4 Rab8 15. Rb1 Rb4 16. Bf3 Rfb8 17. b3 h5 18. h3 {½-½ (18) Yash,J (1931)-Markovic,M (2336) Novi Sad 2021}) 7... e6 8. Nxc6 Nxc6 9. Bf4 $146 ({RR} 9. Be3 Be7 10. f4 a6 11. Bf3 Qc7 12. a3 O-O 13. Qe1 Rac8 14. Rd1 Na5 15. Rd3 Nd7 16. Kh1 Nc4 17. Bc1 b5 18. Bd1 Bf6 19. e5 dxe5 20. Ne4 Be7 21. b3 Ncb6 22. fxe5 Nxe5 23. Rh3 Ng6 {Carli,G-Gutman,L (2488) Bramsche 2000 0-1 (36)}) ({RR} 9. Be3 a6 10. f4 Be7 11. Bf3 Qc7 12. a4 O-O 13. Kh1 Na5 14. Qe1 Nc4 15. Bc1 Rfe8 16. Be2 Rac8 17. Bd3 d5 18. e5 Nd7 19. Qe2 Bb4 20. Nd1 g6 21. c3 Bf8 22. Ne3 Na5 23. Bc2 Red8 {Andrijevic,M (2268)-Nadj Hedjesi,B (2325) Senta 2016 1-0 (46)}) 9... Be7 10. Qd2 O-O 11. Rad1 Qa5 12. a3 Rfd8 13. Qe3 Rac8 14. Qg3 Ne5 15. Rd4 Ng6 16. Be3 a6 17. f4 e5 18. Ra4 exf4 19. Rxa5 fxg3 20. hxg3 Ne5 21. Rd1 Rc6 22. Ra4 Rdc8 23. Rad4 Kf8 24. Kf1 Nfd7 25. Bf2 Nc4 26. Bxc4 Rxc4 27. Rxc4 Rxc4 28. Bd4 Nb8 29. e5 dxe5 30. Bxe5 Nc6 31. Bd6 Bxd6 32. Rxd6 Ke7 33. Rd2 Ke6 34. Ne2 g5 35. c3 h5 36. Kf2 Re4 37. Ng1 Ne5 38. Nf3 Ng4+ 39. Kf1 f6 40. Nd4+ Kd5 41. Nf5+ Kc5 42. Re2 Ra4 43. Re7 b5 44. Ke2 Kd5 45. Nd4 Ne5 46. Rh7 b4 47. axb4 Ra2 48. Nc2 Rxb2 49. Kd1 Kc4 50. Rc7+ Kd3 51. Ne1+ Ke3 52. Nc2+ Kf2 53. Ra7 Kxg2 54. Rxa6 Kxg3 55. Rxf6 h4 56. Rf5 Nf3 57. Ne3 Rd2+ 58. Kc1 Re2 59. Nf1+ Kg2 60. b5 Re1+ 61. Kb2 Rxf1 62. b6 Re1 63. b7 Re8 64. c4 h3 0-1

[Event "Lausanne YM 5th"]
[Site "Lausanne"]
[Date "2004.09.20"]
[Round "3.4"]
[White "Lagno, Kateryna"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B12"]
[WhiteElo "2472"]
[BlackElo "2567"]
[PlyCount "57"]
[EventDate "2004.09.15"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "3"]
[EventCountry "SUI"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 104"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2005.01.27"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2005.01.27"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. e5 Nh6 ({RR} 3... b6 4. Nf3 e6 5. c3 Ba6 6. Bxa6 Nxa6 7. O-O Ne7 8. Na3 Ng6 9. Nc2 Be7 10. g3 Nf8 11. Ne3 Nd7 12. Ne1 Qc7 13. Nd3 c5 14. Bd2 c4 15. Nf4 b5 16. h4 Qc6 17. h5 Nc7 18. h6 {Degraeve,J (2589)-Danielian,E (2369) Cappelle la Grande 2001 1-0 (39)}) 4. Be2 ({RR} 4. Bd3 g6 5. h3 Nf5 6. c3 h5 7. Ne2 Bg7 8. Bg5 c5 9. Nd2 Nc6 10. Nf3 cxd4 11. cxd4 Qb6 12. O-O Bd7 13. Nf4 e6 14. Bxf5 gxf5 15. Qd2 Ne7 16. Rac1 Ng6 17. Rc2 Nxf4 18. Bxf4 Rg8 {Lebedev,A (1824)-D'Arruda,R (2271) Chess.com INT 2022 0-1 (42)}) 4... Qb6 $146 ({RR} 4... Bf5 5. h3 e6 6. Nf3 g6 7. Bg5 Qd7 8. Qd2 Bg7 9. Bxh6 O-O 10. Bxg7 Kxg7 11. Nh2 Na6 12. g4 Be4 13. f3 c5 14. Bxa6 bxa6 15. fxe4 dxe4 16. Nc3 f5 17. exf6+ Rxf6 18. Nxe4 Rf7 19. Nxc5 {Kapickis,K (1049)-Kuptz,A Plateliai 2019 1-0}) 5. Nf3 Bg4 6. O-O e6 7. c3 Nf5 8. h3 Bxf3 9. Bxf3 c5 10. c4 dxc4 11. d5 Nd7 12. Na3 Nxe5 13. Qa4+ Kd8 14. dxe6 Nxf3+ 15. gxf3 Qxe6 16. Bg5+ f6 17. Rad1+ Bd6 18. Bf4 Nd4 19. Bxd6 Qxd6 20. Nb5 Qd5 21. Rfe1 Nxf3+ 22. Kf1 Nh2+ 23. Kg1 Nf3+ 24. Kf1 Nd4 25. Qa5+ b6 26. Nxd4 Qh1+ 27. Ke2 Qe4+ 28. Kf1 Qh1+ 29. Ke2 1/2-1/2

[Event "Lausanne YM 5th"]
[Site "Lausanne"]
[Date "2004.09.20"]
[Round "3.6"]
[White "Lagno, Kateryna"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C90"]
[WhiteElo "2472"]
[BlackElo "2567"]
[PlyCount "57"]
[EventDate "2004.09.15"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "3"]
[EventCountry "SUI"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 104"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2005.01.27"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2005.01.27"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. a4 b4 9. d4 d6 10. c3 Bg4 11. d5 Na5 12. cxb4 Nxb3 13. Qxb3 Rb8 14. Bd2 Nh5 15. h3 Bd7 16. Qc4 $146 ({RR} 16. Na3 f5 17. exf5 Bxf5 18. g4 Qd7 19. Nh2 Bh4 20. Re2 Bg6 21. gxh5 Bxh5 22. Re4 Bxf2+ 23. Kh1 Bf3+ 24. Qxf3 Rxf3 25. Nxf3 Qxh3+ 26. Nh2 Bg3 27. Re2 Rf8 28. Nc4 Bxh2 29. Rxh2 Qf3+ 30. Rg2 Qd3 {Royal,S (2456)-Forgacs,A (2219) chess.com INT 2022 1-0 (46)}) ({RR} 16. Na3 f5 17. exf5 Bxf5 18. g4 Qd7 19. Nh2 Bh4 20. Re2 Bg6 21. gxh5 Bxh5 22. Re4 Bxf2+ 23. Kh1 Bf3+ 24. Qxf3 Rxf3 25. Nxf3 Qxh3+ 26. Nh2 Bg3 27. Re2 Rf8 28. Nc4 Bxh2 29. Rxh2 Qf3+ 30. Rg2 Qd3 {Royal,S (2456)-Forgacs,A (2219) chess.com INT 2022 1-0 (46)}) 16... Kh8 17. Nc3 f5 18. exf5 Bxf5 19. Be3 Qe8 20. Kh2 Qg6 21. Nh4 Bxh4 22. Qxh4 Bd3 23. Rad1 Nf4 24. Qg3 Bc2 25. Rd2 Nd3 26. Qxg6 hxg6 27. Ree2 Nxb4 28. Rxc2 c6 29. Bc1 0-1

[Event "Gausdal Classic"]
[Site "Gausdal"]
[Date "2004.09.24"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Lugovoi, Aleksei"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B65"]
[WhiteElo "2567"]
[BlackElo "2540"]
[Annotator "Gofshtein,Leonid D"]
[PlyCount "86"]
[EventDate "2004.09.23"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "10"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 104"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2005.01.27"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2005.01.27"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 {[%mdl 4]} c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 Nc6 6. Bg5 e6 7. Qd2 Be7 8. O-O-O O-O 9. f4 Nxd4 10. Qxd4 Qa5 11. Bc4 Bd7 12. Kb1 {a rare move, the usual move is 12.e5.} (12. e5 dxe5 13. fxe5 Bc6 {is the main line of this variation.}) 12... Bc6 {Black moves the bishop out of fire, bringing it to a better position.} (12... Rfd8 13. Bb3 b5 $2 (13... Bc6 {was much better and may lead with different move order to 12...c6 variation.}) 14. e5 $1 $36 {1-0 Nguyen Anh Dung-Aung Thant Zin/Bangkok 2004/CBM 102/[Gofshtein,L] (23) Now this is very strong.}) 13. Bb3 {The immideate 13.hf1 was also possible, which led to an unclear game in Tal-Larsen.} (13. Rhf1 h6 14. Bh4 Qh5 15. g3 g5 16. fxg5 hxg5 17. Rxf6 Bxf6 18. Qxf6 gxh4 19. gxh4 Kh7 $13 {0-1 Tal,M-Larsen,B/Eersel 1969/Candidates (41)}) 13... Rfd8 {[%cal Gd8d6] A useful move, black prepares a breakthrough in the centre, 13...ad8 was also played, for example:} (13... Rad8 14. Rhf1 h6 $5 15. Bh4 Qh5 $5 (15... Rd7 16. f5 e5 17. Qf2 Rc8 18. Bxf6 $16 {0-1 Nikitin,A-Averbakh,Y/Moscow 1964/MCD (67)}) 16. Bg3 d5 17. e5 Ne4 $132 {½-½ Sakharov,Y-Osnos,V/Riga 1968/MCD (46)}) (13... Rfe8 14. Rhf1 h6 15. Bh4 Nxe4 16. Nxe4 Bxh4 17. f5 d5 18. Nd6 Bf6 19. Qg4 $44 {1-0 Sakharov,Y-Kots,Y/Kiev 1965/EXT 2002 (22)}) 14. Rhe1 h6 $5 {A typical move, which is one of the steps towards the d6-d5 breakthrough.} 15. Bh4 Qh5 $5 {This way black forces white to remove the bishop, after which d6-d5 becomes possible.} 16. Bg3 d5 {[%cal Gd5e4]} 17. exd5 (17. e5 Ne4 $132) 17... Nxd5 18. Bxd5 $146 {A dubious move, handing the initiative to black. 18.d5 led to an equal game.} (18. Nxd5 $5 Bxd5 19. Re5 $1 Bf3 20. Rxh5 Bxh5 21. Qxd8+ Rxd8 22. Rxd8+ Bxd8 $11 {½-½ Kholmov,R-Glek,I/Moscow 1983/EXT 2002 (46)}) ({RR} 18. Nxd5 Bxd5 19. Re5 Bf3 20. Rxh5 Bxh5 21. Qxd8+ Rxd8 22. Rxd8+ Bxd8 23. Bf2 a6 24. c4 Bc7 25. Be3 g5 26. g3 gxf4 27. Bxf4 Bxf4 28. gxf4 Kg7 29. Kc2 Kf6 30. Kd3 Bg6+ 31. Ke3 b6 32. Bd1 a5 {Kholmov,R (2480)-Glek,I Moscow 1983 ½-½ (46)}) 18... Bf6 $1 {An important intermideate move after which black seizes the initiative. 18...Bd5 was worse of course.} (18... Bxd5 19. Re5 Qg4 20. Nxd5 Rxd5 21. Rxd5 exd5 22. Rd3 $14 {[%csl Gd5]}) 19. Qc5 Bxc3 $5 {Exchanging the strong knight black gets a better game.} 20. Qxc3 Bxd5 $17 {[%cal Rd5g2]} 21. Rc1 {It's not clear how to defend the g2 pawn.} (21. Qe5 Qg4 22. Rd4 Bxg2 $17) 21... Rac8 22. Qe3 Bxg2 {Black has an extra pawn and a more active position.} 23. Rg1 (23. Qxa7 Rd2 24. Qe3 Rcd8 $17) 23... Bd5 24. f5 {White tries to open lines for his pieces.} Qxf5 25. Bh4 Re8 26. Qxh6 Qh7 {Offering an exchange of queens and going for an endgame with an extra pawn.} 27. Qxh7+ {[%mdl 4096] White doesn't have a pleasent alternative. Also after 27.f6 black's advantage is doubtless.} (27. Qf6 Be4 28. Ka1 Bxc2) 27... Kxh7 28. Rce1 e5 {Black starts to push forward his passed pawn, activizing his pieces.} 29. Re3 Re6 {[%cal Re6h6]} 30. Reg3 g6 31. Re3 Rc4 $5 {[%cal Yc4h4] By axctivizing the rook black strengthens his pressure.} 32. Be1 f6 {Consolidating the position and protecting the e5 pawn.} 33. b3 Rf4 34. Rh3+ Kg7 35. Bd2 Rf3 {It is preferable for black to exchange one pair of rooks as in this case his pawns would move without any obstacles.} 36. Rh4 g5 37. Kc1 Re8 {With the idea to activize his king by Kg6. The rook from e8 controls the 8th rank.} 38. Rhg4 Rh3 $19 {[%cal Rh3h2]} 39. c4 Bc6 40. Bxg5 {A desperate sacrifice.} fxg5 41. Rxg5+ Kf6 42. Rg6+ Ke7 43. Rg7+ Kd8 0-1

[Event "Gausdal Classic"]
[Site "Gausdal"]
[Date "2004.09.26"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Sammalvuo, Tapani"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B81"]
[WhiteElo "2567"]
[BlackElo "2445"]
[PlyCount "105"]
[EventDate "2004.09.23"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "10"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 104"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2005.01.27"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2005.01.27"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Be3 e6 7. g4 e5 8. Nf5 g6 9. g5 gxf5 10. exf5 d5 11. gxf6 d4 12. Bc4 Qc7 13. Qd3 dxe3 14. O-O-O exf2 15. Bxf7+ Kxf7 16. Qd5+ Kxf6 17. Ne4+ Ke7 18. f6+ Ke8 19. f7+ Ke7 20. Qd2 Qb6 21. Qg5+ Kxf7 22. Rhf1 Bh6 23. Rxf2+ Ke8 24. Rd8+ Qxd8 25. Qxh6 Qe7 26. Nf6+ Kd8 27. Nd5 Qe6 28. Qg5+ Kd7 29. Qg7+ Kc6 30. Rf6 Kxd5 31. Rxe6 Kxe6 32. Qxh8 Nc6 33. h4 b5 $146 ({RR} 33... Ne7 34. h5 Nf5 35. Qxh7 Bd7 36. h6 Nxh6 37. Qxh6+ Ke7 38. Qh4+ Ke6 39. Qg4+ Kd6 40. Qb4+ Kc6 41. Qe4+ Kb6 42. Qe3+ Kc6 43. b4 Kd6 44. Qb6+ Bc6 45. a4 Kd7 46. b5 axb5 47. axb5 Bh1 48. c4 {Shabalov,A (2607)-Novikov,I (2592) Mashantucket 2005 1-0 (61)}) ({RR} 33... Rb8 34. Qg8+ Kd6 35. Qxh7 Be6 36. Qd3+ Ke7 37. h5 Rf8 38. h6 Bf5 39. Qb3 Rb8 40. Qg3 Rf8 41. h7 Bxh7 42. Qh4+ Ke6 43. Qxh7 Rf7 44. Qg6+ Rf6 45. Qg8+ Rf7 46. b4 Kf6 47. c3 Re7 48. a4 {Dijkhuis,T (2202)-Henseler,J (2073) Groningen 2013 1-0 (62)}) 34. Qg8+ Kd6 35. h5 Ne7 36. Qh8 Ra7 37. Qxh7 Bf5 38. Qh6+ Kd5 39. Qf6 Rc7 40. c3 b4 41. Qb6 Rc4 42. Qf6 Rc7 43. Kd2 bxc3+ 44. bxc3 a5 45. a4 Rd7 46. h6 Ke4+ 47. Kc1 Nd5 48. Qa6 Kf4 49. Qc6 Ne7 50. Qb6 Nd5 51. Qc6 Ne7 52. Qb6 Nd5 53. Qc6 1/2-1/2

[Event "Gausdal Classic"]
[Site "Gausdal"]
[Date "2004.09.28"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Bromberger, Stefan"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B81"]
[WhiteElo "2567"]
[BlackElo "2440"]
[PlyCount "88"]
[EventDate "2004.09.23"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "10"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 104"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2005.01.27"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2005.01.27"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 Nf6 4. Nc3 cxd4 5. Nxd4 a6 6. Be3 e6 7. g4 e5 8. Nf5 g6 9. g5 gxf5 10. exf5 d5 11. Qf3 d4 12. O-O-O Nbd7 13. Bd2 Qa5 14. gxf6 dxc3 15. Bxc3 Bb4 16. Rd5 Qb6 $146 ({RR} 16... Bxc3 17. Rxa5 Bxa5 18. Qd5 Bd8 19. Bc4 Rf8 20. Rg1 Bxf6 21. Rg8 Rxg8 22. Qxf7+ Kd8 23. Qxg8+ Kc7 24. Be6 Rb8 25. Qxh7 b5 26. h4 Rb6 27. h5 Bg5+ 28. Kb1 Rd6 29. a3 Bb7 30. Qg6 Bf4 31. h6 {Dominguez Perez,L (2594)-Nielsen,P (2642) Linares 2002 1-0 (51)}) 17. Bxe5 Nxe5 18. Rxe5+ Kd8 19. Bg2 Kc7 20. Rd1 Bd7 21. Qf4 Bd6 22. Qc4+ Kb8 23. Re7 Rc8 24. Qxf7 Qc7 25. Rd2 Bf4 26. Qb3 Bxd2+ 27. Kxd2 Qf4+ 28. Kd1 Rc7 29. Qg3 Qxf5 30. Be4 Qg4+ 31. f3 Qxg3 32. hxg3 Ka7 33. g4 Kb6 34. g5 Bc6 35. Rxc7 Kxc7 36. Bxh7 Bxf3+ 37. Kd2 Re8 38. g6 Bd5 39. f7 Rd8 40. Ke3 Kd6 41. Kf4 Ke7 42. Ke5 Bxa2 43. Bg8 Rxg8 44. fxg8=Q Bxg8 0-1

[Event "Gausdal Classic"]
[Site "Gausdal"]
[Date "2004.10.01"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Smeets, Jan"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B74"]
[WhiteElo "2545"]
[BlackElo "2567"]
[Annotator "Rogozenco,Dorian"]
[PlyCount "72"]
[EventDate "2004.09.23"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "10"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 104"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2005.01.27"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2005.01.27"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 g6 4. d4 cxd4 5. Nxd4 Bg7 6. Be3 Nf6 7. Be2 O-O 8. O-O d6 9. Nb3 {Other options offer Black even more possibilities to equalize.} (9. Qd2 Ng4 (9... d5) (9... Bd7) (9... Nxd4 10. Bxd4 Be6) 10. Bxg4 Bxg4 11. f4 Nxd4 $1 12. Bxd4 e5 13. Be3 exf4 14. Rxf4 Be6 $11) (9. Kh1 d5 $11) (9. f4 Qb6 $1 10. Qd3 Ng4 $11 {[%csl Rd4][%cal Gg7d4,Gc6d4,Gb6d4]}) 9... a6 ({Miles' idea} 9... Bd7 $5 10. f4 b5 {is another attractive way for Black to play on the queenside.}) 10. a4 {Prevents ...b5, but weakens the queenside. Unlike in other Sicilians, in (Classical) Dragon the advance a2-a4 is less attractive for White, due to the fact that Black can place his bishop on e6 and together with the other bishop on the long diagonal he exert considerable pressure on White's queenside.} (10. f4 b5 11. Bf3 Bb7 $140 12. e5 dxe5 13. fxe5 Nd7 14. e6 fxe6 15. Bg4 $44) 10... Be6 $11 11. f4 Rc8 (11... Bxb3 12. cxb3 e6 $13 {[%csl Ra5,Gb2,Gb3,Rb4][%cal Ga8c8,Gd8c7] is a standard way to create doubled pawns in Classical Dragon.}) 12. Qd2 Na5 {The position is still equal, but it is rather White who should be more careful.} 13. Nxa5 Qxa5 14. Bf3 (14. Nd5 $2 Qxd2 15. Nxe7+ Kh8 16. Bxd2 Rxc2 17. Rfd1 Nxe4 $19 {0-1 Salazar,A-La Candia,J/ARG-ch M corr 1996 (22)}) 14... Qb4 {A direct consequence of the move 10.a4. Black has the initiative now.} 15. Rfb1 $146 ({After} 15. Rab1 {Black can play similar to the game} Ng4 16. Bxg4 Bxg4 {and the absence of the rook on a1 favours Black.}) ({RR} 15. Nd5 Nxd5 16. exd5 Qxd2 17. Bxd2 Rxc2 18. dxe6 Rxd2 19. exf7+ Kxf7 20. Bxb7 a5 21. Rac1 Bxb2 22. Rc7 Bd4+ 23. Kh1 Bf6 24. Rc8 Rxc8 25. Bxc8 Bd4 26. g3 Kg7 27. Re1 e5 28. fxe5 dxe5 29. Ba6 Kf6 {Navarro,S (2274)-Lehtioksa,J (2172) Plovdiv 2010 ½-½ (44)}) 15... Ng4 (15... Rc7 16. Qf2 $1 (16. a5 Ng4 17. Bxg4 Bxg4 $13) 16... Rfc8 (16... Ng4 $2 17. Bxg4 Bxg4 18. Nd5 $18) 17. a5 $36 {[%cal Ga1a4]}) 16. Bxg4 Bxg4 $15 17. Qd3 Qc4 ({I think the strongest was} 17... Bxc3 18. bxc3 Qxc3 19. Ra2 (19. Rxb7 $4 {is obviously not possible because of} Qxa1+) (19. Qxc3 Rxc3 20. Rb3 Rfc8 $17) 19... Qc4 20. Rab2 Bd7 $1 {I don't see any clear way for White to reach a reasonable position. On the other hand the desire to avoid trading off the powerful dark-squared bishop is understandable.}) 18. a5 Bd7 19. Ra3 f5 $15 {Two bishops and the evident activity still secures Black better chances, of course.} 20. Nd5 Qxd3 21. cxd3 Rce8 {Probably already here Carlsen had in mind the exchange sac.} (21... Rfe8 $6 22. Nb6 Rc7 23. Nxd7 $11) 22. Rb3 (22. Nc7 $5 Rb8 (22... Rc8 23. Nd5 {is same as before}) 23. Rb3 (23. Nd5 e6 24. Nb6 Bc6 $17) 23... Ba4 24. Rb4 Bc2 25. Rc1 Bxd3 26. Ne6 Bxe4 (26... Rfc8 27. Rxc8+ Rxc8 28. Nxg7 Kxg7 29. exf5 gxf5 30. Rxb7 Kf7 $15) 27. Nxf8 Kxf8 $15) 22... Bc6 23. Nc7 Rc8 (23... fxe4 24. Nxe8 Rxe8 {is similar to the game with the little difference - the rook in the game was better placed on f8 (compare with the position after 25...xf8). In any case Black has great compensation, but of course it makes sense to explore at maximum available possibilities.} 25. d4 $5 Kf7 {also with great compensation for Black.}) 24. Ne6 (24. Nd5 Rfe8 $15) 24... fxe4 $1 (24... Rf7 25. Nxg7 Kxg7 26. Bd4+ Kg8 27. e5 $11) 25. Nxf8 Rxf8 26. dxe4 (26. d4 Rf5 $44) 26... Bxe4 27. Rc1 Rf5 {In spite of Black's wonderful compensation, with good play White should be able to make a draw. It is important for White to create his own activity rather than wait for Black to improve the position.} 28. Rc7 Kf7 29. Bd2 Bc6 {Threatening e8-d8.} 30. Re3 $1 {A brave decision.} (30. Rc8 Rd5 $17) 30... Bd4 (30... Bf6 $2 31. Bc3) 31. Rcxe7+ Kf8 32. g3 (32. Bc3 Bxe3+ 33. Rxe3 Rxf4 34. Re6 {should be a draw:} Rg4 (34... d5 35. Rf6+) 35. g3 d5 36. Rf6+ Ke7 37. Rf4 $11) 32... g5 33. fxg5 Rf3 34. Bc1 Bc5 35. Bd2 d5 36. Kg2 $2 {A blunder after excellent defense.} (36. R7e5 Kf7 37. g4 {[%cal Ge5f5] and White holds.} Kg6 $140 (37... Rh3 38. Kg2 Bxe3 39. Bxe3 Rxe3 40. Rxe3 d4+ 41. Rf3+ Kg6 42. h4 $18) 38. h4) (36. R7e6 Kf7 37. R6e5 Kg6 38. g4 Rh3 $15 39. Kg2 $140 $2 Bxe3 40. Bxe3 Rxe3 41. Rxe3 d4+ 42. Rf3 d3 43. Kg3 Bxf3 44. Kxf3 Kxg5 $19) 36... Rxe3 {White could play for a while the resulting endgame, but he must have been really upset with 36.g2.} (36... Rxe3 37. Rxe3 Bxe3 38. Bxe3 d4+ 39. Kf2 dxe3+ 40. Kxe3 Kf7 41. g4 Kg6 42. h4 Ba4 {the easiest plan is to come with the bishop to d1} 43. Kf4 Bd1 44. b4 Be2 45. Kg3 Kf7 46. Kf4 (46. h5 Ke6 47. Kh4 Bd3 48. g6 hxg6 (48... h6 $2 49. g5) 49. h6 g5+ 50. Kxg5 Kf7 $19) 46... Ke6 47. h5 Bd1 48. Kg3 (48. g6 hxg6 (48... h6 $19) 49. h6 g5+ 50. Kxg5 Bc2 51. Kf4 Kf6 52. g5+ Kg6 53. Ke5 Kxg5 54. Kd6 Kxh6 55. Kc7 Be4 $19 56. Kb6 Bc6 57. b5 axb5 58. a6 bxa6) 48... Ke5 49. g6 (49. Kh4 Kf4 50. g6 h6 $19) (49. h6 Bc2 $19) 49... h6 (49... hxg6 50. h6 Kf6 51. g5+) 50. g7 Bb3 $19) 0-1

[Event "Olympiad-36"]
[Site "Mallorca"]
[Date "2004.10.26"]
[Round "11"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Kotronias, Vasilios"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B67"]
[WhiteElo "2581"]
[BlackElo "2599"]
[Annotator "Gofshtein,Leonid D"]
[PlyCount "79"]
[EventDate "2004.10.15"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 104"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2005.01.27"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2005.01.27"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Norway"]
[BlackTeam "Greece"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "NOR"]
[BlackTeamCountry "GRE"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 d6 6. Bg5 e6 7. Qd2 a6 8. O-O-O Bd7 9. f4 b5 10. Bxf6 gxf6 11. Kb1 Qb6 12. Nxc6 Bxc6 13. f5 Qc5 {Transfering the queen to a more active position. Other moves have also been played:} (13... O-O-O 14. Bd3 h5 15. fxe6 fxe6 16. Rhf1 Be7 17. Ne2 d5 18. exd5 Bxd5 19. Nf4 Qc7 20. Qe2 Qe5 21. Qf2 $16 {½-½ Vujakovic,B-Bertok,M/Pula 1990/EXT 2000 (27)}) (13... b4 14. Ne2 Bxe4 (14... e5 15. Ng3 $5 {[%cal Rg3h5,Rf1c4]} h5 16. h4 $5 $40 {[%csl Rh5] Lastin-Spraggett 2004}) 15. fxe6 fxe6 16. Nf4 d5 17. Bd3 O-O-O (17... Qc6 18. Bxe4 dxe4 19. Qe2 Bg7 20. Qg4 $40 {1-0 Byrne,R-Schneider,L/Reykjavik 1982/MCD (29)}) 18. Bxe4 dxe4 19. Qe2 Rxd1+ 20. Rxd1 $14 {½-½ Sadvakasov,D-Yermolinsky,A/Stratton Mountain 2000/EXT 2001 (42)}) 14. Bd3 Ra7 $146 {Other moves have also been seen in this position. As the games given below show white usually seizes the initiative.} (14... h5 15. Qe1 (15. fxe6 fxe6 16. Rhf1 Bg7 17. e5 f5 18. exd6 O-O-O $44 {0-1 Vujakovic,B-Kozul,Z/Pula 2001/CBM 84 ext (26)}) 15... O-O-O 16. Rf1 Bh6 17. fxe6 fxe6 18. Rxf6 $16 {1-0 Lastin,A-Palac,M/Panormo 2001/CBM 84 ext (38)}) (14... b4 15. Ne2 a5 16. Nf4 Bd7 17. b3 (17. Nh5 $36) 17... Qe5 $132 {1-0 Byrne,R-Zaltsman,V/Philadelphia 1985/EXT 2000 (27)}) (14... Rg8 15. Rhe1 O-O-O 16. g3 Kb8 17. Qf4 $36 {1-0 Byrne,R-Zaltsman,V/New York 1983/MCD (44)}) ({RR} 14... b4 15. Ne2 e5 16. Ng3 h5 17. h4 Bh6 18. Qe2 Be3 19. Nxh5 Ke7 20. g4 Rhg8 21. Rh3 Bd4 22. g5 fxg5 23. f6+ Kd8 24. hxg5 Rxg5 25. Bc4 Bb5 26. Bxb5 axb5 27. Ng7 Kc7 28. Nf5 Qc4 29. Qxc4+ {Kung,T (2146)-Kobla,V (1984) Lichess.org INT 2022 1-0 (57)}) ({RR} 14... b4 15. Ne2 e5 16. c3 b3 17. axb3 h5 18. Qc2 a5 19. Bc4 Rb8 20. Bd5 Bd7 21. Nc1 Bh6 22. Nd3 Qb6 23. Qe2 Be3 24. Rhe1 Bg5 25. h4 Bxh4 26. Rh1 Bg5 27. Rxh5 Ke7 28. Rdh1 Rxh5 29. Rxh5 {Akopian,V (2674)-Jankovic,A (2554) Dubai 2014 1-0 (37)}) ({RR} 14... h5 15. fxe6 fxe6 16. Rhf1 b4 17. Ne2 Bh6 18. Qe1 Ke7 19. g3 a5 20. Nf4 Rag8 21. Nd5+ Bxd5 22. exd5 e5 23. Qe4 Rf8 24. Be2 Be3 25. Rf3 Bd4 26. Bf1 a4 27. Bh3 Kd8 28. Qf5 Kc7 29. Qd7+ {Taieb,A (2043)-Lehaci,M (2212) Eforie Nord ROU 2025 1-0 (75)}) ({RR} 14... h5 15. fxe6 fxe6 16. Rhf1 b4 17. Ne2 Bh6 18. Qe1 Ke7 19. Nf4 Bxf4 20. Rxf4 Rhf8 21. Qh4 Qg5 22. Qf2 Qc5 23. Qh4 Qe5 24. Rdf1 a5 25. Be2 a4 26. Qxh5 a3 27. Qxe5 dxe5 28. Rh4 Rh8 29. Rxh8 {Hagen,A (2377)-Papp,G (2599) Denmark 2019 0-1 (68)}) 15. Rhf1 {[%cal Rf1f6] White brings his rook in order to enlarge his attacking potential.} b4 16. Ne2 {[%cal Re2f4] A typical move, the knight is transfered to f4 or g3 in the future.} e5 17. Ng3 h5 18. h4 {[%csl Gh5] Blocking the advance of the h-pawn and fixating the weak h5 pawn.} Ke7 19. Qe2 $16 {White wins the pawn and has both the positional and the material advantage.} a5 20. Bc4 {[%cal Rc4f7] Transfering the bishop to a better position.} (20. Nxh5 a4 21. g4 a3 $44) 20... Bh6 $6 {20...c7 deserved attention and white cannot take on h5.} (20... Rc7 $5 21. b3 (21. Nxh5 $2 Rxh5) 21... a4 22. Nxh5 Bh6 23. g4) 21. Nxh5 $16 Be3 (21... Rc7 22. g4 Qe3 23. Rfe1 Qxe2 24. Rxe2 a4 25. Bd5 Bb5 26. Rg2 $16) 22. Nxf6 $3 {[%mdl 64] White carries out a spectacurlar combination, leading to a winning position.} (22. g4 $5 a4 (22... Bxe4 23. Rfe1 $18) 23. Rf3 Bd4 24. Bd5 Bxd5 25. exd5 Rc7 26. Rfd3 Kf8 27. Rh3 $40) 22... Kxf6 23. Rxd6+ $1 Ke7 (23... Qxd6 24. Qxe3 $18 {[%cal Ge3g5,Ge3a7]}) 24. Rxc6 Qxc6 25. Qxe3 {[%cal Re3a7]} Rc7 26. f6+ {As a result of the combination white has a large advantage as his 3 extra pawns are more than enough compensation for the sacrificed exchange.} Kd8 27. Qd3+ $16 {Protecting the c2 pawn and consolidating the position.} Kc8 28. Bd5 Qb6 29. Qg3 {29.f3 deserved attention, creating the f5 threat and also making way for the g-pawn.} (29. Qf3 $5 Rxh4 (29... Kb8 30. h5 a4 31. g4) 30. Qf5+ Kb8 31. Qxe5) 29... Qd4 $5 {Black activizes his queen and gets counterplay.} 30. h5 Kb8 (30... a4 31. Qf3 Kb8 32. g4 $18) 31. h6 $6 {A dubious move givving black chances to equalise. After 31.f3 with g2-g4 black is in a difficult position.} (31. Qb3 Rxh5 32. Bxf7 Rh4) (31. Qf3 $5) 31... a4 {[%cal Ga4a3,Gd4b2]} (31... Rxh6 32. Qg8+ $18) 32. a3 {White prevents 32...a3.} Qd2 $5 {[%mdl 256] Black activizes his queen even further, putting serious problems to white.} 33. axb4 $6 {Another dubious move, givving black real chances to save the game.} (33. Rc1 $5 Qxh6 34. Qxe5 bxa3 35. bxa3 Qe3 36. Qd6 Qc5 37. Qxc5 Rxc5 38. c4 $18) 33... Qxc2+ 34. Ka1 a3 $5 {With the help of the pawn sacrifice black opens the white king and gets real chances for survival.} 35. bxa3 $8 Rxh6 36. Qxe5 Qd3 $1 {[%cal Yd3a3,Yd3f1] Creating dangerous threats and practically forcing white to take the draw.} 37. Qe8+ Rc8 38. Qe5+ Rc7 39. Qe8+ Rc8 40. Qe5+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "Hoogeveen Essent Crown"]
[Site "Hoogeveen"]
[Date "2004.10.17"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Stellwagen, Daniel"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B31"]
[WhiteElo "2512"]
[BlackElo "2581"]
[PlyCount "105"]
[EventDate "2004.10.17"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "6"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "15"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 104"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2005.01.27"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2005.01.27"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 g6 4. O-O Bg7 5. Re1 Nf6 6. e5 Nd5 7. Nc3 Nc7 8. Bxc6 dxc6 9. Ne4 Ne6 10. d3 O-O 11. Be3 b6 12. Qd2 f5 13. exf6 exf6 14. Bh6 a5 15. Bxg7 Kxg7 16. Ng3 ({RR} 16. Re2 Ra7 17. Rae1 Raf7 18. h4 h5 19. b3 Qc7 20. Ng3 Nd4 21. Nxd4 cxd4 22. c3 Rd8 23. Re4 dxc3 24. Qxc3 c5 25. Ne2 Bf5 26. Nf4 Qd7 27. Ne6+ Bxe6 28. Rxe6 Qxd3 29. Qxd3 {½-½ (29) Kramnik,V (2775)-Kasparov,G (2775) Moscow 1996}) 16... Ra7 17. h4 ({RR} 17. a3 Re8 18. Re4 Rae7 19. h3 f5 20. Ree1 Nd4 21. Nxd4 cxd4 22. b4 a4 23. Kf1 Qd5 24. c4 dxc3 25. Qxc3+ Kf7 26. Rxe7+ Rxe7 27. Kg1 Bb7 28. Qh8 c5 29. Qxh7+ Kf8 30. Qh8+ Kf7 31. f3 Qxd3 {Kovanova,B (2317)-Omonova,U (2052) Almaty KAZ 2022 0-1 (65)}) ({RR} 17. Re4 Nd4 18. Nxd4 cxd4 19. Rae1 c5 20. Ne2 Rff7 21. Nf4 Rae7 22. Qe2 Rxe4 23. Qxe4 Qd6 24. Ne6+ Kg8 25. Qa8 Qd7 26. Nf4 Kg7 27. h3 Qb7 28. Qxb7 Rxb7 29. Re8 Bf5 30. g4 Kf7 31. Rh8 Kg7 {Stellwagen,D (2524)-Chuchelov,V (2571) Belgium 2005 1-0 (72)}) 17... h5 18. Re4 $146 ({RR} 18. Qc3 Re8 19. Re4 Rae7 20. Rae1 Nc7 21. a3 Be6 22. Nh2 Bd5 23. Rxe7+ Rxe7 24. Nhf1 Nb5 25. Qd2 Rxe1 26. Qxe1 c4 27. Ne3 Nd6 28. d4 Be6 29. Ne2 Nf5 30. Nf4 Bc8 31. Nxf5+ Bxf5 32. c3 Qd6 {Klima,L (2425)-Hlavac,R (2150) Plzen 2003 1-0 (75)}) 18... Re7 19. Rae1 Rfe8 20. Qe3 Kf7 21. Qh6 Rh8 22. Qd2 Rhe8 23. a3 Ng7 24. Qf4 Ne6 25. Ne5+ Kg7 26. Nxh5+ gxh5 27. Qg3+ Kh8 28. Nxc6 Qc7 29. Nxe7 Qxe7 30. Qg6 Bd7 31. Qxh5+ Qh7 32. Qxh7+ Kxh7 33. g4 Kg7 34. f4 Kf7 35. f5 Nd4 36. Rxe8 Bxe8 37. Kf2 Nxc2 38. Re6 b5 39. g5 fxg5 40. hxg5 Bd7 41. g6+ Kg8 42. Re5 Nd4 43. f6 Ne6 44. Rd5 Be8 45. Rd6 Bxg6 46. Rxe6 Bxd3 47. Ke3 Kf7 48. Rb6 Bf1 49. Kf4 b4 50. Ke5 Be2 51. Rb7+ Kf8 52. Ra7 c4 53. Rxa5 1-0

[Event "Hoogeveen Essent Crown"]
[Site "Hoogeveen"]
[Date "2004.10.21"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Stellwagen, Daniel"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B19"]
[WhiteElo "2581"]
[BlackElo "2512"]
[Annotator "Lukacs,Peter"]
[PlyCount "90"]
[EventDate "2004.10.17"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "6"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "15"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 104"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2005.01.27"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2005.01.27"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Bf5 5. Ng3 Bg6 6. h4 h6 7. Nf3 Nd7 8. h5 Bh7 9. Bd3 Bxd3 10. Qxd3 Ngf6 11. Bf4 e6 12. O-O-O Nd5 13. Bd2 {Black has seemingly won a tempo by d5, but his  is vulnerable in the .} Nb4 14. Qb3 (14. Bxb4 {- Galdunts-Ruck, Griesheim 2003 CBM 94}) 14... a5 (14... Qb6 15. c4 O-O-O (15... Be7 16. c5 $5 {White wins a piece, although Black gets a lot of pawns for it.} (16. Kb1 {is the safe option.} Na6 (16... c5 17. d5) 17. Qa4 $14) 16... Bxc5 17. dxc5 Nxc5 18. Qa3 Nbd3+ (18... Ncd3+ 19. Kb1 $18) 19. Kb1 Nxf2 20. Be3 Nxd1 21. Bxc5 Qxb2+ 22. Qxb2 Nxb2 23. Kxb2 $14 {with three (!) pieces versus a  and four pawns.}) (15... a5 16. a3 Nd5 17. Qc2 {White certainly wants to avoid the exchange of queens.} N5f6 18. Bf4 Be7 19. Rhe1 O-O 20. Ne5 Rad8 21. c5 $14 {Kovalevskaya-Zangiev, St Petersburg 2001}) 16. Ne4 $14 (16. c5 $2 {is already strongly met by the prevoius sacrifice:} Bxc5 $1 17. dxc5 Nxc5 18. Qa3 Ncd3+ 19. Kb1 Nxf2 20. Bxb4 Rxd1+ 21. Rxd1 Nxd1 22. Bc5 Qb5 23. Nd4 Qc4 24. Qxa7 Qd3+ 25. Kc1 Ne3 $17)) 15. Kb1 (15. Ne4 a4 $1 {} 16. Qa3 {is the modest pragmatizm.} (16. Qxb4 $6 {White wants more he can get from this position. The  sacrifice is beautiful but unlucky as Mary Stuart.} Bxb4 17. Bxb4 Qb6 (17... Qb8 {looks also strong.} 18. Nd6+ Kf8 $19) 18. a3 Qa6 19. Rh3 (19. Nd6+ Kf8 20. Nb5+ Kg8 21. Nc7 Qa7 22. Nxa8 Qxa8 $17 {and White still has no adequate compensation for the .}) 19... b6 20. Rg3 (20. Nd6+ $2 Kf8 21. Nb5+ c5 $19) 20... Rh7 $1 {This is the precise defence.} (20... c5 21. dxc5 bxc5 22. Rxd7 cxb4 23. Rxg7 Kxd7 (23... Qf1+ 24. Rd1 $11) 24. Nc5+ Ke7 25. Nxa6 Rxa6 26. axb4 $11) 21. Ne5 (21. Nd6+ Kf8 $1) 21... Nxe5 $17 {Shirov-Grischuk, Dubai 2002 CBM 89}) 16... Nd5 (16... Qb6 17. Kb1 Nd5 18. Qd3) 17. Nd6+ Bxd6 18. Qxd6 Qc7 19. Qxc7 Nxc7 20. Ne5 f6 21. Nd3 Kf7 22. g4 Nb5 23. c3 Rhc8 24. Rhe1 Re8 25. Kc2 $11 {Kir.Georgiev-Dreev, Dubai rapid 2002}) (15. a3 a4 16. Qc4 $5 {deserves also attention.} (16. Qe3 Nd5 17. Qe2 {Finally the  has reached safety.} (17. Qd3 b5 18. Ne5 Nxe5 19. dxe5 Qc7 20. f4 Be7 21. Ne4 O-O $13 {and Black has good counterchances on the  because of the weakness of a3, Sammalvuo-Palo, Gausdal 2004.}) 17... b5 18. Nf5 b4 {Black has to open up lines on the .} (18... Qb8 19. c3 {The  is more or less closed and White has good prospects on the other flank.} Qc7 20. g3 Bd6 21. Rh4 N7f6 22. Nxd6+ Qxd6 23. Ne5 Ne7 24. g4 $14 {Karjakin-Turov, Moscow 2002}) 19. Bxb4 Nxb4 20. axb4 a3 21. c3 Qb8 $44 {Vescovi-Erenburg, playchess.com INT 2004})) (15. Rhe1 {is usually only a waste of time here.} Be7 16. Ne4 a4 17. Qxb4 {This  sacrifice is nice, but not so effective, as we will see it later.} Bxb4 18. Bxb4 Qb8 19. Bd6 Qa7 20. Ba3 Qa6 21. Rd3 b6 22. Rc3 c5 23. Nd6+ Kd8 24. dxc5 bxc5 $19 {Zufic-Saric, Kastav 2002}) 15... a4 (15... b5 16. Ne4 $5 (16. Rhe1 Be7 17. Ne4 Nf6 18. Nxf6+ gxf6 (18... Bxf6 19. Bxb4 axb4 20. Qxb4 {simply winning a .}) 19. a3 Nd5 20. Qd3 $14 {Pilgaard-Pedersen, Koge 2004}) (16. Ne5 a4 17. Qe3 (17. Qf3 Nxe5 18. dxe5 Qd5))) (15... Be7 16. Ne4 $5 (16. c4 {In the long run White will regret this move when b5! will come.} O-O $1 17. a3 Na6 18. Bf4 (18. Qxb7 Bxa3 19. Qxc6 Rb8 $40) 18... b5 $1 19. cxb5 cxb5 20. Qxb5 Nb6 21. Bd2 Nd5 $15 {Karjakin-Riazantsev, INT 2003})) 16. Qe3 Nd5 (16... Nb6 17. Qe1 N4d5 18. Ne5 Nd7 19. c4 N5f6 20. f4 Qc7 21. Bc3 {Now White has got an almost ideal position.} Be7 22. f5 $16 {Marjanovic-Logothetis, Ano Liosia 2000}) 17. Qe2 (17. Qd3 $1 {is the precise move here.} b5 (17... Qc7 18. c4) 18. Ne5 $1 Nxe5 19. dxe5 Qc7 20. f4 {This  structure gives White the space advantage in the  and the , but sometimes even the  can be a target after a well-prepared c2-c4.} O-O-O 21. Qe2 Kb7 22. Ne4 {(Leko-Dreev, Wijk aan Zee 2002} (22. c4 bxc4 23. Qxc4 Ra8 24. Ne4 Be7 $14) 22... Be7 23. c4 bxc4 24. Qxc4 Ra8 $14 {Leko}) 17... b5 $1 18. Ne5 Nxe5 19. dxe5 Qb6 $1 20. Rh3 $146 {This looks rather sophysticated.} (20. Ne4 b4 21. Qc4 Be7 $5 $13 (21... Qb5 22. Qxb5 cxb5 {The  cannot be worse for Black at all.} 23. c3 bxc3 24. Nxc3 Nxc3+ 25. Bxc3 b4 26. Bd4 Be7 $11 {Landa-P.Nielsen, playchess.com INT 2004})) ({RR} 20. Ne4 a3 21. b3 Qd4 22. c3 Qxe5 23. f4 Nxf4 24. Bxf4 Qxf4 25. Rhf1 Qc7 26. Qf2 f5 27. Nc5 Bxc5 28. Qxc5 Kf7 29. Rxf5+ exf5 30. Qxf5+ Kg8 31. Rd7 Qg3 32. Qe6+ Kh7 33. Qe4+ {½-½ (33) Matthiesen,M (2361)-Rasmussen,K (2455) Denmark 2006}) ({RR} 20. Rh4 a3 21. b3 Be7 22. Rg4 Ra4 23. Rxg7 Rf4 24. f3 Bf8 25. Rg4 Rxg4 26. fxg4 Qd4 27. c3 Qxc3 28. Bxc3 Nxc3+ 29. Kc2 Nxe2 30. Nxe2 Rg8 31. Rd4 Rg5 32. Re4 Bg7 33. Nd4 Rxe5 34. Rxe5 Bxe5 {Landa,K (2597)-Van Dongen,C (2299) Netherlands 2006 0-1 (83)}) 20... a3 21. b3 Qd4 22. c3 Qxc3 $1 {This is the point!} (22... Nxc3+ 23. Bxc3 Qxc3 24. f4 $14) 23. Be1 (23. Bxc3 Nxc3+ 24. Kc2 Nxe2 25. Nxe2 Bc5 $15 {and Black has an extra .}) 23... Qb2+ (23... Qc5 $5 {keeping the queens on the board was also possible, because the white  is not safe.} 24. Ne4 Qb6 25. Nd6+ Bxd6 26. exd6 Qd8 27. Bc3 Qxd6 28. Be5 Qe7 29. Bxg7 Rg8 30. Qc2 c5 $1 $36) 24. Qxb2 axb2 25. Kxb2 Nf4 (25... g5 $5 {The target is × e5.} 26. hxg6 Bg7 (26... fxg6 { g7}) 27. gxf7+ Kxf7 28. Ne4 Bxe5+ 29. Kb1 Ra6 $15 {with active black pieces in the .}) 26. Rh2 (26. Rh4 Nxg2 27. Rg4 Nxe1 28. Rxe1 O-O-O $15 {Black is a  up + White's pawns are weak.}) 26... c5 27. Ne4 c4 28. Kb1 Ba3 29. g3 (29. Rh4 Nd3 30. Nd6+ Bxd6 31. exd6 Kd7 32. bxc4 Ra3 33. c5 (33. cxb5 Rb8) 33... Nxc5 34. Bb4 Ra4 $15) 29... Nd3 {This  becomes a superpower on d3.} 30. Bc3 O-O 31. f4 Rfd8 32. Rhd2 Rd5 (32... b4 $2 {founders on simple tactics:} 33. bxc4 $1 bxc3 34. Rxd3 Rdb8+ 35. Kc2 $18) 33. Ba1 Bb4 34. Bc3 Ba3 35. Ba1 Rd7 $1 {Black certainly wants to continue the fight.} (35... Rad8 36. Nc3 Rc5 (36... R5d7 37. Nxb5) 37. Ne4 Rcd5 $11) 36. Rc2 Rb8 (36... Rad8 37. bxc4 (37. Rdd2 Nb4 38. Rxd7 Rxd7 39. Rd2 Nd3 $15) 37... Nxe5 $1 38. Rxd7 Rxd7 39. Bb2 Bxb2 40. cxb5 Nd3 41. Rxb2 Nxb2 42. Kxb2 Rd4 $15) 37. Nc3 $2 {Now the a1  will be entombbed.} (37. Bb2 $1 {was the last chance for a successful defence, for example:} Bxb2 (37... Be7 38. Nf2 Kf8 39. Nxd3 Rxd3 (39... cxd3 40. Rc6) 40. Rxd3 cxd3 41. Rc7 $13) 38. Rxb2 cxb3 39. Rxb3 Nxe5 40. Rd6 Rxd6 41. Nxd6 Ng4 42. Rxb5 Rd8 43. Ne4 Rd4 $11) 37... b4 38. Ne4 c3 $19 {Look at the a1 !} 39. Nd6 Nc5 40. Re2 Nb7 {exchanging White's last active piece.} 41. Re4 Nxd6 42. exd6 (42. Rxd6 Rxd6 43. exd6 Rd8 44. Rd4 Kf8 $19) (42. Red4 Rc8 $1 43. Kc2 Nf5 44. Rxd7 Ne3+ $19) 42... Rb5 43. Rc4 Rxh5 44. Rc7 Rxc7 $1 45. dxc7 Rc5 0-1

[Event "Hoogeveen Essent Crown"]
[Site "Hoogeveen"]
[Date "2004.10.22"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Short, Nigel D"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B25"]
[WhiteElo "2687"]
[BlackElo "2581"]
[PlyCount "82"]
[EventDate "2004.10.17"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "6"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "15"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 104"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2005.01.27"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2005.01.27"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nc3 Nc6 3. g3 g6 4. Bg2 Bg7 5. d3 d6 6. Bg5 Nf6 7. Nge2 Rb8 8. O-O b5 9. a3 Bd7 10. h3 $146 ({RR} 10. d4 cxd4 11. Nxd4 Qc8 12. Nxc6 Bxc6 13. Qd4 h6 14. Be3 a5 15. Qd2 O-O 16. Bxh6 Bxh6 17. Qxh6 b4 18. axb4 axb4 19. Ne2 Bxe4 20. Bxe4 Nxe4 21. Nd4 e5 22. Nf3 Qxc2 23. h4 Nf6 24. Ng5 Rb7 {Dedes,N (2245)-Damaso,R (2240) Groningen 1986 1-0 (32)}) 10... O-O 11. Kh2 a5 12. Qd2 b4 13. axb4 axb4 14. Nd5 Nxd5 15. exd5 Nd4 16. Nxd4 Bxd4 17. c3 bxc3 18. bxc3 Bf6 19. Bxf6 exf6 20. Ra7 Re8 21. Rfa1 Bf5 22. g4 Bc8 23. c4 Kg7 24. d4 cxd4 25. Qxd4 Re2 26. Bf1 Rc2 27. Re1 Rb7 28. Kg1 Rxa7 29. Qxa7 Bd7 30. Kg2 h6 31. Qd4 Ra2 32. Re3 Kg8 33. Bd3 Kg7 34. h4 g5 35. h5 Ra3 36. Kg3 Rb3 37. Rf3 Qe7 38. Re3 Qd8 39. Kg2 Ra3 40. Rf3 Qe7 41. Re3 Qd8 1/2-1/2

[Event "NOR-chT east 0405"]
[Site "Norway"]
[Date "2005.03.05"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Kengis, Edvins"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B42"]
[WhiteElo "2553"]
[BlackElo "2543"]
[PlyCount "52"]
[EventDate "2004.11.06"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2023"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2022.10.05"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2022.10.05"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 a6 5. Bd3 g6 6. c4 Bg7 7. Ne2 Nc6 8. Nbc3 Nf6 9. O-O O-O 10. Bg5 Qa5 11. Qd2 Ne5 12. f4 Nxd3 13. Qxd3 b5 14. cxb5 axb5 $146 ({RR} 14... Qb6+ 15. Kh1 axb5 16. Qh3 Bb7 17. Ng3 b4 18. e5 Ng4 19. Qxg4 bxc3 20. bxc3 Qb2 21. Qh3 Rxa2 22. Rxa2 Qxa2 23. Bf6 Bxf6 24. exf6 Qd2 25. f5 Rc8 26. fxe6 dxe6 27. Rg1 Rxc3 28. Nf1 Qd4 {0-1 (28) Naiditsch,A (2484)-Kengis,E (2586) Bad Zwesten 2001}) 15. Bxf6 Bxf6 16. e5 Bg7 17. Nxb5 f6 18. Nec3 Qb6+ 19. Kh1 fxe5 20. fxe5 Bb7 21. Qd6 Qc6 22. Qxc6 Bxc6 23. Nd4 Rxf1+ 24. Rxf1 Bxe5 25. Nxc6 dxc6 26. Rf2 Bxc3 1/2-1/2

[Event "Bundesliga 0405"]
[Site "Germany"]
[Date "2005.03.13"]
[Round "13.1"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Nikolic, Predrag"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C92"]
[WhiteElo "2581"]
[BlackElo "2676"]
[PlyCount "58"]
[EventDate "2004.11.12"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 106"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2005.06.06"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2005.06.06"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Neukoelln"]
[BlackTeam "Solingen"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "GER"]
[BlackTeamCountry "GER"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 d6 8. c3 O-O 9. h3 Re8 10. d4 Bb7 11. Nbd2 Bf8 12. d5 Ne7 13. Nf1 g6 ({RR} 13... Ng6 14. a4 Nd7 15. Ba2 h6 16. N3h2 Nf4 17. Qf3 Nc5 18. Bxf4 exf4 19. axb5 axb5 20. b4 Na4 21. Qd3 g6 22. Bb3 Nb6 23. Nf3 Rxa1 24. Rxa1 Bc8 25. Nd4 Bd7 26. Ra5 Bg7 27. Nxb5 Bxb5 28. Rxb5 {Gashimov,V (2664)-Beliavsky,A (2646) Barcelona 2007 ½-½ (41)}) ({RR} 13... h6 14. Ng3 c6 15. dxc6 Bxc6 16. a4 Qc7 17. axb5 axb5 18. Rxa8 Bxa8 19. Nh4 d5 20. exd5 Bxd5 21. Nhf5 Nxf5 22. Nxf5 Bxb3 23. Qxb3 Qb7 24. c4 b4 25. Rd1 Ne4 26. Ne3 Nc5 27. Qc2 b3 28. Qc3 {Zilleruelo Irizarry,D (2058)-Leyva Proenza,R (2333) chess.com INT 2024 0-1 (38)}) 14. N3h2 Bg7 15. Qf3 $146 ({RR} 15. Ng4 Rf8 16. Nxf6+ Bxf6 17. f4 exf4 18. Bxf4 Nc8 19. Nh2 Nb6 20. Qd2 Nd7 21. Ng4 Bg7 22. e5 dxe5 23. Nxe5 Nxe5 24. Bxe5 Bxe5 25. Rxe5 Re8 26. Rxe8+ Qxe8 27. Rf1 Rd8 28. Rxf7 Kxf7 {½-½ (28) Vachier Lagrave,M (2681)-Beliavsky,A (2606) Paks 2008}) ({RR} 15. Ng4 Rf8 16. Qf3 Nxg4 17. hxg4 f5 18. exf5 gxf5 19. Bg5 Qd7 20. Bxe7 fxg4 21. Qe2 Qxe7 22. Qxg4 Bc8 23. Qe2 Qh4 24. Bc2 Rf6 25. Be4 Bg4 26. f3 Bd7 27. g3 Qg5 28. Qd2 Qh5 29. Qh2 Qf7 {Friedel,J (2529)-De la Paz Perdomo,F (2473) Toluca 2011 ½-½ (48)}) 15... Kh8 16. h4 Rf8 17. Ng3 h5 18. Bc2 Nh7 19. Qe2 Ng8 20. Nf3 Bf6 21. c4 Bxh4 22. Nxh4 Qxh4 23. cxb5 axb5 24. Qxb5 Ba6 25. Qb3 Ne7 26. Qf3 Kg7 27. Qe3 Kh8 28. Qf3 Kg7 29. Qe3 Kh8 1/2-1/2

[Event "ESP-chT"]
[Site "Sanxenxo"]
[Date "2004.11.18"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Marin, Mihail"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C91"]
[WhiteElo "2581"]
[BlackElo "2511"]
[PlyCount "82"]
[EventDate "2004.11.18"]
[EventType "team"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 105"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2005.04.11"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2005.04.11"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 d6 8. c3 O-O 9. d4 Bg4 10. d5 Na5 11. Bc2 c6 12. dxc6 Qc7 13. Bg5 h6 ({RR} 13... Nc4 14. b3 Nb6 15. a4 bxa4 16. bxa4 Qxc6 17. Qe2 Qc7 18. Bd3 Nh5 19. Be3 Nf4 20. Bxf4 exf4 21. Bxa6 Bxf3 22. gxf3 Nd7 23. Bc4 Ra5 24. Bb5 Ne5 25. Rd1 Kh8 26. Nd2 Qxc3 27. Rac1 Qb2 28. Kf1 {Kuzmin,G (2525)-Bezgodov,A (2475) Oerebro 1995 ½-½}) ({RR} 13... Qxc6 14. Bxf6 Bxf6 15. Nxe5 Bxd1 16. Nxc6 Bxc2 17. Nxa5 Rac8 18. Re2 Bd3 19. Re3 Bc4 20. Nd2 Be6 21. f4 b4 22. e5 dxe5 23. fxe5 bxc3 24. bxc3 Bd8 25. Nab3 Bb6 26. Nd4 Rxc3 27. Re4 Rd3 28. N2f3 {Gao,Q-Zhang,J (1481) Hohhot CHN 2023 0-1}) 14. Bxf6 Bxf6 15. Nbd2 Be6 16. a4 $146 ({RR} 16. Nf1 Qxc6 17. Ne3 g6 18. Nd5 Bxd5 19. exd5 Qc7 20. Re4 Bg7 21. Rg4 Nc4 22. b3 Nb6 23. Rc1 Rac8 24. c4 bxc4 25. bxc4 h5 26. Rh4 Bh6 27. Rxh5 gxh5 28. Nh4 Qe7 29. Nf5 Qg5 30. f4 Qxf4 {Djakovac,E (2205)-Radojcic,S (2263) Serbia 2008 0-1 (47)}) 16... Qxc6 17. b4 Nc4 18. Nxc4 Bxc4 19. Bb3 Rfd8 20. Nd2 Bxb3 21. Qxb3 Bg5 22. Nf3 Rac8 23. axb5 axb5 24. h4 Bf6 25. Re3 d5 26. exd5 Qxd5 27. Qxd5 Rxd5 28. g3 e4 29. Rxe4 Rxc3 30. Kg2 Rf5 31. Nd4 Bxd4 32. Rxd4 Rc2 33. Rf1 h5 34. Kg1 Rb2 35. f3 Re5 36. Rf2 Rb1+ 37. Kg2 Ree1 38. Rc2 Rg1+ 39. Kf2 Rbf1+ 40. Ke2 Re1+ 41. Kf2 Ref1+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "ESP-chT"]
[Site "Sanxenxo"]
[Date "2004.11.20"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Gurevich, Mikhail"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C16"]
[WhiteElo "2581"]
[BlackElo "2644"]
[Annotator "Finkel,Alexander"]
[PlyCount "86"]
[EventDate "2004.11.18"]
[EventType "team"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 105"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2005.04.11"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2005.04.11"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e5 b6 $5 {Playing against 13 years old boy Gurevich is looking for less popular line hoping to force his opponent to be on his own from the very beginning.} 5. a3 Bf8 6. Nf3 a5 (6... Qd7) 7. Bb5+ {Opting for the most popular reply.} (7. h4 h6 (7... h5 8. Bb5+ c6 9. Ba4 Ba6 10. Ne2 Bxe2 11. Qxe2 b5 12. Bb3 a4 13. Ba2 Nd7 14. c3 $14 {Shomoev,A-Vaganian,R/Istanbul 2003}) 8. h5 Ba6 9. Bxa6 Nxa6 10. Rh4 Ne7 11. Rf4 Qd7 12. b3 c6 13. a4 Nc8 14. Rg4 $14 {Yurtaev,L-Tulchinsky,M/Tomsk 1997}) (7. a4 Ne7 8. Bd3 Ba6 9. O-O Bxd3 10. Qxd3 Nbc6 (10... Nf5 11. Ne2 Be7 12. Ng3 g6 13. Nxf5 gxf5 14. Bh6 Rg8 $13 {Jakovenko,D-Kosyrev,V/Internet 2004}) 11. Ne2 Nb4 12. Qd1 Nf5 13. Ng3 g6 14. b3 Be7 15. c3 Na6 16. Nxf5 gxf5 17. Bh6 Rg8 $132 {Jakovenko,D-Vaganian,R/Sochi 2004}) ({RR} 7. h4 h6 8. h5 Ba6 9. Be2 Ne7 10. Nb5 Nc8 11. O-O Qd7 12. c4 dxc4 13. a4 Bb4 14. Bxc4 c6 15. Na3 Bxa3 16. Bxa6 Nxa6 17. Rxa3 Ne7 18. Nh4 O-O-O 19. Nf3 Kb7 20. Qe2 g6 21. Bd2 gxh5 {Sprenger,J (2498)-Galinsky,T (2365) Caleta 2019 ½-½ (48)}) 7... c6 8. Ba4 Ba6 (8... b5 9. Bb3 Nd7 10. Ne2 c5 11. c3 c4 12. Bc2 Ne7 13. Ng5 g6 14. Nf4 Nb6 15. h4 $16 {Labib,I-Mohamed,F/Cairo 1996}) 9. Ne2 Bxe2 $146 {After trading the lightsqared bishop black intends to close up the queenside putting all his pawns on the light squares.} (9... Ne7 10. c3 (10. O-O Nf5 11. Re1 b5 12. Bb3 c5 13. c3 Nc6 14. Bc2 g6 15. Bg5 Be7 16. Bxe7 Qxe7 17. dxc5 Qxc5 18. Bxf5 gxf5 19. Ned4 $16 {Fedorowicz,J-Zerm,A/Philadelphia 1997}) 10... h6 11. h4 Bb5 12. Bc2 c5 13. g3 Qc8 14. O-O Nbc6 15. Re1 $14 {Diaz,J-Nikolic,Z/Vrnjacka Banja 1988}) (9... Bb5 10. Bb3 Ne7 11. c3 c5 12. O-O Nbc6 13. Re1 Nf5 14. Bc2 $14 {Singer,C-Vogel,J/Krumbach 1991}) (9... Qc7 10. c3 Ne7 11. O-O Nd7 12. Re1 h6 13. Nf4 g6 14. Be3 Bg7 15. Bc2 c5 16. Qd2 $14 {Leoncini,M-Turci,S/Forli 1993}) ({RR} 9... h5 10. h4 Nh6 11. c3 Be7 12. Bg5 Kd7 13. Bc2 Ng4 14. Bxe7 Qxe7 15. O-O Bxe2 16. Qxe2 Na6 17. c4 Nc7 18. Rac1 Rhb8 19. Ba4 b5 20. cxb5 cxb5 21. Bc2 a4 22. Bd3 b4 23. Rc5 bxa3 24. bxa3 {Lanka,Z (2440)-Graf,F (2493) Austria 2013 1-0 (32)}) ({RR} 9... Qc7 10. c3 Ne7 11. O-O Nd7 12. Re1 h6 13. Nf4 g6 14. Be3 Bg7 15. Bc2 c5 16. Qd2 Rc8 17. Rac1 Qb7 18. b4 axb4 19. axb4 cxb4 20. cxb4 Bc4 21. Rb1 b5 22. Nd3 {½-½ (22) Leoncini,M (2250)-Turci,S (2230) Forli 1993}) 10. Qxe2 b5 11. Bb3 a4 12. Ba2 Nd7 13. c3 Nb6 (13... h6 14. Bb1 Ne7 15. Bd3 Qc7 16. h4 Nb6 17. h5 Nc4 18. g3 Nc8 19. Kf1 N8b6 20. Kg2 $14 {Lutz,C-Fries Nielsen,J/Copenhagen 1995}) 14. Bb1 Nc4 {It seems that white has an advantage, but the Norvegian prodigy didn't succeed to find a key to the position.} 15. Ng5 {It's obvious that white should try to break through on the kingisde, but it's easier said, than done since black's position is very solid.} (15. Bd3 h5 16. O-O g6 17. Rb1 Be7 18. g3 Nh6 19. Kg2 Kd7 $13) 15... g6 16. Qf3 (16. f4 $6 h5 17. g3 Nh6 18. h3 Nf5 19. Rg1 c5 $15) 16... Qe7 17. Qg3 Kd7 18. h4 $6 h5 19. Nh3 Nh6 20. Bg5 (20. Bd3 Nf5 21. Bxf5 gxf5 22. Bg5 Qe8 23. Bf6 Rh6 24. Rb1 Be7 25. Bg5 Rh8 26. Nf4 Qg8 $132) 20... Qe8 21. Ra2 $6 {[%csl Ra2] Such a move simply can't be correct, since the rook is cut off the game on a2.} Be7 22. Nf4 $6 Kc7 23. Nd3 (23. Bd3 $5 {[%cal Ge1d1,Gd1c2,Ga2a1]}) 23... Nf5 24. Qf4 Kb6 25. Rh3 Qd8 26. Nc5 {[%csl Rc5]} Qc7 27. Bxe7 Qxe7 $15 {Black's opening plan worked out just perfectly, however the only possibility to play for a win is to push g5, which might not be enough since white may easily protect the pawn on g2.} 28. Bd3 Rhg8 {[%cal Gg6g5]} 29. Kf1 Rg7 30. Kg1 Kc7 $5 {[%csl Ga4] Black is getting ready for :c4.} (30... Rag8 $5 31. Bxc4 bxc4 32. Nxa4+ Kb5 33. Nc5 g5 34. a4+ Kb6 35. hxg5 Rxg5 36. a5+ Ka7 $13) 31. Kf1 g5 (31... Rag8 32. Be2 (32. Bxc4 $6 bxc4 33. Nxa4 g5 34. hxg5 Rxg5 35. Rh2 Rg4 $17 {[%csl Ra2,Rh2]}) 32... g5 33. hxg5 Rxg5 34. Bf3) 32. hxg5 Rxg5 33. Be2 Rag8 34. Bf3 Rg4 ({May be black shouldn't force the matters by} 34... h4 {[%cal Ge7f8,Gf8h6] followed by f8-h6 or f8-g7 with considerable pressure.}) 35. Bxg4 Rxg4 36. Qc1 Rh4 37. Rxh4 Qxh4 38. Kg1 Qg4 39. Nd3 (39. f3 Qh4 40. b3 Ng3 41. Qe1 axb3 42. Nxb3 Qh1+ 43. Kf2 Qh4 $44) 39... Nh4 40. Ne1 Qe2 41. Nc2 Qg4 (41... Nd2 $5 42. Ne3 Ne4 43. Qf1 $140 (43. Qc2 Qe1+ 44. Nf1 Ng6 $44) 43... Nxc3 $1 {[%csl Ra2]} 44. Ra1 Qxb2 $15) 42. Ne1 Qe2 43. Nc2 Qg4 1/2-1/2

[Event "ESP-chT"]
[Site "Sanxenxo"]
[Date "2004.11.22"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Korneev, Oleg"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B42"]
[WhiteElo "2581"]
[BlackElo "2583"]
[PlyCount "63"]
[EventDate "2004.11.18"]
[EventType "team"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 105"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2005.04.11"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2005.04.11"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 {Chuchelov,Vladimir} c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 a6 5. Bd3 Bc5 6. Nb3 Ba7 7. Qe2 Nc6 8. Be3 d6 9. Nc3 Nge7 10. f4 b5 11. O-O-O ({RR} 11. a4 b4 12. Nd1 Ng6 13. g3 O-O 14. Bxa7 Rxa7 15. Ne3 Na5 16. Nxa5 Qxa5 17. b3 Qc5 18. O-O-O Ne7 19. Bc4 Bb7 20. Qd3 Rd8 21. Rhf1 Nc6 22. Kb1 Bc8 23. g4 Na5 24. f5 Nxc4 25. Nxc4 a5 {Svidler,P (2765)-Romanov,E (2626) St Petersburg 2017 1-0 (46)}) 11... b4 12. Na4 Bd7 13. e5 ({RR} 13. Qd2 Bxe3 14. Qxe3 Rb8 15. Bxa6 Qc7 16. e5 dxe5 17. Nac5 exf4 18. Qf2 Bc8 19. Bxc8 Qxc8 20. Qxf4 O-O) ({RR} 13. Qf2 Bxe3+ 14. Qxe3 Nc8 15. e5 Na5 16. exd6 Bxa4 17. Nc5 Bd7 18. f5 Qf6 19. Nxd7 Kxd7 20. Qc5 Qd8 21. fxe6+ fxe6 22. Rhf1 b3 23. axb3 g6 24. Be4 Rb8 25. Qe5 Qg8 26. Qxa5 Rb6 27. Qc5 Qd8 {Diaz Mino,D (2306)-Rojas Salas,S (2425) Granada ESP 2025 1-0 (33)}) 13... Bxe3+ $146 ({RR} 13... Nd5 14. Bd2 dxe5 15. fxe5 Qc7 16. Rhe1 Nce7 {0-1 (16) Coenen,N (2335)-Chuchelov,V (2545) Fourmies 1998 CBM 066 [Chuchelov,Vladimir]}) ({RR} 13... Nd5 14. Bxa7 Nxa7 15. Be4 O-O 16. Bxd5 exd5 17. Rxd5 Bxa4 18. Nd4 Bd7 19. Rd1 Nb5 20. Nxb5 axb5 21. Rxd6 Ra7 22. R1d4 {0-1 (22) Garcia,G (2452)-Korneev,O (2611) Neiva 2005}) 14. Qxe3 dxe5 15. Be4 O-O 16. Nac5 Ra7 17. Qd3 Nd5 18. Bxd5 exd5 19. Qxd5 Nb8 20. Qxe5 Qc8 21. Rd6 a5 22. Nd4 a4 23. Nxd7 Nxd7 24. Qg5 b3 25. a3 Rc7 26. Nf5 Rxc2+ 27. Kd1 Rc1+ 28. Ke2 Rc2+ 29. Kd1 Rc1+ 30. Ke2 Rc2+ 31. Kd1 Rc1+ 32. Ke2 1/2-1/2

[Event "ESP-chT"]
[Site "Sanxenxo"]
[Date "2004.11.24"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Krasenkow, Michal"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C83"]
[WhiteElo "2581"]
[BlackElo "2676"]
[Annotator "Finkel,Alexander"]
[PlyCount "73"]
[EventDate "2004.11.18"]
[EventType "team"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 105"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2005.04.11"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2005.04.11"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 {Mikhalevski,Victor} e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Nxe4 6. d4 b5 7. Bb3 d5 8. dxe5 Be6 9. Be3 {A solid continuation which usually yields white only a minimal advantage.} Be7 (9... Nc5 $6 10. Nc3 Nxb3 11. cxb3 $1 $14 {Ponomariov,R-Kortschnoj,V/Donetsk 2001/CBM 81}) (9... Bc5 {--> 1-0 Akopian,V-Adianto,U/Tripoli 2004/CBM 102 [Postny,E] (43)}) 10. c3 O-O 11. Nbd2 (11. Re1 Na5 {--> 0-1 Efimenko,Z-Kaidanov,G/Moscow 2003/CBM 94 [Postny,E] (39)}) 11... Qd7 (11... Bg4 {--> ½-½ Sadvakasov,D-Kortschnoj,V/Astana 2003/CBM 93 [Postny,E] (44)}) 12. Re1 ({Immediate} 12. Nxe4 {leads to a slightly better ending after} dxe4 13. Qxd7 Bxd7 14. e6 $5 (14. Rfd1 $5 Rad8 15. Rxd7 $5 ({RR} 15. Ng5 Nxe5 16. Nxe4 Bc8 17. Bc5 Bxc5 18. Nxc5 Nd7 19. Nxd7 Rxd7 20. Rxd7 Bxd7 21. f3 Rd8 22. Rd1 Kf8 23. Kf2 Ke7 24. Ke3 c5 25. Rd5 Rc8 26. g3) 15... Rxd7 16. e6 exf3 ({RR} 16... Rd3 17. exf7+ Kh8 18. Nd2 Na5) 17. exd7 Ne5 ({RR} 17... Rd8 18. Rd1 Bd6 ({RR} 18... Nb8 19. Bf4 Rxd7 20. Rxd7 Nxd7 21. Bxc7)) 18. Rd1 Rd8 19. Bf4 Bd6 20. Bxe5 Bxe5 21. Re1 $18 {Hansen,M-Nielsen,J/DEN 1989}) ({RR} 14. Rfd1 Rad8 15. Rxd7 Rxd7 16. e6 exf3 17. exd7 Ne5 18. Rd1 Rd8 19. Bf4 Bd6 20. Bxe5 Bxe5 21. Re1) ({RR} 14. Nd2 Nxe5 15. Nxe4 Bc6 16. Ng3 Nd3 17. Nf5 Rfe8 18. Rab1 Bf8 19. Rfd1 Be4 20. Ng3 Bg6 21. h4 h5 22. Bd5 Rad8 23. Bf3 Bd6 24. Ne2 Ne5 25. Rbc1 Nc4) 14... Bxe6 15. Bxe6 fxe6 16. Nd2 Ne5 17. Nxe4 Nd3 (17... Nc4 $5 18. Bc1 Rf5 19. b3 Nd6 20. Ng3 Rd5 21. Be3 Bf6 $11 {0-1 Thipsay,P-Sasikiran,K/Guntur, AP IND 2000}) ({RR} 17... Nc4 18. Bc1 Rf5 19. b3 Nd6 20. Ng3 Rd5 21. Be3 Bf6 22. Rac1 Kf7 23. Rc2 Rd8 24. Re1 Rd3 25. Bd4 Rd7 26. Ne2 Nf5 27. Bxf6 gxf6 28. g3 e5 29. b4 Rd1 30. Kf1 h5) 18. b3 $14 {Ravi,T-Dridi,A/Moscow 1994}) ({Does not create any problems for black:} 12. Bc2 {--> 0-1 Ganguly,S-Nielsen,P/Tripoli 2004/CBM 102 [Postny,E] (29)}) ({RR} 12. Nxe4 dxe4 13. Qxd7 Bxd7 14. e6 Bxe6 15. Bxe6 fxe6 16. Nd2 Ne5 17. Nxe4 Nd3 18. b3) 12... f5 (12... Kh8 13. Nxe4 ({RR} 13. Qe2 f5 14. exf6 Nxf6 15. Bg5 Bg8 16. a4 b4 17. a5 bxc3 18. bxc3 Bc5 19. Bxf6 Rxf6 20. Ba4 Qd6 21. Nb3 Ba7 22. Nfd4 Nxd4 23. cxd4 Raf8 24. Rf1 Qb4 25. Qe1 Rb8) ({RR} 13. Bc2 f5 14. exf6 Nxf6 15. Nb3 Bg4 16. Bc5 Bd6) 13... dxe4 14. Qxd7 Bxd7 15. e6 ({RR} 15. Red1 Rad8 16. Ng5 Nxe5 17. Nxe4) 15... Bxe6 16. Bxe6 fxe6 17. Nd2 Ne5 ({RR} 17... Kg8 18. Nxe4 Rf5 19. Re2 Rd8 20. g3 Rfd5 21. Kg2 Rd1 22. Rxd1 Rxd1 23. Bc5 Bd8 24. c4) 18. Nxe4 Nd3 19. Re2 $14 {Ivanchuk,V-Krasenkov,M/Lviv 2000}) ({Much more popular is} 12... Rad8 13. Bc2 Bf5 (13... Nxd2 14. Qxd2 Bf5 15. Rad1 Bxc2 16. Qxc2 $14 {Golod,V-Mikhalevski,V/Beersheba 1997}) (13... f5 14. exf6 Nxf6 15. a4 Bf5 $5 16. axb5 axb5 17. Bxf5 Qxf5 18. Ra6 Nb8 19. Ra5 b4 20. Bc5 Bxc5 21. Rxc5 bxc3 22. bxc3 {½-½ Brodsky,M-Ernst,S/Dieren 2001/CBM 83 ext (22)}) 14. Nxe4 Bxe4 15. Bxe4 dxe4 16. Qxd7 Rxd7 17. e6 fxe6 18. Nd2 Ne5 19. Nxe4 Nd3 (19... Rfd8 20. f3 Bh4 21. Bf2 Bxf2+ 22. Nxf2 Rd5 23. a4 $14 {Bruzon Bautista,L-Ponomariov,R/Mallorca 2004}) 20. Re2 Rf5 21. g3 Kf7 22. a4 h6 23. axb5 axb5 24. Ra6 Re5 $11 {Shirov,A-Mamedyarov,S/Izmir 2004}) ({RR} 12... Kh8 13. Nxe4 dxe4 14. Qxd7 Bxd7 15. e6 Bxe6 16. Bxe6 fxe6 17. Nd2 Ne5 18. Nxe4 Nd3 19. Re2 c5 20. f3 ({RR} 20. Rd2 c4 21. b3) 20... c4 21. Nf2 Rad8 22. Nxd3 cxd3 ({RR} 22... Rxd3 23. Bf2 Bf6) 23. Rd2 Rd5 24. Rad1 Rfd8 25. f4 Bf6 ({RR} 25... g5 26. g3 ({RR} 26. Bb6 R8d7) ({RR} 26. fxg5 e5) 26... gxf4 27. gxf4 Kg8 ({RR} 27... Bd6 28. Kg2 Rf8 29. Rxd3 Rxd3 30. Rxd3 Bxf4 31. Bxf4 Rxf4 32. Rd6) 28. Kf2) 26. g3 ({RR} 26. Kf2 e5 27. Kf3 exf4 28. Bd4 ({RR} 28. Bxf4 g5 ({RR} 28... R5d7 29. Ke4 Re8+ 30. Kf3 Red8) 29. Bc7 R8d7 30. Ke4 b4) 28... Kg8 29. Rxd3 Be5 ({RR} 29... g5 30. Ke4) 30. Ke4 Bc7 31. Bf2 Rxd3 32. Rxd3 Re8+ 33. Kf3) 26... h5 ({RR} 26... e5 27. Bb6 ({RR} 27. fxe5 Bxe5 28. Kg2 ({RR} 28. Bb6 {RR} Rb8 ({RR} 28... R8d6 29. Bc7) 29. Rxd3 Rxd3 30. Rxd3) 28... Bf6 29. g4 ({RR} 29. Bd4 Re8 30. Rxd3 ({RR} 30. Kf3 h5 31. Rxd3 Rf5+ 32. Kg2 Re2+) ({RR} 30. Bf2) 30... Re2+ 31. Kf3 Rxb2 32. Bxf6 Rxd3+ ({RR} 32... Rf5+ 33. Ke4) 33. Rxd3 gxf6 34. Rd6 Rxa2 35. Rxf6) ({RR} 29. Bb6 Re8 30. Kf3 h5) 29... h5 30. h3 ({RR} 30. Bd4 Re8 31. Rxd3 Re2+) ({RR} 30. gxh5 Bg5) 30... hxg4 31. hxg4 Bg5 32. Bxg5 Rxg5 33. Kf3 ({RR} 33. Rxd3 Rxd3 34. Rxd3 Rxg4+ 35. Kf3 Rg6) 33... Rgd5 34. Ke4 Rg5) 27... R8d7 ({RR} 27... Rb8 28. Bc7) ({RR} 27... Re8 28. Rxd3 Rxd3 29. Rxd3 exf4 30. gxf4 Re2 31. Re3) 28. fxe5 Bxe5 29. Kg2 Kg8 ({RR} 29... Bf6 30. Bd4 Re7 31. Rf2) ({RR} 29... b4 30. c4 R5d6 31. Bc5 Rc6 32. Rxd3 Rxd3 33. Rxd3 Kg8 34. Bxb4 Rxc4 35. Bc3) 30. Bd4 Bxd4 31. Rxd3 Re7 32. R3d2) 27. Kg2 {Ivanchuk,V (2709)-Krasenkow,M (2661) Lvov 2000 CBM 077 [Mikhalevski,Victor] ½-½ (59)}) ({RR} 12... Rad8) ({RR} 12... Nxd2 13. Qxd2 Na5 14. Bg5 c5 15. Bc2 Nc4 16. Qf4 Rfe8 17. Bf6 Qd8 18. b3 Na3 19. Bxe7 Qxe7 20. Bf5 Bxf5 21. Qxf5 Qe6 22. Qd3 a5 23. Rad1 Rad8 24. Re2 h6 25. Qe3 Rc8 26. Red2 Red8 27. h4 {Kamsky,G (2671)-Carlsen,M (2646) Turin 2006 ½-½ (31)}) 13. exf6 Nxf6 14. Bc2 {This natural move seems to be harmless for black, so white should look for an advantage in the other directions.} (14. Qe2 $5 Bd6 15. a4 Na5 16. Bc2 Nc4 17. axb5 axb5 18. Rxa8 Rxa8 19. Nxc4 bxc4 20. Bd4 $16 {Korneev,O-Cruz Lopez Claret,C}) 14... Bf5 (14... Bg4 15. Qe2 Rae8 16. Qf1 Bd6 17. h3 Bh5 18. Nd4 Nxd4 19. cxd4 Ne4 $132 {Van Elst,A-Ackermann,D/Porz 1990}) 15. Bxf5 $146 (15. Nd4 $6 Nxd4 16. cxd4 Bd6 17. f3 Rae8 18. Nf1 Nh5 19. Bb3 Be6 20. Bf2 Kh8 $15 {Golubovic,G-Popov,S/Cetinje 1991}) (15. Nb3 Rae8 16. Nbd4 Nxd4 17. Bxd4 Bxc2 18. Qxc2 Ne4 $132) ({RR} 15. Nd4 Nxd4 16. cxd4 Bd6 17. f3 Rae8 18. Nf1 Nh5 19. Bb3 Be6 20. Bf2 Kh8 21. Ne3 Qf7 22. g3 c6 23. Rc1 Bd7 24. a3 Nf6 25. Qd2 Ng8 26. Bd1 Nh6 27. f4 Re7 28. b4 Rfe8 29. Be2 Qf6 {Golubovic,G-Popov,S (2350) Cetinje 1991 0-1 (40)}) 15... Qxf5 16. Nf1 Ne4 ({Very serious attention deserved} 16... Bd6 $5 {since the knight on f6 could be very important attacking piece.} 17. Ng3 $140 $6 Bxg3 18. hxg3 Rae8 $15 {[%csl Rg1][%cal Gf6g4,Gf5h5]}) 17. Ng3 Nxg3 18. hxg3 Rad8 $5 {[%csl Gd5] Prophilaxis in case of g4 by white.} (18... Rae8 {[%cal Gc6d8,Gc7c6,Gd8e6]} 19. a4 Nd8 (19... b4 $6 20. g4 {[%csl Rd5]} Qf7 21. Qd3 $1 $14 {[%csl Ra6]}) 20. axb5 axb5 21. g4 Qd7 22. b4 c6 $13) 19. a4 b4 20. Qe2 (20. Rc1 Rd7 $5 {[%csl Gc7,Ge7]} (20... Qd7 21. c4 d4 22. Nxd4 Nxd4 23. Qxd4 Qxa4 $13) 21. Nd4 Nxd4 22. cxd4 {[%csl Ra6][%cal Gc1c6]} Rf6 (22... a5 $6 23. Rc6 Bd6 24. Ra6 Re7 25. Qb3 Rfe8 26. Rxa5 $14) 23. Qc2 Qxc2 24. Rxc2 b3 $11) 20... bxc3 21. bxc3 Qc8 22. Rad1 (22. Nd4 $6) 22... Bf6 23. Bg5 $5 h6 $6 {Krasenkov either underestimated white's chanses in he endgame or just missed white's reply.} (23... Bxc3 24. Bxd8 (24. Qe6+ $6 Qxe6 25. Rxe6 Rd6 26. Rxd6 cxd6 27. Rxd5 Bb4 $11) 24... Bxe1 25. Bh4 Bb4 (25... Ba5 $6 26. Rxd5 Bb6 27. Qc4 $1 $18 {[%csl Rc6,Rg8]}) 26. Rxd5 Kh8 27. Qd3 h6 $132 {[%cal Gc8e6]}) 24. Qe6+ $1 $14 {Very strong move after which black has to play very carefully to keep the balance.} (24. Bxf6 Rxf6 25. Nd4 Nxd4 26. cxd4 Rdf8 27. f3 Qd7 $11) 24... Qxe6 25. Rxe6 hxg5 (25... Nb8 26. Bxf6 Rxf6 27. Rxf6 gxf6 28. Nd4 c6 29. Rb1 $1 $14 {[%cal Gb1b7,Gb7c7]}) 26. Rxc6 Rde8 27. Rxc7 $6 (27. g4 $5 Re4 28. Rxa6 Rxg4 29. Rxd5 Rc4 (29... Bxc3 30. Rxg5 Rxg5 31. Nxg5 c5 32. Ne4 Bd4 33. Kf1 $16) 30. Ne5 Bxe5 31. Rxe5 Rxc3 32. Re2 $14) 27... Re4 $1 $11 28. a5 (28. Rxd5 g4 $1 (28... Rxa4 $2 29. Nxg5 $16) 29. Nd4 Re1+ 30. Kh2 Rb8 $1 $15 {[%csl Rh2][%cal Gb8b1]} 31. Nc2 $140 Rc1 32. Nb4 Rxb4 33. Rxg7+ Kxg7 34. cxb4 Rc4 $15) 28... g4 29. Nd4 Bxd4 30. Rxd4 Re1+ 31. Kh2 Rxf2 32. Rxg4 (32. Rxd5 $4 Rff1 $19) 32... Rf7 33. Rc8+ Rf8 34. Rxf8+ Kxf8 35. Rg6 Rc1 36. Rxa6 Rxc3 37. Rd6 1/2-1/2

[Event "ESP-chT"]
[Site "Sanxenxo"]
[Date "2004.11.26"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Vallejo Pons, Francisco"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B22"]
[WhiteElo "2678"]
[BlackElo "2581"]
[Annotator "Rogozenco,Dorian"]
[PlyCount "77"]
[EventDate "2004.11.18"]
[EventType "team"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 105"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2005.04.11"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2005.04.11"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. c3 Nf6 4. e5 Nd5 5. d4 cxd4 6. cxd4 d6 7. Bc4 Nb6 8. Bb3 d5 (8... dxe5 9. d5 Na5 10. Nc3) 9. Nh4 {Preventing the black Bishop to develop on f5 or g4 is the only way for White to fight for an opening advantage.} (9. Nc3 Bg4 $11) (9. h3 Bf5 $11) 9... e6 (9... Nc4 $6 10. Nc3 a6 $2 11. e6 $1 Nd6 (11... Bxe6 12. Bxc4 dxc4 13. d5 $18) (11... fxe6 12. Qh5+ $18) 12. exf7+ Nxf7 13. Bxd5 e6 14. Bxc6+ bxc6 15. Nf3 $16 {1-0 Pavasovic,D-Miladinovic,I/Nova Gorica 2003 (51)}) (9... a5 $5 10. Nc3 a4 11. Bc2 (11. Nxa4 $4 Nxa4 12. Bxa4 Qa5+ $19) (11. Bxa4 $5) 11... a3 12. bxa3 e6 13. g3 (13. Nf3) 13... Nc4 14. O-O Be7 15. Qg4 Kf8 16. Nf3 h6 17. h4 f5 18. exf6 Bxf6 19. Qf4 g5 $1 $17 {0-1 Yagupov,I-Ragozin,E/Orel 1992 (40)}) (9... g6 $5) 10. Nf3 {The pawn structure reminds of the French Defense. The difference in development of the pieces is that White has the bishop on b3 and Black the knight on b6. It's a matter of personal preference how to evaluate this double-edged position. Black's play is somewhat more difficult (because of certain problems with the king). I believe that he should play for a quick ...e7 and ...f6 rather than what he did in the present game.} Bd7 (10... Bb4+ 11. Nc3 (11. Bd2 Be7) 11... Na5 12. Bc2 h6 13. h4 Bd7 14. Rh3 Bxc3+ $13 {0-1 Jonkman,H-Alekseev,E/Wijk aan Zee 2005 (53)}) (10... Be7 11. Nc3 f6 12. exf6 Bxf6 $13) ({RR} 10... Be7 11. O-O Bd7 12. Nc3 {½-½ (12) Pavasovic,D (2584)-Movsesian,S (2659) Istanbul 2003}) 11. Nc3 (11. a3 Qc7 12. Nc3 Na5 13. Bc2 f5 14. O-O Be7 $11 {0-1 Prelevic,M-Horvath,A/Budapest 1998 (40)}) 11... Rc8 {A committing move. If Black is not willing to castle short (like in the present game), then in such positions it is advisable for him to keep for a while the possibility to castle long.} (11... Be7 12. O-O (12. Bc2 Nc4 13. O-O Qa5 14. a3 O-O-O $13 {1-0 Har Zvi,R-Shmuter,L/Rishon Le Ziyyon 1995 (30)}) 12... O-O 13. Bc2 f6 14. Qd3 g6 15. a3 Rf7 {½-½ Filipovic,B-Lazarev,V/Switzerland 2003}) 12. O-O h6 $6 {Another committing decision. It's clear that Black failed to find a clear plan.} ({RR} 12... Be7 13. a3 a6 14. Re1 Na7 15. Bd2 Nc4 16. Bxc4 Rxc4 17. Qb3 b6 18. Rac1 a5 19. Be3 O-O 20. Nd2 Rc8 21. Qd1 b5 22. Qg4 f5 23. exf6 Bxf6 24. Nf3 e5 25. Qh5 Be8 26. Qg4 e4 27. Ne5 {Schwab,T (1924)-Mainka,R (2351) Heimbach-Weis GER 2025 0-1 (67)}) 13. h4 $146 ({RR} 13. a3 a6 14. Bc2 Na5 15. Nd2 g6 16. Bd3 h5 17. Qf3 Bh6 18. Qg3 h4 19. Qg4 Qg5 20. Qh3 Qe7 21. Nf3 Nb3 22. Bxh6 Rxh6 23. Rad1 Kf8 24. Nd2 Nxd2 25. Rxd2 Kg7 26. Rc2 Rhh8 27. Rfc1 Qg5 {Collins,S (2409)-Dominguez Aguilar,G (2342) Turin 2006 1-0 (60)}) 13... g6 $6 14. g3 Bb4 (14... Bg7 15. Nb5 $16) 15. Bc2 Ne7 16. Ne2 Nf5 17. Bd3 Be7 18. Kg2 Nc4 {It may look like Black has two strong knights. This is a wrong impression though, since they both are very unstable. In fact without all four knights Black's position would have been very acceptable.} 19. Rh1 $16 {As a result of opponent's completely irresponsible play White achieved a huge advantage. Black's problem is obviously the king. He can't find a safe place on the board for his monarch. For the moment it's relatively safe in the center, but this is a temporary safety, since the lack of coordination between black pieces will sooner or later play its role.} Qb6 (19... O-O 20. b3 Nb6 21. Bxf5 exf5 22. Bxh6 $18) 20. b3 Na5 21. Nf4 Nc6 22. Bxf5 {Time for concrete actions. White penetrates with the knight on f6, which means that the happy life of black king is over.} gxf5 23. Nh5 Nb4 24. Nf6+ Kd8 (24... Bxf6 25. exf6 Bb5 26. Bf4 Nd3 27. Qd2 $16) 25. Ne1 Qa6 26. a3 Bb5 (26... Nc6 27. Be3 Kc7 28. Nd3 $16) 27. Bxh6 $1 {[%cal Gd1a1] No wonder that White finds a tactical solution in order to achieve the decisive advantage.} Rxh6 28. axb4 Qb6 29. Qd2 Rh8 30. Nf3 Bxb4 31. Qg5 Kc7 32. Rac1+ Bc6 33. h5 $18 {This pawn decides the outcome.} Bf8 34. h6 Qxb3 35. h7 Qa3 36. Qg8 Be7 37. Qxf7 Rcf8 38. Qg7 Kd8 39. Ra1 {The reason of Black's loss is a bad understanding of the "king's problem" in chess.} 1-0

[Event "Drammen Smartfish Masters"]
[Site "Drammen"]
[Date "2004.12.28"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Lie, Kjetil A"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B38"]
[WhiteElo "2581"]
[BlackElo "2474"]
[PlyCount "129"]
[EventDate "2004.12.27"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "14"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 105"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2005.04.11"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2005.04.11"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 g6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Bg7 5. c4 Nc6 6. Be3 Nf6 7. Nc3 O-O 8. Be2 d6 9. O-O Bd7 10. Qd2 Nxd4 11. Bxd4 Bc6 12. Bd3 a5 13. b3 Nd7 14. Bxg7 Kxg7 15. Rfe1 Qb6 ({RR} 15... Nc5 16. Bc2 f6 17. Rad1 Qb6 18. Re3 Rfe8 19. Nd5 Qd8 20. Rh3 h5 21. f4 e6 22. Nc3 f5 23. Qd4+ Qf6 24. e5 dxe5 25. Qxc5 exf4 26. Qf2 Qg5 27. Re1 e5 28. Nd5 Rad8 29. Rd3 h4 30. Qd2 {Sarana,A (2668)-Martinez Alcantara,J (2597) chess.com INT 2022 0-1 (47)}) 16. Bf1 Ne5 $146 ({RR} 16... Rfe8 17. Rab1 Nf8 18. Re3 Kg8 19. h4 Qc5 20. Nd5 Bxd5 21. exd5 e5 22. h5 Qc7 23. Rbe1 Re7 24. f4 Rae8 25. f5 f6 26. fxg6 hxg6 27. Qf2 f5 28. Rh3 f4 29. Qh4 Rh7 30. Qg4 Qg7 31. Bd3 {Paljusaj,E (2334)-Garriga Cazorla,P (2056) Barcelona 2012 0-1 (59)}) ({RR} 16... a4 17. Nd5 Bxd5 18. exd5 axb3 19. Qc3+ Nf6 20. axb3 Rxa1 21. Rxa1 Rc8 22. g3 Kg8 23. Bh3 Rc7 24. Ra8+ Kg7 25. Bg2 Qc5 26. Ra5 Qb6 27. g4 h6 28. h4 g5 29. hxg5 hxg5 30. Ra8 Qc5 31. Qd2 {Tan,J (2421)-Adury,A (2268) Hajduszoboszlo HUN 2025 1-0 (40)}) 17. Nd5 Bxd5 18. exd5 e6 19. Rad1 exd5 20. Qxd5 Rfe8 21. Re3 Ng4 22. Rf3 Re6 23. Qg5 h5 24. Qd2 Rae8 25. h3 Ne5 26. Rf4 Nc6 27. Qc3+ Kg8 28. a3 Qd8 29. Rf3 Ne5 30. Re3 b6 31. g3 h4 32. Bg2 hxg3 33. Rxg3 Qf6 34. Bd5 R6e7 35. Qd4 Kg7 36. Qxb6 Nd7 37. Qxa5 Re2 38. Qc3 Ne5 39. Rf1 Qf4 40. a4 Rh8 41. a5 Rh5 42. Bf3 Rc2 43. Qxc2 Nxf3+ 44. Kh1 Nd2 45. Qc3+ Kf8 46. Kg2 Nxf1 47. Kxf1 Rf5 48. Rg2 Qe4 49. Rg4 Qh1+ 50. Rg1 Qe4 51. Qd2 Qb1+ 52. Kg2 Qxb3 53. Qxd6+ Kg8 54. a6 Qxc4 55. Re1 Kh7 56. a7 Qc8 57. Qd4 Rg5+ 58. Kf1 Qxh3+ 59. Ke2 Qh5+ 60. Kf1 Qh3+ 61. Ke2 Qh5+ 62. Kd3 Qf3+ 63. Kc2 Qc6+ 64. Kd2 Ra5 65. Ra1 1/2-1/2

[Event "Drammen Smartfish Masters"]
[Site "Drammen"]
[Date "2005.01.03"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Shirov, Alexei"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C95"]
[WhiteElo "2581"]
[BlackElo "2726"]
[Annotator "Wedberg,Tom"]
[PlyCount "75"]
[EventDate "2004.12.27"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "14"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 105"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2005.04.11"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2005.04.11"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{This game is no masterpiece, but it's a fighting game. The fact that young Magnus Carlsen manages to beat the great Alexei Shirov with his own methods is quite impressive.} 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. c3 d6 9. h3 Nb8 10. d4 Nbd7 11. Nbd2 Bb7 12. Bc2 Re8 13. Nf1 Bf8 14. Ng3 g6 15. b3 c6 16. Bg5 Bg7 17. Qd2 Qc7 (17... Qe7 18. Rad1 Qf8 19. Nf1 h6 20. Bh4 Rac8 21. N1h2 exd4 22. cxd4 c5 $132 {1-0 Karjakin,S-Sasikiran,K/playchess.com 2004/EXT 2005 (60)}) 18. a4 d5 $146 {[%mdl 8]} (18... Rad8 19. Bd3 Nf8 20. Qc2 Ne6 21. Be3 Nd7 22. Rec1 Qb8 23. axb5 axb5 24. b4 $14 {1-0 Acs,P-Gabriel,C/Germany 2004/EXT 2005 (43)}) 19. dxe5 Nxe5 20. Nxe5 Qxe5 21. Bf4 (21. f4 Qc7 22. e5 Nd7 $13) 21... Qe6 22. e5 Nd7 23. Bh6 Bh8 24. f4 Qe7 25. Re3 $146 ({RR} 25. Qf2 Nf8 26. Rf1 {½-½ (26) Zhigalko,S (2504)-Belov,V (2589) St Petersburg 2006}) 25... Nf8 26. Rf1 {White is looking for a knock out on the -side but the black forces are well placed to withstand any attempts to storm.} c5 27. f5 d4 $5 (27... Bxe5 $5) 28. cxd4 cxd4 29. fxg6 $6 {[%mdl 512] A brave but incorrect sacrifice. From a psychological point of view this move is close to a winner.} (29. Qxd4 Bxe5 $13) 29... hxg6 $6 {Shirov accepts the calculations made by his young adversary. But he should have taken the .} (29... dxe3 $1 30. gxf7+ Qxf7 31. Qxe3 Qc7 $1 32. Qg5+ Ng6 33. Bxg6 Qb6+ 34. Kh1 Qxg6 $19) 30. Nf5 $5 {Once you have your opponent on the defensive - throw everything at him. Shirov himself has made a nice career from that strategy.} gxf5 31. Rg3+ Ng6 32. Bxf5 Qxe5 33. Rg4 Bg7 (33... Qd6 34. Qd3 Re6 35. h4 $1 $40) 34. Bxg6 fxg6 35. Rxg6 Re7 36. Rf4 Be4 $4 {The deciding mistake.} (36... Rc8 $1 37. Rfg4 Rcc7 $17) 37. Rg5 $1 Qe6 38. Bxg7 $18 1-0

[Event "Drammen Smartfish Masters"]
[Site "Drammen"]
[Date "2005.01.04"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Macieja, Bartlomiej"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B35"]
[WhiteElo "2613"]
[BlackElo "2581"]
[Annotator "Mikhalevski,Victor"]
[PlyCount "139"]
[EventDate "2004.12.27"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "14"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 105"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2005.04.11"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2005.04.11"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 {Mikhalevski,Victor} c5 2. Nc3 Nc6 3. Nf3 g6 4. d4 cxd4 5. Nxd4 Bg7 6. Be3 Nf6 7. Bc4 O-O 8. Bb3 e6 {This rare move is a pet-line of GM Zvjaginsev. He is the only player to advocate the position on the GM level in the recent years.} ({RR} 8... a5 9. O-O d6 10. Ndb5 b6 ({RR} 10... Bd7 11. f3 Ne5 12. a4 Rc8 13. Qe2 Be6 14. Bxe6 fxe6 15. b3 Nc6) 11. Re1 Ba6 12. a4 Rc8 13. Nd5 Nd7 14. Bg5) ({RR} 8... d6) 9. f4 ({RR} 9. Qd2 d5 ({RR} 9... Ng4 10. Bg5 Qa5 11. Nxc6 dxc6 12. Rd1) 10. exd5 Nxd5 11. Nxd5 exd5 12. O-O Be6 ({RR} 12... Na5 13. c3 Nc4 14. Bxc4 dxc4 15. Bh6) 13. Rfe1 Re8 14. Rad1 a6 ({RR} 14... Na5 15. Ba4 Nc4 16. Qb4 Bd7) 15. c3 Na5 16. Bh6 ({RR} 16. Bc2 Nc4) 16... Nxb3 ({RR} 16... Bf6 17. Bc2 Nc4 18. Qc1 Rc8) 17. axb3 ({RR} 17. Nxb3 Bf6 18. Be3 Rc8 19. Bd4 Bg5) 17... Bh8 18. h3 Rc8 19. Re2 Bd7 20. Rxe8+ Qxe8 21. Re1 Qd8 22. Bg5 Qc7 23. Bf4 Qc5 {Ivanchuk,V (2739)-Malakhov,V (2670) Sochi 2005 EXT 2020 [Mikhalevski,Victor] ½-½ (67)}) ({RR} 9. O-O) 9... d6 {I believe Magnus had chosen this move after studying recent developments in the 8...e6. 9...Ng4?! was almost refuted by Grischuk and so the young Norwegian follows another recent game of Zvjaginsev.} (9... Ng4 $6 10. Qxg4 $1 {was reviewed in Nataf-Zvjaginsev,V, Petrosian mem Internet 2004. See Grischuk,A-Zvjaginsev,V/Poikovsky RUS 2004.} (10. Bg1 {promised no advantage in view of} e5 $1 11. Nxc6 dxc6 12. Qxd8 Rxd8 13. h3 Nf6 14. fxe5 Ne8 15. Bh2 Nc7 16. O-O Be6 17. Rad1 Bxb3 18. axb3 Ne6 19. Bg3 {and a draw was agreed in Svidler,P-Zvjaginsev,V/Pojkovsky 2003.})) ({RR} 9... Ng4 10. Qxg4) ({RR} 9... Qa5 10. O-O d6 11. h3 Rd8 12. Qf3 d5 13. e5 Nxd4 14. Bxd4 Nd7 15. Ne2 Nc5 16. c3 Ne4 17. Rad1 b5 18. a3 Qc7 19. Qe3 Bf8 20. Bc2 Nc5 21. Rd2 a5 22. b4 Nd7 23. Bd3 axb4 24. axb4 {Gikas,A (2104)-Prado,A (1877) Reykjavik ISL 2024 1-0 (37)}) 10. Qf3 $1 {[%cal Ge1c1] White prepares long castle. It's clear that both players were aware of the below-mentioned game of Zviaginsev.} (10. Ndb5 $6 {was strongly met by a very interesting tactical blow.} Nxe4 $1 {½-½ Nataf,I-Zvjaginsev,V/ICC INT 2004/CBM105 [Mikhalevski,V] (20)}) ({RR} 10. Ndb5 Nxe4) 10... Nxd4 $146 ({RR} 10... a6 11. O-O-O Qc7 12. g4 Nxd4 13. Bxd4 e5 14. fxe5 dxe5 15. Qg3 Qe7 16. Qxe5 Qxe5 17. Bxe5 Nxg4 18. Bd6 Rd8 19. Bc5 Rxd1+ 20. Rxd1 Be6 21. Nd5 Be5 22. h3 Nf6 23. Nxf6+ Bxf6 24. Bxe6 Bg5+ 25. Kb1 {Cubas,J (2459)-Delgado Ramirez,N (2604) Florianopolis 2015 ½-½ (38)}) ({RR} 10... e5 11. Nxc6 bxc6 12. fxe5 Ng4 13. exd6 Nxe3 14. Qxe3 Qxd6 15. Rd1 Qf6 16. Qf2 Qe7 17. O-O Ba6 18. Rfe1 Rad8 19. Rxd8 Rxd8 20. e5 Bc8 21. h3 Bf5 22. Ne2 Qxe5 23. Ng3 Qxb2 24. Nxf5 gxf5 25. Qxf5 {Carlsen,M (2646)-Malakhov,V (2691) Sarajevo 2006 ½-½ (49)}) 11. Bxd4 Bd7 12. O-O-O ({Also a plan with the short castle deserves attention.} 12. O-O {[%cal Ga1d1]} Bc6 13. Rad1 $14) 12... Bc6 (12... e5 $6 {is dubious in view of} 13. fxe5 Bg4 14. Qf4 dxe5 15. Bxe5 Bxd1 16. Rxd1 {[%csl Rd8,Rf6]}) 13. Be5 {White underestimates the queen sacrifice.} ({Probably he should have preffered} 13. g4 {[%cal Gg4g5]}) 13... dxe5 $1 {A strong positioal sacrifice of the queen. Soon Black will return the e5-pawn and obtain control over the dark squares.} ({After the passive} 13... Ne8 $6 14. Bxg7 Kxg7 15. h4 $14 {[%cal Gh4h5] White has a clear advantage.}) 14. Rxd8 Raxd8 15. fxe5 Nd7 {[%cal Gd7e5]} 16. Qe3 $1 {[%cal Ge3a7] With a modest idea of Qxa7.} a6 $6 {A serious inaccuracy, which allows White to trade his bad-placed knight.} ({Brave} 16... b5 $1 {[%cal Ga7a5] deserved serious attention. For example} 17. Qxa7 b4 18. Nd1 Bxe4 {[%csl Re5,Rg2] First Black wins back one pawn and then another and gets good counterplay. His bishops are very strong.}) 17. Nd5 $1 {[%cal Gd5e7] This move has become possible thanks to the last move. Now after accepting the sacrifice Black's light-squared bishop will not be able to escape to a6.} Rfe8 $1 {Preventing Ne7+ with the exchange of the strong light-squared bishop.} (17... exd5 18. exd5 Bb5 $2 (18... Nxe5 $142 19. dxc6 Nxc6) 19. e6 $1 Rfe8 20. a4 $1 $18 {[%csl Rb5] and trapping the bishop White obtains a decisive advantage.}) 18. Nf6+ ({I don't understand why White hadn't exchanged the bishop by means of} 18. Nb4 Bb5 $140 19. a4) 18... Nxf6 19. exf6 Bxf6 {Now strong black bishops seem to compensate White's material advantage.} 20. c3 $1 {A useful move. White takes control over the d4-square, restricts the f6-bishop and prepares retreat of the light-squared bishop to c2.} Rd7 21. h4 Kg7 $1 22. g4 (22. h5 {doesn't reach the goal in view of} h6 $1 {[%csl Rc1,Re3][%cal Gf6g5]}) 22... h6 23. Rh2 {[%cal Ge4e5]} (23. g5 {is not dangerous for Black since his bishop occupies a nice square on e5 after} hxg5 24. hxg5 Be5 25. Qh3 $140 $4 Bf4+ 26. Kb1 Bxe4+) 23... g5 $5 {Black closes position on the kingside.} (23... Be5 {also looked not bad.}) 24. e5 Be7 25. h5 Red8 $1 {[%cal Gd7d3] Black takes the d-file and obtains initiative.} 26. Rh3 {[%csl Rd3]} Bb5 {[%cal Gd7d3] Black renews the threat of Rd3.} 27. Bc2 (27. Rh1 $5 {[%cal Gh1d1] with the idea to trade a pair of rooks looks logical.} Rd3 28. Qb6 $1 {[%csl Rb7]} Bc6 29. Rd1) 27... Bc6 $1 {[%csl Rh3]} 28. Qe2 $1 Rd5 {[%csl Re5][%cal Ge7d8,Gd8c7,Yd8d7] Black finds a target.} 29. Bb3 (29. Rd3 $4 {is impossible in view of} Bb5 {[%csl Rd3,Re2]}) 29... Rc5 30. Re3 Rd7 {[%csl Re5][%cal Ge7d8,Gd8c7]} 31. Bc2 Bd8 32. Rd3 $1 {White exploits the last move in order to trade the rooks.} Rcd5 ({Now} 32... Bb5 {is not dangerous in view of} 33. Qe3 $1 {[%csl Rc5]}) 33. Rxd5 Rxd5 {[%cal Gd8c7]} 34. Bb3 Rd7 ({Black could go on with his plan of attacking the e5-pawn.} 34... Ra5 $1 35. Qd3 $1 Bc7 36. Bxe6 $1 Bxe5 37. Bc4 Bf4+ 38. Kc2 Re5 $44 {and Black is fine.}) 35. Bc2 Rd5 $1 36. Bb3 Rd7 37. Bc2 Bb6 $2 {Magnus is too optimistic.} (37... Rd5 $11 {repeating the position was necessary.}) 38. Be4 $1 {After this exchange of bishops White obtains a clear advantage.} Bd5 39. Bxd5 Rxd5 40. Qf3 $1 {[%csl Rb7,Rf7,Rh6][%cal Gc3c4,Gf3f6]} Bd8 $1 {A sad necessity.} (40... Bc7 41. Qf6+) 41. c4 Rd7 ({I believe an active defence} 41... Rxe5 42. Qxb7 a5 {offered more practical chances.}) 42. Kc2 a5 43. Kb3 $1 $18 {[%cal Gb3a4] White prepares Ka4 followed by advance of the queenside pawns.} Be7 44. Qe3 {[%cal Gb3a4]} ({Also strong was} 44. Ka4 $5 b6 45. Qf2 $1) 44... Bf8 {Black can't prevent creating of a passed pawn on the queenside.} 45. Ka4 (45. a3 $5 Rc7 46. Qd4 Rc6 47. Ka4 $18) 45... Bb4 46. a3 Bd2 47. Qb6 Be1 48. b3 {White is not in a hurry.} Bc3 49. Qe3 Bd2 50. Qc5 Be1 51. Qe3 Bd2 52. Qf2 {[%cal Gf2f6]} Bc3 ({Also} 52... Bf4 53. Qc5 Rd3 54. Qb5 Rg3 55. Qxb7 Rxg4 56. c5 Bxe5+ 57. Kxa5 {looks hopeless for Black.}) 53. Qf6+ Kh7 54. Qf3 Bd2 55. Qd1 Kg7 56. Kb5 Rd3 57. b4 axb4 58. axb4 Rd7 59. Qf3 Bf4 60. Qe4 Bd2 61. Qe2 Bc3 62. Qe3 Bd4 63. Qe1 Bb2 64. Kb6 Bd4+ 65. c5 Bb2 66. Ka7 {[%cal Ga7b8,Gb8c8]} Rd3 ({Also a tougher defense} 66... Bd4 {would have been broken with} 67. Kb8 Kf8 68. Kc8 Ke8 69. Qf1 $1 {[%cal Gf1b5]} Ke7 ({or} 69... Rd8+ 70. Kxb7) 70. Qf6+ Ke8 71. Qh8+ Ke7 72. Qxh6 Bxe5 73. Qxg5+ $18) 67. Kxb7 {The rest was unnecessary.} Bc3 68. Qb1 Rd5 69. c6 Bxe5 70. b5 {A very nice technical win of the ex-European Champion.} 1-0

[Event "Drammen Smartfish Masters"]
[Site "Drammen"]
[Date "2005.01.05"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Khalifman, Alexander"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B31"]
[WhiteElo "2581"]
[BlackElo "2669"]
[PlyCount "54"]
[EventDate "2004.12.27"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "14"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 105"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2005.04.11"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2005.04.11"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 g6 4. O-O Bg7 5. Re1 Nf6 6. Nc3 O-O 7. e5 Ne8 8. Bxc6 dxc6 9. d3 Nc7 10. Ne4 b6 11. h3 Ne6 12. Be3 Nd4 13. Nxd4 cxd4 14. Bf4 c5 ({RR} 14... Qd5 15. Nd2 c5 16. a4 Bb7 17. f3 f6 18. exf6 exf6 19. b3 Rae8 20. Nc4 Bc6 21. Qd2 f5 22. Bh6 Bxh6 23. Qxh6 Rxe1+ 24. Rxe1 Re8 25. Rxe8+ Bxe8 26. Qf4 Bf7 27. Qb8+ Kg7 28. Qxa7 Qe6 29. Qxb6 {Beulen,M (2359)-Sroczynski,M (2236) chess.com INT 2025 1-0 (49)}) 15. Qf3 $146 ({RR} 15. Qd2 Bb7 16. Bh6 Qd5 17. Bxg7 Kxg7 18. Qf4 Rae8 19. f3 f5 20. exf6+ exf6 21. Nd2 Qf7 22. a4 a5 23. Nc4 Re6 24. Nd6 Rxe1+ 25. Rxe1 Qc7 26. Nf5+ {1-0 (26) Hasangatin,R (2479)-Buscar,M (2088) Chess.com INT 2020}) ({RR} 15. Qd2 Re8 16. h4 Qd5 17. Ng3 Bb7 18. f3 Rac8 19. b3 b5 20. a4 a6 21. axb5 axb5 22. h5 c4 23. bxc4 bxc4 24. hxg6 hxg6 25. Kf2 cxd3 26. cxd3 Rc6 27. Ra5 Qb3 28. Re2 Rec8 29. Ra2 Rc3 {Petrov,M (2449)-Tisaj,D (2339) Chess.com INT 2019 0-1 (44)}) 15... Be6 16. Qg3 Qd5 17. Qh4 f6 18. exf6 exf6 19. Bh6 Bf5 20. Bxg7 Kxg7 21. b3 Rae8 22. Ng3 Bd7 23. Qf4 Bc6 24. f3 Re5 25. Rxe5 Qxe5 26. Qxe5 fxe5 27. Re1 Kf6 1/2-1/2

[Event "Corus-B"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2005.01.23"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Stellwagen, Daniel"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B31"]
[WhiteElo "2524"]
[BlackElo "2553"]
[Annotator "Finkel,Alexander"]
[PlyCount "103"]
[EventDate "2005.01.15"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "13"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 105"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2005.04.11"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2005.04.11"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 g6 4. O-O Bg7 5. Re1 e5 6. b4 $5 {Starting an action without any prelimenary preparations!} cxb4 {With this move black shows that he is not interested in accepting the pawn sacrifice.} (6... Nxb4 $5 7. Bb2 a6 (7... Nc6 8. Bxc6 dxc6 9. Nxe5 Qc7 10. Nc4 Bxb2 11. Nxb2 Be6 12. a4 O-O-O $132 {Qin Kanying-Pigusov,E/Shanghai 2000}) 8. a3 axb5 9. axb4 Rxa1 10. Bxa1 cxb4 11. Bxe5 Bxe5 12. Nxe5 Ne7 13. d3 O-O 14. Nd2 $14 {Okkes,M-Van Wely,L/Enschede 2003}) 7. a3 Nge7 8. axb4 O-O 9. Bxc6 $5 {Once the bishop is on b5 it's quite obvious that white won't hesitate to trade it for the knight!} (9. c3 d5 10. d3 Be6 11. Nbd2 a6 12. Ba4 h6 (12... b5 13. Bc2 d4 14. Bb2 dxc3 15. Bxc3 Nd4 16. Bxd4 exd4 17. Bb3 $14 {Gdanski,J-Pyda,Z/Zakopane 2000}) 13. Bb3 Qc7 14. exd5 Bxd5 15. Bb2 Rad8 $132 {Lutikov,A-Petersons,A/Kiev 1964/URS-ch}) (9. Bb2 d6 10. Bxc6 Nxc6 11. b5 Na5 12. d3 a6 13. Nc3 Bd7 14. Ba3 Bxb5 15. Nxb5 axb5 16. Qb1 Qd7 $13 {Brynell,S-Yakovich,Y/Stockholm 1999}) 9... bxc6 (9... Nxc6 10. Bb2 d6 11. b5 Na5 12. Bc3 b6 13. Bxa5 bxa5 14. c4 a6 15. Nc3 axb5 16. Nxb5 $14 {Jackova,J-Szabo,V/Mureck 1998}) (9... dxc6 10. Bb2 Bg4 11. h3 Bxf3 12. Qxf3 Qd6 13. Qb3 Rfe8 14. d3 Nc8 15. Nd2 Nb6 16. Ra5 $14 {Ashton,A-Byway,P/Birmingham 2002}) 10. Bb2 d6 11. d4 f6 12. Nbd2 {The opening phase is over and the plans of the sides are more or less clear: white is going to play on the queenside and in the center, while black will try his luck trying to launch an attack against white king.} (12. c4 Qb6 13. c5 dxc5 14. Qb3+ Kh8 15. dxc5 Qc7 16. Ra5 g5 17. Na3 Ng6 $132 {Mazara,A-Pazos,P/Cuba 1998}) 12... Be6 13. c4 $146 ({RR} 13. Bc3 Kh8 14. Qe2 Qc7 15. Ra5 g5 16. dxe5 fxe5 17. Nxg5 Bg8 18. Nf1 Ng6 19. g3 Qe7 20. Qh5 Bf6 21. h4 Be6 22. Nxe6 Qxe6 23. Ne3 Bd8 24. Raa1 Bb6 25. Re2 Rg8 26. Kh2 Raf8 27. Nf5 Ne7 {Sedina,E (2343)-Seps,M (2198) Porto Carras 2011 1-0 (65)}) 13... g5 ({An attempt to get rid of the weak pawn wouldn't solve black's problems:} 13... a5 14. bxa5 Rxa5 15. Rxa5 Qxa5 16. c5 Rd8 17. cxd6 Rxd6 18. d5 $14 {[%cal Gd2c4] and white keeps an edge.}) 14. Qc2 ({Deserved attention} 14. d5 $5 cxd5 15. cxd5 Bd7 16. Nc4 g4 17. Nfd2 $14 {[%cal Gd2f1,Gf1e3]}) 14... Ng6 15. Nf1 {White's desire to bring another piece to the kingside is understandable, but may be the knight should go in the opposite direction.} (15. Nb3 g4 16. Nfd2 f5 17. dxe5 Nxe5 18. Nd4 Qd7 19. Ra6 $14) 15... g4 16. N3d2 f5 {Black needs to open up the center to give the bishops some space.} 17. dxe5 (17. d5 cxd5 18. cxd5 Bd7 19. Ne3 f4 20. Nec4 f3 $132) 17... dxe5 (17... Nxe5 18. exf5 Bxf5 19. Qb3 Be6 20. Qg3 $14 {[%csl Re5][%cal Gc4c5]}) 18. exf5 Bxf5 19. Ne4 Nf4 20. Rad1 Qh4 21. Nfg3 Bg6 22. Rd7 (22. Qa4 $5) 22... Rad8 23. Rxg7+ $5 {Interesting attempt to break through, but may be it was more accurate to refrain from the sacrifice keping the pressure in the center.} (23. Qd2 Rxd7 24. Qxd7 Rd8 25. Qc7 $1 Nd3 26. Rd1 $16 {[%csl Ra7,Rc6,Rd3,Rd8,Re5]}) 23... Kxg7 24. Bxe5+ Kg8 25. Ba1 Ne6 26. c5 {[%cal Gc2c3,Ge4d6] It's very hard to believe that black will be able to hold this position, but the Norvegian wonder-child manages to pull the things together.} Rd5 $1 27. b5 Qe7 28. bxc6 $6 {Providing black a chance to get counterplay.} (28. Qa2 $142 $1 $16) 28... Rxc5 $1 29. Qa4 Bxe4 30. Qxe4 Qf7 $1 31. Qxg4+ Qg6 32. Qe2 (32. Qxg6+ hxg6 33. Rxe6 Rc1+ 34. Nf1 Rxa1 35. Rxg6+ Kf7 $15) 32... Rxc6 33. Qe5 Ng7 (33... Rc5 34. Qh8+ Kf7 35. Qb2 $13) 34. h4 Qf7 $2 {Missing 35.f5 which could've decided the game in white's favor.} (34... Re6 35. Qd5 Qf7 36. Ne4 h6 $1 $15 {[%csl Gg5]}) 35. Rf1 $2 (35. Nf5 Re6 36. Rc1 $1 (36. Qxe6 $5 Qxe6 37. Rxe6 Nxf5 38. g3 $18 {[%csl Ra7]})) 35... Re6 $2 (35... Re8) 36. Qd4 $2 {Blowing the second chance!} (36. Nf5 $1 Rxe5 37. Nh6+ Kh8 38. Nxf7+ Rxf7 39. Bxe5 $18) 36... Re7 37. h5 h6 (37... Qf4 $5 {[%cal Ge7f7,Gf4g4]}) 38. Qd6 Qe6 39. Qd4 Ref7 40. Qc3 Qg4 41. Qe5 Kh7 42. Qb5 Qxg3 $11 {Forcing a draw.} (42... Nf5 $5 43. Qd3 Re8 $15) 43. fxg3 Rxf1+ 44. Qxf1 Rxf1+ 45. Kxf1 Nxh5 46. g4 Nf4 47. Bc3 Nd5 48. Bd2 Kg6 49. Ke2 a6 50. Kd3 Nf6 51. Kc4 Nxg4 52. Bxh6 $1 {[%cal Gc4b4,Gb4a5]} 1/2-1/2

[Event "Corus-B"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2005.01.25"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C42"]
[WhiteElo "2553"]
[BlackElo "2657"]
[Annotator "Huzman,Alexander"]
[PlyCount "99"]
[EventDate "2005.01.15"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "13"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 105"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2005.04.11"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2005.04.11"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 {Huzman,Alexander} e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nxe5 d6 4. Nf3 Nxe4 5. d4 d5 6. Bd3 Bd6 7. O-O O-O 8. c4 c6 9. Re1 Re8 10. cxd5 cxd5 11. Nc3 Nxc3 12. Rxe8+ Qxe8 13. bxc3 b6 $146 {The favourite idea of Mamedyarov is to exchange the light-squared bishops! White tries to avoid this.} (13... Bg4 14. Rb1 (14. Be3 Qd7 (14... Qd8 15. Rb1 Nd7 16. h3 Bxf3 17. Qxf3 Nb6 18. a4 Rb8 19. a5 Na4 20. Bd2 Qxa5 21. Rb5 Qc7 22. Rxd5 $16 {1-0 Timofeev,A-Raetsky,A/Abu Dhabi UAE 2004/(26)}) 15. Rb1 Nc6 16. h3 Bh5 17. Ne5 Bxd1 18. Nxd7 Ba4 19. Nc5 Bxc5 20. dxc5 Nd8 21. f4 Rc8 22. Kf2 Bc6 (22... Rc7 23. g4 f6 24. c4 d4 25. Bxd4 Rd7 26. Ke3 Ne6 27. Bf5 Re7 28. Bxe6+ Rxe6+ 29. Kd3 Bc6 $11 {½-½ Yemelin,V-Solozhenkin,E/St Petersburg 2000/CBM 77 (51)}) 23. g4 f6 24. h4 Ne6 25. f5 Nf8 26. c4 Nd7 27. Be2 Ne5 28. cxd5 Bxd5 $11 {½-½ Grischuk,A-Tkachiev,V/Belfort FRA 2004/(34)}) (14. Bd2 Qd7 15. Rb1 b6 16. Rb5 a6 17. Rb1 Bc7 18. h3 {½-½ Morovic Fernandez,I-Pavasovic,D/Pinamar 2002/CBM 88 (18)}) 14... Qe7 15. h3 Bh5 16. Rb5 Qd7 17. c4 dxc4 18. Bxh7+ $16 {½-½ Topalov,V-Gelfand,B/Monaco 2002/CBM 87 ext (35)}) (13... Nc6 14. Qb3 (14. Rb1 b6 15. Bd2 Na5 $2 (15... h6 $5) 16. Ng5 $40 {1-0 Gruenfeld,Y-Huzman,A/Ramat Aviv ISR 2004/(23)}) 14... Qd7 15. g3 Bf8 16. Ba3 Bxa3 17. Qxa3 Qd8 18. Re1 Be6 19. Qc1 h6 $11 {1-0 Kasparov,G-Ehlvest,J/Moscow 2002/CBM 90 (61)}) (13... Nd7 14. Qb3 Nb6 15. Ba3 Bxa3 16. Qxa3 Be6 17. Re1 h6 18. Ne5 Qf8 19. Qb3 Rc8 20. Bb1 $36 {[%cal Gb3c2,Gb1h7] 1-0 Damaso,R-Fernandes,A/Maia 2003/EXT 2004 (42)}) ({RR} 13... Nc6 14. Qb3 Qd7 15. g3 Bf8 16. Ba3 Bxa3 17. Qxa3 Qd8 18. Re1 Be6 19. Qc1 h6 20. Nh4 Rc8 21. Qd2 Qa5 22. Nf5 Bxf5 23. Bxf5 Rd8 24. h4 Kf8 25. Kg2 Qc7 26. Bg4 Re8 27. Rb1 Ne7 28. Bf3 {Kasparov,G (2838)-Ehlvest,J (2588) Moscow 2002 1-0 (61)}) ({RR} 13... Nd7 14. Qb3 Nb6 15. Ba3 Bxa3 16. Qxa3 h6 17. Re1 Be6 18. h3 Qc8 19. Ne5 Nd7 20. Qc1 Nxe5 21. Rxe5 Qc6 22. Re3 Rc8 23. Bb1 Qb6 24. Qc2 g6 25. Rg3 Kf8 26. Qc1 Qxd4 27. Qxh6+ Qg7 28. Qe3 {Dominguez Perez,L (2748)-Paravyan,D (2610) chess.com INT 2024 1-0 (61)}) 14. Be3 $146 (14. Qb3 Be6 15. Ng5 (15. Ba3 Bxa3 16. Qxa3 Nc6 17. Qd6 Qd7 18. Qf4 h6 $11) ({RR} 15. a4 Nc6 16. Ba3 Na5) 15... Bf5 16. Bb5 Bd7 (16... Qe1+ 17. Bf1 $16) 17. Bf1 Bc6 18. Ba3 (18. Qc2 g6 19. Bd2 Qd7 20. Re1 Qc7 21. Nf3 Nd7 $11) 18... Bxa3 19. Qxa3 Nd7 20. Bd3 h6 21. Nf3 Qf8 $11) ({RR} 14. Qb3 Be6 15. Ba3 Bxa3 16. Qxa3 h6 17. Ne5 ({RR} 17. Re1 Nd7 18. Qd6 Nf8 19. Ne5 Qd8) 17... Nd7 18. Bb5 ({RR} 18. f4 Nxe5 ({RR} 18... Qf8 19. Qb2 Rc8 20. Re1) 19. fxe5 Qd8 20. Rf1 Qg5) 18... Qf8 19. Qxf8+ Nxf8 20. a4 Rc8 21. Ra3 Rc7 {½-½ (21) David,A (2573)-Mamedyarov,S (2657) Moscow 2005 CBM 106 [Huzman,Alexander]}) 14... Ba6 15. Ng5 h6 (15... Bxd3 16. Qxd3 g6 17. c4 Nc6 18. cxd5 Nb4 19. Qb3 $14) 16. Bh7+ $1 Kf8 (16... Kh8 17. Qh5 Nd7 (17... Nc6 18. Bf5 Kg8 19. Re1 Nd8 20. Nh7 $1 $40) 18. Bf5 Nf6 19. Nxf7+ Kg8 20. Nxh6+ gxh6 21. Qxh6 Qf7 22. Bg5 $18) 17. Nf3 (17. Nh3 Nd7 18. Bf4 Bxf4 19. Nxf4 Nf6 $11) 17... Nd7 18. Qc2 Qe7 (18... Nf6 19. Re1 Qc6 20. Ne5 Qc7 21. Bf4 Re8 22. Re3 $36) 19. Re1 Re8 20. Bf5 Nf6 21. Ne5 Qc7 (21... Bxe5 22. dxe5 Qxe5 23. Bc5+ bxc5 24. Rxe5 Rxe5 25. h3 $14) 22. Bf4 Bc8 23. Bd3 Re7 $11 {Black finished the piece development successfully and equalized the game. His last problem is to exchange the e5.} 24. h3 Nd7 25. Nxd7+ Bxd7 26. Rxe7 Kxe7 27. Qe2+ Be6 28. Bxd6+ Qxd6 29. Qb2 a5 $6 30. Be2 g5 31. Bf3 Kd8 32. Qb5 Kc7 33. Qa6 Kb8 (33... Qf4 $11) 34. Qb5 (34. c4 Bc8 35. Qb5 dxc4 36. Qxc4 f5 $132) 34... Ka7 35. Be2 Qc7 36. Qa6+ Kb8 37. Qb5 Qd6 38. Bf3 Ka7 39. Be2 Bd7 40. Qa6+ Kb8 41. Bf3 Qc6 42. c4 Bc8 43. Qb5 (43. cxd5 Qc1+ 44. Qf1 Qxf1+ 45. Kxf1 Kc7 $15) 43... Bb7 44. Qb1 Qxc4 45. Qxb6 a4 (45... Qc1+ $11) 46. Qd8+ Ka7 47. Qa5+ Kb8 48. Qd8+ Ka7 49. Qa5+ Kb8 50. Qd8+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "Corus-B"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2005.01.26"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Cheparinov, Ivan"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B33"]
[WhiteElo "2572"]
[BlackElo "2553"]
[Annotator "Rogozenco,Dorian"]
[PlyCount "74"]
[EventDate "2005.01.15"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "13"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 105"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2005.04.11"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2005.04.11"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 e5 6. Ndb5 d6 7. Bg5 a6 8. Na3 b5 9. Bxf6 gxf6 10. Nd5 Bg7 11. Bd3 Ne7 12. Nxe7 Qxe7 13. c4 f5 14. O-O O-O 15. cxb5 $6 (15. Qh5) (15. Qf3) 15... d5 16. exd5 ({RR} 16. f3 axb5 17. Nxb5 Rb8 18. a4 dxe4 19. fxe4 fxe4 20. Bxe4 f5 21. Bd5+ Kh8 22. Rc1 e4 23. Rc7 Qg5 24. Qc2 Ba6 25. Bc4 Rbd8 26. Qc1 Rd2 27. g3 Bxb5 28. Bxb5 Qe3+ 29. Kh1 Rfd8 {0-1 (29) Neustroev,V (2283)-Przybylski,B (2107) chess.com INT 2025}) 16... e4 17. Qe2 ({RR} 17. Bc2 Bxb2 18. Nc4 Bxa1 19. Qxa1 axb5 20. Ne3 f4 21. d6 Qg5 22. Bxe4 Ra4 23. Nd5 f6 24. Bf3 Be6 25. Rd1 Kg7 26. Nc7 Bd7 27. Re1 Qc5 28. Re7+ Kh8 29. Rxd7 Rc4 30. Bd1 Rc1 31. Rd8 Rxa1 {Adireddy,A (2335)-Mekhitarian,K (2562) chess.com INT 2024 0-1 (34)}) 17... Rb8 $146 ({Black achieves good play with} 17... Qb4 18. Bc4 Qxb2 19. Nc2 axb5 20. Rab1 Qf6 21. Rxb5 f4 $44) ({RR} 17... Qf6 18. Bc4 Qxb2 19. Nc2 axb5 20. Bb3 Bd7 21. Rab1 Qe5 22. f4 Qc3 23. Rfd1 Rfc8 24. Qe3 Qf6 25. Nd4 b4 26. Nc6 Bxc6 27. dxc6 Rxc6 28. Rd7 Rf8 29. Rbd1 Qc3 30. Qe2 Rc7 31. R7d5 Rc5 32. Rd7 {Olivier,J (2310)-Tirard,H (2240) Chambery 1994 ½-½ (34)}) ({RR} 17... Qb4 18. Bc4 Qxb2 19. Nc2 axb5 20. Rab1 Qc3 21. Rxb5 Ba6 22. Rb4 Rfc8 23. Bxa6 Qxc2 24. Qb5 Rd8 25. a4 Qd2 26. Bb7 Rab8 27. Rb3 f4 28. a5 Bd4 29. Rbb1 f3 30. gxf3 exf3 31. Kh1 Bxf2 32. Qb4 {Bosnjak,D (2259)-Dautovic,D Travnik 2007 1-0 (38)}) 18. Rab1 Rb6 $146 (18... Qe5 19. Bc4 axb5 20. Nxb5 Bd7 21. Rfd1 Rb6 22. Nc3 Re8 23. d6 Rxd6 24. Rxd6 Qxd6 25. Rd1 Qc7 26. Nd5 (26. Rxd7 Qxd7 27. Bb5 Qe6 28. Bxe8 Qxe8 29. Qd2 $16) 26... Qb7 27. b4 Be6 28. b5 Rd8 {0-1 Hennigan,R-Juergens,V/Aarhus 1990 (38)} 29. a4 Bxd5 (29... Rxd5 30. Bxd5 Bxd5 31. Qd2 Be6 32. Qd8+ Bf8 33. Qg5+ Kh8 34. Rd8 $18) 30. Qd2 $16) 19. Qe3 Rg6 20. Bc2 (20. bxa6 Qh4 21. a7 Bb7 22. Bc4 Bd4 (22... Be5 23. g3 Qh3 24. f4 Bc7 $44) 23. Qxd4 Rxg2+ $11) 20... Qh4 $44 21. b6 (21. f4 $2 exf3 22. Qxf3 (22. Rxf3 $4 Bd4 $19) 22... Be5 23. h3 Rg3 $40) 21... Kh8 $5 (21... Bd4 22. Qxd4 Rxg2+ 23. Kxg2 Qg4+ $11) 22. Nc4 Rg8 23. g3 Qh3 24. Rfd1 (24. Qd2 f4 $1 (24... Rh6 25. f3 f4 26. g4 $13) 25. Bxe4 (25. Qxf4 Rh6 $19) 25... Rh6 $19) 24... Rh6 25. Qf4 Bf6 (25... a5 $5 {[%cal Gc8a6]} 26. d6 Bf6 27. d7 Ba6 28. b3 Rh4 $13) 26. Ne5 $2 (26. b7 $1 Bxb7 27. Nd6 Qxh2+ 28. Kf1 Rg7 (28... Rh4 29. Qxf5) 29. Qxf5 (29. Nxf5 $5 Qh1+ 30. Ke2 Qh5+ 31. Ke1 Rg4 32. Qxh6 Qxf5 33. d6) 29... Bd8 30. Nxe4 $13) (26. Nd6 $2 Qxh2+ 27. Kf1 Rh4 $5 28. Nxf7+ Kg7 29. Qc7 Qh1+ 30. Ke2 Qf3+ 31. Kd2 Qxf2+ 32. Kc1 Qe3+ 33. Rd2 Rh2 34. Nd6+ Kh6 $19) 26... Bxe5 27. Qxe5+ f6 28. Qf4 Rg4 29. Qc7 Rg8 30. Re1 $2 (30. Qf4 Bd7 {[%cal Gd7b5]} ({Or} 30... Rh4 31. Qd6 Qxh2+ 32. Kf1 Qh1+ 33. Ke2 Qf3+ 34. Kd2 Qxf2+ 35. Kc3 Rh6 $17) 31. a4 Rh4 32. Qd6 Qxh2+ 33. Kf1 Qh1+ 34. Ke2 Qf3+ 35. Kd2 Qxf2+ 36. Kc3 Rhg4 $5 (36... Rc8+ 37. Kb4 Qxc2 38. Qxd7 $1 Rg4 $13 {/=} (38... Rc4+ $2 39. Ka3 $18)) 37. Qxf6+ R4g7 $17 {[%cal Gg8b8,Gg8c8]}) 30... Qxh2+ 31. Kf1 Qh1+ 32. Ke2 Qf3+ 33. Kd2 Qxf2+ 34. Kd1 f4 $19 35. Qc3 fxg3 36. Bxe4 Bg4+ 37. Kc1 Rc8 0-1

[Event "Corus-B"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2005.01.28"]
[Round "11"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Nikolic, Predrag"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C08"]
[WhiteElo "2553"]
[BlackElo "2676"]
[Annotator "Psakhis,Lev"]
[PlyCount "43"]
[EventDate "2005.01.15"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "13"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 105"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2005.04.11"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2005.04.11"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nd2 c5 4. exd5 exd5 5. Ngf3 c4 6. b3 cxb3 7. axb3 (7. Bb5+ Bd7 8. Qe2+ Qe7 9. Bxd7+ Nxd7 10. axb3 Nh6 (10... f6 11. Nf1 Qxe2+ 12. Kxe2 Bd6 13. Ne3 Ne7 14. Ba3 Bxa3 15. Rxa3 Kf7 16. Ne1 Nf8 17. Nd3 Ne6 18. c3 Rhd8 19. Kd2 Nc6 20. Rd1 Rac8 {½-½ Adams,M-Nikolic,P/BIH t-ch Neum 2002/}) 11. Ra5 Nb6 12. Nf1 Qxe2+ 13. Kxe2 Nf5 14. c4 f6 15. c5 Nc8 16. Ne3 Nxe3 17. fxe3 a6 18. Kd3 Na7 19. Bd2 g6 20. Ng1 Nb5 21. Ne2 Kd7 {½-½ Beliavsky,A-Nikolic,P/Belgrade INV 1991/ChessBase (40)}) 7... Bb4 8. Ne5 $5 (8. Bd3 Ne7 9. O-O Nbc6 10. Ba3 O-O 11. Qc1 Bxa3 12. Qxa3 Bf5 13. Bxf5 Nxf5 14. c3 a5 15. Rfe1 Qd6 16. Qa4 f6 17. Qb5 Qd7 18. Nf1 Rfd8 19. Qd3 Nd6 20. Ne3 Qf7 21. Nh4 Rac8 22. Re2 b5 {0-1 Nevostrujev,V-Andreev,A/RUS-sf Novosibirsk 2002/ (60)}) (8. Bb5+ Bd7 9. Qe2+ Qe7 (9... Ne7 10. O-O O-O 11. Ba3 Bxa3 12. Rxa3 Bxb5 13. Qxb5 Qc7 14. Re1 Qxc2 15. Qxb7 Nbc6 16. Raa1 Rab8 17. Qc7 Rfc8 18. Qf4 h6 19. h3 Ng6 20. Qg4 Nb4 21. Rxa7 Nd3 22. Rf1 Ndf4 {½-½ Korneev,O-Garcia Martinez,S/Mislata op 1999/ (49)}) 10. Ne5 Nf6 11. O-O O-O 12. Bd3 Nc6 {½-½ Sarakauskas,G-Alekseev,V/Pelaro op 2002/}) 8... Ne7 (8... Nf6 9. Bd3 O-O 10. O-O Bc3 11. Ra4 Bd7 12. Nxd7 Nbxd7 13. Nb1 Ba5 14. Bd2 Bc7 15. Nc3 Re8 16. Qf3 Nb6 17. Raa1 h6 18. Rae1 Qd6 19. g3 a6 20. Re3 Qc6 21. Rfe1 Bd6 22. Nd1 Rxe3 23. Nxe3 {Svidler,P-Kortchnoi,V/Groningen 1996/ 1-0 (39)}) 9. Bd3 $146 (9. c3 Bxc3 10. Qf3 Bxd2+ 11. Bxd2 O-O 12. Bd3 Nbc6 13. Ra4 Ng6 14. Nxc6 bxc6 15. O-O Bd7 16. Ra6 Qh4 17. Be3 Rfb8 18. Rb1 Rb6 19. Ra5 Bg4 20. Qg3 Qxg3 21. hxg3 Ne7 22. Rb2 f6 {½-½ Bondarets,V-Hryhorenko,N/Lvov-8 2003/}) 9... Nbc6 10. O-O {[%mdl 512] Showing a clear intention to sacrifice the pawn d4 if necessary.} (10. Bb2 $5) 10... Bc3 {[%cal Gc3a1,Gc3d4] This tempting move wins a pawn at the cost of development.} ({Worth considering} 10... O-O 11. Bb2 $14) 11. Ra4 $1 Bxd4 (11... Nxe5 $5 12. dxe5 Bd7 (12... Bxe5 13. Qh5 Bf6 14. Re1 $44 {[%csl Gh5][%cal Ge1e8]}) 13. Ra2 Nc6 14. Ba3 $14) 12. Nxc6 Nxc6 13. Ba3 $1 {[%csl Ga3,Re8][%cal Ga3f8]} Be6 14. Nf3 Bb6 $6 (14... Bf6 $142 15. Re1 Be7 16. Bxe7 Qxe7 17. Rh4 $44 {but it was lesser evil.}) 15. Qa1 $1 {[%cal Ra1g7] Immediately begins an offensive against Black's king.} Qc7 (15... f6 16. Re1 Kf7 17. Rf4 $40) 16. b4 $5 (16. Qxg7 O-O-O {[%cal Cd3h7,Gh8g8]} 17. Qf6 $36) 16... f6 $2 (16... O-O $5 17. b5 Ne7 18. Re1 $44) 17. Re1 Kf7 $5 (17... Nd8 18. b5 Kf7 19. Qd1 $40 {[%csl Rf7]} (19. Bb2 $5)) ({Good or bad, but Black had to play} 17... Ne5 $142 $5 {otherwise White will attack in a very comfortable situation.Continuation could be :} 18. Nxe5 fxe5 19. b5 $5 (19. Qxe5 Qxe5 20. Rxe5 Kd7 21. b5 $36) (19. Rxe5 O-O $1 20. Rxe6 $140 Bxf2+ 21. Kh1 Qd7 {[%cal Rd7a4,Rd7e6]}) 19... Qf7 (19... d4 20. f4) 20. Re2 (20. Rxe5 Bxf2+ 21. Kh1 O-O-O 22. Bb2 $36 {[%cal Gb2d4]}) 20... Qf6 21. Qxe5 Qxe5 22. Rxe5 {with clear advantage of white, but at least black king doesn't afraid of direct attack.}) 18. b5 Na5 $146 (18... Nd8 $5) ({RR} 18... Ne7 19. Bxe7 Qxe7 20. Rf4 Rhe8 21. Ng5+ Kg8 22. Rxe6 {1-0 (22) Rondon Chacon,R (2137)-Bermudez Hernandez,R (1761) Porlamar 2016}) 19. Qd1 $1 $18 {[%cal Rf3g5]} (19. Nd4 Bxd4 20. Qxd4 $40) 19... Rae8 (19... Nc4 20. Bf5 $1 Ne5 21. Bxe6+ Kxe6 22. Nxe5 fxe5 23. Qg4+ $18) (19... g6 20. Ng5+ $1 fxg5 21. Qf3+ Kg7 22. Rxe6 Rhf8 $5 (22... Rhe8 23. Qf6+ Kg8 24. Bxg6 $1 $18) 23. Bxf8+ Rxf8 24. Qxd5 Rxf2 25. Kh1 $18) 20. Ng5+ $1 {This heavy blow is a signal to the decisive assault.} fxg5 21. Qf3+ Kg8 22. Rxe6 {The rook is untouchable in view of the mating threat} 1-0

[Event "Corus-B"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2005.01.29"]
[Round "12"]
[White "Smeets, Jan"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C42"]
[WhiteElo "2475"]
[BlackElo "2553"]
[PlyCount "73"]
[EventDate "2005.01.15"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "13"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 105"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2005.04.11"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2005.04.11"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nxe5 d6 4. Nf3 Nxe4 5. Nc3 Nxc3 6. dxc3 Be7 7. Be3 O-O 8. Qd2 Nd7 9. O-O-O Nc5 10. Kb1 ({RR} 10. Nd4 Ne4 11. Qd3 Nc5 12. Qd2 Ne4 13. Qd3 Nc5 {½-½ (13) Baramidze,D (2543)-Huzman,A (2591) Dresden 2007}) 10... Bf6 ({RR} 10... a5 11. Bc4 Rb8 12. Rhe1 Be6 13. Bxe6 Nxe6 14. Qd5 b5 15. Nd4 Nxd4 16. Bxd4 Bf6 17. Qc6 b4 18. b3 Ra8 19. a4 bxa3 20. Ka2 Bxd4 21. Rxd4 Qf6 22. Qf3 Qg6 23. Qe4 Qf6 24. Qf4 Qg6 25. Qe4 {Bokros,A (2458)-Saraci,K (2253) Pristina 2022 ½-½}) 11. Nd4 $146 ({RR} 11. Bd3 Nxd3 12. Qxd3 Bg4 {½-½ (12) Kalezic,B (2445)-Blagojevic,D (2545) Cetinje 2009}) 11... Re8 12. f3 Bd7 13. g4 Qe7 14. Bf4 Ne6 15. Nf5 Qd8 16. Be3 Bc6 17. Bg2 Bg5 18. f4 Bxg2 19. Qxg2 Nxf4 20. Qxb7 Rb8 21. Qxa7 Ne2 22. Bxg5 Qxg5 23. Qxc7 Qxg4 24. Nxd6 Rf8 25. Rhe1 Qe6 26. Ka1 Ra8 27. a3 Qg4 28. Qc4 Qxc4 29. Nxc4 Rae8 30. Rd2 Nf4 31. Rxe8 Rxe8 32. b4 f5 33. a4 Ne2 34. Nd6 Re5 35. Rd3 f4 36. b5 Re3 37. b6 1-0

[Event "Corus-B"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2005.01.30"]
[Round "13"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Nijboer, Friso"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B67"]
[WhiteElo "2553"]
[BlackElo "2549"]
[PlyCount "74"]
[EventDate "2005.01.15"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "13"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 105"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2005.04.11"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2005.04.11"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 {Gofshtein,Leonid D} c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 d6 6. Bg5 e6 7. Qd2 a6 8. O-O-O Bd7 9. f4 h6 ({RR} 9... b5 {RR} 10. Bxf6 gxf6 11. Nxc6 Bxc6 12. Qe3 Qc7 13. Kb1 Qa7 14. Qe1 Be7 15. f5 Qc5 16. Bd3 b4) ({RR} 9... Be7 {RR} 10. Nf3 b5 11. e5 b4 12. exf6 bxc3 13. Qxc3 gxf6) 10. Bh4 g5 11. fxg5 Ng4 12. Nxc6 ({RR} 12. Nf3 {RR} hxg5 13. Bg3 Be7 14. Be2 Nge5 15. Kb1 Nxf3 16. gxf3 Ne5 17. h4 gxh4 18. f4) 12... Bxc6 13. Be2 ({RR} 13. Qf4 hxg5 14. Bxg5 Qxg5 15. Qxg5 Bh6 16. Qxh6 Rxh6 17. Rxd6 Nf2 18. Rg1 Rxh2) 13... Ne5 14. Kb1 ({RR} 14. g3 Ng6 15. Rhf1 Nxh4 16. gxh4 hxg5 17. hxg5 Rxh2 ({RR} 17... Be7 18. Rg1 Qa5 19. Qf4 Qe5 20. Qxe5 dxe5 21. g6) 18. Rxf7 ({RR} 18. Qf4 Rh7 19. g6 Bh6 20. gxh7 Qf6 21. Kb1 Bxf4 22. Rxf4 Qh6) 18... Kxf7 19. Qf4+ Ke8 20. Qxh2 Qxg5+ 21. Kb1) 14... Be7 15. Bg3 ({RR} 15. Rhf1 hxg5 16. Bg3 Qc7 {½-½ (17) Strzemiecki,Z (2285)-Daskevics,V (2336) Gorzow Wielkopolski 2007}) 15... hxg5 16. Qe3 Qc7 17. Rhf1 Bd7 $146 ({RR} 17... b5 18. a3 Qa7 19. Rd4 Qb6 ({RR} 19... f6 20. Qd2 O-O-O 21. a4 d5 ({RR} 21... bxa4 22. Nxa4 d5) 22. axb5 Nc4 23. Qd3 ({RR} 23. Bxc4 dxc4 24. Bf2) 23... axb5) 20. Qd2 Bb7 ({RR} 20... Rc8) 21. Bxe5 dxe5 22. Rd7 f6 23. Bg4 ({RR} 23. Qd1 b4 ({RR} 23... Rxh2 24. Bh5+ Rxh5 25. Rxb7 Qxb7 26. Qxh5+ Kd7 27. Qf7) 24. Bh5+ Rxh5 25. Rxb7 Qxb7 26. Qxh5+) 23... Bc8 24. Bxe6 Qxe6 25. Rxe7+ Qxe7 26. Nd5 Qg7 ({RR} 26... Qc5 27. Nxf6+ Ke7 28. Qxg5 ({RR} 28. Nd5+ Kd6 29. Rf6+ ({RR} 29. Qxg5 Re8 30. Rd1 Kc6 31. Qg7 Ra7 32. Nb4+ Qxb4 33. Qxa7 Qe7) 29... Be6) 28... Kd6 29. Ng8 Rxg8 30. Qxg8 Kc7 31. h4 Bb7) 27. Nxf6+ Ke7 28. Qd5 Ra7 29. Qc5+ Kd8 30. Qb6+ Rc7 31. Rd1+ Bd7 32. Nxd7 {Akopian,V (2689)-Lugovoi,A (2550) Sochi 2004 EXT 2020 [Gofshtein,Leonid D] 1-0 (32)}) 18. Rd4 Qc5 19. Qd2 b5 20. Nd1 Rd8 21. Ne3 Bc6 22. c4 Qb6 23. Rc1 O-O 24. cxb5 axb5 25. Rf1 Qb7 26. Bd3 Nxd3 27. Qxd3 b4 28. Rf2 b3 29. a3 Rc8 30. Ng4 Qb5 31. Qd2 f5 32. exf5 exf5 33. Re2 Be4+ 34. Rexe4 fxe4 35. Ne3 Rc5 36. Rxe4 Rfc8 37. Rxe7 Qd3+ 0-1

[Event "Gausdal GM-A"]
[Site "Gausdal"]
[Date "2005.04.13"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Tiviakov, Sergei"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B22"]
[WhiteElo "2631"]
[BlackElo "2548"]
[Annotator "Rogozenco,Dorian"]
[PlyCount "121"]
[EventDate "2005.04.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "10"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 107"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2005.08.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2005.08.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 {Tiviakov,Sergei} c5 2. c3 Nf6 3. e5 Nd5 4. Nf3 Nc6 5. Bc4 Nb6 6. Bb3 d5 ({RR} 6... c4) 7. exd6 Qxd6 8. Na3 {A tricky move order, which became quite popular thanks to E.Sveshnikov, who implemented it in the middle of 1990-es} ({After} 8. O-O Be6 9. d4 cxd4 10. Na3 {the easiest way to solve all the problems is} dxc3 $1 ({In case of} 10... Bxb3 11. Qxb3 {we reach same position from the variation 8.a3 e6, see below.})) ({In case of} 8. d4 cxd4 9. Na3 {the best is again} dxc3 $1 $11 ({although playable is also} 9... a6 10. O-O)) ({RR} 8. O-O Be6 9. Na3 Bxb3 10. axb3 Qd3 11. Qc2 ({RR} 11. Re1) ({RR} 11. Ne1) 11... Rd8 12. Qxd3 Rxd3 13. Nc2 ({RR} 13. Nc4 Nxc4 14. bxc4 e6 15. Re1 Be7 16. Ne5 Nxe5 17. Rxe5 a6 18. Kf1 O-O 19. Ke2 Rfd8 20. Re3 R3d6 21. d3 Bg5 22. Rg3 Bxc1 23. Rxc1 e5 24. b4 cxb4 25. cxb4 f6 26. Re3 Kf7 27. Rc3) 13... e6 14. Nfe1 Rd7 15. Nf3 Rd3 16. Nfe1 Rd7 17. Nf3 Rd3 ({RR} 17... Be7 18. d4) ({RR} 17... e5 18. Re1) {RR} 18. Re1 ({RR} 18. Rd1 Be7 19. Kf1 O-O 20. Ke2 Rfd8) 18... Be7 19. Kf1 O-O 20. Ne5 Nxe5 21. Rxe5 a6 22. Ke2 Rfd8) 8... e6 {This novelty is not so bad, but Black restricts his possibilities, since he will have to play ...a6 anyway. Therefore if Black didn't want 8...e6, then it made sense to start with 8...a6 and later to choose if play ...e6 or develop the bishop to f5, for instance. However, soon it will become clear that Carlsen wanted to do without ...a6, which doesn't work out well for Black.} (8... Be6 $142 9. d4 ({Less precise is} 9. O-O Bxb3 10. Qxb3 ({or} 10. axb3 Qd3) 10... Qd3 $1) ({Or} 9. Nb5 Qd7 10. Bxe6 (10. d4 Bxb3 11. axb3 (11. Qxb3 $2 Na5) 11... a6 $1) 10... Qxe6+ 11. Qe2 Qxe2+ 12. Kxe2 Rc8 $11) 9... Bxb3 ({Starting with} 9... cxd4 {offers White an additional possibility} 10. Nb5 Qd7 11. Bxe6 ({RR} 11. Bxe6 Qxe6+ 12. Be3 Qd7 13. Nbxd4) 11... Qxe6+ 12. Be3 $1) ({RR} 9... cxd4 10. Nb5 Qd7 11. Nbxd4 Bxb3) 10. Qxb3 cxd4 11. O-O {Now we can see the advantage of 8.a3. White avoided 10...dxc3, see the variation 8.0-0. However, even here Black is able to keep equality:} ({Another way is} 11. Nb5 Qd7 12. Nbxd4 ({RR} 12. Bf4 Na5 13. Qb4 Nc6 14. Qb3 Na5) 12... Nxd4 13. Nxd4 e6 14. O-O Be7 15. Rd1 O-O $1 {and Black will neutralize White's slight initiative.}) 11... e6 12. Rd1 (12. Nb5 Qd7 13. Nbxd4 Bc5 $11 ({or} 13... Nxd4 14. Nxd4 Be7 15. Rd1 O-O {which is the same as 11.b5})) 12... Qd5 13. Nb5 Qxb3 ({Also possible is} 13... Rc8 14. Nbxd4 Nxd4 15. Nxd4 (15. Rxd4 Qxb3 16. axb3 a6 17. b4 {White is slightly better according to Cuban GM R.Vera. Black looks pretty okay to me after the simple 17...e7.}) 15... Bc5 (15... Qxb3 16. axb3 a6 17. b4 $14) 16. Qb5+ Qd7 (16... Ke7 17. Qe2 $36) 17. Qe2 Qe7 {/=}) 14. axb3 Rd8 15. Nbxd4 Nxd4 16. Rxd4 Rxd4 17. Nxd4 a6 18. b4 e5 (18... Kd7 $5 19. b5 axb5 20. Ra7 Bc5 $1 21. Rxb7+ Kc8 22. Rxf7 Bxd4 23. cxd4 Rd8 {and soon Black achieved a draw in Charbonneau-Dominguez, Oropeza del Mar, 1999}) 19. Nb3 Kd7 20. b5 axb5 21. Ra7 Kc8 22. Be3 Nc4 23. Ra8+ Kc7 24. Bc5 Nd6 {Here the draw was agreed in the game Magem-Romero, Spain 1997. White could play for a long-term compensation with} 25. Bxd6+ {Otherwise Black plays 25...c8} Kxd6 26. Na5 Kc7 27. b4 $1 $44) (8... a6 9. d4 cxd4 10. O-O {transposes into a variation, which arises more often when White plays d2-d4 first, and later a3. With the present move order White avoided ...dxc3 (without ...a6), which usually equalizes easily (see 8.d4).} e6 (10... Bf5 $13) (10... Be6 $14)) ({RR} 8... Be6 9. O-O Bxb3 10. axb3 Qd3 11. Re1 e6 12. Re3 Qd7 13. Nc4 Nxc4 14. bxc4 Be7 15. d4 cxd4 16. cxd4 O-O 17. b3 Rfd8 {½-½ (17) Abasov,N (2635)-Korobov,A (2675) Chartres 2022}) ({RR} 8... Be6 9. d4 Bxb3 10. Qxb3 cxd4 11. Nb5 Qb8 ({RR} 11... Qd7 12. Nbxd4 Nxd4 13. Nxd4) 12. g3 ({RR} 12. O-O dxc3 ({RR} 12... e6 13. Nbxd4 Be7 14. Qb5 Qc7 15. Nxc6 bxc6 16. Qe5 Qxe5 17. Nxe5 Rc8 18. a4 f6 19. a5 Nd5 20. Nc4 a6 21. Be3 Kf7 22. Rfd1 Rb8 23. Kf1 g5 24. Ke2 Rhd8 25. Nb6 h5 26. g3)) ({RR} 12. Nbxd4 Nxd4 13. Nxd4) 12... Qd8 ({RR} 12... dxc3 13. Bf4 cxb2 ({RR} 13... e5 14. Ng5 Nd8 15. O-O-O) 14. Qxb2 e5 15. Nxe5 Nxe5 16. Bxe5 Nc4 17. Bxb8 Nxb2 18. Bxa7 Kd7 19. O-O) ({RR} 12... e6 13. Bf4 e5 14. Nxe5 Nxe5 15. cxd4) ({RR} 12... a6 13. Nbxd4 Nxd4 14. Nxd4) ({RR} 12... d3 13. O-O ({RR} 13. Be3 Nd7 ({RR} 13... a6 14. Bxb6 axb5 15. Qxb5) 14. O-O-O ({RR} 14. Rd1 a6) 14... a6 15. Na3 e6 16. Rxd3 b5) 13... e5 ({RR} 13... Nd7 14. Bf4 e5 15. Ng5 Nd8 16. Qc4) ({RR} 13... e6 14. Bf4) 14. Ng5 Nd8 15. Rd1 h6 ({RR} 15... Be7 16. Rxd3 O-O 17. Be3) 16. Nf3 Ne6 ({RR} 16... Bc5 17. Ne1) 17. Be3) 13. Bf4 Rc8 14. O-O-O Qd5 ({RR} 14... d3 15. Rhe1) ({RR} 14... Na5 15. Qc2 Qd5 16. Nfxd4 Qxa2 17. Nc7+ Rxc7 18. Bxc7) ({RR} 14... e6 15. Nfxd4) 15. Nfxd4 ({RR} 15. Rhe1 Qxf3 ({RR} 15... Qxb3 16. axb3 e6 17. Nfxd4 Nxd4) 16. Nd6+ Kd7 17. Nxf7 Qd5 18. Nxh8 Qxb3 ({RR} 18... Ke8 19. Qxd5 Nxd5 20. Be5) 19. axb3 Ke8) 15... Nxd4 ({RR} 15... Qxb3 16. axb3) 16. Nxd4 Qxb3 ({RR} 16... e6 17. Rhe1 Qxb3) 17. axb3 e6 ({RR} 17... a6 18. Rhe1 e6 19. Nxe6) ({RR} 17... Nd5 18. Be5 e6 19. Rhe1) 18. Rhe1 ({RR} 18. Nb5 a6 19. Nc7+ Ke7 20. Rhe1 Kf6) 18... Bc5 ({RR} 18... Nd7 19. Nb5 a6 ({RR} 19... a5) 20. Nc7+ ({RR} 20. Nd6+ Bxd6 21. Bxd6) 20... Kd8 ({RR} 20... Ke7 21. Bg5+ Nf6 22. Nd5+) 21. Rd3 Rxc7 22. Red1 Kc8 23. Bxc7 ({RR} 23. b4 Bd6 24. Bxd6 Rc6) 23... Nc5 24. Rf3 Kxc7 25. Rxf7+ Kc8 26. b4 Ne4 27. f4 g5 28. Rd4 Nd6 29. Rxf8+ Rxf8 30. Rxd6 gxf4 31. gxf4 Rxf4 32. Rxe6) 19. Nb5 a6 ({RR} 19... O-O 20. Bd6 Bxd6 ({RR} 20... Rfe8 21. Bxc5 Rxc5 22. Nd6 Rb8 23. Nxb7) 21. Rxd6) ({RR} 19... Bxf2 20. Nd6+) ({RR} 19... Ke7 20. b4 Bxb4 21. Kb1 Bc5 22. b4 Bxf2 23. Re2 a6 24. Nd6) 20. Nd6+ Bxd6 21. Rxd6 Rc6 ({RR} 21... Nd7 22. Red1 Nc5 ({RR} 22... Nf6 23. Rb6) 23. Rb6) ({RR} 21... Na8 22. Red1) 22. Rxc6 bxc6 23. Be5 {Tiviakov,S (2631)-Kulaots,K (2572) Gausdal 2005 CBM 107 [Tiviakov,Sergei] 1-0 (34)} ({RR} 23. Kc2 Ke7 24. Ra1 Ra8) {RR} 23... O-O) 9. d4 (9. Nb5 Qd8 10. d4 a6 11. dxc5 Bxc5 12. Qxd8+ Kxd8 $11) (9. O-O Be7 (9... a6 $5) ({RR} 9... Be7 10. d4) 10. d4 cxd4 11. Nb5 Qd8 12. Nbxd4 Nxd4 13. Nxd4 O-O $14) ({RR} 9. O-O a6 10. Qe2) 9... Be7 $2 (9... a6 $1 10. O-O ({RR} 10. O-O cxd4 11. cxd4 Be7) ({RR} 10. Be3 cxd4 11. Nxd4 Nd5) 10... cxd4 $14 {/=}) (9... cxd4 10. Nb5 Qb8 (10... Qd8 $2 11. Bf4 $18) 11. Nbxd4 $14) ({RR} 9... cxd4 10. Nb5 Qd8 11. Bf4 Be7 12. Nc7+ Kf8 13. Nxa8 Nxa8 14. Nxd4 Na5 15. O-O Nb6 16. Qf3 Nxb3 17. axb3 a6 18. Rad1 Qe8 19. c4 f6 20. Rfe1 Bb4 21. Nxe6+ Bxe6 22. Bd6+ {1-0 (22) Nguyen Ngoc Truong Son (2632)-Spangenberg,H (2469) chess.com INT 2025}) ({RR} 9... a6 10. dxc5 Qxd1+ 11. Bxd1 Bxc5 12. Nc2) 10. Nb5 $1 Qd8 $146 {In such a position two mistakes in a row are fatal.} (10... Qb8 11. dxc5 ({RR} 11. g3 cxd4 12. cxd4 Bb4+ 13. Kf1 Bd6 14. Nxd6+ Qxd6 15. Bf4) 11... Bxc5 12. Be3 ({RR} 12. Be3 Bxe3 13. Nd6+ Ke7 14. Nxc8+ Rxc8 15. fxe3) 12... Bxe3 13. Nd6+ Ke7 14. Nxc8+ Rxc8 15. fxe3 $14 {(Tiviakov)}) ({RR} 10... Qb8 11. g3 cxd4 12. cxd4 e5 13. dxe5 Bb4+ 14. Kf1 O-O 15. Bf4 Be6 16. Ng5 Rd8 17. Qh5 {1-0 (17) Godena,M (2516)-Quinonez Centeno,C (2293) Istanbul 2012}) ({RR} 10... Qb8 11. dxc5 Bxc5 12. O-O O-O 13. Ng5 h6 14. Ne4 Be7 15. Be3) ({RR} 10... Qd7 11. dxc5 Bxc5 12. Qxd7+ Kxd7 13. Bf4) 11. dxc5 Bxc5 (11... Qxd1+ {loses at once after both 12.xd1 and 12.xd1, since Black is losing material in view of the threat c7+.}) 12. Qxd8+ ({RR} 12. Bf4 O-O 13. O-O) 12... Kxd8 13. Bf4 a6 (13... Ke7 14. Ng5 a6 15. Nc7 Ra7 16. Ne4 Nd7 17. Bg5+ $18) ({RR} 13... Ke7 14. Ng5) ({RR} 13... Nd5 14. Bxd5 exd5 15. Nc7 Rb8 16. Nxd5) 14. Rd1+ ({RR} 14. Nc7 Ra7 15. O-O-O+ ({RR} 15. Ng5 e5 16. Nd5 Nxd5 17. Bxd5 exf4 18. Nxf7+ Ke7 19. Nxh8 Be6) 15... Ke7 16. Ng5 Na8 17. Ne4 Nxc7 18. Nxc5) 14... Bd7 (14... Ke7 $142 15. Nc7 ({RR} 15. Nd6) 15... Ra7 16. Ng5 Na8 17. Ne4 $16 {(Tiviakov)}) ({RR} 14... Ke7 15. Nc7 Ra7 16. Ng5 Na8 17. Ne4 Nxc7 18. Nxc5) 15. Nc7 {White starts a forced operiation, which wins material.} ({Good is also} 15. Nd6 Bxd6 16. Bxd6 $16) 15... Rc8 16. Ng5 e5 (16... Ke7 17. Ne4 e5 18. Nxc5 Rxc7 ({RR} 18... exf4 19. Nxd7 Nxd7 20. Nd5+) 19. Be3 Nc8 20. Rxd7+ Rxd7 21. Nxd7 Kxd7 22. Bxf7 $18) ({RR} 16... Rf8 17. Ncxe6+ fxe6 18. Nxe6+ Ke8 19. Nxg7+ Kd8 20. Ne6+ Ke8 21. Nxf8) ({RR} 16... Ke7 17. Ne4 e5 18. Nxc5 Rxc7 19. Be3) 17. Nd5 Nxd5 ({RR} 17... exf4 18. Nxf7+ Ke8 19. Nxb6 Bxb6 20. Nxh8) ({RR} 17... Rf8 18. Nxb6 Bxb6 19. Bg3) 18. Nxf7+ Ke7 19. Rxd5 exf4 20. Rxc5 (20. Nxh8 $1 b6 ({RR} 20... Bb6 21. O-O Rxh8 22. Re1+ Kd8 23. Red1 Nb8 24. Ba4) ({RR} 20... b6 21. O-O Rxh8 22. Re1+ Kd8 23. Red1 Nb8 24. Ba4 b5 25. Bc2) 21. O-O $1 $18 {(Tiviakov)}) ({RR} 20. Nxh8 Na5 21. Bd1) 20... Rhf8 21. Ng5 Rf5 22. Rxf5 Bxf5 23. O-O Kf6 24. Nf3 {White is a pawn up and Tiviakov gradually converted it into a full point.} Re8 25. Rd1 Re2 26. Rd6+ Ke7 27. Rd2 Rxd2 28. Nxd2 Ne5 29. g3 g5 30. gxf4 gxf4 31. Bd5 b6 32. Kg2 Bg4 33. b4 Kd6 34. Be4 h6 35. Nf3 Nxf3 36. Bxf3 Be6 37. a3 Ke5 38. Bb7 a5 {In order to win White needs either to create a passed pawn on the queenside, or penetrate with the king to c4. In any case he must bring the king to the queenside first.} 39. Kf3 Bd7 40. Be4 Ba4 41. Bd3 Bd7 42. Bf1 Be6 43. Bb5 Bf5 44. Ke2 Be4 45. Kd2 Bf5 46. Bd3 {As long as Black can meet c3-c4 with the answer ...e5-d4, White cannot advance the c-pawn.} Be6 47. Kc2 Bf7 48. Bf1 Be6 (48... Bg6+ 49. Kb3 Be8 50. bxa5 bxa5 51. Kc4 $18) 49. Kd3 Bf7 50. c4 axb4 51. axb4 Bg6+ 52. Kc3 Be4 53. c5 bxc5 54. bxc5 Bc6 (54... Kd5 55. Kb4 Kc6 56. Kc4 $18) 55. Kb4 Bd5 56. Kb5 Ke4 57. Be2 f3 58. Bc4 Ba8 59. c6 Kd4 60. c7 Bb7 61. Be6 1-0

[Event "Gausdal GM-A"]
[Site "Gausdal"]
[Date "2005.04.14"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Kulaots, Kaido"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B92"]
[WhiteElo "2578"]
[BlackElo "2548"]
[Annotator "Ftacnik,Lubomir"]
[PlyCount "77"]
[EventDate "2005.04.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "10"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 107"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2005.08.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2005.08.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Be2 e5 7. Nb3 Be7 8. O-O O-O 9. Kh1 b6 10. f3 Bb7 11. Be3 Nbd7 {The modern line with careful advance 9...b6 is very popular, black is often ready to sacrifice the exchange for the knight on c3 in order to enable d6-d5 advance.} (11... b5 12. a4 b4 13. Nd5 Nxd5 14. exd5 Nd7 15. c4 bxc3 16. bxc3 Bg5 17. Bg1 Qc7 18. c4 a5 19. Nd2 f5 20. Nb1 Nc5 21. Nc3 Rf6 22. Rb1 Ba6 23. Qc2 {Anand,V-Gelfand,B/Dos Hermanas/1997/ 0,5}) 12. a4 Rc8 (12... Qc7 13. Rf2 Rfd8 14. Bf1 $14) 13. Rf2 Rc7 14. Bf1 (14. Qf1 Qa8 15. Rd1 h6 16. Nd2 d5 17. exd5 Rxc3 18. bxc3 Nxd5 19. Nc4 b5 20. Rxd5 Bxd5 21. axb5 axb5 22. Nd2 b4 {½-½ Lopez Rodriguez,J-Morales,J/Medina del Campo 2001/ (48)}) 14... Qa8 15. Rd2 Rfc8 (15... h6 16. Nc1 Rxc3 17. bxc3 d5 18. exd5 (18. Nb3 Rc8 19. exd5 Nxd5 20. Rxd5 Bxd5 21. c4 Be6 22. a5 bxa5 23. Rxa5 Bb4 24. Ra4 a5 {½-½ Barua,D-Sowray,P/London 2001/ (37)}) (18. c4 dxe4 19. Rxd7 Nxd7 20. Qxd7 exf3 21. Kg1 fxg2 22. Bd3 (22. Be2 Bf6 23. Qg4 Be7 {0-1 Rohl Montes,J-Leitao,R/San Felipe 1998/ (31)}) 22... Bc5 23. Bxc5 bxc5 24. Nb3 Bc6 25. Qf5 {1-0 Ye Jiangchuan-Lin Weiguo/Beijing 1997/ (46)}) 18... Nxd5 19. Rd3 e4 20. fxe4 Nxe3 21. Rxe3 Nc5 22. e5 Ne4 23. Qe1 Rc8 24. Nb3 Bg5 25. e6 fxe6 26. Rf3 {1-0 Brodsky,M-Sowray,P/Port Erin 2001/ (38)}) 16. Qe2 $146 {Interesting idea 16.c1!? has brought success in two important predecessors games.} (16. Nc1 $5 Rxc3 (16... Bf8 17. N1a2 h6 18. Nb4 Rxc3 19. bxc3 Rxc3 20. Rd3 Rc7 21. Rb1 Nc5 22. Bxc5 Rxc5 23. Rd2 {1-0 Ganguly,S-Alzate,D/Bled 2002/ (36)}) 17. bxc3 Rxc3 18. Rd3 Qc8 19. Rxc3 Qxc3 20. Nd3 d5 21. Bd2 Qc8 22. exd5 Bxd5 23. Bb4 {1-0 Lutz,C-Roeder,M/Vienna 1996/ (44)}) ({RR} 16. Nc1 Rxc3 17. bxc3 d5 18. c4 d4 19. Bg1 Bb4 20. Rf2 Nc5 21. Nd3 Bc3 22. Nxe5 Qb8 23. Nd3 Bxa1 24. Qxa1 a5 25. Rd2 Ncxe4 26. fxe4 Nxe4 27. Rd1 Nc3 28. Re1 Rxc4 29. Bxd4 Ne4 30. Bxg7 Nd2 {Doggers,P (2247)-Griffiths,R (2103) Budapest 2007 1-0 (31)}) ({RR} 16. Nc1 Rxc3 17. bxc3 Rxc3 18. Rd3 Rc8 19. c4 Nc5 20. Rd2 Bc6 21. Nd3 Qb7 22. Nb4 h6 23. Nd5 Nxd5 24. cxd5 Bd7 25. Rb2 Qc7 26. Bxc5 Qxc5 27. Bxa6 Rc7 28. Bb5 Bc8 29. Bc6 Bg5 30. Rb5 Qc3 {Womacka,M (2371)-Cu Hor,W (2319) chess.com INT 2023 0-1 (39)}) 16... h6 17. Rad1 Rxc3 18. bxc3 d5 (18... Rxc3 19. Rd3 Rxd3 (19... Rc8 20. Qd2 $16) 20. Qxd3 d5 21. exd5 Nxd5 22. Bg1 $14) 19. exd5 (19. Qf2 Rxc3 20. exd5 Nxd5 21. Rd3 $14) 19... Nxd5 20. Rd3 (20. Rxd5 Bxd5 21. Qxa6 Qxa6 22. Bxa6 Rxc3 $1 23. Rxd5 Rxe3 24. Kg1 Nc5 $11) 20... N7f6 $1 {Carlsen understands, that his chances are closely married to the activity and coordination of his pieces.} (20... Nxc3 $4 21. Rxc3 Rxc3 22. Rxd7 $18) 21. Qe1 e4 (21... b5 22. axb5 axb5 23. Bf2 $16) (21... Bf8 22. Bf2 Qb8 23. c4 $16) 22. fxe4 Nxe4 (22... Nxe3 23. Rxe3 Nxe4 24. Rd4 f5 25. Bc4+ Kh8 26. Be6 Rf8 $14) 23. Bd4 Nf4 {Black is full exchange down, but his pieces are dancing on many attractive squares.} (23... f5 24. Rf3 Rf8 25. c4 Nb4 26. Bxb6 $18) 24. Rf3 (24. Re3 Ng6 25. Kg1 $14) 24... Ng6 (24... Bg5 25. h4 Nc5 26. hxg5 Bxf3 27. Rd2 $1 (27. gxf3 Qxf3+ 28. Kg1 Ne4) 27... Bd5 28. Qe5 Nce6 29. gxh6 $14) 25. Kg1 Re8 $5 (25... Bh4 26. g3 Ng5 27. Re3 Nf3+ 28. Rxf3 Bxf3 29. gxh4 Re8 30. Qd2 Bxd1 31. Qxd1 Nxh4 32. Nd2 Re6 33. Qh5 $16) 26. Bc4 (26. Be2 Ng5 27. Rf2 Ne4 28. Rf5 Nd6 $11) 26... Nd6 27. Be2 Nh4 $1 (27... Bxf3 28. Bxf3 Qb8 29. Qf2 Bg5 $11) 28. Rg3 Ndf5 29. Qf2 Bg5 (29... Nxg3 $5 30. hxg3 Ng6 31. Bxb6 (31. Bc4 Bd5 $1) 31... Qc8 $15) 30. Bf1 (30. Rxg5 hxg5 31. Bf1 Qd8 $11) 30... Re4 $2 {[%mdl 2048] The concentration of black forces was pretty dangerous, but with his last move he oversteps the limit.} (30... Nxg3 31. hxg3 Ng6 32. Bxb6 Ne5 $15) 31. Bd3 $6 (31. Rxg5 $1 hxg5 32. Bxb6 Re8 33. a5 $16) 31... Rf4 32. Qe2 Nxg3 33. hxg3 Nxg2 $2 {The young swedish prodigy has got lost in complications. The last chance to use potential of his pieces was hidden in the spectacular move 33...f3!} (33... Rxd4 34. Nxd4 Nxg2 35. Rb1 $14) (33... Bf3 $1 34. gxf3 (34. Qe5 Rxd4 35. cxd4 (35. Qxd4 Nxg2 $19) 35... Bxd1 36. gxh4 Bxh4 $15) 34... Nxf3+ 35. Kh1 Nxd4+ (35... Rg4 $5 36. Qg2 $18) 36. Qg2 Qxg2+ 37. Kxg2 Nxc2 $1 38. Bxc2 (38. gxf4 Ne3+ 39. Kf3 Nxd1 40. fxg5 Nxc3 $11) 38... Rxa4 $14) 34. gxf4 Nxf4 35. Qe5 $1 {Kulaots immeditely sizes his chances for an attack of his own.} f6 (35... Nh3+ 36. Kf1 Bg2+ 37. Ke1 Bh4+ 38. Kd2 Bg5+ 39. Be3 $18) 36. Qf5 g6 (36... Bh1 37. Bc4+ (37. Qh7+ Kf7 38. Bc4+ Ne6 $15) 37... Kh8 (37... Kf8 38. Rd2 $18) 38. Rd2 $18) 37. Bc4+ Kf8 38. Qd7 Nh3+ (38... Bd5 39. Bxd5 Nxd5 40. Rf1 $18) 39. Qxh3 1-0

[Event "Gausdal GM-A"]
[Site "Gausdal"]
[Date "2005.04.17"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Vidonyak, Roman"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B45"]
[WhiteElo "2548"]
[BlackElo "2417"]
[Annotator "Golod,Vitali"]
[PlyCount "83"]
[EventDate "2005.04.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "10"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 107"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2005.08.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2005.08.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 Nc6 6. Ndb5 Bc5 $6 {Black chose a very rare idea in this position.} 7. Bf4 O-O 8. Bc7 $5 (8. e5 $5 {For further information, you can see comments on Xu Yuhua-Cramling,P/Shenyang,2000/CBM 79(1-0)(Golod,V)(34)}) 8... Qe7 9. Bd6 Bxd6 10. Qxd6 Ne8 ({Other options are:} 10... Qd8) ({and} 10... Qxd6) 11. Qxe7 Nxe7 12. O-O-O f5 {Black aspires to exchange White's central pawn in order to finish development.} ({Hardly recommended may be:} 12... a6 $5) 13. Nd6 $5 {In this position White has many possibilities:} (13. Bd3) (13. exf5) (13. f3) ({and} 13. e5 $5) 13... Nxd6 14. Rxd6 fxe4 15. Nxe4 Nf5 16. Rd2 d5 {[%csl Rc8] Now Black is close to finishing his development, but the weakness of the pawn structure and the bad bishop define white's advantage.} 17. Ng5 (17. Nc5 $143 b6 18. Nd3 Nd6 19. f3 Ba6 20. Ne5 Bxf1 21. Rxf1 Rac8 22. Re1 Rfe8 23. Kb1 a5 24. Rde2 Nb5 25. a4 Nc7 26. Re3 b5 27. axb5 Nxb5 28. Nd3 $14 {Ernst,T-Bellon Lopez,J/Stockholm,2001(½-½)(38)}) 17... b6 ({I also found games in other continuations:} 17... Bd7) ({and} 17... Nh4) ({RR} 17... Ne7 18. Bd3 h6 19. Nf3 a6 20. Re1 Nc6 21. c4 Bd7 22. b3 Rad8 23. Ne5 Nxe5 24. Rxe5 Bc8 25. cxd5 Rxd5 26. Rxd5 exd5 27. f3 Kf7 28. Rc2 Ke6 29. Rc7 g5 30. Kd2 Kd6 31. Rh7 Rf6 32. Ke3 {Bok,B (2540)-Grachev,B (2669) London 2013 ½-½ (35)}) ({RR} 17... Bd7 18. Bd3 Rae8 ({RR} 18... h6 19. Nf3 Rae8 20. Ne5 Bc6 21. g3 Rf6 22. Bxf5 exf5 23. f4 Rd6 24. Rhd1 Rc8 25. c4 Rcd8 26. b3 Kf8 27. Nxc6 bxc6 28. cxd5 cxd5 29. Re1 Kf7 30. Kb2 Re6 31. Rde2 Re4 32. Kc3 Rde8 33. Kd3) 19. f4 ({RR} 19. Re1 e5 20. Be4 dxe4 21. Rxd7 e3 22. fxe3 h6 23. Ne4 Rd8 24. Rxd8 Rxd8 25. g4 Nh4 26. Rf1 Ng2 27. Rf3 Rc8 28. c3 Rc4 29. Nf2 Rc6 30. Rg3 Nh4 31. Ne4 g6 32. h3 Kf7 33. Rg1 Ke7) 19... e5 20. fxe5 Rxe5 21. Nxh7 Kxh7 22. g4 Kh6 23. Bxf5 Bxf5 24. gxf5 Rexf5 25. Rhd1 g5 26. Rxd5 Rxd5 27. Rxd5 g4 28. c4 Rf2 29. Rd2 Rf4 30. b3 Kg5 31. Kc2 Rf3 32. c5 {Vasquez Schroeder,R (2446)-Dubov,D (2684) chess.com INT 2025 1-0 (56)}) 18. Nf3 $1 {[%csl Re5] A good move. Magnus Carlsen prevents his opponent from playing e5.} (18. Bd3 $143 e5 19. Re1 e4 20. Bb5 Ne7 21. Re3 h6 22. Nh3 Be6 (22... Bb7 23. Rc3 Rac8 24. Rxc8 Bxc8 25. Ng1 {½-½ Wahls,M-Hall,J/Germany,1999(25)}) 23. Ba4 Nf5 24. Rc3 Nh4 25. Bb3 Rad8 26. Rc6 Bg4 27. Rxd5 Kh7 28. Nf4 Rxd5 29. Nxd5 Nxg2 $15 {Czebe,A-Chernov,V/Interlaken,2003(0-1)(47)}) 18... Nd6 19. Bd3 Nb7 $146 {Originally only this move is a novelty. And I'm not sure that is a good novelty. I like the continuation of the next game more:} (19... Bd7 $5 20. Re1 Nf7 21. c4 Rac8 22. Kb1 Rfe8 23. cxd5 exd5 24. Rxe8+ Rxe8 25. Bc2 Bg4 26. Bb3 Bxf3 27. gxf3 Re1+ 28. Kc2 Kf8 29. Rxd5 $14 {Berg,E-Hall,J/Germany,2002(½-½)(48)}) ({RR} 19... Bd7 20. Re1 Rae8 21. b3 Bb5 22. Bxb5 Nxb5 23. Kb2 Nd6 24. Ng5 Rf6 25. Rde2 Ne4 26. Nxe4 dxe4 27. Rd2 Ref8 28. Ree2 h5 29. Kc3 h4 30. Kd4 Rg6 31. g3 Rg4 32. Re3 hxg3 33. fxg3 Rd8+ 34. Kc3 {Le Corre,B (2271)-Camacho Collados,J (2393) Nancy 2014 1-0 (61)}) ({RR} 19... Bd7 20. Re1 Nf7 21. c4 Rac8 22. Kb1 Rfe8 23. cxd5 exd5 24. Rxe8+ Rxe8 25. Bc2 Bg4 26. Bb3 Bxf3 27. gxf3 Re1+ 28. Kc2 Kf8 29. Rxd5 Ke7 30. Kd2 Rh1 31. Rf5 Nd6 32. Rh5 h6 33. Kc3 Kf6 34. Rd5 {Berg,E (2496)-Hall,J (2501) Germany 2002 ½-½ (48)}) 20. c3 {White has very simple play on the black squares and his advantage is clear. I think, that from a strategical point of view - white's position is won.} Nc5 21. Bc2 a5 22. Re1 a4 23. Ne5 $1 {According to theory of blockade of Nimzowitsch.} a3 24. b3 {Now Black a3 is weak.} Ra7 {Unfortunately Black has no option for any counterplay. He only needs to sit and wait.} 25. b4 Na6 26. f3 Rc7 27. Re3 Bb7 28. Rd4 {Full blockade on black squares!} Nb8 29. Kd2 Ba6 (29... Nc6 $5 30. Nxc6 Rxc6 31. Bd3 Rfc8 32. Bb5 Rd6 33. c4 $16 {[%csl Ra3][%cal Ge3a3]}) 30. c4 {It's the right time to open the game. All white's pieces are on ideal positions.} dxc4 (30... Rfc8 $5 31. Rxa3 Bxc4 32. Nxc4 Rxc4 (32... dxc4 33. Kc3 $16) 33. Rxc4 dxc4 (33... Rxc4 34. Ra8 Rc8 35. a4 $18) 34. Ra8 $18) (30... Bxc4 $5 31. Nxc4 dxc4 32. Rxe6 $16) 31. Rxa3 Bb5 (31... b5 $143 32. Rd6 $18) (31... Rcc8 32. Re3 Nc6 33. Nxc6 Rxc6 34. Kc3 b5 35. a4 $18) 32. Rc3 Ra7 (32... Rfc8 $142 33. a4 Nd7 34. Ng4 Ba6 35. Ne3 {[%csl Ya6,Rc4][%cal Gb4b5]}) 33. a3 Rc8 34. Nxc4 $18 {That's all - now Magnus Carlsen transforms his positional advantage in material.} Rac7 {The last chance.} 35. Bb3 Kf8 36. Rc2 Nd7 37. Nd6 Rxc2+ 38. Bxc2 e5 39. Re4 Rd8 $2 40. Nxb5 Nf6+ 41. Kc3 Nxe4+ 42. Bxe4 {Very good positional victory for young Norvegian GM!} 1-0

[Event "Gausdal GM-A"]
[Site "Gausdal"]
[Date "2005.04.18"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Bogner, Sebastian"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C68"]
[WhiteElo "2409"]
[BlackElo "2548"]
[Annotator "Finkel,Alexander"]
[PlyCount "62"]
[EventDate "2005.04.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "10"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 107"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2005.08.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2005.08.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Bxc6 dxc6 5. O-O Bg4 6. h3 Bh5 7. g4 $5 {This very interesting line leads to a complicated struggle with mutual chances. It seems White should be able to get an advantage either by returning his extra pawn at the right moment or by keeping it!} Bg6 8. Nxe5 Bd6 (8... Qh4 9. Qf3 f6 10. Nxg6 hxg6 11. Kg2 O-O-O 12. d3 Bd6 13. Rh1 Ne7 14. Nc3 g5 15. Ne2 { Gipslis,A/ECO/Fuchs-Trifunovic/Berlin/1962}) 9. Nxg6 (9. d4 Bxe5 10. dxe5 Qxd1 11. Rxd1 Bxe4 $13) 9... hxg6 10. Qf3 (10. Kg2 Qe7 11. d3 g5 12. Nd2 O-O-O 13. Nc4 f6 14. Qf3 Nh6 15. Be3 Nf7 16. Rad1 $14 {Petersen,S-Agergaard,L/Lyngby 1991}) 10... Qh4 (10... Be5 11. c3 (11. d3 Qh4 12. Kg2 O-O-O 13. g5 Rf8 14. Qg4+ Qxg4+ 15. hxg4 Ne7 16. f4 Bd6 17. Nc3 $16 {Garcia del Rey,S-Gutierrez Canseco,P/Spain 1993}) (11. Nc3 Ne7 12. Ne2 c5 13. d3 Nc6 14. Kg2 Qd6 15. Bf4 O-O-O 16. Qg3 g5 17. Bxe5 Nxe5 18. f4 gxf4 19. Nxf4 f6 20. b3 $16 {Wittmann,W-Pilz,D/Austria 1998}) 11... c5 12. Na3 b5 13. Nc2 c4 14. d4 cxd3 15. Rd1 c5 16. Rxd3 Qc7 17. Ne3 $16 {Guseinov,G-Davidov,S/Baku 2000}) (10... Qd7 11. d3 O-O-O 12. Kg2 Ne7 13. Bf4 f5 14. Bxd6 cxd6 15. Nd2 d5 16. e5 Rh4 $13 {Schelle,A-Appel,H/Freising 2001}) ({RR} 10... Qd7 11. d4 f5 12. exf5 gxf5 13. Re1+ Ne7 14. Bg5 fxg4 15. hxg4 O-O-O 16. Bxe7 Bxe7 17. Qf5 Qxf5 18. gxf5 Bf6 19. c3 c5 20. dxc5 Rh5 21. Na3 Rg5+ 22. Kf1 Rxf5 23. Nc4 Bh4 24. Re2 Rdf8 25. Kg2 {Gurel,E (2554)-Sychev,K (2542) chess.com INT 2023 ½-½ (96)}) ({RR} 10... Qd7 11. d3 f5 12. exf5 O-O-O 13. Nd2 Rf8 14. Nc4 gxf5 15. Nxd6+ Qxd6 16. Bf4 Qd7 17. Bh2 Ne7 18. Rae1 fxg4 19. Qxg4 Nf5 20. Bg3 Kb8 21. Re5 Qf7 22. Rfe1 Nxg3 23. Qxg3 Qxa2 24. Re7 Rc8 25. Rxg7 {Wites,A (1917)-Al Hosani,O (2287) Lienz AUT 2025 0-1 (40)}) 11. Kg2 Nf6 $146 {This move was most likely analysed by Norwegian youngster at his home-lab.} (11... Bf4 $5 12. Nc3 (12. d3 $5 g5 (12... Bxc1 13. Rxc1 g5 14. Nc3 Ne7 15. Ne2 Ng6 16. Rh1 Qh6 17. Qe3 $14) 13. Bxf4 gxf4 14. Nd2 Ne7 15. Rh1 Ng6 16. Qe2 $16) 12... Ne7 13. d4 g5 14. Ne2 (14. Bxf4 gxf4 15. Ne2 Ng6 16. Rh1 Qg5 17. Qb3 Nh4+ 18. Kf1 O-O-O 19. f3 $13) 14... Ng6 15. Rh1 Qh6 {h4+} 16. Kf1 Nh4 17. Qd3 (17. Qb3 $5 O-O-O 18. Bxf4 (18. Qxf7 $2 Rhf8 $40) 18... gxf4 19. f3 $13) 17... Bxc1 18. Rxc1 O-O-O 19. Qe3 Rhe8 $17 {Djurhuus,R-Hector,J/Malmo 1995; Wedberg}) (11... O-O-O 12. d4 f6 13. Nd2 Nh6 14. Nc4 Nf7 15. Rh1 Be7 16. c3 Nd6 17. Nxd6+ Bxd6 18. Be3 $16 {Hautala,R-Juntunen,J/Oulu 1998}) ({RR} 11... Bf4 12. Nc3 Ne7 13. d4 g5 14. Ne2 Ng6 15. Bxf4 gxf4 16. Rad1 O-O-O 17. Rh1 Qe7 18. Kh2 c5 19. Nxf4 Nh4 20. Qe2 cxd4 21. Ng2 Ng6 22. f4 Nf8 23. e5 g5 24. fxg5 Ne6 25. Rhf1 Nxg5 26. Rd3 {Skovgaard,P (2307)-Hector,J (2582) Ballerup 2010 ½-½ (90)}) ({RR} 11... Bf4 12. d3 g5 13. Rh1 Bxc1 14. Rxc1 Ne7 15. Nc3 Ng6 16. Ne2 Qh6 17. Qg3 O-O-O 18. f3 Rh7 19. Rh1 Nh4+ 20. Kf2 Qf6 21. Rab1 Ng6 22. Ke3 c5 23. b3 Rdh8 24. Kd2 Qb6 25. Kc1 Qa5 26. Kb2 {Fargere,F (2325)-Marzolf,B (2252) France 2007 1-0 (32)}) 12. e5 (12. Nc3 O-O-O 13. d4 c5 14. dxc5 Bxc5 15. Qg3 Qh7 16. Bg5 Bd4 $44) 12... Nd5 13. d4 ({After} 13. exd6 {black has to force a draw by} Nf4+ 14. Kh2 Qxh3+ (14... Nxh3 15. Qg3 Qh7 16. Re1+ Kd7 17. Kg2 Nf4+ 18. Kf3 $18) 15. Qxh3 Rxh3+ 16. Kg1 Ne2+ 17. Kg2 Nf4+ $11) 13... Be7 14. Qg3 $6 {I see no point in this move, but it shouldn't be too bad.} (14. c4 Nb4 (14... Nb6 15. b3 O-O-O 16. Bb2 (16. Be3 $6 c5 17. d5 Nd7 18. Bf4 Bg5 19. Bh2 Rde8 20. Re1 Bf6 $15) 16... f6 17. Qg3 Qh6 18. e6 $14) 15. Na3 O-O-O 16. Rd1 f6 17. Bf4 $13) 14... Qh7 15. c4 Nb4 16. Na3 (16. Nc3 Nc2 17. Rb1 Nxd4 18. Rd1 O-O-O 19. Be3 Nc2 $15) 16... O-O-O 17. Be3 $2 (17. Rd1 {[%csl Gd3]} g5 18. Qf3 Kb8 $13) 17... Nd3 18. Rab1 (18. Bg5 $2 Bxg5 19. Qxd3 Rxd4 $19 {[%csl Rh3]}) 18... g5 $1 $17 {[%cal Gh7e4] Threatening to come to e4.} 19. Qf3 (19. Rfd1 f6 20. e6 Qe4+ 21. Kg1 Nf4 $17) 19... c5 $1 20. dxc5 Bxc5 21. Bxg5 (21. Qf5+ Qxf5 22. gxf5 Bxa3 23. bxa3 Nxe5 24. Bxg5 f6 25. Bf4 Nxc4 $17) (21. Bxc5 Nxc5 22. Rfd1 Rxd1 23. Rxd1 Ne6 $40 {[%cal Ge6f4]}) 21... Nxe5 22. Qf5+ Qxf5 23. gxf5 Rd3 24. Nc2 $6 (24. Bf4) 24... Rdxh3 $19 {Black's attack is very dangerous even with the queens off the board.} 25. Be3 (25. Rh1 Rxh1 26. Rxh1 Rxh1 27. Kxh1 Nxc4 28. b3 Nd6 $19) 25... Rh2+ 26. Kg3 Bd6 27. c5 R8h3+ 28. Kf4 Rf3+ 29. Ke4 Rh4+ 30. Kd5 Nc6 31. Nd4 (31. cxd6 Rxf5#) 31... Rxf5+ $1 0-1

[Event "Gausdal GM-A"]
[Site "Gausdal"]
[Date "2005.04.19"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Nordahl, Helge Andreas"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B92"]
[WhiteElo "2548"]
[BlackElo "2402"]
[PlyCount "133"]
[EventDate "2005.04.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "10"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 107"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2005.08.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2005.08.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Be2 e5 7. Nb3 Be7 8. O-O O-O 9. Kh1 b6 10. f3 Bb7 ({RR} 10... Be6 11. Be3 Nbd7 12. a4 Qc7 13. Qd2 Rfc8 14. Rfd1 Qb7 15. Bf1 h6 16. Nc1 Nc5 17. N1a2 a5 18. Nc1 Rd8 19. Nd3 d5 20. exd5 Nxd5 21. Nxd5 Rxd5 22. Qf2 Rad8 23. Nxc5 Bxc5 24. Re1 Bf5 25. Bxc5 {Smirin,I (2575)-Rodshtein,M (2600) Jerusalem ISR 2024 ½-½ (60)}) 11. a4 h6 $146 ({RR} 11... Nbd7 12. Be3 Rc8 13. Rf2 Rc7 14. Bf1 Qa8 15. Rd2 h6 16. Nc1 Rxc3 17. bxc3 d5 18. exd5 Nxd5 19. Rd3 e4 20. fxe4 Nxe3 21. Rxe3 Nc5 22. e5 Ne4 23. Qe1 Rc8 24. Nb3 Bg5 25. e6 fxe6 26. Rf3 {Brodsky,M (2528)-Sowray,P (2334) Port Erin 2001 1-0 (38)}) ({RR} 11... Nc6 12. Bg5 Nb4 13. Nb1 h6 14. Bxf6 Bxf6 15. Na3 Qc7 16. c3 Nc6 17. Nc4 Rfd8 18. Qd3 Ne7 19. Qe3 Nc8 20. a5 b5 21. Nb6 Rb8 22. Rfd1 Ne7 23. c4 Bc6 24. cxb5 axb5 25. Qc3 Qa7 26. Rac1 {Ivanchuk,V (2747)-Vachier Lagrave,M (2804) Doha 2016 ½-½ (39)}) ({RR} 11... Nc6 12. Bg5 Nb4 13. Nb1 h6 14. Bxf6 Bxf6 15. Na3 Qc7 16. Qd2 Nc6 17. Nc4 Rfd8 18. a5 bxa5 19. Nbxa5 Nd4 20. Nxb7 Qxb7 21. Bd3 Bg5 22. Qf2 a5 23. Ra4 Ne6 24. Rfa1 Nc5 25. Rxa5 Rxa5 26. Rxa5 {Ivanchuk,V (2740)-Topalov,V (2740) Monte Carlo 1998 1-0 (59)}) 12. Be3 Nc6 13. Qd2 Nb4 14. a5 d5 15. Bxb6 Qc8 16. exd5 Nfxd5 17. Nxd5 Nxd5 18. Bd3 Bg5 19. Qe1 Re8 20. Ra4 Nxb6 21. axb6 Qc6 22. Rb4 Be7 23. Na5 Bxb4 24. Qxb4 Qd7 25. Nxb7 Qxb7 26. Be4 Qd7 27. Bxa8 Rxa8 28. c4 Qd4 29. Qc3 Qxb6 30. Qxe5 Rd8 31. c5 Qb5 32. Re1 Rd2 33. h3 Rxb2 34. Qf5 Qc6 35. Re7 Qg6 36. Qxg6 fxg6 37. Re6 Rc2 38. Rxg6 a5 39. c6 a4 40. Rg4 a3 41. Ra4 a2 42. Kh2 Kf7 43. c7 Rxc7 44. Rxa2 Rc6 45. Ra7+ Kf6 46. Kg3 Rb6 47. Kh4 g6 48. g4 Rb3 49. Kg3 g5 50. Ra6+ Kg7 51. Ra1 Kg6 52. Rc1 Ra3 53. Rb1 Rc3 54. Rb2 Ra3 55. Kg2 Ra6 56. Rb8 Kg7 57. Kg3 Ra3 58. Re8 Kf7 59. Re2 Kg6 60. Rd2 Rb3 61. Kf2 Rb6 62. Rd8 Kf7 63. Rd5 Kg6 64. Re5 Rb2+ 65. Kg3 Rb3 66. Rf5 h5 67. h4 1/2-1/2

[Event "Gausdal GM-A"]
[Site "Gausdal"]
[Date "2005.04.20"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Pedersen, Christian Kyndel"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C92"]
[WhiteElo "2396"]
[BlackElo "2548"]
[PlyCount "189"]
[EventDate "2005.04.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "10"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 107"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2005.08.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2005.08.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 {Wedberg,Tom} e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 d6 8. c3 O-O 9. h3 Bb7 10. d4 Re8 11. Ng5 Rf8 12. Nf3 h6 13. Nbd2 Re8 14. Bc2 Bf8 15. a4 Qd7 16. Bd3 $146 ({RR} 16. b3 exd4 ({RR} 16... exd4 17. cxd4 Nb4 18. Bb1 g6 19. axb5 Qxb5 20. d5 c6 21. Bb2 Nh5 22. dxc6 Nxc6 23. Nc4 Rad8) 17. cxd4 Nb4 18. Bb1 g6 19. axb5 Qxb5 20. d5 c6 21. Bb2 Nh5 22. dxc6 Nxc6 23. Nc4 Rad8 24. Ne3 Ne5 25. Nd4 Qb6 26. Bc3 Rc8 27. Ne2 Qd8 28. Qd2 Qg5 29. Ng4 Qxd2 30. Bxd2 Nxg4 {Van der Wiel,J (2530)-Karpov,A (2725) Amsterdam 1991 ½-½ (50)}) ({RR} 16. b3 b4 17. d5 ({RR} 17. Bb2 bxc3 18. Bxc3 exd4 19. Nxd4 d5) 17... Ne7 18. c4 ({RR} 18. cxb4 c6) 18... c5 19. Nf1 Kh8 20. N3h2 Ng6 21. Ne3 Rad8 22. Nf5 Bc8 23. Qf3 Nh7 24. Bd2 Ne7 25. h4 Ng8 26. g4 g6 27. Ne3 Bg7 28. Kh1 Ne7 29. Rg1 Rg8 30. Rg2 Rdf8 {Shirov,A (2723)-Sokolov,I (2688) Reykjavik 2003 CBM 094 [Wedberg,Tom] 1-0 (70)}) ({RR} 16. d5 Ne7 17. Nb3 c6 18. dxc6 Nxc6 19. Qe2 b4 20. c4 Qc7 21. Be3 Nd7 22. Nbd2 Nc5 23. b3 g6 24. Nf1 Bg7 25. Rad1 Re6 26. Qd2 h5 27. Bh6 Qd8 28. Bxg7 Kxg7 29. Ng3 a5 30. Qe3 Re8 {Timman,J (2655)-Psakhis,L (2545) Las Palmas 1982 ½-½ (41)}) 16... Na5 17. b3 exd4 18. cxd4 d5 19. e5 Ne4 20. Nxe4 dxe4 21. Bxe4 Bxe4 22. Rxe4 Qd5 23. Re3 c5 24. axb5 axb5 25. Ba3 b4 26. Bb2 c4 27. bxc4 Nxc4 28. Re2 Rxa1 29. Bxa1 Ra8 30. Nd2 Nxd2 31. Rxd2 b3 32. Bb2 Ra2 33. Qc1 Be7 34. Qc3 Bg5 35. f4 Bd8 36. Qd3 Ba5 37. Rf2 Bb6 38. Kh2 h5 39. Qe3 h4 40. Rd2 Ba5 41. Rf2 Bb6 42. Kh1 Qc4 43. Kh2 g6 44. g3 Ra4 45. Rd2 Ba5 46. Rg2 hxg3+ 47. Qxg3 Qe6 48. Qd3 Qc4 49. Qf3 Ra2 50. f5 Rxb2 51. Rxb2 Qxd4 52. Rxb3 Qxe5+ 53. Kg2 Kg7 54. fxg6 Qg5+ 55. Qg3 Qd2+ 56. Qf2 fxg6 57. Qxd2 Bxd2 58. Rd3 Bg5 59. Kf3 Bf6 60. Ke4 Kf7 61. Kd5 Bb2 62. Rb3 Ba1 63. Ra3 Bb2 64. Ra2 Bc3 65. Rf2+ Kg7 66. Ke6 Bd4 67. Rf7+ Kg8 68. Rd7 Bc3 69. Rc7 Bb2 70. Rb7 Bc3 71. Ke7 Kg7 72. Ke8+ Kg8 73. Ke7 Kg7 74. Ke6+ Kg8 75. Rb3 Bd4 76. Rg3 Kg7 77. Rg4 Bc3 78. h4 Kh6 79. Kf7 Kh5 80. Rxg6 Kxh4 81. Ke6 Be1 82. Kf5 Kh3 83. Kf4 Bd2+ 84. Kf3 Kh4 85. Rd6 Bc1 86. Rg6 Bd2 87. Rg1 Kh5 88. Ke4 Kh4 89. Rg8 Bc1 90. Rc8 Bd2 91. Rc2 Bb4 92. Rc4 Be7 93. Kf4 Kh5 94. Kf5 Bd8 95. Rc8 1-0

[Event "EU-ch 6th"]
[Site "Warsaw"]
[Date "2005.06.18"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Praszak, Michal"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B76"]
[WhiteElo "2548"]
[BlackElo "2261"]
[Annotator "Rogozenco,Dorian"]
[PlyCount "65"]
[EventDate "2005.06.18"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "POL"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 108"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2005.09.26"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2005.09.26"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 g6 6. Be3 Bg7 7. f3 O-O 8. Qd2 Nc6 9. O-O-O d5 10. exd5 Nxd5 11. Nxc6 bxc6 12. Bd4 e5 13. Bc5 Be6 14. Ne4 Re8 15. h4 h6 16. g4 Qc7 17. g5 h5 18. Bc4 Red8 19. Qf2 Qa5 (19... Qb7 $142 $14 {/}) (19... a5 20. a4 $14) 20. Qe1 $146 (20. a3 Nf4 21. Rxd8+ Rxd8 22. Bxe6 Nxe6 23. Bxa7 Nd4 24. Bc5 Qb5 25. Re1 Rb8 $14 {½-½ Kriventsov,S (2409)-Kudrin,S (2554)/Stillwater 2005}) (20. Rd2 Nf4 21. Bxe6 Nxe6 22. a3 Rd5 23. Be3 Nd4 24. Rd3 Rb8 $13 {1-0 Vorobiov,E (2440)-Pavlov,N (2310)/Moscow 1996 (56)}) (20. Rd3 Nf4 21. Ra3 Qc7 22. Bxe6 Nxe6 23. Rd1 Rxd1+ 24. Kxd1 Nxc5 25. Qxc5 Qd7+ 26. Rd3 Qh3 27. Qf2 Qh1+ 28. Qe1 Qh3 29. Kc1 Rb8 30. Qf2 Rb7 31. b3 Rd7 32. Rxd7 Qxd7 33. Qc5 Qf5 34. Qxc6 Qf4+ 35. Kb2 Qxh4 36. Qe8+ {1-0 Mueller,M-Weitzer,S (2250)/Germany 1995/GER-chT2}) 20... Nc3 $2 {This idea has a refutation.} (20... Qa4 21. Bb3 Qa6 22. Qf1 Qa5 $14) 21. Rxd8+ (21. Qxc3 $2 Qxc3 22. Nxc3 Bxc4 $11) 21... Rxd8 22. Bxe6 $1 Rd1+ 23. Qxd1 Nxd1 24. Bb3 $1 $18 {Black took the queen but loses too many pieces for it.} Nxb2 25. Kxb2 Qc7 26. Rd1 {White is easily winning - all his pieces are very active.} a5 27. a4 Kh7 28. Rd6 Qc8 $146 ({RR} 28... Bf8 29. Rf6 Bxc5 30. Rxf7+ Qxf7 31. Bxf7 Bd4+ 32. Kb3 Kg7 33. Be8 c5 34. c3 Be3 35. Kc4 {1-0 (35) Kuspak,A (1832)-Kaczor,K (1664) Sielpia 2010}) 29. Bxf7 Qf5 30. Bxg6+ Qxg6 31. Rxg6 Kxg6 32. Kb3 Kf5 33. Ng3+ 1-0

[Event "EU-ch 6th"]
[Site "Warsaw"]
[Date "2005.06.25"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Kharlov, Andrei"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C67"]
[WhiteElo "2548"]
[BlackElo "2628"]
[Annotator "Mueller,Karsten"]
[PlyCount "131"]
[EventDate "2005.06.18"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "POL"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 108"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2005.09.26"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2005.09.26"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. d4 Nd6 6. Bxc6 dxc6 7. dxe5 Nf5 8. Qxd8+ Kxd8 9. Nc3 Be6 10. Ng5 Ke7 ({RR} 10... Be7 11. Nxe6+ fxe6 12. Ne4 Ke8 13. Bf4 Nd4 14. g3 Nxc2 15. Rad1 Nb4 16. a3 Nd5 17. Bg5 Rf8 18. Rd3 Rd8 19. Rfd1 h6 20. Bxe7 Kxe7 21. f4 Rf5 22. h4 Rg8 23. b4 Ra8 24. Rc1 a5 25. b5 {Ovezdurdiyeva,J (2061)-Khoroshev,N (2364) Chess.com INT 2021 0-1 (33)}) 11. f4 ({RR} 11. Rd1 h6 12. Nge4 Rd8 13. Bf4 b6 14. h3 g6 15. g4 Nd4 16. Bg3 g5 17. f4 Nxc2 18. Rac1 Ne3 19. Re1 Rd3 20. Nf2 Rxc3 21. bxc3 gxf4 22. Bxf4 Nc4 23. Ne4 Kd8 24. Nf6 Kc8 25. Kg2 a5 {Shirov,A (2739)-Nakamura,H (2729) Moscow 2010 ½-½ (79)}) ({RR} 11. Bf4 h6 12. Nxe6 Kxe6 13. Rad1 Be7 14. g4 Nh4 15. Bg3 h5 16. h3 hxg4 17. hxg4 g5 18. Ne4 Rad8 19. Rxd8 Rxd8 20. Bxh4 gxh4 21. f4 Rg8 22. Kf2 Rxg4 23. Kf3 Rg8 24. Rd1 b6 25. c4 h3 {Galkin,A (2598)-Kharlov,A (2591) chessassistantclub.com INT 2004 1-0 (50)}) 11... h5 $146 ({RR} 11... Bc4 12. Rf2 Rd8 13. b3 h6 14. Ba3+ Ke8 15. Bxf8 Rxf8 16. bxc4 hxg5 17. fxg5 Ne3 18. Rb1 b6 19. c5 b5 20. a4 a6 21. Re1 Nd5 22. Nxd5 Rxd5 23. axb5 axb5 24. e6 fxe6 25. Rxe6+ Kd7 26. Rxf8 {Bakutin,A (2220)-Gusev,A (2412) Donskoj 2002 ½-½ (46)}) ({RR} 11... Bc4 12. Rd1 h6 13. Nf3 Ke8 14. g4 Ne7 15. Kg2 f5 16. exf6 gxf6 17. b3 Bd5 18. Nxd5 cxd5 19. Bb2 Rg8 20. h3 Kf7 21. Nd4 a6 22. Ba3 Ng6 23. Bxf8 Rgxf8 24. f5 Ne7 25. Ne6 Rfc8 26. c4 {Severiukhina,Z (2189)-Zaiatz,E (2417) Sochi 2006 1-0 (71)}) 12. Rd1 Rd8 13. Rxd8 Kxd8 14. Nxe6+ fxe6 15. Ne4 Be7 16. Kf2 c5 17. Be3 b6 18. Rd1+ Kc8 19. Ke2 Kb7 20. Bf2 c4 21. Kf3 Kc6 22. g3 a6 23. h3 g6 24. g4 hxg4+ 25. hxg4 Rh3+ 26. Ke2 Nh6 27. Rg1 b5 28. Be3 b4 29. Nf2 Rh2 30. Kf3 Bh4 31. Rh1 Rxh1 32. Nxh1 Kd5 33. Bf2 Bxf2 34. Nxf2 a5 35. c3 b3 36. a3 Ng8 37. Nd1 Ne7 38. Ne3+ Kc5 39. Ke4 a4 40. Nf1 Kb5 41. Nd2 Kc5 42. Nf3 Kc6 43. Nd4+ Kd7 44. Ne2 Kc6 45. Nd4+ Kd7 46. f5 exf5+ 47. gxf5 c5 48. e6+ Ke8 49. Ne2 Nxf5 50. Nf4 Ne7 51. Ke5 g5 52. Nh5 Kd8 53. Kd6 Nf5+ 54. Ke5 Ne7 55. Kf6 Nc6 $2 {Nach diesem passiven Zug bekommt Schwarz kein Bein mehr auf den Boden.} (55... Nd5+ {war vonnöten:} 56. Kf7 (56. Kxg5 $2 Nxc3 $19) 56... g4 57. Ng3 Ne7 $11) 56. Kxg5 Ke7 57. Nf4 Kd6 (57... Na7 58. Kf5 Nb5 59. Nd5+ Kd6 60. Ne3 Ke7 61. Nxc4 Nc7 62. Ke5 Nxe6 63. Nb6 $18) 58. Kf6 Ne7 59. Kf7 Nc6 60. Kf6 Ne7 (60... Ne5 61. Nd5 Ng4+ 62. Kg5 Ne5 63. e7 Kd7 64. Kf6 Ng4+ 65. Kf7 Ne5+ 66. Kg7 Nc6 67. Kf8 $18) 61. Ng2 Ng8+ 62. Kg7 Ne7 (62... Kxe6 63. Kxg8 Ke5 64. Ne3 Ke4 65. Nxc4 Kd3 66. Nb6 Kc2 67. Nxa4 $18) 63. Kf7 Nc6 64. Kf6 Nd4 (64... Ne7 65. Ne3 Ng8+ 66. Kg7 Ne7 67. Kf7 Nc8 68. Kf6 $18) 65. e7 Kd7 66. Kf7 1-0

[Event "EU-ch 6th"]
[Site "Warsaw"]
[Date "2005.06.26"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Sargissian, Gabriel"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C88"]
[WhiteElo "2548"]
[BlackElo "2630"]
[PlyCount "110"]
[EventDate "2005.06.18"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "POL"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 108"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2005.09.26"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2005.09.26"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. h3 Bb7 9. d3 d6 10. a4 Na5 11. Ba2 c5 ({RR} 11... b4 12. c3 c5 13. Nbd2 h6 14. cxb4 cxb4 15. Nc4 Nxc4 16. Bxc4 a5 17. b3 Rc8 18. Bb2 Re8 19. Rc1 Bf8 20. Nd2 Rc7 21. d4 Nxe4 22. Nxe4 Bxe4 23. Rxe4 d5 24. Bxd5 Qxd5 25. Rxc7 Qxe4 26. dxe5 {Xue,H (2553)-Esipenko,A (2693) chess.com INT 2025 1-0 (58)}) 12. Bg5 ({RR} 12. Nbd2 Qc7 13. Nf1 b4 14. Bd2 Bc8 15. Ne3 Be6 16. Nf5 Nc6 17. c3 Bxa2 18. Rxa2 bxc3 19. bxc3 Rfb8 20. d4 Bf8 21. dxc5 dxc5 22. Bg5 Ne8 23. Ne3 Nd6 24. Nd5 Qb7 25. Nd2 Na5 26. Qg4 Qc8 {Vachier Lagrave,M (2718)-Carlsen,M (2832) chess.com INT 2024 1-0 (52)}) ({RR} 12. Nbd2 bxa4 13. Nf1 c4 14. Ng3 g6 15. Bh6 Re8 16. dxc4 Nd7 17. c5 Nxc5 18. Qd2 Ne6 19. Bxe6 fxe6 20. Rxa4 Nc6 21. c3 {½-½ (21) Fedorchuk,S (2576)-Sargissian,G (2612) Dubai 2006}) 12... b4 13. Nbd2 Nd7 $146 ({RR} 13... Rb8 14. c3 Nc6 15. Nc4 h6 16. Bd2 Na5 17. Nxa5 Qxa5 18. Nh4 Bc8 19. f4 Kh7 20. Nf5 Qc7 21. cxb4 cxb4 22. Rc1 Qd8 23. Nxe7 Qxe7 24. f5 Bd7 25. Bb3 a5 26. Be3 Rfc8 27. Rxc8 Bxc8 28. g4 {Berzina,I (2278)-Piarnpuu,L (2172) Turin 2006 ½-½ (42)}) ({RR} 13... h6 14. Bxf6 Bxf6 15. c3 d5 16. exd5 Bxd5 17. Bxd5 Qxd5 18. Ne4 Be7 19. Ng3 Nc6 20. Nf5 Rfe8 21. Ne3 Qd8 22. Nc4 Bf6 23. Re4 Ra7 24. Qe2 Rae7 25. Qe3 Re6 26. Rd1 Qd5 27. Qd2 Bd8 28. Ne3 {Gallo Garcia,K (2356)-Dudin,G (2537) Mexico City MEX 2023 0-1 (46)}) 14. Bxe7 Qxe7 15. Nf1 Nb6 16. c3 bxc3 17. bxc3 Qc7 18. Ne3 c4 19. dxc4 Bc8 20. Nf5 Nbxc4 21. Nd2 d5 22. Ne3 Nxe3 23. Rxe3 dxe4 24. Nxe4 Bf5 25. Qd6 Rac8 26. Qxc7 Rxc7 27. Nd6 Be6 28. Bxe6 fxe6 29. Rxe5 Nb3 30. Rb1 Nc5 31. a5 Rd8 32. Ne4 Nxe4 33. Rxe4 Rd5 34. Ra4 Rcc5 35. c4 Re5 36. Rb6 Rxa5 37. Rxa6 Rxa6 38. Rxa6 Re2 39. Ra4 Rc2 40. c5 Kf7 41. Ra8 e5 42. Rc8 Ke6 43. c6 g6 44. Rc7 Kf6 45. f3 h5 46. Kh2 h4 47. Rc8 Kg7 48. Kg1 Rc4 49. Kf1 e4 50. Ke2 exf3+ 51. Ke3 Kf6 52. gxf3 Kg7 53. c7 Rc1 54. f4 Kh7 55. Ke4 Kg7 1/2-1/2

[Event "EU-ch 6th"]
[Site "Warsaw"]
[Date "2005.06.27"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Naiditsch, Arkadij"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C91"]
[WhiteElo "2626"]
[BlackElo "2548"]
[PlyCount "59"]
[EventDate "2005.06.18"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "POL"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 108"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2005.09.26"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2005.09.26"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. d4 d6 9. c3 Bg4 10. d5 Na5 11. Bc2 c6 12. h3 Bh5 13. dxc6 Qc7 14. Nbd2 Qxc6 15. Nf1 Bg6 ({RR} 15... Rfd8 16. a4 Nc4 17. Qe2 Rab8 18. axb5 axb5 19. Bd3 Qc7 20. Ng3 Bg6 21. Bg5 d5 22. exd5 Bxd3 23. Qxd3 Rxd5 24. Qe2 h6 25. Bxf6 Bxf6 26. Ra6 Be7 27. b3 Nd6 28. Nxe5 Bf6 29. Ng4 Bxc3 30. Qf3 {LCZero 0.31-dag-5350a2e-BT4-6 (3631)-Stockfish dev-20240728-2343f7 (3662) tcec-chess.com INT 2024 ½-½ (50)}) 16. Ng3 Rfe8 17. a4 Nc4 18. Qe2 $146 ({RR} 18. Nh4 d5 19. Nxg6 hxg6 20. exd5 Nxd5 21. Be4 Rad8 22. axb5 axb5 23. Qf3 f5 24. Bxd5+ Qxd5 25. Qxd5+ Rxd5 26. b3 Nd6 27. Ba3 Bh4 28. Rad1 Rxd1 29. Rxd1 Nf7 30. Ne2 Ra8 31. Bb4 Ra2 32. Kf1 Rb2 {Quillan,G (2300)-Baker,C (2260) England 1994 ½-½ (38)}) ({RR} 18. Nh4 d5 19. Nxg6 hxg6 20. exd5 Nxd5 21. axb5 axb5 22. Rxa8 Rxa8 23. Qf3 Ra1 24. Rd1 Qe6 25. Ne2 Nf6 26. Qb7 Nd6 27. Qb6 Qc4 28. Qe3 e4 29. b3 Qc7 30. Qg3 Qc5 31. Qe3 Qc7 32. g4 Qc6 {Ghinda,M (2475)-Zieher,H Hamburg 1980 ½-½ (41)}) 18... d5 19. exd5 Nxd5 20. Bxg6 hxg6 21. axb5 axb5 22. Nxe5 Nxe5 23. Rxa8 Rxa8 24. Qxe5 b4 25. Qe4 bxc3 26. bxc3 Qxc3 27. Rd1 Rd8 28. Ne2 Qb4 29. Qc2 Nf6 30. Rxd8+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "EU-ch 6th"]
[Site "Warsaw"]
[Date "2005.06.28"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Smirnov, Pavel"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C42"]
[WhiteElo "2624"]
[BlackElo "2548"]
[PlyCount "53"]
[EventDate "2005.06.18"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "POL"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 108"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2005.09.26"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2005.09.26"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nxe5 d6 4. Nf3 Nxe4 5. Nc3 Nxc3 6. dxc3 Be7 7. Be3 Nc6 8. Qd2 Be6 9. O-O-O Qd7 10. Ng5 Bxg5 11. Bxg5 f6 12. Be3 O-O-O ({RR} 12... a6 13. Be2 O-O-O 14. b3 Rhe8 15. Rhe1 Bg4 16. f3 Bf5 17. Kb2 h6 18. Bf2 Re7 19. Bf1 Rxe1 20. Rxe1 Re8 21. h3 Rxe1 22. Qxe1 Qe7 23. Qxe7 Nxe7 24. c4 c5 25. Kc3 Nc6 26. a3 a5 27. g4 {Sipos,I (2454)-Csonka,B (2473) Hungary HUN 2025 ½-½}) 13. b3 Rhe8 14. h3 Bf5 15. Kb2 $146 ({RR} 15. Be2 Be4 16. Rhg1 Kb8 17. Rde1 Re7 18. Bg4 Qe8 19. Bd1 Qd7 20. f3 Bg6 21. Bf2 Rxe1 22. Rxe1 Re8 23. Be2 Re7 24. Rd1 Qf5 25. Bf1 Re8 26. Kb2 Kc8 27. Bc4 Qd7 28. Bg1 Bf7 29. Bf1 Qe6 {Kobalia,M (2614)-Kritz,L (2544) Biel 2005 ½-½ (56)}) 15... Kb8 16. Be2 Be4 17. Rhg1 Re7 18. g4 Rde8 19. h4 Ne5 20. Qd4 Nc6 21. Qd2 Ne5 22. Qd4 Nc6 23. Qa4 a6 24. b4 Ne5 25. Qxd7 Rxd7 26. Rg3 b5 27. Rd4 1/2-1/2

[Event "EU-ch 6th"]
[Site "Warsaw"]
[Date "2005.06.29"]
[Round "11"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Korneev, Oleg"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B46"]
[WhiteElo "2548"]
[BlackElo "2611"]
[Annotator "Ribli,Zoltan"]
[PlyCount "68"]
[EventDate "2005.06.18"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "POL"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 108"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2005.09.26"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2005.09.26"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nc6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Be3 Nf6 7. g4 {Dieser Zug führt zu sehr scharfem Spiel und erinnert mich ein wenig an den Keres-Angriff der Scheveninger Variante. Mit 7.d2 kann Weiß nicht so erfolgreich spielen, wie im Falle von 5...c7 (statt 5...a6), da mit 7...b4 8.f3 d5 Schwarz gute Chancen bekommt.} (7. Qd2) 7... h6 {Wie in der Scheweninger Variante (1.e4 c5 2.f3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.xd4 f6 5.c3 d6 6.g4) ist dies eine gute und ruhige Fortsetzung.} (7... h5 8. gxh5 Qa5 9. h6 g6 10. Qf3 Nh5 11. Nxc6 bxc6 12. O-O-O Rb8 13. Rd4 c5 14. Rc4 Bb7 15. Be2 Bc6 16. Rd1 Rb4 {½-½ Forster,R-Gavrikov,V/Switzerland 2003/EXT 2004 (32)}) (7... Bb4 8. Bg2 d5 (8... h6 $5) 9. g5 $1 Nxe4 10. Nxc6 bxc6 11. Bxe4 Bxc3+ (11... dxe4 12. Qxd8+ Kxd8 13. O-O-O+ Ke7 14. Nxe4 $16) 12. bxc3 dxe4 13. Qxd8+ Kxd8 14. O-O-O+ Kc7 15. Bf4+ Kb7 16. Be5 $36 {[%csl Rb7,Rc8,Ge5] 1-0 Hector,J-Hansen,C/Malmo 2003/CBM 95/[Ribli] (49)}) 8. Bg2 (8. h3 Qc7 9. Bg2 Nxd4 10. Qxd4 e5 11. Qb6 Qxb6 12. Bxb6 d6 13. O-O-O Be6 14. Bc7 Kd7 15. Ba5 Rb8 {½-½ Hector,J-Andersson,U/Sweden 2000/EXT 2002 (63)}) 8... d5 9. O-O Bb4 10. exd5 {Das ist die Neuerung von Weiß; 7 Runden früher spielte der junge norwegische GM hier 10.h3.} (10. h3 O-O 11. Nde2 Bxc3 12. Nxc3 d4 13. e5 Nxg4 14. Qxg4 dxe3 15. Bxc6 bxc6 16. Ne4 Qc7 {0-1 Carlsen,M-Volokitin,A/Biel 2005/CBM 108 (37)}) 10... exd5 11. h3 O-O $11 {Diese Stellung erinnert mich an die Variante 1.e4 c5 2.c3 c6 3.g3 e6 4.g2 f6 5.ge2 d5 6.exd5 exd5 7.d4 cxd4 8.xd4. Der Hauptunterschied ist, dass in unsere Partie die weiße Königsstellung schächer ist.} 12. Nce2 Re8 13. Nxc6 $6 {[%mdl 16384] Mit diesem Zug verstärkt Weiß nur die gegnerische Zentrumsstellung.} (13. c3 $11) (13. Ng3 $11) 13... bxc6 $15 {[%csl Gc6,Gd5]} 14. c4 a5 {[%cal Gc8a6,Ga6f1]} (14... Rb8 $15) 15. Nd4 Ra6 (15... Bb7 16. Rc1 $11) 16. Qd3 (16. a3 Bf8 $15 (16... Bd6 $15)) 16... c5 17. Nf5 (17. Nc2 Rd6 $15 {[%cal Gc8a6,Ga6f1]}) (17. Nb5 $5) 17... d4 (17... Bxf5 18. Qxf5 dxc4 19. Qc2 $11) 18. Bf4 (18. Bd2 $6 Bxd2 19. Qxd2 Bxf5 20. gxf5 Qd7 $17) 18... a4 19. Bf3 $6 {Dieser Läuferzug scheint mir etwas zu passiv - nach meiner Meinung sollte Weiß 19.a3 spielen.} (19. a3 Ba5 $15) 19... a3 20. b3 Bxf5 21. Qxf5 (21. gxf5 Nd7 $17 {[%cal Gd7e5,Ge5d3,Ge5f3]}) 21... Rae6 $17 {[%csl Gb4,Ge6,Ge8][%cal Ge8e1] Schwarz kontrolliert sehr stark die einzige offene Linie und sein Läufer steht gut auf b4. Aber statt der Partiefortsetzung konnte Schwarz stark mit 21...xg4! fortsetzen.} (21... Nxg4 $1 {[%csl Ga6][%cal Ga6g6]} 22. Qxg4 (22. hxg4 Rf6 23. Qd3 Rxf4 $19) 22... Rg6 $19) 22. Rad1 $146 ({RR} 22. Kg2 Ne4 23. Bxe4 Rxe4 24. Bg3 Qa8 25. Qf3 Re2 26. Qxa8 Rxa8 27. Kf3 Rae8 28. Rfd1 Bc3 29. Rac1 R8e6 30. Rd3 Rxa2 {0-1 (30) Fer,V (2199)-Kuznetsov,G (2310) Ekaterinburg 2007}) 22... Ne4 23. Bxe4 Rxe4 {Alle schwarzen Figuren stehen sehr aktiv, während es in der weißen Stellung nur Schwächen gibt.} 24. Bd2 g6 (24... R8e5 25. Qf3 Re2 26. Bxb4 cxb4 $17) 25. Qf3 Bxd2 26. Rxd2 h5 $1 {[%cal Rd8g5,Rg5g1,Rg5d2][%mdl 128] Mit diesem Zug beginnt Schwarz seinen direkte Angriff am Königsflügel.} 27. Qg3 hxg4 28. hxg4 Qg5 {[%csl Rd2,Rg1,Rg3][%cal Rg5d2,Re4g4]} 29. f4 Re3 $19 (29... Qe7 $17) 30. Qh2 (30. fxg5 Rxg3+ $19) 30... Qxg4+ 31. Rg2 Qf5 32. Rg5 Qd3 33. Qh4 Rh3 34. Qg4 Rh1+ 0-1

[Event "EU-ch 6th"]
[Site "Warsaw"]
[Date "2005.06.30"]
[Round "12"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Nielsen, Peter Heine"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C67"]
[WhiteElo "2548"]
[BlackElo "2653"]
[Annotator "Postny,Evgeny"]
[PlyCount "97"]
[EventDate "2005.06.18"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "POL"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 108"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2005.09.26"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2005.09.26"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 {Wedberg,Tom} e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. d4 Nd6 6. Bxc6 dxc6 7. dxe5 Nf5 8. Qxd8+ Kxd8 9. Nc3 h6 10. h3 Bd7 {The plan with evacuating the king to queenside is the most popular on the top level since the match Kasparov-Kramnik 2000.} 11. Bf4 Kc8 12. Rad1 b6 (12... Bb4 13. Ne4 Be6 14. c3 Be7 15. b3 b6 16. g4 Nh4 17. Nxh4 Bxh4 18. Bg3 Be7 19. f4 h5 20. f5 Bd5 21. Rd4 hxg4 22. hxg4 Ba3 23. Kf2 a5 24. c4 Bxe4 25. Rxe4 $16 {1-0 Short,N-Sokolov,I/Wijk aan Zee 2005 (48)}) ({RR} 12... Bb4 13. Ne4 Be6 14. g4 Bd5 15. gxf5 Bxe4 16. Nd4) 13. a3 (13. Rd3 Be6 ({RR} 13... c5 14. Re1 Be6 15. Bh2 c4 16. Rd2 Bb4 17. Red1 g5) 14. Rfd1 Kb7 15. b3 g5 16. Bc1 c5 17. Nd5 Ne7 18. Nxe7 Bxe7 19. c4 Rag8 ({RR} 19... a6) 20. Nd2 g4 21. hxg4 Rxg4 22. Nf1 Rhg8 23. Rg3 ({RR} 23. g3 h5) 23... h5 24. Re1 a6 25. Rxg4 hxg4 26. Rd1 Kc6 $15 {1-0 Anand,V-Topalov,V/Monte Carlo 2005 (46)}) (13. b3 Ne7 14. Bh2 a5 15. Rd2 Be6 16. Nd4 Nd5 17. Nce2 Bb4 18. Rd3 Bc5 19. a4 Nb4 20. Rg3 g5 21. c3 Nd5 22. Nxe6 fxe6 $15 {½-½ Polgar,J-Bruzon,L/Wijk aan Zee 2005 (55)}) ({RR} 13. Rd3 Be6 14. Rfd1 Kb7 15. b3 g5 16. Bc1 c5 17. Nd5 Ne7 18. Nxe7 Bxe7 19. c4 Rag8 20. Nd2 g4 21. hxg4 Rxg4 22. Nf1 Rhg8 23. Rg3 h5 24. Re1 a6 25. Rxg4 hxg4 26. Rd1 Kc6 27. Bf4 Rd8 {Anand,V (2786)-Topalov,V (2757) Monte Carlo 2005 CBM 105 Extra [Wedberg,Tom] 1-0 (46)}) ({RR} 13. g4 Ne7 14. Bg3 Be6 15. Nd4 Bc4 16. Rfe1 c5 17. Nde2 g5 18. f4 gxf4 19. Nxf4 Nc6 20. b3 Be6 21. Nxe6 fxe6 22. Ne2 Kb7 23. Kg2 Nb4 24. Rd2 Be7 25. c3 Nd5 26. c4 Nb4 27. h4 Rhg8 {Bacrot,E (2653)-Sanal,V (2590) chess.com INT 2023 0-1 (40)}) 13... Be6 (13... Ne7 14. Rfe1 Ng6 15. Bg3 Be7 16. Nd4 Nf8 17. Bf4 Kb7 18. Be3 Re8 19. f4 h5 20. Ne4 c5 21. Nf3 Bf5 22. Bc1 Ne6 23. c3 h4 24. Neg5 Nxg5 25. Nxg5 Bxg5 26. fxg5 a5 $15 {½-½ Kasimdzhanov,R-Sasikiran,K/Jodhpur 2003 (53)}) 14. g4 $146 {Sooner or later, white has to follow his main plan of advancing his pawn majority on the kingside.} (14. Rfe1 Be7 15. Ne2 g5 16. Bc1 c5 17. g4 Ng7 18. Nc3 Kb7 19. Nd5 Bxd5 20. Rxd5 Ne6 21. Kg2 Kc6 22. Rdd1 b5 $11 {½-½ Horvath,T-Petran,P/Austria 2000 (32)}) 14... Ne7 15. Nd4 $146 ({RR} 15. Bg3 c5 16. Rd2 g6 17. Rfd1 Kb7 18. Bh4 g5 19. Bg3 Bg7 20. b3 Rhe8 21. Ne4 Nc6 22. c4 Rad8 23. Kf1 Rxd2 24. Rxd2 Na5 25. Rd3 Nxb3 26. Ned2 Na5 27. Rc3 Rd8 28. Ke2 a6 29. Ke3 Nc6 {Georgiadis,N (2098)-Menezes,C (1856) Kemer 2009 0-1 (35)}) 15... Bc4 16. Rfe1 c5 17. Nf5 Nc6 (17... Be6 18. Nxe7+ Bxe7 19. Nd5 $14) 18. Nd5 (18. Kg2 $5) 18... Bxd5 19. Rxd5 g6 20. e6 $1 {It's always curious to see a piece sacrifice in the endgame, but this one is actually forced.} (20. Ng3 $2 Nd4 $17 {[%csl Rc2,Rd5][%cal Gd4f3,Gc7c6]}) 20... gxf5 21. exf7 Bd6 $1 (21... Ne7 22. Rde5 Kd7 23. Rd1+ Kc8 24. Rde1 Kd7 $11) 22. Bxh6 $6 {[%cal Gd5d6] This is too optimistic.} (22. Re8+ Kd7 23. Rxa8 Rxa8 24. Bxh6 Ke6 (24... fxg4 25. f8=Q Rxf8 26. Bxf8 Ke6 27. Rxd6+ (27. Bxd6 Kxd5 28. Bxc7 gxh3 29. Kh2 Ke4 30. Kxh3 Kf3 $15) 27... cxd6 28. hxg4 Ne5 $11) 25. Rxd6+ cxd6 26. f8=Q Rxf8 27. Bxf8 fxg4 28. hxg4 Ne5 $11) 22... Kb7 $4 {The king goes wrong way.} (22... Rxh6 $2 23. Rxd6 $18) ({After the correct} 22... Kd7 $1 {black is on top. For example:} 23. g5 (23. Bg7 Nd4 24. Bxh8 Rxh8 25. Kg2 fxg4 26. hxg4 Nxc2 (26... Rh2+ $6 27. Kf1 Rh1+ 28. Kg2 Rh2+ $11) 27. Rh1 Rf8 28. Rh7 Ke6 29. Rf5 Nd4 $19) 23... Ne7 24. Rd2 Ng6 (24... Rxh6 $2 25. gxh6 Rf8 26. h7 Ng6 27. Re8 Rxe8 28. fxe8=Q+ Kxe8 {[%tqu "En","Find the winning move.","","","f2f4","",7]} 29. f4 $1 $18 {[%csl Rg6,Gh7][%cal Gd2g2,Gg2g6]}) 25. Rde2 Nf4 26. Re3 Raf8 27. Bxf8 Rxf8 $17) 23. Bg7 $6 ({More convincing would have been} 23. g5 $1 Nd4 24. Rxd6 cxd6 25. Kf1 Nf3 26. Re7+ Kc6 27. g6 Rxh6 (27... Ne5 28. Rxe5 dxe5 29. g7 $18) 28. g7 Rhh8 29. gxh8=Q Rxh8 30. Re8 $18) 23... Rh7 24. Rxd6 $1 Rxg7 25. Rxc6 fxg4 (25... Kxc6 $2 26. Re8 Rxf7 27. Rxa8 $18) 26. Rxb6+ {?? I assume that this is a mistake in the scoresheet, because the refutation of this is pretty much obvious to miss it...} (26. Rxc7+ Kxc7 27. Re7+ Kc6 {should be the correct order of moves.}) 26... cxb6 {??} (26... axb6 $19) 27. Re7+ Kc6 28. f8=Q Rxf8 29. Rxg7 gxh3 30. Rh7 {After some wild complications, both sides landed in the endgame where white' passed "f" pawn should decide the outcome of the game in his favour.} Rd8 (30... Rf3 31. Kf1 $18 {[%cal Gf1e2]}) 31. Rxh3 Rd1+ 32. Kg2 Rc1 33. Rc3 b5 34. Kf3 Kd5 35. Ke2 c4 36. Kd2 Rb1 37. Rh3 $1 Rf1 (37... Rxb2 $2 38. Kc1 Ra2 39. Kb1 $18 {[%csl Ra2]}) 38. Rh5+ Kd4 $2 ({Much better was} 38... Kc6 {, but I believe that after} 39. Rf5 {white has great winning chances.}) 39. Ke2 Rc1 40. Kd2 Rf1 41. Ke2 Rc1 42. c3+ Ke4 43. f3+ Kf4 44. Rxb5 $18 Rc2+ 45. Kd1 Rh2 46. Kc1 Kxf3 47. Rc5 Rh4 48. Kb1 Ke3 49. Rc7 {White is winning the second pawn.} 1-0

[Event "NOR-chB"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2005.07.06"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Djurhuus, Rune"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C42"]
[WhiteElo "2509"]
[BlackElo "2548"]
[PlyCount "46"]
[EventDate "2005.07.01"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 107 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2005.09.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2005.09.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Bc4 Nf6 3. d3 Nc6 4. Nc3 Bb4 5. Nf3 d5 6. exd5 Nxd5 7. O-O Bxc3 8. bxc3 O-O 9. Bd2 Kh8 10. Ng5 f6 11. Qf3 Nce7 12. Ne4 b6 13. d4 Bb7 14. dxe5 Ng6 15. Qe2 f5 16. Bg5 Qe8 17. Bxd5 Bxd5 18. Nd2 h6 19. c4 Bb7 20. Be3 $146 ({RR} 20. Qh5 Bxg2 21. Rfe1 Bb7 22. e6 f4 23. h4 Rf5 24. Qg4 Qc6 25. f3 Ne5 26. Qxf5 Nxf3+ 27. Kf2 Nxd2 28. Qd5 hxg5 29. Rad1 Nxc4 30. Qxc6 Bxc6 31. hxg5 Ne3 32. Rd3 Re8 33. Rg1 Rxe6 34. Rd8+ Re8 {Djurhuus,R (2461)-Carlsen,M (2528) Sandnes 2005 0-1 (49)}) 20... f4 21. Bd4 Bxg2 22. Kxg2 f3+ 23. Nxf3 Nf4+ 0-1

[Event "NOR-ch"]
[Site "Sandnes"]
[Date "2005.07.02"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Dannevig, Oystein"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B05"]
[WhiteElo "2528"]
[BlackElo "2347"]
[PlyCount "129"]
[EventDate "2005.07.02"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 107 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2005.09.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2005.09.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 Nf6 2. e5 Nd5 3. d4 d6 4. Nf3 Bg4 5. Be2 c6 6. O-O Bxf3 7. Bxf3 dxe5 8. dxe5 e6 9. Nd2 Nd7 10. Re1 Bb4 ({RR} 10... h6 11. a4 a5 12. g3 Qc7 13. Nc4 N7b6 14. Qd4 Nxc4 15. Qxc4 Rd8 16. c3 Nb6 17. Qe4 Nd7 18. b4 Be7 19. Rb1 h5 20. Qe2 g6 21. bxa5 Ra8 22. Qb2 Ra7 23. a6 b6 24. Be2 O-O 25. Be3 {Karjakin,S (2727)-Short,N (2655) Kiev 2008 1-0 (38)}) ({RR} 10... Qc7 11. Qe2 Bc5 12. Ne4 Qxe5 13. c4 Ne7 14. Bd2 Nf5 15. Bc3 Bd4 16. Rad1 Bxc3 17. bxc3 Qc7 18. g4 Nh4 19. Nd6+ Kf8 20. Bh1 Ng6 21. Nxf7 Kxf7 22. Qxe6+ Kf8 23. Rxd7 Qf4 24. Re4 Qf6 25. Qxf6+ {Eynullayev,A (2214)-Cherepov,A (2087) chess.com INT 2024 0-1 (35)}) 11. Bxd5 $146 ({RR} 11. a3 Ba5 12. g3 Qb8 13. Qe2 Bc7 14. Nc4 b5 15. Ne3 Nxe5 16. Bxd5 cxd5 17. f4 Nc4 18. Nxd5 Ba5 19. b4 Qd8 20. Ne3 Bb6 21. Kh1 Rc8 22. Nxc4 Rxc4 23. Qg2 Qc8 24. Bb2 O-O 25. Re2 Rd8 {Kernazhitsky,L (2371)-Sergeev,V (2438) Kiev 2004 0-1 (45)}) ({RR} 11. c4 Ne7 12. a3 Bxd2 13. Bxd2 Qc7 14. Qe2 O-O 15. Rad1 Rfd8 16. Bc3 Nf8 17. Qe4 Rxd1 18. Rxd1 Rd8 19. Rxd8 Qxd8 20. Bb4 Nf5 21. h3 Qd4 22. g4 Nh4 23. Bh1 Qxe4 24. Bxe4 Nd7 25. Bc3 Ng6 {Kummerow,H (2265)-Gruettner,R Weilburg 1996 1-0 (40)}) 11... cxd5 12. Qg4 Qb6 13. Qxg7 O-O-O 14. c3 Bc5 15. Qg3 Rdg8 16. Qf4 Rg7 17. b4 Be7 18. Nf3 Rhg8 19. g3 Kb8 20. Be3 Qc7 21. Rac1 Nb6 22. Bxb6 Qxb6 23. a3 h5 24. c4 h4 25. Qe3 hxg3 26. hxg3 Qxe3 27. Rxe3 dxc4 28. Rxc4 Bd8 29. Rd3 Bb6 30. Kg2 a6 31. Rd7 Rc8 32. Nd2 Rd8 33. Rxd8+ Bxd8 34. Ne4 Be7 35. f4 Rg8 36. Kf3 Rd8 37. Ke3 Rd1 38. Rd4 Ra1 39. Rd3 Kc7 40. Nf6 Kc6 41. Ke4 Re1+ 42. Kf3 Ra1 43. Kg4 b6 44. Ng8 Bf8 45. Kg5 a5 46. Kf6 axb4 47. axb4 Ra7 48. g4 Kb5 49. g5 Kxb4 50. Rd8 Bc5 51. Re8 b5 52. Nh6 Ka3 53. Nxf7 b4 54. g6 b3 55. g7 b2 56. Rb8 Bb4 57. Rxb4 Kxb4 58. g8=Q Ra1 59. Qb8+ Kc3 60. f5 exf5 61. e6 b1=Q 62. Qxb1 Rxb1 63. e7 Rb6+ 64. Kxf5 Rb5+ 65. Kf4 1-0

[Event "NOR-ch"]
[Site "Sandnes"]
[Date "2005.07.05"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Lie, Kjetil A"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C42"]
[WhiteElo "2472"]
[BlackElo "2528"]
[PlyCount "91"]
[EventDate "2005.07.02"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 107 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2005.09.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2005.09.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 {Huzman,Alexander} e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nxe5 d6 4. Nf3 Nxe4 5. Nc3 Nxc3 6. dxc3 Be7 7. Bf4 Nc6 8. Qd2 O-O 9. O-O-O Bf5 10. Rg1 ({RR} 10. h3 Bf6 ({RR} 10... Rb8 11. Nd4 Nxd4 12. cxd4 Qd7) 11. Rg1 Ne5 12. Be2 Be6 13. Kb1 Nc4 14. Qc1 Nb6 ({RR} 14... Qd7 15. Nd4 Bd5 16. Bg5 Qd8 17. h4) 15. Ng5 Bf5 ({RR} 15... Bxg5 16. Bxg5 Qd7) 16. g4 Bg6 17. h4 Re8 18. Be3 Qe7 ({RR} 18... c6 19. h5 Bxc2+ 20. Kxc2 Bxg5 21. Bxg5 Rxe2+ 22. Kd3 Qe8 23. Be3) 19. Rge1 Bxg5 20. hxg5 ({RR} 20. Bxg5 Qxe2 ({RR} 20... Qd7 21. h5 Be4 22. h6) 21. Rxe2 Rxe2 22. Rd2) 20... c6 21. c4 ({RR} 21. Qd2 Nd5 22. Bd4 Qe4) 21... d5 ({RR} 21... Qe6 22. b3 d5 23. Bxb6 axb6 24. cxd5 Qd7 25. dxc6 Qxc6 26. Bd3) 22. Bxb6 ({RR} 22. cxd5 Nxd5 23. Bd2 Qc5 24. f4 Be4) 22... axb6 23. cxd5 ({RR} 23. Bd3 Qc5 24. Rxe8+ Rxe8 25. cxd5 cxd5 ({RR} 25... Qxf2 26. d6) 26. Bxg6 hxg6 27. Qd2) 23... cxd5 24. Bd3 Qc5 {Kobalia,M (2634)-Ivanchuk,V (2711) Moscow 2005 CBM 106 [Huzman,Alexander] ½-½ (48)}) ({RR} 10. Bd3 Bxd3 11. Qxd3 Rb8 12. h4 Qd7 13. Ng5 f5 14. Qd5+) ({RR} 10. Be2 Re8 11. Nd4 Nxd4 12. cxd4 Bf6 13. Rhe1 Qd7 14. Kb1 Re4) ({RR} 10. h4 Qd7 11. Ng5 Rad8 12. f3 Ne5 13. g4 Be6 14. Bd3 h6 15. Bh7+ Kh8 16. Be4 Nc4 17. Qd3 Ne5 ({RR} 17... d5) 18. Qe2) ({RR} 10. Bc4 Qd7 11. Rhe1 Rae8 12. h3 Bd8 13. g4 Be6 14. Bd3 a6 15. Bg5 Bxg5 16. Nxg5 g6 17. Ne4 f5 18. Ng5 Ne5 19. f4 Nxd3+ 20. Qxd3 fxg4 21. Nxe6 Rxe6 22. Qc4 Rfe8 23. hxg4 Qf7 24. Rxe6 Rxe6 {Vokhidov,S (2521)-Jobava,B (2582) Chess.com INT 2021 1-0 (62)}) 10... Qd7 11. h3 Rae8 12. g4 $146 ({RR} 12. Kb1 Bf6 13. g4 Be4 14. Rg3 Bxf3 15. Rxf3 Ne5 16. Re3 Qa4 17. Qd4 Qxd4 18. cxd4 Ng6 19. Rxe8 Rxe8 20. Bc1 Bh4 21. Bc4 c6 22. Rf1 d5 23. Bd3 Nf8 24. c3 Ne6 25. f4 g5 26. fxg5 Bxg5 {Harikrishna,P (2645)-Carlsen,M (2528) Lausanne 2005 1-0 (56)}) ({RR} 12. Kb1 Bf6 13. g4 Be4 14. Rg3 Bxf3 15. Rxf3 Ne5 16. Re3 Qa4 17. Qd4 Qxd4 18. cxd4 {½-½ (18) Juhasz,K (2189)-Dobos,J (2308) Zalakaros 2009}) 12... Be4 13. Be2 Bf6 14. Be3 Ne5 15. Nxe5 Rxe5 16. g5 Bd8 17. Bd4 Ree8 18. b3 Qxh3 19. Bg4 Qh2 20. Kb2 f5 21. Be2 c5 22. f3 Bd3 23. Bxd3 Qxd2 24. Bc4+ Kh8 25. Bxg7+ Kxg7 26. Rxd2 Bc7 27. Bd5 b5 28. Bc6 Re3 29. a3 a6 30. Rh1 Kg6 31. f4 d5 32. Rh6+ Kg7 33. Rh4 d4 34. cxd4 cxd4 35. Rxd4 Rd8 36. Rxd8 Bxd8 37. Bd7 Re7 38. Bxf5 Kg8 39. Bd3 Bc7 40. b4 Rf7 41. f5 Rg7 42. g6 Be5+ 43. Kb3 hxg6 44. fxg6 Re7 45. c4 Rd7 46. Rh3 1-0

[Event "NOR-ch"]
[Site "Sandnes"]
[Date "2005.07.07"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Djurhuus, Rune"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C42"]
[WhiteElo "2461"]
[BlackElo "2528"]
[PlyCount "98"]
[EventDate "2005.07.02"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 107 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2005.09.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2005.09.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Bc4 Nf6 3. d3 Nc6 4. Nc3 Bb4 5. Nf3 d5 6. exd5 Nxd5 7. O-O Bxc3 8. bxc3 O-O 9. Bd2 Kh8 10. Ng5 f6 11. Qf3 Nce7 12. Ne4 b6 13. d4 Bb7 14. dxe5 Ng6 15. Qe2 f5 16. Bg5 Qe8 17. Bxd5 Bxd5 18. Nd2 h6 19. c4 Bb7 20. Qh5 $146 ({RR} 20. Be3 f4 21. Bd4 Bxg2 22. Kxg2 f3+ 23. Nxf3 Nf4+ {0-1 (23) Djurhuus,R (2509)-Carlsen,M (2548) Stavanger 2005}) 20... Bxg2 21. Rfe1 Bb7 22. e6 f4 23. h4 Rf5 24. Qg4 Qc6 25. f3 Ne5 26. Qxf5 Nxf3+ 27. Kf2 Nxd2 28. Qd5 hxg5 29. Rad1 Nxc4 30. Qxc6 Bxc6 31. hxg5 Ne3 32. Rd3 Re8 33. Rg1 Rxe6 34. Rd8+ Re8 35. Rxe8+ Bxe8 36. Kf3 Nxc2 37. Kxf4 Nd4 38. Rh1+ Kg8 39. Ke5 c5 40. Rf1 Bg6 41. a4 Nc6+ 42. Kd6 Nb4 43. Ke7 c4 44. Rf8+ Kh7 45. Rc8 c3 46. Kf8 Nd5 47. Ra8 Nc7 48. Rc8 Ne6+ 49. Ke7 Nc5 0-1

[Event "NOR-ch"]
[Site "Sandnes"]
[Date "2005.07.08"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Fyllingen, Roy Harald"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C08"]
[WhiteElo "2528"]
[BlackElo "2395"]
[PlyCount "131"]
[EventDate "2005.07.02"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 107 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2005.09.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2005.09.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nd2 a6 4. Ngf3 c5 5. exd5 exd5 6. dxc5 Bxc5 7. Nb3 Ba7 8. Qe2+ Qe7 ({RR} 8... Ne7 9. Be3 Nbc6 10. Bxa7 Rxa7 11. Qd2 Bg4 12. Be2 O-O 13. O-O Qb6 14. c3 Raa8 15. Nfd4 Bxe2 16. Qxe2 Nxd4 17. Nxd4 Nc6 18. Nf3 d4 19. cxd4 Nxd4 20. Nxd4 Qxd4 21. Rad1 Qf6 22. Rd7 Rae8 23. Qd2 {Asrian,K (2591)-Gurevich,M (2641) Batumi 2002 ½-½ (38)}) 9. Nfd4 $146 ({RR} 9. Bd2 Be6 10. Bc3 Nf6 11. Bd4 Nc6 12. Bxa7 Rxa7 13. g3 O-O 14. Bg2 Qb4+ 15. c3 Qe4 16. Qxe4 dxe4 17. Nfd4 Bxb3 18. Nxc6 bxc6 19. axb3 Rb8 20. O-O-O Rab7 21. Rd6 Rxb3 22. Rhd1 Kf8 23. Rd8+ Rxd8 {Rozentalis,E-Eingorn,V (2450) Minsk 1983 ½-½}) ({RR} 9. Bg5 f6 10. Bf4 Bg4 11. Bd6 Bxf3 12. gxf3 Qxe2+ 13. Kxe2 Nc6 14. Bh3 Kf7 15. f4 g6 16. Rhe1 f5 17. Be5 Nf6 18. Bxf6 Kxf6 19. Bg2 Rad8 20. Rad1 Rhe8+ 21. Kf1 Rxe1+ 22. Kxe1 Bb8 23. Rxd5 {½-½ (23) Kowalczyk,W (1877)-Durzynski,J (1913) Wroclaw POL 2025}) ({RR} 9. Bg5 f6 10. Bf4 Nc6 11. O-O-O Qxe2 12. Bxe2 Nge7 13. Nfd4 Ne5 14. Rhe1 Kf7 15. Bg3 Re8 16. h3 N7c6 17. Nf3 Be6 18. Nxe5+ fxe5 19. Bg4 Bxg4 20. hxg4 Rad8 21. f3 b5 22. c3 a5 23. Nd2 a4 {Sokolov,A (2495)-Eingorn,V (2475) Lvov 1984 ½-½ (51)}) 9... Bg4 10. f3 Qxe2+ 11. Bxe2 Bd7 12. Bf4 Ne7 13. O-O-O Nbc6 14. Rhe1 Nxd4 15. Nxd4 O-O-O 16. Bd3 Rde8 17. c3 Bxd4 18. cxd4 Nc6 19. Be3 Re7 20. Kd2 Rhe8 21. Rc1 h6 22. Bf2 Rxe1 23. Bxe1 Kd8 24. Bh4+ Kc7 25. Bg3+ Kd8 26. Rc5 Nxd4 27. Rc7 Bc6 28. Rxf7 Re7 29. Rf8+ Re8 30. Rxe8+ Kxe8 31. Be5 Ne6 32. Bf5 Kf7 33. Bxe6+ Kxe6 34. Bxg7 h5 35. Ke3 Kf5 36. Bd4 Bb5 37. Bc5 Bc4 38. a3 Bb5 39. b3 a5 40. Kf2 a4 41. bxa4 Bxa4 42. h3 Bd1 43. g4+ hxg4 44. hxg4+ Kg6 45. Kg3 b5 46. f4 Bc2 47. Be3 d4 48. Bf2 Be4 49. Bxd4 Bc2 50. Bb6 Be4 51. Bd8 Bc2 52. Kf2 Be4 53. Ke3 Bc2 54. Bh4 Bb1 55. Kd4 Bc2 56. Ke5 Bd3 57. f5+ Kf7 58. g5 Bc2 59. Be1 Bd3 60. Bc3 Bc2 61. Kf4 Bb1 62. g6+ Kg8 63. Kg5 Bc2 64. f6 Bb3 65. Bb4 Ba2 66. Kf4 1-0

[Event "Biel GM"]
[Site "Biel"]
[Date "2005.07.17"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C91"]
[WhiteElo "2660"]
[BlackElo "2528"]
[PlyCount "49"]
[EventDate "2005.07.17"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "SUI"]
[EventCategory "16"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 108"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2005.09.26"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2005.09.26"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. d4 d6 9. c3 Bg4 10. Be3 exd4 11. cxd4 Na5 12. Bc2 c5 13. dxc5 dxc5 14. h3 ({RR} 14. Nc3 Nc4 15. e5 Qxd1 16. Raxd1 Bxf3 17. exf6 Bxd1 18. fxe7 Bxc2 19. exf8=Q+ Rxf8 20. Bxc5 Rc8 21. Nd5 Kh8 22. Bd4 Nd6 23. Nb4 a5 24. Nxc2 Rxc2 25. h3 h6 26. Re5 a4 27. Rc5 Rd2 28. Be5 a3 {Bruzon Batista,L (2652)-Adams,M (2741) Wijk aan Zee 2005 ½-½}) 14... Qxd1 $146 ({RR} 14... Bh5 15. Nc3 Nc4 16. e5 Nxe5 17. g4 Nxf3+ 18. Qxf3 Bg6 19. Rad1 Qc8 20. Bxg6 fxg6 21. Nd5 Nxd5 22. Qxd5+ Rf7 23. Rc1 c4 24. Bb6 Bb4 25. Re6 Qb7 26. Rd1 Qxd5 27. Rxd5 Re7 28. Rc6 Re2 29. Bd4 {Studer,N (2404)-Naiditsch,A (2698) Zuerich 2015 0-1 (39)}) 15. Bxd1 Be6 16. Nbd2 Nc6 17. Ng5 c4 18. a3 Rad8 19. Bc2 Bc8 20. f4 Nd7 21. Ngf3 Nc5 22. e5 Nd3 23. Bxd3 Rxd3 24. Ne4 Bf5 25. Nd6 1/2-1/2

[Event "Biel GM"]
[Site "Biel"]
[Date "2005.07.18"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Pelletier, Yannick"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C18"]
[WhiteElo "2528"]
[BlackElo "2603"]
[PlyCount "49"]
[EventDate "2005.07.17"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "SUI"]
[EventCategory "16"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 108"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2005.09.26"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2005.09.26"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e5 Ne7 5. a3 Bxc3+ 6. bxc3 c5 7. Qg4 Nf5 8. Bd3 h5 9. Qf4 Qc7 10. Ne2 Ne7 11. dxc5 Nd7 12. O-O Qxe5 13. Qa4 Qc7 14. Be3 $146 ({RR} 14. c4 O-O 15. cxd5 Nxc5 16. Qh4 Nxd3 17. cxd3 Ng6 18. Qxh5 Rd8 19. dxe6 Bxe6 20. d4 Rd5 21. Qf3 Qd7 22. h3 Nh4 23. Qg3 Nf5 24. Qf3 Nxd4 25. Nxd4 Rxd4 26. Be3 Rd5 27. Rfd1 b6 28. Rxd5 Qxd5 {Zherebukh,Y (2565)-Lalic,B (2491) Cappelle la Grande 2011 ½-½}) 14... e5 15. Ng3 O-O 16. Qh4 Nxc5 17. Nxh5 Nxd3 18. Qg5 Ng6 19. cxd3 Qxc3 20. d4 exd4 21. Rac1 Qb2 22. Rb1 Qc3 23. Rbc1 Qb2 24. Rb1 Qc3 25. Rbc1 1/2-1/2

[Event "Biel GM"]
[Site "Biel"]
[Date "2005.07.20"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Volokitin, Andrei"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B46"]
[WhiteElo "2528"]
[BlackElo "2671"]
[Annotator "Ribli,Zoltan"]
[PlyCount "74"]
[EventDate "2005.07.17"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "SUI"]
[EventCategory "16"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 108"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2005.09.26"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2005.09.26"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nc6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Be3 Nf6 7. g4 h6 8. Bg2 d5 9. O-O Bb4 {Mit normalen Entwicklungszügen erreicht Schwarz eine bequeme Stellung.} 10. h3 {In der 11.Runde des Turniers spielte Magnus 10.exd5.} (10. exd5 exd5 11. h3 O-O 12. Nce2 Re8 13. Nxc6 bxc6 14. c4 a5 15. Nd4 Ra6 16. Qd3 c5 17. Nf5 d4 18. Bf4 a4 {0-1 Carlsen,M-Korneev,O/Warsaw 2005/CBM 108 (34)}) 10... O-O 11. Nde2 $6 (11. exd5 exd5 12. Nce2) 11... Bxc3 12. Nxc3 d4 {[%cal Rd4c3,Rd4e3]} 13. e5 Nxg4 $1 $15 {[%mdl 64] Dieser Zwischenzug ist sehr stark.} (13... dxe3 14. Qxd8 Rxd8 15. exf6 $14) 14. Qxg4 (14. Bxd4 Ngxe5 15. Bc5 Re8 $15) 14... dxe3 15. Bxc6 (15. Qg3 $5) 15... bxc6 16. Ne4 $1 {[%cal Ge4f6] Weiß beschäftigt sich nicht mit dem schwarzen e3-Bauern, er positioniert seinen Springer am Königsflügel.} (16. fxe3 Qb6 $15) 16... Qc7 (16... Rb8 $15) 17. Nf6+ $6 {Der Springer steht "schön" auf f6, aber Weiß hat keine konkreten Drohungen am Königsflügel.} (17. Nd6 $5) (17. Qg3 $5) 17... Kh8 18. Qh5 $146 ({RR} 18. Nh5 Qxe5 19. f4 Qxb2 20. Rab1 Qd4 21. Rfd1 Qc3 22. Rb3 f5 23. Rxc3 fxg4 24. Rxc6 e5 25. fxe5 e2 26. Re1 gxh3 27. e6 Rf1+ 28. Rxf1 h2+ {0-1 (28) Prahov,G (2243)-Kuznetsov,G (2310) Ekaterinburg 2007}) 18... Rb8 {[%csl Gb8][%cal Gb8b2,Gb8b4,Gb4f4] Schwarz bringt den Turm ins Spiel.} 19. Rae1 Rb4 (19... exf2+ 20. Rxf2 Rxb2 $17) 20. Ng4 (20. Rxe3 Rd8 $15 (20... c5 $15)) 20... Kh7 21. fxe3 (21. Nxe3 Rxb2 $17) (21. Rxe3 Rxb2 22. Rg3 Qd8 $17) 21... f5 $1 {[%mdl 256] Ein ausgezeichneter Verteidigungszug - 22.exf6 ep. ist schlecht, da Weiß Probleme mit seiner Figurenkoordination bekommt.} 22. e4 (22. exf6 Qg3+ 23. Kh1 Rb5 24. fxg7 Rxh5 25. gxf8=N+ Kg7 $19) 22... Qb6+ (22... Rxb2 $17) (22... Qd8 $17) 23. Kh1 Qd8 24. Nf2 (24. exf5 exf5 $17) 24... Rxb2 $17 {Schwarz hat einen Bauern mehr und eine schwache weiße Bauernstruktur.} 25. Rg1 Qe8 26. Qh4 Rxc2 {Für die zwei Minusbauern hat Weiß keine Kompensation.} 27. Rg2 c5 {[%cal Gc8b7,Gb7h1] Schwarz möchte seinen Läufer auf die Diagonale b7-h1 bringen.} 28. Reg1 Rg8 29. Qg3 Bb7 30. Qb3 Bxe4 31. Nxe4 Rxg2 32. Rxg2 fxe4 $19 {Schwarz hat drei Bauern mehr und steht auf Gewinn.} 33. Qb7 Qh5 34. Qxe4+ Qf5 35. Qe3 (35. Qxf5+ exf5 $19) 35... Rd8 36. Qg3 Rd7 37. Kh2 Qe4 0-1

[Event "Biel GM"]
[Site "Biel"]
[Date "2005.07.25"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Gelfand, Boris"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B96"]
[WhiteElo "2528"]
[BlackElo "2724"]
[PlyCount "51"]
[EventDate "2005.07.17"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "SUI"]
[EventCategory "16"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 108"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2005.09.26"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2005.09.26"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Bg5 e6 7. f4 Nbd7 8. Qf3 Qc7 9. O-O-O b5 10. Bxf6 Nxf6 11. e5 Bb7 12. Qh3 dxe5 13. Ncxb5 Qb6 14. fxe5 Ne4 15. Bc4 Nf2 16. Qb3 O-O-O 17. Nd6+ Rxd6 18. exd6 Qxb3 19. Nxb3 Nxh1 20. Nc5 Bxg2 21. Bxe6+ Kd8 22. Bxf7 g6 23. Kb1 $146 ({RR} 23. Ne6+ Kd7 24. Nc5+ Kc6 25. d7 Bxc5 26. Be8 {1-0 (26) Haznedaroglu,K (2440)-Kraemer,M (2437) Olomouc 2007}) 23... Bc6 24. Ne6+ Kd7 25. Nc5+ Kd8 26. Ne6+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "Biel GM"]
[Site "Biel"]
[Date "2005.07.26"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Bauer, Christian"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B27"]
[WhiteElo "2528"]
[BlackElo "2641"]
[PlyCount "119"]
[EventDate "2005.07.17"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "SUI"]
[EventCategory "16"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 108"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2005.09.26"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2005.09.26"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 b6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Bb7 5. Nc3 a6 6. Be3 e6 7. Qd2 Qc7 8. f3 Bb4 ({RR} 8... Nf6 9. O-O-O Bb4 10. Nde2 d5 11. e5 Nfd7 12. f4 Nc6 13. Qe1 Rc8 14. Kb1 Na5 15. Bd4 O-O 16. h4 Nc6 17. Be3 f6 18. exf6 Nxf6 19. a3 Bc5 20. Rh3 Ng4 21. Bxc5 bxc5 22. Na4 Qa5 23. Qxa5 {Middelburg,T (2388)-Bauer,C (2592) Kallithea 2008 0-1 (53)}) 9. Nde2 ({RR} 9. Nb3 Nf6 10. a3 Bxc3 11. Qxc3 Qxc3+ 12. bxc3 d5 13. exd5 Nxd5 14. Bd4 Nc6 15. Bxg7 Rg8 16. Bd4 Nxd4 17. cxd4 Ne3 18. Kf2 Nxf1 19. Rhxf1 Rc8 20. Rfc1 Rc3 21. Nd2 Ke7 22. Rab1 b5 23. a4 Rd8 {Topalov,V (2757)-Bauer,C (2622) Bilbao 2004 0-1 (103)}) 9... Nc6 10. Bf4 e5 11. Bg3 $146 ({RR} 11. Be3 Nge7 12. a3 Bc5 13. Bg5 f6 14. Bh4 b5 15. O-O-O Na5 16. Ng3 g5 17. Nh5 gxh4 18. Nxf6+ Kf7 19. Nfd5 Bxd5 20. Nxd5 Nxd5 21. Qxd5+ Ke7 22. Kb1 Rac8 23. c3 Be3 24. g3 Rhf8 25. f4 Rcd8 {Borriss,M (2455)-Bauer,C (2589) Fuegen 2006 0-1 (46)}) 11... Nge7 12. a3 Bxc3 13. Nxc3 d6 14. Bc4 O-O 15. Ba2 b5 16. Rd1 Rad8 17. Bh4 Rd7 18. O-O Kh8 19. f4 exf4 20. Bg5 Qb6+ 21. Kh1 Ne5 22. Bxf4 N7g6 23. Be3 Qd8 24. Bd4 Re8 25. Nd5 Qh4 26. Rde1 h6 27. Re3 Kg8 28. Bc3 Ng4 29. Rh3 Qg5 30. Qd4 N6e5 31. Nf4 Nc4 32. Rh5 Qf6 33. Qxf6 Nxf6 34. Bxf6 gxf6 35. Bxc4 bxc4 36. Rxh6 Rxe4 37. Rxf6 Rde7 38. Kg1 Rd4 39. Nh5 Rd2 40. R6f2 Ree2 41. Nf4 Rxf2 42. Rxf2 Rd1+ 43. Rf1 Rd2 44. Rc1 d5 45. Kf1 d4 46. Ke1 c3 47. Ne2 a5 48. bxc3 dxc3 49. h4 Ba6 50. Nxc3 Rxg2 51. Nd5 Kg7 52. c4 Rg1+ 53. Kd2 Rxc1 54. Kxc1 Bxc4 55. Nf4 Kf6 56. Kd2 Kf5 57. Ke3 Bb3 58. Nd3 Kg4 59. Ne5+ Kxh4 60. Nxf7 1/2-1/2

[Event "Biel GM"]
[Site "Biel"]
[Date "2005.07.27"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Volokitin, Andrei"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C42"]
[WhiteElo "2671"]
[BlackElo "2528"]
[PlyCount "51"]
[EventDate "2005.07.17"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "SUI"]
[EventCategory "16"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 108"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2005.09.26"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2005.09.26"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nxe5 d6 4. Nf3 Nxe4 5. d4 d5 6. Bd3 Bd6 7. O-O O-O 8. c4 c6 9. Re1 Re8 10. Nc3 Nxc3 11. bxc3 Rxe1+ 12. Qxe1 h6 13. c5 Bc7 14. Ne5 Be6 ({RR} 14... Nd7 15. Bf4 Nxe5 16. Bxe5 Bd7 17. Rb1 b6 18. Qe3 bxc5 19. dxc5 Rb8 20. Rb4 a5 21. Rxb8 Qxb8 22. Bxc7 Qxc7 23. Qe7 Qc8 24. h3 Bf5 25. Bxf5 Qxf5 26. Qe8+ Kh7 27. Qxc6 Qb1+ 28. Kh2 Qxa2 29. Qd6 {Niemann,H (2738)-Robson,R (2664) Saint Louis USA 2025 ½-½ (41)}) 15. f4 Qc8 16. Qh4 $146 ({RR} 16. Rb1 b5 17. Rb2 Bxe5 18. fxe5 Bf5 19. Bf1 Nd7 20. Qg3 Bg6 21. Rf2 Nf8 22. Be2 a5 23. Bxh6 gxh6 24. h4 Qd8 25. Rf6 Kh8 26. Qf4 Nh7 27. Rxc6 b4 28. cxb4 axb4 29. Bf3 Rxa2 30. Rd6 Qg8 {Morozevich,A (2730)-Moiseenko,A (2662) Sochi 2006 1-0 (43)}) 16... Nd7 17. Qg3 Nf8 18. f5 Bxf5 19. Bxh6 Bg6 20. Bxg6 Nxg6 21. Nxg6 Bxg3 22. Ne7+ Kh7 23. Nxc8 Kxh6 24. hxg3 Rxc8 25. Re1 Rc7 26. Kf2 1/2-1/2

[Event "Lausanne YM 6th"]
[Site "Lausanne"]
[Date "2005.09.14"]
[Round "1.1"]
[White "Harikrishna, Pentala"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C42"]
[WhiteElo "2645"]
[BlackElo "2528"]
[PlyCount "111"]
[EventDate "2005.09.14"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "3"]
[EventCountry "SUI"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 108 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2005.11.04"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2005.11.04"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nxe5 d6 4. Nf3 Nxe4 5. Nc3 Nxc3 6. dxc3 Be7 7. Bf4 Nc6 8. Qd2 O-O 9. O-O-O Bf5 10. Rg1 Qd7 11. h3 Rae8 12. Kb1 Bf6 13. g4 Be4 14. Rg3 Bxf3 15. Rxf3 Ne5 16. Re3 Qa4 17. Qd4 Qxd4 18. cxd4 Ng6 $146 19. Rxe8 Rxe8 20. Bc1 Bh4 21. Bc4 c6 22. Rf1 d5 23. Bd3 Nf8 24. c3 Ne6 25. f4 g5 26. fxg5 Bxg5 27. b3 Kg7 28. Kc2 Bxc1 29. Kxc1 h6 30. h4 Nf8 31. Kd2 Ng6 32. h5 Nf8 33. Bf5 Ne6 34. Kd3 Nc7 35. c4 a5 36. c5 a4 37. bxa4 Ra8 38. Rb1 Rxa4 39. Rxb7 Nb5 40. Bg6 Ra3+ 41. Kd2 Rxa2+ 42. Ke3 Ra7 43. Rxa7 Nxa7 44. Bd3 Nc8 45. Kf4 Kf6 46. Bf5 Na7 47. Bd7 Nb5 48. Bxc6 Nxd4 49. Bxd5 Nb5 50. Bc4 Nd4 51. Ke4 Nc6 52. Bb5 Ne7 53. Bd7 Ng8 54. c6 Ke7 55. Kd5 Nf6+ 56. Ke5 1-0

[Event "Lausanne YM 6th"]
[Site "Lausanne"]
[Date "2005.09.15"]
[Round "1.2"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Harikrishna, Pentala"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C91"]
[WhiteElo "2528"]
[BlackElo "2645"]
[PlyCount "131"]
[EventDate "2005.09.14"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "3"]
[EventCountry "SUI"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 108 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2005.11.04"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2005.11.04"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 {Erenburg,Sergey} e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 d6 8. c3 O-O 9. d4 Bg4 10. Be3 ({RR} 10. d5) 10... exd4 11. cxd4 Na5 12. Bc2 Nc4 13. Bc1 c5 14. b3 Nb6 15. Nbd2 ({RR} 15. Bb2 cxd4 16. Nbd2 Nfd7 17. h3 Bh5 18. g4 d3 19. Bxd3 Nc5 20. Bc2 Bg6 21. Nd4 Qd7 22. f4 f6 23. N2f3 Rfe8 24. Nf5 Bf8 25. Qd4 Qa7 26. Kh1 Rac8 27. Rac1) 15... Nfd7 ({RR} 15... Rc8 16. h3 Bh5 17. g4 Bg6 18. d5 Nfd7 19. Nf1 Re8 20. Ng3 Bf6 21. Rb1) 16. h3 Bh5 17. Bb2 ({RR} 17. g4 Bg6 18. d5 Bf6 19. Rb1 Re8 20. Nf1 h6 21. Kg2 Rc8 22. Ng3 c4 23. Re2) 17... Rc8 ({RR} 17... Re8 18. a4 ({RR} 18. Qb1 Bg6 19. a4 d5 20. axb5 axb5 21. Rxa8 Qxa8 22. dxc5 Nxc5 23. e5 Ne6) 18... bxa4 19. bxa4 Rb8 ({RR} 19... cxd4 20. a5 d3 21. Bb1 ({RR} 21. Bxd3 Nc5) 21... Nc8 22. Bxd3 Nc5 23. Bc4) 20. a5 ({RR} 20. Rb1 cxd4 ({RR} 20... d5 21. a5 Nc4 22. Nxc4 dxc4 23. Ba4) 21. a5 ({RR} 21. Bxd4 Bf6 22. Be3 d5) 21... Bxf3 22. Qxf3 Ne5 23. Qe2 Nbd7 24. Bxd4 Rxb1 25. Rxb1 Qxa5) ({RR} 20. Ra2) 20... Nc8 ({RR} 20... Nd5 21. Nc4 Nc7 ({RR} 21... Nf4 22. Bc1 ({RR} 22. dxc5 Nxc5) 22... Ne6 23. g4 Bg6 24. d5 Nc7 25. Bf4) 22. Rb1) 21. Nc4 Na7 22. dxc5 ({RR} 22. Rb1 Nb5 23. dxc5 ({RR} 23. d5 Bf6) 23... Nxc5 24. Qd5 Bxf3 25. gxf3 Ne6) ({RR} 22. d5 Bf6) 22... Nxc5 23. Qd2 ({RR} 23. Qd4 Bf8 ({RR} 23... Bf6 24. e5 Nc6 ({RR} 24... Nb5 25. Qd5 Bxf3 26. Qxf3 dxe5 27. Bxe5) 25. Qxd6 Qxd6 26. Nxd6) 24. Nfd2 Bg6 25. Nb6 Nc6 26. Qc3 Nxa5) 23... Bxf3 24. gxf3 Nc6 ({RR} 24... Qc8 25. Kh2 Qe6 26. Nb6 Nc8 27. Rg1 Bf8 ({RR} 27... Bf6 28. Bxf6 Qxf6 29. Nd5) 28. Qb4) 25. Rad1 ({RR} 25. Rab1 Qd7 ({RR} 25... Rb5 26. Bc3 Bf6 27. Bxf6 Qxf6 28. Qxd6 Re6 29. Qc7 g6) 26. Kh2 Qe6 27. Rg1 Ne5 28. Bxe5 ({RR} 28. Nxe5 Rxb2) 28... dxe5 29. Qd5 Rxb1 30. Rxb1 Qf6 31. Qxe5 Qxf3 32. Kg1 ({RR} 32. Qxe7 Qf4+) 32... g6) ({RR} 25. Kh2 Bg5) 25... Nxa5 26. Nxa5 Rxb2 27. Nc4 Rb8 28. e5 ({RR} 28. Nxd6 Bxd6 29. Qxd6 Qc8) 28... d5 ({RR} 28... dxe5 29. Bxh7+ Kh8 30. Qc2 Qc7 ({RR} 30... Qc8 31. Nxe5) 31. Rxe5 ({RR} 31. Nxe5 Bf6) 31... Bf6 32. Rh5) 29. Qxd5 Qxd5 30. Rxd5 Rb4 31. Ne3 g6 ({RR} 31... Ne6 32. Ra5) 32. Ra1 {Kramnik,V (2744)-Adams,M (2719) Dortmund 2005 CBM 108 [Erenburg,Sergey] ½-½ (58)}) ({RR} 17... Re8 18. Nf1 Bf6 19. g4 Bg6 20. Ng3 Rc8 21. Rc1 h6 22. Bb1 Nf8 23. Qd2 Ne6 24. Nf5 Bxf5 25. exf5 Ng5 26. Nxg5 Bxg5 27. Rxe8+ Qxe8 28. f4 Bh4 29. f6 Bxf6 30. Re1 Qc6 31. g5 hxg5 32. fxg5 {Burrows,M (2101)-Starley,R (2064) Leicester ENG 2023 0-1 (80)}) 18. Rc1 d5 $146 ({RR} 18... Re8 19. g4 Bg6 20. Nf1 cxd4 21. Bxd4 Bf6 22. Ng3 Ne5 23. Nxe5 Bxe5 24. Bxe5 dxe5 25. Qe2 Qg5 26. Rcd1 Red8 27. a4 Qf6 28. axb5 axb5 29. Rxd8+ Qxd8 30. Rd1 Qc7 31. Bd3 b4 32. Ba6 Ra8 33. Bb5 {Ahmadinia,E (2400)-Boettcher,P (2099) Berlin 2017 ½-½ (38)}) ({RR} 18... Re8 19. Bb1 cxd4 20. Bxd4 Bf6 21. Rxc8 Qxc8 22. Qc1 Qb7 23. Qa3 Bxf3 24. Nxf3) ({RR} 18... cxd4 19. Bb1 Bf6 20. Rxc8 Qxc8 21. g4 Bg6 22. Nxd4 Qc5 23. N2f3 Re8 24. Qd2 d5 25. g5 Bxd4 26. Bxd4 Qc8 27. Bb2 dxe4 28. Qd4 f6 29. Nh4 Re5 30. Nxg6 Rxg5+ 31. Kh2 hxg6 32. Qxe4 Nf8 33. f4 {Carlsen,M (2625)-Almasi,Z (2646) Wijk aan Zee 2006 ½-½ (46)}) 19. dxc5 Nxc5 20. exd5 Nxd5 21. Bf5 Ne6 22. Rxc8 Qxc8 23. Qa1 Bf6 24. Nd4 Ndf4 25. Ne4 Bxd4 26. Bxd4 Bg6 27. Bxg7 Bxf5 28. Bh6 f6 29. Nxf6+ Kf7 30. Qe5 Kg6 31. Bxf8 Qxf8 32. Nd7 Qd8 33. Re3 Bxh3 34. Qe4+ Kh6 35. Ne5 Qd1+ 36. Re1 Qd2 37. gxh3 Nxh3+ 38. Kh2 Qxf2+ 39. Kh1 Neg5 40. Qe3 Qf5 41. Kh2 Nf4 42. Kg3 Nge6 43. Ng4+ Kg5 44. Qe5 Nd3 45. Qxf5+ Kxf5 46. Re3 Nec5 47. Kf3 h5 48. Nh6+ Kg6 49. Ng8 Kf7 50. Ne7 Nb4 51. Re2 Ne6 52. Ke4 Kxe7 53. Kf5 Kd7 54. Rd2+ Ke7 55. Re2 Kd7 56. Rxe6 Nxa2 57. Ke5 Nc1 58. Rd6+ Kc7 59. b4 Na2 60. Rd4 Kb6 61. Rf4 Kc6 62. Ke6 Nc1 63. Rd4 Na2 64. Rd6+ Kc7 65. Rd7+ Kb6 66. Rd6+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "Lausanne YM 6th"]
[Site "Lausanne"]
[Date "2005.09.16"]
[Round "2.1"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Paehtz, Elisabeth"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B48"]
[WhiteElo "2528"]
[BlackElo "2421"]
[PlyCount "99"]
[EventDate "2005.09.14"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "3"]
[EventCountry "SUI"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 108 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2005.11.04"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2005.11.04"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nc6 5. Nc3 Qc7 6. Be3 a6 7. Bd3 Nf6 8. O-O b5 9. Nxc6 Qxc6 10. f3 Bb7 11. Kh1 Bc5 12. Bxc5 Qxc5 13. Qe1 ({RR} 13. Qe2 d5 14. exd5 Nxd5 15. Nxd5 Bxd5 16. Be4 Bxe4 17. Qxe4 O-O 18. Rad1 Rad8 19. Rd3 h6 20. Rfd1 Rxd3 21. Qxd3 Qe5 22. c3 Rc8 23. h3 Rc5 24. Qd6 Qg5 25. Qd8+ Kh7 26. Qxg5 Rxg5 27. Rd6 a5 {Patera,M (1894)-Nagly,W (2135) Lublin POL 2025 ½-½ (92)}) 13... d6 14. a4 bxa4 15. Nxa4 $146 ({RR} 15. Rxa4 O-O 16. Qa1 Qb6 17. b3 Rfc8 18. Ne2 Nd7 19. Qd4 Nc5 20. Raa1 Qc7 21. Ng3 Nxd3 22. cxd3 d5 23. f4 Qc3 24. Qb6 Qc6 25. Qf2 Qc5 26. Qe2 Qd4 27. e5 Rc3 28. Rad1 Rxb3 29. Nh5 g6 {Zhang,M (1847)-Guillemette,H (2071) Laval Quebec CAN 2024 ½-½ (43)}) ({RR} 15. Rxa4 O-O 16. Qa1 Qb6 17. b3 Rfc8 18. Ne2 Nd7 19. Qd4 Nc5 20. Raa1 Qc7 21. Ng3 Nxd3 22. cxd3 d5 23. f4 Qc3 24. Qb6 Qc6 25. Qf2 Qc5 26. Qe2 Qd4 27. e5 Rc3 28. Rad1 Rxb3 29. Nh5 g6 {Zhang,M (1847)-Guillemette,H (2071) Laval Quebec CAN 2024 ½-½ (43)}) 15... Qc7 16. Ra3 O-O 17. Qc3 Bc6 18. Rfa1 Rfb8 19. b3 Qd7 20. Qd4 e5 21. Qe3 Qb7 22. Nc3 a5 23. Bc4 Qb4 24. R3a2 g6 25. Kg1 Kg7 26. h3 h5 27. h4 Rb7 28. Na4 Rbb8 29. Nb2 Nd7 30. c3 Qc5 31. Kf2 f5 32. Nd3 Qxe3+ 33. Kxe3 fxe4 34. fxe4 Nf6 35. Nf2 d5 36. exd5 Bxd5 37. Rxa5 Bxg2 38. Nd3 Ng4+ 39. Ke2 Rf8 40. Rxa8 Rxa8 41. Rxa8 Bxa8 42. b4 g5 43. hxg5 Kg6 44. Be6 e4 45. Nc5 Kxg5 46. c4 h4 47. Bd5 Bxd5 48. cxd5 h3 49. Nxe4+ Kf4 50. Nf2 1/2-1/2

[Event "Lausanne YM 6th"]
[Site "Lausanne"]
[Date "2005.09.17"]
[Round "2.2"]
[White "Paehtz, Elisabeth"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C55"]
[WhiteElo "2421"]
[BlackElo "2528"]
[PlyCount "47"]
[EventDate "2005.09.14"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "3"]
[EventCountry "SUI"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 108 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2005.11.04"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2005.11.04"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. d3 Be7 5. Bb3 O-O 6. c3 d5 7. Nbd2 dxe4 8. dxe4 Bg4 9. h3 Bh5 10. O-O Bc5 11. Qe2 Qe7 12. Re1 Bg6 $146 ({RR} 12... Kh8 13. Nf1 Bg6 14. Ng3 Nh5 15. Nxh5 Bxh5 16. Be3 Na5 17. Bxc5 Qxc5 18. Bc2 Bxf3 19. Qxf3 Nc4 20. b3 Nd6 21. Rad1 Qa3 22. Bb1 f6 23. Re2 a5 24. Red2 Ra6 25. Qe3 Rc6 26. c4 b5 27. cxb5 {Cunha,E (2242)-Lima,D (2509) Fortaleza 2012 0-1 (42)}) ({RR} 12... Rad8 13. Nf1 Bg6 14. Bg5 h6 15. Bh4 Bh7 16. Bc2 g5 17. Bg3 Nh5 18. b4 Bb6 19. a4 a5 20. b5 Nxg3 21. Nxg3 Nb8 22. Nh2 Bg6 23. Ng4 Kh7 24. Ne3 Bxe3 25. Qxe3 Nd7 26. Qf3 {½-½ (26) Gijsen,W (1825)-Reichardt,R (1936) Assen 2018}) 13. Nh4 Kh8 14. Qf3 Rad8 15. Bc2 Nh5 16. Nf5 Qf6 17. b4 Bb6 18. Nc4 Nf4 19. a4 Qe6 20. Nxb6 axb6 21. Bxf4 exf4 22. Qxf4 Qc4 23. Qxc7 Qxc3 24. Rac1 1/2-1/2

[Event "Lausanne YM 6th"]
[Site "Lausanne"]
[Date "2005.09.17"]
[Round "2.4"]
[White "Paehtz, Elisabeth"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C42"]
[WhiteElo "2421"]
[BlackElo "2528"]
[PlyCount "62"]
[EventDate "2005.09.14"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "3"]
[EventCountry "SUI"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 108 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2005.11.04"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2005.11.04"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nxe5 d6 4. Nf3 Nxe4 5. Nc3 Nxc3 6. dxc3 Be7 7. Bf4 O-O 8. Qd2 Nd7 9. O-O-O Nc5 10. Nd4 Bf6 ({RR} 10... Re8 11. f3 Ne6 12. Be3 Bg5 13. Bxg5 Qxg5 14. Qxg5 Nxg5 15. Bc4 Ne6 16. Rhe1 Kf8 17. Nxe6+ Bxe6 18. Bxe6 Rxe6 19. Rxe6 fxe6 20. Kd2 Ke7 21. Ke3 Rf8 22. Rd4 Rf5 23. h4 a5 24. a4 Rh5 25. g3 {Harikrishna,P (2645)-Mamedyarov,S (2646) Lausanne 2005 ½-½}) 11. f3 Re8 12. g4 Ne6 13. Bg3 $146 ({RR} 13. Be3 Nxd4 14. Bxd4 Bd7 15. Bd3 Bc6 16. Rhf1 Bxd4 17. cxd4 Qe7 18. Kb1 g6 19. f4 Be4 20. Bxe4 Qxe4 21. Rde1 Qd5 22. f5 gxf5 23. Qg5+ Kf8 24. Qh6+ Kg8 25. Qg5+ Kf8 26. Qf6 Kg8 27. gxf5 Qg2 {Sleisz,T (2435)-Halasz,T (2386) Hungary 2004 1-0 (57)}) ({RR} 13. Nxe6 Bxe6 14. g5 Be5 15. Bxe5 dxe5 16. Qe3 Qc8 17. a3 Bf5 18. Bc4 Be6 19. Bd3 Bf5 20. Be4 c6 21. Rd6 Qc7 22. Rhd1 Be6 23. Qc5 a6 24. h4 g6 25. h5 gxh5 26. Rh1 Rad8 27. Rxd8 Rxd8 {Sokolovsky,Y (2461)-Santos Latasa,J (2656) chess.com INT 2023 1-0 (65)}) ({RR} 13. Nxe6 Bxe6 14. g5 Be5 15. Be3 g6 16. Bd3 Qd7 17. h4 Bf5 18. h5 Bxd3 19. Qxd3 Qa4 20. Kb1 Qd7 21. f4 Bg7 22. h6 Bh8 23. Bd4 Qf5 24. Qc4 Re7 25. Bxh8 Kxh8 26. Rhe1 Rae8 27. Qd4+ f6 {Borosova,Z (2233)-Gunis,J (2061) Slovakia 2008 1-0 (31)}) 13... Nxd4 14. cxd4 Be6 15. h4 c5 16. Bb5 Bd7 17. Bxd7 Qxd7 18. Bf2 c4 19. c3 b5 20. g5 Bd8 21. Qf4 d5 22. Bg3 Rc8 23. h5 Bc7 24. Qh4 b4 25. Bxc7 Qxc7 26. h6 g6 27. cxb4 c3 28. b3 c2 29. Rd3 Qd6 30. a3 Qa6 31. Kd2 Qxa3 0-1

[Event "Lausanne YM 6th"]
[Site "Lausanne"]
[Date "2005.09.18"]
[Round "3.1"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B84"]
[WhiteElo "2528"]
[BlackElo "2527"]
[PlyCount "79"]
[EventDate "2005.09.14"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "3"]
[EventCountry "SUI"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 108 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2005.11.04"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2005.11.04"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 Nf6 4. Nc3 cxd4 5. Nxd4 a6 6. Be2 e6 7. f4 Be7 8. O-O O-O 9. a4 ({RR} 9. g4 Nc6 10. g5 Nd7 11. Be3 Re8 12. a4 Nxd4 13. Qxd4 b6 14. Qd2 Bb7 15. Bf3 Rc8 16. Rae1 Bf8 17. h4 Qc7 18. h5 b5 19. axb5 axb5 20. Rf2 Qa5 21. Rg2 Nb6 22. Nd1 Qxd2 23. Rxd2 Nc4 {Short,N (2677)-Ivanchuk,V (2719) Shenyang 2000 0-1 (45)}) 9... b6 ({RR} 9... e5 10. Nf3 Nc6 11. Kh1 h6 12. f5 Kh7 13. Be3 g6 14. Qd2 Ng4 15. Bg1 gxf5 16. exf5 Bxf5 17. Nh4 Bg5 18. Qd1 Bxh4 19. Rxf5 Nf6 20. Bd3 Kh8 21. Qf3 Bg5 22. Rf1 Kg7 23. Rxg5+ hxg5 24. Qf5 {Cooklev,S (2014)-Silva,J (1816) chess.com INT 2024 1-0}) 10. Bf3 Ra7 11. Be3 Rc7 $146 ({RR} 11... Bb7 12. a5 d5 13. Nxe6 fxe6 14. Bxb6 Qc8 15. Bxa7 dxe4 16. Be2 Nd5 17. Nxd5 exd5 18. Bg4 Qc7 19. Be6+ Kh8 20. Qh5 Qc6 21. f5 Nd7 22. Bd4 Nf6 23. Qd1 Bc5 24. c3 Bd6 25. h3 Rd8 26. Qe2 {Barbosa,E (2383)-Okada,W (1772) Goiania 2011 1-0 (33)}) ({RR} 11... Qc7 12. a5 Nbd7 13. g4 bxa5 14. g5 Ne8 15. Ndb5 axb5 16. Nxb5 Qc4 17. Nxa7 Bb7 18. b3 Qb4 19. Ra4 Qc3 20. Bd4 Qc7 21. Nb5 Qc6 22. Rxa5 Bd8 23. Na7 Qc7 24. Ra2 e5 25. fxe5 dxe5 26. Be3 {Mas,H (2333)-Nisban,C (1855) Penang 2015 1-0}) 12. f5 Rc4 13. g4 h6 14. Qd2 Nh7 15. Rad1 Bg5 16. Bxg5 Nxg5 17. Bg2 Nd7 18. fxe6 Ne5 19. exf7+ Ngxf7 20. h3 Ng5 21. Nf5 Bxf5 22. exf5 h5 23. Qxd6 Qxd6 24. Rxd6 hxg4 25. Bd5+ Kh7 26. Bxc4 Nxc4 27. Rd3 Nxh3+ 28. Kg2 Nxb2 29. Rd4 Rc8 30. Nd5 Rxc2+ 31. Kg3 Ng5 32. Rxg4 Nf7 33. Nf6+ gxf6 34. Rh1+ Nh6 35. Rg6 Rc3+ 36. Kg2 Rc2+ 37. Kf3 Rc3+ 38. Ke4 Rc4+ 39. Kd5 Rc5+ 40. Ke6 1-0

[Event "Lausanne YM 6th"]
[Site "Lausanne"]
[Date "2005.09.19"]
[Round "3.2"]
[White "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B45"]
[WhiteElo "2527"]
[BlackElo "2528"]
[PlyCount "48"]
[EventDate "2005.09.14"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "3"]
[EventCountry "SUI"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 108 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2005.11.04"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2005.11.04"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 {Golod,Vitali Golod,Vitali} c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 Nc6 6. Nxc6 bxc6 7. e5 Nd5 8. Ne4 Bb7 9. Be2 ({RR} 9. c4) ({RR} 9. c4) 9... c5 10. O-O ({RR} 10. c4 Ne3 11. Bxe3 Bxe4 12. f3 Bc6) 10... Qc7 11. Nd6+ ({RR} 11. c4) ({RR} 11. f4) 11... Bxd6 12. exd6 Qc6 13. f3 c4 14. Qd4 O-O 15. Bxc4 Rfc8 ({RR} 15... Qxd6 16. Rf2 Qb6 17. Qh4 Rac8 18. b3 Ne3 19. Bd3 Nf5 20. Qf4 Qd4 21. Qxd4 Nxd4 22. Be3 Nc6 23. Bc5 Rfe8 24. Bd6) ({RR} 15... Qxd6) ({RR} 15... Qxd6 16. Rd1 Rfc8 17. b3 Qb6 18. Qxb6 Nxb6 19. Bd3 d5 20. a4 Nd7 21. a5 a6 22. Bb2 Nc5 23. Bf1 Bc6 24. Ra3 f6 25. Bd4 Nb7 26. c4 Kf7 27. Bb6 Nd6 28. Ra2 h5 29. h4 Nf5 30. Rc2 {Vachier Lagrave,M (2774)-Kovalenko,I (2674) Khanty-Mansiysk 2019 1-0 (86)}) 16. b3 ({RR} 16. Bxd5) 16... Qxd6 17. Rf2 ({RR} 17. Bb2 {RR} e5 18. Qd3 ({RR} 18. Qe4 Nb6 19. Qxb7 ({RR} 19. Bxf7+ Kxf7 20. Qxb7 Rxc2 21. Rab1 Qd2) ({RR} 19. Qxe5 Qxe5 20. Bxe5 Nxc4 21. bxc4 Rxc4) 19... Nxc4 20. bxc4 Qc5+ ({RR} 20... Rab8 21. Qxa7 Rxb2 22. Rfd1) 21. Kh1 Rab8 22. Qxd7 Rxb2) ({RR} 18. Qxe5 Qxe5 19. Bxe5 Ne3) 18... Qb6+ 19. Kh1 Ne3 20. Bxe5 Rxc4 ({RR} 20... Nxf1 21. Bxf7+ Kxf7 ({RR} 21... Kh8 22. Rxf1) 22. Qxd7+ Kf8 ({RR} 22... Kg6 23. Qxg7+ Kf5 ({RR} 23... Kh5 24. Qg4+ Kh6 25. Bg7#) 24. Re1 Ne3 25. Rxe3 Qxe3 26. Qf6#) 23. Qxg7+ Ke8 24. Re1) 21. bxc4 Nxf1 22. Rxf1) ({RR} 17. Bb2 Qb6 18. Rf2 ({RR} 18. Bxd5 Bxd5 19. c4 Qxd4+ 20. Bxd4 Bb7) 18... Qxd4 19. Bxd4 Nb4 20. c3 ({RR} 20. a3 Nc6 ({RR} 20... d5 21. axb4 dxc4 22. Bxa7 ({RR} 22. Rxa7 Rxa7 23. Bxa7 cxb3 24. cxb3 Rc1+ 25. Rf1 Rxf1+ 26. Kxf1 Bd5 27. Ke2 ({RR} 27. b5 Bxb3 28. b6 Bd5) 27... Bxb3 28. Ke3 Kf8 29. Kd4 Ke8) 22... cxb3 23. cxb3) 21. Bb2 d5 22. Bd3 a5) 20... Nc6 ({RR} 20... d5 21. Bb5 Nc6 22. Bxc6 Rxc6 23. Re1 f6 24. f4 Ba6 25. Rd2) 21. Be3 d5 22. Bf1 a5 23. a4 Ne7 24. Rc1 f6 ({RR} 24... Ba6) 25. Bb5 Nf5 26. Bd2 ({RR} 26. Bd7 Nxe3 27. Bxe6+ Kf8 28. Bxc8 Rxc8 29. Re2 ({RR} 29. Rd2 Nf5) 29... Nf5 ({RR} 29... d4 30. Ree1) 30. Ree1) 26... Rc7 27. Bd3 Nd6 28. Be1 Ba6 29. Bc2 ({RR} 29. Bxa6 Rxa6) 29... Kf7 30. Rd1 ({RR} 30. Bxh7 g6) 30... Nb7 31. b4 Bc4 {Kasparov,G (2849)-Grischuk,A (2663) Cannes 2001 CBM 082 [Golod,Vitali] ½-½ (48)}) ({RR} 17. Bb2 Qb6 18. Qxb6 Nxb6 19. Bd3 d5 20. a4 a5 21. Rac1 Ba6 22. Kf2 f6 23. Rfe1 Kf7 24. Ba3 e5 25. f4 e4 26. Bxa6 Rxa6 27. c4 f5 28. cxd5 Rxc1 29. Rxc1 Nxd5 30. Rc5 Ke6 31. Bc1 Nb4 {Campo Jimenez,D (1887)-Arango,A (2015) Medellin COL 2025 ½-½ (62)}) 17... Qb6 18. Qd2 $146 ({RR} 18. Bb2 Qxd4 19. Bxd4 Nb4 20. c3 d5 ({RR} 20... Nc6 21. Be3 d5) 21. Bf1 ({RR} 21. Bb5 Nc6 22. Bxc6 Rxc6 23. Re1 f6 24. f4 Ba6 25. Rd2) 21... Nc6 22. Be3 Ne7 ({RR} 22... a5 23. a4 Ne7) 23. Rc1 a5 ({RR} 23... f6) 24. Rfc2 e5 ({RR} 24... a4 25. b4) 25. c4 f6 ({RR} 25... d4 26. Bf2 Rd8 ({RR} 26... f6)) 26. cxd5 Rxc2 27. Rxc2 Nxd5 28. Bd2 a4 ({RR} 28... Nb4 29. Rc5 Rd8 30. Be1 Nxa2 31. Bc4+ Kh8 32. Rc7 Bc8 33. Bxa5) 29. bxa4 Rxa4 30. Bb5 Ra8 ({RR} 30... Ra3 31. Bc4 Ra8 32. Rb2 Ra4 33. Bb5 Ra3 34. Bd7) 31. a4 Kf8 ({RR} 31... Ba6 32. Bc6 Rd8) 32. a5 Ba6 {Leko,P (2722)-Topalov,V (2745) Dortmund 2002 CBM 090 [Golod,Vitali] 1-0 (81)} ({RR} 32... Ke7 33. Bd3) {RR} 33. Rc5 Bxb5 34. Rxb5 Nc7 35. Rc5 Ne6) ({RR} 18. Qh4 e5 19. Bb2 d6 20. Bxd5 Bxd5 21. c4 Be6 22. Rd1 f6 23. Kh1 Rd8 24. Rfd2 Rd7 25. Qe4 Rad8 26. f4 Qa6 27. h3 Qxa2 28. fxe5 fxe5 29. Bxe5 Qxb3 30. Bxg7 Qxc4 31. Bd4 Rf7 32. Qh4 Rc8 {Risteski,E (2213)-Vukic,M (2406) Belgrade 2020 1-0 (37)}) 18... a5 19. Bb2 Rxc4 20. Bxg7 Rxc2 21. Qxc2 Kxg7 22. Qb2+ f6 23. Rd1 Rc8 24. h4 Qe3 0-1

[Event "Gausdal Byggern Masters"]
[Site "Gausdal"]
[Date "2005.10.06"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Kulaots, Kaido"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B43"]
[WhiteElo "2570"]
[BlackElo "2558"]
[PlyCount "100"]
[EventDate "2005.10.01"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 108 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2005.11.04"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2005.11.04"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 {Moradiabadi,Elshan} c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 a6 5. Nc3 b5 6. Bd3 Qb6 7. Nf3 Nc6 8. O-O Qb8 ({RR} 8... Nge7 9. Be3 ({RR} 9. Re1 Ng6 10. a4 b4 ({RR} 10... Bc5 11. Be3 Bxe3 12. Rxe3 b4 13. Nd5 Qd8 14. a5) 11. a5 Qb8 12. Na4) 9... Qb8 ({RR} 9... Qc7 10. Bxb5 Rb8 11. Bxc6 Nxc6 12. Nd5 ({RR} 12. b3)) 10. Re1 Bb7 ({RR} 10... Ng6 11. a4 b4 12. Nd5) 11. Bc5 Ng6 12. Bxf8 Kxf8 13. Bf1) 9. Re1 Nge7 ({RR} 9... Bd6 10. e5 Bc7 ({RR} 10... Nxe5 11. Be4 Ra7 12. Be3) 11. Bf4 Nge7 12. Qe2 Ng6 13. Bg3 Bb7 14. Rad1 Nce7 ({RR} 14... O-O 15. Bxg6 hxg6 16. Rxd7) 15. Be4 ({RR} 15. h4 Bxf3 16. gxf3 f5 17. h5 Nf8 18. a4 b4 19. Na2) 15... Bxe4 16. Nxe4 O-O 17. Rxd7 Nd5 18. Nd6 ({RR} 18. Qd2 Qc8 ({RR} 18... Qb6 19. h4 Qc6 20. Rxc7 Nxc7 21. h5 Ne7 22. h6) 19. Rxd5 exd5 20. Nd6 Bxd6 21. exd6 Qf5 22. Re3 Rfe8 23. Rd3 Qf6 24. c3 Qe6 25. Rxd5 Nf8 26. h3) 18... Nb6 19. Rxf7 Rxf7 20. Nxf7 Kxf7 21. Ng5+ Kg8 22. Nxe6 Qc8 23. Qg4 Ra7 24. Rd1 {Grischuk,A (2746)-Svidler,P (2739) Khanty-Mansiysk 2011 CBM 145 [Moradiabadi,Elshan] 0-1}) ({RR} 9... Bb7 10. a4 b4 11. Nd5 Bd6 12. Nb6 Ra7 13. Be3 Ne5 14. Nc4 Nxf3+ 15. Qxf3 Bxh2+ 16. Kh1 Ra8 17. g3 d5 18. Bf4 dxe4 19. Bxe4 Bxe4 20. Qxe4 {1-0 (20) Ehlvest,J (2531)-Martin Rueda,D (2257) chess.com INT 2024}) 10. e5 ({RR} 10. Bg5 Ng6 11. Qd2 h6 12. Be3 Be7 13. Rad1 O-O 14. h3 Bb7 15. Bf1 d6 16. h4 Nce5 17. Nxe5 dxe5 18. h5 Nf4 19. Bxf4 exf4 20. e5 b4 21. Nb1 f3 22. g3 Rd8 23. Qf4 Qc7 24. Bd3 Qa5 {Rodriguez Guerrero,E (2324)-Kulaots,K (2535) Andorra 2002 0-1 (43)}) 10... Bb7 11. Be4 Qc7 12. Bf4 $146 ({RR} 12. Bd2 Rb8 13. Ng5 h6 14. Nh7 Nxe5 15. Nxf8 Kxf8 16. Bxb7 Rxb7 17. Bf4 N7g6 18. Bg3 d6 19. f4 Nc4 20. b3 Nb6 21. f5 Ne7 22. fxe6 Qxc3 23. Qxd6 Qc6 24. Qd8+ Qe8 25. Rad1 f6 26. Bc7 Nbd5 {Lauridsen,J (2223)-Glud,J (2454) Ballerup 2009 1-0 (40)}) ({RR} 12. a3 f5 13. exf6 gxf6 14. Nd4 Nxd4 15. Qxd4 Bg7 16. a4 {½-½ (16) Baklan,V (2599)-Smirin,I (2702) Panormo 2001}) 12... f5 13. exf6 Qxf4 14. fxe7 Bxe7 15. Qd3 O-O-O 16. a4 d5 17. Bxh7 b4 18. Rxe6 bxc3 19. bxc3 Bf6 20. Rb1 Kc7 21. Bf5 Bc8 22. Rxc6+ Kxc6 23. Bxc8 Rxc8 24. Qxa6+ Kd7 25. Qb7+ Rc7 26. Qxd5+ Qd6 27. Qf5+ Ke7 28. g3 Re8 29. Qh5 Kd7 30. Qf5+ Re6 31. a5 Rc5 32. Qg4 Rxa5 33. Nd4 Bxd4 34. cxd4 Kc7 35. Qxg7+ Qe7 36. Qg4 Re1+ 37. Rxe1 Qxe1+ 38. Kg2 Ra1 39. Qf4+ Kc6 40. Qf6+ Kd5 41. c4+ Kxc4 42. Qc6+ Kd3 43. Qb5+ Kc2 44. Qc4+ Qc3 45. Qe2+ Qd2 46. Qc4+ Kb2 47. Qb5+ Kc3 48. Qc6+ Kd3 49. Qb5+ Kc2 50. Qc4+ Kb2 1/2-1/2

[Event "Gausdal Byggern Masters"]
[Site "Gausdal"]
[Date "2005.10.08"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Ostmoe, Geir S Tallaksen"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C95"]
[WhiteElo "2570"]
[BlackElo "2350"]
[PlyCount "73"]
[EventDate "2005.10.01"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 108 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2005.11.04"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2005.11.04"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 {Minic,Dragoljub} e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 d6 8. c3 O-O 9. h3 Nb8 10. d4 Nbd7 11. Nbd2 Bb7 12. Bc2 Re8 13. Nf1 Bf8 14. Ng3 g6 15. a4 Bg7 ({RR} 15... c5 16. d5 ({RR} 16. Be3 exd4 ({RR} 16... Qc7 17. Qd2 cxd4 18. cxd4 Nb6) 17. cxd4 Bxe4 ({RR} 17... Nxe4 18. Bxe4 ({RR} 18. Nxe4 Bxe4 19. Bg5 Bxf3 20. Bxd8 Bxd1 21. Rxe8 Bxc2) 18... Bxe4 19. Bg5) 18. Nxe4 Nxe4 19. Bxe4 Rxe4 20. dxc5 Nxc5 21. Qd5 Re8 ({RR} 21... bxa4) 22. axb5 axb5 23. b4 Ne6 24. Rxa8) 16... Qc7 ({RR} 16... c4 17. Be3 ({RR} 17. Bg5) 17... Nc5 18. Qe2 ({RR} 18. Qd2 Nfd7 19. h4 h5 20. Ng5 Qe7) 18... Nfd7 ({RR} 18... Qc7 19. Ra3 ({RR} 19. Nd2) 19... Bg7 20. Rea1 Rec8 21. Nd2 Qd8 22. R1a2 Nfd7) 19. Nd2 Qc7 20. Ra3 Nb6 21. axb5 axb5) ({RR} 16... Nb6 17. Qe2 Nxa4) ({RR} 16... Bg7 17. b4 ({RR} 17. c4 Nb6 18. Nd2 bxa4 19. Bxa4 Nxa4 20. Qxa4 Nd7 21. Ndf1 a5) ({RR} 17. Bg5 h6 18. Bd2 Nb6) 17... cxb4 18. cxb4 Nb6 19. a5 Nc4 20. Bd3 Rc8 21. Ra2 Re7 ({RR} 21... Rf8 22. Rc2 Ne8 23. Qe2 Kh8 24. Bxc4 bxc4 25. Rxc4 Rxc4 26. Qxc4 Nc7) 22. Rc2 Rec7) 17. Be3 c4 18. Qd2 Nc5 19. Ra3 Nfd7 20. Rea1 Bg7 21. Bh6 Bh8 22. Nh2 Nb6 23. axb5 axb5 24. Rxa8 Rxa8 25. Rf1 Qe7) ({RR} 15... exd4 16. cxd4 c5 17. d5 Bg7 18. Bf4 Qc7 19. Rc1 Nb6 20. b3 bxa4 21. b4 Nfd7 22. Bxa4) 16. Bd3 ({RR} 16. d5 Qe7 17. b3 c6 18. c4) 16... c6 17. Bg5 h6 18. Bd2 ({RR} 18. Be3 Qc7 19. dxe5 dxe5 20. b4 Rad8 21. Qe2 Bf8 22. Reb1 Nb6 23. a5 Nc8 24. c4 Qd6 25. Ra3 Qe6 26. c5 Na7 27. Bc1 Bg7 28. Bb2 Nh7 29. Rd1 Bc8 30. Bc2 Rxd1+ 31. Qxd1 Nf8 32. Rd3 Qe7 {Sokolovsky,Y (2546)-Sriansh Das (2278) Reykjavik ISL 2025 1-0 (72)}) 18... Qc7 ({RR} 18... Kh7 19. Qc2 d5 ({RR} 19... Qb6) 20. exd5 Nxd5 21. h4 exd4 22. h5 Ne7 ({RR} 22... Qf6 23. cxd4) 23. cxd4 c5 ({RR} 23... Nf8 24. Ne5) 24. Nh4 Nf8 25. dxc5 Qd4 26. hxg6+ fxg6 27. Rxe7 ({RR} 27. c6 Bxc6 ({RR} 27... Bc8 28. Rxe7 Rxe7 29. Nxg6) ({RR} 27... Rac8 28. Rxe7 Rxe7 29. Nxg6 Nxg6 30. Bxg6+ Kh8 31. cxb7) 28. Rxe7 Rxe7 29. Bxg6+ Nxg6 30. Qxg6+ Kg8 ({RR} 30... Kh8 31. Qxc6) 31. Nhf5) 27... Rxe7 28. Nxg6 Nxg6 29. Bxg6+ Kh8 30. c6 ({RR} 30. Nf5 Qg4) 30... Bxc6 ({RR} 30... Bc8 31. axb5) 31. Qxc6 Rf8 32. Be3 ({RR} 32. Bc3 Qxf2+ 33. Kh2 Qf4 34. Rf1 Qh4+ 35. Kg1 Bd4+) 32... Rxe3 33. fxe3 {Karpov,A (2705)-Kavalek,L (2590) Tilburg 1979 MCL [Minic,Dragoljub] ½-½ (44)}) ({RR} 18... d5 19. exd5 Nxd5 20. dxe5) 19. Qc2 Rad8 20. b4 $146 ({RR} 20. Bf1 d5 21. exd5 Nxd5 22. c4 bxc4 23. Bxc4 Qd6 24. Ne4 Qf8 25. Qb3 Rb8 26. dxe5 Nxe5 27. Nxe5 Bxe5 28. Nc3 Bc8 29. Rxe5 Rxb3 30. Rxe8 Qxe8 31. Bxb3 Nxc3 32. Bxc3 Be6 33. Re1 Qd7 34. Bxe6 fxe6 {Fusthy,Z (2325)-Akots,G (2269) Hungary 2013 1-0 (61)}) 20... Nf8 21. dxe5 dxe5 22. c4 Ne6 23. Bf1 bxc4 24. Bxc4 c5 25. b5 axb5 26. axb5 Ra8 27. Rxa8 Bxa8 28. Qb3 Nd7 29. Rd1 Bb7 30. Nh4 Kh7 31. Ba5 Qxa5 32. Rxd7 Bxe4 33. Qd1 Ba8 34. Rxf7 Rd8 35. Qb1 Nf4 36. Nh5 Nxh5 37. Rxg7+ 1-0

[Event "Samba Cup 2nd"]
[Site "Skanderborg"]
[Date "2005.10.14"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Timofeev, Artyom"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C91"]
[WhiteElo "2658"]
[BlackElo "2570"]
[Annotator "Erenburg,Sergey"]
[PlyCount "59"]
[EventDate "2005.10.14"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "DEN"]
[EventCategory "16"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 110"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2006.01.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2006.01.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 {Erenburg,Sergey} e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. d4 d6 9. c3 Bg4 10. Be3 ({RR} 10. d5 Na5 11. Bc2) 10... exd4 {Other theoretical possbilities are:} (10... Bh5 11. h3 exd4 12. cxd4 d5 $5 13. g4 (13. e5 Ne4 14. Nc3 Nxc3 15. bxc3 Na5 16. Bc2 Nc4 17. g4 Bg6 18. Bf5 Bxf5 (18... a5 19. Qd3 b4 20. Re2 Ra6 21. Kg2 Rb6 22. cxb4 axb4 23. Rae1 $14 {1-0 Svidler,P-Delchev,A/Plovdiv 2003/CBM 098 (49)}) 19. gxf5 f6 $13 {½-½ Grischuk,A-Sokolov,I/Mainz 2003/CBM 095 ext (31)}) 13... Bg6 14. Ne5 Na5 (14... Nxe5 15. dxe5 Nxe4 16. Bxd5 $14) 15. Nxg6 hxg6 16. e5 Ne4 17. Nc3 Bb4 18. Rc1 Nxb3 19. axb3 Bxc3 20. bxc3 Qh4 21. Rc2 f5 $1 {After a long and rather forced sequence of exchanges Black initiates an offensive against the weakened white -side.} 22. f3 Nxc3 $1 (22... Ng5 23. Bxg5 Qxg5 24. c4 $11) 23. Rxc3 Qg3+ 24. Kf1 fxg4 25. Ke2 (25. f4 gxh3 26. Qe2 g5 $40) 25... b4 26. Rxc7 gxf3+ 27. Kd2 Qg2+ 28. Kc1 f2 29. Rf1 Rf3 30. Bd2 Rxh3 31. Qe2 $2 {Immediately losing.} (31. e6 a5 32. e7 Re8 33. Kb2 a4 34. bxa4 Qg3 $19) 31... Rh1 {0-1 Tischbierek,R-Gustafsson,J/Altenkirchen 2005/CBM 106/[Wedberg]}) (10... Bd7 11. Nbd2 Ng4 12. Nf1 Nxe3 13. Nxe3 Bf6 14. Nd5 Rb8 15. h3 g6 16. Nxf6+ Qxf6 17. dxe5 Nxe5 18. Nxe5 Qxe5 19. Qd2 a5 $11 {½-½ Belov,V-Khalifman,A/Moscow 2005/CBM 106/[Mueller,Karsten] (66)}) 11. cxd4 Na5 {attacking White's light-squared bishop, as well as preparing to attack White's centre with c7-c5.} (11... d5 12. e5 Ne4 13. Nc3 Nxc3 14. bxc3 Qd7 15. h3 Bf5 16. Bg5 $146 {With this -formation its clear that White's chances are on the -side. The question is just how to get started. Exchanging the  on e7 seems like a reasonable alternative to playing an immediate g4. A few exchanges won't diminish White's dominating -structure.} (16. g4 Bg6 17. Nh2 (17. Nd2 Na5 18. f4 Nxb3 19. Nxb3 f5 20. Kh2 a5 21. Rg1 a4 22. Nc1 Ra6 23. Ne2 Rc6 24. Bd2 Ba3 25. Qf1 b4 $36 {0-1 Formanek,E-Kovacs,L/Reggio Emilia 1977/MCD (51)}) 17... Na5 18. Bc2 Bxc2 19. Qxc2 Nc4 20. Bf4 a5 21. Bg3 b4 22. Re2 Ra6 23. f4 Na3 24. Qd2 Rc6 $132 {0-1 Yurkov,V-Sokolov,A/Moscow 1978/EXT 2002 (59)}) 16... Bxg5 17. Nxg5 Na5 (17... h6 18. Nf3 Na5 19. Nh4 Bh7 20. Qh5 $5 $36 {[%cal Yf2f4,Yf4f5]}) 18. g4 Nxb3 $6 {This looks premature. Now White gets to improve his -side -structure.} 19. axb3 Bg6 20. f4 Qe7 21. b4 $1 {[%csl Ra6] Black is scrambling for counterplay after this blockading move.} f6 22. exf6 Qxf6 23. Ne6 Be4 24. f5 (24. Nxf8 Qxf4 {Is no fun for White.}) 24... Rfe8 25. Qd2 h5 $2 {A mistake. Black had to defend c7. Probably Black over-estimated his chances against the white .} 26. Nxc7 $1 hxg4 27. Nxa8 Qh4 {[%cal Rh4g3]} 28. Re3 $1 Rxa8 29. Qe1 Qh5 30. Rxe4 $1 dxe4 31. Qxe4 Re8 32. hxg4 Qf7 33. Qf3 $18 {1-0 Naiditsch,A-Karjakin,S/Dortmund 2004/CBM 103/[Wedberg] (52) Two :s up.}) 12. Bc2 c5 {Black has chosen an option of immediately attacking White's centre. The alternative is to attack white's dark-squared bishop at first with} (12... Nc4 13. Bc1 {and afterwards to attack white's centre with} c5 14. b3 {driving away the knight from the active position, as well as preparing to fianchetto the dark-squared bishop.} Nb6 15. Nbd2 (15. Bb2 cxd4 16. Nbd2 Nfd7 17. h3 Bh5 18. g4 d3 19. Bxd3 Nc5 20. Bc2 Bg6 21. Nd4 Qd7 22. f4 f6 23. N2f3 Rfe8 24. Nf5 Bf8 25. Qd4 Qa7 26. Kh1 Rac8 27. Rac1 $14 {1-0 Polgar,S-Slobodjan,R/Bad Homburg 1996/CBM 055/[Wedberg] (48)}) 15... Nfd7 {intending to place the dark-sqaured bishop on a long diagonal, and sometimes, Black's knight can occupy the c5 square.} (15... Rc8 16. h3 Bh5 17. g4 Bg6 18. d5 Nfd7 19. Nf1 Re8 20. Ng3 Bf6 21. Rb1 $13 {1-0 Grischuk,A-Sokolov,I/Bled 2002/EXT 2003 (46)}) 16. h3 Bh5 17. Bb2 ({Another option is} 17. g4 Bg6 18. d5 Bf6 19. Rb1 Re8 20. Nf1 h6 21. Kg2 Rc8 22. Ng3 c4 23. Re2 $13 {0-1 Dominguez,L-Bologan,V/Poikovsky RUS 2005/The Week in Chess 539 (52)}) 17... Re8 (17... Rc8 {is also possible:} 18. Rc1 Re8 19. Bb1 cxd4 20. Bxd4 Bf6 21. Rxc8 Qxc8 22. Qc1 Qb7 23. Qa3 Bxf3 24. Nxf3 $14 {1-0 Tseshkovsky,V-Vogt,L/Leipzig 1975/MCL/[Bulletin] (41)}) 18. a4 {White is creating some pressure on the queenside, as well as he adds an option of driving away the knight from b6.} ({White didn't get anything special after} 18. Qb1 Bg6 19. a4 d5 20. axb5 axb5 21. Rxa8 Qxa8 22. dxc5 Nxc5 23. e5 Ne6 $11 {[%cal Ye7b4] ½-½ Adams,M-Sokolov,I/Wijk aan Zee NED 2005/The Week in Chess 533 (31)}) 18... bxa4 19. bxa4 Rb8 $1 $146 {An improvement in comparison to:} (19... cxd4 20. a5 d3 21. Bb1 $1 (21. Bxd3 $2 Nc5 {[%cal Gb6d7]}) 21... Nc8 22. Bxd3 Nc5 23. Bc4 $14 {1-0 Sax,G-Mazi,L/Bled 1994/TD (42)}) 20. a5 ({Another logical continuation is} 20. Rb1 cxd4 (20... d5 21. a5 Nc4 22. Nxc4 dxc4 23. Ba4 $14) 21. a5 (21. Bxd4 Bf6 22. Be3 d5) 21... Bxf3 22. Qxf3 Ne5 23. Qe2 Nbd7 24. Bxd4 Rxb1 25. Rxb1 Qxa5 $11) (20. Ra2 $5 {[%cal Gd1a1] looks very interesting...}) 20... Nc8 {Now Black's knight is willing to occupy the b5 square via a7.} ({Black doesn't equalize after} 20... Nd5 21. Nc4 Nc7 (21... Nf4 22. Bc1 (22. dxc5 Nxc5) 22... Ne6 23. g4 Bg6 24. d5 Nc7 25. Bf4 $14) 22. Rb1 $14) 21. Nc4 Na7 $11 {½-½ Kramnik,V-Adams,M/Dortmund 2005/CBM 108/[Erenburg] (57)}) ({RR} 12... Nc4 13. Bc1 c5) 13. h3 {forcing black to define the status of light-squared bishop.} ({Another ambitious continuation is} 13. dxc5 dxc5 14. Nc3 Nc4 15. e5 {A tricky position. The final verdict is not yet given.} Ne8 (15... Qxd1 16. Raxd1 Bxf3 17. exf6 Bxd1 18. fxe7 Bxc2 19. exf8=Q+ Rxf8 20. Bxc5 Rc8 21. Nd5 Kh8 22. Nb6 {½-½ Zaitsev,I-Beliavsky,A/Minsk 1983/MCD}) (15... Nd7 16. Bf4 Ndb6 17. Qe2 Qc8 18. Be4 Ra7 19. b3 Na3 20. Bc1 b4 21. Bxa3 bxa3 22. Nd5 $14 {½-½ Zaitsev,I-Balashov,Y/Moscow 2002/EXT 2003 (27)}) (15... Bxf3 16. Qxd8 Bxd8 17. Bxc5 Re8 18. exf6 Bc6 19. Rxe8+ Bxe8 20. Nd5 $16 {1-0 Lupulescu,C-Timoscenko,G/Mallorca 2004/CBM 104 no vc (29)}) 16. Qe2 Nc7 (16... Nxe5 17. Rad1 $1 {is not easy for Black.}) 17. Rad1 Qc8 18. Bc1 {All white pieces are well placed in the centre and they point towards the black . It is soon time to harvest.} Re8 19. Qe4 g6 20. Qf4 h5 21. h3 Ne6 22. Qg3 Bxf3 23. Qxf3 Nd4 {Some counterplay?} 24. Rxd4 $1 {No, instead the white attack crushes through.} cxd4 25. e6 $1 f5 (25... Rf8 26. Nd5 Ra7 27. Qg3 $18) 26. Bxf5 $1 {1-0 Nisipeanu,L-Ivanov,A/Moscow 2005/CBM 106/[Wedberg] The main line goes: 26. - gxf5 27.xf5 f8 28.d5! and the attack is unstoppable.}) ({RR} 13. dxc5 dxc5 14. Nc3 Nc4 15. e5) ({RR} 13. Nbd2 cxd4 14. Bxd4 Nc6 15. Be3 d5) 13... Bxf3 {It has a reputation as the most solid continuation, which became more popular nowadays.} ({Black faces some problems to equalize after} 13... cxd4 14. Bxd4 Bh5 15. g4 Bg6 16. Nc3 Rc8 17. Rc1 Nc6 18. Be3 Nb4 {Black has an uneasy task of solving the problem of the center. White is exposed on the kingside, but the square d5 is ideal for the knight.} (18... Re8 19. Nh4 (19. Nd5 Nxd5 20. exd5 Nb8 21. Bf4 Bf8 22. Rxe8 Qxe8 23. Nd4 Bxc2 24. Rxc2 Rxc2 25. Qxc2 Qe1+ 26. Kg2 Nd7 {0-1 Timofeev,A-Bacrot,E/Istanbul 2003/ (84)}) 19... Nd7 20. Nxg6 hxg6 21. Bb3 (21. Nd5 Bh4 22. Re2 Nf6 23. Bb3 Nxe4 24. Nb6 Nxf2 25. Bxf2 Bxf2+ 26. Rxf2 Qxb6 27. Bxf7+ Kh7 28. Qxd6 {1-0 Dominguez,L-Inarkiev,E/Tripoli 2004/ (32)}) 21... Nc5 22. Nd5 Ne5 23. f4 Ned3 24. Bxc5 Nxc5 25. g5 Bf8 26. Qf3 {1-0 Dominguez,L-Inarkiev,E/Tripoli 2004/ (41)}) 19. Bb1 d5 20. e5 (20. exd5 $6 Bxb1 21. Rxb1 Nfxd5 $15) 20... Ne4 21. Ne2 $5 Nc5 (21... Rxc1 22. Qxc1 Qa8 23. a3 Nc6 24. Nf4 $14) 22. Bxc5 Rxc5 23. Rxc5 Bxc5 24. Nf4 $14 {½-½ Kasimdzhanov,R-Adams,M/Tripoli 2004/CBM 102/[Ftacnik] (43)}) ({RR} 13... cxd4 14. Bxd4 Bh5 15. g4 Bg6 16. Nc3 Rc8 17. Rc1 Nc6 18. Be3) 14. Qxf3 cxd4 {opening the c-file for the rook.} ({Black faces some problems after} 14... Nc4 15. dxc5 dxc5 16. Nc3 Nd7 17. Rad1 $146 (17. Bf4 Nde5 (17... Nxb2 $5 18. e5 $40) 18. Bxe5 Nxe5 19. Qg3 Nc6 20. Rad1 Nd4 21. e5 $14 {White has the slightly better chances due to his domination in the centre and the possibility to attack the black .} Ra7 22. Ne2 Rd7 (22... Nxe2+ 23. Rxe2 Rd7 24. Ree1 $14) 23. Nxd4 Rxd4 24. Qe3 Kh8 (24... Rxd1 25. Rxd1 Qc7 26. e6 $40) 25. f4 Qd7 26. Rxd4 Qxd4 27. Qxd4 cxd4 28. Kf2 Rc8 29. Bd3 {It´s opposite coloured :s, but White has all the play. As long as there are :s on a draw is not easy to achive for Black.} f6 30. exf6 Bxf6 31. Re6 Ra8 32. g4 $16 {1-0 Grischuk,A-Socko,B/Istanbul 2003/CBM 096/[Wedberg] (49)}) (17. Nd5 Bg5 18. Bxg5 Qxg5 19. b3 Na3 20. Bd3 c4 21. bxc4 bxc4 22. Bb1 Qe5 {0-1 Grischuk,A-Golod,V/Dos Hermanas 2003 (84)}) 17... Nxb2 18. Rd5 Qe8 $2 (18... Nc4 19. e5 {[%cal Cc4e5,Gf3f5]} (19. Red1 Qa5 20. Rxd7 Qxc3 21. Rxe7 Qxc2 $19) 19... Ncxe5 20. Qd1 Qa5 21. Bd2 b4 22. Na4 Rfd8 23. Bf5 $44) (18... Qa5 $5 19. Rxd7 (19. Bc1 Nc4 20. e5 (20. Rxd7 Ne5 $19) 20... Ndb6 21. Rdd1 Rad8 $15) 19... Qxc3 20. Rc1 {[%cal Gd7e7,Yc2b3]} Qe5 21. Rd5 Qe6 22. Bxc5 Bxc5 23. Rxc5 Rac8 24. Bb3 Nc4 25. Rxc8 Rxc8 $11) 19. e5 $1 {[%cal Gf3f5,Yd5d7,Yf5d7,Yf5h7]} Nb6 (19... Rd8 20. Qg4 {[%cal Cb5b4,Cb4c3,Ge3h6]} Kh8 21. Bh6 g6 (21... gxh6 22. Qf5 $18) (21... Rg8 22. Bc1 Nc4 23. Bxh7 $18) 22. Bxf8 $18) (19... Ra7 20. Qg4 Kh8 21. Bh6 Rg8 22. Bc1 $18) 20. Rxc5 $1 Bxc5 (20... N2c4 21. Rc7 Nxe3 22. Qxe3 Rc8 23. Qxb6 Qd8 24. Nd5 $1 Qxd5 25. Bb3 Qd8 26. Rec1 $16) 21. Bxc5 N2c4 22. Bxf8 Qxf8 23. Qd3 g6 24. Ne4 $16 {1-0 Jakovenko,D-Grischuk,A/Saint Vincent 2005/CBM 110_01/[Erenburg] (35)}) ({RR} 14... Nc4 15. dxc5 dxc5 16. Nc3 Nd7) 15. Bxd4 Rc8 ({RR} 15... Nc6) 16. Qd1 {centralizing the queen, protecting the light-squared bishop. Other options are:} (16. Qd3 Nc6 17. Bc3 g6 $6 (17... Ne5 18. Qe2 Qb6 $13) 18. Bb3 Nd7 19. a3 Nc5 20. Qd5 Nxb3 21. Qxb3 Bf6 22. Qd5 Bxc3 23. Nxc3 Qf6 24. Rad1 $14 {1-0 Lanc,A-Mrva,V/SVK 1997/EXT 98 (52)}) (16. Bb3 {White is ready to change one of his bishops in order to stabilize the position and to keep a superior pawn structure. White has the following alternatives:} Nc6 17. Qd1 {White cannot move away the bishop from the central position. Otherwise, Black's c6 knight will get some important spots:} (17. Be3 Ne5 $15) (17. Bc3 b4 18. Bd2 Nd4 19. Qd3 Nxb3 20. Qxb3 d5 $11) ({RR} 17. Be3 Ne5) ({RR} 17. Bc3 b4 18. Bd2 Nd4 19. Qd3 Nxb3 20. Qxb3 d5) 17... d5 $1 $146 {Black is sacrificing a pawn, but he will get a control of the dark squares. It looks like a serious improvement in comparison to the previous games, where Black hasn't equalized:} (17... a5 18. Nc3 a4 19. Bd5 Nxd4 20. Qxd4 Qa5 21. a3 $1 Nd7 22. Qb4 $16 {1-0 Grischuk,A-Tkachiev,V/France 2003/CBM 95/[Wedberg] (59)}) (17... Nxd4 18. Qxd4 Nh5 19. Nc3 Bf6 20. Qd2 Bg5 21. Qe2 Nf4 22. Qf3 Ng6 23. Red1 Bf6 24. Rac1 $14 {½-½ Ivanchuk,V-Romanishin,O/73rd ch-UKR, Kharkiv UKR (2.2) 2004 (93)}) ({RR} 17... a5 18. Nc3 a4 19. Bd5 Nxd4 20. Qxd4 Qa5 21. a3 Nd7 22. Qb4) ({RR} 17... Nxd4 18. Qxd4 Nh5 19. Nc3 Bf6 20. Qd2 Bg5 21. Qe2 Nf4 22. Qf3 Ng6 23. Red1 Bf6 24. Rac1) {Other continuations are not better:} 18. exd5 (18. Bxf6 Bxf6 19. exd5 Bxb2 20. dxc6 Bxa1 $19) (18. Bxd5 Nxd5 19. exd5 Qxd5 20. Nc3 Qf5 $15 (20... Qxd4 21. Qxd4 Nxd4 22. Rxe7 $11) ({RR} 20... Qxd4 21. Qxd4 Nxd4 22. Rxe7)) ({RR} 18. Bxf6 Bxf6 19. exd5 Bxb2 20. dxc6 Bxa1) ({RR} 18. Bxd5 Nxd5 19. exd5 Qxd5 20. Nc3 Qf5) 18... Nxd4 19. Qxd4 Bc5 {If we compare the locations of white's light-squared bishop, that is limitted by his d5 pawn, and Black's dark-squared bishop, that is extremely active on a7-g1 diagonal, it is easy to understand, that black has sufficient compensation.} 20. Qd3 ({Doesn't promise too much:} 20. Qd2 b4 {preventing from White to complete the development.} 21. Qd3 (21. a3 Qb6 $44) ({RR} 21. a3 Qb6) 21... Qb6 22. Qf3 (22. Qf5 Bd4 23. Nd2 Bxb2 24. Nc4 Rxc4 25. Bxc4 Bxa1 26. Rxa1 Qd4 $11) ({RR} 22. Qf5 Bd4 23. Nd2 Bxb2 24. Nc4 Rxc4 25. Bxc4 Bxa1 26. Rxa1 Qd4) 22... Bd4 23. Nd2 Bxb2 24. Nc4 Rxc4 25. Bxc4 Bxa1 26. Rxa1 Rc8 $11 (26... Qd4 27. Rc1 Rc8 28. d6 $13) ({RR} 26... Qd4 27. Rc1 Rc8 28. d6)) ({RR} 20. Qd2 b4 21. Qd3 Qb6 22. Qf3 Bd4 23. Nd2 Bxb2 24. Nc4 Rxc4 25. Bxc4 Bxa1 26. Rxa1 Rc8) 20... Qb6 21. Qf3 a5 $44 {Black has got full compensation for a sacrificed pawn. White faces some problems to complete the development, and his pieces are passive in comparison to Black's.} 22. Nc3 {½-½ Svidler,P-Bacrot,E/Gothenburg 2005/CBM 109_01/[Erenburg]} (22. Nd2 $6 a4 23. Bd1 Rfd8 $15) ({RR} 22. Nd2 a4 23. Bd1 Rfd8) {RR} 22... Bd4 ({RR} 22... a4 23. Bc2 a3 24. Bf5 axb2 25. Rab1 Bxf2+ 26. Qxf2 Qxf2+ 27. Kxf2 Rxc3 28. Rxb2 Rc5 29. Bd3 Nxd5 30. Bxb5 Nc3 31. Bd3) 23. Rad1 Bxc3 24. bxc3 a4 25. Bc2 Qd6) ({RR} 16. Bb3 Nc6 17. Qd1 d5 18. exd5 Nxd4 19. Qxd4 Bc5 20. Qd3 Qb6 21. Qf3 a5 22. Nc3 {½-½ (22) Svidler,P (2738)-Bacrot,E (2729) Gothenburg 2005 CBM 109 [Erenburg,Sergey]}) ({RR} 16. Qd3 Nc6 17. Bc3 g6 18. Bb3 Nd7 19. a3 Nc5 20. Qd5 Nxb3 21. Qxb3 Bf6 22. Qd5 Bxc3 23. Nxc3 Qf6 24. Rad1) 16... Nd7 {preparing to transfer the dark-squared bishop to long diagonal.} ({RR} 16... Nc6 17. Nc3 Nxd4 18. Qxd4 Nh5 19. Bb3 Bf6 20. Qd2 Bxc3 21. bxc3 Qf6 22. Re3 Qe5 23. Rd1 Rfd8 24. Rd3 Nf6 25. Rxd6 Rxd6 26. Qxd6 Qxd6 27. Rxd6 Nxe4 28. Rxa6 Nc5 29. Ra3 Nxb3 30. Rxb3 Kf8 31. Rxb5 {Deac,B (2639)-Ivanchuk,V (2678) Europe Echecs INT 2021 ½-½ (60)}) ({RR} 16... Nc6 17. Nc3 b4 18. Ne2 Nxd4 19. Nxd4 g6 20. Qd2 Qb6 21. Rad1 Nd7 22. Bb3 Nc5 23. Bd5 Bf6 24. Nf3 Kg7 25. Nh2 h5 26. g4 Rh8 27. Kg2 hxg4 28. Nxg4 Nd7 29. Bxf7 Kxf7 30. Qf4 Ke6 31. Nxf6 {Carlsen,M (2625)-L'Ami,E (2550) Wijk aan Zee 2006 1-0 (37)}) 17. Nc3 Bf6 18. Rc1 $146 {adding the queenside rook to the battle, covering the c-file.} ({In a previous game White prefered to protect the light-squared bishop from the second rank by} 18. Re2 {preparing to connect the heavy pieces along the d-file.} Be5 {[%cal Ga5c4,Yd8f6] The following moves are worse, than the continuation in the game:} (18... Nc6 19. Bxf6 Qxf6 20. Rd2 {winning the pawn.}) (18... Nc4 19. Nd5 $1 Nxb2 20. Nxf6+ Qxf6 21. Bxf6 Nxd1 22. Rxd1 Nxf6 23. Rxd6 $14) 19. Nd5 {covering the f6 square.} ({Of course not} 19. Rd2 $2 {, due to} Nc4) ({After} 19. Rc1 {Black equalizes:} Nc4 20. b3 Qg5 $1 21. Bxe5 (21. bxc4 Bxd4 $17) 21... Ncxe5 $11) 19... Nc6 20. Bc3 (20. Bxe5 $2 dxe5 {and Black gets the central d4 square.}) 20... Nb6 $1 {Black is willing to change White's centralized knight.} (20... Bxc3 {doesn't equalize:} 21. Nxc3 Nb6 22. Bb3 Na5 23. Qd4 $14) 21. Rc1 {Probably, after this move Black equalizes the position...} ({Maybe,} 21. Bb3 $5 {, would give White more chances for an advantage. For example:} Bxc3 (21... Nxd5 22. Bxe5 $1 {This is the point!} dxe5 (22... Nxe5 23. Bxd5 $14) 23. exd5 Na5 24. Rxe5 $14) 22. Nxc3 Na5 (22... Qf6 23. Rd2 Rfd8 24. Rc1 $14) (22... Ne5 23. Qd4 Nc6 {-leads to 22...a5.}) 23. Qd4 Nc6 {'-leads to 22...a5.' '-leads to 22...a5.'} 24. Qd3 Ne5 25. Qg3 $14) (21. a4 {leads to an equal position:} Nxd5 22. exd5 Bxc3 23. dxc6 Bxb2 24. Bxh7+ Kxh7 25. Rxb2 Rxc6 $11) 21... Nxd5 22. exd5 b4 $1 ({Less convincing is} 22... Bxc3 23. dxc6 Be5 (23... Bxb2 24. Bxh7+ $16) 24. Be4 $14) 23. dxc6 (23. Qd3 g6 24. Bxe5 Nxe5 $11 25. Qxa6 $2 b3 $1 26. axb3 Nf3+ $1 27. Kh1 (27. gxf3 Qg5+ $19) 27... Nd4 $17) 23... bxc3 24. bxc3 Rxc6 $11 {½-½ Gelfand,B-Bacrot,E/Gothenburg 2005/CBM 109_01/[Erenburg] (29) The position is absolutely equal, the opponents could agree a draw right now...}) ({RR} 18. Re2) 18... Nc6 $146 {forcing White either to exchange the dark-squared bishops or to give up the long diagonal.} ({In my opinion, Black doesn't equalize after} 18... Nc4 19. Nd5 Be5 20. Bb3 Qh4 21. g3 Bxg3 22. Qg4 Qxg4 (22... Nce5 23. Qxg3 (23. Bxe5 Bxf2+ $17) 23... Rxc1 24. Rxc1 Qxg3+ 25. fxg3 Nf3+ 26. Kf2 Nxd4 27. Ne7+ Kh8 28. Bd5 $14) 23. Ne7+ Kh8 24. hxg4 Bf4 25. Nxc8 Bxc1 26. Nb6 Ndxb6 27. Rxc1 $14) ({RR} 18... Bxd4 19. Qxd4 Nf6 20. Rcd1 Nc4 21. b3 Ne5 22. Bb1 Qa5 23. Re3 Rfd8 24. b4 Qc7 25. a3 Qe7 26. Ba2 Rd7 27. Rg3 Ng6 28. Nd5 Nxd5 29. Bxd5 Rdc7 30. Kh2 Qe5 31. Bb3 Rc6 32. Qd5 Qxd5 33. Bxd5 {Shankland,S (2591)-Wagner,D (2465) Dresden 2013 1-0 (86)}) 19. Be3 $6 {Probably, after this move Black's chances are not worse.} ({More principled was} 19. Bxf6 $5 {, and there is not a clear way to equalize the game:} Nxf6 (19... Qxf6 20. Qh5 g6 21. Qh6 Nb6 22. Bb3 Na5 (22... Nd4 23. Nd5 Nxd5 24. Bxd5 Rxc1 25. Qxc1 $14) 23. Nd5 Nxd5 24. Bxd5 Qxb2 25. Rxc8 Rxc8 26. Qf4 $16) 20. Bb3 Re8 21. Qd3 Na5 22. Bd5 b4 23. Na4 $14) 19... Nc5 20. Re2 {protecting the pawn b2, and, intending to build a battery from heavy pieces along the d-file.} ({In case of} 20. f4 {[%cal Ye4e5] Black can eliminate White's knight and to occupy the c4 outhold with the knight:} Bxc3 21. bxc3 Na5 $11) 20... Re8 {attacking White's central pawn.} ({It was more precise to eliminate white's knight immediately:} 20... Bxc3 $5 21. bxc3 Re8 $11) 21. Rd2 {allowing Black to simplify the position.} ({Probably, the last chance to fight for an advantage was} 21. Bb1 Bxc3 (21... Na5 22. Nd5 Nc4 23. Nxf6+ Qxf6 24. Bd4 $14) 22. Rxc3 Nxe4 $1 23. Bxe4 Rxe4 24. Bb6 $1 Qe8 25. Rxe4 Qxe4 26. Qxd6 h6 $14 {[%cal Ye4e6]}) 21... Bxc3 22. Rxd6 ({Worse is} 22. bxc3 Nxe4 23. Bxe4 Rxe4 24. Rxd6 Qe7 $15) {This key move should have been seen when black was playing 20...e8. Black is ready to change his queen for two white's rooks.} 22... Bxb2 $1 (22... Qh4 {doesn't lead to an equal position:} 23. Bxc5 Bxb2 24. Rb1 Be5 25. Rd5 Red8 26. Qd3 $14) 23. Rb1 (23. Rxd8 {doesn't promise anything special:} Rexd8 24. Bxc5 (24. Qh5 Bxc1 25. Bxc5 Na5 26. Bb6 Rd2 $15) 24... Rxd1+ 25. Rxd1 h6 $11) 23... Qc7 24. Bxc5 {It is more important to eliminate the knight, as White saves his central pawn e4 on the board.} ({Worse is} 24. Rxb2 $2 Nxe4 25. Bxe4 (25. Rd7 Qe5 $17) 25... Rxe4 $17) 24... Bd4 $1 {Black forces White to change the dark-squared bishops, that leads to an equal position.} 25. Rd5 ({White cannot keep the dark-squared bishop on the board:} 25. Ba3 $2 b4 $1 26. Bxb4 Nxb4 27. Rxb4 Qxd6 28. Rxd4 Qa3 $17) (25. Rxd4 $2 Nxd4 26. Bxd4 Qxc2 $19) 25... Bxc5 26. Rxc5 Red8 (26... Qe7 {leads to equality as well:} 27. Rd5 Qa3 28. Bb3 Na5 29. Qf3 Nxb3 30. axb3 $11) 27. Qe1 (27. Qg4 {doesn't change the evaluation of the position:} Qe7 28. Rg5 Ne5 29. Rxg7+ Kh8 30. Qg5 Qf8 31. Rxh7+ Kxh7 32. Qxe5 Qc5 33. Qf6 Qxc2 34. Qxf7+ $11) 27... Qe7 28. Qe3 Na5 {transfering the knight to c4.} (28... Ne5 29. Rxc8 Rxc8 30. Bb3 $11) 29. Rxc8 Rxc8 30. Bb3 {covering the spot c4. The opponent agreed for a draw in absolutely equal position.} 1/2-1/2

[Event "Samba Cup 2nd"]
[Site "Skanderborg"]
[Date "2005.10.15"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Hansen, Lars Bo"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B19"]
[WhiteElo "2570"]
[BlackElo "2565"]
[Annotator "Mueller,Karsten"]
[PlyCount "163"]
[EventDate "2005.10.14"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "DEN"]
[EventCategory "16"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 110"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2006.01.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2006.01.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 {Lukacs,Peter} c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nd2 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Bf5 5. Ng3 Bg6 6. h4 h6 7. Nf3 Nd7 8. h5 Bh7 9. Bd3 Bxd3 10. Qxd3 e6 11. Bf4 Qa5+ 12. Bd2 Bb4 13. c3 Be7 14. c4 ({RR} 14. Ne4 Ngf6 15. Nxf6+ ({RR} 15. c4 Qa6 16. Nxf6+ Nxf6 17. Qe2 O-O 18. Ne5 Rad8 19. Bc3 b5 20. b3 bxc4 21. Qxc4 Qxc4 22. bxc4 Rc8 23. Rd1 Ne4 24. Ba5 Bd8 25. Bb4 Re8) 15... gxf6 16. a4 O-O-O 17. b4 Qd5 18. c4 Ne5 19. Nxe5 Qxe5+ 20. dxe5 Rxd3 21. exf6 Bxf6 22. Ra2 Rd4 23. Rc2 Re4+ 24. Kf1 Bg5 25. f4 Be7) 14... Qc7 15. O-O Ngf6 16. Rfe1 ({RR} 16. Qe2 O-O 17. Ne5 Rad8 18. Ng6) 16... O-O ({RR} 16... O-O-O 17. b4) 17. Nf5 ({RR} 17. Qe2 Rad8 18. Bc3 Bd6 19. Ne5 c5 20. dxc5 ({RR} 20. Nxd7 Rxd7 21. d5 Bxg3 22. Bxf6 Bh2+ 23. Kh1 gxf6 24. g3 exd5 25. Kxh2 d4) 20... Bxe5 21. Bxe5 Qxe5 22. Qxe5 Nxe5 23. Rxe5 Nd7 24. Re3 Nxc5) 17... Bd6 18. Nxd6 Qxd6 19. Qb3 c5 ({RR} 19... a5 20. Rad1 b5 21. Ne5 ({RR} 21. cxb5 Rfb8 ({RR} 21... a4 22. Qb4 Qxb4 23. Bxb4 Rfb8 24. bxc6 Rxb4 25. cxd7 Rxb2) 22. Ne5 Rxb5 23. Qc3 a4 24. Bxh6 gxh6 25. Qg3+ Kh7 ({RR} 25... Kf8 26. Ng6+) 26. Qd3+ Kg7 27. Qg3+ Kh7) 21... bxc4 22. Qxc4 ({RR} 22. Nxc4 Qd5) 22... Rfc8 23. Qe2 Qd5 24. Bf4 Rd8 ({RR} 24... Qxa2 25. Rd3 Qd5 26. Rg3 Kf8 27. Nxd7+ Qxd7 28. Be5 Qe7 29. Qf3) 25. Rd3 Nxe5 26. Bxe5 Nd7 27. Rg3 ({RR} 27. Bc7 Rdc8 28. Be5 Nxe5 29. dxe5 Qxa2 30. Rg3 Kh8) 27... Nxe5 28. dxe5 {½-½ (28) Dominguez Perez,L (2635)-Dreev,A (2694) Beersheba 2005 CBM 110 [Lukacs,Peter]}) ({RR} 19... Qc7 20. Ne5 c5 21. Nxd7 Nxd7 22. Bc3 cxd4 23. Bxd4 Rac8) 20. Rad1 cxd4 $146 ({RR} 20... Rfc8 21. Bc3 cxd4 22. Rxd4 Qc7 23. Qd1 a6 24. Qe2 b5 25. cxb5 axb5 26. Qxb5 Rxa2 27. Red1 Ra7 28. Ra4 Rxa4 29. Qxa4 Nb6 30. Qa5 Nfd5 31. Bd4 Qc2 32. Qe1 Nd7 33. Ra1 Qf5 34. Ne5 Nf4 35. g3 {Gundavaa,B (2477)-Rodshtein,M (2623) Puerto Madryn 2009 0-1 (47)}) 21. Bb4 Nc5 22. Ne5 ({RR} 22. Qa3 b6 23. Nxd4 a5) 22... b6 ({RR} 22... a5 23. Bxc5 Qxc5 24. Qxb7 Rab8 25. Qf3 a4) ({RR} 22... Rac8 23. Qf3) 23. Qf3 Nfd7 24. Nxd7 Qxd7 25. Bc3 e5 26. Rxe5 dxc3 ({RR} 26... Ne6 27. Bxd4 Nxd4 28. Qe4 Qa4 29. Qxd4) 27. Rxd7 Nxd7 28. Re2 cxb2 29. Rxb2 Nf6 30. Rd2 Rac8 31. Rd4 Rc5 32. g4 b5 33. cxb5 Rxb5 34. Kg2 Rg5 35. Kh3 Nh7 36. Qb3 Re5 37. Kg3 Re6 38. Qd3 Rfe8 39. Rd8 Rxd8 40. Qxd8+ Nf8 41. a4 g5 42. hxg6 Rxg6 43. f4 a6 44. f5 Rc6 45. a5 Kg7 46. Qd5 Rf6 47. Kf4 Ng6+ 48. Ke4 Nf8 49. Ke5 Ng6+ $5 {[%mdl 4352] Hansen wickelt lieber in eine Festung ab, anstatt sich auf} (49... Nh7 $6 50. Qd8 Rc6 51. Qb6 Rf6 {einzulassen. Allerdings habe ich auch hier keinen Weg gefunden, die schwarze Burgmauer zu erstürmen.}) 50. fxg6 Rxg6 51. Qd4 Kg8 52. Kf5 Kh7 53. Qd8 Kg7 54. Qc8 Rf6+ 55. Ke5 Re6+ 56. Kd5 Rg6 57. Kc5 Re6 58. Qb8 Rg6 59. Qb2+ Kh7 60. Qd4 Kg8 61. Qd8+ Kg7 62. Qb6 Re6 63. Qb2+ Kh7 64. Kd5 Rg6 65. Ke5 Kg8 66. Kf4 Kh7 67. Kf5 Kg8 68. Qb6 Kg7 69. Qd8 Rg5+ 70. Kf4 Rg6 71. Kg3 Re6 72. Kh3 Rg6 73. Kh4 Re6 74. Qd4+ Kh7 75. Qf4 Kg7 76. g5 hxg5+ 77. Kxg5 Rg6+ 78. Kh5 Kg8 79. Qd4 Kh7 80. Qe5 Kg8 81. Qe3 Kg7 82. Qb6 1/2-1/2

[Event "Samba Cup 2nd"]
[Site "Skanderborg"]
[Date "2005.10.17"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Zhang, Pengxiang"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B48"]
[WhiteElo "2570"]
[BlackElo "2613"]
[Annotator "Ribli,Zoltan"]
[PlyCount "95"]
[EventDate "2005.10.14"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "DEN"]
[EventCategory "16"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 110"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2006.01.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2006.01.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nc6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Be3 Nf6 7. Bd3 {Die Alternative 7.d2 wäre weniger stark, da mit 7...b4 8.f3 d5 Schwarz aktives Spiel erhält.} Qc7 8. O-O Ne5 9. Nf3 {Das ist eine Nebenvariante, die zu scharfem taktischem Spiel führt. Die Hauptvariante ist 9.h3. Der chinesische Großmeister spielte ebenfalls diese Variante mit Weiß vor ein paar Jahren.} Bd6 {Eine selten gespielte Fortsetzung, aber sie erscheint logisch, da Schwarz eine neue Figur entwickelt.} (9... Nfg4) (9... Neg4 $5 10. Bd2 d6 11. Ne2 Be7 12. c4 O-O 13. Rc1 b6 14. Nc3 Bb7 15. Qe2 Nd7 $11 {½-½ Carlsen,M-Ivanchuk,V/Samba Cup (6) 2005/CBM 110 (33)}) 10. Nxe5 Bxe5 11. f4 Bxc3 12. bxc3 Qxc3 {Schwarz hat einen Bauern mehr, aber Weiß hat das Läuferpaar und Entwicklungsvorteil.} (12... d6 13. c4 e5 14. Kh1 Ng4 15. Bg1 exf4 16. Rxf4 Ne5 17. Qh5 Be6 18. Bd4 O-O 19. Raf1 f6 {½-½ Djurhuus,R-Akesson,R/Karlstad 2005/(60)}) 13. e5 {Dieser Zug kommt mit Tempo und scheint mir viel konsequenter, als die Alternativen.} (13. Qf3 d5 (13... b5 14. e5 (14. Rab1 Bb7 15. a4) 14... Nd5 15. f5 Qxe5 16. fxe6 Qxe3+ 17. Qxe3 Nxe3 18. exf7+ Kf8 19. Rfe1 $13) 14. e5 (14. exd5 Nxd5 15. f5) 14... Ne4 15. Bxe4 dxe4 16. Qxe4 Bd7 17. Qd4 (17. Rad1 Bc6 18. Qd4 Qxd4 (18... Qxc2 19. Rd2 $44) 19. Bxd4) 17... Qxd4 18. Bxd4 O-O 19. Rab1 Bb5 20. Rf2 Rac8 21. c3 Rc4 {0-1 Gruskovnjak,T-Farago,I/TCh-SLO, Celje SLO 2003 (74)}) (13. Rb1 Nxe4 14. Rb3 Qc6 15. Rb6 Qc3 16. Rb3 Qc6 17. Rb6 Qc3 18. Rb3 {½-½ Cernousek,L-Gara,A/Budapest 2004/(18)}) 13... Nd5 14. Bd2 Qd4+ {Die schwarze Dame steht aktiver auf d4, als auf c5; z.B. im Falle vom später folgendem f4-f5 wird der e5 kontrolliert.} (14... Qc5+ 15. Kh1 b5 16. f5 Bb7 17. Qh5 (17. fxe6 dxe6 18. Qg4 h5 19. Qxg7 O-O-O 20. Qxf7 Rhg8 21. Rf2 Nc7 22. Raf1 h4 23. h3 Rg3 24. Kh2 Rdg8 25. Rg1 Qd5 $44 {0-1 Jansa,V-Kveinys,A/Prague 1993/CBM 37 (44)}) (17. a4 b4 18. Qg4 g6 19. fxg6 hxg6 20. Rxf7 Ne3 (20... Kxf7 21. Qxg6+ $18) 21. Bxe3 Qxe5 22. Bg1 Qxa1 23. Bxg6 O-O-O (23... Kd8 24. Qxb4 Bc6 25. a5 $36 (25. Be4 Rxh2+ 26. Kxh2 Qe5+ 27. Kh1 Qh5+ 28. Bh2 Qd1+ $11 (28... Qxf7 29. Bxc6 Qf1+ 30. Bg1 dxc6 31. Qd6+ Kc8 32. Qxc6+ Kb8 33. Qb6+ Kc8 34. Qxe6+ Kb8 35. Qe8+ Kb7 36. Qd7+ Kb8 37. c4 $18))) 24. Qc4+ Kb8 25. Qf4+ Kc8 $11) 17... O-O-O 18. Qe2 exf5 19. c4 bxc4 20. Bxc4 Nc7 21. Rfc1 Qa3 22. Rab1 Bc6 23. Bb4 Qa4 24. Bd6 f4 25. Qf2 Nb5 26. Bxb5 axb5 27. Qb6 {1-0 Andrzejewska,E-Blimke,D/Brzeg Dolny 2001/(27)}) 15. Kh1 b5 {Mit diesem Zug sichert Schwarz die Springerstellung auf d5; c2-c4 kommt aufgrund des Läuferverlustes nicht in Betracht. Nun plant Schwarz, seinen Läufer auf b7 zu positionieren.} 16. f5 $146 ({RR} 16. Qh5 Bb7 17. Rae1 O-O-O 18. Re4 Qb6 19. c4 f5 20. Ree1 Qd4 21. Qe2 bxc4 22. Bxc4 Qe4 23. Bxd5 Qxd5 24. Bb4 Kb8 25. Bd6+ Ka8 26. Rd1 Qc6 27. Rc1 Qa4 28. Rc4 Qb5 29. a4 Qb3 30. Rb4 Qd5 {Ter Schegget,B (2139)-Scherpenisse,K (1981) Haarlem 2007 1-0 (34)}) 16... exf5 (16... Bb7 17. Qh5 $1 $36 (17. fxe6 dxe6 18. Qh5 g6 19. Qf3 O-O 20. Bh6 Qxe5 $13)) (16... Qxe5 17. a4 $36 (17. Qg4 $36)) 17. Qf3 g6 (17... O-O 18. Qxf5 g6 19. Qf3 $40) 18. c3 Qc5 19. c4 $1 bxc4 20. Rac1 $44 {[%csl Re8] Weiß hat schon drei Bauern weniger, aber er hat starkes Figurenspiel, während Schwarz Entwicklungsprobleme hat .} Bb7 (20... c3 21. Bxc3 O-O 22. Bd2 $36 {[%cal Rc1c5,Gd2h6]}) 21. Bxc4 Bc6 22. Bb3 Qb5 23. Qg3 (23. Bh6 $5) 23... O-O 24. Rxf5 Rfe8 (24... Ne7 25. Rf6 Bd5 26. Bh6 Rfe8 27. Rcf1 $40) 25. Rcf1 {[%csl Gf1,Gf5,Gg3,Rg8][%cal Rf1f7][%mdl 128] Weiß verfügt über einen starken Angriff am Königsflügel.} Re7 26. Bg5 $16 {[%csl Yf6,Gg5,Yh6] Der schwarzfeldrige Läufer ist der Stolz der weißen Stellung.} Rae8 27. h3 (27. Bxe7 Rxe7 28. R5f2 $16) 27... a5 (27... Rxe5 28. Rxf7 $18) 28. R1f2 (28. Bxe7 Rxe7 29. Qg5 a4 30. Bxd5 Qxd5 31. R1f2) 28... a4 29. Bxd5 Qxd5 30. Bf6 $2 {Weiß nimmt nicht die Qualität, sondern möchte seinen schwarzfeldrigen Läufer auf dem Brett halten. Es wäre jedoch besser die Qualität zu nehmen.} (30. Bxe7 Rxe7 31. Kh2 $16) 30... Re6 31. Kh2 (31. Qg5 Qc5) 31... d6 $1 $132 {[%mdl 256]} 32. Qg5 (32. exd6 $2 Qxd6 $17) 32... dxe5 33. Qh6 Rxf6 34. Rxf6 Re7 {Schwarz hat schon zwei Bauern für die Qualität und seine Stellung ist fest.} 35. h4 $1 {[%cal Gh4h5] Weiß mobilisiert in Form seines h-Bauern seine Reserven.} e4 {[%csl Ge4][%cal Ge4e3]} 36. h5 Re5 {[%cal Re5h5,Rh5h2,Rh5h6]} 37. g4 {Dieser Zug schwächt die weiße Königsstellung.} e3 {[%cal Gc6h1]} 38. Rxf7 Qh1+ 39. Kg3 Qg1+ 40. Kh3 (40. Kh4 Qh1+) 40... Qh1+ 41. Rh2 Bg2+ 42. Kg3 Qe1+ 43. Kxg2 Kxf7 44. Qxh7+ Ke6 $11 {Nach forcierten Zügen besitzen beide Seiten Probleme mit ihrer Königsstellung.} 45. Qxg6+ Ke7 46. Qg7+ Ke6 47. Qg6+ Ke7 48. Qg7+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "Samba Cup 2nd"]
[Site "Skanderborg"]
[Date "2005.10.20"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Ivanchuk, Vassily"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B48"]
[WhiteElo "2570"]
[BlackElo "2748"]
[PlyCount "65"]
[EventDate "2005.10.14"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "DEN"]
[EventCategory "16"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 110"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2006.01.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2006.01.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 {Ribli,Zoltan} c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 e6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Be3 Nf6 7. Bd3 Qc7 8. O-O Ne5 9. Nf3 Neg4 ({RR} 9... Bd6 10. Nxe5 Bxe5 11. f4 Bxc3 12. bxc3 Qxc3 ({RR} 12... d6 13. c4 e5 14. Kh1 Ng4 15. Bg1 exf4 16. Rxf4 Ne5 17. Qh5 Be6 18. Bd4 O-O 19. Raf1 f6) 13. e5 ({RR} 13. Qf3 d5 ({RR} 13... b5 14. e5 ({RR} 14. Rab1 Bb7 15. a4) 14... Nd5 15. f5 Qxe5 16. fxe6 Qxe3+ 17. Qxe3 Nxe3 18. exf7+ Kf8 19. Rfe1) 14. e5 ({RR} 14. exd5 Nxd5 15. f5) 14... Ne4 15. Bxe4 dxe4 16. Qxe4 Bd7 17. Qd4 ({RR} 17. Rad1 Bc6 18. Qd4 Qxd4 ({RR} 18... Qxc2 19. Rd2) 19. Bxd4) 17... Qxd4 18. Bxd4 O-O 19. Rab1 Bb5 20. Rf2 Rac8 21. c3 Rc4) ({RR} 13. Rb1 Nxe4 14. Rb3 Qc6 15. Rb6 Qc3 16. Rb3 Qc6 17. Rb6 Qc3 18. Rb3) 13... Nd5 14. Bd2 Qd4+ ({RR} 14... Qc5+ 15. Kh1 b5 16. f5 Bb7 17. Qh5 ({RR} 17. fxe6 dxe6 18. Qg4 h5 19. Qxg7 O-O-O 20. Qxf7 Rhg8 21. Rf2 Nc7 22. Raf1 h4 23. h3 Rg3 24. Kh2 Rdg8 25. Rg1 Qd5) ({RR} 17. a4 b4 18. Qg4 g6 19. fxg6 hxg6 20. Rxf7 Ne3 ({RR} 20... Kxf7 21. Qxg6+) 21. Bxe3 Qxe5 22. Bg1 Qxa1 23. Bxg6 O-O-O ({RR} 23... Kd8 24. Qxb4 Bc6 25. a5 ({RR} 25. Be4 Rxh2+ 26. Kxh2 Qe5+ 27. Kh1 Qh5+ 28. Bh2 Qd1+ ({RR} 28... Qxf7 29. Bxc6 Qf1+ 30. Bg1 dxc6 31. Qd6+ Kc8 32. Qxc6+ Kb8 33. Qb6+ Kc8 34. Qxe6+ Kb8 35. Qe8+ Kb7 36. Qd7+ Kb8 37. c4))) 24. Qc4+ Kb8 25. Qf4+ Kc8) 17... O-O-O 18. Qe2 exf5 19. c4 bxc4 20. Bxc4 Nc7 21. Rfc1 Qa3 22. Rab1 Bc6 23. Bb4 Qa4 24. Bd6 f4 25. Qf2 Nb5 26. Bxb5 axb5 27. Qb6) 15. Kh1 b5 16. f5 exf5 ({RR} 16... Bb7 17. Qh5 ({RR} 17. fxe6 dxe6 18. Qh5 g6 19. Qf3 O-O 20. Bh6 Qxe5)) ({RR} 16... Qxe5 17. a4 ({RR} 17. Qg4)) 17. Qf3 g6 ({RR} 17... O-O 18. Qxf5 g6 19. Qf3) 18. c3 Qc5 19. c4 bxc4 20. Rac1 Bb7 ({RR} 20... c3 21. Bxc3 O-O 22. Bd2) 21. Bxc4 Bc6 22. Bb3 Qb5 23. Qg3 ({RR} 23. Bh6) 23... O-O 24. Rxf5 {Carlsen,M (2570)-Zhang,P (2613) Skanderborg 2005 CBM 110 [Ribli,Zoltan] ½-½ (48)} {RR} Ne7 25. Rf6 Bd5 26. Bh6 Rfe8 27. Rcf1) ({RR} 9... Nfg4) 10. Bd2 ({RR} 10. Bg5 h6 11. Bh4 Bd6 12. Bg3 Bxg3 13. hxg3 O-O 14. Qe2 d6 15. Rae1 b5 16. e5 dxe5 17. Nxe5 Nxe5 18. Qxe5 Qxe5 19. Rxe5 Bb7 20. a3 Rfd8 21. Rfe1 Rac8 22. f3 Nd7 23. R5e3 Nb6 24. Ne4 Na4 {Iljiushenok,I (2519)-Rublevsky,S (2683) Sochi 2017 0-1 (60)}) ({RR} 10. Qe2 Nxe3 11. Qxe3 d6 12. h3 Be7 13. e5 dxe5 14. Nxe5 O-O 15. Rfe1 b5 16. a3 Bb7 17. Rad1 Rac8 18. Re2 Rfd8 19. Rde1 Bf8 20. Ng4 Be7 21. Ne5 Nd5 22. Qf3 Bf6 23. Nxd5 Rxd5 24. Qg3 Rcd8 {Cordes,S (1950)-Stebbings,A (2276) Swidnica POL 2023 ½-½}) 10... d6 11. Ne2 $146 ({RR} 11. a4 b6 12. Qe2 Be7 13. h3 Ne5 14. Nxe5 dxe5 15. f4 O-O 16. Rae1 Bb7 17. f5 Rfe8 18. fxe6 fxe6 19. Bg5 Nd7 20. Bxe7 Rxe7 21. Bc4 Qc5+ 22. Kh1 Qb4 23. Rf3 Nf6 {½-½ (23) Dembo,Y (2461)-Delchev,A (2661) Cappelle la Grande 2006}) ({RR} 11. a3 Be7 12. h3 Ne5 13. Nxe5 dxe5 14. b4 O-O 15. Qe2 Bd7 16. Nd1 Rfd8 17. c4 Bc6 18. Bc3 Nh5 19. g3 Nf6 20. Nb2 b6 21. Bc2 Bb7 22. Rfd1 h6 23. Rxd8+ Rxd8 24. Rd1 Rc8 25. f3 a5 {Borriss,M (2455)-Ribli,Z (2584) Germany 2007 ½-½ (39)}) 11... Be7 12. c4 O-O 13. Rc1 b6 14. Nc3 Bb7 15. Qe2 Nd7 16. b3 Rfe8 17. Rfd1 Rad8 18. Bb1 Ngf6 19. Bf4 Ne5 20. Nxe5 dxe5 21. Be3 Rxd1+ 22. Rxd1 b5 23. f3 Qa5 24. Rc1 bxc4 25. Qxc4 Ba3 26. Rc2 Rd8 27. Kf2 h6 28. Ke2 Bb4 29. Na4 Nd7 30. Qc7 Qb5+ 31. Qc4 Qa5 32. Qc7 Qb5+ 33. Qc4 1/2-1/2

[Event "Samba Cup 2nd"]
[Site "Skanderborg"]
[Date "2005.10.21"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Bruzon Batista, Lazaro"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A04"]
[WhiteElo "2677"]
[BlackElo "2570"]
[Annotator "Postny,Evgeny"]
[PlyCount "59"]
[EventDate "2005.10.14"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "DEN"]
[EventCategory "16"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 110"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2006.01.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2006.01.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d3 {Avoiding the main lines of Paulsen.} Nc6 4. g3 g6 5. Bg2 Bg7 6. O-O Nge7 7. c3 O-O 8. d4 cxd4 9. cxd4 d5 10. e5 {A "French type" pawn structure has arised.} f6 (10... Qb6 11. Nc3 Nf5 12. Na4 Qc7 13. Bf4 b5 14. Nc3 Qb6 15. Ne2 f6 16. exf6 Bxf6 17. Be5 Nxe5 18. dxe5 Be7 19. Qd2 Bd7 20. Kh1 Kg7 21. g4 Nh6 22. h3 Nf7 23. Ned4 $14 {½-½ Psakhis,L (2610)-Shaked,T (2445)/Honolulu 1997/EXT 98 (30)}) (10... Nf5 11. Nc3 f6 12. g4 Nfe7 13. exf6 Rxf6 14. Be3 Rf8 15. Qd2 Bd7 16. h3 Nc8 17. Rfe1 Nd6 18. b3 Qa5 19. Rac1 Rac8 $11 {1-0 Zhang Zhong (2607)-Kobalija,M (2581)/Ubeda 2001/CBM 080 ext (64)}) 11. Re1 fxe5 ({A highly interesting game was played earlier this year:} 11... Nf5 12. Nc3 Kh8 13. g4 Nh4 14. Nxh4 fxe5 15. Nxg6+ hxg6 16. dxe5 Nxe5 17. Be3 Qf6 18. Bc5 Rf7 19. Re3 Qxf2+ 20. Kh1 Kg8 $2 (20... Qf4 $1) 21. Nxd5 $1 exd5 22. Qxd5 Bd7 23. Rxe5 Qxb2 24. Rf1 Qxg2+ 25. Kxg2 Bc6 26. Qxc6 bxc6 27. Rxf7 Bxe5 28. Re7 Bf4 29. Rxa7 $16 {1-0 Vescovi,G (2645)-Volokitin,A (2685)/Bermuda BER 2005/The Week in Chess 535 (44)}) ({RR} 11... Qb6 12. Nc3 Nf5 13. Na4 Qc7 14. g4 fxe5 15. gxf5 e4 16. fxe6 exf3 17. Bxf3 Nxd4 18. Bxd5 Rxf2 19. e7+ Be6 20. Bxe6+ Nxe6 21. Kxf2 Qxh2+ 22. Ke3 Qg3+ 23. Kd2 Qg5+ 24. Kc2 Qf5+ 25. Kd2 Qg5+ 26. Kc2 {Amin,B (2652)-Vitiugov,N (2741) Antalya 2013 ½-½}) 12. dxe5 Rf5 $146 {[%csl Re5] Quite an awkward move, but Carlsen's idea is rather concrete.} (12... h6 13. h4 Nf5 14. Nc3 Bd7 15. Bf4 Rc8 (15... Be8 16. Qd2 Rc8 17. Rac1 Rc7 18. Nh2 Rcf7 19. Ng4 Kh7 20. b3 $2 Nxh4 $17 {1-0 Morozevich,A (2718)-McDonald,N (2389)/Birmingham 2002/CBM 084 ext (48)}) 16. Qd2 Kh7 17. Rad1 Qa5 18. Nh2 d4 19. Ng4 h5 20. Nf6+ Bxf6 21. exf6 e5 22. Bg5 Be6 23. Ne4 $16 {1-0 Vescovi,G (2592)-Markowski,T (2574)/Bermuda 2003/CBM 094 (59)}) (12... Bd7 13. Nc3 Rc8 14. Bf4 Nf5 15. Qd2 Na5 16. b3 b5 $4 (16... h6) 17. Bg5 Qb6 18. g4 $18 {[%csl Rf5] 1-0 Ljubojevic,L (2565)-Tatai,S (2430)/Manila 1973/EXT 98 (24)}) ({RR} 12... Bd7 13. Nc3 a6 14. Bf4 h6 15. h4 Qb6 16. Qd2 h5 17. Rac1 Rf5 18. Bh3 Rff8 19. Ng5 Nf5 20. Nxd5 exd5 21. Qxd5+ Kh8 22. Qxd7 Ncd4 23. Bg2 Qxb2 24. Rb1 Qxa2 25. Rxb7 Qa5 26. Rd1 Ne2+ 27. Kh2 {Andrews,T (2097)-Alazmi,A (1745) chess.com INT 2025 1-0 (50)}) 13. Bf4 $146 ({RR} 13. Bh3 Nxe5 14. Bxf5 Nxf3+ 15. Qxf3 Nxf5 16. Nc3 Nd4 17. Qd1 Qf8 18. Kg2 Qf5 19. g4 Qf7 20. f4 Bd7 21. h3 Bc6 22. Be3 Nf5 23. gxf5 d4+ 24. Kh2 Qxf5 25. Rc1 dxc3 26. bxc3 Qe4 27. Qc2 Qc4 {Amin,B (2641)-Prathamesh,S (2389) Dubai 2013 1-0 (43)}) 13... Qf8 14. Qd2 ({Bruzon was probably concerned about a possible exchange sacrifice:} 14. Nc3 Rxf4 $5 15. gxf4 Qxf4 $44) 14... g5 15. Nxg5 Ng6 16. Nc3 Nxf4 (16... Ncxe5 $6 17. Bxe5 Nxe5 (17... Rxe5 18. f4 Rxe1+ 19. Rxe1 $16 {[%csl Re6]}) 18. f4 Nc4 19. Qe2 Nxb2 20. Rac1 $1 (20. Qxb2 $2 Qc5+ {[%csl Rc3,Rg1]}) (20. Nxe6 $2 Bxe6 21. Qxe6+ Kh8 22. Nxd5 Nd3 $17 {[%csl Ra1,Re1,Rg1]}) 20... Qc5+ (20... Rxg5 21. fxg5 Qc5+ 22. Kh1 Bxc3 23. Qxb2 Bxb2 24. Rxc5 $18) 21. Kh1 Bxc3 22. Nxe6 Bxe6 23. Qxe6+ Rf7 24. Bxd5 Raf8 25. Re3 Na4 26. Bb3 $18) 17. gxf4 Rxf4 {It looks like black is doing great, but the next move frustrates his plans...} {[%tqu "En","What would you suggest for Black?","","","c3d5","White does not get anything concrete after this, the idea of the sacrifice is rather positional.",20]} 18. Nxd5 $3 {[%mdl 512] White does not get anything concrete after this, the idea of the sacrifice is rather positional.} exd5 19. Qxd5+ Kh8 20. e6 {[%csl Ya8,Yc8] Black's queenside pieces are out of play now, which gives white a definite compensation for the sacrificed piece. It's extremely hard to evaluate this position, but it's clear that psychologically it's much easier to play this position as white.} Qe7 (20... Bxb2 21. Nf7+ Rxf7 22. exf7 Bxa1 23. Re8 Bg4 24. Qe4 Bh5 25. Rxf8+ Rxf8 26. Qb1 Bg7 27. Qxb7 Ne5 {[%csl Rf7]} 28. Qxa7 Rxf7 $13) 21. Rad1 Nd4 22. Kh1 $1 {Calmly played. White simply moving his king to a safer square clearly indicating that he is not really concerned about opponent's extra piece...} (22. Nf7+ Kg8 23. Qd8+ Qxd8 24. Nxd8 {[%csl Ge6][%cal Ge6e7,Ge7e8]} Kf8 25. e7+ Ke8 26. Nxb7 Bxb7 27. Bxb7 Rb8 28. Rxd4 Rxd4 29. Bc6+ Rd7 $17) 22... Rb8 23. Re5 Nc6 $2 {The decisive mistake.} (23... Bd7 $3 24. Rxd4 (24. exd7 Bxe5 25. Ne6 Qxe6 26. d8=Q+ Rxd8 27. Qxd8+ Qg8 $19) (24. Qxd7 Qxd7 25. exd7 Bxe5 26. Re1 h6 27. Rxe5 hxg5 28. Re8+ Rf8 $19) 24... Bc6 25. Rxf4 $1 Bxd5 26. Nf7+ Kg8 27. Bxd5 Bxe5 28. Nxe5 {[%cal Gf4g4]} h5 29. Rf3 {[%cal Gf3g3]} Qb4 30. e7+ (30. Nd7 Qb5 {[%cal Gb5f1,Gb5d5]} 31. e7+ Kg7 32. Rg3+ Kh8 33. Nxb8 Qxd5+ 34. Kg1 Qd1+ 35. Kg2 Qd5+ $11) 30... Kg7 31. Rf7+ Kh6 32. Rf6+ Kg7 33. Rf7+ Kh6 $11) 24. Rf5 $18 Bxe6 {Desperation. However, the alternatives are not better.} (24... Rg4 25. Nf7+ Kg8 26. Nd8 {[%cal Cc6b4,Cb4d5,Gf5f7,Gd8c6]} Nb4 27. Qb3 $18) (24... Rxf5 25. Qxf5 Bf6 26. Bxc6 bxc6 27. Rd8+ Qxd8 28. Qxh7#) 25. Nxe6 Rxf5 26. Qxf5 Bxb2 {The position is now materially equal, but white's attack is irresistible.} 27. Be4 Rg8 28. Rd3 {[%csl Rh7][%cal Gd3h3]} Ne5 29. Rb3 (29. Rh3 $18) 29... Qh4 30. Rh3 1-0

[Event "Samba Cup 2nd"]
[Site "Skanderborg"]
[Date "2005.10.22"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Nisipeanu, Liviu Dieter"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B33"]
[WhiteElo "2707"]
[BlackElo "2570"]
[PlyCount "59"]
[EventDate "2005.10.14"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "DEN"]
[EventCategory "16"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 110"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2006.01.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2006.01.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 {Manor,Ilan} c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 Nc6 6. Ndb5 d6 7. Bf4 e5 8. Bg5 a6 9. Na3 b5 10. Nd5 Be7 11. Bxf6 Bxf6 12. c3 Bg5 13. Nc2 O-O 14. a4 bxa4 15. Rxa4 a5 16. Bc4 Rb8 17. b3 ({RR} 17. Ra2 Kh8 18. Nce3 g6 19. h4 Bxh4 20. g3 Bg5 21. f4 exf4 22. gxf4 Bh4+ 23. Kf1 f5 24. b3 fxe4 25. Rah2 g5 26. Ng2) 17... g6 18. O-O Kh8 19. b4 ({RR} 19. Ra1 Bh6 20. Qd3 f5 21. f3 Be6 22. Rad1 Ne7 23. Nce3 {½-½ (23) Ehlvest,J (2610)-Lautier,J (2645) Tallinn/Parnu 1998 CBM 066 [Manor,Ilan]} ({RR} 23. Nxe7 Qxe7 24. Bxe6 ({RR} 24. Qxd6 Qxd6 25. Rxd6 Bxc4 26. bxc4 Rb2 27. Ne1 ({RR} 27. Na3 Be3+ 28. Kh1 Bc5) 27... Be3+ 28. Kh1 fxe4) 24... Qxe6 25. c4 ({RR} 25. Na1))) ({RR} 19. Qe2 Bd7 20. Ra2 f5 21. Rfa1 Bh6 22. b4 axb4 23. Ncxb4) ({RR} 19. Qd3 Bd7 20. Raa1 f5 21. Rfd1 Bh6 22. Nde3 Rf6 23. f3 Ne7 24. Kh1 Bf4 25. b4 a4 26. Nd5 Nxd5 27. Bxd5 Qf8) ({RR} 19. Kh1 f5 20. exf5 Bxf5 21. Nce3 Be6 22. Qd3 Ne7 23. Nxe7 Qxe7 24. Rxa5 Bxe3 25. Qxe3 Bxc4 26. bxc4 Qc7) ({RR} 19. Nde3 f5 20. exf5 gxf5 21. Bd5 Bd7 22. Ra3 Ne7 23. Nc4 Nxd5 24. Qxd5 Rb5 25. Qd3 Be6 26. Rd1 Rd5 27. Qe2 Rxd1+ 28. Qxd1 Bxc4 29. bxc4 Qc7 30. Qd5 Rc8 31. Rxa5 Qxc4 32. g3 Qxd5 33. Rxd5 Rxc3 {Jimenez Salas,M (2249)-Skliarov,V (2334) chess.com INT 2025 1-0 (48)}) 19... Bd7 20. b5 ({RR} 20. Qa1 Qc8 21. Bd3 axb4 22. cxb4 Be6 23. b5 Bxd5 24. exd5 Ne7 25. Nb4 Rb7 26. Rd1 Kg7 27. Bf1 Qc5) 20... Na7 21. Qa1 Qc8 $146 ({RR} 21... Bxb5 22. Bxb5 Rxb5 23. Na3 Rc5 24. Nc4 Nc6 25. Rb1 f5 26. f3 fxe4 27. fxe4 Ne7 28. Ncb6 Nxd5 29. Nxd5 {½-½ (28) Brajic,M-Stojanovic,A (2101) Obrenovac 2002}) ({RR} 21... Nxb5 22. Rxa5 f5 23. exf5 Qc8 24. Nce3 gxf5 25. Bxb5 Rxb5 26. Rxb5 Bxb5 27. c4 Bxe3 28. cxb5 Bd4 29. Qb1 Qb7 30. Qb3 f4 31. Rc1 Rg8 32. Kh1 Bxf2 33. Rc7 Rc8 34. b6 Rxc7 35. bxc7 Qxb3 36. c8=Q+ {Ibrahimov,R (2527)-Shalamberidze,A (2402) Rustavi 2014 1-0 (45)}) 22. Bd3 Nxb5 23. Rxa5 Nc7 24. Nxc7 Qxc7 25. Nb4 Qd8 26. Bc4 Ra8 27. Ra7 Qc8 28. Rxa8 Qxa8 29. Qd1 Qb8 30. Qd3 1/2-1/2

[Event "NOR-ch playoff"]
[Site "Oslo"]
[Date "2005.11.08"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Agdestein, Simen"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C80"]
[WhiteElo "2570"]
[BlackElo "2582"]
[PlyCount "63"]
[EventDate "2005.11.07"]
[EventType "match"]
[EventRounds "2"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2006"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2005.11.24"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2005.11.24"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 {Bologan,Viktor} e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Nxe4 6. d4 b5 7. Bb3 d5 8. dxe5 Be6 9. Nbd2 Nc5 10. c3 d4 11. Bxe6 Nxe6 12. cxd4 Ncxd4 13. a4 Be7 14. Nxd4 Qxd4 ({RR} 14... Nxd4 15. axb5 ({RR} 15. Ne4 O-O ({RR} 15... Ne6 16. Be3 O-O 17. f4 Qxd1 18. Rfxd1 Rfb8 19. Rd7 Bf8 20. f5) 16. axb5 Nxb5 17. Be3 Qc8 18. Qc2 ({RR} 18. Qd5 Rd8 19. Qc6 Qf5 20. f4 h5 21. h3 Rab8 22. Rfd1) 18... Qe6 19. f4 f6 ({RR} 19... Rad8 20. Ra4 Rd7 21. Rfa1 Qd5 22. h3) 20. exf6 Bxf6 21. f5 Qe5 22. Bc5) 15... Nxb5 16. Qg4 ({RR} 16. Qc2 O-O 17. Nf3 Nd4 18. Nxd4 Qxd4 19. Qxc7 Bb4 20. e6 fxe6 21. Qc6 Qd6 22. Qe4 Bc5 23. Be3 Bxe3) 16... O-O 17. Nf3 Qc8 18. Qg3 Qe6 19. Ra4 f5 20. Bg5 Rfe8 21. Bxe7 Rxe7 22. Ng5 Qd5 23. Nxh7 Qxe5 24. Qf3 Rd8 25. Ng5) 15. axb5 Qxe5 16. bxa6 O-O 17. Nf3 ({RR} 17. Qa4 Nc5 ({RR} 17... Rfb8 18. a7 ({RR} 18. Nf3 Qb5 19. a7 Rb7 20. Qxb5 Rxb5 21. Be3 Bf6 22. Ra2 Kf8 23. Nd2 Bd4 24. Nc4 Rb7 25. Rfa1 Bxe3 26. fxe3) 18... Rb7 19. Nf3 Qd5 20. Be3 Bc5 21. Rad1 Qb3 22. Qxb3 Rxb3 23. Bxc5 Nxc5 24. Nd4 Rb7 25. Nc6) 18. Qc4 Rfb8 19. Ra5 Qd6 20. Ne4 Nxe4 21. Qxe4 Qb4 22. Qxb4 Bxb4 23. Ra4 Rb6 24. a7 Bc5 25. Rd1 h6 ({RR} 25... Rb7 26. Be3 Bxe3 27. fxe3 Kf8 28. Rda1 Rxb2) 26. b4 Rxb4 ({RR} 26... Bxb4 27. Be3 c5 28. Rd7 ({RR} 28. Bf4 Rb7 29. Bb8) 28... Bd2 29. Kf1 Bxe3 30. fxe3) 27. Rxb4 Bxb4 28. Be3 Kf8 ({RR} 28... c5 29. Rd7 c4 30. Bb6) ({RR} 28... Ba5 29. Rd7) 29. Rb1 {1-0 (29) Topalov,V (2700)-Kortschnoj,V (2645) Madrid 1996 CBM 053 [Bologan,Viktor]}) ({RR} 17. Qg4 Qb5 18. Qc4 Rfb8 19. Ra2 Ra7 20. Rd1 Qxc4 21. Nxc4 Rba8 22. Be3 Rxa6 23. Rxa6) ({RR} 17. Re1 Qb5 18. Qa4 Qxa4 19. Rxa4 Nc5 20. Ra3 Ne6 21. Ra1 Ra7 22. Nf3) 17... Qb5 18. a7 $146 ({RR} 18. Qa4 Qxa4 19. Rxa4 Nc5 20. Ra5 ({RR} 20. Rc4 Rxa6 21. Nd4 Ra4 22. Rxa4 Nxa4 23. b3 Nb6 24. Nb5 Nd5 25. Rd1 Rd8 26. Ba3 Nf4 27. Rxd8+ Bxd8 28. Kf1 Ne6) 20... Rxa6 21. Rxa6 Nxa6 22. Bd2 Bf6 23. Bc3 Bxc3 24. bxc3 {½-½ (24) Psakhis,L (2500)-Dolmatov,S (2545) Frunze 1981}) ({RR} 18. Qa4 Qxa4 19. Rxa4 Nc5 20. Ra5 Rxa6) ({RR} 18. Qa4 Qxa4 19. Rxa4 Nc5 20. Ra5 Rxa6 21. Rxa6 Nxa6 22. Be3 Bf6 23. Bd4 Bxd4 24. Nxd4 Rb8 25. Rb1 g6 26. Kf1 Nc5 27. Rc1 Nd3 28. Rxc7 Rxb2 29. Rc2 Rb4 30. Nc6 Rb1+ 31. Ke2 Ne1 32. Rc4 Nxg2 {De Melo,J-De Siqueira,L (2011) Florianopolis BRA 2023 0-1 (83)}) ({RR} 18. Qa4 Qxa4 19. Rxa4 Nc5 20. Rc4 Rxa6 21. Nd4 Ra4 22. Rxa4 Nxa4 23. b3 Nb6 24. Nb5 Nd5 25. Rd1 Rd8 26. Ba3 Nf4 27. Rxd8+ Bxd8 28. Kf1 Ne6 {½-½ (28) Adams,M (2655)-Sokolov,I (2645) Leon 1995}) 18... Bc5 19. Be3 Bxe3 20. fxe3 Qb6 21. Qa4 Qxe3+ 22. Kh1 Rfd8 23. Rfe1 Qb6 24. Ne5 c5 25. Rf1 Rd4 26. Qa2 Qc7 27. Nxf7 c4 28. Qa6 Nc5 29. Qa5 Rd7 30. Qb5 Nb3 31. Ne5 Re7 32. Qd5+ 1-0

[Event "FIDE World Cup"]
[Site "Khanty-Mansiysk"]
[Date "2005.11.30"]
[Round "2.1"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Amonatov, Farrukh"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B90"]
[WhiteElo "2570"]
[BlackElo "2572"]
[Annotator "Ftacnik,Lubomir"]
[PlyCount "71"]
[EventDate "2005.11.27"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 111"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2006.04.04"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2006.04.04"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Be3 e5 7. Nf3 Qc7 8. a4 b6 9. Nd5 Nxd5 10. Qxd5 Nc6 11. Ng5 Rb8 12. Bc4 {Carlsen is obviously working on chess in a great depth. In the given position he comes up with a radical attack against the weakness f7.} (12. c3 Nd8 13. Qd1 h6 14. Nf3 Be7 15. Bd3 Qc6 16. Qe2 b5 17. axb5 axb5 18. Nd2 Ne6 19. Ra5 Bd7 20. O-O O-O {½-½ Piuva,M-Valkesalmi,K/Finland 1980/ (54)}) 12... Nd8 13. Qd3 h6 ({RR} 13... Be7 14. O-O O-O 15. c3 h6 16. Nf3 a5 17. Nd2 Be6 18. f4 exf4 19. Bxf4 Nc6 20. Bxe6 fxe6 21. Qc4 Qd7 22. Rad1 d5 23. exd5 exd5 24. Qd3 Bc5+ 25. Kh1 Rbe8 26. Nb3 Ne5 27. Qg3 Ng4 28. Nxc5 {Zheng,H (2210)-Gormally,D (2428) San Vicente ESP 2025 0-1 (40)}) 14. Nf3 Ra8 {Amonatov has played the first independent move, but it doesn't make a healthy impression. The tragedy for black is a poor coordination of pieces and rather slow development.} (14... Qb7 15. O-O Be7 16. Ra3 O-O 17. Rb3 Qc6 18. Ra1 Ne6 19. Bxa6 Bxa6 20. Qxa6 Qxc2 21. Rxb6 Rbc8 22. h3 Qxe4 23. Qb7 Qxb7 24. Rxb7 Rc7 25. Rxc7 Nxc7 26. b4 {1-0 Zieher,H-Schubert,C/Germany 1981/GER-chT (43)}) 15. Nd2 Ne6 $146 (15... Be7 16. Bd5 Bb7 17. a5 b5 18. c4 $16) ({RR} 15... Be7 16. O-O O-O 17. Bd5 Rb8 18. Ra3 Ne6 19. Rc3 Qd8 20. b4 Bg5 21. Nc4 Bxe3 22. fxe3 a5 23. b5 Nc5 24. Qd2 Kh8 25. Bc6 Be6 26. Nxd6 Qc7 27. Nf5 Nxa4 28. Ra3 Nc5 29. Qf2 Rbd8 30. Qg3 {Flores Cubas,M (2141)-Diaz Ordonez,C (2259) Medellin 2007 0-1 (83)}) 16. Bd5 Rb8 (16... Bb7 17. O-O Bxd5 18. exd5 Nc5 19. Qc4 $16) 17. Qc4 Nc5 $6 {The logical move, that finally develops the knight to promissing square fails to the immediate tactical trick. The defender was poorly prepared for the direct contact of the pieces.} (17... Qxc4 18. Nxc4 Nf4 (18... b5 19. axb5 axb5 20. Ba7 $18) 19. Bxb6 Nxg2+ 20. Kd2 $16) 18. b4 $1 b5 $8 19. axb5 axb5 20. Qc3 Ne6 21. Qxc7 Nxc7 22. Ba7 Nxd5 (22... Rb7 23. Bc6+ Kd8 24. c3 $18) 23. Bxb8 Nxb4 24. O-O $1 {The young Norwegian has won an exchange for the pawn. His development advantage contributes to the rush cracking of the enemy's resistance.} Nc6 (24... Nxc2 $2 25. Rac1 $18) 25. Rfb1 Be7 (25... Nxb8 26. Ra8 Nc6 27. Rxc8+ Kd7 28. Ra8 b4 29. Nc4 $18) (25... b4 26. Nc4 Kd7 27. Nb6+ Kd8 28. Ba7 Be6 29. Nd5 $18) 26. Rxb5 O-O 27. Nc4 $1 {The tactical tit for tat is the quickest way to realize the huge advantage.} Be6 (27... Nxb8 28. Rxb8 Be6 29. Rxf8+ Bxf8 30. Ne3 $18) 28. Bxd6 Bxc4 (28... Bxd6 29. Nxd6 Rd8 30. Nb7 $18) 29. Rc5 Rc8 (29... Bxd6 30. Rxc6 $18) 30. Rxc4 Bxd6 31. Ra6 $18 Rb8 (31... Ne7 32. Rxc8+ Nxc8 33. Ra8 $18) 32. g3 Nd4 33. Rxd6 Rb1+ 34. Kg2 Rb2 35. c3 Nc2 36. Kf1 1-0

[Event "FIDE World Cup"]
[Site "Khanty-Mansiysk"]
[Date "2005.12.01"]
[Round "2.2"]
[White "Amonatov, Farrukh"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B12"]
[WhiteElo "2572"]
[BlackElo "2570"]
[Annotator "Lukacs,Peter"]
[PlyCount "47"]
[EventDate "2005.11.27"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 111"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2006.04.04"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2006.04.04"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. e5 Bf5 4. Nc3 e6 5. g4 Bg6 6. Nge2 c5 7. Be3 cxd4 (7... Nc6 {- Zambrana-Leitao, Santiago 2004 CBM 100}) 8. Nxd4 Bb4 (8... h5 $6 {Black has completely forgotten about the importance of development.} 9. f4 $1 { f5} hxg4 (9... Ne7 10. f5 $1 exf5 11. Ndb5 $1 {and Black is on the verge of collapse.} Nec6 12. Nxd5 Na6 13. Qd2 fxg4 14. O-O-O Qc8 15. Nd6+ Bxd6 16. exd6 O-O 17. d7 $16 {Cu.Hansen-K.Berg, Esbjerg 1981}) 10. f5 $1 {This is the beginning of the breakthrough in the .} exf5 11. Bb5+ Nd7 12. e6 $1 fxe6 13. Nxe6 Qh4+ 14. Bf2 Qe7 15. O-O Ngf6 16. Nxd5 Nxd5 17. Qxd5 Qd6 18. Qg2 $16 {Hetey-Aarland, Aarhus 1993}) (8... Nd7 $6 9. f4 $14) (8... Ne7 9. f4 a6 10. f5 $5 {is crucial here, for example:} (10. Bh3 { f5} Nec6 { h4} 11. O-O Nxd4 12. Bxd4 Nc6 (12... h5 $6 {is again met by the devastating} 13. f5 $1 hxg4 14. fxg6 gxh3 15. Ne4 Qh4 16. Qf3 $18 {A.David-Piankov, France 1997}) 13. f5 (13. Bf2 h5 14. f5 Bh7 $13) 13... exf5 14. gxf5 Qg5+ 15. Kh1 Bh5 16. Qd3 Nb4 $1 $13) 10... exf5 11. Qe2 $5 Nbc6 (11... fxg4 12. O-O-O $19) 12. O-O-O Nxd4 (12... fxg4 13. Bg2 $44) 13. Rxd4 fxg4 14. Bg2 Rc8 15. Rhd1 Qc7 16. R1d2 Bf5 17. Bxd5 Nc6 18. Rf4 Qxe5 {(Ziatdinov-Savon, Tashkent 1985)} (18... g6 19. Ne4 $16) 19. Bb6 $1 $16) (8... Nc6 9. f4 (9. Bb5 Nge7 10. f4 a6 11. Ba4 Qc7 12. O-O O-O-O 13. Bxc6 Nxc6 14. Nxc6 Qxc6 15. Qd4 Be7 16. Ne2 (16. f5 $6 {is premature because of} exf5 17. gxf5 Bxf5 18. Rxf5 Qg6+ 19. Rg5 Bxg5 20. Qg4+ Kb8 21. Qxg5 d4 $17) (16. Rad1 $5) 16... h5 17. f5 (17. g5 {gives up all the light squares.} h4) 17... exf5 18. gxf5 Bxf5 $1 19. Rxf5 Qg6+ 20. Ng3 h4 21. Rf3 {½:½ Van der Wiel-Scheeren, Amsterdam Drachten 1982}) 9... Bb4 (9... Nxd4 10. Bxd4 Ne7 11. Bb5+ Nc6 12. O-O {(Wittmann-A.Ward, Oxford 1998)} Bb4 $5 13. a3 Ba5 $13) 10. a3 Bxc3+ 11. bxc3 Be4 12. Rg1 Nge7 13. Bd3 O-O 14. Bxe4 dxe4 15. Nxc6 Nxc6 16. Qxd8 Rfxd8 {White's  structure is not very impressive in the .} 17. Ke2 Ne7 18. Bd4 Nd5 19. f5 Rac8 $11 {Herbrechtsmeier-Chandler, GER-chT 1982}) 9. Qd2 (9. Bb5+ Nd7 10. f4 Qh4+ (10... Rc8 11. O-O $1 {White can bravely sacrifice the .} Bxc3 12. bxc3 Be4 (12... Rxc3 13. Qd2 $16) (12... a6 13. Bxd7+ Qxd7 14. f5 $16) 13. f5 $40) (10... Be4 11. O-O Bxc3 12. bxc3 a6 (12... Ne7 13. f5 O-O 14. f6 {This  looks rather dangerous for Black.} Ng6 15. fxg7 Kxg7 16. Bxd7 Qxd7 17. Bg5 $36 {Shabalov-Macieja, playchess.com 2004}) 13. Bd3 {(Serra Pages-Quintas Galeano, ESP 1999)} (13. Bxd7+ Qxd7 14. f5 Ne7) 13... Rc8 $132) 11. Bf2 Qh3 12. Bg3 Nh6 $132) (9. h4 h5 10. a3 Bxc3+ 11. bxc3 a6 12. Rb1 Qc7 13. c4 Ne7 $15 {and White's  structure is in ruins, Paragua-Liang Chong, Tagaytay City 2004.}) (9. f4 Ne7 10. Bg2 h5 11. f5 exf5 12. gxf5 Bxf5 13. O-O Bg4 14. Qd3 Nbc6 {½-½ Conquest-Magem Badals, Pamplona 2004}) 9... Nd7 (9... Ne7 10. a3 Ba5 11. Ndb5 (11. f4 O-O (11... Be4 12. Rg1 O-O) 12. Bg2 Nbc6 13. O-O Nxd4 14. Bxd4 Nc6 $15 {and White had no time for f4-f5.}) 11... O-O 12. Bg2 Nbc6 13. f4 {(Van der Weide-Yevseev, Cappelle la Grande 2006)} f6 $132) 10. a3 (10. Bb5 {is less logical than before.} Rc8 11. O-O h5 $1 $15) (10. f4 $5 {is the other critical continuation.} Nh6 $5 (10... Qh4+ 11. Bf2 Qxg4 12. Rg1 Qh5 {Black has won the g  but lost a couple of tempi.} 13. a3 $44) (10... Be4 11. Rg1 a6 (11... Rc8 12. Ndb5 a6 {(Aswin-Wojtaszek, Kochin 2004)} 13. Nd6+ Bxd6 14. exd6 Qh4+ 15. Bf2 Qxh2 16. Nxe4 dxe4 17. O-O-O $16) 12. a3 Bxc3 13. Qxc3 Qh4+ 14. Rg3 $14) (10... Nc5 11. Bb5+ Kf8 12. O-O $16) 11. h3 Be4 12. Rg1 O-O $13) 10... Qa5 $5 {} (10... Bxc3 11. Qxc3 Rc8 12. Qb4 Nxe5 13. Qxb7 (13. Nb5 $6 {is strongly met by} a5 $1 $17 (13... Rxc2 {is not so impressive:} 14. Nd6+ Kd7 15. Nxb7 Nf3+ 16. Kd1)) 13... Nf6 14. Bf4 (14. Bb5+ Kf8 $13) 14... Nfd7 (14... Be4 15. Bxe5 Bxh1 16. Bb5+ $16) 15. Bxe5 Nxe5 16. Bb5+ Kf8 $13) (10... Ba5 $5 $13) 11. Rb1 $6 {doesn't seem to be a successful improvement.} (11. Bb5 $142 Bxc3 12. bxc3 $1 (12. Bxd7+ $6 {solving the pin deliberately cannot be good.} Kxd7 13. bxc3 Rc8 14. O-O (14. Rb1 b6 15. Rb3 h5 16. g5 Ne7 $15) 14... Qxc3 $17 {and Black has a healthy extra , while his  in the  cannot be attacked, Shirov-Grischuk, Dubai 2002 CBM 089.}) 12... Rc8 13. Rb1 Rc7 (13... b6 14. Rb4 $1) 14. Rb4 $1 (14. c4 Qxd2+ 15. Bxd2 dxc4 16. Bb4 Be4 17. O-O $13) 14... Qxa3 15. Ra4 {} Qxc3 16. Rxa7 Qxd2+ 17. Bxd2 Ne7 $14) (11. f4 $5 Be4 12. Rg1 Ne7 (12... Bxc3 13. bxc3) 13. Ndb5 O-O 14. Nd6 $13) 11... Bxc3 12. bxc3 a6 $15 {Black is not afraid of xb7.} 13. Rxb7 (13. f4 Be4 14. Rg1 Qc7 15. Bd3 Ne7 16. Ne2 Bxd3 17. cxd3 h5 18. h3 hxg4 19. hxg4 g5 $5 $15 {completely ruining White's  structure.} (19... Rh2 20. Bf2 O-O-O 21. Bg3 Rhh8 {½-½ Van Oosterom-Delemarre, Boeblingen 2004})) 13... Qxa3 14. c4 $146 (14. Rxd7 Kxd7 15. c4 $44 Rb8 16. cxd5 Rb1+ 17. Ke2 {Both kings look rather odd.} exd5 18. Bg2 Rxh1 19. Bxh1 Ne7 20. f4 h5 $1) ({RR} 14. Bg2 Nxe5 15. O-O Nf6 16. Bg5 O-O 17. Bxf6 gxf6 18. h4 Nxg4 19. Bh3 Ne5 20. h5 Bxh5 21. Qh6 Nf3+ 22. Nxf3 Bxf3 23. Bxe6 Be4 24. Qxf6 Bg6 25. Bxd5 Rac8 26. c4 Qh3 27. Re1 Rxc4 28. Bxc4 Qg4+ {Kotronias,V (2602)-Sundararajan,K (2442) Edinburgh 2003 1-0 (46)}) 14... Nxe5 15. f3 Nf6 16. g5 Nfd7 17. cxd5 O-O {Now the black  is in safety, which cannot be said about his colleague.} 18. dxe6 fxe6 19. Be2 Qa1+ 20. Qc1 Qa5+ 21. Qd2 Qa1+ {Black is happa to take the draw by perpetual.} ({Continuing the fight by} 21... Qd5 $17 {was not against all odds.}) 22. Qc1 Qa5+ 23. Qd2 Qa1+ 24. Qc1 1/2-1/2

[Event "FIDE World Cup"]
[Site "Khanty-Mansiysk"]
[Date "2005.12.07"]
[Round "4.2"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Bareev, Evgeny"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C11"]
[WhiteElo "2570"]
[BlackElo "2675"]
[Annotator "Finkel,Alexander"]
[PlyCount "69"]
[EventDate "2005.11.27"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 111"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2006.04.04"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2006.04.04"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 {Marin,Mihail} e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. e5 Nfd7 5. f4 c5 6. Nf3 Nc6 7. Be3 a6 8. Qd2 b5 9. a3 Bb7 10. dxc5 {A quite rare move. In most of the cases White preferred to keep the pressure with 10.d3 or 10.e2.} ({RR} 10. g3 Qa5 11. Ra2 Rc8 12. Bg2 b4 13. axb4 Qxb4 14. O-O cxd4 15. Nxd4 Nxd4 16. Bxd4 Bc5 17. Rd1 Bxd4+ 18. Qxd4 Rc4 19. Qf2 O-O 20. Bf1 Rc7 21. Qd4 a5 22. Qxb4 axb4 23. Nb5 Rxc2 24. Nd4 Rcc8 {Ponomariov,R (2704)-Bareev,E (2675) Khanty-Mansiysk 2005 1-0 (57)}) 10... Nxc5 (10... Bxc5) ({RR} 10... Bxc5 11. Bxc5 Nxc5 12. Bd3 b4 13. Ne2 ({RR} 13. axb4 Nxb4 14. Be2) 13... Qb6 14. Qe3 ({RR} 14. Nfd4) 14... d4 15. Nfxd4 Nxd4 16. Qxd4 bxa3 17. Rxa3 Rd8 18. Qe3 Qxb2 19. Qxc5 ({RR} 19. O-O) 19... Qb1+ 20. Kd2 Qxh1 21. Nc3 Qxh2 22. Ra4 Qxg2+ 23. Kc1 Rc8 24. Qb4 Qg1+ 25. Nd1 {Svidler,P (2728)-Morozevich,A (2741) Morelia/Linares 2007 CBM 117 [Marin,Mihail] 0-1}) ({RR} 10... Bxc5 11. Bxc5 Nxc5 12. b4 Ne4 13. Nxe4 dxe4 14. Qxd8+ Rxd8 15. Nd2 Nd4 16. O-O-O e3 17. Nb3 e2 18. Bxe2 Nxe2+ 19. Kb2 Nxf4 20. Nc5 Bxg2 21. Rxd8+ Kxd8 22. Rd1+ Bd5 23. Nxa6 h5 24. c4 bxc4 25. b5 {Londono Lopez,D (2186)-Al Tarbosh,W (2223) chess.com INT 2025 0-1 (63)}) 11. Qf2 $1 {Forcing Black to come to e4.} (11. Rd1 Qc7 12. Qf2 Nd7 13. Bd3 b4 14. axb4 Nxb4 15. O-O Bc5 16. Nd4 g6 17. Kh1 $14 {Guadalpi,D-Letreguilly,O/France 2001}) 11... Ne4 $146 ({RR} 11... Nd7 12. Nd4 Rc8 13. Nxc6 Rxc6 14. Bd4 b4 15. axb4 Bxb4 16. Ra4 Bc5 17. Bd3 Qb6 18. Ne2 Rc7 19. O-O Bxd4 20. Qxd4 Qxd4+ 21. Nxd4 Nc5 22. Ra3 Nxd3 23. Rxd3 g6 24. Rb3 O-O 25. Ra1 Ra8 26. Ra5 {Sadikhov,U (2140)-Mendez,N (1735) Caldas Novas 2011 1-0 (65)}) 12. Nxe4 dxe4 13. Nd2 Ne7 14. c4 $1 {I guess this move was prepared in Carlsen's home lab. In my opinion it poses Black very serious problems so may be it's safer to take with the bishop on c5 on move 10.} (14. O-O-O Qc8 15. g4 Nd5 $1 (15... h5 $2 16. Bg2 hxg4 17. Nxe4 Nf5 18. Bb6 Bd5 19. Nd6+ Bxd6 20. Bxd5 $18 {Plachetka,J-Schmidt,W/Trnava 1984}) 16. Nxe4 Nc3 17. Nxc3 Bxh1 $15 {Hernandez Molina,D-Miranda Pantoja,A/corr 1995}) 14... bxc4 15. Nxc4 ({Another interesting continuation is} 15. Bxc4 $5 Nf5 16. O-O Rc8 17. b4 $36 {, but it's a pity to ''give up'' the darksquared bishop.}) 15... Nd5 16. Bc5 {Intending to bring the knight to d6.} Rc8 17. Bxf8 Kxf8 18. Be2 ({It's too early for} 18. Nd6 $2 e3 19. Qg3 Qa5+ 20. b4 Nxb4 $19) ({Serious attention deserved} 18. Qa7 $5 Bc6 19. Nd6 Rc7 20. Qf2 e3 21. Qg3 $14 Rd7 $140 22. Be2 Qa5+ 23. b4 Nxb4 24. O-O $16 {[%csl Rf8][%cal Ga1b1]}) 18... e3 $8 (18... g6 19. O-O Kg7 20. Nd6 $18) 19. Nxe3 $6 {After the move in the game Black manages to escape. More problems would pose the agressive} (19. Qg3 $5 Rxc4 $1 (19... a5 $6 20. O-O (20. Nd6 $6 Rc2 21. Nxb7 Qc7 $132) 20... Ba6 21. Rac1 $16) 20. Bxc4 Qa5+ 21. b4 Qc7 22. Rc1 (22. Bxd5) 22... Nb6 23. Qxe3 Nxc4 24. Qd4 Bd5 25. f5 $1 $36 {and it's not so easy for Black to coordinate his pieces.}) 19... Nxe3 20. Qxe3 Bxg2 21. Rg1 Bd5 $132 22. Kf2 a5 (22... Rc2 23. Rgc1 Rxb2 24. Qc5+ Kg8 25. Qc8 Rb8 26. Qxd8+ Rxd8 27. Bxa6 $14) 23. Rac1 Rxc1 24. Rxc1 g6 25. f5 {This move leads to a draw almost by force, but also after} (25. b4 axb4 26. axb4 Kg7 27. b5 Qe7 $132 {Black shouldn't have any problems due to the exposed position of the white king.}) 25... Qh4+ (25... exf5 $2 26. Qd4 Kg7 27. Rd1 $18) (25... gxf5 $2 26. Qh6+ Ke7 27. Qf6+ Kd7 28. Bb5+ $18) 26. Qg3 Qxg3+ $11 27. Kxg3 (27. hxg3 gxf5 28. Rc5 (28. Rc8+ Kg7 29. Rxh8 Kxh8 30. b4 axb4 31. axb4 Kg7 32. Ke3 f6 33. Bf3 Bc4 34. Kd4 Ba6 35. Bc6 fxe5+ 36. Kxe5 Kg6 $14) 28... a4 29. Bd1 Kg7 30. Bxa4 f6 31. Rc7+ Kg6 32. exf6 Kxf6 33. Bc6 Bxc6 34. Rxc6 h5 $11) 27... gxf5 28. Rc8+ (28. Rc5 $6 Rg8+) 28... Kg7 29. Rxh8 Kxh8 30. b4 axb4 31. axb4 Kg7 32. b5 (32. Bf3 $4 Bxf3 33. Kxf3 Kf8 34. b5 Ke8 $19) 32... Kf8 33. b6 Ke7 34. Kf4 h6 35. h4 1/2-1/2

[Event "FIDE World Cup"]
[Site "Khanty-Mansiysk"]
[Date "2005.12.08"]
[Round "4.3"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Bareev, Evgeny"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B12"]
[WhiteElo "2570"]
[BlackElo "2675"]
[Annotator "Lukacs,Peter"]
[PlyCount "92"]
[EventDate "2005.11.27"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 111"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2006.04.04"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2006.04.04"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 {Lukacs,Peter} c6 2. d4 d5 3. e5 Bf5 4. Nc3 e6 5. g4 Bg6 6. Nge2 c5 7. h4 h5 8. Nf4 Bh7 9. Nxh5 cxd4 (9... Nc6) 10. Nb5 Nc6 (10... Be4 $5 11. Rh3 Nc6 12. Nxd4 Nxe5 $5 {- Antal-Flumbort, Budapest 2002 CBM 89}) ({RR} 10... Be4 11. Rh3 Nc6 12. Nxd4 Nxe5) 11. Nxd4 Nge7 (11... Nxd4 $6 {- Shirov-Yermolinsky, Wijk aan Zee 1999 CBM 89}) (11... Qc7 $6 {is rather useless now.} 12. Nxc6 Qxc6 (12... bxc6 13. f4 $16) ({RR} 12... bxc6 13. f4) 13. Bd3 Bxd3 14. cxd3 d4 15. O-O {White is not afraid of the h , because Black has problems with his development.} g6 16. Ng3 Bg7 17. Re1 {The e5  is the key of the position.} Qd5 18. Qe2 Rxh4 19. Bg5 Rh3 20. Rac1 $16 {Sax-Berg, Aahus 1993}) ({There is no need to hurry with} 11... Nxe5 12. Bf4 Nc6 13. Bb5 Rc8 14. Qe2 Qd7 (14... Nge7 $5) (14... Nf6 $6 15. Bg5 $1) ({RR} 14... Nge7) ({RR} 14... Nf6 15. Bg5) 15. Bxc6 $1 bxc6 16. Nf5 $1 $36 {with a very complicated tactical battle.} (16. Qe5 Nf6 $1 17. O-O-O (17. Nxf6+ gxf6 18. Qxf6 Rg8 $44) ({RR} 17. Nxf6+ gxf6 18. Qxf6 Rg8) 17... c5 $1 18. Nb3 c4 $13 {Schoenicz-Heinze, Germany 1998}) ({RR} 16. Qe5 Nf6 17. O-O-O c5 18. Nb3 c4)) ({RR} 11... Nxd4) ({RR} 11... Qc7 12. Nxc6 Qxc6 13. Bd3 Bxd3 14. cxd3 d4 15. O-O g6 16. Ng3 Bg7 17. Re1 Qd5 18. Qe2 Rxh4 19. Bg5 Rh3 20. Rac1) ({RR} 11... Nxe5 12. Bf4 Nc6 13. Bb5 Rc8 14. Qe2 Qd7 15. Bxc6 bxc6 16. Nf5) 12. c3 (12. Rh3 $6 a6 {- Grischuk-Bareev, Corus Wijk aan Zee 2003 CBM 93}) (12. Bb5 $6 {(½:½ Kreiman-Seirawan, USA-ch Seattle 2002)} a6 $1 {and again White cannot hold his active position.} 13. Ba4 (13. Nxc6 Nxc6) ({RR} 13. Nxc6 Nxc6) 13... b5 14. Bb3 Nxd4 15. Qxd4 Nc6 16. Qe3 Qc7 17. O-O Na5 18. Qe2 Nxb3 19. axb3 Qxc2 $17 {Svetushkin-Piankov, Ciudad de Ubeda op 2000}) (12. Bg5 Qa5+ (12... Nxe5 13. Nf6+ (13. Bb5+ Nd7 14. Qd2 (14. Qe2 a6 15. Bxd7+ Qxd7 16. O-O-O O-O-O $13) ({RR} 14. Qe2 a6 15. Bxd7+ Qxd7 16. O-O-O O-O-O) 14... a6 15. Bxd7+ Qxd7 16. Bf6 O-O-O $44) ({RR} 13. Bb5+ Nd7 14. Qd2 a6 15. Bxd7+ Qxd7 16. Bf6 O-O-O) 13... gxf6 14. Bxf6 N7c6 $5 {This is nice, but still White has some advantage after} 15. Bxd8 Nxd4 16. Bf6 Bb4+ (16... Nef3+ 17. Qxf3 Nxf3+ 18. Kd1) ({RR} 16... Nef3+ 17. Qxf3 Nxf3+ 18. Kd1) 17. c3 Nef3+ 18. Qxf3 Nxf3+ 19. Ke2 $14) ({RR} 12... Nxe5 13. Nf6+ gxf6 14. Bxf6 N7c6 15. Bxd8 Nxd4 16. Bf6 Bb4+ 17. c3 Nef3+ 18. Qxf3 Nxf3+ 19. Ke2) 13. c3 Nxd4 (13... Nxe5 $2 {founders on the typical blow} 14. Nf6+ $1 gxf6 15. Bxf6 N5g6 (15... N7g6 16. h5 $16) ({RR} 15... N7g6 16. h5) 16. h5 $16) ({RR} 13... Nxe5 14. Nf6+ gxf6 15. Bxf6 N5g6 16. h5) 14. Qxd4 Nc6 15. Qf4 Qb6 {- Fedorov-Dreev, Moscow Aeroflot op 2003 CBM 94} (15... d4 $6 {This is not a very successful novelty.} 16. Rh3 $1 $16 {Bringing the  into action on the third rank, Fedorov-Belov, Istanbul 2003 CBM 096.}) ({RR} 15... d4 16. Rh3)) ({RR} 12. Rh3 a6) ({RR} 12. Bb5 a6 13. Ba4 b5 14. Bb3 Nxd4 15. Qxd4 Nc6 16. Qe3 Qc7 17. O-O Na5 18. Qe2 Nxb3 19. axb3 Qxc2) ({RR} 12. Bg5 Qa5+ 13. c3 Nxd4 14. Qxd4 Nc6 15. Qf4 Qb6) 12... Nxe5 (12... a6 13. Bg2 $1 {- Shomoev-Galkin, RUS-ch Krasnodar 2002 CBM 91}) ({RR} 12... a6) 13. Bb5+ (13. Bg5 Nd7 ({RR} 13... N5c6 14. Bb5 ({RR} 14. Bf6 Rg8 15. Qa4 ({RR} 15. Nxc6 bxc6) 15... Qb6 16. O-O-O O-O-O) ({RR} 14. Qa4 Qb6 15. O-O-O O-O-O 16. Nxc6 bxc6 17. Nxg7 Bxg7 18. Bxe7 Rd7) {RR} 14... Qc8 ({RR} 14... Qb6 15. Qe2 ({RR} 15. O-O e5) ({RR} 15. Be3 Qc7) 15... a6 16. Bxe7 axb5 ({RR} 16... Bxe7 17. Nxg7+ Kf8 18. Ngxe6+ fxe6 19. Bxc6 bxc6 20. Qe5) 17. Bf6 Be4 18. f3 gxf6 19. fxe4 Nxd4 20. cxd4) 15. Bxe7 ({RR} 15. O-O a6 ({RR} 15... f6) 16. Ba4) ({RR} 15. Qe2) 15... Bxe7 16. Nxg7+ Kf8 17. Nh5 Bg6) 14. Bg2 (14. Bb5 a6 {- 13.b5}) 14... Nc5 ({RR} 14... Qb6 15. Qe2 O-O-O 16. Nxg7 ({RR} 16. O-O {RR} e5 17. Nb3 Kb8 18. Rad1 f6 19. Be3 Qc6 20. c4) 16... Bxg7 17. Bxe7 Rde8 18. Bg5 Bxd4 19. cxd4 e5 20. Rc1+ Kb8 21. dxe5 f6 22. Bf4 Nxe5 23. O-O Ka8) 15. O-O Qd7 $5 (15... Ne4 $2 16. c4 $1 Nxg5 17. hxg5 Qd7 18. cxd5 Nxd5 (18... exd5 19. Rc1 $16 {Carlsen-Schandorff, Aalborg 2006}) 19. Bxd5 $1 exd5 ({RR} 19... Qxd5 20. Qa4+ Qd7 21. Nb5 Bd3 22. Nc7+ Ke7 ({RR} 22... Kd8 23. Nxe6+) 23. Qb4+ Kd8 24. Qxb7 Rc8 25. Rfd1) ({RR} 19... Rd8 20. Nxe6 fxe6 21. Bc4) 20. Re1+ Kd8 21. Nf3 $1 Qxg4+ 22. Ng3 $40 {and the black  in the middle disturbs the harmony.}) ({RR} 15... Qd7 16. Nb3 ({RR} 16. Be3 O-O-O) ({RR} 16. Bf6 Rg8) 16... Ne4 17. Be3 Bg6 18. c4) ({RR} 15... Qb6 16. b4 ({RR} 16. Nb3 O-O-O 17. Nxc5 ({RR} 17. Be3 Nc6) 17... Qxc5) ({RR} 16. Be3 Qxb2) 16... Ne4 17. Be3 O-O-O 18. Qa4 a6 19. b5)) ({RR} 13. Bg5 Nd7 14. Bg2 Nc5 15. O-O Ne4 16. c4 ({RR} 16. Bh6 Rg8 ({RR} 16... Qd6 17. Nb5 ({RR} 17. Nxg7+ Bxg7 18. Bxg7 Rg8 19. Bh6 O-O-O) 17... Qd7 18. c4 O-O-O 19. Be3) ({RR} 16... Qd7 17. Nxg7+ ({RR} 17. Bxg7) 17... Bxg7 18. Bxg7 Rg8 19. Be5 Ng6 20. Bg3 Nxg3 ({RR} 20... O-O-O 21. h5) 21. fxg3 Ne5 22. g5) ({RR} 16... Qb6 17. Nxg7+ Bxg7 18. Bxg7 Rg8 19. Be5 O-O-O 20. Qb3)) 16... Nxg5 17. hxg5 Qd7 18. cxd5 exd5 ({RR} 18... Nxd5 19. Bxd5 exd5 20. Re1+ Kd8 21. Nf3 Qxg4+ 22. Ng3) 19. Rc1 Bg6 20. Re1 Bxh5 21. gxh5 Kd8 22. g6 Nc6 23. gxf7 Be7 24. Ne6+ Kc8 25. Bxd5 {1-0 (25) Carlsen,M (2625)-Schandorff,L (2521) Aalborg 2006 CBM 112 [Lukacs,Peter]}) 13... Nd7 (13... N7c6 $6 14. Bf4 $16 {and the pin is very nasty.}) (13... N5c6 14. Bg5 Qc8 $1 (14... Qb6 15. Qe2 (15. O-O e5 $17) (15. Be3 Qc7 $13) 15... a6 16. Bxe7 axb5 $1 (16... Bxe7 17. Nxg7+ Kf8 18. Ngxe6+ fxe6 19. Bxc6 bxc6 20. Qe5 $16) 17. Bf6 $5 Be4 18. f3 gxf6 19. fxe4 Nxd4 20. cxd4 $40) 15. Bxe7 $142 (15. O-O a6 (15... f6 $5 {deserves serious attention, because the sacrifices do not seem to be correct.}) 16. Ba4 {- Grischuk-Seirawan, Moscow 2002 CBM 090}) (15. Qe2 $5 { 0-0-0 is another aggressive plan in these type of positions.}) 15... Bxe7 16. Nxg7+ Kf8 17. Nh5 Bg6 $13) ({RR} 13... N7c6 14. Bf4) 14. Bg5 (14. Bh6 {is parried by the cold-blooded} Rg8) ({RR} 14. Bh6 Rg8) 14... a6 15. Bxd7+ $146 {This helps only for Black to finish the development.} (15. Ba4 $5 {was the logical move keeping the tension.} e5 (15... b5 16. Bc2) ({RR} 15... b5 16. Bc2) 16. Nf5 Bxf5 17. gxf5 b5 18. Bb3 f6 19. Be3 $36) ({RR} 15. Ba4 e5 16. Nf5 Bxf5 17. gxf5 b5 18. Bc2 f6 19. Be3 e4 20. Bf4 Nb6 21. Qg4 Rh7 22. O-O-O Qc8 23. Ng3 g6 24. Bxe4 b4 25. Rhe1 bxc3 26. Bxd5 Nbxd5 27. Qxg6+ Rf7 28. Rxd5 Qb7 29. b3 Qxd5 {Zolotukhin,V (2242)-Bets,A (2360) Alushta 2005 0-1 (38)}) ({RR} 15. Ba4 e5 16. Nf5 Bxf5 17. gxf5 b5 18. Bb3 f6 19. Be3) ({RR} 15. Ba4 Qb6 16. Bxd7+ Kxd7 17. Qa4+ Nc6 18. O-O-O Rc8 19. Rhe1 Qa5 20. Qb3 Nxd4 21. Rxd4 Qb5 22. Be3 Qxb3 23. axb3 Bg6 24. Nf4 Be4 25. Nh5 Bc5 26. Rd2 Bxe3 27. fxe3 Ke7 28. Rh2 Bf3 29. Rg1 Rcg8 {Fier,A (2582)-Shankland,S (2581) Riga 2012 0-1 (55)}) 15... Qxd7 16. Qe2 O-O-O $15 {If Black can finish the development, his chances are better, because White's position is rather shattered.} 17. Rh3 Bg6 (17... e5 $5 18. Qxe5 (18. Nb3 Ng6) 18... f6 {Now White gets three pawns for the piece.} 19. Nxf6 (19. Bxf6 Ng6 $1 (19... Qxg4 20. Rg3) 20. Qe2 (20. Qg5 gxf6 21. Nxf6 Bh6 22. Qxh6 Qe7+ 23. Re3 Qxf6 24. Nf5 d4 $1 25. cxd4 Rxd4 $13) 20... gxf6 21. Nxf6 Qf7 22. g5 Bg7 23. Ne6 Bxf6 24. Rf3 Rhe8 25. Rxf6 Qg8) 19... gxf6 20. Qxf6 (20. Bxf6 Rg8 $17) 20... Re8 21. O-O-O Ng6 $13) 18. Nf4 (18. O-O-O $140 Bxh5 19. gxh5 e5 $1) 18... e5 $1 19. Nxg6 (19. Bxe7 Bxe7 20. Nxg6 fxg6 21. Qxe5 Bf6 22. Qg3 Bxh4 $1 $17) (19. Qxe5 f6 $17) 19... Nxg6 20. Bxd8 $2 {Now Black can get the upper hand.} (20. Nf5 f6 21. Be3 Ne7 22. Nxe7+ Bxe7 23. O-O-O Qa4 24. Kb1 Qc4 $15) 20... Kxd8 $2 ({missing the forceful} 20... Qxd8 $1 21. Qd3 (21. Nf5 $2 Nf4 22. Qf3 (22. Qxe5 $2 Nxh3 23. O-O-O Nxf2 24. Rxd5 Nd3+) 22... Nxh3 23. Qxh3 g6 $17) (21. Qc2 $2 exd4 22. O-O-O Qd7 $19) 21... exd4 22. O-O-O Bd6 $17 {and the two pieces are better than the , × f4 is weak.}) 21. Nf5 Nf4 $2 {This is a tactical miscalculation, first Black had to improve his 's position.} (21... Kc8 $142 22. Rg3 Qc7 23. O-O-O Nf4 24. Qc2 g6 25. Ne3 d4 $1 $132) 22. Qxe5 $1 Nxh3 23. O-O-O {The  is trapped on h3.} Kc8 24. Qg3 {The white pieces look harmonious again.} g6 (24... Qa4 25. Qxh3 Qxa2 26. Qf3 Qa1+ 27. Kc2 Qa4+ 28. Kb1 Qe4+ 29. Qxe4 dxe4 30. h5 $16 {with a better  for White.}) 25. Ne3 Nxf2 26. Nxd5 $1 $16 (26. Qxf2 Bc5) 26... Bc5 {Black has to sacrifice his .} 27. Nb6+ Bxb6 28. Rxd7 Kxd7 29. Qf3 Kc8 $2 {The f7  was more important than the b7 one.} (29... Ke6 30. Qxb7 Be3+ 31. Kc2 Rxh4 32. Qxa6+ Ke5 33. Qb5+ Kf4 34. Qc4+ Kg3 35. Qxf7 g5 36. b4 Rh1 37. c4 $16 {but here Black has some counterchances in the  race.}) 30. Qxf7 $18 Rd8 31. Kc2 Kb8 32. Qxg6 Be3 33. g5 Rd2+ 34. Kb3 Nd1 {Black's only chance is to harrass the white .} 35. a4 b5 36. axb5 axb5 37. Kb4 Rxb2+ 38. Ka5 Nxc3 39. Qe8+ Kc7 40. Qe5+ Kb7 41. Qg7+ Kb8 42. g6 Bf4 {There is one square difference between loss and win...} {Probably this was already in time-trouble...} 43. Qf8+ $4 {[%mdl 8192] This is the wrong choice, now the white  gets into trouble.} (43. Qf7 Bc7+ 44. Ka6 {and everything is well-protected.} Ra2+ 45. Qxa2 Nxa2 46. g7 $18 {was winning easily!}) 43... Kb7 44. Qf7+ Bc7+ 45. Qxc7+ Kxc7 46. h5 Rg2 0-1

[Event "FIDE World Cup 9-10"]
[Site "Khanty-Mansiysk"]
[Date "2005.12.15"]
[Round "7.1"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Kamsky, Gata"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B43"]
[WhiteElo "2570"]
[BlackElo "2690"]
[Annotator "Atlas,Valeri"]
[PlyCount "95"]
[EventDate "2005.11.27"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 111"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2006.04.04"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2006.04.04"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 {ChessBase II} c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 a6 5. Nc3 Qc7 6. Bd3 b5 7. O-O Bb7 8. Qe2 Ne7 ({RR} 8... Bc5 9. Nb3 Be7 10. Bd2 Nc6 11. f4 b4 12. Na4 Nf6 13. e5 Nd5 14. Rae1 g6 15. Kh1 Na5 16. Nd4 Nc6 17. Nf3 O-O 18. Bc4 Na7 19. Qf2 f5 20. exf6 Nxf6 21. Bd3 Bc6 22. b3 Bxa4 23. bxa4 {Nataf,I (2527)-Wahls,M (2580) Germany 2002 EXT 2003 [ChessBase II] ½-½ (46)}) 9. Re1 $146 {A new and a very strong move.} ({RR} 9. Kh1 d6 10. Bd2 g6 11. e5 Nd5 12. f4 dxe5 13. fxe5 Nd7 14. Rae1 Nxc3 15. Bxc3 Nc5 16. Nxb5 axb5 17. Bxb5+ Bc6 18. Qf3 Ra6 19. Ba5 Qd7 20. Bxc6 Rxc6 21. Rd1 Bd6 22. Rxd6 {1-0 (22) Milman,L (2459)-Simutowe,A (2435) ICC INT 2005}) ({RR} 9. f4 Nbc6 10. Nf3 Ng6 11. g3 Bc5+ 12. Be3 Qb6 13. Bxc5 Qxc5+ 14. Qf2 Qxf2+ 15. Rxf2 d6 16. a3 Rc8 17. Re1 e5 18. f5 Nge7 19. f6 gxf6 20. Nh4 f5 21. exf5 Nd4 22. Ne4 Bxe4 23. Bxe4 f6 {Juhasz,B (2203)-Wang,Y (2276) Budapest HUN 2024 ½-½ (60)}) ({RR} 9. Bxb5 axb5 10. Ncxb5 Qb6 11. Be3 Ng6 12. Nxe6 Qxe6 13. Nc7+ Kd8 14. Nxe6+ fxe6 15. f4 Nc6 16. Rfd1 Be7 17. a3 Ke8 18. b4 Bf6 19. e5 Be7 20. Qd2 Nb8 21. g3 Kf7 22. Rf1 Rc8 23. Bd4 Kg8 {Vipul,S (2235)-Anurag,M (2420) Dharamshala 2014 1-0}) 9... Nbc6 10. Nxc6 Nxc6 (10... dxc6 {was more prudent here. The text move yields White a dangerous initiative.}) 11. Nd5 $1 exd5 12. exd5+ Ne7 13. c4 $1 b4 (13... bxc4 14. Bxc4 Qd6 {is strongly met by} 15. g3 {f4.}) 14. Bg5 f6 15. Qh5+ g6 16. Qf3 fxg5 17. Qf6 O-O-O 18. Qxh8 ({It is much stonger than} 18. d6 Ng8 $1 19. Qxh8 Bxd6 {, and Black has excellent attacking prospects.}) 18... Qd6 19. Be4 Kb8 20. Rac1 Qf4 21. g3 Qf7 22. Qd4 d6 23. Qb6 Rd7 24. Qxb4 Nf5 25. Bxf5 gxf5 26. Re6 f4 27. Rce1 Rd8 28. Qb6 Rc8 29. b4 fxg3 30. hxg3 h5 31. b5 Qc7 32. Qxc7+ Kxc7 33. a4 axb5 34. axb5 Kb6 35. Re8 (35. Rf6 $1 {was another tempting continuation here.}) 35... Bg7 36. R8e6 Rd8 $2 ({The final mistake. More stubborn was} 36... Bf8 {or 36...c4. After the text move White has a nice winning continuation.}) {[%tqu "En","Prove that you are a really strong endgame player and find the winning move for White!","Exploit an unfortunate placement of the black bishops on the seventh rank.","The pawn move shall break Black's defense...","c4c5","This elegant pawn move shatters Black's last illusions.",4]} 37. c5+ $1 {[%csl Rb7,Ge6,Rg7] This nice pawn move decides the game.} Kxc5 (37... Ka7 {falls short after} 38. c6 {, winning immediately}) 38. Re7 Bd4 (38... Bc3 {is strongly met by} 39. Rc7+ Kb6 40. Rxc3 Bxd5 41. Rd1 Ba8 42. Ra3 Bb7 ({or} 42... Kxb5 43. Rda1 {followed by 44.a5+}) 43. Re3 {, and Black' position is defenseless.}) 39. Rxb7 Rf8 40. Rc7+ Kxd5 41. Rd1 $1 {Now the game is over.} Rb8 42. Rg7 g4 43. Rg5+ Kc4 44. Rxh5 Bc5 45. Rg5 Rxb5 46. Rxg4+ Kc3 47. Kg2 Ba3 48. Rgd4 1-0

[Event "FIDE World Cup 9-10"]
[Site "Khanty-Mansiysk"]
[Date "2005.12.16"]
[Round "7.2"]
[White "Kamsky, Gata"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B33"]
[WhiteElo "2690"]
[BlackElo "2570"]
[Annotator "Rogozenco,Dorian"]
[PlyCount "61"]
[EventDate "2005.11.27"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 111"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2006.04.04"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2006.04.04"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 e5 6. Ndb5 d6 7. Bg5 a6 8. Na3 b5 9. Nd5 Be7 10. Bxf6 Bxf6 11. c3 Bg5 12. Nc2 Ne7 13. Ncb4 O-O 14. a4 bxa4 15. Qxa4 a5 $6 ({The main continuation is} 15... Nxd5 16. Nxd5 Bd7 {after which White is slightly better. One of the latest examples:} (16... Be6 17. Bc4 Qb8 18. O-O Rc8 19. Bxa6 Bxd5 20. exd5 Rc7 21. Qb5 $16 {0-1 Krakops,M (2440)-Shariyazdanov,A (2470)/Siofok 1996 (42)}) 17. Qd1 (17. Qa2) (17. Qa3) (17. Qc2) (17. Qa5) 17... a5 18. Be2 a4 19. O-O Rb8 20. Nb4 Qb6 21. Bd3 $1 Ra8 22. Bc2 Bb5 23. Re1 a3 24. Rxa3 Rxa3 25. bxa3 Bh4 26. g3 Bd8 27. Qd5 Ba6 28. Rd1 $16 {1-0 Baramidze,D (2554)-Brener,I (2323)/Osterburg 2006 (48)}) 16. Bb5 $1 Nxd5 17. Nxd5 $1 ({Shariyazdanov and Lisenko recommended} 17. exd5 {with the idea c6, evaluation the position as clear better for White. But Black can always sacrifice the pawn on a5 and achieve good compensation:} f5 (17... Qf6 $5 18. O-O Qg6 $13) 18. Nc6 Qf6 (18... Qb6 $5) (18... Qe8 $5) 19. O-O (19. b4 f4 $36) (19. Nxa5 f4 20. f3 (20. O-O f3 $40) 20... Bh4+ $44) 19... f4 20. f3 Bf5 $5 21. Nxa5 Qg6 $44 {[%cal Gg5d8,Gd8b6]}) 17... Be6 18. Bc6 Rb8 19. Ra2 Qc8 $146 ({RR} 19... f5 20. h4 Bf6 21. exf5 Bxf5 22. Qc4 Kh8 23. b4 axb4 24. cxb4 e4 25. g3 Be6 26. O-O e3 27. b5 exf2+ 28. Raxf2 Bh3 29. Rd1 Be5 30. Nf4 Qc8 31. Kh2 Be6 32. Qe4 Bf5 33. Qa4 g5 34. hxg5 {Timofeev,A (2663)-Yakovich,Y (2577) Moscow 2007 1-0 (47)}) 20. O-O Bd8 21. b4 $1 {White's pieces are perfectly placed for the advance of the b-pawn, while Black didn't even start any counterplay yet.} Kh8 (21... f5 $2 22. exf5 Bxf5 23. bxa5 $18 Bxa5 24. Ne7+) 22. Rd2 (22. bxa5 $2 Bxa5 $1) 22... Qa6 $2 ({Good or bad, Black had to go for} 22... f5) 23. b5 Qa7 24. Qa3 $16 {Now Böack's position is very difficult.} Bxd5 {No wonder that Carlsen starts to miss simple tactics. The position is extremely unpleasant.} (24... Qc5 $8 $16) 25. Qxd6 $1 Be7 26. Qxd5 Rfd8 27. Qa2 Rxd2 28. Qxd2 a4 29. Qa2 a3 (29... Kg8 30. Rd1 Rd8 31. Bd5 $18 {[%cal Gd1d3,Gd3f3]}) 30. Qxf7 Rf8 31. b6 $1 1-0

[Event "FIDE World Cup 9-10"]
[Site "Khanty-Mansiysk"]
[Date "2005.12.17"]
[Round "7.4"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Kamsky, Gata"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B48"]
[WhiteElo "2570"]
[BlackElo "2690"]
[PlyCount "106"]
[EventDate "2005.11.27"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 111"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2006.04.04"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2006.04.04"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 a6 5. Nc3 Qc7 6. Bd3 Nf6 7. O-O Nc6 8. Be3 b5 9. Nxc6 Qxc6 10. f3 Bc5 11. Qe1 d6 12. Kh1 Bxe3 ({RR} 12... Bb7 13. a4 b4 14. Nd5 Bxe3 15. Nxe3 Qc5 16. a5 Bc6 17. Nc4 Nd7 18. Qg3 Ke7 19. f4 Bb5 20. Ne3 h5 21. f5 Qe5 22. Qh4+ Qf6 23. Qh3 Qg5 24. fxe6 fxe6 25. Bc4 Nc5 26. Bxe6 Bxf1 27. Nd5+ {Vroombout,E (2161)-Fantinel,T (2411) Reykjavik ISL 2025 1-0 (53)}) 13. Qxe3 O-O 14. Rfd1 Bb7 15. Qd4 $146 ({RR} 15. Rd2 Rfd8 16. Rad1 e5 17. Ne2 Bc8 18. Ng3 Qc7 19. c3 Be6 20. Bb1 Rd7 21. Qg5 Rad8 22. Nh5 Nxh5 23. Qxh5 Qc5 24. Qh4 g6 25. Qf6 Qe3 26. Rd3 Qh6 27. Kg1 Bc4 28. R3d2 Qe3+ 29. Kh1 Be2 {Ozerov,I (1939)-Pilat,D (2109) Kelbra 2006 0-1 (60)}) 15... Qc5 16. Qxc5 dxc5 17. a4 b4 18. Nb1 Nd7 19. Nd2 Ne5 20. Be2 a5 21. Kg1 g5 22. Kf2 Ba6 23. g3 Rfd8 24. f4 gxf4 25. gxf4 Ng6 26. Bxa6 Rxa6 27. Nc4 Rxd1 28. Rxd1 Nxf4 29. Rd8+ Kg7 30. Rc8 f5 31. Kf3 Nh3 32. exf5 exf5 33. Rxc5 Ng5+ 34. Ke3 f4+ 35. Ke2 Re6+ 36. Re5 Rc6 37. b3 Kf6 38. Rxa5 Re6+ 39. Kf2 f3 40. Ne3 Re4 41. Ra6+ Ke5 42. Rh6 Rd4 43. Nc4+ Kf5 44. h4 Nf7 45. Rb6 Rxh4 46. Rxb4 Rh3 47. a5 Ng5 48. a6 Ne4+ 49. Ke3 f2+ 50. Ke2 Rc3 51. Nd2 Rxc2 52. Rd4 Nxd2 53. Rd5+ Ke6 0-1

[Event "FIDE World Cup 9-12"]
[Site "Khanty-Mansiysk"]
[Date "2005.12.14"]
[Round "6.3"]
[White "Malakhov, Vladimir"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C55"]
[WhiteElo "2670"]
[BlackElo "2570"]
[PlyCount "65"]
[EventDate "2005.11.27"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 111"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2006.04.04"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2006.04.04"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 {Lukacs,Peter} e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. d3 Be7 5. O-O O-O 6. Bb3 d6 7. c3 Be6 8. Bc2 ({RR} 8. Ba4 Bd7 ({RR} 8... Nd7 9. d4 exd4 ({RR} 9... Bg4) 10. Bxc6 bxc6 11. Nxd4 c5 12. Nxe6 fxe6 13. Qb3 ({RR} 13. Nd2 Bg5 ({RR} 13... Nb6 14. Qe2 ({RR} 14. f4 d5) 14... a5 15. f4 a4 16. Nf3 Qc8 17. Be3 Qa6 18. Rae1 Qxe2 19. Rxe2 Nc4 20. Bc1 Rab8)) 13... Rf6 14. f4 Rb8 ({RR} 14... Qf8 15. Na3 Rb8 16. Qd1 Qc8 17. Nc4 Qb7 18. Re1) 15. Qd1 c4)) ({RR} 8. Bxe6 fxe6 9. Re1 ({RR} 9. Qb3 Qc8 10. Be3 b6 ({RR} 10... Ng4) 11. Nbd2 Ng4 12. Bg5 h6 13. Bxe7 Nxe7) 9... Qd7 10. Nbd2 Nh5 ({RR} 10... Rae8 11. a4 d5 ({RR} 11... a5 12. Qb3 b6 13. Nc4) ({RR} 11... Nh5 12. Nc4 Nf4 13. b4) 12. b4 Bd6 13. b5 Nd8 14. c4 Nf7 15. Bb2)) ({RR} 8. Nbd2 Qd7 ({RR} 8... Nd7 9. d4 Bxb3 10. Qxb3 Qc8 11. Nc4 Bf6 12. Be3 Re8 13. Ncd2 ({RR} 13. d5 Ne7 14. a4) 13... Nf8 ({RR} 13... Ne7) 14. h3 a6 15. Rfc1 Qd7 16. d5 Ne7 17. c4) ({RR} 8... Bxb3 9. Qxb3 ({RR} 9. axb3 d5 10. Qc2 Re8 11. exd5 Qxd5 12. Nc4 Rad8) 9... Rb8 ({RR} 9... Qc8 10. Re1 Re8 11. Nf1 ({RR} 11. Nc4) ({RR} 11. d4) 11... Bf8 12. Ng3 Nd8 13. d4 g6 14. Be3) 10. Re1 Nd7 11. Nc4 ({RR} 11. Qc2 Bf6 12. Nf1 g6 ({RR} 12... Nb6) 13. Bh6 Bg7 14. Bxg7 Kxg7 15. d4) ({RR} 11. Nf1 Nc5 12. Qc2 d5 13. Ne3 dxe4 14. dxe4 Qd3) 11... h6 12. d4 Bf6 13. Be3 exd4 ({RR} 13... Nb6) 14. cxd4 Nb6 15. d5 ({RR} 15. Ncd2 d5 16. e5 Be7 17. a3 Qd7)) 9. Re1 {RR} Rfe8 ({RR} 9... Rae8 10. Ba4 ({RR} 10. h3 Bxb3 11. Qxb3 Na5 12. Qd1 Nc6 13. Qb3) ({RR} 10. Nf1 a6 ({RR} 10... Bd8) 11. Ng3 Bd8 12. Bc2 Qc8 ({RR} 12... h6 13. d4) 13. d4 Bg4 14. Be3 d5 15. h3 exd4 16. cxd4 dxe4 17. hxg4 exf3 18. Bf5 Nd7 19. g5) 10... a6 11. d4 exd4 12. Nxd4 ({RR} 12. cxd4 b5 13. Bc2 Bg4 14. h3 Bh5 15. Nb3 d5)) ({RR} 9... Rad8 10. Ba4 a6 11. d4 b5 12. Bc2 Bg4 13. h3 Bh5 14. d5 Na5 ({RR} 14... Nb8 15. Nf1 c6 16. dxc6 Nxc6 17. Ng3)) ({RR} 9... a6 10. Nf1 ({RR} 10. Nc4 Rad8 11. Ne3)) 10. Ba4 a6 11. d4 b5 12. Bc2 Bg4 13. h3 Bh5 14. d5 Na5 15. a4 c6 16. b4 Nc4 17. Nxc4 bxc4 18. dxc6 Qxc6 19. Bg5 ({RR} 19. a5 Red8 20. g4 Bg6 21. Bg5 h6 22. Bxf6 Bxf6 23. Ba4 Qb7) 19... h6 20. Bxf6 Bxf6 21. a5 Red8 22. Qe2) 8... d5 ({RR} 8... Nd7 9. d4 exd4 10. Nxd4 ({RR} 10. cxd4 d5) 10... Nxd4 11. cxd4 Nb6 12. Nc3 c5 ({RR} 12... d5 13. e5) 13. d5 Bc8 14. f4 Bf6 15. e5) 9. Nbd2 dxe4 ({RR} 9... Re8 10. Re1 Bf8 11. h3 h6 12. Ba4 dxe4 13. dxe4 Nd7 14. Nf1 Qf6 ({RR} 14... Na5 15. Ne3 c6 16. Bc2 Nc4 17. Ng4)) 10. dxe4 Nd7 ({RR} 10... a5 11. Qe2 Nd7 12. Rd1 f6 13. Nf1 Bc5 ({RR} 13... Qe8) 14. Be3 Bd6 ({RR} 14... Bxe3 15. Nxe3) 15. Nh4 Ne7 16. Ng3) 11. Qe2 Qe8 ({RR} 11... Nb6) 12. Nc4 f6 13. Ne3 Qf7 14. Rd1 Rfd8 15. Nd5 Rac8 ({RR} 15... Nb6 16. Nxe7+ ({RR} 16. c4 Bc5) 16... Nxe7) 16. Be3 Bc5 $146 ({RR} 16... a6 17. Rd2 Bc5 18. Rad1 Bxe3 19. Qxe3 Nf8 20. b4 Kh8 21. Bb3 Ne7 22. h3 Neg6 23. Qa7 c6 24. Ne3 Rxd2 25. Rxd2 Qc7 26. Nf5 Bxb3 27. axb3 Nf4 28. Nd6 Rb8 29. Kh2 N4e6 30. g3 Kg8 31. Kg2 {Bacallao Alonso,Y (2532)-Pilgaard,K (2442) Barcelona 2011 1-0 (51)}) ({RR} 16... Bf8 17. Rd2 a6 ({RR} 17... Ne7 18. Nxe7+ Bxe7 19. Rad1) 18. Rad1 Ncb8 19. h3 ({RR} 19. Nh4) 19... Re8 20. b3 c6 21. Nb6 ({RR} 21. Nb4 a5 22. Nd3 Na6) 21... Nxb6 22. Bxb6 c5 23. c4 ({RR} 23. Bd3 Rc6 24. Ba7 Nd7 25. Bc4 Rc7) 23... Nc6 24. Qe3 Nd4 25. Bd3 Qh5 26. Be2 Qf7 27. Ne1 Rc6 28. Ba5 b5 29. cxb5 axb5 30. Bc3 Ra8 31. Nd3 {Malakhov,V (2670)-Carlsen,M (2570) Khanty-Mansiysk 2005 CBM 111 [Lukacs,Peter] 0-1 (49)}) 17. Bxc5 Nxc5 18. Qb5 b6 19. b4 a6 20. Qxc6 Rd6 21. Nxf6+ gxf6 22. Rxd6 cxd6 23. Qxb6 Nd7 24. Qxd6 Rxc3 25. Bb3 Bxb3 26. axb3 Rxb3 27. h3 Nf8 28. Rxa6 Ng6 29. Ra8+ Kg7 30. Rc8 Kh6 31. Rc7 Rd3 32. Qc6 Qf8 33. b5 1-0

[Event "FIDE World Cup 9-12"]
[Site "Khanty-Mansiysk"]
[Date "2005.12.14"]
[Round "6.5"]
[White "Malakhov, Vladimir"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C55"]
[WhiteElo "2670"]
[BlackElo "2570"]
[Annotator "Lukacs,Peter"]
[PlyCount "98"]
[EventDate "2005.11.27"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 111"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2006.04.04"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2006.04.04"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. d3 Be7 5. O-O O-O 6. Bb3 d6 7. c3 Be6 8. Bc2 $143 {This modest retreat cannot be recommended from theoretical point of view.} (8. Ba4 $143 {loses some tempi in order to transpose to a closed Ruy Lopez type of position.} Bd7 $11 {Compare to the Ruy Lopez Accelerated Steinitz Variation.} (8... Nd7 9. d4 exd4 (9... Bg4 {keeping the tension in the  deserved attention.}) 10. Bxc6 $1 bxc6 11. Nxd4 c5 12. Nxe6 fxe6 13. Qb3 {Black's  structure is a bit vulnerable.} (13. Nd2 Bg5 $11 (13... Nb6 14. Qe2 (14. f4 d5) 14... a5 {Black ignores the fight for the .} 15. f4 a4 16. Nf3 Qc8 17. Be3 Qa6 {The  looks OK for Black.} 18. Rae1 Qxe2 19. Rxe2 Nc4 20. Bc1 Rab8 $11 {Tischbierek-Grivas, Dortmund 1990})) 13... Rf6 14. f4 $1 Rb8 $1 (14... Qf8 15. Na3 Rb8 16. Qd1 Qc8 {Black cannot find a clear-cut plan.} 17. Nc4 Qb7 18. Re1 $14 {Yudasin-Klovans, Kostroma 1985}) 15. Qd1 c4 $5)) (8. Bxe6 $143 fxe6 {This  structure is not so bad for Black, he controls the  and the semi-opened f .} 9. Re1 (9. Qb3 Qc8 10. Be3 b6 (10... Ng4) 11. Nbd2 Ng4 12. Bg5 h6 13. Bxe7 Nxe7 {½-½ I.Botvinnik-Dydyshko, Minsk 1988}) 9... Qd7 10. Nbd2 Nh5 $5 {deserves attention.} (10... Rae8 {doesn't seem to be urgent here.} 11. a4 d5 (11... a5 12. Qb3 b6 13. Nc4 $14 {with some pressure on the light squares.}) (11... Nh5 $5 12. Nc4 Nf4 13. b4 $14) 12. b4 Bd6 13. b5 Nd8 14. c4 Nf7 15. Bb2 $14 {I.Almasi-Golod, Internet 2000})) (8. Nbd2 Qd7 (8... Nd7 9. d4 Bxb3 10. Qxb3 {This reminds me to the 9...e6 Ruy Lopez C92.} Qc8 11. Nc4 Bf6 12. Be3 Re8 13. Ncd2 (13. d5 Ne7 14. a4 $14) 13... Nf8 (13... Ne7 $5 { g6 improving the bad 's position.}) 14. h3 a6 15. Rfc1 Qd7 16. d5 Ne7 17. c4 $14 {with good prospects on the ,  Gipslis-Radulov, Albena 1983.}) (8... Bxb3 9. Qxb3 $142 (9. axb3 {allows the freeing move} d5 10. Qc2 Re8 11. exd5 Qxd5 12. Nc4 Rad8 $13 {Kim-Kharitonov, St Petersburg 1997}) 9... Rb8 (9... Qc8 10. Re1 Re8 11. Nf1 (11. Nc4 $5) (11. d4 $5) 11... Bf8 12. Ng3 Nd8 13. d4 {White gets the upper hand in the .} g6 14. Be3 $16 {Smagin-Averbakh, Moscow 1982}) 10. Re1 Nd7 11. Nc4 (11. Qc2 Bf6 12. Nf1 g6 (12... Nb6 { d5}) 13. Bh6 Bg7 14. Bxg7 Kxg7 15. d4 $14 {and again White comes first in the , Kengis-Klovans, Riga 1981.}) (11. Nf1 {is a bit passive.} Nc5 $1 12. Qc2 d5 {This central push solves Black's problems at once.} 13. Ne3 dxe4 14. dxe4 Qd3 $11 {Dolmatov-Klovans, Moscow 1981}) 11... h6 12. d4 Bf6 13. Be3 exd4 {giving up the  is not a good strategy.} (13... Nb6 $5) 14. cxd4 Nb6 15. d5 $16 (15. Ncd2 {again allows the freeing move} d5 $1 16. e5 Be7 17. a3 Qd7 $13 {Dolmatov-Agdestein, Tilburg 1993})) 9. Re1 {- 8.e1}) (8. Re1 Qd7 (8... Bxb3 9. Qxb3 Na5 (9... Rb8 10. Nbd2 (10. a4 {against b5?} Re8 11. Nbd2 Bf8 12. Nf1 d5 {Here this push is not so effective because of} (12... h6 13. Ne3) 13. Bg5 dxe4 14. dxe4 h6 15. Rad1 $14 {Minasian-Klovans, Podolsk 1990})) 10. Qd1 c5 (10... Re8 {is not consistant.} 11. Nbd2 Bf8 12. Nf1 a6 {is highly useless.} 13. Ng3 g6 14. d4 c6 15. h3 $14 {with an excellent Ruy Lopez type of position for White, Kornev-Kholmov, Tula 2002.}) 11. b4 (11. d4 {is met by the counterblow in the  :} exd4 12. cxd4 d5 13. e5 Ne4 14. Nc3 Nc6 15. Nxe4 dxe4 16. Rxe4 Qd5 $10) 11... Nc6 (11... cxb4 $5 12. cxb4 Nc6 13. a3 a6 14. Bb2 $14) 12. b5 $14 {Dolmatov-Vasiukov, Moscow 1981}) (8... a6 9. Nbd2 (9. h3 $6 {is not important here.} Qd7 10. Nbd2 Rad8 11. d4 (11. Nc4) 11... Bxb3 (11... exd4 12. cxd4 d5 13. e5 {is a favourable change in the central structure for White.}) 12. Qxb3 Na5 13. Qc2 Nc6 14. d5 Nb8 15. c4 {and here the light-squared  is missing for Black.} c6 16. Nf1 $14 {Psakhis-Geller, Riga 1985}) 9... Qd7 10. Nc4 Rad8 11. Ne3 $14) (8... Nd7 9. d4 Bg4 10. Be3 Bf6 {(Atlas-Dydyshko, Minsk 1987)} 11. d5 $14 {and Black cannot execute easily the freeing move c7-c6.}) 9. Nbd2 (9. Ba4 $5 {provoking some "weakening moves" as in the Ruy Lopez} a6 10. Nbd2 b5 11. Bc2 Bg4 12. Nf1 Rfe8 13. h3 Bh5 14. Ng3 Bg6 15. d4 $14 {Ehlvest-Fridman, Liepaja 2001}) 9... Rfe8 (9... Rae8 { d8, e7-g6, but this looks a bit sophysticated.} 10. Ba4 (10. h3 Bxb3 11. Qxb3 Na5 12. Qd1 Nc6 { d5} 13. Qb3 {½-½ Kudrin-Christiansen, Needham 2000}) (10. Nf1 a6 (10... Bd8 $5) 11. Ng3 Bd8 12. Bc2 Qc8 (12... h6 13. d4 $14) 13. d4 Bg4 14. Be3 d5 15. h3 exd4 16. cxd4 dxe4 17. hxg4 exf3 18. Bf5 {White's  becomes dangerous in the opened position.} Nd7 19. g5 $14 {Nunn-Geller, London 1982}) 10... a6 11. d4 exd4 12. Nxd4 $14 {Yudasin} (12. cxd4 {allows the counterplay in the .} b5 13. Bc2 Bg4 14. h3 Bh5 15. Nb3 d5 $13 {Yudasin-Murey, Moscow 1991})) (9... Rad8 10. Ba4 a6 11. d4 b5 12. Bc2 Bg4 13. h3 Bh5 14. d5 Na5 $142 (14... Nb8 15. Nf1 c6 16. dxc6 Nxc6 17. Ng3 $14 {and the  is outplaced, Jakubiec-Balashov, Wisla 1992.})) (9... a6 $5 {Yudasin} 10. Nf1 $14) 10. Ba4 a6 11. d4 b5 12. Bc2 Bg4 13. h3 Bh5 14. d5 Na5 15. a4 {The position is a bit similar to the 9.d4 Ruy Lopez.} c6 16. b4 Nc4 17. Nxc4 bxc4 18. dxc6 Qxc6 19. Bg5 $14 (19. a5 Red8 20. g4 Bg6 21. Bg5 h6 22. Bxf6 Bxf6 23. Ba4 $2 Qb7 $15 {Nevednichy-Schuh, Manila 1992}) 19... h6 20. Bxf6 Bxf6 21. a5 Red8 22. Qe2 $14) 8... d5 {Black grabs the  in the .} (8... Nd7 9. d4 exd4 10. Nxd4 (10. cxd4 d5 $13) 10... Nxd4 11. cxd4 Nb6 12. Nc3 c5 (12... d5 13. e5 $14) 13. d5 Bc8 14. f4 Bf6 15. e5 $5 $14 {Totsky-Golod, Moscow 1991}) 9. Nbd2 dxe4 (9... Re8 10. Re1 Bf8 11. h3 h6 12. Ba4 dxe4 13. dxe4 Nd7 $1 { c5, × d3.} 14. Nf1 Qf6 $5 { ad8, c5} (14... Na5 15. Ne3 c6 16. Bc2 Nc4 17. Ng4 $13 {Lutikov-Tuzovsky, Frunze 1973})) 10. dxe4 Nd7 (10... a5 {is not the most important here.} 11. Qe2 Nd7 12. Rd1 f6 13. Nf1 Bc5 (13... Qe8 $5) 14. Be3 Bd6 {Black's plan clearly failed.} (14... Bxe3 15. Nxe3 $14) 15. Nh4 Ne7 16. Ng3 $14 {Gorelov-Kalinski, Saratov 1981}) 11. Qe2 Qe8 (11... Nb6 {against c4 was possible.}) 12. Nc4 { e3-d5} f6 13. Ne3 Qf7 14. Rd1 Rfd8 15. Nd5 Rac8 {looks a bit passive.} (15... Nb6 $142 $5 16. Nxe7+ (16. c4 Bc5) 16... Nxe7 {and White's  gives him a very small edge}) 16. Be3 Bf8 $146 (16... Bc5 $2 {is punished by the simple double  after} 17. Bxc5 Nxc5 18. Qb5 b6 19. b4 a6 20. Qxc6 Rd6 21. Nxf6+ $18 {and the  comes out of the trap, Malakhov-Carlsen, Khanty Mansyisk 2005.}) ({RR} 16... a6 17. Rd2 Bc5 18. Rad1 Bxe3 19. Qxe3 Nf8 20. b4 Kh8 21. Bb3 Ne7 22. h3 Neg6 23. Qa7 c6 24. Ne3 Rxd2 25. Rxd2 Qc7 26. Nf5 Bxb3 27. axb3 Nf4 28. Nd6 Rb8 29. Kh2 N4e6 30. g3 Kg8 31. Kg2 {Bacallao Alonso,Y (2532)-Pilgaard,K (2442) Barcelona 2011 1-0 (51)}) ({RR} 16... Bc5 17. Bxc5 Nxc5 18. Qb5 b6 19. b4 a6 20. Qxc6 Rd6 21. Nxf6+ gxf6 22. Rxd6 cxd6 23. Qxb6 Nd7 24. Qxd6 Rxc3 25. Bb3 Bxb3 26. axb3 Rxb3 27. h3 Nf8 28. Rxa6 Ng6 29. Ra8+ Kg7 30. Rc8 Kh6 31. Rc7 {Malakhov,V (2670)-Carlsen,M (2570) Khanty-Mansiysk 2005 1-0 (33)}) 17. Rd2 a6 $6 {There is no time for this move.} (17... Ne7 {improving the bad 's position was required.} 18. Nxe7+ Bxe7 19. Rad1 $14) 18. Rad1 Ncb8 {This looks rather awkward.} 19. h3 (19. Nh4 $5 {looked crisper.}) 19... Re8 {White has the control over the d .} 20. b3 { c4 with further advance on the .} c6 21. Nb6 $2 {This exchange helps for the party lacking space.} (21. Nb4 a5 22. Nd3 Na6 $14) 21... Nxb6 22. Bxb6 c5 $1 {and the b6  is suddenly out of place.} 23. c4 (23. Bd3 Rc6 24. Ba7 Nd7 25. Bc4 $1 Rc7 $17) 23... Nc6 {The  comes back to the  with a great effect.} 24. Qe3 Nd4 {Black controls now the .} 25. Bd3 Qh5 26. Be2 Qf7 27. Ne1 Rc6 28. Ba5 b5 $17 29. cxb5 axb5 30. Bc3 Ra8 31. Nd3 Rca6 32. Nc1 Nxe2+ $6 {This exchange cannot be praized from strategical point of view. However Black can simply do what he wants.} (32... Qg6 $5) 33. Qxe2 c4 $1 34. b4 (34. bxc4 Bxc4 35. Qe3 Ra3 $17) 34... Ra3 $1 35. Rc2 h6 36. Kh2 Kh7 37. Qd2 Qh5 38. f3 Be7 39. Ne2 Qg5 40. f4 $2 {This founders on a tactical blow.} (40. Qxg5 hxg5 41. Rdd2 R3a4 42. Rb2 Rd8 43. Rxd8 Bxd8 44. Bd2 Be7 $17) 40... exf4 41. Nxf4 {} Rxc3 $1 $19 {and White's position collapses.} 42. Rxc3 Bxb4 43. Nxe6 Qe5+ 44. Kh1 Qxe6 45. Rb1 Bxc3 46. Qxc3 Qxe4 47. Rb2 Rd8 48. Kh2 Rd3 49. Qc2 c3 0-1

[Event "Corus-B"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2006.01.14"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "L'Ami, Erwin"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C91"]
[WhiteElo "2625"]
[BlackElo "2550"]
[PlyCount "73"]
[EventDate "2006.01.14"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "15"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 111"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2006.04.04"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2006.04.04"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 {Erenburg,Sergey Erenburg,Sergey ChessBase II} e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 d6 8. c3 O-O 9. d4 ({RR} 9. h3 Na5 10. Bc2 c5 11. d4 Nd7) 9... Bg4 10. Be3 ({RR} 10. d5 Na5 11. Bc2) 10... exd4 ({RR} 10... Bh5 11. h3 exd4 12. cxd4 d5 13. g4 ({RR} 13. e5 Ne4 14. Nc3 Nxc3 15. bxc3 Na5 16. Bc2 Nc4 17. g4 Bg6 18. Bf5 Bxf5 ({RR} 18... a5 19. Qd3 b4 20. Re2 Ra6 21. Kg2 Rb6 22. cxb4 axb4 23. Rae1) 19. gxf5 f6) 13... Bg6 14. Ne5 Na5 ({RR} 14... Nxe5 15. dxe5 Nxe4 16. Bxd5) 15. Nxg6 hxg6 16. e5 Ne4 17. Nc3 Bb4 18. Rc1 Nxb3 19. axb3 Bxc3 20. bxc3 Qh4 21. Rc2 f5 22. f3 Nxc3 ({RR} 22... Ng5 23. Bxg5 Qxg5 24. c4) 23. Rxc3 Qg3+ 24. Kf1 fxg4 25. Ke2 ({RR} 25. f4 gxh3 26. Qe2 g5)) ({RR} 10... Bd7 11. Nbd2 Ng4 12. Nf1 Nxe3 13. Nxe3 Bf6 14. Nd5 Rb8 15. h3 g6 16. Nxf6+ Qxf6 17. dxe5 Nxe5 18. Nxe5 Qxe5 19. Qd2 a5) 11. cxd4 Na5 ({RR} 11... d5 12. e5 Ne4 13. Nc3 Nxc3 14. bxc3 Qd7 15. h3 Bf5 16. Bg5 ({RR} 16. g4 Bg6 17. Nh2 ({RR} 17. Nd2 Na5 18. f4 Nxb3 19. Nxb3 f5 20. Kh2 a5 21. Rg1 a4 22. Nc1 Ra6 23. Ne2 Rc6 24. Bd2 Ba3 25. Qf1 b4) 17... Na5 18. Bc2 Bxc2 19. Qxc2 Nc4 20. Bf4 a5 21. Bg3 b4 22. Re2 Ra6 23. f4 Na3 24. Qd2 Rc6) 16... Bxg5 17. Nxg5 Na5 ({RR} 17... h6 18. Nf3 Na5 19. Nh4 Bh7 20. Qh5) 18. g4 Nxb3 19. axb3 Bg6 20. f4 Qe7 21. b4 f6 22. exf6 Qxf6 23. Ne6 Be4 24. f5 ({RR} 24. Nxf8 Qxf4) 24... Rfe8 25. Qd2 h5 26. Nxc7) 12. Bc2 c5 ({RR} 12... Nc4 13. Bc1 c5) ({RR} 12... Nc4 13. Bc1 c5 14. b3 Nb6 15. Nbd2 ({RR} 15. Bb2 cxd4 16. Nbd2 Nfd7 17. h3 Bh5 18. g4 d3 19. Bxd3 Nc5 20. Bc2 Bg6 21. Nd4 Qd7 22. f4 f6 23. N2f3 Rfe8 24. Nf5 Bf8 25. Qd4 Qa7 26. Kh1 Rac8 27. Rac1) 15... Nfd7 ({RR} 15... Rc8 16. h3 Bh5 17. g4 Bg6 18. d5 Nfd7 19. Nf1 Re8 20. Ng3 Bf6 21. Rb1) 16. h3 Bh5 17. Bb2 ({RR} 17. g4 Bg6 18. d5 Bf6 19. Rb1 Re8 20. Nf1 h6 21. Kg2 Rc8 22. Ng3 c4 23. Re2) 17... Re8 ({RR} 17... Rc8 18. Rc1 Re8 19. Bb1 cxd4 20. Bxd4 Bf6 21. Rxc8 Qxc8 22. Qc1 Qb7 23. Qa3 Bxf3 24. Nxf3) 18. a4 ({RR} 18. Qb1 Bg6 19. a4 d5 20. axb5 axb5 21. Rxa8 Qxa8 22. dxc5 Nxc5 23. e5 Ne6) 18... bxa4 19. bxa4 Rb8 ({RR} 19... cxd4 20. a5 d3 21. Bb1 ({RR} 21. Bxd3 Nc5) 21... Nc8 22. Bxd3 Nc5 23. Bc4) 20. a5 ({RR} 20. Rb1 cxd4 ({RR} 20... d5 21. a5 Nc4 22. Nxc4 dxc4 23. Ba4) 21. a5 ({RR} 21. Bxd4 Bf6 22. Be3 d5) 21... Bxf3 22. Qxf3 Ne5 23. Qe2 Nbd7 24. Bxd4 Rxb1 25. Rxb1 Qxa5) ({RR} 20. Ra2) 20... Nc8 ({RR} 20... Nd5 21. Nc4 Nc7 ({RR} 21... Nf4 22. Bc1 ({RR} 22. dxc5 Nxc5) 22... Ne6 23. g4 Bg6 24. d5 Nc7 25. Bf4) 22. Rb1) 21. Nc4 Na7) 13. h3 ({RR} 13. dxc5 dxc5 14. Nc3 Nc4 15. e5 {RR} Qxd1 ({RR} 15... Nd7 16. Bf4 Ndb6 17. Qe2 Qc8 18. Be4 Ra7 19. b3 Na3 20. Bc1 b4 21. Bxa3 bxa3 22. Nd5) ({RR} 15... Bxf3 16. Qxd8 Bxd8 17. Bxc5 Re8 18. exf6 Bc6 19. Rxe8+ Bxe8 20. Nd5) 16. Raxd1 Bxf3 17. exf6 Bxd1 18. fxe7 Bxc2 19. exf8=Q+ Rxf8 20. Bxc5 Rc8 21. Nd5 Kh8 22. Nb6) ({RR} 13. Nbd2 cxd4 14. Bxd4 Nc6 15. Be3 d5) ({RR} 13. dxc5 dxc5 14. Nc3 Nc4 15. e5 Ne8 16. Qe2 Nc7 ({RR} 16... Nxe5 17. Rad1) 17. Rad1 Qc8 18. Bc1 Re8 19. Qe4 g6 20. Qf4 h5 21. h3 Ne6 22. Qg3 Bxf3 23. Qxf3 Nd4 24. Rxd4 cxd4 25. e6 f5 ({RR} 25... Rf8 26. Nd5 Ra7 27. Qg3) 26. Bxf5) 13... Bxf3 ({RR} 13... cxd4 14. Bxd4 Bh5 15. g4 Bg6 16. Nc3 Rc8 17. Rc1 Nc6 18. Be3 {RR} Re8 19. Nh4 ({RR} 19. Nd5 Nxd5 20. exd5 Nb8 21. Bf4 Bf8 22. Rxe8 Qxe8 23. Nd4 Bxc2 24. Rxc2 Rxc2 25. Qxc2 Qe1+ 26. Kg2 Nd7) 19... Nd7 20. Nxg6 hxg6 21. Bb3 ({RR} 21. Nd5 Bh4 22. Re2 Nf6 23. Bb3 Nxe4 24. Nb6 Nxf2 25. Bxf2 Bxf2+ 26. Rxf2 Qxb6 27. Bxf7+ Kh7 28. Qxd6) 21... Nc5 22. Nd5 Ne5 23. f4 Ned3 24. Bxc5 Nxc5 25. g5 Bf8 26. Qf3) ({RR} 13... cxd4 14. Bxd4 Bh5 15. g4 Bg6 16. Nc3 Rc8 17. Rc1 Nc6 18. Be3 Nb4 19. Bb1 d5 20. e5 ({RR} 20. exd5 Bxb1 21. Rxb1 Nfxd5) 20... Ne4 21. Ne2 Nc5 ({RR} 21... Rxc1 22. Qxc1 Qa8 23. a3 Nc6 24. Nf4) 22. Bxc5 Rxc5 23. Rxc5 Bxc5 24. Nf4) 14. Qxf3 cxd4 ({RR} 14... Nc4 15. dxc5 dxc5 16. Nc3 Nd7 {RR} 17. Bf4 ({RR} 17. Nd5 Bg5 18. Bxg5 Qxg5 19. b3 Na3 20. Bd3 c4 21. bxc4 bxc4 22. Bb1 Qe5) 17... Nde5 ({RR} 17... Nxb2 18. e5) 18. Bxe5 Nxe5 19. Qg3 Nc6 20. Rad1 Nd4 21. e5 Ra7 22. Ne2 Rd7 ({RR} 22... Nxe2+ 23. Rxe2 Rd7 24. Ree1) 23. Nxd4 Rxd4 24. Qe3 Kh8 ({RR} 24... Rxd1 25. Rxd1 Qc7 26. e6) 25. f4 Qd7 26. Rxd4 Qxd4 27. Qxd4 cxd4 28. Kf2 Rc8 29. Bd3 f6 30. exf6 Bxf6 31. Re6 Ra8) ({RR} 14... Nc4 15. dxc5 dxc5 16. Nc3 Nd7 17. Rad1 Nxb2 18. Rd5 Qe8 ({RR} 18... Nc4 19. e5 ({RR} 19. Red1 Qa5 20. Rxd7 Qxc3 21. Rxe7 Qxc2) 19... Ncxe5 20. Qd1 Qa5 21. Bd2 b4 22. Na4 Rfd8 23. Bf5) ({RR} 18... Qa5 19. Rxd7 ({RR} 19. Bc1 Nc4 20. e5 ({RR} 20. Rxd7 Ne5) 20... Ndb6 21. Rdd1 Rad8) 19... Qxc3 20. Rc1 Qe5 21. Rd5 Qe6 22. Bxc5 Bxc5 23. Rxc5 Rac8 24. Bb3 Nc4 25. Rxc8 Rxc8) 19. e5 Nb6 ({RR} 19... Rd8 20. Qg4 Kh8 21. Bh6 g6 ({RR} 21... gxh6 22. Qf5) ({RR} 21... Rg8 22. Bc1 Nc4 23. Bxh7) 22. Bxf8) ({RR} 19... Ra7 20. Qg4 Kh8 21. Bh6 Rg8 22. Bc1) 20. Rxc5 Bxc5 ({RR} 20... N2c4 21. Rc7 Nxe3 22. Qxe3 Rc8 23. Qxb6 Qd8 24. Nd5 Qxd5 25. Bb3 Qd8 26. Rec1) 21. Bxc5 N2c4 22. Bxf8 Qxf8 23. Qd3 g6 24. Ne4) 15. Bxd4 Rc8 ({RR} 15... Nc6) 16. Qd1 ({RR} 16. Bb3 Nc6 17. Qd1 ({RR} 17. Be3 Ne5) ({RR} 17. Bc3 b4 18. Bd2 Nd4 19. Qd3 Nxb3 20. Qxb3 d5) ({RR} 17. Be3 Ne5) ({RR} 17. Bc3 b4 18. Bd2 Nd4 19. Qd3 Nxb3 20. Qxb3 d5) 17... d5 ({RR} 17... a5 18. Nc3 a4 19. Bd5 Nxd4 20. Qxd4 Qa5 21. a3 Nd7 22. Qb4) ({RR} 17... Nxd4 18. Qxd4 Nh5 19. Nc3 Bf6 20. Qd2 Bg5 21. Qe2 Nf4 22. Qf3 Ng6 23. Red1 Bf6 24. Rac1) ({RR} 17... a5 18. Nc3 a4 19. Bd5 Nxd4 20. Qxd4 Qa5 21. a3 Nd7 22. Qb4) ({RR} 17... Nxd4 18. Qxd4 Nh5 19. Nc3 Bf6 20. Qd2 Bg5 21. Qe2 Nf4 22. Qf3 Ng6 23. Red1 Bf6 24. Rac1) 18. exd5 ({RR} 18. Bxf6 Bxf6 19. exd5 Bxb2 20. dxc6 Bxa1) ({RR} 18. Bxd5 Nxd5 19. exd5 Qxd5 20. Nc3 Qf5 ({RR} 20... Qxd4 21. Qxd4 Nxd4 22. Rxe7) ({RR} 20... Qxd4 21. Qxd4 Nxd4 22. Rxe7)) ({RR} 18. Bxf6 Bxf6 19. exd5 Bxb2 20. dxc6 Bxa1) ({RR} 18. Bxd5 Nxd5 19. exd5 Qxd5 20. Nc3 Qf5) 18... Nxd4 19. Qxd4 Bc5 20. Qd3 ({RR} 20. Qd2 b4 21. Qd3 ({RR} 21. a3 Qb6) ({RR} 21. a3 Qb6) 21... Qb6 22. Qf3 ({RR} 22. Qf5 Bd4 23. Nd2 Bxb2 24. Nc4 Rxc4 25. Bxc4 Bxa1 26. Rxa1 Qd4) ({RR} 22. Qf5 Bd4 23. Nd2 Bxb2 24. Nc4 Rxc4 25. Bxc4 Bxa1 26. Rxa1 Qd4) 22... Bd4 23. Nd2 Bxb2 24. Nc4 Rxc4 25. Bxc4 Bxa1 26. Rxa1 Rc8 ({RR} 26... Qd4 27. Rc1 Rc8 28. d6) ({RR} 26... Qd4 27. Rc1 Rc8 28. d6)) ({RR} 20. Qd2 b4 21. Qd3 Qb6 22. Qf3 Bd4 23. Nd2 Bxb2 24. Nc4 Rxc4 25. Bxc4 Bxa1 26. Rxa1 Rc8) 20... Qb6 21. Qf3 a5 22. Nc3 {½-½ (22) Svidler,P (2738)-Bacrot,E (2729) Gothenburg 2005 CBM 109 [Erenburg,Sergey]} ({RR} 22. Nd2 a4 23. Bd1 Rfd8) ({RR} 22. Nd2 a4 23. Bd1 Rfd8) {RR} 22... Bd4 ({RR} 22... a4 23. Bc2 a3 24. Bf5 axb2 25. Rab1 Bxf2+ 26. Qxf2 Qxf2+ 27. Kxf2 Rxc3 28. Rxb2 Rc5 29. Bd3 Nxd5 30. Bxb5 Nc3 31. Bd3) 23. Rad1 Bxc3 24. bxc3 a4 25. Bc2 Qd6) ({RR} 16. Qd3 Nc6 17. Bc3 g6 ({RR} 17... Ne5 18. Qe2 Qb6) 18. Bb3 Nd7 19. a3 Nc5 20. Qd5 Nxb3 21. Qxb3 Bf6 22. Qd5 Bxc3 23. Nxc3 Qf6 24. Rad1) ({RR} 16. Qd3 Nc6 17. Bc3 g6 18. Bb3 Nd7 19. a3 Nc5 20. Qd5 Nxb3 21. Qxb3 Bf6 22. Qd5 Bxc3 23. Nxc3 Qf6 24. Rad1) ({RR} 16. Bb3 Nc6 17. Qd1 d5 18. exd5 Nxd4 19. Qxd4 Bc5 20. Qd3 Qb6 21. Qf3 a5 22. Nc3) 16... Nc6 ({RR} 16... Nd7 17. Nc3 Bf6 18. Re2 ({RR} 18. Re2 Be5 ({RR} 18... Nc6 19. Bxf6 Qxf6 20. Rd2) ({RR} 18... Nc4 19. Nd5 Nxb2 20. Nxf6+ Qxf6 21. Bxf6 Nxd1 22. Rxd1 Nxf6 23. Rxd6) 19. Nd5 ({RR} 19. Rd2 Nc4) ({RR} 19. Rc1 Nc4 20. b3 Qg5 21. Bxe5 ({RR} 21. bxc4 Bxd4) 21... Ncxe5) 19... Nc6 20. Bc3 ({RR} 20. Bxe5 dxe5) 20... Nb6 ({RR} 20... Bxc3 21. Nxc3 Nb6) 21. Rc1 ({RR} 21. Bb3 Bxc3 ({RR} 21... Nxd5 22. Bxe5 dxe5 ({RR} 22... Nxe5 23. Bxd5) 23. exd5 Na5 24. Rxe5) 22. Nxc3 Na5 ({RR} 22... Qf6 23. Rd2 Rfd8 24. Rc1) ({RR} 22... Ne5 23. Qd4) 23. Qd4 Nc6 24. Qd3 Ne5 25. Qg3) ({RR} 21. a4 Nxd5 22. exd5 Bxc3 23. dxc6 Bxb2 24. Bxh7+ Kxh7 25. Rxb2 Rxc6) 21... Nxd5 22. exd5 b4 ({RR} 22... Bxc3 23. dxc6 Be5 ({RR} 23... Bxb2 24. Bxh7+) 24. Be4) 23. dxc6 ({RR} 23. Qd3 g6 24. Bxe5 Nxe5 25. Qxa6 b3 26. axb3 Nf3+ 27. Kh1 ({RR} 27. gxf3 Qg5+) 27... Nd4) 23... bxc3 24. bxc3 Rxc6)) ({RR} 16... Nd7 17. Nc3 Bf6 18. Rc1 Nc6 ({RR} 18... Nc4 19. Nd5 Be5 20. Bb3 Qh4 21. g3 Bxg3 22. Qg4 Qxg4 ({RR} 22... Nce5 23. Qxg3 ({RR} 23. Bxe5 Bxf2+) 23... Rxc1 24. Rxc1 Qxg3+ 25. fxg3 Nf3+ 26. Kf2 Nxd4 27. Ne7+ Kh8 28. Bd5) 23. Ne7+ Kh8 24. hxg4 Bf4 25. Nxc8 Bxc1 26. Nb6 Ndxb6 27. Rxc1) 19. Be3 ({RR} 19. Bxf6 Nxf6 ({RR} 19... Qxf6 20. Qh5 g6 21. Qh6 Nb6 22. Bb3 Na5 ({RR} 22... Nd4 23. Nd5 Nxd5 24. Bxd5 Rxc1 25. Qxc1) 23. Nd5 Nxd5 24. Bxd5 Qxb2 25. Rxc8 Rxc8 26. Qf4) 20. Bb3 Re8 21. Qd3 Na5 22. Bd5 b4 23. Na4) 19... Nc5 20. Re2 ({RR} 20. f4 Bxc3 21. bxc3 Na5) 20... Re8 ({RR} 20... Bxc3 21. bxc3 Re8) 21. Rd2 ({RR} 21. Bb1 Bxc3 ({RR} 21... Na5 22. Nd5 Nc4 23. Nxf6+ Qxf6 24. Bd4) 22. Rxc3 Nxe4 23. Bxe4 Rxe4 24. Bb6 Qe8 25. Rxe4 Qxe4 26. Qxd6 h6) 21... Bxc3 22. Rxd6 ({RR} 22. bxc3 Nxe4 23. Bxe4 Rxe4 24. Rxd6 Qe7) 22... Bxb2 ({RR} 22... Qh4 23. Bxc5 Bxb2 24. Rb1 Be5 25. Rd5 Red8 26. Qd3) 23. Rb1 ({RR} 23. Rxd8 Rexd8 24. Bxc5 ({RR} 24. Qh5 Bxc1 25. Bxc5 Na5 26. Bb6 Rd2) 24... Rxd1+ 25. Rxd1 h6) 23... Qc7 24. Bxc5 ({RR} 24. Rxb2 Nxe4 25. Bxe4 ({RR} 25. Rd7 Qe5) 25... Rxe4) 24... Bd4 25. Rd5 ({RR} 25. Ba3 b4 26. Bxb4 Nxb4 27. Rxb4 Qxd6 28. Rxd4 Qa3) ({RR} 25. Rxd4 Nxd4 26. Bxd4 Qxc2) 25... Bxc5 26. Rxc5 Red8 ({RR} 26... Qe7 27. Rd5 Qa3 28. Bb3 Na5 29. Qf3 Nxb3 30. axb3) 27. Qe1 ({RR} 27. Qg4 Qe7 28. Rg5 Ne5 29. Rxg7+ Kh8 30. Qg5 Qf8 31. Rxh7+ Kxh7 32. Qxe5 Qc5 33. Qf6 Qxc2 34. Qxf7+) 27... Qe7 28. Qe3 Na5 ({RR} 28... Ne5 29. Rxc8 Rxc8 30. Bb3) 29. Rxc8 Rxc8 30. Bb3 {½-½ (30) Timofeev,A (2658)-Carlsen,M (2570) Skanderborg 2005 CBM 110 [Erenburg,Sergey]}) 17. Nc3 b4 ({RR} 17... Nxd4 18. Qxd4 Nh5 19. Bb3 Bf6 20. Qd2 Bxc3 21. bxc3 Qf6 22. Re3 Qe5 23. Rd1 Rfd8 24. Rd3 Nf6 25. Rxd6 Rxd6 26. Qxd6 Qxd6 27. Rxd6 Nxe4 28. Rxa6 Nc5 29. Ra3 Nxb3 30. Rxb3 Kf8 31. Rxb5 Rxc3 32. a4 {Deac,B (2639)-Ivanchuk,V (2678) Europe Echecs INT 2021 ½-½ (60)}) 18. Ne2 Nxd4 $146 ({RR} 18... Nd7 19. Bb3 Bf6 20. Bxf6 Qxf6 21. Qd2 Nc5 22. Bd5 Ne5 23. Rf1 a5 24. b3 Nc6 25. Rad1 Rfe8 26. Ng3 Ne7 27. Rfe1 Red8 28. Bc4 g6 29. Re3 Qe5 30. Rf3 Ne6 31. Rd3 Rc6 32. Bd5 Rc3 33. Bxe6 {Levitina,I (2320)-Donaldson Akhmilovskaya,E (2280) Ordzhonikidze 1978 EXT 2017 [ChessBase II] 1-0 (62)}) 19. Nxd4 g6 20. Qd2 Qb6 21. Rad1 Nd7 22. Bb3 Nc5 23. Bd5 Bf6 24. Nf3 Kg7 25. Nh2 h5 26. g4 Rh8 27. Kg2 hxg4 28. Nxg4 Nd7 29. Bxf7 Kxf7 30. Qf4 Ke6 31. Nxf6 Nxf6 32. e5 Qb7+ 33. Kg1 dxe5 34. Rxe5+ Kf7 35. Rd6 Rxh3 36. Qxf6+ Kg8 37. Rd8+ 1-0

[Event "Corus-B"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2006.01.15"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Smeets, Jan"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B33"]
[WhiteElo "2550"]
[BlackElo "2625"]
[Annotator "Rogozenco,Dorian"]
[PlyCount "88"]
[EventDate "2006.01.14"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "15"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 111"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2006.04.04"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2006.04.04"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 e5 6. Ndb5 d6 7. Bg5 a6 8. Na3 b5 9. Nd5 Be7 10. Bxf6 Bxf6 11. c3 Bg5 12. Nc2 Ne7 13. Ncb4 O-O 14. a4 (14. Nxe7+ Qxe7 15. Nd5 Qb7 $11 {[%cal Gc8e6,Yg5d8,Yd8b6]}) 14... bxa4 15. Rxa4 (15. Qxa4 a5 (15... Nxd5 16. Nxd5 Bd7) 16. Bb5 $5 Nxd5 17. Nxd5 $14 {1-0 Kamsky,G (2690)-Carlsen,M (2570)/Khanty Mansyisk 2005 (31)}) (15. h4 $5 Bh6 16. Rxa4) 15... a5 16. Nxe7+ (16. Bb5 Bd7 $11 (16... Bh3 $5 $13)) 16... Qxe7 (16... Bxe7 $5) 17. Bc4 (17. Nd5 Qb7 $11) 17... Bd7 (17... Be6 18. Nd5 Qb7 {½-½ Nunn,J (2515)-Adorjan,A (2550)/Vienna 1980}) 18. Nd5 Qe8 19. Ra2 (19. Nc7 $2 Bxa4 $19) 19... Bd8 (19... a4 $5 20. Nc7 $140 $2 Qc8 21. Nxa8 Qxc4 $19) (19... Rc8 $2 20. Nb6 Rc7 21. Nxd7 Qxd7 (21... Rxc4 22. Qd5) 22. b3 $16) 20. O-O Rc8 $146 ({RR} 20... Rb8 21. b4 axb4 22. cxb4 Bc6 23. Rb2 Kh8 24. Qe2 f5 25. b5 Bb7 26. exf5 Rxf5 27. Ne3 Rf8 28. Rd2 Rf6 29. Bd5 Bb6 30. Bxb7 Rxb7 31. Nd5 Rf8 32. Nxb6 Rxb6 33. Rd5 h6 34. Rfd1 Qe6 35. h3 {Carlsson,P (2430)-Souleidis,G (2433) Soller 2006 1-0 (90)}) 21. Bb3 (21. b3 a4 $11) 21... Rb8 $1 22. Qc2 Kh8 23. Rfa1 $2 {Too optimistical. Pawn a5 is well protected and the rook is clearly misplaced on a1. In fact with the bishop on b3 and queen on c2 White lacks coordination and must have found a plan to keep the balance.} (23. Ne3 {[%csl Ra5,Rd6][%cal Ge3c4]} Be6 24. Bd5 (24. Nc4 $2 Qb5 $19) (24. Bxe6 fxe6 25. Nc4 d5 $5 26. Nxa5 (26. Nxe5 Bc7 27. Nf3 Rxf3 28. gxf3 Qg6+ 29. Kh1 Qh5 $40) 26... Rf4 27. exd5 exd5 $44) 24... Bb6 25. Nf5 $11 (25. Nc4 Bxd5 26. exd5 Qb5 $132)) (23. Ba4 $2 Bxa4 24. Rxa4 Rxb2 25. Qxb2 Qxa4 $17) 23... f5 $132 24. Ba4 {The idea of the previous move, but now Black quickly creates counterplay.} (24. exf5 Bxf5 25. Qd1 Qg6 $36) (24. f3 fxe4 25. fxe4 Qg6 $36) 24... Bxa4 25. Rxa4 fxe4 26. R4a2 (26. Rxe4 Qb5 {[%csl Rb2,Rd5]}) 26... Qf7 {The start of an amazing maneuver: who could guess that the rook from b8 will be on f3 in just 3 moves!} 27. c4 Rb3 $1 {A typical play for Carlsen to discover unexpected tactical resources. The rook finds its quickes way to the kingside.} 28. Re1 Bh4 29. g3 $2 ({White had to play} 29. Re2 {and although Black has several attractive continuations, White also has resources to defend.} e3 $5 (29... Rd3 30. Ra1 Rd4) 30. f3 $8 Bf2+ 31. Kh1 Rfb8) 29... Rf3 $1 30. b3 Bd8 31. Rxe4 h5 $1 32. Re2 (32. h4 g5 $1 33. hxg5 Bxg5 34. Qe2 (34. Rxa5 Rxf2 $19) (34. Kg2 h4 35. gxh4 Qe6 $19) 34... h4 35. gxh4 Qh5 36. hxg5 Qxg5+ (36... Rg8 $4 37. Rh4 $1 $18) 37. Kf1 Qh6 38. Rg4 (38. Ke1 Rxf2 39. Qxf2 Qh1+ 40. Ke2 Rxf2+ 41. Kxf2 Qh2+ $19) 38... Qh3+ 39. Rg2 Rg3 $19) 32... h4 33. Rb2 g6 34. Kg2 $2 {Loses by force.} ({Correct was something like} 34. Qd2 Kg7 35. Re3 {and Black has nothing concrete yet. Generally with precise moves White should be able to defend, but in a practical game it is very difficult to hold such a position.}) 34... hxg3 35. hxg3 Rxg3+ $1 36. Kf1 (36. Kxg3 Qf3+ 37. Kh2 Kg7 {[%cal Gf8h8] and mate}) (36. fxg3 Qf1+ 37. Kh2 Kg7 38. Re4 Rh8+ 39. Rh4 Bxh4 40. gxh4 Rxh4+ 41. Kg3 Rh3+ 42. Kg4 Qf3+ 43. Kg5 Rh5#) 36... Qf3 37. Qe4 Qh5 38. Ne3 Bg5 39. Ke1 Rgf3 {Black is a pawn up and has a deadly attack.} 40. Nf1 Bc1 41. Ra2 (41. Rb1 Ba3 $1 {[%cal Ga3b4]}) 41... Rxb3 42. Ng3 Qh6 43. Qg4 (43. Kd1 Bf4 $19) 43... Rxg3 44. Qxg3 (44. fxg3 Qh1#) 44... Qh1+ 0-1

[Event "Corus-B"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2006.01.17"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Stellwagen, Daniel"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B45"]
[WhiteElo "2573"]
[BlackElo "2625"]
[Annotator "Golod,Vitali"]
[PlyCount "78"]
[EventDate "2006.01.14"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "15"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 111"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2006.04.04"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2006.04.04"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 Nc6 6. Nxc6 bxc6 7. e5 Nd5 8. Ne4 Bb7 9. c4 Nb4 10. c5 Qb8 {Very rare move.} ({I also analysed other alternatives in this position:} 10... Qh4 $6) ({and} 10... Ba6 $5) 11. f4 $5 ({On:} 11. Nd6+ $5 {I have found three games in my database.}) 11... Ba6 $140 12. a3 Bxf1 13. Rxf1 Nd5 14. Qd4 Be7 ({Also once was checked in the preceding game:} 14... Qd8 $5 {h4+}) 15. f5 {Probably Daniel Stellwagen was studying my comments to the below mentioned game:} (15. Bd2 $6 O-O 16. O-O-O f6 $1 $15 {Najer,E-Yakovich,Y/Sochi,2005/CBM 107(½-½)(Golod,V)(59)}) 15... exf5 16. Rxf5 O-O {Black finished development and ready to open the game by "f6".} 17. Bd2 {White wants to castle queenside. Black governs the open "b"-file, and could immediately start counterplay. Besides, the knight on "d5" is very strong.} ({This deserves more attention:} 17. Bg5 $5) ({RR} 17. Bg5 Re8 18. O-O-O g6 19. Rf3 Bxg5+ 20. Nxg5 Qxe5 21. Qh4 h5 22. Nxf7 Qg7 23. Qf2 Re7 24. Nd6 Rf8 25. Rxf8+ Qxf8 26. Qxf8+ Kxf8 27. Rf1+ Kg7 28. Kd2 a6 29. Rf3 Nc7 30. b4 Nd5 31. h4 Nf6 {Svidler,P (2698)-Erdogmus,Y (2626) Marseille FRA 2025 ½-½ (38)}) ({RR} 17. Bg5 Bxg5 18. Rxg5 Qb3 19. Rg3 Qc2 20. Nf6+ Nxf6 21. exf6 Rfe8+ 22. Kf1 g6 23. Qc3 Qe2+ 24. Kg1 Re5 25. Rf1 Rae8 26. b4 Rd5 27. Qf3 Re4 28. h3 h5 29. h4 Kh7 30. Qxe2 Rxe2 31. Rff3 Re1+ {Jones,G (2518)-Carlsen,M (2693) Gausdal 2007 0-1 (51)}) 17... f6 {The center must be opened, Black doesn't have any other respective alternative.} 18. O-O-O {Yet there was time to move the king to queenside.} Qb3 $146 {Black doesn't hurry to recapture on "e5" and first activates his queen.} (18... fxe5 19. Rxe5 Qb3 $2 (19... Bf6 $5 20. Nxf6+ Rxf6 21. Bg5 Rf7 22. Rde1 Qf8 {and Black has a good defense.}) 20. Bg5 $14 Rae8 21. Bxe7 Ne3 $4 22. Nf6+ {[%csl Re3][%cal Ge5e3] 1-0 Topalov,V-Illescas Cordoba,M/Cala Galdana,1999}) ({RR} 18... fxe5 19. Rxe5 Qb3 20. Bg5 Rae8 21. Bxe7 Ne3 22. Nf6+ {1-0 (22) Topalov,V (2690)-Illescas Cordoba,M (2600) Cala Galdana 1999}) 19. exf6 {It's hard for me to suggest another move :)} ({For example:} 19. Re1 Rae8 20. exf6 Bxf6 21. Nxf6+ Nxf6 {and Black is OK.}) 19... Bxf6 {Of course Black keeps his pride and joy - his knight.} 20. Nxf6+ Rxf6 {Exchanging a pair of rooks favors Black.} 21. Rxf6 Nxf6 22. Re1 Qf7 $5 {Magnus wants to get his king to safety, and only then get his knight back to the center.} ({Even though after:} 22... Nd5 {it is unclear how White can use the stuck black queen on the queenside:} 23. Bh6 (23. Qg4 $6 Rb8 {קb2}) 23... gxh6 24. Qg4+ Kh8 (24... Kf7 $4 25. Rf1+ Ke7 (25... Nf6 26. Qxd7+ Kg8 27. Rxf6 Qe3+ 28. Kb1 Qe4+ 29. Ka1 $18) 26. Qe4+ Kd8 27. Rf8+ Kc7 28. Rxa8 $18) (24... Kf8 $144 $4 25. Rf1+ {and so on}) 25. Qd4+ Kg8 26. Qg4+ {with perpetual check.}) 23. Bf4 Nd5 24. Bd6 {It is unclear which piece stands better: The bishop on "d6" or the knight on "d5". The white bishop prevents the black rook from getting to the b or f. So Black puts it on the e s in order to exchange them.} Re8 25. Rxe8+ Qxe8 26. Qe5 Qf7 $1 $11 {[%csl Rc1,Rg2][%cal Gf7f1] Of course it is bad to exchange the queens, because after:} (26... Qxe5 27. Bxe5 Kf7 28. Kd2 g6 29. Kd3 Ke6 30. Bb8 {Black has problems, in view of the weak "a" pawn. It is obvious that White has the advantage here.}) 27. Kb1 h6 {Magnus Carlsen doesn't hurry to force a draw:} (27... Qf1+ 28. Ka2 (28. Kc2 $6 Qxg2+ 29. Kb3 Qf3+ 30. Ka4 Kf7 31. Ka5 $44) 28... Qc4+ 29. Ka1 Qf1+ {and so on.}) 28. g3 Qf1+ 29. Ka2 Qc4+ 30. Ka1 (30. b3 $4 Qc2+ 31. Ka1 (31. Qb2 $143 Nc3+ 32. Ka1 Qd1+) 31... Nc3 $19) ({This doesn't change anything:} 30. Kb1 Qd3+ 31. Ka1 (31. Kc1 $4 Ne3 $19 {[%csl Rc1][%cal Gd3c2,Gd3d1]}) 31... Qf1+ 32. Ka2 $11) 30... Nf6 {Black continues to fight, and he doesn't seem to be in a hurry to finish the game:} (30... Qc1+ 31. Ka2 Qc4+ 32. Kb1 (32. Ka1 Qc1+) 32... Qf1+ 33. Kc2 Qf2+ 34. Kb3 Qf3+ 35. Ka2 (35. Ka4 $4 Qd3 {[%csl Ra4][%cal Gd3b5]} 36. b4 $8 Nc3+ 37. Kb3 $8 Ne2+ {with a simple win.}) 35... Qf7 $11) 31. Qf5 Kf7 32. Qe5 Kg8 33. Qe7 {The position on the board is dynamically equal, and the most predictable result of the game is a draw.} Qg4 {Black's idea - get the knight to "d5" or "e4" and have some counterplay, but easier said than done...} 34. Be5 Nd5 35. Qe8+ Kh7 36. Qf7 {[%csl Rd7,Rg7] White in his turn attacks the "d7" and "g7" pawns.} Qg5 37. Bd6 {It's hard to see how it is possible to improve the position, the players have reached their first time control, perhaps it is time to agree a draw :)} Qc1+ 38. Ka2 Qc4+ 39. Ka1 ({White avoids the last trap:} 39. Kb1 $4 Nc3+ {[%csl Rb1,Rf7][%cal Gc4f7]}) 39... Qc1+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "Corus-B"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2006.01.19"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Beliavsky, Alexander G"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C78"]
[WhiteElo "2625"]
[BlackElo "2626"]
[Annotator "Mikhalevski,Victor"]
[PlyCount "39"]
[EventDate "2006.01.14"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "15"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 111"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2006.04.04"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2006.04.04"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 {Marin,Mihail} e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O b5 6. Bb3 Bb7 7. d3 Bc5 8. Nc3 (8. a4 d6 9. Nc3 {leads to the same position.}) 8... d6 9. a4 ({RR} 9. a3 h6 10. Be3 ({RR} 10. Ne2) 10... O-O 11. Ba2 Rb8 ({RR} 11... Ba7 12. Qd2 Ne7 13. Ne2 Nh7 14. Ng3 Kh8 15. Bxa7 Rxa7 16. Nh4 d5 17. Rad1 Ra8 18. Qc3 d4 19. Qd2 Bc8 20. f4) 12. Ne2 Bc8 13. Ng3 Bb6 14. c3 Re8 15. d4 Bg4 16. Qd3 Bxf3 17. gxf3 Ne7 18. Kh1 Qd7 19. f4 Qh3 20. f3 exf4 ({RR} 20... exd4 21. cxd4 c5) 21. Bxf4 Ng6 22. Be3 c5 23. Rf2 Nh5 {Karjakin,S (2780)-Sokolov,I (2663) Wijk aan Zee 2013 CBM 153 [Marin,Mihail] 1-0 (32)}) 9... Na5 {Already this move is very uncommon, although it may transpose to 9...b4 10.e2.} (9... b4 {is the main line.} 10. Ne2 {[%cal Ge2g3]} (10. Nd5 {is a more popular continuation. Here is a relatively recent example.} Na5 11. Nxf6+ Qxf6 12. Ba2 Bc8 (12... h6 13. c3 bxc3 14. bxc3 O-O 15. Be3 Rad8 16. Rb1 Bc8 17. Qe2 Be6 $6 18. h3 $14 {Kasparov,G-Anand,V, PCA World Championship/CBM 49[Benjamin,J].}) 13. h3 Rb8 14. c3 b3 15. Bb1 O-O 16. d4 Bb6 17. d5 Qg6 18. Nh4 Qf6 19. Nf5 c6 {½-½ Khairullin,I-Riazantsev,A/Kazan RUS 2005/The Week in Chess 566}) 10... O-O ({Now} 10... Na5 11. Ba2 {transposes to the text.}) 11. a5 $5 {Preventing Na5.} (11. Ng3 Na5 12. Ba2 Bc8 13. c3 bxc3 14. bxc3 Bb6 15. Bg5 $1 h6 16. Bh4 $1 Bg4 17. h3 Bxf3 18. Qxf3 g5 19. Nf5 (19. Nh5 $1 Nxh5 20. Qxh5 gxh4 21. Qg6+ Kh8 22. Qxh6+ Kg8 23. Kh1 $1 $40) 19... gxh4 20. Nxh6+ $13 {1-0 De Firmian,N-Lugo,B/San Diego USA 2004/The Week in Chess 525 (44)}) 11... Ne7 (11... d5 $5) 12. Be3 Ng6 13. Bxc5 dxc5 14. Ng3 Bc8 15. Qe1 Be6 16. Bxe6 fxe6 17. Nd2 $14 {[%cal Gd2c4] 1-0 Anand,V-Hector,J/Middelfart DEN 2003/The Week in Chess 439 (65)}) 10. Ba2 b4 (10... c6 $6 {is dubious. In the following game White brilliantly exploited a misplaced knight on a5.} 11. Bd2 O-O 12. Ne2 bxa4 $2 13. Qe1 $1 Bb6 14. b4 $1 axb3 15. Bb1 $1 Nc4 16. dxc4 b2 17. Ra2 Nxe4 18. Rxb2 $16 {1-0 Savon,V-Bronstein,D/Odessa 1974/EXT 99 (40)}) 11. Ne2 ({RR} 11. Nd5 b3 12. cxb3 Bxd5 13. exd5 Bb4 14. d4 e4 15. Bd2 Rb8 16. Qe1 Bxd2 17. Nxd2 O-O 18. b4 Rxb4 19. Nxe4 Qb8 20. Nxf6+ gxf6 21. Bb1 Re8 22. Qc3 Nb3 23. Qg3+ Kf8 24. Bxh7 Re2 25. Rfe1 Nxd4 {Sokolovsky,Y (2414)-Tarhan,A (2312) Antalya TUR 2022 1-0}) 11... Bc8 $146 {[%cal Gc8e6] Although a typical idea by itself it had never been tested yet in the current position. From c8 Black brings the bishop to e6, covering on the way the f5-square.} ({Earlier Black played} 11... Rb8 {with the idea to meet 12.c3 with b3.} 12. Ng3 (12. c3 b3 $5) 12... O-O (12... Bc8 13. d4 exd4 14. Nxd4 O-O 15. Bg5 h6 16. Bf4 Bxd4 17. Qxd4 b3 18. Bxb3 Nxb3 19. cxb3 Rxb3 20. Rac1 $14 {½-½ Rodriguez Cespedes,A-Diaz,J/Mexico 1991/TD}) 13. Bg5 {[%cal Gg3h5]} h6 14. Bh4 $5 (14. Be3 Bxe3 15. fxe3 Bc8 16. Qe1 c6 17. Nd2 Be6 18. Bxe6 fxe6 19. Qe2 Qb6 20. Rf3 Qc5 $15 {½-½ Perez Perez,A-Ilczuk,J/ICCF Email 2003/ICCF Telechess CBM 102 (26)}) 14... g6 $6 15. Qd2 Kh7 $1 (15... Kg7 16. d4 exd4 17. Nxd4 Bxd4 18. Qxd4 Nc6 19. Qe3 $16 {½-½ Rayner,F-Ledger,D/Telford ENG 2003/The Week in Chess 429 (35)}) 16. d4 Bxd4 17. Nxd4 exd4 {[%csl Rh4][%cal Gf6e4]} 18. Rfe1 Nc6 19. f3 g5 20. Nf5 $1 Bc8 21. Bf2 Bxf5 22. exf5 $14 {[%csl Rd4] 1-0 Dijon,J-Johansson,S/ICCF Email 2002/ICCF Telechess CBM 98 (40)}) (11... b3 $6 12. Bxb3 (12. Qe1 $5 {[%csl Ra5]}) 12... Nxb3 13. cxb3 h6 14. Ng3 (14. Be3 $5) 14... O-O 15. Be3 Bxe3 16. fxe3 $16 {1-0 Hagarova,Z-Skripchenko,A/Halle 1995/EXT 97 (47)}) ({RR} 11... h6 12. Be3 Qe7 13. Ng3 Bc8 14. d4 Ba7 15. Re1 c5 16. dxe5 dxe5 17. Nf5 Bxf5 18. exf5 O-O 19. Bf4 c4 20. Rxe5 Qc7 21. Bg3 Nh5 22. Qd5 Nxg3 23. hxg3 Nc6 24. Qxc4 Rac8 25. Re2 Qxg3 26. Qxa6 {Raja,H (2420)-Marzano,C (2261) London 2017 1-0 (42)}) ({RR} 11... b3 12. Bxb3 Nxb3 13. cxb3 h6 14. Ng3 O-O 15. Be3 Bxe3 16. fxe3 a5 17. Qe1 g6 18. Rc1 Ba6 19. Rc3 Kh7 20. Rf2 c5 21. d4 exd4 22. exd4 cxd4 23. Nxd4 Ng4 24. Rd2 Rc8 25. h3 Ne5 26. Qf2 {Stockova,Z (2215)-Skripchenko,A (2400) Halle 1995 1-0 (48)}) 12. c3 {[%cal Gd3d4]} bxc3 13. bxc3 Bb6 {Otherwise 14. d4 with a tempo.} 14. Ng3 Be6 $6 {Black shouldn't have left his king in the centre.} (14... O-O {, which was necessary would transpose to De Firmian,N-Lugo,B/San Diego 2004. See above.}) 15. d4 $1 $16 {White is much better prepared for opening of the position.} Bxa2 $6 {ANother unfortunate decision. I believe Black had to leave the bishop on e6 at least to cover the f5-square.} (15... O-O) 16. Rxa2 O-O 17. Bg5 $1 {[%cal Gg3h5] This pin turns out to be very annoying. White has two extra pieces in attack.} exd4 $2 {This careless move leads to a disaster. Beliavsky has definitely underestimated the threats.} (17... h6 {was necessary, but after} 18. Bh4 $1 {Black's position is already dangerous anyway. F.e.} exd4 (18... Nc6 {is not better.} 19. Nh5 $1 {[%csl Rf6]} (19. Nf5 $5) 19... g5 20. Nxg5 $1 Nxh5 21. Qxh5 hxg5 22. Bxg5 f6 23. Bh6 $16 {and again White has a huge advantage thanks to a vulnerable position of Black's king.}) 19. Nh5 (19. cxd4 $5 {[%cal Gg3h5]} Re8 (19... g5 20. Nxg5 hxg5 21. Bxg5 $18 {[%cal Gg3h5]}) (19... c5 20. Nh5 g5 21. Nxg5 Nxh5 22. Qxh5 hxg5 23. Bxg5 f6 24. Qg6+ Kh8 25. Ra3 $1 $18 {[%csl Rh8][%cal Ga3h3]}) 20. Qc1 {[%cal Gg3h5]} (20. Nh5 $5 Rxe4 21. Bxf6 gxf6 22. Nd2 {[%cal Gd1f3]} Rxd4 23. Qf3 f5 24. Ng3 $40 {[%cal Gg3f5]}) 20... Nb3 21. Qe3 Nxd4 22. Nxd4 Bxd4 23. Qxd4 g5 24. f3 $1 gxh4 25. Nf5 $18 {and despite material equality White has a decisive advantage.}) 19... g5 20. Nxg5 Nxh5 21. Qxh5 hxg5 22. Bxg5 f6 (22... Qd7 $4 23. Bf6 {[%cal Gh5h8]}) 23. Bh6 Qe8 24. Qg4+ Kf7 25. Bxf8 Kxf8 26. cxd4 $16 {[%csl Rf8] and White has a clear advantage since Black king has no refuge.}) 18. Nh5 $1 $18 {This strong, but rather obvious move decides the game. Black's position is already defenseless.} dxc3 19. Nh4 $1 {[%csl Rg7][%cal Gh4f5] Magnus knows to attack. The knight comes to f5 with devastating consequences for Black.} Kh8 20. Nf5 {[%csl Rf6,Rg7] Black resigned as he can't protect neither the g7-pawn nor the knight on f6. I don't remember that such an experienced GM as Beliavsky loses so quickly. Bravo, Magnus!} (20. Nf5 Nc6 21. Nfxg7 Bd4 22. Nf5 Rg8 23. Bh4 $1 Be5 (23... Rg4 24. Bxf6+ Bxf6 25. Qxg4 $18) 24. f4 $18 {and Black loses all his pieces.}) 1-0

[Event "Corus-B"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2006.01.20"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Naiditsch, Arkadij"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B33"]
[WhiteElo "2657"]
[BlackElo "2625"]
[Annotator "Rogozenco,Dorian"]
[PlyCount "66"]
[EventDate "2006.01.14"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "15"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 111"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2006.04.04"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2006.04.04"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 {Rogozenco,Dorian} c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 e5 6. Ndb5 d6 7. Bg5 a6 8. Na3 b5 9. Nd5 Be7 10. Nxe7 Nxe7 11. Bd3 Nd7 (11... Bb7 $142) 12. O-O ({RR} 12. c4 b4 13. Nc2 a5 14. Ne3 f6 15. Bh4 O-O 16. O-O Nc5 17. f3 Be6 18. Re1 Qb8 19. Bf1 Kh8 20. Re2 Rc8 21. Rd2 Ra6 22. Rc1 Rac6 23. Bf2 Bf7 24. Nd5 Nxd5 ({RR} 24... Qb7 25. Bxc5 dxc5 ({RR} 25... Rxc5 26. Nxe7 Qxe7 27. Rxd6) 26. Nxe7 Qxe7 27. Rd7 Qe8) 25. cxd5 ({RR} 25. exd5 R6c7) 25... R6c7 26. Rdc2 Be8 {Morozevich,A (2747)-Carlsen,M (2698) Moscow 2006 CBM 116 [Rogozenco,Dorian] ½-½ (46)}) ({RR} 12. b4 h6 ({RR} 12... O-O 13. O-O Nb6 14. c4 f6 15. Be3 Nxc4 16. Nxc4 bxc4 17. Bxc4+ Kh8 18. f3) 13. Be3 d5 14. exd5 Nxd5 15. Qf3 N7f6 ({RR} 15... Bb7) 16. Bc5 Bg4 17. Qg3 Nf4 18. h3 Bh5 19. Nxb5 Nxd3+ 20. cxd3 axb5 21. Qxe5+ Kd7 22. Qd6+ Kc8 23. Qc6+ Qc7 24. Qxa8+ Kd7 25. Qa7) ({RR} 12. b4 Nb6 13. c4 bxc4 14. Nxc4 Nxc4 15. Bxc4 Bb7 16. Qa4+ Bc6 17. Qxc6+ Nxc6 18. Bxd8 Kxd8 19. Rc1 Ra7 20. Kd2 Ke7 21. Bxf7 Nxb4 22. Bb3 a5 23. Rc3 Rf8 24. f3 Na6 25. Rhc1 Nc5 26. Rxc5 dxc5 {Varga,Z (2411)-Najgebauer,S (2215) Slovakia 2017 ½-½ (51)}) 12... Nc5 13. b4 Nxd3 $146 ({RR} 13... Ne6 14. Bxe7 Qxe7 15. c4 bxc4 16. Bxc4 O-O 17. b5 axb5 18. Nxb5 Rd8 19. Bd5 Bb7 20. Rc1 Bxd5 21. Qxd5 Nc5 22. Nxd6 Qxd6 23. Qxc5 Qxc5 24. Rxc5 f6 25. Rc2 Rd4 26. f3 Rda4 27. Rff2 g5 28. h3 {Jandl,V (1837)-Skubal,O (1705) Mlada Boleslav 2013 ½-½ (31)}) 14. Qxd3 f6 15. Be3 d5 16. Bc5 dxe4 (16... d4 17. f4 O-O 18. fxe5 fxe5 19. Rxf8+ Qxf8 20. Qg3 $16) (16... Be6 17. f4 $5 exf4 18. Rae1 d4 19. e5 $36) ({RR} 16... d4 17. f4 O-O 18. fxe5 fxe5 19. Rxf8+ Qxf8 20. Qg3) ({RR} 16... Be6 17. f4 exf4 18. Rae1 d4 19. e5) 17. Qxe4 Qd5 18. Qe2 $1 (18. Qxd5 Nxd5 19. c4 $14) ({RR} 18. Qxd5 Nxd5 19. c4) 18... Bb7 (18... Ng6 19. f4 $1 $16 {[%csl Re8]}) ({RR} 18... Ng6 19. f4) 19. f3 Ng6 20. Rfd1 Nf4 21. Qf1 Qe6 22. c4 {With his king somewhere on h8 Black could have hopes to create counterplay, but here he must waste too much time to find a relatively safe position for the king. Therefore Black's compensation will not be enough.} Kf7 (22... bxc4 $2 23. Nxc4 $18) ({RR} 22... bxc4 23. Nxc4) 23. Rd6 Qf5 24. cxb5 axb5 25. Nxb5 Kg6 (25... Ba6 26. Qc4+ Kg6 27. a4 $16) ({RR} 25... Ba6 26. Qc4+ Kg6 27. a4) 26. Rd2 Rhd8 27. Rxd8 Rxd8 28. Nd6 Rxd6 {The only way to create some practical chances.} (28... Qd7 29. a4 $18) ({RR} 28... Qd7 29. a4) 29. Bxd6 Qg5 30. Kh1 h5 {White is of course winning. He still must watch out for some tricks, but it is not very complicated.} 31. Bc5 $2 ({A clear win is} 31. a4 h4 32. h3 Qg3 33. Ra3 Bd5 {[%cal Gd5c4]} (33... Nh5 34. b5 Qf4 35. Qd3+ Kf7 (35... Kh6 36. Qe3 $18) (35... f5 36. Qe3 Ng3+ 37. Kg1 Qc4 38. Ra1 $18) 36. Qb3+ Kg6 37. Qc2+ Kf7 38. Bc5 Ng3+ 39. Kg1 e4 40. Bb6 $18) 34. Bc5 e4 (34... Bc4 35. Qf2 Qg5 36. Be3 $18) 35. a5 exf3 36. Rxf3 {The safest} Bxf3 37. gxf3 {[%cal Gf1g1,Gg1g7]} Kh7 38. a6 $18) ({RR} 31. a4 h4 32. h3 Qg3 33. Ra3) 31... e4 32. Be3 $4 {[%mdl 8192]} ({Again he should have played} 32. a4 {[%cal Ga1a3] with the idea a3. White still should be winning.}) ({RR} 32. a4) 32... exf3 33. gxf3 Qg4 $1 0-1

[Event "Corus-B"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2006.01.21"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Vescovi, Giovanni P"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B46"]
[WhiteElo "2625"]
[BlackElo "2633"]
[Annotator "Ribli,Zoltan"]
[PlyCount "77"]
[EventDate "2006.01.14"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "15"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 111"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2006.04.04"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2006.04.04"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nc6 5. Nc3 a6 {Die Hauptidee des Zuges 5...a6 ist, dass Schwarz nach 6.e3 6...f6 ziehen kann und nach 7.d2?! b4 8.f3 d5 9.a3 a5 hat Schwarz eine bequeme Stellung.} 6. Nxc6 bxc6 7. Bd3 d5 8. O-O Nf6 9. Re1 Be7 10. e5 Nd7 11. Qg4 (11. Na4 Nb6 12. Nxb6 Qxb6 13. c4 O-O 14. Qc2 g6 15. Be3 Qb8 16. g3 Bb7 17. h4 dxc4 18. Be4 c5 {½-½ Najer,E-Lautier,J/FIDE World Cup 2005/CBM111 (21)}) 11... g6 12. Na4 {[%cal Gc2c4]} (12. Bh6 Rb8 13. Qh3 Rb4 {[%csl Gb4][%cal Gb4h4]} 14. Bg7 Rg8 $5 15. Qxh7 Rxg7 16. Qxg7 Bf8 17. Qg8 Qg5 $1 $44 {[%csl Gb4,Re5,Gg5,Rg8] ½-½ Polgar,J-Anand,V/Sofia 2005/CBM 107/[Ribli] (70)}) (12. b3 c5 13. Na4 c4 14. Bf1 Bb7 15. Bd2 Bc6 16. Nb2 Qb8 17. Qg3 O-O 18. Rab1 cxb3 19. axb3 Nc5 20. f3 {½-½ Adams,M-Svidler,P/Dortmund 2005/CBM 108 (20)}) 12... Qa5 (12... c5 13. c4 O-O 14. Bh6 Re8 15. Rad1 Rb8 16. b3 d4 17. f4 Qc7 18. h4 {1-0 Sax,G-Franzoni,G/Thessaloniki 1984/EXT 97}) 13. Bh6 Qb4 (13... Rb8 14. b3 Rb4 15. Qe2 Rxa4 16. bxa4 Bb4 17. Red1 Bc3 18. Bd2 Bxd2 19. Rxd2 Qc3 20. Rb1 O-O 21. Rdd1 c5 22. Rb3 Qxe5 23. Qxe5 Nxe5 24. Rb6 {1-0 Benjamin,J-Piasetski,L/Thessaloniki 1988/TD (74)}) 14. Qxb4 Bxb4 15. c3 Bf8 {Das ist die schwarze Verbesserung. Vor ca. einem Monat spielte Schwarz 15...a5 (Bacrot,E - Rublevsky,S 2005). Mit dem Läuferzug beabsichtigt Schwarz den Tausch der schwarzfeldrigen Läufer.} (15... Ba5 16. b4 Bc7 17. f4 a5 18. b5 Nb6 19. Nxb6 Bxb6+ 20. Kf1 cxb5 21. Bxb5+ $14 {1-0 Bacrot,E-Rublevsky,S/2005/FIDE World Cup/CBM 111/40}) 16. Bxf8 (16. Bg5 Be7 (16... Bg7 17. f4) 17. Bxe7 Kxe7 18. c4) 16... Rxf8 17. c4 {Das ist die Hauptidee des Zuges 12.a4.} Ke7 $146 ({RR} 17... Bb7 18. Rac1 Rc8 19. f4 Ke7 20. b4 f6 21. exf6+ Rxf6 22. g3 Kd6 23. c5+ Kc7 24. Bf1 a5 25. a3 Ra8 26. Nc3 axb4 27. axb4 e5 28. fxe5 Re6 29. Ne2 Rxe5 30. Nd4 Rae8 31. Red1 Nf8 32. Bh3 {Swiercz,D (2609)-Farago,I (2488) Germany 2012 1-0 (41)}) 18. cxd5 cxd5 19. Rac1 $14 {[%csl Gc1,Rc8][%cal Gc1c8] Weiß kontrolliert die c-Linie und der c8 steht passiv.} Ra7 $6 (19... a5 $5 {[%cal Gc8a6,Ga6d3]} 20. Rc6 (20. Rc7 Kd8 21. Rc6 Nxe5 22. Rxe5 Bd7 23. Rd6 Kc7) 20... Nxe5 21. Rxe5 Bd7 22. Rc7 Kd6 23. Rxd7+ Kxd7) 20. b4 $1 {[%csl Ga2,Gb4,Yc5,Gd3][%cal Ga4c5][%mdl 32] Dieses Motiv erinnert mich an die Partie Fischer,R - Petrosian,T Buenos Aires 1971. 7.Matchpartie. Weiß mobilisiert seine Reserven am Damenflügel und kontrolliert das Feld c5.} Bb7 (20... a5 $2 21. b5) 21. f4 (21. Rc7 Rc8) 21... Rc8 22. Rxc8 Bxc8 23. Rc1 Kd8 24. Kf2 {[%cal Gf2e3,Ge3d4]} Nb8 (24... Rc7 25. Rxc7 Kxc7 26. Ke3) 25. Nc5 (25. Ke3) 25... Rc7 26. Rc2 Nd7 27. Nb3 Rxc2+ 28. Bxc2 $16 {[%mdl 4096] Weiß verfügt über deutlichen Positionsvorteil in diesem Endspiel. Alle schwarzen Bauern stehen auf weißen Feldern und darüber hinaus kontrolliert Weiß die wichtigsten schwarzen Felder. In der Reserve hat er seine Bauernmehrheit auf den a- und b-Linien.} Nb8 29. Nd4 {[%csl Ga2,Gb4,Gd4]} Bd7 30. g4 {[%cal Gg4g5] Die weiße positionelle Drohung ist 1.g5, h4-h5 usw.} h6 (30... Nc6 31. Nxc6+ Bxc6 32. g5 d4 (32... Bb5 33. Ke3 $18) 33. Ke2 $18) 31. Ke3 (31. h4) 31... Kc7 32. a4 Kb6 {[%cal Ga6a5]} 33. a5+ Kb7 34. Bd3 Ba4 35. Be2 Nd7 36. h4 Nb8 37. f5 $18 gxf5 (37... Nc6 38. fxg6 fxg6 39. Nxe6 $18) 38. gxf5 Bd7 39. Bh5 {[%csl Rf7][%cal Rh5f7]} 1-0

[Event "Corus-B"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2006.01.24"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Koneru, Humpy"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C42"]
[WhiteElo "2625"]
[BlackElo "2537"]
[PlyCount "110"]
[EventDate "2006.01.14"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "15"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 111"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2006.04.04"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2006.04.04"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 {Huzman,Alexander} e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nxe5 d6 4. Nf3 Nxe4 5. d4 d5 6. Bd3 Nc6 7. O-O Be7 8. c4 Nb4 9. Be2 O-O 10. a3 Nc6 11. cxd5 Qxd5 12. Nc3 Nxc3 13. bxc3 Bf5 14. Re1 ({RR} 14. c4 Qe4 15. Ra2 Bf6 16. Rd2 Rfe8 17. d5 Na5 18. Bd3 Qg4 19. h3 Qg6 20. c5 Rad8 21. d6 cxd6 22. cxd6 Nc6 23. Bxf5 Qxf5 24. Rd5 Qe4 25. Re1 Qc4 26. Rxe8+ Rxe8 27. d7 Rd8 28. Bg5 Bxg5) 14... Bf6 ({RR} 14... Rfe8 15. Bf4 Rac8 16. h3 ({RR} 16. Bf1 Bd6 17. Rxe8+ Rxe8 18. c4 Qe4 19. Bxd6 cxd6 20. Qd2 Qc2 21. Qf4 h6 22. h3 Qb2 23. Rd1 Bc2 24. Qd2 Qb3 25. Rc1 Be4 26. Rc3 Qb6 27. Re3 Re7 28. Qe1 Bxf3 29. Rxe7) 16... h6 17. Nd2 ({RR} 17. g4 Bg6 18. Bd3 Bxd3 19. Qxd3 Qd7 20. d5 Bf6) ({RR} 17. Bd3 Qd7 18. Rb1 Bxd3 19. Qxd3 b6 20. d5 Bf6 21. c4 Ne7 22. Ne5 Bxe5 23. Rxe5 Ng6 24. Rxe8+ Rxe8 25. Bg3 Qe7) 17... Na5 18. Bf3 Qd7 19. Ne4 Rcd8 20. Ra2 b6 21. Rae2 Bxa3 22. Bg4 Be6 23. Bxh6 Bxg4 24. hxg4 Rxe4 25. Rxe4 gxh6 26. g5 hxg5 27. Qh5 f6 28. f4 Rf8 29. Re7) 15. Bf4 Rac8 16. Nd2 ({RR} 16. h3 Rfe8 17. Nd2 Re7 18. Bf3 Qd7 19. Ne4 Bxe4 20. Rxe4 Rce8 21. Rxe7 Rxe7 22. g4 g6 23. Kg2 Nd8 24. Bg3 c6 25. Qa4 c5 26. Qxa7 cxd4 27. Rd1 d3 28. c4 Nc6 29. Qa8+ Kg7 30. Bd5 Ne5 {Zallio,L (2127)-Fernandes,M (1946) Clube Pinto Paiva 2024 ½-½ (69)}) 16... Rfe8 17. Bf3 Rxe1+ $146 ({RR} 17... Qd7 18. Ne4 Bxe4 19. Rxe4 Rxe4 20. Bxe4 Re8 21. Qd3 g6 22. h3 Na5 23. Rb1 c6 ({RR} 23... b6 24. Qf3 Be7 25. Be5 Bd6 26. Rd1) 24. Bf3 b6 ({RR} 24... b5 25. a4 Nc4) 25. Rd1 Rd8 26. d5 cxd5 27. Bxd5 Qa4 28. Qf3 Kg7 29. Qd3 Qb5 30. Qe3 Re8 ({RR} 30... h5 31. Qf3 Nc4 32. g4 hxg4 33. hxg4 Qc5 ({RR} 33... Nb2 34. Rd2 Nc4 ({RR} 34... Na4 35. g5 Bxc3 36. Bc4 Qb1+ ({RR} 36... Qe8 37. Rxd8 Qxd8 38. Bb5) 37. Kg2 Rxd2 ({RR} 37... Bxd2 38. Be5+) 38. Be5+) 35. Bxc4 Qxc4 36. g5 Be7 37. Be5+ Kg8 38. Qh3) 34. g5 Be7 35. Rd3 b5 36. Qe4) 31. Bh6+ Kh8 32. Qf3 {Hansen,S (2568)-Docx,S (2310) Gothenburg 2005 CBM 109 [Huzman,Alexander] 1-0 (35)} {RR} Bg7 33. Bxg7+ Kxg7 34. Qxf7+ Kh6 35. Rd4) 18. Qxe1 Qd7 19. Ne4 Be7 20. Qe2 Bxe4 21. Qxe4 Bd6 22. Be3 Re8 23. Qd5 Nd8 24. g3 c6 25. Qa5 b6 26. Qa4 Re7 27. c4 c5 28. Qxd7 Rxd7 29. Bg4 Rc7 30. d5 Nb7 31. Bd2 Kf8 32. Be2 Be5 33. Rb1 Ke7 34. Bd3 Kd6 35. Kg2 Re7 36. g4 h6 37. h4 Kc7 38. f4 Bd4 39. Kf3 Nd6 40. h5 Re8 41. a4 a5 42. Rh1 Kd7 43. g5 f5 44. Rh2 Rh8 45. Rh3 Kc7 46. Rh1 Kd7 47. Rh2 Ba1 48. Re2 Re8 49. Rg2 Rh8 50. Re2 Re8 51. Be3 Rh8 52. Ra2 Bc3 53. Rc2 Bd4 54. Rh2 Re8 55. Bd2 Rh8 1/2-1/2

[Event "Corus-B"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2006.01.25"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Almasi, Zoltan"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C91"]
[WhiteElo "2625"]
[BlackElo "2646"]
[PlyCount "92"]
[EventDate "2006.01.14"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "15"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 111"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2006.04.04"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2006.04.04"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 {Erenburg,Sergey} e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. c3 d6 9. d4 Bg4 10. Be3 ({RR} 10. d5) 10... exd4 11. cxd4 Na5 12. Bc2 Nc4 13. Bc1 c5 14. b3 Nb6 15. Nbd2 ({RR} 15. Bb2 cxd4 16. Nbd2 Nfd7 17. h3 Bh5 18. g4 d3 19. Bxd3 Nc5 20. Bc2 Bg6 21. Nd4 Qd7 22. f4 f6 23. N2f3 Rfe8 24. Nf5 Bf8 25. Qd4 Qa7 26. Kh1 Rac8 27. Rac1) 15... Nfd7 ({RR} 15... Rc8 16. h3 Bh5 17. g4 Bg6 18. d5 Nfd7 19. Nf1 Re8 20. Ng3 Bf6 21. Rb1) 16. h3 Bh5 17. Bb2 ({RR} 17. g4 Bg6 18. d5 Bf6 19. Rb1 Re8 20. Nf1 h6 21. Kg2 Rc8 22. Ng3 c4 23. Re2) 17... Rc8 ({RR} 17... Re8 18. a4 ({RR} 18. Qb1 Bg6 19. a4 d5 20. axb5 axb5 21. Rxa8 Qxa8 22. dxc5 Nxc5 23. e5 Ne6) 18... bxa4 19. bxa4 Rb8 ({RR} 19... cxd4 20. a5 d3 21. Bb1 ({RR} 21. Bxd3 Nc5) 21... Nc8 22. Bxd3 Nc5 23. Bc4) 20. a5 ({RR} 20. Rb1 cxd4 ({RR} 20... d5 21. a5 Nc4 22. Nxc4 dxc4 23. Ba4) 21. a5 ({RR} 21. Bxd4 Bf6 22. Be3 d5) 21... Bxf3 22. Qxf3 Ne5 23. Qe2 Nbd7 24. Bxd4 Rxb1 25. Rxb1 Qxa5) ({RR} 20. Ra2) 20... Nc8 ({RR} 20... Nd5 21. Nc4 Nc7 ({RR} 21... Nf4 22. Bc1 ({RR} 22. dxc5 Nxc5) 22... Ne6 23. g4 Bg6 24. d5 Nc7 25. Bf4) 22. Rb1) 21. Nc4 Na7 22. dxc5 ({RR} 22. Rb1 Nb5 23. dxc5 ({RR} 23. d5 Bf6) 23... Nxc5 24. Qd5 Bxf3 25. gxf3 Ne6) ({RR} 22. d5 Bf6) 22... Nxc5 23. Qd2 ({RR} 23. Qd4 Bf8 ({RR} 23... Bf6 24. e5 Nc6 ({RR} 24... Nb5 25. Qd5 Bxf3 26. Qxf3 dxe5 27. Bxe5) 25. Qxd6 Qxd6 26. Nxd6) 24. Nfd2 Bg6 25. Nb6 Nc6 26. Qc3 Nxa5) 23... Bxf3 24. gxf3 Nc6 ({RR} 24... Qc8 25. Kh2 Qe6 26. Nb6 Nc8 27. Rg1 Bf8 ({RR} 27... Bf6 28. Bxf6 Qxf6 29. Nd5) 28. Qb4) 25. Rad1 ({RR} 25. Rab1 Qd7 ({RR} 25... Rb5 26. Bc3 Bf6 27. Bxf6 Qxf6 28. Qxd6 Re6 29. Qc7 g6) 26. Kh2 Qe6 27. Rg1 Ne5 28. Bxe5 ({RR} 28. Nxe5 Rxb2) 28... dxe5 29. Qd5 Rxb1 30. Rxb1 Qf6 31. Qxe5 Qxf3 32. Kg1 ({RR} 32. Qxe7 Qf4+) 32... g6) ({RR} 25. Kh2 Bg5) 25... Nxa5 26. Nxa5 Rxb2 27. Nc4 Rb8 28. e5 ({RR} 28. Nxd6 Bxd6 29. Qxd6 Qc8) 28... d5 ({RR} 28... dxe5 29. Bxh7+ Kh8 30. Qc2 Qc7 ({RR} 30... Qc8 31. Nxe5) 31. Rxe5 ({RR} 31. Nxe5 Bf6) 31... Bf6 32. Rh5) 29. Qxd5 Qxd5 30. Rxd5 Rb4 31. Ne3 g6 ({RR} 31... Ne6 32. Ra5) 32. Ra1 {Kramnik,V (2744)-Adams,M (2719) Dortmund 2005 CBM 108 [Erenburg,Sergey] ½-½ (58)}) ({RR} 17... Re8 18. Nf1 Bf6 19. g4 Bg6 20. Ng3 Rc8 21. Rc1 h6 22. Bb1 Nf8 23. Qd2 Ne6 24. Nf5 Bxf5 25. exf5 Ng5 26. Nxg5 Bxg5 27. Rxe8+ Qxe8 28. f4 Bh4 29. f6 Bxf6 30. Re1 Qc6 31. g5 hxg5 32. fxg5 {Burrows,M (2101)-Starley,R (2064) Leicester ENG 2023 0-1 (80)}) 18. Rc1 ({RR} 18. a4 bxa4 19. bxa4 cxd4 20. a5 Nc4 21. Nxc4 Rxc4 22. g4 Bg6 23. Bd3 Rc5 24. Nxd4 Bf6 25. f4 Rxa5 26. f5 Qb6 27. Rxa5 Qxb2 28. Nb3 Rb8 29. Qc2 Rxb3 30. Qxb2 Bxb2 31. Rd1 Kf8 32. Rxa6 Bd4+ {Ganguly,S (2634)-Almasi,Z (2685) Paks 2009 0-1 (67)}) 18... cxd4 ({RR} 18... Re8 19. Bb1 cxd4 20. Bxd4 Bf6 21. Rxc8 Qxc8 22. Qc1 Qb7 23. Qa3 Bxf3 24. Nxf3) 19. Bb1 $146 ({RR} 19. Bxd4 Bf6 20. g4 Bg6 21. Nf1 Ne5 22. Nxe5 Bxe5 23. Qd2 Bxd4 24. Qxd4 d5 25. Ng3 dxe4 26. Qxd8 Rcxd8 27. Bxe4 Nd5 28. Red1 Nf4 29. Kh2 h6 30. Bf5 Kh7 31. a4 b4 32. Rxd8 Rxd8 33. Rc4 Nd5 {Kovalev,V (2554)-Efimenko,Z (2648) Dubai 2014 ½-½ (54)}) ({RR} 19. g4 Bg6 20. Nxd4 Bg5 21. Bb1 Qf6 22. Rxc8 Rxc8 23. N2f3 Bf4 24. Qe2 Ne5 25. Kg2 Nxf3 26. Nxf3 Qe7 27. Ba1 {½-½ (27) Rogulj,B (2460)-Lukacs,P (2405) Lodz 1980}) 19... Bf6 20. Rxc8 Qxc8 21. g4 Bg6 22. Nxd4 Qc5 23. N2f3 Re8 24. Qd2 d5 25. g5 Bxd4 26. Bxd4 Qc8 27. Bb2 dxe4 28. Qd4 f6 29. Nh4 Re5 30. Nxg6 Rxg5+ 31. Kh2 hxg6 32. Qxe4 Nf8 33. f4 Rh5 34. Qf3 Nd5 35. f5 Qc7+ 36. Be5 fxe5 37. Qxd5+ Qf7 38. Rxe5 gxf5 39. Bxf5 g6 40. Be4 Rxe5 41. Qxe5 Qf2+ 42. Bg2 Qxa2 43. Qd5+ Kg7 44. Qe5+ Kg8 45. Qd5+ Kg7 46. Qe5+ Kg8 1/2-1/2

[Event "Corus-B"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2006.01.27"]
[Round "11"]
[White "Motylev, Alexander"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B90"]
[WhiteElo "2638"]
[BlackElo "2625"]
[PlyCount "67"]
[EventDate "2006.01.14"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "15"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 111"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2006.04.04"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2006.04.04"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 {Pelletier,Yannick Atlas,Valeri} c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. f3 Nbd7 ({RR} 6... b5 7. a4 b4 8. Nd5 ({RR} 8. Na2 a5 9. c3 e5 10. Nb5 bxc3 11. Naxc3 Bb7 12. Be3 Be7 13. Qd2 O-O 14. Rd1 Ne8 15. Nd5 Bxd5 16. Qxd5 Na6 17. Rc1 Nb4 18. Qd2 d5) 8... Nxd5 ({RR} 8... e6 9. Nxb4 ({RR} 9. Nxf6+ Qxf6 10. Be3 Be7) 9... d5 10. Nbc6 Nxc6 11. Nxc6 Qb6 12. exd5 Nxd5) 9. exd5 g6 10. Be3 Bb7 11. Bc4 Qc7 12. Bb3 ({RR} 12. Qe2 Nd7 13. a5 Bg7) 12... Nd7 13. Qd2 Nf6 ({RR} 13... Nc5 14. Qxb4 Nxb3 15. Qxb3 Qa5+ 16. Kf2 Bxd5 17. c4 Bg7 18. Rad1 Be6 19. Qb7 O-O 20. Nxe6 fxe6 21. Qxe7) 14. Ne2 ({RR} 14. Qxb4 Nxd5 15. Bxd5 Bxd5) 14... a5 15. O-O-O Rc8 16. Nd4 Bg7 ({RR} 16... Nxd5 17. Nb5 ({RR} 17. Bxd5 Bxd5 18. Nb5 Qc4)) ({RR} 16... Bxd5 17. Nb5 ({RR} 17. Bxd5 Nxd5 18. Nb5 Qxc2+ 19. Qxc2 Rxc2+ 20. Kxc2 Nxe3+) 17... Bxb3 18. Nxc7+ Rxc7) 17. Nb5 Qd8 18. g4 Nd7 19. Kb1 Nc5 20. h4 h5 21. Bd4 {Anand,V (2784)-Topalov,V (2700) Wijk aan Zee 1999 CBM 069 [Atlas,Valeri] 1-0 (41)}) 7. g4 ({RR} 7. a4 g6 8. a5 Bg7 9. Be3 O-O 10. Qd2 Qc7 11. Be2 Ne5 12. O-O Nc4 13. Bxc4 Qxc4 14. Na4 Nd7 15. Ra3 Rb8 16. c3 Qc7 17. Nb3 Ne5 18. Nb6 Nc4 19. Nxc4 Qxc4 20. Bd4 Bd7 21. Bxg7 Kxg7 {Campos Gomez,M (2339)-Milare,T (2248) chess.com INT 2025 ½-½ (106)}) 7... g6 $146 ({RR} 7... Nc5 8. g5 Nfd7 9. b4 Ne6 10. Nd5 Ne5 11. Be2 Nxd4 12. Qxd4 e6 13. Nb6 Nc6 14. Qf2 Rb8 15. a3 Be7 16. h4 O-O 17. Be3 d5 18. Rd1 Qc7 19. exd5 Bd6 20. f4 Ne7 21. Bc5 Nxd5 22. Nxd5 {Silva Sanchez,C (2388)-Gislason,G (2314) Dos Hermanas 2003 0-1 (86)}) ({RR} 7... h6 8. Be3 d5 9. Nxd5 Nxd5 10. exd5 Qa5+ ({RR} 10... Ne5 11. c4) 11. Qd2 Qxd5 12. Bg2 ({RR} 12. c4 Qd6) 12... e6 ({RR} 12... e5 13. f4 e4 ({RR} 13... Qc4 14. Nf5) 14. h3 ({RR} 14. Nb3 Qxd2+ 15. Nxd2 Nf6 16. h3 Nd5) ({RR} 14. Ne2 Qxd2+ 15. Bxd2 Bc5)) 13. f4 Qc4 14. O-O-O Bb4 ({RR} 14... Qxa2 15. Nb3 Qa4 16. Qc3 ({RR} 16. Kb1 Bb4 17. Qd4 O-O 18. g5 ({RR} 18. Bd2 a5 19. Bc3 f6) 18... hxg5 19. fxg5 Qb5) 16... Qb4 ({RR} 16... Be7 17. Rd4 Qb5 ({RR} 17... Qa2 18. Kd2) 18. Rc4 O-O 19. Nd4 Qb6 20. g5 hxg5 21. Nc6 Bf6 22. Bxb6 Bxc3 23. Ne7+ Kh7 24. Rxc3) 17. Qc7 Be7 18. Rd4 Qb6 19. Qc3 Qd8 20. Rd3 Bf6 21. Qc4) 15. c3 O-O ({RR} 15... Be7 16. Kb1) 16. h4 ({RR} 16. Kb1 Be7 17. h4) 16... e5 ({RR} 16... Be7 17. b3 Qc7 18. g5) 17. Nc2 Bc5 ({RR} 17... Be7 18. g5) 18. Bd5 Bxe3 19. Nxe3 Qc5 ({RR} 19... Qxf4 20. Rdf1 Qa4 ({RR} 20... Qg3 21. Nf5) 21. g5) 20. f5 Nb6 ({RR} 20... Nf6 21. g5) 21. g5 h5 ({RR} 21... Nxd5 22. Nxd5 Bxf5 23. b4) 22. Qe2 {Pelletier,Y (2589)-Kempinski,R (2608) Germany 2004 CBM 105 [Pelletier,Yannick] 1-0 (36)} ({RR} 22. g6 Nxd5 23. Nxd5 fxg6 ({RR} 23... Bxf5 24. b4 Qd6 25. Qg5) 24. fxg6 Bg4 25. Qg5 Rae8) {RR} 22... Bd7 23. Rhe1) 8. Be3 Bg7 9. h4 h5 10. g5 Nh7 11. Qd2 b5 12. f4 Bb7 13. f5 Ne5 14. O-O-O O-O 15. Nd5 Bc8 16. Nf4 Bb7 17. fxg6 fxg6 18. Nde6 Qc8 19. Nxf8 Nxf8 20. Nd5 Qd8 21. Bb6 Qd7 22. Qg2 Rc8 23. Bd4 Qd8 24. Kb1 Ne6 25. Bxe5 Bxe5 26. Qf2 Bxd5 27. exd5 Nc5 28. Bh3 Rc7 29. Rhf1 Bg7 30. Be6+ Kh7 31. Bf7 Qd7 32. Bxg6+ Kxg6 33. Qf7+ Kh7 34. Qxh5+ 1-0

[Event "Corus-B"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2006.01.28"]
[Round "12"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Cheparinov, Ivan"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C67"]
[WhiteElo "2625"]
[BlackElo "2625"]
[PlyCount "117"]
[EventDate "2006.01.14"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "15"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 111"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2006.04.04"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2006.04.04"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. Re1 Nd6 6. Nxe5 Be7 7. Bf1 Nxe5 8. Rxe5 O-O 9. d4 Bf6 10. Re1 Nf5 11. d5 d6 12. Nd2 Bg5 ({RR} 12... Re8 13. Ne4 Bd7 14. c3 h6 15. Bd3 Nh4 16. g3 Ng6 17. f4 c6 18. Be3 Be7 19. Bc4 Bf8 20. Bf2 b5 21. dxc6 bxc4 22. cxd7 Qxd7 23. Qd5 Rab8 24. b4 Qg4 25. Qd1 Qf5 26. Qd4 a5 27. a3 {Anand,V (2786)-Kramnik,V (2808) Leuven 2017 ½-½ (70)}) 13. c3 ({RR} 13. Bd3 Nh6 14. Ne4 Bxc1 15. Qxc1 Bf5 16. Qf4 Bg6 17. Ng3 Qd7 18. Re2 Rae8 19. Rae1 Rxe2 20. Rxe2 Re8 21. Ne4 Bxe4 22. Rxe4 Rxe4 23. Qxe4 g6 24. Qe3 Ng4 25. Qxa7 Qe7 26. h3 Qe1+ 27. Bf1 Nf6 {Van Foreest,J (2687)-Reimanis,R (2355) London ENG 2025 1-0 (129)}) 13... Bd7 14. g3 $146 ({RR} 14. Qb3 b6 15. Nf3 Bxc1 16. Raxc1 Nh4 17. Nxh4 Qxh4 18. Bb5 Qd8 19. Qa4 Bxb5 20. Qxb5 Re8 21. Qc6 Rc8 22. g3 Kf8 23. h4 Re5 24. Rxe5 dxe5 25. Re1 Qd6 26. Qb7 Re8 27. Qxa7 e4 28. Qb7 e3 {Womacka,M (2371)-Guerra Mendez,J (2500) chess.com INT 2023 0-1 (55)}) ({RR} 14. Qb3 b6 15. Nf3 Bxc1 16. Raxc1 Qf6 17. Bb5 Rad8 18. Bxd7 Rxd7 19. Qa4 Re7 20. Qxa7 Rfe8 21. Rxe7 Qxe7 22. h3 Qd7 23. Qa6 h6 24. Qd3 g6 25. g3 Qa4 26. a3 Qb3 27. Qd2 Kh7 28. Kg2 Ng7 {Womacka,M (2371)-Dubnevych,M (2391) chess.com INT 2023 0-1 (78)}) 14... Re8 15. Ne4 Bxc1 16. Rxc1 Nh6 17. f3 Nf5 18. Qd2 c6 19. dxc6 bxc6 20. Qf2 Be6 21. Rcd1 d5 22. Nc5 Qf6 23. Rd2 Re7 24. Rde2 Rae8 25. Nb3 h5 26. Qc5 Qg5 27. Re5 h4 28. g4 Bc8 29. Rxe7 Rxe7 30. Rxe7 Nxe7 31. Kf2 Qe5 32. Kg1 f5 33. Qxa7 fxg4 34. Qd4 Qg5 35. f4 Qg6 36. Qe5 Kf7 37. Nd4 g3 38. Qg5 gxh2+ 39. Kxh2 Qxg5 40. fxg5 c5 41. Nb3 c4 42. Nd4 Kg6 43. Nf3 Bg4 44. Nxh4+ Kxg5 45. Kg3 Bd7 46. Nf3+ Kf6 47. Nd4 Nf5+ 48. Nxf5 Bxf5 49. Kf4 Bd7 50. b3 cxb3 51. axb3 g5+ 52. Ke3 Ke5 53. b4 g4 54. b5 Kd6 55. Kf4 Kc5 56. Bg2 Bxb5 57. Bxd5 Kxd5 58. c4+ Bxc4 59. Kxg4 1/2-1/2

[Event "Corus-B"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2006.01.29"]
[Round "13"]
[White "Lagno, Kateryna"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C77"]
[WhiteElo "2500"]
[BlackElo "2625"]
[Annotator "Mikhalevski,Victor"]
[PlyCount "62"]
[EventDate "2006.01.14"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "15"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 111"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2006.04.04"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2006.04.04"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. d3 Bc5 6. Nc3 b5 7. Bb3 d6 8. Nd5 h6 9. c3 O-O 10. O-O Rb8 11. Ne3 $6 {[%cal Gd3d4] A not very fortunate novelty. White has to connect his hopes to obtain an advantage with the advance d4.} ({So the previous games saw} 11. Re1 $5 {preparing d4.} Re8 (11... Bg4 12. h3 Bxf3 13. Qxf3 Nxd5 14. Bxd5 Ne7 15. Bb3 $14 {and White is slightly better thanks to a pair of bishops.1-0 Vallejo Pons,F-Georgiev,V/Mallorca 2004/CBM 104 no vc (70)}) 12. d4 $1 (12. h3 a5 13. a4 (13. d4 $5 Ba7 14. Be3 $1) 13... b4 14. Bc4 Nxd5 15. Bxd5 Ne7 16. Bc4 bxc3 17. bxc3 Ng6 18. d4 Bb6 19. Bb5 Bd7 20. Bxd7 Qxd7 $11 {½-½ Radjabov,T-Ganguly,S/Moscow RUS 2005/The Week in Chess 537 (22)}) 12... Ba7 13. Be3 $1 {I believe this is the way to fight for advantage in this line.} Ng4 $1 14. Qd3 Nxe3 15. fxe3 (15. Nxe3 $5 $14) 15... Na5 16. Bc2 Bb7 {[%cal Gc7c6] 1-0 Akopian,V-Ganguly,S/Gibraltar ENG 2006 (32) and with a pir of bishops and a misplaced knight on d5 Black looks ok.}) ({and the immediate} 11. d4 Ba7 12. Be3 $1 exd4 ({In case of} 12... Nxe4 {White plays} 13. Re1 $1 {[%csl Re4][%cal Gd4e5] and suddenly black pieces start to hang. F.e.} Bg4 14. dxe5 Nc5 15. exd6 Qxd6 16. h3 Bh5 (16... Bxf3 17. Qxf3 Nxb3 18. axb3 Bxe3 19. Nxe3 $14 {[%cal Ge3f5,Ga1d1]}) 17. g4 Bg6 18. Bf4 Qd7 19. Ne7+ Nxe7 20. Qxd7 Nxd7 21. Rxe7 $16) (12... Ng4 $5) 13. Nxd4 Nxd4 14. Bxd4 Bxd4 15. Qxd4 $14 {1-0 Asrian,K-Yegiazarian,A/Yerevan ARM 2005/The Week in Chess 548 (51)}) ({RR} 11. Nxf6+ Qxf6 12. h3 Ne7 13. d4 Bb6 14. Be3 Ng6 15. a4 Nf4 16. a5 exd4 17. Bxf4 Qxf4 18. axb6 Rxb6 19. Qxd4 Bxh3 20. e5 Qxd4 21. cxd4 Bg4 22. Rfc1 Rc8 23. exd6 Bxf3 24. gxf3 Rxd6 25. d5 c5 {Caruana,F (2808)-Mamedyarov,S (2800) Paris 2017 1-0 (45)}) 11... Bb6 $1 {Black moves the bishop away from a possible attack by means of d4.} 12. Qe2 $146 {[%cal Gf1d1] White prepares d1.} ({Now} 12. d4 {would be met by} exd4 13. cxd4 Re8 $15 {[%csl Re4] and White can't protect his central pawn.} (13... Nxe4 $4 14. Bd5 $18 {[%csl Rc6,Re4]})) ({RR} 12. a4 Be6 13. axb5 axb5 14. Nd5 Bxd5 15. exd5 Ne7 16. d4 e4 17. Nd2 c5 18. Re1 Nexd5 19. Nxe4 Nxe4 20. Rxe4 c4 21. Bc2 Nf6 22. Re1 d5 23. Qf3 Bc7 24. Bd2 Qd6 25. g3 Qb6 26. h3 Rfe8 {Munguntuul,B (2381)-Enkhsaran,B (1926) Choibalsan MGL 2024 1-0 (70)}) ({RR} 12. a4 Be6 13. axb5 axb5 14. Nd5 Bxd5 15. exd5 Ne7 16. d4 e4 17. Nd2 c5 18. Re1 Nexd5 19. Nxe4 Nxe4 20. Rxe4 c4 21. Bc2 Nf6 22. Re1 d5 23. Qf3 Bc7 24. Bd2 Qd6 25. g3 Qb6 26. h3 Rfe8 {Munguntuul,B (2381)-Enkhsaran,B (1926) Choibalsan MGL 2024 1-0 (70)}) 12... Ne7 {[%cal Ge7g6,Gg6f4] Noticing that f4 would be a nice square for the knight Black transfers it there via e7 and g6.} 13. Rd1 Ng6 14. Nf5 ({It was better to move the queen away from e2.} 14. Qc2 {with the idea to meet} Nf4 {with} 15. Nf5 Bxf5 16. exf5 {[%cal Gd3d4]} Qd7 17. Bxf4 (17. d4 e4 $1 18. Bxf4 exf3 19. gxf3 Rfe8 $44) 17... exf4 18. d4 $11 {with almost a symmetric position.}) 14... d5 $1 {Exploiting a hanging position of the knight on f5.} 15. h3 Re8 $1 {[%csl Re4][%cal Gc7c5] A useful prophylactic move. Black prepares advance of the c-pawn to c5 taking space on the queenside and in the centre.} 16. g4 $2 {This move can't be good. White weakens the dark squares getting nothing in exchange.} (16. Ng3 {agreeing with a slightly worse position would be a more realistic approach.}) 16... c5 $1 17. c4 bxc4 18. dxc4 d4 $15 {First achievement-Black obtained a defended passed pawn in the centre.} 19. Ba4 Re6 $1 {Magnus doesn't want to allow a manoeuvre of the light-squared bishop via c6 to d5. Moreover the rook will be useful o the e-file after exchange on f4.} (19... Rf8 20. Bc6) 20. Ne1 {[%cal Ge1d3] It would be nice to block the d-pawn by means of Nd3, but...} Nf4 $1 21. Bxf4 ({In case of} 21. Qf3 {Black can play similar to the game.} g6 $1 (21... Ba5 $5) 22. Nxh6+ Kg7 23. Bxf4 exf4 24. e5 $1 (24. Nd3 Nxe4 25. Nxf4 Ng5 $1 26. Nxe6+ Bxe6 $17 {[%csl Rh6]}) 24... Nh7 $1 25. Qxf4 Ng5 $1 {[%csl Rf4,Rg1][%cal Gg5h3]} 26. Kf1 Bc7 $1 {[%csl Re5]} 27. Nd3 f6 $1 28. h4 Rxe5 $1 29. Nxe5 Bxe5 $17 {[%csl Rf1,Rh6] with an obvious advantage for Black.}) 21... exf4 {[%csl Re4]} 22. f3 g6 $1 $17 {[%csl Rf5] Suddenly the knight on f5 gets in a trouble.} 23. Nxh6+ Kg7 {[%csl Rh6] Where is a way out?} 24. g5 ({Probably} 24. Nd3 {would be a better practical chance, but after} Kxh6 25. Nxf4 Nh7 $1 {[%cal Gd8h4]} 26. Nxe6 Bxe6 $17 {[%csl Rf4,Rg3][%cal Gb6c7,Gd8h4] and with two pieces for a rook plus weak dark squares around White's king Black can look forward with a smile.}) (24. Qh2 Bc7 25. h4 Nxe4 $1 ({or} 25... Nh7 $5 {and White's position collapses.})) 24... Nh7 {The simplest. Black prepares a sacrifice of the knight on g5, which will provide him with a number of extra pawns and a vulnerable white king.} ({Also the computer's} 24... Nxe4 $5 {was strong.} 25. Nxf7 (25. fxe4 Qxg5+ 26. Ng4 f5 27. Nf3 Qh5 28. Qg2 fxe4 $1) 25... Kxf7 26. fxe4 Qxg5+ 27. Ng2 Bc7 $1 $19 {[%cal Ge6f6,Gg5g3]}) 25. h4 (25. Nxf7 $1 Kxf7 26. h4 {[%cal Ge1d3] trying to build a fortress was the very last practical chance.}) 25... Nxg5 26. hxg5 ({Doesn't help} 26. Qg2 Nxe4 $1 27. Nxf7 Qxh4 $1 28. fxe4 Kxf7 29. Nf3 Qh5 30. Ng5+ Kg7 31. Nxe6+ Bxe6 $19 {with a decisive attack.}) 26... Qxg5+ 27. Qg2 Qxh6 {[%cal Ge6e5,Ge5g5] Black is already a pawn up while his attack is only getting stronger.} 28. Nd3 g5 $1 $19 {[%cal Ge6g6,Gg5g4] Sacrifices never stoped the young Norwegian. The idea to open up the g-file with g4 leaves White no choice.} 29. Nxf4 Bc7 $1 {Now White starts to feel his weak dark squares- a consequence of her careless play in the opening.} 30. Nd3 (30. Nxe6+ {would only prolong the game, but after} Bxe6 $19 {[%cal Gc7f4,Gf4e3] Black fully dominates.}) 30... g4 $1 {[%csl Rg1,Rg2] Black shouldn't be asked twice before making this move. Opening of the g-file concludes the game.} 31. fxg4 Rg6 {[%csl Rg4]} (31... Rg6 32. Nf2 Rxb2 $19 {[%cal Gg6g4] is completely hopeless and so White resigned. Another brilliant win of Carlsen in Wijk aan Zee.}) 0-1

[Event "Reykjavik op 22nd"]
[Site "Reykjavik"]
[Date "2006.03.06"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Weeks, Manuel William"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C95"]
[WhiteElo "2625"]
[BlackElo "2273"]
[PlyCount "81"]
[EventDate "2006.03.06"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ISL"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 111 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2006.05.09"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2006.05.09"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 d6 8. c3 O-O 9. h3 Nb8 10. d4 Nbd7 11. Nbd2 Bb7 12. Bc2 Re8 13. Nf1 Bf8 14. Ng3 g6 15. a4 Bg7 16. Bd3 c6 17. Bg5 Qc7 18. Qd2 Nf8 19. Bh6 Ne6 20. b4 Nd7 $146 ({RR} 20... Rad8 21. Ra3 Qe7 22. axb5 cxb5 23. d5 Bxh6 24. Qxh6 Nf4 25. Bf1 Rc8 26. Re3 Nd7 27. Nd2 Nb6 28. Ne2 Nh5 29. Rf3 Rc7 30. g4 Ng7 31. Qe3 Nc4 32. Nxc4 Rxc4 33. Nc1 Rc7 34. Nb3 Bc8 35. Na5 {Shetty,R (2335)-Vijayalakshmi,S (2399) Raipur 2002 0-1 (53)}) 21. Bf1 Nb6 22. Bxg7 Kxg7 23. a5 Nd7 24. c4 Rad8 25. Rac1 Qb8 26. Red1 f6 27. d5 cxd5 28. exd5 Nf4 29. cxb5 axb5 30. Bxb5 Bxd5 31. Bc6 Bxc6 32. Rxc6 d5 33. Rdc1 Nf8 34. Rb6 Qa7 35. Nd4 Rc8 36. Nb5 Qd7 37. Nd6 Rxc1+ 38. Qxc1 Re7 39. a6 Qa7 40. Qc6 N4e6 41. Nc8 1-0

[Event "Reykjavik op 22nd"]
[Site "Reykjavik"]
[Date "2006.03.07"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Tissir, Mohamed"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B32"]
[WhiteElo "2444"]
[BlackElo "2625"]
[PlyCount "118"]
[EventDate "2006.03.06"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ISL"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 111 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2006.05.09"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2006.05.09"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 e5 5. Nb5 d6 6. N1c3 a6 7. Na3 Be7 8. Nd5 Nf6 9. Nxf6+ Bxf6 10. Nc4 Be7 11. Be3 Be6 12. Nb6 Rb8 13. c3 ({RR} 13. Nd5 O-O 14. c3 Bg5 15. Bb6 Qd7 16. Bc4 Ne7 17. O-O Rbc8 18. Nxe7+ Qxe7 {½-½ (18) Mamedov,R (2639)-Radjabov,T (2740) Baku 2010}) ({RR} 13. Qd2 Nd4 14. Bxd4 exd4 15. Qxd4 Bf6 16. Qb4 Be5 17. c3 O-O 18. Bc4 a5 19. Qb5 Bxc4 20. Nxc4 Qg5 21. Kf1 Qf4 22. Re1 f5 23. Qd5+ Kh8 24. Qd2 fxe4 25. Qxf4 Bxf4 26. g3 Bh6 27. Kg2 d5 {Asis Gargatagli,H (2463)-Ozguner,H (2075) Barcelona ESP 2025 1-0 (56)}) 13... Bg5 14. Bxg5 Qxg5 15. Qd2 Qd8 $146 ({RR} 15... Qxd2+ 16. Kxd2 Rf8 17. Bc4 Rd8 18. Rad1 Bxc4 19. Nxc4 f5 20. Ke2 Ke7 21. exf5 Rxf5 22. Rd2 Rf6 23. Rhd1 Rg6 24. Kf1 Rf6 25. Kg1 b5 26. Ne3 Ke6 27. a4 Rf7 28. axb5 axb5 29. Ra1 Ra7 30. Rxa7 {Prill,D (2213)-Kovalevskaya,E (2409) Baden 2019 ½-½ (46)}) ({RR} 15... Qxd2+ 16. Kxd2 Rd8 17. Bc4 Bxc4 18. Nxc4 d5 19. exd5 Rxd5+ 20. Ke2 Ke7 21. Rhd1 Rhd8 22. Rxd5 Rxd5 23. a4 Ke6 24. b4 f5 25. f3 h5 26. Nb6 Rd6 27. Nc4 Rd5 28. Ne3 Rd7 29. b5 Na5 30. Rb1 {Polzin,R (2514)-Boensch,U (2538) Austria 2006 ½-½ (38)}) 16. Nc4 d5 17. exd5 Qxd5 18. Qxd5 Bxd5 19. O-O-O Be6 20. Nd6+ Ke7 21. Bc4 Rhd8 22. Bxe6 Kxe6 23. Ne4 b6 24. Rxd8 Nxd8 25. Rd1 f6 26. c4 f5 27. Nc3 Rc8 28. Kb1 Nf7 29. Nd5 b5 30. cxb5 axb5 31. a3 Nd6 32. Nc3 Rc4 33. Ka2 g5 34. Kb3 Rf4 35. Rd2 Nc4 36. Rc2 Na5+ 37. Ka2 b4 38. axb4 Nc6 39. Ka3 Nxb4 40. Rd2 Nc6 41. Na4 Nd4 42. Nc3 Rh4 43. h3 g4 44. hxg4 Rxg4 45. f3 Rg8 46. Ka2 h5 47. b4 h4 48. Ne2 Nc6 49. b5 Nb4+ 50. Kb3 Nd5 51. Nc3 Ne3 52. b6 Nxg2 53. Na4 h3 54. Nc5+ Kf7 55. Nd7 h2 56. Rd1 Ne1 57. Rxe1 Rg1 58. Nxe5+ Kg7 59. Re2 h1=Q 0-1

[Event "Reykjavik op 22nd"]
[Site "Reykjavik"]
[Date "2006.03.11"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Pavlovic, Milos"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C78"]
[WhiteElo "2494"]
[BlackElo "2625"]
[PlyCount "66"]
[EventDate "2006.03.06"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ISL"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 111 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2006.05.09"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2006.05.09"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O b5 6. Bb3 Bc5 7. c3 d6 8. d4 Bb6 9. a4 Bg4 10. axb5 axb5 11. Rxa8 Qxa8 12. h3 Bh5 13. Qd3 ({RR} 13. Re1 h6 14. g4 Bg6 15. Be3 exd4 16. cxd4 O-O 17. d5 Bxe3 18. Rxe3 Na5 19. Bc2 Nc4 20. Re1 Nxb2 21. Qd4 Nc4 22. Bd3 Qa4 23. Bxc4 bxc4 24. Nc3 Qc2 25. Qd2 Qb3 26. Nd4 Qa3 27. Ndb5 Qa5 {Grischuk,A (2776)-Caruana,F (2820) Bucharest 2021 ½-½ (66)}) ({RR} 13. g4 Bg6 14. g5 Ng8 15. dxe5 Nxe5 16. Nxe5 dxe5 17. Qd3 c6 18. Rd1 Qc8 19. Na3 Ne7 20. Nxb5 O-O 21. Na3 Bh5 22. Re1 Ng6 23. Qg3 Rd8 24. Nc4 Qe6 25. Nd2 Qc8 26. Bc4 Nf4 27. Bf1 Qe6 {Ma Qun (2645)-Kourkoulos Arditis,S (2580) Prague CZE 2025 ½-½ (71)}) 13... exd4 14. Bg5 Bxf3 15. Bxf6 $146 ({RR} 15. Qxf3 Ne5 16. Qf5 O-O 17. Bxf6 gxf6 18. Rd1 Qa1 19. cxd4 Bxd4 20. Nc3 Qxb2 21. Nd5 Ng6 22. Nxc7 Bb6 23. Nd5 Qxb3 24. Nxf6+ Kh8 25. Rxd6 Bd8 26. Nd5 Qb2 27. Ne3 Be7 28. Rd7 b4 29. Ng4 Kg7 {Kosteniuk,A (2523)-Saravanan,V (2356) Caleta 2010 ½-½ (58)}) 15... Bxg2 16. Kxg2 gxf6 17. Qxb5 Ke7 18. Kh2 Ne5 19. f4 Qxe4 20. fxe5 Rg8 21. exf6+ Kf8 22. Rf2 d3 23. Qh5 Rg6 24. Qf3 Qe5+ 25. Kh1 Qe1+ 26. Rf1 Rg1+ 27. Kh2 Qe5+ 28. Qf4 Rxf1 29. Qxe5 dxe5 30. Nd2 Rf2+ 31. Kg3 Rxd2 32. Bxf7 Kxf7 33. b4 Rf2 0-1

[Event "Reykjavik op 22nd"]
[Site "Reykjavik"]
[Date "2006.03.12"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Kveinys, Aloyzas"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B43"]
[WhiteElo "2625"]
[BlackElo "2517"]
[PlyCount "43"]
[EventDate "2006.03.06"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ISL"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 111 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2006.05.09"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2006.05.09"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 a6 5. Nc3 Qc7 6. Bd3 Bc5 7. Nb3 Be7 8. Qg4 g6 9. Bg5 d6 10. Bxe7 Nxe7 11. O-O-O e5 12. Qg5 Be6 13. f4 Nd7 14. f5 f6 15. Qh6 Bxb3 $146 ({RR} 15... Bf7 16. fxg6 Bxg6 17. Nd5 Nxd5 18. exd5 O-O-O 19. Bxg6 hxg6 20. Qxg6 Rdg8 21. Qe4 f5 22. Qf3 Kb8 23. Kb1 f4 24. g3 Rc8 25. c3 Rcf8 26. g4 Nf6 27. g5 Qh7+ 28. Ka1 Ne4 29. Rdg1 Qf5 30. g6 {Perez Leiva,J (2285)-Lorenzana,W (2259) Santa Clara 2018 0-1 (37)}) 16. cxb3 O-O-O 17. Kb1 Kb8 18. Rc1 Nc5 19. Bc2 gxf5 20. exf5 d5 21. Qxf6 Nc6 22. Nxd5 1-0

[Event "Reykjavik op 22nd"]
[Site "Reykjavik"]
[Date "2006.03.13"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Hamdouchi, Hicham"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C78"]
[WhiteElo "2575"]
[BlackElo "2625"]
[PlyCount "78"]
[EventDate "2006.03.06"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ISL"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 111 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2006.05.09"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2006.05.09"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 {Marin,Mihail} e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O b5 6. Bb3 Bc5 7. c3 d6 8. d4 Bb6 9. a4 ({RR} 9. Bg5) 9... Bg4 ({RR} 9... Rb8 10. Na3 ({RR} 10. axb5 axb5 11. Qd3)) 10. d5 ({RR} 10. h3 Bh5 11. axb5 axb5 12. Rxa8 Qxa8 13. d5 Na5 ({RR} 13... Ne7 14. Bc2 Bg6 15. Qe2 c6 16. dxc6 Qxc6 17. Re1 O-O 18. Na3 Rb8 19. Bd3 h6 20. Nd2 b4 21. cxb4 d5 22. Bb5 Qb7 23. exd5 Nexd5 24. Ndc4 Ne4) 14. Bc2 c6 15. dxc6 Qxc6 16. Re1 ({RR} 16. Bg5 Bd8 17. Na3 ({RR} 17. Bxf6 Bxf6 18. Nxe5 Bxd1 19. Nxc6 Bxc2 20. Nxa5 Kd7) 17... O-O 18. Bxf6 Bxf3 ({RR} 18... Bxf6 19. Nxe5 Bxe5 ({RR} 19... Bxd1 20. Nxc6 Bxc2 21. Nxa5 Bxe4 22. Re1) 20. Qxh5 Qc5 21. Qe2 b4) 19. Qxf3 Bxf6 20. Qe2 ({RR} 20. Bd3 Rb8 21. Nc2) 20... Rb8 21. Bd3 b4 22. cxb4 Rxb4 23. Qd2 Qb6) 16... h6 ({RR} 16... O-O 17. Bg5 Bd8 18. Bxf6 Bxf6 ({RR} 18... Bxf3 19. Qxf3 Bxf6) 19. Nxe5 Bxe5 20. Qxh5 Nc4) 17. Qe2 O-O 18. Na3 Nc4 19. Nxc4 bxc4 20. g4 Bg6 21. Nh4 d5 ({RR} 21... Nh7 22. Nf5 Bd8) 22. exd5 Nxd5 23. Be4 Qc5 ({RR} 23... Bxe4 24. Qxe4 Qc5 25. Re2 Re8 26. Nf5) 24. Bxd5 Qxd5 {Anand,V (2786)-Naiditsch,A (2654) Dortmund 2007 CBM 119 [Marin,Mihail] 1-0 (57)}) ({RR} 10. Bg5) ({RR} 10. axb5 axb5 11. Rxa8 Qxa8 12. h3 Bh5 13. Qd3 exd4 14. Bg5 Bxf3 15. Bxf6 Bxg2 16. Kxg2 gxf6 17. Qxb5 Ke7 18. Kh2 Ne5 19. f4 Qxe4 20. fxe5 Rg8 21. exf6+ Kf8 22. Rf2 d3 23. Qh5 Rg6 24. Qf3 Qe5+ {Pavlovic,M (2494)-Carlsen,M (2625) Reykjavik 2006 0-1 (33)}) 10... Ne7 11. h3 ({RR} 11. Nbd2 O-O 12. h3 Bd7 13. Re1 Ng6 14. Nf1 Nh5 15. axb5 axb5 16. Rxa8 Qxa8 17. Ne3 Nhf4 18. Nf5 Qd8 19. Be3 Bxe3 20. fxe3 Nh5 21. Rf1 Nf6 22. Bc2 Ne7 23. Ng3 c6 24. dxc6 Bxc6 25. Nh4 Ng6 {Khripachenko,A (2376)-Rostovtsev,D (2446) Sochi RUS 2025 1-0 (48)}) 11... Bh5 12. Re1 $146 ({RR} 12. Bc2 Rb8 13. axb5 axb5 14. Na3 Qc8 15. Nxb5 g5 16. Bxg5 Rg8 17. Ba4 Nd7 18. g4 Bg6 19. Re1 h5 20. Qd2 hxg4 21. hxg4 Kd8 22. Nh2 f6 23. Bh4 Nc5 24. Qc2 Bh5 25. Kh1 Rxg4 26. Bg3 Bg6 {Isha,S (2236)-Makkar,R (2336) Budapest 2022 0-1 (40)}) ({RR} 12. Nbd2 Bg6 13. Qe2 O-O 14. Bc2 Nh5 15. Nb3 Ng3 16. Qd1 Nxf1 17. Kxf1 f5 18. Qe2 h6 19. Bd2 Qd7 20. a5 Ba7 21. Re1 fxe4 22. Bxe4 Bxe4 23. Qxe4 Rxf3 24. gxf3 Qxh3+ 25. Ke2 Qg2 26. Rf1 Rf8 {Khamdamova,A (2327)-Lei,T (2550) Samarkand UZB 2023 0-1 (62)}) 12... Ng6 13. Qd3 O-O 14. Bd1 Bxf3 15. Bxf3 Nf4 16. Qf1 Rb8 17. axb5 axb5 18. Na3 Nd7 19. Nxb5 Qf6 20. Bxf4 Qxf4 21. Na3 f5 22. Nc4 Nf6 23. exf5 e4 24. Bd1 Qxf5 25. Bc2 Qxd5 26. Nxb6 Rxb6 27. b4 Qe5 28. Re3 d5 29. Ra5 Rd6 30. Qe2 Qf4 31. Qd2 Kh8 32. Re2 Qh4 33. Qd4 Nh5 34. Rxd5 Nf4 35. Rxe4 Rxd5 36. Qxd5 Nxh3+ 37. Kh2 Nf4+ 38. Kg1 Qg4 39. Rc4 Re8 0-1

[Event "Reykjavik op 22nd"]
[Site "Reykjavik"]
[Date "2006.03.14"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Adly, Ahmed"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B90"]
[WhiteElo "2625"]
[BlackElo "2473"]
[PlyCount "136"]
[EventDate "2006.03.06"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ISL"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 111 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2006.05.09"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2006.05.09"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Be3 Ng4 7. Bg5 h6 8. Bh4 g5 9. Bg3 Bg7 10. h3 Ne5 11. Nf5 Bxf5 12. exf5 Nbc6 13. Nd5 e6 14. fxe6 fxe6 15. Ne3 d5 16. Be2 O-O 17. O-O Ng6 ({RR} 17... Qb6 18. c4 d4 19. Ng4 Rad8 20. Nxe5 Bxe5 21. Qd3 Rf6 22. Bg4 Qxb2 23. Rab1 Qc3 24. Qe4 d3 25. Rxb7 Kf8 26. Qh7 Rf4 {1-0 (26) Kovalchuk,A (2304)-Yoo,C (2588) chess.com INT 2025}) 18. c4 d4 ({RR} 18... Nd4 19. cxd5 exd5 20. Bg4 Nf4 21. Rc1 Qa5 22. Nc2 Nxc2 23. Rxc2 Rae8 24. Bf3 Rd8 25. Bxf4 Rxf4 26. Re1 Bf6 27. Rce2 Kg7 28. Qb1 d4 29. Be4 Qc7 30. Qd3 Be7 31. a3 Bf8 32. Bf5 Rd5 33. Be6 {Bologan,V (2692)-Adly,A (2583) Khanty-Mansiysk 2009 1-0 (46)}) 19. Ng4 $146 ({RR} 19. Qc2 Nf4 20. Bxf4 gxf4 21. Ng4 Qg5 22. Qe4 Qf5 23. Bf3 Qxe4 24. Bxe4 Rac8 25. Rfe1 h5 26. Nh2 Ne5 27. b3 b5 28. cxb5 axb5 29. Rad1 Rfd8 30. Nf3 Nxf3+ 31. Bxf3 d3 32. Rxe6 Rc2 33. Be4 Rxa2 {Aitbayev,A (2412)-Moisseyenko,I (2280) Atyrau 2022 1-0 (60)}) ({RR} 19. Qc2 Nf4 20. Bxf4 gxf4 21. Ng4 Qg5 22. Qe4 Qf5 23. Bf3 Qxe4 24. Bxe4 Rac8 25. Rfe1 h5 26. Nh2 Ne5 27. b3 b5 28. cxb5 axb5 29. Rad1 Rfd8 30. Nf3 Nxf3+ 31. Bxf3 d3 32. Rxe6 Rc2 33. Be4 Rxa2 {Aitbayev,A (2412)-Moisseyenko,I (2280) Atyrau 2022 1-0 (60)}) 19... Nf4 20. Bxf4 Rxf4 21. Bd3 Nb4 22. Re1 h5 23. Nh2 Nxd3 24. Qxd3 Qf6 25. Re2 Qf5 26. Rd1 Rf8 27. f3 Qxd3 28. Rxd3 e5 29. Nf1 g4 30. hxg4 hxg4 31. Nd2 gxf3 32. gxf3 Rh4 33. Re4 Rh5 34. Rg4 Rh6 35. Rb3 b6 36. Ra3 Ra8 37. Ne4 Rc6 38. Rb3 Kf7 39. Kf2 Bf8 40. f4 Rb8 41. f5 Rh6 42. c5 Be7 43. Rg6 Rh5 44. Rgxb6 Rxf5+ 45. Rf3 Rxf3+ 46. Kxf3 Rc8 47. b4 a5 48. a3 axb4 49. axb4 Ke8 50. Ke2 Ra8 51. c6 Kf7 52. b5 Ke6 53. Ra6 Rh8 54. b6 Bd8 55. b7 Bc7 56. Ra8 Rb8 57. Kd3 Kd5 58. Ra6 Rf8 59. Nd2 e4+ 60. Nxe4 Rf3+ 61. Kc2 Kxe4 62. Ra8 Rc3+ 63. Kd1 Rb3 64. Kc2 Rb6 65. Rc8 d3+ 66. Kd1 Bf4 67. Re8+ Kf3 68. b8=Q Rxb8 0-1

[Event "Dos Hermanas Qualifier S17A"]
[Site "ICC INT"]
[Date "2006.03.17"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Jones, Gawain C B"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B06"]
[WhiteElo "2625"]
[BlackElo "2418"]
[PlyCount "111"]
[EventDate "2006.03.17"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventCountry "NET"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2023"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2022.10.05"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2022.10.05"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 g6 2. d4 Bg7 3. Nc3 a6 4. f4 d6 5. Nf3 Nd7 6. Be3 b5 7. Bd3 Bb7 8. O-O c5 9. dxc5 Nxc5 10. Bxc5 dxc5 11. e5 Nh6 ({RR} 11... b4 12. Be4 Qb8 13. Bxb7 Qxb7 14. Qd5 Qxd5 15. Nxd5 O-O-O 16. Rfd1 e6 17. Nb6+ Kc7 18. Rxd8 Kxd8 19. a3 Kc7 20. Nc4 Ne7 21. axb4 cxb4 22. Rxa6 Nc6 23. Ng5 Rf8 24. Nd6 h6 25. Ngxf7 Nd4 26. g3 {Wei,Y (2732)-Demidov,M (2552) Chess.com INT 2020 1-0 (38)}) 12. a4 $146 ({RR} 12. Be4 Bxe4 13. Qxd8+ Rxd8 14. Nxe4 Rc8 15. c4 Nf5 16. Rfc1 b4 17. a3 b3 18. Ned2 Rb8 19. Rc3 O-O 20. Nxb3 f6 21. Nxc5 Rxb2 22. Nxa6 fxe5 23. fxe5 Bh6 24. Re1 Rd8 25. Kh1 Ne3 26. Nb4 Nxg2 {Urjubdshzirov,E (2197)-Utkin,A (2374) St Petersburg 2006 0-1 (47)}) ({RR} 12. Be4 Bxe4 13. Nxe4 Qb6 14. Qe2 O-O 15. c3 c4+ 16. Kh1 Rfd8 17. Rad1 Nf5 18. Ng3 Ne3 19. Rxd8+ Rxd8 20. Re1 Nd5 21. Qe4 Bh6 22. Ng5 Qf2 23. Rf1 Qe3 24. e6 f5 25. Qxe3 Nxe3 26. Re1 Rd1 {Faccia,S (2028)-Cardarelli,A (1973) Venice 2012 0-1 (48)}) 12... Qb6 13. Kh1 Rd8 14. Qe2 b4 15. a5 Qc7 16. Ne4 Qc6 17. Neg5 O-O 18. Be4 Qc7 19. Bxb7 Qxb7 20. Rfd1 Nf5 21. Ne4 Qc6 22. b3 h6 23. Kg1 e6 24. Kf2 Rd5 25. g4 Ne7 26. Nf6+ Bxf6 27. exf6 Nc8 28. Ne5 Qb7 29. Nxg6 Rxd1 30. Rxd1 fxg6 31. Qxe6+ Qf7 32. Qxa6 Qxf6 33. Qxf6 Rxf6 34. Rd8+ Rf8 35. Rxf8+ Kxf8 36. Ke3 Ke7 37. Ke4 Kd6 38. f5 g5 39. a6 Nb6 40. a7 Na8 41. f6 Ke6 42. f7 Kxf7 43. Kd5 Ke7 44. Kxc5 Kd7 45. Kxb4 Kc6 46. Kc4 Kb6 47. Kd4 Kxa7 48. Ke5 Nc7 49. Kf6 Nd5+ 50. Kg6 Ne3 51. h3 Nxc2 52. Kxh6 Nd4 53. Kxg5 Nxb3 54. h4 Kb6 55. h5 Nd4 56. Kf6 1-0

[Event "Dos Hermanas Qualifier S18A"]
[Site "ICC INT"]
[Date "2006.03.18"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Greiff, Hakan"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C72"]
[WhiteElo "2625"]
[BlackElo "2266"]
[PlyCount "51"]
[EventDate "2006.03.18"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventCountry "NET"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2023"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2022.10.05"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2022.10.05"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 d6 5. O-O Bg4 6. c3 Qf6 7. d3 Nge7 8. Nbd2 Ng6 9. d4 ({RR} 9. h3 Bd7 10. Re1 Nf4 11. Nf1 g5 12. Ne3 O-O-O 13. d4 h5 14. d5 Ne7 15. Bxd7+ Rxd7 16. Nh2 Qg6 17. f3 f5 18. exf5 Nxf5 19. Qc2 Ne7 20. Qxg6 Nexg6 21. Nhf1 c6 22. Rd1 cxd5 23. Nxd5 Nxd5 {Barlov,D (2460)-Piket,J (2615) Oviedo 1992 ½-½ (41)}) ({RR} 9. Re1 Nf4 10. Re3 Be7 11. Nf1 h5 12. d4 b5 13. Bc2 g5 14. a4 Rb8 15. axb5 axb5 16. Ra6 Bd7 17. dxe5 dxe5 18. Ng3 g4 19. Ne1 Bc5 20. Nf5 Bxe3 21. fxe3 Ne6 22. Bb3 Nc5 23. Rxc6 Bxc6 {Fandi,M (2302)-Gerbelli Neto,E (2114) chess.com INT 2025 1-0 (57)}) ({RR} 9. b4 Nf4 10. Bxc6+ bxc6 11. Nc4 Be7 12. Bxf4 Qxf4 13. Ne3 Bxf3 14. Qxf3 Qxf3 15. gxf3 Bg5 16. Kh1 {½-½ (16) Orndahl,M (2298)-Greiff,H (2282) Sweden 2008}) 9... Nf4 10. Bxc6+ bxc6 11. Qa4 $146 ({RR} 11. dxe5 dxe5 12. Nc4 Rd8 13. Bd2 Bh3 14. Ne1 Be6 15. Ne3 Bc5 16. Qc2 O-O 17. Rd1 Bxe3 18. Bxe3 Bc4 19. Bxf4 exf4 20. Nd3 f3 21. g3 Qe6 22. Rfe1 g5 23. Kh1 Qh3 24. Rg1 Rd6 25. Ne5 Qxh2+ {Chylewski,P (2281)-Harshavardhan,G (2449) chess.com INT 2023 0-1}) ({RR} 11. dxe5 dxe5 12. Nc4 Rd8 13. Bd2 Bh3 14. Ne1 Be6 15. Ne3 Bc5 16. Qc2 O-O 17. Rd1 Bxe3 18. Bxe3 Bc4 19. Bxf4 exf4 20. Nd3 f3 21. g3 Qe6 22. Rfe1 g5 23. Kh1 Qh3 24. Rg1 Rd6 25. Ne5 Qxh2+ {Chylewski,P (2281)-Harshavardhan,G (2449) chess.com INT 2023 0-1}) 11... Bd7 12. dxe5 dxe5 13. Nc4 Bd6 14. Bxf4 Qxf4 15. Rad1 Ke7 16. Rd3 Rhd8 17. Rfd1 c5 18. Qc2 Bb5 19. Nfd2 Bxc4 20. Rf3 Qh6 21. Nxc4 Qe6 22. Qa4 Qd7 23. Rxf7+ Kxf7 24. Nxe5+ Ke6 25. Nxd7 Rxd7 26. e5 1-0

[Event "Tiger Grand Prix"]
[Site "Oslo"]
[Date "2006.04.13"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Bae, Torstein"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C66"]
[WhiteElo "2646"]
[BlackElo "2284"]
[PlyCount "47"]
[EventDate "2006.04.13"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2023"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2022.10.05"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2022.10.05"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. d3 d6 5. O-O g6 6. d4 exd4 7. e5 dxe5 8. Nxe5 Qd5 ({RR} 8... Bd7 9. Re1 Nxe5 10. Rxe5+ Be7 11. Bg5 Ng8 12. Qxd4 f6 13. Nc3 c5 14. Bxd7+ Qxd7 15. Qxd7+ Kxd7 16. Rd1+ Kc7 17. Nd5+ Kc6 18. Nxe7+ Nxe7 19. Re6+ Kb5 20. Bxf6 Rhd8 21. Rxd8 Rxd8 22. Re1 {1-0 (22) Carlsen,M (2552)-Dannevig,O (2372) Molde 2004}) 9. Re1 ({RR} 9. Qe2 Be7 10. Re1 d3 11. Bxc6+ Qxc6 12. Qxd3 Qd6 13. Qe2 O-O 14. Nc3 Be6 15. Qf3 Nd5 16. Bh6 {½-½ (16) So,W (2760)-Nakamura,H (2816) Las Vegas 2015}) 9... Be6 10. Nxc6 $146 ({RR} 10. Bc4 Qc5 11. b4 Nxb4 12. Ba3 Be7 13. c3 dxc3 14. Qa4+ Kf8 15. Bxe6 fxe6 16. Nd3 Qc6 17. Qb3 Nxd3 18. Rxe6 Nc5 19. Bxc5 Qxc5 20. Nxc3 Kg7 21. Rae1 Rae8 22. R1e5 Qa3 23. Rxe7+ Rxe7 24. Qxa3 Rxe5 {Duras,O-Burn,A San Sebastian 1911 1-0 (36)}) ({RR} 10. Bc4 Qc5 11. Bxe6 fxe6 12. Nxc6 bxc6 13. Rxe6+ Kf7 14. Re2 Bg7 15. Nd2 Rhe8 16. Nf3 Rxe2 17. Qxe2 Re8 18. Qd3 Qd5 19. Bf4 Ne4 20. Bxc7 Nc5 21. Qa3 d3 22. cxd3 Nxd3 23. Rd1 Qd7 24. Qxa7 Re7 {Pribelszky,B (2400)-Karttunen,M (2489) chess.com INT 2025 1-0 (31)}) ({RR} 10. Bc4 Qc5 11. Bxe6 fxe6 12. Nxc6 Qxc6 13. Qxd4 Bg7 14. Bh6 O-O 15. Bxg7 Kxg7 16. Nc3 Rad8 17. Qe5 Kg8 18. Qxe6+ Qxe6 19. Rxe6 Nd5 20. Nxd5 Rxd5 21. Rc1 Rd2 22. f3 Rfd8 23. Ree1 R8d6 24. Kf1 Kf7 {Ramirez Martinez,H (2195)-Bisguier,A (2385) Los Angeles 1996 ½-½ (62)}) 10... bxc6 11. Nc3 Qc5 12. Qf3 Kd7 13. Qxf6 Be7 14. Ne4 Qxb5 15. Qxd4+ Qd5 16. Qc3 Rhb8 17. Bg5 Bxg5 18. Rad1 Be7 19. Nf6+ Bxf6 20. Qxf6 Rb4 21. b3 Kc8 22. Rxd5 cxd5 23. Rxe6 fxe6 24. Qf8+ 1-0

[Event "Tiger Grand Prix"]
[Site "Oslo"]
[Date "2006.04.14"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Stokke, Kjetil"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B33"]
[WhiteElo "2646"]
[BlackElo "2302"]
[PlyCount "77"]
[EventDate "2006.04.13"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2023"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2022.10.05"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2022.10.05"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 {Rogozenco,Dorian} c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 e5 6. Ndb5 d6 7. Bg5 a6 8. Na3 b5 9. Nd5 Be7 10. Bxf6 Bxf6 11. c3 O-O 12. Nc2 Rb8 13. h4 Be7 14. Nce3 Be6 15. Qf3 ({RR} 15. Bd3 Qd7 16. Bc2 Bd8 17. Qd3 Ne7 18. O-O-O Bxd5 19. Nxd5 Nxd5 20. Qxd5 b4 21. Rh3 bxc3 22. Rxc3 Bxh4 23. Qxd6 Qg4 24. Rf3 Qxg2 25. Rf5 Bxf2 26. Qxe5 g6 27. Rxf7 Rxf7 28. Qxb8+ Kg7 29. Qe5+ Kh6 {Zenelaj,S (2207)-Fernandez Siles,L (2191) chess.com INT 2024 1-0 (54)}) 15... Qd7 16. Rd1 Bd8 17. Nf5 $146 ({RR} 17. Be2 Ne7 18. g4 a5 19. h5 Bxd5 20. Nxd5 Nxd5 21. Rxd5 b4 22. c4 Qe7 23. O-O Bb6 24. b3 Bc5 25. Kg2 g6 26. Qh3 Qf6 27. Qg3 gxh5 28. Rh1 hxg4 {½-½ (28) Van der Wiel,J (2509)-De Vreugt,D (2504) Wijk aan Zee 2003}) ({RR} 17. Be2 Ne7 18. h5 h6 19. O-O Qc8 ({RR} 19... Bb6 20. Nf5 Nxd5 ({RR} 20... Bxd5 21. Rxd5 Nxd5 22. Qg4 Qxf5 23. Qxf5 Nf6 24. Rd1) 21. Rxd5 Bxf5 ({RR} 21... Bxd5 22. Qg4) 22. exf5 Qe7 23. Bd3 Rfd8 24. Rd1 Rbc8 25. Be4) 20. Nxe7+ ({RR} 20. Nf5 Nxf5 21. exf5 Bxf5 22. Ne3 Be6 23. Rxd6 Bc7 24. Rd2 f5) ({RR} 20. Rd3 Nxd5 21. Nxd5 ({RR} 21. exd5 Bd7) 21... Bg5 22. Rfd1 Rd8 ({RR} 22... a5)) 20... Bxe7 21. b3 ({RR} 21. Nf5 Qc7 22. Bd3 ({RR} 22. a3 Rfd8) 22... Bg5 23. Bc2 b4 24. Nxd6 ({RR} 24. Bb3) 24... Rfd8 25. Nf5 bxc3 26. bxc3 Bxa2) ({RR} 21. Nd5 Bd8 22. a3 a5) 21... Bg5 ({RR} 21... Qc5 22. Nf5 Rfe8 ({RR} 22... Bxf5 23. exf5 Rfc8 24. c4 ({RR} 24. Rd3)) 23. Rd2) ({RR} 21... Qxc3 22. Nd5 Qxf3 23. Nxe7+) 22. Rxd6 ({RR} 22. Nf5 d5 ({RR} 22... Bxf5 23. exf5 Qc5) 23. Rxd5 Bxd5 24. exd5 e4 25. Qh3 ({RR} 25. Qxe4 Re8 26. Qd3 Rxe2 27. Qxe2 Qxf5)) ({RR} 22. Nd5 Rd8 {RR} 23. Rd3 Qc5 24. b4 Qc8 25. Bd1) 22... Qxc3 23. Rxa6 Bxe3 24. Qxe3 ({RR} 24. fxe3 Rfd8) 24... Qxe3 25. fxe3 Rfc8 ({RR} 25... Ra8 26. Bxb5 Rxa6 27. Bxa6 Ra8 28. Bb7 Rxa2 29. Rb1) 26. Ra5 ({RR} 26. Rd1 Rc2 27. Kf1 Rb2 28. Ra5 ({RR} 28. Ke1 Rc8 29. Rd2 Rc1+ 30. Bd1 Rbb1 31. Rd8+ Kh7 32. Raa8 g6 33. hxg6+ Kxg6) 28... Rc8 29. Rxb5 Rcc2 30. Bf3 Rxa2) 26... Ra8 ({RR} 26... b4 27. Rxe5 Ra8) 27. Rxa8 Rxa8 28. Bxb5 Rxa2 29. Rb1 ({RR} 29. Ba4 Rb2 30. Rf2 Rb1+ 31. Rf1 Rb2) 29... Ra3 30. b4 ({RR} 30. Ba4 Kf8) 30... Kf8 ({RR} 30... Rxe3 31. Bc6 Rb3 ({RR} 31... Kf8 32. b5 Rd3 33. b6 Rd8 34. b7 Rb8 35. Ra1) 32. Rxb3 Bxb3 33. b5 Ba4 34. Bd7 Bc2 35. b6 Bxe4 36. Bc8) 31. Bc6 Rb3 {Jakovenko,D (2708)-Ivanchuk,V (2729) Foros 2007 CBM 119 [Rogozenco,Dorian] ½-½ (39)}) ({RR} 17. h5 h6 18. Be2 Ne7 19. O-O Qc8 20. Nxe7+ Bxe7 21. Nf5 Qc7 22. Qg3 Bg5 23. Nxd6 Bf4 24. Qf3 g6 25. c4 Rb6 26. Qa3 gxh5 27. c5 Rc6 28. b4 Qe7 29. Qf3 h4 {½-½ (29) Landa,K (2669)-Eljanov,P (2701) Germany 2007}) 17... Bxf5 18. exf5 e4 19. Qf4 Ne7 20. Ne3 Bb6 21. f6 Ng6 22. Qg3 h5 23. Rxd6 Qc7 24. Nd5 Qa7 25. Ne7+ Kh7 26. Rd5 gxf6 27. Rxh5+ Kg7 28. Nf5+ Kg8 29. Rh6 e3 30. fxe3 Bxe3 31. Nxe3 Rfe8 32. Rh3 f5 33. h5 f4 34. Rh8+ Kg7 35. Rh7+ Kf6 36. Qxg6+ fxg6 37. Rxa7 Rb6 38. hxg6 Kxg6 39. Bd3+ 1-0

[Event "Schagen m"]
[Site "Schagen"]
[Date "2006.04.29"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Van Wely, Loek"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B33"]
[WhiteElo "2646"]
[BlackElo "2655"]
[PlyCount "67"]
[EventDate "2006.04.28"]
[EventType "match"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 111 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2006.05.09"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2006.05.09"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 {Kritz,Leonid} c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 a6 5. Nc3 Qc7 6. Bd3 Nf6 7. O-O Bc5 8. Nb3 Be7 9. f4 d6 10. a4 ({RR} 10. Qe2 b5 11. Bd2 Bb7 12. Rae1 Nbd7 13. Kh1 O-O) 10... Nc6 11. a5 ({RR} 11. Be3 b6 ({RR} 11... O-O 12. a5 Bd7 13. Bb6 Qb8 14. Qe2) 12. Qf3 Bb7 13. Rae1 Nb4 14. Qh3 ({RR} 14. Qg3 h5 15. h3 g6 16. Nd4 h4 17. Qf2 Nd7 18. Nf3 Nc5 19. Rd1 O-O-O) 14... g6 15. Kh1 Rd8 16. Bd4 e5 17. Be3 O-O 18. Nd2 exf4 19. Bxf4 Bc8 20. Qf3 Bg4) 11... b5 12. axb6 Qxb6+ 13. Kh1 O-O 14. Qe2 ({RR} 14. Qf3 Nb4 15. Be3 Qc7 16. Bd4 Bb7 17. Na5 Rab8 18. Nxb7 Qxb7 19. Qh3 h6 20. Qg3 {½-½ (20) Ponomariov,R (2738)-Ivanchuk,V (2731) Sochi 2006}) ({RR} 14. Qf3 Nb4 15. Be3 Qc7 16. Bd4 Bb7 17. Na5 Rab8 18. Nxb7 Qxb7 19. Qh3 h6 20. Qg3) 14... a5 $146 ({RR} 14... Nb4 15. Be3 ({RR} 15. Na5 Nxd3 16. cxd3 Bd7 17. Qe3 Qb4 18. Bd2 Qb8 19. b4 Rc8 20. Nc4 d5 21. exd5 exd5 22. Qxe7 dxc4 23. Ne4 Nxe4 24. dxe4 c3 25. Bxc3 Rxc3 26. Qxd7 Qxb4) 15... Qc7 ({RR} 15... Qb8 16. Na5 Bd7 17. Nc4 Nxd3 18. Qxd3 Bb5 19. Nxb5 axb5 20. Nb6 Rxa1 21. Rxa1 Qb7 22. Qxb5 Qxe4) 16. Na5 ({RR} 16. Ra4 Rb8 17. Rfa1 Bd7) 16... Bd7 17. Nc4 Rab8 18. e5 dxe5 19. fxe5 Nfd5 20. Ne4 Nxd3 21. cxd3 Nxe3 22. Qxe3 Bb5 23. Ncd6 Bxd6 24. Nxd6 Qc2 25. Rf3 Qxb2 26. Raf1 Bc6 27. Rg3 f5 28. h3 Rb4 29. Qc5 {Berg,E (2616)-Drabke,L (2435) Germany 2010 1-0 (36)}) ({RR} 14... Nb4 15. Be3 Qc7 16. Nb5 Qb8 17. N5d4 ({RR} 17. Nxd6 Bxd6 18. e5 Bxe5 19. fxe5 Qxe5 20. Ra5) 17... Bd7 ({RR} 17... Nxd3 18. Nc6 Qc7 19. Nxe7+ Qxe7 20. cxd3 Bb7 21. Na5) ({RR} 17... e5 18. Nf3 Ng4 19. f5 Nxe3 20. Qxe3 Bd7) 18. Nd2 Rc8 19. c4 Nxd3 20. Qxd3 a5 21. b3 Bd8 ({RR} 21... a4 22. bxa4 Rxa4 23. Rxa4 Bxa4) 22. Bg1 ({RR} 22. Nb5 Bxb5 ({RR} 22... Bc7 23. Bd4) 23. cxb5 Bb6 24. Nc4 Bxe3 25. Qxe3 Qxb5 26. Nxd6 Qc5 27. Qxc5 Rxc5 28. b4) 22... h6 23. Rae1 a4 ({RR} 23... e5) 24. e5 Ne8 25. bxa4 Rxa4 26. f5 dxe5 ({RR} 26... Bg5 27. fxe6 Bxe6 ({RR} 27... fxe6 28. Qg6 Bxd2 29. Rf7) 28. Nxe6 Bxd2 29. Rxf7 Kxf7 30. Qd5 Qa8 31. Nd8+) 27. fxe6 fxe6 28. Nf5 exf5 ({RR} 28... Qc7 29. Nxh6+ gxh6 30. Qg6+ Ng7 31. Rf7) 29. Qxd7 {Guseinov,G (2625)-Svidler,P (2739) Ningbo 2011 CBM 144 [Kritz,Leonid] 1-0 (33)}) 15. Be3 Qc7 16. Nb5 Qb8 17. c3 d5 18. e5 Ne4 19. Bxe4 dxe4 20. Nc5 Bxc5 21. Bxc5 Ba6 22. c4 Rd8 23. Nd6 f5 24. exf6 Rxd6 25. Qxe4 Bb7 26. Bxd6 Qxd6 27. Rad1 Nd8 28. f7+ Kxf7 29. Qxh7 Qc6 30. Rf2 Qe4 31. f5 e5 32. Rfd2 Bc6 33. Qg6+ Ke7 34. Rd7+ 1-0

[Event "Schagen m"]
[Site "Schagen"]
[Date "2006.05.01"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Van Wely, Loek"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B33"]
[WhiteElo "2646"]
[BlackElo "2655"]
[PlyCount "79"]
[EventDate "2006.04.28"]
[EventType "match"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 111 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2006.05.09"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2006.05.09"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 e5 6. Ndb5 d6 7. Bg5 a6 8. Na3 b5 9. Nd5 Be7 10. Bxf6 Bxf6 11. c3 Bg5 12. Nc2 O-O 13. a4 bxa4 14. Rxa4 a5 15. Bc4 Rb8 16. Ra2 Kh8 17. Nce3 Bxe3 18. Nxe3 Ne7 19. b3 f5 20. exf5 Nxf5 21. Nxf5 Bxf5 22. O-O Be4 23. Bd5 Bxd5 24. Qxd5 Qc7 25. Rxa5 Rxb3 26. c4 $146 ({RR} 26. Ra6 Rb6 27. Rxb6 Qxb6 {½-½ (27) Perez Rodriguez,L (2483)-Gallego Alcaraz,A (2388) Bogota 2010}) 26... h6 27. Ra6 Rb6 28. Rfa1 Qb8 29. h3 Rxa6 30. Rxa6 Qb2 31. f3 Qc1+ 32. Kf2 Rb8 33. Ra8 Qc2+ 34. Kg3 Qg6+ 35. Kh2 Rxa8 36. Qxa8+ Kh7 37. Qd5 Qf6 38. Kg3 Qg6+ 39. Kf2 Qc2+ 40. Kg3 1/2-1/2

[Event "Sarajevo Bosnia-A 36th"]
[Site "Sarajevo"]
[Date "2006.05.07"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Malakhov, Vladimir"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B35"]
[WhiteElo "2646"]
[BlackElo "2691"]
[PlyCount "97"]
[EventDate "2006.05.07"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "BIH"]
[EventCategory "17"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 113"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2006.07.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2006.07.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 g6 5. Nc3 Bg7 6. Be3 Nf6 7. Bc4 O-O 8. Bb3 e6 9. f4 d6 10. Qf3 e5 11. Nxc6 bxc6 12. fxe5 Ng4 13. exd6 Nxe3 14. Qxe3 Qxd6 15. Rd1 Qf6 16. Qf2 Qe7 17. O-O Ba6 18. Rfe1 Rad8 $146 ({RR} 18... Be5 19. Na4 Rad8 20. Nc5 Bc7 21. Rxd8 Rxd8 22. Qxf7+ Qxf7 23. Bxf7+ Kxf7 24. Nxa6 Bb6+ 25. Kf1 Rd2 26. Re2 Rd1+ 27. Re1 Rd2 28. Re2 Rd1+ 29. Re1 {½-½ (29) Kovalev,V (2548)-Kuzubov,Y (2642) Yerevan 2014}) 19. Rxd8 Rxd8 20. e5 Bc8 21. h3 Bf5 22. Ne2 Qxe5 23. Ng3 Qxb2 24. Nxf5 gxf5 25. Qxf5 Qf6 26. Qa5 Rd7 27. Qa6 Qd6 28. Qc8+ Bf8 29. Rf1 Qc7 30. Qxc7 Rxc7 31. Rf5 Kg7 32. Kf2 Bd6 33. Kf3 f6 34. Ra5 Be5 35. Ra6 Kg6 36. Ke4 Kg5 37. Kf3 c5 38. Bc4 Rd7 39. g3 h5 40. Rc6 Rc7 41. h4+ Kh6 42. Rxc7 Bxc7 43. Bd3 f5 44. Bxf5 c4 45. Be6 c3 46. Bf7 Be5 47. a4 Bc7 48. Be8 Be5 49. g4 1/2-1/2

[Event "Sarajevo Bosnia-A 36th"]
[Site "Sarajevo"]
[Date "2006.05.08"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Nisipeanu, Liviu Dieter"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B35"]
[WhiteElo "2695"]
[BlackElo "2646"]
[PlyCount "39"]
[EventDate "2006.05.07"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "BIH"]
[EventCategory "17"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 113"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2006.07.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2006.07.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 g6 4. d4 cxd4 5. Nxd4 Bg7 6. Be3 Nf6 7. Bc4 O-O 8. Bb3 Qa5 9. O-O d6 10. h3 Bd7 11. Qe1 Rfe8 12. Rd1 Nxd4 13. Bxd4 Bc6 14. f4 Nd7 15. Bxg7 Kxg7 16. Kh2 $146 ({RR} 16. e5 dxe5 17. fxe5 f6 18. exf6+ exf6 19. Qh4 Qe5 20. Nd5 Rad8 21. Rfe1 Qd6 22. Nf4 Rxe1+ 23. Rxe1 Nc5 24. Re6 Qf8 25. Qg3 Kh8 26. Qh4 Kg7 27. Qf2 Re8 28. Rxe8 Bxe8 29. Kh1 Bd7 30. Bd5 Qd6 {Leon Hoyos,M (2454)-Gonzalez Acosta,B (2434) Santo Domingo 2007 1-0 (51)}) 16... Rac8 17. Qh4 h6 18. Nd5 e6 19. Nc3 Nf6 20. Qe1 1/2-1/2

[Event "Sarajevo Bosnia-A 36th"]
[Site "Sarajevo"]
[Date "2006.05.11"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Predojevic, Borki"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B67"]
[WhiteElo "2566"]
[BlackElo "2646"]
[PlyCount "80"]
[EventDate "2006.05.07"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "BIH"]
[EventCategory "17"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 113"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2006.07.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2006.07.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Bg5 e6 7. f4 Qc7 8. Bxf6 gxf6 9. Qd2 Nc6 10. O-O-O Bd7 11. Kb1 Nxd4 12. Qxd4 Be7 13. Be2 h5 14. Rhf1 Qc5 15. Qd2 b5 16. Bf3 Rc8 ({RR} 16... b4 17. Ne2 Rc8 18. Nc1 a5 19. Nd3 Qd4 20. Qe2 Bb5 21. Bxh5 a4 22. Bf3 Rxh2 23. Qf2 Qc4 24. b3 Qc3 25. Qd2 axb3 26. cxb3 Qd4 27. Rfe1 Rc3 28. Nf2 Qxd2 29. Rxd2 Bd8 30. Ng4 Rh8 31. Rxd6 {Kosteniuk,A (2517)-Carlsen,M (2801) Moscow 2009 0-1 (37)}) 17. Ne2 $146 ({RR} 17. Rfe1 b4 18. Ne2 a5 19. f5 e5 20. c3 h4 21. cxb4 axb4 22. Rc1 Qb6 23. Rxc8+ Bxc8 24. Nc1 d5 25. Qxd5 Bb7 26. Qd2 Bc5 27. Bd1 Ke7 28. Bb3 Rd8 29. Qc2 Bf2 30. Re2 Rc8 31. Qd2 Bg1 {Vocaturo,D (2412)-Curto,N (2126) Rhone 2008 1-0 (43)}) 17... h4 18. Nd4 b4 19. Rfe1 a5 20. e5 fxe5 21. fxe5 dxe5 22. Nb3 Qc7 23. Nxa5 Ba4 24. Nb3 f5 25. Qe2 Kf7 26. Bh5+ Kg7 27. g4 hxg3 28. Rg1 Kf8 29. hxg3 Bf6 30. g4 e4 31. Qd2 Qb6 32. Qg2 Qb8 33. gxf5 Qe5 34. Rd4 Bxb3 35. Qg6 Rxh5 36. axb3 Ke7 37. c3 bxc3 38. Qxh5 c2+ 39. Kc1 Qf4+ 40. Rd2 Bxb2+ 0-1

[Event "Sarajevo Bosnia-A 36th"]
[Site "Sarajevo"]
[Date "2006.05.12"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Malakhov, Vladimir"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B33"]
[WhiteElo "2691"]
[BlackElo "2646"]
[PlyCount "79"]
[EventDate "2006.05.07"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "BIH"]
[EventCategory "17"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 113"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2006.07.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2006.07.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 Nc6 6. Ndb5 d6 7. Bf4 e5 8. Bg5 a6 9. Na3 b5 10. Nd5 Be7 11. Bxf6 Bxf6 12. c4 b4 13. Nc2 a5 14. Be2 O-O 15. O-O Bg5 16. Qd3 Bb7 17. Rad1 Nb8 18. a3 bxa3 19. Nxa3 Na6 20. Nb5 Nc5 21. Qc2 a4 22. Bf3 $146 ({RR} 22. g3 Bh6 23. Bf3 Ra6 24. Bg2 Kh8 25. Qc3 Qb8 26. Rfe1 Bg5 27. Rf1 Bh6 28. Qc2 Bc6 29. Ndc3 Bxb5 30. cxb5 Rb6 31. Rd5 Rc8 32. Rfd1 Nb3 33. Bf1 Bg5 34. Qd3 Nc5 35. Qf3 Kg8 36. Bh3 Rd8 {Hedman,E (2372)-Andersson,F (2306) Vasteras 2011 ½-½ (57)}) 22... Ra6 23. Rfe1 Qa5 24. Ndc3 Rd8 25. Be2 Qb4 26. Bf1 g6 27. Qe2 Kg7 28. Qg4 Ne6 29. Nd5 Qc5 30. Qg3 Rc8 31. Ra1 Bd8 32. Red1 Nd4 33. Nbc3 Rca8 34. Qd3 Bc6 35. Ra3 Ra5 36. Ne2 Bxd5 37. Nxd4 Qxd4 38. Qxd4 exd4 39. cxd5 Rb8 40. Ra2 1/2-1/2

[Event "Sarajevo Bosnia-A 36th"]
[Site "Sarajevo"]
[Date "2006.05.13"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Nisipeanu, Liviu Dieter"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B65"]
[WhiteElo "2646"]
[BlackElo "2695"]
[PlyCount "52"]
[EventDate "2006.05.07"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "BIH"]
[EventCategory "17"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 113"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2006.07.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2006.07.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 {Gofshtein,Leonid D Gofshtein,Leonid D} c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 Nc6 6. Bg5 e6 7. Qd2 Be7 8. O-O-O O-O 9. f4 Nxd4 10. Qxd4 Qa5 11. Bc4 Bd7 12. Kb1 ({RR} 12. e5 dxe5 13. fxe5 Bc6) ({RR} 12. Bxf6 Bxf6 13. e5 Be7 14. exd6 Bf6 15. Qe3 Bxc3 16. Qxc3 Qxc3 17. bxc3 Rac8 18. Bb3 Rxc3 19. f5 Re3 20. Rhe1 Rxe1 21. Rxe1 Re8 22. fxe6 fxe6 23. Kd2 g6 24. c4 b6 25. c5 Kg7 26. Rc1 bxc5 {Beliavsky,A (2635)-Kotronias,V (2590) Belgrade 1993 1-0 (51)}) ({RR} 12. e5 dxe5 13. fxe5 Bc6) 12... Rfd8 ({RR} 12... Bc6 13. Rhe1 ({RR} 13. Rhf1 h6 14. Bh4 Qh5 15. g3 g5 16. fxg5 hxg5 17. Rxf6 Bxf6 18. Qxf6 gxh4 19. gxh4 Kh7) 13... h6 14. Bh4 Rfd8 15. Bb3 Qh5 16. Bg3 d5 {RR} 17. e5 Ne4) ({RR} 12... b5 13. Bb3 b4 14. e5 dxe5 15. fxe5 Bc5 16. Qh4 Nd5 17. Nxd5 exd5 18. Bf6 gxf6 19. exf6 Kh8 20. Rxd5 Bb6 21. Rxa5 Bxa5 22. Qg5 Rg8 23. Qxa5 {1-0 (23) Amirkul,A (1934)-Kuandykuly,D (1800) Almaty KAZ 2023}) ({RR} 12... Bc6 13. Bb3 Rfd8 ({RR} 13... Rad8 14. Rhf1 h6 15. Bh4 Qh5 ({RR} 15... Rd7 16. f5 e5 17. Qf2 Rc8 18. Bxf6) 16. Bg3 d5 17. e5 Ne4) ({RR} 13... Rfe8 14. Rhf1 h6 15. Bh4 Nxe4 16. Nxe4 Bxh4 17. f5 d5 18. Nd6 Bf6 19. Qg4) 14. Rhe1 h6 15. Bh4 Qh5 16. Bg3 d5 17. exd5 Nxd5 18. Bxd5 ({RR} 18. Nxd5 Bxd5 19. Re5 Bf3 20. Rxh5 Bxh5 21. Qxd8+ Rxd8 22. Rxd8+ Bxd8) 18... Bf6 ({RR} 18... Bxd5 19. Re5 Qg4 20. Nxd5 Rxd5 21. Rxd5 exd5 22. Rd3) 19. Qc5 Bxc3 20. Qxc3 Bxd5 21. Rc1 ({RR} 21. Qe5 Qg4 22. Rd4 Bxg2) 21... Rac8 22. Qe3 Bxg2 23. Rg1 ({RR} 23. Qxa7 Rd2 24. Qe3 Rcd8) 23... Bd5 24. f5 Qxf5 25. Bh4 Re8 26. Qxh6 Qh7 27. Qxh7+ {Carlsen,M (2567)-Lugovoi,A (2540) Gausdal 2004 CBM 104 [Gofshtein,Leonid D] 0-1 (43)} ({RR} 27. Qf6 Be4 28. Ka1 Bxc2)) 13. Bb3 Rac8 $146 ({RR} 13... b5 14. e5 dxe5 15. fxe5 b4 ({RR} 15... Bc6 16. Qh4) ({RR} 15... Nd5 16. Bxd5) 16. exf6 gxf6 ({RR} 16... Qxg5 17. fxe7) 17. Bxf6 ({RR} 17. Bh6 Qh5 18. Qe4 Be8 ({RR} 18... f5 19. Qb7) 19. Qb7 Bc5 20. Rxd8 Rxd8 21. Ne4 Rd1+ 22. Bc1 ({RR} 22. Rxd1 Qxd1+ 23. Bc1 Be3)) 17... Bxf6 18. Qxf6 bxc3 19. Rd3 Be8 20. Rg3+ Kf8 21. Bxe6 Rd6 22. Qg7+ Ke7 23. Bxf7 {1-0 (23) Nguyen,A (2535)-Aung,T (2466) Bangkok 2004 CBM 102 [Gofshtein,Leonid D]}) ({RR} 13... Bc6) ({RR} 13... b5 14. e5) 14. g4 Qc5 15. Qd3 Bc6 16. f5 d5 17. Be3 Qa5 18. fxe6 fxe6 19. Bd4 Nxe4 20. Nxe4 dxe4 21. Bxe6+ Kh8 22. Qh3 Bd5 23. Bxd5 Rxd5 24. g5 Qc7 25. Bc3 Rxd1+ 26. Rxd1 Rd8 1/2-1/2

[Event "Sarajevo Bosnia-A 36th"]
[Site "Sarajevo"]
[Date "2006.05.15"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Naiditsch, Arkadij"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C68"]
[WhiteElo "2664"]
[BlackElo "2646"]
[PlyCount "115"]
[EventDate "2006.05.07"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "BIH"]
[EventCategory "17"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 113"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2006.07.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2006.07.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Bxc6 dxc6 5. O-O Be6 6. Nxe5 Qd4 7. Nf3 Qxe4 8. Ng5 Qg6 9. Nxe6 fxe6 10. d3 O-O-O 11. Qe2 Bd6 12. Nd2 Nf6 13. Ne4 Nxe4 14. Qxe4 Qxe4 15. dxe4 Bc5 $146 ({RR} 15... Be5 16. c3 Rd3 17. Be3 Rhd8 18. Rfe1 a5 19. a4 b6 20. Kf1 c5 21. f4 Bf6 22. e5 Bh4 23. g3 Be7 24. Ke2 c4 25. Red1 Rxd1 26. Rxd1 Rxd1 27. Kxd1 Kb7 28. Ke2 Kc6 29. Kf3 Kd5 30. g4 {Battey,A (2336)-Borosova,Z (2284) Kecskemet 2011 0-1 (45)}) 16. Bg5 Rd7 17. Rad1 Rxd1 18. Rxd1 Rf8 19. Bh4 b5 20. Bg3 h5 21. h4 Rd8 22. Rxd8+ Kxd8 23. Be5 g6 24. b3 Be7 25. g3 c5 26. c4 c6 27. Kg2 Ke8 28. Kf3 Bf8 29. a4 Ke7 30. Bb8 Kf6 31. Bc7 e5 32. Bd8+ Ke6 33. Bg5 Bd6 34. Ke3 Bf8 35. Kd3 Bd6 36. Bh6 Be7 37. Ke2 Bd6 38. Ke3 Be7 39. Bg5 Bd6 40. f4 Bc7 41. Kf3 Bd6 42. Bh6 Be7 43. Bg7 exf4 44. Kxf4 Kf7 45. Be5 Ke6 46. Bc7 Kd7 47. Bb8 Ke6 48. e5 Bd8 49. Bd6 Ba5 50. Kg5 Kf7 51. Kh6 Bd2+ 52. Kh7 g5 53. Bxc5 gxh4 54. gxh4 Be1 55. Kh6 Bxh4 56. Kxh5 Bg3 57. Kg4 Bxe5 58. Kf5 1/2-1/2

[Event "Sarajevo Bosnia-A 36th"]
[Site "Sarajevo"]
[Date "2006.05.16"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Predojevic, Borki"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C83"]
[WhiteElo "2646"]
[BlackElo "2566"]
[PlyCount "175"]
[EventDate "2006.05.07"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "BIH"]
[EventCategory "17"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 113"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2006.07.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2006.07.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 {Marin,Mihail ChessBase} e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Nxe4 6. d4 b5 7. Bb3 d5 8. dxe5 ({RR} 8. Nxe5) 8... Be6 9. Nbd2 ({RR} 9. Qe2) 9... Be7 10. c3 O-O 11. Qe2 ({RR} 11. Bc2 f5 12. Nb3 Qd7 13. Nfd4 Nxd4 14. Nxd4 c5 15. Nxe6 Qxe6 16. f3 Ng5 17. a4 Rad8 18. axb5 axb5 19. Ra7 Rd7 20. Rxd7 Qxd7 21. Be3 ({RR} 21. Kh1) 21... f4 22. Bf2 g6 23. Qd2 Ne6 24. Rd1 Rd8 25. Be4 Qc7) 11... Nxd2 ({RR} 11... Nc5 12. Nd4 Nxb3 13. N2xb3 Qd7 14. Nxc6 Qxc6 15. Be3 Bf5 16. Rfd1 Qg6 17. Nd4 Bd7 18. b4 Qe4) 12. Bxd2 Na5 13. Bc2 c5 ({RR} 13... Nc4 14. Nd4 ({RR} 14. b3 Nxd2 15. Qxd2 Rc8 ({RR} 15... c5) 16. a4 Qd7 17. axb5 axb5 18. Ra5 g6 19. Bd3 c6 20. Rfa1 Rc7 21. Nd4 f6) ({RR} 14. Bc1 Qd7 ({RR} 14... Bg4) 15. b3 Nb6 16. Qd3) 14... Nxd2 ({RR} 14... Qd7 15. f4 c5 16. Nxe6 Qxe6 17. Rae1 f5 18. Bc1 Qg6 19. b3 Nb6 20. Be3 Rad8 21. Qf2 Qc6 22. Rd1 ({RR} 22. Qf3 Na8) 22... d4 23. cxd4 Nd5 24. Kh1 ({RR} 24. dxc5 Nxe3 25. Qxe3 Bxc5) ({RR} 24. b4 c4 25. a3 a5) 24... cxd4 25. Bxd4 Nxf4 26. Qxf4 ({RR} 26. Bb1 Ne6 27. Bxf5 Nxd4 28. Rxd4 Rxd4 29. Qxd4 g6 30. Bd3 Rxf1+ 31. Bxf1 Qc1 32. Qd3 Qf4 33. e6 Bc5 34. Be2 Qe3) 26... Qxc2 27. Rd2 Qe4) ({RR} 14... Bg4 15. Qxg4 ({RR} 15. Qe1 f6) 15... Nxd2 16. Rfd1 Nc4 17. Nf5 g6 18. Rxd5) 15. Qxd2 Qd7 16. f4 c5 17. Nxe6 fxe6 ({RR} 17... Qxe6 18. Rae1) 18. Rad1 ({RR} 18. f5 Rad8 ({RR} 18... exf5 19. Bxf5 Rxf5 20. Rxf5 Qxf5 21. Qxd5+)) 18... Rad8 19. Qd3 g6 20. Qg3 Rf7 21. h4 Rg7 22. Qh3 c4 23. Kh1 a5 24. h5 Bc5 25. Rf3 Qe8 26. Rg3 gxh5 27. f5 Rxg3 28. Qxg3+ {Polgar,J (2708)-Karpov,A (2670) Vitoria Gasteiz 2007 CBM 121 [Marin,Mihail] ½-½ (48)}) ({RR} 13... Nc4 14. Bc1 g6 15. Nd4 Qd7 16. Bh6 Rfe8 17. f4 c5 18. f5 cxd4 19. fxe6 Qxe6 20. cxd4 Nxb2 21. Rab1 Nc4 22. Rb3 Bf8 23. Bxf8 Rxf8 24. Rf6 Qd7 25. Rh3 Ra7 26. Qf3 Nd2 27. Qf4 Ne4 28. Qh6 {Koffeman,T (2119)-De Zwart,J (1970) Vlissingen 2022 1-0}) 14. b3 $146 ({RR} 14. Rad1 Nc6 15. Bc1 g6 16. Bh6 Re8 17. Rd2 Qc7 18. Rfd1 f6 19. Bf4 fxe5 20. Bxe5 Nxe5 21. Nxe5 Bg5 22. Re1 Bxd2 23. Qxd2 Bf5 24. f4 Bxc2 25. Qxc2 Rad8 26. Rd1 Qd6 27. h4 d4 28. cxd4 cxd4 {Igel,F-Michel,P Vienna 1936 EXT 1999 [ChessBase] 0-1 (75)}) ({RR} 14. Qd3 g6 15. Bh6 Re8 16. Rfe1 ({RR} 16. Qd2 Nc4 17. Qf4 Nxb2 18. Bg5 d4) 16... f6 ({RR} 16... Bf5 17. Qe2 Bxc2 18. Qxc2 f6 19. Rad1) 17. Nh4 f5 ({RR} 17... Bf8 18. Bxf8 Kxf8 19. Nxg6+ hxg6 20. Qxg6) 18. Nf3 Nc6 19. Rad1) ({RR} 14. Rad1 Qd7 15. h3 Nc6 16. Bg5 Rfe8 17. Rfe1 Rad8 18. Qe3 Bxg5 19. Nxg5 Bf5 20. e6 fxe6 21. Bxf5 exf5 22. Qxc5) ({RR} 14. Rad1 Qd7 15. h3 Nc6 16. Bg5 Rfe8 17. Rfe1 Rad8 18. Qe3 Bxg5 19. Nxg5 Bf5 20. e6 fxe6 21. Bxf5 exf5 22. Qxc5 Rxe1+ 23. Rxe1 d4 24. cxd4 Nxd4 25. Re7 Qc6 26. Qxc6 Nxc6 27. Re6 h6 {½-½ (27) Sokolov,A (2628)-Predojevic,B (2566) Turin 2006}) 14... Nc6 15. Qd3 g6 16. Bh6 Re8 17. Qd2 b4 18. cxb4 Nxb4 19. Bd1 Nc6 20. Qf4 Rb8 21. a3 Qd7 22. Rc1 Na5 23. Nd2 Rec8 24. h4 Nc6 25. Nf3 Na5 26. Nd2 Nc6 27. Nf3 Na5 28. Rb1 c4 29. b4 c3 30. Be2 Nc4 31. Ra1 a5 32. Rfc1 Nxa3 33. Rxa3 Rxb4 34. Qe3 d4 35. Qd3 Bf5 36. Qa6 d3 37. Raxc3 Rxc3 38. Rxc3 dxe2 39. Qxe2 Rb8 40. Ng5 Qd4 41. Rc4 Qd5 42. Rc7 Bd8 43. Rc1 a4 44. Rd1 Qxd1+ 45. Qxd1 Rb1 46. Qxb1 Bxb1 47. Nf3 Be4 48. Nd4 a3 49. Bc1 a2 50. Bb2 Bxh4 51. g3 Be7 52. f4 h5 53. Kf2 Bd5 54. Ke3 h4 55. gxh4 Ba3 56. Ba1 Bc1+ 57. Kf2 Bxf4 58. Ne2 Bd2 59. Nc3 Be6 60. Ne4 Bc1 61. Nf6+ Kg7 62. Ne4 Kh6 63. Nf6 Ba3 64. Kg3 Bb4 65. Kf2 Ba5 66. Bb2 g5 67. hxg5+ Kxg5 68. Ke3 Kf5 69. Ne8 Bb6+ 70. Kd2 Ke4 71. Nd6+ Kd5 72. Kc2 Bc5 73. Bc3 Bb4 74. Ba1 f5 75. Nxf5 Bxf5+ 76. Kb3 Bc5 77. Kxa2 Be6 78. Kb3 Ke4+ 79. Kc2 Ke3 80. Bc3 Bf5+ 81. Kb2 Be6 82. Kc2 Bb6 83. Bd2+ Ke2 84. Bc3 Bf5+ 85. Kb2 Kd3 86. e6 Bxe6 87. Bh8 Bd4+ 88. Bxd4 1/2-1/2

[Event "Olympiad-37"]
[Site "Turin"]
[Date "2006.05.27"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Prasca Sosa, Rafael Felipe"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C11"]
[WhiteElo "2646"]
[BlackElo "2448"]
[PlyCount "65"]
[EventDate "2006.05.21"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "ITA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 113"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2006.07.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2006.07.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Norway"]
[BlackTeam "Venezuela"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "NOR"]
[BlackTeamCountry "VEN"]

1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. e5 Nfd7 5. f4 c5 6. Nf3 Nc6 7. Be3 cxd4 8. Nxd4 Bc5 9. Qd2 Nxd4 10. Bxd4 Bxd4 11. Qxd4 Qb6 12. Qd2 Qxb2 13. Rb1 Qa3 14. Nb5 Qxa2 15. Nd6+ Ke7 16. Rc1 ({RR} 16. Qb4 a5 17. Nxc8+ Kd8 18. Qe7+ Kxc8 19. Rxb7 Kxb7 20. Qxd7+ Kb8 {½-½ (20) Shirov,A (2723)-Bareev,E (2729) Monte Carlo 2003}) 16... b6 17. Be2 Qa5 18. c3 f5 $146 ({RR} 18... Ba6 19. O-O Bxe2 20. Qxe2 Qc5+ 21. Kh1 h5 22. c4 d4 23. Qf2 h4 24. f5 Nxe5 25. Ne4 Qc7 26. f6+ gxf6 27. Qxf6+ Kd7 28. c5 Rh5 29. cxb6 Qxb6 30. Rc5 Qb8 31. Rxe5 Rxe5 32. Qxf7+ Kc6 33. Rc1+ {Bae,T (2420)-Murillo Tsijli,A (2278) Istanbul 2012 1-0 (38)}) 19. O-O Qc5+ 20. Kh1 Nf8 21. g4 Bd7 22. gxf5 exf5 23. Bf3 Ng6 24. c4 d4 25. Nb7 Qa3 26. Qxd4 Be6 27. Ra1 Qb3 28. Qd6+ Kf7 29. Bd5 Bxd5+ 30. Qxd5+ Ke7 31. Qd6+ Ke8 32. Qe6+ Ne7 33. Nd6+ 1-0

[Event "Olympiad-37"]
[Site "Turin"]
[Date "2006.05.31"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Radjabov, Teimour"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B54"]
[WhiteElo "2646"]
[BlackElo "2717"]
[PlyCount "65"]
[EventDate "2006.05.21"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "ITA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 113"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2006.07.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2006.07.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Norway"]
[BlackTeam "Azerbaijan"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "NOR"]
[BlackTeamCountry "AZE"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 d6 4. d4 cxd4 5. Nxd4 e5 6. Nf3 Be6 7. Nd5 ({RR} 7. Ng5 Nf6 8. Nxe6 fxe6 9. Bc4 Qd7 10. Be3 Rc8 11. Bb3 Be7 12. Qf3 Na5 13. Ba4 Nc6 14. O-O-O O-O 15. Qh3 Kh8 16. Rhf1 a6 17. f4 exf4 18. Rxf4 Qc7 19. Qxe6 b5 20. Bb3 Na5 21. Kb1 Rfe8 {Kramnik,V (2759)-Radjabov,T (2761) Nice 2009 1-0}) ({RR} 7. Bb5 a6 8. Ba4 b5 9. Bb3 Bxb3 10. axb3 h6 11. Qd5 Nge7 12. Qd3 Ng6 13. Be3 Be7 14. O-O Bg5 15. Rfd1 Bxe3 16. fxe3 O-O 17. Qxd6 Qb6 18. Nd5 Qb7 19. h4 Rfd8 20. Qa3 Qa7 21. h5 Nf4 {Khazhatuly,A (2143)-Pavlidou,E (2217) chess.com INT 2025 1-0 (53)}) 7... Nf6 $146 ({RR} 7... Be7 8. c4 Nf6 9. Bd3 Bg4 10. O-O Nd4 11. Kh1 Nxf3 12. gxf3 Bh5 13. Rg1 Nxd5 14. cxd5 Bf6 15. Bb5+ Kf8 16. Be3 a6 17. Be2 Bg6 18. Rc1 Rc8 19. Qb3 Rxc1 20. Rxc1 Qd7 21. Qb6 Bd8 22. Qb3 {Valcarenghi,C (1915)-Wiltner,C (1471) Piratuba 2018 1-0 (74)}) ({RR} 7... Be7 8. Bc4 Nf6 9. Nxf6+ Bxf6 10. Bxe6 fxe6 11. O-O O-O 12. c3 d5 13. Qe2 Qc7 14. Rd1 Rad8 15. Bg5 h6 16. Bxf6 Rxf6 17. Rd3 Rf7 18. Re1 d4 19. cxd4 exd4 20. e5 Rfd7 21. a3 Rd5 22. h4 {Vega Gutierrez,S (2377)-Martins,B (2338) chess.com INT 2023 0-1 (53)}) 8. Nxf6+ Qxf6 9. Ng5 Bd7 10. Bc4 h6 11. Qh5 Nd4 12. O-O g6 13. Bxf7+ Ke7 14. Bxg6 Rg8 15. Bh7 Rxg5 16. Bxg5 Qxg5 17. Qxg5+ hxg5 18. c3 Ne2+ 19. Kh1 Nf4 20. Rad1 Bh6 21. g3 Nh5 22. Bf5 Bxf5 23. exf5 Rc8 24. Kg2 Nf6 25. Rfe1 Rc5 26. h3 Bf8 27. Re3 Kf7 28. a4 Be7 29. Kf1 Bf8 30. Ke2 Be7 31. Kf1 Bf8 32. Kg2 Be7 33. Kf1 1/2-1/2

[Event "Olympiad-37"]
[Site "Turin"]
[Date "2006.06.02"]
[Round "11"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Granda Zuniga, Julio E"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B92"]
[WhiteElo "2646"]
[BlackElo "2631"]
[PlyCount "43"]
[EventDate "2006.05.21"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "ITA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 113"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2006.07.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2006.07.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Norway"]
[BlackTeam "Peru"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "NOR"]
[BlackTeamCountry "PER"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Be3 e5 7. Nb3 Be7 8. Be2 O-O 9. O-O Nbd7 10. a4 b6 11. f3 Bb7 12. Rf2 ({RR} 12. Nd5 Nxd5 13. exd5 Bg5 14. Bf2 f5 15. c4 a5 16. Bd3 Nc5 17. Bc2 Nxb3 18. Bxb3 Ba6 19. Qd3 Rc8 20. Ba2 Qc7 21. b3 Rce8 22. Rae1 Bc8 23. Bb1 g6 24. Be3 Bxe3+ 25. Qxe3 Qc5 26. Kh1 Kg7 {Hejazipour,M (2329)-Saydaliev,S (2455) chess.com INT 2025 0-1 (43)}) 12... Qc7 13. Bf1 Rfb8 $146 ({RR} 13... h6 14. Nc1 Rfd8 15. N1a2 d5 16. Nxd5 Bxd5 17. exd5 Bc5 18. Bxc5 Nxc5 19. Rd2 Nxa4 20. c4 b5 21. Kh1 Nb6 22. b3 bxc4 23. bxc4 e4 24. Nb4 exf3 25. gxf3 {½-½ (25) Atabayev,M (2452)-Atabayev,Y (2407) Budapest 2013}) ({RR} 13... Rfd8 14. Rd2 Rac8 15. Kh1 h6 16. Nc1 Nc5 17. N1a2 Qb8 18. Nb4 a5 19. Nbd5 Nxd5 20. Nxd5 Bxd5 21. Rxd5 Bg5 22. Bf2 Qc7 23. c3 Ne6 24. Qb3 Rb8 25. Rb5 Nc5 26. Qc4 Qe7 27. Qa2 Rdc8 28. Bc4 {Friedel,J (2531)-Kempinski,R (2600) Dresden 2011 ½-½ (40)}) 14. Nc1 Nc5 15. Rd2 Ne6 16. N1a2 Nd4 17. Nb4 Rd8 18. Kh1 a5 19. Nd3 Ne6 20. Nf2 Nd7 21. Nb5 Qb8 22. Nxd6 1-0

[Event "Olympiad-37"]
[Site "Turin"]
[Date "2006.06.03"]
[Round "12"]
[White "Naiditsch, Arkadij"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C57"]
[WhiteElo "2664"]
[BlackElo "2646"]
[PlyCount "108"]
[EventDate "2006.05.21"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "ITA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 113"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2006.07.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2006.07.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Germany"]
[BlackTeam "Norway"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "GER"]
[BlackTeamCountry "NOR"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. Ng5 d5 5. exd5 b5 6. Bf1 h6 7. Ne6 fxe6 8. dxc6 Bc5 9. d3 O-O 10. Be3 Bxe3 11. fxe3 Qd6 $146 ({RR} 11... Nd5 12. Qe2 Qg5 13. Nd2 Qxe3 14. Ne4 Qb6 15. O-O-O Qxc6 16. g3 Qb6 17. Bg2 Bb7 18. Rde1 b4 19. Kb1 Nc3+ 20. Nxc3 bxc3 21. b3 Rf2 22. Qxe5 Bxg2 23. Rhg1 Bd5 24. Qxc3 Rxh2 25. Rgf1 Rf2 26. Rxf2 {Levitsky,A (2329)-Nagy,G (2532) Chess.com INT 2021 0-1 (46)}) ({RR} 11... Nd5 12. Qe2 Qg5 13. Nd2 Qxe3 14. Ne4 Qb6 15. O-O-O Qxc6 16. g3 Qb6 17. Bg2 Bb7 18. Rde1 b4 19. Kb1 Nc3+ 20. Nxc3 bxc3 21. b3 Rf2 22. Qxe5 Bxg2 23. Rhg1 Bd5 24. Qxc3 Rxh2 25. Rgf1 Rf2 26. Rxf2 {Levitsky,A (2329)-Nagy,G (2532) Chess.com INT 2021 0-1 (46)}) 12. Nd2 Qxc6 13. e4 Qc5 14. Nb3 Qb6 15. Qe2 Bd7 16. g3 a5 17. Bh3 a4 18. Nd2 a3 19. b3 Be8 20. Qf2 Qc6 21. O-O Bh5 22. Qe3 Bg4 23. Bg2 Qxc2 24. Rfc1 Qb2 25. h3 Rad8 26. Rab1 Qxa2 27. Ra1 Qb2 28. Rab1 Qa2 29. Ra1 Qb2 30. Rab1 Qd4 31. Qxd4 Rxd4 32. hxg4 Rxd3 33. Nf1 Ra8 34. Rxc7 a2 35. Ra1 Rxb3 36. Rc2 Rba3 37. Rb2 R8a5 38. Nd2 Nxg4 39. Nb3 R5a4 40. Bh3 h5 41. Bxg4 hxg4 42. Nd2 Rxg3+ 43. Kf2 Rga3 44. Rxb5 Kf7 45. Ke2 Kf6 46. Kd1 Rh3 47. Kc2 g3 48. Rb3 Kg5 49. Kb2 Kg4 50. Rc3 g2 51. Rcc1 Re3 52. Kc2 Kg3 53. Kb2 Kf2 54. Rc2 Re2 0-1

[Event "Olympiad-37"]
[Site "Turin"]
[Date "2006.06.04"]
[Round "13"]
[White "Kamsky, Gata"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C83"]
[WhiteElo "2671"]
[BlackElo "2646"]
[PlyCount "61"]
[EventDate "2006.05.21"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "ITA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 113"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2006.07.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2006.07.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "US of America"]
[BlackTeam "Norway"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "USA"]
[BlackTeamCountry "NOR"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Nxe4 6. d4 b5 7. Bb3 d5 8. dxe5 Be6 9. Be3 Be7 10. c3 O-O 11. Nbd2 Qd7 12. Re1 Nxd2 13. Qxd2 Na5 14. Bg5 c5 15. Bc2 Nc4 16. Qf4 Rfe8 17. Bf6 Qd8 18. b3 Na3 19. Bxe7 Qxe7 20. Bf5 $146 ({RR} 20. Bd3 a5 21. Ng5 h6 22. Nxe6 fxe6 23. c4 bxc4 24. bxc4 Qg5 25. Qf3 Nxc4 26. Bxc4 dxc4 27. Qe4 Rad8 {½-½ (27) Balogh,C (2575)-Mikhalevski,V (2632) Heviz 2008}) 20... Bxf5 21. Qxf5 Qe6 22. Qd3 a5 23. Rad1 Rad8 24. Re2 h6 25. Qe3 Rc8 26. Red2 Red8 27. h4 Rd7 28. Qf4 b4 29. c4 Rcd8 30. cxd5 Rxd5 31. Qe4 1/2-1/2

[Event "NOR-chT2"]
[Site "Oslo"]
[Date "2006.06.08"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Stokke, Kjetil"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B20"]
[WhiteElo "2302"]
[BlackElo "2646"]
[PlyCount "74"]
[EventDate "2006.06.07"]
[EventType "team"]
[EventRounds "5"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 112 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2006.07.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2006.07.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. a3 g6 3. d4 cxd4 4. c3 Bg7 5. Nf3 d3 6. Bxd3 Nc6 7. O-O Nf6 8. Bg5 O-O 9. Qe2 $146 ({RR} 9. Qc1 Re8 10. c4 d6 11. h3 Be6 12. Bh6 Na5 13. Bxg7 Kxg7 14. Nbd2 Rc8 15. Nd4 a6 16. Nxe6+ fxe6 17. Qe1 e5 18. Kh2 Qb6 19. b4 Nc6 20. Qe3 Qxe3 21. fxe3 a5 22. Rfb1 b6 23. Bc2 axb4 {Parpinel,M (2137)-Quimi,M (2271) Rome 2007 ½-½ (49)}) 9... d6 10. Nbd2 Nd7 11. Rad1 b6 12. Nc4 Nc5 13. Bc2 Ba6 14. b4 Ne6 15. Bd2 Rc8 16. Bd3 d5 17. exd5 Qxd5 18. Be3 Rfd8 19. Nce5 Bxd3 20. Rxd3 Qe4 21. Rxd8+ Ncxd8 22. Qb5 Nb7 23. Bd4 Nd6 24. Qa4 Nxd4 25. cxd4 Rc7 26. Re1 Qd5 27. h3 Nb5 28. Kh1 Rc3 29. Qa6 Nxd4 30. Qxa7 Bxe5 31. Nxe5 Rxh3+ 32. Kg1 Ne2+ 33. Kf1 Nf4 34. Qb8+ Kg7 35. Nf3 Rh1+ 36. Ng1 Rxg1+ 37. Kxg1 Qxg2# 0-1

[Event "NOR-chT2"]
[Site "Oslo"]
[Date "2006.06.10"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Hansen, Torbjorn Ringdal"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C95"]
[WhiteElo "2319"]
[BlackElo "2646"]
[PlyCount "96"]
[EventDate "2006.06.07"]
[EventType "team"]
[EventRounds "5"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 112 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2006.07.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2006.07.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 {Marin,Mihail} e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 d6 8. c3 O-O 9. h3 Nb8 10. d4 Nbd7 11. Nbd2 Bb7 12. Bc2 Re8 13. Nf1 Bf8 14. Ng3 g6 ({RR} 14... c6 15. Be3 Qc7 16. a4 Rad8 17. Qc1 h6 18. b3 Qb8 19. Rb1 Qc8 20. b4 Qc7 21. Nd2 d5) 15. b3 c6 16. Bg5 Bg7 ({RR} 16... h6) 17. dxe5 $146 ({RR} 17. Qd2 Qe7 ({RR} 17... Qc7 18. a4 Rac8 ({RR} 18... d5 19. dxe5 Nxe5 20. Nxe5 Qxe5 21. Bf4 Qe6 22. e5) ({RR} 18... Rad8 19. Bd3 Nf8 20. Qc2 Ne6 21. Be3 Nd7 22. Rec1 Qb8 23. axb5 axb5 24. b4) 19. Bd3 Nf8 20. Rec1 Ne6 21. Be3 Nd7 22. Bf1 Nb6 ({RR} 22... Rcd8 23. b4 Qb8 24. axb5 axb5 25. Ra5 Nf6 26. dxe5 dxe5 27. Qc2 Nd7 28. c4 bxc4 29. Bxc4 Qc7 30. Qa2) 23. a5 Nd7 24. b4) 18. a4 Qf8 19. axb5 ({RR} 19. Bd3 d5 20. Nxe5 Nxe5 21. dxe5 Rxe5 22. f4 Ree8 23. e5 Nd7 24. axb5 cxb5 25. Kh1 Qc5 26. b4 Qc7 27. Ne2 f6 28. exf6 Nxf6) ({RR} 19. axb5 axb5 20. dxe5 Nxe5 21. Nxe5 dxe5 22. Qe2 Nd7 23. b4 Bh6 24. Bxh6 Qxh6 25. Bb3 Qf8 26. Nf1 Qe7 27. Nh2 Kg7) ({RR} 19. b4 Nb6 20. dxe5 dxe5 21. Qe2 Nxa4 22. Bxa4 bxa4 23. Be3 Nd7 24. Rxa4 c5) ({RR} 19. Rad1 Rac8 ({RR} 19... d5) 20. Bd3 h6 21. Be3 Rcd8 22. Qa2 Ra8 23. Bc1 ({RR} 23. Qc2) 23... Re6 24. Qd2 Qb8 25. c4 bxa4 26. bxa4 Re8 27. Bb2) 19... axb5 20. dxe5 Nxe5 21. Nxe5 dxe5 22. Qe2 Rxa1 23. Rxa1 Ra8 24. Rxa8 Qxa8 25. Qd3 h6 26. Be3 Bf8 27. b4 Qc8 28. Bb3 Qd7 29. Qe2 h5 30. Qf3 Bg7 31. Bg5 Nh7 {Arjun,K (2322)-Ghosh,D (2569) Bhubaneswar 2017 ½-½ (32)}) ({RR} 17. Qd2 Qe7 18. a4 Qf8 19. Kh1 Rac8 ({RR} 19... d5 20. dxe5 Nxe5 21. Nxe5 Rxe5 22. f4 Ree8 23. e5 Nd7 24. c4) 20. axb5 cxb5 21. Bd3 h6 22. Be3 exd4 23. cxd4 d5 24. e5 Ne4 25. Qb2 f5 26. exf6 Qxf6 27. Rac1 Ndc5 28. Bb1 Nxg3+ 29. fxg3 Ne4 30. Bf4 Qb6 31. Kh2 b4 {Svidler,P (2736)-Sasikiran,K (2690) Foros 2007 CBM 119 [Marin,Mihail] ½-½ (67)}) ({RR} 17. Qd2 Nf8 18. Rad1 Qc7 19. Bh6 Ne6 20. b4 Rad8 21. Bb3 Bc8 22. Bxe6 Bxe6 23. Qg5 Bc8 24. Bxg7 Kxg7 25. dxe5 dxe5 26. Rxd8 Rxd8 27. Qxe5 Qxe5 28. Nxe5 Rd2 29. Nxc6 Rxa2 30. f3 Be6 31. Ne2 Bc4 {Kourkoulos Arditis,S (2570)-Tarlev,K (2579) Mamaia ROU 2024 1-0 (45)}) ({RR} 17. Qd2 Qe7 18. a4 Qf8 19. Rad1 h6 20. Be3 Rad8 21. Qc1 Kh7 22. b4 Re6 23. Qb1 d5 24. dxe5 Nxe4 25. Bxe4 dxe4 26. Nxe4 Nxe5 27. Nfg5+ hxg5 28. Nxg5+ Kg8 29. Nxe6 Rxd1 30. Qxd1 fxe6 31. Bd4 Qd6 {Carlsen,M (2714)-Pruijssers,R (2408) Kemer 2007 1-0 (40)}) ({RR} 17. Qd2 Qc7 18. a4 d5 19. dxe5 Nxe5 20. Nxe5 Qxe5 21. Bf4 Qe6 22. e5 Nd7 23. Bh6 Bh8 24. f4 Qe7 25. Qf2 Nf8 26. Rf1 {½-½ (26) Zhigalko,S (2504)-Belov,V (2589) St Petersburg 2006}) 17... Nxe5 18. Nxe5 Rxe5 19. Qd2 Qf8 20. Bf4 Re6 21. Rad1 d5 22. c4 b4 23. exd5 Rxe1+ 24. Rxe1 cxd5 25. cxd5 Nxd5 26. Be5 Bxe5 27. Rxe5 Rd8 28. Qe1 Qd6 29. Re8+ Rxe8 30. Qxe8+ Kg7 31. Bd3 Bc6 32. Qe1 a5 33. Bc4 Nf4 34. f3 Qf6 35. Qe3 Qg5 36. Kf2 h5 37. Qd4+ Kg8 38. Qa7 Qf6 39. Ne2 Nxg2 40. Nd4 Nf4 41. Nxc6 Nxh3+ 42. Kg3 Ng5 43. Qb8+ Kh7 44. Qf4 Qa1 45. Bxf7 Qg1+ 46. Kh4 Kh6 47. Bd5 Qe1+ 48. Qg3 Qh1+ 0-1

[Event "NOR-chT2"]
[Site "Oslo"]
[Date "2006.06.11"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Hoen, Ragnar Harald"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B43"]
[WhiteElo "2291"]
[BlackElo "2646"]
[PlyCount "58"]
[EventDate "2006.06.07"]
[EventType "team"]
[EventRounds "5"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 112 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2006.07.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2006.07.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 a6 5. Nc3 Qc7 6. Bd3 Nf6 7. Qe2 Bd6 8. h3 Nc6 9. Nxc6 dxc6 10. O-O e5 11. f4 b5 12. a4 $146 ({RR} 12. a3 O-O 13. f5 Re8 14. g4 Nd7 15. g5 f6 16. Kh1 fxg5 17. Bxg5 Be7 18. Bc4+ Kf8 19. Bxe7+ Rxe7 20. Bb3 Nf6 21. Rad1 Bd7 22. Qd2 Be8 23. Qd6 Bf7 24. Qc5 Rb8 25. Be6 Bxe6 26. fxe6 Ke8 {Regam,J (1975)-Nunez Marquina,N (1999) Pocos de Caldas 2013 ½-½ (46)}) 12... Bb7 13. axb5 axb5 14. Rxa8+ Bxa8 15. Kh1 O-O 16. fxe5 Bxe5 17. Bg5 Re8 18. Nd1 c5 19. Bxf6 Bxf6 20. Bxb5 Rxe4 21. Qf3 Qb8 22. Bd3 Rh4 23. Qf5 c4 24. Be2 g6 25. Qd7 Rd4 26. Qa4 c3 27. Qa6 Rd6 28. Qa2 Bd5 29. b3 Re6 0-1

[Event "Tromsoe Midnight Sun"]
[Site "Tromsoe"]
[Date "2006.06.26"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Dworakowska, Joanna"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B91"]
[WhiteElo "2646"]
[BlackElo "2364"]
[PlyCount "77"]
[EventDate "2006.06.24"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 112 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2006.07.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2006.07.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. g3 e5 7. Nb3 Nbd7 8. a4 b6 9. Bg2 Bb7 10. O-O Be7 11. Re1 O-O 12. Nd2 Nc5 13. Nf1 b5 14. Bg5 b4 15. Bxf6 bxc3 16. Bxe7 Qxe7 17. b4 Ne6 18. Ne3 Nd4 19. Qd3 Rac8 $146 ({RR} 19... Qc7 20. Ra3 Rac8 21. Rb1 g6 22. b5 Qc5 23. bxa6 Bxa6 24. Qxa6 Qxa3 25. Nd5 Ra8 26. Qd3 Qxa4 27. Nxc3 Qxc2 28. Qxc2 Nxc2 29. Bf1 Rfb8 30. Rc1 Nd4 31. Nd5 Ra7 32. g4 Kg7 33. Rc3 Rb1 34. Kg2 {Xu,T (2188)-Hou,Y (2549) Beijing 2008 0-1 (34)}) ({RR} 19... Qc7 20. Nf5 Nxf5 21. exf5 Bxg2 22. Kxg2 Rab8 23. Qe4 Rfc8 24. Red1 h6 25. Rab1 Qc4 26. Qxc4 Rxc4 27. Rxd6 Rcxb4 28. Rxb4 Rxb4 29. Rxa6 {½-½ (29) Almasi,Z (2657)-Nielsen,P (2646) Turin 2006}) 20. b5 axb5 21. axb5 Rc5 22. b6 Rb8 23. Reb1 Bc6 24. Nf5 Nxf5 25. exf5 e4 26. Qd4 h5 27. h4 Qe5 28. Qxe5 Rxe5 29. Ra7 Bb7 30. Rb4 d5 31. Bh3 Ree8 32. Kf1 Rec8 33. Ke2 Rc6 34. Ke3 Kf8 35. Bf1 Ke7 36. Ba6 Kd6 37. Rxb7 Ra8 38. Bb5 Rcc8 39. Kd4 1-0

[Event "Tromsoe Midnight Sun"]
[Site "Tromsoe"]
[Date "2006.06.28"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Krasenkow, Michal"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C83"]
[WhiteElo "2646"]
[BlackElo "2650"]
[PlyCount "88"]
[EventDate "2006.06.24"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 112 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2006.07.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2006.07.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 {Ftacnik,Lubomir Fernandez,Daniel Howard} e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Nxe4 6. d4 b5 7. Bb3 d5 8. dxe5 Be6 9. Nbd2 Be7 ({RR} 9... Nc5 10. c3 d4 ({RR} 10... Be7 11. Bc2) 11. Ng5 dxc3 ({RR} 11... Qxg5 12. Qf3 O-O-O 13. Bxe6+ fxe6 14. Qxc6 Qxe5 15. b4 Qd5) 12. Nxe6 fxe6 13. bxc3 Qd3 14. Nf3 ({RR} 14. Bc2 Qxc3 15. Nb3) 14... O-O-O 15. Qe1 Nxb3 16. axb3 Kb7 17. Be3 Be7 18. Bg5 ({RR} 18. Qc1) 18... h6 ({RR} 18... Rhe8) 19. Bxe7 Nxe7 20. Nd4 Rxd4 21. cxd4 Qxb3 22. Qe3 Qxe3 23. fxe3 Nd5 24. Kf2) 10. c3 O-O 11. Bc2 f5 ({RR} 11... Bf5) 12. Nb3 ({RR} 12. exf6 Nxf6 13. Nb3 Bg4 14. Qd3) 12... Qd7 13. Nbd4 Nxd4 14. Nxd4 c5 15. Nxe6 Qxe6 16. f3 Ng5 17. a4 ({RR} 17. Bxg5 Bxg5 18. f4) 17... Rad8 ({RR} 17... b4) 18. axb5 axb5 19. Bxg5 ({RR} 19. Ra7 Rd7 20. Rxd7 Qxd7 21. Bxg5 Bxg5 22. f4 Bd8 23. b3) 19... Bxg5 20. f4 Be7 21. Kh1 ({RR} 21. b4 cxb4 22. cxb4 Bxb4 23. Qd3) ({RR} 21. b4 d4 22. bxc5 Kh8 23. cxd4 Bxc5 24. Kh1 Bxd4 25. Rb1 b4 26. Qf3 Bc3 27. Bb3 Qe7 28. Rbd1 Rxd1 29. Rxd1 Rd8 30. Rxd8+ Qxd8 31. Qb7 g6 32. Qf7 Bd4 33. g3 Qa8+ 34. Bd5 Qd8 35. Kg2 Bc3 {Yagupov,I (2230)-Raczek,K (2443) chess.com INT 2025 1-0 (42)}) 21... Kh8 ({RR} 21... d4 22. cxd4 c4 23. b3 ({RR} 23. Qd2 Qd5 ({RR} 23... Bc5 24. Qa5) 24. Ra5) 23... Bc5 24. bxc4 Rxd4 25. Qf3 bxc4 26. Rfd1 g6 27. Rxd4 Bxd4 28. Rd1 ({RR} 28. Ra8 Rxa8 29. Qxa8+ Kg7 30. Qb7+ Qf7 31. Qxf7+) 28... Rd8 29. Qb7 Bb6 30. Rxd8+ Bxd8 31. Ba4 Qb6 32. Qxb6 Bxb6 {½-½ (32) Anand,V (2767)-So,W (2792) Wijk aan Zee 2018 CBM 183 [Fernandez,Daniel Howard]}) ({RR} 21... c4 22. Qd4 Qc6 23. b4 cxb3 24. Bxb3 Kh8 25. Ra5 Rc8 26. Bxd5 Qxc3 27. Qxc3 Rxc3 28. Rxb5) ({RR} 21... Qb6 22. b3 ({RR} 22. Qf3 d4 23. cxd4) 22... d4 23. c4 bxc4 24. bxc4 Qb7 25. Bd3) 22. Qd3 ({RR} 22. Ra7 d4 23. cxd4 Rxd4 24. Qf3 Rd2 25. Rf2 Rd7 26. Rxd7 Qxd7 27. h3 c4 28. g4 g6 29. gxf5) 22... Qc6 $146 ({RR} 22... Qb6 23. g4 d4 ({RR} 23... d4 24. gxf5 c4 25. Qe4 d3 26. Bd1 Qh6 27. Ra7 Bc5) 24. gxf5 c4 25. Qe4 d3 26. Bd1 Qh6 27. Ra7 Bc5 28. Rc7 Rc8 29. Rxc8 Rxc8 30. Bf3 Rd8 31. Kg2 Qh4 32. Ra1 d2 33. Qc6 Qf2+ 34. Kh3 Bf8 35. f6 Rd3 36. fxg7+ Kxg7 37. Qf6+ {Fedorov,A (2617)-Delchev,A (2628) Predeal 2006 ½-½ (38)}) ({RR} 22... Qb6 23. g4 c4 24. Qh3 Qc6 ({RR} 24... d4 25. Bxf5 g6 ({RR} 25... Qc6+ 26. Qg2) 26. Be4 Qe6 27. Qg3) 25. Qg2 ({RR} 25. Bxf5 g6 26. Bc2 ({RR} 26. Bb1 d4+ 27. Qg2 Qxg2+ 28. Kxg2 d3) 26... d4+ 27. Qg2 ({RR} 27. Kg1 d3) 27... Qxg2+ 28. Kxg2 dxc3 29. bxc3 Rd2+ 30. Rf2 Rxf2+ 31. Kxf2 Rxf4+) ({RR} 25. gxf5 d4+ 26. Qg2 Qxg2+ 27. Kxg2 d3 28. Bd1 Rxf5) 25... fxg4 26. f5 Bc5 ({RR} 26... Qc7 27. f6 ({RR} 27. Rae1 d4) 27... gxf6 28. Qxg4 fxe5 ({RR} 28... Qxe5 29. Rfe1) ({RR} 28... Bc5 29. exf6 d4) 29. Bxh7 Bg5 ({RR} 29... Kxh7 30. Qh5+ Kg7 31. Rg1+) 30. Bg6 Bh6 31. Qh5 Qg7 32. Rg1) ({RR} 26... g3 27. Rf3 ({RR} 27. hxg3 Qh6+ 28. Qh2 Qxh2+ 29. Kxh2 d4) ({RR} 27. Rae1 Qh6 28. Qxg3 Bh4) ({RR} 27. f6 gxf6 28. Bxh7 fxe5) ({RR} 27. Qxg3 d4+ 28. Qg2 Qxg2+ 29. Kxg2 d3 30. Bd1 Rd5) 27... d4 28. cxd4 Rxd4 29. Rxg3 Qxg2+ 30. Rxg2 Rfd8) 27. Qxg4 Rde8 ({RR} 27... d4+ 28. Be4 Qc7 29. f6 gxf6 30. exf6) 28. f6 ({RR} 28. Rae1 d4+ 29. Be4 Qc7 30. f6 Rxe5 31. cxd4 Bxd4 32. Rd1 Rxe4 33. fxg7+ Qxg7 34. Rxf8+ Qxf8 35. Qxe4 Bxb2) 28... gxf6 29. Bxh7 Rxe5 ({RR} 29... Kxh7 30. Qh5+ Kg7 31. Rg1+ Bxg1 32. Rxg1#) 30. Bf5 ({RR} 30. Bg6 Qb7 ({RR} 30... d4+ 31. Rf3 Qb7 32. Rg1) 31. Bf5 Rf7 ({RR} 31... d4+ 32. Rf3 Rxf5 33. Qxf5) 32. Rf3 Rg7 33. Qh3+ Kg8 34. Be6+) 30... Rf7 ({RR} 30... Rg8 31. Qh5+ Kg7 32. Qh7+ Kf8 33. Bd7) ({RR} 30... d4+ 31. Rf3 Rg8 32. Qh5+ ({RR} 32. Qh4+ Kg7 33. Be4 Rxe4 34. Rg1+ Kf7 35. Qh7+ Ke6 36. Rxf6+ Kxf6 37. Qh6+ Ke7 38. Qxc6 Rxg1+ 39. Kxg1 Re5) 32... Kg7 33. Qg6+ Kf8 34. Ra8+ Qxa8 ({RR} 34... Ke7 35. Qh7+ Kd6 36. Be4 Rxe4 37. Qxg8 Re8 38. Qg3+ Kd7 39. Rxe8 Kxe8 40. Qg6+) 35. Qxf6+ Ke8 36. Qxe5+ Kd8 37. Bg4 ({RR} 37. Be4 Qa1+) 37... Rf8 ({RR} 37... Qa1+ 38. Kg2 Rxg4+ 39. Kh3 Qg1 40. Qb8+) ({RR} 37... Rxg4 38. Qh8+) 38. Qxc5 Qa1+ ({RR} 38... Rxf3 39. Qxd4+ Ke7 40. Bxf3 Qxf3+ 41. Kg1) 39. Kg2 Qxb2+ 40. Kg3 Rxf3+ 41. Bxf3 Qxc3 42. Qd6+) 31. Rae1 ({RR} 31. Rf3 Rg7 32. Rh3+ Kg8 33. Ra8+ ({RR} 33. Qh5 d4+ 34. Qf3 Qxf3+ 35. Rxf3 d3) ({RR} 33. Qf3 Re3) 33... Qxa8 34. Be6+ Rxe6 ({RR} 34... Kf8 35. Rh8+ Ke7 36. Qxg7+ Kxe6 37. Qg4+ ({RR} 37. Rxa8 Re1+ 38. Kg2 Rg1+) 37... Kd6 38. Rxa8 Re1+ 39. Kg2 Rg1+ 40. Kf3 Rxg4 41. Kxg4) 35. Qxe6+ Rf7 36. Qg4+ Rg7 37. Qe6+ Rf7) ({RR} 31. Rfe1 d4+ ({RR} 31... Bb6 32. Qh5+ Kg8 33. Qg6+ Rg7 ({RR} 33... Kf8 34. Rxe5) 34. Be6+ Rxe6 ({RR} 34... Qxe6 35. Ra8+) 35. Rxe6 Rxg6 36. Rxc6) ({RR} 31... Rg7 32. Qh3+ Kg8 33. Rxe5 fxe5 34. Be6+) 32. Be4 Rxe4 ({RR} 32... Qe6 33. Ra8+) 33. Rxe4 d3 34. Qg2 Rh7 35. Rae1 Bf8 36. Rg1 Qd5) 31... d4+ 32. Be4 Qe6 33. Bf5 ({RR} 33. Qh4+ Kg7 ({RR} 33... Kg8 34. Qh6 Bf8 35. Rg1+ Bg7 36. Ra1) 34. Rg1+ Kf8 35. Qh8+ Ke7 36. Rg8 Qd7) 33... Qc6+ 34. Be4 Qe6 35. Bf5 Qc6+ {½-½ (35) Karjakin,S (2678)-Carlsen,M (2690) Wijk aan Zee 2007 CBM 117 [Ftacnik,Lubomir]}) 23. Rfd1 c4 ({RR} 23... d4 24. c4) 24. Qf3 g6 ({RR} 24... b4 25. cxb4 Bxb4 26. Rd4 Bc5 27. Rxc4) 25. b4 Rd7 26. Qe3 Ra8 27. Qd4 Rdd8 28. g4 Rxa1 29. Rxa1 Ra8 30. Rg1 Bd8 31. e6+ Kg8 32. gxf5 Bb6 33. Qe5 Bxg1 34. fxg6 hxg6 35. Bxg6 Bb6 36. Qg5 Qxe6 37. Bf5+ Kf8 38. Bxe6 Ra1+ 39. Kg2 Rg1+ 40. Kf3 Rxg5 41. fxg5 d4 42. cxd4 Bxd4 43. h4 Bc3 44. Bd7 Bxb4 1/2-1/2

[Event "Tromsoe Midnight Sun"]
[Site "Tromsoe"]
[Date "2006.06.29"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Rozentalis, Eduardas"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C68"]
[WhiteElo "2596"]
[BlackElo "2646"]
[PlyCount "43"]
[EventDate "2006.06.24"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 112 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2006.07.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2006.07.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Bxc6 dxc6 5. O-O Qf6 6. d3 Ne7 7. Be3 Ng6 ({RR} 7... Bd7 8. Nbd2 Qe6 9. a4 a5 10. Nc4 f6 11. Qe2 b6 12. d4 exd4 13. Bf4 c5 14. Bxc7 Nc8 15. Rfe1 Ra7 16. Bg3 Be7 17. b3 O-O 18. Nfd2 Bc6 19. Na3 Kh8 20. Nb5 Rb7 21. Rad1 Na7 22. Nxa7 {Tezcan,A (2170)-Veinberg,N (2425) Kavala GRE 2025 ½-½ (52)}) 8. Nbd2 Bd6 ({RR} 8... c5 9. Re1 b6 10. c3 Bb7 11. d4 exd4 12. cxd4 cxd4 13. Bxd4 Qe6 14. Rc1 c5 15. Be3 Be7 16. e5 O-O 17. Nc4 Rad8 18. Qe2 Rfe8 19. b3 h6 20. Rcd1 Rxd1 21. Rxd1 Bxf3 22. Qxf3 b5 23. Na5 {Firouzja,A (2767)-Carlsen,M (2832) Paris FRA 2024 0-1 (37)}) 9. h3 O-O 10. Nc4 $146 ({RR} 10. a4 a5 11. Nh2 Re8 12. Nc4 Bf8 13. Qh5 Qe7 14. Nf3 f6 15. Nh4 Nxh4 16. Qxh4 g5 17. Qg3 Bg7 18. Bd2 b6 19. Ne3 Qf7 20. Qf3 c5 21. b3 Be6 22. Nf5 Rad8 23. Be3 Qg6 24. g4 h5 {Postny,E (2549)-Nogerbek,K (2493) chess.com INT 2023 0-1 (49)}) ({RR} 10. a4 a5 11. Nh2 Re8 12. Nc4 Bf8 13. Qh5 Qe7 14. Nf3 f6 15. Nh4 Nxh4 16. Qxh4 g5 17. Qg3 Bg7 18. Bd2 b6 19. Ne3 Qf7 20. Qf3 c5 21. b3 Be6 22. Nf5 Rad8 23. Be3 Qg6 24. g4 h5 {Postny,E (2549)-Nogerbek,K (2493) chess.com INT 2023 0-1 (49)}) 10... b5 11. Nxd6 cxd6 12. d4 Qe7 13. Re1 Bb7 14. dxe5 dxe5 15. c4 Rfd8 16. Qc2 Bc8 17. a4 Be6 18. axb5 axb5 19. Rxa8 Rxa8 20. cxb5 cxb5 21. Qc6 Qe8 22. Qxe8+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "Tromsoe Midnight Sun"]
[Site "Tromsoe"]
[Date "2006.06.30"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Shipov, Sergei"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C08"]
[WhiteElo "2646"]
[BlackElo "2576"]
[PlyCount "152"]
[EventDate "2006.06.24"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 112 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2006.07.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2006.07.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nd2 a6 4. Ngf3 c5 5. exd5 exd5 6. dxc5 Bxc5 7. Nb3 Bb6 8. Qe2+ Ne7 9. Be3 Nbc6 10. Bxb6 Qxb6 11. Qd2 O-O 12. Be2 a5 13. a4 Bf5 14. O-O Rac8 15. Bb5 Be4 16. Ng5 $146 ({RR} 16. Nbd4 Nxd4 17. Nxd4 Nc6 18. c3 Nxd4 19. Qxd4 Qxd4 20. cxd4 Rc2 21. f3 Bg6 22. Rf2 Rfc8 23. Re1 f6 24. Re7 Rc1+ 25. Rf1 R1c7 26. Rfe1 Kf8 27. Rxc7 Rxc7 28. Kf2 {½-½ (28) Kasparov,S (2449)-Gurevich,M (2569) Charleroi 2018}) 16... Bg6 17. Rfe1 d4 18. Nf3 Rfd8 19. Nh4 Nf5 20. Nxg6 hxg6 21. Bd3 Nb4 22. Re5 Nxd3 23. Qxd3 Rc6 24. Rae1 Qb4 25. Nxa5 Rcc8 26. R1e2 Qxb2 27. g3 Qa1+ 28. Re1 Qxa4 29. Nxb7 Rf8 30. Nc5 Qa7 31. Ne4 Qa2 32. Re2 Qa1+ 33. Kg2 Qa8 34. Qf3 d3 35. Re1 dxc2 36. Rc1 Rfd8 37. Kh3 Nd4 38. Qe3 Nf5 39. Qb3 Nd4 40. Qe3 Qb7 41. Ng5 Qd7+ 42. g4 Re8 43. Rxe8+ Rxe8 44. Qd3 Qe7 45. Nf3 Ne2 46. Qxc2 Nxc1 47. Qxc1 Qf6 48. Kg3 Qd6+ 49. Kg2 Qd5 50. Kg3 Re4 51. h3 f6 52. Qc8+ Kh7 53. Qc2 Rb4 54. Qe2 Rb3 55. Kg2 Qd3 56. Qxd3 Rxd3 57. Nh4 g5 58. Nf5 Kg8 59. Ne3 Kf7 60. Kg3 Ke6 61. Kg2 Ke5 62. Nf1 Kd4 63. Ng3 Ke5 64. Nf1 Kf4 65. Nh2 Ra3 66. Nf1 g6 67. Nh2 Ke4 68. Nf1 Rd3 69. Ng3+ Ke5 70. Nf1 f5 71. gxf5 gxf5 72. Nh2 Ke4 73. Nf1 f4 74. Nh2 f3+ 75. Kg3 Rd1 76. h4 Rg1+ 0-1

[Event "Tromsoe Midnight Sun"]
[Site "Tromsoe"]
[Date "2006.07.01"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Gullaksen, Eirik Tvedt"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B30"]
[WhiteElo "2380"]
[BlackElo "2646"]
[PlyCount "144"]
[EventDate "2006.06.24"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 112 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2006.07.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2006.07.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 {Carlsen,Magnus} c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. Bxc6 dxc6 5. d3 Nd7 ({RR} 5... Qc7 6. b3 g6 7. Bb2 Bg7 8. Nbd2 O-O 9. Qe2 a5 10. a4 Nh5 11. Bxg7 Kxg7 12. Qe3 Nf4 13. O-O b6 14. Nc4 Rb8 15. Nfe5 Ne6 16. f4 b5 17. Nxa5 Qxa5 18. Nxc6 Qc7 19. Nxb8 b4 20. Rac1) 6. e5 ({RR} 6. Bf4 g6 ({RR} 6... e5 7. Nxe5 Qf6 8. Nxd7 Qxb2 ({RR} 8... Bxd7 9. Qc1) 9. Be5) 7. Qc1 Bg7 ({RR} 7... h6) 8. Bh6 Qa5+ 9. c3 Ne5 10. Nxe5 Bxe5 11. Nd2 Qa6 ({RR} 11... Be6 12. Nb3 Qb5 ({RR} 12... Qb6 13. Be3 Bxb3 14. axb3) 13. c4 Qb6 14. Be3 Rd8) 12. Qc2 Be6 13. f4 ({RR} 13. Nf3 Bc7 14. Ng5 O-O-O ({RR} 14... Bd7 15. Qb3) 15. Nxe6 fxe6) 13... Bc7 14. O-O f6 15. c4 O-O-O 16. a4 Rd7 ({RR} 16... Ba5 17. Nb3 Bb4 18. a5) 17. a5 Rhd8 18. Ra3 Bxa5 19. f5 Bf7 20. fxg6 ({RR} 20. Nb3 Rxd3 21. Nxc5 ({RR} 21. Rxa5 Qxc4 22. Qxc4 Bxc4 23. Nxc5 Rd1 24. Rxd1 Rxd1+ 25. Kf2 b6 26. Ra4 Bb5 27. Rxa7 bxc5 28. Rxe7 gxf5 29. exf5 Rf1+ 30. Kg3 Rxf5 31. Rxh7 Rh5) 21... Bb6 ({RR} 21... Qxc4 22. Qxc4 Bxc4 23. Nxd3 Bb6+ 24. Nf2 Bxf1 25. Kxf1) ({RR} 21... Qb6 22. Rxa5 ({RR} 22. Rxd3 Rxd3 23. Qxd3 Qxc5+) 22... R3d4 23. Qb3 ({RR} 23. Rfa1 Rxc4 24. Qf2 Qxa5)) 22. Rxa6 Bxc5+ 23. Kh1 bxa6 24. b3) 20... hxg6 {Morozevich,A (2731)-Carlsen,M (2675) Biel 2006 CBM 114 [Carlsen,Magnus] 0-1 (50)}) ({RR} 6. Bf4 g6 7. Nc3 Bg7 8. e5 Nb6 9. h3 Nd5 10. Qd2 Nxf4 11. Qxf4 Qb6 12. Rb1 h6 13. Qe3 Be6 14. O-O O-O 15. a3 c4 16. d4 Rad8 17. Rfd1 Qc7 18. Rd2 b5 19. Rbd1 Bd5 20. h4 a5) 6... Nb6 7. O-O ({RR} 7. h3 Bf5 8. b3 ({RR} 8. Qe2 e6 9. O-O Be7 10. Nc3 O-O 11. Ne4 Nd5 12. c4 Nb4 13. Rd1 Bxe4 14. dxe4 Qc7 15. a3 Na6 16. Rd3 Rad8 17. Rb3 b6 18. Bf4 Nb8 19. h4 Rfe8 20. h5 Nd7 21. Qe3 Nf8 22. a4 h6) 8... e6 9. O-O Be7 10. Re1 O-O 11. Nbd2 Nd5 12. Bb2 a5 13. a4 b5 14. Qe2 Rb8 15. Ne4 c4 16. dxc4 bxc4 17. Nd4 Bxe4 18. Nxc6 Qc7 19. Nxe7+ Nxe7 20. Qxe4 cxb3 21. Ba3 Rb7 {Grischuk,A (2654)-Mikaelyan,A (2500) chess.com INT 2025 ½-½ (73)}) 7... c4 $146 ({RR} 7... Bf5 8. Nbd2 e6 9. Qe2 Be7 10. Ne4 O-O 11. c4 Nd7 12. Bf4 Bxe4 13. Qxe4 Qc7 14. Rfe1 Rfd8 15. h4 Nf8 16. h5 h6 17. Bd2 Rd7 18. Bc3 Rad8 19. Rad1 Nh7 20. Nh2 b5 21. b3 b4 22. Ba1 {Bijaoui,M (2388)-Wagner,C (2358) Evry 2008 1-0 (50)}) ({RR} 7... Bf5 8. Nh4 Qd7 9. Qf3 Bg6 10. Nc3 e6 11. a4 Nd5 12. Bg5 h6 13. Nxg6 fxg6 14. Be3 a5 15. Ne4 b6 16. c4 Nb4 17. Rad1 Nc2 18. d4 cxd4 19. Qe2 Nxe3 20. fxe3 O-O-O 21. exd4 Bb4 22. c5 {Antal,G (2511)-Kaczur,F (2336) Zalakaros 2015 1-0 (36)}) 8. d4 Bg4 9. c3 e6 10. Be3 Be7 11. Nbd2 O-O 12. Qe2 Qd5 13. b3 Qa5 14. bxc4 Na4 15. Nb3 Qa6 16. h3 Bh5 17. Bd2 Nb6 18. g4 Bg6 19. Bg5 Bxg5 20. Nxg5 Qxc4 21. Qxc4 Nxc4 22. Rfe1 b6 23. Ne4 Rfd8 24. Rad1 Nxe5 25. dxe5 Rxd1 26. Rxd1 Bxe4 27. c4 Kf8 28. Rd7 Ke8 29. Rc7 Rd8 30. Rxa7 Rd1+ 31. Kh2 g5 32. f3 Bxf3 33. c5 b5 34. Na5 Rd2+ 35. Kg1 Rd7 36. Ra8+ Ke7 37. Rc8 Ra7 38. Nxc6+ Bxc6 39. Rxc6 Rxa2 40. Rc7+ Kf8 41. Rb7 Rb2 42. c6 Rc2 43. c7 Kg7 44. Kf1 b4 45. Kg1 Kg6 46. Rxb4 Rxc7 47. Kg2 Rc2+ 48. Kg3 Rc3+ 49. Kg2 Re3 50. Rb5 h5 51. gxh5+ Kxh5 52. Ra5 Kg6 53. Rb5 Rd3 54. Rb2 Rd5 55. Re2 Rd4 56. Kg3 Kf5 57. Rf2+ Rf4 58. Re2 g4 59. hxg4+ Rxg4+ 60. Kh3 Re4 61. Rf2+ Rf4 62. Re2 Rf3+ 63. Kg2 Kf4 64. Re1 Rg3+ 65. Kh2 Re3 66. Rf1+ Rf3 67. Re1 Kg4 68. Re4+ Kg5 69. Re1 Rf5 70. Kg3 Kg6 71. Kg4 Kg7 72. Re2 Kf8 0-1

[Event "NOR-ch"]
[Site "Moss"]
[Date "2006.07.10"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Lie, Kjetil A"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B35"]
[WhiteElo "2673"]
[BlackElo "2536"]
[PlyCount "51"]
[EventDate "2006.07.08"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 113 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2006.09.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2006.09.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 g6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Bg7 5. Nc3 Nc6 6. Be3 Nf6 7. Bc4 Qa5 8. O-O O-O 9. Bb3 d6 10. h3 Bd7 11. Qe1 Rfe8 ({RR} 11... Rac8 12. Rd1 Ne5 13. Nd5 Qd8 14. Nxf6+ Bxf6 15. Qe2 Nc6 16. Nxc6 Bxc6 17. c3 Qa5 18. Bd4 Bxd4 19. Rxd4 Bb5 20. c4 Ba6 21. Rc1 Rc5 22. a3 b5 23. Ba2 bxc4 24. Bxc4 Rfc8 25. b4 Qxa3 26. Bxa6 {Golubev,M (2461)-Namitbir,S (2385) chess.com INT 2024 0-1}) 12. Rd1 Rac8 ({RR} 12... Nxd4 13. Bxd4 Bc6 14. f4 Nd7 15. Bxg7 Kxg7 16. Kh2 Rac8 17. Qh4 h6 18. Nd5 e6 19. Nc3 Nf6 20. Qe1 {½-½ (20) Nisipeanu,L (2695)-Carlsen,M (2646) Sarajevo 2006}) 13. f4 Nd8 $146 ({RR} 13... a6 14. a3 Nh5 15. Nde2 Be6 16. Bxe6 fxe6 17. f5 exf5 18. Rd5 Qc7 19. exf5 Nf6 20. fxg6 hxg6 21. Rg5 Kf7 22. Nd5 Bh6 23. Nxc7 {1-0 (23) Golubev,M (2461)-Rosenberg,E (1970) chess.com INT 2023}) ({RR} 13... a6 14. a3 Nh5 15. Nde2 Be6 16. Bxe6 fxe6 17. f5 exf5 18. Rd5 Qc7 19. exf5 Nf6 20. fxg6 hxg6 21. Rg5 Kf7 22. Nd5 Bh6 23. Nxc7 {1-0 (23) Golubev,M (2461)-Rosenberg,E (1970) chess.com INT 2023}) 14. Bf2 e5 15. fxe5 Qxe5 16. Nf3 Qh5 17. Rxd6 Bxh3 18. gxh3 Qxf3 19. Bg3 Qh5 20. Rdxf6 Bxf6 21. Rxf6 Qxh3 22. Qf2 Ne6 23. Nd5 Ng5 24. Rxf7 Rxc2 25. Ne7+ Kh8 26. Be5# 1-0

[Event "NOR-ch"]
[Site "Moss"]
[Date "2006.07.11"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Bae, Torstein"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B17"]
[WhiteElo "2673"]
[BlackElo "2284"]
[PlyCount "105"]
[EventDate "2006.07.08"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 113 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2006.09.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2006.09.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nd2 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Nd7 5. Ng5 Ngf6 6. Bd3 e6 7. N1f3 Bd6 8. Qe2 h6 9. Ne4 Nxe4 10. Qxe4 Qc7 11. O-O b6 12. Qg4 Kf8 13. b3 Bb7 14. Bb2 Nf6 15. Qh4 c5 ({RR} 15... Nd5 16. Rfe1 Nf4 17. Ne5 g5 18. Qg4 Rg8 19. Qf3 Rd8 20. Rad1 c5 21. Be4 Bxe5 22. dxe5 Rxd1 23. Rxd1 Bxe4 24. Qxe4 Ke7 25. h4 Rd8 26. Re1 Ng6 27. hxg5 h5 28. g3 Qd7 29. Bc1 Kf8 30. Be3 {Anand,V (2779)-Wojtaszek,R (2637) Germany 2007 ½-½ (35)}) ({RR} 15... Nd5 16. Ne5 c5 17. c4 Nb4 18. Rad1 Kg8 19. Bb1 Be7 20. Qg3 f6 21. dxc5 Qxc5 22. Ng6 Rh7 23. Rd7 {1-0 (23) Smirnov,M (2352)-Yeletsky,I (2469) chess.com INT 2025}) 16. dxc5 Qxc5 17. Bd4 Qc7 $146 ({RR} 17... Qa5 18. Bxf6 gxf6 19. Be4 Bxe4 20. Qxe4 Kg7 21. Rfd1 Rad8 22. Rd3 Bc7 23. Qg4+ Kh7 24. Qe4+ Kg7 25. Qg4+ Kh7 26. Qe4+ Kg7 {½-½ (26) Hou,Y (2523)-Berkes,F (2597) Paks 2007}) ({RR} 17... Qa5 18. Bxf6 Bxf3 19. Bb2 Bc6 20. Qd4 Ke7 21. Rfd1 Qh5 22. Qxd6+ Kxd6 23. Be2+ Qd5 24. Bf3 f6 25. Bxd5 exd5 26. c4 Ke6 27. cxd5+ Bxd5 28. Rd3 Bc6 29. Rc1 Rhc8 30. a4 Kf7 31. Ba3 Kg8 32. h4 {Smerdon,D (2425)-Speelman,J (2555) Mallorca 2004 ½-½ (67)}) 18. Bxf6 Bxf3 19. Bb2 Bb7 20. Rfe1 Qe7 21. Qd4 e5 22. Qg4 h5 23. Qf5 g6 24. Qh3 Qg5 25. Rad1 Rd8 26. Bf1 Bc8 27. Qc3 Qe7 28. Rxe5 Bxe5 29. Ba3 Kg7 30. Bxe7 Bxc3 31. Bxd8 Bf5 32. Bg5 Rc8 33. Bd3 Bxd3 34. Rxd3 Bf6 35. Bxf6+ Kxf6 36. c3 b5 37. Kf1 Rc6 38. Ke2 Ke5 39. Kd1 g5 40. Kc2 f5 41. Rd4 g4 42. Kd3 h4 43. a4 a6 44. axb5 axb5 45. Rb4 Rc5 46. h3 gxh3 47. gxh3 f4 48. f3 Kf5 49. c4 bxc4+ 50. bxc4 Rc8 51. Rb5+ Kg6 52. c5 Kf5 53. Kc4 1-0

[Event "NOR-ch"]
[Site "Moss"]
[Date "2006.07.12"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Sahl, Bjarke"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B33"]
[WhiteElo "2364"]
[BlackElo "2673"]
[PlyCount "76"]
[EventDate "2006.07.08"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 113 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2006.09.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2006.09.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 e5 5. Nxc6 bxc6 6. Nc3 Nf6 7. f4 Qc7 ({RR} 7... Qa5 8. Bd2 exf4 9. Qf3 Qc7 10. Bc4 Bd6 11. O-O-O Be5 12. g3 fxg3 13. Rdg1 d6 14. Rxg3 Bxg3 15. Qxg3 O-O 16. Rg1 g6 17. Qf3 Nd7 18. Bh6 Qd8 19. Bxf8 Qxf8 20. Bb3 Ne5 21. Qe3 Be6 22. Rd1 {Sahl,B (2391)-Johannessen,L (2543) Saint Vincent 2005 ½-½ (63)}) ({RR} 7... Qa5 8. Qf3 d6 9. f5 Be7 10. Bd2 Qb6 11. b3 Bb7 12. Bd3 d5 13. g4 dxe4 14. Nxe4 Nxe4 15. Bxe4 Bh4+ 16. Ke2 Rd8 17. Rhd1 O-O 18. Be3 Qa6+ 19. c4 Rxd1 20. Kxd1 Qa3 21. Kc2 Be7 22. Bc1 {Sahl,B (2343)-Le,T (2393) Chess.com INT 2015 0-1 (40)}) 8. Qf3 ({RR} 8. fxe5 Qxe5 9. Qf3 Bb4 10. Bd2 d5 11. Bd3 d4 12. Ne2 Bxd2+ 13. Kxd2 Bg4 14. Qf4 Qa5+ 15. Kc1 Bxe2 16. Bxe2 O-O 17. e5 Rfe8 18. Qxd4 Rxe5 19. Bf3 Rd8 20. b4 Qa3+ 21. Qb2 Qe3+ 22. Kb1 Nd5 {El-Bechara,G-Guo,H (1556) Laval Quebec CAN 2024 0-1 (42)}) 8... Bd6 $146 ({RR} 8... Bb4 9. Bd3 d5 10. O-O d4 11. fxe5 Qxe5 12. Ne2 Bg4 13. Qf2 Bxe2 14. Qxe2 Bc5 15. Rf5 Qe7 16. Bg5 h6 17. Bxf6 gxf6 18. e5 O-O-O 19. Rxf6 Kb8 20. Rxc6 Rd5 21. Rd1 Re8 22. Qh5 f6 23. Rxf6 {Stanford,S (2159)-Borchgrevink,H (2284) Oslo 2006 1-0 (41)}) ({RR} 8... Bb4 9. Bd2 O-O 10. f5 d5 11. Bd3 d4 12. Ne2 Bxd2+ 13. Kxd2 c5 14. c3 c4 15. Bb1 d3 16. Ng3 Ba6 17. b3 Qa5 18. bxc4 Bxc4 19. a3 Qb5 20. Ba2 Qb2+ 21. Ke3 Bxa2 22. Rac1 d2 23. Rcd1 {Cuprova,I (1443)-Balkova,A (1522) Frymburk 2002 0-1}) 9. f5 Bb4 10. a3 Bxc3+ 11. bxc3 d5 12. Bd3 Qa5 13. Bd2 O-O 14. O-O dxe4 15. Bxe4 Ba6 16. Rf2 Nxe4 17. Qxe4 f6 18. Qb4 Qd5 19. Be3 Rab8 20. Qa4 Bc4 21. Rd2 Qb5 22. Qxb5 Rxb5 23. Bxa7 Ra8 24. Be3 Bd5 25. a4 Rba5 26. c4 Be4 27. g4 h6 28. Re1 Rxa4 29. Bxh6 Bf3 30. Re3 Bxg4 31. Rg3 Rxc4 32. h3 gxh6 33. hxg4 Raa4 34. Rb3 Rxg4+ 35. Kh2 Rh4+ 36. Kg3 Rag4+ 37. Kf3 e4+ 38. Ke3 Rh3+ 0-1

[Event "NOR-ch"]
[Site "Moss"]
[Date "2006.07.13"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Agdestein, Simen"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C18"]
[WhiteElo "2673"]
[BlackElo "2575"]
[PlyCount "67"]
[EventDate "2006.07.08"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 113 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2006.09.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2006.09.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e5 c5 5. a3 Bxc3+ 6. bxc3 Qa5 7. Bd2 Qa4 8. Qg4 g6 9. Qd1 b6 10. h4 h5 11. c4 Nc6 12. Nf3 Nge7 13. dxc5 bxc5 14. Be2 $146 ({RR} 14. cxd5 exd5 15. Be2 Bg4 16. O-O Bxf3 17. Bxf3 Qxh4 18. c4 Nxe5 19. cxd5 O-O 20. Bc3 Nxf3+ 21. Qxf3 Nf5 22. g3 Qg5 23. Rfe1 Rfe8 24. Rad1 h4 25. d6 hxg3 26. fxg3 Rxe1+ 27. Rxe1 Rd8 28. Be5 Qh5 {Karjakin,S (2694)-Zhang,P (2644) Kemer 2007 ½-½ (46)}) 14... dxc4 15. O-O Nd5 16. Bg5 Ba6 17. Re1 c3 18. Bd3 Bxd3 19. Qxd3 Rb8 20. Re4 Qb5 21. Qd1 Qb6 22. a4 Qc7 23. Qe2 Kd7 24. Rd1 Kc8 25. Be3 Na5 26. Ng5 Rd8 27. Qa6+ Rb7 28. Nxf7 Qxf7 29. Bxc5 Kb8 30. Qxa5 Rc8 31. Rc4 Qe8 32. Qa6 Nb6 33. Rxc3 Ka8 34. Bxb6 1-0

[Event "Biel GM"]
[Site "Biel"]
[Date "2006.07.30"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Pelletier, Yannick"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B47"]
[WhiteElo "2675"]
[BlackElo "2583"]
[Annotator "Kritz,Leonid"]
[PlyCount "76"]
[EventDate "2006.07.24"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "SUI"]
[EventCategory "17"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 114"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2006.10.02"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2006.10.02"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 {Ribli,Zoltan} c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. Nc3 Nc6 4. d4 cxd4 5. Nxd4 Qc7 {Black chooses the classical Paulsen Variation. The move 5...a6 has become very modern. Schwarz wählt die klassische Paulsen-Variante. Sehr modern ist heute der Zug 5....a6 geworden.} (5... a6 6. Nxc6 (6. Be3 Nf6 7. Qd2 (7. Bd3 Qc7 {leads to the old Paulsen liquidations. führt in die alten Paulsenabwicklungen über.}) 7... Bb4 8. f3 d5 9. a3 Qa5 $15) 6... bxc6 7. Bd3 d5 8. O-O Nf6 $132 {White has a slight lead in development here. But Black has in return a solid centre. There are chances for both sides. Weiß hat hier einen kleinen Entwicklungsvorsprung, dafür verfügt Schwarz über ein sehr solides Zentrum. Die Stellung bietet Chancen für beide Seiten.}) 6. g3 ({Today's main line is Die Hauptfortsetzung heutzutage ist} 6. Be3 a6 (6... Nf6 7. Ndb5 Qb8 8. f4 $14) 7. Qd2 $1 {The plan with queenside castling seems to me to be the most dangerous. - der Plan mit der langen Rochade scheint mir der gefährlichste zu sein -} Nf6 8. O-O-O Bb4 9. f3 $13 {after which black has lots of interesting possibilities, e.g. 9...e5, 9...e7, 9...d5 etc. wonach Schwarz viele interessante Möglichkeiten hat, z.B. 9...e5, 9...e7, 9...d5 usw.}) 6... a6 7. Bg2 Nf6 8. O-O Nxd4 $1 {The best reaction to White's setup. Die beste Reaktion gegen den weißen Aufbau.} (8... d6 {is also possible, but leaves White with a molre pleasant position. ist auch möglich, doch bekommt Weiß hier eine angenehmere Stellung zu spielen.} 9. Be3 Be7 10. a4 Bd7 11. Nxc6 Bxc6 12. a5 O-O 13. Re1 Nd7 14. Na4 $14) (8... Bc5 {does not lead to full equality either. führt ebenfalls nicht zum vollen Ausgleich:} 9. Nxc6 dxc6 (9... bxc6 10. Na4 Be7 11. c4 d6 12. b3 O-O 13. Bb2 $14) 10. Na4 Ba7 11. c4 {Despite the threat of c5, Black is forced to play Wegen der Drohung c5 ist Schwarz gezwungen} Nd7 {, after which his white-squared bishop looks unhappy. zu spielen, wonach sein weißfeldriger Läufer unglücklich aussieht.} 12. Qg4 $14) 9. Qxd4 Bc5 10. Bf4 (10. Qd3 d6 11. Bf4 Nd7 $1 (11... h6 $2 12. Na4 $1 e5 13. Nxc5 exf4 14. Nb3 fxg3 15. hxg3 $16 {The d6-pawn and the f5-square on which the white knight will soon stand look menacing for Black. Der Bauer d6 und das Feld f5, worauf sich der weiße Springer bald stellen wird, versprechen Schwarz nichts Gutes.}) 12. Na4 e5 13. Be3 (13. Nxc5 $2 Nxc5 14. Qc3 exf4 15. Qxg7 Rf8 16. gxf4 Be6 $17) 13... Bxe3 14. Qxe3 b5 15. Nc3 Bb7 $132) 10... d6 (10... Bxd4 $2 11. Bxc7 d5 {or else e6-d5 will follow. sonst folgt d6-e5} 12. Rad1 Bxc3 13. bxc3 O-O 14. e5 Nd7 15. c4 dxc4 16. Rd4 $16) 11. Qd2 h6 {It is important to control the g5-square. Es ist wichtig, das Feld g5 zu kontrollieren.} (11... e5 12. Bg5 $16) 12. Rad1 (12. Na4 {leads to toal equality after führt zum totalen Ausgleich nach} e5 13. Nxc5 dxc5 $1 (13... exf4 14. Nb3 fxg3 15. hxg3 $16) 14. Be3 Ng4 $11) 12... e5 13. Be3 Be6 ({Of course not Selbstverständlich nicht} 13... Bxe3 14. fxe3 $1 Be6 (14... Ke7 $4 15. Rxf6 $18) 15. Qxd6 Qxd6 16. Rxd6 $16) ({RR} 13... Ke7 14. Bxc5 Qxc5 15. Na4) 14. Bxc5 dxc5 15. Nd5 (15. f4 O-O 16. Nd5 ({RR} 16. f5 Bc4 17. Rfe1) ({RR} 16. Qd6 Qa5) 16... Bxd5 17. exd5 Qd6 {transposes to the game. geht in die Partie über.} ({RR} 17... exf4 18. Qxf4 ({RR} 18. d6 Qb6 19. c3 fxg3 20. Rxf6 gxf6 21. Qxh6 Qxb2 22. hxg3 Qe2) 18... Qxf4 19. Rxf4)) ({RR} 15. f4 O-O 16. Nd5 Bxd5 17. exd5) 15... Bxd5 16. exd5 Qd6 (16... O-O $2 17. d6 $16 {The white pawn cannot simply be let on to d6, because then all the white pieces, especially the bishop on g2, become very active. Man darf nicht den weißen Bauern einfach so nach d6 lassen, denn dann werden alle weißen Figuren, vor allem der Läufer g2, sehr aktiv.}) 17. f4 O-O (17... e4 18. Rfe1 O-O 19. Bxe4 $16) 18. fxe5 Qxe5 19. d6 $1 {The only winning try is the pawn sacrifice Der einzige Versuch auf Gewinn zu spielen ist das Baueropfer} (19. c4 Qd6 $1 20. Qf4 Ne8 $1 $15 {In this position the queen turns out, exceptionally, to be a good blockader, but only because White has no active play whatsoever. In dieser Stellung erweist sich die Dame ausnahmsweise als guter Blockierer, das aber nur, weil Weiß überhaupt kein aktives Spiel hat.}) 19... Qxb2 20. c4 ({RR} 20. Rb1 Qxa2 21. Rxb7 Rad8 22. Rd1 ({RR} 22. Re7 Qb2 23. Rd1 a5) 22... Rfe8 23. Qf2 Re5 ({RR} 23... Re6 24. Bd5)) 20... Qxd2 21. Rxd2 $44 {White does have enough compensation for the sacrificed pawn, but no more. With correct play Black can secure the half point. Für den geopferten Bauern hat Weiß zwar ausreichende Kompensation, aber auch nicht mehr. Bei richtigem Spiel kann sich Schwarz den halben Punkt sichern.} Rab8 22. a4 ({RR} 22. Rb1 b5 ({RR} 22... b6) 23. cxb5 axb5 ({RR} 23... Rxb5) 24. Rc2 Rfc8 ({RR} 24... Rfd8 25. Rxc5 Rxd6 26. a4 b4 27. Rb5 Rxb5 28. axb5 Rd4 29. b6) 25. Bh3 Rd8 ({RR} 25... Rc6 26. d7) 26. Rxc5 Rxd6 27. a4 b4 28. Rb5 ({RR} 28. Rc8+ Rxc8 29. Bxc8 Rb6 30. a5 Rb8 31. Bf5 Rb5 32. Bd3 Rxa5 33. Rxb4) 28... Rxb5 29. axb5 Kf8 30. Rxb4 Rb6) 22... Rfd8 23. Re1 $146 ({RR} 23. Rb1 Nd7 ({RR} 23... b6 24. Bc6) 24. Rxb7 ({RR} 24. Bxb7 Ne5) 24... Rxb7 25. Bxb7 Ne5 26. Rd5 ({RR} 26. Bxa6 Nf3+) 26... Nxc4 27. Bxa6 ({RR} 27. d7 Nb6) 27... Nxd6 28. a5 ({RR} 28. Rxc5) 28... Kf8 29. Bf1 ({RR} 29. Rxc5 Ra8 30. Rc6 Ke7) 29... Nb7 30. Rxd8+ Nxd8 31. Bg2 ({RR} 31. a6 Nc6) 31... Ne6 32. a6 Nc7 33. a7 Ke7 34. Kf2 Kd6 35. Ke3 c4 36. a8=Q ({RR} 36. Kd4 Nb5+) 36... Nxa8 37. Bxa8 Ke5 {Adams,M (2746)-Anand,V (2790) Wijk aan Zee 2001 CBM 081 [Ribli,Zoltan] ½-½ (48)}) ({RR} 23. Rb1 b6 24. Bc6 Nd7 25. Re1 Rbc8 26. Bb7 Rb8 27. Bxa6 Re8 28. Re7 Ne5 29. Kg2 Kf8 30. Rc7 Rbd8 31. Rb7 Re6 32. Rxb6 g5 33. Bb5 g4 34. Kf2 Rf6+ 35. Ke2 Re6 36. Kd1 Nf3 37. Rd5 Nxh2 {Sahin,S (2061)-Ivanov,M (2265) Paracin SRB 2025 1-0 (41)}) ({RR} 23. Rb1 Nd7 24. Rxb7 Rxb7 25. Bxb7 Ne5 26. Rd5 Nxc4 27. Bxa6 Nxd6 28. a5 Kf8 29. Rxc5 Rb8 30. Bf1 Rb1 31. a6 Ra1 32. Kg2 Ke7 33. h4 Kd8 34. Rc6 Kd7 35. Rc3 h5 36. Bd3 g6 37. Kf3 Ra4 {Sprenger,J (2496)-Stankovic,Z (2215) Basel 2016 ½-½ (123)}) 23... Kf8 24. Re5 Nd7 25. Re4 f6 26. Rb2 Re8 27. Rxe8+ Kxe8 28. Bd5 b6 29. Kg2 Ne5 30. Be6 a5 31. Rb1 Kf8 32. Bd5 Ke8 33. Be6 Nc6 34. Bf5 Kf8 35. Be4 Ne5 36. Bd5 Ke8 37. Be6 Nc6 38. Bf5 Ne5 1/2-1/2

[Event "Biel GM"]
[Site "Biel"]
[Date "2006.07.31"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Morozevich, Alexander"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B30"]
[WhiteElo "2731"]
[BlackElo "2675"]
[Annotator "Carlsen,Magnus"]
[PlyCount "100"]
[EventDate "2006.07.24"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "SUI"]
[EventCategory "17"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 114"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2006.10.02"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2006.10.02"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. Bxc6 dxc6 5. d3 Nd7 {Neither this nor my third move are the most common, but I had taken a look at them and I must say that on the whole I like Black's position. Weder dieser noch mein dritter Zug sind die geläufigsten, aber ich habe sie mir ein wenig angeschaut, und ich muss sagen, dass generell mir Schwarz gefällt.} 6. Bf4 $5 {This seems like a novelty, but it is also a logical one, preventing e5. Additionally, I guess it serves Moros style well Dies sieht aus wie eine Neuerung, aber es ist auch eine sehr logische; e5 wird verhindert. Außerdem schätze ich, es passt sehr gut zu Moros Stil.} g6 (6... e5 $2 7. Nxe5 Qf6 8. Nxd7 Qxb2 $2 (8... Bxd7 9. Qc1 $16) 9. Be5 $1 $18) 7. Qc1 {The logical follow-up. Die logische Folge.} Bg7 $6 {I decided to play a bit unusually as well for a change, but it will give me some problems. It was more in the spirit of the position to play Ich beschloss, zur Abwechslung auch einmal ein wenig ungewöhnlich zu spielen, aber dies wird mir ein paar Probleme bereiten. Mehr im Geist der Stellung war} (7... h6 {with good chances of obtaining a type of position like in the variation 3...g6 4.xc6 dxc6 and a normal game. mit guten Chancen, einen Stellungstyp wie in der Variante 3...g6 4.xc6 dxc6 zu erreichen, und einer normalen Partie.}) 8. Bh6 Qa5+ $1 9. c3 Ne5 {The point of my play. However, I had evaluated the arising type of position mistakenly. Die Pointe meines Spiels. Allerdings hatte ich den entstehenden Stellungstyp falsch eingeschätzt.} 10. Nxe5 Bxe5 11. Nd2 Qa6 $146 {Slightly strange and eventually the queen will feel uncomfortable here, but I wanted to avoid Etwas seltsam, und am Ende wird sich die Dame hier unwohl fühlen, aber ich wollte} (11... Be6 12. Nb3 Qb5 (12... Qb6 13. Be3 Bxb3 14. axb3 $14) 13. c4 Qb6 14. Be3 {Probably without reason, as vermeiden. Vermutlich grundlos, denn} Rd8 {gives me certain play for a pawn, even if probably not enough. gibt mir gewisses Spiel für einen Bauern, wenngleich wahrscheinlich nicht genug.}) ({RR} 11... Be6 12. O-O f6 13. Be3 Rd8 14. Nc4 Bxc4 15. dxc4 O-O 16. Qc2 Rd7 17. a4 Rfd8 18. Rad1 a6 19. Rxd7 Rxd7 20. Rd1 Rxd1+ 21. Qxd1 Bd6 22. g3 Kg7 23. Kg2 b5 24. axb5 cxb5 25. Qd5 b4 26. cxb4 {Collutiis,D (2429)-Salvador,R (2472) St Eufemia d'Aspromonte 2010 ½-½}) ({RR} 11... Be6 12. Nf3 Bc7 13. Qc2 O-O-O 14. Bd2 c4 15. d4 f6 16. h3 Kb8 17. Ke2 Qh5 18. Rag1 g5 19. Be3 Qg6 20. h4 g4 21. Nd2 Qh5 22. Nf1 g3+ 23. f3 Rhf8 24. Qc1 f5 25. e5 c5 26. Nxg3 {Nothnagel,M (2363)-Dourerassou,J (2465) Karlsruhe 2019 0-1 (33)}) 12. Qc2 Be6 13. f4 (13. Nf3 Bc7 14. Ng5 O-O-O (14... Bd7 15. Qb3 $16) 15. Nxe6 fxe6 {is ok for Black due to the pressure on d3. ist okay für Schwarz wegen des Drucks auf d3.}) 13... Bc7 14. O-O f6 {I felt that I had to provide my bishop with a square on f7 after a possible f4-f5. Ich hatte das Gefühl, meinem Läufer ein Feld auf f7 verschaffen zu müssen nach einem möglichen f4-f5.} 15. c4 $1 O-O-O 16. a4 $1 {Here I finally realised what my oppenent was up to, but I still felt that the upcoming complications should be ok for me. Hier begriff ich endlich, was mein Gegner im Schilde führte, aber ich meinte noch immer, dass die bevorstehenden Komplikationen für mich okay sein sollten.} Rd7 {Actually, this seems like the best chance, as Sieht tatsächlich aus wie die beste Chance, denn} (16... Ba5 17. Nb3 Bb4 18. a5 {is fairly cheerless, with the queen totally out of play. ist ziemlich freudlos, da die Dame völlig außer Spiel bleibt.}) 17. a5 Rhd8 18. Ra3 Bxa5 $5 {A terribly risky move, not even the engines prefer this! However, I calculated the variations, and it seemed to me that Black would eventually be fine. Ein schrecklich riskanter Zug; nicht einmal Engines wollen dies spielen! Aber ich berechnete die Varianten, und mir schien, dass Schwarz am Ende ordentlich stehen würde.} 19. f5 {A good move, it is useful to include h6 in the game. Ein guter Zug; es ist nützlich, den h6 mitspielen zu lassen.} Bf7 20. fxg6 (20. Nb3 Rxd3 21. Nxc5 (21. Rxa5 {gives nothing: ergibt nichts:} Qxc4 22. Qxc4 Bxc4 23. Nxc5 Rd1 24. Rxd1 Rxd1+ 25. Kf2 b6 26. Ra4 Bb5 27. Rxa7 bxc5 28. Rxe7 gxf5 29. exf5 Rf1+ 30. Kg3 Rxf5 31. Rxh7 Rh5 $1 $11) 21... Bb6 (21... Qxc4 22. Qxc4 Bxc4 23. Nxd3 Bb6+ 24. Nf2 Bxf1 25. Kxf1 $16) (21... Qb6 22. Rxa5 (22. Rxd3 Rxd3 23. Qxd3 Qxc5+ $44) 22... R3d4 23. Qb3 (23. Rfa1 Rxc4 24. Qf2 Qxa5 $1)) 22. Rxa6 Bxc5+ 23. Kh1 bxa6 {with play similar to the game, although after mit Spiel ähnlich der Partie, wenngleich weiß nach} 24. b3 $1 {White probably has a slighlty better version, and he should maybe have gone for it. wahrscheinlich eine leicht bessere Version hat, und er hätte sich vielleicht dafür entscheiden sollen.}) 20... hxg6 21. e5 Be6 (21... Qb6 22. Rfa1 Bb4 23. Rxa7 {is not great for Black. Instead, the idea of e6 is very clear: Put the bishop on f5 and activity at any cost! ist nicht toll für Schwarz. Stattdessen ist die Idee von e6 glasklar: den Läufer nach f5 stellen und Aktivität um jeden Preis!}) 22. exf6 exf6 23. Nb3 (23. Rxf6 Bf5 $13) 23... Rxd3 24. Nxc5 Bb6 (24... Qb6 25. Rxa5 Qxa5 26. Nxe6 $18) (24... Qxc4 25. Qxc4 Bxc4 26. Nxd3 Bb6+ 27. Nf2 Bxf1 28. Kxf1 $18) 25. Rxa6 (25. Rxd3 Bxc5+ 26. Kh1 Bd4 $5 {I was actually more worried about xd3 than the game continuation, but I eventually found this continuation, and even if I still was not too sure about it, it seemed to me that I would survive. Ich war eigentlich mehr besorgt wegen xd3 als wegen der Partiefortsetzung, doch schließlich fand ich diese Fortsetzung, und selbst wenn ich mir bei der Sache nicht allzu sicher war, schien mir doch, dass ich überleben würde.} (26... Rxd3 {Is the obvious continuation Die offensichtliche Fortsetzung.} 27. Qxd3 Bxc4 28. Qh3+ f5 29. Re1 $13 {But my king did not feel too safe here... Allerdings fühlte sich mein König hier nicht allzu sicher an...}) 27. Rxd4 (27. b3 Bf5 $15) 27... Rxd4 28. Qxg6 Qxc4 29. Qxf6 Rd8 $13) 25... Bxc5+ 26. Kh1 bxa6 {During the game I was totally convinced that I was fine here, with my active pieces, however, White probably has a forced continuation leading to a better game for him even if Black has counterchances. Während der Partie war ich völlig überzeugt, hier ordentlich zu stehen, bei meinen aktiven Figuren; doch Weiß hat wahrscheinlich eine forcierte Fortsetzung, die zu besserem Spiel für ihn führt, wenngleich Schwarz Gegenchancen hat.} 27. Bg7 $4 {Too careless, and meeting a surprising refutation. Zu sorglos, und findet eine überraschende Widerlegung.} (27. b4 $1 Bb6 (27... Bxb4 28. Qa4) 28. Qe2 {I did not see this move, which turns out to be quite strong, and the only which poses Black any problems. Diesen Zug hatte ich nicht gesehen, welcher sich als recht stark erweist und der einzige ist, der Schwarz vor Probleme stellen kann.} Bf7 (28... Bf5 29. g4 $1) (28... Bxc4 $2 29. Qg4+) 29. Qe4 (29. Bg7 f5 30. c5 Bc7 31. Bf6 R8d7 $13) 29... Kb7 30. b5 axb5 31. cxb5 Bd5 32. Qe7+ (32. bxc6+ Bxc6 33. Qxg6 Rd1 $132) 32... Ka8 33. bxc6 Bxc6 34. Qxf6) 27... Bg4 $1 {Surprisingly enough, after this there is no way to defend against d1. Überraschenderweise gibt es hiernach keine Verteidigung gegen d1.} 28. b4 (28. h3 Rd1 29. Rxd1 Rxd1+ 30. Kh2 Bd6+ 31. g3 Bf3 $1 $19) (28. Qa4 Rd1 $5 29. Qxc6+ Kb8 30. Qxf6 Rxf1+ 31. Qxf1 Rd1 $19) 28... Be3 (28... Bxb4 29. Qa4 Rd1 30. Qxc6+ Kb8 31. Rg1 {is amazingly enough not so clear. ist verblüffenderweise nicht so klar.}) (28... Rd1 29. Rxd1 Rxd1+ 30. Qxd1 Bxd1 31. bxc5 f5 {is probably won too, but more complicated. ist wahrscheinlich auch gewonnen, aber komplizierter.}) 29. h3 Rd1 30. Rxd1 Rxd1+ 31. Kh2 Bf4+ 32. g3 Rd2+ {I had somehow overlooked that I could not play Ich hatte irgendwie übersehen, dass ich nicht} (32... Bf3 $4 {spielen konnte wegen} 33. gxf4 {and the king gets the g3 square! But the game continuation wins easily enough. und der König erhält das Feld g3! Aber die Partiefortsetzung gewinnt leicht genug.}) 33. Qxd2 Bxd2 34. hxg4 Bxb4 $6 {Here I played too fast, right after I had made this move, I saw that I could have won much easier: Hier spielte ich zu schnell; sofort nach Ausführung dieses Zuges sah ich, dass ich viel leichter hätte gewinnen können:} (34... c5 35. bxc5 Bg5 36. Bf8 a5 37. c6 Bc1 {and White will have to give up the bishop for the a-pawn. und Weiß wird den Läufer für den a-Bauern geben müssen.}) 35. Bxf6 a5 36. Kg2 Kd7 37. Kf3 Bd6 $1 38. Ke4 Bxg3 39. Kd3 Ke6 40. Bd4 a6 41. Kc2 a4 42. Kb1 Be5 43. Bf2 Kd6 44. Ka2 Bc3 45. Ka3 Ke5 46. Kxa4 Kf4 47. Bb6 Kxg4 48. Ba5 Bxa5 49. Kxa5 Kf4 50. Kb6 a5 0-1

[Event "Biel GM"]
[Site "Biel"]
[Date "2006.08.02"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Volokitin, Andrei"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B60"]
[WhiteElo "2662"]
[BlackElo "2675"]
[Annotator "Kritz,Leonid"]
[PlyCount "77"]
[EventDate "2006.07.24"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "SUI"]
[EventCategory "17"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 114"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2006.10.02"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2006.10.02"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 Nc6 6. Bg5 g6 $5 {A rare but interesting move! Black avoids the Rauser and transposes to a hybrid of the Dragon. Of course the only problem is the capture on f6. Ein seltener, aber interessanter Zug! Schwarz vermeidet Rauser und geht in einen Hybrid mit der Drachen-Variante über. Das einzige Problem ist natürlich das Nehmen auf f6.} 7. Bxf6 $1 {Der einzige Zug, der es erlaubt, um Eröffnungsvorteil zu kämpfen.} (7. Be2 $6 {lets Black achieve complete counterplay. erlaubt Schwarz ein vollkommenes Gegenspiel zu bekommen:} Bg7 8. Nb3 a6 9. O-O b5 10. a3 Bb7 $132) (7. Bb5 Bd7 8. Bxf6 exf6 {leads to lines which can also occur after 7.xf6. führt zu Varianten, die auch nach 7.xf6 entstehen können.}) 7... exf6 8. Bc4 $1 {This move has the incredible statistic of 100%! It also looks very logical - White takes control of the d5-square. Other moves to consider are: Dieser Zug hat eine unglaubliche Statistik von 100%! Er sieht auch sehr logisch aus - Weiß übernimmt die Kontrolle über das Feld d5. Andere Züge, die in Betracht kommen, sind:} (8. Bb5 Bd7 9. O-O Bg7 10. Nde2 Be6 11. Qd2 O-O 12. Rad1 f5 $132 {The black-squared bishop is good compensation for the weka pawn on d6. Der schwarzfeldrige Läufer ist eine gute Kompensation für den schwachen Bauern d6.}) (8. Qd2 Bg7 9. O-O-O O-O 10. Ndb5 f5 $1 $132 {The same is true here: the g7-bishop compensates for the loss of the d6-pawn. Das Gleiche gilt auch hier - der Läufer g7 kompensiert den Verlust des d6-Bauern.}) 8... Bg7 9. Ndb5 O-O 10. Qxd6 (10. O-O $5 f5 {Black's plan remains the same - the f6-pawn advances and the g7-bishop enters the the fray forcibly. Der schwarze Plan ist immer wieder derselbe - der f6 Bauer rückt nach vorne und der Läufer g7 kommt mit aller Kraft ins Spiel.} 11. exf5 Ne5 12. Bb3 Bxf5 13. Nxd6 (13. Qxd6 a6 14. Qxd8 Raxd8 15. Nc7 Nc6 $44) 13... Bg4 14. f3 Qb6+ 15. Kh1 Rad8 16. fxg4 Rxd6 $44) 10... f5 {The most principled continuation. Die prinzipiellste Fortsetzung.} (10... a6 {leads to a position with a pawn down and no real compensation. führt zur Stellung mit einem Minusbauern und ohne wesentliche Kompensation.} 11. Qxd8 Rxd8 12. Nc7 Ra7 (12... Rb8 13. Bd3 f5 14. O-O-O Bxc3 15. bxc3 fxe4 16. Bxe4 Bd7 17. Rd6 $16) 13. N7d5 b5 14. Bd3 $14) 11. O-O-O Qa5 (11... Qg5+ 12. f4 Qxg2 (12... Qh6 13. Qd2 fxe4 14. Nxe4 Bg4 15. Rde1 Rad8 16. Nbd6 $16) 13. e5 Bh6 14. Rhf1 Qxh2 15. Kb1 $16 {Black simply has no more good moves. Schwarz hat einfach keine guten Züge mehr.}) (11... Qxd6 12. Nxd6 Bxc3 13. bxc3 fxe4 14. Nxe4 $16 {Es gibt kein gutes Feld für den Läufer c8.}) 12. Qc7 $1 {A very strong move which apparently brings this line to an end. White must of course exchange queens to save his king - if this happens without any material losses, then Black does not have enough for the sacrificed pawn. Sehr starker Zug, der anscheinend diese Variante schließt. Weiß muss natürlich die Damen tauschen, um seinen König abzusichern - wenn dies ohne materiellen Verluste gelingt, dann hat Schwarz nicht genug für den geopferten Bauern.} fxe4 (12... Bxc3 {This would be the best attempt to refutre the move 12.c7, but it too fails: Das wäre wohl der beste Versuch, den Zug 12.c7 zu widerlegen, aber auch er scheitert:} 13. bxc3 Qa4 (13... fxe4 14. Qxa5 Nxa5 15. Bd5 Bg4 (15... Bf5 16. Nd6 $16) 16. Rd4 Be6 17. Bxe4 Bxa2 18. Ra4 $18) 14. Nd6 Be6 (14... Qa3+ 15. Kb1 Be6 16. Bb3 $16 {The white knight on d6 is decisively disrupting the cooperation of the black pieces. der weiße Springer d6 stört entscheidend das Zusammenspiel der schwarzen Figuren.}) 15. Bb3 (15. Bxe6 $5 fxe6 16. exf5 exf5 17. Kb1 Rad8 18. h4 $1 $36) 15... Bxb3 16. axb3 Qa1+ 17. Kd2 Qa3 18. b4 $3 Qa2 (18... Rad8 19. Ra1 $18) 19. Qxb7 Ne5 20. Qd5 $1 Qxd5+ 21. exd5 Rfd8 22. Nb7 Rxd5+ 23. Ke2 $18) 13. Qxa5 Nxa5 14. Bd5 Bg4 15. Rde1 $14 {Now the position has been simplified. White wins back the e4-pawn and with no queens on the board Black may still have compensation in the shape of the bishop pair, but no more than enough for a draw. In my opinion White's position is preferable. Nun hat sich die Stellung vereinfacht. Den Bauern e4 gewinnt Weiß zurück und ohne Damen hat Schwarz zwar immer noch Kompensation aufgrund des Läuferpaars, die kann aber höchstens zum Ausgleich reichen. Aus meiner Sicht ist die weiße Stellung vorzuziehen.} Rad8 $146 ({RR} 15... e3 16. fxe3 a6 17. Nd4 Rad8 18. Rhf1 b5 19. a3 Bc8 20. b4 Bb7 21. Bxb7 Nxb7 22. a4 bxa4 23. Nxa4 Rfe8 24. c3 Nd6 25. Kc2 Nc4 26. Rf3 a5 27. bxa5 Nxa5 28. Nb2 Rb8 29. Re2 Rec8 30. Kd3 {Tarlev,K (2544)-Darban Vaighani,M (2321) Mersin 2017 ½-½ (38)}) ({RR} 15... a6 16. Nd6 e3 17. f3 Be6 18. Bxe6 fxe6 19. Nde4 Rad8 20. h4 Rf5 21. Rd1 Rdf8 22. Rd7 b5 23. Ne2 Re5 24. c3 Bh6 25. b3 Nc6 26. Rc7 Nb8 27. Kc2 Rd5 28. Rd1 Rf7 29. Rc8+ {1-0 (29) Kosintseva,N (2554)-Nechaeva,M (2226) Rijeka 2010}) 16. Rxe4 Bf5 17. Ra4 b6 18. Rd1 a6 19. Nd4 Bd7 20. Rb4 b5 21. Nf3 Nc6 22. Re4 b4 23. Bxc6 Bxc6 24. Rxb4 Bh6+ 25. Kb1 Rxd1+ 26. Nxd1 Bxf3 27. gxf3 Rd8 28. Nc3 Rd2 29. a4 Rxf2 30. Rb6 a5 31. Nd5 Rxh2 32. Rb5 Bd2 33. c4 h5 34. c5 Rh1+ 35. Kc2 Bh6 36. f4 Bf8 37. Rb8 Rh2+ 38. Kd3 Rh3+ 39. Kc4 1-0

[Event "Biel GM"]
[Site "Biel"]
[Date "2006.08.03"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Bruzon Batista, Lazaro"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C77"]
[WhiteElo "2675"]
[BlackElo "2667"]
[PlyCount "97"]
[EventDate "2006.07.24"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "SUI"]
[EventCategory "17"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 114"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2006.10.02"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2006.10.02"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. d3 d6 7. c3 O-O 8. Nbd2 b5 9. Bc2 Bb7 10. Re1 Re8 11. Nf1 Bf8 12. Bg5 h6 13. Bh4 Nb8 14. Ne3 Nbd7 15. a4 $146 ({RR} 15. Nf5 g6 16. Ne3 Nc5 17. Bb3 Ncd7 18. Bc2 c5 19. Bb3 Qc7 20. Nd2 Bg7 21. Qf3 Rf8 22. h3 Rae8 23. Ng4 Nh5 24. Qe3 g5 25. Bg3 Nf4 26. h4 Nf6 27. Nxf6+ Bxf6 28. Nf3 Qe7 29. hxg5 hxg5 {Jibuti,N (1634)-Mican,K (1726) Batumi 2014 ½-½ (49)}) 15... g6 16. b4 Bg7 17. Bb3 c6 18. g4 Qc8 19. g5 Nh7 20. gxh6 Bxh6 21. Kh1 Ndf6 22. Rg1 Kf8 23. Ng5 Nxg5 24. Bxg5 Bxg5 25. Rxg5 Qh3 26. Rg3 Qh5 27. Qf1 Ke7 28. f4 Rh8 29. Ra2 Rh7 30. f5 g5 31. Qg2 c5 32. axb5 axb5 33. Rxa8 Bxa8 34. Qa2 c4 35. Bd1 Qh4 36. Qa7+ Kf8 37. Qxa8+ Kg7 38. Nf1 cxd3 39. Bf3 d2 40. Kg1 Nxe4 41. Qd5 Nxg3 42. f6+ Kxf6 43. Qxd6+ Kg7 44. Qxe5+ f6 45. Qe7+ Kg6 46. Qe8+ Kg7 47. hxg3 Qc4 48. Qe7+ Kg8 49. Qd8+ 1-0

[Event "Amsterdam NH Hotels 1st"]
[Site "Amsterdam"]
[Date "2006.08.19"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Ljubojevic, Ljubomir"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C11"]
[WhiteElo "2675"]
[BlackElo "2551"]
[PlyCount "70"]
[EventDate "2006.08.19"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 114"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2006.10.02"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2006.10.02"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. e5 Nfd7 5. f4 c5 6. Nf3 Nc6 7. Be3 a6 8. Qd2 b5 9. a3 g5 10. fxg5 cxd4 11. Bxd4 ({RR} 11. Nxd4 Ncxe5 12. Bd3 Bb7 13. O-O Bg7 14. Nce2 Ng4 15. Kh1 Nxe3 16. Qxe3 Qe7 17. Ng3 Be5 18. c3 Rg8 19. h4 h6 20. Ngf5 exf5 21. Nxf5 Qc5 22. Qxc5 Nxc5 23. Nxh6 Rh8 24. Bc2 f6 25. Rae1 Rxh6 {Carlsen,M (2802)-Nakamura,H (2741) Moscow 2010 0-1 (34)}) ({RR} 11. Nxd4 Ndxe5 12. Be2 Bg7 13. O-O O-O 14. Rae1 Bb7 15. b3 Rc8 16. Bh5 Ng6 17. Nce2 Qd6 18. Nxc6 Bxc6 19. b4 Rfe8 20. Bc5 Qd7 21. Ng3 Ba8 22. c3 Qb7 23. Bd4 e5 24. Nf5 exd4 25. Rxe8+ Rxe8 {Solovjov,A (2237)-Misailovic,N (2373) chess.com INT 2024 0-1 (42)}) 11... Bg7 12. O-O-O Bb7 $146 ({RR} 12... Ndxe5 13. Nxe5 Nxd4 14. Qxd4 Qxg5+ 15. Kb1 Bxe5 16. Qc5 Bd7 17. Nxd5 exd5 18. Rxd5 f6 19. Bxb5 axb5 20. Rxd7 Kxd7 21. Qxb5+ Ke6 22. Qb3+ Ke7 23. Qb7+ Kf8 24. Qxa8+ Kg7 25. Qb7+ Kh6 26. Qf3 Rg8 27. b4 {Scheider,J (2199)-Hobusch,A (2103) Dortmund 2009 0-1 (41)}) ({RR} 12... Ndxe5 13. Bxe5 Nxe5 14. Nxe5 Bxe5 15. Re1 Bxc3 16. Qxc3 Qxg5+ 17. Kb1 O-O 18. Re3 d4 19. Qxd4 Rd8 20. Rg3 Rxd4 21. Rxg5+ Kf8 22. Bd3 Bb7 23. Bxh7 f5 24. Bg8 Re8 25. Re1 Be4 26. Rg6 Rd2 27. Bxe6 {Sakir,R (2129)-Scott,L (1732) Montevideo 2017 1-0 (46)}) 13. Re1 Rc8 14. Ne2 Qc7 15. Kb1 Ndxe5 16. Nxe5 Nxd4 17. Nxd4 Bxe5 18. c3 Kd7 19. g3 Rce8 20. Bh3 Kc8 21. Rhf1 Bd6 22. Rf6 Kb8 23. Ref1 Rhf8 24. Rh6 Rh8 25. Bg4 e5 26. Nc2 d4 27. cxd4 exd4 28. Bf5 Bf8 29. Rxh7 Rxh7 30. Bxh7 Bg7 31. Bd3 Re7 32. Qf2 Qd6 33. Re1 Be5 34. Re2 Ka7 35. Qe1 Bf3 1/2-1/2

[Event "Amsterdam NH Hotels 1st"]
[Site "Amsterdam"]
[Date "2006.08.20"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Nunn, John DM"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B30"]
[WhiteElo "2617"]
[BlackElo "2675"]
[PlyCount "156"]
[EventDate "2006.08.19"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 114"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2006.10.02"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2006.10.02"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 e6 4. O-O Nge7 5. c3 a6 6. Ba4 b5 7. Bc2 d5 8. e5 d4 9. Be4 d3 10. c4 b4 11. Qb3 Bb7 12. Qxd3 Qxd3 13. Bxd3 O-O-O 14. Be4 Nd4 15. Bxb7+ Kxb7 16. Nxd4 Rxd4 17. d3 $146 ({RR} 17. b3 Nc6 18. Bb2 Rd7 19. Rd1 Be7 20. d3 a5 21. Nd2 a4 22. Nf3 Rhd8 23. Kf1 axb3 24. Ke2 bxa2 25. Rxa2 Kb6 26. Ra4 Ra7 27. Rxa7 Kxa7 28. Ra1+ Kb6 29. Nd2 Bg5 30. Nf3 Bh6 31. g3 g6 {Crut,A (2350)-Coursaget,N (2333) Agneaux 2007 ½-½ (43)}) 17... Rxd3 18. Nd2 Nc6 19. f4 Be7 20. b3 a5 21. Ne4 a4 22. Nf2 Rc3 23. Ne4 Rc2 24. Be3 Kb6 25. Rf2 Rxf2 26. Kxf2 Ra8 27. Rd1 axb3 28. axb3 Ra3 29. Rd3 f6 30. exf6 gxf6 31. g4 f5 32. gxf5 exf5 33. Ng3 Bh4 34. Rd5 Rxb3 35. Rxc5 Rc3 36. Rxf5+ Ka6 37. Ke2 Rxc4 38. Rc5 Nd4+ 39. Bxd4 Rxd4 40. Ke3 b3 41. Rc1 Rb4 42. Ne4 b2 43. Rb1 Kb5 44. f5 Kc4 45. f6 Kb3 46. f7 Be7 47. Kd3 Rb8 48. Nd2+ Ka2 49. Re1 Rd8+ 50. Kc4 Ba3 51. Re2 Rd7 52. Rf2 Bf8 53. Kc3 Bg7+ 54. Kc4 Rc7+ 55. Kd3 Rd7+ 56. Ke4 Rd4+ 57. Kf5 Rd6 58. f8=Q Bxf8 59. Nc4 Kb3 60. Rxb2+ Kxc4 61. Rb8 Rd5+ 62. Ke4 Bd6 63. Rc8+ Bc5 64. Rc7 Rh5 65. Kf3 Rxh2 66. Kg3 Rh6 67. Kg2 Kd5 68. Rc8 Bd6 69. Ra8 Ke4 70. Ra1 Rh2+ 71. Kg1 Rd2 72. Rb1 Bf4 73. Kh1 Kf3 74. Rf1+ Kg4 75. Re1 Kh3 76. Kg1 Bg3 77. Rf1 Rg2+ 78. Kh1 Bf2 0-1

[Event "Amsterdam NH Hotels 1st"]
[Site "Amsterdam"]
[Date "2006.08.21"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Jussupow, Artur"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C09"]
[WhiteElo "2675"]
[BlackElo "2617"]
[PlyCount "138"]
[EventDate "2006.08.19"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 114"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2006.10.02"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2006.10.02"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nd2 c5 4. Ngf3 Nc6 5. exd5 exd5 6. Bb5 Bd6 7. dxc5 Bxc5 8. Nb3 Bd6 9. O-O Nge7 10. Re1 O-O 11. Bd3 h6 12. h3 Nf5 13. c3 Qf6 14. Bc2 Rd8 15. Qd3 g6 16. Bd2 ({RR} 16. Qd2 g5 17. Qd3 Bc7 18. Be3 Nxe3 19. Rxe3 Bb6 20. Nbd4 Bd7 21. Rae1 Kf8 22. Nxc6 bxc6 23. Ne5 Bxe3 24. Rxe3 Be6 25. Nxc6 Re8 26. Ne5 Re7 27. Qd4 Qg7 28. Qc5 Rae8 29. Ba4 Qf6 30. Bxe8 Kxe8 {Mamedyarov,S (2764)-Ivanchuk,V (2678) Chess.com INT 2020 1-0 (35)}) ({RR} 16. Qd2 Bf8 17. Qf4 Bg7 18. Bd2 g5 19. Qh2 Bf8 20. Rad1 Bd6 21. Qh1 Bd7 22. g4 Nfe7 23. Nbd4 Ng6 24. Be3 Re8 25. Nf5 Bxf5 26. Bxf5 Bf4 27. Bd4 Qd6 28. h4 Nxd4 29. cxd4 Nxh4 30. Nxh4 gxh4 {Melamed,T (2353)-Jussupow,A (2589) Germany 2011 ½-½ (35)}) 16... a5 17. Be3 $146 ({RR} 17. a4 b6 18. Be3 Ba6 19. Qd2 Nxe3 20. Qxe3 Bf4 21. Qxb6 Rdb8 22. Qc5 Bc4 23. Nbd4 Nxd4 24. Qxd4 Qxd4 25. Nxd4 Rxb2 26. Rad1 Rc8 27. g3 Bg5 28. h4 Bf6 29. Bd3 Bxd4 30. cxd4 Bb3 31. Rb1 Rxb1 {Orak,L (2290)-Vidovic,M (2236) Nedelisce 2018 ½-½ (54)}) ({RR} 17. a4 b6 18. Qe2 Ba6 19. Qd1 Bf8 20. Bxf5 Qxf5 21. Be3 Rab8 22. Nbd4 Nxd4 23. Nxd4 Qf6 24. Qd2 Kh7 25. Bf4 Rbc8 26. Be5 Qh4 27. Qe3 Bg7 28. Nf3 Qc4 29. Qxb6 Qc6 30. Qxa5 Ra8 31. Qb4 Bc4 {Senior,G (2043)-Townsend,M (2187) Harrogate ENG 2024 ½-½ (37)}) ({RR} 17. a4 b6 18. Qe2 Ba6 19. Qd1 Kh7 20. Bxf5 Qxf5 21. Nbd4 Nxd4 22. Nxd4 Qf6 23. Be3 Bc7 24. Qd2 g5 25. Nf3 Qf5 26. h4 gxh4 27. Nxh4 Qh5 28. g3 Bc8 29. Bf4 Bxf4 30. Qxf4 Be6 31. Rad1 Rg8 {Rublevsky,S (2679)-Lysyj,I (2578) Krasnoyarsk 2007 1-0 (67)}) 17... Nxe3 18. Rxe3 Bf5 19. Qd1 Be4 20. a4 Bf4 21. Re1 Bc7 22. Nbd4 Bxf3 23. Qxf3 Qxf3 24. Nxf3 Bb6 25. Rad1 Rd6 26. Rd2 Rad8 27. Red1 Bc5 28. Kf1 d4 29. Be4 dxc3 30. bxc3 Rxd2 31. Rxd2 Rxd2 32. Nxd2 Nd8 33. Nb3 Bb6 34. Ke2 Kf8 35. f3 Ne6 36. Bxb7 Nc5 37. Nxc5 Bxc5 38. Kd3 Ke7 39. Kc4 Kd6 40. Bd5 f6 41. Be4 g5 42. Kb5 h5 43. Kxa5 h4 44. Kb5 Bg1 45. a5 Bf2 46. a6 Ba7 47. f4 gxf4 48. Kc4 Ke5 49. Bf3 Bg1 50. Kd3 Ba7 51. Bb7 Bb6 52. Ke2 Ba7 53. Kf3 f5 54. Ke2 Bb6 55. Kd3 Ba7 56. Kc4 Kd6 57. Bf3 Bg1 58. Kb5 Ba7 59. Bh5 Be3 60. Bg6 f3 61. gxf3 f4 62. Be4 Ba7 63. c4 Bg1 64. a7 Bxa7 65. Ka6 Bc5 66. Kb7 Bd4 67. Kc8 Bb6 68. Bd5 Ba5 69. Be4 Bb6 1/2-1/2

[Event "Amsterdam NH Hotels 1st"]
[Site "Amsterdam"]
[Date "2006.08.23"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Andersson, Ulf"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C10"]
[WhiteElo "2675"]
[BlackElo "2542"]
[PlyCount "43"]
[EventDate "2006.08.19"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 114"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2006.10.02"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2006.10.02"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Nd7 5. Nf3 Ngf6 6. Bg5 Be7 7. Nxf6+ Nxf6 8. Bd3 c5 9. dxc5 Qa5+ 10. c3 Qxc5 11. O-O ({RR} 11. Qe2 a6 12. O-O-O b5 13. Kb1 Bb7 14. Be3 Qc7 15. Bd4 Rd8 16. Rhe1 Bd5 17. Ne5 O-O 18. Qe3 Rc8 19. Qh3 g6 20. Qh6 Bc5 21. Bc2 Rcd8 22. Qh4 Bxd4 23. Rxd4 Kg7 24. Rf4 Qe7 25. g4 Bb7 {Cheparinov,I (2687)-Ljubojevic,L (2555) Amsterdam 2008 ½-½ (84)}) ({RR} 11. Qe2 Bd7 12. Ne5 Bc6 13. O-O-O Nd7 14. Bxe7 Qxe5 15. Ba3 O-O-O 16. f3 Qxe2 17. Bxe2 Nf6 18. c4 a6 19. b3 Rxd1+ 20. Rxd1 Rd8 21. Re1 Nd7 22. Kc2 f6 23. Be7 Re8 24. Bd6 Nf8 25. Bd3 Kd7 {Smeets,J (2532)-Andersson,U (2542) Amsterdam 2006 1-0 (45)}) 11... Bd7 ({RR} 11... O-O 12. Qc2 h6 13. Be3 Qc7 14. Bd4 Bd7 15. Ne5 Rfd8 16. h3 Be8 17. Rad1 Bc5 18. Bxc5 Qxc5 19. Rfe1 Rd5 20. b4 Qc7 21. Nf3 a5 22. c4 Rdd8 23. b5 Nd7 24. Qe2 Nc5 25. Bb1 Rxd1 26. Rxd1 {Zakurdjaeva,I (2150)-Dubnikova,A (2103) Sochi RUS 2025 ½-½ (60)}) 12. Re1 $146 ({RR} 12. Qe2 Bc6 13. Ne5 O-O 14. Rfd1 Rad8 15. Rac1 a5 16. a3 a4 17. Nxc6 bxc6 18. Bxf6 Bxf6 19. Qe4 g6 20. Qxa4 Bg5 21. Rb1 Rd6 22. Be2 Rfd8 23. Rxd6 Rxd6 24. Rd1 e5 25. g3 Kg7 26. Rxd6 Qxd6 {Nguyen,N (2466)-Bokros,A (2470) Hungary 2005 1-0 (46)}) ({RR} 12. Qc2 Bc6 13. b4 Qb6 14. Ne5 h6 15. Be3 Qc7 16. Nxc6 Qxc6 17. b5 Qd6 18. Rad1 Nd5 19. Be4 Nxe3 20. fxe3 Qb6 {1-0 (20) Lysiak,M (2075)-Gazik,R (2170) Ustron 2003}) 12... Ng4 13. Bxe7 Qxf2+ 14. Kh1 Kxe7 15. Re2 Qc5 16. Qe1 Rad8 17. Qh4+ Nf6 18. Nd4 Bc6 19. Rf1 Rhg8 20. Qg3 Kd7 21. Bxh7 Rh8 22. Bg6 1-0

[Event "Amsterdam NH Hotels 1st"]
[Site "Amsterdam"]
[Date "2006.08.26"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Nunn, John DM"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B90"]
[WhiteElo "2675"]
[BlackElo "2617"]
[PlyCount "89"]
[EventDate "2006.08.19"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 114"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2006.10.02"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2006.10.02"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 {Ftacnik,Lubomir Ftacnik,Lubomir} c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 Nf6 4. Nc3 cxd4 5. Nxd4 a6 6. Be3 e5 7. Nf3 Be7 8. Bc4 O-O 9. O-O Be6 10. Bb3 Nc6 11. Qe2 Na5 12. Rfd1 Nxb3 13. cxb3 ({RR} 13. axb3 Qc7 14. Bg5 Nh5 15. Bxe7 Qxe7 16. Qe3 Nf6 17. Rd2 Rad8 18. Rad1 Qc7 19. h3 h6 20. Nh2 b5 21. Nf1 b4 22. Na4 d5 23. exd5 Rxd5 24. Rxd5 Nxd5 25. Qc5 Qb7 26. Qd6 Nf4 27. Ne3 Bxh3 {Sathvik Adiga (2396)-Temirbekov,T (2301) Durres ALB 2025 1-0 (53)}) 13... Qe8 ({RR} 13... Qb8 14. Bg5 b5 15. Rd3 ({RR} 15. Ne1 h6 16. Bxf6 Bxf6 17. Nc2 Bd8 18. Nb4 Bb6 19. Ncd5 Bc5 20. Nc6 Qb7 21. b4 Bxd5 22. exd5 Bb6 23. a4) 15... h6 16. Bxf6 ({RR} 16. Be3 Qb7) 16... Bxf6 17. Rad1 Be7 18. Nd5 Bxd5 19. Rxd5 ({RR} 19. exd5 Qb7 20. Rc3 Rac8 21. Qc2 Rxc3 22. bxc3 Rc8) 19... Qc7 20. Ne1 Rac8 21. g3 ({RR} 21. Nd3 Qa7) 21... f5 22. exf5 Rxf5 23. Qe4 ({RR} 23. f4 Qa7+ 24. Kh1 Rcf8 25. Nd3 Qb7 26. Qe4) 23... Rcf8 24. R1d2 h5 25. Rc2 Qa7 26. Nd3 h4 27. Kg2 ({RR} 27. Nf4 Bg5 28. Nh3 Be7 29. Rd3 hxg3 30. hxg3 Qd7 31. f3) ({RR} 27. Qg4 hxg3 28. hxg3 Rg5 29. Qe6+ Kh7 30. Nc5) 27... hxg3 ({RR} 27... Qd7 28. a4 Rh5 29. Kg1 hxg3 30. hxg3) 28. hxg3 {Leko,P (2753)-Shirov,A (2755) Morelia/Linares 2008 CBM 123 [Ftacnik,Lubomir] ½-½ (37)}) ({RR} 13... Nd7 14. Nd2 Qc7 15. Rac1 Rfc8 16. Nd5 Qd8 ({RR} 16... Qxc1 17. Nxe7+ Kf8 18. Rxc1 Rxc1+ 19. Nf1 Rxf1+ 20. Kxf1 Kxe7 21. Qc2 Kd8 22. f4) 17. Rxc8 ({RR} 17. Nxe7+ Qxe7 18. Nc4 Rc6 19. Na5 Rxc1 20. Rxc1 h6 21. Nxb7 Nf6 22. Na5 Nxe4) 17... Rxc8 18. Nxe7+ Qxe7 19. Nc4 Bxc4 ({RR} 19... Rc6 20. Na5 Rc7 21. Qd2 Nf8 22. Qb4 Rd7 23. f3) 20. bxc4 Nc5 21. b3 ({RR} 21. f3 Ne6 22. g3 Rc6) 21... Rc6 ({RR} 21... Nxe4 22. Qg4) 22. Qc2 h6 23. g3 Qc7 24. Kg2 ({RR} 24. Bxc5 Rxc5 25. Qd2 Rc6 26. Qd5) 24... Nd7 25. Qd3 Nf6 26. a4 Nd7 27. h3 ({RR} 27. b4 Rxc4 28. Bc5 b5) 27... Kf8 ({RR} 27... Qa5 28. Qe2 Qb4 29. Rd3 Nc5 30. Bxc5 Qxc5) 28. Bc1 {Carlsen,M (2733)-Ivanchuk,V (2751) Morelia/Linares 2008 CBM 123 [Ftacnik,Lubomir] ½-½ (39)} ({RR} 28. b4 Rxc4 ({RR} 28... Nf6 29. b5 Rxc4 30. Bb6 Qc8 31. Qxd6+ Kg8 32. Qe7 Qe6 33. Rd8+ Kh7 34. Qxe6 fxe6 35. bxa6 bxa6 36. a5 Nxe4 37. Ra8) ({RR} 28... a5 29. c5 axb4 30. cxd6 Qa5 31. Qb3 Ra6 32. Bd2 Qxa4 33. Rc1) 29. Bc5 Rxc5 30. bxc5 Nxc5 31. Qxd6+ Qxd6 32. Rxd6 Nxa4 33. Rd5 f6 ({RR} 33... Nc3 34. Rxe5 f6 35. Rc5 Nxe4 36. Rc8+ Ke7 37. Rc7+) 34. Rd8+ Ke7 35. Rg8 Kf7 36. Rc8 b6 37. Rc7+ Kg6 ({RR} 37... Kf8 38. Rb7 Nc5 ({RR} 38... b5 39. Kf3) 39. Rxb6 Nxe4 40. Rxa6) 38. f4 exf4 39. gxf4 Nc5 40. Kf3 a5 41. Rc6)) 14. Ne1 ({RR} 14. Bg5 Nh5 15. Nd2 f5 16. Bxe7) 14... h6 $146 ({RR} 14... Rc8 15. Nc2 Rxc3 16. bxc3 Nxe4 17. Qd3 f5 18. Nb4 Kh8 19. Rac1 Qg6 20. f3 Nf6 21. c4 e4 22. fxe4 fxe4 23. Qd2 Ng4 24. Rf1 Re8 25. Nd5 Bxd5 26. cxd5 Nxe3 27. Qxe3 Bg5 28. Qf2 h5 29. Rce1 {Haba,P (2454)-Nemec,J (2345) Czech Republic CZE 2022 ½-½ (48)}) ({RR} 14... Ng4 15. Nc2 f5 16. f3 Nxe3 17. Nxe3 fxe4 18. Nxe4 Rd8 19. Nd5 Qf7 20. Qd3 Bxd5 21. Qxd5 Qxd5 22. Rxd5 Kf7 23. Rad1 Ke6) ({RR} 14... Rd8 15. Bg5 Ng4 16. Bxe7 Qxe7 17. Nc2 Qh4 18. h3 Nf6 19. Nb4 Nh5 20. Nbd5 f5 21. exf5 Rxf5 22. Ne4 Bxd5 23. Rxd5 Nf4 24. Qg4 Qxg4 25. hxg4 Nxd5 26. gxf5 Ne7 27. g4 h6 28. Rd1 d5 29. Nc5 {Ponkratov,P (2644)-Iljiushenok,I (2540) Skolkovo 2019 1-0 (41)}) 15. Nc2 Qd7 16. Nb4 Rfc8 17. f3 Bd8 18. Rd3 a5 19. Nbd5 Nxd5 20. Nxd5 a4 21. bxa4 Rxa4 22. b3 Ra6 23. Rad1 Ra5 24. Nb6 Bxb6 25. Bxb6 Ra6 26. Rxd6 Qe7 27. Qb2 Qg5 28. a4 h5 29. a5 h4 30. b4 Raa8 31. Qd2 Qxd2 32. R1xd2 Rc4 33. Bc5 Rc8 34. Rb6 Rc7 35. Kf2 Kh7 36. Bd6 Rd7 37. Ke3 f6 38. Bxe5 fxe5 39. Rxe6 Rxd2 40. Kxd2 Rxb4 41. Rxe5 Rb2+ 42. Kc3 Rxg2 43. Rh5+ Kg6 44. Rxh4 Ra2 45. Kb4 1-0

[Event "Amsterdam NH Hotels 1st"]
[Site "Amsterdam"]
[Date "2006.08.28"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Beliavsky, Alexander G"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C77"]
[WhiteElo "2675"]
[BlackElo "2625"]
[PlyCount "112"]
[EventDate "2006.08.19"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 114"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2006.10.02"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2006.10.02"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. d3 d6 7. c3 O-O 8. Nbd2 Nd7 9. Bc2 Bf6 ({RR} 9... Nb6 10. d4 exd4 11. Nxd4 Nxd4 12. cxd4 f5 13. Bb3+ Kh8 14. e5 f4 15. exd6 Qxd6 16. Re1 f3 17. Nxf3 Bg4 18. Re3 Bh4 19. Qd3 Bxf3 20. Rxf3 Rxf3 21. gxf3 Re8 22. Be3 Nd5 23. Kh1 Nxe3 24. fxe3 {Karjakin,S (2725)-Carlsen,M (2813) Nice 2010 0-1 (64)}) ({RR} 9... Nb6 10. b4 f5 11. a4 fxe4 12. dxe4 Bg4 13. h3 Bh5 14. Re1 Bg5 15. g4 Be8 16. Nxg5 Qxg5 17. Nf3 Qf6 18. Kg2 Bd7 19. a5 Nc8 20. Bb3+ Kh8 21. g5 Qd8 22. Nh4 N8e7 23. Kg3 Qe8 24. Qe2 {Vachier Lagrave,M (2736)-Ivanchuk,V (2673) Jerusalem ISR 2022 ½-½ (71)}) 10. Nc4 ({RR} 10. Re1 g6 11. Nf1 Bg7 12. Ng3 Nb6 13. h3 d5 14. Qe2 h6 15. Be3 Be6 16. Bxb6 cxb6 17. Bb3 b5 18. Nf1 Na5 19. Bxd5 Bxd5 20. exd5 Qxd5 21. Qe4 Qxe4 22. dxe4 Nc4 23. b3 Nd6 24. Rad1 Rfd8 {Kotsur,P (2548)-Carlsen,M (2837) Astana 2012 0-1 (46)}) 10... Ne7 $146 ({RR} 10... b5 11. Ne3 Nb6 12. d4 Ne7 13. dxe5 dxe5 14. b3 Be6 15. Ba3 Re8 16. Qxd8 Raxd8 17. Rfd1 Ng6 18. Rxd8 Rxd8 19. Rd1 Rxd1+ 20. Bxd1 Bd8 21. g3 f6 22. Ne1 Nf8 23. Nd3 Nfd7 24. f4 a5 25. Kf2 {Zivkovic,V (2363)-Krstic,U (2436) Bol 2014 ½-½ (40)}) ({RR} 10... g6 11. Bh6 Bg7 12. Qd2 Nf6 13. h3 Nh5 14. d4 exd4 15. Bxg7 Kxg7 16. Nxd4 Nxd4 17. cxd4 d5 18. exd5 Qxd5 19. Ne3 Qd6 20. d5 Nf6 21. Qc3 b5 22. Rfd1 Bb7 23. Be4 Kg8 24. Bf3 Rfd8 25. a4 {Demianjuk,A (2340)-Severina,M (2232) Taganrog 2013 1-0}) 11. Ne3 g6 12. d4 Bg7 13. dxe5 Nxe5 14. Nxe5 dxe5 15. Bb3 Bd7 16. Ng4 Kh8 17. Nh6 Be8 18. Qf3 Nc8 19. Qg3 Nd6 20. Re1 Bc6 21. f3 Qe7 22. Ng4 Rae8 23. Ne3 f5 24. Nd5 Qd7 25. Qh4 fxe4 26. fxe4 Bxd5 27. Bxd5 Bf6 28. Qg3 c6 29. Bb3 Bd8 30. Qd3 Bb6+ 31. Kh1 Qg4 32. Be3 Bxe3 33. Qxe3 Rf4 34. Bd1 Qg5 35. Qd3 Rf2 36. Bf3 Rd2 37. Qf1 Rxb2 38. Rad1 Rd8 39. c4 Kg7 40. Qd3 Nf7 41. Qa3 Rdd2 42. Rxd2 Qxd2 43. Rd1 Rxa2 44. Qe7 Qc3 45. h4 Ra1 46. Rxa1 Qxa1+ 47. Kh2 b5 48. c5 Qc1 49. h5 b4 50. Bg4 Qf4+ 51. Kh3 Kh6 52. Qf8+ Kg5 53. Qe7+ Qf6 54. Qd7 Kh6 55. hxg6 hxg6 56. Qd2+ Qf4 0-1

[Event "NOR-ch playoff"]
[Site "Oslo"]
[Date "2006.09.21"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Agdestein, Simen"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C76"]
[WhiteElo "2675"]
[BlackElo "2575"]
[PlyCount "57"]
[EventDate "2006.09.19"]
[EventType "match"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 115"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2006.11.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2006.11.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 g6 4. c3 a6 5. Ba4 d6 6. d4 Bd7 7. dxe5 b5 ({RR} 7... Nxe5 8. Nxe5 dxe5 9. Be3 Nf6 10. Nd2 b5 11. Bb3 Bd6 12. Qf3 h6 13. a4 Rb8 14. axb5 axb5 15. O-O Qe7 16. h3 Kf8 17. Bc2 Kg7 18. b4 Nh7 19. Qe2 c5 20. Nb3 cxb4 21. Rfd1 Rhd8 22. Ra7 {Sutovsky,E (2650)-Rodshtein,M (2701) Poikovsky 2017 1-0 (36)}) ({RR} 7... Nxe5 8. Nxe5 dxe5 9. Bxd7+ Qxd7 10. Qxd7+ Kxd7 11. Ke2 Bh6 12. Rd1+ Ke6 13. Na3 f6 14. Nc4 Bxc1 15. Raxc1 Ne7 16. Rd3 Rad8 17. Rcd1 Nc6 18. Rxd8 Rxd8 19. Rxd8 Nxd8 20. Ke3 Nf7 21. f3 h5 22. h4 {Goltsev,D (2226)-Sheehan,E (2363) chess.com INT 2025 0-1 (67)}) 8. Bb3 dxe5 $146 ({RR} 8... Bg7 9. exd6 Ne5 10. Nxe5 Bxe5 11. Qd5 Be6 12. Qxe5 Nf6 13. Bg5 Kd7 14. O-O Qe8 15. Bxf6 Rg8 16. Rd1 c6 17. Nd2 h5 18. Be7 Kc8 19. a4 Rb8 20. Bxe6+ {1-0 (20) Burrows,G-Lin,Z Auckland 2010}) 9. Qd5 Qf6 10. Nxe5 Nxe5 11. Qxa8+ Ke7 12. Be3 Bc6 13. Bc5+ Kd7 14. Qxf8 Nh6 15. Qxh6 Nd3+ 16. Ke2 Nxc5 17. f3 Re8 18. Nd2 Kc8 19. Qe3 Qe7 20. Rhd1 f5 21. Kf1 g5 22. Kg1 f4 23. Qe2 h5 24. Bc2 Nd7 25. a4 Ne5 26. axb5 axb5 27. Nb3 g4 28. Nd4 Qc5 29. Kh1 1-0

[Event "Bundesliga 0607"]
[Site "Germany"]
[Date "2006.12.09"]
[Round "5.2"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Socko, Bartosz"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C95"]
[WhiteElo "2698"]
[BlackElo "2630"]
[PlyCount "123"]
[EventDate "2006.10.28"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 116"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2007.02.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2007.02.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Baden-Baden"]
[BlackTeam "Kreuzberg"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "GER"]
[BlackTeamCountry "GER"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 d6 8. c3 O-O 9. h3 Nb8 10. d4 Nbd7 11. Nbd2 Bb7 12. Bc2 Re8 13. Nf1 Bf8 14. Ng3 g6 15. b3 Bg7 16. d5 Qe7 17. c4 Qf8 $146 ({RR} 17... c5 18. dxc6 Bxc6 19. Bg5 bxc4 20. bxc4 Nc5 21. Qd2 Qf8 22. Qe2 h6 23. Bd2 Rab8 24. Bc3 Kh7 25. Nh2 Qe7 26. Ng4 Nxg4 27. hxg4 Qe6 28. Rab1 Rec8 29. Nf1 Ba4 30. Ne3 Bc6 31. f3 Bf6 32. Nd5 {Ameir,M (2364)-Gattani,S (1944) chess.com INT 2025 ½-½ (82)}) ({RR} 17... c6 18. Be3 Nc5 19. Qd2 a5 20. a3 a4 21. Bxc5 dxc5 22. cxb5 cxd5 23. exd5 axb3 24. Bxb3 Qd6 25. Ra2 h6 26. Qd3 Rad8 27. Rd2 Nxd5 28. Red1 Qb6 29. Qc4 Qc7 30. Rxd5 Bxd5 31. Rxd5 Rxd5 32. Qxd5 {Anand,V (2773)-Harikrishna,P (2729) Kolkata 2018 1-0 (33)}) ({RR} 17... c5 18. cxb5 axb5 19. Bd3 b4 20. Nd2 Nb6 21. a4 bxa3 22. Bxa3 Qc7 23. Qe2 Bh6 24. Ngf1 Ra7 25. Bb2 Rea8 26. Rxa7 Rxa7 27. Ra1 Bc8 28. Ba6 Bd7 29. Bb5 Rxa1 30. Bxa1 Qa7 {½-½ (30) Balogh,C (2609)-Socko,B (2637) Wroclaw 2009}) 18. Be3 Bh6 19. Bxh6 Qxh6 20. cxb5 axb5 21. b4 Rec8 22. Bb3 c5 23. dxc6 Rxc6 24. Qd3 Ba6 25. Nf1 Rac8 26. Ne3 Qf4 27. Qd1 h6 28. h4 Kg7 29. Bd5 Nxd5 30. Nxd5 Qg4 31. Ne7 Nf6 32. Nxc6 Rxc6 33. a4 Bb7 34. axb5 Rb6 35. Nd2 Qxh4 36. Qe2 d5 37. Nf3 Qh5 38. exd5 e4 39. Nd2 Ng4 40. Qxe4 Rf6 41. Qd4 Nxf2 42. Nf3 Nh3+ 43. Kf1 Ng5 44. Re3 Bxd5 45. Ra6 Ne6 46. Qc3 Qh1+ 47. Kf2 g5 48. Ra1 Qh4+ 49. Kg1 Bxf3 50. Rxf3 Nd4 51. Re3 Qf2+ 52. Kh2 Nxb5 53. Qe5 Qh4+ 54. Kg1 Qf2+ 55. Kh1 Kg6 56. Rh3 Nd6 57. Ra8 Nf5 58. Rg8+ Kh7 59. Rxg5 Ne3 60. Qg3 Qf1+ 61. Kh2 Nf5 62. Qe5 1-0

[Event "Moscow Tal Memorial 1st"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2006.11.07"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Morozevich, Alexander"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B33"]
[WhiteElo "2747"]
[BlackElo "2698"]
[Annotator "Rogozenco,Dorian"]
[PlyCount "92"]
[EventDate "2006.11.06"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 116"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2007.02.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2007.02.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 e5 6. Ndb5 d6 7. Bg5 a6 8. Na3 b5 9. Nd5 Be7 10. Nxe7 Nxe7 11. Bd3 {Played by Anand once long ago (well, the Indian GM tried virtually everything against Sveshnikov Sicilian), this variation gained popularity lately among several young and strong GMs. I can mention Naiditsch, Timofeev and Areshchenko.} Nd7 {Carlsen has his own view on the position. Usually Black starts with 11...b7. Another option is 11...d5.} 12. c4 $146 {Morozevich goes a new way already. In this variation White usually first blockades opponent's pawn on b5 (with b2-b4) and only then plays c2-c4.} ({Although Carlsen's previous experience had a happy end, his position in that game was highly suspicious, to say the least:} 12. O-O Nc5 13. b4 Nxd3 14. Qxd3 f6 15. Be3 d5 16. Bc5 dxe4 (16... d4 17. f4 O-O 18. fxe5 fxe5 19. Rxf8+ Qxf8 20. Qg3 $16) (16... Be6 17. f4 $5 exf4 18. Rae1 d4 19. e5 $36) 17. Qxe4 Qd5 18. Qe2 $1 (18. Qxd5 Nxd5 19. c4 $14) 18... Bb7 (18... Ng6 19. f4 $1 $16) 19. f3 Ng6 20. Rfd1 Nf4 21. Qf1 Qe6 22. c4 Kf7 (22... bxc4 $2 23. Nxc4 $18) 23. Rd6 Qf5 24. cxb5 axb5 25. Nxb5 Kg6 (25... Ba6 26. Qc4+ Kg6 27. a4 $16) 26. Rd2 Rhd8 27. Rxd8 Rxd8 28. Nd6 Rxd6 (28... Qd7 29. a4 $18) 29. Bxd6 Qg5 30. Kh1 h5 31. Bc5 $2 (31. a4 h4 32. h3 Qg3 33. Ra3 $18) 31... e4 32. Be3 $4 ({After} 32. a4 {[%cal Ga1a3] with the idea a3. White still should be winning.}) 32... exf3 33. gxf3 Qg4 $1 {0-1 Naiditsch,A (2657)-Carlsen,M (2625)/Wijk aan Zee 2006}) (12. b4 $5 h6 (12... O-O 13. O-O Nb6 14. c4 f6 15. Be3 Nxc4 16. Nxc4 bxc4 17. Bxc4+ Kh8 18. f3 $16 {1-0 Varga,Z (2540)-Pal,P (2285)/Zalakaros 1996 (32)}) 13. Be3 d5 14. exd5 Nxd5 15. Qf3 N7f6 (15... Bb7 $142 $13) 16. Bc5 Bg4 17. Qg3 Nf4 18. h3 Bh5 19. Nxb5 $1 Nxd3+ 20. cxd3 axb5 21. Qxe5+ Kd7 22. Qd6+ Kc8 23. Qc6+ Qc7 24. Qxa8+ Kd7 25. Qa7 $18 {½-½ Gurevich,I (2495)-Vaisser,A (2565)/London 1991 (58)}) 12... b4 13. Nc2 a5 {A similar pawn structure arises in the variation 10.xf6 xf6 11.c4 b4 12.c2 a5, which was actually played by Morozevich before as well (versus Leko in San Luis 2005). The difference is that here White has the dark-squared bishop instead of the knight on d5 and Black has a knight instead of the dark-squared bishop. This is not a problem for Black, since in the mentioned variation he is often happy to exchange his bishop for one of the opponent's knights. On the other hand White has the bishop pair here and Morozevich shows that this is an important factor. Black should play accurately in order to keep the equality.} 14. Ne3 f6 15. Bh4 O-O 16. O-O Nc5 17. f3 Be6 18. Re1 $146 ({RR} 18. Rc1 Qd7 19. Re1 Rac8 20. Bf2 Qb7 21. Bf1 Rfd8 22. Re2 Qb8 23. Rd2 Kf8 24. h4 h6 25. g3 Qb6 26. Kh2 Qb8 27. Bh3 Bxh3 28. Kxh3 Rc6 29. Kg2 Rdc8 30. h5 Nb7 31. b3 Qc7 32. Rcc2 Qd7 {Iordachescu,V (2567)-Grigore,G (2538) Predeal 2007 ½-½ (60)}) ({RR} 18. Bf2 Qb6 19. Rc1 g6 20. Qe2 Rfc8 21. Rfd1 Rc7 22. Rd2 b3 23. a3 Rac8 24. Bb1 Qa6 25. Qd1 Rd7 26. Bd3 a4 27. Bf1 f5 28. exf5 gxf5 29. Nd5 Bxd5 30. cxd5 Qa5 31. Rc3 Rdc7 32. Re2 Nd7 {Kaim,P (2269)-Jahncke,G (2154) Krakow 2012 ½-½ (38)}) 18... Qb8 {The pawn formation is of such a nature that it is difficult for either side to make real progress without creating severe weaknesses in their own positions.} 19. Bf1 Kh8 20. Re2 Rc8 21. Rd2 Ra6 {The only weakness on d6 is well protected. Morozevich finds a way to put some more pressure on Black's position, though.} 22. Rc1 Rac6 23. Bf2 Bf7 24. Nd5 $1 Nxd5 (24... Qb7 {allows White to activate his pieces:} 25. Bxc5 $5 dxc5 (25... Rxc5 26. Nxe7 Qxe7 27. Rxd6 $16) 26. Nxe7 Qxe7 27. Rd7 {and although after} Qe8 {this might be not so dangerous for Black, it looks pretty scary to play like that.}) 25. cxd5 ({After} 25. exd5 $6 R6c7 {Black has blockaded opponent's queenside pawn majority and later he can concentrate on making progress on the other side. It is White here who must hold the balance.}) 25... R6c7 26. Rdc2 $14 Be8 27. b3 Bd7 28. g4 $5 {With the open c-file White's actions on the kingside can hardly create serious problems for Black now, but nevertheless this is the only attempt to make some progress. Later White can choose the right moment to combine plans on both wings.} Kg8 29. Qe2 {Now Black will have to reckon always with the exchange on c5 followed by a6.} ({Deserved attention also} 29. Bc4 {trying to avoid exchanges on the c-file for the moment.}) 29... Nb7 {This is a somewhat unexpected decision, allowing White to penetrate with the queen. However, Carlsen shows a very concrete approach - the Norwegian considers that Black will have everything well protected and White won't be ableto achieve anything even after the activation of his queen.} (29... Qb7 $142 $14 {[%csl Ra6] /=}) 30. Rxc7 Rxc7 31. Rxc7 Qxc7 32. Qa6 Nc5 33. Qa8+ Kf7 34. h4 h6 35. Bc4 ({After} 35. Qh8 a4 36. bxa4 Nxa4 37. g5 hxg5 38. hxg5 fxg5 39. Qh5+ Kf8 40. Qxg5 (40. Qh8+ Kf7 41. Qh5+ $11) 40... Nc3 {Black creates counterplay on the queenside.}) 35... Be8 {Locking the queen on a8. White cannot release it easily, because the exchange on c5 obviously favours Black. However, Morozevich still has resources to fight.} 36. Be3 Ke7 37. g5 hxg5 38. hxg5 Kf7 39. Kg2 {This position will soon occur in the game again.} Ke7 40. Kg3 {The march of the king forwards brings nothing.} Kf7 41. Kg4 Ke7 42. Kh4 Kf7 43. Kh3 Ke7 44. Kg2 Kf7 {Second time, only that now it is White to move.} 45. Bd2 ({White had to try} 45. g6+ Ke7 $8 46. Bb5 (46. Bf1 Bxg6 47. Qg8 Bf7 48. Qxg7 Qc8 49. Bc4 Nd7 $11 {[%cal Gc8g8]} (49... Qg8 $2 50. Qxg8 Bxg8 51. Bxc5 dxc5 52. d6+ $18)) 46... Bxg6 (46... Bxb5 47. Qg8 Be8 48. Qxg7+ Kd8 49. Qh8 $18 {[%cal Gg6g7]}) 47. Qg8 Bf7 48. Qxg7 Qc8 (48... Qb8 $2 49. Bxc5 $1 dxc5 (49... Qxb5 50. Bxd6+ Kxd6 51. Qxf6+ $18) 50. Bc4 Qd6 51. Kf2 {and Black is close to zugzwang:} Ke8 52. Bb5+ Ke7 53. Ke1 Qd8 54. d6+ Qxd6 55. Bc4 $18) 49. Kf2 Qg8 50. Qh6 {and Black still must work before reaching the draw. Possibly Morozevich wanted to postpone his decision to complicate the position, eventually to bring the king on f2 first. But an unexpected thing happened...}) 45... Qb6 46. Be3 Qc7 {and Carlsen claimed the threefold repetition, wrongly accepted by the chief arbiter Geurt Gijssen. Morozevich signed the scoresheets and left the playing area. Soon it was discovered that the arbiter shouldn't have accepted Carlsen's claim, since in the first case (after 39.g2) it was Black's turn to move. Carlsen agreed to continue the game. However, Morozevich wasn't there anymore and later didn't want to resume the game... It is clear that the normal course of the battle was broken, even if the result would have been a draw anyway.} 1/2-1/2

[Event "Moscow Tal Memorial 1st"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2006.11.08"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B46"]
[WhiteElo "2698"]
[BlackElo "2728"]
[PlyCount "61"]
[EventDate "2006.11.06"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 116"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2007.02.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2007.02.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. Nc3 a6 4. d4 cxd4 5. Nxd4 Nc6 6. Nxc6 bxc6 7. Bd3 d5 8. O-O Nf6 9. Re1 Be7 10. e5 Nd7 11. Qg4 g6 12. Na4 Qa5 13. Bh6 c5 14. b3 c4 15. Bf1 Bb7 16. Re3 Bc6 17. Qf4 Bxa4 $146 ({RR} 17... Qc7 18. Nb2 Bc5 19. Re2 Rb8 20. Nd1 Qa5 {½-½ (20) Khairullin,I (2543)-Svidler,P (2750) Moscow 2006}) 18. Rf3 O-O-O 19. Qxf7 Rhe8 20. bxa4 Bc5 21. Rb1 Qxa4 22. Bg5 Qc6 23. Bxd8 Nxe5 24. Rb8+ Kxb8 25. Bc7+ Qxc7 26. Qxe8+ Qc8 27. Qxc8+ Kxc8 28. Rh3 Ng4 29. Rf3 Ne5 30. Rh3 Ng4 31. Rf3 1/2-1/2

[Event "Moscow Tal Memorial 1st"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2006.11.10"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Svidler, Peter"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C95"]
[WhiteElo "2750"]
[BlackElo "2698"]
[Annotator "Marin,Mihail"]
[PlyCount "57"]
[EventDate "2006.11.06"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 116"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2007.02.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2007.02.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 d6 8. c3 O-O 9. h3 Nb8 10. d4 Nbd7 11. Nbd2 Bb7 12. Bc2 Re8 13. a4 Bf8 14. Bd3 {If White does not wish to embark any long theoretical discussion, this variation looks like the best way to move the accent of the fight to the middlegame.} c6 15. b3 (15. Rb1 $5 $146 {1-0 Topalov,V (2813)-Mamedyarov,S (2728)/Hoogeveen 2006/CBM 115 [Marin, Mihail] (50)}) 15... Qc7 {Usually, Black transfers his king's bishop to g7 in this line. He can start doing that with or without developing the queen, although this can just lead to a transposition. In this game, Black has completely different plan, for which ...g6 is not useful at all.} (15... g6 16. Bb2 {1-0 Morozevich,A (2743)-Sasikiran,K (2666)/Biel 2004/CBM 102/[Wedberg] (35)} (16. Bf1 {1-0 Ponomariov,R (2722)-Sasikiran,K (2666)/Biel 2004/CBM 102/[Wedberg] (62)})) 16. Bb2 ({RR} 16. Qc2 Rac8 17. Bb2 Nh5 18. Bf1 Nf4 19. b4 Nb6 20. axb5 cxb5 21. dxe5 dxe5 22. Qb1 Rcd8 23. g3 Ne6 24. h4 Na4 25. Ra3 Rd7 26. Ba1 Red8 27. Qa2 Nb6 28. Bh3 Rd6 29. Qc2 Nd4 30. Qb1 Nxf3+ {Karjakin,S (2760)-Carlsen,M (2802) Moscow 2010 0-1 (31)}) 16... d5 $5 $146 {Quite curiously, this thematic break has never been played so far.} (16... g6 17. Qc2 Bg7 18. c4 (18. b4 Nb6 19. a5 Na4 20. Rac1 (20. Bc1 {[%cal Yg7a1]} exd4 21. cxd4 c5 $132) 20... Nxb2 21. Qxb2 Nd7 22. c4 bxc4 23. Bxc4 exd4 24. Qa2 Re7 25. Nb3 Ne5 $11 {Haag,E-Forintos,G/Budapest 1965/MCD (½-½, 33)}) (18. Bf1 Rac8 19. Rad1 Nb6 {Since the a4-pawn is safely defended, this move makes less sense now and just weakens Black's control over the centre.} (19... d5 $5) 20. c4 exd4 21. Bxd4 bxa4 22. e5 dxe5 23. Bxe5 Qe7 24. c5 Nbd7 25. Bd6 Qd8 26. bxa4 $16 {Vitomskis,J (2575)-Girod,F (2415)/LAT-SUI corr 1994/Corr 2000 (1-0, 29)}) 18... bxc4 (18... bxa4 19. c5 $5 axb3 20. Nxb3 exd4 21. cxd6 Qxd6 22. Na5 $36 {[%csl Gb7] Grigoriants,S (2313)-Platonov,E (2296)/Orel 1999/EXT 2001 (1-0, 42)}) 19. Bxc4 exd4 20. Bxd4 Re7 ({Black can also choose another move order of concentrating his forces against the e4-pawn.} 20... c5 {[%cal Yb7e4]} 21. Bc3 Re7 22. Qb2 Rae8 {[%csl Ye4]} 23. Rad1 h6 {The strong pressure against the e4-pawn restricts White's active possibilities.} 24. Bd3 Re6 25. Bc4 R6e7 {½-½ Hendriks,R-Girod,F/ICCF corr 1994/Corr 2000}) 21. b4 Rae8 22. Bd3 c5 23. Rac1 Qd8 (23... Nd5 $5 {[%csl Gd4,Ge1]}) 24. bxc5 Nxc5 25. Bxc5 dxc5 $13 {Aseev,K (2540)-Yemelin,V (2520)/Elista 1994/CBM 044 (½-½, 87)}) ({RR} 16... g6 17. Qc2 Bg7 18. c4 bxa4 19. c5 axb3 20. Nxb3 Bf8 21. cxd6 Bxd6 22. dxe5 Nxe5 23. Nxe5 Bxe5 24. Nc5 Nd7 25. Nxb7 Qxb7 26. Reb1 Qc7 27. Bxe5 Qxe5 28. Rc1 c5 29. Ra5 Qd4 30. Rd1 Qb4 31. Ra4 {Cahaya,S (2360)-Ervan,M (2383) Bandung INA 2025 ½-½ (36)}) 17. dxe5 $146 {Confronted with a relatively early opening surprise, White chooses the safe way.} ({The main alternative was} 17. exd5 Nxd5 18. Qc2 $5 {[%csl Gh7] not only connects rooks, but underlines the relative vulnerability of the black kingside too.} ({Now,} 18. dxe5 {involves a nice trap, but is not too dangerous otherwise.} Nf4 (18... Nxe5 $2 19. Rxe5 Rxe5 20. c4 $16) 19. Be4 Nxe5 $11) 18... exd4 $5 {Since Black has no adequate way of avoiding kingside weaknesses, he bravely plays for material grabbing.} (18... h6 19. dxe5 Nf4 20. Bh7+ Kh8 21. Qe4 $16) (18... g6 19. Nxe5 Nxe5 20. dxe5 Nf4 21. Ne4 $16 {[%csl Gf6]}) (18... N5f6 19. dxe5 Nxe5 20. Nxe5 Rxe5 21. c4 Rxe1+ 22. Rxe1 $36 {[%csl Yb5,Yf6,Yh7]}) 19. Bxh7+ Kh8 20. Nxd4 g6 21. Bxg6 fxg6 22. c4 N5f6 23. Qxg6 $36 {[%csl Yb7,Gh8]}) ({RR} 17. exd5 Nxd5 18. Qc2 N5f6 19. dxe5 Nxe5 20. Nxe5 Rxe5 21. c4 Rxe1+ 22. Rxe1 bxa4 23. Bxf6 axb3 24. Bxh7+ Kh8 25. Qe4 gxf6 26. Qh4 Bg7 27. Bf5+ Kg8 28. Re4 Qa5 29. Qh7+ Kf8 30. Nxb3 Qc3 31. Nc5 {1-0 (31) Sipila,V (2410)-Nieminen,M (1979) Naantali 2019}) ({RR} 17. axb5 cxb5 18. Qc2 exd4 19. c4 dxe4 20. Nxe4 Nxe4 21. Bxe4 Bxe4 22. Rxe4 d3 23. Rxe8 dxc2 24. Rxa8 bxc4 25. bxc4 Qb7 26. Rxf8+ Nxf8 27. Ba3 Qb1+ 28. Bc1 {0-1 (28) Wu,J (2009)-Chandra,A (2157) Calgary CAN 2023}) 17... Nxe5 18. Nxe5 Qxe5 19. Nf3 Qf4 {A brave decision. The queen is rather exposed here.} (19... Qh5 $5 20. e5 $140 Nd7 $11) 20. exd5 {Again, White refrains from complicating the game.} (20. e5 $5 {[%csl Gf4][%cal Yb2c1]} Ne4 21. Qc2 {would have led to a complex position, where Black's activity might be just apparent, while the exposed placement of his queen would offer White some tactical ideas.}) 20... Nxd5 21. c4 Nb4 22. Be5 Qh6 23. Be4 Rad8 24. Qb1 bxc4 25. bxc4 $11 {We can state that Black's strategy has been crowned with success. The usefullness of the dark-squared bishop on the a3-f8 diagonal is obvious. At the same time, the fact that he refrained from ...g6 ensures the return of the queen to the centre in the near future.} Ba8 26. Bc3 c5 27. Bxa8 Rxa8 28. Ne5 Qe6 29. Qb3 1/2-1/2

[Event "Moscow Tal Memorial 1st"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2006.11.11"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Shirov, Alexei"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C42"]
[WhiteElo "2698"]
[BlackElo "2720"]
[PlyCount "59"]
[EventDate "2006.11.06"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 116"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2007.02.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2007.02.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nxe5 d6 4. Nf3 Nxe4 5. d4 d5 6. Bd3 Bd6 7. O-O O-O 8. Re1 Bf5 9. Nc3 Nxc3 10. bxc3 Bxd3 11. Qxd3 ({RR} 11. cxd3 Nc6 12. c4 Bb4 13. Bd2 Bxd2 14. Qxd2 Qf6 15. cxd5 Nxd4 16. Nxd4 Qxd4 17. Rac1 Rac8 18. Re7 Qxd5 19. Rcxc7 Rxc7 20. Rxc7 h6 21. h3 Rd8 22. Qe3 Qxd3 23. Rxb7 Qxe3 24. fxe3 Rd1+ 25. Kh2 Rd3 {Wei Yi (2751)-Giri,A (2731) Wijk aan Zee NED 2025 ½-½ (38)}) 11... Nd7 12. Rb1 $146 ({RR} 12. c4 dxc4 13. Qxc4 h6 14. Qb3 b6 15. c4 c6 16. Bb2 Qc7 17. g3 Rfe8 18. Nh4 Bf8 19. Qf3 g6 20. Qb3 Bg7 21. Nf3 Rad8 22. Rad1 Qb8 23. Bc1 b5 24. Bf4 bxc4 25. Qxc4 Qb7 26. Rxe8+ Rxe8 {Hansen,E (2609)-Ivic,V (2562) Durres ALB 2023 ½-½ (34)}) ({RR} 12. c4 dxc4 13. Qxc4 c5 14. Rb1 Nb6 15. Qd3 Re8 16. Be3 cxd4 17. Bxd4 Rxe1+ 18. Rxe1 Bf8 19. h4 h6 20. Ne5 Qxh4 21. Nxf7 Kxf7 22. Qb3+ Kg6 23. Qd3+ Kf7 24. Qb3+ {½-½ (24) Stevic,H (2549)-Kadric,D (2584) Sarajevo BIH 2023}) 12... Nb6 13. Ng5 g6 14. Qh3 h5 15. g4 Qd7 16. gxh5 Rae8 17. Be3 Qxh3 18. Nxh3 gxh5 19. Bf4 Kg7 20. Rxe8 Rxe8 21. Bxd6 cxd6 22. Nf4 Kh6 23. Kg2 Kg5 24. Kf3 Rc8 25. Rb3 Rc4 26. Ra3 h4 27. h3 f5 28. Ne6+ Kf6 29. Nf4 Kg5 30. Ne6+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "Corus"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2007.01.13"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Tiviakov, Sergei"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B22"]
[WhiteElo "2667"]
[BlackElo "2690"]
[PlyCount "47"]
[EventDate "2007.01.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 117"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2007.03.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2007.03.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. c3 Nf6 3. e5 Nd5 4. Nf3 Nc6 5. Bc4 Nb6 6. Bb3 d5 7. exd6 Qxd6 8. Na3 a6 9. O-O Bf5 10. d4 cxd4 11. Nxd4 Nxd4 12. cxd4 e6 13. Qf3 Qd7 14. d5 Nxd5 15. Rd1 Bxa3 16. bxa3 O-O 17. h4 Rac8 18. Bxd5 exd5 19. Rxd5 Qe6 20. Rxf5 Qe1+ 21. Kh2 Rxc1 22. Rxc1 Qxc1 23. Qxb7 Qxa3 24. Qd5 $146 ({RR} 24. Qb3 Qxb3 25. axb3 Rb8 26. Rc5 g6 27. Rc6 a5 28. Rc5 Rb4 29. g3 a4 30. bxa4 Rxa4 31. h5 {½-½ (31) Stevic,H (2570)-Guseinov,G (2660) Batumi 2019}) 1/2-1/2

[Event "Corus"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2007.01.16"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B90"]
[WhiteElo "2690"]
[BlackElo "2779"]
[PlyCount "40"]
[EventDate "2007.01.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 117"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2007.03.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2007.03.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 {Ftacnik,Lubomir} c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Be3 e5 7. Nf3 Be7 8. Bc4 O-O 9. O-O Be6 10. Bb3 Nc6 11. Bg5 Nd7 ({RR} 11... Na5 12. Bxf6 ({RR} 12. Qd3 Rc8 13. Rfd1 Nxb3 14. axb3 Rc6 15. Bxf6 Bxf6 16. Nd5 Bxd5 17. Qxd5 Rxc2) 12... Bxf6 13. Nd5 Nxb3 ({RR} 13... Bg5 14. Qd3 Rc8 15. Rfd1 Kh8 16. Nc3 Be7 17. Nd5 Bg5 18. Kh1 Bh6 19. Nc3 Nxb3 20. axb3 Qb6 21. Kg1 Rc6 22. Qe2) 14. axb3 Bg5 15. Qd3 Bh6 16. Rad1 Rc8 17. Nd2 b5 18. c3 Kh8 19. b4 Ra8 20. Nb3 f5 21. Na5 Rc8 22. Qh3 Rf7 23. Rfe1) 12. Bxe7 Qxe7 13. Nd5 ({RR} 13. Qd2 Nc5 14. Rad1 Rad8 15. Qe3 Nxb3 16. axb3 f5 17. Nd5 Qd7 18. Ng5 Nd4 19. Nxe6 Qxe6 20. c3) 13... Qd8 14. c3 Na5 ({RR} 14... Nc5 15. Bc2 a5 16. Qd2 Ne7 17. Ne3 a4 18. Rfd1 f6 19. Qxd6 Qxd6 20. Rxd6 Rfd8 21. Rxd8+ Rxd8 22. Kf1 Rd6 23. Ke1 Rb6) 15. Bc2 ({RR} 15. Re1 Rc8 16. h3 Nb6 ({RR} 16... Nxb3 17. axb3 f5) 17. Nxb6 Qxb6 18. Bxe6 fxe6 19. Re2 Rc6 ({RR} 19... Qc6 20. Qd3 b5) 20. Qd3 Qc7 21. Rd1 Nc4 ({RR} 21... Rf6 22. Nd2 b5) 22. b3 Nb6 23. c4 Nc8 ({RR} 23... Nd7 24. b4 Nb6 25. Ng5 Re8 26. b5 Rc5 27. Qxd6 Qxd6 28. Rxd6 Nxc4 29. Rc2 axb5) 24. Red2 h6 25. Qe2 Kh7 26. h4 Qb6 27. h5 Qc5 ({RR} 27... Qc7 28. Ne1 Qe7 29. Qg4) 28. Ne1 Rc7 29. Nd3 Qc6 {Anand,V (2792)-Leko,P (2740) Wijk aan Zee 2006 CBM 111 [Ftacnik,Lubomir] 1-0 (49)}) ({RR} 15. Re1 b5 16. Nd2 Nb6 17. Nf1 Nxb3 18. axb3 Nxd5 19. exd5 Bd7 20. Qd2 Qh4 21. Ra5 f5 22. Rea1 Bc8 23. Rxb5 f4 24. f3 e4 25. Rb4 exf3 26. gxf3 Rf6 27. Qe1 Rg6+ 28. Kh1 Qd8 29. Rxf4 Bb7 {Syrkiewicz,M (2048)-Zombirt,F (1966) Wroclaw POL 2025 1-0 (45)}) 15... Nc4 $146 ({RR} 15... Rc8 16. Ne3 Nc4 17. Nxc4 Bxc4 18. Re1 Nf6 19. Bb3 b5 20. Bxc4 Rxc4 21. Qd3 Qb6 22. Rad1 Rc6 23. Rd2 a5 24. Red1 Rfc8 25. Nh4 g6 26. Qf3 Qd8 27. g3 b4 28. c4 Kg7 29. b3 Qb6 30. Ng2 {Maetzkow,M (2248)-Fromm,M (2326) Germany 2021 1-0 (63)}) ({RR} 15... Rc8) ({RR} 15... b5 16. a4 Nb6 17. axb5 axb5 18. Qd3 Bd7 19. Nxb6 Qxb6 20. Nxe5 Be6 21. b4 dxe5 22. bxa5 Rxa5 23. Rxa5 Qxa5 24. Rd1 h6 25. Rb1 Bc4 26. Qe3 Qa2 27. Qc1 Qa5 {½-½ (27) Ten Hertog,H (2037)-Ducarmon,Q (2049) Venlo 2008}) 16. b3 Na3 ({RR} 16... Ncb6 17. Ne3) 17. Ne3 Nxc2 18. Qxc2 Rc8 19. Rfd1 Rc6 20. Rac1 b5 1/2-1/2

[Event "Corus"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2007.01.19"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Motylev, Alexander"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C48"]
[WhiteElo "2647"]
[BlackElo "2690"]
[PlyCount "88"]
[EventDate "2007.01.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 117"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2007.03.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2007.03.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bb5 Nd4 5. Ba4 Bc5 6. Nxe5 O-O 7. Nd3 Bb6 8. e5 c6 9. O-O Ne8 10. Ne2 Qh4 11. Nxd4 Qxd4 12. Bb3 d5 13. Qe2 f6 14. e6 $146 ({RR} 14. Qe3 fxe5 15. Qxe5 Qh4 16. Qg3 Qh5 17. c3 Bg4 18. h3 Be2 19. Nf4 Rxf4 20. Qxf4 Bc7 21. Qe3 Bxf1 22. Kxf1 Nf6 23. g4 Qh4 24. d4 Re8 25. Qf3 h5 26. gxh5 Ne4 27. Be3 Rf8 28. Qg4 Rxf2+ {Haas,F (2118)-Schimnatkowski,L (2173) Playchess.com INT 2021 0-1 (59)}) ({RR} 14. Qe3 fxe5 15. Qxe5 Qh4 16. Qg3 Qh5 17. c3 Bg4 18. h3 Be2 19. Nf4 Rxf4 20. Qxf4 Bc7 21. Qe3 Bxf1 22. Kxf1 Nf6 23. g4 Qh4 24. d4 Re8 25. Qf3 h5 26. gxh5 Ne4 27. Be3 Rf8 28. Qg4 Rxf2+ {Haas,F (2118)-Schimnatkowski,L (2173) Playchess.com INT 2021 0-1 (59)}) 14... Nc7 15. c3 Qh4 16. g3 Qh6 17. Nc5 Bxc5 18. d4 Qh3 19. dxc5 Nxe6 20. Be3 Re8 21. Qd2 Nf8 22. Rae1 Ng6 23. f3 h5 24. Bd4 Bf5 25. c4 Ne7 26. Re3 Be6 27. Qe2 Kf7 28. g4 Ng6 29. f4 Bxg4 30. cxd5 Bxe2 31. dxc6+ Kf8 32. Rxh3 Bxf1 33. Kxf1 bxc6 34. f5 Nf4 35. Rh4 Nd3 36. Be6 Rab8 37. Rxh5 Rb4 38. Rh8+ Ke7 39. Bxf6+ Kxf6 40. Rxe8 Rxb2 41. Rf8+ Ke5 42. Rf7 Nxc5 43. Rxg7 Rxh2 44. Rxa7 Nxe6 1/2-1/2

[Event "Corus"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2007.01.20"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Svidler, Peter"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C88"]
[WhiteElo "2690"]
[BlackElo "2728"]
[Annotator "Marin,Mihail"]
[PlyCount "94"]
[EventDate "2007.01.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 117"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2007.03.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2007.03.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. a3 Bc5 $5 {This move certainly looks like a loss of tempo. However, since this tempo was used by White to play the modest move a3, Black's position should be entirely viable.} 9. c3 d6 10. d4 Bb6 11. Be3 h6 12. h3 {After this prophylactic move, Black will have to develop his bishop to b7 sooner or later. This will transpose to the Arhangelsk variation, where the presence of the pawn on a3 instead of a2 makes little or no difference.} Re8 ({In the Arhangelsk, after} 12... Bb7 13. Nbd2 {one of the main line goes} exd4 14. cxd4 {and now 14...b4, which is impossible in the given circumstances of our present game. This is the only moment when the move a3 seems to be useful, but Black has other viable continuations at his disposal.}) 13. Nbd2 Bb7 14. dxe5 $146 {Technically speaking, a novelty in the position with the pawn on a3 and a very rare move in the Arhangelsk.} ({Svidler must have got his inspiration from the following game, where he had White:} 14. Bc2 {This move is possible because the typical counterplay based on exd4 followed by ...b4 is impossible. In the Arhangelsk, only few games with this move are available.} Nb8 15. dxe5 dxe5 16. Bxb6 cxb6 17. a4 bxa4 18. Bxa4 b5 19. Bb3 Nbd7 20. Qe2 Nc5 21. Bc2 Qc7 22. Qe3 a5 23. Nh4 Rad8 24. Nf5 Bc8 25. Nf3 Bxf5 26. exf5 b4 $132 {Svidler,P (2765)-Leko,P (2740)/Monte Carlo 2006/CBM 111 ext (½-½, 46)}) ({The main moves in the Arhangelsk are} 14. d5 {followed by xb6}) ({and} 14. Qb1) ({RR} 14. d5 Ne7 15. Bxb6 cxb6 16. Ba2 Bc8 17. b4 Ng6 18. Re3 Nh7 19. Kh2 Rf8 20. Rc1 Nf4 21. c4 bxc4 22. Nxc4 b5 23. Na5 f5 24. Nc6 Qf6 25. Bb1 Kh8 26. Qb3 Bd7 27. exf5 Bxf5 28. Ncxe5 dxe5 {Short,N (2676)-Gustafsson,J (2647) Pattaya 2011 0-1 (33)}) ({RR} 14. Bc2 Nb8 15. dxe5 dxe5 16. Bxb6 cxb6 17. a4 bxa4 18. Bxa4 b5 19. Bb3 Nbd7 20. Qe2 Nc5 21. Bc2 Qc7 22. Qe3 a5 23. Nh4 Rad8 24. Nf5 Bc8 25. Nf3 Bxf5 26. exf5 b4 27. cxb4 axb4 28. Rad1 e4 {Svidler,P (2765)-Leko,P (2740) Monte Carlo 2006 ½-½ (46)}) 14... dxe5 15. Bxb6 cxb6 16. Nh2 Qe7 17. Ng4 Rad8 $11 {Black has succesfully solved his opening problems.} 18. Nxf6+ Qxf6 19. Qe2 Na5 20. Ba2 Bc8 21. Nf1 Qg6 22. Kh2 Be6 23. Bxe6 Rxe6 {By maintaining the e4-pawn under pressure, Black prevents the transfer of the enemy knight to d5.} (23... Qxe6 24. Ne3 $14) 24. a4 $2 {A curious mistake.} (24. Rad1 $11) 24... Nb3 25. Rad1 $6 (25. Ra3 bxa4 26. Rxa4 Nc5 27. Ra2 Red6 $15) 25... Rxd1 26. Rxd1 bxa4 $17 {Black is just a pawn up.} 27. Qxa6 Qxe4 28. Qc8+ Kh7 29. Rd8 Qf4+ 30. Ng3 Nd2 31. h4 Qxh4+ 32. Kg1 e4 33. Rxd2 e3 34. Rd3 Qf4 35. Rxe3 Rxe3 36. fxe3 Qxg3 37. Qf5+ Qg6 38. Qd5 Qe6 39. Qd4 g6 40. Qxa4 Qxe3+ 41. Kh2 h5 42. Qd1 Kg7 43. Qd6 f6 44. Qc7+ Kh6 45. b4 Kg5 46. Qc6 Qe5+ 47. Kg1 b5 0-1

[Event "Corus"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2007.01.23"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Radjabov, Teimour"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B32"]
[WhiteElo "2690"]
[BlackElo "2729"]
[PlyCount "41"]
[EventDate "2007.01.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 117"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2007.03.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2007.03.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 e5 5. Nb5 d6 6. N1c3 a6 7. Na3 b5 8. Nd5 Nge7 9. c4 Nxd5 10. exd5 Nd4 11. cxb5 Be7 12. Be3 Nf5 13. Bd2 e4 14. bxa6 O-O 15. Be2 Bf6 16. Nc4 Bxa6 17. O-O Nd4 $146 ({RR} 17... Bxc4 18. Bxc4 Bxb2 19. Rb1 Be5 20. Qg4 Nd4 21. Qxe4 f5 22. Qd3 f4 23. Bc3 f3 24. Bxd4 Bxh2+ 25. Kxh2 Qh4+ 26. Kg1 Qg4 27. Qxf3 Rxf3 28. Be2 Qxd4 29. Bxf3 Rxa2 30. Rbd1 Qf4 31. Rfe1 g6 32. Re8+ {Fakhiridou,E (2270)-Vasiliev,O (2214) Heraklion 2007 1-0 (54)}) 18. Rc1 Bb5 19. Bc3 Nxe2+ 20. Qxe2 Rxa2 21. Qxe4 1/2-1/2

[Event "Corus"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2007.01.26"]
[Round "11"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Van Wely, Loek"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B90"]
[WhiteElo "2690"]
[BlackElo "2683"]
[PlyCount "218"]
[EventDate "2007.01.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 117"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2007.03.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2007.03.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Be3 e5 7. Nf3 Be7 8. Bc4 O-O 9. Qd3 ({RR} 9. Bb3 Nc6 10. Qd3 h6 11. O-O Na5 12. Nd2 Rb8 13. Ba7 Ra8 14. Be3 Rb8 15. Nd5 Nxb3 16. Bb6 Qe8 17. Nxf6+ Bxf6 18. cxb3 Qc6 19. Ba7 Ra8 20. Be3 b5 21. Rac1 Qd7 22. Nb1 Bb7 23. Nc3 Rac8 {McShane,L (2671)-Van Wely,L (2674) Baku 2016 0-1 (73)}) 9... Nc6 ({RR} 9... Nbd7 10. O-O-O Qc7 11. Nd5 Nxd5 12. Bxd5 Nf6 13. Bb3 b5 14. Bg5 Bb7 15. Bxf6 Bxf6 16. Bd5 Rac8 17. Rd2 Rfd8 18. Rhd1 Bxd5 19. Qxd5 Qb6 20. g3 a5 21. h4 b4 22. Nh2 a4 23. Kb1 Rc5 24. Qd3 {Polak,M (1997)-Wieckowski,M (1964) Warsaw POL 2024 ½-½ (60)}) 10. a3 b5 11. Bd5 Qc7 $146 ({RR} 11... Bb7 12. O-O Qc7 13. Bg5 Rac8 14. Bxc6 Bxc6 15. Rad1 Nxe4 16. Bxe7 Qxe7 17. Nxe4 d5 18. Neg5 e4 19. Qe3 f5 20. g3 f4 21. gxf4 h6 22. Nh3 g5 23. Kh1 Rf7 24. Ne5 Rg7 25. Nxc6 Rxc6 26. fxg5 {Meijers,V (2445)-Boehm,M (2295) Boeblingen 1997 1-0}) ({RR} 11... Nxd5 12. Nxd5 Be6 13. O-O Bxd5 14. Qxd5 Rc8 15. Rfc1 Na5 16. b3 Qc7 17. Bd2 Qb6 18. a4 b4 19. c3 bxc3 20. Rxc3 Rxc3 21. Bxc3 Nc6 22. Rc1 Rb8 23. Bd2 Nb4 24. Qc4 a5 25. h3 h6 26. Qc7 {Moskovic,D (2251)-James,D (2253) West Bromwich 2003 ½-½ (53)}) 12. Bg5 Be6 13. Bxf6 Bxf6 14. O-O Rac8 15. Rfd1 Nd4 16. h3 g6 17. Rac1 Bg7 18. Qe3 Qb8 19. Qd3 Qc7 20. Nxd4 exd4 21. Bxe6 fxe6 22. Ne2 Bh6 23. Rb1 Qxc2 24. Qxc2 Rxc2 25. Nxd4 Rcxf2 26. Nxe6 R8f6 27. Rxd6 Be3 28. Kh1 Kf7 29. Nd8+ Ke7 30. Rxf6 Rxf6 31. e5 Rb6 32. Rd1 Bf4 33. g4 Bxe5 34. Re1 Kf6 35. Rf1+ Ke7 36. Re1 Kf6 37. Rf1+ Kg7 38. Rf7+ Kg8 39. b3 Rd6 40. Re7 Bb2 41. Re8+ Kg7 42. a4 Rd3 43. axb5 axb5 44. Kg2 Bf6 45. Nc6 Rxb3 46. Rb8 h5 47. gxh5 gxh5 48. Na7 b4 49. Nc6 Bc3 50. Nxb4 Bxb4 51. h4 Kf6 52. Rb5 Kg6 53. Rg5+ Kf6 54. Rb5 Ke6 55. Rxh5 Bd6 56. Rg5 Bf4 57. Rc5 Be5 58. h5 Rg3+ 59. Kf1 Rh3 60. Ke2 Kf5 61. h6 Ke4 62. Rc4+ Bd4 63. Rc2 Rxh6 64. Rd2 Rh3 65. Rc2 Bc3 66. Kd1 Kd4 67. Rf2 Kd3 68. Rd2+ Kc4 69. Rf2 Re3 70. Re2 Rd3+ 71. Kc2 Bd4 72. Rd2 Ra3 73. Re2 Be3 74. Kd1 Ra1+ 75. Kc2 Kd4 76. Kb2 Ra8 77. Kb1 Rh8 78. Kc2 Rc8+ 79. Kb3 Kd3 80. Rb2 Bd2 81. Rb1 Ra8 82. Rb2 Ra1 83. Ra2 Rd1 84. Rc2 Ra1 85. Rc3+ Kd4 86. Rc4+ Kd5 87. Rg4 Be3 88. Kc2 Bd4 89. Kd3 Ra3+ 90. Ke2 Kc4 91. Rg2 Rh3 92. Kd2 Re3 93. Re2 Ra3 94. Kc2 Be3 95. Kb2 Kb4 96. Kb1 Bd4 97. Kc2 Kc4 98. Rd2 Be3 99. Re2 Rb3 100. Kd1 Kd3 101. Rd2+ Ke4 102. Kc2 Rb8 103. Rd3 Bd4 104. Rd2 Rc8+ 105. Kd1 Be3 106. Rc2 Rf8 107. Ke2 Kd4 108. Kd1 Kd3 109. Rd2+ Bxd2 1/2-1/2

[Event "Corus"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2007.01.27"]
[Round "12"]
[White "Karjakin, Sergey"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C83"]
[WhiteElo "2678"]
[BlackElo "2690"]
[Annotator "Ftacnik,Lubomir"]
[PlyCount "70"]
[EventDate "2007.01.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 117"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2007.03.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2007.03.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 {Pavlovic,Milos Fernandez,Daniel Howard} e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Nxe4 6. d4 b5 7. Bb3 d5 8. dxe5 Be6 9. Nbd2 Be7 ({RR} 9... Nc5 10. c3 d4 ({RR} 10... Be7 11. Bc2) 11. Ng5 dxc3 ({RR} 11... Qxg5 12. Qf3 O-O-O 13. Bxe6+ fxe6 14. Qxc6 Qxe5 15. b4 Qd5) 12. Nxe6 fxe6 13. bxc3 Qd3 14. Nf3 ({RR} 14. Bc2 Qxc3 15. Nb3) 14... O-O-O 15. Qe1 Nxb3 16. axb3 Kb7 17. Be3 Be7 18. Bg5 ({RR} 18. Qc1) 18... h6 ({RR} 18... Rhe8) 19. Bxe7 Nxe7 20. Nd4 Rxd4 21. cxd4 Qxb3 22. Qe3 Qxe3 23. fxe3 Nd5 24. Kf2) ({RR} 9... Nc5 10. c3 d4) 10. c3 O-O 11. Bc2 f5 ({RR} 11... Bf5) 12. Nb3 ({RR} 12. exf6 Nxf6 13. Nb3 Bg4 14. Qd3) 12... Qd7 13. Nbd4 Nxd4 14. Nxd4 c5 15. Nxe6 Qxe6 16. f3 Ng5 17. a4 ({RR} 17. Bxg5 Bxg5 18. f4) 17... Rad8 ({RR} 17... b4) 18. axb5 axb5 19. Bxg5 ({RR} 19. Ra7 Rd7 20. Rxd7 Qxd7 21. Bxg5 Bxg5 22. f4 Bd8 23. b3) 19... Bxg5 20. f4 Be7 21. Kh1 {The two youngest participants have courageously entered the discussion of the position, that became very topical lately.} ({RR} 21. b4 cxb4 22. cxb4 Bxb4 23. Qd3) ({RR} 21. b4 d4 22. bxc5 Kh8 23. cxd4 Bxc5 24. Kh1 Bxd4 25. Rb1 b4 26. Qf3 Bc3 27. Bb3 Qe7 28. Rbd1 Rxd1 29. Rxd1 Rd8 30. Rxd8+ Qxd8 31. Qb7 g6 32. Qf7 Bd4 33. g3 Qa8+ 34. Bd5 Qd8 35. Kg2 Bc3 {Yagupov,I (2230)-Raczek,K (2443) chess.com INT 2025 1-0 (42)}) 21... Kh8 (21... c4 22. Qd4 Qc6 23. b4 $1 cxb3 24. Bxb3 Kh8 25. Ra5 Rc8 26. Bxd5 Qxc3 27. Qxc3 Rxc3 28. Rxb5 {1/2 Volokitin,A (2660)-Harikrishna,P (2680)/Foros 2006/ (90)}) (21... Qb6 22. b3 (22. Qf3 d4 23. cxd4 {1/2 Fedorov,A (2614)-Atalik,S (2632)/Malmo 2006/}) ({RR} 22. g4 d4 23. Bxf5 dxc3 24. Qb3+ c4 25. Qxc3 Rd4 26. Qe3 Qb7+ 27. Qf3 Qxf3+ 28. Rxf3 Bb4 29. Be6+ Kh8 30. Kg2 g6 31. Kg3 Rd2 32. Rf2 Rxf2 33. Kxf2 Bd2 34. f5 c3 35. bxc3 Bxc3 36. Rb1 Bxe5) 22... d4 23. c4 bxc4 24. bxc4 Qb7 25. Bd3 {1/2 Karjakin,S (2672)-Fressinet,L (2640)/Cap d'Agde 2006/ (44)}) ({RR} 21... d4 22. cxd4 c4 23. b3 ({RR} 23. Qd2 Qd5 ({RR} 23... Bc5 24. Qa5) 24. Ra5) 23... Bc5 24. bxc4 Rxd4 25. Qf3 bxc4 26. Rfd1 g6 27. Rxd4 Bxd4 28. Rd1 ({RR} 28. Ra8 Rxa8 29. Qxa8+ Kg7 30. Qb7+ Qf7 31. Qxf7+) 28... Rd8 29. Qb7 Bb6 30. Rxd8+ Bxd8 31. Ba4 Qb6 32. Qxb6 Bxb6 {½-½ (32) Anand,V (2767)-So,W (2792) Wijk aan Zee 2018 CBM 183 [Fernandez,Daniel Howard]}) ({RR} 21... Qb6 22. Qd3 c4 ({RR} 22... d4 23. c4 bxc4 24. Qxc4+ Kh8 25. b3) 23. Qh3 g6 ({RR} 23... Qe6 24. Rfd1 g6 25. Qe3 Rd7 26. Qd4 Rc8 27. b4 Bd8 28. g4 fxg4 29. f5 gxf5 30. Rf1 Bb6 31. Qf4) 24. g4 d4 ({RR} 24... fxg4 25. Qxg4 d4 26. Be4 ({RR} 26. f5 d3 27. Bd1 Qe3 28. f6 Qxe5 29. fxe7 Rxf1+ 30. Kg2 Qxe7 31. Kxf1 Rf8+ 32. Kg2 Qe1) 26... Kh8 27. f5 ({RR} 27. Rg1 dxc3 28. bxc3 Bc5 29. Rg3 Rf7) 27... gxf5 28. Rxf5 Rxf5 29. Qxf5 Qh6 30. cxd4 Rxd4) 25. gxf5 Qc6+ ({RR} 25... d3 26. Bd1 ({RR} 26. fxg6 Qc6+ 27. Rf3 hxg6 28. Bd1 Rxf4) 26... Rxf5 27. Bg4 Rff8 28. f5 gxf5 29. Bxf5 Qb7+ 30. Rf3 Rxf5 31. Qg2+ Rg5 32. Rf8+ Rxf8 33. Qxb7 Rxe5) 26. Qg2 Qxg2+ 27. Kxg2 d3 28. Bd1 Rxf5 29. Bg4 Rff8 30. Ra5 h5 ({RR} 30... Kh8 31. Rxb5 h5 32. Bd1 Rb8 33. Ba4 Ra8 34. b3 d2 35. Rd5 Rfb8 36. Rxd2 cxb3 37. Rd4 b2 38. Rb1 Ra5 39. Kf3 g5) 31. Bd1 ({RR} 31. Be6+ Kh8 32. f5 d2 33. Rd1 Bg5 ({RR} 33... gxf5 34. Rxb5) 34. Rxb5 Rb8 35. Rxb8 Rxb8 36. h4 Bh6 37. fxg6 Kg7 38. Bxc4 Rxb2 39. Bd3 Ra2 40. e6 Ra5 41. Bc2 Re5) 31... b4 ({RR} 31... Rb8 32. Ra6 Kg7 33. Ra7 Rbe8 34. Rb7 Kh6 35. Rxb5 Rb8 36. Ba4 Ra8 37. b3 d2 38. Rd5 Rfb8 39. Rxd2 cxb3 40. Bd7 Ra2 41. Rxa2 bxa2 42. Ra1 Rb2+ 43. Kf3 Rxh2 44. Be6 Rc2 45. Rxa2 Rxc3+) 32. Ra6 bxc3 33. bxc3 Kh7 ({RR} 33... Kg7 34. Ra7 Kf7 35. Bf3) 34. Ra7 Rf7 35. Rc7 Rd5 36. Rxc4 {Karjakin,S (2779)-Hou,Y (2663) Shamkir 2016 CBM 173 [Pavlovic,Milos] 1-0 (53)}) 22. Qd3 (22. Ra7 d4 23. cxd4 Rxd4 24. Qf3 Rd2 25. Rf2 Rd7 26. Rxd7 Qxd7 27. h3 c4 28. g4 g6 29. gxf5 {1/2 Polgar,S (2480)-Unzicker,W (2460)/Bad Homburg 1996/}) 22... Qb6 {Carlsen had a direct experience from the game against Krasenkow. Leading white pieces he had developed really dangerous attack.} (22... Qc6 23. Rfd1 c4 (23... d4 24. c4) 24. Qf3 g6 (24... b4 25. cxb4 Bxb4 26. Rd4 Bc5 $2 27. Rxc4) 25. b4 Rd7 26. Qe3 Ra8 27. Qd4 Rdd8 28. g4 Rxa1 29. Rxa1 Ra8 30. Rg1 Bd8 31. e6+ Kg8 32. gxf5 Bb6 33. Qe5 Bxg1 34. fxg6 hxg6 35. Bxg6 Bb6 {1/2 Carlsen,M (2646)-Krasenkow,M (2650)/Tromsoe 2006/ (44)}) 23. g4 c4 $146 (23... d4 24. gxf5 c4 25. Qe4 d3 26. Bd1 Qh6 27. Ra7 Bc5 {1/2 Fedorov,A (2617)-Delchev,A (2628)/Predeal 2006/ (38)}) ({RR} 23... d4 24. gxf5 c4 25. Qe4 d3 26. Bd1 Qh6 27. Ra7 Bc5 28. Rc7 Rc8 29. Rxc8 Rxc8 30. Bf3 Rd8 31. Kg2 Qh4 32. Ra1 d2 33. Qc6 Qf2+ 34. Kh3 Bf8 35. f6 Rd3 36. fxg7+ Kxg7 37. Qf6+ Kg8 38. Qe6+ {Fedorov,A (2617)-Delchev,A (2628) Predeal 2006 ½-½ (38)}) 24. Qh3 Qc6 (24... d4 25. Bxf5 g6 (25... Qc6+ 26. Qg2) 26. Be4 Qe6 27. Qg3 $16) 25. Qg2 (25. Bxf5 g6 26. Bc2 (26. Bb1 d4+ 27. Qg2 Qxg2+ 28. Kxg2 d3 $44) 26... d4+ 27. Qg2 (27. Kg1 $4 d3) 27... Qxg2+ 28. Kxg2 dxc3 29. bxc3 Rd2+ 30. Rf2 Rxf2+ 31. Kxf2 Rxf4+ $11) (25. gxf5 d4+ 26. Qg2 Qxg2+ 27. Kxg2 d3 28. Bd1 Rxf5 $11) 25... fxg4 26. f5 Bc5 $6 {The critical position of the whole game was asking for the defender's full attention. It seems a bit absurd, that the best solution layed in the advance of the pawn to the g3 squre.} (26... Qc7 27. f6 $1 (27. Rae1 d4) 27... gxf6 28. Qxg4 fxe5 (28... Qxe5 29. Rfe1) (28... Bc5 29. exf6 d4 30. Be4 $14) 29. Bxh7 $1 Bg5 (29... Kxh7 30. Qh5+ Kg7 31. Rg1+) 30. Bg6 Bh6 31. Qh5 Qg7 32. Rg1 $18) (26... g3 $1 27. Rf3 (27. hxg3 Qh6+ 28. Qh2 Qxh2+ 29. Kxh2 d4) (27. Rae1 Qh6 28. Qxg3 Bh4 $17) (27. f6 gxf6 28. Bxh7 fxe5 $1) (27. Qxg3 $2 d4+ 28. Qg2 Qxg2+ 29. Kxg2 d3 30. Bd1 Rd5) 27... d4 28. cxd4 Rxd4 29. Rxg3 Qxg2+ 30. Rxg2 Rfd8 $11) 27. Qxg4 Rde8 (27... d4+ 28. Be4 Qc7 29. f6 gxf6 30. exf6 $14) 28. f6 $1 (28. Rae1 d4+ 29. Be4 Qc7 30. f6 Rxe5 31. cxd4 Bxd4 32. Rd1 Rxe4 33. fxg7+ Qxg7 34. Rxf8+ Qxf8 35. Qxe4 Bxb2 $11) 28... gxf6 29. Bxh7 $1 Rxe5 (29... Kxh7 30. Qh5+ Kg7 31. Rg1+ Bxg1 32. Rxg1#) 30. Bf5 $2 {Karjakin pays back to his opponent with the unexact solution. Most likely the fine idea 30.g6! would have won.} (30. Bg6 $1 Qb7 (30... d4+ 31. Rf3 Qb7 32. Rg1 $18) 31. Bf5 $1 Rf7 (31... d4+ 32. Rf3 Rxf5 33. Qxf5 $18) 32. Rf3 Rg7 33. Qh3+ $1 Kg8 34. Be6+ $18) 30... Rf7 (30... Rg8 31. Qh5+ Kg7 32. Qh7+ Kf8 33. Bd7 $1 $18) (30... d4+ 31. Rf3 Rg8 32. Qh5+ (32. Qh4+ Kg7 33. Be4 $1 Rxe4 34. Rg1+ Kf7 $1 35. Qh7+ Ke6 36. Rxf6+ $1 Kxf6 37. Qh6+ Ke7 38. Qxc6 Rxg1+ 39. Kxg1 Re5 $11) 32... Kg7 33. Qg6+ Kf8 34. Ra8+ $1 Qxa8 (34... Ke7 $6 35. Qh7+ Kd6 36. Be4 $1 Rxe4 37. Qxg8 Re8 $1 38. Qg3+ Kd7 39. Rxe8 Kxe8 40. Qg6+ $16) 35. Qxf6+ Ke8 36. Qxe5+ Kd8 37. Bg4 $1 (37. Be4 $4 Qa1+ $19) 37... Rf8 $1 (37... Qa1+ $2 38. Kg2 Rxg4+ 39. Kh3 Qg1 40. Qb8+ $18) (37... Rxg4 38. Qh8+ $18) 38. Qxc5 Qa1+ (38... Rxf3 39. Qxd4+ Ke7 40. Bxf3 Qxf3+ 41. Kg1 $16) 39. Kg2 Qxb2+ 40. Kg3 Rxf3+ 41. Bxf3 Qxc3 42. Qd6+ $16) 31. Rae1 {More troublesome for the defender was the move with the other rook as the one on a1 was ready in a good firing location.} (31. Rf3 Rg7 32. Rh3+ Kg8 33. Ra8+ $1 (33. Qh5 $2 d4+ 34. Qf3 Qxf3+ 35. Rxf3 d3 $19) (33. Qf3 Re3 $19) 33... Qxa8 34. Be6+ Rxe6 (34... Kf8 35. Rh8+ Ke7 36. Qxg7+ Kxe6 37. Qg4+ $1 (37. Rxa8 $2 Re1+ 38. Kg2 Rg1+ $19) 37... Kd6 38. Rxa8 Re1+ 39. Kg2 Rg1+ 40. Kf3 Rxg4 41. Kxg4 $18) 35. Qxe6+ Rf7 36. Qg4+ Rg7 37. Qe6+ Rf7) (31. Rfe1 $1 d4+ (31... Bb6 32. Qh5+ Kg8 33. Qg6+ Rg7 (33... Kf8 34. Rxe5) 34. Be6+ $1 Rxe6 (34... Qxe6 35. Ra8+) 35. Rxe6 Rxg6 36. Rxc6 $18) (31... Rg7 32. Qh3+ Kg8 33. Rxe5 fxe5 34. Be6+ $18) 32. Be4 Rxe4 (32... Qe6 $2 33. Ra8+ $18) 33. Rxe4 d3 34. Qg2 Rh7 35. Rae1 Bf8 36. Rg1 Qd5 $14) 31... d4+ 32. Be4 Qe6 33. Bf5 (33. Qh4+ Kg7 $1 (33... Kg8 $2 34. Qh6 $1 Bf8 35. Rg1+ Bg7 36. Ra1 $16) 34. Rg1+ Kf8 35. Qh8+ Ke7 36. Rg8 Qd7 $13) 33... Qc6+ 34. Be4 {Karjakin decided to accept the draw with move repetition as the continuation of the attack was not promissing concrete results.} Qe6 35. Bf5 Qc6+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "Corus"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2007.01.29"]
[Round "13"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Shirov, Alexei"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C90"]
[WhiteElo "2690"]
[BlackElo "2715"]
[Annotator "Carlsen,Magnus"]
[PlyCount "115"]
[EventDate "2007.01.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 117"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2007.03.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2007.03.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{Before the Corus Tournament I agreed to annotate a game from the tournament for CBM, obviously thinking that I might be able to win at least one game or achieve something memorable. However, things did not go according to plan at all as I made blunders or huge mistakes in calculation in almost every game I played. The following game is not a very good game, but I came very close to winning and the game was quite interesting.  Vor dem Corus-Turnier erklärte ich mich bereit, eine Partie daraus für das CBM zu kommentieren, offensichtlich annehmend, in der Lage sein, zumindest eine Partie zu gewinnen oder etwas Denkwürdiges zu leisten. Doch die Dinge liefen ganz und gar nicht nach Plan, denn in fast jeder Partie, die ich spielte, übersah ich etwas oder machte riesige Rechenfehler. Die folgende Partie ist nicht besonders gut, aber ich kam dem Sieg sehr nahe und es war recht interessant.} 1. e4 {Mekhitarian,Krikor Sevag} e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. a3 {Hardly anyone dares allow the Marshall nowadays, so I guess I'm excused for playing a somewhat unusual line. Kaum jemand wagt es heutzutage, Marshall zuzulassen, also kann man mir das Anwenden eines etwas ungewöhnlichen Abspiels wohl verzeihen.} d6 (8... Bc5 {ist auch recht verlässlich, wie Svidler in einer früheren Runde des Turniers gegen mich zeigte.}) 9. c3 ({RR} 9. h3 Na5 10. Ba2 c5 11. Nc3 Nc6 12. d3 h6 13. Bd2) ({RR} 9. d3 Nb8 ({RR} 9... Na5 10. Ba2 c5) 10. Nbd2 Nbd7 11. Ba2 c5 12. Nf1 Nb6 13. Ng3 Qc7 14. Nh4 g6 15. Bh6 Re8 16. Qd2 Ng4 17. Bg5 Bxg5 18. Qxg5 Qe7) 9... Na5 (9... Be6 {is the main line. ist das Hauptabspiel.}) 10. Bc2 (10. Ba2 {would appear more natural now that I have played a3, but the bishop might get closed in here after a future c4 by Black. Anyway, it was an interesting alternative. würde natürlicher wirken, da ich ja a3 gespielt habe, doch dort könnte der Läufer nach einem zukünftigen c4 von Schwarz eingemauert werden. Jedenfalls war es eine interessante Alternative.}) ({RR} 10. Ba2 c5 11. d4 ({RR} 11. b4 Nc6 12. d3 Be6 13. Bxe6 fxe6 14. Nbd2 Qd7 15. Nb3 a5 16. Nxa5 Nxa5 17. bxa5 Rxa5) ({RR} 11. d3 c4) 11... c4 12. Bg5 ({RR} 12. dxe5 dxe5 13. Qxd8 Rxd8 14. Nxe5 Nxe4) 12... h6 13. Bh4 Bg4 14. h3 Bxf3 15. Qxf3 Nc6 16. d5 ({RR} 16. Rd1 Nd7 17. Bxe7 ({RR} 17. Bg3 Bf6) 17... Qxe7 18. b3 cxb3 19. Bxb3 Nb6) 16... Na5 17. Bxf6 Bxf6 18. Nd2 Bg5 19. Nf1 g6 20. a4 Qe7 21. Bb1 Nb3 22. Ra2 Nc5 23. Bc2 Rfb8 24. g3 h5 {Navara,D (2745)-Ding,L (2778) Shamkir 2018 CBM 184 [Mekhitarian,Krikor Sevag] 0-1 (36)}) ({RR} 10. Ba2 c5 11. d4 Qc7 12. Nbd2 c4 13. Bb1 Re8 14. Bc2 Bf8 15. Nf1 g6 16. Ng3 Bg7 17. h3 Bb7 18. d5 Bc8 19. Nh2 Nb7 20. a4 Bd7 21. f4 exf4 22. Bxf4 bxa4 23. Nf3 Nc5 24. e5 Qb6 {Loskutov,O (2288)-Smirnov,P (2483) Satka RUS 2024 0-1 (37)}) 10... c5 11. d4 Nd7 $146 ({RR} 11... Qc7 12. b4 cxb4 13. cxb4 Nc4 14. Nbd2 Nxd2 15. Nxd2 Bg4 16. f3 Rac8 17. Ra2 Be6 18. d5 Bd7 19. Nb3 Ne8 20. Bd3 Qb8 21. Be3 Nf6 22. Qd2 Bd8 23. Na5 Bb6 24. Raa1 Rc7 25. Bxb6 Qxb6+ 26. Qe3 {Suetin,A-Lengyel,L Sarajevo 1965 1-0 (67)}) ({RR} 11... Qc7 12. b4 cxb4 13. cxb4 Nc4 14. Nbd2 Bg4 15. Nxc4 bxc4 16. Re3 Nd7 17. Rb1 exd4 18. Qxd4 Ne5 19. Nxe5 dxe5 20. Qc3 Bg5 21. Rg3 Bxc1 22. Rxc1 Be6 23. Bd3 Rfd8 24. Be2 Rd4 25. Qe3 f6 26. h4 {Minic,D-Gligoric,S Titograd 1965 1-0 (43)}) 12. b4 {Trying to make use of having played a3 instead of h3 as in the normal line. Versucht, die Tatsache zu nutzen, dass a3 geschehen ist statt h3 wie im normalen Abspiel.} cxb4 13. cxb4 (13. axb4 {would seem more natural, and might have been better, though White does not have much to write home about here either. sieht natürlicher aus und könnte auch besser gewesen sein, obwohl Weiß auch hier nichts Besonderes erreicht hätte.} Nc4 14. Nbd2 Nxd2 (14... Ndb6 15. Nxc4 Nxc4 16. Bd3 {might be a little bit better for White. ist vielleicht einen Tick besser für Weiß.}) 15. Nxd2 (15. Bxd2 Qc7 {Black looks very comfortable here. Hier sieht die schwarze Stellung sehr bequem aus.}) 15... exd4 (15... Nb6 16. Nb3 {is the point behind xd2, but Black should be fine here also. ist die Pointe hinter xd2, doch auch hier sollte Schwarz ordentlich stehen.}) 16. cxd4 d5 {is an interesting option, and why I didn't go for axb4. ist eine interessante Option und der Grund, weshalb ich axb4 unterließ.} 17. Rb1 (17. e5 Bxb4 18. Ba3 $44 {was interesting as well. war ebenfalls interessant.}) 17... dxe4 18. Nxe4 {with a complicated position, but one where Black should be fine. mit einer komplizierten Stellung, aber einer, in der Schwarz ordentlich stehen sollte.}) 13... Nc4 14. Nc3 {Leaving the knight alone on c4 looks strange, but I wanted to exploit the fact that the c3 square was free, and Den Springer auf c4 in Ruhe zu lassen, wirkt seltsam, doch ich wollte die Tatsache nutzen, dass das Feld c3 frei war} (14. Nbd2 {doesn't seem to promise much anyway . scheint sowieso nicht viel zu versprechen.}) ({RR} 14. a4) 14... Ndb6 15. h3 exd4 16. Nxd4 Bf6 17. Rb1 {Shirov apparently found my play in this part of the game very strange, which made me wonder if I was playing like a total idiot (which might be true). This move however is quite natural, as there wasn't any other ovbious way of bringing the rook into play, and the somewhat loose pieces on the c-file might need some protection. Black looks very much fine here, which he should be, but it isn't so easy for him to find a plan to improve his position further after he has developed his bishop and put his rooks on the e- and c-files. Shirov fand mein Spieler in dieser Phase der Partie offenbar sehr seltsam, worauf ich mich fragte, ob ich wie ein Vollidiot gespielt hätte (was der Fall sein könnte). Dieser Zug allerdings ist ganz natürlich, da es keine anderen offensichtlichen Weg gab, den Turm ins Spiel zu bringen und die etwas unsicheren Figuren in der c-Linie etwas Schutz vertragen könnten. Schwarz scheint hier sehr ordentlich zu stehen, was auch der Fall sein sollte, aber es ist nicht so leicht für ihn, einen Plan zu finden, wie er seine Stellung weiter verbessern könnte, nachdem er seinen Läufer entwickelt und seine Türme in die e- und c-Linien gestellt hat.} Bd7 {This bishop could also be put on b7.} 18. Rb3 Re8 19. f4 Rc8 20. Kh1 g6 21. Rf1 {Around here I started to like my position, but it is nothing special. Etwa hier begann meine Stellung mir zu gefallen, aber es ist nichts Besonderes.} Bg7 22. Nce2 Na4 $2 {I think this move deserves a question mark, the knight doesn't do a lot over here, and he loses the chance to play d5 as an answer to f5. Ich denke, dieser Zug verdient ein Fragezeichen; der Springer leistet hier drüben nichts, und er nimmt sich die Chance, d5 zu spielen als Antwort auf f5.} (22... Rc7 $1 {As suggested by Simen Agdestein looks like a nice, flexible move, with the idea of bringing the bishop to b7 and protecting the seventh rank. After c7 I think Black must be fine, which is quite fair, as he has not "committed any crimes" so far. , wie von Simen Agdestein vorgeschlagen, sieht aus wie ein schöner, flexibler Zug, mit der Idee, den Läufer nach b7 zu bringen und die siebte Reihe zu schützen. Nach c7 denke ich, Schwarz muss ordentlich stehen, was auch recht fair ist, da er bislang "keine Verbrechen begangen hat".}) 23. f5 Nab6 24. Nf4 Qf6 {This move took me by surprise, but it was not a very unpleasant one, and I started to look for a refutation.  Dieser Zug überraschte mich, aber nicht gerade unangenehm, und ich begann, eine Widerlegung zu suchen.} 25. fxg6 fxg6 (25... Qxd4 26. gxf7+ Kxf7 27. Ne2+ {obviously loses at once. verliert offenbar sofort.}) (25... hxg6 26. Nf5 gxf5 27. Rg3 Kh8 28. exf5 $1 Qh4 29. Rg4 $18) 26. Nf5 (26. Nfe6 Rxe6 27. Rxf6 Rxf6 {This obvious computer continuation did not impress me much. Diese offensitchtliche Computerfortsetzung beeindruckte mich nicht sonderlich.}) 26... Kh8 (26... gxf5 {was worse: war schlechter:} 27. Rg3 $1 (27. Nh5 Qd4 28. Rg3 (28. Rd3 Nb2 $1) 28... Qxd1 29. Rxg7+ Kh8 30. Bxd1 Rxe4 31. Bg5 $13) 27... Kh8 28. Nh5 Qd4 29. Nxg7 {This is the point, the capture with the knight is far more effective than with the rook. Das ist die Pointe, das Schlagen mit dem Springer ist weitaus effektiver als mit dem Turm.} Qxd1 30. Rxd1 Rxe4 (30... Rg8 31. Nxf5 Rxg3 32. Nxg3 $16) 31. Bxe4 fxe4 32. Nh5 {When Black obviously has innsufficient compensation for the exchange. wonach Schwarz offensichtlich unzureichende Kompensation für die Quailität hat.}) 27. Nxg7 Qxg7 28. Rg3 (28. Rbf3 {was probably better. White keeps a pleasant advantage, and his position is easier to play, because Black will always have to worry about his king, while having no real counterplay. war wahrscheinlich besser. Weiß behält einen angenehmen Vorteil, und seine Stellung ist leichter zu spielen, da Schwarz sich immer um seinen König sorgen muss, während er kein echtes Gegenspiel hat.}) 28... Rf8 {Here I felt that there had to be a forced win somehow, but even after spending a lot of time I could not find one.  Hier hatte ich das Gefühl, es müsste irgendwie einen forcierten Gewinn geben, aber selbst, nachdem ich viel Zeit investiert hatte, konnte ich keinen finden.} 29. e5 {The most direct, but probably not the best continuation. Die direkteste, aber vielleicht nicht die beste Fortsetzung.} (29. Rgf3 {could be considered here too. war auch hier zu erwägen.}) 29... Nxe5 30. Bb2 Nbc4 31. Nxg6+ {The only consistent choice. However, it only leads to a draw, and I had not calculated precisely at all, as it turned out. Die einzig konsequente Wahl. Doch sie führt nur zum Remis, und ich hatte keinesfalls genau gerechnet, wie sich herausstellte.} hxg6 32. Rxf8+ Rxf8 33. Bxg6 (33. Rxg6 Nxb2 34. Qh5+ Kg8 35. Rxg7+ Kxg7 {did not look too great to me. schien mir nichs allzu Tolles zu sein.}) 33... Bg4 $2 {We both considered this the only defence during the game, but in fact it is a mistake. Diesen Zug hielten wir beide während der Partie für die einzige Verteidigung, aber tatsächlich ist er ein Fehler.} (33... Rf1+ 34. Qxf1 Nxb2 35. Be4 $1 Qh6 36. Bd5 {creates the lethal threat of g8 and forces Black to give up material. stellt die tödliche Drohung g8 auf und zwingt Schwarz, Material zu geben.}) (33... Qh6 34. Bc1 Rf4 {During the game, I did not see this move, suggested by Fritz,.. It seems that Black is OK after it. Diesen Zug hatte ich während der Partie nicht gesehen, ein Vorschlag von Fritz... Danach scheint die Stellung von Schwarz in Ordnung zu sein.} (34... Qh4 35. Bg5 $18) 35. Be4 Ng4 36. Kg1 Qf6 37. Bxf4 Qxf4 38. Rxg4 Bxg4 39. Qxg4 Qxg4 40. hxg4 Nxa3 41. Bb7 {is a strange computer variation leading to draw. ist eine seltsame Computervariante, die zum Remis führt.}) (33... Be8 {is another move I did not spot, and it seems to give a draw as well. ist ein anderer Zug, den ich nicht gesehen hatte, und auch er scheint Remis zu ergeben.} 34. Qh5+ Kg8 35. Bh7+ Kh8 36. Bg6+ $11) 34. Rxg4 Qf6 35. Bd4 Qf1+ 36. Qxf1 Rxf1+ 37. Kh2 Nxa3 38. Bd3 {I had spend so much time searching for a win that my only concern at this point was to not blunder anything before the time control. Ich hatte auf der Suche nach einem Gewinn so viel Zeit verbraucht, dass meine einzige Sorge an dieser Stelle war, bis zur Zeitkontrolle nichts mehr einzustellen.} Rd1 39. Rg3 Nac4 40. h4 Nd2 41. Bc3 Ndc4 (41... Nf1+ {was probably his plan, but after thinking for a long time he correctly changed his mind. war wahrscheinlich sein Plan, aber nach langem Nachdenken überlegte er es sich zurecht anders.} 42. Bxf1 Rxf1 43. Rg6 Rc1 44. Bd4 Kh7 45. Rxd6 {and White wins easily. und Weiß gewinnt leicht.}) 42. h5 Nb6 43. h6 Nd5 44. Rf3 {Here I thought that the game would be over in a few moves, but he kept finding resources. Hier dachte ich, die Partie würde in wenigen Zügen vorbei sein, aber er fand immer wieder Ressourcen.} Nf6 $8 45. Bf5 Ng8 (45... Nxf3+ $2 46. gxf3 {leaves the knight indefensible, and illustrates the power of a bishop pair in an open position. macht den Springer undeckbar und veranschaulicht die Kraft eines Läuferpaars in offener Stellung.}) 46. h7 Nf6 47. Rh3 $2 (47. Rg3 Rf1 48. Rg5 {as pointed out by numerous commentators, is the way forward , wie von zahlreichen Kommentatoren angemerkt, ist der Weg vorwärts.} Rf4 49. Kg1 Rc4 $8 50. Bxe5 dxe5 51. Rg6 Rc1+ 52. Kh2 Nxh7 53. Be6 $18) 47... Rf1 48. g4 Rf4 {Here I realized that something had gone wrong. In retrospect, I cannot even see what I might have overlooked. Hier begriff ich, dass irgendwas schiefgelaufen war. Im Nachhinein kann ich nicht einmal sagen, was ich übersehen haben könnte.} 49. Rg3 (49. Kg3 {does not lead anywhere: führt zu nichts:} Rf3+ 50. Kh4 Rxh3+ 51. Kxh3 Nxh7 52. Bc8 (52. Bxe5+ dxe5 53. Bxh7 Kxh7 54. g5 Kg6 55. Kg4 e4 56. Kf4 e3 57. Kxe3 Kxg5 58. Kd4 Kf5 59. Kc5 Ke6 60. Kb6 Kd7 61. Kxa6 Kc6 62. Ka5 Kc7 $11) 52... Nf6 53. Bxa6 Nd5 54. Bd2 Nd3 $11) (49. Bxe5 dxe5 50. Kg3 {was the last chance: war die letzte Chance:} Nd5 $1 {The best way to save the game. Die beste Möglichkeit, die Partie zu retten.} (50... Rxb4 51. Rh6) 51. Rh6 Ne3 52. Be6 Rxb4 53. g5 Rf4 54. g6 Rf8 {and Black should be able to hold. und Schwarz sollte sich halten können.}) 49... Kg7 $1 (49... Nfxg4+ 50. Bxg4 Kxh7 51. Bc8 $18) 50. Rh3 Kh8 51. Rg3 Kg7 52. Kg2 (52. Kh1 {was better, but far too deep for the time available, especially as I had already got into time trouble. war besser, aber viel zu tief bei der verfügbaren Zeit, vor allem, da ich bereits in Zeitnot gekommen war.}) 52... Nxh7 53. Rd3 Nf6 54. Rxd6 Nexg4 55. Bxg4 Rxg4+ 56. Kf3 Rg6 57. Rxa6 (57. Kf4 Kf7 58. Kf5 Rg5+ {or oder} (58... Ng8 {also doesn't lead anywhere. führt ebenfalls zu nichts.})) 57... Kf7 58. Rxf6+ {Black will lose the b5-pawn, as White gains the oppostion, but obviously not the game. Schwarz wird den b5-Bauern verlieren, da Weiß die Opposition erobert, aber offensichtlich nicht die Partie.} 1/2-1/2

[Event "Morelia/Linares 24th"]
[Site "Morelia/Linares"]
[Date "2007.02.25"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Svidler, Peter"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B35"]
[WhiteElo "2728"]
[BlackElo "2690"]
[Annotator "Marin,Mihail"]
[PlyCount "53"]
[EventDate "2007.02.17"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 117"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2007.03.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2007.03.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 g6 4. d4 cxd4 5. Nxd4 Bg7 6. Be3 Nf6 7. Bc4 O-O 8. Bb3 e6 $5 ({An interesting atempt to take advantage of the presence of the d-pawn on its initial square.} 8... d6 {would have transposed to a genuine Dragon.}) 9. O-O d5 10. exd5 Nxd5 11. Nxd5 exd5 12. c3 Na5 {new} 13. Qd3 Nxb3 14. axb3 a6 15. Qd2 Re8 16. Rfe1 $146 ({RR} 16. Rad1 Bg4 17. Rde1 Qh4 18. h3 Bd7 19. Ne2 Qe4 20. Ng3 Qe6 21. Bd4 Qc6 22. Bxg7 Kxg7 23. Rd1 Be6 24. Qg5 Kh8 25. Rd4 Qc7 26. Qf6+ Kg8 27. Rd3 Qd8 28. Qf4 Qb8 29. Qd4 Qd8 30. f4 Qh4 {Forcen Esteban,D (2441)-Villuendas Valero,A (2254) Zaragoza 2011 1-0 (57)}) 16... Bd7 17. Nc2 Bc6 18. Bd4 f6 $1 {Optically speaking, an "ugly" move, creating a weakness and restricting the own bishop. However, this is the lesser evil in this position. Allowing the exchange of the dark-squared bishops would have left Black's position in ruins.} 19. Rxe8+ Qxe8 20. h3 Qf7 21. Nb4 Bf8 22. Nxc6 bxc6 23. b4 Bd6 24. b5 cxb5 25. Bxf6 a5 26. Bd4 Qf4 27. Qxf4 1/2-1/2

[Event "Morelia/Linares 24th"]
[Site "Morelia/Linares"]
[Date "2007.03.02"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Morozevich, Alexander"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C83"]
[WhiteElo "2741"]
[BlackElo "2690"]
[Annotator "Marin,Mihail"]
[PlyCount "83"]
[EventDate "2007.02.17"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 117"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2007.03.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2007.03.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 {Caruana,Fabiano} e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Nxe4 6. d4 b5 7. Bb3 d5 8. dxe5 Be6 9. c3 Be7 10. Nbd2 Nc5 11. a4 {Morozevich is faithful to himself by playing a very rare move in a well known position. In the Ruy Lopez, White usually does not part with his light-squared bishop so easily.} ({RR} 11. Nd4 Nxe5 12. Bc2 ({RR} 12. f4 Nc4 13. f5 Bd7 14. Nxc4 bxc4 15. Bc2 O-O 16. Qf3 c6) 12... Qd6 13. N2b3 ({RR} 13. f4 Nc6) ({RR} 13. b4 Na4) 13... Ne4 ({RR} 13... Bg4 14. f3 Nxb3 15. axb3 Bd7 16. f4 ({RR} 16. Bf4 O-O 17. Re1 Bf6) 16... Ng4) 14. Bf4 g5 15. Bxe5 Qxe5 16. Re1 Bd6 17. g3 Qf6 18. Bxe4 dxe4 19. Rxe4 O-O 20. Nxe6 fxe6 21. Qe2) ({RR} 11. Nd4 Nxe5 12. Bc2 Qd6 13. N2b3 Bg4 14. f3 Nxb3 15. Nxb3 Bd7 16. Be3 O-O 17. Bc5 Qe6 18. Bxe7 Qxe7 19. Qxd5 Bc6 20. Qc5 Qxc5+ 21. Nxc5 a5 22. a4 bxa4 23. Bxa4 Rfb8 24. Rfe1 Bxa4 25. Rxa4 Ng6 {Huschenbeth,N (2600)-Stevic,H (2531) Hamburg GER 2025 ½-½ (45)}) 11... Nxb3 $146 ({RR} 11... O-O 12. axb5 axb5 13. Rxa8 Qxa8 14. Bc2 b4 15. Nd4 bxc3 16. bxc3 Nxd4 17. cxd4 Nd7 18. Nf3 Bg4 19. Qd3 g6 20. Bh6 Re8 21. Qc3 Qc8 22. Ng5 Bf8 23. Bxf8 Nxf8 24. Ba4 Bd7 25. Bb3 Ne6 26. Nxe6 {Sulc,G (2035)-Dokmanovic,N Zadar 1995 ½-½ (41)}) ({RR} 11... b4 12. Nd4 Nxb3 ({RR} 12... Nxd4 13. cxd4 Nxb3 ({RR} 13... Nd3 14. Nf3 Nxc1 15. Rxc1) 14. Nxb3 O-O 15. Be3 Qd7 16. Qd2) ({RR} 12... Nxe5 13. cxb4 ({RR} 13. Re1 Ned3) ({RR} 13. Qh5 Qd6) ({RR} 13. f4 Ned3 14. f5) 13... Nxb3 14. N2xb3) ({RR} 12... Qd7 13. Bc2 ({RR} 13. Nxc6 Qxc6 14. cxb4 Nxb3) 13... bxc3 14. bxc3 Nxe5 ({RR} 14... O-O 15. f4) 15. f4 Bg4 16. Qe1 Ned3 17. Qg3 ({RR} 17. Qe3 Nxc1 18. Raxc1 O-O 19. h3 Bh5 20. g4 Bxg4 21. hxg4 Qxg4+ 22. Kh2) 17... Nxc1 18. Raxc1 O-O 19. Rce1 ({RR} 19. f5 Bg5 20. Rf2 h5 21. h3 Ne4 22. Nxe4 Bxc1 23. Nd2 Bxd2 24. Rxd2 c5 25. hxg4 cxd4) 19... Bh5 ({RR} 19... Bf6 20. f5 Bh5 21. Qh3 g6 22. g4) ({RR} 19... f5 20. h3 Bh5 21. Nxf5 Bf6 22. Re7) ({RR} 19... Rfe8 20. h3 Bh5 21. Re5 Bg6 22. f5 Bd6 23. Rxe8+ Rxe8 24. Qf3) ({RR} 19... g6 20. f5 ({RR} 20. Rxe7 Qxe7 21. Qxg4 Qe3+ 22. Rf2 Qxc3) ({RR} 20. h3 Bh5 21. Nf5 Bf6) 20... Bh5 21. f6 ({RR} 21. Qh3 Bg5 22. Nb1) ({RR} 21. Qf4) 21... Bd6 22. Qg5 Rfe8 ({RR} 22... Kh8 23. Re7 Bxe7 24. fxe7) 23. Bf5 Qd8 24. Nc6 Rxe1 25. Nxd8 Rxf1+ 26. Nxf1 Rxd8 27. g4) ({RR} 19... Rae8 20. f5 ({RR} 20. h3 Bh5 21. Re5 Bg6 22. f5 Bd6) 20... Bg5 ({RR} 20... h5 21. h3 Bd6 22. Qf2) 21. Nb1 Rxe1 22. Rxe1 Re8 23. h3 Rxe1+ 24. Qxe1 Bh5 25. g4) 20. Re5 ({RR} 20. Nf5 Bf6) ({RR} 20. Bf5 Qd6) 20... Bg6 21. f5 Bd6 22. fxg6 ({RR} 22. Rxd5 Bxg3 23. Rxd7 Nxd7 24. fxg6 Bd6 25. gxf7+ Rxf7 26. Bb3 Raf8 27. Ne4 Nc5 28. Nxc5 Bxc5) 22... fxg6 23. Rxd5 Rxf1+ ({RR} 23... Bxg3 24. Rxd7 Bxh2+ 25. Kxh2 Nxd7 26. Rd1) 24. Kxf1 ({RR} 24. Nxf1 Bxg3 25. Rxd7 Bxh2+ 26. Kxh2 Nxd7) 24... Rf8+ 25. N2f3 Bxg3 26. Rxd7 Nxd7 27. hxg3) 13. Nxc6 ({RR} 13. N2xb3 Qd7 14. f4 Nxd4 15. cxd4 ({RR} 15. Nxd4 c5 16. f5 cxd4 17. fxe6 Qxe6 18. cxd4 O-O) ({RR} 15. Qxd4 Rb8 ({RR} 15... bxc3 16. bxc3 O-O 17. Ba3) 16. Be3 ({RR} 16. Nc5 Qc6) 16... O-O 17. Nc5 Bxc5 18. Qxc5 bxc3 19. Qxc3 Bf5) 15... O-O 16. Be3 a5 17. Qd2 Bf5 18. Rfc1 Ra6) 13... Qd7 14. Nxb3 ({RR} 14. Nxe7 Nxa1) 14... Qxc6 15. cxb4 ({RR} 15. Nd4 Qd7) 15... Bxb4 16. Be3 O-O 17. f4 Qd7 18. Bc5 ({RR} 18. Nc5 Bxc5 19. Bxc5 Rfb8 20. b4 d4) 18... Rfb8 19. Bxb4 ({RR} 19. Qd4 a5) 19... Rxb4 20. Nc5 Qe7 ({RR} 20... Qc6 21. Nd3 ({RR} 21. Rc1 Bf5 22. b3) 21... Rd4 22. f5 Bd7 23. Qf3 ({RR} 23. e6 fxe6 24. f6) 23... Qb6 24. Kh1) ({RR} 20... Qc8 21. Qf3 ({RR} 21. f5 Bxf5 22. Qxd5 Be6 23. Nxe6 fxe6) ({RR} 21. Qd2 Rab8 22. b3 d4)) 21. Nd3 Rd4 22. f5 Bd7 23. Qf3 ({RR} 23. f6 gxf6 ({RR} 23... Qe6 24. Qf3 Qf5 ({RR} 24... Qg4 25. Rac1 ({RR} 25. Nc5) 25... Qxf3 26. Rxf3 Bxa4 ({RR} 26... Ra7 27. Nc5) 27. Rxc7 Bb5 28. e6 fxe6 29. Rxg7+ Kh8 30. Ne5) ({RR} 24... Rb8 25. Nc5 Qc6 26. fxg7) ({RR} 24... Qb6 25. a5 Qa7 26. Kh1) 25. Nc5 ({RR} 25. Qxf5 Bxf5 26. Nc5 g6 27. Rfd1 Rc4 28. Rac1 Rxc1 29. Rxc1 a5 30. Nb7) 25... Qxf3 26. Rxf3 Bg4 27. Rg3 g6 28. Rc1) ({RR} 23... Qf8 24. Qf3 Rb8 25. b4) 24. Rxf6 ({RR} 24. exf6 Qe3+) 24... c5 ({RR} 24... Kh8 25. Qf3 Be6 26. Nf4) ({RR} 24... Qf8 25. Qf3 Qg7 26. Nc5 Bg4 27. Qe3) ({RR} 24... Rb8 25. Qd2 ({RR} 25. Qc2) 25... Rb3 ({RR} 25... Qxe5 26. Nxe5 Rxd2 27. Nxd7 Rbxb2 28. Kh1 Rxg2 29. Rg1 Rxg1+ 30. Kxg1 d4 31. Rf4 d3 32. Rg4+ Kh8 33. Nf6 Rb8 34. Kf2) 26. Qg5+ Kh8 27. Nf4 ({RR} 27. e6 Bxe6 28. Nf4)) 25. Qf3 c4 26. Nf4 Re4 ({RR} 26... Qxe5 27. Qg3+ Kh8 28. Ng6+) 27. Rf1 Qxe5 28. Qg3+ ({RR} 28. Nxd5 Bg4) ({RR} 28. Rxf7 Bf5 ({RR} 28... Kxf7 29. Nd3+ Qf5 30. Qh5+ Kf6 31. Qh6+ Ke7 32. Qg7+ Kd6 33. Qg3+ Ke7 34. Rxf5 Bxf5 35. Nc5) 29. Rb7 ({RR} 29. Nd3 Qd4+ 30. Kh1 Kxf7 31. Qxf5+ Kg8 32. Nc5) 29... Rf8 ({RR} 29... Kh8 30. Qf2) 30. Qg3+ Bg6 31. Rxh7 Qd4+ 32. Kh1 Kxh7 33. Qxg6+ Kh8 34. Qh6+ Kg8 35. Qxf8+ Kxf8 36. Ne6+ Kg8 37. Nxd4 Rxd4) 28... Kh8 29. Rxf7 Be6 ({RR} 29... Rg8 30. Qh4 ({RR} 30. Rxh7+ Kxh7 31. Qh4+ Kg7 32. Nh5+ Kh8) ({RR} 30. Qf2) 30... Bf5 31. Qf2 ({RR} 31. Qf6+ Qxf6 32. Rxf6 Re5 33. Rxa6 d4) 31... d4 32. g3 Bg4 ({RR} 32... d3 33. Nh5 Bg6 34. Rf8) 33. Nd5 Re2 34. Qf6+ Qxf6 35. Nxf6) 30. Re7 ({RR} 30. Nxe6 Qxg3 31. hxg3 Rxe6) 30... Qd4+ 31. Kh1 Qf6 32. Qc3 Qxc3 ({RR} 32... d4 33. Qf3 Rxf4 34. Qxa8+ Bg8 35. Rxf4 Qxf4 36. h3 Qc1+ 37. Kh2 Qf4+ 38. g3 Qf2+ 39. Qg2) 33. bxc3 Bg8 34. Rxe4 dxe4 35. Kg1 Rb8 36. Kf2 Rb3 37. Rc1 Ra3) 23... f6 ({RR} 23... Rb8 24. Rae1 ({RR} 24. f6) 24... Rb3 25. Re3 f6 26. exf6 Qxf6 27. Nc5 Rxe3 28. Qxe3) 24. Rfe1 ({RR} 24. e6 Bxa4 25. Qe3 Rc4 26. Rfc1 Bc2) ({RR} 24. exf6 Qxf6 25. Nc5 Qd6 26. Rac1 ({RR} 26. Nxd7 Qxd7 27. f6 Rf8) 26... Rf8 27. Qe3 Rb4) ({RR} 24. Rae1 Rf8) 24... Rf8 25. Rac1 ({RR} 25. e6 Bxa4 26. Qe3 Rc4 27. Rec1 Bc2 ({RR} 27... Bb5 28. Rxc4 dxc4 29. Qc5 ({RR} 29. Nf4 Rd8) 29... Qxc5+ 30. Nxc5 Rd8)) 25... fxe5 26. Nxe5 {Gashimov,V (2758)-Caruana,F (2652) Khanty-Mansiysk 2009 CBM 134 [Caruana,Fabiano] ½-½ (31)} ({RR} 26. Rxe5 Qd6 27. Rce1 c5)) 12. Qxb3 ({RR} 12. Nxb3 O-O 13. axb5 axb5 14. Rxa8 Qxa8 15. Bg5) 12... O-O ({Actually, it would be interesting to know what he had in mind against the natural} 12... d4 {. As an adherent of the Open Variation of the Ruy Lopez, I would say that Black is more than OK here.}) ({RR} 12... d4) 13. axb5 axb5 14. Rxa8 Qxa8 15. Qxb5 Rd8 16. Qd3 Qb7 {Black has certain compensation for the sacrificed pawn, due to his pair of bishops and the lead in development.} 17. Nd4 {Just as in the previous game against Carlsen, Morozevich decides to immediately return the material. The difference is that now he gets very little in exchange.} Nxe5 18. Qe2 Bf6 19. Nxe6 fxe6 20. f4 Qb6+ 21. Kh1 Nf7 22. Nf3 c5 {Black has the more active position and the better pawn structure. His chances are preferable.} 23. g4 Re8 24. g5 Bd8 25. f5 e5 26. c4 Qa6 27. Re1 e4 28. cxd5 Qxe2 29. Rxe2 Nd6 30. Nh4 h6 31. Bf4 Nb5 32. d6 Nd4 33. Rg2 Bxg5 34. Bxg5 hxg5 35. Rxg5 Kf7 36. Rg3 Nb5 37. Rg6 Rd8 38. Re6 Nxd6 39. Re5 c4 40. Rd5 Kf6 41. Ng2 Ke7 42. Ne3 1/2-1/2

[Event "Morelia/Linares 24th"]
[Site "Morelia/Linares"]
[Date "2007.03.04"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C96"]
[WhiteElo "2779"]
[BlackElo "2690"]
[Annotator "Anand,Viswanathan"]
[PlyCount "75"]
[EventDate "2007.02.17"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 117"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2007.03.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2007.03.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{At this stage, we were both tied in the lead with +2.} 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 d6 8. c3 O-O 9. h3 Na5 10. Bc2 c5 11. d4 Nd7 12. d5 {Magnus choice had come as a surprise to me, so I decided not to repeat my usual systems. I had seen some games of Leko with 12.d5 and felt that it was a better try.} Nb6 13. Nbd2 g6 (13... f5 14. exf5 Bxf5 15. Bxf5 Rxf5 16. Ne4 {and Leko got an advantage against both Kramnik and Adams in 2005.}) 14. b4 {Following Leko's game against Mamedyarov.} cxb4 15. cxb4 Nac4 16. Nxc4 Nxc4 17. Bb3 $1 {Leko went for h6, but in fact there is no need for this move.} Nb6 18. Be3 {In fact, the bishop belongs on e3.} Bd7 19. Rc1 Rc8 (19... Qb8 {This may be worth considering, to first play b7 and then c8.}) 20. Rxc8 $146 ({RR} 20. Qd2 Rxc1 21. Rxc1 Qb8 22. Ng5 Rc8 23. Rxc8+ Nxc8 24. h4 Qc7 25. f4 exf4 26. Bd4 f6 27. Ne6 Bxe6 28. dxe6 f3 29. Bxf6 d5 30. e5 Qb6+ 31. Kf1 fxg2+ 32. Kxg2 Qd8 33. Qd4 Qc7 34. h5 Qc1 {Daulyte Cornette,D (2333)-Schink,B (2052) Graz 2010 1-0 (40)}) 20... Bxc8 (20... Nxc8 21. Qc2 Nb6 {comes to the same thing.}) 21. Qc2 Bd7 22. Rc1 {This forces the knight back to a8.} Na8 (22... Qb8 $2 23. Qc7 Rc8 24. Qxb8 Rxb8 25. Bxb6 Rxb6 26. Rc7) 23. Qd2 (23. Ne1 {I was initially attracted to this move, but} Bg5 24. Qd2 (24. Bxg5 Qxg5 {and here White has to deal with both c8 and xh3}) 24... Bxe3 25. Qxe3 Qb8 {though even here} (25... f5 26. Nf3 fxe4 27. Ng5 $16) 26. f4 {gives White a nice edge.}) 23... Qb8 (23... f6 24. Ne1 {with the idea to play d3 and c5!}) 24. Bg5 $1 {Exploiting the fact that f6 is impossible.} Bxg5 (24... Qd8 $1 25. Qe3 (25. Bxe7 Qxe7 26. Qe3 Rc8 $1) 25... Bxg5 26. Nxg5 Qe7 27. f4 $36) (24... Bd8 25. Bxd8 Qxd8 26. Qh6 f6 (26... Qf6 27. Ng5 Qg7 28. Qh4 Rc8 (28... Re8 29. Ne6 $1) (28... Kh8 29. Nxh7 $1 Qxh7 30. Qe7) 29. Rxc8+ Bxc8 30. Nxh7 $1) 27. Rc6 $1 Bc8 28. h4 $1 Rf7 29. h5 Rg7 (29... g5 30. Nxg5 fxg5 31. Rxd6 $16) 30. hxg6 hxg6 31. Nh4 g5 32. Nf5 Bxf5 33. exf5 {Now White's rook can never be dislodged from c6.}) 25. Nxg5 Rc8 26. Rf1 h6 27. Ne6 $1 {An aesthetically pleasing move, but White has no other way to keep the pressure.} (27. Nf3 Kg7 $11) 27... Kh7 {The best try.} (27... fxe6 28. dxe6 Be8 29. Qxh6 $1 (29. e7+ Kg7 30. Qd5 Rc4 31. Bxc4 bxc4 32. Qxc4 Nc7 33. Rc1 Nb5 34. Qc8 Qxc8 35. Rxc8 Kf7 36. Ra8 Kxe7 37. Rxa6 Nc3 {Will be very difficult technically.}) 29... Nb6 30. e7+ (30. f4 Nc4 31. f5 Qa7+ {followed by e3 is too messy.}) 30... Nc4 31. Qf8+ Kh7 32. f4 (32. Bd1 {The computer even suggests d1 winning!} Bc6 33. Qf7+ Kh6 34. f4 Rg8 35. fxe5 Nxe5 36. Qf8+ Kh7 37. Rf4 $1 {and Black has nothing better than to give up the exchange.} Rxf8 38. exf8=Q Qxf8 39. Rxf8 $18) 32... Qa8 33. Rf3 (33. f5 gxf5 34. Rxf5 Qxe4 35. Rf6 Qe3+ 36. Kh2 e4 37. Rf4 {and White wins.}) 33... Qxe4 34. f5 gxf5 35. Rg3 $18) 28. f4 Qa7+ 29. Kh2 Be8 (29... fxe6 30. dxe6 Be8 31. f5 gxf5 (31... Qd4 $2 32. Qxd4 exd4 33. f6 Nb6 34. f7 Bxf7 35. Rxf7+ Kg8 {By not taking on f5, Black has to return to g8.} 36. Rd7 Nc4 37. e7 Re8 38. Rxd6 Rxe7 39. Rxd4 Rc7 40. Rd6 $1 $18) 32. exf5 Qd4 33. Qxd4 {This is what I intended.} (33. Qe1 {This is harder to work out over the board.} e4 34. Qh4 {This seems to win.} (34. f6 Qe5+ 35. Kh1 (35. Qg3 Qxg3+ 36. Kxg3 Nb6 {Again, its not completely clear.}) 35... Bg6 36. f7 Rf8 37. Qh4 d5 $1) 34... Qe5+ 35. Kg1 e3 36. Qe7+ Qg7 37. Qxg7+ Kxg7 38. f6+ Kg8 39. Rf3 $18) 33... exd4 34. f6 Nb6 35. f7 Bxf7 36. exf7 (36. Rxf7+ Kg6 37. Rf4 d5 38. e7 Re8 39. Bc2+ Kg7 40. Rg4+ Kh8 41. Rg6 Nc4) 36... Rf8 37. Be6 $1 {Before Black can play d5 or c4} Nc4 38. Rd1 Ne5 39. Rxd4 Nxf7 40. Rf4 $1 ({Not} 40. Bxf7 $2 Rxf7 41. Rxd6 Rf4 $1 42. a3 a5 43. bxa5 Ra4) 40... Kg7 41. Bxf7 Rxf7 42. Rxf7+ Kxf7 43. Kg3 {White wins the pawn ending.} Ke6 44. Kf3 Ke5 45. g4 d5 46. h4 d4 47. g5 hxg5 48. hxg5 Kf5 49. g6 Kxg6 50. Ke4 $18) 30. f5 gxf5 31. exf5 (31. Ng5+ Kg8 32. exf5) 31... f6 (31... fxe6 32. dxe6 {would transpose to the above note}) 32. Re1 $1 {The rook is going via the 4th rank.} (32. Rf3 Bf7 33. Rg3 Rg8) 32... Nc7 (32... Nb6 33. Re4 Nc4 (33... h5 34. Qe1 Nc4 35. Bd1 $18 {Black has no defence against xh5.}) 34. Nf8+ $1) 33. Rc1 {Now White can use the pin.} Bd7 34. Rc3 e4 (34... Ne8 35. Rg3 Bxe6 {White threatened f8} 36. Rg6 $1 $18) 35. Rg3 (35. Qc1 Nxe6 36. fxe6 Rxc3 37. Qxc3 Be8 38. Qxf6) 35... Nxe6 (35... Rg8 36. Rxg8 Kxg8 37. Qxh6) 36. dxe6 Be8 37. e7 $1 Bh5 (37... Qxe7 38. Bg8+) 38. Qxd6 {In addition to being my best win in Morelia/Linares, this win gave me a one point lead in the tournament.} (38. Qxd6 Re8 39. Qxf6 Qxe7 40. Bg8+ $18) 1-0

[Event "Gausdal Classics GM"]
[Site "Gausdal"]
[Date "2007.04.18"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Kulaots, Kaido"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C54"]
[WhiteElo "2525"]
[BlackElo "2693"]
[PlyCount "77"]
[EventDate "2007.04.18"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "12"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 118"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2007.05.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2007.05.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. c3 Nf6 5. d3 a6 6. Nbd2 O-O 7. h3 d6 8. Bb3 Ba7 9. Nf1 Be6 10. Ng3 Bxb3 ({RR} 10... Re8 11. O-O h6 12. Be3 d5 13. Bxa7 Rxa7 14. Qe2 Ra8 15. Rad1 Qd7 16. Nh4 Na5 17. d4 exd4 18. e5 Ne4 19. Bc2 Qe7 20. Nxe4 dxe4 21. Qxe4 g6 22. cxd4 c6 23. b3 Rad8 24. Rfe1 Bd5 25. Qg4 {Kilic,E (2470)-Erten,K (2372) Novi Pazar SRB 2025 1-0 (39)}) 11. Qxb3 ({RR} 11. axb3 Ne7 12. Nh4 Kh8 13. O-O d5 14. Qe2 Qd6 15. Bg5 Qe6 16. b4 h6 17. Be3 Bxe3 18. Qxe3 Rad8 19. Ngf5 Nxf5 20. Nxf5 Rd7 21. Rfe1 dxe4 22. dxe4 Kh7 23. Ra5 b6 24. Rxa6 Rfd8 25. Qf3 g6 {Nepomniachtchi,I (2632)-Aronian,L (2768) Mainz 2009 ½-½ (32)}) 11... Qc8 $146 ({RR} 11... b5 12. O-O Ne7 13. Bg5 Ng6 14. Nh4 Nf4 15. Nhf5 Ne6 16. Be3 Nf4 17. Bxf4 exf4 18. Ne2 Nh5 19. Qd5 g6 20. Nfd4 Qf6 21. Kh1 Ng7 22. a4 b4 23. cxb4 Ne6 24. e5 dxe5 25. Nc6 Rad8 26. Qxe5 {Jurkiewicz,K (2184)-Matras Clement,A (2232) Wisla 2000 1-0 (40)}) 12. O-O Ne7 13. d4 Ng6 14. Bg5 Nd7 15. Nf5 Kh8 16. Ne7 Qe8 17. Nxg6+ fxg6 18. Qxb7 exd4 19. cxd4 Bb6 20. Qc6 h6 21. Be3 Nf6 22. Qxe8 Rfxe8 23. e5 Nd5 24. Bd2 dxe5 25. dxe5 Rad8 26. Rfd1 Kg8 27. Kf1 g5 28. Rac1 Kf7 29. Ke2 Ke6 30. Rc6+ Kf7 31. Rc4 Ne7 32. Be3 Rxd1 33. Kxd1 Ng6 34. Bxb6 cxb6 35. Rc6 Re6 36. Rc7+ Re7 37. Rc6 Re6 38. Rc7+ Re7 39. Rc6 1/2-1/2

[Event "Gausdal Classics GM"]
[Site "Gausdal"]
[Date "2007.04.21"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Jones, Gawain C B"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B45"]
[WhiteElo "2518"]
[BlackElo "2693"]
[PlyCount "102"]
[EventDate "2007.04.18"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "12"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 118"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2007.05.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2007.05.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nc3 e6 3. Nf3 Nc6 4. d4 cxd4 5. Nxd4 Nf6 6. Nxc6 bxc6 7. e5 Nd5 8. Ne4 Bb7 9. c4 Nb4 10. c5 Qb8 11. f4 Ba6 12. a3 Bxf1 13. Rxf1 Nd5 14. Qd4 Be7 15. f5 exf5 16. Rxf5 O-O 17. Bg5 Bxg5 ({RR} 17... Re8 18. O-O-O g6 19. Rf3 Bxg5+ 20. Nxg5 Qxe5 21. Qh4 h5 22. Nxf7 Qg7 23. Qf2 Re7 24. Nd6 Rf8 25. Rxf8+ Qxf8 26. Qxf8+ Kxf8 27. Rf1+ Kg7 28. Kd2 a6 29. Rf3 Nc7 30. b4 Nd5 31. h4 Nf6 32. Kd3 {Svidler,P (2698)-Erdogmus,Y (2626) Marseille FRA 2025 ½-½ (38)}) 18. Rxg5 Qb3 19. Rg3 Qc2 20. Nf6+ $146 ({RR} 20. Kf1 Rae8 21. Kg1 Re6 22. Rf1 Rg6 23. Nd6 Qe2 24. Rf2 {½-½ (24) Butkiewicz,L (2393)-Paszewski,M (2275) Ustron 2020}) ({RR} 20. Kf1 Rae8 21. Kg1 Re6 22. Rf1 Rg6 23. Nd6 Qe2 24. Rf2 {½-½ (24) Butkiewicz,L (2393)-Paszewski,M (2275) Ustron 2020}) 20... Nxf6 21. exf6 Rfe8+ 22. Kf1 g6 23. Qc3 Qe2+ 24. Kg1 Re5 25. Rf1 Rae8 26. b4 Rd5 27. Qf3 Re4 28. h3 h5 29. h4 Kh7 30. Qxe2 Rxe2 31. Rff3 Re1+ 32. Kh2 Re4 33. Rh3 Rdd4 34. Kg1 Kg8 35. Re3 Kf8 36. Rxe4 Rxe4 37. Rd3 Ke8 38. g3 Re6 39. Rf3 d6 40. cxd6 Kd7 41. Kf2 Kxd6 42. a4 Ke5 43. Re3+ Kd5 44. Rd3+ Kc4 45. Rd7 Rxf6+ 46. Ke3 Kxb4 47. Rxa7 c5 48. Rb7+ Kc3 49. a5 Re6+ 50. Kf4 c4 51. Rb6 Kd4 0-1

[Event "Gausdal Classics GM"]
[Site "Gausdal"]
[Date "2007.04.22"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Dreev, Alexey"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B61"]
[WhiteElo "2693"]
[BlackElo "2633"]
[PlyCount "95"]
[EventDate "2007.04.18"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "12"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 118"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2007.05.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2007.05.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 d6 6. Bg5 Bd7 7. Qd2 Rc8 8. O-O-O Nxd4 9. Qxd4 Qa5 10. Bd2 a6 11. f3 g6 ({RR} 11... e5 12. Qd3 b5 13. a3 Be6 14. Nd5 Qd8 15. Nxf6+ Qxf6 16. Kb1 Qd8 17. Bb4 Rc6 18. Qd2 Be7 19. g3 O-O 20. f4 Bg4 21. Be2 Bxe2 22. Qxe2 Qc7 23. fxe5 dxe5 24. Bxe7 Qxe7 25. Rd5 b4 26. a4 {Duda,J (2732)-Saric,I (2657) Zagreb CRO 2023 1-0 (57)}) ({RR} 11... Qc5 12. Qd3 e6 13. g4 Be7 14. h4 b5 15. Be3 Qc7 16. Kb1 b4 17. Ne2 d5 18. e5 Bb5 19. Qd2 Nd7 20. f4 Nc5 21. Ng3 Bxf1 22. Rdxf1 Na4 23. Ne2 Qa5 24. Bd4 h5 25. g5 g6 26. Rh3 {Kurmangaliyeva,L (2272)-Shtembuliak,E (2620) chess.com INT 2025 0-1 (46)}) 12. Bc4 Qc5 $146 ({RR} 12... Bg7 13. Bb3 Qc5 14. Qxc5 Rxc5 15. g4 Be6 16. Be3 Rc6 17. Nd5 Bxd5 18. exd5 Rc8 19. Rhe1 Nd7 20. h3 h5 21. g5 Rf8 22. c3 b5 23. Kb1 Ne5 24. f4 Nc4 25. Bc1 Kd8 26. Bc2 Rc7 27. Re2 {Swati,G (2385)-Poobesh Anand,S (2416) Atul 2006 0-1 (61)}) 13. Qxc5 Rxc5 14. Bb3 h5 15. Kb1 Bh6 16. Be1 O-O 17. Bf2 Rcc8 18. Bd4 Bg7 19. Rhe1 Rfe8 20. Bxf6 Bxf6 21. Nd5 Bg7 22. Nb6 Rcd8 23. Nxd7 Rxd7 24. e5 e6 25. Rxd6 Rxd6 26. exd6 Rd8 27. Rd1 Be5 28. d7 Kf8 29. c4 Bxh2 30. c5 Ke7 31. Ba4 Bc7 32. b4 g5 33. b5 axb5 34. Bxb5 f5 35. Kc2 g4 36. fxg4 fxg4 37. Rh1 Rh8 38. Be2 Kxd7 39. Bxg4 Ra8 40. Bf3 Rxa2+ 41. Kb3 Ra5 42. Rxh5 Bd8 43. Kc4 Ra4+ 44. Kc3 Ra3+ 45. Kb4 Ra1 46. Rh7+ Be7 47. Kb5 Rc1 48. Rh5 1/2-1/2

[Event "Gausdal Classics GM"]
[Site "Gausdal"]
[Date "2007.04.23"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Rozentalis, Eduardas"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B30"]
[WhiteElo "2578"]
[BlackElo "2693"]
[PlyCount "46"]
[EventDate "2007.04.18"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "12"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 118"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2007.05.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2007.05.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 e6 4. Bxc6 bxc6 5. O-O Ne7 6. Re1 Ng6 7. c3 Be7 8. d4 O-O 9. Be3 cxd4 10. cxd4 f5 11. Nc3 Ba6 12. b3 $146 ({RR} 12. e5 Nh4 13. Nxh4 Bxh4 14. g3 Be7 15. Rc1 Rb8 16. Qa4 Bc8 17. Qc2 a5 18. Na4 g5 19. f4 gxf4 20. Bxf4 Rb4 21. Rcd1 Ba6 22. b3 Kh8 23. Nc5 Bc8 24. Rf1 Rg8 25. a3 Rb8 26. Qc3 Rb5 {Segal,A (2190)-Ankerst,M (2195) Manila 1992 0-1 (62)}) 12... Bb4 13. Bd2 Nf4 14. Na4 Bxd2 15. Qxd2 fxe4 16. Rxe4 Qf6 17. Re3 Qg6 18. Ne1 Qg5 19. Rd1 Qh5 20. f3 d6 21. Nb2 c5 22. Re4 Qf5 23. Nbd3 Nxd3 1/2-1/2

[Event "Porto Vecchio m of the Hopes"]
[Site "Porto Vecchio"]
[Date "2007.05.18"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Radjabov, Teimour"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B33"]
[WhiteElo "2693"]
[BlackElo "2747"]
[PlyCount "113"]
[EventDate "2007.05.18"]
[EventType "match"]
[EventRounds "5"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 118 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2007.07.04"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2007.07.04"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 e5 6. Ndb5 d6 7. Bg5 a6 8. Na3 b5 9. Nd5 Be7 10. Nxe7 Qxe7 11. c4 b4 12. Nc2 O-O 13. f3 h6 14. Bh4 a5 15. Be2 Be6 16. O-O Rfd8 $146 ({RR} 16... Rfb8 17. Bxf6 gxf6 18. b3 Rd8 19. Qd2 Kg7 20. f4 exf4 21. Rxf4 Ne5 22. Raf1 Ng6 23. R4f3 Rac8 24. Nd4 Rc5 25. Rg3 Kh7 26. Nf5 Qf8 27. Bg4 Bxf5 28. Bxf5 Kg7 29. Rf4 h5 30. Rh4 Qh8 31. Qd1 {Boros,D (2403)-Guo,A (2230) Las Vegas USA 2024 1-0 (34)}) ({RR} 16... g5 17. Bf2 a4 18. Qd2 Rab8 19. Rfd1 Rfd8 20. Bf1 Kg7 21. b3 Qb7 22. Rab1 axb3 23. axb3 Ne8 24. Ra1 Nc7 25. Ne1 Na6 26. Nd3 Nc5 27. Qb2 {½-½ (27) Schaefer,M (2373)-Ronge,T (2245) Germany 2022}) 17. Kh1 g5 18. Bf2 Nh5 19. Re1 Nf4 20. Bf1 Qc7 21. Qd2 Kg7 22. Rac1 Qb7 23. Ne3 Ne7 24. b3 Rac8 25. Red1 f6 26. Nd5 Nexd5 27. exd5 Bf7 28. Qe3 Ra8 29. Qb6 Qd7 30. Qc6 Qe7 31. c5 Rac8 32. cxd6 Qxd6 33. Qxd6 Rxc1 34. Qxd8 Rxd1 35. Be1 Nxd5 36. Kg1 Rxe1 37. Kf2 Ra1 38. Qxa5 Nc3 39. Qxb4 Rxa2+ 40. Kg1 Ne2+ 41. Bxe2 Rxe2 42. Qb7 Kg6 43. b4 Rb2 44. b5 h5 45. b6 Rb1+ 46. Kf2 Rb2+ 47. Ke1 Bd5 48. Qxd5 Rxb6 49. Qg8+ Kh6 50. Kf2 Rb7 51. Ke3 Rg7 52. Qe8 g4 53. Ke4 gxf3 54. gxf3 Rg5 55. h4 Rg7 56. Kf5 e4 57. Qh8+ 1-0

[Event "Porto Vecchio m of the Hopes"]
[Site "Porto Vecchio"]
[Date "2007.05.18"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Radjabov, Teimour"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C63"]
[WhiteElo "2693"]
[BlackElo "2747"]
[PlyCount "154"]
[EventDate "2007.05.18"]
[EventType "match"]
[EventRounds "5"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 118 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2007.07.04"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2007.07.04"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 f5 4. d3 fxe4 5. dxe4 Nf6 6. O-O Bc5 7. Qe2 d6 8. Qc4 Qe7 9. Nc3 Bd7 ({RR} 9... a6 10. Ba4 b5 11. Nxb5 axb5 12. Bxb5 Bd7 13. Bxc6 Bxc6 14. b4 Ra4 15. Rb1 Qd7 16. Ng5 Bb5 17. Qc3 Bd4 {0-1 (17) Chor,K (1966)-Erdogmus,Y (2618) chess.com INT 2025}) 10. Bg5 a6 11. Bxc6 bxc6 12. Be3 $146 ({RR} 12. Rad1 Be6 13. Qa4 Bd7 14. Qc4 Be6 15. Qa4 Bd7 16. Qc4 {½-½ (16) Kryakvin,D (2459)-Tay,J (2230) Playchess.com INT 2005}) 12... Bxe3 13. fxe3 Qf7 14. Nd2 O-O 15. Qxf7+ Kxf7 16. Nc4 Ke7 17. Na5 Rab8 18. Rab1 c5 19. a3 Bb5 20. Rf3 Bd7 21. Rff1 Rb6 22. Nc4 Rb7 23. Na5 Rbb8 24. b4 cxb4 25. axb4 Rb6 26. Nd5+ Nxd5 27. exd5 Rxf1+ 28. Kxf1 c6 29. dxc6 Bxc6 30. c4 Be4 31. Rb2 Ke6 32. Ke1 Rb8 33. b5 axb5 34. cxb5 Ra8 35. Nc4 Ra4 36. Nd2 Bb7 37. b6 Kd7 38. Rc2 Bc6 39. Rb2 Bb7 40. Rc2 Ra1+ 41. Kf2 Bc6 42. Rb2 Ra8 43. Nc4 Rb8 44. Rd2 Ke7 45. Nxd6 Bd7 46. Nc4 Be6 47. Nxe5 Rxb6 48. Nf3 Rb8 49. h4 h6 50. Rd4 Rb2+ 51. Nd2 Rb5 52. g4 Rb8 53. Nf3 Rb3 54. g5 hxg5 55. Nxg5 Bf5 56. Rf4 Bg6 57. Nf3 Rb2+ 58. Kg3 Re2 59. Rg4 Kf6 60. Kf4 Rf2 61. Rg5 Bc2 62. e4 Bd1 63. Rf5+ Ke7 64. Kg3 Re2 65. Re5+ Kf6 66. Rd5 Bc2 67. e5+ Ke7 68. Nd4 Re3+ 69. Kf2 Rd3 70. e6 g6 71. Rd7+ Kf6 72. e7 Kf7 73. Rd8 Kxe7 74. Nc6+ Kf6 75. Rxd3 Bxd3 76. Ke3 g5 77. hxg5+ Kxg5 1/2-1/2

[Event "Candidates sf"]
[Site "Elista"]
[Date "2007.05.27"]
[Round "1.1"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C84"]
[WhiteElo "2693"]
[BlackElo "2759"]
[Annotator "Aronian,Levon"]
[PlyCount "72"]
[EventDate "2007.05.27"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "12"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 119"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2007.08.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2007.08.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 {Marin,M} e5 {To give the reader a general picture of my matches (assuming of cours ethat he is interseted), I would say that my opponents surprised me in the opening, by playing lines they had not used before. I should add that I did not go in for such refinements myself.} 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 {When I began playing the Marshall, I would usually hold my breat in this position, and only after seeing the move 6.e1 would I quickly play 6...b5 7.b3 0-0, practically thinking that the matter was settled. It would be interesting to know if other devotees of this variation have experienced similar feelings of euphoria.} 6. d3 {Whereas this is the very move I used to be afraid of.} b5 7. Bb3 d6 {Here I thought for a long tim, as I wanted to surprise my opponent with something new.} 8. a4 Rb8 {When playing 7...d6, I had planned to continue 8...d7 now, but then I changed my mind, in view of 9. c3 0-0 10.c2. Probably without good reason, but that is another story. I played 8...b8 because I remembered that some very strong player had played the same way in a similar position.} 9. axb5 axb5 10. Nc3 {The knight is needed on c3, to meet the freeing e6 with d5.} O-O 11. h3 {A useful move. Marin,M: 'Compared to the normal Anti-Marshall systems, White's early defining of the structure in the centre has allowed Black refrain from ...b7, which places the bishop on a relatively unfavourable square. First of all, it hits into the well defended e4-pawn, secondly, it does not contribute to the annihilation of the white Spanish bishop.'} ({It is probably also possible to seek some advantage after} 11. Nd5 Nxd5 12. exd5 Nd4 13. Nxd4 exd4 {, although in view of the symmetriacl nature of the position, I believe Black should be able gradually to equalize.}) 11... Nb4 $5 $146 {I decided on this move after rejecting Marin,M: 'Aronian spent a considerable amount of time on this new move. Before playing the planned ...e6, Black takes the d5-square under firm control.'} (11... Be6 {because of} 12. Nd5 $1 (12. Bxe6 {Marin,M} fxe6 13. d4 $6 exd4 14. Nxd4 Nxd4 15. Qxd4 c5 16. Qd3 d5 $11 {Tarrasch,S-Leonhardt,P/San Sebastian 1912/HCL (1-0, 59)}) 12... Bxd5 (12... Qd7 $6 {Marin,M} 13. c3) (12... Nd4 {Marin,M} 13. Nxd4 exd4 14. Bd2 $5 Nxd5 15. exd5 Bd7 16. Ra5 Ra8 17. Qa1 $14 {a Romanishin. The position is almost symmetrical, but White's position is more active and Black still has to fight for complete equality.}) 13. exd5 Nb4 14. g4 {This is hardly all that terrifying, but I preferred not to go in for forcing variations, since Magnus had been moving fairly quickly.} (14. d4 {Marin,M} e4 15. Ng5 c5 { 16.dc6 d5!} 16. c3 Nbxd5 17. dxc5 dxc5 18. Nxe4 c4 19. Bc2 b4 20. Qf3 Ra8 21. Rxa8 Qxa8 {Romanishin,O (2595)-Nunn,J (2615)/Debrecen 1992/EU-chT/[Bulletin] (1-0, 73)} 22. Nxf6+ Nxf6 23. Qe2 $16 {Romanishin})) (11... Nd4 {Marin,M} 12. Nxd4 exd4 13. Nd5 Nxd5 14. exd5 (14. Bxd5 Be6) 14... Bd7 {Ljubicic,F (2407)-Plenkovic,Z (2302)/Split 2005/CBM 106 ext (1-0, 72)} 15. Bd2 $14) ({RR} 11... Be6 12. Bxe6 fxe6 13. Ne2 Ra8 14. Be3 d5 15. Ng3 d4 16. Bd2 Nd7 17. Nh2 Rxa1 18. Qxa1 Nc5 19. Qa2 Qa8 20. Ra1 Qxa2 21. Rxa2 Kf7 22. Kf1 Ke8 23. Nf3 Kd7 24. Ke2 Na4 25. Kd1 Bd6 26. c3 {Giri,A (2738)-Niemann,H (2736) Endgame.AI INT 2025 1-0 (54)}) 12. Ne2 $146 {This typical Spanish knight manoeuvre is even more natural here, in view of the unwanted guest on b4. Marin,M: 'Obviously, White will not tolerate the knight on b4 for too long. It is also noteworthy that the transfer of the knight to g3 is carried out without the necessity of spending a tempo on e1 at an early stage.'} ({RR} 12. Bg5 c5 13. Bxf6 Bxf6 14. Nd5 Nxd5 15. Bxd5 Bb7 16. Bxb7 Rxb7 17. Re1 Qd7 18. Nh2 Be7 19. Qf3 Ra7 20. Nf1 Rxa1 21. Rxa1 Bg5 22. Ra6 Rd8 23. Qh5 Bc1 24. b3 g6 25. Qh4 Kg7 26. Nh2 h6 {Kairbekova,A (2309)-Popandopulo,K (2039) Terme Catez SLO 2024 1-0 (70)}) ({RR} 12. Qe2 c5 13. Nd1 Be6 14. Bxe6 fxe6 15. Ne3 Nc6 16. Bd2 Ra8 17. Rfb1 Rxa1 18. Rxa1 Qd7 19. Ng4 Nxg4 20. hxg4 Qb7 21. g5 Ra8 22. Qf1 Rxa1 23. Qxa1 Qa7 24. Qb1 Kf7 25. g3 Qd7 26. Kg2 Bd8 {Volokitin,A (2628)-Dubov,D (2691) Samarkand UZB 2025 ½-½ (35)}) ({RR} 12. Bg5 Bd7 13. Qd2 Nh5 14. Ra7 Bxg5 15. Qxg5 Nf6 16. Rfa1 Be6 17. Bxe6 fxe6 18. Qd2 Nc6 19. R7a6 Qd7 20. Ne2 b4 21. Qe3 h6 22. d4 exd4 23. Nexd4 Nxd4 24. Nxd4 Qf7 25. Nc6 Rb5 26. Ra8 Rb6 {Volokitin,A (2722)-Ragger,M (2655) Austria 2012 1-0 (76)}) 12... c5 13. Ng3 ({On} 13. c3 {I was considering} Nxd3 14. Qxd3 c4 15. Bxc4 bxc4 16. Qxc4 Be6 17. Qd3 Qc7 {with well-known compensation for Black, although 13... c6 is in no way worse.}) 13... Be6 14. Bxe6 {Marin,M: 'This exchange improves Black's control in the centre, but it was not easy to deal with the tension in the position anyway.'} (14. Bd2 $5 {Marin,M} Nc6 $1 (14... Bxb3 15. cxb3 Nc6 16. b4 {offers White some initiative, while 15...xd3 is impossible because of 16.a5!.}) 15. Bxe6 (15. c3 c4 16. Bc2 d5 $36) 15... fxe6 $11) 14... fxe6 15. c3 Nc6 {The position reached is very similar to various lines of the Anti-Marshall. I was happy to reach a middlegame in which I was familiar with the typical plans and ideas of both sides.} 16. Re1 {This move very much surprised me, since I had assumed that my opponent had decided to do without it. Marin,M: 'Finally, White plays this generally useful move anyway. The short term purpose of the development of this rook is to inhibit ...d5.'} Qd7 $11 {A normal consolidating move in this type of position. Marin,M: 'Black's novelty has been crowned with success. With his massive pawn centre he has little to fear. '} 17. d4 $6 {An ambitious decision. Magnus probably did not imagine that by giving up the centre, Black could get the better chances. I think he should have preferred some sort of developing move, such as 17.Bd2 Marin,M: 'But this over-optimistic opening of the centre will leave Black with a dangerous queenside majority.'} exd4 18. cxd4 c4 $1 {Since Black has active ideas connected with b4, giving up the centre is not dangerous for him.} 19. Bg5 h6 20. d5 {The attempt to ease the problems by exchanges does not bring the desired result. After the correct d2, White is only a tad worse.} exd5 21. Bxf6 ({After} 21. exd5 Nb4 {Black's initiative is too strong.}) 21... Bxf6 22. Qxd5+ Rf7 {Marin,M: 'White has managed to weaken some of the central light squares in Black's camp, but his knights are not well placed for taking advantage of this relative achievement. Besides, Black's pressure against the enemy queenside is quite strong. Apart from the obvious ...xb2, ...b4-d3 is a strong threat. '} 23. Qd2 ({Unfortunately for White} 23. Nf5 {is refuted by} Nb4 24. Qxd6 Qxd6 25. Nxd6 Rd7 26. e5 Nc2) 23... Ne5 ({Of course not} 23... b4 {on account of} 24. Rec1 c3 25. bxc3 bxc3 26. Rxc3 Bxc3 27. Qxc3 {and White is not worse.}) 24. Nxe5 Bxe5 25. Ne2 {After the game, of corse, it is easy to recommend other moves, but at the time, I also thought that this was the best move in the position.} Rbf8 26. Rf1 {White only requires a couple of moves in order to consolidate, but now Black turns out to have a strong resource available.} Rf3 $3 {It is always nice to be able to make such an impudent move with impunity. Marin,M: 'A very elegant rook sacrifice, taking advantage of Black's perfect coordination. Apart from the brutal threat of continuing the attack with ...xh3, Black enables the transfer of the rook to d3 or b3. '} 27. Ra3 {After this, White is lost.} ({Naturally} 27. gxf3 {is bad because of} Rxf3 {and White is defenceless.}) ({The only way to attempt to cast doubt on Black's idea was by} 27. Qd5+ Kh7 28. Rad1 {, although after the strong} Qc8 {Black still has a very strong position. For example, after} 29. Qxb5 {there follows} Rxh3 30. f4 Rb3 31. Qd5 Bxb2 32. Qxd6 Ba3 {and Black is practically winning.}) 27... Rxa3 28. bxa3 Qc6 29. Nd4 {More stubborn is 29.e3 although it also looks fairly dismal.} Bxd4 {Since I saw that it was very hard for White to defend the pawns on a3 and e4, I spared myself the effort of looking for other moves.} 30. Qxd4 Ra8 31. Ra1 {31.b2 was the last chance to muddy the waters.} c3 32. Qb4 Qc5 33. Qb3+ Kh8 34. Ra2 Ra4 35. Re2 Rxa3 36. Qd1 Ra8 0-1

[Event "Dortmund SuperGM 35th"]
[Site "Dortmund"]
[Date "2007.06.23"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Leko, Peter"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C88"]
[WhiteElo "2693"]
[BlackElo "2738"]
[Annotator "Marin,Mihail"]
[PlyCount "57"]
[EventDate "2007.06.23"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 119"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2007.08.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2007.08.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 {Rogozenco,Dorian} e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. d4 Nxd4 9. Nxd4 ({RR} 9. Bxf7+ Rxf7 10. Nxe5 Rf8 11. Qxd4 c5 12. Qd1 Qc7 13. Ng4 Nxg4 14. Qxg4 d5 15. Qh5 dxe4 16. Qd5+ Kh8 17. Qxa8 Bb7 18. Qa7 Ra8 19. Bf4 Qc6 20. Qxa8+ Bxa8 21. Be3) 9... exd4 10. e5 Ne8 11. Qxd4 {Safe, but ...unambitious. See my notes to Carlsen,M (2693)-Leko,P (2738)/Dortmund 2007/CBM 119 (½-½, 29) from this same issue of CBM.} ({For the more consistent} 11. c3 {see Jakovenko,D (2708)-Karjakin,S (2686)/Foros 2007/CBM 119/[Marin] (½-½, 29)}) 11... Bb7 (11... c5 $2 {does not win a piece as in some other lines of the Ruy Lopez because of} 12. Qe4 $1 $16) 12. c4 (12. Qg4 {was examined in the notes to Svidler,P (2738)-Naiditsch,A (2612)/Dortmund 2005/CBM 108/[Erenburg] (½-½, 21)}) (12. c3 {is too unpretentious and allows Black to obtain easy equality.} d6 13. Bf4 dxe5 14. Qxe5 Bd6 15. Qg5 h6 16. Qg3 Qf6 17. Bxd6 Nxd6 18. Nd2 Rad8 $11 {Navarro,R (2400)-Peng Xiaomin (2480)/Moscow 1994/CBM 044 ext (0-1, 37)}) 12... bxc4 13. Qxc4 d5 14. exd6 Nxd6 15. Qg4 {White's active queen gives him some hopes for a minimal advantage, but this should be not too real, because in fact he is slightly behind in development.} Nb5 {Anticipating the development of the enemy knight to c3.} (15... Bf6 16. Nc3 Nb5 {Black should provoke simplifications before White completes his development.} (16... Rb8 17. Bf4 Bc6 18. Rad1 Rb4 19. Qg3 {offers White the kind of domination he hopes for, although Black is very much in the game still.} Rd4 20. Be5 Rxd1 21. Rxd1 Re8 22. f4 Qe7 23. Nd5 Bxd5 24. Rxd5 $14 {Nijboer,F (2475)-Sokolov,I (2665)/Netherlands 1996/CBM 054 (½-½, 31)}) (16... Re8 17. Bf4 Rb8 18. h3 Bc6 19. Qh5 Qd7 20. Qa5 Bb5 21. Nxb5 axb5 22. Qd2 $14 {After creating a curious triangle with her queen, White managed to obtain a stable advantage in the shape of the pair of bishops, Arakhamia Grant,K (2446)-Hebden,M (2559)/Scarborough 2004/CBM 101 ext (1-0, 50)}) 17. Ne4 $146 {Maybe this is the move on which Carlsen pinned his hopes, but he will not get that chance.} (17. Nxb5 $6 axb5 18. Bf4 c5 19. Rad1 Qc8 {was just equal in Polgar,J (2575)-Nunn,J (2595)/Hastings 1992/CBM 033 (½-½, 33)}) 17... Bxe4 18. Qxe4 Bd4 19. Qf4 c5 20. Be3 Bxe3 21. fxe3 $5 {×d4} Qe7 22. Rac1 Rad8 23. Red1 Rfe8 24. Rd5 Rxd5 25. Bxd5 $14 {with an active position for White, whose bishop is marvellous, Balogh,C (2617)-Jenni,F (2518)/Dresden 2007 (½-½, 56)}) 16. Nc3 Nxc3 $146 {Simple chess.} (16... Bf6 {would transpose above, and in fact this was the move order actually played in some of the games.}) 17. bxc3 Bd6 $11 {in the absence of knights, Black has little to worry about.} 18. Bf4 Qf6 19. Bxd6 cxd6 20. Rad1 Rad8 21. Re3 $146 ({RR} 21. Qb4 Ba8 ({RR} 21... Rd7 22. Re3) 22. Re3 g6 ({RR} 22... Rfe8 23. Qxd6 ({RR} 23. Rxd6 Qg5 24. g3 Rxe3 25. Rxd8+ Qxd8 26. fxe3) 23... Qxd6 24. Rxd6) 23. Qb6 Qg5 24. Rg3 Qb5 25. Rxd6 Rxd6 ({RR} 25... Qxb6 26. Rxb6 Rfe8 27. Re3 Rxe3 28. fxe3 Be4 29. Rb4 ({RR} 29. Rxa6 Rd2 30. Ra4) 29... Bc6 30. Rd4) 26. Qxd6 a5 27. Qf4 Bd5 28. Rg5 f5 ({RR} 28... Qe8 29. Qd2 Bxb3 30. axb3 a4 31. b4 Qe4 32. h3 Ra8) 29. Qe5 Rd8 30. h4 ({RR} 30. Qxf5 Bxb3 31. Qxb5 Rd1+ 32. Qf1) 30... a4 31. Bc2 Qb8 32. Qxf5 Bxa2 33. Bxa4 Bf7 34. h5 Qb6 35. hxg6 hxg6 {Ivanchuk,V (2751)-Aronian,L (2739) Morelia/Linares 2008 CBM 123 [Rogozenco,Dorian] 0-1 (60)}) 21... Rfe8 22. Rde1 Rxe3 23. Rxe3 g6 24. h4 h5 25. Qb4 Rd7 26. Rd3 Re7 27. Qd4 Re1+ 28. Kh2 Qe7 29. Re3 1/2-1/2

[Event "Dortmund SuperGM 35th"]
[Site "Dortmund"]
[Date "2007.06.24"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Naiditsch, Arkadij"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C68"]
[WhiteElo "2654"]
[BlackElo "2693"]
[PlyCount "70"]
[EventDate "2007.06.23"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 119"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2007.08.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2007.08.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Bxc6 dxc6 5. O-O Qf6 6. d4 exd4 7. Bg5 Qd6 8. Nxd4 Be7 9. Bxe7 Nxe7 10. Nb3 ({RR} 10. Nc3 Bd7 11. Nb3 O-O-O 12. Qf3 Ng6 13. Qe3 Kb8 14. Nc5 Bc8 15. Rad1 Qf4 16. Qxf4 Nxf4 17. f3 b6 18. Nd3 Nxd3 19. Rxd3 Rxd3 20. cxd3 Rd8 21. Rd1 c5 22. Kf2 Be6 23. Ke3 Kb7 24. g4 b5 {Solak,D (2626)-Eljanov,P (2720) Heraklion 2017 ½-½ (34)}) ({RR} 10. Nc3 Bd7 11. Nb3 Qxd1 12. Raxd1 b6 13. f4 c5 14. Nd2 O-O-O 15. Nc4 Be6 16. Ne3 f6 17. Rxd8+ Rxd8 18. Rd1 Rd4 19. f5 Bf7 20. Kf2 Nc6 21. g4 Ne5 22. h3 c6 23. b3 Kc7 24. Ng2 h5 {Muzychuk,A (2505)-Vaishali,R (2489) Stavanger NOR 2024 ½-½ (70)}) 10... Be6 $146 ({RR} 10... Qxd1 11. Rxd1 b6 12. Nc3 Bd7 13. a4 a5 14. Nd4 O-O-O 15. f3 f6 16. Kf2 h5 17. Nce2 c5 18. Nb5 Be6 19. Ke1 Rde8 20. Kf2 g5 21. Rd2 Kb8 22. Rad1 Ng6 23. b3 g4 24. Ng3 gxf3 25. gxf3 {Suyarov,M (2340)-Pranesh,M (2515) Doha QAT 2023 0-1 (84)}) ({RR} 10... Qxd1 11. Rxd1 b6 12. Nc3 Bd7 13. a4 a5 14. Nd4 O-O-O 15. f3 f6 16. Kf2 h5 17. Nce2 c5 18. Nb5 Be6 19. Ke1 Rde8 20. Kf2 g5 21. Rd2 Kb8 22. Rad1 Ng6 23. b3 g4 24. Ng3 gxf3 25. gxf3 {Suyarov,M (2340)-Pranesh,M (2515) Doha QAT 2023 0-1 (84)}) 11. Nc3 O-O-O 12. Qe2 Kb8 13. Rad1 Qf4 14. g3 Qf6 15. Rxd8+ Rxd8 16. Rd1 Rd6 17. f4 Bc8 18. Rd3 Qe6 19. Qd2 Rxd3 20. Qxd3 b6 21. Nd4 Qd6 22. e5 Qd7 23. b4 h6 24. a3 Nf5 25. Nce2 Ne7 26. Nc1 Bb7 27. Ndb3 Qh3 28. Qd8+ Nc8 29. Qd2 h5 30. Nd3 h4 31. Nf2 Qe6 32. Nd4 Qd5 33. Nb3 Qe6 34. Nd4 Qd5 35. Nb3 Qe6 1/2-1/2

[Event "Biel GM"]
[Site "Biel"]
[Date "2007.07.24"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Polgar, Judit"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C83"]
[WhiteElo "2707"]
[BlackElo "2710"]
[PlyCount "85"]
[EventDate "2007.07.23"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "SUI"]
[EventCategory "18"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 120"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2007.10.02"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2007.10.02"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 {Fernandez,Daniel Howard Stohl,Igor} e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Nxe4 6. d4 b5 7. Bb3 d5 8. dxe5 Be6 9. Nbd2 ({RR} 9. c3 Bc5 10. Nbd2 O-O 11. Bc2 Nxf2 12. Rxf2 f6) 9... Be7 ({RR} 9... Nc5 10. c3 d4 ({RR} 10... Be7 11. Bc2 d4 ({RR} 11... Bg4 12. Re1 O-O 13. Nb3 Ne4 14. Bf4 Re8 15. h3 Bh5 16. a4 bxa4 17. Rxa4 Bf8 18. Nbd4 Nxe5 19. Bxe5 Rxe5 20. g4 Qf6 21. gxh5 c5 22. Nb3 Rg5+ 23. Kf1 Rf5 24. Rexe4 dxe4 25. Bxe4 Rd8 26. Qe2) 12. Nb3 ({RR} 12. cxd4 Nxd4 13. Nxd4 Qxd4 14. Nf3 Qxd1 15. Rxd1 O-O) 12... d3 13. Nxc5 ({RR} 13. Bb1 Nxb3 14. axb3 Bf5 15. Be3 O-O 16. Re1 Qd5 17. b4 Rfd8 ({RR} 17... a5 18. bxa5 Rxa5 19. Rxa5 Nxa5 20. Nd4 Bg6 21. Bxd3 Rd8 22. Bxg6 hxg6 23. Qe2 b4 24. e6 fxe6 25. Bf4 Bf6 26. Bxc7) 18. Ba2 ({RR} 18. Bd4 Bxb4 19. Bxd3 Bxd3 20. Qxd3 Nxd4 21. Nxd4 c5 22. Re4 Rac8) 18... Qd7 19. Bg5 h6 20. Bxe7 Qxe7 21. Nd2 Be6 22. f4 Bxa2 23. Rxa2 Qe6 24. Ra1 Qd5 ({RR} 24... a5) 25. Qb3) 13... dxc2 14. Qxd8+ Rxd8 15. Nxe6 fxe6 16. Be3 Rd5 17. Rfc1 ({RR} 17. c4 bxc4 18. Rac1 Nb4 19. a3 Nd3 20. Rxc2 Kd7 21. Bd4 Rb8) 17... Nxe5 18. Nxe5 Rxe5 19. Bd4 Rg5 ({RR} 19... Re2 20. Kf1 Rd2 21. Be3) 20. Rxc2 Kf7 21. Be3 Rg4 22. b3 Rd8 23. g3 e5 24. Kg2 Rg6 25. c4) ({RR} 10... Be7 11. Bc2) 11. Bxe6 ({RR} 11. Ng5 Qxg5 12. Qf3 O-O-O 13. Bxe6+ fxe6 14. Qxc6 Qxe5 15. b4 Qd5 16. Qxd5 exd5 17. bxc5 dxc3 18. Nb3 d4 19. Ba3 g6 20. Bb4 Bg7 21. a4 d3 22. axb5 d2 23. c6 Kb8 24. Rxa6 d1=Q 25. Bc5 Qxb3) 11... Nxe6 12. cxd4 Ncxd4 13. a4 ({RR} 13. Ne4 Be7 14. Be3 Nf5 15. Qc2 O-O 16. Neg5 ({RR} 16. Rfd1 Nxe3 17. fxe3 Qc8 18. Rac1 c5 19. Nd6 Qc6 20. Rd2 Ra7 21. Rcd1 c4 22. h4 Rc7 23. Rd5 g6 24. h5 Nc5 25. R1d4 Ne6 26. Rd1 Nc5 27. e6 fxe6 28. Ne5 exd5 29. Nxc6 Rxc6) 16... Bxg5 17. Nxg5 Nxg5 ({RR} 17... g6 18. Nxe6 ({RR} 18. Ne4) 18... fxe6 19. Rfe1) 18. Qxf5 Ne6 19. f4 ({RR} 19. Rad1 Qe7 20. Qe4 Rad8 21. f4 Rxd1 22. Rxd1 Qh4 23. Qf3 Rd8 24. g3 Qe7 25. a3 g6 26. b4 Rxd1+ 27. Qxd1 c5) 19... g6 20. Qe4 f5 21. exf6 Qxf6 22. Qc6 Rae8 23. Rf2 Ng7 24. Qxf6 Rxf6 25. Bd4 Rc6 26. Be5 Rd8 27. Re1) 13... Rb8 ({RR} 13... Bb4 14. axb5 Nxb5 15. Qa4 Be7 16. Ne4 O-O 17. Rd1 Qc8 18. Be3 Re8 ({RR} 18... Rd8) 19. h4 h6 20. Rac1 Qb7 21. Ng3 Red8 22. Qg4 Kh8 23. Qh5 Kg8 24. Rxd8+ Rxd8 25. Bxh6 gxh6 26. Nf5 Bf8 27. Rc4 Rd7 28. Nxh6+) 14. axb5 axb5 15. Ne4 Be7 16. Be3 Nf5 17. Ba7 ({RR} 17. Qc2 Nxe3 18. fxe3 Qd5 19. Rac1 Qc4 20. Qxc4 bxc4 21. Rxc4 Rxb2 22. Nd4 Rb6 23. Nc3 Bg5 24. Nd5) 17... Qxd1 18. Rfxd1 Rd8 19. g4 Nh4 20. Nxh4 Bxh4 21. Rxd8+ Bxd8 22. Be3 h5 23. h3 hxg4 24. hxg4) ({RR} 9... Bc5 10. Nxe4 dxe4 11. Bxe6 Qxd1 12. Rxd1 fxe6 13. Ng5 O-O 14. Nxe4 Bb6 15. Kf1 Nxe5 16. Ke2) ({RR} 9... Nc5 10. c3 d4 11. Ng5 dxc3 ({RR} 11... Qxg5 12. Qf3 O-O-O 13. Bxe6+ fxe6 14. Qxc6 Qxe5 15. b4 Qd5) 12. Nxe6 fxe6 13. bxc3 Qd3 14. Nf3 ({RR} 14. Bc2 Qxc3 15. Nb3) 14... O-O-O 15. Qe1 Nxb3 16. axb3 Kb7 17. Be3 Be7 18. Bg5 ({RR} 18. Qc1) 18... h6 ({RR} 18... Rhe8) 19. Bxe7 Nxe7 20. Nd4 Rxd4 21. cxd4 Qxb3 22. Qe3 Qxe3 23. fxe3 Nd5 24. Kf2) 10. c3 ({RR} 10. Nxe4 dxe4 11. Bxe6 fxe6 12. Ng5 Qxd1 ({RR} 12... Bxg5 13. Qh5+ g6 14. Qxg5 O-O) 13. Rxd1 Bxg5 14. Bxg5 h6) 10... O-O 11. Bc2 ({RR} 11. Re1 Nc5 ({RR} 11... Nxd2 12. Qxd2 Qd7) 12. Nd4 ({RR} 12. Bc2 d4 13. Nb3 ({RR} 13. cxd4 Nxd4 14. Nxd4 Qxd4 15. Nf3 Qxd1 16. Rxd1) 13... dxc3 14. bxc3 Qxd1 15. Rxd1 Na4 16. Bd2 Rfd8 17. Nbd4 Nxd4 18. Nxd4 Nb2 19. Re1 c5 20. Nxe6 Rxd2 21. Be4 Ra7 22. Nf4 c4 23. Kf1 Bc5 24. Re2 Rad7) 12... Nxd4 ({RR} 12... Qd7 13. Bc2 Bg4 14. f3 Bh5 15. Bf5 Ne6 ({RR} 15... Qe8 16. N2b3 Bg6 17. Bxg6 hxg6 18. e6) 16. N2b3 Ncxd4 17. cxd4 a5 18. Be3 a4 19. Nc1 Bg6 20. Bh3 a3 21. b3 Bb4 22. Bd2 Qe7 ({RR} 22... Be7) 23. Bxe6 fxe6 24. Ne2 c5 25. Bxb4 cxb4 26. Qd2 Rac8 27. Rac1) 13. cxd4 Nd3 14. Re3 Nxc1 ({RR} 14... Nf4 15. Bc2 c5 16. Rg3 Bh4 17. Nf3 Bxg3 18. hxg3 Ng6 19. dxc5 Bg4 20. Qd4 Qd7 21. Bxg6 hxg6 22. c6 Qf5 23. Ng5 Rfe8 24. Bf4) 15. Rxc1 c5 16. dxc5 Rc8 17. Rec3 ({RR} 17. Rd3 Bxc5 18. Ne4 dxe4 19. Rxd8 Rfxd8 20. Qe1 Bxb3 21. axb3 Bd4 22. Rxc8 Rxc8 23. g3 Bxe5 24. Qxe4 Bxb2 25. Qb7 Rc1+ 26. Kg2 g6 27. Qxa6 b4) 17... b4 18. R3c2 Bf5 19. c6 Bxc2 20. Rxc2 Qa5 21. Nf3 Rfd8 22. Nd4 g6 23. e6) ({RR} 11. Qe2 Nc5 ({RR} 11... Nxd2 12. Bxd2 Na5 13. Bc2 Nc4 14. Nd4 Nxd2 15. Qxd2 Qd7 16. f4 c5 17. Nxe6 fxe6 18. Rad1 Rad8 19. Qd3 g6 20. Qg3 Rf7 21. h4 Rg7 22. Qh3 c4 23. Kh1 a5 24. h5 Bc5 25. Rf3) 12. Nd4 Nxb3 13. N2xb3 Qd7 14. Nxc6 Qxc6 15. Be3 Bf5 ({RR} 15... Qc4 16. Qd2 Qg4 17. Bc5 Rae8 18. Rfe1 Qg6 19. f3 c6 20. Re2 Bc8 21. Rae1 h6 22. Qd4) 16. Rfd1 Qg6 ({RR} 16... Rfd8 17. f3 Bf8 18. Qf2 a5 19. Rd2 b4 20. Rc1 Qa4 21. Nd4 Bg6 22. b3 Qe8) 17. Nd4 Bd7 18. b4 Qe4 19. Bd2 Qxe2 20. Nxe2 Rfe8 21. Bf4 c6 22. Nd4 a5 23. a3 axb4 24. axb4 Ra4) 11... f5 ({RR} 11... Bf5) 12. Nb3 ({RR} 12. exf6 Nxf6 13. Nb3 Bg4 14. Qd3 Qd7 ({RR} 14... Ne4 15. Nbd2 Nf6 16. Ng5 ({RR} 16. a4) 16... g6 17. Ndf3 Qd6 18. h3 ({RR} 18. Re1 Rfe8) 18... Bf5 19. Qe2 Bxc2 20. Qxc2 Rae8) 15. a4 b4 ({RR} 15... Bd6)) ({RR} 12. exf6 Nxf6 13. Nb3 Bg4 14. Qd3) 12... Qd7 13. Nfd4 ({RR} 13. Nbd4 Nxd4 {RR} 14. cxd4 Rac8 15. Ne1 c5 16. f3 cxd4 17. fxe4 dxe4 18. Bb3 Bc5) 13... Nxd4 14. Nxd4 ({RR} 14. cxd4 a5 15. f3 a4 16. fxe4 axb3 17. Bxb3 fxe4 18. Be3 Rxf1+ 19. Qxf1 c6) 14... c5 15. Nxe6 Qxe6 16. f3 Ng5 17. a4 ({RR} 17. Bxg5 Bxg5 18. f4) 17... Rad8 ({RR} 17... g6 18. Kh1 Qc6 ({RR} 18... c4 19. b4 ({RR} 19. b3 Qc6 20. Bxg5 Bxg5 21. f4 Be7 22. Qf3) 19... a5 20. bxa5 Rxa5 21. Bxg5 Bxg5 22. f4 Be7 23. axb5 Rxb5 24. Ba4 Rb2 ({RR} 24... Rbb8 25. Qd4 Rbc8 26. Rfd1 Rfd8) 25. Qd4 Rc8 26. Rfd1 Rc5 27. Rab1 Rxb1 28. Rxb1 Ra5 29. Bd1 Qa6 30. h3 Kg7 31. Bf3) 19. Bxg5 Bxg5 20. f4 Be7 21. Qf3 c4 22. Rfd1 Rfd8 23. b4 a5 24. axb5 Qxb5 25. Ba4 Qb6 26. b5 Qe6 27. Rd2 Ra7 28. Rad1 Rad7 29. g3 Kg7 30. b6 Rb7 31. Rxd5 Rxd5 32. Qxd5) ({RR} 17... b4) 18. axb5 axb5 19. Ra7 ({RR} 19. Bxg5 Bxg5 20. f4 Be7 21. Kh1 ({RR} 21. b4 cxb4 22. cxb4 Bxb4 23. Qd3) 21... Kh8 ({RR} 21... Qb6 22. b3 d4 23. c4 bxc4 24. bxc4 Qb7 25. Bd3 Ra8 26. Rb1 Qc6 27. Be2 Rab8 28. Bf3 Rxb1 29. Qxb1 Qc7 30. Bd5+) ({RR} 21... c4 22. Qd4 Qc6 23. b4 cxb3 24. Bxb3 Kh8 25. Ra5 Rc8 26. Bxd5 Qxc3 27. Qxc3 Rxc3 28. Rxb5) 22. Qd3 ({RR} 22. Ra7 d4 23. Qf3 dxc3 24. bxc3 Rd2 25. Bb1 Rd7 26. Rxd7 Qxd7 27. Rd1 Qc7 28. c4 bxc4 29. Qc3 Rd8) 22... Qb6 ({RR} 22... Qc6 23. Rfd1 c4 24. Qf3 g6 25. b4 ({RR} 25. h3) 25... Rd7 ({RR} 25... Qb6 26. Rxd5 Rxd5 27. Qxd5 Qe3 28. Qxb5 Qxc3 29. Qa4 Bxb4) 26. Qe3 Ra8 27. Qd4) 23. g4 d4 ({RR} 23... g6 24. gxf5 Rxf5 25. Qe2 Rf7) ({RR} 23... c4 24. Qh3 Qc6 25. Qg2 fxg4 26. f5 Bc5 ({RR} 26... g3 27. f6 gxf6 28. Bxh7 fxe5) 27. Qxg4 Rde8 28. f6 gxf6 29. Bxh7 Rxe5 30. Bg6 Qb7 31. Bf5 Rf7 32. Rf3) 24. gxf5 c4 25. Qe4 d3 26. Bd1 Qh6 27. Ra7 Bc5 28. Rc7 Rc8 29. Rxc8 Rxc8 30. Bf3 Rd8 31. Kg2 Qh4 32. Ra1 d2 33. Qc6 Qf2+) ({RR} 19. Kh1 f4 20. Bd2 c4 21. Ra5 ({RR} 21. h4 Qh6) 21... Qc6 22. Qa1 Bc5 23. Ra6 Qb7 24. Qa5 Rde8 25. Re1 Bf2 26. Rf1 Be3) ({RR} 19. Qe2 c4 20. Be3 Qc6 21. Rfd1 Ne6 22. Rd2 g6 23. f4 Rd7 24. Qf2 Rfd8 25. Kf1 Bc5 26. Bxc5 Nxc5 27. Rad1 h5 28. h3 Ne4 29. Bxe4 dxe4) ({RR} 19. Bxg5 Bxg5 20. f4 Be7 21. Kh1 d4 22. cxd4 c4 23. b3 ({RR} 23. Qd2 Qd5 ({RR} 23... Bc5 24. Qa5) 24. Ra5) 23... Bc5 24. bxc4 Rxd4 25. Qf3 bxc4 26. Rfd1 g6 27. Rxd4 Bxd4 28. Rd1 ({RR} 28. Ra8 Rxa8 29. Qxa8+ Kg7 30. Qb7+ Qf7 31. Qxf7+) 28... Rd8 29. Qb7 Bb6 30. Rxd8+ Bxd8 31. Ba4 Qb6 32. Qxb6 Bxb6 {½-½ (32) Anand,V (2767)-So,W (2792) Wijk aan Zee 2018 CBM 183 [Fernandez,Daniel Howard]}) ({RR} 19. Bxg5 Bxg5 20. f4 Be7 21. b4 d4 22. bxc5 Kh8 23. cxd4 Bxc5 24. Kh1 Bxd4 25. Rb1 b4 26. Qf3 Bc3 27. Bb3 Qe7 28. Rbd1 Rxd1 29. Rxd1 Rd8 30. Rxd8+ Qxd8 31. Qb7 g6 32. Qf7 Bd4 33. g3 Qa8+ {Yagupov,I (2230)-Raczek,K (2443) chess.com INT 2025 1-0 (42)}) 19... Rd7 ({RR} 19... c4 20. Be3 Qxe5 ({RR} 20... b4 21. Qd2 f4 22. Bf2 b3 23. Bb1 Qf7 24. Qd4 Ne6 25. Qb6) 21. Re1 ({RR} 21. Qd2 d4 22. cxd4 f4) 21... Qd6 22. Rb7 Ne6 23. Kh1 ({RR} 23. Rxb5) 23... g6 24. Bd4 Nxd4 25. Rexe7 Ne6 26. g4 ({RR} 26. Rxh7) 26... Rfe8 27. Rxh7 Qe5 28. gxf5 Nf4 29. Qg1 Qe3) 20. Rxd7 Qxd7 21. Be3 ({RR} 21. Kh1 f4 22. b4 ({RR} 22. Qd2) 22... c4 23. Qd2 Ne6 24. Rd1 Nc7 25. Qf2 Qe6 26. Qd4 Qc6 27. Kg1 g6) ({RR} 21. Qe2 g6 ({RR} 21... Ne6 22. Be3 f4) 22. Be3 Ne6 23. Rd1 Qc6 24. f4 Rc8 ({RR} 24... c4) 25. g4 d4 26. Bc1 Kh8 27. h3 Rf8 28. gxf5 gxf5 29. Kh2 dxc3 30. bxc3) ({RR} 21. b4 cxb4 22. Bxg5 ({RR} 22. cxb4 Ne6) 22... Bxg5 23. f4 Be7 24. cxb4 Bxb4 25. Qd4 Be7 26. Bb3 Rc8 27. Bxd5+ Kf8) ({RR} 21. Bxg5 Bxg5 22. f4 Bd8 23. b3) ({RR} 21. f4 Ne4 22. Bxe4 fxe4 23. f5 d4 24. f6 gxf6 25. Bh6 Rf7 26. cxd4 fxe5 27. Rxf7 Kxf7 28. Qh5+ Kg8 29. dxe5 c4 30. e6 Qa7+ 31. Kf1 Qa1+ 32. Kf2 Qxb2+ 33. Kg3 Qf6 34. Qe8+ Bf8 35. Bxf8 Qg5+ {Karjakin,S (2788)-Polgar,J (2699) Khanty-Mansiysk 2011 ½-½ (44)}) 21... f4 $146 ({RR} 21... Qc6 22. Bxg5 Bxg5 23. f4 Be7 24. g4 fxg4 25. Qxg4 c4 26. f5 Kh8 27. Kh1 d4+ ({RR} 27... Bc5 28. f6 ({RR} 28. Rd1 b4 29. Qf3 Rd8 30. f6) 28... gxf6 29. Bxh7 f5 ({RR} 29... Kxh7 30. Rf3 Be3 31. Rxe3 d4+ 32. Rf3) 30. Qh5 Kg7 31. Bxf5 Qh6 32. Qd1) 28. Be4 Qd7 29. cxd4 Qxd4 30. f6 g6 ({RR} 30... gxf6 31. Rg1) 31. Qf4 ({RR} 31. Rd1 Qxe5 32. fxe7 Qxe7 33. Bc6) 31... Bd8 32. Bg2 ({RR} 32. Bc6 Qxb2 ({RR} 32... Qxf4 33. Rxf4 Bc7 34. Re4 Bxe5 35. Rxe5 b4 36. Re6 c3 37. bxc3 bxc3 38. Be4) 33. Qe3 ({RR} 33. Qh6 Rf7 34. Qe3 Qb3 35. Qxb3 cxb3 36. Bd5 Rf8 37. Bxb3 Bc7 38. e6 Bd8) 33... Be7 34. Rf2 Qa1+ ({RR} 34... Bc5 35. Rxb2 Bxe3 36. e6 Rxf6 37. e7 Re6 38. e8=Q+ Rxe8 39. Bxe8 c3 40. Rc2) 35. Kg2 Bb4 36. Qh6 Rf7 37. Qf4) 32... Qxf4 ({RR} 32... Qxb2 33. Qe3) 33. Rxf4 Bc7 34. Re4 Bd8 35. Kg1 ({RR} 35. Rd4 Bxf6 36. exf6 Rxf6 37. Rd8+ Kg7 38. Rb8) 35... Bxf6 ({RR} 35... Kg8 36. Bh3 Bxf6 ({RR} 36... Kf7 37. Bd7) 37. exf6 Rxf6 38. Bd7 Rb6 39. Re5) 36. exf6 {Naiditsch,A (2693)-Mikhalevski,V (2608) Budva 2009 CBM 130 [Stohl,Igor] 1-0 (89)}) ({RR} 21... Ne6 22. f4) ({RR} 21... Ne6 22. f4 g6 23. g3 Rd8 24. Bf2 d4 25. cxd4 Nxd4 26. Bxd4 Qxd4+ 27. Qxd4 Rxd4 28. Rd1 c4 29. Rxd4 Bc5 30. b3 Bxd4+ 31. Kg2 cxb3 32. Bxb3+ {½-½ (32) Gashimov,V (2730)-Sutovsky,E (2660) Poikovsky 2009}) 22. Bf2 g6 23. Qd2 Ne6 24. Rd1 Rd8 25. Be4 ({RR} 25. h4 d4 26. h5) 25... Qc7 26. Bxd5 Qxe5 27. b3 Kg7 28. c4 bxc4 29. bxc4 Nc7 30. Qa2 Nxd5 31. cxd5 Kf8 32. h3 Qd6 33. Qc4 Kf7 34. Kh1 Kf8 35. Re1 Kf7 36. Rd1 Kf8 37. Bg1 Kf7 38. Qe4 Bf6 39. Qc4 Bd4 40. Qc1 Qxd5 41. Qxf4+ Kg8 42. Bxd4 cxd4 43. Rd3 1/2-1/2

[Event "Biel GM"]
[Site "Biel"]
[Date "2007.07.25"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Avrukh, Boris"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B42"]
[WhiteElo "2710"]
[BlackElo "2645"]
[PlyCount "71"]
[EventDate "2007.07.23"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "SUI"]
[EventCategory "18"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 120"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2007.10.02"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2007.10.02"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 a6 5. Bd3 Bc5 6. c3 Ne7 7. O-O Nbc6 8. Be3 d6 9. Nd2 O-O 10. Qe2 Qc7 $146 ({RR} 10... Ba7 11. Rad1 e5 12. Nxc6 bxc6 13. Nc4 Qc7 14. Bxa7 Rxa7 15. Bc2 Rd8 16. Qd3 Bg4 17. Rd2 Ng6 18. Qe3 Raa8 19. b4 Be6 20. Bb3 Bxc4 21. Bxc4 a5 22. g3 Ne7 23. f4 d5 24. Bb3 exf4 25. Rxf4 {Hammer,J (2588)-Cramling,D (2408) Stockholm 2010 1-0 (33)}) 11. Rad1 Bd7 12. Nxc6 Qxc6 13. e5 Bxe3 14. Qxe3 dxe5 15. Qxe5 Rad8 16. Nf3 f6 17. Qh5 g6 18. Qh4 Qc7 19. Rfe1 Bc8 20. Qc4 Nd5 21. Nd4 e5 22. Qxc7 Nxc7 23. Bc4+ Kg7 24. f4 Bg4 25. Nf3 Rxd1 26. Rxd1 exf4 27. Rd6 Re8 28. Nd4 Bc8 29. Kf2 Re5 30. a4 g5 31. b4 h5 32. Bb3 Re3 33. Rd8 Re8 34. Rd6 Re3 35. Rd8 Re8 36. Rd6 1/2-1/2

[Event "Biel GM"]
[Site "Biel"]
[Date "2007.07.27"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Motylev, Alexander"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C95"]
[WhiteElo "2648"]
[BlackElo "2710"]
[Annotator "ChessBase"]
[PlyCount "70"]
[EventDate "2007.07.23"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "SUI"]
[EventCategory "18"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 120"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2007.10.02"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2007.10.02"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. c3 d6 9. h3 Nb8 10. d4 Nbd7 11. Nbd2 Bb7 12. Bc2 Re8 13. Nf1 Bf8 14. Ng3 g6 15. b3 c6 16. a4 ({RR} 16. Bg5 Bg7 17. Qd2 Qc7 18. Bh6 Nf8 19. b4 Ne6 20. Bb3 Nd7 21. Bxg7 Kxg7 22. Bxe6 Rxe6 23. dxe5 dxe5 24. Rad1 Nb6 25. Nf5+ Kg8 26. Nh6+ Kg7 27. Nf5+ Kh8 28. Nd6 Kg8 29. Re3 Rf8 30. Rd3 Ba8 {Motylev,A (2648)-Zakhartsov,V (2559) Krasnoyarsk 2007 1-0 (36)}) 16... Bg7 ({RR} 16... Qc7 17. Bg5 Bg7 18. Qd2 Nf8 19. Bh6 Ne6 20. Bxg7 Kxg7 21. Rad1 Rad8 22. b4 Bc8 23. Bb3 Nf4 24. Re3 Qe7 25. Rde1 N6h5 26. Nxh5+ Nxh5 27. axb5 axb5 28. c4 bxc4 29. Bxc4 Nf4 30. dxe5 dxe5 31. Qc3 {Duda,J (2737)-Karjakin,S (2773) Chess.com INT 2018 1-0 (45)}) 17. Ba3 $146 ({RR} 17. Bg5 h6 18. Be3 Qc7 19. Qd2 Kh7 20. h4 Ng4 21. h5 Nxe3 22. Rxe3 exd4 23. cxd4 c5 24. hxg6+ fxg6 25. Rc1 Rac8 26. e5 dxe5 27. dxc5 Nxc5 28. Qe2 Qb8 29. Ng5+ hxg5 30. Qh5+ Kg8 31. Bxg6 Ne6 {Kulaots,K (2530)-Ostmoe,G (2327) Gausdal 2003 1-0 (39)}) ({RR} 17. Bg5 Qc7 18. Bd3 Nf8 19. b4 Ne6 20. Be3 Nd7 21. Qd2 Nb6 22. axb5 cxb5 23. d5 Nf4 24. Bf1 Nc4 25. Bxc4 Qxc4 26. Ra3 Rad8 27. Bxf4 exf4 28. Qxf4 Bxd5 29. h4 Bb7 30. h5 d5 31. h6 Bf8 {Slaby,J (2464)-Brozyna,M (2224) chess.com INT 2025 0-1 (38)}) 17... d5 18. dxe5 Nxe5 19. Nxe5 Rxe5 20. f4 Re8 21. e5 Nd7 22. Bd6 c5 23. axb5 axb5 24. Rxa8 Bxa8 25. b4 cxb4 26. Bxb4 f6 27. Bb3 fxe5 28. Bxd5+ Bxd5 29. Qxd5+ Kh8 30. f5 Qb6+ 31. Kh2 Nf6 32. Qf7 e4 33. fxg6 Qb8 34. gxh7 Qe5 {Carlsen had played the game extremely quickly, but not without some inaccuracies. Here Motylev had a winning position, but he was already in extreme time trouble and carlsen's rapid play did not allow him much thinking time on his opponent's moves.. Carlsen hatte die Partie extrem schnell gespielt, aber auch nicht fehlerlos. Motylev hatte hier eine Gewinnstellung, aber er befand sich auch schon starker Zeitnot und wegen Carlsens schnellen Spiel erhielt er wenig Gelegenheit bei gegnerischem Zugrecht nachzudenken.} 35. Bd6 $4 ({The strongest move, and almost the only winning one was Am stärksten (und fast auch der einzige Gewinn) war} 35. Qg6 Z0 {and the unpinning of the g3-knight with und die Entfesselung des Springers g3 mit} 36. Kg1) 35... Qxd6 {The plan now was 36.xg7+ xg7 37.f5+, but the knight on g3 was still pinned. Geplant war nun 36.xg7+ xg7 37.f5+, aber der Springer auf g3 ist immer noch gefesselt.} 0-1

[Event "Biel GM"]
[Site "Biel"]
[Date "2007.08.02"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Radjabov, Teimour"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B07"]
[WhiteElo "2710"]
[BlackElo "2746"]
[PlyCount "55"]
[EventDate "2007.07.23"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "SUI"]
[EventCategory "18"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 120"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2007.10.02"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2007.10.02"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 d6 2. d4 Nf6 3. Nc3 e5 4. Nge2 Nbd7 5. g3 c6 6. Bg2 b5 7. a3 Be7 8. O-O O-O 9. h3 a5 10. g4 ({RR} 10. Be3 Bb7 11. b4 axb4 12. axb4 d5 13. exd5 Nxd5 14. Nxd5 cxd5 15. dxe5 Nxe5 16. Rxa8 Qxa8 17. c3 d4 18. Bxb7 Qxb7 19. Nxd4 Rd8 20. f4 Nc4 21. Bf2 Qd7 22. Kh2 Bf6 23. Qd3 g6 24. Ra1 Re8 {Kosakowski,J (2515)-Ahmad,A (2279) chess.com INT 2025 1-0 (45)}) 10... Ba6 11. Ng3 b4 12. Nce2 bxa3 $146 ({RR} 12... d5 13. exd5 Nxd5 14. Re1 Re8 15. dxe5 Nxe5 16. Nd4 Bc5 17. Rxe5 Rxe5 18. Nxc6 Qh4 19. Nh1 Re2 20. Qxd5 Bxf2+ 21. Kh2 Bg1+ 22. Kxg1 Qe1+ 23. Kh2 Bb7 24. Ng3 Rxc2 25. Bg5 Qxa1 26. Ne7+ Kf8 27. Qxb7 {Salles,L (2207)-Iglesias,Y (2281) Paris 2016 ½-½ (33)}) ({RR} 12... d5 13. exd5 Nxd5 14. Re1 bxa3 15. bxa3 Bf6 16. g5 Bxg5 17. dxe5 Bxc1 18. Rxc1 Nxe5 19. Nd4 Nc3 20. Qd2 Nb5 21. Ngf5 Nxd4 22. Qxd4 Qxd4 23. Nxd4 Rad8 24. Rxe5 Rxd4 25. Rxa5 Bb5 26. c4 Rxc4 27. Rxc4 {Papazov,I (2240)-Ruck,R (2465) Tallinn 1997 ½-½ (32)}) 13. Rxa3 d5 14. Re3 dxe4 15. Re1 Qc7 16. Nf5 Bd8 17. g5 Nd5 18. Rxe4 f6 19. Neg3 g6 20. Nh6+ Kg7 21. dxe5 fxg5 22. e6 Kxh6 23. e7 Qb6 24. exf8=Q+ Nxf8 25. c4 Nf4 26. Qd6 Kg7 27. Bxf4 gxf4 28. Re7+ 1-0

[Event "Arctic Chess Challenge"]
[Site "Tromsoe"]
[Date "2007.08.06"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Larsen, Karsten"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C68"]
[WhiteElo "2307"]
[BlackElo "2710"]
[PlyCount "89"]
[EventDate "2007.08.04"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 119 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2007.09.04"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2007.09.04"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Bxc6 dxc6 5. O-O Bd6 6. d4 exd4 7. Qxd4 f6 8. Be3 Ne7 9. Nbd2 Be6 10. Rad1 Ng6 11. Nc4 Bxc4 12. Qxc4 Qe7 13. Rfe1 ({RR} 13. Rd3 O-O-O 14. Re1 Rhe8 15. Bc1 c5 {½-½ (15) Vachier Lagrave,M (2686)-Roiz,M (2615) Biel 2012}) 13... O-O-O 14. Bd4 ({RR} 14. Bc1 Rhe8 15. g3 h5 16. Nd4 Ne5 17. Qe2 Qf7 18. Nf5 Bc5 19. Be3 Bf8 20. a3 Rxd1 21. Rxd1 Qc4 22. Qxc4 Nxc4 23. Bc1 Rxe4 24. Kf1 g6 25. Nh4 g5 26. Ng2 Ne5 27. h4 Nf3 28. hxg5 fxg5 {Rozentalis,E (2481)-Aradhya,G (2387) Fagernes NOR 2025 ½-½ (62)}) 14... Rhe8 15. Bc3 Kb8 $146 ({RR} 15... Ne5 16. Nxe5 Bxe5 17. f3 Bxc3 18. Qxc3 Rd6 19. Rxd6 Qxd6 20. Re3 Qd1+ 21. Re1 Qd6 22. g3 c5 23. Qe3 Rd8 24. c3 Qd2 25. Qe2 c4 26. f4 b5 27. Kf2 c5 28. Qxd2 Rxd2+ 29. Re2 Rd3 30. e5 {Kafka,G (2104)-Hulme,W (2020) Edinburgh 2009 1-0 (73)}) ({RR} 15... c5 16. a4 Qe6 17. b3 Qxc4 18. bxc4 Re6 19. g3 Rde8 20. Nd2 Be5 21. Bxe5 Nxe5 22. f4 Nf7 23. Kf2 Rd8 24. Re3 Nd6 25. Rd3 b6 26. Kf3 Rde8 27. Re1 Nf5 28. Nb3 Nd6 29. Nd2 Kb7 30. Ree3 {Wittwer,M (1986)-Prakken,G (2218) Triesen 2008 0-1 (62)}) 16. a4 Rd7 17. b3 Red8 18. g3 h5 19. h4 Qe8 20. Kg2 Re7 21. a5 Rdd7 22. Rd4 Nf8 23. Rd3 Ng6 24. Rde3 Ne5 25. Bxe5 Bxe5 26. Rd3 Bd6 27. Rde3 Re6 28. c3 Rde7 29. Nd4 Re5 30. b4 Ka8 31. Nf5 Rd7 32. f4 Re6 33. Nd4 Ree7 34. Nf3 g5 35. hxg5 fxg5 36. Nxg5 Rg7 37. e5 Be7 38. Qe6 Qd8 39. Ne4 h4 40. g4 h3+ 41. Kh2 Bh4 42. R1e2 Rde7 43. Qf5 Rgf7 44. Qh5 Rh7 45. Qf5 1/2-1/2

[Event "Arctic Chess Challenge"]
[Site "Tromsoe"]
[Date "2007.08.11"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Lie, Kjetil A"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C56"]
[WhiteElo "2536"]
[BlackElo "2710"]
[PlyCount "80"]
[EventDate "2007.08.04"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 119 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2007.09.04"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2007.09.04"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 exd4 4. Bc4 Nf6 5. e5 Ng4 6. Qe2 Qe7 7. Bf4 f6 8. exf6 Nxf6 9. Nbd2 d6 10. O-O-O Qxe2 11. Bxe2 Nh5 12. Bg5 h6 13. Bh4 g5 14. Nxd4 Nf4 15. Bb5 Bd7 16. Rhe1+ $146 ({RR} 16. Bxc6 bxc6 17. Bg3 Nxg2 18. Rhg1 Nh4 19. Rde1+ Kf7 20. Bxh4 gxh4 21. Re4 d5 22. Rf4+ Ke8 23. Re1+ Kd8 24. Rf7 Bd6 25. f4 Re8 26. Rg1 c5 27. N4f3 h3 28. b3 c4 29. bxc4 Be6 30. Rf6 dxc4 {Slettebo,J (1888)-Hector,J (2487) Helsingor 2019 0-1 (31)}) 16... Be7 17. Bxc6 bxc6 18. Bg3 Nxg2 19. Re4 c5 20. Ne6 Bxe6 21. Rxe6 Nh4 22. Bxh4 gxh4 23. Re4 Rh7 24. Nf3 h3 25. Ng1 Kd7 26. Nxh3 Rf7 27. Rg1 Raf8 28. Rg6 Rf6 29. Rg3 d5 30. Rd3 Rf5 31. c4 d4 32. f4 Bd6 33. Rf3 Rh5 34. Kc2 Rg8 35. Kd3 Rg4 36. Nf2 Rgh4 37. h3 Rf5 38. Ng4 h5 39. Nf2 Rfxf4 40. Rfxf4 Bxf4 1/2-1/2

[Event "EU-Cup 23rd"]
[Site "Kemer"]
[Date "2007.10.03"]
[Round "1.1"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Pruijssers, Roeland"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C95"]
[WhiteElo "2714"]
[BlackElo "2408"]
[PlyCount "79"]
[EventDate "2007.10.03"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "TUR"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 121"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2007.11.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2007.11.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Baden-Baden"]
[BlackTeam "Hagendoorn Homburg"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "GER"]
[BlackTeamCountry "NED"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 d6 8. c3 O-O 9. h3 Nb8 10. d4 Nbd7 11. Nbd2 Bb7 12. Bc2 Re8 13. Nf1 Bf8 14. Ng3 g6 15. b3 c6 16. Bg5 Bg7 17. Qd2 Qe7 18. a4 Qf8 19. Rad1 h6 20. Be3 Rad8 21. Qc1 Kh7 22. b4 $146 ({RR} 22. Qb1 Qe7 23. Bc1 Nf8 24. Ba3 Qc7 25. Re2 c5 26. d5 Bc8 27. b4 N8d7 28. a5 Bb7 29. Bc1 Rc8 30. Bd3 Rb8 31. Bd2 Rec8 32. Qa2 c4 33. Bb1 Rf8 34. Nh2 Rbe8 35. Bc2 Qd8 36. Qb1 Ng8 {Jones,R (2393)-Stefansson,H (2515) Istanbul 2012 ½-½ (75)}) ({RR} 22. Qb1 Qe7 23. Kh2 Nf8 24. dxe5 dxe5 25. b4 Qc7 26. Bb3 bxa4 27. Bxa4 Ne6 28. Bb3 Ra8 29. Nd2 Bf8 30. Bxe6 Rxe6 31. Nb3 h5 32. f3 Ree8 33. Qa2 Bc8 34. Qa5 Qb7 35. Qb6 Qxb6 36. Bxb6 Be6 {Xu,Y (2500)-Paehtz,E (2449) Dagomys 2008 ½-½ (40)}) 22... Re6 23. Qb1 d5 24. dxe5 Nxe4 25. Bxe4 dxe4 26. Nxe4 Nxe5 27. Nfg5+ hxg5 28. Nxg5+ Kg8 29. Nxe6 Rxd1 30. Qxd1 fxe6 31. Bd4 Qd6 32. f4 Nc4 33. Bxg7 Kxg7 34. Qxd6 Nxd6 35. Rd1 Nc4 36. Rd7+ Kf6 37. axb5 Bc8 38. Rc7 Nd6 39. bxa6 Bxa6 40. Rxc6 1-0

[Event "EU-Cup 23rd"]
[Site "Kemer"]
[Date "2007.10.04"]
[Round "2.1"]
[White "Haba, Petr"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B04"]
[WhiteElo "2525"]
[BlackElo "2714"]
[PlyCount "70"]
[EventDate "2007.10.03"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "TUR"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 121"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2007.11.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2007.11.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Novy Bor"]
[BlackTeam "Baden-Baden"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "CZE"]
[BlackTeamCountry "GER"]

1. e4 Nf6 2. e5 Nd5 3. d4 d6 4. Nf3 dxe5 5. Nxe5 c6 6. Bc4 Nd7 7. Nxd7 Bxd7 ({RR} 7... Qxd7 8. O-O Qg4 9. Qxg4 Bxg4 10. Nc3 e6 11. Nxd5 exd5 12. Re1+ Kd7 13. Bd3 Bd6 14. h3 Rae8 15. Rxe8 Rxe8 16. hxg4 Re1+ 17. Bf1 Bf4 18. Bxf4 Rxa1 19. a3 Ra2 20. Bc1 Ra1 21. Bd2 Rd1 22. Bc3 {Pichot,A (2648)-Bortnyk,O (2608) chess.com INT 2023 0-1 (73)}) 8. Qf3 ({RR} 8. O-O e6 9. Nd2 Be7 10. Nf3 O-O 11. Ne5 Bf6 12. c3 Rc8 13. Re1 Re8 14. Qg4 Re7 15. Bd2 Be8 16. Rad1 c5 17. dxc5 Rxc5 18. Be3 Nxe3 19. Rxe3 Qc7 {0-1 (19) Belov,A (2421)-Smirnov,M (2359) chess.com INT 2025}) 8... e6 9. O-O Qf6 10. Qxf6 $146 ({RR} 10. Qe4 Bd6 11. Nd2 Qg6 12. c3 O-O-O 13. Qxg6 hxg6 14. h3 f6 15. Ne4 Bc7 16. Nc5 g5 17. Re1 Rhe8 18. Bd2 Bd6 19. Nxd7 Kxd7 20. g3 a6 21. Bf1 c5 22. dxc5 Bxc5 23. Rad1 Kc7 24. c4 Nb4 {Ochoa de Echaguen,F (2410)-Rivas Pastor,M (2520) Barcelona 1992 0-1 (49)}) 10... Nxf6 11. Nd2 c5 12. dxc5 Bxc5 13. Nf3 Rc8 14. Be2 Ke7 15. Ne5 Be8 16. c3 Nd7 17. Nd3 Bd6 18. Be3 Nc5 19. Nxc5 Bxc5 20. Bxc5+ Rxc5 21. Rfd1 Bc6 22. Rd2 Rd8 23. Rad1 Rxd2 24. Rxd2 Bd5 25. c4 Bc6 26. b4 Re5 27. g3 Re4 28. Kf1 e5 29. Rc2 Bd7 30. Rc3 Be6 31. Re3 Rxe3 32. fxe3 a5 33. a3 axb4 34. axb4 b6 35. Kf2 Kd6 1/2-1/2

[Event "EU-Cup 23rd"]
[Site "Kemer"]
[Date "2007.10.08"]
[Round "6.3"]
[White "Sutovsky, Emil"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B45"]
[WhiteElo "2656"]
[BlackElo "2714"]
[Annotator "Avrukh,Boris"]
[PlyCount "115"]
[EventDate "2007.10.03"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "TUR"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 121"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2007.11.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2007.11.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Ashdod"]
[BlackTeam "Baden-Baden"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "ISR"]
[BlackTeamCountry "GER"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 e6 4. d4 cxd4 5. Nxd4 Nf6 6. Nxc6 bxc6 7. e5 Nd5 8. Ne4 Bb7 9. Be2 c5 10. O-O Qc7 11. c4 $5 {Relatively speaking, a rare continuation.} ({Much more popular is} 11. Nd6+) 11... Ne3 $1 {Definitely the best reaction.} ({Very dangerous for Black} 11... Qxe5 12. cxd5 Qxe4 13. Bf3 $44) 12. Nd6+ {This is the idea behind White's 11th move.} ({Black has nothing to worry about after} 12. Bxe3 Bxe4 $11) 12... Bxd6 13. exd6 Qc6 14. Bf3 Nxd1 15. Bxc6 Bxc6 16. Rxd1 {After a series of forced moves a very interesting endgame has arisen. I don't believe Black has a serious problems to hold this endgame. On the other hand White can play without any risk and it's Black who requires to show an accurate defence.} Rb8 $146 {A new try, which seems to me sufficient for the draw as well.} ({I believe the natural} 16... O-O 17. Be3 Rfc8 {is Black's best defence in this position} 18. Rd3 (18. Rac1 Rab8 19. Rd2 Be4 20. f3 Bg6 21. Rc3 Rb6 {and Black held quite easily in Shirov-Kramnik 2000}) 18... a5 (18... Bb7 $5) 19. Rb3 a4 20. Rb6 Ra5 21. Re1 f6 22. f3 Kf7 23. Kf2 e5 $11 {½-½ Murdzia,P-Lindinger,M/Hamburg 2003/CBM 096 ext (32)}) ({RR} 16... O-O 17. Be3 Rfc8 18. f3 a5 19. Rac1 a4 20. Kf2 Ra5 21. Bd2 Ra6 22. Be3 Ra5 23. Rd3 f6 24. Ra3 Kf7 25. b3 Rca8 26. Bd2 R5a6 27. Be3 axb3 28. Rxa6 Rxa6 29. axb3 Ra2+ 30. Kg1 Ra5 31. Rb1 {Shirov,A (2647)-Grachev,B (2612) Chess.com INT 2020 0-1 (58)}) ({RR} 16... O-O 17. b3 Rfc8 18. Re1 f6 19. f3 Kf7 20. Kf2 a5 21. Be3 Bb7 22. Rab1 Ra6 23. Red1 e5 24. Rd2 Ke6 25. Rbd1 g5 26. h4 h6 27. g3 Rcc6 28. f4 g4 29. h5 Rc8 30. Rd5 Bxd5 31. Rxd5 {Darvekar,Y (1934)-Kiryakov,M (1895) Montreal CAN 2025 0-1 (46)}) ({RR} 16... O-O 17. Be3 Rfc8 18. Rd3 Be4 19. Rb3 Rab8 20. f3 Bc2 21. Ra3 Rb6 22. Rxa7 Rxd6 23. Bxc5 Rdc6 24. Be3 Rxc4 25. Rxd7 Ba4 26. Rd4 Rxd4 27. Bxd4 f6 28. b3 Bc6 29. Rc1 e5 30. Bb6 Kf7 31. a4 {Sutovsky,E (2624)-Lagowski,P (2393) Gibraltar 2006 1-0 (48)}) ({RR} 16... O-O 17. Be3 Rfc8 18. Rd3 Be4 19. Rb3 e5 20. Rb5 Rab8 21. b3 Rxb5 22. cxb5 Bd3 23. a4 Bc2 24. Ra3 f5 25. f4 exf4 26. Bxf4 Kf7 27. Kf2 Ke6 28. h4 Kd5 29. Ke3 c4 30. bxc4+ Rxc4 31. a5 {Maze,S (2579)-Lintchevski,D (2481) Budva 2009 ½-½ (32)}) 17. Rd3 a5 (17... O-O 18. Ra3 Rb7 19. Ra5 $16) 18. Rg3 Kf8 $4 {An incredible blunder for a player of Magnus' level. Black simply loses the game in 1 move.} ({Black should have played} 18... g6 {and I haven't manage to find a way for White to pose Black serious problems, despite the weakening of the dark squares,} 19. b3 (19. Bh6 Rg8 20. Bd2 a4 21. Bc3 f5 $11) (19. Rb3 O-O) (19. Bg5 f5 20. Bf6 O-O 21. Bc3 a4 $11) 19... O-O 20. Ba3 Rfc8 21. Re1 a4 22. Bxc5 axb3 23. axb3 Bxg2 24. b4 Bb7 25. Ra3 Ra8 26. Rea1 e5 {and Black holds.}) 19. Rb3 $1 $18 {Strangely enough White is winning after this move , since Black loses one of his pawns on the queenside.} Rxb3 (19... Rc8 20. Be3 a4 21. Rb6 f6 22. Bxc5 Kf7 23. Be3 $18) 20. axb3 f6 21. Rxa5 Kf7 22. Be3 (22. Rxc5 $4 Ra8 $19) 22... Rb8 ({The rook exchange doesn't help Black} 22... Ra8 23. Rxa8 Bxa8 24. f3 e5 25. Bxc5 Ke6 26. Kf2 g5 27. b4 f5 28. b5 f4 29. b6 e4 30. b4 h5 31. b5 $18 {with an easy win.}) 23. Ra3 Be4 (23... e5 24. Bxc5 Ke6 25. b4 $18) 24. Bxc5 Bd3 25. Ba7 ({Things are not so easy after the natural} 25. f3 e5 26. Kf2 Ke6 27. Ke3 Bf1 28. g3 (28. g4 f5 29. Ba7 Rb7 30. gxf5+ Kxf5 31. Kf2 Bd3 $16) 28... g5 29. Kd2 (29. Ba7 Rb7) 29... h5 30. Ba7 (30. Kc3 Be2 31. b4 Bxf3) 30... Rb7 31. Ke1 Bd3 {and it's not so clear how White is going to improve his position.}) 25... Rb4 ({White wins nicely after} 25... Rb7 26. c5 Rb5 (26... Be4 27. Bb6 $18) 27. f3 e5 28. b4 Bf5 29. Ra4 $1 (29. c6 dxc6 30. Bc5 Bd7 31. Ra8 {might be not enough}) 29... Ke6 30. Bb6 Bc2 31. Ra7 Rxb4 32. c6 Rxb6 33. c7 Rc6 34. Ra8 $18) 26. Bc5 Rb8 27. Ra7 {Finally Emil finds a very nice tactical solution.} Ke8 28. Ba3 e5 ({Another important line runs} 28... Rxb3 29. Ra8+ Kf7 30. Rd8 Rb7 31. Rc8 $1 {[%cal Gc8c7]} (31. c5 Be4) 31... Be4 (31... e5 32. Rc7 (32. f3 Bf5 33. Rc7 Rb8 34. c5 $16) 32... Be4 33. f3 Rxc7 34. dxc7 Bb7 35. Bd6 Ke6 36. c5 $18) 32. f3 (32. Rc7) 32... Bc6 33. b4 Ra7 34. b5 Bxb5 35. cxb5 Rxa3 36. Rc7 e5 37. Rxd7+ Ke6 38. Rxg7 Kxd6 39. Rxh7 Rb3 40. Rb7 $18) 29. f3 Rxb3 30. c5 $1 $18 Bb5 (30... Rb8 31. c6 dxc6 32. Rxg7 $18) 31. Rb7 Bc4 32. c6 $1 dxc6 33. d7+ Kd8 34. Bb4 $1 {The deciisve blow.} Rxb4 35. Rxb4 Bb5 36. f4 $6 {A small inaccuracy ,which slightly complicates the matters.} ({White could have won on the spot after} 36. Rb3 $142 Kxd7 37. Ra3 Ke7 38. Ra7+ Kf8 39. Rc7 $18) 36... Kxd7 37. fxe5 fxe5 38. Rb3 $1 {Transferring the rook to c3 , where it will prevent Black from moving the  from b5.} Ke6 39. Rc3 h5 40. Kf2 h4 41. Kf3 Kf5 42. Ke3 g6 43. Rc5 g5 44. b3 {Now Black's position is hopeless.} Bf1 45. Rc2 Bb5 46. Rc1 (46. Rf2+ Ke6 47. Rf8 $18) 46... g4 47. g3 (47. Ra1 $18) 47... hxg3 48. hxg3 Ke6 49. Ke4 {The rest is quite easy.} Kd6 50. Rd1+ Kc5 51. Re1 Kb4 52. Re3 Bf1 53. Kxe5 Bg2 54. Rd3 Bf3 55. Kd6 Kb5 56. Rd4 Be2 57. Re4 Bf3 58. Rc4 1-0

[Event "EU-Cup 23rd"]
[Site "Kemer"]
[Date "2007.10.09"]
[Round "7.3"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Fressinet, Laurent"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C84"]
[WhiteElo "2714"]
[BlackElo "2654"]
[PlyCount "63"]
[EventDate "2007.10.03"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "TUR"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 121"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2007.11.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2007.11.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Baden-Baden"]
[BlackTeam "Clichy Echecs 92"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "GER"]
[BlackTeamCountry "FRA"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. d3 b5 6. Bb3 Be7 7. O-O O-O 8. a4 Rb8 9. Nbd2 ({RR} 9. h3 d6 10. Be3 h6 11. axb5 a5 12. Nc3 Nb4 13. Rxa5 c6 14. Ra4 c5 15. Bc4 Nd7 16. Ra1 Nb6 17. Na4 Nxc4 18. dxc4 f5 19. c3 fxe4 20. Ne1 Nd3 21. Nxd3 exd3 22. Qxd3 Qe8 23. b4 Bf5 {Nepomniachtchi,I (2771)-Carlsen,M (2839) chess.com INT 2023 1-0 (37)}) ({RR} 9. axb5 axb5 10. Nc3 d6 11. Nd5 Nxd5 12. exd5 Nd4 13. Nxd4 exd4 14. Bd2 Bd7 15. Re1 Bf6 16. Ra7 Ra8 17. Qa1 Qb8 18. Rxa8 Qxa8 19. Qa5 Qxa5 20. Bxa5 {½-½ (20) Fressinet,L (2654)-Grischuk,A (2715) Kemer 2007}) 9... d6 10. c3 Nd7 $146 ({RR} 10... Be6 11. Bc2 d5 12. Qe2 dxe4 13. dxe4 Nd7 14. axb5 axb5 15. Ra6 Nb6 16. Qxb5 Bd6 17. Qxc6 Bd7 18. Rxb6 Bxc6 19. Rxc6 Ra8 20. Bb3 Kh8 21. Bd5 f5 22. exf5 Rxf5 23. Ne4 Ra1 24. Nxd6 cxd6 25. Be3 {Rigo,Z (2389)-Berezjuk,S (2379) Slovakia 2011 1-0 (42)}) ({RR} 10... h6 11. Re1 Na5 12. Bc2 c5 13. axb5 axb5 14. d4 exd4 15. cxd4 Nc6 16. h3 Re8 17. Nf1 cxd4 18. Nxd4 Nxd4 19. Qxd4 Qc7 20. Bb3 Be6 21. Bxe6 fxe6 22. Ra6 Bf8 23. b3 Nd7 24. Ra7 Rb7 25. Rxb7 {Ostensen,N (2260)-Vestby-Ellingsen,M (2398) Fagernes NOR 2025 ½-½}) 11. axb5 axb5 12. Re1 Bf6 13. Nf1 Nc5 14. Ba2 Bg4 15. b4 Ne6 16. Ne3 Bxf3 17. Qxf3 Bg5 18. Bd5 Qd7 19. Nf5 Ne7 20. Nxg7 Nxd5 21. Nxe6 fxe6 22. Qg4 Nxc3 23. Bxg5 Kh8 24. Ra7 Qf7 25. Qh4 Rbc8 26. Be7 Qf4 27. Qxf4 Rxf4 28. Kf1 Na4 29. Rc1 Nb2 30. Ra3 Rg8 31. Rxc7 Nd1 32. Bxd6 1-0

[Event "Bundesliga 0708"]
[Site "Germany"]
[Date "2008.02.10"]
[Round "9.3"]
[White "Bartel, Mateusz"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B30"]
[WhiteElo "2608"]
[BlackElo "2714"]
[PlyCount "86"]
[EventDate "2007.10.20"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 123"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2008.04.02"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2008.04.02"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Wattenscheid"]
[BlackTeam "Baden-Baden"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "GER"]
[BlackTeamCountry "GER"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 e5 4. Bc4 Be7 5. Nd5 d6 6. d3 Nf6 7. Nxe7 Qxe7 8. c3 O-O 9. Bg5 h6 10. Bh4 a6 11. O-O Be6 12. Bxe6 $146 ({RR} 12. Bb3 b5 13. Re1 Na5 14. Bc2 Bg4 15. h3 Bh5 16. g4 Bg6 17. d4 Nc6 18. a4 b4 19. dxc5 dxc5 20. cxb4 cxb4 21. Bb3 Rad8 22. Bd5 Nb8 23. Qb3 a5 24. Rac1 Rd6 25. Rc5 Qa7 26. Qc4 Nxd5 {Kluka,V (1737)-Zambor,N (2298) Kosice 2014 0-1 (45)}) 12... Qxe6 13. Re1 Rac8 14. Nd2 Nd7 15. Nc4 b5 16. Ne3 Nb6 17. Nf5 Kh7 18. Qh5 f6 19. Re3 Ne7 20. Nxe7 Qxe7 21. Bg3 Qf7 22. Qf5+ Qg6 23. Qxg6+ Kxg6 24. f4 Rfe8 25. Rd1 Kh7 26. Re2 a5 27. d4 exd4 28. cxd4 c4 29. f5 c3 30. bxc3 Na4 31. Rde1 Nxc3 32. Rc2 d5 33. exd5 Nxd5 34. Rc5 Rxc5 35. dxc5 Rc8 36. Bf2 b4 37. Bd4 Nc3 38. Re7 Kg8 39. Kf2 Nxa2 40. Ke3 Nc1 41. Re6 Nb3 42. Ra6 Re8+ 43. Re6 Kf7 0-1

[Event "EU-chT (Men) 16th"]
[Site "Heraklion"]
[Date "2007.10.28"]
[Round "1.1"]
[White "Shirov, Alexei"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B30"]
[WhiteElo "2739"]
[BlackElo "2714"]
[PlyCount "103"]
[EventDate "2007.10.28"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "GRE"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 121"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2007.11.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2007.11.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Spain"]
[BlackTeam "Norway"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "ESP"]
[BlackTeamCountry "NOR"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 e6 4. c3 Nge7 5. d4 cxd4 6. cxd4 d5 7. Nc3 dxe4 8. Nxe4 Nf5 ({RR} 8... Nd5 9. O-O Bd7 10. Bg5 f6 11. Bd2 Be7 12. Re1 O-O 13. Nc3 Ncb4 14. Bc4 Rc8 15. Qb3 Kh8 16. Nxd5 Nxd5 17. Bxd5 exd5 18. Rxe7 Qxe7 19. Bb4 Qe4 20. Re1 Qf4 21. Bxf8 Rxf8 22. Qxb7 Bg4 23. Qxd5 {Carlsen,M (2859)-Caruana,F (2766) chess.com INT 2022 1-0 (43)}) ({RR} 8... Nd5 9. O-O Bd7 10. Bg5 f6 11. Bd2 Be7 12. Re1 O-O 13. Nc3 Ncb4 14. Bc4 Rc8 15. Qb3 Kh8 16. Nxd5 Nxd5 17. Bxd5 exd5 18. Rxe7 Qxe7 19. Bb4 Qe4 20. Re1 Qf4 21. Bxf8 Rxf8 22. Qxb7 Bg4 23. Qxd5) ({RR} 8... a6 9. Bf4 Ng6 10. Bxc6+ bxc6 11. Bd2 f5 12. Nc3 c5 13. O-O cxd4 14. Bg5 Be7 15. Bxe7 Qxe7 16. Qxd4 O-O 17. Ne5 Qf6 18. Rfe1 Bb7 19. f3 Rad8 20. Qe3 Nxe5 21. Qxe5 Qxe5 22. Rxe5 Rd2 23. Rxe6 {Smirin,I (2654)-Shirov,A (2715) Odessa 2007 0-1 (68)}) 9. O-O Be7 10. Bxc6+ ({RR} 10. Bg5 Bxg5 11. Nexg5 O-O 12. Bxc6 bxc6 13. Qa4 Bb7 14. Rac1 Qb6 15. Ne4 Rad8 16. Nc5 Rd5 17. Rfd1 Nxd4 18. Nxd4 Rxc5 19. Rxc5 Qxc5 20. Nb3 Qb6 21. Qd4 h6 22. Nc5 Bc8 23. h3 Re8 24. b3 e5 {Harikrishna,P (2697)-Kobo,O (2480) Rhodes GRE 2025 ½-½ (64)}) 10... bxc6 11. Be3 $146 ({RR} 11. Qc2 O-O 12. Rd1 Qc7 ({RR} 12... Qc7 13. Bg5 f6 14. Bd2 Rd8 15. Qc4 Nd6 16. Nxd6 Qxd6 17. Rac1 Bd7 18. Re1 Rdc8 19. Be3 Qd5 20. Nd2) 13. Bg5 f6 14. Bd2 Rd8 15. Qc4 Nd6 16. Nxd6 Qxd6 17. Rac1 Bd7 18. Re1 Rdc8 19. Be3 Qd5 20. Nd2 {½-½ (20) Short,N (2670)-Krasenkow,M (2655) Elista 1998}) ({RR} 11. Qc2 O-O 12. Rd1 Qd5 13. Bf4 Bd7 14. Nc5 Rfc8 15. Qc3 Be8 16. Na6 Qd8 17. Rac1 Qb6 18. Nc5 Rd8 19. b3 Rd5 20. Na4 Qb7 21. Nc5 Qb6 22. Na4 Qb7 23. Nc5 Qb6) ({RR} 11. Qc2 O-O 12. Rd1 Qd5 13. Nc3 Qd6 {½-½ (13) Magem Badals,J (2557)-Komarov,D (2588) France 1999}) 11... O-O 12. Rc1 f6 13. Re1 Rb8 14. b3 Qd5 15. Bf4 Rb4 16. a3 Rb7 17. b4 Rd8 18. Nc5 Bxc5 19. Rxc5 Qd7 20. Qc2 Ne7 21. Be3 Rb5 22. Nd2 Rxc5 23. Qxc5 Nf5 24. Nb3 Qd5 25. Qxd5 cxd5 26. Rc1 Nd6 27. Rc5 Bd7 28. Bf4 Nc4 29. Rc7 Nxa3 30. Nc5 Bc8 31. Rxa7 Nb5 32. Ra8 Kf7 33. Be3 e5 34. dxe5 fxe5 35. Rb8 Nd6 36. b5 d4 37. Bc1 Re8 38. b6 Bb7 39. Rxe8 Kxe8 40. f4 e4 41. Nxb7 Nxb7 42. Bb2 d3 43. Kf2 g6 44. g4 Kd7 45. f5 gxf5 46. gxf5 Nd6 47. f6 Ke6 48. Bd4 Kf7 49. Ke1 Ke6 50. Kd1 Nb7 51. Kd2 Nd6 52. Kd1 1/2-1/2

[Event "EU-chT (Men) 16th"]
[Site "Heraklion"]
[Date "2007.10.29"]
[Round "2.1"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Jones, Richard S"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B80"]
[WhiteElo "2714"]
[BlackElo "2327"]
[PlyCount "81"]
[EventDate "2007.10.28"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "GRE"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 121"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2007.11.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2007.11.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Norway"]
[BlackTeam "Wales"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "NOR"]
[BlackTeamCountry "WLS"]

1. e4 {Ftacnik,Lubomir} c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Be3 e6 7. f3 b5 8. Qd2 b4 9. Na4 Nbd7 10. c4 bxc3 11. Nxc3 Bb7 12. Be2 d5 13. exd5 Nxd5 14. Nxd5 Bxd5 15. Rc1 ({RR} 15. O-O Qb8 16. Nf5 Qe5 17. Ng3 Bb4 18. Qxb4 Qxe3+ 19. Kh1 Rb8 20. Qa4 ({RR} 20. Qd6 Rb6 21. Qc7 Rc6 22. Qb7 Rc2 23. Qxa6 O-O 24. b3 Ne5) 20... Rxb2 21. Bxa6 ({RR} 21. Rac1 Ke7 22. Rfe1 g6 23. Bxa6 Qd2 24. Qh4+ f6 25. Bf1 h5 26. Rcd1 Qf2 27. Rxd5) 21... Qd2 22. Ne2 Rxa2 23. Rxa2 Qxa2 24. Qxa2 Bxa2 25. Ra1 Bd5 26. Bb5 Ke7) 15... Qb8 16. a3 Bd6 ({RR} 16... Be7 17. Nc6) ({RR} 16... Qb7 17. O-O Bd6 18. Bc4) 17. Nf5 O-O ({RR} 17... Be5 18. f4 ({RR} 18. b4 g6 19. Ng3 O-O) 18... g6 19. fxe5 gxf5 20. O-O Nxe5 21. Rc5 ({RR} 21. Rxf5 exf5 22. Qxd5 O-O 23. Bd4 Re8 24. Rc5 Ng4 25. Bxg4 Qf4 26. Bc3 Qc1+ 27. Kf2 Qe3+ 28. Kf1) 21... O-O ({RR} 21... Be4 22. Rd1 Rg8 23. g3) 22. b4 Qd8 23. Qc3) 18. Nxd6 Qxd6 19. O-O Rfd8 $146 ({RR} 19... a5 20. a4 Rfd8 ({RR} 20... Qb4 21. Qxb4 axb4 22. Bb5 Ne5 23. Bd2 b3 24. Rc7) 21. Bb5 h6 ({RR} 21... f6 22. Rc3 Ne5 23. Rfc1) 22. Rc3 Nf8 23. Rfc1 Ng6 24. Qf2 Rdb8 ({RR} 24... Qe5 25. Bb6 Rf8 26. Qd2) 25. Rc7 Qb4 ({RR} 25... Qe5 26. Bd4 Qh5 27. Qg3) 26. Qd2 Rxb5 ({RR} 26... Qxd2 27. Bxd2 Rd8 28. Bc3) 27. axb5 Qxb5 28. Rc8+ Rxc8 29. Rxc8+ Kh7 30. Rc5 Qb7 ({RR} 30... Qb3 31. Rxa5 Ne5 32. Ra3) 31. Rxa5 Ne5 32. Qc2+ Kg8 33. Rc5 Nc6 34. h3 {Morozevich,A (2747)-Grischuk,A (2710) Moscow 2006 CBM 116 [Ftacnik,Lubomir] 1-0 (35)}) 20. Rfd1 Qb8 21. Qd4 Ne5 22. b4 Nc6 23. Qb6 Qxb6 24. Bxb6 Rdc8 25. Rc3 Kf8 26. Rdc1 Ke8 27. b5 Rab8 28. Bd4 axb5 29. Bxg7 b4 30. axb4 Rxb4 31. Ba6 Ra8 32. Bd3 Nd4 33. Bf6 h6 34. Rc7 Rb3 35. Rd1 Nb5 36. Bxb5+ Rxb5 37. Rdc1 h5 38. Re7+ Kf8 39. Rcc7 e5 40. Rxe5 Rb2 41. Rc1 1-0

[Event "EU-chT (Men) 16th"]
[Site "Heraklion"]
[Date "2007.10.31"]
[Round "4.1"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Bacrot, Etienne"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C88"]
[WhiteElo "2714"]
[BlackElo "2695"]
[PlyCount "60"]
[EventDate "2007.10.28"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "GRE"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 121"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2007.11.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2007.11.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Norway"]
[BlackTeam "France"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "NOR"]
[BlackTeamCountry "FRA"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. a4 b4 9. d3 d6 10. Nbd2 Be6 11. Bxe6 fxe6 12. c3 Rb8 13. Nf1 bxc3 14. bxc3 Na5 15. Ra2 c5 16. d4 exd4 17. cxd4 Nb3 18. dxc5 $146 ({RR} 18. Ba3 Nd7 19. dxc5 Ndxc5 20. N1d2 Na5 21. Nd4 Qd7 22. Qg4 Rf6 23. e5 dxe5 24. Bxc5 Rg6 25. Qe4 Bxc5 26. Qxe5 Ba7 27. N2f3 Nc6 28. Nxc6 Qxc6 29. Qe4 Qxe4 30. Rxe4 Rb1+ 31. Ne1 Bd4 32. g3 Bc3 {Yagupov,I (2491)-Domogaev,S (2367) Tula 2008 ½-½ (44)}) 18... Nxc5 19. Ng3 Rb1 20. Qc2 Qb8 21. Rb2 Rxb2 22. Bxb2 Qb4 23. Bd4 Nfd7 24. Ra1 Rxf3 25. Bxc5 Rc3 26. Bxb4 Rxc2 27. Kf1 Kf7 28. f3 Ne5 29. Ne2 Nc4 30. Rc1 Rxc1+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "EU-chT (Men) 16th"]
[Site "Heraklion"]
[Date "2007.11.01"]
[Round "5.1"]
[White "Kulaots, Kaido"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C67"]
[WhiteElo "2547"]
[BlackElo "2714"]
[PlyCount "74"]
[EventDate "2007.10.28"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "GRE"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 121"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2007.11.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2007.11.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Estonia"]
[BlackTeam "Norway"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "EST"]
[BlackTeamCountry "NOR"]

1. e4 {Wedberg,Tom} e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. d4 Nd6 6. Bxc6 dxc6 7. dxe5 Nf5 8. Qxd8+ Kxd8 9. Nc3 Bd7 10. b3 Kc8 11. Bb2 h6 12. Rad1 a5 ({RR} 12... b6 13. Ne2 c5 14. c4 ({RR} 14. Nf4 Bc6 ({RR} 14... c4 15. bxc4) 15. Nd5 ({RR} 15. Rfe1 Bxf3 16. gxf3 Be7 17. e6 Bd6) 15... Ne7 ({RR} 15... Nd4 16. Nxd4 Bxd5 17. Ne2 Bc6 18. f4) ({RR} 15... Kb7 16. Rfe1 Ne7 ({RR} 16... Re8 17. c4 Ne7 18. e6) 17. Nxe7 Bxe7 18. e6) 16. Nxe7+ ({RR} 16. c4) 16... Bxe7 17. e6 Bxf3 ({RR} 17... fxe6 18. Rfe1) 18. gxf3 fxe6 19. Rfe1 Bf6 20. Bxf6 gxf6 21. Rxe6) 14... Bc6 15. Nf4 Kb7 ({RR} 15... Bxf3 16. gxf3 Be7 ({RR} 16... c6 17. Rfe1) 17. e6 ({RR} 17. Nd5 Re8 18. Ne3 Nh4 19. f4 g6 20. Rd3 Kb7 21. Rfd1 Rad8) 17... Bd6 18. Rd5 Nd4 ({RR} 18... fxe6 19. Nxe6 Re8 20. Nxc7 Kxc7 21. Rxf5) 19. Bxd4 Bxf4 ({RR} 19... cxd4 20. Rxd4 g5 21. Nh5) 20. Rf5 cxd4 21. Rxf4 fxe6 22. Rxd4 Rf8 23. Re1 Rxf3 24. Rxe6 Rf7) 16. Nd5 ({RR} 16. Rfe1 Bxf3 17. gxf3 Be7 18. Rd7 ({RR} 18. e6 Bd6 19. Nh5 ({RR} 19. Rd5 Nh4) 19... fxe6 20. Rxe6 Rhe8) 18... Rad8 19. e6 fxe6 20. Rxd8 Bxd8 21. Nxe6 Bf6) 16... Ne7 17. Rfe1 Rg8 ({RR} 17... Bxd5 18. cxd5 Rd8 19. d6 cxd6 20. exd6 Nc6 21. d7 Kc7 22. Be5+) ({RR} 17... Rd8 18. Ne3 Re8 ({RR} 18... Rxd1 19. Rxd1) 19. e6 fxe6 20. Ne5) 18. Nf4 ({RR} 18. e6 fxe6 19. Nxe7 ({RR} 19. Rxe6 Rd8) 19... Bxe7 20. Rxe6 ({RR} 20. Ne5 Bf6 21. Nxc6 Bxb2 22. Rxe6 Rae8 23. Rde1 Rxe6 24. Rxe6 Rf8) 20... Bxf3 21. gxf3 Bd6) 18... g5 19. Nh5 Rg6 20. Nf6 Bg7 21. Rd3 Bxf3 22. Rxf3 Bxf6 23. exf6 Nc6 24. Rd3 Rf8 25. Re4 Kc8 26. f4 ({RR} 26. h4 Nd4 27. Bxd4 cxd4 28. Rdxd4 Rxf6 29. hxg5 hxg5) 26... gxf4 27. Rxf4 {Kasparov,G (2849)-Kramnik,V (2770) London 2000 CBM 080 [Wedberg,Tom] ½-½ (53)}) ({RR} 12... Ne7) 13. Rd3 ({RR} 13. h3 b6 14. a4 Bb4 15. Ne2 Re8 16. Nf4 g6 17. g4 Ng7 18. Rd3 Ne6 19. Nxe6 Bxe6 20. Nd4) ({RR} 13. a4 b6 14. Ne2 Ne7 15. Nf4 Bg4 16. e6 fxe6 17. Rfe1 Nd5 18. Ng6 Rg8 19. Nge5 Bf5 20. Nd4 Bb4 21. Rf1 Bc3 22. Nxf5 Bxe5 23. Nxh6 Bxh2+ 24. Kxh2 gxh6 25. Rfe1 Rg6 26. Re4 Kb7 27. c4 Nb4 {Kramnik,V (2753)-Nakamura,H (2802) chess.com INT 2024 ½-½ (40)}) 13... Be7 14. h3 $146 ({RR} 14. Rfd1 Be6 15. h3 h5 16. Bc1 b6 17. Ne2 Kb7 18. Nf4 Bc8 19. a4 g5 20. Ne2 Rg8 21. Nd2 Nh4 22. Ng3 g4 23. Kh2 gxh3 24. gxh3 Be6 25. c4 Rad8 26. Rxd8 Rxd8 27. Nxh5 Nf3+ 28. Kg2 Nxe5 {Perez Marimon,J (2250)-Parra Cabrera,E (2237) Las Tunas 2019 0-1 (70)}) 14... Nh4 15. Nd4 c5 16. Ndb5 Ra6 17. Nd5 Bd8 18. a4 Bf5 19. Rg3 Rg6 20. Ne3 Be6 21. Rxg6 fxg6 22. Nc3 Nf5 23. Ncd5 Bg5 24. f4 Bh4 25. g4 Ng3 26. Rf2 Ne4 27. Re2 Rf8 28. Kg2 c6 29. Nb6+ Kc7 30. Nbc4 Rxf4 31. Nxa5 Ng5 32. Nac4 Rf3 33. Ba3 b5 34. Nd2 Rg3+ 35. Kf1 Nxh3 36. Ng2 b4 37. Bb2 Rxg4 0-1

[Event "EU-chT (Men) 16th"]
[Site "Heraklion"]
[Date "2007.11.04"]
[Round "7.1"]
[White "Sutovsky, Emil"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C65"]
[WhiteElo "2655"]
[BlackElo "2714"]
[PlyCount "171"]
[EventDate "2007.10.28"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "GRE"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 121"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2007.11.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2007.11.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Israel"]
[BlackTeam "Norway"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "ISR"]
[BlackTeamCountry "NOR"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. d3 Bc5 5. Bxc6 dxc6 6. Be3 ({RR} 6. h3 Nd7 7. Be3 Bd6 8. Nc3 c5 9. O-O Nf8 10. Nd2 Ng6 11. Nc4 Be6 12. Ne2 Qd7 13. Nxd6+ cxd6 14. f4 exf4 15. Nxf4 Nxf4 16. Rxf4 b6 17. Qh5 d5 18. d4 c4 19. b3 Qc6 20. Raf1 O-O-O) 6... Bxe3 ({RR} 6... Bd6 7. h3 c5 8. Nc3 Nd7 9. O-O Nf8 10. Nd2 Ng6 11. Nc4 O-O 12. Ne2 Be6 13. b3 Be7 14. f4 exf4 15. Nxf4 Nxf4 16. Bxf4 b5 17. Ne3 Bf6 18. Rb1 Qd4 19. Kh1 Be5 20. c3 Qd6 21. Nf5 {Anand,V (2768)-Karjakin,S (2773) Saint Louis 2018 ½-½}) 7. fxe3 Qe7 ({RR} 7... Nd7 8. Nc3 b6 9. O-O O-O 10. Qe1 Qe7 11. Qg3 f6 12. Nh4 Nc5 13. h3 Nb7 14. Rf2 Be6 15. Raf1 Nd6 16. Rf3 c5 17. Qf2 Rad8 18. b3 a6 19. Ne2 b5 20. Ng3 Qd7 21. Nh5 Qe7 22. g4 {Dragnev,V (2547)-Kummer,H (2195) Innsbruck AUT 2025 1-0}) ({RR} 7... Bg4 8. h3 Bxf3 9. Qxf3 Nd7 10. Nc3 Qh4+ 11. Kd2 Qe7 12. Raf1 f6 13. g4 O-O-O 14. h4 h6 15. Qf5 Rdf8 16. Qg6 Nc5 17. g5 hxg5 18. hxg5 Rxh1 19. Rxh1 fxg5 20. Ke2 Ne6 21. Rf1 Rf6 22. Rxf6 {Sutovsky,E (2655)-Ivanchuk,V (2787) Heraklion 2007 ½-½}) 8. O-O Ng4 $146 ({RR} 8... O-O 9. Qe1 ({RR} 9. Nbd2 c5 10. Qe1 Ne8 11. Qg3 f6 12. Nh4 Nd6 13. Rf3 Be6 14. Nf5 Bxf5 15. exf5 e4 16. Nxe4 Nxe4 17. dxe4 Qxe4 18. Qxc7 Rac8 19. Qd7 Rcd8 20. Qb5 c4 21. Qb4 Rf7 22. Qc3 Rfd7 23. Rf4 Qe7) 9... Ne8 10. Nc3 ({RR} 10. Qc3 f6 11. b4 Nd6 12. a4 Bd7 13. Nbd2 b6 14. a5 Kh8 15. Ra2 Rab8 16. axb6 axb6 17. Qa1 Nb7 18. Qc3 c5 19. bxc5 Nxc5 20. Ra7 Rfc8 21. Rfa1 b5 22. d4 exd4 23. exd4 Nxe4 24. Nxe4 Qxe4) 10... Nd6 11. b3 f6 12. h3 Be6 13. Rd1 c5 14. Nh4 g6 15. Qg3 Qg7 16. Nf3 b5 17. a3 Rac8 18. d4 exd4 19. exd4 cxd4 20. Nxd4 Bd7 21. Qd3 a6 22. Nd5 Kh8 23. c4 {Praggnanandhaa,R (2747)-Giri,A (2745) Warsaw POL 2024 1-0 (59)}) ({RR} 8... O-O 9. Qe1 Ne8 10. Nc3 Nd6 11. b3 f6 12. h3 Be6 13. Rd1 c5 14. Nh4 g6 15. Qg3 Qg7 16. Nf3 b5 17. a3 Rac8 18. d4 exd4 19. exd4 cxd4 20. Nxd4 Bd7 21. Qd3 a6 22. Nd5 Kh8 23. c4 {Praggnanandhaa R (2704)-Giri,A (2687) Warsaw, Poland 2024 1-0 (59)}) 9. Qd2 f6 10. Nh4 g6 11. Nc3 Bd7 12. Rf3 f5 13. g3 Nf6 14. exf5 g5 15. Ng2 e4 16. Nxe4 Nxe4 17. dxe4 O-O-O 18. Qa5 Qxe4 19. Qxa7 Bxf5 20. Raf1 Bh3 21. Qa8+ Kd7 22. Qa3 Kc8 23. Qa8+ Kd7 24. Rf7+ Ke8 25. Rf8+ Rxf8 26. Rxf8+ Kxf8 27. Qxd8+ Kf7 28. Qd2 Ke8 29. Ne1 Qc4 30. Qd3 Qb4 31. Nf3 Qxb2 32. Nxg5 Qa1+ 33. Kf2 Qf6+ 34. Nf3 Bf5 35. Qd4 Qf7 36. Qh8+ Ke7 37. Qe5+ Kd7 38. Qd4+ Ke8 39. Qh8+ Ke7 40. Qe5+ Kd7 41. Qf4 Qd5 42. c4 Qa5 43. a3 Bg6 44. Qd4+ Ke6 45. Qg7 Qa4 46. g4 Qc2+ 47. Kg3 Qc1 48. Ng5+ Kd6 49. Qd4+ Ke7 50. Qe5+ Kd7 51. Qd4+ Ke7 52. Qc5+ Kd7 53. Nf3 b6 54. Qd4+ Kc8 55. a4 c5 56. Qf4 Bc2 57. h4 Bxa4 58. h5 Bc6 59. g5 Qh1 60. Qg4+ Bd7 61. Qh4 Qb1 62. g6 hxg6 63. h6 g5 64. Qxg5 Bf5 65. Qg8+ Kb7 66. Qd5+ Kb8 67. Kf4 Bh7 68. Qd8+ Kb7 69. Qd5+ Kb8 70. e4 Qh1 71. Qd8+ Kb7 72. Qd5+ Kb8 73. Qd8+ Kb7 74. Qd5+ Kb8 75. Qe6 Qc1+ 76. Kg4 Qc2 77. Kf4 Qc1+ 78. Kg4 Qc2 79. Ng5 Qe2+ 80. Kh4 Qf2+ 81. Kh5 Qe2+ 82. Kh4 Qe1+ 83. Kh5 Qe2+ 84. Kh4 Qe1+ 85. Kg4 Qe2+ 86. Kh4 1/2-1/2

[Event "EU-chT (Men) 16th"]
[Site "Heraklion"]
[Date "2007.11.05"]
[Round "8.1"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Djukic, Nikola"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B31"]
[WhiteElo "2714"]
[BlackElo "2528"]
[PlyCount "103"]
[EventDate "2007.10.28"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "GRE"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 121"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2007.11.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2007.11.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Norway"]
[BlackTeam "Montenegro"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "NOR"]
[BlackTeamCountry "MNE"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 g6 4. Bxc6 dxc6 5. d3 Bg7 6. h3 Nf6 7. Nc3 Nd7 8. Be3 e5 9. Qd2 Qe7 10. Bh6 f6 11. Bxg7 Qxg7 12. a3 Nf8 13. b4 Ne6 14. O-O O-O 15. Ne2 a5 16. bxc5 Nxc5 17. Qc3 Qe7 18. a4 Be6 $146 ({RR} 18... Rd8 19. Nd2 Ne6 20. f4 Nd4 21. Nxd4 exd4 22. Qb2 Qb4 23. Qc1 b5 24. f5 Kg7 25. e5 gxf5 26. exf6+ Kh8 27. Nf3 Qf8 28. Qg5 Rd6 29. Rae1 Be6 30. Nxd4 Bd7 31. Re7 Rxd4 32. Qh5 Qg8 33. Rg7 {Stetsko,L (2253)-Ilyuchyk,Y (1966) Minsk 2017 1-0 (36)}) 19. Rfb1 Rfb8 20. Nd2 Nd7 21. Nf1 Qc5 22. Qd2 b5 23. d4 exd4 24. Nxd4 Bc4 25. Ne3 Ne5 26. axb5 Rd8 27. Rxa5 Rxa5 28. Qxa5 Rxd4 29. Qa8+ Qf8 30. Qxf8+ Kxf8 31. b6 Nd7 32. b7 Be6 33. b8=Q+ Nxb8 34. Rxb8+ Ke7 35. f3 Rd7 36. h4 Kd6 37. Kf2 Ke5 38. Re8 Kd6 39. Kg3 Bf7 40. Rh8 Be6 41. Kf4 h5 42. g4 hxg4 43. Nxg4 Bxg4 44. fxg4 Rg7 45. Rh6 Kc5 46. e5 g5+ 47. hxg5 fxe5+ 48. Kxe5 Rxg5+ 49. Kf4 Rg8 50. g5 Kd5 51. g6 Ke6 52. Kg5 1-0

[Event "Moscow Tal Memorial 2nd"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2007.11.13"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B09"]
[WhiteElo "2714"]
[BlackElo "2752"]
[PlyCount "44"]
[EventDate "2007.11.10"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 122"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2008.01.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2008.01.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 d6 2. d4 Nf6 3. Nc3 g6 4. f4 Bg7 5. Nf3 c5 6. Bb5+ Bd7 7. Bxd7+ Nbxd7 8. e5 Nh5 9. exd6 O-O 10. O-O exd6 11. Be3 Re8 ({RR} 11... Nhf6 12. Kh1 Re8 {½-½ (16) Saravanan,V (2375)-Koshy,V (2370) Muzaffapur 1998}) 12. Qd2 Nhf6 13. Kh1 Nb6 14. b3 Nbd5 15. Nxd5 Nxd5 16. Bg1 Nf6 17. Rae1 $146 Qd7 18. dxc5 dxc5 19. Qxd7 Nxd7 20. Rxe8+ Rxe8 21. Rd1 Re7 22. Bf2 b6 1/2-1/2

[Event "Moscow Tal Memorial 2nd"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2007.11.14"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Ivanchuk, Vassily"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B33"]
[WhiteElo "2787"]
[BlackElo "2714"]
[PlyCount "185"]
[EventDate "2007.11.10"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 122"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2008.01.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2008.01.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 e5 6. Ndb5 d6 7. Bg5 a6 8. Na3 b5 9. Nd5 Be7 10. Bxf6 Bxf6 11. c3 Bg5 12. Nc2 O-O 13. a4 bxa4 14. Rxa4 a5 15. Bc4 Kh8 16. O-O Rb8 17. b3 f5 18. exf5 Bxf5 19. Qe2 ({RR} 19. b4 axb4 20. cxb4 Qd7 21. Nce3 Bg6 22. Qg4 Qe7 23. Qe6 Qxe6 24. Ng4 {½-½ (25) Ninov,N (2325)-Celebi,M (1908) Sofia BUL 2025}) 19... Bg6 20. Rd1 e4 $146 ({RR} 20... Qc8 21. Nce3 e4 22. Bb5 Ne5 23. Rxa5 Nd3 24. Rf1 Bd8 25. Ba6 Qc6 26. Ra3 Bg5 27. Bc4 Ne5 28. Ra6 Qd7 29. b4 Bh4 30. Ra2 h6 31. Bb3 Qe8 32. Qa6 Qe6 33. Qa7 Bh7 34. Qd4 Qg6 35. Kh1 {Ivanchuk,V (2711)-Kramnik,V (2754) Monte Carlo 2005 1-0 (55)}) ({RR} 20... Qd7 21. Na3 e4 22. Bb5 Qf5 23. f3 exf3 24. Qxf3 Qxf3 25. gxf3 Ne5 26. f4 Nf3+ 27. Kg2 Nh4+ 28. Kg3 Nf5+ 29. Kg4 Bd8 30. c4 Rb7 31. Rd2 Rbf7 32. Nc2 Bh5+ 33. Kh3 g5 34. fxg5 Bxg5 35. Rg2 {Bruned,Y (2352)-Fluvia Poyatos,J (2467) Andorra 2006 0-1 (43)}) 21. Nd4 Nxd4 22. Rxd4 Rb7 23. Qe1 Rbf7 24. Ra2 h5 25. Ne3 Rf4 26. Rd5 Bh6 27. Rdxa5 Rxf2 28. Rxf2 Rxf2 29. Qxf2 Bxe3 30. Rxh5+ Bxh5 31. Qxe3 d5 32. Bf1 Be8 33. b4 Qb8 34. Be2 Kg8 35. h3 Bb5 36. Bg4 Bc4 37. Be6+ Kh7 38. Qf2 Qd8 39. Qf7 Kh6 40. Qf4+ Kh7 41. Qe5 g6 42. Bg4 Qb6+ 43. Qd4 Qd6 44. Qa7+ Kh6 45. Qe3+ Kh7 46. h4 Kg7 47. h5 gxh5 48. Bxh5 Qe7 49. Bg4 Kg6 50. Bc8 Qc7 51. Be6 Qd6 52. Bh3 Qc7 53. Kf2 Qf7+ 54. Ke1 Qf1+ 55. Kd2 Kh7 56. Qa7+ Kg6 57. Qb6+ Kh7 58. Qe3 Bb3 59. Qg3 Bc4 60. Bg4 Qf6 61. Qe3 Qf1 62. Qh3+ Kg7 63. Qg3 Kf8 64. Bh5 Qf6 65. Qe3 Qf1 66. Qh6+ Kg8 67. Qg6+ Kf8 68. Ke3 d4+ 69. cxd4 Qd3+ 70. Kf4 Qxd4 71. Qe8+ Kg7 72. Qe7+ Kg8 73. Qg5+ Kh8 74. Qh6+ Kg8 75. Qg5+ Kh8 76. Qc5 Qd2+ 77. Kf5 Qh6 78. Qe5+ Kh7 79. Kxe4 Qc1 80. Qd6 Qc2+ 81. Kd4 Bf1 82. Qe7+ Kh6 83. Qf8+ Kxh5 84. Qxf1 Qb2+ 85. Kc4 Qa2+ 86. Kc5 Qa7+ 87. Kb5 Qd7+ 88. Kc4 Qe6+ 89. Kc3 Qe5+ 90. Kc2 Qe4+ 91. Kb3 Qe3+ 92. Kb2 Qd2+ 93. Ka3 1/2-1/2

[Event "Moscow Tal Memorial 2nd"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2007.11.16"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Shirov, Alexei"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C83"]
[WhiteElo "2739"]
[BlackElo "2714"]
[Annotator "Postny,Evgeny"]
[PlyCount "67"]
[EventDate "2007.11.10"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 122"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2008.01.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2008.01.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Nxe4 6. d4 b5 7. Bb3 d5 8. dxe5 Be6 9. Nbd2 Be7 10. c3 O-O 11. Re1 {Recently, this half-forgotten move has come back to top level tournaments.} ({In the last few years, the discussion has been mainly around the following line:} 11. Bc2 f5 12. Nb3 Qd7 13. Nbd4 Nxd4 14. Nxd4 c5 15. Nxe6 Qxe6 16. f3 Ng5 {Black has achieved reasonable practical results.}) 11... Nc5 12. Nd4 (12. Bc2 {is a normal alternative, but then Black can push} d4 {with good chances to equalise.}) 12... Nxd4 {In my opinion, this exchange is a strategical concession, because it helps White to strenghten his centre and get an open c-file at his disposal. Black, for his part, is counting on a pair of bishops in the long run. Still, the alternative 12...d7 seems to me a more flexible continuation.} (12... Qd7 13. Bc2 Bg4 14. f3 Bh5 15. Nf5 $6 {White should keep up the blockade on d4.} (15. N2b3 {looks much more solid.}) 15... Bg6 16. g4 $6 {Consequently continuing the dubious idea.} d4 $1 {A typical strike in the centre.} 17. cxd4 Bxf5 18. Bxf5 Qxd4+ 19. Kg2 Nxe5 20. Nb3 Qxd1 21. Rxd1 Na4 $17 {½-½ Shirov,A (2739)-Ivanchuk,V (2787)/Moscow 2007/EXT 2008 (53)}) 13. cxd4 Nd3 (13... Nxb3 14. Nxb3 {Now, Black is not able to make the c7-c5 thrust. The c7 will be weak forever.} a5 15. Qc2 Qd7 16. Bd2 Bf5 17. Nc5 Bxc2 18. Nxd7 Rfd8 19. Rac1 Bf5 20. Nc5 {with a stable advantage for White. 1-0 Svidler,P (2732)-Sutovsky,E (2655)/Crete 2007/CBM 121 (62)}) 14. Re3 Nxc1 15. Rxc1 c5 $1 {Without this strike Black won't get out of the pressure. On the other hand, the whole line seems to be in White's favour.} (15... Rc8 $6 16. Rc6 Qd7 17. Rec3 {with strong pressure along the c-file.}) ({RR} 15... a5 16. a4 Rb8 17. axb5 Rxb5 18. Nf3 Qb8 19. Rec3 Rc8 20. h4 Rb4 21. Bc2 Rxb2 22. Rc6 Rb6 23. Rxe6 fxe6 24. Qd3 g6 25. h5 Kg7 26. hxg6 h6 27. Nh2 Rf8 28. Ng4 Bg5 29. Rf1 Rc6 30. f4 {Shirov,A (2666)-Anton Guijarro,D (2686) Marbella 2019 ½-½ (36)}) 16. dxc5 Rc8 17. Rec3 $6 $146 {In the previous games White achieved a pleasant advantage by the prosaic 17.d3.} (17. Rd3 Qc7 (17... Rxc5 18. Rxc5 Bxc5 19. Ne4 Ba7 20. Bxd5 Qh4 21. g3 Qh3 22. Bxe6 Qxe6 23. Rd5 $16 {½-½ Luther,T (2575)-De Vreugt,D (2504)/Santo Domingo 2003/CBM 097 ext (61)}) 18. Bxd5 Bxc5 19. Nb3 Qb6 20. Nxc5 Rxc5 21. Rxc5 Qxc5 22. h3 $16 {0-1 Geller,E-Suetin,A/Moscow 1950/URS-ch (35)}) 17... b4 (17... d4 18. Rd3 Rxc5 19. Bxe6 fxe6 20. Nf3 $14) 18. R3c2 $146 {Shirov is ready to sacrifice an exchange.} ({RR} 18. Rd3 Bxc5 19. Ne4 Ba7 20. Rxc8 Qxc8 21. Bxd5 Bxd5 22. Rxd5 Qc4 23. Rd8 Bb6 24. Rxf8+ Kxf8 25. Qd6+ Ke8 26. Qb8+ Kd7 27. Qb7+ Bc7 28. g3 Ke6 29. b3 Qc1+ 30. Kg2 Kxe5 31. Qxb4 Qc6 32. f3 Bd8 {Tokman,A (2271)-Casalaspro,M (2290) Torre Blanca ARG 2025 1-0 (41)}) 18... Bf5 19. c6 Bxc2 20. Rxc2 {In this position White has more than enough compensation for the exchange. His passed c6 is very strong. Soon, the knight will be transfered to an ideal blockading square d4.} Qa5 (20... Qb6 21. Ba4 $14 {and White keeps his strong passed pawn.} (21. Bxd5 $6 Qd4 22. Bf3 Qxe5 {helps Black to achieve central and open lines for his major pieces.})) ({But, Black could still be pretty much in the game after} 20... d4 $1 21. e6 d3 22. exf7+ Kh8) 21. Nf3 Rfd8 22. Nd4 g6 23. e6 $1 {Everything is ready for an attack on the light squares.} Bf6 24. exf7+ Kxf7 25. h4 $6 {Making 'luft' for the king secures White from getting mated along the back rank, but actually this is a waste of time.} (25. Qg4 Re8 26. Qd7+ Kg8 27. Re2 $1 (27. Bxd5+ $2 Kh8 {[%csl Rd4,Re1]}) 27... Red8 28. Qe6+ Kg7 29. Qg4 Kf7 30. Ne6 Rxc6 31. Nxd8+ Qxd8 32. Qxb4 Rc1+ 33. Re1 Qb6 34. Qd2 Rxe1+ 35. Qxe1 Bxb2 36. Bxd5+ Kf8 {Black might hold this endgame with accurate defence, counting on the opposite coloured bishops.}) 25... Qb6 26. Rd2 Rd6 $2 {Carlsen definitely missed Shirov's reply. It was necessary to eliminate the knight.} (26... Bxd4 27. Rxd4 Rxc6 28. Rxd5 Ke7 $1 {An important defensive resourse. The Steinitz principle is working! The king is able to defend himself in the centre. Black keeps the balance.} 29. Qe1+ Re6 30. Re5 Rxe5 31. Qxe5+ Kd7 32. Qg7+ Kc8 33. Qxh7 Rf8 34. Qe7 Qxf2+ 35. Kh2 Qf4+ 36. Kh3 Qf5+ $11) {[%tqu "En","Black's last move was a mistake. How can White exploit it?","","","d4f5","Such tactical punches are meat and drink to Shirov!",10]} 27. Nf5 $1 {[%mdl 64] Such tactical punches are meat and drink to Shirov!} Rdxc6 (27... gxf5 28. Rxd5 Rxd5 29. Qxd5+ Kg7 30. Qf7+ Kh6 31. Qxf6+ Kh5 32. Bd1# {The point of 27.f5.}) 28. Bxd5+ (28. Rxd5 $2 Kf8 $1) 28... Kf8 29. Bxc6 Rxc6 (29... Qxc6 30. Rd6 $18 {[%csl Rc6,Rf6]}) 30. Ne3 Bxh4 31. Qf3+ Rf6 $2 {This move leaves the bishop totally misplaced on h4 and loses outright.} ({It was still possible to put up very stubborn resistance after} 31... Bf6 32. Ng4 Re6 33. Rd7 Qc6 34. Rf7+ Kxf7 35. Ne5+ Rxe5 36. Qxc6 Re6) 32. Qa8+ Kg7 33. Qe4 {[%csl Rh4][%cal Ge4e7]} b3 {Desperation, but there is nothing else he can do.} 34. axb3 (34. axb3 Bg5 35. Qe7+ Kh6 36. Ng4+ $18) 1-0

[Event "Moscow Tal Memorial 2nd"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2007.11.18"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Leko, Peter"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C68"]
[WhiteElo "2755"]
[BlackElo "2714"]
[PlyCount "59"]
[EventDate "2007.11.10"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 122"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2008.01.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2008.01.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Bxc6 dxc6 5. O-O Qf6 6. d4 exd4 7. Bg5 Qd6 8. Nxd4 Be7 9. Bxe7 Nxe7 10. Nc3 Bd7 11. Nb3 Qxd1 12. Raxd1 b6 13. Rd2 O-O-O 14. Rfd1 c5 15. Nd5 Nxd5 16. Rxd5 f5 17. exf5 Bxf5 18. Rxd8+ Rxd8 19. Rxd8+ Kxd8 20. c3 Be6 21. Kf1 $146 ({RR} 21. f4 a5 22. Kf2 Ke7 23. Nc1 a4 24. a3 Kd6 25. Ke3 Kd5 26. h3 g6 27. g4 h5 28. gxh5 gxh5 29. h4 b5 30. Kd3 Bg4 31. Ke3 c4 32. Na2 c5 33. Nc1 Bd1 34. Kd2 Bg4 35. Ke3 Bd1 {Starley,R (2067)-Ahluwalia,A (2045) England 2018 ½-½ (37)}) ({RR} 21. f3 Kd7 22. Kf2 Kd6 23. Ke3 Ke5 24. h4 h5 25. Nc1 a5 26. Nd3+ Kf5 27. a3 Bc4 28. g4+ hxg4 29. fxg4+ Kf6 30. Nf4 Bf7 31. Nh3 Ke5 32. Ng5 Be8 33. Nf3+ Kd5 34. h5 b5 35. Nd2 c4 {Hugentobler,P (2203)-Krebs,S (2050) Graechen 2017 1-0 (45)}) 21... a5 22. Nc1 Kd7 23. Ke2 Kc6 24. Kd2 a4 25. a3 Kd5 26. Nd3 Kc4 27. Ne5+ Kd5 28. Nd3 Kc4 29. Ne5+ Kd5 30. Nd3 1/2-1/2

[Event "Moscow Tal Memorial 2nd"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2007.11.19"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Kamsky, Gata"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C90"]
[WhiteElo "2714"]
[BlackElo "2714"]
[PlyCount "74"]
[EventDate "2007.11.10"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 122"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2008.01.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2008.01.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. a4 b4 9. d3 d6 10. Nbd2 Rb8 11. c3 ({RR} 11. h3 Na5 12. Ba2 Be6 13. Bxe6 fxe6 14. Nf1 c5 15. Ng3 Qd7 16. b3 Nc6 17. Rf1 Bd8 18. Be3 Bc7 19. Nh2 Nd4 20. Ne2 d5 21. Ng3 Qc6 22. Ng4 dxe4 23. Nxf6+ gxf6 24. dxe4 Kh8 25. Re1 Rbd8 {Swiercz,D (2616)-Korobov,A (2693) Wroclaw 2014 0-1 (61)}) 11... Bg4 $146 ({RR} 11... Na5 12. Ba2 c5 13. d4 cxd4 14. cxd4 Qc7 15. b3 Nd7 16. Bb2 Bf6 17. Rc1 Qb6 18. Nc4 Nxc4 19. Rxc4 Bb7 20. Bb1 Rbc8 21. Rxc8 {½-½ (21) Palac,M (2587)-Banusz,T (2481) Trieste 2008}) ({RR} 11... Na5 12. Ba2 Be6 13. d4 Bxa2 14. Rxa2 Nd7 15. Qe2 Qc8 16. Nc4 Nxc4 17. Qxc4 a5 18. Bd2 c5 19. dxe5 Nxe5 20. Nxe5 dxe5 21. b3 Qe6 22. Qxe6 fxe6 23. cxb4 cxb4 24. Rc2 Rfd8 25. Kf1 Rd3 26. Re3 {Roquero Redondo,M (2028)-Bernabeu Lopez,C (2416) Roquetas de Mar ESP 2025 ½-½ (43)}) ({RR} 11... Na5 12. Ba2 c5 13. d4 Qc7 14. Nf1 exd4 15. cxd4 c4 16. Bg5 d5 17. exd5 Nxd5 18. Bxe7 Nxe7 19. Rc1 b3 20. Bb1 Ng6 21. Ne3 Rd8 22. h4 Nf8 23. d5 Rb4 24. Qd4 Rxa4 25. h5 Qd6 26. Ng5 {Megaranto,S (2439)-Almasi,Z (2650) Mallorca 2004 1-0 (55)}) 12. h3 Bh5 13. g4 Bg6 14. Nh4 Kh8 15. Bc4 d5 16. Nxg6+ fxg6 17. exd5 Nxd5 18. Ne4 bxc3 19. bxc3 Na5 20. Ba2 c6 21. Be3 Nb7 22. Rb1 Nxe3 23. Rxe3 Nc5 24. Rxb8 Qxb8 25. Nxc5 Bxc5 26. Rf3 a5 27. Kg2 Rf6 28. Qe2 Qf8 29. Qe4 Rxf3 30. Qxf3 Qf6 31. Bf7 Ba3 32. Be8 Bb2 33. c4 c5 34. Bf7 e4 35. dxe4 Be5 36. Bd5 Qxf3+ 37. Kxf3 g5 1/2-1/2

[Event "FIDE World Cup"]
[Site "Khanty-Mansiysk"]
[Date "2007.11.28"]
[Round "2.2"]
[White "Naiditsch, Arkadij"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C45"]
[WhiteElo "2639"]
[BlackElo "2714"]
[PlyCount "41"]
[EventDate "2007.11.24"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 122"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2008.01.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2008.01.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 exd4 4. Nxd4 Bc5 5. Be3 Qf6 6. c3 Nge7 7. Bc4 Ne5 8. Be2 Qg6 9. O-O d6 10. Kh1 O-O 11. Nd2 d5 12. Bh5 Qd6 13. f4 Bxd4 14. cxd4 N5c6 15. f5 f6 16. Qg4 Kh8 17. Rf3 $146 ({RR} 17. Qh4 Ng8 18. Rac1 Qd8 19. Nb3 Nce7 20. Nc5 c6 21. Qf4 dxe4 22. Qxe4 Qd5 23. Bf3 Qxa2 24. g4 Qa5 25. Bf2 Nd5 26. Rfe1 Qd8 27. Qc2 Nge7 28. Qb3 Nb6 29. Re2 Ned5 30. Rce1 a5 31. Bg3 a4 {Iakymov,V (2363)-Borisek,J (2443) Balatonlelle 2003 ½-½ (67)}) 17... dxe4 18. Nxe4 Qd5 19. Raf1 Nxf5 20. Rxf5 Qxa2 21. Bg6 1/2-1/2

[Event "FIDE World Cup"]
[Site "Khanty-Mansiysk"]
[Date "2007.11.29"]
[Round "2.4"]
[White "Naiditsch, Arkadij"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C77"]
[WhiteElo "2639"]
[BlackElo "2714"]
[PlyCount "92"]
[EventDate "2007.11.24"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 122"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2008.01.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2008.01.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. d3 b5 6. Bb3 Be7 7. a4 Rb8 8. axb5 axb5 9. Nc3 O-O 10. Nd5 Nxd5 11. exd5 Nd4 12. Nxd4 exd4 13. O-O d6 14. Bd2 Bd7 15. Ra5 Rb7 $146 ({RR} 15... Re8 16. Re1 Ra8 17. Qa1 Kf8 18. Re4 Bf5 19. Re1 Qb8 20. Qa3 Rxa5 21. Qxa5 Bd8 22. Rxe8+ Kxe8 23. Qa3 Qb7 24. f3 h5 25. Be1 Bf6 26. Bf2 Kf8 27. Ba2 Bc8 28. Qa5 Bd7 29. b4 Bc8 30. Kf1 {Naiditsch,A (2676)-Delchev,A (2628) Fuegen 2006 ½-½ (68)}) ({RR} 15... Ra8 16. Qa1 Qc8 17. Qa2 Qb7 18. Ra1 Rxa5 19. Qxa5 Rc8 20. Qa7 Qxa7 21. Rxa7 Kf8 22. Ba5 Bd8 23. Kf1 f5 24. Ke2 Ke8 25. f4 h6 26. Kd2 g5 27. g3 Ke7 28. c4 dxc3+ 29. bxc3 Ke8 30. d4 {Bacrot,E (2705)-Gustafsson,J (2606) Germany 2007 ½-½ (58)}) 16. Re1 Bg5 17. Re4 Bf6 18. Qa1 Bf5 19. Re1 Be5 20. h3 Qh4 21. Qd1 Bd7 22. Qf3 Re8 23. Re4 Qd8 24. Qd1 h6 25. f4 Bf6 26. Rxe8+ Qxe8 27. Qe1 Qb8 28. Qa1 Qe8 29. Ra8 Rb8 30. Ra7 Rc8 31. Qe1 Qd8 32. Ba5 h5 33. Kh2 h4 34. Qb4 Be8 35. c4 dxc3 36. bxc3 g6 37. Bd1 Kg7 38. Rb7 Bd7 39. Rxc7 Rxc7 40. Qxd6 Qe8 41. Bxc7 Qe1 42. f5 Bxf5 43. Bg4 Bxc3 44. Qf4 Bxd3 45. Bf3 b4 46. Bb8 b3 0-1

[Event "FIDE World Cup"]
[Site "Khanty-Mansiysk"]
[Date "2007.11.30"]
[Round "3.1"]
[White "Dominguez Perez, Leinier"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C96"]
[WhiteElo "2683"]
[BlackElo "2714"]
[Annotator "Marin,Mihail"]
[PlyCount "89"]
[EventDate "2007.11.24"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 122"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2008.01.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2008.01.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 d6 8. c3 O-O 9. h3 Na5 10. Bc2 d5 $5 {This highly unusual move seems to be part of Carslen's special preparation for the World Cup 2008.} 11. d4 ({A couple of days later,} 11. exd5 {was tried in Adams,M (2729)-Carlsen,M (2714)/Khanty-Mansiysk RUS 2007/CBM 122/[Marin] (½-½, 83)}) 11... dxe4 12. Nxe5 c5 13. Bg5 {We are following the main theoretical stream still.} ({However, the solid} 13. Be3 {is less inoffensive than it might look.} Bb7 14. Nd2 Qd5 $6 {This pseudo-active move places the queen on a vulnerable square and deprives the f6-knight of the possibility of a jump to the centre.} (14... Qc7 $6 15. Bf4 $1 {[%csl Gc7,Ge4]}) (14... Rc8 $5 $13 {might be better} 15. Ng4 $140 Nd5 $1) 15. Ng4 $1 {[%csl Ge4]} cxd4 (15... Nxg4 16. hxg4 f5 17. gxf5 Qxf5 18. f3 $5 $14) 16. Bxd4 $1 e3 $5 (16... Nxg4 17. Qxg4 $18 {[%csl Ge4,Gg7]}) 17. Nxe3 Qc6 18. Nf3 $16 {Kotronias,V (2614)-Mastrovasilis,A (2529)/Igoumenitsa 2007 (1-0, 36)}) 13... Bb7 14. Nd2 (14. dxc5 {was played in Volokitin,A (2678)-Wojtaszek,R (2635)/Crete 2007/CBM 121/[Ftacnik] (0-1, 33), which also contains a survey of the variation.}) ({RR} 14. a4 cxd4 15. cxd4 b4 16. Nd2 Re8 17. Bxf6 Bxf6 18. Bxe4 Bxe4 19. Rxe4 Bxe5 20. dxe5 Qd5 21. Qe2 Rad8 22. Nf3 Nb3 23. Re1 a5 24. Ng5 Nc5 25. Qh5 h6 26. e6 fxe6 27. Re5 Qd7 28. Rxc5 hxg5 {Kamsky,G (2726)-Miton,K (2620) Dagomys 2008 1-0 (50)}) 14... cxd4 15. cxd4 {Black has obtained the control of the d5-square, but the vulnerability of the e4-pawn, combined with the activity of White's minor pieces and the relative weakness of the c5-square maintain the position quite tensioned.} Re8 (15... Qxd4 16. Nxe4 Qxd1 17. Raxd1 $14) 16. Nb3 $146 (16. Bxf6 {Charbonneau,P (2503)-Benjamin,J (2576)/ICC 2007 (0-1, 80)}) ({RR} 16. Bxf6 Bxf6 17. Nxe4 Bxe5 18. dxe5 Qxd1 19. Raxd1 Rxe5 20. Nd6 Rxe1+ 21. Rxe1 Bd5 22. a4 bxa4 23. Bxa4 Nc4 {½-½ (23) Prince,B (2333)-Prasanna Raghuram,R (2427) Mumbai 2014}) ({RR} 16. Bxf6 Bxf6 17. Nxe4 Bxe5 18. dxe5 Rxe5 19. Qxd8+ Rxd8 20. Nd6 Rxe1+ 21. Rxe1 Bd5 22. Nf5 Bxa2 23. Ra1 Nc6 24. Rxa2 Nb4 25. Ra3 Nxc2 26. Rxa6 g6 27. Rd6 Rxd6 28. Nxd6 Nd4 29. f4 Ne2+ 30. Kf1 Nxf4 {Guliyev,N (2521)-Nyback,T (2639) Germany 2009 ½-½ (44)}) 16... Nxb3 (16... Nc4 $5 {is an important alternative, preventing the activation of the Spanish bishop.}) 17. Bxb3 Nd5 {This move leaves the f7-pawn under the X-Ray attack of the b3-bishop. The merits of the move is that after the exchange of the g5-bishop Black will get some stability on dark squares.} (17... Bd5 $5 {should also be mentioned. Here, too, it is not easy for Black to neutralize White's pressure completely.} 18. Rc1 h6 (18... Rc8 $2 19. Rxc8 Qxc8 20. Bxf6 Bxb3 21. Qxb3 Bxf6 22. Qxf7+ $18) 19. Bh4 $14 (19. Bxf6 Bxf6 20. Rc5 Bxb3 21. Qxb3 Qxd4 22. Qxf7+ Kh8 $132)) 18. Bxe7 Rxe7 19. Rc1 Nf4 $6 {Black moves again with a well-placed piece, before having completed his development. Besides, the dangerous diagonal is opened.} ({The developing move} 19... Qd6 {would be more desirable.} 20. Rxe4 $5 ({This looks tempting, but maybe the more restrained} 20. Qc2 $14 {is better and only if} Rd8 {then} 21. Rxe4 $1 {for instance} Nb4 22. Nxf7 $1 Rxf7 23. Bxf7+ {[%cal Gg8f7,Gc2c7]} Kf8 24. Re6 Nxc2 25. Rxd6 Rxd6 26. Rxc2 Bxg2 27. Kxg2 Kxf7 $14) 20... f6 21. Rc5 $5 (21. f4 $5) 21... Rae8 {[%cal Gf6e5] fxe5.} (21... fxe5 $2 22. Rxd5 Bxd5 23. dxe5 Rxe5 24. Rxe5 Qxe5 25. Qxd5+ Qxd5 26. Bxd5+ Kf8 27. Bxa8 $18) 22. Nf7 $1 Kxf7 23. Bxd5+ Bxd5 24. Qh5+ Kf8 25. Rxd5 Qc6 26. Rxe7 Qc1+ $1 $11) 20. Qg4 Ng6 (20... Nd3 21. Qf5 $1 {[%csl Gf7]} Nxe5 22. dxe5 {transposes}) 21. Qf5 Nxe5 22. dxe5 Qf8 23. Rc5 Rd8 24. Rec1 $14 {Black is under serious pressure.} Qe8 25. Rc7 h6 26. R1c5 Rxc7 27. Rxc7 Bd5 28. Bxd5 Rxd5 29. Rc8 Rd8 30. Rc7 Rd1+ 31. Kh2 Rd5 32. Rc8 Rd8 33. Rxd8 Qxd8 34. Qxe4 Qd2 35. Qa8+ Kh7 36. Qe4+ Kg8 37. f4 Qxb2 38. e6 fxe6 39. Qxe6+ Kh7 40. Qe4+ Kh8 41. Qa8+ Kh7 42. Qxa6 Qd4 43. Qxb5 Qxf4+ 44. Kg1 Qd4+ 45. Kh2 1/2-1/2

[Event "FIDE World Cup"]
[Site "Khanty-Mansiysk"]
[Date "2007.12.01"]
[Round "3.2"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Dominguez Perez, Leinier"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B92"]
[WhiteElo "2714"]
[BlackElo "2683"]
[PlyCount "83"]
[EventDate "2007.11.24"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 122"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2008.01.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2008.01.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Be2 e5 7. Nb3 Be7 8. Bg5 Be6 9. Bxf6 Bxf6 10. Qd3 Bg5 11. Rd1 Nc6 12. a3 Bxb3 ({RR} 12... O-O 13. O-O Rc8 14. h3 Qb6 15. Bg4 Nd4 16. Bxe6 fxe6 17. Nxd4 exd4 18. Ne2 e5 19. Rb1 Bd8 20. c3 Qb3 21. Rfd1 Bb6 22. cxd4 Qxd3 23. Rxd3 Rc2 24. Kf1 Bxd4 25. f3 Bxb2 26. Rb3 Bd4 27. Nxd4 {Harikrishna,P (2692)-Dominguez Perez,L (2726) Leon 2012 1-0 (65)}) 13. cxb3 Nd4 14. b4 Rc8 $146 ({RR} 14... g6 15. O-O O-O 16. Bg4 f5 17. Bh3 Kh8 18. exf5 gxf5 19. f4 Bf6 20. Bxf5 Nxf5 21. Qxf5 Bg7 {½-½ (21) Wen,Y (2497)-Wang,H (2684) Beijing 2008}) 15. O-O O-O 16. Bg4 Rc6 17. g3 g6 18. f4 Bh6 19. Rf2 Bg7 20. f5 Qg5 21. Bh3 Bh6 22. Re1 b5 23. Kg2 Ra8 24. fxg6 hxg6 25. Bd7 Rc4 26. b3 Rc7 27. Nd5 Rc1 28. h4 Rxe1 29. hxg5 Bxg5 30. Bg4 Ra1 31. a4 Kg7 32. Nc3 Ra3 33. axb5 axb5 34. Nxb5 Nxb5 35. Qxb5 Be3 36. Rf1 Ra2+ 37. Be2 R8a7 38. Kh3 Ra8 39. Bc4 Rh8+ 40. Kg4 Rh5 41. Rxf7+ Kh6 42. Qd7 1-0

[Event "FIDE World Cup"]
[Site "Khanty-Mansiysk"]
[Date "2007.12.04"]
[Round "4.2"]
[White "Adams, Michael"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C96"]
[WhiteElo "2729"]
[BlackElo "2714"]
[Annotator "Marin,Mihail"]
[PlyCount "165"]
[EventDate "2007.11.24"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 122"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2008.01.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2008.01.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 d6 8. c3 O-O 9. h3 Na5 10. Bc2 d5 11. exd5 ({Just few days ealrier, Carlsen found himself in some toruble after} 11. d4 {Dominguez Perez,L (2683)-Carlsen,M (2714)/Khanty-Mansiysk 2007/CBM 122/[Marin] (½-½, 45). However, it was obvious that he had found an improvement since he was ready to play the same line again. Besides, having familiarized himself during a couple of hours in an over-the-board game and whi knows how many others examining it before the tournament would have offerd him an advantage from practical point of view.}) 11... e4 12. Bxe4 {White has to give up the pride of his position.} (12. Ng5 {offers Black good play.} Nxd5 13. Nxe4 ({The tactical operation initiated with} 13. Nxh7 {wins two pawns after} Kxh7 14. Bxe4+ Kg8 15. Bxd5 Qxd5 16. Rxe7 {. However, White is strongly undderdeveloped (while the weakness of the d3-square makes one remember the games Paulsen-Morphy 1857 and Fischer-Matulovic 1970. In both games, Black installed a queen on d3, causing White huge problems in development, although in the second game he managed to survive somehow. Here, The least Black could do is} Be6 {winning the exchange. White should give up the rook for the e6-bishop, because} 17. Rxc7 Qd6 {would only make things worse.}) 13... f5 14. Ng3 f4 15. Ne4 f3 $40 16. d4 fxg2 17. Ng3 (17. Qh5 g6 18. Qh6 Rf5 19. Ng3 Bf8 20. Qd2 Rf7 $32 {Guliyev,N (2560)-Fressinet,L (2654)/Ajaccio 2007/CBM 120 ext (0-1, 36)}) 17... Qd6 18. Qd3 g6 19. Ne4 Qe6 20. Bh6 Nf4 21. Bxf4 Rxf4 $44 {Wang Hao (2624)-Jones,G (2526)/Liverpool 2007/CBM 120 (½-½, 104)}) 12... Nxe4 13. Rxe4 Bb7 {It can be expected that Black will get the usual... Marshall-Attack-like compensation for the pawn. His strong pair of bishops as well as White's delay in development make the small material defficit rather insignifiant.} 14. d4 Re8 $5 {A theoretical refinment. By defending the bishop, Black threatens to capture the d5-pawn with the queen, putting the enemy kingside under serious pressure.} (14... Bxd5 15. Re1 Qd6 16. b3 $1 Nc6 17. Be3 $6 ({This is unconsequent. The previous move was useful to restrict the enemy knight, but could also have been taken advantage of for an active development of the bishop with} 17. Ba3 b4 18. Bxb4 Nxb4 19. cxb4 Bxf3 20. Qxf3 Qxd4 21. Na3 Bxb4 22. Red1 Qh4 23. Nc4 $14 {With such a stable knight, White has a stable advantage.}) 17... f5 $44 {[%csl Ge3] Onischuk,V (2469)-Drozdovskij,Y (2567)/Kharkov 2007 (0-1, 44)}) 15. Bf4 ({RR} 15. Nbd2 Qxd5 16. Re1 Rad8 17. Nf1 c5 18. Ne3 Qh5 19. d5 Nc4 20. Nxc4 bxc4 21. Re5 Qg6 22. Qe2 Kf8 23. Qxc4 f6 24. Re1 Bxd5 25. Qg4 Qf7 26. b3 f5 27. Qg3 Bf6 28. Ne5 Qh5 29. Be3 Kg8 {Kryvoruchko,Y (2612)-Nyback,T (2587) Plovdiv 2008 ½-½ (88)}) ({RR} 15. Nbd2 Bxd5 16. Re1 Bd6 17. Rxe8+ Qxe8 18. Nf1 Nc4 19. b3 Nb6 20. Ne3 Be4 21. Bb2 Rd8 22. Nd2 Bb7 23. Rc1 Bf4 24. Ndf1 Rd6 25. c4 Rg6 26. d5 c6 27. Qd4 Bc7 28. Nf5 f6 29. d6 c5 {Ziobrowska,M (2071)-Domanski,W (1947) Polanica Zdroj POL 2025 0-1 (34)}) 15... Nc4 ({Once the c1-bishop has been developed on an active square,} 15... Qxd5 {allows White win some time to complete his development in adequate way after} 16. Re5 Qd7 17. Nbd2 {The importance of the bishop's good placement can be seen after} Bd6 $6 18. Rxe8+ Rxe8 19. Bxd6 $14) ({However, the immediate} 15... Bxd5 $5 {comes into consideration.}) 16. Re2 $146 ({The slightly paradoxical} 16. b3 Nb6 17. c4 {allows White retain some pressure. The d5-pawn will not be easy to win back.} bxc4 18. bxc4 Nxc4 19. Nc3 Nd6 (19... Nb6 20. Qb3 Bxd5 21. Bxc7 $1) 20. Re1 Nb5 21. Rc1 $14 {[%csl Gc7] Kaplan,S (2466)-Ragger,M (2528)/Yerevan 2007/CBM 120 ext (½-½, 51)}) 16... Bxd5 17. Ne5 Bg5 $146 ({RR} 17... Bd6 18. b3 Bxe5 19. dxe5 Nb6 20. Nd2 f6 21. Nf1 Bb7 22. Qxd8 Raxd8 23. Rae1 Nd5 24. Bd2 fxe5 25. Rxe5 Rxe5 26. Rxe5 Kf7 27. c4 bxc4 28. bxc4 Nf6 29. Rc5 c6 30. f3 Rd3 31. Kf2 Nd7 32. Rf5+ {Tukhaev,A (2498)-Ajrapetjan,Y (2490) Evpatoria 2008 ½-½ (54)}) 18. Bg3 ({Generally speaking, White would be interested to exchange these bishops, but his delay in development would leave him in trouble after} 18. Bxg5 $2 Qxg5 $17 {[%csl Ge5,Gg2]}) 18... Nxe5 19. Rxe5 Rxe5 20. Bxe5 Qd7 {White is close to complete his development and, unlike in the Marshall Attack, his king is in absolute safety. However, Black's firm control over the light squares keeps the position balanced.} 21. Na3 (21. Nd2 {would almost surely lead to a draw after} Bxd2 22. Qxd2 f6 23. Bg3 Re8 {It is virtually impossible for White to create a queenside passed pawn.}) 21... f6 22. Bg3 Qc6 23. f4 {The first significant weakness. Adams wanted the d2-square for his queen, but the e4-square will remain chronically weak now.} (23. f3 Re8 $44) 23... Bh6 24. Qd2 g6 (24... f5 $5 25. Nc2 Be4 {[%cal Gg7g6,Gh6f8,Gf8d6] would have allowed Black retain his pair of bishops.}) 25. Nc2 Bf8 26. f5 $1 $14 {White has managed to get rid of this pawn, opening the way to his passive bishop. It is hard to claim a clear advantage yet, but it is clear that only White can play for a win.} Re8 27. fxg6 hxg6 28. Rc1 Re4 29. b3 Qe6 30. Re1 c6 31. Kh2 a5 32. Qd3 f5 33. Be5 a4 34. Qg3 Rxe1 35. Nxe1 Be4 36. Nf3 {[%cal Gf3g5]} Bxf3 37. Qxf3 axb3 38. axb3 {A curious endgame. I would say that White is not without chances here, but Carlsen defends with such great confidence that the final part of the games leaves the sensation that the position is absolutely equal.} Be7 39. Kg1 Kf7 40. Kf2 Ke8 41. Qe2 Kf7 42. c4 bxc4 43. bxc4 Bh4+ 44. Kf1 Be7 45. Ke1 Bb4+ 46. Kd1 Be7 47. Kd2 Bb4+ 48. Kd3 Be7 49. Qe3 Ke8 50. Qh6 Kd7 51. Qh8 Bd8 52. Qg7+ Be7 53. Kc3 Ke8 54. Qh8+ Kd7 55. Qb8 Bd8 56. Kb3 Be7 57. Qb6 Ke8 58. Qb8+ Kf7 59. Kc3 Qd7 60. Qh8 Qe6 61. h4 Bf8 62. g3 Be7 63. c5 Bf8 64. Kb4 Be7 65. h5 gxh5 66. Qxh5+ Kf8 67. Qh8+ Kf7 68. Qh1 Ke8 69. Qf3 Kd7 70. Qd3 Bf8 71. Kc3 Be7 72. Qb1 Ke8 73. Qb7 Bd8 74. Kb4 Be7 75. Qa8+ Kd7 76. Qa7+ Ke8 77. Qa6 Kd7 78. Qa8 Bxc5+ $1 {Bravo Magnus! It is not easy to spot such chances after having been moving the pieces around for such a long time.} 79. dxc5 ({The black queen has sufficient mobility along diagonals to give perpetual check after} 79. Kxc5 Qd5+ 80. Kb6 (80. Kb4 $4 c5+ $1 $19) 80... Qb3+ 81. Ka7 Qa2+ (81... Qa3+ {is also possible} 82. Kb8 Qf8+) 82. Kb8 Qg8+ 83. Kb7 Qb3+) 79... Qxe5 80. Qb7+ Qc7 81. Qxc7+ Kxc7 82. Kc4 Kd7 83. Kd3 1/2-1/2

[Event "FIDE World Cup"]
[Site "Khanty-Mansiysk"]
[Date "2007.12.09"]
[Round "6.1"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Kamsky, Gata"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C45"]
[WhiteElo "2714"]
[BlackElo "2714"]
[Annotator "Marin,Mihail"]
[PlyCount "42"]
[EventDate "2007.11.24"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 122"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2008.01.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2008.01.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 exd4 4. Nxd4 Bc5 5. Nxc6 bxc6 $5 {Not a very common move.} (5... Qf6 {is almost authomatically played here, which is quite curious. The move itself is not bad, as proven by years and decades of practice. However, for the taste of certain players, it looks a bit like a premature commitment, which makes one wonder why the move played by Kamsky has not been taken too seriously before.}) 6. Bd3 {Just one of the possible moves here.} Qh4 {This is a more active way to attack the f2-pawn, leaving the f6-square available for the knight at the same time.} 7. Qe2 {The most natural, but not the only move tried here.} (7. O-O Nf6 8. Qd2 $6 {If we compare with the lines starting with 5...f6, this move leads to a less favourable position for White.} (8. h3 d6 {[%cal Gc8h3]} 9. Qf3 {looks more active.}) 8... O-O 9. Qf4 Qxf4 10. Bxf4 d6 11. Nd2 Nh5 12. Bg5 h6 13. Bh4 Nf4 14. Nb3 Nxd3 15. cxd3 Bb6 $15 {Alatortsev,V-Lilienthal,A/Leningrad 1935/[ChessBase] (0-1, 65)}) (7. Qf3 {places the queen on a slightly exposed square.} Nf6 8. Bf4 {This move allows Black open the centre with all the comfort.} (8. Nc3 $5 {deserves being investigated. The consequences of} Ng4 {are not entirely clear after} 9. g3 Ne5 10. Qxf7+ $1 Kxf7 11. gxh4 d5 $5 12. Be2 $1 {[%csl Gf3]}) 8... d5 $1 (8... O-O 9. Bg3 Qg5 10. Bf4 Qh4 11. Bg3 Qg5 12. Bf4 Qh4 {½-½ Ris,R (2395)-Winants,L (2504)/Netherlands 2007/CBM 120 ext}) 9. Nd2 O-O 10. O-O Bb6 11. h3 Be6 $11 {Mullon,J (2318)-Radulov,I (2359)/Clichy 2002/CBM 089 ext (0-1, 36)}) 7... Nf6 8. Be3 ({The attempt to harass the queen with the help of the pawns is rather time consuming:} 8. h3 O-O 9. g3 Qh5 10. g4 (10. Qxh5 Nxh5 11. Nc3 {Godena,M (2558)-Volke,K (2490)/Dresden 2007/CBM 118 (½-½, 15)} d5 $5 12. exd5 Re8+ 13. Kf1 cxd5 14. Nxd5 Bb7 15. c4 Nf6 16. Nxf6+ gxf6 17. Rh2 Rad8 $44) 10... Qh4 $6 (10... Qe5 $5 11. g5 Ne8 12. f4 Qe6 $132 {[%cal Gd7d5,Gf7f6] White's delay in development prevents him from maintaining his advantage of space.}) 11. Nd2 Ne8 12. Nb3 Be7 13. Nd4 Bc5 14. Nf5 $14 {Motylev,A (2641)-Liang Chong (2531)/Moscow 2001/CBM 086 (1-0, 53). White has almost completed his development and stands actively.}) 8... Bxe3 9. Qxe3 O-O 10. Nd2 Re8 $1 (10... d6 {defines the central structure too soon.} 11. Nf3 (11. h3 Ng4 12. Nf3 Qh5 13. Qd4 c5 14. Qc3 Re8 15. O-O Ne5 16. Nxe5 Qxe5 17. Qxe5 Rxe5 $11 {Van der Wiel,J (2570)-Winants,L (2495)/Netherlands 1994/EXT 98 (½-½, 38)}) 11... Qh5 12. O-O Re8 13. Rfe1 Bg4 14. Nd2 Bd7 15. Qg3 Rab8 16. b3 c5 17. Nc4 $14 {Lecroq,M (2578)-Martin Clemente,J (2569)/ICCF corr 2000/ICCF Telechess CBM 94 (½-½, 28). White has an harmonious display of forces and the better structure.}) 11. O-O ({Now,} 11. Nf3 Qh5 12. O-O {could be met by} d5 $1 $36 {without loss of time.}) 11... d6 12. Rae1 $146 ({It is questionable whether this novelty, concentrating the forces on the kingside in a mechanical way, is really better than the previously played} 12. Rfe1 Ng4 (12... a5 $5 13. Nf3 Qh5 14. h3 {[%cal Ga1d1] offers White a better version of the game.}) 13. Qg3 Qxg3 14. hxg3 Rb8 15. b3 Ne5 16. Be2 c5 17. f4 Nc6 18. c3 h6 19. Bf3 Bb7 20. Nc4 $14 {Chytilek,R (2386)-Timoscenko,G (2513)/Czechia 2001/EXT 2003 (½-½, 48). White has consolidated his advantage of space and retains the more flexible pawn structure.}) 12... a5 {[%csl Ga2]} 13. Qg3 $146 (13. Nf3 Qh5 {[%csl Gf1] leaves the f1-rook misplaced now.}) ({RR} 13. Nf3 Qh5 14. Qf4 Nd7 15. Nd4 Qc5 16. Nf3 f6 17. b3 Ba6 18. Bxa6 Rxa6 19. Re2 a4 20. Rd1 Qa3 21. e5 Qc5 22. b4 Qb5 23. Nd4 Qc4 24. e6 Ne5 25. Qg3 Ng6 26. c3 c5 27. bxc5 Qxc5 {Goumas,G (2378)-Kosakowski,J (2415) Krakow 2019 0-1 (39)}) ({RR} 13. a4 Nd5 14. Qg3 Qxg3 15. hxg3 Nb4 16. Rc1 Be6 17. Be2 Reb8 18. b3 f5 19. c3 Na6 20. exf5 Bxf5 21. Bxa6 Rxa6 22. c4 Re8 {½-½ (22) Saurabh,A (2258)-Herraiz Hidalgo,H (2421) Barbera del Valles 2018}) 13... Qxg3 14. hxg3 {We have reached the same structure as in Timoscenko's game, but Black has avoided the losses of time cause by the knight's jumping around.} a4 $11 {Besdies, the pressure exerted against the enemy queenside will soon allow him get rid of his main structural weakness, the a-pawn and open the a-file for the rook.} 15. f3 Be6 16. b3 Nd7 17. Re3 axb3 18. axb3 Ne5 19. Be2 Ra2 20. Rc3 c5 21. b4 cxb4 (21... cxb4 22. Rxc7 Rc8 23. Rxc8+ Bxc8 24. Rc1 Be6 $11 {[%cal Gg8f8,Gf8e7]}) 1/2-1/2

[Event "FIDE World Cup"]
[Site "Khanty-Mansiysk"]
[Date "2007.12.10"]
[Round "6.2"]
[White "Kamsky, Gata"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C43"]
[WhiteElo "2714"]
[BlackElo "2714"]
[Annotator "ChessBase"]
[PlyCount "85"]
[EventDate "2007.11.24"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 122"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2008.01.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2008.01.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 {Ftacnik,Lubomir} e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. d4 Nxe4 4. Bd3 d5 5. dxe5 Be7 6. O-O Bg4 7. h3 ({RR} 7. Bxe4 dxe4 8. Qxd8+ Bxd8 9. Nd4 ({RR} 9. h3 Bd7 10. Ng5 Nc6 11. Nxe4 Nxe5) 9... O-O 10. Nc3 Nd7 ({RR} 10... f6 11. Bf4 ({RR} 11. e6 c5 12. Ndb5 Bxe6) 11... fxe5 12. Bxe5 Nd7 13. Bg3 Nc5) 11. h3 Bh5 ({RR} 11... c5 12. Ndb5 ({RR} 12. hxg4 cxd4 13. Rd1 Nxe5 14. Rxd4 Nxg4 15. Rxe4) 12... Be6 13. Bf4 a6 14. Nd6) 12. e6 fxe6 ({RR} 12... Nc5 13. exf7+ Bxf7 14. Nb3 Nxb3 15. axb3 Bg6 16. Be3 a6) 13. Nxe6 Re8 14. Nxd8 Raxd8 15. Bg5 Nf6 16. Rfe1 Bg6 ({RR} 16... Rd4 17. g4 Bf7 18. Rad1) 17. Rad1 Kf8 ({RR} 17... Rxd1 18. Rxd1 Kf7 19. Bxf6 gxf6 20. Nb5 Rc8 21. Rd7+ Ke6 22. Rxc7 Rxc7 23. Nxc7+ Ke5 24. Kf1) ({RR} 17... e3 18. Bxf6 gxf6 19. Rxe3 Rxd1+ 20. Nxd1 Rd8 21. Nc3 Rd2 22. Re7) ({RR} 17... Kf7 18. Rxd8 Rxd8 19. Bxf6 gxf6 ({RR} 19... Kxf6 20. Nxe4+ Bxe4 21. Rxe4 Rd1+ 22. Kh2 Rd2 23. Rc4) 20. Nxe4) 18. Bxf6 gxf6 19. Nd5 e3 ({RR} 19... Rd6 20. Nxc7 Rxd1 21. Rxd1 Rc8 22. Ne6+ Kf7 23. Nd4) 20. Nxe3 c5 21. Kf1 Rd4 {Shirov,A (2699)-Adams,M (2734) Elista 2007 CBM 119 [Ftacnik,Lubomir] 1-0 (49)} {RR} 22. g4 Red8 23. Ke2) 7... Bh5 8. Re1 ({RR} 8. Nc3 Nxc3 9. bxc3 Na6 10. g4 Bg6 11. Nd4 Nc5 12. f4 Be4 13. Rb1 h5 14. f5 Bg5 15. Bxe4 Bxc1 16. Bg2 Be3+ 17. Kh1 hxg4 18. Qxg4 Qh4 19. Qe2 Bxd4 20. cxd4 Qxd4 21. Rfd1 Qc3 22. Rxd5 c6 {Seo,J (2442)-Nikcevic,N (2344) Prishtina KOS 2024 ½-½ (37)}) 8... Nc6 9. Nc3 $146 (9. Bf4 g5 10. Bh2 g4 11. hxg4 Bxg4 12. Nc3 Nxf2 13. Kxf2 Bc5+ 14. Kf1 Nd4 15. Be2 Nxf3 16. Bxf3 Qh4 17. Qe2 Qxh2 18. Qb5+ c6 19. Qxc5 Bxf3 20. gxf3 Rg8 21. Qf2 Qh3+ {0-1 Schmider,B-Kresovic,V/Germany 1992}) ({RR} 9. Bf4 g5 10. Bh2 g4 11. hxg4 Bxg4 12. Nc3 Nxf2 13. Kxf2 Bc5+ 14. Kf1 Nd4 15. Be2 Nxf3 16. Bxf3 Qh4 17. Qe2 Qxh2 18. Qb5+ c6 19. Qxc5 Bxf3 20. gxf3 Rg8 21. Qf2 Qh3+ {0-1 (21) Schmider,B-Kresovic,V Germany 1993}) 9... Bg6 10. Bd2 Nxd2 11. Qxd2 d4 12. Ne4 O-O 13. a3 Qd5 14. Qf4 Rfe8 15. Re2 Bf8 16. Ng3 Bxd3 17. cxd3 Re6 18. Nh5 $1 Rae8 19. Rae1 a5 {Black is ignoring the threats on the kingside, but perhaps there was really nothing better he could do.} 20. Qg4 Rg6 21. Nf4 Rxg4 22. Nxd5 Rg6 23. g4 {Carlsen is in time trouble, Kamsky is playing difficult moves - here threatening to trap the black rook.} ({After} 23. Nxc7 {White gets two pawns and probably a winning position.} Rc8 (23... Re7 24. Nb5 Rd7 25. Re4 Rd5 26. Nbxd4 Nxd4 27. Nxd4 Bc5 28. Ne2) 24. Nb5 Rd8 25. Re4 Bc5 26. Rc1 Bb6 27. Rc4 Re6 28. Nfxd4 Nxd4 29. Nxd4 {and White is two pawns up.}) 23... Rd8 $6 {Carlsen decides to give the exchange and try to set up a fortress.} 24. Nf4 Rh6 25. g5 Re6 26. Nxe6 fxe6 27. Rc1 Rd5 28. Rc4 Bc5 29. h4 Bb6 30. Kg2 Ne7 31. h5 Rd8 32. Re4 Nf5 33. Nh4 Ne7 34. Kg3 g6 35. Kg4 Rd5 36. hxg6 hxg6 37. a4 Kf7 38. Rc1 Rd8 39. Rh1 Kg7 40. Ng2 Nf5 41. Nf4 Re8 42. Ree1 c5 43. Rh3 1-0

[Event "Corus"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2008.01.12"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B25"]
[WhiteElo "2760"]
[BlackElo "2733"]
[PlyCount "80"]
[EventDate "2008.01.12"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 122"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2008.01.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2008.01.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 g6 4. g3 Bg7 5. Bg2 d6 6. O-O Bg4 7. h3 Bxf3 8. Qxf3 Nf6 9. d3 O-O 10. Qd1 Nd7 11. f4 $146 ({RR} 11. Bg5 Rb8 12. a4 c4 13. Be3 cxd3 14. cxd3 Bd4 15. Bh6 Bg7 16. Be3 Bd4 17. Bh6 Bg7 {½-½ (17) Galego,L (2529)-Vavrak,P (2472) Reykjavik 2008}) 11... c4 12. dxc4 Na5 13. Nd5 Nxc4 14. c3 Ndb6 15. Qe2 Rc8 16. Kh2 e6 17. Nb4 Na4 18. f5 Re8 19. fxe6 fxe6 20. Nd3 Qb6 21. h4 Qa6 22. Rf2 Ne5 23. Nf4 Nc5 24. Qxa6 bxa6 25. Re2 h6 26. Kh1 a5 27. Be3 a4 28. Rd1 Rc6 29. Bd4 g5 30. Nh3 g4 31. Nf4 Rb6 32. Nh5 Bh8 33. Red2 Reb8 34. Bxc5 dxc5 35. Rd8+ Kf7 36. Rxb8 Rxb8 37. Rd2 Nc4 38. Rd7+ Ke8 39. Rxa7 Be5 40. Rxa4 Ne3 0-1

[Event "Corus"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2008.01.14"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Adams, Michael"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C83"]
[WhiteElo "2726"]
[BlackElo "2733"]
[Annotator "Marin,Mihail"]
[PlyCount "75"]
[EventDate "2008.01.12"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 122"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2008.01.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2008.01.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Nxe4 6. d4 b5 7. Bb3 d5 8. dxe5 Be6 9. Nbd2 Be7 10. c3 O-O 11. Bc2 f5 {This variation has been known since the times of Dr. Tarrasch and has become fashionable in several different periods of chess history. Some years ago, Korchnoi brought it into the limelight again by employing it twice against Shirov.} 12. Nd4 ({Now, just as 100 years ago, the critical line is considered to be} 12. Nb3 Qd7 13. Nbd4 Nxd4 14. Nxd4 c5 15. Nxe6 Qxe6 16. f3 Ng5 17. a4 {More about it, in my opening database from the CD corresponding to CBM 115.}) 12... Nxd4 {Actually, I do not understand why this move is almost unanimously played here.} ({I would answer with} 12... Qd7 {when I do not see anything better for White than} 13. Nxc6 (13. f3 Nxd4 14. cxd4 Nxd2 15. Bxd2 c5 16. dxc5 Bxc5+ 17. Kh1 Bd4 $15) (13. Nxe6 Qxe6 $15 {[%csl Ge5]}) 13... Qxc6 {, with a transposition to the main line with, say,} 14. Nb3 Qd7 15. Nd4 c5 16. Nxe6 Qxe6) 13. cxd4 c5 (13... Qd7 $5 {Bologan,V (2682)-Sokolov,I (2696)/Stepanakert 2005/CBM 110/[Erenburg] (½-½, 35)}) 14. dxc5 Bxc5 (14... Nxd2 {Spraggett,K-Mikhalevski,V/Kapuskasing 2004/CBM 101 ext/[Mikhalevski,V] (1-0, 30)}) 15. Nb3 Bb6 (15... Ba7 {should not have independent value.} 16. Be3 $6 ({Better is} 16. Nd4 {, when Black cannot take advantage of the availability of the b6-square with} Qb6 $6 {because of} 17. Be3 f4 18. Nxe6 Qxe6 19. Bxa7 Rxa7 20. Bb3 Rd7 21. Qd4 $16 {when Black is hanging. Instead, 16...xd4 would transpose to our main game.}) 16... Bxe3 17. fxe3 Qc7 18. Bxe4 dxe4 19. Qd6 Qxd6 20. exd6 Rfd8 {½-½ Lein,A-Lutikov,A/Kiev 1964/URS-ch}) 16. Nd4 {There are not too many relevant games available from this position.} Bxd4 $146 {Black gives up the pair of bishops for the sake of rapid development. However, after this exchange, the weakness of the dark squares will tend to have a permanent character, which makes Carlsen's novelty quite risky from the strategic point of view.} ({Almost two decades ago, Adams faced the incorrect sacrifice} 16... Nxf2 $2 17. Rxf2 Qh4 18. Rf4 Qe7 19. Kh1 g5 20. Rf1 Rac8 21. Bxf5 {1-0 Adams,M (2495)-Demarre,J (2190)/Paris 1989/TD}) (16... Qd7 17. Be3 $14) ({RR} 16... Nxf2 17. Rxf2 Qh4 18. Rf4 Qe7 19. Kh1 g5 20. Rf1 Rac8 21. Bxf5 {1-0 (21) Adams,M (2495)-Demarre,J (2190) Paris 1989}) ({RR} 16... Qd7 17. f4 Rac8 18. Be3 Kh8 19. Rf3 g5 20. g3 g4 21. Rf1 h5 22. Bb3 a5 23. Kg2 Bxd4 24. Bxd4 a4 25. Bc2 Kh7 26. Bd3 b4 27. a3 b3 28. Rc1 Rxc1 29. Qxc1 Rc8 30. Qb1 Qc6 31. Rd1 {Collange,P-Demarre,J (2290) Paris 1993 1-0 (61)}) 17. Qxd4 Rc8 18. Bb3 (18. Bd1 Rc4 $132) 18... Nc5 19. Bd2 $6 {Black should have preserved his bishop from exchange at any cost.} (19. Bd1 $1 Bf7 (19... Ne4 20. Be2 $14 {[%csl Gc4]}) 20. b3 Re8 21. Ba3 Ne6 22. Qd2 $14 {The knight is well placed on e6, but the bishop has problems becoming active. If a wizard could transfer it to b7, Black's position would be absolutely fine, but here he is struggling still.}) 19... Nxb3 20. axb3 Rc6 {With opposite-coloured bishops on the board, White's superiority is of a symbolic nature.} 21. Bb4 Re8 22. Bc5 f4 23. f3 Qg5 24. Rf2 Bf7 25. Bd6 Rec8 26. Re1 Be6 27. Bb4 Rc1 28. Rxc1 Rxc1+ 29. Rf1 Rxf1+ 30. Kxf1 Qf5 31. h4 Qb1+ 32. Be1 h5 33. b4 Qc1 34. Kf2 Qc4 35. Bc3 Qxd4+ 36. Bxd4 Kf7 37. Ke2 Bf5 38. Kf2 1/2-1/2

[Event "Corus"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2008.01.15"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C84"]
[WhiteElo "2733"]
[BlackElo "2739"]
[PlyCount "71"]
[EventDate "2008.01.12"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 122"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2008.01.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2008.01.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. d3 b5 7. Bb3 d6 8. a4 b4 9. Nbd2 Na5 10. Ba2 O-O 11. c3 ({RR} 11. Nc4 Nxc4 12. Bxc4 a5 13. c3 Ba6 14. Bxa6 Rxa6 15. Re1 Qa8 16. Bg5 h6 17. Bh4 Rb8 18. c4 c5 19. Nd2 Ra7 20. Bxf6 Bxf6 21. Nf1 Bg5 22. g3 g6 23. h4 Bf6 24. Ne3 Bg7 25. h5 Rf8 {Rasulov,V (2525)-Rohith,K (2380) chess.com INT 2022 1-0 (32)}) 11... c5 12. cxb4 cxb4 13. Nc4 Rb8 $146 ({RR} 13... b3 14. Bxb3 Nxb3 15. Qxb3 Be6 16. Ng5 Bxc4 17. Qxc4 Nd7 18. Nf3 Qb8 19. b4 Rc8 20. Qb3 Nc5 21. Qa3 Ne6 22. Bd2 Qa7 23. Rfc1 g5 24. Rxc8+ Rxc8 25. Rc1 Rxc1+ 26. Qxc1 g4 27. Qc8+ Kg7 28. Be3 {Volokitin,A (2628)-Masrahi,A (1962) Riadh 2017 1-0 (41)}) 14. Re1 Nc6 15. Ne3 Be6 16. Bxe6 fxe6 17. Nc4 Nd7 18. Ncd2 Nc5 19. Nb3 Nxb3 20. Qxb3 Rxf3 21. gxf3 Nd4 22. Qd1 Qf8 23. Kg2 Qf6 24. Be3 Rf8 25. Bxd4 exd4 26. e5 Qg5+ 27. Kh1 d5 28. Rc1 Qf5 29. Rc7 Bg5 30. Rg1 g6 31. f4 Qxf4 32. Qg4 Qxe5 33. Ra7 Rf5 34. a5 Bh6 35. Qg3 Qe2 36. Qc7 1/2-1/2

[Event "Corus"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2008.01.17"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Ivanchuk, Vassily"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C68"]
[WhiteElo "2751"]
[BlackElo "2733"]
[PlyCount "39"]
[EventDate "2008.01.12"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 122"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2008.01.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2008.01.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Bxc6 dxc6 5. O-O Bd6 6. d4 exd4 7. Qxd4 f6 8. b3 Ne7 9. Ba3 ({RR} 9. Nbd2 Be6 10. Nc4 Bb4 11. Nb6 Qxd4 12. Nxd4 cxb6 13. Nxe6 Kf7 14. Nf4 Rad8 15. Nd3 Bc3 16. Rb1 Rhe8 17. Bf4 Rd7 18. f3 c5 19. Rfd1 Nc6 20. Bd2 Bxd2 21. Rxd2 Red8 22. Rf2 g5 23. Re1 Ne5 {Shevchenko,K (2651)-Dubov,D (2710) Samarkand UZB 2023 ½-½ (34)}) 9... Bg4 ({RR} 9... Bxa3 10. Qxd8+ Kxd8 11. Nxa3 Ng6 12. Nc4 Be6 13. Rad1+ Kc8 14. Ne3 c5 15. Nf5 Bxf5 16. exf5 Ne7 17. g4 Rd8 18. Rfe1 Rxd1 19. Rxd1 c6 20. Nd2 Kc7 21. Ne4 b6 22. c4 Re8 23. f3 h5 24. h3 {Teterev,V (2248)-Kosakowski,J (2549) chess.com INT 2025 0-1 (70)}) 10. Bxd6 Bxf3 $146 ({RR} 10... Qxd6 11. Qxd6 cxd6 12. Nbd2 {½-½ (12) Segal,A-Westerinen,H (2470) Dortmund 1980}) 11. Bc5 Qxd4 12. Bxd4 Rd8 13. Bc5 Bxe4 14. Re1 Rd7 15. Nc3 Bd5 16. Rad1 Kd8 17. Bxe7+ Rxe7 18. Rxe7 Kxe7 19. Nxd5+ cxd5 20. Rxd5 1/2-1/2

[Event "Corus"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2008.01.19"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Topalov, Veselin"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C88"]
[WhiteElo "2780"]
[BlackElo "2733"]
[PlyCount "111"]
[EventDate "2008.01.12"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 122"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2008.01.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2008.01.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 {Marchand,A/Primel,D} e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. h3 ({RR} 8. c3 d5 9. exd5 Nxd5 10. Nxe5 Nxe5 11. Rxe5 c6 12. d4 ({RR} 12. g3 Bd6 ({RR} 12... Nf6 13. d4 Bd6 14. Re1 Bg4 15. Qd3 ({RR} 15. f3)))) 8... Bb7 9. d3 d6 ({RR} 9... d5 10. exd5 Nxd5 11. Nxe5 Nd4 12. Nc3 ({RR} 12. Bd2) 12... Nxb3 13. axb3 Nb4 14. Bf4 Qd4 15. Bg3 Bd6 16. Ne2 Qc5 ({RR} 16... Qxb2)) 10. a3 Na5 11. Ba2 c5 12. Nc3 Nc6 13. Bd2 Nd4 14. Nxd4 cxd4 15. Ne2 d5 16. Ng3 dxe4 17. dxe4 Bc8 $146 ({RR} 17... g6 18. c3 Bc5 19. Qf3 Ne8 ({RR} 19... dxc3 20. Bxc3 Qe7 21. Rad1) 20. Rad1 ({RR} 20. Bh6 Ng7) 20... Qf6 ({RR} 20... Rc8) 21. cxd4 Qxf3 22. gxf3 exd4 ({RR} 22... Bxd4 23. Bb4) 23. Bb4 Bxb4 24. axb4 Rd8 25. Ne2 Ng7 26. Nxd4 Nh5 27. h4 Nf4 28. Nb3 Bc8 ({RR} 28... Nd3 29. Rxd3 Rxd3 30. Nc5) 29. Nc5 Kg7 30. Bd5 Rfe8 31. Bc6 Rg8 32. Kh2 {Cheparinov,I (2664)-Beliavsky,A (2619) Aix les Bains 2011 CBM 142 Extra [Marchand,A/Primel,D] ½-½ (64)} {RR} h6) ({RR} 17... Re8 18. Qf3 Bc8 19. c3 Be6 20. Bxe6 fxe6 21. cxd4 Qxd4 22. Bc3 Qc5 23. Nf1 Rac8 24. Qg3 Bd6 25. Rad1 Qc7 26. Nh2 Rcd8 27. Nf3 Nd7 28. Ba5 Qxa5 29. Rxd6 Nf8 30. Rxd8 Rxd8 31. Qxe5 Qb6 32. Rc1 {Mamedov,N (2575)-Kaplan,S (2436) Kavala 2011 1-0 (56)}) 18. c3 Bc5 19. Qf3 Be6 20. Nf5 Rc8 21. Red1 Re8 22. cxd4 Bxd4 23. Be3 Bxf5 24. Qxf5 g6 25. Qf3 Qb6 26. Rd2 Kg7 27. Bxd4 exd4 28. Re1 Qd6 29. g3 Re7 30. Qd3 Rce8 31. Qxd4 Qxd4 32. Rxd4 Nxe4 33. Kg2 f5 34. Rc1 Nf6 35. Rd6 Re2 36. Rc7+ R8e7 37. Rxe7+ Rxe7 38. Be6 Ne4 39. Rc6 a5 40. h4 Nd2 41. b3 a4 42. bxa4 bxa4 43. Rb6 Ne4 44. f3 Nc5 45. Bc4 Re3 46. Rc6 Nd3 47. Rc7+ Kh8 48. f4 Nb2 49. Bf7 Rxa3 50. h5 gxh5 51. Kh3 Nd3 52. Kh4 Nf2 53. Be6 Ne4 54. Bxf5 Nxg3 55. Bxh7 Re3 56. Kg5 1/2-1/2

[Event "Corus"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2008.01.22"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Leko, Peter"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C95"]
[WhiteElo "2753"]
[BlackElo "2733"]
[PlyCount "80"]
[EventDate "2008.01.12"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 122"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2008.01.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2008.01.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. c3 d6 9. h3 Nb8 10. d4 Nbd7 11. Nbd2 Bb7 12. Bc2 Re8 13. Nf1 Bf8 14. Ng3 g6 15. b3 a5 16. Bd2 ({RR} 16. a3 c6 17. Bg5 h6 18. Be3 exd4 19. cxd4 c5 20. Qd2 Kh7 21. Rad1 Rc8 22. d5 Bg7 23. Qe2 Ba6 24. Rc1 Qb6 25. Bd3 Qb7 26. Rb1 Qc7 27. b4 axb4 28. axb4 cxb4 29. Rxb4 Nc5 30. Reb1 Nxd3 {Ivanchuk,V (2728)-Mamedyarov,S (2764) Izmir 2016 1-0 (46)}) ({RR} 16. a4 b4 17. cxb4 axb4 18. Bb2 exd4 19. Qxd4 Rb8 20. Qd2 Bg7 21. Rad1 Nc5 22. e5 Bxf3 23. gxf3 Nfd7 24. f4 Qh4 25. Qd5 Ne6 26. Bc1 Nxf4 27. Bxf4 Qxf4 28. exd6 cxd6 29. Rxe8+ Rxe8 30. Qxd6 Ne5 {Agmanov,Z (2480)-Amartuvshin,G (2429) Al Ain UAE 2025 1-0 (56)}) 16... Rb8 $146 ({RR} 16... Qb8 17. a4 bxa4 18. Rxa4 c5 19. dxe5 dxe5 20. c4 Bd6 21. Rxa5 Rxa5 22. Bxa5 Nf8 23. Nh2 Ne6 24. Nhf1 Nd4 25. Ne3 Qa8 26. Bc3 Rb8 27. Qd3 Bc8 28. b4 Rxb4 29. Bxb4 cxb4 30. Bb1 Qa7 31. Ne2 {Fernandez Cardoso,A (2438)-Perez Leiva,J (2393) Holguin CUB 2023 1-0 (52)}) ({RR} 16... Bg7 17. Bg5 {½-½ (19) Chumfwa,S (2189)-Chumfwa,K (2135) Lusaka ZAM 2024}) 17. Bd3 b4 18. Qc2 d5 19. cxb4 dxe4 20. Nxe4 Bxb4 21. Bxb4 Bxe4 22. Bxa5 Bxd3 23. Qxd3 e4 24. Qc4 exf3 25. Bxc7 Qc8 26. Bxb8 Qxb8 27. Rxe8+ Qxe8 28. a4 fxg2 29. a5 Qe4 30. a6 Nb6 31. a7 Kg7 32. Qc7 Qxd4 33. Re1 Qb4 34. Re7 Qxb3 35. Kxg2 Qd5+ 36. Kg1 Qd1+ 37. Kg2 Qd5+ 38. Kg1 Qd1+ 39. Kh2 Qf3 40. Qxb6 Qf4+ 1-0

[Event "Corus"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2008.01.25"]
[Round "11"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B85"]
[WhiteElo "2733"]
[BlackElo "2799"]
[Annotator "Ftacnik,Lubomir"]
[PlyCount "84"]
[EventDate "2008.01.12"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 122"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2008.01.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2008.01.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Be2 e6 7. a4 Nc6 8. O-O Be7 9. Be3 O-O 10. f4 Qc7 11. Kh1 Re8 12. Bf3 Rb8 13. Qd2 Bf8 14. Qf2 Bd7 ({RR} 14... e5 15. Nde2 b5 16. axb5 axb5 17. Nd5 Nxd5 18. exd5 Nb4 19. fxe5 Rxe5 20. Bf4 Rf5 21. Be4 Rf6 22. c3 Na6 23. b4 Qc4 24. Ng3 Nc7 25. Nh5 Qxe4 26. Nxf6+ gxf6 27. Qg3+ Qg6 28. Bxd6 Qxg3 29. Bxg3 {McShane,L (2713)-Van Wely,L (2691) Wolvega 2012 ½-½ (51)}) 15. g4 $1 {Carlsen had little to lose by playing aggressively against the world champion. Some even insist, that 14...d7 was not the best move for Black.} e5 16. Nf5 exf4 (16... Be6 17. g5 Nd7 18. Nh6+ gxh6 19. f5 Bc4 20. Rg1 Ne7 (20... hxg5 21. b3 f6 22. bxc4 $13) 21. gxh6+ Kh8 22. Rg2 d5 23. Rag1 d4 24. Qg3 Ng6 25. fxg6 fxg6 26. Bxd4 Bxh6 27. Nd5 Bxd5 28. exd5 Bg7 29. Bc3 $14 {1/2 Kristiansen,J (2445)-Horvath,J (2540)/Novi Sad 1990 (41)}) 17. Bxf4 $146 {The defender has done nothing wrong, so it is no surprise that the violent line 17.b6 is not dangerous for him.} (17. Bb6 Qc8 18. g5 Nxe4 19. Nh6+ (19. Bxe4 Bxf5 20. Bxf5 Qxf5 21. Qxf4 Qg6 $17) 19... gxh6 20. Nxe4 hxg5 21. Rg1 (21. Nxg5 Ne5 $17) 21... Ne5 $2 (21... h6 22. h4 Rxe4 23. Bxe4 Bf5 $15) 22. Rxg5+ Bg7 23. Rag1 Nxf3 24. Rxg7+ Kh8 25. Qxf3 {1-0 Houtsonen,P (2146)-Lehtinen,A (2155)/Tampere 1999}) 17... Be6 18. Rad1 (18. g5 Nd7 19. Bg2 Nb4 $13) 18... Ne5 19. Bxe5 {In the higher chess sense such an exchange should not be the best line. White is giving up the control of the dark squares hoping, that his magnificent knights will offer chances for a kingside attack.} (19. g5 Nfd7 20. Bg2 Nb6 $13) 19... dxe5 20. g5 Nd7 21. Nd5 Qc6 (21... Bxd5 22. exd5 e4 23. Bg2 Rbd8 24. d6 Qc5 25. Qf4 $16) (21... Qc5 22. Nfe3 $1 Be7 (22... b5 23. Bh5 g6 24. Bg4 $16) 23. Qg2 $14) 22. Bg2 {The young star was criticised for this retreat, but otherwise Black would always be able to take the f5-knight at a suitable moment.} (22. a5 Bxf5 23. exf5 e4 24. Bg2 Re5 25. f6 $14) 22... Qc5 23. Qh4 $1 (23. Qxc5 $6 Nxc5 24. Nc7 Rec8 25. Nxe6 Nxe6 $15) 23... Qxc2 24. Rc1 Qxa4 {Anand likes the idea of indirectly pinning the queen on h4 along the 4th rank. It is most likely, that Black can hold after the greedy 24...xb2, but that would be quite risky.} (24... Qxb2 25. Rc3 g6 26. Rh3 h5 27. Bf3 (27. gxh6 Kh8 28. Ng7 Bxd5 29. exd5 Be7 30. Qe1 Rf8 $15) 27... Qc2 28. Bxh5 gxh5 29. Qxh5 Qxe4+ 30. Rff3 Qe1+ 31. Kg2 Qd2+ 32. Kg3 Qe1+ 33. Kg2 $11) 25. b3 {In this charged position each move can be worth its weight in gold. The direct 25.c3 was praised as the best move, but Anand would not have had to take on d5 as suggested by some grandmasters.} (25. Rc3 g6 $1 (25... Bxd5 26. Rh3 h6 27. gxh6 g6 (27... Bxe4 28. Bxe4 g6 29. Bd5 Qb5 (29... Qxh4 30. Nxh4 $18) 30. Ne3 Kh8 31. Rxf7 $16) 28. h7+ Kh8 29. exd5 Qb5 (29... Qxh4 30. Nxh4 g5 $1 31. Rxf7 gxh4 32. Rxd7 Re7 (32... e4 33. Bf1 Bg7 34. Rxh4 e3 $11) 33. Rxe7 Bxe7 34. Be4 Rf8 $11) 30. Ne3 Be7 $11) 26. Rh3 (26. Nfe3 Rec8 27. Ng4 Kh8 28. Rh3 h5 29. gxh6 Qd4 $17) 26... h5 27. gxh6 (27. Bf3 $2 Bxd5 28. exd5 Qxh4 29. Nxh4 e4 $19) 27... Bxf5 28. Nc3 Qd4 29. exf5 Qxh4 30. Rxh4 g5 $15) 25... Qa5 (25... Qxb3 26. Rc3 Qa4 27. Rh3 h6 28. gxh6 g6 29. Nf6+ Nxf6 30. Qxf6 Kh7 31. Qg7+ Bxg7 32. hxg7+ Kg8 33. Rh8#) 26. Rc3 (26. b4 Bxb4 27. Ra1 Qc5 28. Rfc1 Qf8 $17) 26... g6 27. Rh3 h5 28. Bf3 {[%mdl 128] This pure aggression is correct since the whole position cries for the decision on the kingside.} (28. gxh6 Qd8 (28... gxf5 $2 29. Rg3+ Kh7 30. Qg5 $18) 29. h7+ Kh8 30. Qg3 Rc8 $15) 28... Bxd5 29. exd5 Bg7 $1 {Anand knows better, than to let his young opponent roam freely on the light squares with 29..gxf5?} (29... gxf5 $2 30. Qxh5 Bg7 31. Qh7+ Kf8 32. Qxf5 Re7 33. d6 Re6 34. Rh7 $18) 30. Bxh5 (30. Nxg7 Kxg7 31. Be4 Rf8 $17) 30... gxf5 (30... gxh5 31. Qxh5 Qxd5+ 32. Rff3 (32. Kg1 Qc5+ 33. Rf2 Qc1+ 34. Rf1 Qc5+ $11) 32... Qd1+ 33. Kg2 Qe2+ 34. Kg1 Qd1+ 35. Kg2 Qe2+ $11) 31. Bxf7+ $5 {A truly ingenious idea, as Carlsen steps up his attack with a spectacular sacrifice.} (31. Rxf5 Qxd5+ 32. Rhf3 Rf8 33. Bxf7+ Rxf7 34. Rxf7 Nf8 $17) 31... Kxf7 32. g6+ Kg8 (32... Kxg6 $2 33. Rg1+ Kf7 34. Rxg7+ $1 Kxg7 35. Qg5+ $18) 33. Qh7+ $2 {Youth mixed with impatience and excitement! White must have been frustrated, that despite his heroic efforts the chances remain balanced. The necessary 33.xf5 allowed Black to sacrifice the queen in order to avoid perpetual, but chances would stay about equal.} (33. Rxf5 Qxd5+ (33... Qa1+ $5 34. Kg2 Qb2+ 35. Rf2 Qxf2+ 36. Kxf2 (36. Qxf2 Nf6 37. d6 Rbd8 38. Rd3 $13) 36... Nf8 37. Rg3 Rbd8 38. Qe4 $13) 34. Rhf3 Qd1+ (34... Qxf3+ 35. Rxf3 Nf8 36. Qc4+ Ne6 37. Rf7 $11) 35. Rf1 (35. Kg2 $2 Qd2+ 36. Rf2 Qh6 $19) 35... Qd5+ $11) 33... Kf8 34. Rxf5+ Ke7 (34... Nf6 $2 35. Rxf6+ Bxf6 36. Qf7#) 35. Qxg7+ Kd6 $1 {This moment was surely pleasant for Anand, suddenly his king looks much safer than White's!} (35... Kd8 36. Qf7 Qe1+ 37. Rf1 Qe4+ $17) 36. Rf7 (36. Rf6+ Nxf6 37. Qxf6+ Kc5 38. Qf2+ Kb5 $19) 36... Qxd5+ 37. Kg1 Rbd8 38. Rh7 Qd4+ 39. Kg2 (39. Kf1 Qd1+ 40. Kg2 Qg4+ 41. Kf2 Rg8 $19) 39... Qg4+ 40. Kh1 Rg8 {The game is over as the knight on d7 still holds the Black's position together.} 41. Rf6+ (41. Rxd7+ Qxd7 42. Qf6+ Qe6 $19) 41... Kc7 (41... Nxf6 42. Qxf6+ Kd5 $19) 42. Qe7 Qe4+ {A real battle of great chess minds. Carlsen deserves lot of credit for his spirited attack!} 0-1

[Event "Morelia/Linares 25th"]
[Site "Morelia/Linares"]
[Date "2008.02.15"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Ivanchuk, Vassily"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B90"]
[WhiteElo "2733"]
[BlackElo "2751"]
[Annotator "Ftacnik,Lubomir"]
[PlyCount "78"]
[EventDate "2008.02.15"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 123"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2008.04.02"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2008.04.02"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 {Ftacnik,Lubomir} c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Be3 e5 7. Nf3 Be7 8. Bc4 O-O 9. O-O Be6 10. Bb3 Nc6 11. Qe2 Na5 12. Rfd1 Nxb3 13. cxb3 {Recapturing with the c-pawn is not desirable, but Carlsen believes in the advantages it carries. Opening of the c-file invites activity by White's rook, also the knight move to d5 will gain in impact.} ({RR} 13. axb3 Qc7 14. Bg5 Nh5 15. Bxe7 Qxe7 16. Qe3 Nf6 17. Rd2 Rad8 18. Rad1 Qc7 19. h3 h6 20. Nh2 b5 21. Nf1 b4 22. Na4 d5 23. exd5 Rxd5 24. Rxd5 Nxd5 25. Qc5 Qb7 26. Qd6 Nf4 27. Ne3 Bxh3 {Sathvik Adiga (2396)-Temirbekov,T (2301) Durres ALB 2025 1-0 (53)}) 13... Nd7 (13... Qe8 14. Ne1 (14. Bg5 Nh5 15. Nd2 f5 16. Bxe7 {1/2 Movsesian,S (2632)-Babula,V (2585)/Czechia 2006}) 14... Ng4 (14... h6 15. Nc2 Qd7 16. Nb4 Rfc8 17. f3 Bd8 18. Rd3 a5 19. Nbd5 Nxd5 20. Nxd5 a4 21. bxa4 Rxa4 22. b3 {1-0 Carlsen,M (2675)-Nunn,J (2617)/Amsterdam 2006 (45)}) 15. Nc2 f5 16. f3 Nxe3 17. Nxe3 fxe4 18. Nxe4 Rd8 19. Nd5 Qf7 20. Qd3 Bxd5 21. Qxd5 Qxd5 22. Rxd5 Kf7 23. Rad1 Ke6 $11 {0-1 Carlsen,M (2698)-Karjakin,S (2672)/Cap d'Agde 2006 (50)}) ({RR} 13... Qb8 14. Bg5 b5 15. Rd3 ({RR} 15. Ne1 h6 16. Bxf6 Bxf6 17. Nc2 Bd8 18. Nb4 Bb6 19. Ncd5 Bc5 20. Nc6 Qb7 21. b4 Bxd5 22. exd5 Bb6 23. a4) 15... h6 16. Bxf6 ({RR} 16. Be3 Qb7) 16... Bxf6 17. Rad1 Be7 18. Nd5 Bxd5 19. Rxd5 ({RR} 19. exd5 Qb7 20. Rc3 Rac8 21. Qc2 Rxc3 22. bxc3 Rc8) 19... Qc7 20. Ne1 Rac8 21. g3 ({RR} 21. Nd3 Qa7) 21... f5 22. exf5 Rxf5 23. Qe4 ({RR} 23. f4 Qa7+ 24. Kh1 Rcf8 25. Nd3 Qb7 26. Qe4) 23... Rcf8 24. R1d2 h5 25. Rc2 Qa7 26. Nd3 h4 27. Kg2 ({RR} 27. Nf4 Bg5 28. Nh3 Be7 29. Rd3 hxg3 30. hxg3 Qd7 31. f3) ({RR} 27. Qg4 hxg3 28. hxg3 Rg5 29. Qe6+ Kh7 30. Nc5) 27... hxg3 ({RR} 27... Qd7 28. a4 Rh5 29. Kg1 hxg3 30. hxg3) 28. hxg3 {Leko,P (2753)-Shirov,A (2755) Morelia/Linares 2008 CBM 123 [Ftacnik,Lubomir] ½-½ (37)}) ({RR} 13... Qe8 14. Ne1 Ng4 15. Nc2 f5 16. f3 Nxe3 17. Nxe3 fxe4 18. Nxe4 Rd8 19. Nd5 Qf7 20. Qd3 Bxd5 21. Qxd5 Qxd5 22. Rxd5 Kf7 23. Rad1 Ke6 24. b4 Rc8 25. b5 Rc2 26. bxa6 bxa6 27. Ra5 Rb8 28. b3 {Carlsen,M (2698)-Karjakin,S (2672) Cap d'Agde 2006 0-1 (50)}) 14. Nd2 $146 ({RR} 14. Ne1 Rc8 15. Nc2 f5 16. exf5 Rxf5 17. Nb4 Nf6 18. Nbd5 Nxd5 19. Nxd5 Bxd5 20. Rxd5 Qd7 21. Qd3 Qe6 22. Qe4 Rff8 23. Rad1 Qf5 24. Qxf5 Rxf5 25. f4 Rc2 26. fxe5 dxe5 27. Rd7 Bg5 28. Bxg5 Rxg5 {Munguntuul,B (2356)-Federer,C (2187) Biel SUI 2024 ½-½ (61)}) ({RR} 14. Nd5 Rc8 15. Qd3 Rc6 16. Nxe7+ Qxe7 17. Rac1 Rfc8 18. Rxc6 Rxc6 19. h3 f6 20. Nh4 g6 21. f4 exf4 22. Bxf4 Ne5 23. Qg3 Rc2 24. Nf5 Bxf5 25. exf5 Kg7 26. fxg6 hxg6 27. h4 Rxb2 28. h5 g5 {Krejci,J (2315)-Pavlidis,A (2182) Sibenik 2007 0-1 (45)}) 14... Qc7 15. Rac1 Rfc8 16. Nd5 Qd8 {Ivanchuk is much too strong to fall for the simple trick of the black rook being hit by the e3-bishop later in the tactical line.} (16... Qxc1 $2 17. Nxe7+ Kf8 18. Rxc1 Rxc1+ 19. Nf1 Rxf1+ 20. Kxf1 Kxe7 21. Qc2 Kd8 22. f4 $16) 17. Rxc8 (17. Nxe7+ Qxe7 18. Nc4 Rc6 19. Na5 Rxc1 20. Rxc1 h6 21. Nxb7 Nf6 22. Na5 Nxe4 $11) 17... Rxc8 18. Nxe7+ Qxe7 19. Nc4 Bxc4 {Black was surely confident, that he could hold the position even though White will now have reason to fight for more.} (19... Rc6 20. Na5 Rc7 21. Qd2 Nf8 22. Qb4 Rd7 23. f3 $14) 20. bxc4 Nc5 21. b3 (21. f3 Ne6 22. g3 Rc6 $14) 21... Rc6 (21... Nxe4 $2 22. Qg4 $18) 22. Qc2 h6 23. g3 Qc7 24. Kg2 (24. Bxc5 Rxc5 25. Qd2 Rc6 26. Qd5 $14) 24... Nd7 25. Qd3 Nf6 26. a4 Nd7 27. h3 (27. b4 Rxc4 28. Bc5 b5 $11) 27... Kf8 $2 {The king has decided to help with the support of the vulnerable d6-pawn, but the move has a serious flaw.} (27... Qa5 28. Qe2 Qb4 29. Rd3 Nc5 30. Bxc5 Qxc5 $14) 28. Bc1 $6 {[%mdl 64] The last truly exciting moment of this game has passed without either playersreally noticing. Carlsen misses a golden chance to create serious problems with the b-pawn advance.} (28. b4 $5 Rxc4 (28... Nf6 $6 29. b5 Rxc4 30. Bb6 Qc8 31. Qxd6+ Kg8 32. Qe7 Qe6 33. Rd8+ Kh7 34. Qxe6 fxe6 35. bxa6 bxa6 36. a5 Nxe4 37. Ra8 $16) (28... a5 29. c5 axb4 30. cxd6 Qa5 31. Qb3 Ra6 32. Bd2 Qxa4 33. Rc1 $16) 29. Bc5 Rxc5 30. bxc5 Nxc5 31. Qxd6+ Qxd6 32. Rxd6 Nxa4 33. Rd5 f6 (33... Nc3 $2 34. Rxe5 f6 35. Rc5 Nxe4 36. Rc8+ Ke7 37. Rc7+ $16) 34. Rd8+ Ke7 35. Rg8 Kf7 36. Rc8 b6 37. Rc7+ Kg6 (37... Kf8 38. Rb7 Nc5 (38... b5 39. Kf3 $16) 39. Rxb6 Nxe4 40. Rxa6 $16) 38. f4 exf4 39. gxf4 Nc5 40. Kf3 a5 41. Rc6 $16) 28... Nc5 29. Qf3 Qb6 30. Ba3 Qxb3 31. Qxb3 Nxb3 32. Bxd6+ Kg8 33. Bxe5 Rxc4 34. Rd8+ Kh7 35. Rd7 Rxe4 36. f4 {White's pieces are active enough to secure draw.} Kg8 (36... Kg6 37. Rxb7 Nc5 38. Rb6+ f6 39. Bd6 Nxa4 40. Rxa6 $11) 37. Rd8+ Kh7 38. Rd7 Kg8 39. Rd8+ Kh7 1/2-1/2

[Event "Morelia/Linares 25th"]
[Site "Morelia/Linares"]
[Date "2008.02.16"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Shirov, Alexei"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B42"]
[WhiteElo "2755"]
[BlackElo "2733"]
[PlyCount "77"]
[EventDate "2008.02.15"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 123"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2008.04.02"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2008.04.02"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 a6 5. Bd3 Ne7 6. O-O Nbc6 7. Nxc6 Nxc6 8. Be3 Be7 9. Nd2 ({RR} 9. c4 O-O 10. Nc3 b6 11. f4 Bc5 12. Qd2 Qe7 13. Rad1 f6 14. Rfe1 Rb8 15. a3 Bxe3+ 16. Qxe3 e5 17. f5 Qc5 18. b4 Qxe3+ 19. Rxe3 Rd8 20. Bb1 Nd4 21. Ne2 Nxe2+ 22. Rxe2 Bb7 23. Red2 Bc6 {Fiskaaen,M (2340)-Al Tarbosh,W (2224) Fagernes NOR 2025 ½-½ (61)}) 9... d5 ({RR} 9... O-O 10. c3 Qc7 11. Nc4 b5 12. Nb6 Rb8 13. Nxc8 Rfxc8 14. a4 Ne5 15. axb5 axb5 16. Bd4 Nc6 17. Be3 b4 18. Ba6 Rd8 19. Qe2 bxc3 20. bxc3 Qe5 21. Bd2 Rb2 22. f4 Qc5+ 23. Kh1 d5 24. e5 {Leko,P (2751)-Kramnik,V (2759) Nice 2009 0-1 (43)}) 10. exd5 exd5 $146 11. Nb3 O-O 12. Re1 Re8 13. c3 Bd6 14. Qc2 g6 15. Bc5 Bc7 16. Rxe8+ Qxe8 17. Qd2 Qe5 18. Qh6 Bf5 19. Bxf5 Qxf5 20. Nd4 Qe4 21. f3 Qe8 22. Nxc6 bxc6 23. Bd4 Be5 24. Qd2 Qb8 25. g3 Qd6 26. Re1 Bxd4+ 27. cxd4 c5 28. Kg2 c4 29. h4 h5 30. g4 hxg4 31. fxg4 Qd7 32. Kg3 Re8 33. Rxe8+ Qxe8 34. h5 Qe4 35. hxg6 fxg6 36. Qf4 Qe1+ 37. Kh3 Qh1+ 38. Kg3 Qe1+ 39. Kh3 1/2-1/2

[Event "Morelia/Linares 25th"]
[Site "Morelia/Linares"]
[Date "2008.02.20"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Topalov, Veselin"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B04"]
[WhiteElo "2780"]
[BlackElo "2733"]
[Annotator "Rogozenco,Dorian"]
[PlyCount "88"]
[EventDate "2008.02.15"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 123"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2008.04.02"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2008.04.02"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 Nf6 2. e5 Nd5 3. d4 d6 4. Nf3 dxe5 5. Nxe5 c6 {Most likely Carlsen's opening choice came as a surprise to Topalov, although Magnus has already used this system before.} 6. Bd3 ({The natural looking} 6. c4 {is inaccurate. After} Nb4 {Black suddenly develops an initiative, threatening to take on d4 followed by the check on c2. Therefore White must place the knight on a3, after which Black easily achieves comfortable play:} 7. Be3 Bf5 8. Na3 (8. Nd3 e5 $1 $36) 8... Nd7 $11) ({Besides 6.d3, other attempts to fight for the advantage are} 6. Be2) ({and} 6. Bc4) 6... Nd7 {This is the main idea of Black's setup: to exchange the exposed knight and achieve a very solid position.} 7. Nxd7 {In my opinion this is harmless for Black.} ({When he was 13-years old, Carlsen lost against} 7. O-O {which is actually the strongest continuation:} Nxe5 (7... g6 {is the alternative}) 8. dxe5 Nb4 (8... g6 $142 $14 {/=}) 9. Be4 Qxd1 10. Rxd1 f5 11. a3 Na6 12. Bf3 g6 13. Nd2 Be6 14. Be2 Nc7 15. Nf3 Bd5 16. Nd4 Bg7 17. c4 Bf7 18. f4 $14 {Sutovsky,E (2639)-Carlsen,M (2385)/Rethymnon 2003.}) (7. Nf3 N7f6 8. h3 Nb4 $1 9. Bc4 Bf5 10. Bb3 a5 $1 $11) 7... Bxd7 8. O-O g6 9. Nd2 ({Somewhat better is} 9. Re1 Bg7 10. c3 O-O 11. Bg5 {although Black hardly has any opening problems.}) 9... Bg7 10. Nf3 O-O 11. Re1 ({More cautious is} 11. h3 $11) 11... Bg4 $1 12. c3 c5 $146 {Carlsen's fight for the initiative is justified: Black leads in development and uses his bishops to create pressure on White's centre.} ({RR} 12... e6 13. h3 Bxf3 14. Qxf3 Qb6 15. h4 c5 16. dxc5 Qxc5 17. h5 Rad8 18. Bg5 Rd7 19. Rad1 Ne7 20. Be3 Qa5 21. Be4 Rfd8 22. Bxb7 Qxa2 23. h6 Bf8 24. b4 Nf5 25. Bg5 Rxd1 26. Rxd1 Rxd1+ 27. Qxd1 {Diaz Castro,S (2256)-Romero Sanchez,J (2121) Seville 2014 1-0 (36)}) 13. Be4 ({Although after} 13. dxc5 {Black has} Nxc3 $1 14. bxc3 Bxc3 {White is only slightly worse:} 15. Bh6 Bxe1 (15... Re8 $2 16. Re3 $18) (15... Bxa1 $2 16. Qxa1 $18) 16. Qxe1 Qxd3 17. Ne5 (17. Qe5 $2 f6 18. Qxe7 Rf7) 17... Qd4 18. c6 (18. Bxf8 Kxf8 19. Nxg4 Qxg4 $17) 18... bxc6 19. Nxc6 Qf6 20. Nxe7+ Kh8 21. Nd5 Qd4 22. Bxf8 Rxf8 23. Ne3 Be6 24. Rd1 $15 {/=}) 13... cxd4 14. cxd4 e6 {A dream position for Black, who has perfectly placed pieces against the isolated pawn.} 15. Qb3 $6 ({After} 15. h3 Bxf3 16. Bxf3 Qb6 17. Bxd5 exd5 18. Be3 {White has better chances to achieve a draw. For instance:} Qxb2 19. Qd3 Qb6 20. Rab1 Qc7 21. Rb5 Rfd8 22. Qb3 {regaining the pawn.}) 15... Bxf3 $1 {Very concrete. Black wins the central pawn.} 16. Bxf3 Bxd4 17. Bxd5 Qxd5 18. Qxd5 exd5 19. Rd1 Bg7 $17 20. Kf1 (20. Rxd5 {does not restore material equality:} Rfd8 21. Rxd8+ Rxd8 22. Be3 (22. Kf1 Rd1+ 23. Ke2 Rh1 {is just bad for White}) 22... b6 23. Rb1 Bxb2 {with a healthy pawn up.}) 20... Rfd8 21. Bg5 Rd7 22. Rd2 h6 23. Be3 d4 24. Rd3 Rc8 25. Bd2 Rc2 {Black is a pawn up and has more active pieces. Carlsen converts it convincingly into a full point.} 26. Rb1 Re7 27. a4 f5 28. b3 Rec7 (28... Kf7 29. Rc1 Rxc1+ 30. Bxc1 Ke6 $17 {/-+}) 29. Be1 Kf7 30. Rd2 Rc1 31. Rxc1 Rxc1 32. Ke2 Rb1 $1 33. Rd3 Ke6 34. h4 Kd5 $19 35. Bd2 Ke4 36. Rg3 f4 37. Rd3 Be5 38. f3+ Kd5 39. Be1 Bd6 40. Bd2 g5 41. hxg5 hxg5 42. Be1 g4 43. fxg4 Ke4 44. g5 Ke5 0-1

[Event "Morelia/Linares 25th"]
[Site "Morelia/Linares"]
[Date "2008.02.22"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Radjabov, Teimour"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C65"]
[WhiteElo "2735"]
[BlackElo "2733"]
[Annotator "Radjabov,Teimour"]
[PlyCount "85"]
[EventDate "2008.02.15"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 123"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2008.04.02"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2008.04.02"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 {I started with -1 and was still on this score before my game vs Carlsen. I had ambitions to fight in all games, but I didn't manage to capitalise on my chances before this win finally came. Ich hatte mit -1 begonnen, und auf diesem Stand befand ich mich vor meiner Partie gegen Carlsen noch immer. Ich hatte den Ehrgeiz, in allen Partien zu kämpfen, konnte meine Chancen aber nicht nutzen, bis endlich dieser Sieg kam.} e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. d3 {With this move I scored an important win with this move in a match Azerbaijan-France in the European Team Championship for the bronze medals! Mit diesem Zug erzielte ich einen wichtigen Sieg in dem Kampf Aserbaidschan-Frankreich bei der Europäischen Mannschaftsmeisterschaft um die Bronzemedaillen!} (4. O-O {Of course it's more natural to go 0-0 here, but I was in a mood to try the d3-system. Selbstverständlich ist die Rochade natürlicher, aber ich hatte Lust, das d3-System zu versuchen.}) 4... Bc5 5. c3 O-O 6. O-O d5 7. Nbd2 {White plays for a very small plus! Black may choose now between many options, like ...g4 or ...e8 etc... Carlsen decided to clarify things in the center by taking on e4. Weiß spielt auf ein ganz kleines Plus! Schwarz hat nun die Wahl zwischen vielen Möglichkeiten wie ...g4 oder ...e8 usw... Carlsen beschloss, durch das Schlagen auf e4 die Dinge im Zentrum zu klären.} dxe4 8. Nxe4 (8. dxe4 {also deserves serious attention, but I guess that my intention was to get my c1 bishop to a more active position. kommt ebenfalls ernsthaft in Betracht, aber ich schätze, meine Abwicht war, meinen c1-Läuer auf einen aktiveren Posten zu bringen.}) ({RR} 8. dxe4 a5 9. a3 Qe7 10. Rb1 Nd8 11. b4 axb4 12. cxb4 Bd6 13. Bb2 Bg4 14. h3 Bh5 15. Qb3 c6 16. Be2 Ne6 17. Rfe1 Bxf3 18. Nxf3 Nf4 19. Bf1 Bc7 20. g3 Ng6 21. a4 Rfd8 22. a5 h6 {Nakamura,H (2804)-Erigaisi,A (2782) Stavanger NOR 2025 1-0 (48)}) ({RR} 8. dxe4 a5 9. h3 Qe7 10. Ba4 h6 11. Re1 b5 12. Bc2 Rd8 13. Qe2 b4 14. Bb3 Nh5 15. Nf1 Ba6 16. Bc4 Bxf2+ 17. Kxf2 Qc5+ 18. Ne3 Nf4 19. Qf1 Nd3+ 20. Bxd3 Bxd3 21. Qg1 Bxe4 22. Kg3 f5 {Hou,Y (2650)-Radjabov,T (2747) Chess.com INT 2022 ½-½ (66)}) 8... Nxe4 9. dxe4 Qf6 $146 {Now Black wants to go for ...e7-g6 or ...g4. White has to take measures, also ...d8 is threatening and ...g6 to follow etc... Nun will Schwarz ...e7-g6 spielen oder ...g4. Weiß muss Maßnahmen ergreifen, denn es droht auch ...d8 nebst ...g6 usw...} (9... Qxd1 10. Rxd1 $14) ({RR} 9... Qe7 10. Qe2 Bd7 11. Bg5 f6 12. Be3 Bxe3 13. Qxe3 a6 14. Bc4+ Be6 15. Bxe6+ Qxe6 16. Rfd1 Rfd8 17. Rxd8+ Rxd8 18. Qc5 Qxa2 19. Re1 Qxb2 20. Qc4+ Kh8 21. h4 Qa3 22. h5 Qe7 23. h6 gxh6 24. Rb1 {Vazquez Espino,U (2011)-Agasarov,B (2037) Chess.com INT 2022 ½-½ (38)}) ({RR} 9... Qxd1 10. Rxd1 Bg4 11. a4 a5 12. Kf1 Rfd8 13. Rxd8+ Rxd8 14. Ke2 f6 15. Be3 Bxe3 16. Kxe3 Ne7 17. b4 Be6 18. Nd2 Ra8 19. g3 Nc8 20. Bc4 Bxc4 21. Nxc4 axb4 22. cxb4 b5 23. Nb2 bxa4 24. Rxa4 {Artemiev,V (2691)-Martirosyan,H (2645) Tashkent UZB 2025 ½-½ (33)}) ({RR} 9... Qxd1 10. Rxd1 Bg4 11. Bxc6 bxc6 12. h3 Bxf3 13. gxf3 Rfd8 14. Be3 Bxe3 15. fxe3 Rab8 16. b3 Kf8 17. Kf2 Ke7 18. Ke2 Rd6 19. Rd3 Rbd8 20. Rad1 Rxd3 21. Rxd3 Rd6 22. b4 Rh6 23. b5 cxb5 24. Rd5 {Leenhouts,K (2436)-Joubert,D (1566) chess.com INT 2022 1-0 (42)}) 10. Qe2 (10. Qd5 {I didn't like this so much as I felt Black has a lot of play for the pawn! Two bishops and White's uncoordinated queenside are worth that investment. Dies gefiel mir nicht sonderlich, da ich das Gefühl hatte, dass Schwarz eine Menge Spiel für den Bauern hat! Das Läuferpaar und der unkoordinierte weiße Damenflügel sind diese Investition wert.} Bd6 11. Bxc6 bxc6 12. Qxc6 Bg4 $44) 10... Bg4 {Very natural and played almost instantly! Sehr natürlich, und beinahe a tempo gespielt!} (10... h6 $5 11. Bxc6 (11. Rd1 $6 {Solid but not more! Black is in time to regroup now! Solide, mehr aber auch nicht! Nun kann Schwarz sich rechtzeitig umgruppieren!} Ne7 12. b4 (12. Be3 Bxe3 13. Qxe3 Bg4 14. Be2 Ng6 15. g3 b6 16. Ne1 $13) 12... Bb6 $13) (11. Be3 Bxe3 12. Qxe3 Ne7 $11) 11... bxc6 12. Be3 $14) 11. h3 {What else? If I allow this pin to last, Black will start to play e7-g6-h6 c6, clearly improving his position, meanwhile White has no targets to attack! Was sonst? Wenn ich nichts gegen diese Fesselung unternehme, wird Schwarz mit e7-g6 und h6, c6 seine Stellung eindeutig verbessern, wohingegen Weiß keine Ziele hat, die er angreifen kann!} Bxf3 (11... Bh5 12. g4 Bg6 13. Bg5 Qe6 14. Rfd1 $16) 12. Qxf3 Qxf3 13. gxf3 Ne7 {Well , very natural Nun, sehr natürlich.} (13... f5 {I thought Black could play like this after gxf3, to open the f-line and start f6-af8 and so on. Ich dachte, dass Schwarz nach gxf3 so spielen könnte, um die f-Linie zu öffnen und f6-af8 usw. folgen zu lassen.} 14. b4 {But I think that White is still better after b4 or c4+. Aber ich denke, dass Weiß nach b4 oder c4+ trotzdem besser steht.} (14. Be3 Bxe3 15. fxe3) (14. Bc4+ Kh8 15. Bd5 $14) 14... Bb6 15. Bc4+ Kh8 16. a4 $14) 14. f4 $5 (14. b4 $5 {Well, it was also possible to start with this move! I didn't want somehow to allow d6 preventing f4 and probably I was right! Nun, es war auch möglch, mit diesem Zug zu beginnen. Irgendwie wollte ich d6 nicht zulassen, was f4 verhindert, und womöglich hatte ich Recht!} Bd6 $1 {[%csl Rf4] But after this move I am not sure at all that White has something real. Aber nach diesem Zug bin ich keinesfalls sicher, dass Weiß irgendwas Reales hat.} (14... Bb6 15. a4 a5 (15... c6 {Black has to go like this otherwise White is much better! Schwarz muss so spielen, ansonsten steht Weiß deutlich besser!} 16. Bc4 (16. Be2 $5 {Looks very strong too! Now a5 is threatening and e3 with typical advantage! Sieht ebenfalls sehr stark aus! Nun droht a5 und e3 mit typischem Vorteil!} a5 17. Rb1 $1 $14 axb4 18. Rxb4 Nc8 19. Rd1 c5 20. Rb5 $16) 16... a5 17. Rd1 (17. Rb1 $6 {The bishop on c4 is hanging! Der Läufer auf c4 hängt!} axb4 18. Rxb4 Nc8 19. Rd1 Bc5 {[%csl Rc4][%cal Ga8a4] Here is the difference to the e2 retreat, the bishop on c4 is hanging! Hier zeigt sich der Unterschied zu dem Rückzug e2, der Läufer auf c4 hängt!}) 17... Rfd8 18. Be3 $14 (18. Bg5 Kf8 19. Rdb1 $14 (19. Rxd8+ Rxd8 20. Rb1 $5 f6 21. bxa5 Bxa5 22. Be3 b6 23. Rb3 c5 {and Black is in time to block somehow. und Schwarz kann rechtzeitig irgendwie blockieren.}))) 16. bxa5 Rxa5 (16... Bc5 17. Rd1 $16 {[%cal Gd1d7]}) 17. Ba3 c5 18. Rfd1 $16) 15. Be3 a5 16. a3 Ng6 $13) (14. Bc4 $5 {looks very interesting. It is better than b4, because now White has no weaknesses on the queenside and he can try to make use of the bishop pair without fearing any kind of fast counterplay. sieht sehr interessant aus. Dies ist besser als b4, denn nun hat Weiß keine Schwächen am Damenflügel, und er kann versuchen, Kapital aus dem Läuferpaar zu schlagen, ohne irgendein schnelles Gegenspiel befürchten zu müssen.}) 14... c6 (14... Ng6 15. f5 (15. fxe5 c6 16. Ba4 Rad8 {Black is well developed and very active! Schwarz ist gut entwickelt und sehr aktiv!}) (15. Be3 Bxe3 16. fxe3 $11) 15... Nf4 (15... Nh4 16. Be2 $16) 16. Bxf4 exf4 17. e5 $5 $14 {Here this move looks better for White. The idea is that now White is going to play ad1 and then g2-f3 xf4 and so on. Hier sieht dieser Zug besser für Weiß aus. Die Idee ist, dass er nun ad1 spielen wird und dann g2-f3 xf4 usw.} (17. Rad1 Rfd8 (17... c6 18. Ba4 $14) 18. e5 c6 19. Bc4 f3 20. Bb3 Kf8 $13) (17. Kg2 Rfd8 18. Rad1 (18. e5 c6 19. Bc4 Rd2) 18... g5 $6 (18... f6 19. Kf3 (19. Bd3 $5) 19... Rxd1 20. Rxd1 Bd6 21. Bc4+ Kf8 22. h4 $14 {Better for White, but also hard to progress. Besser für Weiß, aber ebenfalls schwer, Fortschritte zu machen.}) 19. e5 $1 (19. Kf3 f6 $1 {The best move! Der beste Zug!} (19... Kf8 20. f6 $16 {This looks quite strong! Now White is much better! Dies sieht ziemlich stark aus! Jetzt steht Weiß viel besser!} c6 21. Bc4 Bb6 22. Kg4 h6 23. Kh5 Rxd1 24. Rxd1 Rd8 25. Rxd8+ Bxd8 26. e5 Bb6 27. f3 $16) (19... c6 20. Ba4 h6 21. f6 $14) 20. h4 h6 21. Bd7 (21. e5 fxe5 22. Rde1 Be7 $11) 21... Kg7 22. Rg1 Bd6 23. Be6 a5 24. a4 {But still, it's hard to make any progress! Aber dennoch, es ist schwer, irgendwelche Fortschritte zu machen!}) 19... c6 20. Bc4 b5 21. Be2 $16) 17... Rfd8 18. Rad1 $14) 15. Bc4 exf4 16. Bxf4 Ng6 17. Bg3 Rfe8 {All the moves from both sides are logical. Both are developing their forces.  Alle Züge von beiden Seiten sind logisch. Beide versuchen, ihre Kräfte zu entwickeln.} 18. Rfe1 (18. Bd3 {deserved attention! Well, now White wants to go for ad1 and g2 with f4-e5, with slight and unpleasant pressure. verdiente Aufmerksamkeit! Nun, jetzt beabsichtigt Weiß ad1 und g2 nebst f4-e5, mit leichtem, aber unangenehmem Druck.} Rad8 (18... h5 19. Rad1 h4 20. Bh2 Ne5 21. Be2 $14) 19. Rad1 $14 Ne5 (19... Bd6 20. f4 {and White is pressing! und Weiß drückt!}) 20. Be2 $14) 18... Rad8 19. Rad1 $1 {Even if objectively White is not better according to the computer's analysis, practically speaking it was the best. Now White's play is quite easy and Black has to find defences which are not all that easy. Selbst wenn Weiß laut Computeranalyse nicht besser steht, war dies in praktischer Hinsicht das Stärkste. Es spielt sich ziemlich leicht für ihn, und Schwarz muss Verteidigungen finden, die keinesfalls so einfach sind.} Rxd1 20. Rxd1 Rxe4 {Carlsen thought for a long time here, but finally took the pawn. I think it was the right decision if Black could manage to find all the best moves afterwards. Hier dachte Carlsen lange nach, schließlich aber nahm er den Bauern. Ich denke, es war die richtige Entscheidung, vorausgesetzt, es gelänge Schwarz, im Anschluss all die besten Züge zu finden.} 21. Rd8+ Nf8 (21... Bf8 $6 {is a mistake I think. The bishop and knight are too passive now, White gets a strong attack and all Black's pawns are very very weak without the bishop's protection! ist ein Fehler, denke ich. Läufer und Spirnger stehen jetzt zu passiv, Weiß erhält starken Angriff, und sämtliche schwarzen Bauern sind ohne den Schutz des Läufers sehr, sehr schwach!} 22. Bd3 Re6 (22... Re1+ 23. Kg2 Rd1 $4 24. Kf3 $18) 23. Ra8 $16) 22. Bd3 Re1+ 23. Kg2 a5 (23... g6 $6 24. b4 Bb6 25. Rb8 Re7 (25... Rd1 26. Be4 Rd7 27. a4 f5 28. Bf3) 26. a4 Rd7 27. Be4 $14 (27. Be2 Bd8 28. b5 Ba5 29. c4 cxb5 30. axb5 Bb4 31. Bf3 b6 32. Ra8 $14 {White keeps up unpleasant pressure on Black's position, combining attacks on the pawns with bishop manoeuvres all over the board. Weiß behält unangenehmen Druck auf die schwarze Stellung, wobei er Angriffe auf die Bauern mit Läufermanövern auf dem ganzen Brett kombiniert.})) 24. Ra8 Rd1 25. Bc4 (25. Be4 {was an interesting alternative! Probably even stronger than the text. My intention was to put the bishop on c4 attacking f7, but maybe the bishop is better placed on e4 as the c6-b7 pawns are vulnerable and the b-pawn can't move to protect a5! Also f3 at some tpoint to combine ideas like pushing the a- and b-pawns and putting pressure on c6; the bishop is well placed on f3 to support White's play on the queenside. war eine interessante Alternative! Vermutlich sogar noch stärker als der Text. Meine Absicht war, den Läufer nach c4 zu stellen und f7 anzugreifen, aber vielleicht steht der Läufer besser auf e4, da die Bauern c6-b7 anfällig sind und der b-Bauern nicht vorrücken kann, um a5 zu decken! Eventuell auch f3 an irgendeiner Stelle, um Ideen wie das Vorstoßen von a- und b-Bauern mit Druck auf c6 zu kombinieren; auf f3 ist der Läufer gut platziert, um das weiße Spiel am Damenflügel zu unterstützen.} g6 $8 {Black has to get rid of the pin! Otherwise it's hard to play vs two bishops and an active rook on a8. Schwarz muss die Fesselung abschütteln! Ansonsten ist es schwer, gegen das Läuferpaar und einen aktiven Turm auf a8 zu spielen.} 26. Rxa5 Ne6 (26... Bd6 $6 27. Ra7 $5 (27. Bf3 Rd2 28. Bxd6 Rxd6 29. Ra7 $1 {Now Black is in trouble! a4-b4 is coming and the bishop provides support from f3. Jetzt ist Schwarz in Schwierigkeiten! a4-b4 kommt, und der Läufer bietet Schützenhilfe von f3 aus.}) 27... Bxg3 28. Kxg3 Rd7 29. a4 $16) 27. a4 Kg7 28. b4 Bd6 29. Bxd6 Rxd6 30. Ra7 $14) 25... Bb6 $2 {Now Carlsen misses White's strong reply. I was not sure if the position is winning after it, but it was clear that White is simply much better. Nun übersieht Carlsen die starke weiße Antwort. Ich war nicht sicher, ob die Stellung danach gewonnen ist, klar war aber, dass Weiß einfach viel besser steht.} (25... b6 $1 26. a3 {To play b4 and try to attack the b6- and c6-pawns! Zur Vorbereitung von b4 im Versuch, die Bauern b6 and c6 anzugreifen!} Ra1 $3 27. Ra7 (27. Rc8 a4 $1 28. Rxc6 Rb1 29. Rc7 Ne6 {and it's draw finally. und es endet schließlich remis.} 30. Rc8+ Nf8 $11) 27... Ne6 28. Ra8+ Nf8 29. h4 g6 30. Bf4 h5 $14 {It's unpleasant to play this position as Black, but it's also hard to make any progress with White. Still practically speaking White's position looks preferable to me. Es ist unangenehm, diese Stellung mit Schwarz zu spielen, aber ebenfalls schwer, mit Weiß irgendwelche Fortschritte zu erzielen. Dennoch, in praktischer Hinsicht scheint mir die Stellung von Weiß vorzuziehen zu sein.}) 26. Rb8 $1 Rd7 27. Ba6 $1 {Now the b7-pawn is going be taken, Black can't allow this. Carlsen goes for the best defensive chance. Jetzt droht der Bauer b7 genommen zu werden. Schwarz darf dies nicht zulassen. Carlsen wählt die beste Verteidigungschance.} bxa6 (27... Bc7 {In this case Black ends in a hopeless endgame. After this move Black is totally lost, but I can't put in 20-25 moves variations to prove that assesment, so I will just put it down as a big advantage for White.  I will explain how White wins in this way. He is going for xc7 and then xb7, he will bring the king to the queenside, exchanging all pawns leaving only the a-pawn vs the knight. Then his opponent should normally resign at some point. But ok, if it didn't happen, so don't blame me :) In diesem Fall landet Schwarz in einem hoffnungslosen Endspiel. Nach diesem Zug ist Schwarz total verloren, aber ich kann nicht 20- bis 25-zügige Varianten anführen, um diese Einschätzung zu belegen, daher werde ich es einfach als großen Vorteil für Weiß abhaken. Ich werde erklären, wie Weiß dann gewinnt. Er wird xc7 und dann xb7 spielen, den König zum Damenflügel bringen und alle Bauern tauschen, wonach nur der a-Bauer gegen den Springer übrig bleibt. Dann sollte sein Gegner normalerweise irgendwann aufgeben. Aber okay, wenn dies nicht passiert, schieben Sie es nicht auf mich:)} 28. Bxc7 (28. Rxb7 Bxg3 29. Kxg3 $16) 28... Rxc7 29. Rxb7 Rxb7 30. Bxb7 c5 31. Kf3 Nd7 32. Ke4 Nb6 33. Bc6 $16) 28. Rxb6 f6 (28... f5 $6 {looks interesting, with a possible g6-f4 later. But there is a trick that White can try. sieht interessant aus, mit einem möglichen g6-f4 später. Weiß kann aber einen Trick versuchen.} 29. Rxc6 $5 (29. Rxa6 $5 Ng6 {f4 is coming on the next move, but... f4 kommt im nächsten Zug, aber...} 30. h4 f4 31. h5 fxg3 32. hxg6 hxg6 33. Kxg3 Rd2 34. b4 (34. Rxa5) 34... Rd3+ 35. f3 Rxc3 36. Rxa5 $16) 29... Rd2 (29... Ng6 30. Bd6 $18) 30. Rxa6 Ng6 31. h4 f4 32. h5 fxg3 33. hxg6 hxg6 34. Kxg3 $16) 29. Rxa6 (29. Rxc6 $5 {was very strong I think. war sehr stark, meine ich.} Rd2 30. Rxa6 Rxb2 31. Rxa5 g5 32. a4 $16 {and in this position it's very hard for Black to keep up his defence. White's a-pawn is too strong. , und in dieser Stellung ist es für Schwarz sehr schwer, seine Verteidigung aufrechtzuerhalten. Der weiße a-Bauer ist zu stark.}) 29... Rd2 {Now Black is not even a pawn down. So he has good chances to hold the game, it seems. But in practice his task was very hard, I think.  Jetzt hat Schwarz nicht einmal einen Bauern weniger. Also hat er gute Chancen, die Partie zu halten, scheint es. In der Praxis aber war seine Aufgabe sehr schwer, glaube ich.} 30. b4 axb4 (30... Rxa2 31. Rxa5 Re2 32. Ra6 Re6 33. c4 {and White is much better here. He has a lot of pressure and it is hard to defend with Black. und hier steht Weiß deutlich besser. Er hat starken Druck, und es ist schwer, mit Schwarz zu verteidigen.} Kf7 34. b5 cxb5 35. cxb5 Re1 36. Ra7+ Ke6 (36... Kg6 37. Bd6 Ne6 38. b6 $18) 37. Rxg7 Rb1 38. Rb7 $16) 31. cxb4 Rb2 $6 (31... Ng6 $1 {with the idea f5-f4 somewhere. mit der Idee f5-f4 irgendwo.} 32. a4 (32. Rxc6 Rxa2 33. b5 Rb2 $14) 32... Ne7 (32... f5 {is not useful here as White may go for c7 or b8 and weakening of the e5 -square is not in Black's plans. ist hier nicht nützlich, da Weiß c7 oder b8 spielten könnte, und eine Schwächung des e5-Feldes passt nicht in die schwarzen Pläne.} 33. Bb8 $16) 33. a5 $5 (33. Ra7 Nf5 34. a5 Ra2 35. Ra6 Ra4 36. Rxc6 (36. Rb6 Nxg3 37. fxg3 c5 38. bxc5 Rxa5 39. c6 Rc5 40. Kf3 Rc4 $11) 36... Rxb4 37. a6 Ra4 38. Bb8 $14) 33... Kf7 34. Bf4 Rc2 (34... Rd4 35. Be3 Rxb4 36. Ra7 $1 $18) 35. Bd6 Nd5 36. Ra8 Ke6 37. Bc5 $16 {und White has good chances to win the game as the position is quite similiar to the game and hardly savable for Black. und Weiß hat gute Gewinnchancen, denn die Stellung ist ganz ähnlich der Partie und für Schwarz kaum zu retten.}) (31... f5 32. a4 $16) 32. Bd6 Ne6 $6 (32... Ng6 33. a4 $16 Rc2 34. a5 Kf7 35. Bc5 Nf4+ 36. Kf3 Nd5 37. Rxc6 $18) 33. a4 $18 Rc2 34. a5 (34. Ra8+ Kf7 35. Rc8 {was even cleaner! war sogar noch sauberer!}) 34... Kf7 35. Bc5 $5 (35. Rb6 $18) 35... Nf4+ 36. Kf3 Nd5 (36... Nd3 37. Ke3 $1 Nxc5 38. Rxc6 $18) 37. Rb6 $1 { After this move White is totally winning. Nach diesem Zug steht Weiß total auf Gewinn.} (37. Rxc6 $18) 37... Rc4 (37... Kg6 38. a6 Rc3+ 39. Ke2 $18) 38. Rb7+ $18 Kg6 39. a6 Rc3+ 40. Kg2 $5 (40. Ke2 Nf4+ (40... Ra3 41. a7 Nc3+ 42. Kd3 Nb5+ 43. Kc2 h5 44. Kb2 Ra4 45. Rb8 $18) 41. Kd2 Ra3 42. a7 $18) 40... Nf4+ 41. Kg1 {And the last important move. Und der letzte wichtige Zug.} ({It was still possible to spoil everything by Es war noch immer möglich, alles zu verderben mit} 41. Kh2 Rxh3+ 42. Kg1 Ne2+ 43. Kf1 Nf4 $11) 41... Nxh3+ 42. Kh2 Nf4 43. Be3 {After this move Carlsen resigned. Nach diesem Zug gab Carlsen auf.} (43. a7 Rh3+ 44. Kg1 Ne2+ 45. Kf1 Nf4 46. Ke1 Nd3+ (46... Ra3 47. Kd2 $18) 47. Kd2 Nxc5 48. a8=Q Nxb7 49. Qxb7 Rh4 50. Kc3 {and White wins the c6-pawn and the game. und Weiß gewinnt den Bauern c6 und die Partie.}) 1-0

[Event "Morelia/Linares 25th"]
[Site "Morelia/Linares"]
[Date "2008.02.23"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C88"]
[WhiteElo "2733"]
[BlackElo "2739"]
[Annotator "Rogozenco,Dorian"]
[PlyCount "79"]
[EventDate "2008.02.15"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 123"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2008.04.02"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2008.04.02"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. a3 Bc5 9. c3 {The combination of a2-a3 and c2-c3 does not impress much.} d6 ({RR} 9... Bb6 10. d4 Re8 11. Bg5 d6 12. Qd3 Na5 13. Bd5 c6 14. Ba2 c5 15. dxc5 dxc5 16. Qxd8 Rxd8 17. b4 Nb7 18. c4 bxc4 19. Bxc4 cxb4 20. axb4 {½-½ (20) Grischuk,A (2742)-Aronian,L (2785) Sharjah 2017}) 10. d4 Bb6 11. h3 Re8 $146 {This new move shows that Black can save time and manage without ...h7-h6.} (11... h6 12. Be3 Bb7 13. Nbd2 Re8 14. Bc2 Nb8 15. dxe5 dxe5 16. Bxb6 cxb6 17. a4 bxa4 18. Bxa4 b5 19. Bb3 Nbd7 $11 {½-½ Svidler,P-Leko,P/Monte Carlo (rapid) 2006 (46)}) ({RR} 11... h6 12. Be3 Bb7 13. Nbd2 Re8 14. d5 Ne7 15. Bxb6 cxb6 16. Ba2 Bc8 17. b4 Ng6 18. Re3 Nh7 19. Kh2 Rf8 20. Rc1 Nf4 21. c4 bxc4 22. Nxc4 b5 23. Na5 f5 24. Nc6 Qf6 25. Bb1 Kh8 26. Qb3 {Short,N (2676)-Gustafsson,J (2647) Pattaya 2011 0-1 (33)}) ({RR} 11... h6 12. Be3 Bb7 13. Nbd2 Re8 14. Bc2 Nb8 15. dxe5 dxe5 16. Bxb6 cxb6 17. a4 bxa4 18. Bxa4 b5 19. Bb3 Nbd7 20. Qe2 Nc5 21. Bc2 Qc7 22. Qe3 a5 23. Nh4 Rad8 24. Nf5 Bc8 25. Nf3 Bxf5 26. exf5 {Svidler,P (2765)-Leko,P (2740) Monte Carlo 2006 ½-½ (46)}) 12. Bg5 {Accepting the challenge. Other moves can't even pretend to fight for an advantage. On the other hand this is a highly risky decision and objectively Black is doing more than fine after it.} h6 13. Bh4 exd4 {Black also must go for complications, otherwise it is not clear why he allowed the pin of his f6-knight.} (13... Bb7 14. Bc2 $14) 14. cxd4 g5 (14... Bb7 15. Nc3 $14) 15. Bg3 g4 ({Taking on e4 loses:} 15... Rxe4 $2 16. Rxe4 Nxe4 17. Bd5 Qe8 18. Qc2 Nxg3 19. Qg6+ $18) (15... Nxe4 $2 16. Bd5 $18) 16. hxg4 Bxg4 17. Bh4 (17. d5 Nd4 $36) 17... Nxd4 18. Nc3 {The battle has reached its culminant point: Carlsen sacrificed a central pawn, considering that the pin of the knight f6 is highly unpleasant for Black. White's main threat is c3-d5. Besides, Black must also reckon with the advance e4-e5 followed by e4.} Bxf3 $5 {In this wild position Levon found an interesting queen sacrifice. Unfortunately for him he will soon miss an important detail.} ({After the natural and good} 18... c6 {White still must prove that he has compensation for the pawn, since} 19. e5 dxe5 20. Ne4 {doesn't work well in view of} Nxe4 21. Bxd8 Raxd8 22. Rxe4 Nxf3+ 23. gxf3 Rxd1+ 24. Bxd1 Bf5 {with advantage for Black}) 19. gxf3 Kh8 $2 ({Now} 19... c6 20. e5 dxe5 21. Ne4 {is already not good for Black, but instead of taking on e5 Black can play 20...c8! and bring the queen to h3 with sufficient activity to hold the balance.}) ({However, the strongest move is} 19... Kh7 {with a similar idea from the game. The point is that after} 20. Nd5 Rg8+ 21. Kf1 Ng4 $1 {the move} 22. Qxd4 {is without check and therefore Black can take the bishop} Qxh4 {Then after} 23. Nxb6 cxb6 24. fxg4 Qh3+ 25. Ke2 Qxb3 26. f3 Rac8 {White is fighting for a draw.}) 20. Nd5 Rg8+ 21. Kf1 ({Aronian's idea would have worked well after} 21. Kh1 $2 Ng4 $1 22. Qxd4+ Bxd4 23. Bxd8 Nxf2+ 24. Kh2 Raxd8 {and it is Black who wins}) 21... Ng4 {The bishop on h4 is hanging, while taking the queen 22.xd8 leads to a nice mate with the knight on h2. But in fact White has a counter queen sacrifice.} 22. Qxd4+ $1 Bxd4 23. Bxd8 Nh2+ {Before taking the bishop the knight must run away. Nevertheless he won't have a long life on h2 either.} 24. Ke2 Raxd8 25. Rad1 $1 $18 {The knight is trapped on h2 and it turns out that White is simply winning.} Bxb2 26. Rh1 {Black can't save the knight. Several pawns won't be enough for being a piece down.} c6 ({Other moves don't help either:} 26... Be5 27. f4 c6 28. fxe5 cxd5 29. Rxh2) ({or} 26... Rg2 27. Ne3 Rdg8 28. Bxf7 R8g7 29. Nxg2 Rxg2 30. Rdg1) 27. Nf4 Be5 28. Nd3 Nxf3 29. Kxf3 Bg7 30. Rh5 {In spite of having three pawns for the knight, Black is lost. His position contains a lot of weaknesses and White's pieces are active. The rest is an easy task for Carlsen, who played very precisely until the end.} d5 (30... c5 31. Bxf7 Rgf8 32. Rf5 {is also hopeless}) 31. exd5 Rd6 32. Rf5 cxd5 33. Rc1 $1 Rf6 34. Rxf6 Bxf6 35. Rc6 Kg7 36. Nf4 Bg5 37. Nh5+ Kh8 38. Rxa6 d4 39. Ke4 Rg6 40. Ra7 1-0

[Event "Morelia/Linares 25th"]
[Site "Morelia/Linares"]
[Date "2008.02.28"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Ivanchuk, Vassily"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C67"]
[WhiteElo "2751"]
[BlackElo "2733"]
[Annotator "Marin,Mihail"]
[PlyCount "79"]
[EventDate "2008.02.15"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 123"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2008.04.02"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2008.04.02"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 {As we shall soon see, this is not a prelude to the Berlin variation, but an invitation to transpose to the Open variation. Usually, Carlsen employs the "normal" move order (3...a6, etc.) but in Corus Ivanchuk had surprised him with the exchange variation, which he plays only occasionally. Although the game ended in a draw, Carlsen seems to have had his reasons to avoid this course of events. Did he feel uncomfortable about the exchange variation, or did he just want to avoid early simplifications with an increased probability of a draw?...} 5. d4 a6 6. Bxc6 {So, whatever Carlsen's thoughts had been, he guessed correctly that Ivanchuk was not going to allow the Open variation.} dxc6 {Theory is not too well-settled in this variation. Black's position certainly looks dangerous and his move order at least provocative, but in practice things have been rather unclear.} 7. Qe2 Bf5 8. Re1 {A very rare move. Among other things, White threatens to win material with d3. After the present game, people may start asking themselves why this line was not tried more frequently... Black certainly needs to find a strong improvement somewhere.} (8. Rd1 Be7 9. dxe5 Qc8 {Black's position looks a bit cramped and his e4-knight unstable. However, White is not too well developed and Black's good control of the light squares offers him adequate play. Just compare this with the Berlin variation where he needs several tempi to get castled artificially...} 10. Nd4 (10. b3 O-O 11. Bb2 Re8 12. Nbd2 Ng5 {In fact, the capture on d2 would be more restrictive, although it could eventually transpose to the game.} 13. Nxg5 Bxg5 14. Nf3 Be7 15. h3 Bg6 16. c4 a5 17. Bc3 c5 18. Nh2 $13 {½-½ Savon,V (2420)-Buturin,V (2415)/Alushta 1992/EXT 97} Qe6 {With all his pieces well placed, Black has no problems. The direct attack} 19. f4 a4 20. g4 {is not dangerous because of} f5 $1) (10. Rd4 {Apparently, White is just helping the knight improve its position with gain of time, but he has some tactical play in mind.} Nc5 11. Bg5 $5 Ne6 12. Bxe7 Nxd4 13. Nxd4 Kxe7 14. Qh5 Rd8 15. Qh4+ Kf8 16. Nd2 c5 17. N4f3 Qe6 $17 {Rausis,I (2551)-Wedberg,T (2473)/Upplands Vasby 2000/CBM 081 (0-1, 47). Black has completed his development, maintaining his material advantage.}) (10. Be3 O-O 11. Nbd2 Nxd2 12. Rxd2 h6 13. Rad1 c5 14. Qc4 b6 15. a3 Qb7 $11 {In the Berlin variation, this square is usually occupied by the king, not without some efforts.} 16. Qf4 Be6 17. Nh4 $6 g5 $1 18. Qf3 Qxf3 19. Nxf3 Kg7 20. h3 Kg6 21. Nh2 h5 $15 {Aroshidze,L (2401)-Mastrovasilis,D (2568)/Korinthos 2004/CBM 101 ext (½-½, 58). With all his pieces well placed, Black has a favourable form of the Berlin variation. In the absence of queens, the plan of a kingside expansion is strategically sound.}) 10... Bg6 11. Be3 {Opening expert Geller tries to improve upon an older game of his opponent.} (11. f3 Nc5 12. b3 O-O 13. Bb2 Ne6 14. Nxe6 Qxe6 {Kupper,J-Kaplan,J (2470)/Lugano 1968/MCD (0-1, 42). with comfortable play for Black.}) 11... O-O 12. Nd2 Nxd2 13. Rxd2 c5 14. Nb3 b6 {White's manoeuvre has only left the knight passive on b3, requiring further loss of time. Black was going to play ...b6 and ...c5 anyway!} 15. Rad1 Qf5 16. Qc4 Qe4 17. Qxe4 Bxe4 18. f3 Bf5 19. Nc1 {The sign that something had gone wrong. As we know from previous examples, the control of the d-file has a sterile character, because there are no squares available for infiltration, while Black can exchange rooks with ...d8, whenever he wants.} Rfd8 20. c3 Be6 21. Kf2 a5 22. Rxd8+ Bxd8 23. g3 Be7 {½-½ Geller,E (2610)-Kaplan,J (2460)/Amsterdam 1974/MCL. Black's pressure against the queenside prevents White from starting active operations on the other wing.}) ({The more forcing line} 8. g4 Bg6 9. Nxe5 Qxd4 10. Nxg6 hxg6 11. Nc3 f5 12. Bf4 O-O-O 13. Rad1 Qf6 14. Nxe4 fxe4 15. Rxd8+ Kxd8 16. Qxe4 {was at one time supposed to offer White the slightly better chances. Indeed, certain endings would favour him, but the following recent game saw Black drawing without problems.} Bd6 17. Rd1 Re8 18. g5 Rxe4 19. gxf6 gxf6 20. Bxd6 cxd6 21. Rxd6+ Ke7 22. Rd3 Ke6 {½-½ Womacka,M (2423)-Matamoros Franco,C (2544)/Olomouc 2006/CBM 113 ext. Only Black can be microscopically better here, because of his more compact kingside structure.}) ({RR} 8. Rd1 Qe7 9. dxe5 Rd8 10. Rd4 Bg6 11. c3 Rxd4 12. cxd4 Qb4 13. Qe3 Be7 14. b3 Qa5 15. Nfd2 Qd5 16. Ba3 Bg5 17. Qe1 Qxd4 18. Nxe4 Qxa1 19. e6 fxe6 20. Nec3 Bxb1 21. h4 Bf6 22. Nxb1 Kf7 {Topalov,V (2801)-Vallejo Pons,F (2650) Monte Carlo 2006 0-1}) ({RR} 8. Rd1 Be7 9. dxe5 Qc8 10. Nd4 Bg6 11. f3 Nc5 12. g4 Ne6 13. Nb3 h5 14. h3 Ng5 15. Bxg5 Bxg5 16. Nc3 hxg4 17. hxg4 Qe6 18. Qf2 Bf4 19. Ne2 Bxe5 20. Nbd4 Qf6 21. f4 Be4 22. Ng3 Qh4 {Huschenbeth,N (2542)-Kekelidze,M (2470) ICC INT 2013 ½-½ (64)}) 8... Bb4 $146 (8... Be7 9. g4 Bg6 10. Nxe5 f5 11. Nc3 (11. gxf5 Bxf5 12. Qf3 $16 {wins two pieces for a rook, because after} Nd6 $2 13. Bg5 $18 {Black is in even bigger trouble, not being able to fre himself from the pin. For instance} O-O 14. Qb3+ $1 Kh8 15. Bxe7 Qxe7 16. Ng6+ $1 $18) 11... O-O 12. Nxg6 hxg6 13. Qc4+ Kh7 14. Nxe4 fxe4 15. Rxe4 Bh4 16. Be3 $16 {Georgiev,K (2480)-Piket,J (2550)/Corfu 1991/EXT 97 (0-1, 31). White has won a pawn, but later went terribly wrong and lost.}) (8... Bd6 9. Qd3 O-O 10. Rxe4 Bxe4 11. Qxe4 exd4 12. Qxd4 Be5 $5 13. Qc4 Qd1+ 14. Qf1 Qxf1+ 15. Kxf1 Rad8 16. Nbd2 Rfe8 17. Nxe5 Rxe5 $16 {Simmelink,J-Van Wieringen,C/NED-ch28 corr9899 1998/Corr 2000 (1-0, 45). White certainly faces some problems completing his development, but when this has been accomplished, he will retain good chances for a win.}) ({RR} 8... Be7 9. g4 Bg6 10. Nxe5 f5 11. Nc3 O-O 12. Nxg6 hxg6 13. Qc4+ Kh7 14. Nxe4 fxe4 15. Rxe4 Bh4 16. Be3 Qf6 17. f4 Rae8 18. Re5 Qd8 19. Rf1 Qd7 20. f5 gxf5 21. Rfxf5 Rxf5 22. gxf5 Bf6 23. Re6 {Georgiev,K (2480)-Piket,J (2550) Corfu 1991 0-1 (31)}) 9. c3 Bd6 {I am not entirely sure whether weakening the d3-square has improved Black's position that much, but according to Carlsen he was just improvising, not being able to remember "theory".} 10. Qc2 {It looks logical to make use of this square that has just become available.} ({However,} 10. Qd3 {does not look bad either.}) 10... Qd7 11. dxe5 Bc5 12. Rxe4 O-O-O $16 {White has won material, "according to the plan", but he still faces some problems completing his development and getting out of the pin. Besides, Ivanchuk had spent a lot of time already.} 13. Nbd2 Qd5 14. Kf1 Rhe8 15. b3 {According to Carlsen, this might be too slow.} (15. c4 $5 Qd7 16. Nb3 $16 {[%cal Gc1f4]}) 15... g5 16. Bb2 g4 17. Nd4 Bxd4 $5 {Striving for counterplay.} ({Simplifying with} 17... Bxe4 {would have meant struggling for a draw after} 18. Qxe4 Qxe4 19. Nxe4 Rxe5 20. Nxc5 Rxc5 21. f3 $14) 18. cxd4 c5 19. Rae1 cxd4 20. Qc4 $6 {Offering Black undeserved counter-chances.} (20. Qd1 $16 Bxe4 21. Rxe4 d3 22. Qxg4+ $16) 20... Bxe4 21. Rxe4 Rxe5 22. Rxg4 Rde8 23. Nf3 Qxc4+ 24. bxc4 Re2 $132 {Things have become completely irrational now.} 25. Bxd4 Rxa2 26. Rg7 a5 27. Rxf7 Rc2 28. g4 a4 29. g5 a3 30. Rxh7 a2 31. Rh8 Rxh8 32. Bxh8 Rxc4 33. h3 c5 34. Ne1 Rc1 35. g6 Kd7 36. Bb2 Ke6 37. h4 c4 38. h5 c3 39. Bxc1 a1=Q 40. Nd3 0-1

[Event "Morelia/Linares 25th"]
[Site "Morelia/Linares"]
[Date "2008.02.29"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Shirov, Alexei"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C78"]
[WhiteElo "2733"]
[BlackElo "2755"]
[Annotator "Marin,Mihail"]
[PlyCount "159"]
[EventDate "2008.02.15"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 123"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2008.04.02"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2008.04.02"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O b5 6. Bb3 Bc5 7. a4 Rb8 8. c3 d6 9. d4 Bb6 10. Na3 O-O 11. axb5 axb5 12. Nxb5 Bg4 13. Bc2 Bxf3 14. gxf3 Nh5 15. f4 Nxf4 16. Bxf4 exf4 17. Qg4 Qf6 {Shirov bravely repeats the variation that had led him to defeat against Leko, with the occasion of the recently played Tal Memorial. Obviously, he had prepared an improvement, but Carlsen (who, according to himself, did not expect such a consequent attitude from his opponent) came up with an over-the-board novelty first.} ({RR} 17... Ne7 18. Na3 c5 19. dxc5 Bxc5 20. b4 Bb6 21. Qxf4 Ng6 22. Qg3 d5 23. Rad1 Bc7 24. f4 Qf6 25. e5 Qc6 26. h4 Ra8 27. Nb1 Ra2 28. Rd2 Rfa8 29. Qd3 Bb6+ 30. Kh2 d4 31. c4 Bd8 32. Qxd4 {So,W (2770)-Caruana,F (2835) Lichess.org INT 2020 ½-½ (49)}) 18. Ra6 $5 {With so many unstable black pieces along the 6th rank, this move is quite logical. In concrete terms, the threat xc7 looks (or could become later) annoying. Black's position in this whole line looks pretty difficult to play. His pieces are strongly restricted by the enemy centre and there is no obvious pawn break to be carried out. This explains why, like in the previous game, Shirov did not manage to come out of the opening with a reasonable position, despite being familiarized with its subtleties already.} (18. b4 {Leko,P (2755)-Shirov,A (2739)/Moscow 2007/CBM 122/[Marin] (1-0, 31)}) ({RR} 18. Na3 Ne7 19. Nc4 Ng6 20. Ra6 Rfe8 21. Rfa1 Qh4 22. Qxh4 Nxh4 23. Nxb6 cxb6 24. Ra7 g5 25. Bb3 Rxe4 26. Bd5 Re2 27. Kf1 Rxb2 28. Rxf7 Re8 29. Re7+ Kf8 30. Rxh7 f3 31. Rh8+ Ke7 32. Ra7+ Kf6 {Savanovic,A (2360)-Vucenovic,D (2233) Zadar CRO 2025 1-0 (36)}) ({RR} 18. Na3 Bxd4 19. cxd4 Nxd4 20. Bd3 Rxb2 21. Nc4 Rb5 22. Kh1 Rg5 23. Qh3 g6 24. Rg1 Ne6 25. e5 dxe5 26. Nd2 Rxg1+ 27. Rxg1 Nc5 28. Bc2 Rd8 29. Qc3 Qd6 30. Nf3 e4 31. Rd1 Nd3 32. Bxd3 exf3 {Klundt,K (2314)-Shirov,A (2693) Zuerich 2017 ½-½ (72)}) 18... Ne7 $6 {The same move he had played against Leko and I believe that the same evaluation applies here: Black defines his knight's intentions too quickly, releasing the pressure against the central e5- and d4-squares. Black could look for ways to slightly improve his position.} ({For the sake of complete similarity, let us take the same move that I recommended in my notes to the previous game.} 18... g6 $5 {[%csl Gc2,Gg4][%cal Gh7h5] Restricting the enemy bishop and intending to do the same with the queen, by means of a further ...h5.} 19. Nxc7 {This is the critical line, which probably determined Shirov to retreat with his knight..} (19. b4 h5 20. Qg2 $8 {[%csl Rb5,Rg1][%cal Gf6g5]} Nd8 {[%cal Gd8e6]} 21. d5 $6 c6 $15) (19. Kh1 Nd8 20. d5 Nb7 21. b4 Ra8 $132 {Here, the weakness of the c3-pawn and Black's excellent control over the dark squares compensate for the temporary passivity of his knight.}) (19. Na3 h5 20. Qf3 Nd8) 19... Bxc7 20. Rxc6 Rxb2 21. Bd1 {[%csl Gc7] Theoretically, White has the better bishop, but it is not easy to activate it. Besides, his rook is somewhat isolated on c6, while the pressure exerted by the b2-rook could become unpleasant. Besides, his king is a bit exposed. All these aspects leave the position uncertain.} (21. Rxc7 Rxc2 $11 {The safer position of Black's king compensates for White's more flexible structure. Besides, Black has no bad pieces here.}) 21... Bb8 (21... Bb6 $2 22. e5 $16) 22. Bf3 (22. Kh1 Re8) (22. Be2 $2 {[%cal Ge2c4,Gc4d5]} Rxe2 $1 23. Qxe2 Qg5+ 24. Kh1 f3 $3 25. Qxf3 Qb5 $19 {[%csl Rc6,Rf1] White's far from obvious problems of coordination are revealed in this elegant line.}) (22. e5 Qe7 23. exd6 Bxd6 $13 {[%cal Gf8a8] White's pawns are not easy to advance, but his king could get into danger.} 24. c4 Rd2 {[%csl Gd4]} 25. d5 Ra8 $15) 22... Re8 23. Ra1 h5 24. Qg2 Qh4 $132 {[%cal Ge8e7,Ge7b7]}) 19. Na3 {[%csl Rb6][%cal Ga3c4]} c6 $146 (19... Ra8 20. Rxa8 Rxa8 21. Nc4 $14) ({RR} 19... Ra8 20. Rxa8 Rxa8 21. Nc4 Ng6 22. e5 dxe5 23. Bxg6 Qxg6 24. Qxg6 hxg6 25. Nxe5 Ra2 26. Rb1 g5 27. Kg2 f6 28. Nc4 g4 29. h3 gxh3+ 30. Kxh3 Ra4 31. b4 Ra2 32. Rb2 Ra1 33. Rc2 f5 34. Nxb6 {Van Kampen,R (2475)-Bok,B (2346) Venlo 2009 ½-½ (41)}) ({RR} 19... g6 20. Rd1 h5 21. Qf3 Kg7 22. Kh1 g5 23. Nc4 Qh6 24. e5 d5 25. Nxb6 Rxb6 26. Rxb6 cxb6 27. Ra1 g4 28. Qd3 f3 29. Qe3 Qxe3 30. fxe3 f6 31. Ra7 Kf7 32. Bb3 fxe5 33. Bxd5+ Kf6 34. dxe5+ {Praneeth,S (2305)-Laxman,R (2417) Mumbai 2015 0-1 (45)}) 20. Nc4 Bc7 21. Ra7 {Now, Black's pieces are hanging along the 7th rank already...} Rbc8 22. e5 $1 $16 {Forcing the enemy queen to occupy a passive position and opening lines for the activation of his own pieces.} dxe5 23. dxe5 Qh6 (23... Bxe5 $2 {is impossible because... Black had not found the time to play...g6:} 24. Qh5 $18 {[%csl Ge5,Gh7]}) 24. Rd1 Nd5 25. Be4 Rfd8 26. Rd3 {[%cal Gd3h3]} g6 {More or less forced already, but look at Black's queen!} 27. Bxd5 ({He could also have tried to increase his pressure slowly with} 27. Ra6 $5 $16) 27... cxd5 28. Rxd5 Rxd5 29. Qxc8+ Kg7 30. Qg4 $6 {Not really a bad move, since White maintains excellent practical chances.} ({However, as the following analysis provided by Frederic Friedel proves, White could have captured the bishop and avoided perpetual check: "} 30. Rxc7 Qg5+ 31. Kf1 Rd1+ 32. Ke2 Qg1 33. Rxf7+ $1 Kxf7 34. Nd6+ Kg7 35. Qd7+ Kh6 36. Nf7+ Kg7 37. Qxd1 f3+ 38. Kd2 Qxf2+ 39. Kc1 Qe3+ 40. Qd2 Qa7 {threatening ...f2, ...f1 and after xf1 a1+ with xf1+-} (40... Qg1+ 41. Kc2 f2 (41... Kxf7 42. Qd7+ Kg8 43. e6 Qxh2+ 44. Kb1 {and with his king finding safety White can use his e-pawn to win.}) 42. Ng5 Qxg5 43. Qxg5 f1=Q 44. Qf6+ {wins for White}) (40... f2 41. Qxe3 f1=Q+ 42. Kc2 Kxf7 {doesn't look at all appealing}) 41. Qg5 (41. Qh6+ Kg8) 41... Qxf7 42. Kd2 Qa2 43. Qf6+ Kg8 44. Qd8+ Kg7 45. Qe7+ Kg8 46. Qb4 f2 47. Ke2 Qf7 48. Kf1 Qf3 {White has good chances to win."}) 30... Bxe5 31. h4 Bb8 32. Rb7 Rd8 33. Kg2 Kg8 34. Qg5 Qf8 35. Qf6 Re8 36. b4 Re6 37. Qd4 Qc8 38. Rd7 Qc6+ 39. Qd5 Qxd5+ 40. Rxd5 Rc6 41. Nd2 f3+ 42. Nxf3 Kg7 43. Rd8 Bc7 44. Rd7 Rxc3 45. Ng5 Kg8 46. Ne4 Rc4 47. Nf6+ Kf8 48. Nxh7+ Ke8 49. Nf6+ Kf8 50. Nd5 Be5 51. b5 Rxh4 52. b6 Rd4 53. Kf3 Kg7 54. Ke3 Ra4 55. b7 Ra3+ 56. Ke4 Bh2 57. Nc7 Rb3 58. Ne6+ Kf6 59. Nd8 g5 60. Rxf7+ Kg6 61. Rd7 g4 62. Ne6 g3 63. fxg3 Bxg3 64. Kd5 Rb1 65. Kc6 Rc1+ 66. Nc5 Bb8 67. Rd5 Ba7 68. Kd7 Bb8 69. Ne6 Kf6 70. Rc5 Rb1 71. Nd8 Bh2 72. Rc6+ Ke5 73. Rc1 Rb3 74. Rc2 Bf4 75. Kc6 Kf5 76. Rc5+ Kf6 77. Kd7 Rb1 78. Kc8 Bh2 79. Rc6+ Ke5 $4 {A terrible blunder in a probably defensible position. The king had crossed this diagonal before, but the b8-square was not controlled by the enemy king at that moment.} (79... Kf5 80. Ne6 $5 {[%cal Ge6c7]} Rg1 $1 {(Only this rook transfer keeps the game going.)} 81. Nc7 Rg8+ 82. Kd7 Rg7+ 83. Kd8 Rg8+ 84. Ne8 Rh8) 80. b8=Q+ 1-0

[Event "Morelia/Linares 25th"]
[Site "Morelia/Linares"]
[Date "2008.03.01"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B33"]
[WhiteElo "2799"]
[BlackElo "2733"]
[PlyCount "43"]
[EventDate "2008.02.15"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 123"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2008.04.02"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2008.04.02"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 e5 6. Ndb5 d6 7. Bg5 a6 8. Na3 b5 9. Nd5 Be7 10. Bxf6 Bxf6 11. c3 Bg5 12. Nc2 Ne7 13. a4 bxa4 14. Ncb4 O-O 15. Qxa4 Nxd5 16. Nxd5 Bd7 17. Qa2 a5 18. Bd3 Bc6 19. O-O Qb8 20. Bc4 Kh8 $146 ({RR} 20... Bd8 21. Rad1 Ra7 22. Qa3 {½-½ (23) Sokolov,A (2567)-Cherniaev,A (2466) Martigny 1999}) 21. b3 f5 22. exf5 1/2-1/2

[Event "Morelia/Linares 25th"]
[Site "Morelia/Linares"]
[Date "2008.03.03"]
[Round "11"]
[White "Leko, Peter"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B33"]
[WhiteElo "2753"]
[BlackElo "2733"]
[PlyCount "123"]
[EventDate "2008.02.15"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 123"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2008.04.02"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2008.04.02"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 e5 6. Ndb5 d6 7. Bg5 a6 8. Na3 b5 9. Nd5 Be7 10. Bxf6 Bxf6 11. c3 Bg5 12. Nc2 Ne7 13. h4 Bh6 14. a4 bxa4 15. Ncb4 O-O 16. Qxa4 Nxd5 17. Nxd5 a5 18. Bb5 Be6 19. Bc6 Rb8 20. b4 Bxd5 21. Bxd5 axb4 22. cxb4 Qb6 23. Rb1 Kh8 24. O-O f5 25. Qa5 fxe4 26. Qxb6 Rxb6 27. Rb3 Rc8 $146 ({RR} 27... Bd2 28. b5 e3 29. fxe3 Rxf1+ 30. Kxf1 g6 31. Bc6 h5 32. Ke2 Ba5 33. Ra3 Bb4 34. Ra8+ Kg7 35. e4 Bc5 36. Kd3 Bf2 37. Kc4 Bxh4 38. Kd5 Bf2 39. Kxd6 Bd4 40. Ke6 Bc3 41. Ra6 Rxa6 42. bxa6 {Rasmussen,A (2519)-Atakisi,U (2388) Athens 2008 ½-½ (56)}) 28. Ra1 g6 29. Ra8 Rxa8 30. Bxa8 Bf8 31. b5 Be7 32. g3 Bd8 33. Bxe4 d5 34. Bxd5 Rd6 35. Bc6 Bb6 36. Rb2 Rd3 37. Kg2 Kg7 38. Be4 Ra3 39. g4 Bd4 40. Rc2 Rb3 41. Rc7+ Kh8 42. Rc8+ Kg7 43. Rc7+ Kh8 44. Rb7 Rb2 45. h5 Rxf2+ 46. Kg3 Rf4 47. h6 Rf8 48. Rc7 Bf2+ 49. Kg2 Be3 50. g5 Rb8 51. Rc3 Bd4 52. Rc6 Kg8 53. Bd5+ Kf8 54. Bc4 Ke7 55. Rc7+ Kd6 56. Rxh7 e4 57. Rg7 Kc5 58. Rc7+ Kd6 59. Rc6+ Ke5 60. Rxg6 Kf5 61. Rd6 Be3 62. h7 1-0

[Event "Morelia/Linares 25th"]
[Site "Morelia/Linares"]
[Date "2008.03.07"]
[Round "14"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Radjabov, Teimour"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C63"]
[WhiteElo "2733"]
[BlackElo "2735"]
[PlyCount "138"]
[EventDate "2008.02.15"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 123"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2008.04.02"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2008.04.02"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 {Marin,Mihail} e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 f5 4. d3 ({RR} 4. Nc3 fxe4 5. Nxe4 Nf6) 4... fxe4 5. dxe4 Nf6 6. O-O Bc5 7. Qd3 ({RR} 7. Bxc6 bxc6 8. Nxe5 O-O 9. Bg5 Qe8 10. Bxf6 Rxf6) 7... d6 8. Qc4 Qe7 9. Nc3 Bd7 10. Nd5 ({RR} 10. Bg5) 10... Nxd5 11. exd5 Nd4 12. Nxd4 Bxd4 13. Bxd7+ Qxd7 14. a4 ({RR} 14. c3 Bb6 15. a4 ({RR} 15. Be3 O-O) 15... a6 16. a5 ({RR} 16. Be3 Bxe3 17. fxe3 O-O-O 18. Rf2 Rdf8 19. Raf1 Rxf2 20. Rxf2 Kb8 21. b3 Qe7 22. Qe4 g6 23. Qf3 Rc8) 16... Ba7 17. Be3 Bxe3 18. fxe3 O-O-O) 14... a6 15. Be3 Bxe3 16. fxe3 O-O-O 17. Rf2 Rdf8 18. Raf1 Qe7 ({RR} 18... Rxf2 19. Rxf2 Kb8 20. b3 Qe7 21. Qe4 g6 ({RR} 21... h6 22. Qf5) 22. Qf3 Rc8 23. c4 c6 24. dxc6 Rxc6 25. e4 Qg5 26. h3 Qc1+ 27. Kh2 Qe1 28. Rf1 Qd2 ({RR} 28... Qb4 29. Qd3 Qc5) 29. Qf8+ Rc8 ({RR} 29... Ka7 30. Qd8) 30. Qe7 Qd3 31. Rf3 Qxe4 32. Qxd6+ Ka7 33. Rf7 {Topalov,V (2780)-Radjabov,T (2735) Morelia/Linares 2008 CBM 123 [Marin,Mihail] ½-½ (54)} ({RR} 33. Qd7 Qc6 ({RR} 33... Rh8 34. Rf7) 34. Qxh7)) 19. Qe4 g6 20. Rf3 $146 ({RR} 20. c4 Rxf2 21. Rxf2 Rf8 22. Qg4+ Kd8 23. Rc2 Qf6 24. Qe2 Qh4 25. b4 b5 26. h3 Qe4 27. cxb5 axb5 28. a5 Qxd5 29. a6 c6 30. Rd2 Qe6 31. e4 Kd7 32. Qe3 Qc4 33. Rf2 Rxf2 34. Qxf2 Kc7 {McPhillips,J (2199)-Staniforth,M (1899) Hastings 2013 1-0 (48)}) ({RR} 20. a5 Rxf2 21. Rxf2 Rf8 22. Rxf8+ Qxf8 23. Qh4 Qf7 24. Qe4 Qf5 25. Qxf5+ gxf5 26. Kf2 Kd7 27. Kg3 Ke7 28. Kh4 Kf6 29. b4 b5 30. Kh5 e4 31. g3 Ke5 32. Kh6 Kxd5 33. Kxh7 c5 34. Kg6 Ke6 {Ruether,M (1814)-Ziese,G (1988) Berlin 2014 0-1 (42)}) 20... Kb8 21. b3 Rxf3 22. Qxf3 Qg5 23. h3 Rc8 24. Kh2 Qh4 25. c4 a5 26. e4 Qh6 27. Qf2 b6 28. g3 Kb7 29. Kg2 Ra8 30. h4 g5 31. Qe3 Rg8 32. Rf5 Qh5 33. hxg5 Qd1 34. Rf7 Qh5 35. Qf3 Qxg5 36. Rxh7 Qf4 37. Rh5 Rg7 38. Qd3 Qc1 39. Qf3 Qf4 40. Qxf4 exf4 41. Rh3 fxg3 42. Rxg3 Rh7 43. Kf3 Rf7+ 44. Ke3 Rf1 45. Kd4 Rd1+ 46. Rd3 Re1 47. Re3 Rd1+ 48. Kc3 Rc1+ 49. Kd2 Rb1 50. e5 dxe5 51. Kc2 Rh1 52. Rxe5 Rh3 53. Re2 Kc8 54. Rd2 Kd7 55. Rd3 Rh2+ 56. Kc3 Rh1 57. Rg3 Rd1 58. Rg7+ Kd6 59. Rg6+ Kd7 60. Rc6 Rc1+ 61. Kb2 Rd1 62. Kc2 Rd4 63. b4 axb4 64. Kb3 Rd1 65. Kxb4 Rb1+ 66. Kc3 Ra1 67. Kb3 Rb1+ 68. Ka2 Rb4 69. Ka3 Rb1 1/2-1/2

[Event "Baku FIDE GP"]
[Site "Baku"]
[Date "2008.04.21"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Wang, Yue"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C48"]
[WhiteElo "2765"]
[BlackElo "2689"]
[PlyCount "117"]
[EventDate "2008.04.21"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "AZE"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 124"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2008.05.28"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2008.05.28"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. d3 Bc5 5. Nc3 d6 6. Na4 Bb6 7. O-O Bd7 ({RR} 7... O-O 8. c3 Ne7 9. Nxb6 axb6 10. Re1 Ng6 11. d4 Qe7 12. h3 Bd7 13. Bd3 Rfe8 14. Bc2 h6 15. Be3 Nh7 16. Qd2 Rad8 17. a4 Qf6 18. Nh2 Ng5 19. Ng4 Bxg4 20. hxg4 Nf4 21. Bxf4 exf4 22. f3 {Van den Doel,E (2565)-De Winter,A (2448) Venlo NED 2025 1-0 (54)}) 8. c3 Ne7 9. Nxb6 axb6 10. Bxd7+ $146 ({RR} 10. Bc4 Ng6 11. Bb3 O-O 12. Ne1 Bg4 13. f3 Be6 14. Bc2 Nh5 15. g3 Qd7 16. a3 d5 17. Ng2 c6 18. Be3 c5 19. Qe2 d4 20. cxd4 cxd4 21. Bd2 f5 22. exf5 Rxf5 23. g4 Nhf4 24. Nxf4 Nxf4 {Paulsen,L-Goering,C Krefeld 1871 1-0 (74)}) 10... Qxd7 11. Bg5 Ng6 12. Bxf6 gxf6 13. Nd2 f5 14. Nc4 f4 15. Qh5 O-O 16. d4 Rae8 17. Rfe1 f5 18. dxe5 b5 19. Nd2 Nxe5 20. Qh3 fxe4 21. Qxd7 Nxd7 22. Nxe4 d5 23. Rad1 Re5 24. Nd2 Rfe8 25. Nf3 Rxe1+ 26. Nxe1 Nc5 27. Kf1 c6 28. Nd3 Nxd3 29. Rxd3 Re5 30. Rd4 Rh5 31. Rxf4 Rxh2 32. Kg1 Rh6 33. f3 Re6 34. Kf2 Kg7 35. Rh4 h6 36. a3 Rd6 37. g3 Rd8 38. Rh1 d4 39. cxd4 Rxd4 40. Ke3 Rd7 41. Rh4 c5 42. Rh2 Re7+ 43. Kf4 Rd7 44. g4 b4 45. axb4 Rd4+ 46. Ke5 Rxb4 47. Rd2 c4 48. f4 Rb3 49. f5 Rd3 50. Re2 b5 51. Ke6 c3 52. bxc3 Rxc3 53. Rb2 Rc6+ 54. Kd5 Rc4 55. Rxb5 Rxg4 56. Ke5 Ra4 57. Rb7+ Kf8 58. Rb8+ Kf7 59. Rb7+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "Baku FIDE GP"]
[Site "Baku"]
[Date "2008.04.22"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Svidler, Peter"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C80"]
[WhiteElo "2746"]
[BlackElo "2765"]
[PlyCount "85"]
[EventDate "2008.04.21"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "AZE"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 124"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2008.05.28"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2008.05.28"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Nxe4 6. d4 b5 7. Bb3 d5 8. dxe5 Be6 9. Be3 Bc5 10. Qd3 O-O 11. Nc3 Nb4 12. Qe2 Nxc3 13. bxc3 Bxe3 14. Qxe3 Nc6 15. a4 Qe7 16. Rfd1 Rfd8 17. h3 h6 18. Nd4 Nxd4 19. cxd4 c5 20. dxc5 Rac8 21. axb5 axb5 22. Rd4 $146 ({RR} 22. Ra6 Qxc5 23. Qxc5 Rxc5 24. Rd4 Kf8 25. Ra7 g5 26. Rb7 Bf5 27. Rd1 Re8 28. Rxd5 Rxd5 29. Bxd5 Rxe5 30. c4 bxc4 31. Rxf7+ Ke8 32. Bxc4 Bd3 33. Bb3 Bc2 34. Rf3 Bxb3 35. Rxb3 Kf7 36. Rb6 Kg7 {Lagarde,M (2613)-Grandelius,N (2651) Bydgoszcz 2022 ½-½ (49)}) ({RR} 22. Ra6 Qxc5 23. Qxc5 Rxc5 24. Rd4 Kf8 25. Ra7 g5 26. Rb7 Bf5 27. Rd1 Re8 28. Rxd5 Rxd5 29. Bxd5 Rxe5 30. c4 bxc4 31. Rxf7+ Ke8 32. Bxc4 Bd3 33. Bb3 Bc2 34. Rf3 Bxb3 35. Rxb3 Kf7 36. Rb6 Kg7 {Lagarde,M (2613)-Grandelius,N (2651) Bydgoszcz 2022 ½-½ (49)}) 22... Rxc5 23. Rad1 Rdc8 24. Bxd5 Rxc2 25. Bxe6 Qxe6 26. Rd8+ Kh7 27. Rxc8 Qxc8 28. Qd3+ g6 29. Qxb5 Qc5 30. Qxc5 Rxc5 31. Re1 g5 32. e6 fxe6 33. Rxe6 Rc2 34. f3 Ra2 35. Kh2 Kg7 36. Re4 Kg6 37. h4 Ra6 38. Kh3 Kh5 39. Rc4 Rb6 40. Rc5 Kg6 41. Rc4 Kh5 42. Rc8 Kg6 43. Rc4 1/2-1/2

[Event "Baku FIDE GP"]
[Site "Baku"]
[Date "2008.04.25"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Kamsky, Gata"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B19"]
[WhiteElo "2765"]
[BlackElo "2726"]
[PlyCount "101"]
[EventDate "2008.04.21"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "AZE"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 124"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2008.05.28"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2008.05.28"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Bf5 5. Ng3 Bg6 6. h4 h6 7. Nf3 Nd7 8. h5 Bh7 9. Bd3 Bxd3 10. Qxd3 e6 11. Bf4 Qa5+ 12. Bd2 Bb4 13. c3 Be7 14. c4 Qc7 15. O-O-O Ngf6 16. Kb1 O-O 17. Ne4 Rad8 18. Nxf6+ Nxf6 19. g4 Nxg4 20. Rhg1 f5 21. Qe2 Bf6 $146 ({RR} 21... Rf7 22. Qxe6 Qd6 23. Qe2 Bf6 24. Bc3 Qf4 25. Bd2 Qd6 26. Bc3 Qf4 27. Bd2 Qc7 28. Bc3 Re7 29. Ne5 Nxe5 30. dxe5 Rxd1+ 31. Qxd1 Bxe5 32. Bb4 Rd7 33. Qe2 c5 34. f4 Re7 35. fxe5 Rxe5 36. Ba5 {Van Foreest,J (2082)-Thingstad,E (2199) Maastricht 2011 0-1 (44)}) 22. Qxe6+ Kh8 23. Bb4 Rf7 24. Rd2 Qd7 25. Re1 Qxe6 26. Rxe6 Rfd7 27. Ba5 b6 28. Bc3 Rd6 29. Rxd6 Rxd6 30. Re2 Kg8 31. Kc2 Kf7 32. Ne5+ Nxe5 33. dxe5 Re6 34. f4 Be7 35. Rh2 g6 36. hxg6+ Rxg6 37. Kd2 Bf8 38. Bd4 Rg4 39. Be3 Kg6 40. Ke2 h5 41. Kf3 Be7 42. Bf2 h4 43. Rh1 Kf7 44. Rg1 h3 45. Rh1 Bh4 46. Bxh4 Rxh4 47. Kg3 Rg4+ 48. Kf3 Rh4 49. Kg3 Rg4+ 50. Kf3 Rh4 51. Kg3 1/2-1/2

[Event "Baku FIDE GP"]
[Site "Baku"]
[Date "2008.04.28"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Radjabov, Teimour"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B78"]
[WhiteElo "2751"]
[BlackElo "2765"]
[Annotator "Stohl,Igor"]
[PlyCount "80"]
[EventDate "2008.04.21"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "AZE"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 124"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2008.05.28"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2008.05.28"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 g6 6. Be3 Bg7 7. f3 Nc6 8. Qd2 O-O 9. Bc4 {The first major crossroads, when White has two main alternatives - the text-move and} (9. O-O-O {Here the most principled reaction is} d5 {, the position after} 10. exd5 Nxd5 11. Nxc6 bxc6 12. Bd4 {also arose in Baku:} Nxc3 $5 (12... e5 {is the most usual move, but this seems to be a plausible alternative.}) 13. Qxc3 Bh6+ 14. Be3 Bxe3+ 15. Qxe3 Qb6 {, po} 16. Qxb6 ({The  swap is too soft, White can try to fight for an advantage only with} 16. Qc3 {, or}) (16. Qxe7 {, but even here it's far from simple:} Be6 17. Qa3 Rad8 18. Bd3 Rd5 $44 {}) 16... axb6 17. a3 Be6 18. Bd3 Kg7 19. Rhe1 Rfd8 20. Be4 Rxd1+ 21. Rxd1 Rc8 22. a4 f5 23. Bd3 Ra8 24. b3 Kf6 25. Kd2 Bd5 26. c4 Bf7 27. Kc3 c5 28. Bc2 Be8 29. Ra1 Ke5 30. Re1+ Kd6 31. Rd1+ Kc7 32. Re1 $11 {Bacrot,E (2705)-Grischuk,A (2716)/Baku/2008/}) 9... Bd7 10. Bb3 ({Radjabov's move avoids the Chinese Dragon with} 10. O-O-O Rb8 $5 {, which has gained some popularity lately.} (10... Rc8) ({or} 10... Ne5 {is the main line.})) (10. h4 {was once considered the most accurate move-order. White first opens the h and plays 0-0-0 only later, when it suits him. However, once} h5 {became the main response, this nuance lost its meaning - it all boils down to a simple transposition.}) 10... Rc8 ({White's move order allows} 10... Nxd4 11. Bxd4 b5 12. h4 (12. a4 $5) 12... a5 13. a4 bxa4 14. Nxa4 e5 $132 ({or} 14... Be6 $5 {with sharp positions. However, the character of the struggle is somewhat different and White often strives to exploit the ×. As the Dragon's main characteristic is opposite-side castling and mutual attacks against the enemy , the text-move is more popular.})) 11. h4 ({Another theoretically important moment.} 11. O-O-O Ne5 ({In the side-line} 11... Nxd4 12. Bxd4 b5 13. Nd5 Nxd5 14. Bxg7 Kxg7 15. exd5 {Black's best chance to generate sufficient  is the pawn-sacrifice} a5 16. a3 b4 $1 17. axb4 axb4 18. Qxb4 Kg8 $13) 12. Kb1 {is an approach, which has caused Black problems. Recently he has shown some ideas how to solve them:} {Another less committal, but plausible alternative was chosen by Carlsen 2 rounds later:} Re8 $5 ({The most consistent is} 12... Nc4 13. Bxc4 Rxc4 14. g4 b5 15. b3 {with the interesting sacrificial idea} b4 $1 (15... Rc5 $2 16. Ne6 fxe6 17. Bxc5 dxc5 18. e5 $16) (15... Rc8 16. Ndxb5 Qa5 17. a4 $14 {/}) 16. bxc4 bxc3 17. Qxc3 Qc7 18. g5 Nh5 19. Kc1 (19. Rd3 Rc8 20. Qd2 Qxc4 21. Nb3 {Haznedaroglu,K (2440)-Sluka,R (2354)/Olomouc/2007/} Bc3 $44) 19... Rc8 20. Qd3 Be5 21. h4 Rb8 $5 $44 (21... Nf4 22. Bxf4 Bxf4+ 23. Kb2 Be5 24. c3 Qa5 25. Rb1 Qa4 26. Ka1 a5 27. Rb3 $16 {Socko,B (2630)-Stocek,J (2572)/Bundesliga/2006/})) 13. h4 (13. Bh6 Bxh6 14. Qxh6 Rxc3 15. bxc3 a5 $1 $36 {and White does best to bail out with} 16. a4 Qb6 17. h4 Bxa4 18. h5 Nc6 19. hxg6 Bxb3 20. gxh7+ Kh8 21. cxb3 Nxd4 22. cxd4 Qxb3+ 23. Ka1 {1/2, Karjakin,S (2686)-Ivanchuk,V (2729)/Foros/2007/}) 13... h5 14. Bh6 Nc4 15. Bxc4 Rxc4 16. Bxg7 Kxg7 17. Nd5 (17. g4 hxg4 18. h5 Rh8 19. hxg6 fxg6 20. f4 e5 21. Nde2 Rxh1 22. Rxh1 Nxe4 23. Nxe4 Rxe4 24. fxe5 {looks dangerous, but after} Rxe5 $13 ({or} 24... Qe8 $5 {White doesn't seem to have any clear road to an advantage.})) 17... e5 $5 {Once the dark-squared  have been exchanged, Black can afford even this Najdorf move.} 18. Nxf6 Qxf6 19. Nb3 $1 (19. Ne2 Rc6 {is harmless, as Black's major pieces are harmoniously placed.} 20. Nc3 Be6 21. Nd5 Bxd5 22. Qxd5 Qf4 $1 23. Qd2 Qxd2 24. Rxd2 f5 25. Re1 Kf6 26. c3 Ke6 27. Kc2 fxe4 28. Rxe4 Rec8 29. Kd3 b5 30. a4 a6 $11 {Karjakin,S (2732)-Carlsen,M (2765)/Baku/2008/}) 19... Re6 (19... Rc6 $2 20. Na5 $16) (19... Be6 20. Qxd6 Rec8 21. c3 b5 $14 {is a better way to sacrifice a pawn, but even here Black hardly has full compensation.}) 20. Qa5 (20. Qe3 $142 b6 21. Nc1 $5 $11 {[%csl Re6][%cal Yc1e2,Ye2c3] /,e2-c3,צe6 is a better chance to profit from the misplaced  and fight for an edge.}) 20... Ra4 21. Qc3 Qd8 22. Rd2 Qb6 23. Nc1 Bb5 24. b3 Ra6 25. Rhd1 Qd8 26. g3 Rc6 27. Qe3 Qb6 28. Qxb6 Rxb6 29. Ka1 f5 $11 {Ponomariov,R (2684)-Tiviakov,S (2599)/FIDE WCh Moscow/2001/}) 11... h5 12. O-O-O Ne5 13. Bg5 (13. Kb1 Re8 {-11.0-0-0}) (13. Bh6 Nc4 (13... Bxh6 $143 14. Qxh6 Rxc3 {[%csl Rg6] doesn't have a good reputation, contrary to Karjakin-Ivanchuk above, Black has problems with ×g6, for example in the line} 15. bxc3 Qc7 16. Kb1 a5 17. f4 Nfg4 18. Qg5 a4 19. fxe5 axb3 20. cxb3 Nf2 21. e6 $1 $16 {/+-}) 14. Bxc4 Rxc4 15. Bxg7 Kxg7 $13 {leads to a similar position, as in the above note - there we had the extra moves b1 and e8. The main difference is that after} 16. g4 hxg4 17. h5 Rh8 18. hxg6 fxg6 19. f4 e5 20. Nde2 (20. fxe5 dxe5 21. Nde2 Rh3 $1 22. Rhf1 Rf3 23. Rh1 Rh3 $11) 20... Rxh1 21. Rxh1 Nxe4 22. Nxe4 Rxe4 23. fxe5 {Black can play even} Rxe2 $1 24. Qxe2 (24. Qh6+ Kf7 25. Qh7+ Ke6 26. Qxg6+ Kxe5 27. Rh5+ Kf4 28. Qxd6+ Kf3 29. Qd5+ Kf4 30. Qd6+ Kf3 $11) 24... Qg5+ $13 {/=}) 13... Rc5 {[%csl Gc5]} ({Introduced by Sosonko in 1977, the  on the 5-th rank helps out both in the defence and the . This quickly became the main line, replacing} 13... Nc4 14. Qe2 Na5 15. Kb1 $36) 14. Kb1 $5 {Useful prophylaxis, Black has learned to deal quite well with the direct assault} (14. g4 hxg4 15. h5 (15. f4 Nc4 16. Qe2 (16. Qd3 Qc8 $13 (16... b5 $5)) 16... Qc8 17. Bxf6 (17. f5 $6 Nxb2 18. Kxb2 Rxc3 19. fxg6 Rxb3+ 20. axb3 fxg6 $36 {can be better only for Black.}) 17... Bxf6 18. Bxc4 (18. Nd5 $6 Rxd5 19. exd5 b5 20. h5 g5 21. fxg5 Bxg5+ 22. Kb1 f5 $17 {Ivanchuk,V (2740)-Topalov,V (2670)/Belgrade/1995/}) 18... Rxc4 19. Nd5 Re8 20. e5 Bg7 21. h5 Rc5 $1 $15 {Murariu,A (2347)-Sebe_Vodislav,R (2253)/ROM-chT/2003/}) 15... Nxh5 16. Nd5 Re8 17. Rxh5 (17. f4 Nc4 18. Qd3 b5 19. f5 Rxd5 20. exd5 Bxd4 21. fxg6 Bxb2+ 22. Kb1 Ng7 $5 $15 23. Bxc4 bxc4 24. Qe4 fxg6 (24... Bf6 $2 25. Rh8+ $1 Kxh8 26. Qh1+ $18) 25. Kxb2 Qb6+ 26. Ka1 Bf5 27. Qxc4 Rc8 $36 {Brkic,A (2570)-Babic,Z (2034)/Bizovac/2007/}) 17... gxh5 18. Qh2 Rxd5 19. Bxd5 Qb6 $1 20. Qxh5 e6 21. Bb3 gxf3 22. Bh6 Bxh6+ 23. Qxh6 f2 $1 $13 {} 24. Qf6 Bc6 25. Nf5 (25. Rh1 $2 f1=Q+ $19) 25... exf5 26. Qg5+ Kf8 27. Qh6+ Kg8 $11) 14... Re8 $1 {Even Black does better to think about the defence first, the text-move overprotects e7.} ({After} 14... b5 15. g4 hxg4 $6 (15... a5 $142) 16. h5 Nxh5 17. Nd5 Re8 18. Rxh5 gxh5 19. Qh2 Rxd5 20. Bxd5 Qb6 {[%csl Rb5] Black's  is limited by the b5 and White has} 21. Nf5 $1 $40 {1-0 Hakki,I (2428)-Abu Sufian,S (2276) Asia-ch Calcutta 2001 (7)}) 15. g4 $6 {Radjabov confessed after the game he got confused and mixed up the sharp lines. However, proving an advantage for White is not easy anyway:} (15. Rhe1 Qa5 16. f4 (16. a3 Qa6 $1 (16... b5 $6 17. Bxf6 $1 exf6 18. Nde2 Rc6 19. Nd5 Qxd2 20. Rxd2 Nc4 21. Bxc4 bxc4 22. Red1 f5 23. exf5 Bxf5 24. Nd4 $14 {[%csl Rc4,Rd6] /,ק,Anand,V (2725)-Kasparov,G (2795)/PCA WCh New York/1995/}) 17. f4 Nc4 $15) 16... Nc4 17. Bxc4 Rxc4 18. Bxf6 (18. Nb3 Qa6 19. e5 Ng4 20. exd6 Bxc3 $1 21. bxc3 e6 $44 {} 22. f5 gxf5 23. Bf6 f4 24. Be5 Qb5 25. Bxf4 Rec8 26. g3 Rxc3 27. Qe2 Qc6 28. Rd2 e5 $1 $19 {Brooke,R (2187)-Horwitz,D (2241)/corr/2002/}) 18... Bxf6 19. Nd5 Qxd2 20. Nxf6+ exf6 21. Rxd2 f5 $11) ({A better chance is} 15. Bh6 $142 $5 Nc4 (15... Bh8 $6 16. g4 Qa5 17. g5 Nh7 18. f4 Nc4 19. Qd3 Na3+ 20. Kc1 e6 {Almasi,Z (2631)-Golubev,M (2536)/Bundesliga/2003/} 21. f5 $5 $40) 16. Bxc4 Rxc4 17. Bxg7 Kxg7 18. Nd5 $11 {/ and we have again reached the position we had in the note to move 11 with one extra move (White played g5-h6 and Black c5xc4).}) 15... hxg4 16. h5 {White again plays the most aggressive move.} (16. f4 Nc4 17. Qe2 $5 (17. Bxc4 Rxc4 18. Bxf6 Bxf6 19. e5 dxe5 20. fxe5 Bxe5 21. Nde2 Bxc3 $5 (21... Bd6 22. h5 g5 $15) 22. Nxc3 Rxc3 23. Qxc3 Qc8 $15) {Black can try to deviate earier with} 17... Na5 $5 (17... Qc8 18. f5 Na3+ (18... gxf5 $6 19. exf5 Ne5 20. Bxf6 exf6 21. Ne4 Nf3 {Slaby,J (2363)-Mikrut,D (2369)/Poraj/2003/} 22. Bxf7+ $1 Kxf7 23. Nxd6+ Kf8 24. Qg2 $16) 19. bxa3 Rxc3 20. fxg6 Rxb3+ 21. axb3 fxg6 22. Qd3 Nh5 23. Rhf1 Be5 24. Ne2 g3 25. Nf4 Nxf4 (25... Bg4 $2 26. Nxg6 Bxd1 27. Qxd1 g2 28. Rg1 Bg7 29. Qxh5 Qc3 30. e5 dxe5 31. Bh6 Bxh6 32. Rxg2 {1-0, Motylev,A (2666)-Carlsson,P (2514)/EU-ch Plovdiv/2008/}) 26. Bxf4 g2 27. Rf2 Rf8 $44) 18. e5 $6 Nxb3 19. Nxb3 Rxc3 20. bxc3 Nh5 21. Rxd6 Qc8 22. Rxd7 Qxd7 23. Rd1 Qc8 24. Qd3 {Vadla,Z (2240)-Kutuzovic,B (2420)/Zadar/1997/} Kh7 $1 {[%cal Rf7f6] f6}) 16... Nxh5 17. Rxh5 {White burns his boats.} (17. f4 $142 Nc4 (17... Nc6 $5 18. e5 Qc8 $13 {Rogozenko}) 18. Qd3 b5 19. f5 Qb6 $13 (19... Qc8 $5) {/,} 20. Nd5 $6 Rxd5 21. exd5 Qxd4 22. Qxd4 Bxd4 23. Rxd4 Bxf5 $36) (17. Bh6 e6 $1 $15 {leads nowhere for White.}) (17. Nd5 Rxd5 $1 (17... Nc4 $5 $15) 18. Bxd5 Qb6 $36 {is excellent for Black according to Golubev. Here we again see how postponing b5 helps to activate the d8.}) 17... gxh5 18. Qh2 Ng6 {A rather modest move, but it's not the only one.} ({After} 18... Nxf3 {there is no immediate refutation in sight, but Black is the one, who risks more:} 19. Nxf3 gxf3 20. Qxh5 e6 21. Nd5 f6 $5 (21... Qa5 22. Bh6 $1 Rxd5 $8 23. exd5 Bxh6 24. Qxh6 f2 25. c3 Qb5 26. Bc2 {gives White at least a draw without any risk.}) 22. Bh6 (22. Be3 f2 $5 $13 (22... Rxd5 23. exd5 e5 {Mainka,R (2450)-Komljenovic,D (2440)/Bad Mergentheim/1988/} 24. Rg1 $36) (22... Rb5 23. Bh6 (23. Rg1 exd5 24. Rxg7+ Kxg7 25. Bh6+ Kh8 26. Bf4+ Kg7 $11) 23... Re7 24. Rh1 Qe8 25. Nxe7+ Qxe7 26. Qg6 $44)) 22... Re7 $8 $13) ({Radajbov mentioned the enterprising alternative} 18... Qb6 $5 19. Qxh5 e6 $15) (18... Qa5 $5 $15 {is also interesting.}) 19. Qxh5 Qa5 $5 $146 {[%mdl 8]} (19... Rxg5 20. Qxg5 e6 21. Qxg4 Qf6 22. Nce2 $13 (22. Qg3 Qe5 23. Qxe5 Bxe5 24. Nce2 Kg7 25. Rg1 Kf6 26. c3 Rh8 $36 {Glimbrant,T (2270)-Pavlovic,M (2495)/Barbera del Valles/1994/})) ({Carlsen's novelty is a safer choice, than} 19... e6 20. Nf5 $1 Qa5 $1 21. Rxd6 (21. Rh1 Rxf5 22. exf5 Qxf5 23. fxg4 Qe5 $15) 21... Bc6 $13) 20. f4 $1 (20. Qxg6 $2 e6 $19) (20. Nd5 Rxd5 (20... e6 21. Rh1 exd5 22. Qh7+ Kf8 23. Bh6 Bxh6 24. Qxh6+ Ke7 25. Qg5+ f6 $5 (25... Kf8 26. Qh6+ $11) 26. Qxg6 dxe4 $15) 21. Bxd5 e6 22. Qxg4 Ne5 23. Qg3 exd5 24. Bf6 Ng6 25. Bxg7 Kxg7 26. Nf5+ Kf6 $5 27. Rxd5 Qxd5 28. exd5 Bxf5 $15) 20... Rxg5 (20... Rxc3 21. bxc3 Qxc3 22. Bxf7+ (22. f5 Ne5 {[%cal Rc3h3] h3} 23. Rh1 Qxd4 24. Qh7+ Kf8 25. Bh6 Ng6 $8 26. Bxg7+ Qxg7 27. fxg6 Rc8 28. Bxf7 Qxh7 29. Rxh7 e6 30. Rh4 Kg7 31. Rxg4 Rc4 $15) 22... Kxf7 23. f5 $11 {gives White at least a draw.}) 21. fxg5 e6 22. Nf5 $146 {[%mdl 64] White goes for an ambitious tactical line, which favours his opponent.} (22. Qxg4 $142 $11 {/ is perhaps slightly more pleasant for Black, but nothing more than that.}) ({RR} 22. Qxg4 b5 23. Nce2 b4 24. Qh5 Qe5 25. c3 bxc3 26. Nxc3 a5 27. Nf5 Nf4 28. Nh6+ Bxh6 29. Qxh6 Rb8 30. Rh1 Ng6 31. Qh7+ Kf8 32. Rf1 Qg7 33. Qh3 Ke7 34. Qe3 Qe5 35. Qa7 Rb4 36. Rxf7+ Kxf7 {Cloutier,M (2104)-Chiku Ratte,O (2206) Montreal 2013 1-0 (47)}) 22... exf5 23. Qxg6 Be6 24. Qh5 (24. Bxe6 Rxe6 25. Qxf5 Bxc3 $1 26. bxc3 Qxf5 27. exf5 Re4 $17 (27... Re5 28. Rg1 Rxf5 29. Rxg4 Kg7 $15)) 24... fxe4 25. Rf1 (25. Nd5 e3 $1 26. g6 Kf8 27. gxf7 Bxf7 (27... Re7 28. Qg5 Bxd5 29. Rf1 $1 Qd8 $8 30. Qxd5 e2 31. Re1 $13) 28. Rf1 Qe1+ $1 29. Rxe1 Bxh5 30. Rf1+ Bf7 31. Nxe3 Rxe3 32. Rxf7+ Ke8 $17 {[%csl Gg4] g4, Carlsen}) 25... Qe5 $1 (25... Bxb3 26. axb3 Re7 27. Qxg4 $15 {/}) 26. Rxf7 Bxb3 (26... Rf8 $142 $5 $17 {/-+ is probably even better, as it forces further simplification.}) 27. axb3 g3 28. Ka2 $6 (28. Rxb7 $5 Rf8 29. Qe2 Rf2 $1 $17 {[%csl Ge4,Gg3] } (29... Qxg5 30. Nxe4 Qe5 31. Rxg7+ Qxg7 32. Qg2 $15)) 28... Rf8 (28... g2 $2 29. Rf2 $1 {} g1=Q 30. Qf7+ Kh7 31. Qh5+ $11) 29. Rxf8+ Kxf8 30. Qg4 e3 31. g6 e2 $2 {[%mdl 8192]} (31... Ke7 32. Qf3 e2 $1 33. Qxb7+ (33. Qxe2 Qxe2 34. Nxe2 g2 35. c3 Be5 $19) 33... Kf6 34. Nxe2 Qxe2 35. Qf7+ Kg5 36. Qxg7 g2 37. Qxa7 Kxg6 $19) (31... Bf6 $5 $19) 32. Qf3+ $2 {[%mdl 8192]} ({Mutual errors are typical for such a tactically demanding game. Radjabov repays the favour, after} 32. Qd7 $1 Kg8 (32... Qe7 33. Qc8+ Qe8 34. Qf5+ Kg8 35. Qd5+ Kh8 36. Qh1+ Kg8 37. Qd5+ $11) 33. Qc8+ Bf8 34. Qxb7 Be7 35. Qh1 (35. Nxe2 Qxe2 36. Qd5+ Kg7 37. Qf7+ Kh6 38. g7 g2 39. g8=Q Qa6+ 40. Kb1 Qf1+ $11) 35... Kf8 36. Qh7 Ke8 37. Nxe2 Qa5+ 38. Kb1 Qe1+ 39. Ka2 (39. Nc1 g2 40. g7 Qxc1+ 41. Kxc1 g1=Q+ 42. Kd2 Qf2+ $11) 39... Qa5+ $11) 32... Ke8 $19 33. Qf7+ Kd8 34. Qg8+ Kd7 35. Qf7+ Qe7 36. Qf5+ (36. Nxe2 Qxf7 37. gxf7 g2 $19 {[%cal Yd7e7] e7}) 36... Kd8 37. Qa5+ b6 38. Qd5 e1=Q 39. Qa8+ Kd7 40. Qb7+ Ke8 (40... Ke8 41. Qa8+ (41. Qc6+ Kf8 42. Qf3+ Kg8) 41... Qd8 42. Qc6+ Kf8 43. Qf3+ Qf6 $19) 0-1

[Event "Baku FIDE GP"]
[Site "Baku"]
[Date "2008.04.30"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Karjakin, Sergey"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B78"]
[WhiteElo "2732"]
[BlackElo "2765"]
[PlyCount "109"]
[EventDate "2008.04.21"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "AZE"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 124"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2008.05.28"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2008.05.28"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 g6 6. Be3 Bg7 7. f3 Nc6 8. Qd2 O-O 9. Bc4 Bd7 10. Bb3 Rc8 11. O-O-O Ne5 12. Kb1 Re8 13. h4 h5 14. Bh6 Nc4 15. Bxc4 Rxc4 16. Bxg7 Kxg7 17. Nd5 e5 18. Nxf6 Qxf6 19. Ne2 Rc6 20. Nc3 Be6 21. Nd5 Bxd5 22. Qxd5 Qf4 $146 ({RR} 22... Qe6 23. Qd3 Rec8 24. Rd2 Rb6 25. Rhd1 Rc5 26. Qe2 Ra5 27. Rd5 Rxd5 28. exd5 Qf6 29. c4 Qf5+ 30. Ka1 Qc8 31. a3 a5 32. Qc2 Ra6 33. Qe2 Ra8 34. g4 hxg4 35. fxg4 Qc7 36. g5 Rc8 37. Qf3 {Lobzhanidze,D (2463)-Reschke,S (2346) Frankfurt 2005 ½-½ (48)}) 23. Qd2 Qxd2 24. Rxd2 f5 25. Re1 Kf6 26. c3 Ke6 27. Kc2 fxe4 28. Rxe4 Rec8 29. Kd3 b5 30. a4 a6 31. axb5 axb5 32. Rb4 Rc5 33. Re2 Rd5+ 34. Kc2 Rc4 35. Kb3 Rxb4+ 36. Kxb4 Kd7 37. b3 Kc6 38. Ra2 Kb6 39. Re2 Rd1 40. f4 exf4 41. Re6 Kc6 42. Rxg6 Rh1 43. c4 bxc4 44. bxc4 Rxh4 45. Rg5 Rg4 46. Rxh5 Rxg2 47. Rf5 Rf2 48. Kc3 f3 49. Kd4 Rf1 50. Ke3 Ra1 51. Kxf3 Rf1+ 52. Ke4 Rxf5 53. Kxf5 Kc5 54. Ke6 Kxc4 55. Kxd6 1/2-1/2

[Event "Baku FIDE GP"]
[Site "Baku"]
[Date "2008.05.02"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Navara, David"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C92"]
[WhiteElo "2765"]
[BlackElo "2672"]
[Annotator "Marin,Mihail"]
[PlyCount "90"]
[EventDate "2008.04.21"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "AZE"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 124"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2008.05.28"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2008.05.28"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. c3 d6 9. h3 Bb7 10. d4 Re8 11. Nbd2 Bf8 12. d5 Nb8 13. Nf1 Nbd7 14. N3h2 Nc5 15. Bc2 c6 16. b4 Ncd7 17. dxc6 Bxc6 18. Bg5 Qc7 {This seems to be Navarra's favourite move in this position.} ({I have examined the availanble material after} 18... h6 {in the notes to Leko,P (2753)-Adams,M (2726)/Wijk aan Zee NED 2008/CBM 122 (½-½, 98)}) 19. Bxf6 Nxf6 20. Ng4 Nxg4 ({Deviating from} 20... Be7 {Almasi,Z (2691)-Navara,D (2656)/Reggio Emilia 2008/CBM 122 (1-0, 58), which was analyzed in the notes to the aforementioned game.}) ({RR} 20... Be7 21. Nxf6+ Bxf6 22. Bb3 a5 23. bxa5 Rxa5 24. Qf3 Bd7 25. Ne3 Be6 26. Nd5 Bxd5 27. Bxd5 Rc8 28. Re3 Qd7 29. Rd1 Bd8 30. Qh5 Bb6 31. Rf3 Rf8 32. Bxf7+ Rxf7 33. Rxd6 Qa7 34. Qxf7+ Qxf7 35. Rxf7 {Almasi,Z (2691)-Navara,D (2656) Reggio Emilia 2008 1-0 (58)}) 21. hxg4 Bb7 $5 $146 {A new move. Black attacks the c3-pawn, while keeping the e4-pawn under pressure. These elements are aimed to prevent the transfer of the knight to d5.} ({Previously, Black has directed his bishop towards e6, in order to neutralize the white bishop, but did not achieve equality.} 21... Rac8 22. Bb3 Bd7 23. Rc1 Be7 24. Ne3 Bg5 25. Nd5 Qb8 26. Rc2 Rc6 27. g3 Qc8 28. f3 Be6 29. Qd3 Bd8 30. Kg2 $16 {[%cal Ge1h1] Jansa,V (2482)-Klovans,J (2433)/Arvier 2006/CBM 114 ext (1-0, 41)}) 22. Re3 {Both pawns are safely defended now, but the knight's access to e3 is (at least temporarily) blocked.} (22. Qd3 Rac8 23. Re3 Be7 {is similar.}) (22. Qf3 Rac8 23. Bb3 {is aimed to be slightly more tricky, but Black can react with} d5 $1 (23... Qxc3 $4 24. Qxf7+) (23... Re7 24. Rac1 $16 {[%cal Gf1e3]}) 24. Bxd5 Bxd5 25. exd5 Qxc3 $132 {[%csl Rb4,Gd6]}) ({RR} 22. Qf3 Rac8 23. Ne3 Qxc3 24. Bb3 Re7 25. Nd5 Bxd5 26. Qxc3 Rxc3 27. Bxd5 g6 28. a4 Bh6 29. axb5 axb5 30. Ra5 Kg7 31. Rxb5 Rc2 32. Rb1 Rec7 33. Rb7 Rxb7 34. Bxb7 Rc1+ 35. Rxc1 Bxc1 36. Bd5 Ba3 {Frolyanov,D (2546)-Esipenko,A (2682) Cheliabinsk 2020 ½-½ (43)}) 22... Be7 $146 ({RR} 22... g6 23. Bb3 Bh6 24. Rf3 Re7 25. Bd5 Rc8 26. Ng3 Bxd5 27. Qxd5 Qd7 28. Rd1 Re6 29. Ne2 Ree8 30. Qxd6 Qxg4 31. Qxa6 Rcd8 32. Rf1 Qxe4 33. Qxb5 f5 34. a4 Qc2 35. a5 e4 36. Rh3 Bg7 37. Nf4 {Djukic,N (2551)-Nikcevic,N (2451) Bijelo Polje 2016 1-0 (44)}) 23. Bb3 Bg5 {After having activated his darl-squared bishop with a manoeuvre typical for the Sveshnikov Sicilian, Black can live without fearing the manoeuvre e3-d5.} 24. Rf3 Rf8 25. Qe2 Bc8 {Once the main strategic problem has been solved, Black switches back to the approved plan, the transfer of his light-squared bishop to e6.} ({Delaying this manoeuvre for too long would leave him struggling, for instance} 25... a5 26. Rd1 g6 (26... Bc8 $1) 27. Qd3 {[%csl Ge4][%cal Gf1e3]} Kg7 28. Ne3 Bxe3 29. Rxe3 $14) 26. Rd1 Be6 27. Ne3 Bxe3 $1 28. Rxe3 a5 29. Bxe6 fxe6 30. a3 axb4 31. cxb4 Qd7 {Black has slightly more space and the more compact pawn structure. The weakness of the backward a3- and d6-pawns is not equivalent, because after the eventiual elimination of the d6-pawn, Black's entire kingside would become weak. However, the complete absence of minor pieces makes Black's position entirely viable.} 32. g5 Rac8 33. Red3 Rc6 34. R3d2 Ra6 $5 {Navara does not wish to defend his b-pawn passively and allows a small tactical trick, leading to an exchange of pawns that, from strategic point of view, favours White (as mentioned above).} (34... Rb6) (34... Rb8) 35. a4 $1 Rxa4 36. Rxd6 Qf7 {This is Black's point. Once his queen has been freed from the defence of the d6-pawn, she can put up pressure against f2.} 37. Rd8 $6 {After this hurried exchange, White will lose a pawn without getting to create dangerous threats against the enemy king.} ({More consistent would have been} 37. Rb1 {, maintaining the pressure. In this case, Black would have been remained under some pressure because of his weak e-pawns.}) 37... Rxb4 38. R1d7 Qf4 (38... Rb1+ 39. Kh2 Qf4+ 40. g3 Qxg5 {would have won a second pawn, but after} 41. Rxf8+ Kxf8 {[%cal Gg5h6,Gh6h1]} 42. Kg2 $1 {White avoids any immediate threats against his own king and is ready to start his own attack.}) 39. Qa2 Rb1+ $1 $11 {Forcing a draw by perpetual.} 40. Qxb1 Qxf2+ 41. Kh2 Qh4+ 42. Kg1 Qf2+ 43. Kh2 Qh4+ 44. Kg1 Qf2+ 45. Kh2 Qh4+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "Foros Aerosvit 3rd"]
[Site "Foros"]
[Date "2008.06.15"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Nisipeanu, Liviu Dieter"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B70"]
[WhiteElo "2684"]
[BlackElo "2765"]
[Annotator "Ftacnik,Lubomir"]
[PlyCount "74"]
[EventDate "2008.06.08"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "UKR"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 125"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2008.07.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2008.07.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 g6 6. Be2 Bg7 7. O-O Nc6 8. Nb3 O-O 9. Kh1 a6 10. f4 b5 11. Bf3 Bb7 ({RR} 11... Bd7 12. a4 b4 13. Ne2 Rc8 14. a5 Bg4 15. Bxg4 Nxg4 16. Qd3 e6 17. h3 Nf6 18. Be3 Qc7 19. Ng3 Nb8 20. Rf2 Qc4 21. Rd1 Qxd3 22. Rxd3 d5 23. exd5 Nxd5 24. Bc5 Rfd8 25. f5 Bxb2 26. fxe6 {Barua,D (2515)-Hracek,Z (2605) Groningen 1997 ½-½ (37)}) ({RR} 11... e5 12. Nd5 exf4 13. Bxf4 Ne5 14. Bxe5 dxe5 15. a4 Be6 16. axb5 Bxd5 17. exd5 e4 18. Be2 axb5 19. Rxa8 Qxa8 20. c4 bxc4 21. Bxc4 Rc8 22. Qe2 Qa4 23. Nd2 Qb4 24. b3 Re8 25. Qe3 Qd6 26. Qg3 {Wahlstrom,L (2115)-Laith,K (2051) Gothenburg 2022 0-1 (58)}) 12. a4 $146 {Black's pieces are developed so harmoniously, that White's chances to get the advantage must be minimal.} (12. Qe1 Rc8 13. Nd5 Nxd5 14. exd5 Nd4 15. Nxd4 Bxd4 16. c3 Bg7 17. a4 Qd7 18. Qd1 Rc4 19. axb5 axb5 20. Qb3 Rfc8 {0-1 Koenig,I-Napolitano,M/Munich 1936 (49)}) (12. Be3 Nd7 13. Nd4 Na5 14. b3 Rc8 15. Qd2 Nc6 16. Nce2 Qc7 17. Rac1 Nxd4 18. Bxd4 e5 19. Ba1 Nc5 20. f5 Bxe4 21. f6 Bh8 22. Nc3 Bxf3 23. Rxf3 {1-0 Sznapik,A (2440)-Sax,G (2550)/Baile Herculane 1982 (42)}) (12. e5 dxe5 13. Nc5 Qb6 14. Nxb7 Qxb7 15. fxe5 Nd7 16. e6 fxe6 17. Ne4 Rad8 18. Qe1 Nde5 19. Ng5 Qc8 20. Qh4 h6 21. Ne4 Nd4 $19 {0-1 Cherniaev,A (2410)-Serper,G (2560)/St Petersburg 1994 (27)}) (12. Nd5 e6 13. Nxf6+ Bxf6 14. c3 Qc7 15. Be3 Rad8 16. Qe2 Nb8 17. Qf2 Nd7 18. Rfd1 Be7 19. Bd4 e5 20. Be3 exf4 21. Bxf4 Ne5 $11 {1-0 Barua,D (2528)-Bakre,T (2443)/Calicut 2003 (61)}) ({RR} 12. Be3 Na5 13. Nxa5 Qxa5 14. Bd4 b4 15. Nd5 Nxd5 16. exd5 Bxd4 17. Qxd4 Rac8 18. Rfe1 Rc7 19. f5 Qc5 20. Qxc5 Rxc5 21. Rxe7 Bxd5 22. Bxd5 Rxd5 23. fxg6 hxg6 24. Re2 Rc8 25. Kg1 Rdc5 26. Rd1 Rxc2 {Barcza,G-Gilg,K Liberec 1936 ½-½ (32)}) ({RR} 12. Qe1 Rc8 13. Nd5 Nxd5 14. exd5 Nd4 15. Nxd4 Bxd4 16. c3 Bg7 17. a4 Qd7 18. Qd1 Rc4 19. axb5 axb5 20. Qb3 Rfc8 21. Bd2 Ra4 22. Rxa4 bxa4 23. Qb4 Ba6 24. Re1 Rc7 25. Qa5 Bc8 26. Bg4 f5 {Koenig,I-Napolitano,M Munich 1936 0-1 (49)}) 12... b4 13. Nd5 Nxd5 {Both other alternative moves make an equally good impression, the only problem was the burden of choice.} (13... e6 14. Ne3 Qc7 15. Bd2 a5 $11) (13... Nd7 14. a5 (14. f5 e6 15. Nf4 Qe7 $15) 14... Rb8 15. Be3 $13) 14. exd5 Na5 15. c3 $5 {Nisipeanu felt, that his position could become endangered and thus he chooses somewhat shocking solution.} (15. Qd3 Rc8 16. Nd4 Qb6 17. Rd1 Qc5 18. Nb3 Nxb3 19. Qxb3 a5 20. c3 Ba6 21. cxb4 Qxb4 22. Qxb4 axb4 23. Rb1 b3 $17 {0-1 Boulay,D-Charbonneau,P/Montreal 1997 (79)}) (15. Nxa5 Qxa5 16. Re1 Bf6 17. Qd3 Rfc8 $15) 15... bxc3 16. bxc3 Rc8 (16... Bxc3 17. Rb1 Rb8 18. Be3 Nc4 19. Bd4 $15) 17. Rb1 Ba8 18. Nd2 $6 {White was playing really slowly at this stage and the insecurity has kept going till the last move. A much better idea was to crown his risky concept with the logical move 18.f5!? with chances for full compensation.} (18. f5 $5 Bxc3 (18... gxf5 19. Nd4 Qd7 20. Qd3 e6 21. Qxa6 $14) 19. Bh6 Bg7 20. Bxg7 Kxg7 21. Qd4+ Kg8 22. fxg6 hxg6 23. Nd2 $44) 18... Nc4 (18... Bxc3 19. Qe2 Qd7 20. Qxa6 Qxa4 21. Ne4 Qc2 $15) 19. Nxc4 Rxc4 20. Bd2 (20. Qd3 Qc7 21. Bd2 Rxa4 $15) 20... Qa5 21. Qe1 (21. Qe2 Bxd5 22. Qxe7 Bxf3 23. Rxf3 Qd5 24. Qe2 Rxa4 $17) 21... Bxd5 22. Be2 Qxa4 $1 {[%mdl 1024] Young Carlsen is well known for his positive attitude towards exchange sacrifices. At this moment the trade is nearly forced, but the consequences will be very pleasant for Black.} (22... Rxa4 23. c4 Bxg2+ 24. Kxg2 $13) 23. Bxc4 Bxc4 24. Rf2 (24. Rg1 Qc2 $17) 24... e6 25. Be3 (25. Rb4 Qc6 26. Be3 Qd5 $17) 25... Bd5 26. Rfb2 Qe4 27. Qd2 h5 {The optimal spread of the black forces is clearly favourable for the activity with two bishops.} (27... a5 $17) 28. Bd4 (28. Rb8 $2 Bxc3 $1 $19) 28... Bh6 29. Be3 $138 (29. Rb8 Bxf4 30. Rxf8+ Kxf8 31. Rb8+ Ke7 $19) 29... a5 $1 30. Rb8 $6 {Time trouble is seldom a relief in difficult positions. Nisipeanu would love to exchange the pieces in order to ease the pressure from his opponent.} (30. Ra1 Ra8 31. Kg1 e5 $17) 30... Kh7 31. h3 (31. Rxf8 $2 Qxb1+ $19) 31... Rxb8 32. Rxb8 Bg7 33. Bd4 Bxd4 34. cxd4 a4 $1 {The true consequence of exchanges is the situation, in which White has no way of preventing the black pawn from reaching the a2-square.} 35. Kh2 a3 36. Rb4 a2 37. Ra4 Qb1 {White is just able to stop the pawn from promoting, but not the disaster on the kingside.} (37... Qb1 38. Qc3 Qf1 $19) 0-1

[Event "Biel GM 41st"]
[Site "Biel"]
[Date "2008.07.25"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Dominguez Perez, Leinier"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B81"]
[WhiteElo "2775"]
[BlackElo "2708"]
[PlyCount "48"]
[EventDate "2008.07.20"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "SUI"]
[EventCategory "18"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 126"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2008.10.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2008.10.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. h3 e6 7. g4 b5 8. Bg2 Bb7 9. O-O Nc6 ({RR} 9... h6 10. Re1 e5 11. Nf5 g6 12. Ne3 Nbd7 13. a4 b4 14. Ncd5 Nxd5 15. Nxd5 a5 16. c3 bxc3 17. bxc3 Be7 18. Rb1 Bc6 19. Bf1 h5 20. Bb5 Bxb5 21. Rxb5 hxg4 22. hxg4 Bh4 23. Qf3 Nf6 24. Rb7 {Carlsen,M (2733)-Gelfand,B (2737) Nice 2008 1-0 (33)}) 10. Nxc6 ({RR} 10. Be3 Qc7 11. g5 Nd7 12. Qe2 Be7 13. Rae1 O-O 14. f4 Nxd4 15. Bxd4 e5 16. Be3 exf4 17. Bxf4 Ne5 18. Kh1 b4 19. Nd5 Bxd5 20. exd5 Ng6 21. Be3 Rac8 22. Qxa6 Ne5 23. Bf4 Ng6 24. Be3 Ne5 {Bharath,S (2437)-Aslanov,U (2019) Chess.com INT 2021 1-0 (57)}) 10... Bxc6 11. Re1 Nd7 12. Nd5 $146 ({RR} 12. b3 Be7 13. Be3 O-O 14. Ne2 Rc8 15. Rc1 Nc5 16. Bxc5 dxc5 17. Qxd8 Rfxd8 18. Rcd1 c4 19. Nd4 Be8 20. e5 Bb4 21. Rf1 Kf8 22. Bb7 Rc7 23. Nxb5 axb5 24. Rxd8 Rxb7 25. bxc4 Be7 26. Ra8 bxc4 {Miciano,J (2260)-Thilakarathne,G (2246) Chiangmai 2018 1-0 (44)}) ({RR} 12. a4 Be7 13. axb5 axb5 14. Rxa8 Qxa8 15. Qe2 Qb7 16. Nd5 Nc5 17. Bd2 Bd8 18. Nb4 Bd7 19. Be3 Qc8 20. Qd2 Nb7 21. Ra1 O-O 22. Ra7 Ba5 23. c3 Bc7 24. Na6 Bd8 25. c4 Be7 26. e5 Bc6 {Barbosa,E (2449)-Delgado Ramirez,N (2604) Florianopolis 2015 ½-½ (65)}) 12... Bb7 13. Qd4 Ne5 14. f4 Nc6 15. Qf2 exd5 16. exd5+ Ne7 17. a4 Kd7 18. Be3 Bxd5 19. Bb6 Qb8 20. Rxe7+ Bxe7 21. Bxd5 Bh4 22. Qd4 Bf6 23. Qf2 Bh4 24. Qd4 Bf6 1/2-1/2

[Event "Biel GM 41st"]
[Site "Biel"]
[Date "2008.07.28"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Alekseev, Evgeny V"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C48"]
[WhiteElo "2775"]
[BlackElo "2708"]
[PlyCount "167"]
[EventDate "2008.07.20"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "SUI"]
[EventCategory "18"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 126"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2008.10.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2008.10.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. d3 Bc5 5. Nc3 O-O 6. Bxc6 dxc6 7. Nxe5 Qd4 8. Be3 Qxe5 9. d4 Qe7 10. dxc5 Nxe4 11. Qd4 Bf5 $146 ({RR} 11... Nxc3 12. Qxc3 Rd8 13. O-O Be6 14. Rfe1 Rd5 15. Qb4 b5 16. a4 a5 17. Qf4 b4 18. Rac1 Rad8 19. h3 h6 20. c3 b3 21. Qg3 Rd3 22. Qe5 R8d5 23. Qe4 Qd7 24. Qh4 Kh7 25. f4 Bf5 26. Qf2 {Danielyan,V (2220)-Harikrishna,P (2725) St Petersburg 2018 0-1 (51)}) 12. O-O-O Rad8 13. Qb4 Qe6 14. Kb1 b5 15. b3 Qe5 16. Nxe4 Bxe4 17. Bd4 Qf5 18. Qc3 f6 19. f3 Bd5 20. Rhe1 Rd7 21. Bf2 Rfd8 22. Rd4 h5 23. h3 Bf7 24. g4 hxg4 25. hxg4 Qg5 26. Kb2 Rxd4 27. Bxd4 Qd5 28. Rd1 b4 29. Qxb4 Qxf3 30. Rd2 Qxg4 31. Bc3 Qc8 32. Rg2 Bd5 33. Rg1 Qf5 34. Qb7 Kf7 35. Qxc7+ Rd7 36. Qc8 Be4 37. Qh8 Qh7 38. Qc8 Qf5 39. Rf1 Qe6 40. Qh8 Re7 41. Rd1 Re8 42. Qh2 Bf5 43. Rd2 Re7 44. Qb8 Rd7 45. Rf2 Bg6 46. Rh2 Qe8 47. Qg3 Qe4 48. Rg2 Re7 49. Rd2 Rb7 50. Qh2 Re7 51. Qb8 Bf5 52. a4 Bg6 53. a5 Bf5 54. a6 Bg6 55. Qg3 Bf5 56. Rg2 Bg6 57. Rh2 Bf5 58. Qb8 Bg6 59. Ka3 Bh7 60. Rd2 Bf5 61. Qh8 Qe3 62. Kb2 Qe4 63. Rf2 Qg4 64. Qh2 Bg6 65. Qd6 Qe6 66. Qxe6+ Kxe6 67. Ba5 Be4 68. c4 g5 69. Bd2 Rg7 70. Re2 f5 71. b4 g4 72. b5 cxb5 73. cxb5 g3 74. Re1 Kd5 75. Be3 Bd3 76. Rd1 Ke4 77. Rxd3 Kxd3 78. Bg1 f4 79. b6 f3 80. b7 Rg8 81. c6 f2 82. c7 fxg1=Q 83. c8=Q Qd4+ 84. Ka2 0-1

[Event "Biel GM 41st"]
[Site "Biel"]
[Date "2008.07.30"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Dominguez Perez, Leinier"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B78"]
[WhiteElo "2708"]
[BlackElo "2775"]
[PlyCount "103"]
[EventDate "2008.07.20"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "SUI"]
[EventCategory "18"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 126"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2008.10.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2008.10.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 g6 3. d4 Bg7 4. Nc3 cxd4 5. Nxd4 Nc6 6. Be3 Nf6 7. Bc4 O-O 8. Bb3 d6 9. f3 Bd7 10. Qd2 Rc8 11. O-O-O Ne5 12. Kb1 a6 13. h4 h5 14. g4 hxg4 15. h5 Nxh5 16. Bh6 e6 17. Rdg1 Qf6 18. fxg4 Bxh6 19. Qxh6 Qg7 20. Qe3 $146 ({RR} 20. Qg5 Nf6 21. Rh4 Rxc3 22. bxc3 Nxe4 23. Qe3 d5 24. Rgh1 Rc8 25. Ne2 g5 26. Rh8+ Qxh8 27. Rxh8+ Kxh8 28. Qd4 f6 29. c4 Nxc4 30. Ng3 Na3+ 31. Kb2 Nb5 32. Qg1 Nbd6 33. c4 Nxg3 34. Qxg3 Nxc4+ {Kumar,G (2210)-Mahjoob,M (2354) Abu Dhabi 2017 1-0 (75)}) ({RR} 20. Qg5 Nf6 21. Rh3 Rc5 22. Rgh1 Nexg4 23. Nf5 exf5 24. Nd5 Rxd5 25. Bxd5 fxe4 26. Bxe4 Nxe4 27. Qe7 Re8 28. Qxd7 Nef6 29. Qxd6 Nh5 30. Qd7 Ngf6 31. Qxb7 Re6 32. a3 Qf8 33. Rc3 Qe7 34. Qb8+ Ne8 {Beltran de Heredia Eguiaz,M (2224)-Prada Lopez,M (2077) Madrid 2018 ½-½ (59)}) 20... Nf6 21. g5 Nh5 22. Nde2 a5 23. Rxh5 gxh5 24. Nf4 Ng4 25. Qh3 Qd4 26. Nce2 Qxe4 27. Qxh5 a4 28. Rh1 Qxh1+ 29. Qxh1 axb3 30. axb3 Bc6 31. Qh4 Be4 32. Nc3 Bf5 33. Nh5 f6 34. Ng3 Rc7 35. Nxf5 exf5 36. gxf6 Nxf6 37. Qg5+ Kf7 38. Qxf5 Re7 39. b4 Re5 40. Qf2 Rd8 41. b3 Rd7 42. Kb2 Rde7 43. Qb6 Rd7 44. Qd4 Ke7 45. Qd3 Kf7 46. Nb5 Ke7 47. Nd4 Kf7 48. Qf3 Rh5 49. Nf5 Ke6 50. Nd4+ Kf7 51. Nf5 Ke6 52. Nd4+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "Biel GM 41st"]
[Site "Biel"]
[Date "2008.07.31"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Onischuk, Alexander"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C77"]
[WhiteElo "2775"]
[BlackElo "2670"]
[PlyCount "71"]
[EventDate "2008.07.20"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "SUI"]
[EventCategory "18"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 126"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2008.10.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2008.10.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. d3 d6 7. c3 O-O 8. Nbd2 Re8 9. Re1 Bf8 10. Nf1 h6 11. Ng3 b5 12. Bc2 d5 13. d4 dxe4 14. Nxe4 Bf5 15. Nxf6+ Qxf6 16. Nxe5 Nxe5 17. dxe5 Rxe5 18. Rxe5 Qxe5 19. Be3 Bxc2 20. Qxc2 Rd8 21. Rd1 Rxd1+ $146 ({RR} 21... Qe4 22. Qc1 Rxd1+ 23. Qxd1 Bd6 24. g3 Kh7 25. Bd4 f6 26. b3 Kg8 27. c4 bxc4 28. bxc4 Kf7 29. f3 Qc6 30. Qd3 Bc5 31. Bxc5 Qxc5+ 32. Kg2 Ke7 33. h4 Qd6 34. Qe3+ Qe5 35. Qd2 h5 36. a3 {Harikrishna,P (2752)-Dominguez Perez,L (2720) Baku 2016 ½-½ (44)}) 22. Qxd1 Bd6 23. g3 Qe4 24. Bd4 f5 25. a3 Be5 26. Bc5 Qc4 27. Ba7 Bf6 28. Kg2 c6 29. Be3 Qe4+ 30. Kg1 a5 31. Bf4 a4 32. h3 Qd5 33. Qe2 Qe4 34. Qd1 Qd5 35. Qe2 Qe4 36. Qd1 1/2-1/2

[Event "Grand Slam Final 1st"]
[Site "Bilbao"]
[Date "2008.09.03"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Ivanchuk, Vassily"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B78"]
[WhiteElo "2781"]
[BlackElo "2775"]
[PlyCount "58"]
[EventDate "2008.09.02"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 126"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2008.10.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2008.10.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 g6 6. Be3 Bg7 7. f3 Nc6 8. Qd2 O-O 9. Bc4 Bd7 10. O-O-O Rc8 11. Bb3 Ne5 12. Kb1 a6 13. Rhe1 b5 14. Bh6 Bxh6 15. Qxh6 Rxc3 16. bxc3 a5 17. f4 Neg4 18. Qh4 a4 19. Bxf7+ Rxf7 20. e5 Nd5 21. e6 Nxc3+ 22. Kc1 Bxe6 23. Nxe6 Qa5 24. Qxg4 Nxa2+ 25. Kb2 Qc3+ 26. Kxa2 Qxc2+ 27. Ka1 Qc3+ 28. Kb1 $146 ({RR} 28. Ka2) 28... Qb3+ 29. Ka1 Qc3+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "Grand Slam Final 1st"]
[Site "Bilbao"]
[Date "2008.09.05"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Radjabov, Teimour"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B77"]
[WhiteElo "2775"]
[BlackElo "2744"]
[PlyCount "73"]
[EventDate "2008.09.02"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 126"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2008.10.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2008.10.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 g6 6. Be3 Bg7 7. f3 O-O 8. Qd2 Nc6 9. Bc4 Bd7 10. O-O-O Rb8 11. Bb3 Na5 12. Kb1 b5 13. h4 Nc4 14. Bxc4 bxc4 15. Ka1 h5 16. Rb1 Qa5 ({RR} 16... Re8 17. Bh6 Bh8 18. g4 hxg4 19. h5 Qa5 20. hxg6 fxg6 21. Rh4 gxf3 22. Nxf3 Nxe4 23. Nxe4 c3 24. Nxc3 Rxb2 25. Kxb2 Bxc3+ 26. Qxc3 Rb8+ 27. Qb3+ Rxb3+ 28. axb3 e5 29. Rd1 Bc6 30. Ng5 d5 31. Rf1 {Efimenko,Z (2643)-Charbonneau,P (2509) Montreal 2005 1-0 (31)}) ({RR} 16... Kh7 17. Nde2 Qa5 18. a3 Rb7 19. Bd4 Rfb8 20. Qd1 Bc6 21. g4 hxg4 22. h5 g5 23. fxg4 e5 24. Be3 Nxe4 25. Nxe4 Bxe4 26. h6 Bh8 27. Ka2 Qa4 28. b3 cxb3+ 29. cxb3 Rxb3 30. Rxb3 Bxh1 31. Nc1 {Adhiraj Mitra (2064)-Harshit,R (2258) Guntur IND 2025 0-1 (31)}) 17. Bh6 Bxh6 18. Qxh6 Rb6 19. g4 $146 ({RR} 19. Qd2 Rfb8 20. Rhe1 Ra6 21. Re3 e5 22. Nde2 Be6 23. Nc1 Nd7 24. Qe1 Nc5 25. g3 Rbb6 26. Qd1 Bd7 27. Nd5 Nb3+ 28. Rxb3 cxb3 29. a3 bxc2 30. Qxc2 Rb7 31. Na2 Be6 32. Nac3 Kg7 33. Rd1 Qc5 {Mrdja,M (2392)-Armanda,I (2345) Zagreb 2010 0-1 (44)}) 19... hxg4 20. Qe3 Rfb8 21. h5 g5 22. fxg4 Nxg4 23. Qd2 f6 24. Nf3 Ra6 25. Rhg1 Rb4 26. a3 Be6 27. e5 dxe5 28. Nxg5 Bf5 29. Nge4 Kh7 30. Qe2 Nh6 31. Rg3 Be6 32. Rg6 Nf5 33. Qg4 Nh4 34. Ng5+ fxg5 35. Qxg5 Nxg6 36. Qxg6+ Kh8 37. Rg1 1-0

[Event "Grand Slam Final 1st"]
[Site "Bilbao"]
[Date "2008.09.06"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C63"]
[WhiteElo "2798"]
[BlackElo "2775"]
[Annotator "Postny,Evgeny"]
[PlyCount "71"]
[EventDate "2008.09.02"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 126"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2008.10.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2008.10.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 f5 {I guess, this came as a total surprise for Vishy Anand as Magnus had never played the Jaenisch as Black.} 4. d3 fxe4 5. dxe4 Nf6 6. O-O Bc5 7. Bxc6 bxc6 8. Nxe5 O-O 9. Nc3 {Anand deviates from his game versus Radjabov, probably suspecting deep preparation by Magnus. The move in the text was played by Carlsen as White, once more versus Radjabov. All this adds even more interest to this encounter.} (9. Bg5 Qe8 $1 10. Bxf6 Rxf6 11. Nd3 Bd4 12. Nd2 (12. c3 Bb6 13. e5 $5 {This is my suggestion from a previous CBM, worth being tested in future games.} Rh6 14. Nd2 Ba6 15. c4 d5 16. Rc1 Rd8 17. Qe2 $14 {[%cal Gd3b4]}) 12... Ba6 13. Rb1 $6 (13. c4 c5 14. Rc1 $1 Bb7 15. Qe2 Qg6 16. Kh1 Re8 17. Rce1 d6 18. f3 {and Black still has to justify the pawn sacrifice.}) 13... d6 14. c4 c5 15. b4 Qf7 16. Kh1 Rf8 17. f4 Bxc4 18. Nxc4 Qxc4 $11 {½-½ Anand,V (2799)-Radjabov,T (2735)/Morelia/Linares MEX/ESP 2008/The Week in Chess 694 (22)}) 9... d6 10. Nd3 Bd4 {Black is hoping to compensate for the lack of a pawn by his pair of bishops and the opened f-file.} 11. Ne2 (11. Nb4 Bxc3 12. bxc3 c5 13. Nd5 Nxe4 14. f3 Nf6 15. Bg5 Be6 16. Bxf6 gxf6 $11) 11... Bb6 12. Bg5 ({Black keeps reasonable compensation also after} 12. Ng3 Ba6) 12... Qe8 13. Bxf6 Rxf6 14. Ng3 Qf7 {This novelty is the first choice of "Rybka". Even though, I am not sure that this is a real improvement over Radjabov's choice.} (14... Ba6 15. Kh1 Bxd3 16. cxd3 Rxf2 17. Rxf2 Bxf2 18. Nf5 Bb6 19. Qg4 (19. Qb3+ Kh8 20. Qc3 Qd7 $11) 19... Qf8 20. Rf1 g6 $11 {½-½ Carlsen,M (2690)-Radjabov,T (2729)/Monte Carlo 2007/CBM 117 ext (36)}) ({RR} 14... Ba6 15. Kh1 Bxd3 16. cxd3 Rxf2 17. Rxf2 Bxf2 18. Nf5 Bb6 19. Qg4 Qf8 20. Rf1 g6 21. Rf4 Kh8 22. Nd4 Qg7 23. Ne6 Qxb2 24. Rf1 Qe5 25. h4 Kg8 26. Ng5 Rf8 27. Rxf8+ Kxf8 28. Qf3+ Ke7 29. Qf7+ {Carlsen,M (2690)-Radjabov,T (2729) Monte Carlo 2007 ½-½ (36)}) ({RR} 14... Qg6 15. c4 Bg4 16. Qd2 h5 17. c5 dxc5 18. Ne5 Qh6 19. Qxh6 Rxh6 20. f3 Be6 21. Rfd1 h4 22. Ne2 h3 23. Nf4 c4+ 24. Kh1 hxg2+ 25. Kxg2 Rf8 26. Nfg6 Re8 27. f4 Bf7 28. f5 Bxg6 29. Nxg6 {Lagarde,M (2600)-Hacker,J (2391) Germany GER 2025 1-0 (44)}) 15. b3 $146 {Preparing to meet c8-a6 with c2-c4.} ({RR} 15. Kh1 Ba6 16. e5 Rh6 17. Qg4 dxe5 18. Nxe5 Qe6 19. Nf5 Rxh2+ 20. Kxh2 Qxe5+ 21. f4 Qf6 22. Rfe1 Rf8 23. Ne7+ Kh8 24. Re6 Qxb2 25. Rd1 Qxa2 26. Qf5 Ra8 27. Rh6 {1-0 (27) Piorun,K (2597)-Lagarde,M (2642) chess.com INT 2024}) ({RR} 15. Kh1 Ba6 16. e5 Rh6 17. Qg4 dxe5 18. Nxe5 Qe6 19. Nf5 Rxh2+ 20. Kxh2 Qxe5+ 21. f4 Qf6 22. Rfe1 Rf8 23. Ne7+ Kh8 24. Re6 Qxb2 25. Rd1 Qxa2 26. Qf5 Ra8 27. Rh6 {1-0 (27) Piorun,K (2597)-Lagarde,M (2642) chess.com INT 2024}) 15... Be6 16. Qd2 Rf8 17. Rae1 Rh6 18. Qc3 {Covering the f6-square is important against the transfer of Black's queen to the h-file.} (18. c4 $2 Qf6 {[%cal Gf6h4]} 19. h3 Bxh3 $1 20. gxh3 Qh4 21. Re3 Qxh3 22. Rfe1 Bd4 $1 $19 {[%cal Rh6g6,Rg6g3] White is simply helpless against the threat h6-g6-xg3.}) 18... Rf6 $6 (18... Qe7 $6 {[%cal Ge7h4]} 19. Nf5 Bxf5 20. exf5 Qh4 21. h3 $16) ({Worth consideration is:} 18... Qd7 $5 {with the idea 19...h3!}) 19. Re2 $2 {The reason for not capturing the c6 remains unclear for me.} (19. Qxc6 Bd7 (19... Bxf2+ 20. Nxf2 Rxf2 21. Nf5 Rxf1+ 22. Rxf1 $16) (19... h5 20. h3 h4 21. Nf5 Bd7 22. Qc3 Bxf5 23. exf5 Rxf5 24. Re2 $14) 20. Qc3 Rxf2 (20... h5 21. Nf5 Bxf5 22. exf5 Rxf5 23. Re2 $14) 21. Nxf2 Bxf2+ 22. Kh1 Bxe1 23. Qxe1 $16) 19... Bg4 20. Rd2 $2 {[%mdl 8192] And this is just a tactical oversight.} (20. Ree1 Rxf2 21. Nxf2 Bxf2+ 22. Kh1 Bxe1 23. Qxe1 Qe7 24. Rxf8+ Qxf8 25. h3 Bd7 26. Kh2 $11) {[%tqu "En","How can Black win material?","","","b6e3","The rook is trapped.",5]} 20... Be3 $1 {The rook is trapped.} 21. h3 Bxd2 22. Qxd2 Bc8 23. f4 h5 $1 {This pawn will kick away the white knight from g3 and the e4 will become a target.} 24. f5 h4 25. Ne2 Re8 $2 (25... d5 $2 26. Ne5 Qh5 27. Ng4 R6f7 28. Ne5 {and the rook can't escape.}) ({But, after the correct} 25... Qe7 $1 26. Nf2 (26. Qf4 Bxf5 $19) 26... d5 27. Ng4 R6f7 {Black's rook is getting the f7 square. Meanwhile, White's position in the centre is collapsing.}) 26. Nf2 d5 27. Ng4 Rxe4 28. Nxf6+ Qxf6 29. Nc1 Bxf5 $2 {Allows White to escape with a draw.} ({After} 29... Re5 $1 30. Nd3 Rxf5 {Black could still be a pawn up. It is difficult to say whether Black can win this or not but, his advantage is indisputable.}) 30. Qf2 {[%csl Ra7,Rf5] Double threat.} Bg6 31. Qxa7 Rf4 {Black does not have more than a draw now.} 32. Rxf4 Qxf4 33. Nd3 Bxd3 34. cxd3 Qc1+ 35. Kh2 Qf4+ 36. Kg1 {Not the best game from both brilliant players.} 1/2-1/2

[Event "Grand Slam Final 1st"]
[Site "Bilbao"]
[Date "2008.09.10"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Topalov, Veselin"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B78"]
[WhiteElo "2777"]
[BlackElo "2775"]
[Annotator "Rogozenco,Dorian"]
[PlyCount "95"]
[EventDate "2008.09.02"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 126"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2008.10.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2008.10.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 g6 {One of the theoretical highlights of year 2008 has undoubtedly been the appearance of the Dragon Sicilian on the highest level. This happened thanks to efforts of Magnus Carlsen, who starting with the tournament in Baku (April 2008) fearlessly implemented the Dragon against 1.e4 in almost all his Black games. The Norwegian found new ideas and came with a fresh look at many Sicilian Dragon positions. In this extremely important game (a direct fight for the tournament victory in the Grand Slam Final) Magnus remains true to his style and goes for the Dragon again.  On the other side Veselin Topalov shouldn't be invited twice to challenge his opponents in principled opening variations. The Bulgarian goes for what represents the most critical variation of the Sicilian Dragon these days.} 6. Be3 Bg7 7. f3 Nc6 8. Qd2 O-O 9. Bc4 Bd7 10. O-O-O Rc8 ({At this moment "the Chinese Variation" -} 10... Rb8 {is a worthy alternative to the main 10...c8. Its theory's development still has a long way before coming to sensible conclusions.}) 11. Bb3 Ne5 12. Kb1 {About ten years ago this strong waiting move, useful in many further complications, started quickly to gain popularity and meanwhile became White's main weapon against the Dragon. Black's problem is that all active moves have certain drawbacks.} (12. g4 b5 $1 {[%csl Rf3]}) 12... a6 {This is one of Magnus' amazing findings in the Dragon. The modest advance of the a-pawn used to have a very bad reputation: those players who tried 12...a6 in the past (also including GMs) were simply swept away in those games. This is explained by the fact that White starts a direct attack next and the move 12...a6 usually turns out to be a loss of tempo. Certainly Carlsen analyzed and tested the position a lot and must have come to the surprising conclusion that Black has sufficient potential for defence and counterplay.  We'll see that actually the Norwegian wonderboy might be right - Black's position has indeed many hidden resources. But there is still a big problem: now even a small inaccuracy in defence from Black can easily be fatal. Thus in order to play well the resulting positions both sides (and especially Black) need the precision of a computer.} ({Practice has shown that White retains better prospects after the more active moves:} 12... a5 13. a4) (12... b5 13. Ndxb5) (12... Nc4 13. Bxc4 Rxc4 14. g4 b5 {Comparied to 12.g4 b5, here the f3-pawn is not under attack and White can take on b5:} 15. b3 $1 Rc8 16. Ndxb5 {Theeory has established that Black has serious problems here.}) ({In the past decade Black's main reply has become the defensive waiting move:} 12... Re8) 13. h4 ({In the second round of the same tournament (a week prior to the present game) Ivanchuk against Carlsen continued} 13. Rhe1 {Surprisingly, this move required from the Ukrainian around 40 minutes of thinking over the board.  Then after} b5 14. Bh6 Bxh6 15. Qxh6 {instead of the typical, but rather questionable exchange sacrifice on c3, Black had the attractive possibility} a5 (15... Rxc3 16. bxc3 a5 17. f4 Neg4 18. Qh4 a4 19. Bxf7+ {In the game the following wild complications lead to a draw, but there are possibilities to improve:} Rxf7 20. e5 Nd5 21. e6 Nxc3+ 22. Kc1 ({White has the advantage after} 22. Ka1 $1 Bxe6 23. Nxe6 Qc8 24. Rd4 Nxa2 25. Qh3 $1 Qxc2 26. Qf3) 22... Bxe6 23. Nxe6 Qa5 24. Qxg4 Nxa2+ 25. Kb2 Qc3+ 26. Kxa2 Qxc2+ 27. Ka1 Qc3+ 28. Kb1 Qb3+ 29. Ka1 Qc3+ {½-½ Ivanchuk,V (2781)-Carlsen,M (2775)/Bilbao 2008}) 16. Ndxb5 Bxb5 17. Nxb5 a4 18. Bxa4 (18. Bd5 Qb6 19. Nd4 Rc5 $40) 18... Qa5 19. b3 Rc5 $44) 13... h5 14. g4 hxg4 15. h5 Nxh5 16. Rdg1 {The most critical position of the line 12.b1 these days.} Rc5 $146 {Carlsen doesn't wait for Topalov to demonstrate his preparation and instead comes up with a good novelty. The queen is kept on d8 for defence.} ({Previously} 16... Qa5 {was played:} 17. Bh6 Bf6 $5 (17... Rxc3 $2 {turned out to lose right away in the rapid game Anand-Carlsen, Mainz 2008:} 18. Bxg7 Kxg7 19. Rxh5 $1 $18) (17... Rc5 {is the position which could also arise in the main game, see 17...a5 instead of 17...h7.} 18. Rh4 Nxf3 19. Nxf3 Bxc3 20. bxc3 Qxc3 21. Qxc3 Rxc3 22. Bxf8 Kxf8) 18. fxg4 Bxg4 {and now instead of accepting the positional exchange sacrifice White must disturb the stability of the black pieces on the kingside with the surprising} 19. Bf4 {which leads to advantage.} (19. Bxf8 Kxf8 20. Qe3 Rxc3 21. Qxc3 (21. bxc3 $5) 21... Qxc3 22. bxc3 e6 {0-1 Karjakin,S (2727)-Radjabov,T (2744)/Sochi 2008 (52). offered Black excellent compensation for two exchanges.})) (16... Nc4 17. Bxc4 Rxc4 18. fxg4 Nf6 19. Nf5 $1 $40) 17. Bh6 ({The immediate} 17. f4 $5 {was an interesting alternative:} Nc4 18. Bxc4 Rxc4 19. f5 e5 ({After} 19... Nf6 20. Bh6 $1 {Black probably must play the dubious position by retreating the bishop to h8, since} ({Not} 20. fxg6 $2 fxg6 $17) 20... Nxe4 21. Nxe4 {wins for White:} Rxd4 (21... Bxd4 22. f6 $1 $18) 22. Qh2 $18) (19... Qa5 20. Rxg4 Rxc3 (20... Rfc8 21. Rxh5 $1 Rxc3 (21... gxh5 22. Rg1 $18) 22. bxc3 {is the same}) 21. bxc3 Rc8 22. Rxh5 Rxc3 $1 (22... gxh5 23. Rg1 $18) (22... Qxc3 23. Rh2 $18) 23. Rh2 Qb6+ 24. Kc1 Rxe3 25. Qxe3 Qxd4 $14 (25... Bxd4 26. Qb3 $14)) 20. fxe6 fxe6 21. Rxg4 Qf6 22. Nde2 $44) 17... Kh7 $1 {Forcing the exchange of bishops on g7 reduces White's attacking potential (apart from gaining more air for the king, the rook will be able to go to h8 and the pawn on g6 won't be pinned anymore).} ({After other moves Black is in troubles:} 17... Qa5 18. Rh4 $1 Nxf3 19. Nxf3 gxf3 ({Better is to exchange queens with} 19... Bxc3 20. bxc3 Qxc3 21. Qxc3 Rxc3 22. Bxf8 Kxf8 {even if after} 23. Ng5 {There is no question about White's advantage. E.g.} Kg7 24. Bxf7 Kf6 25. e5+ $1 Kxg5 26. e6 Bxe6 27. Bxe6 Nf6 (27... Kxh4 28. Rxg4+ Kh3 29. Rc4+ $18) 28. Rh2 $16) 20. Rxg6 $18) (17... b5 18. Nd5 $16 e6 $140 19. fxg4 Nxg4 20. Rxg4 exd5 21. Nf5 $18) ({The positional exchange sacrifice is not sufficient here:} 17... Bf6 18. Bxf8 Kxf8 (18... Qxf8 19. Nd5 Bg7 20. fxg4 Bxg4 21. Qg5 $40) 19. fxg4 Bxg4 20. Nd5 {An important resource. With the queen on a5 (as in Karjakin-Radjabov, see 16...a5) White can't play this.} Bg7 21. Ne3 Bd7 22. Nef5 $36) ({Or} 17... Bh8 18. fxg4 Bxg4 19. Bxf8 Qxf8 (19... Kxf8 20. Qf2 $16) 20. Rh4 $36) 18. Bxg7 Kxg7 19. f4 ({Again White had an interesting alternative:} 19. fxg4 {after which Black needs to play extremely precisely:} Nxg4 (19... Bxg4 $2 20. Rxh5 gxh5 (20... Bxh5 21. Nf5+ $18) 21. Nf5+ Kf6 22. Qh6+ Ng6 23. Nh4 $18) 20. Nd5 (20. Nf5+ {looks less attractive to me} Rxf5 $5 (20... Bxf5 21. exf5 Ngf6 22. fxg6 fxg6 23. Qg2 Nf4 24. Qxb7 $13) 21. exf5 Bxf5 $13) 20... Rh8 21. Nf5+ Bxf5 (21... gxf5 $2 22. Qg5+ $18) 22. exf5 Nhf6 23. Rxh8 Qxh8 24. fxg6 fxg6 {Strangely enough, Black seems to keep the balance here:} 25. Nf4 ({After} 25. Nxe7 Re5 26. Qxd6 {a possible variation is} Qf8 27. Be6 Ne4 28. Qd7 Nc5 29. Nxg6+ Kxg6 30. Rxg4+ Kf6 31. Rf4+ Kg5 {with a draw due to the back rank weakness.}) 25... Re5 26. Ne6+ Kg8 {and the analysis shows that White has little better than repeating moves. However, for the Black side to evaluate correctly such a position and find all this over the board is far from easy.} 27. Nf4+ Kg7 28. Ne6+ Kg8 $11) ({With the king on g7 the move} 19. Rh4 $2 {is just bad, since after} Nxf3 ({or} 19... e6 {[%cal Gd8h4]}) 20. Nxf3 gxf3 {pawn g6 is protected (unlike in the variation 17...a5 18.h4).}) 19... Nc4 20. Bxc4 Rxc4 21. f5 e5 $1 (21... Rh8 {offers White nice compensation for the pawn:} 22. Rxg4 e5 (22... Nf6 23. Rgh4 $16) (22... Qb6 23. Nce2 $16) 23. fxe6 Bxe6 (23... fxe6 24. Rhg1 Rh6 25. e5 $1 $18) 24. Nxe6+ fxe6 25. Qg2 (25. Rhg1 Rh6 26. Qg2 Qe8 {and Black holds somehow}) 25... Rh6 (25... Qf6 $2 26. e5 $18) 26. Ne2 $44) 22. Nde2 ({Black is doing fine after} 22. fxe6 fxe6 23. Nde2 (23. Rxg4 $2 e5 24. Nf5+ (24. Rxh5 Rf1+ 25. Nd1 Bxg4 26. Qh6+ Kf7 $19) 24... Bxf5 25. Rxh5 Bxg4 26. Qh6+ Kf7 27. Qh7+ Ke8 28. Qxg6+ Kd7 29. Qxg4+ Kc6 {and the king successfully escapes}) 23... e5 24. Qxd6 Qe8 {with at least equal play}) 22... Rh8 {Again the only move to keep the position alive. Black must cover the h6-square in order to retreat the knight after the coming xg4.} 23. b3 {Before taking on g4 White must drive his opponent's rook away from the fourth rank.} ({After the immediate} 23. Rxg4 {Black exploitss the pin on the e-pawn:} Bxf5) (23. Qxd6 {leads to a good endgame for Black:} Bc6 24. Qxe5+ Qf6 25. Qxf6+ Nxf6 26. Rxh8 Kxh8 27. e5 Ne4 $15) 23... Rc6 $146 {Up till now Carlsen has defended very well, but now he makes a mistake, which is enough to lose such dangerous positions.} ({The only move was} 23... Rc8 $1 {Protecting once again square h8 was more important than defending pawn d6.} 24. Rxg4 (24. fxg6 fxg6 25. Qxd6 Qe8 $13) 24... Nf6 25. Rgg1 ({After} 25. Rxh8 Qxh8 26. Rg1 {Black can already consider} Rc6 {since the plan g3 and h1 is no longer dangerous due to the possibility to activate the queen:} 27. Ng3 (27. Qe1 Qh5 28. Rh1 Qg5) 27... Qh6 $13) 25... Qe7 {Black rooks are connected and although White has compensation for the pawn thanks to the pressure on the open files, the position remains balanced:} 26. Ng3 Rxh1 27. Rxh1 Rh8 $13 {Thus we can conclude that with the correct 23...c8 Black would have kept a playable position.}) ({RR} 23... Rc8 24. Rxg4 Nf6 25. Rgg1 Qe7 26. Ng3 Rxh1 27. Rxh1 Rh8 28. Rf1 Rg8 29. Nd1 Kf8 30. Ne3 g5 31. Nd5 Nxd5 32. exd5 f6 33. Rh1 e4 34. Re1 Qe5 35. Nxe4 Bxf5 36. Nc5 Qf4 37. Qe2 Kf7 38. Qe7+ {Haring,F (2309)-Turcan,R (2172) Liptovsky Mikulas 2019 ½-½ (102)}) ({RR} 23... Rc8 24. Rxg4 Nf6 25. Rgg1 Qe7 26. Ng3 Rxh1 27. Rxh1 Rh8 28. Rxh8 Kxh8 29. Qh6+ Kg8 30. fxg6 fxg6 31. Qxg6+ Qg7 32. Qxg7+ Kxg7 33. Kc1 Kg6 34. Kd2 Kg5 35. Ke3 Kg4 36. Nf1 Bc6 37. a4 b6 38. Nd2 {Viczencz,P (2055)-Turcan,R (2172) Liptovsky Mikulas 2019 ½-½ (59)}) 24. Rxg4 {White's main idea is to pin the knight (gh4), then continue d5, after which Black will find himself almost in zugzwang. Therefore Black must retreat the knight, but then White takes control over the h-file...} Nf6 25. Rgg1 $1 $16 {/+- Suddenly it turns out that Black cannot defend against g3, followed by xh8 and h1, creating a decisive attack on the h-file.} (25. Rgh4 $4 {runs into} Nxe4 $1 $19 {[%csl Rh1,Rh4][%cal Gh8h1,Gd8h4]}) 25... Rxh1 26. Rxh1 Ng4 {A nice way to protect the h6-square, but the knight on g4 is not stable and therefore it does not solve Black's defensive task.} (26... Nh5 27. Nd5 $18) 27. Ng3 Kg8 28. Nd5 {Complete domination. Black's position is hopeless.} Rc5 29. Ne3 {Topalov goes for a simple position, rightly assessing it as clearly better for White.} ({Variations like} 29. Qg2 Rxd5 30. fxg6 {also favor White, but 29.e3 is more practical.} (30. Qh3 $2 Rd1+ 31. Rxd1 Nf2) ({After} 30. exd5 Bxf5 31. Nxf5 gxf5 {Black keeps possibilities for counterplay})) 29... Nxe3 (29... Qg5 30. Qxd6 $18) 30. Qxe3 Qf6 31. Qh6 Qg7 32. Qg5 f6 33. Qd2 {Black cannot protect his weaknesses on the entire board.} Rc6 ({After} 33... g5 {White has two good solutions:} {the simple} 34. Qxd6 ({or} 34. Nh5 Qe7 35. Qh2 {and wins due to the threat f4, coming with the knight either to g6 or e6.}) 34... Rc6 35. Qd5+ $16) 34. Kb2 $6 {Completely unnecessary.} (34. Qa5 {wins at once:} b6 (34... Rc8 35. Qd5+ Kf8 36. fxg6 $18) 35. Qxa6 Rc8 (35... gxf5 36. Qa8+ Kf7 37. Nxf5 $18) 36. Qb7 gxf5 37. Qd5+ Kf8 38. Qxd6+ $18) 34... gxf5 ({Carlsen misses the opportunity} 34... Be8 $1 35. fxg6 ({Now after} 35. Qa5 {Black has} Qc7 36. Qd5+ Bf7) 35... Bxg6 {and White has no direct win.}) 35. Qa5 Qe7 (35... b6 36. Qd5+ Kf8 37. Nxf5 $16) 36. Qd5+ Be6 37. Qd1 $1 ({Due to the unfortunate position of the king on b2} 37. Nxf5 {allows Black a counter-sacrifice} Rxc2+ $1 {and White's advantage is questionable after} (37... Bxd5 38. Nxe7+ Kf8 39. Nxd5 $18) 38. Ka1 (38. Kxc2 $4 Qc7+ 39. Kb2 Bxd5 $19) 38... Qd7 39. Qd3 Bxf5 $1 (39... Rg2 40. Qh3 $18) 40. Qxc2 (40. exf5 Rc7 $1 $11) 40... Bg6 $13) 37... Qg7 38. exf5 Bf7 (38... Qxg3 39. Rg1 $18) 39. Ne4 Kf8 40. Nxd6 Ke7 ({More stubborn is} 40... Bg8 {although it would have not changed the result.} {After} 41. Ne4 {the black king is too exposed.}) 41. Nxb7 {The rest is simple - White has a material advantage and a winning attack.} Qg8 42. Qd2 (42. Rh7 $1 Qxh7 $140 43. Qd8#) 42... Rb6 43. Rd1 Qc8 44. Nd6 {The technical decision.} (44. Nd8 Qc7 45. Nxf7 Kxf7 46. Qd5+ Kf8 47. Rg1 $18) 44... Qd7 45. Nxf7 Qxd2 46. Rxd2 Kxf7 47. c4 Ke7 48. Kc3 1-0

[Event "Grand Slam Final 1st"]
[Site "Bilbao"]
[Date "2008.09.12"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Radjabov, Teimour"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B12"]
[WhiteElo "2744"]
[BlackElo "2775"]
[PlyCount "106"]
[EventDate "2008.09.02"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 126"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2008.10.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2008.10.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. e5 c5 4. Nf3 cxd4 5. Nxd4 e6 6. Nd2 Nc6 7. N2f3 Nge7 8. Bd3 ({RR} 8. Nxc6 Nxc6 9. Bd3 Nb4 10. h4 Bd7 11. h5 h6 12. Be2 Qc7 13. c3 Nc6 14. Bf4 f6 15. Bb5 Nxe5 16. Bxe5 fxe5 17. Bxd7+ Kxd7 18. Qa4+ Kd8 19. Qg4 Qd6 20. O-O-O Be7 21. Qxg7 Kc7 22. Qxe5 Qxe5 {Maghsoodloo,P (2701)-Jumabayev,R (2631) Abu Dhabi 2021 1-0 (38)}) 8... Bd7 ({RR} 8... Nxd4 9. Nxd4 Nc6 10. Nxc6 bxc6 11. O-O a5 12. Qe2 Qb6 13. c4 Ba6 14. Be3 Bc5 15. Bxc5 Qxc5 16. Rac1 Qb6 17. Rc2 O-O 18. Rfc1 h6 19. b3 a4 20. bxa4 Qa5 21. h3 Qxa4 22. Qe3 Bxc4 23. Bxc4 {Blomqvist,E (2486)-Seo,J (2480) Uppsala SWE 2025 ½-½}) 9. O-O Ng6 $146 ({RR} 9... Nxd4 10. Nxd4 Nc6 11. Nxc6 Bxc6 12. Qg4 Qc7 13. Re1 g6 14. Be3 Be7 15. Bd4 Qd7 16. c3 Bb5 17. Bc2 Qc7 18. a4 Bd7 19. Re3 Bc5 20. Bxc5 Qxc5 21. Rf3 Rc8 22. Qf4 Qe7 23. Rd1 Rc4 24. Rd4 {Gumularz,S (2473)-Serarols Mabras,B (2363) Skopje 2019 1-0 (37)}) 10. Nxc6 bxc6 11. c4 Be7 12. Be3 Qb8 13. Bxg6 hxg6 14. Qc2 a5 15. Rfc1 O-O 16. Qe2 Rc8 17. Rc3 Qc7 18. Rac1 Qd8 19. a3 dxc4 20. Rd1 c5 21. Qxc4 Rab8 22. Rcd3 Rc7 23. R3d2 Qe8 24. Ng5 Ba4 25. Rc1 Bxg5 26. Bxg5 Qb5 27. Be3 Qxc4 28. Rxc4 Bb3 29. Rc3 a4 30. Bxc5 g5 31. f3 Kh7 32. Kf2 Rb5 33. Bd6 Rd7 34. Rcd3 Kg6 35. Rd4 f6 36. h3 Rd8 37. Kg3 Rd7 38. Kf2 Rd8 39. Re2 Rc8 40. Bb4 Rd5 41. Rxd5 Bxd5 42. Bc3 f5 43. Rd2 Rc4 44. Ke3 g4 45. hxg4 fxg4 46. Rd4 Rxd4 47. Bxd4 Kf5 48. Bc3 gxf3 49. gxf3 g5 50. Bd4 Bb3 51. Bc3 Bd5 52. Bd4 Bb3 53. Bc3 Bd5 1/2-1/2

[Event "EU-Cup 24th"]
[Site "Kallithea"]
[Date "2008.10.20"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Radjabov, Teimour"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C67"]
[WhiteElo "2751"]
[BlackElo "2786"]
[PlyCount "62"]
[EventDate "2008.10.17"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "GRE"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 127"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2008.11.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2008.11.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Ural Sverdlovskaya"]
[BlackTeam "Erevan MIKA"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "RUS"]
[BlackTeamCountry "ARM"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. d4 Nd6 6. Bxc6 dxc6 7. dxe5 Nf5 8. Qxd8+ Kxd8 9. Nc3 Ke8 10. h3 b6 11. a3 ({RR} 11. Bf4 Bb4 12. Ne4 Ba6 13. Rfc1 Be2 14. Nfd2 Bxd2 15. Nxd2 Nd4 16. Be3 Nf5 17. Bf4 Nd4 18. Be3 Nf5 19. Bf4 Nd4 {½-½ (19) Topalov,V (2772)-Carlsen,M (2877) Saint Louis 2014}) 11... Bb7 12. Bf4 ({RR} 12. Rd1 h5 13. Bf4 Ne7 14. e6 fxe6 15. Bxc7 Nd5 16. Be5 Rd8 17. Ne4 Rg8 18. c4 Be7 19. cxd5 exd5 20. Ng3 g6 21. Re1 Kf7 22. Bf4 Bf6 23. Ng5+ Bxg5 24. Bxg5 Rde8 25. f3 c5 26. Kf2 d4 {Hodgson,J (2072)-Combie,A (1950) Lichess.org INT 2021 1-0 (45)}) 12... c5 $146 ({RR} 12... Rc8 13. Rfe1 c5 14. Nd2 Nd4 15. Rac1 Be7 16. Nce4 Rd8 17. Bh2 Kd7 18. c3 Ne6 19. f4 g6 20. g4 Kc8 21. Nf3 c4 22. f5 gxf5 23. gxf5 Rhg8+ 24. Kf1 Nc5 25. Nxc5 Bxc5 26. Nd4 Bg2+ 27. Kf2 {Berg,E (2594)-Carlsen,M (2801) Oslo 2009 0-1 (45)}) 13. Rad1 Bxf3 14. gxf3 c6 15. Be3 Rd8 16. Ne4 Be7 17. f4 f6 18. Rxd8+ Kxd8 19. Ng3 Nh4 20. Rd1+ Kc8 21. Kf1 c4 22. Ke2 Rd8 23. Rd4 Rxd4 24. Bxd4 c5 25. Bc3 fxe5 26. fxe5 Kd7 27. Ke3 Ke6 28. Ke4 g6 29. a4 a6 30. f4 Nf5 31. Nxf5 gxf5+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "Olympiad-38"]
[Site "Dresden"]
[Date "2008.11.13"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Ragger, Markus"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C95"]
[WhiteElo "2786"]
[BlackElo "2518"]
[PlyCount "131"]
[EventDate "2008.11.13"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 128"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2009.01.28"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2009.01.28"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Norway"]
[BlackTeam "Austria"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "NOR"]
[BlackTeamCountry "AUT"]

1. e4 {Ernst,Thomas} e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 d6 8. c3 O-O 9. h3 Nb8 10. d4 Nbd7 11. Nbd2 Bb7 12. Bc2 Re8 13. a4 Bf8 14. Bd3 c6 15. b3 Qc7 ({RR} 15... g6 16. Ba3 ({RR} 16. Bb2 Bg7 ({RR} 16... exd4 17. cxd4 d5 18. e5 Nh5 19. Nf1 Nf4 20. Bc2 c5 21. dxc5 Nxc5) 17. Bf1 ({RR} 17. Qc2 Qb6 ({RR} 17... Rc8 18. c4 exd4 19. Bxd4 Nh5 20. Bxg7 Nxg7 21. b4 a5) ({RR} 17... Nh5 18. Bf1 Nf4 19. Rad1 ({RR} 19. Rab1 Ne6 20. Ba1 Qc7 21. b4 Rad8 22. Qa2) 19... Ne6) 18. b4 c5 19. bxc5 dxc5 20. dxe5 ({RR} 20. Nxe5 Nxe5 21. dxe5 Nd7 22. c4 b4 23. f4 g5) 20... Nh5) 17... Qb6 18. Qc2 Rac8 ({RR} 18... Nh5 19. b4 Nf4 20. dxe5 Nxe5 21. Nxe5 dxe5 22. c4) 19. Rad1 Nh5 20. b4) 16... Qc7 ({RR} 16... Nh5 17. Qc2 ({RR} 17. Bf1 Qb6 18. b4 Rad8 19. Bb2 c5) 17... Nf4 18. Bf1 Qc7 19. g3 Ne6 20. Bb2 Bg7 21. b4) 17. Qc2 Bg7 ({RR} 17... Rad8 18. Rab1 d5 19. Bxf8 Kxf8 20. b4 dxe4 21. Bxe4 exd4 22. cxd4) ({RR} 17... Rac8 18. Rab1 ({RR} 18. Rad1 Qb6 19. Bf1 c5 20. d5 Rb8) 18... Qb8 19. Qa2 Bg7 20. dxe5 dxe5 21. c4 Ba8 22. b4) 18. Rad1 ({RR} 18. Bf1 d5 19. exd5 Nxd5 20. c4 b4 21. cxd5 bxa3) ({RR} 18. Rab1 Rad8 19. Bf1 d5) 18... d5 19. exd5 Nxd5 20. Ne4 exd4 21. cxd4 b4 22. Bb2 a5 23. Bc4) ({RR} 15... Rb8 16. Ba3 Nh5 17. Bf1 Nf4 18. Qc2 Bc8) 16. Bb2 g6 17. Qc2 Bg7 18. Bf1 ({RR} 18. c4 bxa4 19. c5 axb3 20. Nxb3 Bf8 21. cxd6 Bxd6 22. dxe5 Nxe5 23. Nxe5 Bxe5 24. Nc5 Nd7 25. Nxb7 Qxb7 26. Reb1 Qc7 27. Bxe5 Qxe5 28. Rc1 c5 29. Ra5 Qd4 30. Rd1 Qb4 31. Ra4 Qb7 32. Rda1 Nb6 {Cahaya,S (2360)-Ervan,M (2383) Bandung INA 2025 ½-½ (36)}) 18... Rac8 19. Rad1 bxa4 $146 ({RR} 19... Qb8 20. Qb1 Re6 21. axb5 axb5 22. c4 bxc4 23. Bxc4 Re7 24. dxe5 dxe5 25. Ba3 c5 26. b4 Qa8 27. Qb3 h6 28. Nh4 Nf8 29. bxc5 Bc6 30. Ra1 Rd8 31. Bb2 Qc8 32. Qe3 Ne6 33. Nhf3 Nd7 34. Nb3 {Djukic,N (2567)-Hansen,E (2629) Batumi 2018 1-0 (42)}) ({RR} 19... Qb8 20. g3 Nf8 21. Bg2 Ne6 22. b4 Nd7 23. axb5 axb5 24. dxe5 Nxe5 25. Nd4 c5 26. bxc5 Nxc5 27. Re3 Nc4 28. Nxc4 bxc4 29. Ba3 Nd3 30. Rb1 Qa8 31. Nb5 d5 32. Nd6 d4 33. cxd4 Qxa3 34. Nxe8 {Ponomariov,R (2718)-Ivanchuk,V (2781) Moscow 2008 0-1 (36)}) ({RR} 19... Qb8 20. Qb1 Ba8 21. Qa2 Nh5 22. b4 Re7 23. c4 exd4 24. Bxd4 Bxd4 25. Nxd4 c5 26. Nc2 bxa4 27. Qxa4 cxb4 28. Nxb4 Nc5 29. Qa3 Qa7 ({RR} 29... Nxe4 30. Nxe4 Rxe4 31. Rxe4 Bxe4 32. Nxa6) 30. Re3 Rce8 31. Rde1 Nf6 ({RR} 31... Nxe4 32. Qxa6 Qxa6 33. Nxa6) 32. f3 h5 33. h4 Qb6 34. Kh1 {Steingrimsson,H (2420)-Hauchard,A (2450) Reykjavik 1993 CBM 035 [Ernst,Thomas] 1-0 (57)}) 20. bxa4 d5 21. dxe5 Nxe4 22. Nxe4 dxe4 23. Ng5 Rxe5 24. Bc1 Re7 25. Rxe4 Ne5 26. f4 h6 27. fxe5 hxg5 28. e6 f5 29. Ree1 Bf6 30. Bc4 Kg7 31. Qd3 Qa5 32. h4 gxh4 33. Qe3 g5 34. Rd7 Rce8 35. Rxe7+ Rxe7 36. Ba3 f4 37. Qd3 c5 38. Re2 f3 39. gxf3 Qc7 40. Qe3 h3 41. f4 Qxf4 42. Qxf4 gxf4 43. Bxc5 Re8 44. Bd4 Bc6 45. Kh2 Kg6 46. Bxa6 Bxa4 47. Bd3+ Kg5 48. Ra2 Bxd4 49. cxd4 Bb3 50. Ra5+ Kf6 51. Rf5+ Ke7 52. d5 Kd6 53. Be4 Re7 54. Bf3 Ra7 55. Kxh3 Rg7 56. Rxf4 Ba2 57. Kh4 Bb3 58. Rb4 Ba2 59. Rg4 Rxg4+ 60. Kxg4 Bb1 61. Kf4 Bh7 62. Bg2 Bg6 63. Kg5 Be8 64. Kf6 Bh5 65. Be4 Be8 66. Bf3 1-0

[Event "Olympiad-38"]
[Site "Dresden"]
[Date "2008.11.21"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Navara, David"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C92"]
[WhiteElo "2786"]
[BlackElo "2633"]
[PlyCount "99"]
[EventDate "2008.11.13"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 128"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2009.01.28"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2009.01.28"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Norway"]
[BlackTeam "Czech Republic"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "NOR"]
[BlackTeamCountry "CZE"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. d3 d6 7. c3 O-O 8. Re1 Re8 9. Nbd2 Bf8 10. h3 b5 11. Bc2 Bb7 12. d4 g6 13. d5 Ne7 14. Nf1 Bg7 15. b3 Nxe4 16. Bxe4 f5 17. Bc2 Nxd5 $146 ({RR} 17... e4 18. Nd4 Nxd5 19. Ne2 Nxc3 20. Nxc3 Bxc3 21. Rb1 c5 22. Bb2 Bxb2 23. Rxb2 d5 24. Qc1 d4 25. Bd1 Qd6 26. Rc2 Rac8 27. Qg5 Qe5 28. h4 f4 29. Bg4 Qxg5 30. hxg5 Rc7 31. Rd1 d3 32. Rc3 {Geller,E (2540)-Eingorn,V (2525) Riga 1985 0-1 (46)}) 18. b4 Nxc3 19. Bb3+ d5 20. Qc2 Ne4 21. Rxe4 fxe4 22. Ng5 a5 23. bxa5 Rxa5 24. Nxe4 Kh8 25. Bg5 Qc8 26. Nf6 Rd8 27. Ne3 e4 28. Rc1 h6 29. Nxe4 dxe4 30. Bxd8 Qxd8 31. Qxc7 Qxc7 32. Rxc7 Ba6 33. Nd5 b4 34. Ra7 Bd4 35. Ra8+ Kh7 36. Nxb4 Rf5 37. Rxa6 Rxf2 38. Rd6 Rd2+ 39. Kf1 e3 40. Rxd4 Rxd4 41. Nd5 Rd3 42. Ke1 h5 43. Bc4 Rd4 44. Nxe3 Kh6 45. a4 Kg5 46. a5 Kf4 47. Kf2 Rd2+ 48. Be2 Ke4 49. a6 Ra2 50. h4 1-0

[Event "Olympiad-38"]
[Site "Dresden"]
[Date "2008.11.22"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Beliavsky, Alexander G"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C87"]
[WhiteElo "2786"]
[BlackElo "2619"]
[PlyCount "161"]
[EventDate "2008.11.13"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 128"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2009.01.28"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2009.01.28"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Norway"]
[BlackTeam "Slovenia"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "NOR"]
[BlackTeamCountry "SLO"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. d3 d6 7. c3 O-O 8. Re1 Bg4 9. h3 Bh5 10. Nbd2 Nd7 11. Nf1 Nc5 12. Bxc6 ({RR} 12. Bc2 Ne6 13. Ng3 Bxf3 14. Qxf3 Bg5 15. Be3 g6 16. b4 Kh8 17. Bb3 Ng7 18. Bd5 f5 19. exf5 gxf5 20. Bxg5 Qxg5 21. a4 e4 22. dxe4 Ne5 23. Qd1 f4 24. Nf1 f3 25. g3 Nh5 26. Qc1 Nf4 {Suleymanli,A (2632)-Aravindh,C (2698) Shusha AZE 2024 0-1}) 12... bxc6 13. g4 ({RR} 13. Ng3 Bg6 14. d4 exd4 15. cxd4 Ne6 16. Be3 d5 17. Ne5 dxe4 18. Nxc6 Qd7 19. d5 Bf6 20. dxe6 Qxc6 21. exf7+ Rxf7 22. Rc1 Qe6 23. b3 Be5 24. Qc2 Bd6 25. Qc6 Raf8 26. Qxa6 Qe5 27. Qc4 h5 {Tarigan,G (2416)-Priasmoro,N (2437) Bandung INA 2025 ½-½ (32)}) 13... Bg6 14. Ng3 Ne6 $146 ({RR} 14... f6 15. d4 Nd7 16. Be3 Kh8 17. c4 Rb8 18. b3 d5 19. exd5 cxd5 20. cxd5 Rb5 21. Qe2 Qa8 22. Rad1 Rxd5 23. dxe5 Rxd1 24. Rxd1 Nxe5 25. Nxe5 fxe5 26. Qc4 {½-½ (26) Jansa,V (2515)-Stocek,J (2586) Karlovy Vary 2005}) ({RR} 14... f6 15. Nf5 d5 16. Qe2 Re8 17. b3 Bf8 18. N3h4 Bf7 19. Ng3 a5 20. Nhf5 Ne6 21. Be3 a4 22. Qc2 axb3 23. axb3 Qb8 24. Rxa8 Qxa8 25. Qb2 Rb8 26. Ra1 Qb7 27. b4 c5 28. b5 d4 29. Bd2 {Jaracz,B (2282)-Hladik,J (2200) Pardubice 2006 ½-½ (42)}) 15. Kg2 c5 16. Rh1 f6 17. h4 d5 18. c4 dxe4 19. dxe4 Qxd1 20. Rxd1 Rfd8 21. Be3 Nd4 22. Rd2 Bf7 23. Rc1 Rab8 24. Ne1 a5 25. Nd3 Be6 26. f3 a4 27. Nf5 Bf8 28. Bf2 Nc6 29. Rcc2 Bf7 30. Ne3 Nd4 31. Rc1 Ne6 32. Rcd1 Rd4 33. Kh2 Rbd8 34. Nd5 Rxc4 35. b3 axb3 36. axb3 Rd4 37. Bxd4 Nxd4 38. Kg2 Nxb3 39. Rb2 c6 40. Ne3 c4 41. Nf2 Nd4 42. Rb7 c3 43. Rd3 c2 44. Nxc2 c5 45. Rd2 Ra8 46. Ne3 c4 47. Nfd1 Ne6 48. Rdb2 h5 49. Rb8 Ra3 50. Rc8 hxg4 51. fxg4 Kh7 52. Rb7 Bg6 53. Rxc4 Nc5 54. Rbb4 Ra2+ 55. Kg3 Rd2 56. h5 Bf7 57. Rc2 Rd4 58. Rxd4 exd4 59. Nf5 d3 60. Rb2 Nxe4+ 61. Kf4 Nc5 62. Nf2 g6 63. hxg6+ Kxg6 64. Ke3 Be6 65. Nh4+ Kg5 66. Nf3+ Kg6 67. Rb6 Kf7 68. Rc6 Bd7 69. Rc7 Ke8 70. Nd4 Bh6+ 71. Kf3 Ne6 72. Nxe6 Bxe6 73. Nxd3 f5 74. gxf5 Bxf5 75. Ne5 Bf8 76. Ra7 Bd6 77. Nc4 Bh2 78. Ne3 Bd7 79. Ke4 Bg1 80. Ra8+ Kf7 81. Ra7 1/2-1/2

[Event "Corus"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2009.01.17"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Radjabov, Teimour"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B40"]
[WhiteElo "2776"]
[BlackElo "2761"]
[Annotator "ChessBase"]
[PlyCount "120"]
[EventDate "2009.01.17"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 129"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2009.03.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2009.03.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. g3 d5 4. exd5 exd5 5. d4 Nc6 6. Bg2 Bg4 7. O-O Be7 ({RR} 7... cxd4 8. h3 Bxf3 9. Qxf3 Nf6 10. Bg5 Be7 11. Bxf6 Bxf6 12. Re1+ Ne7 13. Qxd5 Qxd5 14. Bxd5 O-O 15. Be4 Rac8 16. Nd2 Rc7 17. Bd3 Nc6 18. a3 Ne5 19. Rab1 g6 20. Kf1 Kg7 21. Re2 Rfc8 22. Nb3 {Anand,V (2803)-Ivanisevic,I (2653) Berlin 2015 ½-½ (45)}) 8. dxc5 Bxc5 ({RR} 8... Nf6 9. Nbd2 O-O 10. Nb3 Ne4 11. h3 Be6 12. Be3 Qd7 13. Kh2 Bd8 14. Nfd4 Ng5 15. f4 Nxh3 16. Nxe6 Qxe6 17. Re1 Nxf4 18. Bxf4 Qf6 19. c3 Be7 20. Qf3 Rad8 21. Rad1 Qg6 22. Rxd5 Rxd5 23. Qxd5 {Priyanka,K (2086)-Aishwarya N (1549) Ahmedabad IND 2025 1-0}) 9. Qe1+ $146 ({RR} 9. h3 Bh5 10. c3 Nge7 11. Nbd2 O-O 12. Nb3 Bb6 13. Qd3 Bg6 14. Qd1 Be4 15. Nfd4 Qd7 16. a4 a6 17. a5 Ba7 18. Be3 Bxg2 19. Kxg2 Ne5 20. Nf3 Nxf3 21. Qxf3 Bxe3 22. Qxe3 Rfe8 23. Qd3 Ng6 {Rakhmangulova,A (2295)-Maltsevskaya,A (2378) FIDE Online Arena INT 2024 0-1}) ({RR} 9. Nc3 Nge7 10. h3 Bh5 11. g4 Bg6 12. Nh4 O-O 13. Nxg6 hxg6 14. Nxd5 Nxd5 15. Qxd5 Qb6 16. c3 a5 17. Bg5 Rfe8 18. Rad1 Re2 19. Be3 Bxe3 20. fxe3 Qxe3+ 21. Kh1 Rf8 22. Rd3 Qe7 23. Qb5 Re5 {Ehlvest,J (2530)-Zampronha,W (2170) chess.com INT 2023 1-0 (31)}) 9... Be7 10. Ne5 Be6 11. c4 Nf6 12. Nc3 Rc8 13. cxd5 Nxd5 14. Bh6 ({Spectacular, but it looks stronger to insert} 14. Bxd5 $1 Bxd5 {and only then play} 15. Bh6 {after which Black has some serious problems to solve.}) 14... Nxe5 ({Certainly not} 14... gxh6 $2 15. Nxd5 Bxd5 16. Rd1) 15. Rd1 gxh6 16. Qxe5 Bf6 17. Qe2 Bxc3 18. Bxd5 Qe7 19. Qb5+ Qd7 20. Qb3 Rc5 21. Bxe6 Qxe6 22. Qa3 b6 23. bxc3 O-O {After the complications, we reach a heavy piece ending where the more exposed black king gives White some initiative, but careful defence enables Radjabov to hold.} 24. Qxa7 Rxc3 25. Rfe1 Qf6 26. Qa4 Rc5 27. Re4 Rf5 28. Rg4+ Kh8 29. Qb4 Rc8 30. Rc4 Re8 31. Re4 Rc8 32. Re2 Rfc5 33. Re4 Rf5 34. Rde1 Rg8 35. Re8 Rfg5 36. R8e4 Rf5 37. R1e2 Qa1+ 38. Kg2 Qf6 39. a4 Qc6 40. Qb2+ Qf6 41. Rb4 Qxb2 42. Rexb2 Ra8 43. Rxb6 Rxa4 44. Rxh6 Kg7 45. Rd6 h6 46. f4 Rfa5 47. Rdd2 Ra6 48. Kh3 R6a5 49. Kh4 Ra6 50. Rbc2 R6a5 51. Rf2 Ra6 52. Kh5 R4a5+ 53. f5 Rg6 54. g4 Ra3 55. Kh4 Rb6 56. h3 Rbb3 57. Rh2 Rf3 58. Rcf2 Rfe3 59. Rf1 Rab3 60. Rfh1 Rf3 1/2-1/2

[Event "Corus"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2009.01.18"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Stellwagen, Daniel"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C67"]
[WhiteElo "2612"]
[BlackElo "2776"]
[PlyCount "71"]
[EventDate "2009.01.17"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 129"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2009.03.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2009.03.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. d4 Nd6 6. Bxc6 dxc6 7. dxe5 Nf5 8. Qxd8+ Kxd8 9. Nc3 Ke8 10. h3 b6 11. Rd1 ({RR} 11. Bf4 Bb4 12. Ne4 Ba6 13. Rfc1 Be2 14. Nfd2 Bxd2 15. Nxd2 Nd4 16. Be3 Nf5 17. Bf4 Nd4 18. Be3 Nf5 19. Bf4 Nd4 {½-½ (19) Topalov,V (2772)-Carlsen,M (2877) Saint Louis 2014}) 11... Bb7 ({RR} 11... Bb4 12. Ne2 Bb7 13. Ned4 Nxd4 14. Nxd4 Bc5 15. Nf5 Rg8 16. g4 Bf8 17. f3 c5 18. Kf2 h6 19. h4 Bc8 20. h5 Be6 21. Ne3 Be7 22. f4 Rd8 23. Rxd8+ Bxd8 24. Bd2 Bc8 25. Bc3 Bb7 26. Kg3 {Samant,A (2495)-Wang,T (2355) Richardson USA 2025 1-0 (41)}) 12. Bf4 Rc8 13. g4 $146 ({RR} 13. Nd4 Nxd4 14. Rxd4 Rd8 15. Rad1 Be7 16. e6 fxe6 17. Bxc7 Rxd4 18. Rxd4 Bf6 19. Rd2 Ke7 20. Ne4 Rc8 21. Bd6+ Ke8 22. Bg3 Rd8 23. Nxf6+ gxf6 24. Rxd8+ {½-½ (24) Almasi,Z (2700)-Kasimdzhanov,R (2704) Germany 2016}) ({RR} 13. Ne4 Be7 14. Re1 h5 15. Nd6+ cxd6 16. exd6 Rd8 17. dxe7 Nxe7 18. Re2 Kf8 19. Rae1 Nf5 20. Re5 Bc8 21. g4 hxg4 22. hxg4 Nh6 23. Re8+ Rxe8 24. Bd6+ Re7 25. Rxe7 Bxg4 26. Rxa7+ {1-0 (26) Negi,P (2603)-Deepan Chakkravarthy,J (2480) New Delhi 2010}) 13... Ne7 14. e6 fxe6 15. Ng5 Nd5 16. Nxe6 Nxf4 17. Nxf4 Bd6 18. Ne6 Kf7 19. Ng5+ Kg6 20. Nce4 Be5 21. Nf3 Bxb2 22. Rd7 Bf6 23. Nxf6 Kxf6 24. g5+ Kg6 25. Re1 Rhe8 26. Ne5+ Kxg5 27. Rxg7+ Kf6 28. Rf7+ Ke6 29. Rxh7 Rg8+ 30. Ng4+ Kd5 31. Ree7 c5 32. Rxc7 Rxc7 33. Rxc7 Bc8 34. Rxa7 Bxg4 35. hxg4 Rxg4+ 36. Kf1 1/2-1/2

[Event "Corus"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2009.01.22"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Ivanchuk, Vassily"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C92"]
[WhiteElo "2779"]
[BlackElo "2776"]
[Annotator "ChessBase"]
[PlyCount "48"]
[EventDate "2009.01.17"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 129"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2009.03.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2009.03.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 {The Spanish, regarded over the past 5-10 yaesr as one of the most solid ways to play for Black. Several elite players (eg. Aronian) confidently hide behind its bastions, without any fear at all.} a6 4. Ba4 ({It ahs been known since time immemorial that the win of the pawn by} 4. Bxc6 dxc6 5. Nxe5 {is only temporary:} Qd4) 4... Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 {But now this is necessary, since Bxc6 and Nxe5 was a threat.} 7. Bb3 O-O {Most modern-day players castle with the pawn still on d7. It is always nice to threaten a Marshall, even if one actually intends to play another, quieter line.} 8. c3 {Vassily is not afraid of anything...} d6 {Nor is Magnus, but even so, he decides not to risk a theoretical duel. Mind you, one cannot escape from a serious theoretical examination, whatever move one plays here - the Spanish has been analysed deeply in all its variations..} 9. h3 ({The classical recipe. From time to time, White chooses the more direct} 9. d4 {allowing the bishop out to g4.}) 9... a5 {So that's his idea...Excuse my excessive emotion, but when you are expecting to see the main line, on which you have commentated innumerable times before, and then you get a fresh move - well, your eyes light up, the sun shines, and your brain starts to work again. Actually, the move has been known for a long time. It was first played in 1935 by the Swedish master G Stoltz. At the end of the 1940s it was taken up by the likes of Bondarevsky, Bolbochan, Rossolimo, etc. But then its popularity waned, and theory was evidently not convinced of its merits. But lately, it has become popular again. Black prepares to drive the dangerous Spanish bishop off the diagonal by means of a5-a4.} 10. d4 {Ivanchuk decides not to prevent his opponent's plan, but to get on with his own.} ({In a clash between two of the line's pioneers, the continuation} 10. a4 {was tested. After} b4 11. d4 bxc3 12. Nxc3 Nxd4 13. Nxd4 exd4 14. Qxd4 Rb8 15. Bc4 c6 16. b3 Nd7 17. Bf4 Bf6 18. Qe3 Ne5 19. Bxe5 Bxe5 20. Rad1 Be6 {Black had excellent play (Konstantinopolsky-Bondarevsky, USSR Ch 1948).}) 10... a4 ({The father of the variation played it differently:} 10... exd4 11. cxd4 a4 12. Bc2 Nb4 13. Nc3 Nxc2 14. Qxc2 c6 15. d5 cxd5 16. exd5 b4 17. Nxa4 Bd7 18. b3 Nxd5 19. Qc4 Bf6 20. Bb2 Bxa4 21. Bxf6 Nxf6 22. bxa4 Rxa4 {and Black had the advantage (Sir G Thomas-Stoltz, Warsaw 1935).}) 11. Bc2 Bd7 {Introduced into practice by Smyslov. The bishop develops very modestly. It's main object is not to obstruct the other pieces, and, of course, also to support the pawn on b5.} 12. Na3 {It seems that Ivanchuk is well acquainted with the theory, although he can hardly have prepared for this variation. He spent some time trying to recall his old knowledge, and then quickly utilises it.} ({The move} 12. Be3 {allows Black to exchange the strong Spanish bishop, in the style of Stoltz:} exd4 13. cxd4 Nb4 $1) ({Another move which has been played here is} 12. Nbd2 {One recent example is} Re8 13. Bd3 Rb8 14. Qe2 Bf8 15. dxe5 Nxe5 16. Nxe5 dxe5 17. Nf3 h6 18. b3 Bc5 19. Be3 Qe7 20. bxa4 bxa4 21. Rab1 Rb6 {and Black obtained equal chances (G Garcia-Becerra Rivero, USA 2008).}) 12... Rb8 {Black is prepared for further action on the queenside.} ({Formerly the main line was considered to be} 12... Qb8 {This queen manoeuvre becmes possible, thanks to the modest move Bc8-d7. The game Renet-Agdestein, Lyon 1988 continued} 13. Bd3 exd4 14. cxd4 Nb4 15. Bb1 Qb7 16. Bg5 Rad8 17. Nc2 Na6 18. Ne3 Rfe8 19. Qd3 g6 20. a3 c5 21. e5 dxe5 22. dxe5 Bc6 23. Qc3 Nd5 {and Black won after a sharp struggle.}) ({RR} 12... Qb8 13. Bg5 h6 14. dxe5 hxg5 15. exf6 gxf6 16. e5 Nxe5 17. Nd4 Kg7 18. f4 c5 19. Nf5+ Bxf5 20. Bxf5 gxf4 21. Bd3 Rg8 22. Be4 Ra7 23. Qh5 Rh8 24. Qf5 Rh4 25. Rf1 Ng6 26. Rad1 Bd8 27. Qd5 {Cabiativa,J (2142)-Khusenkhojaev,M (2374) Badalona ESP 2025 ½-½ (94)}) 13. d5 {Apparently a novelty.} ({The last word of theory here is} 13. Bd3 b4 14. Nc4 bxc3 15. dxe5 Nxe5 16. Nfxe5 dxe5 17. bxc3 Bd6 18. Bc2 Bc6 19. Bg5 a3 20. Qf3 h6 21. Bc1 Qe7 22. Ne3 Bd7 23. Bb3 Kh8 {1/2-1/2 Yagupov,I (2482)-Zaitsev,I (2417)/Moscow 2000/EXT 2001}) ({RR} 13. Bd3 b4 14. Nc4 bxc3 15. dxe5 Nxe5 16. Nfxe5 dxe5 17. bxc3 Rb5 18. Ne3 Rb6 19. Nc4 Rb5 20. Ne3 Rb6 {½-½ (20) Dominguez Perez,L (2721)-Bruzon Batista,L (2617) Havana 2009}) 13... Na7 ({After some thought, Carlsen retreats the knight deep within its own camp. Of course, a7 is only a temporary post - Black needs to regroup as quickly as possible and advance c7-c6. Thus far, White has not yet definitely seized the initiative. A concrete battle is starting...The clocks times are not surprising: 1.12 - 1.44. On} 13... Na5 {the reply} 14. b4 $1 {is unpleasant, eg.} axb3 15. axb3 {and the threat of b3-b4 gives Black some problems.}) ({The counter-blow} 13... b4 {does not promise equality:} 14. Nc4 $1 Na7 15. cxb4 Rxb4 16. b3 {and White can even attack the queenside successfully.} axb3 17. axb3 Nc8 18. Ra8) 14. c4 {The whole times Vassily was thinking, I was studying precisely this move, the sharpest and most aggressive.} Ra8 {An amazingly quick response, like a table tennis. response. Magnus frees the square b8 for his queen. But this leads us to ask the question: was 12...Rb8 really a good move? Wasn't the more usual 12. ..Qb8 better? Amazingly quick...Black had a number of interesting moves, the consequences of which were not easy to assess.} ({In the variation} 14... b4 15. Nb1 Qe8 {White obtains the advantage by} 16. c5 $1) ({Black is simply worse after} 14... bxc4 15. Nxc4 Qe8 16. Be3 Nc8 17. Rc1 {etc.}) ({It seems to me that the young Norwegian's fighting temperament is suited by the pawn sacrifice} 14... c6 15. dxc6 Bxc6 16. cxb5 Nxb5 17. Bxa4 Qd7 18. Nxb5 Bxb5 19. Bxb5 Rxb5 20. b3 Qb7 21. Qe2 Rc8 {and a quick central break with d6-d5 will follow. On the other hand, of course, it is always easier to sacrifice somebody else's pawns...}) 15. Be3 $146 ({Now Black would answer} 15. c5 {with} c6 $1 {After} 16. cxd6 Bxd6 17. dxc6 Bxc6 {he has everything defended, whereas with the queen on e8 (as in the variation above beginning 14...b4), the bishop on d6 would be hanging.}) ({whilst after} 15. cxb5 Nxb5 16. Bxa4 Nc3 $1 17. bxc3 Rxa4 {Black would obtain a definite initiative for the pawn.}) ({The modest} 15. Bd2 {deserves attention.}) ({RR} 15. c5 c6 16. b3 axb3 17. axb3 Qb8 18. Bb2 Re8 19. Nb1 Bf8 20. cxd6 Bxd6 21. dxc6 Bxc6 22. Nc3 Bb4 23. Re2 Rd8 24. Qc1 Nc8 25. Nd5 Nxd5 26. exd5 Bxd5 27. Bxe5 Qb6 28. Rxa8 Bxa8 29. Qf4 Bd6 {Zatonskih,A (2462)-Kvisla,J (2208) Gibraltar 2009 1-0 (37)}) 15... b4 {This is the drawback of 15. Be3. Black now keeps the c-file closed, on which he has a backward pawn on c7.} 16. Nb1 c5 {Slamming the door!} 17. a3 ({Note that exchanging a central pawn for a flank pawn by means of} 17. Bxa4 Nxe4 {would not be good for White.}) ({However, it was possible to exchange central pawns:} 17. Nxe5 dxe5 18. d6 {although without great effect:} Re8 19. dxe7 Qxe7 {with complicated play.}) 17... b3 {The key goes into the lock. Now the queenside is sealed up for good.} 18. Bd3 {Now all hopes rest on the other side of the board. Possibly the two sides will prepare the corresponding breaks f2-f4 and f7-f5.The position looks about equal.} Nxe4 {Lightning from a clear sky! Carlsen decisively abandons the slow manoeuvering. However, with a knight on a7, such complications are rarely favourable. Black will regain his piece, of course, but in the subsequently play, the white army should be better coordinated.} ({At first, the official site showed Black's move as} 18... Nxd5 {producing shock the whole chess world over. Admittedly, though, even the move 18...Nxe4 can hardly be described as the most normal.}) ({I think that 99 players out of 100 would have played} 18... Nc8 {aiming to put the knight on b6 and then slowly prepare something on the kingside. The 100th player is carlsen. True, as far as the rating list is concerned, he is closer to first. And the rest of us, we ordinary players, follow at a respectful distance...}) 19. Bxe4 ({vassily does not need much time to take himself in hand. Weaker is} 19. Nxe5 dxe5 20. Bxe4 Bd6 {and after f7-f5, Black has a good structure and attacking chances.}) 19... f5 20. Nfd2 ({A surprise in return. Evidently, Vassily wants to put his queen's knight on d2. I was looking at} 20. Bd3 e4 21. Nc3 $1 {and in my view, whichever way Black recaptures the piece, he does not obtain equality. White stands much better in the centre.}) ({One mystery remains: why did White not play} 20. Nc3 fxe4 21. Nxe4 {By comparison with the game, his knightis on f3, instead of b1, which is obviously a significant gain.}) 20... fxe4 21. Qh5 {I would ask you to bear in mind that I am writing my comments as the game is being played, and before seeing the next move. I have to make a lot of guesses, based on my own understanding of the logic of the position.} ({Now it turns out that Ivanchuk is not planning} 21. Nxe4 {on which one can recommend} Qe8 {and the queen comes to g6.}) 21... Be8 ({One can well ask what the queen is doing on h5. I prefer the reply} 21... Qe8 {In the ending, Black puts his bishop on g6 and his knight on b6, although this can hardly lead to any serious disturbance of the equality..}) 22. Qe2 Bd7 23. Qh5 Be8 24. Qe2 Bd7 {The players are evidently worn out by the stress of the game. After the opening, the battle was very hard and non-standard, and the move 18...Nxe4 was the icing on the cake.} 1/2-1/2

[Event "Corus"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2009.01.27"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Adams, Michael"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B70"]
[WhiteElo "2712"]
[BlackElo "2776"]
[PlyCount "56"]
[EventDate "2009.01.17"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 129"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2009.03.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2009.03.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 g6 6. Bc4 Bg7 7. O-O O-O 8. Re1 Bg4 9. f3 Bd7 10. Be3 Nc6 11. a4 ({RR} 11. Nxc6 Bxc6 12. Qd2 a6 13. a4 Rc8 14. Bb3 b6 15. Bh6 Nd7 16. Bxg7 Kxg7 17. Qd4+ f6 18. Be6 Qc7 19. Nd5 Bxd5 20. exd5 Rb8 21. Bxd7 Qxd7 22. Re6 Rf7 23. Rae1 Rb7 24. R1e4 Qc7 25. c3 Qc5 {Kapusta,P (2120)-Delgerdalai,B (1656) Vsetin 2020 ½-½ (72)}) 11... Ne5 $146 ({RR} 11... Rc8 12. Ba2 Qa5 13. Rb1 Rfe8 14. Nxc6 Rxc6 15. b4 Qd8 16. Ne2 a6 17. a5 Qb8 18. Qd2 e6 19. Red1 d5 20. e5 Qxe5 21. Bf4 Qf5 22. Nd4 Ne4 23. Nxf5 Nxd2 24. Nxg7 Nxb1 25. Nxe8 Nc3 26. Nf6+ {Filippov,A (2475)-Stocek,J (2569) Mallorca 2004 0-1 (56)}) 12. Bf1 Rc8 13. a5 a6 14. Nd5 Nxd5 15. exd5 Nc4 16. Bxc4 Rxc4 17. c3 Re8 18. Nc2 Ra4 19. Bb6 Rxa1 20. Qxa1 Qc8 21. Ne3 e5 22. dxe6 Rxe6 23. Qd1 Qe8 24. Kf2 Qe7 25. g3 Qg5 26. Qd5 Qxd5 27. Nxd5 Rxe1 28. Kxe1 Kf8 1/2-1/2

[Event "Linares 26th"]
[Site "Linares"]
[Date "2009.02.24"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Grischuk, Alexander"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B33"]
[WhiteElo "2733"]
[BlackElo "2776"]
[PlyCount "67"]
[EventDate "2009.02.19"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 129"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2009.03.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2009.03.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 e5 6. Ndb5 d6 7. Bg5 a6 8. Na3 b5 9. Nd5 Be7 10. Bxf6 Bxf6 11. c3 Bg5 12. Nc2 Ne7 13. h4 Bh6 14. a4 bxa4 15. Ncb4 O-O 16. Qxa4 Nxd5 17. Nxd5 a5 18. Bb5 Be6 19. Bc6 Rb8 20. b4 Bxd5 21. Bxd5 axb4 22. cxb4 Qb6 23. O-O ({RR} 23. Rb1 Kh8 24. O-O f5 25. Qa5 fxe4 26. Qxb6 Rxb6 27. Rb3 Rc8 28. Ra1 g6 29. Ra8 Rxa8 30. Bxa8 Bf8 31. b5 Be7 32. g3 Bd8 33. Bxe4 d5 34. Bxd5 Rd6 35. Bc6 Bb6 36. Rb2 Rd3 37. Kg2 Kg7 {Leko,P (2753)-Carlsen,M (2733) Morelia/Linares 2008 1-0 (62)}) 23... Qxb4 24. Qd7 Kh8 $146 ({RR} 24... Rbd8 25. Qf5 g6 26. Qf6 Bg7 27. Qe7 Kh8 28. h5 gxh5 29. Rab1 Qd2 30. Rb3 Rde8 31. Qh4 Qh6 32. Qh1 h4 33. Rh3 Bf6 34. Rf3 Bd8 35. Rf5 Re7 36. Qh3 Ra7 37. Qf3 Qg6 38. Rb1 Bg5 39. Kh1 {Baghdasaryan,V (2193)-Firat,B (2219) Mersin 2008 0-1 (94)}) 25. Ra4 Qb5 26. Qxb5 Rxb5 27. Bxf7 Bd2 28. Rfa1 Bc3 29. Ra8 Rbb8 30. Rxb8 Rxb8 31. Ra6 g6 32. Rxd6 Bd4 33. h5 gxh5 34. Bxh5 1/2-1/2

[Event "Linares 26th"]
[Site "Linares"]
[Date "2009.02.26"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Radjabov, Teimour"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C54"]
[WhiteElo "2761"]
[BlackElo "2776"]
[Annotator "Kritz,Leonid"]
[PlyCount "67"]
[EventDate "2009.02.19"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 129"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2009.03.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2009.03.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 {Italienisch ist ein häufiger Gast in der heutigen Turnierpraxis.} (3... Nf6 {ist eine gute Alternative.} 4. d3 (4. Ng5 {verlor einiges an Popularität in der letzten Zeit.} d5 5. exd5 {Schwarz hat mehrere Möglichkeiten, eine gute Kompensation für den geopferten Bauer zu erzielen, eine davon ist} Na5 6. Bb5+ c6 7. dxc6 bxc6 8. Be2 h6 9. Nf3 e4 10. Ne5 Qd4 11. f4 Bc5 $44) 4... Be7 5. O-O O-O 6. Re1 d6 7. a4 Be6 8. a5 a6 $11 {Weiß hat keinen echten Vorteil.}) 4. c3 Nf6 5. d3 (5. d4 {ist eine alte Variante.} exd4 6. cxd4 Bb4+ 7. Bd2 $1 {Etwas Besseres hat Weiß nicht.} (7. Nc3 Nxe4 8. O-O Bxc3 9. d5 Bf6 10. Re1 Ne7 11. Rxe4 d6 12. Bg5 Bxg5 13. Nxg5 h6 14. Qe2 hxg5 15. Re1 Be6 16. dxe6 f6 $17 {Schwarz steht einfach viel besser - seinem Plan c6-d5-d6 hat Weiß nichts entgegenzusetzen.}) 7... Bxd2+ 8. Nbxd2 d5 9. exd5 Nxd5 10. Qb3 Na5 (10... Nce7 $6 {Schwarz seinerseits sollte dem Remis auch nicht ausweichen, denn Weiß kann in dem Fall eine gefährliche Initiative entwickeln.} 11. O-O O-O 12. Rfe1 c6 13. Ne4 Nb6 14. Bd3 Ned5 15. Nc5 $36 {Van den Doel - Sokolov (Leeuwarden, 2004)}) 11. Qa4+ Nc6 12. Qb3 $11) 5... a6 6. Bb3 O-O {Schwarz hat eine Menge an Möglichkeiten, das ist mehr oder weniger Geschmackssache. Mir gefällt der Zug 6....a7 besser.} (6... Ba7 $5 7. Nbd2 O-O 8. h3 (8. Nf1 Ng4 9. d4 exd4 10. cxd4 d5 $1 11. Bxd5 Nxd4 $3 12. Nxd4 c6 $44) 8... d6 9. Nf1 (9. O-O {führt zur Partiestellung.}) 9... d5 $3 {Mit Tempoverlust, aber trotzdem sehr stark.} 10. Qe2 (10. Ng3 dxe4 11. dxe4 Qxd1+ 12. Bxd1 Be6 $11) 10... Be6 11. Ng3 (11. Ng5 dxe4 $1 12. Nxe6 exd3 13. Nxd8 dxe2 14. Nxc6 exf1=Q+ 15. Rxf1 bxc6 16. Ba4 Rfd8 17. Bxc6 Rab8 $36) 11... dxe4 12. dxe4 Bxb3 13. axb3 Ne8 14. Nf5 Nd6 15. g4 Qf6 $11 {Bologan - Malakhov (Kemer, 2007)}) 7. O-O d6 (7... d5 $6 {Diesen Vorstoß muss man sehr gut vorbereiten, ansonsten bekommt man Schwierigkeiten mit dem e5-Bauern.} 8. exd5 Nxd5 9. Nbd2 (9. h3 $6 Nb6 10. Re1 h6 11. Nbd2 Qxd3 12. Nxe5 Qg3 13. Qf3 Qxf3 14. Ndxf3 $11 {Kramnik - Krasenkow (Wijk aan Zee, 2003)}) 9... Bg4 10. h3 Bh5 11. Ne4 Ba7 12. Ng3 Bg6 13. Bg5 Qd7 14. Nh4 Na5 15. Nxg6 hxg6 16. Bc2 $14 {Sanduleac - Daurelle (Creon, 2007)}) 8. h3 h6 9. Re1 Ba7 10. Nbd2 {Es gibt viele Zugfolgen, die zu dieser Stellung führen. Jetzt ist der entscheidende Moment, in dem Schwarz einen Plan auswählen muss.} Be6 $1 {Ich denke, das ist der beste Weg zum Ausgleich.} (10... Re8 11. Nf1 Be6 {ist genau so gut, weil es nur eine Zugumstellung ist.}) (10... Ne7 11. Nf1 Ng6 12. Ng3 Re8 13. d4 $14 {Hat Weiß es geschafft, das Zentrum d4-e4 aufzubauen, so hat er sich schon mal einen kleinen Vorteil gesichert. Natürlich ist die Stellung von Schwarz immer noch in Ordnung, aber es geht hier darum, ob Schwarz einen absoluten Ausgleich erreicht, oder nicht.}) (10... Nh5 11. Nf1 (11. Nxe5 $2 Nxe5 12. Qxh5 Nxd3 $15) 11... Qf6 12. Be3 Nf4 13. Ng3 g6 14. d4 $14 {Wieder hat Weiß das Zentrum unter Kontrolle genommen.}) 11. Bc2 (11. Nf1 Re8 12. Ng3 {Zieht Weiß den Läufer nicht zurück, so wird zu viel abgetauscht und die Stellung sehr vereinfacht.} d5 (12... Bxb3 13. Qxb3 Rb8 14. Nf5 d5 15. Qc2 Qd7 16. N3h4 Re6 17. Qe2 dxe4 18. dxe4 Rd8 19. Qf3 Qd3 $11 {Hamdouchi - Tkachiev (Cap d'Agde, 2002)}) 13. Bd2 dxe4 14. dxe4 Bxb3 15. Qxb3 Qd7 16. Rad1 Qe6 17. Qxe6 (17. Qxb7 $4 Bb6 $19) 17... Rxe6 18. Be3 Bxe3 19. Rxe3 g6 $11 {Petrosian - Kobalia (Kallithea, 2008)}) 11... Re8 12. Nh2 (12. Nf1 d5 13. exd5 Qxd5 14. Qe2 Rad8 15. Ng3 Bc5 $1 16. Nh4 Bf8 $132 {Radjabov - Aronian (Dresden, 2008). Mit der Überführung des Läufers nach f8 hat Schwarz die Lage seines Königs verbessert und hat die Möglichkeit, mittels g6 das Feld f5 unter Kontrolle zu nehmen.}) ({RR} 12. Nf1 d5 13. exd5 Bxd5 14. Ng3 Bc5 15. b4 Bf8 16. a4 b5 17. Be3 Qd7 18. Ne4 Qe6 19. Nfd2 Nd7 20. Ng3 Ne7 21. d4 Qc6 22. dxe5 Nxe5 23. Bd4 N7g6 24. axb5 axb5 25. Rxa8 Qxa8 26. Nde4 Nc4 {Alekseenko,K (2707)-Tabatabaei,M (2651) Linares 2022 ½-½ (45)}) ({RR} 12. Nf1 d5 13. exd5 Bxd5 14. Ng3 Qd6 15. Nh4 Ne7 16. Be3 Bxe3 17. Rxe3 Bc6 18. Ngf5 Nxf5 19. Nxf5 Qf8 20. d4 exd4 21. Qxd4 Rxe3 22. Qxe3 Bd7 23. Ne7+ Kh8 24. Re1 Re8 25. Qe5 Ng8 26. Qe4 Nf6 {Pruijssers,R (2540)-Ferreira,J (2525) Kirchweyhe GER 2024 ½-½}) 12... d5 13. Qf3 dxe4 $146 {Eine ruhigere Fortsetzung. Es ist nicht auszuschließen, dass Schwarz auch schon auf Konter spielen kann.} (13... d4 $5 14. Ndf1 Qe7 15. Ng3 Rad8 16. c4 b5 17. cxb5 Nb4 18. Bb1 axb5 19. a3 Na6 20. Nf5 Bxf5 21. Qxf5 Nc5 22. Bc2 Nb7 23. Qf3 c5 24. a4 b4 25. Nf1 c4 $1 26. dxc4 Nc5 $44 {Areshchenko - Azarov (Plovdiv, 2008)}) ({RR} 13... Nh7 14. Ndf1 Qf6 15. Qg3 d4 16. Nf3 Rad8 17. N1h2 b5 18. a3 Qg6 19. Ng4 Bxg4 20. hxg4 Ng5 21. Nh4 Qf6 22. Rf1 a5 23. Kh1 Ne6 24. Nf5 Bc5 25. Bb3 Rd7 26. c4 b4 27. Ba4 Ng5 28. f4 {Cornette,M (2530)-Romanov,E (2554) Moscow 2008 1-0 (57)}) ({RR} 13... d4 14. Ndf1 Qe7 15. Ng3 Rad8 16. c4 b5 17. cxb5 Nb4 18. Bb1 axb5 19. a3 Na6 20. Nf5 Bxf5 21. Qxf5 Nc5 22. Bc2 Nb7 23. Qf3 c5 24. a4 b4 25. Nf1 c4 26. dxc4 Nc5 27. Bd3 Nb3 28. Rb1 {Areshchenko,A (2650)-Azarov,S (2585) Plovdiv 2008 ½-½ (104)}) 14. dxe4 (14. Nxe4 {Je mehr Figuren getauscht sind, desto einfacher ist die Verteidigung für Schwarz.} Nxe4 15. dxe4 Ne7 16. Rd1 Qc8 17. Ng4 Ng6 $11) 14... Ne7 15. Ndf1 Ng6 16. Be3 (16. Ng3 $6 {Dieser Zug ist sinnlos, denn der Springer kann demnächst nicht nach f5 gehen.} c6 17. Rd1 (17. Nf5 $4 Bxf5 18. exf5 (18. Qxf5 Nh4 $19) 18... e4 19. Qe2 Nh4 $17) 17... Qa5 18. Bd2 (18. Bxh6 $4 Nh4 $19) (18. b4 Qc7 19. Ng4 Nxg4 20. hxg4 c5 $15) 18... Rad8 $15) 16... Bxe3 17. Nxe3 c6 $11 {Schwarz hat überhaupt kein Problem.} 18. Nf5 Bxf5 19. exf5 (19. Qxf5 $4 Nh4 $19) 19... Nf4 20. Rad1 Qc7 21. Ng4 N4h5 (21... Nxg4 {ist ebenfalls möglich, Weiß kann keinen Nutzen aus seiner augenblicklichen Initiative ziehen. Aber die Partiefortsetzung ist trotzdem besser.} 22. Qxg4 (22. hxg4 Nd5 $11) 22... Nd5 23. Bb3 Rad8 24. Bxd5 cxd5 25. f6 g6 26. Qh4 Qb6 $132) 22. Re3 Nxg4 23. hxg4 Nf6 {Der Springer auf f6 verhindert das gesamte weiße Spiel am Königsflügel.} 24. Qg3 Rad8 25. Rde1 Rd2 26. Bb3 Qd8 (26... Rxb2 $2 {Habgier wird bestraft.} 27. g5 $1 hxg5 28. Qxg5 {Der weiße Angriff ist sehr gefährlich.} Nh7 29. Qh4 Qe7 30. Qh5 Nf6 31. Rxe5 Qxe5 (31... Nxh5 32. Rxe7 Rxe7 33. Rxe7 $16) 32. Rxe5 Rxe5 33. Qxf7+ $16) 27. g5 (27. Rxe5 $5 {kam ebenfalls ins Betracht.} Rxe5 28. Qxe5 Rxb2 (28... Nxg4 29. Qe8+ Qxe8 30. Rxe8+ Kh7 31. f3 Nf6 32. Rf8 Nd5 33. Rxf7 b5 34. Bxd5 cxd5 35. Ra7 Rxb2 36. Rxa6 $14) 29. Rd1 Rd2 30. Rxd2 Qxd2 31. Qb8+ Kh7 32. Bxf7 Qe1+ 33. Kh2 Qe5+ 34. Qxe5 Nxg4+ 35. Kg3 Nxe5 36. Be6 Nd3 $11) 27... hxg5 28. Qxg5 Nd5 29. Qh5 Qf6 30. Rh3 {Weiß kann nur eine Mattdrohung aufstellen, Matt selbst kann er jedoch nicht geben.} Kf8 31. Qg4 (31. Qh8+ Ke7 32. Qh7 Kd6 $1 $15 {Der schwarze König wird sich auf c7 in Sicherheit fühlen, und die weißen Figuren haben alle nichts mehr zu tun.}) 31... Kg8 (31... Ke7 $2 {Das wäre zu frech...} 32. c4 (32. Rxe5+ Qxe5 33. Qg5+ Kd6 34. Qxd2 Qe1+ 35. Qxe1 Rxe1+ 36. Kh2 Re2 37. Rh7 Rxf2 38. Rxg7 Rxf5 $11) 32... Nb6 33. Rxe5+ Qxe5 34. Qg5+ f6 35. Qxd2 $16) 32. Qh5 Kf8 33. Qg4 Kg8 34. Qh5 1/2-1/2

[Event "Linares 26th"]
[Site "Linares"]
[Date "2009.03.01"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Dominguez Perez, Leinier"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B77"]
[WhiteElo "2717"]
[BlackElo "2776"]
[Annotator "Rogozenco,Dorian"]
[PlyCount "108"]
[EventDate "2009.02.19"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 129"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2009.03.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2009.03.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 g6 6. Be3 Bg7 7. f3 Nc6 8. Qd2 O-O 9. Bc4 Bd7 10. O-O-O Rb8 11. Bb3 Na5 (11... Ne5 12. f4 Neg4 13. h3 Nxe3 14. Qxe3 $14) 12. Bh6 {The Chinese Dragon (10...b8) is quickly developing and already has its own theory. Dominguez goes for the latest fashion, where Black was having troubles lately.} (12. g4 b5 13. Bh6 {is best answered with} Bxh6 14. Qxh6 {transposing to the game.}) (12. Kb1 b5 13. h4 Nc4 14. Bxc4 bxc4 {is no problem for Black.}) 12... Bxh6 13. Qxh6 b5 14. g4 {Designed to prevent the quick advance e7-e5. Other moves allow Black to combine conveniently the advances ...e5 and ...b4.} (14. h4 e5 15. Nde2 b4 {has been tested multiple times in practice and the assessment is that White has no advantage.}) 14... Nxb3+ (14... e5 $2 {runs into} 15. Nf5 $1 $16) 15. Nxb3 b4 ({RR} 15... Qc7 16. h4 e5 17. Qd2 b4 18. Nd5 Nxd5 19. Qxd5 Rfc8 20. Rh2 Rb6 21. h5 Be6 22. Qd3 Rc6 23. hxg6 fxg6 24. Rdh1 a5 25. Rxh7 Rxc2+ 26. Kb1 Qxh7 27. Rxh7 Kxh7 28. Qxc2 Rxc2 29. Kxc2 a4 30. Nc1 {Nyimas,S (1817)-Loganathan,D (1412) Penang MAS 2023 1-0 (39)}) 16. Nd5 Nxd5 ({RR} 16... e5 17. Ne3 Be6 18. h4 Kh8 19. Qg5 Rb6 20. Na5 Kg7 21. Nf5+ Bxf5 22. gxf5 Qc7 23. fxg6 fxg6 24. h5 Rc8 25. Rd2 Ra6 26. hxg6 h5 27. Nb3 Rxa2 28. Kb1 Ra6 29. Qf5 Qc4 30. Re1 Rc5 31. Rf2 {Kotronias,V (2599)-Ivanchuk,V (2764) Caleta 2011 0-1 (37)}) 17. exd5 Rb6 $1 {Most likely this game will change the evaluation of the entire line from better for White into perfectly acceptable for Black. The idea behind 17...b6 is to protect the d6=pawn, then play e7-e5 and recapture with the f-pawn on e6.} (17... Ba4 18. Nd4 Qa5 19. h4 $16 {½-½ Kritz,L (2609)-Jianu,V (2531)/Plovdiv 2008 (51)}) 18. Rhe1 $146 {A logical novelty: anticipating the advance of the e-pawn White brings his rook to the central file. Unfortunately for the Cuban Grandmaster he will soon fail to do the same with his queen, which will remain out of play on h6.} ({The only available game went} 18. h4 e5 19. dxe6 fxe6 20. Rd3 ({In the event of Khalifman's suggestion} 20. Qe3 {Black easily equalizes with} Qf6 21. Nc5 (21. Rh3 Qf4 $15) 21... dxc5 22. Rxd7 Ra6 (22... Qxf3 23. Qxf3 Rxf3 24. Rxa7 Rf7 25. Ra5 $14 {/=}) 23. Qh6 Qf4+ 24. Qxf4 Rxf4 25. Rd8+ Kg7 $11) 20... Bb5 21. Re3 e5 22. h5 g5 23. Qe6+ Kh8 24. Nd2 Bd7 25. Qd5 $13 {1-0 Maslak,K (2521)-Porat,M (2137)/Pardubice 2008 (55)}) ({RR} 18. h4 e5 19. dxe6 fxe6 20. Rd3 Bb5 21. Re3 e5 22. h5 g5 23. Qe6+ Kh8 24. Nd2 Bd7 25. Qd5 Qe7 26. Qa5 Be6 27. Ne4 Rc8 28. Rd1 Rcc6 29. Nxd6 Rxd6 30. Qxe5+ Kg8 31. Rxd6 Rxd6 32. h6 Kf7 {Maslak,K (2521)-Porat,M (2137) Pardubice 2008 1-0 (55)}) ({RR} 18. h4 e5 19. Nd2 f5 20. h5 g5 21. Nc4 fxg4 22. Nxb6 axb6 23. fxg4 Qf6 24. Qxf6 Rxf6 25. Rd3 Rf4 26. Rg1 h6 27. Rdg3 Kf7 28. Kd2 Rd4+ 29. Ke3 Ke7 30. c3 bxc3 31. bxc3 Rc4 32. Kd3 Bb5 {Loskutov,O (2383)-Sozin,S (2225) Tomsk 2013 1-0 (49)}) 18... e5 19. dxe6 fxe6 20. Re3 {The course of the game shows that leaving the queen on h6 is a little too ambitious.} (20. f4 $6 Qf6 21. Rd4 a5 $36) ({The main battlefield is the centre and therefore bringing back the queen comes into consideration. After} 20. Qd2 {the position would have remained double-edged. If} Rxf3 $6 {then} 21. Nd4 Rf6 22. g5 Rf7 23. Nxe6 $36) 20... Rf7 {Just in case, Carlsen takes control over the 7th file, protecting once more the pawn on h7.} 21. Nd2 {Provoking the advance of the d-pawn, which would weaken dark squares.} d5 {The most natural answer.} ({However, an interesting possibility was} 21... Ra6 {trying to exploit the temporary vulnerability of White's king. Dominguez had to find} 22. Kb1 ({worse is} 22. Ne4 d5 23. Ng5 Re7 24. Kb1 Qa5 25. a3 Qc5 $17) 22... Bc6 (22... Qa5 23. a3 $13) 23. Rxe6 Bd5 24. Re3 Bxa2+ 25. Kc1 Bd5 26. Ne4 Ra1+ 27. Kd2 Rxd1+ 28. Kxd1 {and White probably keeps the balance.}) 22. Nb3 {White has achieved his goal, but it turns out that he cannot make full use of the dark-squared weaknesses in Black's camp. The problem is that he must keep the knight to protect his king. Moreover, in order to control squares d4 and e5 White needs his queen too.} Qc7 23. Kb1 (23. h4 $5) ({After} 23. Nd4 {Black attacks the a2-pawn:} Ra6 (23... e5 $2 24. Rde1 $1) 24. Kb1 Qa5 (24... Qc4 $5) 25. a3 Rb6) 23... Rb8 24. Rde1 $6 {[%csl Rd4] Not sensing the danger. Dominguez wants to create pressure on the e-file, but he loses control over the d4-square. White has problems in the centre because besides controlling the dark squares he must also protect the weak pawns c2 and f3. His queen on h6 is basically doing nothing.} ({Now} 24. Nd4 {is met by} e5 $36) ({Correct was} 24. Qh4 Rbf8 25. Qf2 Rf4 26. Qe2 {and Black is only marginally better.}) 24... Rc8 25. R1e2 (25. Nd4 Rf4 26. Rd3 e5 $19) 25... Qb6 26. h4 {The battle in the centre is lost and there is no choice left.} (26. Rd2 Rcf8 27. Nd4 Rf4 $17) 26... d4 27. Re5 (27. Rd3 Bb5 $19) 27... d3 $1 28. cxd3 Rxf3 29. d4 $2 (29. h5 $2 Rxd3 30. Re1 Qf2 31. R5e2 Qxe2 $1 32. Rxe2 Rd1+ 33. Qc1 (33. Nc1 Bb5 $19 {[%cal Gb5d3]}) 33... Rcxc1+ 34. Nxc1 gxh5 35. gxh5 Rd5 $19) ({Again it was necessary to return with the queen} 29. Qd2 {although after} Bb5 30. R5e3 Rcf8 {There is no question about Black's advantage.}) 29... Bb5 {Including the bishop in the attack decides immediately.} 30. R2e3 ({Other moves lose quicker:} 30. Re1 Rxb3 $1 31. axb3 Bd3+ 32. Ka2 Qa6+) ({Or} 30. Rxe6 Qxe6 31. Rxe6 Bd3+ 32. Ka1 Rf1+) 30... Bd3+ 31. Ka1 Qxd4 {Nice, but not the most precise.} (31... Rf2 $1 {wins by force:} 32. Re1 (32. h5 Qxd4 $19) (32. Rxe6 Qxe6 33. Rxe6 Rf1+) 32... Rxb2 $1 33. Kxb2 Rc2+ 34. Ka1 Qc6 $1 {[%cal Gc6c3]} 35. Rc5 (35. Nc5 Qg2 $19) 35... Rxa2+ 36. Kxa2 Qa4+ 37. Kb2 Qa3#) (31... Rf1+ $2 {on the other hand throws the advantage away} 32. Re1) 32. Rxe6 (32. Nxd4 $2 Rc1#) 32... Rf1+ 33. Re1 Qxg4 34. Rxf1 Qxe6 35. Nc5 Qe2 36. Rc1 Bf5 $17 {/-+} 37. Qf4 a5 38. h5 Qe7 39. Qc4+ ({With little time both players missed that after} 39. hxg6 $1 {Black cannot take the knight:} Rxc5 $2 {due to} (39... hxg6 40. Qc4+ {and here} Be6 {is not as strong as in the game:} 41. Qd4 Qg5 $2 42. Rh1 $1) 40. gxh7+ Kxh7 41. Qh2+ Kg8 (41... Bh3 $8 42. Qxh3+ Kg7 43. Rg1+ Rg5 44. Rh1 {and Black still needs a lot of precision to defend}) 42. Qg1+ $18 {Therefore instead of 39...c5 Black should play 39...hxg6 40.c4+ e6 but then after 41.d4 White still can put up a stubborn resistance, since, in opposition to the game, the open h-file makes a big difference and 41...g5 is not so good due to 42.h1 with White's counterplay.}) 39... Be6 40. Qc2 (40. Qd4 Qg5 $19) 40... Qg5 41. hxg6 hxg6 $19 {The time-trouble is over and Black is completely winning thanks to the pin on the c-file.} 42. a3 bxa3 43. Qc3 axb2+ (43... Qd5 44. b3 a4 $19) 44. Kxb2 Qd5 45. Rc2 a4 46. Ka1 a3 47. Qe3 Bf7 48. Qc3 g5 49. Qe3 Re8 50. Qc3 Re2 51. Nb3 (51. Rxe2 Qd1+) 51... Rxc2 52. Qxc2 Qe5+ 53. Kb1 Kg7 54. Qd2 Bxb3 0-1

[Event "Linares 26th"]
[Site "Linares"]
[Date "2009.03.05"]
[Round "12"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Grischuk, Alexander"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B85"]
[WhiteElo "2776"]
[BlackElo "2733"]
[Annotator "Giri,Anish"]
[PlyCount "73"]
[EventDate "2009.02.19"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 129"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2009.03.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2009.03.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 {Marin,Mihail} c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 {The Najdorf Defence - or actually Attack. One of the most popular openings in the world.} 6. Be2 {A calm reply, which was the favourite move of, among others, Anatoly Karpov.} e6 {choosing a Scheveningen type of position. Anther popular move is e5.} 7. O-O Be7 8. a4 Nc6 9. Be3 O-O 10. f4 Qc7 11. Kh1 Re8 12. Bf3 {Now we are at a very known position, which occured in about 2000 games and was even played in the famous match Karpov-Kasparov.} Bf8 {One of main moves, the bishop goes away and Black is preparing e5 at some point.} (12... Rb8 {is another main move here. One which was played more often.}) 13. Qd2 {The standard manoeuvre: the queen goes to f2.} ({Another typical queen manoeuver beginning with} 13. Qe1 {is not dangerous now as after} Nxd4 14. Bxd4 e5 {Black gets good play.}) 13... Rb8 (13... Na5 {is other move. Black wants to activate his knight and bring it to c4.} 14. b3 {not allowing c4.} (14. Qf2 {leads to a very sharp game after} Nc4 15. Bc1 e5 16. Nde2 d5 $1) 14... Bd7 {with a complicated battle.}) ({RR} 13... Na5) 14. Qf2 ({RR} 14. Rad1 Nd7 15. Qe2 Na5 16. g4 b6 17. g5 Bb7 18. Bg2 g6 19. Qf2 Nc6 20. Nb3 Nc5 21. h4 Bg7 22. h5 Nb4 23. h6 Bf8 24. Rd4 Nxb3 25. cxb3 d5 26. exd5 exd5 27. Rxb4 Bxb4 28. Bxb6 Qc8 {Diaz Perez,M (2460)-Ortiz Suarez,I (2531) Santa Clara 2022 0-1 (46)}) ({RR} 14. Rad1) 14... e5 {The standard move, which was part of Black's plan, beginning with the move 12...f8.} (14... Na5 $2 {would be a typical blunder} 15. Nxe6 $1 Bxe6 16. Bb6 {winning back the piece, and White is a pawn up.}) 15. fxe5 $5 $146 {The novelty, which probably was prepared by Magnus.} (15. Nde2 {is the main move here.} b5 ({RR} 15... exf4 16. Bb6 Qe7 17. Nxf4 Be6 18. Rad1 g6 19. Qd2 Ne5) 16. axb5 axb5 {with an unclear position.} {RR} 17. Nd5 ({RR} 17. Ng3 b4 18. Nce2 exf4 19. Nxf4 Ne5 20. Bd4 ({RR} 20. Nf5 Bxf5 21. exf5 Neg4) 20... g6) 17... Nxd5 18. exd5 exf4 19. Bxf4 Ne5) ({RR} 15. Nde2 exf4 16. Bb6 Qe7 17. Nxf4 Be6 18. Rad1 g6 19. Qd2 Ne5 20. Be2 Rbc8 21. Bf2 h6 22. h3 Rc6 23. Bh4 g5 24. Nxe6 Qxe6 25. Bg3 Nc4 26. Qd4 Bg7 27. Bxc4 Rxc4 28. Qxd6 Qxd6 {½-½ (28) Adams,M (2741)-Anand,V (2786) Linares 2005}) ({RR} 15. Nde2 b5 16. axb5 axb5 17. f5 Nb4 ({RR} 17... Bd7 18. Nd5 Nxd5 19. exd5) 18. Ng3 {½-½ (18) Grischuk,A (2717)-Rublevsky,S (2680) Elista 2007 CBM 119 [Marin,Mihail]} ({RR} 18. Bg5 Nxc2 19. Bxf6 Nxa1 20. Nd5) {RR} 18... Nxc2 ({RR} 18... Bd7 19. Nh5 Nxh5 20. Bxh5) 19. Qxc2 b4) 15... dxe5 (15... Nxe5 {was of course an alternative.} 16. Bg5 (16. Be2 {allows} Neg4 17. Bxg4 Nxg4 18. Qf4 Nxe3 19. Qxe3 Qc5 {and with two bishops Black will not have any problems I think.}) 16... Nfg4 17. Qg1 Nxf3 $5 {is tricky, but good I think.} (17... Be6 18. Be2 {keeping the bishop. And the deeper I analyzed this position, the more I liked it. I think White is better here.}) 18. gxf3 Qc5 $1 {attacking the guy on g5.} 19. Nd5 Re5 20. Bd2 Rxd5 21. exd5 Ne5 {with some compensation for an exchange. The position is totally unclear.}) 16. Nb3 Nb4 $146 {The standard move in these positions. But it might not be the best.} (16... Be6 {was a great alternative. I actually prefer this move to the text.} 17. Bb6 (17. Rad1 Nb4 18. Bb6 Qc8 {now we see the point of ...e6! Black is totally fine.}) 17... Qc8 18. Nd5 (18. a5 $5) 18... Bxd5 19. exd5 Nb4 20. c3 e4 21. cxb4 exf3 22. Qxf3 Qd7 23. Bd4 Qxd5 24. Bxf6 Qxf3 25. Rxf3 gxf6 {with equality. The line was of course not forced.}) ({RR} 16... Be6 17. Bb6 Qc8 18. a5 Bxb3 19. cxb3 Nd4 20. Bxd4 exd4 21. Qxd4 Qe6 22. Nd5 Nxd5 23. exd5 Qh6 24. g3 Bd6 25. Qf2 Qe3 26. Bg4 Qxf2 27. Rxf2 Re4 28. Ra4 Re3 29. Rf3 Re1+ 30. Kg2 Rb1 31. Rf2 {Hou,Y (2584)-Van Wely,L (2655) Amsterdam 2009 ½-½ (47)}) ({RR} 16... Be6 17. Bb6 Qc8 18. Rac1 Nb4 {½-½ (18) Smeets,J (2632)-Van Wely,L (2655) Amsterdam 2009}) 17. Ba7 {It is useful to force the rook back to a8 before playing b6.} Ra8 18. Bb6 Qe7 (18... Qc6 {is not satisfactory either.} 19. Na5 Qe6 20. Rad1 {and White keeps a clear advantage. The bishop on c8 is probably wanting to go back to move 16... and play 16...e6!.}) 19. Rad1 {Good move: White develops his rook. Always useful!} Be6 {The first really inaccurate move.} (19... Bg4 $1 {A very strong move, which probably keeps equality.} 20. Bxg4 (20. Bc5 Qc7 21. Bxf8 Kxf8 $1 {and Black is fine.}) 20... Nxg4 21. Qe2 (21. Qg3 Nf6 22. Bc5 Qe6 23. Bxf8 Kxf8 $1 {and Black has no problems.}) 21... Nf6 22. a5 {with an unclear game, but in my opinion Black is not worse.}) 20. Nd5 {Yes! Creating a dangerous passed pawn, which will be really dangerous with the support of the nice bishop on b6.} Bxd5 21. exd5 e4 22. d6 Qe6 $6 {The idea of Grischuk was to exchange queens. He will succeed, but the resulting endgame is very bad for him.} (22... Qe5 {was stronger.} 23. d7 Nxd7 24. Rxd7 exf3 25. Qxf3 f6 26. Nd4 Qe4 27. Rxb7 Rac8 28. c3 (28. Qxe4 Rxe4 29. g3 Nxc2 30. Rc1 Re1+ 31. Rxe1 Nxe1 32. Ra7 Nd3 33. Rxa6 Nxb2 34. a5 Nc4 35. Kg2 Re8 {and even though White's pawn looks dangerous, Black probably can hold.}) 28... Nd3 29. Ba7 Qxf3 30. gxf3 g6 31. Kg1 {and White is a pawn up, but Black still has some chances, as White's pieces are not so well coordinated.}) 23. Nc5 Qf5 24. Be2 Qxf2 25. Rxf2 Nbd5 (25... Nfd5 {was bad} 26. d7 Reb8 27. Nxb7 $1 Rxb7 28. d8=Q Rxd8 29. Bxd8 Ne3 30. Rd4 {and White is just an exchange up.}) 26. a5 {This very natural and strong looking move was a bit inaccurate.} (26. Rxf6 $1 {was the right move} Nxf6 (26... Nxb6 {and now, just} 27. Rff1 {and Black is hopeless.}) 27. a5 Rec8 28. b4 $1 {just pushing it, with a big advantage for White.} Rc6 {The only move to force White to play d7.} 29. d7 Nxd7 30. Rxd7 {and White is almost winning. If not winning.}) 26... Nxb6 27. axb6 Rab8 $2 {Mistake.} (27... Rec8 $1 {was very strong and could give Black some chances.} 28. b4 $1 (28. Nxb7 Rxc2 29. g3 {the only move, otherwise e3 comes.} Nd7 30. b4 Rb2 31. Nc5 Nxb6 32. Nxe4 Rxb4 {and Black is at least OK.}) 28... Rc6 29. Nxb7 Rxb6 30. d7 Rxb7 31. d8=Q Rxd8 32. Rxd8 Rxb4 33. Kg1 {and White is better, for example:} e3 (33... Rb6 34. Rc8 $1 g6 35. Bc4 {with pressure on f7.}) 34. Rf5 Rb1+ 35. Rf1 Rb2 36. Bd3 {and e1-e3 to follow, with advantage for White.}) 28. Rxf6 $1 {Not difficult, but nice.} gxf6 29. Nd7 {The point is the fork: f6 and b8 are hanging.} f5 30. c4 {White is simply improving his position. Black cannot save himself anymore.} a5 (30... Bg7 {does not help.} 31. Nxb8 Rxb8 32. c5 Bf6 33. Bxa6 {and White wins, just like in the game.}) 31. c5 Bg7 32. Nxb8 Rxb8 33. Ba6 $3 {A brilliant move, which wins on the spot!} Bf6 34. Bxb7 Rxb7 35. c6 Rxb6 36. Rc1 Bxb2 37. d7 1-0

[Event "Linares 26th"]
[Site "Linares"]
[Date "2009.03.06"]
[Round "13"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Radjabov, Teimour"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B30"]
[WhiteElo "2776"]
[BlackElo "2761"]
[Annotator "ChessBase II"]
[PlyCount "106"]
[EventDate "2009.02.19"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 129"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2009.03.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2009.03.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 e6 4. O-O Nge7 5. c3 a6 6. Ba4 b5 7. Bc2 Bb7 8. Qe2 Ng6 9. d4 cxd4 10. cxd4 Rc8 11. a3 Be7 12. Nc3 O-O 13. Rd1 Na5 14. g3 Nc4 15. h4 Nxa3 16. bxa3 $146 ({RR} 16. Bd3 Re8 17. Ng5 Nf8 18. e5 Nc4 19. Nce4 f6 20. exf6 gxf6 21. Qh5 fxg5 22. Nxg5 Bxg5 23. Bxg5 Re7 24. Bf6 Nxb2 25. Bxh7+ Nxh7 26. Qg6+ Kf8 27. Qh6+ Ke8 28. Qg6+ Rf7 29. Qg8+ Nf8 30. Bxd8 Nxd1 {Videnova,I (2264)-Dimitrov,R (2453) Plovdiv 2014 0-1 (38)}) 16... Rxc3 17. h5 Qc7 18. Bd3 Nh8 19. Bb2 Rb3 20. Rac1 Qa5 21. d5 Bxa3 22. Bxa3 Rxa3 23. Qe3 f5 24. exf5 Bxd5 25. Ne5 Qd8 26. fxe6 dxe6 27. Bxh7+ Kxh7 28. Qxa3 Rf5 29. Qd3 Kg8 30. Qe2 Nf7 31. Ng6 Kh7 32. Nf4 Ng5 33. Qg4 Qa8 34. Nxd5 Rxd5 35. f4 Rxd1+ 36. Qxd1 Ne4 37. Qd3 Qd5 38. Qxd5 exd5 39. Kg2 a5 40. g4 b4 41. Rc8 b3 42. g5 g6 43. h6 Nd6 44. Rb8 a4 45. Rb4 d4 46. Rxa4 d3 47. Kf3 $2 (47. Kf1 Nb5 48. Rb4 Nc3 49. Ke1 $18) 47... Nb5 $1 48. Rb4 (48. Ke3 b2 49. Rb4 Nc3 $11 50. Kxd3 (50. Rxb2 Nd1+ 51. Kxd3 Nxb2+ $11) 50... b1=Q+ 51. Rxb1 Nxb1 $11) 48... Nc3 {The threat 49...d2 must be addressed immediately.} 49. Rb7+ Kg8 50. Rb8+ Kh7 51. Ke3 b2 52. Rb7+ Kg8 53. Rb8+ Kh7 1/2-1/2

[Event "Sofia MTel Masters 5th"]
[Site "Sofia"]
[Date "2009.05.14"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Dominguez Perez, Leinier"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B90"]
[WhiteElo "2717"]
[BlackElo "2770"]
[PlyCount "60"]
[EventDate "2009.05.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "BUL"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 131"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2009.07.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2009.07.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. h3 g6 7. g4 Bg7 8. Bg2 O-O 9. Be3 Nc6 10. Qd2 Bd7 11. O-O-O ({RR} 11. O-O Rc8 12. Rad1 b5 13. Bh6 Nxd4 14. Bxg7 Kxg7 15. Qxd4 Rc4 16. Qd3 Qc7 17. Rd2 b4 18. Nd5 Nxd5 19. exd5 Bb5 20. Qb3 a5 21. Rc1 Rc5 22. Qe3 f5 23. gxf5 Rxf5 24. Be4 Re5 25. f4 Rh5 {Coe,W (2078)-Savicevs,A (2224) chess.com INT 2025 ½-½ (59)}) 11... b5 12. f4 Rc8 13. e5 b4 $146 ({RR} 13... Ne8 14. Rhe1 Na5 15. b3 e6 16. Ne4 dxe5 17. Nxe6 fxe6 18. Qxd7 Qxd7 19. Rxd7 exf4 20. Bc5 Bc3 21. Bxf8 Bxe1 22. Bh6 Nc6 23. Bxf4 Nb4 24. Kd1 Nxc2 25. g5 Bh4 26. Bf3 e5 27. Bxe5 Ne3+ 28. Ke2 {Hracek,Z (2594)-Jurcik,M (2329) Czech Republic 2017 1-0}) 14. Nce2 Nxd4 15. Bxd4 dxe5 16. fxe5 Qa5 17. a3 Nd5 18. e6 fxe6 19. Bxg7 Kxg7 20. Bxd5 exd5 21. Qd4+ Kg8 22. axb4 Qa2 23. Nc3 Qa1+ 24. Kd2 Qxb2 25. Rhf1 Rxf1 26. Rxf1 e6 27. Rb1 Qa3 28. Rb3 Qa1 29. Rb1 Qa3 30. Rb3 Qa1 1/2-1/2

[Event "Sofia MTel Masters 5th"]
[Site "Sofia"]
[Date "2009.05.21"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Ivanchuk, Vassily"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B77"]
[WhiteElo "2746"]
[BlackElo "2770"]
[Annotator "Kritz,Leonid"]
[PlyCount "81"]
[EventDate "2009.05.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "BUL"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 131"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2009.07.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2009.07.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 {Der Grund, warum Weiß nicht 3.d4 spielt, ist, dass er mit dieser Zugfolge die Sweschnikow-Variante vermeidet.} ({Nach} 3. d4 {kann Weiß Sweschnikow nicht mehr ausweichen.} cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 e5 6. Ndb5 d6 $132 {mit 30-Züge langer Theorie.}) ({Eine vernünftige Alternative ist} 3. Bb5 $5 g6 4. Bxc6 dxc6 5. d3 Bg7 6. h3 {und Weiß bekommt eine Stellung, die er relativ risikofrei spielen kann.}) 3... g6 {Die Drachen-Variante wurde in letzter Zeit zur Spezialität von Magnus Carlsen.} 4. d4 cxd4 5. Nxd4 Bg7 6. Be3 Nf6 7. Bc4 ({Nach} 7. Nxc6 bxc6 (7... dxc6 8. Qxd8+ Kxd8 9. Bc4 Ke8 10. f3 $14) 8. e5 {muss Schwarz den Bauer opfern:} Nd5 $1 (8... Ng8 9. Bd4 f6 10. f4 Qa5 11. Qe2 $14 {Volokitin - Tiviakov (Copenhagen, 2002)}) 9. Nxd5 cxd5 10. Qxd5 Rb8 11. Bc4 O-O 12. O-O-O Qc7 $44 {und Schwarz hatte gute Kompensation in Firman - Efimenko (Lvov, 2001)}) 7... O-O 8. Bb3 d6 {Wohl der beste Zug. Die Alternativen sind nicht so gut.} ({Ein bekannter Fehler ist} 8... Na5 $2 {Nach} 9. e5 Ne8 10. Bxf7+ $3 Kxf7 (10... Rxf7 11. Ne6 $18) 11. Ne6 $1 $18 {gewinnt Weiß die Dame oder setzt den gegnerischen König Matt (im Fall von 11....xe6)}) ({Nicht gut für Schwarz ist auch die Variante} 8... a5 $6 9. O-O a4 10. Nxa4 Nxe4 11. Nb5 Ra6 12. c4 d6 13. Qe2 $14 {Weiß kontrolliert alle wichtigen Felder im Zentrum, dazu ist der Damenflügel von Schwarz sehr kompromittiert.}) ({Kaum zu empfehlen ist} 8... Ng4 $6 9. Qxg4 Nxd4 10. Qd1 Nxb3 11. axb3 {, denn obwohl Schwarz den weißen Läufer vernichtet, hat er zu viele Schwächen im eigenen Lager - der König ist anfällig, der Bauer a7 hängt, das Feld d5 und die d-Linie stehen den weißen Figuren zur Verfügung.} b6 12. Qd2 Bb7 13. Bh6 $14 {Bologan - Wirthensohn (Bern, 1998)}) 9. f3 {Weiß muss sich gegen die Drohung 9....g4 verteidigen.} Bd7 10. Qd2 Nxd4 {Schwarz will nicht warten bis Weiß lang rochiert und beginnt aktives Spiel am Damenflügel. Dies hat seine Vor- und Nachteile. Der Hauptvorteil ist, dass Weiß nicht mehr lang rochieren kann. Der Hauptnachteil ist, dass im Fall weißer kurzer Rochade die schwarzen Bauern am Damenflügel anfällig werden können.} (10... Rc8 11. O-O-O {führt zur Hauptstellung der normalen Drachen-Variante.}) (10... Qa5 11. O-O-O Rfc8 12. Kb1 Ne5 {geht in die Drachen-Variante über.}) ({Auch nach} 10... Ne5 11. O-O-O {entsteht die Hauptvariante im Drachen.}) 11. Bxd4 b5 12. h4 ({Wenig verspricht die sofortige Aktion am Damenflügel} 12. a4 bxa4 (12... a6 $2 {sieht sehr künstlich aus.} 13. O-O Bc6 14. axb5 axb5 15. Na2 Bb7 16. Nb4 $16 {Kramnik - Van Wely (Wijk aan Zee, 2004) Der Bauer auf b5 ist sehr schwach.}) ({Dagegen verdient Betrachtung} 12... b4 $5 13. Nd5 Nxd5 14. Bxg7 Kxg7 15. exd5 Qa5 16. Qd4+ Kg8 17. O-O Rac8 18. Rfe1 Rfe8 19. Kh1 Qc5 20. Qh4 e5 $132 {Mamedov - Guseinov (Kocaeli, 2008)}) 13. Nxa4 (13. Bxa4 Bxa4 14. Rxa4 Qb8 15. O-O {½-½ Nijboer - Tiviakov (Hilversum, 2007)}) 13... Be6 $1 14. Bxe6 fxe6 15. O-O Qc7 16. Nc3 Rfc8 $132 {und Schwarz hatte keine Sorgen in Vallejo Pons - Anand (Leon, 2008)}) (12. O-O $5 {Die kurze Rochade bietet sich an.} b4 $1 {Nur so! Schwarz muss in diesem Moment sehr aufpassen und nicht auf das logisch aussehende 12...a5 verfallen.} (12... a5 $6 13. a4 b4 14. Nd5 Nxd5 15. exd5 Bxd4+ 16. Qxd4 Re8 17. Rfe1 $14 {Weiß steht klar besser, weil Schwarz noch nicht mal ansatzweise etwas Gegenspiel hat.}) 13. Nd5 Nxd5 14. exd5 Bxd4+ 15. Qxd4 a5 $1 {Jetzt kann Weiß nicht mehr so gut a4 spielen, daher bekommt Schwarz gutes Gegenspiel am Damenflügel.} 16. Rfe1 (16. a4 $6 bxa3 17. Rxa3 a4 18. Bxa4 (18. Bc4 Qc7 $132) 18... Bxa4 19. Rxa4 Rxa4 20. Qxa4 Qb6+ 21. Kh1 Qxb2 $15) 16... Re8 (16... a4 17. Bc4 Re8 18. Re3 Rc8 19. Rae1 Qc7 20. b3 $14) 17. h4 Qc7 18. h5 Rac8 19. h6 Qc5 $11 {Sutovsky - Van Wely (Polanica Zdroj, 1999)}) 12... a5 13. a4 ({Verrückte Komplikationen fangen an nach} 13. h5 a4 14. Bd5 e5 $132 {Bologan - Maze (Evry, 2008)}) 13... bxa4 (13... b4 14. Nd5 Nxd5 15. exd5 Bxd4 16. Qxd4 {Im Vergleich zu der Variante 12.0-0!? steht hier der weiße König immer noch im Zentrum und das gibt Schwarz Gegenchancen. Trotzdem ist die weiße Stellung etwas angenehmer zu spielen.} e5 $1 17. dxe6 Bxe6 18. O-O-O $5 (18. Bxe6 Re8 19. O-O-O Rxe6 $132) 18... Bxb3 19. cxb3 Re8 20. Kb1 Re2 21. h5 $36 {Berg - Smerdon (Liverpool, 2007)}) 14. Bxa4 {Bis jetzt wurde fast ausschließlich 14.xa4 gespielt.} (14. Nxa4 Be6 15. Nb6 ({Nichts bringt} 15. Bxe6 fxe6 16. b3 Qc7 17. Qc3 Qb7 $132 {Berg - Macieja (Oslo, 2009)}) 15... Ra6 16. Nd5 Bxd5 17. exd5 {denn Schwarz bekommt schnell das Gegenspiel am Damenflügel:} Qc7 18. Ra4 Rb8 19. h5 (19. Kf2 h5 20. Re1 Ne8 21. Bxg7 Kxg7 22. Rae4 a4 23. Qd4+ Nf6 24. Rxe7 Qb6 25. Qxb6 Raxb6 26. Bxa4 Rxb2 27. Kg3 Nxd5 $11 {Motylev - Kudrin (Minneapolis, 2005)}) 19... Nxh5 20. Bxg7 Kxg7 21. g4 Nf6 22. Qh6+ Kg8 23. Rf4 Qc5 24. Rxf6 exf6 25. Kd1 (25. Qxh7+ Kf8 26. Qh8+ Ke7 27. Qxb8 Qe3+ 28. Kf1 Qxf3+ 29. Kg1 Qg3+ 30. Kf1 Qf3+ $11) 25... Rxb3 26. cxb3 Qxd5+ 27. Kc2 Rc6+ 28. Kb1 Qd3+ 29. Ka2 g5 $15 {Shirov - Ivanchuk (Wijk aan Zee, 1999)}) 14... h5 $5 $146 {Schwarz verhindert alle möglichen Angriffsversuche von Weiß. Das kostet ihn jedoch einen Zug Zeit, was Weiß vielleicht ausnutzen kann, um seine Initiative zu entwickeln.} (14... Bxa4 15. Rxa4 Qd7 16. O-O Qb7 17. Rfa1 Rfd8 18. b3 e5 19. Be3 d5 $132 {Jenni - Wirthensohn (Pontresina, 2000)}) ({RR} 14... Rb8 15. Bb3 Rb4 16. Be3 Be6 17. Bxe6 fxe6 18. Bh6 Bxh6 19. Qxh6 Rxb2 20. h5 g5 21. Qxg5+ Kh8 22. Qd2 Qc7 23. e5 dxe5 24. O-O Rd8 25. Qe1 Rxc2 26. Nb5 Qc5+ 27. Kh2 Qxb5 28. Rxa5 Qc4 29. Rxe5 {Horak,M (2324)-Garcia,J (2304) chess.com INT 2025 ½-½ (55)}) 15. O-O $146 ({RR} 15. Nd5 Nxd5 16. exd5 Bxd4 17. Qxd4 Bxa4 18. Rxa4 Qc7 19. Rc4 Qa7 20. Qxa7 Rxa7 21. Kd2 a4 22. Ra1 Rb8 23. Kc1 Rab7 24. Ra2 Rb4 25. Rxa4 Rxb2 26. Rc8+ Rxc8 27. Kxb2 Rb8+ 28. Kc1 f5 29. c3 Rb5 {Stukopin,A (2500)-Bukavshin,I (2522) Loo 2013 ½-½ (35)}) ({RR} 15. Bb3 Bc6 16. O-O Qb8 17. Bc4 a4 18. b3 Rc8 19. Rae1 a3 20. f4 Ng4 21. Rd1 e6 22. Bxg7 Kxg7 23. Kh1 Kg8 24. Be2 Nf6 25. f5 Nxe4 26. Nxe4 Bxe4 27. fxe6 fxe6 28. Rf6 a2 29. Bd3 a1=Q {Fedoseev,V (2683)-Mamedov,R (2650) Hengshui 2019 0-1 (31)}) 15... Rb8 16. Bxd7 (16. Bb3 Qc7 17. Nd5 $2 Nxd5 18. Bxg7 Kxg7 19. exd5 Qc5+ 20. Rf2 a4 21. Bxa4 Bxa4 22. Rxa4 Rxb2 $17) 16... Nxd7 (16... Qxd7 {gleicht wohl auch aus.} 17. b3 Qc7 (17... Rfc8 18. Rxa5 e5 19. Ba7 Qc7 20. Nd5 Nxd5 21. Qxd5 $14) 18. Ra4 Rfc8 19. Rc4 Qd8 20. Rxc8 Rxc8 $11 {Mit nur einem Turm kann Weiß keinen starken Druck gegen den Bauern a5 entwickeln.}) 17. b3 Bxd4+ 18. Qxd4 Qb6 {Üblicherweise ist der Damentausch erwünscht für Weiß, aber in dieser Stellung schafft es Schwarz sehr schnell, seinen schwachen Bauern a5 abzutauschen und er kann versuchen, auf Konter zu spielen.} 19. Qxb6 (19. Qf2 $1 {Das sieht sehr komisch aus, wäre aber die beste Fortsetzung gewesen. Durch das Nehmen auf b6 bringt Weiß den schwarzen Springer dorthin, wo er den Vormarsch a4 unterstützen kann.} Qxf2+ 20. Rxf2 (20. Kxf2 $4 Rfc8 $19) 20... Ra8 21. Nd5 e6 22. Ne3 $14 {Schwarz hat nun eine weitere Schwäche auf d6. Weiß hat einen kleinen Vorteil.}) 19... Nxb6 20. Nd1 (20. Ne2 Rfc8 21. c4 Nd7 (21... a4 22. bxa4 Nxc4 23. a5 $14 {Der Bauer kann bei Gelegenheit gefährlich werden.}) 22. Rxa5 Rxb3 23. Ra7 Ne5 24. Rxe7 Rxc4 $11) 20... Rfc8 21. Ne3 Ra8 $1 {Schwarz bereitet den Zug 22....a4 vor, wonach seine einzige Schwäche - der Bauer a5 - abgetauscht wird.} 22. Ra2 a4 23. Rfa1 axb3 24. Rxa8 Nxa8 $1 {Sehr richtige Entscheidung - ein Paar Türme sollte Schwarz auf dem Brett lassen, um die Möglichkeit zu haben, den Bauern b3 anzugreifen. Das Springerendspiel dagegen ist eher zum weißen Vorteil.} (24... Rxa8 $6 25. Rxa8+ Nxa8 26. cxb3 e6 27. Kf2 Kf8 28. Ke2 Ke7 29. Kd3 Kd7 30. g4 $1 $14 {gh-g2-f4}) 25. cxb3 Nb6 26. Ra7 Rc3 ({Zum selben Ergebnis führt} 26... Kf8 27. Rb7 Rc3 28. Kf2 Rxb3 29. Nc4 Rxf3+ 30. gxf3 Nxc4 $11) 27. Kf2 e6 {Der sicherste Weg, in ein remisliches Endspiel zu gelangen.} (27... Rxb3 28. Rxe7 Rb2+ 29. Kf1 Rb1+ 30. Ke2 Rb2+ 31. Kd3 $14 {Weiß behält kleine Chancen dank der besseren Position seiner Figuren, aber bei richtigem Spiel muss Schwarz Remis machen können.}) 28. Rb7 (28. b4 Rb3 $15) 28... Rxb3 29. Nc4 Rxf3+ 30. gxf3 Nxc4 31. Rb4 d5 32. exd5 exd5 33. Rb8+ Kg7 34. Rd8 Kf6 35. Rxd5 Ke6 36. Rb5 Nd6 $11 {Weiß hat keine Chancen auf Gewinn.} 37. Ra5 Nf5 38. Ra6+ Ke5 39. Ra5+ Ke6 40. Ra6+ Ke5 41. Ra5+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "Sofia MTel Masters 5th"]
[Site "Sofia"]
[Date "2009.05.23"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Shirov, Alexei"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B33"]
[WhiteElo "2745"]
[BlackElo "2770"]
[Annotator "Rogozenco,Dorian"]
[PlyCount "59"]
[EventDate "2009.05.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "BUL"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 131"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2009.07.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2009.07.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{[%mdl 2]} 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 e5 6. Ndb5 d6 7. Bg5 a6 8. Na3 b5 9. Bxf6 gxf6 10. Nd5 Bg7 11. Bd3 Ne7 12. Nxe7 Qxe7 13. c4 f5 14. O-O O-O 15. Qh5 {This used to be the main variation in the line 10...g7. However, in the past decade 15.h5 has been almost completely overshadowed by 15.f3.} Rb8 16. exf5 e4 17. Rae1 Bb7 18. Qg4 Rfe8 19. cxb5 d5 20. bxa6 Bc6 21. b3 {A rare move, which after this game might bring new life into the entire 15.h5 variation. Shirov is not afraid to give his opponent attacking possibilities. Such a materialistic approach needs to be supported by deep home analysis.} (21. f3 {is considered to lead to equality after} h5) (21. a7 Rxb2 {is also not problematic for Black.}) 21... Kh8 $146 {Although this plan didn't work in the present game, it is difficult to believe that White's queenside pawns are worth more than Black's attacking prospects on the kingside and the strong pawn centre.} (21... h5 22. Qg3 Kf8 23. Nb1 $6 Be5 24. f4 Bf6 25. Qf2 $6 Qb4 $1 26. a3 Qd4 $17 {0-1 Koch,J (2453)-San Emeterio Cabanes,J (2392)/Le Port Marly 2009 (38)}) (21... Bd7 22. a7 Rb7 23. Nc4 $1 Rd8 24. Ne3 exd3 25. Nxd5 Qd6 26. Qg5 $2 (26. Qh4 Bxf5 (26... Bb5 27. f6 $18) 27. Ne7+ Rxe7 28. Qxe7 $14) 26... f6 27. Qg4 Bc6 $17 {0-1 Fier,A (2526)-Cordova,E (2477)/Buenos Aires 2007 (43)}) (21... Qxa3 $2 22. f6 Qf8 23. Be2 $18) 22. Nc2 Be5 23. Be2 d4 ({Not} 23... Rg8 24. Qh5 Rg5 25. Qh6 f6 26. Rd1 {[%cal Gc2d4,Gc2e3]} Qc5 27. Ne3 Rbg8 28. Rc1 Qb6 29. g3 $16 {/+-}) 24. Bc4 Rg8 25. Qh3 (25. Qh5 {can lead to the same position as in the game:} Rg7 ({Besides, Black has an additional possibility} 25... e3 26. g3 Qd6 27. Qh4 Ba8 $44) 26. g3 Rbg8 27. Qh6 (27. a3 e3 28. Nxe3 dxe3 29. Rxe3 Qf6 $13)) 25... Rg7 ({A reasonable alternative is} 25... e3 {Then after} 26. g3 Qd6 (26... Qc5 27. Qh4 $16) {the strongest for White is} 27. Rd1 $1 (27. Bxf7 Rg7 28. Bc4 exf2+ 29. Kxf2 d3 $36) (27. Nxe3 dxe3 28. Rxe3 Bd4 $13) 27... exf2+ 28. Kxf2 Be4 29. Ne1 $1 {Black has compensation, but it is not clear whether it's enough.}) 26. g3 Rbg8 27. Qh6 {The critical position for the evaluation of 21...h8.} Qc7 $146 {Up till now Carlsen played all logical moves, but now he goes wrong. The point is that the sacrifices on g3 don't work out for Black and therefore 27...c7 is useless. Now Shirov can transfer the knight to d5 with tempo, decisively improving White's position.} ({After} 27... Ba8 {Black has visible compensation, especially from the "human" point of view. Nevertheless with accurate "computer" moves White can defend and remain with slightly better prospects.} 28. Rd1 (28. a3 {[%cal Gc2b4]} Rg5 $5 (28... e3 29. Nxe3 $1 dxe3 30. Qxe3 Re8 31. f4 Bf6 32. Qxe7 Rxe7 33. Rxe7 Bxe7 34. b4 $18) (28... Qc5 $44) 29. Rd1 (29. Qh3 e3 $40 30. f4 $140 Rg4 31. fxe5 Rh4 $1 $19) (29. f4 exf3 30. Rf2 (30. Kf2 $2 Rxg3 $19) 30... Qc7 31. Kf1 (31. Kh1 $2 Bxg3 32. Re8 Bf4 33. Qf6+ R5g7 34. Rxg8+ Kxg8 35. Qxd4 Rg2 $19) 31... Bxg3 32. Re8 Rxe8 (32... Bf4 33. Qf6+ R5g7 34. Rxg8+ Kxg8 35. Qxd4 $16) 33. Qxg5 Bxf2 34. Qf6+ Kg8 35. Qg5+ $11) 29... e3 $40) 28... Qc5 $5 (28... e3 29. Nxe3 $1 dxe3 30. f6 $1 (30. Qxe3 Bxg3 31. hxg3 Rxg3+ 32. Qxg3 Qh4 33. Bd5 $11) 30... Bxf6 31. Qxe3 Qc7 32. Bd5 Qa5 33. Bb7 Bxb7 34. axb7 Qc7 35. Qe4 Rb8 36. Qf5 Rg6 37. Rd7 Qc6 38. Rxf7 Rxb7 39. Rxb7 Qxb7 $14) 29. Rfe1 ({Worse is} 29. Rc1 e3 30. Ne1 Bd6 $44 {[%cal Gc5f5]}) 29... e3 30. Kf1 $1 {The best defence against the sacrifice on g3.} (30. Nxe3 dxe3 31. Qxe3 Bxg3 $1 32. Qxc5 Bd6+ 33. Kf1 Bxc5 $15) 30... Rg5 (30... Bxg3 31. hxg3 Rxg3 32. fxg3 Qxf5+ {doesn't work in view of} 33. Qf4 $18) 31. Nxe3 dxe3 32. Rd8 $1 e2+ 33. Rxe2 Rxd8 34. Qxg5 Rd1+ 35. Re1 Rxe1+ 36. Kxe1 Qd4 37. Qe3 $14) ({RR} 27... Ba8 28. a3 e3 29. Nxe3 dxe3 30. Qxe3 Qh4 31. Qxe5 f6 32. Qd6 Rc8 33. Bd5 {1-0 (33) Naranjo Moreno,A (2290)-Anaya Lopez,V (2157) Malaga 2010}) 28. Nb4 {Immediately exploiting the fact that the b4-square is no longer controlled by the opponent's queen. As the result Black loses the e4-pawn and the long diagonal remains closed. Suddenly White is easily winning.} Ba8 (28... Bxg3 {is answered by the cool} 29. fxg3 Rxg3+ 30. Kh1 {and it's over for Black.}) 29. Nd5 Qd8 (29... Qd7 30. Rxe4 Qxf5 31. Qh4 d3 32. Re3 $18) (29... Bxd5 30. Bxd5 e3 {creates no threats at all, since the control over diagonal a8-h1 secures White's defence against any threats on the g-file.} 31. Qc6 $18) 30. Rxe4 (30. Rxe4 f6 31. Rxe5 fxe5 32. Nf6 Rf8 33. Nh5 Ra7 34. f6 $18 {[%cal Gh6g7]}) 1-0

[Event "Dortmund SuperGM 37th"]
[Site "Dortmund"]
[Date "2009.07.02"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Jakovenko, Dmitrij"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C67"]
[WhiteElo "2772"]
[BlackElo "2760"]
[Annotator "Mueller,Karsten"]
[PlyCount "97"]
[EventDate "2009.07.02"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 131"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2009.07.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2009.07.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. d4 Nd6 6. Bxc6 dxc6 7. dxe5 Nf5 8. Qxd8+ Kxd8 9. Nc3 Ke8 10. h3 h5 {A lot has been tried at this point: An dieser Stelle wurde schon sehr viel probiert.} (10... a5 {has been the most frequently played move, followed by wird am häufigsten gespielt, gefolgt von}) (10... Be7 {and und}) (10... Ne7) 11. Ne2 Be7 12. Bg5 Be6 13. Nf4 Bd5 14. Bxe7 Kxe7 15. Ng5 Nd4 16. Rad1 Ne6 17. Ngxe6 Bxe6 {Objectively speaking, the position should still be drawish, but in practice White has certainly the better chances because of his slight strategic initiative.  Objektiv sollte die Stellung innerhalb der Remisbreite sein, aber in der Praxis hat Weiß sicher auf grund seiner leichten strategischen Initiative die besseren Chancen.} 18. h4 a5 19. a3 a4 20. Rfe1 g6 21. f3 Ra5 22. c3 Rb5 23. Re2 Ra8 24. Rd4 Raa5 25. Kf2 Rxe5 26. Rxe5 Rxe5 27. Rxa4 Rb5 28. b4 $146 ({RR} 28. Rb4 Bc8 29. Ke3 Kd6 30. Rxb5 cxb5 31. Nd3 Kd5 {½-½ (31) Safarli,E (2629)-Alekseev,E (2701) Moscow 2011}) 28... c5 29. Ra7 cxb4 30. cxb4 Kd7 $2 {Jakovenko wastes valuable time, because his king ends up going to d6 any way. Jakovenko verliert wertvolle Zeit, weil sein König letztlich doch nach d6 zieht.} (30... Bc4 {intending mit der Idee} 31. Ke3 Kd6 {(Lilov auf chessbase.com) nebst c7 ist aktiver und remisiert leicht, z.B. (Lilov auf chessbase.com) and then c7 is more active and draws easily, e.g.} 32. Kd4 (32. Ra8 c5 33. Rc8 b6 34. Kd2 Kd7 $11) 32... Rf5 33. g3 Bf1 $11 {because denn} 34. Rxb7 $2 {runs into läuft in} g5 35. hxg5 h4) 31. Ne2 Rb6 32. Ke3 Bc4 33. Nd4 Kd6 34. Ra5 Ra6 $2 {Without the rook Black does not have the counterplay.the side with the knight is always aiming for complete control, so that the slower manoeuvres of the knight can be executed. In addition rook endings have a very high drawing tendencey and the defensive possibility of liquidating to a rook ending is now lost. Ohne den Turm fehlt Schwarz das Gegenspiel. Die Springerpartei strebt ja stets nach voller Kontrolle, damit das langsamere Manövrieren des Speingers durchgeführt werden kann. Außerdem haben Turmendspiele eine recht hohe Remisbreite und die Verteidigungsmöglichkeit einer Abwicklung ins Turmendspiel fällt nun weg.} (34... Be6 {offered better drawing chances, e.g. bot bessere Remischancen, z.B.} 35. Kf4 Kd7 36. Rb5 (36. Kg5 Rd6) (36. g4 hxg4 37. fxg4 Rd6 38. Nxe6 Kxe6) 36... Rd6 37. Nxe6 Rxe6 38. a4 (38. Rxb7 Ra6) 38... b6) 35. Rxa6+ bxa6 36. g4 hxg4 $2 {The passed white h-pawn which comes about now will decide the day, because, for example, it can be used bring about the advantageous exchange of all the kingside pawns. Der nun entstehende weiße h-Freibauer wird den Tag entscheiden, weil er unter anderem dazu genutzt werden kann, die gesamten Königsflügelbauern vorteilhaft abzutauschen.} (36... Ke5 {was the final chance. In any case, White ought now to have good winning chances. war die letzte Chance. Allerdings sollte Weiß nun ohnhin gute Gewinnaussichten haben.}) 37. fxg4 Ke5 (37... c5 38. bxc5+ Kxc5 39. h5 gxh5 40. gxh5 f6 41. h6 Bg8 42. Ne6+ Kc4 43. Nf8 Kb3 44. Kf4 Kxa3 45. Nd7 Bh7 46. Nxf6 Bg6 47. Kg5 Bb1 48. Nd7 a5 49. Nf8 a4 50. Ng6 $18) 38. Nc6+ Kf6 (38... Kd6 39. h5 $18) 39. Kf4 Ke6 40. h5 gxh5 41. gxh5 Bd3 $6 ({The attempt to set up a barrier with Der Versuch mittels} 41... f6 {was more stubborn, but in the long run it diod not help either, because White can exchange the kingside pawns as in the game: eine Barriere zu errichten war zäher, hilft aber letzlich ebenfalls nicht, weil Weiß wie in der Partie die Königsflügelbauern abtauschen kann:} 42. Nd8+ Ke7 43. h6 Bd3 (43... Kf8 44. Kf5 Ke7 45. Ke4 Kf8 46. Kd4 $18) 44. Nb7 $1 {White must transfer the knight to the kingside at once. An over-hasty penetration by the king Weiß muss den Springer unverzüglich zum Königsflügel bringen. Das voreilige Eindringen mit dem König} (44. Ke3 $6 Bf5 45. Nb7 $2 {loses control: verliert die Kontrolle:} Kf7 46. Nc5 Bc8 47. Kd4 f5 $1 (47... Kg6 $2 48. Kd5 Kxh6 (48... f5 49. Kc6 f4 50. Nd3 f3 51. Ne5+ Kxh6 52. Nxf3 $18) 49. Kc6 Bh3 50. Nxa6 f5 51. b5 f4 52. Nc5 Bf5 53. Kxc7 Bc2 54. Nd7 Kg5 55. Ne5 Kf5 56. b6 Kxe5 57. b7 f3 58. b8=Q $18) (47... c6 $2 48. Ne4 Kg6 49. h7 Kxh7 50. Nxf6+ Kg7 51. Ne8+ Kf8 52. Nc7 Ke7 53. Kc5 Kd7 54. Kb6 $18) 48. Kd5 Kg8 49. Kc6 f4 {and Black's counterplay should be enough for a draw. und das schwarze Gegenspiel sollte zum Remis reichen.}) 44... Kf7 45. Nc5 Bf1 (45... Bc4 46. h7 Kg7 47. Kf5 $18) 46. h7 Kg7 47. Ne6+ Kxh7 48. Kf5 $18) 42. Ke3 Bf1 (42... Bc4 43. Kd4 Bb3 44. Nb8 $18) 43. h6 Kf6 44. Ne5 Bb5 45. Kd4 Ba4 ({After Nach} 45... Be8 46. Kc5 {Black is in zugzwang, because ist Schwarz in Zugzwang, weil} Kxe5 {fails to an} 47. h7 {scheitert.}) 46. h7 Kg7 47. Nxf7 Kxh7 48. Ng5+ Kg6 49. Ne6 {...and Jakovenko resigned because sooner or later he will lose both pawns. ...und Jakovenko gab auf, weil er früher oder später beide Bauern verliert.} 1-0

[Event "Dortmund SuperGM 37th"]
[Site "Dortmund"]
[Date "2009.07.06"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Naiditsch, Arkadij"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C67"]
[WhiteElo "2772"]
[BlackElo "2697"]
[Annotator "Mueller,Karsten"]
[PlyCount "119"]
[EventDate "2009.07.02"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 131"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2009.07.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2009.07.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. d4 Nd6 6. Bxc6 dxc6 7. dxe5 Nf5 8. Qxd8+ Kxd8 9. Nc3 h6 10. h3 Ne7 11. Bf4 ({RR} 11. Be3 Ke8 12. Rad1 Bd7 13. a3 Rd8 14. Rfe1 a6 15. Ne4 Bf5 16. Nc5 Rxd1 17. Rxd1 Bc8 18. Nd3 Ng6 19. Nf4 Nxf4 20. Bxf4 Be7 21. Nd4 Bc5 22. Be3 Bxd4 23. Rxd4 Ke7 24. f3 Rd8 25. Rxd8 Kxd8 {Anand,V (2817)-Carlsen,M (2823) Sao Paulo/Bilbao 2011 ½-½}) 11... Ng6 12. Bg3 ({RR} 12. Bh2 Be6 13. Nd4 Bc5 14. Nxe6+ fxe6 15. Ne4 Be7 16. f4 Ke8 17. g4 Nh4 18. f5 exf5 19. gxf5 Rf8 20. f6 gxf6 21. exf6 Bd6 22. Nxd6+ cxd6 23. Rae1+ Kf7 24. Re7+ Kg6 25. Rg7+ Kh5 26. f7 Rad8 {Csonka,B (2473)-Minko,D (2247) chess.com INT 2025 1-0}) 12... Ke8 13. Rad1 Bb4 $146 ({RR} 13... Be7 14. Nd4 h5 15. e6 Bxe6 16. Nxe6 fxe6 17. Bxc7 Rc8 18. Bd6 Rd8 19. Ne4 b6 20. Rfe1 Bxd6 21. Rxd6 Rxd6 22. Nxd6+ Ke7 23. Nf5+ Kf6 24. Ng3 h4 25. Ne4+ Kf5 26. Nd6+ Kf6 27. Rd1 Nf4 28. Ne4+ {Guseinov,G (2645)-Maze,S (2614) Porticcio 2017 ½-½ (63)}) 14. Ne2 h5 15. Ned4 h4 16. Bh2 Nf8 17. Bf4 Bd7 18. Bg5 Be7 19. Rfe1 c5 20. e6 $1 {[%mdl 32] A strong opening up of the position by Magnus Carlsen in a way typical for the position. On account of his lead in development and the poor coordination of the black pieces, he gets dangerous compensation. Eine starke Stellungsöffnung von Magnus Carlsen in stellungstypischer Manier. Er erhält aufgrund seines Entwicklungsvorsprungs und der schlechten schwarzen Koordination gefährliche Kompensation.} (20. Bxe7 $6 Kxe7 21. Nb3 Ne6 {achieves nothing for White. bringt Weiß nichts ein.}) 20... fxe6 (20... Nxe6 $2 21. Nf5 $16) (20... Bxe6 $2 21. Nb5 $16) 21. Bxe7 Kxe7 22. Nf5+ Kf6 23. Ne3 Be8 24. Ng4+ Ke7 25. Nge5 Bg6 26. Rd5 {A spectacular move. Ein spektakulärer Zug.} ({However, I prefer the alternative Mir gefällt allerdings die Alternative} 26. Re3 $36 {. noch etwas besser.}) 26... b6 27. Rd2 Bf5 28. Ng5 Kf6 29. f4 Ng6 $2 ({The prophylactic Das prophylaktische} 29... Re8 {was safer. war sicherer.}) 30. Nd7+ Ke7 31. Nxe6 $2 {After this, White cannot count on any hope of winning against good defence. Danach kann Weiß gegen gute Verteidigung keine Gewinnhoffnungen mehr hegen.} (31. Rd5 $1 Rhe8 32. b3 $36 {would have left Black in a very uncomfortable situation. hätte Schwarz in eine sehr unbequeme Lage gebracht.}) 31... Bxe6 32. f5 Nf4 33. fxe6 Rhd8 $1 ({It is not necessary to go in for Es gibt keine Notwendigkeit, sich auf} 33... Nxe6 $6 34. Ne5 Rh6 35. Ng4 Rg6 36. Ne3 Kf7 37. Nf5 {. einzulassen.}) 34. Rf2 g5 35. Kh2 a5 (35... Nxe6 $2 36. Ne5 $16) 36. a4 Rg8 37. Ne5 Rae8 $1 {[%mdl 256] A strong defensive move which makes it clear that the e-pawn will fall without one of the white rooks being able to penetrate. Ein starker Verteidigungszug, der klarstellt, dass der e-Bauer fallen wird, ohne dass einer der weißen Türme eindringen kann.} (37... Nxe6 $2 38. Rf7+ Ke8 39. Rh7 $18) (37... Kxe6 $2 38. Ng6+ Kf5 39. Ne7+ $18) 38. Nf3 Nxe6 39. Re5 Kd6 40. Rd2+ Kc6 41. Rde2 Kd6 $2 {Just after the time control. Naiditsch makes the decisive mistake. Kurz nach der Zeitkontrolle begeht Naiditsch den entscheidenden Fehler.} ({He should content himself with the draw after Er sollte sich mit} 41... Kd7 $1 42. Rd2+ Kc6 43. Rde2 {. und remis zufrieden geben.}) 42. Nxg5 $1 $16 Ng7 43. Rxe8 Rxe8 44. Rxe8 Nxe8 45. Nf3 c4 46. Nxh4 c3 $2 {This deprives Black of many chances for counterplay and bnreakthrough. In addition, all White has to worry about now is the weak c2-pawn. Dies nimmt Schwarz viele Gegenspiel und Durchbruchsmöglichkeiten. Außerdem muss sich Weiß nun nur noch um den schwachen Bauern c2 kümmern.} (46... Ke5 {offered better practical chances, but should also lose in the long run, e.g.: bot bessere praktische Chancen, sollte aber langfristig ebenfalls verlieren, z.B.} 47. Nf3+ (47. Kg3 $6 Ke4 48. Kf2 b5) 47... Kf4 48. c3 Nd6 49. Nd2 Ke3 (49... c6 50. h4 Kg4 51. g3 b5 52. Kg2 $16) 50. Nb1 Kf4 51. Na3 c6 52. g3+ Ke4 53. h4 b5 54. h5 Kf5 55. g4+ Kg5 56. Kg2 $16) 47. b3 Kc5 48. Nf5 Kb4 49. g4 Ka3 50. Kg3 Kb2 51. Ne3 {... and it is obvious that the white passed pawns will decide the day.: ... und es ist klar, dass die weißen Freibauern den Tag entscheiden werden:} Kc1 52. Kf3 Kd2 53. h4 Ng7 54. h5 Ne6 55. h6 c6 56. Ke4 b5 57. Ke5 Ng5 58. Kf5 Nf7 59. h7 Kxe3 60. g5 1-0

[Event "Dortmund SuperGM 37th"]
[Site "Dortmund"]
[Date "2009.07.08"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Jakovenko, Dmitrij"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B33"]
[WhiteElo "2760"]
[BlackElo "2772"]
[Annotator "Rogozenco,Dorian"]
[PlyCount "89"]
[EventDate "2009.07.02"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 131"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2009.07.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2009.07.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 e5 6. Ndb5 d6 7. Bg5 a6 8. Na3 b5 9. Nd5 Be7 10. Bxf6 Bxf6 11. c3 Bg5 12. Nc2 Ne7 {This line became the main alternative for Black to the classical 12...0-0 and 12...b8. Its theory has developed very quickly in the past 4-5 years. Carlsen and even Jakovenko with the black pieces have used it already.} 13. Ncb4 ({Another possibility is to include the moves h4/h6, which has advantages and drawbacks for White. Here is the most recent example:} 13. h4 Bh6 14. a4 bxa4 15. Ncb4 O-O 16. Qxa4 Nxd5 17. Nxd5 a5 18. Bb5 (18. Bc4 {offers Black counterplay due to the weaknesses created on the kingside by the move 13.h4:} Kh8 19. g3 f5 20. exf5 Bxf5 21. O-O Be4 $132) 18... Be6 19. Bc6 Rb8 20. b4 axb4 21. cxb4 Kh8 ({The main alternative is} 21... Bxd5 22. Bxd5 Qb6) 22. b5 Bxd5 23. Bxd5 Qb6 24. O-O ({In the event of} 24. Bc6 {Black has the nice transfer of the bishop to a better diagonal:} Be3 $1 25. O-O (25. fxe3 Qxe3+ 26. Kd1 Qd3+ 27. Ke1 Qe3+ {is a draw}) 25... Bd4 26. Ra2 f5 27. exf5 Rxf5 28. g3 Rbf8 {and thanks to the pressure on f2 Black has nothing to fear, Grischuk,A (2719)-Illescas Cordoba,M (2604)/Dresden 2008}) 24... Qxb5 25. Qxb5 Rxb5 26. Ra6 $146 ({In Bacrot,E (2705)-Eljanov,P (2720)/Elista 2008 White took another pawn, but it led to the same result:} 26. Bxf7 g5 27. hxg5 Bxg5 28. Be6 Rb4 29. Bf5 d5 30. Ra5 dxe4 31. Rxe5 Bf4 32. Rxe4 Rxe4 33. Bxe4 Rc8 34. Bf3 Rc1 35. Bd1 Kg7 {and White cannot unpin the bishop without exchanging the rooks, which leads to a completely drawish position.}) 26... f6 27. Rxd6 Rc5 28. h5 (28. Rd7 Rc1 29. Rxc1 Bxc1 {looks slightly unpleasant for Black, but he simply waits and the position is a draw.}) 28... Rc7 29. g3 g6 30. Kg2 Kg7 {With the king on g7 (instead of being cut on h8) Black doesn't have even the slightest problem to achieve a draw.} 31. Kh3 Bc1 32. f4 exf4 33. gxf4 g5 34. fxg5 Bxg5 35. e5 Re7 36. e6 f5 37. Bc6 Kh6 38. Bf3 {½-½ Shirov,A-Radjabov,T/Bazna 2009}) 13... O-O 14. a4 bxa4 15. Qxa4 (15. Rxa4 a5 16. Nxe7+ (16. Bb5 {is a different story here and if Black wishes, he can force complete equality:} Bd7 17. Nxe7+ (17. Bxd7 axb4 $1) 17... Bxe7 18. Nc6 (18. Bxd7 axb4 $11) 18... Qe8 19. Qd5 Be6 20. Qd3 Bd7 21. Nxe7+ Qxe7 $11) 16... Qxe7 17. Bc4 Bd7 18. Nd5 Qe8 19. Ra2 Bd8 20. O-O Rc8 21. Bb3 Rb8 $11 {0-1 Smeets,J (2550)-Carlsen,M (2625)/Wijk aan Zee 2006 (44)}) 15... Nxd5 (15... a5 16. Bb5 Nxd5 17. Nxd5 Be6 18. Bc6 Rb8 19. Ra2 Qc8 20. O-O Bd8 21. b4 Kh8 22. Rd2 Qa6 23. b5 $16 {1-0 Kamsky,G (2690)-Carlsen,M (2570)/Khanty Mansiysk 2005 (31)}) 16. Nxd5 Bd7 (16... a5 17. Bb5 {leads to the above mentioned game Kamsky-Carlsen, see 15...a5.}) 17. Qc2 {Keeping the queen in the centre looks like the optimal decision.} (17. Qa2 a5 18. Bd3 (18. Bc4 a4 19. O-O Rb8 20. Rfd1 Kh8 $14 {/=}) 18... Bc6 19. O-O Qb8 20. Bc4 Kh8 21. b3 f5 22. exf5 {½-½ Anand,V (2799)-Carlsen,M (2733)/Linares 2008}) (17. Qa5 Qb8 18. b4 Bd8 19. Qa2 a5 20. Bc4 Bc6 $132 {½-½ Berg,E (2586)-Carlsen,M (2690)/Faaborg 2007 (60)}) ({RR} 17. Qa3 Bc6 18. Bc4 a5 19. b3 Kh8 20. O-O f5 21. Qb2 fxe4 22. Qe2 Bxd5 23. Bxd5 Rc8 24. Qxe4 Rxc3 25. Bc4 Qb6 26. Ra2 g6 27. Qd5 Rc1 28. Rxc1 Bxc1 29. g3 Qc5 30. Qxc5 dxc5 31. Rxa5 Bb2 {Inarkiev,E (2663)-Wang,Y (2696) Nizhnij Novgorod 2007 ½-½ (37)}) 17... a5 18. Bc4 {I believe this is the critical position of the line 12...e7. Although it is very close to equal, in fact White has a small plus, since he can play on without any major risk. His plan is to combine pressure on the d-file with play on the queenside (b2-b4, or pressure on the a-file first). In each case Black still must find a way to arrange optimally all his pieces (and first of all to find a job for his dark-squared bishop, which, being on the diagonal c1-h6, can easily be out of any queenside action).} Rc8 $146 (18... a4 19. O-O Qa5 20. Nb4 (20. Qe2 Qc5 21. Ra3 Kh8 22. Rfa1 Rac8 23. Rxa4 $5 Bxa4 24. Rxa4 f5 25. Bd3 Ra8 26. Rxa8 Rxa8 27. g3 $44 {1-0 Sjugirov,S (2395)-Gladyszev,O (2485)/Lipetsk 2007 (62)}) 20... Qc5 21. Bd5 Ra7 22. Nd3 Qb6 23. Rfd1 Kh8 24. c4 Qb8 25. Qc3 Rc8 26. c5 $5 (26. Bxf7 Bg4 27. Bd5 Bxd1 28. Rxd1 $13) 26... Bb5 27. c6 $13 {0-1 Korneev,O (2657)-Jakovenko,D (2671)/Pamplona 2006 (67)}) (18... Kh8 19. O-O f5 20. exf5 Bxf5 21. Bd3 $14) (18... Qb8 19. O-O Rc8 20. Qe2 Qb7 21. b3 Be6 22. Ra2 Bd8 23. Rfa1 Kf8 24. h3 Qc6 25. Bb5 Qb7 26. Bc4 Qc6 27. Bb5 $14 {½-½ Lukin,A (2423)-Shariyazdanov,A (2594)/St Petersburg 2001}) (18... Bc6 19. O-O Qb8 20. Ra3 Qb7 21. Rfa1 (21. b3 $5) 21... a4 22. Re1 Ra5 23. Qe2 Bd8 24. Raa1 g6 25. Kh1 Kg7 26. Rad1 a3 27. b4 $14 {½-½ Korneev,O (2613)-Cherniaev,A (2504)/Catalan Bay 2003 (45)}) (18... Rb8 19. Qe2 a4 20. O-O Qc8 21. Nb4 Bd8 22. Rfd1 Bb6 23. Nd5 Qd8 24. Nxb6 Rxb6 {½-½ Illescas Cordoba,M (2598)-San Segundo Carrillo,P (2536)/Ayamonte 2007}) ({RR} 18... Qb8 19. O-O Rc8 20. Qe2 Qb7 21. b3 Be6 22. Ra2 Bd8 23. Rfa1 Kf8 24. h3 Qc6 25. Bb5 Qb7 26. Bc4 Qc6 27. Bb5 {½-½ (27) Lukin,A (2423)-Shariyazdanov,A (2594) St Petersburg 2001}) ({RR} 18... a4 19. O-O Qa5 20. Nb4 Qc5 21. Bd5 Ra7 22. Nd3 Qb6 23. Rfd1 Kh8 24. c4 Qb8 25. Qc3 Rc8 26. c5 Bb5 27. c6 Bd8 28. Rac1 Bb6 29. Qa3 h6 30. g3 Bd4 31. Rc2 Qc7 32. Kg2 Ra6 33. Rdc1 {Korneev,O (2657)-Jakovenko,D (2671) Pamplona 2006 0-1 (67)}) ({RR} 18... Qb8 19. O-O Rc8 20. Qd3 a4 21. b4 Bc6 22. Qg3 Bd8 23. f4 Bd7 24. Ba2 Be6 25. f5 Bxd5 26. Bxd5 Ra7 27. f6 g6 28. Ra3 h6 29. Qxg6+ {1-0 (29) Gascon del Nogal,J (2457)-Marichal Gonzalez,A (2280) Porlamar 2016}) 19. Qe2 Kh8 20. O-O f5 21. exf5 Bxf5 22. Bd3 $1 Be6 (22... e4 $2 23. Bxe4 Re8 24. f3 $16) 23. Be4 Rb8 24. Qc2 Bg8 ({Perhaps Black must accept an inferior position by playing immediately} 24... Bxd5 25. Bxd5 Qb6 26. b3 Qc5 $14 {since now after} 27. Be4 {he has} d5 $1 28. Bxh7 e4 29. Bg6 Rb6 30. Bh5 Bf6 $44 {But instead of 27.e4 better is 27.ad1, with advantage for White.}) 25. b3 $1 $14 {Jakovenko shows that although Carlsen completed his plan (f7-f5), he is still far from complete equality. White is slowly improving, while Black doesn't have any counterplay. Exchanging on d5 would lose completely Black's control over the light squares and protecting h7 will involve creating further weaknesses.} (25. Rfd1 Bxd5 $1 26. Rxd5 ({or} 26. Bxd5 Qb6 $11) 26... Qb6 $11 {[%csl Rb2,Rf2][%cal Gf8f2,Gg5e3] and Black equalizes in view of the double attack (xf2 followed by Ae3 is also a threat).}) 25... Rb5 26. c4 Rb8 27. Nc3 $2 {Letting it slip away. Jakovenko plans 28.d5, but he misses that Black can avoid the exchange of light-squared bishops.} ({After the correct} 27. Rfd1 {Black starts to have real problems, since it is not clear what to do. The queen from d8 cannot move because it must protect the pawn on a5, the bishop on g8 must protect h7. The rooks and the bishop on g5 don't have any meaningful moves either. White can play next d3 and then either double on the d-file or play h3 or c3. In any case after 27.fd1 Carlsen's position would have been quite unpleasant. For instance} Bxd5 28. Rxd5 Qb6 {loses a pawn after} 29. Rb5 Qd4 30. Rd1) 27... Qb6 $1 {Immediately exploiting the drawback of White's previous move.} 28. Rab1 h6 $1 29. Bd5 Bh7 {The point. White cannot exchange the bishops. As the result of 27.c3 Black has succeeded in relocating his queen.} 30. Be4 Bg8 31. g3 (31. Nd5 Qc5 {is a different story now. The queen is much better placed on c5 than on d8. Additionally, Black has the plan d8-b6, equalizing completely.}) 31... Qc5 32. Kg2 Bd8 {Now the position is equal.} 33. Rbd1 Qb4 34. Rb1 Bb6 35. Nd5 Bxd5 36. Bxd5 Bd4 {White's only chance to set at least some problems is to place the queen on e4 and the bishop on c2 or d3, but he doesn't have time to achieve a good version of such a rearrangement.} 37. Be4 Qc3 {Black understandably wants to force the exchange of queens, but Jakovenko finds a way to avoid it.} (37... Rf6 $11) 38. Qe2 $1 (38. Qxc3 Bxc3 $11) 38... Rf6 $1 (38... Rxb3 {requres from Black after} 39. Qg4 Rxb1 40. Qg6 {to find some computer-study-like ways to save himself, which is of course completely unnecessary for him.}) 39. Bd3 Qb4 $1 {A clever decision. Carlsen realized that the plan with c3 led Black nowhere and he rightly brings the queen back.} (39... Rxb3 $2 40. Rxb3 Qxb3 41. Qe4 g6 42. Rb1 $36) 40. h4 (40. Qe4 Qb7 $11) (40. f3 Qb7 $11) 40... Qb7+ 41. Be4 Qf7 $11 42. Bd5 Qg6 43. Be4 (43. h5 Qg5 $132 {[%csl Rf2,Rh5][%cal Gb8f8]}) 43... Qf7 44. Bd5 Qg6 45. Be4 1/2-1/2

[Event "Dortmund SuperGM 37th"]
[Site "Dortmund"]
[Date "2009.07.09"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Leko, Peter"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C88"]
[WhiteElo "2772"]
[BlackElo "2756"]
[PlyCount "44"]
[EventDate "2009.07.02"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 131"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2009.07.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2009.07.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. a4 b4 9. d4 d6 10. dxe5 dxe5 11. Qxd8 Rxd8 12. Nbd2 Bd6 13. a5 h6 14. Bc4 Re8 15. Nb3 Be6 16. Bd3 Red8 17. Bf1 $146 ({RR} 17. Nfd2 Nd7 18. Bc4 Nc5 19. Nxc5 Bxc5 20. Bxe6 fxe6 21. Nb3 Ba7 22. Be3 Nd4 23. Rac1 Nxb3 24. cxb3 Bxe3 25. Rxe3 c5 26. Re2 Rd3 27. g3 Rc8 28. Rec2 Rxb3 29. Kg2 Kf7 30. Rxc5 Rxc5 31. Rxc5 Rxb2 {Antipov,M (2462)-Heimann,A (2493) Athens 2012 ½-½ (31)}) ({RR} 17. Nfd2 Nd7 18. Nc4 Nc5 19. Nxc5 Bxc5 20. Be3 Bxe3 21. Nxe3 b3 22. Bf1 Nd4 23. cxb3 Nxb3 24. Ra3 Rd2 25. Re2 Rxe2 26. Bxe2 Nd4 27. Bf1 Kf8 28. Rc3 Rb8 29. Rxc7 Rxb2 30. h4 Ra2 31. Bxa6 Rxa5 {Adams,M (2744)-Aronian,L (2781) London 2015 ½-½ (34)}) 17... Kf8 18. Nfd2 Nd7 19. Nc4 Nc5 20. Nxc5 Bxc5 21. c3 f6 22. Be3 Bxe3 1/2-1/2

[Event "Dortmund SuperGM 37th"]
[Site "Dortmund"]
[Date "2009.07.11"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Naiditsch, Arkadij"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B33"]
[WhiteElo "2697"]
[BlackElo "2772"]
[PlyCount "63"]
[EventDate "2009.07.02"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 131"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2009.07.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2009.07.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 {Rogozenco,Dorian} c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 e5 6. Ndb5 d6 7. Bg5 a6 8. Na3 b5 9. Nd5 Be7 10. Bxf6 Bxf6 11. c3 Bg5 12. Nc2 O-O 13. a4 bxa4 14. Rxa4 a5 15. Bc4 Bd7 16. O-O Ne7 ({RR} 16... Nd4 17. Ra2 Ne6 18. Qe2 a4 19. Ncb4 Nc5 20. Nd3 Ne6 21. Rfa1) ({RR} 16... Nb4 17. Ra3 ({RR} 17. Ncxb4 Bxa4 18. Qxa4 axb4 19. Qxb4) 17... Rc8 18. cxb4 axb4 19. Ra6 Rxc4 20. Rxd6 b3 21. Nce3 Rd4 22. Qxb3 Qc8 23. Qc2 Be6 24. Rc6 Qb8) 17. Ra2 ({RR} 17. Ra3 Nxd5 ({RR} 17... Rc8 18. Nxe7+ Qxe7 19. Qd3 Rc5 20. Rd1) 18. Bxd5 Rb8 19. b4 axb4 20. Nxb4 ({RR} 20. cxb4) 20... Qb6 21. Qe2 ({RR} 21. Ra6 Qc7 22. Rxd6 Kh8 ({RR} 22... Qxd6 23. Bxf7+ Rxf7 24. Qxd6) 23. Bb3 Bb5) 21... Bb5 22. Bc4 Rfc8 23. Bxb5 Qxb5 24. Qxb5 ({RR} 24. Qg4 Bd8 ({RR} 24... h6 25. Na6 Ra8 26. Nc7)) 24... Rxb5 25. Rd1 g6 26. g3 ({RR} 26. Rxd6 Rxb4 27. cxb4 Rc1+) 26... Kg7 27. Nd5 ({RR} 27. Rxd6 Be7 28. Rd5 Bxb4 29. cxb4 Rxb4 30. Rxe5 Kf6) 27... Rc4 ({RR} 27... Rb2 28. Rd3 ({RR} 28. Ra6 Bd2 29. Rxd6 Bxc3 30. Rc1 Rb3 ({RR} 30... Bb4 31. Rxg6+ hxg6 32. Rxc8 Be1) 31. Rd7 Rc5)) ({RR} 27... Bd8 28. Ra6) 28. Ra7 Bd8 ({RR} 28... Rxe4 29. Nc7) 29. Rd7 Ba5 30. Re1 ({RR} 30. Rxd6 Rxe4) ({RR} 30. Rd3 Rxe4 31. Rf3 Rxd5 32. Rfxf7+ Kh6 ({RR} 32... Kg8 33. Rg7+ Kf8 34. Rxh7 Kg8 35. Rdg7+ Kf8 36. Ra7 Kg8 37. Rhd7) 33. Kg2 ({RR} 33. h4 Kh5 34. Rxh7+ Kg4 35. Kg2 Rd2 36. Rhg7 Kf5)) 30... Bb6 31. Nxb6 ({RR} 31. Rxd6 Bc5 32. Rf6 ({RR} 32. Rc6 Bxf2+ 33. Kxf2 Rxc6) 32... Rb2 33. Kf1 Rd2 34. Rf3 f5) 31... Rxb6 {Shirov,A (2755)-Topalov,V (2780) Morelia/Linares 2008 CBM 123 [Rogozenco,Dorian] 1-0 (63)}) 17... Nxd5 ({RR} 17... Rc8 18. Nxe7+ Qxe7 19. Bd5 Rc5 20. b3 Rxc3 21. Rxa5 Be6) 18. Bxd5 Rc8 19. Qd3 $146 ({RR} 19. Na3 Be6 20. Qd3 Bxd5 21. Qxd5 Rc5 22. Qd3 Qb6 23. c4 Qc6 24. b3 f5 25. Nb5 fxe4 26. Qxd6 e3 27. Re2 Rd8 28. Qxc6 Rxc6 29. fxe3 Rd3 30. g3 Rxb3 31. Ra1 Rxe3 32. Kf2 Rf6+ 33. Ke1 Ref3 {Vescovi,G (2526)-Mecking,H (2560) Sao Paulo 2000 0-1 (42)}) ({RR} 19. Na3 a4 20. Re1 Kh8 21. Nc4 Bb5 22. Na3 Bd7 23. Nc4 Bb5 24. Ne3 g6 25. Ra3 f5 26. exf5 gxf5 27. Be6 f4 28. Nf5 Rc6 29. c4 Bxc4 30. Bxc4 Rxc4 31. Qd5 Qc7 32. Qe6 {½-½ (32) El Taher,F (2477)-Tissir,M (2383) Cairo 2001}) 19... Qb6 20. Rfa1 Kh8 21. Rxa5 f5 22. Qa6 Qxb2 23. R5a2 Qxc3 24. Qxd6 Bb5 25. Be6 Rfd8 26. Qa3 Qxa3 27. Nxa3 Rc1+ 28. Rxc1 Bxc1 29. h4 Bd3 30. exf5 Ra8 31. Nb1 Rxa2 32. Bxa2 1/2-1/2

[Event "Carlsen sim"]
[Site "Oslo"]
[Date "2009.08.27"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Stanford, Sheila Barth"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B90"]
[WhiteElo "2772"]
[BlackElo "2217"]
[PlyCount "53"]
[EventDate "2009.08.27"]
[EventType "simul"]
[EventRounds "1"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2023"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2022.10.05"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2022.10.05"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Be3 e5 7. Nf3 Be6 8. Ng5 Qc8 9. Nxe6 fxe6 10. g4 Be7 ({RR} 10... h6 11. h4 Be7 12. Rg1 Nc6 13. g5 hxg5 14. hxg5 Nd7 15. Qg4 Nf8 16. O-O-O b5 17. Bh3 Rb8 18. Nd5 Qb7 19. Nxe7 Qxe7 20. f4 exf4 21. Bxf4 Rd8 22. Qg3 e5 23. Be3 Ne6 24. c3 b4 25. Qg4 {Tureshbayev,A (2214)-Montano Vicente,G (1991) chess.com INT 2025 1-0 (37)}) 11. g5 Nfd7 12. Qh5+ $146 ({RR} 12. h4 Nf8 13. Bh3 Nbd7 14. Qh5+ g6 15. Qf3 Rg8 16. O-O-O Rg7 17. Bg4 Qc4 18. h5 Rf7 19. Qh3 b5 20. a3 a5 21. Be2 Qc7 22. Bxb5 Rc8 23. hxg6 hxg6 24. Qg4 Kd8 25. Rh8 d5 26. Qxe6 Rh7 {Milosevic,M (2342)-Radosavljevic,V (1914) Novi Sad 2022 1-0}) ({RR} 12. h4 Nf8 13. Bh3 Nbd7 14. Qh5+ g6 15. Qf3 Rg8 16. O-O-O Rg7 17. Bg4 Qc4 18. h5 Rf7 19. Qh3 b5 20. a3 a5 21. Be2 Qc7 22. Bxb5 Rc8 23. hxg6 hxg6 24. Qg4 Kd8 25. Rh8 d5 26. Qxe6 Rh7 {Milosevic,M (2342)-Radosavljevic,V (1914) Novi Sad 2022 1-0}) 12... g6 13. Qg4 Nc5 14. Bxc5 Qxc5 15. Qxe6 Rf8 16. Nd5 Qxf2+ 17. Kd1 Nc6 18. Bh3 Qd4+ 19. Kc1 Rf2 20. Qg8+ Rf8 21. Nc7+ Kd8 22. Ne6+ Ke8 23. Nxf8 Qe3+ 24. Kb1 Qxh3 25. Nxg6+ Kd7 26. Qxa8 hxg6 27. Qxb7+ 1-0

[Event "Nanjing Pearl Spring 2nd"]
[Site "Nanjing"]
[Date "2009.09.28"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Leko, Peter"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C45"]
[WhiteElo "2772"]
[BlackElo "2762"]
[Annotator "Carlsen,Magnus"]
[PlyCount "87"]
[EventDate "2009.09.28"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "CHN"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 133"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2009.11.19"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2009.11.19"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 $1 {The Scotch. Judging by the time spent by my opponent in the opening, as well as the position that arose, a good opening choice for this game! Schottisch. Nach der Bedenkzeit zu urteilen, die mein Gegner in der Eröffnung verbrauchte, sowie der Stellung, die sich ergab, eine gute Wahl für diese Partie!} exd4 4. Nxd4 Bc5 5. Be3 Qf6 6. c3 Nge7 7. Bc4 Ne5 8. Be2 Qg6 9. O-O d6 10. f4 $5 {An old move, seldom seen nowadays. Ein alter Zug, heutzutage selten gesehen.} Qxe4 11. Bf2 Bxd4 {For those who want to know why this and the next move are almost exclusively played here, I refer to other sources :)  Für diejenigen, die wissen wollen, wieso dieser und der nächste Zug an dieser Stelle fast ausschließlich gespielt werden, verweise ich auf andere Quellen :)} 12. cxd4 N5g6 13. g3 {This move was introduced by Morozevich against Kramnik, Monaco 2001. Dieser Zug wurde von Morozevich gegen Kramnik in die Praxis eingeführt, Monaco 2001.} ({Earlier games mostly saw In früheren Partien geschah überwiegend} 13. Nc3 Qxf4 14. Nb5 O-O 15. Nxc7 Rb8 {after which Black seldom had any problems. The text is the start of a more positional plan, aiming to clamp down on the black position with d5 and play for long-term compensation with the bishop pair. , wonach Schwarz selten irgendwelche Probleme hatte. Der Text ist der Auftakt zu einem positionelleren Plan, der darauf abzielt, mit d5 die schwarze Stellung einzuengen und auf langfristige Kompensation mit dem Läuferpaar zu spielen.}) 13... O-O $6 {An inaccurate move. Leko explained afterwards that since he had already spent quite a lot of time in the opening, he made this reflex move quicky, without realizing that it would give him a difficult position. Ein ungenauer Zug. Leko erklärte hinterher, dass er, da er bereits eine Menge Zeit in der Eröffnung verbraucht hatte, schnell diesen Reflexzug machte, ohne zu realisieren, dass er ihm eine schwierige Stellung einbringen würde.} (13... Bh3 14. Bf3 Qf5 15. Re1 d5 16. Qb3 {Is the critical continuation. Now both ist die kritische Fortsetzung. Möglich sind nun sowohl} O-O 17. Nc3 Bg4 18. Bxd5 {with a draw in Nakamura-Grischuk, played slightly later at the ECC in Ohrid, or the challenging 16... 0-0-0!? are possible. mit Remis in Nakamura-Grischuk, gespielt kurz darauf beim Europa-Cup in Ohrid, oder das anspruchsvollere 16... 0-0-0!?.}) ({RR} 13... Bh3 14. Bf3 Qf5 15. Re1 d5 16. Qb3 O-O 17. Nc3 c6 18. Qxb7 Rfb8 19. Qc7 Qf6 {½-½ (19) Morozevich,A (2749)-Kramnik,V (2802) Dortmund 2001}) 14. Nc3 Qf5 15. d5 {This is the position I was aiming for. I do not claim a real advantage for White here, but I think that it is much easier to play White here, as he has a lot of space, while Black is cramped, and finds it more difficult to find a way to arrange his pieces. Dies ist die Stellung, die ich angestrebt hatte. Ich beanspruche keinen wirklichen Vorteil für Weiß hier, aber ich denke, dass es hier wesentlich einfacher ist, Weiß zu spielen, da er eine Menge Raum hat, während Schwarz beengt steht und es ihm schwerer fällt, einen Weg zu finden, seine Figuren zu arrangieren.} a6 (15... Bd7 {was played a few days later in Ganguly-Acs, but that game didn't shake the evaluation of the position: Black was suffering in that game as well. geschah ein paar Tage später in Ganguly-Acs, aber diese Partie konnte die Einschätzung der Stellung nicht erschüttern: Auch in jener Partie hatte Schwarz zu leiden.}) 16. Re1 $146 ({RR} 16. Rc1 Bd7 17. Bf3 Rfe8 18. Qb3 b6 19. Ne2 Rac8 20. Nd4 Qf6 21. Rc3 Nf5 22. Nxf5 Bxf5 23. Rfc1 Qd8 24. Rc4 Bd7 25. Qc3 b5 26. Rxc7 Rxc7 27. Qxc7 Qxc7 28. Rxc7 Re7 29. Rb7 Bc8 30. Rb6 Rd7 {Hofmann,C (1984)-Duong,Y (1992) Kreuzlingen 2016 1-0 (31)}) 16... Kh8 $5 {An interesting idea. The knight is seeking greener pastures via the f6-square. Eine interessante Idee. Der Springer strebt über das Feld f6 zu grüneren Weiden.} (16... b5 17. a3 {is hardly a solution to the problems, as Black can never play ...b7 due to g4 f6 d4, trapping the black queen. ist kaum eine Lösung der Probleme, da Schwarz nie ...b7 spielen kann wegen g4 f6 d4 und die schwarze Dame ist gefangen.}) 17. Rc1 Bd7 18. Bf3 {A very useful move, preparing e2-d4, where the knight will occupy a dominant position. Ein sehr nützlicher Zug, e2-d4 wird vorbereitet, wo der Springer eine dominante Stellung einnehmen wird.} Rac8 19. Qb3 b5 20. Ne2 Qh3 21. Nd4 Bg4 $2 (21... Ng8 $1 {would have been a better choice, as Leko pointed out after the game. Black intends to play ...f6 without having to worry about c6, which was very strong in the game. wäre eine bessere Wahl gewesen, wie Leko nach der Partie hervorhob. Schwarz beabsichtig, ...f6 zu spielen, ohne sich wegen c6 sorgen zu müssen, was in der Partie sehr stark war.} 22. Nc6 Nf6 23. Bg2 Qf5 {and Black is definitely in the game. und Schwarz ist definitiv in der Partie.} (23... Qh5 24. Bd4 $16 {is weaker. ist schwächer.})) 22. Bg2 Qh5 23. h4 $1 {The key move. Now all the black pieces on the kingside look rather stupid, while the black queenside pawns are ripe for harvest. Der Schlüsselzug. Nun wirken alle schwarzen Figuren am Königsflügel ziemlich dämlich, während die schwarzen Damenflügelbauern reif zur Ernte sind} Ng8 $6 {Leko was already short on time, and desperately wanted to create counterplay. He missed my next move, having only counted on 24.a3.  Leko war bereits knapp and Zeit und wollte unbedingt Gegenspiel aufziehen. Er übersah meinen nächsten Zug, da er nur mit 24.a3 gerechnet hatte.} 24. Rc6 $1 (24. Qa3 Nf6 25. Qxa6 Nxd5 26. Qxb5 c5 {when Black is doing very well. It has to be said that Black had a very difficult position after other moves as well, as there is no simple way of stopping c3 and ec1, and c7 will drop. , wonach Schwarz sehr gut steht. Zu sagen ist, dass Schwarz auch nach anderen Zügen eine sehr schwierige Stellung hätte, da es keine einfache Möglichkeit gibt, c3 und ec1 zu stoppen, wonach c7 fallen wird.}) 24... Nf6 25. Rxa6 {Now b5 is also dropping, and White should be winning. My only worry was that the rook would remain out of play on a6, while black occupies the e-file. However, this is far-fetched, especially as Black might have problems with the back rank in some lines. Nun fällt auch noch b5, und Weiß sollte gewinnen. Meine einzige Sorge war, dass der Turm auf a6 aus dem Spiel bleiben würde, während Schwarz die e-Linie besetzt. Dies ist jedoch weit hergeholt, vor allem, da Schwarz in manchen Abspielen Probleme mit der Grundreihe hat.} Bd7 (25... Rfe8 26. Rxe8+ Rxe8 27. Ra7 $1 {is hopeless for Black. ist hoffnunglos für Schwarz.}) 26. Nxb5 Rb8 27. a4 Ng4 28. Bf3 Qh6 (28... Qf5 29. Be4 (29. Ra7 Nxf4 (29... Rfe8 30. Rxe8+ Rxe8 31. Nd4 $1 Qb1+ 32. Qd1) 30. gxf4 Nxf2 31. Kxf2 Qxf4 {is better for White, but gives some counterplay. ist besser für Weiß, gibt aber etwas Gegenspiel.}) 29... Qh5 30. Ra7 {looks like plain sailing for White. scheint für Weiß glatt zu laufen.}) 29. Qc4 {I spent quite a bit of time around here, trying to allow as little counterplay as possible. With this move I prevent ...xf2 xf2 xf4, while... Hier etwa verbrauchte ich einiges an Zeit bei dem Versuch, so wenig Gegenspiel wie möglich zu erlauben. Mit diesem Zug verhindere ich ...xf2 xf2 xf4, während...} Nxh4 {Desperation, but what else? Verzweiflung, aber was sonst?} (29... Nxf2 30. Kxf2 Nxh4 {is met by wird pariert mit} 31. Rh1 $1 (31. gxh4 $4 Qxh4+ 32. Kf1 Bh3+ {and Black wins, is not such a good idea. und Schwarz gewinnt ist keine so gute Ideee.})) 30. Bxg4 Bxg4 31. gxh4 Bf3 32. f5 {Now White is easily winning, and the only thing remaining was the pleasant task of making it to move 40 without blundering anything. Nun gewinnt Weiß leicht, und das Einzige, was noch blieb, war die angenehme Aufgabe, es bist zum 40. Zug zu schaffen, ohne etwas einzustellen.} Qh5 33. Qf4 Bxd5 34. Nxc7 Bb7 35. Rb6 f6 36. Bd4 Qf7 37. Ne6 Rg8 38. Kf2 Rbc8 39. Bc3 Bd5 40. a5 Rc4 41. Nd4 Ba8 42. Qxd6 Qh5 43. Qf4 Rcc8 44. Rbe6 {And Black finally resigned. My first win in a classical game against Leko! Und Schwarz gab endlich auf. Mein erster Sieg in einer klassischen Partie gegen Leko!} 1-0

[Event "Nanjing Pearl Spring 2nd"]
[Site "Nanjing"]
[Date "2009.10.01"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Jakovenko, Dmitrij"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B92"]
[WhiteElo "2742"]
[BlackElo "2772"]
[Annotator "Ftacnik,Lubomir"]
[PlyCount "126"]
[EventDate "2009.09.28"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "CHN"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 133"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2009.11.19"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2009.11.19"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Be2 e5 7. Nb3 Be7 8. O-O O-O 9. Be3 Be6 10. Qd2 Nbd7 11. a4 Nb6 12. a5 Nc4 13. Bxc4 Bxc4 14. Rfd1 Rc8 15. f3 {Jakovenko is not rushing the issue and intentionally sidesteps the main move with the transfer of the knight from b3. Presumably he was not too happy about the possibility of his opponent's counterplay with the ...d6-d5 advance.} (15. Nc1 d5 $5 {The quiet continuation is fine as well, but White tends to play for an advantage.} (15... Qc7 16. Nd3 (16. Bb6 Qc6 17. f3 h6 (17... Rfe8 18. N1a2 Bxa2 19. Rxa2 h6 20. Raa1 Qc4 21. Ra4 Qc6 22. Qd3 $14 {1-0 Barbulescu,D (2465)-Womacka,M (2375)/Eforie Nord 1984 (67)}) 18. Nd3 Bxd3 19. Qxd3 Qc4 20. Be3 Rc6 21. Qxc4 Rxc4 22. Kf1 {½-½ Karpov,A (2710)-Ostermeyer,P (2450)/Hannover 1983 (80)}) (16. N1e2 Bxe2 17. Qxe2 Qc4 18. Qf3 h6 19. Ra4 Qe6 20. Rb4 Rc7 21. Qe2 Rfc8 22. Qd3 Rd7 23. Nd5 Bd8 24. Qb3 Bxa5 25. Rxb7 Rxb7 26. Qxb7 Rxc2 27. Nxf6+ gxf6 28. b4 Rc7 29. Qb8+ Rc8 30. Qb7 Rc7 31. Qxa6 Bxb4 {1-0 Tal,M (2610)-Rodriguez,R (2415)/Moscow 1982 (41)}) (16. f3 Be6 17. Bb6 Qb8 18. N1a2 Nd7 19. Be3 f5 20. exf5 Rxf5 21. Nb4 Nf6 22. Nbd5 Bf8 23. Qd3 Rc6 24. Nxf6+ Rxf6 25. Nd5 $14 {0-1 Cernousek,L (2242)-Efimenko,Z (2439)/Balatonlelle 2001 (42)}) 16... Bxd3 (16... d5 17. Bb6 Qb8 18. exd5 Nxd5 19. Nxd5 Bxd5 20. Nxe5 Qxe5 21. Qxd5 Qxd5 22. Rxd5 Rxc2 23. Rd7 Bf6 24. Rxb7 Rxb2 25. Rd1 Bd4 26. Ra7 {½-½ Czarnota,P (2497)-Heberla,B (2487)/Krakow 2006}) 17. Qxd3 h6 18. Qe2 Qc4 19. Qf3 Rfe8 20. Ra4 Qc7 21. Qe2 Qd7 22. Rb4 Rc6 23. Nd5 Nxd5 24. Rxd5 $14 {½-½ Oral,T (2538)-Vokac,M (2451)/Czechia 2009 (45)}) 16. Bb6 Qe8 17. exd5 Bb4 18. N1a2 $2 (18. d6 Qd7 19. Nd3 Qxd6 $11) 18... Bxa2 19. Rxa2 Bxc3 20. bxc3 Ne4 21. Qd3 Nxc3 22. Raa1 Nxd1 23. Rxd1 Qd7 {0-1 Ivanov,O (2461)-Luzhinsky,V (2298)/Alushta 2009 (35)}) ({RR} 15. Bb6 Qe8 16. Nc1 d5 17. Nxd5 Nxe4 18. Nxe7+ Qxe7 19. Qe1 f5 20. b3 Bf7 21. c4 Rfe8 22. f3 Nc5 23. Qe3 Nd7 24. Nd3 Nxb6 25. axb6 e4 26. fxe4 fxe4 27. Nf4 Rc6 28. Nd5 Bxd5 29. Rxd5 Qe6 {Adams,M (2734)-Anand,V (2811) London 2011 ½-½ (49)}) 15... Rc6 ({RR} 15... Qd7 16. Na4 Qc6 17. Nb6 Rcd8 18. Qb4 Be6 19. c4 h6 20. Rac1 Nh7 21. Nd5 Bxd5 22. cxd5 Qd7 23. Nd2 f5 24. Nc4 fxe4 25. Nb6 Qf5 26. Qxe4 Qxe4 27. fxe4 Bg5 28. Re1 Rf7 29. Bxg5 Nxg5 30. h4 {Hou Yifan (2609)-Divya,D (2478) chess.com INT 2025 ½-½ (41)}) 16. Kh1 {Black was ready to employ tactics and push the d-pawn at a suitable moment.} (16. Nc1 d5 $1 17. exd5 Nxd5 18. Nxd5 Bxd5 19. Nd3 Qd6 20. b3 $11) 16... Qc8 $146 ({RR} 16... Nh5 17. Nc1 Qc8 18. Na4 f5 19. Nb6 Rxb6 20. axb6 fxe4 21. fxe4 Bh4 22. Nd3 Qg4 23. Rf1 Nf6 24. Rf3 Qxe4 25. Bg5 Bxg5 26. Qxg5 Bd5 27. Raf1 h6 28. Qg3 Kh7 29. Qf2 Ng4 30. Qg3 Rxf3 31. Qxf3 {Sandu,M (2268)-Barath,M (2307) Berlin 2018 1-0 (43)}) 17. Rac1 Rd8 18. Nd5 {The waiting game is over. Jakovenko is forced to close the centre in order to prevent the activity of the enemy pieces.} Bxd5 (18... Nxd5 $2 19. exd5 Rc7 20. Bb6 $14) 19. exd5 Rc4 20. Qd3 e4 $1 {Just in time Carlsen opens the new front along the e-file.} 21. fxe4 (21. Qe2 exf3 22. Qxf3 Rxc2 23. Bg5 Qc4 $15) 21... Rxe4 22. c4 Re8 23. Bg1 {White has not sensed the imperative necessity to react actively against the mounting concentration of black pieces.} (23. Nd2 Rh4 (23... Rg4 24. b4 Nd7 25. Nf3 $11) 24. Bd4 Nh5 (24... Qg4 25. Bxf6 Bxf6 26. Nf3 Rh5 27. Re1 Rf8 28. Rc2 $14) 25. Nf3 Rg4 26. Qc2 Bf6 $11) 23... Bf8 24. Nd4 $6 (24. Rf1 Qg4 25. h3 Qg5 26. Nd4 $11) 24... g6 25. Rf1 (25. b4 Bh6 $1 26. Rc2 Be3 27. Bxe3 Rxe3 28. Qf1 Qg4 $15) 25... Bh6 26. Qf3 (26. Rcd1 Ng4 $17) (26. Rc2 Ng4 $17) 26... Rf4 {Quite conciously Black is avoiding the immediate draw after the simple exchange of pieces.} (26... Bxc1 27. Qxf6 Bxb2 28. Qxf7+ Kh8 29. Qf6+ $11) 27. Qd3 Ng4 (27... Rxf1 28. Rxf1 Nd7 29. Nf3 Nc5 30. Qc2 Ne4 31. Bb6 f5 32. Kg1 $11) 28. Nf3 $2 {White is not objecting to the opponent's control of the e file. The exchange of the rooks was still keeping the position fairly even.} (28. Rxf4 Bxf4 29. Rf1 Be3 30. b3 $11) 28... Rfe4 29. Rc3 (29. Rc2 f5 $17) 29... Ne3 (29... Be3 $1 30. b4 Bxg1 31. Kxg1 Ne3 32. Re1 Qg4 33. Re2 Kf8 $17) 30. Re1 Qg4 31. Re2 Qh5 32. Bxe3 Rxe3 33. Rxe3 Bxe3 $2 {The role of the favourite is really difficult and sometimes forces players to take extreme risks. Naturally a better solution was to take on e3 with the rook.} (33... Rxe3 $1 34. Qd1 (34. Qc2 Rxc3 35. Qxc3 Qf5 $17) 34... Rxc3 35. bxc3 Bg7 36. h3 Qf5 $15) 34. Qe2 Qh6 35. c5 $1 dxc5 36. d6 Re6 $1 37. d7 Bg5 38. Qd1 $2 {The tables have turned and Jakovenko had a chance to become the master of the situation after the exchange of minor pieces.} (38. Nxg5 $1 Qxg5 39. Qd1 Qd8 40. Kg1 (40. Rxc5 $2 Qxd7 $19) 40... Re7 41. Rd3 $14) 38... Bd8 39. Rxc5 Qf8 40. Rd5 $6 {The last move before the time control is often critical. Carlsen will get a chance to activate his major pieces.} (40. Rc8 $2 Rd6 $1 $17) (40. Qd4 Rd6 41. Rd5 Rxd5 42. Qxd5 Qb4 43. b3 (43. h3 Qxb2 44. Ne5 Qc1+ 45. Kh2 Qf4+ 46. Kg1 Kg7 $15) 43... Qxa5 44. Qxb7 Qa1+ 45. Ng1 $11) 40... Qb4 41. b3 (41. Qc1 Re2 42. Rc5 Qa4 (42... Qg4 43. Qf1 Rxb2 44. Ne5 Qf5 45. Qxf5 gxf5 46. Kg1 Kf8 47. Rc8 Ke7 48. Nxf7 Kxd7 49. Rxd8+ Ke7 $11) 43. Ng1 Re4 44. Rd5 $15) 41... Re3 42. Nd2 Qc3 43. Nf3 (43. Qb1 f5 44. Qf1 Re5 $15) 43... Qb4 {Blinded by the heat of the fight both players are mysteriously ignoring the possibility to eliminate the b3-pawn.} (43... Qxb3 $1 44. Kg1 Qxd1+ 45. Rxd1 Kf8 46. Rb1 Ke7 47. Rxb7 Re6 $17) 44. Nd2 Qf4 45. Nf3 (45. Kg1 Qh4 46. Nf3 Qb4 47. Nd2 Qh4 $11) 45... Rc3 46. Qe2 (46. Nd2 f5 47. h3 Kf7 $15) 46... Qe3 47. Qxe3 Rxe3 48. Rd4 {Yet another phase of the game is over and White has found himself in an unpleasant position despite the threatening d7-pawn.} (48. Kg1 f6 (48... Rxb3 49. Re5 $1 Kg7 50. Re8 Bxa5 51. d8=Q Bxd8 52. Rxd8 a5 $11) 49. Rd4 Kf7 50. Rb4 Ke7 51. Rxb7 Bxa5 52. Nd4 Rc3 53. Kf2 h5 54. b4 Bd8 55. b5 axb5 56. Nxb5 $15) 48... Kf8 (48... Rxb3 49. Re4 Rb1+ 50. Ng1 Bxa5 51. Re8+ Kg7 52. d8=Q Bxd8 53. Rxd8 h5 (53... a5 54. Ra8 Ra1 55. Rb8 $11) 54. Ra8 g5 $17) 49. Rb4 $2 {There was no easy solution to White's problems, but the chosen path is worse than the alternative.} (49. Kg1 Ke7 50. b4 f5 51. Ng5 (51. Kf2 Re4 52. Rxe4+ fxe4 53. Nd4 Kxd7 54. Ke3 Be7 55. b5 Bb4 56. bxa6 bxa6 57. Nb3 Kc6 $17) 51... b6 52. Nxh7 bxa5 53. bxa5 Bxa5 54. Nf8 Kxf8 55. d8=Q+ Bxd8 56. Rxd8+ Kg7 $15) 49... Rd3 $1 50. Rxb7 Rd1+ 51. Ng1 Bxa5 52. g4 {One more level of uncertainty is gone. White will be struggling in the endgame without the a-pawn.} (52. b4 Bd8 53. g3 (53. Ra7 $6 Bb6 54. d8=Q+ Bxd8 55. Rxa6 Bg5 $1 56. Ra3 Re1 $19) 53... Ke7 $17) 52... Ke7 53. Kg2 Rxd7 54. Rxd7+ Kxd7 55. Kf3 (55. Nf3 Bd8 56. Kf2 Kd6 $17) 55... Kd6 56. Ke4 Kc5 57. Kd3 Kd5 58. Nf3 Bd8 59. h3 h6 60. h4 $2 {White's position is objectively hopeless, but Carlsen would have to work hard on converting his advantage to the full point. Exposing the pawn by moving to a square of the same colour as the bishop will significantly shorten the defender's suffering.} (60. Ke3 Bb6+ 61. Kf4 Bf2 $17) (60. Nd4 Bb6 61. Nf3 Bc5 62. Ne1 Ke5 63. Ng2 Ba7 64. Kd2 (64. b4 Bb6 65. Ne1 Kf4 66. Ke2 Kg3 67. Nd3 Kxh3 68. Kf3 Bd8 69. Nc5 g5 70. Nxa6 f5 $19) 64... Ke4 65. Ke2 Bd4 66. Ne1 Kf4 67. Nf3 Bb6 68. Nd2 Kg3 69. Ne4+ Kxh3 70. Kf3 Bc7 71. Nf6 (71. Nc5 a5 72. Nd7 Kh4 73. Nf6 Bd8 74. Nd5 h5 $19) 71... Kh4 72. Ne4 (72. Nd5 Be5 73. Nb4 Bd6 74. Nd5 Kg5 $19) 72... g5 73. Nf6 Bd8 74. Nd5 h5 $19) 60... h5 $1 61. gxh5 (61. g5 Bb6 62. Nd2 Bf2 63. Nf3 Ba7 64. Nd2 Ke5 $19) 61... gxh5 62. Ke3 Kc5 63. Kd3 (63. Ke4 Kb4 64. Ne5 Bxh4 65. Nxf7 Kxb3 66. Nd6 Bf6 67. Nb7 Kb4 $19) 63... Kb4 {Zugzwang is a sufficient reason for abandoning the resistance.} (63... Kb4 64. Kc2 Bf6 $1 $19) 0-1

[Event "Nanjing Pearl Spring 2nd"]
[Site "Nanjing"]
[Date "2009.10.02"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Radjabov, Teimour"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B30"]
[WhiteElo "2772"]
[BlackElo "2757"]
[Annotator "Ftacnik,Lubomir"]
[PlyCount "49"]
[EventDate "2009.09.28"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "CHN"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 133"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2009.11.19"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2009.11.19"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 e6 4. O-O Nge7 5. c3 a6 6. Ba4 b5 7. Bc2 Bb7 8. Qe2 d5 9. e5 d4 10. Be4 Qb6 {The queen move aspires to improve on the undesirable score, that used to be achieved by the seemingly more logical knight move.} (10... Nd5 11. d3 Be7 (11... dxc3 12. Nxc3 (12. bxc3 Be7 13. c4 Nb6 14. a3 Na4 15. Bd2 O-O 16. Nc3 Nxc3 17. Bxc3 Qd7 18. Rfb1 $14 {½-½ Svidler,P (2713)-Grischuk,A (2701)/Togliatti 2003 (41)}) 12... Nxc3 (12... Be7 13. Rd1 O-O 14. d4 Nxc3 15. bxc3 cxd4 16. cxd4 Na5 17. Bxb7 Nxb7 18. h4 Na5 19. Bg5 $11 {½-½ Rublevsky,S (2645)-Eljanov,P (2639)/Saint Vincent 2005 (72)}) (12... Qd7 13. Rd1 Be7 14. d4 Nxd4 15. Nxd4 cxd4 16. Nxd5 exd5 17. Rxd4 O-O 18. Bd3 Rfe8 19. Bd2 g6 20. Rg4 $11 {½-½ Rublevsky,S (2644)-Moiseenko,A (2597)/Moscow 2003 (42)}) 13. bxc3 Be7 14. d4 cxd4 15. cxd4 Qd7 (15... Rb8 16. Rd1 Nb4 17. Bd2 Nd5 18. Qd3 g6 19. Bh6 $11 {0-1 Hracek,Z (2613)-Krasenkow,M (2661)/Ostrava 2007 (47)}) 16. a4 bxa4 17. Rxa4 O-O 18. Bd2 a5 19. Rfa1 h6 20. h4 Ba6 21. Qe3 $11 {1-0 Morozevich,A (2742)-Van Wely,L (2697)/Monte Carlo 2002 (81)}) 12. c4 $1 {The key idea indicating, that the central location of the knight has also darker sides.} bxc4 (12... Nb6 13. Bf4 b4 (13... Qd7 14. Na3 b4 15. Nc2 O-O-O 16. a3 a5 17. axb4 axb4 18. Ng5 Rdf8 19. Qh5 Qe8 20. Bf3 $16 {1-0 Gaehler,M (2223)-Martinovic,S (2400)/Szeged 2007 (45)}) 14. Nbd2 Kd7 15. Nb3 a5 16. a3 a4 17. axb4 axb3 18. b5 Qc7 19. bxc6+ Bxc6 20. Nd2 $16 {1-0 Burnett,R (2437)-Nguyen Anh Dung (2496)/Budapest 2000 (52)}) 13. dxc4 Nb6 14. Ne1 Qc7 (14... Rb8 15. Nd2 Qc7 16. Nd3 a5 17. f4 Nb4 18. Nxb4 axb4 19. a4 Bxe4 20. Nxe4 O-O $14 {1-0 Fedorchuk,S (2592)-Ejsmont,K (2348)/Ustron 2006 (40)}) 15. Nd2 (15. b3 Nd7 16. f4 O-O-O 17. Nd3 Rdg8 18. Nd2 h6 19. Bf3 g5 20. Ne4 Nb4 21. Nxb4 cxb4 $11 {1-0 Tolstikh,N (2405)-Michalek,J (2300)/Pardubice 1995 (32)}) 15... Nd7 16. Nd3 Nb4 17. Nf3 Bxe4 18. Qxe4 Qc6 19. Qe2 Nxd3 20. Qxd3 $11 {1-0 Gu Xiaobing (2339)-Yu,L (2328)/Lishui 2009 (71)}) 11. d3 (11. cxd4 Nxd4 12. Nxd4 cxd4 13. d3 Bxe4 14. Qxe4 Rc8 15. Nd2 Nc6 16. Nf3 Be7 17. Qg4 Kf8 18. Bd2 $16 {1-0 Cabrilo,G (2484)-Andrijevic,M (2402)/Sozina 2004 (47)}) 11... Rd8 12. a4 Nd5 {Once again this logical move might not be the most promising. In the future players may explore the intricacies of the dynamic solution with the exchange on the c3-square.} (12... dxc3 $5 13. Nxc3 (13. bxc3 b4 14. Re1 (14. Nbd2 Nd5 $11) 14... b3 15. Nbd2 Na5 $13) 13... b4 14. a5 Qc7 15. Na4 Nxa5 16. Qc2 c4 17. Bxb7 b3 18. Qb1 Nxb7 19. dxc4 Qxc4 20. Be3 $14) 13. axb5 axb5 14. cxd4 (14. Bd2 Be7 15. Na3 O-O 16. c4 bxc4 17. Nxc4 Qc7 18. Ng5 $14) 14... cxd4 (14... Nxd4 15. Nxd4 cxd4 16. Bd2 (16. Nd2 Be7 17. Nb3 O-O 18. Bd2 Nb4 19. Rfc1 $14) 16... Rc8 17. Ba5 Qc6 18. Nd2 Qc2 19. Qg4 $14) 15. Nbd2 Nf4 (15... Be7 16. Nb3 h6 17. Bd2 b4 18. Rfc1 O-O 19. g3 $14) 16. Qd1 Nb4 $146 {[%mdl 32] Radjabov neglects one of the main principles of strategy and jumps right into the conflict zone before finishing his own development.} (16... Nd5 17. Nb3 Be7 18. Bd2 Ndb4 (18... b4 19. Qe2 h6 $14) 19. Qe2 O-O 20. Ng5 (20. Rfc1 h6 21. g3 $14) 20... g6 21. Nxh7 Kxh7 22. Qh5+ Kg8 23. Bxg6 fxg6 24. Qxg6+ $11 {½-½ Pahud,C (2185)-Carron,J (2300)/Lausanne 2003 (29)}) (16... Ng6 17. Bxg6 (17. Re1 Bb4 18. Qb3 Nge7 $11) 17... hxg6 18. Ne4 Be7 19. Bg5 O-O 20. Qe2 $14) ({RR} 16... Nd5 17. Nb3 Be7 18. Bd2 Ndb4 19. Qe2 O-O 20. Ng5 g6 21. Nxh7 Kxh7 22. Qh5+ Kg8 23. Bxg6 fxg6 24. Qxg6+ Kh8 25. Qh6+ Kg8 26. Qg6+ Kh8 27. Qh6+ Kg8 28. Qxe6+ Kh8 29. Qh6+ {½-½ (29) Pahud,C (2185)-Carron,J (2300) Lausanne 2003}) 17. Nb3 $1 Bxe4 18. dxe4 Nfd3 (18... Ng6 19. Nfxd4 Nc6 20. Be3 Ncxe5 21. Ra5 $16) 19. Bg5 Rc8 {The necessity of the rook retreat does not bode well for Black's strategy.} (19... Be7 20. Bxe7 Kxe7 21. Qd2 Ke8 (21... h6 22. Nc1 $18) 22. Ra3 $16) 20. Nfxd4 Nxb2 (20... h6 21. Bd2 Nxb2 22. Qg4 $16) 21. Qe2 (21. Qh5 Nc4 22. Rfd1 h6 (22... Nxe5 23. Ra5 Nbc6 24. Rxb5 Qa6 25. Ra1 Ba3 26. Nc5 $18) (22... Na6) 23. Qh3 Na6 24. Be3 $14) 21... Nc4 22. Rfc1 Bc5 {It is not a big surprise, that despite the seemingly firm build up on the queenside the black pieces actually suffer from shaky legs.} (22... Be7 23. Nxb5 $1 Qxb5 (23... Bxg5 24. Rxc4 $18) 24. Bxe7 Kxe7 25. Ra7+ Ke8 26. Ra5 $1 Qb6 27. Rxc4 $16) 23. Nxb5 (23. Nxc5 $1 Qxc5 24. Be3 Nc6 (24... Qxe5 25. Rcb1 Qd6 (25... Nxe3 26. fxe3 $18) 26. Nxb5 Qd3 27. Qg4 Nxe3 28. Qxg7 Rf8 29. Rxb4 Nc2 30. Nc7+ Kd7 31. Nxe6 $18) 25. Nxb5 Qxb5 26. Qxc4 Qxc4 27. Rxc4 O-O 28. Rac1 $16) 23... O-O $2 {Radjabov does not usually excel in the defence. This might be the reason why he missed the most stubborn way to resist Carlsen's activity after his relatively soft move.} (23... Qxb5 24. Ra5 $1 Qxa5 25. Nxa5 Nxa5 26. Qb5+ Nac6 27. Rxc5 $18) (23... Bxf2+ $1 24. Qxf2 Qxb5 25. Nc5 $5 (25. Qd4 O-O 26. Be7 Rfe8 27. Bxb4 Qxb4 28. Na5 Qxa5 29. Rxa5 Nxa5 30. Rxc8 Rxc8 $16) (25. Qe2 O-O 26. Nd4 Qxe5 $1 (26... Qc5 27. Be3 Rfd8 28. Nf5 Qf8 29. Rxc4 exf5 30. exf5 $16) 27. Rxc4 Rxc4 28. Qxc4 Qxg5 29. Qxb4 Qe3+ 30. Kh1 Qxe4 $16) 25... O-O $1 (25... h6 26. Be7 $3 Nxe5 (26... Kxe7 27. Ra7+ Kd8 28. Rxc4 $18) 27. Bd6 Nc4 28. Nxe6 fxe6 29. Ra7 Qb6 30. Bxb4 $18) 26. Be7 Rfe8 27. Bd6 Nxd6 28. exd6 Nd3 $1 29. Nxd3 Qxd3 30. e5 (30. Rd1 Ra8 $1 31. e5 Rxa1 32. Rxa1 Qc3 $14) 30... Rxc1+ 31. Rxc1 f6 $14 {Black would have kept excellent chances to hold the game.}) 24. Nxc5 Nxe5 (24... Rxc5 25. Be7 Qxb5 26. Bxc5 Qxc5 27. Qxc4 $18) 25. Be7 {The catastrophe is complete, Radjabov will lose loads of material and every right to continue with his resistance.} (25. Be7 Rfe8 26. Nd6 Rxc5 (26... Rxe7 27. Nxc8 $18) 27. Rxc5 Qxc5 28. Nxe8 Qxe7 29. Ra8 $18) 1-0

[Event "Nanjing Pearl Spring 2nd"]
[Site "Nanjing"]
[Date "2009.10.05"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Topalov, Veselin"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B33"]
[WhiteElo "2813"]
[BlackElo "2772"]
[Annotator "Rogozenco,Dorian"]
[PlyCount "85"]
[EventDate "2009.09.28"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "CHN"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 133"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2009.11.19"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2009.11.19"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 e5 6. Ndb5 d6 7. Bg5 a6 8. Na3 b5 9. Bxf6 gxf6 10. Nd5 Bg7 11. Bd3 Ne7 12. Nxe7 Qxe7 13. O-O O-O 14. c4 f5 15. Qh5 Rb8 16. exf5 e4 17. Rae1 Bb7 18. Qg4 Rfe8 19. cxb5 d5 20. bxa6 Bc6 21. Rc1 {After Shirov's success in this variation versus Carlsen (Sofia 2009), Topalov decides to try a rare continuation too. But the Norwegian came well prepared and shows how to neutralize White's last move.} (21. b3 Kh8 $146 22. Nc2 Be5 23. Be2 d4 24. Bc4 Rg8 25. Qh3 Rg7 26. g3 Rbg8 27. Qh6 Qc7 $2 (27... Ba8 $44) 28. Nb4 Ba8 29. Nd5 $18 {1-0 Shirov,A (2745)-Carlsen,M (2770)/Sofia 2009 (30)}) 21... exd3 $1 $146 {This novelty practically leads to a draw by force.} (21... Ba8 $2 {allows} 22. Rc7 {with a large advantage for White in all variations:} Qe5 (22... Qxc7 $2 23. f6 {with mate}) 23. Bb5 Rf8 (23... Re7 24. f6 Qxf6 25. Rc8+ Rxc8 26. Qxc8+ Bf8 27. Qxa8 Qxb2 28. Qxd5 Qxa3 29. Qg5+ Kh8 30. Rd1 $18) (23... Red8 24. a7 Rb6 25. Rc8 $1 Rbd6 (25... Rxc8 26. f6 Qxf6 27. Qxc8+ Bf8 28. Qxa8 $18) 26. Rfc1 $18) (23... Rec8 24. Rxc8+ Rxc8 25. f6 $18) 24. Rfc1 Qxb2 (24... d4 25. R1c5 Qf6 26. a7 Rbd8 27. Bc6 $18) 25. a7 Rbd8 26. R7c2 Qf6 27. Bc6 $16 {/+-}) (21... Bd7 22. Be2 Rxb2 23. Rc7 Qd6 {1-0 Koeller,O (2290)-Schelle,A (2150)/Aschach 1998 (28)} 24. Rxd7 Qxd7 25. Bb5 Rxb5 26. Nxb5 d4 27. Nc7 Rc8 28. Nd5 $18) 22. Rxc6 {[%cal Gf5f6]} Qe2 (22... Kh8 23. Qf3 $5 (23. b3 $2 Qxa3) 23... Bxb2 24. Nb1 Qe4 (24... Qd7 25. Rc5 Rb5 26. Rxb5 Qxb5 27. Nd2 $16) (24... Qe2 25. Qxd5 Rbd8 26. Rd6 $18) 25. Qxe4 dxe4 26. Nd2 $16) 23. h3 (23. f3 $4 d2 $19) (23. Qg3 $4 d2 $19) (23. Qxe2 $2 dxe2 24. Re1 Rxb2 $17) 23... Rxb2 24. f6 Qxg4 25. hxg4 Rxa2 (25... Bf8 26. Nb1 Rxa2 {is the same as the game}) 26. Nb1 (26. Nb5 $2 d2 $19 {[%cal Ge8e1]}) (26. fxg7 Rxa3 $11) 26... Bf8 27. Rc3 (27. Rd1 {makes little sense, since White does not threaten to take the pawn due to the check on e1. Therefore Black can continue with the simple} h6 {and after for instance} 28. g3 {-} Rc2 $11 {[%cal Gf8c5]}) 27... Rxa6 $146 ({Also possible is} 27... d2 28. Rd3 Bb4 29. Rxd5 Rxa6 30. Nxd2 Bxd2 31. Rxd2 Rxf6 $14) ({RR} 27... d2 28. Rd3 Bb4 29. Rxd5 Rxa6 30. Nxd2 Bxd2 31. Rxd2 Rxf6 32. f3 h6 33. Kf2 Kg7 34. Kg3 Re7 35. Rd5 Ra6 36. Rf2 Rea7 37. Rfd2 Ra2 38. g5 Rxd2 39. gxh6+ Kxh6 40. Rxd2 Ra6 41. Rd5 Ra2 42. f4 {Guliyev,N (2539)-Mista,A (2541) Plancoet 2012 ½-½ (53)}) 28. Rxd3 Rxf6 {After more or less forced sequence of moves the players have achieved a position, which with elementary accuracy from Black is a draw.} 29. Rxd5 ({Or} 29. Nc3 Bc5 $11 {with the idea to take on f2 followed by a check on e1.}) 29... Bb4 $1 {The most White can achieve now is 4-rooks endgame 3 versus 2 on the kingside. All Black has to do is to be ready to exchange the minor pieces as soon as the white knight moves from b1.} 30. g3 Re2 31. Kg2 Be1 32. Rf5 Rxf5 33. gxf5 Bb4 34. Rc1 h5 35. Rc4 ({Also after} 35. Kf3 Rb2 36. Ke3 Kg7 {Black is completely out of danger.}) 35... Rb2 36. Nc3 Bxc3 37. Rxc3 Rb5 38. Rf3 Kg7 39. Kh3 Kh6 40. Kh4 Rb1 41. Kh3 Rb5 42. Kh4 Rb1 43. Kh3 1/2-1/2

[Event "Moscow Tal Memorial 4th"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2009.11.12"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Svidler, Peter"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B30"]
[WhiteElo "2754"]
[BlackElo "2801"]
[PlyCount "79"]
[EventDate "2009.11.05"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 133"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2009.11.19"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2009.11.19"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 e6 4. O-O Nge7 5. c3 a6 6. Ba4 b5 7. Bc2 d5 8. a4 b4 9. d4 cxd4 10. cxd4 ({RR} 10. Nxd4 Nxd4 11. Qxd4 Nc6 12. Qd1 d4 13. a5 Bc5 14. Qh5 Qd6 15. Rd1 e5 16. Ba4 Bd7 17. Nd2 O-O 18. Nc4 Qe6 19. cxb4 Bxb4 20. Nb6 Rae8 21. Bd2 Bxd2 22. Rxd2 Nb8 23. Bd1 Bc6 24. Qe2 Bb5 {Ramirez Maillo,C (2112)-Garcia Blanco,O (2366) Santa Cruz de La Palma ESP 2025 0-1 (43)}) 10... dxe4 11. Bxe4 Nd5 ({RR} 11... Bb7 12. Nbd2 Na5 13. Bxb7 Nxb7 14. a5 Nd5 15. Ne5 Nd6 16. Ne4 Be7 17. Nxd6+ Qxd6 18. Qa4+ Kf8 19. Bd2 f6 20. Nd7+ Kf7 21. Rfe1 Rhc8 22. Nc5 Qc6 23. Bxb4 Qxa4 24. Rxa4 e5 25. Ba3 exd4 26. Ne4 {Bartel,M (2627)-Krasenkow,M (2614) Trzcianka 2015 ½-½ (35)}) 12. Nbd2 Bb7 $146 ({RR} 12... a5 13. Nc4 Be7 14. Ne3 Bb7 15. Nxd5 exd5 16. Bd3 O-O 17. Bf4 Ba6 18. Rc1 Qb6 19. Re1 Bxd3 20. Qxd3 Bf6 21. Be5 Bxe5 22. dxe5 Ne7 23. Nd4 Rac8 24. Rxc8 Rxc8 25. e6 fxe6 26. Nxe6 Qd6 27. h4 {Bartel,M (2627)-Sagar,S (2458) Dubai 2015 1-0 (32)}) ({RR} 12... Be7 13. Nb3 Qd6 14. Qc2 h6 15. Bf4 Qd7 16. Nc5 Bxc5 17. Qxc5 f5 18. Bxd5 Qxd5 19. Qxd5 exd5 20. Rfe1+ Kd7 21. Rac1 Bb7 22. Rc5 Rad8 23. Rxd5+ Kc8 24. Rc1 g5 25. Be5 Rh7 26. Rdc5 g4 27. Nh4 {Wohl,A (2439)-Xie,G (2340) Brisbane 2005 1-0}) 13. Nb3 Be7 14. Nc5 Bxc5 15. dxc5 O-O 16. Qc2 Nf6 17. Rd1 Qc7 18. Bd3 h6 19. b3 Na5 20. Bb2 Bxf3 21. gxf3 Qf4 22. Be2 Rfc8 23. Rac1 Nb7 24. c6 Na5 25. c7 Nd5 26. Qe4 Qxe4 27. fxe4 Nxc7 28. Be5 Ne8 29. Rxc8 Rxc8 30. Bxa6 Ra8 31. Be2 Nxb3 32. Rb1 Na5 33. Bb5 b3 34. Bc3 Nd6 35. f3 Ndc4 36. Kf2 f6 37. Ke2 Na3 38. Rb2 N3c4 39. Rb1 Na3 40. Rb2 1/2-1/2

[Event "Moscow Tal Memorial 4th"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2009.11.13"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Ponomariov, Ruslan"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B80"]
[WhiteElo "2801"]
[BlackElo "2739"]
[Annotator "Ftacnik,Lubomir"]
[PlyCount "61"]
[EventDate "2009.11.05"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 133"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2009.11.19"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2009.11.19"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 {ChessBase II} c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Be3 e6 7. f3 b5 ({RR} 7... Nc6 8. Qd2 Bd7 ({RR} 8... Qc7 9. O-O-O Be7 10. g4 b5 11. Nxc6 Qxc6 12. Ne2 Bb7 13. Nd4 ({RR} 13. h4 O-O 14. g5 Nd7 15. Nd4 Qc7 16. g6)) ({RR} 8... h5 9. O-O-O Bd7 10. Kb1 Qc7 11. Nxc6 Bxc6 12. Ne2 d5 13. e5 Nd7 14. f4 g5 15. f5) 9. g4) 8. Qd2 ({RR} 8. g4 Nfd7 ({RR} 8... Nbd7 9. g5 Nh5 10. Qd2 ({RR} 10. f4) 10... Ne5 11. f4 Ng4 12. Bg1 e5 13. Nd5 Nxf4 ({RR} 13... exd4 14. Bxd4) 14. Nxb5) ({RR} 8... h6) ({RR} 8... Bb7 9. Qd2 Nfd7 10. O-O-O Nb6 11. Nb3 N8d7 ({RR} 11... Nc6 12. Qf2) 12. Na5 Qc7 13. h4 Ne5 14. g5 ({RR} 14. Qf2 Nbc4) 14... Rb8)) 8... Nbd7 9. g4 h6 ({RR} 9... Nb6 10. a4) 10. O-O-O Ne5 $5 {The knight move is equally revolutionary as Topalov's pet idea of 10...b5-b4. Black is moving the knight, that is already developed and prepares real counterplay.} ({RR} 10... b4 11. Na4 Ne5 12. b3 Bd7 13. Nb2 d5 14. Bf4 Qc7 15. Nd3 Nxd3+ 16. Bxd3 Qb6 17. Ne2 dxe4 18. Bxe4 Rd8 19. Be3 Bc5 20. Bxc5 Qxc5 21. Qd4 Rc8 22. Ng3 Ke7 23. Rhe1 Qxd4 24. Rxd4 a5 25. Bd3 {Leko,P (2755)-Ivanchuk,V (2787) Mukachevo 2007 0-1 (48)}) ({RR} 10... b4 11. Nce2 d5 12. exd5 Nxd5 13. Nf4 N7f6 14. Bc4 Nxe3 15. Qxe3 Bc5 16. Qe5 Bxd4 17. Rxd4 Qb6 18. Nd5 Nxd5 19. Bxd5 f6 20. Qh5+ Ke7 21. Re4 Rb8 22. Qg6 Rg8 23. Rhe1 Qd6 24. Bxe6 Bxe6 25. Qf5) ({RR} 10... Bb7 11. h4 b4 12. Na4 Qa5 13. b3 Nc5 14. a3) 11. Qe1 $146 {White has yet to find an idea, that would put the daring concept of the opponent under pressure. Carlsen comes with a new move, but it's merit might be modest.} (11. g5 hxg5 12. Bxg5 Bb7 13. Rg1 Qa5 14. a3 Rc8 15. Kb1 Rxc3 16. Qxc3 Qxc3 17. bxc3 Rxh2 18. Bf4 Rh5 19. Rg5 Rxg5 20. Bxg5 $11 {0-1 Motylev,A (2651)-Grischuk,A (2704)/Moscow 2004 (34)}) (11. a3 Bb7 12. Kb1 (12. h4 Rc8 13. Rg1 Qa5 (13... g6 14. g5 hxg5 15. hxg5 Nfd7 16. f4 Nc4 17. Bxc4 Rxc4 18. f5 Nc5 19. fxe6 Nxe6 20. Nxe6 fxe6 21. Bd4 $16 {1-0 Bologan,V (2669)-Dobrov,V (2487)/chessassistantclub.com INT 2004 (30)}) 14. g5 hxg5 15. hxg5 Nfd7 16. g6 Nxg6 17. Nxe6 fxe6 18. Rxg6 Kf7 19. Rg3 Nf6 20. Bd3 e5 21. Qf2 Rxc3 22. Bb6 Qa4 23. bxc3 Qxa3+ 24. Kd2 $11 {½-½ Shirov,A (2714)-Guliyev,N (2526)/Port Barcares 2005 (42)}) 12... Rc8 13. Be2 Nfd7 14. f4 Nc4 15. Bxc4 Rxc4 16. Rhe1 Be7 17. Bf2 O-O 18. h4 Nc5 19. g5 h5 20. b3 Rxc3 21. Qxc3 Nxe4 22. Qe3 Qa5 $17 {0-1 Grischuk,A (2719)-Belov,V (2543)/playchess.com INT 2004 (54)}) (11. Bd3 Bb7 ({RR} 11... Bb7 12. Rhe1) 12. Rhe1 (12. a3 d5 13. exd5 Nxd5 14. Nxd5 Bxd5 15. Bf4 Nxf3 16. Nxf3 Bxf3 17. Qe3 Bxh1 18. Be4 Bxe4 19. Rxd8+ Rxd8 20. Qxe4 Rd5 $15 {0-1 Erenburg,S (2585)-Volokitin,A (2662)/Mainz 2006 (74)}) 12... b4 13. Nce2 d5 14. exd5 Nxd5 15. Kb1 Bc5 16. Bg1 Qb6 17. f4 Nxg4 18. Nxe6 fxe6 19. Bg6+ Kd7 20. Bxc5 Qxc5 21. Nd4 Kc8 $17 {0-1 Landa,K (2600)-Najer,E (2653)/Sochi 2006 (29)}) (11. f4 Nexg4 12. Bg1 b4 13. Na4 Nxe4 14. Qe1 d5 15. f5 Bd6 16. fxe6 Bxe6 17. Nb6 Qxb6 18. Nxe6 Qa5 19. Nxg7+ Kf8 $17 {1-0 Azarov,S (2544)-Najer,E (2608)/playchess.com INT 2004 (26)}) ({RR} 11. Bd3 Qc7 12. Rhe1 b4 13. Nce2 Nxd3+ 14. Qxd3 Nd7 15. f4 Nc5 16. Qc4 Bb7 17. Ng3 d5 18. exd5 Bxd5 19. Nxe6 Bxe6 20. Bxc5 Bxc5 21. Rxe6+ fxe6 22. Qxe6+ Be7 23. Nh5 Kf8 24. Qf5+ Bf6 25. g5 hxg5 {Ostojic,P (2385)-Razuvaev,Y (2490) Berlin West 1987 ½-½ (31)}) ({RR} 11. Bd3 b4 12. Nce2 d5 13. exd5 Qxd5 ({RR} 13... Nxd5 14. Nf4 Bb7 15. Rhe1 Qa5) 14. Kb1 Be7 ({RR} 14... Nxd3 15. Qxd3 e5 16. Rhe1 Be7 17. c4 bxc3 18. Nxc3 Qb7 19. Nf5 Bxf5 20. Qxf5 O-O 21. g5 Rab8 22. Re2 g6 23. Qxe5 hxg5 24. Bd4 Qxf3 25. Qxe7) 15. Nf4 Qd7 16. Be2 g5 17. Nh5 ({RR} 17. Nd3 Nc4 18. Qc1 Nd5) 17... Nxh5 18. gxh5 Bb7 19. Rhf1 Bd5 20. b3 ({RR} 20. Nf5 Bxa2+ 21. Kxa2 Qa4+ 22. Kb1 exf5 23. Qd5 Nc6 24. Qd7+) 20... Rd8 21. Bxa6 O-O 22. h4 Ra8 23. Bb5 Qb7 ({RR} 23... Qa7 24. Ba4 Nc6 25. Nxc6 Bxc6 26. Bxc6 Qxa2+ 27. Kc1 Qa1#) 24. hxg5 Nxf3 25. Rxf3 Bxf3 {Terletsky,O (2314)-Guliyev,N (2537) Cappelle la Grande 2020 CBM 195 Extra [ChessBase II] 0-1 (39)}) ({RR} 11. a3 Bb7) ({RR} 11. f4 Nexg4 12. e5 b4 13. exf6 bxc3 14. Qxc3 Nxf6 15. Bg2 Bd7 16. Bxa8 Qxa8 17. Rhg1 Ne4 18. Qa5 g6 19. Ne2 Bg7 20. Bd4 O-O 21. Bxg7 Kxg7 22. Qb4 Rc8 23. Qd4+ Kh7 24. Ng3 Nxg3 25. hxg3 Qc6 {Morozevich,A (2750)-Ponomariov,R (2739) Moscow 2009 1-0 (37)}) ({RR} 11. h4 b4 12. Nb1 d5 13. exd5 Nxd5 14. Bf2 Qc7 15. Bd3 Bc5 16. Be4 Bb7 17. g5 O-O-O 18. Qe1 hxg5 19. hxg5 Rxh1 20. Qxh1 Nc4 21. Qh4 Qf4+ 22. Qxf4 Nxf4 23. Bxb7+ Kxb7 24. c3 e5 25. b3 Nb6 {Kosztolanczi,G (2183)-Barczay,L (2381) Hungary 2005 ½-½}) 11... Qc7 (11... Bb7 12. a3 Qc7 $14) 12. h4 {Careful players would surely consider the modest a3 idea, that complicates Black's counterplay for some time.} (12. a3 Bb7 $14) 12... b4 13. Nce2 (13. Na4 Qb7 14. b3 Bd7 $13) 13... Nc4 (13... d5 14. Bf4 (14. g5 hxg5 15. exd5 Nxd5 16. Bxg5 Bb7 $11) 14... Bb7 15. Kb1 dxe4 16. fxe4 Bd6 17. Rg1 Rd8 $15) 14. Nf4 (14. Bf2 e5 (14... d5 15. exd5 Nxd5 16. Ng3 $14) 15. Nf5 Bxf5 16. gxf5 a5 $13) 14... Nxe3 (14... e5 15. Nd5 Nxd5 16. exd5 exd4 17. Bxd4+ Be7 18. Bxg7 Rg8 19. Bxh6 $14) 15. Qxe3 Qb6 {Ponomariov has an ambition of his own and the queen moves hopes to complicate opponent's life with pressure along the dark squares.} (15... Bd7 16. Be2 e5 17. Nd5 Nxd5 18. exd5 Be7 19. Nf5 Bxf5 20. gxf5 Bf6 $11) (15... Be7 16. Nd3 a5 17. Bh3 Nd7 18. g5 $14) 16. Bc4 $1 Qc5 $2 {Your humble annotator is amazed by the level of neglect both players will display when dealing with hidden issue of time. Black is repeatedly playing with the queen in a situation, when his general development could use some attention.} (16... e5 17. Bxf7+ Kxf7 18. Qb3+ Ke8 19. Ng6 exd4 (19... Rh7 20. Ne6 Be7 21. g5 $18) 20. Nxh8 Ra7 21. Ng6 $16) (16... Be7 17. g5 $18) (16... Nd7 $1 17. Qe2 (17. Nfxe6 fxe6 18. Bxe6 Bb7 19. Qb3 O-O-O $13) 17... Ne5 18. Bb3 Bd7 $14) 17. Qb3 $1 d5 (17... Ra7 18. Bxe6 fxe6 19. Nfxe6 Bxe6 20. Nxe6 Qb5 21. Nf4 $16) 18. exd5 Bd6 19. Nfxe6 $1 {[%mdl 128] In higher sense an obvious move. Carlsen has to use his initiative and the sacrifice of a piece for three pawns destroys the e6 stronghold in Scheveningen/Najdorf Sicilian. What is more it creates a dangerous intruder of his own on the same most critical square!} (19. Ndxe6 fxe6 20. Nd3 Qa5 21. dxe6 Bb7 $13) 19... fxe6 20. dxe6 Be7 (20... Kf8 21. Nf5 Be7 22. Nxe7 Qxe7 23. g5 Nh5 24. Qe3 $18) 21. Qd3 (21. Nf5 O-O (21... Bb7 22. Nxg7+ Kf8 23. Nf5 $18) 22. Nxe7+ Qxe7 23. g5 Ne8 24. gxh6 Kh8 $16) 21... O-O 22. Bb3 $2 {The next moves by both players are strange crimes against the logic of attack and defence. White's advantage is based partly on the fact, that Black is badly behind in mobilizing his pieces. Peaceful retreat of the bishop throws away the lion share of the winning advantage!} (22. g5 $1 Nh5 (22... hxg5 23. hxg5 Qxg5+ 24. Kb1 Nh5 25. Nc6 $18) 23. gxh6 Nf4 24. Qe4 Qxc4 25. hxg7 Rd8 26. Qxf4 Bxe6 27. Qh6 Qxa2 28. Qh8+ Kf7 29. Qh7 Kf6 30. g8=N+ Rxg8 31. Rhe1 $18) 22... Rd8 $2 {Ponomariov was probably programmed to be beaten badly on the given day. An independent chess mind would otherwise surely concentrate on a developing move with the bishop, that would more or less complete the development and nearly equalize the chances.} (22... Bb7 $1 23. g5 (23. Nf5 Rad8 24. Qe2 (24. Qxd8 $2 Rxd8 25. Rxd8+ Kh7 26. Nxe7 Bxf3 $17) 24... Kh7 $11) 23... Nh5 24. gxh6 Nf4 25. Qe3 gxh6 26. Rhg1+ Kh8 27. Rg4 Qc7 $11) 23. g5 $1 Nh7 (23... hxg5 24. Qg6 g4 25. Nf5 Rxd1+ 26. Rxd1 Bf8 27. e7+ Kh8 28. exf8=Q+ Qxf8 29. Rd8 $18) (23... Kh8 24. gxf6 Bxf6 25. Qf5 Qb6 26. Bd5 $18) 24. gxh6 Qh5 (24... Qxd4 25. Qxd4 Rxd4 26. Rxd4 gxh6 27. Rg1+ Kf8 28. Rf4+ $18) (24... gxh6 25. Rhg1+ Kh8 26. Qg6 Qe5 27. Nf5 Rxd1+ 28. Kxd1 Bb7 29. Nxe7 $18) 25. Qe4 $1 Qxh6+ 26. Kb1 Ra7 {The pieces of the defender are badly scatered on the board with no common purpose. The final execution of White's attack will be brutal and impressive.} (26... Rxd4 27. Rxd4 Rb8 28. Qe5 Ra8 29. Qd5 Rb8 30. Qd8+ $1 Nf8 (30... Bxd8 31. Rxd8+ Nf8 32. e7+ $18) 31. Qxe7 $18) 27. Nf5 Rxd1+ 28. Rxd1 Qf6 29. Rd7 $1 {Chess beauty on the highest level and a modern form of small combination!} Bxd7 30. exd7+ Kf8 {The choice for the defender is not always so deeply rotten as in this moment. At least both ways of going down have undeniable charm...} (30... Kh8 31. Nxe7 Rxd7 32. Qa8+ Nf8 33. Qxf8+ $1 Qxf8 34. Ng6+ Kh7 35. Nxf8+ $18) 31. Qd5 1-0

[Event "Moscow Tal Memorial 4th"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2009.11.14"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Leko, Peter"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B90"]
[WhiteElo "2752"]
[BlackElo "2801"]
[Annotator "Ftacnik,Lubomir"]
[PlyCount "118"]
[EventDate "2009.11.05"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 133"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2009.11.19"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2009.11.19"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 {Marin,M} c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Be3 Ng4 {Modern chess sometimes sports most illogical ideas. Black is moving the only developed piece with a tall ambition to spoil the planned English attack set up of the opponent.} 7. Bg5 h6 8. Bh4 g5 9. Bg3 Bg7 10. h3 Nf6 11. Qf3 Qb6 12. O-O-O Nc6 13. Nxc6 Qxc6 14. Be2 ({RR} 14. e5 Qxf3 15. gxf3 dxe5 16. Bxe5 Bd7 17. Nd5 Nxd5 18. Bxg7 Rh7 19. Be5 f6 20. Rxd5 Bc6 21. Rd3 fxe5 22. h4 gxh4 23. Rxh4 Rd8 24. Re3 Rd6 25. Rxe5 Rg7 26. Bd3 Rg2 27. Reh5 {½-½ (27) Shirov,A (2751)-Kasparov,G (2851) Sarajevo 2000}) 14... Qc5 15. Rhe1 {White is still looking for the way of "refuting" Black's provocative concept. The general mobilaization of the pieces towards the center can hardly spoil anything.} g4 $146 {Marin,M: 'Played partly in accordance with Nimzovitsch' postulate that any mobile pawn formation that does not advance is likely to become a weakness. However, in this case it would be desirable to play ...h5 and ...g4, since the operation carried out in the game leaves the kingside weakened anyway.'} (15... Nd7 16. Nd5 Ne5 17. Qb3 b5 18. f4 Nc4 19. Bxc4 bxc4 20. Qf3 $16 {1-0 Rytshagov,M (2490)-Kulaots,K (2510)/Estonia 2003 (30)}) (15... Be6 16. e5 dxe5 17. Bd3 e4 18. Nxe4 Nxe4 19. Qxe4 O-O-O 20. a3 Rd5 21. Qb4 Rhd8 22. Qxc5+ Rxc5 $11 {½-½ Lutz,C (2640)-Polgar,J (2715)/Budapest 2003 (25)}) ({RR} 15... Be6 16. e5 dxe5 17. Bd3 e4 18. Nxe4 Nxe4 19. Qxe4 O-O-O 20. a3 Rd5 21. Qb4 Rhd8 22. Qxc5+ Rxc5 23. Be2 Bf5 24. c3 Rd7 25. Bg4 Bxg4 {½-½ (25) Lutz,C (2640)-Polgar,J (2715) Budapest 2003}) ({RR} 15... Be6 16. e5 dxe5 17. Bd3 O-O 18. Bxe5 b5 19. Bxf6 Bxf6 20. Ne4 Qe5 21. Nxf6+ Qxf6 22. Qxf6 exf6 23. Be4 Ra7 24. Rd6 Kg7 25. Bd5 Bf5 26. c3 Rc8 27. Kd2 h5 28. Re3 h4 29. b3 a5 30. a3 {Nisipeanu,L (2678)-Hoffmann,M (2506) Caleta 2011 ½-½ (44)}) 16. hxg4 Bxg4 17. Qd3 Be6 {Carlsen must take care about his pieces, as the careless exchange of the bishops would seriously enhance White's chances.} (17... Bxe2 $6 18. Nxe2 Ng4 19. Qf3 Rg8 20. Kb1 Bf6 21. c3 $16) 18. e5 {'!' Marin,M.} (18. Bf3 Ng4 19. Nd5 Ne5 20. Qb3 Nxf3 21. gxf3 (21. Qxf3 h5 $14) 21... b5 22. Bh4 Ra7 23. Rg1 $14) 18... dxe5 19. Bf3 e4 $1 {A fine defensive move and a true proverbial spanner in the works of otherwise perfectly coordinated Leko's forces.} (19... O-O 20. Rxe5 Qb6 21. Na4 Qb4 22. Nc5 Bxa2 23. Bxb7 $16) 20. Nxe4 Nxe4 21. Rxe4 (21. Bxe4 O-O 22. c3 Rac8 23. Kb1 $14) 21... O-O {Marin,M: 'The black king's position looks unsafe, but in fact his bishops are targetting the enemy king, while the white bishop concentrate on an almost empty wing. '} 22. Qe3 {The Hungarian super grandmaster is a perfectionist in the openings, but not your typical courageous attacker in most positions. Yet even he must have been intrigued by the dangerous exchange sacrifice on e6 with very interesting chances.} (22. Rxe6 $5 {Marin,M: 'deserves serious attention, but does not seem to be in Leko's cautious style.'} fxe6 23. Qb3 Kh8 24. Qxe6 Rac8 25. Be4 (25. c3 Bxc3 26. Qxh6+ Kg8 27. Bd5+ Qxd5 28. Qxf8+ Kxf8 29. Rxd5 Be5+ 30. Kb1 Bxg3 31. fxg3 Kf7 $11) 25... Qg5+ 26. Kb1 Rcd8 $13) 22... Rac8 23. Qxc5 (23. c3 Qxe3+ 24. Rxe3 b5 25. a3 $14) 23... Rxc5 24. Bg4 $6 {The meek exchange of the bishops is kissing all chances of playing for an advantage good bye. It must have been preferable to keep the active pair of bishops shooting against Black's queenside.} (24. Ra4 Rb5 25. c3 Bf6 $14) 24... Bxg4 25. Rxg4 f5 26. Rb4 (26. Rg6 f4 27. Bh4 Rfc8 28. c3 Kf7 29. Rb6 Rh5 30. g3 Rc7 $11) 26... b5 27. a4 Rfc8 {Carlsen has made his name as one of the players with best technique in the world. The position is objectively equal, but he is doing his best to put pressure on his opponent.} (27... Kf7 28. c3 Be5 $11) 28. c3 Rc4 29. Rxc4 Rxc4 30. axb5 axb5 31. Rd8+ (31. Rd5 f4 32. Bh2 b4 33. Kd2 bxc3+ 34. bxc3 $11) 31... Kh7 $1 {It takes an open mind to admit, that sometimes even the passive looking retreat can be stronger than automatic centralization.} (31... Kf7 32. Rd5 $1 b4 33. Rxf5+ Kg6 34. Rf4 Rxf4 35. Bxf4 bxc3 36. b4 Kf5 37. Be3 h5 38. Kc2 Ke4 39. b5 Kd5 40. Kd3 $14) 32. Rd7 Rg4 $1 33. Bb8 (33. Rxe7 f4 34. Bh2 Rh4 35. Bg1 Rg4 36. f3 Rxg2 37. Bd4 h5 38. Rf7 Kg8 39. Rf5 Bxd4 40. cxd4 $11) 33... Rxg2 34. Rxe7 Kg6 35. Bg3 (35. Re6+ Kf7 36. Rb6 Rxf2 37. Rxb5 Kg6 38. Rb6+ Kg5 39. Rb7 Bf6 $15) 35... h5 36. Kd1 $2 {[%mdl 4096] On the highest chess level there is only one true way to win the game - put pressure against your opponent! The best and brighest are sometimes crumbling under the unpleasant strain.} (36. Rb7 f4 (36... Bh6+ 37. Kd1 f4 38. Rb6+ Kh7 39. Rb7+ $11) 37. Bxf4 Rxf2 38. Rb6+ Bf6 39. Bg3 Rf5 40. Bh4 Rf4 41. Bg3 $11) 36... Bf6 37. Re6 Kf7 38. Re3 $2 {Bad as Leko's position has become it might not have been beyond hope. This nervous move is surely a losing mistake.} (38. Re2 $1 h4 39. Bc7 h3 $17) 38... h4 39. Bc7 Rxf2 40. b3 Rf1+ (40... f4 41. Rd3 Ke6 42. Ke1 Rc2 43. Bxf4 Rxc3 $19) 41. Ke2 Rc1 42. c4 {The good advice became a commodity, that White can not value enough. Parting with the second pawn looks like an act of a pure desperation...} (42. Kd2 Bg5 43. Kxc1 Bxe3+ $19) (42. Ba5 Kg6 43. Rf3 Ra1 44. Bb6 Ra3 45. c4 h3 $19) 42... bxc4 43. bxc4 Rxc4 44. Bb8 Rc2+ 45. Kf1 Kg6 46. Re2 Rc8 47. Bd6 Rc6 48. Be7 {We all know, that the rook endgame with f- and h-pawn might be defendable for the weaker side. Unfortunately not in the case, when the king is cut on the first rank.} (48. Bb8 h3 49. Kf2 Kg5 $19) 48... Bxe7 49. Rxe7 Rc2 $1 50. Re3 Kg5 51. Kg1 Kg4 52. Ra3 f4 53. Ra8 Rd2 54. Ra7 Kg3 55. Rg7+ Kf3 56. Ra7 Rd1+ 57. Kh2 Ke2 58. Kh3 f3 59. Ra2+ (59. Re7+ Kf1 60. Kxh4 f2 $19) 59... Rd2 {White has decided, that admitting defeat is not going to hurt him at all.} (59... Rd2 60. Ra8 f2 61. Re8+ Kf1 62. Kh2 Re2 63. Ra8 Re4 64. Kh3 Ke2 65. Ra2+ Kf3 66. Ra3+ Re3 67. Ra1 f1=Q+ 68. Rxf1+ Ke2+ $19) 0-1

[Event "London Classic"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2009.12.10"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Howell, David"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B22"]
[WhiteElo "2597"]
[BlackElo "2801"]
[Annotator "Rogozenco,Dorian"]
[PlyCount "157"]
[EventDate "2009.12.08"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[EventCategory "18"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 134"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.01.18"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.01.18"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. c3 d5 3. exd5 Qxd5 4. d4 Nf6 5. Nf3 e6 6. Be3 {This move is supposed to force Black to exchange pawns on d4.} Be7 $5 {In most of the games Black automatically takes on d4, but Carlsen shows that the rare 6...e7 is a reasonable option as well. Especially since he declared later on "I was well prepared in this variation".} 7. dxc5 Qxd1+ 8. Kxd1 O-O 9. Nbd2 ({RR} 9. Bc4 Nc6 10. Nbd2 a5 11. a4 Rd8 12. Ke2 h6 13. h3 Kh8 14. g4 Nd7 15. Nb3 Nde5 16. Nxe5 Nxe5 17. Bb5 Bd7 18. Ra2 Rdc8 19. f4 Bxb5+ 20. axb5 Nd7 21. Rxa5 Rxa5 22. Nxa5 Nxc5 23. Bxc5 Rxc5 {Bulmaga,I (2393)-Aryaman Ganguly (1826) London ENG 2025 1-0 (41)}) 9... Ng4 {This position has occurred only three times in praxis.} 10. Nb3 $146 {Faced with a rare variation and a well prepared opponent, Howell understandably tries to play as safe as possible. However, thanks to the bishop pair (there will be an exchange on e3 sooner or later) now Black can fight for advantage in a quiet and pleasant position.} ({The most principled continuation is} 10. b4 {which was played in previous games and which is probably the only way to test the viability of 6...e7. Then after} a5 ({The exchange on e3 is premature:} 10... Nxe3+ 11. fxe3 a5 12. Nd4 Rd8 13. Kc2 axb4 14. cxb4 Bf6 (14... e5 15. N4b3 Bf5+ 16. e4) 15. Bb5 Bxd4 16. exd4 Rxd4 17. Nc4 e5 18. Kc3 $16 {1-0 Murariu,A (2430)-Doncea,V (2380)/Baile Tusnad 2005 (33)}) {White can continue} 11. Kc2 {In order to evaluate precisely this complicated position practical examples are needed. In most cases Black wins back the pawn, but in return White gains more space on the queenside. The following variations show that in spite of his exposed king, there are hopes for White to achieve some advantage:} (11. Nd4 Rd8 $5 (11... axb4 12. cxb4 Rd8 13. Kc2 Bf6 (13... e5 $44) 14. N2b3 e5 15. Nb5 Nc6 16. a3 Bf5+ 17. Kc3 e4+ 18. N3d4 Nxd4 (18... b6 $142 $44) 19. Nxd4 Rac8 20. Bb5 b6 21. c6 Bxd4+ 22. Bxd4 Bd7 23. Bxb6 Bxc6 24. Bc4 $16 {0-1 Seret,J (2455)-Adorjan,A (2565)/Luzern 1985 (77)}) 12. Kc2 $140 e5 $36 13. N4b3 Bf5+ {Now the advantage of postponing exchanges both on b4 and on e3 become clear. White doesn't have e3-e4 (as in case of an earlier exchange on e3), nor can he play} 14. Kb2 {in view of} a4 15. Na5 Nxe3 {winning a piece.}) (11. Bc4 axb4 12. cxb4 Nc6 $44 13. b5 Nb4 14. Ne4 Nxe3+ 15. fxe3 Ra3 16. Re1 Rd8+ 17. Kc1 f5 18. Ned2 Rc3+ 19. Kb2 Bf6 20. Nd4 Rxe3 21. Rxe3 Rxd4 22. Kb3 Rxd2 23. Rc1 Rb2+ 24. Ka4 Nxa2 $19 (24... Nc2 25. Bxe6+ Kf8 $2 26. Re2 Rxa2+ $4 27. Bxa2 {1-0 Van de Oudeweetering,A (2369)-Pavlovic,M (2545)/Amsterdam 2004 (36)})) (11. a3 $5) 11... axb4 12. cxb4 Bf6 (12... Nc6 13. Kb3 Nxe3 14. fxe3 b6 15. Bb5 Na7 16. Be2 bxc5 17. b5 Bb7 18. a4 $14) (12... Bd7 13. Bc4 Ba4+ 14. Bb3 Nc6 15. a3 Bf6 $13) 13. Rb1 ({also deserves attention} 13. Bd4 Bxd4 14. Nxd4 Nxf2 15. Rg1 e5 16. Nb5 Nc6 17. Kb3 $13) 13... Rxa2+ (13... e5 14. Ne4 Rxa2+ 15. Kb3 Be6+ 16. Bc4 Bxc4+ 17. Kxc4 Nxe3+ 18. fxe3 Rxg2 19. Rhg1 $44) 14. Kb3 Ra8 15. Ne4 Be7 16. Bb5 $13 {/}) ({RR} 10. b4 a5 11. Nd4 axb4 12. cxb4 Rd8 13. Kc2 Bf6 14. N2b3 e5 15. Nb5 Nc6 16. a3 Bf5+ 17. Kc3 e4+ 18. N3d4 Nxd4 19. Nxd4 Rac8 20. Bb5 b6 21. c6 Bxd4+ 22. Bxd4 Bd7 23. Bxb6 Bxc6 24. Bc4 Re8 {Seret,J (2455)-Adorjan,A (2565) Luzern 1985 0-1 (77)}) ({RR} 10. b4 Nxe3+ 11. fxe3 a5 12. Bb5 Nc6 13. Bxc6 bxc6 14. Kc2 axb4 15. cxb4 Ra3 16. Nc4 Ra7 17. e4 f6 18. Nd4 Ra6 19. Nb6 Bb7 20. Nxe6 Rb8 21. Rhd1 Kf7 22. Nd4 Bd8 23. Nc4 Bc7 24. h4 Bc8 {Renard,S (1980)-Rue,P (2113) Vichy 2000 1-0 (38)}) 10... Nxe3+ 11. fxe3 Nd7 12. c6 {This way White at least breaks up his opponent's pawn structure.} bxc6 13. Na5 Bc5 $5 {An interesting approach from Carlsen: he doesn't even try to defend his c-pawn. Instead he activates the pieces.} (13... c5 {with an equal position is of course possible as well.}) 14. Nd4 Nf6 {It turns out that taking the pawn on c6 leads only to a temporary material advantage for White: thanks to the activity of his pieces Black will regain the pawn in all variations.} 15. Bc4 (15. Naxc6 Ng4 16. Ke2 (16. Kd2 e5 17. Nc2 Bb7 18. Na5 Rad8+ $17) 16... Bd7 $44 {/}) 15... Ng4 16. Ke2 e5 17. Nc2 (17. Ndxc6 Nxe3 $17) 17... Bf5 18. h3 Nf6 19. Nb4 Be4 20. Nbxc6 Rfe8 {Black's advantage is minimal, since regaining the pawn will lead to further simplifications.} 21. Rhg1 Bb6 22. b4 Rac8 23. b5 (23. Bb5 Nd5 $17 {[%csl Rc3,Re3]}) 23... Bxa5 24. Nxa5 Rc5 {White has succeeded in exchanging a knight for his opponent's bishop, but he is still on the defensive due to the lack of coordination between his pieces and multiple pawn weaknesses.} 25. a4 $1 Rec8 26. Bd3 ({There is no time to bring the rook to the d-file:} 26. Rgd1 Bxg2) ({or} 26. Rad1 Bc2) 26... Bxd3+ (26... Rxc3 27. Bxe4 Nxe4 28. Nc6 $132) 27. Kxd3 Rxc3+ 28. Ke2 Rc2+ (28... e4 29. Rgd1 Rc2+ 30. Rd2 {favours White again.}) 29. Kf3 e4+ 30. Kf4 R8c5 31. Nc6 {Finally bringing the knight back into the game. Black can't create decisive threats against the white king, which means that the position should be close to equal.} g5+ 32. Kg3 R5c3 33. Ne7+ (33. Nxa7 Rxe3+ 34. Kh2 g4 {threatening xh3 mate looks scary for White, but the computer shows that it is a draw after} 35. Kh1 gxh3 36. b6 Ng4 37. b7 Nf2+ 38. Kh2 Ng4+ 39. Kh1 $11) 33... Kf8 $1 (33... Kg7 34. Nf5+ Kg6 35. Ne7+ Kh5 {exposes unnecessarily the king. For instance:} 36. Rae1 ({not} 36. Raf1 Rxe3+ 37. Kh2 Rf3 $1) 36... Ra3 $140 37. Kh2 {[%cal Ge1f1]} Rxa4 38. Ref1 $132) 34. Nf5 Nd5 35. Rge1 $2 {A blunder in time trouble.} (35. Rad1 {would have allowed White to escape:} Rd3 36. Rc1 Nxe3 37. Nxe3 Rxe3+ 38. Kg4 Rf2 (38... Rxc1 39. Rxc1 $11) 39. Kxg5 ({but not} 39. Rc7 h6 $1 {[%cal Gf2f4,Gf4h4]} 40. Kh5 Kg7 41. h4 ({or} 41. g3 Rh2 42. Rxa7 Rf3 43. b6 Rxh3+ 44. Kg4 Rh2 $19) 41... Rg3 {and Black wins, since} 42. Rxa7 {runs into mate after} g4 {[%cal Gf2f5]}) 39... Ra3 (39... Rg3+ 40. Kh4 Rgxg2 41. Rxg2 Rxg2 42. Re1 f5 43. Rf1 $11) 40. Rc4 e3 (40... f5 $2 41. Kf6) 41. Rf4 {and White will achieve a draw, although accurate defence is still required.}) 35... Nf4 $19 36. Rg1 Ne2+ 37. Kg4 Nxg1 38. Rxg1 f6 {Of course this should be winning for Black, but things are not trivial due to White's excellent knight on f5 and his active king.} 39. h4 gxh4 40. Kxh4 Ra3 41. g4 Rxa4 42. Rd1 Raa2 43. Rd7 Rh2+ 44. Kg3 Rhg2+ 45. Kh3 Rgf2 46. Nd4 Kg8 $6 {Starting with this moment Carlsen loses the thread, missing even a forced win later on.} ({After} 46... Ra3 47. Kg3 (47. Nf5 Rf3+ 48. Kh4 Ra2 $19) 47... Rf1 48. Kg2 (48. Nf5 Rf3+ 49. Kh2 Ra2+ 50. Kg1 h5 $19) 48... Re1 49. Kf2 Rh1 50. Kg2 (50. Nf5 h5 51. Kg2 (51. gxh5 Rxh5 52. Nd6 Rh2+ 53. Kg3 Rd2 $19) 51... Rc1 52. gxh5 Rc5 53. Nd6 Rg5+ 54. Kh2 Rxe3 $19) 50... Raa1 {Black would have kept excellent winning chances, since} 51. Rxa7 Rxa7 52. Kxh1 Ra3 {is lost for White.}) 47. Re7 Kf8 48. Rc7 ({White correctly prefers to keep his opponent's king cut off rather than release it after} 48. Rxe4 Kf7 {when it is much easier for Black to play than in the game.}) 48... Ke8 49. Kg3 Rf1 50. Rxh7 Ra3 51. Kg2 $2 {Both players became visibly tired. Bringing back the king is a bad mistake, which, however, remained unpunished.} ({The active king after} 51. Nf5 Rf3+ 52. Kh4 {would have been enough for successful defence:} ({Again going back is hopeless:} 52. Kg2 $2 Ra2+ 53. Kg1 Rff2 54. Rxa7 Rg2+ 55. Kf1 Raf2+ 56. Ke1 Rb2 57. Kf1 Rgd2 $19) 52... Ra2 53. Nd6+ Kd8 (53... Kf8 54. Rf7+ Kg8 55. Kh5 Rd2 56. Rd7) 54. Nb7+ Kc8 55. Nd6+ Kb8 56. Rb7+ Ka8 57. Kh5 Rxe3 58. Re7 $11) 51... Rd1 52. Nf5 (52. Nc6 Rxe3 53. Kf2 Rf3+ 54. Ke2 Rd7 $19) (52. Rh3 Rd2+ $19) 52... Rd7 $2 (52... Ra2+ {wins by force, since after} 53. Kg3 Rg1+ 54. Kf4 Rf2+ 55. Kxe4 Rxg4+ 56. Kd5 Rxf5+ 57. Ke6 {Black simply gives a check on e5} Re5+ $19) 53. Rh8+ Kf7 54. Kg3 Rb3 55. Kf4 {The king is back into play and Black is not able to win anymore.} Rb1 (55... Rb4 56. Rh7+ Ke6 57. Rh6 $132 {[%cal Gg4g5]}) 56. Kxe4 Rf1 57. Rh7+ Ke6 58. Rh8 Rc7 59. Nd4+ Kd6 $11 60. Rd8+ Rd7 61. Rc8 Rg7 62. Rd8+ Rd7 63. Rc8 Re7+ 64. Kd3 Rc7 65. Rd8+ Rd7 66. Rg8 Rg1 67. Ke2 Kc5 68. Kf2 Rb1 69. Rf8 Rd6 70. Rf7 Rb2+ 71. Kf3 Ra2 72. Ke4 Kb6 73. Rf8 Rg2 74. Kf3 Rh2 75. Rb8+ Kc7 76. Ra8 Kb7 77. Rf8 Rh7 78. Kf4 Rh1 79. Kf3 1/2-1/2

[Event "London Classic"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2009.12.13"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Ni, Hua"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B51"]
[WhiteElo "2665"]
[BlackElo "2801"]
[Annotator "Ftacnik,Lubomir"]
[PlyCount "84"]
[EventDate "2009.12.08"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[EventCategory "18"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 134"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.01.18"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.01.18"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. Bb5+ Nd7 {The knight move has the reputation of being a fighting line, but Black is falling behind in development.} 4. d4 a6 5. Bxd7+ Bxd7 6. dxc5 dxc5 7. Nc3 e6 8. Bf4 {Ni Hua is clearly ahead in creating the play, but Black has no real weaknesses.} (8. Ne5 Ne7 (8... Qc7 9. Qxd7+ (9. Nxd7 Rd8 (9... O-O-O $5 10. Qf3 Rxd7 11. Bf4 Bd6 $11) 10. Qf3 Rxd7 11. Bf4 Qc6 12. O-O Nf6 13. Rfd1 Be7 14. Rxd7 Nxd7 15. Qg3 O-O 16. Rd1 Rc8 17. Bd6 $14 {½-½ Unzicker,W (2535)-Najdorf,M (2520)/Nice 1974 (39)}) 9... Qxd7 10. Nxd7 Kxd7 11. Bf4 Kc6 12. O-O-O Nf6 13. f3 Be7 14. Ne2 Rad8 15. Rxd8 Rxd8 16. Rd1 Nd7 17. b3 h5 18. c3 g5 19. Be3 Rg8 {0-1 Romero Holmes,A (2544)-Bologan,V (2673)/Pamplona 2003 (61)}) 9. Qh5 Ng6 10. Nxg6 fxg6 11. Qe5 Qf6 12. Bf4 Be7 {½-½ Zvjaginsev,V (2650)-Bu Xiangzhi (2620)/Moscow 2004}) 8... Ne7 9. Ne5 (9. Qe2 Ng6 10. Bg3 Be7 11. h4 h5 12. O-O-O b5 13. e5 b4 14. Ne4 Qa5 15. Kb1 Qb5 16. Rd3 c4 17. Nd6+ Bxd6 18. Rxd6 b3 19. Nd4 {½-½ Hracek,Z (2595)-Lutz,C (2596)/Mallorca 2004}) 9... Ng6 {The defender has no time for niceties as White is ready to strike.} (9... Bb5 $2 10. Qh5 g6 11. Qf3 Nc6 12. Nxc6 Bxc6 13. Be5 Rg8 14. Rd1 Qg5 15. Bf6 Qh5 16. g4 Qh6 17. g5 (17. Nd5 exd5 18. exd5 Ba4 19. d6 Bxd6 20. Rxd6 $18) 17... Qh4 18. Qg3 Qxg3 19. hxg3 $16 {½-½ Adams,M (2729)-Bu Xiangzhi (2708)/Yerevan 2008 (64)}) 10. Qh5 (10. Bg5 Qc7 11. Nxd7 Qxd7 12. Qxd7+ Kxd7 13. Be3 Bd6 14. g3 Kc6 15. O-O-O Rad8 16. Rhe1 b5 17. Nb1 Bc7 18. Nd2 {½-½ Riff,J (2428)-Cossin,S (2395)/Rosny sous Bois 2004 (39)}) 10... Bc6 {Carlsen must play well to keep his chances for equality alive. A good alternative seem to be the queen foray to h4.} (10... Nxe5 11. Bxe5 Bc6 12. O-O Qa5 13. Rad1 c4 14. Qg5 Qc5 15. Rfe1 f6 16. Bxf6 Qxg5 17. Bxg5 Bb4 18. a3 Bxc3 19. bxc3 h6 20. Bf4 $16 {1-0 Brkic,A (2544)-Feletar,D (2377)/Sibenik 2009 (52)}) (10... Qh4 $5 11. Qxh4 Nxh4 12. O-O Rd8 13. Nxd7 Rxd7 14. Be3 $14) 11. Bg3 (11. Nxg6 fxg6 12. Qg4 Qf6) (11. Nxc6 Nxf4 12. Nxd8 Nxh5 13. Nxb7 Rb8 14. Na5 Rxb2 15. O-O-O Rb8 $14) 11... Nxe5 (11... Be7 12. Nxc6 bxc6 13. f4 Qb8 14. O-O-O Nxf4 15. Qg4 g5 16. h4 $14) 12. Bxe5 c4 13. O-O $146 (13. f4 $5 b5 14. a3 Qd7 15. Rf1 O-O-O 16. Rd1 Qb7 17. Rxd8+ Kxd8 18. Rf2 $14) ({RR} 13. f4 b5 14. f5 exf5 15. Nd5 Bxd5 16. O-O-O g6 17. Qh3 Qg5+ 18. Kb1 f6 19. Rxd5 fxe5 20. Rxe5+ Be7 21. exf5 Ra7 22. Rhe1 O-O 23. fxg6 Qxg6 24. Qe3 Bf6 25. Re6 Rg7 26. g3 Qf5 27. a3 a5 {Xu,Y (2484)-Kosintseva,T (2534) Jermuk 2010 0-1 (33)}) 13... Qa5 14. Qg5 h6 15. Qg3 {White is losing momentum and opts for the second best move. More challenging for the opponent would have been the retreat to f4.} (15. Qf4 $5 h5 (15... f6 16. Bxf6 (16. Bc7 Qg5 17. Qf3 Bb4 $11) 16... gxf6 17. Qxf6 Rh7 18. Qxe6+ Re7 19. Qg6+ $16) 16. Rad1 f6 17. Bc7 Qg5 $11) 15... f6 16. Qg6+ (16. Bc7 Qg5 17. Qf3 Bb4 18. Qe2 Kf7 $11) 16... Ke7 17. Bf4 (17. Bd4 Qg5 18. Qxg5 hxg5 19. Rad1 $11) 17... Be8 18. Qg3 Kf7 19. Rad1 Bc6 20. Rd2 e5 $1 {Carlsen has a very good feel for the position and is ready to fight for the advantage at the first suitable moment.} (20... Be7 21. Rfd1 Rac8 22. Bd6 Bxd6 23. Rxd6 Rhd8 $11) 21. Be3 Bb4 22. f4 Rhe8 23. f5 Bc5 {Not even the player heading for the top spot in the rating list has found the courage to play provocative solution of grabbing the pawn on c3.} (23... Bxc3 $5 24. bxc3 Qxc3 25. Qg6+ Kg8 26. Bxh6 Re7 27. Qg4 Qb2 $15) 24. Rfd1 Rad8 25. Rxd8 Bxe3+ (25... Rxd8 $4 26. Qg6+ Kg8 27. Rxd8+ Qxd8 28. Bxc5 $18) 26. Qxe3 Rxd8 27. Rxd8 Qxd8 28. Kf2 Qd6 {[%mdl 4096] For most mortals the chances would seem fairly even, but Magnus is envisaging a pawn advance on the queenside.} (28... Qd4 29. Kf3 (29. Qxd4 exd4 30. Ne2 Bxe4 31. Nxd4 Ke7 $15) 29... Qd6 $11) 29. a3 a5 30. Kf3 (30. Ke2 Qd4 31. Kf3 $11) 30... Kg8 (30... b5 31. Qe2 (31. Qa7+ $2 Kg8 32. Qxa5 Qd2 $17) 31... Qd4 32. Qe3 Qd7 33. Ke2 b4 $15) 31. g3 $2 {Ni Hua can not afford waiting tactics as Black is making progress with his plan.} (31. Ke2 $1 Kf8 (31... b5 32. Qb6 $14) 32. Qb6 Qd4 33. Qxa5 Bxe4 34. Qa8+ Kf7 35. Qc8 $15) 31... b5 $1 32. Ke2 (32. Qb6 $4 Bxe4+ $19) 32... b4 33. axb4 axb4 34. Nd1 {The choice of retreats for the knight was not exactly encouraging; White probably played the best move.} (34. Nd5 $2 Bxd5 35. Qd2 c3 36. bxc3 Bc4+ $19) (34. Na2 $5 Bb7 35. c3 Qa6 36. Nxb4 Qa1 37. Nd5 Qh1 $17) 34... Ba4 (34... Qd4 35. c3 Qxe4 (35... bxc3 36. Nxc3 Qd6 37. Qd2 $11) 36. Qxe4 Bxe4 37. cxb4 Bxf5 38. b5 Kf7 39. b6 Be4 40. Ne3 Ke6 41. Nxc4 $11) 35. b3 $2 {The opening of the position is certainly in Black's favour as his bishop is stronger than the knight.} (35. Qd2 $1 Qd4 36. Qxd4 exd4 37. Kd2 Bb5 38. c3 dxc3+ 39. bxc3 b3 40. Ke3 Be8 41. Kd4 Bf7 $15) 35... cxb3 36. cxb3 Qa6+ (36... Bb5+ 37. Ke1 Qc6 38. Kd2 Qa8 39. Qc5 Qa2+ $17) 37. Kd2 Bb5 38. Qc5 Qa2+ 39. Qc2 $6 {The last move before the time control deserves some criticism, since White will not be able to stop the pesky enemy pieces.} (39. Kc1 Qe2 (39... Be2 40. Ne3 Kh7 41. Nd5 Qa1+ 42. Kc2 Qd1+ (42... Bd1+ 43. Kd3 Bxb3 44. Qxb4 Qf1+ $17)) 40. Qxb4 Bd3 41. Qd2 Qxe4 42. g4 Bf1 $17) 39... Qa7 $1 40. Qc8+ Kh7 41. Kc1 Qa1+ 42. Kc2 Qd4 {The triumph of Black's strategy, the white position will fall apart.} 0-1

[Event "London Classic"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2009.12.15"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Short, Nigel D"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B76"]
[WhiteElo "2707"]
[BlackElo "2801"]
[Annotator "Schulz,Andre"]
[PlyCount "141"]
[EventDate "2009.12.08"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[EventCategory "18"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 134"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.01.18"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.01.18"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 g6 {Diese Partie wurde in der letzten Runde des Turniers gespielt. Carlsen führte mit einem Punkt Vorsprung, musste aber damit rechnen, dass Kramnik ihn evtl. noch überholen würde, da mit einer 3-Punkte-Regel gespielt wurde (3 Punkt für einen Sieg, 2 Punkt für ein Remis). In dieser Situation griff Carlsen wieder einmal zur Drachenvariante, nachdem er zuvor häufiger die Najdorf-Variante gespielt hatte.} 6. Be3 {Short spielt gegen den Drachen verschiedene Variante mit langer oder kurzer Rochade.} Bg7 7. f3 Nc6 8. Qd2 O-O 9. O-O-O ({In dem anderen großen Bereich nach} 9. Bc4 Bd7 10. O-O-O Rc8 11. Bb3 Ne5 12. Kb1 $5 (12. h4 h5) 12... Re8 13. h4 h5 {entsteht die kritische Variante nach} 14. g4 hxg4 15. h5 Nxh5 16. Bh6 {und nun ist noch kein völlig befriediegender Weg zum Augleich für Schwarz gefunden worden. Aber vielleicht hat Magnus Carlsen ja etwas in petto. Einige wichtige Partien aus dem vergangenen Jahr (2009):} e6 (16... Kh7 17. Bxg7 Kxg7 18. fxg4 Bxg4 19. Nf5+ Bxf5 20. exf5 Rh8 21. fxg6 Nxg6 22. Ne4 Nf6 (22... d5 $11) 23. Rdf1 Rxh1 24. Rxh1 d5 25. Nxf6 Kxf6 26. Qf2+ Kg7 27. Rf1 f6 28. Qf5 Rc6 29. Rg1 Qe8 30. Bxd5 Rc5 31. Qe6 Rb5 32. c4 Rb6 33. Qh3 e6 34. Bf3 Qd8 35. Qg2 {1-0 Radjabov,T (2751)-Kasimdzhanov,R (2672)/Elista 2008/CBM 128/[Radjabov]}) 17. Rdg1 g3 (17... Qf6 18. fxg4 Bxh6 19. Qxh6 Qg7 20. Qe3 Nf6 21. g5 Nh5 22. Ndb5 Bxb5 23. Nxb5 Red8 24. Qxa7 Nf3 25. Rg2 Qe5 26. Qe3 Ne1 27. Rxe1 Qxb5 28. c3 Qe5 29. a3 b5 30. Ka2 Kg7 31. Rf1 Rc7 32. Qf3 Ra8 33. Rh1 Rh8 34. Rd1 Rd8 35. Rh1 Rh8 36. Rd1 Rd8 37. Rh1 {½-½ Dominguez Perez,L (2719)-Smerdon,D (2525)/Khanty Mansiysk 2009/EXT 2010}) 18. Rxh5 gxh5 19. Rxg3 Ng6 20. Nf5 Bf6 (20... h4) 21. Nxd6 {1-0 Vachier Lagrave,M (2703)-Kasimdzhanov,R (2672)/San Sebastian 2009/CBM 132/[Stohl] (46)}) 9... d5 10. Kb1 {Ein pfiffiger Wartezug mit einer versteckten taktischen Pointe.} ({Nach} 10. exd5 Nxd5 11. Nxc6 bxc6 12. Bd4 {hatte Schwarz zuletzt nach} Nxc3 ({Carlsen und Radjabov spielen gerne} 12... Bxd4 13. Qxd4 Qb6 14. Na4 (14. Bc4 Qxd4 (14... Ne3 $5) 15. Rxd4 Nxc3 16. bxc3 {1-0 Ivanchuk,V (2746)-Carlsen,M (2770)/Leon 2009/CBM 130 Extra (63)}) 14... Qc7 15. Bc4 Rd8 16. Bb3 Bf5 17. g4 Nf4 18. Qe3 Be6 {½-½ Ivanchuk,V (2746)-Carlsen,M (2770)/Leon 2009/CBM 130 Extra (51)}) 13. Qxc3 Bh6+ 14. Be3 Bxe3+ 15. Qxe3 Qb6 16. Qxe7 Be6 17. Qa3 Rad8 {nicht allzuviele Sorgen:} 18. Bd3 Rd5 19. Rhe1 Ra5 20. Qc3 Rxa2 21. b3 Ra5 22. Bc4 Bxc4 23. Qxc4 Rc5 24. Qd4 Qb5 25. Kb2 a5 26. Ra1 Rd5 27. Qf4 Rf5 28. Qe4 Rd8 29. Rad1 Rfd5 30. Rxd5 cxd5 31. Qd4 Qb4 32. Rd1 Qd6 33. h4 Qe6 34. g4 a4 35. Qxa4 Qf6+ 36. Qd4 Qxh4 37. b4 {½-½ Alekseev,E (2714)-Caruana,F (2670)/Biel 2009/CBM 132 (52)} (37. Qe5 $142 $16)) ({Eine andere Alternative ist} 10. Qe1 e5 11. Nxc6 bxc6 12. exd5 cxd5 13. Bg5 Be6 14. Bc4 Qc7 15. Bxf6 dxc4 16. Bxg7 Kxg7 17. Nd5 Bxd5 18. Rxd5 Rfe8 19. Qc3 Kg8 {½-½ Leko,P (2741)-Carlsen,M (2765)/Miskolc 2008/CBM 124 Extra (65)}) 10... Nxd4 ({Die Alternativen} 10... Rb8) ({oder} 10... e6 {konnten aus schwarzer Sicht bisher nicht befriedigen.}) 11. e5 {Dieser pfiffige Zwischenzug, seinerzeit von Vadim Milov entdeckt, ist die taktische Rechtfertigung für 10.Kb1} ({Nach} 11. Bxd4 dxe4 12. Nxe4 Nxe4 13. fxe4 Bxd4 14. Qxd4 Bg4 {hätte Weiß weniger als gar nichts.}) 11... Nf5 ({Schlecht ist} 11... Nd7 12. Bxd4 Nxe5 13. Qe3 Nc6 14. Bxg7 Kxg7 15. Nxd5 Qa5 (15... Be6 16. Qc3+ f6 17. Bc4 Qa5 18. b4 $1 Nxb4 19. Rhe1 Bxd5 20. Rxd5 $18 {1-0 Agamaliev,G (2490)-Antonio,V (2107)/Abu Dhabi 2009/CB35_2009 (30)}) 16. b4 Qa4 (16... Nxb4 17. Qc3+ $18) 17. b5 Rb8 18. Ka1 (18. Qb3 Qxb3+ 19. axb3 {1-0 Laznicka,V (2437)-Simacek,P (2442)/Cartak 2003/CBM 097 ext (74)}) 18... Na5 19. Qc3+ f6 20. Rd4 $18) ({oder auch} 11... Nxf3 12. gxf3 Nd7 13. Nxd5 Bxe5 (13... e6 $2 14. Bg5 f6 15. exf6 Nxf6 16. Nxf6+ Bxf6 17. h4 Kf7 18. Bc4 Qb6 19. Bb3 {1-0 Caruana,F (2549)-Hubregtse,S/Vlissingen 2007/CBM 119 ext}) 14. Bh6 $40) 12. exf6 exf6 $5 ({Häufiger sah man bisher die folgende Abwicklung:} 12... Bxf6 13. Nxd5 Qxd5 14. Qxd5 Nxe3 15. Qd2 Nxd1 16. Qxd1 Be6 {mit einer remisträchtigen Position, in der aber nur Weiß auf Gewinn spielen kann.}) 13. Bc5 ({Nach} 13. Nxd5 Nxe3 14. Qxe3 Be6 {hat Schwarz ein spielbare Position mit guten Angriffsaussichten dank des Läuferpaares.}) 13... d4 {Das ist die Pointe. Schwarz opfert (vorübergehend) die Qualität.} (13... Re8 $2 14. Nxd5 $16) 14. Bxf8 Qxf8 15. Nb5 Ne3 {Nun hat Weiß zwei Rückzugsfelder für den angegriffenen Turm zur Auswahl.} 16. Rc1 ({Oder:} 16. Re1 f5 17. f4 (17. Nxd4 f4 $11 {½-½ Akshayraj,K (2400)-Ganguly,S (2603)/Mangalore 2008/CB01_2009 (25)}) 17... Qc5 18. c3 Nxf1 19. Re8+ Bf8 20. Qxd4 Qxb5 21. Qd8 Nd2+ 22. Kc2 Qa4+ 23. Kc1 Qxe8 24. Qxe8 Ne4 25. Rd1 Nf6 26. Qe5 Nd7 27. Qe8 Nf6 28. Qd8 Ne4 29. Rd7 Bxd7 30. Qxa8 Bc6 31. Qxa7 Nc5 32. g3 Nd3+ 33. Kb1 Be4 34. Ka1 Bc5 35. Qb8+ Kg7 36. Qd8 Bg1 37. h4 h5 38. a4 Bf2 39. a5 Bxg3 40. Qd4+ {½-½ Nisipeanu,L (2675)-Radjabov,T (2756)/Bazna 2009/Mega2009 Update 25}) 16... Bh6 ({Der ältere Zug ist} 16... f5 {und nun} 17. Nxd4 f4 18. c3 {vielleicht einfacher als} (18. g3 Qc5 19. Nb3 Qb6 20. gxf4 Bf5 21. Bd3 Rd8 22. Qa5 Qf6 23. Qe5 Qb6 24. Qb5 Qf6 25. Nc5 b6 26. Ne4 $16 {½-½ Barnett,J-Dahlstroem,R/ICCF email 2004/Corr 2006 (61)}) 18... Qd6 19. Bd3 Bxd4 20. cxd4 Be6 ({zu prüfen wäre noch} 20... Qxd4 $5 21. Qc3 Qd5 $5 (21... Qxc3 22. Rxc3 Nxg2 23. Rc7 $16)) 21. Be4 $16 {1-0 Smeets,J (2632)-Jones,G (2554)/London 2009/CB34_2009 (41)}) 17. Qxd4 Nf5 18. Qc3 ({In der Stammpartie von 16...Lh6 geschah:} 18. Qf2 $6 Be3 19. Qe1 Bxc1 20. Qxc1 Qc5 21. Nc3 Be6 22. Bd3 Rd8 23. g4 Nd4 $36 {0-1 Thomsen,J (2234)-Moreira,J (2286)/ICCF email 2007/Corr 2008 (67)}) ({Nach} 18. Qxf6 {folgt} Be6 $1 {mit komplizierter Stellung, die Schwarz aber einige Kompemnsation für die Qualität bietet. Zur Illustration eine effektvolle Computervariante:} (18... Bg7 19. Qg5 Bh6 {führt zum Remis durch Stellungswiederholung.}) 19. Re1 (19. Rd1 Ne3 20. Bd3 Nxd1 21. Rxd1 Bg7 22. Qh4 Rd8 23. a3 a6 24. Nc7 Bf5 $15) 19... Bg7 20. Qg5 Bxb2 $1 21. Rxe6 (21. Kxb2 Qb4+ $19) 21... Qb4 $1 22. Re4 $8 Bd4+ 23. Kc1 Qb2+ 24. Kd1 Bf6 25. Qc1 Rd8+ 26. Nd4 (26. Bd3 Qxb5 $17) 26... Rxd4+ (26... Qxa2 27. c3 Nxd4 28. cxd4 Bxd4 29. Qd2 Qb3+ 30. Ke2 Qb5+ 31. Qd3 Qb2+ 32. Qd2 $11) 27. Bd3 (27. Rxd4 Qxd4+ 28. Bd3 Ne3+ 29. Ke2 Nxg2 30. Be4 Be5 31. Qd2 Nf4+ 32. Kd1 Qa1+ 33. Qc1 Qxa2 $19) 27... Rxd3+ ({Die Alternative ist} 27... Qxa2 28. Rxd4 Nxd4 29. Re1 Kg7 {mit einer leicht besseren Position, die für Schwarz vielleicht einfacher zu spielen ist.}) 28. cxd3 Qxg2 29. Rhe1 Qxf3+ 30. R1e2 Qxd3+ 31. Qd2 Qb1+ 32. Qc1 Qb6 $15 {mit einer komplizierten und materiell ungleichem Position, in der die schwarzen Chancen angesichts des frei stehenden weißen Königs vielleicht besser sind.}) 18... Bxc1 19. Kxc1 $11 {Schwarz hat mit Leichtigkeit ausgeglichen.} Bd7 20. Bd3 {Kurz zuvor, bei der Mannschaftseuropameisterschaft, endete an dieser Stelle die Partie Smeets-Radjabov mit Remis. Carlsen spielt weiter.} Rc8 $146 21. Qd2 ({Auf} 21. Qxf6 {käme} Qh6+ 22. Kb1 Bxb5 23. Bxb5 Qd2 24. Rc1 Ne3 $15) 21... Bxb5 22. Bxb5 Qc5 23. Bd3 Ne3 {Die Initiative ist hier schon etwas an Schwarz über gegangen.} 24. Re1 Re8 25. Qf2 {Mit der Idee 26.Le4} f5 26. f4 Qd4 27. g3 Re6 {mit einer kleinen Drohung.} 28. Qd2 ({Auf z.B.:} 28. a3 $2 {käme nämlich} Nc4 $1 {und} 29. Qxd4 Rxe1#) 28... Ng4 29. h3 (29. Rxe6 fxe6 {würde die schwarze Bauernstellung reparieren.}) 29... Rxe1+ 30. Qxe1 Nf2 31. Bf1 Ne4 32. Bg2 b6 33. c3 (33. Bxe4 fxe4 {mit einem schwarzen Freibauern war natürlich keine Option.}) 33... Qd3 34. g4 Ng3 {droht Matt bzw. Damengewinn nach Se2} 35. b3 Ne2+ (35... Kf8 $5) (35... h5 $5) 36. Kb2 Kf8 ({Vermeidet} 36... Nxf4 37. Qe8+ Kg7 38. Qe5+ Kg8 39. Qe8+ {mit Remis durch Dauerschach.} (39. Qxf4 Qe2+ 40. Ka3 Qxg2 41. Qb8+ Kg7 42. Qe5+)) 37. Bc6 fxg4 38. hxg4 h5 $1 {Schwarz bildet einen Freibauern und nimmt dafür eine Verschlechterung seines Königsschutzes in Kauf.} ({Natürlich nicht} 38... Nxf4 $2 39. Qe8+ Kg7 40. Qe5+ Kg8 41. Qxf4 $18) 39. gxh5 gxh5 40. a4 a6 41. f5 $1 h4 42. Bg2 Ng3 (42... h3 $2 43. Bxh3 Qxh3 44. Qxe2 Qxf5 45. Qe3 $14) 43. f6 {Das war die Idee. Der f-Bauer schnürt den schwarzen König ein und bietet der weißen Dame ggf. ein paar schöne Stützpunkte.} Qd6 ({Zu berechnen war hier der mögliche Übergang ins Leichtfigurenendspiel, der Schwarz aber nichts einbringt:} 43... Qe2+ 44. Qxe2 Nxe2 45. Bf1 Ng3 46. Bxa6 h3 47. Bb7 Ke8 (47... h2 48. b4 h1=Q $2 (48... Ke8) 49. Bxh1 Nxh1 50. a5 bxa5 51. bxa5 $18 {Und der Bauer läuft durch.}) 48. b4 Kd7 49. a5 bxa5 50. bxa5 h2 51. a6 Kc7 52. c4 h1=Q 53. Bxh1 Nxh1 54. c5 Nf2 55. Kc3 Ne4+ 56. Kd4 Nxf6 57. Ke5 Ng4+ 58. Kf5 Nh6+ 59. Kf6 Kc6 60. a7 Kb7 61. c6+ Kxa7 62. Ke7 Kb6 63. Kd7 Ng4 64. c7 Ne5+ 65. Kd8 Nc6+ 66. Ke8 Kxc7 67. Kxf7 $11) 44. Qf2 Kg8 45. b4 a5 ({Der direkte Weg nach vorne führt nicht zum Erfolg:} 45... Kh7 46. Be4+ (46. Bb7 $5 a5 47. b5 Kg6 48. Bc6 $11 {mit der Idee:} Qxf6 49. Qxb6) 46... Nxe4 (46... Kh6 47. Bc2 Kg5 48. Qe3+ Qf4 49. Qxb6 h3 50. Qg1 Kh4 51. Qh2 Nh5 52. Qxf4+ Nxf4 53. Be4 Ne6 (53... Nh5 $2 54. b5)) 47. Qxh4+ Kg6 48. Qxe4+ Kxf6 49. Qe2 $11) 46. bxa5 (46. b5 $5 Kh7 47. Be4+ Kh6 48. Qe3+ Kh5 49. Bf3+ Kg6 50. Bc6 $11) 46... bxa5 47. Kc2 Kh7 48. c4 (48. Be4+ Kh6 (48... Nxe4 $2 49. Qxh4+ Kg8 50. Qg4+ $1 $18) 49. Bd3 Kg5 {Und der f-Bauer fällt.}) 48... Qa3 (48... Kh6 49. c5 Qe6 50. Kb2 Qe5+ $11 (50... Kg5 51. Qd2+ Kxf6 52. Qh6+ Ke5 53. Qxh4)) 49. Be4+ Kg8 $1 (49... Nxe4 50. Qxh4+ Kg6 (50... Kg8 51. Qg4+ Ng5 (51... Kh7 52. Qg7#) (51... Kf8 52. Qc8#) 52. Qxg5+ Kf8 53. Qg7+ $18) 51. Qxe4+ Kxf6 52. Qd4+ Kf5 53. c5 Qa2+ $11) 50. Qf4 Qxa4+ 51. Kd2 Nxe4+ 52. Qxe4 Qa2+ 53. Kc3 (53. Ke3 {ändert nichts:} Qb3+ 54. Kf2 Qb6+ 55. Kg2 Qxf6 56. Qa8+ Kh7 57. Qxa5 {und auch hier muss Weiß ums Remis kämpfen.}) 53... Qa1+ 54. Kb3 Qd1+ $2 ({Folgerichtiger scheint} 54... Qxf6 {mit weiterhin schwer zu bewertender Situation:} 55. c5 (55. Qg4+ Kh7 56. Qh5+ Kg7 57. Qg4+ ({Nach} 57. Qxa5 h3 58. Qc7 Qf2 59. Qe5+ Kg6 60. c5 h2 $19 {gewinnt Schwarz.}) 57... Kh6 58. c5 Qf2 59. c6 Qb6+ 60. Ka3 Qxc6 61. Qxh4+ Kg6 {und mit zwei Bauern im Damenendspiel sollte Schwarz gewinnen.}) 55... Qg5 (55... Qf2 56. c6 Qg3+ 57. Kc4 h3 58. Qd3 Qg4+ 59. Qd4 Qe2+ 60. Kc5 (60. Qd3 $2 Qe6+ 61. Kb5 Qe5+ 62. Kb6 h2 63. Qf3 Qb8+ 64. Kxa5 f5 $19 {Weiß ist in einer Art Zugzwangstellung.}) 60... h2 61. c7 Qe7+ 62. Qd6 Qg5+ 63. Kb6 Qg1+ 64. Ka6 h1=Q 65. c8=Q+ Kh7 66. Qf5+ Qg6 67. Qfxg6+ fxg6 68. Kxa5 $11 {ist theoretisch Remis (Tablebases)}) 56. c6 h3 57. Qc4 (57. c7 Qg3+ 58. Ka2 Qxc7 59. Qg4+ Kf8 60. Qxh3 $19) 57... Qg3+ 58. Ka2 Qc7 59. Qg4+ Kf8 60. Qxh3 Qxc6 $19) 55. Kb2 Qh5 56. c5 h3 {Die schwarze Idee war es wohl, den h-Bauern nach vorne zu treiben. Nur: der weiße c-Bauer ist ungebremst noch stärker, da er mit Matt umwandelt.} 57. c6 a4 $1 {Schwarz zieht die Reißleine. Mit dem Stützpunkt auf b3 ist das Dauerschach gesichert.} (57... h2 58. c7 h1=Q 59. c8=Q#) 58. Ka2 Qd1 59. Qe8+ Kh7 60. Qxf7+ Kh6 61. c7 Qc2+ 62. Ka3 h2 63. Qg7+ Kh5 64. Qh8+ Kg6 65. Qg8+ Kxf6 66. c8=Q Qxc8 67. Qxc8 h1=Q 68. Qa6+ Ke5 69. Qb5+ Qd5 70. Kxa4 Qxb5+ 71. Kxb5 {Und diese Position ist für jeden ersichtlich nun wirklich remis. Short und Carlsen boten den Zuschauern in London bis zum Schluss einen spannenden Kampf mit Gewinnchancen für beide Seiten.} 1/2-1/2

[Event "Corus"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2010.01.16"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Tiviakov, Sergei"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C77"]
[WhiteElo "2662"]
[BlackElo "2810"]
[PlyCount "54"]
[EventDate "2010.01.16"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 135"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.03.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.03.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. Qe2 Bd6 6. c3 O-O 7. d3 ({RR} 7. O-O Re8 8. Bb3 h6 9. d3 Bf8 10. Rd1 d5 11. Nbd2 Be6 12. Nf1 Qd7 13. Ng3 Rad8 14. d4 exd4 15. e5 d3 16. Qxd3 Ne4 17. Bc2 f5 18. exf6 Nxf6 19. Bf4 Bd6 20. Bxd6 Qxd6 21. Re1 Re7 {Sudarshan,B (2103)-Omelja,A (2397) Sant Ferran de ses Roques ESP 2025 ½-½ (31)}) 7... Re8 8. Bg5 ({RR} 8. h3 Bf8 9. Nbd2 d5 10. Nf1 b5 11. Bc2 d4 12. a3 a5 13. g4 Rb8 14. Ng3 dxc3 15. bxc3 b4 16. axb4 axb4 17. Ba4 Ra8 18. Bb2 Bb7 19. O-O Nd7 20. cxb4 Bxb4 21. Rfc1 Ra6 22. Nf5 Bd6 {Tiviakov,S (2608)-Godena,M (2485) Mondariz 2000 0-1 (35)}) 8... b5 9. Bb3 $146 ({RR} 9. Bc2 Be7 10. Nbd2 Nh5 11. Be3 g6 12. d4 exd4 13. Nxd4 Nxd4 14. cxd4 d5 15. e5 c5 16. O-O cxd4 17. Bh6 Ra7 18. f4 d3 19. Bxd3 Bc5+ 20. Kh1 Qh4 21. Qe1 Qxe1 22. Raxe1 Bd4 23. b3 Bc3 {Weaving,R (2314)-Stefanova,A (2506) England 2018 ½-½ (56)}) 9... Na5 10. Bc2 c5 11. Nbd2 Nc6 12. Nf1 Be7 13. Ne3 d6 14. O-O Be6 15. Bxf6 Bxf6 16. Bb3 Rb8 17. Rfd1 Qd7 18. Bd5 Bd8 19. a4 bxa4 20. Qc2 Na5 21. Qxa4 Qxa4 22. Rxa4 Rxb2 23. Nd2 Bc7 24. Ndc4 Rb5 25. Bxe6 fxe6 26. Nxd6 Bxd6 27. c4 Rb6 1/2-1/2

[Event "Corus"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2010.01.19"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Short, Nigel D"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B01"]
[WhiteElo "2810"]
[BlackElo "2696"]
[Annotator "Marin,Mihail"]
[PlyCount "93"]
[EventDate "2010.01.16"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 135"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.03.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.03.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 d5 2. exd5 Nf6 3. d4 Bg4 4. Nf3 ({Carlsen does not feel prepared for the unclear complications arising after} 4. f3 Bf5 5. Bb5+ Nbd7 6. c4 e6 {, see for instance Finkel,A (2467)-Gershon,A (2502)/Ramat Aviv/Modiin 2000/CBM 081/[Finkel,A] (1-0, 34)}) 4... Nxd5 5. h3 {After this move, the queen will get on an active position, although in some lines it will also stand in the way of its own bishops.} (5. Be2 {looks more flexible, but also less ambitious, see for instance Anand,V (2720)-Kamsky,G (2695)/Sanghi Nagar 1994/CBM 042/[Ftacnik] (0-1, 75)}) 5... Bxf3 6. Qxf3 c6 7. Be2 {Definitely, this does not look like a harmonious way of developing, with the bishop behind the queen. However, the alternatives tend to offer less.} (7. Bd3 g6 8. O-O Bg7 {more or less forces the passive} 9. c3 {, when Black's position is relatively safe after} O-O) (7. Bc4 g6 {leaves the d5-knight stable, at least temporarily.}) (7. c3 {consolidates the centre, but delays the development.} Nd7 (7... g6 {also looks OK}) 8. Nd2 e5 $132 {Szabo,K (2489)-Varga,Z (2481)/Budapest 2009/CBM 132 Extra (0-1, 51)}) ({RR} 7. c3 Nd7 8. Nd2 e5 9. dxe5 Nxe5 10. Qe4 Qe7 11. Nc4 Nxc4 12. Qxe7+ Bxe7 13. Bxc4 Rd8 14. O-O O-O 15. Rd1 Nb6 16. Bb3 Rxd1+ 17. Bxd1 Rd8 18. Bb3 c5 19. Kf1 h6 20. g3 Bg5 21. f4 Be7 {Szabo,K (2489)-Varga,Z (2481) Budapest 2009 0-1 (51)}) ({RR} 7. c4 Nf6 8. Be3 e6 9. Nc3 Bb4 10. Rc1 Nbd7 11. g4 h6 12. h4 Qe7 13. g5 hxg5 14. hxg5 Rxh1 15. Qxh1 Ng4 16. Qh8+ Qf8 17. Qxf8+ Kxf8 18. Bd2 e5 19. Bh3 exd4 20. Bxg4 dxc3 21. bxc3 Re8+ {Buchenau,F (2205)-Pribelszky,B (2428) chess.com INT 2025 0-1 (48)}) 7... g6 8. O-O Bg7 9. Rd1 {This active way of defending the d4-pawn would not have been possible with the bishop on d3...} O-O $146 ({RR} 9... e6 10. c4 Ne7 11. Bg5 O-O 12. Nc3 h6 13. Bh4 g5 14. Bg3 Nf5 15. d5 Nxg3 16. Qxg3 cxd5 17. cxd5 Bxc3 18. Qxc3 exd5 19. Bf3 Nc6 20. Rxd5 Qe7 21. Re1 Qb4 22. Qxb4 Nxb4 23. Rb5 Nc2 24. Rd1 {Krakops,M (2230)-Krachler,G Werfen 1993 1-0}) 10. c4 {...while this move would been physically prevented by c4.} Nc7 $1 $146 {The only way to make the pressure against the d4-pawn effective. Among others, Black intends to break up the centre with a well timed ...e5. In the event of a pawn exchange, this would lead to a structure which has been discussed in the notes to the game Caruana-Tiviakov from the same tournament.} (10... Nb6 $6 {allows the natural development with} 11. Nc3 $1 e5 ({With the knight on b6,} 11... Bxd4 $2 {leads to trouble:} 12. c5 $1 Nc8 13. Bh6 Re8 14. Bc4 $18) 12. d5 $16 {Cayford,T-Hickmann,H/USA-ch1 sf corr 1972/Corr Nr. 1 (1-0, 20)}) 11. Qe4 $1 {Although moving with the queen for the second time before having even touched the queenside pieces looks unnatural, this is the best way to restore the coordination: the e2-bishop enjoys maximum mobility now. In concrete terms, White not only defends d4, but also prevents ...e5. The deviation from the natural way of developing is enabled by White's significant space advantage and mighty bishop pair.} ({The generally desirable} 11. Nc3 {is less effective than in the aforementioned game.} Bxd4 12. Bh6 e5 $5 13. Bxf8 Qxf8 $44 {[%cal Gc7e6,Gb8d7] Black is in total control of the dark squares and has excellent compensation for the exchange.}) (11. Be3 {has the abstract defect of developing the bishop before the knight, leaving the b2-square vulnerable:} e5 12. d5 (12. dxe5 Qe7 13. Nc3 Nd7 {looks OK for Black.}) 12... e4 $1 (12... cxd5 13. cxd5 e4 14. Qxe4 Bxb2 15. d6 Bxa1 16. Qxb7 $16) 13. Qxe4 Bxb2 14. dxc6 Nxc6 15. Rxd8 Raxd8 16. Na3 {The only way to keep fighting for the initiative.} Bxa1 17. Qb1 $1 Be5 18. Qxb7 Nd4 19. Bf1 Nce6 $13) 11... f5 $5 {This extravagant idea is the only way to dislodge the queen from its central location while maintaining the pressure against the d4-pawn. However, this specific way of carrying it out may be inaccurate.} ({After} 11... Ne6 $6 12. Be3 {it is already impossible to play ...f5-f4 under favourable circumstances:} Qc8 (12... Qd6 13. Nc3) 13. Nc3 f5 14. Qd3 f4 15. Bg4 h5 (15... fxe3 16. Qxe3 Rf5 17. d5) 16. Bxe6+ Qxe6 17. d5 $36) ({Black should probably have inserted the developing moves} 11... Nd7 12. Nc3 {The difference is that in some lines the queen's transfer to b3 is prevented.} f5 13. Qe3 (13. Qh4 Ne6 14. d5 Bf6 15. Qg3 Nd4 $13) 13... Qe8 {[%cal Ge7e5]} 14. f4 {(The same idea as in the game)} Rd8 15. Qf2 (15. b3 c5 $132) 15... Nf6 16. Be3 b5 $132 {[%csl Gd5,Ge4][%cal Gb5c4,Gb5b4]}) 12. Qe3 {White has to obstruct his other bishop.} (12. Qh4 {fails to keep the d4-square well defended:} Ne6 13. d5 (13. Bh6 $2 Nxd4 $17) (13. Be3 Bf6) (13. Nc3 Bf6 14. Qg3 Nxd4) 13... Bf6 14. Qg3 Nd4 $132) 12... Kh8 {There was no absolute need for this prophylactic move.} (12... Nd7 {looks better. White can deviate from the aforementioned line with} 13. Qb3 Rb8 14. Nc3 $14 {followed by f4 and, possibly, c5.}) 13. Nc3 ({Here, too} 13. Qb3 $5 {comes into consideration, especially since Black does not have ...b8 at his disposal.}) 13... Nd7 14. b3 {White is just a few steps away from restoring the absolute harmony of his position with b2, d2, ad1.} (14. d5 {is premature:} Qe8 15. Qg3 e5 16. Bg5 ({After} 16. d6 Ne6 {[%csl Gc5] White cannot connect his pawns with c5.}) 16... Qf7 $13 {White's central pawn looks threatening, but the force of Black's duo should not be underestimated.}) 14... Qe8 15. f4 $1 {Short may have underestimated this move during the planning of the previous phase of the game. Suddenly, Black is left without adequate counterplay.} (15. Bb2 e5 16. d5 e4 $132) (15. Ba3 Rf7 16. Rd2 e5 $132) 15... Qf7 16. Bb2 Rad8 17. Bf3 Bf6 18. Rd2 Qg7 19. Rad1 g5 {The only way to question White's strategic supremacy, but this creates new weaknesses as well.} 20. Ne2 $1 {[%cal Ge2g3]} Rg8 21. Kf1 $5 {Preventively evacuating the dark squares. The king would have been less safe on h1 because of the possible ...g4.} h6 22. Ng3 Qg6 23. Qd3 $6 {Allowing Black unexpected counterplay.} (23. Nh5 g4 24. hxg4 fxg4 25. Nxf6 $16) 23... gxf4 24. Nh5 Nc5 25. Qc2 Ne4 26. Re2 (26. Bxe4 Qxh5 27. Bxf5 f3 $132) 26... Ng3+ 27. Nxg3 fxg3 $13 {White retains the more compact position, but is a pawn down and his king may become vulnerable.} 28. d5 cxd5 29. cxd5 Bxb2 30. Qxb2+ Qg7 31. Qc1 Rd7 32. Rde1 Rf8 33. Re5 Nb5 34. Qc5 Nd6 35. Qxa7 Ne4 36. Qd4 e6 37. Rd1 exd5 38. Rxd5 Rxd5 39. Qxg7+ Kxg7 40. Rxd5 Kf6 41. Bxe4 fxe4 42. Ke2 Ke6 43. Rd4 Rf2+ 44. Ke3 Rxg2 45. Rxe4+ Kd5 46. Rd4+ Ke5 47. Re4+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "Corus"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2010.01.21"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C77"]
[WhiteElo "2708"]
[BlackElo "2810"]
[Annotator "Postny,Evgeny"]
[PlyCount "117"]
[EventDate "2010.01.16"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 135"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.03.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.03.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. Bxc6 {This line is considered as pretty harmless for Black and appears very rarely at the top level.} dxc6 6. d3 Bd6 7. Nbd2 Be6 8. O-O O-O 9. b3 Nd7 10. Bb2 b5 ({To my mind the plan with} 10... c5 11. Nc4 f6 {is more sound for Black. Later on he can perform the manoeuvre d7-b8-c6. The position is approximately equal.}) ({RR} 10... Qe7 11. d4 f6 12. dxe5 Nxe5 13. Nxe5 fxe5 14. Qe2 Qf7 15. f3 a5 16. a4 Rad8 17. Kh1 b6 18. Rad1 h6 19. Bc3 Kh7 20. Rfe1 Rfe8 21. Nf1 Qe7 22. Rd3 Bc8 23. Rd2 Bb4 24. Bxb4 Qxb4 25. Red1 {Rasulov,V (2489)-Ambartsumian,T (2244) chess.com INT 2025 1-0 (95)}) 11. d4 f6 12. h3 $146 ({RR} 12. c4 Bg4 13. Qc2 Qe8 14. c5 Be7 15. dxe5 Qh5 16. exf6 Bxf6 17. b4 Bxf3 18. Nxf3 Bxb2 19. Qxb2 Rxf3 20. gxf3 Ne5 21. Qb3+ Kh8 22. Kg2 Rf8 23. f4 Rxf4 24. f3 Rh4 25. Rh1 Qg5+ 26. Kf2 {0-1 (26) Hosticka,F (2185)-Zilka,S (2466) Nachod 2009}) 12... c5 $6 {This decision is also hard to approve. White is eager to push his pawn to d5 to seize space, and Black is assisting this.} (12... Qe8 {is a logical move, setting free the d8-square for the rook. Black gets sufficient compensation for the structural defects. For instance:} 13. dxe5 Nxe5 14. Nxe5 fxe5 15. Qe2 Qg6 $132) 13. d5 {Now White has a small, but stable advantage.} Bf7 14. a4 (14. c4 {is also good.}) 14... Nb6 15. c4 c6 $1 {Black must play this, the only real chance for any counterplay.} 16. Nh4 {Going for a kingside attack.} ({White could adopt a more positional plan as well:} 16. Qc2 cxd5 (16... Qc7 17. Rfc1 $14 {[%cal Gd2f1,Gf1e3]}) 17. cxd5 Qc7 18. Rfc1 $14 {[%cal Gf3e1,Ge1d3]}) 16... Re8 {I don't think Black should let the knight be established on f5 so easily.} (16... g6 17. Qg4 cxd5 $1 18. cxd5 Qd7 19. Nf5 Bxd5 (19... h5 20. Nh6+ Kg7 21. Qxd7 Nxd7 22. Nxf7 Kxf7 23. Rfc1 $14) 20. a5 Be6 21. axb6 Kh8 22. Qf3 gxf5 23. exf5 Bxf5 24. Rfd1 Qe6 {and Black survives.}) 17. Nf5 Bf8 18. Qg4 (18. Ne3 $14 {with the idea to forward the knight to d5.}) 18... Kh8 19. f4 ({An attempt to use the a-file doesn't yield White much:} 19. axb5 axb5 20. Rxa8 Qxa8 21. Ra1 Qb7 22. dxc6 Qxc6 23. Ra7 Bg6 24. Nh4 bxc4 25. bxc4 Nc8 26. Nxg6+ hxg6 {Black is just in time to save the g6 and he will be only slightly worse.}) 19... exf4 20. Qxf4 $6 {This gives Carlsen a chance to come back into the game.} (20. Rxf4 $1 {White's initiative is very dangerous. Here one sample spectacular line:} bxc4 21. bxc4 cxd5 22. cxd5 (22. exd5 Bg6 {followed by the manoeuvre b6-d7-e5 with mutual chances.}) 22... Rb8 23. Bc3 (23. Nh6 $2 Bg6 24. Qxg6 hxg6 25. Nf7+ Kg8 26. Nxd8 Rexd8 $11) 23... Qd7 $1 {The only chance for counterplay.} 24. a5 Na4 25. Bxf6 $1 gxf6 26. Qh4 Bg6 27. Qxf6+ Kg8 28. Rg4 c4 $1 29. Nxc4 Rxe4 $1 30. Rxg6+ $1 hxg6 31. Qxg6+ Kh8 32. Ncd6 Bxd6 33. Nxd6 Re7 34. Rf1 Rg7 35. Qh5+ Kg8 36. Nf5 Rxg2+ $1 37. Kxg2 Qxd5+ 38. Rf3 Rb2+ 39. Kg3 Qe5+ 40. Kh4 Rb4+ 41. Kg5 Nc5 42. Qg6+ Kf8 43. Qd6+ Qxd6 44. Nxd6+ Ke7 45. Nf5+ Kf7 {and Black should survive the endgame with a pawn down, thanks to the very reduced amount of material. Long variations like this normally have improvements along the way, but, undoubtedly, White should have recaptured with the rook.}) 20... bxc4 21. bxc4 cxd5 22. cxd5 Qb8 $1 {[%csl Rb2,Rf4] This is the main drawback of 20.xf4.} 23. Qh4 $5 (23. Bc3 Qxf4 24. Rxf4 {is already very little for White, so Nakamura is looking for more.}) 23... Nxd5 24. Rab1 Qb4 $1 (24... Nb4 25. Nh6 (25. Bxf6 gxf6 26. Qxf6+ Kg8 27. Rb3 Bg6 28. Rg3 Ra7 29. Rxg6+ hxg6 30. Qxg6+ Kh8 31. Nc4 Nd3 32. Ncd6 Bxd6 33. Nxd6 Rf8 34. Qh6+ Kg8 35. Qg5+ Kh8 36. Qh6+ Kg8 {White has no more than a perpetual check.}) 25... Ba2 26. Rxf6 Ra7 (26... Qd8 27. Qg5 gxf6 28. Bxf6+ Qxf6 29. Qxf6+ Bg7 30. Qh4 Bxb1 31. Nxb1 {with mutual chances, but a queen + knight is well-known as a dangerous duo, so Black has to be very careful.}) 27. Nf5 Kg8 28. Qg5 Bxb1 29. Nh6+ Kh8 30. Rf7 Rxf7 31. Nxf7+ Kg8 32. Nh6+ {with perpetual check.}) 25. Bc1 (25. Bxf6 $2 Qxd2 26. Rbd1 Qe2 27. Nxg7 Nxf6 28. Nxe8 Nxe8 29. Rd7 Nd6 30. Rxd6 Qe3+ 31. Kh1 Bg8 $17) 25... Qxa4 26. exd5 Qxh4 27. Nxh4 Bxd5 {The resulting position is approximately balanced. In an endgame like position normally three pawns overcome a knight, but here Black's pawns are not connected and he has to be careful not to lose all of them. On the other hand, White's knights don't have good outposts. With correct play this position should end in a draw.} 28. Ba3 Re3 29. Ra1 Rd3 30. Rfd1 {A somewhat strange move, the immediate 30.hf3 was called for.} a5 31. Nhf3 a4 32. Rdc1 Kg8 $6 (32... g6 $1 {[%cal Gf8h6] was a nice idea. Black is at least not worse.}) 33. Kf2 (33. Bxc5 Bxc5+ 34. Rxc5 a3 35. Kf2 Bf7 {with sufficient compensation for the piece. A similar position arose in the game later.}) 33... c4 (33... Rc8 $2 34. Ke2 $1 $16 {[%csl Rd3]}) 34. Bxf8 Kxf8 35. Nxc4 Rb3 {Black has lost a pawn, but the position remains playable for him with strong tendencies for a peaceful result. White really can't get rid of the annoying a-pawn.} 36. Nfd2 Rb4 37. Ra3 Rc8 38. Rac3 Be6 39. Na3 Rd8 40. Nf3 Rb3 $1 {This exchange will take the passed pawn closer to the promotion square.} 41. Rxb3 axb3 $11 42. Rc6 Bd5 43. Rb6 Rc8 {White's pieces lack harmony, he can't win this.} 44. Nb5 Rc2+ 45. Kg3 h5 $1 46. Nbd4 Ra2 47. Ne6+ Kf7 48. Nf4 Be4 49. Rb4 (49. Rxb3 g5 50. Nxh5 (50. Nd3 h4+ 51. Nxh4 gxh4+ 52. Kxh4 $11) 50... Kg6 {trapping the knight with an inevitable draw.}) 49... h4+ 50. Kg4 b2 51. Nd2 Ba8 52. Nc4 (52. Nd3 $4 b1=Q 53. Nxb1 Rxg2+ 54. Kf4 (54. Kxh4 $2 Bf3 $1 $19 {[%csl Rh4][%cal Rg7g5]}) 54... Rg3 55. Rd4 g5+ 56. Kf5 Rf3+ 57. Kg4 Kg6 58. Nf4+ gxf4 {and suddenly Black is winning.}) 52... g5 53. Rxb2 {White has to give up the extra piece; the draw is inevitable.} (53. Nd3 $4 Ra4 $1 $19) 53... Rxb2 54. Nxb2 gxf4 55. Kxf4 Bxg2 56. Kg4 f5+ 57. Kxf5 Bxh3+ 58. Kg5 Be6 59. Kxh4 {A great fighting game!} 1/2-1/2

[Event "Corus"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2010.01.22"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B77"]
[WhiteElo "2790"]
[BlackElo "2810"]
[PlyCount "82"]
[EventDate "2010.01.16"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 135"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.03.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.03.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 g6 6. Be3 Bg7 7. f3 Nc6 8. Qd2 O-O 9. Bc4 Bd7 10. Bb3 Nxd4 11. Bxd4 b5 12. a4 b4 13. Nd5 Nxd5 14. exd5 Bxd4 15. Qxd4 Qa5 16. O-O ({RR} 16. h4 e5 17. dxe6 Bxe6 18. O-O-O Bxb3 19. cxb3 Rfe8 20. Kb1 Re2 21. Qxd6 Qf5+ 22. Ka2 Rxg2 23. h5 gxh5 24. Rd5 Qe6 25. Qxe6 fxe6 26. Rb5 Rf8 27. Rhxh5 Rxf3 28. Rxb4 Rf7 29. Re4 Rff2 30. Rxe6 Rxb2+ {Navara,D (2692)-Malakhov,V (2715) Sibenik 2009 1-0 (51)}) ({RR} 16. h4 Rac8 17. h5 Qc5 18. Qf4 Bf5 19. g4 Bxc2 20. Rc1 Bxb3 21. Rxc5 Rxc5 22. Qh6 Bc2 23. f4 Rxd5 24. hxg6 Rd1+ 25. Ke2 Rxh1 26. gxh7+ Bxh7 27. Qxh1 Rc8 28. f5 e6 29. f6 Kh8 30. Qh6 Rg8 {Sapenov,D (2429)-Ansat,A (2469) Almaty KAZ 2025 1-0 (43)}) 16... Rac8 17. Rfe1 Rfe8 18. Kh1 Qc5 $146 19. Qh4 {RR} Bf5 20. Re2 Rc7 21. Rae1 f6 22. Qf4 a5 23. h4 Bc8 24. Qd2 Kg7 25. Kh2 Ba6 26. Re4 h6 27. R1e3 Qb6 28. g4 Bc8 29. Qe2 Qa7 30. h5 gxh5 31. gxh5 Kh8 32. Rc4 Rxc4 33. Bxc4 Rg8 34. Qe1 {Rios Parra,A (2230)-Lopez Gonzalez,C (2008) Medellin 2022 ½-½ (42)} {RR} e5 35. dxe6 Qg7 36. Qf2 Qg5 37. Re4 d5 38. Rg4 Qe5+ 39. f4 Qxe6 40. Rxg8+ Qxg8 41. Be2 Qe6 {½-½ (42) Rios Parra,A (2230)-Lopez Gonzalez,C (2008) Medellin 2022} 1/2-1/2

[Event "Corus"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2010.01.24"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Shirov, Alexei"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B33"]
[WhiteElo "2723"]
[BlackElo "2810"]
[Annotator "Marin,Mihail"]
[PlyCount "65"]
[EventDate "2010.01.16"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 135"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.03.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.03.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 {Rogozenco,Dorian Rogozenco,Dorian} c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 e5 {This is the continuation of the theoretical duel between the same players initiated at Sofia 2009.} 6. Ndb5 d6 7. Bg5 a6 8. Na3 b5 9. Bxf6 gxf6 10. Nd5 Bg7 11. Bd3 Ne7 12. Nxe7 Qxe7 13. c4 f5 14. O-O O-O 15. Qh5 Rb8 16. exf5 e4 17. Rae1 Bb7 18. Qg4 Rfe8 19. cxb5 d5 20. bxa6 Bc6 21. b3 ({RR} 21. Rc1 exd3 ({RR} 21... Ba8 22. Rc7 Qe5 ({RR} 22... Qxc7 23. f6) 23. Bb5 Rf8 ({RR} 23... Re7 24. f6 Qxf6 25. Rc8+ Rxc8 26. Qxc8+ Bf8 27. Qxa8 Qxb2 28. Qxd5 Qxa3 29. Qg5+ Kh8 30. Rd1) ({RR} 23... Red8 24. a7 Rb6 25. Rc8 Rbd6 ({RR} 25... Rxc8 26. f6 Qxf6 27. Qxc8+ Bf8 28. Qxa8) 26. Rfc1) ({RR} 23... Rec8 24. Rxc8+ Rxc8 25. f6) 24. Rfc1 Qxb2 ({RR} 24... d4 25. R1c5 Qf6 26. a7 Rbd8 27. Bc6) 25. a7 Rbd8 26. R7c2 Qf6 27. Bc6) ({RR} 21... Bd7 22. Be2 Rxb2 23. Rc7 Qd6 24. Rxd7 Qxd7 25. Bb5 Rxb5 26. Nxb5 d4 27. Nc7 Rc8 28. Nd5) 22. Rxc6 Qe2 ({RR} 22... Kh8 23. Qf3 ({RR} 23. b3 Qxa3) 23... Bxb2 24. Nb1 Qe4 ({RR} 24... Qd7 25. Rc5 Rb5 26. Rxb5 Qxb5 27. Nd2) ({RR} 24... Qe2 25. Qxd5 Rbd8 26. Rd6) 25. Qxe4 dxe4 26. Nd2) 23. h3 ({RR} 23. f3 d2) ({RR} 23. Qg3 d2) ({RR} 23. Qxe2 dxe2 24. Re1 Rxb2) 23... Rxb2 24. f6 Qxg4 25. hxg4 Rxa2 ({RR} 25... Bf8 26. Nb1) 26. Nb1 ({RR} 26. Nb5 d2) ({RR} 26. fxg7 Rxa3) 26... Bf8 27. Rc3 ({RR} 27. Rd1 h6 28. g3 Rc2) 27... Rxa6 ({RR} 27... d2 28. Rd3 Bb4 29. Rxd5 Rxa6 30. Nxd2 Bxd2 31. Rxd2 Rxf6) 28. Rxd3 Rxf6 29. Rxd5 ({RR} 29. Nc3 Bc5) 29... Bb4 30. g3 Re2 31. Kg2 Be1 32. Rf5 Rxf5 33. gxf5 Bb4 34. Rc1 h5 35. Rc4 ({RR} 35. Kf3 Rb2 36. Ke3 Kg7) 35... Rb2 {Topalov,V (2813)-Carlsen,M (2772) Nanjing 2009 CBM 133 [Rogozenco,Dorian] ½-½ (43)}) ({RR} 21. f3 h5) ({RR} 21. a7 Rxb2) 21... Kh8 ({RR} 21... h5 22. Qg3 Kf8 23. Nb1 Be5 24. f4 Bf6 25. Qf2 Qb4 26. a3 Qd4) ({RR} 21... Bd7 22. a7 Rb7 23. Nc4 Rd8 24. Ne3 exd3 25. Nxd5 Qd6 26. Qg5 ({RR} 26. Qh4 Bxf5 ({RR} 26... Bb5 27. f6) 27. Ne7+ Rxe7 28. Qxe7) 26... f6 27. Qg4 Bc6) ({RR} 21... Qxa3 22. f6 Qf8 23. Be2) 22. Nc2 Bc3 $146 {The bishop occupies a dominating position and this will be characteristic for Black's position in general. Despite his huge material advantage, White will have little breathing space at his disposal and will find no active plan at all.} ({In the previous game, Shirov,A (2745)-Carlsen,M (2770)/Sofia 2009/CBM 131/[Rogozenco] (1-0, 30),} 22... Be5 {was played. It should be mentioned that in the Sofia game, the novelty also belonged to Carlsen: 21...h8 instead of the previously played 21...d7.}) ({RR} 22... Rg8 23. Be2 Bc3 24. Qf4 Be5 25. Qh6 d4 26. Nxd4 Bxd4 27. Qxc6 e3 28. f4 Rbc8 29. Qf3 Rc2 {½-½ (29) Ljeskovic,L (1710)-Popadic,D (2198) Podgorica 2019}) ({RR} 22... Be5 23. Be2 d4 ({RR} 23... Rg8 24. Qh5 Rg5 25. Qh6 f6 26. Rd1 Qc5 27. Ne3 Rbg8 28. Rc1 Qb6 29. g3) 24. Bc4 Rg8 25. Qh3 ({RR} 25. Qh5 Rg7 ({RR} 25... e3 26. g3 Qd6 27. Qh4 Ba8) 26. g3 Rbg8 {RR} 27. a3 e3 28. Nxe3 dxe3 29. Rxe3 Qf6) 25... Rg7 ({RR} 25... e3 26. g3 Qd6 ({RR} 26... Qc5 27. Qh4) 27. Rd1 ({RR} 27. Bxf7 Rg7 28. Bc4 exf2+ 29. Kxf2 d3) ({RR} 27. Nxe3 dxe3 28. Rxe3 Bd4) 27... exf2+ 28. Kxf2 Be4 29. Ne1) 26. g3 Rbg8 27. Qh6 Qc7 ({RR} 27... Ba8 {RR} 28. a3 Rg5 ({RR} 28... e3 29. Nxe3 dxe3 30. Qxe3 Re8 31. f4 Bf6 32. Qxe7 Rxe7 33. Rxe7 Bxe7 34. b4) ({RR} 28... Qc5) 29. Rd1 ({RR} 29. Qh3 e3 30. f4 Rg4 31. fxe5 Rh4) ({RR} 29. f4 exf3 30. Rf2 ({RR} 30. Kf2 Rxg3) 30... Qc7 31. Kf1 ({RR} 31. Kh1 Bxg3 32. Re8 Bf4 33. Qf6+ R5g7 34. Rxg8+ Kxg8 35. Qxd4 Rg2) 31... Bxg3 32. Re8 Rxe8 ({RR} 32... Bf4 33. Qf6+ R5g7 34. Rxg8+ Kxg8 35. Qxd4) 33. Qxg5 Bxf2 34. Qf6+ Kg8 35. Qg5+) 29... e3) ({RR} 27... Ba8 28. Rd1 Qc5 ({RR} 28... e3 29. Nxe3 dxe3 30. f6 ({RR} 30. Qxe3 Bxg3 31. hxg3 Rxg3+ 32. Qxg3 Qh4 33. Bd5) 30... Bxf6 31. Qxe3 Qc7 32. Bd5 Qa5 33. Bb7 Bxb7 34. axb7 Qc7 35. Qe4 Rb8 36. Qf5 Rg6 37. Rd7 Qc6 38. Rxf7 Rxb7 39. Rxb7 Qxb7) 29. Rfe1 ({RR} 29. Rc1 e3 30. Ne1 Bd6) 29... e3 30. Kf1 ({RR} 30. Nxe3 dxe3 31. Qxe3 Bxg3 32. Qxc5 Bd6+ 33. Kf1 Bxc5) 30... Rg5 ({RR} 30... Bxg3 31. hxg3 Rxg3 32. fxg3 Qxf5+ 33. Qf4) 31. Nxe3 dxe3 32. Rd8 e2+ 33. Rxe2 Rxd8 34. Qxg5 Rd1+ 35. Re1 Rxe1+ 36. Kxe1 Qd4 37. Qe3) 28. Nb4 Ba8 ({RR} 28... Bxg3 29. fxg3 Rxg3+ 30. Kh1) 29. Nd5 {RR} Qd7 ({RR} 29... Bxd5 30. Bxd5 e3 31. Qc6) 30. Rxe4 Qxf5 31. Qh4 d3 32. Re3) ({RR} 22... Be5 23. Be2 d4 24. Bc4 Rg8 25. Qh3 Rg7 26. g3 Rbg8 27. Qh6 Qc7 28. Nb4 Ba8 29. Nd5 Qd8 30. Rxe4 {1-0 (30) Shirov,A (2745)-Carlsen,M (2770) Sofia 2009 CBM 131 [Rogozenco,Dorian]} {RR} f6 31. Rxe5 fxe5 32. Nf6 Rf8 33. Nh5 Ra7 34. f6) ({RR} 22... Rg8 23. Be2 Bc3 24. Qf4 Qf6 25. Rd1 d4 26. Bc4 d3 27. Ne3 Be5 28. Ng4 Rxg4 29. Qxg4 Rg8 30. Qh3 e3 31. fxe3 Bxg2 32. Qxg2 Rxg2+ 33. Kxg2 Qg5+ 34. Kh1 Qh4 35. Rd2 Qe4+ 36. Rg2 Qxe3 37. Rfg1 {Kraljevic,I (2103)-Popadic,D (2176) Niksic 2016 1-0 (45)}) 23. Qh3 Qf6 24. Be2 d4 {Black is not interested in trading his active bishop for the passive white rooks.} 25. Bc4 Rg8 26. g3 Rbe8 27. Rd1 e3 {All the pieces were placed on the best squares and time has come for pawn breaks.} 28. fxe3 dxe3 29. Be2 Re4 30. Qg2 Re7 {White has no reasonable way to avoid the repetition.} 31. Qh3 Re4 32. Qg2 Re7 33. Qh3 1/2-1/2

[Event "Corus"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2010.01.27"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Karjakin, Sergey"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C11"]
[WhiteElo "2720"]
[BlackElo "2810"]
[Annotator "Carlsen,Magnus"]
[PlyCount "90"]
[EventDate "2010.01.16"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 135"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.03.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.03.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 {Kritz,Leonid} e6 $5 {The French Defence. In my younger years I used to consider it at best a second-rate opening, and I once even lost a bet with one of my friends, and as a result had to play 1... e6 in all my games with Black in a Super-GM tournament. Fortunately my friend was greedy, and took money instead. I believe that both 1...c5 and 1...e5! are better choices, but since I desperately wanted to win this game (I was trailing the leaders Kramnik and Shirov by 1 point at this stage) I decided to try something new.  Die Französische Verteidigung. In meinen jüngeren Jahren pflegte ich sie als bestenfalls zweitklassige Eröffnung zu betrachten, und einmal verlor ich sogar eine Wette mit einem meiner besten Freunde, wodurch ich in all meinen Partien mit Schwarz in einem Super-GM-Turnier 1...e6 spielen musste. Zum Glück war mein Freund gierig und nahm lieber Geld. Ich glaube, dass sowohl 1...c5 als auch 1...e5! bessere Züge sind, aber da ich diese Partie unbedingt gewinnen wollte (zu diesem Zeitpunkt lag ich einen Punkt hinter den führenden Kramnik und Shirov zurück), beschloss ich, etwas Neues zu versuchen.} 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Nf6 {The other main move here is 3...b4, which is rather more controversial. Some think it gives Black good counterplay, while others regard it as a simple positional mistake to give up the bishop too early.  Der andere Hauptzug hier lautet 3...b4, was deutlich kontroverser ist. Manche denken, dass er Schwarz gutes Gegenspiel gibt, während andere es für einen simplen positionellen Fehler halten, den Läufer zu früh herzugeben.} 4. e5 Nfd7 5. f4 c5 6. Nf3 Nc6 7. Be3 Be7 {Other options here are the relatively slow 7...a6, or the more concrete 7...cxd4 followed by ...b6 or 7...b6 immediately, both of which are rated quite highly by Wesley So and his Rybka (see the previous issue of NiC).  Andere Optionen hier sind das relativ langsame 7...a6 oder das konkretere 7...cxd4 nebst ...b6 bzw. 7...b6 sofort, was beides von Wesley So und seinem Rybka recht hoch geschätzt wird (siehe vorige Ausgabe von NiC).} 8. Qd2 O-O 9. Be2 ({RR} 9. O-O-O c4 10. f5 b5 11. fxe6 fxe6 12. Nxb5 Rb8 13. Nd6 Bxd6 14. exd6 Nf6) ({RR} 9. dxc5 Bxc5 ({RR} 9... Nxc5 10. O-O-O Qa5 11. Kb1 Bd7 12. Nxd5 exd5 13. Qxa5 Nxa5 14. Bxc5 Bxc5 15. Rxd5) 10. O-O-O Qa5 11. Bxc5 Nxc5 12. h4 Bd7 13. h5 Rab8 14. h6) 9... a6 ({RR} 9... b6 10. O-O f5 ({RR} 10... Bb7 11. Nd1 cxd4 12. Nxd4 Nxd4 13. Bxd4 Nb8 14. Ne3 Nc6 15. c3) ({RR} 10... Ndb8 11. Rad1 Kh8 ({RR} 11... cxd4 12. Nxd4 Nxd4 13. Bxd4 Nc6 14. Be3 Bb7 15. Nb5) 12. Kh1 Ba6 13. f5 Bxe2 14. Nxe2 exf5 15. c3 cxd4 16. Nexd4) 11. exf6 Nxf6 12. Kh1 ({RR} 12. Bb5 Bb7 13. Bxc6 Bxc6 14. Ne5 Qc7 15. Rad1) 12... Ne4 ({RR} 12... Bb7 13. Rad1) 13. Qe1 ({RR} 13. Nxe4 dxe4 14. Bb5 exf3 15. Bxc6 fxg2+ 16. Qxg2 Rb8) 13... Bb7 14. Rd1 Qc7 15. dxc5 bxc5 16. Nxe4 dxe4 17. Ng5) 10. O-O b5 11. Kh1 $5 {An interesting, quite unusual move. 11.a3 or 11.d1 are the most usual moves here. The text is actually a quite cunning waiting move, as ...b4 and a5-a6 (the normal reply to d1) can now be met by a4, while ...b7 (one of several possible replies to a3) can be met by d1. Then Black will probably have to play ...b4 and a5-a6 anyway, but with a tempo less. Therefore I decided to be more flexible, and make a more or less useful waiting move. Ein interessanter, recht ungewöhnlicher Zug. 11.a3 oder 11.d1 sind die üblichsten Züge hier. Der Text ist eigentlich ein ziemlich schlauer Wartezug, denn auf ...b4 und a5-a6 (die normale Erwiderung auf d1) kann nun a4 folgen, während ...b7 (eine von mehreren möglichen Antworten auf a3) mit d1 begegnet werden kann. Anschließend wird Schwarz wahrscheinlich trotzdem ...b4 und a5-a6 spielen müssen, allerdings mit einem Tempo weniger. Daher beschloss ich, flexibler zu sein und einen halbwegs nützlichen Wartezug zu machen.} ({RR} 11. Nd1 b4 12. Nf2 a5 13. dxc5 Bxc5 14. Bxc5 Nxc5 15. Bd3 Ba6 16. Qe3 Bxd3 17. cxd3 Na4 18. Rab1 Ne7 19. Rfc1 Qd7 20. Nd4) 11... Qc7 12. a3 Bb7 13. Rad1 ({RR} 13. dxc5 Nxc5 14. Qe1 ({RR} 14. Bd3 Nxd3 15. Qxd3 d4 16. Bxd4 Nxd4 17. Qxd4 Rfd8 18. Qe3 b4 19. axb4 Bxb4) 14... f6 ({RR} 14... Ne4 15. Bd3 ({RR} 15. Nxe4 dxe4 16. Nd2 ({RR} 16. Nd4 Nxd4 17. Bxd4 Qxc2 18. Rc1 Qa4 19. Qf2 Rac8) 16... Na5 17. b4 Nc4 18. Nxc4 bxc4) 15... Na5 16. Bd4) 15. Bxc5 ({RR} 15. exf6 Rxf6 16. Qf2 Nd7 17. Bd3 b4 18. axb4 Nxb4) 15... Bxc5 16. Bd3 f5 17. Ne2 d4 ({RR} 17... b4 18. axb4 Nxb4 19. Qc3 Rac8 20. Ned4) 18. b4 ({RR} 18. c3 dxc3 19. Qxc3 Qe7 20. Rac1 Bb6) 18... Bb6 19. a4 Qe7 ({RR} 19... bxa4 20. Rxa4 Qe7 21. Bc4) 20. axb5 axb5 21. Rb1 ({RR} 21. Bxb5 d3 22. Bxd3 Nxb4) 21... Ra2 ({RR} 21... Ba6 22. c3 dxc3 23. Qxc3 Rfc8) 22. Nc1 ({RR} 22. Qd2 Rd8 23. Bxb5) 22... Ra4 23. Bxb5 Rxb4 24. Nd3 ({RR} 24. Rxb4 Nxb4 25. Qd2 Bxf3 26. Rxf3 Rc8 27. Bd3 Nd5) 24... Rxb1 25. Qxb1 Rc8 ({RR} 25... Rb8 26. Bc4 Bc8 27. Qa2 Bd7 28. Ng5 Nd8 29. Rb1 h6 30. Nf3 Nc6) 26. Bc4 ({RR} 26. Ba6 Bxa6 27. Qxb6 Qa3 28. Rd1) 26... Na5 27. Ba2 Rc6 {Caruana,F (2775)-Meier,G (2644) Dortmund 2012 CBM 150 [Kritz,Leonid] ½-½ (58)} {RR} 28. Qb2 h6 29. Nxd4 Bxd4 30. Qxd4 Rxc2 31. Rf2) ({RR} 13. Bd3 g6 14. dxc5 Nxc5 15. Ne2 Ne4 16. Qe1 b4 17. axb4 Nxb4 18. Nfd4 a5 19. b3 Ba6 20. Bxe4 dxe4 21. c4 Rfd8 22. Qg3 Bf8) 13... Rac8 14. Qe1 {A typical manoeuvre. White intends to gradually start an attack on the kingside. Therefore I decided to start counterplay in the centre immediately. Ein typisches Manöver. Weiß beabsichtigt, allmählich einen Angriff am Königsflügel zu starten. Der beschloss ich, sofort Gegenspiel im Zentrum einzuleiten.} cxd4 $146 ({RR} 14... f6 15. f5 fxe5 16. fxe6 Nf6 17. dxe5 Nxe5 18. Nxe5 Qxe5 19. Bf3 b4 20. Na4 Qxe6 21. Bg5 Ne4 22. Bxe7 Qxe7 23. c4 dxc4 24. Qe2 Rxf3 25. Qxc4+ Rf7 26. Rxf7 Qxf7 27. Qxf7+ Kxf7 28. Rd7+ Kf6 29. Rxb7 {Gretz,D (2125)-Sawlin,L (2224) Magdeburg 2014 0-1 (66)}) 15. Nxd4 Nxd4 16. Bxd4 Bc5 17. Qh4 $2 {While this move might objectively speaking not deserve a question mark, it was definitely a turning point in the game, as after my reply, Karjakin became very uncomfortable with his position. Dieser Zug verdient womöglich objektiv gesehen kein Fragezeichen, doch war er definitiv ein Wendepunkt in der Partie, denn nach meiner Antwort wurde Karjakin seine Stellung sehr unbehaglich.} (17. Qf2 {or something similar was required, as the queen needs to have more influence in the centre after I play ...f6, which is bound to happen sooner or later. oder etwas Ähnliches war erforderlich, denn die Dame braucht mehr Einfluss im Zentrum, nachdem ich ...f6 spiele, was früher oder später geschehen wird.}) 17... Bxd4 18. Rxd4 f6 $1 19. Bd3 {This one probably doesn't help much either, but since it was part of the plan with h4, I will not attach any mark to it. Dieser Zug hilft wahrscheinlich auch nicht besonders, aber da er Bestandteil des Plans mit h4 war, werde ich ihm kein Kommentarzeichen geben.} h6 20. exf6 (20. Qg4 Qb6 $1 {would not help White. würde Weiß nicht helfen.}) (20. f5 fxe5 21. Rg4 Nf6 {stops any illusions of a white attack. stoppt jegliche Illusionen eines weißen Angriff.}) 20... Rxf6 {Now it is clear that something has gone wrong for White. The rook on d4 is exposed, f4 is weak, and he will be facing tactical problems with ...e5 quite soon. The "bad" bishop on b7 is certainly no worse than the white knight, which has dominated it in so many textbook games.  Nun wird klar, dass für Weiß etwas schief gelaufen ist. Der Turm auf d4 steht exponiert, f4 ist schwach, und recht bald wird er sich taktischen Problemen mit ...e5 gegenübersehen. Der "schlechte" Läufer auf b7 ist gewiss nicht schwächer als der weiße Springer, welcher ihn in so vielen Lehrbuchpartien dominiert hat.} 21. f5 (21. Rg1 Rcf8 22. Ne2 e5 23. fxe5 Nxe5 {would not have been much of a relief; the black pieces are just much more active than their white counterparts here. wäre keine große Erleichterung gewesen; die schwarzen Figuren sind hier einfach wesentlich aktiver als ihre weißen Gegenüber.}) (21. Qg3 Rcf8 22. Rf3 Nb8 $1 {leaves White on brink of disaster. bringt Weiß an den Rand einer Katastrophe.}) 21... Rcf8 22. Rg1 Nc5 $1 {The most energetic. Am energischsten.} ({The tempting Das verlockende} 22... e5 23. Nxd5 Bxd5 24. Rxd5 Nb6 {trapping the rook, gives White very good drawing chances after mit Turmfang gibt Weiß sehr gute Remischancen nach} 25. Qe4 Nxd5 26. Qxd5+ Kh8 27. Re1 {.}) 23. fxe6 Nxe6 24. Rg4 $6 (24. Nxd5 Bxd5 25. Rxd5 Nf4 26. Rd4 Qc5 {forces White to give up the exchange with xf4, as zwingt Weiß zur Hergabe der Qualität mit xf4, da} 27. c3 Nxd3 28. Rxd3 Qxg1+ 29. Kxg1 Rf1# {is mate. That being said, it would probably have been a better try. Matt ist. Davon abgesehen wäre es womöglich ein besserer Versuch gewesen.}) 24... Nf4 25. Qg3 Qe7 $1 {The last key move, after which Black is completely winning. The point is to control e2, leaving the white knight without a good square after ...d4 next. The tactical justification, based on a slightly surprising queen sac, is: Der letzte Schlüsselzug, nach dem Schwarz komplett auf Gewinn steht. Der springende Punkt ist, e2 zu konrollieren, wodurch der weiße Springer nach folgendem ...d4 kein gutes Feld bleibt. Die taktische Rechtfertigung, basierend auf einem leicht überraschenden Damenopfer, ist:} 26. Rxf4 {After this Black will only have to make a couple of more good moves to win the game, but White was probably lost in any case. Danach wird Schwarz nur noch ein paar gute Züge machen müssen, um die Partie zu gewinnen, aber Weiß war wahrscheinlich in jedem Fall verloren.} (26. h3 d4 27. Re1 (27. Ne2 Nxe2 28. Bxe2 Bc8 $1 {wins an exchange, while gewinnt eine Qualität, während}) ({nach} 27. Nd1 Bc8 28. Re1 Qf7 29. Rh4 Bb7 30. Rg1 Nxg2 $1 (30... g5 {is also very good of course ist natürlich auch sehr gut}) 31. Rxg2 Rf3 32. Qg4 Re8 {leaves the uncoordinated white forces defenceless against the threat of ...e1. die unkoordinierten weißen Kräfte wehrlos gegen die Drohung ...e1 sind.}) 27... Qxe1+ $1 28. Qxe1 Nxd3 {and Black will be material up in every line. und in jedem Abspiel bleibt Schwarz materiell im Vorteil.}) 26... Rxf4 27. Ne2 (27. Qg6 R8f6 28. Qh7+ Kf7 {is obviously not dangerous. ist offensichtlich nicht gefährlich.}) 27... Rf1 (27... Rh4 {with the idea of 28.g6 xh2+, mating was tempting, but I could not refute the considerably stronger 28.c3. mit der Idee 28.g6 xh2+ und Matt war verlockend, aber ich konnte das wesentlich stärkere 28.c3 nicht widerlegen.}) 28. Nd4 {Now Black can force a queen exchange, but Nun kann Schwarz einen Damentausch forcieren, aber} (28. h3 Rxg1+ 29. Kxg1 Qc5+ 30. Kh2 d4 $1 {finally activating the bishop, was hardly much stronger. , wonach endlich der Läufer aktiviert wird, war kaum wesentlich stärker.}) 28... Rxg1+ 29. Kxg1 Re8 {With queens on the board White could perhaps have hoped to resist, but without queens the extra exchange is bound to count, even though the knight on d4 is holding the position together for the moment. Mit Damen auf dem Brett hätte Weiß vielleicht noch hoffen können, Widerstand zu leisten, ohne Damen aber muss die Mehrqualität ins Gewicht fallen, obwohl der Springer auf d4 die Stellung im Moment zusammenhält.} 30. h4 Qe1+ 31. Kh2 Qxg3+ 32. Kxg3 Kf7 33. Kf2 Kf6 34. g3 Bc8 35. c3 Bg4 36. Bc2 g5 37. hxg5+ hxg5 38. Bb3 Ke5 39. Bc2 Rf8+ 40. Kg2 Bd7 41. Nf3+ Kf6 42. Bb3 g4 43. Nd4 Ke5 {Now the white king is cut off, and the undermining a5+b4 cannot be prevented. Nun ist der weiße König abgeschnitten, und das unterminierende a5+b4 ist nicht zu verhindern.} 44. Bc2 a5 45. Bd1 Ke4 {My best game in Corus 2010! Meine beste Partie beim Corus 2010!} 0-1

[Event "Corus"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2010.01.30"]
[Round "12"]
[White "Leko, Peter"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B90"]
[WhiteElo "2739"]
[BlackElo "2810"]
[PlyCount "65"]
[EventDate "2010.01.16"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 135"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.03.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.03.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Be3 Ng4 7. Bg5 h6 8. Bh4 g5 9. Bg3 Bg7 10. h3 Nf6 11. Qf3 Qb6 12. O-O-O O-O 13. Bc4 Nc6 14. Nxc6 Qxc6 15. Bb3 Be6 16. e5 $146 ({RR} 16. Nd5 Bxd5 17. exd5 Qc7 18. h4 g4 19. Qf5 a5 20. Rd4 b5 21. a3 Rab8 22. Rhd1 a4 23. Ba2 b4 24. Rxb4 Rxb4 25. axb4 a3 26. bxa3 Qc3 27. Qd3 Qa1+ 28. Bb1 Rc8 29. Kd2 Rc3 30. Qf5 Qxa3 {Carlsen,M (2862)-Artemiev,V (2708) Chess.com INT 2020 0-1 (94)}) ({RR} 16. Nd5 Bxd5 17. exd5 Qc7 18. h4 g4 19. Qf5 a5 20. Rd4 b5 21. a3 Rab8 22. Rhd1 a4 23. Ba2 b4 24. Rxb4 Rxb4 25. axb4 a3 26. bxa3 Qc3 27. Qd3 Qa1+ 28. Bb1 Rc8 29. Kd2 Rc3 30. Qf5 Qxa3 {Carlsen,M (2862)-Artemiev,V (2708) Chess.com INT 2020 0-1 (94)}) 16... Qxf3 17. gxf3 dxe5 18. Bxe6 fxe6 19. Bxe5 Nd5 20. Bxg7 Kxg7 21. Nxd5 exd5 22. Rxd5 Rxf3 23. h4 gxh4 24. Rxh4 Rxf2 25. Rd7 Re2 26. Rxb7 Rc8 27. Kd1 Rcxc2 28. Rxe7+ Rxe7 29. Kxc2 Re5 30. b4 a5 31. bxa5 Rxa5 32. a4 h5 33. Kb3 1/2-1/2

[Event "Corus"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2010.01.31"]
[Round "13"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C77"]
[WhiteElo "2810"]
[BlackElo "2675"]
[Annotator "Postny,Evgeny"]
[PlyCount "112"]
[EventDate "2010.01.16"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 135"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.03.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.03.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. d3 d6 6. c3 g6 7. Nbd2 Bg7 8. Nf1 O-O 9. Bg5 d5 $1 {It's strange that this move hasn't appeaed at the top level so far. Objectively speaking, Black doesn't have have problems in this line anyway, but the move in the text seems to give Black some chances for evne more than equality.} (9... h6 10. Bh4 Ne7 (10... b5 11. Bb3 Na5 12. Bc2 c5 13. Ne3 Be6 14. O-O Qd7 15. a3 Ng4 16. Nxg4 Bxg4 17. h3 Be6 $11 {1-0 Tiviakov,S (2648)-Eljanov,P (2701)/Montreal 2007/CBM 119 (39)}) 11. Ne3 c6 12. O-O Qc7 13. Bb3 b5 14. a4 Bb7 15. Qd2 Kh7 16. axb5 axb5 17. Rxa8 Bxa8 18. Ra1 Bb7 $11 {0-1 Papp,G (2509)-Almasi,Z (2668)/Nyiregyhaza 2008/CBM 126 (40)}) ({RR} 9... h6 10. Bh4 Ne7 11. Bb3 c6 12. Ne3 Qc7 13. h3 b5 14. g4 Bb7 15. Bxf6 Bxf6 16. g5 hxg5 17. Ng4 Kg7 18. Qd2 Ng8 19. h4 Qd7 20. Rg1 gxh4 21. Nxf6 Nxf6 22. Nxh4 Rh8 23. Qg5 Rxh4 24. Qxh4 {Morozevich,A (2707)-Khalifman,A (2653) Moscow 2005 1-0 (54)}) 10. Qe2 Qd6 11. Bxf6 $146 {I don't see any reason to give up the bishop.} (11. Ng3 $11 {Objectively, the knight is out of place on g3. Still, this is the way to complete the development without any concession.}) ({RR} 11. Ng3 Re8 12. h3 Bd7 13. Bc2 Nd8 14. Nh2 c6 15. Qf3 h6 16. Bd2 h5 17. Ne2 Ne6 18. Rd1 c5 19. Bc1 Bc6 20. Qe3 Rad8 21. O-O b5 22. Nf3 Qc7 23. Ng3 c4 24. dxc4 dxc4 25. Rxd8 Rxd8 {Czakon,J (2461)-Staniszewski,P (2424) Szklarska Poreba 2013 ½-½ (41)}) ({RR} 11. Rd1 b5 12. Bb3 Be6 13. Ng3 Na5 14. Bxf6 Bxf6 15. exd5 Bxd5 16. Ne4 Bxe4 17. dxe4 Qe7 18. Bc2 c5 19. O-O Rfd8 20. a3 c4 21. Nd2 Nb7 22. a4 Nc5 23. axb5 axb5 24. b3 Ra2 25. Bb1 Rb2 {Tsukerman,J (1698)-Munkhzul,D (2143) Mamaia 2022 0-1 (31)}) 11... Bxf6 12. Ne3 ({White can't win a pawn like this:} 12. exd5 Qxd5 13. Ne3 Qd6 14. Nc4 Qe6 15. Bxc6 Qxc6 16. Ncxe5 Bxe5 17. Nxe5 Qxg2 $15) 12... Ne7 {Black is already slightly better.} 13. Bb3 c6 14. h4 $6 {White doesn't have any grounds for this kind of attack.} (14. O-O {is clearly safer.}) 14... Be6 15. Ng5 (15. h5 {is just a punch in the air. Black can start the queenside offensive by} a5 $15) 15... Bd7 16. Rd1 Rad8 17. Qf3 $5 {Magnus is consequent. Objectively, this idea leads to a worse position for White, but at least Black has to find some precise moves here.} (17. Nf3 $15 {would clearly indicate that all White's previous play was false.}) 17... h6 18. Nc4 $1 {This is the point.} dxc4 19. dxc4 Nd5 $8 20. Nh3 h5 $1 {[%cal Gd7g4] Caruana finds the best way to parry white's attacking attempts.} (20... Bxh4 $6 21. cxd5 Kg7 22. Nf4 $5 exf4 23. Rxh4 g5 24. Rh1 f5 25. exf5 Bxf5 26. dxc6 Rfe8+ 27. Kf1 Qxc6 28. Qxc6 Rxd1+ 29. Bxd1 bxc6 {is also slightly better for Black, but is quite messy on the way.}) 21. Qg3 Bg4 22. Rd2 (22. f3 $4 Qe7 $1 $19 {[%cal Gf6h4]}) {[%tqu "En","How should Black continue?","","","f6h4","Nice counterblow, simplifying to a better ending.",10,"d6e7","",0]} 22... Bxh4 $1 {Nice counterblow, simplifying to a better ending.} (22... Qe7 $2 23. cxd5 cxd5 24. Bxd5 Bxh4 25. Qe3 $13) 23. Qxh4 Qf6 24. Qxf6 Nxf6 25. Ng5 c5 {[%csl Yb3] Black is clearly better, as he is practically a pawn up.} 26. f3 Bc8 27. Ba4 Kg7 28. Rxd8 Rxd8 29. b4 $2 {Looks like a nervous slip of the finger.} ({For example:} 29. g3 $17 {was the normal way to continue.}) 29... Rd3 $19 {Now White just loses a pawn without any compensation.} 30. bxc5 {Funny tripled pawns, which are going to be eaten one by one.} Rxc3 31. Kd2 Rxc4 32. Bb3 Rxc5 33. Nxf7 a5 34. Rc1 (34. Nd6 {is an suggestion by the chess engine, but with precise play Black should win this.}) 34... Rxc1 35. Kxc1 a4 36. Bc4 b5 37. Nd6 bxc4 38. Nxc8 h4 39. Nb6 Nh5 40. Nxc4 Kf6 $2 {It wasn't an easy choice for Caruana, especially in time trouble. The difference between the two lines is rather subtle, but important!} (40... Nf4 $1 41. Nxe5 Nxg2 42. Ng4 (42. Kd2 Kf6 43. Ng4+ {would be just a transposition.}) 42... Ne1 43. Nh2 Kf6 44. Kd2 Ng2 45. Ng4+ Kg5 {Here the white knight must guard the h-pawn, and doesn't have time to go for the a-pawn.} 46. Ke2 h3 47. Kf2 Kh4 $1 48. Nh2 (48. e5 Nf4 $19) 48... Nf4 49. Ke3 g5 50. Nf1 Ng6 $1 51. Kf2 Ne5 52. Ke3 Nc6 53. a3 Ne5 $19 {[%csl Ra3][%cal Ge5c4]}) 41. Kd2 Nf4 42. Ke3 (42. Ne3 $2 {falls to a typical tactical trick:} Kg5 43. Ke1 Nxg2+ $1 44. Nxg2 h3 45. Kf2 h2 $19) 42... Nxg2+ 43. Kf2 Nf4 44. Nb2 {The exchange of a-pawns is in favour of the defending side.} a3 45. Nc4 Nd3+ 46. Kg2 Kg5 (46... Nb4 47. Nxa3 Nxa2 48. Nb5 Nb4 49. Kh3 g5 50. Nd6 Nd3 51. Nc4 {Black can torture his opponent for a long time, but I don't really see a constructive winning plan.}) 47. Nxa3 Kf4 48. Nc2 {Now it's a clear draw, since the a-pawn gives White counterplay.} Nb2 49. Nb4 h3+ 50. Kxh3 Kxf3 51. Kh4 Kf4 52. Nd5+ Kxe4 53. Ne7 Kf3 54. Nxg6 e4 55. Ne5+ Kf4 56. Ng4 Na4 {A somewhat lucky escape for the World number one, which yielded him another victory in an elite tournament!} 1/2-1/2

[Event "Bazna Kings 4th"]
[Site "Medias"]
[Date "2010.06.15"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Radjabov, Teimour"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B23"]
[WhiteElo "2740"]
[BlackElo "2813"]
[Annotator "Rogozenco,Dorian"]
[PlyCount "147"]
[EventDate "2010.06.14"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "ROU"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 137"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.07.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.07.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nc3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nd4 4. Bc4 Nf6 5. Nge2 a6 6. a4 e6 7. O-O d5 8. exd5 exd5 9. Ba2 Bg4 10. f3 ({The less committing} 10. h3 {was also possible, since the natural answer} Bh5 {drives the bishop away from the potential weakness on d5. White can consider then} 11. g4 Bg6 12. d3 {and it is not simple for Black to exploit weaknesses on opponent's kingside, while his center remains shaky.}) (10. d3 Bd6 11. h3) 10... Be6 11. d3 Nc6 $146 ({RR} 11... Qd7 12. Nxd4 cxd4 13. Ne2 Bc5 14. Bf4 Qd8 15. Be5 Qb6 16. Qd2 Nd7 17. a5 Qa7 18. Bxg7 Rg8 19. Qh6 O-O-O 20. Rab1 Qb8 21. Bxd4 Bd6 22. Kh1 Rg6 23. Qh4 Rdg8 24. Rf2 Bf8 25. Be3 Ne5 26. Nd4 {Tristan,L (2393)-Fabian,G (2260) Villa Martelli 2010 1-0 (36)}) ({RR} 11... Nxe2+ 12. Qxe2 Be7 13. f4 Qd7 14. Qf3 Bg4 15. Qg3 Bf5 16. Bd2 O-O 17. Rae1 Rfe8 18. h3 h5 19. Qf3 Rad8 20. Re5 d4 21. Nd5 Nxd5 22. Rxd5 Qc8 23. Qxh5 Be6 24. Rxd8 Rxd8 25. Bxe6 Qxe6 26. f5 {Dwilewicz,K (2198)-Klekowski,M (2474) chess.com INT 2025 ½-½ (59)}) ({RR} 11... Bd6 12. Bg5 O-O 13. Nxd4 cxd4 14. Ne2 Rc8 15. Bb3 Bc5 16. Qd2 Re8 17. Kh1 Rc6 18. Qf4 h6 19. Bxf6 Qxf6 20. Qxf6 gxf6 21. Nf4 Kg7 22. Rae1 Bb4 23. Rd1 Bd6 24. Ne2 Bc5 25. Rde1 Rd8 26. Nf4 {Pawar,H (1945)-Manik,M (2343) Chennai IND 2024 ½-½}) 12. Nf4 Qd7 13. Bd2 Be7 14. Nce2 O-O 15. c3 {Black has a pleasant position and Carlsen tries to expand on the queenside.} b5 16. Bb1 Rab8 ({The immediate} 16... b4 {deserved attention, avoiding the exchange of a-pawns.}) 17. axb5 axb5 18. Bc2 Bd6 19. Qe1 {Radjabov chooses the waiting strategy. A reasonable approach, since White's only problem are the weaknesses created by the move 10.f3 and he is able to cover them.} ({There was nothing wrong with} 19. d4) 19... Rfe8 20. Qf2 Qc7 21. Kh1 b4 22. d4 {Carlsen: "A very good move". Radjabov rightly calculated that in the following tactical complications White keeps the balance.} bxc3 23. bxc3 cxd4 24. cxd4 Nxd4 25. Bxh7+ {Forced. Other moves leave Black with an extra pawn.} (25. Qxd4 $2 Qxc2) (25. Nxd4 $2 Bxf4) (25. Nxe6 $2 Nxe6) 25... Nxh7 26. Qxd4 Be5 27. Nxe6 Rxe6 28. Bf4 Bxd4 29. Bxc7 Bxa1 30. Bxb8 Rxe2 31. Rxa1 {The endgame should of course be a draw, but the passed d-pawn leaves Black with possibilities to play on. Although in the next part Carlsen improved the position as much as possible, White's defensive resources are always sufficient.} Ng5 32. Kg1 Ne6 33. Rd1 d4 34. Kf1 Rb2 35. Be5 Rb5 36. Bg3 Kh7 37. Bf2 Kg6 38. Ke1 Rb4 39. h4 Kf5 40. g3 Ke5 41. Ke2 Kd5 42. Rd2 Ra4 43. Rb2 Nc5 44. Rd2 Nb3 45. Rc2 Ra7 46. h5 f6 47. Rb2 Re7+ 48. Kd3 Nc5+ 49. Kd2 Ra7 50. Ke2 Ra4 51. Rd2 Nd7 52. Be3 Ne5 53. g4 Nf7 54. Bf4 Nd8 55. Rb2 Ne6 56. Bd2 Ra1 57. Rb5+ Kc4 58. Ra5 {A somewhat risky move, requiring precise calculation.} ({The simplest way was pointed out by Carlsen:} 58. Rb6 Nc5 59. h6 gxh6 60. Rxf6 $11) 58... Nf4+ 59. Kf2 Rxa5 60. Bxa5 Kd3 61. Kg3 Ne2+ 62. Kf2 Nf4 63. Kg3 Ke3 64. g5 $1 {A precise move, which secures the draw. After other continuations White is in troubles.} fxg5 65. Kg4 d3 66. Kxg5 Kxf3 67. h6 Ne6+ 68. Kg6 gxh6 69. Kxh6 Ke2 70. Kg6 Nd4 71. Kf6 Nc6 72. Bc3 Ne5 73. Kxe5 d2 74. Bxd2 1/2-1/2

[Event "Bazna Kings 4th"]
[Site "Medias"]
[Date "2010.06.17"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Wang, Yue"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C36"]
[WhiteElo "2813"]
[BlackElo "2752"]
[Annotator "Rogozenco,Dorian"]
[PlyCount "107"]
[EventDate "2010.06.14"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "ROU"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 137"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.07.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.07.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 {Bangiev,Alexander J} e5 2. f4 {A big surprise: the King's Gambit is extremely rare on the top level nowadays. "Things weren't going so well in the tournament I thought I just try it and see how it goes" said Magnus after the game.} d5 ({Carlsen himself played once with Black} 2... exf4 3. Nf3 g5) 3. exd5 exf4 4. Nf3 Nf6 5. Bc4 Nxd5 6. O-O Be7 7. Bxd5 Qxd5 8. Nc3 Qd8 9. d4 O-O ({RR} 9... g5 10. Re1 O-O 11. Qd3 Nc6 12. a3 Bg4 13. d5 Nb8 14. Ne5 Bh5 15. Bd2 Nd7 16. Qh3 Nf6 17. g3 fxg3 18. hxg3 Bg6 19. Bxg5 Nxd5 20. Bxe7 Nxe7 21. Rad1 Qc8 22. Nd7 {1-0 (22) Zakarian,D (2305)-Vifleemskaia,S (1903) chess.com INT 2023}) 10. Bxf4 Bf5 $146 ({RR} 10... c6 11. d5 ({RR} 11. Qd3 Na6 12. Rae1 Be6 13. a3 Re8 14. Ne4 h6 15. Ne5 f5 16. Ng3 Bh4 17. Nxf5 Bxf5 18. Qxf5) ({RR} 11. Qe1 Bg4 12. Rd1 Nd7 13. Ne4 Nf6 14. Nxf6+ Bxf6 15. c3 Qd5 16. Qg3 Bh5 17. b3 Qa5 18. Be5) ({RR} 11. Qd2 Bf5) 11... Bf6 ({RR} 11... Qb6+ 12. Kh1 Qxb2 13. Qd3 ({RR} 13. Be5 Nd7) 13... Bb4 14. Ng5 g6 15. Nge4 f5 16. dxc6 Nxc6 17. Qc4+ Kg7 18. Rab1) 12. Be5 ({RR} 12. Qd3 Bxc3 ({RR} 12... Qb6+ 13. Kh1 Qxb2 14. Ne5) 13. Qxc3 ({RR} 13. bxc3 Qxd5) ({RR} 13. Ng5 f5 14. Qxc3 cxd5 15. Rad1 h6 16. Nf3 Nc6) 13... cxd5 ({RR} 13... Qxd5 14. Rad1) 14. Be5 f6 15. Bc7 Qd7 ({RR} 15... Qe7 16. Rae1) 16. Bf4 Nc6) 12... Bxe5 13. Nxe5 f6 ({RR} 13... Nd7 14. Nc4 ({RR} 14. Nxd7 Bxd7 15. Qd4) 14... Nb6) ({RR} 13... Qb6+ 14. Kh1 Qxb2 15. Qf3 f6 16. dxc6 bxc6 ({RR} 16... Nxc6 17. Qd5+ Kh8 18. Nf7+ Rxf7 19. Qxf7) 17. Rab1 Qxc2 18. Nd5 Qc5 ({RR} 18... cxd5 19. Qxd5+) ({RR} 18... Na6 19. Ne7+ Kh8 20. Rbc1) 19. Nc7 Qxe5 20. Nxa8) 14. dxc6 ({RR} 14. Nc4 b5 15. Ne3 b4) 14... fxe5 15. Rxf8+ ({RR} 15. Qxd8 Rxd8 16. c7 Re8 ({RR} 16... Rd2 17. cxb8=Q Rxb8 18. Rae1) 17. cxb8=Q Rxb8) 15... Qxf8 16. Qd5+ Qf7 17. Qd8+ Qf8 18. Qd5+ {½-½ (18) Conquest,S (2529)-Beliavsky,A (2654) Saint Vincent 2000 CBM 078 [Bangiev,Alexander J]}) ({RR} 10... c6 11. Qe2 Be6 12. Ne4 Re8 13. Rae1 Nd7 14. Nfg5 Bd5 15. Nc3 Bxg5 16. Qxe8+ Qxe8 17. Rxe8+ Rxe8 18. Bxg5 Bc4 19. Rd1 f6 20. Bc1 Nb6 21. b3 Bf7 22. Kf2 Nd5 23. Nxd5 cxd5 24. Be3 Rc8 25. Rc1 {Simacek,P (2469)-Bartos,J (2203) Novy Bor 2011 ½-½ (31)}) 11. Qe2 {There is almost no theory here. The impression is that White can hope for an edge thanks to his lead in development and somewhat better control in the center, but Black has the bishop pair and should be able to hold equality.} ({RR} 11. d5 Bc5+ 12. Kh1 Nd7 13. Nd4 Bg6 14. Ndb5 Rc8 15. d6) ({RR} 11. Qd2) 11... Bd6 {A new and somewhat unexpected move, since Black is giving up the bishop pair and leaves the queenside undeveloped yet.} ({Previously Black played} 11... Nc6) ({Another move to consider is} 11... c6) 12. Bxd6 Qxd6 13. Nb5 Qd8 14. c4 a6 ({More natural looks} 14... c6 15. Nc3 Nd7) 15. Nc3 Nd7 16. Rad1 Bg6 17. Qf2 Re8 18. h3 {White is slightly better, but since Black has no weaknesses it is far from easy to break through.} Rc8 {What could be possibly be the purpose of this move? It does not prepare the advance c5 and Black doesn't need to protect the pawn c7 either. So the only explanation I find is that the Chinese Grandmaster wanted just to wait and see how his opponent is going to make progress.} 19. Rfe1 Rxe1+ 20. Rxe1 c6 21. d5 {Sooner or later White must make this move.} Nf6 22. Qd4 cxd5 23. Nxd5 Nxd5 24. cxd5 Qd6 25. Ne5 {White's plan is to play at some moment c4 and then advance the d-pawn. If Black prevents it by playing b7-b5, then the weakness of square c6 is unpleasant. Therefore a good defensive plan is needed and Wang Yue fails to find it.} Re8 ({There was a reasonable way to force matters with} 25... f6 26. Nxg6 (26. Nc4 $2 {is a blunder in view of} Qb4 27. Rc1 b5 {and Black wins.}) (26. Nf3 {is also bad:} Bf7 27. Rd1 Rd8 {and White loses the d5-pawn}) 26... hxg6 27. Re6 Qc5 ({Perhaps} 27... Rc1+ 28. Kf2 Rc2+ 29. Kf3 Qd7 {is also acceptable.}) 28. Qxc5 Rxc5 29. d6 Rd5 {and the endgame should be a draw. For instance:} 30. Kf2 ({or} 30. h4 b5 31. Kf2 Kf7 32. Re7+ Kf8 33. Rd7 Rd2+ 34. Ke3 Rxg2 35. Ra7 Ke8) 30... g5 31. Ke3 (31. g4 b5 32. Ke3 Kf7 33. Re7+ Kf8 34. Rd7 g6 35. Ke4 Rd2) 31... f5 32. Re7 Rxd6 33. Rxb7 Kh7 34. a4 Kg6 35. a5 f4+ 36. Ke4 Re6+ 37. Kf3 (37. Kd3 Re3+ 38. Kd4 Re2 39. Rb6+ Kf5) 37... Kf5) (25... Bf5 $5) (25... Qc5 $2 {loses due to} 26. Qxc5 Rxc5 27. d6 Rd5 28. d7 {winning.}) 26. Re3 Rd8 (26... b5 27. Nc4 $1 Qd8 28. Rxe8+ Qxe8 29. Ne5 {is the kind of position White is aiming for.}) 27. Nc4 Qf6 28. Re5 $1 h6 $2 {This allows White to advance the pawn.} ({After} 28... b5 29. Na5 (29. Qe3 h6) 29... h6 {Black should be able to hold the position.}) 29. d6 $1 Bf5 (29... b5 30. d7 $1 Kh7 31. Nb6 {is also unpleasant.}) 30. Nb6 $1 Be6 (30... Rxd6 31. Nd5 {forces Black to give up the exchange}) (30... Qxd6 $2 {loses right away due to} 31. Rd5) 31. d7 Kh8 32. a4 {Black is almost paralyzed and will soon end up in a sort of zugzwang.} g6 33. Qc3 Kg7 34. a5 h5 35. h4 {Here the Chinese player decided to give up the exchange and go for a position where he said "I think I have chances to draw".} Rxd7 (35... Bxd7 $2 36. Rd5 {loses the bishop}) (35... Qxh4 $2 36. Rxe6+) ({Black could still wait with} 35... Kg8 {but then} 36. Rc5 ({or first} 36. g3) 36... Qxc3 (36... Qxh4 37. Rc8) 37. Rxc3 Kf8 38. Rc7 {and White wins.}) 36. Nxd7 Bxd7 37. Qd4 Bc6 38. b4 Bb5 39. Kh2 Ba4 40. Rd5 Bc6 41. Qxf6+ Kxf6 42. Rc5 Ke6 43. Kg3 f6 44. Kf2 Bd5 45. g3 g5 $2 {This loses by force, but on the other hand the position must be lost anyway. White brings the king to d4, then attacks with the rook the pawn f6, forcing Black to play e6, then White goes with the king to b6 and takes with the rook on b7, winning.} 46. g4 $1 {This way White creates a passed h-pawn, which decides quickly.} hxg4 47. h5 Be4 48. Rc7 f5 49. h6 f4 50. h7 g3+ 51. Ke1 f3 52. h8=Q f2+ 53. Ke2 Bd3+ 54. Ke3 1-0

[Event "Bazna Kings 4th"]
[Site "Medias"]
[Date "2010.06.19"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Nisipeanu, Liviu Dieter"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B76"]
[WhiteElo "2672"]
[BlackElo "2813"]
[Annotator "Rogozenco,Dorian"]
[PlyCount "62"]
[EventDate "2010.06.14"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "ROU"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 137"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.07.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.07.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 g6 6. Be3 Bg7 7. f3 Nc6 8. Qd2 O-O 9. O-O-O d5 {This is one of the most critical positions of the Sicilian Dragon. White hopes that after possible simplifications a better control in the center will secure him an edge.} 10. Kb1 {Schulz,A: 'Ein nützlicher Wartezug mit einer giftigen Pointe.'} Rb8 {Black prepares himself for an eventual exchange on c6, which would open the b-file and will leave the rook ideally placed on b8.} ({The main line goes} 10... Nxd4 11. e5 $1 {which happened for instance in the game Nisipeanu-Radjabov, Kings Tournament 2009.}) 11. Ndb5 {It is very likely that after the present game the White players will look for advantage in other lines, perhaps after moves like} (11. Be2) ({or} 11. h4 h5 12. Be2) 11... a6 12. Na7 {The knight on a7 looks somewhat misplaced, but all this is theory and up to the present game it was considered that White's prospects are slightly preferable.} e6 13. g4 ({The alternative is} 13. exd5 {but it seems that both} exd5 {and 13...Nxd5 offer Black a reasonable game.}) 13... Re8 $1 {Just like on move 10, Black makes another "mysterious rook move". This continuation came unexpected for Nisipeanu, who started to use lots of time. Black's idea is to place ideally his pieces for the opening of the position. And indeed it is far from easy for White to find a good plan.} ({The usual continuation is} 13... Qc7) 14. g5 Nh5 {Strictly speaking, only this move is new, but already 13...Re8 is almost unexplored. The first critical moment.} ({In a blitz game between two GMs Black played once the very weak} 14... Nd7 {and after} 15. exd5 exd5 16. Nxd5 Nde5 17. Bb6 Qd7 18. f4 Nf3 19. Qf2 Nfd4 20. Bc4 {Black could already resign in Balogh,C (2616)-Fier,A (2581)/Beijing (blitz) 2008.}) 15. Bf2 {This apparently logical continuation removing the bishop from the e-file has a serious drawback - it leaves the problem of the knight on a7.} ({Since his main concern should be the stuck knight, White had to consider} 15. Nxc8 d4 ({weaker is} 15... Rxc8 16. exd5 exd5 17. Nxd5) 16. Bf2 Rxc8 17. Ne2 {and although Black solved all opening problems, White has a normal position.}) 15... Bd7 $1 16. exd5 exd5 {The second critical moment and practically the decisive moment of the game. Unfortunately for Nisipeanu, he was still thinking that White is better and didn't realize the danger of the position.} 17. Qxd5 $146 ({Necessary was} 17. Nxd5 Be6 18. c4 {and at least White is not falling apart:} ({not} 18. Nxc6 bxc6 19. Nb6 Bd5 $1) 18... Bf5+ 19. Ka1 ({Again the alternative} 19. Bd3 {is bad, because of the simple} Bxd3+ 20. Qxd3 Qxg5) 19... Ra8 20. Nxc6 bxc6 21. Nc3 {even if after for instance} Qa5 {Black has a more pleasant play.}) ({RR} 17. Nxd5 Be6 18. c4 Bf5+ 19. Ka1 Ra8 20. Nxc6 bxc6 21. Nc3 Qa5 22. Ne4 Rad8 23. Bd3 Qe5 24. Qc2 Rb8 25. Nc3 Bxd3 26. Rxd3 Qxg5 27. Bd4 Nf4 28. Rd2 Bxd4 29. Rxd4 Ne6 30. Rd6 Red8 31. Ne4 Qe5 {Yap,K (2393)-Vakhidov,J (2295) Bandar Seri Begawan 2011 0-1 (41)}) 17... Ne5 18. Qb3 {Losing the g5-pawn is fatal for White.} ({More stubborn was} 18. h4 Be6 19. Qc5 Nd7 20. Qb4) 18... Qxg5 {[%eval -32767,0] The material became equal, but White remained with the knight on a7. Besides, his kingside pawn structure is horrible. So basically the game is over.} 19. Ne4 Qf4 20. Be2 Be6 21. Qa3 Nc4 22. Bxc4 Bxc4 23. Nd6 Bf8 24. Rd4 Qe5 (24... Qg5 {with the idea} 25. Rxc4 Qg2 $1 {was also strong.}) 25. Rxc4 Bxd6 ({Even quicker was} 25... Qe2 26. Qc3 ({or} 26. Qd3 Qxf2 27. Nxe8 Rxe8 28. Rd4 Nf4 29. Qd2 Ne2) 26... Bxd6 27. Bd4 Bxh2) 26. Qd3 Bf8 $1 {On top of all, Nisipeanu was in severe time trouble.} 27. a4 Rbd8 28. Qb3 Qd5 29. Rc3 Qd2 30. Be3 ({The last chance for a longer resistance was} 30. Rc7) 30... Qe2 31. Bb6 Rd1+ ({White resigned in view of} 31... Rd1+ 32. Rxd1 Qxd1+ 33. Ka2 Re1 34. Qc4 Qa1+ 35. Kb3 Rb1) 0-1

[Event "Bazna Kings 4th"]
[Site "Medias"]
[Date "2010.06.21"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Radjabov, Teimour"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B35"]
[WhiteElo "2813"]
[BlackElo "2740"]
[Annotator "Carlsen,Magnus"]
[PlyCount "127"]
[EventDate "2010.06.14"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "ROU"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 137"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.07.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.07.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 {This was my best game in the tournament. After an interesting tactical skirmish in the middlegame I kept the pressure on in the endgame, and it paid off, as it often does :) Dies war meine beste Partie im Turnier. Nach einem interessanten taktischen Scharmützel im Mittelspiel hielt ich den Druck im Endspiel aufrecht, und es zahlte sich aus, wie so oft :)} c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 g6 {Not really surprising, as Radjabov has frequently used the Dragon over the past few years. Nicht wirklich überaschend, denn Radjabov hat den Drachen im Lauf der letzten Jahre häufig angewendet.} 4. d4 cxd4 5. Nxd4 Bg7 6. Be3 Nf6 7. Bc4 Qa5 {This one, however, was rather unexpected. He refuses to transpose to the Dragon after all. Das kam aber schon recht unerwartet. Er weigert sich doch noch, in den Drachen überzugehen.} 8. O-O O-O 9. Bb3 d6 10. h3 Bd7 11. Re1 {The other main line here is 11.f4. Das andere Hauptabspiel hier ist 11.f4.} Rfc8 12. Qe2 {Not the most usual move, but I recalled the game Akopian-Bacrot from last year, where White was held convincingly and thought it would make sense to deviate early on. Nicht der üblichste Zug, aber ich erinnerte mich an die Partie Akopian-Bacrot aus dem letzten Jahr, wo Weiß überzeugend auf Distanz gehalten wurde, und hielt es für sinnvoll, frühzeitig abzuweichen.} Qh5 {A normal manoeuvre in this line. After the queen swap Black would obviously be fine with his extremely solid structure. Ein normales Manöver in diesem Abspiel. Nach dem Damentausch stünde Schwarz mit seiner extrem soliden Struktur offensichtlich gut.} 13. Nf3 h6 {This, in connection with his next move, is also a well established plan. Dies, in Verbindung mit seinem nächsten Zug, ist ebenfalls ein wohl etablierter Plan.} 14. Rad1 g5 15. Nd5 {There really wasn't much else to do, as Black's plan of... g5-g4 had to be countered somehow, and d4 clearly wasn't an option. Etwas anderes gab es eigentlich nicht, denn der schwarze Plan ...g5-g4 musste irgendwie gekontert werden, und d4 war eindeutig keine Möglichkeit.} Nxd5 (15... g4 {is now well met by 16.h2. wird jetzt gut mit 16.h2 beantwortet.}) (15... Nxe4 16. Bd4 $1 {is also inadvisable. ist ebenfalls nicht ratsam.}) (15... Qg6 {also deserves to be mentioned, not for its merits, but for the refutation: 16.e5! ist verdient es ebenfalls, erwähnt zu werden, nicht wegen der Güte des Zuges, sondern wegen der Widerlegung: 16.e5!}) 16. Bxd5 $1 {Clearly the best practical decision. I checked it for a while to make sure, that I am not worse in any of the main lines. The move does not lead to an advantage for White, but it is much more challenging for Black than Eindeutig die beste praktische Entscheidung. Ich prüfte sie eine zeitlang, um sicherzugehen, dass ich in keinem der Hauptabspiele schlechter stand. Der Zug führt zwar nicht zu einem Vorteil für Weiß, stellt Schwarz aber vor wesentlich größere Aufgaben als} (16. exd5 Ne5 17. Nxe5 Qxe2 18. Rxe2 Bxe5 {which was actually played in an earlier game Bologan-Malakhov. In fact, Black might even have a slight initiative here, as he has a clear plan of pushing the queenside pawns, and 19.d4 can even be met by 19... f6!? , was übrigens in einer früheren Partie Bologan-Malakhov gespielt. Tatsächlich könnte Schwarz hier sogar eine leichte Initiative haben, da er den klaren Plan besitzt, die Damenflügelbauern vorzustoßen, und 19.d4 kann sogar mit 19... f6!? beantwortet werden.}) 16... Bxb2 {Clearly the best move, but as he spent quite a bit of time on it, his first real think in the game, I felt quite good about my chances nevertheless. Klar der beste Zug, aber da er dafür doch ein bisschen Zeit verbrauchte, sein erstes wirkliches Nachdenken in der Partie, hatte ich trotzdem ein ganz gutes Gefühl bezüglich meiner Chancen.} (16... e6 17. Bxc6 (17. Bb3 Bxb2 18. Rxd6 Be8 {is probably okay for Black. ist wohl okay für Schwarz.}) 17... Bxc6 18. Bd4 e5 (18... Bf8 19. c4 $14) 19. Bc3 {should leave White with some advantage, as the many weaknesses in the black position should be worth the price of giving Black the bishop pair. sollte Weiß einigen Vorteil überlassen, denn die vielen Schwächen in der schwarzen Stellung sollten den Preis wert sein, Schwarz das Läuferpaar zu geben.}) 17. Rb1 (17. Qb5 {is harmless, as Black has the pleasant choice of ist harmlos, denn Schwarz hat die angenehme Wahl zwischen} Be5 (17... Bf6 18. Qxb7 Be8 {is the other decent option, when Black should have a good game due to my relatively misplaced queen. ist die andere anständige Möglichkeit, wonach Schwarz gutes Spiel haben sollte aufgrund meiner relativ deplatzierten Dame.}) 18. Qxb7 Bxh3 19. gxh3 Qxf3 20. Bxc6 Qxh3 21. Qd7 g4 22. f4 $1 {with a perpetual. mit Dauerschach.}) 17... Bc3 $1 {Once again the sharpest move is also the best. Einmal mehr ist der schärfste Zug auch der beste.} (17... Bf6 18. Rxb7 Be8 19. Qa6 {gives White the initative due to the neat trick gibt Weiß die Initative wegen des feinen Tricks} e6 20. Rxa7 $1 (20. Bb3 {is probably better for White as well. ist wahrscheinlich auch besser für Weiß.}) 20... Nxa7 21. Bxa8 Rxa8 22. Bxa7) 18. Rxb7 Bxh3 (18... Bxe1 {was the obvious alternative, and naturally what I had calculated the most, as it at least temporarily wins an exchange. In the end, it should probably lead to a draw. war die offensichtliche Alternative und natürlich das, was ich am meisten berechnet hatte, da es zumindest vorübergehend eine Qualität gewinnt. Letztendlich sollte es wohl zu einem Remis führen.} 19. Rxd7 Bc3 20. Qb5 a6 {A useful zwischenzug Ein nützlicher Zwischenzug} (20... Ne5 {gives White the extra option of gibt Weiß die zusätzliche Möglichkeit zu} 21. Rxe7 Rab8 22. Qf1 $1 {retaining my active rook and clearly better chances , was meinen aktiven Turm und klar bessere Chancen behauptet.}) 21. Qb6 Ne5 22. Rxe7 Rab8 23. Rb7 Rxb7 24. Qxb7 Rf8 25. Qc7 {and here I concluded that White would at least not be worse after 25... xf3+ 26. gxf3 e5 27.g2. In fact, White might be a bit better here, as my bishops are really powerful. und hier folgerte ich, dass Weiß nach 25... xf3+ 26. gxf3 e5 27.g2 zumindest nicht schlechter stehen würde. Tatsächlich könnte er hier ein bisschen besser stehen, denn meine Läufer sind wirklich kraftvoll.} g4 $1 {However, as pointed out by the engines, ruins things a bit. allerdings, wie von den Engines angezeigt, ruiniert die Sache ein bisschen.} 26. hxg4 Qxg4 27. Kf1 (27. Nh2 Qd1+ 28. Nf1 Qg4 {leads to the same result führt zu dem gleichen Resultat.}) 27... Bb4 $1 28. c3 Nxf3 29. gxf3 Qxf3 {and as often happens in chess, perpetual check is the logical result in the end. und wie es so oft im Schach geschieht, ist am Ende Dauerschach das logische Resultat.}) 19. Nxg5 {I spent quite a bit of time on this one, as I really wanted to make the tempting Hierfür verbrauchte ich ziemlich viel Zeit, denn ich wollte unbedingt das verlockende} (19. gxh3 Bxe1 20. e5 {work. Unfortunately, it leads nowhere after the simple zum Funktionieren bringen. Leider führt dies zu nichts nach dem einfachen} Nxe5 (20... e6 21. Bxe6 {was my main point, which would lead to an elegant draw: war meine Hauptpointe, was zu einem eleganten Remis führen würde:} Nxe5 $8 (21... fxe6 22. Qd3 {and wins. und gewinnt.}) 22. Nxe5 Qxe2 23. Bxf7+ Kh8 {The only move that doesn't lose immediately, but enough to force me to give perpetual check Der einzige Zug, der nicht sofort verliert, aber genau, um mich zu ewigem Schach zu zwingen.} 24. Ng6+ Kh7 $8 (24... Kg7 25. Bd4+ Qe5 26. Nxe5 dxe5 27. Bxe5+ Kf8 28. Be6 {and the white attacking forces are way too strong: und die weißen Angriffskräfte sind viel zu stark:} Rxc2 29. Bd6+ Ke8 30. Rg7 Bxf2+ 31. Kf1 {and mates! nebst Matt!}) 25. Be8+ Kg8 $8 26. Bf7+ $11) 21. Rxe7 Bc3 $1 {and White has already run out of steam. und Weiß ist bereits der Dampf ausgegangen.}) 19... Qxe2 20. Rxe2 {I still had hopes of retaining an initiative here, but following his next move, made after a considerable amount of thought, those hopes were more or less dashed. In general, I felt that we both handled the complications that started on move 16 very well. Hier hatte ich noch immer Hoffnungen, eine Initiative zu behaupten, aber nach seinem nächsten Zug, gespielt nach beträchtlichem Nachdenken, waren diese Hoffnungen mehr oder weniger dahin. Allgemein hatte ich das Gefühl, dass wir beide die im 16. Zug begonnenen Komplikationen sehr gut bewältigt hatten.} Bg4 $1 (20... hxg5 21. gxh3 Bf6 22. f4 Nd4 23. Rf2 $5 {is what I was counting on. Even though Black should still make a draw here, White has some chances as ist, worauf ich gezählt hatte. Obwohl Schwarz hier noch immer Remis machen sollte, hat Weiß einige Chancen, denn} (23. Rg2 {also forces some accurate play from Black: verlangt Schwarz ebenfalls genaues Spiel ab:} Nxc2 24. Bd2 e6 25. Bb3 Nd4 26. fxg5 Bd8 $1 (26... Be5 27. g6 f6 28. h4 {is not a good idea for Black. ist keine gute Idee für Schwarz.}) 27. g6 Rc7 28. Rxc7 Bxc7 29. gxf7+ Kxf7 {and Black is relatively safe. und Schwarz steht relativ sicher.}) 23... Nxc2 24. fxg5 Nxe3 25. gxf6 Nxd5 26. exd5 {does not seem to be a 100% draw yet, although a few more good moves will probably do the job for Black. scheint noch kein 100-prozentiges Remis zu sein, obwohl ein paar gute Züge die Sache für Schwarz wahrscheinlich klarmachen werden.}) 21. Nf3 {Retreating is the only way to continue the fight, though with limited hope of success. Der Rückzug ist der einzige Weg, den Kampf fortzusetzen, wenngleich mit begrenzten Hoffnungen auf Erfolg.} (21. Nxf7 {is why I thought that 20...g4 wouldn't work ist der Grund, weshalb ich dachte, dass 20...g4 nicht funktionieren würde.} Bxe2 22. Ne5+ {and now every move but one would lead to the complete collapse of the black position. Check for yourselves! und jetzt würde jeder Zug außer einem zum kompletten Zusammenbruch der schwarzen Stellung führen. Überlegen Sie selbst!} (22. Nxd6+ Kh8 23. Nxc8 Rxc8 {is obviously not a very bright winning attempt ist offensichtlich kein besonders intelligenter Gewinnversuch}) 22... Kh8 $1 {is once again the only move, and once again entirely sufficient. I had missed this little detail in my preliminary calculations. ist einmal mehr der einzige Zug, und einmal mehr völlig ausreichend. Dieses kleine Detail hatte ich in meinen Vorausberechnungen übersehen.} 23. Nxc6 e6 {This is the (relatively obvious) point, which would not have been possible after any other king move. Now White is lucky to have a bailout with Das ist die (relativ offensichtliche) Pointe, die nach jedem anderen Königszug nicht möglich gewesen werde. Nun kann Weiß sich glücklich schätzen, einen Rettungsanker zu haben mit} 24. Ne7 exd5 25. Ng6+ $11) 21... e6 22. Bxc6 $146 ({RR} 22. Bb3 Bxf3 23. gxf3 Nd4 24. Bxd4 Bxd4 25. f4 Rab8 26. Rd7 Rd8 27. Rc7 Bb6 28. Rc3 Rbc8 29. Rg3+ Kf8 30. Kg2 Bc5 31. Rd2 Ke7 32. Rh3 Rg8+ 33. Kf3 Rg6 34. Rd3 Rf6 35. Rh4 Bb6 36. Ke2 Ba5 {Kim,J (1986)-Osborne,M (2175) London 2017 1-0 (71)}) 22... Rxc6 23. Bxh6 Bxf3 24. gxf3 Ra6 {A very reasonable approach, steering the game towards a rook ending that is almost certainly drawn. Eine sehr vernünftige Herangehensweise, die Partie wird in Richtung eines Turmendspiels gesteuert, das fast sicher remis ist.} (24... a5 {preparing ...ac8 would also have been a decent idea, as zur Vorbereitung von ...ac8 wäre ebenfalls eine vernünftige Idee gewesen, denn} 25. f4 Bg7 {looks like slightly improved version of the game. wirkt wie eine leicht verbesserte Version der Partie.}) 25. Rc7 Bg7 26. Bxg7 Kxg7 {On the other hand, I felt obliged to try at least a little with my extra pawn and therefore nominal advantage. I was encouraged by the fact that he had spent quite a bit of time on the preceding complication, and had about 15 min left here. Even though that is not really time trouble, it is not completely comfortable either if the position is just a little complicated. Additionally, Gelfand looked set to beat Nisipeanu already, and the prospect of a one-point lead instead of half a point was in no way discouraging. Andererseits fühlte ich mich verpflichtet, mit meinem Mehrbauern und ergo nominalem Vorteil es zumindest zu versuchen. Ermutigt wurde ich dabei durch die Tatsache, dass er über der vorangegangenen Komplikation ziemlich viel Zeit verbraucht und hier etwa noch 15 Minuten hatte. Auch wenn dies noch keine richtige Zeitnot ist, ist es auch nicht völlig bequem, wenn die Stellung nur ein bisschen kompliziert ist. Außerdem sah es bereits so aus, als würde Gelfand Nisipeanu schlagen, und die Aussicht auf einen ganzen Punkt Vorsprung statt eines halben war keineswegs demotivierend.} 27. c3 $5 {It might look weird to move the pawn one square instead of two, but I thought I was being quite clever as I would probably play f4 at some point anyway. Then it might be a good thing that once the c-pawn is captured in some lines, the e4-f4 pawn pair will not be in danger as well. Es mag seltsam wirken, den Bauern ein Feld zu bewegen anstatt zwei, aber ich hielt mich für ziemlich clever, denn an irgendeiner Stelle würde ich wahrscheinlich sowieso f4 spielen. Dann könnte es eine gute Sache sein, dass, wenn der c-Bauer in einigen Varianten geschlagen wird, das Bauernpaar e4-f4 nicht ebenfalls in Gefahr ist.} Rb8 28. f4 {The only way to play for a win is to create some threats to his king at some point. The text prepares e3-g3, as well as e4-e5. Der einzige Weg, auf Gewinn zu spielen, besteht darin, an irgendeinem Punkt ein paar Drohungen gegen seinen König aufzustellen. Der Textzug bereitet e3-g3 vor wie auch e4-e5.} Rbb6 {Preparing a rook exchange with ...c6, when it would be a 100% certain draw. Bereitet einen Turmtausch mit ...c6 vor, wonach es ein 100% sicheres Remis wäre.} (28... Rb1+ 29. Kg2 Ra1 30. Rb2 Rb6 31. Rd2 Ra6 32. Rd3 {would be very similar to the game. wäre ganz ähnlich der Partie.}) 29. Rd7 {The only way to continue playing for a win. Der einzige Weg, weiter auf Gewinn zu spielen.} Rc6 30. Re3 Rxa2 31. e5 dxe5 32. fxe5 Rc5 $6 {Falling right in with my plans. Fällt direkt auf meine Pläne herein.} (32... Kg6 $1 33. Rf3 Rc5 34. Rfxf7 Rxe5 35. Rxa7 Rxa7 36. Rxa7 Rc5 37. Ra3 Kf5 {would have brought the game to its logical conclusion. hätte die Partie zu ihrem logischen Abschluss gebracht.}) 33. Rg3+ $1 {Now Black is forced to the eight rank, Nun wird Schwarz auf die achte Reihe gezwungen,} Kf8 ({as denn} 33... Kh6 $4 34. Rd8 Kh7 35. Rd4 {would have been an inglorious end for Black. wäre ein unrühmliches Ende für Schwarz gewesen.}) 34. Rf3 Rxe5 35. Rfxf7+ Ke8 {However, it's still a draw. Trotzdem, es ist immer noch Remis.} 36. Rfe7+ Kf8 37. Rh7 Kg8 38. Rdg7+ Kf8 39. Rb7 Kg8 $6 {Now Black's task is very complicated indeed. Jetzt ist die Aufgabe von Schwarz tatsächlich sehr kompliziert.} (39... Rg5+ 40. Kf1 Kg8 41. Rxa7 (41. Rhe7 Rf5 $1) 41... Rxa7 42. Rxa7 Rc5 43. Ra3 Kf7 44. Ke2 Kf6 45. Kd3 Rd5+ {was still a relatively straightforward draw. war noch immer ein relativ geradliniges Remis.}) 40. Rhg7+ Kh8 41. Rge7 Rg5+ 42. Kf1 Rc2 43. Rbc7 a5 $2 {This seems to me to be the decisive mistake. Dies scheint mir der entscheidende Fehler zu sein.} ({He could probably still have held the position with Er hätte die Stellung wahrscheinlich immer noch halten können mit} 43... Rg6 $1 44. Re8+ Rg8 45. Rxe6 Rf8 {which is the big difference compared to the game , was der große Unterschied verglichen mit der Partie ist.} 46. Re2 Rc1+ 47. Kg2 Rg8+ 48. Kf3 Rg7 {It is hard to say whether this is winning for White or not, but my feeling is that it is closer to a draw than a win for White. Es ist schwer zu sagen, ob dies für Weiß gewonnen ist oder nicht, aber mein Gefühl sagt, dass es einem Remis näher ist als einem Gewinn für Weiß.}) 44. Rxe6 a4 45. Ra6 Rg4 (45... Rg7 {is probably what he had been counting on, but after the accurate ist wahrscinlich, worauf er sich verlassen hatte, aber nach dem genauen} 46. Rh6+ $1 Kg8 47. Rc8+ Kf7 48. Ra6 {now Black is still in a real bind, as the g7-rook cannot move due to c7+ and a8 with mate. ist Schwarz jetzt noch immer richtig gebunden, da der g7-Turm wegen c7+ und a8 mit Matt nicht ziehen kann.} Ra2 49. c4 a3 50. c5 Ra1+ 51. Ke2 a2 52. Kf3 {and White should win. und Weiß sollte gewinnen.}) 46. c4 {This pawn naturally cannot be taken by either rook due to the check on a8. Dieser Bauer ist natürlich von keinem der beiden Türme zu nehmen wegen des Schachs auf a8.} Rg7 47. Rxg7 Kxg7 48. Rxa4 {This is a technical win. Dies ist ein technischer Gewinn.} Kf6 49. Kg2 Ke5 50. Ra5+ $1 {My only problem was the passive rook on a4. Now it will be activated either in front of, or the other side of the c4-pawn. Mein einziges Problem war der passive Turm auf a4. Nun wird er aktiviert, entweder vor dem oder auf der anderen Seite des c4-Bauern.} Ke6 (50... Kf4 51. Rc5 $18) (50... Kd4 51. Rd5+ $1 Kxc4 52. Rd8 {cuts off the king and wins easily: schneidet den König ab und gewinnt leicht:} Ra2 53. Kg3 Ra7 54. f4 Rg7+ 55. Kf3 Rf7 56. Kg4 Rg7+ 57. Kf5 $18) 51. Rc5 Kd6 52. Rd5+ Ke6 53. Rd4 Ke5 54. Rh4 Rc3 55. c5 {Exploiting the opportunity to advance the pawn. The pawn endings are always won. Nutzt die Gelegenheit, den Bauern vorzurücken. Die Bauernendspiele sind immer gewonnen.} Kf5 56. Rh8 $1 {The most accurate. Am genauesten.} Kf4 57. Rc8 Ke5 58. c6 Kd6 59. f3 {Preparing g3 and g4 followed by f4 and so forth. Bereitet g3 und g4 vor, gefolgt von f4 und so weiter..} Rc5 60. Kg3 Rg5+ 61. Kh4 Rg1 62. f4 Ke7 63. c7 Rc1 {Sets a final trap. Stellt eine letzte Falle.} (63... Kd7 64. Rd8+ Kxc7 65. Rd2 {wins easily. gewinnt leicht.}) 64. Kg5 (64. Rh8 {or g8 was not to be recommended! oder g8 war nicht zu empfehlen!}) 1-0

[Event "Bazna Kings 4th"]
[Site "Medias"]
[Date "2010.06.24"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Nisipeanu, Liviu Dieter"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C63"]
[WhiteElo "2813"]
[BlackElo "2672"]
[Annotator "Nisipeanu,Liviu Dieter"]
[PlyCount "64"]
[EventDate "2010.06.14"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "ROU"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 137"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.07.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.07.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 {I was rather expecting the Scotch, or even more so the move 1.d4!} f5 {The first time that I have used the Schliemann Defence in a tournament game. I was hoping that Magnus would be a little surprised by it.} 4. Nc3 {Quickly played, so obviously he had something prepared, probably because Radjabov plays this from time to time.} fxe4 5. Nxe4 d5 {Radjabov aways plays 5...f6, so around here I was pretty sure, that Magnus was playing according to 'general knowledge'.} 6. Nxe5 dxe4 7. Nxc6 Qg5 8. Qe2 Nf6 9. f4 {Here, or on the next move, White can take on a7, but without heavy analysis it is hardly possible, even for the worlds number one, to find his way in the wild complications there.} Qxf4 10. Ne5+ (10. d4 {allows Black the extra option of 10...d6.}) 10... c6 11. d4 Qh4+ 12. g3 Qh3 13. Bc4 Be6 {This is considered to be the main line, at least in games between human opponents. As explained in various sources, the evaluation of this line depends of the strenght or weakness of Black's e4-pawn.} 14. Bg5 (14. Bf4 O-O-O 15. O-O-O Bd6 {is another possibilty, leading to complex play.}) 14... O-O-O 15. O-O-O Bd6 16. Rhf1 {The most natural continuation} (16. Qf1 {is considered to be the main line, but in his excellent book 'The Ruy Lopez Revisited' Ivan Sokolov showed a quite convincing way for Black to deal with it:} Rhf8 17. Nf7 Rd7 18. Qxh3 Bxh3 19. Bxf6 gxf6 20. Nxd6+ Rxd6 {followed by f5 and then h5-h4.}) 16... Rhe8 {For this move I spent a lot of time, but since I had blitzed out the previous once, I could afford it. The moment is indeed critical, since the subsequent endgame is not easy to evaluate.} ({After} 16... Rhf8 {I was afraid of} 17. g4 $5 Bxc4 18. Qxc4 {with initiative to White.}) 17. Bxf6 {The critical continuation.} (17. Bxe6+ Qxe6 18. Bxf6 gxf6 19. Nc4 Bc7 20. Kb1 f5 21. Ne3 Rf8 {seems fine for Black.}) 17... gxf6 18. Rxf6 Bxe5 19. Rxe6 ({The alternative} 19. Bxe6+ Rxe6 20. dxe5 Rxd1+ 21. Kxd1 Rxe5 22. Rf8+ Kc7 23. Rf7+ {was scary to meet over the board, but after} Kc8 24. Qf2 Rd5+ 25. Ke1 Qg4 26. Rf8+ Kc7 27. Qf4+ Qxf4 28. Rxf4 e3 {Black had just enough play for a draw in Popelka-Voetter correspondence 2007.}) ({RR} 19. Bxe6+ Rxe6 20. Rxe6 {½-½ (30) Kutuzovic,B (2334)-Ascic,P (2310) Sibenik 2010}) 19... Rxe6 20. Bxe6+ Qxe6 21. dxe5 Qh6+ $1 {Only after seeing this move could I really decide on 16...he8.} (21... Rxd1+ 22. Kxd1 Qd5+ 23. Ke1 Qxe5 24. Qg4+ {is probably bad for Black, since the pawn ending after} Kc7 25. Qf4 Qxf4 26. gxf4 Kd6 27. Ke2 Ke6 28. Ke3 Kf5 29. b4 {is winning for White.}) 22. Rd2 {Again the best try. Magnus was taking a lot of time with his moves, probably in order to put as many problems as possible for Black.} (22. Kb1 Rxd1+ 23. Qxd1 e3 $1 {passed pawns must be pushed!} (23... Qxh2 $2 24. e6 {is embarrassing.}) 24. b3 Qxh2 25. e6 Qd2 {leeds to a draw.}) 22... Rxd2 23. Qxd2 e3 24. Qe2 (24. Qd6 $4 e2+ {is something you hope for in a bullet game.}) 24... Qg5 25. Kd1 (25. e6 Qe5 $11) 25... Kc7 $1 {I am proud to say that I calculated this move before I played 21...h6.} (25... Qxe5 26. Qg4+ Kd8 (26... Kc7 $2 27. Qf4 Kd6 28. Ke2 $18) 27. Qg8+ Kc7 28. Qxh7+ Kb6 29. Ke2 {is clearly better for White.}) 26. Qd3 Qh5+ 27. Kc1 Qh6 $5 {Seeing that Carlsen was in a slight time trouble, I tried to tempt him into a complicated pawn ending, where precision is required from both sides. Since going for this ending was the only winning try in the position for White, I was silently hoping that Magnus would go for it.} (27... Qxe5 28. Qxh7+ Kb6 29. Qf7 Qe4 {is most likely enough for a draw.}) 28. Kd1 (28. Qd6+ Qxd6 29. exd6+ Kxd6 30. Kd1 Ke5 31. Ke2 Ke4 {was the critical line and it seems to be a draw with correct play from both sides. Here are some sample lines:} 32. b4 (32. c3 c5 33. c4 a6 34. b3 (34. a4 $2 a5 35. b3 b6 36. g4 Kf4 37. h3 h6 $19) 34... b5 35. cxb5 $1 axb5 36. a4 c4 37. a5 cxb3 38. a6 b2 39. a7 b1=Q 40. a8=Q+ $11) 32... b6 33. a4 (33. c3 b5 34. g4 Kf4 35. g5 Kxg5 36. Kxe3 Kg4 37. Kd4 Kh3 38. Kc5 Kxh2 39. Kxc6 a6 40. Kd5 h5 41. c4 bxc4 42. Kxc4 h4 43. a4 $11) 33... c5 34. bxc5 bxc5 35. c3 c4 36. g4 Kf4 37. g5 a5 38. h4 Kg4 39. Kxe3 Kxh4 40. Kf4 Kh3 41. Kf3 $1 $11 {After seeing all this lines, it seems that it is rather White who has to be careful and Magnus was absolutely right to avoid this pawn ending.}) 28... Qh5+ 29. Ke1 Qxh2 $1 30. Qd6+ (30. Qxe3 Qxc2 $11) 30... Kc8 $146 (30... Kb6 $2 {was the last possibility to go wrong:} 31. Qd8+ Ka6 32. Qd3+ b5 33. Qxe3 Qxc2 34. Qe2 {and Black is suffering for a draw.}) 31. Qf8+ Kc7 32. Qe7+ Kc8 1/2-1/2

[Event "Olympiad-39"]
[Site "Khanty-Mansiysk"]
[Date "2010.09.25"]
[Round "5.1"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Vallejo Pons, Francisco"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B23"]
[WhiteElo "2826"]
[BlackElo "2697"]
[Annotator "ChessBase"]
[PlyCount "57"]
[EventDate "2010.09.21"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 139"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.11.18"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.11.18"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Norway"]
[BlackTeam "Spain"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "NOR"]
[BlackTeamCountry "ESP"]
[TimeControl "40/5400+30:1800+30"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nc3 a6 3. Nge2 d6 4. g3 Nc6 5. Bg2 g6 6. d3 Bg7 7. Be3 Nf6 8. h3 Bd7 ({RR} 8... O-O 9. O-O Rb8 10. Qd2 b5 11. f4 Nd7 12. g4 Nd4 13. Ng3 e6 14. Nd1 b4 15. c3 bxc3 16. bxc3 Nc6 17. Rc1 a5 18. Nf2 Ba6 19. g5 a4 20. Ng4 a3 21. Rc2 Rb2 22. Rfc1 Qb6 23. f5 {Grischuk,A (2779)-Le,Q (2712) Khanty-Mansiysk 2013 0-1 (46)}) 9. Qd2 b5 $146 ({RR} 9... O-O 10. Bh6 Bxh6 11. Qxh6 Nd4 12. Qd2 Rc8 13. Nxd4 cxd4 14. Ne2 Qb6 15. c3 dxc3 16. Nxc3 Bc6 17. O-O Rfd8 18. Rae1 Nd7 19. Kh2 Qd4 20. f4 Nc5 21. Re3 Na4 22. Nd1 Bb5 23. f5 Rc5 24. Rf4 {Dgebuadze,A (2499)-Bekker,S (2313) Belgium 2017 1-0 (44)}) 10. Bh6 Bxh6 11. Qxh6 Nd4 12. Nxd4 cxd4 13. Ne2 e5 14. O-O Ng8 15. Qd2 {#It is hard to understand black's plan here. In terms of development he is now behind two tempi (white's queen is developed and he has castled already), and though one might argue the bad bishop has been exchanged off, the bishop also helps keep the king safe around the dark squares.} Ne7 16. f4 O-O 17. g4 f6 18. Rf2 Nc6 19. Raf1 Qa5 20. c3 Qxa2 21. g5 fxg5 22. f5 Qf7 23. cxd4 {#} Rae8 $6 ({Not} 23... exd4 {because of} 24. Qxg5 Qf6 25. Qg3 g5 ({Or} 25... Qe5 26. Nf4 Rf7 27. Qh4) 26. h4 g4 27. Qxg4+ Kh8 28. Qg5 Qxg5 29. hxg5 Rg8 30. e5 $1 dxe5 31. g6 $1 hxg6 32. f6 Ra7 33. Bd5 {Threatening Rh2.}) ({Instead} 23... Qf6 {was better.} 24. dxe5 dxe5 25. Nc3 Ne7 26. d4 exd4 27. fxg6 (27. e5 Qxe5 28. Bxa8 Bxf5 29. Re1 dxc3 30. Rxe5 cxd2 31. Rxd2 Rxa8 32. Rxe7) 27... Qxg6 28. Qxd4 Bc6 {with a balanced position.}) 24. d5 Nd4 25. Nxd4 exd4 26. f6 g4 27. hxg4 Bxg4 28. Qf4 h5 29. Qxd6 1-0

[Event "Olympiad-39"]
[Site "Khanty-Mansiysk"]
[Date "2010.09.27"]
[Round "6.1"]
[White "Adams, Michael"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B06"]
[WhiteElo "2728"]
[BlackElo "2826"]
[Annotator "ChessBase"]
[PlyCount "75"]
[EventDate "2010.09.21"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 139"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.11.18"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.11.18"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "England"]
[BlackTeam "Norway"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "ENG"]
[BlackTeamCountry "NOR"]

1. e4 g6 2. d4 Nf6 3. e5 Nh5 {#Avoiding question marks, or any other form of punctuation to evaluate this opening, suffice it to say that the only games of grandmasters on record, of which there are four, were played by notorious opening mavericks: Morozevich, Miles, Hodgson, and Hillarp Persson.} 4. Be2 d6 {Both Morozevich and Miles preferred to fianchetto their knight with 4...Ng7 here.} 5. Nf3 Nc6 {Other than the oddly placed knight on h5, the structure and pieces are identical to an Alekhine defense.} 6. exd6 exd6 7. d5 Ne7 8. c4 Bg7 9. Nc3 O-O 10. O-O Bg4 11. Re1 $146 ({RR} 11. h3 Bxf3 12. Bxf3 Nf6 13. Bf4 Re8 14. Rc1 a6 15. b3 Nf5 16. g3 Nd7 17. Ne4 h6 18. h4 Nd4 19. Bg2 Nc5 20. Nc3 a5 21. g4 Rc8 22. Be3 Qf6 23. g5 hxg5 24. hxg5 Qe5 25. Qxd4 Qxd4 {Compton,A (2071)-Rapport,J (2301) Caleta 2015 ½-½ (114)}) 11... Re8 12. h3 Bxf3 13. Bxf3 Nf6 14. Bf4 Nd7 15. Rc1 Ne5 16. b3 a6 17. g3 Nf5 18. Bg2 g5 19. Bxe5 Bxe5 20. Ne4 Ng7 21. Qd2 h6 {#Black is still struggling to find a good plan and while his bishop looks strong on e5, it won't be able to stay there for long, while the knight on g7 is still seeking a suitable home.} 22. f4 gxf4 23. gxf4 Bf6 24. Kh2 Nh5 (24... Bh4 25. Rg1 f5 26. Ng3 Bxg3+ 27. Kxg3 Nh5+ 28. Kh2 Kf7) 25. Rg1 Kh7 $6 {This imprecision could lead to serious trouble due to the myriad of threats that can be combined on the b1-h7 diagonal.} 26. Rcf1 Rg8 27. Qe2 Ng7 28. Qd3 $6 {Not the most precise.} (28. Nxf6+ $1 {was white's strongest continuation.} Qxf6 29. Be4+ Kh8 30. Bb1 Qd4 31. Qg4 {Threatening Qh4.} Qf6 (31... Qb2+ 32. Kh1 Qf6 33. Qf3 Qd4 (33... h5 {With the idea of protecting h7 with Qh6.} 34. Rg5 Qh6 35. Rfg1 {and black is lost.}) 34. Rd1 Qb2 35. Rg2 Qf6 36. Qe4) 32. Qf3 Ne8 33. Qd3 $18) 28... Kh8 29. Bf3 {#} b5 ({The engines initially suggest} 29... Bh4 {as an improvement, but deeper analysis shows that it still loses after} 30. Qd4 Qe7 {#} (30... Kh7 31. Ng5+ $1 hxg5 32. fxg5 Bxg5 33. Be4+ f5 34. Bxf5+ Nxf5 35. Rxf5 Rg6 36. Qg4) 31. Rg4 $1 f5 32. Rg6 $1 Kh7 33. Rfg1 Rae8 (33... fxe4 34. Bxe4) 34. c5 $1 {The knight cannot be touched, and as a result, black is now overwhelmed.} dxc5 (34... fxe4 35. Bxe4 {leads to mate.} Qxe4 36. Rxg7+) 35. Qb2 Ref8 36. d6 $1 cxd6 37. Qg2 Qf7 38. Nxd6 {This is the point of the double pawn push. Without it, black could still defend against the Qb2-Qg2 maneuver, which threatens Rxh6+ followed by mate. Now the queen can no longer help and the fort collapses.}) 30. Bd1 bxc4 31. bxc4 Bh4 32. Bc2 f5 33. Rg6 Kh7 34. Rfg1 Qe7 {#} 35. Ng3 $2 (35. c5 $1 {was more expeditious.} Rad8 (35... fxe4 36. Qxe4 Qxe4 37. Bxe4) 36. Qe2 Qf8 37. cxd6 cxd6 38. Nc5 $1 dxc5 39. Qxa6 $18) 35... Bxg3+ $6 (35... Raf8 {would resist longer but still looks grim after} 36. Qd4 Bxg3+ 37. R1xg3 Qf7 38. Qg1 Nh5 39. Rxg8 Rxg8 40. Rxg8 Qxg8 41. Bxf5+ Kh8 42. Bg4 Nf6 (42... Nxf4 43. Qd4+)) 36. Qxg3 Qf7 (36... Nh5 {loses after} 37. Qf3 Rxg6 38. Bxf5 Rag8 39. Rxg6 Rxg6 40. Qxh5) 37. Bd1 Rae8 38. Rxh6+ 1-0

[Event "Olympiad-39"]
[Site "Khanty-Mansiysk"]
[Date "2010.09.28"]
[Round "7.1"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Sulskis, Sarunas"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C45"]
[WhiteElo "2826"]
[BlackElo "2544"]
[PlyCount "117"]
[EventDate "2010.09.21"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 139"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.11.18"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.11.18"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Norway"]
[BlackTeam "Lithuania"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "NOR"]
[BlackTeamCountry "LTU"]

1. e4 {Postny,Evgeny} e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 exd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nxc6 bxc6 6. e5 Qe7 7. Qe2 Nd5 8. c4 Ba6 9. b3 O-O-O 10. g3 Qb4+ ({RR} 10... g5 11. Ba3 ({RR} 11. Bg2 Bg7 12. Bb2 Rde8 13. O-O Bxe5 14. Qxe5 Qxe5 15. Bxe5 Rxe5 16. cxd5 Bxf1 17. Kxf1 cxd5 18. Nc3 c6 19. Rc1 Kd8 20. h3 Rhe8 21. Bf3 Ke7 22. Na4 Kd6 23. Nb2 R5e7 24. Nd3 a5 25. Bg4 Rf8) 11... Nb4 ({RR} 11... Qxa3 12. Nxa3 Bb4+ 13. Qd2 Bxd2+ 14. Kxd2 Ne7 15. h4 h6 16. c5 Bxf1 17. Raxf1 d6 18. exd6 cxd6) 12. Bb2 Bg7 13. Bg2 ({RR} 13. a3 Nd3+ 14. Qxd3 Bxe5) 13... Nd3+ ({RR} 13... Bxe5 14. O-O Rhe8) 14. Qxd3 Bxe5 15. Bxe5 ({RR} 15. Qe3 Bxb2 16. Qxe7 Rhe8 17. Qe3 Rxe3+ 18. fxe3 Bxa1 19. O-O d5) 15... Qxe5+ 16. Qe3 Qxa1 17. O-O Kb8 18. Nc3 Qb2 19. Rb1 Qa3 20. Qxg5 Rhe8 21. Qf5 Qd6 22. Rd1 ({RR} 22. Qxf7 Qd2) 22... Qe5 ({RR} 22... Qg6) 23. Qc2 ({RR} 23. Qxe5 Rxe5 24. Bxc6) 23... f5 24. Bf3 Bb7 25. b4 {Macieja,B (2634)-Karpov,A (2686) Warsaw 2003 CBM 095 [Postny,Evgeny] 0-1 (34)}) ({RR} 10... f6) ({RR} 10... Re8 11. Bb2 f6) ({RR} 10... h5 11. Bg2 h4 12. O-O hxg3 13. hxg3 Kb8 14. Nd2 Qg5 15. Nf3 Qh5 16. Qe4 Ne7 17. Bg5 Re8 18. Rfd1 Bc8 19. b4 Qg6 20. Qf4 f6 21. exf6 gxf6 22. Bxf6 Bg7 23. Bxg7 Qxg7 24. b5 Ng6 25. Qg5 {Abdilkhair,A (2358)-Iuldachev,S (2402) Shymkent KAZ 2024 1-0 (49)}) 11. Bd2 Qb6 12. Qe4 $146 ({RR} 12. Nc3 Nxc3 13. Bxc3 Bb4 14. Qd2 c5 15. Bxb4 Qxb4 16. Qxb4 cxb4 17. O-O-O Bb7 18. Rg1 Rhe8 19. f4 d6 20. Bh3+ Kb8 21. exd6 Rxd6 22. Rxd6 cxd6 23. Kd2 Bf3 24. Re1 Rxe1 25. Kxe1 Be4 26. Kd2 Kc7 {Muzychuk,A (2460)-Sulskis,S (2553) Gibraltar 2008 1-0 (35)}) 12... f5 13. Qxf5 Qd4 14. cxd5 Bxf1 15. Bc3 Bb4 16. Kxf1 Bxc3 17. Nxc3 Qxc3 18. Rd1 Rhf8 19. Qe4 Rde8 20. e6 Kb8 21. Rd3 Qc2 22. Qb4+ Ka8 23. Rd2 Qf5 24. dxc6 Rb8 25. Qc3 Qe4 26. Rg1 dxe6 27. Re2 Qg4 28. Qe3 Qh3+ 29. Rg2 Rbd8 30. Re1 Rd6 31. Qc3 Qg4 32. f4 Rfd8 33. Rge2 Rd3 34. Qb4 Qf3+ 35. Kg1 Qxc6 36. Rxe6 R3d6 37. Rxd6 cxd6 38. Qe4 d5 39. Qxh7 Qc3 40. Re2 d4 41. Qe4+ Kb8 42. Qe5+ Ka8 43. Kf2 Qc8 44. Qe4+ Kb8 45. Rc2 Qh3 46. Qe5+ Ka8 47. Kg1 Qh7 48. Qc7 Rh8 49. Qc6+ Kb8 50. Qb5+ Ka8 51. Qd5+ Kb8 52. f5 Qh5 53. Qe5+ Ka8 54. Qe4+ Kb8 55. Qf4+ Ka8 56. g4 Qh4 57. Qxd4 Qe1+ 58. Kg2 Re8 59. Qf2 1-0

[Event "Olympiad-39"]
[Site "Khanty-Mansiysk"]
[Date "2010.09.30"]
[Round "9.1"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Sedlak, Nikola"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C13"]
[WhiteElo "2826"]
[BlackElo "2550"]
[PlyCount "83"]
[EventDate "2010.09.21"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 139"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.11.18"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.11.18"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Norway"]
[BlackTeam "Serbia"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "NOR"]
[BlackTeamCountry "YUG"]

1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bg5 dxe4 5. Nxe4 Be7 6. Bxf6 gxf6 7. Nf3 f5 8. Nc3 a6 9. g3 b5 10. Bg2 Bb7 11. O-O O-O 12. Re1 c5 13. d5 b4 14. Ne2 Bxd5 15. Nf4 Be4 16. Qc1 $146 ({RR} 16. Ne5 Qxd1 17. Raxd1 Bxg2 18. Kxg2 Rc8 19. Nc4 Ra7 20. Nd3 Nc6 21. Nde5 Nxe5 22. Rxe5 Bf6 23. Re2 Rcc7 24. Red2 Bd4 25. f4 Kf8 26. Rd3 Ke7 27. a4 Rab7 28. Kf3 h5 29. Ke2 Rb8 30. a5 Rbb7 {Nitin,S (2399)-Petrosian,D (2476) Moscow 2012 ½-½ (46)}) 16... Bf6 17. h4 Bxf3 18. Bxf3 Ra7 19. Nh5 Bg7 20. c3 bxc3 21. bxc3 Nd7 22. Qe3 Ne5 23. Be2 Nd7 24. Rab1 h6 25. Bd3 Nf6 26. Nxg7 Kxg7 27. Qxc5 Rc7 28. Qe5 Rc6 29. Bf1 Qc7 30. Qxc7 Rxc7 31. Rb3 Ne4 32. Rc1 a5 33. c4 Rfc8 34. Rc2 Rc5 35. Rb6 Kf6 36. Rcb2 Ke7 37. Ra6 Nd6 38. Rbb6 Nxc4 39. Rb7+ R8c7 40. Rxc7+ Rxc7 41. Bxc4 Rxc4 42. Rxa5 1/2-1/2

[Event "Olympiad-39"]
[Site "Khanty-Mansiysk"]
[Date "2010.10.01"]
[Round "10.1"]
[White "Sjugirov, Sanan"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B12"]
[WhiteElo "2627"]
[BlackElo "2826"]
[PlyCount "49"]
[EventDate "2010.09.21"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 139"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.11.18"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.11.18"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Russia IV"]
[BlackTeam "Norway"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "RUS"]
[BlackTeamCountry "NOR"]

1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. e5 Bf5 4. Nf3 e6 5. Be2 Bb4+ 6. Nbd2 Nd7 7. O-O ({RR} 7. c3 Ba5 8. O-O h6 9. Ne1 Ne7 10. Nb3 Bb6 11. Be3 O-O 12. g4 Be4 13. f3 Bh7 14. Ng2 Rc8 15. Qd2 c5 16. Rac1 cxd4 17. cxd4 Nc6 18. Nf4 Qe7 19. Kh1 f6 20. Bd3 Bxd3 21. Qxd3 Qf7 {Arnav Mahesh Koli (1987)-Nguyen Van Huy (2337) Mumbai IND 2025 0-1 (59)}) 7... Ba5 ({RR} 7... f6 8. Nb3 Nh6 9. Bxh6 gxh6 10. Nh4 Bg6 11. Bh5 Rg8 12. c3 Bf8 13. exf6 Qxf6 14. Nxg6 hxg6 15. Bg4 O-O-O 16. Re1 Re8 17. Re3 h5 18. Bh3 Bh6 19. Rf3 Qe7 20. Qe2 g5 21. g4 e5 22. Rf5 {Firouzja,A (2777)-Nihal,S (2694) chess.com INT 2023 1-0 (83)}) 8. Nb3 Bc7 9. Ne1 f6 $146 ({RR} 9... Qe7 10. Bd2 f6 11. f4 Nh6 12. a4 O-O 13. a5 fxe5 14. fxe5 c5 15. c3 Nf7 16. Be3 Ng5 17. Nd2 Ne4 18. Nd3 a6 19. Nf4 Nxd2 20. Qxd2 Nb8 21. dxc5 Nc6 22. b4 Bxe5 23. Bd3 d4 24. cxd4 {Gajwa,A (2110)-Narayanan,S (2420) Pune 2014 0-1 (45)}) ({RR} 9... Ne7 10. a4 O-O 11. Nd3 b6 12. Be3 a5 13. f4 Be4 14. Nd2 f5 15. c3 c5 16. h3 Qe8 17. Kh2 Kh8 18. Ne1 h6 19. Nef3 Rc8 20. Ba6 Rd8 21. Bb5 c4 22. b3 cxb3 23. Qxb3 Rg8 24. Qa3 {Akash,G (2411)-Ammar,S (2137) Sharjah 2019 1-0 (52)}) 10. Bh5+ g6 11. Be2 g5 12. Bd3 Bg6 13. exf6 Qxf6 14. Qg4 h6 15. f4 Bxd3 16. Nxd3 O-O-O 17. Bd2 Qg6 18. fxg5 Ngf6 19. Rxf6 Bxh2+ 20. Kh1 Nxf6 21. Qxe6+ Kb8 22. gxf6 Bc7 23. Ne5 Qxc2 24. f7 Rhf8 25. Bb4 1-0

[Event "Grand Slam Final 3rd"]
[Site "Bilbao"]
[Date "2010.10.10"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C66"]
[WhiteElo "2826"]
[BlackElo "2800"]
[Annotator "Ftacnik,Lubomir"]
[PlyCount "90"]
[EventDate "2010.10.09"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "6"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 139"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.11.18"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.11.18"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. d3 {Carlsen is ready to play a rich position without claiming an opening advantage. The modest move 4.d3 is helping to avoid the unbeatable Berlin Defence.} d6 5. O-O Be7 6. c3 O-O 7. Nbd2 Bd7 8. Re1 Re8 9. Nf1 Bf8 10. Ba4 h6 11. Ng3 Ne7 {The theory in this new territory is just being created. It is worth noticing that both GMs are helping themselves with analogous motifs from the Ruy Lopez.} (11... Rb8 12. d4 b5 13. Bb3 Na5 14. Bc2 c5 15. b3 Nc6 16. d5 Ne7 17. h3 g6 18. Be3 Bg7 19. Qd2 Kh7 20. Nh2 b4 21. c4 Nfg8 22. f4 $11 {1-0 Vachier Lagrave,M (2684)-Marcelin,C (2495)/Challons 2009 (33)}) (11... g6 12. h3 (12. d4 Bg7 13. d5 Ne7 14. c4 c6 15. Bd2 Rb8 16. dxc6 Nxc6 17. Bc3 Qc7 18. Nd2 a6 19. Bxc6 Bxc6 20. a4 b5 21. axb5 axb5 22. cxb5 Rxb5 $17 {0-1 Mullon,J (2458)-Postny,E (2648)/Nancy 2010 (55)}) 12... Na5 (12... Bg7 13. d4 Rb8 (13... a6 14. a3 b5 15. Bc2 a5 16. Be3 a4 17. Qd2 Kh7 18. Rad1 Qe7 19. Qe2 Na5 20. Nd2 c5 21. f4 cxd4 22. cxd4 exd4 23. Bxd4 Nh5 24. Bxg7 Nxg3 25. Qf2 Kxg7 26. Qxg3 Rac8 $11 {1-0 De la Villa Garcia,J (2470)-De Souza Haro,P/San Sebastian 1994 (57)}) 14. Bc2 a6 15. Be3 Kh7 16. Qd2 b5 17. Nh2 d5 18. f3 Be6 19. Qf2 exd4 20. cxd4 Nb4 21. e5 $14 {0-1 Shanava,K (2522)-Beinoras,M (2426)/Pardubice 2008 (39)}) 13. Bc2 c5 14. d4 cxd4 15. cxd4 Nc6 16. b3 Rc8 17. Bb2 Nb4 18. Bb1 Nc6 19. Qd2 Qb6 20. d5 Nb4 21. Bc3 a5 22. Re3 Rc5 23. a3 Na6 24. b4 $14 {½-½ Popovic,P (2474)-Nyback,T (2565)/Germany 2008 (49)}) (11... a6 12. d4 b5 13. Bc2 g6 14. h3 Bg7 {½-½ Rubinetti,J (2415)-Van Riemsdijk,H (2390)/San Pedro de Jujuy 1981}) 12. Bb3 Ng6 13. d4 c5 {It seems, that this active advance in the centre is a new move, so far Black has tried only the more modest 13...c6.} (13... c6 14. dxe5 dxe5 15. Nf5 Nxe4 16. Nxh6+ gxh6 17. Rxe4 Be6 18. Qxd8 Raxd8 19. Bxe6 Rxe6 20. Re1 c5 21. a4 Red6 22. Kf1 Bg7 23. g4 Rd3 24. Kg2 $11 {½-½ Khairullin,I (2544)-Aleksandrov,A (2618)/Moscow 2008 (40)}) 14. h3 Qc7 15. a4 a6 $146 (15... exd4 16. cxd4 c4 17. Bc2 Qb6 18. a5 Qa6 19. Bd2 $14) ({RR} 15... cxd4 16. cxd4 exd4 17. Nxd4 d5 18. exd5 Rxe1+ 19. Qxe1 Re8 20. Be3 Nf4 21. d6 Qxd6 22. Rd1 N4d5 23. Nde2 Qe5 24. Bd4 Qg5 25. Qd2 Qxd2 26. Rxd2 Bb4 27. Rd1 a5 28. Bxf6 Nxf6 29. Nh5 Bxa4 30. Bxa4 {Henrichs,T (2471)-Balogh,C (2635) Biel 2016 1-0 (59)}) 16. a5 cxd4 17. cxd4 exd4 18. Nxd4 d5 $1 {Anand has decided to open up the centre in a situation in which all his pieces are already developed.} 19. exd5 (19. Nh5 Nxh5 20. Qxh5 Bc5 $1 (20... Re5 21. Qf3 $14) 21. Qxd5 Bxh3 22. gxh3 Rad8 23. Qxf7+ (23. Qh5 Rxd4 24. Qxg6 Rd3 25. Bxf7+ Qxf7 26. Qxf7+ Kxf7 $11) 23... Qxf7 24. Bxf7+ Kxf7 25. Nf5 Bb4 26. Re3 Rd1+ 27. Kg2 Nf4+ 28. Kh2 Re5 $11) 19... Rxe1+ 20. Qxe1 Re8 {Nearly all very strong players simply love piece activity. Black did not have any problem with eliminating the dangers after the modest 20...e7. The move in the game is somewhat more ambitious.} (20... Ne7 21. Bd2 Nexd5 22. Rc1 Re8 23. Qxe8 Qxc1+ 24. Bxc1 Bxe8 $11) 21. Qc3 Qxc3 22. bxc3 Re1+ 23. Kh2 Bd6 {The current World Champion would love to beat his young rival, but with the help of the interesting move 23...e5!? he could have only forced the repetition of moves.} (23... Ne5 $5 24. Nf3 (24. f3 Nd3 25. Bb2 Re3 26. Ba3 Nc5 $15) (24. Bb2 Neg4+ 25. hxg4 Nxg4+ 26. Kh3 Nxf2+ 27. Kh2 (27. Kh4 Be7+ 28. Kh5 Bg4#) 27... Ng4+ 28. Kh3 Rxa1 29. Bxa1 Ne3+ 30. Ne6 (30. Kh2 Bd6 $17) 30... Bd6 31. Ne4 Ba3 $15) 24... Nfg4+ 25. hxg4 Nxg4+ 26. Kh3 Nxf2+ 27. Kh2 Ng4+ $11) 24. Nc2 (24. Bb2 Rxa1 25. Bxa1 Ne4 26. Bc2 Nxf2 27. c4 Be5 28. Nb3 Bxa1 29. Nxa1 Ne5 $11) 24... Rf1 25. Be3 Rxa1 26. Nxa1 Be5 {More play could have been kept in the position after the logical move 26...e7.} (26... Ne7 27. c4 Nf5 28. Bb6 Nxg3 29. fxg3 Be5 30. Nc2 Ne4 31. Kg1 Bxg3 $11) 27. Bd4 (27. Nc2 Bxc3 28. Bb6 Nf4 29. Ne3 $11) 27... Bxd4 28. cxd4 Ne7 29. Nc2 (29. d6 Nc8 30. Nc2 Nxd6 31. Ne3 $11) 29... Nfxd5 30. Ne4 b6 {It is quite easy to guess why Anand was not eager to fix the pawns of the queenside on the light squares. Seemingly the logical exchange on b6 is unfortunately marred by a serious problem.} (30... b5 31. Nc5 Bc8 32. g3 Kf8 $11) 31. Ne3 $1 (31. axb6 Nxb6 32. Nc5 Bb5 $11) 31... Nxe3 (31... Bc6 32. Nxd5 Nxd5 33. Bxd5 Bxd5 34. Nc3 Bc6 35. axb6 $18) 32. axb6 $1 N3f5 {A sufficient defence was also tied in with the knight check on f1, but the defender would have suffered in a slightly worse position.} (32... Nf1+ $5 33. Kg1 Bc6 34. Nd6 Nd2 35. Bxf7+ Kf8 36. Be6 a5 37. b7 Bxb7 38. Nxb7 a4 $11) 33. Nc5 $2 {[%mdl 64] Carlsen is also only human and thus fallible. His natural right to err is used at a very unfortunate moment, since with the witty 33.d5! serious problems were rather awaiting Black. Bad form is often manifested by erroneous decisions in critical moments.} (33. d5 $1 Bc8 (33... Nc6 34. dxc6 Bxc6 35. Nc5 Nd6 36. Nxa6 $16) 34. g4 Nd4 35. Nd6 Bb7 36. Nxb7 Nc8 37. Ba2 (37. Bc4 Nxb6 38. Bxa6 Nxd5 $11) 37... Nxb6 38. d6 Kf8 39. Kg3 Ke8 $11) 33... Nxd4 (33... Bc6 34. b7 Bxb7 35. Nxb7 Nxd4 36. Bc4 Nb5 37. Nc5 $11) 34. b7 (34. Nxd7 Nxb3 35. b7 Nc6 36. b8=Q+ Nxb8 37. Nxb8 a5 $19) 34... Nec6 35. Ba4 Be8 $1 {White must have missed the fact that the plan of recovering the piece thanks to the mighty b7-pawn will fail due to the trapped knight on the b8-square!} (35... Bf5 36. Nxa6 Bd7 37. Nc5 Be6 38. Na6 $11) 36. Nxa6 (36. b8=Q Nxb8 37. Bxe8 Kf8 38. Ba4 Ke7 $17) 36... Kf8 37. Kg3 (37. Bxc6 Nxc6 38. b8=Q Nxb8 39. Nxb8 Bb5 40. Kg3 Ke7 41. Kf4 Kd6 42. g4 Kc7 $19) 37... Ke7 38. Kf4 Ne6+ {Black could already enjoy the choice of punishment for his unfortunate enemy. It his difficult to find fault with the conservative and careful approach from the game.} (38... Nb8 39. Nxb8 Bxa4 40. Ke3 Bc6 41. Kxd4 Bxb7 $19) 39. Ke3 Ned8 40. Bxc6 Nxc6 41. h4 (41. b8=Q Nxb8 42. Nxb8 Bb5 43. Kd4 Kd6 44. g3 Bf1 45. h4 Kc7 $19) 41... Kd6 42. g4 Bd7 43. g5 hxg5 44. hxg5 g6 45. f4 Be6 {After fixing the pawns on the kingside Black is ready to force the win with the spare bishop.} (45... Be6 46. Kd3 Bd5 47. Ke3 Nb8 48. Nxb8 Bxb7 49. Kd4 Kc7 50. Ke5 Kxb8 51. Kf6 Bd5 52. f5 Be4 53. fxg6 fxg6 $19) 0-1

[Event "Grand Slam Final 3rd"]
[Site "Bilbao"]
[Date "2010.10.11"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Shirov, Alexei"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C95"]
[WhiteElo "2749"]
[BlackElo "2826"]
[Annotator "Edouard,Romain"]
[PlyCount "349"]
[EventDate "2010.10.09"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "6"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 139"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.11.18"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.11.18"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 {Edouard,Romain} e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 d6 8. c3 O-O 9. h3 Nb8 10. d4 Nbd7 {The well-known Breyer defense. Carlsen already played it twice this year, but in rapid games only (against Smeets and Anand).} 11. Nbd2 Bb7 12. Bc2 Re8 ({Magnus tried the rarer} 12... c5 $5 {against Smeets.}) 13. a4 Bf8 14. Bd3 c6 15. b4 $5 {The most fashionable move over the last months.} (15. b3 {and 15.f1 are the two other common options.}) 15... Nb6 16. axb5 cxb5 $5 {Played only once, but convincingly, by German player Baramidze! And not against anybody: against Shirov himself! This leads to a totally different kind of position in comparison to the other capture. Instead of trying to hold a rather "passive" draw, Black tries to put up pressure on the king-side. Typical Magnus!} (16... axb5 17. Rxa8 Bxa8 (17... Qxa8 18. Nb3 {is also possible.}) 18. Nb3 Bb7 19. dxe5 dxe5 20. Be3 Bc8 21. Qc2 Qc7 22. Na5 Bd7 23. Rc1 h6 24. Nd2 Na4 25. Ndb3 Rb8 26. Ra1 c5 27. bxc5 Nxc5 28. Nxc5 {½-½ Anand-Carlsen, Kristiansund (NOR) 2010}) 17. d5 Rc8 18. Bb2 $146 {Shirov's improvement.} (18. Qb3 Qc7 19. Bb2 Nh5 20. Rac1 f5 (20... Nf4 $5 21. Bf1 f5 {is also to check.}) 21. c4 fxe4 22. cxb5 Qd7 23. Nxe4 Bxd5 24. Qd1 Rxc1 25. Bxc1 axb5 26. Nfg5 Bxe4 27. Nxe4 Nf4 28. Bxf4 exf4 29. Ng5 Rxe1+ 30. Qxe1 Qe7 31. Ne6 Kf7 $4 (31... g6 {should hold a draw.}) 32. Bxh7 Qf6 33. h4 Qe5 34. Ng5+ Ke8 35. Qc1 Nc4 36. Nf3 Qf6 37. Bg8 d5 38. Bxd5 Qb2 39. Bc6+ Kd8 40. Qd1+ Nd6 41. Nd4 Qxb4 42. Bxb5 Qc3 {1-0 Shirov,A (2730)-Baramidze,D (2532)/GER 2010}) ({RR} 18. Ra3 Nh5 19. Nf1 g6 20. N1h2 Bg7 21. Bg5 Qd7 22. Be3 Nc4 ({RR} 22... Nxd5 23. exd5 e4) ({RR} 22... Na4) 23. Bxc4 Rxc4 24. Nd2 Rc7 25. Nhf1 Nf4 26. Bb6 Rcc8 27. Ne3 f5 28. f3 Rf8 29. Kh2 Rf7 ({RR} 29... Nd3 30. Rf1 Bh6 31. Qb1 Nf4 32. c4 Ne2 ({RR} 32... bxc4 33. Nexc4 Ne2 34. Be3) 33. c5 Bf4+ 34. Kh1 Ng3+ 35. Kg1 Nxf1 36. Ndxf1) 30. c4 bxc4 31. Nexc4 fxe4 32. fxe4 Rcf8 {Anand,V (2800)-Carlsen,M (2826) Bilbao 2010 CBM 139 [Edouard,Romain] ½-½ (50)}) ({RR} 18. Qb3 Qc7 19. Bb2 Nh5 20. Rac1 f5 21. c4 fxe4 22. cxb5 Qd7 23. Nxe4 Bxd5 24. Qd1 Rxc1 25. Bxc1 axb5 26. Nfg5 Bxe4 27. Nxe4 Nf4 28. Bxf4 exf4 29. Ng5 Rxe1+ 30. Qxe1 Qe7 31. Ne6 Kf7 32. Bxh7 Qf6 {Shirov,A (2730)-Baramidze,D (2532) Germany 2010 1-0 (42)}) 18... Nh5 19. Bf1 $146 ({RR} 19. Nb3 Nf4 20. Bf1 f5 21. Na5 Ba8 22. Nc6 Bxc6 23. dxc6 Nc4 24. Bc1 fxe4 25. Rxe4 d5 26. Bxc4 bxc4 27. Rxe5 Nd3 28. Rxe8 Qxe8 29. Rxa6 Rxc6 30. Rxc6 Qxc6 31. Be3 Be7 32. Nd4 Qa8 33. b5 Bc5 {Matinian,N (2438)-Bogdanovich,S (2513) Moscow 2012 1-0 (38)}) ({RR} 19. Nb3 Nf4 20. Na5 Nxd3 21. Qxd3 Ba8 {½-½ (21) Peptan,C (2421)-Miron,L (2506) Eforie Nord 2011}) 19... f5 20. Nxe5 {The point of leaving White's queen on d1!} (20. exf5 Nf4 {should be OK for Black without huge problems.}) 20... Rxe5 21. c4 $1 (21. Qxh5 fxe4 {would be fine for Black.}) 21... Nf6 $1 22. Bxe5 (22. c5 fxe4 (22... Rxd5 23. exd5 dxc5 24. bxc5 Bxc5 {looks risky for Black, somehow!}) 23. Bxe5 dxe5 24. d6 {comes back into the game.}) 22... dxe5 23. c5 fxe4 24. d6 $1 {A totally messy position. But what else to expect in a game between Shirov and Carlsen?!} (24. cxb6 Bxb4 {is definitely fine for Black.}) 24... Na4 $5 {Interesting, brave, and clever option, while everybody was expecting a capture on d6! Instead, Black wants to sac a piece on c5!} (24... Bxd6 25. cxd6 Qxd6 26. Qb3+ Kh8 27. Rad1 {should be better for White, with an easy play.}) 25. Nc4 $6 {A funny move, which seems like a mistake.} (25. Rxa4 bxa4 26. Nc4 (26. Qxa4 Bxd6 27. cxd6 Qxd6 {should hold a draw easily.}) 26... Qe8 $8 {followed by ...Rd8, and sooner or later, Black will sac a piece and equalize (yes, yes, I'm for sure right: the engine agrees with me, not to say that I agree with the engine!).}) (25. Bc4+ {should be best:} Kh8 26. Be6 Rxc5 $1 27. bxc5 Nxc5 {and again, I will not push more the analysis of this crazy position too much, as it would become unreadable! But for instance, it could go on with} 28. Bf5 Bxd6 (28... Qxd6 29. Qc2 Qc6 30. Nb3 e3 31. f3 Nxb3 32. Qxb3 Bc5 33. Rac1 e4 34. fxe4 Nxe4 35. Bxe4 Qxe4 36. Re2 {here White is for sure better, but I would be surprised if there were no draw!}) 29. Qc2 Qa8 30. Nb3 Nd3 31. Red1 {after what White should have better chances. I must admit that this position is too complicated for my small mind!}) (25. Rc1 Bxd6 26. cxd6 Rxc1 27. Qxc1 Qxd6 {should be an improvement (for Black) to 24...Bxd6.}) 25... Nxc5 $1 26. bxc5 Rxc5 27. Qb3 Bd5 28. Qb4 Rxc4 (28... Rc6 $5 {should be stronger, but after} 29. Nxe5 (29. Ne3 Qxd6 30. Qxd6 Bxd6 31. Rec1 Rb6 32. Rc8+ Kf7 33. Nxd5 Nxd5 {and only Black can try to go for a win.}) 29... Rxd6 30. Red1 {the position should be likely a draw, thought Black should keep better chances.}) 29. Bxc4 bxc4 30. Rxa6 {Now White should be able to keep the balance.} Qc8 31. Qa5 c3 32. d7 Qxd7 33. Qxc3 Qb7 34. Rea1 Qb8 35. Ra7 h6 36. Rc7 Qb6 37. Qxe5 Bd6 38. Rc8+ Kf7 39. Qc3 Qb7 40. Rca8 Qxa8 $5 41. Rxa8 Bxa8 {Ok, from here, there might be few moves too much according to my poor endgame level. Still, it is very impressive to see Magnus's determination in winning games, even though it is pretty understandable after his difficult start.} 42. Qd4 Bd5 43. Qa7+ Be7 44. Qc7 h5 45. Qe5 g6 46. Kh2 Be6 47. Kg1 Bf5 48. Kf1 Ne8 49. Kg1 Ng7 50. Qd5+ Ne6 51. Qb7 h4 52. Kh2 Nf4 53. Kg1 Nd3 54. Kf1 Nc5 55. Qd5+ Be6 56. Qe5 Bf5 57. Qd5+ Ne6 58. Qb7 Kf8 59. Qa8+ Bd8 60. Qa7 Bf6 61. Qb7 Kg8 62. Qa7 Bg5 63. Ke2 Nf4+ 64. Kf1 Nh5 65. Ke2 Kf8 66. Kf1 Bf6 67. Qc7 Ng7 68. Qa7 Ne6 69. Qb7 Nd8 70. Qa7 Nf7 71. Kg1 Kg7 72. Kf1 Be5 73. Qe7 g5 74. Kg1 Bf6 75. Qb7 Kg6 76. Qd5 Ne5 77. Qg8+ Bg7 78. Qe8+ Kh6 79. Qe7 Nd3 80. Kf1 Nf4 81. Qd6+ Bg6 82. Qe7 Nd5 83. Qe6 Nf6 84. Kg1 Be8 85. Qf5 Bd7 86. Qe5 Kg6 87. Kf1 Bf8 88. Kg1 Ba3 89. Qc7 Bb4 90. Qe5 Bd2 91. Qd4 Bf4 92. Qb6 Be8 93. Kf1 Bf7 94. Kg1 Kf5 95. Qa7 Be6 96. Kf1 Kg6 97. Qb6 Bd7 98. Kg1 Ba4 99. Qe6 Bb5 100. Qb6 Bc4 101. Qd4 Be6 102. Kf1 Bf5 103. Kg1 g4 104. hxg4 Bxg4 105. Qc3 Bf5 106. Qb3 Bg5 107. Kf1 Kh6 108. Kg1 Kg6 109. Kf1 Bd7 110. Kg1 Be8 111. Qc3 Bf7 112. Qe5 Bd5 113. Qc3 Be6 114. Qe5 Bd7 115. Qc3 Bf5 116. Qb3 Nh5 117. Qg8+ Ng7 118. Qb3 Ne6 119. Kh2 Bf6 120. Kg1 Bg7 121. Kf1 Ng5 122. Qb6+ Bf6 123. Kg1 h3 124. gxh3 Bxh3 125. Qd6 Bf5 126. Kg2 Nf3 127. Qd5 Kg5 128. Qg8+ Bg6 129. Qd5+ Be5 130. Qd8+ Kh5 131. Qd5 Bf5 132. Qf7+ Kg4 133. Qg8+ Ng5 134. Qc4 Bf4 135. Qg8 Be6 136. Qg7 Bf7 137. Qd4 Kf5 138. Qc5+ Be5 139. Qf8 Kg6 140. Qc5 Bf6 141. Qd6 Bc4 142. Qc6 Be6 143. Qd6 Bg4 144. Qd5 Bf3+ 145. Kf1 Nf7 146. Kg1 Ne5 147. Qg8+ Kf5 148. Qc8+ Kg5 149. Qg8+ Ng6 150. Qd5+ Kh6 151. Qe6 Be5 152. Qf5 Bf4 153. Qf6 Bg5 154. Qe6 Kg7 155. Qd7+ Ne7 156. Qe6 Bf6 157. Kf1 Kg6 158. Kg1 Nf5 159. Qg8+ Kh5 160. Qf7+ Kg5 161. Qg8+ Kf4 162. Qb8+ Kg4 163. Qg8+ Bg5 164. Qc8 Bf6 165. Qg8+ Kf4 166. Qb8+ Be5 167. Qb4 Nd4 168. Qf8+ Kg5 169. Qg8+ Kh6 170. Qf8+ Bg7 171. Qd6+ Kh5 172. Qh2+ Kg5 173. Qg3+ Bg4 174. Qe3+ Kf5 {Now the game is drawn according to the 50-moves rule. The transmission shows 175.Qd2 as a last move. Either a mistake, or some fun from Shirov, aiming to claim a draw in the event of 175...Nf3+.} 175. Qd2 1/2-1/2

[Event "Grand Slam Final 3rd"]
[Site "Bilbao"]
[Date "2010.10.14"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Shirov, Alexei"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C78"]
[WhiteElo "2826"]
[BlackElo "2749"]
[Annotator "Ftacnik,Lubomir"]
[PlyCount "129"]
[EventDate "2010.10.09"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "6"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 139"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.11.18"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.11.18"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O b5 6. Bb3 Bc5 7. a4 Rb8 8. axb5 axb5 9. c3 d6 10. d4 Bb6 11. h3 O-O 12. Re1 h6 13. Na3 exd4 {The development of the knight to the a3-square is rather unpleasant for Black, since the defence of the b5-pawn requires some compromises.} (13... Re8 14. Nxb5 (14. d5 Ne7 15. Bc2 Ng6 16. b4 Bd7 17. Bd3 Nh5 18. Be3 Bxe3 19. fxe3 c6 20. Qc2 Nf6 21. dxc6 Bxc6 22. Nb1 Qb6 $17 {½-½ Wieczorek,O (2316)-Debashish,D (2411)/Chotowa 2010 (39)}) (14. dxe5 Nxe5 15. Nd4 c6 16. Bf4 Bd7 17. Nac2 Qc7 18. Ra6 Ng6 19. Qf3 Nxf4 20. Qxf4 Ra8 21. Rxa8 Rxa8 22. Nf5 Bxf5 23. exf5 $11 {0-1 Garcia Correa,J (2194)-Fenollar Jorda,M (2251)/Dos Hermanas 2004 (75)}) 14... exd4 15. cxd4 Ba5 16. Nc3 Bxc3 17. bxc3 Nxe4 18. Bd5 Nxc3 19. Bxc6 Nxd1 20. Rxe8+ Qxe8 21. Bxe8 Bb7 22. Bd7 {1-0 Houard,Y (2123)-Goldsztejn,G (2374)/Saint Affrique 2008 (34)}) (13... Ba7 14. Nxb5 Rxb5 15. Ba4 Ra5 16. b4 Nxb4 17. cxb4 Ra6 18. b5 Rb6 19. dxe5 dxe5 20. Ba3 Re8 21. Bc5 Rb7 22. b6 Bxb6 23. Bxb6 Rxb6 24. Bxe8 Qxe8 25. Ra5 $16 {1-0 Wieczorek,O (2125)-Golinski,D (1828)/Wroclaw 2007 (64)}) 14. cxd4 Na5 (14... Ba5 15. Re3 d5 16. Ne5 (16. e5 $1 Ne4 17. Qe2 $16) 16... Nxe5 17. dxe5 Nxe4 18. Bxd5 Be6 19. Rd3 Bxd5 20. Rxd5 Qh4 21. Qf3 Bb6 22. Be3 c6 23. Rd7 Ng5 24. Bxg5 Qxg5 25. Re1 Rbe8 26. Qxc6 Qf5 $11 {0-1 Dimitrijevic,A (2369)-Fontaine,R (2529)/Novi Sad 2003 (32)}) (14... d5 15. exd5 (15. e5 Ne4 16. Be3 Na5 17. Bc2 b4 18. Nb1 f5 19. Bd2 Qe7 20. Ra4 Nc6 21. Bb3 Be6 22. Be3 g5 23. Qc1 Qd7 24. Nbd2 f4 25. Nxe4 dxe4 26. d5 fxe3 27. dxe6 {½-½ Luque,W (2077)-Salas Arros,C (2412)/Callao 2007 (32)} exf2+ 28. Kh2 Qe7 29. Rxe4 Nd4 $19) 15... Nxd5 16. Nxb5 Bf5 (16... Ba5 17. Na7 $16) 17. Ra4 $16) 15. Bc2 b4 16. Nb5 $5 $146 {The knights of both players are currently the main heroes of the opening. The location of the knight on b5 seems to be rather shaky.} (16. Nb1 c5 17. dxc5 dxc5 18. Bf4 Qxd1 19. Rxd1 {½-½ Istratescu,A (2602)-Sofronie,I (2436)/Niort 2004}) 16... Ba6 (16... c6 $2 17. Nxd6 Qxd6 18. e5 $16) 17. Na7 (17. Bd3 Ra8 18. Bf4 Qd7 (18... d5 19. e5 Nh5 20. Bc1 $14) 19. Qe2 Rfe8 $11) 17... Bb7 $146 (17... Bxa7 18. Rxa5 Qc8 19. e5 $16) ({RR} 17... c5 18. e5 Nd7 19. Rxa5 Bxa5 20. Nc6 Qb6 21. Ne7+ Kh8 22. Bxh6 dxe5 23. Bxg7+ Kxg7 24. Nf5+ Kh8 25. Nxe5 Nf6 26. Re4 Qb7 27. Rh4+ Kg8 28. Qc1 Nh7 29. Rxh7 {1-0 (29) Primbetov,K (2297)-Zlatin,A (2195) Budapest 2017}) 18. d5 Ra8 19. Nb5 {The biggest crisis is over, since the knight has got the retreat route via the d4-square.} Nc4 (19... Re8 20. Nbd4 Nc4 21. Rxa8 Qxa8 22. b3 Ne5 $11) 20. Rxa8 Qxa8 21. Nbd4 {[%mdl 128] Carlsen will now concentrate on the clear and very dangerous plan of transferring the pieces to the kingside for the direct attack.} (21. Qe2 Qa2 22. Bd3 Ne5 23. Nxe5 dxe5 24. Bc4 Qa5 25. b3 $14) 21... Qa7 22. b3 Ne5 23. Bb2 Nxf3+ (23... Qa2 24. Qc1 Nxf3+ 25. Nxf3 (25. gxf3 $5) 25... Nd7 26. Nd4 $14) 24. gxf3 Qa2 25. Qc1 Bxd4 {Shirov has clearly realised, that the position has become very dangerous for him. The half open g-file will be an ideal ramp for maximizing White's pressure.} (25... Nd7 26. Kh1 Ne5 27. Rg1 $16) 26. Bxd4 Nd7 27. Kh1 $1 f6 28. Rg1 Rf7 (28... Ne5 29. Qxh6 Rf7 30. Bd1 Ba6 31. Qe3 $16) 29. Qd2 $1 {White is now threatening to trap the queen and after its retreat the liquidation of the h6-pawn.} (29. Bd1 Qa5 30. Qxh6 c5 31. dxc6 Bxc6 32. Qf4 $16) 29... Qa8 (29... Ne5 30. Ra1 Nxf3 31. Qd1 $18) 30. Qxh6 Ne5 31. Bd1 Qe8 32. Qe3 {The immediate advance of the pawn centre was a bit more radical, but Carlsen is taking into account his form and plays more cautiously.} (32. f4 Nd7 33. Qg6 c5 34. Bb2 Re7 35. Qf5 $16) 32... c5 33. Bb2 (33. dxc6 Qe6 $1 34. Kh2 Nxc6 35. Bb6 $1 d5 36. exd5 Qxd5 37. f4 Ne7 38. Bg4 $16) 33... Re7 $2 {Shirov has been clearly aware of the fact, that his position is in basically lost. Much better was to try for the counterplay with the advance of the c-pawn.} (33... c4 $5 34. Bd4 cxb3 35. Qxb3 Qb5 36. Kh2 $16) 34. f4 $1 Nd7 35. Qg3 Qf7 36. Bf3 (36. Bg4 Nf8 37. f3 $16) 36... Ba6 37. Bg4 Nf8 38. Bf5 c4 39. bxc4 Bxc4 40. Qh4 {An objectively stronger solution was not to part with the d5-pawn, but the direct attack does not spoil the game.} (40. Kh2 $5 Rc7 41. Qh4 Be2 42. Bxf6 Qh5 43. Qxh5 Bxh5 44. e5 $18) 40... Bxd5 41. f3 $1 (41. exd5 Qxd5+ 42. Kh2 Qxf5 $15) 41... Be6 42. Bxf6 Bxf5 (42... Rd7 43. Rxg7+ Qxg7 44. Bxg7 $18) 43. exf5 $1 {Several forceful and logical moves have decided the game even though White had to accept a somewhat curious pawn structure.} (43. Bxe7 $6 Ng6 44. Qh5 Nxe7 45. Qxf7+ Kxf7 46. exf5 $16) (43. Rxg7+ Qxg7 44. Bxg7 Rxg7 45. exf5 b3 46. Qd8 $18) 43... Rc7 44. Rxg7+ Qxg7 45. Bxg7 Rxg7 46. f6 {The most exact solution lay in the immediate attack on the black pawns with the white queen.} (46. Qe1 $1 Rf7 (46... Rb7 47. Qe4 $18) 47. Qxb4 Rxf5 48. Qxd6 $18) (46. Qf6 Rf7 47. Qxd6 Rxf5 48. Kh2 $18) 46... Rd7 47. Qe1 d5 (47... b3 48. Qc3 $18) 48. Qxb4 d4 49. Qc4+ Kh7 50. Qd3+ Kg8 51. f5 {After blockading the advance of the d-pawn Carlsen will enlist his own king for the active service.} Kf7 52. Kg2 Kxf6 53. Kg3 Kg7 54. h4 Nh7 55. Kf2 (55. h5 Nf6 56. Qd2 Ng8 57. Qe2 d3 58. Qe6 $18) 55... Nf6 56. Qd2 $1 Nh7 {The knight is forced to remain extremely passive, otherwise White wins in a direct attack.} (56... d3 57. Qg5+ Kf7 58. Qg6+ Ke7 59. Qg7+ Ke8 60. Qxf6 d2 61. Qe6+ Kd8 62. Qxd7+ Kxd7 63. Ke2 $18) 57. Ke1 d3 58. Qg2+ Kh8 59. Kd2 Nf8 60. Qg5 Kh7 (60... Nh7 61. Qe3 Nf8 62. h5 $18) 61. h5 Kh8 62. f6 Kh7 63. f4 Kh8 64. h6 Kh7 65. f5 {A charming and original zugzwang position. Black has no moves, thus he admitted his defeat.} (65. f5 Kh8 66. Qg7+ Rxg7 67. fxg7+ Kg8 68. gxf8=Q+ Kxf8 69. Kxd3 $18) 1-0

[Event "Grand Slam Final 3rd"]
[Site "Bilbao"]
[Date "2010.10.15"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C95"]
[WhiteElo "2800"]
[BlackElo "2826"]
[Annotator "Edouard,Romain"]
[PlyCount "100"]
[EventDate "2010.10.09"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "6"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 139"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.11.18"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.11.18"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 {Edouard,Romain} e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 d6 8. c3 O-O 9. h3 Nb8 10. d4 Nbd7 11. Nbd2 Bb7 12. Bc2 Re8 ({RR} 12... c5) 13. a4 Bf8 14. Bd3 c6 15. b4 ({RR} 15. b3) 15... Nb6 16. axb5 cxb5 {Nice to see Magnus playing the same line again!} ({RR} 16... axb5 17. Rxa8 Bxa8 ({RR} 17... Qxa8 18. Nb3) 18. Nb3 Bb7 19. dxe5 dxe5 20. Be3 Bc8 21. Qc2 Qc7 22. Na5 Bd7 23. Rc1 h6 24. Nd2 Na4 25. Ndb3 Rb8 26. Ra1 c5 27. bxc5 Nxc5 28. Nxc5) 17. d5 Rc8 18. Ra3 $146 (18. Bb2 {was Shirov move in round 3.}) ({RR} 18. Bb2 Nh5 19. Bf1 f5 20. Nxe5 ({RR} 20. exf5 Nf4) 20... Rxe5 21. c4 ({RR} 21. Qxh5 fxe4) 21... Nf6 22. Bxe5 ({RR} 22. c5 fxe4 ({RR} 22... Rxd5 23. exd5 dxc5 24. bxc5 Bxc5) 23. Bxe5) 22... dxe5 23. c5 fxe4 24. d6 ({RR} 24. cxb6 Bxb4) 24... Na4 ({RR} 24... Bxd6 25. cxd6 Qxd6 26. Qb3+ Kh8 27. Rad1) 25. Nc4 ({RR} 25. Rxa4 bxa4 26. Nc4 ({RR} 26. Qxa4 Bxd6 27. cxd6 Qxd6) 26... Qe8) ({RR} 25. Bc4+ Kh8 26. Be6 Rxc5 27. bxc5 Nxc5 28. Bf5 Bxd6 ({RR} 28... Qxd6 29. Qc2 Qc6 30. Nb3 e3 31. f3 Nxb3 32. Qxb3 Bc5 33. Rac1 e4 34. fxe4 Nxe4 35. Bxe4 Qxe4 36. Re2) 29. Qc2 Qa8 30. Nb3 Nd3 31. Red1) ({RR} 25. Rc1 Bxd6 26. cxd6 Rxc1 27. Qxc1 Qxd6) 25... Nxc5 26. bxc5 Rxc5 27. Qb3 Bd5 28. Qb4 Rxc4 ({RR} 28... Rc6 29. Nxe5 ({RR} 29. Ne3 Qxd6 30. Qxd6 Bxd6 31. Rec1 Rb6 32. Rc8+ Kf7 33. Nxd5 Nxd5) 29... Rxd6 30. Red1) 29. Bxc4 bxc4 30. Rxa6 Qc8 31. Qa5 c3 32. d7 Qxd7 {Shirov,A (2749)-Carlsen,M (2826) Bilbao 2010 CBM 139 [Edouard,Romain] ½-½ (175)}) ({RR} 18. Qb3 Qc7 19. Bb2 Nh5 20. Rac1 f5 ({RR} 20... Nf4 21. Bf1 f5) 21. c4 fxe4 22. cxb5 Qd7 23. Nxe4 Bxd5 24. Qd1 Rxc1 25. Bxc1 axb5 26. Nfg5 Bxe4 27. Nxe4 Nf4 28. Bxf4 exf4 29. Ng5 Rxe1+ 30. Qxe1 Qe7 31. Ne6 Kf7 ({RR} 31... g6) 32. Bxh7 Qf6) 18... Nh5 19. Nf1 g6 $146 ({RR} 19... Nf4 20. Bxf4 exf4 21. Nd4 Qf6 22. Nh2 Na4 23. Ng4 Qe7 24. Qd2 h5 25. Nh2 g6 26. Nhf3 Bg7 27. Rc1 Qf6 28. c4 bxc4 29. Rxc4 Nb6 30. Rxc8 Bxc8 31. Bxa6 g5 32. Nc6 g4 33. Qd4 gxf3 34. Qxb6 {Munguntuul,B (2452)-Kashlinskaya,A (2334) Kazan 2013 1-0 (53)}) 20. N1h2 {Probably the first unprecise move.} Bg7 21. Bg5 $6 Qd7 22. Be3 $6 {Somehow, White's 2-3 last moves were just bad.} Nc4 $6 ({Both} 22... Nxd5 23. exd5 e4 {and}) (22... Na4 {followed by ...f5 are given near by winning for Black by the engine!}) 23. Bxc4 Rxc4 24. Nd2 Rc7 25. Nhf1 Nf4 {Also here, Black is doing very fine.} 26. Bb6 Rcc8 27. Ne3 f5 28. f3 Rf8 29. Kh2 Rf7 $2 (29... Nd3 30. Rf1 Bh6 {would make White's task much harder, for instance:} 31. Qb1 Nf4 32. c4 $5 Ne2 $1 (32... bxc4 $6 33. Nexc4 Ne2 34. Be3 {is OK for White.}) 33. c5 Bf4+ 34. Kh1 Ng3+ 35. Kg1 Nxf1 36. Ndxf1 {and White keep some chances.}) 30. c4 $1 {Now White espaces. I think that Carlsen underestimated his position and didn't believe he should try something too rough, or he overestimated and thought he has enough time for preparing his attack with moves like 29...f7.} bxc4 31. Nexc4 fxe4 32. fxe4 Rcf8 33. Be3 Bh6 34. Rf1 Bg7 35. Qa4 Qe7 36. b5 axb5 37. Qxb5 Bc8 38. Qb6 Qg5 39. Rf2 Qh4 40. Bxf4 ({The defensive} 40. Nf3 $5 Qh5 41. Ng1 {could be a much better try, as Black has huge problems with the d6-pawn, but just leads to a weird draw by force:} Qh4 $8 42. Nxd6 Bxh3 $8 43. gxh3 Nxd5 $8 44. Qb3 Rxf2+ 45. Bxf2 Rxf2+ 46. Kh1 Qf4 47. Qxd5+ Kh8 48. Ra8+ Bf8 49. Rxf8+ Qxf8 50. Qxe5+ Qg7 $8 51. Qe8+ Qg8 52. Qa4 Qa2 $8 {and draw.}) 40... Rxf4 (40... exf4 $5 {holds thanks to the trick} 41. Nxd6 Qg3+ $3 42. Rxg3 fxg3+ 43. Kxg3 Be5+ 44. Kh4 Rxf2 45. Nxc8 Bf6+ 46. Kg3 Be5+ {and draw!}) 41. Rxf4 Qxf4+ 42. Kg1 Bh6 43. Rf3 Qg5 44. Qc6 Rxf3 45. Nxf3 Qc1+ 46. Kf2 Bd7 47. Qxd7 Qxc4 48. Qe6+ Kg7 49. Qe7+ Kg8 50. Qe6+ Kg7 1/2-1/2

[Event "Nanjing Pearl Spring 3rd"]
[Site "Nanjing"]
[Date "2010.10.20"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Bacrot, Etienne"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C45"]
[WhiteElo "2826"]
[BlackElo "2716"]
[Annotator "Edouard,Romain"]
[PlyCount "75"]
[EventDate "2010.10.20"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "CHN"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 139"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.11.18"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.11.18"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[TimeControl "40/7200:20/3600:900+30"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 exd4 4. Nxd4 Bc5 5. Nb3 Bb6 6. Nc3 Nf6 7. Qe2 O-O {A rare move, but once played by Anand! To be honest, I just don't like this line for Black.} (7... d6 {is more common.}) 8. Bg5 h6 9. Bh4 $1 $146 (9. h4 d6 10. f3 hxg5 11. hxg5 Ng4 12. fxg4 Qxg5 13. Qf3 Bxg4 14. Qg3 Ne5 15. Be2 f5 16. exf5 Qxf5 17. O-O-O Bxe2 18. Nxe2 Qf2 19. Qh2 Qxe2 20. Qh8+ Kf7 21. Rdf1+ Bf2 22. Qh7 Ke6 23. Kb1 Qg4 {0-1 Rublevsky,S (2649)-Anand,V (2781)/Bastia 2004}) 9... a5 10. a4 Nd4 {Not forced, but attractive. But I am not sure that other continuations are easier to play.} ({I checked the following line briefly:} 10... Re8 11. O-O-O d6 12. f3 $5 Be6 13. g4 Bxb3 (13... Ne5 14. Nd4 $16) 14. cxb3 Nd4 15. Qg2 $5 Nxb3+ 16. Kb1 Nd4 17. Bc4 c6 18. g5 hxg5 19. Bxg5 {nad and Black will face a decisive attack.}) 11. Qd3 Nxb3 12. cxb3 Re8 ({RR} 12... c6 13. O-O-O d5 14. exd5 cxd5 15. Nxd5 g5 16. Bg3 Be6 17. Nxb6 Qxb6 18. Qb5 Rac8+ 19. Kb1 Qxb5 20. Bxb5 Bxb3 21. Rd6 Ne4 22. Rxh6 Rc2 23. Bd3 Nxg3 24. hxg3 Rd2 25. R6h5 Kg7 26. Rxg5+ Kf6 27. Rf5+ {Wang,H (2698)-Malakhov,V (2722) Danzhou 2017 ½-½}) 13. O-O-O {From there Etienne started to spend a lot of time for each move. But here I already prefer White even if Black's position shouldn't be a desaster at all.} d6 ({RR} 13... c6 14. f4 d6 15. Qc2 Be6 16. Kb1 g5 17. fxg5 Nh7 18. e5 hxg5 19. Rxd6 Qe7 20. Bd3 Nf8 21. Bg3 Bc7 22. Ne4 {1-0 (22) Turzo,A (2254)-Osinovsky,S (2240) chess.com INT 2025}) 14. Qc2 $1 {White wants to go c4, and at the same time allow some combinations with e5.} Bd7 $146 {I guess the idea for this move is to wait for c4 and go ...e6, without playing ...c6, weaknessing the d6-pawn. That's why 15.b1!? could be clever. But it looks like 15.c4 is almost winning by force.} (14... c6 15. Bc4 Qe7 {ought to be a better defense. Somehow, I feel like White should be at least slightly better. But things are far from easy, for instance:} 16. Rhe1 Be6 17. Nd5 $5 (17. f3 Bxc4 18. bxc4 Qe6 {followed by ...d7, and Black should have no problem.}) 17... cxd5 18. exd5 g5 $1 19. Bg3 Nxd5 20. Rxd5 Bc5 21. Rxc5 dxc5 22. Rxe6 fxe6 23. Qg6+ Qg7 24. Bxe6+ Rxe6 25. Qxe6+ Kh7 $11) ({RR} 14... Be6 15. Bc4 Qd7 16. Bxf6 gxf6 17. Rhe1 Bxc4 18. bxc4 {1-0 (18) Gonzalez Hernandez,F (2049)-Panella Navarro,S (2122) Vila Seca 2012}) ({RR} 14... Be6 15. Bc4 Qe7 16. Kb1 g5 17. Bg3 Bxc4 18. bxc4 Nxe4 19. Nd5 Qe6 20. Rhe1 Qg6 21. f3 Nxg3 22. Qxg6+ fxg6 23. Nf6+ Kf7 24. Nxe8 Nf5 25. c5 Bxc5 26. Nxc7 Rc8 27. Nb5 Rd8 28. Rd3 b6 29. Red1 {Mirzoyan,S (1203)-Makshanov,M (1753) St Petersburg 2019 ½-½ (48)}) 15. Bc4 Be6 16. Rhe1 Qe7 17. e5 $1 dxe5 18. Rxe5 {White is threatening d5. From now Etienne play kind of all best defensive moves. But it is not enough to hold this tough position against Carlsen.} Qf8 $8 19. Bxf6 gxf6 20. Re2 $16 Qg7 21. Bxe6 $1 Rxe6 22. Rxe6 fxe6 23. Rd3 Kh8 24. Rg3 Qh7 25. Qd2 Bc5 $8 26. Ne4 Be7 27. Rh3 Kg7 (27... Rd8 28. Rxh6 Rxd2 29. Rxh7+ Kxh7 30. Kxd2 $18) 28. Qd7 $18 Kf7 29. Ng5+ $5 (29. Nxf6 $5 Kxf6 30. Rf3+ $18) 29... fxg5 30. Rf3+ Kg8 31. Qxe6+ Kh8 32. Rf7 Bd6 33. Rxh7+ Kxh7 34. Qf7+ Kh8 35. g3 Ra6 36. Kb1 Bb4 37. f4 gxf4 38. gxf4 1-0

[Event "Nanjing Pearl Spring 3rd"]
[Site "Nanjing"]
[Date "2010.10.21"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C95"]
[WhiteElo "2800"]
[BlackElo "2826"]
[Annotator "Giri,Anish"]
[PlyCount "87"]
[EventDate "2010.10.20"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "CHN"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 139"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.11.18"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.11.18"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 {After the World Championship, Anand seems to be listening to Fischer, who a long time ago anounced that the best move was 1.e4!} e5 {No Dragons, no Najdorfs, Carlsen is still faithful to the Breyer Defense, that remained uncracked since his last tournament in Bilbao.} 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 d6 8. c3 O-O 9. h3 Nb8 {As promised: Breyer. Since my early childhood I always liked this knight maneuvre. Nowadays this variation is pretty popular and with Carlsen fighting for the black side, I am afraid the popularity of the line will only increase.} 10. d4 Nbd7 11. Nbd2 Bb7 12. Bc2 Re8 ({the rare} 12... c5 {was tried by Carlsen once in a rapid game against Jan Smeets. He managed to win the game, but I doubt that the opening had something to do with the result.}) 13. a4 ({Earlier the main move was} 13. Nf1 {having in mind the typical Spanish maneuvre. However, nowadays not everybody is convinced that this is the way to play.} Bf8 14. Ng3 g6) 13... Bf8 14. Bd3 c6 15. b4 ({Statistically the main move is} 15. b3 {and it was successfully played by Anand a few times last year. However objectively it's hard for White to prove his advantage.}) 15... Nb6 {Forcing White to take on b5 (or play a5, which is considered to be an achievement for Black), underlining the disadvantage of White's last move.} ({RR} 15... g6 16. Bb2 Bg7 17. Qb3 Rc8 18. axb5 axb5 19. Ra7 Qb6 20. Rea1 d5 21. dxe5 Nxe4 22. Bxe4 dxe4 23. Nxe4 c5 24. bxc5 Nxc5 25. Nxc5 Rxc5 26. Ng5 Bd5 27. Qb4 Rc4 28. Qd6 Qxd6 29. exd6 Rd8 30. d7) 16. axb5 {#So far Magnus has already had the position three times, two of them against Vishy.} ({RR} 16. a5 Nbd7 17. Bb2 Qc7 18. c4 ({RR} 18. Rc1 Rad8 ({RR} 18... d5 19. exd5 cxd5 20. dxe5 Nxe5 21. Rxe5 Rxe5 22. c4 Ree8 23. cxb5 Qf4 24. bxa6 Rxa6 25. Bxa6 Bxa6 26. Bxf6 gxf6 27. Qb3 Be2 28. Rb1 d4 29. b5 Bc5 30. Qd5) 19. c4 Qb8 20. Qb3 h6 21. Bb1 exd4 22. cxb5 cxb5 23. Ba2 d5 24. Bxd4 Bd6 25. Nh4 Bh2+ 26. Kh1 Bf4 27. Nhf3 Re6 28. exd5 Bxd5) 18... bxc4 19. Bxc4 exd4 20. Qb3 d5 21. exd5 cxd5 22. Bd3 Ne4 23. Bxd4 Qd6 24. Reb1 Rab8 25. Qd1 Bc6 26. Bxa6 Rxb4 27. Bd3 Qf4 28. Be3 Qf6 29. Qc2 Ndc5 30. Rxb4 Qxa1+ {Daggupati,B (2460)-Fus,J (2430) Richardson USA 2025 ½-½ (49)}) 16... axb5 {The main move, but sort of a surprise!} (16... cxb5 17. d5 Rc8 {was discussed in Shirov-Carlsen and Anand-Carlsen in Bilbao. In fact it seemed that both times Carlsen had no opening problems. I think this time he decided to fight his curiousity and go for the solid axb5.}) 17. Rxa8 Qxa8 $5 {finally a real surprise} (17... Bxa8 {was played in yet another Anand-Carlsen in Arctic rapid 2010.}) ({RR} 17... Bxa8 18. Nb3 Bb7 19. dxe5 dxe5 20. Be3 Bc8 21. Qc2 Qc7 22. Na5 Bd7 23. Rc1 h6 24. Nd2 Na4 25. Ndb3 Rb8 26. Ra1 c5 27. bxc5 Nxc5 28. Nxc5 {½-½ (28) Anand,V (2800)-Carlsen,M (2826) Kristiansund 2010}) ({RR} 17... Bxa8 18. Nb3 Bb7 19. dxe5 dxe5 20. Be3 Bc8 21. Qc2 Qc7 22. Na5 Bd7 23. Rc1 h6 24. Nd2 Na4 25. Ndb3 Rb8 26. Ra1 c5 27. bxc5 Nxc5 28. Nxc5) 18. Nb3 Nc4 $146 {A new move, with the idea to take back on e5 with a piece and thus keeping the options of d5 and c5.} ({RR} 18... Na4 19. Qc2 h6 20. Na5 exd4 21. Nxd4 Nc5 22. Nxb7 Nxd3 23. Qxd3 Qxb7 24. Bf4 d5 25. e5 Ne4 26. Rb1 Be7 27. f3 Ng5 28. Bxg5 Bxg5 29. g3 Ra8 30. f4 Bd8 31. Rf1 Bb6 32. Kh1 Ra2 33. f5 {Jones,W (2115)-Nixon,R (2035) England 2011 1-0 (46)}) ({RR} 18... h6 19. dxe5 dxe5 20. Qc2 Bc8 21. Be3 Qb8 22. Ra1 Na4 23. Bd2 Bd7 24. c4 c5 25. cxb5 Bxb5 {½-½ (25) Zinchenko,Y (2497)-Tarlev,K (2472) Odessa 2007}) 19. dxe5 {Good move - it's hard to see what else White could do.} Nxe5 20. Nxe5 Rxe5 {Black did take on e5 with piece, and he did keep option of d5 and c5, but still I have the feeling he may be slightly under pressure.} 21. f3 Re8 22. Be3 Bc8 {both sides are simply trying to improve their pieces.} 23. Bf2 Be6 24. Nd4 Bd7 25. Qd2 Qb8 26. Bf1 h6 27. Ra1 Qb7 28. Ra5 {Here it seemed as if White was about to get something real with a2 in the air, but Black is just in time with the counterstrike.} ({White could have tried} 28. Nb3 $5 {Now Black has to prevent a7} Ra8 {and the key move} (28... Qb8 $5 {with the idea} 29. Ra7 c5) 29. Ra5 $5 {White intends a2, and then to take on a5 with the pawn, which leads to a strategically very complicated position, but I believe Black should be able to hold the a-pawn, e.g.} Rxa5 30. bxa5 $5 Qa6 31. Bb6 Be8 $1 {or any other bishop move, intending d7, should be fine for Black. So all in all I believe Black should always have enough counterplay in this line.}) 28... d5 $1 (28... Ra8 29. Qa2 Rxa5 30. bxa5 Qa6 31. c4) 29. exd5 Nxd5 30. Nb3 Be6 31. Nc5 Bxc5 32. Bxc5 {Here, too, it seemed to me that White has the advantage, but in fact Black is very solid and with strong play Carlsen easily managed to equalize.} Rd8 33. Ra1 Qb8 34. Rd1 Qg3 $1 {It's always nice to annoy the king of World Champion, at least a little bit.} 35. Bf2 Qe5 36. c4 bxc4 37. Bxc4 Rd7 38. Bxd5 {Black equalized, so it's time to fix the result.} Rxd5 39. Qe1 Qxe1+ 40. Rxe1 Rd2 41. Bc5 Kh7 42. Rf1 $1 {A strong "Sofia rule" plan.} Bc4 43. Rf2 Rxf2 44. Kxf2 1/2-1/2

[Event "Nanjing Pearl Spring 3rd"]
[Site "Nanjing"]
[Date "2010.10.22"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Wang, Yue"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C43"]
[WhiteElo "2826"]
[BlackElo "2732"]
[Annotator "Giri,Anish"]
[PlyCount "75"]
[EventDate "2010.10.20"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "CHN"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 139"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.11.18"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.11.18"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 {Everybody still remembers the King's Gambit game that Carlsen won, and I think there is no doubt Magnus wants to keep his 100% score there, so...} 2. Nf3 $1 Nf6 {Wang has a very solid repertoire and Petroff is an essential part of it.} 3. d4 Nxe4 4. Bd3 d5 5. Nxe5 Nd7 6. Nxd7 Bxd7 7. O-O Bd6 (7... Qh4 $5 {has lost its popularity nowadays, though my Dutch teammate Jan Smeets (I am still in Olympiad mode...) tried it against Tiviakov in Corus 2010.}) 8. Qh5 $5 {Interesting try, that took the Chinese super-GM by surprise. Strangely, though, since the move is relatively well known...} ({Statistically the main move} 8. c4 {is normally chosen in order to force a draw}) 8... Nf6 {The d-pawn was attacked, but now} 9. Re1+ {The point. Now Black has a choice} Kf8 {Strange looking, but main. Black trusts his better development and hopes it will compensate for the uncomfortable position of the king. After this game though, I think this trust may be weakened.} (9... Be7 {is more solid, but still, life is not so easy after let's say} 10. Qe2 Be6 11. Nd2 O-O 12. Nf3 Re8 13. Ne5 Nd7 14. f4 Nxe5 15. dxe5 {and Tiviakov got some (practical) advantage against Socko this year. In the game Black managed to escape.}) 10. Qe2 $1 (10. Qh4 {is played more often, but Black has a simple way to equalize:} Ng4 $1 {and White has to change the queens. The arising endgame is deadly equal.}) 10... Ng4 {Perhaps this logical move, which was also considered to be main, is a bit over-optimistic after all..} ({The solid} 10... c6 $5 {deserves attention and should be studied by those who are interested. Still after the critical} 11. Nd2 Qc7 12. Nf3 Bg4 13. Qe3 $1 Bxf3 14. Qxf3 Bxh2+ 15. Kf1 Bd6 16. Bg5 {played twice by Sutovsky - maybe not without reason... Life isn't that simple.}) 11. h3 Qh4 12. Qf3 Bh2+ (12... Nf6 {is main and more solid, but I believe after} 13. Nc3 c6 14. Ne2 {Black has no attack, but a little bit uncomfortable king, so White should be slightly better with no risk.}) 13. Kf1 Nxf2 {The whole operation is conducted in the spirit of the position, with the white queenside still undevelopped, but in fact the black pieces are also not perfect with the rook on h8 and the king on f8, eager to swap places.} 14. Qxf2 Bg3 15. Qd2 Qf6+ 16. Kg1 Bxe1 17. Qxe1 Qxd4+ 18. Kh2 Re8 $146 ({RR} 18... f6 19. Nc3 Kf7 20. Qg3 c6 21. Be3 Qe5 22. Bf4 Qh5 23. Rf1 Rhe8 24. Bd6 Re6 25. Rf5 Qg6 26. Qf4 Rxd6 27. Rxd5 Rxd5 28. Bxg6+ Kxg6 29. Nxd5 cxd5 30. Qg3+ Kh6 31. Qe3+ Kg6 32. Qd3+ Bf5 33. Qxd5 {Can,E (2460)-Yaksin,O (2307) Gaziantep 2008 1-0 (38)}) 19. Qg3 Qe5 {Leads to a lost endgame, which though at first sight seems interesting for Black. However there was already no way back, because if White develops, the position is just lost for Black.} 20. Qxe5 Rxe5 21. Bf4 $1 {I was about to write "fearless Magnus", but I think "well prepared Magnus" is more appropriate here.} Re1 22. Bxc7 {Here I first thought that the computer doesn't understand that his queenside is stuck, but then I realized that in fact the threat is a5-d2 followed by e2 kicking out or winning the rook.} a6 {Only try. Black wants to change the potentially dangerous d3 bishop, but White has a logical antidote:} 23. Ba5 Rd1 24. a4 $1 {Now there is nothing Black can do against d2, followed by e2, or} Ke7 25. Bd2 Rc8 26. c3 $1 {With idea c2! Now Black is clearly lost and the rest is easy.} d4 27. c4 g6 28. Be2 Bxa4 29. Bb4+ Ke6 30. Bxd1 Bxd1 31. Nd2 Be2 32. b3 f5 33. Kg3 Rd8 34. Kf2 d3 35. Bc3 Kf7 36. Nf3 f4 37. Ng5+ Kg8 38. Ne6 1-0

[Event "Nanjing Pearl Spring 3rd"]
[Site "Nanjing"]
[Date "2010.10.23"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Gashimov, Vugar"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C95"]
[WhiteElo "2719"]
[BlackElo "2826"]
[Annotator "Giri,Anish"]
[PlyCount "150"]
[EventDate "2010.10.20"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "CHN"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 139"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.11.18"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.11.18"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 d6 8. c3 O-O 9. h3 Nb8 {Breyer - no surprises. Magnus sticks to his main weapon.} 10. d4 Nbd7 11. Nbd2 Bb7 12. Bc2 Re8 13. Nf1 Bf8 14. Bg5 $5 {Interesting try, that was already employed by Gashimov earlier a few times. So not a surprise for Magnus. To be honest I always found this move to look a bit artificial, but ok, it's hard to find any advantage in the main lines. So why not.} h6 15. Bh4 Be7 {Black wants to neutralise the psychological pressure (bishop h4-queen d8) and to one day exchange the bishop on h4 for the passive one on e7 (f8).} 16. Ng3 $5 {A new try by Gashimov. At the Olympiad in Khanty, Kasimdzhanov tried 16. a4 and Vachier Lagrave 16.g3.} g6 {A solid and logical move. Black is covering f6 and preparing ...g7 followed by ...h7.} (16... g5 {is obviously too risky without preparation - and probably also with it. White has compensation after all three possibilities and it wasn't a surprise that Magnus decided to play it safe.} 17. Nf5 $5 (17. Nxg5 $5) (17. Bxg5 $5)) 17. Qd2 Kg7 18. Rad1 {Simply centralizing - why not?} Nh7 {as promissed black exchanges the bishop.} 19. Bxe7 Qxe7 20. dxe5 $146 {It is logical to take now, since Black can't recapture with the pawn due to the hanging knight on d7.} ({The favourite Kasparov method:} 20. h4 $5 {deserves some attention, though I don't think the pawn alone can trouble black king so much. For example} Nhf6 (20... h5 {is weakening the g5 square for later.}) 21. h5 {and White is sort of having some pressure on g6, but I think without the dark squared bishop it is really hard to create any attack.}) ({RR} 20. h4 h5 21. b3 Rad8 22. c4 Ndf6 23. Ng5 Ng4 24. f3 Ngf6 25. cxb5 axb5 26. a4 bxa4 27. bxa4 Ra8 28. Bb3 Rf8 29. f4 Ng4 30. f5 exd4 31. fxg6 Nxg5 32. Nf5+ Kf6 33. Qxg5+ {1-0 (33) Gajwa,A (2245)-Islam,K (2161) chess.com INT 2024}) ({RR} 20. h4 h5 21. b3 Rad8 22. c4 Ndf6 23. Ng5 Ng4 24. f3 Ngf6 25. cxb5 axb5 26. a4 bxa4 27. bxa4 Ra8 28. Bb3 Rf8 29. f4 Ng4 30. f5 exd4 31. fxg6 Nxg5 32. Nf5+ Kf6 33. Qxg5+ {1-0 (33) Gajwa,A (2245)-Islam,K (2161) chess.com INT 2024}) 20... Nxe5 21. Nd4 Qg5 $5 {Carlsen chooses the most logical way to defend against f5+. But it allows a tactical blow, which should have not lead to any advantage, had Magnus reacted correctly.} (21... Nc4 $5 {Was a recipe for those who don't want to calculate any lines.} 22. Qe2 Qg5 {and Black is fine.}) 22. Ngf5+ $1 gxf5 23. f4 Nc4 $2 {It's a bit surprising to me that Magnus didn't play the best continuation, since this one leads to a distasteful position for Black in many ways. True it wasn't easy to calculate all the lines after ...f3+!, but I can tell you that a player like Magnus could have easily done it.} (23... Nf3+ $1 24. Nxf3 Qh5 {Now White has several ways to continue, and even though it looks promising, objectively Black is not even any worse.} 25. Qd4+ (25. Nd4 $5 Bxe4 (25... fxe4 26. Re3) 26. c4 $5 Nf6 27. cxb5 Kh7) 25... Nf6 $1 26. e5 Bxf3 27. exf6+ Kh8 28. Rxe8+ Rxe8) 24. fxg5 Nxd2 25. Nxf5+ (25. gxh6+ $5 Kg8 26. Rxd2 fxe4 27. Rf2 {was also quite promising, but the way Gashimov played is the most human, and it is also pretty good.}) 25... Kf8 26. Rxd2 hxg5 27. e5 $5 (27. Rf2 $5 {was also possible, keeping e5 for later.}) 27... Nf6 $1 {Magnus is doing his best in this difficult position, but Gashimov keeps on playing forcefully.} 28. Rf1 $1 Rxe5 29. Nxd6 $1 Rd8 30. Rxf6 cxd6 {Now we get a static endgame that is extremely unpleasant for Black. The problem is that basically whatever White does he always keeps up the pressure and has the better position.} 31. Bb3 Rd7 32. Kf2 d5 33. Rf3 Kg7 34. Rfd3 Rd6 35. Bd1 Bc8 36. Bf3 Be6 {Both players are manoeuvring...} 37. Rd4 Kf6 38. a4 $1 {Now it's time for White to touch the b-pawn.} bxa4 $1 {better a then b.} 39. Rxa4 Rb6 40. Be2 Bc8 41. Ra2 Bb7 42. Ra4 Re4 43. Ra3 Re5 44. b4 Rc6 45. Rd4 Kg7 46. Bf3 Rf6 47. Rd3 Rf4 48. Ra5 Rc4 {Magnus seems to be active, but Gashimov again finds a good reply:} 49. Rc5 $1 {Not reacting to any provocations. Taking the pawn would probably lead to a drawn rook endgame.} (49. Bxd5 $2 Bxd5 50. Raxd5 Rxd5 51. Rxd5 Rxc3 52. Rxg5+ Kf8 53. Ra5 Rc4 $1 54. Ra4 a5 $1 {Liquidating to a drawn rook ending (White can press here of course).}) 49... Rxc5 50. bxc5 Re6 (50... Re7 {immediately seems more precise to me.}) 51. Rd2 $1 {Transfering the rook and again wisely not taking the pawn.} (51. Bxd5 $2 Bxd5 52. Rxd5 Kf6 {and Black seems to be doing fine.}) 51... Re7 52. Rb2 (52. Bxd5 {Now was maybe the best chance.} Bxd5 53. Rxd5 Kf6 54. c6 Rc7 55. Rc5 {with good winning chances, which also means good drawing ons. Black's problem here is that he can't just come over with king and take on c6, since after that White will go g3 and h4, creating a second passed pawn. However all of these things depend on tempos... Ah, those rook endgames!}) 52... Bc8 53. Bxd5 {White has finally won a pawn, but now under favourable conditions. Gashimov's patience was rewarded!} Re5 54. c4 Be6 $1 {Magnus is doing all he can and I am still not sure about the final evaluation of this position!} 55. c6 $5 (55. Rd2 Kf6 56. c6 Ke7 {is also not easy for White.}) 55... Bxd5 56. cxd5 Rxd5 57. Rc2 Rd8 58. c7 (58. Ra2 Rd3 $1 59. Rxa6 Rc3 {and it seems that Black is holding.}) 58... Rc8 59. Ke3 Kf6 60. g3 a5 61. Kd4 Ke6 $1 {Now Black is just in time in all the lines. These guys with 2800 are very often lucky. So in the end it's hard to come to a conclusion about the endgame. Both players played quite well. Black always seemed to be on the edge, but it was never easy and clear.} 62. h4 gxh4 63. gxh4 a4 64. h5 a3 65. h6 a2 66. Rxa2 Rxc7 67. Ra6+ Kf5 68. h7 Rc8 69. Rh6 Rh8 70. Rh1 Kg6 71. Ke5 {Setting a trap, though at top GM level it is not really setting a trap, but more like making a joke.} Re8+ (71... Rxh7 $4 72. Rg1+ {and this unique position is won!}) 72. Kf4 Kg7 73. Kf5 Rh8 74. Rg1+ Kf8 75. Rh1 Kg7 1/2-1/2

[Event "Nanjing Pearl Spring 3rd"]
[Site "Nanjing"]
[Date "2010.10.24"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Topalov, Veselin"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C84"]
[WhiteElo "2826"]
[BlackElo "2803"]
[Annotator "Moradiabadi,Elshan"]
[PlyCount "63"]
[EventDate "2010.10.20"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "CHN"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 139"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.11.18"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.11.18"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{A fine game in "Magnusian style!" The world number one is not seeking a deep theoretical surprise, rather he chooses to simply outplay his opponent in a position in which Topalov is even less experienced than he is!} 1. e4 {Aronian,Levon} e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 {No more Scotch! After a fine and impressive game against Bacrot one could expect to see another Scotch, however, I believe that Carlsen is more interested in avoiding any special preparation and wants to bring the game as quickly as possible to the phase one might call "fight at the board"!} a6 {The Berlin is what one might have expected from Topalov.} 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. d3 $5 {The right decision in my opinion. Carlsen tries to pospone d4 in order to choose his setup according to black's. There aren't many theoretical surveys in this position, though statistics show us that black may be safe here.} b5 7. Bb3 d6 8. a4 Rb8 9. axb5 axb5 10. Nbd2 {An odd though successful choice first played by Daniel King.} ({RR} 10. h3 O-O 11. Re1 h6 12. Nbd2 Re8 13. c3 b4 14. Ba4 Bd7 15. c4 Bf8 16. Nf1 Ne7 17. Bxd7 Nxd7 18. Be3 c5 19. Bd2 f5 20. exf5 Nxf5 21. Ne3 Nxe3 22. Bxe3 Nf6 23. Nd2 d5 24. cxd5 Qxd5 {Carlsen,M (2852)-Matlakov,M (2662) chess.com INT 2023 0-1 (43)}) ({RR} 10. Nc3 O-O 11. h3 ({RR} 11. Nd5 Nxd5 12. exd5 Nd4 13. Nxd4 exd4) 11... Nb4 ({RR} 11... Be6 12. Nd5 ({RR} 12. Bxe6 fxe6 13. d4 exd4 14. Nxd4 Nxd4 15. Qxd4 c5 16. Qd3 d5) 12... Bxd5 ({RR} 12... Qd7 13. c3) ({RR} 12... Nd4 13. Nxd4 exd4 14. Bd2 Nxd5 15. exd5 Bd7 16. Ra5 Ra8 17. Qa1) 13. exd5 Nb4 14. g4 ({RR} 14. d4 e4 15. Ng5 c5 16. c3 Nbxd5 17. dxc5 dxc5 18. Nxe4 c4 19. Bc2 b4 20. Qf3 Ra8 21. Rxa8 Qxa8 22. Nxf6+ Nxf6 23. Qe2)) ({RR} 11... Nd4 12. Nxd4 exd4 13. Nd5 Nxd5 14. exd5 ({RR} 14. Bxd5 Be6) 14... Bd7 15. Bd2) 12. Ne2 c5 13. Ng3 ({RR} 13. c3 Nxd3 14. Qxd3 c4 15. Bxc4 bxc4 16. Qxc4 Be6 17. Qd3 Qc7) 13... Be6 14. Bxe6 ({RR} 14. Bd2 Nc6 ({RR} 14... Bxb3 15. cxb3 Nc6 16. b4) 15. Bxe6 ({RR} 15. c3 c4 16. Bc2 d5) 15... fxe6) 14... fxe6 15. c3 Nc6 16. Re1 Qd7 17. d4 exd4 18. cxd4 c4 19. Bg5 h6 20. d5 exd5 21. Bxf6 ({RR} 21. exd5 Nb4) 21... Bxf6 22. Qxd5+ Rf7 23. Qd2 ({RR} 23. Nf5 Nb4 24. Qxd6 Qxd6 25. Nxd6 Rd7 26. e5 Nc2) 23... Ne5 ({RR} 23... b4 24. Rec1 c3 25. bxc3 bxc3 26. Rxc3 Bxc3 27. Qxc3) 24. Nxe5 Bxe5 {Carlsen,M (2693)-Aronian,L (2759) Elista 2007 CBM 119 [Aronian,Levon] 0-1 (36)}) 10... O-O 11. Re1 Bd7 $146 (11... Be6 12. Bxe6 fxe6 13. c3 Qd7 14. d4 exd4 15. cxd4 Ra8 16. Rxa8 Rxa8 17. Nb3 Nd8 {1-0 King,D (2506) -Krasenkow,M (2643)/Germany 1999/GER-chT (71)}) ({RR} 11... Be6 12. c3 Qd7 13. d4 exd4 14. cxd4 Bg4 15. h3 Bh5 16. e5 dxe5 17. dxe5 Nd5 18. Nf1 Rfd8 19. g4 Bg6 20. Ng3 Bb4 21. Bd2 Qe8 22. e6 fxe6 23. Bxb4 Ncxb4 24. Ng5 Rb6 25. Qd4 Bf7 26. Qe4 {Pulkkinen,K (2176)-Vassis,M (2290) Paleochora GRE 2025 0-1 (44)}) ({RR} 11... Be6 12. c3 b4 13. Ba4 bxc3 14. bxc3 Na5 15. d4 exd4 16. cxd4 Nc4 17. Nxc4 Bxc4 18. d5 Nd7 19. Nd4 Ne5 20. Ra3 c5 21. dxc6 d5 22. Rh3 h6 23. exd5 Qxd5 24. Nf5 Bf6 25. Qxd5 Bxd5 26. c7 {Savic,M (2543)-Nestorovic,L (2397) Kragujevac 2013 1-0 (59)}) 12. c3 Ra8 13. Rxa8 Qxa8 14. d4 h6 15. Nf1 Re8 16. Ng3 Qc8 17. Nh4 {Carlsen starts his fight for the initiative.} Bf8 $6 {An inaccuracy. The bishop on b3 is well-placed and black's last move offers white the bishop pair with no genuine counter play.} (17... Na5 18. Bc2 (18. Ba2 Nc4 $5 19. b3 (19. Bxc4 bxc4 20. dxe5 (20. Qe2 exd4 21. cxd4 $2 Nxe4 $1 {and Black would win}) 20... dxe5 21. Nhf5 Bf8 22. Qf3 Qa6) 19... Qa8 20. Qe2 Nb6 (20... Nd5 $2 21. Nhf5 Nxc3 22. Qg4 Bxf5 23. Nxf5 Bg5 24. Bxg5 hxg5 25. Qxg5 g6 26. Nh6+ Kg7 27. Ng4 {would give White a decisive winning attack.}) 21. Nhf5 Bf8 22. Bb1 {A rich position in which black is not at all worse.}) 18... g6 $5) 18. Ng6 $1 Na5 19. Nxf8 Rxf8 20. Bc2 Re8 21. f4 $1 {Of course Magnus does not hesitate and goes straight for the king. Having a strong pair of bishops and a rock solid center, who could resist the temptation?} Bg4 22. Qd3 exf4 $2 {Not at any cost! It is understandable that in a diffiicult position Topalov would seek activity but in my opinion it only worsens the situation.} (22... Qb8 {was preferable though the position remains worse.}) 23. Bxf4 Nc4 24. Bc1 $1 {A cool retreat.} c5 {The final mistake in my opinion, and Black is helpless now.} 25. Rf1 cxd4 26. cxd4 Qd8 27. h3 Be6 28. b3 Qa5 29. Kh2 {Magnus does not need to complicate things. With his last move he has prepared the final blow!} Nh7 30. e5 g6 31. d5 Nxe5 32. dxe6 $1 (32. dxe6 Nxd3 33. exf7+ Kf8 34. Bxh6+ Ke7 35. fxe8=Q+ Kxe8 36. Bxd3 {and not only does g6 fall, but the knight on h7 is lost as well. Ex:} Qc7 37. Bxg6+ Kd8 38. Rf7 $18) 1-0

[Event "Nanjing Pearl Spring 3rd"]
[Site "Nanjing"]
[Date "2010.10.27"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C67"]
[WhiteElo "2826"]
[BlackElo "2800"]
[Annotator "Stohl,Igor"]
[PlyCount "136"]
[EventDate "2010.10.20"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "CHN"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 139"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.11.18"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.11.18"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 {Ramirez Alvarez,Alejandro} e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O ({Anand has started playing the Berlin more regularly only recently. In Bilbao Carlsen (after losing to Kramnik in round 1) didn't feel confronting the famous endgame and opted for the quiet} 4. d3 d6 5. O-O Be7 6. c3 O-O 7. Nbd2 Bd7 8. Re1 Re8 9. Nf1 Bf8 10. Ba4 h6 11. Ng3 Ne7 12. Bb3 Ng6 13. d4 c5 14. h3 Qc7 15. a4 a6 16. a5 cxd4 17. cxd4 exd4 18. Nxd4 d5 $1 19. exd5 Rxe1+ 20. Qxe1 Re8 (20... Ne7 21. Bd2 Nexd5 22. Rc1 Re8 $1 $11) 21. Qc3 Qxc3 22. bxc3 Re1+ 23. Kh2 Bd6 (23... Ne5 24. Nc2 Neg4+ $11) 24. Nc2 Rf1 25. Be3 Rxa1 26. Nxa1 Be5 27. Bd4 Bxd4 28. cxd4 Ne7 $11 {Carlsen,M (2826)-Anand,V (2800)/Bilbao/2010/ Is he now going to face the challenge?}) 4... Nxe4 5. Re1 {Having a comfortable lead in the tournament at this point, White doesn't want to bang his head against the (Berlin) Wall.} ({Getting an edge after} 5. d4 Nd6 6. Bxc6 dxc6 7. dxe5 Nf5 8. Qxd8+ Kxd8 9. Nc3 Ke8 {is no mean task:} {The most usual continuation is} 10. h3 (10. Ne2 Ne7 (10... Be7 11. Rd1 Nh4 12. Nxh4 Bxh4 13. Be3 a5 14. a4 Bd7 15. h3 h5 16. f3 Rd8 17. g4 hxg4 18. hxg4 Bc8 19. Kg2 Rxd1 20. Rxd1 Be7 21. Bd2 b6 22. Bf4 Bd8 23. b3 Be6 24. Nd4 Bd7 25. c4 Rh7 26. Rd3 c5 27. Nb5 Be6 $14 {/=,Inarkiev,E (2669)-Jakovenko,D (2725)/Astrakhan/2010/ and Black is still pretty solid.}) 11. h3 Ng6 12. b3 h6 13. Bb2 c5 14. Rad1 Be6 15. Nc3 Be7 16. Nd5 Bd8 17. c4 a5 18. a4 c6 19. Nc3 Be7 20. Ne4 Rd8 21. Rfe1 Rxd1 22. Rxd1 Nf4 23. Ba3 b6 24. Nd6+ Kf8 25. Kf1 g5 26. Bc1 Kg7 27. Bxf4 gxf4 28. Nd2 (28. Ke2 $5) 28... Bxd6 $1 29. exd6 Rd8 30. Ne4 {Efimenko,Z (2683)-Malakhov,V (2725)/Khanty-Mansiysk olm/2010/ Here} Bf5 $1 31. f3 f6 32. Kf2 Kf7 33. Rd2 Ke6 34. Re2 Kf7 $11 {would have drawn the game and won the critical match between the best teams of the olympiad.}) {and} 10... Be7 {to mention just the main ones, played by the elite GM's.} ({Carlsen himself with Black prefers the rather rare} 10... b6 11. Rd1 (11. a3 Bb7 12. Bf4 c5 13. Rad1 Bxf3 14. gxf3 c6 15. Be3 Rd8 16. Ne4 Be7 17. f4 f6 18. Rxd8+ Kxd8 19. Ng3 Nh4 20. Rd1+ Kc8 21. Kf1 c4 22. Ke2 Rd8 23. Rd4 Rxd4 24. Bxd4 c5 25. Bc3 fxe5 26. fxe5 Kd7 27. Ke3 Ke6 28. Ke4 g6 29. a4 a6 30. f4 Nf5 $11 {Radjabov,T (2751)-Carlsen,M (2786)/ECC Kallithea/2008/}) 11... Bb7 12. Bf4 Rc8 13. a4 Ne7 (13... c5 14. a5 Bxf3 15. gxf3 Nd4 16. axb6 axb6 17. Nd5 c6 18. Nxb6 Rb8 {Saric,I (2567)-Efimenko,Z (2683)/Khanty-Mansiysk olm/2010/} 19. Nd7 $1 $36) 14. a5 c5 15. Nb5 (15. axb6 axb6 16. Nb5 $36) 15... a6 16. Nd6+ cxd6 17. exd6 Nd5 18. c4 Nxf4 19. d7+ Kd8 20. Ne5 Be7 21. axb6 Ne2+ 22. Kf1 Nd4 23. dxc8=Q+ Kxc8 {Polgar,J (2682)-Carlsen,M (2826)/Kristiansund rpd/2010/} 24. Re1 Rf8 $1 25. Ng6 $13) ({However, Anand recently played} 10... h5 11. b3 Be7 12. Bb2 Be6 13. Rad1 a5 14. a4 b6 15. Ne4 c5 16. c4 Rd8 17. Rxd8+ Kxd8 18. Rd1+ Kc8 19. Kf1 Rd8 20. Rxd8+ Kxd8 21. Ke2 Ke8 22. Kd3 Bd8 23. Bc1 f6 $5 24. g4 hxg4 25. hxg4 Nd4 $11 {Shirov,A (2749)-Anand,V (2800)/Bilbao/2010/}) ({Here Black has quite a number of moves, which have been tested extensively in the past decade:} 10... Ne7) (10... a5)) 5... Nd6 ({Definitely the main move this time. Two months earlier, Anand was probably surprised by Carlsen's 5-th move and went for the slightly dubious} 5... Nf6 $6 6. Nxe5 Be7 (6... Nxe5 7. d4 $1 $36) 7. d4 O-O 8. Nc3 a6 9. Be2 (9. Ba4 $5) 9... d6 10. Nf3 (10. Nxc6 bxc6 11. h3 $14) 10... Re8 11. Bf4 Bf8 12. Qd2 h6 13. h3 Bf5 14. d5 Ne7 15. a4 Qd7 16. Bf1 Ng6 17. Be3 Ne4 18. Nxe4 Bxe4 19. Nh2 Nh4 20. f3 Bh7 21. Bf2 Ng6 22. a5 Rxe1 23. Rxe1 Re8 24. Rxe8 Qxe8 25. Qb4 Qc8 {Carlsen,M (2826)-Anand,V (2800)/Kristiansund rpd/2010/}) 6. Nxe5 Be7 7. Bf1 {The more contemporary approach, leaving the d2 free to join the fray.} (7. Bd3 {was tested already in the first World Championship match in 1886! After} O-O 8. Nc3 Nxe5 9. Rxe5 c6 10. b3 {already Zuketort found the best defence} Ne8 $1 11. Qf3 (11. Bb2 d5 12. Qh5 Nf6 13. Qh4 h6 14. Rae1 Bd6 15. R5e2 Be6 16. Nd1 Nd7 17. Qh5 Nf6 18. Qh4 Nd7 19. Qh5 Nf6 {1/2,Torre,E (2535)-Gelfand,B (2680)/Moscow olm/1994/}) 11... d5 12. Bb2 Bf6 13. Re2 Nc7 ({Less harmonious is} 13... Nd6 14. Ba3 Be7 15. Qf4 Be6 16. Rae1 Qd7 17. Re5 b6 $6 18. R1e3 Rfe8 {Ni Hua (2629)-Karjakin,S (2645)/Tiayuan/2005/} 19. Rh5 f5 20. Rg3 Nf7 21. Bxe7 Qxe7 22. h3 Qf6 23. Bxf5 g6 24. Qf3 $1 $16) 14. Na4 (14. Ba3 Re8 15. Rae1 Ne6 16. Na4 Bd7 17. Nc5 Nxc5 18. Rxe8+ Bxe8 19. Bxc5 b6 20. Ba3 Bd7 21. Qg3 c5 22. c3 Be6 23. Bb2 Qd7 24. Bc2 Re8 25. h3 b5 26. d4 cxd4 27. cxd4 Rc8 28. Bd3 Bf5 {Steinitz,W-Zukertort,J/WCh USA/1886/}) 14... Bxb2 15. Nxb2 Ne6 16. c3 Qd6 17. Rae1 Bd7 18. Bb1 Rae8 19. d4 Nf4 20. Re3 g6 $11 {Shirov,A (2710)-Ivanchuk,V (2700)/Monte Carlo blindfold rpd/1995/}) ({Harmless is} 7. Ba4 Nxe5 8. Rxe5 O-O 9. d4 Nc4 $1 10. Re1 d5 11. Nd2 Nb6 12. Bb3 Bd6 13. Qh5 Re8 14. Nf3 Rxe1+ 15. Nxe1 c6 16. c3 g6 17. Qf3 Bf5 18. Bf4 Nc8 19. Qg3 Bxf4 20. Qxf4 Qd6 21. Qxd6 Nxd6 22. f3 h5 23. Kf2 a5 24. Rc1 {1/2,Ye Jiangchuan (2670)-Ivanchuk,V (2719)/Shenyang/2000/}) 7... Nf5 {From the 3 plausible options Anand chooses the least usual one.} (7... Nxe5 8. Rxe5 O-O 9. Nc3 {Two rounds later the World Champion went for} Ne8 (9... c6 10. d4 Ne8 11. d5 d6 12. Re1 Nf6 13. Bf4 Bg4 14. Qd2 Qd7 15. Bc4 Rfe8 16. h3 Bh5 17. a4 Bf8 18. a5 Bg6 {Meier,G (2659)-Onischuk,A (2688)/Lubbock/2010/} 19. a6 $5 $36) (9... Bf6 10. Re1 c6 (10... Re8 11. Rxe8+ Nxe8 12. Nd5 Bh4 13. g3 {1/2 Vallejo Pons,F (2697)-Ponomariov,R (2734)/Sestao 2010/The Week in Chess 825} c6 14. gxh4 cxd5 15. Qg4 $13 {/}) 11. d4 Nf5 12. d5 d6 13. Ne4 (13. Bf4 Bxc3 14. bxc3 Qf6 15. c4 c5 16. Bd3 Nd4 17. Be3 h6 18. Qh5 Bd7 19. c3 Nf5 20. Bd2 Nh4 21. Re3 Rfe8 22. Rae1 {Fedorov,A (2611)-Sturua,Z (2514)/Dubai/2009/} Ng6 $11) 13... Be5 14. c3 Qb6 15. Bc4 Bd7 16. a4 cxd5 17. a5 Qc7 18. Bxd5 Bc6 19. Bxc6 Qxc6 20. a6 Rfe8 21. axb7 Qxb7 22. g3 $14 {Jansa,V (2521)-Bindrich,F (2401)/CZE-chT/2006/}) 10. Nd5 (10. d4 Bf6 11. Re1 d5 $11) 10... Bd6 11. Re1 c6 12. Ne3 Bc7 13. c4 $146 ({This novelty leads nowhere, but also} 13. Nf5 d5 14. Ne7+ Kh8 15. Nxc8 Rxc8 {isn't much - in a symmetrical and relatively closed position with only one open  the  doesn't promise White a tangible pull.} 16. d3 Nf6 17. Qf3 Qd6 18. g3 Rce8 19. Bd2 Kg8 20. Bh3 Qc5 $11 {Vallejo Pons,F (2696)-Hansen,S (2552)/EU-chT Novi Sad/2009/}) 13... Nf6 14. b3 d5 15. cxd5 cxd5 (15... Nxd5 16. Ba3 Bd6 $11) 16. Qf3 Be6 17. Ba3 Re8 18. Bb5 Bd7 19. Bxd7 Qxd7 20. Bb2 Be5 21. Bxe5 Rxe5 22. Nc2 Rae8 23. Rxe5 Rxe5 24. Qc3 Re8 25. Qd4 b6 26. f3 Rd8 27. Ne3 Ne8 28. f4 Nc7 29. f5 Ne8 $1 30. Re1 Nf6 $11 {Gashimov,V (2719)-Anand,V (2800)/Nanjing/2010/}) ({Another safe line is} 7... O-O 8. d4 (8. Nc3 Nxe5 9. Rxe5 {-7...e5}) 8... Nf5 9. c3 (9. Nf3 d5 {transposes into our game.}) 9... Nxe5 10. Rxe5 (10. dxe5 d6 $11) 10... d6 (10... g6 11. Nd2 d5 12. Nf3 c6 13. Re1 Bd6 14. Bg5 f6 15. Bd2 Ng7 16. Bd3 Be6 17. Bh6 Qd7 18. Nh4 Rae8 19. Qc2 Bf7 20. g3 b6 $11 {Al Modiahki,M (2556)-Aronian,L (2737)/Sochi/2008/}) 11. Re1 d5 $1 (11... c6 12. Nd2 (12. d5 $5 Bf6 13. Na3 $13 {is the only attempt to bring some imbalance into the position.}) 12... d5 13. Nf3 Nh4 14. Nxh4 Bxh4 15. Bd3 Bf6 16. Bf4 Be6 17. Qf3 Qd7 18. Be5 Bxe5 19. Rxe5 f6 20. Re3 Rae8 21. Rae1 Bf7 {Ragger,M (2528)-Aronian,L (2741)/Heraklio EU-chT/2007/}) 12. Bf4 (12. Nd2 Nh4 13. Nf3 Bg4 14. Be2 Re8 15. Nxh4 Bxe2 16. Qxe2 Bxh4 $11 {Neubauer,M (2453)-Sargissian,G (2673)/EU-chT Heraklio/2007/}) 12... Bd6 $11 (12... Nh4 $11)) 8. Nf3 $5 {[%mdl 2080] Carlsen indicates he wants to keep more pieces on the board and attempts to develop a pull without any risk. Glancing ahead, he will be surprisingly successful in the positional manoeuvring struggle.} (8. c3 Nxe5 9. Rxe5 d6 10. Re1 O-O 11. d4 d5 $11 {once again transposes into the 7...0-0 line from the previous note.}) 8... O-O (8... Ncd4 9. c3 Nxf3+ 10. Qxf3 Nh4 11. Qe4 Ng6 12. c4 O-O 13. d4 d6 14. Nc3 c6 15. f4 $6 (15. Qc2 $11 {/}) 15... Bf6 16. Be3 Re8 17. Qd3 d5 18. cxd5 cxd5 19. Kh1 Ne7 20. Bg1 Be6 21. Rac1 g6 $15 {Llaneza Vega,M (2514)-Pashikian,A (2652)/EU-ch Rijeka/2010/}) 9. d4 d5 10. c3 (10. g3 {It seems worth forcing c3 after all and after} Bf6 $5 (10... Re8 11. Nc3 Be6 12. Ne2 g5 13. c3 Ng7 14. Bg2 f6 (14... h6 $142) 15. Nd2 Qd7 16. Nf1 Bf8 17. h4 $1 gxh4 18. Nf4 Bf7 19. Rxe8 Rxe8 20. Ne3 hxg3 21. fxg3 $16 {[%csl Rd5] ×d5,Baklan,V (2654)-Buhmann,R (2591)/AUT-chT/2010/}) (10... Bd6 11. Nc3 Nfe7 12. Nb5 Bf5 13. Nxd6 Qxd6 14. Nh4 Be6 15. c3 Qd7 16. Bg2 Ng6 17. Nxg6 hxg6 18. Bf4 Rfe8 19. h4 Re7 20. Qa4 Rae8 21. Qb5 $36 {Baklan,V (2654)-Grandelius,N (2515)/Reykjavik/2010/}) 11. c3 Re8 $11 {the tension should gradually dissipate.}) (10. Bf4 Bd6 11. Qd2 (11. Bxd6 Nxd6 12. c3 Ne7 {1/2,Jovanovic,Z (2535)-Brkic,A (2544)/CRO-chT Sibenik/2009/}) 11... Bxf4 12. Qxf4 Qd6 13. Qd2 Qf6 14. c3 Nd6 15. Ne5 Ne4 16. Qe3 Nxe5 17. dxe5 Qb6 18. Qxb6 axb6 19. c4 {Sprenger,J (2511)-Pliester,L (2383)/NED-chT/2009/} Nc5 20. Nc3 dxc4 21. Bxc4 Be6 $11) 10... Bd6 {The most natural, but not the only and perhaps not even the best move.} (10... g6 11. Bf4 Bd6 12. Bxd6 Qxd6 13. Nbd2 Be6 14. Qb3 Rab8 15. Qa4 Bd7 16. Qc2 a5 17. Nb3 b6 18. Qd2 Rbe8 19. Rxe8 Rxe8 20. Re1 Re7 21. Nc1 f6 22. Bd3 g5 23. Re2 h5 24. Qc2 Rxe2 25. Nxe2 Nce7 $11 {Kovacevic,A (2582)-Hammer,J (2633)/Khanty-Mansiysk olm/2010/}) (10... Nh4 11. Nxh4 Bxh4 12. Nd2 Bf6 13. Bd3 Ne7 14. Nf3 Bf5 15. Bg5 Bxg5 16. Nxg5 Bxd3 17. Qxd3 {1/2,Luther,T (2545)-Buhmann,R (2563)/Khanty-Mansiysk olm/2010/} Ng6 18. Qf5 c6 {c8=}) 11. Bd3 (11. Nbd2 Qf6 $1 12. Bd3 h6 13. Nf1 Be6 14. Bd2 Rae8 15. Qc2 Nfe7 16. b4 Ng6 17. Ng3 Bg4 18. Rxe8 Rxe8 19. Re1 Rf8 $5 20. Be2 Nf4 $11 {Nijboer,F (2562)-Meier,G (2663)/EU-ch Rijeka/2010/ was already very comfortable for Black.}) 11... Nce7 (11... Re8 12. Rxe8+ Qxe8 13. Qc2 g6 14. Nbd2 Qd8 15. Nf1 Nh4 16. Nxh4 Qxh4 17. Bd2 Be6 $11 {Kreisl,R (2380)-Jovanic,O (2552)/Zadar/2009/} 18. Re1 $11 {/}) 12. Nbd2 (12. g4 $6 Nh6 {is too wild, but apart from the text-move}) (12. Qc2 g6 13. Nbd2 {is interesting as well.}) 12... c6 $146 (12... Ng6 13. Nf1 Nfh4 14. g3 $1 (14. Ne5 f6 15. Nxg6 Nxg6 16. Ng3 f5 $1 17. Qh5 Qf6 18. Qf3 Qf7 19. Ne2 Nh4 20. Qh3 Ng6 21. Qf3 f4 22. Bxg6 hxg6 23. g3 g5 24. g4 c6 $17 {McEwan,K (2142)-Cox,J (2378)/BCF-chT/2010/}) 14... Nxf3+ 15. Qxf3 c6 16. Ne3 Re8 (16... f5 17. Ng2 $14) 17. Bd2 $14 {[%cal Yb2b3,Yc3c4,Yh2h5,Ye3f5] /,f5,h4-h5,b3,c4 is a better version of the game position and White still has a nagging pull.}) 13. Nf1 {Structurally the position is symmetrical like an exchange French, or Petroff. Therefore getting anything tangible requires extra effort, on the other hand Anand perhaps enjoyed a false sense of security of the "nothing cah happen here" type. In fact it's still Black who has to tread with some care.} Ng6 14. Qc2 (14. g3 $5 h6 15. h4 {deserves attention - this, just as the alternative on move 12, prevents the simplifying h4.}) 14... Nfh4 15. Nxh4 Qxh4 16. g3 Qd8 $146 {Seems unnecessarily passive.} (16... Qf6 $142 $5 17. Ne3 Re8 {is solid, for example} 18. Qe2 Bd7 19. Qh5 Nf8 20. Bd2 g6 21. Ng4 Bxg4 22. Qxg4 h5 $11 {and as in Vallejo-Hansen above, the  have no direct targets and Black should hold the balance.}) ({RR} 16... Qh3 17. f4 Bg4 18. f5 Ne7 19. Ne3 Bf3 20. Qf2 Qh5 21. Rf1 Bg4 ({RR} 21... Be4 22. Be2 Qh6 23. Nxd5) 22. f6 gxf6 23. Nxg4 ({RR} 23. Qxf6 Be6 ({RR} 23... Rad8 24. Nxg4 Qxg4 25. Bh6) 24. Rf2) 23... Qxg4 24. Qxf6 ({RR} 24. Bh6 Rfe8 25. Qxf6) 24... Bxg3 25. Kh1 Bh4 26. Bxh7+ Kxh7 27. Qh6+ Kg8 28. Rg1 Qxg1+ 29. Kxg1 Ng6 30. Bf4 ({RR} 30. Bg5 Bxg5 31. Qxg5) 30... Bf6 31. Be5 {Anand,V (2784)-Nakamura,H (2787) Zuerich 2016 CBM 171 [Ramirez Alvarez,Alejandro] ½-½ (36)}) 17. Ne3 Re8 18. Bd2 Nf8 19. Nf5 {[%csl Gf5]} Bc7 (19... Bxf5 20. Rxe8 Qxe8 21. Bxf5 g6 22. Re1 Qd8 23. Bh3 $14 {is already more unpleasant than the line above, so Black decides to suffer the intruder on f5. Objectively both moves are roughly equivalent and White already has some pressure.}) 20. Rxe8 Qxe8 21. Re1 Be6 22. Qc1 (22. f4 {[%cal Rf5g7,Rf4f5] g7,f5} Qd8 23. Ne3 $14) (22. Qd1 $14) 22... f6 (22... Qd7 $2 23. Nxg7 $1 {} Kxg7 24. Bh6+ Kh8 25. Qg5 f5 26. Qf6+ Kg8 27. Rxe6 $1 Nxe6 28. Bxf5 Re8 29. Bxe6+ $18) (22... Qd8 $5 $14 {postpones weakening the , now} 23. Bg5 f6 {wins a tempo.}) 23. Qd1 (23. Nxg7 $2 Kxg7 24. Bh6+ Kf7 25. Qd1 Kg8 $17 {is too inconcrete.}) 23... Qd7 24. Qf3 Re8 25. h4 Bf7 {With hindsight one can recommend the immediate swap} (25... Bxf5 $142 26. Bxf5 Rxe1+ 27. Bxe1 Qe8 {, although even here White can definitely continue probing after} 28. Bd2 $14 (28. Qe3 $5)) 26. Rf1 $1 {An excellent move, avoiding simplification is more important than the e, on which Black has no points of entry anyway.} Bg6 ({After some thought Anand discarded} 26... h5 27. g4 $1 hxg4 28. Qxg4 $36 {and decides to eliminate the f5 after all.}) 27. h5 Bxf5 28. Bxf5 Qf7 29. Kg2 (29. Bd3 g6 {tranposes, as} 30. g4 $6 Ne6 31. Re1 Re7 {allows Black  in connection with g5.}) 29... g6 30. Bd3 f5 31. Rh1 {Now Black will have a tactical defence, so this was the right time for} (31. g4 $142 $1 $36) 31... Ne6 32. hxg6 (32. g4 Bf4 (32... fxg4 $5 33. Qxg4 Rf8 34. f3 g5 35. Re1 Nf4+ 36. Bxf4 Qxf4 37. Re7 Qxg4+ 38. fxg4 Rf7 39. Rxf7 Kxf7 40. Bxh7 Bf4 $11) 33. hxg6 {-32.hg6}) 32... hxg6 33. g4 (33. Be3 Qf6 {g5}) 33... Bf4 $1 (33... f4 34. Qh3 $36) 34. Be3 (34. gxf5 Bxd2 35. fxe6 Qxf3+ 36. Kxf3 Rxe6 $11) (34. Bxf4 $6 fxg4 35. Rh8+ $8 Kxh8 36. Be5+ Kg8 37. Qxg4 Nf8 38. f4 Qh7 $15) 34... fxg4 $6 {After this slip White retains a pull.} (34... Bxe3 $142 {} 35. fxe3 (35. Qxe3 $2 fxg4 36. Qh6 Qf3+ 37. Kg1 Ng7 $1 $19) 35... Ng5 36. Qf4 fxg4 $1 37. Rh6 (37. Qxg5 $4 Qf3+ 38. Kg1 Qg3+ 39. Kf1 Rf8+ 40. Ke2 Qg2+ $19) (37. Qxg4 Rxe3 38. Rh6 Qf3+ 39. Qxf3 Nxf3 $11) 37... Qxf4 38. exf4 Re3 39. Bf1 Ne6 40. Rxg6+ Kf7 41. Rxg4 Re1 $11) 35. Qxg4 Kg7 36. Rh5 $1 {[%cal Rh5f5] Due to the threat f5 Black can't maintain his blockade on f4} Bxe3 (36... Kf6 37. Qh4+ g5 38. Qg4 $16 (38. Qh3 $16)) 37. fxe3 Nf8 ({More active was} 37... Rf8 $5 38. Rf5 Qe7 39. Re5 Qf6 40. Qg3 $14 (40. Qxg6+ Qxg6+ 41. Bxg6 Nxd4 $11)) 38. Rh3 (38. Qg5 Qf6 39. Qh6+ Kg8 40. Rh3 Re7 41. Rf3 Qg7 $14) 38... Kg8 $6 $138 {Now Black's coordination gets disrupted even more.} (38... Qf6 $142 39. Rf3 Qd6 40. Qh4 Re6 $5 41. Rh3 Rf6 42. e4 Qf4 (42... dxe4 $2 43. Bc4 $18) 43. Qxf4 Rxf4 $14) 39. Rf3 Qe6 40. Qf4 (40. Qg3 $16 {[%cal Yd3c2,Ye3e4,Rd3f5] f5,c2,e4}) 40... Kg7 ({Not ideal, somewhat better and more resilient was} 40... Qe7 $16) 41. b3 $6 {[%cal Yc3c4] c4} ({Strategically sound, but} 41. Rh3 $142 Qf6 42. Qh6+ Kg8 43. Bxg6 $1 $16 {/+- wins a healthy .}) 41... Qe7 (41... b5 $6 42. Rh3) 42. c4 Rd8 43. Rh3 (43. c5 $1 {}) 43... Rd6 44. Qh6+ Kg8 (44... Kf7 $142 45. cxd5 cxd5 46. Rf3+ Kg8 (46... Rf6 $2 47. Qg5 Rxf3 48. Qxd5+ $18) 47. e4 g5 $1 48. Qh5 Kg7 49. exd5 (49. e5 $2 Rh6 50. Qg4 Ne6 $36) 49... Ng6 (49... Rh6 50. d6 $1 Rxd6 51. Rg3 Rd5 52. Rh3 $16) 50. Kf2 $14 {/}) 45. cxd5 cxd5 46. e4 $1 $16 {This break wins more space and gives White a permanent strategic advantage due to his superior -structure.} Qg7 47. Qe3 Qe7 (47... dxe4 $2 48. Bc4+ Ne6 49. Qxe4 $18) 48. e5 {[%csl Rd5,Ge5,Rg6]} Rc6 49. Qh6 Qg7 50. Qh4 a6 (50... Ne6 51. Qg4 {[%cal Yg2f2,Yf2e3] f2-e3 forces the  back sooner or later anyway.}) 51. Rf3 Qd7 {Black must temporize.} (51... g5 52. Qh5 Ng6 53. Bxg6 Qxg6 54. Qxg6+ Rxg6 55. Kg3 $18) 52. b4 $5 b5 53. a3 Qc7 54. Kg3 Kg7 55. Bb1 $1 {Getting ready to target ×d5.} Nh7 56. Ba2 $6 (56. Kg2 $142 $1) 56... Qd7 $6 ({The only chance was} 56... Rc1 $1 57. Bxd5 Ng5 $14 {/ , but after about 5 hours of play it's very difficult to find such computer-like ideas.}) 57. Bb3 Rc1 58. Kh2 Rb1 59. Bc2 Rb2 60. Rc3 $18 {[%csl Rb2] Now the b2 is cut off and White is virtually winning...} Qf7 61. Kg3 (61. e6 $1 Qxe6 62. Rc7+ Kf8 63. Qh6+ (63. Qxh7 Qe2+ 64. Kg3 Rb3+ $1 65. Bxb3 Qe3+ 66. Kg4 Qe4+ 67. Kg5 Qf5+ $11 68. Kh6 $4 Qh5#) 63... Ke8 64. Qxh7 $18 {and now there is no perpetual, as Black's  doesn't control g7 anymore.}) 61... Nf8 62. Rf3 Qe6 63. Qd8 $2 (63. Rf6 Qe8 (63... Qg8 64. Rf2 Nh7 (64... Qe6 65. Rh2 Kf7 66. Qh8 Ke7 67. Qg7+ $18 {} Qf7 68. Qxf7+ Kxf7 69. Bxg6+) 65. Qe7+ Kh8 66. Qd6 $18) 64. Rf2 Ra2 (64... Qe6 65. Rh2 $18 {-63...g8}) 65. Qf6+ Kg8 66. Qd6 $5 (66. Bb3 Rxa3 67. Rf3 Rxb3 68. Rxb3 Ne6 69. Kf2 $1 $18) 66... Rxa3+ 67. Kh2 Ne6 (67... Rc3 68. Bb3 $1 $18) 68. Rf6 Ra2 69. Rxe6 Rxc2+ 70. Kg3 Rc3+ 71. Kh4 g5+ 72. Kxg5 Rg3+ 73. Kf4 Rf3+ 74. Kg4 $1 (74. Kg5 $2 Rf5+ 75. Kxf5 Qh5+ $11) (74. Kxf3 $2 Qh5+) 74... Qf8 (74... Qf7 75. Qd8+ Kh7 76. Qh4+ Kg8 77. Qg5+ Kf8 78. Qh6+) 75. Qxf8+ Rxf8 76. Rxa6 $18) 63... Nd7 64. Rf2 $2 (64. Bd3 $5 Rb3 65. Be2 $16 {still keeps White's winning chances alive.}) 64... Ra2 {Now Black has enough , as White's  is vulnerable as well.} 65. Kh2 (65. Rh2 $2 Rxa3+ 66. Kf2 Qf7+ 67. Ke1 Ra1+ 68. Bd1 Nf8 $17) 65... Qg4 $11 (65... Nxe5 66. dxe5 (66. Qf8+ Kh7 67. dxe5 Qxe5+ 68. Kh3 Rxa3+ 69. Rf3 Qh5+ 70. Kg2 Qg5+ $11) 66... Qxe5+ 67. Kh1 (67. Kg2 Rxc2 68. Qf8+ Kh7 69. Rxc2 Qe4+ 70. Kf1 Qxc2 71. Qe7+ $11 {and already White has to give a perpetual.}) 67... Qh5+ 68. Kg2 Qg4+ $11) 66. Qe7+ Kh6 67. Qd8 (67. Qe8 Qh4+ $11 {is the same.}) (67. e6 $4 Rxa3 $19) 67... Qh5+ 68. Kg2 Qg4+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "Nanjing Pearl Spring 3rd"]
[Site "Nanjing"]
[Date "2010.10.30"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Gashimov, Vugar"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C49"]
[WhiteElo "2826"]
[BlackElo "2719"]
[PlyCount "142"]
[EventDate "2010.10.20"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "CHN"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 139"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.11.18"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.11.18"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 {ChessBase II} e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nc3 Nc6 4. Bb5 Bb4 5. O-O O-O 6. d3 Bxc3 7. bxc3 d6 8. Re1 Bd7 9. Rb1 a6 10. Bxc6 Bxc6 11. Bg5 h6 12. Bh4 b6 $146 ({RR} 12... Re8 13. Nd2 d5 ({RR} 13... b5 14. Nf1 d5 15. f3 Re6 16. Ne3 Qd7 17. Nf5 Rc8 18. Bf2 Ba8 19. Qc1 Kh7 20. Re2 Qc6 21. Rb3 Nd7 22. h3) 14. c4 dxe4 15. Nxe4 Bxe4 16. Bxf6 Qxf6 17. Rxe4 b6 18. Qe2 Re6 19. Qd2 c5 20. Rbe1 Rae8 21. g3 Qd8 22. f4 f5 23. Rxe5 Rxe5 24. fxe5 Qd4+ 25. Qf2 Rxe5 26. Rxe5 Qxe5 27. Qf3 {Galdunts,S (2485)-Sebag,M (2415) Asnieres sur Seine 2006 EXT 2007 [ChessBase II] ½-½ (36)}) ({RR} 12... Re8 13. Re3 b6 14. Qe2 Bb5 15. h3 Qe7 16. c4 Bd7 17. d4 exd4 18. Nxd4 Qe5 19. Nf3 Qh5 20. Bxf6 gxf6 21. Qd2 Re7 22. Qc3 Kg7 23. Nd4 Qh4 24. Nf3 Qh5 25. Rd1 Be6 26. Rde1 Qa5 27. Qa1 {Sandipan,C (2656)-Bellia,F (2424) Rethymno 2011 1-0 (40)}) 13. Nd2 g5 14. Bg3 Ne8 15. d4 f6 16. c4 Ng7 17. c3 Qe8 18. f3 Qg6 19. Nf1 g4 20. fxg4 Bxe4 21. Rb2 Rae8 22. Rf2 exd4 23. cxd4 h5 24. gxh5 Nxh5 25. Re3 Bc6 26. Rc3 Re4 27. c5 bxc5 28. dxc5 d5 29. Bxc7 d4 30. Rd3 Rg4 31. Ng3 Re8 32. Rxd4 Rxd4 33. Qxd4 Nxg3 34. Bxg3 Re1+ 35. Rf1 Rxf1+ 36. Kxf1 Qb1+ 37. Be1 Bb5+ 38. Kf2 Qxa2+ 39. Kg3 Kf7 40. Bc3 Qe6 41. Qf4 Bc6 42. h4 a5 43. Qc7+ Bd7 44. Qf4 a4 45. h5 a3 46. Kh2 a2 47. Qh4 Qe7 48. Qf2 Qe6 49. Qc2 Qf5 50. Qxf5 Bxf5 51. c6 Be4 52. c7 Bf5 53. Kg3 Bc8 54. Kf4 Bb7 55. Ba1 Bc8 56. g3 Bb7 57. g4 Ba6 58. Kg3 Bc8 59. Kh4 Ba6 60. Bb2 Bb7 61. h6 Kg6 62. h7 Kxh7 63. Kh5 Bc8 64. Bxf6 Kg8 65. Ba1 Kf7 66. g5 Ke8 67. g6 Be6 68. g7 Kd7 69. Be5 a1=B 70. Bxa1 Kxc7 71. g8=Q Bxg8 1/2-1/2

[Event "London Classic 2nd"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2010.12.10"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C95"]
[WhiteElo "2804"]
[BlackElo "2802"]
[PlyCount "153"]
[EventDate "2010.12.06"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 140"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2011.01.18"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2011.01.18"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 {Giri,Anish} e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 d6 8. c3 O-O 9. h3 Nb8 10. d4 Nbd7 11. Nbd2 Bb7 12. Bc2 Re8 ({RR} 12... c5) 13. a4 ({RR} 13. Nf1 Bf8 14. Ng3 g6) 13... Bf8 14. Bd3 c6 15. b4 ({RR} 15. b3) 15... Rc8 ({RR} 15... Nb6 16. axb5 axb5 ({RR} 16... cxb5 17. d5 Rc8) 17. Rxa8 Qxa8 ({RR} 17... Bxa8) 18. Nb3 Nc4 19. dxe5 Nxe5 20. Nxe5 Rxe5 21. f3 Re8 22. Be3 Bc8 23. Bf2 Be6 24. Nd4 Bd7 25. Qd2 Qb8 26. Bf1 h6 27. Ra1 Qb7 28. Ra5 ({RR} 28. Nb3 Ra8 ({RR} 28... Qb8 29. Ra7 c5) 29. Ra5 Rxa5 30. bxa5 Qa6 31. Bb6 Be8) 28... d5 ({RR} 28... Ra8 29. Qa2 Rxa5 30. bxa5 Qa6 31. c4) 29. exd5 Nxd5 30. Nb3 {Anand,V (2800)-Carlsen,M (2826) Nanjing 2010 CBM 139 [Giri,Anish] ½-½ (44)}) ({RR} 15... g6 16. Bb2 Bg7 17. Qb3 Rc8 18. axb5 axb5 19. Ra7 Qb6 20. Rea1 d5 21. dxe5 Nxe4 22. Bxe4 dxe4 23. Nxe4 c5 24. bxc5 Nxc5 25. Nxc5 Rxc5 26. Ng5 Bd5 27. Qb4 Rc4 28. Qd6 Qxd6 29. exd6 Rd8 30. d7 {Liuviann,C (1920)-Khamdamova,A (2291) FIDE Online Arena INT 2024 0-1 (47)}) 16. axb5 cxb5 17. Bb2 $146 ({RR} 17. Ra3 d5 18. dxe5 dxe4 19. Nxe4 Nxe5 20. Nxf6+ Qxf6 21. Nxe5 Rxe5 22. Be3 Qe6 23. Bf1 f5 24. Bd2 Rd8 25. Rxe5 Qxe5 26. Qb3+ Kh8 27. Qc2 f4 28. c4 bxc4 29. Bxc4 Rc8 30. Qd3 Qg5 31. g3 Rd8 {Knoll,H (2309)-Diermair,A (2485) Pinkafeld 2015 0-1 (34)}) 17... d5 18. exd5 exd4 19. Rxe8 Qxe8 20. c4 bxc4 21. Nxc4 Nxd5 22. Nxd4 Nxb4 23. Nf5 Nxd3 24. Qxd3 Be4 25. Qd4 Bxf5 26. Nd6 Qd8 27. Nxf5 f6 28. Rd1 Rc2 29. Nh6+ gxh6 30. Qg4+ Bg7 31. Qe6+ Kh8 32. Rxd7 Qf8 33. Ba3 Qg8 34. Qxa6 Qe8 35. Qa7 Qg8 36. Be7 Rc8 37. Qa6 Qe8 38. Ra7 Kg8 39. Qe6+ Kh8 40. Qa6 Kg8 41. Qe6+ Kh8 42. Kh2 Rc6 43. Qb3 Rc8 44. Bd6 Qg6 45. Qb7 Rd8 46. Bg3 Rg8 47. h4 Qf5 48. Qc7 Qd5 49. Ra5 Qe4 50. Qd7 Qc4 51. Qf5 Qc8 52. Qf3 Qd7 53. Bf4 Qf7 54. g3 Re8 55. Be3 Rg8 56. Ra6 Re8 57. Ra7 Re7 58. Qa8+ Qf8 59. Ra6 Re8 60. Qc6 Rc8 61. Qf3 Qf7 62. Ra7 Qe6 63. Qb7 Qg8 64. Bf4 Rd8 65. Qa6 Re8 66. Rc7 Ra8 67. Qc6 Re8 68. Be3 Rb8 69. Bd4 Qf8 70. Qc3 Re8 71. Rc6 Qf7 72. Bxf6 Rf8 73. Bxg7+ Qxg7 74. Qe3 Qb2 75. Kg2 Qb7 76. Qxh6 Qf7 77. Rc2 1-0

[Event "London Classic 2nd"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2010.12.12"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Howell, David"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B81"]
[WhiteElo "2611"]
[BlackElo "2802"]
[Annotator "Ftacnik,Lubomir"]
[PlyCount "110"]
[EventDate "2010.12.06"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 140"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2011.01.18"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2011.01.18"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. h3 e6 7. g4 Be7 8. Bg2 Nfd7 9. Be3 Nc6 10. Qd2 {The move of the white queen makes a very sound impression, even though earlier the alternative 10.e2 was all the rage. White has enough control on the light squares, so control of the black ones must become a priority.} (10. Qe2 Nxd4 (10... O-O 11. O-O-O (11. O-O Qc7 12. Rfd1 Nce5 13. Bc1 Re8 14. a4 Bf8 15. Qd2 b6 16. b3 Bb7 17. Bb2 Rad8 18. Qf4 Ng6 19. Qg3 Be7 $11 {0-1 Lopez Martinez,J (2505)-Grigoriants,S (2539)/Stepanakert 2005 (49)}) 11... Nxd4 12. Bxd4 b5 (12... Rb8 13. e5 (13. Ba7 Ra8 14. Be3 Rb8 15. f4 b5 16. g5 b4 17. Na4 Qa5 18. b3 Nc5 19. Bxc5 dxc5 20. e5 Qb5 21. Qe3 c4 22. Kb1 Bb7 23. Bxb7 Qxb7 24. h4 {½-½ Movsesian,S (2718)-Wojtaszek,R (2637)/Warsaw 2009 (40)}) 13... d5 {0-1 Dominguez Perez,L (2719)-Morozevich,A (2750)/Moscow 2009}) (12... Qc7 13. f4 Rb8 14. Ba7 Ra8 15. Bd4 Re8 16. g5 b5 17. a3 Rb8 18. h4 b4 19. axb4 Rxb4 20. h5 Qa5 21. Nb1 e5 22. Bc3 Nc5 23. g6 Be6 24. Qd2 Rc8 25. f5 $2 {0-1 Sandipan,C (2585)-Morozevich,A (2751)/Zuerich 2009 (76)} Qa2 $19) 13. e5 d5 14. f4 (14. Nxd5 exd5 15. Bxd5 Rb8 16. Ba7 Rb7 17. Bxb7 Bxb7 18. Rhe1 Qc7 19. Kb1 Nc5 20. Bxc5 Qxc5 21. f4 Bd5 22. Qe3 Qc6 $15 {0-1 Movsesian,S (2716)-Ponomariov,R (2727)/San Sebastian 2009 (51)}) 14... Bb7 15. Qe3 b4 16. Ne2 a5 17. Kb1 a4 18. f5 b3 19. cxb3 axb3 {½-½ Vuckovic,B (2572)-Zivkovic,V (2413)/Banja Vrucica 2009 (52)}) (10... Qc7 11. O-O-O Rb8 12. f4 O-O 13. g5 Nxd4 14. Rxd4 b5 15. Kb1 Nb6 16. Rf1 e5 17. Rd3 Be6 18. f5 Bc4 19. f6 Bd8 20. Qh5 {1-0 Pirttimaki,T (2244)-Mavritchev,J/Helsinki 2002 (27)}) 11. Bxd4 O-O 12. O-O b5 13. e5 d5 14. a3 Qc7 15. f4 Bc5 16. Qe3 Bxd4 17. Qxd4 Bb7 18. Rae1 Rac8 19. Rf2 Qb6 20. Qxb6 Nxb6 $11 {0-1 Hou,Y (2590)-Wang Hao (2696)/Xinghua Jiangsu 2009 (59)}) (10. Nce2 h5 11. gxh5 Qa5+ 12. c3 Qxh5 13. Qd2 Nde5 14. b3 Nxd4 15. Nxd4 g5 16. Rg1 Bd7 17. f3 b5 18. O-O-O Rc8 19. Kb2 $11 {1-0 Ljubojevic,L (2615)-Ivanovic,B (2440)/Zagreb 1977 (43)}) 10... O-O {The downside of the 10.d2 move is the vulnerability of the c4-square. Fortunately Black can even wait before he starts thinking about exploiting it.} (10... Nde5 11. b3 (11. Nxc6 bxc6 12. b3 Ng6 $13) 11... Nxd4 (11... Bd7 12. f4 Bh4+ 13. Bf2 Nxd4 14. Qxd4 Bxf2+ 15. Qxf2 Qa5 16. Qd2 Ng6 17. O-O-O O-O 18. Na4 Qxd2+ 19. Rxd2 Bxa4 20. bxa4 Nxf4 21. Rg1 Rac8 {0-1 Di Natale,R-Salgado,C/Villa Ballester 2003 (50)}) 12. Bxd4 (12. Qxd4 Nc6 13. Qd2 b5 $13) 12... O-O 13. O-O-O (13. f4 Bh4+ $11) 13... b5 (13... Nc6 14. Be3 b5 15. f4 Bd7 $13) 14. Ne2 Bb7 15. f4 Ng6 (15... Nc6 16. Bb2 (16. Be3 a5 $132) 16... a5 17. h4 a4 18. h5 Qa5 $11) 16. Rhf1 (16. f5 $2 Nh4 $1 $17) 16... e5 17. Be3 (17. fxe5 dxe5 18. Be3 Qxd2+ 19. Rxd2 Rad8 $11) 17... exf4 (17... a5 $5 18. f5 Nh4 19. Bh1 a4 $13) 18. Nxf4 Ne5 (18... Rc8 19. Kb1 Nxf4 20. Bxf4 Qc7 21. Rf2 $14) 19. Kb1 Rc8 20. Nd5 {½-½ Dominguez Perez,L (2717)-Topalov,V (2812)/Sofia 2009/[Ftacnik] (43)}) 11. O-O Nde5 12. b3 Nxd4 13. Bxd4 Ng6 {Carlsen was clearly the favourite in this game and his knight retreat reveals his honest ambitions. From g6 the knight eyes the weak spots f4 and h4.} (13... b5 14. a4 bxa4 15. Nxa4 Bb7 16. Nb6 Rb8 17. Bxe5 {½-½ Svidler,P (2731)-Ivanisevic,I (2613)/Khanty Mansiysk 2010}) 14. Be3 $146 (14. f4 $6 Nxf4 15. Rxf4 e5 $15) (14. Na4 Bg5 15. Qb4 a5 16. Qb5 Bd7 $11) ({RR} 14. Ne2 Nh4 15. Bh1 f5 16. exf5 Kh8 17. fxe6 Nf3+ 18. Bxf3 Rxf3 19. Ng3 Bxe6 20. Rfe1 Bg5 21. Qd1 Rxg3+ 22. fxg3 Qd7 23. Qf3 h5 24. Qe4 Bf7 25. Qf5 Qxf5 26. gxf5 Bd5 27. c4 Bc6 28. h4 Bh6 {Nilsson,L (2036)-Schiendorfer,E (2354) Caleta 2012 1-0 (32)}) ({RR} 14. f4 e5 15. fxe5 dxe5 16. Be3 Qxd2 17. Bxd2 Be6 18. Nd5 Bc5+ 19. Kh2 Rac8 20. c4 Rfe8 21. Kg3 Bxd5 22. exd5 e4 23. Bf4 e3 24. Rfe1 Rcd8 25. Re2 Nxf4 26. Kxf4 Rd6 27. Kg3 Rf6 28. Bf3 h6 {Westreich,I (1929)-Vallejo Pons,F (2706) Jerusalem 2015 0-1 (48)}) 14... Qc7 15. Ne2 (15. Na4 b5 16. Nb6 Rb8 17. Nxc8 Rfxc8 18. Rac1 b4 $15) 15... b5 16. c4 $1 {Howell is a up and coming player from England with an active approach to the game. He may not get very far on the kingside, but is smart enough to play also on the opposite flank.} bxc4 (16... Bb7 17. Rac1 Qd7 18. Nf4 Rac8 $11) 17. Rac1 Bb7 18. Rxc4 Qd7 19. Rfc1 Rac8 20. Bb6 {Quite naturally the position is about equal and White is working on forcing the exchanges of majory pieces along the c-file.} (20. Nd4 h6 21. Qa5 Rxc4 22. Rxc4 Rc8 $11) 20... Rxc4 21. Rxc4 Rc8 22. Qc2 Rxc4 23. Qxc4 (23. bxc4 $2 Qc6 $15) 23... Qe8 $5 {Black knows very well that he can not exchange queens and hope for the advantage.} 24. a4 (24. Qc7 Qa8 25. Ng3 h6 26. Bd4 Bc6 $11) 24... Qa8 25. f4 $6 {White is less experienced than his opponent who is sitting on the top of world rating list. Exposing the structure and his own king on the kingside brings no benefit and is dangerous.} (25. Ba5 Bc6 26. Qd3 h6 27. Bd2 $11) 25... h6 26. Bf2 Bh4 27. Be3 (27. Bxh4 Nxh4 28. Bh1 Qd8 29. b4 Ng6 $15) 27... Bf6 28. Qd3 (28. Ng3 Nh4 29. Bh1 d5 30. Qd3 (30. exd5 Bxd5 31. Bxd5 exd5 32. Qe2 d4 $17) 30... dxe4 31. Bxe4 Bxe4 32. Nxe4 Be7 33. Bf2 Qb7 $15) 28... Bc6 29. Ng3 (29. g5 hxg5 30. fxg5 Be5 $15) 29... Be7 {The positions has become more pleasant for Black, but making progress is another story.} 30. Nh5 Bf8 31. Bf2 Qb7 32. Qc4 (32. Kh2 e5 (32... Ne7 33. Bd4 d5 34. Qc3 f6 35. g5 $13) 33. f5 Nf4 34. Nxf4 exf4 35. Be1 Be7 36. Bd2 Bg5 37. Qf3 Qb6 38. Bxf4 Bxf4+ 39. Qxf4 Qxb3 40. Qxd6 Qxa4 41. f6 $11) 32... Ne7 33. Qd3 d5 $5 {Both players have understood, that the position will have to be opened at some stage.} 34. e5 (34. exd5 Bxd5 35. Bxd5 Nxd5 $15) 34... d4 (34... Bd7 35. Bf1 Nc6 36. Be2 $11) 35. Bf1 (35. Bxc6 Nxc6 36. Ng3 a5 37. Ne4 Qd7 $15) 35... Bd5 36. Qxa6 $6 {Howell must have been excited by the prospect of eliminating all the queenside pawns. His choice of move keepis the flame of battle burning.} (36. Bxd4 $1 Bxb3 37. Qxa6 Qb4 38. Bf2 Bxa4 39. Qc4 $11) 36... Qxb3 37. Qd3 (37. Bxd4 Nc6 38. Bb6 Be7 $17) 37... Qxa4 38. Qxd4 Qa8 39. Qa7 Qc8 40. Qc5 (40. Qa3 Ng6 41. Qb2 Be7 42. Bg2 $15) 40... Nc6 41. Qc3 Qa8 42. g5 $2 {[%mdl 256] White had to think hard about the best way of defending his exposed pawn structure. He decides to lash out into counterplay, but does it at the wrong moment.} (42. Bc4 Nb4 43. Bxd5 Qxd5 44. Kh2 Nd3 $15) (42. Bd3 Bb4 43. Qb2 Be7 $15) 42... Qa4 $1 (42... hxg5 43. fxg5 Qa2 44. Nf4 Bb4 45. Qg3 Nxe5 $17) 43. Qg3 (43. gxh6 Qe4 44. Ng3 Qxf4 45. hxg7 Bxg7 $17) 43... Qd1 {Two precise moves have managed to prove that White has lost the battle. The hanging knight on h5 can not be sensibly defended.} 44. Nf6+ (44. Qh4 Bc4 45. Ng3 Nd4 46. Qg4 Nf3+ 47. Kg2 Bd5 $19) 44... gxf6 45. gxf6+ Kh8 46. Qd3 {After the act of desperation, reality refuses to run away. Due to the pin along the first rank White has to swap the queens.} Qxd3 47. Bxd3 Nb4 48. Bb1 (48. Bf1 Kh7 49. Be3 Kg6 $19) 48... Ba2 49. Be4 Nd5 50. f5 {The game is clearly over. White can not even dream about holding the game with only a pawn for the piece.} (50. Bg3 Bc5+ 51. Kg2 Bc4 52. Kf3 Nc3 53. Bc2 h5 $19) 50... Nf4 51. Kh2 exf5 52. Bxf5 Be6 53. Bg4 (53. Bb1 Nxh3 $19) 53... Bxg4 54. hxg4 Ne6 55. Kg3 Bc5 0-1

[Event "London Classic 2nd"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2010.12.15"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Short, Nigel D"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C10"]
[WhiteElo "2802"]
[BlackElo "2680"]
[Annotator "Postny,Evgeny"]
[PlyCount "79"]
[EventDate "2010.12.06"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 140"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2011.01.18"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2011.01.18"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nd2 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Nd7 5. Nf3 Be7 6. Bc4 {This is a somewhat unusual square for the bishop. Normally, 6.d3 follows automatically.} Ngf6 {Nigel must be familiar with the position, as once he was on the white side, even though the game ended in a quick draw.} 7. Nxf6+ (7. Qe2 O-O 8. Nxf6+ Bxf6 9. Be3 c5 10. O-O-O Qa5 11. Qd2 Qxd2+ 12. Rxd2 Nb6 13. Be2 {½-½ Short,N (2615)-Spassky,B (2620)/Solingen 1986/TD}) 7... Nxf6 8. O-O O-O 9. Ne5 {This move is directed to preventing the fianchetto by b7-b6, followed by c8-b7.} (9. Qe2 b6 10. Bg5 Bb7 11. Rad1 Nd5 {has appeared in practice numerous times. Black has very little to worry about.}) 9... c5 10. dxc5 Qxd1 $6 {I don't think Black should give up the fight over the d-file.} (10... Bxc5 {Here White can avoid the exchange of queens, but it shouldn't be a source of worry for Black.} 11. Qe2 Nd5 $1 (11... Qc7 12. Bf4 $36) 12. Rd1 Qc7 13. Bxd5 exd5 14. Rxd5 Be6 15. Rd1 Rae8 $44) 11. Rxd1 Bxc5 12. Be2 $1 $14 {The bishop will be ready to go to f3, pressing on Black's queenside.} Ne4 {[%csl Rf2]} 13. Nd3 Be7 14. Be3 h6 $146 {Under normal circumstances this would be a useful move, but here it's a loss of a vital tempi. In fact, this is already the last critical moment in the game.} (14... Bd7 $2 15. Bf3 f5 (15... Bc6 $2 16. Ne5 f5 17. Nxc6 bxc6 18. Bxe4 fxe4 19. Rd4 $18) 16. Bxe4 fxe4 17. Nc5 Bxc5 18. Rxd7 $16) (14... f6 $2 15. a4 e5 16. Bf3 Bf5 17. a5 a6 18. Ra4 Nd6 19. Bd5+ Kh8 20. c4 $16) (14... b6 $1 {was called for.} 15. Ne5 (15. a4 Bb7 16. a5 Rfc8 17. axb6 axb6 18. Rxa8 Bxa8 $14) 15... Bd6 16. Nc4 (16. Bf3 Bxe5 17. Bxe4 Rb8 {is not much for White.}) 16... Bc7 17. Na3 (17. Bf3 Bb7 18. Rd7 Rac8 $11) 17... Be5 18. Bd4 Bxd4 19. Rxd4 Bb7 20. Rad1 $14 {After 14...b6 in all lines Black's position is slightly worse, but with accurate defence he should be able to hold.}) ({RR} 14... f6 15. Bf3 Nd6 16. Bc5 Rd8 17. a4 e5 18. a5 Kf7 19. Re1 Bf8 20. Ra4 Bd7 21. Bd5+ Kg6 22. Rh4 Bc6 23. Be6 Re8 24. Bg4 Red8 25. f4 e4 26. Bh5+ Kf5 27. Nb4 Ke6 28. Nxc6 bxc6 29. Bxd6 {Jones,G (2657)-Stupak,K (2535) Gjakova 2016 ½-½ (58)}) 15. a4 $1 {From now on Black won't be able to complete his development without losing material.} a5 (15... b6 16. a5 {is no longer satisfactory for Black.}) 16. g3 {A somewhat surprising quiet move, which doesn't spoil anything, though. Black doesn't have a useful move.} (16. Ne5 {was far more obvious with the same idea which Magnus realised one move later.}) 16... Rd8 17. Ne5 Nf6 18. Nc4 Rxd1+ (18... Nd5 19. Nb6 Nxb6 20. Bxb6 {and Black is paralysed.}) 19. Rxd1 Nd5 20. Nb6 Nxe3 21. fxe3 Rb8 {The elimination of the bishop didn't make Black's life easier. His queenside pieces are still stuck.} 22. Kf2 e5 ({The alternatives lead to a very similar position:} 22... f6 23. Rd4 {[%csl Rc8][%cal Gd4c4]} e5 24. Rd5) (22... g6 23. Rd4 e5 24. Rd5) 23. Rd5 Be6 24. Rxa5 $18 Rd8 25. Bd3 {Black had to give up the important pawn in order to complete his development. Now the game enters into the technical phase, where White's pawn majority on the queenside, three against one, decides matters.} Bf6 26. e4 $1 {Killing Black's hopes of opening some diagonals.} Rd4 27. Rb5 (27. Ra7 Rb4 28. Rxb7 Rxb2 29. a5 {was even easier.}) 27... g6 28. a5 Kg7 29. Ke2 Bg4+ 30. Kf2 Be6 31. Kf3 h5 32. Nd5 Bd8 33. b4 {Slowly, but surely, White's pawns march forward.} Bc8 34. Ke2 Bg4+ 35. Ke1 f5 36. Rxb7+ Kh6 37. Ne3 Bf3 38. a6 fxe4 39. Be2 Bg5 40. a7 1-0

[Event "Tata Steel-A 73rd"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2011.01.15"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C45"]
[WhiteElo "2814"]
[BlackElo "2805"]
[PlyCount "55"]
[EventDate "2011.01.14"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 141"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2011.03.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2011.03.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 exd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nxc6 bxc6 6. e5 Qe7 7. Qe2 Nd5 8. c4 Ba6 9. Nd2 g6 10. b3 Bg7 11. Bb2 Nb4 12. O-O-O ({RR} 12. Nf3 c5 13. g3 O-O 14. Bg2 d5 15. O-O Rad8 16. Rfd1 Rfe8 17. a3 Nc6 18. Qc2 d4 19. Re1 Qd7 20. b4 Nxe5 21. b5 Bc8 22. Nxe5 Rxe5 23. Rxe5 Bxe5 24. Qd2 Qd6 25. Re1 Be6 26. Qd3 Re8 {Svidler,P (2660)-Adams,M (2680) Tilburg 1997 ½-½ (39)}) ({RR} 12. Nf3 c5 13. g3 O-O 14. Bg2 d5 15. O-O dxc4 16. bxc4 Rad8 17. Rfd1 Qe6 18. a3 Bxc4 19. Qe4 Nd3 20. Bc3 h6 21. Rab1 Ba6 22. Bf1 c4 23. Bxd3 Rxd3 24. Rxd3 cxd3 25. Nd2 Re8 26. f4 Bf8 {Dudarec,E (1928)-Ivekovic,T (2035) Ceske Budejovice CZE 2025 0-1 (34)}) 12... Nxa2+ 13. Kb1 Nb4 14. Ne4 O-O $146 ({RR} 14... Bb7 15. Qe3 O-O 16. f4 Rfe8 17. Be2 d6 18. g4 c5 19. h4 Bxe4+ 20. Qxe4 a5 21. h5 a4 22. hxg6 hxg6 23. bxa4 Rxa4 24. Rd2 dxe5 25. Bd1 Ra6 26. f5 Qg5 27. Rdh2 Nc6 28. fxg6 Qxg6 29. Qxg6 {Genocchio,D (2432)-Sbarra,M (2227) Mortara 2011 0-1 (52)}) 15. Qf3 Rfe8 16. Nf6+ Bxf6 17. exf6 Qc5 18. h4 d5 19. Qf4 dxc4 20. bxc4 Rab8 21. Qh6 Qf8 22. Qxf8+ Kxf8 23. h5 Bc8 24. hxg6 fxg6 25. Rxh7 Bf5+ 26. Ka1 Nc2+ 27. Ka2 Nb4+ 28. Ka1 1/2-1/2

[Event "Tata Steel-A 73rd"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2011.01.16"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Shirov, Alexei"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C45"]
[WhiteElo "2722"]
[BlackElo "2814"]
[PlyCount "55"]
[EventDate "2011.01.14"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 141"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2011.03.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2011.03.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 exd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nxc6 bxc6 6. e5 Qe7 7. Qe2 Nd5 8. c4 Ba6 9. b3 g6 10. Ba3 Qg5 ({RR} 10... Nb4 11. Bb2 Bg7 12. a3 Nd5 13. Nd2 O-O 14. O-O-O Rfe8 15. Re1 Nb6 16. h4 d5 17. h5 dxc4 18. hxg6 hxg6 19. Qf3 Rab8 20. Re4 Bc8 21. Nxc4 Bf5 22. Reh4 Nxc4 23. Bxc4 Qg5+ 24. Qe3 Qxe3+ 25. fxe3 {Caruana,F (2766)-So,W (2760) Wijk aan Zee NED 2023 ½-½ (41)}) ({RR} 10... Nb4 11. Bb2 Bg7 12. a3 Nd5 13. Nd2 O-O 14. O-O-O Rfe8 15. Qf3 Nb6 16. Ne4 Bxe5 17. Bxe5 Qxe5 18. Nf6+ Kf8 19. Nxe8 Qa1+ 20. Kc2 Qa2+ 21. Kc1 Qa1+ 22. Kc2 Qa2+ 23. Kc1 Qa1+ {½-½ (23) Vakhidov,J (2521)-Amin,B (2633) Samarkand UZB 2025}) 11. g3 Bxa3 12. Nxa3 O-O-O $146 ({RR} 12... Nc3 13. h4 Qe7 14. Qe3 Qxa3 15. Qxc3 O-O-O 16. Bh3 Rhe8 17. O-O Qc5 18. Rfe1 Kb8 19. Rad1 Re7 20. a4 h5 21. a5 Kc8 22. Re4 Ree8 23. b4 Qe7 24. Red4 Qxe5 25. Rxd7 Qxc3 26. Rxd8+ Kb7 27. Bc8+ {Szieberth,A (2389)-Amin,B (2133) Tanta 2001 1-0}) 13. Qe4 Qe7 14. Nc2 f5 15. Qd4 Nb4 16. Nxb4 Qxb4+ 17. Qd2 Qc5 18. f4 d6 19. b4 Qb6 20. c5 Qb7 21. Bxa6 Qxa6 22. cxd6 cxd6 23. exd6 Rhe8+ 24. Kf2 Rxd6 25. Qxd6 Qe2+ 26. Kg1 Qe3+ 27. Kg2 Qe2+ 28. Kg1 1/2-1/2

[Event "Tata Steel-A 73rd"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2011.01.20"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "L'Ami, Erwin"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C77"]
[WhiteElo "2814"]
[BlackElo "2628"]
[PlyCount "187"]
[EventDate "2011.01.14"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 141"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2011.03.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2011.03.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. d3 d6 6. c3 g6 7. O-O Bg7 8. Re1 O-O 9. Nbd2 Kh8 ({RR} 9... Re8 10. h3 b5 11. Bc2 Bb7 12. d4 Nb8 13. Rb1 Nbd7 14. d5 c6 15. c4 Qc7 16. b3 Bh6 17. Nf1 Bxc1 18. Rxc1 bxc4 19. bxc4 Nc5 20. N3h2 Bc8 21. Qf3 Qe7 22. dxc6 Be6 23. Ne3 Nh5 24. Nd5 {Morozevich,A (2765)-Ivanchuk,V (2751) Nice 2008 1-0 (50)}) 10. Nf1 Ng8 ({RR} 10... Nd7 11. d4 f5 12. exf5 gxf5 13. dxe5 dxe5 14. Ng3 Qe8 15. Bc2 Ne7 16. Bg5 e4 17. Bxe7 Qxe7 18. Nxf5 Rxf5 19. Bxe4 Re5 20. Nxe5 Bxe5 21. Kh1 Qc5 22. Bd5 Qxf2 23. Qh5 Qf6 24. Qe8+ Kg7 25. Rf1 {Herrmann,A (2149)-Ensslinger,C (2095) Oer-Erkenschwick GER 2025 1-0}) 11. Bg5 $146 ({RR} 11. Ng3 Qe8 12. Nd2 Bd7 13. Ndf1 Nd8 14. Bc2 Ne6 15. Ne3 b5 16. a4 Qb8 17. Nd5 c6 18. Ne3 Qb7 19. h4 Nh6 20. d4 Nf4 21. axb5 axb5 22. Rxa8 Rxa8 23. dxe5 dxe5 24. Qd6 f6 25. Bb3 Be8 {Shytaj,L (2475)-Vocaturo,D (2564) Spoleto 2011 1-0 (46)}) ({RR} 11. d4 Qe7 12. Bxc6 bxc6 13. dxe5 dxe5 14. Qa4 Bd7 15. Qc4 f5 16. Be3 Rfe8 17. exf5 gxf5 18. Bc5 Qf6 19. Ng3 Be6 20. Qa4 Bf7 21. Qh4 Qg6 22. Qg5 Nh6 23. Qxg6 hxg6 24. Ng5 Bg8 25. b3 Ng4 {Urbina Perez,J (2274)-Gomez Ledo,R (2458) Chess.com INT 2022 0-1 (75)}) 11... f6 12. Bh4 Qe8 13. d4 Bd7 14. d5 Nd8 15. Bxd7 Qxd7 16. N3d2 Nf7 17. f3 f5 18. c4 a5 19. Bf2 Nf6 20. c5 fxe4 21. Nxe4 dxc5 22. Nxc5 Qxd5 23. Qxd5 Nxd5 24. Rad1 c6 25. Ne3 Rfd8 26. a4 Nxe3 27. Bxe3 b5 28. b3 bxa4 29. bxa4 Rd5 30. Ne6 Bf8 31. Nc7 Rxd1 32. Rxd1 Rd8 33. Rc1 Rd3 34. Bb6 Bb4 35. Rxc6 Ra3 36. Ne6 h5 37. f4 Rxa4 38. fxe5 Ra1+ 39. Kf2 Re1 40. Bd4 Kg8 41. Rc8+ Kh7 42. Nf8+ Kh6 43. Nd7 Rd1 44. Be3+ Kg7 45. Rc7 a4 46. e6 Nd6 47. h4 a3 48. Ra7 g5 49. hxg5 Kg6 50. e7 a2 51. Nf8+ Kf5 52. Rxa2 Ne4+ 53. Kf3 Rf1+ 54. Ke2 Ng3+ 55. Kd3 Bxe7 56. Ra5+ Kg4 57. Ra4+ Kf5 58. Ra5+ Kg4 59. Ne6 Rd1+ 60. Kc2 Rd7 61. g6 Nf1 62. Bc1 Bf6 63. g7 Bxg7 64. Rg5+ Kh4 65. Nxg7 Ne3+ 66. Bxe3 Rd2+ 67. Kc1 Rd1+ 68. Kb2 Rd2+ 69. Kc3 Rd3+ 70. Kc4 Rxe3 71. Rxh5+ Kg4 72. Rh2 Re7 73. Nh5 Re5 74. Nf6+ Kg3 75. Rh7 Kxg2 76. Kd4 Re1 77. Ng4 Kg3 78. Ne3 Ra1 79. Rg7+ Kf4 80. Rf7+ Kg3 81. Nc2 Ra4+ 82. Ke3 Kg4 83. Nd4 Kg5 84. Ke4 Kg6 85. Rf1 Ra5 86. Nc6 Ra4+ 87. Ke5 Kg5 88. Rg1+ Rg4 89. Ra1 Rg3 90. Re1 Rg2 91. Ne7 Kg4 92. Nf5 Ra2 93. Rg1+ Kf3 94. Nh4+ 1-0

[Event "Tata Steel-A 73rd"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2011.01.21"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Smeets, Jan"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C67"]
[WhiteElo "2662"]
[BlackElo "2814"]
[Annotator "Kritz,Leonid"]
[PlyCount "66"]
[EventDate "2011.01.14"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 141"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2011.03.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2011.03.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. d4 Nd6 6. Bxc6 dxc6 7. dxe5 Nf5 8. Qxd8+ Kxd8 9. Nc3 Bd7 10. h3 b6 {Das sieht schon wirklich gefährlich aus. Das Feld g5 sollte man unter Kontrolle nehmen oder man hat wirklich alles bis ins kleinste Details analysiert, was nach d1-g5 passiert.} 11. b3 (11. Rd1 $5 {Der direkteste Versuch, die Abwesenheit des Bauern auf h6 auszunutzen.} Kc8 12. g4 Ne7 13. Ng5 $1 f5 $1 14. e6 Be8 15. Nf7 Bxf7 16. exf7 Ng6 $1 17. gxf5 Nh4 18. Ne4 Be7 19. Rd3 Rf8 $13 {Navara - Hammer (Wijk aan Zee, 2011)}) ({RR} 11. Bf4 Kc8 12. Rad1 Be7 13. g4 Nh4 14. Nxh4 Bxh4 15. Ne4 c5 16. Bg3 Bc6 17. Rfe1 Be7 18. f4 Kb7 19. Kf2 Rad8 20. Ke3 h5 21. Rxd8 Bxd8 22. c4 hxg4 23. hxg4 Rh3 24. Kf2 g6 25. Nf6 Kc8 {Smeets,J (2608)-Bok,B (2601) Amstelveen 2017 ½-½ (68)}) 11... Kc8 ({RR} 11... Be7 12. Bb2 Kc8 13. Rad1 c5 14. Nd5 Bd8 15. g4 Nh4 16. Nxh4 Bxh4 17. f4 Bd8 18. f5 Bc6 19. Nf4 Bg5 20. e6 f6 21. Kh2 Kb7 22. Kg3 Bxf4+ 23. Kxf4 h6 24. h4 a5 25. a4 c4 26. Rd4 {Melkumyan,H (2640)-Otero Marino,A (2250) chess.com INT 2024 1-0 (47)}) 12. Bb2 h5 $5 {Wenn das geht, dann hat Schwarz einfach Zeit an h6 gespart und steht sehr gut.} (12... Be7 13. g4 Nh4 14. Nxh4 Bxh4 15. f4 f5 16. exf6 gxf6 17. f5 $14 {Womacka - Harikrishna (Catalan Bay, 2004)}) ({RR} 12... Be7 13. Rad1 Nh4 14. Nd4 h5 15. Kh2 Kb7 16. g3 Ng6 17. Rfe1 c5 18. Nf3 Bf5 19. Rd2 Rhd8 20. Rde2 Nf8 21. Ne4 Ne6 22. Bc1 a5 23. Neg5 Bxg5 24. Bxg5 Rd5 25. Be3 a4 26. Nh4 Rxe5 27. f4 {Caruana,F (2781)-Aronian,L (2802) Wijk aan Zee 2013 ½-½ (104)}) 13. g3 $146 {Das ist natürlich kein Versuch, den schwarzen Aufbau zu widerlegen.} (13. Ng5 Be7 $1 {Es entstehen einige hübsche Varianten.} 14. Nxf7 (14. Nce4 Be8 15. Rad1 Kb7) 14... Rf8 15. Rfe1 Be6 16. Nd6+ cxd6 17. exd6 Bh4 $1 18. Rxe6 (18. g3 Kd7 19. gxh4 Nxh4 $11) 18... Bxf2+ 19. Kh2 $1 (19. Kh1 Kd7 20. Re5 Bd4 21. Ree1 Rae8 $15) 19... Bg3+ 20. Kg1 Bf2+ $11) ({RR} 13. Rad1 Be7 14. Ne2 a5 15. a4 c5 16. Nf4 c4 17. e6 Bxe6 18. Nxe6 fxe6 19. Rfe1 cxb3 20. cxb3 Rf8 21. Rxe6 Bc5 22. Be5 Nh4 23. Nxh4 Bxf2+ 24. Kh2 Bxh4 25. Bxg7 Rf7 26. Be5 Kb7 27. g3 Rd8 {Pedersen,C (2416)-Schandorff,L (2494) Helsingor 2012 ½-½}) ({RR} 13. Ng5 Be8 14. Rad1 Be7 15. Nge4 Kb7 16. Rd3 Rd8 17. Rfd1 Rxd3 18. Rxd3 h4 19. f3 a5 20. Kf2 Kc8 21. Bc1 Bd7 22. Bg5 Bb4 23. Bc1 Re8 24. f4 Be7 25. Bb2 Be6 26. a4 Rh8 27. Ne2 Rf8 {Bruzon Batista,L (2691)-Harikrishna,P (2665) Wijk aan Zee 2012 0-1 (79)}) 13... Be7 {Schwarz hat das Maximum erreicht, was er in der Berliner Mauer erreichen kann.} 14. Rad1 a5 15. a4 {Es ist gut für Schwarz, die Züge a5 und a4 einzuschließen, denn die weißen Bauern c2-b3-a4 können später Angriffsziele des schwarzen weißfeldrigen Läeufers werden. Doch Weiß muss a4 spielen, weil er nicht damit leben kann, dass Schwarz jeder Zeit selbst a4 spielt.} Re8 16. Rd3 $2 {Es stellt sich heraus, dass der Turm auf d3 sehr unglücklich steht. Ein prophylaktischer Zug wie h2 wäre besser gewesen.} (16. Kh2 $5 c5 17. Nd5 c4 18. Nxe7+ (18. g4 hxg4 19. hxg4 Nh6 20. g5 Nf5 21. Nxe7+ Rxe7 $15) 18... Rxe7 19. Rd2 Kb7 $11) 16... c5 {Das ist ein Standardzug - man gibt das Feld d5 auf, bringt aber den Läufer nach c6. Der Springer auf d5 steht schön, macht aber wenig.} 17. Nd5 c4 $1 {Wenn ein solcher Zug in der Berliner Mauer gespielt wird, dann muss Weiß sofort gewinnen oder er wird schlechter stehen. Sofort gewinnen kann er hier nicht, also...} 18. Rc3 (18. Nxe7+ Nxe7 {Nun hängt der Bauer auf h3 auch noch.} 19. Rd2 (19. bxc4 Bxa4 $17) 19... cxb3 20. cxb3 Bxh3 $19) 18... Bc5 $1 {Das war die Idee! Der Bauer c7 ist indirekt verteidigt, der andere auf g3 hängt! Schwarz hat großen Vorteil.} 19. Kh2 (19. Rxc4 Bc6 $1 {Man muss sehr genau spielen!} (19... Nxg3 $2 20. Rd1 $1 {Es droht xc5 oder a3} Nf5 21. Ba3 Bxa3 22. Nxc7 $3 $18 {Nicht mit dem Turm - das ist die Idee.}) 20. Rd1 Rd8 21. Rf4 Nxg3 $17) 19... Bc6 {Auch 19...cxb3 führt zum Vorteil.} (19... cxb3 20. cxb3 Bc6 $15) 20. bxc4 Bxa4 $17 {Diese Stellung ist fast verloren für Weiß. Schwarz hat das Läuferpaar, die bessere Bauernstruktur, einen entfernten Freibauern und aktiv stehende Figuren. Und das nach nur 20 Zügen!} 21. Ra1 Bc6 22. Rf1 $2 {Man sieht, dass der Weißspieler die Partie schon psychologisch aufgegeben hat.} a4 {Schwarz hat keine Schwiriegkeiten mit der Verwertung seines Vorteils.} 23. Ba3 Ra5 24. g4 hxg4 25. hxg4 Ne7 (25... Nd4 $1 {würde noch einfacher gewinnen.} 26. Bxc5 Rh8+ 27. Kg2 (27. Kg3 Ne2+ 28. Kg2 Rxc5 29. Re3 Rxc4 30. Ne7+ Kb7 31. Nxc6 Rxg4#) 27... Rxc5 $3 28. Nxd4 (28. Ne7+ Kb7 29. Nxc6 Nxc6 30. Re1 Ra8 31. Ree3 Raa5 $19) 28... Bxd5+ 29. Kg3 Rxc4 $19) 26. Nb4 {Das Nehmen auf e7 sieht auch nicht gut aus.} (26. Nxe7+ Bxe7 27. Ra1 Bxa3 28. Raxa3 Rc5 $17) 26... Bb7 27. Kg3 Ng6 $19 {Alle schwarzen Figuren greifen an, alle weißen sind am Verteidigen.} 28. Re1 Bxf3 {Einfachste Entscheidung.} 29. Rxf3 Rxe5 30. Rd1 Re4 31. Rxf7 Rxg4+ 32. Kxg4 Ne5+ 33. Kg3 Nxf7 0-1

[Event "Tata Steel-A 73rd"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2011.01.22"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B80"]
[WhiteElo "2814"]
[BlackElo "2810"]
[PlyCount "36"]
[EventDate "2011.01.14"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 141"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2011.03.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2011.03.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. g3 e6 7. Bg2 Be7 8. O-O O-O 9. Nce2 Qc7 10. b3 e5 11. Nf5 Bxf5 12. exf5 d5 13. Bxd5 $146 ({RR} 13. Bg5 Nbd7 14. c4 d4 15. g4 Rad8 16. Ng3 h6 17. Bd2 Nc5 18. h4 Nh7 19. g5 hxg5 20. hxg5 Bxg5 21. Bxg5 Nxg5 22. b4 Nd7 23. Qg4 f6 24. Bd5+ Rf7 25. Ne4 Nxe4 26. Qxe4 Nb6 27. Bxf7+ Qxf7 {Van Riemsdijk,H (2355)-Rocha,W Campinas 1989 1-0 (53)}) ({RR} 13. Bb2 Rd8 14. Nc3 e4 15. Ne2 Nc6 16. Nd4 Rac8 17. Rc1 Bc5 18. Nxc6 Qxc6 19. Bxf6 Qxf6 20. Qe2 Qxf5 21. c4 Qg5 22. Kh1 Ba3 23. Rc2 dxc4 24. Rxc4 f5 25. Rxc8 Rxc8 26. Rd1 h5 27. f3 Rc1 {Velickovic,S (2283)-Nestorovic,L (2382) Skopje 2018 ½-½ (36)}) ({RR} 13. Bg5 Nbd7 14. c4 dxc4 15. Rc1 Nb6 16. bxc4 Nbd7 17. Nc3 Ba3 18. Rb1 Qxc4 19. Qb3 Qxb3 20. Rxb3 Bc5 21. Bxb7 Ra7 22. Na4 Rb8 23. Bxf6 gxf6 24. Bd5 Rxb3 25. Bxb3 Rc7 26. Nxc5 Nxc5 27. Rc1 Kf8 {Camacho,C (2203)-Citra,D (1994) Tagaytay City 2011 ½-½ (32)}) 13... Rd8 14. c4 Nxd5 15. cxd5 Qa5 16. Qd2 Qxd2 17. Bxd2 Rxd5 18. Be3 Nc6 1/2-1/2

[Event "Tata Steel-A 73rd"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2011.01.23"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B92"]
[WhiteElo "2814"]
[BlackElo "2751"]
[Annotator "Stohl,Igor"]
[PlyCount "73"]
[EventDate "2011.01.14"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 141"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2011.03.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2011.03.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Be2 e5 7. Nb3 Be7 8. Be3 {A tricky move order.} ({After one sees the game, a legitimate question is if White can't play} 8. g4 {immediately. This is also nothing new, as Black hasn't castled yet, he can afford to play} h6 $1 {After} 9. f4 exf4 10. Bxf4 Nc6 11. h3 Be6 12. Qd2 d5 13. O-O-O dxe4 14. Qe3 Qc8 15. Nxe4 Nxe4 16. Qxe4 {Black has opened the  for his , so} O-O {is already appropriate.} 17. Kb1 f5 18. Qe3 Nb4 19. Bd3 fxg4 20. Be4 Bf5 21. Nd4 Bxe4 22. Qxe4 Qc4 23. b3 Qf7 24. Ne6 {Shirov,A (2700)-Van Wely,L (2655)/Tilburg/1997/} {should have led to a balanced  after} Qf5 $1 $11) ({For the standard} 8. O-O {see the notes to Ponomariov-Anand, Wijk aan Zee 2011.}) 8... O-O (8... b5 $6 {prematurely weakens the  and} 9. a4 $1 b4 10. Nd5 $16 {causes serious problems.}) ({However,} 8... Be6 $142 $1 {is safer than the text move, as now} 9. g4 (9. O-O O-O {-8.0-0}) {allows  with} 9... d5 10. exd5 Nxd5 11. Nxd5 Bxd5 12. O-O Nc6 (12... O-O 13. Nc5 (13. c4 Bc6 14. Qxd8 Bxd8 15. Nc5 {Peresipkin,V-Bukhman,E/Kaliningrad /1972/} a5 $5 {[%cal Yb7b6,Yb8d7] b6,d7=}) 13... Bc6 14. Qxd8 Rxd8 15. Rfd1 Re8 (15... Nd7 16. Nxd7 Rxd7 17. Rxd7 Bxd7 18. Bf3 Rc8 19. c3 Bc6 20. Bxc6 Rxc6 $11) 16. c4 a5 17. Rac1 b6 18. Nd3 Nd7 19. a3 Bf8 20. Rb1 Nc5 $11 {Firman,N (2551)-Yilmaz,M (2477)/Kharkov/2011/}) 13. c3 (13. Nc5 Bxc5 14. Bxc5 h5 $13) 13... O-O 14. Qc2 $6 (14. Nc5 $13) 14... Qc7 15. Rad1 Be6 16. f3 Rad8 17. Bd3 g6 $15 {[%csl Rf3,Rg4] ׻, Ninclaus,W-Baert,J/Gent/2010/}) 9. g4 $1 Be6 {Around here the surprised Nakamura started thinking.} (9... Nc6 10. g5 Nxe4 11. Nxe4 d5 12. Ng3 d4 13. Bd2 a5 14. h4 a4 15. Nc1 Be6 16. Bd3 Bb4 17. a3 Bxd2+ 18. Qxd2 f5 19. gxf6 Qxf6 20. Be4 Bg4 21. Nd3 Bf3 22. Bxf3 Qxf3 23. Qe2 $18 {Yemelin,V (2530)-Nevostrujev,V (2490)/Kazan/2005/}) (9... a5 10. g5 Nfd7 11. h4 a4 12. Nd2 Nb6 13. Bxb6 $1 Qxb6 14. Nd5 Qd8 15. Nc4 Nc6 16. c3 b5 17. Nce3 Rb8 18. Rg1 Kh8 19. a3 f6 20. Bg4 fxg5 21. Bxc8 Rxc8 22. Qg4 Rf4 23. Nxf4 exf4 24. Nd5 Ne5 25. Qe6 Nf3+ 26. Ke2 Nxg1+ 27. Rxg1 $18 {[%csl Gd5] Yemelin,V (2522)-Loginov,V (2499)/St Petersburg/2001/}) ({There is hardly anything better than the natural text move.} 9... h6 $6 {is suicidal:} 10. h4 $1 $40) 10. g5 Nfd7 ({Dolmatov has had excellent results with this line and his games are very instructive, e.g.} 10... Ne8 11. Qd2 Nd7 12. f4 g6 13. O-O-O Ng7 14. h4 Rc8 15. Kb1 f5 16. h5 $40 gxh5 17. Bxh5 fxe4 18. Qh2 Rxc3 19. bxc3 Bf5 20. Bg4 $1 Bxg4 21. Qxh7+ Kf7 22. Rdf1 Bf3 23. Rh6 Rg8 24. fxe5 Nxe5 25. Qxe4 Ke8 26. Rxf3 Nxf3 27. Qxf3 Bxg5 28. Qd5 $1 {1-0,Dolmatov,S (2600)-Zakharov,A (2426)/Linares/2000/ See the notes by Ftacnik in CBM 75.}) 11. h4 $5 {This extremely aggressive move order might be in fact more testing than the more usual continuation} (11. Qd2 {and now:} a5 $142 $5 (11... Nb6 12. O-O-O N8d7 {is rather slow, after} 13. Kb1 Rc8 14. h4 Nc4 15. Bxc4 Rxc4 {White has a pleasant choice of attacking continuations:} 16. f3 {[%cal Yc3d5] d5} (16. h5 $5 f5 17. exf5 Rxf5 18. Nd5 (18. g6 $14) 18... Bxg5 19. Bxg5 Rxg5 20. Ne3 Rc6 21. Na5 Rb6 22. Nac4 $36) (16. f4 exf4 17. Bxf4 Ne5 18. Nd4 Qc8 19. Nd5 (19. h5 $142 $36 {is similar to Carlsen's set-up} Rb4 $2 {runs into} 20. Nf5 $1 Bxf5 21. Nd5 $18) 19... Bxd5 20. exd5 $14 (20. Nf5 $6 Re8 21. Qxd5 Bf8 $132 {Stellwagen,D (2585)-Vachier Lagrave,M (2573)/Wijk aan Zee B /2007/})) 16... Qc7 (16... f5 17. Nd5 $1 {} fxe4 18. Na5 $16) 17. h5 b5 (17... Rc8 18. g6 fxg6 19. hxg6 hxg6 20. Nd5 Qd8 21. c3 R4c6 22. Rdg1 Nf8 23. f4 exf4 24. Nxf4 $40 {Rogers,I (2575)-Huebner,R (2595)/Wellington/1988/}) 18. g6 Nf6 (18... b4 $5 19. Nd5 Bxd5 20. Qxd5 Nf6 $14) 19. Rdg1 b4 20. Na4 $1 (20. Bh6 bxc3 21. gxh7+ Nxh7 $8 22. Rxg7+ (22. Qg2 Bg5 23. Bxg5 f6 $13) 22... Kh8 23. Qg2 Bf6 24. Rg1 Qd8 {Williams,B-Frost,L/corr/1997/} 25. Rg3 Rc8 26. Bxf8 Qxf8 $13) 20... Rc6 21. Bh6 Ne8 22. Bxg7 (22. gxh7+ Kxh7 23. Bxg7 Nxg7 24. h6 Ne8 25. Qg2 d5 $1 {} 26. Qg7+ Nxg7 27. hxg7+ Bh3 28. Rxh3+ Rh6 $19) 22... Kxg7 23. h6+ Kg8 24. g7 $16 {Hellers,F (2520)-Gavrikov,V (2580)/Brocco/1990/}) 12. f4 (12. a4 Nc6 {[%cal Yc6b4] The outpost on b4 guarantees Black at least reasonable , Carlsen at his post-game press-conference admitted he was worried about a5 motifs and wanted to avoid such situations.} (12... Na6 {is also possible, only after} 13. Nd5 {Black should play} Nb4 $1 $132 (13... Bxd5 $6 14. exd5 Nac5 15. Nxc5 Nxc5 16. h4 Qc8 17. Bb5 Bd8 18. Qe2 Bb6 19. O-O-O Nb3+ 20. Kb1 Nd4 21. Bxd4 Bxd4 22. c3 Bc5 23. Bd3 f5 24. gxf6 Rxf6 25. Qe4 Rh6 26. f4 $36 {[%csl Rc5,Gd3] ,Dolmatov,S (2565)-Ljubojevic,L (2610)/Madrid/1988/ Another model Dolmatov game, in which White's attack suceeded because of his better  and despite the simplification.})) 13. f4 (13. h4 Nc5 (13... Nb4 14. O-O-O Rc8 15. Kb1 Nb6 16. Na1 f5 17. gxf6 Rxf6 18. Rhg1 Nc4 19. Bxc4 Bxc4 20. h5 Qf8 $13 {Mertens,M (2454)-Tiemann,H (2492)/corr/2006/}) 14. Nxc5 dxc5 15. Qxd8 Raxd8 16. Nb5 Nd4 17. Nxd4 cxd4 18. Bd2 b6 19. Bd3 Rc8 20. Ke2 f5 $15 {Vogt,L (2480)-Balashov,Y (2545)/Halle /1976/}) (13. Nd5 Nb4 $1 14. Nxa5 $2 Bxd5 15. Qxb4 Be6 16. Bd2 d5 17. Qb5 dxe4 18. Bc4 Bxg5 19. Bb4 e3 $19 {,Antal,G (2473)-Vajda,L (2537)/Budapest/2003/}) (13. O-O-O Nb4 14. Kb1 f5 $5 15. gxf6 Nxf6 16. Rhg1 Rc8 17. Bh6 Rf7 18. Bf3 Qd7 19. Rg3 d5 $1 $15 {Sheretyuk,A (2426)-Ljubicic,L (2516)/corr/2008/}) 13... f5 (13... Nb4 14. f5 Bxb3 15. cxb3 d5 16. exd5 $14 (16. Nxd5 Nxd5 17. Qxd5 Bxg5 18. Bxg5 Qxg5 19. Qxd7 Qh4+ $11)) (13... exf4 $5 14. Bxf4 Bxb3 15. cxb3 Nc5 16. Bc4 Ne5 17. Bxe5 dxe5 18. h4 Qxd2+ 19. Kxd2 Ne6 $11) 14. exf5 (14. gxf6 $5 Bxf6 15. O-O-O) 14... Bxf5 15. fxe5 dxe5 (15... Ndxe5 16. O-O-O Nb4 17. Nd4 Bh3 $13) 16. O-O-O Nb4 17. Rhf1 Be6 18. Rxf8+ Qxf8 19. Rf1 Qc8 20. Bb5 Qc7 21. Bxd7 {1/2,Khalifman,A (2628)-Gelfand,B (2713)/FIDE WCh Las Vegas/1999/} Qxd7 $11) (12. Bb5 Na6 13. O-O-O {Sadvakasov,D (2509)-Ashley,M (2482)/Los Angeles/2000/} Nc7 $132) 12... a4 13. f5 axb3 14. fxe6 fxe6 15. cxb3 Nc6 16. h4 (16. Bc4 Nd4 $1 17. O-O-O Nb6 $132) 16... Nc5 17. Bc4 Na5 (17... Qc8 $5) 18. Bxc5 Nxc4 19. bxc4 dxc5 20. O-O-O Qxd2+ {Even despite the seemingly miserable e7 White doesn't have an advantage, as his  is vulnerable and Black's  are active.} 21. Kxd2 (21. Rxd2 Rad8 22. Rxd8 Rxd8 23. b3 Kf7 24. Ne2 Kg6 $132 {[%csl Rg5,Rh4] Stefan,C (2111)-Zirek,M (2137)/corr/2002/}) 21... Rad8+ 22. Ke2 Rd4 23. Rhf1 Rfd8 24. b3 h6 $11 25. gxh6 gxh6 26. h5 Bg5 $11 {Dolmatov,S (2550)-Gelfand,B (2585)/Klaipeda/1988/}) 11... Nb6 $6 (11... Nc6 $142 $5 {White can maybe avoid this with} 12. f4 {, but} (12. Qd2 a5 $132 (12... Rc8 13. Nd5 f5 $6 14. f3 Kh8 15. O-O-O f4 16. Bf2 Re8 17. Nxe7 Nxe7 18. Qxd6 $16 {Romanishin,O-Marjanovic,S/Yerevan /1971/}) {, now} 13. a4 {only transposes to the above note.} (13. f4 a4 14. f5 axb3 15. fxe6 fxe6 16. cxb3 Nc5 $13 {} 17. O-O-O $2 Rxa2)) 12... f5 {is far from clear.}) (11... a5 12. f4 exf4 (12... a4 13. f5 $36 {is a better version of the above line, as White has already played the useful h4.}) 13. Bxf4 Ne5 14. Nd4 Nbc6 15. Qd2 $5 $14 (15. Ndb5 f5 16. Nd5 fxe4 17. Nbc7 Bxd5 18. Qxd5+ Kh8 19. Ne6 Qb6 20. Nxf8 Rxf8 21. Bxe5 Qf2+ 22. Kd1 dxe5 23. Rf1 {Delchev,A (2583)-Colovic,A (2385)/Subotica/2003/} Qxf1+ 24. Bxf1 Rxf1+ 25. Ke2 Rxa1 26. Qd7 Nd4+ 27. Kf2 e3+ 28. Kg2 (28. Kxe3 Rf1) 28... Bf8 29. Qc8 (29. Qf7 $2 Ne6 $1 30. Qxe6 e2 31. Qf7 Rf1) 29... Kg8 30. Qc4+ $11)) (11... b5 {allows White to profit from his  on d1 with} 12. Bg4 (12. Nd5 $5) 12... Nc5 13. Bxe6 fxe6 14. g6 h6 15. Qg4 Qc8 16. O-O-O Na4 17. Ne2 Nc6 18. Kb1 Rf6 19. Rh3 d5 20. Qh5 Bf8 21. Rf3 Rxf3 22. Qxf3 d4 23. Bxh6 $40 {Smagin,S (2535)-Gallagher,J (2445)/Hastings/1990/}) 12. Qd2 ({Carlsen didn't like the immediate} 12. f4 exf4 13. Bxf4 {due to} d5 $1 (13... Nc6 14. Nd5 $1 Bxd5 15. exd5 Ne5 16. Qd4 Rc8 17. O-O-O Nbc4 18. Nd2 b5 19. Nxc4 Nxc4 20. Bd3 Re8 21. Kb1 Ne5 22. Bxe5 dxe5 23. Qg4 e4 24. Bxe4 Rc4 25. Qg2 Bd6 26. Bd3 $16 {Dolmatov,S (2600)-Ye Jiangchuan (2593)/Shenyang/1999/}) 14. Nd4 Nc6 15. e5 Nd7 16. Nf3 Qb6 17. Nxd5 Qa5+ 18. Nc3 Ndxe5 $36 {Tseitlin,M (2540)-Degraeve,J (2515)/Budapest/1996/}) (12. Nd5 Nxd5 (12... N8d7 13. Qd3 Bxd5 14. exd5 Rc8 15. Nd2 f5 16. gxf6 Nxf6 17. c4 Na4 18. Qa3 b5 19. cxb5 axb5 20. Bxb5 Nb6 $13 {Milos,G (2620)-Mekhitarian,K (2280)/Guarulhos/2005/}) 13. exd5 Bf5 14. Bd3 Qd7 15. Rg1 a5 16. a4 Na6 17. c3 Nc7 $132 {Schmidt Schaeffer,S (2275)-Gallagher,J (2500)/SIU-chT/1993/}) 12... N8d7 (12... a5 $5 13. f4 (13. a4 Nc6 {Smagin,S (2355)-Rashkovsky,N (2470)/Moscow/1984/} 14. O-O-O Nb4 15. f4 $5 {is a suggestion by Shipov, who likes White's chances.}) 13... a4 (13... exf4 14. Bxf4 Nc6 15. Nd4 Ne5 16. b3 (16. O-O-O $14 {is better, later White can kick the  away after it occupies c4.}) 16... a4 17. h5 axb3 18. cxb3 Nbd7 19. g6 Bh4+ 20. Kd1 Nc5 21. Kc2 Bf6 22. h6 Nxg6 23. hxg7 Re8 24. Be3 Bxg7 25. Bb5 Bg4 26. Qg2 h5 27. Bc4 b5 28. Bxb5 Qa5 29. a4 Rac8 30. Bc4 Nxb3 31. Qf1 Ne5 32. Nxb3 Nxc4 33. Bd4 Ne3+ {0-1 Yevseev,D (2589)-Rashkovsky,N (2510)/Krasnoyarsk 2003/CBM 098}) 14. f5 Nc4 15. Bxc4 (15. Qc1 $6 Nxe3 16. Qxe3 d5 $1 $15) 15... Bxc4 16. Nc1 {[%csl Gf5,Gg5,Gh4][%cal Yb2b3,Yc3d5] is probably the critical position. White's  in connection with ides like b3 and d5 could give him an edge, if he manages to consolidate, but this is not so simple after} Nc6 {} 17. b3 axb3 18. cxb3 d5 $1 19. exd5 Nd4 $1 $44) 13. f4 $5 $146 {[%mdl 8] A promising novelty.} ({Previously White played almost exclusively} 13. O-O-O {, but Carlsen wanted to gain access to the d4 square and once and for all stop the} a5 $5 {ideas.} (13... Rc8 14. Kb1 $36 {leads to a position we have already considered above in the note to 11.h4!?}) 14. Kb1 a4 15. Nc1 Rc8 (15... Qc8 16. a3 Nc4 17. Bxc4 Qxc4 18. N1a2 f5 19. gxf6 Nxf6 20. f3 Rf7 21. Nb4 $14 {Horvath,A (2464)-Flumbort,A (2436)/Budapest/2002/}) (15... f5 $5) 16. a3 f5 17. Nd5 (17. f3 $5 {[%cal Yc1a2,Ya2b4] 1a2-b4}) 17... Bxd5 18. exd5 Nc4 $11 {Andersen,M (2020)-Flumbort,A (2499)/Gausdal/2008/}) (13. h5 Rc8 (13... a5 $142 $1) 14. O-O-O Qc7 15. g6 Rfd8 16. Rdg1 d5 {Maslik,W-Kammel,H/corr/1986/} 17. gxh7+ Kh8 18. Bh6 $1 $18) 13... exf4 14. Bxf4 Ne5 15. O-O-O $14 {1-0 Ponomariov,R (2723)-Karjakin,S (2678) Corus Wijk aan Zee 2007 (9) Now the position resembles games from the 6.e3 e5 line, in which White has been able to play f4 in one go. One possible model example from White's point of view is} Rc8 (15... Nbc4 16. Bxc4 $5 (16. Qd4 Rc8 17. Kb1 f6 $5 $132) 16... Nxc4 17. Qd3 $14 {[%cal Yb3d4,Yd4f5,Yc3d5] d4-f5,d5}) 16. Kb1 Qc7 {I think Black shouldn't have hesitated so long with the  sortie. Here} (16... Nbc4 17. Bxc4 Nxc4 18. Qd3 f6 19. Nd4 Bg4 20. Rdg1 fxg5 21. Bxg5 h5 $5 $14 {deserves attention.}) 17. h5 (17. Nd4 Nbc4 18. Bxc4 Nxc4 19. Qd3 Qb6 {forces the  to return, or a weakening of the  with} 20. b3 {[%csl Ra3,Rb2]}) (17. Ka1 $5 $14) 17... Rfe8 $6 ({Again Black should have considered} 17... Nbc4 $5 18. Bxc4 (18. Qd4 $5 Na3+ 19. Kc1) 18... Nxc4 19. Qd3 (19. Qg2 $2 Nxb2) 19... Na3+ 20. Kc1 Qc4 $132) 18. Ka1 $1 {A nice prophylactic move, designed to take the sting out of the line} (18. Nd4 Nbc4 19. Qe1 Qb6 20. Bc1 $2 Na3+ 21. Ka1 Qxd4 $1 $17) 18... Bf8 (18... Nbc4 19. Bxc4 Nxc4 20. Qd3 $14 {is less effective now, but still seems preferable to the text move.}) 19. Nd4 $146 {[%mdl 128] White finally activates his  and his  inexorably grows, culminating in a combinational atttack.} ({RR} 19. Rdg1 Kh8 20. g6 h6 21. Rg3 Nbc4 22. Qc1 f5 23. exf5 Bxf5 24. Rf1 Qd7 25. Nd4 Bh3 26. Rf2 d5 27. Bxh6 gxh6 28. Rxf8+ Rxf8 29. Qxh6+ {1-0 (29) Salinas Herrera,P (2383)-Vazquez,G (2339) Asuncion 2013}) 19... Qc5 ({In the post-mortem Nakamura suggested} 19... g6 $5 {g7 , but this fails to} 20. hxg6 (20. h6) 20... hxg6 (20... fxg6 21. Bxe5 dxe5 22. Nxe6 Rxe6 23. Nd5 $18) 21. Bxe5 (21. Nxe6 Rxe6 22. Be3 Bg7 (22... Nbc4 23. Bxc4 Nxc4 24. Bd4 Bg7 25. Qh2 $18) 23. Bd4 $40) 21... dxe5 22. Nxe6 Rxe6 (22... fxe6 23. Qe3 $18 {[%cal Re3h3,Re2g4,Rd1f1,Rf1f6] ×e6,g6,h3,g4,df1-f6}) 23. Bg4 Rd6 24. Qh2 Rxd1+ 25. Nxd1 $18) (19... Nbc4 20. Bxc4 Nxc4 21. Qd3 Qb6 22. Bc1 $1 $36 {g6 protects everything important and White is ready to roll.}) 20. g6 $1 $40 Nec4 (20... fxg6 21. hxg6 Nxg6 (21... h6 22. Nxe6 Rxe6 23. Bxe5 dxe5 (23... Rxe5 24. Qf4 Qc7 25. Bg4 Rb8 26. Rdf1 $18) 24. Bg4 Rxg6 (24... Rd6 25. Bxc8 Rxd2 26. Be6+ Kh8 27. Rxd2 $18 {[%csl Rh8] עh8}) 25. Bxc8 $16) 22. Nxe6 Rxe6 23. Bg4 Nxf4 24. Qxf4 Rf6 25. Qh2 $16) 21. Bxc4 Nxc4 22. Qd3 {Here Carlsen considered Black's position beyond saving - in a practical game it's certainly almost impossible to defend and Nakamura quckly went down in flames.} fxg6 ({Slightly more resilient was} 22... h6 $5 {, but after} 23. Qg3 $16 {White is still clearly on top.}) (22... b5 23. gxh7+ Kh8 24. h6 g6 25. Nxe6 Rxe6 (25... fxe6 26. e5 $1 $18) 26. Nd5 $16 {/+-}) 23. hxg6 (23. Nxe6 Rxe6 24. Qh3 Rce8 25. hxg6 h6 26. Nd5 {[%cal Rh3f5,Rf5f7] f5-f7} Rxg6 27. Qf5 Ree6 28. Rdf1 {[%cal Rf5f8,Rf4h6]} Ref6 29. Nxf6+ Rxf6 $16 {is promising, but Carlsen already wants more and sees no need to force matters.}) 23... h6 24. Qg3 Qb6 (24... Nxb2 25. Kxb2 Qb4+ 26. Nb3 d5 27. exd5 Qa3+ 28. Kb1 $19 {is just desperation.}) 25. Bc1 Qa5 $6 {[%cal Yc8c3,Yc4b2] Black toys with ideas as b2 and c3, but his  goes offside.} (25... Ne5 26. Nd5 Bxd5 27. exd5 $40 {gives him an extra tempo in comparison with the game, but White's attack is still very strong.}) 26. Rdf1 $1 {Carlsen refrains from} (26. Nxe6 Rxe6 27. Nd5 $16 {and calmly piles up the pressure.}) 26... Ne5 {[%cal Rc8c3] c3} (26... Nxb2 27. Nxe6 Qxc3 (27... Rxc3 28. Qf2 $18) 28. Qxc3 Rxc3 29. Kxb2 $18) (26... Qe5 27. Qf2 $1 Qc5 (27... Rc7 28. Nxe6 Qxe6 29. Nd5 Rd7 30. Bxh6 $18) (27... Re7 28. Rh4 $5 $18 (28. Nxe6 Qxe6 29. Nd5 $18 {[%cal Rc1h6] h6})) 28. Rhg1 $1 {[%cal Rc1h6] h6,g7+-}) 27. Nd5 Bxd5 28. exd5 $18 {[%csl Rh6][%cal Rd4f5] f5,×h6} Qxd5 (28... Qa4 29. Bxh6 $5 gxh6 30. g7 Bxg7 31. Rf4 $1 (31. Nf5 $6 Qg4) 31... Qd7 32. Nf5 h5 33. Nh6+ Kh7 34. Rxh5 Ng6 (34... Bxh6 35. Rxh6+ Kxh6 36. Rh4#) 35. Rf7 Rxc2 36. a3 Ree2 37. Nf5+ Kg8 38. Rxg7+ Qxg7 39. Nxg7 Rg2 (39... Kxg7 40. Rg5 $18) 40. Qxd6 Rxb2 41. Qd8+ Kxg7 42. Qc7+ Kg8 43. Rf5 $18) 29. Bxh6 $1 {[%mdl 64] With all forces aiming at Black's , the tactics logically work in White's favour.} gxh6 (29... Qxd4 30. Be3 $18 {[%cal Rh1h8,Re3d4] d4,h8}) (29... Qe4 30. Bc1 (30. Nf5 $18) 30... Qxg6 (30... Nxg6 31. Qh3 $18) 31. Qh3 Nf7 32. Rfg1 Qe4 33. Nf5 $18) 30. g7 Be7 (30... Bxg7 31. Nf5 Rc7 32. Nxh6+ Kh7 33. Ng4+ Kg8 34. Nf6+ $18) 31. Rxh6 Nf7 32. Qg6 $1 (32. Rh8+ $2 Nxh8 33. gxh8=Q+ Kxh8 {and as h1 is protected, White has only a perpetual.}) 32... Nxh6 33. Qxh6 Bf6 34. Qh8+ (34. Qxf6 Qh5 35. Ne6 Kh7 36. Nf4 Qh6 37. Qf5+ Kg8 38. Nh5 $18 {wins as well, but the text move is more forceful.}) 34... Kf7 35. g8=Q+ Rxg8 36. Qxf6+ Ke8 37. Re1+ (37. Re1+ Kd7 38. Qe7#) 1-0

[Event "Tata Steel-A 73rd"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2011.01.25"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C67"]
[WhiteElo "2715"]
[BlackElo "2814"]
[Annotator "Moradiabadi,Elshan"]
[PlyCount "84"]
[EventDate "2011.01.14"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 141"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2011.03.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2011.03.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{A nice game by both parties in which once again the world number one proved the "Berlin Wall" continues to stand strong!} 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. d4 Nd6 6. Bxc6 dxc6 7. dxe5 Nf5 8. Qxd8+ Kxd8 9. Nc3 Bd7 {#This move has become popular over the last year.} 10. h3 b6 11. Bf4 Kc8 12. Rad1 h6 {#By a curious transposition, we have reached a famous typical position, which has been examined several times before, even by Carlsen!} 13. Bh2 {White's bishop clears the way for the pawn's majority march!} (13. Rd3 Be6 14. Rfd1 Kb7 15. b3 g5 16. Bc1 c5 17. Nd5 Ne7 18. Nxe7 Bxe7 19. c4 Rag8 20. Nd2 g4 21. hxg4 Rxg4 22. Nf1 Rhg8 23. Rg3 h5 24. Re1 a6 25. Rxg4 hxg4 26. Rd1 Kc6 27. Bf4 Rd8 28. Rxd8 Bxd8 29. Ne3 b5 30. Kf1 bxc4 31. bxc4 Kb6 32. Ke2 Ka5 33. Kd3 c6 34. f3 gxf3 35. gxf3 Ka4 36. Bh6 Ka3 37. f4 Kxa2 38. Kc2 f5 39. Bf8 Bb6 40. Be7 a5 41. Bh4 a4 42. Be1 Bd8 43. Nd1 Ka3 44. Nb2 Be7 45. Bc3 Bf8 46. Nd3 {1-0 Anand, V (2786)-Topalov,V (2757)/Monte Carlo 2005/CBM 105 ext}) (13. a3 Be6 14. g4 Ne7 15. Nd4 Bc4 16. Rfe1 c5 17. Nf5 Nc6 18. Nd5 Bxd5 19. Rxd5 g6 20. e6 gxf5 21. exf7 Bd6 22. Bxh6 Kb7 23. Bg7 Rh7 24. Rxd6 Rxg7 25. Rxc6 fxg4 26. Rxb6+ cxb6 27. Re7+ Kc6 28. f8=Q Rxf8 29. Rxg7 gxh3 30. Rh7 Rd8 31. Rxh3 Rd1+ 32. Kg2 Rc1 33. Rc3 {1-0 Carlsen,M (2548)-Nielsen,P (2653)/Warsaw 2005/CBM 108 (49)}) 13... a5 14. g4 Ne7 15. Nd4 h5 16. e6 $5 {A typical temporary pawn sacrifice which seems just sufficient for "compensation" in this particular position, however one should not forget about the practical difficulties Black has to face.} fxe6 17. Rfe1 hxg4 18. hxg4 Rh6 19. g5 Rh5 20. Nxe6 Bxe6 21. Rxe6 Rxg5+ {Black is totally safe now.} 22. Kf1 Rf5 23. a4 Rb8 24. Rd3 Rf7 25. Kg2 b5 26. axb5 cxb5 27. Ra6 b4 28. Nd5 Nxd5 29. Rxd5 b3 30. c3 Ba3 31. Re6 Re7 32. Rxe7 Bxe7 33. Rxa5 Kd7 34. Be5 Bd6 35. Bd4 Bf4 36. Kf3 Bc1 37. c4 g5 38. Ke4 Rf8 39. Rd5+ Kc6 40. Rc5+ Kd7 41. Rd5+ Kc6 42. Rc5+ Kd7 $146 {A neat draw!} 1/2-1/2

[Event "Tata Steel-A 73rd"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2011.01.26"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B92"]
[WhiteElo "2814"]
[BlackElo "2733"]
[Annotator "Nepomniachtchi,Ian"]
[PlyCount "132"]
[EventDate "2011.01.14"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 141"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2011.03.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2011.03.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{In advance of a game with a strong opponent, one usually prepares especially hard. Alas, though, in this instance, a difficult defeat that I had suffered against Smeets the previous day had its effect on me. I decided it was better just to keep a clear head, especially as Magnus usually manages to surprise his opponents in the opening, in virtually every game.} 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Be2 e5 7. Nb3 Be7 8. O-O O-O 9. Kh1 Nc6 10. f4 b5 11. Be3 Bb7 12. a4 exf4 $5 ({Magnus has played this slightly unusual move-order before. The game Carlsen-Dominguez, 2010, continued} 12... Nb4 13. Qd2 d5 14. fxe5 Nxe4 15. Nxe4 dxe4 16. Nd4 Nd5 17. Nf5 $14 {and White managed to win.}) 13. Rxf4 Ne5 {By means of a series of small threats, Black has managed to equalise.} 14. Qd4 Nc6 15. Qd2 {White has improved the position of his queen, however, he is not able to strengthen the centre.} Ne5 16. Qd4 Nc6 17. Qd2 Ne5 18. axb5 $146 ({Carlsen had used a lot of time on his last few moves, and I understood that he was hardly likely to take the repetition of moves, especially as the tournament situation required him to play for a win. Naturally, White has many ways to continue the fight, but all involve some degree of commitment, and even risk. Here is one sample line:} 18. Nd4 Ng6 (18... b4 19. Nd5 Bxd5 20. exd5 Nxd5) 19. Rff1 Nh4 $5 ({после} 19... b4 20. Nd5 Nxe4 21. Nxe7+ Qxe7 22. Qxb4 Nh4 23. Nf5 Nxf5 24. Rxf5 Ng3+ 25. hxg3 Qxe3 26. Bd3 g6 27. Rff1 {Chances are about equal, although White's position is slightly more pleasant}) 20. Nf3 Nxe4 21. Nxe4 Bxe4 22. Nxh4 Bxh4 {and Black is fine.}) 18... axb5 19. Re1 $5 ({A prophylactic decision, based on an oversight. Of course, one can hardly recommend} 19. Rxa8 Qxa8 {and Black has excellent piece play.}) ({However, the more natural move} 19. Rd1 {hardly offers more than equality.} Ng6 20. Rff1 Nxe4 21. Nxe4 Bxe4 22. Bxb5 Nh4 {Now White does not manage to obtain a harmonious setup, with the rook on e2, which it seems to me, was the idea of 19 e1.} 23. Rf2 Nf5 24. Bd3 Bxd3 25. Qxd3 Nxe3 26. Qxe3 Bf6 27. c3 Re8 {with equal play.}) 19... Ng6 20. Rff1 b4 21. Nd5 Nxe4 ({I could not refrain from this concrete and very tempting continuation. After the quiet} 21... Nxd5 22. exd5 Bf6 {Black has a solid position, but it is very hard to achieve anything more.}) 22. Nxe7+ (22. Qd4 $6 Bh4 23. Rd1 Re8 {gives Black a serious initiative.}) 22... Qxe7 23. Qxb4 Nh4 {Now accuracy is required of White; the black bishop, controlling the long diagonal, is causing a lot of trouble.} 24. Bf3 Nxf3 25. gxf3 (25. Rxf3 {gives the black knight a wonderful outpost, so White is forced to spoil his structure.}) 25... Qd7 $1 {Magnus obviously overlooked this move when playing 19 e1.} 26. Bf4 $1 ({The only move. Other defences against the threat of g3+ fail:} 26. Kg1 Ra4 27. Qb6 Ba6 $1 28. fxe4 Qg4+ 29. Kf2 f5 $19) 26... Ra4 27. Qb6 Nf6 ({After a 30-minute think, I decided to go for simplifications. At the board, I could not decide on the computer line} 27... g5 28. c4 Rxc4 29. Na5) (27... Nf2+ 28. Qxf2 Rxf4 29. Nd4 {leads to equality; the white knight is too strong.}) 28. Qxd6 Qg4 29. Nd4 Rxd4 30. Qxd4 Bxf3+ 31. Rxf3 Qxf3+ 32. Kg1 Qg4+ 33. Kh1 Qc8 {The best practical chance - with White's king so weak, his passed pawns are not dangerous.} 34. Qf2 ({Premature is} 34. c4 Rd8 35. Qb6 {(with the idea of d6 and c5) because of} Ne4 $1 {and it is difficult for White to coordinate his forces.}) 34... Qb7+ 35. Kg1 ({White's activity after} 35. Qg2 Qxb2 36. Be5 Qb6 37. Rf1 Nh5 {(or 37...e8) does not fully compensate for the pawn.}) 35... Ne4 ({Taking control of d4 does not work; after} 35... Rd8 $2 36. Bg5 {White will probably save the game.}) 36. Qd4 Re8 37. Re2 $6 ({Slight time-trouble starts to have its effect. In a very uncomfortable position, Magnus decides to play very solidly. It seems that it was better to forget prophylaxis and push the pawns:} 37. b4 {or 37.c4. Even then, the simple plan h6, e6, f5 etc. gives me a very promising position, but even so, White's chances are improved by his pawns being closer to the 8th rank.}) 37... h6 $1 38. h3 ({It is hard to decide on} 38. Rg2 g5 39. h4 f6 {, but White should have changed the character of the position.}) 38... Re6 39. Kh2 {The variation given in the previous note still applies here.} f5 $6 ({A small inaccuracy; better was} 39... Kh7) 40. b4 $6 ({Carlsen misses a surprsing possibility. It was necessary to disturb Black's optimal setup by} 40. Qc4 $1 Qf7 (40... Kf7 {looks somehow unscientific}) 41. Qd5 g5 42. Bb8 {In any event, this way White can reach an endgame, where he retains definite chances of saving the game:} Re7 43. Qxf7+ Kxf7 44. Kg2 Kf6 {and although the white pawns are much slower, I am unable to give a definitive assessment of this position.}) 40... Kh7 {Now Black just needs not to blow his advantage. White has no counterplay, and will soon be unable to defend all his weaknesses.} 41. Re3 Rg6 (41... g5 {is strong:} 42. Be5 Re7 {but I did not want to weaken my king without absolute necessity.}) 42. Re2 Qb5 43. Re1 {White's play does not look logical, but adequate alternatives are hard to see.} Rc6 $6 ({I was afraid of selling myself too cheaply, and not without good reason. After} 43... Qa6 $1 $19 {White is in complete zugzwang, and in order to continue the fight, he has to give up a pawn. The text move does not throw away the win, but significantly complicates Black's task.}) 44. Rxe4 fxe4 45. Qxe4+ Rg6 46. Bg3 Qd7 $1 {The main thing is not to allow the white queen to the key square d3, from where it simultaneously pins the black rook, defends his bishop and supports the advance of the pawns.} 47. h4 h5 (47... Qd2+ 48. Kh1 $1 h5 49. Qf5 Qd1+ 50. Kh2 Qg4 51. Qxg4 Rxg4 52. c3 Rc4 53. Be1 Kg6 {, probably wins, but I did not want to leave White with both of his passed pawns.}) 48. c4 ({Desperation. After} 48. Qe2 Qf5 {the activation of the rooks decides the game, so more tenacious was}) (48. Qf3 $1 {, and Black has to go into the above variation:} Qg4 49. Qxg4 Rxg4 50. c3 Rc4 {and so on.}) 48... Qd2+ 49. Kh3 Qc3 50. Qf4 Qxb4 ({To my shame, I did not play} 50... Qd3 $1 {because of} 51. b5 Rf6 52. Qe5 Rf5 53. Qb2 (53. Qe6 Rf2 $1) 53... Qxc4 54. b6 {. But this is easily winning according to the computer: "1. -+ (-5.36): 54...b5 55.f2 e4" etc.}) 51. Qf5 Qxc4 52. Qxh5+ Rh6 {The realisation of the extra exchange does not cause any problems. The white pawn on h4 will be lost as soon as the queens come off.} 53. Qf3 Qe6+ 54. Kh2 Rf6 55. Qd3+ Rf5 56. Qc2 Qd5 57. Bf2 Kh6 58. Be3+ Kg6 59. Bf2 Kf6 60. Bg3 Rf1 61. Bf2 Rd1 62. Qc3+ Qe5+ 63. Qxe5+ Kxe5 64. h5 Kf6 {White cannot even get the ending with rook and h-pawn against bishop, in which the stronger side only wins with some difficulty.} 65. Bh4+ Kf5 66. Be7 Rd7 {White resigns} 0-1

[Event "Tata Steel-A 73rd"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2011.01.29"]
[Round "12"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Wang, Hao"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B12"]
[WhiteElo "2814"]
[BlackElo "2731"]
[Annotator "Postny,Evgeny"]
[PlyCount "57"]
[EventDate "2011.01.14"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 141"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2011.03.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2011.03.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. e5 Bf5 4. Be3 e6 5. Nd2 Nd7 6. Ngf3 Bg6 7. Be2 Ne7 {I know that some of the Caro-Kann specialists prefer to develop the knight on h6, with little concern about spoiling the pawn structure. Perhaps, it's a matter of taste, but, in practice Black achieve results superior to the move in the text. Here is the latest example:} (7... Nh6 8. O-O Be7 9. Bxh6 gxh6 10. Nb3 O-O 11. Qd2 Kg7 12. c3 f6 13. Qe3 Qc7 14. c4 Rae8 $132 {0-1 Edouard,R (2634)-Zhigalko,A (2566)/Moscow RUS 2011/The Week in Chess 850 (36)}) 8. Nh4 $1 {The best way to fight for an advantage.} c5 ({Black can also save his bishop by} 8... Nf5 9. Nxf5 Bxf5 10. g4 Bg6 11. h4 h6 12. h5 Bh7 {This position appeared in a couple of games. I believe that here Black's chances to equalise are higher than after the choice of Wang Hao.}) 9. c3 Nc6 10. Nxg6 hxg6 11. Nf3 ({Another possible idea for White is} 11. a3 Rc8 (11... a5 12. a4 $14 {[%csl Yb5]}) 12. b4 cxd4 13. cxd4 {gaining space on the queenside.}) 11... Rc8 $146 {This standard move can't be so bad, but, I believe that Black's play should be more concrete.} (11... Be7 12. O-O O-O 13. Bd3 Qb6 14. Qe2 Rfc8 15. h4 cxd4 16. cxd4 Nb4 17. Bb1 Qa6 18. Qd1 $1 $14 {1-0 Svidler,P (2735)-Macieja,B (2613)/Germany 2004/EXT 2005 (61)}) (11... cxd4 12. cxd4 Qa5+ 13. Kf1 {This is just a temporary inconvenience for the king. After g2-g3 he will find a safe shelter on g2. Later on White will start the plan that was realized in current game. The evaluation clearly favours White.}) (11... Qb6 $1 {If Black wants to continue to play this line, he has to be more active.} 12. O-O $5 (12. Qc2 cxd4 13. cxd4 Qa5+ 14. Kf1 Rc8 $132 {The queen on c2 is vulnerable.}) 12... Qxb2 {Risky, but principled.} 13. Rb1 Qxc3 $2 (13... Qxa2 14. Rxb7 {White's compensation is obvious, but the objective evaluation is unclear to me. This position is worth being checked in practice. Here is a sample line:} c4 {It is recommended for Black to close the centre.} 15. Ng5 Nd8 16. Bg4 $5 {A very interesting rook sacrifice.} (16. Rb1 Be7 17. Bg4 $44) 16... Nxb7 17. Qf3 f5 (17... Nf6 18. exf6 Nd8 19. Re1 $1 $44) 18. Nxe6 Rc8 19. Bxf5 gxf5 20. Qxf5 Nb6 21. Bg5 Be7 22. Nxg7+ Kd8 {White has a perpetual check, but not more than that.}) 14. Rxb7 cxd4 (14... c4 15. Rc7 $18 {[%csl Rc6,Rd7][%cal Gd1a4] Black's knight doesn't have a good square in view of the threat d1-a4.}) 15. Bd2 Qa3 16. Bb5 Rc8 17. Qb1 $1 Be7 18. Rc1 $18) ({RR} 11... Qb6 12. O-O cxd4 13. cxd4 Be7 14. Rb1 a5 15. g3 Rc8 16. h4 Ndb8 17. a3 Na6 18. Kg2 Nc7 19. Qa4 Kd7 20. Rfc1 Qa7 21. Rc3 Rb8 22. Rbc1 Qb6 23. Rb3 Qa7 24. Rbc3 Qb6 25. Rb3 Qa7 26. Rbc3 {Xu,Y (2360)-Vogel,R (2401) Gyor 2014 ½-½}) ({RR} 11... cxd4 12. cxd4 Bb4+ 13. Kf1 Be7 14. g3 Qb6 15. Qc2 O-O-O 16. Kg2 Kb8 17. Rhb1 Rc8 18. Qd1 Qd8 19. Qd2 Qa5 20. Qd1 Qd8 21. a3 Nb6 22. b3 Ka8 23. Ne1 g5 24. Nd3 f5 25. f3 Qe8 26. Bg1 {Sabuk,P (2227)-Goluch,P (2124) Szklarska Poreba 2011 0-1 (59)}) 12. O-O a6 {This plan is obviously slow. On the other hand, it's very hard to suggest an alternative idea. Due to doubled pawns on the kingside, Black can, in no way, realise the ...f7-f6 advance.} 13. g3 Be7 14. h4 b5 (14... Qb6 15. Rb1 {and Black has no good way to develop his initiative on the queenside.}) 15. a4 $1 {It is useful for White to open the a-file.} Qb6 16. axb5 axb5 17. Kg2 c4 {It should be noted, that castling is unsatisfactory for Black at any moment. In such a case White simply plays h1 followed by h4-h5 with an irresistible attack.} 18. Ng5 Qd8 19. Bg4 {Now some sacrifices on e6 or f7 are in the offing, therefore, Black's next more is practically forced.} Bxg5 20. Bxg5 Qc7 21. Rh1 {White's plan is incredibly prosaic, and there is nothing Black can do about it. His counterplay on the queenside is way too slow.} Nb6 22. h5 {Black is lost, where did he go that astray? I guess, the whole conception was wrong and the plan on the queenside too slow as well.} gxh5 23. Bxh5 Na4 {This allows a spectacular finish, but the position is lost anyway.} (23... g6 24. Bg4 {is not a relief for Black. Either the penetration along the h-line, or the manouevre d1-f3-f6 will be decisive.}) (23... Rf8 24. Qc2 g6 (24... Kd7 25. Qh7 $18) 25. Bg4 Ne7 26. Rh7 Nf5 {and here White has several winning ideas,} 27. Qc1 Qb7 28. Bd1 $18 {followed by c1-f4 and g3-g4 is just one good example.}) {[%tqu "En","Find the forced win for White.","","","h5f7","",10]} 24. Bxf7+ $1 Kxf7 25. Qf3+ Kg8 (25... Kg6 26. Bf6 $1 $18 {[%cal Rf3g4]}) 26. Rxh8+ Kxh8 27. Rh1+ Kg8 28. Qh5 Rf8 (28... Ne7 29. Bxe7 Qxe7 30. Qh8+ Kf7 31. Qxc8 $18) 29. Bf6 $1 (29. Bf6 Qd7 30. Qg6 $1 $18 {[%cal Rh1h7]}) 1-0

[Event "Bazna Kings 5th"]
[Site "Medias"]
[Date "2011.06.12"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Ivanchuk, Vassily"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C84"]
[WhiteElo "2776"]
[BlackElo "2815"]
[Annotator "Rogozenco,Dorian"]
[PlyCount "65"]
[EventDate "2011.06.11"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "ROU"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 143"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2011.07.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2011.07.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. d3 (4. O-O Nxe4 5. d4 Nd6 6. Bxc6 dxc6 7. dxe5 Nf5 8. Qxd8+ Kxd8 {leads to the Berlin Defence, with a lot of games on the highest level. In spite of White's efforts, in recent years this opening variation has proved to be very solid for Black.}) 4... d6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 O-O 7. c3 a6 8. Ba4 b5 9. Bc2 d5 10. Nbd2 ({Black should worry neither about} 10. d4 Nxe4 11. Nxe5 Nxe5 12. dxe5 f5) ({nor} 10. exd5 Qxd5) 10... dxe4 11. dxe4 Be6 {The structure is almost similar and there are few fighting resources. Ivanchuk goes for an interesting plan to exchange the light-squared bishops.} 12. Bb3 {[%csl Gc1,Re7] White's long-term idea is to prove the superiority of his dark-squared bishop. But with accurate play Carlsen has no difficulties neutralising it.} ({RR} 12. h3 Bc5 13. a4 Ba7 14. Nf1 h6 15. Ne3 Qd6 16. Qe2 Bxe3 17. Bxe3 Bc4 18. Qd2 Rfd8 19. b4 Qe6 20. Qc1 a5 21. bxa5 bxa4 22. Rxa4 Bb5 23. Ra3 Rxa5 24. Rxa5 Nxa5 25. Qa3 Nc4 26. Qc5 c6 {Karjakin,S (2763)-Aronian,L (2802) Moscow 2011 ½-½ (38)}) ({RR} 12. Qe2 Rb8 13. Rd1 Qc8 14. Nf1 Bc4 15. Qe1 Rd8 16. Ne3 Rxd1 17. Qxd1 Be6 18. Ng5 Bd7 19. Nd5 h6 20. Nf3 Qd8 21. h3 Bd6 22. Be3 Nxd5 23. Qxd5 Na5 24. b3 Qf6 25. Qd1 Rd8 26. Qe2 Nb7 {Fecker,N (2394)-Cereda,L (2311) Switzerland SUI 2024 ½-½ (31)}) ({RR} 12. a4 b4 13. Qe2 Qc8 14. Nc4 Nd7 15. Ng5 Bxg5 16. Bxg5 Nb6 17. Nd2 bxc3 18. bxc3 Na5 19. Be3 Qd7 20. f4 f6 21. f5 Bf7 22. g4 Qc6 23. g5 Kh8 24. Bd3 Rfd8 25. Bxa6 Rxa6 26. Qxa6 Nac4 {Kamsky,G (2741)-Ivanchuk,V (2768) Ningbo 2011 ½-½ (67)}) 12... Bxb3 ({Carlsen felt that} 12... Qd7 13. Bxe6 Qxe6 14. Qb3 Qxb3 15. Nxb3 {might be better for White.}) 13. axb3 Qd3 14. b4 $146 {An important move in White's plan: to free the square b3 for the knight and blockade the weakness on a6. But Black has some pressure in the centre and a lead in development, which will allow him to play at some moment a6-a5.} ({RR} 14. Qe2 Qxe2 15. Rxe2 Rfd8 16. Re1 Nd7 17. b4 a5 18. bxa5 Rxa5 19. Rb1 Ra2 20. Nb3 Nb6 21. Kf1 Na4 22. h3 f6 23. Re2 b4 24. c4 Rd3 25. Re3 Rxe3 26. fxe3 Nd8 27. Ne1 Nb7 28. Nd3 Kf7 {Maslak,K (2566)-Matlakov,M (2668) St Petersburg 2012 0-1 (31)}) ({RR} 14. Re3 Qd6 15. Ne1 Qe6 16. Rd3 a5 17. Qe2 Bc5 18. h3 Ne7 19. Rg3 c6 20. Nd3 Bb6 21. Nf3 Ng6 22. Be3 Bxe3 23. Qxe3 Qxb3 24. Nfxe5 Rfe8 25. Nxg6 hxg6 26. e5 Nd7 27. h4 Qd5 28. Re1 c5 {Mista,A (2589)-Mihok,O (2515) Germany 2015 1-0 (49)}) 14... Rfd8 15. Qb3 Qd7 ({As pointed out by Magnus, his original intention} 15... Nd7 {runs into the strong} 16. Qd5 {when the only move is the somewhat ugly-looking retreat.} Ndb8 {Then after} 17. Qxd3 Rxd3 18. Kf1 {White can claim an edge in the endgame.}) 16. Qc2 Qe6 17. Qb3 (17. Nb3 {is answered by} Qc4 {(threatening to take on b4 with the knight)} 18. Nfd2 (18. Re2 $2 {allows a lovely combination:} Nxb4 $1 19. cxb4 Qxc2 20. Rxc2 Rd1+ 21. Ne1 Rxe1#) 18... Qe6 19. Nf1 Qc4 {and White is getting nowhere.}) 17... Qd7 18. Qc2 Qe6 {By playing 19.b3 Ivanchuk could repeat the position and make a quicker draw, but he keeps on playing. However, the position is just equal.} 19. h3 a5 20. bxa5 Rxa5 21. Rxa5 Nxa5 22. b4 Nb7 23. Qb3 Qxb3 24. Nxb3 Nd7 25. Be3 Nd6 (25... Ra8 $11) 26. Nfd2 (26. Na5 Nxe4 27. Nc6 Re8 28. Bd4 exd4 29. Rxe4 {doesn't work in view of} dxc3 $1 {(Ivanchuk) .}) 26... Ra8 27. Kf1 f6 28. Ke2 Kf7 29. Kd3 Ke6 30. f3 Ra2 31. Ra1 Rxa1 32. Nxa1 Nb7 33. Nab3 1/2-1/2

[Event "Bazna Kings 5th"]
[Site "Medias"]
[Date "2011.06.14"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Karjakin, Sergey"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B12"]
[WhiteElo "2776"]
[BlackElo "2815"]
[Annotator "Rogozenco,Dorian"]
[PlyCount "69"]
[EventDate "2011.06.11"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "ROU"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 143"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2011.07.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2011.07.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c6 {Magnus Carlsen can play almost any opening. For instance in their last classical game in 2010 the Norwegian surprised the Russian GM with the French Defence (which Carlsen had never played before).} 2. d4 d5 3. e5 Bf5 4. Nf3 e6 5. Be2 Ne7 6. O-O c5 7. c4 {In the Advanced Variation of the Caro-Kann both sides actively fight for the centre right from the early moves.} Nbc6 8. dxc5 (8. Na3 {was played by Karjakin in a blitz game before.}) 8... d4 9. Bd3 Bxd3 10. Qxd3 Ng6 11. Qe4 Bxc5 12. a3 $146 {Possibly Karjakin mixed up something, as he admitted after the game that the immediate 12.bd2 is better. This is actually the move played recently by Karjakin's second in Romania Alexander Motylev:} (12. Nbd2 Qc7 (12... O-O {is preferable:} 13. Nb3 Qb6 {as played by Karpov in 2002.}) 13. Nb3 Be7 14. Re1 Rd8 15. Bd2 O-O 16. h4 h5 17. Rad1 a6 18. Nc1 b5 19. cxb5 axb5 20. Nd3 Rd5 21. Rc1 Rc8 22. g4 hxg4 23. Qxg4 Kh8 24. Kh1 Qb7 25. Rg1 Bf8 26. Qh5+ Kg8 27. Ng5 Be7 28. Qh7+ Kf8 29. Nxe6+ Ke8 30. Nxg7+ Kd7 31. e6+ Kd6 32. exf7 Nce5 33. Rxg6+ {1-0 Motylev,A (2677) -Maletin,P (2584)/Olginka 2011}) ({RR} 12. Nbd2 O-O 13. Nb3 Qb6 14. h4 h6 15. Bd2 a5 16. Nc1 Bb4 17. Rd1 Rfd8 18. Nd3 Bxd2 19. Rxd2 Nb4 20. Nxb4 Qxb4 21. b3 a4 22. Rb1 axb3 23. axb3 Ne7 24. Rxd4 Nc6 25. Rxd8+ Rxd8 26. Kf1 Qc3 {Johnson,D (2102)-Wang,T (2331) Charlotte 2022 ½-½ (47)}) ({RR} 12. h4 Qc7 13. Re1 O-O-O 14. a3 a5 15. b4 axb4 16. axb4 Bxb4 17. Bd2 Qb6 18. h5 Nge7 19. Na3 Nf5 20. Reb1 Qc5 21. Bxb4 Nxb4 22. Nb5 Nc6 23. g4 Nfe7 24. Nd6+ Rxd6 25. exd6 Qxd6 26. Ra8+ {1-0 (26) Pruijssers,R (2561)-Lammens,T (2250) Lichess.org INT 2020}) 12... a5 13. Nbd2 Bb6 $1 {Very strong, pointing out the vulnerability of pawn on e5 (the idea is to play ...c7 at some point). Now due to the inclusion of the moves a3/a5 White does not have time for 13.b3, which is answered by 13...a4.} (13... Qb6 {is also strong, highlighting another drawback of the move 12.a3 - the weakness of the b3-square: White is unable to place the knight on b3 now.}) 14. Rb1 a4 ({After} 14... Bc7 15. Nb3 {White exchanges the pawn on e5 for the d4-pawn.}) 15. b4 axb3 16. Rxb3 (16. Nxb3 Ra4 $1) 16... O-O 17. c5 (17. h4 $5) 17... Bxc5 18. Rxb7 Qd5 $1 19. Qxd5 exd5 20. Nb3 $1 ({Karjakin missed at the beginning that after} 20. Rb5 Ra5 21. Rxa5 Nxa5 22. Bb2 {Black has a very strong move} Nf4 {and White's position becomes highly unpleasant.}) 20... Bxa3 21. Bxa3 Rxa3 22. Nbxd4 Ngxe5 (22... Nxd4 23. Nxd4 Nxe5 24. Rb5 Rd8 25. f4 Ng6 26. Nc6 Rc8 27. f5 Rxc6 28. fxg6 hxg6 29. Rxd5 Ra2 30. Rg5 {is also a draw.}) 23. Nxc6 Nxc6 24. Rc7 {Black is a pawn up, but the rook on c7 is very active and Carlsen's knight doesn't have a stable square. All this means that Black cannot convert his extra pawn.} Rc3 25. Re1 $1 {Threatening 26.e5.} ({After} 25. Ne5 {Black has} Nd4 $1 26. Rxc3 Ne2+ 27. Kh1 Nxc3 {and after the exchange of White's active rook Black gets real chances to win.}) 25... Rc4 26. Rd7 Nb4 27. g3 {Black is not able to improve the position.} h6 28. Ree7 Nc6 29. Re1 Rc5 30. Kg2 Nb4 31. Ree7 Nc6 32. Re1 Rb8 33. h4 Rc8 34. Rb1 d4 35. Nxd4 1/2-1/2

[Event "Bazna Kings 5th"]
[Site "Medias"]
[Date "2011.06.17"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C95"]
[WhiteElo "2774"]
[BlackElo "2815"]
[Annotator "Rogozenco,Dorian"]
[PlyCount "67"]
[EventDate "2011.06.11"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "ROU"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 143"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2011.07.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2011.07.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 {ChessBase} e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. c3 d6 9. h3 Nb8 {The knight goes to d7 freeing the path for the c-pawn.} 10. d4 Nbd7 {With plenty of strategical ideas for both sides the Breyer Variation of the Ruy Lopez is a classical opening line, which Magnus Carlsen had played many times before.} 11. c4 {Nakamura certainly relied on the surprise factor of this move.} ({In the vast majority of games White plays here} 11. Nbd2) 11... c6 12. Nc3 {"I was very happy when I saw this move, as now I can conveniently close the position", said Carlsen after the game.} (12. a3 {would have kept somewhat more tension in the position.}) 12... b4 13. Na4 c5 14. d5 {In this close position the main battlefield is going to be the kingside.} Re8 $5 {[%csl Ra4,Rf4][%cal Gd7f8,Gf8g6] A somewhat unexpected move in such positions. Usually in this structure Black is trying to prepare ...f7-f5 and therefore he needs the rook on f8 for that. However, Carlsen had another plan in mind - he wanted to transfer the knight to g6.} 15. Bc2 Nf8 16. a3 ({RR} 16. b3 Ng6 17. Nb2 Bd7 18. a3 {½-½ (21) Fedorov,A (2572)-Nasuta,G (2491) Suwalki 2018}) 16... a5 17. b3 {The knight from a4 is coming to d3.} Ng6 18. Nb2 Bd7 {[%cal Gb2d3,Gf3h2,Yh2g4,Yh2f1]} 19. Nh2 {Now Nakamura improves the position of the other knight.} ({RR} 19. Be3 h6 20. Ra2 Nh7 21. Qd2 Ng5 22. Nxg5 Bxg5 23. axb4 Bxe3 24. Qxe3 axb4 25. Rea1 Rxa2 26. Rxa2 Nf4 27. Nd3 Qg5 28. Nxf4 exf4 29. Qd3 Qe5 30. Qd1 Kf8 31. Kf1 Bc8 32. f3 Qg5 33. Qa1 Qg3 {Vallejo Pons,F (2684)-Carlsen,M (2850) Berlin 2015 CBM 168 Extra [ChessBase] 0-1 (48)}) 19... h6 {And Carlsen is doing the same - the knight from f6 needs a square in order to prepare the favourable (for Black) exchange of the dark-squared bishops via g5.} 20. Nf1 Nh7 21. Ne3 Bg5 $146 22. axb4 axb4 23. Rxa8 Qxa8 24. Nf5 Bxc1 25. Qxc1 Bxf5 {Continuing to exchanges pieces. Black wasn't obliged to hurry and could keep a comfortable position with 25...a6 - a move which Magnus, as he admitted, would have normally played, had he not been feeling tired.} 26. exf5 Ngf8 {Already around here Carlsen saw the possible repetition of moves and he just went for it without second thought.} 27. Nd1 Nf6 28. f3 Qa2 29. g4 Ra8 30. Nf2 Qa3 {White cannot really avoid the repetition. At this moment both sides must have been happy with the outcome.} 31. Qb1 (31. Qd2 {allows Black to improve with} Qb2) ({while the only reasonable attempt} 31. h4 {can bring White nothing but troubles in the resulting endgame mentioned by Carlsen:} Qxc1 32. Rxc1 g5 33. fxg6 Nxg6 34. Bxg6 fxg6 35. g5 hxg5 36. hxg5 Nh5 37. Ne4 Ra6 {and with his rook on the open file only Black can play for a win.}) 31... Qa2 32. Qc1 Qa3 33. Qb1 Qa2 34. Qc1 1/2-1/2

[Event "Bazna Kings 5th"]
[Site "Medias"]
[Date "2011.06.20"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Nisipeanu, Liviu Dieter"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C95"]
[WhiteElo "2659"]
[BlackElo "2815"]
[Annotator "Rogozenco,Dorian"]
[PlyCount "63"]
[EventDate "2011.06.11"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "ROU"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 143"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2011.07.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2011.07.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 d6 8. c3 O-O 9. h3 Nb8 10. d4 Nbd7 11. Nbd2 {In the 6th round Nakamura played 11.c4 here against Carlsen. Nisipeanu chooses the main move.} Bb7 12. Bc2 Re8 13. a4 Bf8 14. Bd3 c6 15. b3 g6 16. Bb2 (16. Ba3 $5) 16... exd4 {A rare continuation, which was quite unexpected for Nisipeanu.} ({Instead, one of the main moves is} 16... Nh5 {Here is a game played by Viorel Iordachescu, who was Nisipeanu's second at the Kings' Tournament:} 17. Qc2 Nf4 18. Bf1 Bg7 19. Rad1 Qb6 20. b4 d5 {with complications that led later to a draw in Iordachescu, V (2640)-Avrukh,B (2601)/Mulhouse 2011.}) ({RR} 16... Nh5 17. Bf1 Qb6 18. Qc2 exd4 19. cxd4 d5 20. a5 Qd8 21. e5 Rc8 22. Bc3 c5 23. dxc5 Nxc5 24. Qb2 Nf4 25. Re3 Ne4 26. Bd4 Bb4 27. Bb6 Qe7 28. g3 Ne6 29. Rd1 Bc3 30. Qb1 Nxd2 31. Nxd2 {Ponomariov,R (2718)-Kamsky,G (2723) Moscow 2008 ½-½ (72)}) ({RR} 16... Bg7 17. Qc2 Qc7 18. c4 bxa4 19. bxa4 exd4 20. Bxd4 Nh5 21. Bxg7 Nxg7 22. Qc3 Ne6 23. Bc2 Ne5 24. Rab1 Rab8 25. Nxe5 dxe5 26. c5 Nd4 27. Nc4 Bc8 28. Rxb8 Qxb8 29. Nd6 Rd8 30. Kh1 Be6 31. Rb1 {Suyarov,M (2482)-Cano Alcaraz,J (2111) Lima PER 2025 1-0 (33)}) ({RR} 16... Bg7 17. Qc2 Rc8 18. Rad1 Qc7 19. Qb1 Rcd8 20. Qa1 Nh5 21. Bf1 Nf4 22. c4 b4 23. c5 d5 24. Nxe5 Nxe5 25. dxe5 Bxe5 26. Bxe5 Rxe5 27. Nf3 Ree8 28. Qf6 Ne6 29. exd5 cxd5 30. Ne5 Nxc5 31. Rc1 {Nisipeanu,L (2659)-Sanikidze,T (2524) Konya 2011 1-0 (38)}) 17. cxd4 d5 18. Ne5 $146 {This new move is the result of 20 minutes of thought.} ({In the previous games White always advanced the e-pawn:} 18. e5 Nh5 {"with a normal position for Black" (Carlsen)}) ({RR} 18. axb5 axb5 19. Rxa8 Bxa8 20. e5 Nh5 21. Qc2 Nf4 22. Bf1 Qb6 23. g3 Ne6 24. Qd3 Bb7 25. h4 Ra8 26. Ng5 Nxg5 27. hxg5 Ra2 28. e6 fxe6 29. Bh3 Qd8 30. Bxe6+ Kh8 31. Qb1 Ra8 32. Nf3 Bg7 {Madl,I (2405)-Kashlinskaya,A (2360) Paks 2011 1-0 (60)}) ({RR} 18. e5 Nh5 19. Nf1 Nf4 20. Ne3 b4 21. Bc2 a5 22. Qd2 Bh6 23. Qd1 Bg7 24. Qd2 Ne6 25. Ng4 Qe7 26. Rad1 Qf8 27. Ng5 Nxg5 28. Qxg5 f6 29. exf6 Nxf6 30. Ne5 Rad8 31. Qh4 Nh5 32. Bxg6 hxg6 {Alekseev,E (2613)-Sasikiran,K (2679) Skanderborg 2003 1-0 (75)}) 18... Bb4 {Still played a tempo by Carlsen.} (18... Nxe5 19. dxe5 {looks risky for Black, even if the consequences of} dxe4 {are not entirely clear.}) 19. Nxd7 Qxd7 20. e5 Nh5 {[%csl Rc5,Rf4] White has several attractive ideas. He would be happy to exchange the dark-squared bishops in order to exploit the weak square c5, but that is not easy to achieve.} 21. Bf1 ({The main alternatives were} 21. Ba3 Bc3 (21... Nf4 $5) 22. Rc1 ({The exchange sacrifice is probably not enough:} 22. Bc5 Bxa1 23. Qxa1 Nf4 24. Bf1 Ne6 25. Bd6 a5 {with the idea a6}) 22... Bxd4 23. Nf3 Bb6 24. Qd2 {with positional compensation for the sacrificed pawn.}) (21. Qc2 Nf4 22. Bc3 c5 $5) 21... Nf4 22. Re3 c5 {Magnus Carlsen felt that Black should quickly start counterplay in the centre in order to prevent White's plan with f3-h2-g4.} ({In the event of} 22... Ne6 23. Nf3 c5 {White can ignore Black's intentions and continue} 24. Nh2 {and if} h5 {then} ({Better is probably} 24... c4 25. Ng4 Be7) 25. Rg3 {with good attacking prospects.}) 23. dxc5 (23. Nf3 {is already too slow:} c4 24. Nh2 h5 25. Rg3 Rac8 {with sufficient counterplay for Black.}) 23... d4 (23... Bxc5 $2 24. Ne4 Be7 25. Nd6 Bxd6 26. exd6 {looks terrible for Black due to the "monster-bishop" on b2.}) 24. Ne4 {The most natural move.} (24. Nf3 Bxc5) (24. Re4 {doesn't work:} Bxd2 $1 25. Rxd4 Nxh3+ 26. gxh3 Qc6 {and Black wins.}) 24... Bxe4 25. Rxe4 Ne6 26. Rxd4 {A good practical decision from Nisipeanu, since he saw no way to set any real problems for Black. After the exchange sac White is out of risk and the draw becomes the most likely result.} ({After} 26. Bxd4 Rad8 27. Be3 Qxd1 28. Rxd1 Rxd1 29. Rxb4 Nc7 {only White can be worse.}) (26. axb5 {brings White nothing either:} axb5 27. Rxa8 (27. Qd3 Rxa1 28. Bxa1 Rd8 29. Qxb5 Qxb5 30. Bxb5 d3 31. Bxd3 Rxd3 32. Rxb4 Rd1+ 33. Kh2 Rxa1 34. Rb8+ Kg7 35. b4 Re1 {is again risky rather for White}) 27... Rxa8 28. Qd3 Bxc5 29. Qxb5 Qxb5 30. Bxb5 Ra2 {with counterplay}) 26... Nxd4 27. Qxd4 Qxd4 28. Bxd4 Rad8 29. Be3 Rxe5 30. axb5 axb5 31. Rc1 {[%csl Gc5]} Rxe3 {Forcing the draw.} (31... Rc8 32. c6 Kf8 33. g3 {is also about equal: the strong extra pawn on c6 together with the bishop pair secure White good compensation for the exchange.}) 32. fxe3 ({After} 32. fxe3 Bd2 33. Rc2 Bxe3+ 34. Kh2 Rd5 {the draw becomes obvious.}) 1/2-1/2

[Event "Biel Accentus"]
[Site "Biel"]
[Date "2011.07.22"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C45"]
[WhiteElo "2821"]
[BlackElo "2711"]
[Annotator "Ftacnik,Lubomir"]
[PlyCount "53"]
[EventDate "2011.07.18"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "SUI"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 144"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2011.09.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2011.09.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 {Marin,Mihail} e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 exd4 4. Nxd4 Bc5 5. Nxc6 bxc6 ({RR} 5... Qf6) 6. Bd3 Qh4 7. Qe2 ({RR} 7. O-O Nf6 8. Qd2 ({RR} 8. h3 d6 9. Qf3) 8... O-O 9. Qf4 Qxf4 10. Bxf4 d6 11. Nd2 Nh5 12. Bg5 h6 13. Bh4 Nf4 14. Nb3 Nxd3 15. cxd3 Bb6) ({RR} 7. Qf3 Nf6 8. Bf4 ({RR} 8. Nc3 Ng4 9. g3 Ne5 10. Qxf7+ Kxf7 11. gxh4 d5 12. Be2) 8... d5 ({RR} 8... O-O 9. Bg3 Qg5 10. Bf4 Qh4 11. Bg3 Qg5 12. Bf4 Qh4) 9. Nd2 O-O 10. O-O Bb6 11. h3 Be6) 7... Ne7 $146 {Black has developed the queen to an active square and made castling for White more complicated. The knight move to e7 is a novelty, Black players have usually fared well after the natural move 7...f6.} (7... Nf6 8. h3 (8. Be3 Bxe3 9. Qxe3 O-O 10. Nd2 Re8 11. O-O d6 12. Rae1 a5 13. Qg3 Qxg3 14. hxg3 a4 15. f3 Be6 16. b3 Nd7 17. Re3 axb3 18. axb3 Ne5 19. Be2 Ra2 20. Rc3 c5 21. b4 cxb4 {½-½ Carlsen,M (2714)-Kamsky,G (2714)/Khanty Mansiysk 2007/}) ({RR} 8. h3 O-O 9. g3 Qh5 10. g4 ({RR} 10. Qxh5 Nxh5 11. Nc3 d5 12. exd5 Re8+ 13. Kf1 cxd5 14. Nxd5 Bb7 15. c4 Nf6 16. Nxf6+ gxf6 17. Rh2 Rad8) 10... Qh4 ({RR} 10... Qe5 11. g5 Ne8 12. f4 Qe6) 11. Nd2 Ne8 12. Nb3 Be7 13. Nd4 Bc5 14. Nf5) 8... d5 (8... O-O 9. g3 Qh5 10. g4 Qh4 11. Nd2 Ne8 12. Nb3 (12. Nf3 Qe7 13. Bd2 Rb8 14. b3 d6 15. Bc3 Bb4 16. Bxb4 Rxb4 17. e5 c5 18. exd6 Qf6 19. d7 Bxd7 20. Ne5 $14 {1-0 Kovchan,A (2554)-Annaberdiev,M (2459)/Konya 2011/ (61)}) 12... Be7 13. Nd4 Bc5 14. Nf5 Qd8 15. Bd2 Nd6 16. O-O-O Nxf5 17. gxf5 Qh4 18. Rh2 Bd4 19. Rg1 Be5 20. Rhg2 $16 {1-0 Motylev,A (2641)-Liang Chong (2531)/Moscow 2001/ (53)}) 9. g3 (9. exd5+ Kd8 10. O-O Bxh3 11. dxc6 Re8 12. Qd2 Bxg2 13. Kxg2 Qg4+ $11) 9... Qh5 10. Qxh5 Nxh5 11. Nc3 (11. e5 Bd4 12. g4 Nf4 13. Bxf4 Bxb2 14. Kd2 Bxa1 15. Nc3 Bxc3+ 16. Kxc3 c5 $17 {0-1 Nataf,I (2534)-Fressinet,L (2673)/Pau 2008/ (32)}) 11... Nf6 12. Bf4 Bb4 13. exd5 Nxd5 14. Bd2 Nxc3 15. Bxc3 Bxc3+ 16. bxc3 Be6 17. f4 O-O 18. Kf2 Rab8 19. f5 Bd7 $14 {0-1 Ivanchuk,V (2739)-Malakhov,V (2706)/Warsaw 2009/ (68)}) ({RR} 7... Nf6 8. h3 d5 9. g3 Qh5 10. Qxh5 Nxh5 11. Nc3 Nf6 12. Bf4 Bb4 13. exd5 Nxd5 14. Bd2 Nxc3 15. Bxc3 Bxc3+ 16. bxc3 Be6 17. f4 O-O 18. Kf2 Rab8 19. f5 Bd7 20. Rhe1 Rfd8 21. Re5 Kf8 22. Ra5 {Ivanchuk,V (2739)-Malakhov,V (2706) Warsaw 2009 0-1 (68)}) ({RR} 7... Nf6 8. Be3 Bxe3 9. Qxe3 d6 10. Nd2 Ng4 11. Qe2 O-O 12. Nf3 Qf6 13. O-O Qxb2 14. h3 Ne5 15. Rfb1 Nxf3+ 16. Qxf3 Qe5 17. Re1 Be6 18. Qe2 Rab8 19. f4 Qxf4 20. Rf1 Qe5 21. Kh1 g6 22. Qf2 {Abdul Moula,S (2164)-Ivanisevic,I (2540) chess.com INT 2025 0-1}) ({RR} 7... Nf6 8. Be3 Bxe3 9. Qxe3 O-O 10. Nd2 Re8 ({RR} 10... d6 11. Nf3 ({RR} 11. h3 Ng4 12. Nf3 Qh5 13. Qd4 c5 14. Qc3 Re8 15. O-O Ne5 16. Nxe5 Qxe5 17. Qxe5 Rxe5) 11... Qh5 12. O-O Re8 13. Rfe1 Bg4 14. Nd2 Bd7 15. Qg3 Rab8 16. b3 c5 17. Nc4) 11. O-O ({RR} 11. Nf3 Qh5 12. O-O d5) 11... d6 12. Rae1 ({RR} 12. Rfe1 Ng4 ({RR} 12... a5 13. Nf3 Qh5 14. h3) 13. Qg3 Qxg3 14. hxg3 Rb8 15. b3 Ne5 16. Be2 c5 17. f4 Nc6 18. c3 h6 19. Bf3 Bb7 20. Nc4) 12... a5 13. Qg3 ({RR} 13. Nf3 Qh5) 13... Qxg3 14. hxg3 a4 15. f3 Be6 16. b3 Nd7 17. Re3 axb3 18. axb3 Ne5 19. Be2 Ra2 20. Rc3 c5 21. b4 cxb4 {½-½ (21) Carlsen,M (2714)-Kamsky,G (2714) Khanty-Mansiysk 2007 CBM 122 [Marin,Mihail]} {RR} 22. Rxc7 Rc8 23. Rxc8+ Bxc8 24. Rc1 Be6) 8. Nc3 $146 ({RR} 8. Be3 Bxe3 9. Qxe3 O-O 10. Nd2 d6 11. O-O Qf6 12. e5 dxe5 13. Ne4 Qg6 14. Ng3 Qd6 15. Rfe1 f6 16. f4 exf4 17. Qxe7 fxg3 18. Bc4+ Kh8 19. Rad1 gxh2+ 20. Kh1 Qxe7 21. Rxe7 Bg4 22. Rd4 Bf5 {Kumar,G (2128)-Snehal,B (2135) Kalyan 2019 1-0 (41)}) ({RR} 8. Be3 Bb6 9. Nd2 Ng6 10. g3 Qe7 11. f4 d6 12. O-O-O Nf8 13. Nb3 Ne6 14. Rhf1 f6 15. Bc4 Bd7 16. Qh5+ g6 17. Qe2 O-O-O 18. a4 Kb8 19. a5 Bxe3+ 20. Qxe3 Ka8 21. Rfe1 Rhe8 22. Qc3 Rb8 {Tari,A (2629)-Oro,F (2433) New York USA 2024 1-0 (55)}) 8... O-O 9. Be3 Bb6 10. O-O {Carlsen is a courageous player, but he decided to abstain from castling long due to the semi-open b-file. He correctly guessed, that the attack against the black king was unlikely to succeed.} (10. O-O-O d5 $132) 10... d5 11. exd5 Nxd5 (11... cxd5 12. g3 Qf6 13. Qh5 $14) 12. Bd2 Bd4 {In the new era of chess and computers the top players have to live with the fact, that achieving an advantage from the opening is a rare feat. The remaining ambition is a bit more modest - to build up a position, that can be full of life.} (12... Bg4 13. Qe4 Rae8 14. Qc4 Qh5 $14) (12... Nb4 $5 13. Qe4 (13. Be4 $2 Ba6 $17) 13... Qxe4 14. Bxe4 Rd8 15. Bf4 Nd5 16. Rad1 Be6 $11) 13. Rae1 Nb4 $1 (13... Nxc3 14. bxc3 Bb6 15. Qe8 $1 Rb8 16. Qxc6 Bb7 17. Qc4 $14) 14. Qe4 (14. Ne4 $2 Bg4 15. g3 Qh5 $19) 14... Qxe4 15. Bxe4 Ba6 16. Ne2 {The passive retreat of the knight is certainly far from what White is dreaming about, but Black has problems with the coordination of his pieces as well.} Bc5 17. a3 (17. Bxb4 Bxb4 18. c3 Be7 19. Bxc6 Rad8 20. b4 Bc4 $11) 17... Nd5 (17... Rae8 18. Nf4 (18. axb4 Rxe4 19. bxc5 Bxe2 20. f3 Re6 21. Rf2 Rfe8 (21... Bc4 22. Ra1 $16) 22. Bf4 $14) 18... Nd5 19. Bd3 Bxd3 20. Nxd3 $14) 18. b4 Bd6 {Caruana is playing sensible moves and does not try to solve the position with the help of tactics.} (18... Rfe8 19. Bf3 (19. Bd3 Bxd3 20. cxd3 Bd6 $11) 19... Bd6 20. Nd4 Bxf1 21. Rxf1 $14) 19. Nd4 $5 {[%mdl 1024] Sporting the best rating in the world does not come cheap, Carlsen has to try for a win even against the very good opponents. Breaking the balance with the help of an exchange sacrifice fuels the tension in the position.} (19. g3 Be5 20. Kg2 f5 21. Bd3 Bxd3 22. cxd3 Rfe8 $11) 19... Bxf1 20. Kxf1 Nb6 (20... Rae8 21. Nxc6 Nf6 22. Bf3 Rxe1+ 23. Bxe1 a6 $11) 21. Nxc6 Rfe8 22. a4 {The danger for Black does not seem to be great, but White's active approach is calling for exact solutions.} (22. h3 g6 $11) 22... Kf8 (22... Nxa4 $6 23. Ne7+ Rxe7 24. Bxa8 Rxe1+ 25. Kxe1 $16) 23. a5 Nc4 24. Bc1 (24. Bc3 Bf4 25. Re2 Bd2 $1 26. Bd4 Bxb4 27. Bxh7 (27. Nxb4 Rxe4 $17) 27... Rxe2 28. Kxe2 Bxa5 $15) 24... a6 {The defender is choosing a passive move, that does not spoil anything. He could have found the courage for the speedier clarification of the position with the help of the active move 24...f5!} (24... f5 $1 25. Bxf5 Rxe1+ 26. Kxe1 Re8+ 27. Kf1 Ne5 28. Be4 Nxc6 29. Bxc6 Rd8 (29... Bxb4 $2 30. Bxe8 Kxe8 31. a6 $16) 30. Bd2 Be7 31. Bc3 Rd1+ 32. Ke2 Rb1 $11) 25. f4 $6 (25. g3 f5 26. Bxf5 (26. Bd5 Rxe1+ 27. Kxe1 Re8+ 28. Kf1 Ne5 29. c3 Nxc6 30. Bxc6 $11) 26... Rxe1+ 27. Kxe1 Re8+ 28. Kf1 Ne5 29. Be4 Nxc6 30. Bxc6 Bxb4 31. Bxe8 Kxe8 $11) 25... Re6 $2 {A small comedy of errors on the highest level. The shocking and well disguised move of the black knight to e3 would have clearly shown the gap in White's concept.} (25... Ne3+ $1 26. Rxe3 (26. Bxe3 $2 Rxe4 $19) 26... Bxf4 27. Rf3 Bxc1 28. Bd5 f6 29. Nd4 Rab8 $15) 26. Bd5 $1 Rf6 (26... Rxe1+ 27. Kxe1 Bxb4+ 28. Nxb4 Re8+ 29. Kf2 Nxa5 30. Nxa6 $18) 27. Re4 {A truly tragic finish of the game for Caruana. One serious mistake and the battle was immediately over.} 1-0

[Event "Biel Accentus"]
[Site "Biel"]
[Date "2011.07.23"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B30"]
[WhiteElo "2722"]
[BlackElo "2821"]
[PlyCount "191"]
[EventDate "2011.07.18"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "SUI"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 144"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2011.09.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2011.09.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 {ChessBase} c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 e5 4. Bc4 Be7 5. d3 d6 6. Nd2 Bg5 7. Nf1 Bxc1 8. Rxc1 Nge7 9. Ne3 O-O 10. O-O Ng6 ({RR} 10... Be6 11. Ned5 Qd7 12. Qd2 Kh8 13. Rce1 f5 14. Nxe7 Qxe7 15. Bxe6 Qxe6 16. f4 Rae8 17. fxe5 Nxe5 18. exf5 Rxf5 19. Rxf5 Qxf5 20. Rf1 Qg6 21. Qf4 h6 22. Qe4 Kh7 23. Qxg6+ Kxg6 24. Nd5 {½-½ (24) Smolinski,W (1931)-Gubin,D (2147) Eforie Nord ROU 2025}) 11. Ncd5 Be6 ({RR} 11... Nce7 12. c3 Be6 13. Nxe7+ Qxe7 14. g3 Rab8 15. a4 Qd7 16. Qb3 Ne7 17. f4 exf4 18. gxf4 Bxc4 19. Qxc4 Kh8 20. f5 f6 21. Qe6 Qc7 22. Rc2 Rbe8 23. Rg2 Nc6 24. Qd5 Rd8 25. Rf3 Qd7 26. Rfg3 {Ivanchuk,V (2787)-Leko,P (2755) Mukachevo 2007 CBM 121 [ChessBase] ½-½ (49)}) 12. c3 Na5 $146 ({RR} 12... a6 13. a3 b5 14. Bb3 Nce7 15. Nxe7+ Qxe7 16. Bd5 Rab8 17. g3 Kh8 18. Qh5 f6 19. f4 Bxd5 20. Nxd5 Qf7 21. f5 Ne7 22. Qxf7 Rxf7 23. Nxe7 Rxe7 24. Kf2 Kg8 25. Ke3 Kf7 26. g4 Rd7 27. h4 {Kalashian,D (2398)-Samadov,R (2360) Chess.com INT 2021 0-1 (44)}) ({RR} 12... Nce7 13. a3 Nf4 14. Nxe7+ Qxe7 15. g3 Qg5 16. h4 Qg6 17. Kh2 Nh5 18. Qf3 Kh8 19. Nf5 Rad8 20. b4 Nf6 21. Rb1 Qg4 22. Qxg4 Nxg4+ 23. Kg2 d5 24. Bxd5 Rxd5 25. exd5 Bxf5 26. bxc5 Bxd3 27. Rxb7 {Kalashian,D (2398)-Leiva Rodriguez,J (2391) Chess.com INT 2021 0-1 (54)}) 13. Nf5 Kh8 14. g3 Qd7 15. Nde3 Ne7 16. Nxe7 Nxc4 17. dxc4 Qxe7 18. Qd3 Rad8 19. Rcd1 b6 20. Rd2 Rd7 21. b3 Re8 22. Kg2 Qg5 23. Rfd1 Kg8 24. Qe2 Red8 25. Qf3 Qe7 26. h4 Qf8 27. h5 Qe7 28. h6 g6 29. Nd5 Bxd5 30. Rxd5 Qg5 31. Rh1 Kf8 32. Qd3 Qf6 33. Qe3 Qe6 34. Rf1 f6 35. b4 Ke8 36. Rfd1 Kf7 37. a4 Ke7 38. a5 Rc8 39. b5 Qg4 40. axb6 axb6 41. Ra1 Rb8 42. f3 Qe6 43. Qd2 Kf7 44. Rd1 Ke7 45. Ra1 Kf7 46. Ra6 Qe7 47. Qe3 Qe6 48. Qc1 g5 49. Qh1 Kg6 50. g4 Kf7 51. Kf2 Ke7 52. Qf1 Kf7 53. Ke3 Kg6 54. Qh1 Kf7 55. Kd3 Ke7 56. Kc2 Qg8 57. Qa1 Qf8 58. Rd1 Rdb7 59. Rh1 Kf7 60. Kb3 Qe7 61. Qa2 Qd7 62. Ra1 Qe7 63. Qd2 Kg6 64. Qh2 Kf7 65. R1a2 Qd7 66. Qh5+ Kf8 67. Qh1 Kf7 68. Qd1 Kg6 69. Rd2 Rd8 70. Qh1 Kf7 71. Rda2 Rdb8 72. Ra1 Qe7 73. R6a2 Rd7 74. Qd1 Kg6 75. Qh1 Kf7 76. Qb1 Rdb7 77. Qd3 Kg6 78. f4 gxf4 79. Qh3 Kf7 80. Ra8 Qe6 81. Qh5+ Kf8 82. Qf5 Qxf5 83. gxf5 Rxa8 84. Rxa8+ Kf7 85. Kc2 Re7 86. Kd3 Re8 87. Ra7+ Kg8 88. Rg7+ Kf8 89. Rxh7 Kg8 90. Ra7 Kh8 91. h7 Rb8 92. Ke2 Rd8 93. Kf3 Rc8 94. Kg4 Rd8 95. Kh5 f3 96. Kg6 1-0

[Event "Biel Accentus"]
[Site "Biel"]
[Date "2011.07.25"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Pelletier, Yannick"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C10"]
[WhiteElo "2821"]
[BlackElo "2590"]
[PlyCount "83"]
[EventDate "2011.07.18"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "SUI"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 144"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2011.09.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2011.09.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Nd7 5. g3 Be7 6. Bg2 Ngf6 7. Nc3 ({RR} 7. Ne2 O-O 8. O-O Nxe4 9. Bxe4 e5 10. Qd3 h6 11. dxe5 Nxe5 12. Qxd8 Rxd8 13. Bf4 Bf6 14. f3 c6 15. Rad1 Be6 16. b3 a5 17. a4 Nd7 18. Bc7 Re8 19. Nf4 Nc5 20. Nxe6 Nxe6 21. Bb6 Be7 {Aronian,L (2764)-So,W (2778) Leuven 2018 ½-½ (39)}) ({RR} 7. Nxf6+ Bxf6 8. Ne2 O-O 9. O-O c5 10. c3 Qc7 11. Be3 Rd8 12. Qa4 Be7 13. Rfd1 b5 14. Qxb5 Rb8 15. Qc6 Qxc6 16. Bxc6 Rxb2 17. Nf4 Rb6 18. Bg2 cxd4 19. Bxd4 Ra6 20. a4 Kf8 21. Nd3 Bf6 {Grigoryan,K (2549)-Mantovani,R (2220) Bad Woerishofen GER 2025 1-0}) ({RR} 7. Nxf6+ Bxf6 8. Ne2 O-O 9. O-O e5 10. d5 Be7 11. f4 Re8 12. f5 e4 13. Be3 Nf6 14. c4 c6 15. dxc6 Qc7 16. Nc3 Qxc6 17. Qe2 Bc5 18. Rad1 Qb6 19. Rde1 Re5 20. Bh3 h5 21. Kh1 {½-½ (21) Rozentalis,E (2611)-Pelletier,Y (2599) Haguenau 2013}) 7... O-O 8. Nf3 Nd5 $146 ({RR} 8... c5 9. O-O Qb6 10. a4 Rd8 11. a5 Qa6 12. Be3 Ng4 13. Qc1 Nxe3 14. Qxe3 b5 15. Nd5 Bd6 16. dxc5 Bxc5 17. Qg5 {1-0 (17) Narciso Dublan,M (2495)-Maroto Borras,J (2320) Spain 1998}) ({RR} 8... Rb8 9. O-O b5 10. Ne5 Nxe5 11. dxe5 Nd7 12. Be3 b4 13. Ne2 c5 14. f4 Ba6 15. a3 Nb6 16. Qxd8 Rfxd8 17. Kf2 b3 18. cxb3 {½-½ (18) Bartel,M (2618)-Grachev,B (2652) Khanty-Mansiysk 2009}) 9. Qd3 Nb4 10. Qd2 c5 11. O-O cxd4 12. Nxd4 Nb6 13. a3 e5 14. axb4 exd4 15. Nb5 Bf6 16. Rd1 Bg4 17. f3 Bf5 18. g4 a6 19. Nxd4 Bxd4+ 20. Qxd4 Bxc2 21. Qxd8 Raxd8 22. Rxd8 Rxd8 23. f4 Rd7 24. b5 Rd1+ 25. Kf2 axb5 26. Bxb7 f5 27. Bf3 Rd8 28. Ra5 fxg4 29. Bxg4 Bd3 30. Be6+ Kh8 31. b3 h6 32. Bb2 Nd5 33. Ra7 Nf6 34. Rf7 Rd6 35. f5 Bc2 36. Rf8+ Kh7 37. Bxf6 gxf6 38. Rxf6 Rd2+ 39. Ke3 Rd3+ 40. Ke2 h5 41. Rf7+ Kh6 42. Rc7 1-0

[Event "Biel Accentus"]
[Site "Biel"]
[Date "2011.07.26"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Shirov, Alexei"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C65"]
[WhiteElo "2714"]
[BlackElo "2821"]
[Annotator "Carlsen,Magnus"]
[PlyCount "119"]
[EventDate "2011.07.18"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "SUI"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 144"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2011.09.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2011.09.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{I decided to annotate this game as it was quite typical for the Biel tournament: Interesting, fighting, and far from faultless.} 1. e4 {So,Wesley} e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 ({RR} 3. Bc4 Bc5) 3... Nf6 4. d3 {After thinking for a few minutes Shirov decided that he didn't feel like playing the Berlin endgame that day.} ({RR} 4. O-O Nxe4 5. Re1) 4... Bc5 {I played d6 against Ivanchuk in Bazna and got a decent position, but a little change never hurts.} 5. c3 ({RR} 5. Bxc6 dxc6 6. Qe2 Qe7 ({RR} 6... Bg4 7. h3 Bxf3 8. Qxf3) 7. Nbd2 Bg4 8. h3 Bh5 9. a3 Nd7 10. b4 Bd6 11. Nc4 f6 12. Ne3 a5 13. Nf5 Qf8 14. bxa5 Rxa5 15. O-O Qf7 16. a4 Nc5 ({RR} 16... O-O 17. Bh6) 17. Qe1 b6 18. Nd2 Rxa4 19. Nc4 Bf8) 5... O-O 6. Bg5 {As far as I could remember not much had happened in this line since Anand-Topalov, San Luis 2005, where Topalov played h6 and g5 and got a good position. However, I was not particularily interested in finding out what Shirov had prepared there.} ({RR} 6. Bxc6 bxc6 7. Nxe5 d5) 6... h6 7. Bh4 Be7 {Once the white bishop is on h4 this loss of tempo is considered to be justified.} ({RR} 7... g5 8. Bg3 d6 9. Nbd2) 8. Nbd2 (8. Bxc6 {It is important to note that this doesn't win a pawn due to the standard trick} bxc6 (8... dxc6 9. Bg3 {is trickier, but probably also quite playable:} Bg4 $1 10. Bxe5 Nd7 11. Bg3 Nc5) 9. Nxe5 Nxe4 $1) ({RR} 8. O-O d6 9. Nbd2 ({RR} 9. Bg3 Nh5 ({RR} 9... Bd7 10. h3 Nh5 11. Bh2 f5) 10. Bxc6 bxc6 ({RR} 10... Nxg3 11. Bxb7 Bxb7 12. hxg3) 11. Nxe5 dxe5 12. Qxh5 Qxd3 13. Qxe5 Re8) ({RR} 9. Re1 Nh5 10. Bxe7 Qxe7 11. d4 Nf4) 9... Nh5 10. Bxe7 ({RR} 10. Bg3 Nxg3 11. hxg3 Bf6 ({RR} 11... Nb8 12. d4 c6 13. Bd3 Nd7 14. Nc4 Qc7)) 10... Qxe7 11. Nc4 ({RR} 11. Bxc6 bxc6 12. d4 ({RR} 12. g3 f5) 12... Nf4 13. Qa4 Rb8 14. b3 Rb6) 11... Nf4 ({RR} 11... f5 12. Ne3 fxe4 13. dxe4 Kh7) 12. Ne3 Qf6 ({RR} 12... f5 13. g3 fxe4 14. dxe4 Nh3+ 15. Kg2) 13. g3 Nh3+ 14. Kh1 ({RR} 14. Kg2 Ne7 15. d4 Ng6 16. Bd3) 14... Ne7 15. Bc4 ({RR} 15. d4 exd4 16. cxd4 c5) 15... c6 ({RR} 15... b5 16. Bb3 ({RR} 16. Bxb5 Rb8) 16... Rb8) 16. Bb3 Ng6 ({RR} 16... d5 17. exd5 cxd5 18. Nxd5 Nxd5 19. Bxd5 Rd8 20. Be4 Bg4) 17. Qe2 a5 18. a4 ({RR} 18. d4 a4 19. Bc2 Ng5 20. Nxg5 hxg5 21. Rad1) 18... Be6 19. Bxe6 ({RR} 19. Nd2 Bxb3 20. Nxb3 Ng5 21. f3) ({RR} 19. Bc2 Ng5 20. Nxg5 hxg5 21. Rad1) 19... fxe6 20. Nd2 d5 ({RR} 20... Nxf2+ 21. Kg1 ({RR} 21. Kg2 Nh4+ 22. Kg1 ({RR} 22. gxh4 Qg6+) 22... Nh3+ 23. Kh1 Nf2+) 21... Nh3+ 22. Kg2 Nhf4+ 23. gxf4 Nxf4+ 24. Rxf4 exf4 ({RR} 24... Qxf4 25. Qf3 Qh4 26. Qg3) 25. Nc2 e5 ({RR} 25... b5 26. e5 dxe5 27. Ne1) 26. Qg4) 21. Qh5 ({RR} 21. f3 Rad8 22. Rae1) 21... Ng5 ({RR} 21... Nxf2+ 22. Kg2 ({RR} 22. Kg1 Qg5 23. Qxg5 Nh3+ 24. Kg2 Nxg5) 22... Qf7 23. Kg1 ({RR} 23. Qe2 Nh4+ 24. Kg1 ({RR} 24. gxh4 Qg6+) 24... Nh3+ 25. Kh1 Nf2+) 23... Qf6 24. Kg2 ({RR} 24. Ng4 Qg5) 24... Qf7) 22. h4 ({RR} 22. Rae1 Nf3 23. Ng4 Qg5 24. Qxg5 hxg5 25. Nxf3 Rxf3 26. Rd1) 22... Nf3 {Carlsen,M (2853)-Karjakin,S (2769) New York 2016 CBM 176 [So,Wesley] 1-0 (75)}) ({RR} 8. Bxc6 bxc6 9. Nxe5 Nxe4) ({RR} 8. O-O d6 9. Re1 Nh5 10. Bg3 Nxg3 11. hxg3 f5 12. exf5 Bxf5 13. Nbd2 Bf6 14. d4 exd4 15. Nb3 d3 16. Bxd3 Qd7 17. Qc2 Bxd3 18. Qxd3 Qf7 19. Re2 a6 20. Rae1 Rfe8 21. Kf1 Rxe2 22. Rxe2 Re8 {Shabalov,A (2471)-Bellini,F (2408) Prague CZE 2025 1-0 (41)}) ({RR} 8. O-O d6 9. Bg3 Nh5 10. Bxc6 bxc6 11. Nxe5 dxe5 12. Qxh5 Qxd3 13. Qxe5 Re8 14. Qd4 Qc2 15. Qd2 Qxe4 16. Re1 Qg4 17. h3 Qd7 18. Qxd7 Bxd7 19. Nd2 Rac8 20. Nc4 Be6 21. Na5 c5 22. Nc6 Bf6 {Shirov,A (2647)-Salgado Lopez,I (2584) Linares 2020 1-0 (49)}) 8... d6 9. Nf1 Nb8 $146 {Another loss of tempo, but since White has spent a few tempi with the knight, and because of the closed nature of the position, I felt that I could afford to take such liberties. For those interested in alternatives, I refer you to my engine and it's top choices of: 9...b8 and 9...a5.} ({RR} 9... Kh8 10. Bg3 Nh5 11. Ne3 Bf6 12. h4 g6 13. Bh2 Bg7 14. g4 Nf4 15. Qd2 Ne7 16. O-O-O c6 17. Ba4 b5 18. Bc2 Be6 19. d4 Qa5 20. a3 c5 21. d5 Bd7 22. Kb1 Rab8 23. Bb3 Nc8 24. h5 {Ter Sahakyan,S (2569)-Melkumyan,H (2620) Yerevan 2012 1-0 (67)}) ({RR} 9... Nh7 10. Bg3 f5 11. exf5 Bxf5 12. Ne3 Bg6 13. d4 exd4 14. cxd4 Ng5 15. Nh4 Bh7 16. Bd3 Bxd3 17. Qxd3 Bf6 18. Nhf5 Qd7 19. O-O Rae8 20. f3 d5 21. Bf2 Ne6 22. Qb5 Rd8 23. Nc2 h5 24. Ng3 {Nijboer,F (2528)-Leko,P (2732) Rhodes 2013 0-1 (41)}) 10. Ne3 Ng4 (10... Nbd7 {was my first intention, not in connection with the usual plan of ...e8, ...f8 and so on, but rather "trapping" the white bishop with ...b6. However, I was not sure about what to do after} 11. Ba4 $1 (11. O-O Nb6 $1 12. Bxf6 Bxf6 13. d4 c6 {with a perfectly satisfactory position.}) (11. Nf5 {might look tempting, but after} Nb6 12. g4 (12. Nxe7+ Qxe7 13. O-O Bg4 14. h3 Bh5 {with comfortable equality}) 12... Bxf5 13. gxf5 d5 {Black takes over the initiative. e.g.} 14. Nxe5 c6 15. Ba4 Nxe4 $17)) 11. Bg3 {I was sort of expecting this. Exchanging on e7 would have led to dull equality, which was not Shirov's plan} Nxe3 12. fxe3 Nd7 13. d4 {Somewhat suprisingly, this was the last chance for White to castle kingside comfortably in this game. However, his desire to play this move before I can play ...f6 is perfectly understandable, since Black would have fairly easy play after that:} (13. O-O Nf6 14. Qc2 $6 (14. Bc4 Be6 $11 {Is better}) 14... a6 15. Ba4 b5 16. Bb3 Bb7 {Black is intending c5, and White already has to be a little careful, as h4 is met by ...xe4.}) 13... Nf6 $5 {This move, starting some concrete play, is maybe not completely sound, but looked too interesting not to go for.} (13... Bf6 14. O-O Qe7 {with a solid position was quite reasonable as well.}) 14. Bd3 Ng4 {The logical follow-up.} 15. Qe2 Bg5 16. dxe5 {I was a little surprised to see this, as in the resulting positions only Black can be better.} (16. h3 {This move, which forces Black to take on e3 and leave his knight stranded was the critical option. In view of that, one might argue that Black is not really threatening anything. However, as castling either way runs into a bishop check on e3, and White doesn't have too many other useful moves, it makes sense to force the issue.} Nxe3 17. dxe5 (17. h4 Bf4 18. Bf2 exd4 19. cxd4 Nf5 $1) 17... dxe5 18. h4 Bf4 (18... Nxg2+ 19. Qxg2 Qxd3 20. hxg5 Bg4 21. Nxe5 Qe3+ 22. Kf1 f5 23. gxh6 fxe4+ 24. Bf2 {leaves Black powerless}) 19. Bf2 Nxg2+ (19... Ng4 20. g3 {wins a piece under much better circumstances for White}) 20. Kf1 Qf6 21. Kxg2 Qg6+ 22. Kf1 Bg4 23. Rg1 Qh5 24. Rxg4 (24. Nd4 f5 $1 {with a dangerous attack} (24... Bxe2+ 25. Bxe2)) 24... Qxg4 25. Ke1 $1 {and with the king running to safety, White should have the better long-term prospects.}) 16... dxe5 17. Bxe5 (17. h3 Nxe3 18. h4 {would have transposed to the variations after 16.h3.}) 17... Bh4+ {It's useful to weaken White's light squares on the kingside and possibly give my light-squared bishop a nice foothold on g4 or h3.} (17... Bxe3 18. Bd4 {did not look too appealing.}) 18. g3 Nxe5 19. Nxe5 Bf6 20. Nf3 Qe7 21. O-O-O (21. O-O Bg4 {is very comfortable for Black. With the weakening g3 the white king might not feel particularily comfortable in the future.}) 21... c6 $6 (21... Bg4 {is not that appealing as White can immediately challenge my bishop with} 22. h3 {This is the key difference between long and short castling} Bxf3 23. Qxf3 {and with the bishop coming to c4, White can look to the future with confidence.}) (21... a6 {however, was very interesting. Unfortunately I didn't notice this idea until the next move, when I had already wasted a move on c6} 22. Bc2 {The best} (22. Nd4 c5 23. Nf5 Bxf5 24. exf5 b5 {is the key idea. White cannot activate his bishop, and Black has an easy attack on the queenside}) 22... Rb8 $1 {and Black has the initiative.} (22... b5 $2 23. e5 Bxe5 24. Qd3 g6 25. Qe4 $18)) 22. Nd4 a6 {Even with the loss of a tempo, this is best.} (22... g6 {was my intention, but then I noticed} 23. Rhf1 Bg7 24. Bc4 {and due to a little trick White manages to activate his bishop, which is what I should avoid at any cost} Qxe4 25. Rf4 Qe7 26. Rdf1 {and it's clear that Black has wasted too much time.}) 23. Rhf1 c5 24. Nf5 Bxf5 25. Rxf5 b5 26. Bc2 c4 {I've managed to execute my plan, and his bishop will now remain passive for a long time. On the other hand, White has activated his rooks, and is after all a pawn up, so the position is probably balanced.} 27. Rfd5 Be5 {In combination with my next move the move makes a slightly akward impression. However, I felt that it was very important to cover the d6-square, to keep my queen from being constantly harassed by d7, d6 and so on.} 28. Qh5 Rae8 29. a3 Qa7 {Utilising a simple tactical trick to put my queen on the excellent b8-square, where it supports the a5-b4 break. I was very optimistic at this point, but his next move dispelled my illusions. It is worth while to mention that if my pawn were still on h7 my prospects would be drastically improved, as I would be able to kick his queen away with g6.} (29... Bxc3 30. bxc3 Qxa3+ 31. Kd2 b4 32. cxb4 Qxb4+ 33. Ke2 Qb2 34. Kd2 Qb4+ {with a draw did not really tempt me, especially as I only saw it after I had played ...a7.}) 30. Kd2 {I had simply missed this idea. By transferring the king to e2 White takes the sting out of the a5-b4 idea.} (30. Rxe5 $2 Qxe3+ 31. Kb1 g6 32. Rxe8 gxh5 33. Re5 Qe2 {and White has a difficult defensive task ahead was obviously not what my opponent was aiming for.}) 30... Qb8 31. Ke2 Re6 32. Qh4 Qb6 33. Rd8 Ree8 34. Rxe8 Rxe8 35. Rd5 Qc7 36. a4 {A committal move, but far from a bad one. White could just have stayed put of course, when it's hard for either side to undertake any active operations.} Qb6 37. axb5 axb5 38. Qh5 (38. Rd7 {immediately was the best move as far I could see. It's hard to find a convenient way for Black to avoid the exchange of rooks, when there will not be much left to fight for} Qe6 39. Rd8 Kh7 40. Rxe8 Qxe8 $11) 38... Qb8 39. Rd7 $6 {This was not necessary at all. Shirov was probably induced into it by the fact that we were both short on time here, but my next move is pretty obvious as with the white queen misplaced on the kingside the b4-break will grow considerably in strength.} g6 40. Qf3 (40. Qxh6 b4 {looks pretty dangerous for White, and not really worth the risk, since the text keeps White well within the drawing zone.}) 40... Rf8 {Now there is no way to stop b4.} 41. Kf2 (41. Rd5 b4 42. cxb4 Qxb4 $1 43. Rxe5 Qxb2 {[%cal Rb2e5,Rb2c2]}) 41... b4 42. Qe2 bxc3 43. bxc3 Qc8 (43... Qb2 {was an interesting attempt} 44. Bd3 Qa1 {unfortunately I missed this cunning idea} (44... Qb5 45. Rd5 cxd3 46. Rxb5 dxe2 47. Rxe5 Rc8 $11) 45. Bxc4 Qh1 46. Qg4 $1 Qxh2+ 47. Kf3 {and there is no win for Black:} Qh1+ (47... Kg7 48. Rxf7+ Rxf7+ 49. Bxf7 Kxf7 50. Qd7+) 48. Kf2 Rb8 49. Bxf7+ Kf8 50. Bb3 Qh2+ 51. Kf1 $11) 44. Qd2 Bxc3 45. Qd5 Qa6 {I saw that this would lead to a draw more or less by force, but there was nothing better anyway.} (45... Bg7 46. e5 c3 47. Kg2 {and White is too active for Black to hope for anything real.}) 46. e5 $2 (46. Bd1 $1 {was the last chance to maintain equality} Qf6+ 47. Kg2 Rb8 (47... Rc8 48. Be2 Qe6 49. Rd8+ Rxd8 50. Qxd8+ Kg7 51. Qd5 $11) 48. Qxc4 Rb2+ 49. Be2 Be1 50. Kh3 {and Black has nothing as} Qf2 $2 {even loses:} 51. Rd8+ Kh7 52. Qd4 $18) 46... Qa2 47. Qe4 Bxe5 {Now it's very difficult for White.} 48. h4 Re8 49. Kg2 h5 $1 {I came to this move by elimination after a long period of thought.} (49... Re6 $2 {is what I mainly calculated, and rejected for the wrong reasons.} 50. Rd8+ Kg7 51. Ra8 $1 (51. Rd7 h5 52. g4 hxg4 53. h5 Kh6 (53... Bd6 54. Qxe6 Qxc2+ {actually wins by force, but since there was a serious flaw in my calculations even earlier in this line, let's focus on what I actually saw...}) 54. Rxf7 Kxh5 55. Rh7+ (55. Rf5+ Kh4 {and the king march might actually end victoriously}) 55... Kg5 56. Rg7 $1 Bxg7 57. Qf4+ Kh5 58. Qh2+ $11) 51... Qb2 52. Qxc4 $15) (49... Qa8 {is another option I considered, but I didn't like} 50. Rb7 {when my queen is clearly misplaced.}) 50. Kh3 {Now the rest is fairly easy.} ({The key move I had to calculate was} 50. g4 hxg4 51. h5 Qa8 52. hxg6 fxg6 $1 53. Rb7 (53. Rd5 Bg7 54. Qxc4 Rc8 {and the pins work out in Black's favour} 55. Qb3 Rxc2+ 56. Kg1 Qa2 $19) 53... Kf8 $1 {with ...e7 to come, and Black is winning.}) 50... c3 51. Rd5 Qa6 {The cleanest way.} 52. Bd3 (52. Rxe5 Qf1+ 53. Kh2 Rxe5 54. Qxe5 Qf2+ 55. Kh3 Qxc2 {is easily winning for Black, of course.}) 52... Qc8+ 53. Kg2 Bg7 (53... Bxg3 {was eminently playable of course, but in the interest of king safety I did not want to remove the bishop from the long diagonal. Besides, I had not seen his next move, and thought he would resign after the text.}) 54. Rc5 Qd7 55. Qc4 (55. Qd5 Qxd5+ 56. Rxd5 Rxe3 {would have prolonged the fight, but not by any means changed the result.}) 55... Rxe3 56. Rc7 (56. Bxg6 Be5 57. Rd5 Qe6 {is also quite simple} (57... Rxg3+ 58. Kf2 Qa7+ {wins immediately, but such "long" moves are hard to spot.})) 56... Rxg3+ 57. Kxg3 (57. Kf2 Bd4+ {would not have any other impact than preventing White from transposing to the game as xg3 g4+ etc mates.}) 57... Be5+ 58. Kf2 Qxc7 59. Qxc7 Bxc7 60. Kf3 {Shirov made the time-control with 1 second left, but understandably decided not to continue the fight.} 0-1

[Event "Biel Accentus"]
[Site "Biel"]
[Date "2011.07.29"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C41"]
[WhiteElo "2711"]
[BlackElo "2821"]
[PlyCount "78"]
[EventDate "2011.07.18"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "SUI"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 144"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2011.09.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2011.09.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 d6 2. d4 Nf6 3. Nc3 e5 4. Nf3 Nbd7 5. Bc4 Be7 6. O-O O-O 7. a4 a6 8. a5 h6 9. Re1 exd4 10. Nxd4 Ne5 11. Bf1 c5 12. Nb3 Be6 13. Bf4 $146 ({RR} 13. f4 Nc6 14. Nd5 Re8 15. h3 Bf8 16. c4 Bxd5 17. cxd5 Nb4 18. Nd2 Qe7 19. Re2 Nh5 20. Nc4 Ng3 21. Re1 Nxe4 22. Nb6 Rad8 23. Bd2 Qh4 24. Re2 Nxd2 25. Qxd2 Rxe2 26. Bxe2 Be7 27. Bf3 Bf6 {Hoang,T (2439)-Skripchenko,A (2403) Riadh 2017 0-1 (75)}) ({RR} 13. f4 Nc6 14. Nd5 Re8 15. c4 Bf8 16. Bd2 Bxd5 17. cxd5 Nd4 18. Bd3 b5 19. Nxd4 cxd4 20. b4 g6 21. Bc1 Ra7 22. Bd2 Bg7 23. Qf3 Rae7 24. Rac1 Qd7 25. h3 h5 26. Re2 Rc8 27. Rce1 Rce8 {Golubov,S (2251)-Zeynalli,M (2166) Moscow 2013 ½-½ (52)}) 13... Rc8 14. h3 Re8 15. Bxe5 dxe5 16. Nd2 c4 17. Ra4 Bc5 18. Nxc4 Bd4 19. Qf3 Rc5 20. Nd1 Qc7 21. Nde3 Bxe3 22. Nxe3 Rxa5 23. Rb4 Rd8 24. Rd1 Rxd1 25. Qxd1 Rc5 26. Ra4 Rc6 27. Bd3 Rd6 28. Qe1 b5 29. Ra3 g6 30. b4 Rc6 31. Qa1 Qd6 32. Kh2 h5 33. Rc3 Rxc3 34. Qxc3 h4 35. Nf1 Nh5 36. Nd2 g5 37. Nf3 f6 38. g3 hxg3+ 39. fxg3 Ng7 1/2-1/2

[Event "Grand Slam Final 4th"]
[Site "Sao Paulo/Bilbao"]
[Date "2011.09.26"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C67"]
[WhiteElo "2817"]
[BlackElo "2823"]
[PlyCount "56"]
[EventDate "2011.09.26"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "BRA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 145"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2011.11.11"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2011.11.11"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. d4 Nd6 6. Bxc6 dxc6 7. dxe5 Nf5 8. Qxd8+ Kxd8 9. Nc3 h6 10. h3 Ne7 11. Be3 Ke8 12. Rad1 Bd7 13. a3 Rd8 14. Rfe1 a6 15. Ne4 Bf5 16. Nc5 $146 ({RR} 16. Rxd8+ Kxd8 17. Bd2 Kc8 18. Nd4 Bh7 19. e6 f6 20. f4 f5 21. Nc3 g6 22. Nf3 Bg7 23. Be3 Bxc3 24. bxc3 Re8 25. c4 b6 26. Bd4 c5 27. Bg7 h5 28. Ng5 Bg8 29. Kf2 Nc6 30. g4 hxg4 {Hou,Y (2584)-Naiditsch,A (2697) Villarrobledo 2009 0-1 (69)}) 16... Rxd1 17. Rxd1 Bc8 18. Nd3 Ng6 19. Nf4 Nxf4 20. Bxf4 Be7 21. Nd4 Bc5 22. Be3 Bxd4 23. Rxd4 Ke7 24. f3 Rd8 25. Rxd8 Kxd8 26. g4 h5 27. Kf2 g6 28. Bg5+ Ke8 1/2-1/2

[Event "Grand Slam Final 4th"]
[Site "Sao Paulo/Bilbao"]
[Date "2011.09.27"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C77"]
[WhiteElo "2823"]
[BlackElo "2807"]
[Annotator "Moradiabadi,Elshan"]
[PlyCount "111"]
[EventDate "2011.09.26"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "BRA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 145"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2011.11.11"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2011.11.11"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{In this technical battle in one of the few 2800+ encounters... one can see many rich positional ideas. It is one of those few draws which I do not feel unhappy about commenting on!} 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 {A Marshall?} 6. d3 {No! Carlsen has never been a fond of theoretical battles in the Ruy Lopez.} d6 7. c3 O-O 8. Nbd2 b5 9. Bc2 d5 10. Re1 dxe4 11. dxe4 {This position is familiar to Carlsen, as he faced it against Ivanchuk not long ago!} Be6 12. h3 {A very rare choice, which is not so surprising from Carlsen's point of view.} (12. Bb3 Bxb3 13. axb3 Qd3 14. b4 Rfd8 15. Qb3 Qd7 16. Qc2 Qe6 17. Qb3 Qd7 18. Qc2 Qe6 19. h3 a5 20. bxa5 Rxa5 21. Rxa5 Nxa5 22. b4 Nb7 23. Qb3 Qxb3 24. Nxb3 Nd7 25. Be3 Nd6 26. Nfd2 Ra8 27. Kf1 f6 28. Ke2 Kf7 29. Kd3 Ke6 30. f3 Ra2 31. Ra1 Rxa1 32. Nxa1 Nb7 33. Nab3 {1/2-1/2 (33) Ivanchuk,V (2776)-Carlsen,M (2815) Medias 2011}) ({RR} 12. Qe2 Qc8 13. Ng5 Bg4 14. Ngf3 Rb8 15. Nf1 h6 16. Ne3 Be6 17. a4 Rd8 18. axb5 axb5 19. h3 Bf8 20. g4 b4 21. Nf5 bxc3 22. bxc3 Bb3 23. Bxb3 Rxb3 24. Qc4 Qe6 25. Ra4 Rb1 26. Kg2 Rdb8 {Matinian,N (2407)-Smirnov,P (2545) chess.com INT 2023 0-1 (44)}) 12... Nd7 (12... h6 {Well Mr.Aronian, a very old game has been followed so far... Botvinnik played it!} 13. Nh2 Nh7 14. Ng4 Bg5 15. Qe2 Qd6 16. Ne3 Rfd8 17. Nf3 Bxe3 18. Qxe3 Qe7 {0-1 (60) Smyslov,V-Botvinnik,M Leningrad/Moscow 1941. White has a slight edge even though Smyslov threw the game away.}) 13. Nf1 Nc5 $146 (13... Nb6 {covering the d5-square is an alternative.} 14. Qe2 Qc8 15. Ne3 Rd8 16. Nh2 Bf8 17. Nf5 {is what I would personally not like to face in a practical game. Aronian's choice is ok, though it does have an obvious drawback: Black loses control over the d5-square.}) ({RR} 13... Nb6 14. b3 b4 15. Bd2 a5 16. Ne3 f6 17. Qe2 bxc3 18. Bxc3 Bb4 19. Red1 Qe7 20. Bb2 Rfd8 21. Nd5 Qf7 22. Rac1 Bd6 23. Bb1 Nb4 24. Nxb6 cxb6 25. a3 Na6 26. Rc6 Bc5 27. Rxd8+ Rxd8 28. Rxe6 {Horner,J (2360)-Kraidman,Y (2440) Manchester 1982 ½-½ (51)}) 14. Ne3 Qxd1 15. Rxd1 f6 16. Nd5 {There we are. As always, Carlsen has managed to get a slight but riskless edge.} Bd6 17. Be3 Nb7 18. b4 $5 {Fixing the target on b5 and creating a target!} Ne7 (18... a5 $6 {is premature as a result of} 19. a4 axb4 20. axb5 Bxd5 21. exd5 Rxa1 22. Rxa1 Ne7 23. cxb4 Bxb4 24. Bb3 Bd6 25. g4 $1 {after which White has a slight but long-lasting advantage is out of the question.}) 19. a4 c6 $6 {This is a serious inaccuracy which hands the initiative to White.} (19... Nxd5 20. exd5 Bf7 $1 {keeping the pawn on d5 under attack, gives Black adequate play.} 21. axb5 axb5 22. Bd3 Bxd5 23. Bxb5 Rxa1 24. Rxa1 c5 {is very close to a draw.}) 20. Nb6 {Carlsen grabs the initiative.} Rab8 21. Nd2 (21. Nh4 $5 g6 (21... Rfd8 22. Nf5 Nxf5 23. exf5 Bf7 24. axb5 axb5 25. Ra7 {is clearly better for White.}) 22. axb5 axb5 23. Ra7 Rfd8 24. Nf3 Kf8 {and White keeps the pressure.}) (21. axb5 axb5 22. Ra7 Rfd8 23. Ne1 {is another alternative, though I cannot say how either side would improve its position.}) 21... c5 22. axb5 axb5 23. c4 $5 {Carlsen tries to complicate things.} cxb4 $6 (23... Nc8 24. Nd5 cxb4 25. cxb5 Bxd5 26. exd5 {does not solve Black's problem.}) 24. cxb5 Bc5 25. Bb3 Bxb3 26. Nxb3 Bxe3 27. fxe3 Na5 28. Rxa5 Rxb6 29. Rd7 Nc8 30. Nc5 h5 {This move will become valuable in the more or less forced resulting rook ending.} 31. Rd3 Re8 32. Na4 Rb8 33. Rb3 {Carlsen wins a pawn but Dr. Tarrasch believes that all rook endings are drawn!} Nb6 34. Rxb4 Rec8 35. Nxb6 Rxb6 36. Ra6 Rc1+ 37. Kf2 Rc2+ 38. Kg3 Rxa6 39. bxa6 Ra2 $1 {The rooks have to be behind the pawns, whether ours or our enemy's!} 40. Rb6 Kf7 41. Rb7+ Kg6 42. a7 {Now we are in Dr. Müller's territory. White needs to bring his king to the queenside. Black's rook is well placed and thanks to White's weakened pawn chain he can create some counterplay on the kingside which may enable his king to become active.} Kh6 43. Kh2 g6 $1 (43... h4 $2 44. Kg1 g6 45. Kf1 f5 46. Ke1 Kg5 47. Rf7 (47. Kd1 f4 $11 {gives Black enough play to make a draw.}) 47... fxe4 48. Kd1 Kh5 49. Kc1 g5 50. Kb1 {is winning for White. Therefore Black has to be on time with his king and to activate it in the least amount of time.}) 44. Kg1 Kg5 $1 {Aronian uses the h4-square for his king.} 45. Rh7 (45. Rf7 f5 46. Kf1 fxe4 47. g3 h4 48. g4 Kh6 49. Ke1 g5 50. Kd1 Kg6 {just in time!} 51. Rb7 Kf6 52. Kc1 Ke6 53. Kb1 Ra5 54. Kb2 Kd6 55. Kb3 (55. Kc3 Kc6 56. Re7 Ra1 57. Rxe5 Rxa7 58. Rxg5 Rd7 {Is a draw}) 55... Kc6 56. Re7 (56. Kb4 Ra2 57. Rg7 Ra1 (57... Ra6 {is also possible!} 58. Rg6+ Kd5 59. Rxa6) 58. Rxg5 Rxa7 59. Rxe5 Ra2 60. Rh5 Re2 61. Kc4 Rxe3 62. Rh6+ Kd7 63. Rxh4 Ra3 {and Black manages to make a draw thanks to White's badly placed rook on h4.}) 56... Kb6 57. Kc3 Kc6 58. Rxe5 Rxa7 59. Rxg5 Rd7 {transposes. Obviously there are still a lot moves to analyse in this position but I hardly believe that White has many ways to improve his position.}) 45... f5 46. g3 {Equivalent to a draw offer.} (46. Rf7 fxe4 47. Kh2 h4 48. Kg1 Kh6 49. Kf1 g5 50. Ke1 Kg6 51. Rc7 Kf6 52. Kd1 Ke6 53. Kc1 Kd6 54. Rg7 Kc6 55. Kb1 Ra5 56. Kb2 Kb6 57. Kb3 Rb5+ 58. Kc2 Rc5+ 59. Kd2 Ra5 60. Ke2 Ra2+ 61. Kf1 Ra1+ 62. Kf2 Ra2+ 63. Kg1 Ra1+ 64. Kh2 Kc5 65. Rxg5 Kc4 $1 {Thanks to his active king Black is in the safe zone.}) 46... Kf6 47. Kf1 fxe4 48. Ke1 Ke6 49. Rg7 Kd5 50. g4 hxg4 51. hxg4 Kc4 52. Rd7 g5 53. Kd1 Kc3 54. Ke1 Kc4 55. Kd1 Kc3 56. Ke1 1/2-1/2

[Event "Grand Slam Final 4th"]
[Site "Sao Paulo/Bilbao"]
[Date "2011.10.01"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Ivanchuk, Vassily"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C11"]
[WhiteElo "2765"]
[BlackElo "2823"]
[Annotator "ChessBase"]
[PlyCount "90"]
[EventDate "2011.09.26"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "BRA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 145"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2011.11.11"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2011.11.11"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. e5 Nfd7 5. f4 c5 6. Nf3 Nc6 7. Be3 Be7 8. a3 O-O 9. Qd2 b6 ({RR} 9... a6 10. dxc5 Nxc5 11. Rd1 b5 12. b4 Nd7 13. Bd3 Bb7 14. O-O a5 15. Nxb5 axb4 16. axb4 Nxb4 17. Be2 Qa5 18. c3 Nc6 19. c4 Qxd2 20. Rxd2 Bb4 21. Rb2 dxc4 22. Bxc4 Bc5 23. Bxc5 Nxc5 24. Rc1 {Fedoseev,V (2691)-Erigaisi,A (2712) Douglas IOM 2023 ½-½ (45)}) ({RR} 9... a6 10. dxc5 Bxc5 11. Bxc5 Nxc5 12. b4 Nd7 13. Bd3 f6 14. exf6 Qxf6 15. g3 b6 16. O-O Bb7 17. Rae1 g6 18. Ne2 Rae8 19. c3 e5 20. Bc2 d4 21. cxd4 exf4 22. Nxf4 Kh8 23. Nxg6+ Kg7 24. Nxf8 {Piliposyan,R (2415)-Jval Saurin Patel (2330) Abu Dhabi UAE 2025 1-0}) 10. g3 (10. Bd3 f6 11. exf6 Nxf6 12. Bb5 Qc7 13. Bxc6 Qxc6 14. Ne5 Qe8 15. Qe2 Nd7 16. Nxd7 Bxd7 17. O-O Qg6 18. a4 c4 19. Rf3 a6 20. a5 b5 21. Nd1 b4 22. Nf2 Bb5 23. Rg3 Qf5 24. Qg4 Rf7 25. Qd1 c3 26. Ng4 Kh8 27. Ne5 Rff8 28. b3 Bf6 29. Ng4 Be8 30. Nxf6 gxf6 31. Qg4 Bg6 32. Qxf5 Bxf5 33. Ra2 h5 34. Bf2 Kh7 35. Re3 Rf7 36. Bh4 Rg8 37. g3 Be4 38. Re2 Kg6 39. Ra4 Rb7 40. h3 Re8 41. Ra1 e5 42. fxe5 fxe5 43. dxe5 Rxe5 44. Rf1 Rf5 45. Rxf5 Bxf5 46. Bd8 d4 47. g4 hxg4 48. hxg4 Bxc2 49. Rxc2 d3 {0-1 (49) Macieja,B (2470)-Morozevich,A (2590)/St Petersburg 1997/CBM 062}) 10... Kh8 $146 ({RR} 10... Bb7 11. h4 f6 12. exf6 Bxf6 13. O-O-O Re8 14. Bb5 Rc8 15. g4 Na5 16. g5 Be7 17. Rhe1 a6 18. Bf1 b5 19. dxc5 Nxc5 20. Kb1 Qc7 21. Ne5 Bd6 22. Bd4 Nc4 23. Bxc4 bxc4 24. h5 Nd7 25. h6 {Ismagambetov,A (2508)-Kostenko,P (2507) Astana 2014 1-0 (38)}) ({RR} 10... Bb7 11. h4 a6 12. Bh3 b5 13. O-O cxd4 14. Nxd4 Nxd4 15. Bxd4 Bc5 16. Ne2 Bxd4+ 17. Nxd4 Nc5 18. f5 Ne4 19. Qf4 Qb6 20. Rad1 exf5 21. Bxf5 Rae8 22. Kh2 g6 23. Bh3 Bc8 24. Bxc8 Rxc8 25. c3 {Nomin Erdene,D (2424)-Antic,D (2487) Heviz 2015 ½-½ (31)}) 11. h4 f6 12. exf6 Nxf6 13. Bh3 Bd7 14. Rd1 cxd4 15. Nxd4 e5 16. Nxc6 Bxc6 17. fxe5 d4 18. exf6 Bxf6 19. O-O dxc3 20. Qxd8 Raxd8 21. Rxd8 Rxd8 22. b3 {From here on the Norwegian GM proceeds to outplay the tournament leader in this double-bishops ending. Typical Carlsen.} Re8 23. Bf2 Be4 24. Re1 Re7 25. Rc1 h5 26. Bg2 Bf5 27. Bf3 g6 28. a4 Kh7 29. b4 g5 30. a5 g4 31. axb6 axb6 32. Bc6 Re2 33. Bxb6 Be5 34. b5 Kg7 35. Ba5 Rxc2 36. Rxc2 Bxc2 37. Kf2 $2 (37. b6 {would have probably held the position.}) 37... Bd3 38. Ke3 Bg6 39. Be4 $2 ({Once again White could have tried to defend with} 39. b6) 39... c2 40. Bd2 Bxg3 41. Bxg6 Kxg6 42. Kd3 Bf2 43. Kxc2 g3 44. Bf4 g2 45. Bh2 Kf5 {Nicely played by the amazing Magnus. A game to study.} 0-1

[Event "Moscow Tal Memorial 6th"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2011.11.24"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B52"]
[WhiteElo "2826"]
[BlackElo "2730"]
[Annotator "RR"]
[PlyCount "80"]
[EventDate "2011.11.16"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 146"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2012.01.18"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2012.01.18"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. Bb5+ Bd7 4. Bxd7+ Qxd7 5. c4 Nc6 6. d4 cxd4 7. Nxd4 g6 8. Nc3 Bg7 9. Be3 Nf6 10. h3 O-O 11. O-O a6 12. a4 Rfc8 13. b3 e6 14. Rc1 d5 $146 ({RR} 14... Nb4 15. Qd2 Qe8 16. Rfd1 Nd7 17. Nce2 Nc6 18. Nxc6 Rxc6 19. Bd4 Qf8 20. Bxg7 Qxg7 21. Nd4 Rcc8 22. Nf3 Nc5 23. Qe3 Qb2 24. Rb1 Qc2 25. e5 dxe5 26. Nxe5 b6 27. b4 Nxa4 28. Rdc1 Qf5 29. g4 {Havasi,G (2393)-Li,B (2383) Budapest 2017 1-0 (58)}) 15. Nxc6 bxc6 16. e5 Ne8 17. f4 a5 18. Ne4 Bf8 19. Rf3 Qd8 20. Nc5 Rcb8 21. Bf2 Nc7 22. Qe2 Rb4 23. Kh2 Be7 24. Rc2 Qf8 25. Nd7 Qd8 26. Nc5 Qf8 27. cxd5 Nxd5 28. g3 Qc8 29. Be1 Rb6 30. Rc4 Rab8 31. Qd1 Bxc5 32. Rxc5 Qf8 33. Qc2 Nb4 34. Bxb4 Rxb4 35. Rxa5 Qd8 36. Rc5 Rxb3 $1 (36... Rd4 $2) 37. Rxb3 Rxb3 38. Qxb3 Qd2+ 39. Kh1 Qe1+ 40. Kg2 Qe2+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "London Classic 3rd"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2011.12.03"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Howell, David"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C65"]
[WhiteElo "2826"]
[BlackElo "2633"]
[Annotator "RR"]
[PlyCount "79"]
[EventDate "2011.12.03"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 146"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2012.01.18"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2012.01.18"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 {Szabo,Krisztian} e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. d3 Bc5 5. c3 O-O 6. O-O Re8 7. Bg5 ({RR} 7. Nbd2) 7... h6 8. Bh4 Bf8 ({RR} 8... Be7 9. Bg3 d6 10. h3 Bd7 11. Nbd2 Nh5 12. Bh2 Bg5 13. Nxg5 Qxg5 14. Nf3 Qf6 15. Re1 a6 16. Bc4 Nf4 17. d4 Rad8 18. Bxf4 Qxf4 19. Qc1 Qf6 20. Qe3 Ne7 21. Bf1 Ng6 22. Kh2 exd4 23. cxd4 {Erigaisi,A (2782)-Abdusattorov,N (2767) Tashkent UZB 2025 ½-½ (60)}) 9. Nbd2 d6 10. d4 $146 ({RR} 10. Re1 Bd7 11. Ba4 ({RR} 11. Ba4 Be7 12. Nf1 Nh7 13. Bxe7 Nxe7 14. Bb3 Ng6 15. Ng3 Ng5 16. Nf5 Qf6) 11... g6 12. d4 Bg7 13. d5 Ne7 14. c4 a5 15. Bc2 Nh5 16. Nf1 Rf8 17. Ne3 Qe8 18. c5 g5 19. cxd6 cxd6 20. Bg3 f5 21. exf5 Qf7 22. Nd2 Nf4 23. Rc1 Nxf5 24. Nxf5 Bxf5 {Hernandez Guerrero,G (2517)-Daniel,J (2394) Arica 2015 1-0 (48)}) ({RR} 10. Re1 Bd7 11. a4 g6 12. Nf1 Bg7 13. Ne3 Qc8 14. a5 a6 15. Bc4 Nd8 16. b4 Ne6 17. Qb3 Bb5 18. Bxf6 ({RR} 18. Bxb5 axb5 19. h3 Nh5) 18... Bxf6 19. g3 Bxc4 20. Qxc4 Qd7 21. d4 ({RR} 21. h4 c6) 21... exd4 22. cxd4 Qb5 23. Rac1 Bg7 ({RR} 23... c5 24. e5) ({RR} 23... Qxc4 24. Rxc4 Bd8) 24. h4 ({RR} 24. d5 Qxc4 25. Rxc4 Ng5 26. Nxg5 hxg5 27. Rxc7 Rxe4 28. Rxb7 Bc3 29. Rb1) ({RR} 24. Qxb5 axb5 25. d5 Ng5 26. Nxg5 hxg5 27. Rxc7 Rxe4 28. Nc2) 24... c5 {Topalov,V (2772)-Aronian,L (2815) Stavanger 2014 CBM 161 [Szabo,Krisztian] ½-½ (41)}) 10... exd4 11. Nxd4 ({RR} 11. cxd4 g5) 11... Bd7 12. Nxc6 bxc6 13. Bd3 Be7 14. f4 Qb8 15. Bxf6 Bxf6 16. e5 dxe5 17. Ne4 Qxb2 18. f5 Red8 19. Bc4 Be8 20. Qh5 Rd6 21. Rab1 Qc2 22. Qg4 Kf8 23. h3 Rad8 24. Kh2 Qa4 25. Rb4 Qa3 26. Rb7 R6d7 27. Qf3 Qa4 28. Qe2 Re7 $2 (28... Qa5 29. Qh5 Rd6 $11) 29. Nxf6 $18 gxf6 30. Qe3 Red7 31. Qc5+ Rd6 32. Rxc7 Qc2 {[%tqu "En","","","","c7c8","",10]} 33. Rc8 $3 R8d7 34. Be6 $1 Ke7 35. Bxd7 Bxd7 36. Rh8 Qd3 37. Rf3 Qd5 38. Qxa7 e4 39. Qb8 $6 (39. Rf1 Qe5+ 40. Kh1 $18) 39... Qe5+ $16 40. Rg3 1-0

[Event "London Classic 3rd"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2011.12.04"]
[Round "2"]
[White "McShane, Luke J"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C78"]
[WhiteElo "2671"]
[BlackElo "2826"]
[Annotator "Saunders,John C"]
[PlyCount "166"]
[EventDate "2011.12.03"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 146"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2012.01.18"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2012.01.18"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O b5 6. Bb3 Bc5 7. c3 d6 8. a4 Rb8 9. d4 Bb6 10. axb5 axb5 11. Qd3 {This line for Black is unappealing for the materialists amongst us as in involves giving up the b-pawn.} O-O 12. Bg5 h6 13. Bxf6 ({RR} 13. Bh4 exd4 14. cxd4 g5 15. Bg3 Nh5 16. Kh1 Kg7 17. Nc3 f5 18. exf5 Bxf5 19. Qxb5 Nxd4 20. Nxd4 Bxd4 21. Qc4 c5 22. Nb5 Nxg3+ 23. fxg3 Be5 24. Qe2 Bg6 25. Bc4 Rxf1+ 26. Rxf1 Qd7 27. Nc3 Rf8 {Liang,A (2587)-Aronian,L (2782) chess24.com INT 2021 0-1 (48)}) 13... Qxf6 14. Qxb5 Na7 {And it involves putting the knight on what looks like a revolting square. It reminds me of Muhammed Ali and his 'rope-a-dope' tactics. We know the guy is good at what he does but the tactic doesn't look too smart for all that.} ({RR} 14... Ne7 15. dxe5 Qf4 16. Qe2 dxe5 17. Nbd2 Ng6 18. g3 Qg4 19. Kh1 Qh5 20. Ng1 Qxe2 21. Nxe2 Bh3 22. Rfb1 Bxf2 23. Bc4 Rfd8 24. Nf3 Rd6 25. b3 Rbd8 26. Neg1 Be6 27. Bxe6 Rxe6 28. Rd1 Red6 29. Rxd6 {Roux,B (2353)-Flear,G (2393) Lyon FRA 2024 ½-½ (51)}) 15. Qa4 Qg6 $146 ({RR} 15... exd4 16. cxd4 c6 17. Nbd2 Nb5 18. e5 Qf4 19. d5 Nd4 20. exd6 cxd5 21. d7 Bb7 22. Nxd4 Qxd2 23. Nf5 Qxb2 24. Ne7+ Kh8 25. Bxd5 Ra8 26. Qd1 Bxd5 27. Rb1 Qe5 28. Nxd5 Bc5 29. Nb4 Qe6 30. Re1 {Filipenko,A (2351)-Nozdrachev,V (2463) Moscow 2012 1-0 (36)}) ({RR} 15... g5 16. Nbd2 g4 17. dxe5 dxe5 18. Ne1 Nc6 19. Bd5 Ne7 20. Nc4 c6 21. Nxb6 Rxb6 22. Bc4 Rxb2 23. Nd3 Rd2 24. Ra2 Rxa2 25. Qxa2 Ng6 26. f3 gxf3 27. Rxf3 Qe7 28. Qf2 Kg7 29. Nb4 Bd7 30. Qa7 {Negi,P (2538)-Lagno,K (2459) New Delhi 2006 ½-½ (56)}) 16. Re1 Bh3 17. g3 Qf6 18. Nbd2 {Black has succeeded in weakening some squares around the kingside and he has the two bishops. But give me Luke's extra pawn any day.} Rbd8 19. Qc4 g5 20. Qd3 Bg4 21. Nc4 Nc6 {[diag]} 22. Nxb6 ({If you downloaded the game within 12 hours of the game being played, you might find your copy of the game score says} 22. Re3 {here. It's wrong, so please amend to what you see here. Some gremlin crept into our broadcasting system yesterday and garbled the score. It was only when I looked at the score critically today, with my favourite engine, switched on that the error made itself apparent. I checked with the arbiters and they told me the score was as given in the text.}) 22... cxb6 23. Re3 {Magnus is doing his best to probe various weaknesses in Luke's position but he's not really getting anywhere. A pawn is still a pawn and Luke is better.} Kg7 24. Kg2 h5 25. h3 Bd7 26. Ba4 Ra8 27. Bxc6 Bxc6 28. Rxa8 Rxa8 29. Qc4 Rc8 30. Qa6 Rb8 31. d5 Bd7 32. h4 {Luke can't stop the black pawn coming to g4 but he doesn't want to have to exchange the h-pawn when it arrives and risk opening the h-file.} g4 33. Nd2 Qd8 34. Qa3 Qc7 35. Re1 b5 36. Ra1 b4 {Magnus is getting desperate and trying to bluff his opponent.} 37. cxb4 Bb5 38. Qe3 f6 39. Qc3 (39. Ra7 Rb7 40. Rxb7 Qxb7 41. Qc3 {is possible but there are vague chances of Black coming round the back of the white position with his queen and perhaps establishing the bishop on f3.}) 39... Qb7 40. b3 Kg6 41. Rc1 Qb6 42. Kg1 Be2 43. Qc6 Qd8 ({Not falling for the devilish trap:} 43... Qxb4 $4 44. Qd7 $1 {when} Qxd2 {loses to} 45. Qf5+ Kh6 46. Qxf6+ Kh7 {and now the white rook enters the game with check:} 47. Rc7+ {and it's all over.}) 44. Nc4 Rxb4 45. Nxd6 Rb6 46. Qc2 Qxd6 47. Qxe2 Rxb3 48. Rd1 {The black queen cannot move or the d-pawn would advance.} Rb4 49. Qc2 Rb8 50. Qc3 Ra8 51. Qc6 Rd8 (51... Qxc6 52. dxc6 Rc8 53. Rc1 Kf7 54. f3 {and White can soon engineer a passed pawn on the other flank.}) 52. Rb1 Qd7 53. Kg2 Qd6 54. Rb3 Qd7 55. Rb1 {White gains time with repetitions.} Qd6 56. Rb3 Qd7 57. Qa6 ({Luke hesitates but in truth it is very, very hard to come up with anything concrete here and actually very easy for White to mess it up, e.g.} 57. Rb6 $6 Qxc6 58. dxc6 (58. Rxc6 Ra8 {and the rook can menace the e-pawn and police the advance of the d-pawn from d4}) 58... Rd1 {and Black can mount an ideal defence, cutting off the king and preparing to play Rc1 and keep tabs on the c-pawn.}) 57... Qc8 58. Qd3 Qc5 59. Rc3 Qb4 60. Rc4 {[diag] Time control reached but this is probably an error.} Qe1 $1 {With seconds left on his clock, Magnus follows his instincts. He cuts off his opponent's king and prepares to invade with his rook via the a- or b-files.} 61. Qc3 Qxc3 62. Rxc3 Ra8 {Again, Magnus is contemplating active defence behind the d-pawn, and also threatening the e-pawn from the flank.} 63. Rd3 Kf7 64. f3 ({What to do? If} 64. Kf1 {Magnus replies} Ra2 {to keep the king cut off}) ({if} 64. Rd2 {, Magnus can play} Ra3 {to stop f2-f3 and also keep the king at bay. Meanwhile the black king is near enough to stop the advance of the d-pawn.}) 64... Ra2+ 65. Kf1 Ra1+ 66. Kf2 Ra2+ 67. Kf1 (67. Ke3 Rg2 {also leads nowhere.}) 67... Ra1+ 68. Ke2 Ra2+ 69. Rd2 gxf3+ 70. Ke1 Ra4 71. d6 Rxe4+ 72. Kf2 {[diag]} Ke8 ({Is Luke in danger of losing? No. Magnus doesn't fall for} 72... Re2+ $4 73. Rxe2 fxe2 {which looks like a Black win until White bangs down} 74. g4 $3 {and White wins after all with two passed pawns. The black king cannot intercept them both.}) 73. Kxf3 Ra4 74. d7+ Kd8 75. Rd6 {"Oh no!" IM Lawrence Trent in the commentary room couldn't disguise his partisan sympathies and kept chanting this like the chorus of a Greek tragedy. In truth it's a dead draw and the players could stop now.} f5 76. Re6 Ra3+ 77. Kf2 e4 78. Rd6 Rf3+ 79. Kg2 f4 80. gxf4 Rxf4 81. Kg3 Rf3+ 82. Kg2 Rf4 83. Kg3 Rf3+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "London Classic 3rd"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2011.12.05"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C54"]
[WhiteElo "2826"]
[BlackElo "2758"]
[Annotator "Saunders,John C"]
[PlyCount "81"]
[EventDate "2011.12.03"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 146"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2012.01.18"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2012.01.18"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. d3 ({Anyone hoping for something brash like} 4. Ng5 {or 4 d4 would have been disappointed. Magnus is not trying to provoke a slugging match because his opponent would love that. He is going to play it nice and slow. His style reminds me of those weird cycling races where they start by pootling round the track like old grannies doing their shopping, and only start pedalling furiously during the last couple of laps.}) 4... Bc5 5. c3 d6 6. Bb3 a6 7. Nbd2 Ba7 {Beginners are always told by their coaches not to move a piece twice in the opening unless they have to. And yet Magnus and Hikaru have both done it already. But they know what they are doing, just as the ancients who developed this line did when they called it the Giuoco Piano - 'quiet game'.} 8. Nf1 h6 9. Ng3 O-O 10. O-O Be6 11. h3 Qd7 ({Perhaps Hikaru would have been better off trying to provoke something a bit sharper with} 11... d5 {here. As played, Magnus gradually works his way towards the sort of manoeuvring position he favours.}) ({RR} 11... d5 12. Qe2 Re8 13. Rd1 Qe7 14. Nh4 dxe4 15. Nhf5 Qf8 16. dxe4 Bxb3 17. axb3 Ne7 18. Qf3 Nxf5 19. Nxf5 Re6 20. Be3 Bxe3 21. Nxe3 Rd8 22. b4 {½-½ (22) Landa,K (2597)-Adams,M (2707) Enschede 2006}) ({RR} 11... Re8 12. Bc2 d5 13. Qe2 b5 14. Bb3 a5 15. exd5 Bxd5 16. Bxd5 Qxd5 17. Ne4 Qe6 18. Be3 Bxe3 19. Qxe3 Rad8 20. Rfe1 Nd5 21. Qd2 Nf4 22. d4 Qg6 23. Ng3 Qf6 24. dxe5 Nxe5 25. Rxe5 Rxe5 26. Qxd8+ {Bochnicka,V (2351)-Sheehan,E (2363) chess.com INT 2025 0-1 (32)}) 12. Be3 {"I was pretty happy to get in Be3" (Carlsen)} Ne7 $146 ({RR} 12... Rfe8 13. Bxa7 Rxa7 14. Re1 d5 15. d4 dxe4 16. Nxe4 Bxb3 17. Nxf6+ gxf6 18. Qxb3 e4 19. Nh2 f5 20. Re2 Na5 21. Qc2 Nc4 22. Rae1 Raa8 23. f3 Nd6 24. Qc1 Kg7 25. Qf4 Re6 26. fxe4 fxe4 27. Ng4 {Mogollon Tobar,N (2068)-Kamarova,Z (1871) Florianopolis BRA 2024 1-0 (45)}) ({RR} 12... d5 13. Bxa7 Rxa7 14. Qe2 Re8 15. Nh4 Ne7 16. Bc2 d4 17. f4 exf4 18. Rxf4 Qb5 19. Raf1 Nh7 20. Nhf5 Ng6 21. R4f2 Qxb2 22. cxd4 Qxa2 23. d5 Bxd5 24. Qe3 Raa8 25. Qd4 Re5 26. exd5 Qxd5 27. Qxd5 {Zepeda,L (2156)-Buckels,V (2058) Hoogeveen 2013 1-0 (45)}) 13. Nh4 Ng6 ({When you've played h3, you always have to make sure you are in control if your opponent plays} 13... Bxh3 {. In this case, White's plan is to continue} 14. Bxa7 Rxa7 15. gxh3 Qxh3 16. Ng2 $1 (16. Nf3 $2 {loses to} Ng6 $1) 16... Ng4 17. Re1 Qh2+ 18. Kf1 Qh3 {and now} 19. f3 $1 {secures White a winning advantage. Both players had foreseen this. However, the move played is also a little suspect as it cedes White a tiny plus. And a tiny plus is sometimes all Magnus Carlsen needs to work on.}) 14. Nhf5 Ne7 15. Nxe7+ Qxe7 16. Bxa7 Rxa7 17. f4 c5 {"I think it's easier to play for White" (Carlsen). Nakamura later admitted he spent too much time thinking around moves 14 and 15 - a sign that he wasn't in his comfort zone.} 18. Bc2 $5 ({Magnus said he was thinking about} 18. a4 {instead, while Vlad Kramnik expressed surprise that he should have retreated his bishop from b3. My analysis engine is a little surprised too. Perhaps it is these small, filigree differences between Magnus and the other top players which define his unique style.}) 18... b5 19. Qd2 Rb7 20. a3 a5 21. Rf2 {"I think this position should be fine. I'm a little confused as to what happened" (Nakamura). Incidentally, it was very good of Hikaru to come to the commentary room after his defeat, and honest of him to make such a candid confession.} b4 22. axb4 axb4 23. Raf1 bxc3 24. bxc3 exf4 25. Rxf4 Nh7 26. d4 cxd4 27. cxd4 Qg5 28. Kh2 Nf6 29. Bd1 Rfb8 ({"I guess it's losing. It's a little bit strange," said a bemused Nakamura in the commentary, still unable to understand quite why he lost. He had seen the exchange sacrifice coming but wasn't concerned about it during the game. It would be no consolation but chess engines don't seem to understand this position either. Nakamura wondered about} 29... Ra8 {so that if} 30. h4 {Black can play} Qa5 {and offer a queen exchange.}) (29... Ng4+ $5 {was another Nakamura suggestion in the commentary room.}) 30. h4 Qg6 {[diag]} 31. Rxf6 $1 {Not conclusive by any means but it complicates the game and gives Magnus the sort of game he likes to play. For the exchange, White has weakened the black pawns and he will have some dangerous piece play against Nakamura's king and queen. Meanwhile the two black rooks are some way from reaching posts where they can threaten retribution.} gxf6 32. Qf4 (32. d5 Bd7 33. Qc3 {is what Deep Rybka advocates here but 'Deep Carlsen' has other ideas.}) 32... Rb2 ({Nakamura's instincts are to be active but with hindsight one wonders whether he might have been better off digging in with a move like} 32... Rd8) 33. Bh5 Qg7 34. Bf3 Ra8 $2 ({Hikaru starts to wilt under pressure of clock and position.} 34... Rd8 35. Nh5 Qg6 36. d5 Bc8 37. Nxf6+ {is good for White but Black is still in the game.}) 35. d5 Bc8 36. Nh5 Qf8 (36... Qg6 37. Qxd6 {is also very difficult for Black.}) 37. Nxf6+ Kh8 {[diag] If you count the material, Black is still OK but the black king is very weak while its opposite number is rock solid. And White has piece which is not doing much which he can deploy very effectively.} 38. Rc1 $1 {It seems a little ironic, because White only has one rook to his opponent's two, but the c1 rook packs the more powerful punch. It's coming to c7, to threaten Rxf7 followed by Qxh6+ and mate, or Rc6 and simply Rxd6.} Kg7 ({If, for example, the a8 rook moves forward with} 38... Ra6 {, then White plays} 39. Rxc8 $1 {followed by 40 Qxh6 mate.}) 39. e5 $1 {Opening the long diagonal but also giving his bishop the use of the e4 square. The black pieces find themselves out of play and the end is in sight.} dxe5 40. Nh5+ (40. Qxe5 {wins in much the same way.}) 40... Kh7 41. Be4+ (41. Be4+ Kg8 42. Qg3+ Kh8 43. Qxe5+ f6 44. Qxb2 {is crushing.}) 1-0

[Event "London Classic 3rd"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2011.12.12"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Short, Nigel D"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C50"]
[WhiteElo "2698"]
[BlackElo "2826"]
[PlyCount "153"]
[EventDate "2011.12.03"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 146"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2012.01.18"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2012.01.18"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. Nc3 ({RR} 4. d3 Nf6 {½-½ (7) Emiroglu,C (2304)-Petkov,V (2493) Izmir 2016}) 4... Nf6 5. d3 d6 6. Be3 Bb6 7. Bb3 ({RR} 7. Bxb6 axb6 8. h3 O-O 9. O-O Na5 10. Bb3 c6 11. Nd2 b5 12. Kh1 b4 13. Ne2 d5 14. Ng3 Qd6 15. Qe2 Re8 16. Rae1 Bd7 17. f4 Nxb3 18. axb3 exf4 19. e5 Qc5 20. Rxf4 Rxe5 21. Qxe5 Re8 {Neiksans,A (2454)-Georgiev,K (2685) Liepaja 2006 0-1 (46)}) 7... Be6 ({RR} 7... Nd4 8. Bxd4 exd4 9. Ne2 Bg4 10. Qd2 c5 11. Ba4+ Nd7 12. Qf4 Ba5+ 13. Kf1 Bxf3 14. gxf3 Qe7 15. Qg4 g6 16. Nf4 O-O-O 17. Nd5 Qe6 18. Bxd7+ Rxd7 19. h4 f5 20. Qg3 Rf8 21. Ke2 Re8 22. Kd1 {Haas,M (2101)-Tschann,S (2216) Baden 2019 ½-½ (67)}) 8. O-O $146 O-O 9. h3 Re8 10. Bxb6 axb6 11. Ne2 h6 12. Ng3 d5 13. c3 b5 14. Re1 d4 15. Qc2 dxc3 16. bxc3 Qd7 17. Rad1 Na5 18. d4 exd4 19. cxd4 Nxb3 20. axb3 c6 21. d5 cxd5 22. e5 Nh7 23. Nd4 f6 24. Qd3 fxe5 25. Nxe6 Qxe6 26. Qxd5 Nf6 27. Qxb5 Ra6 28. Qxb7 Rb6 29. Qc7 Rxb3 30. Rd6 Qf7 31. Qc5 e4 32. Rc6 Rd3 33. Rc8 Rxc8 34. Qxc8+ Kh7 35. Qf5+ Qg6 36. Qxg6+ Kxg6 37. Nxe4 Nxe4 38. Rxe4 Rd2 39. Re5 Kf6 40. Rh5 Kg6 41. g4 Ra2 42. Kg2 Kh7 43. Rf5 Ra3 44. f3 Kg8 45. Kg3 Ra1 46. Rc5 Ra4 47. h4 Kf7 48. Rc7+ Kg8 49. g5 hxg5 50. hxg5 g6 51. Re7 Kf8 52. Re4 Ra5 53. Kg4 Kf7 54. Rb4 Kg7 55. Rb7+ Kg8 56. Rb3 Kf7 57. f4 Ra4 58. Kf3 Kg7 59. Rb7+ Kf8 60. Rd7 Rb4 61. Ke3 Ra4 62. Rd4 Ra7 63. Rd6 Kg7 64. Ke4 Re7+ 65. Kd5 Rf7 66. Ke5 Rf5+ 67. Ke4 Rf7 68. Rc6 Re7+ 69. Kd5 Rf7 70. Rc4 Rf5+ 71. Ke4 Rf7 72. Ke5 Rf5+ 73. Ke6 Kg8 74. Rc8+ Kg7 75. Rc7+ Kg8 76. Rc8+ Kg7 77. Rc7+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "Tata Steel-A 74th"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2012.01.17"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C67"]
[WhiteElo "2736"]
[BlackElo "2835"]
[PlyCount "67"]
[EventDate "2012.01.14"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 147"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2012.03.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2012.03.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. d4 Nd6 6. Bxc6 dxc6 7. dxe5 Nf5 8. Qxd8+ Kxd8 9. Nc3 Ke8 10. h3 Bb4 11. Ne2 Be6 12. Nf4 Bd5 13. Nxd5 cxd5 14. g4 Ne7 15. Nd4 Bc5 $146 ({RR} 15... h5 16. Kg2 hxg4 17. hxg4 Kd7 18. Bg5 Ng6 19. f4 Raf8 20. Nf5 f6 21. exf6 gxf6 22. Bh6 Nh4+ 23. Nxh4 Rxh6 24. Nf5 Rg6 25. Kf3 Rfg8 26. Rg1 Bc5 27. Rg2 Rh8 28. Rd2 Kc6 29. Re1 Rh3+ 30. Ng3 {Pijpers,A (2462)-Feller,S (2569) Belgium 2018 1-0}) 16. Rd1 h5 17. Kg2 Bxd4 18. Rxd4 c5 19. Rd3 d4 20. b4 cxb4 21. Rxd4 Nc6 22. Rd5 hxg4 23. hxg4 Rd8 24. Rxd8+ Kxd8 25. Bg5+ Kc7 26. f4 b5 27. Rd1 a6 28. Rd5 Re8 29. Kf3 Rh8 30. Kg2 Re8 31. Bh4 Na5 32. Bf2 Nc4 33. Kf3 g6 34. Bd4 1/2-1/2

[Event "Tata Steel-A 74th"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2012.01.27"]
[Round "11"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Topalov, Veselin"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B51"]
[WhiteElo "2835"]
[BlackElo "2770"]
[Annotator "Ramirez Alvarez,Alejandro"]
[PlyCount "111"]
[EventDate "2012.01.14"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 147"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2012.03.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2012.03.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[TimeControl "6000+30"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. Bb5+ Nd7 4. c3 Ngf6 5. Qe2 a6 6. Ba4 Qc7 {Not the main move, but it scores quite well. A lot of games have seen 6... b5 instead.} 7. O-O e5 {And this is new, Volokitin had tried c4 against a weaker opponent a few years ago.} ({RR} 7... c4 8. Bc2 e5 9. b4 Nb6 10. a4 Be6 11. h3 h6 12. Re1 Be7 13. a5 Nbd7 14. d4 cxd3 15. Bxd3 d5 16. exd5 Nxd5 17. Ra2 O-O 18. Rc2 Rac8 19. Bd2 Rfd8 20. Na3 Bf8 21. Nc4 Nf4 22. Bxf4 {Morozevich,A (2625)-Salov,V (2670) Madrid 1996 0-1 (59)}) 8. d4 b5 9. Bc2 cxd4 $146 {This move requires a little bit of an explanation. Black doesn't really want to concede the c3 square for White's , but at the same time, this move is useful because it takes the sting out of a4, which would have been the reply to any other logical move. The position heavily resembles a Ruy Lopez more than a Sicilian, due to the  positioning on c2 and the pawn structure.} (9... Be7 10. a4 b4 11. dxc5 dxc5 12. Nbd2 {[%cal Rd2c4] eeally emphasizes the weakness left on c4 by pushing the pawn.}) ({RR} 9... Be7 10. a4 bxa4 11. Bxa4 O-O 12. d5 Nb6 13. Bc2 c4 14. Na3 Bb7 15. Be3 Nfd7 16. Nd2 Rfc8 17. f3 a5 18. Qf2 Ba6 19. g4 Qd8 20. f4 exf4 21. Qxf4 Ne5 22. Nf3 Nbd7 23. Bd4 f6 24. Ba4 {Zhou,G (2243)-Duong,T (2317) Ho Chi Minh City 2016 ½-½ (63)}) ({RR} 9... Be7 10. a4 b4 11. Bd3 exd4 12. cxd4 cxd4 13. Nxd4 Nc5 14. Bf4 O-O 15. Nd2 Bg4 16. f3 Bd7 17. a5 Nh5 18. Be3 d5 19. f4 Nxd3 20. Qxh5 dxe4 21. f5 Qe5 22. Nc4 Qf6 23. Nb6 Qd6 24. f6 {Varun,V (2173)-Shyam,N (2449) Chennai IND 2025 1-0 (38)}) 10. cxd4 Be7 11. Nc3 (11. a4 b4 {is nowhere near as threatening now.}) 11... O-O 12. Bg5 h6 13. Bh4 Bb7 14. Rad1 Rac8 15. Bb3 Rfe8 16. dxe5 dxe5 17. Bg3 Bf8 18. h3 Nb6 {So far both sides have developed in a very logical fashion. Black should be quite happy with the results of the opening: all his pieces are on good squares and he has a sound pawn structure. His last move prepares the very natural ...c4, which will block out the strong  on b3, and pressure b2.} 19. Nh4 $5 Nc4 20. Nf5 {And this is where things start to get wild. Magnus' h4 was already an indication that this move will follow, as there was no satisfactory way to meekly defend the b2 pawn.} Nxb2 21. Bh4 $5 (21. Rc1 Nc4 22. Bh4 g5 $15 {Gives White some compensation but I'm not sure it is enough. The  on f5 does look powerful, but a pawn is a pawn. It's possible that Black is just better in this position.}) (21. Nxh6+ $5 gxh6 22. Bh4 Bg7 (22... Qc6 23. Bxf6 Qxf6 24. Qxb2 $14) 23. Bxf6 Bxf6 24. Qg4+ Kh8 25. Rd7 Qxc3 26. Bxf7 Red8 $17 {And here White has a scary looking attack, but it does seem like Black will survive by all means.}) 21... Nxd1 {Topalov "goes for it" but he might not have had a choice.} (21... g5 {Seemed like the more prudent way to play, but that is not quite the case.} 22. Rd6 $3 Bxd6 $8 23. Nxh6+ Kf8 24. Bxg5 $13 {And despite being up a rook (!) White's threats look extremely powerful. Specifically, xf6 and g4 or f5 and h5+. A crazy position that should be analyzed in depth.}) 22. Bxf6 Nxc3 (22... gxf6 $2 23. Nxd1 $16 {gives White way too much compensation for his lost material, as h5 is the next move and the attack is huge.}) (22... Re6 $5 {is a very clever move. If White takes on e6, then after fxe6 the g7-pawn will be better defended and it kicks out the  on f5. Again, this position would require lots of analysis, but let's take a look at the most obvious.} 23. Nxh6+ (23. Bxe6 Nxc3 $5 24. Nxh6+ Kh7 25. Qh5 g6 $13) 23... Kh7 24. Qh5 g6 $1 25. Qh4 Bxh6 26. Rxd1 g5 $1 27. Bxg5 Rg6 $13) 23. Qg4 Bxe4 {A very logical move. The bishop hurries back to the defense and attacks the f5-. It also covers the b1-h7 diagonal which can be important in many variations.} (23... Re6 {was very interesting but it's hard to play during a game. Again, this will be analyzed in full.} 24. Nxh6+ (24. Nxg7 $5 Rxf6 25. Ne8+ Kh8 26. Nxf6 Bg7 27. Qf5 Bxf6 28. Qxf6+ Kg8 29. Qg6+ Kf8 30. Qxh6+ Ke8 {Might just not work for White though.}) 24... Kh7 25. Nxf7 $13) 24. Nxh6+ (24. Nxg7 Kh7 25. Nxe8 Rxe8 26. Rd1 $1 {is a very surprising resource. Here Black is powerless against the threat of d7, but he can still defend once the  penetrates.} Bg6 (26... Nxd1 $4 27. Qxe4+ Kg8 28. Qg6+) 27. Rd7 Ne2+ 28. Kf1 Ng3+ 29. fxg3 Qc1+ 30. Ke2 {with an incredibly messy position.}) 24... Kh7 25. Bxf7 {A lot of pieces are swarming around the black king. It is easy to say this during post mortem analysis: I just don't see what White is threatening at the moment. However, during the heat of battle, I can't imagine having a scarier position.} Qxf7 $2 {This is a little bit of a panic mode.} (25... Bd3 {and I'm not sure what White's followup is.} 26. Qh5 Ne2+ 27. Kh1 Nf4 {and it looks like it's checkmate but it's not, so Black wins.}) 26. Nxf7 gxf6 {Black still has a considerable material advantage, but unfortunately for him his K is very exposed. Carlsen must be quick to exploit this, because as soon as Black gets any kind of coordination he will be lost.} 27. f4 $8 Bg6 28. Qh4+ Kg7 29. fxe5 Ne4 30. Rxf6 Bc5+ 31. Kh2 Nxf6 32. Qxf6+ Kh7 33. Ng5+ Kh6 {White has sacrificed even more material, but in compensation Black's  is even more exposed. It is funny how those things work. In any case, it is clear the Magnus now has a perpetual and I'm sure many GMs would be willing to finish such an exhausting game, but that's not the attitude that's made Magnus the #1 player in the world.} 34. Ne6 (34. Nf7+ Kh7 $11) 34... Rxe6 35. Qxe6 Re8 36. Qf6 {To be fair, it doesn't take much to realize that White still holds a perpetual in his hands whenever he wants it. He just has to be careful not to overpress.} Be7 $2 {I'm not sure why Topalov gifted the a6-pawn, but maybe a loss of perspective can explain it. After defending so much and having such wild material differences, it is sometimes hard to remember that one pawn can make a big difference.} (36... a5 {was quite a superior move. Not only does it save the pawn, it keeps the pressure on e5 which is very important.}) 37. Qxa6 $14 b4 38. Qc4 Bf8 39. g4 Kh7 40. e6 Bd6+ {Move 40 has finally been reached, but sadly for Topalov his position isn't so good any more. This is mainly due to the fact that the e6-pawn is very hard to get to, and the two passed pawns on the kingside are very powerful. On top of that, there is no way to create counterplay. This is a very tough defense.} 41. Kg2 Be7 42. Qc7 {Black is almost in Zugzwang in this position, and actually 42...g7 is forced.} Kg8 43. Kg3 Kf8 44. Qf4+ $6 {An innacuracy, a better way to do what Magnus did in the game was by putting the  on e5 immediately.} (44. Qe5 $1 {threatening h8 mate.} Kg8 45. h4 {is much more like it, with strong threats.}) 44... Kg7 45. Qd4+ Kg8 46. h4 Rd8 47. Qc4 Bd3 $6 {And with this move Topalov returns the favor, it was imperative to take this one hope of counterplay and go for it.} (47... Rd3+ $1 48. Kg2 Rd2+ (48... Bxh4 $2 49. e7+ $18) 49. Kf3 Bxh4 {and it seems Black is safe. Easier said with a lot of time to analyze the position though, as it looks quite scary.}) 48. Qc6 Bb1 $2 {But this move just loses. It is way too aggressive, which is unsurprising considering Topalov's usual 'defense' methods, but it was not what the position required.} (48... Kg7 49. g5 Bg6 {still gave good drawing chances since the  can't easily cross to the 4th rank to support the pawn.}) 49. h5 {Winning but not as easily as....} (49. Qb7 $1 {And now Black has serious problems with the positioning of his pieces.} Kf8 $2 (49... Re8 50. Qd7 Kf8 51. Qd1 {and again  somewhere in the f-file next move.}) (49... Bd6+ 50. Kh3 $18 {threatens both f7 and e7 and just e7 directly.}) 50. Qf3+ Kg8 51. Qf7+) 49... Bxa2 50. Qe4 {Black is simply dominated in this position, and his  is rapidly being entangled in a mating net.} Kh8 51. h6 Bf6 52. e7 Re8 53. Qf4 Bg7 54. hxg7+ Kxg7 55. g5 Kg8 56. Qf6 {Definitely not Topalov's most shining moment. It is possible that he was simply winning and that Carlsen's sacrifices were not much more than a bluff, but the bluff paid off. Even then, the endgame was quite holdable, but Topalov's over-aggression prevented him from cooly maintaining a passive defense, and that cost him the game. Wild and exciting chess!} 1-0

[Event "Tata Steel-A 74th"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2012.01.28"]
[Round "12"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Kamsky, Gata"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C89"]
[WhiteElo "2835"]
[BlackElo "2732"]
[PlyCount "117"]
[EventDate "2012.01.14"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 147"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2012.03.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2012.03.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. c3 d5 9. d4 dxe4 10. Nxe5 Bb7 11. Nxc6 Bxc6 12. Bg5 Nd5 ({RR} 12... h6 13. Bxf6 Bxf6 14. Nd2 Re8 15. Qg4 Bd7 16. Qh5 Be6 17. Nxe4 Bxb3 18. axb3 Be7 19. b4 c6 20. Re3 a5 21. bxa5 Rxa5 22. Rae1 Kh8 23. Qxf7 {1-0 (23) Kamsky,G (2657)-Lavrov,M (2398) Chess.com INT 2021}) 13. Bxe7 Qxe7 14. Nd2 f5 15. f3 $146 ({RR} 15. c4 bxc4 16. Nxc4 Kh8 17. Ne3 Rad8 18. Rc1 Bb7 19. Rc5 c6 20. Nc4 Nf4 21. Ne5 Rd6 22. g3 Ne6 23. Rc4 c5 24. Qh5 Nxd4 25. Rxd4 cxd4 26. Nf7+ Rxf7 27. Qxf7 Qxf7 28. Bxf7 Bd5 29. Bxd5 Rxd5 {Dubreuil,R (1502)-Le Bas,N (1655) Montreal 2012 0-1 (47)}) 15... e3 16. c4 Nf4 17. cxb5+ Kh8 18. Nc4 e2 19. Qd2 Qg5 20. Rxe2 Nxe2+ 21. Qxe2 Bxb5 22. Qe3 f4 23. Qe5 Qh4 24. Qe1 Qxe1+ 25. Rxe1 Bxc4 26. Bxc4 c6 27. Re6 Rf6 28. Re4 a5 29. h4 Rd8 30. Re5 a4 31. Ra5 Rfd6 32. Rxa4 Rxd4 33. b3 g6 34. Kh2 Kg7 35. Ra6 Rd2 36. a4 Rf2 37. Ra7+ Kh8 38. Kh3 h5 39. Rf7 Rdd2 40. Rxf4 Rxg2 41. Rf7 Rh2+ 42. Kg3 Rdg2+ 43. Kf4 Rxh4+ 44. Ke5 Rg5+ 45. Kf6 Rf5+ 46. Kxg6 Rxf7 47. Bxf7 Rf4 48. Be6 Rxf3 49. Kxh5 Re3 50. Bc4 Kg7 51. Kg5 Re5+ 52. Kf4 Kf6 53. Bd3 Rh5 54. Be4 c5 55. Bd3 Rh4+ 56. Ke3 Ke5 57. a5 Rh3+ 58. Ke2 Kd4 59. Bc4 1/2-1/2

[Event "Moscow Tal Memorial 7th"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2012.06.12"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Grischuk, Alexander"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C84"]
[WhiteElo "2835"]
[BlackElo "2761"]
[Annotator "Ramirez Alvarez,Alejandro"]
[PlyCount "80"]
[EventDate "2012.06.08"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 149"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2012.07.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2012.07.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 {Let's Check} e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. d3 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. a4 b4 9. Nbd2 Bc5 {An interesting idea that was used by Adams against Hunt last year, and was picked up by Aronian who used it to beat Karjakin earlier this year in Wijk Aan Zee. The idea is that the bishop is out of the pawn chain, doing something productive.} ({RR} 9... d6 10. h3 Na5 11. Ba2 c5 12. Re1 Rb8 13. c3 Be6 14. Bxe6 fxe6 15. d4 exd4 16. cxd4 c4 17. d5 e5 18. Nf1 Nh5 19. Nxe5 dxe5 20. Qxh5 Bc5 21. Be3 Bd4 22. Re2 Qb6 23. Ng3 g6 24. Qh6 {Rasulov,V (2560)-Tatarinov,D (2338) chess.com INT 2024 1-0 (67)}) ({RR} 9... d6 10. a5 Be6 11. Nc4 Rb8 12. c3 bxc3 13. bxc3 Bg4 14. Ba4 Na7 15. Ne3 Be6 16. Ng5 Bd7 17. Bxd7 Nxd7 18. Nf3 Nc6 19. Nd5 Nc5 20. Be3 Nb3 21. Ra3 Nbxa5 22. Qa1 Rb5 23. c4 Rb3 24. Rxb3 {Grischuk,A (2715)-Bacrot,E (2695) Moscow 2007 1-0 (36)}) 10. Nc4 ({RR} 10. h3 d6 11. c3 Rb8 12. Re1 Re8 13. a5 Ba7 14. Nf1 Ne7 15. Ng3 Ng6 16. d4 h6 17. Bc2 c5 18. dxe5 dxe5 19. Bd3 Be6 20. Bxa6 c4 21. Ra4 Qc7 22. cxb4 Bxf2+ 23. Kxf2 Qa7+ 24. Be3 Qxa6 {Karjakin,S (2769)-Aronian,L (2805) Wijk aan Zee 2012 CBM 147 [Let's Check] 0-1 (42)}) 10... d6 11. Bg5 $146 {New. White immediately pins the knight which has no comfortable way of being defended.} ({RR} 11. h3 Be6 12. a5 Nd4 13. Ba2 Rb8 14. Be3 Nxf3+ 15. Qxf3 Nd7 16. Qg3 Bxe3 17. Qxe3 Rb5 18. Nd2 Bxa2 19. Rxa2 Nc5 20. Raa1 Ne6 21. Nc4 f6 22. Qd2 b3 23. Na3 Rb8 24. c3 d5 25. Rfd1 c6 {Sjugirov,S (2712)-Artemiev,V (2701) chess.com INT 2023 0-1 (36)}) ({RR} 11. Be3 Bxe3 12. fxe3 Be6 13. Qe1 a5 14. h3 Ne7 15. Nh4 Kh8 16. Rf3 Nd7 17. Nd2 Bxb3 18. Nxb3 g6 19. Qf2 f6 20. Rf1 c6 21. Nd2 d5 22. g4 Ng8 23. Qg3 Qe7 24. R3f2 Kg7 25. Nhf3 Rae8 {Areshchenko,A (2709)-Beliavsky,A (2628) Legnica 2013 ½-½ (47)}) 11... h6 12. Bh4 Bg4 13. Ne3 Bxf3 14. gxf3 $5 {This strange move hopes to capitalize on the light square weaknesses left by Black's next move.} (14. Qxf3 Nd4 15. Qd1 Nxb3 16. cxb3 g5 17. Bg3 {looks acceptable for Black.}) 14... g5 (14... Nd4 15. Ng4 Qc8 $5 {with a complex position.}) 15. Bg3 Nd4 16. Bc4 Nh5 17. c3 bxc3 18. bxc3 Ne6 19. Rb1 Nhg7 20. Bd5 Rc8 21. Kh1 Kh8 22. Rg1 Qf6 23. Bc4 a5 {White has some obvious drawbacks in his position. His bishop on g3 is slightly worse than useless and his pawn on f3 is permanently weak. However Black has his issues - a5 is weak, the g7 knight is not doing much and he lacks a clear plan.} 24. Rb5 h5 $5 {Trying to trap that bishop. This comes with a great amount of risk.} 25. Rxa5 (25. Bxe6 $1 {A surprising exchange that works due to very concrete reasons.} fxe6 (25... Nxe6 26. f4 $18 {h5 is hanging and with it the game.}) (25... Qxe6 26. Bxe5 {is a similar version of the trick but better for White since the f-file is still closed.}) 26. Bxe5 Qxe5 27. d4 Qf6 28. dxc5 {seems better for White.}) 25... h4 26. Ng4 Qe7 27. Qf1 {Black can't take the g3 bishop just yet, but he doesn't have to. It won't be saved any time soon.} Ra8 (27... Bb6 28. Rb5 Ra8 29. Qh3 Rxa4 30. Bxe6 Nxe6 31. f4 {is, as many lines, super messy. But Black is the one who has to be careful now.} exf4 $2 32. Bxh4 {and the rook swings to the attack and wins the game.}) 28. Rxc5 $1 {Another surprising move! Carlsen sacrifices the exchange for the following tactical reasons:} dxc5 (28... Nxc5 29. Bxh4 {is 'the point'} Nh5 $13 (29... gxh4 $2 30. Qc1 {and since the e6-knight was distracted to c5 by the rook sacrifice, the penetration on h6 is unavoidable and decisive.})) 29. Nxe5 (29. Bxe5 f6 {and the bishop is still trapped, though White has some resources ... like going back to g3!} 30. Bg3 (30. Bxe6 $1 Nxe6 31. Nxf6 Rxf6 32. f4 Nxf4 33. Rxg5 Kh7 34. Qd1 $1 {A superb resource.} Rg6 35. Rh5+ Nxh5 36. Qxh5+ $11 {and an unusual perepetual.}) 30... Nh5 31. Nh6 hxg3 32. fxg3 {White only has a few pawns for that rook, so It wouldn't be surprising that Black is winning, but Black has coordination and light square problems to fix first.}) 29... Qf6 30. Qh3 (30. f4 $5 {The idea is to block the f-file, allowing d7.} gxf4 31. Nd7 Qh6 32. Bxh4 Qxh4 33. Nxf8 Rxf8 34. Qg2 {White has obvious compensation for the missing piece, and probably a little bit more.}) 30... Rxa4 31. Bd5 (31. f4 Nxf4 32. Bxf4 Qxf4 33. Nf3 Rxc4 $1 34. dxc4 f6 {finally leads to material equality, and the position is quite complicated. Both structures are bad and it seems that the weak nature of both kings will result in a perpetual.}) 31... Ra6 32. Bc4 Rd6 33. f4 $1 {A well timed strike. Black must take with the knight, which means that the bishop on g3 is finally not hanging, and Black's pieces leave something to be desired.} Nxf4 34. Bxf4 Qxf4 35. Nf3 {Now Black can't really defend the g5-pawn.} Rg6 36. Rg4 Qc1+ 37. Rg1 Qf4 38. Rg4 Qc1+ 39. Rg1 Qf4 40. Rg4 Qc1+ {Neither side can improve their position beyond this repetition. Black must always be defending the g5 pawn and White can't give Black time to consolidate. A wild game, where every move is difficult to justify. Overall the players did a fantastic job of navigating through the treacherous waters and staying afloat. At no point was either side winning.} 1/2-1/2

[Event "Moscow Tal Memorial 7th"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2012.06.13"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Radjabov, Teimour"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C45"]
[WhiteElo "2784"]
[BlackElo "2835"]
[Annotator "Mueller,Karsten"]
[PlyCount "118"]
[EventDate "2012.06.08"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 149"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2012.07.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2012.07.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{0-1 Kan,I-Capablanca,J Moscow 1936 In Capablanca's footsteps Magnus Carlsen really has an amazing endgame technique. His victory against Radjabov has remained many of Capablanca's famous win against Kan in Moscow 1936. I have only looked at the end in more detail but advise you to look at the whole game to see how Carlsen collected small advantages and always found a way to make progress towards his aim: Auf Capablancas Spuren Der folgende Endspielsieg erinnerte viele an eine berühmte Partie Capablancas:} 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 exd4 4. Nxd4 Bc5 5. Nxc6 Qf6 6. Qf3 bxc6 7. Qg3 d6 8. Nc3 Qg6 9. Bd3 Nf6 10. Na4 Bd4 11. c3 Bb6 12. O-O Qxg3 13. hxg3 Ng4 14. Bf4 f6 15. Rad1 $146 ({RR} 15. Nxb6 axb6 16. f3 Ne5 17. Bxe5 dxe5 18. a4 Ke7 19. Kf2 Rd8 20. Ke3 c5 21. b4 cxb4 22. cxb4 Rd4 23. Rfc1 Rxb4 24. Rxc7+ Bd7 25. Rb7 Kd8 26. Rb1 Rxb1 27. Bxb1 Rxa4 28. Rxb6 Kc7 29. Rb3 Be6 {Yu,R (2516)-Zhang,Z (2634) China 2016 ½-½ (37)}) 15... h5 16. Be2 Be6 17. Nxb6 axb6 18. a3 Ke7 19. f3 Ne5 20. Kf2 b5 21. Bxe5 fxe5 22. Ke3 h4 23. gxh4 Rxh4 24. Rh1 Rah8 25. Rxh4 Rxh4 26. Rc1 Rh2 27. Kf2 Rh8 28. Ke3 g5 29. Bd3 Kd7 {[%cal Gd7c8,Gc8b7,Gb7b6,Gc6c5] The start of the first long king march to make ...c6-c5 possible. Der Beginn des ersten langen Königsmarschs, um ...c5 zu ermöglichen.} 30. Ra1 Bb3 31. Rc1 Kc8 32. Kf2 Kb7 33. Kg3 Be6 34. Ra1 Kb6 35. Rc1 c5 36. Ra1 c4 37. Bc2 Kc5 38. Re1 c6 39. Bb1 Kb6 40. Bc2 Kc7 {[%cal Gc7e7,Ge7f6,Gd6d5] Carlsen starts another march to make the advance ...d6-d5 possible. Carlsen beginnt einen weiteren langen Marsch, um ...d5 spielen zu können.} 41. Kf2 Kd7 42. a4 bxa4 43. Ra1 Rb8 44. Ra2 d5 45. exd5 cxd5 46. Bxa4+ Kd6 47. Bc2 d4 {Finally Carlsen has achieved want he wants. But White should be able to defend due to the reduced winning potential and the option to free his rook by bringing his king to the queenside. Carlsen hat sein Ziel erreicht. Weiß sollte sich allerdings gerade noch so über Wasser halten können.} 48. Be4 $1 {The bishop immediately uses its new outpost. Der Läufer nutzt seinen neuen Vorposten sofort.} Rb6 49. Ke2 {[%cal Ge2d2,Gd2c1] Now it is White's time to start a king march. Nun beginnt Weiß einen Königsmarsch.} g4 50. fxg4 $6 {This opens further roads for Black's attack. Dies öffnet dem schwarzen Angriff Zugstraßen.} (50. Kd2 {is safer as ist sicherer, denn auf} g3 {can be met by kann folgen} (50... Bd5 51. Kc1 d3 52. Ra5 d2+ 53. Kd1 Bxe4 54. fxe4 Rxb2 55. Rd5+ Ke6 56. Rc5 $11) (50... gxf3 51. gxf3 Bd7 52. Kc1 d3 53. Ra8 $11) (50... Ke7 51. Kc1 d3 52. Ra5 Kf6 53. fxg4 Bxg4 54. b4 cxb3 55. Bxd3 $11) 51. Kc1 Bh3 52. Ra8 Bxg2 53. Rg8 $11) 50... Bxg4+ 51. Kd2 Be6 52. Kc2 $2 {Radjabov commits the final mistake. Radjabov begeht den letzten Fehler.} ({At the press conference Carlsen gave the prophylactic Auf der Pressekonferenz gab Carlsen das prophylaktische} 52. Kc1 $1 {and also indicated what he had planned then: an:} Bd5 53. Bxd5 Kxd5 {but White seems to be able to survive due to the lare drawish tendency of rook endings, e.g. und Weiß kann sich wegen der großen Remistendenz der Turmendspiele gerade noch retten:} 54. cxd4 exd4 55. Ra8 Rg6 56. Re8 Rxg2 57. Re7 d3 58. Rb7 Kd4 59. Kd1 Ke3 60. Re7+ Kf2 61. Rf7+ Kg1 62. Rc7 Rc2 63. Rg7+ $11) 52... Bd5 53. Bxd5 ({Keeping the bishops on the board with Es hilft nicht, den Läufer mit} 53. Bg6 {does not help: auf dem Brett zu behalten:} d3+ 54. Kd2 Bxg2 55. Ke3 Bd5 56. Bh5 Kd7 {and the blockade will be broken sooner or later. A few sample lines run und die Blockade wird früher oder später gebrochen werden, z.B.} 57. Bd1 (57. Bg4+ Kc7 58. Ra5 Kd6 59. Ra2 Bc6 60. Bd1 Rb7 61. b4 cxb3 62. Rb2 e4 63. Kd4 (63. Rxb3 Rh7 $19) 63... Bd5 64. c4 Rb4 65. Bxb3 Bc6 66. Kc3 Rb8 67. Kd4 d2 $19) 57... Kc7 58. Ra5 Kd6 59. Ra2 Rb5 60. Bh5 (60. Ra6+ Kc5 61. Ra2 Bc6 62. Bg4 (62. Ba4 Rb7 63. Bxc6 Kxc6 64. Ra4 Kc5 65. Ra2 Rh7 66. Ra5+ Kd6 $19) 62... Rb8 63. Ra5+ Kd6 64. Ra2 Rg8 $19) 60... Kc5 61. Bg4 Bc6 62. Be6 e4 63. Bf7 (63. Ra4 Bd5 $19) 63... Rb7 64. Ra5+ Kb6 65. Rf5 Rd7 66. Bh5 Rg7 67. Kd4 Rg1 68. Kxc4 d2 69. Kd4 d1=Q+ 70. Bxd1 Rxd1+ $19) 53... d3+ $1 {An all important zwischenschach. Das entscheidende Zwischenschach.} ({The direct Das direkte} 53... Kxd5 $2 {spoils it due to verdirbt es wegen} 54. cxd4 exd4 55. Ra5+ Ke4 56. Ra8 {as Black's king has no hiding place, e.g. denn der schwarze König kann sich nicht verstecken, z.B.} d3+ 57. Kc3 Rb3+ 58. Kxc4 d2 59. Rd8 Rxb2 60. Kc3 $11) 54. Kd2 Kxd5 55. Ke3 Rg6 56. Ra5+ Ke6 57. Ke4 ({The pawn endgame is lost after Das Bauernendspiel ist verloren:} 57. Ra6+ Kf5 58. Rxg6 Kxg6 {due to White's backward b-pawn, e.g. Der weiße Bauer b2 kann nicht eingreifen.} 59. b4 cxb3 60. Kxd3 e4+ 61. Kxe4 b2 $19) (57. b3 Rg3+ 58. Ke4 Rg4+ 59. Ke3 Kf5 60. bxc4 Rg3+ 61. Kf2 (61. Kd2 Ke4 $19) 61... Kf4 62. Rd5 e4 63. c5 (63. Rd8 d2 64. Rf8+ Ke5 65. Rd8 Rd3 $19) 63... e3+ 64. Kf1 e2+ 65. Ke1 Ke4 66. Rh5 Rxg2 67. Kd2 Rg1 $19) (57. Kf2 Rf6+ 58. Ke3 (58. Ke1 e4 59. Rh5 e3 60. Rh3 e2 61. Rh1 Kf5 62. Kd2 Kg4 $19) 58... Rf1 $19) 57... Rg4+ 58. Kf3 Rf4+ 59. Ke3 Rf1 {and Radjabov resigned as Carlsen mighty passed pawns will decide the day, e.g. und Radjabov gab auf, weil Carlsens mächtige Freibauern den Tag entscheiden werden, z.B.} (59... Rf1 60. g4 Re1+ 61. Kd2 Re2+ 62. Kd1 e4 63. Rc5 Rxb2 64. Rxc4 Ke5 65. g5 e3 $19) 0-1

[Event "Moscow Tal Memorial 7th"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2012.06.14"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C67"]
[WhiteElo "2835"]
[BlackElo "2825"]
[Annotator "Kritz,Leonid"]
[PlyCount "120"]
[EventDate "2012.06.08"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 149"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2012.07.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2012.07.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. d4 Nd6 6. Bxc6 dxc6 7. dxe5 Nf5 8. Qxd8+ Kxd8 9. Nc3 Ke8 10. b3 Be6 {In dieser Stellung ist auch der von Kramnik gespielte Zug b4 gut:} (10... Bb4 $1 11. Bb2 Bxc3 12. Bxc3 c5 13. Rad1 h6 14. h3 Be6 $132 {und Schwarz stand zumindest nicht schlechter in Howell - Kramnik (London, 2002)}) (10... a5 {Das ist ebenfalls eine spielbare Initiative.} 11. Bb2 Bb4 12. Rad1 Bxc3 13. Bxc3 c5 14. h3 h5 15. Rfe1 b6 16. Ng5 Rh6 17. f4 h4 $132 {Solomon - Pashikian (Khanty-Mansiysk, 2010)}) 11. Bb2 Bb4 ({RR} 11... Rd8 12. Rad1 Be7 13. Rxd8+ Kxd8 14. Rd1+ Kc8 15. Ne4 Bd5 16. Ng3 Nxg3 17. hxg3 Rd8 18. c4 Be4 19. Rxd8+ Kxd8 20. Nd2 Bd3 21. Bd4 Bb4 22. Be3 Bc3 23. c5 Bxe5 24. Nf3 Bf6 25. g4 h6 26. g5 {Padalka,A (2177)-Medeiros,F (2067) chess.com INT 2023 0-1 (48)}) 12. Ne2 (12. Rfd1 Bxc3 13. Bxc3 c5 14. Rd2 h6 $132 {mit gleichem Spiel wie nach 10...b4, Fogarasi - Almasi (Hungary, 1995)}) 12... Bd5 13. Ne1 (13. Ned4 Nxd4 14. Nxd4 Rd8 15. Rad1 Bc5 16. Nf5 Be4 17. Rxd8+ Kxd8 18. Nxg7 Ke7 19. Re1 $132 {Guseinov - Pashikian (Ohrid, 2009)}) 13... h5 $146 {Es sieht so aus, als ob Schwarz hier mit 13....d8 ausgleichen konnte:} (13... Rd8 14. Nd3 Be7 15. Rad1 Be4 16. Rfe1 Bxd3 17. cxd3 c5 $11) ({RR} 13... Be4 14. f3 Bc5+ 15. Kh1 Bd5 16. Nd3 Bb6 17. Nef4 Rd8 18. Rfe1 Be6 19. Nh5 Rg8 20. Ndf4 Ne3 21. Rac1 Rd2 22. Re2 Rd1+ 23. Rxd1 Nxd1 24. Ba1 Ke7 25. Nxe6 fxe6 26. h4 g6 27. Nf6 Rd8 28. Ne4 {Nisipeanu,L (2648)-Cheparinov,I (2689) Burgas 2012 ½-½ (41)}) 14. Nd3 Be7 15. Nef4 Rh6 (15... g5 $5 16. c4 $1 (16. Nxd5 cxd5 17. e6 Rh6 18. exf7+ Kxf7 19. f4 g4 20. Rfe1 Bd6 $11) 16... Be6 17. Nxe6 fxe6 18. Rad1 Rd8 $11) 16. c4 Be4 (16... Be6 17. g3 $1 (17. h3 h4 $11) 17... g5 18. Nxe6 Rxe6 19. h3 $14 {Weiß will g2-g4 spielen.}) 17. Rad1 (17. Rfe1 Bxd3 18. Nxd3 Rd8 19. Rad1 c5 20. Nf4 Ra6 21. Rxd8+ Bxd8 22. Ra1 (22. a4 Rb6 $15) 22... h4 $11) 17... g5 18. Rfe1 Bxd3 19. Nxd3 {Die Partie verlief bisher nicht ganz typisch für die Berliner Mauer, jetzt wird es sogar noch interessanter.} b5 $6 {Ich denke nicht, dass dieser Zug gut sein kann. Die einzige Idee von b5 ist auf c4 zu nehmen, dann ...c5 zu spielen, und danach ...a6. Weiß hat jedoch viele Wege, um dies zu verhindern.} 20. c5 (20. Re4 $5 {Das sieht sehr logisch aus.} Rd8 21. Kf1 $14) 20... Ng7 {Der Springer geht nach g7, um den Bauern c5 von e6 aus anzugreifen.} 21. b4 (21. Bc3 $5 a5 22. a3 Ne6 23. b4 axb4 24. axb4 Ra3 25. Bb2 Ra2 26. Ra1 Rxa1 27. Rxa1 $14) 21... a5 22. a3 Ne6 23. g3 (23. f3 $5 {Mit der Idee f2-g3-e3-f4.} Rd8 24. Kf2 $14) 23... g4 {Nun ist es nicht mehr so einfach für Weiß f2-f4 durchzuführen.} 24. Kg2 Rg6 25. Nf4 Rg5 (25... Nxf4+ 26. gxf4 axb4 27. axb4 Ra2 28. Re2 $14 {Die Idee f5 und danach f3 ist sehr unangenehm für Schwarz.}) 26. Bc1 (26. Nxe6 fxe6 $11 {Dieses Endspiel ist remis, weil Schwarz gutes Gegenspiel am Damenflügel hat.}) 26... Rf5 27. h3 gxh3+ (27... axb4 $5 28. hxg4 hxg4 29. axb4 Ra2 $6 30. Rh1 $1 {Das ist sehr stark.} Rxe5 31. Nxe6 Rxe6 (31... fxe6 32. Rh8+ Kf7 33. Rd7 $18) 32. Rh8+ Bf8 33. Bf4 $16) 28. Nxh3 axb4 29. axb4 Ra4 {Schwarz hat gewisses Gegenspiel, doch die Stellung von Weiß sieht besser aus.} 30. Bd2 Ra3 (30... Nd4 31. f4 Nc2 32. Re4 $14) 31. f4 $1 {Schwarz bekommt eine starke Initiative nach 31.f4.} (31. Nf4 h4 $1 32. Nxe6 fxe6 33. g4 h3+ 34. Kg1 Rff3 35. Re3 Bh4 $36) 31... h4 32. Re3 Rxe3 $5 {Es sieht so aus, als ob Weiß in Vorteil kommt, doch Schwarz spielt sehr dynamisch und gleicht die Stellung aus. Auch 32...a2 war interessant.} (32... Ra2 $1 33. g4 (33. Kf3 hxg3 34. Kg4 Ng7 35. Rxg3 Rh5 36. Nf2 Rh4+ 37. Kf3 Nf5 38. Rg8+ Kd7 $1 $11) 33... Rxf4 34. Nxf4 Bg5 $1 35. Kf3 Bxf4 36. Rd3 Bxd2 37. R1xd2 Ra1 38. Rd1 Ra2 39. Rh1 Rb2 40. Rxh4 Rxb4 $44 {Schwarz hat ausgezeichnete Kompensation.}) 33. Bxe3 hxg3 34. Kxg3 {Das Problem für Schwarz ist, dass er nicht genug Gegenspiel besitzt und nur passiv warten kann.} Rh5 35. Bf2 (35. Kg4 $2 Rh4+ 36. Kg3 Ng7 $11 {Wenn die weißen Bauern mit dem Springer blockiert sind, kann Weiß kaum durchbrechen.}) 35... f5 (35... Ng7 36. Kg4 $14 {und Schwarz schafft es nicht, den Springer nach f5 zu stellen.}) 36. exf6 (36. Be3 Rh7 37. Ng1 Rg7+ 38. Kf3 Rh7 39. Ne2 Rh3+ 40. Ng3 Bh4 $11) 36... Bxf6 37. Kg4 Rxh3 {Das sieht verdächtig aus, obwohl, es kann sein, dass das Endspiel remis ist.} (37... Rd5 $5 38. Re1 (38. Rxd5 cxd5 39. Kf5 Kf7 40. Ng5+ Nxg5 41. fxg5 Bc3 $11) 38... Kd7 $11 {Es sieht so aus, dass Schwarz die Stellung halten kann.}) 38. Kxh3 Nxf4+ 39. Kg4 Nd5 {Das Problem für Weiß ist, dass er die Läufer tauschen muss, weil der Bauer b4 schwach ist. Sonst, mit den Läufern, wäre das Endspiel sicherlich gewonnen.} 40. Bd4 (40. Rb1 Bc3 41. Be1 {Das ist der einzige Zug, um den Bauern zu halten.} Bxe1 42. Rxe1+ Kd7 43. Re4 (43. Rb1 Ke6 44. Kf3 Ke5 $15 {Der König kommt nach c4 und Weiß verliert beide Bauern.}) 43... Nf6+ 44. Kf5 Nxe4 45. Kxe4 Ke6 $11) 40... Kf7 (40... Bxd4 41. Rxd4 Kd7 {führt zum selben Endspiel wie in der Partie.}) 41. Kf5 Ne7+ 42. Ke4 Bxd4 43. Kxd4 Ke6 44. Re1+ Kd7 45. Ke5 Nd5 46. Re4 (46. Rd1 Kc8 47. Rxd5 $5 {Es sieht so aus, als ob Weiß eine Chance hätte, doch auch das Bauernendspiel ist remis.} cxd5 48. Kxd5 Kd7 49. c6+ Ke7 50. Ke5 Kf7 51. Kd5 Ke7 52. Kc5 Ke6 53. Kxb5 Kd5 54. Ka6 Kxc6 55. b5+ Kc5 56. Kb7 Kxb5 57. Kxc7 $11) 46... Kc8 47. Ke6 Nc3 48. Rh4 Nd5 49. Rd4 Kd8 $1 ({Nach} 49... Kb7 $2 {ist das Bauernendspiel gewonnen!} 50. Rxd5 $1 cxd5 51. Kxd5 Kc8 (51... c6+ 52. Kd6 $18) 52. Kc6 Kd8 53. Kb7 Kd7 54. Kb8 Kc6 (54... Kd8 55. c6 $18) 55. Kc8 Kd5 56. Kxc7 Kc4 57. c6 Kxb4 58. Kd6 Ka3 59. c7 b4 60. c8=Q $18) 50. Rg4 Kc8 51. Rh4 Kb7 52. Kd7 (52. Rd4 Kc8 $1 53. Rxd5 cxd5 54. Kxd5 Kd7 $11) 52... Nf6+ 53. Kd8 Nd5 54. Rg4 (54. Rh7 Kb8 55. Rg7 Kb7 56. Rg4 { siehe die Partie.}) 54... Kb8 55. Rd4 Kb7 {Weiß kann keine Fortschritte machen.} 56. Kd7 Nc3 57. Ke6 Kc8 58. Rd3 Nd5 59. Rd4 Nc3 60. Rd3 Nd5 1/2-1/2

[Event "Moscow Tal Memorial 7th"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2012.06.18"]
[Round "9"]
[White "McShane, Luke J"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C85"]
[WhiteElo "2706"]
[BlackElo "2835"]
[Annotator "Knaak,Rainer"]
[PlyCount "80"]
[EventDate "2012.06.08"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 149"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2012.07.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2012.07.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{[%mdl 2]} 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Bxc6 dxc6 7. d3 Nd7 8. b3 O-O 9. Bb2 f6 10. Nc3 {Meistens wird der Springer nach d2 entwickelt, vermutlich nicht ohne Grund.} (10. Nbd2 Nc5 11. d4 (11. Nc4 $5 Ne6 12. Ne3) 11... exd4 12. Nxd4 $13) ({RR} 10. Nh4 g6 11. Nc3 Nc5 12. Ne2 f5 13. Nf3 fxe4 14. Nxe5 exd3 15. cxd3 Bf6 16. Qc2 Ne6 17. f4 Bg7 18. Rae1 Qd5 19. Kh1 g5 20. Ng4 Nd4 21. Bxd4 Bxg4 22. Bxg7 Kxg7 23. Nc3 Qc5 24. d4 Qd6 {Sanikidze,T (2459)-Nesterov,A (2568) Vrnjacka Banja SRB 2023 1-0 (35)}) 10... Re8 ({RR} 10... Nc5 11. Ne2 Ne6 12. Nh4 g6 13. Qd2 Bd6 14. Nf3 c5 15. c3 f5 16. exf5 gxf5 17. Qh6 Rf6 18. Qe3 Bd7 19. d4 e4 20. Ne5 Bxe5 21. dxe5 f4 22. Qxe4 Bc6 23. Qc2 Rh6 24. f3 Qh4 25. h3 {McShane,L (2696)-Svidler,P (2752) Warsaw 2013 0-1}) 11. Kh1 $146 ({RR} 11. Ne2 Nc5 12. h3 Bf8 13. Nh2 Ne6 14. Qd2 Bd6 15. Kh1 c5 16. Ng4 Nf4 17. Ne3 Be6 18. Nc4 Ng6 19. Qe3 b6 20. Rad1 a5 {½-½ (20) Hajtun,J-Pogats,J Budapest 1958}) 11... Nf8 12. Ne2 c5 13. Nh4 Ne6 14. Nf5 Bf8 15. Ne3 Nd4 16. f4 Be6 17. fxe5 fxe5 18. Ng1 ({Man kann auch gleich} 18. c3 {spielen, denn den Springertausch muss Weiß nicht fürchten. Aber der e2 soll sowieso nach f3 gehen.}) 18... g6 $1 19. c3 Nc6 20. Nf3 {Weiß hat für diese Aufstellung insgesamt 8 Springerzüge gebraucht.} Bg7 21. Qe1 $2 {Wenn Weiß die Stellung weiterhin geschlossen hält, muss er nichts fürchten. Dazu muss er auf ...a5 zu a4 in der Lage sein.} ({Prinzipiell spricht auch nichts gegen} 21. c4 $5 {, aber aus irgendeinem Grund wollte McShane so nie spielen.}) (21. Qc2 a5 22. a4 $11) 21... a5 $1 $15 ({Natürlich nicht} 21... Qxd3 $2 22. Rd1 Qb5 (22... Qxe4 23. Ng5) 23. Ng5 {und Schwarz sieht sich einem Angriff ausgesetzt, bei dem seine Dame nichts zur Verteidigung beiträgt.}) 22. Rd1 (22. a4 $2 Bxb3 23. c4 {funktioniert nicht, es folgt} Qxd3 $1 24. Ra3 Red8 25. Rf2 Nd4 {und Weiß kann aus der Stellung der schwarzen Dame keinen Nutzen ziehen.}) 22... a4 23. bxa4 {Dies ist vermutlich notwendig.} Rxa4 24. a3 Rf8 25. Bc1 {Das führt zu nichts, besser ist} (25. Qe2 {und Weiß sollte sich zunächst passiv verhalten, Schwarz muss erst mal einen Gewinnplan finden.}) 25... Ra8 26. Qg3 $6 {Die weißen Ambitionen am Königsflügel erhalten sofort einen Dämpfer:} Bb3 $1 27. Rde1 $2 (27. Rd2 Bh6 $1 28. Qf2 {mag hässlich sein, hält aber die materielle Balance.}) 27... Qxd3 {Schwarz gewinnt nun mühelos.} 28. Ng4 Be6 29. Nh6+ Kh8 30. Qh4 Bf6 31. Bg5 Bxg5 32. Qxg5 Kg7 33. Qc1 Rf4 34. Rd1 Qc4 35. Rfe1 Raf8 36. Ng5 Bc8 37. g3 Rf2 38. Nf5+ gxf5 39. Nh3 Re2 40. Qg5+ Kh8 0-1

[Event "Biel GM 45th"]
[Site "Biel"]
[Date "2012.07.23"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E91"]
[WhiteElo "2837"]
[BlackElo "2778"]
[PlyCount "78"]
[EventDate "2012.07.23"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "SUI"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 150"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2012.09.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2012.09.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Qxd4 a6 5. c4 Nc6 6. Qd1 Bg4 7. Be2 Nf6 8. Nc3 Bxf3 9. Bxf3 g6 10. O-O Bg7 11. Be3 O-O 12. Rc1 Nd7 $146 ({RR} 12... Rc8 13. Be2 Nd7 14. Qd2 Nc5 15. f3 Ne6 16. Rfd1 Qa5 17. b3 Bd4 18. Kh1 Bxe3 19. Qxe3 Qc5 20. Qh6 Ned4 21. Bd3 e6 22. Nd5 exd5 23. cxd5 Qb6 24. dxc6 bxc6 25. f4 c5 26. f5 Kh8 27. f6 {Belikov,V (2500)-Guliev,L (2350) Moscow 1996 1-0}) ({RR} 12... Rc8 13. b3 Qa5 14. Qd2 Rfd8 15. Nd5 Qxd2 16. Bxd2 Nxd5 17. exd5 Nd4 18. Bg4 f5 19. Bd1 Kf7 20. Re1 Rd7 21. g4 Rf8 22. Rc3 f4 23. Rd3 e5 24. dxe6+ Nxe6 25. Bf3 Re8 26. Bb4 Nc5 27. Bd5+ {Makka,E (2107)-Koutsogiannopoulou,T (1886) Anogia 2013 1-0 (54)}) 13. Be2 Nc5 14. f3 Rc8 15. Kh1 e5 16. Nd5 Ne6 17. Qd2 Ncd4 18. Bd3 Nc7 19. Bg5 f6 20. Be3 Nxd5 21. cxd5 Qb6 22. Rc3 Rc5 23. Bxd4 exd4 24. Rcc1 Rxc1 25. Rxc1 Rf7 26. Rc8+ Rf8 27. Rc4 Rf7 28. Qc1 Bf8 29. g3 Be7 30. Kg2 Bd8 31. Rc8 Kg7 32. Qd2 Bc7 33. h4 Rf8 34. Rxf8 Kxf8 35. h5 Kg7 36. h6+ Kf7 37. f4 Bd8 38. Qf2 Qc5 39. Qe2 Qc1 1/2-1/2

[Event "Biel GM 45th"]
[Site "Biel"]
[Date "2012.07.29"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Bologan, Viktor"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B51"]
[WhiteElo "2732"]
[BlackElo "2837"]
[Annotator "Kritz,Leonid"]
[PlyCount "80"]
[EventDate "2012.07.23"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "SUI"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 150"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2012.09.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2012.09.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 d6 {Dieser Zug wurde zuletzt oft gespielt. Die anderen Hauptvarianten sind 3...g6 und 3...e6.} (3... g6 4. Bxc6 dxc6 5. d3 Bg7 6. h3 Nf6 7. Nc3 O-O 8. Be3 b6 9. Qd2 $14 {Weiß hat die etwas angenehmere Stellung.}) (3... e6 4. Bxc6 bxc6 5. d3 $132 {Hier spielt Weiß gegen den schlechten schwarzen Läufer c8 und hat eine bessere Bauernstruktur. Die entstehenden Stellungen sind jedoch sehr kompliziert.}) 4. O-O (4. Bxc6+ bxc6 5. O-O e5 6. c3 Nf6 7. Re1 Bg4 $132 {mit gleichen Chancen.}) 4... Bd7 5. Re1 Nf6 6. h3 {Eine relativ seltene Fortsetzung. Der Hauptzug ist 6.c3.} (6. c3 a6 7. Bf1 Bg4 8. h3 Bxf3 9. Qxf3 g6 10. d3 Bg7 11. Be3 Nd7 12. Nd2 O-O 13. Qd1 Rc8 $132 {Kasparov - Vachier Lagrave (Clichy, 2011)}) 6... e6 {Gut spielbar ist hier auch 6...a6.} (6... a6 7. Bf1 e5 8. c3 Be7 9. d4 Qc7 10. d5 Nd8 $132 {Die Stellung ist sehr ähnlich zu Spanischen Strukturen, jedoch sieht es so aus, als ob Schwarz schon alles erreicht hat, was man in einem typischen Spanier erreichen will.}) 7. c3 d5 {Wenn Schwarz das Spiel gleich vereinfachen will, kann er 7...e5 spielen.} (7... Ne5 8. Bxd7+ Qxd7 9. d4 Nxf3+ 10. Qxf3 cxd4 11. cxd4 d5 12. e5 Ng8 13. Nc3 Ne7 14. Qd3 Nc6 $11 {Rozentalis - Chernyshov (Bad Wiessee, 2009)}) 8. d3 {Das logische 8.e5 funktioniert hier überhaupt nicht.} (8. e5 $2 Nxe5 $1 $19) 8... a6 9. Ba4 b5 {Das sofortige Nehmen auf e4 wäre etwas besser, weil Weiß dann keine extra Möglichkeiten bekäme.} (9... dxe4 10. dxe4 b5 11. Bc2 {9....b5}) 10. Bc2 (10. exd5 $5 Nxd5 (10... bxa4 11. dxc6 Bxc6 12. Ne5 $16) 11. c4 Nb6 (11... bxa4 12. cxd5 Nb4 13. dxe6 Bxe6 14. Nc3 $16) 12. Bb3 Be7 13. Nc3 bxc4 14. dxc4 O-O 15. Bf4 $14) 10... dxe4 11. dxe4 e5 $1 {Sonst würde Weiß selbst e5 spielen.} (11... Be7 12. e5 Nd5 13. Be4 $14) 12. a4 $146 (12. Nbd2 Be7 13. Nf1 Be6 14. Ne3 O-O $11 {Weiß kann üblicherweise keinen großen Nutzen aus dem Feld d5 ziehen, weil Schwarz die Kontrolle darüber hat.}) ({RR} 12. Bg5 Be7 13. a4 Be6 14. axb5 axb5 15. Qxd8+ Rxd8 16. Ra6 Kd7 17. Na3 Kc7 18. Nxb5+ Kb7 19. Raa1 h6 20. Bh4 Kb6 21. Na3 c4 22. Ba4 Bd6 23. Bg3 Nd7 24. Red1 Ndb8 25. Rxd6 Rxd6 26. Nxe5 Nxe5 {Golubev,R (2340)-Polschikov,A (2406) Cheliabinsk 2016 1-0 (41)}) ({RR} 12. Bg5 Be7 13. Nbd2 Be6 14. Qe2 {½-½ (14) Lorenzo de la Riva,L (2427)-Pulvett Marin,D (2441) Sabadell 2013}) 12... Be7 13. axb5 axb5 14. Rxa8 Qxa8 15. Bg5 {Nach 15.a3 hätte Schwarz mehr Probleme zu lösen:} (15. Na3 Qb8 $1 (15... Qa6 $6 16. Bg5 $1 Be6 (16... h6 17. Bxf6 Bxf6 18. Qd6 Be7 19. Qd3 c4 20. Qd5 $14) 17. Nxb5 $3 Qxb5 18. Nxe5 $1 $16) 16. Bg5 h6 17. Bxf6 Bxf6 18. Qd5 Qb6 $11) 15... Be6 16. Na3 b4 17. Nb1 $2 {Weiß hat sich nicht getraut, den Springer auf b5 zu stellen und gerät in eine schwierige Lage.} (17. cxb4 $1 cxb4 18. Nb5 Qb8 19. Bxf6 gxf6 (19... Bxf6 20. Nd6+ Ke7 21. Nf5+ Bxf5 22. exf5 Rd8 23. Qe2 Kf8 24. Bb3 $14) 20. Bd3 O-O 21. Nh4 $36) 17... O-O {Weiß hat zu viel Zeit verloren.} 18. Ba4 h6 19. Bh4 ({Das Nehmen auf c6 funktioniert nicht:} 19. Bxc6 Qxc6 20. Nxe5 Qc7 21. Bf4 Bd6 $19) 19... Rd8 20. Nbd2 g5 $5 {Schwarz will den weißen schwarzfeldrigen Läufer ausschalten.} 21. Bg3 Nd7 22. Bb3 (22. Bxc6 Qxc6 23. Nxe5 Nxe5 24. Bxe5 Qd7 $19) 22... Nf8 23. Qc2 {Nun hätte man den Bauern nehmen können, aber Schwarz würde auch dann Kompensation haben.} (23. Bxe6 Nxe6 24. Nxe5 bxc3 25. bxc3 Nxe5 26. Bxe5 Qa2 27. Re2 c4 28. Qe1 Qa4 $44) 23... f6 24. Nc4 (24. Bxe6+ Nxe6 25. Qb3 Kf7 26. Nc4 Qa6 27. Ne3 h5 28. Nd5 c4 29. Qd1 h4 $36 {Weiß hat einen sehr starken Springer auf d5, aber der Rest seiner Figuren macht nichts.}) 24... Qa6 25. Qe2 $2 {Das ist ein Fehler, der dazu führt, dass Schwarz endgültig die Initiative übernimmt.} (25. Ne3 c4 26. Qe2 bxc3 27. bxc3 Rd3 28. Nxc4 Rxc3 29. Ne3 Qxe2 30. Bxe6+ Nxe6 31. Rxe2 $11) 25... Rb8 $1 26. Ne3 Qxe2 27. Bxe6+ Nxe6 28. Rxe2 Ra8 $1 {Der Bauer b2 wird nun zum Angriffsziel schwarzer Figuren.} 29. h4 Ra2 30. Kf1 Kf7 {Schwarz hat es nicht eilig - er aktiviert seine Figuren und bringt den König ins Zentrum, immer eine gute Strategie im Endspiel.} 31. Bh2 Na5 32. hxg5 hxg5 33. Rd2 b3 {Die Frage wäre immer noch, wie kommt Schwarz voran, doch Weiß hilft ihm.} 34. Bxe5 $2 {Nun verliert Weiß forciert.} (34. Ke1 $1 {und das Spiel läuft noch.}) 34... g4 $1 {Das gewinnt am sichersten.} (34... fxe5 35. Nxe5+ Ke8 36. Ke2 $15 {Schwarz hat natürlich Vorteil, doch Weiß will seinen König nach g4 bringen, den Springer auf c4 stellen und Schwarz wird sich noch quälen müssen.}) 35. Nxg4 Nc4 36. Re2 (36. Rd7 fxe5 37. Nfxe5+ Nxe5 38. Nxe5+ Ke8 39. Rd2 Bg5 40. Re2 Nf4 $19 {und der Bauer b2 geht verloren.}) 36... Nxb2 {Nun ist das Spiel vorbei, der Bauer b2 ist viel wichtiger als die Figur.} 37. Nd2 c4 38. Bg3 Nd3 39. f4 Nexf4 40. Bxf4 Ra1+ 0-1

[Event "Biel GM 45th"]
[Site "Biel"]
[Date "2012.07.27"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Giri, Anish"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C01"]
[WhiteElo "2837"]
[BlackElo "2696"]
[PlyCount "97"]
[EventDate "2012.07.23"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "SUI"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 150"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2012.09.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2012.09.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nxe5 d6 4. Nf3 Nxe4 5. d3 Nf6 6. d4 d5 7. Bd3 Bd6 8. O-O O-O 9. h3 h6 10. c4 dxc4 11. Bxc4 Nc6 12. Nc3 a6 13. Re1 $146 ({RR} 13. a3 Bf5 14. Be3 Qd7 15. b4 Rfe8 16. Re1 Ne4 17. Rc1 Rad8 18. Nxe4 Bxe4 19. Nd2 Bf5 20. Bf1 Be6 21. Nb3 Bd5 22. Nc5 Qc8 23. Qh5 Bf8 24. Bd3 g6 25. Qh4 Bg7 26. Bxh6 Bxd4 27. Red1 Bb2 {Silich,Y (2272)-Skvortsov,A (2138) Novi Sad 2021 ½-½ (44)}) ({RR} 13. a3 Bf5 14. Be3 Qd7 15. b4 Rfe8 16. Re1 Ne4 17. Rc1 Rad8 18. Nxe4 Bxe4 19. Nd2 Bf5 20. Bf1 Be6 21. Nb3 Bd5 22. Nc5 Qc8 23. Qh5 Bf8 24. Bd3 g6 25. Qh4 Bg7 26. Bxh6 Bxd4 27. Red1 Bb2 {Silich,Y (2272)-Skvortsov,A (2138) Novi Sad 2021 ½-½ (44)}) 13... Re8 14. Be3 b5 15. Bf1 Bb7 16. Rc1 Ne7 17. Ne5 Ned5 18. Nxd5 Nxd5 19. Bd2 Qf6 20. Qh5 c5 21. a4 c4 22. Re4 Bxe5 23. dxe5 Qg6 24. Qh4 Nf6 25. Ree1 Ne4 26. Bc3 Rad8 27. axb5 axb5 28. Bb4 Nd2 29. Qg4 Qxg4 30. hxg4 Nb3 31. Rb1 Bc8 32. f3 Rd5 33. Rbd1 Red8 34. Bd6 Rxd1 35. Rxd1 Be6 36. Be2 f6 37. exf6 gxf6 38. Bf4 Rxd1+ 39. Bxd1 Kg7 40. Be3 Bf7 41. f4 Bd5 42. Kf2 b4 43. Bc2 c3 44. bxc3 bxc3 45. Bf5 Nd2 46. Bd4 Ne4+ 47. Kg1 Kf7 48. Bxe4 Bxe4 49. Bxc3 1/2-1/2

[Event "Biel GM 45th"]
[Site "Biel"]
[Date "2012.08.02"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Bacrot, Etienne"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C65"]
[WhiteElo "2837"]
[BlackElo "2713"]
[PlyCount "124"]
[EventDate "2012.07.23"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "SUI"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 150"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2012.09.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2012.09.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. d3 Bc5 5. Bxc6 dxc6 6. Nbd2 Be6 7. b3 ({RR} 7. Nb3 Bd6 8. O-O c5 9. Na5 Qc8 10. b3 O-O 11. Nc4 Nd7 12. Ng5 Bxc4 13. bxc4 f6 14. Nf3 f5 15. exf5 Rxf5 16. Qe2 b6 17. Bb2 Qf8 18. Rae1 Re8 19. Nd2 Re7 20. Ne4 Qf7 21. Bc1 Qg6 {Nepomniachtchi,I (2793)-Carlsen,M (2859) Almaty KAZ 2022 1-0 (40)}) ({RR} 7. O-O Bd6 8. d4 Nd7 9. b3 Qe7 10. Bb2 f6 11. Qe2 Bg4 12. h3 Bh5 13. Qe3 exd4 14. Nxd4 Bg6 15. Nc4 Bc5 16. Rfe1 O-O-O 17. Qf4 Nb6 18. Nf5 Qd7 19. Nxb6+ Bxb6 20. Bc3 Rhe8 21. a4 a6 {Lutz,C (2526)-Seel,C (2477) Germany GER 2024 ½-½ (36)}) 7... Ng4 8. O-O f6 9. Qe2 $146 ({RR} 9. Nc4 Qd7 10. h3 h5 11. Ne3 g5 12. Re1 O-O-O 13. hxg4 hxg4 14. Nh2 Bxe3 15. fxe3 Rxh2 16. Kxh2 Qh7+ 17. Kg1 Rh8 18. Kf2 g3+ 19. Ke2 Bg4+ 20. Kd2 Bxd1 21. Kxd1 f5 22. exf5 Qxf5 23. Bb2 Rh2 {Pirogov,V (2396)-Galiev,A (2261) Uljanovsk 2010 0-1 (35)}) ({RR} 9. Nc4 Qe7 10. a3 a6 11. b4 Ba7 12. Qe2 g5 13. Rb1 h5 14. a4 Qd7 15. Nfd2 h4 16. Nb3 h3 17. g3 Nh6 18. Be3 Bxe3 19. Nxe3 b6 20. a5 Qe7 21. axb6 cxb6 22. Nd2 Kf7 23. Ndc4 b5 {Bologan,V (2672)-Grischuk,A (2779) Khanty-Mansiysk 2013 0-1 (54)}) 9... Qd7 10. Nc4 g5 11. Rb1 b5 12. Ne3 h5 13. c3 Qh7 14. d4 Bb6 15. Nc2 O-O-O 16. a4 exd4 17. Nfxd4 Bd7 18. b4 Rhe8 19. Re1 a6 20. Ra1 Kb7 21. axb5 axb5 22. c4 bxc4 23. Qxc4 Ra8 24. Rxa8 Rxa8 25. Bd2 h4 26. Qc3 h3 27. Qxh3 Qxh3 28. gxh3 Ne5 29. Kg2 Rh8 30. Nf5 Ng6 31. Ncd4 Bxd4 32. Nxd4 Rxh3 33. Re3 Nf4+ 34. Kg1 Rh8 35. Nb3 Kb6 36. Nc5 Bc8 37. Ra3 Bh3 38. f3 Rd8 39. Bxf4 gxf4 40. Nd3 Rg8+ 41. Kf2 Rg2+ 42. Ke1 Rxh2 43. Nxf4 Bc8 44. Ra8 Kb7 45. Ra5 Kb6 46. Nd3 Rc2 47. Rh5 Ra2 48. Rh8 Ba6 49. Nc5 Re2+ 50. Kd1 Rf2 51. Ra8 Bb5 52. Rb8+ Ka7 53. Rb7+ Ka8 54. Rxc7 Rxf3 55. Kd2 Kb8 56. Rf7 Kc8 57. Kc2 Rf1 58. Nb7 Rf3 59. Nd6+ Kd8 60. Kb2 Ba4 61. Nb7+ Ke8 62. Nd6+ Kd8 1/2-1/2

[Event "Grand Slam Final 5th"]
[Site "Sao Paulo/Bilbao"]
[Date "2012.09.24"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C19"]
[WhiteElo "2773"]
[BlackElo "2843"]
[PlyCount "181"]
[EventDate "2012.09.24"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "BRA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 151"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2012.11.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2012.11.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e5 c5 5. a3 Bxc3+ 6. bxc3 Ne7 7. Nf3 Nbc6 8. Bd3 Bd7 9. O-O Qc7 10. Re1 Na5 ({RR} 10... h6 11. a4 g5 12. Ba3 c4 13. Bf1 Ng6 14. h3 O-O-O 15. Qd2 Rdg8 16. Nh2 h5 17. Qxg5 Ngxe5 18. Qf4 Ng6 19. Qxc7+ Kxc7 20. Nf3 a5 21. h4 Nce7 22. Bc1 f6 23. g3 Nf5 24. Bg2 Nd6 25. Nd2 {Van der Weide,K (2451)-Miedema,D (2373) Netherlands 2013 0-1 (48)}) ({RR} 10... Ng6 11. a4 c4 12. Bf1 Nce7 13. Ba3 Nf5 14. g4 Nfh4 15. Nxh4 Nxh4 16. Bd6 Qd8 17. Re3 Qg5 18. Rg3 O-O-O 19. Ba3 f6 20. Bc1 Qg6 21. f4 fxe5 22. dxe5 Bc6 23. Qd4 h5 24. f5 exf5 25. gxf5 {Ferrari,C (1735)-Fernandez Rodriguez,A (1817) Montevideo URU 2025 1-0 (58)}) 11. Ng5 $146 ({RR} 11. a4 b6 12. Ng5 h6 13. Nh3 Nec6 14. Qg4 Nc4 15. Qxg7 O-O-O 16. Be3 f5 17. Nf4 h5 18. Qf6 Rde8 19. Bxc4 dxc4 20. Ng6 Rh7 21. dxc5 bxc5 22. Nf8 Rhe7 23. Bxc5 Qa5 24. Bxe7 Nxe7 25. Nxd7 Nd5 {Donaldson Akhmilovskaya,E (2295)-Ranniku,M (2250) Moscow 1979 1-0 (34)}) ({RR} 11. a4 c4 12. Bf1 O-O-O 13. Ba3 Nf5 14. g4 Nh6 15. Bd6 Qc6 16. Nd2 f6 17. Be7 Rdg8 18. h3 f5 19. Qe2 Qc7 20. Bc5 Nc6 21. Reb1 Qd8 22. f3 Nf7 23. a5 h5 24. a6 hxg4 25. axb7+ Kb8 {Jadenkus,H-Anschuetz,M (2043) Plateliai 2001 0-1 (47)}) 11... Ng6 12. Re3 c4 13. Be2 Nc6 14. Bh5 Nce7 15. Qg4 Ba4 16. Ra2 Nf5 17. Re1 O-O-O 18. Nf3 Kb8 19. h4 Rdf8 20. Qh3 Nge7 21. Qh2 h6 22. Bg4 g5 23. h5 Ng7 24. Nd2 f5 25. exf6 Qxh2+ 26. Kxh2 Rxf6 27. Bf3 Rhf8 28. Nf1 Nef5 29. Bg4 Be8 30. Bxf5 Nxf5 31. Ne3 Nxe3 32. Bxe3 Bxh5 33. Kg3 Bg6 34. Rb2 h5 35. f3 g4 36. Bg5 Rf5 37. f4 Re8 38. Re2 Kc7 39. Rb1 Rf7 40. Rh1 Rh7 41. Kf2 Kb6 42. g3 Ka5 43. Ke3 Bf5 44. Kd2 Rc8 45. Bh4 Rd7 46. Rb1 Rc6 47. Ree1 Rb6 48. Rxb6 Kxb6 49. Rb1+ Kc7 50. Kc1 Rd6 51. Kb2 Rb6+ 52. Kc1 Ra6 53. Kb2 Be4 54. Bg5 Kd7 55. Bh4 Ke8 56. Ka2 b6 57. Kb2 Kf7 58. Re1 b5 59. Rb1 Kg6 60. Re1 Kf7 61. Ra1 Rb6 62. Rb1 Kg6 63. Kc1 Ra6 64. Kb2 Kf5 65. Re1 Rb6 66. Rb1 a5 67. Kc1 Bg2 68. Kd2 Ke4 69. Re1+ Kf3 70. Re2 b4 71. axb4 axb4 72. Re3+ Kf2 73. Re2+ Kf3 74. Re3+ Kf2 75. Re2+ Kg1 76. Re1+ Kh2 77. cxb4 Rxb4 78. Rxe6 Be4 79. Rxe4 dxe4 80. f5 Kg2 81. Ke3 Rb2 82. d5 Rxc2 83. d6 c3 84. d7 Rd2 85. d8=Q Rxd8 86. Bxd8 h4 87. gxh4 g3 88. f6 c2 89. Kd2 e3+ 90. Kxc2 e2 91. Ba5 1-0

[Event "Grand Slam Final 5th"]
[Site "Sao Paulo/Bilbao"]
[Date "2012.09.25"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Vallejo Pons, Francisco"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B07"]
[WhiteElo "2697"]
[BlackElo "2843"]
[Annotator "ChessBase"]
[PlyCount "83"]
[EventDate "2012.09.24"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "BRA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 151"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2012.11.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2012.11.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 d6 2. d4 Nf6 3. Nc3 e5 4. dxe5 ({Zur Hauptvariante der Philidorverteidigung führt} 4. Nf3 Nbd7 5. Bc4 Be7 6. O-O O-O) 4... dxe5 5. Qxd8+ Kxd8 6. Nf3 (6. Bg5 Be6 7. O-O-O+ Nbd7 8. Nf3 Bd6 {ist Zugumstellung.} (8... Kc8 $5)) ({Die Alternative ist} 6. Bc4 Be6 (6... Ke8 $5) 7. Bxe6 fxe6) 6... Bd6 7. Bg5 Be6 8. O-O-O Nbd7 {Laut Datenbankstatistik macht Schwarz mit dieser Position bemerkenswerte 64%} 9. Nb5 Ke7 10. Nxd6 cxd6 11. Bb5 ({Auf} 11. Nd2 {folgt auch} h6 12. Bh4 g5 13. Bg3) ({RR} 11. Nd2 h6 12. Bxf6+ Nxf6 13. f3 Rhc8 14. c3 a6 15. Kb1 b5 16. Nb3 Rab8 17. Na5 Rb6 18. a3 d5 19. exd5 Nxd5 20. Bd3 Nf4 21. Bf1 f5 22. g3 Nd5 23. Bd3 Ne3 24. Rde1 f4 25. gxf4 exf4 {Goltsev,D (2226)-Duda,J (2739) chess.com INT 2025 0-1 (48)}) 11... Rhd8 ({Bisher sah man hier} 11... Nc5 {z.B.:} 12. Rhe1 a6 13. Bf1 Rac8 14. Kb1 b5 15. Nd2 h6 16. Bxf6+ Kxf6 $11 {Rajkovic,L (2208)-Colovic,D (2356) Vrnjacka Banja 2007, 0-1 (43)}) ({RR} 11... Nc5 12. Bxf6+ gxf6 13. Rhe1 a6 14. Bf1 Bg4 15. Rd2 Bxf3 16. gxf3 Ne6 17. c3 Rhg8 18. Red1 Rad8 19. Bh3 Nf4 20. Bf5 h6 21. c4 Rg2 22. c5 Rxh2 23. Rxd6 Rxd6 24. cxd6+ Kd8 25. Rd2 Ne6 26. Rc2 {Castillo Pena,P (1909)-Figuero Toro,J (2182) chess.com INT 2025 0-1 (37)}) 12. Nd2 h6 $146 ({RR} 12... Rac8 13. Kb1 a6 14. Be2 h6 15. Bh4 Rc7 16. f3 Rdc8 17. c3 Nb6 18. Nf1 Nc4 19. Bxc4 Rxc4 20. Ne3 R4c5 21. Rd2 g5 22. Bf2 R5c6 23. Rhd1 b5 24. Nc2 a5 25. Na3 Rb8 26. Nc2 b4 27. cxb4 {Tanaka,T (1838)-Sakai,S (1831) Tokyo 2013 ½-½ (69)}) 13. Bh4 g5 14. Bg3 a6 15. Bxd7 {Das Läuferpaar ist hier nichts wert.} Rxd7 16. f3 Rc8 17. Kb1 Nh5 18. Nf1 ({Auch nach} 18. Bf2 Nf4 19. g3 Nh3 20. Be3 (20. Bb6 Rc6 21. Be3 f5) 20... f5 {liegt die Initiative bei Schwarz.}) 18... f5 19. exf5 Bxf5 20. Ne3 Bg6 21. Rd2 Ke6 22. b3 b5 23. Kb2 d5 {Fast zwangläufig ist Weiß aus der Eröffnung heraus in eine passive Position geraten.} 24. Re1 Nxg3 25. hxg3 h5 26. c3 {Schwarz drohte b5-b4 oder d5-d4 und das Feld c3 wird schwach.} d4 27. cxd4 Rxd4 28. Rxd4 exd4 {mit der kleinen Pointe, dass Weiß keinen wirksamen Springerabzug hat.} 29. Nc2+ (29. Nc4+ Kf6 {und der Springer gerät auf Abwege.} (29... Kd5 $4 30. Nb6+)) 29... Kd5 30. Nb4+ Kd6 31. Rc1 (31. Nxa6 Rc2+ 32. Ka3 Rxg2 {und die weißen Königsflügelbauern fallen.}) 31... Rxc1 32. Kxc1 h4 33. gxh4 gxh4 34. Nxa6 ({Die Alternative war} 34. Kd2 a5 (34... Ke5 35. Ke2 Kf4 36. Kf2 a5 37. Nd5+ Ke5 38. Ne7 Be8 {reicht wohl auch für Schwarz.}) 35. Nc2 (35. Nd3 Bxd3 36. Kxd3 Ke5 $19) 35... Bxc2 36. Kxc2 {mit gewonnenem Bauernendspiel für Schwarz.} Ke5 37. Kd3 Kf4 38. Kxd4 Kg3 $19) 34... Bd3 35. Nb4 Bf1 36. Kd2 Bxg2 37. Ke2 Bh3 38. a4 (38. Nd3 Bf5 39. Nf2 b4 40. f4 h3 41. Kf3 Kd5 42. Nd1 Bb1 $19) 38... Bf5 39. axb5 d3+ 40. Ke3 h3 41. Nxd3 Bxd3 42. Kd4 0-1

[Event "Grand Slam Final 5th"]
[Site "Sao Paulo/Bilbao"]
[Date "2012.09.28"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C65"]
[WhiteElo "2843"]
[BlackElo "2816"]
[PlyCount "95"]
[EventDate "2012.09.24"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "BRA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 151"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2012.11.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2012.11.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. d3 Bc5 5. Bxc6 dxc6 6. Nbd2 Be6 7. O-O Bd6 8. b3 Nd7 9. Nc4 Bxc4 10. bxc4 O-O 11. Rb1 b6 12. g3 f5 13. exf5 Rxf5 14. Qe2 $146 ({RR} 14. Be3 Qe8 15. Nd2 Qg6 16. Ne4 Raf8 17. Kg2 Nf6 18. Qe2 Nxe4 19. dxe4 Rf3 20. Kg1 Qxe4 21. Rfe1 c5 22. Qd3 Qg4 23. Re2 h5 24. Qd5+ Kh8 25. Rbe1 a5 26. Bd2 Ra3 27. Bc1 Rxa2 28. Rxe5 Bxe5 {Anand,V (2785)-Aronian,L (2815) Dubai 2014 ½-½ (61)}) 14... Nc5 15. Be3 Ne6 16. Nd2 Qf6 17. Qg4 Rf8 18. Ne4 Qf7 19. a4 h5 20. Qe2 Be7 21. a5 Qg6 22. axb6 axb6 23. Kh1 Rf3 24. Rbe1 Bb4 25. Ra1 Qg4 26. Qd1 Qh3 27. Bf4 Bc3 28. Qxf3 Bxa1 29. Qg2 Qf5 30. Bd2 Bd4 31. h3 Bc5 32. Bc3 Be7 33. Re1 b5 34. Kg1 b4 35. Bb2 Bd6 36. h4 Be7 37. Kh2 Ra8 38. Ra1 Rxa1 39. Bxa1 Nc5 40. Nd2 Bf6 41. Bb2 b3 42. Nxb3 Nxb3 43. cxb3 Qxd3 44. Qxc6 Qc2 45. Qe8+ Kh7 46. Qxh5+ Kg8 47. Qe8+ Kh7 48. Qh5+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "Grand Slam Final 5th"]
[Site "Sao Paulo/Bilbao"]
[Date "2012.10.08"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C00"]
[WhiteElo "2843"]
[BlackElo "2773"]
[Annotator "Carlsen,Magnus"]
[PlyCount "131"]
[EventDate "2012.09.24"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "BRA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 151"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2012.11.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2012.11.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e6 2. d3 {The French Defence was a huge surprise to me, so I decided to employ the same strategy that had brought me my only victory so far in the tournament, namely push the d-pawn one square forward as early as possible. Die Französische Verteidigung war eine Riesenüberraschung für mich, daher beschloss ich, dieselbe Strategie anzuwenden, die mir meinen einzigen Sieg bislang in dem Turnier eingetragen hatte, nämlich, den d-Bauern so früh wie möglich ein Feld vorzuschieben.} d5 3. Nd2 Nf6 4. Ngf3 Nc6 {A perfectly reasonable way of avoiding the "fearsome" King's Indian Attack, starting with 4...c5 5.g3 and so on.  Ein absolut vernünftiger Weg, den "furchterregenden" Königsindischen Angriff zu vermeiden, beginnend mit 4...c5 5.g3 und so weiter.} 5. c3 Bd6 {Looks a little weird, but is actually quite logical. If immediately 5...e5, or 5...dxe4 6.dxe4 e5, then Black would have to reckon with the b4-push. Sieht ein wenig seltsam aus, ist aber eigentlich ganz logisch. Falls sofort 5...e5, oder 5...dxe4 6.dxe4 e5, dann müsste Schwarz mit dem Vorstoß b4 rechnen.} 6. Be2 {It seemed to me that the bishop would have more work here than on g2 after a subsequent dxe4 dxe4 e5, and besides, this one seemed to fit better with ideas of pushing b4. Mir schien, dass der Läufer hier nach anschließendem dxe4 dxe4 e5 mehr Arbeit hätte als auf g2, und außerdem schien dieser Zug besser zu Ideen mit dem Vorstoß b4 zu passen.} O-O 7. O-O (7. b4 {here or on the previous move, could have been well met with hier oder im vorigen Zug hätte gut begegnet werden können mit} dxe4 8. dxe4 a5 9. b5 Ne5 {and White has gained some space, but also weakened some squares, so Black should be doing fine. und Weiß hat zwar einigen Raum gewonnen, aber auch ein paar Felder geschwächt, daher sollte Schwarz gut stehen.}) 7... a5 {Black had several choices here: Schwarz hatte mehrere Möglichkeiten hier:} (7... e5 {would be met by würde beantwortet werden mit} 8. b4 {and White obviously has an excellent version of the Philidor. Whether that would be sufficient for an advantage though, is quite unclear. und Weiß hat offensichtlich eine ausgezeichnete Version des Philidor. Ob dies allerdings zu einem Vorteil reichen würde, ist völlig unklar.}) (7... b6 8. Re1 Bb7 9. Bf1 {seems a little artificial for Black. scheint ein wenig künstlich für Schwarz.}) (7... Re8 8. Re1 a5 9. Bf1 e5 10. exd5 Nxd5 11. Nc4 {would transpose to the game. würde zur Partie überleiten.}) 8. Re1 e5 9. exd5 {Other Philidor-style moves like f1 or b3 were certainly possible, but I felt like forcing things a bit. Andere Philidor-gemäße Züge wie f1 oder b3 waren durchaus möglich, aber mir war danach, die Dinge ein bisschen zu forcieren.} Nxd5 10. Nc4 Re8 11. Bf1 Bg4 12. h3 (12. g3 {is not as accurate, as Black can play ist nicht so genau, denn Schwarz kann} Qd7 {when the annoying bishop cannot be kicked away with h3. I actually once tried that in a similar position in a blitz game against Ponomariov, who with a puzzled look in his face simply captured the pawn. spielen, wonach sich der lästige Läufer nicht mit h3 vertreiben lässt. Tatsächlich hatte ich dies einmal in ähnlicher Stellung in einer Blitzpartie gegen Ponomariov versucht, der mit verdutztem Gesichtsausdruck einfach den Bauern nahm.}) 12... Bh5 13. g3 {Once the e4-pawn is not there to obstruct it, the bishop is re-deployed to the long diagonal. Nachdem es keinen e4-Bauern mehr gibt, der ihn behindert, wird der Läufer auf die lange Diagonale überführt.} ({Going on a fishing expedition with Auf Fischfang zu gehen mit} 13. g4 Bg6 14. Qb3 {as the comp seems to recommend, would probably have appealed to me on the next day against Paco, when I was in more of a coffee-house mood. wie der Comp offenbar empfiehlt, hätte mir vermutlich am nächsten Tag gegen Paco zugesagt, als ich eher in Kaffeehaus-Stimmung war.}) 13... Nb6 $146 {A decent move, made after a long period of thought. As you might have guessed, by this point we were both way "out of book".  Ein ordentlicher Zug, gespielt nach einer langen Denkphase. Wie Sie wohl erraten haben, waren wir an dieser Stelle beide weit "aus dem Buch".} ({RR} 13... Qd7 14. Bg2 Nb6 15. Nxb6 cxb6 16. Be3 Bc5 17. g4 Bg6 18. d4 exd4 19. cxd4 Bb4 20. Re2 Be4 21. a3 Qd5 22. Rc2 Bd6 23. Rd2 Rad8 24. Ne1 Bb8 25. Bxe4 Rxe4 26. Qf3 Nxd4 27. Rxd4 Rxd4 28. Bxd4 {Miller,E (2137)-Neumair,J (2098) Oberhof 2013 ½-½ (52)}) 14. Nxb6 cxb6 15. Bg2 b5 $2 {This one however, is rather questionable, as will become apparent after a few more moves. Dies allerdings ist ziemlich fragwürdig, wie sich nach ein paar weiteren Zügen herausstellen wird.} (15... a4 {would have retained equal chances. hätte gleiche Chancen bewahrt.}) 16. a4 $1 {Favourably fixing the black queenside pawns on dark squares. Fixiert günstig die schwarzen Damenflügelbauern auf dunklen Feldern.} b4 (16... bxa4 17. Qxa4 {also gives Black plenty to worry about. gibt Schwarz ebenfalls viel, worüber er sich sorgen muss.}) 17. Be3 Bc7 18. Qb3 {Now the queen is active, and soon the knight will be brought to d2 and e4, when all the white minor pieces will be much more active than their black counterparts. Nun steht die Dame aktiv, und bald wird der Springer nach d2 und e4 gebracht werden, wonach alle weißen Leichtfiguren weit aktiver sein werden als ihre schwarzen Gegenüber.} h6 {It's not so easy to find a more useful move for Black here. Es ist nicht so leicht, hier einen nützlichen Zug für Schwarz zu finden.} (18... Qxd3 $2 {loses immediately: verliert sofort:} 19. Rad1 Qa6 (19... Qe4 20. Nh4 Bxd1 21. Rxd1) 20. g4 Bg6 21. Bf1 {and the queen is trapped. und die Dame ist gefangen.}) (18... Bxf3 19. Bxf3 Qxd3 {is possible, but even here Black has a very unpleasant position after ist möglich, doch selbst hier hat Schwarz eine sehr unangenehme Stellung nach} 20. Rad1 Qf5 21. Bg4 Qg6 22. Rd7 Rac8 23. Be2 $1 {with the threat of xf7. mit der Drohung xf7.}) 19. Qc4 {According to a Russian GM, this was the move of a 2nd category (1600) player. Laut einem russischen GM war dies der Zug eines Spielers der 2. Kategorie (1600).} ({He instead recommended Stattdessen empfahl er} 19. Nh4 {which looks very attractive, as , was sehr attraktiv aussieht, da} Qxd3 (19... Qc8 {however, bothered me a little, as after allerdings störte mich ein wenig, denn nach} 20. g4 Qd8 $1 21. Nf5 Bg6 {it is not entirely clear what White has achieved ist nicht gänzlich klar, was Weiß erreicht hat.}) 20. Rad1 Bxd1 21. Rxd1 Qh7 22. Rd7 Re7 23. Bxc6 {wins. gewinnt.}) 19... bxc3 20. bxc3 e4 {Otherwise, the pressure on the queenside would quickly have become unbearable. Ansonsten wäre der Druck am Damenflügel schnell unerträglich geworden.} 21. dxe4 {I played this and the next few moves quickly, as I couldn't wait to get to torture him in the endgame. Dies und die nächsten paar Züge spielte ich schnell, denn ich konnte es nicht erwarten, ihn im Endspiel zu quälen.} (21. Nd4 {would have been even stronger. I would have probably have considered it had I noticed that after wäre sogar noch stärker gewesen. Ich hätte es vermutlich erwogen, wäre mir aufgefallen, dass nach} Ne5 22. Qb5 Nxd3 {The bishop is actually hanging der Läufer tatsächlich hängt:} 23. Qxh5) 21... Bxf3 22. Bxf3 Ne5 23. Qe2 Nxf3+ 24. Qxf3 Qd3 {The position has been simplified quite a bit, but I had seen many moves ago that even in the endgame Black is far away from a draw. Die Stellung wurde ziemlich vereinfacht, aber ich hatte viele Züge zuvor gesehen, dass selbst im Endspiel Schwarz von einem Remis weit entfernt ist.} 25. Kg2 $1 {This is much stronger than Dies ist viel stärker als} (25. Rab1 Qxe4 26. Qxe4 Rxe4 27. Rxb7 Be5 {when Black is pretty close to a draw, e.g. , wonach Schwarz ziemlich nach am Remis ist, z.B.} 28. Bd2 Rxe1+ 29. Bxe1 Rc8 30. Rb5 Bxc3 31. Bxc3 Rxc3) 25... Qxe4 26. Bd4 Qxf3+ (26... Qc6 27. Qxc6 bxc6 28. Rxe8+ Rxe8 29. Rb1 {also gives Black a very difficult defence. gibt Schwarz ebenfalls eine sehr schwierige Verteidigung.}) 27. Kxf3 b6 28. Rab1 Rac8 29. Re4 g6 (29... h5 {seems logical, in order not to be stuck with a weak pawn on a dark square, but then after wirkt logisch, um nicht mit einem schwachen Bauern auf einem dunklen Feld sitzenzubleiben, aber dann nach} 30. Rb5 g6 31. g4 hxg4+ 32. hxg4 {he might have to deal with a rook penetrating via the h-file at some point. hätte er eventuell damit fertigwerden müssen, dass ein Turm an irgendeiner Stelle über die h-Linie eindringt.}) (29... f6 {might be the best way to arrange the pawns, but even here, after an eventual g4-h5, Black will have problems on both flanks. ist womöglich der beste Weg, die Bauern aufzustellen, doch selbst hier, nach schließlichem g4-h5, wird Schwarz auf beiden Flanken Probleme haben.}) 30. g4 $1 {Fixing the pawn on h6. Fixiert den Bauern auf h6.} Kf8 31. h4 Rxe4 32. Kxe4 Re8+ 33. Kd3 Re6 34. Be3 Kg7 35. Rb5 Bd8 36. h5 Rd6+ 37. Kc4 Rc6+ (37... f5 {was suggested by Caruana as a possible improvement after the game. I was intending to keep the pressure with wurde von Caruana nach der Partie als mögliche Verbesserung vorgeschlagen. Ich hatte vor, den Druck aufrechtzuerhalten mit} 38. f3 {when Black can exchange a couple of pawns, but is still a long way from a draw - , wonach Schwarz zwar ein paar Bauern tauschen kann, ein Remis aber noch immer in weiter Ferne liegt -} fxg4 39. fxg4 gxh5 40. gxh5 $16) 38. Kd5 Re6 39. Bd4+ Kf8 40. f4 {With the pawn coming to f5, I felt pretty sure that I was winning. White just gains more and more ground, and eventually Black cannot hold on to everything. Angesichts des nach f5 kommenden Bauern war ich ziemlich sicher, dass ich gewinne. Weiß erobert einfach mehr und mehr Boden, und am Ende kann Schwarz nicht mehr alles festhalten.} Bc7 41. f5 Rd6+ 42. Ke4 Rc6 43. Rb1 Ke8 {Allowing a more or less forced win, but the position was lost in any case. Lässt einen mehr oder weniger forcierten Gewinn zu, aber die Stellung war in jedem Fall verloren.} (43... g5 {closes the kingside, but now the king creates havoc on the queenside, while g7 is always an issue. schließt den Königsflügel, aber jetzt wütet der König am Damenflügel, während g7 immer ein Thema ist.} 44. Kd5 Rd6+ 45. Kc4 Ke7 46. Kb5 Kd7 47. Ka6 Rc6 (47... Kc6 48. Bxb6 Rd8 49. Rb5 Ra8+ 50. Ba7 $18) 48. Kb7 Rc4 49. Bg7 $1 Bd6 (49... Rxg4 50. Rd1+ Bd6 51. Be5) 50. Bxh6 Rxg4 51. Bg7 Rh4 52. Rd1 Ke7 53. Kc6 $1 Rc4+ 54. Kxb6 Rxa4 55. Rh1 {and the h-pawn will cost Black a rook. und der h-Bauer wird Schwarz einen Turm kosten.}) (43... gxh5 44. gxh5 Rc4 45. Ra1 Rc6 46. Rg1 Rd6 (46... Rc4 {allows White to finish in style: erlaut Weiß, stilvoll zu vollenden:} 47. Kd5 Rxa4 48. Rg4 $1 Ra1 49. Kc6 Bh2 50. Bg7+ Ke8 51. Re4+ Kd8 52. Bf6+ {and mate next and mate next}) 47. Be5 $1 (47. Rg7 $4 Rxd4+) 47... Rc6 48. Bg7+ Ke7 49. Bd4 Kf8 50. Rg7 {and the rook penetrates with decisive effect. und der Turm dringt mit entscheidender Wirkung ein.}) 44. hxg6 $1 {Reducing the number of pawns, but I had seen a more or less forced win. Reduziert die Anzahl der Bauern, doch ich hatte einen mehr oder weniger forcierten Gewinn gesehen.} fxg6 45. Rh1 Kf7 $6 (45... gxf5+ 46. gxf5 Bd8 {was certainly the most tenacious defence, and the line I had spent the most time calculating: war sicherlich die zäheste Verteidigung und das Abspiel, für das ich die meiste Bedenkzeit aufgewandt hatte:} (46... Rc4 47. Kd5 Rxa4 48. Rxh6 {wins easily, despite the limited material gewinnt leicht trotz des begrenzten Materials.}) 47. f6 $1 Bxf6 48. Rxh6 Rxc3 $1 {Other moves lose rather trivially Andere Züge verlieren ziemlich trivial.} 49. Bxf6 (49. Bxc3 $4 Bxc3 50. Rxb6 {is a tablebase draw! ist ein Tablebase-Remis!}) 49... Ra3 (49... Rc4+ 50. Kd5 Rxa4 51. Ke6 Re4+ 52. Be5) 50. Rh7 $1 (50. Kd5 Kf7 $11) 50... Rxa4+ 51. Kd5 Ra2 52. Ke6 Re2+ 53. Be5 Rf2 54. Rb7 Rd2 55. Rxb6 {and the tablebase shows a win in 23 moves. In fact, the win is quite simple as soon as White captures the pawn, as was shown many times, for instance in the recent game Grischuk-Kamsky from the Olympiad. und die Tablebase zeigt einen Sieg in 23 Zügen. Tatsächlich ist der Gewinn ziemlich einfach, sobald Weiß den Bauern schlägt, wie viele Male gezeigt wurde, zum Beispiel in der kürzlich gespielten Partie Grischuk-Kamsky bei der Olympiade.}) 46. Kd5 Rd6+ 47. Kc4 {Caruana spent a lot of time on this move and the next, but in vain. Caruana verbrauchte eine Menge Zeit für diesen Zug und den nächsten, aber vergeblich.} gxf5 (47... g5 48. Kb5 {holds out longer, but the winning plan is quite clear even here hält länger, aber der Gewinnplan ist selbst hier recht klar:} Bd8 49. Ka6 Rc6 50. Rh3 $1 (50. Kb7 Rc7+ {is less accurate ist weniger genau.}) 50... Rd6 (50... Kg8 51. f6 $1) 51. Kb7 Ke8 52. Rh1 Kf7 53. Kc8 {with total zugzwang. Check for yourselves! mit totalem Zugzwang. Überprüft es selbst!}) 48. gxf5 Bd8 49. f6 {I played this immediately, as I had double and triple-checked the lines so many times already while he was thinking. Ich zog dies sofort, da ich die Abspiele bereits so oft doppelt und dreifach gecheckt hatte, während er nachdachte.} Bxf6 (49... Kg6 50. Rg1+ Kf7 51. Rg7+ Ke8 52. Rg6 Kf7 53. Rxh6 {and there is nothing Black can do. und es gibt nichts, was Schwarz tun kann.}) 50. Rxh6 Be7 (50... Ke7 51. Bxf6+ Rxf6 52. Rxf6 Kxf6 53. Kb5) 51. Rxd6 Bxd6 52. Kb5 Ke6 53. Bxb6 Kd7 54. c4 Kc8 55. Bxa5 {It only remains for White not to let Black sac the bishop for the c-pawn. I (and a suspect quite a lot of other people) knew the winning method from the famous game Fischer-Keres, Zurich 59. Nun muss Weiß nur noch aufpassen, dass Schwarz nicht seinen Läufer für den c-Bauern opfert. Die Gewinnmethode kannte ich (wie vermutlich viele andere auch) aus der berühmten Partie Fischer-Keres, Zürich 59.} Kb7 56. Bb4 Bf4 57. c5 Ka7 58. c6 Kb8 59. a5 Ka7 60. a6 Ka8 61. Bc5 Bb8 62. Kc4 Bc7 63. Kd5 Bd8 64. Ke6 Bc7 65. Kd7 Ba5 66. Be7 {Black resigned, as d8 followed by c7 is coming up. Schwarz gab auf, denn es steht d8 nebst c7 ins Haus.} 1-0

[Event "Grand Slam Final 5th"]
[Site "Sao Paulo/Bilbao"]
[Date "2012.10.09"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Vallejo Pons, Francisco"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C01"]
[WhiteElo "2843"]
[BlackElo "2697"]
[PlyCount "84"]
[EventDate "2012.09.24"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "BRA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 151"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2012.11.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2012.11.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 {So,Wesley} e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. exd5 exd5 5. Bd3 Nf6 ({RR} 5... Nc6 6. a3 Bxc3+ 7. bxc3 Nge7 8. Qh5) 6. Nge2 Bg4 7. O-O O-O 8. f3 ({RR} 8. a3 Bxc3 9. bxc3 Nbd7 10. f3 Bh5 11. Nf4 Bg6 12. Nxg6 hxg6) 8... Bh5 9. Nf4 Bg6 ({RR} 9... c6 10. Nxh5 Nxh5 11. g4 Nf6 12. g5 Ne8) 10. Nxg6 hxg6 11. Ne2 ({RR} 11. Bg5 c6 ({RR} 11... c5 12. dxc5 Bxc3 13. bxc3 Nbd7) 12. f4 Qb6 13. Na4 ({RR} 13. Ne2 Nh7 14. Bh4 Nd7 15. f5 g5 16. Bg3 Rfe8 17. c3 Bf8 18. Qd2 Ne5) ({RR} 13. f5 Qxd4+ 14. Kh1 Nbd7 15. fxg6 fxg6) 13... Qxd4+ 14. Kh1 Ne4 ({RR} 14... Bd2 15. Qxd2 Ne4 ({RR} 15... Qxa4 16. f5 Ne4 17. Bxe4 Qxe4 18. Rf4) 16. c3 ({RR} 16. Qa5 b6 17. Nxb6 Qxb6 18. Qxb6 axb6 19. Bxe4 dxe4 20. Rfe1 Re8 21. Kg1 f6 22. Bh4 Na6 23. a3 Nc7 24. c4 f5 25. Rad1 Ne6 26. g3 Ra4 27. Rc1 Nc5) 16... Qxa4 17. Bxe4 Qxe4 ({RR} 17... dxe4 18. f5 gxf5 19. Rxf5 f6 20. Bxf6) 18. f5 Nd7 ({RR} 18... Qg4 19. f6 ({RR} 19. fxg6 f6 20. Qe3 Qe4) 19... Nd7 20. fxg7 Rfe8 21. h3 Qh5 22. Qf4 f5 23. Rfe1) 19. Rf4 ({RR} 19. Rae1 Qg4 20. Be7 Rfe8 21. Rf4 Qh5 22. Rh4 Qxf5 23. Rf4 Qh5) 19... Qe5 20. Re1 Qc7 21. fxg6 f6 22. Bh4 Rfe8) 15. c3 ({RR} 15. Bxe4 Qxe4 16. f5 f6 17. Rf4 Qe1+ 18. Qxe1 Bxe1 19. Bxf6 Bd2 20. Rf2 Be3 21. Rf3 d4) 15... Nf2+ 16. Rxf2 Qxf2 17. cxb4 ({RR} 17. Rc1 Bxc3 ({RR} 17... Bd6 18. Rc2 Qe3 19. Re2) 18. bxc3 Re8) 17... f6 18. Qg4 fxg5 19. Qe6+ ({RR} 19. g3 gxf4 20. Bxg6 fxg3 21. Qe6+ Rf7 22. Qc8+ Rf8 23. Qe6+ Rf7) 19... Kh8 20. Nc5 ({RR} 20. Rf1 Qh4 21. g3 ({RR} 21. Qe7 Na6 22. Qxb7 Rae8 23. Qxa6 Rxf4 24. Rg1 Qf2 25. Nc3 Rh4 26. h3 g4 27. Rf1 Re1) ({RR} 21. Rf3 Na6 22. Rh3 Rae8 23. Rxh4+ gxh4) 21... Qh6 22. fxg5 ({RR} 22. Qe7 Nd7 23. Qxd7 gxf4) 22... Rxf1+ 23. Bxf1 Qxg5 24. Qc8+ Kh7 25. Qxb7 Qc1 26. Kg1 Qe3+ 27. Kg2 Qd2+ 28. Kg1 Nd7 29. Qxa8 Ne5 30. Qf8 Ng4 31. Ba6 Qxh2+ 32. Kf1 Qd2 33. Be2 Ne3+ 34. Kf2 Nd1+) ({RR} 20. Qxg6 Qh4 21. Nc5 ({RR} 21. fxg5 Nd7 22. g3 Qh3) ({RR} 21. g3 Qh6) 21... Qh6 22. Qxg5 Qxg5 23. fxg5 Rf2 24. Nxb7 Nd7) 20... Qxb2 21. Qh3+ Kg8 22. Qe6+ Kh8 23. Rf1 Qf6 24. Qh3+ Kg8 25. g3 ({RR} 25. Ne6 g4 26. Qxg4 Nd7 27. Ng5 ({RR} 27. Qh3 Rfe8 28. Ng5 Nf8) 27... Rfd8 28. Qh4 Nf8 29. f5 gxf5 30. Bxf5 Qh6) ({RR} 25. Ne4 dxe4 ({RR} 25... Qf5 26. g4) 26. Bc4+ Rf7 27. Qc8+ Kh7 28. Qh3+) 25... Re8 {Ivanchuk,V (2739)-So,W (2640) Khanty-Mansiysk 2009 CBM 134 [So,Wesley] 0-1 (39)}) ({RR} 11. Bg5 c6 12. f4 Qb6 13. Ne2 Nh7 14. Bh4 f5 15. c4 dxc4 16. Bxc4+ Kh8 17. Kh1 Nd7 18. Ng1 Bd6 19. d5 cxd5 20. Qxd5 Ndf6 21. Bxf6 Nxf6 22. Qd3 Rad8 23. Qg3 Qd4 24. Bb3 Nh5 25. Qxg6 Nxf4 {Popov,I (2632)-Vallejo Pons,F (2706) Khanty-Mansiysk 2013 1-0 (43)}) 11... Re8 ({RR} 11... Bd6 12. Bg5 c5 13. g3 c4 14. Be4 dxe4 15. fxe4 Qb6 16. Bxf6 gxf6 17. Rxf6 Nd7 18. Rf2 Rae8 19. Nc3 Qxb2 20. Rf3 Qb6 21. Kg2 Bb4 22. Nd5 Qa5 23. Rb1 Bd6 24. Rxb7 Rxe4 25. Ne3 Nb6 26. h3 {Dubnevych,M (2296)-Vaganian,R (2449) chess.com INT 2025 0-1}) 12. Bg5 $146 ({RR} 12. c4 c6 13. Qb3 Qe7 14. Bg5 dxc4 15. Bxc4 Nbd7 16. Nf4 Nf8 17. Bxf7+ Qxf7 18. Qxb4 N6h7 19. Nh3 Ne6 20. Be3 Rad8 21. Rad1 Rd5 22. Rd2 Red8 23. Rfd1 a6 24. Qc4 g5 25. Nf2 Nf6 26. Ne4 Ne8 {McNab,C-Kilgour,D Chester/ Cheshire 1979 0-1 (34)}) 12... Be7 13. Ng3 Nbd7 14. f4 Nh7 15. Qf3 c6 16. h4 Ndf8 17. Rae1 Qc7 18. Bxe7 Rxe7 19. Re5 f6 20. Rxe7 Qxe7 21. h5 gxh5 22. Qxh5 Qf7 23. Qg4 g6 24. Nf5 Kh8 25. Nh4 f5 26. Qh3 Qe6 27. Kf2 Re8 28. Nf3 Re7 29. Ne5 Nd7 30. Rh1 Nxe5 31. dxe5 c5 32. b3 c4 33. bxc4 dxc4 34. Be2 g5 35. g3 Qb6+ 36. Kg2 Qe3 37. Kf1 Rf7 38. Qh5 Qxg3 39. Qxf7 Qxf4+ 40. Kg2 Qe4+ 41. Bf3 Qxc2+ 42. Kg3 f4+ 1-0

[Event "Grand Slam Final 5th"]
[Site "Sao Paulo/Bilbao"]
[Date "2012.10.11"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Karjakin, Sergey"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C18"]
[WhiteElo "2778"]
[BlackElo "2843"]
[PlyCount "70"]
[EventDate "2012.09.24"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "BRA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 151"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2012.11.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2012.11.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e5 Ne7 5. a3 Bxc3+ 6. bxc3 c5 7. Qg4 O-O 8. Bd3 f5 9. exf6 Rxf6 10. Bg5 Rf7 11. Qh5 g6 12. Qd1 Qa5 13. Bd2 Nd7 14. Nf3 c4 15. Be2 Nc6 16. Ng5 Re7 17. f4 Nf6 18. O-O Bd7 19. a4 Rf8 20. Bf3 Nd8 21. Qc1 $146 ({RR} 21. Qe1 Rg7 22. Qh4 Nc6 23. Rf2 Ne7 24. Re2 Nf5 25. Qe1 Re8 26. g4 Nd6 27. Qh4 Qd8 28. Qe1 Rge7 29. Bc1 h6 30. Ba3 Qc7 31. Nh3 Rh7 32. Nf2 Nf7 33. Qd2 g5 34. Bc1 Rg7 35. Kg2 Bc6 {Baron,T (2467)-Miton,K (2624) Haguenau 2013 0-1 (56)}) 21... Nf7 22. Qa3 Ree8 23. Nxf7 Rxf7 24. Rfe1 Bc6 25. Qb4 Qxb4 26. cxb4 Ne4 27. Bxe4 dxe4 28. c3 Bd5 29. Be3 Kf8 30. h3 Ke7 31. Kh2 h5 32. h4 Rf5 33. Kg3 Rg8 34. Kh2 Re8 35. Kg3 Rg8 1/2-1/2

[Event "Grand Slam Final 5th"]
[Site "Sao Paulo/Bilbao"]
[Date "2012.10.12"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B52"]
[WhiteElo "2843"]
[BlackElo "2780"]
[Annotator "Stohl,Igor"]
[PlyCount "59"]
[EventDate "2012.09.24"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "BRA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 151"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2012.11.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2012.11.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. Bb5+ {During the whole tournament Carlsen consistently and mostly sucessfully avoided any heated theoretical debates in the openings, opting for lines such as 2.d3, or a quick exd5 against the French Defence.} ({Also in this game he avoids the Open Sicilian with} 3. d4 {, his last Najdorf against the World Champion was rather disappointing:} cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. g3 e6 7. Bg2 Be7 8. O-O O-O 9. Nce2 Qc7 10. b3 e5 $5 11. Nf5 Bxf5 12. exf5 d5 $1 13. Bxd5 Rd8 14. c4 Nxd5 15. cxd5 Qa5 16. Qd2 Qxd2 17. Bxd2 Rxd5 18. Be3 Nc6 {½,Carlsen,M (2814)-Anand,V (2810)/Wijk aan Zee/2011/}) 3... Bd7 {The most solid response and the result of our game will hardly change this long-standing verdict.} ({However, there have been some recent developments after the more enterprising} 3... Nd7 $5 {- see the notes to Bologan-Topalov, ECC Eilat 2012.}) 4. Bxd7+ Qxd7 5. c4 {This continuation is White's best chance to fight for an opening edge - he puts his pawns on the light squares, as he has just exchanged the light-squared bishops.} (5. O-O {occurs only rarely in top-level games and is generally considered too soft:} Nf6 (5... Nc6 6. Qe2 g6 7. c3 Bg7 8. Rd1 e5 $5 9. b4 cxb4 10. cxb4 Nge7 11. d4 exd4 12. Bb2 O-O 13. b5 Ne5 14. Nxd4 Rac8 15. Nd2 d5 16. h3 Rfe8 17. Rab1 Qc7 18. Rbc1 Qb6 19. Rxc8 Nxc8 $5 20. exd5 Nd6 21. Qf1 Rc8 $44 {[%csl Rb5,Rd5] Short,N (2698)-Anand,V (2811)/London/2011/}) 6. Qe2 ({Simply boring is} 6. Re1 Nc6 7. c3 e6 8. d4 cxd4 9. cxd4 d5 10. e5 Ne4 11. Nbd2 Nxd2 12. Bxd2 Be7 13. Rc1 O-O 14. Rc3 Rfc8 15. a3 Bd8 16. Qb1 Ne7 17. Rec1 Rxc3 18. Rxc3 Rc8 19. Qc2 h6 20. Rxc8 Qxc8 21. Qxc8 Nxc8 $11 {½,Kuzubov,Y (2623)-Areshchenko,A (2691)/UKR-ch Kiev/2012/}) 6... Nc6 7. Rd1 g6 8. c3 Qg4 9. Re1 Ne5 10. Nxe5 Qxe2 11. Rxe2 dxe5 12. Na3 Bg7 13. Nc4 Nd7 14. d3 O-O 15. a4 b6 16. Be3 Rfd8 17. Rd2 Rac8 18. g4 Nf8 19. f4 exf4 20. Bxf4 Ne6 21. Be3 Bf6 22. Rad1 Bg5 23. Kf2 Bf4 24. h4 h6 $11 {Mamedov,R (2634)-Negi,P (2664)/Istanbul olm/2012/}) 5... Nf6 {Black intends to develop his kingside first and possibly use the c-file before he plays c6.} ({The alternative is} 5... Nc6 6. Nc3 g6 7. d4 cxd4 8. Nxd4 Bg7 9. Nde2 $5 {seems more testing, as after} (9. Be3 {commits the bishop, Black has reasonable counterplay after} Nf6 10. h3 $5 (10. f3 O-O 11. O-O a6 12. a4 e6 13. Nde2 (13. Rc1 Ne5 14. b3 d5 15. cxd5 exd5 16. Nxd5 Nxd5 17. exd5 Rfe8 18. Bf2 Qxd5 19. Qc2 Qd7 20. Rcd1 Rac8 21. Qb1 Qc7 22. Rfe1 Nd7 $11 {Adams,M (2722)-Dominguez Perez,L (2725)/London/2012/}) 13... Rac8 14. Rc1 Rfe8 15. Bf2 Qe7 16. b3 Nd7 17. Nd4 Nb4 18. Kh1 Nc5 19. Bg1 h5 20. Rb1 Qd8 21. Nde2 Qc7 22. Qd2 Red8 23. Nd1 Nc6 24. Ne3 f5 $5 25. exf5 gxf5 26. Nc2 Qf7 27. Nf4 Ne7 {Tiviakov,S (2656)-Nakamura,H (2775)/Hoogeveen/2012/ (30)} 28. Rfd1 $13) 10... O-O 11. O-O a6 12. a4 Rfc8 13. b3 e6 (13... Qd8 14. Qd2 Nd7 15. Rab1 Nc5 16. Rfd1 Na5 17. Qc2 Rab8 18. b4 Nxc4 19. bxc5 Na3 20. Qb3 Nxb1 21. Nxb1 dxc5 22. Ne6 Qa5 23. Nxg7 Kxg7 24. Nc3 b5 25. axb5 axb5 26. Nd5 Qa4 27. Qb2+ f6 28. Ra1 Qxe4 29. Ra7 {1-0 Spasov,V (2581)-Georgiev,K (2423)/Sunny Beach 2012/CB37_2012}) 14. Rc1 d5 15. Nxc6 bxc6 16. e5 Ne8 17. f4 a5 (17... Qd8 $5 $11 {prevents both a5 and e4.}) 18. Ne4 Bf8 19. Rf3 Qd8 20. Nc5 Rcb8 21. Bf2 Nc7 22. Qe2 Rb4 23. Kh2 Be7 $14 {/,Carlsen,M (2826)-Nepomniachtchi,I (2730)/Moscow/2011/}) 9... Nf6 10. f3 O-O 11. O-O a6 12. a4 e6 {White can develop his bishop more actively with} 13. Bg5 h6 14. Bh4 Rfd8 15. Rb1 Qc7 16. Kh1 Rd7 17. Rc1 Re8 18. Nd5 exd5 $6 (18... Qd8 $1 19. Nxf6+ Bxf6 20. Bxf6 Qxf6 $11) 19. cxd5 Qb6 20. Bf2 Qxb2 21. dxc6 bxc6 22. Rxc6 Rdd8 23. Rxa6 Qb4 24. Rb6 Qc4 25. Nd4 $14 {/,Caruana,F (2773)-Anand,V (2780)/Sao Paulo/Bilbao/2012/ This game was played earlier. Although Black's position is quite playable, Anand presumably wanted to give the encounter with Carlsen a different character.}) 6. Nc3 g6 (6... Nc6 7. d4 (7. O-O g6 8. d4 cxd4 9. Nxd4 Bg7 {[%cal Rf6e4]} 10. Nde2 Qe6 $5 $13 {Kasparov,G (2851)-The World/Internet/1999/ leads to complications, which Black ultimately doesn't have to fear. See the notes to this game in CBM 74.}) 7... cxd4 8. Nxd4 {and now:} {More often than not Black avoids these complications and simply develops with} g6 {Now White can avoid the continuation from Kasparov-The World with} (8... Qg4 {is an attempt to force quick simplification:} {However, here Black has to reckon mainly with} 9. Qxg4 (9. O-O Qxd1 10. Rxd1 Nxd4 (10... Rc8 11. Nde2 g6 12. f3 Bg7 13. b3 Nd7 14. Be3 O-O 15. Rac1 b6 16. Nd5 Rfd8 17. Nec3 e6 18. Nf4 Nc5 19. Nfe2 a6 20. Rd2 Rd7 21. Rcd1 Bf8 22. Bf4 Rcd8 23. Bg5 Rc8 24. h3 h6 25. Bf4 Rcd8 26. g4 Kg7 27. Kg2 Be7 28. Be3 Rb7 29. Nd4 Rc8 30. Nxc6 Rxc6 31. Bf4 b5 $132 {Rozentalis,E (2623)-Alterman,B (2580)/ISR-chT/2010/}) 11. Rxd4 Rc8 12. Bg5 Nd7 13. Rc1 g6 14. Nd5 h6 15. Be3 Bg7 16. Rdd1 a6 17. b4 e6 18. Nb6 Nxb6 19. Bxb6 Ke7 20. c5 Be5 21. Rd3 Rc6 22. a4 Rhc8 23. a5 dxc5 24. Bxc5+ Ke8 25. Rcd1 Bf6 26. Kf1 Rd8 27. Ke2 Rcc8 $11 {Cheparinov,I (2621)-Lupulescu,C (2546)/EU-ch Warsaw/2005/}) 9... Nxg4 10. Nxc6 bxc6 11. Bf4 {A more enterprising try is the sacrificial} g5 $5 (11... Rb8 12. h3 Ne5 13. Bxe5 dxe5 14. Na4 (14. O-O-O e6 15. Na4 h5 16. Rd3 Rh6 17. Rhd1 Rg6 18. g3 Rf6 19. f3 Rg6 20. g4 hxg4 21. hxg4 Rh6 22. a3 Be7 23. Kc2 Rh2+ 24. R1d2 Rh1 25. Rd1 Rh2+ 26. R1d2 Rh1 27. c5 Rb5 28. b4 a5 29. Rb3 $14 {Laznicka,V (2593)-Gashimov,V (2658)/Moscow/2007/}) 14... e6 15. Ke2 Kd7 16. Rhd1+ Kc7 17. Rd3 Be7 18. Rad1 Rhd8 19. Rxd8 Bxd8 20. a3 a5 21. c5 Be7 22. Kd3 f5 23. f3 Rd8+ 24. Kc2 Rb8 25. Kc3 fxe4 26. fxe4 Rf8 27. b4 axb4+ 28. axb4 Bh4 29. Nb6 Rf7 30. Kb3 Bf2 31. Rd6 Bd4 32. Nc4 Rf1 33. Na5 $18 {Ni Hua (2705)-Shengelia,D (2569)/ESP-chT Sabadell/2008/}) 12. Bxg5 Bg7 $5 (12... Ne5 13. b3 Rg8 14. Bh4 Rg4 (14... Bg7 15. Kd2 a5 16. Rab1 a4 17. Nxa4 Bh6+ 18. Kc2 Rg4 (18... Rxg2 $142 $132) 19. Bg3 Nxc4 20. bxc4 Rxa4 21. Rb8+ Kd7 22. Kb3 Ra7 23. f3 Rg5 24. e5 dxe5 25. Rd1+ Ke6 26. a4 $36 {Zhang Zhong (2608)-Petrosian,T (2581)/Tiayuan/2005/}) 15. Bg3 Bg7 16. Kd2 Ng6 17. f3 Rg5 18. f4 $142 (18. Rag1 Bd4 19. Rc1 Kd7 20. Ne2 Bb6 21. h4 Ra5 22. Rc2 Rg8 23. Be1 Ne5 24. Nf4 Ra3 25. Ke2 Bd4 $44 26. Bb4 {½,Baklan,V (2585)-Atalik,S (2585)/YUG-chT Vrnjacka Banja/1998/}) 18... Rg4 (18... Ra5 19. a4 Rb8 20. Kc2 f5 21. Rae1 Kd7 22. Rhf1 e6 23. exf5 Rxf5 24. Ne4 Rbf8 25. Rd1 d5 26. Nc5+ Kd6 27. Nd3 $14 {/,Soltau,A (2632)-Ugge,A (2567)/corr/2005/}) 19. Raf1 h5 20. Nd1 Bh6 21. Nf2 Bxf4+ 22. Ke2 Rg5 23. Nh3 Rxg3 24. hxg3 Bxg3 25. Ng5 $14 {/ Atalik}) 13. Ke2 Rb8 14. Nd1 (14. Rab1 $5 Rg8 15. Bf4 Bd4 $44) 14... Rb4 15. Rc1 Bxb2 16. Rb1 Ba3 17. Rb3 Rxb3 18. axb3 Kd7 19. Ne3 Rg8 20. h4 Nxe3 21. Bxe3 Rxg2 22. Kf3 Rg8 23. Ra1 Bb4 $11 {Jansa,V (2490)-Trapl,J (2340)/Ostrava/1976/}) 9. Nde2 Bg7 10. f3 {- 5...c6 , which transposes back to Caruana-Anand, mentioned above.}) 7. d4 cxd4 8. Nxd4 Bg7 9. f3 ({The other main try is} 9. h3 {, when} Qc7 $5 {has recently become popular:} 10. Qe2 (10. b3 {allows the simplifying operation} Qa5 11. Bd2 Nxe4 $1 12. Nxe4 Qe5 13. Qb1 f5 14. Bc3 Qxe4+ 15. Qxe4 fxe4 16. Nb5 Bxc3+ 17. Nxc3 Rf8 18. Nxe4 (18. O-O Na6 19. Rfe1 Nc5 20. Rad1 Kd7 21. Re3 Rac8 22. Rd4 Rf4 23. Nd5 Rf7 24. Rd2 Rc6 25. b4 Na4 26. Rxe4 e6 27. Ne3 Nc3 28. Red4 e5 29. R4d3 Ne4 30. Re2 Ke6 $11 {Bologan,V (2665)-Naiditsch,A (2712)/ESP-chT Melilla/2011/}) 18... Rf5 (18... Nc6 19. Rd1 Rf5 20. O-O O-O-O 21. f4 Rdf8 22. g3 Kd7 23. Nc3 a6 24. Nd5 b5 $132 {Movsesian,S (2751)-Dominguez Perez,L (2717)/Wijk aan Zee/2009/}) 19. O-O Kd7 20. Rad1 Na6 21. Rfe1 Raf8 22. Re2 Re5 23. g3 Nc5 $11 {½,Movsesian,S (2711)-Svidler,P (2741)/EUCup Ohrid/2009/}) 10... Nc6 11. Nc2 O-O 12. O-O a6 (12... Rfc8 13. b3 a6 14. Bb2 (14. Bd2 $5) 14... Qa5 15. Ne3 Nd4 16. Qe1 Ne6 17. Rb1 Nf4 18. Ba1 b5 19. Ncd5 Qxe1 20. Nxf6+ Bxf6 21. Rfxe1 Bxa1 22. Rxa1 Kf8 23. Kf1 Nd3 24. Red1 Nc5 $11 {Alavkin,A (2460)-Kokarev,D (2603)/Kazan/2009/}) 13. Bd2 e6 14. Rac1 Rfe8 15. Be3 $146 (15. Ne3 Nd4 16. Qd3 Nd7 17. Kh1 Nc5 18. Qb1 Rac8 19. b4 Nd7 20. Qd3 Qb8 21. f4 b5 $132 {/,Malakhov,V (2715)-Hracek,Z (2606)/EU Cup Ohrid/2009/}) 15... Ne5 16. Na3 Rac8 17. b3 Qa5 18. Nab1 d5 19. f4 Nc6 20. e5 Nh5 21. Qf2 $6 (21. g4 Ng3 22. Qf2 Nxf1 23. Bb6 Qb4 24. Bc5 $11) 21... d4 $1 22. Bxd4 Nxd4 23. Qxd4 g5 $1 24. fxg5 Bxe5 25. Qf2 Bf4 (25... Ng3 $1 26. Rfe1 Bd6 $40 {Safarli}) 26. Ne4 Bxc1 27. Rxc1 Qe5 28. Re1 Kh8 29. Nbd2 $36 {Tiviakov,S (2656)-Hou,Y (2623)/Hoogeveen/2012/}) (9. O-O Nc6 $132 {once again leads to Kasparov-The World.}) 9... Qc7 $5 {With f3 instead of h3 this move is still rare - Black doesn't have the blow on e4 from the previous note!} ({The standard continuation is} 9... O-O 10. Be3 (10. O-O Rc8 11. b3 d5 $1 {is Ivanchuk's brilliant idea, Black easily equalised in the stem game} 12. exd5 Nxd5 13. Nxd5 e6 14. Be3 exd5 15. cxd5 Na6 16. Rc1 Rxc1 17. Qxc1 Nb4 18. Qd2 Nxd5 19. Ne2 Qe7 {½,Delchev,A (2577)-Ivanchuk,V (2704)/EU-ch Istanbul/2003/}) (10. Bg5 {is rare and for a good reason - here Black easily gets a good position with the accurate} Nc6 $1 (10... Rc8 11. b3 Qd8 12. Qd2 Nc6 13. Nde2 a6 14. a4 Nd7 $132) 11. Nde2 a6 12. a4 Qc7 $1 13. b3 Qa5 14. Qd2 b5 $1 15. cxb5 axb5 16. O-O (16. Nxb5 Nxe4 $36) 16... bxa4 17. bxa4 Rfc8 (17... Nd7 $5 {[%csl Ra4][%cal Yd7c5,Yd7b6]}) 18. Rfb1 Nd4 19. Nxd4 Rxc3 20. Kh1 Qc5 (20... Rc5 $15) 21. Rd1 Rc4 22. Be3 Qa5 23. Qd3 Rc3 24. Qe2 Nd7 25. h3 Qa6 26. Qe1 Rc4 27. a5 Nc5 28. Rab1 {Gharamian,T (2471)-Savchenko,S (2545)/Metz/2007/} Na4 $15 {[%csl Ra5][%cal Ra4c3]}) 10... Rc8 (10... Nc6 $5 11. O-O a6 12. a4 e6 {transposes to a satisfactory position from the 5...c6 lines, mentioned in the above notes.}) 11. b3 a6 12. a4 e6 (12... Nc6 13. O-O Qd8 14. Rb1 e6 15. Nde2 Qa5 16. Qxd6 Ne8 17. Qd2 Rd8 18. Qe1 Rd3 19. Nd1 Qb4 20. Nc1 Rd7 21. Qxb4 Nxb4 22. Nf2 Nc2 23. Bc5 b6 24. Bxb6 Na3 25. Ncd3 Nxb1 26. Rxb1 $14 {Balogh,C (2664)-Vachier Lagrave,M (2705)/Saint Louis/2012/}) 13. Rc1 (13. Nde2 Nc6 14. O-O d5 $1 15. exd5 exd5 16. c5 Re8 17. Bf2 Rad8 18. Nd4 Qc7 19. Nxc6 bxc6 20. Bd4 a5 21. Ra2 Rb8 22. Ne2 Qb7 23. Qa1 Nh5 $17 {Laznicka,V (2610)-Wojtaszek,R (2635)/CZE-chT/2007/}) 13... Nc6 14. O-O d5 15. exd5 exd5 16. Nxc6 bxc6 17. cxd5 cxd5 (17... Nxd5 $142 $5 $11) 18. Bd4 Rd8 19. Qd3 Qb7 20. Ne2 Ne8 21. Rc3 Nc7 22. Bxg7 Kxg7 23. Nd4 Ne6 24. Nxe6+ fxe6 25. Rfc1 Rac8 26. Qe3 Rxc3 27. Rxc3 Qe7 28. Rc6 e5 $132 {Ni Hua (2625)-Areshchenko,A (2570)/Moscow/2005/}) (9... Nc6 10. Nde2 {and we are again back in Caruana-Anand.}) 10. b3 Qa5 {Black's idea is to lure the bishop to b2 instead of its usual deployment on the c1-h6 diagonal (e3 or g5).} (10... Nc6 11. Be3 Qa5 12. Rc1 Nh5 13. Nde2 $5 ({White avoids the endgame after} 13. O-O Nxd4 14. Bxd4 Bxd4+ 15. Qxd4 Qc5 $11 {/}) 13... O-O 14. O-O Kh8 15. Qd5 Qa6 16. Qd2 Qa5 17. Kh1 f5 18. exf5 gxf5 19. Nd5 Qd8 (19... Qxd2 $142 $14) 20. Rfd1 Be5 21. Ndf4 Qe8 22. c5 Nxf4 23. Nxf4 dxc5 24. Rxc5 (24. Nd3 $1 $36) 24... Rd8 25. Qe1 Rxd1 26. Qxd1 {Kasparov,S (2500)-Varga,C (2349)/Pardubice/2007/} Bd6 $132) ({A similar type of position arises after} 10... O-O 11. Be3 Qa5 12. Qd2 Nc6 13. Rc1 $11 {/,Loaiza,Y (1902)-Ramirez,H (2089)/Puerto Boyaca/2012/ White's space advantage gives him a slight pull.}) 11. Bb2 (11. Bd2 {also deserves consideration, but} Nc6 {is still fine for Black after} 12. Nd5 (12. Nde2 O-O $132) 12... Qd8 13. Bc3 e6 14. Nxc6 bxc6 15. Nxf6+ Bxf6 16. Bxf6 Qxf6 17. O-O Rd8 $11) 11... Nc6 12. O-O O-O 13. Nce2 $146 {[%mdl 40] Although objectively this novelty is not particularly dangerous, it's in keeping with White's strategy to avoid excessive simplification and retain fighting chances.} (13. Kh1 Nd7 (13... Nxd4 14. Qxd4 Nxe4 15. Qxe4 Bxc3 16. Bxc3 Qxc3 17. Qxe7 a5 $44) 14. Nd5 Rfe8 15. Bc3 Qd8 16. Nb5 (16. Qd2 $142 $5) 16... Bxc3 17. Ndxc3 a6 18. Nd4 Qb6 19. Nc2 Rac8 20. Qd2 Qc5 21. Qe3 Nce5 22. Rac1 b5 23. f4 Ng4 {Bolshagin,V (2061)-Kokarev,D (2583)/Moscow/2011/} (23... Qxe3 24. Nxe3 Nd3 25. Rcd1 bxc4 26. Rd2 Nb4 27. Nxc4 Nb6 $11) 24. Qf3 $13) (13. Nd5 Nxd5 {is simpler:} (13... Qc5 14. b4 Qxc4 (14... Nxb4 15. Nxe7+ Kh8 16. Rf2 $5 Qxc4 (16... Nd7 $5 $132) 17. Qa4 a5 18. a3 Qc7 19. Nxg6+ hxg6 20. axb4 $14) 15. Nxc6 Nxd5 16. Rc1 Qxa2 17. Bxg7 Kxg7 18. exd5 bxc6 19. Qd4+ $44 (19. dxc6 $44)) 14. exd5 Nxd4 15. Bxd4 Bxd4+ 16. Qxd4 b5 $11 {}) 13... Rfd8 {Anand returns to the idea of pushing d5 either after preparation (e6), or directly as in the game.} (13... Nd7 14. Kh1 (14. Bc3 $6 Qxc3 15. Nxc3 Bxd4+ $15) 14... a6 $13) 14. Bc3 $146 (14. Kh1 $5 {} Qb6 (14... Nd7 $5) 15. Qd2 {prevents the following central break. However, Black's position remains solid and he can react differently already on move 14.}) ({RR} 14. Kh1 Rac8 15. Bc3 Qc7 16. Qd2 b6 17. Rad1 a6 18. a4 Na5 19. Qb2 Qb7 20. Rfe1 Nh5 21. Nc2 Nc6 22. Bxg7 Nxg7 23. Nc3 Na7 24. Nd5 b5 25. cxb5 axb5 26. a5 Nc6 27. b4 Ne8 28. Nb6 Rc7 {Tiviakov,S (2656)-Xiong,J (2441) Montreal 2014 1-0 (55)}) 14... Qb6 15. Kh1 d5 $1 16. Nxc6 ({This is the only way to keep the tension in the position.} 16. exd5 $143 Nxd5 $1 17. cxd5 Rxd5 {wins the piece back and already Black can claim a slight edge:} 18. Qe1 Nxd4 19. Nxd4 Bxd4 20. Bxd4 Rxd4 (20... Qxd4 21. Qxe7 Rd7 22. Qe2 Rad8 $15) 21. Qxe7 Rad8 $15 {[%cal Ra2h2,Gd8d2]}) (16. cxd5 Nxd5 17. exd5 {-16.exd5}) 16... bxc6 17. Qe1 $1 {[%cal Rc3a5]} Rdc8 $6 ({Leaving the d-file perhaps isn't a direct mistake, but it's certainly unnatural. The most logical response was} 17... a5 {} 18. e5 Nd7 $5 19. e6 (19. cxd5 cxd5 20. Bd4 Qb4 21. Bc3 Qb6 $11) 19... d4 20. Bd2 $5 (20. Bxd4 Bxd4 21. Nxd4 Qxd4 22. Rd1 Qa7 23. exd7 Rxd7 $11) (20. exf7+ Kxf7 21. Bd2 e5 22. Ng3 Kg8 23. Ne4 Nc5 $11 {/}) 20... Nc5 $5 (20... fxe6 21. Nf4 e5 22. Ne6 $44) 21. exf7+ Kxf7 $11) 18. e5 Ne8 (18... Nd7 $143 19. e6 Bxc3 (19... fxe6 20. Bxg7 Kxg7 21. Nf4 e5 22. cxd5 $36) 20. Nxc3 Nf6 21. exf7+ Kxf7 22. Rd1 $5 $14 dxc4 23. Ne4 Nxe4 24. Qxe4 cxb3 25. f4 $40 {[%cal Rf4f5]}) 19. e6 $5 {[%mdl 128] Carlsen possibly felt his opponent's insecurity and goes for a direct attack. His approach pays off with surprising speed, but Black could have defended better.} ({The alternative was} 19. f4 e6 $5 {is safer.} (19... dxc4 20. f5 $1 {[%cal Re5e6]} (20. bxc4 Qa6) 20... gxf5 21. Rxf5 $44) (19... Nc7 20. f5 e6 21. f6 Bf8 $13)) 19... fxe6 20. Nf4 (20. Bxg7 {is harmless:} Nxg7 21. Nf4 Qc7 22. Nxe6 Qd6 23. Nxg7 Kxg7 $11) 20... Bxc3 21. Qxc3 $44 d4 (21... Ng7 22. Rae1 (22. Qe5 Qb8 $11) (22. c5 Qc7 23. Nd3 $5 $44 {[%csl Re5]} (23. Qxg7+ Kxg7 24. Nxe6+ Kf6 25. Nxc7 Rxc7 $15 {[%csl Gc6,Gd5,Ge7] })) 22... d4 23. Qd2 c5 24. g4 {transposes back to the game}) 22. Qd2 $5 (22. Qe1 c5 23. Nxe6 Rc6 24. Nf4 e6 25. Nd3 a5 $14 {/ is pleasant and almost riskless for White. However, here Black's defence is simpler than in the game, so Carlsen ambitiously envisages a different route for his queen.}) 22... c5 23. Rae1 Ng7 24. g4 $1 {[%csl Rf5] Limits Black's knight and prepares the follwing manoeuvre, which is easy to overlook.} Rc6 $2 {And sure enough, Anand goes astray and fails to meet White's most dangerous idea. Black had better options, leading to balanced positions:} (24... Qc6 25. Nh3 (25. Re5 $44 {[%cal Yh1g2,Yf1e1]}) 25... Rf8 26. Qh6 Rxf3 27. Kg1 Rxf1+ 28. Rxf1 Qe4 29. Qxh7+ (29. Ng5 $4 Qxg4+ 30. Kh1 Qh5) (29. Rf4 Qe3+ 30. Kg2 Qd2+ 31. Kg1 Qe3+ $11) 29... Kxh7 30. Ng5+ Kg8 31. Nxe4 Rc8 32. Ng5 Rc6 33. Rf7 Rd6 34. Kf2 Rd7 35. Rf4 $14 {[%csl Rc5,Re6,Re7,Rg7]}) (24... Rf8 {White would have possibly preferred to change his plan with} 25. Nd3 $44 (25. Nh3 Rf6 $5 (25... Qc6 {-24...c6}) 26. Qh6 g5 27. Qxg5 Qc6 28. Ng1 $5 (28. Nf4 h6 29. Qe5 Raf8 30. Re4 Qd6 $36) 28... a5 29. Re5 $13)) (24... Qd6 25. Re4 (25. Nh3 e5 26. Qh6 Ne6 27. Ng5 Nxg5 28. Qxg5 Qf6 29. Qxe5 Qxe5 30. Rxe5 Rc7 $11) 25... a5 $5 (25... Rf8 26. Nd3 $44 (26. Kg2 $44)) 26. Rfe1 Rf8 $132 {[%cal Ya5a4]}) 25. Nh3 $1 $40 {[%cal Rd2h6,Rh3g5] Suddenly Black is in trouble - his queen joins the defence one move too late.} Ne8 (25... Qd8 26. Qh6 Kh8 27. Ng5 Qg8 28. Re4 {[%cal Re4f4]} Rf8 (28... e5 29. Rxe5 Ne6 30. Kg2 $16 {[%csl Re7]}) 29. Rg1 $5 {[%cal Rg1g3,Rg3h3]} Rf6 30. Rg3 Ne8 31. Rh3 Rf7 $8 32. Rxe6 $5 (32. Nxf7+ Qxf7 33. Re2 $14 {/}) 32... Rxe6 33. Nxe6 Nf6 34. Nxc5 g5 35. Rg3 $16) 26. Qh6 Nf6 27. Ng5 d3 $6 {Hastens the end.} (27... Qa6 28. Re5 Qc8 29. Rfe1 Qf8 30. Qxf8+ (30. Qh3 $5 $40) 30... Rxf8 31. Nxe6 Rfc8 32. Nf4 $16) 28. Re5 $1 Kh8 (28... Qc7 29. Nxe6 Rxe6 (29... Qxe5 30. Qg7#) 30. Rxe6 $18) (28... Qd8 29. Nxe6 Rxe6 30. Rxe6 d2 31. Rd1 Qd3 32. Qe3 $18) (28... Rd8 29. Nxh7 $1 Nxh7 30. Qxg6+ Kf8 (30... Kh8 31. Rh5) 31. Qxh7 d2 32. Qh8+ Kf7 33. Qh5+ Kf8 34. Rd1 $18 {[%cal Re5g5,Rh5g6]}) 29. Rd1 $18 {[%csl Rd3,Rd8][%cal Gg5f7] Here White has no immediate mate, but Black remains completely paralysed, as due to f7 he has no access to the d8-square.} Qa6 30. a4 $5 (30. Rxd3 Qxa2 31. Re1 $1 Re8 (31... Kg8 32. Red1 Qa5 33. f4 $1 $18 {[%cal Rg5h7]}) 32. Red1 Qb2 33. Rd8 Rc8 34. Nxe6 Ng8 35. Rxc8 Rxc8 36. Qe3 $18 {also wins, but Carlsen doesn't want to give Black even the slightest chance.}) (30. a4 Qc8 31. Rxd3 Qg8 32. Rde3 $18 {[%csl Rc5,Re6]}) 1-0

[Event "London Classic 4th"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2012.12.01"]
[Round "1"]
[White "McShane, Luke J"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C67"]
[WhiteElo "2713"]
[BlackElo "2848"]
[PlyCount "124"]
[EventDate "2012.12.01"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 152"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.01.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.01.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. Re1 Nd6 6. Nxe5 Be7 7. Bf1 Nf5 8. Nf3 O-O 9. d4 d5 10. g3 Bf6 11. c3 Re8 12. Rxe8+ Qxe8 13. Bf4 Qd8 14. Bd3 Nfe7 15. Na3 $146 ({RR} 15. Nbd2 Bf5 16. Bxf5 Nxf5 17. Qe2 g6 18. Nb3 b6 19. Re1 Ng7 20. Nc1 Qd7 21. Qa6 Ne6 22. Nd3 Qc8 23. Qb5 Qd7 24. Nb4 Nxf4 25. Qxc6 Qxc6 26. Nxc6 Ne6 27. Nfe5 Kg7 28. Ng4 a5 29. Nxf6 Kxf6 {Bacrot,E (2692)-Balogh,C (2659) Germany 2015 1-0 (51)}) 15... a6 16. Nc2 Bf5 17. Bxf5 Nxf5 18. g4 Nfe7 19. Ne3 g6 20. Qf1 Qd7 21. Qh3 Bg7 22. Qg3 Rc8 23. g5 Nd8 24. Be5 Ne6 25. Bf6 Re8 26. Ne5 Qd6 27. Kh1 Nxg5 28. Bxg5 f6 29. Bxf6 Qxf6 30. Re1 c6 31. Kg2 Nc8 32. N3g4 Qd8 33. Nd3 Rxe1 34. Nxe1 Nd6 35. Nd3 Nf5 36. Qh3 Bf8 37. Ne3 Qg5+ 38. Kf1 Nxe3+ 39. fxe3 Kg7 40. Nf4 Qf6 41. Ke2 Bd6 42. Qg4 Kf7 43. h3 h5 44. Qc8 Qe7 45. Nd3 Kf6 46. b3 Kg5 47. c4 Kh4 48. c5 Bg3 49. b4 Qf7 50. a4 g5 51. Kd2 Bh2 52. Ne1 Kg3 53. Nc2 Bg1 54. Qd8 Kh4 55. Qc8 Bf2 56. Ke2 Kg3 57. Qd8 Qf5 58. Kd2 Kxh3 59. b5 g4 60. bxc6 bxc6 61. Nb4 g3 62. Nd3 g2 0-1

[Event "London Classic 4th"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2012.12.02"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C77"]
[WhiteElo "2848"]
[BlackElo "2815"]
[Annotator "Stohl,Igor"]
[PlyCount "117"]
[EventDate "2012.12.01"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 152"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.01.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.01.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 {Carlsen is definitely a fan of d3 lines against the Ruy Lopez. They allow him to avoid a heated theoretical struggle in forcing lines, while retaining enough strategic tension to fight for an advantage in the ensuing middlegame.} ({Even after} 3... Nf6 {he has lately avoided the Berlin Wall with} 4. d3 Bc5 5. Bxc6 (5. Nc3 d6 6. Na4 Bb6 7. Nxb6 axb6 8. c3 Bd7 9. Ba4 Ne7 10. Bc2 Ng6 11. h3 O-O 12. O-O h6 13. Re1 Re8 14. d4 Bc6 15. dxe5 dxe5 16. Qxd8 Rexd8 17. g3 Nd7 18. Be3 Nc5 19. Nd2 Nf8 20. f3 Nfe6 21. h4 Bb5 22. a3 Rd7 23. b4 {Carlsen,M-Anand,V/London/2012/} Bd3 $5 24. bxc5 Bxc2 $11) 5... dxc6 6. Nbd2 Be6 7. O-O Bd6 8. b3 Nd7 9. Nc4 Bxc4 10. bxc4 O-O 11. Rb1 b6 12. g3 f5 13. exf5 Rxf5 14. Qe2 Nc5 15. Be3 Ne6 16. Nd2 Qf6 17. Qg4 Rf8 18. Ne4 Qf7 19. a4 h5 20. Qe2 Be7 21. a5 Qg6 22. axb6 axb6 23. Kh1 Rf3 24. Rbe1 Bb4 25. Ra1 Qg4 26. Qd1 Qh3 $132 27. Bf4 $4 (27. Qe2 Be7 $11) 27... Bc3 $4 (27... R8xf4 $1 28. gxf4 Nxf4 29. Ra8+ Bf8 30. Rg1 Qxh2+ 31. Kxh2 Rh3#) 28. Qxf3 Bxa1 29. Qg2 Qf5 $11 {Carlsen,M (2843)-Aronian,L (2816)/Sao Paulo/Bilbao/2012/}) 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. d3 ({While Aronian definitely must have anticipated White's general strategy, Magnus far more often played} 5. O-O Be7 {and only now} 6. Re1 (6. d3 {, when Black has committed his f8. After} b5 7. Bb3 d6 8. a4 {Black faces a wider choice:} {Lately Aronian has started to favour the less committal} Bd7 {, Black retains the tension and doesn't give away the a-file:} (8... b4 9. Nbd2 (9. a5 O-O 10. Nbd2 Rb8 11. Nc4 h6 12. h3 Be6 13. Be3 Qc8 14. Nfd2 Rd8 15. Qe2 Qb7 16. Ba4 Nd7 17. c3 {Nepomniachtchi,I (2656)-Melkumyan,H (2582)/EU-ch Rijeka 2010/} Na7 $5 $13) 9... Na5 10. Ba2 O-O 11. c3 c5 12. cxb4 (12. d4 cxd4 13. cxd4 Qc7 $132) 12... cxb4 13. h3 $5 (13. Nc4 Rb8 14. Re1 Nc6 15. Ne3 Be6 16. Bxe6 fxe6 17. Nc4 Nd7 18. Ncd2 Nc5 19. Nb3 Nxb3 20. Qxb3 Rxf3 21. gxf3 Nd4 22. Qd1 Qf8 23. Kg2 Qf6 $44 {Carlsen,M (2733)-Aronian,L (2739)/Wijk aan Zee/2008/}) 13... Be6 14. Bxe6 fxe6 15. Nb3 Nc6 16. Be3 Qd7 17. Rc1 Rfc8 18. Qd2 Bd8 19. Rc4 $14 {Efimenko,Z (2654)-Stern,R (2501)/Bundesliga/2009/}) (8... Rb8 9. axb5 axb5 10. Nbd2 O-O 11. Re1 (11. c3 Nd7 (11... Bd7 $5 {will probably only transpose after the natural} 12. Re1) 12. Re1 Bf6 13. Nf1 Nc5 14. Ba2 (14. Bc2 $5) 14... Bg4 $2 (14... b4 $142 $132) 15. b4 Ne6 16. Ne3 Bxf3 17. Qxf3 Bg5 18. Bd5 $1 $16 Qd7 (18... Ne7 19. Bxe6 fxe6 20. Qg4 {[%csl Re6,Rg5]}) 19. Nf5 Ne7 20. Nxg7 $1 $40 {Carlsen,M (2714)-Fressinet,L (2654)/ECC Kemer/2007/}) 11... Bd7 12. c3 Ra8 13. Rxa8 Qxa8 14. d4 h6 (14... Qb7 $5 15. Nf1 b4 $132) 15. Nf1 Re8 16. Ng3 Qc8 17. Nh4 Bf8 $6 (17... Na5 $142 18. Ba2 Nc4 $13) 18. Ng6 $1 Na5 19. Nxf8 Rxf8 20. Bc2 Re8 21. f4 Bg4 $2 {[%csl Rg4]} (21... Qa6 $14) 22. Qd3 exf4 23. Bxf4 $16 {[%csl Gd4,Ge4,Rg8] , Carlsen,M (2826)-Topalov,V (2803)/Nanjing/2010/ White scored an impressive win in this game, for more details see the notes by Moradiabadi in CBM 139.}) 9. c3 O-O 10. Nbd2 Na5 11. Bc2 c5 12. Re1 Re8 13. Nf1 (13. d4 exd4 (13... cxd4 $5 14. cxd4 Nc6 15. Bb3 h6 $132 16. dxe5 dxe5 17. Nf1 Bg4 18. h3 Qxd1 19. Bxd1 Bxf3 20. Bxf3 Nd4 21. Bd1 Bb4 22. Bd2 Bxd2 23. Nxd2 Rac8 24. axb5 axb5 $15 {Werner,C (2315)-Tseshkovsky,V (2519)/Davos/2008/}) (13... Qc7 $1 {is indicated by Caruana as the simplest equaliser - Black has a good version of the Chigorin.}) 14. cxd4 Bg4 15. h3 Bh5 16. d5 Qc8 17. Nf1 Bd8 18. g4 Bg6 19. Ng3 b4 20. Nh4 b3 21. Bb1 {Caruana,F (2773)-Aronian,L (2816)/Sao Paulo/Bilbao/2012/} c4 $5 $13 {[%cal Yc4c3]}) 13... Nc6 14. Ne3 b4 15. Bb3 (15. h3 Rb8 16. Nc4 Be6 17. Bb3 h6 18. Be3 bxc3 19. bxc3 d5 $1 20. exd5 Nxd5 $15 {McShane,L (2713)-Aronian,L (2815)/London/2012/}) 15... Na5 16. Ba2 Rb8 17. d4 $6 (17. Nd2 $11) 17... exd4 18. cxd4 Nxe4 19. Nd5 {Kamsky,G (2729)-Leko,P (2747)/Dresden olm/2008/} Bf8 $13 {/}) 6... b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. d3 d6 9. a4 {was actually the move-order from Caruana-Aronian above.}) 5... b5 {In 2010 I wrote a 2 part article about the C77 5.d3 Ruy Lopez, which was published in CBM 136-137. Part 1 featured mainly the text move.} ({Part 2 in CBM 137 concentrated on the more restrained, but quite reliable} 5... d6 6. c3 g6 {Carlsen hasn't been able to get anything tangible here after} 7. O-O (7. Nbd2 Bg7 8. Nf1 O-O 9. Bg5 d5 10. Qe2 Qd6 11. Bxf6 Bxf6 12. Ne3 Ne7 13. Bb3 c6 14. h4 Be6 15. Ng5 Bd7 16. Rd1 Rad8 17. Qf3 h6 18. Nc4 dxc4 19. dxc4 Nd5 20. Nh3 h5 21. Qg3 Bg4 22. Rd2 Bxh4 23. Qxh4 Qf6 24. Qxf6 Nxf6 25. Ng5 c5 $15 {Carlsen,M (2810)-Caruana,F (2675)/Wijk aan Zee/2010/ See the notes to this game by Postny in CBM 135.}) 7... Bg7 8. Re1 (8. h3 Bd7 9. Re1 O-O 10. Nbd2 Qe8 11. Nf1 Nh5 12. Bb3 Kh8 13. d4 f5 14. exf5 gxf5 15. dxe5 dxe5 16. Be3 e4 17. Ng5 h6 18. Nf7+ Rxf7 19. Qxh5 Rf6 20. Qxe8+ Rxe8 21. Bf4 Ne5 22. Bxe5 Rxe5 23. Rad1 {1-0 Alekseev,E (2683)-Efimenko,Z (2689)/Germany 2012/CB42_2012 (61)} Bc6 $132) 8... O-O 9. Nbd2 Kh8 (9... b5 $5 {is the more usual choice - Black was doing fine after} 10. Bb3 Na5 11. Bc2 c5 12. Nf1 h6 13. Bd2 Nc6 14. a4 Be6 15. Ne3 Qd7 16. Bb3 Rfb8 17. Bxe6 Qxe6 18. h3 c4 19. Qe2 Na5 20. axb5 axb5 21. Rad1 Rc8 $132 {Areshchenko,A (2694)-Efimenko,Z (2701)/UKR-ch Kiev/2011/}) 10. Nf1 Ng8 11. Bg5 f6 12. Bh4 Qe8 13. d4 Bd7 14. d5 Nd8 15. Bxd7 Qxd7 16. N3d2 Nf7 17. f3 f5 18. c4 a5 19. Bf2 Nf6 20. c5 fxe4 21. Nxe4 dxc5 22. Nxc5 Qxd5 23. Qxd5 Nxd5 24. Rad1 c6 25. Ne3 Rfd8 $11 {Carlsen,M (2814)-L'Ami,E (2628)/Wijk aan Zee/2011/}) 6. Bb3 Bc5 {Aronian opts for the more active developing move.} ({Earlier he preferred} 6... Be7 7. a4 b4 8. Nbd2 O-O 9. Nc4 ({More flexible is} 9. O-O {The resulting positions are similar to those, mentioned above in the note to White's 5th move.}) 9... d6 10. h3 Be6 11. O-O Nd7 12. Be3 Bf6 13. c3 bxc3 14. bxc3 Rb8 15. Rb1 d5 16. Ncd2 Nb6 17. Re1 Re8 18. Qc2 Qd7 19. Bc5 Na5 20. Ba2 Qxa4 21. Qxa4 Nxa4 22. exd5 Rxb1 23. Rxb1 Bxd5 24. Bxd5 Nxc5 25. Ne4 Nxe4 26. Bxe4 $44 {Ivanchuk,V (2786)-Aronian,L (2757)/Dresden olm/2008/}) ({After} 6... Bb7 7. O-O Bc5 {Carlsen already used} 8. Nc3 $5 {with great effect:} d6 9. a4 Na5 10. Ba2 b4 11. Ne2 Bc8 12. c3 bxc3 13. bxc3 Bb6 14. Ng3 Be6 15. d4 Bxa2 16. Rxa2 O-O 17. Bg5 exd4 18. Nh5 dxc3 19. Nh4 Kh8 20. Nf5 {1-0, Carlsen,M (2625)-Beliavsky,A (2626)/Wijk aan Zee-B/2006/ For more details see the notes to this game by Mikhalevski in CBM 111.}) 7. Nc3 $5 {One of the less usual reactions, but actually I recommended it in CBM 136.} ({More regular is} 7. c3 d6 {, now} 8. Bg5 {led to complex play after} ({The article in CBM 136 concentrated mainly on} 8. O-O h6 $5) 8... h6 9. Bh4 Bb6 ({Black postpones castling, after} 9... O-O 10. O-O g5 {he has to reckon even with the sacrificial} 11. Nxg5 $5 $44 {Note how later on Aronian postpones g5 only after White has castled, but his  is still on e8.}) 10. Nbd2 Rb8 11. Qe2 a5 12. a4 b4 13. O-O g5 14. Bg3 (14. Nxg5 hxg5 15. Bxg5 Rg8 $17) 14... O-O 15. Nc4 Ba7 16. Nfd2 h5 17. h3 h4 18. Bh2 Kg7 19. Kh1 Rh8 20. d4 $6 (20. Ne3 $1 Nh5 $13) 20... bxc3 21. bxc3 exd4 22. e5 dxc3 23. exf6+ Qxf6 {Kramnik,V (2801)-Aronian,L (2820)/Zuerich m rpd/2012/} 24. Ne4 Qe7 25. Ba2 d5 (25... Re8 26. Qh5 Qxe4 27. Nxd6 cxd6 28. Qxf7+ Kh8 29. Qh5+ $11) 26. Nxa5 Nd4 (26... Nxa5 27. Bxd5 $13) 27. Qd3 dxe4 28. Qxc3 $132) (7. O-O d6 {[%cal Yc6a5] is only a transposition after} 8. c3) 7... O-O {A young Magnus had to face this position with Black.} ({He opted for} 7... d6 8. Nd5 h6 9. c3 O-O 10. O-O Rb8 (10... Bb7 11. a4 (11. Bd2 Nxd5 12. Bxd5 Rb8 13. Qc2 Bb6 14. a4 Ne7 15. Bxb7 Rxb7 16. d4 Ng6 17. Rfd1 Qf6 18. Qd3 Rbb8 19. Be3 Rfd8 20. Qe2 Qe7 21. a5 Ba7 22. dxe5 Bxe3 23. Qxe3 Nxe5 24. Nd4 Re8 $132 {Vallejo Pons,F (2678)-Naumann,A (2538)/Bundesliga/2004/}) 11... Nxd5 12. Bxd5 Rb8 13. axb5 axb5 14. Qb3 b4 15. Be3 Bxe3 16. fxe3 bxc3 17. bxc3 Qe7 18. Qc2 Nd8 19. Rfb1 c6 20. Bc4 Ra8 21. Rxa8 Bxa8 22. Qa2 Ne6 23. Bxe6 fxe6 24. h3 c5 25. Rb6 $14 {Asrian,K (2602)-Fontaine,R (2537)/Moscow/2005/}) 11. Ne3 $6 (11. Re1 $5 {[%cal Yd3d4] promises White better chances to fight for an opening advantage.}) 11... Bb6 $1 12. Qe2 Ne7 13. Rd1 Ng6 14. Nf5 d5 15. h3 Re8 16. g4 $2 c5 17. c4 bxc4 18. dxc4 d4 19. Ba4 Re6 20. Ne1 Nf4 21. Bxf4 exf4 22. f3 g6 23. Nxh6+ Kg7 24. g5 Nh7 25. h4 Nxg5 $19 {Lahno,K (2500)-Carlsen,M (2625)/Wijk aan Zee-B/2006/ For more details about this game see the notes by Mikhalevski in CBM 111.}) (7... h6 8. Nd5 (8. a4 b4 9. Nd5 Na5 $5 10. Ba2 d6 $11) 8... O-O 9. O-O {and Black hardly has anything better than} d6 {, transposing to 7...d6.}) 8. Nd5 Nxd5 {A rare alternative.} (8... h6 9. O-O d6 {still transposes to 7...d6}) 9. Bxd5 Rb8 $146 {[%mdl 520] This novelty, connected with a pawn-sacrifice, is the best reaction.} (9... Qf6 10. O-O h6 11. Be3 Be7 12. d4 $16 {Michelle,C (2052)-Janani,J (1808)/Chennai/2011/}) (9... Bb7 10. O-O (10. Nxe5 $5 Qh4 11. g3 Qh3 12. Qg4 (12. Bxc6 dxc6 13. Qe2 Bd6 14. Nf3 c5 $44 {}) 12... Qg2 13. Qf3 Bxf2+ 14. Kd1 Qxf3+ 15. Nxf3 $14) 10... d6 11. Be3 Bxe3 12. fxe3 Na5 13. Bxb7 Nxb7 14. b4 a5 15. c3 d5 $11 {Koski,C (1252)-Yehuda,B (1100)/corr/2009/}) 10. O-O Ne7 $5 (10... Qf6 11. c3 $14 {[%csl Rf6]} (11. Be3 Nd4 $5)) (10... Nb4 11. Bb3 $14 (11. Nxe5 {- 11...e7!?})) 11. Nxe5 {White accepts the challenge.} (11. Bb3 d6 12. Be3 Ng6 $5 $11 {seems too soft.}) 11... Nxd5 12. exd5 Re8 $146 ({Carlsen didn't like this move and preferred} 12... Bb7 $1 13. c4 Bd6 $5 (13... Re8 14. d4 Ba7 (14... bxc4 15. Nxf7 Kxf7 16. dxc5 $14) (14... Bf8 15. b3 {transposes back to the game.}) 15. b3 bxc4 16. bxc4 d6 17. Nf3 (17. Nc6 Bxc6 18. dxc6 Qh4 19. Be3 Qe4 $11) 17... Bc8 18. Bg5 f6 19. Be3 Bg4 20. Rb1 $5 $14) (13... d6 14. Nf3 c6 15. d4 Ba7 16. c5 $5 dxc5 17. Bf4 Rc8 (17... c4 $5 18. Bxb8 Bxb8 $14 {/}) 18. dxc5 Bxc5 19. d6 $36 {[%csl Gd6]}) 14. Re1 Re8 15. Nf3 c6 $44) (12... Qf6 $5 13. d4 Bb6 $132 {[%cal Yf6d6,Yc8b7]}) ({RR} 12... Bd4 13. Nf3 Bf6 14. c3 d6 15. Be3 b4 16. Nd4 Bxd4 17. Bxd4 bxc3 18. bxc3 Qg5 19. c4 Re8 20. f4 Qg6 21. Qd2 h5 22. Rf3 Qh6 23. h3 Bf5 24. Kh2 Re7 25. Re1 Rbe8 26. Rxe7 Rxe7 27. Qb2 {Vallejo Pons,F (2707)-Zhou,W (2606) China 2017 1-0 (85)}) 13. d4 Bf8 14. b3 Bb7 (14... b4 15. a3 a5 16. axb4 axb4 17. Qf3 f6 18. Nd3 $36 {[%csl Rb4][%cal Ya1a8]}) 15. c4 (15. Qf3 Qe7 16. Be3 (16. c4 d6 17. Nc6 (17. Nd3 $5) 17... Bxc6 18. dxc6 bxc4 19. bxc4 Qe6 20. d5 Qe4 $11) 16... f6 17. Nd3 Qf7 18. c4 bxc4 19. bxc4 a5 $14 {/}) 15... d6 16. Nf3 (16. Nc6 Bxc6 17. dxc6 bxc4 18. bxc4 d5 19. c5 Qf6 $11 20. Qa4 $6 Bxc5) (16. Nd3 g6 $44 (16... bxc4 17. bxc4 c6 $5 18. dxc6 Bxc6 $44 {[%csl Gc6,Gf8][%cal Gb8b1,Ge8e1]})) 16... Qf6 17. Be3 Bc8 18. Qd2 (18. Rc1 bxc4 19. bxc4 Bg4 $11) 18... Qg6 {White has consolidated his position, but it's difficult for him to make any progress.} 19. Kh1 h6 20. Rac1 Be7 21. Ng1 {This seems rather artificial.} (21. cxb5 axb5 22. Rxc7 Bb7 $44 {[%csl Rd5]}) ({White's doubled extra pawn doesn't count for much, but perhaps he is slightly better after} 21. Qa5 $14) ({A useful move, suggested by Carlsen, is} 21. Rfe1 $5 $14) 21... Bg5 (21... Bf6 {seems more natural, but Aronian has an interesting idea - exchanging the defensive e3 activates Black's forces.}) 22. Bxg5 (22. Rfe1 Bf5 $5 $14 {/} (22... Bxe3 $6 23. Rxe3 $36 {is a better version of the  swap.})) (22. cxb5 $5 Bd8 23. bxa6 Bxa6 24. Rfe1 Qf5 25. Ne2 Qxd5 26. Nc3 Qf5 27. d5 $14) 22... Qxg5 23. Rfd1 (23. Qxg5 hxg5 24. f3 (24. cxb5 Rxb5 25. Rxc7 Rxd5 26. Rd1 g4 $5 $44) 24... Bf5 (24... bxc4 25. Rxc4 $14) 25. Rf2 $14 {/= is maybe a better way to retain a small plus.}) 23... bxc4 (23... Qxd2 24. Rxd2 bxc4) 24. bxc4 $6 {Only this natural recapture is inaccurate.} (24. Qxg5 $142 hxg5 25. Rxc4 $14 {/= and once again White risks little by playing on.}) 24... Qxd2 25. Rxd2 a5 {[%csl Ra2,Rc4,Gc8,Rd4,Rg1][%cal Ge8e1,Gb8b1][%mdl 4096] In this endgame Black is definitely OK - he controls the open files and has the better minor piece. White's pawns are vulnerable and Carlsen also thought he wass the one who should be playing with care to maintain equality.} 26. h3 Rb4 27. Nf3 Bf5 28. c5 Kf8 ({Aronian is unwilling to play the weakening} 28... Be4 29. Re2 f5 30. Kh2 $11) 29. Nh2 Reb8 ({However, here} 29... Be4 $1 {was definitely simpler:} 30. Nf1 Bxd5 31. Ne3 Be4 32. cxd6 cxd6 33. d5 Reb8 $11 {/ White is in no position to win here, although he shouldn't lose either.}) 30. Ng4 Rb1 31. Rxb1 Rxb1+ 32. Kh2 a4 (32... Bxg4 33. hxg4 Rb5 34. Rc2 Rb4 35. cxd6 cxd6 36. Rd2 Rb5 37. Kg3 Rxd5 38. a4 f5 $11 {is enough for a draw. However, as Aronian admitted after the game, he erroneously thought he had a sizeable plus.}) 33. Ne3 Bg6 34. Kg3 Rb4 (34... a3 35. Kf3 (35. f3 $5) 35... Rb2 36. Nc4 Bc2 37. Nxa3 Be4+ 38. Ke3 Rxd2 39. Kxd2 Bxd5 $11) 35. Kf3 Ke7 36. Ke2 Kd7 37. f3 Rb5 38. Nd1 Rb4 (38... dxc5 39. Nc3 Rb4 (39... Ra5 40. dxc5 Rxc5 41. Nxa4 Rc4 42. Nb2 Rc3 $11) 40. dxc5 c6 41. Ke3 Rc4 $11 {should hold the endgame rather easily. Aronian optimistically continues to overestimate his position and gradually gets into trouble.}) 39. c6+ Kc8 (39... Ke7 40. Nc3 (40. Rb2 $5 Rxd4 41. Ne3 Bd3+ 42. Ke1 f5 43. Rb7 f4 44. Rxc7+ Kd8 45. Rd7+ Kc8 46. Nd1 Rxd5 47. Nc3 Rc5 48. Kd2 $14) 40... a3 41. Ke3 $14 {is similar to the game.}) 40. Nc3 f6 41. Ke3 Rc4 (41... a3 $142) (41... h5 $5) 42. Ne2 a3 43. h4 Rb4 $6 (43... Bf7 44. Nf4 (44. Ke4 Bg6+ 45. Ke3 Bf7) 44... g5 45. Kd3 Rc1 46. hxg5 fxg5 47. Ne2 (47. Ne6 $2 Bg6+ 48. Ke3 Rc3+ 49. Ke2 Rc2 $1 $36 {[%csl Ra2]}) 47... Bg6+ 48. Ke3 Rb1 49. Nc3 Rc1 (49... Rb2 {should be tenable as well}) 50. Nb5 Bf7 51. Re2 Kd8 (51... Bxd5 $2 52. Kd2 {[%csl Rc1,Re8]} Rxc6 53. Na7+ $18) 52. Nxc7 $5 (52. Ke4 Bg6+ 53. Ke3 Bf7 $11) 52... Kxc7 53. Kd2 Ra1 54. Re7+ Kc8 55. Rxf7 Rxa2+ 56. Kd3 Rxg2 $11) 44. g4 $1 {Black has shuffled around rather aimlessly, so White improves his position by expanding on the kingside.} Rb1 $2 (44... Rb2 45. h5 Bc2 46. Nc3 {is already better for White, but Carlsen was unsure how he should make progress if Black passes with} Kd8 $14) 45. h5 Bh7 46. f4 $1 {[%csl Rh7][%cal Yf4f5,Ye2f4,Yf4e6]} f5 (46... Bg8 47. f5 $1 (47. Nc3 Rg1 48. Kf3 Rf1+ 49. Kg3 Rg1+ $11) 47... Re1 (47... Bxd5 $2 48. Nc3) 48. Kf2 Rb1 49. Nf4 Rb5 50. Ne6 Rxd5 51. Nxg7 Rb5 52. Ne6 Rb2 53. Ke3 $16 {/+-}) 47. g5 $36 {With the  cut off, Black is on the brink of defeat.} Rh1 (47... Rb2 48. Kd3 Bg8 49. Nc3 $16 {/+-}) (47... Kd8 $5 48. Nc3 (48. Rd3 Rh1 49. Kd2 Bg8 50. Rxa3 Bxd5 51. Ra8+ Ke7 52. Ng3 Rh2+ 53. Ke1 Bxc6 54. Nxf5+ $16) 48... Rg1 49. g6 Bg8 $16 {and White must still find a way to break through.}) 48. Ng3 Rh3 49. Kf3 hxg5 ({More resilient, but still insufficient was} 49... Kd8 50. g6 Bg8 51. Kg2 Rh4 52. Nxf5 Rxf4 (52... Bxd5+ 53. Kg3 Rxh5 54. Nxg7 Rh1 55. f5 Ra1 (55... Ke7 56. Re2+ Kf6 57. Ne8+ Kxf5 58. Nxc7 Bxc6 59. d5 $18 {[%cal Rg6g7]}) 56. Ne6+ Ke7 57. Nf4 {} Bxa2 58. Re2+ Kf6 59. Rxa2 Rxa2 60. Nh5+ Kxf5 61. g7 Ra1 62. Kf2 Rg1 63. Kxg1 a2 64. Ng3+ $1 Kf4 65. Kf2 a1=Q 66. Ne2+ Ke4 67. g8=Q $18) 53. Ne3 $1 (53. Nxg7 Bxd5+ 54. Kg3 Rf3+ 55. Kg4 Rf1 $132) 53... Rh4 54. Rf2 Ke8 55. Nf5 Bxd5+ 56. Kg3 Rh1 57. Nxg7+ Ke7 (57... Kd8 58. Rf8+ Ke7 59. Rc8 Rg1+ 60. Kf2 Rg2+ 61. Ke3 Bxc6 62. Rxc7+ Bd7 63. Ra7 $18) 58. Nf5+ Kd8 59. Ne3 Rg1+ (59... Bxc6 60. d5 $18) 60. Kf4 Bxc6 61. Ng4 $18) (49... Bg8 $2 50. Kg2 $18 {} Rh4 51. Nxf5 Rxf4 52. Ne7+) 50. fxg5 g6 (50... Kd8 51. Rf2 $5 (51. Re2 Bg8 52. Kf4 Bxd5 53. Nxf5 Rxh5 54. Nxg7 Rh4+ 55. Kf5 Bxc6 56. Ne6+ $16) (51. g6 Bg8 52. Kf4 Bxd5 53. Nxf5 Rxh5 54. Nxg7 $16) 51... Rh4 (51... Bg8 52. Kg2 Rh4 53. Rxf5 $18) 52. Ne2 $1 Rh3+ 53. Kg2 Rxh5 54. Nf4 Rxg5+ 55. Kf3 Rg1 (55... Ke7 56. Re2+ Kf7 57. Ne6 $18) 56. Rh2 Bg6 57. Nxg6 Rxg6 58. Rh8+ Ke7 59. Rc8 $18) 51. Re2 Kd8 $8 52. hxg6 Bxg6 53. Re6 Bf7 (53... Bh5+ 54. Kf4 $5 Rh4+ 55. Kxf5 Bg4+ 56. Kf6 Bxe6 57. dxe6 $18) 54. g6 $1 $18 Bg8 (54... Bxe6 55. dxe6 {[%cal Rg6g7]} Rh6 56. g7 Rg6 57. Nxf5 Ke8 58. d5 Kd8 59. Kf4 Ke8 (59... Rg2 60. Ng3) 60. Nxd6+ $18) 55. g7 {[%cal Re6f6,Rf6f8]} f4 (55... Bf7 56. Kg2 Rh4 57. Nxf5 Rh5 58. Rf6 $18) 56. Kxf4 Rh2 57. Nf5 Rxa2 58. Rf6 Re2 59. Rf8+ (59. Rf8+ {After} Re8 60. Nxd6 $1 cxd6 61. c7+ Kxc7 62. Rxe8 a2 63. Re1 Bxd5 (63... Kb6 64. Ke3 Kb5 65. Kd3 Kb4 66. Kc2 Ka3 67. Re3+ $18) 64. Ke3 $18 {[%cal Ye3b2] White frees his  and converts his passed pawn.}) 1-0

[Event "London Classic 4th"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2012.12.04"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Jones, Gawain C B"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B53"]
[WhiteElo "2848"]
[BlackElo "2644"]
[Annotator "Mekhitarian,Krikor Sevag"]
[PlyCount "75"]
[EventDate "2012.12.01"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 152"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.01.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.01.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Qxd4 $5 {The Hungarian variation, that should never be underestimated. Either a quick development or a Hedgehog-like setup could be White's weapons here} a6 (4... Nc6 {the main line, naturally} 5. Bb5 Bd7 6. Bxc6 Bxc6 {and now White follows with c3-g5-0-0-0 or c4 straight away, with a rich battle either way.}) 5. h3 $5 {A setup with e3, e2, c4, c3 is sought by White. A decision that proved to be very good, since Black's troubles started already after his 15th move.} Nc6 6. Qe3 g6 7. c4 Bg7 8. Be2 Nf6 9. Nc3 O-O 10. O-O Nd7 11. Rb1 $1 {The expansion with b4 is always a good plan, and when Black plays ...a5 to stop that (and also secure c5 for his ), White gets the b5-square for the c3-.} a5 (11... b6 {was another way to fight, b7, c8 coming. Play could go like this:} 12. b4 Bb7 13. Rd1 Rc8 14. Na4 $5 $14 {and the b6- will be slightly harassed.}) (11... Qb6 $5 {Possibly an interesting novelty, forcing an early -exchange, that should work in Black's favour.} 12. Nd5 Qxe3 13. Bxe3 Nf6 {And I feel Black is ok, with natural developing moves coming}) 12. b3 Nc5 13. Bb2 f5 {This is part of Black's plan - if he doesn't try this, White is just building up an advantage with fd1, b5, and a3-b4 later.} 14. exf5 Bxf5 15. Rbd1 $14 {This is the kind of position where Black has to be careful, since central files are open and both black s are still there. Highly typical of the Accelerated Dragon's Maroczy like positions. Personally, I like White's chances in these structures. It just feels like Black's position is highly unstable and moves like a3, g5, d5, b5 must be watched all the time.} a4 16. Ba3 $1 Qa5 (16... Bxc3 $6 {a highly concrete decision, that should be considered and could go like this:} 17. Qxc3 Ne4 18. Qe3 $1 (18. Qc1 {would also be decent} axb3 19. axb3 Rxa3 20. Qxa3 Nc3 {Even here, White claims a small edge with a simple move like 21.fe1, because of Black's unstable central pawns and his open } 21. Rfe1 $14) 18... axb3 19. Bb2 {ideas like this should be considered, because it feels like 16...xc3 should backfire somehow. Now g4 is a threat and in the event of 19...xa2, then simply 20.b3, with huge compensation} Rxa2 20. Qxb3 $16) 17. Nb5 (17. b4 $5 {was attractive, but was probably not leading to much:} Nxb4 18. Bxb4 Qxb4 19. Nd5 Qa5 20. Nxe7+ Kh8 21. Nxf5 gxf5 $14 {Keeping the pieces in a tense position with 17.b5 is always more interesting than doing this. Of course, 18...f6! may change the whole evaluation and induce White to choose this line instead.}) 17... axb3 18. axb3 Qxa3 $146 {White was claiming a small, comfortable advantage already, but this looks drastic. I mean, Black is far from stable, and he's not even going to take on b3. There will be some piece play, indeed. But it doesn't look right.} (18... Rf6 $1 {This is what I'm talking about - if Black wants to claim a good position, he has to do it in a concrete fashion, which probably was the thought process that occurred to Gawain, but he overestimated the -sacrifice and didn't consider this odd-looking  activation (I would hardly take this move seriously while analysing during a game)} 19. Bxc5 (19. b4 {leads to a crazy position as well:} Nxb4 20. Bxb4 Qxb4 21. Nc7 Qa5 22. Nxa8 Re6 $1 23. Qd2 Bc3 24. Qd5 Be4 $44 {and Black's strong piece positioning (and a ) surely compensate for the exchange}) (19. Ng5 h6 20. g4 {would be another direct try to refute Black's idea} hxg5 21. gxf5 Rxf5 22. Bxc5 Re5 $13 {same idea, on the 5th rank now :)}) 19... Re6 $1 {The point, now the e2- becomes a target} 20. Qc1 Rxe2 21. Bd4 Nxd4 22. Nfxd4 Re5 $13) ({RR} 18... Qb6 19. b4 Na4 20. Qb3 Kh8 21. Bc1 Be6 22. Qb1 Rfc8 23. Be3 Qd8 24. Ng5 Bg8 25. Bg4 Bxc4 26. Rc1 {1-0 (26) Szwed,J (2361)-Jandric,D (2104) Vrnjacka Banja SRB 2023}) ({RR} 18... Qb6 19. b4 Na4 20. Qb3 Kh8 21. Bc1 Be6 22. Qb1 Rfc8 23. Be3 Qd8 24. Ng5 Bg8 25. Bg4 Bxc4 26. Rc1 {1-0 (26) Szwed,J (2361)-Jandric,D (2104) Vrnjacka Banja SRB 2023}) 19. Nxa3 Rxa3 20. Nd2 $16 {Slowly White coordinates so as to exchange some pieces, when Black's problems will become bigger and bigger} Bd4 21. Qg3 Be5 $6 (21... Kg7 $5 {a small -improvement was possible, maintaining some positional pressure.}) 22. f4 {This 'weakness' also helps White to gain some space.} Bf6 23. Bg4 Nd4 24. Kh1 Bc2 25. Rde1 Kh8 26. Re3 h5 27. b4 $1 h4 (27... Nd3 $1 28. Bd1 $1 {disturbing completely Black's harmony} h4 $1 (28... Nf5 29. Qxg6 Nxe3 30. Bxc2 Nxc2 31. Ne4 $18 {and the material advantage becomes a deadly attack}) 29. Qxg6 Nf2+ 30. Rxf2 Bxg6 31. Rxa3 {also good for White, but perhaps the most stubborn idea.}) 28. Qf2 Nd3 29. Qg1 $18 {Now everything is hanging and e4 is a very strong threat.} Nf5 30. Bxf5 gxf5 31. Nf3 Rc3 32. c5 Bb3 33. Ne1 Bd4 34. Nxd3 dxc5 (34... Rxd3 {wouldn't change anything:} 35. Rxd3 Bxg1 36. Rxb3 Bd4 37. cxd6 exd6 38. Rd3 $18) 35. Qf2 Rf7 36. Rc1 cxb4 37. Rxc3 bxc3 38. Qe1 1-0

[Event "London Classic 4th"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2012.12.06"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Adams, Michael"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C84"]
[WhiteElo "2710"]
[BlackElo "2848"]
[PlyCount "126"]
[EventDate "2012.12.01"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 152"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.01.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.01.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 {Sutovsky,Emil} e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. d3 b5 7. Bb3 d6 8. a4 Bd7 9. h3 O-O 10. Be3 Be6 $146 ({RR} 10... Na5 11. Ba2 c5 12. axb5 axb5 13. Nc3 c4 14. Bg5 b4 15. Bxf6 bxc3 16. Bxe7 Qxe7 17. bxc3 Be6 18. Re1 h6 19. Nd2 Rac8 20. Nf1 Rc5 21. Ne3 Rb8 22. Bxc4 Nxc4 23. dxc4 Qc7 24. Ra6 Rb6 25. Rxb6 {Volokitin,A (2678)-Melkumyan,H (2630) Austria 2013 0-1 (48)}) ({RR} 10... Na5 11. Ba2 bxa4 12. Bd2 Nc6 13. Nc3 Rb8 14. Nxa4 Nd4 15. Bc4 c6 16. Nxd4 exd4 17. Bf4 Be6 18. Re1 a5 19. Qf3 Rb7 20. e5 Nd5 21. exd6 Bxd6 22. Bxd6 Qxd6 23. Qe4 Nf4 24. Qe5 Qxe5 25. Rxe5 {Nepomniachtchi,I (2795)-Ding Liren (2788) Astana KAZ 2023 ½-½ (47)}) ({RR} 10... Na5 11. Ba2 bxa4 12. Nc3 Rb8 13. Bc1 h6 14. Bb1 Qe8 15. b3 c5 16. Nxa4 Nc6 17. Nb2 Ra8 18. Nc4 Qb8 19. Re1 Be6 20. c3 Re8 21. Bc2 Bf8 22. Ba3 Qc7 23. Ne3 d5 24. exd5 Nxd5 25. Nxd5 {Vokhidov,S (2641)-Zemlyanskii,I (2563) Al Ain UAE 2025 ½-½ (37)}) ({RR} 10... Na5 11. Ba2 c5 12. axb5 axb5 13. Nc3 b4 14. Nd5 Nxd5 15. Bxd5 Bc6 16. Bxc6 Nxc6 17. Nd2 ({RR} 17. Rxa8 Qxa8 18. Nd2) 17... Rxa1 18. Qxa1 Qa8 ({RR} 18... Bg5) 19. Nc4 Qb7 ({RR} 19... Qxa1 20. Rxa1 Rd8 21. Ra6) 20. Qd1 Nd8 21. f4 ({RR} 21. Qg4 Ne6 22. Ra1 Ra8 23. Rxa8+ Qxa8 24. g3) 21... d5 ({RR} 21... exf4 22. Bxf4 d5 23. Nd6 Bxd6 24. Bxd6 Re8) 22. Nxe5 f6 23. Nf3 dxe4 24. dxe4 Qxe4 25. Re1 {Sutovsky,E (2696)-Adams,M (2734) Porto Carras 2011 CBM 146 [Sutovsky,Emil] ½-½ (36)}) ({RR} 10... Na5 11. Ba2 bxa4 12. Nc3 Rb8 13. Rb1 c5 14. Nd2 Rb4 15. Bg5 h6 16. Bxf6 Bxf6 17. Nc4 Be6 18. Ne3 Bg5 19. Ned5 Bxd5 20. Bxd5 Qd7 21. Ra1 c4 22. Ra2 Rc8 23. Qa1 cxd3 24. cxd3 Bd2 25. Nxa4 {Alsina Leal,D (2511)-Kjartansson,G (2404) Hastings 2013 ½-½ (32)}) 11. Bxe6 fxe6 12. Nbd2 b4 13. c3 d5 14. cxb4 Bd6 15. b5 axb5 16. axb5 Rxa1 17. Qxa1 Nb4 18. d4 exd4 19. Nxd4 Qe8 20. Qa4 Nxe4 21. Nxe4 dxe4 22. Nc6 Nd5 23. Qxe4 Nxe3 24. Qxe3 Rf5 25. Nd4 Re5 26. Qb3 Rd5 27. Qc4 Qf7 28. b3 Qd7 29. Nf3 Rxb5 30. Ra1 Rd5 31. g3 h6 32. Qe4 Qe8 33. Kg2 Kf7 34. Ra2 Qd8 35. Re2 Qf6 36. h4 Qf5 37. Qc4 Rd3 38. Re3 Rxe3 39. fxe3 Qb1 40. e4 Qb2+ 41. Kh3 Qf2 42. e5 Qxf3 43. exd6 Qh1+ 44. Kg4 Qd1+ 45. Kh3 Qxd6 46. h5 c5 47. g4 Qd4 48. Qf1+ Ke7 49. Qf3 Qd5 50. Qc3 e5 51. Kg3 Kd6 52. Qc4 Qxc4 53. bxc4 e4 54. Kf4 e3 55. Kf3 Ke6 56. Ke2 Kf6 57. Kf3 Kg5 58. Kxe3 Kxg4 59. Ke4 Kxh5 60. Kd5 g5 61. Kxc5 g4 62. Kd4 g3 63. Ke3 Kg4 0-1

[Event "London Classic 4th"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2012.12.08"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B22"]
[WhiteElo "2760"]
[BlackElo "2848"]
[PlyCount "112"]
[EventDate "2012.12.01"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 152"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.01.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.01.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. c3 Nf6 4. e5 Nd5 5. Bc4 e6 6. d4 cxd4 7. cxd4 d6 8. O-O Be7 9. Qe2 O-O 10. Rd1 Qc7 11. a3 ({RR} 11. Na3 a6 12. Bd2 dxe5 13. dxe5 b5 14. Bxd5 exd5 15. Rac1 Qb7 16. Nc2 Be6 17. h3 Rac8 18. Bg5 Bf5 19. Bxe7 Qxe7 20. Ncd4 Nxd4 21. Nxd4 Bxh3 22. Rxc8 Bxc8 23. f4 g6 24. Qf3 Qh4 25. Rc1 Bd7 {Aronian,L (2775)-Erigaisi,A (2689) chess24.com INT 2022 ½-½ (42)}) 11... Rd8 ({RR} 11... b6 12. Bxd5 ({RR} 12. Bd3 Bb7 13. Qe4 g6 14. Bh6 Rfd8 15. Nbd2 dxe5 16. dxe5 Rac8 17. Rac1 Qb8 18. Nc4 b5 19. Ne3 Nxe3 20. Qxe3 a6 21. h4 Na5 22. h5 Rxc1 23. Rxc1 Bxf3 24. gxf3 Nc4 25. Bxc4 bxc4 26. Rxc4 Qxb2) 12... exd5 13. Nc3 Be6 14. Nb5 ({RR} 14. Bf4 dxe5 15. Nxe5 ({RR} 15. dxe5 Rfd8 16. Rac1 Qb7 17. Nb5 Rac8 18. Nfd4 Nxd4 19. Nxd4 Bc5 20. Be3 Bxd4 21. Bxd4 Rxc1 22. Rxc1 Rc8 23. Rd1 h6 24. h3 Qc6 25. Bc3 Qc4 26. Qe1 Qb3 27. Rd3 Qc4 28. Qd2 a5) 15... Nxe5 16. Bxe5 Qd7 17. h3 Bf5 18. Rac1 Rac8 19. Qf3 Be6 20. Re1 Rfd8 21. Qg3 Bf8 22. Re3 Bf5 23. Rce1 Bg6 24. h4 b5 25. Bf4 a5 26. Re5 Qc6 27. h5 f6 28. Re6 Qd7) 14... Qd7 15. Bf4 dxe5 16. Nxe5 Nxe5 17. dxe5 Rac8 18. Nd4 Rc4 19. Rac1 Rfc8 20. h3 b5 21. b3 Rxc1 22. Rxc1 a6 23. Qb2 Rc7 24. Rxc7 Qxc7 25. Qc1 Qc5 26. Be3 {Barwinska,E (2044)-Smietanska,W (2151) Suwalki POL 2025 ½-½ (44)}) 12. b4 $146 ({RR} 12. Nbd2 dxe5 13. dxe5 Bd7 14. Nf1 Be8 15. Ng3 g6 16. Bxd5 Rxd5 17. Rxd5 exd5 18. Bf4 d4 19. Rd1 Rd8 20. Ne4 Qd7 21. h3 Qd5 22. Nd6 Bxd6 23. exd6 Bd7 24. b4 a6 25. Qb2 Bxh3 26. Rd3 Bf5 {Shuvalova,P (2497)-Awoki,D (2152) chess.com INT 2023 0-1 (71)}) ({RR} 12. Bd3 a6 13. Qe4 f5 14. exf6 Nxf6 15. Qe2 Bd7 16. Nc3 Rf8 17. Bg5 Rae8 18. Qc2 h6 19. Bxf6 Bxf6 20. Ne4 Be7 21. Ng3 Qb6 22. Qe2 d5 23. Bb1 Qb3 24. Bc2 {½-½ (24) Andries,A (1816)-Loftgaard,M (2084) Odense 2021}) 12... a6 13. Bd3 b5 14. h4 dxe5 15. dxe5 Bb7 16. Ra2 Ndxb4 17. axb4 Nxb4 18. Rad2 Rxd3 19. Rxd3 Nxd3 20. Qxd3 Rd8 21. Qe2 Rxd1+ 22. Qxd1 Bxf3 23. gxf3 Qxe5 24. Qd7 Bf8 25. Be3 a5 26. Qe8 h6 27. Kg2 a4 28. Na3 b4 29. Nc4 Qc7 30. Nb6 Qe7 31. Qxa4 Qxh4 32. Qa8 Qe7 33. Qc8 b3 34. Nd7 b2 35. Nxf8 Qxf8 36. Qb7 e5 37. Qxb2 f6 38. Qc2 Qf7 39. Qf5 Kh8 40. Bd2 Kg8 41. Kg3 Kh8 42. Be3 Kg8 43. Kh2 Kh8 44. Kg2 Kg8 45. Qd3 Kh8 46. f4 exf4 47. Bxf4 Kg8 48. Qe4 Kh8 49. Be3 Kg8 50. Bd4 Kh8 51. f4 Kg8 52. Kg3 Kh8 53. Be3 Kg8 54. Bd4 Kh8 55. Be3 Kg8 56. Bd4 Kh8 1/2-1/2

[Event "London Classic 4th"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2012.12.10"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C48"]
[WhiteElo "2848"]
[BlackElo "2775"]
[Annotator "Postny,Evgeny"]
[PlyCount "121"]
[EventDate "2012.12.01"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 152"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.01.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.01.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{The clashes between the top rated player and the current World Champion are always the centre of attention.} 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. d3 {As usual, Magnus doesn't wish to enter the main line, trying, and mostly succeeding, to outplay his opponents in the long-term battle. His choice for the current game is understandable, as the opening knowledge of the World Champion is way better.} Bc5 5. Nc3 d6 {Anand likes to play with knights, so he doesn't mind allowing the exchange that now follows.} ({To avoid the exchange of the bishop that happened in the game, Black can play} 5... O-O) 6. Na4 Bb6 7. Nxb6 {Carlsen deviates from his previous game.} (7. O-O Bd7 8. c3 Ne7 9. Nxb6 axb6 10. Bxd7+ Qxd7 11. Bg5 Ng6 12. Bxf6 gxf6 13. Nd2 f5 $11 {½-½ (59) Carlsen,M (2765)-Wang Yue (2689) Baku 2008}) 7... axb6 8. c3 Bd7 9. Ba4 {White's only chance for an advantage is to keep the pair of bishops, that might tell in the long run. Therefore, he should hide his light-squared bishop from the exchange. Still, the position is equal.} Ne7 (9... O-O 10. Bc2 Ne7 11. Bg5 Ng6 12. h4 h6 13. h5 Nf4 14. Bxf4 exf4 15. Qd2 Ra5 16. Qxf4 Rxh5 17. O-O-O Rxh1 18. Rxh1 $14 {½-½ (34) Short,N (2702)-Aronian,L (2648) Reykjavik 2004}) 10. Bc2 Ng6 11. h3 O-O 12. O-O h6 ({In the following game Black performed some original rook manoeuvres:} 12... Bc6 13. Re1 Re8 14. Nh2 h6 15. Ng4 Nxg4 16. Qxg4 Re6 17. g3 Rf6 18. Qh5 Bd7 19. Be3 Ra5 $1 $132 {½-½ (48) Efimenko,Z (2637)-Almasi,Z (2640) Germany 2005}) 13. Re1 Re8 14. d4 Bc6 $1 {Attacking the e4 and forcing White to make a slight concession: either to close the centre by d4-d5 or to exchange pawns.} 15. dxe5 (15. d5 Bd7 16. c4 Nh5 $132 {[%cal Gh5f4]}) 15... dxe5 {It's obvious that Black is not experiencing any problems.} 16. Qxd8 Rexd8 $146 (16... Raxd8 17. a4 Nh5 18. Be3 Nhf4 19. Red1 f6 $11 {½-½ (24) Balogh,C (2561)-Georgiev,K (2649) Sibenik 2007}) 17. g3 Nd7 $146 {The knight is heading to the d3-square. In fact, only Black can be better here.} ({RR} 17... Bb5 18. Be3 Bd3 19. Bxd3 Rxd3 20. Nd2 Rad8 21. Re2 Kf8 22. Kf1 Ke7 23. Ke1 Ke6 24. f3 Nh5 25. Nf1 R8d7 26. Kf2 Ne7 27. Rd2 Nc6 28. Rad1 Rxd2+ 29. Rxd2 Nf6 30. g4 Rxd2+ 31. Nxd2 Nd7 32. Ke2 {Muzychuk,A (2530)-Zhai Mo (2339) Samarkand UZB 2023 ½-½ (60)}) ({RR} 17... Bb5 18. Be3 Bd3 19. Bxd3 Rxd3 20. Nd2 Rad8 21. Re2 Kf8 22. Kf1 Ke7 23. Ke1 Ke6 24. f3 Nh5 25. Nf1 R8d7 26. Kf2 Ne7 27. Rd2 Nc6 28. Rad1 Rxd2+ 29. Rxd2 Nf6 30. g4 Rxd2+ 31. Nxd2 Nd7 32. Ke2 {Muzychuk,A (2530)-Zhai Mo (2339) Samarkand UZB 2023 ½-½ (60)}) 18. Be3 Nc5 19. Nd2 (19. Bxc5 bxc5 20. a3 $11) 19... Nf8 20. f3 Nfe6 21. h4 {Magnus is not bothered by anything.} Bb5 22. a3 Rd7 $6 {It was more consistent to put the bishop on d3.} (22... Bd3 23. Bd1 b5 {Even if this position is equal, everyone would like to be on the black side.}) 23. b4 $1 Nd3 $6 (23... Ba4 $1 24. bxc5 Bxc2 $11 {Opposite coloured bishops promise a future draw.}) 24. Reb1 Ba4 25. Bxa4 Rxa4 {Anand has achieved the favourable exchange of bishops, but his knight is ensconced on d3, and just a headache for Black.} 26. Kf1 b5 27. Ke2 Ra6 28. h5 {Fixing the kingside, just in case.} c5 $6 {It's clear that Anand got worried that he may eventually lose his d3. So, he decided to liberate it now, before it is too late, even at a price of a pawn. In fact, concrete variations do not support his choice.} (28... Rc6 {[%csl Rc3]} 29. c4 ({Also after} 29. Rb3 f6 30. Rd1 Kf7 31. Nf1 Rcd6 32. Rbb1 Rd8 33. Rd2 Ke7 34. Rbd1 Nb2 {the knight escapes.}) 29... b6 $1 (29... bxc4 $2 30. b5 $16 {[%csl Rc6]}) 30. cxb5 (30. a4 bxa4 31. Rxa4 Rcd6 32. c5 bxc5 33. Nc4 Nxb4 34. Nxd6 cxd6 $11) 30... Rc2 31. a4 Nb2 32. Rc1 {[%tqu "En","Black can make a forced draw. How?","","","d7d2","",5]} Rdxd2+ $1 33. Bxd2 Nd4+ 34. Ke3 (34. Ke1 Nd3+ 35. Kd1 Nb2+ $11) 34... Nc4+ 35. Kd3 Nb2+ $11) 29. bxc5 Ndxc5 30. Rxb5 Na4 31. Rc1 Rc7 32. Nb1 {Now Black has a long fight for a draw.} f6 33. c4 b6 34. Rd5 Nac5 35. Rc2 Rc6 {All Black's pieces are well placed. It's now up to White to show some plan of improvement.} 36. Rb2 Kh7 37. Rb4 g6 $5 {This is controversial. It is, normally, recommended for the defending side to exchange pawns, but now Black gets some weaknesses on the kingside.} (37... Kg8 {[%cal Gg8f7] would be more natural.}) 38. hxg6+ Kxg6 39. Rd2 h5 40. Nc3 $5 {Of course, every existing engine would condemn this move. On the other hand, it seems impossible for White to achieve any progress only by manoeuvering. Magnus is trying to activate his pieces and create some threats against Black's vulnerable king.} Rxa3 41. Nd5 Kf7 42. Nxb6 Nb3 $1 {The knight is heading to d4.} 43. Rd7+ Ke8 {Before playing 42...b3, Anand had to bear in mind that his king might be in danger on the back rank.} 44. Rb7 Nbd4+ 45. Bxd4 Nxd4+ 46. Kd1 Kd8 $2 {After long meditation Anand decided to keep his active pieces as they are and not to take the pawn. However, this loss of tempi could bring him to the verge of losing.} (46... Ra1+ 47. Kd2 Nxf3+ 48. Kc3 Ng5 49. Nd5 Nxe4+ 50. Kb2 Rd1 51. Re7+ Kd8 52. Rh7 Kc8 53. Ne7+ Kc7 54. Nxc6+ Kxc6 {Black's compensation is sufficient for a draw.}) 47. Rd7+ $2 (47. Kc1 $1 {was very strong. The idea is to bring the king to b2, and push away Black's rook from the a-file. After that White's rook will get an opportunity to join the attack via a4.} Ne6 (47... Nxf3 48. Rg7 $1 Ne1 49. Rb5 Nd3+ 50. Kc2 Nc5 51. Nd5 $18) (47... Rxf3 $2 48. Ra4 $18 {[%csl Rd8][%cal Ga4a8]}) 48. Kb2 Rxf3 (48... Ra6 49. Rb5 {[%cal Gb6d5]} Nc7 50. Rb3 $18) 49. Ra4 Nc7 50. Raa7 $1 Rxg3 51. Rb8+ Ke7 52. Nd5+ Kd6 53. Rd8+ Kc5 54. Nxc7 Rb6+ 55. Kc2 h4 56. Rd2 Kxc4 57. Nd5 {with good winning chances.}) 47... Ke8 48. Rb7 Kd8 $2 (48... Ra1+ $1 {- see 46...a1.}) 49. Nd5 $2 ({It was the last chance for} 49. Kc1 $1) 49... Ra1+ 50. Kd2 Ra2+ 51. Rb2 (51. Kc1 {Now it wasn't so effective.} Rc2+ 52. Kd1 R6xc4 53. Rxc4 Rxc4 54. Rh7 Rc6 {and Black will eventually hold.} (54... Nxf3 $4 55. Rh8+ Kd7 56. Nb6+ $18)) 51... Rxb2+ 52. Rxb2 Nxf3+ 53. Kd3 Ng5 54. Rb8+ Kd7 55. Rb7+ Kd6 56. Nxf6 Ra6 {Black is safe now. Suddenly, all his pieces are well placed.} 57. Ne8+ Kc5 58. Rc7+ Kb4 59. Rb7+ Kc5 60. Rc7+ Kb4 61. Rb7+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "Tata Steel-A 75th"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2013.01.15"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Harikrishna, Pentala"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C44"]
[WhiteElo "2861"]
[BlackElo "2698"]
[Annotator "Marin,Mihail"]
[PlyCount "98"]
[EventDate "2013.01.12"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 153"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.03.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.03.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. c3 {Maybe not such a bad move after all. White threatens to occupy the centre with d2-d4, just "a bit" earlier than this happens in the Ruy Lopez (if Black does not interfere with this sweet plan by choosing the Open variation or the Marshall Attack, of course). And since Carlsen does not seem to be too keen to sustain long theoretical discussions, the Ponziani is the perfect one-game-opening.} ({It is interesting to compare the game position after 7 moves with that arising after} 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. d4 exd4 5. e5 d5 6. Bb5 Ne4 7. Nxd4 {Obviously, White has an extra tempo in the Ponziani (c2-c3) with respect to an entirely approved opening! In the two-knight defence, the main line goes} Bc5 {, to be cpmpared wth the similar line below.}) 3... Nf6 4. d4 d5 5. Bb5 exd4 (5... Nxe4 6. Nxe5 Bd7 7. Nxd7 (7. Qb3 {1-0 Prokopchuk,E-Sofieva,A (2385)/St Petersburg 1994/CBM 041/[Hecht] (74)}) 7... Qxd7 8. O-O Be7 9. Nd2 Nxd2 10. Bxd2 a6 11. Bd3 O-O 12. Qf3 $14 {Estrin,Y-Vasilchuk,Y/Moscow 1961/MCD (1-0, 42)}) 6. e5 Ne4 7. Nxd4 Bd7 {This looks a bit passive.} ({I have the feeling that} 7... Bc5 {may be the critical continuation anyway, even with the extra c2-c3. After all, Black does not necessarily want to put pressure on d4, but rather weaken the presure over c6 and for this reason c2-c3 is not too relevant.} 8. O-O (8. Nxc6 Bxf2+ 9. Kf1 bxc6 10. Bxc6+ Kf8 $13 {Kastell,M-Jonasson,P SVE-ch Klass corr 1999 (1-0, 23)}) 8... O-O 9. f3 (9. Bxc6 bxc6 10. Be3 Qe8 11. f3 Nd6 $15 {Gligoric,S-Keller,D Zuerich 1959 MCL [Bulletin] (1-0, 38)}) (9. Nxc6 bxc6 10. Bxc6 Ba6 11. Nd2 Bxf1 12. Nxe4 dxe4 13. Qxf1 Rb8 {Onderdelinden,D-Rosenhahn,E ICCF-Cup corr 1994 (0-1, 34)}) 9... Ng5 10. Bxc6 bxc6 11. Be3 f6 {Gligoric,S-Fischer,R Buenos Aires 1960 (1/2, 20). Well, if Fischer, on a very rare occasion when he deviated from his 1...c5, chose this line, there may be something behind it. Unfortunately, it is impossible to put these two great players, Fischer and Carlsen, who reached unthinkable rating peaks of their time, to rehearse this position against eachother...}) 8. Bxc6 bxc6 9. O-O Be7 10. Be3 {This looks logical,} ({but} 10. f3 Nc5 11. f4 {does not seem too bad either:} O-O (11... f5 $2 12. b4 Ne4 13. e6 $16 {Schneider,L (2410)-Moen,O (2315)/Eksjo 1981/MCL (1-0, 29)}) 12. Be3 $6 (12. f5 $1 {is the critical line, leaving Black with the permanent threats of e5-e6 and f5-f6.}) 12... f6 $132 {Panchev,P (2365)-Schoene,R (2360) Karl-Marx-Stadt 1990 (0-1, 42)}) 10... O-O 11. Nd2 Nc5 (11... Nxd2 12. Qxd2 c5 13. Ne2 ({It makes more sense to fight for the c5-square:} 13. Nb3 c4 14. Nc5 Bf5 15. b3 $14) 13... Bb5 14. Rfd1 Bxe2 15. Qxe2 Qd7 $11 {Dueckstein,A-Unzicker,W/Siegen 1970/EXT 2002 (1/2, 29)}) 12. b4 $146 (12. f4 $5 f5 $6 (12... a5 $6 13. f5 Nd3 14. f6 $40) (12... f6 $1 13. b4 $6 fxe5 $1) 13. b4 Ne6 $6 (13... Ne4 $14) 14. N2b3 $16 {Basman,M-Masters,D/Bath 1963/EXT 1999 (1-0, 31)}) ({RR} 12. f4 f5 13. b4 Nb7 14. N4b3 a5 15. Nc5 Nxc5 16. bxc5 a4 17. c4 Be6 18. Qc2 Ra5 19. Qc3 Qa8 20. cxd5 Bxd5 21. Bd4 Qa7 22. Rfc1 Re8 23. h3 a3 24. Rc2 Ra4 25. Rb1 Bf8 26. Kh2 Qa6 {Moufang,R-Hess,R Kassel 1976 0-1 (39)}) ({RR} 12. f4 f5 13. b4 Ne6 14. N2b3 Nxd4 15. Bxd4 Bc8 16. Re1 g5 17. fxg5 Bxg5 18. e6 Re8 19. Nc5 Bf4 20. Qh5 Qe7 21. Qxf5 Rf8 22. Qg4+ Qg5 23. Qxg5+ Bxg5 24. Rad1 Be7 25. Rd3 Rf5 26. Rg3+ Kf8 {Basman,M-Masters,D Bath/ Somerset 1963 1-0 (31)}) 12... Nb7 $6 {Too passive, I believe.} ({The provocative} 12... Nd3 $5 {may offer better chances for counterplay.} 13. f4 (13. N2f3 Nb2 14. Qc2 Nc4) 13... a5 (13... c5 14. bxc5 Nxc5 15. Qf3 $36) 14. Qc2 (14. a3 axb4 15. axb4 Rxa1 16. Qxa1 c5 $132) 14... axb4 15. Qxd3 c5 $44) 13. f4 a5 14. f5 $5 {This promising pawn sacrifice would not have been possible with the black knight on d3 rather than b7.} axb4 15. cxb4 Bxb4 16. Qg4 {White's compensation consists of two elements: his kingside threats and the idea of blocking the enemy queenside pawns on c5 and d4.} Bc3 (16... c5 $2 17. Bh6 g6 18. Nc6 $1 Bxc6 19. fxg6 hxg6 20. Rxf7 $1 $18) 17. Rac1 Bxd4 18. Bxd4 Rxa2 {It is not easy to find a good moment to fight against the blockade with ...c6-c5. This is a result of the combined threats on both wings, quite an effective method of play.} (18... c5 19. e6 cxd4 20. f6 g6 21. exd7 $16) 19. e6 f6 20. Nb3 {Now and later, Carlsen will constantly choose the static approach, refraining from turning the game dynamic. It is not easy to judge whether he was right, maybe sometimes he was and other times not, but the course of the game is suggestive for his general style.} (20. Rce1 $5 Rxd2 21. e7 Qe8 22. exf8=Q+ Qxf8 23. Qf4 Rd3 24. Qxc7 $36) 20... Be8 21. Nc5 Nd6 22. Qf3 Qe7 ({I would not resist playing} 22... Nb5 {, with constant pressure against d4. In this case, White would have enjoyed lesser freedom to build up his attack, although play would have remained slightly one-sided anyway.}) 23. Rf2 Ra5 24. Nb3 Rb5 25. Bc5 Bh5 26. Qc3 {White has achieved a faourable regrouping and can count on an advantage.} Qe8 27. Qe3 (27. Nd4 $16) 27... Qa8 (27... Ne4 28. Bxf8 Nxf2 29. Nd4 Ng4 30. Qg3 Qxf8 31. Nxb5 cxb5 32. Qxc7 $18) 28. Nd4 Rxc5 29. Rxc5 Ne4 30. Nxc6 Nxf2 31. Kxf2 Qa2+ 32. Kg3 Re8 33. h3 $16 {The position has calmed down, White has exchanged all the superfluous pieces and can enjoy his blockade. Black can only sit and wait to be crushed.} Qa6 34. Qc3 Be2 35. Rxd5 Bb5 36. Nb4 Qb7 37. Qc5 Ba4 38. Rd7 Qe4 39. Rxc7 h5 40. Kh2 Kh7 41. Qf2 Rg8 42. Na6 Be8 43. Rc5 Qd3 44. Nb4 Qd6+ 45. Kh1 Qd1+ 46. Qg1 Qd6 47. Nd5 Rf8 48. Qd4 Kh8 49. Rc8 Bc6 1-0

[Event "Tata Steel-A 75th"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2013.01.17"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C42"]
[WhiteElo "2772"]
[BlackElo "2861"]
[Annotator "Marin,Mihail"]
[PlyCount "47"]
[EventDate "2013.01.12"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 153"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.03.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.03.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nxe5 d6 4. Nf3 Nxe4 5. d4 Be7 6. Bd3 Nf6 7. O-O O-O 8. h3 (8. Nc3 {would have transposed to Karjakin,S (2780)-Wang Hao (2752)/Wijk aan Zee 2013/CBM 153 (1-0, 42), in which a completely different line was played: 5.c3.}) 8... Re8 9. Nc3 ({RR} 9. Re1 Nbd7 10. Nbd2 Nf8 11. Nf1 c6 12. Ng3 Ng6 13. c3 Bd7 14. Qc2 Nd5 15. Bd2 a5 16. a3 b5 17. a4 b4 18. c4 Nc7 19. Nf5 Bxf5 20. Bxf5 Bf6 21. g3 Nf8 22. h4 Nce6 23. Be3 g6 {Assaubayeva,B (2509)-Radjabov,T (2692) Moscow RUS 2025 1-0 (62)}) 9... Nbd7 10. Re1 Nf8 $146 ({RR} 10... c6 11. Bf4 Nf8 12. Qd2 Ng6 13. Bh2 Bd7 14. Re2 Qa5 15. Rae1 Bf8 16. a3 Rxe2 17. Rxe2 Qh5 18. Qg5 Qxg5 19. Nxg5 Re8 20. Rxe8 Bxe8 21. Nce4 Nxe4 22. Nxe4 d5 23. Nd6 Bxd6 24. Bxd6 Bd7 25. f4 {Tokovic,S (2246)-Seres,B (2223) Hungary 2018 ½-½ (46)}) 11. d5 {Ambitious, but not really effective as the game proves.} (11. Bf4 Ng6 12. Bh2 a6 13. a4 d5 14. Ne5 c6 15. Ne2 Ne4 16. c3 a5 $11 {Landa,K (2643)-David,A (2548)/Clermont-Ferrand FRA 2003/ (1/2, 48)}) 11... c6 12. Bf4 Bd7 13. Bc4 Ng6 14. Bg3 Rc8 15. dxc6 Bxc6 16. Bb3 d5 17. Qd3 Qb6 18. Nxd5 Bxd5 19. Bxd5 Nxd5 20. Qxd5 Qxb2 21. Rab1 Qxc2 22. Rxb7 Red8 23. Qb3 Qxb3 24. axb3 1/2-1/2

[Event "Tata Steel-A 75th"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2013.01.18"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Sokolov, Ivan"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C78"]
[WhiteElo "2861"]
[BlackElo "2663"]
[Annotator "Carlsen,Magnus"]
[PlyCount "95"]
[EventDate "2013.01.12"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 153"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.03.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.03.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O b5 6. Bb3 Bb7 7. d3 Bc5 8. a4 O-O 9. Bg5 ({The complications that arise after Die Komplikation, die nach} 9. Nc3 Na5 {have been working well for Black, as far as I know. The text is a more positional approach, aiming for a slight advantage. entstehen, haben für Schwarz gut funktoniert, soweit ich weiß. Der Text ist eine positionellere Herangehensweise, die auf einen kleinen Vorteil abzielt.}) 9... h6 10. Bh4 d6 ({RR} 10... Be7 11. axb5 axb5 12. Rxa8 Qxa8 13. Na3 Qa5 14. Bd5 d6 15. c4 bxc4 16. Nxc4 Qb5 17. Ne3 Bc8 18. Bxf6 Bxf6 19. Qc2 Bd7 20. Ra1 Rb8 21. b3 Bd8 22. Bc4 Qc5 23. h3 Nb4 24. Qd1 c6 25. Rc1 {Nepomniachtchi,I (2784)-Caruana,F (2835) chess24.com INT 2020 ½-½ (68)}) ({RR} 10... Be7 11. Bg3 d6 12. Na3 b4 13. Nc4 Bc8 14. h3 Be6 15. a5 Rb8 16. Re1 Qc8 17. c3 Qb7 18. Nfd2 Nd7 19. Bc2 Bg5 20. Qe2 Bxd2 21. Nxd2 Qa7 22. Ba4 Ne7 23. Nf3 bxc3 24. bxc3 Nc5 25. Bc2 {Lavrencic,M (2446)-Trushko,A (2131) Petrovac MNE 2025 0-1 (45)}) 11. c3 Qe7 $146 {Ivan went for this after a bit of thought. I assumed the plan was to go d8-e6 at some point, while staying flexible and keeping the option of going g5 at the appropriate juncture. Dies wählte Ivan nach ein wenig Nachdenken. Ich vermute, der Plan war, d8-e6 an irgendeiner Stelle zu spielen und dabei flexibel zu bleiben und sich die Möglichkeit zu g5 im passenden Moment vorzubehalten.} ({RR} 11... g5 12. Bg3 Kg7 13. Na3 Bxa3 14. Rxa3 Nd7 15. h4 f6 16. d4 Ne7 17. Re1 Ng6 18. Be6 Nb6 19. a5 Qe8 20. Bf5 Nc8 21. c4 b4 22. Rd3 Nce7 23. Bg4 Nf4 24. Bxf4 gxf4 25. Nd2 exd4 26. Rxd4 {Dvoirys,S (2595)-Fontaine,R (2537) Moscow 2005 1-0 (37)}) ({RR} 11... g5 12. Bg3 Qe7 13. Na3 Bxa3 14. bxa3 Na5 15. Bc2 c5 16. Re1 Bc8 17. axb5 axb5 18. Rb1 Rb8 19. a4 b4 20. cxb4 cxb4 21. d4 Bg4 22. d5 Rfc8 23. Bd3 Rc3 24. Bb5 b3 25. Qd2 Rbc8 26. Bc6 {Atakisi,U (2355)-Furhoff,J (2328) Izmir 2013 0-1 (60)}) 12. Na3 {This is just awful, especially in combination with my next move. Das ist einfach schrecklich, vor allem in Kombination mit meinem nächsten Zug.} (12. Nbd2 {would have been the sane choice. wäre die gesunde Wahl gewesen.}) (12. Kh1 {was played in one of the three games that reached this position. It probably makes more sense than what I did. wurde in einer der drei Partien gespielt, die diese Stellung erreichten. Es ist vermutlich sinnvoller als das, was ich tat.}) 12... Na5 {Of course.  Natürlich.} 13. Bc2 ({I had assumed that Ich hatte angenommen, dass} 13. axb5 Nxb3 14. Qxb3 {would work out for me, but Black actually has several good options here, including the simple für mich funktionieren würde, tatsächlich aber hat Schwarz hier sogar mehrere gute Möglichkeiten, darunter das einfache} Rfb8 15. Qc2 (15. bxa6 Bxe4 16. Qd1 Bxf3 17. Qxf3 g5 18. b4 Bb6 {and ...xa6 und ...xa6}) 15... Bxa3 16. Rxa3 axb5 {and Black is absolutely fine. und Schwarz steht absolut ordentlich.}) (13. Ba2 {was another option, but after the simple war eine andere Option, aber nach dem einfachen} Bxa3 14. bxa3 c5 {it appeared to me that Black would have too easy a game, with c4 coming up, so I decided to keep the tension at the cost of two tempi. schien mir, dass Schwarz, mit bevorstehendem c4, zu leichtes Spiel haben würde, daher beschloss ich, auf Kosten zweier Tempi die Spannung aufrechtzuerhalten.}) 13... b4 14. Nb1 g5 15. Bg3 Nh5 {Obviously, Black is doing well now. However, the white position still has some long-term potential, especially based on the potentially offside knight on a5 (spoiler alert: it did not make another move in the game). Offenkundig steht Schwarz jetzt gut. Allerdings hat die weiße Stellung dennoch langfristiges Potential, vor allem basierend auf dem potentiell abseits stehenden Springer auf a5 (Spielverderberalarm: Er machte in der Partie keinen Zug mehr).} 16. Nbd2 Ba7 17. Re1 bxc3 18. bxc3 Nxg3 19. hxg3 Qf6 20. Qe2 Rfb8 21. Rab1 Bc8 22. Nf1 {It seems that White is not really worse here, but it was only after the next move that I really started to hope for something more. Es scheint, dass Weiß hier nicht wirklich schlechter steht, aber erst nach dem nächsten Zug begann ich tatsächlich, auf etwas mehr zu hoffen.} Rxb1 {In slight time pressure Ivan decided to simplify. However, the double rook exchange loses crucial time, allowing me to get in e3 and d4. In slight time pressure Ivan decided to simplify. However, the double rook exchange loses crucial time, allowing me to get in e3 and d4.} (22... Be6 {or most other sensible moves would have been absolutely fine. oder die meisten anderen vernünftigen Züge wären absolut in Ordnung gewesen.}) 23. Rxb1 Rb8 24. Rxb8 Bxb8 25. Ne3 Ba7 (25... Nc6 26. Nh2 {with g4 to come would also have been unpleasant. mit g4 im Fahrwasser wäre ebenfalls unangenehm gewesen.}) 26. d4 {This is the point. I have time to develop an initiative before he can bring the knight and bishop back into play. Das ist der Punkt. Ich habe Zeit, eine Initiative zu entwickeln, bevor er Springer und Läufer wieder ins Spiel bringen kann.} g4 {This just allows the second knight to jump in. Dies erlaubt nur dem zweiten Springer, ins Spiel einzugreifen.} (26... exd4 27. cxd4 Bxd4 28. Nd5 {is no good either, but taugt ebenfalls nichts, aber}) (26... c6 {would still have been reasonably solid. wäre noch immer halbwegs solide gewesen.}) 27. Nd5 Qd8 28. Nh4 c6 (28... exd4 29. Nf5 {spells disaster for Black. bedeutet Unheil für Schwarz.}) 29. Ne3 h5 (29... exd4 30. Nhf5 {is similar to the previous note. ist ähnlich der vorigen Anmerkung.}) 30. Nhf5 Qf6 31. Qd3 Bb6 32. Bb1 Kf8 33. Ba2 Bc7 {I've achieved everything I wanted , but it's still not easy to break through, as attempts to play on the kingside with f3 or f4 did not appear convincing at all. I decided that I probably needed to attack a6 somehow, possibly after including d5 ...c5. Ich habe alles erreicht, was ich wollte, aber es ist immer noch nicht leicht durchzubrigen, denn Versuche, mit f3 oder f4 am Königsflügel zu spielen, schienen keineswegs überzeugend. Ich entschied, dass ich wahrscheinlich irgendwie a6 angreifen müssen, womöglich nach dem Einschub von d5 ...c5.} 34. Qb1 Ke8 35. Qb4 {Now the bishop is going to d3, and the queen to e2 or f1. Jetzt geht der Läufer nach d3, und die Dame nach e2 oder f1.} d5 {A tempting move, especially in time-trouble, but now the centralised white pieces will rule. Ein verlockendere Zug, vor allem in Zeitnot, aber jetzt werden die zentralisierten weißen Figuren herrschen.} ({However, passive defence was also unpromising, for instance Passive Verteidigung war allerdings auch nicht verlockend, zum Beispiel} 35... Kf8 36. Bb1 Ke8 37. Bd3 Kf8 38. Qb1 Kg8 39. d5 c5 40. Qf1 Bd7 41. Bxa6 Bxa4 42. Bb5 Bb3 43. f3 gxf3 44. gxf3 {and the black kingside is helpless, with all the minor pieces stranded on the queenside. und mit allen Leichtfiguren am Damenflügel gestrandet, ist der schwarze Königsflügel ist hilflos.}) 36. Bb1 exd4 37. cxd4 dxe4 38. Bxe4 Be6 {This loses, but it is hard to suggest anything better.  Das verliert, aber es fällt schwer, etwas Besseres vorzuschlagen.} 39. Qc5 Kd7 40. d5 cxd5 41. Nxd5 Bxd5 42. Qxd5+ Kc8 43. Ne3 {Material is still equal, but the difference in activity and king safety is simply too huge. Das Material ist noch ausgeglichen, aber der Unterschied in punkto Aktivität und Königssicherheit ist einfach zu riesig.} Qa1+ 44. Kh2 Qxa4 (44... h4 {was the one move I needed to calculate, but it is not too hard to see that after war der einzige Zug, den ich berechnen musste, aber es fällt nicht allzu schwer zu sehen, dass nach} 45. Qa8+ Kd7 46. Bf5+ Ke7 47. Nd5+ Kd6 48. Nxc7 hxg3+ 49. fxg3 Kxc7 50. Qc8+ Kb6 51. Qd8+ Ka7 52. Qxa5 Qh8+ 53. Kg1 Qd4+ 54. Kf1 {White easily escapes the checks and wins. Weiß mühelos den Schachs entkommt und gewinnt.}) 45. Qa8+ Kd7 46. Nd5 {This one is just lazy. I played it fairly quickly, assuming that ...d8, which he did in fact play, was the only move. Der ist einfach faul. Ich spielte ihn recht schnell in der Annahme, dass ...d8, was er in der Tat auch spielte, der einzige Zug war.} (46. Bf5+ Ke7 47. Qa7 Qc6 48. Qd4 {Centralisation! And the threat of d5 is lethal. Zentralisation! Und die Drohung d5 ist tödlich.}) 46... Bd8 (46... Qc6 {would have allowed Black to fight on for a while, as there is no clear-cut win. hätte Schwarz erlaubt, eine Weile weiterzukämpfen, denn einen klaren Gewinn gibt es nicht..} 47. Qh8 Qe6 48. Qxh5 Kd6) (46... Qd4 47. Qf8 Qe5 48. Qxf7+ Kc6 49. Nf6+ Kb5 50. Bd3+ Kc6 51. Nxh5 {would also have prolonged the resistance. hätte den Widerstand ebenfalls verlängert.}) 47. Bf5+ Ke8 48. Qc8 {This one he evidently missed. There is no defence to d7+ followed by f6+, so he resigned. Das hatte er offenbar übersehen. Es gibt keine Verteidigung gegen d7+ nebst f6+, daher gab er auf.} 1-0

[Event "Tata Steel-A 75th"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2013.01.19"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Leko, Peter"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C67"]
[WhiteElo "2735"]
[BlackElo "2861"]
[PlyCount "166"]
[EventDate "2013.01.12"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 153"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.03.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.03.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. Re1 Nd6 6. Nxe5 Be7 7. Bf1 Nxe5 8. Rxe5 O-O 9. d4 Ne8 10. d5 d6 11. Re1 Bg5 12. Nc3 Bxc1 13. Rxc1 Nf6 14. Qd4 Bd7 15. Ne4 $146 ({RR} 15. h3 Re8 16. g4 h6 17. Bg2 Re7 18. f4 Qe8 19. Kf2 Nh7 20. Bf3 f5 21. Rg1 fxg4 22. hxg4 Qf7 23. Rce1 Rf8 24. Rxe7 Qxe7 25. Ne2 Qh4+ 26. Ke3 Nf6 27. Kd2 Nxg4 28. Qxa7 Nh2 29. Qe3 Bb5 {Guliyev,N (2565)-Hirneise,T (2459) Germany 2017 ½-½ (42)}) 15... Re8 16. Nxf6+ Qxf6 17. Qxf6 gxf6 18. Red1 a5 19. f3 Kg7 20. Kf2 a4 21. Rd4 Ra5 22. Rcd1 Rc5 23. R1d2 Ra8 24. Rc4 b6 25. b4 axb3 26. cxb3 Ra3 27. b4 Rxc4 28. Bxc4 f5 29. f4 h6 30. Rd3 Rxd3 31. Bxd3 b5 32. Be2 Kg6 33. Ke3 Kf6 34. Kd4 Ke7 35. Bh5 Bc8 36. Be2 Bd7 37. Kc3 Kd8 38. Bh5 Ke7 39. a3 Ke8 40. Be2 Ke7 41. Kd4 Ke8 42. Ke3 Ke7 43. Kf2 Kf6 44. Kg3 Kg7 45. Kh4 Kg8 46. Kh5 Kh7 47. Bf1 Kg7 48. Bd3 f6 49. Kh4 Kf8 50. Kg3 Ke7 51. Kf2 Kd8 52. Ke3 Ke7 53. Be2 Be8 54. Kd4 Kd8 55. Bd3 Bd7 56. Bc2 Ke7 57. Bd1 Be8 58. Be2 Kd8 59. Ke3 Ke7 60. Bd3 Bd7 61. Kf3 Kf8 62. Kg3 Kg7 63. Kh4 Kg8 64. h3 Kg7 65. Be2 Be8 66. Bf3 Bf7 67. Kg3 Kf8 68. Kf2 Ke7 69. Ke3 Be8 70. Kd4 Kd8 71. Be2 Ke7 72. Kc3 Kd8 73. Bd1 Ke7 74. Bf3 Kd8 75. Be2 Ke7 76. Bd3 Bd7 77. Kd2 Kd8 78. Ke3 Ke7 79. Kf2 Kf8 80. Kg3 Kg7 81. Kh4 Kg8 82. Be2 Be8 83. Kg3 Kf8 1/2-1/2

[Event "Tata Steel-A 75th"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2013.01.22"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Hou, Yifan"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C44"]
[WhiteElo "2603"]
[BlackElo "2861"]
[Annotator "Marin,Mihail"]
[PlyCount "132"]
[EventDate "2013.01.12"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 153"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.03.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.03.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 {Abasov,Nijat} e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. c3 {Is this a psychologyc joke? Did Hou Yifan hope to make Carlsen feel uncomfortable by using his own weapon against him? A double edged experiment...} Nf6 ({RR} 3... d5 4. Qa4) 4. d4 exd4 ({RR} 4... Nxe4 5. d5 Bc5 ({RR} 5... Ne7 6. Nxe5) 6. dxc6 Bxf2+ 7. Ke2 Bb6 8. Qd5 Nf2 9. Rg1 O-O 10. cxb7 Bxb7 11. Qxb7 Qf6 12. Qd5 c6) 5. e5 Nd5 {With a bit of imagination, we can notice some similarities with the Alapin Sicilian.} (5... Ne4 6. Qe2 f5 7. exf6 d5 $13 {De Mondragon,J-Palciauskas,V/USA 1972/Corr Nr. 1 (0-1, 25)}) 6. Bc4 (6. cxd4 Bb4+ {Kanmazalp,O (2379)-Atalik,S (2608)/Golden Sands 2012/CBM 149/[Atalik,S] (0-1, 41)}) ({RR} 6. cxd4) ({RR} 6. Bb5) 6... Nb6 7. Bb3 d5 (7... d6 {looks quite allright, too:} 8. O-O (8. Ng5 Nxe5 9. cxd4 h6) 8... Be7 (8... dxe5 9. Ng5) 9. exd6 ({RR} 9. cxd4 dxe5 10. Nxe5 Nxe5 11. dxe5 Qxd1 12. Rxd1 Be6 ({RR} 12... a5) 13. Bxe6 fxe6 14. Nc3 Kf7) 9... Qxd6 10. Nxd4 ({RR} 10. cxd4 Bg4) 10... Nxd4 11. cxd4 Be6 12. Bxe6 Qxe6 13. Re1 {Strategically, Black is doing great, and the pressure along the e-file allows White only to avoid getting the worse of it.} Qd7 14. Qe2 Nd5 15. Nc3 Nxc3 16. bxc3 O-O $1 17. Rb1 (17. Qxe7 $2 Rae8 $19) 17... b6 18. Bf4 Bd6 {1/2 Sermek,D (2495)-Mikhalchishin,A (2520)/Portoroz 1993/CBM 037}) ({RR} 7... Be7 8. O-O ({RR} 8. cxd4 d6) 8... d6 ({RR} 8... dxc3 9. Nxc3 O-O 10. Bf4 d6) 9. exd6 Qxd6 10. Nxd4 Nxd4 11. cxd4 c6 12. Nc3 O-O 13. Re1 Bf6 14. Be3 ({RR} 14. Ne4 Qxd4 15. Qh5 ({RR} 15. Qf3 Be6 ({RR} 15... Nd5 16. Rd1 Qe5 17. Bxd5 cxd5 18. Rxd5) 16. Bh6 Be5 17. Rad1 Qb4 18. Qh5) 15... Nd5 16. Bd2 Qxb2 17. Bxd5 cxd5 18. Nxf6+ Qxf6 19. Bb4 Be6 20. Bxf8 Rxf8) ({RR} 14. Qh5 Be6 15. Ne4 Qxd4 16. Bg5 Bxg5 17. Nxg5 h6 18. Nxe6 fxe6 19. Bxe6+ Kh8) 14... Bf5 ({RR} 14... Be6 15. Ne4 ({RR} 15. Bc2 Rad8 16. Ne4 Qe7 17. Qd3 g6 18. Nxf6+ Qxf6) 15... Bxb3 ({RR} 15... Qe7 16. d5) 16. Nxd6 ({RR} 16. Qxb3 Qd8) 16... Bxd1 17. Raxd1 Nd5 18. Nxb7 Rfb8 19. Na5 Rxb2 20. Nxc6 Rxa2 21. Ra1 Rxa1 22. Rxa1 Re8) 15. Qf3 Qd7 16. h3 Rad8 17. Rad1 Nd5 18. Bxd5 cxd5 19. Bf4 Bc2 ({RR} 19... Bg6 20. Be5 Bg5 21. Qg3 ({RR} 21. Bf4) 21... f6 ({RR} 21... Bh6 22. Bc7 Rde8 23. Bd6) 22. Bf4 ({RR} 22. Bc7 Rde8) 22... Bxf4 23. Qxf4) 20. Rd2 Bg6 21. Be5 Bg5 ({RR} 21... Be7) 22. Rde2 {Abasov,N (2670)-Esipenko,A (2654) Prague 2020 CBM 206 Extra [Abasov,Nijat] 1-0 (39)} {RR} b5 ({RR} 22... Rfe8 23. Bc7 Rxe2 24. Qxe2 Rc8 25. Qg4 Qxg4 26. hxg4 Bd2 27. Nxd5) 23. h4 Bxh4 24. Qf4 b4 25. Nd1 f6 26. Qxh4 fxe5 27. dxe5 Qe6 28. Qd4) ({RR} 7... dxc3 8. Nxc3) 8. cxd4 Bg4 {An interesting position and I would say no less consistent than those arising from more popular openings. White has the centre, Black intends to undermine it. Just playing in according to the basic rules. Maybe the Ponziani should be tried more often?} 9. Be3 (9. Nc3 Be7 10. h3 Bh5 (10... Bxf3 11. gxf3 Qd7 12. f4 g6) 11. Be3 Qd7 {Emma,J-Pilnik,H/Buenos Aires 1972/EXT 99 (0-1, 43)}) 9... f6 $146 ({It is hard to say whether this pawn break should be played with or without the intermedioate check on b4:} 9... Bb4+ 10. Nc3 f6 11. h3 Bh5 12. g4 Bg6 13. O-O Qd7 $13 {Barrenechea Bahamonde,G (2261)-Maiorov,N (2574)/Paleochora 2012/ (0-1, 39). Carlsen probably thought that the bishop on f8 is more active than the knight on b1. This way, the developing moves from the previous game should favour White abstratly speaking.}) ({RR} 9... Na5 10. Bc2 Nac4 11. O-O Be7 12. b3 Nxe3 13. fxe3 O-O 14. Nc3 Qd7 15. Qd3 g6 16. Qd2 c5 17. h3 Be6 18. Ne2 Rac8 19. Nf4 c4 20. Qf2 Bf5 21. Bxf5 Qxf5 22. g4 Qd7 23. Qg2 c3 24. h4 {Shandrygin,N (2209)-Kalyani Sirin (2243) chess.com INT 2025 1-0 (41)}) 10. O-O $146 ({RR} 10. exf6 Qxf6 11. Nbd2 Bb4 12. h3 Bxd2+ 13. Kxd2 Bxf3 14. Qxf3 Qxf3 15. gxf3 Rf8 16. Rhg1 g6 17. Rg3 a5 18. a4 Ne7 19. Rc1 c6 20. Re1 Kd7 21. Bc2 Nf5 22. Bxf5+ Rxf5 23. b3 Raf8 24. Ke2 Nc8 {Khodko,Y (2249)-Christiansen,J (2659) chess.com INT 2024 0-1 (65)}) ({RR} 10. h3 Bh5 11. Nc3) ({RR} 10. exf6 Qxf6 11. Nbd2 Bb4 12. h3 Bxd2+ 13. Kxd2 Bxf3 14. Qxf3 Qxf3 15. gxf3 Rf8 16. Rhg1 g6 17. Rg3 a5 18. a4 Ne7 19. Rc1 c6 20. Re1 Kd7 21. Bc2 Nf5 22. Bxf5+ Rxf5 23. b3 Raf8 24. Ke2 Nc8 {Khodko,Y (2249)-Christiansen,J (2659) chess.com INT 2024 0-1 (65)}) 10... Qd7 11. h3 Bh5 12. e6 $5 {A bit too optimistic, I assume.} ({White should have kept developing:} 12. Re1 O-O-O 13. Nc3 Kb8 14. Rc1 {with chances to retain some pressure.}) 12... Qd6 $1 (12... Qxe6 13. Ng5 fxg5 (13... Bxd1 14. Nxe6 Bxb3 15. Nxc7+ Kd7 16. Nxa8 $16) 14. Qxh5+ g6 15. Qxg5 $36) 13. Nc3 O-O-O 14. a4 a5 15. Nb5 Qxe6 16. Bf4 Rd7 17. Re1 Qf7 18. Rc1 Bb4 19. Re3 g5 20. Bh2 Nc4 21. Bxc4 dxc4 $15 {Black has stabilized, ha san extra pawn, and even if he loses it somehow, his position is better strategically.} 22. Qc2 (22. g4 Bg6 23. Nd2 Bd3 $15) 22... Bxf3 {I would thin twice before making his concession. Apparently, Carlsen was confident in his ability to maintain the advantage during the process of simplifications.} ({I would prefer} 22... Bg6 23. Qxc4 Qxc4 24. Rxc4 Bf7 25. Rc2 Rhd8 $17 {[%cal Gh7h5]}) 23. Rxf3 Nxd4 24. Nxd4 Rxd4 25. Be5 {Could he have missed this, as a result of premature relaxing? Sounds almost like a blasphemie, but 2800+ are human, too.} Rd2 26. Qf5+ Qd7 27. Qxf6 Re8 28. Bg3 Rd4 29. Rf1 g4 30. hxg4 Rxg4 31. Rf4 h5 32. Rxg4 hxg4 33. Rc1 c3 34. bxc3 Bc5 {Despite having given away the bishops pair and the extra pawn, Black maintains the better chances because of his safer king.} 35. Qg5 b6 36. c4 Re4 37. Qg6 Re2 38. Kf1 Qd2 39. Qxg4+ Kb8 40. Qxe2 Qxc1+ 41. Qe1 Qxc4+ 42. Qe2 Qxa4 43. Be5 Bd4 44. Bxd4 Qxd4 45. g4 Qd5 46. Qe8+ (46. f4 Qh1+ 47. Kf2 Qh2+ 48. Kf3 Qxe2+ 49. Kxe2 Kc8 {Three connected pawns can put the enemy king in zugzwang, while two pwns cannot do the same.} 50. Kd3 Kd7 51. Kc4 c5 52. Kb5 Ke7 53. Ka4 c4 54. Ka3 b5 55. Kb2 a4 {and so on.}) 46... Kb7 47. Qa4 b5 48. Qxa5 Qd1+ 49. Qe1 Qxg4 50. Qe5 Qc4+ 51. Kg2 Qc6+ 52. Kf1 b4 53. f4 b3 54. f5 Ka6 55. Qa1+ Kb6 56. Qh8 Qc1+ 57. Kg2 Qc2+ 58. Kh1 b2 59. Qb8+ Ka5 60. Qa7+ Kb4 61. Qb7+ Ka3 62. Qf3+ Qb3 63. Qa8+ Qa4 64. Qf3+ Ka2 65. Qd5+ Ka1 66. Qe5 c5 0-1

[Event "Tata Steel-A 75th"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2013.01.23"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "L'Ami, Erwin"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B18"]
[WhiteElo "2861"]
[BlackElo "2627"]
[Annotator "Gormally,Daniel"]
[PlyCount "129"]
[EventDate "2013.01.12"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 153"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.03.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.03.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 {Lukacs,Peter} c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nd2 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Bf5 5. Ng3 Bg6 6. Bc4 e6 7. N1e2 b5 $5 {An unusual approach, L'Ami is trying to seize early control over some useful squares on the queenside. However such an approach is not without its drawbacks - serious weaknesses are being created on the queenside.} (7... Bd6 {is perhaps more prudent.} 8. Nf4 Bxf4 9. Bxf4 Nf6 10. O-O O-O 11. c3 Nbd7 12. Qe2 Re8 13. Rad1 a5 14. Rfe1 a4 15. Bd3 Bxd3 16. Qxd3 Qa5 17. c4 Qa6 18. Qc2 Rad8 19. h3 Nb6 20. b3 Nbd7 21. Rd2 Ra8 22. Nf1 Qb6 23. Bd6 axb3 24. axb3 c5 25. dxc5 Nxc5 26. Bxc5 Qxc5 27. Ne3 h5 28. Red1 Qb4 29. Qb1 b5 30. Rd4 Rab8 31. Qd3 bxc4 32. bxc4 Rec8 33. Rd6 Qc5 34. Qd4 Qxd4 35. R6xd4 Kf8 36. Kf1 Ke7 37. g4 Rc5 38. f4 hxg4 39. hxg4 g5 40. f5 Re5 41. Re1 Re4 42. Rxe4 Nxe4 43. fxe6 fxe6 44. Ke2 Kd6 45. Ra1 Rb2+ 46. Ke1 Kc5 47. Rd1 Rb3 48. Nf1 Kxc4 49. Rd8 Kc5 50. Rd7 Ra3 51. Rd8 Rh3 52. Rd7 Rb3 53. Rd8 Rb2 54. Ne3 Rh2 55. Rd7 Ra2 56. Rd8 Nf6 57. Rf8 Nd7 58. Rd8 Ne5 59. Kf1 Nf3 60. Nc2 Nh2+ 61. Kg1 Nf3+ 62. Kf1 e5 63. Ne3 e4 64. Rd5+ Kb4 65. Rd8 Rh2 66. Rd7 Kc3 67. Nd1+ Kc2 68. Ne3+ Kc1 69. Rd1+ Kb2 70. Rd7 Kb3 71. Rc7 Nd4 72. Rc8 Rh3 73. Nd5 Rf3+ 74. Kg2 Rd3 75. Kf2 Ne6 76. Ne3 Nf4 77. Re8 Nh3+ 78. Ke2 Nf4+ 79. Kf2 Rd2+ 80. Kf1 Rd4 81. Rc8 Ra4 82. Kf2 Ra2+ 83. Kf1 Nd3 84. Nd5 Rf2+ 85. Kg1 Rd2 86. Ne3 Re2 87. Nd5 Nf4 88. Ne7 e3 89. Nf5 Rg2+ 90. Kh1 e2 91. Nd4+ Kb4 92. Nc2+ Kb3 93. Nd4+ Kb4 94. Nc2+ Kb5 95. Nd4+ Kb6 96. Rc1 Rf2 97. Kg1 Nh3+ {0-1 Campora,D (2505)-Dreev,A (2690)/Dos Hermanas 2003/CBM 095}) ({RR} 7... Bb4+ 8. c3 Bd6 9. h4 h6 10. Nf4 Bxf4 11. Bxf4 Nf6 12. h5 ({RR} 12. Qe2) 12... Bh7 13. O-O ({RR} 13. Qf3 O-O 14. O-O-O) 13... O-O 14. Bb3 a5 15. c4 ({RR} 15. Re1 Nbd7 16. Qf3 a4 17. Bc4 b5 18. Bf1) 15... b5 ({RR} 15... Nbd7 16. c5) 16. a3 ({RR} 16. cxb5 cxb5) 16... a4 17. Ba2 bxc4 18. Bxc4 Nd5 19. Bxd5 ({RR} 19. Be5 Nd7) 19... Qxd5 ({RR} 19... cxd5 20. Qg4 ({RR} 20. Rc1 Nd7) 20... Nc6 21. Bxh6 Qf6 22. Be3) 20. Qg4 ({RR} 20. Re1 Nd7 21. Rc1 Rfc8) 20... Kh8 ({RR} 20... Qxd4 21. Rad1 Qxb2 22. Bxh6 f5 23. Qg5 Qb7 ({RR} 23... Qf6 24. Qxf6 Rxf6 25. Bf4) 24. Rd8 ({RR} 24. Rfe1 Kh8) 24... Na6) 21. Be5 f6 ({RR} 21... Rg8 22. Rfe1) 22. Bf4 {Svidler,P (2735)-Izoria,Z (2600) Mallorca 2004 CBM 104 [Lukacs,Peter] ½-½ (43)}) ({RR} 7... Bd6 8. h4 h6 9. Nf4 Bxf4 ({RR} 9... Ne7) 10. Bxf4 Nf6 11. Qd2 ({RR} 11. Qe2 Nd5 ({RR} 11... Qxd4 12. Be5 Qd8 ({RR} 12... Qc5 13. O-O-O Bxc2 14. Bd6 Bxd1 15. Rxd1 Qa5 16. Bxe6 fxe6 17. Qxe6+ Kd8 18. Bb4+ Qd5 19. Be7+ Kc7 20. Bd6+ Kb6 21. Qe3+ Ka6 22. Rxd5 Nxd5 23. Qa3+) 13. Rd1) ({RR} 11... O-O 12. h5 Bh7 13. O-O-O Nbd7 ({RR} 13... b5 14. Bd3 Bxd3 15. Rxd3 Qd5 16. Kb1 Nbd7 17. f3 Rfc8 ({RR} 17... c5 18. dxc5 Qc6 19. Qd2 Rfc8 20. b4 a5 21. Bxh6 gxh6 22. Qxh6 axb4 23. Ne4 Qa6 24. a3 e5 25. Nd6 Rxc5 26. Nf5) 18. Ne4 Nxh5 19. Bd2 Nhf6 20. g4 Nh7 21. Qh2 Ndf8 22. Bxh6 gxh6 23. Qxh6 Qd8 24. g5) 14. Kb1 ({RR} 14. f3 b5 15. Bd3 ({RR} 15. Bb3 a5 16. a3 Qb6 17. Bd6 Rfc8 18. Ne4 Nxe4 19. fxe4 c5 20. dxc5 Nxc5)) 14... Qa5 15. f3 b5 16. Bd3 Bxd3 17. Rxd3 c5 18. Bd6 Rfc8 19. dxc5 Nxc5 20. Bxc5 Rxc5 21. Ne4 Nxe4 22. Qxe4) ({RR} 11... Nbd7 12. O-O-O ({RR} 12. h5 Bh7 13. O-O-O Nd5 14. Bd2 N7f6 ({RR} 14... Qc7) 15. Bd3 ({RR} 15. f3 Nb6 16. Bb3 a5 17. a3 O-O 18. Kb1 Re8) 15... Bxd3 16. Qxd3) 12... Nd5 ({RR} 12... O-O 13. Bd3 Bxd3 14. Rxd3 Qa5 15. Kb1 Rfe8)) ({RR} 11... b5 12. Bd3 ({RR} 12. Bb3 O-O 13. c3 Nd5 14. Be5 Nd7 15. Rd1 N7b6 16. Qg4 Nf6 17. Qf3 Nfd5 18. Qg4 Nf6 19. Bxf6 Qxf6 20. Ne4 Qe7 21. O-O a5) 12... Bxd3 13. Qxd3 Nbd7 14. O-O-O Nb6 15. Be5 Nbd5 16. Kb1 O-O 17. Ne2 Nh7 18. g4 f6 19. Bg3 Re8 20. f4 Nf8 21. Qf3) 12. Bd2 Bxc2 13. Nh5 Kf8 14. Rh3 Bg6 15. Nf4 Nxf4 16. Bxf4 h5 17. O-O-O Nd7 18. Rg3 Bf5 19. Rg5 Nb6 20. f3 f6 21. Rxf5 exf5 22. Bb3 Qd7) ({RR} 11. h5 Bh7 12. c3 ({RR} 12. Qd2 Nbd7 13. O-O-O Nd5) ({RR} 12. Qe2) ({RR} 12. O-O Nbd7 13. Bb3 O-O 14. Re1 Qb6 15. c4 c5 16. d5 exd5 17. cxd5 Qb4 18. Qd2 Qxd2 19. Bxd2) ({RR} 12. Bb3 O-O 13. c4 c5 14. dxc5 Na6 15. O-O Nxc5 16. Qf3 Qd3 17. Bd1 Qxc4 18. Bxh6 Qh4 19. Be3 Rac8 20. Rc1 b6) 12... Nbd7 13. Qf3 O-O 14. O-O b5 15. Bd3 Bxd3 16. Qxd3 a6 17. Rad1 Nd5 18. Bd6 Re8 19. Rfe1 N7f6 20. Be5 Ng4) 11... Nbd7 ({RR} 11... Nd5 12. Ne2 ({RR} 12. O-O-O Nxf4 13. Qxf4 O-O 14. Qg4 Qf6 15. Ne4 Qe7 16. Nc5 Bf5 ({RR} 16... Nd7 17. Nxd7 ({RR} 17. Nxe6 Nf6 18. Qg3 Ne4 19. Qc7 Qxc7 20. Nxc7 Rac8 21. Ne6 fxe6 22. Bxe6+ Bf7 23. Bxc8 Rxc8) 17... Qxd7 18. Rhe1) 17. Qf3 b6 18. Nd3 Nd7 19. g4 Bh7 20. Qxc6 Rac8 21. Qb5 Be4 22. Rh3 Bc6 23. Qb4 Qxb4 24. Nxb4 Bg2 25. Rc3 Nf6) ({RR} 12. Be5 O-O 13. h5 Bh7 14. O-O-O Nd7) 12... Nd7 ({RR} 12... Nxf4 13. Nxf4) 13. O-O-O b5 14. Bd3 ({RR} 14. Bb3) 14... Bxd3 15. Qxd3 Nxf4 ({RR} 15... O-O 16. Bd6 Re8 17. g4 N7f6 18. Be5 Nxg4 19. Bxg7 Kxg7 ({RR} 19... Nxf2 20. Qf3 Kxg7 21. Rhg1+ Kh8 22. Qxf2) 20. Rdg1 h5 21. f3 Qa5 22. Kb1) 16. Nxf4 O-O 17. Qf3 Rc8 ({RR} 17... Qc7 {RR} 18. g4 ({RR} 18. Nh5)) 18. Kb1) ({RR} 11... O-O 12. h5 Bh7 13. O-O-O Nd5 14. Ne2 Nd7 15. Kb1 N7b6 16. Bd3 Bxd3 17. Qxd3 Nxf4 18. Nxf4 Qf6 19. Qe4 Rfd8 20. g3 a5) 12. Bd3 ({RR} 12. Bb3 Qe7 ({RR} 12... a5) 13. O-O-O Nd5 14. Ne2 O-O 15. Rh3 Bf5 16. Rg3 Nxf4 17. Qxf4 Kh8 18. Re3 Bh7 19. Qc7 Rab8 20. g4 Rfc8 21. Qf4 c5 22. d5 c4 23. Bxc4 e5 24. Bb3 Qc5 25. Qxf7) ({RR} 12. O-O-O Nb6 ({RR} 12... Nd5 13. Rde1 N7b6 ({RR} 13... Nxf4 14. Qxf4 Nf6 15. Kb1 O-O 16. Qe5 b5 17. Be2 Qa5 18. Rd1 Rfd8) 14. Bb3 Nxf4 15. Qxf4 Nd5 16. Qe5 O-O ({RR} 16... Qf6 17. Ne4 Bxe4 18. Qxe4 Qxf2 19. Rhf1 Qg3 20. Rxf7 Qxe1+ 21. Qxe1 Kxf7 22. Qf2+ Nf6 23. g4 g5 24. Qf5 Rae8 25. h5) 17. Ne4 Qb8 18. Nd6 Rd8 19. Nc4 Nb6 20. Qxb8 Raxb8 21. Ne5 Bh7 22. Rh3 Nd7) 13. Bb3 a5) 12... Bxd3 13. Qxd3 Qa5+ ({RR} 13... O-O 14. O-O-O) 14. Bd2 Qd5 15. c4 Ne5 ({RR} 15... Qxg2) 16. cxd5 Nxd3+ 17. Ke2 Nxb2 18. dxe6 ({RR} 18. Rab1 Nc4 19. dxe6 b5 20. a4 a6 21. exf7+ Kxf7) 18... Nc4) 8. Bb3 ({RR} 8. Bd3 Nf6 9. c3 Be7 10. Nf4 Nbd7 11. O-O O-O 12. Re1 a5 13. Bxg6 hxg6 14. Qe2 Re8 15. Bd2 Qb6 16. Ne4 c5 17. dxc5 Nxc5 18. Nxf6+ Bxf6 19. Be3 Qc6 20. Rad1 Rad8 21. h3 e5 22. Nd5 Rxd5 {Kietrys,M (1860)-Kasprzak,L (1758) Jastrzebia Gora 2021 1-0 (46)}) 8... Bd6 $146 ({RR} 8... c5 9. c3 c4 10. Bc2 Bxc2 11. Qxc2 Nc6 12. O-O Nf6 13. f4 g6 14. f5 gxf5 15. Nxf5 exf5 16. Qxf5 Be7 17. Bg5 Qd5 18. Bxf6 Qxf5 19. Rxf5 Bxf6 20. Rxf6 Rc8 21. d5 Nd8 22. Nd4 O-O 23. Nxb5 {Savitskiy,S (2143)-Gudzovaty,Y (1846) Salekhard 2008 1-0}) 9. Nf4 Bxf4 {Black decides that the bishop on g6 is a more useful piece to retain than the one on d6, but the dark-squared weaknesses incurred with this exchange, are potentially highly significant in the long-run.  I recently wrote an openings report on a similar line, and observed that in such positions when Black has exchanged the knight on f4, White has an enduring advantage due to the two bishops. I don't think that the judgement is any different here, and Carlsen is like no other at nursing small advantages.  Personally because of this I would rather retain the dark-squared bishop in this opening. If White exchanges on g6, then the h-file is opened and Black will have some counterplay.} (9... Nf6 10. h4 Qc7 11. Qf3 Nd5 $1 {would have been less compliant.}) 10. Bxf4 Nf6 11. O-O O-O 12. c4 $1 {With this highly practical and somewhat counter-intuitive decision, Carlsen shows very deep understanding of the position. He opens up another front - the c-file, along which he will stage a lengthy war of attrition against the c6-pawn.  Watching the game online at the time, I observed that most of the watching kibitzers seemed taken aback by this. Doesn't this just leave White with a isolated d-pawn?  But sometimes to gain something we have to give something in return. First we have to ask what logic brought Carlsen to make this move. If White doesn't play c4, how can he make progress? It becomes clear with some analysis, that without the aid of a pawn break, it is not easy for White to get anywhere. Mere piece play alone is unlikely to make much imprint in the rock that is the black position. White needs a plan!} (12. c3 Nbd7 13. a4 Qb6 14. a5 Qa6 15. Re1 c5 $1 {would be a very typical line, where Black is very well-placed, and it is not clear what White is doing. Therefore White must give Black a target - the pawn on d4 - in order to gain one himself, the backward weakling on c6.}) 12... bxc4 13. Bxc4 Qb6 ({If Black is to defend this line in the future, then} 13... Nd5 {would be a possible starting point.} {It is entirely possible that L'Ami rejected this due to} 14. Bxd5 $1 cxd5 (14... Qxd5 15. h4 h6 16. h5 Bh7 17. Qg4 {gives White a useful initiative.}) (14... exd5 {just looks ugly - Black has not resolved the problem of his backward c-pawn.}) 15. Rc1 {when White has a useful majority on the queenside - and any attempt to stoke up trouble by Black is likely to lead to disaster, for example} Qa5 $2 16. h4 $1 h6 17. h5 Bh7 18. Qg4 {with a very strong attack.}) 14. Qd2 Rd8 15. Rfd1 Nbd7 16. Rac1 Nd5 ({The problem now for Black is the attempt to rid himself of this weakling pawn on c6, can run into problems.} 16... c5 17. a4 $1 (17. dxc5 Nxc5 18. Qe3 {is also not bad. Next move White will play b3, emphasising his structural advantage.} h6 19. b3) 17... cxd4 18. a5 $1 {and the queen on b6 has run out of useful squares.}) (16... e5 17. Be3 Ng4 18. Bg5 $1 Ndf6 19. h3 Rxd4 20. Qe2 Nh6 21. Qxe5 {and Black falls apart.}) 17. Bd6 N7f6 18. Bc5 Qb8 19. f3 {Now White just had a bind, which fully justifies Carlsen's brave decision on move 12.} h6 20. Ne2 Nd7 21. Ba3 e5 22. b3 $1 {Delaying a decision is probably best.} ({A more forcing move was} 22. Bxd5 cxd5 23. Nc3 {but after} Qb7 24. dxe5 Nxe5 25. Nxd5 Nd3 $1 {Black is not without counterplay for his pawn. More importantly, White would lose control over the position, which is certainly not in Carlsen's style.}) 22... Qb6 23. Nc3 N7f6 $6 {But this turns out to be rather inaccurate. In fact the knight was better placed on d7 than where it eventually lands, on d5, where it looks good but does little.} ({Therefore} 23... Nxc3 $1 24. Qxc3 Re8 $1 {was indicated, where Black threatens to gain serious counterplay with ..e4.} 25. Kh1 e4 26. fxe4 Bxe4 {and with the knight coming to f6, Black has co-ordinated his forces and solved most of his problems.}) 24. Bc5 Qc7 25. dxe5 Qxe5 26. Bd4 Qe7 27. Re1 Qd6 28. Qf2 Nxc3 29. Bxc3 Nd5 30. Be5 Qa3 31. h4 ({It is obvious that White has a strategic advantage, but one of the hardest situations in chess is when you have a number of promising continuations. A possibly even stronger alternative was to crank up the pressure with} 31. f4 $5 Re8 32. Qg3 Qc5+ 33. Kh1 Qf8 34. Be2 Re6 35. Bg4 f5 36. Bf3 {when Black is really creaking.}) 31... f6 32. Bd4 Kh7 33. Bxd5 Rxd5 34. Rxc6 Qb4 35. Rc4 Qd6 36. Bc5 Qd8 37. Kh2 a6 38. Be7 Qb8+ 39. Qg3 Qxg3+ 40. Kxg3 {Despite the pawn deficit, Black has serious drawing chances in this ending. In fact I would wager that against 99 percent of grandmasters, L'Ami would gain a draw without any real difficulty.  However against Carlsen of course, it is a different story altogether. At this point, he's just getting going! Such is his reputation in endings, that any kind of disadvantage can normally be viewed as hopeless!   Also the psychological pressure of having to play accurate move after accurate move, to defend a worse ending against someone who has boundless energy and confidence, is in incredible shape, and is happy to grind away forever, should not be underestimated.} Ra7 41. Rc6 a5 42. Bc5 Rad7 43. Be3 R7d6 44. Rc4 Re6 45. Kf2 Rde5 46. Rc3 Be8 47. Bd2 a4 48. Rxe5 Rxe5 49. b4 Bb5 $6 {A step in the wrong direction, Black plays too passively. In order to increase his chances of a draw, it's essential to exchange as many pawns on the kingside as possible. This is because that as long as the kingside remains intact, White has the opportunity of creating an attack over there, to try and distract and break the blockade that Black has on the queenside.} (49... g5 $1 {would have gained some vital space.} 50. Rc7+ Kg6 51. g4 h5 52. Bc3 Re6 53. hxg5 fxg5 54. gxh5+ Kxh5 {is starting to look quite drawish.}) 50. Be3 h5 51. Rc7 Kg6 52. Ra7 Rd5 53. Kg3 Rd3 54. Bc5 Ra3 $2 {Now however, L'Ami switches to active defence at just the wrong moment. Knowing when to defend passively in the ending, and when to defend actively, is one of the most difficult skills a chessplayer can master, if it is at all possible.} ({It was hard to commit to complete passivity with} 54... Rd7 {but after} 55. Ra5 Rb7 56. Kf4 Kf7 57. g4 hxg4 58. fxg4 Ke6 {it is not so obvious how White makes progress.}) 55. Bf8 Rxa2 56. Kf4 Kh7 57. Rxg7+ Kh8 58. Kf5 $1 {It is amazing that even so late in the tournament, and in the sixth hour of play, Carlsen still manages to beso accurate. Yet again he finds the narrow path to victory. The guy is a machine, he just doesn't seem to get tired!} Rc2 59. Kxf6 {White's rampaging king, and the pawns he can gather on the kingside, is more relevant than the black a-pawn, which is easily controlled.} a3 60. Ra7 $5 ({The "dance of death" with the bishop would also have won -} 60. Bc5 $1 a2 61. Bd4 Rd2 62. Be5 Re2 63. Ba1 Re1 64. Bc3 Rc1 65. Be5 Re1 66. Ra7 $1 {and White wins, as the black rook isn't hitting g2 anymore.}) 60... a2 (60... Rxg2 61. Rxa3 $18) 61. g3 Rc6+ 62. Kg5 Kg8 (62... Ra6 {would not have saved Black either -} 63. Bg7+ Kg8 64. Rxa6 Bxa6 65. Bd4 Be2 66. f4 (66. Kxh5 Bxf3+ 67. Kg5 Bc6 68. Kf6 {also looks winning}) 66... Kf7 67. f5 Ke8 68. b5 Bxb5 69. Kxh5 {and the white pawns are overwhelming.}) 63. Bc5 Ba6 64. Bd4 Rd6 65. Ba1 {The h5 is dropping, so Black had seen enough.} 1-0

[Event "Tata Steel-A 75th"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2013.01.25"]
[Round "11"]
[White "Wang, Hao"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B30"]
[WhiteElo "2752"]
[BlackElo "2861"]
[PlyCount "61"]
[EventDate "2013.01.12"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 153"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.03.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.03.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 e6 4. O-O Nge7 5. Re1 Ng6 6. c3 d5 7. Qa4 Be7 8. d4 O-O 9. exd5 Qxd5 10. dxc5 $146 ({RR} 10. c4 Qh5 11. Bxc6 bxc6 12. Qa5 f5 13. Nc3 cxd4 14. Nxd4 Bd6 15. f4 Nxf4 16. Bxf4 Bxf4 17. Nf3 g5 18. Ne2 Be3+ 19. Kh1 g4 20. Ne5 f4 21. Rf1 c5 22. Qc7 Bb7 23. Qxb7 Qxe5 24. Rad1 Rab8 {Ansell,S (2373)-Felgaer,R (2571) Caleta 2012 0-1 (46)}) ({RR} 10. c4 Qf5 11. Bxc6 {½-½ (11) Fargere,F (2467)-Tirard,H (2478) Belfort 2012}) 10... Bxc5 11. Nbd2 Be7 12. Nc4 Qd8 13. Bxc6 bxc6 14. Nd4 c5 15. Nc6 Qc7 16. Nxe7+ Nxe7 17. Qa5 Qxa5 18. Nxa5 Ba6 19. Bg5 Rfe8 20. Rad1 h6 21. Bxe7 Rxe7 22. c4 Kf8 23. Rd6 Bb7 24. Red1 Ke8 25. Nc6 Bxc6 26. Rxc6 Rb7 27. b3 a5 28. Rxc5 a4 29. h4 axb3 30. axb3 Rab8 31. Rd3 1/2-1/2

[Event "Tata Steel-A 75th"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2013.01.26"]
[Round "12"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B32"]
[WhiteElo "2861"]
[BlackElo "2769"]
[Annotator "Gormally,Daniel"]
[PlyCount "61"]
[EventDate "2013.01.12"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 153"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.03.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.03.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{One of the most keenly awaited clashes in the chess world these days, is the quite regular battles between the Norwegian Wunderkind Magnus Carlsen, and the highly entertaining, often explosive, American player Hikaru Nakamura.  The only problem is from Nakamura's point of view, these clashes have become worryingly one-sided. For all Nakamura's incredible talent, he has yet to beat Carlsen in a classical game - a fact that must frustrate the American, who has defeated pretty much everyone else at the top of the world's elite at some time or another.  So you may ask, why is this clash so interesting? Well I think Nakamura brings out the best in Carlsen, as the American's ultra aggressive style tends to force Magnus into full combat from an early stage of the game, when most of the time the Norwegian is happy enough grinding away in an endgame.   Their round 12 clash in Wijk aan Zee was a good example of this - Nakamura played an adventurous opening, but Carlsen soon clamped down on his aggressive ideas, before quickly turning to his own deadly intentions.} 1. e4 {Boensch,Uwe} c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 e5 5. Nb5 d6 {Probably not the opening Carlsen was expecting, but Nakamura is very similar to Ivanchuk - he can play pretty much anything, and play it pretty well.} 6. g3 $1 {Very typical of Carlsen's style - he is not actively trying to refute openings, like a Kasparov, but rather just building up a slight advantage, before viciously outplaying the opposition in the middlegame and endgame. But beware of drawing him into a battle - just because his natural style is to grind, doesn't mean he can't mix it with the best of them.   Aware of the dangers of being ground down in 80 moves, Nakamura now lashes out with a spiky lunge on the kingside - however this is a risky strategy, as his king will never now be completely safe in any part of the board.} h5 $5 {I used to play some guy on the Internet chess club, in the one minute pool, who would thrust his h-pawn down the board at any opportunity. In fact he rarely bothered to wait this long, he would invariably start with 1..h5! (I think his name was something like Soong Loong, and he would gleefully mock me everytime he beat me with one of his horrible openings.)  Funnily enough his strategy was far more dangerous than it seemed at first glance - particularly when you only have 1 minute on your clock! Doubtless Nakamura himself has had to face down Soong Loong many times as well, as a one time regular visitor of the ICC.  In this particular example though you could argue that Nakamura's advance makes perfect sense- with White already commited to an early fianchetto - he is looking to soften up Carlsen's kingside and get some action going down the h-file.} (6... Be6 {was a more passive approach - if Black is not careful White will nurse a strategic advantage to the end of the game, due to the long-term hole on d5.} 7. Bg2 Be7 8. N1c3 Nf6 9. Nd5 O-O 10. O-O Qc8 11. a4 Qd7 12. Na3 Bh3 13. Bxh3 Qxh3 14. Be3 Rfd8 15. c3 h6 16. Qd3 Nxd5 17. Qxd5 Bg5 18. Rfe1 Rd7 19. Rad1 Ne7 20. Qb3 Bxe3 21. Rxe3 a6 22. Nc2 Qe6 23. Qxe6 fxe6 24. Red3 d5 25. Ne3 Rad8 26. Nc4 Ng6 27. a5 d4 28. Nb6 Rd6 29. h4 h5 30. Kf1 Kf7 31. Ke2 Ke7 32. b4 Nf8 33. Nc4 Rc6 34. Nxe5 Rxc3 35. Rxc3 dxc3 36. Rxd8 Kxd8 37. Kd3 Ke7 38. Kxc3 Kd6 39. Kd4 {1-0 Ivanchuk,V (2735)-Maidla,V (2370)/Tallinn 1996/CBM 050 ext}) ({RR} 6... Nf6 7. Bg5 Qa5+ 8. Bd2 Qd8 9. Bg5 a6 10. Bxf6 gxf6 11. N5c3 f5 12. Qh5 Nd4 13. Bc4 Nxc2+ 14. Kd1 Qc7 15. Nd2 Nxa1 16. Nd5 Qc5 17. b4 Qd4 18. Nc7+ Kd8 19. Nxa8 Be7 20. Re1 b5 21. Bxf7 {Mikalsen,E (2338)-Isik,A (2452) Oslo NOR 2024 0-1}) 7. N1c3 a6 8. Na3 b5 $146 (8... h4 9. Bg2 h3 $5 (9... Nf6 {keeping the tension, was also possible} 10. Bg5 hxg3 11. hxg3 Rxh1+ 12. Bxh1 Be7 {when Black seems fine}) 10. Bf1 b5 11. Nd5 Nce7 $6 {slightly eccentric play which backfires -} (11... Nf6 12. Bg5 Qa5+ 13. Bd2 Qd8 {and White probably has nothing better than returning to g5 with the bishop}) ({RR} 11... Be7 12. Be3 ({RR} 12. c4 b4 13. Nxb4 ({RR} 13. Nc2 Rb8) 13... Nxb4 14. Qa4+ Bd7 15. Qxb4 d5) 12... Rb8) 12. Bg5 f6 ({RR} 12... Qa5+) 13. Be3 Nxd5 ({RR} 13... Rb8) 14. Qxd5 Rb8 15. O-O-O Ne7 ({RR} 15... Bb7 16. Qe6+ ({RR} 16. Qd3 f5 17. f3 fxe4 18. fxe4 Nf6) 16... Qe7 17. Bxh3 ({RR} 17. Rxd6 Qxe6 18. Rxe6+ Kf7 19. Rb6 Bxa3 20. bxa3 Ne7) 17... Qxe6 18. Bxe6 Bxe4 19. Rhe1) 16. Qxd6 Qxd6 17. Rxd6 Nf5 18. Rb6 Rxb6 19. Bxb6 Nd6 20. f3 Be6 21. Bc5 Be7 22. Be2 Nb7 23. Bxe7 Kxe7 24. b3 Nd6 25. c3 g6 26. Nc2 a5 27. Rd1 f5 28. exf5 gxf5 29. Bf1 f4 30. gxf4 exf4 31. Nd4 Bd7 32. Ne2 Bc6 33. Nxf4 Bxf3 {1-0 Nunn,J (2600)-Short,N (2635)/Wijk aan Zee 1990/CBM 017}) ({RR} 8... h4 9. Bg2 h3 10. Bf1 b5 11. Nd5 Nce7 12. Bg5 f6 13. Be3 Nxd5 14. Qxd5 Rb8 15. O-O-O Ne7 16. Qxd6 Qxd6 17. Rxd6 Nf5 18. Rb6 Rxb6 19. Bxb6 Nd6 20. f3 Be6 21. Bc5 Be7 22. Be2 Nb7 23. Bxe7 {Nunn,J (2600)-Short,N (2635) Wijk aan Zee 1990 CBM 017 [Boensch,Uwe] 1-0 (33)}) 9. Nd5 {White now has ideas of playing e3 and c4 - threatening to make speedy progress on the queenside, a very typical strategy for White in these sorts of systems. By contrast, what aggressive plan can Black muster? Not such an easy question to answer, and even the ever-inventive Nakamura can't seem to provide an convincing recipe.} Nge7 10. Bg2 Bg4 $6 ({In the after game press conference, Carlsen explained that he expected} 10... Nxd5 11. exd5 Ne7 {which he seemed to think was fairly acceptable for Black.} 12. c4 Bd7 {and with ideas like ...h4 and also f5-d4 coming, Black is more than ok, although of course the game remains very sharp. Instead of this, Naka seems to "drift".}) 11. f3 Be6 12. c3 h4 13. Nc2 {Magnus is building up slowly, ignoring Black's aggressive intentions on the kingside - he doesn't believe that it's going to go anywhere. Before he commits to any actions on the queenside, he first takes the d4-square under control - now a4 is in the air.} Bxd5 $6 {This exchange is only risky for Black, as the light-square weaknesses in his position now become appreciable.} ({Black could of course exchange rooks on the h-file, but that would only work out in White's favour -} 13... hxg3 14. hxg3 Rxh1+ 15. Bxh1 {and now while White has ideas of playing a4, or even f4, Black really lacks a plan.}) ({It looks unpleasant, but perhaps} 13... f6 {with the idea of putting the king on f7 would have been the safest, as then} 14. f4 {is not particularly dangerous, as f5 will lead nowhere and the e5-square is solidly defended.}) 14. exd5 Na5 15. f4 $1 {Of course! Carlsen now switches to full Kasparov turbo boost mode, his intentions becoming every more aggressive with every passing move.} Nf5 $6 ({Carlsen felt that} 15... hxg3 16. hxg3 Rxh1+ 17. Bxh1 Qd7 {was more accurate, with the idea of ...h3.} 18. Bg2 exf4 19. Bxf4 Ng6 {seems ok for Black.}) 16. g4 $1 h3 17. Be4 Nh4 {Kasparov, commenting on the game afterwards, seemed to elude to the idea that this was the decisive error, suggesting that Black needed to play} (17... Qh4+ 18. Kf1 Ne7 ({The misguided attempt to "attack" with} 18... Nh6 19. g5 Ng4 {only backfires on Black, after} 20. Qe2 {White is already threatening f5, trapping the errant knight}) {However after the calm reply} 19. Qe2 {it is not obvious what Black's follow-up is.  In fact as we shall see, Black has not stepped over the line just yet.}) 18. O-O g6 19. Kh1 {A useful prophylatic move. Just in case, White tidies his king away.} Bg7 ({Carlsen was not afraid of} 19... f5 {indicating that after} 20. Bd3 e4 21. Be2 {Black's "initiative" has come to a halt and the weakness incurred on e6 is likely to become significant, with d4 coming.}) 20. f5 $5 {I admit that this probably wouldn't have been my choice, but then I'm not the world number one!} ({White had a number of useful options, including the immediate} 20. Nb4) 20... gxf5 21. gxf5 Ng2 $2 {But only this mistake really sends Black plummeting over the precipice. Nakamura tries to increase his control over the dark squares, but this turns out to be far too slow.} ({The game would have remained reasonably unclear after either} 21... Bf6) ({Or} 21... Bh6) 22. f6 $1 {Probably the single greatest reason why Carlsen has risen to such giddy heights lately, and now holds an unshakeable grip over the world number one spot.  Unlike other elite grandmasters, who occasionally let tactical mistakes by their opponents go by, Carlsen seems to have a shark-like ability to smell the blood in the water - and subsequently he will ruthlessly pounce on the slightest slip. This he has in common with the great champions of sport - like Federer, Messi and Woods - his ruthless streak and instinctive ability to sense when his opponent is weakening, and subsequently likely to make a mistake.  It would seem that Carlsen has Nakamura's "number" and seems to know exactly when the American will err. (talking about "having someone's number", I believe I've lost pretty much every blitz game I've ever played against Nakamura since he became a strong grandmaster, which just gives an example of the difference between these top guys and lesser mortals like myself.)  This impetuous pawn wanders deep into the black kingside, forcing the ignomonious retreat of the black bishop.} Bf8 {A sorry retreat, but there was little better.} ({Black loses material after} 22... Bxf6 23. Qf3 Rh4 24. Bg5 $1) ({And} 22... Bh6 {is no longer possible - White wins on the spot with} 23. Qh5 {as ...f6 is clearly no longer possible.}) 23. Qf3 {Looking at Black's useless knights on g2 and a5, the phrase "knights on the rim are dim" never seemed more pertinent. Completely devoid of any meaningful counterplay, all Black can do now is thrash around uselessly waiting for the killer blow.} Qc7 24. Nb4 Nb7 25. Nc6 {The final nail in Black's coffin. The knight on c6 and pawn on f6 form an unbreakable cage around the black king.} Nc5 26. Bf5 Nd7 27. Bg5 Rg8 28. Qh5 Nb6 29. Be6 Rxg5 30. Qxg5 fxe6 31. dxe6 1-0

[Event "Candidates Tournament"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2013.03.19"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Grischuk, Alexander"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C65"]
[WhiteElo "2872"]
[BlackElo "2764"]
[Annotator "Postny,Evgeny"]
[PlyCount "73"]
[EventDate "2013.03.15"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 154"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.05.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.05.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. d3 {Avoiding the "Berlin endgame".} Bc5 5. c3 {A few months ago Carlsen tried 5.c3, but achieved nothing against the world champion.} (5. Nc3 d6 6. Na4 Bb6 7. Nxb6 axb6 8. c3 Bd7 9. Ba4 Ne7 10. Bc2 Ng6 11. h3 O-O 12. O-O h6 13. Re1 Re8 14. d4 Bc6 15. dxe5 dxe5 16. Qxd8 Rexd8 $11 {½-½ (61) Carlsen,M (2848)-Anand,V (2775) London 2012}) 5... O-O 6. O-O d6 7. h3 a6 {This is more a challenging continuation, inviting White to spoil the pawn structure, but to give up a good bishop. The solid alternative is to transfer the knight to g6.} (7... Ne7 8. d4 Bb6 9. Re1 Ng6 10. Bd3 Re8 11. Qc2 c6 12. Be3 d5 (12... Nh5 $5 $11 {[%cal Gh5f4]}) 13. dxe5 Nxe5 14. Nxe5 Rxe5 15. Bxb6 axb6 16. f4 Rh5 17. e5 Nd7 18. Qe2 Rh4 19. e6 Nc5 20. exf7+ Kxf7 21. Nd2 Nxd3 22. Qxd3 Rxf4 23. Qxh7 Bf5 24. Qh5+ Bg6 25. Qe5 Rf6 26. Nf3 Kg8 $11 {½-½ (43) Adams,M (2725)-Anand,V (2780) Baden-Baden 2013}) 8. Bxc6 bxc6 9. Re1 {Magnus decided not to hurry up with d3-d4 advance, but to complete the development at first.} (9. d4 Bb6 10. Re1 h6 11. Qc2 (11. dxe5 dxe5 12. Qa4 $5 {[%cal Gb1d2,Gd2c4] is worth being checked in practice.}) 11... Re8 12. Nbd2 exd4 13. cxd4 c5 $11 {1-0 (55) Karjakin,S (2786)-Grischuk,A (2764) Moscow 2013}) 9... Re8 10. Nbd2 d5 $6 $146 {This is strategically risky, as Black's pawn structure will be permanently damaged.} (10... Bb6 11. Nf1 h6 12. Ng3 Be6 13. Be3 Bxe3 (13... c5 14. d4 cxd4 15. cxd4 exd4 16. Bxd4 Rb8 {is playable for Black.}) 14. Rxe3 c5 15. Qc2 Nd7 16. d4 cxd4 17. cxd4 exd4 18. Nxd4 $14 {1-0 (55) Svidler,P (2741)-Navara,D (2706) Prague 2012}) 11. exd5 ({An immediate counterstrike in the centre was also an option to consider:} 11. d4 dxe4 12. Nxe5 Qd5 13. Ndc4 (13. Qc2 Bd6 14. Ndc4 (14. Nxe4 $4 Nxe4 15. Qxe4 Qxe4 16. Rxe4 f6 $19) 14... c5 $132) 13... Bf8 14. Bg5 Nd7 {Black has sufficient counterplay which compensates for his structural defects. His pair of bishops is also a factor.}) 11... Qxd5 12. Nb3 Bf8 (12... Ba7 13. Be3 c5 {is the engine suggestion, but it looks pretty ugly to close in the a7.}) 13. c4 Qd6 14. Be3 Nd7 15. d4 e4 16. Nfd2 a5 17. a4 {Preventing any further advance of Black's a-pawn and fixing it as a target.} f5 {From the strategic point of view Black's position is very bad, but he has counterchances on the kingside.} 18. c5 Qg6 $146 {This logical move is a serious mistake. It was necessary to retreat to e6, covering the c4-square against the knight move.} (18... Qe6 $1 19. Bf4 (19. Qc1 Nf6 20. Nc4 Nd5 $132) 19... Nf6 $1 {Black shouldn't spend time on protecting the weak pawn.} 20. Bxc7 Nd5 (20... Qf7 21. Be5 Be7 $44 {[%cal Gc8e6]}) 21. Be5 Qg6 (21... Nb4 22. f3 Nd3 23. fxe4 $1 Nxe1 24. Qxe1 fxe4 25. Qxe4 $14) 22. Nc4 f4 23. Kh2 f3 (23... Nb4 24. Nbd2 Nd3 25. Nxe4 Nxe1 26. Qxe1 f3 27. gxf3 Bxh3 28. Kxh3 Qe6+ 29. Kg2 Qxc4 30. Qc3 $14) 24. Rg1 Qh6 25. Qd2 Qh4 26. g4 Nf6 27. Ne3 g6 $44 {[%cal Gf8h6] An engine is not really bothered by Black's kingside initiative, but a human player would easily get frightened here as White.}) ({RR} 18... Qe6 19. Bf4 Nf6 20. Be5 Nd5 21. Nc4 Qg6 22. Qd2 Be7 23. Ra3 Bg5 24. Qe2 Bf4 25. Nbxa5 Bxe5 26. dxe5 Nf4 27. Qf1 Ba6 28. Rg3 Qe6 29. b3 Rad8 30. f3 Nd3 31. fxe4 Nxe1 32. Qxe1 fxe4 33. Qxe4 {Hansen,E (2581)-Moradiabadi,E (2551) Ottawa 2013 1-0 (43)}) ({RR} 18... Qe6 19. f3 Nf6 20. Bg5 Qd5 21. Bf4 Ba6 22. Be5 Bd3 23. fxe4 fxe4 24. Rc1 Rxe5 25. dxe5 Qxe5 26. Rc3 Qg5 27. Nf1 Rd8 28. Qd2 Qg6 29. Ne3 Nd5 30. Nxd5 Rxd5 31. Qe3 Rg5 32. Qf2 Rf5 33. Qe3 {Khukhashvili,S (2330)-Mikaelyan,A (2445) Tbilisi 2015 ½-½ (72)}) 19. Nc4 {[%csl Ra5]} (19. Bf4 Nf6 20. Nc4 {leads to the same position as in our game.}) 19... Nf6 20. Bf4 (20. Ne5 $2 {would fall into a nasty exchange sacrifice:} Rxe5 $1 21. dxe5 Nd5 22. Qd2 Rb8 23. Nd4 f4 24. Bxf4 Bxc5 {All Black's pieces are very active, he gets the material back.} 25. Rad1 Bb4 26. Qc1 Bxe1 27. Rxe1 Bxh3 28. Bg3 Bd7 $11) 20... Nd5 21. Qd2 Be6 (21... Qf6 22. Nbxa5 Nxf4 23. Qxf4 Qxd4 24. b4 Be6 25. Rac1 $16) 22. Nbxa5 Reb8 23. Ne5 Qf6 24. Bh2 ({It was possible to grab another pawn, but probably after} 24. Naxc6 Nxf4 25. Qxf4 Rxb2 {Magnus was concerned about the idea e6-d5 trapping the c6.} {The engine finds the way to keep the position winning by a subtle piece of tactics:} 26. Qc1 $1 Rb7 27. a5 Bd5 28. Rb1 Rxb1 29. Qxb1 {and the knight is taboo in view of b3+.}) 24... Rxa5 {A desperate tactical effort, but insufficient.} 25. Qxa5 Rxb2 26. Rab1 Ra2 27. Qa6 {This way the queen can help in the defence. White just needs to consolidate, his material advantage is enough for a win.} e3 (27... Nc3 28. Rbc1 $18) 28. fxe3 Qg5 29. Re2 Nxe3 (29... Rxe2 30. Qxe2 Nc3 31. Qd3 Nxb1 32. Nf3 Qh6 33. Bf4 Qh5 34. Qxb1 $18) 30. Nf3 Qg6 31. Rxa2 Bxa2 32. Rb2 Bc4 33. Qa5 Bd5 34. Qe1 $1 {Magnus is precise and merciless as usual, when it comes to the technical part of the game.} f4 35. Bxf4 Nc2 36. Qf2 Bxf3 37. Rxc2 1-0

[Event "Candidates Tournament"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2013.03.21"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Svidler, Peter"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C84"]
[WhiteElo "2747"]
[BlackElo "2872"]
[Annotator "Szabo,Krisztian"]
[PlyCount "72"]
[EventDate "2013.03.15"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 154"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.05.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.05.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. d3 {A very popular move nowadays. White would like to avoid some critical lines.} b5 (6... d6 {is another main move.}) 7. Bb3 d6 8. a4 b4 ({The other possibilities are} 8... Rb8) ({and} 8... Bd7) 9. Nbd2 O-O 10. a5 Be6 11. Nc4 Rb8 {Both players are following theory. The upcoming positions are considered to be nicely playable for both sides. All the pieces are on the board, which ensures a complicated game where the stronger player might try to outplay his opponent with either colour.} 12. c3 {Svidler had already two games for this. White wants to play d4 at a good moment, but of course, this requires long preparation.} (12. h3 {and}) (12. Re1 {was also tried.}) 12... bxc3 13. bxc3 h6 {Typical prophylaxis against  or g5.} (13... Na7 {looks a little weird and could have been met effectively by} 14. Ng5 $1 Bg4 15. f3 Bh5 (15... Bd7 {would have been met with} 16. f4 $1 $36 {which gives a strong initiative for White.}) 16. Qc2 Nd7 17. Nh3 $1 {Black has managed to avoid the f4 idea, but his bishop on h5 is out of play, while the knight on h3 is just temporarily misplaced, as it will soon be improved through f2.} Kh8 18. Ne3 $14 {Svidler-Sargissian, Ningbo 2011}) 14. Re1 {From the 12th move, White prepares for d4. This time he protects the e4 .} Qc8 {Also a usual move, preparing for d8.} 15. Bc2 $146 {The first novelty of the game, White would like to go back with his knight to e3 and then, d4 finally becomes possible.} (15. Ba3 {is the most common move.}) (15. Ba4 {was played recently in a top game:} Bxc4 16. Bxc6 (16. dxc4 Nxa5 {This is the difference. That is why Svidler went to c2 with his bishop.}) 16... Bb5 17. Bxb5 Rxb5 {and Black's position is completely solid. Leko-Adams, London 2012}) ({RR} 15. Ba4 Bxc4 16. Bxc6 Bb5 17. Bxb5 Rxb5 18. c4 Rb7 19. d4 c5 20. d5 Nh7 21. Qc2 Qd7 22. Bd2 Ng5 23. Nxg5 Bxg5 24. Bc3 h5 25. Ra3 Rfb8 26. h3 g6 27. Kf1 f5 28. Ba1 Kh7 29. Rf3 f4 {Leko,P (2737)-Adams,M (2722) London 2012 ½-½ (47)}) 15... Rd8 {This is the standard setup and the idea of the previous c8 move. Black would like to play f8 and be ready to push d5 at a good moment.} (15... Bxc4 {was also interesting. Black gives up his strong  to destroy White's  structure. It is difficult to judge which factor has bigger importance.} 16. dxc4 Qe6 17. c5 $5 {probably Svidler wanted to play this  sacrifice and play on the light squares. Black is really missing his bishop here, but on the other hand, he is a pawn up.} (17. Qe2 Nd7 $1 {and Black drives his  to c5 and it looks nicely placed.}) 17... dxc5 18. Qe2 Rb5 19. Ba4 (19. Bd3 Rxa5 20. Rxa5 $6 Nxa5 21. Bxa6 $2 c4 22. Bb5 c6 23. Ba4 Nb3 {is forces the take on b3 and Black gains a very unpleasant advanced .}) 19... Rxa5 20. Nd2 {now the  can be trapped.} c4 21. Nxc4 Rc5 22. Bb3 Rb8 {and Black has no problem.}) 16. Qe2 ({In the event of} 16. Ne3 {Black can play immeditely} d5 $1 {with a promising position.}) 16... Bf8 (16... Bxc4 17. dxc4 Nd7 {was an option again, but Carlsen preferred to keep his  pair.}) 17. Ne3 $146 {This seems like an inaccuracy. The last preparation for d4, but this allows Black's strong reply.} ({Immediately} 17. d4 {would have still been too early. Black can play} exd4 18. cxd4 d5 $1 $15 {with a slight advantage.}) ({Probably} 17. h3 {was the best waiting move, because Black also has difficulties finding a useful move.} Bxc4 18. dxc4 Nd7 {similar to the previous line.} 19. Ba4 Ne7 20. Be3 Ng6 {with a double-edged fight.}) ({RR} 17. h3 Re8 18. Ba4 Bd7 19. Ne3 g6 20. Nh2 h5 21. Nf3 Nd8 22. Qa2 Bxa4 23. Qxa4 Ne6 24. Qc4 Bg7 25. Nc2 Qb7 26. Be3 Qb3 27. Na3 Qxc4 28. Nxc4 Rb3 29. Rec1 Reb8 30. Nfd2 R3b7 31. g3 Nd7 {Petkov,M (2441)-Harshita,G (2180) Arandjelovac 2021 ½-½ (58)}) ({RR} 17. h3 Re8 18. Ba4 Bd7 19. Ne3 g6 20. Nh2 h5 21. Nf3 Nd8 22. Qa2 Bxa4 23. Qxa4 Ne6 24. Qc4 Bg7 25. Nc2 Qb7 26. Be3 Qb3 27. Na3 Qxc4 28. Nxc4 Rb3 29. Rec1 Reb8 30. Nfd2 R3b7 31. g3 Nd7 {Petkov,M (2441)-Harshita,G (2180) Arandjelovac 2021 ½-½ (58)}) 17... d5 $1 {Excellent timing by Carlsen. White's last  move left the pressure from the important e5 , so Black can immediately start the action.} 18. exd5 Nxd5 19. Nxd5 Rxd5 {Black keeps the e5 pawn protected and, at the same time, attacks the pawn on a5.} ({Maybe} 19... Bxd5 {was slightly better, as the e5 pawn is not really hanging.} 20. Nxe5 Nxe5 21. Qxe5 Re8 $5 ({Black can also force a draw by} 21... Bxg2 22. Kxg2 Re8 23. Qxe8 Qg4+ 24. Kf1 Qh3+ 25. Kg1 Qg4+ $11) 22. Qxe8 Qg4 $1 {White has to sacrifice his  with} 23. Qe4 $1 (23. Re4 $2 Rxe8 $19) (23. f3 $2 Bxf3 $1 $19) 23... Bxe4 24. Rxe4 {Only Black can be better.}) 20. h3 $2 {This typical move is a mistake. White would like to open the back rank and avoid the pin after g4. The initiative passes to Black and Carlsen does not let it slip away anymore.} (20. d4 $6 {is not so good, because} exd4 21. Qe4 g6 {and Black has avoided everything, White cannot continue the attack. For example:} 22. cxd4 Qd8 23. Ra4 Bb4 $15) (20. Ba4 Rxa5 ({after} 20... Nxa5 21. Nxe5 Nb3 22. Bxb3 Rxb3 23. c4 Rd8 {Black is also OK here.}) 21. Bd2 (21. Bxh6 $6 {White would like to protect the a1  and threaten xc6, but after} Rxa4 $1 22. Rxa4 gxh6 23. Nxe5 Nxe5 24. Qxe5 Bg7 $17 {Black is much better.}) 21... Rc5 22. Bxc6 Rxc6 23. Nxe5 Rcb6 $15 {Thanks to the pair of s and passed , Black looks very nicely placed.}) (20. c4 Rxa5 21. Rxa5 Nxa5 22. Nxe5 Nb3 23. Bb2 c5 $132 {and the  goes to d4.}) (20. Qe4 {is an interesting alternative. White would like to provoke a weakness on the kingside with the threat of d4.} g6 ({On} 20... f5 {White simply answers} 21. Qe2 {and the e5  become vulnerable.}) 21. Ba4 $1 Nxa5 22. Nxe5 Bg7 23. Bf4 $14 {Now the exchange of the a5 pawn for the e5 one favours White. White seems to have an edge here.}) 20... Bf5 $1 {A very strong move! Black prevents d4 and can exert pressure on the d3 weakness and soon, the a5  will be hanging as well.} 21. Rd1 Qe6 22. Bb1 {Svidler tries to activate his  from a2.} Qd7 $1 {Keeping the pressure on the d3 .} (22... Rxa5 {allows some counterplay for White.} 23. Rxa5 Nxa5 24. Ba2 {getting back the e5 .}) 23. Be3 e4 $1 (23... Rxb1 {not the best, because} 24. Raxb1 Bxd3 {and White has} 25. Qa2 $1 {to attack the d5 .} Rxa5 26. Qxa5 $1 Nxa5 27. Nxe5 Qf5 28. Nxd3 {The two  will give unpleasant counterchanches for White.}) 24. Nd4 Nxd4 25. Bxd4 $2 {This allowed a tactical blow, which actually Carlsen judged too risky.} (25. cxd4 {also led to Black's advantage after} exd3 26. Bxd3 Bxd3 27. Qxd3 Rbb5 $1 $15 {White has serious problems with the a5 . Black is clearly better.}) 25... exd3 ({The computer immeditely finds the strong} 25... Bxh3 $1 26. dxe4 (26. gxh3 {is not possible.} Qxh3 27. Be3 Bd6 $1 $19) 26... Rg5 27. g3 {This was the critical position where I think Carlsen missed a winning combination or just did not want to risk a miscalculation. Black wins after a fantastic tactical blow:} Bg4 $1 28. f3 Rb2 $3 29. Qxb2 Bxf3 {and Black has too many threats. xg3, h3 and the simple xd1.} 30. Qf2 (30. Rd3 Rxg3+ 31. Kf2 Rg2+ $19) 30... Bxd1 $19 {with an extra  and a strong attack.}) 26. Bxd3 Bxd3 27. Rxd3 c5 28. Be5 $1 {This was Svidler's plan, when he took back with the  on d4, but unfortunately for him, it does not solve the problems.} Rxd3 29. Bxb8 c4 $1 {A great positional move! Black protects the d3 , fixes c3 and frees the c5 square for his , where it puts very strong pressure on f2. The additional weaknesses on c3 and a5 are too much for White to hold the position.} 30. Be5 (30. Qe1 {was slightly better} Bc5 31. Kh2 {followed by g3.}) 30... Bc5 31. Rb1 Qd5 $1 {Carlsen activates his pieces.} (31... Rd2 {was too early} 32. Qxc4 {and xf2 is only a check. There is no reason for Black to hurry with this plan.}) 32. Rb8+ Kh7 33. Qh5 {Svidler tried the last trap with the threat of h8 xh8 xh6 and mate on g7, but of course, this doesn't work on this level.} (33. Re8 {was the best chance, although Black has various ways to remain better here as well.} Qd7 (33... f5 {is also good to prevent e4.}) 34. Ra8 Qe6 {The following line is forced:} 35. Qe4+ f5 36. Rh8+ $1 Kg6 $1 ({Of course not} 36... Kxh8 $2 37. Bxg7+ $1 $18) 37. Qf4 Rd1+ 38. Kh2 Bxf2 $1 $17 {and Black is better.}) 33... Qe4 $1 {A cool defence against the h8 and it also creates some threats of destroying White's position.} 34. Rb2 (34. Rh8+ Kxh8 35. Qxh6+ Qh7 $1 $19) 34... Rd5 $1 {White cannot avoid losing a piece.} 35. Re2 Qb1+ 36. Kh2 f6 0-1

[Event "Candidates Tournament"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2013.03.23"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Radjabov, Teimour"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B30"]
[WhiteElo "2872"]
[BlackElo "2793"]
[Annotator "Marin,Mihail"]
[PlyCount "73"]
[EventDate "2013.03.15"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 154"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.05.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.05.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 e6 4. Bxc6 bxc6 5. b3 {The Anand setup, not easy to handle with White and maybe too complex for the style of Carlsen, who rarely embarks such early battles of principle.} d6 (5... e5 6. Nxe5 Qe7 7. Bb2 (7. d4 d6 {Anand,V (2791)-Gelfand,B (2727)/Moscow 2012/CBM 149/[Stohl,I] (1-0, 77)}) 7... d6 8. Nc4 d5 {Anand,V (2791)-Gelfand,B (2727)/Moscow 2012/CBM 149/[Kritz,L] (1/2, 25)}) 6. O-O ({Radjabov must have felt confident about this position, since he had had it twice recently:} 6. e5 dxe5 7. Nxe5 Qd5 8. Nf3 Qe4+ 9. Kf1 Qf5 10. Nc3 (10. Na3 Nf6 {Grischuk,A (2761)-Radjabov,T (2784)/Moscow 2012/CBM 149/[Kritz,L] (1/2, 41)}) 10... Nf6 11. d3 {McShane,L (2706)-Radjabov,T (2784)/Moscow 2012/CBM 149/[Radjabov] (0-1, 48)}) 6... Ne7 ({It is instructive to followe how a living legend fought for the control on the dark squares by somewhat extravagant means.} 6... e5 7. Re1 g5 8. d3 h6 9. c3 Bg7 10. Na3 Ne7 11. Nc4 O-O 12. Ne3 f5 {This youthful way of playing, with ...f5 and ...g5, yielded Korchnoi many impressive wins throughout his career; the latest remarkable example is his win against Caruana in Gibraltar 2011.} 13. b4 f4 $36 {Boehnisch,M (2374)-Kortschnoj,V (2552)/Velden 2009/CBM 129 Extra (0-1, 40)}) 7. e5 {This is the modern treatment of the problem of the dark squares in the centre. There are other ways, though:} (7. d4 cxd4 8. Qxd4 e5 9. Qe3 f6 10. c4 d5 $132 {Dolmatov,S (2550)-Whitehead,J (2325)/Chicago 1983/EXT 99 (1/2, 43)}) (7. c3 Ng6 8. d4 {Becerra Rivero,J (2480)-Blanco Fernandez,A (2345)/Havana 1994/EXT 97 (1/2, 61)} cxd4 9. cxd4 Ba6 10. Qc2 Rc8 11. Rd1 Be7 12. Nc3 Qa5 $132) ({RR} 7. Re1 Ng6 8. Na3 Be7 9. Nc4 O-O 10. e5 d5 11. Ne3 f6 12. Bb2 a5 13. a4 Rb8 14. d3 Qc7 15. Ng4 f5 16. Ne3 Bd7 17. Qc1 Be8 18. Nf1 Nh8 19. Ba3 Nf7 20. Qe3 Qb6 21. Qd2 Rb7 {Nepomniachtchi,I (2721)-Radjabov,T (2713) Beijing 2013 0-1 (59)}) 7... Ng6 8. exd6 Bxd6 (8... e5 {may define the central structure too soon:} 9. Na3 Bxd6 10. Nc4 $14) 9. Nc3 {Maybe this move is not bad, but in the game Carlsen will not manage to justify this way of developing the knight. So, I do not know whether to attach the question mark to the last move or simply to the whole of the following sequence.} (9. d4 {remains an alternative:} cxd4 $140 10. Qxd4 O-O 11. Ba3) ({but} 9. Na3 O-O 10. Nc4 {looks more flexible. True, without a pawn on e5, Black can play} Be7 {keeping c5 well defended and followed by ...f6 and ...e5 later.}) 9... e5 $146 ({RR} 9... O-O 10. d3 e5 11. Nd2 f5 12. Nc4 Bc7 13. Be3 Qh4 14. Bxc5 Rf6 15. Qe1 Qh6 16. f3 Be6 17. Bd6 Bxd6 18. Nxd6 Bd5 19. Nc4 Re8 20. Kh1 Qh5 21. Qe3 Nh4 22. Nd2 Rg6 23. Rf2 f4 24. Qc5 {Zhu,J (2525)-Vaishali,R (2484) Pune IND 2025 1-0 (41)}) 10. Re1 O-O 11. d3 f5 $1 {The start of a courageous plan; Black does not fear any ghosts. Black has two relatively weak pawns, on c5 and e5, but he can defend them well enough. White seems to have comfortable play, but soon he will end up short of constructive plans.} 12. Ba3 Be6 13. Na4 Qe7 14. c4 Rad8 15. Qe2 Bc8 {Black has completed his superb regrouping plan and is ready to launch the attack. It looks as if the colours have been switched, since it is Black who dictates the events after the opening. Having been outplayed, White needs some tactical inventiveness to stay in the game, but he will fail here, too.} 16. Qe3 {Not a good square and area for the queen, that goes without saying.} (16. Rad1 Nf4 (16... e4 17. dxe4 fxe4 18. Qxe4 Qxe4 19. Rxe4 Bxh2+ 20. Kxh2 Rxd1 21. Bxc5 $44) 17. Qc2 Rde8 $36) 16... f4 $5 {[%cal Gc8g4] Not the only possible plan.} (16... Nf4 17. Bb2 (17. Bxc5 Nxd3 18. Qxd3 Bxc5 19. Qc3 e4 20. Ne5 Bd6 21. Nxc6 Qc7 22. Nxd8 Bxh2+ 23. Kf1 Be5) (17. Nxe5 Nxg2 18. Kxg2 f4 19. Qe4 Bxe5 20. Qxe5 Qh4 21. Bb2 Qh3+ 22. Kg1 Rf6 $19) 17... e4 18. dxe4 fxe4 19. Qxe4 Nh3+ 20. Kf1 Qg5 $5 21. Re2 (21. Nxg5 Rxf2#) (21. Re3 Nxf2 22. Kxf2 Bxh2 $40) 21... Rxf3 22. Qxf3 Bg4 $40) 17. Qe4 $6 {Playing with fire again. This square is supposed to be left available for the knight.} (17. Qe2 Bg4 18. h3 Bh5 19. Qe4 {At least now there is some stability for the queen in the centre.}) 17... Kh8 {Unnecessarily cautious, but good enough. The attack is very much on still.} (17... Rf5 $5 18. Rad1 Nh4 (18... Rh5 19. d4 cxd4 20. Nxd4) 19. h3 Rh5 20. Nxh4 Qxh4 21. Qf3 Rg5 22. Kf1 Rf8 $40 {...f6, ...g3, ...xg2!?}) 18. Rad1 Bg4 19. Rd2 Bxf3 {The problem with this plan is that White has chances to consolidate on the light squares if he does not get killed by the attack.} 20. Qxf3 Nh4 21. Qe4 $2 {But this loses at once, or should have done so...} ({He should have defended the h3-c8 diagonal with} 21. Qg4 {, although the position reemains dangerous after} Rf5 $40 {...df8, ...h5}) 21... f3 22. g3 Ng2 $19 23. Nc3 (23. Red1 Qe6 $19 {[%cal Ge6h3]}) 23... Qe6 $2 {Offering White an unexpected chance to stay in the game.} (23... Nxe1 24. Qxe1 Bc7 {[%cal Gc7a5]} 25. d4 Qf7 $19 {Black is an exchange up and keeps mating threats. I doubt that even a player with Carlsen's survival skills would have continued playing on in this position.}) 24. Re3 $3 $17 {[%csl Gf3]} Nxe3 25. fxe3 {Suddenly, White has got some space and stability on the light squares. He should lose, of course, but Black still needs to find a constructive plan for breaking open the fortress.} f2+ $2 $15 {Hallucinating. There is no attack after this and White is more or less OK with one pawn for the exchange.} 26. Rxf2 Rxf2 27. Kxf2 Rf8+ 28. Ke2 Qh3 29. Qh1 Be7 30. Ne4 Qg4+ 31. Kd2 Qh3 32. Ke2 h5 33. Bb2 Qg4+ 34. Kd2 Qh3 35. Ke2 Qg4+ 36. Kd2 Qh3 37. Ke2 1/2-1/2

[Event "Candidates Tournament"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2013.03.27"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Gelfand, Boris"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B30"]
[WhiteElo "2872"]
[BlackElo "2740"]
[Annotator "Nielsen,Peter Heine"]
[PlyCount "95"]
[EventDate "2013.03.15"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 154"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.05.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.05.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{Magnus Carlsen: "My game against Gelfand in round 10, annotated by Peter Heine Nielsen below, represents the level of chess I aspired to play at in the Candidates. Although I did not succeed in every game, I take great comfort in having reached the main objective which was to qualify for the World Championship match against V. Anand. I would like to express my gratitude to Peter Heine and the other seconds for their valuable help in reaching this goal."} 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 {Openingwise the players are basically 2 opposites. While Carlsen moves around a lot, Gelfand, both in the WC-match with Anand and in this Candidates tournaments stayed completely loyal to the Grünfeld against 1.d4 and the Sveshnikov against 1.e4.} 3. Bb5 $5 {Sveshnikov was right! At least judged by the current trends, White players seems to concede that the actual Sveshnikov Sicilian is fine for Black, and that 3.b5 is the way to fight for the advantage. As Sveshnikov claimed years back. Anand did well with b5 in the match, and later both Caruana and Ponomariov posed Gelfand some problems.} e6 4. O-O ({In round 7 Magnus played} 4. Bxc6 {against Radjabov, and after} bxc6 5. b3 d6 6. O-O $5 {tried this idea, deviating from 6.e5 which was both played by McShane and Grischuk against Radjabov. The idea is that after 6...e5 we have a position known from 3...d6 4.xc6 bxc6 5.0-0 only with the white pawn on b3 instead of b2. Not a huge difference, but definitely leading to a playble position for White. Here Radjabov played} Ne7 $5 {and in a complex position, Magnus hallucinated, and was suddenly lost, but saved the game after inaccurate play by Radjabov.}) 4... Nge7 5. Re1 a6 $5 {In the Tashkent Grand Prix against Caruana and Ponomariov, Gelfand chose 5...d4, but part of the reason behind being able to succesfully repeat his openings, is having small surprises within them, and for this candidates he had prepared 5...a6, and employed it already succesfully with Grischuk in round 6.} 6. Bf1 d5 7. exd5 $5 {I was seconding Magnus in London, but also got help from other seconds online. They suggested this line, thinking it leads to a moderately pleasant position, with a long game ahead, which should suit Magnus style excellently.} ({Grischuk played} 7. d3 {and we saw an unusually sharp fight for pawn structure with big decisions early on:} d4 $5 8. e5 $5 Nd5 9. c4 $5 dxc3 10. bxc3 Rb8 11. Bb2 b5 $5 {and after a tactical error by Grischuk Gelfand got a winning position, although the game ended in a draw.}) 7... Nxd5 8. d4 Nf6 9. Be3 cxd4 (9... Be7 {might be slightly more accurate as after} 10. c4 O-O 11. Nc3 cxd4 12. Nxd4 {instead of 12...d7 also 12...c7 indenting ...d8 is possible.}) 10. Nxd4 Bd7 11. c4 {This is the concept. White has a bit more space and a queenside majority. Black of course a healthy and solid position though.} Nxd4 (11... Be7 12. Nc3 O-O 13. Nf3 $5 {White has been quite succesful with, and this is an argument for Gelfand's choice, securing relieving exchanges before it is too late.}) (11... Bb4 $5 {is a principled choice, but after} 12. Nc3 Bxc3 13. bxc3 O-O 14. Bf4 {White's activity more than compensates for the structural weaknesses. After} Nxd4 $5 15. cxd4 Bc6 {surprisingly suddenly we have the typically Nimzo pawn structure, very similar to game 11 in the Anand-Gelfand match, where Gelfand had a pleasant position with the 2 bishops, before that game was drawn.}) 12. Bxd4 Bc6 13. Nc3 Be7 14. a3 $5 {Magnus was happy with this decision, as he thought the interpolation of a3/a5 is probably favouring White.} (14. Qd3 O-O 15. Rad1 {This was played in the stem game Kinmark (that's actually an anagram of Kramnik as my Swedish friends have pointed out!) -Paoli 1975, also being slightly more pleasant for White.}) 14... a5 $5 {The principled approach, and what one would expect from Gelfand.} (14... O-O 15. b4 {is what White wants, but as usual only a slight edge.}) 15. Qd3 O-O (15... a4 $6 {is an ambitious attempt, but after} 16. Rad1 O-O 17. Qg3 {White's initiative becomes too strong.}) 16. Rad1 Qc7 17. Be5 Qb6 18. Qg3 Rfd8 (18... Nh5 $5 19. Qh3 Nf6 {would be an interesting way to defend, as now c7 no longer annoys Black, and Black is threatening ...fd8.} 20. Bd3 h6 21. Bd4 Qc7 22. b4 $1 {and White still keeps an edge though.}) 19. Rxd8+ (19. Nd5 {Magnus said at the press-conference that he had wasted quite some time on this move, which fails due to a small tactic:} exd5 20. Bd4 Bc5 21. Bxf6 Bxf2+ $1 {leading to a drawish ending.}) 19... Qxd8 20. Rd1 Qb6 (20... Qf8 $5 {Speelman mentioned this move at the press conference, to which Gelfand quite rightly replied that from a practical perspective it has no huge relevance. Gelfand's plan was hampering Black's queenside play in an ambitious manner, but this more defensive move does have some bite, as the following tactic:} 21. b4 $5 axb4 22. axb4 Nh5 $1 23. Qg4 Bxb4 24. Qxh5 f6 $1 25. Bd3 g6 $1 {amazingly holds up for Black, as after} 26. Bxg6 $2 (26. Qg4 $1 fxe5 27. Qxe6+ Qf7 28. Qxe5 Ra5 {and Black has enough compensation to draw here}) 26... hxg6 27. Qxg6+ Qg7 {and due to the mate on g2, White can't take on f6 with the queen, and thus suddenly ends up a piece short! Instead of 21.b4, probably 21.d3!? is stronger, and White remains comfortably placed.}) 21. Bd4 Qb3 22. Rd3 (22. Rd2 {is more modest, but White still has a pleasant game after eg.} a4 23. Qc7 Nd7 24. Be3 Bd8 25. Qg3 {But the game puts much more direct pressure on Black.}) 22... Qc2 23. b4 $1 axb4 24. axb4 Nh5 25. Qe5 (25. Qe3 $5 {This computer move also keeps an edge, the main point being} Bxb4 26. Qg5 g6 (26... f6 $1 {a much better fighting chance} 27. Qxh5 e5 28. Qf5 Rf8 $1 { and although White is better, Black keeps definite figthing chances}) 27. Ne4 $1 Bxe4 28. Qe5 $1 {and Black's position suddenly collapses.}) 25... Bf6 {The toughest defence.} ({Both players saw} 25... Ra1 26. Nd1 $1 Rxd1 27. Rxd1 Qxd1 28. Qb8+ Bf8 29. Bc5 h6 30. Qxf8+ Kh7 {and now} 31. Qd6 $1 {is the key bringing back the queen for defence, and the ensuing endings will just be winning for White due to the queenside majority and the pair of bishops.} (31. Qxf7 $2 Be4 $1 {however would completely reverse the situation, as ...d3 can't be stopped.})) 26. Qxh5 Bxd4 27. Rxd4 Qxc3 28. Qa5 $1 {The point behind 23.b4, without this, White wouldn't even be better. But now with this intermezzo, White just manages to coordinate in time, and thus his queenside majority secures a huge edge.} Rf8 $146 ({RR} 28... Re8 29. Qb6 e5 30. Rd6 Be4 31. b5 h6 32. h3 Ra8 33. Rd8+ Rxd8 34. Qxd8+ Kh7 35. Qd7 f5 36. Qd6 f4 37. c5 f3 38. g3 Qc1 39. h4 Qc3 40. h5 Qc1 41. c6 bxc6 42. bxc6 Qxc6 {½-½ (42) Chandra,A (2472)-Nyzhnyk,I (2639) Rockville 2014}) 29. Qb6 e5 {The only way to fight.} 30. Rd1 (30. Rd8 $5 g6 31. b5 Be4 32. Rd7 {transposes to the line below.}) 30... g6 31. b5 Be4 32. Qf6 $6 (32. h4 $5) (32. Rd7 {This seems almost winning, the idea being d6 next, and if now ...f5, then xb7.} Qe1 33. Qd6 $16) 32... h5 $6 (32... Bf5 $1 {A very good fighting chance,} 33. Rd5 Be6 34. Qxe5 Qxe5 35. Rxe5 Rc8 {as this could be easily drawn for Black, White should probably not liquidate into this ending. An important line is} 36. c5 Kf8 37. Bd3 Bd7 $1 {followed by ...f6 winning back the pawn.}) 33. h4 Bf5 34. Rd5 Qc1 $5 (34... Be6 35. Qxe5 Qxe5 36. Rxe5 Rc8 37. c5 Kf8 38. Bd3 Bd7 {is now different, as ...f6 would weaken the g6-pawn, and thus h4/h5 greatly favours White.}) 35. Qxe5 Be6 36. Rd4 Ra8 37. Qe2 {Gelfand has reasonable activity for the pawn, but in time pressure commits a few inaccuracies, which Magnus punished mercilessly.} Kh7 $6 (37... Qa1 38. Qd1 Kg7 {eg. was a much tougher defence} 39. c5 $2 Qc3 $1 {being one resource.}) 38. Rd1 Qc3 39. Qe4 Ra1 $2 {But ...a7 as the computer thinks, fights on. But it is impossible for a human to play.} 40. Rxa1 Qxa1 41. c5 $1 {The time control has been reached, but now White is completely winning, as nothing stops his pawns marching forward.} Qc3 42. Qxb7 (42. b6 {would indeed be safer, but Magnus missed Gelfand's reply to his next move.}) 42... Qe1 $5 (42... Qxc5 43. b6 {followed by a6, and the pawn just queens.}) 43. b6 {Magnus said at the press conference that he quite quickly recovered from the shock, and that despite losing the bishop on f1, it doesn't really change much, as what matters is that the white pawns are queening.} Bc4 44. Qf3 $1 Qxf1+ 45. Kh2 Qb1 46. b7 Qb5 47. c6 Bd5 48. Qg3 $1 {Controlling g2, and h4, eliminating even any small attempts at counterplay, and simultaneously queening the b-pawn made Gelfand resign. Probably Magnus' best game in London. He achieved only a small edge in the opening, but with some precise tactics managed to enlarge it, and then increased it to decisive proportions in Gelfand's time trouble. This gave Carlsen the sole lead, but much more was still to happen...} 1-0

[Event "Candidates Tournament"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2013.03.29"]
[Round "12"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Ivanchuk, Vassily"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B48"]
[WhiteElo "2872"]
[BlackElo "2757"]
[Annotator "Kritz,Leonid"]
[PlyCount "180"]
[EventDate "2013.03.15"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 154"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.05.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.05.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 {Mueller,Ka} c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 e6 ({Wenn Schwarz ganz prinzipiell spielen will, kann er mit} 3... e5 {fortfahren:} 4. Bc4 d6 5. d3 Be7 {mit vielen theoretischen Varianten.}) 4. d4 cxd4 5. Nxd4 Qc7 6. Be3 a6 7. Qd2 {Das ist die populärste und wohl auch die stärkste Fortsetzung gegen das Paulsen-System.} (7. Bd3 Nf6 8. O-O Nxd4 $1 {Ich finde das Nehmen sehr gut für Schwarz.} 9. Bxd4 Bc5 10. Bxc5 (10. Bxf6 $2 gxf6 11. Qg4 Kf8 12. Kh1 h5 13. Qh4 Be7 14. f4 b5 $132) 10... Qxc5 11. Kh1 d6 12. f4 e5 $132) (7. Be2 Nf6 8. O-O Bb4 9. Na4 Be7 10. Nxc6 bxc6 11. Nb6 Rb8 12. Nxc8 Qxc8 13. Bd4 c5 14. Be5 Rb6 $132 {Auch hier hat Schwarz gute Aussichten.}) 7... Nf6 8. O-O-O Bb4 9. f3 Ne7 $5 {Diese Variante war und bleibt eine der größten Fragen, die Weiß noch zu beantworten hat.} (9... b5 10. Bf4 Ne5 11. Nc6 $3 {Dank dieses Tricks bekommt Weiß eine sehr angenehme Stellung.} Nd3+ (11... Qxc6 12. Bxe5 Bb7 13. Qg5 $16) (11... Bxc3 12. bxc3 $1 Qxc6 13. Bxe5 $16) (11... dxc6 12. Bxe5 $16) 12. cxd3 Qxc6 13. Kb1 O-O 14. Rc1 $14) (9... Ne5 {Die Hauptvariante!} 10. Nb3 b5 11. Qe1 {Nun droht xb5.} Be7 12. f4 Ng6 13. e5 Ng4 14. Ne4 $132 {Beide Seiten haben ihre Chancen.}) 10. Nb3 $2 {Dieser Zug wird selten gespielt und das zurecht. Besser ist 10.de2.} (10. Nde2 d5 (10... b5 11. Bf4 e5 12. Bg5 Bb7 13. Kb1 $14) 11. Bg5 dxe4 12. Bxf6 gxf6 13. Qd4 exf3 14. Qxb4 fxe2 15. Bxe2 f5 $13 {Es sieht so aus, als ob Weiß genug Kompensation für den Bauern hat, aber etwas Konkretes gibt er auch wieder nicht. Es hat noch niemand einen eindeutigen Weg zum Vorteil in dieser Stellung gezeigt.}) 10... d5 ({RR} 10... Bxc3 11. bxc3 d5 12. c4 O-O 13. cxd5 exd5 14. Bd4 dxe4 15. fxe4 Nxe4 16. Qe3 f5 17. Nc5 Nc6 18. Nxe4 Nxd4 19. Rxd4 fxe4 20. Bc4+ Kh8 21. Qxe4 Bf5 22. Qh4 Qa5 23. Qg3 Rac8 24. Bb3 Bxc2 25. Kb2 {Zhu,M (2043)-Yang,J (2372) Kingston, ON CAN 2025 0-1}) 11. e5 {Weiß steht schon schlechter. Nach dem Partiezug bekommt er keine einzige Chance zum Spielen.} (11. Kb1 Bxc3 12. bxc3 O-O 13. e5 Nd7 14. f4 a5 15. Nd4 Nc5 16. Nb5 Qc6 17. Bxc5 Qxc5 18. Qd4 b6 19. Qxc5 bxc5 $15 {0-1 Cernousek,L (2417)-Chloupek,S (2317)/Czechia 2009/EXT 2011 (40)}) 11... Nd7 $15 {Es ist sehr komisch, dass Carlsen diese Variante gewählt hat. Ich vermute, dass er etwas verwechselt hat, weil Weiß hier einfach eine schlechte Bauernstruktur bekommt, ohne jegliche Kompensation.} 12. f4 b6 13. Bd4 $146 {Etwas stärker war doch a3, dann behält man zumindest den schwarzfeldrigen Läufer.} (13. a3 Bxc3 14. Qxc3 Qxc3 15. bxc3 Bb7 16. Kd2 Kd8 17. Be2 Kc7 $15 {1-0 Piorun,K (2445)-Vovk,Y (2549)/Warsaw 2008/CBM 125 Extra (44)}) ({RR} 13. Bd3 Bb7 14. Kb1 Bxc3 15. Qxc3 Qxc3 16. bxc3 Rc8 17. Bd4 Nc5 18. Nc1 O-O 19. Rhf1 Bc6 20. g4 Ba4 21. Rd2 Ne4 22. Bxe4 dxe4 23. Re1 Nd5 24. Rxe4 Rxc3 25. Bf2 b5 26. Kb2 Rc4 27. Bd4 Nb4 {Zude,A (2422)-Halkias,S (2593) Zuerich 2011 0-1 (41)}) ({RR} 13. a3 Bxc3 14. Qxc3 Qxc3 15. bxc3 Bb7 16. Kd2 Kd8 17. Be2 Kc7 18. Bf3 h5 19. Ke2 Rac8 20. Rb1 Kb8 21. Kd2 Nf5 22. Bf2 g5 23. g3 f6 24. exf6 g4 25. Bg2 d4 26. Bxb7 dxc3+ 27. Ke2 Kxb7 {Piorun,K (2445)-Vovk,Y (2549) Warsaw 2008 1-0 (44)}) 13... Nc5 {Jetzt ist die Stellung von Weiß schon kritisch.} 14. a3 $2 {Und wieder nicht die beste Entscheidung! Offensichtlich hat Carlsen einfach einen schlechten Tag erwischt.} (14. Bxc5 $1 Bxc5 (14... bxc5 15. a3 Bxc3 16. Qxc3 c4 17. Nd4 $132) 15. Kb1 O-O (15... Bb4 $2 16. Nb5 $1 $16) 16. Bd3 Bd7 $15) 14... Ne4 15. Qe1 Nxc3 16. Bxc3 (16. axb4 Nxd1 $19) 16... Bxc3 17. Qxc3 Qxc3 18. bxc3 $17 {Nach nur 18 Zügen hat Weiß alle Chancen auf aktives Spiel verloren und muss nun ums Remis kämpfen. Gegen einen Spieler von solcher Klasse wie Ivanchuk kann man solche Stellungen kaum halten.} a5 $6 {Als erstes kommt der "schlechte" Läufer raus, wobei das auch einen Nachteil hat - das Feld b5 wird geschwächt.} 19. Nd4 (19. c4 $5 O-O 20. cxd5 Nxd5 21. g3 a4 22. Nd4 Ne3 23. Re1 Bb7 $17) 19... Ba6 20. Bd3 $1 {Wenn Schwarz auf d3 nimmt, wird die weiße Bauernstruktur sofort verbessert.} (20. Nb5 $6 Kd7 21. Bd3 Bxb5 $1 22. Bxb5+ Kc7 $17 {Dieses Materialverhältnis ist das schlechteste für Weiß.}) 20... Kd7 (20... Bxd3 $4 21. cxd3 $14) 21. Kd2 Nc6 $1 {Ivanchuk spielt sehr genau. Man muss alle starken Figuren von Weiß abtauschen, um dann gegen die Schwächen spielen zu können.} 22. Rb1 (22. Nb5 f6 $1 23. exf6 gxf6 $17 {Schwarz wird bald zu ...e5 kommen.}) (22. Bb5 Bxb5 23. Nxb5 g5 $1 {Typischer Zug für diese Bauernstruktur.} 24. g3 Rag8 $17) 22... Bxd3 $1 {Jetzt kann Schwarz auf d3 nehmen, weil Weiß nicht mit dem Bauern zurückschlagen kann.} 23. Kxd3 (23. cxd3 Nxd4 24. cxd4 Kc6 25. Rb2 Kb7 26. Rhb1 Ra6 $15 {Demnächst kommt c8-c6 und dann wird sich der Turm a6 befreien können.}) (23. Nxc6 Bxc2 24. Kxc2 (24. Rxb6 Be4 25. Nd4 Rhb8 $19) 24... Kxc6 $19) 23... Rab8 {Weiß kann die Stellung wahrscheinlich halten, wenn er die Türme auf der b-Linie verdoppelt.} 24. Nb5 $2 (24. Rb2 f6 25. Nxc6 Kxc6 26. Re1 Rhf8 27. g3 $15) 24... g5 $1 {Jetzt kommt Schwarz auch noch von der anderen Seite.} 25. g3 Rhg8 26. c4 (26. Nd6 gxf4 27. gxf4 f6 $19) (26. Rhg1 Ne7 $17) 26... gxf4 {Das Nehmen auf c4 war gut genug.} (26... dxc4+ 27. Kxc4 gxf4 28. gxf4 Rg4 $19 {Beide Bauern e5 und f4 hängen.}) 27. gxf4 Ne7 $2 {Ivanchuk macht ebenfalls einen Fehler. Nach 27....dxc4 könnte Weiß aufgeben.} (27... dxc4+ 28. Kxc4 (28. Kc3 Ne7 $19) 28... Rg4 29. Rhf1 Nxe5+ $19) 28. Rhg1 {Nun hat Schwarz das Feld g4 nicht mehr zur Verfügung.} dxc4+ 29. Kxc4 Nd5 (29... Rbc8+ 30. Kb3 Nd5 31. Rxg8 Rxg8 32. Rd1 Kc6 33. c4 Nxf4 34. Rd6+ Kb7 (34... Kc5 $4 35. Nc3 $18) 35. Rd7+ $14) 30. Nd6 Kc6 31. Nxf7 Nxf4 {Auch nach 31....gf8 steht Schwarz besser.} (31... Rgf8 32. Ng5 Rxf4+ 33. Kb3 Re8 34. Rbe1 h6 35. Ne4 Rh4 $15) 32. Kb3 {Vermutlich waren beide Spieler schon in Zeitnot.} (32. Rbd1 $1 Rxg1 (32... Nd5 33. Kd4 $11) 33. Rxg1 b5+ 34. Kb3 Kc5 35. Rf1 Ne2 36. c3 b4 37. cxb4+ axb4 38. Ng5 $1 (38. axb4+ Rxb4+ 39. Kc2 Rf4 40. Rxf4 Nxf4 41. Ng5 h6 42. Nf7 h5 43. Kd2 Kd4 $19) 38... Nd4+ 39. Kb2 bxa3+ 40. Kxa3 $15 {Schwarz steht besser, aber Weiß hat gute Chancen, um Remis zu halten.}) 32... Kc5 (32... Rgf8 $5 33. Ng5 Rf5 34. Rbf1 Rg8 35. Nxh7 Rxg1 36. Rxg1 Rxe5 $15) 33. Ng5 h6 34. Ne4+ Kd4 35. Nf6 Rxg1 36. Rxg1 Rc8 $1 {Genau gespielt! Schwarz muss seinen Turm aktivieren.} (36... Kxe5 $4 37. Nd7+ $18) 37. Re1 (37. Rd1+ Kxe5 38. Ng4+ Ke4 39. Nxh6 Ne2 $17) 37... Rc3+ 38. Kb2 Rf3 (38... Rh3 $4 39. Re4+ $18) 39. Re4+ Kc5 40. Nd7+ Kd5 41. Nf6+ Kc5 42. Nd7+ Kc6 $1 {Schwarz will natürlich weiter spielen, seine Stellung ist viel besser, weil sein König sehr stark ist.} 43. Nf6 (43. Rd4 Nd5 44. c4 Rf2+ 45. Kb3 a4+ $1 46. Kxa4 b5+ 47. cxb5+ (47. Ka5 bxc4 48. Nb8+ Kc5 $19) 47... Kxd7 48. Rh4 Re2 $17) 43... Ng6 {Nun droht einfach xe5.} 44. Rc4+ Kb5 45. Re4 $2 {Mueller,Ka: 'The passive solution makes life difficult for Carlsen.'} ({The active} 45. Rc8 $1 {Mueller,Ka draws easier, e.g.} Nxe5 46. Ne4 Re3 47. Nd6+ Ka4 48. Rf8 b5 (48... Rf3 49. Rxf3 Nxf3 50. c4 Nd2 51. Ka2 Nb3 52. Ne4 Nc1+ 53. Kb2 Nd3+ $11) 49. Rf4+ b4 50. axb4 axb4 51. Rf8 Ka5 52. Rb8 Re2 53. Kb3 $11) 45... Rf5 $17 {Schwarz hat wieder sehr großen Vorteil. Weiß kann den Bauern nicht halten.} 46. Ne8 $6 ({The computer suggestion} 46. a4+ {Mueller,Ka} Kc5 47. Kb3 Nxe5 48. c3 {is better.}) 46... Kc5 47. Nc7 $6 ({Again the computer solution} 47. Kb3 {Mueller,Ka} Rxe5 48. Rc4+ Kd5 {is objectivly better, but White's house already looks very shaky.}) 47... Nxe5 $1 48. Rh4 Kd6 49. Nb5+ Kd7 50. a4 h5 51. Nd4 Rg5 52. Re4 Nc4+ 53. Kc3 Re5 $1 54. Rh4 $6 {Mueller,Ka: 'The rook is a bit misplaced here.'} (54. Re2 $5 {Mueller,Ka is called for.}) 54... Nd6 55. Kd3 Rd5 56. c4 Rg5 57. Nf3 Rc5 58. Nd2 Rf5 59. Nb3 Nb7 60. Rh3 Kd6 61. Kc3 Nc5 $1 62. Nxc5 Kxc5 63. Re3 (63. Rh4 {Mueller,Ka} e5 64. Kd3 Kb4 $19) 63... e5 $2 {Mueller,Ka: 'Until now Ivanchuk has played his initiative forcefully. But now he loses control for a short moment.'} (63... h4 $1 {Mueller,Ka wins, e.g.} 64. Rxe6 (64. Kd3 e5 65. Ke4 (65. Kc3 e4 66. Rxe4 Rf3+ 67. Kc2 Rh3 $19) 65... Rf4+ 66. Kxe5 Rxc4 67. Ra3 Kb4 68. Ra1 Rc2 $19) 64... Rf3+ 65. Kb2 (65. Kd2 Rh3 $19) 65... Rh3 66. Re5+ Kb4 67. Rb5+ (67. Re2 Kxa4 $19) 67... Kxc4 68. Rxb6 Rxh2+ 69. Ka3 Rh3+ 70. Kb2 Rd3 71. Rb5 Rd5 $19) 64. h4 Kd6 65. Rd3+ Ke6 (65... Kc6 {Mueller,Ka} 66. Rd5 Rf3+ 67. Kc2 Rh3 68. Rxe5 Rxh4 69. Kc3 Rh1 70. Re6+ Kc5 71. Re5+ Kd6 72. Rb5 Kc6 73. Kd4 h4 74. Rh5 h3 75. Rh6+ Kd7 76. Kd5 h2 77. Rh7+ Ke8 78. Kc6 Kf8 79. Rh3 Kg7 80. Kb7 $11) 66. Rg3 (66. Rd5 $2 {Mueller,Ka} Rf3+ (66... e4 $2 67. Kd4 Rxd5+ 68. cxd5+ Kf5 69. d6 Ke6 70. Kxe4 Kxd6 71. Kd4 Kc7 72. Kc3 $11) 67. Kc2 Rf4 68. Kc3 Rxh4 69. Rb5 Rh3+ 70. Kd2 (70. Kb2 e4 71. Rxb6+ Ke5 72. c5 Kd4 73. Re6 Rc3 $19) 70... e4 71. Rxb6+ Ke5 72. c5 Rd3+ 73. Ke2 Rc3 74. Rb5 h4 75. Rxa5 (75. c6+ Kd4 $19) 75... h3 76. c6+ Kd6 77. Rh5 h2 78. Rh6+ Kc7 79. Kd2 Ra3 80. a5 Ra1 $19) 66... Kf6 67. Rd3 Rf4 68. Rd6+ Kf5 69. Rxb6 Rxh4 70. c5 Rxa4 (70... Ke4 {Mueller,Ka} 71. c6 (71. Kc4 $11) 71... Kd5 72. Rb5+ Kxc6 73. Rxe5 $11) 71. Rh6 $2 {Mueller,Ka: 'The large drawish tendency of rook endings still saves White, but over the board it is next to impossible to defend this position.'} (71. c6 {Mueller,Ka} Ke6 (71... Ra1 $6 {is met by} 72. Kb2 {when} Ra4 {is the only move to draw for Black.}) 72. Rb5 Kd6 73. c7 Kxc7 74. Rxe5 {is a tablebase draw, e.g.} h4 75. Rh5 Kb6 76. Rh6+ Kc5 77. Rh5+ Kd6 78. Kb3 Rd4 79. Rxa5 Rd5 80. Ra6+ Ke5 81. Rh6 Rd4 82. Kc3 Ra4 83. Kd2 Kf5 84. Ke2 Kg5 85. Rh8 $11) 71... Ke4 $1 {Mueller,Ka: 'Ivanchuk's king crosses over to deal with the passed c-pawn himself.'} 72. Rd6 (72. Rxh5 {Mueller,Ka} Kd5 73. c6 Rc4+ 74. Kd3 Rxc6 $19) (72. c6 {Mueller,Ka} Kd5 73. Kd3 Rd4+ 74. Ke3 Rc4 $19) 72... Rd4 $1 73. Ra6 (73. Rxd4+ {Mueller,Ka} exd4+ 74. Kc4 d3 75. c6 (75. Kc3 Kd5 76. Kxd3 Kxc5 $19) 75... d2 76. c7 d1=Q 77. c8=Q Qc2+ $19) 73... Kd5 74. Rxa5 (74. c6 {Mueller,Ka} Rc4+ 75. Kd3 Rxc6 76. Rxa5+ Ke6 $19) (74. Rh6 {Mueller,Ka} Kxc5 75. Rxh5 Kd5 $19) 74... Rc4+ 75. Kd3 Rxc5 76. Ra4 Rc7 ({The computer move} 76... e4+ {Mueller,Ka wins quicker as} 77. Rxe4 $6 {runs into} Rc3+ 78. Kxc3 Kxe4 79. Kd2 Kf3 80. Ke1 Kg2 $19 {[%csl Gg1,Gg2]}) 77. Rh4 Rh7 78. Ke3 Ke6 79. Ke4 Rh8 80. Ke3 Kf5 81. Ke2 Kg5 82. Re4 Re8 83. Ke3 h4 84. Ke2 h3 85. Kf2 h2 86. Kg2 h1=Q+ 87. Kxh1 Kf5 88. Re1 Rg8 $1 {Mueller,Ka: 'The cut off decides.'} 89. Kh2 (89. Rg1 {Mueller,Ka} Rxg1+ 90. Kxg1 Ke4 91. Kf2 Kd3 $19 {[%csl Gd3,Ge3,Gf3]}) 89... Kf4 90. Rf1+ Ke3 0-1

[Event "Candidates Tournament"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2013.04.01"]
[Round "14"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Svidler, Peter"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C77"]
[WhiteElo "2872"]
[BlackElo "2747"]
[Annotator "Marin,Mihail"]
[PlyCount "96"]
[EventDate "2013.03.15"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 154"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.05.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.05.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. d3 b5 7. Bb3 d6 8. a3 O-O 9. Nc3 Bb7 10. Bd2 ({RR} 10. Re1 Qd7 11. Ne2 Rae8 12. Ng3 Bd8 13. Rf1 Be7 14. Re1 Bd8 15. a4 Ne7 16. axb5 axb5 17. Bg5 Nc8 18. Qd2 Kh8 19. h3 Ng8 20. Bxd8 Rxd8 21. c3 c5 22. d4 Qc7 23. Qe3 Nb6 24. Kh2 f6 {Topalov,V (2784)-Tomashevsky,E (2709) Kiev 2013 1-0 (44)}) 10... Qd7 ({RR} 10... Nb8 11. Qe2 c5 12. Bg5 Nbd7 13. a4 b4 14. Nb1 h6 15. Bxf6 Nxf6 16. a5 Nd7 17. Nbd2 Kh8 18. c3 Bc6 19. Nc4 f5 20. Ba4 Qc7 21. Bxc6 Qxc6 22. cxb4 cxb4 23. Rac1 Qb5 24. exf5 Rxf5 25. Nd4 {Farias,D (2117)-Barkasheva,S (1869) Leca da Palmeira POR 2025 ½-½ (56)}) 11. a4 $146 (11. Ne2 Nd8 12. Ng3 Ne6 13. Nf5 c5 14. N3h4 Bd8 15. Qf3 d5 {Mickiewicz,P (2271)-Malaniuk,V (2522)/Koszalin 2007/CBM 119 ext (0-1, 43)}) ({RR} 11. Re1 Rfe8 12. Nd5 Nxd5 13. exd5 Nd4 14. Nxd4 exd4 15. Qf3 Bf6 16. Rxe8+ Rxe8 17. a4 Ra8 18. Qe4 Re8 19. Qf3 Ra8 20. Qe4 Re8 21. Qf3 Ra8 {½-½ (21) Pahl,E (2097)-Fromm,M (2190) Willingen 2020}) ({RR} 11. Ne2 Nd8 12. Ng3 Ne6 13. Nf5 Rfe8 14. Ng5 d5 15. Nxe6 fxe6 16. Nxe7+ Rxe7 17. Bb4 Ree8 18. f3 a5 19. Bc5 Qc6 20. Bf2 Qd6 21. Qd2 c5 22. Rae1 h6 23. f4 dxe4 24. fxe5 Qxe5 25. d4 Qd6 {Svidler,P (2723)-Mons,L (2540) Chess.com INT 2020 1-0 (34)}) ({RR} 11. Ne2 Nd8 12. Ng3 Ne6 13. Re1 Rfe8 14. h3 c6 15. Nf5 Bd8 16. Nh2 d5 17. Ng4 Nc5 18. Bg5 Nxg4 19. Qxg4 g6 20. Be3 Ne6 21. Rad1 Kh8 22. Nh6 Bf6 23. Qf3 Nf4 24. d4 dxe4 25. Qg3 Nd5 {Borisek,J (2565)-Jumabayev,R (2606) Berlin 2015 1-0 (40)}) 11... Nd8 12. axb5 axb5 13. Rxa8 Bxa8 14. Ne2 Ne6 15. Ng3 c5 16. Nf5 Bd8 17. c4 $5 {This way of fighting for the light squares justifies (at least partly) the loss of a tempo with a3-a4.} bxc4 18. Bxc4 Bc7 19. Re1 Re8 20. Qc1 Nh5 21. g3 g6 22. Nh6+ Kg7 23. Ng5 Nxg5 24. Bxg5 d5 25. exd5 Bxd5 26. Ng4 Bf3 27. Bf6+ Kg8 28. Nh6+ Kf8 29. Qe3 Bb7 30. Bh4 Qh3 31. f3 $2 (31. Bd5 $1 {This is not that difficult to spot, but evaluating the consequences requires some effort.} Bxd5 32. Qxc5+ Kg7 33. Qxd5 Kxh6 34. Qxf7 Ba5 35. Qxe8 Bxe1 36. Qxe5 {Threatening mate with g5#} Bxf2+ $1 (36... Bd2 37. Qe2 Bc1 38. Be7 {allows White to maintain the initiative in conditions of material equality.}) 37. Kxf2 Qxh2+ {with a probable draw. If White interposes his queen to one of the checks, Black can exchange and win the bishop with ...g5.}) 31... Nf4 $36 32. gxf4 Qxh4 33. Nxf7 Bxf3 34. Qf2 Qg4+ 35. Qg3 exf4 36. Rxe8+ Kxe8 37. Qxg4 Bxg4 38. Ng5 h6 39. Nf7 h5 40. Nh6 Bd1 41. Kf2 f3 42. h3 Bf4 43. Nf7 g5 44. Ke1 g4 45. hxg4 hxg4 46. Kxd1 g3 47. Ke1 g2 48. Kf2 Bh2 0-1

[Event "Norway Chess 1st"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2013.05.09"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B51"]
[WhiteElo "2868"]
[BlackElo "2783"]
[Annotator "Szabo,Krisztian"]
[PlyCount "118"]
[EventDate "2013.05.08"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 155"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.07.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.07.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. Bb5+ Nd7 4. d4 cxd4 5. Qxd4 a6 6. Bxd7+ Bxd7 7. c4 e5 8. Qd3 b5 $5 {A very logical move. Black attacks White's  centre in order to lessen the pressure against d5.} 9. Nc3 (9. Na3 {has also been played, but} Qb6 10. O-O h6 11. b3 Nf6 12. Re1 Be7 13. Nd2 O-O 14. Nf1 Bc6 15. Ng3 Bd7 16. Be3 Qb7 17. Nc2 bxc4 18. bxc4 Rfc8 $132 {and Black looks nicely placed, Tiviakov-Babula, Dresden 2007.}) 9... bxc4 10. Qxc4 Be6 11. Qd3 (11. Qc6+ {leads only to repetition of moves after} Bd7 12. Qc4 Be6 $11) (11. Nd5 Qa5+ 12. Qc3 (12. Bd2 Bxd5 13. exd5 Qb5 $13) 12... Qxc3+ 13. Nxc3 h6 14. b3 Rc8 15. Bb2 Nf6 16. O-O Be7 17. Rfd1 O-O 18. Nd2 Rc6 $13 {D.Howell-Shanava, Istanbul ol 2012}) 11... h6 {This important move avoids  or g5.} ({In the event of} 11... Nf6 $6 12. Bg5 Be7 13. Bxf6 Bxf6 14. O-O {followed by d5 with a slight advantage for White.}) 12. O-O Nf6 13. Rd1 $146 {The first novelty in the game. The idea can be seen in the next moves.} (13. Be3 Be7 14. Nd2 d5 15. exd5 Nxd5 16. Nxd5 Qxd5 17. Qxd5 Bxd5 18. Rfc1 Kd7 19. Nc4 Bxc4 20. Rxc4 Rhc8 $11 {Yu Ruiyuan-Zhou Jianchao, Tianjin 2013. Black equalised.}) 13... Be7 14. Ne1 $5 {A very typical plan in these  structures. The white  goes to c2-e3 and d5.} O-O 15. Nc2 Qb6 16. Ne3 Rfc8 17. b3 {A prophylactic move, Carlsen prepares for d2.} ({The immediate} 17. Ned5 {is probably too early, as} Nxd5 18. Nxd5 Bxd5 19. Qxd5 Rab8 (19... Qb4 20. b3) 20. b3 Rc2 21. Be3 Qb4 {and it is not so easy to improve the position with White.}) 17... a5 $146 ({RR} 17... Qb7 18. Bb2 a5 19. Ncd5 Nxd5 20. Nxd5 Bxd5 21. Qxd5 Qxd5 22. Rxd5 Rc2 23. Ba3 Re2 24. Bxd6 Bxd6 25. Rxd6 Rxe4 26. g3 Re2 27. Kf1 Rb2 28. Rd5 a4 29. bxa4 Rxa4 30. Rxe5 Raxa2 31. Rxa2 Rxa2 {½-½ (31) Santeramo,A (2160)-Brunello,M (2367) Premium Chess Arena INT 2020}) ({RR} 17... Qb7 18. Bd2 Bd8 19. Rac1 Bb6 20. Ncd5 Bxd5 21. Nxd5 Nxd5 22. Qxd5 Qxd5 23. exd5 Kf8 24. Kf1 Ke7 25. Ke2 h5 26. f3 Kd7 27. Kd3 f5 28. h3 g6 29. Rxc8 {½-½ (29) Solozhenkin,E (2464)-Kulaots,K (2574) Jyvaskyla 2015}) 18. Bd2 Qa6 {Anand decides to exchange the .} 19. Be1 Nd7 20. f3 {Carlsen protects the e4 , which wasn't hanging at the moment, but after the exchange of , than cd5 c5 and the  is protected.} Rc6 21. Qxa6 Rcxa6 22. Ned5 $1 (22. Ncd5 {was also possible} Bd8 (22... Bg5 23. Nc4 $14) 23. Rac1 $14 {and White is slightly better.}) 22... Bd8 23. Nb5 {This is the point of why Carlsen put the e3  on d5.} Rc8 (23... Rc6 {was more precise} 24. Rac1 (24. Bf2 Rb8) 24... Rxc1 25. Rxc1 Bxd5 26. exd5 Nf6 27. Nxd6 Nxd5 {and still Black can hope for equalisation.}) 24. Bf2 (24. Rac1 {was an interesting alternative.} Rxc1 25. Rxc1 Bxd5 26. exd5 Bb6+ 27. Bf2 $14) 24... Kh7 {A prophylactic move, which avoids e7 checks.} 25. Kf1 $14 {Another logical move by Carlsen. The  is coming towards the centre.} Rcc6 $6 (25... g6 {was another option preparing for g7.} 26. Rac1 Rac6 27. Be3 $14) 26. Rac1 Bg5 27. Rc3 (27. Rxc6 $1 {was stronger} Rxc6 28. Ndc7 Rc2 29. Nxe6 fxe6 30. Rxd6 $16 {and White is better.}) 27... Bxd5 28. Rxd5 Rxc3 29. Nxc3 Rc6 30. Be1 Nc5 31. Nb5 (31. h4 $5 Bd8 (31... Be7 32. Ke2 $14) 32. Nb5 Nb7 33. Ke2 $14) 31... Nb7 32. h4 Be3 33. Ke2 Bc5 34. h5 Bb4 35. Bd2 $6 ({In the event of} 35. Bxb4 axb4 36. a3 bxa3 37. Nxa3 g6 38. hxg6+ Kxg6 39. Nc4 {is still also slightly better for White.}) 35... g6 36. a3 Bxd2 37. hxg6+ Kxg6 38. Kxd2 h5 39. g3 f6 40. Na7 Rc7 41. Nb5 Rc6 42. Ke2 Kf7 $11 {Anand has made some precise moves, so he has levelled the position.} 43. b4 axb4 44. axb4 Ke6 45. Rd3 Rc4 46. Rb3 d5 47. Kd3 Rc6 48. exd5+ Kxd5 49. Rc3 f5 50. Nc7+ Kd6 51. Ne8+ Kd5 52. Rxc6 Kxc6 53. Ng7 Nd6 54. Nxh5 e4+ 55. fxe4 Nxe4 56. Kd4 Kb5 57. g4 fxg4 58. Kxe4 g3 59. Nxg3 Kxb4 1/2-1/2

[Event "Norway Chess 1st"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2013.05.10"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C28"]
[WhiteElo "2775"]
[BlackElo "2868"]
[Annotator "Marin,Mihail"]
[PlyCount "75"]
[EventDate "2013.05.08"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 155"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.07.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.07.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 {Lukacs,Peter} e5 2. Nc3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. d3 Na5 5. Nge2 Be7 ({In the last and decisive game of an old Candidates' quarter-final, Black hurried with the exchange of bishops exchange, thus offering White a wider choice at a later moment.} 5... Nxc4 6. dxc4 Be7 7. O-O d6 {Now, 8.f4 would transpose to our game, but Larsen thought} 8. b3 {to be more flexible and he eventually proved to be right, at least from a practical point of view, see Larsen,B-Portisch,L/Porec 1968/Candidates/[ChessBase] (1-0, 28)}) ({RR} 5... c6) 6. O-O d6 ({RR} 6... O-O 7. Ng3 d6 8. a4 ({RR} 8. f4 exf4 9. Bxf4 c6 10. Kh1 d5 11. exd5 ({RR} 11. Bb3 {RR} dxe4 12. Ngxe4 ({RR} 12. Ncxe4 Nd5 13. Bxd5 cxd5 14. Nc3 Nc6 15. Qh5 Be6 16. Rae1 Qd7 17. h3 Nb4 18. Re2 d4 19. Nce4 Rac8 20. Rff2 f6 21. a3 Nd5) 12... Nxe4 13. Nxe4 Nxb3 14. axb3 Bf5 15. Qf3 Bg6) 11... cxd5 12. Bb3 Nxb3 13. axb3 d4 14. Nce2 Nd5 15. Qd2 Nb4 16. Ng1 Bg4 17. h3 Be6 18. Nf3 Rc8 19. Rac1 Re8) ({RR} 8. h3 c6 9. Bb3 d5 ({RR} 9... Nxb3 10. axb3 Be6 11. f4 exf4 12. Bxf4 d5 13. Qf3 Qd7 14. Kh2 Kh8 15. Be5 Rfe8) 10. Qf3 h6 11. Re1 Nxb3 12. axb3 d4 13. Nce2 Re8 14. Nf5 Bf8) ({RR} 8. Qe2 c6 9. a3 ({RR} 9. a4 Nxc4 10. dxc4) 9... Nxc4 10. dxc4 Re8 11. Rd1 Qc7 12. b3 Bg4 13. f3 Be6 14. Bb2 Rad8 15. Kh1 a6 16. a4 ({RR} 16. Rd2 b5)) ({RR} 8. a3 Nxc4 9. dxc4 c6 10. Qd3 Re8 11. Re1 Bf8 12. h3 Be6 13. Be3 g6 14. Rad1 Qc7) 8... Nxc4 9. dxc4 Be6 ({RR} 9... c6 10. Qd3 ({RR} 10. b3 Bg4 11. Qd3 Nd7 12. h3 Nc5 13. Qe3 Be6 14. Ba3 Bg5 15. Qf3 g6) 10... Be6 11. Bg5 ({RR} 11. b3 d5) 11... Nd7 12. Bxe7 Qxe7 13. Rfd1 Nc5 14. Qxd6 Qxd6 15. Rxd6 Bxc4 16. b3 Be6 17. Rad1 a5) 10. b3 c6 ({RR} 10... Nd7 11. Bb2 Kh8) 11. Bb2 ({RR} 11. Ba3 Qc7 ({RR} 11... d5 12. Bxe7 Qxe7 13. cxd5 Rad8 14. Nh5 Nxh5 15. Qxh5 cxd5 16. Qxe5 dxe4 17. Rad1) 12. Qf3 ({RR} 12. Qe2 Rad8 13. Rad1 Rfe8 14. Rd2 d5 15. Bxe7 Rxe7) 12... Rad8 13. Rfe1 Rfe8 14. h3 d5 15. exd5 cxd5 16. Nb5 Qb8 17. Bxe7 Rxe7 18. cxd5 Nxd5 19. Nf5 Bxf5 20. Qxf5 a6 21. Na3 Re6) 11... Qc7 ({RR} 11... Qa5 12. Qe2 Rfd8 13. Rad1) 12. Qe2 ({RR} 12. Qf3 g6) 12... Rfe8 13. h3 Rad8 14. Rad1 a6 ({RR} 14... Bf8 15. Rd2) ({RR} 14... Nd7 15. Qf3 ({RR} 15. Rd2 Bg5) ({RR} 15. Rd3 Nc5 16. Rdd1 Bg5) ({RR} 15. Nd5 cxd5 16. cxd5 Bxh3 17. gxh3 Bg5) 15... Nc5 16. Nf5 Bg5) 15. Rd2 b5 ({RR} 15... Nd7 16. Rfd1 a5 ({RR} 16... Nf8 17. Qh5 Ng6 18. Nce2 ({RR} 18. Nf5 Nf4 19. Qg4 Bf6 20. Ba3)) ({RR} 16... Nc5) 17. Qf3 ({RR} 17. Ba3 Nc5 18. Qh5 g6) 17... Nc5 18. Nf5 Bxf5 19. Qxf5 h6) 16. axb5 axb5 17. cxb5 d5 18. b6 ({RR} 18. bxc6 d4 19. Nd1 Qxc6) ({RR} 18. exd5 cxd5 19. Na4 d4 20. b6 Qb8) 18... Qxb6 19. Na4 ({RR} 19. exd5 cxd5 20. Na4 ({RR} 20. Qxe5 Bd6 ({RR} 20... Qc6 21. Nf5) 21. Qd4 Qb8 22. Nce2) 20... Qc6 21. Bxe5 Nd7 22. Bd4 Bd6 ({RR} 22... Bg5 23. f4) 23. Qf3 Ne5 24. Qc3) 19... Qa5 20. exd5 ({RR} 20. Bxe5 Nxe4 21. Nxe4 dxe4 22. Rxd8 Bxd8 ({RR} 22... Rxd8 23. Qxe4) 23. Bd4 Qb5 24. Qe3 Bg5 25. Qc3 f6 26. Be3) 20... Nxd5 21. Rfd1 {Morozevich,A (2749)-Leko,P (2730) Dortmund 2001 CBM 085 [Lukacs,Peter] ½-½ (67)} ({RR} 21. Bxe5 Bb4 22. Rdd1 Bc8) {RR} 21... Bg5 22. Qxe5 f6 23. Bc3 ({RR} 23. Rxd5 Bxd5 24. Qc3 Qc7) 23... Qb5) 7. f4 ({With the bishop alive, it would make little sense to bury it with} 7. b3 $2) ({RR} 7. h3 O-O 8. Ng3 c6 9. a4 Nxc4 10. dxc4 Be6 11. b3 d5 12. exd5 cxd5 13. cxd5 Nxd5 14. Nxd5 Qxd5 15. Nf5 Bf6 16. Qxd5 Bxd5 17. Bb2 Be4 18. Ne3 Rfd8 19. Rfe1 Bg5 20. Bxe5 Bxe3 21. Rxe3 Bxc2 {Taspinar,Y (2321)-Ilgaz,Y (2101) Cesme TUR 2025 ½-½ (52)}) 7... Nxc4 $146 ({RR} 7... exf4 8. Nxf4 Nxc4 9. dxc4 O-O 10. h3 Nd7 11. Ncd5 Nc5 12. Qf3 c6 13. Nxe7+ Qxe7 14. b4 Nxe4 15. Bb2 f5 16. Rae1 Qg5 17. Nh5 Be6 18. Nxg7 Bxc4 19. Nxf5 Bxf1 20. Rxe4 Rxf5 21. Qb3+ Kf8 22. Rg4 {Boruchovsky,A (2536)-Shevchenko,K (2671) chess.com INT 2023 0-1 (55)}) ({RR} 7... exf4 8. Nxf4 Nxc4 9. dxc4 O-O 10. h3 Nd7 11. Ncd5 Nc5 12. Qf3 c6 13. Nxe7+ Qxe7 14. b4 Nxe4 15. Bb2 f5 16. Rae1 Qg5 17. Nh5 Be6 18. Nxg7 Bxc4 19. Nxf5 Bxf1 20. Rxe4 Rxf5 21. Qb3+ Kf8 22. Rg4 {Boruchovsky,A (2536)-Shevchenko,K (2671) chess.com INT 2023 0-1 (55)}) 8. dxc4 c6 9. Kh1 O-O $146 {Not fearing the kingside attack.} ({I did not find anything wrong with the more cautious} 9... h5 10. f5 h4 11. Qd3 Bd7 12. h3 Qc7 13. Be3 O-O-O {Zinn,L (2410)-Kovacs,L (2385)/Decin 1975/EXT 2003 (1/2, 21)}) 10. f5 {If allowed to play g4-g5, White would get a very strong attack. With the d5-square under firm control of the white pawns, a breakthrough seems to be difficult to cary out, but Carlsen thought differently.} b5 $5 11. cxb5 d5 12. exd5 (12. bxc6 d4 13. Na4 Nxe4 $17) 12... cxd5 13. Bg5 Bb7 $44 {A brief glance at the position reveals Black's compensation. However, the ulterior course of the game proves that White's position is easier to handle, since Black cannot advance any of his pawns without giving away part of his dynamic potential.} 14. Ng3 h6 15. Bxf6 Bxf6 16. Qe2 Qe7 17. Rad1 Rad8 18. Nh5 e4 19. Nxf6+ ({It would have made some sense to keep the tension. The h5-knight may cause some troubles still, for instance with xg7, while the f6-bishop is not going to run away.} 19. Qg4 $5) 19... Qxf6 20. Na4 Ba8 (20... Bc8 $5 {[%csl Gf5]}) 21. c3 d4 22. cxd4 Rxd4 23. Nc3 Rxd1 24. Nxd1 Rd8 25. Qe3 a6 26. a4 axb5 27. axb5 Rd3 28. Qa7 Bd5 29. Nc3 e3 30. Nxd5 Rxd5 31. Qxe3 Qxb2 32. Qe8+ Kh7 33. Qxf7 Qxb5 34. Qg6+ Kg8 35. Ra1 Rxf5 36. Ra8+ Rf8 37. Rxf8+ Kxf8 38. h3 1/2-1/2

[Event "Norway Chess 1st"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2013.05.12"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Svidler, Peter"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B51"]
[WhiteElo "2868"]
[BlackElo "2769"]
[Annotator "Marin,Mihail"]
[PlyCount "86"]
[EventDate "2013.05.08"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 155"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.07.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.07.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. Bb5+ Nd7 4. O-O a6 ({If Black delays attacking the bishop with} 4... Ngf6 5. Re1 a6 {White could regroup properly:} 6. Bf1) 5. Bd3 $5 {A relatively unexplored move.} ({The main stream goes} 5. Bxd7+ Bxd7) 5... Ne5 $5 {But this is really rare. Black accepts the weakness of the doubled pawns in order to cross White's plans of central expansion with c2-c3, c2 and d2-d4.} (5... Ngf6 {is examined in Stohl's extensive comments to Caruana,F (2786)-Topalov,V (2769)/Bucharest 2012/CBM 152/[Stohl,I] (1/2, 81)}) 6. Nxe5 {White has nothing better than picking up the gauntlet. It is not such a bad option, by the way.} ({If} 6. Be2 Nxf3+ 7. Bxf3 Nf6 {the bishop does not stand well in front of the f-pawn.}) 6... dxe5 7. a4 Nf6 {I must confess that I do not quite understand why Black allows the blocking a4-a5 move while White does not play it! It will be only nine moves later that Black will eventually play ...b7-b6.} ({The more logical (and, in my opinion, better)} 7... b6 {has been played only in one game between lower rated players, so there must be something beyond my understanding.} 8. b3 {Mudrak,J (2313)-Rychlik,H (2044) Nachod 2012 (1-0, 48)}) 8. b3 $146 (8. Re1 g6 (8... b6 9. Na3 Bb7 10. Nc4 Nd7 11. b3 e6 12. Bb2 Qg5 13. Re3 g6 14. Rg3 Qf6 15. Qe2 $16 {Trent,L (2429)-Sutovsky,E (2684)/Caleta 2013/CBM 153 (0-1, 43)}) 9. Qe2 Bh6 10. Na3 b6 11. b3 O-O 12. Bb2 Qc7 13. Rad1 Bb7 14. f3 Nd7 15. Bc4 Nb8 {[%cal Gb8c6,Gc6d4] and Black managed to equalise gradually in Flores Rios,M (2482)-Iturrizaga Bonelli,E (2555)/Sao Paulo 2009/CBM 131 Extra (1/2, 30)}) ({I would play} 8. a5 {without thinking twice!}) 8... Be6 $146 ({If Black keeps developing normally, White will gain a lot from having saved the tempo f1-e1 with respect to the two games above; moreover, the rook is better placed on f1 in view of a possible f2-f4.} 8... g6 9. Bb2 Qc7 10. Na3 Bg7 11. Nc4 Nh5 (11... Nd7 12. f4 $40) 12. a5 $16) ({RR} 8... b6 9. Na3 Bb7 10. Re1 e6 11. Nc4 Nd7 12. Bb2 f6 13. Qg4 Kf7 14. f4 exf4 15. Qxf4 Qb8 16. e5 Be7 17. Qf2 b5 18. exf6 Bxf6 19. Ne5+ Nxe5 20. Bxe5 Qc8 21. axb5 axb5 22. Rxa8 Bxa8 23. Bxb5 {Fiedorek,M (2289)-Vlassov,N (2283) chess.com INT 2023 1-0}) ({RR} 8... b6 9. Bb2 Qc7 10. Na3 Nd7 11. Nc4 f6 12. f4 exf4 13. e5 g6 14. Qf3 Bb7 15. Be4 O-O-O 16. e6 Nb8 17. a5 Bxe4 18. Qxe4 Qc6 19. Nxb6+ Kb7 20. Qe2 g5 21. c4 Qd6 22. Na4 Nc6 23. Qf2 {Palac,M (2544)-Sindik,E (2282) Mali Losinj 2019 1-0 (40)}) 9. Bb2 ({For once,} 9. a5 {oes not work>} Bxb3 $17) 9... Bxb3 10. Qe2 (10. Bxa6 Rxa6 11. cxb3 Nxe4 12. Re1 Nf6 13. Bxe5 e6 14. Na3 {is not too clear. White has a nice blockade, but on the other hand Black's structure is more compact.}) (10. Bxe5 $2 Qxd3 $1) 10... c4 (10... Be6 11. Bxe5 $14) 11. Bxc4 Bxc4 12. Qxc4 $14 {The unusual exchanges have left White with the better development and better pawn control in the centre.} Rc8 13. Qb3 Qc7 14. d3 e6 (14... Qxc2 15. Qxb7 $16) 15. Nd2 Nd7 16. Nc4 ({This was the last moment when White could block the queenside with} 16. a5 {Why did Carlsen refrain from such a strategically advantageous move? Surely not because of} Qxc2 $2 17. Rac1 Qxb3 18. Rxc8+ Ke7 19. Nxb3 $18) 16... b6 {The worst is over for Black now. The c4-knight will face the constant threat of ...b6-b5, which makes the c2-pawn vulnerable.} 17. Kh1 Rb8 18. Qc3 f6 19. g3 b5 20. axb5 axb5 21. Ne3 Qxc3 22. Bxc3 b4 23. Bd2 b3 24. cxb3 Rxb3 25. Ra8+ Rb8 {Safest} (25... Kf7 26. Rc1 Rxd3 27. Bb4 {would offer White a dangerous initiative.}) 26. Rxb8+ Nxb8 27. Rc1 Kd7 28. Rb1 Nc6 $11 {Black's position is absolutely normal and the king's activity fully compensates for the slight delay in development.} 29. Nc4 Be7 30. f4 exf4 31. gxf4 Rb8 32. Rxb8 Nxb8 33. Kg2 Nc6 34. Bc3 Bc5 35. Kf3 Nd4+ 36. Bxd4 Bxd4 37. f5 g6 38. fxe6+ Kxe6 39. h3 h5 40. Na5 Bb6 41. Nc4 Bd4 42. Na5 Bb6 43. Nc4 Bd4 1/2-1/2

[Event "Norway Chess 1st"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2013.05.13"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Karjakin, Sergey"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C95"]
[WhiteElo "2767"]
[BlackElo "2868"]
[Annotator "Marin,Mihail"]
[PlyCount "92"]
[EventDate "2013.05.08"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 155"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.07.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.07.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 {Marin,Mihail Giri,Anish} e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 d6 8. c3 O-O 9. h3 Nb8 10. d4 Nbd7 {For a player like Carlsen, who rarely banks on the opening, the Breyer variation must be an optimal choice. Black retains a flexible position and things cannot go really wrong for him. In the worst case, he would find himself in a slightly inferior position after 15-20 moves or so, but Carlsen is quite good at converting such worse positions into... wins! The important thing is to leave the opening behind with the minimum of damage and then get to the complicated middlegame business, clearly Carlsen's piece of cake.} 11. Nbd2 Bb7 12. Bc2 ({RR} 12. a4 c5 13. d5 c4 14. Bc2 Nc5 15. Nf1 Qc7 16. Ng3 Rfb8 17. Nf5 Bf8 18. Qe2 Bc8 19. g4 Bd7 20. axb5 axb5 21. Bg5 Ne8 22. Nd2 Ra7 23. Be3 Rba8) 12... Re8 ({RR} 12... c5) 13. a4 ({RR} 13. Nf1 Bf8 14. Ng3 g6) ({RR} 13. Nf1 Bf8 14. Ng3 g6 15. a4 c5 ({RR} 15... Bg7 16. Bd3 c6) 16. d5 c4) 13... Bf8 ({RR} 13... c5) 14. Bd3 c6 {A typical position for this line. Black surely is flexible and has no weaknesses at all. He still has useful moves at his disposal, mainly ...g6 and ...g7, but then will have to come up with some counterplay in the centre. White has better control in the centre, but in order to prove at least a slight advantage, he has to prepare against Black's ...d6-d5, ...c6-c5 and ...exd4 in optimal way. Easier said than done, especially in over the board conditions.} 15. Qc2 {A relatively rare move.} ({Carlsen has had some experience against the more popular continuations:} 15. b4 Nb6 16. axb5 cxb5 $5 (16... axb5 {1/2 Anand,V (2800)-Carlsen,M (2826)/Nanjing 2010/CBM 139/[Giri] (44)}) ({RR} 16... cxb5 17. d5 Rc8) 17. d5 Rc8 18. Ra3 (18. Bb2 Nh5 {1/2 Shirov,A (2749)-Carlsen,M (2826)/Bilbao 2010/CBM 139/[Edouard,R] (175)}) 18... Nh5 19. Nf1 g6 20. N1h2 Bg7 {Anand,V (2800)-Carlsen,M (2826)/Bilbao 2010/CBM 139/[Edouard,R] (1/2, 50)}) ({A previous Breyer duel between the same two players went:} 15. b3 Qc7 ({Carlsen also tried the standard} 15... g6 16. Bb2 exd4 17. cxd4 d5 {Nisipeanu,L (2659)-Carlsen,M (2815)/Medias 2011/CBM 143/[Rogozenco] (1/2, 32)}) 16. Qc2 Rac8 17. Bb2 Nh5 {Karjakin,S (2760)-Carlsen,M (2802)/Moscow (blitz) 2010/EXT 2011 (0-1, 31)}) ({RR} 15. b4 Nb6 16. axb5 axb5 17. Rxa8 Qxa8 ({RR} 17... Bxa8) 18. Nb3 Nc4 19. dxe5 Nxe5 20. Nxe5 Rxe5 21. f3 Re8 22. Be3 Bc8 23. Bf2 Be6 24. Nd4 Bd7 25. Qd2 Qb8 26. Bf1 h6 27. Ra1 Qb7 28. Ra5 ({RR} 28. Nb3 Ra8 ({RR} 28... Qb8 29. Ra7 c5) 29. Ra5 Rxa5 30. bxa5 Qa6 31. Bb6 Be8) 28... d5 ({RR} 28... Ra8 29. Qa2 Rxa5 30. bxa5 Qa6 31. c4) 29. exd5 Nxd5 {Anand,V (2800)-Carlsen,M (2826) Nanjing 2010 CBM 139 [Giri,Anish] ½-½ (44)}) ({RR} 15. b3) ({RR} 15. Nf1 Qc7 16. Ng3 g6 17. Bg5 Bg7 18. Qd2 Nf8 19. Bh6 Ne6 20. Bxg7 Kxg7 21. Bf1 Rad8 22. b4 Nd7) 15... Rc8 ({RR} 15... g6 16. b4 Nb6 17. axb5 ({RR} 17. axb5 axb5 18. Rxa8 Bxa8 19. dxe5 dxe5 20. Nb3 Qc7 21. Be3 Nbd7) 17... cxb5 18. dxe5 dxe5 19. Nb3 Rc8 20. Na5 Ba8 21. Rb1 Qc7 22. Be3 Qxc3 23. Qe2 Na4 24. Bg5 Nh5 25. Rec1 Qa3 26. Rxc8 Rxc8 27. Nxe5 f6 28. Qg4 Re8 29. Qf3 Kg7 30. Bc1 {Narva,M (2403)-Pujari,R (2144) chess.com INT 2025 1-0 (44)}) ({RR} 15... g6 16. b4 Nb6 17. a5 Nbd7 18. Bb2 Rc8 19. c4 exd4 20. Bxd4 bxc4 21. Qxc4 c5) 16. axb5 axb5 17. b4 ({Slightly more ambitious, but also more committal, than} 17. b3 g6 18. Bb2 Qc7 19. c4 bxc4 20. Nxc4 exd4 21. Bxd4 {1/2 Vallejo Pons,F (2697)-Grischuk,A (2760)/Khanty Mansiysk 2010/CBM 139} d5 $11) 17... Qc7 $146 ({Carlsen might have disliked the standard} 17... g6 {for concrete reasons.} 18. dxe5 $5 ({After the neutral} 18. Bb2 {Black managed to get enough play in an older top level game:} Nh5 19. g3 exd4 $5 20. cxd4 d5 21. Bc3 Nb6 22. e5 Rc7 23. Nb3 Bc8 24. Kg2 Ng7 25. Nh2 h5 $13 {(1/2, 56) Short,N (2635)-Portisch,L (2605)/Wijk aan Zee 1990/CBM 017}) 18... dxe5 19. Nb3 Qc7 (19... c5 $6 {loses a pawn without compensation:} 20. bxc5 Nxc5 21. Nxc5 Rxc5 22. Ba3 $16) 20. Bg5 $1 h6 21. Be3 $14 {White retains some pressure, since after} c5 22. bxc5 {the pawn is not that easy to retrieve because h6 is hanging.}) ({RR} 17... exd4 18. cxd4 c5 19. Bxb5 cxd4 20. Qd3 Ne5 21. Nxe5 Rxe5 22. Bb2 Nh5 23. g3 Rg5 24. Kh2 Qb6 25. Bc4 Qxb4 26. Bxd4 d5 27. Reb1 Qe7 28. Rxb7 dxc4 29. Rxe7 cxd3 30. Rb7 Rg6 31. Raa7 Rd6 32. Be3 {Ali Marandi,C (2394)-Ghosh,D (2473) Chongqing 2013 ½-½ (81)}) ({RR} 17... c5 18. bxc5 exd4 ({RR} 18... dxc5 19. Bxb5 cxd4 20. Bc4 dxc3 21. Qxc3 Qc7 ({RR} 21... Re7 22. Ba3 Nc5 23. Rab1) 22. Bxf7+ Kxf7 23. Ng5+ Kg8 ({RR} 23... Ke7 24. Ba3+ Nc5 25. Nb3) ({RR} 23... Kg6 24. Qg3) 24. Qb3+ Bd5 25. exd5) 19. c6 ({RR} 19. cxd4 dxc5 20. d5 c4 21. Bf1 Bc5) 19... dxc3 ({RR} 19... Bxc6 20. Nxd4 b4 21. Ba6 ({RR} 21. cxb4 Bb5 22. Qb3 Bxd3 23. Qxd3 d5) ({RR} 21. Nxc6 Rxc6 22. Bb2 bxc3 23. Bxc3 Qc7) 21... bxc3 ({RR} 21... Rc7 22. cxb4) 22. Bxc8 cxd2 23. Bxd2 Bxe4 24. Bxd7 Bxc2 25. Bxe8 Be4) 20. cxb7 cxd2 21. Qxd2 Rb8 22. Bxb5 Qb6 ({RR} 22... Rxb7 23. Bc6) ({RR} 22... Qc7) 23. Rb1 Qxb7 24. Bd3 Qa8 25. Rxb8 Rxb8 26. Bb2 Qa2 27. Re2 h6 28. Qc1 Qb3 29. Bc4 Qb7 30. Qd1 ({RR} 30. e5 dxe5 31. Nxe5 Nxe5 32. Bxe5 Qb1) 30... Re8 31. Bxf6 ({RR} 31. e5 dxe5 32. Nxe5 Nxe5 33. Bxe5) 31... Nxf6 32. e5 {Karjakin,S (2762)-Svidler,P (2727) Baku 2015 CBM 169 [Marin,Mihail] 0-1 (38)}) ({RR} 17... g6 18. Bb2 Nh5 19. g3 exd4 20. cxd4 d5 21. Bc3 Nb6 22. e5 Rc7 23. Nb3 Bc8 24. Kg2 Ng7 25. Nh2 h5 26. Nc5 Nc4 27. Nf3 Bf5) ({RR} 17... g6 18. Bb2 Nh5 19. g3 exd4 20. cxd4 d5 21. Bc3 Nb6 22. e5 Rc7 23. Nb3 Bc8 24. Kg2 Ng7 25. Nh2 h5 26. Nc5 Nc4 27. Nf3 Bf5 28. Bxf5 Nxf5 29. e6 Bxc5 30. dxc5 Rxe6 31. Rxe6 fxe6 32. Re1 {Short,N (2635)-Portisch,L (2605) Wijk aan Zee 1990 ½-½ (56)}) 18. Bb2 (18. dxe5 dxe5 19. Nb3 {is completely inoffensive:} c5 20. bxc5 Nxc5 21. Nxc5 Qxc5 $11) 18... Ra8 $6 {But this counter-developing move does not seem right.} (18... g6 {would leave White with the problem of how to strengthen his position.} 19. Bf1 {Possibly the most constructive move. Once the b1-h7 diagonal has been safely defended by Black's last move, the bishop is more useful on f1, defending g2 among others.} (19. c4 exd4 20. Bxd4 bxc4 21. Qxc4 d5 $11) (19. Nb3 c5 $1 20. bxc5 dxc5 21. dxe5 Nxe5 $132 22. Nxe5 $6 c4 $15) (19. Rad1 d5 $5 20. exd5 exd4 21. Rxe8 Rxe8 22. dxc6 Qxc6 $11) 19... exd4 ({Some of the metits of the bishop retreat can be seen after} 19... d5 $6 20. exd5 exd4 $6 21. Rxe8 Rxe8 22. dxc6 Qxc6 23. Nxd4 $18 {and the g2-pawn is defended.}) 20. cxd4 d5 21. e5 Nh5 22. Bc3 Ng7 23. Nb3 Nb6 {This is similar to the Short-Portisch game above, but the move ...d8-c7 is at least a waste of time. For instance, Black does not have the nice regrouping ...c7, ...c8 anymore. So, maybe White has better chances to retain some advantage.}) 19. Rad1 Nb6 $6 {Paradoxically, this does not reduce the impact of c3-c4 at all. In fact, weakening the defence of the e5-pawn will have serious effects.} ({Given White's centralisation,} 19... g6 {looks dangerous, too:} 20. c4 bxc4 21. Bxc4 (21. Qxc4 Ba6 $11) 21... exd4 22. Bxd4 $14 d5 23. Bxd5 Nxd5 24. exd5 Rxe1+ 25. Nxe1 Bxb4 26. Ne4 $36 {Black is under pressure on bth wings. With the pawn on g7, things would be different, but it is late to think about that now.}) ({Black should probably have admitted that something had gone slightly wrong and played some very safe move like} 19... h6 $5 {According to White's answer, Black could next play ...g6 or ...d5. Or if} 20. c4 bxc4 21. Bxc4 exd4 22. Bxd4 {, the safest might be} Qc8 $5 {[%cal Gd6d5,Gb7a6] unpinning the c6-pawn and preparing both ...d6-d5 and ...a6.} (22... Ba6 23. Bxa6 Rxa6 24. b5 $16) (22... d5 23. e5 dxc4 24. exf6 {If he does not wish to see his kingside structure ruined, Black has to spend a tempo on} g6 $14)) 20. c4 $1 bxc4 21. Nxc4 Nxc4 22. Bxc4 $16 {White has wonderful development, with the bishops deserving a special mention. This time, the Breyer has yielded Carlsen slightly less than a worse but playable position.} h6 {Even now, this seems to be the only move allowing him to put up some resistance.} (22... g6 $2 23. dxe5 dxe5 24. Ng5 Re7 25. f4 $18) (22... Ba6 $6 23. dxe5 (23. Bb3 $5 $16) 23... dxe5 24. Ra1 Bxc4 25. Rxa8 Rxa8 26. Bxe5 Qb6 27. Qxc4 Bxb4 28. Rb1 c5 29. Ng5 Qb7 (29... Ra7 30. Bc3) 30. Qxc5) (22... exd4 23. Bxd4 d5 (23... Nxe4 $2 24. Bd5 Nf6 25. Ng5 $18 {Golubev}) 24. Bxd5 Nxd5 25. exd5 Rxe1+ 26. Rxe1 $16 Bxb4 $2 27. Ng5 g6 28. Ne4 $18) 23. dxe5 (23. Bb3 {also looks playable, but may lead to some undesired complications. White is entitled to hope to win the game by technical means.} exd4 24. Nxd4 c5 25. Nf5 Nxe4 (25... Bxe4 $2 26. Rxe4 Nxe4 27. Bd5 $18) 26. f3 Qb6 $1 (26... Nf6 27. Nxh6+ $1 $18) 27. Re3 c4 28. Qxc4 Ng5 29. Bd4 Qc6 {and Black's position is worse, but probably holdable.}) 23... dxe5 24. Bc3 Ba6 {Aiming to get counterplay in a position that does not allow that.} (24... Nd7 $2 25. Rxd7 Qxd7 26. Nxe5 Rxe5 27. Bxe5 Bxb4 28. Rd1 Qe7 29. Qb3 $18) (24... g6 $6 25. Qb2 Nd7 (25... Bd6 26. Rxd6 Qxd6 27. Bxe5 Rxe5 28. Nxe5 $18) 26. Rxd7 Qxd7 27. Nxe5 Rxe5 28. Bxe5 $18) ({Maybe Black should have thought of consolidating the e5-pawn with} 24... Re7 $5 25. Qb2 Rae8 {, although his position would be rather cramped.}) 25. Bb3 c5 26. Qb2 c4 27. Ba4 Re6 28. Nxe5 Bb7 {Black has lost a pawn, but his light-squared bishop has become active and for an instant White is slightly hanging.} 29. Bc2 $2 {This has a double drawback: it cuts the queen off from the kingside and allows Black's optimal regrouping with the next move.} (29. Bb5 $1 $16 {[%csl Gc4,Ge8]} Ba6 (29... Nxe4 30. Rd7 $18 {Golubev}) (29... Bxe4 30. Bxc4 Rxe5 31. Bxe5 Qxc4 32. Rd4 Qc2 33. Qxc2 Bxc2 34. b5 $18 {Golubev}) 30. Bd7 Rb6 (30... Re7 31. Bc6 $16) 31. b5 Bxb5 32. Bxb5 Rab8 33. Ba5 $18) 29... Rae8 $1 30. f4 Bd6 $44 {Suddenly, Black has entirely adequate compensation. He is threatening ...h5 followed by either ...f6 or ...g5, undermining White's stability in the centre.} 31. Kh2 $6 {This is hard to explain, the king does not stand well on the same diagonal as the black queen and bishop.} (31. g3 Nh5 32. Re3 g5 33. Ba4 R8e7 34. Qe2 (34. Qf2 gxf4 35. gxf4 f6) (34. Qg2 f5) 34... gxf4 35. Qg4+ (35. Nxf7 fxe3 36. Qxh5 Rxf7 37. Qg4+ Kh7 38. Qxe6 $13) 35... Kf8 36. gxf4 Nf6 37. Qf5 Bxe4 38. Rxe4 Nxe4 39. Qxe4 Bxe5 40. Bxe5 Qa7+ 41. Qd4 Qxa4 42. Bd6 $11) (31. Re3 Nh5 {is likely to transpose.}) 31... Nh5 32. g3 f6 33. Ng6 Nxf4 $1 {White is in trouble already. This seemed virtually impossible 10 moves earlier. What kind of magic does Magnus use?} 34. Rxd6 (34. gxf4 Bxf4+ 35. Kg2 (35. Nxf4 Qxf4+ 36. Kg2 f5 $19) (35. Kh1 Rxe4 36. Bxe4 Rxe4 37. Kg1 Bd2 $1 $18 {[%cal Gc7g3]}) 35... f5) 34... Nxg6 35. Rxe6 Rxe6 $15 36. Bd4 $6 (36. Qc1 $5 $15) 36... f5 $17 {Winning a pawn.} 37. e5 Nxe5 38. Bxe5 Qc6 39. Rg1 (39. Bxf5 Rxe5) (39. Be4 fxe4 40. Re3 $17) 39... Qd5 40. Bxf5 Rxe5 41. Bg4 h5 42. Bd1 c3 43. Qf2 (43. Qxc3 Qa2+ 44. Qc2 Qxc2+ 45. Bxc2 Re2+) 43... Rf5 44. Qe3 Qf7 45. g4 Re5 {An elegant solution.} ({The simple} 45... Qc7+ {was good enough, of course.} 46. Rg3 (46. Qg3 Rf2+) 46... Qc6 (46... h4 $2 47. gxf5) 47. Rg1 c2 48. Qb3+ Kh8 49. Qxc2 Qd6+ 50. Rg3 h4) 46. Qd4 Qc7 $1 {[%csl Rh2][%cal Gc3c2,Ge5e3,Ge5d5]} 0-1

[Event "Moscow Tal Memorial 8th"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2013.06.14"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Karjakin, Sergey"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C67"]
[WhiteElo "2782"]
[BlackElo "2864"]
[PlyCount "75"]
[EventDate "2013.06.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 155"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.07.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.07.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. Re1 Nd6 6. Nxe5 Be7 7. Bf1 Nxe5 8. Rxe5 O-O 9. d4 Ne8 10. d5 Bc5 11. Re1 d6 12. Nc3 Bf5 13. Bd3 Bxd3 ({RR} 13... Qf6 14. Ne4 Bxe4 15. Rxe4 Qxf2+ 16. Kh1 Qf6 17. Rf4 Qe7 18. b4 Bb6 19. Bb2 g6 20. g4 Ng7 21. Bf6 Qe3 22. Rf3 Qh6 23. Qf1 Rae8 {½-½ (23) Ferreira,J (2518)-Korneev,O (2468) Soure POR 2025}) 14. Qxd3 Nf6 15. Na4 Re8 $146 ({RR} 15... Qd7 16. Nxc5 dxc5 17. c4 Rfe8 18. Bf4 Rxe1+ 19. Rxe1 Re8 20. Re3 Rxe3 21. Qxe3 Qa4 22. b3 Qxa2 23. h3 b5 24. Qxc5 Qb1+ 25. Kh2 Qf5 26. Qxc7 h5 27. Bg3 Kh7 28. Qe5 Qd3 29. Bh4 Nd7 30. Qxh5+ {Jovanovic,Z (2540)-Csonka,B (2451) Hungary 2018 1-0 (36)}) 16. Bd2 Rxe1+ 17. Rxe1 Qd7 18. Nxc5 dxc5 19. c4 Re8 20. f3 Rxe1+ 21. Bxe1 b6 22. g4 Ne8 23. Bg3 Nd6 24. b3 a5 25. Kf2 a4 26. Qe3 Kf8 27. h4 axb3 28. axb3 Qe7 29. Qc3 f6 30. h5 Kf7 31. Bf4 g6 32. Qa1 Ke8 33. h6 Kf7 34. Bg3 Ke8 35. Bh4 Kf7 36. Bg3 Ke8 37. Bh4 Kf7 38. Bg3 1/2-1/2

[Event "Moscow Tal Memorial 8th"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2013.06.21"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Morozevich, Alexander"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B17"]
[WhiteElo "2864"]
[BlackElo "2760"]
[PlyCount "93"]
[EventDate "2013.06.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 155"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.07.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.07.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Nd7 5. c3 Ngf6 6. Nxf6+ ({RR} 6. Ng3 e6 7. Nf3 Bd6 8. Bd3 b6 9. Qe2 O-O 10. Ne4 Be7 11. Ne5 Bb7 12. Ng5 h6 13. Ngf3 c5 14. O-O a6 15. Bf4 cxd4 16. cxd4 Nd5 17. Bd2 Nb4 18. Bxb4 Bxb4 19. Rac1 Nxe5 20. dxe5 {½-½ (20) Bronstein,D (2455)-Gulko,B (2615) Reykjavik 1996}) 6... Nxf6 7. Bd3 Qd5 ({RR} 7... Bg4 8. f3 Bh5 9. Ne2 e6 10. Nf4 Bg6 11. Nxg6 hxg6 12. Be3 Nd5 13. Bf2 Nf4 14. O-O Nxd3 15. Qxd3 Bd6 16. h3 Qg5 17. Be3 Qg3 18. f4 Rxh3 19. Rf3 Qh2+ 20. Kf2 Rxf3+ 21. Kxf3 O-O-O 22. c4 {Mykhyeyeva,M (1478)-Bujdoso,E (1637) Vecindario ESP 2025 ½-½ (43)}) 8. f3 Bf5 $146 ({RR} 8... g6 9. Ne2 Bg7 10. Nf4 Qd6 11. O-O O-O 12. Re1 Nd7 13. Be3 e5 14. Ne2 exd4 15. Bxd4 Nf6 16. Qc2 c5 17. Bf2 b6 18. a4 a6 19. Red1 Qc6 20. c4 a5 21. Nc3 Be6 22. Ne4 Rad8 23. Bh4 {Sikora Gizynska,B (2220)-Dahl,I (2085) Aabybro 1989 ½-½ (39)}) 9. Ne2 Bxd3 10. Nf4 Qg5 11. Qxd3 Nd5 12. g3 e6 13. Qe2 Nxf4 14. Bxf4 Qd5 15. Be5 f6 16. Bf4 O-O-O 17. O-O Bd6 18. Be3 e5 19. dxe5 Qxe5 20. Qf2 a6 21. Rfe1 Qf5 22. Bb6 Bc7 23. Bxc7 Kxc7 24. Re7+ Rd7 25. Rae1 Rhd8 26. Kg2 Qd5 27. a3 Rxe7 28. Rxe7+ Rd7 29. Rxd7+ Kxd7 30. Qc2 g6 31. Qc1 Qd3 32. Kf2 Ke6 33. Qe3+ Qxe3+ 34. Kxe3 Kd5 35. b3 c5 36. c4+ Ke5 37. f4+ Ke6 38. g4 f5 39. g5 a5 40. a4 b6 41. h4 Kd6 42. Kf2 Ke6 43. Kf3 Ke7 44. Kg3 Kf7 45. Kh3 Ke6 46. h5 Kf7 47. h6 1/2-1/2

[Event "Sinquefield Cup 1st"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2013.09.13"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Kamsky, Gata"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C69"]
[WhiteElo "2741"]
[BlackElo "2862"]
[Annotator "Ramirez Alvarez,Alejandro"]
[PlyCount "118"]
[EventDate "2013.09.09"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "6"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 157"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.11.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.11.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 {Kamsky seemed to have not expected Carlsen to go for this variation specifically. He thought for a few minutes before deciding that the best course of action was to go into the quiet waters of the exchange Spanish.} 4. Bxc6 dxc6 5. O-O f6 6. d4 Bg4 7. dxe5 (7. c3 {was Fischer's favorite, but neither this move nor the move in the game are considered dangerous for Black nowadays.}) 7... Qxd1 8. Rxd1 fxe5 9. Rd3 {A common rook lift, the idea being that if White had played instead} (9. Nbd2 O-O-O {it becomes difficult to develop his pieces.}) 9... Bd6 10. Nbd2 Nf6 11. Nc4 {White's play revolves around the weakened e5-pawn - taking it and playing with the remaining passed pawn while Black has no chance at creating one himself on the queenside. However Black's piece activity has been considered for some time to give him a perfetly good game.} O-O 12. Nfxe5 Be2 13. Re3 Bxc4 14. Nxc4 Ng4 $1 {More accurate than the other move. At least here White has some chances of going wrong.} (14... Bc5 {is a known draw:} 15. Re1 Rae8 16. Be3 Bxe3 17. Rxe3 Rxe4 18. Rxe4 Nxe4 19. f3 Nd6 {and although White should be minimally better becaues of the structure, no one has been able to win this position.}) ({RR} 14... Bc5 15. Re1 Rae8 16. Be3 Bxe3 17. Rxe3 Rxe4 18. Rxe4 Nxe4 19. f3 Nd6 20. Ne3 Re8 21. Kf2 Kf7 22. Rd1 a5 23. f4 h5 24. Kf3 b5 25. b3 Kf6 26. h3 g6 27. Rd3 b4 28. g4 hxg4+ 29. Nxg4+ {Radjabov,T (2735)-Grischuk,A (2711) Odessa 2008 ½-½ (61)}) 15. Re2 Bxh2+ 16. Kf1 $6 {And he starts doing so almost immediately. The king is safer and better placed on h1.} Rae8 $146 ({RR} 16... Bg3 17. f3 Rad8 18. Bg5 Rd4 19. b3 b5 20. Nb2 Ne5 21. Rd1 Rxd1+ 22. Nxd1 h6 23. Be3 Rd8 24. Rd2 Rd6 25. Ke2 Ng6 26. Nf2 Kf7 27. Nd3 Ne5 28. f4 Nxd3 29. cxd3 h5 30. d4 Rg6 31. Rc2 {Rovid,K (2266)-Ivan,A (2268) Hungary 2010 0-1 (71)}) ({RR} 16... Bg3 17. f3 h5 18. Bg5 h4 19. Kg1 Nf6 20. Rd1 Rad8 21. Red2 Rxd2 22. Rxd2 Rf7 23. Ne3 Nh7 24. Rd8+ Rf8 25. Be7 Rxd8 26. Bxd8 Kf8 27. Nf5 g5 28. Nxg3 hxg3 29. Bxc7 Kf7 30. Bxg3 Ke6 31. Kf2 {Mazurkiewicz,M (2145)-Dubreuil,J (2113) chess.com INT 2023 1-0 (48)}) 17. Nd2 $6 {It's going to become incredibly hard to develop because of the self-pin.} (17. c3 {just passing and allowing some breathing room on the second rank was much better.}) 17... Rd8 $1 {The World number one shows that he is in a class of his own. With the rook going back and forth, he has now secured a pin on the d-file that causes White's development to stall almost completely.} 18. f3 Bg3 19. Kg1 Ne5 20. b3 Ng6 $1 {Magnus moves are all precise, with the goal of not allowing White easily development.} 21. Nf1 Be5 22. c3 $2 {Panic.} (22. Rb1 Rd1 23. Rd2 Bd4+ 24. Kh2 Rxf1 25. Rxd4 Nf4 26. Rd7 Rf6 27. Bxf4 $1 Rxb1 28. Be5 {is unpleasant, but White's activity gives him excellent chances to draw.}) 22... Bxc3 23. Bb2 Nf4 24. Rc2 Ba5 {The Norwegian wants to keep as many pieces on the board as possible, especially with the somewhat exposed king, but there was nothing wrong with simplifying the position and exploiting the material advantage.} 25. Ng3 g6 26. Rf1 Rd3 27. Kh2 Bb4 28. Ne2 Ne6 29. Nc1 Rd7 30. g3 Rfd8 31. Kg2 Kf7 32. f4 h5 33. Kh3 a5 34. Kg2 Nc5 35. Kf3 Nd3 36. Re2 Be7 $2 {Allowing White some hope.} (36... Nxb2 37. Rxb2 Ba3 38. Rc2 Rd2 {and it will be very hard for White to hold this position as a2 will soon fall as well.}) 37. Nxd3 Rxd3+ 38. Kg2 Bc5 $6 {The extra pawn still gives Black excellent chances to win, but the advantage is slipping move by move. The bishop is not well placed on c5 as it might be forced back to b6 in a defensive position.} 39. Rc1 $6 (39. Be5 $1 {would have at least forced Black to find an active idea to defend c7.} Bd6 40. Bb2 {and now any move by the bishop will be met with e5 again.}) 39... Rd2 40. Rc2 Rxe2+ 41. Rxe2 {Time control has been reached. Black is still up a pawn, but will have a tough technical job ahead of him after missing many ways of finishing his opponent off.} Rd3 42. Rc2 Bd6 43. Bc1 Be7 44. Kf2 a4 45. Rd2 Rxd2+ $2 {A strange decision. The bishop endgame looks less promising than the rook endgame.} (45... Bc5+ $1 46. Kg2 Rc3 47. Bb2 Re3 48. Bd4 Bxd4 49. Rxd4 a3 $1 {gives black great winning chances.}) 46. Bxd2 axb3 47. axb3 c5 48. g4 $6 {Not necessarily losing, but why create a free passed pawn for Black? Much more tenacious was to simply wait and keep the king on e2-d3, forcing Black to figure out a plan of action.} b5 49. gxh5 gxh5 50. Bc3 $2 {The final blunder.} (50. Kf3 b4 51. Be3 {should still be somehow winning for Black, but it's much more difficult to figure out.}) 50... b4 51. Bb2 Bh4+ {Not the most precise but also winning.} 52. Ke2 Bg3 {The combined action between the passed pawn on h4 and the threats of breaking on c4 and exchanging bishops gives Carlsen the win. Here he is pushing the f-pawn forward so he will be able to easily trade bishops later.} 53. f5 h4 54. e5 h3 55. e6+ (55. Kf3 Bh4 56. Ba1 Be1 $19) 55... Ke7 56. Kf3 Bf4 57. Bg7 Bg5 58. Be5 c4 59. bxc4 Bf6 {White has two passed pawns, but they are worth nothing compared to the outside passed pawns of Black, which will soon promote.} 0-1

[Event "Sinquefield Cup 1st"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2013.09.14"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C67"]
[WhiteElo "2772"]
[BlackElo "2862"]
[Annotator "Ramirez Alvarez,Alejandro"]
[PlyCount "64"]
[EventDate "2013.09.09"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "6"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 157"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.11.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.11.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. Re1 Nd6 6. Nxe5 Be7 7. Bf1 Nxe5 8. Rxe5 {Nakamura uses a line that has given Carlsen some problems in the past, both sides seemed to have been very well prepared.} O-O 9. Nc3 Ne8 10. Nd5 Bd6 11. Re1 c6 12. Ne3 Bc7 13. Nf5 d5 14. Ne7+ Kh8 15. Nxc8 Rxc8 16. g3 {Only this move is actually new. Moving the bishop to the h3-f5 diagonal can cause Black some problems, or at least that was the American's original plan. Carlsen ignores this and obtains an acceptable position.} ({RR} 16. d3 f5 17. g3 Qf6 18. Bh3 Bb6 19. c3 Nd6 20. Qh5 g6 21. Qg5 Qxg5 22. Bxg5 Nf7 23. Bf6+ Kg8 24. Re2 Bd8 25. Bxd8 Rcxd8 26. Rae1 Nd6 27. f4 Rfe8 28. Kf2 Rxe2+ 29. Rxe2 Kf7 30. Bg2 Kf6 {Caruana,F (2781)-Aronian,L (2785) Chess.com INT 2022 0-1 (48)}) 16... Nd6 $146 (16... Qd7 17. d3 Nf6 18. Qf3 {is slightly more pleasant for White due to the pair of bishops, without it being anything special.}) ({RR} 16... Qf6 17. Bh3 Rd8 18. d4 Nd6 19. Bf4 Bb8 20. Be5 Qh6 21. Bg2 Nc4 22. Bxb8 Rxb8 23. b3 Nd6 24. Qd3 Qg6 25. Qd2 Rfe8 26. Re5 f6 27. Rxe8+ Rxe8 28. Qb4 f5 29. Re1 Rxe1+ 30. Qxe1 Qf6 31. Qe3 {Robson,R (2674)-Grischuk,A (2754) Baku 2016 0-1 (46)}) ({RR} 16... f5 17. d3 Qf6 18. Qf3 Nd6 19. c3 Nf7 20. Bf4 d4 21. c4 Ba5 22. Re2 g5 23. Bc1 g4 24. Qg2 Ne5 25. Bg5 Qg7 26. Bh6 Nf3+ 27. Qxf3 Qxh6 28. Qf4 Qxf4 29. gxf4 Rce8 30. Kg2 Rxe2 31. Bxe2 {Lavrencic,M (2446)-Sarana,A (2689) Eforie Nord ROU 2025 0-1 (45)}) ({RR} 16... Qd7 17. Qf3 Nd6 18. d3 Rce8 19. Bd2 Bb6 20. Qf4 Kg8 21. Bb4 Bc7 22. Qh4 a5 23. Bd2 Bd8 24. Qd4 Bf6 25. Qf4 Bxb2 26. Rab1 Rxe1 27. Bxe1 Re8 28. Bxa5 Be5 29. Qd2 Nb5 30. Bg2 d4 31. Re1 {Mosadeghpour,M (2535)-Maghsoodloo,P (2601) Bushehr 2018 ½-½ (35)}) 17. Bh3 f5 18. d3 (18. d4 $6 {takes control of e5, but is not as important as the fact that it loses control of e4.}) 18... Qf6 19. c3 (19. Bf4 Qxb2 20. Be5 Qa3 21. Qh5 Kg8 22. Qg5 {gives White some compensation, but of course Black doesn't have to take on b2.}) 19... Rce8 20. Bd2 Nf7 21. Rxe8 Rxe8 22. Qf1 f4 23. Re1 Rf8 24. Qe2 h6 25. Kh1 Ng5 26. Bg4 Bd6 {Black has solved most of his problems because White has to consistently pay attention to his kingside. The only way of kicking the knight out of g5 is with h4, which will weaken g3 and increase the power of the d6-bishop.} 27. h4 Nh7 28. Kg2 Qg6 29. Bh5 Qf5 30. Bg4 Qg6 31. Bh5 Qf5 32. Bg4 Qg6 {Neither side is really playing for anything, and with White's kingside weaknesses it's fully understandable that he immediately agreed to a draw. With this important results Carlsen goes into the last round with an extra half a point.} 1/2-1/2

[Event "Sinquefield Cup 1st"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2013.09.15"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C88"]
[WhiteElo "2862"]
[BlackElo "2813"]
[Annotator "Stohl,Igor"]
[PlyCount "139"]
[EventDate "2013.09.09"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "6"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 157"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.11.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.11.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 {Illingworth,Max} e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 ({Aronian has always played exclusively the text move, spurning the Open Ruy Lopez with} 5... Nxe4) ({as well as the Arkhangelsk or Neo-Arkhangelsk with} 5... b5) ({and} 5... Bc5 {respectively.}) 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. a4 {Just like Kasparov, also Carlsen avoids the Marshall. However, contrary to his ex-trainer, he did allow it a few times:} (8. c3 d5 9. exd5 (9. d4 dxe4 10. Nxe5 Bb7 11. Nxc6 Bxc6 12. Bg5 Nd5 13. Bxe7 Qxe7 14. Nd2 f5 15. f3 e3 16. c4 $2 (16. f4 $1 {} Kh8 17. Qf3 $14) 16... Nf4 $1 17. cxb5+ Kh8 {[%cal Re3e2,Re7e3,Re3f2]} 18. Nc4 e2 19. Qd2 Qg5 20. Rxe2 Nxe2+ 21. Qxe2 Bxb5 22. Qe3 $15 {/,Carlsen,M (2835)-Kamsky,G (2732)/Wijk aan Zee/2012/}) 9... Nxd5 10. Nxe5 Nxe5 11. Rxe5 c6 12. d3 Bd6 13. Re1 Bf5 14. Qf3 Qh4 15. g3 Qh3 16. Bxd5 cxd5 17. Be3 Bxd3 18. Qxd5 Rad8 19. Qf3 Rfe8 20. Nd2 Qf5 21. Qxf5 Bxf5 22. Bd4 f6 23. f3 b4 24. Ne4 Bc7 25. Kf2 bxc3 26. bxc3 Rb8 $44 {Carlsen,M (2548)-Anand,V (2785)/Leon rpd/2005/ A typical Marshall endgame, the bishop-pair makes converting the extra pawn almost impossible.}) ({The immediate} 8. d4 {gives Black a wider choice:} Nxd4 (8... d6 9. c3 Bg4 {-C91 This line is not considered too dangerous for Black.}) 9. Nxd4 (9. Bxf7+ Rxf7 10. Nxe5 Rf8 11. Qxd4 Bb7 $5 $44 12. c4 c5 13. Qd3 Qc7 14. Nf3 bxc4 15. Qxc4+ d5 16. exd5 Bxd5 17. Qe2 Bd6 18. Nc3 Bxf3 19. Qxf3 Bxh2+ 20. Kf1 Rad8 (20... Be5 $5) 21. g3 Nh5 22. Qxh5 Rxf2+ 23. Kxf2 Qxg3+ 24. Ke2 Qg2+ 25. Ke3 Qg3+ 26. Ke2 Qg2+ {½, Kamsky,G (2717)-Leko,P (2756)/Jermuk/2009/}) 9... exd4 10. e5 Ne8 11. c3 (11. Qxd4 Bb7 12. c4 c5 13. Qg4 d6 14. Nc3 (14. Bf4 {Short,N (2707)-Fressinet,L (2702)/Bastia rpd/2012/} bxc4 15. Bxc4 d5 $11 {/}) 14... dxe5 15. cxb5 axb5 16. Nxb5 {Gilabert Mallol,E (2440)-Kyhos,A (2352)/corr/2010/} Nf6 17. Qf5 Qb6 $132) 11... dxc3 12. Nxc3 d6 13. Qf3 Be6 14. Nd5 Rc8 15. Bf4 Bxd5 $5 (15... dxe5 16. Nxe7+ (16. Bxe5 Bd6 17. Rad1 Bxe5 18. Rxe5 Bxd5 19. Rexd5 Nd6 20. Qf4 Qe7 21. Re5 Qf6 22. Qxf6 gxf6 23. Rc5 Rfd8 24. Rdc1 Re8 25. g3 Re2 26. Rxc7 Rxc7 27. Rxc7 Rxb2 28. Rc6 Ne4 29. Rxa6 Nc5 $11 {Henrichs,T (2483)-Gustafsson,J (2584)/GER-ch Bad Koenigshofen/2007/}) 16... Qxe7 17. Bxe5 Nd6 18. Qc3 Qg5 19. Bxe6 fxe6 20. Rac1 $5 (20. b3 Qg6 21. Qc6 Nf7 22. Bg3 e5 23. Rac1 Qf6 24. h3 Rfd8 {Leko,P (2756)-Aronian,L (2768)/Jermuk/2009/}) 20... Nc4 21. Bg3 Rfe8 22. b3 Nb6 23. Qa5 Nd5 24. Rc6 e5 25. Rxa6 c6 26. h4 Qf6 27. a4 $14 {Sievilainen,T (2179)-Laine,E (2234)/corr/2010/}) 16. Bxd5 dxe5 17. Rxe5 Bf6 18. Re2 Nd6 19. Rd1 Bg5 20. Be5 Bf6 21. Bf4 {½,Becerra Rivero,J (2598)-Onischuk,A (2670)/Lubbock/2008/}) 8... b4 {Nowadays Black's main reaction.} ({For} 8... Rb8 9. axb5 axb5 10. d3 d6 11. Nbd2 {- see Carlsen-Topalov}) ({RR} 8... Bb7) 9. d4 {This alternative has recently been getting more attention.} ({Earlier White used to prefer} 9. d3 d6 10. Nbd2 (10. a5 {was Kasparov's choice and White used it well up to 2006. Nowadays it seems rather tame:} Be6 11. Nbd2 Qc8 12. Qe2 h6 13. h3 Bxb3 14. Nxb3 Re8 15. Nh2 Nh7 16. Ng4 Bg5 17. Ne3 Rb8 18. Kh2 Nf8 19. Nf5 Bxc1 20. Raxc1 Ne7 21. Nxe7+ Rxe7 22. d4 Rb5 23. Rcd1 Ne6 24. Qg4 Qf8 25. d5 Nc5 26. Re3 g6 27. Qe2 Re8 28. Rf3 Nxb3 $11 {½,Adams,M (2698)-Bacrot,E (2700)/ESP-chT Linares/2009/}) 10... Na5 (10... Be6 11. Bxe6 fxe6 12. Nf1 ({A typical manoeuvre, but in recent games White has tried other moves:} 12. Nb3 Qe8 13. d4 Nd7 14. d5 Nd8 15. dxe6 Nxe6 16. Qd5 Qf7 17. Na5 c5 18. Be3 Nf6 (18... Nb6 $5 19. Qd3 Nd4 $132) 19. Qc4 Nd4 20. Qxf7+ Kxf7 21. Ng5+ Kg6 22. Rac1 Nd7 23. Nh3 Nb6 24. c3 bxc3 25. bxc3 Ne6 $13 {/=,Caruana,F (2772)-Ivanchuk,V (2757)/RUS-chT Loo/2013/}) (12. c3 Rb8 ({For} 12... d5 $5 {see Bacrot-Tomashevsky, Paris 2013.}) 13. Qe2 Qd7 14. Nc4 bxc3 15. bxc3 Rb3 16. Bd2 Re8 17. h3 Bf8 18. Rec1 Qc8 19. Bg5 Nd7 20. Qa2 Rb8 21. Be3 Nf6 22. Rab1 Qd7 $14 {/=,Dominguez Perez,L (2723)-Almasi,Z (2689)/Havana/2013/ The resulting position is more pleasant for White, but with circumspect defence Black maanged to hold the game.}) 12... Qe8 $5 (12... Qd7 13. Ng3 Nd8 (13... Na5 14. d4 exd4 15. Qxd4 c5 16. Qd3 Nc6 17. c3 bxc3 18. bxc3 Kh8 19. h3 Qc7 20. Ng5 Ne5 21. Qe2 Qc8 22. f4 Nf7 23. Nf3 Rb8 24. c4 $36 {[%csl Gc4,Ge4,Gf4] ,Leko,P (2751)-Grischuk,A (2726)/WCh Mexico City/2007/}) (13... h6 14. h3 Nh7 15. c3 bxc3 16. bxc3 Rab8 17. d4 exd4 18. cxd4 d5 19. Ba3 Bxa3 20. Rxa3 Rb4 21. Rae3 a5 22. exd5 Qxd5 23. Ne2 Ng5 24. Nxg5 hxg5 25. Nc3 Qxd4 26. Qh5 {Sedlak,N (2568)-Brkic,A (2558)/Zupanja/2008/} Rb3 $132) 14. c3 bxc3 15. bxc3 c5 16. d4 exd4 17. cxd4 Nc6 (17... cxd4 18. Nxd4 Rc8 $14 {/=}) 18. Ba3 Rac8 19. dxc5 dxc5 20. Qe2 Nb4 $2 (20... Nd4 $5 $13) 21. Qc4 $16 {Carlsen,M (2776)-Svidler,P (2723)/Gjovik rpd/2009/}) 13. Ng3 Kh8 14. c3 (14. b3 h6 15. h3 Rd8 16. Bb2 Nd7 17. Qe2 Bf6 18. Rad1 Qf7 19. d4 Nxd4 20. Nxd4 exd4 21. Bxd4 Bxd4 22. Rxd4 a5 23. Red1 Qf6 24. Rc4 Rc8 25. Rc6 Kh7 26. Ra6 Ra8 27. Nh5 Qc3 28. Rd3 Qa1+ 29. Rd1 Qc3 $11 {Goze,T (2456)-Jansen,J (2467)/corr/2009/}) 14... bxc3 15. bxc3 Na5 (15... Rb8 $5 16. d4 Nd7 $132) 16. d4 Nd7 17. Qd3 c5 18. Rb1 c4 19. Qe2 exd4 20. cxd4 Rc8 21. Be3 (21. Ba3 $5) 21... Nb3 22. Nd2 Nxd2 23. Qxd2 Nf6 24. Rb7 Bd8 25. d5 c3 $132 {Chuprov,D (2577)-Najer,E (2670)/Novokuznetsk/2008/}) 11. Ba2 c5 12. c3 Rb8 (12... Nc6 {- see Anand-Grischuk}) 13. d4 $5 ({Rather slow is} 13. Nc4 Nc6 14. h3 h6 (14... Be6 15. Ng5 Bd7 16. f4 {gives White a slight pull. An important line is} h6 (16... Rb7 17. a5 Qb8 18. Nb6 Be8 19. fxe5 dxe5 20. Be3 Qd8 21. Nf3 Bd6 22. Nd5 Nxd5 23. Bxd5 $14 {Karjakin,S (2782)-Caruana,F (2774)/Moscow/2013/}) 17. Nf3 exf4 18. Bxf4 Be6 19. d4 $5 cxd4 20. cxd4 $36 b3 21. Bxb3 $1 Rxb3 22. Qxb3 Na5 23. Qc2 Bxc4 (23... Nxc4 24. d5 $16) 24. b4 $14) 15. Ne3 (15. d4 cxd4 16. cxd4 exd4 17. Bf4 b3 18. Bxb3 Be6 19. Ba2 d3 $1 20. Qxd3 Nb4 21. Qe2 Nxa2 22. Rxa2 Rc8 23. b3 Nxe4 $1 $15 {Karjakin,S (2780)-Aronian,L (2802)/Wijk aan Zee/2013/ Opening the centre favoured Black.}) (15. Nh2 Be6 16. f4 exf4 17. Bxf4 Rb7 18. Ne3 {Prathamesh,S (2358)-Sethuraman,S (2332)/Dindigul/2007/} d5 $1 $15) 15... Be6 16. Bc4 Bxc4 17. Nxc4 Re8 18. Be3 (18. Bd2 $142 $11 {prevents the following central push}) 18... Bf8 19. Nfd2 d5 $1 20. exd5 Qxd5 21. Qf3 Qxf3 22. Nxf3 Nd5 23. Bd2 f6 24. a5 Kf7 $15 {[%csl Rd3] Caruana,F (2786)-Kasimdzhanov,R (2696)/Tashkent/2012/}) 13... bxc3 (13... Qc7 14. dxe5 dxe5 15. Nc4 b3 $5 ({For} 15... Rd8 {see Caruana-Tomashevsky}) 16. Nxa5 bxa2 17. Nc4 Be6 18. Qe2 Nd7 19. Rxa2 Nb6 20. Nfd2 (20. Nfxe5 Bd6 21. a5 Nxc4 22. Nxc4 Bxh2+ 23. Kh1 Rfe8 24. Ra1 Bxc4 25. Qxc4 Re6 26. Qe2 Rbe8 27. Ra4 Bd6 $44 {Muri,H (2374)-Kayser,P (2055)/corr/2011/}) 20... Rfd8 21. Ra1 Nxc4 $6 (21... Bg5 $142) (21... a5 $5 $44) 22. Nxc4 Bxc4 23. Qxc4 Qd6 24. Ra2 $6 (24. Rb1 $14) (24. Kf1 $14) 24... a5 25. Be3 h6 26. h3 Qb6 27. Kh2 Qd6 28. Rb1 Qd3 29. Qxd3 Rxd3 30. Kg1 c4 $11 {Karjakin,S (2775)-Grischuk,A (2764)/Moscow rpd/2012/}) 14. bxc3 cxd4 15. cxd4 Nc6 16. Ba3 exd4 ({Solid is} 16... Nxd4 17. Nxd4 exd4 18. Nf3 Bb7 19. Qd3 d5 20. Bxe7 Qxe7 21. exd5 (21. e5 Ne4 22. Nxd4 $5 {seems more enterprising}) 21... Qd8 22. Rab1 Bxd5 23. Rxb8 Qxb8 24. Bxd5 Nxd5 25. Qxd4 Nf6 26. h3 Qc7 $11 {Dominguez Perez,L (2708)-Pelletier,Y (2569)/Biel/2008/}) 17. Nb3 Bg4 $5 (17... Bb7 {could lead to Pelletier's game.}) 18. Nbxd4 Nxd4 19. Qxd4 Bxf3 20. gxf3 Nh5 21. Rad1 (21. e5 $5 d5 22. Bc1 $14) 21... Qc8 22. Qe3 (22. Bc1 $5 Bf6 (22... Qh3 $6 23. e5 dxe5 24. Qg4 $1 $16 {[%csl Ga2,Gc1]}) 23. Qxd6 Rd8 24. Qa3 Qh3 $44) 22... Qc2 23. Rd2 Qxa4 24. e5 {Cheparinov,I (2681)-Dzhumaev,M (2499)/Istanbul olm/2012/} Nf4 $1 $132 {} 25. Rd4 Qa5 26. Rxf4 Bg5 27. Ra1 Bxf4 28. Qxf4 Qxa3 29. Bxf7+ Rxf7 $11) 9... d6 {After the insertion of 8.a4 b4 this modest reaction is Black's best choice.} (9... Nxd4 10. Nxd4 ({In this version also} 10. Bxf7+ $5 Rxf7 11. Nxe5 Rf8 12. Qxd4 Bb7 13. Nd2 $14 {deserves more attention.}) 10... exd4 11. e5 Ne8 12. Qxd4 Bb7 13. Bf4 c5 14. Qe3 d5 15. exd6 Bxd6 16. Nd2 Qc7 17. Be5 Bxe5 18. Qxe5 Qc6 19. f3 Nd6 20. Nc4 Nxc4 21. Bxc4 Rae8 22. Qf4 a5 23. Bb5 Rxe1+ 24. Rxe1 Qd5 25. h3 Bc8 26. Bc4 Qf5 27. Qc7 $16 {Grischuk,A (2719)-Beliavsky,A (2667)/FIDE WCh Tripoli/2004/}) 10. dxe5 {White can't advantageously retain the central tension.} (10. d5 Na5 11. Ba2 Rb8 12. Nbd2 c6 13. dxc6 Qc7 $5 $11 (13... Be6 14. Bxe6 fxe6 15. Qe2 Qb6 16. Nc4 Nxc4 17. Qxc4 d5 18. exd5 exd5 19. Qb3 e4 20. Ne5 Bc5 21. Be3 Bxe3 {Aronian,L (2562)-Minasian,A (2480)/Yerevan/2001/} 22. Qxe3 $16)) (10. c3 bxc3 11. bxc3 exd4 12. Nxd4 Nxd4 13. cxd4 d5 14. exd5 Bb7 15. Bg5 Bxd5 16. Nd2 h6 17. Bxd5 Nxd5 18. Bxe7 Nxe7 19. Nf3 Qd6 20. h3 Rab8 21. Rc1 Rb4 22. Qc2 Nd5 23. Re4 Nf6 24. Re2 Nd5 {½,Stein,L-Tal,M/Moscow/1967/}) 10... dxe5 (10... Nxe5 11. Nxe5 (11. Nbd2 Nfd7 $146 (11... Nxf3+ $5 12. Nxf3 Bb7 13. e5 Nd7 14. e6 fxe6 15. Bxe6+ Kh8 16. Bd5 c6 17. Ba2 c5 18. Bd5 Bxd5 19. Qxd5 Nb6 20. Qe6 Bf6 21. a5 Nd7 22. Qd5 Ne5 23. Nd2 Ng4 24. Nf3 Ne5 25. Nd2 Ng4 {½,Anand,V (2782)-Naiditsch,A (2574)/Dortmund/2004/}) 12. Nd4 c5 13. Nf5 Nf6 14. Ne3 (14. Nxe7+ Qxe7 15. Nc4 $14 {/=}) 14... Bb7 15. f3 Ng6 16. Ndc4 d5 17. exd5 Nxd5 18. Nf5 Qc7 19. Nxe7+ Ngxe7 20. Bg5 Nf5 21. c3 (21. Na5 $5) 21... bxc3 22. bxc3 h6 23. Qd3 g6 24. Bd2 Rad8 25. Qe2 Nf4 26. Bxf4 Qxf4 27. Rad1 Bd5 28. Nd2 Bxb3 29. Nxb3 Qxa4 30. Nxc5 {Nakamura,H (2772)-Aronian,L (2813)/Saint Louis/2013/} Qc6 $11) 11... dxe5 12. Qe2 Bc5 ({The most usual move, but maybe Black should consider} 12... Bb7 {, or}) (12... a5 $5) 13. Be3 Qe7 $146 (13... Bd4 $5 14. c3 ({Engines have tested both} 14. Bxd4 Qxd4 15. Rd1 {and}) (14. Qd3 c5 15. c3 {- see the notes to Caruana-Fressinet}) 14... bxc3 15. bxc3 Bxe3 16. Qxe3 Qe7 17. Nd2 Be6 18. h3 Rfd8 19. Bxe6 Qxe6 20. Nf3 Ne8 21. c4 Nd6 22. c5 Nc8 23. Ng5 Qe7 24. Red1 Na7 25. Rd5 Nc6 $11 {Baklan,V (2578)-Pinter,J (2535)/AUT-chT/2005/}) 14. Nd2 Bg4 $6 15. Bxc5 Qxc5 16. Qe3 Qxe3 17. Rxe3 Rad8 18. Nc4 Rfe8 19. Na5 $1 Be6 20. f3 Rd2 21. Rc1 Nd7 22. Bxe6 Rxe6 23. Nb3 Rdd6 24. c3 $1 bxc3 25. Rexc3 $16 {Caruana,F (2779)-Fressinet,L (2708)/Paris/2013/ The lost tempo cost Black dearly, as his queenside crumbles.}) ({RR} 10... Nxe5) 11. Qxd8 {White wants to profit from the queenside holes in a simplified position.} (11. Nbd2 Bc5 12. Qe2 ({Jansa's} 12. h3 Bb7 $11 {is rather slow.}) 12... Qe7 $5 (12... Bg4 13. h3 Bh5 14. c3 (14. Qf1 $5 Qd7 15. a5 Qe7 16. Bc4 Ra7 17. Nh4 g6 18. c3 bxc3 19. bxc3 Rb8 20. Nb3 Bd6 21. g4 $16 {Zinchenko,E-Manyakhin,A/corr/2006/}) 14... Na5 15. g4 Bg6 16. Bc2 bxc3 17. bxc3 Nd5 $1 18. Nb1 {Grischuk,A (2779)-Caruana,F (2774)/Thessaloniki GP/2013/} Qf6 $5 19. g5 Qe6 20. exd5 Qxh3 21. Nh2 Bh5 22. Qe4 Bg6 23. Qe2 Bh5 $11) (12... Bb7 13. Nc4 {Black must be careful.} Qe7 14. Bg5 h6 15. Bh4 g5 16. Bg3 Nh5 (16... Nd4 $5 17. Nxd4 Bxd4 18. Qf3 Rad8 $132 {Zajontz,R (2492)-Feco,J (2331)/corr/2009/}) 17. Ne3 Nxg3 18. hxg3 Bxe3 19. Qxe3 Na5 20. Bd5 Rad8 21. Bxb7 Nxb7 22. Rad1 Rxd1 23. Rxd1 Rd8 24. Rd5 Rxd5 25. exd5 Qc5 $11 {/,Guilloux,J (2046)-De los Reyes,A (1141)/corr/2003/}) 13. Nc4 Bg4 14. c3 bxc3 (14... Nh5 15. g3 Qf6 16. Kg2 Rad8 17. Be3 Bxe3 18. Nxe3 Bxf3+ 19. Qxf3 Qxf3+ 20. Kxf3 Na5 21. Bd5 bxc3 22. b4 c6 23. Ba2 Nb7 24. Rec1 $36 {Inarkiev,E (2693)-Onischuk,A (2667)/Poikovsky/2013/}) 15. bxc3 h6 16. Bc2 Qe6 17. Ne3 Bxe3 18. Qxe3 Na5 19. Nd2 Qc6 20. h3 Be6 21. Qg3 Nd7 22. Rb1 Rfb8 $11 {Grischuk,A (2764)-Svidler,P (2747)/London Candidates/2013/}) ({RR} 11. Nbd2) 11... Rxd8 12. Nbd2 ({After} 12. Bg5 {Black can play} Rb8 $11 ({, as well as Caruana's provocative} 12... h6 $6 13. Bxf6 gxf6 14. Bd5 Rd6 {- see Negi-Caruana})) ({RR} 12. Bg5 Rb8 13. Nbd2 h6 14. Bxf6 Bxf6 15. Bd5 Na5) ({RR} 12. h3 Na5 13. Ba2 Nd7 14. Bg5 Kf8 15. Nbd2 f6 16. Be3 Nb6 17. Bxb6 cxb6 18. Bd5 Ra7 19. Nb3 Rc7 20. Nxa5 bxa5 21. Rec1 Bd7 22. Nd2 Rdc8 23. b3 Rxc2 24. Nc4 Rc3 25. Rxc3 bxc3 26. Nb6 Rd8 {Nakamura,H (2785)-Aronian,L (2793) Stavanger 2017 ½-½ (41)}) 12... h6 {Black makes a useful move without committing his bishops.} (12... Bc5 13. h3 $5 (13. Bc4 Ng4 14. Re2 Na5 15. Bd5 Rb8 16. Nb3 Nxb3 17. cxb3 h6 18. h3 Nf6 19. Nxe5 Nxd5 20. exd5 $6 (20. Nc6 Nc3 21. bxc3 Rd1+ 22. Kh2 Rb6 23. cxb4 Bd6+ 24. e5 Rxc6 25. exd6 Be6 $1 $11) 20... Rxd5 21. Bf4 Be6 22. Rc1 Bd6 23. Bg3 Re8 24. Re3 c5 $15 {[%csl Rb3,Gd6,Ge6] Anand,V (2783)-Adams,M (2727)/Paris/St Petersburg/2013/}) 13... Bb7 (13... Re8 14. a5 Be6 15. Ba4 Bd7 16. Nb3 Bd6 17. Bg5 $14) (13... h6 14. Nc4 Re8 15. a5 Bb7 16. Ba4 Re6 17. c3 Rd8 (17... Rb8 $5) 18. Bc2 Re7 19. Nfd2 Ba7 20. Nb3 Ne8 21. Ne3 Red7 22. Ra4 bxc3 23. bxc3 Nd6 24. Ba3 Ne7 {Inarkiev,E (2669)-Akopian,V (2679)/Elista/2008/} 25. Bc5 $14) 14. a5 (14. Bc4 h6 15. Nb3 Bd6 16. Bd3 $5 (16. a5 Ne7 17. Nfd2 Ng6 18. Bf1 Nf4 19. f3 Nd7 20. Nc4 Be7 21. Be3 Ne6 22. Bf2 Bc6 23. Ne3 Ndc5 24. Bc4 Nxb3 25. cxb3 Bb5 {Bologan,V (2682)-Sargissian,G (2642)/Kallithea/2008/} 26. Nd5 $14 {Bologan}) 16... Bc8 17. Be3 Be6 18. Nfd2 Be7 19. Rad1 Nd7 20. Bc4 $14 {Bologan: Compared with the positions where the pawn is on a5, White controls the very important square b5.}) 14... h6 15. Ba4 Nd7 (15... Nxa5 $5 16. Nxe5 Bd4 17. Nd3 c5 $132) 16. Nb3 Bd6 17. Be3 Ncb8 18. Nfd2 Bc6 19. Nc4 Bxa4 20. Rxa4 Nc6 21. Rd1 Be7 22. Raa1 Kf8 23. f3 Ke8 24. Kf2 Nf8 25. Rd5 f6 26. g3 Ne6 27. f4 $36 {Harikrishna,P (2685)-Kamsky,G (2746)/Istanbul olm/2012/}) ({Black has had more success with the prophylactic} 12... Bd6 13. a5 h6 14. Bc4 ({RR} 14. h3 Re8 15. Nc4) 14... Re8 $1 (14... Kf8 15. b3 (15. Nb3 Ke7 16. Nfd2 ({Bologan recommends} 16. Be3 Be6 17. Bxe6 Kxe6 18. Nfd2 {, but} Rab8 {[%cal Yb8b5] seems about equal.}) 16... Be6 17. Bf1 Nd7 18. Nc4 Nc5 19. Nxc5 Bxc5 20. c3 f6 21. Be3 {½,Nisipeanu,L (2684)-Inarkiev,E (2684)/Evry/2008/} Bxe3 22. Nxe3 Rd2 $11) 15... Ke7 $6 (15... Bc5 {is the engine move, but why then go to d6 at all?}) 16. Bd5 $1 Nxd5 17. exd5 Na7 18. Nxe5 Kf8 19. Ndc4 Bxe5 20. Rxe5 Nc6 21. Bg5 $1 $14 {Karjakin,S (2721)-Aronian,L (2754)/Nalchik/2009/}) (14... Bb7 15. b3 (15. Nb3 Re8 16. c3 bxc3 17. bxc3 Nd8 18. Nfd2 Ne6 19. f3 Bc6 20. Bf1 Reb8 21. Ba3 Kf8 22. Nc1 Bb5 23. Nc4 Bxa3 24. Rxa3 Nd7 25. Rd1 f6 $11 {/,Felgaer,R (2570)-Tomashevsky,E (2730)/Istanbul olm/2012/}) 15... Bc5 16. Bb2 Rd7 17. h3 Re8 18. Ra4 {Kritz,L (2618)-Kaplan,S (2422)/Biel/2010/} Nh5 $132 {[%cal Yh5f4]}) 15. Nb3 (15. b3 Be6 16. Bb2 Nd7 17. h3 f6 18. Nh4 Nc5 19. Nf5 Bf8 20. Ne3 Bxc4 21. Ndxc4 Ne6 22. Rad1 Red8 23. Rd5 Nf4 $11 {Negi,P (2642)-Sargissian,G (2663)/WChT Ningbo/2011/}) (15. Bd3 Nd7 16. Nb3 Nc5 17. Be3 Nxd3 18. cxd3 Be6 19. Nfd2 Nb8 20. Rec1 Nd7 $11 {Sargissian}) ({RR} 15. Nb3 Be6 16. Bd3 Red8 17. Bf1 Kf8 18. Nfd2 Nd7) ({RR} 15. b3 Bb7 16. Bb2 Rad8 17. Bd3 Nd7) 15... Be6 16. Bd3 Red8 17. Bf1 (17. Nfd2 Nd7 18. Bc4 Nc5 19. Nxc5 Bxc5 20. Bxe6 fxe6 21. Nb3 Ba7 22. Be3 Nd4 23. Rac1 Nxb3 24. cxb3 Bxe3 25. Rxe3 c5 $11 {Antipov,M (2462)-Heimann,A (2493)/Athens/2012/}) 17... Kf8 18. Nfd2 Nd7 19. Nc4 Nc5 20. Nxc5 Bxc5 21. c3 f6 22. Be3 Bxe3 {½,Carlsen,M (2772)-Leko,P (2756)/Dortmund/2009/}) ({RR} 12... Bd6 13. a5 h6) ({RR} 12... Bc5 13. h3 Bb7 14. a5 h6 15. Ba4 Nd7 16. Nb3 Bd6 17. Be3 Ncb8 18. Nfd2 Bc6 19. Nc4 Bxa4 20. Rxa4 Nc6 21. Rd1 Be7 22. Raa1 Kf8 23. f3 Ke8 24. Kf2 Nf8 25. Rd5 f6 26. g3 Ne6 27. f4) 13. a5 ({Carlsen and Aronian already had this position once.} 13. Bc4 Bd6 (13... Bc5 $5) 14. Nb3 ({RR} 14. Nb3 a5 ({RR} 14... Re8 15. Be3 Be6 16. Bxe6 Rxe6 17. Nfd2 Ng4 18. Bc5 Bxc5 19. Nxc5 Rd6 20. Ndb3) ({RR} 14... Bb7 15. h3 Re8 16. Bd3 Nd4 17. Nfxd4 exd4 18. f3 c5 19. Na5 Bc8 20. f4) ({RR} 14... Be7 15. h3 g5 16. Bd2 Kg7 17. Rad1 Bd7 18. Re2) 15. Be3 Ne7 ({RR} 15... Ba6 16. Bxa6 Rxa6 17. Nfd2 Ng4 18. Nc4) 16. Bd3 Ng6 17. Nfd2 Ng4 18. Nc4 Nxe3 19. Rxe3) 14... Bb7 (14... Re8 $142 $5 {[%cal Yc8e6]}) 15. h3 Kf8 16. Bd3 Bc8 17. Be3 Be6 18. Nfd2 Ke8 19. f3 Be7 20. Bc4 Bc8 21. Red1 Bb7 22. Bf2 Nd7 23. Bd3 Nf8 24. Nc4 Ne6 25. Nba5 $16 {Carlsen,M (2776)-Aronian,L (2750)/Nice rpd/2009/ gave White a substantial advantage, but Aronian undoubtedly prepared an improvement here.}) (13. Nc4 Bd6 14. a5 Be6 15. Be3 Rab8 16. Nfd2 Ng4 17. h3 Nxe3 18. Nxe3 Bc5 19. Bxe6 Rxd2 20. Bd5 Bxe3 (20... Nd8 $5) 21. fxe3 Ne7 22. Bc4 Rxc2 23. b3 Rxc4 24. bxc4 Kf8 $44 {Wan,Y (2477)-Tkachiev,V (2662)/Jakarta/2012/}) ({RR} 13. Bc4 Bd6 14. a5 Re8 15. Bd3 Nd7 ({RR} 15... Be6 16. Nc4 Nd7 17. Nxd6 cxd6 18. Be3 Nc5) 16. b3 ({RR} 16. Nb3 Nc5 17. Nxc5 Bxc5) ({RR} 16. Nc4 Bf8 17. Ne3 Nc5 18. Bc4 Be6) 16... Nc5 17. Bc4 ({RR} 17. Bf1 Be6 18. Nc4 f6 19. Nxd6 cxd6) 17... Be6 18. Bb2 ({RR} 18. Bxe6 Nxe6 19. Nc4) 18... f6 19. Bxe6+ Rxe6 ({RR} 19... Nxe6) 20. Nc4 Rb8 ({RR} 20... Rd8) 21. Nfd2 ({RR} 21. Nh4) 21... Rb5 22. Ra2 ({RR} 22. Nf1 Nd4 ({RR} 22... Nb7 23. Nfe3 Ncxa5 24. Nxa5 Nxa5 25. Red1) 23. Rac1 Nb7 24. Bxd4 exd4 25. g3 Nxa5 26. Nfd2) 22... Nb7 23. Rea1 Bc5 24. Kf1 ({RR} 24. g3) ({RR} 24. Nf1) 24... Re7 25. Ke2 ({RR} 25. g3) 25... Rd7 26. Nf1 ({RR} 26. f3 Kf7 27. Nf1 Ke6 28. Nfe3 Bxe3 29. Nxe3) 26... Bd4 ({RR} 26... Nd6 27. Nfd2 Rb7 28. Nxd6 cxd6 29. Nc4 d5 30. exd5 Rxd5) 27. Nfe3 ({RR} 27. f3) 27... Bxe3 {Nakamura,H (2814)-Aronian,L (2765) Saint Louis 2015 CBM 168 [Illingworth,Max] 0-1 (51)} ({RR} 27... Kf7 28. Rd1)) ({RR} 13. h3 Na5 14. Nxe5 Nxb3 15. Nxb3 Bb7 16. f3 Bd6 17. Nd3 Bg3 18. Re2 g5 19. Na5 Bc8 20. Bd2 Nh5 21. Bxb4 Be6 22. Be1 Bd6 23. Bf2 Rd7 24. Nc6 Bc4 25. Rd2 Bf4 26. Rdd1 Rd6 27. Ne7+ Kf8 {Pingin,A (2438)-Franc,B (2285) chess.com INT 2024 1-0 (35)}) 13... Bc5 $146 {Until now Black played mostly} (13... Bd6 {which transposes into the aforementioned 12...d6 lines.}) 14. Bc4 $146 {[%cal Yb2b3,Yc1b2,Yc4d3,Yd2c4] White's long-term plan is to target e5, but the text move is not ideal.} (14. Ba4 Nxa5 15. Nxe5 Ng4 16. Nxg4 Bxg4 $132 {and Black's active pieces give him reasonable counterchances.}) (14. h3 $142 $5 {gives better chances for an edge. Now} Bb7 {leads to Harikrishna - Kamsky above,} ({while} 14... Re8 15. Nc4 {transposes to Inarkiev-Akopian})) ({RR} 14. h3 Bd4 15. Bc4 Be6 16. Bxe6 fxe6 17. Nc4 Ne8 18. Nxd4 Nxd4 19. Ne3 Nd6 20. f3 Rab8 21. Bd2 Rb5 22. Rad1 c5 23. c3 Nb3 24. cxb4 cxb4 25. Nc2 Nc4 26. Bxb4 Rc8 27. Rd3 Nbxa5 28. Rc3 Nb6 {Predke,A (2537)-Belous,V (2577) Moscow 2015 ½-½ (53)}) 14... Ng4 15. Re2 Be6 $1 {Swapping the important bishop complicates White's development and gives Aronian the initiative.} 16. Bxe6 ({White has no time for} 16. Bd3 b3 $36) 16... fxe6 17. h3 Nf6 18. Re1 Rab8 19. Nc4 Rb5 {[%csl Ra5][%cal Gb5e5] An excellent outpost for the rook, attacking and defending at the same time.} 20. b3 (20. Ncxe5 $6 Nxe5 21. Nxe5 Bxf2+ 22. Kxf2 Rxe5 $15 {[%csl Re4] /}) (20. Be3 Ne8 $36 {[%cal Ye8d6]}) 20... Bd4 21. Bb2 (21. Nxd4 exd4 $15 {[%csl Ra5]}) 21... Rc5 $1 {[%cal Rc5c4]} 22. Ra2 Bxb2 ({After} 22... Ne8 {White can already consider} 23. Bxd4 $5 exd4 24. e5 $132) 23. Rxb2 Ne8 24. Ra2 Nd6 25. Nfd2 Nb7 (25... Nd4 $15) ({, or} 25... Nb5 $15 {was probably better, but even here it's not simple to increase Black's pressure.}) 26. Nf3 Kf7 (26... Nbxa5 27. Nfxe5 Nxe5 28. Rxa5 Rxa5 29. Nxa5 Rd2 30. Rc1 $11 {[%cal Yg1e1]}) ({Aronian is playing for a win and spurns} 26... Nd6 $11) 27. Kf1 Kf6 28. Ra4 Nbxa5 29. Ne3 $5 (29. Nxa5 Nxa5 30. Re2 Rd1+ 31. Re1 Rd6 $5 32. Rxb4 Rxc2 33. Nxe5 c5 $15 {Carslen is not intent on winning the pawn back immediately, this cool retreat leaves Black's kinights sidetracked.}) 29... h5 30. Rea1 Rd4 31. Ne1 Ke7 (31... Rxe4 $6 32. Nd3 {} Rb5 33. c4 $1 Nxb3 34. cxb5 axb5 35. Ra6 $14) 32. f3 Rd2 33. Rd1 (33. Nd3 $2 Rxd3 34. cxd3 Nxb3 35. Rd1 a5 $17 {[%csl Ga5,Gb4][%cal Rc5b5,Rb3c5] /-+}) 33... Rd6 ({Keeps the tension, after} 33... Rxd1 34. Nxd1 $11 {[%cal Yd1e3,Ye1d3] Black has no obvious way to untangle.}) 34. Rda1 Kd7 ({Still aiming for more than} 34... Rd2 35. Rd1 $11) 35. Nd1 Rd2 36. Nf2 $5 Kc8 37. Nfd3 Rb5 38. h4 (38. Nxb4 Nxb4 39. Rxa5 Kb7 {is still slightly unpleasant for White. Carlsen was short of time, so he doesn't change the character of the position.}) 38... Kb7 39. R1a2 Ka7 40. Kg1 Kb6 41. Kf1 g6 42. Kg1 Kb7 43. Kf1 Kc8 44. Nf2 Rd8 $6 ({This is already pushing it too far, Black should have resigned himself to} 44... Rc5 45. Nfd3 Rb5 $11) 45. Ned3 $44 {The retreat of the active rook allows White to further improve his piece coordination and put serious pressure on Black's weaknesses. Carlsen realised this was the turning point of the game and somewhere around here he already declined a draw offer. Aronian was late to realise he has to defend accurately and without much resistance.} Kb7 46. Ke2 Kb6 47. Ke3 Kb7 {Awkward.} (47... Ra8 48. Nb2 $1 {doesn't allow the knight to leave a5, but after} Rc5 49. Kd2 Rf8 $14 {Black can still fight on.}) 48. Nd1 (48. Nh3 $5 $14 {is interesting, but White has a different plan.}) 48... Kc8 49. N1b2 Rd6 50. Ra1 $1 {An important finesse, which clearly indicates aggressive intentions.} ({Carslen avoids the immediate} 50. Nc4 Nxc4+ 51. bxc4 Rb8 52. c5 Rd7 53. Rxa6 b3 $1 $11) 50... Kd8 $2 {The decisive mistake, the rook should have left the exposed d6-square as soon as possible.} (50... Rd7 51. Nc4 Nxc4+ 52. bxc4 Rb8 53. Rxa6 Nd4 54. Rc1 $16 {[%csl Re5,Re6] } b3 55. c3 Nc2+ 56. Ke2 {[%csl Rb3]}) (50... Rd4 $142 $5 {and the forcing} 51. Nxe5 (51. g3 $5 $36 {[%cal Yf3f4] is perhaps stronger}) 51... Rxe5 52. Rxa5 Rdxe4+ 53. fxe4 Nxa5 (53... Rxa5 $2 54. Rxa5 Nxa5 55. Kf4 $18 {[%cal Rf4g5]}) 54. Nd3 Rb5 55. Nf4 Kd7 $14 {gives Black chances for a successful defence.}) 51. Nc4 Nxc4+ 52. bxc4 Rb8 53. c5 Rd7 ({Even after the more resilient} 53... Rxd3+ 54. Kxd3 a5 55. Kc4 $16 {/+- White should graually win.}) 54. Rxa6 $18 b3 {Hopeless, but} (54... Nd4 {was no better:} 55. Ra8 $1 Rxa8 (55... Nxc2+ 56. Kd2 Nxa1 57. Rxb8+ Ke7 58. Rxb4 $18 {[%csl Ra1,Re5]}) 56. Rxa8+ Ke7 57. Nxe5 $5 (57. Nxb4 $18) 57... Nxc2+ 58. Ke2 $18 {[%csl Rd7] and Black's rook is trapped!}) 55. Rxc6 bxc2 56. Ne1 {[%csl Rc2]} (56. Rxe6 $142 $1 $18) 56... Ke7 (56... Rb2 57. Rxe6 {[%cal Ra1a8]} Rd1 58. Nxc2 $18) (56... Rd1 57. Nxc2 Rxa1 58. Nxa1 Ra8 59. Rxe6 (59. Nc2 $2 Kd7) 59... Rxa1 60. Rxg6 $18) 57. Nxc2 Rb3+ 58. Ke2 Rb2 59. Rc1 Ra2 {Now the c6 is temporarily trapped, but Black has no way to attack it and he is already a piece down. The rest doesn't require any comment.} 60. Ke3 Kf7 61. f4 Kf6 62. fxe5+ Kxe5 63. Ne1 Ra3+ 64. Kf2 Rd2+ 65. Kf1 Rd7 66. Nf3+ Kf4 67. Rxe6 g5 68. hxg5 Kg3 69. Rf6 Ra2 70. Ne5 1-0

[Event "World-ch Carlsen-Anand +3-0=7"]
[Site "Chennai"]
[Date "2013.11.10"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B19"]
[WhiteElo "2775"]
[BlackElo "2870"]
[Annotator "Sumets,Andrey"]
[PlyCount "50"]
[EventDate "2013.11.09"]
[EventType "match"]
[EventRounds "12"]
[EventCountry "IND"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 158"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.01.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.01.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Bf5 5. Ng3 Bg6 6. h4 h6 7. Nf3 e6 (7... Nd7 {is the main line}) 8. Ne5 ({Another line is} 8. h5 Bh7 9. Bd3 Bxd3 10. Qxd3 {Black must not hurry with ...d7. In some lines he can play ...c5 and ...c6.} Nf6 11. Bd2 Be7 12. O-O-O O-O 13. c4 $6 b5 14. cxb5 Qd5 15. Kb1 cxb5 $15 {0-1 (45) Zapata,A (2496)-Macieja,B (2595) Greensboro USA 2013}) 8... Bh7 9. Bd3 Bxd3 10. Qxd3 Nd7 11. f4 Bb4+ 12. c3 Be7 13. Bd2 Ngf6 14. O-O-O (14. Qe2 $5 {For this line see the recent game Anand,V-Ding Liren Paris/Saint Petersburg 2013. It would be interesting to see what Magnus had prepared after 14.e2.}) 14... O-O (14... c5 15. Be3 O-O 16. Kb1 Qc7 17. Ne4 Nxe4 18. Qxe4 Nxe5 19. dxe5 Rfd8 20. h5 Rxd1+ 21. Rxd1 Rd8 22. Rxd8+ Qxd8 23. Kc2 Qd7 24. b3 $14 {Inarkiev,E (2693) -Eljanov,P (2702) Poikovsky RUS 2013 0-1 (48)}) 15. Ne4 {This line isn't considered as a dangerous one for Black.} (15. c4 Qc7 16. Rhe1 Rad8 17. Qf3 a5 18. Kb1 Bb4 19. Bxb4 axb4 $11 20. f5 Nxe5 21. dxe5 Rxd1+ 22. Qxd1 Rd8 23. Qe2 Nd7 24. fxe6 fxe6 25. Ne4 b6 (25... Qxe5 $1 26. Rd1 Qa5 27. Rd6 (27. Qd3 $2 Ra8 $17) 27... Nf8 $15) 26. g4 Nxe5 27. g5 $13 {Svetushkin,D (2570)-Lauber,A (2517) Berlin GER 2010 1-0 (33)}) (15. Qf3 $5 Qc7 16. c4 (16. Rde1 $6 c5 17. d5 $6 Nxd5 18. c4 Nb4 $1 (18... N5b6 19. Ng4 Nxc4 20. Bc3 Qc6 21. Nxh6+ Kh7 22. Qd3+ Kxh6 23. Qe2 g6 $5 (23... Kh7 24. Qh5+ Kg8 25. Bxg7 Kxg7 26. Qg4+ $11) 24. h5 g5 25. Qxc4 Nb6 $13) 19. a3 Nc6 20. Nxc6 Qxc6 21. Qxc6 bxc6 22. Ne4 (22. f5 Bf6 23. fxe6 Ne5 $17) 22... Nf6 23. Bc3 Nxe4 24. Rxe4 Bf6 $15 {Kroeze,F (2446)-Lauber,A (2417) Germany 2008 0-1 (45)}) 16... Rac8 (16... a5 17. Kb1 Rad8 18. Bc1 Rfe8 19. Ne2 c5 (19... h5 $5 {! Lucacs,P} 20. c5 g6 21. Nc3 Bf8 $13) 20. g4 cxd4 21. g5 Nxe5 22. fxe5 Nh7 23. gxh6 $40 {Topalov,V (2707)-Dreev,A (2676) FIDE Wch k. o. New Delhi/Teheran 2000 1-0 (43)}) ({Black can't play} 16... c5 $6 {due to} 17. d5 $1 Rae8 (17... Nxe5 $4 18. fxe5 Qxe5 19. Bf4 $18) 18. Rhe1 exd5 19. cxd5 Bd6 20. Bc3 $16 Nxe5 21. fxe5 Rxe5 22. Bxe5 Bxe5 23. Nf5 Rd8 $2 (23... c4 24. d6 Qc5 25. Kb1 $16) 24. d6 Bxd6 25. Rxd6 {1-0 (24) Movsesian,S (2666) -Iordachescu,V (2594) FIDE-Wch k.o. New Delhi/Teheran 2000}) 17. Rhe1 b5 18. c5 Nd5 19. Nh5 N7f6 20. Ng3 (20. Nxf6+ Bxf6 21. g4 $40 {Erenburg}) 20... Nd7 21. Nh5 N7f6 22. Nxg7 $5 Kxg7 23. f5 exf5 24. Qxf5 $44 {Roiz,M (2512)-Erenburg, S (2494) Tel Aviv 2002 0-1 (32)}) 15... Nxe4 16. Qxe4 Nxe5 (16... Nf6 {seems to be a risky decision.} 17. Qe2 Qd5 18. g4 h5 (18... Qxa2 $2 19. g5 Ne8 20. gxh6 Bf6 21. Rdg1 $18) (18... Qe4 19. Rde1 Qxe2 20. Rxe2 Nd5 21. g5 $14) 19. gxh5 (19. g5 $5 Qe4 (19... Ne4 $4 20. c4 Qxd4 21. Be1 $18) 20. Rhe1 Qxe2 21. Rxe2 Nd5 22. c4 Nb6 23. b3 Rfd8 24. Ba5 $14) 19... Qe4 20. Qf2 $6 (20. Qxe4 Nxe4 21. h6 $1 gxh6 $8 (21... Nf2 22. Rhg1 Nxd1 23. Rxg7+ Kh8 24. Kxd1 $18) 22. f5 Kh7 23. fxe6 fxe6 24. Rde1 Nxd2 25. Kxd2 Rf2+ 26. Kc1 Rg8 27. Nd3 Rf6 28. Re2 $14) 20... Qf5 21. Rdg1 Nxh5 $11 {Fercec,N (2477)-Zelcic,R (2531) Zadar 2004 1/2 (36). White has no attack anymore.}) 17. fxe5 Qd5 18. Qxd5 $146 {According to Carlsen, after the exchange of queens there is nothing to discuss.} (18. Qg4 $5 {The only way to continue the game} f5 $5 {It seems to me that Black has good counterplay.} (18... Kh7 19. b3 $6 (19. Kb1 $1 c5 20. Bg5 $1 f5 21. exf6 Bxf6 22. dxc5 Qxc5 23. Bc1 Rae8 (23... Qf5+ 24. Qxf5+ exf5 25. Rd5 $16) 24. Rhf1 Qc6 25. Rf3 $14) 19... c5 (19... a5 $5 20. Bg5 f5 21. exf6 Bxf6 22. Rde1 a4 23. Bxf6 Rxf6 24. Re5 Rg6 $1 $11) 20. Bg5 f5 21. exf6 Bxf6 22. c4 Qc6 23. dxc5 Qxc5 24. Qe4+ Kh8 25. Bxf6 Rxf6 26. Rhf1 Rxf1 27. Rxf1 Rd8 $11 {Mrdja,M (2360)-Zelcic,R (2591) Zagreb 2008 1-0 (56)}) 19. Qg6 (19. exf6 $6 Rxf6 20. Kb1 Rf2 21. Rhg1 (21. Bxh6 $4 Rxg2) 21... h5 $15) 19... Qxa2 20. Bxh6 Rf7 {The position is complicated and both sides have their good and bad points.} 21. h5 (21. g4 f4 22. Rhf1 Raf8 23. Rxf4 Qa1+ 24. Kc2 Qa4+ 25. Kd2 Qa2 26. Kc1 Qa1+ $11) (21. Bg5 a5 22. d5 cxd5 23. Qxe6 Qa1+ 24. Kc2 Qa4+ 25. Kb1 Qe4+ 26. Ka2 Qa4+ $11) 21... a5 22. Bf4 a4 23. h6 a3 24. Kc2 Qxb2+ (24... c5 $5) 25. Kd3 Qb5+ 26. Ke3 Qd5 27. g3 $1 Raf8 28. Rh2 Qb3 29. Rdh1 Qxc3+ 30. Kf2 Qc2+ 31. Ke3 Qe4+ 32. Kf2 $11) 18... cxd5 $11 19. h5 b5 20. Rh3 a5 21. Rf1 (21. Kc2 b4 22. Kd3 bxc3 23. Bxc3 Bb4 $11) 21... Rac8 $146 ({RR} 21... a4 22. Rg3 Kh7 23. Rgf3 Kg8 24. Rg3 Kh7 25. Rgf3 Kg8 26. Rg3 {½-½ (26) Chandra,A (2483)-Macieja,B (2533) Dallas 2017}) 22. Rg3 Kh7 23. Rgf3 Kg8 24. Rg3 Kh7 25. Rgf3 Kg8 1/2-1/2

[Event "World-ch Carlsen-Anand +3-0=7"]
[Site "Chennai"]
[Date "2013.11.13"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C67"]
[WhiteElo "2775"]
[BlackElo "2870"]
[Annotator "Postny,Evgeny"]
[PlyCount "127"]
[EventDate "2013.11.09"]
[EventType "match"]
[EventRounds "12"]
[EventCountry "IND"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 158"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.01.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.01.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 {Carlsen decided not to repeat the Caro-Kann as in game 2. This time he goes for the Berlin Defence - the opening that will serve him well until the end of the match as his main weapon against 1.e4.} 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. d4 Nd6 6. Bxc6 dxc6 7. dxe5 Nf5 8. Qxd8+ Kxd8 9. h3 {Not the main line, but quite fashionable. In previous years 9.c3 or 9.d1 was played nearly automatically.} Bd7 10. Rd1 Be7 {This move was employed several times by grandmaster Hammer, one of Carlsen's seconds.} ({A really complicated and double-edged position arises after} 10... Kc8 11. g4 Ne7 12. Ng5 Be8 13. f4 h5 14. Kf2 b6 15. f5 Kb7 16. c4 c5 17. Bf4 Nc6 18. Nc3 $13 {½-½ (39) Giri,A (2737)-Nakamura,H (2772) Paris 2013}) 11. Nc3 ({The following game from the European team championship was played just one day prior to the World championship encounter:} 11. g4 Nh4 12. Nxh4 Bxh4 13. Nd2 Kc8 14. Nf3 Be7 15. Rd3 h6 16. Nd4 Re8 17. Bf4 c5 18. Nf5 Bf8 19. c4 a6 20. Ne3 b5 21. b3 g5 22. Bg3 Be6 23. Rad1 Kb7 $11 {½-½ (42) Caruana,F (2782)-Grischuk,A (2785) Warsaw 2013}) (11. Bg5 Kc8 12. g4 $6 {Too early.} (12. Nc3 {would transpose to our game Anand-Carlsen.}) 12... h6 13. Bxe7 (13. Bd2 Nh4 14. Nxh4 Bxh4 15. Bc3 h5 $15 {1-0 (67) Ganguly,S (2651)-Hammer,J (2647) Wijk aan Zee 2011}) 13... Nxe7 14. Kh2 Re8 15. Nbd2 b6 16. Re1 c5 17. Ne4 Bc6 18. h4 Kb7 $15 {0-1 (44) Sutovsky,E (2692)-Hammer,J (2606) Aix-les-Bains 2011}) 11... Kc8 12. Bg5 {After witnessing many games in this line, it seems that both sides are satisfied with the exchange of dark-squared bishops.} h6 13. Bxe7 Nxe7 14. Rd2 (14. a4 a5 15. Rd2 c5 16. Rad1 Bc6 17. e6 $1 fxe6 18. Ne5 Re8 19. Nb5 Bxb5 20. axb5 Nd5 21. c4 Nb6 22. h4 $14 {[%cal Gd2d3,Gd3g3,Gd3f3] ½-½ (33) Berg,E (2587)-Hammer,J (2630) Achaea 2012}) 14... c5 15. Rad1 $146 (15. Ne4 b6 16. Ng3 Bc6 17. Nh2 Ng6 18. Re1 Nf4 19. f3 Kb7 20. Kf2 Rad8 21. Rxd8 Rxd8 22. Nhf1 g6 $11 {1-0 (102) Jakovenko,D (2710)-Almasi,Z (2691) Khanty-Mansiysk 2007}) 15... Be6 16. Ne1 $146 {Clearly, a step in the wrong direction.} ({In a very recent game an attempt to improve White's play was made:} 16. Ne2 Ng6 (16... Bxa2 $2 17. b3 c4 18. Nfd4 c5 19. Nb5 cxb3 20. cxb3 Bxb3 21. Rb1 c4 22. Ned4 {with a strong initiative.}) 17. Ng3 b6 18. Nh5 Rg8 19. a3 a5 20. Re1 Kb7 21. Nh2 Ne7 22. f4 g6 23. Nf6 Rgd8 24. Red1 Rxd2 25. Rxd2 Kc6 $11 {1-0 (49) Gorbatov,A (2360)-Pranizin,G (2187) Khanty-Mansiysk 2013}) ({RR} 16. Ne2 Nc6 17. a3 g5 18. g4 h5 19. Nxg5 hxg4 20. Nf4 gxh3 21. Nfxe6 fxe6 22. f4 b6 23. Nxe6 Rh6 24. Nxc7 Kxc7 25. Rd7+ Kc8 26. Rf7 Rb8 27. Rdd7 b5 28. Rc7+ Kd8 29. Rfd7+ Ke8 30. Rg7 Kf8 {Azarov,S (2574)-Chandra,A (2487) Rockville 2018 ½-½ (33)}) 16... Ng6 17. Nd3 (17. Re2 {was possible, but then the whole idea of doubling the rooks along the d-file makes little sense.}) 17... b6 18. Ne2 $6 {Inviting the opponent to take the risky decision. Objectively, it was bettter not to allow Carlsen to grab the pawn. Perhaps, Anand just didn't believe that the move that now follows would work so well for Black.} (18. b3 {was, objectively, the safest.} c4 19. bxc4 Bxc4 20. f4 Kb7 (20... Bxd3 $6 21. Rxd3 Nxf4 22. Rf3 g5 23. g3 Nxh3+ 24. Kg2 g4 25. Rxf7 Ng5 26. Re7 $44) 21. a4 {White is slightly worse, but the material balance is not broken.}) ({The aggressive attempt} 18. f4 $6 {will leave White a pawn down, fighting for a draw.} c4 19. Rf1 (19. Nb4 Nxf4 20. Nc6 Re8 $15) 19... cxd3 20. f5 Nxe5 21. fxe6 fxe6 22. Re1 (22. cxd3 Rd8 23. Re2 Nxd3 24. Rf7 e5 25. Rxg7 Kb7 $15) 22... Nc6 23. Rxd3 Re8 24. Rg3 Re7 $15) 18... Bxa2 $1 {Accepting the challenge.} (18... c4 $6 19. Ndf4 Nxf4 20. Nxf4 c3 21. Nxe6 $1 (21. bxc3 Bxa2 $15) 21... cxd2 22. Nxg7 Rd8 23. f4 Kb7 24. Kf2 {with good compensation for the exchange. The d2 will, most likely, fall.}) 19. b3 c4 20. Ndc1 cxb3 21. cxb3 Bb1 {The bishop is coming out, so White should desperately look for some compensation.} 22. f4 (22. Rd7 Rg8 $3 {A great prophylactic move, shown immediately by the engine.} ({After} 22... Nxe5 $6 23. Re7 {White will get back one of the pawns, and keep the activity.}) 23. Nc3 Nxe5 $1 {This also requires precise calculation.} 24. R7d5 Bc2 25. R1d2 Nc6 26. Rxc2 Nb4 27. Re2 Nxd5 28. Nxd5 Rd8 $17 {Rook + two pawns should overcome White's knights.}) (22. e6 fxe6 23. Nc3 Bf5 24. Rd7 (24. g4 Ne5 25. gxf5 Nf3+ 26. Kg2 Nxd2 27. fxe6 $1 Rd8 28. e7 Re8 29. Rxd2 Rxe7 $17) 24... Nf4 25. Rxg7 Rh7 26. Rdd7 Rxg7 27. Rxg7 Kb7 $17) 22... Kb7 23. Nc3 ({After} 23. Nd3 Bxd3 24. Rxd3 Rhe8 25. Rg3 Re7 {White's compensation is not sufficient.}) 23... Bf5 24. g4 Bc8 $17 25. Nd3 h5 {Opening the h-file is one of the basic ideas for Black in the Berlin endgame.} 26. f5 Ne7 ({An attempt to break White's kingside pawn chain straight away is not recommended:} 26... Nh4 $6 27. Kf2 g6 28. Rc1 $1 hxg4 29. hxg4 gxf5 30. Nb5 c5 31. Nd6+ Kb8 32. b4 fxg4 33. bxc5 {In such a mess anything can happen, White is really active.}) 27. Nb5 hxg4 $6 {This is an important moment. At first sight it looks that Black can open the h-file first and then figure out the right move. In fact, Magnus should have played 27...a6 without delay, it's important to kick away White's active knight.} (27... a6 28. Nd4 hxg4 29. hxg4 a5 $1 30. Rc1 (30. e6 fxe6 31. fxe6 Re8 $1 $17 {[%csl Re6]}) 30... a4 31. Nb5 (31. bxa4 Rxa4 32. Nf2 Ra5 $17) 31... Nc6 32. Nb4 Nxb4 33. Rxc7+ Kb8 34. Rd6 Nd5 $1 35. Rxd5 a3 36. Rd6 (36. Rc1 a2 37. Rdd1 Bb7 38. Kf2 Ra5 39. Nd6 Rxe5 $19) 36... Bb7 37. Rxb6 Ra7 38. Rbxb7+ Rxb7 39. Rxb7+ Kxb7 40. Nxa3 Kc6 $19) 28. hxg4 $6 {Anand automatically recaptures, missing an interesting tactical opportunity.} (28. Rc1 $1 Nd5 $1 {is the best reply. Now White has two options. In both cases he is objectively fighting for a draw, but, with correct play should eventually make it.} (28... Nc6 $2 29. Rdc2 Bxf5 (29... Bd7 30. Nb4 $1 Nxb4 $140 $2 31. Rxc7+ Ka6 32. Nd6 $18 {[%csl Ra6][%cal Gc1a1]}) 30. Rxc6 Bxd3 31. Rxc7+ Ka6 32. Nd6 Ka5 33. hxg4 $36 {[%csl Ra5]}) 29. Nc5+ (29. e6 fxe6 30. Ne5 a5 $1 (30... a6 $4 {runs into a spectacular mate:} {[%tqu "En","Can you spot the combination?","","","c1c7","",3]} 31. Rxc7+ $1 Nxc7 32. Nd6+ Ka7 33. Nc6#) 31. hxg4 c5 32. Nf7 Rf8 33. Re1 $1 exf5 34. Nbd6+ Kc6 35. gxf5 Ra7 $1 36. Nxc8 Raxf7 37. Re6+ Kc7 38. Nd6 Rxf5 39. Nxf5 Rxf5 40. Rg6 $15) 29... bxc5 30. Rxd5 gxh3 (30... Bxf5 $6 31. Rdxc5 Rac8 32. Nxc7 $132) 31. Rdxc5 h2+ 32. Kh1 Kb8 $1 {[%cal Gc8b7]} 33. Nd4 Bb7+ 34. Nc6+ Kc8 35. Rd5 Bxc6 36. Rxc6 Rb8 37. Rdc5 Rb7 38. e6 fxe6 39. fxe6 $15) 28... Rh4 $6 {Again Black should have kicked away the knight.} (28... a6 29. Nd4 a5 30. Rc1 a4 31. bxa4 Rxa4 $17 {is the position Black should strive for. Both of his rooks are in the action.}) 29. Nf2 Nc6 (29... a6 $2 {is now runs into} 30. Nd6+ $1 cxd6 31. exd6 Nc6 32. d7 {winning back the piece and White is not worse anymore.}) 30. Rc2 a5 $1 {[%cal Ga5a4]} (30... g6 31. Kf1 $3 {is extremely difficult to figure out for a human player.} (31. Rdc1 $2 Bd7 32. Nd4 Nxd4 33. Rxc7+ Kb8 34. Rxd7 Ne2+ {is the problem for White.}) 31... gxf5 32. Rdc1 Bd7 (32... Rh6 33. g5 Rg6 34. Nd6+ $1 cxd6 35. Rxc6 Be6 36. Rc7+ Ka6 37. exd6 $44) 33. Nd4 Nxd4 34. Rxc7+ Ka6 ({No more fork on e2 after} 34... Kb8 $2 35. Rxd7 $16) 35. Ra1+ Kb5 36. Rxd7 $132) (30... a6 31. Rdc1 Bd7 32. e6 fxe6 33. fxe6 axb5 (33... Be8 $2 34. Nd4 {would lose a piece as White's knight is taboo.}) 34. exd7 Rh6 35. Nd3 Rah8 (35... Rd8 $2 36. Ne5 $1 Nxe5 $2 37. Rxc7+ Ka6 38. Ra1#) 36. Rxc6 $1 Rxc6 37. Rxc6 Kxc6 38. Ne5+ Kc5 39. Nf7 Rf8 40. d8=Q Rxd8 41. Nxd8 Kb4 42. Ne6 Kxb3 43. Nxg7 b4 44. Nf5 Kc3 45. g5 b3 46. Ne3 Kd3 47. Nd1 Kc2 48. Ne3+ $11) 31. Rc4 $1 {An immediate doubling of the rooks would give White no benefit, so Anand finds a useful move, preventing the advance a5-a4.} (31. e6 $6 fxe6 32. fxe6 Bxe6 33. Rxc6 Kxc6 34. Nd4+ Kd7 $1 35. Nf3+ Kc8 36. Nxh4 Bxb3 {It's difficult to give a clear estimation of this position, but three connected passers are really dangerous.}) (31. Rdc1 $6 Bd7 32. e6 fxe6 33. fxe6 Be8 $17) 31... g6 (31... Bxf5 $6 32. Rxc6 $1 Kxc6 33. Nd4+ Kb7 34. Nxf5 $132) 32. Rdc1 {Now White must pay great attention to specifics as his kingside chain of pawns is about to collapse.} Bd7 33. e6 (33. Nd4 $2 Nxd4 34. Rxc7+ Ka6 35. Rxd7 Ne2+ $19) 33... fxe6 34. fxe6 Be8 35. Ne4 $1 {[%mdl 2048] An excellent resource, not obvious at all, as White allows his opponent to capture a pawn with check!} Rxg4+ 36. Kf2 Rf4+ $6 (36... Rd8 $1 {would make White's task more difficult.} 37. Ke3 Rd5 (37... Rg2 38. Rh1 $1 Rd5 39. Rh7 $1 Rxb5 40. Nd6+ Ka6 41. Nxb5 Kxb5 42. Rh8 {The bishop is trapped.} Rg3+ 43. Kd2 Rxb3 44. Rg4 {With the next move White will capture the bishop and the e6 will not allow Black to advance his queenside pawns comfortably. With correct play this mess should end in a draw.}) 38. Nbc3 Re5 39. Kf3 Rgxe4 40. Rxe4 Rxe6 $1 41. Rxe6 Nd4+ 42. Ke3 Nxe6 {In this endgame White's chances for a draw are higher than Black's for a win, but against Magnus this won't be easy to prove.}) 37. Ke3 Rf8 (37... g5 38. Nd4 Nb4 39. Ne2 $1 (39. Rxc7+ $6 Ka6 {[%cal Gb4d5]} 40. Rg7 Nd5+ 41. Kd3 Rd8 42. Rxg5 Rh4 {[%csl Rd3,Rd4,Re4] and all White's centralised pieces, including the king, are under serious pressure.}) 39... Bc6 40. Nxf4 gxf4+ 41. Kxf4 Nd3+ 42. Kf5 Nxc1 43. Rxc1 {[%csl Ge6] The strong passed pawn guarantees White sufficient counterplay.}) 38. Nd4 Nxd4 39. Rxc7+ Ka6 40. Kxd4 Rd8+ {The time trouble has passed and White can be definitely happy with the latest developments. He is still a pawn down, but not worse anymore thanks to his active pieces and the strong e6-passer.} 41. Kc3 $5 {Anand goes for the safest move, protecting the b3 and already having in mind the forthcoming exchange of the minor pieces. The alternative 41.e3 was more ambitious, from a human point of view more risky for both sides! Objectively, the position would remain equal as well.} (41. Ke5 $4 Rf5#) (41. Ke3 {Here Black's general idea is to sacrifice the bishop for the e-pawn, to grab the b3 and roll forward two connected passed pawns. Here is a sample line:} Rd5 42. Rh7 (42. e7 $2 Rf7 $17) 42... Bb5 43. Rf7 Rh8 44. Rcc7 Rd3+ 45. Kf2 (45. Kf4 Be8 46. Rfe7 Rh4+ 47. Ke5 Re3 48. Rxe8 Rhxe4+ 49. Kf6 Rxb3 50. e7 Rf3+ 51. Kxg6 Rfe3 52. Ra8+ Kb5 53. Kf7 Rf3+ 54. Kg6 Rfe3 $11) 45... Be8 46. Rf3 Rh2+ 47. Kg3 Rh3+ 48. Kxh3 Rxf3+ 49. Kg4 Rxb3 50. Rc8 Ba4 51. Kf4 Rb1 52. Nd6 Ka7 53. Rc7+ Ka6 54. Rc8 $11) 41... Rf3+ 42. Kb2 Re3 43. Rc8 {This is the way minor pieces will be exchanged. The forthcoming double rook endgame is drawish, since Black's extra pawn has no significance.} Rdd3 $1 {Magnus is trying the last practical chance. Keeping all the rooks on the board, Black is hoping to target the b3.} (43... Rxc8 44. Rxc8 Rxe4 45. Rxe8 {The e- and g-pawns will be swapped and the position is completely drawish.}) 44. Ra8+ Kb7 45. Rxe8 Rxe4 46. e7 Rg3 47. Rc3 Re2+ 48. Rc2 Ree3 {[%csl Rb3]} 49. Ka2 $1 {Now Black can't capture the b3, as he always has to keep an eye on the e-pawn.} g5 50. Rd2 Re5 51. Rd7+ Kc6 52. Red8 Rge3 53. Rd6+ Kb7 54. R8d7+ Ka6 55. Rd5 Re2+ (55... g4 56. Rxe5 Rxe5 57. Rd4 g3 58. Rg4 $11) 56. Ka3 Re6 57. Rd8 g4 58. Rg5 Rxe7 59. Ra8+ $1 ({It's never too late to go astray:} 59. Rxg4 $2 Rf2 60. Ra8+ Kb7 61. Rag8 Re1 {could give Black winning chances.}) 59... Kb7 60. Rag8 {Now the rook is trapped for an exchange, the draw is inevitable.} a4 (60... Rf2 61. R8g7 $11) 61. Rxg4 axb3 62. R8g7 Ka6 63. Rxe7 Rxe7 64. Kxb3 {A very rich in content, hard-fought battle.} 1/2-1/2

[Event "World-ch Carlsen-Anand +3-0=7"]
[Site "Chennai"]
[Date "2013.11.16"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C65"]
[WhiteElo "2775"]
[BlackElo "2870"]
[Annotator "Stohl,Igor"]
[PlyCount "134"]
[EventDate "2013.11.09"]
[EventType "match"]
[EventRounds "12"]
[EventCountry "IND"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 158"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.01.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.01.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{[%mdl 32]} 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 (3... a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Bc5 6. c3 O-O 7. d3 b5 8. Bb3 d6 9. Bg5 $5 {The reason why we are quoting the following 2 games will soon become clear...} h6 10. Bh4 Be6 (10... g5 11. Bg3 Bg4 12. Nbd2 Nh5 13. Re1 (13. Bd5 Qd7 14. Bxc6 Qxc6 15. Nxe5 $5 Bxd1 16. Nxc6 Be2 17. d4 Bxf1 18. Nxf1 $44) 13... Nxg3 14. hxg3 Ne7 $6 (14... Qf6 15. Nf1 Ne7 $13) 15. Nf1 Ng6 16. d4 Bb6 17. Ne3 Bxf3 $2 (17... Bd7 $142 $1) 18. gxf3 (18. Qxf3 $1 exd4 19. Qh5 $40) 18... exd4 19. cxd4 Qf6 20. Ng4 Qg7 (20... Qxd4 $142 21. Qxd4 Bxd4 22. Nxh6+ Kh7 23. Nxf7 Bf6 $14) 21. e5 $36 {Carlsen,M (2714)-Shirov,A (2739)/WCh blitz Moscow/2007/}) 11. Nbd2 g5 (11... Bxb3 12. axb3 Nb8 $6 (12... Re8 $142 {leads to Spraggett-Fedorchuk, all this after} 13. Re1 {tranposes to the position from our game.}) 13. d4 $16) 12. Bg3 Bb6 13. Re1 Nd7 14. Nf1 Qf6 15. Ne3 Bxe3 16. Rxe3 Ne7 17. Bc2 Ng6 18. d4 Nb6 19. b3 h5 20. h3 h4 21. Bh2 g4 22. hxg4 Bxg4 23. Qd2 Kg7 24. Rf1 Rh8 25. Ne1 c5 26. f3 Be6 27. f4 exf4 28. Ref3 $1 $40 {Carlsen,M (2813)-Ponomariov,R (2737)/Nice blindfold rpd/2010/}) 4. d3 {A popular and legitimate attempt to retain the tension and avoid quick simplification. Although this line had already appeared in a few of their previous encounters, Anand spurns the surprise factor and after Game 4 is unwilling to enter the complex Berlin endgame (or queenless middlegame?) with} (4. O-O Nxe4 5. d4 (5. Re1 Nd6 6. Nxe5 Be7 7. Bf1 Nxe5 8. Rxe5 O-O 9. d4 Bf6 10. Re1 Re8 11. c3 Rxe1 12. Qxe1 Ne8 13. Bf4 d5 14. Bd3 g6 15. Nd2 Ng7 16. Qe2 c6 17. Re1 Bf5 18. Bxf5 Nxf5 19. Nf3 Ng7 20. Be5 Ne6 $11 {Carlsen,M (2870)-Anand,V (2775)/WCh Chennai/2013/ is insipid and rather boring - but who can blame Carlsen, who already had a 2-point lead at that moment...}) 5... Nd6 6. Bxc6 dxc6 7. dxe5 Nf5 8. Qxd8+ Kxd8 9. h3 Bd7 10. Rd1 Be7 11. Nc3 Kc8 12. Bg5 h6 13. Bxe7 Nxe7 14. Rd2 c5 15. Rad1 Be6 16. Ne1 (16. Ne2 $5 Ng6 17. Ng3 b6 18. Nh5 Rg8 19. a3 a5 20. Re1 Kb7 21. Nh2 Ne7 22. f4 $14 {Gorbatov,A (2360)-Pranizin,G (2187)/Khanty-Mansiysk/2013/ This is a subsequent example, played only after Chennai.}) 16... Ng6 17. Nd3 b6 18. Ne2 $6 Bxa2 19. b3 c4 20. Ndc1 cxb3 21. cxb3 Bb1 22. f4 Kb7 23. Nc3 Bf5 24. g4 Bc8 $15 {/,Anand,V (2775)-Carlsen,M (2870)/WCh Chennai/2013/}) 4... Bc5 {This active move is very topical right now, as I already mentioned in the notes to Navara-Caruana (CBM 157).} ({The more restrained} 4... d6 {has also featured in the opponent's previous encounters:} 5. O-O Be7 (5... Bd7 6. c3 g6 7. Re1 a6 8. Ba4 Bg7 9. Nbd2 O-O 10. Nf1 Re8 11. Bb3 Be6 12. h3 Bxb3 13. Qxb3 Qd7 14. Bg5 Nh5 15. Rad1 h6 16. Bc1 Nf6 17. Ng3 Na5 18. Qc2 c5 19. d4 cxd4 20. cxd4 Rac8 21. Qd3 exd4 22. Nxd4 Nc4 23. b3 Ne5 24. Qb1 h5 25. Bb2 h4 26. Nf1 d5 {Anand,V (2783)-Carlsen,M (2868)/Stavanger blitz/2013/}) 6. c3 O-O 7. Nbd2 Bd7 8. Re1 Re8 9. Nf1 Bf8 10. Ba4 h6 11. Ng3 Ne7 12. Bb3 Ng6 13. d4 c5 14. h3 Qc7 15. a4 a6 16. a5 cxd4 17. cxd4 exd4 18. Nxd4 d5 19. exd5 Rxe1+ 20. Qxe1 Re8 21. Qc3 Qxc3 22. bxc3 Re1+ 23. Kh2 Bd6 24. Nc2 Rf1 25. Be3 Rxa1 26. Nxa1 Be5 $11 {Carlsen,M (2826)-Anand,V (2800)/Bilbao /2010/ Carlsen later overpressed and lost - see the notes to this game by Ftacnik in CBM 139.}) 5. c3 ({In Game 7 Anand tried} 5. Bxc6 dxc6 6. Nbd2 {and ran into the rare, but clever} Bg4 $5 ({Usually good enough for equality, there is also the more standard} 6... O-O 7. O-O Re8 (7... Bg4 8. h3 Bh5 9. Nc4 Re8 10. Be3 Bd6 11. Bg5 h6 12. Bh4 g5 13. g4 Bg6 14. Bg3 Nd7 15. h4 f6 16. Ne3 Bf8 17. Kg2 Nc5 18. hxg5 hxg5 19. Nf5 Ne6 20. Rh1 Qd7 21. Rh3 Bxf5 22. exf5 Nf4+ 23. Bxf4 exf4 24. Nd2 Rad8 25. Qf3 Bg7 26. Ne4 $16 {[%csl Ge4,Rg7][%cal Gh1h8] Carlsen,M (2837)-Karjakin,S (2779)/Astana blitz/2012/}) 8. Nc4 Nd7 9. a4 (9. Kh1 a5 10. a4 b6 11. Be3 Bb4 12. Nfd2 b5 13. axb5 cxb5 14. c3 bxc4 15. cxb4 cxd3 16. bxa5 Ba6 17. Qb3 Nf6 {Anand,V (2780)-Kramnik,V (2810)/Zuerich 2013/} 18. f3 $5 $13 {Gormally}) 9... Bf8 (9... a5 10. b3 Bf8 11. Kh1 b6 12. g3 Ba6 13. Bb2 Bxc4 14. bxc4 g6 15. Nh4 Bh6 16. Ng2 Nc5 17. f4 exf4 18. gxf4 Bg7 19. Bxg7 Kxg7 20. f5 Qg5 21. Rf3 Rad8 22. Qf1 $14 {Anand,V (2783)-Aronian,L (2813)/Stavanger blitz/2013/}) 10. Kh1 f6 11. b3 Nc5 12. Ng1 Ne6 13. Ne2 b6 14. f4 exf4 15. Nxf4 Nxf4 16. Bxf4 Be6 17. Qf3 Bxc4 18. bxc4 Bd6 19. Qg3 Bxf4 20. Rxf4 Qd6 21. Qf3 Re5 22. h3 Rae8 $11 {Anand,V (2783)-Hammer,J (2608)/Stavanger blitz/2013/}) ({Carlsen himself had to face the more risky} 6... Be6 {- something he was unwilling to repeat with Black:} 7. b3 $5 (7. O-O Bd6 8. b3 Nd7 9. Nc4 Bxc4 10. bxc4 O-O 11. Rb1 b6 12. g3 f5 13. exf5 Rxf5 14. Qe2 Nc5 15. Be3 Ne6 16. Nd2 Qf6 17. Qg4 Rf8 18. Ne4 Qf7 19. a4 h5 20. Qe2 Be7 21. a5 Qg6 22. axb6 axb6 23. Kh1 Rf3 $132 {Carlsen,M (2843)-Aronian,L (2816)/Sao Paulo/Bilbao/2012/}) (7. Qe2 Nd7 8. Nb3 Bd6 9. Bd2 b6 10. Ng5 Qe7 11. O-O a5 12. Nxe6 Qxe6 13. a4 Nc5 14. Nxc5 Bxc5 15. Be3 Bd6 16. b3 O-O 17. Kh1 Bb4 18. f4 exf4 19. Bxf4 Bd6 20. Qf2 Rae8 21. Bxd6 Qxd6 22. Rae1 Re6 $11 {Caruana,F (2782)-Navara,D (2705)/EU-chT Warsaw/2013/}) 7... Ng4 8. O-O f6 9. Qe2 Qd7 10. Nc4 g5 11. Rb1 b5 12. Ne3 h5 13. c3 Qh7 14. d4 Bb6 15. Nc2 O-O-O 16. a4 exd4 17. Nfxd4 (17. cxd4 $5 $36) 17... Bd7 18. b4 $6 (18. f3 Ne5 19. Kh1 $14) 18... Rhe8 19. Re1 a6 20. Ra1 Kb7 21. axb5 axb5 22. c4 bxc4 23. Qxc4 Ra8 24. Rxa8 Rxa8 $132 {Carlsen,M (2837)-Bacrot,E (2713)/Biel/2012/}) 7. h3 Bh5 ({Black is in no hurry to play} 7... Bxf3 $143 8. Qxf3 Nd7 9. Qg3 Qf6 10. Nc4 O-O 11. O-O Rfe8 12. a4 Nf8 13. Bg5 Qe6 14. Bd2 Ng6 15. b4 Bf8 16. Qg4 b6 17. g3 f6 18. Bc3 Bd6 19. Ne3 Kh8 20. Kg2 a6 21. Qf3 Ne7 22. h4 b5 23. Rfb1 Qd7 24. h5 h6 25. Qg4 Qxg4 26. Nxg4 $14 {Adams,M (2733)-Fressinet,L (2696)/Bundesliga/2012/}) 8. Nf1 (8. Nc4 Nd7 9. Be3 f6 10. Qd2 Qe7 11. Nh4 O-O-O $5 12. Nf5 Qf8 13. O-O Bf7 14. b3 g6 15. Ng3 h5 16. Bxc5 Nxc5 17. Qe3 Kb8 18. f4 Bxc4 19. bxc4 Qd6 20. Ne2 Rhf8 $132 {Sjugirov,S (2641)-Maletin,P (2598)/Khanty-Mansiysk/2013/ This is another game, played only after the match.}) 8... Nd7 9. Ng3 Bxf3 $5 ({Only now, although also} 9... Bg6 10. Bg5 f6 11. Bd2 Nf8 $1 $13 {seems playable.}) 10. Qxf3 g6 11. Be3 Qe7 12. O-O-O O-O-O 13. Ne2 Rhe8 14. Kb1 b6 15. h4 Kb7 16. h5 Bxe3 17. Qxe3 Nc5 18. hxg6 hxg6 19. g3 a5 20. Rh7 Rh8 21. Rdh1 Rxh7 22. Rxh7 Qf6 23. f4 Rh8 $11 {Anand,V (2775)-Carlsen,M (2870)/WCh Chennai/2013/}) ({White's move order avoids} 5. O-O Nd4 $5 (5... d6 6. c3 {- 6...d6}) 6. Ba4 Nxf3+ 7. Qxf3 O-O 8. Qg3 d6 9. Bg5 c6 10. Bb3 Nh5 11. Qh4 Nf6 12. Nc3 h6 13. Bd2 a5 14. Kh1 Bd4 15. f4 Ng4 16. Qxd8 Rxd8 17. fxe5 Nxe5 18. a4 Be6 19. Bxe6 fxe6 20. Ne2 Bb6 21. Nf4 Re8 22. h3 Nd7 23. Rf3 Ne5 24. Rff1 Nd7 25. g4 d5 $11 {Carlsen,M (2823)-Anand,V (2817)/Moscow rpd/2011/ See the notes to this game by Postny in CBM 144.}) (5. Nc3 d6 6. Na4 Bb6 7. Nxb6 axb6 8. c3 Bd7 9. Ba4 Ne7 10. Bc2 Ng6 11. h3 O-O 12. O-O h6 13. Re1 Re8 14. d4 Bc6 15. dxe5 dxe5 16. Qxd8 Rexd8 17. g3 Nd7 18. Be3 Nc5 19. Nd2 Nf8 20. f3 Nfe6 21. h4 Bb5 22. a3 Rd7 (22... Bd3 $1) 23. b4 Nd3 $6 (23... Ba4 $1 24. bxc5 Bxc2 $11) 24. Reb1 Ba4 25. Bxa4 Rxa4 26. Kf1 $13 {[%csl Rd3] Carlsen,M (2848)-Anand,V (2775)/London /2012/ See the notes to this game by Postny in CBM 152.}) 5... O-O 6. O-O (6. Bxc6 bxc6 7. Nxe5 d5 8. Bg5 Re8 9. f4 dxe4 10. d4 Bb6 11. Nd2 c5 12. dxc5 Bxc5 13. Qe2 h6 14. Bh4 g5 15. fxg5 hxg5 16. Bg3 e3 (16... Qd5 $142 $1 $13 {/}) 17. Nb3 Bb6 (17... Bd6 $5 18. O-O-O Qe7 19. Qxe3 Bxe5 20. Qxg5+ Kf8 21. Qh6+ Kg8 $11) 18. Qf3 Be6 19. Rd1 g4 20. Qe2 Qe7 21. Nc6 (21. O-O Ne4 22. Nd4 $14) 21... Qf8 22. Nbd4 Qc5 (22... Bc8 $1 23. O-O Ba6 $13) 23. Ne5 $36 {Ivanchuk,V (2717)-Kramnik,V (2772)/Wijk aan Zee/2001/}) 6... Re8 {An interesting move; given the chance, Black can later play d5 in one move.} ({Earlier Magnus played the standard continuation} 6... d6 7. Nbd2 Bb6 ({Perhaps better than the more usual, but somewhat provocative} 7... a6 8. Bxc6 bxc6 {, mentioned shortly in the notes to Navara-Caruana, CBM 157.}) 8. Nc4 Ne7 9. Nxb6 axb6 10. Ba4 Ng6 11. h3 Nh5 12. Bg5 f6 13. Be3 Nhf4 14. Bb3+ Kh8 15. Bxf4 Nxf4 16. Nh4 f5 17. Nxf5 Qg5 18. Qg4 Qf6 19. Qh4 Qxh4 20. Nxh4 Nxd3 21. Nf3 Rf6 22. Rad1 Nxb2 23. Rd2 Na4 24. Nxe5 Be6 25. Ng4 Bxg4 26. hxg4 Nxc3 27. Re1 h6 {½,Anand,V (2817)-Carlsen,M (2823)/Moscow rpd/2011/} 28. e5 $44) (6... d5 7. Nbd2 $5 (7. exd5 Qxd5 8. Bc4 Qd8 9. b4 Bd6 10. Re1 h6 11. Nbd2 Re8 12. a4 Bf5 13. Ne4 Be6 14. Bxe6 Rxe6 15. b5 Nb8 16. Nxd6 cxd6 17. c4 Nbd7 18. Ba3 Qc7 19. Rc1 Nc5 20. d4 exd4 21. Rxe6 fxe6 22. Nxd4 Re8 23. Qc2 Qf7 24. Rd1 Rc8 $132 {Sjugirov,S (2610)-Bacrot,E (2706)/EU-ch Plovdiv/2012/}) (7. Bxc6 bxc6 8. Nxe5 dxe4 9. d4 Bd6 10. Bg5 (10. Nxc6 $6 Qe8 11. Na5 $2 Qb5 12. Nb3 Bg4 13. Qd2 Bxh2+ 14. Kxh2 Qxf1 15. Qf4 Bf3 16. gxf3 Qxf2+ 17. Kh1 exf3 18. Qh2 Qe1+ {0-1,Neumann,G-Anderssen,A/Berlin/1864/}) 10... Qe8 (10... h6 $13) (10... Ba6 11. Re1 Bxe5 12. dxe5 Qxd1 13. Rxd1 Ng4 14. Bf4 $6 (14. Nd2 $142 $14) 14... Rfe8 15. Rd7 Rad8 16. Rxd8 Rxd8 17. Na3 e3 18. fxe3 Rd2 $44 {Riemann,F-Anderssen,A/Breslau/1877/}) 11. Bxf6 gxf6 12. Nc4 Qe6 13. Nbd2 f5 14. Re1 Ba6 15. b3 Rae8 16. Re3 Bf4 17. Rh3 h6 18. Qh5 Kg7 19. Re1 Qg6 20. Qd1 Kh7 21. g3 {Gu,X (2369)-Zhao,X (2495)/Jiangsu Wuxi/2011/} Bg5 $13) 7... dxe4 8. Nxe4 Nxe4 9. dxe4 Qf6 10. Qe2 Bg4 11. h3 Bxf3 12. Qxf3 Qxf3 13. gxf3 Ne7 14. f4 c6 15. Bc4 exf4 16. Bxf4 Ng6 17. Bg3 Rfe8 18. Rfe1 Rad8 19. Rad1 Rxd1 20. Rxd1 Rxe4 21. Rd8+ Nf8 22. Bd3 Re1+ 23. Kg2 a5 24. Ra8 Rd1 25. Bc4 $44 {/,Radjabov,T (2735)-Carlsen,M (2733)/Morelia/Linares/2008/ See the notes to this game by Radjabov in CBM 123.}) 7. Re1 (7. Bg5 h6 8. Bh4 Bf8 9. Nbd2 d6 10. d4 exd4 11. Nxd4 Bd7 12. Nxc6 bxc6 13. Bd3 Be7 14. f4 Qb8 {[%cal Rf6e4,Rb8b2]} 15. Bxf6 Bxf6 16. e5 dxe5 17. Ne4 Qxb2 18. f5 Red8 19. Bc4 Be8 20. Qh5 {Carlsen,M (2826)-Howell,D (2633)/London/2011/} Qb6+ {c5/}) 7... a6 8. Ba4 b5 9. Bb3 (9. Bc2 d5 $1 {illustrates what we said in the note to Black's 6th move:} 10. exd5 Nxd5 11. a4 (11. Bb3 $142) 11... b4 12. Ng5 $6 h6 13. Ne4 Bb6 14. Qh5 Nf6 15. Qf3 Nxe4 16. Qxe4 {Zhao Dindin-Kosteniuk,A/WChJ Szeged/1994/} Qf6 17. d4 g6 $36 {[%cal Rc8f5]}) 9... d6 (9... d5 $2 10. exd5 Nxd5 11. d4 $16) 10. Bg5 $5 $146 {[%mdl 8] Formally this is a novelty. However, as we have seen in the notes above, Carlsen himself has used the bishop sortie in very similar positions on at least 3 occasions. He must have been familiar with the nuances, as the diffrence between his games with Shirov and Ponomariov is only the insertion of e1 and e8; Magnus finds a way to profit from this.} (10. a4 b4 (10... Bb7 11. Nbd2 h6 12. Nf1 Ne7 13. Ng3 Ng6 14. axb5 axb5 15. Rxa8 Bxa8 16. Ba2 Qd7 17. h3 Bb6 18. Nh2 d5 19. Nh5 Nxh5 20. Qxh5 Nf4 $6 (20... c5 $13 {[%cal Yc5c4]}) 21. Bxf4 exf4 22. Nf3 c6 23. d4 $1 $36 {[%cal Yf3e5] Bauer,C (2645)-Marciano,D (2514)/SUI-chT/2011/}) (10... Bg4 11. h3 Bxf3 12. Qxf3 Na5 13. Bc2 b4 14. Nd2 Rb8 15. Rb1 Qd7 16. Nb3 Nxb3 17. Bxb3 bxc3 $6 (17... Rb7 $142 $132 {[%cal Yb4c3,Ye8b8]}) 18. bxc3 Rf8 19. Bg5 Ne8 {Garbisu de Goni,U (2463)-Glavina Rossi,P (2440)/Barcelona/2005/} 20. Red1 $36 {[%cal Yd3d4]}) 11. a5 (11. d4 $5 exd4 12. cxd4 Bb6 $132) 11... bxc3 12. bxc3 h6 13. h3 Ba7 14. Nbd2 Ne7 15. Nf1 Ng6 16. Ng3 d5 17. exd5 Nxd5 18. d4 Be6 19. Bd2 exd4 20. Nxd4 Bxd4 21. cxd4 Nf6 (21... Rb8 $11) 22. Bxe6 Rxe6 23. Rxe6 fxe6 24. Qc2 $14 {Pedersen,C (2443)-Antonsen,M (2446)/Helsingor/2013/}) ({Anand has already played the typical} 10. Nbd2 Bb6 (10... Be6 11. Nf1 Bxb3 12. axb3 d5 (12... h6 13. b4 Bb6 14. Be3 Bxe3 15. Nxe3 Qd7 16. h3 a5 17. bxa5 Nxa5 18. b4 Nc6 19. Qb3 Ne7 20. Kh2 Qc6 21. g3 Rxa1 22. Rxa1 Ra8 $11 {Dominguez Perez,L (2754)-Leko,P (2730)/Beijing/2013/}) 13. Qc2 h6 (13... Qd7 14. Ng3 h6 15. h3 dxe4 16. dxe4 Qe6 17. Nh4 a5 18. Nhf5 Bf8 19. Nf1 Red8 20. Be3 Ne7 21. N5g3 Ng6 22. Red1 Rxd1 23. Rxd1 Qc6 $11 {Fedorchuk,S (2660)-Buhmann,R (2578)/FRA-chT Haguenau/2013/}) 14. Ng3 a5 15. h3 Qd7 16. Be3 Bf8 17. Rad1 Rad8 18. Nf5 Qe6 19. g4 dxe4 20. dxe4 Ne7 21. Rxd8 Rxd8 22. Ra1 Ra8 23. c4 b4 24. g5 hxg5 25. Nxg5 Qc8 26. Nxe7+ Bxe7 27. Kh2 Ra6 $15 {Radjabov,T (2793)-Aronian,L (2809)/London Candidates/2013/ See the notes to this game by Krisztian Szabo in CBM 154.}) 11. Nf1 Ne7 12. Ng3 Ng6 13. h3 h6 14. d4 (14. a4 Bd7 15. d4 Rb8 16. axb5 axb5 17. Be3 c5 18. dxe5 dxe5 19. c4 Qc8 20. cxb5 c4 21. Rc1 Bxb5 22. Bxb6 Rxb6 23. Qc2 Rc6 24. Ba4 Bxa4 25. Qxa4 Nf4 26. Re3 $11 {Zhigalko,A (2615)-Navara,D (2703)/ECC Rhodes/2013/}) 14... c5 15. dxe5 dxe5 16. Qxd8 Bxd8 17. a4 c4 18. Bc2 Ba5 19. axb5 axb5 20. Be3 Bb7 21. Ra2 Bc7 22. Rea1 Rxa2 23. Rxa2 Ra8 24. Rxa8+ Bxa8 25. Kf1 Ne7 26. Nd2 Kf8 27. Bc5 Nd7 28. Ba3 g6 29. f3 Ke8 $11 {Anand,V (2783)-Aronian,L (2809)/Paris/St Petersburg/2013/}) ({RR} 10. Nbd2 Bb6 11. Nf1 Ne7 12. Ng3 Ng6 13. h3 h6 14. d4 c5 15. dxe5 dxe5 16. Qxd8 Bxd8 17. a4 c4 18. Bc2 Ba5 19. axb5 axb5 20. Be3 Bb7 21. Ra2 Bc7 22. Rea1 Rxa2 23. Rxa2 Ra8 24. Rxa8+ Bxa8 {Anand,V (2783)-Aronian,L (2809) Paris/St Petersburg 2013 ½-½ (41)}) ({RR} 10. h3 h6 11. Nbd2 Bb6 12. Nf1 Ne7 13. Ng3 Ng6 14. a4 Rb8 15. Nf5 Bxf5 16. exf5 Ne7 17. Nh4 Qd7 18. Qf3 c5 19. g4 Qc6 20. Qg2 Qxg2+ 21. Nxg2 Rbc8 22. axb5 axb5 23. f4 c4+ 24. Be3 Bxe3+ {Kulik,N (2111)-Fadi,M (2298) chess.com INT 2025 0-1 (48)}) 10... Be6 (10... h6 11. Bh4 (11. Bxf6 $6 Qxf6 12. Bd5 Bd7 {[%csl Gc5,Gd7] leads nowhere}) 11... Bb6 $5 (11... g5 {might be playable, but this move is risky and would certainly follow Anand's preparation. Black has to reckon not only with} 12. Bg3 ({, but also with the piece sacrifice} 12. Nxg5 $5 hxg5 13. Bxg5 $44)) 12. Nbd2 (12. a4 $5) 12... Be6 13. Nf1 ({The idea is to play} 13. Bxe6 Rxe6 $11) 13... Bxb3 (13... Nb8 14. Bxe6 Rxe6 15. Bxf6 Qxf6 (15... Rxf6 16. d4 $14) 16. a4 $14) 14. axb3 Qe7 15. Ne3 Qe6 {} 16. Bxf6 Bxe3 17. Rxe3 Qxf6 $11) 11. Nbd2 {White's immediate reaction is rather soft.} (11. Bd5 Bxd5 12. exd5 Ne7 13. Bxf6 gxf6 $13 {[%csl Gc5][%cal Yf6f5,Ye7g6] is unclear at the least - Black has a strong bishop and can show some potential kingside ambitions of his own.}) ({Instead of the slow developing move Giri points out the more ambitious and principled} 11. Bxe6 fxe6 (11... Rxe6 $143 12. d4 exd4 $8 13. cxd4 Bb4 14. Nc3 $14 {[%csl Gd4,Ge4]}) 12. b4 (12. d4 exd4 (12... Bb6 13. dxe5 Nxe5 14. Nxe5 dxe5 15. Nd2 $14) 13. cxd4 Bb6 14. Nc3 h6 15. Be3 Na5 $14 {[%cal Ya5c4,Yc7c5] /}) (12. a4 $5 {} b4 13. d4 $14) 12... Bb6 13. a4 $14 {Here White has chances to get a pull.}) (11. d4 Bxb3 12. axb3 exd4 13. cxd4 Bb6 14. Nc3 Nb4 15. Qd2 c5 $132) 11... h6 12. Bh4 (12. Bxe6 Rxe6 13. Bxf6 Rxf6 14. b4 Bb6 15. a4 Ne7 $11 {[%csl Gb6]}) 12... Bxb3 $146 ({RR} 12... Bb6 13. Nf1 Bxb3 14. axb3 Nb8 15. Ne3 Bxe3 16. fxe3 Nbd7 17. Nd2 Qe7 18. Qe2 Qe6 19. Ra3 d5 20. Bxf6 Nxf6 21. exd5 Qxd5 22. e4 Qd6 23. b4 Red8 24. Nf3 Qxd3 25. Qxd3 Rxd3 26. Nxe5 Rd2 27. Ra2 {Quparadze,G (2445)-Sivuk,V (2490) Ureki 2015 0-1 (82)}) 13. axb3 Nb8 $5 {A Breyer-style manoeuvre to combat the annoying pin.} (13... Bb6 14. Nf1 g5 15. Bg3 d5 16. exd5 $6 (16. Qe2 $142 $13) 16... Qxd5 17. Ne3 Qd7 18. h3 (18. Qc2 Rad8 19. Rad1 Nh5 $11 {/}) 18... Rad8 19. Rxa6 Qxd3 20. Qc1 Re6 (20... b4 $5 $36) 21. Kh2 Ne4 $6 (21... Nh5 $36) 22. Rxb6 cxb6 23. Rd1 Qe2 24. Re1 {½,Spraggett,K (2631)-Fedorchuk,S (2603)/Metz/2007/}) (13... a5 $5 $13 {is also possible, then Black can consider either g5, or unpinning as in the game.}) (13... Qe7 {[%cal Ye7e6]} 14. Nf1 Bb6 $11 {transposes to the 10...h6 line.}) 14. h3 {Just as on move 11, White plays it slowly - and doesn't achieve anything.} ({Gleizerov suggested} 14. b4 Bb6 15. Bxf6 Qxf6 16. Ra3 {, but after} Nc6 17. Qe2 Ra7 18. Rea1 Rea8 $11 {[%cal Ya6a5] Black gradually prepares the liberating a5.}) (14. d4 Bb6 15. Qc2 Nbd7 16. b4 c6 $11 {[%cal Yd8c7,Ya6a5] is a similar story.}) 14... Nbd7 15. Nh2 (15. b4 Bb6 16. Nb3 Nf8 $11 (16... c5 $5 $132)) 15... Qe7 16. Ndf1 {Abandons the b4 and b3 idea.} {Puts the bishop on a less exposed square.} Bb6 ({Black doesn't need complications as} 16... a5 17. d4 $5 exd4 (17... Bb6 18. Ng4 $14 {[%cal Rf1e3,Re3d5,Re3f5]}) 18. cxd4 Bb4 19. Re3 Qe6 20. Rc1 $13) 17. Ne3 Qe6 18. b4 (18. Nf5 Kh7 {[%cal Yg7g6] is just a loss of time.}) 18... a5 $1 $11 {[%mdl 32] Gets rid of his only weakness. Purposeful strategic play by Black has solved his opening problems without any concessions.} 19. bxa5 Bxa5 20. Nhg4 (20. Nf5 Bb6 21. Qd2 d5 $5 $11 {} 22. Rxa8 Rxa8 23. Ng4 Nxg4 24. Ne7+ (24. hxg4 d4 25. cxd4 exd4 $132 {[%cal Yc7c4] /}) 24... Kh7 25. exd5 Bxf2+ 26. Qxf2 Qxe7 27. Bxe7 (27. hxg4 f6 28. d4 Qd6 $11) 27... Nxf2 28. Kxf2 f6 29. d6 c5 $5 {[%csl Re7]}) 20... Bb6 21. Bxf6 $5 {Anand realises he has nothing at all and decides to simplify the position - in other words to bail out. The engine also praises his judgement, further "attacking" attempts such as} (21. Qf3 $143 Nxg4 22. Nxg4 Ra4 $5 {might leave the bishop misplaced} (22... Nf8 $15 {[%csl Rh4][%cal Ye6b3,Ya8a2] Giri})) 21... Nxf6 22. Nxf6+ (22. Nf5 Rxa1 $5 23. Nxf6+ (23. Qxa1 Nxg4 24. hxg4 Qf6 $15 {[%csl Rf2,Rg4]}) 23... Qxf6 24. Qxa1 d5 $11) 22... Qxf6 23. Qg4 (23. Qe2 $142 $1 {[%cal Re3d5] is more accurate, White avoids the doubling of the pawns after} Bxe3 (23... c6 24. g3 Qe6 25. Kg2 $11 {Formally Black has the better minor piece, but in practice it's difficult to suggest, how he can make inroads.}) 24. Qxe3 $11) 23... Bxe3 24. fxe3 Qe7 $1 (24... Qe6 25. Qxe6 fxe6 $11 {more or less forces a draw, but Magnus rightly feels he runs no real risk by playing on.}) 25. Rf1 c5 $11 {/ The position is almost equal, but the only one who can try something is Black.} 26. Kh2 c4 (26... Qb7 $5) 27. d4 $1 Rxa1 ({This doesn't win a pawn, so perhaps} 27... g6 28. d5 Kg7 {was slightly preferable.}) 28. Rxa1 Qb7 (28... exd4 29. exd4 Qxe4 30. Qxe4 Rxe4 31. Ra8+ Kh7 32. Rb8 $11) 29. Rd1 ({A more prudent move is} 29. d5 $5 {and Black has no obvious way to make progress.} g6 (29... b4 30. Ra4 bxc3 31. bxc3 Qb3 32. Qd7 Rf8 33. Ra6 Qxc3 34. Qxd6 Qxe3 35. Qxe5 {and it's Black who has to tread with care.}) (29... Ra8 30. Rxa8+ Qxa8 31. Qd7 Qb8 $8 $11) 30. Qh4 Kg7 31. Rf1 $11 {Giri}) 29... Qc6 (29... exd4 30. Rxd4 Re6 31. Rd5 $132 {[%csl Rb5,Rd6]}) 30. Qf5 (30. d5 $11 {was again an option}) 30... exd4 {Black has no other way to proceed.} 31. Rxd4 Re5 32. Qf3 Qc7 33. Kh1 (33. Rd5 Qe7 34. Rxe5 Qxe5+ 35. Qf4 {} Qxf4+ 36. exf4 f5 37. exf5 d5 38. Kg3 d4 39. Kf3 $1 $11 {Gleizerov}) 33... Qe7 34. Qg4 Kh7 35. Qf4 g6 36. Kh2 Kg7 37. Qf3 Re6 38. Qg3 $6 {Forcing matters, but this is a concession, which improves Black's prospects. After} (38. Qf4 Rf6 39. Qg3 $11 {/ he has a comfortable endgame, but still nothing tangible.}) 38... Rxe4 39. Qxd6 Rxe3 (39... Qxd6+ 40. Rxd6 Rxe3 41. Rd5 b4 42. cxb4 Rb3 43. b5 Rxb2 44. Rc5 Rb4 45. b6 Rxb6 46. Rxc4 {is a theoretical draw}) 40. Qxe7 Rxe7 41. Rd5 Rb7 42. Rd6 {[%mdl 4096] In the rook endgame White's active rook almost compensates for the extra pawn. His drawing chances are higher than Black's winning chances, but the fight is still on.} (42. Kg3 Kf6 43. Kf4 Ke6 44. Ke4 $44 {} f5+ 45. Kd4 Rd7 46. Rxd7 Kxd7 47. Kc5 Ke6 48. Kxb5 Kd5 49. Ka4 $1 {holds, but the last move is not easy to see in advance:} (49. Kb4 g5 50. b3 g4 $1 51. bxc4+ Kc6 $19) 49... g5 50. b4 cxb3 (50... g4 51. hxg4 fxg4 52. Ka5 Kc6 53. Ka6 Kc7 54. Ka7 Kc6 55. Ka6 $11) 51. Kxb3 f4 52. c4+ Kc5 53. Kc3 h5 54. Kd3 $11) 42... f6 (42... h5 43. Kg3 f6 $15) 43. h4 Kf7 $6 {Magnus admitted he missed White's idea.} (43... h5 $142 $1 44. Kg3 Re7 45. Rb6 Re5 46. Rb7+ (46. Kf3 Rf5+ 47. Ke3 Kf7 48. Rb7+ Ke6 {[%cal Ye6c6]} 49. Rg7 g5 $15) 46... Kh6 47. Rb6 Rf5 48. Rd6 g5 49. hxg5+ Rxg5+ 50. Kf3 Rf5+ 51. Kg3 Kg5 $15) 44. h5 $1 gxh5 (44... g5 45. Kg3 Ke7 (45... Kg7 46. Kf3 f5 47. Rg6+ Kh7 48. Rf6 f4 49. g3 fxg3 50. Kxg3 Re7 51. Kf3 $1 (51. Rb6 $143 Re3+ 52. Kg4 Re4+ 53. Kf5 Rf4+ 54. Ke5 Rf7 $5) 51... Re1 52. Rb6 $11 {[%csl Rb5,Rh6]}) 46. Rc6 Rd7 47. Rb6 Rd3+ (47... Rd5 48. Kf3 $132 {[%csl Rb5,Rf6]}) 48. Kh2 Rd5 49. Kg3 Kf7 50. Kf3 $11) 45. Rd5 Kg6 46. Kg3 {With the split kingside pawns it should be a draw again.} Rb6 47. Rc5 f5 48. Kh4 (48. Kf4 h4 49. Rxf5 $4 Rf6 50. Rxf6+ Kxf6 51. Kg4 Ke5 52. Kxh4 Ke4 53. Kh5 Kd3 54. Kxh6 Kc2 55. g4 Kxb2 56. g5 b4 57. g6 bxc3 58. g7 c2 59. g8=Q c1=Q+ $19) 48... Re6 (48... Kf6 $5 49. Kxh5 Re6 50. Rxb5 Re2 51. Rb4 Rxg2 52. Rxc4 Rxb2 53. Kh4 {is a TB draw without White's pawn. However, achieving a rook endgame with extra f+h pawns is Black's dream and gives him more practical chances, than the text move should have done...}) 49. Rxb5 Re4+ 50. Kh3 Kg5 51. Rb8 (51. b3 {was suggested by Nakamura. White holds after} Re3+ 52. Kh2 Rxc3 53. bxc4 Rxc4 54. Rb8 {, even achieving the aforementioned endgame with f+h pawns is almost impossible.}) 51... h4 52. Rg8+ (52. b3 $5 $11 {was still possible}) 52... Kh5 53. Rf8 Rf4 54. Rc8 Rg4 55. Rf8 Rg3+ 56. Kh2 Kg5 57. Rg8+ $6 {Complicates the issue.} ({Just sitting tight with} 57. Rc8 $1 Rg4 58. Rc7 (58. Kh3 h5 59. Rc7 Rg3+ 60. Kh2 f4 61. Rxc4 Kg4 62. Rc8 h3 $15 {} 63. Rg8+ $4 Kh4 64. Rxg3 fxg3+ 65. Kg1 hxg2 66. b4 Kg4 67. b5 Kf3 68. b6 h4 69. b7 h3 70. b8=Q h2#) (58. Rg8+ Kf4 59. Re8 $5 $11 {also seems good enough} (59. Rh8 $2 Ke3 60. Rxh6 Kf2 61. Kh3 Rg3+ 62. Kxh4 f4 $17)) {holds the balance:} 58... h5 59. Rc8 Re4 60. Rg8+ Kf4 61. Rh8 Re2 62. Rxh5 Ke4 63. Rh8 $5 Rxb2 64. Rd8 $11) 57... Kf4 $1 58. Rc8 (58. Rh8 h3 $1 59. gxh3 Rg6 $36) 58... Ke3 59. Rxc4 f4 60. Ra4 $2 {Loses a tempo and the game, as White's queenside pawns enable Black's king to hide from side checks.} ({Engines and numerous previous annotators pointed out the right way:} 60. b4 $1 {} h3 61. gxh3 Rg6 62. Rc8 f3 63. Re8+ Kf2 (63... Kd3 64. Rf8 (64. b5 $5 $11) 64... Rg2+ 65. Kh1 Ke3 66. b5 Rb2 (66... Rg6 67. Re8+ Kf2 68. c4 $11)) 64. b5 Rg2+ 65. Kh1 Rg1+ 66. Kh2 Rb1 (66... Re1 67. Rxe1 Kxe1 68. b6 $11) 67. c4 Rb2 68. Kh1 {} Kg3 69. Rg8+ Kxh3 70. Kg1 $11) (60. Rc7 $2 Kf2 $19) 60... h3 $1 61. gxh3 Rg6 $19 62. c4 (62. Ra8 f3 63. Re8+ Kf2 64. b4 Rg2+ 65. Kh1 Rg1+ 66. Kh2 Re1 {and Black has a crucial extra tempo in comparison with the above note:} 67. Ra8 Ke3 68. Re8+ Kd2 69. Rf8 Ke2 70. Re8+ Kf1 71. Rf8 f2 72. Kg3 Re3+ 73. Kh2 Ke1 74. Kg2 Re2 $19) 62... f3 63. Ra3+ Ke2 {No side checks, the game is decided.} 64. b4 f2 65. Ra2+ Kf3 66. Ra3+ Kf4 67. Ra8 (67. Ra1 Re6 $19 {[%cal Re6e1] and again no side checks!}) 67... Rg1 0-1

[Event "World-ch Carlsen-Anand +3-0=7"]
[Site "Chennai"]
[Date "2013.11.18"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C65"]
[WhiteElo "2775"]
[BlackElo "2870"]
[Annotator "Szabo,Krisztian"]
[PlyCount "64"]
[EventDate "2013.11.09"]
[EventType "match"]
[EventRounds "12"]
[EventCountry "IND"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 158"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.01.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.01.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{We have just reached the half-way point of the match. Carlsen was leading by 4-2.} 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 {Carlsen repeats his main weapon, the Berlin Defence, which he employed successfully in the 4th and 6th games of the match.} 4. d3 {Anand avoids the 4.0-0 xe4 "endgame line", like in the 6th game.} Bc5 5. Bxc6 {Anand's favourite move.} (5. c3 {and}) (5. O-O {are other lines.}) 5... dxc6 6. Nbd2 {The position has some similarities to the RL Delayed Exchange Variation with 3...a6 4.a4 f6 5.xc6 dxc6 6.d3.} Bg4 $5 {A rare, but interesting move.} ({The most recent games continued with} 6... Be6 {followed by d7.}) ({Anand had two successful games with} 6... O-O 7. O-O Re8 8. Nc4 Nd7 9. Kh1 (9. a4 a5 10. b3 Bf8 11. Kh1 {A possible plan is g1-e2 and f2-f4.} b6 12. g3 { h4} Ba6 13. Bb2 Bxc4 14. bxc4 g6 15. Nh4 Bh6 16. Ng2 { f4} Nc5 17. f4 exf4 18. gxf4 Bg7 19. Bxg7 Kxg7 20. f5 $36 {with some initiative, later White managed to win, Anand-Aronian, Stavanger blitz 2013.}) 9... a5 10. a4 b6 11. Be3 (11. b3 $5) 11... Bb4 12. Nfd2 b5 13. axb5 cxb5 14. c3 bxc4 15. cxb4 cxd3 16. bxa5 Ba6 17. Qb3 Nf6 18. h3 Nh5 19. Rfc1 Nf4 20. Rc6 Ne2 21. Qd5 Qb8 $4 {Until this point the game was balanced, but here suddenly Kramnik blundered, allowing White's strong reply.} ({The correct choice would have been} 21... Qxd5 22. exd5 Rec8 {Black is under pressure, but with tough defence it should be an equal endgame.}) 22. Rxa6 $1 Rxa6 23. Qxd3 {and after a few moves Black resigned, Anand-Kramnik, Zuerich 2013.}) 7. h3 Bh5 {Of course Carlsen saves his bishop pair.} (7... Bxf3 8. Qxf3 Nd7 9. Qg3 Qf6 10. Nc4 O-O 11. O-O Rfe8 12. a4 Nf8 13. Bg5 Qe6 14. Bd2 Ng6 15. b4 Bf8 16. Qg4 b6 17. g3 f6 18. Bc3 $14 {with a comfortable position for White, Adams-Fressinet, Germany 2012.}) 8. Nf1 {White employs the typical Ruy Lopez regrouping of the knight to g3 before castling, especially since the bishop is on h5.} ({In case of} 8. g4 Bg6 9. Nxe5 $2 {is not working because of} Qd4 $1) 8... Nd7 {Black is also following his typical plan. He prepares for f6, f7 and sometimes f8-e6.} 9. Ng3 Bxf3 {An interesting decision to give up the  now.} (9... Bg6 $5 {was an interesting alternative. Black plans f6 then transfers his  to f7. For example} 10. O-O O-O {and Black has a comfortable position.} ({Still} 10... f6 {is too early, as} 11. Nh4 Bf7 12. Nhf5 O-O 13. Qg4 $36 {and White has some initiative.})) 10. Qxf3 g6 $1 {A very important positional move. In normal cases when the white  is on g3 the ...g6 move is very good, as the  can't move to f5 or h5. If Black had castled, g6 isn't so good, because White has an attack with h6 and h4-h5, but now Carlsen wants to castle to the queenside.} 11. Be3 Qe7 12. O-O-O $146 ({RR} 12. O-O Bd6 13. a4 c5 14. c3 O-O-O 15. Rfb1 Kb8 16. a5 a6 17. Nf1 Qe6 18. Qd1 f5 19. f3 Be7 20. Qa4 Nf6 {½-½ (20) Jakovenko,D (2710)-Almasi,Z (2707) Germany 2018}) 12... O-O-O {Finally both sides have finished their development. White has a slight advantage thanks to his slightly better pawn structure, but this can hardly be exploited. A slow, positional manoeuvring fight begins, where both players try to improve their pieces. The game is balanced.} 13. Ne2 {The  is not so useful on g3, while from e2 it can be support a d4 or an f4.} Rhe8 14. Kb1 {Another useful move. Sometimes Black's idea is e6 followed by f5 and without b1 the a2  is unprotected.} b6 {Carlsen also makes a useful move, he prepares for b7.} 15. h4 Kb7 ({I think} 15... h5 $5 {was easier, but Carlsen doesn't worry about White's threats on the h-file.}) 16. h5 Bxe3 17. Qxe3 ({In case of} 17. fxe3 $5 {Black can regroup to the kingside with} Rg8 $5 18. g4 (18. Rdf1 {could have been met by} f5 (18... Rdf8 $5) 19. hxg6 (19. exf5 gxf5 20. Qxf5 Rxg2 {and Black hasn't got any problem.}) 19... fxe4 20. Qxe4 Rxg6 {with an equal position.}) 18... gxh5 $1 {This is the point of the g8!} (18... Rdf8 19. Rdf1 Nc5 20. Qf6 $14 {maybe a little bit unpleasant for Black.}) 19. gxh5 (19. Rxh5 Nf6 $11) 19... Rg5 20. Ng3 Rdg8 21. Nf5 Qf6 {White has a strong  on f5, but Black controls the g-file with his rooks, so the position is balanced.}) 17... Nc5 {The  is ready to go to e6, or sometimes even a4 and b4 could be a threat.} 18. hxg6 hxg6 19. g3 ({If} 19. Rh7 {Black uses the same motif as in the game with} Rh8 20. Rdh1 Rxh7 21. Rxh7 Qf6 $11 {followed by h8 with a completely drawish endgame.}) 19... a5 (19... Rh8 $11) ({or} 19... Qf6 $11 {was also fine, with an equal position.}) 20. Rh7 (20. f4 {could have been met by} f5 $1 21. exf5 gxf5 22. fxe5 Qxe5 23. Qxe5 Rxe5 {with a fully drawish ending.}) 20... Rh8 21. Rdh1 Rxh7 22. Rxh7 Qf6 $1 {Black prepares to exchange the rooks with h8.} 23. f4 Rh8 $1 {The most precise move.} ({The natural} 23... exf4 $6 {was dubious, as} 24. Qxf4 $1 Qxf4 25. gxf4 {and suddenly the endgame is better for White. His rook is very active and his pawn structure is also better.} Rd7 26. Kc1 $14 {Followed by g3, d2-e3 then f5 later on. But of course Carlsen doesn't allow such chances.}) 24. Rxh8 Qxh8 25. fxe5 Qxe5 26. Qf3 ({The fork with} 26. d4 $2 {does not work in view of} Qxe4 $17) 26... f5 $1 {After this the draw is inevitable.} 27. exf5 gxf5 28. c3 Ne6 29. Kc2 Ng5 30. Qf2 Ne6 31. Qf3 Ng5 32. Qf2 Ne6 {A tidy draw, Carlsen preserved his 2 point lead!} 1/2-1/2

[Event "World-ch Carlsen-Anand +3-0=7"]
[Site "Chennai"]
[Date "2013.11.19"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C67"]
[WhiteElo "2870"]
[BlackElo "2775"]
[Annotator "Szabo,Krisztian"]
[PlyCount "66"]
[EventDate "2013.11.09"]
[EventType "match"]
[EventRounds "12"]
[EventCountry "IND"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 158"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.01.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.01.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 {This is the first time 1.e4 was played by Carlsen during the match. He had already tried 1.f3 and 1.c4.} e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 {Another Berlin Defence! This is the 4th time in the match already, but it is the first time from Anand with Black.} 4. O-O Nxe4 5. Re1 {A very solid decision by Carlsen. He has 2 points advantage, the draw is good for him, so it was a logical opening choice.} Nd6 6. Nxe5 Be7 7. Bf1 Nxe5 8. Rxe5 O-O 9. d4 Bf6 ({Recently Carlsen himself played the another line with} 9... Ne8 10. d5 Bc5 (10... d6 11. Re1 Bg5 {White has some space advantage due to his d5 , but that's all. Exchanging the dark-squared  is favourable for Black.} 12. Nc3 Bxc1 13. Rxc1 Nf6 14. Qd4 Bd7 15. Ne4 Re8 16. Nxf6+ Qxf6 17. Qxf6 gxf6 18. Red1 a5 19. f3 Kg7 20. Kf2 a4 21. Rd4 Ra5 22. Rcd1 Rc5 23. R1d2 Ra8 {the computer considers the position to be slighty better for White, but in the game Black could hold his position, Leko-Carlsen, Wijk aan Zee 2013.}) 11. Re1 d6 12. Nc3 Bf5 13. Bd3 Bxd3 14. Qxd3 Nf6 15. Na4 Re8 16. Bd2 Rxe1+ 17. Rxe1 Qd7 18. Nxc5 dxc5 19. c4 Re8 $11 {with an equal endgame, Karjakin-Carlsen, Moscow 2013.}) 10. Re1 Re8 (10... Nf5 {is another main move.}) 11. c3 {This move shows that Carlsen is happy with the draw.} (11. Bf4 {was the only critical move} Rxe1 12. Qxe1 Ne8 ({The greedy} 12... Bxd4 $5 {could have been met by} 13. c3 (13. Bxd6 $5 cxd6 14. Nc3 $44 {was also interesting.}) 13... Bf6 14. Bxd6 cxd6 15. Qe4 $1 d5 $1 {Otherwise d5.} 16. Qxd5 d6 17. Na3 Rb8 {and Black's two bishops give some counterplay for his weaknesses.}) 13. Nc3 $1 {Otherwise Black can play d5 and equalise more easily.} Bxd4 ({Now} 13... d5 $2 {is not working, as} 14. Nxd5 $1 $16) 14. Nd5 c6 (14... d6) 15. Ne7+ Kf8 16. Nxc8 Qf6 $1 17. Qb4+ c5 18. Qd2 Rxc8 19. c3 (19. Re1 g5 $1 20. Bxg5 Bxf2+ $1 21. Qxf2 Qxg5 22. Bb5 Nd6 23. Bxd7 Rd8 $11 {Guseinov-Sargissian, Warsaw 2013}) 19... Be5 20. Bxe5 Qxe5 21. Qxd7 Qc7 (21... Rc7 $11) 22. Rd1 Qxd7 23. Rxd7 Rc7 24. Rxc7 Nxc7 $11 {with a completely drawish endgame, Kasimdzhanov-Leko, London 2012.}) 11... Rxe1 12. Qxe1 Ne8 $1 {A typical idea. Black wants to equalise with d5.} 13. Bf4 d5 14. Bd3 {Of course... White doesn't want to allow f5.} ({For example} 14. Nd2 {could have been met by} Bf5 $1 $11) 14... g6 {Anand prepares for g7 then f5.} 15. Nd2 Ng7 16. Qe2 {White improves his pieces and he has a positional trick too.} c6 $1 {A great deep move!} ({The immediate} 16... Bf5 {could have been met by} 17. Bxf5 Nxf5 18. Qb5 $1 $14 {and White created some unpleasant threats on the queenside.}) 17. Re1 $146 {Basically this is the first novelty in the game, but in this positional line it does not determine the result.} ({Before} 17. Be5 {was tried} Bxe5 18. Qxe5 Bf5 19. Bxf5 Nxf5 20. Re1 Qd6 21. Nb3 Qxe5 22. Rxe5 f6 23. Re2 Kf7 $11 {with a symmetrical drawish endgame, Rozentalis-Bruzon, Montreal 2013.}) 17... Bf5 18. Bxf5 Nxf5 19. Nf3 Ng7 $1 {Another good positional move. Anand prepares for e6 or sometimes in the d7 then e8 plan is also useful.} 20. Be5 {Carlsen doesn't mind the exchange of pieces.} Ne6 21. Bxf6 Qxf6 22. Ne5 Re8 23. Ng4 {Carlsen creates some threats on the dark squares. Now Anand needs to play some exact moves.} Qd8 $1 ({In the event of} 23... Qg7 {White has a nice initiative after} 24. Qf3 $1) 24. Qe5 ({Now} 24. Qf3 {White can answer with} Ng5 $1 25. Nf6+ Kf8 26. Rxe8+ Qxe8 $11 {and Black is OK.}) 24... Ng7 25. Qxe8+ $1 {The only move, but it wasn't so difficult for Carlsen. Now all the pieces will be exchanged.} ({Of course} 25. Nf6+ $4 Qxf6 $1 $19) (25. Nh6+ $4 Kf8 $19) 25... Nxe8 26. Rxe8+ $1 Qxe8 27. Nf6+ Kf8 28. Nxe8 Kxe8 29. f4 f5 30. Kf2 b5 ({RR} 30... Kf7 31. Kf3 Kf6 32. Ke3 Ke6 33. Kf3 Kf6 34. Ke3 Ke6 35. Kf3 {½-½ (35) Song,Y (2409)-Ju,W (2570) Shenzhen CHN 2025}) 31. b4 Kf7 32. h3 ({RR} 32. Kf3 Kf6 33. h4 h5 34. Ke3 Ke6 35. Ke2 Ke7 36. Ke1 Ke6 37. Ke2 Ke7 38. Ke3 Ke6 39. Ke2 {½-½ (39) Carlsen,M (2863)-Ding,L (2791) chess24.com INT 2020}) ({RR} 32. Kf3 Kf6 33. Kf2 {½-½ (35) Anand,V (2753)-Grischuk,A (2778) Zagreb 2021}) 32... h6 33. h4 $146 ({RR} 33. g3 Kf6 34. h4 h5 35. a3 Ke6 36. Kf3 a6 37. Kg2 Kd7 38. Kh1 Kc8 39. Kg1 Kb7 40. Kf1 Ka8 41. Ke1 {½-½ (41) Belous,V (2569)-Stukopin,A (2517) Moscow 2014}) 33... h5 {A high level positional game!} 1/2-1/2

[Event "World-ch Carlsen-Anand +3-0=7"]
[Site "Chennai"]
[Date "2013.11.22"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B51"]
[WhiteElo "2870"]
[BlackElo "2775"]
[Annotator "Szabo,Krisztian"]
[PlyCount "130"]
[EventDate "2013.11.09"]
[EventType "match"]
[EventRounds "12"]
[EventCountry "IND"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 158"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.01.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.01.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{Since Carlsen had won the previous game too, he had 3 points advantage and actually this was the last game of their match.} 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. Bb5+ {A logical decision by Carlsen. He avoids the sharp lines after 3.d4. Apart from this, Carlsen usually employs this move.} Nd7 4. d4 cxd4 5. Qxd4 a6 6. Bxd7+ Bxd7 7. c4 Nf6 ({A few months ago they had a game against each other with} 7... e5 8. Qd3 b5 9. Nc3 bxc4 10. Qxc4 Be6 11. Qd3 h6 12. O-O Nf6 13. Rd1 Be7 14. Ne1 O-O 15. Nc2 Qb6 16. Ne3 Rfc8 17. b3 {and White had a stable position, Carlsen-Anand, Stavanger 2013.}) 8. Bg5 e6 9. Nc3 Be7 10. O-O {The most natural move.} (10. Rd1 Bc6 11. O-O O-O 12. Qd3 Qc7 13. a4 Rfd8 14. Rfe1 Rac8 15. Nd4 Be8 16. b3 Qc5 17. Be3 Qa5 18. Bd2 Qc5 19. h3 Nd7 20. Be3 Qa5 $11 {and Black has a completely fine position, Fressinet-Ponomariov, Elancourt 2013.}) 10... Bc6 ({The immediate} 10... O-O {could have been met by} 11. e5 dxe5 12. Nxe5 Be8 13. Rad1 {White has gained some space, but thanks to his stable position, Black can hold the game.}) 11. Qd3 {White prepares for d4.} (11. Rad1 {transposes to 10.d1.}) ({RR} 11. a4 O-O 12. Rfe1 h6 13. Bh4 Qa5 14. Nd5 Bxd5 15. cxd5 exd5 16. exd5 Rae8 17. b4 Qd8 18. Rac1 Qd7 19. a5 Bd8 20. h3 Rxe1+ 21. Rxe1 Re8 22. Rxe8+ Nxe8 23. Bxd8 Qxd8 24. Nd2 Nf6 25. Nc4 Qe7 {Rapport,R (2764)-Wei,Y (2727) chess24.com INT 2022 1-0 (74)}) ({RR} 11. Rfd1 O-O 12. Rac1 Rc8 13. h3 h6 14. Bh4 Qa5 15. a3 Rfd8 16. Qe3 Kf8 17. Bg3 b5 18. cxb5 axb5 19. Nd4 Be8 20. f4 Rc4 21. Bh4 b4 22. axb4 Qxb4 23. f5 Qxb2 24. fxe6 Rdc8 25. exf7 Bxf7 {Bhagat Kush (2276)-Kavri,Y (2142) Cesme TUR 2025 1-0 (69)}) 11... O-O 12. Nd4 Rc8 13. b3 $146 {Carlsen would like to stabilise his position.} (13. Rac1 Qa5 14. Bd2 Qd8 15. Bg5 b6 16. Nxc6 Rxc6 17. Ne2 Qa8 18. f3 Rfc8 19. Be3 Nd7 20. b3 Qb7 $11 {Schoeneberg-Danailov, Leipzig 1986}) 13... Qc7 $146 ({RR} 13... Qa5 14. Bd2 Qh5 15. f3 Rfd8 16. Rad1 Be8 17. Rfe1 h6 18. Kh1 Nd7 19. Be3 Qa5 20. Bd2 Qc5 21. Be3 Qa5 22. Bd2 Qc5 23. Be3 Qc7 24. Qd2 Nf6 25. Rc1 b6 26. Qf2 Qb7 27. a4 Nd7 28. Qg3 {Song,R (2478)-Matlakov,M (2698) Caleta 2020 ½-½}) ({RR} 13... Qa5 14. Bd2 Qh5 15. f3 Rfd8 16. Rad1 Be8 17. Rfe1 h6 18. Kh1 Nd7 19. Be3 Qa5 20. Bd2 Qc5 21. Be3 Qa5 22. Bd2 Qc5 23. Be3 Qc7 24. Qd2 Nf6 25. Rc1 b6 26. Qf2 Qb7 27. a4 Nd7 28. Qg3 {Song,R (2478)-Matlakov,M (2698) Caleta 2020 ½-½}) 14. Nxc6 ({The natural} 14. Rfd1 {was also possible.} Rfd8 15. Nxc6 (15. Rac1 Be8 {and Black can keep his .}) 15... Qxc6 16. Rac1 {similar to the game.}) 14... Qxc6 15. Rac1 h6 (15... Rfd8 16. Rfd1 {and White is solid.}) 16. Be3 Nd7 17. Bd4 Rfd8 18. h3 (18. Rfd1 Qc7 {is also similar.}) 18... Qc7 19. Rfd1 Qa5 20. Qd2 {White is threatening with d5!} ({In the event of} 20. Qg3 {Black can reply with} Qg5 ({or} 20... Bf8 {.})) 20... Kf8 (20... Bg5 {was easier, but I think Anand didn't want to exchange the bishops so quickly.} 21. Be3 (21. f4 Bf6 22. Bxf6 Nxf6 $11) 21... Bxe3 22. Qxe3 Ne5 $11 {with a balanced middlegame.}) 21. Qb2 Kg8 22. a4 (22. Qd2 {was a repetition of moves.}) 22... Qh5 23. Ne2 Bf6 {After the  exchange suddenly the d6  will be very weak.} ({Probably} 23... Qg6 $1 {was more exact, as} 24. f3 b6 {followed by c5 and the e7  is able to hold the d6 .}) 24. Rc3 $1 {The  is very useful on the 3rd rank.} Bxd4 25. Rxd4 {Now White has a comfortable position, because the d6  can be attacked by tripling on the d-file.} Qe5 26. Qd2 Nf6 (26... Nc5 {was also possible} 27. Re3 Qf6 28. a5 {and still Black needs to play some exact moves.}) 27. Re3 Rd7 28. a5 Qg5 $2 {A mistake, which allows White's strong reply!} (28... Rcd8 {was important to protect the d7 .}) 29. e5 $1 Ne8 30. exd6 $2 {White returns the error, but I think Carlsen was only thinking about the draw and becoming the new World Champion.} ({Nevertheless} 30. Nc3 $1 {was the strongest answer. White keeps the tension and the  is ready to go to e4 or a4 too.} Rc6 31. f4 Qe7 32. Red3 $16 {and Black is in a big trouble.}) 30... Rc6 {Now Black immediately gains back the d6 .} 31. f4 Qd8 32. Red3 Rcxd6 33. Rxd6 Rxd6 34. Rxd6 Qxd6 35. Qxd6 Nxd6 36. Kf2 {I think Carlsen wanted this endgame, which is an easy draw for him without any problem.} Kf8 37. Ke3 Ke7 38. Kd4 Kd7 39. Kc5 Kc7 40. Nc3 Nf5 41. Ne4 Ne3 42. g3 f5 43. Nd6 g5 44. Ne8+ Kd7 45. Nf6+ Ke7 46. Ng8+ (46. Nh5 {was also possible, but White didn't want to risk} Kf7 47. Kb6 Kg6 48. Kxb7 Kxh5 49. Kxa6 gxf4 50. gxf4 e5 51. Kb6 exf4 52. a6 f3 53. a7 f2 54. a8=Q Kh4 (54... f1=Q $6 55. Qe8+ {and the e3  is lost.}) 55. Qf3 f1=Q 56. Qxe3 f4 57. Qe6 h5 {with a drawish queen endgame.}) 46... Kf8 47. Nxh6 (47. Nf6 Ke7 {was a repetition of moves.}) 47... gxf4 48. gxf4 Kg7 49. Nxf5+ exf5 50. Kb6 Ng2 51. Kxb7 Nxf4 52. Kxa6 Ne6 53. Kb6 f4 54. a6 f3 55. a7 f2 56. a8=Q f1=Q 57. Qd5 {Carlsen has achieved his aim; he has no way to lose, the position is completely drawn.} Qe1 58. Qd6 Qe3+ 59. Ka6 Nc5+ 60. Kb5 Nxb3 61. Qc7+ Kh6 62. Qb6+ Qxb6+ 63. Kxb6 Kh5 64. h4 Kxh4 65. c5 Nxc5 {and Magnus Carlsen is the new World Champion! Congratulations to him!} 1/2-1/2

[Event "Zuerich Chess Challenge"]
[Site "Zuerich"]
[Date "2014.02.02"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C65"]
[WhiteElo "2872"]
[BlackElo "2782"]
[Annotator "Stohl,Igor"]
[PlyCount "93"]
[EventDate "2014.01.30"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "5"]
[EventCountry "SUI"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 159"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.03.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.03.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 ({The last round featured finally featured a Marshall, after} 3... a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. c3 d5 9. exd5 Nxd5 10. Nxe5 Nxe5 11. Rxe5 c6 12. d3 Bd6 13. Re1 Bf5 14. Qf3 Qh4 15. g3 Qh3 16. Be3 Bxd3 17. Nd2 Qf5 {White came up with a novelty} 18. Bd4 $5 $146 {, which retained some pressure:} (18. Qxf5 Bxf5 19. Bd4 Rfd8 20. a4 Bf8 21. Ne4 h6 22. h4 Bg6 23. Rad1 Bh5 24. Rc1 Nb4 25. Re3 Nd5 26. Ree1 Nb4 $11 {Ivanchuk,V (2751)-Aronian,L (2739)/Nice rpd blindfold/2008/}) (18. Rad1 {did not offer superiority either.} Rfe8 19. Qxf5 Bxf5 20. Bxd5 cxd5 21. Nb3 Be6 22. Bc5 Bc7 23. Nd4 Rac8 24. b4 Bd7 25. Nc2 Rxe1+ 26. Rxe1 Re8 27. Rxe8+ Bxe8 28. Ne3 Bd8 29. Nxd5 Bc6 $11 {Polgar,J (2707)-Leko,P (2753)/Wijk aan Zee/2008/}) 18... Rfe8 19. a4 h6 20. Kg2 Kf8 (20... Bf8 $5) 21. Rxe8+ Rxe8 22. axb5 axb5 23. Qxf5 Bxf5 24. Bxd5 cxd5 25. Ra6 Be7 $6 (25... Be5 $1 $14 {/}) 26. Nf1 b4 27. Ne3 Bd3 28. Ra5 bxc3 29. bxc3 $14 {/,Caruana,F (2782)-Aronian,L (2812)/Zürich/2014/ Black loses a pawn, in the end he didn't make the most of his drawing chances and went down in the endgame. See the winner's notes in CBM 159.}) 4. d3 {In Zürich nobody ventured into the Berlin endgame; we'll check out some recent examples mainly from Wijk 2014:} (4. O-O Nxe4 5. d4 Nd6 6. Bxc6 (6. dxe5 Nxb5 7. a4 Nbd4 ({The fighting option is} 7... d6 8. e6 fxe6 9. axb5 Nb4 {is not without risk after} 10. Ng5 Be7 11. Qh5+ g6 12. Qh6 Bf8 13. Qh3 Qf6 14. Ra4 Nd5 15. Re4 e5 16. Qb3 h6 17. Qxd5 hxg5 18. Rc4 g4 19. Nc3 Rh7 20. f3 Rf7 21. Qe4 Qf5 22. Nd5 c6 23. bxc6 b5 24. Rc3 Be6 {Larin,I (2293)-Grigoryev,V (2498)/corr/2012/} 25. Qe2 $5 $36) 8. Nxd4 d6 9. exd6 Bxd6 $5 10. Re1+ Be7 11. Nxc6 Qxd1 12. Rxd1 bxc6 13. Be3 Bf5 14. Re1 O-O-O 15. Na3 Rhe8 16. Bxa7 Bxa3 17. Rxe8 Rxe8 18. bxa3 Re4 19. c3 Rxa4 20. Bd4 g6 21. f3 Kd7 $11 {Naiditsch,A (2718)-Aronian,L (2812)/Wijk aan Zee/2014/}) 6... dxc6 7. dxe5 Nf5 8. Qxd8+ Kxd8 9. h3 ({The tension quickly dissipated after} 9. Rd1+ Ke8 10. Bf4 Ne7 11. h3 Ng6 12. Bh2 Be7 13. Nc3 Bd7 14. Nd4 Nf8 15. Rd2 h5 16. Rad1 Rd8 17. a3 h4 18. Nce2 c5 19. e6 Nxe6 20. Nxe6 Bxe6 21. Bxc7 Rxd2 22. Rxd2 f6 23. Nf4 Kf7 24. Nxe6 Kxe6 $11 {Dominguez Perez,L (2754)-Giri,A (2734)/Wijk aan Zee/2014/}) 9... Bd7 ({Another topical and playable alternative is} 9... Ke8 10. Nc3 h5 11. Rd1 (11. Ne2 Be7 12. Re1 Be6 13. Ned4 Nxd4 14. Nxd4 Bc8 15. Bf4 c5 16. Nb5 Bd8 17. e6 Bxe6 18. Rad1 Ke7 19. Nxc7 Bxc7 20. Bxc7 Rac8 21. Bd6+ {½,Fressinet,L (2710)-Giri,A (2749)/Bundesliga/2014/} Kf6 22. Rd3 h4 $11) (11. Bf4 Be7 12. Rad1 Be6 13. Ng5 Rh6 14. g3 Bxg5 15. Bxg5 Rg6 16. h4 f6 17. exf6 gxf6 18. Bf4 Nxh4 19. f3 Rd8 20. Rxd8+ Kxd8 21. Kf2 Nf5 22. Rh1 Ng7 23. Nd1 $44 {/=, Naiditsch,A (2718)-So,W (2719)/Wijk aan Zee/2014/}) 11... Be7 12. Ne2 Nh4 13. Nxh4 Bxh4 14. Bf4 Be7 15. Nd4 g5 16. Bh2 Rh6 17. e6 Bxe6 18. Bxc7 Rc8 19. Nxe6 Rxe6 20. Ba5 Bf6 21. Rab1 b6 22. Be1 Rd8 $11 {Harikrishna,P (2706)-So,W (2719)/Wijk aan Zee/2014/}) 10. Rd1 Kc8 11. g4 Ne7 12. Ng5 Be8 13. f4 b6 (13... h5 14. Kf2 b6 15. f5 Kb7 16. c4 $146 (16. Nc3 hxg4 17. hxg4 Rh2+ 18. Kg3 Rxc2 19. Nh7 c5 $1 20. Nxf8 Bc6 $44 {Caruana,F (2796)-Adams,M (2740)/Dortmund/2013/} 21. Bg5 $1 Rg2+ 22. Kf4 Rf2+ 23. Kg3 $11 {See the notes to this game by Adams in CBM 156.}) 16... c5 17. Bf4 Nc6 18. Nc3 g6 $1 19. e6 fxe6 20. Nxe6 hxg4 21. Nxc7 Bh6 $1 22. Bxh6 Kxc7 23. Bf4+ Kb7 24. hxg4 gxf5 25. g5 Rh4 26. Ne2 Bh5 27. Rh1 Rxh1 28. Rxh1 Bxe2 29. Kxe2 Nd4+ 30. Kd3 Ne6 31. Rf1 Rd8+ 32. Kc3 Rg8 $11 {Giri,A (2737)-Nakamura,H (2772)/Elancourt/2013/}) 14. f5 $5 (14. Nc3 c5 (14... h5 15. Kg2 c5 $13) 15. Kf2 h6 16. Nf3 g6 17. Be3 Bc6 18. a4 Kb7 19. a5 Re8 20. Nd2 Nd5 21. Nxd5 Bxd5 22. Nf3 Be6 23. Rd3 Be7 24. Rad1 h5 25. Kg3 hxg4 26. hxg4 Rh7 27. R3d2 Kc6 28. axb6 cxb6 29. Rh2 Rxh2 30. Nxh2 a5 $36 {[%csl Ga5,Gb6,Gc5,Ge6,Ge7] Sutovsky,E (2700)-Harikrishna,P (2669)/WChT Ningbo/2011/}) 14... c5 (14... h5 15. Kg2 c5 16. Nc3 g6 17. f6 Nc6 18. Nf3 Nb4 19. Bf4 $1 Nxc2 20. Rac1 Nb4 21. a3 Nc6 22. Ne4 $44 Bd7 23. Neg5 hxg4 $2 (23... Nd8 $142 24. Rxd7 $1 Kxd7 25. e6+ fxe6 26. Ne5+ $36) 24. hxg4 Bxg4 25. Nxf7 Rh5 26. Kg3 Bf5 27. N7g5 Bh6 28. e6 {Dominguez - Nakamura, Wijk aan Zee 2014.} Bxg5 29. Nxg5 Rxg5+ 30. Bxg5 Bxe6 {Dominguez Perez,L (2754)-Nakamura,H (2789)/Wijk aan Zee/2014/} 31. b4 $16) 15. Nd2 (15. e6 $5) 15... h6 16. Ngf3 Bc6 17. Kf2 Kb7 18. b3 g6 19. f6 Nd5 20. Bb2 Nb4 21. Rdc1 a5 22. a3 Nd5 23. Kg3 g5 24. a4 Nb4 25. Nc4 Be4 26. Ne3 c4 $5 27. bxc4 Rd8 $44 {/,Caruana,F (2779)-Nakamura,H (2783)/ECC Rhodes/2013/ Nakamura was probably worried about some improvement right from the start, as against Dominguez he was the first to deviate.}) 4... Bc5 {I have already mentioned in the notes to Navara-Caruana,ECC 2013 (CBM 157) and Anand-Carlsen,WCh 2013 (CBM 158), that this active developing move is all the rage nowadays.} ({However, even the modest} 4... d6 {is playable and retains some top level fans:} 5. O-O Be7 6. h3 O-O 7. c4 a6 8. Ba4 Nd7 9. Nc3 Nc5 10. Bxc6 bxc6 11. d4 exd4 12. Nxd4 Bd7 13. Be3 Bf6 14. Re1 Re8 15. Qc2 Qe7 ({The traditional way to deploy the queen in these positions is} 15... Qb8 $5 $132 {[%cal Yb8b4,Ya6a4]}) 16. Rad1 g6 17. Bc1 Ne6 $6 (17... a5 $142 $11) 18. Nf3 $1 {[%csl Re7][%cal Ye4e5]} Bg7 19. b3 Qf8 20. Ba3 $1 Rad8 21. e5 c5 22. Nd5 dxe5 23. Nxe5 Nd4 24. Rxd4 Rxe5 25. Rxe5 Bxe5 26. Rd1 Bc6 {Sjugirov,S (2641)-Jakovenko,D (2721)/Khanty-Mansiysk/2013/} 27. Qe4 Bg7 28. Qe3 $1 $16 {[%csl Rc5]}) 5. Bxc6 {This swap changes the character of the position and is also very topical.} (5. Nc3 {is too weak:} O-O (5... d6 6. Na4 Bb6 7. Nxb6 axb6 8. c3 Bd7 9. Ba4 Ne7 10. Bc2 Ng6 $11 {was Anand's choice in his game against Carlsen, London 2012. For more details see the notes by Postny in CBM 152.}) 6. Bxc6 dxc6 7. Bg5 Qd6 8. Qd2 a5 9. h3 Re8 10. Nh4 a4 11. a3 b5 12. O-O Nh5 13. Ne2 Bb6 14. g4 h6 15. Be3 Nf4 16. Nxf4 exf4 17. Bxf4 Qf6 18. Nf5 Qxb2 19. Kh2 h5 $13 {/,Motylev,A (2676)-Kramnik,V (2796)/RUS-ch Nizhny Novgorod/2013/}) (5. c3 {was featured in the recent title match:} O-O 6. O-O Re8 $5 ({A welcome change to the standard} 6... d6 {, where the struggle strongly resmebles the Giuoco Piano:} 7. h3 (7. Nbd2 Bb6 8. h3 (8. Nc4 Ne7 9. Nxb6 axb6 $132) 8... Ne7 {is similar and often only transposes.}) 7... Ne7 8. d4 Bb6 9. Re1 (9. Nbd2 exd4 $5 (9... c6 10. Bd3 Ng6 11. Re1 h6 12. a4 Re8 13. Bf1 d5 $5 14. dxe5 Nxe5 15. exd5 Nxf3+ 16. Nxf3 Rxe1 17. Nxe1 Nxd5 18. Qf3 Be6 19. Nd3 a5 20. Bd2 Qh4 21. b3 Rd8 $11 {Movsesian,S (2699)-Alekseev,E (2683)/St Petersburg rpd/2012/}) 10. cxd4 d5 11. e5 Ne4 12. Bd3 Bf5 13. Qe2 Nc6 14. Nxe4 dxe4 15. Bxe4 Nxd4 16. Nxd4 Bxe4 17. Qxe4 Qxd4 $11 {/,Areshchenko,A (2709)-Kramnik,V (2784)/WCup/2013/}) 9... Ng6 (9... d5 $5 10. Nxe5 Nxe4 11. Nd2 Nd6 12. Bf1 c6 13. b3 Re8 14. a4 Ng6 15. Nxg6 Rxe1 16. Qxe1 hxg6 17. Ba3 a5 18. Qe3 Be6 19. Re1 Bc7 20. Bd3 Bf5 21. Nf3 Bxd3 22. Qxd3 Ne4 23. Nd2 Nxd2 24. Qxd2 Bd6 25. Bxd6 Qxd6 26. g3 Qd7 27. Kg2 Re8 $11 {Karjakin,S (2756)-Le Quang,L (2703)/Beijing rpd/2013/}) 10. Bd3 (10. Nbd2 d5 $5 $11) 10... Re8 11. Qc2 c6 12. Be3 h6 13. Nbd2 Nh7 14. Bf1 Ng5 15. Rad1 Qf6 16. Nxg5 hxg5 17. dxe5 dxe5 18. Bxb6 axb6 19. Nc4 b5 20. Nd6 Rd8 21. Nxc8 Raxc8 22. Be2 Ra8 $11 {Areshchenko,A (2720)-L'Ami,E (2648)/WChT Antalya/2013/}) 7. Re1 a6 8. Ba4 b5 9. Bb3 (9. Bc2 d5 $1 $11 {is one of the main ponts behind 6...e8!?}) 9... d6 10. Bg5 $5 ({I have already quoted almost all the relevant examples with} 10. Nbd2 Bb6 ({or} 10... Be6 {in the notes to Anand-Carlsen.})) 10... Be6 11. Nbd2 (11. Bxe6 $142 $1 fxe6 12. b4 (12. d4 $5) 12... Bb6 13. a4 $14) 11... h6 12. Bh4 Bxb3 13. axb3 Nb8 $5 14. h3 Nbd7 15. Nh2 Qe7 16. Ndf1 Bb6 17. Ne3 Qe6 18. b4 a5 $1 19. bxa5 Bxa5 20. Nhg4 Bb6 21. Bxf6 Nxf6 22. Nxf6+ Qxf6 $11 {Anand,V (2775)-Carlsen,M (2870)/WCh Chennai/2013/ - see the notes in CBM 158 for more details.}) ({After} 5. O-O {White must reckon with} Nd4 $5 (5... d6 6. c3 O-O {transposes to 5.c3 and was already mentioned above.}) 6. Nxd4 Bxd4 7. c3 Bb6 8. Nd2 c6 9. Ba4 O-O 10. Nf3 d5 $5 ({Black has no serious problems even after the more restrained} 10... d6 11. h3 h6 12. Bc2 Re8 13. Kh1 d5 14. Qe2 dxe4 15. dxe4 Nh5 16. Nh2 Qh4 17. Qf3 {Kamsky,G (2723)-Kramnik,V (2788)/Moscow blitz/2008/} Be6 $11) 11. Nxe5 dxe4 12. d4 c5 13. dxc5 Bxc5 14. Qxd8 Rxd8 15. Bb3 Be6 16. Bxe6 fxe6 17. Nc4 b5 18. Be3 bxc4 19. Bxc5 Rd5 20. Bd4 e5 21. Be3 Rd3 22. Rfe1 h6 $11 {Perunovic,M (2613)-Andreikin,D (2710)/EU-chT Warsaw/2013/ Black's active pieces balance the split pawns.}) 5... dxc6 6. h3 {This has become White's main try after Chennai.} (6. Nbd2 Bg4 $5 ({A reliable antidote, but Black may possibly go for the more complex} 6... O-O 7. O-O Re8 8. Nc4 Nd7 9. a4 f6 $5 {as well:} 10. Bd2 Nf8 11. Nh4 (11. b4 $142) 11... Ne6 12. Nf5 Bf8 13. Kh1 c5 14. f4 exf4 15. Bxf4 Nxf4 16. Rxf4 Be6 17. b3 a6 18. a5 b5 19. axb6 cxb6 20. Nce3 g6 21. Ng3 Bh6 22. Rf3 b5 $132 {/,Michalik,P (2529)-Lysyj,I (2656)/EU-ch Plovdiv/2012/}) 7. h3 Bh5 8. Nc4 $5 (8. Nf1 Nd7 9. Ng3 Bxf3 $1 10. Qxf3 g6 11. Be3 Qe7 12. O-O-O O-O-O 13. Ne2 Rhe8 14. Kb1 b6 15. h4 Kb7 16. h5 Bxe3 17. Qxe3 Nc5 18. hxg6 hxg6 19. g3 a5 20. Rh7 Rh8 21. Rdh1 Rxh7 22. Rxh7 Qf6 23. f4 Rh8 24. Rxh8 Qxh8 25. fxe5 Qxe5 26. Qf3 f5 $11 {Anand,V (2775)-Carlsen,M (2870)/WCh Chennai/2013/}) 8... Nd7 9. Be3 f6 10. Qd2 Qe7 ({A simpler and more consistent way is} 10... Bxf3 11. gxf3 Qe7 $11) 11. Nh4 $5 O-O-O 12. Nf5 Qf8 13. O-O Bf7 14. b3 g6 15. Ng3 h5 16. Bxc5 Nxc5 17. Qe3 Kb8 18. f4 Bxc4 19. bxc4 Qd6 20. Ne2 Rhf8 $132 {Sjugirov,S (2641)-Maletin,P (2598)/Khanty-Mansiysk/2013/}) (6. b3 Bg4 7. Nbd2 Nd7 8. Bb2 f6 9. Nf1 (9. h3 Bxf3 10. Nxf3 Qe7 11. a3 O-O-O 12. b4 Bd6 13. c3 Nf8 14. Qa4 Kb8 15. O-O-O Ne6 16. Qc2 c5 17. Nd2 c6 18. Nc4 {½,Trent,L (2433)-Parker,J (2531)/England/2012/} Bc7 $15) 9... Nf8 10. h3 Bxf3 11. Qxf3 Ne6 12. Ne3 Qd7 13. h4 a5 14. a4 O-O 15. h5 Bxe3 16. Qxe3 c5 17. Qh3 Qc6 $11 18. O-O Nf4 19. Qh2 Qe8 20. h6 g5 21. g3 Ne6 22. f4 $5 gxf4 23. gxf4 Nxf4 24. Rxf4 exf4 25. Kf2 $44 {/=,McShane,L (2671)-Kramnik,V (2800)/London/2011/}) (6. O-O {may be somewhat premature. White has committed his king and in some cases opposite-side castling can be advantageous for Black. An illustrative example is} Bd6 7. Nbd2 Bg4 8. Nc4 Nd7 9. h3 Bh5 10. g4 $6 (10. Ne3 $11 {} Qf6 11. Nf5) 10... Bg6 11. Kg2 Qe7 12. Ne3 O-O-O 13. Nd2 h5 14. Nf5 Qf6 15. Nf3 hxg4 16. hxg4 Rdg8 17. Rh1 Bxf5 18. Bg5 Qe6 19. exf5 Qe8 20. Rxh8 Rxh8 21. Qe2 f6 22. Bd2 Qg8 $1 23. Qe1 g6 24. fxg6 Nc5 $1 $40 {[%cal Rg8g6] Karjakin,S (2756)-Leko,P (2730)/Beijing rpd/2013/} (24... Qxg6 25. Qe4 $11)) 6... Nd7 {Black also doesn't show his hand with his king.} (6... Be6 7. Qe2 ({A novel idea is} 7. Nc3 $5 $146 Qd6 8. O-O O-O-O (8... a5 $5 $132) 9. a3 Nh5 $6 {Black's ultra-sharp reaction is maybe not ideal, after} 10. Na4 $1 Bb6 11. Nxb6+ axb6 12. a4 $5 f6 13. Be3 Nf4 14. a5 b5 15. Bxf4 (15. d4 $6 Nxh3+ $1 16. gxh3 Bxh3 17. dxe5 Qe6 18. Nd2 Bxf1 19. Qxf1 Qxe5 20. c3 Kb8 21. a6 b6 22. Qg2 Rd6 23. Nf1 f5 $1 $36 {Anand,V (2773)-Nakamura,H (2789)/Zuerich/2014/}) 15... exf4 16. Re1 $14 {[%cal Ye4e5] Here Black's king is more exposed, than White's.}) 7... Nd7 8. Be3 f6 ({Black doesn't want to part with his bishop immediately after} 8... Bd6 9. Ng5 $14) (8... Qe7 9. Bxc5 Qxc5 10. Nc3 Qd6 11. O-O-O c5 12. Nh4 O-O-O 13. Nf5 Bxf5 14. exf5 Nf6 15. Rhe1 Rhe8 16. Qf3 Qd4 17. g4 h6 18. a3 a6 $6 (18... Qf4+ 19. Qxf4 exf4 20. Ne2 h5 $132 {Postny}) 19. Re3 Re7 20. Kb1 Nd5 21. Nxd5 Qxd5 22. Qxd5 Rxd5 23. Rde1 f6 24. f4 Kd7 25. c3 b5 26. Kc2 $36 {Morozevich,A (2748)-Caruana,F (2786)/Tashkent 2012/ See the notes by Postny in CBM 152 for more details.}) 9. Bxc5 Nxc5 10. Qe3 Qe7 11. Nc3 O-O-O 12. O-O-O Kb8 13. d4 exd4 14. Nxd4 Nd7 15. f4 Nb6 16. Nxe6 Qxe6 17. Qc5 Rd6 18. b3 Rhd8 19. Qh5 h6 20. Qg4 Qe7 {White has the better pawn structure, but he has no obvious way to make progress. The simplifying} 21. Rxd6 cxd6 22. Rd1 {allowed Black to force a draw with} d5 $1 23. exd5 Qa3+ 24. Kb1 Nc4 25. bxc4 Qb4+ $11 {Nakamura,H (2772)-Fressinet,L (2708)/Elancourt/2013/}) ({However, Black can also refrain from any speculations and play the simple} 6... O-O 7. O-O Re8 8. Nbd2 Nd7 9. Nc4 f6 10. Nh4 $5 (10. Be3 Bf8 11. Qd2 Nc5 12. Qc3 Ne6 13. b4 b6 14. a4 c5 15. bxc5 Bxc5 16. Bxc5 Nxc5 17. a5 Be6 18. Ne3 Qd7 19. Qa3 Rad8 20. axb6 axb6 $11 {Antoniewski,R (2559)-Balogh,C (2665)/AUT-chT/2012/}) 10... Nf8 11. Be3 Bb6 12. a4 Be6 13. a5 Bd4 14. Bxd4 Qxd4 15. b3 (15. Ne3 $1 $13 {retains more tension in the position}) 15... Ng6 16. Nxg6 hxg6 17. Qe2 Bxc4 18. bxc4 g5 19. Rfb1 b5 $1 20. cxb5 cxb5 $11 {/,Caruana,F (2774)-Anand,V (2786)/Moscow blitz/2013/}) 7. Be3 (7. Nbd2 {is too weak:} O-O 8. Nf1 (8. O-O Re8 {transposes to the line from the previous note}) 8... Re8 9. Be3 Bd6 10. Ng3 Nf8 11. Qd2 c5 12. O-O Ne6 13. Nf5 Nd4 14. Bxd4 cxd4 15. Nxd6 cxd6 16. c3 dxc3 17. Qxc3 Qf6 18. d4 exd4 19. Qd3 b6 20. Rfe1 Bb7 21. Nxd4 d5 22. exd5 Bxd5 $11 {/,Solak,D (2583)-Sargissian,G (2678)/EU-chT Novi Sad/ 2009/}) 7... Bd6 (7... Bxe3 8. fxe3 $13 {/ is not a direct mistake, but given a choice, Black would nevertheless prefer to retain both his bishops.}) 8. Nc3 $146 {A novelty, but hardly an impressive one - this game certainly wasn't decided by opening preparation.} (8. Nbd2 O-O 9. O-O Re8 10. c3 $5 (10. Nc4 Nf8 11. d4 exd4 12. Qxd4 c5 13. Qd3 b6 14. Nxd6 Qxd6 15. Qxd6 cxd6 16. Rfd1 Bb7 17. Rxd6 Bxe4 18. Ne1 Rad8 19. Rad1 Ne6 20. Rxd8 Rxd8 21. Rxd8+ Nxd8 $11 {Anand,V (2773)-Carlsen,M (2872)/Zuerich/2014/ This colourless draw was played on the following day, it seems the players had an unwritten non-aggression pact.}) 10... Nf8 (10... c5 $5 $11) 11. d4 Ng6 12. Qc2 exd4 13. cxd4 Bf4 14. Rfe1 Qf6 15. Nf1 Be6 16. Ng3 Bxe3 17. Rxe3 Nf4 18. a3 a5 19. Qd2 Qh6 20. Rc1 $14 {[%csl Gd4,Ge4] /,Inarkiev,E (2671)-Aronian,L (2783)/Mainz rpd/2010/ White is somewhat better due to his pawn centre, but Black's defences are still solid.}) 8... c5 9. O-O ({White could have played} 9. Nd2 {immediately, but Carlsen doesn't speculate with his king placement anymore. If necessary, Black can follow suit and prepare 0-0, or 0-0-0 in accordance with White's choice.}) 9... Nf8 10. Nd2 Ng6 (10... Ne6 11. Nc4 O-O 12. a4 $11 {/ is perhaps a tad better for White. Caruana sensibly keeps e6 free for his bishop.}) 11. Nc4 Be6 $146 ({RR} 11... O-O 12. Ne2 Be6 13. b3 Be7 14. f4 exf4 15. Nxf4 Nxf4 16. Bxf4 b5 17. Ne3 Bf6 18. Rb1 Qd4 19. Kh1 Be5 20. c3 Qd6 21. Nf5 Bxf5 22. Bxe5 Qxe5 23. Rxf5 Qe7 24. b4 cxb4 25. Rxb5 bxc3 26. Qc2 {Anand,V (2768)-Karjakin,S (2773) Saint Louis 2018 ½-½}) 12. Ne2 Qd7 (12... Bxc4 13. dxc4 $14 {[%csl Rd6,Ge3]}) ({However, Black had no serious reason to hesitate with} 12... O-O $1 {} 13. Nxd6 cxd6 14. f4 f5 $5 $11) 13. Nxd6+ {Radically counters any ideas as xh3 (Anand-Nakamura!), or h4xg2.} cxd6 14. f4 exf4 ({With the king still on e8} 14... f5 $6 15. fxe5 Nxe5 16. d4 $1 {is definitely risky:} Nc4 17. Bc1 fxe4 18. b3 Nb6 19. Ng3 $36) 15. Nxf4 Nxf4 16. Rxf4 b6 $6 {[%cal Yd6d5] This is really toying with fire.} ({There was still nothing really wrong with} 16... O-O {, the direct attack} 17. Qh5 f6 {[%cal Yd7f7]} (17... f5 $5 {is also a plausible alternative}) 18. Rh4 $2 g5 {leads nowhere and otherwise White has only a very slight and almost surely temporary pull.}) 17. Qh5 d5 {A natural follow-up to the previous move.} (17... O-O 18. Rh4 h6 19. Rf1 $1 {[%cal Re3h6]} (19. Bxh6 $2 gxh6 20. Qxh6 f6 {doesn't give White anything concrete and his compensation for the piece is somewhat vague.}) 19... f6 $8 20. Qg6 Qf7 21. Rxh6 Qxg6 22. Rxg6 $14 {/}) ({Black's king is more exposed after} 17... O-O-O 18. a4 $14 {[%csl Rc8]}) 18. d4 $1 {[%csl Re8]} c4 19. b3 {Black now can't afford to open the position, while Magnus wants to blast apart the centre. However, White had also other moves:} (19. Raf1 $14 {or}) (19. e5 $5 {[%csl Rf7] both give White an edge.}) 19... Qc6 {Again risky. Caruana insists on castling queenside, but this is risky.} ({Houdini insists on} 19... Rc8 $1 {and this indeed seems better. After} 20. e5 cxb3 21. cxb3 O-O 22. Raf1 (22. Rh4 Bf5) 22... Qb5 $11 {[%cal Yb5d3] Black can defend his kingside from d3.}) 20. Raf1 O-O-O 21. bxc4 $5 (21. e5 {[%cal Ye3c1,Yc1a3,Ya3d6,Gf1f7] also gives White nagging pressure, but Carlsen is already more ambitious and envisages a positional exchange sacrifice to further his attack.}) 21... Qxc4 22. Rxf7 $1 {[%mdl 640]} Bxf7 ({Black could have considered} 22... g6 $5 {, but after} 23. Qh6 $1 (23. Qe5 Bxf7 24. Rxf7 Rhe8 25. Qg7 Qc6 26. e5 Rd7 $11) 23... Bxf7 24. Rxf7 dxe4 (24... Qc6 25. c4 $1 {} dxc4 26. d5 $16 {}) 25. Qg7 (25. Rxa7 Rhf8 26. Qxh7 $36 {leads to the same position}) 25... Rhg8 26. Qxh7 Rgf8 27. Rxa7 $36 {he still faces a difficult defence.}) 23. Rxf7 Rd7 $8 {[%cal Gd7f7] Black must fight back on the 7th rank.} (23... dxe4 $2 24. Qf5+ Kb8 25. Qe5+ Ka8 26. Qxe4+ Qd5 27. Qe7 $18) (23... g6 24. Qg4+ (24. Qh6 {-22...g6!?}) 24... Kb8 25. Qg5 {[%cal Rg5e7]} Ka8 26. Qe7 Qa6 27. Bg5 {} Rhe8 28. Qc7 Rc8 29. Qd7 $18) 24. Rxd7 Kxd7 25. exd5 g6 ({The engine prefers} 25... Rd8 26. Qxh7 Kc8 27. Qxg7 Rd7 {for a while, but gradually the evaluation of Black's chances decreases - the kingside passed pawns are dangerous after} 28. Qg8+ Kb7 29. Qe6 Rxd5 30. h4 $14 {/}) 26. Qg4+ Kc7 27. Qe6 Kb7 28. Qe7+ $6 {Gives Black some respite.} (28. Qf6 $142 $1 {d6 I don't see any perpetual after} Qe2 29. Qxh8 Qxe3+ 30. Kf1 (30. Kh2 Qf4+) 30... Qc1+ 31. Kf2 Qf4+ (31... Qxc2+ 32. Kg3 Qc3+ 33. Kf4 $16) 32. Ke2 Qe4+ 33. Kd1 $16) 28... Qc7 29. Qe4 {[%csl Gc2,Gd4,Gd5] The material is equal, but White with his strong central pawns holds the initiative. However, now Black's rook joins the fray and he can fight back.} Qd7 (29... Rd8 $142 $1 30. Bg5 (30. d6+ $2 Qc6) 30... Rd7 31. Bf4 Qc4 32. d6+ Ka6 $14 {with drawing chances.}) 30. d6+ (30. c4 $143 $6 Re8 31. Qf3 Qf5 $132 {/}) 30... Ka6 (30... Qc6 $2 31. Qe7+ Kc8 32. Bf4 $40 {} Qd7 33. Qe4 Kb8 34. c4 Rc8 35. c5 $1 bxc5 36. dxc5 Rxc5 37. Qe8+ $1 $18) 31. Bf4 Rc8 32. Kh2 $6 ({Useful prophylaxis, but White had the more direct} 32. Qe2+ $142 $1 Kb7 (32... Qb5 $2 33. Qe7 Qb1+ 34. Kh2 Qf1 35. Bg5 Rxc2 36. Qe4 Re2 37. Qc6 $18 {[%cal Rd6d8] , ako aj}) (32... b5 $2 33. a4 $40) 33. c4) 32... Rc4 $2 {Blockade was necessary, but the rook is misplaced here, as e7 becomes an issue.} (32... g5 33. Bg3 b5 $14 {or the immediate}) (32... b5 $5 {makes it more difficult for White to convert his advantage.}) 33. Bg3 {Carlsen is in no hurry and spurns such tempting alternatives as} (33. Qe2 $5 b5 34. Qe7 $16) ({or} 33. Qe7 Qxe7 34. dxe7 Rc8 35. Bc7 $36) 33... Rc8 $6 {Losing tempi is more than Black's position can stand.} ({A more resilient try was} 33... b5 {, although} 34. a4 $5 (34. Qe7 Qxe7 35. dxe7 Rc8 36. Bc7 Rg8 $5 $14 {might not be enough}) 34... bxa4 35. Qe2 Kb5 36. d5 {[%cal Re2e6]} a3 37. Qd3 a2 38. Qb3+ Kc5 39. Qxa2 Kxd5 40. Qb3 $16 {/+- is probably winning anyway. Black's king is permanently exposed and his pieces are not coordinated well enough to prevent either a decisive attack, or an advance of the c-pawn.}) 34. Qd3+ Kb7 (34... Qb5 $2 35. Bh4 $1 $18 {[%cal Rd6d8]}) 35. c4 $18 { Once all the pawns join in, Black is facing an uphill fight.} Qc6 36. Qb3 {Now he has got in c4, White doesn't force the issue before the time control.} (36. c5 $5 {} bxc5 37. dxc5 Qxc5 38. Qe2 $1 $40) 36... Ka8 (36... Qxc4 $2 37. d7 $18) (36... Qe4 37. a4 $5 {[%cal Ra4a5,Rc4c5] } Qxd4 38. Qf3+ Ka6 (38... Rc6 39. a5 $1 {[%cal Ra5a6]} bxa5 40. Qf7+ Ka6 41. Qe8 $18) 39. Qe2 Ka5 40. Qe7 $18) 37. a4 $1 Re8 38. a5 Kb7 (38... bxa5 39. d5 (39. c5 $18 {[%cal Yb3c4,Yd4d5]}) 39... Qb7 (39... Qc5 40. Qa4 Rd8 41. Qc6+ $18) (39... Qb6 40. Qxb6 axb6 41. Bh4 $18) 40. Qxb7+ Kxb7 41. d7 Rd8 42. c5 $18 {[%csl Gc5,Gd5,Gd7]}) 39. c5 {White already had more than one way to win.} (39. d5 $5 Qc5 40. a6+ $1 Kc8 41. Qf3 Qxc4 42. Qf7 Re2 43. Qg8+ Kd7 44. Qxh7+ Ke8 45. d7+ Kd8 46. Bh4+ $18) 39... Kc8 40. axb6 axb6 41. d5 $1 {Move 40 has passed and Carlsen calmly finds and calculates the most convincing win.} Qxc5 42. Qa4 Re3 43. Qa8+ Kd7 44. Qb7+ Ke8 45. d7+ Kd8 46. Bh4+ Re7 47. Qc8+ $1 {Now White wins a whole rook.} (47. Bxe7+ $2 Kxe7 48. Qc8 Qd6+ $11 {was still a way to spoil the game.}) 1-0

[Event "Zuerich Chess Challenge"]
[Site "Zuerich"]
[Date "2014.02.03"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C65"]
[WhiteElo "2773"]
[BlackElo "2872"]
[Annotator "Vidit,Santosh Gujrathi"]
[PlyCount "80"]
[EventDate "2014.01.30"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "5"]
[EventCountry "SUI"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 159"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.03.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.03.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{This was the first classical game after the World Championship match and I was anticipating a tough fight. But unfortunately the Berlin wall is just too solid :)} 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. d3 Bc5 5. Bxc6 dxc6 6. h3 Nd7 7. Be3 $5 {A surprising choice as Carlsen on the previous day used this line with the white pieces to defeat Caruana in a brilliant way!} Bd6 8. Nbd2 (8. Nc3 c5 9. O-O Nf8 10. Nd2 Ng6 11. Nc4 Be6 12. Ne2 Qd7 13. Nxd6+ cxd6 14. f4 exf4 15. Nxf4 Nxf4 16. Rxf4 b6 17. Qh5 d5 18. d4 c4 19. b3 Qc6 20. Raf1 O-O-O 21. bxc4 Qxc4 22. Rxf7 Bxf7 23. Rxf7 Rd7 24. Rxd7 Kxd7 25. exd5 g6 26. Qg4+ Kc7 27. Qe6 Kb7 28. Qe7+ Qc7 29. Qe4 Qd7 30. d6+ Ka6 31. Bf4 Rc8 32. Kh2 Rc4 33. Bg3 Rc8 34. Qd3+ Kb7 35. c4 Qc6 36. Qb3 Ka8 37. a4 Re8 38. a5 Kb7 39. c5 Kc8 40. axb6 axb6 41. d5 Qxc5 42. Qa4 Re3 43. Qa8+ Kd7 44. Qb7+ Ke8 45. d7+ Kd8 46. Bh4+ Re7 47. Qc8+ {1-0 (47) Carlsen,M (2872)-Caruana,F (2782) Zurich SUI 2014}) 8... O-O 9. O-O Re8 10. Nc4 Nf8 11. d4 {A questionable decision. The game now immediately peters out to a draw.} (11. a4 $5) 11... exd4 12. Qxd4 c5 $146 ({RR} 12... Ng6 13. Rad1 f6 14. Rfe1 Qe7 15. Nxd6 cxd6 16. Qxd6 Qxd6 17. Rxd6 Rxe4 18. Rd8+ Kf7 19. Nd2 Re8 20. Rxe8 Kxe8 21. Ne4 b6 22. Bd2 Kd7 23. Ng3 Bb7 24. Nh5 c5 25. Nxg7 Nh4 26. Nh5 Rf8 27. Re3 {Blanco Da Silva,C (2046)-Guerra Rodenas,A (1885) Valencia 2019 1-0 (46)}) ({RR} 12... Ne6 13. Qc3 Bf8 14. Rfe1 Qe7 15. b3 b6 16. Rad1 c5 17. Nce5 Qf6 18. Qc4 Bb7 19. Rd7 Re7 20. Bd2 Rxd7 21. Nxd7 Qe7 22. Nxf8 Rxf8 23. Bc3 Rd8 24. Be5 h6 25. c3 Qd7 26. Qe2 a5 27. Nh4 {Kobalia,M (2578)-Jumabayev,R (2590) Sharjah UAE 2023 0-1 (49)}) 13. Qd3 b6 14. Nxd6 Qxd6 15. Qxd6 cxd6 16. Rfd1 Bb7 17. Rxd6 Bxe4 18. Ne1 Rad8 $11 {The game is completely drawish now.} 19. Rad1 Ne6 20. Rxd8 Rxd8 21. Rxd8+ Nxd8 22. f3 Bd5 23. a3 Nc6 24. Kf2 f6 25. Nd3 Kf8 26. Ke2 Ke7 27. Kd2 Kd7 28. Nf4 Bf7 29. b3 Ne7 30. h4 Nd5 31. Nxd5 Bxd5 32. Bf4 Kc6 33. Bg3 Bf7 34. Bf4 Bg6 35. Bg3 Bf7 36. Bb8 a6 37. Bf4 Bg6 38. Bg3 Bh5 39. Bf2 Bf7 40. Bg3 Bg6 {Not much happened in the game. White didn't get anything out of the opening and the game was soon equal.A typical berlin affair.} 1/2-1/2

[Event "NOR-chT qual"]
[Site "Oslo"]
[Date "2014.03.22"]
[Round "1.1"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Georgiev, Vladimir"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C78"]
[WhiteElo "2881"]
[BlackElo "2553"]
[PlyCount "79"]
[EventDate "2014.03.22"]
[EventType "team-match"]
[EventRounds "1"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 159 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.04.24"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.04.24"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Stavanger"]
[BlackTeam "Nordstrand"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "NOR"]
[BlackTeamCountry "NOR"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O b5 6. Bb3 Bb7 7. d3 Bc5 8. c3 O-O 9. a4 d5 10. axb5 axb5 11. Rxa8 Bxa8 12. exd5 Nxd5 13. Re1 b4 14. Qc2 f6 15. Nbd2 Kh8 16. Ne4 Be7 17. h3 $146 ({RR} 17. Bd2 Na5 18. Ba2 c5 19. d4 cxd4 20. cxd4 b3 21. Bxb3 Nb4 22. Qc3 exd4 23. Nxd4 Nxb3 24. Nxb3 Qd5 25. f3 Nd3 26. Ra1 f5 27. Ra5 Qd8 28. Nec5 Nxc5 29. Nxc5 Bf6 30. Qd3 Qe7 31. Qe3 Qd6 {Zierk,S (2483)-Georgiev,V (2554) Saint Louis 2015 1-0 (48)}) 17... Na5 18. Ba2 b3 19. Bxb3 Nxb3 20. Qxb3 Nb6 21. d4 f5 22. Nc5 e4 23. Ne5 Bd5 24. Qd1 Bd6 25. Bf4 Nc4 26. b4 g5 27. Bh2 f4 28. Nxc4 Bxc5 29. Nd2 Bd6 30. Nxe4 Qe7 31. Nxd6 Qxd6 32. Re5 h6 33. h4 gxh4 34. Qh5 c6 35. f3 Qf6 36. b5 Ra8 37. Re8+ Rxe8 38. Qxe8+ Kh7 39. Qd7+ Kh8 40. b6 1-0

[Event "Gashimov Memorial-A 1st"]
[Site "Shamkir"]
[Date "2014.04.23"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C67"]
[WhiteElo "2783"]
[BlackElo "2881"]
[Annotator "Caruana,Fabiano"]
[PlyCount "105"]
[EventDate "2014.04.20"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "AZE"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 160"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.05.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.05.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 {ChessBase Website Wedberg,Tom ChessBase II} e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. d4 Nd6 6. Bxc6 dxc6 7. dxe5 Nf5 8. Qxd8+ Kxd8 9. h3 h6 {In the match, Magnus played 9...d7. Perhaps he feared preparation and was hoping to surprise me, but he made an unfortunate choice, going for a line I knew well, as I had faced it last year against Ponomariov.} (9... Bd7 10. Rd1 Be7 11. Nc3 {It's interesting that exactly 1 day before Anand and Carlsen's game, Grischuk played the same variation against me during the European Team Championship. I played 11.g4 and the game was eventually drawn.} Kc8 12. Bg5 h6 13. Bxe7 Nxe7 14. Rd2 c5 15. Rad1 Be6 16. Ne1 Ng6 17. Nd3 b6 18. Ne2 {, and now Magnus grabbed a pawn with} Bxa2 $1 {Anand-Carlsen, Chennai 2013; , held onto it and nearly won the game.}) 10. Rd1+ {Now Black's king is forced to e8, which generally speaking is an awkward square.} Ke8 11. Nc3 Bd7 ({RR} 11... a5 12. Bf4 ({RR} 12. g4 Ne7 13. Kg2 Ng6 ({RR} 13... h5 14. Kg3 Ng6 15. Bg5 Be6 16. Re1 Be7) 14. Kg3 Be7 15. Re1 Be6 16. Nd4 Rd8 17. Nxe6 ({RR} 17. Nf5 Bxf5 18. gxf5 Bh4+ 19. Kf3 Ne7) 17... fxe6) ({RR} 12. Ne2 Bc5 13. g4 Ne7 14. Nf4 Be6 15. Nh5 Rg8 16. Nd4 Nd5 17. Nxe6 fxe6 18. c4 Nb6 19. b3 a4) 12... Be6 13. g4 Ne7 14. Nd4 Nd5 15. Nce2 Bc5 ({RR} 15... h5 16. Nxe6 fxe6 17. c4 Nb6 18. b3 hxg4 19. hxg4 a4 20. Kg2) 16. Nxe6 fxe6 17. c4 Nb6 18. b3 a4 19. Bd2 Kf7 20. Bc3 Rhd8 21. Rxd8 Rxd8 22. Kg2 Rd3 23. Rc1 ({RR} 23. f4 g6) 23... g5 24. Rc2 axb3 25. axb3 Nd7 26. Ra2 {Kasparov,G (2849)-Kramnik,V (2770) London 2000 CBM 080 [Wedberg,Tom] ½-½ (33)}) ({RR} 11... a6 12. Bf4 Bd7 13. Rd3 Ne7 14. Rad1 Be6 15. Nd4 Bc4 16. R3d2 c5 17. Nb3 b6 18. e6 fxe6 19. Bxc7 Nd5 20. Nxd5 Bxd5 21. Bxb6 c4 22. Nc1 c3 23. bxc3 Rc8 24. Ba5 Be7 25. Nb3 Bf6 26. Bb4) 12. Bf4 ({RR} 12. b3 Rd8 13. Bb2 h5 14. g3 Be7 15. Kg2 Be6 16. Ne2 g5 17. c4 c5 18. Rxd8+ Bxd8 19. Rd1 Rg8 20. Nh2 Bd7 21. Nc3 Bc6+ 22. Nd5 Kd7 23. g4 hxg4 24. Nxg4 Kc8 25. Kf3 Rh8 26. Kg2 Nh4+) ({RR} 12. b3 Bb4 13. Ne2 a5 14. Bb2 h5 15. Nf4 Rh6 16. g3 Be7 17. h4 a4 18. c4 c5 19. Nd5 Bd8 20. Bc3 Rha6 21. b4 cxb4 22. Bxb4 Rc6 23. c5 a3 24. Rd3 Rca6 25. Nf4 Bb5 26. Rc3 g6 {Campos Jimenez,A (2296)-Parra Cabrera,E (2225) Santiago de Cuba 2018 1-0 (49)}) 12... Rd8 13. Ne4 $146 {This is the new move. In the aforementioned game against Ponomariov, I played 13.e6 and didn't pose serious problems to my opponent.} (13. e6 Bxe6 14. Bxc7 Rxd1+ ({RR} 14... Rd7 15. Rxd7 Kxd7 16. Bh2 Bd6 17. Rd1 Ke7 18. Bxd6+ Nxd6 19. Nd4 Bd7) 15. Rxd1 Be7 16. g4 Nh4 17. Nd4 Bd7 18. Re1 Kf8 19. Bg3 g5 20. Bxh4 gxh4 21. Ne4 Kg7 {, although perhaps if I had played more accurately here I could have counted on a minuscule advantage.}) ({RR} 13. a3 Bc8 14. Rxd8+ ({RR} 14. g4) 14... Kxd8 15. Rd1+ Ke8 16. Ne4 h5 17. Bg5 Be7 18. g3 Be6 19. Nc3 f6 20. Bf4 Bd8 21. exf6 ({RR} 21. Re1) 21... gxf6 22. Kh2 Kf7 23. Nd4 Bc8 ({RR} 23... Nxd4) 24. Nxf5 Bxf5 25. Rd2 a5 ({RR} 25... Re8) 26. Kg2 Ke8 27. Nd1 Rh7 {Van Kampen,R (2456)-Balogh,C (2601) Aix les Bains 2011 CBM 142 Extra [ChessBase II] ½-½ (42)}) ({RR} 13. g4) ({RR} 13. e6 Bxe6 14. Bxc7 Rxd1+ 15. Rxd1 Be7 16. g4 Nh4 17. Nd4 Bd7 18. Re1 Kf8 19. Bg3 g5 20. Bxh4 gxh4 21. Ne4 Kg7 22. Kg2 Rd8 23. c3 h5 24. f3 Bc8 25. Nf5+ Bxf5 26. gxf5 Rd5 27. c4 Rxf5 {Caruana,F (2779)-Ponomariov,R (2756) Elancourt 2013 CBM 157 [ChessBase Website] ½-½ (46)}) ({RR} 13. e6 Bxe6 14. Bxc7 Rd7 15. Rxd7 Kxd7 16. Bh2 Bd6 17. Rd1 Ke7 18. Bxd6+ Nxd6 19. Nd4 Bd7 {½-½ (19) Hanemann,I (2188)-Huisl,W (2284) Germany 2009}) 13... Be7 {I was happy to see this move. After the trade of knights White's position is very comfortable.} (13... c5 $5 {seems like the most critical move. I was planning} 14. e6 Bxe6 15. Bxc7 Rc8 16. Bh2 {, with a small advantage, but Black should be able to defend with accuracy.}) 14. g4 Nh4 15. Nxh4 Bxh4 16. Kg2 Be6 17. f3 b6 18. b3 c5 $6 {A strategic mistake. After the game, Magnus said he wanted to use the d4-square but underestimated the importance of the d5-square.} ({I was expecting} 18... Rd7 19. c4 Kd8 {If Black is given time to play ...c8 and ...d8 he will have a fine position. White has to act fast:} 20. Bg3 Be7 21. f4 g6 22. Rf1 $1 {, and the threat of f5 is very unpleasant.}) 19. c4 ({Perhaps} 19. Bg3 Be7 20. c4 {was more accurate.}) 19... Rd7 (19... Rd4 20. Be3 Rxd1 21. Rxd1 {doesn't solve Black's problems.}) 20. Bg3 Be7 21. Rxd7 Bxd7 {Understandably, Magnus wanted his bishop out of the way of f4-f5.} ({However,} 21... Kxd7 {was a stronger alternative.} 22. f4 g6 23. Rf1 Kc8 24. f5 gxf5 25. gxf5 Bd7 {and it isn't easy to prove a clear advantage for White.}) 22. Nc3 Kd8 $6 ({It made sense to set up a passive but solid defensive formation.} 22... Bd8 23. Nd5 Bc8 {, and just sit and wait, unpleasant though it may be.}) 23. Nd5 Re8 {Magnus played this and the next move surprisingly quickly. He was probably already disgusted with his position.} ({After} 23... c6 {, White should simplify into an opposite colored bishop ending:} 24. Nxe7 Kxe7 25. f4 {, with good winning chances.}) 24. Rd1 Kc8 $4 {Just losing a pawn for nothing. It's hard to say what Magnus overlooked.} (24... c6 25. Nxe7 (25. Nc7 Rg8 26. e6 fxe6 27. Nxe6+ Kc8) 25... Rxe7 26. Bh4 g5 27. Bg3 {is awful for Black, but there was already no choice.}) 25. Nxc7 Rd8 26. Nd5 {Besides being up a pawn, White also has a commanding position.} Re8 27. Be1 Bd8 28. Bc3 g6 29. Kg3 ({I would prefer} 29. a4 $1 {, snuffing out any hopes of counterplay.}) 29... b5 30. cxb5 Bxb5 31. Ne3 Re6 32. f4 Ra6 {Black is trying to create counterplay any way he can, but White is too solid.} 33. Rd2 h5 34. gxh5 gxh5 35. Nf5 Rg6+ 36. Kh2 Bc6 37. Nd6+ Kb8 38. f5 Rg8 39. f6 $1 {An important move, blocking the bishop's access to h4.} Bb6 40. Nc4 $2 {With 2 minutes on my clock for the last move, I got spooked by Black's counterplay with ...c4 and committed a serious inaccuracy.} (40. Nxf7 $1 c4 41. h4 $1 {is the game.}) 40... Re8 $2 {Giving me a second chance! I calculated a bit and decided to take the pawn.} (40... Bc7 41. Ba5 {is probably winning for White, but he could have put up serious resistance.}) 41. Nd6 Rg8 42. Nxf7 $1 {A pawn is a pawn, after all.} c4 43. h4 Rg4 44. e6 {This is what I hadn't seen before the time control. The bishop will protect everything from e5.} Be3 45. Be5+ Ka8 46. Rd8+ Kb7 47. Bg3 c3 48. Rb8+ Ka6 49. Rc8 Bd5 ({During the game I spent some time figuring out what happens after} 49... Rc4 50. bxc4 c2 51. Rxc6+ Ka5 52. Bc7+ Ka4 53. Ra6+ Kb4 54. Bd6+ Kc3 55. Ba3 {Good calculation, but unfortunately I missed a mate in two with 52.e1!}) 50. Rxc3 Bd4 51. Rd3 Re4 52. Rd2 Rxe6 53. Ng5 1-0

[Event "Gashimov Memorial-A 1st"]
[Site "Shamkir"]
[Date "2014.04.29"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Radjabov, Teimour"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C93"]
[WhiteElo "2713"]
[BlackElo "2881"]
[PlyCount "201"]
[EventDate "2014.04.20"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "AZE"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 160"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.05.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.05.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 d6 8. c3 O-O 9. h3 Bb7 10. d4 Re8 11. Nbd2 Bf8 12. a3 h6 13. Bc2 Nb8 14. b3 Nbd7 15. Bb2 Rb8 16. a4 c5 17. d5 Bc8 18. axb5 axb5 19. Bd3 Nh5 20. Bf1 Ndf6 $146 ({RR} 20... g6 21. Nh2 Ng7 22. Bd3 Nf6 23. Qe2 Bd7 24. Qe3 Ngh5 25. Bf1 Nh7 26. c4 b4 27. Ng4 Ng5 28. Be2 Bg7 29. Ra7 Nf4 30. h4 Nh7 31. g3 Nxe2+ 32. Qxe2 f5 33. Ne3 Ra8 34. Rea1 Rxa7 35. Rxa7 {Harikrishna,P (2744)-Ivanchuk,V (2726) Riadh 2017 1-0 (49)}) ({RR} 20... Nf4 21. g3 Ng6 22. Qc2 Nf6 23. Ra7 Bd7 24. Rea1 Re7 25. Qb1 Be8 26. R7a6 Reb7 27. R1a5 Bd7 28. Qa2 Be7 29. Ra8 Qc8 30. Kh2 Bd8 31. Rxb8 Rxb8 32. Ra6 Rb6 33. Ra7 Rb7 34. Ra8 Rb8 35. Ra7 {Quesada Perez,Y (2598)-Chigaev,M (2588) Lichess.org INT 2020 0-1 (68)}) 21. Ra7 Nf4 22. Qa1 Ng6 23. Qa5 Qxa5 24. Rxa5 Bd7 25. Rea1 Rb7 26. Ne1 Reb8 27. Nc2 Ne8 28. Ra8 Rxa8 29. Rxa8 Nc7 30. Ra5 Be7 31. c4 Bg5 32. Ne3 Bxe3 33. fxe3 b4 34. Bd3 Kf8 35. Kh2 Ke7 36. Nf3 Rb8 37. Ra7 Kd8 38. Bc1 Ra8 39. Rxa8+ Nxa8 40. Bd2 Nc7 41. Be1 Ne8 42. Nd2 Nf6 43. Bc2 Nf8 44. Bd3 Ke7 45. Bc2 N8h7 46. Nf1 Kf8 47. Bf2 g6 48. Be1 Kg7 49. Bf2 h5 50. Be1 Ng8 51. Bf2 Nh6 52. Nd2 g5 53. g3 Nf6 54. Kg2 Nhg8 55. Bd3 Ne7 56. Be2 Ng6 57. Bd1 Kh6 58. Be2 Ne7 59. Bd1 Kg6 60. Be2 Neg8 61. Bd1 Nh6 62. Be2 Nhg8 63. Bd1 Ne7 64. Be2 Nc8 65. Bd1 Nb6 66. Be1 Ng8 67. Bf2 Nh6 68. Be1 f6 69. Bf2 Nf7 70. g4 hxg4 71. hxg4 Nd8 72. Nf1 Nb7 73. Ng3 Na5 74. Nf5 Nb7 75. Kf1 Kf7 76. Ke2 Bc8 77. Kd3 Ke8 78. Ng3 Na5 79. Nf1 Kd8 80. Nd2 Kc7 81. Kc2 Bd7 82. Be2 Nc8 83. Nf1 Ne7 84. Ng3 Ng8 85. Nf5 Bxf5 86. exf5 e4 87. Bg3 Nh6 88. Bd1 Kd7 89. Be2 Ke7 90. Bd1 Nb7 91. Kd2 Nd8 92. Ke1 Ndf7 93. Kf2 Ne5 94. Bxe5 fxe5 95. Be2 Ng8 96. Ke1 Nf6 97. Kd2 Kf8 98. Ke1 Ke7 99. Kd2 Kf8 100. Ke1 Ke7 101. Kd2 1/2-1/2

[Event "Norway Chess 2nd"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2014.06.09"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Karjakin, Sergey"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C67"]
[WhiteElo "2771"]
[BlackElo "2881"]
[Annotator "Marin,Mihail"]
[PlyCount "76"]
[EventDate "2014.06.03"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 161"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.07.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.07.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. d4 Nd6 6. Bxc6 dxc6 7. dxe5 Nf5 8. Qxd8+ Kxd8 9. h3 Bd7 10. Rd1 Be7 11. g4 Nh4 12. Nxh4 Bxh4 13. Nd2 Kc8 14. Ne4 $146 {aiming to force events.} (14. Nf3 {leads to more consistent play.} Be7 15. Rd3 h6 16. Nd4 Re8 17. Bf4 c5 18. Nf5 Bf8 19. c4 a6 20. Ne3 b5 21. b3 g5 22. Bg3 Be6 23. Rad1 Kb7 24. h4 Kc6 25. h5 Reb8 26. f3 a5 $132 {Caruana,F (2782)-Grischuk,A (2785) Warsaw 2013 (½-½ , 42). Both sides are well regrouped and have their achievements on opposite wings.}) 14... b6 15. Bg5 Bxg5 16. Nxg5 h6 17. Nxf7 {The start of a spectacular sequence resulting in almost complete simplifying.} Re8 18. f4 Be6 19. Nxh6 gxh6 20. f5 Bxf5 (20... Bd5 21. e6 {looks slightly dangerous for Black. He probably should give away the bishop with ...xe6 anyway, now or in the near future.}) 21. gxf5 Rxe5 22. Rf1 Kd7 $1 {The king's activity will keep trouble away despite the "half-a-pawn" disadvantage.} 23. Rad1+ Ke7 $146 24. Rfe1 Kf6 25. Rxe5 Kxe5 26. Rd7 c5 27. Kf2 Rf8 28. Rxc7 Rxf5+ 29. Kg3 Rg5+ 30. Kf2 Rf5+ 31. Ke2 Rh5 32. Rxa7 Rxh3 33. Rb7 Rh2+ 34. Kd3 Kd5 35. Rxb6 Rh3+ 36. Kd2 Rh2+ 37. Kd3 Rh3+ 38. Kd2 Rh2+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "Olympiad-41"]
[Site "Tromsoe"]
[Date "2014.08.04"]
[Round "3.1"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Djukic, Nikola"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B01"]
[WhiteElo "2877"]
[BlackElo "2521"]
[PlyCount "89"]
[EventDate "2014.08.02"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 162"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.09.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.09.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Norway"]
[BlackTeam "Montenegro"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "NOR"]
[BlackTeamCountry "MNE"]

1. e4 d5 2. exd5 Qxd5 3. Nc3 Qd8 4. d4 Nf6 5. Nf3 Bg4 6. h3 Bxf3 7. Qxf3 c6 8. Qd3 e6 9. g3 Nbd7 10. Bg2 Bd6 11. O-O O-O 12. a3 $146 ({RR} 12. b3 Re8 13. Bb2 Qc7 14. Rad1 Rad8 15. Rfe1 a6 16. Qf3 Qa5 17. a3 Qc7 18. Nb1 e5 19. dxe5 Bxe5 20. Nc3 Nc5 21. b4 Nce4 22. Rxd8 Qxd8 23. Nxe4 Bxb2 24. Rd1 Qe7 25. Nd6 Rd8 26. Nxb7 Rd5 {Kulaots,K (2556)-Pohjala,H (2382) Tallinn 2016 1-0 (42)}) ({RR} 12. Re1 Re8 13. Ne4 Nxe4 14. Qxe4 Nf6 15. Qe2 Bc7 16. c3 a6 17. Bd2 Bb6 18. Rad1 Qc7 19. Bg5 Nd5 20. c4 Ne7 21. Bf4 Qc8 22. h4 Ng6 23. Be3 h6 24. h5 Ne7 25. Be4 Ba5 26. Rf1 b5 {Buchenau,F (2205)-Schuster,K (2266) chess.com INT 2025 1-0 (38)}) 12... Qc7 13. Rd1 Rad8 14. b3 Rfe8 15. Bb2 a6 16. Ne2 e5 17. c4 exd4 18. Nxd4 Be5 19. Qc2 c5 20. Nf3 Bxb2 21. Qxb2 Nf8 22. Nh4 Ng6 23. Nf5 Ne7 24. Ne3 b6 25. b4 Nc6 26. Rxd8 Rxd8 27. Rb1 cxb4 28. axb4 Ne5 29. Qc3 Rd3 30. Qa1 h5 31. Qxa6 h4 32. g4 Rd2 33. c5 bxc5 34. b5 Ned7 35. b6 Qf4 36. Qa8+ Kh7 37. Qf3 Qxf3 38. Bxf3 Rd4 39. b7 Rb4 40. Rd1 Ne5 41. Bg2 Nfd7 42. Nc2 Rf4 43. Rd5 f6 44. Rxc5 Nb8 45. Rc8 1-0

[Event "Olympiad-41"]
[Site "Tromsoe"]
[Date "2014.08.05"]
[Round "4.1"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Wojtaszek, Radoslaw"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B25"]
[WhiteElo "2877"]
[BlackElo "2735"]
[Annotator "Marin,Mihail"]
[PlyCount "65"]
[EventDate "2014.08.02"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 162"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.09.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.09.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Norway"]
[BlackTeam "Poland"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "NOR"]
[BlackTeamCountry "POL"]

1. e4 {For a moment, this move made me curious: will we see a fierce theoretical dispute in the Najdorf?!} c5 2. Nc3 {Not really! Just some complex positional struggle with mobile pawn chains and all pieces on the board. In the '60s, the Closed Sicilian used to be a deadly weapon in Spassky's hands. Players like Geller and Larsen (the latter also with reversed colours, 1.c4 e5) were crushed during Spassky's campaigns for the world title.} d6 ({The man who did find an antidote to Spassky's treatment of the Sicilian was Viktor Korchnoi. During their 1968 Candidates final he twice answered} 2... e6 {followed by ...d7-d5. Black had some light pressure in both games but they ended in draws. In order to win the match, Spassky found no other solution than... winning with Black and switching to 1. d4 when playing with White. It remains an open question what would Carlsen do against 2...e6. True, he twice faced this move, but this happened in 2002 when he was rated 2171...}) 3. g3 Nc6 4. Bg2 g6 5. d3 Bg7 6. Be3 ({Spassky almost always played} 6. f4 {The aforementioned games went} e5 7. Nh3 exf4 (7... Nge7 8. O-O Nd4 9. f5 gxf5 10. Qh5 $44 h6 11. Rf2 Be6 12. Be3 Qd7 13. Raf1 O-O-O 14. Nd5 fxe4 15. Nxe7+ Qxe7 16. Bxd4 cxd4 17. Rxf7 Qe8 18. Bxe4 Rf8 19. Bf5 Qxf7 20. Qxf7 Rxf7 21. Bxe6+ Rfd7 22. Rf7 Kc7 23. Bxd7 Rxd7 24. Rxd7+ Kxd7 25. Kg2 {The complications petered out in an ending which is more pleasant for White. Hort did not defend the best way and lost in Spassky,B (2630)-Hort,V (2620) Bugojno 1978 MCL [Bulletin] (1-0, 41)}) 8. Bxf4 Nge7 9. O-O h6 10. Rb1 O-O 11. a3 Be6 12. Be3 Ne5 13. Nf4 Bd7 14. Kh1 Rc8 15. Qd2 Kh7 16. h3 {It is interesting to compare Spassky's regrouping starting from this moment with Carlsen's.} Bc6 17. g4 Qd7 18. Rf2 b6 19. Rbf1 Bb7 20. Qe2 Rce8 21. Bc1 Kg8 22. Qe3 b5 23. Qg3 b4 24. axb4 cxb4 25. Nd1 {[%cal Gd1e3] Black's play surely was more harmonious than Wojtaszek's, but this did not prevent White from including practically all his pieces in the inevitable attack. In principle, the position is unclear yet, but White's attacking potential eventually prevailed in Spassky,B (2610)-Portisch,L (2625) Geneve 1977 (1-0, 40)}) 6... e5 {Black adopts Botvinnik's English triangle with reversed colours, a system I had recommended in my English Opening books. I have to add a small correction: the system is good unless you are facing Carlsen. But does this not apply for any other opening?!} 7. Nh3 {This way of developing the knight was also one of Spassky's favourites. I must confess that when following Carlsen's play I have every time the temptation to compare him with another World Champion from the past: now Fischer, later Lasker, but today we surely have Boris Vassilievich in the background. On more concrete terms, what could be the great idea behind the last move? Shouldn't the knight (after f2-f4) go to f3, controlling the important central d4- and e5-squares? Actually, it would be of little use to put pressure on such well defended squares, so it is a good idea to be heading for the only weakness in Black's setup, the d5-square. After the planned f2-f4, the prospect of a knight jump to f4-d5 somwehat restricts Black's options.} ({The vast majority of the games continue with} 7. Qd2 {for instance} Nge7 8. f4 Nd4 9. Nf3 O-O 10. O-O exf4 11. Bxf4 Nxf3+ 12. Rxf3 Qb6 {Adams,M (2708)-Kramnik,V (2760) Las Vegas 1999 CBM 072 [Donev] (½-½, 78)}) 7... Nge7 8. f4 Nd4 {Since the knight will be forced to retreat after only four moves, this looks like a mere loss of time.} ({But Black must have feared that after the natural} 8... O-O {White would carry out the thematic attack} 9. f5 gxf5 10. Qh5 Nd4 11. O-O-O {(which, under slightly difficult circumstances occurred in one of Spassky's games, above!) Black is under no immediate threats, but the weakness of the light squares and of his king's position may accumulate into a promising positional white attack.}) 9. O-O O-O 10. Qd2 Bd7 {This move may be all right, but instinctively I would feel that it does not keep Black's harmony.} (10... Rb8 {getting ready for either ...6 and ...b7 or ...5-b4, looks more flexible.} 11. Rf2 f6 $1 {A typical method of restricting White's kingside activity. It occurs in the English triangle quite often, too (in its mirrored version f2-f3, of course).} 12. Raf1 (12. fxe5 dxe5 $15 {[%cal Gc8e6]} 13. Nd5 Nxd5 14. exd5 Bxh3 15. Bxh3 Qxd5) 12... Be6 13. Nd5 (13. Kh1 Qd7 14. Ng1 b5 {Lutovac,M (2200)-Ciocaltea,V (2465) Bar 1977 (0-1, 65)}) 13... Bxd5 14. exd5 Nef5 15. g4 Nxe3 (15... Nh6 $1) 16. Qxe3 {Shaw,J (2280)-Sher,M (2510) Hastings 1995 (0-1, 52)} f5 $15) ({The immediate} 10... f6 $5 {is also interesting, but has never been tested between strong players.}) ({RR} 10... Bg4 11. Ng5 f6 12. Nf3 Qd7 13. Rf2 b5 14. Raf1 Rac8 15. Nd1 exf4 16. Bxf4 d5 17. Nxd4 cxd4 18. Bh6 dxe4 19. dxe4 Nc6 20. Bxg7 Kxg7 21. c3 Rcd8 22. cxd4 Bxd1 23. e5 fxe5 24. d5 Bg4 25. Rxf8 {Bachmann,A (2629)-Gukesh,D (2520) Douglas 2019 0-1 (39)}) ({RR} 10... f6 11. Nd1 Be6 12. c3 Ndc6 13. fxe5 Nxe5 14. Ndf2 g5 15. b3 Qd7 16. d4 cxd4 17. cxd4 Ng4 18. Nxg4 Bxg4 19. Nf2 Be6 20. Kh1 d5 21. Nd3 b6 22. e5 h6 23. exf6 Bxf6 24. Rae1 Nf5 25. Bg1 {Olcum,A (2229)-Kostiukov,A (2271) chess.com INT 2025 0-1 (64)}) 11. Nd1 $5 {A multi-purpose move. White prepares to expell the d4-knight and to consolidate his h3-knight at the same time.} Qc8 $6 $146 {Another disharmonious move.} (11... exf4 $6 12. Nxf4 Ne6 13. c3 Nxf4 14. Bxf4 Be6 15. Bh6 (15. d4 $5) 15... d5 16. Bxg7 Kxg7 17. Qf4 Rc8 18. Ne3 $36 {Jurkovic,H (2270)-Hulak,K (2530) Pula 1994 (½-½, 44)}) (11... b6 $5 $146 {(See also my next comment)} 12. c3 Ndc6 13. Ndf2 Qc7 14. Rae1 Rad8) 12. Ndf2 Ndc6 $146 ({RR} 12... Rb8 13. c3 Ndc6 14. Ng5 b6 15. Rac1 f6 16. Nf3 Be6 17. b3 d5 18. fxe5 fxe5 19. Bh6 d4 20. cxd4 Nxd4 21. Nxd4 exd4 22. Bf4 Rb7 23. Bd6 Qc6 24. e5 Bd5 25. Ne4 Rxf1+ 26. Rxf1 Nf5 27. Qg5 {Schelle,A (2190)-Richter,G (2055) Bayerisch Eisenstein 2017 1-0}) 13. c3 b5 $2 ({One rule I knew as a kid is that if there is some tension in the centre Black should consolidate his c5-pawn with} 13... b6 {In this concrete position, the idea would be meeting} 14. fxe5 {with} dxe5 {, preventing the radical activation of the h3-knight.}) 14. fxe5 $1 Nxe5 15. Bh6 $14 {The most precise move order. Such a positive move as h3-f4 should not obstruct the bishop. Besides, exchanging the g7-bishop will weaken the kingside and turn Black's queenside counter-attack into something similar to an infantry assault without the support of the artilery.} N7c6 16. Bxg7 Kxg7 17. Nf4 Qd8 {After the bishop exchange, it looks natural to return with the queen to the dark squares, for both defensive and offensive purposes. But I cannot help comparing the two rival Majesties, suggesting an advantage for the white queen. From d2, it also controls dark squares on both wings, but it does not prevent the connection of the rooks! Ironically, Black will manage to connect rooks only on move 29, but that will be just a speeding up of the defeat!} 18. Rad1 Rc8 19. Qe2 {Controlling the g4-square and taking the queen out of the e5-knight's range (d3-d4, ...c4) in order to prepare the central expansion.} h5 $6 {The final phase of the game induces the thought that Black should have abstained from this weakening of the kingside. But the sad thing is that Black has no active plan available and has to live with the positional threat of d3-d4.} 20. d4 cxd4 21. cxd4 Ng4 22. h3 Nxf2 23. Qxf2 {White's progress over the past moves is obvious, while for Black it remains difficult to formulate a coherent plan.} Ne7 {Black's worries regarding the d5-square are justified, but the knight stands awfully on e7.} 24. Rd3 $1 {With the centre firmly in White's hands, such rook lifts tend to be rather annoying. But, ironically, this move would not have been possible had Black not occupied the b5-square with the pawn!} b4 {The threat ...b5 arrives too late. Things will start happening on the kingside.} 25. Rf3 Qe8 $2 {Black surely did not know what to do with his queen in this game. It looks as if the strongest piece is searching on purpose for the most passive squares.} ({Black spent a tempo on over-defending f7, since} 25... Bb5 $2 {would allow the decisive blow} 26. Nxh5+ $1) ({A safer way to parry the sacrifice on h5 was} 25... Kg8 26. g4 $1 {This is slightly less strong than in the game, but quite annoying anyway.} (26. d5 Bb5 27. Re1 Qc7 $14 {[%csl Re7]}) (26. Nxh5 $6 gxh5 27. Rxf7 Ng6 28. e5 Qg5 $132) 26... hxg4 27. hxg4 Bxg4 28. Rg3 Qd7 29. d5 a5 30. Qd4 {[%cal Gg2h3,Gg4h3,Rg3h3,Rh3h8]} f6 {[%csl Ge6]} 31. Bh3 Bxh3 32. Nxh3 Rf7 33. Nf4 $16) 26. g4 {With the black pawn on h7, this would have just been a way to increase the positional domination by blocking the enemy structure with g4-g5. But the way it is, the open file will be opened, with fatal consequences for Black.} ({White's positon was so good already that there was another, much simpler, win:} 26. d5 {[%csl Ga7,Gg7][%cal Gf2d4,Gd4b4]} a5 27. Qd4+ Kg8 (27... f6 28. Ne6+ Bxe6 29. Rxf6 $18) 28. Qf6 {[%cal Gf6d6] Black's lack of coordination is pathetic.}) 26... hxg4 27. hxg4 Bb5 (27... Bxg4 {would just open another file for White's attack:} 28. Rg3 Qd7 29. Bh3 $1 {Attacking the main defender of the g-file.} f5 (29... Bxh3 30. Nh5+ {is curtains.}) 30. d5 {with such threats as d4+ and e6+.}) 28. Re1 Qd8 {This queen surely has moved a lot. And it did it with short steps, as if it was the least mobile piece on board, the king.} 29. g5 Qb6 $6 {The first relatively long queen move loses by force, but it is hard to give an advice for Black. Apart from the game manoeuvre he threatens h3 with combined threats along the h-file and on f6. White would win with simple moves even if Black had restricted himself to a status quo policy.} (29... a5 30. d5 {[%csl Ra7][%cal Gf2d4,Gf3h3,Rd8b6]} Rh8 31. Bh3 $18 {[%cal Gh3c8]} Rc7 32. Ne6+ fxe6 33. Rf7+ Kg8 34. Rg7+ Kxg7 35. Qf6+ Kg8 36. Bxe6+ Kh7 37. Qf7#) (29... Bd7 30. Rf1 {[%csl Gf7]}) (29... Rb8 30. Rh3 a5 31. Rh6 a4 (31... Rh8 32. Ne6+ $1) 32. Nh5+ gxh5 33. Qf6+ Kg8 34. Qh8#) 30. Bh3 Rcd8 31. Be6 {Quite a nasty visit!} Be8 32. Nd5 (32. Rh3 {with the threat h5+ followed by f6+ and xh5 is more spectacular. Had Black retreated his rook to b8 rather than d8, this might have been Carlsen's choice. But with the d8-square unavailable to the black queen, his solution is simple and effective.}) 32... Nxd5 33. Bxd5 {Black resigned... in what looks a "normal" position. It would be so with the h-file closed. Under the given circumstances, the threat h3 followed by f6+ is decisive.} 1-0

[Event "Olympiad-41"]
[Site "Tromsoe"]
[Date "2014.08.08"]
[Round "6.1"]
[White "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B01"]
[WhiteElo "2801"]
[BlackElo "2877"]
[Annotator "Marin,Mihail"]
[PlyCount "100"]
[EventDate "2014.08.02"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 162"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.09.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.09.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Italy"]
[BlackTeam "Norway"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "ITA"]
[BlackTeamCountry "NOR"]

1. e4 {Mueller,Karsten} d5 {A big surprise on the very first move: Carlsen has never played the Scandinavian before! His opening choice must be a bit more than a display of peninsular patriotism; if intended as a psychological weapon, it worked wonderfully well. The Scandinavian Defence used to be a frequent guest in Bent Larsen's games, but otherwise it is very uncommon at such a high level. True, when things started going wrong during his match with Kasparov, Anand unexpectedly used this opening and even got an advantage with it, but this was just an exception.} 2. exd5 Qxd5 3. Nc3 {White gets a developing tempo for free, but placing the knight in front of the c-pawn is likely to restrict his strategic possibilities. I remember that when 30 years ago I switched from 1.e4 to 1.d4, one of my main ghosts was precisely the Scandinavian. I simply could not find a way to a harmonious development!} ({If I should no decide to switch back to 1.e4, I would consider} 3. d4 {, aiming for a development based on c4, c3, f3, with full control in the centre. One possible problem is that after} e5 {White's advantage might prove symbolic.}) 3... Qd8 {Without being new, of course, this really looks provocative. After three moves Black has not developed any piece yet! But on the other hand, he will not have to spend additional time retreating with his queen from d6 or a5, whenever attacked by a white minor piece.} ({RR} 3... Qa5) ({RR} 3... Qd6) 4. d4 Nf6 5. Nf3 Bg4 6. h3 Bxf3 ({RR} 6... Bh5 7. g4 ({RR} 7. Be3 e6 8. a3 c6 9. Bd3 Bd6 10. g4 Bg6 11. Ne5 Nbd7 12. f4 Bxd3 13. Qxd3 h5 14. g5 Nd5 15. Nxd5 cxd5 16. g6 Qh4+ 17. Bf2 Qxf4 18. gxf7+ Kd8 19. Ng6 Qh6 20. Nxh8 Qxh8 21. Bh4+) ({RR} 7. Bf4 e6 8. Be2 Bd6 9. Ne5 Bg6 10. Bf3 c6 11. Qe2 Bb4 12. O-O Nbd7 13. Nxg6 hxg6 14. d5 cxd5 15. Nxd5 Nxd5 16. Bxd5 Qb6 17. Rfd1 O-O 18. Bf3) 7... Bg6 8. Ne5 e6 9. Bg2 c6 ({RR} 9... Nd5 10. Nxd5 exd5 11. Qe2 Be7 12. Qb5+ Nd7 13. Nxg6 hxg6 14. Qxd5 c6 15. Qf3 O-O 16. O-O Nb6 17. c3 Re8 18. Bf4 Qd7 19. Rad1) 10. O-O Nbd7 11. Qe2 Nxe5 12. dxe5 Nd7 ({RR} 12... Nd5 13. Ne4 Bxe4 14. Qxe4 {RR} Bc5 15. a3 a5 16. Rd1 Qh4 17. Qe2 h5 18. c4 hxg4 19. cxd5 gxh3 20. Bf3 Bxf2+ 21. Qxf2 h2+ 22. Kf1 h1=Q+ 23. Bxh1 Qxh1+ 24. Ke2 Qh5+ 25. Qf3 Qxe5+) 13. Ne4 h5 14. Bf4 hxg4 15. hxg4 Qa5 16. Rad1 O-O-O 17. a3 Be7 18. Nd6+ Bxd6 19. Rxd6) 7. Qxf3 c6 8. Ne2 {An almost new and logical move, clearing the path for the c-pawn in an attempt to restore White's harmony. However, the knight will still need doing a bit of jumping before reaching a perfect square.} ({The usual continuation is} 8. Be3 {see for instance the heavily annotated game Kovacevic,A (2525)-Georgiev,K (2670) Belgrade 1997 CBM 062 [Mueller,Karsten] (0-1, 47)}) ({RR} 8. Be3 e6 9. O-O-O ({RR} 9. Bd3 Nbd7 10. O-O Be7 ({RR} 10... Qc7 11. Ne2 Nd5 12. Bd2 Nb4 13. Bc4 Nf6 14. a3 Nbd5 15. Bb3 b5 16. Rac1 b4 17. c4 bxc3 18. Nxc3 Qd7 19. Ba4 Rc8 20. Nxd5 Nxd5 21. Rc4 Bd6 22. Rfc1 Ne7 23. Bxc6 Nxc6 24. Rxc6 Rxc6 25. Qxc6) 11. Rad1 Qa5 12. Qg3 O-O 13. Qh4 Qh5 14. Qxh5 Nxh5 15. Ne4 Nhf6 16. c3 {RR} Nxe4 17. Bxe4 Nf6 18. Bf3) 9... Bb4 10. Bd2 ({RR} 10. Bc4 Bxc3 11. bxc3 Qa5) 10... O-O ({RR} 10... Qxd4 11. Nb5 ({RR} 11. Bh6 Qe5 12. Bxg7 Qg5+) 11... Qb6 ({RR} 11... Bxd2+ 12. Rxd2 Qb6 13. Nd6+ Kf8 14. g4) ({RR} 11... cxb5 12. Qxb7 O-O 13. Bxb4 Qxb4 14. Qxa8) 12. Be3 ({RR} 12. Bxb4 cxb5 13. Ba5 Qxa5 14. Qxb7 O-O 15. Qxa8 Qxa2) 12... Qa5 13. c3 cxb5 14. Qxb7 O-O 15. Qxa8 Bxc3 16. Qxa7 Qb4 ({RR} 16... Na6) 17. Qa3) 11. g4 ({RR} 11. Ne4 {RR} Bxd2+ 12. Rxd2 Nxe4 13. Qxe4 Nd7) 11... Qxd4 12. Bd3 ({RR} 12. g5 Nfd7 ({RR} 12... Nd5 13. Nxd5 cxd5 14. c3 Qc5 15. Kb1 Ba5 16. b4 Qb6 17. Ka1) 13. h4) 12... Nbd7 13. Bf4 ({RR} 13. g5 Ne5) 13... Qb6 ({RR} 13... Bxc3 14. bxc3 ({RR} 14. Bxh7+ Nxh7 15. Rxd4 Bxd4 16. Rd1 e5) 14... Qa4 {RR} 15. Kb2) ({RR} 13... Ne5 14. Bxh7+ Kxh7 15. Qg3) 14. Ne2 Rfd8 15. h4 ({RR} 15. g5 Nd5 16. Qh5 Nf8) 15... Qa5 16. c3 ({RR} 16. Kb1 Ne5 17. Bxe5 Qxe5) 16... Be7 17. Bb1 Ne5 18. Bxe5 ({RR} 18. Qg3 Nc4 ({RR} 18... Nexg4 19. f3 e5 20. Bd2)) 18... Qxe5 19. g5 Rxd1+ 20. Rxd1 Nd5 21. Rd4 ({RR} 21. Qd3 g6 22. Qf3 Rd8) 21... g6 22. Bc2 Rd8 {Kovacevic,A (2525)-Georgiev,K (2670) Belgrade 1997 CBM 062 [Mueller,Karsten] 0-1 (47)}) ({RR} 8. Be3 e6 9. O-O-O Bb4 10. Ne4 Nxe4 11. Qxe4 Qd5 12. Qxd5 cxd5 13. Be2 Nd7 14. g4 Bd6 15. h4 Nf6 16. h5 Ne4 17. f3 Ng3 18. Bb5+ Kf8 19. Rhg1 f5 20. f4 Ne4 21. gxf5 exf5 22. Bd7 Nf6 {Krastev,A (2470)-Reitz,P (1998) Schwaebisch Gmuend GER 2024 1-0 (34)}) 8... e6 $146 {A new move, leaving the queen's acess to d5 open.} ({The only previous game reaching this position went} 8... Nbd7 {deprives Black from the possibility of activating the queen with ...d8-d5, but creates the threat ...e7-e5.} 9. g3 $6 {This does not cross Black's intentions at all.} (9. Bd2 $5 {[%cal Gg2g4,Gc2c4,Gd2c3]} e5 $6 10. O-O-O $32 Bd6 11. g4 $36) 9... g6 {But Black refrains from his main plan. The bishop's development to the fianchetto is typical for a wide range of openings reaching this structure, such as the Alekhine, the Caro Kann, the Pirc and the Scandinavian, of course, but here it loses too much time.} (9... e5 $5 10. Bg2 Qa5+ 11. Bd2 Bb4 12. c3 {[%csl Gd3]} Bd6 13. O-O O-O) 10. Bg2 Bg7 11. O-O O-O 12. Rd1 $14 e5 {With his development almost complete, White is better prepared for this central break.} 13. Qb3 Qc7 14. dxe5 Nxe5 {The structure is almost symmetrical, but the bishop pair may prove a telling factor in the ending. It greatly depends on the way Black will find stability for his knights, especially on dark squares. In the following manoeuvring phase both sides will commit small inaccuracies, typical for such apparently dull positions, which are actually full of subtleties.} 15. Bf4 {The bishop stands actively here, but in the long run the control of the c5-square would be important.} (15. a4 a5 16. Be3 $14) 15... Nfd7 16. a4 Nc5 17. Qb4 Ne6 18. Be3 a5 19. Qb3 Nd7 20. Nc3 $6 {This allows Black to consolidate.} (20. Nf4 $5 $14 {would exchange the e6-knight, shaking Black's overall stability.}) 20... Ndc5 21. Qc4 Na6 (21... Qe7 $5 $11 {would keep Black's stability.}) 22. Rd2 $6 (22. Ne4 $5 Nb4 23. Nc5 Nxc5 24. Bxc5 Rfe8 25. c3 $14) 22... Rfd8 23. Rad1 Rxd2 24. Rxd2 {Fedorchuk,S (2647)-Danielsen,H (2501) Kolkata 2014 (1-0, 39)} Nb4 $5 25. Nb1 Bf8 26. c3 Na6 $11 {[%csl Gc5]}) 9. g4 {Being better developed and enjoying more space, White surely can afford such active moves.} ({But against such a strong strategist as Carlsen, I would consider the more restrained} 9. g3 Qd5 10. Bg2 {True, after} Nbd7 {the queen would not have the g3-square at its disposal, which more or less forces White into castling short. As we will see, Caruana had other plans for his king.}) 9... Qd5 10. Bg2 Nbd7 $146 ({RR} 10... Qxf3 11. Bxf3 Nbd7 12. Bf4 Nd5 13. Bg3 Be7 14. Bg2 h5 15. O-O-O hxg4 16. hxg4 O-O-O 17. c4 N5b6 18. b3 Bf6 19. Kc2 a5 20. Rxh8 Rxh8 21. Nc3 Nb8 22. Ne4 Na6 23. Nd6+ Kd7 24. Nxf7 Nb4+ 25. Kb2 {Valdes Escobar,A (2345)-Garcia Jimenez,F (2259) chess.com INT 2023 0-1 (48)}) ({RR} 10... Qxf3 11. Bxf3 Nbd7 12. Bf4 Nd5 13. Bg3 Be7 14. Bg2 h5 15. O-O-O hxg4 16. hxg4 O-O-O 17. c4 N5b6 18. b3 Bf6 19. Kc2 a5 20. Rxh8 Rxh8 21. Nc3 Nb8 22. Ne4 Na6 23. Nd6+ Kd7 24. Nxf7 Nb4+ 25. Kb2 {Valdes Escobar,A (2345)-Garcia Jimenez,F (2259) chess.com INT 2023 0-1 (48)}) 11. Qg3 Qc4 $1 {After the bishop has parted from the f1-a6 diagonal, the queen can cause some minor problems in the surrounding area.} 12. Qb3 {Caruana spent 25 minutes on this move. This was a critical moment, indeed, when White had to decide whether to exchange queens or not.} ({The main alternative is} 12. c3 {for instance} Be7 13. b3 Qa6 14. Bd2 {[%cal Gc3c4]} O-O 15. c4 Rad8 16. O-O $14 {[%csl Ra6]}) 12... Qxb3 {I would consider this an important strategic concession, allowing White to recapture towards the centre, but Carlsen played it almost without thinking. Eventually, White lost because of his double pawns and even though his position looked very promising for a long while, I will refrain from attaching an "?!" to the last move. Since the Carlsen era seems to be lasting for a while, I suggest introducing a sign for "inspired, even though probably not the best, move". I would use that here.} ({And if I had to choose a move without thinking,} 12... Nb6 {would surely be my candidate. If White wants to exchange queens, let him activate my knight! For instance} 13. Qxc4 Nxc4 14. c3 (14. b3 Na3 {[%csl Ya1,Gc2,Ye1]}) 14... Be7 15. b3 Nd6 (15... Na3 16. O-O {[%csl Ga3]}) 16. c4 h5 17. g5 Nd7 {with a perfect regrouping of the knights.}) 13. axb3 Bd6 14. c4 a6 {Preparing long castling. White has the bishop pair and more space on practically the whole board, but the relative weakness of the b4- and f4-squares offers Black hopes for counterplay.} 15. Be3 ({A natural move, but it would make sense solving one of the aforementioned problems by playing} 15. Bd2 {This could turn the weakness into a strength by means of b4-b5.} O-O-O 16. b4 Kb8 17. O-O) 15... O-O-O 16. O-O-O {Another natural move and again an original available alternative.} ({White could have tried} 16. Kd2 $5 {followed by c3 and b3-b4. In many cases, the rook would be useful on a1, being ready for activating along the fifth rank. If} e5 {then} 17. Kc2 {would be safest, switching to play along the central files with white pressure due to his two bishops.} Rhe8 18. Rhd1) 16... Rhe8 $6 {This looks a bit dogmatic: centralisation without a clear purpose.} ({Black cannot think of starting counterplay in the centre, for instance} 16... e5 $6 17. d5 cxd5 $6 18. g5) ({But the rook could have been more useful on h8 than in the centre. Black could have tried} 16... h5 17. Bf3 (17. g5 Ng8 {[%cal Gg8e7,Ge7f5]}) 17... Nf8 18. g5 Ng8 19. d5 cxd5 20. Bd4 (20. cxd5 Ne7 21. dxe6 Nxe6 $11 {[%csl Rb4,Rb5,Gd6,Ge6,Ge7,Rf4,Rf5]}) 20... e5 21. Bb6 Bc7 22. Bxc7 Kxc7 23. Bxd5 f6 24. Rhg1 Ne7 25. gxf6 gxf6 26. Nc3 Nfg6 $132 {[%csl Rf4]}) 17. Ng3 Nf8 (17... h6 $5 {, slowing down White's expansion, could be somewhat better.}) 18. Bf3 {Preparing h4-h5.} ({But I see no reason to keep the g-pawn on a light square, restricting the bishop, so why not} 18. g5 {followed by h3-h4? This would have prevented Black's plan of exchanging the dark-squared bishops.} N6d7 19. h4 Ng6 20. h5 Ne7 (20... Nf4 21. Bf1 Bc7 22. Rh4 e5 23. Nf5 $16) 21. Kc2 $14) 18... Ng6 19. h4 Bf4 $1 {Even though this will strengthen White's control in the centre, it will mainly offer Black some stability on the dark squares and some breathing space.} 20. h5 Bxe3+ 21. fxe3 Ne7 22. e4 $6 {Played after eight minutes, this move marks a turning point on the game.} ({White would have retained a positional advantage in a rather one-sided position with either} 22. g5 Nd7 23. Bg4) ({or} 22. h6 g6 (22... Rg8 23. hxg7 Rxg7 24. Rdf1 $14 Nxg4 $2 25. Nh5 Rg6 26. Bxg4 Rxg4 27. Rxf7 Nf5 28. Nf6 $16 {[%cal Gh1h7]}) 23. Rdf1 $14 {It is curious that Caruana neglected the dark squares issue that much.}) 22... h6 $1 {Finally, Black gets some stability on at least one part of the board.} 23. e5 Nh7 24. Ne4 Rf8 25. Nd6+ Kc7 26. Bg2 Ng5 {White has installed a magnificent knight on d6, having gained tempi in the meanwhile, but it will soon become clear that the knight is kind of hanging there!} 27. Rhf1 f6 $1 {Starting from this moment, Carlsen plays at full strength. Even though the position is approximately equal still, Black's play is easier to carry out.} 28. Kc2 fxe5 29. dxe5 Nc8 30. c5 {When playing this ambitious move, consolidating the knight but conceding the d5-square, Caruana might have still been under the spell of his previous advantage.} ({From a practical point of view, it would have been safer to exchange the active black knight with} 30. Ne4 $11) 30... Ne7 31. b4 $2 {Played after a quarter of an hour, this move leads to some trouble. Any move taking measures against the thteatened ...d5-e3 would have been enough for maintaining equality.} ({One possible continuation was} 31. Kd3 Nd5 32. Bh1 {White's position surely is unpleasant to play over the board, as it seems to be hanging. But the far advanced d6-outpost seems to keep trouble away from him. Black has no obvious way of making progress. For instance} b6 33. cxb6+ Kxb6 34. Rc1 {[%cal Gd6c4,Gc4a5] creates some sort of perpetual harassing mechanism.}) 31... Nd5 $1 {Played almost without thinking. Finally, the weakness of the doubled pawns makes itself felt. Black not only attacks b4, but also threatens ...Ne3, attacking three white pieces and the g4-pawn. How did he do that? How could he confuse his strong opponent so greatly? Did the knight manoeuvre along the route b8-d7-f8-g6-e7-c8-e7-d5 hypnotise Caruana?} 32. Bxd5 cxd5 {Suddenly, there are some problems defending the e5-pawn against the threats of ...f3 or ...f3.} 33. b5 $6 {This desperate attempt at counterplay weakens the c5-pawn.} (33. Kb3 $5 Nf3 (33... Rf3+ 34. Rxf3 Nxf3 35. Ka4 Kc6 36. Rf1 $11 Nxe5 $6 37. Re1 $36) 34. Nf5 exf5 35. Rxf3 fxg4 36. Rg3 Rf3+ 37. Rxf3 gxf3 38. e6 f2 39. e7 Re8 40. Rf1 Rxe7 41. Rxf2 b6 42. Rf8 $15) 33... axb5 34. Nxb5+ Kc6 35. Nd6 Nf3 $6 {This should have offered White saving chances.} (35... Rf3 $1 36. Ra1 Rdf8 37. Rxf3 Nxf3 $19 {When I think of choosing between these two moves, 35...f3 and 35...f3, I cannot help remembering a friendly blitz game played some 30 years ago against IM Parik Stefanov. I was White in a Benoni and he could install a magnificent knight on d4 (I believe ...b5-d4). But the question was whether he should previously exchange bishops with ...g7xb2. We used to comment loudly on our thoughts (Romanians are very forthcoming and outspoken, as most of the Latins) and he asked himself: "Do I need the g7-bishop? Should I obstruct it with my knight?" The answer was obvious (2 x NO) and after ...xb2 followed by ...d4 he got a crushing advantage. It is strange that after so many years in chess I consider that some of the most teaching moments have taken place casually, like in this case. And I believe that if I had reached the current position I would have felt sceptical about 35...f3, if I only had got the time and inspiration to remember Parik's words.}) 36. b4 $1 (36. Nf5 {is premature because of} exf5 37. Rxf3 fxg4 38. Rg3 Rf4 $17 {partly because the c5-pawn is doomed.}) 36... Ra8 37. Ra1 $2 ({But now was a good moment for} 37. Nf5 $1 Nxe5 (37... exf5 38. Rxf3 fxg4 39. Rxf8 Rxf8 40. Rd4 g5 {The only way to keep the game tense.} 41. hxg6 h5 42. Rf4 $3 {[%cal Gf8f4,Gg6g7]} Rg8 43. Rf6+ Kd7 44. Kd3 g3 45. Ke2 h4 46. Kf3 d4 47. Kg2 $11 {[%cal Gf6d6,Gf6f4]}) 38. Rfe1 exf5 39. Rxe5 fxg4 40. Rdxd5 $1 (40. Rexd5 Ra3 {leaves White without counterplay.}) 40... Rf6 ({If} 40... Ra3 {the rooks are well prepared for counterplay:} 41. Rd6+ Kb5 42. c6+) 41. Rd4 g3 42. Rg4 $15 {White is struggling but not necessarily lost.}) 37... Rxa1 38. Rxa1 Nxe5 {The first pawn has dropped and in view of the hanging (rather than active) white knight, grabbing the second one is not far away...} 39. Ra7 Rb8 40. Ra3 b6 41. Ra7 bxc5 42. Ra6+ Kc7 43. bxc5 Nd7 44. Ra7+ Kc6 45. g5 Nxc5 {The rest is simple.} 46. Nf7 d4 47. Ne5+ Kd5 48. Nd7 d3+ 49. Kc1 Nxd7 50. Rxd7+ Ke4 0-1

[Event "Olympiad-41"]
[Site "Tromsoe"]
[Date "2014.08.12"]
[Round "10.1"]
[White "Saric, Ivan"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C61"]
[WhiteElo "2671"]
[BlackElo "2877"]
[Annotator "Roiz,Michael"]
[PlyCount "73"]
[EventDate "2014.08.02"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 162"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.09.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.09.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Croatia"]
[BlackTeam "Norway"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "CRO"]
[BlackTeamCountry "NOR"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nd4 {As often happens, Magnus goes for a side line in order to surprise his opponent.} 4. Nxd4 exd4 5. Bc4 $5 {This time Ivan also deviates from the main stuff in the Bird.} (5. O-O {is much more popular.}) 5... Nf6 6. O-O {This position is important for the theoretical value of White's setup.} d5 (6... Nxe4 $5 {was a principled response. White's chances are preferable in the following complications:} 7. Bxf7+ (7. Re1 d5 8. Bb5+ c6 9. d3 cxb5 10. dxe4 dxe4 11. Rxe4+ Be6 12. Rxd4 Qb6 13. Be3 Bc5 14. Rd3 Bxe3 15. Rxe3 b4 $15 {½-½ Vavulin,M (2377)-Khairullin,I (2651)/St Petersburg RUS 2013 (34)}) 7... Kxf7 8. Qh5+ g6 9. Qd5+ Kg7 10. Qxe4 Qf6 (10... c5 11. d3 d6 12. Re1 Rb8 13. Qf4 Bf5 14. Nd2 $14) 11. d3 c6 12. Bf4 d6 13. Nd2 $14 {1-0 Stevic,H (2588)-Hirneise,T (2440)/Austria 2008/EXT 2009 (39)}) ({RR} 6... Bc5 7. e5 Ng8 8. b4 Bxb4 9. Qg4 Bf8 10. Qxd4 Nh6 11. Nc3 Be7 12. Qe4 c6 13. d4 d5 14. exd6 Qxd6 15. Bxh6 Qxh6 16. Rfe1 Qf6 17. Rab1 g6 18. Qe3 Kf8 19. Ne4 Qh4 20. g3 Qh3 21. Qf4 {Zaichik,G (2500)-Kupreichik,V (2520) Leningrad 1989 1-0}) 7. exd5 Be7 {Perhaps, Magnus was out of his preparation at this point. He comes up with a dubious pawn sacrifice, but it looks like there was no way to equalise anyway.} (7... Nxd5 8. Qh5 c6 9. d3 $1 (9. Qe5+ Be6 10. Qxd4 Bd6 11. Bxd5 O-O 12. Nc3 cxd5 13. d3 Rc8 $44 {0-1 Givon,A (2329)-Jirka,J (2415)/Tel Aviv 2012/CBM 147 Extra (59)}) 9... Be7 10. Nd2 O-O 11. Nf3 Nf6 12. Qh4 Ng4 13. Qg3 $14) 8. Qf3 $146 {An important novelty in a rare position. Black gets some development advantage, but White has a solid extra pawn.} (8. Re1 Nxd5 9. Qh5 c6 10. Bxd5 Qxd5 11. Qxd5 cxd5 12. d3 Be6 13. Nd2 Rc8 14. Nf3 Bf6 $11) ({RR} 8. Re1 O-O 9. c3 Bd7 10. cxd4 c6 11. dxc6 Bxc6 12. Qb3 Re8 13. Bxf7+ Kf8 14. Bxe8 Nxe8 15. Qd3 Nf6 16. Nc3 g6 17. d5 Bd7 18. d6 Ng4 19. dxe7+ {1-0 (19) De Souza,A-Do Nascimento,W Macaiba 2007}) ({RR} 8. c3 Nxd5 9. Qb3 c6 10. cxd4 O-O 11. Bxd5 Qxd5 12. Qxd5 cxd5 13. d3 Bf5 14. Nc3 Rfd8 15. Rd1 Bb4 16. Be3 Rac8 17. Rac1 Bxc3 18. bxc3 b5 19. h3 h5 20. Rb1 Rxc3 21. Rxb5 Ra3 22. Rd2 a6 {Sokolov,A (2449)-Cwiek,R (2137) Illertissen GER 2025 ½-½}) ({RR} 8. c3 Nxd5 9. d3 O-O 10. Re1 Bf6 11. Bd2 b6 12. cxd4 Bb7 13. Nc3 Rb8 14. Qb3 Ne7 15. Be3 Nf5 16. d5 Bxc3 17. bxc3 Ne7 18. Bg5 Re8 19. d6 Qxd6 20. Bxf7+ Kh8 21. Bxe8 Rxe8 22. Qf7 Qc6 {Walter,A (1760)-Muller,A (1860) Loire 2009 1-0 (31)}) 8... Bg4 $6 {Black choosed a wrong order of moves and loses one more central pawn.} (8... O-O {was much better:} 9. d3 Bg4 10. Qf4 b5 $1 {and White has to play precisely in order to keep his edge:} 11. Bxb5 (11. Bb3 Bd6 12. Qxd4 c5 13. Qc3 Re8 $44) 11... Qxd5 12. Bc4 Qd7 13. f3 Bd6 14. Qg5 Be6 15. Nd2 $14) 9. Qf4 O-O (9... Qd7 10. h3 Bf5 11. d3 Nxd5 12. Qxd4 $16) 10. h3 $1 {Now White will grab a pawn in a better version.} ({The text is better than} 10. Qxd4 c6 11. d3 (11. Nc3 b5 12. Bd3 b4 13. Ne4 Nxd5 14. Bc4 $14) 11... cxd5 12. Bb3 Rc8 13. Bg5 $14) 10... Bd6 ({Black also fails to prove any compensation for a pawn after} 10... Bd7 11. Qxd4 b5 12. Be2 $1 (12. Bb3 Bxh3 13. gxh3 c5 14. Qe5 c4 {is less clear}) 12... Bc6 13. Re1 Nxd5 14. Nc3 Nb4 15. Qxd8 Raxd8 16. Bd1 Rfe8 17. d3 $16) 11. Qxd4 c5 (11... Be6 12. Nc3 c6 13. d3 Nxd5 14. Nxd5 cxd5 15. Bb3 $16) 12. Qd3 Bh5 (12... Bd7 13. Nc3 a6 14. a4 Re8 15. Qf3 $16) 13. Nc3 {White is 2 pawns up, but the q-side pieces are still undeveloped, so Black still has some practical chances to complicate matters.} (13. f4 $5 Bg6 14. f5 Bh5 15. Nc3 Re8 16. b3 a6 17. a4 Qe7 18. Ba3 $16 Qe5 $140 19. g3) 13... Re8 (13... Bg6 14. Qf3 Nd7 15. d3 Ne5 16. Qd1 $16) 14. f4 $1 {Ivan is on top again! Now there some problems with the h5 too.} ({The quiet alternative} 14. b3 $6 {wasn't convincing:} a6 15. a4 Qa5 $1 16. Ra2 (16. Bb2 Bg6 17. Qf3 Bxc2 $132) 16... Qc7 17. Bb2 Rad8 $44) 14... a6 15. a4 {Restricting any activity on the q-side.} ({Correctly avoiding} 15. g4 $2 Bg6 16. f5 Nxg4 $1 17. fxg6 fxg6 18. Ne4 (18. hxg4 Qh4 $19) 18... Qh4 19. Nxd6 Re3 20. Qxe3 Nxe3 21. dxe3 Qg3+ 22. Kh1 Qxh3+ $11) 15... Qd7 (15... Bg6 16. Qf3 Bxc2 17. d3 Bxa4 18. Rxa4 b5 19. Nxb5 axb5 20. Bxb5 Rxa4 21. Bxa4 Re7 22. Bb5 Rb7 23. Bc4 $18) (15... Qa5 16. Ra3 h6 17. g4 Bg6 18. f5 Bh7 19. Qf3 Nd7 20. d3 Ne5 21. Qg2 $18) 16. Qg3 {Now White needs just 2 tempi to complete the development by d2-d3 and c1-d2.} Ne4 (16... Re7 17. d3 Rae8 18. Bd2 Qc7 19. a5 $18) 17. Nxe4 Rxe4 18. b3 (18. d3 $5 {is worthy of attention:} Re2 19. d4 (19. Qh4 Bg6 20. Qg4 Qxg4 21. hxg4 f5 $16) 19... Re4 20. Bd3 Rxd4 21. Be3 Rxd5 22. Be4 Be7 23. Bxd5 Qxd5 24. f5 $16) 18... Qc7 $6 {A decisive mistake.} (18... Bg6 {was called for:} 19. Bb2 Qc7 20. Rae1 (20. Qc3 f6 21. Rae1 Rae8 22. Rxe4 Rxe4 23. f5 Bf7 $16) 20... Bxf4 21. Qf3 Rae8 22. Rxe4 Rxe4 23. Bd3 Bh2+ 24. Kh1 Re7 $16) 19. d3 Re2 (19... Ree8 20. Qf2 f6 21. Be3 Bf7 22. a5 $18) 20. Qg5 $18 {Provoking Black's next move.} g6 ({After} 20... Bg6 21. f5 Re5 22. Bb2 f6 23. Qg4 $18 {White's material advantage is too big.}) 21. Bb2 {Now the g8 is in trouble.} (21. g4 {was also good enough:} Rxc2 22. gxh5 Re8 23. hxg6 hxg6 24. Qg3 Ree2 25. Be3 $18) 21... Be7 {A sad necessity.} (21... Rxc2 {is just as hopeless:} 22. Qf6 Rxb2 23. Qxb2 Bxf4 24. d6 Qxd6 25. Bxf7+ Kxf7 26. Rxf4+ Qxf4 27. Rf1 $18) 22. Bf6 ({Another nice way was} 22. d6 Qxd6 23. Qe5 $1 Rxe5 24. Bxf7+ Kf8 25. fxe5 Qc7 26. Bxg6+ Kg8 27. Bxh5 $18) 22... h6 23. Be5 $1 {The final touch. Black cannot avoid simplifications.} Qd8 (23... hxg5 24. Bxc7 gxf4 25. Rxf4 Rxc2 26. g4 g5 27. Rf3 Bg6 28. d6 $18) 24. Qxh6 Rxe5 25. d6 ({Of course, not} 25. fxe5 $2 Bg5 {and the queen is trapped.}) 25... Re2 26. dxe7 Qxe7 (26... Qd4+ 27. Kh1 Rxe7 28. f5 $18) 27. f5 Qh4 {At this moment White has a lot of winning continuations.} 28. Qf4 {Liquidating into a completely winning endgame.} (28. fxg6 Rxg2+ 29. Kxg2 Bf3+ 30. Rxf3 Qxh6 31. gxf7+ Kh7 32. Raf1 $18) (28. Bxf7+ Kxf7 29. fxg6+ Ke6 30. g7+ Kd7 31. Rf7+ Re7 32. Rxe7+ Kxe7 33. Rf1 $18) 28... g5 29. Qxh4 gxh4 30. Rf4 Rxc2 31. Rxh4 Be2 32. Re4 {The rest is just an agony.} Rd2 (32... Kf8 33. Re1 b5 34. axb5 axb5 35. Bxb5 (35. R4xe2 Rxe2 36. Rxe2 bxc4 37. dxc4 $18) 35... Raa2 36. f6 $18) 33. Re7 Bxd3 34. Bxf7+ Kf8 35. f6 Rd8 (35... Re2 36. Bg6 $1 Rxe7 37. fxe7+ Kxe7 38. Bxd3 $18) 36. Bh5 Kg8 37. Re8+ 1-0

[Event "Sinquefield Cup 2nd"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2014.08.27"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C45"]
[WhiteElo "2768"]
[BlackElo "2877"]
[Annotator "Postny,Evgeny"]
[PlyCount "75"]
[EventDate "2014.08.27"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "23"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 162"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.09.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.09.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 exd4 4. Nxd4 Bc5 5. Nb3 {A common line nowaday where White normally castles to the queenside, heading for sharp play.} Bb6 6. Nc3 Nf6 7. Qe2 a5 {A standard push, but in this particular position very rare. The main continuations are 7...d6 and 7...0-0.} 8. e5 $146 {A principled novelty, but both players continued to play quickly, clearly having the variation analysed until a certain point.} (8. a4 O-O (8... Nb4 9. Bg5 h6 10. Bh4 d6 11. O-O-O Qe7 12. f3 Bd7 13. Kb1 g5 $6 14. Bf2 Bxf2 15. Qxf2 Be6 16. Nd4 $16 {½-½ (81) Volokitin,A (2687)-Eljanov,P (2707) Kiev 2013}) 9. Be3 d5 10. Bxb6 cxb6 11. O-O-O Re8 12. f3 Bd7 13. Qf2 dxe4 14. fxe4 Rc8 $15 {1-0 (49) Carlsson,P (2485)-Hector,J (2483) Borlange 2014}) 8... O-O $1 {This sacrifice is forced. Things are getting exciting from the very beginning.} 9. exf6 a4 10. Nd5 (10. fxg7 $2 {would lose a crucial tempo. The white pawn on g7 actually contributes to the defence of Black's monarch.} Re8 11. Be3 axb3 12. cxb3 Nd4 13. Qh5 Ra5 $1 (13... Nc2+ $2 14. Kd2 Ra5 (14... Nxa1 $4 15. Bd3 $18) 15. Nb5 Nb4 16. Bg5 f6 17. Bxf6 Qxf6 18. Qxe8+ Kxg7 19. Kd1 Rxb5 20. Bxb5 Qd4+ 21. Kc1 Qf4+ 22. Kd1 Qd4+ $11) 14. Nb5 (14. Nd5 Nc2+ 15. Kd2 Nb4 16. Bc4 Nxd5 17. Bxd5 Qf6 18. Bxb6 cxb6 $19) 14... Rxe3+ $1 15. fxe3 Qe7 16. O-O-O Nxb5 17. Bd3 Bxe3+ (17... Qc5+ 18. Qxc5 Bxc5) 18. Rd2 h6 19. Qf5 Bxd2+ 20. Kxd2 {Otherwise, White will lose his queen after the knight's check.} Qg5+ 21. Qxg5 hxg5 22. Bxb5 Rxb5 23. Re1 Kxg7 24. Re8 Ra5 25. Rxc8 Rxa2 26. Kc2 Ra6 $1 27. Rxc7 Rc6+ 28. Rxc6 bxc6 $19) 10... Re8 11. Be3 axb3 12. Qg4 g6 13. Bc4 $1 {Development above all!} Nb4 $1 {The preparation probably ended somewhere here, as from this point players started to consume more time. Magnus found the right way to complete his development with the temporary pieece sacrifice.} (13... bxc2 14. O-O d6 15. Qf4 Re5 16. Nxb6 cxb6 17. Bxb6 $1 Qf8 {is unlikely to be good for Black.}) 14. Nxb4 d5 15. Qf4 (15. Qg5 dxc4 16. Nd5 Bc5 $1 {It is necessary to bring the bishop into defence.} 17. cxb3 cxb3 18. O-O h6 19. Qxh6 Bf8 20. Qg5 bxa2 21. Rfd1 {The queen has no square to hide, but Black will get enough material for it.} Bf5 22. h4 Ra6 23. Ne7+ Bxe7 24. Rxd8 Bxd8 25. Bd4 Bb1 {Black is not worse.}) 15... dxc4 16. O-O bxc2 17. Nd5 $146 {Back to the key square.} (17. Bxb6 cxb6 18. Nd5 Re6 19. Qxc4 Kh8 20. Qxc2 $1 Qxd5 $2 (20... Rd6 $1 {must be played.} 21. Nc3 Bf5 22. Qb3 Qxf6 $11) 21. Rad1 Qe5 22. Rd8+ Re8 23. Qc7 $1 Qe6 24. h4 $1 {A remarkable position. White is a piece down, but dominating.} (24. Rfd1 $2 Bd7 25. Qxd7 Raxd8 26. Qxd8 h5 {Compared to the line 24.h4 White can't now play 27.d7 in view of the mate on the back rank. The queen must go back to d3 or d2 and White loses his extra pawn.}) 24... Kg8 25. Rfd1 Bd7 $8 26. Qxd7 Raxd8 27. Qxd8 h5 28. Qd7 $16) ({RR} 17. Bxb6 cxb6 18. Nd5 Re6 19. Qxc4 Kh8 20. Qxc2 Rd6 21. Ne3 Qxf6 22. Rfd1 Rxd1+ 23. Rxd1 Be6 24. b3 Kg8 25. h3 Qe5 26. Qd2 h5 27. Nc4 Bxc4 28. bxc4 b5 29. cxb5 {½-½ (29) Saric,I (2692)-Malakhov,V (2654) Zagreb 2018}) 17... Re6 {Now the queen can protect the king from f8.} 18. Qxc4 Bxe3 19. fxe3 b5 $1 20. Qc5 Bb7 21. Ne7+ Kh8 (21... Rxe7 22. fxe7 Qd2 23. Rf2 Qd1+ 24. Rf1 Qd2 {could force a repetition, but Carlsen is playing for a win.}) 22. Qxc2 Raa6 {Black has managed to develop both his rooks via the sixth rank. There is a lot of unusual stuff in this game!} 23. Rac1 $6 {It's tempting to attack the c7, but it was more important to fight for the d-file.} (23. Rad1 Rad6 24. Qb3 Rd2 25. Rxd2 Qxd2 26. Rf2 Qe1+ 27. Rf1 Qe2 28. Rf2 $11) 23... Rxf6 24. Rxf6 Rxf6 25. Qxc7 Qd2 $6 {Just missed the square.} (25... Qd3 $1 26. Qc3 Qxc3 27. Rxc3 Rd6 28. Rc7 Be4 {Black is a pawn down at the moment but seriously pressing. The rook is penetrating to d2, while the white knight is dominated by the bishop.}) 26. Qb8+ {Now the game is going to end in a spectacular draw.} Kg7 27. Qg8+ Kh6 28. Qf8+ Kh5 29. Rc5+ g5 30. Rxg5+ $1 Kxg5 (30... Kh4 31. g3+ Kh3 $2 {would lose to a long sequence of checks.} (31... Kxg5 32. Qg7+ Rg6 33. Qe5+ {leads to the same perpetual as in the game. The inclusion of the move g2-g3 is of no significance.}) 32. Rh5+ Kg4 33. Qg7+ $1 (33. Rh4+ $4 Kf3 {and Black is mating!}) 33... Kxh5 34. g4+ Kh4 35. Qxf6+ Kh3 36. Qh6+ Kxg4 37. Qf4+ Kh5 38. Qxf7+ Kh6 39. Qf6+ Kh5 40. Qe5+ $1 Kh6 41. Nf5+ Kg6 42. Qe6+ Kg5 43. Qh6+ Kg4 44. h3+ Kxf5 45. e4+ {winning the queen.}) 31. Qg7+ Rg6 32. Qe5+ f5 (32... Kh6 33. Nf5+ Kh5 34. Ng3+ Kh6 35. Nf5+ {is another version of perpetual check.}) 33. h4+ Kh5 34. Qxf5+ Kh6 35. Qf8+ Kh5 36. Qf5+ Kh6 37. Qf8+ Kh5 38. Qf5+ {[%mdl 64] Great game by both players!} 1/2-1/2

[Event "Sinquefield Cup 2nd"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2014.08.28"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C76"]
[WhiteElo "2787"]
[BlackElo "2877"]
[Annotator "Ramirez Alvarez,Alejandro"]
[PlyCount "64"]
[EventDate "2014.08.27"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "23"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 162"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.09.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.09.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 g6 {Not the usual choice for Carlsen. The 3...g6 variations are much sharper than the normal Breyer or Berlin type of Spanish positions. Interestingly, Nakamura used this recently against Anand with black.} 4. O-O Bg7 5. c3 a6 6. Ba4 (6. Bxc6 dxc6 7. d4 exd4 8. cxd4 Ne7 9. h3 O-O 10. Nc3 h6 $11 {Anand-Nakamura, 2013}) 6... d6 7. d4 Bd7 8. d5 {Closing the position is one of two approaches the situation; by closing the position White gains space, but Black will be able to push f5 quickly.} (8. Re1 {is a completely different approach to the position.}) 8... Nce7 9. Bxd7+ (9. c4 {is, in my humble opinion, a more accurate move order. It also scores better.}) 9... Qxd7 10. c4 h6 (10... f5 $6 11. Ng5 {emphasizes the weakness of e6.}) 11. Nc3 f5 12. Nd2 Nf6 13. f3 O-O 14. b4 c6 (14... g5 $5 {Was an old game between Sax-Smyslov... such legends!}) 15. dxc6 {It's hard to understand the desire to simplify the tension so quickly. Black obtains quick activity and access to the d4 square. However maybe there was no satisfactory alternative.} (15. Bb2 b5 {starts becoming dangerous for White.}) ({RR} 15. Bb2 g5 16. Qe2 f4 17. a4 g4 18. a5 Ng6 19. Kf2 Kh8 20. Ke1 Rg8 21. Kd1 Bf8 22. Kc2 Be7 23. Kb3 gxf3 24. Nxf3 Rg7 25. Rad1 Rag8 26. Rd2 Qc7 27. Na4 Nd7 28. Qf2 c5 29. Bc3 cxb4 {Bagwe,G (2348)-Assaubayeva,B (2469) Doha QAT 2023 0-1 (50)}) 15... Nxc6 $146 ({RR} 15... bxc6 16. Nb3 fxe4 17. Nxe4 Qa7+ 18. Kh1 d5 19. Nxf6+ Rxf6 20. cxd5 cxd5 21. Bb2 Rf5 22. Rc1 Qb6 23. a3 h5 24. Re1 Ra7 25. Rc2 d4 26. Na5 Kh7 27. Rc5 Rd7 28. Qd3 Qf6 29. Qe4 Rf4 30. Qd3 {Somlai,L (2380)-Zoler,D (2285) Arnhem 1990 ½-½ (51)}) 16. a3 Nd4 17. Bb2 Rac8 {Black has good pressure, but White is banking on his superior pawn structure to win in the long run.} 18. Ne2 Nh5 $5 {This involves a pawn sacrifice!} (18... Ne6 {is more sedate, and about equal:} 19. exf5 gxf5 20. Qb3 $13) 19. Nxd4 exd4 20. exf5 {Tha pawn cannot be taken, but that is still ok.} Nf4 $1 {Diagram [#]} (20... gxf5 $6 21. Nb3 Rxc4 22. Qd2 $1 {White will regain the d4 pawn and his structure is much superior.}) (20... Qxf5 21. g4 Qg5 22. Ne4 Qe3+ 23. Kh1 d3 24. Bxg7 Nxg7 25. Nxd6 $16) 21. f6 $1 {A good practical decision.} (21. fxg6 Rf6 $1 {Gives black more than enough compensation. Practically it is difficult to defend this position.}) 21... Bxf6 22. g3 Nh3+ 23. Kg2 $6 (23. Kh1 {was safer, there is no reason to tempt Qh3+.} Ng5 24. Nb3 Rxc4 25. Qd3 Qf7 26. Bxd4 {was maybe a little better for White.}) 23... Ng5 24. Qb1 Kh7 25. Qd3 {White retains the better pawn structure; Black has to act quickly before his initiative evaporates.} Be5 $1 {Putting pressure on the kingside is mandatory.} 26. Rae1 {Accepting the draw.} (26. f4 Qh3+ 27. Kh1 Rxf4 28. Rxf4 Bxf4 29. Re1 {gives Black some problems.}) 26... Bxg3 27. hxg3 Qh3+ {There is nothing better than perpetual for both sides.} 28. Kg1 Qxg3+ 29. Kh1 Qh4+ 30. Kg2 Qh3+ 31. Kg1 Qg3+ 32. Kh1 Qh3+ (32... Rf4 $2 33. Re7+ Nf7 34. Rxf7+ Rxf7 35. Ne4 {allows White to consolidate and have the better position.}) 1/2-1/2

[Event "Sinquefield Cup 2nd"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2014.08.29"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C24"]
[WhiteElo "2877"]
[BlackElo "2801"]
[Annotator "Postny,Evgeny"]
[PlyCount "68"]
[EventDate "2014.08.27"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "23"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 162"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.09.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.09.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Bc4 Nf6 3. d3 {As usual, Magnus is not going for the theoretical lines, trying to minimise the value of any opening preparation.} c6 4. Nf3 d5 5. Bb3 Bb4+ {Provoking the move that now follows, so that White won't be able to develop his knight to c3 anymore.} (5... Bd6 {used to be the main move.}) 6. c3 Bd6 7. Bg5 dxe4 (7... Be6 8. d4 dxe4 9. Nfd2 exd4 10. Nxe4 Be7 11. Bxf6 Bxf6 12. Bxe6 fxe6 13. Qb3 Qe7 14. Nxf6+ gxf6 15. cxd4 Na6 16. Nc3 O-O-O $11 {½-½ (34) Shirov,A (2713)-Roiz,M (2668) Saratov 2011}) 8. dxe4 h6 (8... O-O 9. O-O Qe7 $6 (9... h6 10. Bh4 Qe7 $11) 10. Nh4 $1 Na6 11. Nd2 Nc5 12. Qf3 Nxb3 13. axb3 $14 {1-0 (29) Karjakin,S (2772)-Efimenko,Z (2703) Poikovsky 2011}) 9. Bh4 Qe7 {Fabiano is playing it flexibly, not castling immediately, but developing the queenside pieces instead. The position is, of course, equal.} 10. Nbd2 Nbd7 11. Bg3 $6 $146 {This move looks strange to me - moving the bishop away without even provoking g7-g5.} (11. Qe2 Bc7 12. O-O Nf8 13. Bg3 Ng6 14. Nh4 Nf4 15. Bxf4 exf4 16. Rfe1 Bg4 17. f3 Be6 18. Bxe6 Qxe6 19. Nf5 O-O $11 {1-0 (73) Pridorozhni,A (2491)-Aleshin,O (2423) Moscow 2005}) (11. O-O {would also be normal.}) 11... Bc7 12. O-O Nh5 13. h3 $146 {Carlsen continues the odd strategy. Anything else that makes sense would be preferable.} ({RR} 13. Nh4 Ndf6 14. Kh1 g5 15. Nf5 Bxf5 16. exf5 O-O-O 17. Qe2 Nxg3+ 18. fxg3 e4 19. Rae1 Rhe8 20. Bc2 h5 21. Nxe4 h4 22. gxh4 Qe5 23. g3 gxh4 24. gxh4 Ng4 25. f6 Rh8 26. Qxg4+ Kb8 27. Ng3 Qd5+ {Amdouni,Z (2246)-Bouzidi,A (2176) Hammam Sousse 2020 1-0 (37)}) ({RR} 13. Nh4 Ndf6 14. Kh1 g5 15. Nf5 Bxf5 16. exf5 O-O-O 17. Qe2 Nxg3+ 18. fxg3 e4 19. Rae1 Rhe8 20. Bc2 h5 21. Nxe4 h4 22. gxh4 Qe5 23. g3 gxh4 24. gxh4 Ng4 25. f6 Rh8 26. Qxg4+ Kb8 27. Ng3 Qd5+ {Amdouni,Z (2246)-Bouzidi,A (2176) Hammam Sousse 2020 1-0 (37)}) 13... Nxg3 14. fxg3 Nc5 (14... Nf6 {would avoid the complications that followed in the game. Black is slightly better.}) 15. Bxf7+ $5 {Obviously, Carlsen wasn't happy with the course of the game. This intuitive sacrifice is an interesting practical chance as it leads to a murky position where both sides have to calculate a lot.} Kxf7 (15... Qxf7 $4 16. Nxe5 {and Black has to part with his queen to avoid the deadly check on h5.}) 16. Nxe5+ (16. Nh4+ $5 {was an interesting alternative which could lead to a position where White wins the queen for several pieces.} Kg8 17. Ng6 Qe8 18. Rf8+ Qxf8 19. Nxf8 Kxf8 20. Qh5 Be6 21. Nf3 Nd7 22. Rf1 (22. Nh4 Nf6 23. Rf1 Rg8 $17) 22... Kg8 23. Nh4 Rh7 $1 24. Qg6 Bxa2 25. Nf5 Kh8 26. Ne7 Bb6+ 27. Kh2 Bc5 28. Qf5 g5 $1 29. Rd1 $1 Rf7 30. Qxd7 Rxe7 31. Qf5 Kg7 32. Rd7 Bf7 33. Rxe7 Bxe7 34. Qd7 Re8 35. Qxb7 {Black is better, but to win this position would be quite a difficult task.}) 16... Kg8 17. Ng6 Qg5 18. Rf8+ Kh7 19. Nxh8 (19. Rxh8+ Kxg6 20. Nf3 (20. b4 Qxg3 $1 21. bxc5 Bxh3 22. Qf3 Rxh8 23. Qxg3+ Bxg3 24. gxh3 Be5 $17) 20... Qxg3 (20... Qe3+ $6 21. Kh1 Nxe4 22. Nh4+ Kg5 23. Nf3+ Kf6 24. Qd4+ Qxd4 25. Nxd4 Nxg3+ 26. Kg1 {Here the matters are not entirely clear as long as Black's queenside is undeveloped.}) 21. Qc2 Bg4 $1 22. hxg4 Rxh8 23. e5+ Kf7 24. Qf5+ Ke7 $19) 19... Bg4 (19... Qe3+ $1 {was even stronger, but required precise calculation.} 20. Kh1 Bg4 21. Qf1 $2 (21. Qxg4 Rxf8 22. Ng6 Rf7 $17) 21... Qxg3 22. e5 {[%cal Gf1b1,Gb1h7]} Rxf8 23. Qxf8 Qxe5 (23... Bxe5 $4 24. Nf1 $18) 24. Nf1 Bxh3 $1 {This must have been seen in advance!} 25. gxh3 Qe4+ 26. Kg1 Ne6 $19 {[%csl Rg1][%cal Gc7b6]}) 20. Qf1 Nd3 $1 {[%cal Gg5e3,Ge3g3] Great resource, adding the knight to the counterattack.} 21. Qxd3 (21. Ng6 {was an interesting chance, but insufficient.} Qe3+ (21... Kxg6 $2 22. Qf7+ Kh7 23. Qg8+ $11) 22. Kh1 Qxg3 23. e5 Rxf8 24. Nxf8+ Kg8 25. Ng6 Nf2+ 26. Kg1 Nxh3+ 27. Kh1 Nf2+ 28. Kg1 Be6 $1 29. Ne7+ (29. Qxf2 $2 Bb6 $19) 29... Kh8 30. Ng6+ Qxg6 31. Kxf2 Qc2 $17) 21... Rxf8 22. hxg4 Qxg4 23. Nf3 Qxg3 (23... Kxh8 {would have been slightly more precise.}) 24. e5+ (24. Nf7 $1 Rxf7 25. e5+ g6 (25... Kh8 $6 26. e6 {is the point of White's idea, the black rook gets kicked away by the pawn.}) 26. Rf1 {White is worse as in the game, but here Black's seventh rank is slightly weakened, which might give White some additional practical chances.}) 24... Kxh8 25. e6 {Carlsen is rushing forward with his passed pawn, but unfortunately for him his king is too vulnerable.} (25. Rf1 Bb6+ (25... Bxe5 26. Nxe5 Rxf1+ 27. Qxf1 Qxe5 28. Qf7 {White has decent chances to hold this endgame.}) 26. Kh1 Qg4 (26... Rf4 27. Qd7 $8 {still surviving.}) 27. Nh2 Rxf1+ 28. Qxf1 Qh5 29. Qf8+ Kh7 30. Qd6 Qg6 31. Nf3 Qxd6 32. exd6 Kg6 33. Kh2 Kf6 34. Kg3 Ke6 35. Kg4 Kxd6 36. Kf5 Kd5 {This endgame should be won for Black. If the white king goes to g6, its counterpart will penetrate to the queenside via e4.}) 25... Bb6+ 26. Kh1 Qg4 (26... Rf4 $4 {No, it's not mate.} 27. e7 Rh4+ 28. Nxh4 Qxh4+ 29. Qh3 $16) 27. Qd6 (27. e7 Re8 28. Re1 Qh5+ 29. Nh2 Bc7 30. g3 Qf7 {The pawn is going down and White's prospects are very grim.}) 27... Rd8 28. Qe5 Rd5 29. Qb8+ Kh7 30. e7 Qh5+ (30... Rh5+ $4 31. Nh2 {[%csl Ge7][%cal Ge7e8] would turn the tables.}) 31. Nh2 $2 {A blunder in a bad position.} (31. Qh2 {was the only way to prolong the fight.} {Still, after} Qe8 {White loses the passed pawn. The bishop is also superior to the knight.} 32. Re1 $2 {fails to} Bf2 33. Rf1 Rh5 $19) 31... Rd1+ 32. Rxd1 Qxd1+ 33. Nf1 Qxf1+ 34. Kh2 Qg1+ (34... Qg1+ 35. Kh3 Qe3+ {capturing the e7.}) 0-1

[Event "Sinquefield Cup 2nd"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2014.09.02"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B35"]
[WhiteElo "2877"]
[BlackElo "2768"]
[Annotator "Roiz,Michael"]
[PlyCount "102"]
[EventDate "2014.08.27"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "23"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 162"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.09.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.09.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nc3 Nc6 {This move could be a surprise for Magnus, since the Najdorf is the main Sicilian weapon of his opponent.} 3. Nf3 g6 4. d4 cxd4 5. Nxd4 Bg7 6. Be3 Nf6 7. Bc4 O-O 8. Bb3 Qa5 {The main idea of this move is preventing White from building up an aggressive Dragon setup with 9.f3, 10.d2 and 11.0-0-0.} ({Black has a large choice of alternatives here. The most common are:} 8... d6) (8... a5) ({and} 8... Ng4) 9. f3 (9. O-O {is more popular and leads to a long strategic battle. In the following game Magnus Carlsen had an excellent position playing on the Black's side:} d6 10. h3 (10. Nd5 Re8 11. Nxf6+ Bxf6 12. c3 Ne5 13. h3 Qa6 14. Nc2 Nd3 15. Qf3 Be6 16. Bd4 Bxd4 17. Nxd4 Bc4 $11 {1-0 Grischuk,A (2764)-Ivanchuk,V (2757)/London ENG 2013 (39)}) 10... Bd7 11. f4 Nxd4 12. Bxd4 Bc6 13. Qd3 Nd7 14. Bxg7 Kxg7 15. Nd5 $6 Qc5+ 16. Kh1 e6 17. Nc3 Nf6 18. Rad1 Rad8 19. f5 Qe5 $15 {1-0 Morozevich,A (2760)-Carlsen,M (2864)/Moscow RUS 2013 (53)}) 9... e6 $5 {An interesting way to change the character of play. Maxime is ready for the creation of an isolated pawn, while Black's pieces are becoming quite active.} (9... d5 10. exd5 Nb4 11. Qd2 Nbxd5 12. Nxd5 Qxd2+ 13. Kxd2 Nxd5 14. Bxd5 Rd8 {doesn't fully equalise:} 15. c4 e6 16. Be4 Bxd4 17. Bxd4 Rxd4+ 18. Kc3 $14) (9... d6 10. Qd2 {would transpose to ''Dragon stuff''.}) 10. O-O (10. Qd2 d5 11. exd5 Nxd5 12. Bxd5 exd5 13. O-O-O Be6 $11 {0-1 Lopez Gracia,F (2218)-De la Villa Garcia,J (2466)/Zaragoza 2001}) 10... d5 11. exd5 exd5 $6 {A serious inaccuracy. The knight is not placed well on f6, so the dark-squared bishop remains quite useless. In such a situation, White's pressure on the isolated pawn becomes annoying.} (11... Nxd5 12. Nxd5 (12. Bxd5 exd5 13. Qd2 Re8 14. Rad1 Be6 $11) 12... exd5 13. c3 Re8 14. Re1 (14. Qd2 Ne5 15. Bh6 Nc4 16. Bxc4 Bxh6 17. Qxh6 dxc4 18. Rfe1 Bd7 $11) 14... Nxd4 15. Bxd4 Rxe1+ 16. Qxe1 Bxd4+ 17. cxd4 Qd8 {Black should be able to neutralise White's slight pressure.}) ({RR} 11... Nxd5 12. Nxd5 exd5 13. Bf2 Re8 14. c3 Ne5 15. Re1 Bd7 16. Qc2 Nc4 17. Rad1 Bh6 18. Rxe8+ Rxe8 19. Re1 Rxe1+ 20. Bxe1 Qd8 21. Qe2 Qe8 22. Bxc4 dxc4 23. Kf1 Qxe2+ 24. Kxe2 Kf8 25. Bd2 Bg7 26. Be3 {Yaniv,O (2131)-Ivanov,M (2271) Belgrade SRB 2024 ½-½}) 12. Qd2 Re8 13. Rad1 $146 {A natural novelty in a rare position.} ({White's advantage is also indisputable after:} 13. Rfe1 Be6 14. Bf2 $14 (14. Nxc6 $6 bxc6 15. Nxd5 Qxd2 16. Nxf6+ Bxf6 17. Bxd2 Bxb2 $11 {0-1 Distaso,A (1974)-Georgiev,V (2586)/Campobasso 2010/EXT 2013 (63)})) ({RR} 13. Rfe1 Be6 14. Nxc6 bxc6 15. Nxd5 Qxd2 16. Nxf6+ Bxf6 17. Bxd2 Bxb2 18. Rab1 Bd4+ 19. Kf1 Bd7 20. Bc4 Bf5 21. Rxe8+ Rxe8 22. Rb7 Be6 23. Bxe6 Rxe6 24. c3 Be5 25. g3 a6 26. Ra7 c5 27. Bh6 f5 {Distaso,A (1974)-Georgiev,V (2586) Campobasso 2010 0-1 (63)}) ({RR} 13. Rfe1 Bd7 14. Rad1 Rad8 15. Nxc6 Bxc6 16. Bd4 Rxe1+ {½-½ (16) Manasterski,L-Balcerowski,W Lublin 1965}) 13... Bd7 14. Nxc6 {For some reasons, White prefers to change the pawn structure.} ({The weak d5 would be quite vulnerable after} 14. Bf2 $5 Rad8 15. Rfe1 Rxe1+ 16. Rxe1 $14 ({Or} 16. Qxe1 $14)) 14... bxc6 {GM Vachier Lagrave doesn't mind to getting rid off his isolated pawn. Still, Black's position is rather passive, while White has full control of the dark squares.} (14... Bxc6 15. Bd4 Qc7 16. Rfe1 $14) 15. Nxd5 {Perhaps, Carlsen's decision on the previous move was connected with a concrete approach.} ({Another way to handle the position was:} 15. Rfe1 $5 Re5 16. Na4 Qxd2 17. Bxd2 Rae8 18. Kf2 $14) 15... Qxd2 16. Nxf6+ Bxf6 17. Bxd2 ({After} 17. Rxd2 {Black's best practical decision should be:} Rxe3 (17... Be6 18. Kf2 (18. Ba4 Rac8 19. Bxa7 Bxb2 20. Bf2 $14) 18... Bxb2 19. Rfd1 $14) 18. Rxd7 Re7 19. Rfd1 Rae8 20. c3 Rxd7 21. Rxd7 Re7 22. Rd6 Bg5 23. Rxc6 Bc1 $14 {the character of play here is similar to the text.}) 17... Bxb2 {Correctly accepting the challenge.} ({After} 17... Be6 $6 18. Bc1 $1 Bxb3 19. cxb3 $16 {there would be no compensation for a pawn.}) 18. Bc3 Bxc3 19. Rxd7 Rf8 {A sad necessity.} 20. Rfd1 $14 {White's advantage is clear in this endgame, but Black has definite drawing chances.} Kg7 (20... a5 21. Rc7 a4 22. Bc4 $14) 21. Rb7 {Magnus is trying to keep both rooks on the board.} ({It was possible to win a pawn immediately:} 21. Rc7 Ba5 22. Rxc6 Rac8 23. Rcd6 Rfd8 $14 {but this would allow Black to release the pressure.}) 21... Ba5 {Bringing the bishop to a secure spot.} (21... g5 22. Rd6 (22. Rdd7 Rad8 23. Rxf7+ Rxf7 24. Rxf7+ Kg6 25. Rc7 $14) 22... Rac8 23. g3 Ba5 24. Kg2 $14) 22. Rdd7 Bb6+ 23. Kf1 Rad8 {Now White cannot avoid an exchange.} 24. Rxd8 Rxd8 25. Rxf7+ Kh8 26. Ke2 Re8+ {Black's moves are quite forced now - otherwise White may make progress.} 27. Kd3 Rd8+ 28. Kc3 Ba5+ {This move seems inaccurate, as it allows White to activate the king.} ({After} 28... Rd1 $142 29. g4 h5 (29... Rh1 30. Rf6 Rxh2 31. Rxc6 Re2 32. Kb4 $16) 30. gxh5 gxh5 31. Rf5 Kg7 32. Rxh5 Kg6 33. Rh4 Rf1 {White has 2 extra pawns, but the activity of Black's rook makes the task difficult.}) 29. Kb2 ({There was no reason to deviate from} 29. Kc4 $1 Bb6 30. Rf6 Rd2 ({or} 30... c5 31. Kb5 Rd2 32. g4) 31. g4 c5 32. Kb5 Rxh2 33. g5 h6 34. Rxg6 hxg5 35. Rxg5 $16 {with excellent winning chances.}) 29... Bb6 30. g4 Rd2 31. h4 (31. g5 h5 32. gxh6 Rxh2 33. Ba4 c5 $14) 31... Rh2 {Now White cannot avoid the simplifications.} 32. Ba4 (32. g5 h5 33. gxh6 Rxh4 34. a4 Rxh6 $14) 32... h5 (32... Rxh4 33. Bxc6 h5 34. gxh5 gxh5 35. Be4 {leads to the text.}) 33. gxh5 Rxh4 34. Bxc6 gxh5 35. Be4 {Black is still in danger, but the passed h-pawn is an important factor now.} Rh1 36. f4 ({After} 36. c4 h4 37. Rh7+ Kg8 38. Rh5 h3 39. c5 Bc7 40. c6 Kf8 $1 (40... h2 41. f4 Rf1 42. Rxh2 Rxf4 43. Bd5+ Kg7 44. Re2 Rd4 45. Bh1 Kf6 {is less clear}) 41. Rh7 h2 {Black should be able to save a half point. For instance:} 42. Rxc7 Rb1+ 43. Bxb1 h1=Q 44. Rh7 Qg2+ 45. Bc2 Qxf3 46. c7 Qf6+ 47. Kb3 Qf3+ 48. Kb4 Qf4+ 49. Kb5 Qe5+ 50. Kc6 Qe6+ 51. Kb7 Qd5+ 52. Kb8 Qb5+ $11) 36... Rh3 37. c3 ({It looks like} 37. c4 $5 {was the best chance:} Bd4+ 38. Kc2 Rc3+ 39. Kd2 Rxc4 40. Rh7+ Kg8 41. Rxh5 Ra4 42. Bd5+ Kg7 $14 {Some accuracy is required, but a draw is the most probable result here.}) 37... h4 38. f5 ({After} 38. Kb3 Re3 39. Bf5 Ba5 40. Rh7+ Kg8 41. Rxh4 Rxc3+ 42. Ka4 Bd8 43. Be6+ Kg7 44. Rg4+ Kf6 45. f5 Bb6 {White could hardly make any progress either.}) (38. Kc2 Re3 39. Bf5 Kg8 40. Rh7 Ba5 {is more or less the same.}) 38... Re3 $11 {Now Black has sufficient counterplay.} 39. Re7 (39. Bd5 Rd3 40. Be6 h3 41. f6 Rf3 {is safe for Black as well}) 39... Ba5 (39... Bc5 40. Re6 h3 41. f6 Kg8 $11) 40. c4 h3 41. Re6 {The only way to stop the h-pawn.} h2 (41... Kg7 42. Bd5 Rxe6 43. fxe6 Kf6 $11) 42. Bd5 Rxe6 43. fxe6 Bd8 44. Kb3 Kg7 {Of course, White has only a symbolic advantage here.} 45. Kb4 Kf6 46. Kb5 h1=Q (46... Be7 47. Kc6 (47. c5 Ke5 $11) 47... Ke5 48. Kd7 Kf6 $11) 47. Bxh1 Kxe6 48. c5 Kd7 49. Ka6 Kc7 50. Kxa7 Be7 51. c6 Bc5+ {White's 2 extra pawns are of no value, so a draw was agreed.} 1/2-1/2

[Event "Sinquefield Cup 2nd"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2014.09.04"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B36"]
[WhiteElo "2801"]
[BlackElo "2877"]
[Annotator "Roiz,Michael"]
[PlyCount "83"]
[EventDate "2014.08.27"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "23"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 162"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.09.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.09.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 g6 5. c4 Nf6 6. Nc3 d6 7. f3 Nxd4 8. Qxd4 Bg7 9. Be3 O-O 10. Qd2 a5 ({The most popular continuations here are} 10... Be6) ({and} 10... Qa5 {but the text move is also well known.}) 11. b3 {Restricting Black's activity on the queenside.} ({Another way to handle the position was shown by 13th World Champion:} 11. Be2 a4 12. O-O Qa5 13. Rac1 Bd7 (13... Be6 $5) 14. c5 Bc6 15. cxd6 Rfd8 16. Nb1 Qxd2 17. Nxd2 exd6 18. Nc4 d5 19. Nb6 Ra5 20. e5 Nd7 21. f4 $14 {½-½ Kasparov,G (2825)-Alterman,B (2615)/Tel Aviv 1998/CBM 065/[Tsesarsky] (25)}) 11... a4 $6 {This move is quite risky from a strategic point of view: the a-pawn may become a target, while Black has a couple of weak squares on the queenside.} ({In the following recent game Black had a solid, but rather passive position:} 11... Bd7 12. Be2 Bc6 13. O-O Nd7 14. Rfd1 Nc5 15. Rac1 Qb6 16. Nd5 Bxd5 17. cxd5 Qb4 18. Rc2 Qxd2 19. Bxd2 $14 {1-0 Khismatullin,D (2671)-Vorobiov,E (2587)/Vladivostok RUS 2014}) ({The most reasonable setup is connected with:} 11... Be6 12. Rb1 (12. Be2 $5 Nd7 13. O-O Nc5 14. Rac1) 12... Nd7 13. Be2 Nc5 14. O-O Qb6 15. Rfc1 Rfc8 16. Kh1 (16. Nd5 $5 {deserves a serious attention, but after} Bxd5 17. cxd5 Qb4 {Black is a tempo up compared to Khismatullin-Vorobiov,2014.}) 16... Qb4 17. Bg5 a4 18. Bxe7 axb3 19. axb3 Nxb3 $11 {½-½ Van Wely,L (2691)-Iturrizaga,E (2627)/Istanbul TUR 2012 (122)}) 12. b4 Be6 13. Rc1 Nd7 14. Be2 {Fabiano is not in a hurry.} ({Black's position also looks unpleasant after} 14. Nd5 f5 (14... a3 15. Nf4 Rc8 16. Be2 $14) 15. exf5 Bxf5 16. Be2 $14) ({RR} 14. Nb5 Rc8 15. Nd4 Ne5 16. Nxe6 fxe6 17. Be2 d5 18. exd5 exd5 19. Qxd5+ Qxd5 20. cxd5 Rxc1+ 21. Bxc1 Rc8 22. Kd1 Nc4 23. Bxc4 Rxc4 24. Bd2 Rd4 25. Ke2 Rxd5 26. Be3 Kf7 27. Rc1 Re5 28. Rc4 b5 {Artemiev,V (2701)-Mamedov,R (2637) Shusha AZE 2024 ½-½ (42)}) 14... Nb6 ({RR} 14... a3 15. Rc2 Re8 16. O-O Nb6 17. Nd5 Nxd5 18. cxd5 Bd7 19. Bd4 e6 20. Bxg7 Kxg7 21. Qd4+ Qf6 22. Qxf6+ Kxf6 23. Rc7 Ba4 24. dxe6 fxe6 25. Rfc1 Re7 26. R7c3 Be8 27. Kf2 d5 28. exd5 exd5 29. Bd1 {Dominguez Perez,L (2741)-Antipov,M (2571) Saint Louis USA 2025 ½-½ (160)}) 15. Nb5 $5 $146 {This ambitious continuation is a novelty. Having a serious space advantage, White wants to keep as many pieces as it possible.} ({In the preceding game Black was able to defend an inferior position after:} 15. Nd5 Nxd5 16. exd5 Bd7 17. a3 (17. O-O a3 18. c5 dxc5 19. bxc5 $14) 17... e6 18. dxe6 Bxe6 19. O-O d5 20. c5 d4 21. Bf2 Qd7 22. Bd3 $14 {½-½ Felgaer,R (2586)-Cuenca Jimenez,J (2477)/La Massana AND 2013}) 15... a3 $146 {Desperately looking for any kind of counterplay.} ({After} 15... Rc8 16. Na3 f5 17. exf5 gxf5 18. O-O $16 {Black's position lacks any active ideas.}) ({RR} 15... Rc8 16. Na3 f5 17. exf5 Rxf5 18. O-O Nd7 19. Bd3 Rf8 20. Be4 b6 21. Bb7 Rb8 22. Bd5 Bxd5 23. Qxd5+ Kh8 24. Nb5 Nf6 25. Qd3 Qd7 26. Bd4 Rfc8 27. Bb2 Nh5 28. Bxg7+ Kxg7 29. Rfe1 Nf6 30. Qe3 {Pichot,A (2584)-Huang,R (2335) Ho Chi Minh City 2019 1-0 (49)}) 16. Nd4 Bd7 17. h4 $1 {Once again, Caruana chooses the most ambitious way to handle the position.} (17. O-O Na4 18. f4 Qc7 19. Kh1 $14 {was a quiet alternative. White maintains a stable advantage.}) 17... h5 (17... e6 18. h5 Qe7 19. Nb3 $16 {followed by 20.c5 is extremely unpleasant.}) 18. g4 $1 {Now Black is under a direct attack.} hxg4 19. fxg4 ({Correcty deviating from} 19. h5 e5 20. Nb3 gxf3 21. Bxf3 Be6 22. Qh2 Nd7 $132) 19... e5 {This is an obvious positional concession, but Magnus had no choice.} (19... Be5 20. h5 Na4 21. Nf3 $40) 20. Nb3 (20. Nb5 $5 {also deserved serious attention:} Bxb5 21. cxb5 d5 22. h5 d4 23. Bh6 $36) 20... Bc6 21. Bf3 f5 {Now Black's king is exposed, but Black cannot sit and wait anymore.} 22. gxf5 (22. Na5 $5 Rxa5 (22... f4 23. Bf2 Qc7 24. h5 $16) 23. bxa5 Na4 24. gxf5 gxf5 25. Bg5 $16) 22... gxf5 23. Na5 {Keeping an eye on the light-squared bishop.} f4 (23... Rxa5 24. bxa5 Na4 25. Bg5 {leads to a position from the previous note. Black has some practical chances, but objectively there is no compensation for an exchange.}) 24. Bf2 $16 {White's monarch feels quite safe now, while Black has numerous weaknesses.} Na4 25. Nxc6 (25. Rg1 Kh8 26. Ke2 Bf6 27. h5 $16) 25... bxc6 26. O-O {Caruana doesn't mind spending some time on removing his king from the centre.} ({Also good enough was} 26. h5 Bf6 27. Rg1+ Kh8 28. Ke2 $16) 26... c5 {In such a difficult situation, Magnus is trying to fix the pawn structure in order to set up some kind of blockade.} (26... Bf6 27. Kh1 Kh8 (27... Bxh4 $2 28. Rg1+ Kh8 29. Rg2 $18) 28. Rg1 Qe7 29. Rg2 Rf7 (29... Rg8 30. Bg4 Rg7 31. Rcg1 Rag8 32. Qe2 $16) 30. Bg4 Rh7 31. Bf5 Rh6 32. b5 Bxh4 33. Rh2 $16) (26... Rf6 27. Kh1 Rh6 28. Rg1 Kh8 29. Rg2 Bf6 30. h5 $16) 27. b5 Bf6 28. Kh1 Nb6 $2 {This could be a decisive mistake.} ({A better move was} 28... Ra7 $142 29. Rg1+ Kh8 30. h5 Nb6 31. Rg6 Rg8 32. Bg4 Rag7 33. Bf5 $16) ({The pawn was untouchable:} 28... Bxh4 29. Rg1+ Kh8 30. Rg2 {with a decisive attack.}) 29. Rcd1 $2 {Wrong rook!} ({Fabiano misses a clear win:} 29. Rfd1 $1 Be7 30. Bxc5 Kh8 31. Bf2 Bxh4 $140 32. Bxb6 Qxb6 33. Qxd6 $18 {and the 2 strong passed pawns will decide the game.}) 29... Kh8 $1 30. Qxd6 $6 {Underestimating Black's defensive resources in the resulting endgame.} ({After} 30. Bg4 Bxh4 31. Qxd6 Qxd6 32. Rxd6 Bxf2 33. Rxb6 Be3 $14 {Black gets excellent drawish chances.}) ({It was still possible to pose serious problems by means of} 30. Be2 $1 Be7 31. Rg1 Rf6 32. Qd3 Qd7 33. Qf3 $36) 30... Qxd6 31. Rxd6 Nxc4 {[%cal Gc4e3] The knight is heading to e3, forcing White to exchange the dark-squared bishop.} 32. Rd5 (32. Rd7 {also achieves nothing special:} Rad8 33. Bxc5 (33. Rfd1 Ne3 34. Bxe3 fxe3 35. Be2 c4 36. Rxd8 (36. Bxc4 Rc8 37. Bd3 Bxh4 $11) 36... Rxd8 37. Rxd8+ Bxd8 38. Bxc4 Bxh4 39. b6 Bd8 40. b7 Bc7 $11) 33... Rxd7 34. Bxf8 Rd2 35. Rc1 Ne3 36. b6 Rxa2 37. Bxa3 Rxa3 38. b7 Rb3 39. Rc8+ Kg7 40. b8=Q Rxb8 41. Rxb8 Bxh4 $11) 32... Ne3 33. Bxe3 fxe3 34. Be2 Bxh4 {Magnus should be happy with his position at this moment.} 35. Rf5 ({After} 35. Rxf8+ Rxf8 36. Rd3 {the easiest way is} c4 $1 37. Rxe3 Rc8 38. Rc3 (38. Rxa3 c3 39. Bd3 Bf2 40. Bc2 Bd4 41. Rb3 Rf8 $11) 38... Be1 39. Rxc4 Rxc4 40. Bxc4 Ba5 $11) 35... Rxf5 36. exf5 Rd8 $11 {Liquidating into a drawish bishop endgame.} 37. Rxd8+ (37. Rxe5 Rd2 38. Rxe3 Rxa2 $11) 37... Bxd8 38. Kg2 Kg7 39. Kf3 Kf6 40. Ke4 c4 41. Bxc4 Bb6 42. Bd3 ({A draw was agreed in view of} 42. Bd3 Bd4 43. Kd5 Ba7 44. Kc6 e4 45. Be2 Kxf5 46. b6 Bxb6 47. Kxb6 Kf4 48. Kc5 Kg3 $11) 1/2-1/2

[Event "Sinquefield Cup 2nd"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2014.09.06"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Topalov, Veselin"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C67"]
[WhiteElo "2772"]
[BlackElo "2877"]
[PlyCount "38"]
[EventDate "2014.08.27"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "23"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 162"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.09.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.09.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. d4 Nd6 6. Bxc6 dxc6 7. dxe5 Nf5 8. Qxd8+ Kxd8 9. h3 Ke8 10. Nc3 b6 11. Bf4 Bb4 ({RR} 11... Ba6 12. Rfc1 Bb4 {½-½ (18) Benedeczky,L (2105)-Grimm,G (2122) Balatonlelle 2015}) 12. Ne4 Ba6 13. Rfc1 Be2 14. Nfd2 Bxd2 15. Nxd2 Nd4 16. Be3 Nf5 17. Bf4 Nd4 18. Be3 Nf5 19. Bf4 $146 Nd4 1/2-1/2

[Event "World-ch Carlsen-Anand +3-1=7"]
[Site "Sochi"]
[Date "2014.11.09"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C65"]
[WhiteElo "2863"]
[BlackElo "2792"]
[Annotator "Negi,Parimarjan"]
[PlyCount "69"]
[EventDate "2014.11.08"]
[EventType "match"]
[EventRounds "12"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 164"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.01.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.01.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. d3 {I am curious why Magnus avoided these long middlegames in the next games, considering the way this game went.} Bc5 {The first theoretical crossroads. 0-0, and c3, both seem to lead to similar positions, but there are many subtle differences. I'll briefly write about a line in the c3-variation which I feel is an influence on the way Magnus played here.} 5. O-O (5. c3 O-O 6. O-O d6 7. Nbd2 (7. Bxc6 {not as good as the Magnus version because of c3 being already committed.}) 7... a6 {plays into White's plans. Now we get a setup similar to Carlsen's in the game. It might appear that in the game Black did not lose a move with ...a6 - but that was possibly offset by the fact that White tried to play a setup with c3. As you will see, c3-d4 is not neccesarily the only plan here, so it could be beneficial not to hurry with it.} (7... Ne7 $1 {is the main line these days, and it has been very hard for White to prove any advantage. The key idea is that Black avoids xc6 setups, and is willing to concede the centre after} 8. d4 {if not d4, then Black gets the ideal e7-g6, followed by ...a6 etc.} exd4 9. cxd4 Bb6 {this is the critical position for the assessment of this line. It appears to me that Black has been able to get enough counterplay so far, but there's certainly more room to explore.}) 8. Bxc6 {A couple of excellent demonstrations of White's play were the following. In both the games, White avoided an early d4, and instead just focussed on developing his pieces, and eventually exploiting Black's structural weaknesses. Right now, the weaknesses appear miniscule, but it makes it incredibly difficult for Black to create counterplay since ideas like ...d5 just weaken his position further. And White can eventually try to get in d4 at the right point.} bxc6 9. Re1 Re8 10. h3 Bb6 11. Nf1 h6 12. Ng3 Be6 (12... d5 13. Qc2 $1 {again the queen is wonderful here. Black is just spoiling his own structure:} dxe4 14. dxe4 Nd7 15. Be3 Nc5 16. c4 a5 17. b3 $14 {1-0 (26) Dominguez Perez,L (2753)-Cox,J (2387) Rhodes 2013}) 13. Be3 Bxe3 14. Rxe3 c5 15. Qc2 {The queen is always excellent here.} Nd7 16. d4 $1 {since everything is perfectly placed.} cxd4 17. cxd4 exd4 18. Nxd4 a5 19. b3 Nc5 20. Rd1 $14 {1-0 (55) Svidler,P (2741)-Navara,D (2706) Prague 2012}) 5... d6 (5... O-O {isn't possible due to} 6. Bxc6 bxc6 7. Nxe5) ({The main drawback for 0-0 is} 5... Nd4 {as an extra option, which has often allowed Black to equalise easily in the past. But as the following recent game shows, there is a lot more to explore here, and clearly Magnus had some interesting setup in mind against this.} 6. Nxd4 Bxd4 7. c3 Bb6 8. Na3 $5 c6 9. Ba4 O-O 10. Bg5 h6 11. Bh4 d5 12. exd5 cxd5 13. Bb3 g5 14. Bg3 Re8 15. Re1 Bc7 16. Nc2 $14 {½-½ (69) Topalov,V (2785)-Andreikin,D (2709) Khanty-Mansiysk 2014}) 6. Re1 $5 {Already a novelty among decent players! That's pretty impressive in one of the most widely analysed opening of our times...although I have to admit, it's not really a new concept. The same thing was tried by Adams after 6.bd2 - actually 9...h6 by Anand would have converted to the Adams - Kramnik game mentioned below.  I am not sure if there is any subtlety behind delaying d2 - perhaps it could be more flexible in some cases, but I don't think it really matters. White's main idea is just to play the closed structure after xc6, similar to the Svidler - Navara game mentioned after 5. c3. In the long term he hopes to exploit the 'queenside' weakening of the strucuture, and hope that active moves like d5 will only create weaknesses for Black. It's an interesting concept, and certainly an excellent try against people not comfortable with long strategic manoevres.} ({The same structure can be got by} 6. Nbd2 O-O 7. Bxc6 bxc6 8. h3 h6 9. Re1 Re8 10. Nf1 d5 $5 {I prefer} 11. Qe2 {or perhaps he could have included c3 earlier, so c2 would have made even more sense.} (11. exd5 Qxd5 $1 {gave Black a lot of counterplay despite the broken structure.} 12. Be3 Bf8 13. Bd2 e4 14. dxe4 Nxe4 15. Ng3 Bb7 16. Bf4 Nd6 17. b3 c5 $11 {0-1 (75) Adams,M (2727)-Kramnik,V (2801) Paris/St Petersburg 2013 CBM 154 [Szabo,Kr].}) {Nothing drastic has occured and the slow game continues. Here, Black went wrong trying to seek activity with} 11... dxe4 12. dxe4 a5 13. Rd1 Ba6 14. Qe1 Qb8 15. Ng3 Qb4 16. b3 Qxe1+ 17. Rxe1 Bb4 18. Rd1 Bc3 19. Rb1 c5 20. Bd2 Bxd2 21. Nxd2 g6 22. f3 Red8 23. Ndf1 $14 {with a pleasant endgame in Bartel,M (2651)-Arslanov,S (2396) Moscow 2014.}) 6... O-O 7. Bxc6 ({RR} 7. c3 a6 8. Ba4 b5 9. Bc2 Ng4 10. Re2 f5 11. d4 Bb6 12. dxe5 dxe5 13. Qd5+ Qxd5 14. exd5 Na5 15. h3 e4 16. Ne1 Nf6 17. a4 Bb7 18. Na3 Bxd5 19. Be3 Bxe3 20. fxe3 Nc4 21. Nxc4 bxc4 {Mtsetfwa Philani (1688)-Asllani,M (2191) Budapest HUN 2024 0-1 (34)}) 7... bxc6 8. h3 (8. Nbd2 {would run into g4...f5 ideas.}) 8... Re8 9. Nbd2 Nd7 $146 (9... h6 {would convert to Adams - Kramnik as mentioned above. There White continued f1, but perhaps it makes sense to play more in Carlsen's style as well.} 10. a4 {or doing the same thing without a4 - but including a4 never seems bad to me. Also it's a useful waiting move.} a5 (10... Be6 11. Nf1 {now d5 isn't possible as in Adams - Kramnik.}) 11. Nc4 Be6 (11... d5 {leads to strange complications, but White seems to be preferrable in the end:} 12. exd5 e4 13. dxe4 Rxe4 14. Rxe4 Nxe4 15. Be3 cxd5 16. Bxc5 Nxc5 17. Ne3 $14) 12. Be3 $5 Bxc4 13. Bxc5 Be6 (13... dxc5 14. dxc4 $14 {the tripled pawns are uglier.}) 14. Be3 {and again we have opposite coloured bishops, and perhaps some pretensions of an edge for white? certainly his play is easier.}) (9... Nh5 {seems more natural, but I am not sure if White needs to worry much about h5-f4 as a plan. He can just continue c4...e3, or try c3-d4.}) ({RR} 9... a5 10. a4 h6 11. Nc4 Be6 12. b3 Nd7 13. Bd2 Bb6 14. Nxb6 cxb6 15. d4 Qc7 16. Bc3 Rad8 17. Bb2 f6 18. c4 exd4 19. Nxd4 Nc5 20. Qf3 Bc8 21. Re3 Ne6 22. Nf5 Ng5 23. Qf4 Bxf5 24. Qxf5 {Ulrich,R (2049)-Cervantes Landeiro,T (2032) Saint Louis 2017 ½-½ (47)}) ({RR} 9... h6 10. Nf1 d5 11. Ng3 Bd6 12. b3 Nh7 13. Bb2 d4 14. Bc1 Nf8 15. Nh2 Ng6 16. Nf5 Ne7 17. Qf3 Nxf5 18. exf5 Qf6 19. g4 Bb4 20. Re2 Bd7 21. Nf1 e4 22. Rxe4 c5 23. Ng3 Bc6 24. Bf4 {Van Foreest,J (2472)-Bok,B (2572) Basel 2015 1-0 (40)}) 10. Nc4 Bb6 {This avoids a5 ideas, and also xb6 doesn't really seem worrying since it improves the structure.} (10... a6 11. Na5 $1 $14) (10... a5 11. Bd2 a4 12. Na5 $14) 11. a4 {A really useful move - as you will see soon.} a5 12. Nxb6 {Somewhat counter intuitive decision...at first the opposite colours seem to make Black's life easier. But Carlsen had a more long term idea in mind...I still feel that Black's position should be fairly solid here, but it's not as obvious as it looks at first sight.} cxb6 $6 ({With hindsight, I'd prefer} 12... Nxb6 $1 {although I must admit that it's hard to imagine, particularly in a game, that ...cxb6 could be anything but solid for Black. But another advantage of this move is that Black can actually play actively with ...f5! next - and the a5-weakness is less scary since it would only be a problem in the endgame.} 13. b3 (13. d4 exd4 $1 14. Nxd4 c5 $11 {Black's pieces are perfectly set to deal with the d4 break.}) 13... f5 $1 $13 ({Actually Black doesn't even need to hurry with f5.} 13... c5 14. Bd2 Nd7 $5 { b8-c6 seems just fine as well.})) 13. d4 Qc7 $6 {Another almost imperceptible inaccuracy, but suddenly things start to get tougher for Black after this. The queen seems natural on c7, but it allows White the strong option of h4 in the future!} (13... Qe7 {keeps an eye on h4, but this seems a really awkward square for the queen. Also b6 might be weak after f8-g6.} 14. Ra3 Nf8 15. Rb3 Rb8 16. Be3) (13... f6 $1 {also allows h4 at some point, but it's not as easy to implement for White because after} 14. Ra3 Nf8 {dxe5-dxe5 would give Black an additional move due to the threat to exchange queens.} 15. dxe5 (15. Nh4 exd4 $1 {would create a mess}) 15... dxe5 16. Rd3 Qc7 17. Nh4 Ne6 {and White's initiative looks much less dangerous.}) 14. Ra3 $1 {The idea behind 11.a4! Suddenly the position seems slightly less innocuous, and you realise that it is indeed easier to play for White. Most importantly, practically, it's not easy to make decisions.} Nf8 (14... c5 15. d5 $14 {the kingside attack will be more dangerous now.}) (14... Bb7 15. dxe5 dxe5 16. Nh4 $14) (14... exd4 15. Nxd4 {is too slow for Black.  g3.}) 15. dxe5 dxe5 16. Nh4 {White's play flows very smoothly now.} Rd8 (16... Ng6 17. Nf5 {doesn't change much.}) 17. Qh5 f6 (17... Ng6 18. Nf5 $14) 18. Nf5 Be6 (18... Ne6 $1 19. Rg3 Kh8 {is a much more cool defence, keeping things more under control but it does look like a worrying position for Black. I don't see many ways Black can improve, so white can slowly try to continue building an initiative...particularly g4-h4 ideas seem tempting in the future.}) 19. Rg3 Ng6 20. h4 (20. Bh6 {would lead to some nice fireworks, but that's not really in Carlsen's style, and very much not required.} gxh6 21. Rxg6+ hxg6 22. Qxg6+ Kf8 23. Qxf6+ Qf7 24. Qxh6+ Ke8 {and a rook ought to be worth something. It seems pretty unclear.}) 20... Bxf5 (20... Rd7 21. Bh6 $1 {is much stronger now.} gxh6 22. Qxh6 { h5.}) 21. exf5 Nf4 22. Bxf4 exf4 23. Rc3 $1 {Despite the equal material, the major piece endgame is surprisingly hard to play. It's possible to suggest better defensive moves with the engine, but I believe practically it's already very tough. Understandably, Vishy begins to make slight inaccuracies, and Magnus wraps it up smoothly with his trademark precision:} c5 24. Re6 Rab8 $2 (24... h6 {( 25.c4 d4!)} 25. Qf3 Rab8 {with much better chances to survive compared to the game.}) 25. Rc4 Qd7 26. Kh2 Rf8 (26... Qd1 {isn't possible due to} 27. Re8+ $1 $18) (26... Re8 27. Rce4 Rxe6 28. fxe6 $16 {will be pretty unpleasant.}) 27. Rce4 Rb7 28. Qe2 b5 29. b3 $5 {This doesn't seem required, but it's in Carlsen's style to not force things. Instead he just restricts any counterplay for Black, and makes Black go wrong by himself.} bxa4 30. bxa4 Rb4 {Exchanging a pair of rooks might reduce the pressure, but here it also creates additional weaknesses - particularly in Black's 7th rank. White continues with a strong attack despite the almost endgame nature of the position!} 31. Re7 Qd6 32. Qf3 Rxe4 33. Qxe4 f3+ 34. g3 h5 $2 {The final blunder - but the position was actually much trickier than it looks.} (34... Qd2 35. Qxf3 Qxc2 {at first Black seems to be safe, but after} 36. Kg2 Kh8 37. Qc6 {White continues to exert pressure without taking any risk. Black's rook is completely tied down to g7, and it will be hard for him to keep the c-pawn alive. Still, it's not a straightforward win, and White still needs to show technique.}) 35. Qb7 $1 1-0

[Event "World-ch Carlsen-Anand +3-1=7"]
[Site "Sochi"]
[Date "2014.11.12"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B40"]
[WhiteElo "2863"]
[BlackElo "2792"]
[Annotator "Kasimdzhanov,Rustam"]
[PlyCount "94"]
[EventDate "2014.11.08"]
[EventType "match"]
[EventRounds "12"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 164"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.01.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.01.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{This outwardly very quiet game was in fact full of content and also very interesting from a psychological point of view. The day before Magnus had lost in a somewhat embarassingly one-sided fashion, and it was very interesting to see how he would cope in a new situation.} 1. e4 {[%emt 0:00:04]} c5 $1 {[%emt 0:00:08] No Berlin today! Thanks from all the fans all around the world! :)} 2. Nf3 {[%emt 0:00:07]} e6 {[%emt 0:00:05] Vishy has played 2...d6 most of his life, but not today. Is 3.b5 really that strong?} 3. g3 {[%emt 0:00:16] What Black had in store after 3.d4, we'll see in game 6.} Nc6 {[%emt 0:00:44]} 4. Bg2 {[%emt 0:00:10]} d5 {[%emt 0:00:12]} 5. exd5 {[%emt 0:00:30]} exd5 {[%emt 0:00:08]} 6. O-O {[%emt 0:00:30]} Nf6 {[%emt 0:01:09]} 7. d4 {[%emt 0:00:57]} Be7 {[%emt 0:00:53]} 8. Be3 {[%emt 0:05:55]} ({RR} 8. Bg5 O-O 9. Nc3 h6 10. Bxf6 Bxf6 11. dxc5 d4 12. Ne4 Bf5 13. Nxf6+ Qxf6 14. b4 a6 15. a3 Rad8 16. Qd2 Bg4 17. Ne1 Rfe8 18. Nd3 Re2 19. Qf4 Qxf4 20. Nxf4 Rxc2 21. h3 Bf5 22. Rfd1 d3 {Oluka Robert Mcligeyo (2027)-Alcazar Jimenez,J (2141) chess.com INT 2025 0-1 (45)}) 8... cxd4 {[%emt 0:05:06]} 9. Nxd4 {[%emt 0:00:46]} Bg4 $1 {[%emt 0:00:14] A nice improvement, typical of high-class preparation.} ({After the usual} 9... O-O 10. h3 {Black has had some problems in recent games:} Re8 11. Nc3 (11. Re1 h6 12. Nd2 Bd6 13. c3 Bd7 {½-½ (37) Short,N (2696)-Caruana,F (2675) Wijk aan Zee 2010}) 11... Bb4 12. Nce2 Bd6 13. c3 Bd7 14. Nf4 Bxf4 15. Bxf4 $14 {½-½ (54) Adams,M (2740)-Kryvoruchko,Y (2678) Tromsoe 2013}) ({RR} 9... O-O 10. Nc3 Bg4 11. Qd3 a6 12. Rfe1 Qd7 13. Nxc6 bxc6 14. Na4 Qf5 15. Bf4 Bb4 16. Qxf5 Bxf5 17. c3 Ba5 18. Bf1 Bd8 19. b3 Ne4 20. h4 Bf6 21. Rac1 g5 22. hxg5 Nxg5 23. Bg2 Nh3+ 24. Bxh3 {Jones,G (2635)-Caruana,F (2767) Reykjavik 2012 ½-½}) 10. Qd3 $146 {[%emt 0:03:32]} ({RR} 10. Bf3 Qd7 11. Nc3 Bh3 12. Re1 O-O 13. Bg5 Rad8 14. Bg2 Bxg2 15. Kxg2 h6 16. Bf4 Bc5 17. Nb3 Bb4 18. a3 Bxc3 19. bxc3 Rfe8 20. Qd3 b6 21. Nd4 Nxd4 22. Qxd4 Qf5 23. Qd3 Qc8 24. Be5 Ne4 {Shubin,K (2429)-Schekachikhin,M (2406) St Petersburg 2020 ½-½ (57)}) ({RR} 10. Bf3 Qd7 11. Nc3 Bh3 12. Re1 O-O 13. Bg5 Rad8 14. Bg2 Bxg2 15. Kxg2 h6 16. Bf4 Bc5 17. Nb3 Bb4 18. a3 Bxc3 19. bxc3 Rfe8 20. Qd3 b6 21. Nd4 Nxd4 22. Qxd4 Qf5 23. Qd3 Qc8 24. Be5 Ne4 {Shubin,K (2429)-Schekachikhin,M (2406) St Petersburg 2020 ½-½ (57)}) 10... Qd7 {[%emt 0:03:27]} 11. Nd2 {[%emt 0:06:52]} O-O {[%emt 0:01:39] Black has got a pretty comfortable IQP position.} 12. N2f3 {[%emt 0:01:24]} Rfe8 {[%emt 0:06:27]} 13. Rfe1 {[%emt 0:05:36]} Bd6 {[%emt 0:05:45]} 14. c3 {[%emt 0:07:37]} h6 {[%emt 0:02:43]} 15. Qf1 $1 {[%emt 0:09:04] Quite impressive, and not because this move changes anything in the evaluation - the position reamains around equality - but it does manage to create some threats (h3, h4, h3 in some lines) from nothing.} Bh5 {[%emt 0:17:25] Played after some thought.} ({Vishy could also have gone for more ambitious} 15... Ne4 $5 {when after} 16. h3 (16. Nxc6 bxc6 17. Nd4 Bh5 $13) 16... Bh5 17. Nh4 Nxd4 18. Bxd4 f5 $1 {Black's play should not be underestimated.}) 16. h3 {[%emt 0:06:42]} (16. Nh4 {was perhaps more challenging} Bc5 $1 (16... Ng4 17. Qb5 Nxe3 18. Rxe3 Rxe3 19. fxe3 $14) 17. Nhf5 Bb6 $11) 16... Bg6 {[%emt 0:00:31]} 17. Rad1 {[%emt 0:05:24]} Rad8 {[%emt 0:08:41] Both sides have completed the development, and White faces a really difficult task of coming up with a plan of action. He decides to change the structure in the centre - this decision could not possibly have been an easy one.} 18. Nxc6 $5 {[%emt 0:08:44]} bxc6 {[%emt 0:00:46]} 19. c4 {[%emt 0:00:07]} Be4 $6 {[%emt 0:08:16] Nothing could be more natural than this, but now Black starts sliding into trouble.} (19... Bc2 $1 {forces the rook to occupy a worse square} 20. Rc1 (20. Rd2 Be4 {and the threat of ...b4 gains some time}) 20... Be4 21. Bd4 dxc4 22. Qxc4 (22. Bxf6 Bd3) 22... Bd5 $11) 20. Bd4 {[%emt 0:09:36]} Nh7 {[%emt 0:02:17]} 21. cxd5 {[%emt 0:02:46]} Bxd5 {[%emt 0:00:16]} (21... cxd5 22. Qa6 {feels risky in the long run.}) 22. Rxe8+ {[%emt 0:06:18]} Rxe8 {[%emt 0:00:42]} 23. Qd3 $1 {[%emt 0:01:55] The white queen comes back into the game, and Black has problems due to queenside weaknesses and vulnerable pieces along the d-file.} Nf8 {[%emt 0:13:26]} 24. Nh4 $2 {[%emt 0:03:29] Letting go way too easily.} (24. Bc3 $1 {kept it very tough for Black} Rd8 (24... Ne6 25. Nh4) (24... Ng6 25. Qd4 Bf8 26. Nh2) 25. Nh4 Bc5 26. Nf5 Bxg2 27. Qxd7 Rxd7 28. Rxd7 Nxd7 29. Kxg2 $14) 24... Be5 $1 {[%emt 0:05:01] That's exactly the difference.} 25. Bxd5 {[%emt 0:04:04]} Qxd5 {[%emt 0:02:21]} 26. Bxe5 {[%emt 0:01:13]} Qxe5 {[%emt 0:00:13] Now it's about equal again.} 27. b3 {[%emt 0:01:06]} Ne6 {[%emt 0:02:55]} 28. Nf3 {[%emt 0:03:23]} Qf6 {[%emt 0:00:51]} 29. Kg2 {[%emt 0:01:06]} Rd8 {[%emt 0:05:54]} 30. Qe2 {[%emt 0:00:10]} Rd5 {[%emt 0:03:49]} (30... Rxd1 31. Qxd1 Qe7 32. Qd3 Qc5 {might have been simpler.}) 31. Rxd5 {[%emt 0:04:27]} cxd5 {[%emt 0:00:07]} 32. Ne5 {[%emt 0:01:11]} (32. Qe5 $5 Qd8 33. Nd4 Nxd4 34. Qxd4 Qd7 {I wonder if White has chances here...}) 32... Qf5 {[%emt 0:03:20]} 33. Nd3 {[%emt 0:03:22]} Nd4 {[%emt 0:01:51]} 34. g4 $5 {[%emt 0:05:29] This unexpected move still poses some problems.} Qd7 {[%emt 0:05:29]} (34... Nxe2 35. gxf5 Kf8 36. Kf3 Nc3 37. a4 Ke7 38. Ke3 Kd6 {is ok for Black, but I can understand the reluctance to go for a knight ending.}) (34... Qg6 35. Qe8+ (35. Qe3 Nf5 36. Qe8+ Kh7) 35... Kh7 36. Nf4 Qe4+ 37. Qxe4+ dxe4 {same here}) (34... Qe4+ $2 35. Qxe4 dxe4 36. Nc5) 35. Qe5 {[%emt 0:00:33]} Ne6 {[%emt 0:00:20]} 36. Kg3 {[%emt 0:03:39]} Qb5 {[%emt 0:00:46]} 37. Nf4 {[%emt 0:00:57]} Nxf4 {[%emt 0:01:19]} 38. Kxf4 {[%emt 0:00:05]} Qb4+ {[%emt 0:02:10]} (38... g5+ $1 39. Kg3 Qa6 40. a4 Qd3+ 41. Qe3 Qd1 {is quite a simple draw.}) 39. Kf3 {[%emt 0:00:09]} d4 {[%emt 0:01:07]} 40. Qe8+ {[%emt 0:00:00]} Kh7 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 41. Qxf7 {[%emt 0:05:34]} Qd2 $1 {[%emt 0:05:46] Probably found by elimination, as the most natural} (41... Qc3+ $2 42. Ke4 d3 43. Qf3 $16 {leads nowhere good.}) 42. Qf5+ {[%emt 0:08:35]} (42. Ke4 $5 d3 43. Kd4 Qe2 44. Qf5+ Kg8 45. Qxd3 Qxf2+ 46. Kd5 Qxa2 47. Kc6 {looks strong, but in fact there is too little material remaining to give chances} Qf2 $1) 42... Kh8 {[%emt 0:00:08]} 43. h4 {[%emt 0:06:47]} Qxa2 {[%emt 0:11:13]} 44. Qe6 {[%emt 0:01:40]} Qd2 {[%emt 0:05:48]} 45. Qe8+ {[%emt 0:06:15]} Kh7 {[%emt 0:00:40]} 46. Qe4+ {[%emt 0:00:09]} Kh8 {[%emt 0:00:13]} 47. Qe8+ {[%emt 0:00:38]} Kh7 {[%emt 0:00:06] Again, Magnus managed to (almost) outplay his mighty opponent from an equal position, but a slightly careless 24.h4, allowing 24...e5! pretty much led to a draw.} 1/2-1/2

[Event "World-ch Carlsen-Anand +3-1=7"]
[Site "Sochi"]
[Date "2014.11.15"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B41"]
[WhiteElo "2863"]
[BlackElo "2792"]
[Annotator "Kasimdzhanov,Rustam"]
[PlyCount "79"]
[EventDate "2014.11.08"]
[EventType "match"]
[EventRounds "12"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 164"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.01.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.01.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{This game has already entered chess history, and not in a good way. Hardly any other game caused so much astonishment, and left even experts so perplexed. Mutual blunders shocked the public at large; a strange opening choice from Vishy left me, amongst others, struggling for an explanation.} 1. e4 {[%emt 0:00:04]} c5 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 2. Nf3 {[%emt 0:00:05]} e6 {[%emt 0:00:06] The same opening choice from Anand as in game 4, but...} 3. d4 $1 {[%emt 0:00:15] This time Magnus is prepared!} cxd4 {[%emt 0:00:08]} 4. Nxd4 {[%emt 0:00:02]} a6 {[%emt 0:00:09]} 5. c4 {[%emt 0:00:43] A very popular move these days, alternatives are 5.d3 and 5.c3.} Nf6 {[%emt 0:00:13]} 6. Nc3 {[%emt 0:00:10]} Bb4 {[%emt 0:00:08] Quite natural, but in fact not the most solid continuation.} (6... Qc7 7. a3 b6 {leads to pretty normal Hedgehog positions} (7... Nxe4 8. Nxe4 Qe5 {is very risky for Black})) 7. Qd3 {[%emt 0:01:34]} Nc6 $6 {[%emt 0:00:15] Vishy choosing this line is rather odd - Black gets a passive position without any counterplay.} (7... Qc7 8. a3 Bxc3+ 9. Qxc3 Nxe4 10. Nb5 $1 {is just bad for Black: 1-0 (31) Nepomniachtchi,I (2730)-Svidler,P (2753) Dubai 2014}) ({But} 7... d5 {is a pretty good move, with decent chances to equalize.}) 8. Nxc6 {[%emt 0:02:24]} dxc6 {[%emt 0:00:09]} 9. Qxd8+ {[%emt 0:03:23]} Kxd8 {[%emt 0:00:41]} 10. e5 {[%emt 0:00:05]} Nd7 {[%emt 0:01:28]} (10... Ne4 {looks more active: after} 11. a3 Bxc3+ 12. bxc3 b6 13. Be3 Kc7 14. Bd3 Nc5 (14... Nxc3 15. a4 b5 {feels quite risky too}) 15. Bc2 a5 16. O-O-O Ba6 17. Rd4 {isn't as bad for Black as the game, but still kind of sad.}) 11. Bf4 {[%emt 0:02:58]} (11. f4 {gives Black counterplay} f6 12. exf6 Nxf6 (12... gxf6 $5)) 11... Bxc3+ {[%emt 0:09:17]} 12. bxc3 {[%emt 0:00:29]} Kc7 {[%emt 0:00:33]} ({RR} 12... c5 13. h4 b6 14. O-O-O Bb7 15. h5 h6 16. Rh3 Be4 17. Rg3 g5 18. hxg6 Bxg6 19. Rh3 h5 20. Be2 Kc7 21. Rdh1 Rag8 22. g4 Kc8 23. gxh5 Be4 24. f3 Bf5 25. Rg3 Rxg3 26. Bxg3 Rg8 27. Bf4 {Karjakin,S (2752)-Bykhovsky,A (2496) Chess.com INT 2020 1-0 (33)}) ({RR} 12... c5 13. h4 f6 14. O-O-O b6 15. Rh3 Ke7 16. Rg3 Kf7 17. exf6 gxf6 18. Be2 h5 19. Rgd3 e5 20. Bg3 Ra7 21. Bf3 Ke7 22. Rd6 Rc7 23. Be4 b5 24. cxb5 axb5 25. R1d2 c4 26. Rc6 Rxc6 27. Bxc6 {Phatak,A (2206)-Fu,Y (2261) Fujairah City UAE 2025 0-1 (33)}) 13. h4 {[%emt 0:03:55]} b6 {[%emt 0:01:21]} (13... h5 14. Rh3 {and maybe Black is just no longer in time to defend f7.}) 14. h5 {[%emt 0:01:38]} h6 $146 {[%emt 0:07:45] Very understandable, but in fact a rather risky approach.} ({Letting the white pawn get to h6 after} 14... Bb7 15. h6 g6 {does not look great, but in fact Black has only one weakness to defend now, the pawn on f7, and he might be able to do it.} 16. O-O-O c5 17. Rh4 Rhf8 18. Bg3 Rae8 {and I don't see how White should progress here.}) ({RR} 14... Bb7 15. h6 g6 16. O-O-O Nc5 17. Bg5 Rhe8 18. f3 Nd7 19. f4 f6 20. exf6 Rf8 21. Rh3 c5 22. Rhd3 Bc6 23. Be2 Nxf6 24. Bf3 Rae8 25. Bxc6 Kxc6 26. Rd6+ Kc7 27. Bxf6 Rxf6 28. Rd7+ Kc8 29. Rxh7 {Bodnar,N (2424)-Guerreiro,A (2021) Chess.com INT 2020 1-0 (53)}) ({RR} 14... Bb7 15. h6 g6 16. O-O-O Nc5 17. Bg5 Rhe8 18. f3 Nd7 19. f4 f6 20. exf6 Rf8 21. Rh3 c5 22. Rhd3 Bc6 23. Be2 Nxf6 24. Bf3 Rae8 25. Bxc6 Kxc6 26. Rd6+ Kc7 27. Bxf6 Rxf6 28. Rd7+ Kc8 29. Rxh7 {Bodnar,N (2424)-Guerreiro,A (2021) Chess.com INT 2020 1-0 (53)}) 15. O-O-O {[%emt 0:03:58]} Bb7 {[%emt 0:01:18]} 16. Rd3 {[%emt 0:02:04]} c5 {[%emt 0:07:41]} 17. Rg3 {[%emt 0:01:41]} Rag8 {[%emt 0:01:39]} 18. Bd3 {[%emt 0:00:45]} Nf8 {[%emt 0:04:29] Now we can take stock of what has happened - Black is passive and worse; or, as Kramnik nicely put it, the starting position in chess is not so bad for Black that he should go for something like this :)} 19. Be3 {[%emt 0:01:26]} g6 {[%emt 0:10:20] Black just can't allow h4-g4.} (19... Nd7 20. Rh4 Nxe5 21. Bf4 f6 22. Rhg4 {is no improvement.}) 20. hxg6 {[%emt 0:02:49]} Nxg6 {[%emt 0:03:20]} 21. Rh5 {[%emt 0:00:34]} Bc6 {[%emt 0:06:24]} 22. Bc2 {[%emt 0:02:55]} Kb7 {[%emt 0:04:17] So far White has played immaculately, but around here strange things start happening.} 23. Rg4 {[%emt 0:08:35] In fact the rook is pretty vulnarable here, and does not do very much at all.} (23. Kd2 Ne7 $1 24. Rxg8 Rxg8 25. g3 Bf3 26. Rxh6 Rd8+ 27. Kc1 {Black is still fighting here, but White should convert in the long run} (27. Ke1 Nc6)) 23... a5 {[%emt 0:05:45]} (23... Ne7 24. Rxg8 Rxg8 25. g3 Bf3 26. Rxh6 Ng6 {is similar to the previous line.}) 24. Bd1 {[%emt 0:01:37]} Rd8 {[%emt 0:05:17]} 25. Bc2 {[%emt 0:03:46]} Rdg8 {[%emt 0:02:23]} 26. Kd2 $4 {[%emt 0:01:03] A move that should have changed modern chess history. White really needs to centralise his king, but it would be nice to achieve it without blundering all his pawns.} (26. Kd1 Nf8 $1 27. Rf4 Be8 {is suddenly awkward for White}) (26. Rg3 $5 {might be the best; although it becomes clear, that White lost a lot of time, shuffling his pieces around.}) 26... a4 $4 {[%emt 0:01:00] As they say, "returning the favour". I can't think of any other example, where Vishy with loads of time on his clock had failed to spot tactics that simple.} (26... Nxe5 $1 27. Rxg8 Nxc4+ 28. Ke2 Rxg8 29. g3 Nxe3 30. Kxe3 Bd5 {with a reasonably simple techical task.}) 27. Ke2 {[%emt 0:01:31] Back in control.} a3 {[%emt 0:02:42]} 28. f3 {[%emt 0:01:20]} Rd8 {[%emt 0:09:34]} 29. Ke1 {[%emt 0:08:04]} (29. Bxg6 fxg6 30. Rxg6 Ba4 31. Rxe6 Bc2 {feels less clear than White would ideally like.}) 29... Rd7 {[%emt 0:01:18]} 30. Bc1 {[%emt 0:01:58]} Ra8 {[%emt 0:03:54]} 31. Ke2 {[%emt 0:08:42]} Ba4 {[%emt 0:00:25]} 32. Be4+ {[%emt 0:02:26]} Bc6 $2 {[%emt 0:00:09] The last of so many mistakes in this game.} ({After} 32... Ka7 $1 33. Bxa8 Kxa8 34. Bxa3 (34. Rh1 Bc2) 34... Rd1 35. Rxh6 Ra1 {Black gets a surprising ammount of counterplay} 36. Ke3 $1 {perhaps the best, but far from simple} (36. Rh7 Rxa2+ $13) (36. Rg5 Rxa2+ 37. Ke1 Nf4 (37... Rxa3 38. Rh7 $16) 38. Bc1 Nd3+ 39. Kf1 Bb3 (39... Nxc1 40. Rg7) 40. Rg7 Bxc4 41. Kg1 Kb7 42. Rxf7+ Kc6 43. Bg5 Rc2 {is a mess}) 36... Nxe5 37. Rg7 Nxc4+ 38. Kf4 Nd6 39. Ke5 Rd1 40. Bc1 {and White will prevail, probably :)}) 33. Bxg6 {[%emt 0:01:27]} fxg6 {[%emt 0:00:19]} 34. Rxg6 {[%emt 0:00:08]} Ba4 {[%emt 0:05:18]} 35. Rxe6 {[%emt 0:03:43]} Rd1 {[%emt 0:04:02]} 36. Bxa3 {[%emt 0:02:10]} Ra1 {[%emt 0:01:53]} 37. Ke3 {[%emt 0:01:55]} Bc2 {[%emt 0:03:43]} 38. Re7+ {[%emt 0:00:36] Luck always favours the winner.} Ka6 39. Rxh6 Rxa2 40. Bxc5 1-0

[Event "World-ch Carlsen-Anand +3-1=7"]
[Site "Sochi"]
[Date "2014.11.17"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C67"]
[WhiteElo "2863"]
[BlackElo "2792"]
[Annotator "Kasimdzhanov,Rustam"]
[PlyCount "243"]
[EventDate "2014.11.08"]
[EventType "match"]
[EventRounds "12"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 164"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.01.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.01.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 {[%emt 0:00:04]} e5 {[%emt 0:00:09]} 2. Nf3 {[%emt 0:00:05]} Nc6 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 3. Bb5 {[%emt 0:00:09]} Nf6 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 4. O-O {[%emt 0:00:10]} Nxe4 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 5. d4 {[%emt 0:00:06] After a very sucessful Anti-Berlin in game 2, Magnus switches to the main line.} Nd6 {[%emt 0:00:07]} 6. Bxc6 {[%emt 0:00:15]} dxc6 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 7. dxe5 {[%emt 0:00:12]} Nf5 {[%emt 0:00:07]} 8. Qxd8+ {[%emt 0:00:09]} Kxd8 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 9. h3 {[%emt 0:00:09]} Ke8 {[%emt 0:00:19]} 10. Nc3 {[%emt 0:03:15]} h5 {[%emt 0:00:09]} 11. Bf4 {[%emt 0:01:20]} Be7 {[%emt 0:00:16]} 12. Rad1 {[%emt 0:02:15]} Be6 {[%emt 0:01:04] The very main line these days; Black is solid, but does not usually get many chances to win the game, and has to know his defences quite exactly.} 13. Ng5 {[%emt 0:00:57]} Rh6 {[%emt 0:00:52]} 14. g3 {[%emt 0:01:30]} (14. Rfe1 {is the main alternative, played by Vishy himself. Black had to suffer to get a draw after} Bb4 15. g4 hxg4 16. hxg4 Ne7 17. Nxe6 Rxe6 18. Kg2 Bxc3 19. bxc3 Rd8 20. Rxd8+ Kxd8 21. Rh1 Nd5 22. Bg3 g5 23. c4 Nc3 24. Kf3 Rg6 25. a3 Na4 26. Ke4 Nc5+ 27. Kf5 Ne6 28. Rh8+ Kd7 29. c3 Ng7+ 30. Ke4 Ne6 31. f3 c5 32. Bf2 a6 33. Be3 b6 {in the game Anand,V (2770)-Karjakin,S (2766) Khanty-Mansiysk 2014.}) 14... Bxg5 {[%emt 0:04:25] An introduction to the very forced sequence.} 15. Bxg5 {[%emt 0:00:08]} Rg6 {[%emt 0:00:11]} 16. h4 {[%emt 0:00:57]} f6 {[%emt 0:00:29]} 17. exf6 {[%emt 0:00:21]} gxf6 {[%emt 0:00:07]} 18. Bf4 {[%emt 0:00:10]} Nxh4 {[%emt 0:00:41]} 19. f3 {[%emt 0:02:20]} Rd8 {[%emt 0:00:45]} 20. Kf2 {[%emt 0:01:08]} Rxd1 {[%emt 0:00:41]} 21. Nxd1 {[%emt 0:00:19]} Nf5 {[%emt 0:00:09]} 22. Rh1 {[%emt 0:00:48]} Bxa2 $1 {[%emt 0:01:15] The point.} ({After} 22... Ng7 23. Ne3 {[%cal Ge3g2,Gg2h4] the rook on g6 is in serious trouble.}) 23. Rxh5 {[%emt 0:00:13]} (23. b3 $2 Bb1) 23... Be6 {[%emt 0:00:12]} 24. g4 {[%emt 0:00:38]} (24. Bxc7 Rh6 {is just a draw.}) 24... Nd6 {[%emt 0:05:03]} 25. Rh7 {[%emt 0:01:18]} Nf7 {[%emt 0:10:27] Only this move is new, but in fact White's initiative is still quite nasty.} ({The previous game saw} 25... f5 26. g5 (26. Rxc7 $1 {might be what Magnus had in mind} Nb5 27. gxf5 Bxf5 28. Rxb7 Bxc2 29. Ne3 {there is not much material left, but Black is in trouble because of his weak king and White's marching f-pawn}) 26... Nf7 27. Rh5 Rg8 28. Kg3 Rh8 {led to an eventual draw in Giri,A (2768)-Radjabov,T (2726) Tashkent 2014.}) 26. Ne3 {[%emt 0:01:45] Black is a pawn up, but his position suffers from a serious lack of coordination; especially the rook on g6 is out of play.} Kd8 $146 {[%emt 0:08:54]} ({RR} 26... b6 27. Rh1 Kd7 28. b4 Rg8 29. Bg3 a5 30. Rd1+ Nd6 31. bxa5 bxa5 32. Bh4 Ke7 33. Rd4 Ra8 34. Rf4 Ne8 35. Ra4 Nd6 36. Rf4 Ne8 37. Ra4 Nd6 38. Ke2 c5 39. Be1 Nb7 40. Bc3 Rh8 41. Re4 {Motylev,A (2648)-Belyakov,B (2478) St Petersburg 2015 0-1 (45)}) ({RR} 26... b6 27. Ng2 Rg8 28. Bxc7 Rh8 29. Rxh8+ Nxh8 30. Ne3 Nf7 31. Bg3 Nh6 32. Bf4 Nf7 33. Bg3 Nh6 {½-½ (33) Anand,V (2803)-Giri,A (2778) London 2015}) 27. Nf5 {[%emt 0:01:47]} c5 {[%emt 0:05:33]} 28. Ng3 {[%emt 0:01:52] Around here Vishy sank into deep thought; his position is quite precarious.} Ne5 $1 {[%emt 0:27:31] When played, this looked like a major concession, but now I realise that, at least practically speaking, this must be the correct choice. Alternatives look scary over the board:} (28... Kd7 29. Nh5 Kc6 30. Be3 (30. Bxc7 Kxc7 31. Nf4 Rh6 32. Nxe6+ Kd6 33. Rxf7 Kxe6 34. Rxb7 Rh2+ 35. Ke3 Rxc2 $11) 30... Ba2 $3 {but clearly, nobody can see such lines over the board :)}) 29. Rh8+ {[%emt 0:24:53]} Rg8 {[%emt 0:09:25]} 30. Bxe5 {[%emt 0:04:26]} fxe5 {[%emt 0:00:16]} 31. Rh5 {[%emt 0:00:08]} Bxg4 $1 {[%emt 0:05:05]} (31... Rf8 32. Ke3 Bd5 33. Ne4 Bxe4 34. Kxe4 {might be just lost} Rf4+ 35. Ke3 Rb4 36. Rxe5 Rxb2 37. Rxc5) 32. fxg4 {[%emt 0:00:31]} Rxg4 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 33. Rxe5 {[%emt 0:00:30]} b6 {[%emt 0:02:06] I spent some time looking at this ending; most probably it's drawn; White's only chance is to go for c4, d5 and e7, but before that Magnus decides to shuffle around for a while.} 34. Ne4 {[%emt 0:00:26]} Rh4 {[%emt 0:01:28]} 35. Ke2 {[%emt 0:00:25]} Rh6 {[%emt 0:04:13]} 36. b3 {[%emt 0:01:48]} Kd7 {[%emt 0:00:31]} 37. Kd2 {[%emt 0:01:42]} Kc6 {[%emt 0:01:53]} 38. Nc3 {[%emt 0:02:15]} a6 {[%emt 0:03:01]} 39. Re4 {[%emt 0:00:49]} Rh2+ {[%emt 0:00:48]} 40. Kc1 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Rh1+ {[%emt 0:00:00]} 41. Kb2 {[%emt 0:00:34]} Rh6 {[%emt 0:04:49]} 42. Nd1 {[%emt 0:01:06]} Rg6 {[%emt 0:05:55]} 43. Ne3 {[%emt 0:00:34]} Rh6 {[%emt 0:01:09]} 44. Re7 {[%emt 0:04:29]} Rh2 {[%emt 0:02:44]} 45. Re6+ {[%emt 0:00:58]} Kb7 {[%emt 0:01:36]} 46. Kc3 {[%emt 0:12:38]} Rh4 {[%emt 0:04:57]} 47. Kb2 {[%emt 0:04:24]} (47. Kd3 {was a more direct try} Rd4+ (47... a5 48. c4 c6 49. Re7+) 48. Ke2 a5 49. c4 {and now Black has a choice:} Rh4 (49... c6 50. Nf5 Rf4 51. Re7+ Kb8 $1 (51... Ka6 52. Nd6 a4 53. Nc8) 52. Ne3 Rh4 53. Kd3 Rh3 54. Ke4 Rg3 55. Kf4 Rh3 {and suprisingly, even this might not be enough for a win:} 56. Rg7 b5 57. Re7 Rh2 58. Ke5 Rd2 59. Rg7 Re2 60. Ke4 Rb2) 50. Kd3 Rh3 51. Ke4 Rh4+ 52. Ke5 Rh2 53. Re7 Rb2 54. Nd5 Rxb3 55. Rxc7+ Ka6 $1 (55... Kb8 56. Kd6) 56. Rg7 a4 57. Nc7+ Ka5 58. Nd5 Ka6 {with a draw.}) 47... Rh2 {[%emt 0:02:33]} 48. Nd5 {[%emt 0:02:15]} Rd2 {[%emt 0:03:02]} 49. Nf6 {[%emt 0:01:20]} Rf2 {[%emt 0:00:12]} 50. Kc3 {[%emt 0:01:28]} Rf4 {[%emt 0:06:27]} 51. Ne4 {[%emt 0:04:36]} Rh4 {[%emt 0:05:58]} 52. Nf2 {[%emt 0:00:59]} Rh2 {[%emt 0:01:05]} 53. Rf6 {[%emt 0:00:29]} Rh7 {[%emt 0:02:15]} 54. Nd3 {[%emt 0:00:55]} Rh3 {[%emt 0:05:12]} 55. Kd2 {[%emt 0:00:45]} Rh2+ {[%emt 0:00:07]} 56. Rf2 {[%emt 0:00:26]} Rh4 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 57. c4 {[%emt 0:00:50]} Rh3 {[%emt 0:02:02]} 58. Kc2 {[%emt 0:00:37]} Rh7 {[%emt 0:00:07]} 59. Nb2 {[%emt 0:00:59]} Rh5 {[%emt 0:02:58]} 60. Re2 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Rg5 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 61. Nd1 {[%emt 0:04:31]} b5 $5 {[%emt 0:04:54] Vishy changes his tactics and does not even let the knight on to d5 any more.} 62. Nc3 {[%emt 0:02:01]} (62. Nb2 Kb6 63. Nd3 c6 64. Kc3 Rg3 {does not change much.}) 62... c6 {[%emt 0:01:37]} 63. Ne4 {[%emt 0:03:16]} Rh5 {[%emt 0:00:46]} 64. Nf6 {[%emt 0:01:35]} Rg5 {[%emt 0:06:30]} 65. Re7+ {[%emt 0:15:33]} Kb6 {[%emt 0:00:16]} 66. Nd7+ {[%emt 0:12:36]} Ka5 {[%emt 0:00:12]} 67. Re4 {[%emt 0:01:29]} Rg2+ {[%emt 0:08:09]} 68. Kc1 {[%emt 0:02:59]} (68. Kc3 b4+ 69. Kd3 Rd2+ $1 70. Kxd2 {would have a picturesque finale.}) 68... Rg1+ {[%emt 0:01:10]} 69. Kd2 {[%emt 0:00:23]} Rg2+ {[%emt 0:00:34]} 70. Ke1 {[%emt 0:00:37]} bxc4 $1 {[%emt 0:08:48]} 71. Rxc4 {[%emt 0:01:24]} Rg3 {[%emt 0:02:22]} 72. Nxc5 {[%emt 0:00:45]} Kb5 {[%emt 0:00:06] A very nice idea. White's knight on c5 is not stable, so he can't hold on to his last pawn much longer.} 73. Rc2 {[%emt 0:00:20]} a5 {[%emt 0:02:54]} 74. Kf2 {[%emt 0:03:41]} Rh3 {[%emt 0:00:17]} 75. Rc1 {[%emt 0:00:12]} Kb4 {[%emt 0:00:31]} 76. Ke2 {[%emt 0:00:36]} Rc3 {[%emt 0:00:56]} 77. Nd3+ {[%emt 0:01:22]} Kxb3 {[%emt 0:00:07] And the remaining moves can be skipped with a clear conscience.} 78. Ra1 {[%emt 0:00:06]} Kc4 {[%emt 0:02:29]} 79. Nf2 {[%emt 0:02:24]} Kb5 {[%emt 0:00:30]} 80. Rb1+ {[%emt 0:00:22]} Kc4 {[%emt 0:00:59]} 81. Ne4 {[%emt 0:00:31]} Ra3 {[%emt 0:00:38]} 82. Nd2+ {[%emt 0:00:30]} Kd5 {[%emt 0:00:19]} 83. Rh1 {[%emt 0:00:13]} a4 {[%emt 0:00:34]} 84. Rh5+ {[%emt 0:00:06]} Kd4 {[%emt 0:00:51]} 85. Rh4+ {[%emt 0:00:13]} Kc5 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 86. Kd1 {[%emt 0:00:23]} Kb5 {[%emt 0:01:02]} 87. Kc2 {[%emt 0:00:27]} Rg3 {[%emt 0:01:37]} 88. Ne4 {[%emt 0:00:23]} Rg2+ {[%emt 0:00:06]} 89. Kd3 {[%emt 0:00:07]} a3 {[%emt 0:00:11]} 90. Nc3+ {[%emt 0:00:14]} Kb6 {[%emt 0:00:08]} 91. Ra4 {[%emt 0:00:24]} a2 {[%emt 0:00:13]} 92. Nxa2 {[%emt 0:00:10]} Rg3+ {[%emt 0:00:06]} 93. Kc2 {[%emt 0:00:06]} Rg2+ {[%emt 0:00:05]} 94. Kb3 {[%emt 0:00:05]} Rg3+ {[%emt 0:00:14]} 95. Nc3 {[%emt 0:00:05]} Rh3 {[%emt 0:00:14]} 96. Rb4+ {[%emt 0:00:12]} Kc7 {[%emt 0:00:07]} 97. Rg4 {[%emt 0:00:06]} Rh7 {[%emt 0:00:33]} 98. Kc4 {[%emt 0:00:06]} Rf7 {[%emt 0:00:15]} 99. Rg5 {[%emt 0:00:28]} Kb6 {[%emt 0:00:37]} 100. Na4+ {[%emt 0:00:09]} Kc7 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 101. Kc5 {[%emt 0:00:10]} Kd7 {[%emt 0:00:37]} 102. Kb6 {[%emt 0:00:59]} Rf1 {[%emt 0:00:19]} 103. Nc5+ {[%emt 0:00:08]} Ke7 {[%emt 0:00:11]} 104. Kxc6 {[%emt 0:00:08]} Rd1 {[%emt 0:00:08]} 105. Rg6 {[%emt 0:00:48]} Kf7 {[%emt 0:00:19]} 106. Rh6 {[%emt 0:00:16]} Rg1 {[%emt 0:00:13]} 107. Kd5 {[%emt 0:00:18]} Rg5+ {[%emt 0:00:08]} 108. Kd4 {[%emt 0:00:05]} Rg6 {[%emt 0:00:09]} 109. Rh1 {[%emt 0:00:20]} Rg2 {[%emt 0:00:23]} 110. Ne4 {[%emt 0:00:10]} Ra2 {[%emt 0:00:23]} 111. Rf1+ {[%emt 0:00:17]} Ke7 {[%emt 0:00:13]} 112. Nc3 {[%emt 0:00:10]} Rh2 {[%emt 0:00:33]} 113. Nd5+ {[%emt 0:00:06]} Kd6 {[%emt 0:00:10]} 114. Rf6+ {[%emt 0:00:06]} Kd7 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 115. Nf4 {[%emt 0:01:37]} Rh1 {[%emt 0:00:17]} 116. Rg6 {[%emt 0:00:25]} Rd1+ {[%emt 0:00:13]} 117. Nd3 {[%emt 0:00:08]} Ke7 {[%emt 0:00:23]} 118. Ra6 {[%emt 0:00:29]} Kd7 {[%emt 0:00:12]} 119. Ke4 {[%emt 0:00:14]} Ke7 {[%emt 0:00:07]} 120. Rc6 {[%emt 0:02:12]} Kd7 {[%emt 0:00:14]} 121. Rc1 {[%emt 0:00:07]} Rxc1 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 122. Nxc1 {[%emt 0:00:02]} 1/2-1/2

[Event "World-ch Carlsen-Anand +3-1=7"]
[Site "Sochi"]
[Date "2014.11.20"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C67"]
[WhiteElo "2863"]
[BlackElo "2792"]
[Annotator "Marin,Mihail"]
[PlyCount "39"]
[EventDate "2014.11.08"]
[EventType "match"]
[EventRounds "12"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 164"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.01.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.01.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 {[%emt 0:00:03] Mueller,Karsten} e5 {[%emt 0:00:07]} 2. Nf3 {[%emt 0:00:06]} Nc6 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 3. Bb5 {[%emt 0:00:09]} Nf6 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 4. O-O {[%emt 0:00:09]} Nxe4 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 5. d4 {[%emt 0:00:05]} Nd6 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 6. Bxc6 {[%emt 0:00:07]} dxc6 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 7. dxe5 {[%emt 0:00:20]} Nf5 {[%emt 0:00:07]} 8. Qxd8+ {[%emt 0:00:08]} Kxd8 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 9. h3 {[%emt 0:00:06] This has been Carlsen's constant choice in this match.} Ke8 {[%emt 0:00:10]} ({In the next Berlin game, Anand deviated with} 9... Bd7 $5 {Carlsen,M (2863)-Anand,V (2792) Sochi 2014 CBM 164 [Nielsen,PH] (1-0, 45). From the course of the game this proved an attempt to level the score and, to a certain point, quite a consistent one.}) 10. Nc3 {[%emt 0:00:07]} h5 {[%emt 0:00:09] A logical reaction to White's unmasked intentions to gain kingside space with g2-g4.} ({But the plan of developing the queen's bishop in the fianchetto is possible without paying attention to the kingside, as in the recent game} 10... b6 11. Rd1 Bb7 {Grischuk,A (2797)-Andreikin,D (2722) Baku 2014 CBM 163 [Marin,M] (½-½, 77)}) ({RR} 10... a5) ({RR} 10... Be7) ({RR} 10... Ne7) 11. Ne2 {[%emt 0:00:37]} ({Carlsen is the first to deviate from the previous Berlin game, in which, rather non-typically, his opening preparation was better than Anand's, and quite impressively so!} 11. Bf4 {Carlsen,M (2863)-Anand,V (2792) Sochi 2014 CBM 164 [Kasimdzhanov,R] (½-½, 122)}) 11... b6 {[%emt 0:00:59];1-0 Caruana,F (2801)-Negi,P (2645) Tromso ol (Men) 41st 2014 (3.1) This is a generally useful move in the Berlin Defence. Black prepares to place his queenside pawns on dark squares in order to restrict the enemy bishop and ensure the highest mobility of his light-squared bishop. A good example of what can happen if Black does not stick to this policy is offered by the game} ({The most popular move in this still not that heavily explored position is} 11... Be7 12. Re1 (12. Bg5 {Carlsen,M (2772)-Jakovenko,D (2760) Dortmund 2009 CBM 131 [Mueller,Karsten] (1-0, 49)}) 12... Nh4 13. Nxh4 Bxh4 14. Nd4 Be7 15. Bf4 g5 16. Bh2 Rh6 17. Rad1 a6 {[%csl Rb5][%cal Gc6c5]} 18. e6 Bxe6 19. Bxc7 c5 20. Nxe6 Rxe6 21. Rxe6 fxe6 22. Be5 $14 {This is the kind of position which may not be too pleasant to play with Black, but does not guarantee White very clear winning chances, Sutovsky,E (2642)-Bacrot,E (2721) Poikovsky 2014 (½-½, 33). Still, it does not look like something one would like to get against Carlsen!}) ({RR} 11... Be7 12. Bg5 Be6 13. Nf4 Bd5 14. Bxe7 Kxe7 15. Ng5 Nd4 16. Rad1 Ne6 17. Ngxe6 Bxe6 18. h4 a5 19. a3 a4 20. Rfe1 g6 21. f3 Ra5 22. c3 Rb5 23. Re2 Ra8 24. Rd4 Raa5 25. Kf2 Rxe5 26. Rxe5 {Carlsen,M (2772)-Jakovenko,D (2760) Dortmund 2009 CBM 131 [Mueller,Karsten] 1-0 (49)}) 12. Rd1 {[%emt 0:04:43] White hurries to take the control over the open file, but this will lead tu unnatural development.} (12. Bf4 c5 13. Rad1 {looks more harmonious, since the king's rook basically belongs on e1, but after} Bb7 14. Ng5 Rh6 {Black managed to regroup in time in McShane,L (2645)-Kramnik,V (2791) London 2010 CBM 140 [Postny,E] (½-½, 139)}) ({The main threat created by the last move is occupying the d4-square with the knight(s). Its immediate occupation would be premature:} 12. Nfd4 Nxd4 13. Nxd4 c5 $1 14. Nb5 Kd7 $1 {[%cal Gd7c6] This is why White needs controlling the d-file!}) ({RR} 12. Bg5 c5 13. Rad1 Bb7 14. Nc3 Be7 15. Nd5 Bxd5 16. Rxd5 Rd8 17. Rxd8+ Bxd8 18. Rd1 Bxg5 19. Nxg5 Ke7 20. c3 Nh4 21. g3 Ng6 22. f4 h4 23. Kf2 hxg3+ 24. Kxg3 Nh4 25. Kg4 Ng2 26. Kf3 Nh4+ {Vachier Lagrave,M (2798)-Kramnik,V (2812) Dortmund 2016 ½-½ (51)}) 12... Ba6 $5 {[%emt 0:02:50]} ({If} 12... Bb7 13. Nfd4 Nxd4 14. Nxd4 {White has some chances of retaining the initiative.} Be7 (14... c5 $2 15. Nb5 $16) 15. Bf4 (15. Nf5 Bc8 16. Nxe7 Kxe7 17. Bg5+ Ke6 18. g4 hxg4 19. hxg4 Bb7 20. Kg2 c5+ 21. f3 Rh7 $132 {Volokitin,A (2722)-Hracek,Z (2615) Austria 2013 (½-½, 31)}) 15... Rd8 16. Nf5 Rxd1+ 17. Rxd1 Bc8 18. Nxe7 Kxe7 19. Bg5+ Ke6 20. Bd8 Kxe5 21. Bxc7+ Kf5 22. Bb8 a6 23. Ba7 b5 24. Rd6 Rh6 25. Rd8 Be6 26. b3 Bd5 27. f3 a5 28. Bd4 Re6 {Grischuk,A (2763)-Jakovenko,D (2722) Moscow 2012 (½-½, 87). White retains only a symbolic advantage based on his active pieces. This should not be enough to counter-balance the drawish tendency yielded by the opposite bishops.}) ({RR} 12... Be7 13. Bg5 Bb7 14. Nf4 f6 15. Ng6 Rh7 16. Nxe7 Kxe7 17. exf6+ gxf6 18. Re1+ Kf7 19. Rad1 Rg7 20. Rd7+ Kg8 21. Rxg7+ Kxg7 22. Bf4 c5 23. Nd2 Rd8 24. f3 Rd4 25. Ne4 Bxe4 26. Rxe4 Rd1+ 27. Kf2 {Moussard,J (2595)-Navara,D (2677) Djerba TUN 2025 ½-½ (51)}) 13. Nf4 {[%emt 0:13:35]} ({With the b5-square over-protected,} 13. Ned4 Nxd4 14. Nxd4 {is not dangerous due to} c5 $1 {for instance:} 15. Nf5 Be2 16. Rd2 Bc4 17. Ne3 Be6 18. Nd5 Rc8 19. b3 c6 20. Ne3 Rd8 21. Rxd8+ Kxd8 22. Bb2 g6 23. Rd1+ Kc7 24. f3 Bh6 25. Kf2 a5 26. a4 b5 $132 {Kurnosov,I (2676)-Karjakin,S (2760) Moscow 2010 CBM 140 [Ftacnik,L] (0-1, 63)}) 13... Bb7 $5 $146 {[%emt 0:06:08] This aparent loss of time is not without logic. After accomplishing the mission of avoiding ed4, the bishop was not doing much on a6, being also exposed to a4-a5. The last move prepares its activating with a well-timed ...c6-c5.} (13... Rd8 14. Bd2 (14. Rxd8+ $1 Kxd8 15. e6 fxe6 16. Ne5 $44) 14... Nd4 (14... Bc8 $5) 15. Nxd4 Rxd4 16. a4 Bc8 (16... g5 $1 {[%csl Rf4][%cal Ga6e2]} 17. a5 gxf4 18. axb6 axb6 19. Rxa6 Bg7 $11 {[%cal Gd4d1]}) 17. a5 $36 {Dominguez Perez,L (2726)-Ponomariov,R (2741) Leon 2012 (1-0, 66)}) 14. e6 $146 {[%emt 0:16:00] White cannot achieve much with such a radical move while his development is incomplete as yet. But this mainly means that Anand's novelty was a good antidote to 13.d1.} ({If} 14. b3 {, hoping to catch up in development, Black can start fighting for kingside space:} Be7 15. Bb2 (15. e6 g5 {is similar.}) 15... g5 $1 16. e6 Rh6 $1 (16... f6 $6 17. Ng6 Rh6 18. Nxe7 Nxe7 19. h4 $36 {Black is weak on the dark squares.}) 17. exf7+ Kxf7 18. Ne2 (18. Ne5+ Kg8) 18... c5 $13) ({RR} 14. a4 a5 15. e6 Bd6 16. exf7+ Kxf7 17. Ng5+ Kf6 18. Ne4+ Kf7 19. Nxd6+ Nxd6 20. Nd3 Rhe8 21. Bf4 Re6 22. Ne5+ Kf6 23. Nd7+ Ke7 24. Ne5 Kf6 25. Nd7+ Ke7 26. Bxd6+ Rxd6 27. Ne5 Rad8 28. Re1 Kf6 {Dominguez Perez,L (2758)-Caruana,F (2835) Lichess.org INT 2020 ½-½ (104)}) 14... Bd6 {[%emt 0:01:20] The simplest solution. The best way of maintaining the lead in development is... making a developing move!} ({Black is not prepared for the over-ambitious} 14... f6 $2 {, hoping to win the e6-pawn:} 15. Rd7 Bd6 16. Ng6 Rg8 17. Bf4 $1 {Suddenly, Black cannot hold his position anymore.} Bc8 18. g4 $1 hxg4 19. hxg4 Nh6 20. Bxd6 Bxd7 21. exd7+ Kf7 {The last hope for avoiding material losses:} 22. Bxc7 Kxg6 23. Nd4 $1 Rad8 24. Bxd8 Rxd8 25. Ne6 $18 {Ironically, it is the king's position that dooms Black. But the king HAD to capture the knight on d6...}) ({There is no clear refutation to} 14... fxe6 {White surely has a strong initiative for the pawn, but Black's ability to defend his centre with the help of the king should not be underestimated, for instance:} 15. Ng6 Rg8 16. Bf4 c5 17. Ng5 Bd6 18. Rd3 Kd7 19. Rad1 Bd5 (19... h4 $5) 20. b3 Rae8 {Black has completed his development and the dangers are not too obvious.} 21. c4 Ba8 22. Nf7 (22. g4 Nd4 $15) 22... Nd4 23. Rxd4 {Less effective than it may look at first sight.} cxd4 24. Rxd4 e5 $3 {A strong defence, clearing the e-file for the rook.} 25. Bxe5 Kc8 26. Bxd6 (26. Nxd6+ cxd6 27. Bxd6 Re4 {[%cal Gg8d8]} 28. Rxe4 Bxe4 29. Nf4 Kd7 $15) 26... Re1+ $1 {This is the point! The rook escapes the fork with gain of time, using the open e-file.} 27. Kh2 cxd6 28. Nxd6+ Kb8 29. Nf4 h4 $13 {White may be able to prove his compensation for the exchange, but only Black could play for a win already. WHite will face problems defending both his wings against the attack of the enemy rook(s).}) 15. exf7+ {[%emt 0:10:08]} ({Keeping the tension with} 15. Re1 {could already be met with} f6 {(not the only move, but quite an ambitious one, endangering the far advanced pawn).}) 15... Kxf7 {[%emt 0:00:16][%cal Ga8e8,Gh5h4,Gc6c5] Black is well developed and has a clear plan of strengthening his position. Little wonder that, behind in development but leading on the score table, Carlsen decides to force a draw.} 16. Ng5+ {[%emt 0:00:12]} Kf6 {[%emt 0:00:16]} 17. Ne4+ {[%emt 0:00:10]} Kf7 {[%emt 0:00:07]} 18. Ng5+ {[%emt 0:01:32] 92} Kf6 {[%emt 0:00:50]} 19. Ne4+ {[%emt 0:00:12]} Kf7 {[%emt 0:00:13]} 20. Ng5+ {[%emt 0:00:06]} 1/2-1/2

[Event "World-ch Carlsen-Anand +3-1=7"]
[Site "Sochi"]
[Date "2014.11.23"]
[Round "11"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C67"]
[WhiteElo "2863"]
[BlackElo "2792"]
[Annotator "Nielsen,Peter Heine"]
[PlyCount "89"]
[EventDate "2014.11.08"]
[EventType "match"]
[EventRounds "12"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 164"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.01.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.01.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{With the score being 5½-4½ to Carlsen with 2 games to go, the match has reached its crucial moment. Yet still there maybe was an expectation of silence before the storm? A draw in this game at first seemed like a good result for both, as Carlsen would guarantee himself a playoff, while Anand could gamble everything with the white pieces in game 12. In tournaments situations might often arise in which both player have mutual interests in a draw, but in matches it is important to remember that what is good for your oppenent, is bad for you! The discussions about the right strategy in these situations reflect that its probably a very close decision, with no obvious "correct" answer. In Brissago 2004, against Leko, Kramnik choose the Benoni as Black, in order to gamble, while here Anand choose the Berlin, seemingly happy to make a draw.} 1. e4 {[%emt 0:00:05] Kritz,Leonid} e5 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 2. Nf3 {[%emt 0:00:06]} Nc6 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 3. Bb5 {[%emt 0:00:07]} Nf6 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 4. O-O {[%emt 0:00:09]} ({RR} 4. d3 Bc5 ({RR} 4... d6 5. O-O Be7 6. c3 O-O 7. Re1 a6 8. Ba4 b5 9. Bc2 Re8) 5. Bxc6 ({RR} 5. O-O d6 6. c3 O-O 7. Nbd2 a6 8. Ba4 Ba7) 5... dxc6 6. Be3 Qe7 ({RR} 6... Bxe3 7. fxe3 Qe7 8. O-O Ng4 9. Qd2 f6 10. Nh4 g6 11. Nc3 Bd7 12. Rf3 f5 13. g3 Nf6 14. exf5 g5 15. Ng2 e4 16. Nxe4 Nxe4 17. dxe4 O-O-O 18. Qa5) 7. Bxc5 Qxc5 8. Nc3 Bg4 9. h3 Bxf3 10. Qxf3 O-O 11. O-O-O a5 12. Qf5 Rfd8 13. Rhf1 a4 14. a3 b5) 4... Nxe4 {[%emt 0:00:04]} 5. d4 {[%emt 0:01:03] Carlsen hesitated here for a few minutes, possibly contemplating the safer 5.e1, as employed in Chennai a year before, succesfully drawing and thus preserving his lead. There however he was on +2, making a draw even more valuable.} ({RR} 5. Re1 Nd6 6. Nxe5 Nxe5 7. Rxe5+ Be7 8. Bf1 ({RR} 8. Bd3 O-O 9. Nc3 c6 10. b3 Ne8 11. Bb2 d5 12. Qh5 Nf6 13. Qh4 Be6) 8... O-O 9. d4 Bf6 10. Re1 Nf5 11. c3 d5) 5... Nd6 {[%emt 0:00:07]} 6. Bxc6 {[%emt 0:00:13]} dxc6 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 7. dxe5 {[%emt 0:00:05]} Nf5 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 8. Qxd8+ {[%emt 0:00:05]} Kxd8 {[%emt 0:00:07]} 9. h3 {[%emt 0:00:08]} Bd7 $5 {[%emt 0:00:18] Anand is the first to deviate from games 7&9 where he went 9...e8. It might seem a bit strange that after getting into trouble in game 7 he repeated ...e8, while after securing an easy draw in game 9, he changed. However not doing the obvious, is an excellent way of surprising, and springing this "mini" surprise, might be an indication that despite the choice of the Berlin, he is not against a fight.} 10. Nc3 $5 {[%emt 0:00:08] A slightly surprising decision. In the previous match in Chennai, Anand as White choose:} (10. Rd1 {which is part of the point behind 9 h3, as now if Black wants to get his king to c8, he has to enter the complications after 10...c8 11.g4 e7 12.g5 e8 13.f4 h5. Recently however Black has done well here, as well as the general trend in this match is Anand welcoming, and Carlsen avoiding forced lines.} Be7 {was Carlsen's own choice in the previous match, when he came close to winning game 4 after} 11. Nc3 (11. g4 Nh4 12. Nxh4 Bxh4 13. Nd2 Kc8 14. Ne4 b6 15. Bg5 Bxg5 16. Nxg5 h6 17. Nxf7 Re8 18. f4 Be6 19. Nxh6 gxh6 20. f5 Bxf5 21. gxf5 Rxe5 {was drawn after a couple of exact defensive moves by Black in Karjakin-Carlsen, Shamkir 2014.}) 11... Kc8 12. Bg5 h6 13. Bxe7 Nxe7 14. Rd2 c5 15. Rad1 Be6 {with Black having solved his opening problems in the abovementioned game 4 of the 2013 WC-match.}) 10... h6 {[%emt 0:00:48]} 11. b3 {[%emt 0:00:32]} ({RR} 11. Bf4 Kc8 12. Rad1 ({RR} 12. a3 b6 13. Rad1 Ne7 14. Rfe1 c5) 12... b6 13. Rd3 Be6 14. Rfd1 Kb7 15. b3) 11... Kc8 {[%emt 0:01:11]} 12. Bb2 {[%emt 0:01:12]} c5 $5 {[%emt 0:01:30] Technically speaking a very rare move, but in harmony with the current trend in this line, that Black will play a quick ...c5.} (12... b6 {is the original concept, played by Kramnik in the 2000 WC-match against Kasparov, who got nowhere after} 13. Rad1 Ne7 (13... c5 {Leko's move order, and would transpose to the main game.}) 14. Ne2 Ng6 15. Ne1 h5 16. Nd3 c5 17. c4 a5 18. a4 h4 {and Kasparov both in this game, as in the match in general, did not manage to make any headway against the Berlin.}) 13. Rad1 {[%emt 0:04:07]} ({RR} 13. Nd5 a5 14. a4 Ne7 15. Nf4 Ra6 16. Rfe1 Rg8 17. Nd2 Ng6 18. Nd3 Bf5 19. Ne4 c4 20. bxc4 Rc6 21. c5 Bxe4 22. Rxe4 Bxc5 23. e6 fxe6 24. Rg4 Ne7 25. Nxc5 Rxc5 26. Ba3 Rxc2 27. Bxe7 b6 {Vachier Lagrave,M (2784)-Carlsen,M (2862) Chess.com INT 2020 1-0 (44)}) 13... b6 {[%emt 0:01:01] Despite the slight improvement in the move order by Anand, it has now transposed into a recent game between Kokarev and Leko from the Russian league. With Leko being one of Anand's seconds for the previous match, one can guess at that it was preparation for Chennai. By controlling the d4-square, Black avoids the White tries now considered maybe most critical after 13...b6 starting with 14.d4!?, however at the cost at giving white access to the d5-square. Optically it looks like an excellent post for a white knight, but as the game shows, things are not as simple as that.} 14. Rfe1 {[%emt 0:10:11]} (14. Nd5 a5 15. Nd2 Ne7 $1 {Contesting the strong knight on d5 is part of Black's plan. If 16 c4, then ...a4 gives excellent counterplay.} 16. Ne3 Nf5 17. Nd5 Ne7 18. Ne3 Nf5 {and the game was drawn by repetition.}) ({RR} 14. Nd5 a5 15. a4 c4 16. e6 fxe6 17. Nf4 cxb3 18. cxb3 Bd6 19. Ng6 Rg8 20. Nfe5 Be8) ({RR} 14. Nd5 a5 15. a4 c4 16. Rfe1 cxb3 17. cxb3 Be6 18. Rd3 Bc5 19. g4 Rd8 20. Nf4 Rxd3 21. Nxd3 Ne7 22. Nxc5 bxc5 23. Nd2 Rb8 24. Ba3 Bxb3 25. f4 Bxa4 26. Bxc5 Nd5 27. f5 Rb2 28. Re2 Nf4 {Firouzja,A (2744)-Grischuk,A (2708) chess.com INT 2024 ½-½ (48)}) 14... Be6 $146 {[%emt 0:09:58] Bologan and Jakovenko have played ...e7 here, Ponomariov ...a5. Both decent moves, but so is Anand's, getting ready to put his king on b7, and for the time being not retreating the knight voluntarily.} ({RR} 14... a5 15. a4 ({RR} 15. g4 Ne7 16. Nd2 h5 17. f3 a4 18. Kg2) 15... Ne7 16. Ne2 Ng6 17. h4 h5 ({RR} 17... Bg4 18. Nh2 Bf5 19. h5 Ne7 20. Rd2 Nc6 21. g4 Bh7 22. f4) 18. g3 ({RR} 18. Ng5 Be7 19. Nxf7 ({RR} 19. e6 fxe6 20. Ng3 Bxg5 21. hxg5 h4 22. Ne4 e5) 19... Rf8 20. Ng5 Bf5) 18... Be7 19. c4 Bf5 20. Nc3 Kb7 ({RR} 20... Bc2 21. Rc1 Bxb3 ({RR} 21... Bf5 22. Nd5) 22. Nd2) 21. Nd2 ({RR} 21. Nd5 Bc2 22. Rc1 Bxb3) 21... c6 22. Nf1 ({RR} 22. Nde4 Nxe5) ({RR} 22. Nce4 Rad8) 22... Bg4 23. Rc1 Rad8 24. Nd1 Rhe8 25. Nde3 Rd3 26. Bc3 ({RR} 26. Nxg4 Rxb3 27. Rc2 hxg4) ({RR} 26. Rc3 Nxe5) 26... Bc8 27. Nd1 Nf8 28. f4 Ne6 29. Nf2 {Motylev,A (2695)-Ponomariov,R (2739) Khanty-Mansiysk 2009 CBM 134 [Kritz,Leonid] ½-½ (48)}) ({RR} 14... Ne7 15. Nd2 ({RR} 15. Ne2 Ng6) 15... Be6 16. Nde4 c4 17. Kh2 cxb3 18. cxb3 Ng6 19. Nb5 Bd7 20. Nec3 Bc5 21. Ba3 Bxa3 22. Nxa3 Re8) ({RR} 14... Ne7 15. Ne2 Ng6 16. c4 Bc6 17. Rd3 Kb7 18. e6 fxe6 19. Ne5 Nxe5 20. Bxe5 Re8 21. Nf4 Rg8 22. Ng6 Be7 23. Nxe7 Rxe7 24. Bc3 a5 25. a4 g5 26. f3 Be8 27. Kf2 Bg6 28. Rd2 Kc8 29. Bf6 {Zinchenko,Y (2538)-Bologan,V (2692) Moscow 2010 ½-½ (114)}) 15. Nd5 {[%emt 0:02:42]} g5 {[%emt 0:01:35] Not allowing a white f4, harassing the bishop on e6. It does create a "hole" on f6, but gains space, and makes it more difficult for White to immediately expand on the kingside.} 16. c4 {[%emt 0:10:30]} Kb7 {[%emt 0:09:49] A very principled position, where both players have their intended setup. White's argument will be that space does matter, that d5 is an outpost of value, and that he can roll forward eventually on the kingside, while Black will claim his position is solid, and that potentially White's queenside structure soon fixed on white squares is vulnerable.} 17. Kh2 {[%emt 0:13:27] Not hesitating, Carlsen's prepares for expanding on the kingside.} a5 {[%emt 0:14:59]} 18. a4 {[%emt 0:01:37] Of course weakening b3, but allowing ...a4, would give Black immediate, counterplay.} Ne7 {[%emt 0:00:32]} 19. g4 {[%emt 0:02:23]} Ng6 {[%emt 0:06:53] A good defensive move, taking precautions against White's plan of g3+h4. However already here instead of defense, being aggressive with: 19...b5!? would have been an interesting try, as after 20.axb5 a4 Black has serious counterplay.} 20. Kg3 {[%emt 0:02:59]} Be7 {[%emt 0:02:16] In line with the idea of stopping a white h4.} 21. Nd2 {[%emt 0:09:31]} ({If} 21. Nxe7 Nxe7 22. h4 $2 {then} gxh4+ $1 {followed by 23...ag8 when it's Black who benefits from the immediate opening of fire on the kingside.}) 21... Rhd8 {[%emt 0:07:06]} 22. Ne4 {[%emt 0:01:51]} Bf8 {[%emt 0:00:35] An interesting position. At first sight it looks like Black is solid, but passive, and the defining factor will be if White is able to break through on the kingside. However as shown by the game, Black has a powerful resource in ...b5 creating counterplay on the queenside. Thus the task for White here is to find a prophylactic measure, preventing ...b5 but keeping the long-term prospects on the kingside. Easier said than done.} 23. Nef6 {[%emt 0:09:34]} ({During the game I thought} 23. Bc3 $5 {was the right move, but even there after} b5 {Black has counterplay after} 24. axb5 c6 25. bxc6+ Kxc6 {when it's not easy for White to keep Black's potential under control. In the game it's an even more difficult task, but Carlsen manages it extremely well!}) 23... b5 $1 {[%emt 0:09:48] A strong and thematic move. The idea is that after 24.axb5 a4 25.bxa4 xa4 Black has more than sufficient compensation for the pawn, due to the a-file and the weakness of the pawn on c4. An even worse move is 24.cxb5 c6! 25.bxc6+ xc6 undermining the knight on d5, and thus the pawn on b3 will fall. However Carlsen adapts very well to the situation, not panicking but instead very much adapting to the circumstance with a realistic defensive move. Despite the momentum having swung in Anand's favour, it is however worth noting that Carlsen's chances of winning the game have also improved. For a while Black now gets chances, the stakes have risen, and any mistake can turn the tables, while without ...b5 both players' margin of error was bigger.} 24. Bc3 $5 {[%emt 0:08:39] Getting out of the way of a black rook soon to be in the b-file, as well as eying the pawn on a5 too.} bxa4 {[%emt 0:03:59]} 25. bxa4 {[%emt 0:00:01]} Kc6 {[%emt 0:00:19]} 26. Kf3 $6 {[%emt 0:07:38] Much praised and combined with 23.ef6 maybe match winning inaccuracies! Because while objectively Black now has the chance to get the upper hand, Carlsen does seek to put pressure on his opponent by marching forward with his king.} Rdb8 $6 {[%emt 0:21:53] Logical, but letting a big chance slip.} ({With} 26... Be7 $1 {Anand could have given the match a dramatic turn. The game would not at all be decided yet, but Black keeps a stabe edge. It might seem pardoxical that Anand would play ...e7 earlier in this game, instead of the maybe more obvious looking ...g7, but there it had the specific point of preventing a white h4. Here however looks just strange, but has the advantage that h5 is not with tempo, as indeed would be the case after ...g7. The tactical problem is that after} 27. Ke4 Bxf6 $1 28. exf6 Bxd5+ $1 29. cxd5+ Kd6 {it's the black king which feels safe and comfortable in the centre, as the d5-pawn provides him excellent cover, while its white counterpart suddenly feels very awkwardly placed. Carlsen certainly has ways to fight on after 26...e7, and objectively the position most likely is drawn, but he would be facing an uphill struggle, while now certainly all 3 results are in play.}) 27. Ke4 {[%emt 0:02:54]} Rb4 $6 {[%emt 0:03:22] As Anand admitted at the press conference his emotions got the better of him, and he erred first. The stakes do simply not get higher, and the pressure on the players obviously is immense. Anand tries maximising the pressure on Carlsen, but while it does put pressure, the move lacks just a bit in objective quality. The idea is right, the execution however flawed.} (27... Rb3 $1 {is the better move.} {Thus} 28. Rb1 {is logical, but then Black has the pleasant choice of either} ({If} 28. Rd2 {or 28.d3 then} Bg7 {will start undermining the white centre.} (28... Kb7 $5)) {And} 28... Rb4 $5 {also certainly makes sense, as the white rook obviously is placed worse on b1 than on d1, after White accepts the offered exchange.} (28... Ra3 29. Ra1 Rb3 {with a repetition} ({or} 29... Rxc3 {as an interesting exchange sacrifice.}))) 28. Bxb4 {[%emt 0:00:42]} cxb4 $2 {[%emt 0:00:10] While the least move might be sub-optimal, this one however is a clear mistake. It might look tempting to get the c5-square for either the bishop or even the king, but now with very concrete action, Carlsen manages to prove that Black's plan is too slow.} ({With} 28... axb4 $1 {Black stays very much in the game. The positional compensation with the pair of bishops as well as the the better structure means that e.g. a passive approach like} 29. Ra1 ({It would be more challenging if White plays for a direct f4 with} 29. Nh5 {similar to the game, but after} Rxa4 30. Ra1 Rxa1 31. Rxa1 Bxd5+ $1 32. cxd5+ Kb5 {Black's passed pawns are ready to march forward with a very complicated struggle ahead.}) 29... Bg7 {is very playable for Black, who could even be better.}) 29. Nh5 $1 {[%emt 0:09:58] As always Carlsen is a master in adopting to the circumstances, and immediately jumps at his chance. Black's position does have potential, but by attacking it immediately and with great force it's game, set and match.} Kb7 {[%emt 0:01:49]} 30. f4 {[%emt 0:01:21]} gxf4 {[%emt 0:00:38]} (30... Bd7 $5 {looked a possible figthing chance, but after} 31. f5 Bxa4 32. fxg6 fxg6 33. Nhf6 Bxd1 34. Rxd1 c6 {White do not retreat his knight, when the black pawns indeed would become dangerous, but decides the game with} 35. Nd7 $1 {when the white knights will either block the pawns, or after} cxd5+ 36. cxd5 {the white pawns win the race, as} b3 37. Nxf8 a4 38. Nd7 {the white knight will return in time.}) 31. Nhxf4 {[%emt 0:00:10]} Nxf4 {[%emt 0:00:25]} 32. Nxf4 $1 {[%emt 0:00:58] Again very much to the point. Of course allowing Black to take on c4 gives him connected passed pawns, but keeping up the pace of the attack is of much higher relevance. Now the bishop on e6 is attacked, and after...} Bxc4 {[%emt 0:01:14]} 33. Rd7 $1 {[%emt 0:00:08] ...is the deciding point. The c7-pawn is the target, and when it falls, the whole black position crumbles.} {So Anand tries one last trick:} Ra6 $5 {[%emt 0:05:45] The rook aims for c6, where it protects the weak pawn on c7, as well as the bishop on c4, meaning that e.g. 34.c1 is parried. It almost works, but White do have one concrete way of breaking through...} ({After} 33... Kc6 {White will simply retreat with} 34. Rd2 {when c1 next will decide.}) 34. Nd5 $1 {[%emt 0:01:23]} Rc6 {[%emt 0:01:17]} 35. Rxf7 $1 {[%emt 0:00:51]} Bc5 {[%emt 0:00:38]} 36. Rxc7+ $1 {[%emt 0:03:06] The final blow, netting an extra pawn as well as exchanging the c6-rook that kept the black position together.} Rxc7 {[%emt 0:00:22]} 37. Nxc7 {[%emt 0:00:01]} Kc6 {[%emt 0:03:48]} ({Anand's misfortune is that after} 37... Kxc7 38. Rc1 b3 39. Rxc4 b2 40. Rxc5+ {is check, gaining the decisive tempo allowing b5 next, stopping the passed pawn.}) 38. Nb5 $1 {[%emt 0:01:28] Allowing Black 2 connected passed pawns, but correctly judging that White's one passer will prevail.} Bxb5 {[%emt 0:00:22]} 39. axb5+ {[%emt 0:00:07]} Kxb5 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 40. e6 {[%emt 0:00:00]} b3 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 41. Kd3 {[%emt 0:02:22]} Be7 {[%emt 0:01:34]} 42. h4 $1 {[%emt 0:01:29]} a4 {[%emt 0:02:21]} 43. g5 {[%emt 0:00:38]} hxg5 {[%emt 0:00:31]} 44. hxg5 {[%emt 0:00:45]} a3 {[%emt 0:00:09]} 45. Kc3 {[%emt 0:00:55] Stopping the passed black pawns, and despite the fact that 45...b4+ wins the white rook on e1, what matters is the pawns. 46.xb3 xe1 47.e7 and the pawn queens. Anand had no choice, but to resign the game and thus the match. A very interesting last game. Like in game 9 in Chennai, Anand might have shown how to successfully attack Carlsen, but by doing that he also forced him to display excellent defensive resourcefulness once again netting him a full point!} 1-0

[Event "Tata Steel-A 77th"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2015.01.16"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B31"]
[WhiteElo "2820"]
[BlackElo "2862"]
[Annotator "Stohl,Igor"]
[PlyCount "78"]
[EventDate "2015.01.10"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 165"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.03.11"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.03.11"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 {Magnus is in a fighting mood - no Berlin after beating Aronian the day before!} 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 {On the other hand Caruana lost to Wojtaszek and is in a different frame of mind - no Open Sicilian either!} (3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 {The last game between our 2 protagonists featured} g6 ({Carlsen hasn't played Sveshnikov structures with Black since 2010. In Wijk he faced} 4... e5 5. Nb5 d6 6. c4 Be7 (6... g6 $5 7. Be3 Be6 8. N1c3 a6 9. Na3 Nf6 10. Be2 Bg7 11. Nc2 Rc8 12. Rc1 O-O 13. O-O Ne7 14. Na3 Nc6 15. Re1 Nd4 16. f3 Qb6 17. Rb1 Nxe2+ 18. Rxe2 Qb4 19. Rd2 Rfd8 20. c5 Qa5 21. Rxd6 Bf8 22. Rxd8 Rxd8 23. Qe2 Bxc5 $15 {Ivanchuk,V (2715)-Jobava,B (2727)/Wijk aan Zee/2015/}) 7. N1c3 a6 8. Na3 Be6 9. Nc2 Bg5 10. Be2 Bxc1 11. Rxc1 Nf6 12. O-O O-O 13. Qd2 Qb6 14. Rfd1 Rfd8 15. b3 h6 (15... Rac8 {is a more standard setup.}) 16. h3 Qa7 17. Bf3 Ne7 18. Ne3 Nc6 19. Bg4 Nd4 20. Bxe6 fxe6 21. Nc2 Nxc2 22. Rxc2 Rd7 23. Qe2 Rad8 24. Rd3 $11 {/, Carlsen,M (2862)-Hou,Y (2673)/Wijk aan Zee/2015/ White has a very slight edge due to his more flexible pawn structure, but he managed to increase his pressure only in the late middlegame.}) 5. c4 Nf6 6. Nc3 d6 7. f3 Nxd4 8. Qxd4 Bg7 9. Be3 O-O 10. Qd2 a5 11. b3 a4 $6 ({Risky, as the pawn will be vulnerable. The solid move is} 11... Be6 12. Rb1 Nd7 13. Be2 Nc5 14. O-O Qb6 15. Rfc1 Rfc8 {then} 16. Kh1 Qb4 17. Bg5 a4 $1 18. Bxe7 axb3 19. axb3 Nxb3 $11 {Van Wely,L (2691)-Iturrizaga Bonelli,E (2627)/Istanbul olm/2012/} {} 20. Qd1 Bxc4 21. Bxc4 Qxc4 22. Rxb3 Qxb3 $1 23. Qxb3 Rxc3 {[%cal Rc3c1,Ra8a1] wins the  back.}) 12. b4 {[%csl Ra4]} Be6 13. Rc1 Nd7 14. Be2 Nb6 15. Nb5 $5 $146 ({More ambitious than} 15. Nd5 Nxd5 16. exd5 $14) 15... a3 (15... Rc8 16. Na3 $14) 16. Nd4 Bd7 17. h4 $1 h5 18. g4 hxg4 19. fxg4 e5 20. Nb3 (20. Nb5 $5) 20... Bc6 (20... Na4 21. h5 Be6 $14) ({or} 20... Be6 {are engine suggestions, but they seem too passive. Carlsen seeks central counterplay, but doesn't equalise either.}) 21. Bf3 f5 22. gxf5 gxf5 23. Na5 $1 f4 24. Bf2 $36 {[%csl Rd6,Rg8] Caruana,F (2801)-Carlsen,M (2877)/Saint Louis/2014/ For more details see the notes to this game in CBM 162 by Roiz.}) ({Magnus uses the bishop sortie himself:} 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bb5 Qc7 (4... e5 5. O-O ({Rather soft; a more critical line is} 5. Bxc6 dxc6 6. Nxe5 Nxe4 7. Nxe4 Qd5 8. Qe2 Qxe5 9. f4 $13) 5... d6 6. d3 Be7 7. Bg5 O-O 8. Bxf6 Bxf6 9. Nd5 Be6 10. Bc4 g6 11. c3 Bg7 12. a3 Kh8 (12... Ne7 $5 $11) 13. b4 f5 14. Rb1 b6 $6 {Caruana,F (2774)-Carlsen,M (2864)/Moscow blitz/2013/} 15. Nxb6 axb6 16. Bxe6 Rxa3 17. bxc5 bxc5 18. Rb3 $14 {[%csl Ge6,Rg7]}) 5. O-O Nd4 6. Re1 a6 7. Bc4 b5 8. Nd5 Nxd5 9. Bxd5 Rb8 10. Nxd4 cxd4 11. d3 e6 12. Bb3 Bd6 13. Qh5 Bb7 14. f4 Bxf4 15. Bxf4 Qxf4 16. Rf1 Qe3+ 17. Kh1 O-O 18. Rf3 Qh6 19. Qe5 a5 20. a4 Bc6 21. axb5 Rxb5 22. Qxd4 Qd2 $11 {Carlsen,M (2862)-Saric,I (2666)/Wijk aan Zee/2015/}) 3... g6 {The most usual move, but in the past Carlsen has slso played other standard alternatives:} (3... e6 {became more fashionable after Anand-Gelfand in 2012} {After} 4. O-O ({Anand preferred} 4. Bxc6 bxc6 5. d3 ({or} 5. b3)) 4... Nge7 {Caruana's specialty is the rare} 5. d4 $5 (5. c3 {is played very often.}) ({The same goes for} 5. Re1 Ng6 (5... a6 $142 6. Bf1 d5 $132) 6. c3 d5 7. Qa4 Be7 8. d4 O-O $5 9. exd5 Qxd5 10. dxc5 Bxc5 11. Nbd2 Be7 12. Nc4 Qd8 13. Bxc6 bxc6 14. Nd4 c5 15. Nc6 Qc7 16. Nxe7+ Nxe7 17. Qa5 Qxa5 18. Nxa5 Ba6 19. Bg5 Rfe8 20. Rad1 h6 21. Bxe7 Rxe7 22. c4 Kf8 23. Rd6 Bb7 24. Red1 Ke8 {Wang,H (2752)-Carlsen,M (2861)/Wijk aan Zee/2013/} 25. a3 $14 {[%cal Yb2b4]}) 5... cxd4 6. Nxd4 Ng6 (6... Qb6 7. Nxc6 bxc6 8. Bd3 Ng6 9. c4 Be7 10. Nc3 O-O 11. Rb1 Qc7 12. Be3 e5 $6 (12... Nf4 13. Bc2 e5 $14 {/ Caruana}) 13. g3 $1 d6 14. b4 Be6 15. Qd2 Rac8 16. b5 Bd8 17. Rfc1 Qd7 18. bxc6 Rxc6 19. Nd5 $36 {Caruana,F (2779)-Gelfand,B (2764)/Elancourt/2013/ For more details see the notes by Caruana in CBM 157.}) 7. Be3 (7. Be2 Bc5 $5 8. Nb3 Bb6 9. c4 d6 10. Nc3 a6 11. Kh1 e5 12. Nd5 Ba7 13. Bg4 O-O 14. Bxc8 Rxc8 15. Be3 Bxe3 16. Nxe3 Nge7 17. Rc1 a5 18. c5 dxc5 19. Nxc5 Nd4 20. Qd3 Qd6 $11 {Caruana,F (2839)-Nakamura,H (2767)/London rpd/2014/}) 7... Be7 8. Be2 O-O 9. c4 Nxd4 10. Qxd4 Bf6 11. Qd2 b6 12. Nc3 Bb7 13. f3 Qe7 14. a4 Rad8 15. Ra3 Be5 16. a5 f5 $6 (16... bxa5 $13 {} 17. Rxa5 d5 {[%cal Re5h2,Re7c7]}) (16... Bd6 17. Rb3 Bc5 $132) 17. axb6 axb6 18. exf5 Rxf5 19. Bd3 Rh5 20. h3 Bb8 21. Bxg6 hxg6 22. Bxb6 Rf8 23. Ne2 Rh4 24. Qd3 Kh7 25. Bf2 $14 {/, Caruana,F (2779)-Radjabov,T (2723) /Bucharest/2013/ For details see the notes to this game by Rogozenco in CBM 157.}) (3... d6 {Nowadays more topical is} 4. O-O (4. Bxc6+ bxc6 5. e5 $5 (5. O-O e5 6. c3 Nf6 7. Re1 Bg4 8. h3 Bh5 ({The simple} 8... Bxf3 {is quite solid:} 9. Qxf3 Be7 10. d3 O-O 11. Nd2 Ne8 12. Nc4 Nc7 13. b4 cxb4 14. cxb4 Ne6 15. Be3 Qd7 16. Rac1 Rfc8 17. Rc2 Rab8 18. a3 Bd8 19. Rec1 Bb6 20. Qg4 {Rublevsky,S (2679)-Tregubov,P (2599)/Krasnoyarsk/2007/} Bxe3 21. fxe3 c5 $11) 9. d4 cxd4 10. cxd4 Nd7 11. Be3 Be7 12. Nbd2 O-O (12... exd4 13. Bxd4 O-O 14. Nf1 $14) 13. Qc2 Qc7 14. Rac1 Rfc8 15. Qd3 Qb7 16. dxe5 dxe5 17. Rc3 Rab8 18. Rec1 {Palac,M (2604)-Tomic,B (2418)/Sarajevo/2012/} c5 $132) 5... Bg4 (5... d5 6. h3 $5 $14 {gives White excellent practical results}) 6. h3 Bh5 7. O-O e6 (7... dxe5 8. g4 e4 $13) 8. Re1 (8. d3 d5 9. Nc3 Ne7 10. Re1 Nc8 $1 11. Qe2 Nb6 12. b3 Be7 13. Bb2 O-O 14. Nb1 a5 15. a4 c4 $1 16. dxc4 dxc4 17. Rd1 Qb8 18. Nbd2 cxb3 19. cxb3 Nd5 20. Rac1 Qb6 $15 {Kabanov,N (2502)-Caruana,F (2767)/EU-ch Plovdiv/2012/}) (8. exd6 $142) 8... Ne7 (8... d5 $5) 9. exd6 Nd5 10. d3 Bxd6 11. Nbd2 O-O {and Black's piece play should compensate for his split pawns:} 12. Nc4 (12. Ne4 h6 13. Ng3 Bg6 14. Ne4 Bh5 15. Ng3 Bg6 16. Ne4 {½, Rabiega,R (2501)-Boensch,U (2540)/Austria/2002/}) 12... Bc7 13. Qe2 Kh8 14. Bd2 Nb4 15. Bxb4 cxb4 16. Qe3 Qd5 17. g4 Bg6 18. Nfe5 Rfe8 19. Qf3 f6 20. Nxg6+ hxg6 21. Re4 f5 22. gxf5 exf5 23. Rxe8+ Rxe8 24. Qxd5 cxd5 25. Ne3 {Caruana,F (2757)-Gelfand,B (2740)/Zuerich blitz/2013/} d4 $132 {[%cal Ye8e2]}) 4... Bd7 (4... Bg4 $5 5. h3 Bh5 {is for the more aggressively minded.}) 5. Re1 Nf6 ({After} 5... a6 {Black must also reckon with} 6. Bxc6 $5 Bxc6 7. d4 cxd4 8. Nxd4 Rc8 9. c4 Nf6 10. Nc3 Bd7 11. b3 b5 12. Bg5 bxc4 13. Nd5 h6 14. Bxf6 gxf6 15. Qf3 h5 16. h3 Bh6 17. Nf5 Bf8 18. bxc4 e6 19. Rab1 Bc6 20. Qc3 $18 {Anand,V (2793)-Nakamura,H (2775)/London blitz/2014/}) 6. c3 (6. h3 e6 7. c3 d5 $5 8. d3 (8. e5 $2 Nxe5) 8... a6 9. Ba4 b5 10. Bc2 dxe4 11. dxe4 e5 12. a4 Be7 13. axb5 axb5 14. Rxa8 Qxa8 15. Bg5 Be6 16. Na3 b4 17. Nb1 $6 (17. cxb4 cxb4 18. Nb5 Qb8 19. Bxf6 gxf6 20. Bd3 O-O 21. Nh4 Rd8 $13) 17... O-O 18. Ba4 h6 19. Bh4 Rd8 20. Nbd2 g5 21. Bg3 Nd7 22. Bb3 Nf8 23. Qc2 f6 24. Nc4 Qa6 {Bologan,V (2732)-Carlsen,M (2837)/Biel/2012/} 25. Nfd2 $11) 6... a6 7. Bf1 Bg4 8. h3 Bxf3 9. Qxf3 g6 10. d3 Bg7 11. Be3 Nd7 12. Nd2 O-O 13. Qd1 b5 14. Nf3 b4 15. Qa4 Qc7 16. d4 Rfb8 17. Rab1 e6 (17... Na7 $6 18. cxb4 Rxb4 19. Qc2 Nc6 20. dxc5 dxc5 21. a3 Rb7 22. Rec1 $36 {Efimenko,Z (2649)-Markos,J (2590)/Slovakia/2014/}) (17... a5 $5 18. Rec1 Qb7 19. Qd1 Rc8 20. Bc4 Nb6 21. Bf1 Nd7 22. Bc4 Nb6 {½, Haug,J (2121)-Lissang,C (2273)/Stockholm/2014/}) 18. Rec1 (18. Qc2 a5 19. a4 Rc8 20. Bb5 bxc3 21. bxc3 cxd4 22. cxd4 Qb7 23. Qd1 Nb4 24. d5 exd5 25. exd5 Qc7 $132 {Partenie,M (2130)-Ulbig,S/email/2011/}) 18... Ra7 19. Qd1 a5 20. Bf4 bxc3 21. bxc3 Rxb1 22. Rxb1 cxd4 23. cxd4 Nxd4 24. Nxd4 Bxd4 25. Qxd4 e5 26. Qd2 exf4 27. Qxf4 $14 {Ottesen,S (2399)-Hansen,L (2182)/email/2010/}) (3... Nf6 4. e5 ({More usual is} 4. Nc3 {- 3.c3}) 4... Nd5 5. O-O (5. Nc3 Nc7 $132) 5... g6 6. c3 Bg7 7. d4 cxd4 8. cxd4 Nc7 9. Nc3 Nxb5 10. Nxb5 O-O 11. Bf4 a6 12. Nc3 d6 13. exd6 exd6 14. h3 d5 15. Re1 Be6 16. Qd2 Re8 17. Re2 Qb6 18. Rae1 Nxd4 19. Nxd4 Qxd4 20. Qxd4 Bxd4 21. Nxd5 Rac8 22. Bd6 Kh8 23. Nc7 Red8 24. Nxe6 Rxd6 $11 {Zvjaginsev,V (2636)-Bacrot,E (2722)/Moscow/2009/}) 4. Bxc6 {Caruana mostly plays the text move.} ({The main alternative is} 4. O-O Bg7 5. Re1 (5. c3 Nf6 {is usually just a transposition}) 5... Nf6 6. c3 (6. e5 Nd5 7. Nc3 Nc7 8. Bxc6 dxc6 9. Ne4 Ne6 (9... b6 10. Nf6+ Kf8 11. Ne4 h6 12. d3 g5 $5 (12... Kg8 13. h3 Kh7 $132) 13. Ng3 Be6 14. Qe2 Qd5 15. c4 Qd7 16. b3 f5 17. exf6 exf6 18. Bb2 Re8 19. Qc2 h5 20. Re3 h4 21. Ne4 Rh6 22. Rae1 h3 23. g3 Bf7 $13 {Rapport,R (2693)-Moiseenko,A (2699)/Biel/2013/}) 10. d3 O-O 11. Be3 b6 12. Qd2 Nd4 13. Nxd4 cxd4 14. Bh6 c5 15. h4 Qd5 16. Bxg7 Kxg7 17. Ng3 Bb7 18. f3 Qe6 19. b3 {½, Bacrot,E (2714)-Moiseenko,A (2699)/W Cup Tromsoe/2013/}) 6... O-O 7. h3 (7. d4 d5 8. e5 Ne4 9. Bxc6 bxc6 10. Nbd2 cxd4 11. cxd4 c5 12. dxc5 Nxc5 13. Nb3 Nxb3 14. Qxb3 Bg4 15. Nd4 Qb6 16. Qxb6 axb6 17. b3 Rfc8 18. a4 Bd7 19. f4 e6 20. Ba3 Bh6 21. g3 g5 22. Ra2 b5 $132 {Vegjeleki,A (2224)-Latronico,N (2441)/email/2010/}) 7... Qb6 $5 (7... e5 8. d3 d6 9. a3 {[%cal Yb2b4] is perhaps slightly more promising for White.}) 8. Ba4 (8. Bf1 e5 9. d3 d5 10. exd5 Nxd5 11. Qb3 Qxb3 12. axb3 Rd8 13. g3 f6 14. Nbd2 Nc7 15. Nc4 Bf5 16. Rd1 Be6 17. Be3 Bf8 18. Nfd2 Nd5 19. Re1 Bf7 20. g4 b6 $15 {Kamsky,G (2741)-Christiansen,L (2579)/USA-ch Saint Louis/2013/}) 8... Rd8 9. d3 (9. d4 d5 $1 10. e5 Ne4 $132) 9... d5 10. e5 Nd7 11. d4 Nf8 $1 12. Na3 cxd4 13. cxd4 Bf5 14. Be3 Ne6 15. Qd2 Be4 16. Ng5 $1 (16. Rad1 $2 Bxf3 17. gxf3 Rac8 18. f4 Kh8 19. Bb5 Bh6 20. Be2 Ng7 21. Nb5 Nf5 22. Nc3 e6 23. Bg4 Nh4 24. Kh1 Rg8 $40 {[%csl Rh1][%cal Yg6g5] Muminova,N (2315)-Hou,Y (2661)/Sharjah/2014/ After thorough preparation Black gradually broke through on the kingside.}) 16... Nxg5 17. Bxg5 f6 $11 {Hou Yifan}) 4... dxc6 (4... bxc6 {is somewhat more risky, as was seen a few rounds later:} 5. O-O Bg7 6. Re1 Nf6 (6... Nh6 7. c3 O-O 8. d4 {also gives White chances to fight for an advantage}) 7. e5 Nd5 8. c4 Nc7 9. d4 cxd4 10. Qxd4 O-O (10... d6 11. Bh6 $1 $36) 11. Qh4 f6 12. Nc3 Ne6 13. Ne4 fxe5 14. Nfg5 Nxg5 15. Bxg5 Qb6 16. c5 $5 Qxb2 17. Rad1 $44 d5 $6 (17... Qxa2 $142 $5 {[%csl Ga7]}) 18. cxd6 exd6 19. Rxd6 Bf5 20. Nf6+ Bxf6 21. Bxf6 Rab8 $2 22. Qc4+ Rf7 23. Red1 Qb1 24. h3 {1-0, Van Wely,L (2667)-Hou,Y (2673)/Wijk aan Zee/2015/}) 5. d3 Bg7 6. h3 Nf6 {[%mdl 32] White has swapped his light-squared  and places his pawns strategically on the light squares, Black continues developing naturally and a positional battle starts.} ({Carlsen is not attracted by} 6... b6 7. O-O e5 8. Be3 Ne7 9. Nbd2 O-O 10. Nc4 f6 11. a3 a5 $2 {[%csl Ra5,Rb6]} (11... Nd5 $142 $1 $13) 12. b4 axb4 13. axb4 Rxa1 14. Qxa1 b5 15. Ncd2 cxb4 16. Qa2+ Kh8 17. Bc5 g5 18. Ra1 Bd7 19. Qa5 Qe8 20. Qxb4 Rf7 21. Ra7 Bf8 22. d4 $16 {Caruana,F (2716)-Kuznetsov,V (2427)/RUS-chT Olginka/2011/}) 7. Nc3 b6 ({Basically a useful move, but Black usually plays it a bit later, preferring} 7... O-O 8. Be3 b6 9. Qd2 ({Caruana probably would have played} 9. O-O {, transposing to our game.}) 9... e5 10. Bh6 Qd6 11. O-O-O (11. Bxg7 Kxg7 12. g3 $146 a5 13. Nh4 a4 14. a3 b5 15. Qe3 Rb8 16. f4 exf4 17. gxf4 Nh5 {[%csl Re1]} 18. Ne2 Qf6 19. Nf3 Qxb2 20. Kf2 Qf6 21. Rag1 b4 22. Qxc5 {Hansen,E (2577)-Saric,I (2680)/Doha/2014/} Nxf4 23. Nxf4 Qxf4 24. axb4 f5 $1 $36) 11... a5 12. Nh2 (12. Bxg7 Kxg7 13. g4 a4 14. Ne2 b5 15. Ng3 b4 16. Qg5 Re8 17. Nd2 a3 18. bxa3 h6 19. Qe3 Be6 20. Nb3 Rxa3 21. Qxc5 Qb8 $40 {Shirov,A (2697)-Leko,P (2722)/Dortmund/2002/}) 12... a4 13. Ng4 Nh5 14. Bxg7 Kxg7 15. Ne2 f6 16. g3 a3 17. b3 f5 18. exf5 Bxf5 19. Qe3 Rae8 20. f3 Nf6 21. Nxf6 Qxf6 $132 {Pedersen,H (2527)-Serradimigni,R (2477)/email/2006/}) 8. Be3 ({Black gets in the central advance even after} 8. Bf4 Nd7 9. Qd2 h6 10. a3 e5 11. Be3 Qe7 12. O-O h5 13. Rfb1 a5 14. b3 O-O 15. Bh6 Rd8 16. Bxg7 Kxg7 17. Qe3 Ba6 18. a4 Nf8 19. Ne2 Qf6 20. Ng5 Qd6 21. f4 exf4 22. Nxf4 Qd4 23. Re1 Ra7 24. Kh2 Qxe3 25. Rxe3 Re7 $11 {Chadaev,N (2574)-Alekseev,E (2691)/Irkutsk/2010/}) ({RR} 8. Bf4 Nd7 9. Qd2 h6 10. a3 e5 11. Be3 Qe7 12. O-O h5 13. Rfb1 a5 14. b3 O-O 15. Bh6 Rd8 16. Bxg7 Kxg7 17. Qe3 Ba6 18. a4 Nf8 19. Ne2 Qf6 20. Ng5 Qd6 21. f4 exf4 22. Nxf4 Qd4 {Chadaev,N (2574)-Alekseev,E (2691) Irkutsk 2010 0-1 (68)}) 8... e5 $6 {Strategically sound, but right now rather careless...} (8... O-O $142 9. O-O (9. Qd2 e5 {see 7...0-0 above}) 9... Ne8 (9... e5 $5 {leads back to the game}) 10. Qd2 e5 (10... Nc7 11. Bh6 Ne6 12. Bxg7 Kxg7 13. Ne2 $14) 11. Bh6 f6 12. Nh2 Qe7 13. Bxg7 Nxg7 14. f4 exf4 15. Qxf4 Ne6 16. Qh4 Nd4 17. Rf2 Rf7 18. Raf1 f5 19. Qf4 Be6 20. e5 g5 21. Qd2 c4 22. Rd1 cxd3 23. Qxd3 Rd8 $15 {Veinger,I (2597)-Wills,M (2500)/corr/1996/}) ({RR} 8... h6 9. Qd2 Be6 10. a4 Qc7 11. a5 Qb7 12. O-O g5 13. Nh2 Rd8 14. Qe2 Nd7 15. f4 gxf4 16. Rxf4 Ne5 17. Rf2 Qc7 18. Qh5 Ng6 19. Ng4 Qg3 20. Ne2 Qh4 21. Qxh4 Nxh4 22. axb6 axb6 23. Ra6 {Patel,M (2114)-Yang,J (2372) Kingston, ON CAN 2025 ½-½}) 9. O-O $146 ({White misses an opportunity to play} 9. Nxe5 $1 Nxe4 10. Qf3 $1 f5 11. Bf4 (11. Nxg6 $5 hxg6 12. dxe4 O-O 13. Qg3 $14) 11... Qe7 12. Nxc6 ({A simpler way is} 12. dxe4 Bxe5 13. O-O-O $1 $36) 12... Qe6 (12... Ng5+ $142 $1 13. Nxe7 (13. Qe3 Qxe3+ 14. fxe3 Nf7 {[%csl Rc6]}) 13... Nxf3+ 14. gxf3 Kxe7 $44) 13. dxe4 Qxc6 14. Nd5 (14. O-O-O $142 $1 $14) 14... Kf7 15. O-O-O fxe4 16. Qxe4 Re8 17. Qf3 Bf5 18. Rhe1 Rad8 19. c4 Qa4 20. Qb3 Qxb3 21. axb3 Be4 22. f3 Bxd5 23. Rxe8 Kxe8 24. Rxd5 Rxd5 25. cxd5 Kd7 26. Kc2 b5 $2 (26... Bf6 {} 27. Bb8 Kc8 $11) 27. Bb8 $1 a6 28. f4 $18 {[%cal Rb8e5] Macieja,B (2430)-Pyda,Z (2305)/Polanica Zdroj/1996/}) ({RR} 9. Qd2 Qd6 10. Bh6 O-O 11. g4 b5 12. O-O-O a5 13. Nh4 Re8 14. Bxg7 Kxg7 15. Rhg1 Kh8 16. f4 exf4 17. Nf3 Nd7 18. Ne2 b4 19. Qxf4 Qxf4+ 20. Nxf4 c4 21. Rge1 cxd3 22. Nxd3 Kg7 23. Nd4 c5 {Geller,J (2511)-Grekh,A (2391) Lvov 2008 1-0 (35)}) ({RR} 9. Qd2 Nd7 10. Bh6 O-O 11. O-O-O f6 12. Bxg7 Kxg7 13. g4 Re8 14. h4 Nf8 15. Rdg1 Ne6 16. Nd1 Nf4 17. Ne3 Be6 18. Kb1 a5 19. g5 h6 20. gxh6+ Kh7 21. Ng2 Nh5 22. Ne3 Ra7 23. Qc3 Bf7 {Matinian,N (2461)-Savchenko,B (2610) Chess.com INT 2016 ½-½ (63)}) 9... O-O 10. a3 {As with Kuznetsov, Caruana concentrates on the queenside.} ({However, White far more often plays} 10. Qd2 Qd6 11. Bh6 Nh5 12. Ne2 (12. Rae1 f6 13. Ne2 Be6 14. Bxg7 Nxg7 15. b3 a5 16. a4 Rfd8 17. Qe3 b5 18. Ra1 Bf7 19. Nh2 c4 $132 {Nijboer,F (2510)-Piket,J (2670)/Amsterdam/1995/}) 12... f6 13. b3 (13. a3 a5 14. Nh2 Ra7 15. Rad1 Be6 16. Bxg7 Rxg7 17. Ng4 Rd7 {½, Vachier Lagrave,M (2458)-Lautier,J (2666)/Val d'Isere/2004/}) (13. Bxg7 Nxg7 14. Nh2 Ne6 $11) 13... Be6 (13... g5 14. Bxg7 Nxg7 15. Ng3 h5 16. h4 $1 Bg4 {Jansa,V (2449)-Zwardon,V (2383)/CZE-chT/2013/} 17. hxg5 {} Bxf3 18. g6 $1 $40) ({Lautier's} 13... a5 $5 {deserves attention even here.}) 14. Bxg7 Nxg7 15. Qh6 Rad8 16. Nd2 Bc8 (16... Nh5 $142 $5) 17. f4 exf4 18. Rxf4 Qe5 19. Raf1 Qg5 20. Qxg5 fxg5 21. Rxf8+ Rxf8 22. Nc4 Rxf1+ 23. Kxf1 $14 {Magem Badals,J (2573)-Alsina Leal,D (2531)/Barcelona/2011/}) 10... Qe7 (10... Qd6 $5) 11. Qb1 $146 (11. Qe2 $6 {only helps Black in improving his knight with} Nh5 12. Rfb1 Nf4 13. Qd2 Ne6 $11 {/, Fougerit,V (2233)-Desbonnes,S (2332)/France /2009/}) (11. Qd2 {also prepares queenside activity:} Nh5 12. b4 $1 cxb4 13. axb4 Qxb4 14. Rfb1 $14 {[%cal Rb1b6,Re3b6] wins the pawn back with an edge.}) 11... Nh5 $5 {Carlsen wants to develop his own play on the opposite flank.} (11... a5 12. Na4 $5 {[%csl Rb6]} (12. b4 axb4 13. axb4 Rxa1 14. Qxa1 cxb4 15. Na4 Nd7 16. Nxb6 Nxb6 17. Bxb6 Bb7 18. Qa5 Ra8 19. Qc5 Qxc5 20. Bxc5 Ra2 $11)) (11... Rd8 $5 {Korotylev, } 12. b4 c4 $1 13. dxc4 Ba6 $11 14. Qb3 (14. b5 $2 cxb5 15. cxb5 Bb7) 14... Qe6 15. Nd2 Rxd2 16. Bxd2 Bxc4 $11) 12. b4 f5 $6 {This seems too hasty, as it gives White a free hand on the queenside.} (12... Nf4 $142 $1 13. bxc5 bxc5 $13 {[%cal Yf4e6,Yf7f5] improves the knight, f5 can come later.}) 13. bxc5 f4 14. Bd2 bxc5 (14... Qxc5 15. Qb3+ Kh8 16. Qb4 $36 {swaps queens and quashes Black's attacking ambitions.}) 15. Qb3+ {Very direct and logical.} ({The engines recommend} 15. Qb2 Be6 16. Na4 $14 {[%csl Rc5,Re5][%cal Yb2c3,Ya4b2]} (16. Rfb1 $5 {is also interesting, stopping ab8.})) 15... Be6 16. Qa4 Rac8 ({After} 16... Qd7 $5 {[%cal Ye6h3] White should probably play the prophylactic} 17. Kh2 $5 $14 (17. Ng5 c4 18. Qa6 f3 $5 $132)) 17. Qa5 (17. Qa6 $142 $5 g5 18. Rfb1 {[%cal Yb1b7] forces Black to lose a tempo with} Rf7 19. Na4 g4 20. hxg4 Bxg4 21. Qc4 $36) 17... g5 $1 {[%mdl 640] Carlsen throws caution (and a pawn) to the winds and concentrates on his attack.} ({After} 17... c4 18. Na4 c5 19. Nb2 $14 {Black must defend his weaknesses.}) 18. Na4 ({Consistent,} 18. Nh2 c4 $132 {is a concession.}) 18... g4 19. hxg4 Bxg4 20. Qxc5 Qf6 21. Nh2 $6 {Gives the attack a new impulse.} (21. Rfb1 Qg6 22. Kf1 Ng3+ $1 23. Ke1 (23. fxg3 fxg3 {} 24. Ke2 Qh5 25. Rf1 Qh2 26. Qg1 Rxf3 $1 $19) 23... Nxe4 $5 24. Qc4+ Be6 25. Qxe4 Bf5 (25... Qxg2 $2 26. Ke2 Bd5 27. Rg1) 26. Qc4+ (26. Qe2 Qxg2 $44 {}) 26... Be6 $11 {and repetition seems to be a logical outcome.}) (21. Rfe1 Rf7 $5 $13 {[%cal Yg7f8,Yg8h8,Yc8g8]} (21... Qg6 22. Kf1 Ng3+ 23. fxg3 fxg3 24. Ke2 Qh5 25. Kd1 $1 $16)) 21... f3 $1 22. Nxg4 $8 (22. gxf3 $2 Bxf3 $19) (22. g3 $6 Bh3 $36 (22... Qg6 $5 $15 {/})) 22... Qg6 23. Qe7 $1 {} ({The queen must quickly return, White can't afford} 23. Ne3 $2 Bh6 $19 (23... Nf4 $19)) 23... fxg2 (23... Qxg4 $2 24. Qg5 $16 {leads to a premature queen swap.}) 24. Rfb1 (24. Rfe1 Qxg4 25. Qg5 Qxg5 26. Bxg5 Nf4) 24... Qxg4 25. Qg5 Qe2 26. Qe3 Qg4 27. Qg5 Qxg5 $1 ({Carlsen spurns} 27... Qe2 $11 {, Black already risks nothing by continuing the fight.}) 28. Bxg5 Nf4 {[%cal Rf4h3]} 29. Bxf4 $2 {A serious error with disastrous consequences.} ({The series of forced moves continued with} 29. Kh2 $1 {} Kh8 $1 (29... Bf6 30. Bh6 Bg7 $11) (29... c5 $5 30. Rg1 c4 31. Bxf4 exf4 32. Rxg2 cxd3 33. cxd3 f3 $44) 30. Re1 (30. Ra2 c5 31. Bxf4 exf4 32. Kxg2 f3+ $40 {[%csl Ra2]}) 30... h6 31. Bh4 (31. Bxf4 exf4 32. e5 f3 $17) 31... Bf6 $15 {[%csl Gg2] Black holds the initiative, but the game is far from over.}) 29... exf4 30. Kxg2 f3+ 31. Kf1 $6 ({Black should gradually win after} 31. Kh3 Bxa1 32. Rxa1 Kf7 $17 {, as his f3 remains very much alive. However, this was still more resilient, as now White's king can't escape the mating net.}) 31... Rf4 $1 32. c3 ({Caruana most probably overlooked} 32. Ke1 Rd8 $1 (32... Bxa1 $2 33. Rxa1 {[%cal Ye1d2,Yd2e3,Ya4c5] is actually OK for White}) 33. Kd2 Rxe4 {[%cal Re4a4,Re4e2]} 34. Nc3 Bh6+ 35. Kd1 Rh4 {with mate to follow.}) 32... Rd8 $1 33. d4 (33. Rd1 Rh4 34. Ke1 Bh6 $1 $19 {[%cal Rh4h1]}) (33. Ke1 Rxd3 $19 {[%cal Rf4h4,Rf4e4]}) 33... Bh6 {Black already had a choice:} (33... Rxe4 34. Nc5 Rh4 35. Ke1 Bxd4 36. cxd4 Rdxd4 37. Rb8+ Kf7 38. Rf8+ Kxf8 39. Ne6+ Kf7 40. Nxd4 Rh1+ $19) (33... Bxd4 $142 $1 {and taking the bishop leads to mate after} 34. cxd4 Rh4 35. Ke1 (35. Kg1 Kh8 {[%cal Rd8g8]}) 35... Rxd4 $19) 34. Ke1 Rxe4+ 35. Kd1 c5 $1 $19 {Now the only winning move.} (35... Re2 $143 $6 36. Rb2 $15) 36. Kc2 (36. Nxc5 Re2 37. Nb3 Rde8 $19 (37... Kh8 $19 {[%cal Rd8g8]})) 36... cxd4 37. Kd3 Re2 38. c4 Rxf2 (38... Rd2+ $142 $1 39. Ke4 Rxf2 $19) 39. Rd1 (39. Rb2 {prolongs White's suffering, his position remains hopeless after} Rxb2 40. Nxb2 Rb8 41. Nd1 Kf7) 39... Re2 {[%cal Re2e3] Black's passed pawns will soon clinch the point.} 0-1

[Event "Tata Steel-A 77th"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2015.01.17"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Hou, Yifan"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B32"]
[WhiteElo "2862"]
[BlackElo "2673"]
[PlyCount "107"]
[EventDate "2015.01.10"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 165"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.03.11"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.03.11"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 e5 5. Nb5 d6 6. c4 Be7 7. N1c3 a6 8. Na3 Be6 9. Nc2 Bg5 10. Be2 Bxc1 11. Rxc1 Nf6 12. O-O O-O 13. Qd2 Qb6 14. Rfd1 Rfd8 15. b3 h6 ({RR} 15... Rac8 16. Qe3 Qxe3 17. Nxe3 Nd4 18. Kf1 Kf8 19. Nc2 Nxc2 20. Rxc2 Ke7 21. Rcc1 Rc6 22. f3 Rdc8 23. a4 Nd7 24. Kf2 a5 25. Rd2 Nc5 26. Bd1 Rb6 27. Nb5 f5 28. exf5 Bxf5 29. Rc3 Rf8 30. Bc2 {Svetushkin,D (2588)-Bacrot,E (2705) Calvi 2013 ½-½ (47)}) ({RR} 15... Rac8 16. h3 h6 17. Ne3 Nd4 18. Nc2 Nc6 19. Ne3 Kf8 20. Bg4 Qa5 21. Bxe6 fxe6 22. Ng4 Nxg4 23. hxg4 Rc7 24. Qe3 Nd4 25. g5 Kg8 26. gxh6 Rf8 {½-½ (26) Alarcia Astiz,C (2273)-Moreno Ruiz,J (2422) Madrid 2022}) 16. h3 $146 ({RR} 16. Bd3 Rac8 17. h3 Qa7 18. Kh2 {½-½ (18) Videki,S (2385)-Varga,Z (2475) Balatonbereny 1993}) 16... Qa7 17. Bf3 Ne7 18. Ne3 Nc6 19. Bg4 Nd4 20. Bxe6 fxe6 21. Nc2 Nxc2 22. Rxc2 Rd7 23. Qe2 Rad8 24. Rd3 Qc5 25. Na4 Qc6 26. Re3 b6 27. Nb2 Rf7 28. Rd2 Nd7 29. Nd3 a5 30. Nb2 Nc5 31. Nd1 Rdf8 32. Qe1 Rd8 33. Nc3 Rfd7 34. Qd1 Na6 35. Qh5 Nc7 36. Rg3 Kh8 37. Rdd3 Re7 38. Rg6 Qe8 39. Rdg3 Rdd7 40. Nd1 Rf7 41. Qe2 Rf4 42. Qe3 b5 43. Nb2 Rdf7 44. c5 Qc6 45. Nd3 b4 46. Qe2 Rh4 47. R6g4 Rxg4 48. Qxg4 Kg8 49. Qh5 Nb5 50. Rg4 Nc3 51. Qxh6 Nxe4 52. Qxe6 Nxf2 53. Nxe5 Nxh3+ 54. Kh2 1-0

[Event "Tata Steel-A 77th"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2015.01.20"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Radjabov, Teimour"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C65"]
[WhiteElo "2862"]
[BlackElo "2734"]
[Annotator "ChessBase"]
[PlyCount "79"]
[EventDate "2015.01.10"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 165"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.03.11"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.03.11"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. d3 {An Anti-Berlin that has done well this tournament. MVL beat Giri with it.} Bc5 5. O-O d6 6. Nbd2 O-O 7. Bxc6 bxc6 8. h3 h6 {The game will be quite strategical. White has the structural advantage but Black can remain solid and in the long run he has the pair of bishops.} 9. Re1 Re8 10. Nf1 a5 11. Ng3 Rb8 12. b3 $146 ({RR} 12. a4 d5 13. exd5 Qxd5 14. b3 e4 15. dxe4 Nxe4 16. Nxe4 Rxe4 17. Bd2 Bb6 18. c4 Qf5 19. Rxe4 Qxe4 20. Qe1 Bf5 21. Bxa5 Bxa5 22. Qxa5 Bxh3 23. Qc3 Rd8 24. Qe3 Bf5 25. a5 Qg4 26. a6 Be4 {Anurag,M (2393)-Sangma,R (2285) Nagpur 2015 ½-½ (39)}) 12... Bb4 13. Bd2 Ra8 $6 {Black's last few moves are difficult to understand. Now White gets a slight edge by building up his center.} 14. c3 Bc5 15. d4 Bb6 (15... exd4 16. cxd4 Bb6 {changes the character of the position to something more agreeable with the pair of bishops, but it still looks more pleasant to be White.}) 16. dxe5 dxe5 17. c4 Nh7 18. Qe2 Nf8 19. Be3 c5 {Even though this is (some) engines recommendation and the move that Radjabov chose... it is so painful to see this bishop on b6 trapped as it is.} (19... Bxe3 20. Qxe3 Qe7 {at least there is no entombed bishop on b6 here.}) 20. Rad1 Qf6 21. Nh5 Qe7 22. Nh2 {White starts a slow but standard attack on the kingside. And why not? It's not like Radjabov's pieces on the queenside are doing much at the moment.} Kh7 23. Qf3 f6 (23... a4 24. Ng4 Ng6 {was a better choice, probably.}) 24. Ng4 {Already White threatens nasty sacrifices} Bxg4 (24... a4 25. Ngxf6+ gxf6 26. Nxf6+ Kg6 27. Nxe8 Qxe8 28. Rd5 {with a strong attack.}) 25. Qxg4 Red8 $2 (25... g6 $1 {Black absolutely needed to take control over some lightsquares!}) 26. Qf5+ Kh8 27. f4 Rxd1 28. Rxd1 exf4 29. Bxf4 Qe6 30. Rd3 Re8 {Missing White's blow, but Radjabov's position was already delicate.} 31. Nxg7 $1 Kxg7 32. Qh5 {Black cannot hope to hold his kingside together, much less with that bishop stuck on b6.} Nh7 33. Bxh6+ Kh8 34. Qg6 Qg8 35. Bg7+ Qxg7 36. Qxe8+ {The rest is easy. For all practical purposes White is up the echange.} Qf8 37. Qe6 Qh6 38. e5 Qc1+ 39. Kh2 Qf4+ 40. Rg3 1-0

[Event "Tata Steel-A 77th"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2015.01.25"]
[Round "13"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Saric, Ivan"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B30"]
[WhiteElo "2862"]
[BlackElo "2666"]
[Annotator "Gormally,Daniel"]
[PlyCount "98"]
[EventDate "2015.01.10"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 165"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.03.11"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.03.11"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bb5 Qc7 5. O-O Nd4 6. Re1 a6 7. Bc4 {White has other choices here of course.} (7. e5 {is very forcing but Black should be ok in most of these lines.} Nxb5 8. exf6 Nxc3 9. fxg7 Bxg7 10. dxc3 d6 11. Ng5 (11. Bf4 e5 12. Bg3 h6 {should also be ok for Black}) 11... Bf5 12. a4 Qc6 13. Qe2 Bf6 {White has nothing} 14. Ne4 Bxe4 15. Qxe4 Qxe4 16. Rxe4 d5 {½-½ Anand,V (2753)-Kramnik,V (2807) Linares 2003}) (7. Bf1 Ng4 $1 {this seems like a logical response, relocating the knight to a useful central square} 8. g3 Nxf3+ 9. Qxf3 Ne5 10. Qe2 e6 11. Bg2 d6 12. d3 Be7 13. Be3 O-O 14. a4 Nc6 {and with good control over the central square d4 Black stood well in Harikrishna,P (2726)-Zhigalko,S (2678) Dubai 2014.}) 7... b5 $5 {A risky, but playable variation. I'm not convinced this would have been preparation though as it's not easy to predict what sort of opening Carlsen will play- as Short said in his typical droll style, Carlsen plays "condom" openings, ie he uses them once then throws them away.   This may be slightly harsh although it's well known that Carlsen just likes to get a playable position out of the opening then use his great understanding to outplay the guy later on.} (7... d6 {is much more common. Of course this is intended to prevent e5 and now Black has ideas of ...g4 or perhaps ...b5 so White is almost obliged to play} 8. Nd5 Nxd5 9. exd5 g6 10. Nxd4 cxd4 11. d3 h6 12. b4 Bg7 13. Qe2 Bf6 14. Qf3 Kf8 {with some slight pressure for White in the game Kasparov,G (2847)-Leko,P (2736) Linares 2003. Although I doubt it is much and the game ended in a draw.  In general these anti-Sicilian lines have been pretty much worked out and it's difficult to prove any advantage - on the plus side however you are probably in less danger of losing with White than you are in some of the sharp main lines.}) 8. Nd5 (8. Bd5 Rb8 (8... Bb7 9. Bxb7 Qxb7 10. e5 {is slightly awkward for Black;} Nxf3+ 11. Qxf3 Qxf3 12. gxf3 {with a nice lead in development}) 9. e5 $6 Nxd5 10. Nxd5 Qc6 {looks better for Black if anything as the bishop will find its way to an excellent diagonal on b7.}) 8... Nxd5 9. Bxd5 Rb8 10. Nxd4 (10. c3 Nxf3+ 11. Qxf3 e6 12. Bb3 {was another way to play for White. Perhaps this isn't the most exciting opening in the world although I'm sure Carlsen would have been confident of outplaying Saric from an equal position.} c4 13. Bc2 Bb7 14. d4 cxd3 15. Bxd3 Bc5 $11) ({RR} 10. Ng5 e6 11. c3 h6 12. Nh3 Nc6 13. Bxc6 Qxc6 14. d4 d6 15. d5 Qb7 16. dxe6 fxe6 17. e5 d5 18. Nf4 Qf7 19. Qg4 g5 20. Nh5 Be7 21. Re3 Qg6 22. h3 O-O 23. f4 Qf5 24. Rg3 Qxg4 {Filipow,M (1875)-Casteleijn,D (2109) Rhodes GRE 2025 1-0 (36)}) 10... cxd4 11. d3 $146 ({RR} 11. Bb3 e6 12. Qh5 d3 13. c3 Bc5 14. Qf3 Qb6 15. a3 Bb7 16. Qg3 O-O 17. Ba2 f5 18. b4 Bd6 19. e5 Be7 20. Qxd3 Rbd8 21. Qh3 f4 22. d4 f3 23. Bb1 g6 24. Bh6 Rf7 25. Qg4 Bf8 {Loncar,R (2427)-Bajt,I (2196) Ljubljana 2009 1-0 (34)}) 11... e6 12. Bb3 Bd6 13. Qh5 {Carlsen defends against the threat on h2 actively. That's one of the things you notice when following the games of the best players in the world - they are always looking for the most ambitious way to play the position.} ({By contrast a move like} 13. g3 {while not obviously bad, looks rather passive. In general you don't want to weaken your king like this, as if the game opens up later it may come back to haunt you.} {I'm sure a Speelman, or perhaps even Deep Blue circa 1997, would not hesistate to play} h5 $1 {creating counter-attacking chances on the kingside.}) 13... Bb7 14. f4 $1 Bxf4 15. Bxf4 {Perhaps not the best way to follow up his idea.} (15. Rf1 $1 {was more consistent, although this seems to lead to a draw with best play. Not a bad result for Carlsen in the context of the tournament- it would ensure victory for him. But I doubt he cared much about this and was surely thirsting for revenge for the defeat he suffered at Ivan's hands at the last olympiad.} Qe5 {Presumably this is why Carlsen rejected this line, as this seems like a good tactical response.} 16. Qf3 Bxh2+ (16... Bxc1 17. Qxf7+ Kd8 18. Raxc1 {looks unpleasant for Black} Kc7 19. c3 $16 Bc6 20. Qf2) 17. Kh1 Bg3 (17... O-O $2 {is just weak and drops a piece after} 18. Qh3 Bg3 19. Rf3) 18. Qxf7+ Kd8 19. Bd2 Kc7 {and now with the bishop on g3 ensuring that the White king is probably just as much danger as its counterpart, objectively he should bail out to a draw with} 20. Ba5+ Kc6 21. Bd5+ $1 Kd6 (21... exd5 $2 22. Rf5 Qd6 (22... Rbf8 23. exd5+ Kc5 24. Qxd7 $18)) 22. Bb4+ Kc7 23. Ba5+ $11) 15... Qxf4 16. Rf1 Qe3+ 17. Kh1 O-O 18. Rf3 Qh6 19. Qe5 a5 $1 {A very strong idea. This is the problem for White in many of these anti-Sicilian lines - the bishop become a target on b3. If White plays a3, then after the response ...a4 pushing the bishop back to a2, the c2-pawn will become vulnerable. And if he plays a4 then the b-file is opened, which should give Black good counterplay.} 20. a4 Bc6 21. axb5 Rxb5 22. Qxd4 Qd2 23. Raf1 Qb4 24. Qf2 (24. Qxb4 $2 Rxb4 {would of course be a disaster for White - ...a4 is coming when b2 drops.}) 24... f6 25. Rf4 $1 {Typical of Carlsen, I think people underesimate how tricky he is. Here he defends against the threat of ...a4 with a tactical idea.} Re5 (25... a4 $2 26. e5 $1) 26. Rb1 a4 27. Ba2 Rb8 28. c3 Qb6 {Black has a very comfortable game here and maybe even stands better.However over the next part of the game, as he so often does, Carlsen outplays his opponent.} 29. Qd2 Rb5 30. Rf2 Qc7 31. h3 h6 32. Qe3 Rg5 33. d4 Kh8 34. Re1 Bb5 35. e5 $1 {I must admit watching the game on the live webcam at this point, I was fully convinced that Carlsen would win. (when you watch chess a lot, you get used to Carlsen winning.) Suddenly the rook on g5 seems stranded on the kingside with little to do. But credit to Saric he doesn't collapse and has just enough trumps to hold the game.} f5 $1 {An essential move.} (35... fxe5 36. dxe5 {might not seem to bad according to an engine, but from a human perspective the threat of b1 and e4 will be extremely difficult to deal with.} Bc6 37. Bb1 Qd8 $6 38. Qd3 g6 39. Qd6 $1 {and White is dominating.}) 36. d5 exd5 37. Bxd5 Bc4 $1 {This is the problem. Carlsen still has the initiative, but more and more material is coming off the board meaning that the game is becoming very drawish.} 38. Rd1 Re8 39. Bxc4 Qxc4 40. Rxd7 Qb5 $1 {The last accurate move that Saric has to find.} 41. e6 Qc6 42. Qf3 (42. Re2 Rg6 $1 {also offers White nothing.}) 42... Qxe6 43. Rd5 Qe1+ 44. Rf1 Qe2 45. Rxf5 Rxf5 46. Qxe2 Rxe2 47. Rxf5 Rxb2 48. Ra5 Rc2 49. Rxa4 Rxc3 {In the press conference afterwards, I was told later that Carlsen looked very dejected. Every other chess player in the world would be delighted to win the strongest tournament on the calendar but instead Carlsen is fuming that he doesn't beat a much lower rated player with the white pieces - that's probably why he's the best!} 1/2-1/2

[Event "Grenke Chess Classic 3rd"]
[Site "Baden-Baden"]
[Date "2015.02.04"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Naiditsch, Arkadij"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B06"]
[WhiteElo "2706"]
[BlackElo "2865"]
[Annotator "Szabo,Krisztian"]
[PlyCount "121"]
[EventDate "2015.02.02"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 165"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.03.11"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.03.11"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 g6 2. d4 Bg7 3. Nc3 d6 4. Be3 a6 5. a4 Nf6 6. h3 O-O 7. g4 {An ambitious move. White has gained some space and he would like to restrict Black's pieces as much as possible.} ({Nevertheless} 7. Nf3 {is more popular.}) 7... e5 ({RR} 7... Nc6 8. d5 Nb4 9. a5 e6 10. Ra4 c5 11. dxc6 Nxc6 12. Bg2 Nxa5 13. e5 Ne8 14. exd6 Bd7 15. Rb4 b5 16. Bxa8 Qxa8 17. f3 Nc4 18. Rxc4 bxc4 19. Bg5 f5 20. Be7 Rf7 21. Rh2 Qb8 22. Nge2 {Ganguly,S (2625)-Carlsen,M (2847) chess24.com INT 2021 0-1 (69)}) ({RR} 7... Nc6 8. Nge2 e5 9. d5 Nb4 10. Bg2 c6 11. O-O cxd5 12. exd5 a5 13. Nb5 Bxg4 14. hxg4 Nxg4 15. Ra3 Rc8 16. Bd2 f5 17. Bxb4 axb4 18. Rh3 Qb6 19. Qd2 Rfd8 20. c3 b3 21. c4 Rxc4 22. Rxb3 {Svane,F (2668)-Sadhwani,R (2673) New York USA 2024 1-0 (55)}) 8. d5 c6 9. Nge2 cxd5 10. exd5 $146 ({RR} 10. Nxd5 Nxd5 11. Qxd5 Nc6 12. Bg2 Be6 13. Qd2 Bc4 14. Rd1 Bxe2 15. Qxe2 Qa5+ 16. c3 Qxa4 17. Rxd6 Rfd8 18. Rxd8+ Rxd8 19. O-O Rd7 20. Bf3 Qb3 21. Bc1 Nd8 22. Rd1 Qxd1+ 23. Qxd1 Rxd1+ 24. Bxd1 Ne6 {Kokoszczynski,J (2264)-Niedbala,B (2239) Ustron 2019 ½-½}) 10... Bxg4 $6 {A creative reply, Black sacrifices a piece for two s, but objectively this is not so good.} (10... Ne8 {was more solid, and Black tries to play for ...f5.}) 11. hxg4 Nxg4 12. Qd2 Nd7 13. Ne4 f5 {Black activates his central s. On the other hand White is also active, his pieces are powerful.} 14. Bg5 $1 Qb6 15. Bh3 $1 {Another strong intermediate move. White doesn't escape with his e4 , he also attacks his opponent's .} Ndf6 (15... Qxb2 {could have been met by} 16. O-O $1 {. Finally White has finished his development and now he is threatening fb1 trapping the .}) (15... fxe4 16. Bxg4 Qxf2+ 17. Kd1) 16. Nxf6+ Nxf6 17. Nc3 $2 {A mistake, which allows some counterplay for Black.} ({The simply} 17. b3 $16) ({or} 17. Bxf6 Bxf6 18. c3 $16 {was better for White.}) 17... Qxb2 $1 {The right move. Black captures the , and now he has some threats on the c-file.} 18. Rb1 (18. O-O $2 {is not working, because of} Rac8 {and Black is very strong on the c-file.}) 18... Qa3 19. Rxb7 Rf7 $6 {An inaccuracy.} (19... Rab8 $1 {was the correct reply to control the b-file,} 20. Rxg7+ (20. Rxb8 Rxb8 21. Bg2 e4 $132 {with strong counterplay.}) 20... Kxg7 21. Bxf5 gxf5 22. Bxf6+ Kxf6 $1 ({Of course not} 22... Rxf6 $2 23. Qg5+ Rg6 24. Qe7+ $18 {and White wins.}) 23. Rxh7 f4 24. Qd3 Qc1+ 25. Ke2 Rf7 26. Rxf7+ Kxf7 27. Qf5+ $11 {and a draw with perpetual check.}) 20. Rb3 Qc5 ({In he event of} 20... Qa1+ 21. Rb1 Qa3 22. Bg2 $16 {White is solid, his position is better.}) 21. Qe3 Qc7 22. Qb6 $1 {White forces the exchange of s, because the endgame is better for him.} e4 23. Qc6 {White closes the c-file, and he attacks the a8 . On the other hand this is not the best move.} (23. a5 $142 $16 {was more accurate.}) 23... Rc8 24. O-O (24. Qxc7 Rfxc7) 24... Qxc6 25. dxc6 Rxc6 {Now Black has three s for the piece, but the pair of s and the weak a6  give an important target to White.} 26. Rfb1 (26. Rd1 $5 {was also possible.}) 26... h6 27. Bxf6 Bxf6 28. Nxe4 $1 {A trade of advantages. The endgame after 28...fxe4 29.e6 is practically very difficult for Black, so Carlsen decides to give up the  again. Moreover he will win the c2 .} Be5 (28... fxe4 $6 29. Be6 Kf8 30. Bxf7 Kxf7 31. Rb6 Rxc2 32. Rxd6 $16 {followed by bb6 and White is better.}) 29. Nd2 (29. Rb6 $5 {was an interesting alternative.}) 29... Rxc2 30. Nf3 Ra2 31. Bg2 $6 {A dubious move, White should take Black's .} (31. Nxe5 $1 dxe5 32. Rb6 Rxa4 33. Rxg6+ Kh7 34. Rbb6 $16 {and White has a good winning chance.}) 31... Bf6 $1 {The correct move. Black saves his , which is very important for him.} 32. Nh2 Kg7 33. Bd5 Re7 34. Rb4 Rd2 $1 35. Bc4 a5 $1 36. Rb7 Rd4 37. Rxe7+ Bxe7 38. Bb5 h5 {With the amount of black pawns he has enough to compensate for the piece. However the most important aspect is that White has no real targets: the a5-pawn can be easily defended by the bishop.} 39. Nf3 Rf4 40. Kg2 h4 41. Rd1 Rg4+ {These type of checks are useful, because White has to decide about his .} 42. Kf1 ({In the event of} 42. Kh3 Rf4 43. Kg2 (43. Rd3 $6 g5) 43... Rg4+ {is only a repetition of moves.}) 42... h3 {This is a really attractive move to push the passed , but on the other hand the h3-pawn could become a target.} (42... Kf6 43. Rd3) 43. Rd3 $1 {White prepares for h2.} Bf6 $1 {A good move, Carlsen doesn't want to protect the d6 . Black's idea should basically always be to play g5-g4 and connect the s.} ({The immediate} 43... g5 44. Nh2 (44. Rd5 $5) 44... Rf4 $1 (44... Rh4 45. Rf3 $1 $16 {followed by d7 and Black loses a .}) 45. Rxh3 g4 46. Rc3 Bh4 47. Rc4 $1 Rxf2+ 48. Kg1 {followed by xg4.}) 44. Nh2 ({Or} 44. Rxd6 Rf4 45. Rd3 g5 {followed by g4. I think the position should be a draw.}) 44... Rh4 45. Kg1 {White prepares for a nice plan. First he needs to free the  from h2. Then f3 or f1, followed by h2.} ({Objectively} 45. Rxd6 $1 {was the best, but in a practical game, this is very difficult.} Be5 46. Rd7+ Kf6 47. Kg1 Rb4 48. Rh7 $1 Rb1+ 49. Nf1 $14) 45... Bd4 46. Rf3 {White avoids the g5-g4 at the moment.} Kf6 47. Nf1 Be5 ({The reckless} 47... g5 $6 {could have been met by} 48. Bd7 $1) (47... d5 $5 {was also a possibility.}) 48. Ne3 {White prepares for c4 to win the a5 , because his a4 will be a strong passed .} Kg5 $6 {This move is a little bit strange. The  prevents his g-, so probably the black  has to go back to f6.} ({Black had to play} 48... h2+ $1 49. Kh1 Rd4 {Black prepares for ...d2.} 50. Kg2 Kg5 51. Rh3 d5 $11 {and of course Black still has a serious fight for equality, but objectively the position should probably be very close to equal.}) 49. Kh1 $1 {A very deep and calm move by Naiditsch. White is threatening c4, and he has avoided ...g4+.} ({The immediate} 49. Nc4 $2 {allows} Rg4+ 50. Kh1 Kh4 $1 $11 {defending the h3 . The position should be around equal.}) 49... Kf6 $6 ({Probably the best practical chance would have been} 49... Rf4 $142 50. Rxf4 (50. Rg3+ Kh4 51. Rxg6 Rxf2 $11) (50. Rxh3 Rxf2 {and I think Black should be able to save the game.}) 50... Kxf4 51. Be8 g5 52. Bd7 Kf3 53. Bxf5 Kxf2 54. Nc4 Bc3 55. Nxd6 Bb4 {and Black has also a good chance for to reach the draw.}) 50. Nc4 {This is a slightly risky move, because White allows the quick g5-g4, but this is the only chance to win the a5 , otherwise White can't improve his position.} g5 {Of course Black doesn't have anything better than to try and create counterplay on the kingside as quickly as possible.} 51. Nxa5 g4 52. Rd3 f4 53. Nc4 Rh7 (53... g3 $2 {is not working, as} 54. fxg3 fxg3 55. Nxe5 g2+ 56. Kh2 Kxe5 57. Bd7 {and White will win all the black s, moreover the a- is the correct colour to win with.}) 54. Nxe5 (54. Nxd6 $5 {was also strong.}) 54... dxe5 55. a5 Rc7 {The rook must be activated.} 56. Ra3 Rc1+ {Of course Black has to create some counterchance; the passive ...a7 loses without creating difficulties for White.} 57. Kh2 Rc2 58. a6 $1 {Well calculated! Black's four connected passed s are not so dangerous as White's one passed  on the a-file! Of course the b5  is the most important one for this.} Rxf2+ 59. Kh1 g3 60. a7 {The  from b5 covers the f1 square.} Rd2 (60... Rb2 61. Ra1 $18) 61. Ra1 {and Black resigned, because he can't stop White from playing a8. A great victory by Naiditsch!} (61. Ra1 Rh2+ 62. Kg1 Rg2+ 63. Kf1 Rf2+ 64. Ke1 h2 65. a8=Q $18) 1-0

[Event "Grenke Chess Classic 3rd"]
[Site "Baden-Baden"]
[Date "2015.02.07"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Baramidze, David"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C95"]
[WhiteElo "2865"]
[BlackElo "2594"]
[Annotator "Szabo,Krisztian"]
[PlyCount "97"]
[EventDate "2015.02.02"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 165"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.03.11"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.03.11"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 d6 8. c3 O-O 9. h3 Nb8 10. d4 Nbd7 11. Nbd2 Bb7 12. Bc2 Re8 13. Nf1 Bf8 14. Ng3 g6 15. a4 Bg7 ({The} 15... c5 16. d5 c4 {line is more popular.}) 16. Bd3 c6 17. Bg5 ({On the next day Anand played} 17. Be3 {against Baramidze} Qc7 18. Qd2 exd4 19. cxd4 c5 20. d5 c4 21. Bc2 Rec8 22. axb5 c3 23. bxc3 Nxd5 24. exd5 Bxc3 25. Qd1 Bxa1 26. Qxa1 axb5 27. Qd4 $1 {with a promising position for White, later he managed to win, Anand-Baramidze, Baden Baden 2015.}) 17... Nf8 18. Qd2 Ne6 19. Bh6 Nd7 20. Bc2 Bxh6 21. Qxh6 Qf6 22. Rad1 Rad8 23. d5 $146 {The first new move in the game.} (23. Rd2 exd4 24. Nxd4 Qf4 25. Qxf4 Nxf4 26. Nde2 Nxe2+ 27. Rdxe2 Nb6 28. a5 Nc8 29. Rd1 {with a nearly equal endgame, but White is more comfortable, N.Djukic-Nikcevic, Tivat 2011.}) ({RR} 23. Rd2 exd4 24. Nxd4 Qf4 25. Qxf4 Nxf4 26. Nde2 Nxe2+ 27. Rdxe2 Nb6 28. a5 Nc8 29. Rd1 Kf8 30. f4 f6 31. h4 c5 32. h5 Ke7 33. Red2 Rg8 34. b4 Na7 35. Bb3 c4 36. Bc2 Bc8 37. hxg6 hxg6 {Djukic,N (2486)-Nikcevic,N (2416) Tivat 2011 ½-½ (62)}) 23... cxd5 24. exd5 Qf4 {A logical decision, Black exchanges the s and he tries to level the endgame.} 25. Qxf4 Nxf4 26. Ne4 Bxd5 27. axb5 axb5 28. Nxd6 {So far Baramidze has done a nice job defending and creating counterplay. His pieces are active and give counterplay even if he loses the b5  too.} Re6 $2 {This looks logical move is a mistake. The  will be attackable on e6.} (28... Bxf3 29. gxf3 Re7 30. Nxb5 Rb8 31. c4 Nxh3+ 32. Kh2 Nf4 $13) ({or} 28... Rf8 $1 29. Ne4 (29. Nxb5 Rb8 $11 {and the  is regained on b2.}) 29... f5 30. Neg5 Rfe8 $132 {and Black looks nicely placed.}) 29. Ne4 $1 {The right reply!} (29. Nxb5 {could have been met by} Rb6 $11 {and the b2  is lost.}) 29... f5 ({In the event of} 29... Nb6 30. Nfg5 Re7 31. g3 Nh5 32. Bd3 $14 {and White is slightly better.}) 30. Nfg5 $1 {A very strong intermediate move. He attacks the e6 , moreover he protects the h3 , so he prepares for g3 too.} Re7 (30... fxe4 $6 {is dubious, because of} 31. Rxd5 $1 Nxd5 32. Nxe6 $16 {and White is better.}) 31. g3 $1 {Another great answer! The  on f4 cannot move, because the  on d5 is hanging, and in the awkward positions of Black's s and the pinned  on d7 his structure will be compromised.} Bxe4 32. Bxe4 fxe4 ({In the event of} 32... Nxh3+ 33. Nxh3 fxe4 34. Ng5 $16 {and White has a wonderful position.}) 33. gxf4 Rf8 (33... exf4 34. Rxe4 Rde8 (34... Rxe4 35. Nxe4 $16 {the pin is very unpleasant for Black.}) 35. Rxf4 {and White is a healthy  up.}) 34. Nxe4 Rxf4 35. b4 $1 {A good move. White fixes the b5 . Material is still even, but White's  on e4 is monstrous and he will win the b5  soon.} Nf6 (35... Nb6 36. Nd6 Rf3 37. Nxb5 Rxh3 38. Rd6 Nc4 39. Rd8+ Kf7 40. Re4 {and White's two s on the queenside are really strong.}) 36. Nd6 Rf3 37. Nxb5 Rxh3 38. c4 {White's s are very fast, the position is very unpleasant for Black.} Rh4 (38... Rb3 {could have been met by the tricky} 39. Nd4 $1 {and in the event of the  being captured with} Rxb4 40. Nc6 {and White should win the endgame.}) 39. Nd6 Nh5 40. b5 Nf4 {Black tries to create some counterplay against White's , but it is not dangerous.} 41. b6 Rg4+ 42. Kf1 Rh4 43. f3 {This is the point! White simply avoids the mate, Black has no hope.} Rh1+ 44. Kf2 Rh2+ 45. Kg1 Rc2 (45... Rb2 46. Rb1 $18) 46. Kh1 ({The careless} 46. b7 $2 {is bad, because of} Nh3+ 47. Kh1 Nf2+ 48. Kg1 Nh3+ $11 {and Black survives with perpetual checks.}) 46... Nh3 47. Ne4 {The  comes back to defend against f2+. There were other winning moves too, but this is the easiest practical reply.} Rxc4 48. Rd8+ $1 Kg7 49. Rb1 {and Black resigned, because he can't defend against b7. Very nice technique by Carlsen!} 1-0

[Event "Grenke Chess Classic 3rd"]
[Site "Baden-Baden"]
[Date "2015.02.08"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C67"]
[WhiteElo "2811"]
[BlackElo "2865"]
[Annotator "ChessBase"]
[PlyCount "52"]
[EventDate "2015.02.02"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 165"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.03.11"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.03.11"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. d4 Nd6 6. Bxc6 dxc6 7. dxe5 Nf5 8. Qxd8+ Kxd8 9. h3 h6 10. Rd1+ Ke8 11. Nc3 Ne7 12. Bf4 Ng6 13. Bh2 Bb4 14. Ne2 Be7 15. Nfd4 Nf8 $146 ({RR} 15... Bd7 16. Ng3 h5 17. Ngf5 Bf8 18. Re1 Ne7 19. e6 fxe6 20. Nxe7 Bxe7 21. Bxc7 Rc8 22. Ba5 Rh6 23. Rad1 c5 24. Nf3 Bf6 25. Bd2 Rh8 26. Ne5 Rd8 27. Bc3 Rh6 28. Rd6 Bc8 29. Rxd8+ Bxd8 30. Nc4 {Volokitin,A (2677)-Miroshnichenko,E (2651) Kiev 2011 1-0 (49)}) ({RR} 15... a6 16. Ng3 Nh4 17. Nh5 g6 18. Nf6+ Kf8 19. Ne4 c5 20. Nb3 c4 21. Na5 Bf5 22. f3 b5 23. Nc6 g5 24. a4 b4 25. e6 Bxe6 26. Nxe7 Kxe7 27. Bxc7 f5 28. Nc5 Rhe8 29. Rd6 Bf7 30. Nd7 {Palac,M (2593)-Drazic,S (2536) Skopje 2012 1-0 (33)}) 16. g4 h5 17. Nf5 Ne6 18. Kg2 b6 19. f3 c5 20. Bg3 Bg5 (20... Bb7 {was also perfectly possible.}) 21. h4 hxg4 {and now the draw is forced} 22. hxg5 gxf3+ 23. Kxf3 Nxg5+ 24. Kf4 (24. Kg4 Nh3 {is risky for White:} 25. e6 Bxe6 26. Nf4 g6 27. Nxe6 gxf5+ 28. Kxf5 fxe6+ 29. Kg4 e5 $1 {with this key move the knight from h3 is rescued and Black remains out a pawn, though probably one that is very hard to convert.} 30. Bxe5 (30. Rd5 Ke7 $15) (30. Re1 Kd7 $1 $17) 30... Nf2+ $17) 24... Nh3+ 25. Ke4 Ng5+ 26. Kf4 Nh3+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "Gashimov Memorial 2nd"]
[Site "Shamkir"]
[Date "2015.04.17"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C89"]
[WhiteElo "2791"]
[BlackElo "2863"]
[Annotator "Pavlovic,Milos"]
[PlyCount "106"]
[EventDate "2015.04.17"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "AZE"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 166"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.05.11"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.05.11"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 {No Berlin this time.} 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. c3 d5 {The Marshall Attack is definitely one of the most popular choices on the top level.} 9. exd5 Nxd5 10. Nxe5 Nxe5 11. Rxe5 c6 12. d3 Bd6 13. Re1 Bf5 14. Qf3 Bg6 {A completely new idea. I will add here a recent game from the USA Ch..} (14... Qh4 15. g3 Qh3 16. Be3 Bxd3 17. Nd2 Bf5 {rare choice , usually they go 17..f5} 18. Bd4 Rfe8 19. c4 (19. Bxd5 cxd5 20. Qxd5 Bf8 {this must be critical for the evaluation of Black's idea. White is a pawn up but the bishop pair and weak light squares help Black immensely in getting his usual compensation}) 19... Bg4 20. Qg2 Qxg2+ 21. Kxg2 Nb4 22. Ne4 Bf8 23. cxb5 {Now Black has a few ideas:} cxb5 (23... Be6 $5 24. b6 (24. Bxe6 Rxe6 25. Nc3 Rxe1 26. Rxe1 axb5 {again Black is ok}) 24... Bxb3 25. b7 Bd5 26. bxa8=Q Rxa8 27. f3 Nc2 {is fine for Black}) (23... axb5 24. Ng5 Bh5 25. g4 Rxe1 26. Rxe1 Bg6 27. f4 h6 28. f5 Bh5 29. gxh5 hxg5 30. a3 c5 {Black has enough counterplay}) 24. Ng5 Bh5 25. g4 Bg6 26. f4 Nc2 27. Rxe8 Rxe8 28. Rd1 Nxd4 {not best; after this White takes over the initiative} (28... h6 $5 29. f5 Bh5 30. gxh5 hxg5 31. Bf2 Ne3+ 32. Bxe3 Rxe3 33. Rd7 Be7 34. Ra7 Re2+ 35. Kf3 Re3+ $1 $11) 29. Rxd4 Be7 30. Nf3 Bb1 31. Nd2 $18 {1-0 (36) So,W (2788)-Onischuk,A (2665) Saint Louis 2015, White is wining}) 15. Bxd5 cxd5 16. Bf4 d4 17. cxd4 Bb4 18. Nc3 Qxd4 19. Be5 Qd7 $146 {Black had to take on d3 and although it looks a bit unpleasant it seems that Black can hold:} (19... Qxd3 20. Re3 {now two reasonable moves for Black:} Qc4 (20... Qf5 21. Qxf5 Bxf5 22. Nd5 Bc5 23. Rc3 Rac8 24. Rac1 Rfe8 25. Rxc5 Rxc5 26. Rxc5 Rxe5 27. f4 $14) 21. Nd5 Rad8 22. Nf6+ (22. Rd1 f6 $1 {with good play}) 22... Kh8 $1 {is fine for Black.}) ({RR} 19... Qxd3 20. Re3 Qc4 21. b3 Qc5 22. Nd5 Rad8 23. Rd1 f6 24. Bc7 Rd7 25. Nxb4 Rxd1+ 26. Qxd1 Qxb4 27. Bd8 Qf4 28. h3 Qb8 29. Be7 Re8 30. Bd6 Qa8 31. Rxe8+ Bxe8 32. Qe2 h6 33. Kh2 Qd8 34. Qe7 {Harikrishna,P (2752)-Inarkiev,E (2732) Monzon 2016 ½-½ (35)}) ({RR} 19... Qxd3 20. Re3 Qc4 21. Nd5 Rad8 22. Nxb4 Qxb4 23. a3 Qc5 24. Bc3 Rfe8 25. Rae1 f6 26. Rxe8+ Rxe8 27. Rxe8+ Bxe8 28. Qa8 Qc6 29. Qxc6 Bxc6 {½-½ (29) Wei,Y (2735)-Inarkiev,E (2690) Magas 2018}) 20. Nd5 $1 f6 (20... Bxe1 21. Nf6+ $1 gxf6 22. Qxf6 $18) 21. Nxb4 fxe5 22. Qd5+ Qxd5 23. Nxd5 Bxd3 24. Rxe5 {He is a clear pawn up} Rfe8 25. Rxe8+ Rxe8 26. Ne3 Rc8 27. a3 a5 28. h4 Bg6 29. Rd1 b4 30. axb4 axb4 31. g4 b3 {Carlsen is putting up the best defence.} 32. h5 Bf7 33. Kg2 Kf8 34. Kg3 Ra8 35. Rd2 {This is probably winning for Anand; everyone noticed that during the live comentaries, but to win it it is not easy, otherwise we wouldn't be talking now about a draw in this game, but about 1-0. Somehow it is not easy to find a clear winning path for Anand, and computers defend Carlsen's position with utmost accuracy.} h6 36. Nf5 Be6 37. Nd4 Bf7 38. f3 Rc8 39. Kf4 Rc1 40. Nf5 Kg8 41. Rd8+ Kh7 42. Rd7 Kg8 43. Rd8+ Kh7 44. Rd7 Kg8 45. Nd6 {White has many ideas here; let's try some.} (45. Rb7 Rc2 46. Nd6 Be6 47. Ke5 Re2+ 48. Ne4 Bf7 49. f4 ({another try might be} 49. g5 Bxh5 50. Rxb3 hxg5 51. Kf5 Kf8 52. Nxg5 {with a big advantage but still no clear winning path}) 49... Rxb2 ({But Black doesn't need to be cooperative as pointed out by Rainer Knaak so} 49... Kf8 $5 50. Rb8+ Ke7 51. f5 Be8 $1 52. Rb7+ Kf8 53. Rxb3 Bc6 54. Rb4 Bxe4 55. Rxe4 Rxb2 {and Black should make a draw here, surely not an easy defence, but it is possible that Carlsen might have seen it.}) 50. g5 Bxh5 51. gxh6 Rg2 52. hxg7 {White wins, that was one possible line for instance.}) (45. Nh4 Be6 46. Rb7 Bd5 $1 {very precise!} (46... Rc2 $2 47. Ng6 Bc4 48. Rb8+ Kf7 49. Ke5 $1 {White wins}) 47. Rb8+ Kh7 $1 (47... Kf7 48. Ke5 $1 {with the mating idea g6}) 48. Ng6 Bg8 49. Ne7 Bf7 50. Rb7 Rc2 51. Nf5 Kg8 {and we have reached the same position as after 45.b7 c2.}) 45... Be6 46. Re7 Bd5 47. Kf5 $2 {A mistake that spoils all his advantage and all chances to play for win.} Rc6 $1 {Now it is just a draw.} 48. Ke5 Bxf3 49. Nf5 g5 50. Rg7+ Kh8 51. Rg6 Kh7 52. Rg7+ Kh8 53. Rg6 Kh7 1/2-1/2

[Event "Gashimov Memorial 2nd"]
[Site "Shamkir"]
[Date "2015.04.20"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Adams, Michael"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C76"]
[WhiteElo "2745"]
[BlackElo "2863"]
[PlyCount "76"]
[EventDate "2015.04.17"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "AZE"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 166"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.05.11"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.05.11"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 g6 4. c3 a6 5. Ba4 d6 6. d4 Bd7 7. O-O Bg7 8. d5 Nce7 9. Bxd7+ Qxd7 10. c4 h6 11. Nc3 f5 12. exf5 gxf5 13. Nh4 Nf6 14. f4 e4 15. Be3 O-O 16. Ne2 c6 17. dxc6 bxc6 18. Bd4 c5 19. Bc3 Qe6 $146 ({RR} 19... d5 20. cxd5 Nexd5 21. Ng3 Nxc3 22. bxc3 Qxd1 23. Raxd1 Ng4 24. Nhxf5 Bxc3 25. h3 Nf6 26. Nxh6+ Kh7 27. Nhf5 Rad8 28. Nd6 Bd4+ 29. Rxd4 cxd4 30. Ngxe4 Nxe4 31. Nxe4 Kg6 32. g4 d3 33. f5+ Kg7 34. Ng5 {Pourkashiyan,A (2322)-Gombocz,F (2205) Chess.com INT 2022 ½-½ (90)}) ({RR} 19... d5 20. cxd5 Nexd5 21. Ng3 Nxc3 22. bxc3 Qxd1 23. Raxd1 Ng4 24. Nhxf5 Bxc3 25. h3 Nf6 26. Nxh6+ Kh7 27. Nhf5 Rad8 28. Nd6 Bd4+ 29. Rxd4 cxd4 30. Ngxe4 Nxe4 31. Nxe4 Kg6 32. g4 d3 33. f5+ Kg7 34. Ng5 {Pourkashiyan,A (2322)-Gombocz,F (2205) Chess.com INT 2022 ½-½ (90)}) 20. Rc1 Rf7 21. Ng3 Kh7 22. Qe2 Rg8 23. Rfd1 Ne8 24. Nh5 Bxc3 25. bxc3 Rg4 26. g3 Rxh4 27. gxh4 Ng6 28. Kh1 Nxh4 29. Rg1 Nf3 30. Rg3 Re7 31. Rd1 Qf7 32. Rh3 Re6 33. Rb1 Rg6 34. Rg3 Re6 35. Rh3 Re7 36. Rd1 Re6 37. Rb1 Re7 38. Rd1 Re6 1/2-1/2

[Event "Gashimov Memorial 2nd"]
[Site "Shamkir"]
[Date "2015.04.24"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Kramnik, Vladimir"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C65"]
[WhiteElo "2863"]
[BlackElo "2783"]
[Annotator "Pavlovic,Milos"]
[PlyCount "97"]
[EventDate "2015.04.17"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "AZE"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 166"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.05.11"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.05.11"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 {Yet another big clash in the Berlin.} 4. d3 Bc5 5. c3 O-O 6. O-O d6 7. h3 Ne7 8. d4 Bb6 9. Bd3 d5 {Trying to use the momentum to free the game by further exchanges is logical, and we all know this trademark of Kramnik.} ({Usual is also} 9... Ng6 {with a normal type of game.}) 10. Nbd2 dxe4 ({A bit of computer type of chess might be} 10... exd4 11. e5 Nh5 $5 12. Ng5 g6 13. cxd4 Ng7 14. Nb3 f6 15. Nf3 {with interesting play for both sides.}) 11. Nxe4 Nxe4 12. Bxe4 exd4 13. Qc2 $146 {An interesting new attempt, the point is that it is not one move but a whole concept that Carlsen found.} ({RR} 13. cxd4 Bf5 14. Bxb7 Rb8 15. Ba6 Be4 16. Re1 Bxf3 17. Qxf3 Bxd4 18. Bc4 Ng6 19. Bb3 Ne5 20. Qg3 Nd3 21. Re2 Nxc1 22. Rxc1 c5 23. Qf4 Rb6 24. Qe4 Rf6 25. g3 g6 26. Kg2 Kg7 27. f4 a5 {Duda,J (2603)-Vallejo Pons,F (2705) Wroclaw 2014 1-0 (41)}) 13... h6 (13... f5 14. Bd3 Nc6 15. Re1 Kh8 16. Bf4 dxc3 17. bxc3 Qf6 18. Bc4 Bd7 19. Rad1 {with major compensation, Black is facing difficulties in developing his pieces.}) 14. a4 $1 {Unusual and very deep as we will see. Carlsen came fully prepared for this game.} c6 {A solid approach, Black could have tried to defend the pawn or simply take another one.} (14... dxc3 15. Rd1 Qe8 16. Qxc3 a5 17. b3 f6 18. Ba3 Qf7 19. Nh4 {with the initiative, an unpleasant one I may add.}) (14... c5 15. Rd1 a5 16. Bf4 $5 (16. cxd4 cxd4 17. Nxd4 Bxd4 18. Be3 Nf5 19. Bxf5 Bxf5 20. Qxf5 Qf6 21. Qxf6 Bxf6 22. Rd7 Bxb2 23. Rb1 Bc3 24. Rbxb7 {looks defendable for Black}) 16... Re8 17. cxd4 cxd4 18. Be5 Nd5 19. Bxd4 Nb4 20. Qe2 Bxd4 21. Rxd4 Qb6 22. Bh7+ Kf8 23. Qd2 {with initiative.}) 15. Rd1 Nd5 16. Nxd4 Re8 17. a5 $3 {Probably this had been worked out by Carlsen, it is really a nice play.} Bxa5 {Kramnik decides to take the pawn, going back to c7 is also possible.} (17... Bc7 18. Nf3 ({The direct} 18. a6 Qd6 19. Nf3 bxa6 20. c4 Nb4 21. Qa4 Qe7 {is ok for Black}) 18... Qf6 19. Bd2 Nf4 20. a6 bxa6 21. Bxf4 Bxf4 22. Qa4 {again Black is confronted with slight but lasting pressure.}) 18. Nf3 b5 19. Nd4 Bc7 (19... Bb7 20. Bxd5 cxd5 21. Nxb5 Bb6 22. Bf4 Re6 23. Nd4 Re4 24. Be3 Qf6 25. Qd3 Rae8 26. Nc2 $1 {I guess something like this must have been the idea, if Black can't play ...d4 to open lines for the bishop then he is facing problems.}) (19... Bd7 20. Nxb5 $14 {is simply better for White.}) 20. Nxc6 Qd6 21. g3 Bb7 22. Bf4 $1 {White is better.} Qxc6 ({The alternative was better:} 22... Qd7 23. c4 $1 (23. Nb4 Bxf4 24. Nxd5 Bd6 25. Nf6+ gxf6 26. Bxb7 Qxb7 27. Rxd6 Qf3 28. Qd1 Qxd1+ 29. Raxd1 {White is slightly better}) 23... Bxf4 24. cxb5 Qxh3 25. Bxd5 Bg5 26. Qc4 Rf8 27. Ra3 $16) 23. Bxd5 {By giving the queen it is just winning now for White.} Re1+ 24. Kh2 Qxd5 25. Rxd5 Rxa1 26. Rd1 Rxd1 27. Qxd1 Rd8 28. Qe2 Bb6 29. Be3 Bxe3 30. Qxe3 Rd1 31. g4 Bc6 32. Qc5 Bd7 33. Qxa7 {This is simply technical now.} Rd2 34. Kg3 Rd3+ 35. Kf4 Kh7 36. Qb7 Rd2 37. Ke3 Rd6 38. f4 g6 39. Qb8 Rd5 40. Ke4 Be6 41. Qb7 Rc5 42. Kd4 Rc4+ 43. Ke5 b4 44. cxb4 Rc2 45. Kf6 Rxb2 46. Qb8 Rf2 47. f5 gxf5 48. Qg3 Rf1 49. g5 1-0

[Event "Norway Chess 3rd"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2015.06.17"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C67"]
[WhiteElo "2805"]
[BlackElo "2876"]
[Annotator "Wagner,Dennis"]
[PlyCount "89"]
[EventDate "2015.06.16"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 167"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.07.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.07.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{This game was played in the 2nd round of the Norway Chess tournament in Stavanger. It has to be mentioned that Carlsen entered this game with a certain psychological handicap, as he had lost his game in round one against Veselin Topalov on time in a winning position, because he didn't know the time control.} 1. e4 {Adhiban,Baskaran} e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 {Definitely not for the first time the two experts have chosen the Berlin as their battleground.} 4. O-O Nxe4 5. d4 {Caruana is principled enough to enter the ending.} Nd6 6. Bxc6 dxc6 7. dxe5 Nf5 8. Qxd8+ Kxd8 9. h3 h6 $5 {That's the third time Carlsen has chosen this setup against Caruana. The move h6 controls the important g5-square, but has the drawback that White can seize space with g4 at the appropriate moment.} (9... Ke8 10. Nc3 h5 {is the mainline.}) 10. Rd1+ Ke8 11. Nc3 Ne7 (11... Bd7 {led to another disaster for Carlsen against the same opponent.} 12. Bf4 Rd8 13. Ne4 Be7 14. g4 Nh4 15. Nxh4 Bxh4 16. Kg2 Be6 17. f3 b6 18. b3 c5 19. c4 Rd7 20. Bg3 Be7 21. Rxd7 Bxd7 22. Nc3 Kd8 23. Nd5 Re8 24. Rd1 Kc8 25. Nxc7 $16 {1-0 (53) Caruana,F (2783)-Carlsen,M (2881) Shamkir 2014}) 12. b3 $1 {I think that the b3-setup is the most promising against the line with h6 and e7.} (12. Bf4 {Apparently Caruana wasn't content with the result of their last game in this line.} Ng6 13. Bh2 Bb4 14. Ne2 Be7 15. Nfd4 Nf8 16. g4 h5 17. Nf5 Ne6 18. Kg2 b6 19. f3 c5 20. Bg3 Bg5 21. h4 hxg4 22. hxg5 gxf3+ 23. Kxf3 Nxg5+ 24. Kf4 Nh3+ 25. Ke4 Ng5+ 26. Kf4 Nh3+ {1/2-1/2 (26) Caruana,F (2811) -Carlsen,M (2865) Baden-Baden 2015}) 12... Bf5 {Carlsen immediately activates his light-squared bishop.} (12... Ng6 $5 {is an alternative.} 13. Bb2 Be7 14. Ne2 (14. Ne4 Nf4 15. Nd4 Bd7 16. Ng3 c5 17. Nde2 Nxe2+ 18. Nxe2 Rd8 $11 {1/2-1/2 (37) Svetushkin,D (2597)-Kryvoruchko,Y (2676) Achaea 2012}) 14... h5 15. a4 a5 16. c4 $14 {1-0 (83) Kamsky,G (2705)-Bruzon Batista,L (2679) Khanty-Mansiysk 2010}) 13. Nd4 Bh7 14. Bb2 Rd8 15. Nce2 $1 (15. e6 {is rather harmless, if Black reacts precisely.} Nd5 $1 $11 (15... Nc8 16. Nce2 Bd6 17. c4 Ne7 (17... f6 18. g4 h5 $11) 18. Rac1 b6 19. g4 f6 20. f4 {1/2 (65)-1/2 (65) Polgar, J (2689)-Howell,D (2644) Warsaw 2013; with a complicated position, where White has the initiative.}) 16. Nxd5 (16. Nce2 Bd6 17. c4 Nb4 18. Bc3 Rg8 $132) 16... cxd5 17. exf7+ Kxf7 18. Nf3 Bd6 19. Ne5+ Bxe5 20. Bxe5 c6 $11) 15... Nd5 $146 (15... g5 {is another idea, but creates some further weaknesses.} 16. c4 (16. e6 Rg8 $1 $11) 16... Bg7 17. Ng3 Bg6 18. Re1 a6 (18... Kd7 19. e6+ fxe6 20. Rad1 Kc8 21. Nxc6 Nxc6 22. Rxd8+ Kxd8 23. Bxg7 Rh7 24. Bc3 $14) 19. Nf3 Rg8 20. Ne4 Bxe4 21. Rxe4 c5 22. h4 $1 gxh4 23. Rxh4 Ng6 24. Re4 $14 {White is slightly better, because of his mobile kingside majority, but Black can hope to compensate for this with his control of the d-file.}) ({RR} 15... a6 16. c4 c5 17. Nf3 Nc6 18. Nf4 Bc2 19. Rxd8+ Nxd8 20. e6 f6 ({RR} 20... Nxe6 21. Re1 Rg8 22. Nxe6 fxe6 23. Rxe6+) 21. Rc1 ({RR} 21. Re1) 21... Bf5 ({RR} 21... Bh7 22. Re1 Nc6 23. Nh5) 22. Re1 Bd6 23. Nh4 Bc2 24. Nh5 Rh7 25. f4 Nc6 26. g4 Nd4 27. f5 a5 28. Kf2 a4 29. bxa4 Bxa4 30. Re3 {Grischuk,A (2750)-Fressinet,L (2712) Reykjavik 2015 CBM 170 [Adhiban,Baskaran] 1-0 (43)}) 16. c4 Nb4 17. Nf4 Rg8 18. g4 {I already like White's position. The knight on b4 is out of the game, while Black is still far away from active counterplay. Anyway, Black should still be ok here.} Na6 $2 {But that´s the start of major problems.} (18... g5 $6 19. Nh5 Be7 20. Nf5 $14) (18... Nc2 $1 {Black can hope to survive by exchanging his bad knight.} 19. Nxc2 Rxd1+ 20. Rxd1 Bxc2 21. Rd2 Bb1 22. Bc3 Be7 23. Ne2 {might be the best try, since Black can't attack ths knight on this square.} (23. Kg2 Bg5 $1 {with a good exchange for Black} 24. Kg3 Bxf4+ 25. Kxf4 Ke7 $11) (23. Nh5 Bg6 24. Kg2 Bxh5 25. gxh5 Bg5 26. Rd4 c5 27. Rd5 g6 28. Rxc5 gxh5 29. Kf3 c6 $11) 23... Ba3 24. Kg2 Ke7 25. Nd4 Rd8 26. Nf5+ Bxf5 27. gxf5 Rxd2 28. Bxd2 $14) (18... Be7 $5 {is also possible.} 19. Nf5 (19. Bc3 Nc2 20. Nxc2 Rxd1+ 21. Rxd1 Bxc2 22. Rd2 Bg5 $11) 19... Bg5 20. Ne2 c5 21. Rxd8+ (21. f4 Bxf5 22. gxf5 Bh4 23. Rxd8+ Kxd8 24. Rd1+ Kc8 $11) 21... Kxd8 22. Rd1+ Kc8 23. a3 Nc6 24. Kg2 {with a double-edged position where Black should be able to defend successfully.}) 19. Nf5 Nc5 20. Rxd8+ (20. Kg2 $5 {is also good, e.g.} Ne6 21. Nxe6 fxe6 22. Rxd8+ Kxd8 23. Rd1+ Kc8 24. Nd4 Kd7 25. Ne2+ Ke7 26. Kf3 $14) 20... Kxd8 21. Rd1+ Kc8 22. Ba3 $5 {Setting a cunning trap...} Ne6 $2 {...which Carlsen runs into!} (22... Bxf5 $6 23. gxf5 g6 24. fxg6 (24. f6 g5 (24... Ne6 25. Nxe6 Bxa3 26. Ng7 Bb2 27. f4 g5) 25. Nh5 Ne6 26. Bxf8 Rxf8 27. Kg2 Re8 28. Kg3 $14) 24... Ne6 25. Bxf8 Nxf4 (25... Nxf8 26. Kg2 Nxg6 27. Nxg6 Rxg6+ 28. Kf3 $14) 26. g7 Ne6 27. Kh2 Nxf8 28. gxf8=Q+ Rxf8 29. Kg3 $14 {with a dangerous edge in the rook ending.}) (22... b6 $5 {is more pleasant for White, but nothing decisive of course.}) 23. Nxe6 Bxa3 {A sad necessity.} ({Probably Carlsen had planned} 23... fxe6 {but overlooked the strong reply} 24. Be7 $3 $18) 24. Nexg7 Bf8 25. e6 $1 Bxf5 26. Nxf5 fxe6 27. Ng3 $16 {This is a nightmare for every Berlin-player. The black structure has even worsened and White can exploit the kingside majority without the slightest risk.} Be7 28. Kg2 Rf8 29. Rd3 $1 {[%cal Gd3f3] A great square for the rook.} Rf7 30. Nh5 Bd6 31. Rf3 Rh7 (31... Rxf3 32. Kxf3 Kd7 33. Ke4 {is also just bad.}) 32. Re3 Re7 33. f4 {The rest is a matter of technique.} Ba3 34. Kf3 Bb2 35. Re2 Bc3 36. g5 Kd7 37. Kg4 Re8 38. Ng3 Rh8 39. h4 b6 40. h5 c5 41. g6 Re8 42. f5 exf5+ 43. Kf4 Rh8 44. Nxf5 Bf6 45. Rg2 {A convincing technical game by Caruana and a tough start for the World Champion.} 1-0

[Event "Norway Chess 3rd"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2015.06.18"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Giri, Anish"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B51"]
[WhiteElo "2876"]
[BlackElo "2773"]
[Annotator "Szabo,Krisztian"]
[PlyCount "152"]
[EventDate "2015.06.16"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 167"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.07.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.07.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. Bb5+ Nd7 4. c3 (4. d4 {is the main line.}) 4... Ngf6 5. Qe2 a6 6. Ba4 b5 7. Bc2 e6 8. d4 Bb7 9. O-O Be7 10. Re1 O-O 11. Nbd2 cxd4 ({RR} 11... Qc7 12. Nf1 cxd4 13. cxd4 Rac8 14. Bd3 e5 15. Ng3 exd4 16. Nxd4 Rfe8 17. Bf4 Ne5 18. Ndf5 Bf8 19. Rac1 Qa5 20. Rxc8 Bxc8 21. Bb1 d5 22. Bd2 Qd8 23. exd5 Nc4 24. Ne3 Bb7 25. b3 Nxe3 26. Bxe3 {Guseinov,G (2634)-Grischuk,A (2774) Berlin 2015 0-1 (34)}) 12. cxd4 Rc8 $146 {The first new move in the game.} (12... Qc7 13. Nf1 Rfc8 14. Bd3 b4 15. Ng3 a5 16. Bg5 Bf8 17. Rac1 Qb6 18. Be3 Qd8 19. h3 $14 {Rasik-Laznicka, Prague 2015, and White is slightly better.}) (12... Qb6 13. b3 (13. e5 $2 {was bad, as} dxe5 14. dxe5 Ng4 $1 {should have been played} 15. Ne4 Ndxe5 16. Nxe5 Nxe5 $15 {and Black has a healthy  up.}) 13... Rfc8 14. Bd3 {and White looks slightly better.}) 13. Nf1 Re8 $146 ({RR} 13... Qc7 14. Bd3 e5 15. d5 Nc5 16. Bb1 a5 17. Ng3 g6 18. Bg5 Ba6 19. Bc2 b4 20. Qd2 Ne8 21. Be3 Qb7 22. Rac1 Bd8 23. h4 Ng7 24. h5 Bb5 25. Bg5 Bxg5 26. Qxg5 f6 27. Qd2 Qd7 28. hxg6 {Chernov,L (1831)-Mikhaylov,A (2069) St Petersburg RUS 2023 0-1 (58)}) ({RR} 13... Qc7 14. Bd3 d5 15. e5 Ne4 16. Ng3 f5 17. exf6 Ndxf6 18. Ng5 Qc6 19. f3 Nxg5 20. Bxg5 Kf7 21. Bf5 exf5 22. Qxe7+ Kg8 23. Nxf5 Rc7 24. Bxf6 Bc8 25. Qd6 Bxf5 26. Qxc6 Rxc6 27. Be7 Re8 28. Bc5 {Grot,B (2207)-Drygalov,S (2560) chess.com INT 2025 ½-½ (31)}) ({RR} 13... e5 14. Ng3 exd4 15. Nxd4 Re8 16. Bf4 Bf8 17. Rad1 g6 18. Qd2 Ng4 19. Bg5 Qb6 20. Bb3 Nge5 21. Bh6 Be7 22. Bg5 Bf8 23. Bh6 Be7 24. Qf4 Bf6 25. Nf3 Re7 26. Bg5 Nxf3+ 27. gxf3 Bxg5 28. Qxg5 {Chandra,A (2512)-Zherebukh,Y (2614) Fort Worth 2017 ½-½ (34)}) 14. Ng3 Bf8 15. Be3 Rc7 16. Bd3 {White's position is more comfortable. He has some space advantage and his pieces are active.} e5 ({In the event of} 16... Qa8 17. Bd2 $14 {and it is obviously favourable for White .}) 17. d5 {The right reaction. White closes the centre and neutralises the b7-.} Nc5 18. Bc2 b4 $6 {Giri wanted to avoid 19.b4, but this is an inaccuracy, which involves weaknesses on Black's queenside.} (18... Qd7 {was more solid, but} 19. Bg5 (19. b4 Na4) 19... Be7 20. Nf5 $36 {and White has some initiative.}) 19. a3 $1 {White immediately takes advantage of Black's previous move.} b3 20. Bxc5 {White simply accepts the .} (20. Bd3 $5 {was also possible.}) 20... Rxc5 21. Bxb3 Qb6 22. Bc4 (22. Ba4 {was the alternative,} Rec8 23. b4 R5c7 24. Nd2 {and White looks nicely placed.}) 22... Rec8 23. Bd3 g6 24. Nf1 {A logical manoeuvre, because the  on g3 was already not very useful. White prepares for e3-c4.} Bh6 25. Ne3 a5 26. b4 $1 {A very nice reply by Carlsen! The b4- is not takeable, White's position is much better.} (26. Nc4 $6 {was too early, as} Qc7 {and the  has to escape.}) 26... axb4 27. axb4 R5c7 ({In the event of} 27... Rc3 28. Nc4 $1 Qxb4 (28... Qd8 29. Na5 Ba8 30. b5 $16 {followed by c6.}) 29. Rab1 R8xc4 30. Bxc4 Qxc4 31. Rxb7 Rc2 32. Qxc4 Rxc4 33. h4 Nxe4 34. Rd7 $16 {and White has a hopeful endgame.}) 28. b5 (28. Nc4 {was also fine,} Qxb4 29. Reb1 Rxc4 30. Bxc4 Qxc4 31. Qxc4 Rxc4 32. Rxb7 $16) 28... Qc5 29. h3 ({The engine suggests the logical} 29. Nd2 $16 {followed by dc4.}) 29... Nh5 30. Qb2 Qb6 31. Qb4 {Carlsen activates his  and he is threatening c4.} Bxe3 32. Rxe3 Rc3 33. Rae1 f5 $6 {A brave attempt by Giri. He would like to create complications, but this is too dangerous.} (33... Nf6 {was more solid, but} 34. Ra1 {and White will slowly, but surely consolidate and exploit the fact that he is a  up.}) 34. exf5 Nf4 35. Be4 $1 R3c5 (35... R3c4 36. Qb1 $18) ({or} 35... R8c4 36. Qb1 $18 {with a decisive attack.}) 36. fxg6 hxg6 37. Bxg6 $1 {A brilliant tactical blow by Carlsen!} Rxb5 {Still the best practical chance.} (37... Nxg6 {could have been met by} 38. Qg4 $1 Kf7 39. Qe6+ Kg7 40. Nh4 $1 $18 {and mate soon.}) 38. Qe4 $6 {Well, this was the straightforward and human reply. On the other hand White missed a fantastic winning move!} (38. Bf7+ $3 {What a brilliant sacrifice!} Kxf7 39. Qe4 $18 {and Black cannot prevent the threats of f5+ and g5+, even then it is not obvious how the attack proceeds, but Black simply cannot save himself.}) 38... Rf8 $1 39. Nxe5 $6 (39. Nh4 $1 {should have played} Bxd5 40. Qa4 {and White should be better, but in a practical game, it is not easy yet.}) 39... dxe5 40. Rg3 Rxd5 $1 {The only move to survive which Giri did. Black's position looks very dangerous, but at this moment White doesn't have a forced win.} 41. Qb1 {Black also had several threats, so Carlsen simplifies.} (41. Rb1 {could have been met by} Rd1+ $1 42. Kh2 Rxb1 43. Bf5+ Kh8 44. Qxe5+ Qf6 45. Qc7 Rf7 46. Qb8+ Rf8 47. Qc7 Rf7 $11 {and repetition of moves.}) 41... Qxb1 42. Bxb1+ Kh8 43. Be4 Rd7 44. Bxb7 Rxb7 45. Rxe5 {White has three s for the , only he has any chance to win, but objectively this is a draw.} Rh7 46. Re4 Rhf7 47. Kh2 Kh7 48. Rf3 Kg6 49. h4 Nh5 50. Rxf7 Rxf7 51. Re2 Nf4 52. Rd2 Nh5 53. g3 Nf6 54. Kg2 Rd7 55. Ra2 {Carlsen tries everything, but Black can hold.} (55. Rxd7 Nxd7 56. g4 Ne5 $11 {is also drawish.}) 55... Rd5 56. Ra4 Re5 57. g4 Re4 58. Rxe4 Nxe4 59. Kf3 Nd6 60. Kf4 Nf7 61. Ke4 Kf6 62. f4 Nd6+ 63. Kd5 Nb5 64. h5 Nc3+ 65. Kd4 Nb5+ 66. Kc4 Nd6+ 67. Kc5 Ke6 68. Kc6 Nf7 69. Kc7 Nh6 70. g5 Nf7 71. g6 Nh6 72. Kd8 Kf5 73. Ke7 Kxf4 74. Kf8 Kg5 75. g7 Kxh5 76. g8=Q Nxg8 {and finally the draw!} 1/2-1/2

[Event "Norway Chess 3rd"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2015.06.19"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C95"]
[WhiteElo "2804"]
[BlackElo "2876"]
[Annotator "Roiz,Michael"]
[PlyCount "93"]
[EventDate "2015.06.16"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 167"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.07.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.07.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 {Erenburg,Sergey} e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. d3 {Both players have a huge experience of playing the Ruy Lopez with both colours. This time Vishy goes for a quiet, but very fashionable line.} d6 (6... b5 7. Bb3 d6 {is the most common choice here.}) 7. c3 O-O 8. Nbd2 Re8 9. Re1 b5 10. Bc2 (10. Bb3 Na5 11. Bc2 c5 {leads to another well-known theoretical line.}) 10... Bf8 11. Nf1 (11. d4 $5 {deserves some attention in order to meet} Bg4 {with} 12. h3 Bh5 13. d5 $14) 11... g6 12. h3 ({Sometimes White prefers to start with} 12. Ng3 {, but most probably White shouldn't do without h2-h3 anyway.}) 12... Bb7 13. Ng3 ({It was also possible to keep the knight on f1 for a while, like in the following example:} 13. Be3 Bg7 14. Qc1 Qd7 (14... d5 $5) 15. Bh6 Nd8 16. Ng3 c5 17. Bxg7 Kxg7 18. d4 $14 {½-½ (82) Rozentalis,E (2607)-Jovanic,O (2519)/Trieste ITA 2013}) 13... Nb8 14. d4 Nbd7 {The players have entered into the main line of Breyer system.} 15. a4 (15. b3 {is another major line here.}) ({RR} 15. Bg5 h6 16. Bd2 Bg7 17. a4 c5 18. d5 c4 19. b4) 15... c5 16. d5 c4 ({RR} 16... Nb6 17. Qe2 Nxa4 18. Bxa4 bxa4 19. Rxa4) 17. Bg5 ({RR} 17. Be3 Nc5 18. Qd2 Nfd7 19. Ra3 Nb6 20. axb5 axb5 21. Rea1 Rxa3 22. Rxa3 Bc8 23. Bh6) 17... Bg7 ({Recently White has managed to put Black under positional pressure after} 17... h6 18. Be3 Nc5 19. Qd2 Kh7 20. Bxc5 dxc5) ({In the following recent game Black was able to solve the problems after} 17... Rb8 $5 18. Qd2 Nc5 19. axb5 axb5 20. Nh2 Bc8 21. Rf1 Bg7 22. f4 h6 23. fxe5 Nfxe4 24. Bxe4 Qxg5 25. Qxg5 hxg5 26. e6 fxe6 27. Bxg6 Re7 $11 {1/2-1/2 Vachier Lagrave,M (2775)-Dominguez Perez,L (2726)/Tbilisi FIDE GP 2015}) ({RR} 17... Nc5 18. Qd2 Be7 19. Bh6 Bf8 20. Bg5 Be7 21. Rf1 Nfd7 22. Be3 Bf6 23. Nh2 h5 24. Ne2 Bg7) ({RR} 17... h6 18. Be3 Nc5 19. Qd2 h5 20. Bg5 Be7 21. Ra3 Nfd7) 18. Qd2 Rb8 {Magnus deviates from the known paths at this early stage. This move is aimed at making the c8-spot vacant for the bishop.} ({In the following classical game between two former World Champions White couldn't pose Black any special problems:} 18... Nc5 19. Ra3 (19. Nh4 Qd7 20. axb5 axb5 21. Rxa8 Rxa8 22. Qe3 Ne8 $132 {1-0 (68) Zherebukh,Y (2473)-Kovalev,V (2318)/Kirishi 2008/CBM 127 Extra}) 19... Qc7 20. Rea1 Rab8 21. Qe3 Nfd7 22. Bh6 Bh8 23. Nh2 Bc8 24. axb5 axb5 25. Ng4 Nf6 {½-½ Tal,M (2645)-Petrosian,T (2645)/Milan 1975/MCL}) ({RR} 18... Qe7 19. Ra3 Nc5 ({RR} 19... Qf8 20. Rea1 Nc5 21. Qc1 Rec8 22. Be3 Nfd7 23. Nd2 Qd8 24. Qf1 Nb6 25. axb5 axb5 26. Rxa8 Rxa8 27. b3) 20. Rea1 Qc7 21. Nh2 h5 22. Rf1 ({RR} 22. f4 Nh7) 22... Nh7 23. Be3 Qe7 24. Raa1 ({RR} 24. f4 exf4 25. Rxf4 ({RR} 25. Bxf4 h4) 25... Be5) 24... Nf6 25. f3 Nfd7 26. Bg5 Bf6 27. Be3 Nb6 28. a5 Nbd7 29. Nh1 Nf8 30. Rae1 Bc8 ({RR} 30... Qc7 31. Ra1 ({RR} 31. f4 Qxa5 32. fxe5 ({RR} 32. f5 Qd8) 32... Bxe5 33. Qf2 Qc7)) 31. f4 exf4 ({RR} 31... Nfd7 32. f5) 32. Bxf4 Nfd7 33. Nf3 {Fressinet,L (2627)-Graf,A (2605) Gothenburg 2005 CBM 109 [Erenburg,Sergey] 1-0 (46)}) ({RR} 18... Nc5 19. Nh2 Qc7 20. Rf1 h5 21. Nf3 Reb8 22. Bh6 Bxh6 23. Qxh6 Qd8 24. Ng5 Qf8 25. Nf5 Rd8 26. f4 Rd7 27. Qxf8+ Rxf8 28. Nxd6 exf4 29. Nxb7 Rxb7 30. Rxf4 Nfd7 31. Nf3 bxa4 32. e5 Rxb2 33. Bxa4 {Dias,I (2106)-Honkoop,G (2189) Maia POR 2024 ½-½ (40)}) 19. Nh2 $146 {This logical innovation is a standard preparation of White's k-side activity, which is based on the f2-f4 advance.} ({Taking control over the a-file doesn't offer much:} 19. Ra3 Nc5 20. axb5 axb5 $11 {½-½ (21) Dueball,J (2450)-Matanovic,A (2490)/Bath 1973/EU-chT}) 19... Bc8 $146 {The World Champion is playing with fire! Leaving the pin yields White too many attacking possibilities.} ({A much safer move was} 19... Qc7 20. f4 (20. Ng4 Nxg4 21. hxg4 Bc8 22. Be3 (22. f3 Nc5 23. Be3 Bd7 24. axb5 Rxb5 25. Ra2 Reb8 26. Rb1 a5 $132) 22... Nc5 23. g5 Bd7 $132) 20... exf4 21. Qxf4 b4 22. Rf1 Qa5 $132 {with a complex battle.}) ({RR} 19... Qc7 20. Rf1 Bc8 21. axb5 axb5 22. Ra3 Qb6 23. b4 cxb3 24. Rxb3 Qa5 25. Rfb1 Nc5 26. R3b2 Rb7 27. Nhf1 Bd7 28. c4 Qxd2 29. Nxd2 Reb8 30. cxb5 Bxb5 31. Bd1 Nfd7 32. Be3 h5 33. Be2 Bxe2 34. Rxb7 {Djukic,N (2507)-Zajic,M (2477) Nis 2019 ½-½ (132)}) 20. Ng4 Nc5 $6 {One more inaccuracy.} ({After} 20... Qe7 21. Nh6+ Kh8 22. Rf1 Qf8 23. axb5 axb5 24. Ra5 (24. h4 $5) 24... Nc5 25. Rfa1 $14 {Black's position would be worse, but playable.}) 21. Nh6+ $1 Bxh6 {Exchanging the main defender of king is definitely a bad sign for Black!} (21... Kf8 22. axb5 axb5 23. f4 $16 {[%csl Rf8]}) 22. Bxh6 bxa4 {Breaking the q-side pawn chain is necessary, since Black desperately needs any counterplay.} 23. Ra2 {Definitely not the best, since Black is getting some play along the b-file, while the a2 is passive now.} ({A stronger move was} 23. Reb1 $1 Bd7 24. Bg5 Kg7 25. Qe3 Qe7 26. Ra2 $16) 23... a3 $1 24. bxa3 $6 {Recapturing the pawn definitely suits Black here.} ({There was a nice way to extend the initiative at the cost of pawn:} 24. Rxa3 $1 Rxb2 25. Bg5 Kg7 26. Qc1 Qb6 (26... Rb7 27. Rf1 $36) 27. Be3 Nfd7 28. Ba4 $36) 24... Nfd7 $1 25. f4 ({Possibly,} 25. Qe3 $5 {was more promising here:} Kh8 (25... a5 26. Nf5 Nf6 27. Ng7 Rf8 28. f4 $36) 26. Raa1 Rb2 27. Qc1 $14) 25... a5 $1 {Magnus finds the best way to connect the rooks - the bishop is heading to a6.} (25... Qh4 $2 {doesn't work in view of} 26. Bg5 Qxg3 27. Re3 Nb3 28. Bxb3 Qxe3+ 29. Qxe3 cxb3 30. Rb2 $18) 26. Rf1 (26. f5 Qh4 $1 27. Nf1 f6 28. Be3 gxf5 29. Bf2 Qg5 {looks good for Black.}) 26... f6 $2 {This passive continuation leads to a very difficult position from the strategic point of view.} ({It was necessary to release the pressure in the centre:} 26... Qb6 $1 27. Kh1 Nb3 28. Qe2 exf4 $1 29. Bxf4 Ne5 30. Be3 Qd8 $132 {leads to a complex position, where the strong centralised knight compensates for the vulnerablity of Black's monarch.}) 27. f5 $1 {Now Black's position desperately lacks space.} Nd3 {Black is trying to complicate matters, since White's potential k-side attack is unstoppable.} ({After} 27... Qe7 28. h4 Qf7 29. Be3 $16 {White may develop a crushing attack step by step.}) 28. Bxd3 cxd3 29. Qd1 $1 {White has reached a harmonious setup, so all the pieces may take part in attacking the opponent's king.} ({Vishy correctly rejects} 29. Qxd3 $6 Qb6+ 30. Be3 (30. Kh2 Ba6 31. c4 Qb3 $11) 30... Ba6 31. Qd2 Qb3 $44) 29... Re7 (29... Kh8 30. Be3 Rg8 31. Qxd3 Qc7 32. fxg6 hxg6 33. Qe2 $16) 30. Raf2 Rf7 31. Qxd3 {Now there is nothing wrong with taking a pawn.} (31. h4 $5 {was another promising option here:} Kh8 32. fxg6 hxg6 33. h5 Qg8 34. Bg5 $40) 31... Nc5 32. Qf3 Ba6 {A natural move, but the bishop was quite useful on c8.} (32... g5 {was bad:} 33. h4 gxh4 34. Nh5 Kh8 35. Qg4 Qe7 36. Rf3 Ba6 37. Re1 Nd3 38. Ree3 Rb1+ 39. Kh2 $18) ({The most tenacious continuation seems to be} 32... Kh8 33. fxg6 hxg6 34. Bg5 Nd7 35. h4 Ba6 36. c4 Qg8 {[%cal Gb8f8] and Black manages to parry the immediate threats, though White is still almost winning here.}) 33. Qg4 ({It looks like the direct attack would decide the game here:} 33. fxg6 hxg6 34. Qg4 Kh7 35. Qh4 Bxf1 36. Bg5+ Kg8 (36... Kg7 37. Qh6+ Kg8 38. Bxf6 $1 Rxf6 39. Nh5 gxh5 40. Rxf6 $18) 37. Bxf6 Rh7 38. Qg5 Qe8 39. Rxf1 Rbb7 40. h4 $18) 33... g5 ({Black's position is hopeless after} 33... Bc8 34. Qh4 g5 35. Qg4 Kh8 36. h4 Ba6 37. hxg5 Bxf1 38. g6 $18) 34. h4 $1 {There is no need to spend a tempo on removing the rook.} Bxf1 35. Rxf1 Qd7 ({After} 35... Kh8 36. hxg5 fxg5 {the most convincing is} 37. f6 Rxf6 38. Bg7+ Kxg7 39. Nh5+ Kh8 40. Rxf6 Qe7 41. Qf5 $18 {with full domination.}) 36. hxg5 fxg5 37. Qh5 {This unexpected move doesn't spoil anything - the king is too weak.} ({There was nothing wrong with the most natural} 37. Bxg5 Kh8 38. Qh4 Rg8 39. Rb1 $1 $18 (39. Bf6+ $6 {is less clear:} Rxf6 40. Qxf6+ Qg7 41. Qxg7+ Kxg7 $16)) 37... Kh8 38. f6 Rg8 39. Bg7+ Rfxg7 40. fxg7+ Qxg7 {It looks like Black has consolidated, but Anand's calculations were deep!} 41. Nf5 Qg6 42. Qxg6 Rxg6 43. Ne7 $1 $18 Kg7 ({The poor coordination of Black's pieces enables White to liquadate into a winning rook ending:} 43... Rh6 44. Rf8+ Kg7 45. Rc8 Kf7 46. Nf5 Rg6 47. Nxd6+ Rxd6 48. Rxc5 $18) 44. Nxg6 Kxg6 45. Rf8 a4 ({Or} 45... Nxe4 46. c4 a4 47. Ra8 Nc5 48. Kf2 h5 49. Ke3 Kf5 50. Rf8+ Kg4 51. Rd8 $18) 46. c4 h5 47. Kf2 {Quite a disappointing loss for Magnus, but Anand's achievement shouldn't be underestimated.} ({Black resigns in view of} 47. Kf2 Nxe4+ 48. Ke3 Nc5 49. Rd8 $18) 1-0

[Event "Norway Chess 3rd"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2015.06.24"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C90"]
[WhiteElo "2876"]
[BlackElo "2780"]
[Annotator "Szabo,Krisztian"]
[PlyCount "79"]
[EventDate "2015.06.16"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 167"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.07.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.07.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. d3 b5 7. Bb3 d6 8. c3 (8. a4) ({and} 8. a3 {are the other main variations.}) 8... O-O 9. Re1 Na5 10. Bc2 c5 11. Nbd2 Nc6 (11... Re8 {is also common.}) 12. Nf1 h6 13. Ne3 {A logical plan by Carlsen. He would like to control the important d5-square.} (13. Ng3 {is the other setup.}) 13... Re8 ({RR} 13... Be6 14. d4 cxd4 15. cxd4 Nxd4 16. Nxd4 exd4 17. Qxd4 Rc8 18. Bb3 Nd7 19. Nd5 Bxd5 20. Qxd5 Nc5 21. Bf4 Nxb3 22. axb3 Qb6 23. Be3 Qc6 24. Qf5 Rfe8 25. Rac1 Qb7 26. Bd4 Bf8 27. f3 a5 28. h3 {Carlsen,M (2850)-Svidler,P (2727) Berlin 2015 ½-½ (54)}) 14. a4 Be6 15. d4 ({Last year Adams played} 15. h3 Bf8 16. Nh2 b4 17. Bb3 Rb8 18. Bc4 bxc3 19. bxc3 d5 20. Bxa6 Qa5 21. Bb5 (21. c4 $6 {A very smart move, but it is too much.} Qxa6 22. exd5 Bxd5 23. cxd5 Nb4 24. Ra3 Nfxd5 $17 {Adams-Caruana, London 2014, and Black has a wonderful middlegame.}) 21... Rxb5 22. exd5 Nxd5 23. Nc4 Qa8 24. axb5 Qxa1 25. bxc6 f6 $15 {and Black looks nicely placed too.}) ({RR} 15. Bb3 c4 16. axb5 axb5 17. Rxa8 Qxa8 18. Bc2 Bf8 19. Qe2 cxd3 20. Bxd3 b4 21. c4 Nd7 22. Nd5 Qb7 23. Be3 Ra8 24. h3 Nc5 25. Bb1 Ra1 26. Rd1 Qa6 27. Nd2 Bxd5 28. exd5 Nd4 29. Bxd4 exd4 {Moussard,J (2654)-So,W (2769) Baku AZE 2023 0-1 (55)}) 15... exd4 $146 ({RR} 15... cxd4 16. cxd4 exd4 17. Nxd4 Nxd4 18. Qxd4 b4 19. a5 b3 20. Bd3 Nd7 21. Nd5 Bxd5 22. Qxd5 Bf6 23. Bc4 Qe7 24. Bf4 Be5 25. Bxe5 dxe5 26. Rad1 Nc5 27. Qd6 Qxd6 28. Rxd6 Rad8 29. Rc6 Rc8 30. Rxc8 {Emms,J (2502)-Sebag,M (2434) Birmingham 2006 ½-½ (81)}) 16. cxd4 Nb4 $146 {Aronian improves on the game which he played 12 years ago.} (16... Nxd4 17. Nxd4 cxd4 18. Qxd4 Nd7 19. axb5 axb5 20. Bd2 Bf6 (20... Qb6 $5) 21. Qxd6 Rxa1 22. Rxa1 Bxb2 23. Rb1 Be5 24. Qd3 Qc7 25. Nd5 Bxd5 26. exd5 Nf6 27. g3 $14 {J.Polgar-Aronian, Hoogeveen 2003, with a comfortable position for White.}) 17. Bb1 bxa4 18. Rxa4 Bf8 19. Ra1 d5 $1 {A typical break-through in this type of position.} 20. e5 Ne4 21. h3 Qb6 $6 {This is a slight inaccuracy, after which White can win a . Nevertheless Black will have some compensation for it, but he will be fighting for equaliity.} ({After the natural} 21... Rc8 {Black looks completely fine.}) 22. Nxd5 $1 Bxd5 23. Bxe4 Rad8 24. Bxd5 Rxd5 25. Be3 Red8 26. dxc5 Bxc5 27. Qb3 Bxe3 28. Rxe3 a5 {The previous moves were forced; Carlsen is a  up, but Black's pieces are powerful.} 29. e6 $5 {Carlsen gives back the , and in doing so he creates a weakness in Black's position.} fxe6 30. Rae1 R8d6 31. Rc1 Nd3 $2 {A mistake, which allows a strong attack for White!} (31... Rd3 $1 $11 {was the easiest reply to simplify the position and Black doesn't have any problem.}) 32. Rc8+ Kh7 33. Qa4 $1 {A nice repositioning of the . From here the  can threaten the  with e8 and it also has access to e4 with lethal checks.} Qxb2 $2 {This was an attractive move, because of the  attack on f2, and moreover he takes a . Nevertheless this is a decisive mistake.} (33... Nb4 {was correct to avoid the e4,} 34. Qe8 Rd1+ 35. Kh2 Rd8 36. Rxd8 Rxd8 37. Qh5 Qc7+ {and still Black can hold his position.}) 34. Qe4+ Rf5 35. Kh2 $3 {What an excellent cool-headed move! White avoids ...xf2+ and is threatening h4.} ({The immediate} 35. Nh4 $4 {was bad, as} Qxf2+ 36. Kh2 Qf4+ $19 {and suddenly Black wins.}) 35... Nf4 {The best practical chance.} (35... Qxf2 $2 {did not work because of} 36. Rxd3 $18) ({and} 35... Nxf2 {is also losing, after} 36. Qa8 $1 $18 {with a decisive attack.}) 36. Rc2 $4 {A big mistake probably in time trouble.} ({He should simply continue the original threat with} 36. Nh4 Qxf2 37. Rg3 $1 (37. Nxf5 exf5 38. Qxf5+ $2 Rg6 $1 {and suddenly Black has an attack on the g-file.}) 37... Rdd5 38. Nxf5 Rxf5 39. Rc7 $18 {and White is winning.}) 36... Qa1 $4 {A huge error in reply! This move is completely based on an oversight.} (36... Qb4 37. Rc4 Qb8 {is very similar to 36...b8!}) (36... Qb8 $1 {was the strongest continuation,} 37. g3 (37. g4 $2 Ng6 $1 38. gxf5 exf5 $1 $19 {and there isn't a safe square for the white , because the  will win it with a discovered check.}) (37. Nh4 Rd4 $1 {A very strong intermediate move!} 38. Rc8 $1 (38. Qxd4 $2 Ne2+ $19 {and Black wins.}) 38... Qxc8 39. Qxd4 Rf6 $15) 37... Nd5 38. Ree2 Nf6 $15 {and Black is a clear  up.}) 37. g4 $18 {Now White is clearly winning.} Qf1 38. Ne1 {Perhaps this move was what Aronian missed when he played 36...a1. Now everything is defended and Black is helpless against gxf5.} ({The careless} 38. Nh4 $4 {loses, because of} Rd1 $19 {and suddenly it is White who gets mated!}) 38... Nh5 39. gxf5 exf5 40. Qc4 {and Black can't avoid the exchange of s, so he resigned.} 1-0

[Event "Sinquefield Cup 3rd"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2015.08.23"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Topalov, Veselin"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B51"]
[WhiteElo "2853"]
[BlackElo "2816"]
[Annotator "Szabo,Krisztian"]
[PlyCount "80"]
[EventDate "2015.08.23"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 168"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.09.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.09.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 {ChessBase} c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. Bb5+ Nd7 4. O-O Ngf6 (4... a6 {is the another main line, but after} 5. Bd3 Ngf6 {White doesn't have to play 6.e1, he can immediately answer with} 6. c3 {followed by c2, d4.}) 5. Re1 a6 6. Bd3 b5 7. c4 g5 $5 $146 {A very interesting and ambitious novelty by Topalov. Nowadays ...g5 becomes typical in these type of position. In case of White captures the  Black has some play on the g-file and in case of White ignores, Black continues with ...g4 and takes some pressure in the centre.} ({Last year Nakamura played} 7... Ne5 {against Carlsen,} 8. Bf1 Nxc4 9. a4 Bd7 10. d4 cxd4 11. Nxd4 e5 12. axb5 exd4 13. Bxc4 axb5 14. Rxa8 Qxa8 15. Bb3 Be7 16. Qxd4 $14 {and White had a comfortable position, Carlsen-Nakamura, Zuerich rapid 2014.}) 8. Nxg5 {Carlsen takes the gauntlet.} (8. cxb5 $5 {was the alternative,} g4 9. e5 $5 dxe5 10. Ng5 Nb6 {with a very complicated position.}) 8... Ne5 9. Be2 bxc4 10. Na3 (10. Nc3 $5 {was also possible,} Rg8 11. d4 cxd3 12. Bxd3) ({or} 10. Nf3 $5 Nd3 11. Bxd3 cxd3 12. e5 $1 Nd5 (12... dxe5 13. Nxe5 {and White has a dangerous initiative since} Bb7 $2 {loses instantly,} 14. Qa4+ $1 Nd7 15. Nxf7 $1 Kxf7 16. Qb3+ Kg7 17. Qxb7 $18 {and White wins.}) 13. Na3 Rg8 $132 {with a double-edged fight.}) ({RR} 10. Nc3 Rb8 11. Rf1 h6 12. Nf3) 10... Rg8 11. Nxc4 $146 {A pretty piece sacrifice, but objectively this is not so good!} (11. Nf3 $6 {could have been met by} Nd3 12. Bxd3 cxd3 13. Nc4 (13. e5 dxe5 14. Nxe5 Qd5 $17) 13... Be6 $15 {and Black looks fine.}) ({Probably} 11. d4 {was the most accurate, but} cxd3 12. Bxd3 h6 13. Nf3 Nxd3 14. Qxd3 d5 $1 $132 {and Black has a nice counterplay.}) ({RR} 11. f4 Nd3 12. Bxd3 cxd3 13. Qb3 d5 ({RR} 13... e6 14. Qxd3) 14. Qxd3 h6 15. e5 Nh5 ({RR} 15... hxg5 16. exf6 e6 17. Qh7 Rg6 18. fxg5 Rxg5 19. d3 Rg6) 16. e6 Bxe6 ({RR} 16... hxg5 17. exf7+ Kxf7 18. Qh7+ Ng7 ({RR} 18... Rg7 19. Qxh5+) 19. fxg5 Qd6 20. Rf1+) 17. Nxe6 fxe6 18. Qf3 Ng7 19. Qd3 Nh5 20. Qf3 Ng7 21. b3 Kd7 22. Bb2 Nf5 23. Nc4 Bg7 ({RR} 23... dxc4 24. Qb7+ Ke8 25. Qc6+ Kf7 ({RR} 25... Qd7 26. Qxa8+) 26. Qxe6+) 24. Bxg7 ({RR} 24. Rxe6 Kxe6 25. Re1+ Kf7 ({RR} 25... Kd7 26. Qxd5+ Kc7 27. Qxc5+ Kb7 28. Na5+ Qxa5 29. Qxa5 Bxb2 30. Qxf5) 26. Qh5+ Kf8 27. Qxf5+) 24... Rxg7 25. Ne5+ Kd6 {Beerdsen,T (2414)-Van Wely,L (2662) Leiden 2016 CBM 173 Extra [ChessBase] 1-0 (46)}) 11... Nxc4 (11... Rxg5 $2 {is bad, because of} 12. d4 $16 {and White is better.}) 12. d4 {This was the point of the piece sacrifice.} Nb6 13. Bh5 (13. dxc5 dxc5 14. Qxd8+ Kxd8 15. Nxf7+ Ke8 16. Ng5 e5 $15 {and two s are not enough.}) 13... Nxh5 14. Qxh5 Rg7 (14... Rg6 $1 {was more accurate. The  is much more active, and after} 15. Qxh7 Rg7 16. Qh8 cxd4 17. Nh7 Rxh7 18. Qxh7 e5 $17 {and Black has a wonderful position.}) 15. Nxh7 Qd7 (15... Bg4 16. Qh4 Rxh7 17. Qxh7 cxd4 18. Bh6 Bxh6 19. Qxh6 e5 20. f4 {and still White has some counterchance.}) 16. dxc5 dxc5 17. e5 $2 {Decisive mistake.} (17. Nxf8 {was the only move} Qh3 $1 (17... Qg4 18. Qxg4 Rxg4 19. Nh7 f6 20. Ng5 $1 fxg5 21. g3 $1 $18 {followed by f3 and the  is trapped.}) 18. Qxh3 Bxh3 19. g3 Nc4 (19... Kxf8 20. Bh6 {might even favour White as Black's pieces are not well coordinated.}) (19... Rg8 20. Nh7 f6 $13) 20. Bh6 Rg8 $13) 17... Qc6 $1 ({The natural} 17... Bb7 $4 {is losing immediately, as} 18. Nf6+ exf6 19. exf6+ $18) 18. f3 ({Now} 18. Nf6+ {could have been met by} Kd8 $1 $17 {and Black is better.}) 18... Qg6 $1 {A good move, Black forces to exchange of s and he avoids White's practical chances.} 19. Nf6+ Kd8 $1 {The black  simply slides over to safety.} 20. Qxg6 Rxg6 21. Ne4 Bb7 22. h4 Rc8 23. h5 Rg8 24. Bd2 Nc4 25. Bc3 Bh6 26. Rad1+ Ke8 27. Rd3 Bf4 $1 $19 {Very precise play by Black, his position should be winning.} 28. Nf2 Bc6 29. Nh3 Bg3 30. Re2 Bb5 31. Rd1 Bc6 32. Nf2 Bxe5 $1 {A beautiful tactical solution! White's position is now hopeless.} 33. Ng4 (33. Bxe5 Bxf3 34. Rde1 Bxe2 35. Rxe2 Nxe5 36. Rxe5 f6 $19) 33... Bxc3 34. bxc3 Kf8 35. Kf2 Rh8 36. Ne5 Nxe5 37. Rxe5 Be8 38. g4 f6 39. Re6 Bb5 40. Rde1 Rc7 0-1

[Event "Sinquefield Cup 3rd"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2015.08.24"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C84"]
[WhiteElo "2808"]
[BlackElo "2853"]
[Annotator "Marin,Mihail"]
[PlyCount "80"]
[EventDate "2015.08.23"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 168"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.09.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.09.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[TimeControl "40/7200:3600+30"]

1. e4 {[%emt 0:00:04]} e5 {[%emt 0:00:07]} 2. Nf3 {[%emt 0:00:05]} Nc6 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 3. Bb5 {[%emt 0:00:03]} a6 {[%emt 0:00:06];1-0 Caruana,F (2805)-Carlsen,M (2876) Norway Chess 3rd 2015 (2) There is little wonder that Carlsen avoids the Berlin after the recent defeat by Caruana's hands in} 4. Ba4 {[%emt 0:00:04]} Nf6 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 5. O-O {[%emt 0:00:06] By this moment I guess Caruana was asking himself whether it would be a Marshall or a Breyer.} b5 {[%emt 0:00:18]} 6. Bb3 {[%emt 0:00:06]} Bb7 {[%emt 0:00:06] None of them in fact! Carlsen chooses the classical Arkhangelsk move order, which has fallen into oblivion long time ago.} ({Fashion has the neo-Arkhangelsk based on} 6... Bc5 {more reliable.}) 7. d3 {[%emt 0:01:15] Caruana does not show himself keen of checking Carlsen's preparation in the main lines and chooses a setup which is mainly played to avoid the Marshall.} (7. Re1 Bc5 8. c3 d6 9. d4 Bb6 {leads to positional play with reasonable black counterplay.}) (7. c3 {is more challenging. The most fascinating line goes} Nxe4 8. d4 Na5 9. Bc2 exd4 10. Bxe4 Bxe4 11. Re1 d5 12. b4 Nc4 13. Nxd4 c5 14. bxc5 Bxc5 15. f3 O-O 16. fxe4 dxe4 17. Rxe4 Qd5 {with certain compensation for Black in view of his better development and the hanging d4-knight. The last games at high level went} 18. Qf3 Ne5 19. Qf5 Rae8 20. Nd2 g6 ({Deviating from his slightly earlier game} 20... b4 21. N2b3 g6 22. Qf1 Qxe4 23. Nxc5 $14 {Ivanov,A (2539)-Tomashevsky,E (2708) Khanty-Mansiysk 2009 (½-½, 36)}) 21. Qf4 b4 22. Bb2 bxc3 23. Bxc3 Nc6 24. Kh1 Bxd4 25. Rxd4 Nxd4 26. Bxd4 Re2 27. Nf3 f6 28. h3 $14 {0-1 Hellers,F (2520)-Shirov,A (2580) Stockholm 1990 Shirov,A (2719)-Tomashevsky,E (2708) Khanty-Mansiysk 2009 (1-0, 41). Maybe Shirov was not the best suited opponent to try this opening against, since two decades ago he used to be a specialist of it with... Black. See for instance}) 7... Be7 {[%emt 0:00:09] A bit disappointing - the game now enters the Anti-Marshall paths, (I find Alejandro Ramirez' description "An Archangel with e7" inaccurate, but this is relative, of course.)} ({Long before the neo-Arkhangelsk story started to take shape, Malaniuk caused some sensation winning three games with the slightly weird} 7... Bd6 {The idea is to over-defend the e5-pawn in order to allow an early ...a5 if needed. The most famous of his games (of course, I am speaking from the perspective of somebody who was playing chess at that time) went} 8. a4 ({Neutral play such as} 8. c3 O-O 9. Nbd2 {could eventually transpose to ...c5 lines (I do not know how to baptize them already) when the bishop retreats to f8 a few moves later:} Re8 10. Re1 Bf8 {and so on.}) 8... h6 9. Nc3 b4 10. Ne2 Na5 {Now is when the bishop proves useful on d6.} 11. Ba2 O-O 12. Ng3 Re8 13. h3 ({The modern interpretation is} 13. c3 c5 {as for instance in Hovhannisyan,R (2560)-Bartel,M (2638) Aix-les-Bains 2011 (0-1, 51)}) 13... Bf8 14. Nh2 d5 15. Qf3 c5 $15 {Adams,M (2505)-Malaniuk,V (2560) Palma de Mallorca 1989 (0-1, 51)}) 8. Nc3 {[%emt 0:02:22]} O-O {[%emt 0:01:01]} 9. a3 {[%emt 0:01:01] The third most popular continuation after 9.d2 and 9.a4.} d6 {[%emt 0:16:21]} 10. Re1 {[%emt 0:09:39]} Qd7 {[%emt 0:00:35];0-1 Jansa,V (2535)-Smyslov,V (2600) Sochi Chigorin Memorial 1974 (9) The regrouping initiated with this move reminds me of one of Smyslow's ultra-solid systems in the classical Ruy Lopez} 11. Ne2 {[%emt 0:05:12]} Nd8 {[%emt 0:06:15] Unlike in Smyslow's game, Black can already regroup with his knight, since there is no pressure on e5.} 12. Ng3 {[%emt 0:01:06]} Ne6 {[%emt 0:00:32] This position was seen in five earlier games, which makes Caruana's 30 minute thought a bit surprizing.} 13. Ba2 $146 {[%emt 0:29:44]} ({During my live comments I did not have access at the "reference" button, nor to the engines, so I wondered what would be wrong with} 13. c3 c5 14. d4 {After all, this is what the Spanish Opening is all about - White needs occupying the centre. I must confess that I under-estimated Black's dynamic potential, based on his better development. White has wasted quite some time with a2-a3 and d2-d3-d4.} exd4 15. cxd4 {Black has two playable ways of breaking the centre with ...d6-d5.} c4 (15... d5 16. exd5 Bxd5 17. Bxd5 Nxd5 18. dxc5 Bxc5 19. b4 Bb6 20. Ne5 Qb7 21. Nf5 {White's position looks threatening but he still is underdeveloped.} Rad8 $1 (21... Ne7 22. Qf3 $1 Qa7 {Horvath,A (2531)-Banusz,T (2598) Gyula 2013 (0-1, 38)} 23. Nxe7+ Qxe7 24. Bb2 $14 {[%csl Rc6,Rg7][%cal Ge5c6,Ga1c1]}) 22. Qg4 Nf6 23. Qh4 Bd4 {Black's position becomes dominant so White is best adviced to force a draw by perpetual:} 24. Bg5 Bxa1 25. Rxa1 Nxg5 26. Qxg5 g6 27. Qxf6 {or 27.h6+.}) 16. Bc2 d5 {This is Tomashevsky's specialty.} 17. e5 Ne4 18. Nxe4 ({White does not get much by rejecting the sacrifice:} 18. Nf5 f6 19. Be3 Bd8 20. exf6 Bxf6 {with active black play in Jakovenko,D (2711)-Tomashevsky,E (2658) Dagomys 2008 (½-½, 26)}) 18... dxe4 19. Bxe4 Bxe4 20. Rxe4 Qd5 21. Qc2 Rfd8 {This looks unnatural.} ({But if} 21... Rad8 {Black must have feared} 22. Bd2 {[%cal Gd2b4] when ...a5 is impossible.}) ({Given this problems, I am actually asking myself whether there is such a hurry to define the rooks' intentions. Since Black plans playing ...f7-f5 anyway, I consider} 21... f5 {a serious candidate, for instance} 22. exf6 Bxf6 23. Be3 Rad8 {with a couple of extra tempi compared to the game.}) 22. h4 f5 23. exf6 Bxf6 24. Be3 Qf5 25. Re1 Rf8 {The rook returns to the right square but I am not sure h2-h4 is such a weakening as to allow wasting two tempi.} 26. Re2 Rad8 {Anyway, Black's blockade is relatively safe and the game ended in a draw, Shirov,A (2740)-Tomashevsky,E (2658) Dagomys 2008 (½-½, 34) Even if the consequences of 13.c3 are far from clear, I do not see the point behind Caruana's novelty. White wastes just another tempo while big part of his army is placed on the initial squares.}) ({RR} 13. Nf5 Bd8 14. Ba2 c5 15. Ne3 Bb6 16. Nd5 Nxd5 17. Bxd5 Rae8 18. c4 Bxd5 19. cxd5 Nd4 20. Be3 f5 21. Ng5 h6 22. Bxd4 hxg5 23. Bc3 fxe4 24. dxe4 c4 25. Re2 Qg4 26. Qc2 Rf6 27. Rf1 Ref8 {Trepat Herranz,J (2370)-Krysa,L (2491) Barcelona 2017 0-1 (32)}) ({RR} 13. c3 c5 14. d4 exd4 15. cxd4 c4 16. Bc2 d5 17. e5 Ne4 18. Nxe4 dxe4 19. Bxe4 Bxe4 20. Rxe4 Qd5 21. Qc2 Rfd8 22. h4 f5 23. exf6 Bxf6 24. Be3 Qf5 25. Re1 Rf8 26. Re2 Rad8 27. Ne5 Bxe5 {Shirov,A (2740)-Tomashevsky,E (2658) Dagomys 2008 ½-½ (34)}) ({RR} 13. c3 c5 14. d4 exd4 15. cxd4 cxd4 16. Nxd4 Nc5 17. Bc2 g6 18. b4 Ne6 19. Bb2 Rfe8 20. Bb3 Ng5 21. Nf3 Nxf3+ 22. Qxf3 Qg4 23. Qc3 Rac8 24. Qd4 h5 25. h3 Qg5 26. Qa7 Ba8 27. e5 dxe5 {Sai,K (2390)-Yu,J (2276) New York USA 2025 1-0 (35)}) ({RR} 13. c3 c5 14. h3 Rfe8 15. a4 Bf8 {½-½ (15) Hracek,Z (2541)-Nagy,G (2465) Veli Losinj CRO 2024}) 13... Rfe8 {[%emt 0:08:03] Black is one step away from completing his development with ...ad8, while White is far behind in the process. Besides, he does not have too much space to deal with that. Little wonder that Caruana decided to exchange some pieces.} 14. Ng5 {[%emt 0:06:30] Trying to make use of White's best piece - his Spanish bishop.} ({If} 14. Nf5 Bf8 15. c3 c5 {Black threatens undermining the white centre with ...c5-c4.}) ({The only reasonable alternative to the game move is} 14. Bd2 {, without offering a clue to what White should do with his queen, though.}) 14... d5 $5 {[%emt 0:16:04] Played after 16 minutes, this is the most principled decision. Allowing an exchange on e6 looks unappealing, while} (14... Nxg5 15. Bxg5 {would only speed up White's development, for instance} h6 16. Bxf6 Bxf6 17. Nf5 Kh7 18. Qh5 Rf8 19. h4 $36 {[%cal Gg2g4,Ge1e3] with a much better version of the game continuation.}) 15. Nxe6 {[%emt 0:08:59] White needs releasing the tension in order to clear the g5-square for the bishop. Delaying this exchange would give Black time to increase his space advantage.} ({The pawn grabbing} 15. exd5 Nxg5 16. Bxg5 Bxd5 17. Rxe5 Bxa2 18. Rxa2 {should not scare a Marshall Attack player. The a2-rook is less than undeveloped.} h6 $5 19. Bxf6 (19. Bd2 Bd6) 19... Bxf6 20. Re4 Rxe4 21. Nxe4 Be5 {offers Black plenty of play.}) 15... Qxe6 {[%emt 0:00:15]} 16. Bg5 {[%emt 0:07:46]} ({For instance} 16. Nf5 Bf8 17. Bg5 c5 18. Qf3 ({Or if} 18. Bxf6 Qxf6 19. Ne3 d4 20. Nd5 Qd6 $11 {[%cal Gb7c8,Gc8e6,Ya8c8,Yc5c4] the beautiful central knight would actually block the own bishop.}) 18... c4 19. Nh6+ (19. Bxf6 Qxf6 20. exd5 Rad8 21. dxc4 $2 e4 {[%cal Gf6b2]}) 19... Kh8 20. Bxf6 Qxf6 21. Qxf6 gxf6 22. Nf5 Rac8 $11 {Black's activity and space advantage compensates for the structural deffect.}) 16... h6 $1 {[%emt 0:04:17] It would be dangerous to delay this thematic move.} (16... c5 17. Bxf6 Bxf6 18. Nh5 Be7 (18... Rad8 19. exd5 Bxd5 20. Nf4) (18... Qd6 19. Nxf6+ gxf6 20. Qh5 $16) (18... Bg5 19. Bxd5 Bxd5 20. exd5 Qxd5 21. Qg4 Qd8 22. f4 $36) 19. exd5 Bxd5 $2 20. Nf4 $18) 17. Bxf6 {[%emt 0:01:23]} Bxf6 {[%emt 0:01:22]} 18. Qf3 {[%emt 0:05:51]} (18. Nh5 Bg5 {is safe for Black due to the fact that his bishop is defended, making the queen incursion after} 19. Bxd5 Bxd5 20. exd5 Qxd5 21. Qg4 {inoffensive, for instance} Qe6 $11) 18... c6 {[%emt 0:03:08] This ultra ambitious move fails to keep the a2-bishop out of play after Caruana's active answer.} (18... Rad8 {is more natural, even though the evaluation remains the same: both sides' chances are even.}) 19. c4 $1 {[%emt 0:06:36]} Rad8 {[%emt 0:03:30]} 20. cxd5 {[%emt 0:01:05]} ({One important problem is that the a1-rook needs defending the bishop. For instance completing the development with} 20. Rac1 {allows} dxc4 $1 (20... bxc4 {is less clear:} 21. exd5 $1 ({Only not} 21. dxc4 $2 d4 22. b4 c5 $15 {[%csl Ra2]}) 21... cxd5 22. dxc4 e4 23. cxd5 Bxd5 24. Bxd5 exf3 25. Bxe6 Rxe6 26. Rxe6 fxe6 $13) 21. dxc4 Bg5 22. Rc2 g6 {[%csl Ra2,Rg3][%cal Ge6a2]}) 20... cxd5 {[%emt 0:00:02]} 21. Nf5 {[%emt 0:00:30] White tris compensating his space defficit with active piece play.} ({It would be nice to fight for the c-file, but} 21. Rac1 $2 {loses material to} dxe4 {[%csl Ga2]} 22. Bxe6 exf3) ({Or if} 21. Rec1 {(not very natural - the rook belongs to e1.)} Rd7 22. Rc5 Qb6 23. Rac1 Be7 24. R5c2 Bg5 25. Re1 Red8 26. Qg4 Rc7 $11) 21... Bg5 {[%emt 0:22:27]} 22. h4 {[%emt 0:01:00]} Bd2 $5 {[%emt 0:03:54] When I saw this move, I thought the bishop will finally reach b6, truly in the spirit of the Arkhangelsk. But my expectations proved wrong...} ({As pointed out by Ramirez,} 22... Bf4 {"is also possible."} 23. g3 dxe4 24. Qg4 (24. dxe4 $2 Qxf5 $17) 24... Qf6 25. gxf4 exd3 {"gets crazy, but computers like Black a bit."} 26. fxe5 $2 d2 $19 {"was something Carlsen missed."}) 23. Re2 {[%emt 0:04:26]} dxe4 {[%emt 0:14:28]} 24. dxe4 {[%emt 0:05:18]} Qf6 {[%emt 0:00:11]} 25. g3 {[%emt 0:09:41]} Kf8 $3 {[%emt 0:01:45];1-0 Carlsen,M (2863)-Anand,V (2792) World Championship 2014 (11) The evaluation is not only for the objective merits of the move, but also for the whole king's moving around initiated now and the depth behind it. The king manoeuvre reminds me a bit of the somewhat similar issue in the last game of the return Carlsen-Anand match} ({Carlsen intended to drive the enemy knight away with ...g6, which would not work with the king on h8 due to xh6+. And if} 25... Kh8 {the f7-square would be vulnerable. White could play a consolidating move such as} 26. Kg2 (26. h5 Bg5) 26... g6 $6 27. Nd4 Qg7 (27... Qxf3+ $2 28. Nxf3 Ba5 29. Bxf7 $18) 28. Nb3 f5 29. Nc5 $14) ({The ARkhangelsk plan should be carried out with care, for if} 25... Ba5 $6 26. Nxh6+ $1 Qxh6 27. Qxf7+ Kh7 28. Qxb7 $16) ({I would probably choose} 25... Kh7 26. Kg2 Ba5 27. Rc1 g6 28. Ne3 (28. Nd4 {does not work so well now, since after} Qxf3+ 29. Nxf3 {the bishop is not hanging anymore, allowing} f5 $36) 28... Qxf3+ 29. Kxf3 Rd3 {[%cal Ga5b6]}) 26. h5 {[%emt 0:05:10]} ({With the f7-pawn defended,} 26. Kg2 g6 27. Nd4 Qxf3+ 28. Nxf3 Ba5 {is safe for Black.}) 26... Bg5 {[%emt 0:04:20] There were no reasons to refrain from occupying the concealed square. The bishop defends the queen, making ...g6 an issue already, without fearing d4 at all.} 27. a4 {[%emt 0:01:14] By now, both players were approaching severe time trouble. With jis last move Caruana opens a new front, clearing the a3-square for the queen in order to harass the centralized king.} ({A neutral move such as} 27. Rf1 {would allow} g6 ({If Black wants more than an immediate draw he can try} 27... Bc8) 28. hxg6 fxg6 29. Qb3 (29. Nh4 Bxh4) 29... gxf5 30. Qg8+ Ke7 31. Qh7+ Kf8 {White should take the draw by perpetual since} 32. Qxb7 $2 Re7 {[%csl Gb7] suddenly traps the queen!}) 27... b4 $6 {[%emt 0:01:13] Carlsen renews the threat, without realizing that White's queenside play is far from over.} (27... g6 $2 28. hxg6 fxg6 29. Qa3+) (27... bxa4 $1 {would have absolved Black from any problems:} 28. Qa3+ Kg8 29. Qxa4 Bc8) 28. a5 $3 {[%emt 0:02:02] Caruana spent most of his remaining time on this fantastic move, going down to seconds on his clock. White prevents Black's consolidating with ...a6-a5, endangering the b4-pawn and adding a small tactical detail to the plot.} Kg8 $5 {[%emt 0:04:23] Typical for Carlsen's lack of pre-concepts. He does not mind returning with his king now that there was some danger for it.} ({When playing his precious move Carlsen might have thought that he could finally carry out his plan, failing to notice that after} 28... g6 29. hxg6 fxg6 30. Qb3 gxf5 31. Qg8+ Ke7 32. Qh7+ Kf8 33. Qxb7 $1 Re7 {the queen has a choice between} 34. Qxb4 {and the less strong 34.b6.}) ({But in principle} 28... Bc8 {[%cal Gg7g6] would have been safer} 29. Qb3 Bxf5 30. Qxb4+ Kg8 31. exf5 Qxf5 {[%cal Gf5f3] with some symbolic white advantage only, due to his more active bishop. For instance:} 32. Qe4 Qxe4 33. Rxe4 Kf8 34. b4 Rd6 {[%cal Ge8b8,Gg5d2]}) 29. Bc4 $6 {[%emt 0:00:09] Too slow. Besides, White dismantles his potential battery along the a2-g8 diagonal.} (29. Rc2 $5 Rd7 (29... Rc8 30. Rc4 Rxc4 31. Bxc4 $14 {[%cal Ga1d1]} Kh8 $6 32. Rd1) 30. Rc4 Kh8 31. Rd1 (31. Rxb4 g6 32. hxg6 fxg6 33. Rd1) 31... Rxd1+ 32. Qxd1 Rd8 33. Qf3 g6 34. Rc7) (29. Qb3 {would mainly transpose to the line above since} Bxe4 {would be met with} 30. Qxf7+ Qxf7 31. Bxf7+ Kxf7 32. Rxe4 $14) 29... Rd7 $6 {[%emt 0:00:51] Carlsen still had a few minutes left, but failed to remain consequent to his curious king manoeuvre.} (29... Kh8 $1 30. Kg2 g6 31. Ne3 (31. hxg6 $2 fxg6 32. Ne3 Qxf3+ 33. Kxf3 Rf8+ 34. Kg2 Bxe4+ $17) 31... Qxf3+ 32. Kxf3 Rd4 33. Bd5 Bxd5 34. Nxd5 gxh5 35. Ra4 b3 $13) 30. Ra4 $1 {[%emt 0:00:28] Suddenly, White's queenside play strongly interfers with Black's planned ...g6.} Kh8 {[%emt 0:02:15] Carlsen spent most of his remaining time on this move, joining his opponent for the blitz mode.} 31. Rxb4 {[%emt 0:00:08]} g6 {[%emt 0:00:07]} 32. hxg6 {[%emt 0:00:01]} fxg6 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 33. Qb3 $1 {[%emt 0:00:41] The clue.} Bc6 {[%emt 0:00:06]} (33... Bxe4 34. Rxe4 (34. Nxh6 Rd1+ $5 35. Qxd1 Qf3 36. Nf7+ Kg7 37. Rxe4 $8 Qxd1+ 38. Kg2 $14) 34... gxf5 (34... Qxf5 35. Bd3 $16) 35. Rb6 Rd6 36. Re2 $16 {[%cal Gc4a6]}) 34. Ne3 {[%emt 0:00:03]} Bxe4 {[%emt 0:00:11]} 35. Bd5 {[%emt 0:00:01]} (35. Bb5 $5 Rb8 36. Rxe4 Rxb5 37. Qc3 {[%cal Ge3c4,Ge3g4]} Qf3 38. Rxe5 $36) 35... Bxd5 {[%emt 0:01:03]} ({Ramirez:} 35... Qf3 36. Rxe4 $1 (36. Bxe4 Qxe2 37. Rb8 {Carlsen thought this was "at least a draw" but actually Black is winning after} Rxb8 38. Qxb8+ Kh7 $1 39. Bd5 Rg7 $1 $18) 36... Qxe2 37. Nc4 Qh5 38. g4 $1 Qh4 39. Nxe5 $1 {with a strong initiative.}) 36. Nxd5 {[%emt 0:00:01]} Qc6 {[%emt 0:00:01]} 37. Nc3 $14 {[%emt 0:00:02] White has achieved stability on light squares, but needs to be careful with his major piece regrouping, something Caruana failed to do under the time pressure.} Qf3 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 38. Qc2 {[%emt 0:00:03]} ({Even with seconds on the clock, it is strange that Caruana refrained from the natural} 38. Rb8 $16 {reducing Black's attacking potential.}) 38... Red8 {[%emt 0:00:04]} 39. Rbe4 {[%emt 0:00:01]} (39. Qe4 $1 $16 Rd1+ $2 40. Nxd1 Rxd1+ 41. Re1 {Ramirez}) 39... Rd2 {[%emt 0:00:04]} 40. Rxd2 $4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} (40. Qb3 Rd1+ $1 41. Qxd1 Rxd1+ 42. Nxd1 h5 $44) ({It is hard to predict what would have happened after} 40. Qa4 {White would retain his strategic advantage against any black move with one exception:} Bf4 $3 {leading to perpetual check (either Black, after 41.gxf4 or White after} 41. Rxd2 Rxd2 42. Qe8+ {But would Carlsen have found it just before the control?}) 40... Rxd2 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 0-1

[Event "Sinquefield Cup 3rd"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2015.08.26"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Giri, Anish"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B33"]
[WhiteElo "2793"]
[BlackElo "2853"]
[Annotator "ChessBase II"]
[PlyCount "61"]
[EventDate "2015.08.23"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 168"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.09.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.09.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 e5 {The Sveshnikov Sicilian. It goes in and out of fashion, and Carlsen playing it might bring some attention back to a defense that is largely overlooked, despite the fact that there is no definite refutation of it.} 6. Ndb5 d6 7. Bg5 a6 8. Na3 b5 9. Nd5 Be7 10. Bxf6 Bxf6 11. c3 Ne7 {One of several possibilities Black has at his disposal. Krasenkow likes to play this move.} 12. Nc2 Nxd5 13. Qxd5 Rb8 14. Nb4 Bb7 15. Qd3 O-O 16. Be2 a5 17. Nd5 b4 {Giri took some time to get to this position, but Carlsen reached it relatively quickly. Black shouldn't have any real problems in this position. This vriation has been played a couple of times. White might be able to pressure slightly on the light squares but it won't big a big deal.} ({RR} 17... Bxd5 18. Qxd5 b4 19. c4 Qb6 20. Rd1 Be7 21. O-O Rbc8 22. Qd3 g6 23. Kh1 Rc5 24. b3 f5 25. exf5 gxf5 26. Qh3 Kh8 27. f3 Qb7 28. Bd3 Qc8 29. Bb1 Rf7 30. g4 fxg4 31. fxg4 Rg7 32. Bf5 {Geller,E (2515)-Ivanovic,B (2535) Vrsac 1987 ½-½ (58)}) ({RR} 17... Bxd5 18. Qxd5 b4 19. O-O bxc3 20. bxc3 Rc8 21. c4 Rc5 22. Qd3 Qc7 23. Rab1 Rb8 24. g3 g6 25. Rxb8+ Qxb8 26. Rb1 Qc7 27. Qb3 Kg7 28. Qb8 Qxb8 29. Rxb8 Be7 30. Kg2 f5 31. Kf3 Kf6 32. Ke3 {Savanovic,A (2381)-Vukic,M (2392) Neum 2022 1-0 (72)}) 18. O-O bxc3 19. bxc3 Bg5 $146 ({RR} 19... Bxd5 20. Qxd5 Rb2 21. Bb5 Bg5 22. Rab1 Rd2 23. Qb3 Qc7 24. Rbd1 g6 25. Rxd2 Bxd2 26. Rd1 Qxc3 27. Qxc3 Bxc3 28. Rxd6 Bd4 29. Kf1 Kg7 30. Ke2 Rc8 31. Rc6 Rb8 32. a4 Rb7 33. Rd6 h5 34. f3 {Gruber,M (2141)-Schmittdiel,E (2466) Austria 2011 ½-½ (37)}) 20. Rab1 Qd7 21. Rb3 Bc6 22. Rfb1 Rxb3 23. Rxb3 g6 24. Rb6 Rc8 25. h3 Bxd5 {Even this move was maybe unnecessary.} (25... h5 26. Ra6 Bxd5 {is safer:} 27. Qxd5 Rc5 $1 {a nice intermezzo.} 28. Qxd6 Qxd6 29. Rxd6 Rxc3 $11) 26. Qxd5 Rxc3 27. Rxd6 Qe7 28. Bd1 Rc7 29. g3 Kg7 {White has a very minor amount of pressure, but this is way closer to a draw. Black's bishop isn't the greatest but White can't create threats, so it will eventually remaneuver.} 30. Ba4 Bc1 31. Rc6 1/2-1/2

[Event "Sinquefield Cup 3rd"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2015.08.27"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "So, Wesley"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B90"]
[WhiteElo "2853"]
[BlackElo "2779"]
[Annotator "Stohl,Igor"]
[PlyCount "111"]
[EventDate "2015.08.23"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 168"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.09.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.09.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Be3 ({Two rounds later Carlsen went for the classical} 6. Be2 e5 7. Nb3 Be7 8. Be3 Be6 9. Qd3 Nbd7 10. Nd5 O-O ({After} 10... Bxd5 11. exd5 O-O {Black must reckon with the sharp} 12. g4 $5) 11. O-O (11. c4 b5 $1 $132) 11... Bxd5 12. exd5 {However, Black has counter-chances in the strategic struggle even without radically changing the position; a reasonable alternative is} Rc8 ({Here the most often played move is} 12... Nc5 13. Nxc5 (13. Qd2 $143 Nfe4 14. Qb4 a5 15. Qb5 Qc7 16. Qc4 Rac8 17. Rfd1 f5 18. c3 Qd8 19. Qb5 b6 20. Nd2 Nxd2 21. Bxd2 Bf6 $36 {Ponomariov,R (2744)-Anand,V (2810) Wijk aan Zee 2011/ For more details see the notes to this game in CBM 141.}) 13... dxc5 14. Bf3 Qc7 15. c4 g6 (15... Bd6 $142 $1 16. g3 Rae8 $132) 16. Rae1 h5 $6 17. Bg5 Ne8 18. Bxe7 Qxe7 19. Qe3 Nd6 20. b3 Rfc8 21. Qxe5 Qxe5 22. Rxe5 $16 {Nakamura,H (2775)-Topalov,V (2793) Thessaloniki 2013/ For more details see the notes to this game in CBM 155.}) 13. c4 Ne8 (13... a5 $5 14. Rad1 b6 15. Nd2 Nc5 16. Qc2 Nfd7 17. f3 Bg5 18. Bf2 f5 19. Kh1 Qf6 20. Nb1 Qh6 21. Nc3 {Shirov,A (2718)-Polgar,J (2676) Linares 2001/} Bf4 22. g3 Be3 $132 {For more details see the notes to this game by Ftacnik in CBM 082.}) 14. Qd2 b6 15. Rac1 a5 16. Na1 g6 17. b4 Ng7 18. bxa5 bxa5 19. Bd3 Nc5 20. Bc2 a4 21. Rb1 e4 22. Bxc5 Rxc5 23. Bxa4 Rxc4 24. Bc6 Nf5 25. Qe2 Rc3 26. Qxe4 Ra3 $11 {[%csl Ra2] Carlsen,M (2853)-Grischuk,A (2771) Saint Louis 2015 White can't retain the extra pawn and the position is drawish. Subsequent mistakes even cost Carlsen the full point.}) 6... e5 7. Nb3 Be6 8. f3 Nbd7 {Both players have experience with this line with both colours, especially So.} ({The fashionable continuation here, with many top-level annotated games, is} 8... h5 9. Nd5 Bxd5 10. exd5 Nbd7 11. Qd2 g6 (11... Qc7 12. c4 g6 13. O-O-O Nb6 14. Qa5 Bh6 15. Bxh6 Rxh6 16. Kb1 Nfd7 17. Qd2 Rh8 18. Rc1 Na4 19. Be2 a5 20. Na1 Kf8 21. Nc2 Kg7 22. Na3 {Topalov,V (2771)-Wojtaszek,R (2698) ECC Rhodes 2013} Qd8 23. Nb5 Qf6 $13 {For more details see the notes to this game by Wojtaszek in CBM 157.}) 12. Be2 ({A recent example is} 12. O-O-O Nb6 13. Kb1 (13. Qa5 Bh6 14. Bxh6 Rxh6 15. Kb1 Rc8 16. Qb4 Kf8 17. c4 Kg7 18. g3 Rh8 19. Rc1 Qc7 20. Bh3 Rce8 21. Rhd1 Re7 22. a3 Rd8 23. Nd2 {brought White success in Anand-Topalov, Wijk aan Zee 2008 (CBM 122), but Black can improve with} e4 $1 24. fxe4 Nxe4 25. Nxe4 Rxe4 26. Bg2 Re2 27. c5 dxc5 28. Rxc5 Qd6 $132 {Yeremenko,A (2456)-Schmidt,G (2435)email 2009/ I already mentioned this in the notes to So-Dominguez (CBM 161).}) 13... Nbxd5 14. Bg5 Be7 15. Na5 Rb8 16. Bc4 Nb6 17. Bxf6 Bxf6 18. Qxd6 Qxd6 19. Rxd6 Bd8 20. Rd3 Bc7 21. Bb3 Ke7 22. Rhd1 Rhd8 23. Rxd8 Bxd8 24. Nc4 $11 {Grischuk,A (2771)-Topalov,V (2816) Saint Louis 2015/ The opposite-coloured bishops indicate the point was split shortly afterwards.}) 12... Bg7 (12... Qc7 13. Rc1 Bg7 14. O-O O-O 15. c4 b6 16. Na1 Kh7 17. h3 Ng8 18. g4 Qd8 19. gxh5 Qh4 20. hxg6+ fxg6 21. Bd3 Bh6 22. Rf2 Bxe3 23. Qxe3 Ne7 $44 {So,W (2731)-Dominguez Perez,L (2768) Havana 2014 For more details see the notes to this game in CBM 161.}) 13. O-O (13. Na5 Qc7 14. c4 e4 15. O-O exf3 16. gxf3 O-O 17. b4 Rfe8 18. Rac1 Rxe3 $5 19. Qxe3 Re8 20. Qd2 {Caruana,F (2844)-Gelfand,B (2748) Baku 2014} Qb6+ $1 21. Kh1 Bh6 $44 {For more details see the notes to this game by Kr. Szabo in CBM 163.}) 13... b6 14. Rae1 O-O 15. c4 Rc8 16. h3 Nh7 17. Na1 a5 18. Nc2 Bf6 19. Na3 Bh4 20. Rb1 f5 21. Nb5 f4 22. Bf2 Bxf2+ 23. Rxf2 Nc5 24. Qc2 Qf6 25. b3 Ng5 26. Bd3 Kg7 27. a3 Nf7 28. b4 Nxd3 29. Qxd3 Qf5 30. Qxf5 gxf5 31. Rc2 {So,W (2762)-Wojtaszek,R (2744) Wijk aan Zee 2015} axb4 32. axb4 Kf6 $132 {For more details see the notes to this game by Pavlovic in CBM 165.}) 9. Qd2 ({An alternative is the immediate} 9. g4 {After} b5 {White can even spurn castling and play on the queenside with} (9... Nb6 10. g5 Nh5 11. Qd2 Rc8 ({and even more often} 11... Be7 $13 {is the older main line, which was extensively tested in the past decade.})) 10. g5 b4 11. Nd5 Nxd5 12. exd5 Bf5 13. Bd3 Bxd3 14. Qxd3 Be7 15. h4 O-O 16. a3 bxa3 17. Rxa3 a5 18. Qb5 Qc7 19. Nxa5 Rfb8 20. Qc6 Qxc6 $2 (20... Bd8 $1 $132) 21. dxc6 d5 22. Ra2 Bd8 23. cxd7 Rxa5 24. Rxa5 Bxa5+ 25. Ke2 $16 {Topalov,V (2772)-Wojtaszek,R (2735) Tromso olm 2014/ For more details see the notes to this game by Kr.Szabo; this line is analysed also in the notes to Navara-Grischuk, Tromso olm 2014 in CBM 162.}) 9... b5 10. O-O-O Be7 ({Rare and maybe possible, but definitely more risky is} 10... h5 11. Nd5 Bxd5 12. exd5 Nb6 13. Qc3 Rb8 (13... Nfd7 14. Na5 $14 {Repp,H (2497)-Avotins,M (2488) email 2010 This game was quoted already in the notes to the aforementioned game So-Dominguez (CBM161).}) 14. a4 Be7 15. Qc6+ (15. axb5 O-O 16. Bxb6 Qxb6 17. bxa6 Rfc8 18. Bc4 Nd7 $36) 15... Nfd7 16. Na5 Bg5 17. f4 exf4 18. Bd2 O-O 19. Qxd6 Nf6 20. Qxd8 Rbxd8 21. Nc6 Rd7 22. axb5 axb5 23. Bxb5 Nbxd5 24. c4 Nc7 25. Ba4 Ne6 26. Kb1 Ra8 27. Ba5 Rb7 $132 {½-½, Pereira,N-Cintins,I email 2011}) 11. g4 b4 {Another crossroads and Black opts for a sideline.} ({The main continuation} 11... O-O 12. g5 b4 13. Ne2 Ne8 14. f4 a5 15. f5 a4 {has been around for more than 10 years, with numerous practical, email and engine games creating a complex theoretical labyrinth. Lately White has been trying to get an edge with} 16. fxe6 axb3 17. cxb3 fxe6 18. Bh3 Rxa2 19. Bxe6+ Kh8 20. Ng3 Nc7 21. Bc4 Qa8 22. Rhf1 Rxf1 23. Rxf1 Ra1+ 24. Kc2 Rxf1 25. Bxf1 d5 26. Qf2 g6 27. h4 Qf8 28. Qxf8+ Nxf8 {He has a pull in the resulting endgmae, but Black seems to hold:} 29. Ba7 (29. Kd3 Nfe6 30. exd5 Nxd5 31. Bf2 Ndf4+ 32. Ke4 (32. Kc4 h6 $1) 32... Bd6 33. Bc4 Nc5+ 34. Kf3 Nfd3 35. Bxd3 Nxd3 36. Ne4 Be7 37. Bg3 Kg7 38. Nd2 (38. Ke3 Nf4 $1 39. Bxf4 exf4+ 40. Kxf4 Bd8 $44 {should also be enough to hold according to A.Kovacevic.}) 38... Nc5 39. Bxe5+ Kf7 40. Ke3 Ke6 41. Kd4 Kf5 $132 {Lafarga Santorroman,D (2659)-Hefka,V (2571) email 2012}) 29... dxe4 30. Bb8 Nfe6 31. Nxe4 h6 32. Bc4 hxg5 33. hxg5 Kg7 34. Kd3 Kf8 35. Ke3 Bd8 36. Bxe6 Nxe6 37. Bxe5 Nxg5 $11 {Radjabov,T (2726)-Vachier Lagrave,M (2757) Tashkent 2014}) ({Apart from the text move, another less played alternative is} 11... Nb6 12. g5 Nh5 13. Nd5 Nxd5 14. exd5 Bd7 15. Na5 Qc7 16. Kb1 O-O 17. Rg1 $5 (17. c4 f6 18. Rc1 b4 $5 19. gxf6 Rxf6 20. Qxb4 Rb8 21. Qd2 Rxf3 22. Be2 (22. c5 $1 $13) 22... Rh3 23. Bxh5 $6 Rxh5 24. Ka1 {Dominguez Perez,L (2726)-Nepomniachtchi,I (2714) Beijing rpd 2014} Bd8 $36) 17... g6 (17... f6 $6 18. g6 $40) 18. c4 f6 19. Rc1 b4 (19... Bf5+ $5 20. Ka1 Bd8 21. Nc6 fxg5 22. Nxd8 Qxd8 23. Bxg5 Qd7 $13 {has been tested in email games; although White scored well, the position remains tense.}) 20. Qxb4 Rab8 21. Qc3 $5 (21. Qd2 Bd8 22. Nc6 Bxc6 23. dxc6 Qxc6 24. Bd3 Qxf3 25. c5 d5 26. Rgf1 Qh3 27. gxf6 Nxf6 28. Bxa6 Qe6 29. c6 Bc7 $14 {/, Tossutti,J (2091)-Saglione,E (2474) email 2008}) 21... fxg5 (21... Bd8 22. Nb3 $14) 22. Bxg5 (22. c5 $1 e4 23. Nc6 Bxc6 24. cxd6 Qxd6 25. dxc6 Bf6 26. Qc4+ Kg7 27. Rc2 $36 {[%csl Gc6] Inarkiev}) 22... Bxg5 23. Rxg5 Nf4 24. c5 Bb5 25. Nb3 Rfe8 $6 (25... a5 $132) (25... e4 $5 $13 {Inarkiev}) 26. Bxb5 Rxb5 27. cxd6 Qxd6 28. Qc6 Qd8 29. Nc5 $1 $16 {Inarkiev,E (2675)-Nepomniachtchi,I (2714) Moscow 2015}) 12. Nd5 {Very natural, but White has tried other retreats as well:} (12. Ne2 a5 13. Kb1 h6 14. Ng3 a4 15. Nc1 d5 16. Nf5 Bxf5 17. gxf5 d4 18. Bf2 O-O 19. Rg1 Kh8 20. Bb5 a3 $1 (20... Nc5 21. Nd3 a3 $2 22. Nxe5 axb2 23. Bxd4 Rxa2 24. Kxa2 Qa5+ 25. Kxb2 Qxb5 26. Rxg7 $1 Kxg7 27. Ng4 {Svidler,P (2735)-Sutovsky,E (2697) Mallorca olm 2004}) 21. b3 Nc5 22. Be1 Bd6 23. Bc4 Qe7 24. Nd3 Nxd3 25. cxd3 Nh5 26. Rg4 Nf4 $11 {Rivas Romero,G (2322)-Panduro,R (2163) email 2011}) (12. Na4 {has scored really well, but still lacks more relevant examples. An untested reacton is} Qc7 $5 (12... d5 13. g5 d4 14. Bxd4 Nxe4 15. fxe4 exd4 16. h4 Ne5 {Gyugyi,P (2117)-Francisco,V (2033) email 2003} 17. Nxd4 $36) (12... O-O 13. Qxb4 d5 $44) 13. g5 Nxe4 $1 14. fxe4 Qc6 15. Qxb4 Rb8 16. Na5 Rxb4 17. Nxc6 Rxe4 18. Bd2 Rxa4 19. b3 Rh4 $132) 12... Bxd5 13. exd5 Nb6 14. Na5 (14. Qxb4 Nfxd5 15. Bxb6 Nxb6 16. f4 O-O $142 (16... Qc7 17. fxe5 dxe5 18. Qe4 O-O 19. h4 $1 ({More concrete than} 19. Kb1 a5 20. a4 {½-½, Morozevich,A (2774)-Dominguez Perez,L (2695) Sarajevo 2008}) 19... a5 20. a4 g6 21. Bb5 f5 22. gxf5 $5 (22. Qg2 f4 23. Nd2 (23. Qf3 $142) (23. h5 $5) 23... Bb4 $1 24. g5 Rac8 25. Nf3 Bc3 $36 {Ponomariov,R (2704)-Bu,X (2637) WChT Beersheba 2005}) 22... gxf5 23. Qg2+ Kh8 24. Rhf1 Bxh4 25. Kb1 Rac8 26. c4 Qf7 27. c5 Qxb3 28. cxb6 $16 {[%csl Gb6,Rh8] Ruiz Vidal,P (2346)-Hervet,G (2357) email 2009}) 17. fxe5 a5 $1 18. Qe1 (18. Qc3 Rc8 19. Qxa5 Qc7 20. Bd3 Ra8 21. exd6 Bxd6 22. Qb5 {½-½, Zidu,J (2579)-Casabona,C (2598) email 2011} Rxa2 23. Bxh7+ Kxh7 24. Qd3+ Kg8 25. Qxd6 Qb7 $132) (18. Qe4 d5 19. Qf3 a4 20. Nd4 Qc7 21. Kb1 Rab8 22. Bb5 Nc4 23. Bxc4 dxc4 24. Qc6 Qxe5 25. Rhe1 Qg5 26. Qxa4 Bb4 $11 {Dothan,Y (2589)-Lafarga Santorroman,D (2639) email 2007}) 18... a4 19. Nd4 Bh4 20. Qe2 $6 (20. Qe4 $142 a3 21. b3 d5 $13) 20... Qg5+ (20... a3 $5 {} 21. b3 Nd5 $36) 21. Kb1 Qxe5 22. Nf3 Qf6 23. a3 (23. Nxh4 a3 $1 24. c3 Qxh4 $15) 23... Rab8 24. c3 Nc4 25. Qxc4 Qxf3 26. Bd3 Rfc8 $17 {Morozevich,A (2788)-Anand,V (2798) Mainz rpd 2008}) 14... Nbxd5 (14... Nfxd5 $143 $6 15. Nb7 $1 (15. Nc6 Qc7 16. Nxb4 (16. Nxe7 Nxe3 17. Qxe3 Kxe7 18. Qg5+ Kf8 $15 {Roiz,M (2611)-Sutovsky,E (2607) Rishon Le Ziyyon blitz 2006}) 16... Nxb4 17. Qxb4 Rc8 18. Bd3 Nc4 19. Qa4+ Qc6 20. Qxc6+ Rxc6 21. Bf2 {Karjakin,S (2679)-Ponomariov,R (2721) Tomsk rpd 2006} Bg5+ 22. Kb1 Nd2+ 23. Ka1 d5 $132) 15... Qc7 16. Bxb6 Nxb6 17. Nxd6+ Kf8 18. f4 e4 (18... Rd8 19. fxe5 Nc8 20. Bc4 $1 Bxd6 21. Qf4 f6 22. exd6 Rxd6 23. Rxd6 Qxd6 24. Qe4 g5 25. Rd1 $18 {Dzhumaev,M (2529)-Saravanan,V (2394) Rochefort 2009}) (18... exf4 19. Qxf4 f6 20. g5 $1 $40) 19. Nxe4 Rd8 20. Bd3 Nd5 21. f5 Qa5 {Inarkiev,E (2628)-Amonatov,F (2567) Ramenskoe 2006} 22. Kb1 Nc3+ 23. Nxc3 bxc3 24. Qf4 $5 $16) 15. Nc4 {[%mdl 512] Carlsen opts for a positional pawn sacrifice instead of regaining material:} (15. Nc6 Qc7 16. Nxb4 Nxb4 17. Qxb4 O-O 18. Qb6 $142 $1 {makes life far more difficult for Black:} (18. g5 $2 Rfc8 19. Qa4 Rab8 $1 20. Bd3 (20. gxf6 Rb4 $19) 20... Nd7 21. Qe4 g6 22. Bxa6 Rb4 23. Qd3 Rcb8 24. b3 Nc5 25. Bxc5 Qxc5 26. Qd5 Qa7 27. Bc4 Bxg5+ 28. Kb2 Ra4 29. a3 Ra5 30. Qe4 Be3 31. c3 Rxa3 32. Ra1 Ra8 {0-1, Svidler,P (2728)-Karjakin,S (2678) Wijk aan Zee 2007}) 18... Qc8 19. g5 Nd7 20. Qa5 Rb8 (20... Nc5 21. Bc4 Qf5 22. Qd2 Rfc8 23. h4 Rab8 24. Qd5 Rb4 25. b3 a5 26. Rhf1 a4 27. f4 $16 {Inarkiev,E (2656)-Sjugirov,S (2562) EU-ch Budva 2009}) 21. h4 Qb7 22. b3 Qxf3 23. Rh3 Qg4 24. Qxa6 Ra8 25. Qc4 Qxc4 26. Bxc4 Rxa2 27. Rd5 Rc8 28. Rb5 Kf8 29. Kb1 Rxc4 30. bxc4 Ra4 $14 {/=, Cavajda,I (2456)-Norrelykke,S (2346) email 2011}) 15... Nxe3 ({Inserting} 15... h6 16. h4 {is hardly ideal, as Black can now as good as forget about castling kingside:} Nxe3 17. Nxe3 d5 18. Nxd5 Nxd5 19. Qxd5 Qxd5 20. Rxd5 Bf6 21. Ra5 Ke7 22. Rxa6 Rxa6 23. Bxa6 Rd8 24. Bd3 Kd6 25. h5 Bg5+ 26. Kb1 $14 {/, Dominguez Perez,L (2695)-Predojevic,B (2651) Sarajevo 2008}) 16. Nxe3 {[%csl Re7,Gf1] White plays for light-square control, with  on the board he is the one with the stronger bishop.} ({Less logical is} 16. Qxe3 Qc7 17. h4 O-O 18. g5 Nd7 (18... Nh5 $5 19. Nb6 Nf4 20. Nxa8 Rxa8 $44) 19. f4 f5 20. gxf6 (20. Rh2 $5 $44 {[%cal Yh2d2]}) 20... Rxf6 21. fxe5 dxe5 22. Qe4 Rd8 23. Bd3 g6 24. Ne3 {Franklin,S (2307)-Burrows,M (2123) England 2013} Rf4 $15) 16... O-O (16... Nd7 17. Nd5 Bh4 18. Qxb4 Nc5 19. Qb6 O-O 20. Qxd8 Rfxd8 21. b4 Ne6 22. Kb2 Kf8 23. c3 a5 24. a3 Ra7 25. Bc4 g6 26. Rhf1 Kg7 {Perez Garcia,R (2432)-Razmyslov,A (2387) Burguillos 2008} 27. Bb3 $14) 17. Bc4 $146 {[%mdl 40] Consistent with the previous move, Carlsen shows a different strategy from his predecessors - White doesn't hurry with his attack and first increases his central control.} (17. h4 a5 18. Kb1 Rc8 19. Bd3 Rc5 20. Nf5 Nd5 (20... g6 21. Qh6 gxf5 22. g5 (22. Bxf5 e4 23. fxe4 Re8 24. g5 Rxf5 25. exf5 Ng4 26. Qh5 Ne5 $13) 22... Ne4 23. fxe4 f4 24. Rdg1 Kh8 25. h5 Rg8 26. g6 Rg7 27. gxf7 Rxf7 28. Bc4 Bg5 $1 29. Rxg5 Rxc4 30. Rhg1 Rxe4 31. Qe6 Rf8 32. Qh6 Rf7 33. Qe6 Rf8 {½-½, Papp,P (2254)-Gara,T (2377) Kisvarda 2012}) 21. Rhe1 Kh8 22. Bc4 $6 (22. Be4 $11) 22... Nc3+ $1 23. bxc3 Rxc4 24. Nxe7 Qxe7 25. Qxd6 Qxd6 26. Rxd6 Rxc3 (26... f6 $1 $15) 27. Rxe5 Rxf3 28. Rxa5 $11 {Shomoev,A (2571)-Bodnaruk,A (2425) St Petersburg 2012}) 17... Nd7 (17... Rc8 18. Bb3 $5 {retains the tension.} (18. Qxb4 d5 19. Qb7 d4 20. Qxa6 Nd7 $5 $44)) (17... d5 18. Qe2 $5 (18. Nxd5 Nxd5 19. Qxd5 Qc7 $5 $132 (19... Qxd5 20. Rxd5 Bg5+ 21. Kb1 Bf4 22. Rd7 $14)) 18... d4 19. Nf5 $13 {/}) 18. h4 $1 (18. Kb1 Bg5 $1 19. Qxd6 Bxe3 20. Qxd7 Bd4 $11 {eases Black's task and solves his opening problems.}) 18... a5 $146 (18... Bxh4 $2 19. Qh2 g5 20. Nf5 $16) (18... Nb6 19. Bd5 $5 (19. Qxb4 d5 $132) 19... Rb8 20. Be4 $44) ({RR} 18... Nb6 19. Kb1 Rc8 20. Bxa6 Rc5 21. Nf5 Ra5 22. Qe2 Qc7 23. Nxe7+ Qxe7 24. Bc4 Rfa8 25. Bb3 Rxa2 26. Bxa2 Qa7 27. Kc1 Qxa2 28. Kd2 Qxb2 29. Ke1 Rc8 30. Rxd6 g6 31. c4 bxc3 {0-1 (31) Lopez Silva,H (2396)-Olivares Olivares,C (2274) Santiago CHI 2024}) ({RR} 18... Nb6 19. Qxb4 d5 20. Qa5 d4 21. Bb3 Nd7 22. Qxd8 Bxd8 23. Nc4 a5 24. c3 a4 25. Bc2 Rc8 26. Nd6 Rc6 27. Ne4 a3 28. cxd4 axb2+ 29. Kxb2 exd4 30. Rxd4 Ne5 31. Bb3 Nxf3 32. Rd5 Bc7 33. Rc1 {Stany,G (2526)-Bhambure,S (2340) Zadar 2019 ½-½ (42)}) 19. g5 Rc8 20. Bd5 Nb6 21. Kb1 Qc7 $6 {White has a strong bind and it's not so easy to say where Black went wrong. Perhaps this is the moment and the queen shouldn't stray too far from the kingside. Possibly a better alternative is} (21... Rc5 22. Rhf1 Kh8 (22... Re8 23. Be4 $5 $44 (23. f4 exf4 24. Rxf4 Nxd5 25. Nxd5 Bf8 $132 {[%cal Yd8a8,Ye8e5]})) 23. f4 exf4 (23... f6 24. g6 $5 hxg6 25. f5 $44) 24. Rxf4 f6 25. Rdf1 $44 (25. g6 hxg6 26. Rg4 Qe8 $1 27. Rdg1 Nxd5 28. Nxd5 Qf7 $11)) 22. Rhf1 {[%cal Yf3f4]} (22. Rhg1 $143 {[%cal Yg5g6]} Kh8 23. h5 Qd8 24. Qg2 Rc5 $132) 22... Nxd5 (22... Kh8 23. f4 exf4 24. Rxf4 {} f6 25. g6 hxg6 26. Rg4 $40 {[%csl Rg6,Rh8]}) (22... Qc5 23. f4 Nxd5 24. Nxd5 Bd8 25. f5 f6 $5 $14) 23. Nxd5 {[%csl Gd5] The  is replaced by a  - any minor piece on d5 is a powerhouse!} Qb7 24. f4 f5 {A natural attempt to curb White's kingside expansion, but it loosens Black's kingside.} (24... f6 25. g6 $5 h6 26. Ne3 $36 {[%cal Ye3f5]}) (24... exf4 25. Qxf4 $36 {[%cal Yh4h6,Yg5g6]}) 25. Qe3 e4 (25... Rce8 26. Qh3 {and Black can sooner or later hardly avoid the stabilising e4 advance.} (26. h5 $5 $36) (26. fxe5 dxe5 27. Qxe5 Bxg5 28. Qc7 Qxc7 29. Nxc7 Rc8 30. Ne6 Bxh4 $132)) 26. h5 $36 {[%csl Gg5,Rg8,Gh5]} Rc5 27. h6 g6 (27... Rxd5 $2 28. Qb3 $18) (27... Rf7 28. Qb3 $36 {} a4 29. Nxe7+ Qxe7 30. Qxa4 $16 {[%csl Rb4,Rd6]}) ({Komodo initially recommends} 27... gxh6 28. gxh6 Kf7 {, but after} 29. Nxe7 (29. Qd4 Rg8 $13) 29... Kxe7 30. Qd4 Qc6 31. Rg1 $36 {[%csl Rd6,Re7,Rh7] White is on top even without the d5 - Black's  and  are vulnerable.} Rxc2 $2 32. Rg7+ Rf7 33. Qa7+ Qc7 34. Qa8 $1 {[%cal Ra8d5]} Qc4 35. Qb7+ Qc7 36. Qd5 $18) 28. Qb3 Rf7 29. a4 {A generally useful move, but more energetic and concrete was} (29. Rf2 {[%cal Yf2d2,Yd5e3]}) ({or} 29. Rd4 $142 $1 $16 {immediately.}) 29... Bd8 30. Rd4 Kf8 (30... Rc6 $5 31. Rfd1 Qd7 $14 {} 32. Ne3 $2 Bb6) 31. Rfd1 Rc6 (31... Rd7 32. Ne3 Be7 33. Nc4 $36 {[%cal Rc4d6,Rc4e5]}) 32. Ne3 $1 Bb6 33. Nc4 $6 (33. Rxd6 $142 Rxd6 34. Rxd6 Bc7 35. Rd5 $5 {seems simpler} (35. Re6 Bxf4 36. Nd5 Bxg5 37. Qc4 {was pointed out by Ramirez, after} Bxh6 (37... Rd7 38. Qd4 $1 Kf7 39. Rd6 $1 Rxd6 40. Qg7+ $18) 38. Qc5+ Kg8 39. Nf6+ Rxf6 40. Rxf6 $36 {Black has more than enough material, but his pieces are uncoordinated.}) {} 35... Bxf4 36. Rxa5 Bxg5 37. Rb5 $16) 33... Bxd4 $6 {[%mdl 64] So misses a good tactical chance} (33... Rxc4 $5 {, when White's advantage is not as convincing, as it was in the game:} 34. Qxc4 $1 (34. Rxc4 Rd7 $1 $15 {[%csl Rc4][%cal Rd6d5]} (34... d5 $2 35. Rxd5 Qxd5 36. Rc8+ $18)) 34... Bxd4 (34... Qc7 35. Qa6 $1 (35. Qxc7 $6 Bxc7 $14) 35... Qb7 36. Qxb7 Rxb7 37. Rxd6 Be3 38. Rf1 $16) 35. Rxd4 Qd7 (35... Qc7 $2 36. Qa6 $1 {[%cal Rd4c4,Rd4d6]}) (35... Rc7 36. Qe6 Qc6 37. Qf6+ Kg8 38. Qd8+ Kf7 39. c4 $1 {[%cal Rd4d6]} Ke6 40. Qf6+ Kd7 41. Rd5 $1 $16) 36. Qd5 $36 (36. Qa6 $5)) 34. Nxa5 Qb6 35. Nxc6 Bc5 (35... Qxc6 36. Rxd4 $18 {[%csl Rb4,Rd6,Rf8]}) 36. Qd5 e3 {Seeking practical chances.} ({Passive defence is disgusting:} 36... Qc7 37. Nd4 $16 (37. a5 Qc8 $16)) 37. a5 Qb5 (37... Qb7 $2 38. Qxc5 $18) ({A more resilient try was} 37... Qc7 $142 38. a6 (38. c3 $5 b3 $8 (38... bxc3 39. b4 c2+ 40. Kxc2 Bxb4 41. Kd3 $1 $18) 39. a6 $16) 38... Qc8 39. Re1 (39. a7 $5 Qa8 40. Qa2 $16) 39... Qxa6 40. Rxe3 b3 $1 41. Rxb3 $1 Qf1+ 42. Ka2 Qa6+ 43. Ra3 $8 Bxa3 44. bxa3 $16) 38. Nd8 $1 $18 Ra7 (38... Re7 39. Ne6+ Ke8 40. Nd4 Qb7 41. Nc6 e2 (41... Rf7 42. Qe6+ Kf8 43. Nd8 $18) 42. Re1 Re4 43. a6 Qf7 (43... Qxa6 44. Qg8+ Kd7 45. Nb8+) 44. a7 $5 Bxa7 (44... Qxd5 45. a8=Q+ Kd7 46. Qd8+ Kxc6 47. Qa8+ $18) 45. Qa5 $1 $18 {and White wins a piece with a continuing attack.} (45. Qxf7+ Kxf7 46. Nxa7 $16)) 39. Ne6+ Ke8 (39... Ke7 40. Nd4 $18 {[%cal Rd4c6]}) 40. Nd4 $6 {Doesn't squander the advantage, but prolongs the game.} ({Much simpler was} 40. Nxc5 Qxc5 41. Qg8+ Kd7 42. Qxh7+ Kc6 43. Qxg6 Re7 (43... e2 $2 44. Qe8+) 44. Qg8 $18 (44. Qh5 e2 45. Re1 $18)) 40... Qxa5 41. Qg8+ Kd7 42. Qxh7+ Kc8 43. Qg8+ Kb7 44. c3 $1 bxc3 (44... Qa4 45. Qb3 Qxb3 46. Nxb3 $18 {is similar to the game.}) 45. Qb3+ Qb6 (45... Qb4 46. bxc3 Qxb3+ 47. Nxb3 $18) 46. Qxb6+ ({Carlsen has had enough excitement, but it was tempting to keep the queens on board with} 46. Nb5 $18) ({or} 46. Qxc3 $5 {- here Black's king is still more exposed, than its counterpart.}) 46... Kxb6 (46... Bxb6 {gives White a pleasant choice:} 47. Ne2 $5 (47. Nb5 $16) (47. bxc3 Bxd4 48. cxd4 Kc6 49. Re1 Re7 50. Kc2 Kd5 51. Kd3 Re4 52. Rxe3 Rxf4 53. Rh3 Rxd4+ 54. Ke2 Re4+ 55. Kf2 Re8 56. Rd3+ Kc5 57. Re3 Ra8 58. Re6 Ra2+ 59. Ke3 Ra3+ 60. Kd2 Ra2+ 61. Kc1 Ra1+ 62. Kb2 Rh1 63. Rxg6 f4 64. Rf6 Rh5 65. Rf8 $18 {[%cal Rg5g6]}) 47... cxb2 48. Rxd6 Ra1+ 49. Kxb2 Re1 50. Nc1 Bc7 51. Rxg6 Bxf4 52. Nd3 Re2+ 53. Kc3 $18) 47. bxc3 $18 {[%csl Gh6] The powerful  makes long-term resistance futile.} Bxd4 48. Rxd4 $1 Kc6 (48... e2 49. Rxd6+ Kc5 50. Re6 $18) (48... Kc5 49. Kc2 Re7 50. Kd1 e2+ 51. Ke1 Re3 52. Ra4 Rxc3 53. Ra8 Rh3 54. Kxe2 d5 55. Ra6 Kd4 56. Rxg6 Ke4 57. Rg7 Kxf4 58. h7 $18) 49. Kc2 Ra2+ 50. Kd1 Rf2 51. Ke1 Kd7 52. Ra4 Ke6 53. Ra8 Rh2 54. c4 $5 (54. Rg8 Kd5 55. Re8 $1 $18 (55. Rxg6 $2 Ke4 $132)) 54... Kf7 55. Rb8 $22 Ke6 (55... Rh4 56. Ke2 $18) (55... e2 56. Kd2 $18) 56. Rg8 1-0

[Event "Sinquefield Cup 3rd"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2015.08.30"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Grischuk, Alexander"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B92"]
[WhiteElo "2853"]
[BlackElo "2771"]
[Annotator "Roiz,Michael"]
[PlyCount "132"]
[EventDate "2015.08.23"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 168"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.09.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.09.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Be2 e5 7. Nb3 Be7 8. Be3 Be6 9. Qd3 Nbd7 10. Nd5 O-O {Alexander Grischuk chooses a tricky order of moves. Now it's hard to suggest anything better than 11.0-0.} ({In case of} 10... Bxd5 11. exd5 O-O {Black has to deal with a more aggressive approach -} 12. g4 $5) 11. O-O ({After} 11. c4 b5 $1 12. cxb5 axb5 13. O-O Bxd5 14. exd5 Nb6 15. Bxb6 Qxb6 16. Qxb5 Qa7 $44 {Black had an excellent compensation for a pawn in 1/2 Svidler,P (2672)-Gelfand,B (2692)/Haifa 2000}) 11... Bxd5 12. exd5 Rc8 $5 {Provoking the c2-c4 advancement.} (12... Nc5 {is much more popuar here.}) 13. c4 ({Black has nothing to worry about after} 13. a4 Nb6 14. Bxb6 Qxb6 15. a5 Qc7 $132) 13... Ne8 {That move is connected with a typical plan of regrouping the k-side pieces.} (13... a5 14. Kh1 Re8 15. Rad1 Bf8 16. Nd2 g6 17. b3 Bg7 18. a3 h5 19. f3 b6 20. b4 $14 {1-0 Short,N (2645)-Cheparinov,I (2713)/Wijk aan Zee 2008}) 14. Qd2 {An exchange of bishops would definitely suit Black, so Magnus prevents it for a while.} ({Dubious is:} 14. Bg4 $6 e4 $1 15. Qxe4 Nef6 16. Qd4 Nxg4 17. Qxg4 Ne5 18. Qe2 Nxc4 19. Bd4 Bf6 $15 {0-1 Medvegy,Z (2462)-Shariyazdanov,A (2612)/Oberwart 2000/EXT 2001 (51)}) ({Black gets a comfortable play after} 14. Rac1 Bg5 15. Nd2 Bxe3 16. Qxe3 Nef6 $11 {0-1 Pinter,G (2384)-Seres,L (2444)/Budapest 2000/CBM 079 ext (29)}) 14... b6 {A double-edged move. Alexander restricts the activity of b3, but the weakness of c6-spot may tell in the long run.} ({Another Najdorf expert Alexander Areschenko has opted for:} 14... f5 $5 15. f4 g6 16. Na5 (16. Kh1 Nef6 17. fxe5 Ne4 18. Qe1 dxe5 19. Na5 Rb8 20. b4 Bh4 $1 21. g3 f4 $132) 16... exf4 17. Bxf4 Nef6 $132 {Black had a decent counterplay in 0-1 Hovhannisyan,R (2592)-Areshchenko,A (2701)/Martuni 2014}) 15. Rac1 $146 {A natural innovation. The rook may support he thematic c4-c5 advancement, while the a1-spot is vacant for the knight's route.} ({The previously played} 15. f4 {should be met by:} f5 (15... Qc7 16. Rac1 Nc5 (16... Nef6 17. fxe5 dxe5 18. Qe1 Bd6 19. Qh4 Rfe8 20. Kh1 $14) 17. Nxc5 bxc5 18. Bd3 $14 {1-0 Tsiros,F (2147)-Marosi,L (2211)/Gyor HUN 2014}) 16. Rae1 a5 $132) ({The saim can be said about} 15. Rae1 a5 (15... g6 16. Bh6 Ng7 17. f4 $14) 16. f4 f5 $1 $132 ({Now} 16... g6 $6 {looks too passive in view of:} 17. f5 Ng7 18. Bd3 Nxf5 19. Bxf5 gxf5 20. Rxf5 Rxc4 21. Qe2 $36)) ({RR} 15. Kh1 f5 16. g3 a5 17. Rad1 Nef6 18. f3 g6 19. Nc1 Nh5 20. g4 fxg4 21. fxg4 Nf4 22. Bxf4 Rxf4 23. Rxf4 Bg5 24. Nd3 exf4 25. Qc3 b5 26. b3 bxc4 27. bxc4 Qe7 28. Nc1 Ne5 29. Rd4 f3 {Froeyman,H (2268)-Ahmad,K (2455) Rhodes GRE 2025 0-1 (37)}) 15... a5 ({The more aggressive way of handling the position was:} 15... f5 16. f3 f4 17. Bf2 Bh4 18. Bd3 g6 $132 {, but Alexander's plan wasn't based on the f7-f5 advancement.}) 16. Na1 g6 {An original way of handling the position. As was mentioned before, Black deviates from the usual f7-f5 advancement in order to keep the f5-spot vacant for the knight.} 17. b4 $146 (17. Nc2 Ng7 18. Bh6 (18. Bd3 f5 19. f3 f4 20. Bf2 Bh4 $132) 18... Re8 19. g4 f5 $132) ({RR} 17. b3 Ng7 18. a3 Nf5 19. b4 axb4 20. axb4 Nxe3 21. fxe3 Ra8 22. Nb3 Bg5 23. Rc3 Ra3 24. Qb2 Qa8 25. Ra1 Rxa1+ 26. Nxa1 e4 27. Ra3 Qd8 28. Nc2 Ne5 29. Nd4 Qf6 30. Qa1 Nd3 31. Kh1 Bxe3 {Perez,M (2374)-Brodsky,D (2506) chess.com INT 2024 0-1 (37)}) ({RR} 17. b3 Ng7 18. a3 Nf5 19. b4 axb4 20. axb4 Nxe3 21. fxe3 Ra8 22. Nb3 Bg5 23. Rc3 Ra3 24. Qb2 Qa8 25. Ra1 Rxa1+ 26. Nxa1 e4 27. Ra3 Qd8 28. Nc2 Ne5 29. Nd4 Qf6 30. Qa1 Nd3 31. Kh1 Bxe3 {Perez,M (2374)-Brodsky,D (2506) chess.com INT 2024 0-1 (37)}) 17... Ng7 ({No doubt, the naive} 17... axb4 $6 {would be strongly met by:} 18. Nc2 $1 f5 19. Bh6 Rf7 20. Nxb4 Nef6 21. Nc6 $14) 18. bxa5 bxa5 ({It was possible to exchange the powerful dark-squared bishop at cost of a pawn:} 18... Nf5 $5 19. Bxb6 Nxb6 20. axb6 Qxb6 21. Nc2 Qa7 $44) 19. Bd3 ({After} 19. Nb3 $6 Nf5 20. Nxa5 Nxe3 21. fxe3 Bg5 22. Nc6 Qb6 23. Rc3 Ra8 {White's position is getting unpleasant from practical point of view - the extra pawn has no much value here.}) 19... Nc5 20. Bc2 {That retreat gives Black more time for activating their pieces.} ({Deserved a serious attention} 20. Rb1 $5 Nxd3 21. Qxd3 Qc7 22. Rfc1 Rb8 (22... Nf5 23. Bb6 Qd7 24. Nb3 $14) 23. Rb5 Nf5 24. a4 Nxe3 25. Qxe3 {The arising complex position contains strategic risk for both sides, but White's play seems somewhat easier.}) 20... a4 {A consistent continuation - the a1 is out of moves now.} ({However, there was no reasons for rejecting the more aggressive} 20... f5 $5 21. f3 a4 22. Rb1 Bf6 {and Black is not worse at the very least.}) 21. Rb1 e4 $6 {A dubious pawn sacrifice. Perhaps, Alexander has overestimated the effect of knight's appearance on f5.} (21... f5 $142 22. Rb4 (22. Rb5 $6 Nd7 $1 23. Qb4 f4 24. Bc1 f3 $40) 22... Qa5 23. Rd1 Bd8 $132) 22. Bxc5 ({It was possible to postpone that exchange:} 22. Qe2 $5 f5 (22... Nf5 23. Bxc5 Rxc5 24. Qxe4 $14) (22... Qd7 23. Bxc5 Rxc5 24. Bxe4 $14) 23. Bxc5 Rxc5 24. Bxa4 Bf6 25. Nb3 Rc8 26. g3 $14) 22... Rxc5 23. Bxa4 $6 {Returning the favoure. Now Alexander's 21 move fully justifies.} ({At the same time, after} 23. Qe2 $1 f5 (23... Qc7 24. Bxa4 Rxc4 25. Bb5 Rc3 26. Qxe4 $14) 24. Bxa4 Ra5 25. Bb5 $14 {it would be not easy to develop an attack, so Black doesn't have a sufficient compensation for a pawn.}) 23... Rxc4 24. Bc6 Nf5 25. Qe2 Rc3 26. Qxe4 {Finally White has won a pawn, but now Black's pieces are much more active than before.} Ra3 27. Qe2 ({Nothing promises:} 27. Nc2 Rxa2 28. Nb4 Ra3 29. Bb5 Bf6 30. Nc6 Qb6 31. Be2 Qc5 $11) ({Another way to protect the a2 was:} 27. Qc4 Bf6 28. Nc2 Rc3 29. Qa4 Be5 $44 {, but Black gets a decent compensation either.}) 27... Bf6 28. Nb3 Qe7 29. Qxe7 ({White hardly may play for a win with such a passive pieces:} 29. Rfe1 Qa7 30. Nc1 Nd4 31. Qe4 Rb8 32. Rxb8+ Qxb8 33. Qe8+ Qxe8 34. Rxe8+ Kg7 $11) 29... Nxe7 30. Nd2 Rxa2 $11 {The extra pawn is gone, so the position is completely equal now.} 31. Nc4 (31. Ne4 Be5 32. f4 Bd4+ 33. Kh1 Nf5 $11) 31... Rd8 32. g4 $6 {An over-ambitious decision. White pushes for a win, but exposing the king that way is risky.} (32. Rfd1 $142 Kg7 33. g3 $11) 32... Bd4 $1 {Immediately exploiting White's inaccuracy. The bishop is coming to c5, where it will puts a strong pressure on the f2. At the same time, White's bishop is not doing much.} 33. Rbd1 $6 {One more mistake, which leads to a loss of pawn.} ({It looks like White shouldn't be able to solve the problems quite easily after} 33. Rb7 Kf8 34. Kg2 g5 35. Kf3 Ng6 36. Ke4 $1 Rxf2 37. Rxf2 Bxf2 38. h3 $11 {activating all the pieces.}) 33... Bc5 34. Rd2 {It is necessary to exchange the opponent's active rook.} Rxd2 35. Nxd2 Nxc6 36. dxc6 Rc8 37. Ne4 Rxc6 38. Rd1 {The arising endgame must be very unpleasant for Magnus, but White still has good drawish chances due to a limited material ballance.} h6 39. h4 Kf8 40. Kg2 Ke7 41. Rc1 {Preventing Black from advancing the passer for a while.} Rc8 42. Kf3 Ke6 43. Rc2 Rc7 44. h5 $1 {Correctly swapping more pawn on the k-side.} (44. Rc1 Bb6 45. Re1 Rc2 $17) 44... gxh5 ({Comparing to the previous note,} 44... Bb6 $6 {can be strongly met by:} 45. Re2 $1 Bd4 46. g5 $1 hxg5 47. hxg6 fxg6 48. Kg4 {and draw becomes unavoidable.}) 45. gxh5 Bb6 {Obviously, sooner or later Black has to unpin the bishop.} 46. Re2 Bd4 $1 {Alexander manages to find an excellent resourse - the bishop's transfer to e5 would pose White more problems.} 47. Kg3 ({Unfortunately,} 47. Ng3+ Be5 48. Ra2 Rc3+ 49. Kg2 {leads to a hopeless rook's ending:} Bxg3 50. fxg3 Rc5 51. g4 f5 $19) 47... d5 (47... f5 $5 48. Ng5+ Kf6 49. Nh3 Rg7+ 50. Kf3 Be5 $17) 48. Nd2+ Kf5 49. Kg2 (49. Nf3 Bf6 50. Ra2 d4 51. Ra5+ Ke4 52. Nd2+ Kd3 53. Nf3 Kc2 $17) 49... Be5 50. Nf3 Bf6 51. Ra2 Rd7 52. Ne1 {Obviously, White's only plan is to set-up blockade.} Rc7 $6 ({There was no reason to deviate from:} 52... Kg4 53. Ra6 Bg7 54. Nd3 Kxh5 55. Kf3 Kg5 $17 {grabbing the second pawn, though White still in the game due to activity of all the pieces.}) 53. Kf3 Bg5 54. Ra5 Ke5 55. Ke2 {Now it is not easy to make any progress.} Ke4 56. Ra4+ d4 57. f3+ Kd5 58. Ra5+ Kc4 ({Correctly rejecting} 58... Rc5 59. Rxc5+ Kxc5 60. f4 Bf6 61. Kd3 Kd5 62. Nf3 Bg7 63. Nh4 $11) 59. Nd3 {Provoking the exchange of rooks.} ({Possibly,} 59. Ra4+ $5 {would be a better choice from practical point of view:} Kc3 60. Ra3+ Kb4 61. Ra8 Re7+ 62. Kd1) 59... Re7+ 60. Re5 Re6 $5 {Alexander is trying to change the static character of position.} ({It looks like White should be able to achieve a draw after} 60... Kc3 61. Rxe7 Bxe7 62. Ne5 Kc2 63. Nd3 f6 64. Nf4 Bd6 65. Nd3 f5 66. Ne1+ Kc3 67. Nd3 {and White's knight has enough spots.}) 61. f4 $1 {The only move.} ({White cannot afford changing the pawn structure:} 61. Rxe6 $2 fxe6 62. Ne5+ (62. f4 Be7 63. Kd2 Kd5 $19) 62... Kc3 63. Nd3 Be7 64. Ne5 Bf6 65. Nd3 Bh4 66. Ne5 Bg3 67. Nd3 e5 68. Nc5 Kc4 69. Nd3 Kd5 $19 {[%csl Rh5][%cal Gd5e6,Ge6f5]}) 61... Bf6 62. Rxe6 fxe6 {A critical moment.} 63. Nf2 $2 {A decisive mistake.} ({The precise} 63. Kd2 {would allow Magnus to save a half point:} Kd5 64. Ke2 Bd8 (64... Ke4 65. Nc5+ Kxf4 66. Nxe6+ Kg4 67. Kf2 Kxh5 68. Nxd4 Bxd4+ 69. Kg2 $11) 65. Kf3 Bc7 66. Nf2 Bd6 67. Nd3 $11) 63... Be7 64. Ng4 ({Hopeless was also:} 64. Nd3 Kc3 65. Nf2 Kc2 66. Nd3 Bf8 67. Ne1+ Kc3 68. Nd3 Bd6 $19) 64... Kc3 65. f5 ({Or} 65. Kd1 Bf8 66. Nf2 d3 67. Ng4 Kd4 68. Ke1 Ke4 $19) 65... exf5 66. Nxh6 Kc2 $1 ({White resigns, in view of:} 66... Kc2 67. Nxf5 d3+ 68. Kf3 Bc5 $19 {[%csl Gc5,Rf5][%cal Gd3d2]}) 0-1

[Event "Sinquefield Cup 3rd"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2015.09.01"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C67"]
[WhiteElo "2816"]
[BlackElo "2853"]
[Annotator "ChessBase II"]
[PlyCount "71"]
[EventDate "2015.08.23"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 168"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.09.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.09.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. d4 Nd6 6. Bxc6 dxc6 7. dxe5 Nf5 8. Qxd8+ Kxd8 9. h3 h5 10. Nc3 Be7 11. Rd1+ Ke8 12. Ne2 Nh4 13. Nxh4 Bxh4 {Both players took a long time to get to this position, but it had all been played before.} 14. f3 Bf5 15. Nd4 $146 (15. c3 Bc2 16. Rd2 Bf5 17. g4 Be6 {was fine for Black in Leko-Radjabov, 2014. The Azeri won that game in the long run.}) ({RR} 15. c3 Rd8 16. Be3 Be7 17. g4 Be6 18. Rxd8+ Kxd8 19. Nf4 hxg4 20. Nxe6+ fxe6 21. hxg4 a6 22. Kg2 g6 23. f4 Ke8 24. Rd1 Rh7 25. Rh1 Rxh1 26. Kxh1 Bf8 27. Bf2 Bh6 28. Bg3 Kd7 29. Kg2 Ke8 {Dominguez Perez,L (2743)-Aronian,L (2745) Saint Louis USA 2023 ½-½ (66)}) ({RR} 15. c3 Bc2 16. Rd2 Bf5 17. Rd1 Bc2 18. Rd2 Bf5 19. g4 Be6 20. Kg2 hxg4 21. hxg4 Bg5 22. Rd1 Bxc1 23. Nxc1 Ke7 24. Nd3 Rhd8 25. b3 a5 26. Nc5 b6 27. Nxe6 Kxe6 28. f4 g5 29. fxg5 Rxd1 {Sychev,K (2542)-Grischuk,A (2682) Sochi RUS 2025 ½-½ (31)}) ({RR} 15. c3 Rd8 16. Be3 Be7 17. g4 Be6 18. Rxd8+ Kxd8 19. Nf4 hxg4 20. Nxe6+ fxe6 21. hxg4 a6 22. Kg2 g6 23. f4 Ke8 24. Rd1 Rh7 25. Rh1 Rxh1 26. Kxh1 Bf8 27. Bf2 Bh6 28. Bg3 Kd7 29. Kg2 Ke8 {Dominguez Perez,L (2743)-Aronian,L (2745) Saint Louis USA 2023 ½-½ (66)}) 15... Bg6 16. Bf4 Be7 17. g4 {Anand mentioned that he had looked at this idea with f3 and g4, but must have botched it up at some point.} Rd8 18. Kg2 hxg4 19. hxg4 Bc5 20. c3 Bxd4 21. Rxd4 Rxd4 22. cxd4 Ke7 {Whtie retains some chances of creating an advantage if he can push f4-f5, but it looks difficult to achieve... and when it does, still the advantage is not that clear.} 23. Rc1 Ke6 24. Be3 f6 {Now the draw is obvious. The structural advantage is meaningless with the opposite colored bishops on the board.} 25. exf6 gxf6 26. Bd2 Rd8 27. Bc3 Kf7 28. Kg3 Re8 29. Rh1 Bd3 30. Re1 Rxe1 31. Bxe1 Bc4 32. a3 b6 33. Kf4 a5 34. Ke3 a4 35. Bg3 b5 36. Bxc7 1/2-1/2

[Event "EU-chT (Men) 20th"]
[Site "Reykjavik"]
[Date "2015.11.15"]
[Round "3.1"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C65"]
[WhiteElo "2850"]
[BlackElo "2781"]
[Annotator "Adhiban,Baskaran"]
[PlyCount "88"]
[EventDate "2015.11.13"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ISL"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 170"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.01.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.01.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Norway"]
[BlackTeam "Armenia"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "NOR"]
[BlackTeamCountry "ARM"]

{An epic clash between a slightly weakened "slow poison" Carlsen and the improved "I am a different player now" Aronian.} 1. e4 {GM Rafael Leitão Fernandez,Daniel Howard} e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. d3 Bc5 ({RR} 4... Ne7) ({RR} 4... d6 5. c3 g6 6. O-O Bg7 7. Re1 O-O 8. Nbd2 a6 ({RR} 8... Nb8) 9. Ba4 b5 10. Bc2 Bb7 11. Nf1 Nb8) 5. O-O (5. Bxc6 dxc6) ({RR} 5. Bxc6 dxc6) 5... Nd4 $5 {A wise decision not allowing Carlsen to take on c6 and get his favourite pawn structure after which you are in for a positional grind.} (5... d6 {One more positional lesson by Carlsen was} 6. Nbd2 $5 (6. Re1 O-O 7. Bxc6 bxc6 8. h3 Re8 ({I wonder what is wrong with} 8... Nd7 $5 9. Nbd2 f5 10. exf5 Rxf5 11. Ne4 Bb6 {Though I fully agree such an overly aggressive attempt weakening the a2-g8 diagonal (even without the presence of the white light-squared bishop) is strictly against the principles of the Berlin :).}) ({RR} 8... Nd7 9. Nbd2 f5 10. exf5 Rxf5 11. Ne4 Bb6) 9. Nbd2 Nd7 10. Nc4 Bb6 11. a4 a5 12. Nxb6 cxb6 13. d4 Qc7 ({Possibly Anand didn't like} 13... Qe7 {because of} 14. b3 {with annoying pressure on the a3-f8 diagonal.}) ({RR} 13... Qe7 14. b3) 14. Ra3 $1 {was an instructive game (Carlsen-Anand 2014), though Black can equalise with accurate play.}) ({RR} 6. Re1 O-O 7. Bxc6 bxc6 8. h3 Re8 9. Nbd2 Nd7 10. Nc4 Bb6 11. a4 a5 12. Nxb6 cxb6 13. d4 Qc7 14. Ra3) 6... O-O 7. Bxc6 bxc6 8. h3 h6 9. Re1 Re8 10. Nf1 a5 11. Ng3 Rb8 12. b3 {Seriously?? Didn't Mr. Carlsen show us that fixing the black pawn structure (against Anand) with a4 is good? Well yet again he shows us that he understands the positional concepts at a much higher level.} Bb4 ({An interesting move was} 12... a4 $5 {but we will have to wait for another Carlsen game for a conclusion in this.}) ({RR} 12... a4) 13. Bd2 Ra8 14. c3 Bc5 15. d4 Bb6 16. dxe5 dxe5 17. c4 $14 {Carlsen-Radjabov 2015, with clear positional superiority.}) ({RR} 5... O-O 6. Bxc6 dxc6 7. Nxe5) ({RR} 5... d6 6. Nbd2 O-O 7. Bxc6 bxc6 8. h3 h6 9. Re1 Re8 10. Nf1 a5 11. Ng3 Rb8 12. b3 Bb4 13. Bd2 Ra8 14. c3 Bc5 15. d4 Bb6 16. dxe5 dxe5 17. c4) 6. Nxd4 Bxd4 7. c3 Bb6 8. Na3 c6 ({RR} 8... O-O 9. Bg5 c6 10. Ba4 h6 11. Bh4 d6 ({RR} 11... d5 12. exd5 cxd5 13. Re1 Bc7) 12. Nc4 Bc7 13. Ne3 Bb6 14. Qf3) 9. Ba4 d6 ({RR} 9... O-O) ({RR} 9... h6 10. d4 d6) 10. Bb3 ({RR} 10. Bc2 Be6 11. Qe2 h6 ({RR} 11... O-O) 12. Kh1 g5 13. Nc4 Bc7 14. Ne3 ({RR} 14. a4) ({RR} 14. Rd1 O-O 15. Ne3 ({RR} 15. d4 Bxc4 16. Qxc4 d5) 15... d5) 14... d5 15. Re1 Qe7 ({RR} 15... d4 16. Nf5 Bxf5 17. exf5 Kf8) 16. a4 O-O-O 17. Rb1 ({RR} 17. exd5 Nxd5 18. Nxd5 Bxd5 19. Be3) 17... d4 18. Nf1 Bb6 ({RR} 18... Nd7) ({RR} 18... g4 19. cxd4 exd4 20. f4 gxf3 21. Qxf3 Ng4) 19. Bd2 Bg4 20. f3 Be6 21. Ng3 Rhg8 ({RR} 21... Ne8 22. c4 Ng7 23. b4 h5 24. Nf5) 22. b4 g4 23. a5 ({RR} 23. cxd4 Bxd4 24. f4) 23... dxc3 ({RR} 23... Bc7 24. Rf1) 24. Bxc3 Bd4 {Caruana,F (2822)-So,W (2778) Stavanger 2018 CBM 185 [Fernandez,Daniel Howard] 1-0 (48)}) 10... a5 11. Nc4 Ba7 $5 {Aronian is the first to deviate and to be honest this seems like the way after a5.} ({Karjakin-Caruana continued} 11... Bc7 {but then why did he play ...a5?}) ({RR} 11... Bc7 12. a4 Be6 13. Ne3 O-O 14. Bc2 d5 15. Qf3 Qd7 16. Nf5 Bxf5 17. exf5 Rfe8 18. Bg5 e4 19. Qh3 exd3 20. Bxd3 Ne4 21. Be3 Re7 22. f3 Nf6 23. Bc5 Bd6 24. Bd4 Be5 25. Bc5 Bd6 26. Bd4 {Balogh,C (2544)-Grischuk,A (2667) London ENG 2025 0-1 (47)}) ({RR} 11... Bc7) 12. a4 $146 ({RR} 12. Ne3 O-O 13. Qf3 d5 14. Bc2 ({RR} 14. exd5 a4 15. Bc2 ({RR} 15. Bxa4 Bxe3) 15... cxd5) 14... g6 ({RR} 14... h6 15. Nf5 Bxf5 16. Qxf5) 15. Re1 Be6 16. exd5 ({RR} 16. h3 d4 17. Nf1 Nh5) 16... cxd5 17. h3 Re8 ({RR} 17... Kg7) 18. Ba4 e4 19. dxe4 dxe4 20. Qe2 Re7 21. Nf1 Qc7 22. Bb3 a4 23. Bxe6 ({RR} 23. Bxa4 Bc4) 23... Rxe6 24. Be3 a3 25. c4 Nh5 ({RR} 25... axb2 26. Qxb2 Nd7 27. Bxa7 Rxa7 28. Ne3 Qe5) 26. g3 Bc5 {Gukesh,D (2743)-Firouzja,A (2760) Toronto CAN 2024 1-0 (63)} ({RR} 26... f5)) ({RR} 12. Kh1 a4 13. Bc2 Ng4 14. Ne3 Bxe3 15. Bxe3 Qh4 16. h3 Nxe3 17. fxe3 Bxh3 18. gxh3 Qxh3+ 19. Kg1 Qg3+ 20. Kh1 {½-½ (20) Karjakin,S (2754)-Aronian,L (2772) Bucharest 2019}) ({RR} 12. Ne3 O-O 13. Qf3 d5 14. Bc2 g6 15. Re1 Be6 16. exd5 cxd5 17. h3 Re8 18. Ba4 e4 19. dxe4 dxe4 20. Qe2 Re7 21. Nf1 Qc7 22. Bb3 a4 23. Bxe6 Rxe6 24. Be3 a3 25. c4 Nh5 26. g3 Bc5 {Gukesh D (2743)-Firouzja,A (2760) Chess.com 2024 [GM Rafael Leitão] 1-0 (63)}) ({RR} 12. Kh1 a4 13. Bc2 Ng4 14. Ne3 Bxe3 15. Bxe3 Qh4 16. h3 Nxe3 17. fxe3 Bxh3 18. gxh3 Qxh3+ 19. Kg1 Qg3+ 20. Kh1) 12... O-O 13. Bg5 h6 14. Bxf6 ({RR} 14. Bh4 g5 15. Bg3 Bg4) ({RR} 14. Bh4) 14... Qxf6 15. Nxa5 {I am not at all sure that such a approach is a good idea against Aronian who doesn't mind giving up a pawn if he can take over the intiative for it!} d5 $1 16. Bc2 (16. exd5 cxd5 17. Bxd5 Qd8 $1 18. Bxb7 Bxb7 19. Nxb7 Qc7 {and finally the greedy knight meets its end.}) ({RR} 16. exd5 cxd5 17. Bxd5 Qd8 18. Bxb7 Bxb7 19. Nxb7 Qc7) 16... dxe4 17. dxe4 Rd8 18. Qe1 (18. Qe2 Qg5 19. Qf3 (19. Nc4 Bg4 $19 {wins on the spot.}) ({RR} 19. Nc4 Bg4) 19... Rd2 $17 {with a dangerous intiative.}) ({RR} 18. Qe2 Qg5 19. Qf3 Rd2) 18... Qg5 19. Kh1 Rd2 20. Bd1 Be6 {Now the brave knight can't return.} 21. b4 Rad8 22. Nxb7 $6 {It was not the time to be greedy.} (22. Be2 $1 {was more tenacious, preparing to exchange a pair of rooks to reduce the intensity.} R8d7 23. Rd1 Rxd1 24. Bxd1 Qc1 25. Bb3 Qxe1 26. Rxe1 Bxb3 27. Nxb3 Bxf2 28. Rb1 $1 {Although Black is still clearly better, the fight is just beginning.}) ({RR} 22. Be2 R8d7 23. Rd1 Rxd1 24. Bxd1 Qc1 25. Bb3 Qxe1 26. Rxe1 Bxb3 27. Nxb3 Bxf2 28. Rb1) 22... Bc4 $1 {Now follows a forced sequence after which Black comes out on top.} 23. Nxd8 Bxf1 24. Qxf1 Rxf2 25. Qg1 Ra2 $1 26. Rxa2 Bxg1 27. Kxg1 Qc1 {The dust has settled and it does seem like White can hope to save the position, but unfortunately for him his pieces are uncoordinated.} 28. Kf2 Qxd1 29. Nxc6 Qb3 30. Rd2 (30. Re2 $5 Qxc3 31. b5 {White anyway can't hope to protect his pawns hence Black goes for a quiet king move preventing e7-d5.} Kf8 $5 {with a winning advantage.} (31... Qc4 {allows} 32. Rb2 $1) ({Or} 31... Kh7)) 30... Qxc3 31. Rd6 Qb2+ 32. Ke3 Qa3+ 33. Kf2 Qxa4 34. Nxe5 Qc2+ $5 {A strong practical decision!} ({After} 34... Qxb4 35. Rd8+ Kh7 36. Nf3 {Black would face an uphill struggle to win this position.}) 35. Kf3 f5 $1 {Getting of the rid of the small shelter which White was hoping to have.} 36. Rd3 fxe4+ 37. Kxe4 Qxg2+ 38. Nf3 Qg4+ 39. Ke3 g5 $5 (39... Qxb4 40. h4 $1 {and White's chances of saving this endgame are quite high!}) 40. Kf2 (40. b5 Qf4+ {[%cal Gg5g4]}) 40... Qf5 $1 {Not allowing White to get coordinated.} 41. Rd8+ Kg7 42. Kg2 g4 43. Nd2 Qe6 $1 {Capitalising on the loosely placed pieces.} 44. Nf1 Qc6+ {A nice effort by Aronian who has definitely made his epic comeback after quite a while! It will be interesting to see how Carlsen will come back to his top form and this is something I will be waiting for!} 0-1

[Event "EU-chT (Men) 20th"]
[Site "Reykjavik"]
[Date "2015.11.19"]
[Round "6.1"]
[White "Leko, Peter"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C77"]
[WhiteElo "2708"]
[BlackElo "2850"]
[Annotator "Havasi,Gergo"]
[PlyCount "82"]
[EventDate "2015.11.13"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ISL"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 170"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.01.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.01.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Hungary"]
[BlackTeam "Norway"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "HUN"]
[BlackTeamCountry "NOR"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. d3 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. Nc3 d6 9. a3 Rb8 $5 10. Be3 (10. h3 {was played in Leko's earlier game against Tomashevsky} h6 11. Ba2 Re8 12. Nh2 Nd4 13. f4 exf4 14. Bxf4 Be6 15. Nf3 Nxf3+ 16. Qxf3 Bxa2 17. Rxa2 Qd7 18. Raa1 Qe6 19. Kh1 Rbc8 20. Bg3 Nd7 21. a4 c6 22. Ne2 Ne5 23. Qf2 Bf8 24. axb5 axb5 25. Ra7 $16 {1-0 (67) Leko,P (2737)-Tomashevsky,E (2709) Kiev UKR 2013. I annotated that game in my article about the a3-line.}) 10... Na5 11. Ba2 c5 12. Nd5 (12. b4 Nc6 13. Nd5 {is also possible.}) 12... c4 (12... Nc6 13. b4 {would transpose to 12.b4.}) (12... Nxd5 13. Bxd5 {is slightly better for White.}) 13. Nxe7+ (13. b4 cxb3 14. cxb3 Nxd5 15. exd5 Nb7 16. b4 {is the suggestiom of the computer, but I can agree with Leko, because Black might be dangerous after f5-f4.}) 13... Qxe7 14. Qd2 Nc6 15. h3 Be6 16. b4 $146 ({RR} 16. Ng5 d5 17. Nxe6 fxe6 18. Rae1 Nh5 19. exd5 {1-0 (19) Blomqvist,E (2505)-Von Bahr,O (2431) Ronneby 2018}) 16... Rfc8 17. c3 cxd3 18. Qxd3 Bxa2 19. Rxa2 d5 $11 {Black has equalised.} 20. Nd2 Qe6 21. Raa1 Ne7 $1 {Preparing d8, c6 and g6.} (21... Rd8 22. Bg5 {was a problem} dxe4 23. Qe2 Ne7 24. Bxf6 Qxf6 25. Nxe4 $11) 22. Bc5 Ng6 23. Rad1 Rd8 (23... Nf4 {is also good} 24. Qf3 Rd8 $15) 24. Qf3 h6 25. Rfe1 Rd7 26. Qf5 Qc6 27. exd5 Rxd5 28. Nf3 $6 (28. Qf3 $1 Rbd8 29. Ne4 Rxd1 30. Nxf6+ Qxf6 31. Rxd1 {is a chance for White to equalise.}) 28... Rbd8 29. Qc2 $6 {Overlooking the ...e4-move.} (29. Rxd5 Rxd5 30. Qc2 $15 {is very good for Black, but not winning.}) 29... Rxd1 30. Rxd1 Rxd1+ 31. Qxd1 Ne4 $17 {Black is practically winning.} 32. Qd8+ Kh7 33. Qb6 Qxb6 34. Bxb6 Nxc3 35. Nd2 Nf4 36. h4 Kg6 37. f3 Kf5 38. Kf2 Nd3+ 39. Kf1 h5 40. Be3 Ke6 41. g3 Kd5 {A very nice game for Carlsen, but White also had some chances to maintain equality.} 0-1

[Event "EU-chT (Men) 20th"]
[Site "Reykjavik"]
[Date "2015.11.21"]
[Round "8.1"]
[White "Nisipeanu, Liviu Dieter"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C68"]
[WhiteElo "2683"]
[BlackElo "2850"]
[PlyCount "87"]
[EventDate "2015.11.13"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ISL"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 170"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.01.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.01.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Germany"]
[BlackTeam "Norway"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "GER"]
[BlackTeamCountry "NOR"]
[WhiteClock "0:36:02"]
[BlackClock "0:48:29"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Bxc6 dxc6 5. O-O Bd6 6. d4 exd4 7. Qxd4 f6 8. Nbd2 Be6 9. b3 Qe7 10. Nc4 Bc5 11. Qd3 Qd7 12. Qxd7+ Bxd7 13. Be3 Be7 $146 ({RR} 13... Bxe3 14. Nxe3 Ne7 15. Rad1 c5 16. e5 Be6 17. exf6 gxf6 18. Nd2 Kf7 19. Ne4 b6 20. f3 h5 21. Rd2 Rhd8 22. Rfd1 Rxd2 23. Rxd2 a5 24. Nc3 Nf5 25. Nxf5 Bxf5 26. Nb5 c6 27. Nd6+ Ke6 28. Nxf5 {Socko,B (2599)-Bartel,M (2649) Warsaw 2016 ½-½ (88)}) 14. Nd4 O-O-O 15. Rad1 Re8 16. f3 Bf8 17. Bf2 Nh6 18. Ne3 Nf7 19. Ne2 g6 20. Nf4 Bg7 21. a4 Re7 22. Nd3 Kb8 23. Nc4 Bc8 24. a5 Rhe8 25. Nc5 f5 26. Bd4 Bxd4+ 27. Rxd4 Ka7 28. exf5 Bxf5 29. Ne4 c5 30. Rd2 Bxe4 31. fxe4 Nd8 32. e5 Nc6 33. Rd5 Nxe5 34. Rxc5 Nc6 35. Rd5 b5 36. axb6+ cxb6 37. Rd6 Kb7 38. Rff6 Rc8 39. Rd2 Rcc7 40. Nd6+ Ka7 41. Rf8 Red7 42. Nc8+ Kb7 43. Nd6+ Ka7 44. Nc8+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "London Classic 7th"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2015.12.04"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B33"]
[WhiteElo "2765"]
[BlackElo "2850"]
[Annotator "ChessBase"]
[PlyCount "56"]
[EventDate "2015.12.04"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 170"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.01.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.01.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[TimeControl "7200+1605"]
[WhiteClock "1:03:14"]
[BlackClock "0:59:43"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 e5 6. Ndb5 d6 7. Bg5 a6 8. Na3 b5 9. Nd5 Be7 10. Bxf6 Bxf6 11. c3 O-O (11... Ne7 12. Nc2 Nxd5 13. Qxd5 Rb8 14. Nb4 Bb7 15. Qd3 O-O 16. Be2 a5 17. Nd5 b4 18. O-O bxc3 19. bxc3 Bg5 20. Rab1 Qd7 21. Rb3 Bc6 22. Rfb1 Rxb3 23. Rxb3 g6 24. Rb6 Rc8 25. h3 Bxd5 26. Qxd5 Rxc3 27. Rxd6 Qe7 28. Bd1 Rc7 29. g3 Kg7 30. Ba4 Bc1 31. Rc6 {1/2-1/2 (31) Giri,A (2793)-Carlsen,M (2853) Saint Louis USA 2015}) (11... Bg5 12. Nc2 O-O 13. a4) 12. Nc2 Rb8 13. a4 $6 {wurde hinterher von Carlsen als ungenau kritisiert - Vachier-Lagrave verwechselte vermutlich die Varianten} (13. Be2) ({oder das aggressivere} 13. h4 {versprechen Weiß mehr Aussichten}) 13... bxa4 14. Ncb4 Nxb4 15. cxb4 Bb7 16. Rxa4 Qc8 (16... Bxd5 {wäre vielleicht eine Möglichkeit gewesen, die Spannung noch weiter aufrecht zu halten} 17. Qxd5 Qd7 18. b3 Rfc8 19. Ra1 (19. Bc4 $2 Rxc4 20. Qxc4 Rc8 $19) 19... Qg4 $1 (19... Rxb4 20. Bxa6 {und hier kann Weiß nicht schlechter stehen}) 20. h3 Qg5 {und Weiß hat Probleme, den König aus dem Zentrum zu bekommen}) 17. Nxf6+ gxf6 18. Bd3 Bc6 19. Rxa6 Rxb4 20. O-O Rd4 21. Qf3 $146 ({RR} 21. Ra3 Bxe4 22. Re1 Bg6 23. Qe2 d5 24. Ba6 Qe6 25. g3 Rb8 26. h4 h5 27. Rc1 Kg7 28. Rac3 Re4 29. Qf1 Rxb2 30. Rc6 Qg4 31. Bd3 Re3 32. Bxg6 Rxg3+ {0-1 (33) Al Tarbosh,W (2235)-Caruana,F (2776) chess.com INT 2025}) 21... Bxe4 {führt forciert ins Dauerschach, doch Schwarz hat keine vorteilsversprechenden Fortsetzungen zur Verfügung} 22. Bxe4 Qxa6 23. Qg4+ Kh8 24. Qf5 Rxe4 25. Qxf6+ Kg8 26. Qg5+ Kh8 27. Qf6+ Kg8 28. Qg5+ Kh8 1/2-1/2

[Event "London Classic 7th"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2015.12.05"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C67"]
[WhiteElo "2850"]
[BlackElo "2787"]
[Annotator "Sagar,Shah/CB Website"]
[PlyCount "84"]
[EventDate "2015.12.04"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 170"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.01.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.01.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. Re1 {Magnus goes for a pretty sedate line, trying to get a small edge.} Nd6 6. Nxe5 Be7 7. Bf1 Nxe5 8. Rxe5 O-O 9. Nc3 Ne8 10. Nd5 Bd6 11. Re1 c6 12. Ne3 Be7 13. c4 Nc7 14. d4 d5 15. cxd5 Nxd5 16. Nxd5 cxd5 17. Bf4 {All of this has been seen before in the game Areshechenko-Bacrot in June 2015. White won that game. The position is very symmetrical. However, White seems to have a small edge due to the better placement of his pieces, like the rook being on e1 and the bishop on f4. However, this is nothing much.} Bf6 {.} 18. Be5 Bxe5 19. Rxe5 {One of the reasons why White should have a small edge here is because the d5-pawn is on a light square, which means that the bishop on c8 is slightly a bad piece.} Re8 20. Rxe8+ Qxe8 21. Qb3 {Magnus was playing his moves pretty quickly and confidently.} Qc6 22. Bb5 Qb6 $146 {Black is ready to sacrifice his d5 pawn in order to get some counterplay.} (22... Qd6 23. Rc1 (23. Re1 Be6 $11) 23... Be6 {also looks fine. But Caruana wanted to be more precise and hence chose ...b6 over ...d6.}) ({RR} 22... Qd6 23. Rc1 Bf5 24. g3 Rc8 25. Rxc8+ Bxc8 26. Qa4 a6 27. Bd3 Bd7 28. Qb3 Qc6 29. h4 h6 30. a3 b5 31. Qc3 Qxc3 32. bxc3 Kf8 {½-½ (32) Gao,R (2561)-Xiu,D (2528) Hangzhou 2018}) 23. Qxd5 a6 $1 {Very accurate.} (23... Be6 24. Qc5 $1 Qxc5 25. dxc5 $16 {is just an extra pawn.}) 24. Bd3 {Magnus retreats to a square where he can create some mating threats with d3.} Be6 25. Qe4 g6 26. d5 {It seems as if White has things going his way but Caruana has everything under control.} Bf5 27. Qe2 Bxd3 28. Qxd3 Qxb2 {Black recovers the pawn. However, the d5-pawn is not at all a unit that should be underestimated.} 29. Re1 Rd8 30. d6 Rd7 {Stopping the pawn in its tracks. This is not all easy to defend but Caruana does a fine job.} (30... Qxa2 31. Qd4 $1 {looks pretty dangerous with f6 coming up next.}) 31. g3 $5 {Magnus takes out time to secure his back rank.} Qf6 32. Rd1 Qe5 33. Qa3 a5 34. f4 {This move might well be strong practically, however in the end it was this move that led to the perpetual check.} Qe2 35. Qc1 Qe6 36. Qc5 b5 37. Qxb5 (37. Qe5 $11 {Anand and Aronian analysed this move in their press conference and it is also equal.}) 37... Rxd6 $1 {Caruana is tactically alert and sacrifices his rook in order to get a perpetual check.} 38. Qb8+ Kg7 39. Qxd6 Qe3+ 40. Kg2 Qe2+ 41. Kg1 Qe3+ 42. Kg2 Qe2+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "London Classic 7th"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2015.12.06"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C67"]
[WhiteElo "2803"]
[BlackElo "2850"]
[Annotator "Roiz,Michael"]
[PlyCount "111"]
[EventDate "2015.12.04"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 170"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.01.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.01.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. d4 Nd6 6. Bxc6 dxc6 7. dxe5 Nf5 8. Qxd8+ Kxd8 9. Nc3 Ke8 10. h3 Be6 11. Rd1 ({RR} 11. g4 Ne7 12. Nd4 Bd7 13. Re1 h5 14. e6 fxe6 15. Nxe6 Bxe6 16. Rxe6 Kd7 17. Re2 hxg4 18. hxg4 Ng6 19. Bg5 Bd6 20. Ne4 Rh7 21. Nxd6 cxd6 22. f4 Rah8 23. Rae1 c5 24. a4 a6 25. Rg2 Rh3 {Caruana,F (2829)-Nakamura,H (2775) London 2014 ½-½ (81)}) 11... Bc5 $146 {Magnus chooses a somewhat dubious, but unexplored theoretical continuation. This position had been seen in only 1 game before.} ({The most common alternatives are} 11... Bb4 12. Ne2 Bd5 13. Ned4 Nxd4 14. Nxd4 Rd8 15. Bd2 (15. Be3 $5) 15... Bc5 16. Nf5 Bf8 17. Be3 b6 18. f3 Be6 19. g4 Rd5 $11 {1/2 Vachier Lagrave,M (2722)-Fressinet,L (2698)/Caen 2011}) ({and} 11... h6 12. b3 Rd8 13. Bb2 Bb4 14. Ne2 Bd5 15. Nfd4 Be4 16. c4 Nxd4 17. Nxd4 Ke7 18. f3 Bg6 $11 {1/2 Hou Yifan (2671)-Mamedyarov,S (2736)/Baku AZE 2015}) ({RR} 11... Bb4 12. Ne2 Bd5 13. Nfd4 Nxd4 14. Nxd4 h6 15. Be3 a5 16. a3 Be7 17. Rac1 g5 18. c4 Be6 19. g4 a4 20. Nxe6 fxe6 21. c5 Ra5 22. Rc4 Rf8 23. Rd2 Rf3 24. Kg2 Rxe3 25. fxe3 Bxc5 26. Kf3 {Zagrebelny,S (2480)-Galego,L (2425) Elista 1998 1-0 (56)}) ({RR} 11... h6 12. Ne2 Bd5 13. Ned4 Bxf3 14. Nxf3 Bc5 15. Bf4 g5 16. Bh2 Ng7 17. Nd2 Ne6 18. Ne4 Rd8 19. c3 a5 20. Ng3 Nf4 21. Ne4 Ne6 22. Ng3 Rd5 23. Ne4 Ke7 24. Nf6 Rxd1+ 25. Rxd1 Rd8 26. Rxd8 {Jiang,T (2081)-Zhai Mo (2369) Hohhot CHN 2024 1-0 (52)}) ({RR} 11... Bb4 12. Ne2 Bd5 13. Nfd4 Nxd4 14. Nxd4 Rd8 15. Be3 a6 16. Rac1 Be4 17. c3 {½-½ (17) Motylev,A (2705)-Iordachescu,V (2621) Rijeka 2010}) 12. g4 $1 $146 {This natural advance is a novelty. It definitely makes sense to make progress on the kingside as soon as possible.} ({In the preceding game Black didn't experience any problems after} 12. Bf4 h6 13. a3 Rd8 $11 {Parma,B-Bisguier,A/Caracas 1970}) 12... Ne7 13. Ng5 Bd5 ({It looks like} 13... Ng6 {doesn't fully solve the problems either:} 14. Kg2 $1 ({After} 14. Nce4 Be7 15. Nxe6 fxe6 16. f4 Rf8 17. Rf1 Rd8 18. Be3 b6 19. Kg2 {White's position is more pleasant, but it would bew very difficult to make any progress}) 14... Be7 (14... h5 15. Nxe6 fxe6 16. f4 Rf8 17. Ne4 Be7 18. Rf1 Rd8 19. Be3 $14) 15. Nxe6 fxe6 16. f4 Rf8 17. Ne2 Rd8 18. Be3 $14) 14. Nge4 ({The following line} 14. Nxd5 $5 cxd5 15. e6 f6 16. Nf7 Rf8 17. Bf4 Rc8 18. Rd3 $14 {looks somewhat scary for White - the f7 has no vacant squares. However, Black's position is very passive here, so it was an option worth considering.}) 14... Bb6 {Black experiences some problems with connecting the rooks.} 15. Kg2 {Vishy doesn't hurry with any ''drastic'' decisions.} ({A more energetic way of handling the position was} 15. a4 $5 a5 16. Nxd5 cxd5 17. Ng3 $14) 15... Rd8 16. Bf4 ({For some reason, Anand rejected the most natural} 16. Kg3 Ng6 17. f4 {, though White's position looks quite attractive here. For instance,} h5 18. Nxd5 Rxd5 19. Bd2 $14) 16... Ng6 17. Bg3 h5 ({The immediate attempt to connect the rooks is dubious:} 17... Ke7 $6 18. f4 $1 Rhe8 19. Nxd5+ cxd5 20. Nc3 d4 21. Ne4 $16) 18. f4 hxg4 19. hxg4 {One of Black's rooks has a job to do along the h-file, but their position is still rather passive.} Ke7 {One more risky decision. The king is getting vulnerable now.} (19... Nh4+ 20. Bxh4 Rxh4 21. Kg3 Rh8 22. Rh1 Ke7 23. Rxh8 Rxh8 24. Rd1 Rd8 25. Ng5 $14) 20. Rh1 ({Another possible move was} 20. Nxd5+ $5 cxd5 21. Nc3 c6 (21... d4 22. Na4 f6 23. Nxb6 axb6 24. exf6+ Kxf6 25. f5 $14) 22. Rh1 {White's pieces are somewhat more active, so Black is under pressure. For instance,} Bc7 23. Ne2 f6 24. e6 $14) 20... Bd4 21. Nxd5+ cxd5 22. Nc3 (22. Ng5 $5 Rxh1 (22... Bxb2 23. Rxh8 Nxh8 24. Rb1 Bd4 25. f5 $16) 23. Rxh1 Rh8 24. Rd1 Be3 25. Kf3 d4 26. Ne4 $14) 22... Bxc3 23. bxc3 {Black has been able to simplify matters and damage White's pawn structure, but the poor placement of theg6 and vulnerablity of his king make the position very dangerous.} Kd7 24. f5 Ne7 25. Rae1 $6 {Spoiling the lion's share of his advantage.} ({A much more energetic and stronger move would be} 25. Rhf1 $1 Nc8 (25... Rde8 26. Rad1 Kc8 27. c4 $1 $16 dxc4 $140 28. e6 fxe6 29. fxe6 Nc6 30. Rf7 $18) 26. e6+ fxe6 27. fxe6+ Kc6 28. Rf7 Nd6 29. Rxg7 Rdg8 30. Rxg8 Rxg8 31. Kf3 $16) 25... Rde8 26. Kf3 $6 {Mistakes rarely come alone!} ({The precise} 26. Bf4 {would keep Black under pressure:} Rxh1 27. Rxh1 Nc6 28. Rh7 Rg8 29. Kf3 $14) 26... Rxh1 27. Rxh1 Nc6 {Now it is obvious, that the  is misplaced on f3.} 28. Re1 {Alas, leaving the open file is the only way to fight for a win now.} ({Indeed, after} 28. Rh7 Nxe5+ {Black manages to solve all his problems:} 29. Bxe5 (29. Kf4 f6 30. Rxg7+ Re7 $11) 29... Rxe5 30. Rxg7 Ke7 $11) 28... g5 {An interesting move - now White has less space for the pieces.} ({Another possibility was} 28... Na5 29. g5 Nc4 30. Kg4 b6 31. g6 fxg6 32. e6+ Ke7 33. Bh4+ Kd6 $11) 29. a4 a6 30. Kg2 ({Another, more aggressive way of handling the position was} 30. c4 $5 dxc4 (30... Nd4+ 31. Kf2 Nxc2 32. Rd1 d4 33. Rd2 Nb4 34. Rxd4+ Kc8 35. Kf3 $14) 31. Rd1+ Ke7 32. Ke4 $44 {obtaining excellent compensation for a pawn.}) 30... Kc8 31. Kf2 b6 32. Kf3 Kd7 {It is very difficult for either side to make any progress now.} 33. Kf2 Kc8 34. Re3 $6 {For some reason, Vishy deviates from repeating the moves, but letting Black put the knight on c4 is a serious mistake.} (34. Kf3 $11) 34... Na5 $1 {Suddenly White finds himself in a difficult situation.} 35. Re1 (35. e6 fxe6 36. fxe6 Rf8+ 37. Kg2 Nc4 38. Re1 Re8 39. Bf2 Kd8 40. Be3 Rg8 $17) 35... Nc4 36. Kf3 Kd7 $6 {This natural move seems to be inaccurate, though the refutation isn't trivial...} (36... a5 {was stronger} {and if} 37. Rh1 {then} Nxe5+ 38. Bxe5 Rxe5 39. Rh7 Re7 40. Rh5 b5 {and the a-passer should decide the game:} 41. Rxg5 bxa4 42. f6 Re6 43. Rxd5 Rxf6+ 44. Ke3 Kb7 $19) 37. Kg2 $6 ({It was the right moment for liquidating into a rook ending at the cost of a pawn:} 37. Rh1 $1 Nxe5+ 38. Bxe5 Rxe5 39. Rh5 Re4 40. Rxg5 Rxa4 41. Rh5 {with sufficient counterplay.}) 37... a5 38. Kf2 $2 {The waiting strategy isn't a successful approach here.} ({The active way of defending was more to the point:} 38. Rh1 $1 Nxe5 39. Rh7 b5 $1 (39... Kd8 40. Bxe5 Rxe5 41. Rxf7 Re2+ 42. Kf3 Rxc2 43. Rg7 Rxc3+ 44. Kf2 $11) 40. axb5 a4 41. Bxe5 Rxe5 42. Rxf7+ Re7 43. Rf6 Re4 44. Kf3 {White's position seems difficult here, but the limited material balance offers definite drawing chances.}) 38... c6 39. Kg2 b5 40. Rb1 Rh8 $2 {Returning the favour.} ({There was no reason for rejecting} 40... Nxe5 41. axb5 Nxg4 {and Black should be able to convert the extra pawn into the full point. For instance,} 42. b6 Ne3+ 43. Kf3 g4+ 44. Kf4 f6 45. Bf2 Kc8 46. b7+ Kb8 47. Kg3 a4 48. Ra1 Re4 $19) 41. Bf2 $1 {Vishy doesn't miss the golden opportunity to activate his bishop.} Nxe5 ({White is doing OK also after} 41... Rb8 42. Bd4 Kc7 43. Kg3 $132 bxa4 $140 $2 44. Rxb8 Kxb8 45. e6 fxe6 46. f6 $18) 42. axb5 Nxg4 ({The b-passer offers White sufficient counterplay after} 42... Nc4 43. b6 Rb8 44. Bc5 Rb7 45. Ra1 $11) 43. bxc6+ Kxc6 44. Bd4 Re8 45. Kg3 {Now all White's pieces are perfectly placed.} Ne5 ({Nor was anything promised by} 45... Re4 46. Rb6+ Kc7 47. Ra6 Ne3 48. Bxe3 Rxe3+ 49. Kg4 Rxc3 50. Kxg5 Rxc2 51. Rxa5 Kd6 52. Ra7 d4 53. Kf4 $11) 46. Rb6+ Kc7 47. Rf6 Kd7 ({Or} 47... a4 48. Bxe5+ Rxe5 49. Rxf7+ Kb6 50. Rf6+ Kb5 51. Rf8 $11) 48. Bxe5 Rxe5 49. Kg4 ({There was nothing wrong with} 49. Rxf7+ Re7 50. Rf6 $11) 49... Ke7 50. Kxg5 {There is no way to avoid a draw now.} Re1 (50... Re3 51. Ra6 f6+ 52. Kg4 Rxc3 53. Rxa5 $11) 51. Ra6 f6+ 52. Kg4 Rg1+ 53. Kf4 Rf1+ 54. Kg4 Rg1+ 55. Kf4 Rf1+ 56. Kg4 1/2-1/2

[Event "London Classic 7th"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2015.12.10"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Giri, Anish"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C91"]
[WhiteElo "2778"]
[BlackElo "2850"]
[PlyCount "105"]
[EventDate "2015.12.04"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 170"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.01.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.01.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. d4 d6 9. c3 Bg4 10. Be3 exd4 11. cxd4 Na5 12. Bc2 Nc4 13. Bc1 c5 14. b3 Nb6 15. Nbd2 Rc8 16. Bb2 Nfd7 17. Qb1 g6 18. h3 Bxf3 19. Nxf3 cxd4 20. Nxd4 Bf6 21. Qd1 $146 ({RR} 21. Re2 Ne5 22. Qe1 Nbd7 23. Rd1 Qb6 24. f4 Nc6 25. Qf2 Rfe8 26. e5 dxe5 27. Nxc6 Qxc6 28. Be4 Qc7 29. Rc2 Qd8 30. Rcd2 Rc7 31. f5 g5 32. Ba3 Be7 33. Bd6 Nf6 34. Bxc7 Qxc7 35. Rc2 Qb8 {Schroeder,J (2568)-Neiksans,A (2568) Germany 2021 0-1 (59)}) ({RR} 21. Re2 Ne5 22. Qe1 Nbd7 23. Rd1 Qb6 24. f4 Nc6 25. Qf2 Rfe8 26. e5 dxe5 27. Nxc6 Qxc6 28. Be4 Qc7 29. Rc2 Qd8 30. Rcd2 Rc7 31. f5 g5 32. Ba3 Be7 33. Bd6 Nf6 34. Bxc7 Qxc7 35. Rc2 Qb8 {Schroeder,J (2568)-Neiksans,A (2568) Germany 2021 0-1 (59)}) 21... Ne5 22. Rc1 Bg5 23. Rb1 Nbd7 24. Rf1 Bf6 25. Rc1 Qb6 26. Bb1 Rxc1 27. Bxc1 Nd3 28. Qxd3 Bxd4 29. Bh6 Rc8 30. Qe2 Nf8 31. g3 Ne6 32. Kg2 Bg7 33. Be3 Bd4 34. Bd2 Qd8 35. Rc1 Rxc1 36. Bxc1 Qf6 37. a4 bxa4 38. bxa4 Nc5 39. a5 Bc3 40. Ba3 Bxa5 41. Bxc5 dxc5 42. Bd3 Bc3 43. Bxa6 Bd4 44. Bc4 Kg7 45. h4 Qb6 46. h5 Qf6 47. Ba2 gxh5 48. f4 Qg6 49. Kh3 f5 50. exf5 Qxf5+ 51. Kg2 Kh6 52. Qe6+ Qxe6 53. Bxe6 1/2-1/2

[Event "Qatar Masters op"]
[Site "Doha"]
[Date "2015.12.21"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Aravindh, Chithambaram VR"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B20"]
[WhiteElo "2486"]
[BlackElo "2834"]
[Annotator "Sagar,Shah"]
[PlyCount "74"]
[EventDate "2015.12.20"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "QAT"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 170"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.01.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.01.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 {Aravindh is famed in the Indian chess circuits for his unorthodox openings. But against the World Champion he decides to play it safe with 1.e4.} c5 2. b3 $5 {Well, so much for the well trodden paths! The 16-year-old had beaten Alexei Shirov with 1.b3 a year ago. This time he tries to catch a bigger fish with that move but of course 1.e4 c5 2.b3 is quite different from 1.b3.} g6 $5 {After the game I had an opportunity to do an interview with Magnus Carlsen. He said that he had considered playing this line with White but did not like this 2...g6 move. And hence he played it with Black. This is the same line recommended by Peter Heine Nielsen in his book "Experts against the Anti-Sicilians."} 3. Bb2 Nf6 4. e5 Nd5 {Here Aravindh sank into deep thought. He was of course out of theory and wanted to clarify the position as much as he could. There is a chance that the e5-pawn will become weak and hence he decides to advance the pawn.} 5. e6 $6 (5. d4 Qa5+ 6. Qd2 Qxd2+ 7. Nxd2 cxd4 8. Ngf3 Bg7 $11 {might be a better way for White to play, but I think Black has absolutely no problems in this position as well.}) (5. Bc4 Nb6 6. e6 f6 7. exd7+ Bxd7 $15) 5... f6 $1 {Of course this is forced and the move f6 looks pretty unusual but the point is that White is going to take on d7 and that would mean that all his moves with the e-pawn have been sort of wasted.} 6. exd7+ Qxd7 {The e-pawn has made four moves and exchanged itself for the d7 pawn which hadn't moved even once in the game.} ({RR} 6... Bxd7 7. Nc3 Nxc3 8. Bxc3 e5 9. Qe2 Qe7 10. g3 Bg7 11. Bg2 Nc6 12. O-O-O O-O-O 13. f4 Nd4 14. Bxd4 cxd4 15. fxe5 fxe5 16. Be4 Qa3+ 17. Kb1 Kb8 18. c3 Be6 19. Qb5 Rd7 20. Nf3 Qd6 21. Rhe1 {Vasilescu,A (1695)-Filev,G (2230) Craiova ROU 2025 0-1}) 7. Nc3 Nc6 8. Bb5 $146 ({RR} 8. Nf3 Bg7 9. Nxd5 Qxd5 10. Bc4 Qe4+ 11. Be2 e5 12. O-O Be6 13. Ba3 b6 14. Ng5 Qf5 15. Nxe6 Qxe6 16. Ba6 f5 17. Bb2 Rd8 18. Re1 Kf8 19. d3 Bf6 20. Bc4 Qd6 21. g4 fxg4 22. Qxg4 Kg7 {Yilmazyerli,M (2320)-Soysal,S (2025) Antalya 2013 1-0 (35)}) ({RR} 8. g3 Qe6+ 9. Qe2 Nd4 10. Qxe6 Bxe6 11. O-O-O Nb4 12. Nb5 O-O-O 13. Nxd4 cxd4 14. a3 Bd5 15. f3 Nc6 16. Bh3+ Kb8 17. Rf1 e5 18. Bg2 Bh6 19. h4 Na5 20. Rf2 d3 21. Bc3 Nc6 22. f4 Bxg2 {Riefner,E (2248)-Tiemann,C (2263) Germany 2010 0-1 (40)}) 8... Nc7 9. Bxc6 Qxc6 $15 {Black already has the bishop pair and the possibility to establish a strong centre with e5. He is clearly better. One would assume that the World Champion would win quite easily from this point onwards. After all it is not every day that you get a good solid edge as Black after just nine moves against a grandmaster. But the 16-year-old Aravindh doesn't give up easily.} 10. Qf3 Bd7 11. O-O-O e5 12. Qxc6 Bxc6 13. f3 Ne6 14. Nge2 Be7 15. Rhf1 b5 16. Rde1 Kf7 17. Nd1 a5 {Things are going excellently for Black as he slowly but steadily builds up his position. White has nothing much that he can do than to wait and hope for the opponent to go wrong. The last move a5 although not bad was not really necessary. The pawn could have been more useful on a6 to defend the b5-pawn.} 18. Ne3 Bd6 $6 {Magnus played his  to d6 in order to defend his e5-pawn and prepare f5. The problem with this move is that the bishop is a little exposed on d6 and can be hit in the future with the moves c4 or e4.} (18... Rhe8 {was much better.}) 19. Nc3 h5 $6 (19... a4 {was necessary to stop White from going a4.} 20. bxa4 b4 $1 21. Ne4 (21. Nc4 $2 bxc3 22. Nxd6+ Ke7 $19) 21... Be7 22. Ng4 Nd4 23. f4 $132) 20. a4 $1 {Securing the c4-square for the knight.} b4 (20... bxa4 21. Nc4 Be7 22. Nxa4 $11) 21. Ne4 Bc7 22. Nc4 {Suddenly things are not at all clear. White has an excellent square for his knight on c4 and the Black pawns, which were once very strong, now look like targets.} h4 23. g4 (23. f4 $6 Bxe4 24. Rxe4 exf4 $17) 23... hxg3 24. hxg3 Rh3 25. g4 {[%cal Rg4g5]} (25. f4 $5 {Trying to open the position could have been a possible option.} exf4 26. gxf4 Bxe4 27. Rxe4 $13) 25... Rd8 $2 {A gross miscalculation by the World Champion. If one were to ask what is it that White is threatening here, it is easy to see that the move is g4-g5. Carlsen overlooks that and allows White to gain the advantage.} (25... g5 $1 $17 {makes the position quite static and slowly Black should be able to increase his edge especially since he controls the h-file.}) 26. g5 $1 Bxe4 (26... f5 27. Bxe5 $1 $18) 27. fxe4 Nf4 (27... Nxg5 28. Bxe5 Bxe5 29. Nxe5+ Kg7 30. Nc4 $14 {is surely a slight edge for White.}) 28. gxf6 $14 {The pawn cannot be taken because of xf4. Isn't it surprising that from a completely better position, Carlsen drifted into a worse position in a matter of ten moves. As Magnus said after the game, all that was left now was to try and trick his opponent before the 40th move as the Indian was under grave time pressure.} Ke6 29. Ne3 (29. d3 g5 30. f7 Rf8 31. Rg1 Kf6 32. Kd1 Rxf7 33. Bc1 Rg7 34. Rg4 Rh4 35. Ne3 $14 {was a possible way to continue the game when White has a pleasant position thanks to the more compact pawn structure.}) 29... g5 30. Nd5 (30. d3 $14) 30... Bd6 31. Rg1 Rg8 32. Rg4 $6 Rh4 $1 33. Rgg1 (33. Rxh4 gxh4 $17) 33... g4 34. Ne3 g3 {The position has changed a bit in the last few moves and White has lost his edge.} 35. Nf5 Rhh8 $1 {The rook comes back to defend the f8-square and stop the f-pawn from queening. So to f7, the g8- can safely move up without worry about the f8-square.} (35... Rh3 36. f7 Kxf7 37. Nxd6+ $18) 36. f7 (36. f7 Rg4 $1 {and the rook on h8 controls the f8-square.}) (36. Rxg3 Ne2+ $1 37. Rxe2 Rh1+ $19) 36... Rg6 37. Kd1 g2 {And here Aravindh's flag fell. Most probably the position is already lost as ...h3 winning an exchange is coming up. An interesting game where Magnus was once again put under some strong pressure by his opponent who was rated 300 points below him. But this was the last game in the tournament where Magnus faced any problems. His next seven games were just great and he was able to win the second edition of the Qatar Masters.} 0-1

[Event "Qatar Masters op"]
[Site "Doha"]
[Date "2015.12.23"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Duda, Jan Krzysztof"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B92"]
[WhiteElo "2663"]
[BlackElo "2834"]
[Annotator "Sagar,Shah/CB Website"]
[PlyCount "84"]
[EventDate "2015.12.20"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "QAT"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 170"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.01.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.01.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Be2 e5 7. Nb3 Be7 8. Bg5 Nc6 9. Qd3 Nb4 $5 $146 {This move was made quite quickly by Magnus and hence he was clearly prepared.} 10. Qd2 h6 11. Bxf6 Bxf6 12. Nd5 $146 (12. a3 {is met by} Bg5 13. Qd1 Nc6 14. O-O Be6 15. Qd3 O-O 16. Rad1 $11 {and White has a much better position than what happened in the game.}) ({RR} 12. a3 Bg5 13. Qd1 Nc6 14. Bg4 Be6 15. h4 Bf6 16. g3 Qc7 17. Bf3 Ne7 18. Qd2 O-O-O 19. O-O-O Kb8 20. Kb1 Qc8 21. Qe2 h5 22. Rd2 g6 23. Qd1 Qc7 24. Nc1 Bg7 25. Qe1 f5 26. exf5 gxf5 {Vera Siguenas,D (2535)-Leiva Rodriguez,J (2427) Florianopolis 2017 0-1 (54)}) ({RR} 12. Nb5 Nxc2+ 13. Qxc2 axb5 14. Bxb5+ Ke7 15. Bc4 Be6 16. Bxe6 fxe6 17. O-O Qd7 18. Rfd1 Rhc8 19. Qe2 Ra4 20. a3 Rac4 21. g3 Qa4 22. Qd3 R8c6 23. Rac1 b5 24. h4 Kf7 25. Qf3 Kg8 26. Rb1 Bd8 {Fluvia Poyatos,J (2463)-Asis Gargatagli,H (2529) Barcelona 2019 ½-½ (36)}) 12... Nxd5 13. Qxd5 Qc7 14. O-O-O Be7 15. Kb1 Be6 16. Qd3 O-O $15 {Black has a very pleasant position due to the following reasons:  1. He has the bishop pair. Although the bishop on e7 is not particularly great it can be activated either on g5 or after White plays f4 it can be strong on the a1-h8 diagonal.  2. The d5-square is weak, however the knight on b3 is at least three moves away from it and cannot really take advantage of it.  3. And last but not least Black has a clear plan of attack on the queenside with b5-b4, a5-a4. White also can push his pawns down the board but somehow he lacks the firepower in that zone.} 17. f4 exf4 18. Nd4 Bd7 19. Rhf1 Bf6 20. Rxf4 Be5 {The bishop on e5 is really strong now.} 21. Rff1 Rac8 22. c3 b5 23. Nf3 Be6 24. Nd4 Bc4 25. Qf3 b4 $1 {White's king position is slowly but surely getting ripped open whereas White has not yet started his play on the kingside.} 26. cxb4 Qb6 $1 27. Bxc4 Rxc4 28. Nc2 Rfc8 {The f7 pawn is not really so important as the king can hide safely on f7. Yet it made sense to take the pawn and then play d2.} 29. Rd2 (29. Qxf7+ Kh8 30. Rd2 Qc6 31. Qf2 Qxe4 (31... a5 {was played by Magnus in the game.}) 32. Re2 $14 {and White should defend this position and might well be slightly better.}) 29... Qc6 (29... Qc7 $1) 30. Qxf7+ Kh8 31. Qf2 a5 32. a3 $2 (32. bxa5 {is a computer move but it looks extremely scary and I won't be surprised if there is a mate somewhere around the corner.} Rb8 33. b3 Rc3 $40) 32... axb4 33. Nxb4 Qxe4+ 34. Ka2 Rxb4 $1 35. axb4 Ra8+ 36. Kb3 Rb8 37. Ka2 Qxb4 {The queen, rook and bishop combine to launch a winning attack against the white king.} 38. Rc1 Qa4+ 39. Kb1 Qe4+ 40. Rcc2 Bxb2 41. Qf3 Qe1+ 42. Rd1 Bd4+ (42... Bd4+ 43. Kc1 Be3+ {with a winning position. A fine game by Magnus Carlsen who had very little difficulty in crushing his talented young opponent.}) 0-1

[Event "Qatar Masters op"]
[Site "Doha"]
[Date "2015.12.26"]
[Round "6"]
[White "So, Wesley"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C97"]
[WhiteElo "2775"]
[BlackElo "2834"]
[Annotator "Marin,Mihail"]
[PlyCount "77"]
[EventDate "2015.12.20"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "QAT"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 170"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.01.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.01.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. c3 d6 9. h3 Na5 {The Chigorin is a rare guest in Carlsen's play.} 10. Bc2 c5 11. d4 Qc7 {But only this move is "new" for his repertoire.} 12. Nbd2 Bd7 13. Nf1 Nc4 $5 {This old specialty of Tigran Vartanovich Petrosian is one of the systems I recommended in "A Spanish Repertoire for Black". Instead of putting pressure on the white centre with committal moves such as ...b7 or ...a5-c6, usually met with d4-d5, Black keeps the global harmony of his position.} (13... Rfe8) (13... cxd4 14. cxd4) 14. b3 (14. Ne3 Nxe3 15. Bxe3 {absolves Black of the problem of finding a good square for his queen's knight.} Rfc8 {This was one (and probably the best) choices of Petrosian.} ({The latest game with this system went} 15... Rfe8 16. d5 {Not really necessary since Black was not threatening to break open the centre} c4 17. Nh2 a5 18. a3 Rab8 19. Bd2 h6 20. Nf1 Nh7 21. Ne3 Bg5 $11 {Naroditsky,D (2622)-Glud,J (2531) Helsingor 2015 (½-½, 24)}) ({Things did not go well for Petrosian in the following game which became famous for his trademark exchange sacrifice:} 15... Be6 16. Nd2 Rfe8 17. f4 Rad8 18. fxe5 dxe5 19. d5 Bd7 20. c4 Rb8 21. a4 b4 22. a5 Rf8 23. Ba4 Bxa4 24. Rxa4 Rbd8 25. Qf3 Rd6 26. Nb3 Nd7 27. Raa1 Rg6 28. Rf1 Bd6 29. h4 Qd8 30. h5 Rf6 31. Qg4 Rf4 $5 {Tal,M-Petrosian,T Riga 1958 URS-ch [ChessBase] (½-½, 73). This position is mentioned by Tal in his foreward to the modern edition of Nimzowitsch's "My system" in Russian.}) 16. Rc1 Bc6 17. Nd2 cxd4 18. cxd4 Qb7 19. d5 Be8 20. Qe2 Bd8 {Karpov,A (2705)-Petrosian,T (2645) Milan 1975 (½-½, 28), with a perfect regrouping for Black.}) ({Against} 14. d5 {Petrosian designed the paradoxical retreat} Nb6 $5 {The main idea is that in order to develop his bishop without having to return at once after ...b6-c4, White would need to play b2-b3. In that case Black could speed up his queenside counterplay with the knight optimally placed.} 15. g4 (15. N3h2 Ne8 16. Ng3 g6 17. Bh6 Ng7 18. Nhf1 Qd8 19. f4 exf4 20. Bxf4 Nc4 21. Qc1 Bf6 22. Bd3 Ne5 $15 {Palac,M (2591)-Delchev,A (2598) Skopje 2015 (½-½, 42)}) (15. b3 a5 {[%cal Gc5c4,Ra5a4]}) 15... h5 $1 16. gxh5 ({In a modern game White reacted poorly:} 16. N3h2 hxg4 17. hxg4 Nh7 18. Ng3 Bg5 $15 {Dvirnyy,D (2459)-Vocaturo,D (2480) Brescia 2009 (0-1, 49)}) 16... Bxh3 17. N3h2 Bxf1 18. Nxf1 Qd7 19. Ng3 Qh3 20. Qf3 g6 21. Bd1 Rfe8 22. Qg2 Qxg2+ 23. Kxg2 {Kasparov,G-Petrosian,T (2610) Banja Luka 1979 (½-½, 23)}) 14... Nb6 15. Ne3 c4 {Virtually forced since White was threatening dxe5 followed by c3-c4 and d5.} 16. Ba3 Rfe8 17. Qd2 Bf8 {A typical position for this line: White cannot fully enjoy his advantage in the centre due to Black's queenside pressure.} 18. bxc4 {A rare move. White usually tries increasing the pressure in the centre, but without any special consequences.} (18. Rad1 a5 19. dxe5 dxe5 20. Bxf8 Kxf8 21. Nd5 (21. Qd6+ Qxd6 22. Rxd6 cxb3 23. axb3 Nc8 24. Rd2 Nb6 25. c4 bxc4 26. bxc4 Rac8 $11 {The same line with a white rook on a1, resulting after 18.ed1 given below, would not work since the a5- and e5-pawns would be hanging.}) 21... Nbxd5 22. exd5 Qd6 $2 (22... cxb3 23. axb3 Rac8 24. Re3 e4 25. Ne1 Qb6 $15) 23. bxc4 bxc4 24. Qe3 e4 25. Nd2 Nxd5 26. Qd4 $16 {Nijboer,F (2552)-Bosch,J (2456) Dieren 2009 (1-0, 33)}) (18. Rab1 a5 19. bxc4 Nxc4 20. Nxc4 bxc4 21. d5 Rab8 22. Qe2 {Nijboer,F (2583)-Pruijssers,R (2487) Groningen 2011 (1-0, 59)} Nh5 $5 23. g3 g6) (18. Red1 a5 (18... Bc6 {looks like the best way to take advantage of the rook's departure from e1.}) 19. dxe5 dxe5 20. Bxf8 Kxf8 21. Qd6+ Qxd6 22. Rxd6 Nc8 23. Rd2 cxb3 24. axb3 Bc6 (24... Nb6 25. c4 $14 {[%cal Ge3d5]}) 25. Nd5 (25. c4 $1 bxc4 26. Nxc4 $14) 25... Bxd5 26. exd5 Nd6 $15 {Bildat,J (2098)-Wenzel,B (2072) Hamburg 2011 (½-½, 36)}) 18... Nxc4 19. Nxc4 bxc4 20. Rab1 Rab8 21. Rxb8 $146 (21. Rbd1 Rb6 22. Bb4 {1-0 (51) Bannik,A-Lilienthal,A Yerevan 1954} Rb7) ({RR} 21. Rbd1 Rb6 22. Bb4 Qa7 23. Qe3 Rbb8 24. Qe2 Qc7 25. Rd2 a5 26. Ba3 Nh5 27. Qd1 Nf4 28. dxe5 Bxh3 29. exd6 Qd7 30. Nh4 Re5 31. Re3 Rg5 32. Rg3 Rxg3 33. fxg3 Bg4 34. Qe1 Ne2+ 35. Rxe2 Bxe2 {Bannik,A-Lilienthal,A Yerevan 1954 1-0 (51)}) 21... Rxb8 22. Bb4 {Securing the bishop against the threat ...a5.} h6 23. Rd1 a5 24. Ba3 {The position is about equal. In principle, one would say that it could only be White who might take a decision in the centre, but Carlsen thinks differently.} Bc6 $5 ({A waiting move such as} 24... Rb7 {possibly followed by ...b7-b8, would have given White a hard job making any shadow of progress.}) 25. Qe2 (25. dxe5 $6 dxe5 26. Bxf8 Kxf8 27. Qd6+ $2 Qxd6 28. Rxd6 Bxe4 $17 {[%csl Ga2,Gc3]}) 25... exd4 $5 (25... Bd7 $11) 26. Qxc4 {Any other capture would be met with ...xe4, based on different tactical nuances.} (26. cxd4 Bxe4 27. Bxe4 Re8 28. Nd2 d5 $17) (26. Rxd4 Bxe4 27. Bxe4 d5 28. Bxf8 Nxe4 29. Bxg7 (29. Ba3 Nxc3 30. Qe3 Rb1+ 31. Ne1 Nb5 $17) 29... Kxg7 30. Qc2 Qb6 31. Rxd5 Qb1+ 32. Qxb1 Rxb1+ 33. Kh2 Nxc3 34. Rxa5 Nd1 $11 {[%csl Gf2][%cal Gc4c3]}) (26. Nxd4 Bxe4 27. Bxe4 Nxe4 28. Qxe4 d5 29. Qxd5 Rd8 {It is important to pin the white knight.} (29... Bxa3 $2 30. Nb5 Qe7 31. Nxa3 Qxa3 32. Qxc4 $16) 30. Qb5 Bxa3 $11) 26... dxc3 27. Qxc3 Rc8 28. Qd4 {Optically, White has the better structure but in fact his e4-pawn is just as vulnerable as the d6-pawn. Defending it with f2-f3 would create weaknesses on the dark squares so all in all the position remains balanced.} Bd5 $5 {An amusing way to anticipate a possible attack along the a2-g8 diagonal..} (28... Bb7 29. Bd3 Nd7 30. Rc1 Nc5 $11) 29. Bb1 (29. Rc1 $5 Be6 $1 (29... Bxa2 $6 30. Qa1 Be6 31. e5 dxe5 32. Bh7+ $14) 30. Bb3 Qd7 $11) 29... Be6 {If White does not create mating threats along the b1-h7 diagonal the bishop risks becoming a sourece of worries.} 30. Qe3 Rb8 (30... d5 $5 31. Bxf8 Rxf8 32. e5 Ne4 33. Rc1 Qb8 34. Nd4 {The perfect blockade on d4 is compensated for by the queenside weaknesses.} Qb2 $132 (34... Qxe5 35. f3 Qg5 36. Qxg5 Nxg5 37. Rc5 Ra8 38. Kf2 $44)) 31. Nd4 Bd7 32. Rc1 Qb6 {The game lasts for a few more moves but neither of the players managed to find a constructive plan to improve his position.} 33. Qd2 Re8 34. Re1 a4 35. Bc2 Qb7 36. Qd3 Qc7 37. Qd2 Qb7 38. Qd3 Qc7 39. Qd2 1/2-1/2

[Event "Qatar Masters op"]
[Site "Doha"]
[Date "2015.12.27"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Giri, Anish"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B92"]
[WhiteElo "2834"]
[BlackElo "2784"]
[Annotator "ChessBase"]
[PlyCount "103"]
[EventDate "2015.12.20"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "QAT"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 170"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.01.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.01.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[TimeControl "6000+670"]
[WhiteClock "0:32:18"]
[BlackClock "0:26:39"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 Nf6 4. Nc3 cxd4 5. Nxd4 a6 6. Be2 {Carlsen - mit einem halben Punkt Vorsprung in der Tabelle - scheut riskante Varianten und versucht mit diesem System einen kleinen Vorteil zu bekommen und danach zu drücken.} e5 7. Nb3 Be7 8. Bg5 Be6 (8... Nc6 $5 {war Carlsens Wahl in der vierten Runde} 9. Qd3 Nb4 10. Qd2 h6 11. Bxf6 Bxf6 12. Nd5 Nxd5 13. Qxd5 Qc7 14. O-O-O Be7 15. Kb1 Be6 $15 {0-1 (42) Duda,J (2663)-Carlsen,M (2834) 2015}) 9. Bxf6 Bxf6 10. Qd3 Be7 11. Nd5 Nd7 12. Rd1 (12. O-O-O Bxd5 13. Qxd5 Qc7 $11 {bringt etwas Schärfe in die Stellung, doch gibt Schwarz auch einen potentiellen Königsangriff}) 12... Bxd5 13. Qxd5 Qc7 {Diagramm [#] Ein sehr typisches Szenario der Najdorf-Variante: Weiß hat das Feld d5 fest unter Kontrolle und setzt nun alles daran, eine Leichtrigur, im Optimalfall den Springer dorthin zu bringen. Mögliche Zugangsfelder sind e3 und b4, da der Bauer auf c2 auf c3 gestellt werden muss, da er ansonsten schwer zu decken ist. Nach e3 oder b4 kommt der Springer am besten über d2-f1-->e3 oder a1-c2 --> e3/b4} 14. Nd2 {bringt den Springer über zweitgenannte Route auf den Weg Richtung d5 - wo er allerdings nie ankommen wird} (14. Qc4 Qxc4 15. Bxc4 Nf6 16. Bd5 Nxd5 17. Rxd5 Rc8 {ist die optimale Figurenverteilung für Weiß, doch auch hier ist der Sb3 zu weit vom Idealziel d5 entfernt - zudem kann Schwarz schnell seine Entwicklung vollenden und mit .. .f5 das weiße Zentrum attackieren.} 18. c3 g6 19. Ke2 Kd7 20. Rhd1 Ke6 21. Nd2 f5 22. a4 Rhd8 23. c4 Rc6 24. b3 Rf8 25. f4 exf4 26. Kf3 Rc5 27. Re1 Kd7 28. Rxc5 dxc5 29. exf5 Rxf5 30. Ne4 h5 31. Nc3 g5 32. h3 Bd6 33. Nd5 Be5 34. h4 gxh4 35. Rh1 Rg5 36. Rxh4 Rg3+ 37. Ke4 Bd6 38. Rxh5 Rxb3 39. Rh6 Rb2 40. Nf6+ Kc6 41. Kf5 Bb8 42. a5 {1/2-1/2 (42) Vachier Lagrave,M (2766)-Wojtaszek,R (2733) Biel 2014}) (14. c3 $5 O-O 15. O-O b5 16. Na1 {[%cal Ga1c2,Gc2b4,Gc2e3] wäre die Alternative gewesen: Der Vorteil von dem Sc2 ist klar ersichtlich: Schwarz muss sich um beide Problemfelder gleichzeitig kümmern}) ({RR} 14. O-O O-O 15. c4 Rfc8 16. Qd3 Rd8 17. Bg4 Nf6 18. Bh3 b5 19. Rc1 Qb6 20. Nd2 Qb7 21. Rfe1 Bf8 22. b3 g6 23. Rc2 Bh6 24. Nf1 bxc4 25. Rxc4 a5 26. g3 Qb5 27. Qf3 Kg7 28. Ne3 Bxe3 {Putnam,L (2462)-Griffith,K (2403) New York USA 2025 1-0 (42)}) 14... O-O 15. O-O (15. Nc4 $6 {funktioniert ohne Rochade nicht} Nf6 16. Qd3 b5 17. Ne3 Qa5+ {[%csl Ga2]}) 15... b5 16. c3 g6 $146 ({RR} 16... Rad8 17. Bf3 Kh8 18. Rfe1 Nb6 19. Qb3 d5 20. Nf1 f5 21. exd5 e4 22. Be2 Qc5 23. Ng3 Bh4 24. Qb4 Qxb4 25. cxb4 Nxd5 26. a3 g6 27. Bf1 Bf6 {½-½ (27) Makka,I (2167)-Cramling Bellon,A (1978) Caleta 2018}) ({RR} 16... Rfd8 17. Rfe1 Bg5 18. Nf1 Nf6 19. Qd3 Qc5 20. Bf3 Rac8 21. g3 h5 22. h4 Bh6 23. a3 g6 24. Kg2 Qc4 25. Ne3 Bxe3 26. Qxe3 Kg7 27. Rd2 Qc5 28. Qd3 Qb6 29. Qe3 Qxe3 30. Rxe3 Kf8 31. Bd1 {Guliev,L (2389)-Idani,P (2496) Nakhchivan 2015 ½-½ (80)}) 17. a3 {mit der möglichen Drohung c4 - folgende Konstellation wäre für Weiß gut} Rab8 (17... Rfe8 $2 18. c4 Nb6 19. Qd3 bxc4 20. Nxc4 Nxc4 21. Qxc4 Qxc4 22. Bxc4 $16) 18. Rfe1 Rfd8 19. Qa2 (19. Nf1 $2 Nf6 20. Qd3 d5 $15) 19... Nc5 20. Bf1 Bg5 21. Nb3 {spätestens hier ist klar, dass der weiße Plan nicht aufgegangen ist, der Springer hat auf b3 keine Zukunft} Qc6 22. Na5 Qc7 23. Nb3 Qc6 24. Rd5 Nd7 25. Rd3 Nc5 26. Rf3 $5 (26. Rd5 {mit Remisschluss wäre eine logische Folge gewesen. Doch Carlsen findet eine interessante Ressource, der Partie noch einmal Leben einzuhauchen.}) 26... Rd7 {Diagramm [#]} 27. Na5 Qa8 28. Qd5 Qxd5 29. exd5 {Schwarz ist von seinem Problemfeld d5 erlöst und kann nun seine Bauernmehrheit auf den Vormarsch bringen. Weiß hingegen hat mit b4 nebst c4 und Spiel auf den weißen Feldern einen ebenso konkreten Plan.} e4 30. Rh3 f5 31. Nc6 Rb6 32. b4 Na4 33. c4 Rc7 34. Rb3 {soweit verlief in diesem Partiestadium alles logisch, nun ist es für beide Seiten schwer die Stellung wirklich zu verstärken ohne große Schwächen zu kreieren.} Bd2 {gibt das Zugrecht ab, allerdings steht der Turm auf d1 schlechter als auf e1} (34... Bf6 35. f3 $13) 35. Rd1 Bg5 36. g3 Bf6 37. Rc1 Rbxc6 $5 {nicht erzwungen, da c5 wohl nicht drohte, aber aussichtsreich} (37... Kg7 38. f3 $5 $13 (38. c5 $2 Rbxc6 39. dxc6 Rxc6 $15)) 38. dxc6 Rxc6 39. Rbb1 Bg5 40. Rc2 d5 41. c5 d4 42. Rd1 Bf6 $1 (42... d3 $2 43. Bxd3 exd3 44. Rxd3 $16) 43. Rcd2 Nc3 {wickelt in ein Endspiel ab, dass mit etwas genauem Spiel von Schwarz remis ist} 44. Rxd4 Nxd1 45. Rxd1 Bb2 46. Rd8+ Kf7 47. Ra8 Bxa3 48. Bxb5 Rc7 (48... axb5 $2 49. Rxa3 $16) 49. Rxa6 Bxb4 50. c6 Ke7 51. Rb6 Bd6 52. Rb7 1/2-1/2

[Event "Qatar Masters op"]
[Site "Doha"]
[Date "2015.12.29"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Kramnik, Vladimir"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C67"]
[WhiteElo "2834"]
[BlackElo "2796"]
[PlyCount "60"]
[EventDate "2015.12.20"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "QAT"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 170"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.01.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.01.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. Re1 Nd6 6. Nxe5 Be7 7. Bf1 Nxe5 8. Rxe5 O-O 9. d4 Bf6 10. Re1 Re8 11. c3 Rxe1 12. Qxe1 Ne8 13. Bf4 d5 14. Bd3 g6 15. Nd2 Ng7 16. Nf3 Bf5 17. Bxf5 Nxf5 18. Qe2 c6 19. Re1 Ng7 20. Be5 Bxe5 21. Nxe5 Qd6 22. Qf3 f6 23. Nd3 Re8 24. Rxe8+ Nxe8 25. Qe3 Ng7 26. h3 Kf7 27. Qh6 Kg8 28. Qe3 Kf7 29. Qh6 Kg8 30. Qe3 Kf7 $146 ({RR} 30... g5) 1/2-1/2

[Event "Tata Steel-A 78th"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2016.01.18"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Wei, Yi"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C89"]
[WhiteElo "2706"]
[BlackElo "2844"]
[Annotator "Marin,Mihail"]
[PlyCount "119"]
[EventDate "2016.01.16"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 171"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.03.14"]
[SourceVersion "2"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.03.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 {Sagar,Shah} e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. c3 {I might be subjective, but my feeling is that Carlsen is allowed more frequently to play the genuine Marshall than any other of his colleagues. If this is true, the natural question is whether his opponents trust that despite his phenomenal positional feeling Carlsen may be less strong in concrete opening variations or on the contrary they want to play safe, keeping a draw in their pocket. Be it as it may, the present game contradicts both points of view as White got a slightly worse position out of the opening.} d5 9. exd5 Nxd5 ({RR} 9... e4 10. dxc6 exf3 11. d4 ({RR} 11. Qxf3 Bg4 12. Qg3 ({RR} 12. Qe3 Re8) 12... Bd6 13. Qh4) 11... fxg2 12. Qf3) 10. Nxe5 Nxe5 11. Rxe5 c6 12. d3 ({RR} 12. d4) 12... Bd6 13. Re1 Bf5 (13... Qh4 {is slightly more popular. Here is just a recent example:} 14. g3 Qh3 15. Re4 Nf6 16. Rh4 Qf5 17. Bc2 Re8 18. d4 Qe6 19. Nd2 Qe1+ 20. Qxe1 Rxe1+ 21. Kg2 Bb7 22. f3 Rae8 23. Bd3 c5 24. Kf2 c4 $6 (24... cxd4 25. Ne4 R1xe4 26. fxe4 dxc3 27. bxc3 Bxe4 $44) 25. Be4 Nxe4+ 26. Nxe4 Bxe4 27. Kxe1 Bd3+ 28. Re4 Bxe4 29. fxe4 Rxe4+ 30. Kf2 $14 {1-0 (62) Ivanov,O (2513)-Balashov,Y (2418) Moscow 2015}) ({RR} 13... Qh4 14. g3 Qh3 15. Re4 g5 16. Bxg5 Qf5 17. Bh6) 14. Qf3 Qh4 ({Deviating from a game of his own:} 14... Bg6 15. Bxd5 cxd5 16. Bf4 {Anand,V (2791)-Carlsen,M (2863) Shamkir 2015 CBM 166 [Pavlovic,M] (½-½, 53), in which he had to struggle hard to reach a draw.}) 15. g3 ({RR} 15. Qxf5 Qxh2+ 16. Kf1 Rae8 ({RR} 16... Qh1+ 17. Ke2 Rae8+ 18. Be3 Nxe3 19. Rxh1 Nxf5+ 20. Kf3) 17. Be3 Nf4) 15... Qh3 16. Be3 ({It is the Chinese player's turn to deviate from an earlier game between the same players as above, but with reversed colours:} 16. Bxd5 cxd5 17. Be3 Bxd3 18. Qxd5 Rad8 19. Qf3 Rfe8 20. Nd2 Qf5 21. Qxf5 Bxf5 {Carlsen,M (2548)-Anand,V (2785) Leon 2005 (½-½, 30)}) ({RR} 16. Nd2 Rae8 17. Ne4 Bg4 18. Qg2 Qxg2+ 19. Kxg2 f5 20. h3 Bh5 21. Bf4 Bxf4 22. gxf4 fxe4 23. dxe4 Bf3+ 24. Kxf3 Rxf4+ 25. Kg3 Rfxe4) ({RR} 16. Bxd5 cxd5 17. Qxd5 Rad8 18. Qg2) 16... Bxd3 17. Nd2 {White has returned the extra pawn for the sake of completing the development. Even though the structure is more or less symmetrical, the position is not dull at all. Black's minor pieces seem more active, but they can easily be exposed depending how things turn out. The same applies to Black's queenside space advantage: due to the permanent threats c3-c4 and a2-a4 Black's pawns may become weak.} ({RR} 17. Bxd5 cxd5 18. Qxd5 Rad8 19. Qg2 Qc8 20. Nd2 Bf5 21. Bd4 Rfe8 22. f3 Bf8 23. a3 Re6 24. Rxe6 Qxe6 25. Qf2 Re8 26. Nf1 h5 27. Ne3 Bh3 28. Re1 Qc6 29. Ng2 Rxe1+ 30. Nxe1 Qg6 31. Qc2 Bf5 {Carlsen,M (2870)-Ding,L (2801) Kolkata 2019 1-0 (59)}) 17... Qf5 {Since Black has no attacking chances anymore, the queen returns to the centre.} ({RR} 17... Bf5 18. Bxd5 cxd5 19. Bf4 Rad8 20. Bxd6 Rxd6 21. Re5 Bg4 22. Qd3 Rh6 23. Nf1 Rf6 24. Nd2 Rh6 25. Nf1 Rf6 26. Re3 Bf5 27. Qe2 Be6 28. Rd1 Rg6 29. Rd4 Rg4 30. f4 Rg6 31. Re5 Bg4 32. Qg2 {Nguyen,T (2668)-Keymer,V (2731) Prague CZE 2025 ½-½ (88)}) 18. Bd4 {For the time being both players maintain the tension.} (18. Qxf5 Bxf5 19. Bd4 Rfd8 20. a4 Bf8 {½-½ (27) Ivanchuk,V (2751)-Aronian,L (2739) Nice 2008}) (18. Rad1 Rfe8 19. Qxf5 Bxf5 20. Bxd5 cxd5 21. Nb3 {Polgar,J (2707)-Leko,P (2753) Wijk aan Zee 2008 (½-½, 35)}) 18... Rae8 {In view of the next rook lift to e6, it looks logical to keep the other rook on f8,} ({but} 18... Rfe8 {is also played as in Leko,P (2708)-Svidler,P (2745) Reykjavik 2015 (½-½, 41)}) ({RR} 18... Qxf3 19. Nxf3 Rfe8 20. Be5 ({RR} 20. Ne5 Bxe5 21. Bxe5 Nb6)) 19. Kg2 Qxf3+ $146 {Preparing the rook lift without losing more time.} (19... h6 20. a4 Qxf3+ 21. Kxf3 ({RR} 21. Nxf3 Be4) 21... Re6 22. axb5 ({RR} 22. Rxe6 fxe6+ 23. Kg2 c5) 22... axb5 23. Kg2 {Vachier Lagrave,M (2731)-Adams,M (2740) Biel 2015 CBM 168 [Sagar Shah] (1-0, 42)}) ({RR} 19... h6 20. a4 Qxf3+ 21. Kxf3 Re6 22. axb5 axb5 23. Kg2 Rfe8 24. Rxe6 Rxe6 25. c4 bxc4 26. Nxc4 Be4+ ({RR} 26... Bc7 27. Na5 Be4+ 28. f3 Bd3 29. Nxc6 Rxc6 30. Bxd5 Rd6 31. Be5 Rxd5 32. Bxc7 Rc5 33. Bf4 Rc2+) 27. f3 Bd3 28. Nxd6 Rxd6 29. Kf2 Rd7 30. Ra3 Nc7 31. Be3 ({RR} 31. Bxf7+ Kxf7 32. Rxd3 c5) 31... Nd5 32. Bc5 f6 33. Ba4 Bb5 34. Bc2 {Vachier Lagrave,M (2731)-Adams,M (2740) Biel 2015 CBM 168 [Sagar,Shah] 1-0 (42)} {RR} Kf7 35. Bf5 Rb7 36. Bc8 Rb8 37. Ra7+ Kg6 38. Be6 h5) 20. Kxf3 Re6 21. Rac1 {With the obvious idea of finding a good moment to play c3-c4.} ({One of the points behind Carlsen's novelty is that} 21. a4 {can be answered with} bxa4 $5 {The e1-rook is hanging and the intermediate exchange on e6 loses a piece after ...fxe6 check!} 22. Bxa4 c5 23. Be3 Nxe3 24. Rxe3 c4 {[%csl Gd3,Gd6]}) (21. Rxe6 fxe6+ 22. Kg2 {can lead to interesting play:} c5 23. Re1 Bf4 $3 (23... cxd4 24. Rxe6 $16) (23... Kf7 24. Be5 {with a pleasant blockade.}) 24. Bxc5 (24. gxf4 cxd4 $13) (24. Rxe6 c4 $17) 24... Bxd2 25. Rxe6 Rd8 26. Rxa6 {[%cal Ga6a8]} Bc4 $8 {White's three pawns compensate for the missing knight, but possibly not more.}) 21... h6 $5 {This move and White's reply show that both sides have problems making progress. The position is in some sort of dynamic balance, or, exaggerating a bit, mutual zugzwang. Still, I am not sure about the merits of Black's last move.} ({True,} 21... Rfe8 $2 22. Rxe6 Rxe6 23. c4 $16 {causes Black problems.}) ({But I would consider} 21... a5 {Black's main candidate, aiming to put Black's queenside space advantage to work.} 22. c4 ({White could renew the pseudo-zugzwang with the neutral} 22. a3 $5 a4 23. Ba2) (22. a4 bxa4 23. Bxa4 c5 $132) 22... bxc4 23. Bxc4 (23. Nxc4 $4 a4 {wins a piece.}) 23... Bb4 24. Red1 Bxd2 25. Rxd2 Be4+ 26. Ke2 Bg2+ 27. Kd1 a4 $5 {[%cal Gf8d8] Black's superior activity and the slight exposure of the white king compensate for the bishop pair.}) 22. Kg2 {White avoids the check in case of a later exchange on e6, but taking the king away from the centre looks a bit like a counter-developing move.} (22. c4 $5 c5 {White has to permanently count with this counter-blow.} (22... Nb4 $6 23. Rxe6 fxe6+ 24. Ke3 $16) (22... Rxe1 23. Rxe1 Nb4 24. c5 Bb8 25. Bc3 a5 26. Kg2 $1 $14 {[%csl Rc6,Rf7][%cal Gd2f3,Gf3e5] Now is a good moment for this retreat!}) 23. cxd5 Rxe1 24. Rxe1 cxd4 25. Ne4 Bxe4+ 26. Rxe4 Bc5 27. Ke2 Rc8 28. Kd3 Kf8 29. Re2 {In principle the position should be drawn, but while there are rooks on the board White can try exerting some pressure.. His king is perfectly placed and the black queenside is weakened.}) (22. a3 a5 ({What else? If} 22... g5 23. Kg2 $5 {Black does not have the plan based on ...g6 followed by ...f4 anymore.}) 23. c4 {leads to a similar ending as above:} c5 (23... Rxe1 24. Rxe1 Nf6 25. c5 Bb8 26. Re7 $14) 24. cxd5 Rxe1 25. Rxe1 cxd4 26. Ne4 Bxe4+ 27. Rxe4 Bc5 28. Ke2 a4 29. Ba2 Rc8 30. Kd3 {with the same evaluation.}) ({By the way, with his king on f3 White cannot try playing against the Isolani with} 22. Bxd5 $6 cxd5 23. Nb3 $2 {due to} Be4+ 24. Ke2 Bb1+ 25. Kd2 Bxa2) 22... Rg6 {Finally exiting the tension along the e-file.} 23. Ne4 {This leads to lively play with entirely adequate counterplay for Black.} ({Now was a good moment to settle for a slightly better ending against the Isolani with} 23. Bxd5 $5 cxd5 24. Be5 Bc5 25. Nb3 Bb6 26. Bd4 $14) 23... Nf4+ 24. Kf3 {As we see the king didn't find peace on g2. After returning to f3, it will soon allow Black to gain another tempo with a knight move.} Bxe4+ 25. Rxe4 (25. Kxe4 c5 $1 26. Bxc5 (26. gxf4 cxd4 27. cxd4 Rg4 $15) 26... Bxc5 27. Kxf4 Rf6+ 28. Kg4 Rxf2 $11) 25... Nd3 (25... c5 26. gxf4 cxd4 27. cxd4 $16 {[%csl Gf4]}) 26. Rd1 {The principled move, fighting for the initiative at the cost of a temporary pawn sacrifice.} (26. Rb1 c5 27. Be3 Rd8 {[%cal Gd6f8]} 28. Bc2 f5 $1 29. Rh4 Bf8 {with better coordination for Black, compensating for White's bishop pair.}) 26... Nxb2 27. Rd2 Ba3 28. Bb6 Rd6 29. Rxd6 Bxd6 30. Re2 Nd3 $5 {The knight is heading for c4 to neutralise the bishop's pressure against f7, but on the way it will drive the enemy king away from the centre for the second time in this game.} (30... Nc4 $11) 31. Rd2 Ne5+ 32. Kg2 Be7 33. f4 Nc4 34. Bxc4 bxc4 35. Rd7 Bf6 36. Rc7 Bxc3 37. Rxc6 Rb8 {More or less forced play has resulted in an ending where White needs some caution to make a draw. In principle, due to his activity many roads lead to Rome, but the problem is finding just one of them (and not a false path) and sticking to it.} 38. a4 ({There is no need to simplify to an ending with a pawn down, even though it should be drawn.} 38. Rxc4 Rxb6 39. Rxc3 Rb2+ 40. Kf3 Rxa2 41. Rc8+ Kh7 42. Ra8 h5 {This type of ending is heavily analysed with the standard pawn positioning on f2, g3, h4, but the present structure is less usual. In principle it looks less favourable for White, as his king is exposed and the pawns more vulnerable, but it should not suffice for a win. I have found a game to which we will transpose after just a few (some of them dumb) moves:} 43. Ke4 (43. h3 $6 Ra3+ 44. Kf2 {forces the king to stay passive.}) 43... g6 44. Kf3 Kg7 45. Ra7 a5 ({This is necessary only for... transposing. But Black does not get much if he keeps the sixth rank defended for a while:} 45... Kf6 46. Ke4 Ke6 47. Kf3) 46. Ra6 a4 47. h3 $6 {This puts White on the edge.} (47. Ke3) 47... a3 48. Ra5 Ra1 49. Kg2 Kf6 50. Ra6+ Ke7 51. g4 h4 52. g5 a2 53. Kh2 {In order to win, Black needs to create a passed pawn on the f-file, but this is not achievable. A g-pawn or a h-pawn would not suffice.} Kd7 54. Kg2 Kc7 55. Ra8 Kb7 56. Ra3 Kc6 57. Ra6+ Kd5 58. Ra7 Ke6 59. Ra6+ Ke7 60. Ra7+ Ke6 61. Ra6+ Kd5 62. Ra7 Ke4 63. Re7+ ({Actually even} 63. Kh2 Kf3 64. Ra3+ Kxf4 65. Ra5 {is drawn.} Ke4 66. Kg2 Ke3 {[%cal Ga1d1,Gd1d2]} 67. Ra3+ $1) 63... Kxf4 64. Rxf7+ Kxg5 65. Ra7 Kh6 66. Ra4 g5 67. Ra6+ Kg7 68. Ra7+ Kg6 {½-½ Fominyh,A (2518)-Deepan Chakkravarthy,J (2428) Hyderabad 2006}) 38... Bb2 ({During the game I thought} 38... a5 {was more consistent, but it is just an illusion.} 39. Kf3 ({I had in view} 39. Rxc4 $6 Rxb6 40. Rxc3 Rb4 41. Ra3 {when Black has more space than in the game, with increased chances to outplay his opponent.}) 39... Bb4 40. Bd4 c3 41. Ke4) 39. Ba5 c3 40. Bxc3 Bxc3 41. Rxc3 Rb4 42. a5 Rb5 43. Ra3 {The white rook is passive, but White does not have weaknesses on the kingside, making the draw quite obvious. In the worst case he can transpose to the previous ending, of course, but he can choose the circumstances under which to do it.} Rb2+ 44. Kh3 f5 45. Rc3 Rb5 46. Ra3 g5 (46... Kf7 47. Kh4 $11) 47. fxg5 hxg5 48. Kg2 Kg7 49. h4 g4 50. Rc3 $1 Rxa5 51. Rc6 Ra2+ 52. Kg1 a5 53. Ra6 a4 54. Kh1 Kf7 55. Kg1 Ra1+ 56. Kg2 Ra3 57. Kh2 Ra2+ 58. Kg1 Ke7 59. Kh1 a3 60. Kg1 (60. Kg1 Kd7 61. Kh1 (61. Rf6 $4 Rb2 $19) 61... Kc7 62. Kg1 Kb7 63. Ra4 Kb6 64. h5 $11) 1/2-1/2

[Event "Tata Steel-A 78th"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2016.01.24"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Karjakin, Sergey"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C79"]
[WhiteElo "2769"]
[BlackElo "2844"]
[PlyCount "62"]
[EventDate "2016.01.16"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 171"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.03.14"]
[SourceVersion "2"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.03.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 {Pavlovic,Milos} e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 g6 4. O-O Bg7 5. c3 a6 6. Ba4 d6 7. d4 Bd7 8. Re1 Nf6 ({RR} 8... Nge7 9. Be3 O-O 10. Nbd2 Qe8 11. Bb3 Kh8 12. h3 h6 13. Nf1 Na5 14. Bc2 Nc4 15. Bc1 Qd8 16. Ng3 Nb6 17. b3 a5 18. Be3 a4 19. Qd2 Kh7 20. Rad1) ({RR} 8... b5 9. Bb3 Nf6 10. Bg5 h6 11. Bh4 O-O 12. Nbd2 ({RR} 12. dxe5 Nxe5 13. Nxe5 dxe5 14. Nd2 Qe7 15. Nf1 Rfd8 ({RR} 15... Rad8 16. Qe2 c5 17. Bxf6 Qxf6 18. Bd5 h5 19. c4 Bh6 20. Rad1 b4 21. Rd3 Bg4 22. f3 Bc8 23. Nd2 Rd7 24. Qf2 Rc7 25. Rd1 a5 26. a4 Bd7 27. b3 h4 ({RR} 27... g5 28. Nf1)) 16. Ne3 Be6 17. Qc2 c6 18. a4 h5 19. Bg5 Kh7 20. Red1 Bxb3 21. Qxb3 Bh6 22. Bxf6 Qxf6 23. axb5 axb5 24. Rxa8 Rxa8 25. Nc2 Bf8 26. Ne1 Bc5) 12... exd4 13. Nxd4 Re8 ({RR} 13... Qb8 14. N2f3 Qb7 15. Nxc6 Bxc6 16. e5 dxe5 17. Nxe5 g5 18. Nxc6 Qxc6 19. Bg3) 14. Bd5 ({RR} 14. Bc2 Qb8 15. Nf1 Qb7 16. f3 Rac8 17. Nxc6 Bxc6 18. Qd2 Nd7 19. Ne3) 14... Nxd4 15. Bxa8 Qxa8 16. Bxf6 Bxf6 17. cxd4 Bxd4 18. Qc2) 9. d5 Ne7 ({RR} 9... Nb8 10. c4 O-O 11. Nc3 Bg4 12. h3 Bxf3 13. Qxf3 Nbd7 14. Be3 Kh8 15. b4) 10. Bxd7+ Nxd7 11. Be3 Ng8 ({RR} 11... h6 12. Nfd2 f5 13. f3 Bf6 ({RR} 13... f4 14. Bf2 g5 15. c4 h5 16. Nc3 Ng6 ({RR} 16... Bh6 17. b4 Rg8 18. c5 g4 19. Kh1 g3 20. Bg1 gxh2 21. Bf2 Nc8 22. Re2 Qg5 23. Qf1 h4 24. Nc4 Nf6) 17. Rc1 Bf8 18. b4 Be7 19. c5 dxc5 20. d6 cxd6 21. Nc4 Nf6 22. Nd5) 14. Bf2 O-O 15. c4 Bg5 16. Nc3 b6 ({RR} 16... h5 17. b4 Nf6 18. c5 Kh7 19. Nc4) 17. b4 Nf6 18. c5 h5 19. Nc4 ({RR} 19. exf5 gxf5 20. Nc4 Rb8 21. cxd6 cxd6 22. b5 a5 23. Na4 Nc8) ({RR} 19. cxd6 cxd6 20. b5 a5 21. Na4 Rb8 22. Rc1 fxe4 23. fxe4 Ng4) 19... Rb8 20. cxd6 cxd6 21. Qb3 ({RR} 21. b5 a5 22. Na4 Nc8) 21... Kh7 22. b5 a5 23. Na4 fxe4 24. fxe4 Nc8 25. h3 h4 26. Qd1 {Karjakin,S (2772)-Sasikiran,K (2660) Tromsoe 2013 CBM 156 [Pavlovic,Milos] 1-0 (42)} {RR} Nh5 27. Nd2 Rb7 28. Nf3 Rbf7) ({RR} 11... O-O 12. c4 h6 13. Nfd2 f5 14. f3 a5 15. Nc3 f4 16. Bf2 h5 17. a3 g5 18. b4 Nf6 19. c5 Ng6 20. Nc4 axb4 21. axb4 Rxa1 22. Qxa1 g4 23. Kh1 g3 24. Bg1 gxh2 25. Bf2 Ne8 26. Qa7 {Alonso Garcia,A (2458)-Fiorito,F (2274) Granada ESP 2025 0-1 (45)}) 12. c4 $146 ({RR} 12. h3 Bh6 13. Bxh6 Nxh6 14. Qc1 Ng8 15. b4 Ngf6 16. Qh6 Ng8 17. Qe3 Ngf6 18. Qh6 Ng8 19. Qe3 Ngf6 {½-½ (19) Pijpers,A (2473)-Sandipan,C (2568) Leiden 2016}) 12... Bh6 13. Nc3 ({RR} 13. Qd2 Bxe3 14. Qxe3 Ngf6 15. Nc3 O-O 16. Rac1 Qe7 17. b4 a5 18. a3 axb4 19. axb4 Ra3) 13... Bxe3 14. Rxe3 Ngf6 15. b4 O-O 16. Rc1 Qe7 17. Nd2 a5 18. a3 axb4 19. axb4 Nb6 20. h3 Rfc8 21. Ra1 Rxa1 22. Qxa1 Ra8 23. Qb2 Qe8 24. Qc2 c6 25. Kh2 Qc8 26. dxc6 Qxc6 27. Qb3 Kg7 28. Rd3 Ra1 29. Qb2 Ra8 30. Qb3 Ra1 31. Qb2 Ra8 1/2-1/2

[Event "Tata Steel-A 78th"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2016.01.26"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Adams, Michael"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C54"]
[WhiteElo "2844"]
[BlackElo "2744"]
[Annotator "Carlsen,Magnus"]
[PlyCount "131"]
[EventDate "2016.01.16"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 171"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.03.14"]
[SourceVersion "2"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.03.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 {Sagar,Shah/CB Website The first time I've ever tried 1.e4 against Mickey in classical chess} e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 {But alas, the free day before the game was not spent refuting his Ruy/Berlin repertoire} Bc5 4. O-O d6 {Avoiding the Max Power (Max Lange) attack after ...f6 d4.} 5. c3 Nf6 6. d3 {I remembered that Saric got an advantage with d4 b6 dxe5 against Aronian in last year's Tata, but I assumed Mickey had that covered.} h6 {Avoiding g5. Against the Italian such liberties can often be taken. Besides he stays flexible on the queenside, deciding whether to play ...a6 or ...a5 only after I've shown some of my cards.} 7. a4 {I spent more than 25 minutes combined on this and the next move, time that I would later curse myself for having wasted. Part of the time was spent pondering whether the extra h6-move could somehow be used to my advantage after d4 b6 (I cannot imagine why I thought it maybe could). But mostly I was trying to figure how I could favourably expand on the queenside.} (7. b4 Bb6 8. Nbd2 {was one of the lines I considered, as if I get time for b3 and c4 I will have a little something.} Ne7 {However looked fine to me, as Black will be in time to meet c4 with ...c7.}) (7. Nbd2 a6 {also gives Black a normal Italian.} (7... Ne7 8. d4 {is probably an achievement for White})) 7... a5 {Probably the right decision. If ...a6 (one of the two naturally had to be played to avoid me trapping his bishop) then I would follow the same plan, with a little more space than in the game.} 8. Na3 {Once again I spent time considering d4, but finally decided to just play normally.} O-O {I actually thought he might consider just chopping off my knight, as my rook would be temporarily misplaced, and I was not sure my dark-squared bishop would have such a bright future. The bishop pair will soon be gone after ...e6.} 9. Nc2 Re8 {I was quite happy to see this move, as I will be able to pin his rook after ...e6 b5.} (9... Be6 10. Bxe6 fxe6 {was naturally quite possible, but White could claim to be slightly better after e3 xe3 xe3, probably without justification.}) 10. Re1 {As he cannot go e6 xe6 xe6 due to d4-d5, it makes sense to make a waiting move before going e3.} Ba7 11. Be3 Be6 12. Bb5 Bd7 {Now I felt that I just needed to make another waiting move, and he would have to make a slight concession.} 13. Bxa7 {After a frustrating half an hour of thinking I could not find anything better.} (13. h3 {is the move that suggests itself. But I did not want to weaken f4} Ne7 14. Bxa7 Rxa7 15. d4 Ng6 {It seemed to me that I would not be able to exploit the undefended position of his rook on a7 after dxe5, and otherwise Black is solid, and might find some counterplay with ...f4 later.}) (13. Rc1) (13. g3) (13. Nd2) (13. Qd2) (13. Qe2 {were other more sophisticated means I considered in the fight for a tempo, but none of them came close to convincing me.}) 13... Nxa7 14. Bc4 Be6 $146 {Very logical. He could also go ...c8 immediately, but then I might go hide the bishop:} (14... Nc8 15. Ne3 Nb6 16. Bb3 Be6 17. Bc2 {with d4 coming, although it is naturally not much.}) ({RR} 14... Nc8 15. Ne3 Nb6 16. Bb3 c6 17. h3 Be6 18. Bc2 Qc7 19. d4 Nc4 20. Nxc4 Bxc4 21. Qd2 Rad8 22. Rad1 Be6 23. Qe3 b6 24. Nd2 c5 25. Bd3 Re7 26. d5 Bd7 27. Ra1 Nh5 28. b4 Nf4 29. bxa5 {Caruana,F (2794)-Topalov,V (2780) Moscow 2016 CBM 172 [Sagar,Shah/CB Website] ½-½ (52)}) 15. Bxe6 Rxe6 16. Ne3 Nc8 {The best route for the knight.} (16... Nc6 17. Qb3 {with d5 looming, is a little uncomfortable.}) 17. Nf5 {The white pieces are a little better placed, but with such a symmetrical structure my slight advantage will naturally disappear. That's why I took the chance to force matters a little.} Ne7 18. d4 {The idea of my previous move.} (18. N3h4 {is pointless, as without the dark-squared bishops I cannot make use of the knight on f5.}) 18... exd4 19. N3xd4 Re5 $2 {A mistake, though neither of us really understood that during the game.} (19... Rxe4 20. Rxe4 Nxe4 21. Qg4 {At first seemed to me quite promising for White, as I somehow only considered xf5 here} Ng5 $1 {I discovered that this was possible only after I played 17.f5} (21... Nxf5 22. Nxf5 Ng5 23. Re1 $1 {is what I liked for White; h4 is now a serious threat and after} Qf6 24. Ne7+ Kh8 25. Nd5 Qd8 26. Qf5 $1 Qc8 27. Qxc8+ Rxc8 28. Re7 {White's initiative persists without queens}) 22. Re1 (22. h4 Nxf5 23. Nxf5 Ne6 24. Nxh6+ Kf8 25. Nf5 Qf6 {is objectively the best, with equality}) 22... Ng6 $1 23. h4 Nh7 {and there is nothing concrete while Black remains a pawn up.}) 20. Ng3 Ng6 {It's easy to understand why Mickey did not feel the need to play concretely, Black seems very solid, while my space advantage (e4 vs d6) does not feel very significant with two pairs of minor pieces exchanged. Besides it appears that the space advantage could disappear at any moment after a timely d6-d5. His last move is quite necessary to avoid f4, as rolling with a Lasker rook on c5 understandably seemed a bit too funky.} 21. Qc2 {I spent seven minutes on this move, partly hesitating between going c4 immediately and bringing my rook into play first, and partly cursing myself having wasted so much time earlier in the game and now wasting more precious time (I had about half an hour left before this move) on a decision that did not seem particularly significant.} (21. c4 {I finally decided against it because of} c6 {with ...b6 coming, even after} 22. Ndf5 Qb6 {and ...d8 follows after either capture.}) 21... c6 {Not a great move, but very logical. Engines start suggesting moves like b8-a7, which is not very intuitive while White has a square on b5.} 22. Rad1 {Now I was very surprised and happy to discover that I was actually better! It's hard to play ...d5 under favourable circumstances and my plan in the game is surprisingly powerful.} Qc7 (22... d5 {does not quite work} 23. Nf3 Re8 24. exd5 Rxe1+ 25. Nxe1 cxd5 (25... Nxd5 26. c4) 26. Nf3 {is comfortably better for White. Normally it would not be much, but the inclusion of a4 a5 helps me enormously, as there will be a square on b5 and additional targets.}) 23. Ndf5 Rd8 (23... d5 24. exd5 Nxd5 (24... cxd5 {is better, but again by no means equal}) 25. Nh5 {is not difficult, but it was somehow aesthetically pleasing during the game. g7 cannot be defended.} Rae8 26. Rf1 (26. Rxe5 Qxe5 27. Qb1 $1 {is also possible} (27. g3 Qe2)) 26... Re2 27. Qb1 {and Black's temporary activity is extinguished, while g7 falls.}) 24. Qd2 {Going c4 was also possible, with a nice grip on the position, but I was excited about the prospect of attacking d6 and threatening f4 with one move.} Kh7 {Played after 18 minutes of thinking, a sure sign that he realised that his position was getting really unpleasant.} (24... Qb6 25. Kh1 {does not seem to change much.} (25. Nxd6 Re6 {is much too hasty})) 25. f4 Qb6+ {Normally one would like to save such a check for later, but here it is absolutely forced.} (25... Ree8 26. Nxd6 Qb6+ 27. Qf2 {Now I can safely block the check, since the rook on e8 is hanging.}) 26. Kh1 (26. Qf2 {Now f4 is simply hanging:} Qxf2+ 27. Kxf2 Nxf4) 26... Ree8 (26... Re6 27. e5 {is absolutely terrible for Black, as long as I avoid a nasty little trick} Ng4 28. Rf1 $1 {I was going to play this on general grounds, as one should not take the rook off the last rank for no reason!} (28. Re2 $4 Nxf4 $1 29. Qxf4 dxe5 {This is the point; because of the last rank weakness the tables are turned.})) 27. h3 {By far the best move, but again I invested a large part of the time I had left.} (27. Nxd6 Ng4 28. Rf1 Rxd6 (28... Ne3 29. Qf2 $1) 29. Qxd6 Nf2+ 30. Rxf2 Qxf2 {and I am only temporarily a pawn up as both f4 and b2 are hanging.}) 27... Rd7 {This came as a major surprise to me. Black cannot defend d6 as both ...d5 and ...e6 run into e5, but while maybe not objectively better,} (27... h5 {is what I spent all my time calculating before I played h3 and would have been a very interesting try. I investigated several options:} 28. Qe2 $1 {The surprising move is the one I liked the most during the game} (28. Qc2 {or d3 were other moves that I briefly touched on, with the idea of answering} h4 {with} 29. Nxh4 Nxh4 30. e5+ {But if he simply defends the pawn with ...c7 or ...c5 instead, I was not convinced about my advantage}) (28. Nxd6 {This is the simplest. After the forced} h4 29. Ngf5 Nxe4 {I saw} 30. Nxe4 $1 Rxe4 $1 {but I could not evaluate} (30... Rxd2 31. Ng5+ {mates:} Kg8 32. Rxe8+ Nf8 33. Ne7+ Kh8 34. Rxf8#) 31. Rxe4 Rxd2 32. Rxd2 {properly. With more time I would surely have realised that all the entry points for his queen are covered and my threat of d6 is very strong, but with little time and a possibly unsafe king, I'm always a bit wary of playing against the queen.}) 28... h4 (28... Nxf4 {Normally one would stop calculating here, but since my queen is now no longer pinned on the d-file} 29. Qf3 {followed by xd6 is now very strong}) 29. Nh5 Nxe4 30. Qf3 $1 {I saw this idea, but I was still apprehensive, as I could not really believe that it would work. But it does!} Nf2+ (30... Qc5 {This is a much better defence, but it does not solve his problems} 31. Nhxg7 Ng3+ 32. Nxg3 Rxe1+ 33. Rxe1 hxg3 34. Nh5 Qf2 35. Qxg3 Qxg3 36. Nxg3 {and since ...xf4 is met by f1 White has good winning chances}) 31. Kh2 Nxd1 32. Nf6+ $1 gxf6 33. Qh5+ Kg8 34. Qh6 {and mates.}) 28. Nxd6 Rxd6 {The only chance:} (28... Red8 29. e5 Ne8 30. Ngf5 {is just a pawn.}) 29. Qxd6 Qf2 {Since all my attention had been focused on 27...h5, I only now realised that even I was still a long way away from a win.} (29... Qxb2 {Even this is not so bad} 30. f5 (30. Qd2 Qxd2 31. Rxd2 Nxf4 32. e5 N6d5 {also does not look too convincing}) 30... Ne5 31. Qd2 Qa3 32. Ra1 Qe7 {and while I suspect White should be technically winning, Black has a solid blockade for the moment, and with eight moves still to go till move 40 one never knows what could happen.}) 30. Qd3 {There is nothing better than to return a couple of pawns. Additionally, after blundering both mate on g2 and the knight on g3 in different lines, getting the queens off seemed like a very wise idea.} Nxf4 31. Qf3 Nxh3 32. Re2 {32.f1 was also possible, but I liked the idea of doubling rooks on the d-file.} Qxf3 33. gxf3 Ng5 34. Kg2 Ne6 35. Red2 g6 {He has managed to set up a solid defence for the moment, but the following knight manoeuvre is surprisingly strong.} ({He should perhaps have tried} 35... g5 {immediately, as f5 and d6 can be met by ...e7. Practically speaking, Black certainly has drawing chances.}) 36. Nf1 h5 {Since there is no good way to meet e3-c4 anyway, Mickey has to go for it after all.} 37. Ne3 h4 38. Nc4 g5 39. Nxa5 g4 40. Nxb7 {I decided to be really greedy, as it seemed to me that his h3-g3 pair would not really be dangerous.} g3 41. Nd6 Rg8 42. Nf5 Nf4+ 43. Kh1 h3 44. a5 {So far so good. I have a lot of extra material, and he has no threats. Additionally, my a-pawn is running very fast.} N6h5 45. a6 Ne6 {Now however, I sank into thought and began seeing all sorts of ghosts.} 46. a7 (46. Rd6 {This had been my original intention preventing ...g5 and game over I thought. But then I saw} Nhf4 {with the idea of ...e2, and it spooked me a lot more than it should have} 47. Nxg3 Rxg3 48. a7 {and game over, one would think? ...g8 d8 is easy enough. But then you start seeing lines like} (48. Rg1 Ng2 49. a7 Rg8 50. Rxc6 {is still completely winning, which I more or less realised during the game. But some doubts still remained: For what did I give up my knight!?}) 48... Ne2 $1 49. a8=Q $4 Rg2 {and once you find one line in which are suddenly mated, you start looking for other options.}) 46... Ra8 47. Ra1 Ng5 48. Nh4 {So this is the idea that I settled on. I have to remove the knight from its best post on f5, but I could still not see any ideas for Black.} (48. Rd3 Nf4 49. Re3 {would have been a very clean solution, were it not for} g2+ (49... Ng2 {was what I feared, but this is very easily solved by} 50. Re2 Nf4 51. Nxg3 {and the rook is protected}) 50. Kh2 Ne2 $1 {I naturally did not see this} 51. Rxe2 Nxf3+ 52. Kg3 (52. Kxh3 g1=Q 53. Rxg1 Nxg1+ {and I lose both rooks}) 52... Rxa7 53. Rb1 g1=Q+ 54. Rxg1 Nxg1 {and he has suddenly regained all his material, even if not solving all his problems as the knight is rather stuck on g1.}) 48... Nf4 49. b4 $2 {Panic, confusion... I just decided to get rid of the pawns once and for all.} (49. Ra5 {would still have been a clean win, as Mickey pointed out to me after the game. I rejected it because of} c5 {but now} 50. b4 {which I somehow failed to consider works much better} Ng6 (50... g2+ 51. Nxg2 hxg2+ 52. Rxg2 Nxg2 53. Kxg2 cxb4 54. cxb4 {and with the c6-pawn gone, the pawns are unstoppable}) 51. Nxg6 Nxf3 52. Rg2 {and this works even here.}) 49... g2+ {Because of h2/g1 g6, I am forced to give up a full rook.} 50. Nxg2 hxg2+ 51. Rxg2 Nxg2 52. Kxg2 Ne6 53. c4 Nc7 {And the pawns are reasonably well blockaded. It still felt like I should be winning, as his pieces are very passive and my king and f/e-pair will manage to create something before his king can get to the queenside.} 54. Kg3 Kg6 55. Kf4 Kf6 56. e5+ Ke7 (56... Ke6 57. Ke4 f6 {would have been very logical, seemingly exchanging off the e5-pawn without letting my king take up a dominating position on e5. But I had seen in advance that it would fail to} 58. Kd4 {and since he does not have the e6-square for the knight, my king decisively penetrates on the queenside.}) 57. Ke4 f6 {Quite logical, but not the best try.} (57... Kd7 58. f4 Kc8 59. f5 Kb7 60. e6 {with the idea of fxe6 f6 and} f6 61. Kd4 {But I missed} Kb6 $1 {stopping c5 and making a draw. My father told me after the game that a Norwegian supercomputer gave me +4 even after 57...d7, so I guess I'm still winning. Am I going to find out how, or stick to the old cliché that this would have given better chances for a draw, but should still lose? The latter obviously. Deal with it.} (61... Na6 62. Rxa6 {seemed to win still.} (62. Rxa6))) 58. f4 fxe5 59. Kxe5 Ne8 60. f5 Nd6 {Now I'm winning by force.} (60... Nf6 {and the win, while attainable, is still not quite easy.}) 61. f6+ Kd7 62. Rd1 Re8+ 63. Kd4 {The point. While breaking the pin does not look logical, I am threatening c5 and after the forced.} Kc7 64. Re1 {White wins a crucial tempo} Nf5+ {As Peter and I agreed on after the game, resigning instead of trying this would have been unprofessional.} 65. Kc3 (65. Kc5 {Fortunately I had a lot of time...} Rxe1 66. a8=Q Re5#) 65... Ra8 66. f7 1-0

[Event "Tata Steel-A 78th"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2016.01.29"]
[Round "11"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Hou, Yifan"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C42"]
[WhiteElo "2844"]
[BlackElo "2673"]
[PlyCount "107"]
[EventDate "2016.01.16"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 171"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.03.14"]
[SourceVersion "2"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.03.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nxe5 d6 4. Nf3 Nxe4 5. Nc3 Nxc3 6. dxc3 Be7 7. Be3 Nc6 8. Qd2 Be6 9. O-O-O Qd7 10. b3 Bf6 11. h3 O-O-O 12. g4 h6 13. Bg2 Kb8 14. Rhe1 ({RR} 14. Ng1 d5 15. Ne2 Qe7 16. Kb1 g6 17. Rhe1 h5 18. g5 Bg7 19. h4 Qd7 20. Nf4 Qd6 21. Ne2 Rhe8 22. Nd4 Bxd4 23. Bxd4 Nxd4 24. Qxd4 c6 25. Re5 Bf5 26. Rde1 Re6 27. f4 Rde8 28. Kb2 Rxe5 {Markgraf,A (2489)-Hou,Y (2658) Germany 2018 ½-½ (42)}) 14... Rhe8 15. Kb2 $146 ({RR} 15. Nd4 Nxd4 16. Bxd4 Bxd4 17. cxd4 d5 18. f4 Qd6 19. f5 Bd7 20. Kb2 f6 21. Qa5 c6 22. Rd3 b6 23. Qd2 Rxe1 24. Qxe1 Re8 25. Qf2 Bc8 {½-½ (25) L'Ami,E (2628)-Laurusas,T (2569) Bad Mergentheim GER 2025}) 15... a6 16. Re2 Qe7 17. Rde1 Qf8 18. Nd4 Nxd4 19. Bxd4 Bxd4 20. Qxd4 Bd7 21. f4 Rxe2 22. Rxe2 Re8 23. Rxe8+ Bxe8 24. Qb4 c6 25. Bf1 Kc8 26. g5 Qe7 27. gxh6 gxh6 28. Qd4 f6 29. Qa7 Bd7 30. a4 Qd8 31. Qg1 Qe7 32. Qg6 Qe1 33. Bd3 Qh4 34. Bf5 Bxf5 35. Qxf5+ Kb8 36. c4 Kc7 37. Qa5+ Kc8 38. Qd2 Kd7 39. c5 d5 40. Qe3 Qh5 41. Qg3 Qf7 42. Qg4+ f5 43. Qg3 Qf6+ 44. Qc3 Qxc3+ 45. Kxc3 h5 46. Kb4 Kc8 47. Ka5 Kc7 48. h4 Kb8 49. Kb6 Kc8 50. b4 Kb8 51. b5 cxb5 52. axb5 axb5 53. Kxb5 Kc7 54. c3 1-0

[Event "Tata Steel-A 78th"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2016.01.31"]
[Round "13"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Ding, Liren"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C83"]
[WhiteElo "2844"]
[BlackElo "2766"]
[Annotator "Marin,Mihail"]
[PlyCount "197"]
[EventDate "2016.01.16"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 171"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.03.14"]
[SourceVersion "2"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.03.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Nxe4 6. d4 b5 7. Bb3 d5 8. dxe5 Be6 9. Nbd2 Nc5 10. c3 Be7 11. Bc2 d4 12. Nb3 d3 13. Nxc5 dxc2 14. Qxd8+ Rxd8 15. Nxe6 fxe6 16. Be3 Rd5 17. Rfc1 Nxe5 18. Nxe5 Rxe5 19. Bd4 Rg5 20. Rxc2 Kf7 21. Be3 {For earlier deviations and So's novelty 21...h5 see Adams,M (2744)-So,W (2773) Wijk aan Zee 2016 CBM 171 [Marin] played in the same round.} Re5 {There is a good question about the best path for the rook to get back into play. Abstractly, the game move may look like a slight concession as the same position can be achieved if Black meets the immediate capture 19.xc2 with 19...f7. In the notes to the aforementioned game I have examined 19...0-0 which seems best. But for White it is not easy to take advantage of this small achievement.} (21... Rd5 {exposes the rook to} 22. c4 bxc4 (22... Rd7 23. cxb5 axb5 24. Rac1 Ra8 25. Rxc7 Rxc7 26. Rxc7 Rxa2 27. g3 Ke8 28. Bd4 g5 29. Rb7 b4 30. Kg2 $14) 23. Rxc4 Bd6 24. b3 Rb8 25. Rac1 Ke7 26. Kf1 Kd7 27. Ke2 $14 {Nisipeanu,L (2668)-Svetushkin,D (2604) Predeal 2007 (1-0, 50), and Black eventually went down due to his numerous weaknesses.}) (21... Rg4 {misplaces the rook slightly.} 22. b3 $1 (22. Rd1 Rc4 23. Rcd2 Bd6 24. g3 a5 $132 {[%csl Gc4]}) 22... Rd8 23. g3 e5 {Black needs to weaken his e-pawn even more in order to clear the rook's path.} (23... Re4 $6 24. Bf4 $1 {[%cal Gf2f3] more or less wins the exchange}) 24. Kg2 Rg6 25. c4 Rc6 26. Rac1 b4 27. c5 Rf6 28. Rc4 a5 29. Re4 Rd5 30. a3 bxa3 31. Ra4 Rd3 32. Rxa3 a4 33. Rxa4 Rxb3 34. h4 Rd3 35. Ra7 Rc6 36. Kf3 Ke6 37. Ke4 $14 {Adams,M (2724)-Smeets,J (2538) London 2007 (1-0, 47)}) 22. c4 b4 {There is no other way to keep the integrity of the queenside structure, but placing a pawn on a dark square implies certain strategic risk.} 23. Rd1 Rd8 24. Rxd8 Bxd8 25. Kf1 (25. Rd2 Ke8 26. Kf1 Bg5 $11 {Kosintseva,N (2528)-Koneru,H (2589) Kazan 2012 (½-½, 40)}) 25... Bg5 26. Bd4 ({Sutovsky's favourite is} 26. Ba7 Be7 (26... h5 27. Bb8 Rc5 28. Ke2 Bf4 29. g3 Bd6 30. f4 g5 31. Ba7 Rf5 32. fxg5 Rxg5 33. Be3 {Sutovsky,E (2642)-Haba,P (2488) Austria 2015 (1-0, 56)} Rf5 34. Kd3 Bc5 $11) (26... Rf5 {Xie,J (2530)-Polgar,Z (2550) Jaen 1996 CBM 052 [Ftacnik,L] (½-½, 46)}) 27. Re2 Rf5 {Sutovsky,E (2665)-Sorokin,M (2599) Sochi 2005 CBM 107 [Postny,E] (1-0, 45)}) 26... Ra5 27. b3 Bf6 28. Be3 Bg5 $5 $146 {As known from the comments to the aforementioned Adams-So, Black is interested in exchanging bishops.} (28... Rh5 29. h3 a5 30. Ke2 a4 $6 31. Kd3 Ke8 (31... axb3 32. axb3 Ke8 33. Bd2 Be7 34. Ra2) 32. bxa4 $5 Ra5 33. c5 Rxa4 34. Kc4 Bc3 35. Bd2 Kd7 36. Bxc3 bxc3+ 37. Kb3 Rf4 38. f3 Kc6 39. Rxc3 $14 {Potkin,V (2556)-Amin,B (2453) Abu Dhabi 2006 (1-0, 56)}) 29. f4 Be7 30. g4 $146 {White has gained kingside space, but his pawns are vulnerable to exchanges, helping Black to get rid of some of his weaknesses.} ({RR} 30. g3 g6 31. Ke2 {½-½ (31) Quparadze,G (2509)-Tutisani,N (2452) Marmaris 2018}) 30... h5 31. h3 g6 {Of course it would not make sense to open the h-file in a moment when the white rook could be transferred to it along the second rank.} 32. Ke2 hxg4 33. hxg4 e5 34. Kf3 exf4 35. Bxf4 {Black has rid himself of several weaknesses and his position looks safe enough. But White has some initiative now and the b4-pawn still is a problem.} Bd6 $1 (35... c6 $6 {exposes the rook too much.} 36. Ke4 Ke6 37. Bc7 Rg5 $2 ({Relatively better is} 37... Ra3 {without a clear white win yet, but it certainly is risky playing with the caged rook.}) 38. Kf4 Rc5 (38... Bf6 39. Re2+ Kd7 40. Be5 {[%csl Gg5] General exchanges obviously lose while otherwise the rook remains in a miserable position.}) 39. Re2+ Kf6 40. Rxe7 Kxe7 41. Bb6 {A fantastic trapping of the rook!}) 36. c5 $5 {An interesting resource for keeping the fight alive.} (36. Bxd6 cxd6 37. Kf4 Re5 38. Rh2 g5+ 39. Kf3 Ke6 40. Rh6+ Kd7 41. Rh7+ Ke6 42. Ra7 Ra5 43. Rb7 Rxa2 44. Rxb4 Ke5 $11) 36... Bxc5 $1 {The best practical decision.} ({It certainly makes no sense depriving himself of the dynamic resource yielded by the pressure on a2. After} 36... Rxc5 37. Rxc5 Bxc5 38. Bxc7 {the bishop ending looks suspicious for Black, even though it seems that White only has practical chances:} Kf6 39. Bf4 Ke6 40. Ke4 Bb6 41. Bd2 Bc5 (41... a5 42. Bf4 $22 {In order to avoid c7xa5, Black needs to clear the king's path to b5 with a bishop retreat.}) 42. Bh6 Be7 (42... Bf2 43. Bf8 Be1 44. Kd4 {is similar}) 43. Kd4 Kd6 44. Bd2 Ke6 45. Kc4 Ke5 46. Bxb4 Bxb4 47. Kxb4 Kf4 48. Ka5 Kxg4 49. Kxa6 g5 50. b4 Kf3 51. b5 g4 52. b6 g3 53. b7 g2 54. b8=Q g1=Q {The endgame is drawn, but why suffer for 200 moves or so to prove it, with the obvious risk of stumbling along the way?}) 37. Bxc7 Rb5 38. Ke4 Ke6 39. Bf4 Ra5 40. Bd2 Be7 {Offering White some chances.} (40... Rb5 $5) 41. Rc6+ Kd7 42. Rxg6 Rxa2 43. Bf4 Ra3 44. g5 Rxb3 45. Rb6 Bxg5 {Another practical decision. Ding Liren knew how to defend with a rook versus a rook and a bishop so he does not risk getting into some study like ending.} ({But objectively} 45... a5 {should also draw:} 46. g6 Rb1 47. Kf5 Rg1 48. Rb7+ Ke8 49. Be3 (49. Bh6 Rf1+) 49... Rg2 50. Bh6 a4 51. Rb8+ Kd7 52. g7 b3 53. g8=Q Rxg8 54. Rxg8 b2 55. Rb8 a3 56. Bg7 Bf8 $5 57. Bc3 (57. Bxf8 $6 a2) 57... Bh6 58. Ke4 (58. Bxb2 $11) 58... Bc1 59. Kd3 a2 $1 {Right in time!} 60. Rxb2 a1=Q 61. Rb7+ {Unfortunately, the black king is too close to the rook.} Kc6 62. Bxa1 Kxb7 $11) 46. Bxg5 a5 47. Ra6 a4 48. Rxa4 Kc6 49. Ra5 Ra3 50. Rf5 b3 51. Bf6 Ra2 52. Bd4 b2 53. Rc5+ Kb6 54. Rc3+ Kb5 55. Rb3+ Kc4 56. Rb8 b1=Q+ 57. Rxb1 Re2+ {Ding Liren chooses one of the two possible defensive systems, the second rank setup.} ({I find the other plan simpler:} 57... Rh2 58. Rc1+ Kb5 59. Kd5 Rh5+ 60. Be5 Ka5 61. Rb1 Rg5) 58. Be3 Rc2 59. Rb8 Kc3 60. Rc8+ Kb3 61. Bc5 Kc4 62. Rc7 Kc3 63. Kd5 Kd3 64. Rh7 Re2 65. Rh3+ Kc2 66. Kc4 Re4+ 67. Bd4 Kd2 68. Rh2+ Re2 69. Rh4 Rg2 70. Re4 Re2 71. Bc3+ Kd1 72. Rf4 Kc2 73. Rd4 Rf2 74. Rd3 Re2 75. Bd4 Re4 76. Ra3 Re2 77. Be3 Kd1 78. Rd3+ (78. Kd3 Rd2+ $1) 78... Ke1 79. Rc3 Kf1 80. Kd3 Ra2 81. Rc1+ Kg2 82. Ke4 Kg3 83. Rc8 Rg2 84. Rf8 Kg4 85. Bf2 Kh3 86. Kf3 Rg3+ 87. Kf4 Rg4+ 88. Kf5 Rg7 89. Bd4 Rg3 90. Be5 Rf3+ 91. Bf4 Kg2 92. Kg4 Rf2 93. Rh8 Re2 94. Rh3 Kf2 95. Rf3+ Kg2 96. Be3 Rc2 97. Rg3+ Kf1 98. Kf3 Rf2+ 99. Bxf2 1/2-1/2

[Event "Norway Chess 4th"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2016.04.21"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Grandelius, Nils"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B29"]
[WhiteElo "2851"]
[BlackElo "2649"]
[Annotator "Nielsen,Peter Heine"]
[PlyCount "75"]
[EventDate "2016.04.19"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 172"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.05.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.05.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{Magnus had a good start to Norway Chess, beating Harikrishna and then drawing with a very solidity minded Topalov. Next was the young Swedish top player Grandelius who in the qualifier had edged out local favourite Hammer. Nils announced at the press-conference that he was afraid of no-one, and would stay loyal to his style, and certainly kept his word even when facing the World Champion:} 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nf6 $6 {A line the Swedish team had prepared for the 2015 European championship in Reykjavik, and with which he made a draw against Adams. After the game he was asked when he made his mistake, and said " On move two!" It is true that the line most likely is dubious, but the decisive mistake did only come later though.} 3. e5 $1 {Part of the reason that 2...f6 is not very popular is that after 3.c3 Black's best option most likely is just 3...d6 which after 4.d4 transposes back to main-line Sicilians as in the Grandelius game with e.g. Harikrishna recently. However Nils' clever point is that then he would have avoided Magnus' pet-line 3.b5+! But 3.c3 in a way is kind of the lazy reaction to 2...f6, so one could argue that Nils actually forces Magnus to play the best move!} Nd5 4. Nc3 Nxc3 (4... e6 {used to be Black's try years back, when:} 5. Nxd5 exd5 6. d4 Nc6 7. dxc5 Bxc5 8. Qxd5 Qb6 9. Bc4 $1 {led to complications favourable for White, which lead to Black players abandoning the line.}) 5. dxc3 Nc6 6. Bf4 Qb6 $5 {This however is Black's new idea, resurrecting the line. Earlier Black played a setup with the queen on c7 followed by long castling, but then White gets easy development with d3 e2 0-0-0 etc. Now however Black tries forcing a weakness. If after 7.b1 long castling is ruled out altogether, and 7.b3 at least gives Black a target on c3 White should aim for 0-0-0. Which lead Magnus to the conclusion that...} 7. Qc1 $5 {was the way to handle the position. Of course the queen can be said to be awkwardly placed on c1, but despite the d-file being open it was not of much use there anyway, and while 0-0-0 being as a minimum postponed, White does have the simple plan of d3 and 0-0, while on the other hand for Black it is much harder to come up when a sensible way to finish his development.} f6 $5 {Nils took his time, and then played the principled move. Ipatov has tried 7...h6 8.h4 d5 but after 9.exd6 exd6 10.e3+ is an obvious improvement with a pleasant position for White. Now however Black tries undermining the white centre. Intending either the bold ...g5 as well as ...d6 exd6 e5!.} 8. Bc4 $5 {A logical developing move, that makes 8...d6 look less attractive as: 9.exf6 gxf6 10.e3!? when despite Black getting his huge centre, it looks more like White's speedy development is the relevant factor. Black might have to play 10...e5, but then White gets a grip on the white squares in return. Nils shows no fear, and again plays the principled move:} g5 $5 9. Bg3 $5 (9. exf6 {was a similar piece sacrifice to the game. After} gxf4 10. Qxf4 {it even looks like White has won some time, but the knight on f3 is a less strong attacking piece than the bishop on g3, and concretely after} Na5 $1 {there seems to be no effective follow-up for White.}) 9... g4 10. exf6 $1 {I praised Nils' courage, but one has to give credit for Magnus' lack of fear too. The piece sacrifice is purely intuitive, believing White's compensation to be sufficient.} gxf3 11. Qf4 $5 {Played quickly, and very much planned when sacrificing the piece. It aims at both the f7- and c7-squares, hoping to catch the black king in the centre, and not caring about Black getting a tempo to take on g2. White however had an interesting alternative, and if 12...h5! seems to hold in the game continuation, 11.0-0 might actually be very relevant for the theoretical debate of 2...f6, should such a debate exist...} ({After} 11. O-O {The best seems to be} Na5 $1 {when} (11... fxg2 12. Re1 {just helps White.}) ({So Black should either go for} 11... e6 {when however} 12. Qf4 {looks very dangerous for Black as e.g} Kf7 13. Rad1 d5 $2 (13... Na5 14. Bd3) 14. Rxd5 $1 {crashes through.}) 12. f7+ Kd8 13. Bd5 Qg6 {looks like the critical line with a strange position where to me it looks like White has at least sufficient compensation for the sacrificed piece.}) 11... fxg2 $5 {Greedy and good.} ({If directly} 11... Na5 {then Magnus pointed out in the post mortem that} {, however} 12. f7+ $1 (12. fxe7 Bxe7 13. Bf7+ Kf8 $1 {was an important resource for Black, as he should not fear the discovered check, and now threatens ...f6 consolidating, practically speaking forcing White to give a perpetual.} (13... Kd8 14. O-O $18) 14. Be6+ $11) 12... Kd8 13. Bd5 {gives White great compensation similar to the game.}) (11... h5 {allows White options with 0-0 making ...h5 lose its point, so Black's move order is the correct one.}) 12. Rg1 Na5 $146 {A very logical move, but possibly the losing mistake!} ({The absolutely only way is} 12... h5 $1 {stopping long castling due to ...h6 as well as having the option of disturbing the white bishop by ...h4.} {The best probably is} 13. Rxg2 $5 {when} (13. fxe7 Bxe7 14. Qf7+ ({and also} 14. O-O-O Kd8 {seems to hold up decently as well}) 14... Kd8 15. Qg7 Re8 16. O-O-O Na5 17. Bf7 Qf6 $1 {defends just in time.}) ({Trying to continue similarly to the game with} 13. f7+ $6 Kd8 14. O-O-O {runs into} ({and} 14. Rxg2 d6 15. O-O-O Kc7 16. Bh4 Bg4 {also defends well.}) 14... h4 $1 15. Bxh4 Qc7 $1 {when White's attack seems too slow.}) 13... Kd8 $1 14. fxe7+ (14. O-O-O $6 Bh6 15. Qxh6 Rxh6 16. Bf4 d6 {unfortunately defends}) 14... Bxe7 15. O-O-O h4 16. Bxh4 Bxh4 17. Rg8+ Rxg8 18. Qxh4+ Kc7 19. Bxg8 {which leads to an equal position. Black has an extra piece but White's attack and the h-pawn balances the position.}) ({RR} 12... h5 13. Rxg2 Kd8 14. f7 h4 {½-½ (14) Filip,A (2175)-Ghimpu,S (2431) Mamaia 2021}) ({RR} 12... h5 13. Rxg2 Kd8 14. f7 h4 {½-½ (14) Filip,A (2175)-Ghimpu,S (2431) Mamaia 2021}) 13. f7+ (13. fxe7 Bxe7 14. Bf7+ Kf8 $1 {again is strong, forcing White to limit himself to a draw by perpetual check.}) 13... Kd8 14. Bd5 {A key position in the game. At first it looks like Black has survived the worst. His king will be safe on c7, and having "lured" White's pawn to f7, his e7-d6-c5 construction looks solid. At first the computer agrees, but after a few minutes comes to the realisation that White is winning. Grandelius thought for half an hour, but came to the same result. Yes Black's king is safe, but there is no reasonable plan for stopping a White rook from invading on g8.} Bh6 $6 {Nils decided to sacrifice a rook for some counterplay, but it is insufficient.} (14... d6 15. O-O-O Kc7 16. Rxg2 Bh3 17. Rgg1 {is the illustrative mainline. After} Nc6 {he even pauses for} 18. Kb1 {as then} Ne5 ({and} 18... Bd7 19. Bh4 Ne5 20. Rg8 Ng6 21. Qe4 Bc6 22. c4 {leaves Black in a hopeless position, despite his extra piece.}) {is met by} 19. Qh4 $1) 15. Qe5 Rf8 16. Bh4 $1 {This is the problem. Mate is threatened on e7, and Black has to give up the rook to lure the white bishop away from attacking the c6-square as 16...c6 17.xc6 xf7 18.xg2 wins on the spot.} Rxf7 17. Bxf7 Nc6 18. Qg3 Qxb2 19. Rd1 Qxc2 20. Bd5 {Materialistically speaking it is not that bad for Black, but add on top a white attack, and the overall situation becomes hopeless.} Qf5 21. Rxg2 Bf4 22. Qf3 $5 (22. Qxf4 $5 Qxf4 23. Rg8+ Kc7 24. Bg3 {was simple and strong, but Magnus plays for the maximum.}) 22... Kc7 23. Rg5 Qf8 24. Bg3 $6 {After the game he expressed his dissatisfaction with this inacurracy. Taking on c6 first, and only then g3 would have been simpler.} e5 25. Rh5 $6 (25. Bxc6 $1 {actually was still possible, as Nils intended:} Qe7 $5 {while tactically creative, getting out of the f-file pin, and preparing a discovered check in the e-line, still falls short after} 26. Rh5 dxc6 27. Qe4 $1 {attacking h7, and thus winning comfortably for White.}) 25... a5 26. Rxh7 Ra6 27. Rf7 Qe8 28. Kf1 Bxg3 29. hxg3 Qh8 30. Kg2 Nd8 31. Rf8 Qg7 32. Rh1 Rh6 33. Rxh6 Qxh6 34. Qf6 Qxf6 35. Rxf6 d6 36. Kf3 b5 37. g4 Kd7 38. Rh6 {And here Grandelius resigned. Even if the rather dull technical phase in the end dragged out the game a bit, the fireworks right at the start made it an amazing and atypical game for a supertournament, and gave Magnus a tournament lead, which he kept till the end.} 1-0

[Event "Norway Chess 4th"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2016.04.24"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Giri, Anish"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C77"]
[WhiteElo "2851"]
[BlackElo "2790"]
[PlyCount "95"]
[EventDate "2016.04.19"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 172"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.05.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.05.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. d3 b5 6. Bb3 Bc5 7. Nc3 d6 8. Nd5 h6 9. c3 O-O 10. O-O Rb8 11. Re1 ({RR} 11. Nxf6+ Qxf6 12. h3 Ne7 13. d4 Bb6 14. Be3 Ng6 15. a4 Nf4 16. a5 exd4 17. Bxf4 Qxf4 18. axb6 Rxb6 19. Qxd4 Bxh3 20. e5 Qxd4 21. cxd4 Bg4 22. Rfc1 Rc8 23. exd6 Bxf3 24. gxf3 Rxd6 25. d5 c5 {Caruana,F (2808)-Mamedyarov,S (2800) Paris 2017 1-0 (45)}) 11... Ba7 ({RR} 11... Re8 12. h3 Ba7 13. a4 b4 14. Bd2 bxc3 15. Bxc3 Nxd5 16. Bxd5 Ne7 17. Bc4 Ng6 18. Rb1 Qf6 19. Bd2 Nf4 20. Bxf4 Qxf4 21. Qd2 Qf6 22. Nh2 a5 23. Bb5 Rd8 24. Rf1 Bb6 25. Qe2 Bc5 26. Kh1 {Obgolts,E (2377)-Parpiev,I (2380) Sochi RUS 2025 0-1 (47)}) 12. Be3 Bxe3 13. Rxe3 $146 ({RR} 13. Nxe3 Na5 14. Bc2 c5 15. d4 Nc6 16. d5 Ne7 17. a4 Ng4 18. Nxg4 Bxg4 19. axb5 axb5 20. Qd3 c4 21. Qd1 f5 22. h3 fxe4 23. Bxe4 Bf5 24. Nd2 Qb6 25. Re3 Rf6 26. Rf3 Rbf8 27. Bxf5 Rxf5 {Aronian,L (2775)-Mamedyarov,S (2758) Saint Louis 2022 1-0 (43)}) ({RR} 13. Nxe3 Re8 14. Nh4 Na5 15. Bc2 Nxe4 16. Nhf5 Nf6 17. b4 Nc6 18. Qf3 d5 19. Qg3 g6 20. Nxh6+ Kg7 21. Nef5+ Kf8 22. Nh4 Nh5 23. Nxf7 Qf6 24. Ng5 Kg7 25. Qe3 Bd7 26. Nhf3 Re7 27. a4 Rbe8 {Calzetta Ruiz,M (2251)-Cuenca Jimenez,J (2523) Marbella 2019 0-1 (44)}) 13... Na5 14. Bc2 c5 15. b4 cxb4 16. Nxb4 Qc7 17. Qd2 Nc6 18. Nxc6 Qxc6 19. h3 Be6 20. d4 Qc7 21. Bb3 Rfe8 22. Bxe6 Rxe6 23. a4 exd4 24. Qxd4 bxa4 25. Qxa4 Rbe8 26. Qxa6 Rxe4 27. Rxe4 Rxe4 28. Qd3 Re8 29. Nd4 d5 30. Nf5 Qf4 31. g3 Qe4 32. Rd1 Qxd3 33. Rxd3 Kf8 34. f3 Ra8 35. g4 Ra3 36. Kf2 h5 37. Ke3 g6 38. Nd4 hxg4 39. hxg4 Nd7 40. Nb5 Rb3 41. Rxd5 Nb6 42. Rc5 Na4 43. Rc8+ Kg7 44. Rc4 Nb6 45. Rc5 Na4 46. Rc4 Nb6 47. Rc5 Na4 48. Rc4 1/2-1/2

[Event "Norway Chess 4th"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2016.04.25"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C67"]
[WhiteElo "2788"]
[BlackElo "2851"]
[Annotator "ChessBase"]
[PlyCount "129"]
[EventDate "2016.04.19"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 172"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.05.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.05.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. d4 Nd6 6. Bxc6 dxc6 7. dxe5 Nf5 8. Qxd8+ Kxd8 9. h3 Ke8 10. Nc3 h5 11. Bf4 Be7 12. Rad1 Be6 13. Ng5 Rh6 14. Rfe1 Bb4 15. g4 hxg4 16. hxg4 Ne7 17. f3 ({The most popular move here is} 17. Nxe6) 17... Bxc3 18. bxc3 Bxa2 19. Ne4 Rh8 20. e6 Bxe6 21. Bxc7 Nd5 $146 ({One wonders how Vachier-Lagrave wanted to improve a game between Anish Giri and Sergey Karjakin which continued with} 21... b5 22. Be5 Rg8 23. Nc5 Nd5 24. f4 Bxg4 25. c4 f6 26. Rb1 Nb6 27. Bxf6+ Kf7 28. Bg5 Nxc4 29. Re7+ Kg6 30. Rbe1 Bf5 31. Kf2 Rad8 32. Nd3 a5 33. Rg1 Rd7 34. Bh4+ Kh7 35. Rxd7 Bxd7 36. Ne5 Nxe5 37. fxe5 Re8 38. Re1 a4 39. Kf3 a3 40. Bf2 Rf8+ 41. Kg3 Be6 42. Bc5 Ra8 {0-1 (42) Giri,A (2734)-Karjakin,S (2776) Beijing 2013}) ({RR} 21... b5 22. Be5 Rg8 23. Nc5 Nd5 24. f4 Bxg4 25. c4 f6 26. Rb1 Nb6 27. Bxf6+ Kf7 28. Bg5 Nxc4 29. Re7+ Kg6 30. Rbe1 Bf5 31. Kf2 Rad8 32. Nd3 a5 33. Rg1 Rd7 34. Bh4+ Kh7 35. Rxd7 Bxd7 36. Ne5 {Giri,A (2734)-Karjakin,S (2776) Beijing 2013 0-1 (42)}) 22. Be5 Kf8 23. Nc5 b5 24. c4 bxc4 25. Rd4 Re8 26. Rxc4 Rh6 27. Ra4 Kg8 (27... Ra8 28. Rea1 $14) 28. Rxa7 Bc8 29. Bg3 Rxe1+ 30. Bxe1 Rd6 {Black has to take measures against the threat of Ra8.} 31. Ba5 {[#]} Bxg4 $5 {Carlsen liquidates into an endgame which he knows from his World Championship match against Vishy Anand.} (31... Be6 32. Ne4 Rd7 33. Ra8+ Kh7 {apparently was not to his liking.}) 32. fxg4 Rg6 33. Kf2 Rxg4 34. Bd2 ({Another attempt was} 34. Nd3 Rc4 35. Ne1 Ra4 36. Ke2 g5) 34... Rc4 35. Ra8+ Kh7 36. Nd7 Rxc2 {The last remaining white pawn vanished from the board.} 37. Ke2 f6 38. Kd3 Rb2 39. Nf8+ Kg8 40. Ne6+ Kh7 41. Ra7 Rb3+ 42. Kd4 Rg3 43. Kc5 Rg2 44. Ba5 Ne3 45. Kxc6 Nf5 46. Bb4 Re2 47. Kd7 Re4 48. Bc5 Kg6 49. Ra1 Re5 50. Bd6 Nxd6 51. Kxd6 Rb5 52. Rg1+ Kh6 53. Nf4 Kh7 54. Nd5 g5 55. Ke6 Kg7 56. Rf1 Ra5 57. Nxf6 Kg6 58. Nd5 Ra6+ 59. Ke5 Ra8 60. Ne7+ Kh5 61. Rh1+ Kg4 62. Rg1+ Kh5 63. Rh1+ Kg4 64. Rg1+ Kh5 65. Rh1+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "Bilbao Masters 9th"]
[Site "Bilbao"]
[Date "2016.07.13"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B91"]
[WhiteElo "2855"]
[BlackElo "2787"]
[Annotator "ChessBase"]
[PlyCount "100"]
[EventDate "2016.07.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 174"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.09.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.09.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Ne2 {Schränkt die schwarze Auswahl etwas ein. Je nachdem, was Schwarz im zweiten Zug zieht, könnte Weiß auf d4 verzichten.} d6 3. Nbc3 a6 {Das deutet darufhin, dass Schwarz die Najdorf-Variante spielen will.} 4. g3 g6 5. Bg2 Bg7 6. d4 cxd4 7. Nxd4 Nf6 8. O-O O-O {Nun ist eine Position des Fianchetto-Systems der Drachenvariante auf dem Brett.} 9. b3 ({Alternativen:} 9. h3) (9. a4) 9... Nc6 10. Nxc6 (10. Nde2 Bg4 11. Bb2 Qc8 12. Qd2 Bh3 13. f3 Bxg2 14. Kxg2 b5 {1-0 (60) Bykova,E-Rudenko,L Frauen-WM, Leningrad 1953}) 10... bxc6 11. Bb2 Qa5 12. Na4 Bg4 13. Qe1 $146 {Damentausch?} ({RR} 13. f3 Bd7 14. e5 Nd5 15. Qe1 Qc7 16. c4 Qa7+ 17. Rf2 Ne3 18. c5 Nxg2 19. Kxg2 dxc5 20. Rc1 Be6 21. Nxc5 Bd5 22. Bd4 Qc7 23. Qe3 f6 24. Ne6 Bxe6 25. exf6 Bh3+ 26. Kxh3 Qd7+ 27. Kg2 Bxf6 {Tiviakov,S (2600)-Abdisalimov,A (2406) Dhaka 2021 1-0 (48)}) ({RR} 13. f3 Bd7 14. e5 Nd5 15. Qe1 Qc7 16. c4 Qa7+ 17. Rf2 Ne3 18. c5 Nxg2 19. Kxg2 dxc5 20. Rc1 Be6 21. Nxc5 Bd5 22. Bd4 Qc7 23. Qe3 f6 24. Ne6 Bxe6 25. exf6 Bh3+ 26. Kxh3 Qd7+ 27. Kg2 Bxf6 {Tiviakov,S (2600)-Abdisalimov,A (2406) Dhaka 2021 1-0 (48)}) 13... Qh5 14. f3 Bh3 15. g4 $5 (15. Rd1) (15. c4) 15... Qh6 16. Rd1 $14 g5 17. Bc1 Bxg2 18. Kxg2 Qg6 19. h4 (19. Nb6 $5 Rab8 20. Nc4 h5 21. h3 $14) 19... gxh4 20. Qxh4 d5 {[#]} 21. g5 $2 {Zu impulsiv. Nun gerät Weiß in Nachteil.} (21. exd5 cxd5 (21... Qxc2+ 22. Rd2 Qg6 23. dxc6 Rac8 $11) 22. Qg5 Qxc2+ 23. Rd2 Qc6 24. Bb2 $11) 21... dxe4 22. f4 {Für den Bauern erhält Weiß zu wenig Spiel. Vor allem steht der Sa4 viel zu weit weg vom Geschehen.} (22. fxe4 Nxe4 {mit Bauerngewinn und sehr unsicherem weißen König.}) 22... e6 23. c4 Rfd8 24. Rde1 Ne8 25. Nc5 Nd6 26. Qf2 f5 27. Bb2 {[#]} Nf7 {Früher oder später kommt e5 und das schwarze Bauernübergewicht im Zentrum wird spürbar.} 28. Bxg7 Kxg7 29. Qg3 Rd6 30. Rd1 Rad8 31. Rxd6 Rxd6 32. Qc3+ Kg8 33. Rf2 Qh5 (33... e5 $5 34. fxe5 ({Oder} 34. Qg3 Qh5 {mit der Idee} 35. Z0 Rd1 36. Z0 Qh1#) 34... Qxg5+ $18) 34. Qh3 Qd1 35. Qe3 e5 36. Qg3 (36. fxe5 Rg6 $1 ({Auf} 36... Nxe5 {kann Weiß vielleicht} 37. Nxe4 fxe4 38. Qxe4 {probieren. Nach} Qg4+ 39. Qxg4 Nxg4 40. Re2 {muss Schwarz noch etwas arbeiten.})) 36... Rg6 37. Kh2 exf4 38. Qxf4 {Weiß verwaltet eine Ruine, die im Folgenden rasch eingerissen wird.} Qh5+ 39. Kg1 Qd1+ 40. Kh2 Qh5+ 41. Kg1 Nxg5 42. Qb8+ Kg7 43. Qe5+ Kh6 44. Qf4 Qd1+ 45. Kh2 Qd4 46. b4 Kg7 47. Qc7+ Kh8 48. Qc8+ Rg8 49. Qxf5 Nf3+ 50. Kh3 Qd6 (50... Qd6 51. Rg2 Qh6+ {und Matt.}) 0-1

[Event "Bilbao Masters 9th"]
[Site "Bilbao"]
[Date "2016.07.15"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Karjakin, Sergey"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B50"]
[WhiteElo "2855"]
[BlackElo "2773"]
[Annotator "Roiz,Michael"]
[PlyCount "79"]
[EventDate "2016.07.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 174"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.09.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.09.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. c3 Nf6 4. Be2 {This side system isn't as harmless as it looks - White is aiming for building up a strong pawns centre.} g6 5. O-O Bg7 6. Bb5+ Nc6 {Sergey chooses a relatively rare theoretical continuation.} (6... Bd7 {is much more popular. There are some practical tests:} 7. Bxd7+ Qxd7 (7... Nbxd7 8. Re1 O-O 9. d4 cxd4 10. cxd4 d5 11. e5 Ne4 12. Nbd2 Nxd2 13. Bxd2 Qb6 14. Re3 Rac8 15. h4 $14 {Sagalchik,G (2525)-Serper,G (2535) New York 1996}) 8. Re1 O-O 9. d4 Na6 10. d5 c4 11. Nbd2 Nc5 $132 {Adams,M (2685)-Anand,V (2735) Dortmund 1996}) 7. d4 Qb6 (7... O-O 8. d5 Nb8 9. Re1 Bg4 10. Nbd2 Nbd7 11. h3 Bxf3 12. Nxf3 a6 13. Bf1 b5 14. Bf4 $14 {Chadaev,N (2580)-Gelfand,B (2738) Astana 2012}) (7... Bd7 8. d5 Ne5 9. Bxd7+ Nfxd7 10. Nxe5 Nxe5 11. a4 O-O 12. Bf4 Qb6 13. Qe2 c4 14. Bxe5 Bxe5 15. a5 Qb3 16. Na3 $14 {Lombardy,W - Hort,V Zagreb 1969}) 8. Ba4 ({The drawback of protecting the bishop by means of} 8. Na3 {was admitted by} cxd4 9. cxd4 d5 $1 $11 {in Rasik,V (2516)-Zhigalko,A (2601) Czechia 2013}) 8... cxd4 ({RR} 8... O-O 9. d5 Na5 10. Re1 e6 11. Na3 exd5 12. exd5 a6 13. c4 Bg4 14. Re3 Qc7 15. h3 Bf5 16. g4 Bc8 17. Bd2 b5 18. Bxa5 Qxa5 19. cxb5 axb5 20. Bxb5 h5 21. Bc6 hxg4 22. Nc4 Qa6 23. Nfd2 {Delgado Ramirez,N (2484)-Sanchez Alvarez,R (2376) Budapest HUN 2024 ½-½ (59)}) 9. cxd4 O-O 10. d5 {This position was seen only in 1 preceding game!} Nb8 $146 {This move looks somewhat artificial, but the knight is heading to c5 or e5.} ({The previously played} 10... Na5 11. Nc3 ({White hardly can pretend on having advantage also after} 11. Re1 Bg4 12. Nbd2 Rfc8 13. h3 Bd7 14. Bc2 e6 $132) 11... Bg4 12. h3 Bxf3 13. Qxf3 Rac8 14. Qe2 Nc4 {was fine for Black in Palit,S (2421)-Gopal,G (2558) Kolkata 2014}) ({RR} 10... Na5 11. Nc3 Bg4 12. h3 Bxf3 13. Qxf3 Rac8 14. Qe2 Nc4 15. Bb5 Qc5 16. b3 Na3 17. Bd3 Qxc3 18. Bxa3 Nh5 19. g3 Qa5 20. Bb2 Bxb2 21. Qxb2 Rc7 22. Rac1 Rfc8 23. Rxc7 Rxc7 24. Rd1 Qc5 25. Rd2 {Palit,S (2421)-Gopal,G (2558) Kolkata 2014 ½-½ (34)}) ({RR} 10... Na5 11. Nc3 Bg4 12. h3 Bxf3 13. Qxf3 Rfc8 14. Qe2 a6 15. a3 Qc7 16. Rd1 b5 17. Bc2 Nd7 18. Rd3 Nc4 19. Rg3 Qa5 20. Nd1 b4 21. a4 Qc7 22. Bd3 Nde5 23. Bf4 Qc5 24. Rc1 Qd4 25. Bb1 {Shachar,E (2363)-Donchenko,A (2647) Caleta 2020 0-1 (42)}) 11. Nc3 ({Delaying the development of b1 would hardly bother Black:} 11. Re1 Bg4 12. Nbd2 Qc7 13. h3 Bd7 14. Bc2 Rc8 15. Bb1 a5 $132) 11... Bg4 12. h3 Bxf3 13. Qxf3 Nbd7 14. Rb1 ({The more aggressive} 14. Be3 Qxb2 15. Rfc1 {only leads to simplifications:} Qa3 16. Rab1 Nc5 17. Bxc5 Qxc5 18. Rxb7 Nxe4 $1 19. Qxe4 Bxc3 20. Qf3 Qa3 $11) 14... Rfc8 {Black has completed a harmonious setup. The position is closed yet, so White's bishops do not guarantee White any advantage.} 15. Bc2 Ne5 (15... a6 $5 16. Qe2 Qa5 17. Bd2 Ne5 $132) 16. Qe2 Nfd7 17. Bg5 {The e7 isn't really hanging, but the presense of White's bishop on g5 is somewhat annoying.} h6 ({Deserves some attention also} 17... Bf6 $5 18. Bxf6 Nxf6 19. Kh2 Nc4 20. Bd3 Qd4 $11 {The activity of Black's pieces doesn't allow to develop a serious attack on the kingside.}) 18. Bh4 g5 {A double-edged decision. Black manages to secure the e5, but this advance exposes the light squares around the king.} 19. Bg3 Qa6 ({Another interesting way of handling the position was} 19... Ng6 $5 20. Rfc1 Be5 21. Bxe5 Ndxe5 22. g3 Rc4 $132) 20. Qd1 Rc4 $2 {The first cause of Sergey's troubles!} ({There was no reason from deviating from the most aggressive} 20... Nc4 21. Bd3 Qb6 (21... Nc5 22. Be2 Bxc3 23. bxc3 Qxa2 24. Ra1 Qb3 25. Qd4 {looks risky for a human eye}) 22. Qe2 Nde5 $132) 21. Kh1 {This is the point! Most of Black's pieces are on the queenside, so White manages to develop a powerful attack now.} Rac8 22. f4 gxf4 23. Bxf4 Qb6 {The queen is coming into defence, but it takes a long time...} 24. Qh5 Nf6 ({The pawn sac wouldn't bring Sergey any relief:} 24... Qd8 25. Bxh6 Nf6 26. Qh4 Ng6 27. Qg5 Qf8 28. Bxg7 Qxg7 29. Rf5 $16) 25. Qf5 Qd8 (25... Ng6 26. Bd2 Qd8 27. Bb3 R4c7 28. Be3 $16) 26. Bb3 Rd4 27. Bxe5 dxe5 {As it often happens, the presense of bishops of different colours favours the attacking side!} 28. Rbd1 ({Worth attention is also} 28. Rbc1 $5 Qd7 29. Qxd7 Nxd7 30. Ne2 Rxc1 31. Rxc1 Rd2 (31... Rxe4 32. Ng3 Rf4 33. Rc7 $36) 32. Rc8+ Bf8 33. Ng3 $36 {Even though liquadating into the endgame is Black's undisputable achievement, the position is still very unpleasant.}) 28... Qd7 29. Qf3 Rb4 ({Perhaps, it was better to swap the rooks, though after} 29... Rxd1 30. Qxd1 b5 31. Qd3 a6 32. Ne2 $36 {it wouldn't easy to find a constructive defenseve plan.}) 30. Rd2 $1 {The rook would be very useful along 2nd rank.} Rf8 31. g4 $1 {As usual, World Champion's play is very energetic and impressive.} a5 $2 {Black cannot afford wasting a tempo for counter-attacking measures.} ({The only way to provide resistance was} 31... Nh7 32. h4 Rb6 33. Rg1 Rf6 34. Qg3 $16 {White still has to find a way to make progress.}) 32. Rg2 Nh7 33. h4 {Now White's attack lasts itself.} Rb6 34. g5 Kh8 ({In case of} 34... Rg6 35. Rfg1 Kh8 36. Ba4 Qc8 37. Rh2 $18 {Black would be almost paralysed.}) 35. Rfg1 f5 {A desperate attempt to complicate the matters.} 36. Qh3 Rb4 37. gxh6 Bxh6 {The king is too exposed, so White has many winning ways now.} 38. Qg3 (38. Rg6 Bf4 39. Qg2 $18 (39. d6 $18)) 38... Nf6 39. Qg6 Ng4 40. Rxg4 1-0

[Event "Bilbao Masters 9th"]
[Site "Bilbao"]
[Date "2016.07.16"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "So, Wesley"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C65"]
[WhiteElo "2855"]
[BlackElo "2770"]
[Annotator "Carlsen,Magnus"]
[PlyCount "51"]
[EventDate "2016.07.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 174"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.09.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.09.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 {In round 4 this was already my third white game. In the first two games against predominantly 1...e5 players I was suprised by 1...c5 and wheeled out a couple of obscure Anti-Sicilians. I got an excellent position against Nakamura and then nothing against Karjakin and won, so naturally I was expecting to be surprised again.} 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 {Wesley also plays other systems, but an invitation to the Berlin is never a surprise from a top player.} 4. d3 {In my early years as an ambitious player the Berlin was not considered a particulary good opening, and I used to grab the invitation with both hands, with excellent results. More recently however, more solid systems for Black have been found, and I'm finding myself rejecting the invitation on a regular basis.} Bc5 5. Bxc6 dxc6 6. Qe2 ({Back in 2012 I started playing} 6. Nbd2 {here, and to my surprise it became very popular. The text has similar ideas, but is much less well-known.}) 6... Qe7 7. Nbd2 Bg4 {Naturally, there are plenty of other options on this and the previous move, but this plan is always decent. The bishop will temporarily be misplaced on h5/g6, but it will usually come in to play via f7 after ...d7 and ...f6.} 8. h3 Bh5 9. a3 {This move took me more than 20 minutes, but I felt that it was already time to delve more deeply into the position. In the 2013 world championship Vishy chose the plan with f1-g3 without g4, but that was without e2 and ...e7 included. Now I would just be a tempo down compared that game. Other ways to play were c4 or g4 followed by f1-g3, but neither of them seemed to give too much of a basis for an interesting battle. Bothering his bishop immediately though, seemed much more interesting. Besides, I won't hide the fact that playing h3 and a3 on consecutive moves in the opening gave me pleasure.} (9. Nf1 Nd7 10. Ng3 Bxf3 11. Qxf3 g6 {and White has wasted a tempo.}) 9... Nd7 (9... a5 {Generally this move is desirable strategically, gaining space while preventing b4. However, with the bishop on h5 kingside castling is not attractive with g4 coming and a knight landing on f5, while with the pawn on a5 queenside castling will not be on the cards. Having said that, it was certainly a playable, and probably the most challenging option}) 10. b4 Bd6 {Wesley spent almost 20 minutes on this move, which is very much understandable as all three bishop moves were serious options.} (10... Bd4 {A very solid option, getting rid the dark squared bishop, which otherwise either risks being harassed on b6, or passive on d6} 11. Rb1 Bc3 12. O-O Bxd2 {Otherwise the knight escapes} 13. Bxd2 {But I was not too unhappy about this, as the extra space on the queenside feels useful.}) (10... Bb6 {The engines like this move, and I don't have any convincing arguments against it. The worry for Black is that the bishop is likely to be caged in on b6 after a subsequent c4 c5, which an engine probably won't mind. Recent examples from a couple of blitz and rapid games by Nakamura (against MVL and Caruana respectively) in another line of the Berlin, suggest that even top level practice the computer's opinion may prevail.}) ({RR} 10... Bb6 11. Nc4 a5 12. Rb1 axb4 13. axb4 Ra2 14. O-O O-O 15. Rb2 Rfa8 16. c3 Ra1 17. Rc2 f6 18. Rd1 Nf8 19. Nxb6 cxb6 20. Be3 Ne6 21. Rcd2 b5 22. Rxa1 Rxa1+ 23. Rd1 Ra3 24. Qb2 Bxf3 25. gxf3 {Carlsen,M (2843)-Aronian,L (2764) Stavanger 2018 0-1 (52)}) 11. Nc4 $146 ({RR} 11. g4 Bg6 12. Nc4 c5 13. b5 Nf8 14. Be3 f6 15. Nh4 Qd7 16. a4 a6 17. b6 Ne6 18. Nf5 Bf7 19. Qd1 Bf8 20. bxc7 Qxc7 21. a5 g6 22. Nb6 Rb8 23. Ng3 Nd4 24. Ne2 Bd6 25. Nc3 Qd8 {Tokhirjonova,G (2369)-Olsarova,K (2303) Batumi 2018 1-0 (42)}) 11... f6 (11... Nf8 {was possible, but I suspect he was worried about} 12. Na5 {and there is no convenient way to protect b7.}) 12. Ne3 {A key point of the a3-b4 operation is that the e3-square is freed up for the knight (otherwise the bishop would happily have chopped it off). The knight can later jump to f5 without having to play g4 first.} a5 $2 {As on move 9, this is the most challenging, but ceraintly not the most practical option. That's why I'm assigning it a question mark, rather than it's objective value.} (12... Nf8 13. Nf5 Qd7 {was very solid; with the knight coming to e6, Black is alright.}) 13. Nf5 Qf8 {The consistent follow-up, as he forces me to make a consession on the queenside. However, now his king will be stuck in the center for a while, which is especially unpleasant considering the shorter time-control that was used in Bilbao} (13... Qf7 14. Rb1 {Now I don't have to take} axb4 15. axb4 O-O 16. O-O {and while he has been able to seize the a-file for the moment, the rest of his pieces are rather more clumsily placed than in the note to 12...f8} (16. Bh6 Qa2 $1)) 14. bxa5 Rxa5 15. O-O Qf7 {This loss of tempo certainly doesn't look impressive, but at least he frees up the f8-square for the knight or even bishop. Castling however, won't be possible for a long time because of the little trick h6, which really is the key to the position.} (15... Kd8 {Perhaps he should have tried to evacuate the king to the queenside:} 16. a4 (16. Bd2 Ra4) 16... Bb4 {And in both cases it's not so easy to generate a serious initative on the queenside}) 16. a4 Nc5 17. Qe1 (17. Bd2 {was also good, but this move, freeing up the knight and attacking the rook, just felt too natural not to be played.}) 17... b6 {It's becoming harder and harder to defend.} (17... Ra8 18. N3h4 {Since the rook will not be attacked after c4, the knight goes in the other direction} Ne6 (18... Bf8 19. a5 {fixing b7 as a target} g5 20. Nf3 Bxf3 21. gxf3 {and White is firmly in the driver's seat}) 19. Rb1 {and it's hard for Black to avoid losing a pawn, as xd6 followed by f5 is looming as well.}) 18. Nd2 Rxa4 19. Nc4 {The idea. Every move comes with a threat.} Bf8 $6 (19... Be7 {I suspected that this might better than the text, as it does not block the h8-rook. I was not too worried though, as I saw that I had at least a forced draw} 20. Be3 Kd7 {The only move, as} (20... O-O 21. Nxe7+ Qxe7 22. Bxc5 {loses a piece}) 21. Nxb6+ (21. Rxa4 Nxa4 22. f4 {This is probably what I would have done. White has a nice initative and is not risking anything, but Black is hanging on for the moment}) 21... cxb6 22. Bxc5 Rxa1 23. Qxa1 Bxc5 24. Qa7+ Ke6 25. Nxg7+ Kd6 26. Nf5+ Ke6 $11) 20. Be3 Kd7 (20... Rg8 {This was the only move, which I had seen.} 21. f4 {But still it's impossible to defend, at least in practical play.}) 21. Qc3 {All natural moves, and by now I felt that I was winning. There is very little to be done about the threat of xb6 followed by xc5, when a white rook will land on a7, winning the queen and the game.} Nxe4 (21... Rxc4 {I thought this was the last chance, but after} 22. dxc4 Nxe4 23. Qd3+ Nd6 24. g4 Bg6 25. Rfd1 {Black is tied up, while xb6 and a7 is threatened.}) 22. Nxb6+ {Again opening up the seventh rank and leaving the black king completely naked.} cxb6 23. dxe4 Qc4 24. Qd2+ Kc7 25. g4 {Finally g4! Much later than expected, but much more powerful.} Bg6 26. Rfd1 {I had no wish to calculate xb6 here or on the previous move, as this forces immediate resignation. A fun game, which put me in a great mood (which was immediately ruined by failing to win the next game against Anish, but that's another story).} 1-0

[Event "Olympiad-42"]
[Site "Baku"]
[Date "2016.09.05"]
[Round "4.1"]
[White "Smerdon, David"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B22"]
[WhiteElo "2531"]
[BlackElo "2857"]
[Annotator "Meyer,Claus Dieter"]
[PlyCount "51"]
[EventDate "2016.09.02"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "AZE"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 175"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.11.10"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.11.10"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Australia"]
[BlackTeam "Norway"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "AUS"]
[BlackTeamCountry "NOR"]

{SPIEL MIT DEM FEUER In der 4. Runde der Schacholympiade, im Match Australien vs Norwegen, provoziert Weltmeister Magnus Carlsen in seiner Partie gegen GM David Smerdon mit einem tollkühnen Bauernraub einen höchstgefährlichen Königsangriff. Angesichts komplizierter und spannender Verwicklungen greifen dann beide Seiten in der kritischen Phase daneben, so dass sich am Ende insbesondere der Champ mit der Punkteteilung glücklich schätzen kann.} 1. e4 c5 2. c3 d5 3. exd5 Qxd5 4. d4 Nf6 5. Nf3 e6 6. Na3 (6. Bd3 Nc6 7. O-O Be7 8. Be3 cxd4 9. cxd4 O-O 10. Nc3 Qd6 11. a3 b6 12. Qe2 Bb7 13. Rad1 Rad8 14. Rfe1 Qb8 15. Bb1 Rfe8 16. h3 g6 17. Bc1 Rc8 18. Ng5 Nd8 19. Ba2 Qa8 20. Qd3 Nd5 21. Qg3 Nf6 $2 (21... Nxc3 $142 22. bxc3 Bd5) 22. Qh4 h5 23. Qg3 $40 {+/-, 1:0/34, Smerdon,D (2498)-Croad,N (2282), England 2013}) 6... Qd8 (6... a6 7. Nc4 Nbd7 8. a4 cxd4 9. Qxd4 Bc5 10. Qxd5 exd5 11. Ne3 O-O {remis/32, Smerdon,D (2513)-David,A (2565), Tromso 2014}) 7. Nc4 ({Häufiger geschieht} 7. Nc2 {, z.B.} Nbd7 8. Bd3 Qc7 (8... Be7)) 7... Be7 (7... Nc6 8. Nce5 cxd4 9. Bb5 Qd5 10. c4 $5) 8. Be3 cxd4 9. Qxd4 ({Das wirkt recht friedfertig und betritt unerforschtes Neuland; noch bekannt ist} 9. Nxd4 Nd5 (9... O-O) 10. Bd2 O-O 11. Bd3 Bf6 {mit etwa gleichen Chancen.}) ({RR} 9. Nxd4 O-O 10. Bd3 Nd5 11. Qc2 h6 12. O-O-O Nxe3 13. Nxe3 Qa5 14. Kb1 Nc6 15. Nxc6 bxc6 16. Nc4 Qc5 17. Rhe1 Bf6 18. f4 a5 19. g4 a4 20. h4 Bxh4 21. Rh1 Ba6 22. Ne5 Qf2 23. Bxa6 Rxa6 {Garcia Pantoja,R (2531)-Terao,J (2229) Foz do Iguacu BRA 2025 1-0}) 9... O-O 10. O-O-O Nd5 11. Qg4 $146 {Nun ist (früher) Damentausch vorübergehend kein Thema, und die Stellung wird angesichts der heterogenen Rochaden rasch kampfbetonter und zweischneidiger.} ({RR} 11. Qd2 Nxe3 12. Qxe3 Qc7 13. Bd3 Nd7 14. h4 b5 15. Nce5 Nxe5 16. Qxe5 Qxe5 17. Nxe5 Bb7 18. Bxb5 Bxg2 19. Rh2 Be4 20. f3 Bf5 21. Rd7 Bc5 22. b4 Be3+ 23. Kb2 Rfd8 24. Re2 Rxd7 25. Nxd7 Bf4 {Silva,A (1975)-Rodriguez Lopez,R (2171) Maia POR 2024 ½-½ (84)}) ({RR} 11. Qd2 Nxe3 12. Qxe3 Qc7 13. Bd3 Nd7 14. h4 b5 15. Nce5 Nxe5 16. Qxe5 Qxe5 17. Nxe5 Bb7 18. Bxb5 Bxg2 19. Rh2 Be4 20. f3 Bf5 21. Rd7 Bc5 22. b4 Be3+ 23. Kb2 Rfd8 24. Re2 Rxd7 25. Nxd7 Bf4 {Silva,A (1975)-Rodriguez Lopez,R (2171) Maia POR 2024 ½-½ (84)}) 11... Nxe3 ({Interessante und ebenso unklare Alternativen: I} 11... Nd7 12. Bh6 Bf6 13. Bd3 b5 (13... Nc5 14. Bc2 Qc7 15. Ne3) 14. Ne3 Nc5 15. Bc2 Bb7) ({II} 11... Qc7 12. Qg3 $5) ({III} 11... b5 $5 12. Nce5 Nxe3 13. fxe3 Qb6) 12. fxe3 Qc7 13. Bd3 Nd7 14. Qf4 $5 Qc5 ({Da} 14... Qxf4 15. exf4 {ihm wenig bis gar nichts gäbe, sucht Carlsen mit ausweichenden Damenmanövern sein Heil in waghalsigen Verwicklungen.}) 15. b4 $5 Qc6 16. Nd4 $5 {Nach anfänglichem Respekt vor seinem großen Gegner wittert der rauflustige australische Taktiker seine Chance und bietet ein giftiges Bauernopfer an, dessen waghalsige Annahme eigentlich kaum zu erwarten ist ...} (16. Kb2 $13 {/=}) 16... Qxg2 $6 {Der Champion, "den hier offenbar der Schachteufel reitet", spielt va banque! Trotz der Furcht einflößenden Öffnung der g-Linie vertraut Carlsen auf seine Verteidigungsressourcen und Künste, und nicht zuletzt darauf, dass nun ja auch sein Gegner etwas beweisen muss. Indes stellen die resultierenden messerscharfen und komplexen Verwicklungen äußerst hohe Ansprüche an die Kombattanten!} ({Alternativen: I Am ehesten kam m. E. die Ablehnung} 16... Qd5 $13 {/= in Betracht. Allerdings stünde die Dame nach} 17. Nf3 {weiterhin auch ungemütlich, z,B.:} Qc6 (17... g6 $6 18. h4 $1 $40 (18. Bxg6 $4 fxg6 19. Rxd5 exd5 $17)) 18. Kb2 $5 (18. Nd4 Qd5 19. Nf3 Qc6 {mit Stellungswiederholung} (19... Qb5 20. Nd4)) 18... Nb6 19. Nxb6 Qxb6 $13 {/=}) ({II} 16... Qa6 $6 {wirkt nicht gerade Vertrauen erweckend:} 17. Kb2 g6 (17... b5 $2 18. Na5 $1 (18. Qe4 $4 f5 $1 19. Qxe6+ (19. Qxa8 bxc4 20. Nc6 Bf6) 19... Qxe6 20. Nxe6 bxc4 21. Nxf8 (21. Bxc4 $2 Nb6 22. Bb3 Bxe6 23. Bxe6+ Kh8) 21... cxd3 22. Nxd7 Bxd7 23. Rxd3 Be6) 18... e5 19. Qe4 Nf6 20. Qxe5 $18 (20. Qxa8 exd4 21. exd4 $18)) 18. h4 (18. a4 Nb6 19. Nxb6 Qxb6 20. a5 Qd6 (20... Qd8 21. Be4) 21. Qxd6 Bxd6 22. Nb5 Be7 23. Be4 $14) 18... b5 19. Ne5 Bd6 20. Bxb5 Bxe5 (20... Qb7 $143 21. Bxd7 $1 Bxd7 22. Qf3 $16) 21. Bxa6 Bxf4 22. Bxc8 Rfxc8 23. exf4 Nb6 24. Kb3 $14) 17. Rhg1 {Dieser Turm wartet mit trickreichen Manövern auf.} Qh3 ({Freilich nicht} 17... Qxa2 $4 {wegen} 18. Rxg7+ Kxg7 19. Rg1+ Kh8 20. Qh6 $18 {nebst unparierbarem Matt (} Qa1+ 21. Kd2 Qa2+ 22. Nc2 {)}) 18. Rg3 {Strebt geschickt die Turmverdopplung an und verlangt dem Gegner "höllische Wachsamkeit" ab!} Qh4 $2 {Damit sollte Carlsens tollkühner Schlingerkurs aber voll danebengehen!} ({Selbstverständlich scheitert 18...xh2?? an 19.xg7+, indes war} 18... Qh5 $142 $8 {erforderlich, worauf nach dem weiteren} 19. Rdg1 (19. Be2 $2 Qh4 {, denn nun wäre nach Damentausch nebst h3 der Punkt h7 nicht mehr doppelt bedroht.}) 19... g6 {der Tanz mit dem folgenden Springeropfer erst richtig losgeht:} (19... Bf6 $4 20. Be2 e5 21. Qf2 Qh6 22. Nf5) 20. Nxe6 $3 {und nun:} Ne5 $8 {der einzig spielbare Zug!} (20... fxe6 $2 21. Bxg6 hxg6 22. Rxg6+ Kh7 23. Rg7+ Kh8 24. Qg3 Nf6 25. Rxe7 Rg8 26. Rg7 Bd7 27. Ne5 $18 Bb5 28. Qh4 (28. Qf4 Rxg7 29. Qxf6) 28... Rxg7 29. Qxf6 Rag8 30. Ng6+ Kh7 31. Nf8+ Kh8 32. Rg4 $1 {mit dem Plan h4+-}) 21. Nxe5 Bxe6 22. Rg5 $8 {! Diese Finesse, wonach die schwarze Dame in die Zange genommen wird, muss schon entkorkt werden.} Bxg5 (22... Qh3 23. Nxg6 hxg6 24. Rxg6+ fxg6 25. Rxg6+ Kh8 26. Rh6+ Kg7 27. Rg6+ (27. Rxh3 $4 Rxf4) 27... Kh8 28. Rh6+ $11) 23. Rxg5 Qh3 $142 (23... Qh6 24. Rxg6+ Qxg6 25. Nxg6 fxg6 (25... hxg6 26. Qh6 Rfe8 27. h4 $1 Rac8 (27... Rad8 $143 28. Bb5 Bd7 29. h5 $1) 28. h5 Rxc3+ 29. Kd2 Rc7 30. hxg6 fxg6 31. Qxg6+ Kf8 32. Qf6+ Kg8 33. a3 $14) 26. Qe4 Bxa2 27. Qxb7 $14) 24. Rg3 Qh5 25. Rg5 Qh3 $11 {mit forcierter Stellungswiederholung wäre ein sehr ausgeklügeltes Finale gewesen.}) 19. Qxh4 Bxh4 20. Rh3 Bg5 ({Oder: I} 20... Be7 21. Bxh7+ Kh8 22. Nf3 $1 $16 {Hier eine Art Patentzug, den wir hinter den Kulissen wiederholt antreffen werden. Weiß macht seine d-Linie frei und spekuliert auf d6 (ggf. ce5), während Schwarz sowohl unter seiner unsicheren Königsstellung als auch unter seinem unterentwicklten Damenflügel (c8) schwer laboriert.} a5 $5 {mag noch am zähesten sein:} (22... Rb8 23. Kb2 a6 24. Nd6 Bxd6 (24... Nf6 $143 25. Ng5 Bxd6 26. Rxd6 Bd7 27. Rd4 $1 g6 28. Nxf7+ Rxf7 29. Bxg6+ Kg7 30. Bxf7 Kxf7 31. Rh6 e5 32. Rxf6+ Kxf6 33. Rxd7 $18) 25. Rxd6 g6 26. Bxg6+ Kg7 27. Be4 $16) (22... Nb6 $2 23. Nce5 $1 Nd5 24. Rg1 Rb8 25. Ng4 g5 (25... g6 26. Bxg6+ Kg7 27. Be4 $18) 26. Bc2+ Kg8 27. c4 Nxb4 28. Rh7 $1 f5 (28... Nxc2 29. Nxg5 $18) 29. Rxe7 fxg4 30. Bh7+ Kh8 31. Ne5 Rf6 32. Rd1 $18) 23. b5 $1 (23. Be4+ $5 Kg8 24. Bxb7 Ra7 $1 25. Nxa5 Nf6 26. Bc6 Bd8 27. Nc4 Rxa2 28. Rd2 Rxd2 29. Kxd2 $16) 23... Ra7 24. b6 Ra8 25. Nd6 Bxd6 26. Rxd6 g6 27. Bxg6+ Kg7 28. Be4 $16 {mit großem Endspielvorteil}) ({II} 20... Bf6 21. Bxh7+ Kh8 22. Nf3 $1 Nb6 $2 (22... Be7 23. Be4+ Kg8 24. Bxb7 {wie gehabt}) (22... Bxc3 23. a3 $1 Bf6 24. Nd6 a5 25. b5 a4 (25... e5 26. Bc2+ Kg8 27. Nxc8 $18) 26. Kb1 $1 Ra5 27. Ka2 g6 (27... Ra8 28. Nxc8 Raxc8 29. Rxd7 $18) 28. Bxg6+ Kg7 29. Be4 Rh8 30. Rxh8 Kxh8 31. Rc1 Nb6 32. Nxc8 (32. Rc7) 32... Rxb5 33. Nd4 $18) 23. Nce5 $1 Nd5 (23... Bxe5 24. Nxe5 $18 g6 25. Bxg6+ Kg7 26. Rg1 Kf6 27. Nxf7) 24. c4 (24. Ng4 Bxc3 25. Bd3+ Kg8 26. Nh6+ gxh6 27. Rg1+ Bg7 28. Rhg3 $18) 24... Nxe3 25. Nxf7+ $1 Rxf7 26. Ne5 $18) ({III} 20... g5 $2 21. Rg1 Kh8 22. Bxh7 $1 e5 23. Bc2 Nb6 (23... Nf6 24. Bf5 exd4 (24... Nh7 25. Nxe5 $18) 25. Rxg5 Bxf5 26. Rxf5 $18) (23... exd4 24. Rxg5 $18) 24. Nf5 f6 (24... Bxf5 25. Bxf5 f6 26. Nxe5 $18) 25. Nxe5 $18) 21. Rg1 $2 ({Womit der Kelch knapp an den Weltmeister vorübergegangen ist! Ebenso wie er übersieht der sonst so erfolgreiche australische Taktiker - die für ihn schmeichelhafte Punkteteilung in Reichweite -, dass Weiß nach dem korrekten} 21. Bxh7+ $142 Kh8 {Gewinn verheißenden Angriff erhält.} {Oder} 22. Bc2+ {, was unter Zugumstellung zur vorigen Variante führt:} (22. Nf3 $1 $40 {Die nachhaltige Stärke dieses Springerzuges, von meinen Silikon-Freunden schnell errechnet, blieb unseren Protagonisten offenbar verborgen. Man sehe:} {Nach} Be7 {erhält Weiß großen Endspielvorteil:} (22... Bh6 23. Bc2 $1 a5 (23... Kg8 24. Rg1 Kh8 25. Nd6 a5 26. Rd1 Nf6 (26... Kg8 27. Nxc8 $18 Raxc8 28. Rxd7 Rxc3 29. Kd2) 27. Ne5 Bd7 28. Ndxf7+ Kg8 (28... Rxf7 29. Nxf7+ Kg8 30. Nxh6+ gxh6 31. Rxh6 $18) 29. Nxh6+ gxh6 30. Rg1+ Kh8 31. Rxh6+ Nh7 32. Rxh7#) (23... e5 24. Nd6 Nf6 (24... e4 25. Bxe4 Nf6 26. Bf5 $18) 25. Bf5 $1 $18 Bxf5 (25... Be6 26. Bxe6 fxe6 27. Nxe5) 26. Nxf5 Rfe8 27. Rg1) 24. Nd6 Kg8 25. Nxc8 Rfxc8 26. Rxd7 Rxc3 27. Kd2 Rxe3 (27... Ra3 28. Nd4 Rxa2 29. bxa5 R2xa5 30. Rf3 Rf8 31. Bb3 Ra6 32. Rxb7 $18) 28. Rxh6 Rxf3 29. Bh7+ Kf8 30. Rh4 axb4 31. Bc2 $18) (22... b5 $4 23. Nxg5 bxc4 24. Be4+) (22... f6 $4 23. Nxg5 fxg5 24. Bf5+ Kg8 25. Bxe6+ $18) (22... Bf6 23. Nd6 $18 {, z.B.} Nb6 24. Bg6+ Kg8 25. Ne5 $1 Bxe5 26. Bh7+ Kh8 27. Nxf7+ Rxf7 28. Rd8+ Rf8 29. Rxf8#) 23. Nd6 (23. Be4+ Kg8 24. Bxb7 Bxb7 25. Rxd7 Bxf3 (25... Bd5 26. Rxe7 Bxc4 27. Ne5 Bxa2 28. Kb2 Bd5 29. c4 Bh1 30. b5 $18) 26. Rxf3 Bf6 27. Kc2 $16) 23... Nb6 24. c4 Bxd6 25. Rxd6 g6 26. Bxg6+ Kg7 27. Bd3 $16) 22... Kg8 (22... Bh6 23. Nd6 a5 24. Nf3 {etc. +- siehe nachstehend}) 23. Nf3 $1 Be7 (23... Bf6 24. Bh7+ Kh8 25. Nd6 {+-, siehe nachstehend}) (23... Bh6 24. Rg1 {etc. +- siehe nachstehend}) 24. Bh7+ Kh8 25. Be4+ Kg8 26. Bxb7 {etc. +- siehe nachstehend}) 21... h6 $11 {Ebenso erzwungen wie der folgende Remisschluss.} 22. Rxg5 hxg5 23. Bh7+ Kh8 24. Bd3+ Kg8 25. Bh7+ Kh8 26. Bd3+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "Olympiad-42"]
[Site "Baku"]
[Date "2016.09.08"]
[Round "6.1"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Sadorra, Julio Catalino"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C01"]
[WhiteElo "2857"]
[BlackElo "2560"]
[Annotator "Sadorra,Julio"]
[PlyCount "82"]
[EventDate "2016.09.02"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "AZE"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 175"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.11.10"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.11.10"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Norway"]
[BlackTeam "Philippines"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "NOR"]
[BlackTeamCountry "PHI"]

{This was both the most important and enjoyable game that I've ever played so far in my professional career since I became a grandmaster. Fortunately for me and my team, there was a rest day before this match so we had ample time to prepare and relax. Without further ado, let's see how my prep and the game played out.} 1. e4 e6 2. Nf3 {A surprise, taking me out of the prep work.} d5 3. exd5 $5 {This next one is also unexpected but it didn't affect me that much.} exd5 4. d4 Bd6 5. c4 Nf6 6. c5 $5 {Taking the game to non-standard paths. "You have to know theory to play no-theory."} Be7 7. Nc3 O-O ({Maybe a better try is} 7... b6 {right away} 8. cxb6 (8. b4 $2 a5) 8... axb6 9. Bd3 O-O 10. O-O c5 {leading to a complex middlegame where Black has good central control.}) 8. Be3 $1 {Accurate, making b4 work.} ({RR} 8. Be2 Nc6 9. O-O Ne4 10. Bf4 a6 11. Qb3 Na5 12. Qc2 Bf5 13. Bd3 Nc6 14. a3 Bf6 15. Rad1 Bg4 16. Nxe4 Bxf3 17. gxf3 dxe4 18. Bxe4 Nxd4 19. Qc4 Qd7 20. Rd2 Rad8 21. Rfd1 Rfe8 22. Kh1 Qh3 {Nepomniachtchi,I (2770)-Abdusattorov,N (2769) chess.com INT 2024 ½-½ (77)}) ({RR} 8. h3 b6 9. Be3 Ne4 10. Rc1 Bf6 11. Bd3 Re8 12. O-O bxc5 13. dxc5 Nxc3 14. bxc3 Nc6 15. Bb5 Re6 16. c4 d4 17. Bxc6 Rxc6 18. Bxd4 Bxd4 19. Nxd4 Rg6 20. Nc6 Qf6 21. Qd5 Bb7 22. Ne7+ Qxe7 {Terrieux,K (2395)-Jackson,T (2161) Rochefort FRA 2025 ½-½ (35)}) 8... b6 9. b4 a5 10. a3 Ng4 $146 {Asking him questions before he gets to play natural moves & complete development.} ({RR} 10... Bg4 11. Be2 axb4 12. axb4 Rxa1 13. Qxa1 Nc6 14. Qa4 Qa8 15. Ne5 Nxe5 16. dxe5 Ne4 17. Bxg4 Nxc3 18. Qxa8 Rxa8 19. O-O bxc5 20. bxc5 Ra4 21. Bd7 Ra5 22. e6 Kf8 23. Re1 fxe6 24. c6 Bc5 25. Bd2 {Fogarasi,T (2367)-Berczes,D (2478) Budapest 2019 0-1 (37)}) 11. Bf4 Re8 $1 ({My intial intention was} 11... axb4 {but after checking} 12. axb4 Rxa1 13. Qxa1 Re8 {I realised that this does not work due to} 14. Bb5 $1 c6 15. Be2 $16 {[%csl Rb8]}) 12. Be2 axb4 13. axb4 ({I also had to check} 13. Nb5 {but I thought I was fine as soon as I saw the useful tactics} Ba6 14. Nxc7 (14. Bxc7 Qd7) 14... Bh4 $1 15. Nxe8 Nxf2 {should at least give me good counterplay in this complex position.}) 13... Rxa1 14. Qxa1 bxc5 ({Otherwise, I will get squeezed on the queenside! e.g.} 14... Nc6 15. Qa4 $1) 15. bxc5 Bxc5 $1 16. dxc5 d4 17. O-O dxc3 18. Bc4 $1 {Played quickly, suggesting that he foresaw or expected all this.} c2 $1 19. Qa4 Bf5 {Keeping my passed pawn will put him under pressure, so when I saw I could work it out concretely, I went for it!} 20. Nd4 ({Of course the premise on which my idea was based was} 20. Bxc7 Qd7 21. Bb5 Qxc7 22. Bxe8 Qxc5 23. Qf4 (23. Qa1 Nxf2 $1 $19) 23... Nxf2 24. Nd4 Nd3 {and I thought I should be winning here.}) 20... Bg6 21. Nxc2 {Now that he's won back his pawn, I try to take away one of his trumps - the bishop pair.} Re4 22. Bg3 Ne5 23. Bxe5 Rxe5 24. Ne3 $5 ({I thought another possible move was} 24. Nd4 $5 {but it's difficult to work out the significant difference otb.}) ({If he played} 24. c6 {I was preparing to hold the balance with either} Rc5 ({or} 24... Qe8 $5) 25. Nd4 h6 $11 {and I felt that White is actually the one who had to be more careful as his c6-pawn will be weak till the endgame.}) 24... Rxc5 25. f4 h6 26. Qb4 Nd7 $1 {"You can't bluff me!"} 27. f5 ({Players could be put off by the pin after} 27. Rd1 {but I foresaw a simple but important counter-attacking idea} Qe8 $1) 27... Bh5 28. Qd2 ({The consequences of} 28. g4 Qg5 {are difficult to work out otb but I knew for sure that it's riskier for White as his king is more exposed, not to mention the fact that he's already a pawn down...}) 28... Qg5 29. Qd4 Re5 30. Qxd7 Qxe3+ 31. Kh1 Qc5 ({A better try was} 31... Qc3 {as Magnus correctly pointed out after the game} 32. Qxc7 Kh7 $1 {and the pin is decisive.}) 32. Qd3 Re3 33. Qc2 Qe5 (33... Qd4 34. Rc1) 34. Qd2 $1 Kh7 35. h3 {Around this time, I only had a few minutes left and it was annoying that I couldn't find a clear way to break through the defence and increase my advantage. In retrospect, I can now say from experience that World Champs indeed possess great defensive skills including the current one!} Qe4 36. Kg1 c6 $5 {Preventing d5 and an attempt to keep the position under control but Magnus keeps playing the best defensive moves.} (36... f6 $142 $1 37. Qd8 Be8 38. Qxc7 Bc6 39. Rf2 Qxc4 $19) 37. Rc1 $1 Qe5 38. Bf1 Rg3 39. Qf2 Qd6 ({With only a minute on the clock, I was thinking about} 39... Bf3 {but realised it loses to} 40. Re1 $1 (40. Rc3 Qxc3 41. Qxg3 Qd4+ $19) 40... Qd6 41. Re3 $18 {and suddenly it's White that wins!}) 40. Rc4 f6 41. Rxc6 {With nothing to play for, Magnus offered a draw and I agreed.} Qxc6 {Although I was disappointed in not converting my advantage, I had every reason to be happy to achieve a fighting draw against the World Champion and to help my team pull an upset 2-2 against the formidable Norwegian team!} 1/2-1/2

[Event "Olympiad-42"]
[Site "Baku"]
[Date "2016.09.09"]
[Round "7.1"]
[White "Solak, Dragan"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B08"]
[WhiteElo "2635"]
[BlackElo "2857"]
[Annotator "Pavlovic,Milos"]
[PlyCount "78"]
[EventDate "2016.09.02"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "AZE"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 175"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.11.10"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.11.10"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Turkey"]
[BlackTeam "Norway"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "TUR"]
[BlackTeamCountry "NOR"]

1. e4 d6 2. d4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. Nf3 a6 {The Pirc is very popular among players who are playing only to win even with Black. This particular setup that the World Chamion is using gives Black additional ways of handling this position. Playing in a flexible way Black is hoping to get some good versions of usual Pirc positions.} 5. Be2 Nf6 6. O-O O-O 7. Re1 {White has opted for a classical setup.} Nc6 $5 {Another interesting provocative move.} (7... b5 8. e5 $1 Nfd7 9. a4 b4 10. Nd5 Nc6 11. Bg5 h6 12. Bh4 g5 13. Bg3 e6 14. Ne3 dxe5 15. d5 Nd4 16. dxe6 fxe6 17. Nd2 Bb7 18. Bc4 Nb6 19. Ba2 Nd5 20. Ndc4 $44 {1-0 (125) Malakhov,V (2694)-Morozevich,A (2711) Moscow (blitz) 2015}) 8. d5 {Another recent game saw:} (8. h3 e5 9. Be3 exd4 10. Nxd4 Bd7 11. Bf1 Re8 12. Nxc6 Bxc6 13. Bd4 b5 14. a3 Bb7 15. f3 c5 16. Bf2 Qc7 17. Qd2 Rad8 18. Rad1 h6 19. Bg3 Qb6 20. Kh1 d5 21. exd5 Rxe1 22. Qxe1 Nxd5 23. Nxd5 Rxd5 $11 {1-0 (59) Wang Hao (2717)-Mamedov,R (2650) Huai'an (blitz) 2016}) 8... Na7 $5 {As far as I know Nepomniachtchi was, or still is, Carlsen's second, so I am not surprised to see Carlsen using such an unusual retreat.} 9. h3 ({RR} 9. Bg5 h6 10. Be3 b5 11. a3 Bb7 12. Qd2 Kh7 13. Rad1 c6 14. Bxa7 Rxa7 15. dxc6 Bxc6 16. e5 Ne8 17. Qe3 Rb7 18. Nd4 Bd7 19. Bf3 Rc7 20. exd6 exd6 21. Nd5 Rc5 22. c3 Nf6 23. Nxf6+ Qxf6 {Kramnik,V (2808)-Carlsen,M (2832) Stavanger 2017 ½-½ (72)}) 9... b5 $5 (9... c6 10. Bf1 Nb5 11. Na4 Nd7 12. c4 Nc7 13. Nc3 Nc5 14. Nd4 cxd5 15. exd5 e5 16. dxe6 N5xe6 17. Be3 d5 18. Nxe6 Bxe6 19. Bb6 Qd6 20. Bxc7 Qxc7 21. Nxd5 Qc5 22. Qd2 Rad8 23. Rad1 Rd7 24. b4 Qc6 25. Rxe6 Qxe6 26. Nf6+ Bxf6 27. Qxd7 {½-½ (65) Malakhov,V (2694)-Nepomniachtchi,I (2705) Moscow (blitz) 2015. White is better.}) 10. Bf1 ({RR} 10. a3 Bb7 11. Bg5 h6 12. Be3 c6 13. dxc6 Nxc6 14. Qd2 Kh7 15. Bd3 Rc8 16. a4 b4 17. Nd5 Nxd5 18. exd5 Nb8 19. Bd4 Nd7 20. Bxg7 Kxg7 21. Qxb4 Bxd5 22. Bxa6 Rxc2 23. Nd4 Rc5 24. Bf1 Ba8 {Ramoutar,A (2313)-Tan,J (2413) Budapest HUN 2025 0-1 (68)}) 10... Bb7 11. a4 $146 {I am not very fond of this move, because the knight on a2 doesn't look as good as its counterpart on a7; obviously the knight on a7 has many more potential manoeuvres available to it.} (11. Bf4 c6 12. dxc6 Nxc6 13. a4 b4 14. Nd5 Nd7 {Black is fine again, this is reminiscent of Sicilian Dragon positions.}) ({RR} 11. a3 c6 12. Bf4 cxd5 13. exd5 Nc8 14. Nd4 Nxd5 15. Nxd5 Bxd5 16. Nxb5 Bb7 17. Nc3 Nb6 18. Qd2 Rc8 19. Bh6 Nc4 20. Bxc4 Rxc4 21. Bxg7 Kxg7 22. Re2 Qc7 23. Rae1 Re8 24. Re3 Kg8 25. b3 Rc5 {Tregubov,P (2539)-Gatterer,F (2165) Chess.com INT 2022 1-0 (49)}) ({RR} 11. a3 c6 12. Bf4 cxd5 13. exd5 Nc8 14. Nd4 Nxd5 15. Nxd5 Bxd5 16. Nxb5 Bb7 17. Nc3 Nb6 18. Qd2 Rc8 19. Bh6 Nc4 20. Bxc4 Rxc4 21. Bxg7 Kxg7 22. Re2 Qc7 23. Rae1 Re8 24. Re3 Kg8 25. b3 Rc5 {Tregubov,P (2539)-Gatterer,F (2165) Chess.com INT 2022 1-0 (49)}) 11... b4 12. Na2 a5 13. c4 (13. c3 c5 14. Nd2 Nc8 15. Nc4 Nb6 {Black is fine.}) 13... e6 {Somehow already I don't see any particular problems for Black.} 14. Bg5 h6 15. Be3 Re8 16. Bd3 exd5 17. exd5 c6 18. dxc6 Nxc6 {Now we see that the knight from a7 is back while the knight on a2 is out of play.} 19. Nc1 Nd7 20. Qc2 Qf6 21. Rb1 Nce5 22. Nxe5 Nxe5 23. Be2 d5 $17 24. cxd5 Bxd5 {Black is controlling all aspects of the game.} 25. Nb3 Rac8 26. Nc5 {White has had a problem all through the game with the knight on a2. Finally it has come out but only to be lost on the c5-square.} Bf8 27. Rbc1 Bxc5 28. Bxc5 Qg5 29. g3 Nd7 30. h4 Qd8 31. Bb5 Rxe1+ 32. Rxe1 Rxc5 $19 33. Qd2 h5 34. Qd4 Qf6 35. Qe3 Bc6 36. Qe8+ Nf8 37. Qc8 Rc2 38. Bxc6 Qxf2+ 39. Kh1 Qxe1# 0-1

[Event "Olympiad-42"]
[Site "Baku"]
[Date "2016.09.11"]
[Round "9.1"]
[White "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B01"]
[WhiteElo "2808"]
[BlackElo "2857"]
[Annotator "Mekhitarian,Krikor Sevag"]
[PlyCount "56"]
[EventDate "2016.09.02"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "AZE"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 175"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.11.10"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.11.10"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "US of America"]
[BlackTeam "Norway"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "USA"]
[BlackTeamCountry "NOR"]

1. e4 {Kritz,Leonid} d5 {The world champion tries the Scandinavian for the 3rd time, according to the database, and all of them against the same opponent!} 2. exd5 Qxd5 3. Nc3 Qd6 {This is Sergey Tiviakov's pet line - he has played it 164 times, according to my research!} (3... Qd8 {This happened in the 2014 olympiad} 4. d4 Nf6 5. Nf3 Bg4 6. h3 Bxf3 7. Qxf3 c6 8. Ne2 e6 9. g4 Qd5 10. Bg2 Nbd7 11. Qg3 Qc4 12. Qb3 Qxb3 13. axb3 Bd6 14. c4 $14 {0-1 (50) Caruana,F (2801)-Carlsen,M (2877) Tromso 2014. White has a more comfortable endgame, but the pawn structure is unbalanced, and Black ended up winning.}) (3... Qa5 {The old and main move was tried in a blitz game between them in 2015, ending in a draw:} 4. Nf3 Nf6 5. d4 c6 6. Bc4 Bg4 7. h3 Bxf3 8. Qxf3 e6 9. Bd2 Qc7 10. O-O-O Nbd7 11. Ne4 Nxe4 12. Qxe4 Bd6 13. Kb1 $14 {½-½ (63) Caruana,F (2805)-Carlsen,M (2876) Stavanger 2015; and once again, White has a small advantage.}) 4. d4 Nf6 5. Nf3 c6 6. Ne5 ({RR} 6. g3 Bg4 7. Bg2 e6 8. h3 Bxf3 9. Bxf3 Be7 10. Ne2 Nbd7) ({RR} 6. h3 Bf5 7. Bd3 Bxd3 8. Qxd3 Nbd7 9. Bg5 g6 10. O-O-O Bg7 11. Rhe1 O-O) ({RR} 6. Be2 Bg4 7. h3 ({RR} 7. Ne5 Bxe2 8. Qxe2 Nbd7 9. Bf4 Qxd4) 7... Bxf3 8. Bxf3 e6 9. O-O Nbd7) 6... Nbd7 7. Nc4 (7. f4 Nb6 8. g4 $5 {is one of the most energetic ways to fight this variation, and there is no better person to play this than Shirov} Nbd5 (8... g6 9. Bg2 Bg7 10. O-O O-O $13 {should be safer}) 9. Bg2 g6 10. g5 Nxc3 11. bxc3 Nd5 $6 (11... Nd7 $5 {following with ...h6 and ...xe5 at the right moment}) 12. c4 Nc7 13. c5 Qd8 14. d5 $1 {a very instructive pawn sacrifice for the initiative} cxd5 $2 (14... Bg7 $5 {was the lesser evil} 15. dxc6 Qxd1+ 16. Kxd1 b5 17. cxb6 axb6 $132 {following with ...h6 and ...e6, Black is fighting}) 15. c4 $1 {now the position is bad already} e6 16. Bb2 Bg7 17. Nc6 bxc6 18. Bxg7 Rg8 19. Be5 $18 {1-0 (26) Shirov,A (2749)-Tiviakov,S (2637) Hoogeveen 2010; leaving Black already in a hopeless position.}) ({RR} 7. Bf4 Nd5 ({RR} 7... Nxe5 8. dxe5 Qb4 9. Qd2 Nd5 10. Nxd5 Qxd2+ 11. Kxd2 cxd5 12. c4 dxc4 13. Bxc4) 8. Nxd5 ({RR} 8. Bg3 Nxc3 9. bxc3 Nxe5 10. Bxe5 Qa3) 8... Qxd5 9. Be2 Nxe5 10. Bxe5 Qxg2 11. Bf3 Qg6 12. d5 Bg4 13. dxc6 bxc6 14. Qe2 Bxf3 15. Qxf3 Rd8 16. Rd1 Qe6 17. O-O Rxd1 18. Rxd1 h5) 7... Qc7 8. a4 $5 {A rare line, aiming to harass Black's knight on b6 (a standard idea).} ({RR} 8. Qf3 Nb6 9. Bf4 Qd8 10. Be5 Bg4 11. Qg3) 8... Nd5 $5 (8... Nb6 9. Ne5 g6 ({RR} 9... Nbd7 10. Bf4 Nxe5 11. dxe5 Be6 12. Nb5 Qb8 ({RR} 12... cxb5 13. exf6 Qa5+ ({RR} 13... Qxf4 14. Bxb5+ Bd7 15. Qxd7#) 14. Bd2 Qc7 15. Bxb5+ Bd7 16. O-O gxf6 17. Ba5 b6 18. Qf3 Rd8 19. Bc3 Bg7 20. Rfe1) 13. Nd4) ({RR} 9... e6 10. Bd3 Nbd7 11. Bf4 Nxe5 12. Bxe5 Bd6 13. f4) 10. a5 Nbd7 11. Nd3 $5 $14) (8... g6 $5 {RR} 9. Qf3 Nb6 10. Bf4 Qd8 11. Be5 Bg7 12. a5 Nbd5 13. Nxd5 Qxd5 14. Be2) ({RR} 8... g6 9. g3 Bg7 10. Bg2 Nb6 11. Nxb6 ({RR} 11. Bf4 Qd8 12. Nxb6 Qxb6) 11... Qxb6 ({RR} 11... axb6 12. Bf4 Qd8 13. Be5 O-O 14. O-O) 12. a5 ({RR} 12. O-O a5) 12... Qa6 13. Qe2 ({RR} 13. Bf1 b5 14. Bg2 Bg4 15. Qd3 Rd8 16. O-O O-O 17. Bf4 Bf5 18. Qd2 b4 19. Na4 Nd5) ({RR} 13. Bf4 Bf5 14. Bf1 b5 15. axb6 Qxb6 16. Bg2 O-O 17. Na4 Qa5+ 18. Qd2) 13... Qxe2+ 14. Nxe2 a6 ({RR} 14... O-O 15. a6) ({RR} 14... Bf5 15. a6 O-O-O 16. axb7+ Kxb7 17. c3) 15. O-O Bf5 16. c3 O-O-O ({RR} 16... Be4 17. Bxe4 Nxe4 18. Nf4 e6 19. Re1 Nf6 20. Nd3) 17. Re1 Rhe8 18. Nf4 e6 19. h3 h5 20. Be3 ({RR} 20. f3 Nd5 21. g4 Nxf4 22. Bxf4 Bd3) 20... Nd5 21. Nxd5 exd5 ({RR} 21... cxd5 22. Bg5 Rd7 23. Bf1) 22. Bd2 Rxe1+ 23. Rxe1 {Radjabov,T (2756)-Nisipeanu,L (2675) Bazna 2009 CBM 131 [Kritz,Leonid] ½-½}) ({RR} 8... Nb6 9. Ne5 Bf5 10. g4 Be6 11. f4 g6) ({RR} 8... e6 9. g3 Nd5 10. Bg2 Bb4 11. O-O O-O 12. Ne4 N7f6 13. Nxf6+ Nxf6 14. Bf4 Qd8 15. c3 Be7 16. Qc2 Nd5 17. Bd2 b6 18. Ne5 Bd7 19. c4 Nb4 20. Bxb4 Bxb4 21. Bxc6 Bxc6 22. Nxc6 Qd6 23. Nxb4 {Razanadrakotoarisoa,T (2159)-Mazzilli,P (2303) chess.com INT 2025 1-0 (62)}) ({RR} 8... Nb6 9. Ne5 e6 10. Bd3 Nbd7 11. Bf4 Nxe5 12. Bxe5 Bd6 13. f4 Bd7 14. O-O O-O-O 15. a5 c5 16. a6 b6 17. Nb5 Bxb5 18. Bxb5 cxd4 19. Ra4 Kb8 20. Rc4 Qe7 21. Qxd4 Nd5 22. Rc6 Bxe5 23. fxe5 {Caruana,F (2649)-Granda Zuniga,J (2610) Zafra 2009 1-0 (41)}) 9. Bd3 $146 ({RR} 9. Qf3 N7f6 10. Ne5 Be6 11. Bc4 Rd8 12. O-O g6 13. Bg5 Bg7 14. a5 O-O 15. Rfe1 Qc8 16. a6 b6 17. h3 Rd6 18. Ne2 c5 19. c3 Nd7 20. Nxd7 Rxd7 21. Bb5 Rdd8 22. c4 f6 23. Bf4 Nb4 {Putilov,V (2176)-Novoselov,R (2149) Nizhnij Tagil 2011 0-1 (40)}) ({RR} 9. g3 g6 10. Nxd5 cxd5 11. Bf4 Qd8 12. Na3 Bg7 13. Bg2 a6 14. O-O Nf6 15. c4 Be6 16. c5 Qd7 17. Re1 O-O 18. Be5 Ne8 19. Bxg7 Kxg7 20. Nb1 a5 21. Nc3 Nc7 22. Qe2 Rfd8 23. h4 h5 {Srebrnic,M (2379)-Krumpak,H (1999) Ljubljana 2021 ½-½ (55)}) 9... g6 10. Qf3 N7f6 11. Nxd5 Nxd5 (11... cxd5 $2 12. Bf4 Qd8 13. Ne5 {threatening b5+} a6 14. O-O Bg7 15. c3 O-O 16. Rfe1 $16 {and Black has some development issues.}) 12. O-O Bg7 13. c3 O-O 14. Qg3 {According to Caruana himself, he missed Black's next move, that solves all of his problems (15...d8!).} (14. Re1 $5 {White has a good space advantage, and can always count on exploiting it with an idea like g5 or h4-h5. Now if Black tries a standard development with ...e6, White may sacrifice the exchange to achieve interesting play:} Be6 {intending c5} (14... Rd8 $6 15. h4 $1 c5 (15... h5 $2 16. Ne5 {with problems to defend f7 properly} Be6 (16... e6 17. Bg5 Rf8 18. Qe4 $16 {followed by ad1 and c4}) 17. Qg3 $1 $16 {threatening xg6 or xg6}) 16. dxc5 Qxc5 17. h5 $40 {it is not easy for Black to find a move here, e5 is a strong threat}) 15. Rxe6 $5 {not forced, but playable} fxe6 16. Qe2 Nf4 (16... Qd7 17. h4 $5 $40) 17. Bxf4 Qxf4 18. Qxe6+ Kh8 19. Qe2 $44 {with interesting positional compensation.}) 14... Qxg3 15. hxg3 Rd8 $5 {Threatening ...c5, Black finds a way to activate.} 16. Be2 (16. Re1 c5 17. dxc5 Nxc3 $1 $132 {looking bad for White already.}) 16... Be6 17. a5 c5 $5 (17... Rac8 {would be a calm way to play the position} 18. a6 b6 $11) (17... b5 $5 18. axb6 axb6 19. Rxa8 Rxa8 {should be equal, but Black is starting to look very comfortable and could even create something on the queenside with ...b5, ...a2.}) 18. dxc5 Bxc3 {Suddenly there's action!} 19. a6 (19. bxc3 Nxc3 {and Black gets the piece back, equalising:} 20. Bf3 Bxc4 21. Re1 Nd5 22. Bxd5 Bxd5 23. Rxe7 Re8 24. Rxe8+ Rxe8 25. Be3 $11) 19... bxa6 20. Na5 (20. bxc3 {is no good once again} Nxc3 21. Bf3 Bxc4 22. Bxa8 Bxf1 23. Bb7 Bb5 {despite the dangerous c-pawn, Black is doing ok:} 24. Kh2 Rd1 25. Bb2 Rxa1 26. Bxa1 Na4 27. c6 Nb6 $15 {followed by ...a5, Black is already thinking about getting an advantage.}) 20... Bxa5 21. Rxa5 Nb4 22. Bf4 (22. Be3 Nd5 23. Bg5 Rab8 $11 {wouldn't change the story of the game.}) 22... Nc6 23. Ra3 (23. Rxa6 Nd4 24. Bd3 Nb3 25. Be2 Nxc5 $11) 23... a5 24. Bb5 Nd4 25. Ba6 Bc8 26. Bc4 Be6 27. Ba6 Bc8 28. Bc4 Be6 (28... Be6 29. Bxe6 {would lead to simple equality after:} Nxe6 30. Rxa5 Nxf4 31. gxf4 Rdb8 32. Rfa1 Rxb2 33. Rxa7 Rxa7 34. Rxa7 Kf8 $11) 1/2-1/2

[Event "Olympiad-42"]
[Site "Baku"]
[Date "2016.09.13"]
[Round "11.1"]
[White "Harikrishna, Pentala"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C54"]
[WhiteElo "2752"]
[BlackElo "2857"]
[PlyCount "94"]
[EventDate "2016.09.02"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "AZE"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 175"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.11.10"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.11.10"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "India"]
[BlackTeam "Norway"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "IND"]
[BlackTeamCountry "NOR"]

1. e4 {Fernandez,Daniel Howard} e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. O-O d6 5. c3 Nf6 6. d3 h6 ({RR} 6... a6 7. a4 h6 8. Nbd2 O-O 9. Re1 Re8 10. h3 Be6 11. Bxe6 Rxe6 12. b4 Ba7 13. Qc2 Qd7 14. Nf1 d5 15. Bd2 Rae8 ({RR} 15... Rd8 16. b5 Ne7) 16. Ng3 ({RR} 16. b5 Ne7 17. c4) 16... dxe4 17. dxe4 Ne7 18. Red1 Qc8 19. c4 Ng6 20. c5 c6 21. Nf5) 7. Re1 O-O 8. h3 a6 9. Bb3 b5 ({RR} 9... Re8 10. Nbd2 Be6 11. Nf1 ({RR} 11. Bxe6 Rxe6 ({RR} 11... fxe6 12. b4 Ba7 13. a4 Qd7 14. Nc4) 12. b4 Ba7 13. a4 d5 14. Qc2 d4 15. Bb2 ({RR} 15. Nc4 dxc3 16. Qxc3 Bd4 17. Nxd4 Qxd4 18. Bb2) 15... dxc3 16. Bxc3 Nd4 17. Bxd4 Bxd4 18. Nxd4 Qxd4 19. Nf3) 11... Bxb3 12. axb3 ({RR} 12. Qxb3 d5 13. Be3 Bf8 14. Rad1 Na5 15. Qc2 c5) 12... d5 13. Qe2 Qd7 14. b4 ({RR} 14. Ng3 Rad8 15. Nf5 dxe4 16. dxe4 Qd3) ({RR} 14. Nh4 Bf8 15. Nf5 Ne7 16. N1g3 c5 17. Qf3 Nxf5 18. Nxf5 Re6) 14... Bf8 15. Ng3 Rad8 16. Kf1 ({RR} 16. Nh2) 16... g6 17. Qc2 Re6 18. Qa4 dxe4 19. dxe4 Qd3+ 20. Kg1 Red6 21. Be3 Qc4 22. Rac1 Kh7 23. b3 Qe6 24. c4 {McShane,L (2669)-Adams,M (2706) Hull 2018 CBM 186 [Fernandez,Daniel Howard] 1-0 (70)} ({RR} 24. b5)) ({RR} 9... Be6 10. Bxe6 fxe6 11. d4 Bb6 12. Be3 exd4 13. cxd4 d5 14. e5 Ne4 15. Nc3 Ba5 16. Rc1 Bxc3 17. bxc3 Na5 18. Nh2 Qh4 19. Qg4 Qxg4 20. hxg4 Nc4 21. f3 Nxe3 22. fxe4 {½-½ (22) Zwirs,N (2480)-Ceres,D (2486) Vasto ITA 2024}) 10. Nbd2 Bb6 11. Nf1 Ne7 12. a4 $146 ({RR} 12. Be3 Bxe3 13. Nxe3 Ng6 14. d4 c5 15. dxc5 dxc5 16. Qxd8 Rxd8 17. Nd5 c4 18. Bc2 Bb7 19. Rad1 {½-½ (19) Maslowski,J (2034)-Grabowski,P (2228) Wisla 2002}) 12... Rb8 13. d4 Ng6 14. Be3 exd4 15. Bxd4 c5 16. Bxf6 Qxf6 17. axb5 axb5 18. Ne3 Qd8 19. Nd5 Bb7 20. Nxb6 Qxb6 21. Bd5 Rfe8 22. Bxb7 Rxb7 23. Qd2 Rbe7 24. Rad1 Re6 25. Re3 Qc6 26. Qd5 Qxd5 27. Rxd5 f6 28. Rd1 Ra8 29. b4 Rae8 30. Rde1 Kf7 31. g3 Ne7 32. Rb1 f5 33. e5 cxb4 34. exd6 Rxe3 35. fxe3 Nc6 36. d7 Rxe3 37. Nd4 Nd8 38. Kf2 Rxc3 39. Rxb4 Rc5 40. Rxb5 Rxb5 41. Nxb5 Ke7 42. Nd4 g6 43. h4 h5 44. Kf3 Kxd7 45. Kf4 Ne6+ 46. Nxe6 Kxe6 47. Kf3 Ke5 1/2-1/2

[Event "World-ch Carlsen-Karjakin +1-1=10"]
[Site "New York"]
[Date "2016.11.12"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Karjakin, Sergey"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C77"]
[WhiteElo "2769"]
[BlackElo "2857"]
[Annotator "Ponomariov,Ruslan"]
[PlyCount "65"]
[EventDate "2016.11.11"]
[EventType "match"]
[EventRounds "12"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 176"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.01.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.01.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 {The last time Sergey played with White against Magnus was at the tournament in Bilbao this year. I was in Bilbao and commented on the game live. Sergey played 1.d4 and Magnus chose a Ragozin, which led to a very short draw. I also expected 1.d4 by Sergey in this game - after all, he has Shakriyar Mamedyarov and Vladimir Potkin as seconds and both are 1.d4 players. So, I thought they might have found one or two or even more improvements on the line Sergey and Magnus tried in Bilbao. But no, Sergey decided to play 1.e4 - in his childhood this was his main weapon. We might see Sergey switching to closed openings in the next games - which would indicate how much they worked before the match to be ready for 1. e4 and 1.d4.} e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 $5 {No Berlin this time. The mind games have started....} 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. d3 {The main idea of this line is to avoid lots of theory in the Classical Ruy Lopez. After 6.d3 you don't need to study the Marshall, the Breyer, Zaitzev, Chigorin etc. However, most people thought that Carlsen and not Karjakin would try to avoid the main lines.} ({Normally Sergey plays} 6. Re1 {in this position. After e.g.} b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. h3 Bb7 (8... d6 9. c3 Be6 10. d4 Bxb3 11. Qxb3 {also leads to an exchange of bishops but in contrast to the game White has a pawn and not a knight on c3.}) 9. d3 d6 10. a3 Na5 11. Ba2 c5 12. Nbd2 Bc8 {we reach a position that is similar to the position we had in the game though there are differences: if you compare this line with the game continuation you will see that Black here spent more time to exchange the white-squared bishops.}) 6... b5 7. Bb3 d6 {Black has a number of options. If you want to study this variation more deeply I would recommend you to use the Reference button of your ChessBase program to see how the strongest players have handled this position.} 8. a3 O-O 9. Nc3 Na5 10. Ba2 Be6 11. d4 Bxa2 12. Rxa2 Re8 {If one compares this position with the lines I mentioned in the comment to the 6th move, Black here is several tempi up and his position has no weaknesses. With pawns on d4 and e4 White has a strong pawn centre which gives him some space advantage but with each piece exchanged this factor is less and less significant.} ({Earlier this year Magnus played} 12... Nc6 13. d5 Nb8 {However, 12...e8 is also the move many engines want to play. So, I don't know whether Carlsen's small refinement was really a surprise for Karjakin.}) 13. Ra1 Nc4 14. Re1 $146 ({RR} 14. b3 Nb6 15. dxe5 dxe5 16. Qe2 Nbd7 17. Rd1 Qc8 18. Bg5 c6 19. Nh4 h6 20. Be3 Nc5 21. f3 g6 22. Qf2 Ne6 23. Bxh6 g5 24. Bxg5 Nxg5 25. Nf5 Nfh7 26. Qg3 Kh8 27. h4 Ne6 28. Nxe7 Rxe7 {Burke,J (2495)-Berczes,D (2479) Saint Louis 2017 ½-½}) 14... Rc8 {The idea behind this move which puts the rook behind the pawn on c7 remains a little bit of a mystery to me. Probably Carlsen wanted to be ready meet d5 by White with ...c6.} ({Probably Black didn't want to play} 14... Bf8 {immediately, because after} 15. b3 Nb6 {White can pin the knight on f6 with} 16. Bg5) ({But there is nothing wrong with playing} 14... h6 {first, e.g.} 15. b3 Nb6 16. Bb2 Bf8 17. d5 Qc8 18. a4 c6 19. dxc6 Qxc6 {with counterplay.}) 15. h3 h6 16. b3 Nb6 17. Bb2 Bf8 18. dxe5 {To me, this looks like a silent draw offer. Modern chess is becoming more and more pragmatic.} ({I think if White wanted to retain chances for a fight he had to keep the tension in the centre.} 18. Qd3 c6 19. Rad1 Qc7 20. Ne2 d5 21. Ng3 exd4 (21... dxe4 22. Nxe4 Nxe4 23. Qxe4 exd4 24. Qxe8 Rxe8 25. Rxe8 $13) 22. e5 Ne4 23. Nxe4 dxe4 24. Qxe4 c5 {I think this position is still equal but the pawn structure is asymmetrical and both players have chances for active play - White on the kingside, Black on the queenside.}) 18... dxe5 19. a4 c6 20. Qxd8 Rcxd8 {As in game one we do see an early exchange of queens.} 21. axb5 axb5 22. Ne2 Bb4 23. Bc3 Bxc3 24. Nxc3 Nbd7 25. Ra6 Rc8 26. b4 Re6 ({With} 26... c5 {Carlsen could have posed more practical problems, e.g.} 27. Nxb5 cxb4 28. Nd6 {and now the tactical trick} (28. Ra4 Rxc2 29. Rxb4 Rb8) 28... Re6 29. Nxc8 Rxa6 {gives White something to think about. But after White's 18th move Carlsen was probably also happy with a draw.}) 27. Rb1 c5 28. Rxe6 fxe6 29. Nxb5 cxb4 30. Rxb4 Rxc2 31. Nd6 Rc1+ 32. Kh2 Rc2 33. Kg1 {Well, as it turned out game two was even less exciting than game one. But Carlsen's choice of opening was smart.} 1/2-1/2

[Event "World-ch Carlsen-Karjakin +1-1=10"]
[Site "New York"]
[Date "2016.11.14"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Karjakin, Sergey"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C67"]
[WhiteElo "2857"]
[BlackElo "2769"]
[Annotator "Seirawan,Yasser"]
[PlyCount "156"]
[EventDate "2016.11.11"]
[EventType "match"]
[EventRounds "12"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 176"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.01.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.01.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{Match play is all about the result. Would have, could have, should have, explanations all fall before the final score. To get a result a player has to first establish the real battleground: In which lines of opening play will the match be decided? Match play competition is also an exchange of information. The players start by making informed, educated guesses about their opponent's primary defense, their secondary defense and so on. A player will play their primary defense until a disaster before switching to a back-up defense. For Game One Magnus chose the Trompovsky Opening and in the process learned precisely nothing about Sergey's primary Queen Pawn defense. In a similar vein, Sergey learned something about Magnus's primary defense to the king pawn opening but by opting out with the safe: 6.d3, instead of 6.e1, in a Ruy Lopez, he didn't learn enough. The first pair of games were soft, two draws where the balance was barely disturbed. The match was now reduced to a ten game match. Would Game Three finally produce the clash that chess fans were anxious for?} 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 {Amongst the elite king pawn opening players the Berlin Defense has been a huge problem. How to get any advantage as well as how to get play?} 4. O-O {The other main try is:} (4. d3 {which can be well met by either the active:} Bc5 {as well as:} (4... d6 {transposing into a Classical Ruy where White has committed himself with the d2-d3, tempo.})) 4... Nxe4 5. Re1 {Disappointing. Okay the "Berlin Endgame" that appears after:} (5. d4 Nd6 6. Bxc6 dxc6 7. dxe5 Nf5 8. Qxd8+ Kxd8 {may not be everybody's cup of tea but the imbalances can lead to rich strategic games.}) 5... Nd6 6. Nxe5 Be7 7. Bf1 Nxe5 8. Rxe5 O-O 9. d4 Bf6 10. Re2 {Stop the presses! Novelty of the year! Mmm, no. The text has been chosen a few times over the "standard" move:} (10. Re1 {Presumably the difference being that when Black readies a rook swap down the e-file, recapturing on the e2-square is to be preferred. Hmm, such a nuanced difference strikes me as insufficient for a pull.}) 10... b6 ({Instead, I'll surmise that against the standard move} 10... Nf5 {Magnus had planned to advance his d-pawn:} 11. d5 $5 b6 12. c4 $5 Ba6 13. Na3 c6 14. Rd2 {is a line of play where the rook might find a purpose along the second rank. Personally, I'm skeptical about White's play as it feels artificial.}) 11. Re1 {Having coaxed Black into playing: ... b7-b6, the e2-rook moves yet again, this time to avoid: ...c8-a6, which would favor Black with a bishop trade.} Re8 12. Bf4 $1 Rxe1 13. Qxe1 Qe7 (13... Bxd4 $2 14. Bxd6 cxd6 15. Qe4 Bxb2 16. Qxa8 Qf8 17. Nc3 Bxa1 18. Nd5 Bf6 19. Nxf6+ gxf6 20. Qxa7 {would leave Black's structure in tatters.}) 14. Nc3 Bb7 15. Qxe7 Bxe7 16. a4 $146 ({RR} 16. Re1 Bf8 {½-½ (16) Deac,B (2559)-Martirosyan,H (2570) Mamaia 2017}) 16... a6 {"Before the Endgame, the Gods have placed the Middle-game. And I thank those Gods." So said Tal. The position at hand queries this adorable quote. It feels as if the players have magically avoided a middle-game and embraced an Ending. Perhaps White has a smidgen of something but it sure feels balanced to me.} 17. g3 {Perhaps angling for an opportunity to play: f1-h3, hitting the d7-pawn at an inconvenient moment.} g5 {An active rejoinder to be sure that helps Black resolve the problem of his misplaced d6-knight. The downside to this pleasant move is that the f5-square is weakened. Magnus was quick to pounce.} 18. Bxd6 $1 Bxd6 19. Bg2 $1 Bxg2 20. Kxg2 {Imperceptibly after these trades White does have something in the position. If he can maneuver his knight to the f5-square, back it up with his g-pawn, he might yet find a serious pull.} f5 $1 {Nipping the idea in the bud before it could take shape. Not as convincing would be:} (20... Re8 21. Nd5 Re2 22. Ne3 $1 Rd2 23. Rd1 Rxd1 24. Nxd1 {when White has the more agreeable play.}) 21. Nd5 Kf7 22. Ne3 Kf6 {Sergey has "met" Magnus well and appears to be closing in on a boring draw.} 23. Nc4 Bf8 24. Re1 Rd8 $6 {A "mysterious rook move" an echo of Game Two where Magnus played: a8-c8, backing up a c7-pawn. I suppose the idea is to discourage: c4-e5, by preemptively defending the d7-pawn. Very sophisticated indeed. The brutes among us might not have been so caring:} (24... d5 25. Ne5 Bd6 $11 {strikes me as just fine for Black.}) 25. f4 gxf4 26. gxf4 b5 27. axb5 axb5 28. Ne3 c6 29. Kf3 {It is easy to get lulled to sleep and imagine that nothing is happening but the swap of four pawns has opened up the a-file and the g-file ensuring play for the rooks. On closer inspection a problem has crept into Black's position: The f5-pawn is a greater target than any White pawn. White is ready to seize one of the open files and prepare an invasion. White is now spoiled for choice.} Ra8 30. Rg1 Ra2 $5 {A highly optimistic move to be sure. My concern is that it could be badly timed. The threat of: g4-g5, picking off the f5-pawn needs to be taken seriously.} ({Therefore} 30... Bh6 $1 31. Rg3 d5 $1 32. Rh3 Bg7 $1 {is a nice way to keep White at bay. If White persists in his attempts to win the f5-pawn he could well miss the mark:} 33. Rh5 Ra2 34. b3 (34. Rxf5+ Kg6 35. Rg5+ Kf7 {Black will win back his pawn.}) 34... h6 35. Rxf5+ Kg6 {White has managed to tangle up his own pieces.}) 31. b3 c5 $2 {Sergey cracks. Up to now, nothing has gone seriously wrong but the text is born from excessive worry. The threat of: g1-g5xf5+, is stronger than its execution. Upon cold reflection the best was the simple:} (31... d5 $1 32. Rg5 Ke6 $1 33. Rxf5 Bg7 {with a variation similar to the previous note. Black's counter-attack against the d4-pawn gives sufficient counterplay for holding the draw:} 34. Rh5 Bxd4 35. Rh6+ Kd7 36. Rxh7+ Ke6 {seems to be finely balanced.}) 32. Rg8 $1 Kf7 33. Rg2 cxd4 34. Nxf5 d3 35. cxd3 Ra1 $5 {When I don't understand a move I tend to reward it with a (!?) mark as a sign of respect for the player's sophistication. In truth this one is a bit beyond my comprehension. Sergey has jettisoned a pawn for active play or what the real cognoscenti would call "dynamic factors." Cool! So why not play actively?} ({Direct, good and compelling was} 35... Ra3 $1 36. Rb2 Bb4 $1 37. Ne3 Bc3 38. Rb1 b4 {when thanks to Black's active pieces it would be a real technical challenge to win this one.}) 36. Nd4 b4 37. Rg5 Rb1 38. Rf5+ Ke8 39. Rb5 {From an arid desert Magnus has managed to find an oasis. He has consolidated his extra pawn, now, remarkably, he has created real winning chances. Unlike the previous note, the f8-bishop is now passive as well as a potential tactical target.} Rf1+ 40. Ke4 Re1+ 41. Kf5 Rd1 42. Re5+ {By no means a bad move. But around these parts Magnus missed a more incisive continuation:} (42. Rb8+ $1 Ke7 (42... Kf7 $6 43. Nf3 $1 $16) 43. Ke4 Re1+ 44. Kd5 Rd1 45. Nf5+ Kf7 46. d4 Rd3 {when appearances can be deceiving. At first blush it seems that there has been a lot of to-and-froing without much happening. In truth, things are going great for White. All his pieces are active and his once dormant d-pawn and f-pawns are playing fine supporting roles. This is laid bare after:} 47. Rd8 $1 Rxb3 48. Rxd7+ Kg6 49. Ng3 Re3 50. f5+ Kg5 (50... Kh6 51. Rf7 $1 {Did I mention the f8-bishop could become a target?} Re8 52. Ne4 {White is close to winning now.}) 51. Ne4+ Kf4 52. Rxh7 b3 53. Nc5 {with good winning chances for White.}) 42... Kf7 43. Rd5 Rxd3 44. Rxd7+ Ke8 45. Rd5 {Trading off the d-pawns has benefitted Black. With the reduced material Black need only make a few more pawn swaps and he will be home free to make a draw.} Rh3 46. Re5+ Kf7 {Natural. But likely wrong. Black's king is more of a target on the kingside than a stern blockader. For reasons as we will see in the game, there is less danger for Black's king on the d7-square. In addition covering the c6-square is important.} (46... Kd7 47. Re2 Bc5 48. Ne6 Be7 {when White has a hard task to convert ahead of him.}) 47. Re2 Bg7 48. Nc6 $1 {This is the rub. White defends the b3-pawn indirectly by creating a mating net against Black's king.} Rh5+ {Doubtlessly played with a heavy heart. Sergey had covertly eyeballed the b3-pawn dreaming that it would soon be his! Not so:} (48... Rxb3 $4 49. Nd8+ Kf8 50. Ne6+ Kf7 51. Ng5+ {with a forced checkmate to follow.}) 49. Kg4 Rc5 50. Nd8+ $1 {Obviously, White wants to keep the game alive.} ({Again, a trade of pawns} 50. Nxb4 $2 Rb5 51. Re4 h5+ 52. Kf3 Bf8 53. Nd3 Rxb3 {is helpful to Black's cause.}) 50... Kg6 51. Ne6 h5+ 52. Kf3 Rc3+ 53. Ke4 Bf6 54. Re3 h4 55. h3 $2 {A careless slip when once again Magnus was close to tightenng the noose.} ({An opportunity was present to include the king into the attack by forcibly vacating the f5-square:} 55. Nf8+ $1 Kf7 56. Nd7 {threatening a winning king and pawn ending.} Rc2 (56... Bd8 57. Ne5+ Ke6 58. Nd3 $1 Bb6 59. Rh3 $1) 57. Kf5 $1 Bg7 58. h3 {is a superior version of the game.}) 55... Rc1 56. Nf8+ Kf7 57. Nd7 Ke6 $1 {The difference between the two lines is now clear: White is prevented from playing: e4-f5.} 58. Nb6 Rd1 59. f5+ Kf7 60. Nc4 Rd4+ 61. Kf3 Bg5 $2 {After fighting so tenaciously Sergey makes an egregious slip which endangers all his hard work. With the draw nearly in sight the simple method was also a direct one, keep attacking the f5-pawn:} (61... Rd5 $1 62. Ke2 Kg7 $1 63. Rf3 {and only now} Bg5 $1 {Black's king is ready to sweep away the f5-pawn and secure the coveted draw.}) 62. Re4 Rd3+ 63. Kg4 {And just like that Magnus is back in business.} Rg3+ {In such positions, there is the "human element" of wanting to eliminate all of White's pawns at the cost of a bishop and to play & versus a ,& position. Where possible, you calculate where such an escape might lie. At first blush there appears to be an "easy" draw in view:} (63... Bf6 64. Re6 Rg3+ 65. Kf4 Bg5+ 66. Ke4 Rxh3 67. Ne5+ Kf8 68. f6 Rxb3 {Exactly at this moment, Black is a happy camper. Just one move away from the goal!} 69. Kf5 (69. f7 $1 Be7 70. Rg6 $1 $18) 69... Bxf6 $1 70. Kxf6 Kg8 {Mission accomplished. A draw is in the offing. How cruel is the scorpion's sting. Go back to move sixty-nine and play: 69.f7! e7 70.g6!, instead. When Black is just lost. Yikes.}) 64. Kh5 Be7 65. Ne5+ Kf6 66. Ng4+ $1 {During the time that this phase of the game was being played I was having dinner at the Closing of the "Showdown" in Saint Louis tournament. In my nearest vicinity was Fabiano, Hikaru and Vishy. We all scrunched around Fabi's smart-phone to follow the cut and thrust. In rapid-fire succession, one defense after another was defeated. The verdict of the table was clear: Magnus was now winning. Our mirth attracted the attention of Veselin Topalov as well. I was beginning to feel out-rated but followed their analysis closely.} Kf7 {The plausible alternative:} (66... Kxf5 {was defeated by the important zwischenzug:} 67. Re5+ $1 Kf4 68. Rxe7 Rxh3 69. Rf7+ $1 {when Black's king is forced to go into the path of his rook.} Kg3 70. Nf2 $1 ({while} 70. Rb7 {is also good, the text is much stronger}) 70... Rh2 71. Ne4+ Kh3 72. Rf3+ Kg2 73. Rf2+ {forcing the trade of rooks is the easiest win.}) 67. Re6 Rxh3 68. Ne5+ {Black is now forced to part with his bishop.} Kg7 69. Rxe7+ Kf6 70. Nc6 Kxf5 $2 {A move the dinner table had rejected. The conversation had centered on a study-like position that arises after:} (70... Rc3 $3 71. Re6+ Kxf5 72. Nd4+ Kf4 73. Kxh4 Rd3 $1 {The "collective wisdom" of the table was having a devil of a time here. The analysis continued:} 74. Ne2+ Kf3 $1 (74... Kf5 $4 75. Rb6 $18) 75. Nc1 Rd1 $3 (75... Rc3 76. Re1 Kf2 77. Rd1 {Black's king is cut-off from the queenside and White's king will march to victory.}) 76. Rc6 Ke3 77. Rc2 {At this moment, the table was reasonably sure that the game was won, as again, Black's king appears to be cut-off and another victorious white king march was in the offing. Vishy forced us away from our dinners with another offering:} Rd2 $1 78. Rc6 Rd1 {and no matter how we tried, the win, if it exists proved elusive.}) 71. Na5 $6 {Missing a golden opportunity to clinch the game:} (71. Re1 $3 {comes with splendid timing. The text renders any tricks based on: ...h3-h1, and pushing the h4-pawn harmless. Secondly, White is ready to play: a1-b1, and then collect the b4-pawn. Finally, the king on the h5-square is poised to keep an eye on the h4-pawn. Play might continue:} Kf4 ({This time, the move} 71... Rc3 $2 {has a cruel failing:} 72. Ne7+ $1 {and Black's king is forced to move into a fatal fork.}) 72. Rf1+ $1 Ke4 73. Na5 $1 {winning. The key difference is that in this line of play White has managed to bring his rook to the first rank with gain of tempo. Black is unable to prevent future pawn pluckings.}) 71... Rh1 72. Rb7 $4 {Tragedy after a supreme effort. With this, the win definitely slipped away. Last chances were still to be had:} (72. Rf7+ $1 Ke6 73. Rf2 $1 h3 74. Kh4 Ra1 {The plausible alternative:} (74... h2 $2 75. Ra2 $1 {is a rather pretty picture}) 75. Nb7 Ra3 76. Rd2 $1 Ke5 77. Nc5 h2 78. Rxh2 Kd5 79. Rc2 $1 {At long last, White is winning.}) 72... Ra1 $1 {Sergey seizes his chance to save the game with a study-like finish:} 73. Rb5+ Kf4 $1 {Otherwise the h4-pawn is removed from the board.} 74. Rxb4+ {What else? White cannot capture the h4-pawn:} (74. Kxh4 $4 Rh1# {is spine chilling.}) 74... Kg3 $1 75. Rg4+ Kf2 76. Nc4 h3 77. Rh4 Kg3 78. Rg4+ Kf2 {Oh my what a game! The collective wisdom of the table was that if Magnus had won this game 'out of nothing' Sergey would have lost a lot of confidence, conversely thanks to this incredible save we now have a great match in store.} 1/2-1/2

[Event "World-ch Carlsen-Karjakin +1-1=10"]
[Site "New York"]
[Date "2016.11.15"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Karjakin, Sergey"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C88"]
[WhiteElo "2769"]
[BlackElo "2857"]
[Annotator "Rogozenco,Dorian"]
[PlyCount "187"]
[EventDate "2016.11.11"]
[EventType "match"]
[EventRounds "12"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 176"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.01.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.01.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{Another marathon game in the match, another triumph of defence and another draw... At the beginning of game four it seemed as if Karjakin had not yet recovered from the previous tiring encounter, as some of his decisions right after the opening were doubtful, to say the least. But then, in a very critical situation, where most of the specialists predicted a sure win for Carlsen, the Russian grandmaster again displayed his fantastic skills in defending inferior positions and succeeded in getting the desired draw after almost 7 hours of play.} 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 {In the second game of the match Karjakin went for 6.d3.} 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. h3 {A popular Anti-Marshall system, which tends to lead to a complicated strategical battle, with many theoretical subleties.} Bb7 9. d3 d6 ({Here Black can still play in Marshall-style with} 9... d5 {but Karjakin has a lot of experience with such positions which he plays with both colours. So Carlsen decides to go for a positional game.} 10. exd5 Nxd5 11. Nxe5 (11. Nbd2 f6 12. a3 Kh8 13. Ba2 Nf4 14. Ne4 Ng6 15. Be3 Nd4 16. Bxd4 exd4 17. h4 f5 18. Neg5 Nxh4 19. Ne6 Nxf3+ 20. gxf3 Qd6 21. Nxf8 Rxf8 22. Kf1 Bg5 23. Re6 Qf4 24. Qe2 Bxf3 25. Qe5 Qh4 26. Qg3 Qh1+ 27. Qg1 Qh5 {0-1 (27) Topalov,V (2752)-Karjakin,S (2779) Astana 2012}) 11... Nd4 12. Bd2 c5 13. Nc3 Nxb3 14. axb3 Nb4 15. Ne4 f5 16. Ng3 Qd5 17. Nf3 Qd7 18. Ne5 Qd5 19. Nf3 Qd7 20. Bxb4 cxb4 21. d4 Rac8 22. Qd3 Bd6 23. Ne5 Qc7 24. Nxf5 Bxe5 25. Rxe5 {Karjakin,S (2747)-Onischuk,A (2688) Khanty-Mansiysk 2010, and White went on to win.}) 10. a3 Qd7 ({Both} 10... Na5 11. Ba2 c5) ({and} 10... Nb8 11. Nbd2 Nbd7 {had been played by Carlsen before. However, Karjakin's answer came instantly.}) 11. Nbd2 Rfe8 {This move might have been a surprise for the contender. He thought for 12 minutes before coming up with a reply and also spent a lot of time on his next moves. In previous games Karjakin had faced 11...ae8 and 11...d8.} ({RR} 11... Nd8 12. c3 c5 13. d4 exd4 14. cxd4 cxd4 15. Nxd4 Re8 16. Bc2 Ne6 17. Nxe6 Qxe6 18. a4 Bf8 19. axb5 axb5 20. Rxa8 Bxa8 21. Bd3 Qd7 22. b3 d5 23. e5 Ne4 24. Nf3 Bc6 25. Qc2 Qb7 26. Be3 {Karjakin,S (2760)-Tomashevsky,E (2699) Moscow 2010 1-0 (48)}) 12. c3 {Why did it take Karjakin so long to play this natural move? First of all, despite his huge experience in these types of position, Karjakin never had this particular one in his practice before. Secondly, the position is quite complicated strategically and it is not easy to figure out whether White needs to play c2-c3 at all. For instance it looks logical to postpone it and start with 12.f1. Generally speaking, modern theory considers this type of position as slightly better for White. But again, with a lot of strategic subtleties. As grandmaster Nigel Short put it: "In such positions, with White I always feel I have no advantage, but with Black that I can't equalise".} ({RR} 12. Nf1 Nd8 13. Ng3 Ne6 14. Ng5 d5 15. Nxe6 Qxe6 16. Bg5 c5 17. Bxf6 Bxf6 18. Nh5 c4 19. exd5 Qxd5 20. Nxf6+ gxf6 21. Qg4+ Kh8 22. dxc4 Qc6 23. cxb5 axb5 24. Qf3 Qxf3 25. gxf3 Bxf3 26. Kh2 Rad8 {Zhou,R (2165)-Xu,M (2388) Aksu, Xinjiang CHN 2024 ½-½ (65)}) 12... Bf8 ({RR} 12... d5 13. Nf1 dxe4 14. dxe4 Qxd1 15. Bxd1 Red8 16. Bc2 Nd7 17. Ne3 f6 18. b4 a5 19. Rb1 axb4 20. cxb4 Nb6 21. Bb3+ Kh8 22. Nd5 Nxd5 23. Bxd5 Rd7 24. Bb2 Nd8 25. Rbd1 c5 26. Bxb7 Rxb7 27. bxc5 {Gashimov,V (2759)-Aronian,L (2781) Linares 2010 ½-½ (48)}) 13. Nf1 $146 ({RR} 13. Ba2 Nd8 14. Nf1 Ne6 15. Ng3 c5 16. d4 exd4 17. cxd4 d5 18. dxc5 dxe4 19. Nxe4 Qxd1 20. Nxf6+ gxf6 21. Rxd1 Rad8 22. Rxd8 Rxd8 23. b4 Rd1+ 24. Kh2 Bh6 25. Bb2 Bf4+ 26. g3 Rd3 27. gxf4 {½-½ (27) Anand,V (2779)-Navara,D (2719) Wijk aan Zee 2007}) ({RR} 13. Ba2 d5 14. exd5 Nxd5 15. Ne4 Kh8 16. c4 Nb6 17. cxb5 axb5 18. Nfg5 Nd8 19. Qh5 Bxe4 20. Rxe4 h6 21. Bxf7 Nxf7 22. Nxf7+ Kg8 23. Nxe5 Qd5 24. Bf4 Nd7 25. Rae1 Nf6 26. Qg6 Nxe4 27. Rxe4 Qe6 {Motycakova,M (1876)-Kociscak,J (2242) Frydek Mistek 2008 0-1 (44)}) 13... h6 14. N3h2 {Preparing the typical action on the kingside, which is met by the standard counterplay in the centre.} d5 15. Qf3 {White now threatens to take on h6 and actually has a simple plan: he wants to play g3, g4 and so on. Black must react very precisely and Carlsen is up to this task.} Na5 16. Ba2 dxe4 {Played after ten minutes.} ({Possibly the World Champion wondered whether he had compensation in variations like} 16... c5 17. Bxh6 c4 18. Rad1 (18. Bg5 {allows} dxe4 19. dxe4 Nxe4 20. Rxe4 f5 {which is very unlear}) 18... dxe4 19. dxe4 Qc6 {but then decided to go for the more solid game continuation.}) 17. dxe4 Nc4 18. Bxh6 {A curious moment. After a long think Karjakin makes the most principled move, but soon ends up in a very unpleasant position. Taking on h6 is not a mistake yet, but White must have missed something, as his next move is clearly not the best way to continue.} (18. Ng4 {maintains equality.}) 18... Qc6 $1 {Very precise play by Carlsen. Black had several sharp alternatives, but the World Champion rightly rejected them.} (18... Nxb2 19. Bg5 Nh7 20. Bh4 c5 21. Re2 Nc4 22. Bxc4 bxc4 23. Rd2 {and White has an advantage.}) (18... Nxe4 19. Rxe4 Bxe4 (19... f5 $2 {loses due to} 20. Rxc4 Bxf3 21. Rxc7+) 20. Qxe4 gxh6 21. Ng4 Bg7 22. Nfe3 {with good positional compensation for White.}) 19. Bxc4 $6 {This doubtful move was played after 16 minutes of thinking! Maybe Karjakin already disliked his position so much, that he decided to go for a clearly worse endgame, hoping to hold it. Amazingly, this worked out in the end...} ({There was still nothing wrong with White's position after} 19. Bc1 {For example:} Nxe4 20. Ne3 Ned6 21. Qxc6 Bxc6 22. Nhg4 {which is about equal.}) 19... bxc4 (19... Qxc4 20. Nd2 $1 {and White keeps his extra pawn}) 20. Be3 Nxe4 21. Ng3 Nd6 ({Both} 21... Nxg3) ({and} 21... Qg6 {were good alternatives as well. In all cases Black has the advantage.}) 22. Rad1 Rab8 23. Bc1 f6 24. Qxc6 Bxc6 25. Ng4 Rb5 26. f3 {Thanks to his bishop pair and the pressure on b2 Black has a clear advantage. Basically there are two ways to treat the position: to play slowly with a move like 26...f7, improving the pieces step by step, or take immediate action - which is what Carlsen did in the game.} f5 {Black takes advantage of the fact that the knight cannot go to e3, but slow play might have been more unpleasant for Karjakin, who was already feeling some time pressure.} 27. Nf2 (27. Ne3 $2 f4) 27... Be7 ({Perhaps} 27... Kf7 {was more accurate, as now} 28. f4 {would be a mistake due to} exf4 29. Ne2 Rbe5) 28. f4 $1 {As usual, in a difficult situation Karjakin starts to defend extremely well. White needs to simplify the position, as otherwise he will soon run out of air.} Bh4 ({Another attractive option was} 28... exf4 29. Ne2 Ne4 (29... g5 30. Nd4 Rb6 31. Nxc6 Rxc6 32. Rd5 {followed by h4 gives White sufficient counterplay.}) 30. Nxe4 Bxe4 31. Nxf4 Rbb8 {In both cases Black is better and it is not easy to decide which position leaves Black with more winning chances.}) 29. fxe5 Bxg3 (29... Rbxe5 {is not convincing:} 30. Rxe5 Rxe5 31. Bf4 Rb5 32. Rd2 {and White has good chances to escape.}) 30. exd6 Rxe1+ 31. Rxe1 cxd6 32. Rd1 Kf7 ({After the principled} 32... Re5 33. Nh1 $1 (33. Kf1 Re6 {with ideas like ...g6}) 33... f4 (33... Bh4 {leads nowhere:} 34. Rxd6 Re1+ 35. Kh2) ({but maybe} 33... Ba4 34. Rf1 Bh4 35. Bf4 Rd5 {is the best}) 34. Nxg3 fxg3 35. Kf1 Be4 {Black has a clear advantage. However, the question remains the same: is it enough for a win?}) 33. Rd4 Re5 34. Kf1 Rd5 35. Rxd5 Bxd5 36. Bg5 Kg6 37. h4 {A very committal decision in time trouble, as the pawn on h4 will fall soon. In return White gets the possibility to activate the knight via h3.} Kh5 38. Nh3 Bf7 39. Be7 Bxh4 40. Bxd6 Bd8 {The time trouble is over and we can reach some conclusions: White has succeeded in avoiding the worst and simplified the position. However, even if Black fails to increase his advantage, he still has reasonable winning chances, as the bishop pair together with the chance to create a passed pawn on the kingside are strong arguments in Black's favour.} 41. Ke2 g5 42. Nf2 Kg6 43. g4 {Another committal decision by Karjakin, which again worked out well.} Bb6 44. Be5 a5 45. Nd1 f4 $2 {The decisive mistake, as it considerably limits Black's winning ideas. Carlsen gets a nice passed pawn, but closes the kingside and it will turn out that White can defend his queenside weakness successfully.} ({After} 45... Be6 {Black must be winning. The World Champion tries hard to win for another 50 moves, but his efforts are in vain and Karjakin again achieves a very important draw.}) 46. Bd4 Bc7 47. Nf2 Be6 48. Kf3 Bd5+ 49. Ke2 Bg2 50. Kd2 Kf7 51. Kc2 Bd5 52. Kd2 Bd8 53. Kc2 Ke6 54. Kd2 Kd7 55. Kc2 Kc6 56. Kd2 Kb5 57. Kc1 Ka4 58. Kc2 Bf7 59. Kc1 Bg6 60. Kd2 Kb3 61. Kc1 Bd3 62. Nh3 Ka2 63. Bc5 Be2 64. Nf2 Bf3 65. Kc2 Bc6 66. Bd4 Bd7 67. Bc5 Bc7 68. Bd4 Be6 69. Bc5 f3 70. Be3 Bd7 71. Kc1 Bc8 72. Kc2 Bd7 73. Kc1 Bf4 74. Bxf4 gxf4 75. Kc2 Be6 76. Kc1 Bc8 77. Kc2 Be6 78. Kc1 Kb3 79. Kb1 Ka4 80. Kc2 Kb5 81. Kd2 Kc6 82. Ke1 Kd5 83. Kf1 Ke5 84. Kg1 Kf6 85. Ne4+ Kg6 86. Kf2 Bxg4 87. Nd2 Be6 88. Kxf3 Kf5 89. a4 Bd5+ 90. Kf2 Kg4 91. Nf1 Kg5 92. Nd2 Kf5 93. Ke2 Kg4 94. Kf2 1/2-1/2

[Event "World-ch Carlsen-Karjakin +1-1=10"]
[Site "New York"]
[Date "2016.11.17"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Karjakin, Sergey"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C54"]
[WhiteElo "2853"]
[BlackElo "2769"]
[Annotator "Nunn,John DM"]
[PlyCount "102"]
[EventDate "2016.11.11"]
[EventType "match"]
[EventRounds "12"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 176"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.01.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.01.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{Carlsen had pressed strongly in Games 3 and 4 so now, with the white pieces in front of him, would this be the game for the champion's breakthrough in the match?} 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 {So far Carlsen has adopted three different openings in his three games with White. Gone are the days of Alekhine-Capablanca when they played the Queen's Gambit Declined in almost every one of the 34 games.} Bc5 4. O-O Nf6 5. d3 {The quiet form of the Giuoco Piano, often called the Giuoco Pianissimo. White aims for a slow build-up, sometimes trying to gain space on the queenside with c3 and b4, or playing for a delayed action in the centre after transferring the knight from b1 to d2, f1 and g3, much as in the Spanish. It's tempting to just comment that such quiet methods are unlikely to bring White much of an objective advantage, but that isn't the way Carlsen plays. Like another world champion, Emanuel Lasker, he is often not so concerned with playing the most critical lines, but more in reaching a position in which he can show his strengths. Quiet methods have secured Carlsen many victories from positions that initially didn't appear to offer many winning chances.} O-O 6. a4 {But this is really unusual.} ({White generally prefers to prepare central expansion by} 6. c3 {or to pin the knight by}) (6. Bg5 {The ChessBase online database gives a mere 22 games with this move, with White scoring a respectable 66%.}) 6... d6 7. c3 {Now we have transposed into a more standard line. Black has to take action against the threat to trap his bishop.} a6 8. b4 Ba7 9. Re1 Ne7 {A standard plan in such positions. Black transfers his knight to the kingside in order to generate play there. With only one minor piece on that side of the board, White is slightly vulnerable there especially if he does not undertake the knight transfer to g3.} (9... Ng4 {can be met by} 10. Ra2 {a benefit of White's early queenside pawn advance.}) 10. Nbd2 Ng6 11. d4 {I'm not very enthusiastic about this move, even though my computer likes it. Is White playing on the queenside or in the centre? True, the knight transfer to g6 has weakened Black's hold on d4, allowing White to push in the centre, but it is better to wait for this type of move until White is more prepared. Playing d3 and then d4 involves an inevitable loss of tempo and White's development is not yet good enough to give a central advance any real bite.} c6 {A good response by Karjakin. Noting the slight fragility in White's position, he prepares to play actively in the centre himself.} 12. h3 {It's unfortunate that White has to play another non-developing move, but} (12. Nf1 {is strongly met by} Bg4 {White has not achieved any advantage from the opening.}) 12... exd4 $6 {Karjakin plans to break apart White's centre, but the results are not especially favourable. He could have kept the balance by the simple} (12... Re8 {or, if he really wanted some central action, by}) (12... d5) 13. cxd4 Nxe4 $146 ({RR} 13... d5 14. exd5 Nxd5 15. Qb3 Be6 16. b5 axb5 17. axb5 Ndf4 18. Bxe6 Nxe6 19. Ba3 Nxd4 20. Nxd4 Bxd4 21. Rad1 Re8 22. Ne4 Qb6 23. Nd6 Rxe1+ 24. Rxe1 Bxf2+ 25. Kh1 Bxe1 26. Qxf7+ Kh8 27. Bb2 Rg8 28. Nf5 {Karjakin,S (2785)-Leko,P (2693) Doha 2016 1-0}) ({RR} 13... d5 14. Bd3 dxe4 15. Nxe4 Nxe4 16. Bxe4 Be6 17. b5 Bd5 18. bxa6 bxa6 19. Qd3 Bxe4 20. Qxe4 Re8 21. Qxe8+ Qxe8 22. Rxe8+ Rxe8 23. Bd2 f6 24. Rc1 {½-½ (24) Malakhov,V (2666)-Tomashevsky,E (2702) Biograd 2018}) 14. Bxf7+ $1 {A somewhat surprising decision, but a good one.} (14. Nxe4 d5 15. Bd3 dxe4 16. Bxe4 Be6 {doesn't give White anything, so Carlsen prefers to keep his knights, which are effective despite the relatively open position.}) 14... Rxf7 15. Nxe4 d5 16. Nc5 (16. Neg5 $6 Rf6 {only puts the g5-knight in jeopardy.}) 16... h6 {Ruling out any possible ideas involving g5 followed by h5.} 17. Ra3 {Thanks to White's earlier queenside advance, White can save time by doubling rooks without developing the c1-bishop first.} Bf5 18. Ne5 {This looks slightly premature. White would have had more chances of an advantage with the natural} (18. Rae3 Qf6 19. Ne5 Re7 20. Nxg6 Rxe3 21. Rxe3 Bxg6 22. Qe2 {with a solid control of the open file, although admittedly any advantage is rather slight.}) 18... Nxe5 19. dxe5 (19. Rxe5 {achieves nothing after} Bb8 20. Nxb7 Qf6 21. Re8+ Kh7 {attacking the knight and threatening ...h2+.}) 19... Qh4 {Attacking b4 and taking aim at f2.} 20. Rf3 {A good defensive move maintaining the balance.} Bxc5 $6 ({The tactical justification for White's play is} 20... Qxb4 $2 21. Ba3 Qa5 22. e6 Rf6 23. Nxb7 Qb6 24. e7 {and wins, but Karjakin's response is not the best.}) (20... Bg6 21. Rxf7 Bxf7 {would have been fine for Black, since the e-pawn is not well enough supported to be a real danger.}) 21. bxc5 {The exchange on c5 has altered the structure of the position. White's queenside pawns are broken, but they are not really vulnerable, while Black's b-pawn is now permanently backward. Perhaps the main worry for Black is that White's 4 vs 2 kingside majority is far more mobile than Black's queenside pawns. The outlines of real problems for Black are visible in the position and it is surprising that Karjakin went in for a line which allowed Carlsen to exercise his famous grinding skills when he had a reasonable alternative which kept some active play.} Re8 {.} 22. Rf4 Qe7 23. Qd4 {White now a very safe advantage. At the moment it may appear small, but it could easily increase. The big question is whether White can advance his kingside pawns without exposing his king too much.} Ref8 24. Rf3 Be4 25. Rxf7 Qxf7 26. f3 Bf5 27. Kh2 ({It might appear that White can start pushing his pawns at once, but after} 27. g4 Qg6 28. Kh2 Be6 29. f4 Qc2+ 30. Bd2 g6 31. Rg1 Kf7 {Black sets up a line of defence which is hard to break through. Carlsen therefore manoeuvres in the hope of finding a more favourable moment to start his pawn advance. However, the extra time allows Black to improve his position and it becomes more rather than less difficult to advance the pawns.}) 27... Be6 28. Re2 Qg6 29. Be3 Rf7 30. Rf2 Qb1 31. Rb2 Qf5 32. a5 Kf8 {An interesting plan. If White does eventually push on the kingside, it could be that Black's king will be a tactical weakness. Karjakin therefore decides to transfer his king to the queenside, where his numerical superiority of pawns offers good shelter. Additionally, the king can defend the b7-pawn, relieving his other pieces of a rather menial job.} 33. Qc3 {Carlsen cannot see any way to make progress, and for the moment just moves around without achieving very much.} Ke8 34. Rb4 g5 $1 {An interesting and highly committal decision. Black could have set up a light-square blockade with ...g6, aiming to hold on to the f5-square at all costs, but he decides instead to take pre-emptive action to prevent White's pawns even getting as far as f4 and g4. The danger is that in any ending the kingside pawns on dark squares will be vulnerable to attack by White's bishop, especially if his king is far away on the queenside. In my view, Karjakin made the right decision and, by taking action himself rather than simply waiting, he has forced Carlsen to come up with a counterplan.} 35. Rb2 Kd8 36. Rf2 Kc8 37. Qd4 Qg6 {Black is now even ready to play ...h5 followed by ...g4, which would completely kill any winning prospects for White, so Carlsen decides to block Black's advance.} 38. g4 h5 39. Qd2 Rg7 {I don't see how White can make progress here since any pawn advance of the kingside would expose the white king too much. If White could swap off the major pieces the g5-pawn would fall, but there is no way to achieve this.} 40. Kg3 Rg8 41. Kg2 $2 {This move, which blocks the path of White's major pieces to the h-file is a serious error after which White is even worse. Any normal move, such as} (41. Rh2 {would have maintained the balance.}) 41... hxg4 42. hxg4 (42. fxg4 $2 Qe4+ 43. Kg1 Rh8 {loses at least a pawn,.}) 42... d4 $1 {Karjakin strikes with a pawn sacrifice allowing him to activate his bishop.} ({This is even stronger than} 42... Qh6 43. Qd4 {White must block the d-pawn since} (43. Kf1 d4 44. Bxd4 Qh1+ 45. Ke2 Rd8 {gives Black a very dangerous attack}) 43... Rh8 44. Kf1 Qh1+ 45. Ke2 Qb1 46. Bxg5 {when White can at least run with his king to f4.}) 43. Qxd4 (43. Bxd4 Qh7 44. Kg1 Qh3 45. Qe2 Rf8 46. Rh2 Qg3+ 47. Rg2 Qxf3 48. Qxf3 Rxf3 {is an unpleasant ending for White, since all his pawns are weak, but this might actually have been the lesser evil.}) 43... Bd5 $2 {Karjakin fails to make the most of his chances. After} (43... Rh8 44. Qe4 Qh6 45. Kf1 Qh1+ 46. Ke2 Bd5 {would have been deeply unpleasant for White. His king is floating around in the middle of the board, while Black's piece press from all sides. After} 47. Qd3 Qa1 48. Bxg5 Qxe5+ 49. Be3 Qa1 {it is unlikely that White will survive in the long run. As is so often the case in opposite-coloured bishop positions with major pieces, it's the initiative and attacking chances which count, and not the odd pawn or two.}) 44. e6 {In an echo of Karjakin's ...d4, Carlsen returns the pawn in order to gain space for his pieces. However, it would have been even simpler to play} (44. Kg3 {allowing the rook to switch to h2, after which I can see nothing for Black.}) 44... Qxe6 ({Or} 44... Qh7 45. e7 Qxe7 46. Bd2 Qh7 47. Qf6 Rh8 48. Qf5+ Qxf5 49. gxf5 g4 50. Kg3 gxf3 {and with his king active White should have no trouble holding the ending.}) 45. Kg3 {The crisis is essentially over and the game is once more on course for a draw.} Qe7 46. Rh2 Qf7 47. f4 {Further activating White's pieces and fully equalising.} gxf4+ 48. Qxf4 (48. Bxf4 Qf5 49. g5 {was also safe for White.}) 48... Qe7 49. Rh5 Rf8 50. Rh7 Rxf4 51. Rxe7 Re4 {Forcing the draw.} ({After} 51... Re4 52. Rxe4 Bxe4 53. Kf4 Bd3 54. Ke5 Kd7 55. Kf6 Ke8 56. Bh6 Bc2 57. g5 Bd3 58. g6 Bc2 59. g7 Bb3 {Black is not in any danger.}) 1/2-1/2

[Event "World-ch Carlsen-Karjakin +1-1=10"]
[Site "New York"]
[Date "2016.11.18"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Karjakin, Sergey"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C88"]
[WhiteElo "2769"]
[BlackElo "2853"]
[Annotator "Hillarp Persson,Tiger"]
[PlyCount "64"]
[EventDate "2016.11.11"]
[EventType "match"]
[EventRounds "12"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 176"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.01.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.01.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 {I have spent my entire life as a chess player, trying to find assymetry where I can find it. Magnus and Sergey operate from a more elevated view-point than mine, and although they both occasionaly flirt with assymmetry, I do not get the feeling that they believe it merits a proper relationship.} 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 ({In a sense the Ruy Lopez is a little more ambitious than the G-whatever Piano (In Swedish we call it "the Italian", so I'm excused for not acing the spelling bee). If we continue down the rabbit hole with} 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. O-O Nf6 5. d3 O-O {, there is a big difference between... this position, compared to the more easily spelled sibling; that Black has still not moved the pawns on the queenside. This difference means that Black has fewer weaknesses to take care of and it could turn out to be the whole difference between a win and a big advantage (for White) later in the game.}) 3... a6 ({I believe it was Julian Hodgson who said that the only problem with 1.e4, compared to 1.d4, is that the e4-pawn is hanging. After} 3... Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 {we reach one such position, the Berlin Defence. (The Petroff is another)} 5. Re1 Nd6 6. Nxe5 Be7 7. Bf1 Nxe5 8. Rxe5 O-O {was seen in game three of the match. Black argues that a reasonably symmetrical position makes White's extra tempo less important. Time has told it is a decent argument.}) 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 (6. d3 b5 7. Bb3 d6 8. a3 {was played in the second game of the match. The main difference here is that Black can play d6 before 0-0 without having to fear a rapid c3/d4, which would lead to the one of the old main lines.} (8. a4 {is also played frequently, but after} Bd7 {has been doing quite well lately.})) 6... b5 7. Bb3 O-O {It sounds ridiculous to call such a move "critical", but in a sense it is.} ({The reason is that} 7... d6 8. c3 O-O 9. h3 {leads to a one of the biggest theoretical tablelands in chess, whereas the game move avoids that altogether by meeting 8.c3 with 8...d5. In days of old, this line, the "Marshall Attack", led to slugfest bonanzas, but in the age of engine-guided preparations it has a tendency to end in draws. This explains why a defensively minded wielder of the dark forces is naturally drawn to the Marshall Attack.}) 8. h3 {The consequence of Karjakin's last move is that White is forced to play this move, unless he is happy to enter the "old" lines after 8...d6 9.c3.} (8. a4 {After} Bb7 9. d3 Re8 (9... d6 {is more popular.}) 10. Nc3 Nd4 11. axb5 Nxb3 12. cxb3 axb5 13. Rxa8 Bxa8 14. Nxb5 d5 {Dominguez Perez,L (2730)-Carlsen,M (2850) World Rapid 2015, Black equalised with ease.}) (8. c3 d5 9. exd5 Nxd5 10. Nxe5 Nxe5 11. Rxe5 c6 {is the starting position of the above mentioned Marshall Attack. I'm too old to try to get familiar with it. Perhaps I would, if jailed by nazis and left with only a monograph (written by Peter Svidler) to fend for my sanity, eventually be able to say something sensible about this position. And although the likelihood of this scenario has increased lately, I'm afraid that you'll have to wait until some time next year, at least. (Seeing the draw looming twenty moves ahead, you'll have to excuse me for trying to pump up the drama a bit.)}) 8... Bb7 {The most natural move if Black wants to avoid} 9. d3 (9. c3 $6 d5 $1 {is nice for Black. It is not recommended to play} 10. exd5 Nxd5 11. Nxe5 $2 (11. d4) 11... Nxe5 12. Rxe5 Nf4 {, when catastrophe strikes the white camp. Reading the unfulfilled expectations of some kibitzers, I get the feeling that they expect something like this, and nothing less. Sorry guys. You should stick with risk.}) 9... d5 $5 {This Marshall Attack-inspired gambit can hardly have come as a surprise for Karjakin, partly because it is a main line and partly because it is played to draw. Especially the latter reason should have appealed to Magnus after yesterday's rather wobbly performance.} ({In a rapid game against Zhigalko last year, Magnus played} 9... d6 10. a3 Nb8 11. Nbd2 Nbd7 12. Nf1 Re8 13. Ng3 Bf8 14. Ng5 d5 15. exd5 Nc5 16. c4 {and had to fight to equalise.}) 10. exd5 Nxd5 11. Nxe5 ({Neither of the players has room to deviate. Here} 11. a4 Nd4 $1 {equalises immediately.}) 11... Nd4 $1 {Compared to the Marshall Attack, Black doesn't have as much of an attack here. The compensation is of a more positional character. While the bishop on b7 roams freely, Black's queenside pawns don't have to worry about a2-a4 (since xb3 would completely ruin White's pawn structure) and c7-c5 will take a lot of space. From a White perspective, the c2-pawn has to be taken care of and the knight on e5 turns out to be in a rather awkward position...} 12. Nc3 Nb4 ({An instructive illustration of my last comment about the knight on e5:} 12... Nxb3 13. axb3 Nb4 14. Bd2 f6 $1 15. Ng4 f5 $1 {The pawn is accelerated forward as it attacks the knight.} 16. Ne5 Bd6 17. Na2 Bxe5 18. Rxe5 Nc6 19. Re1 f4 20. Bc3 $6 ({Black also has a strong attack after} 20. f3 Nd4 21. Rf1 Rf6) 20... f3 21. Re4 a5 $5 22. b4 {and now, instead of} axb4 {which was unclear, in Timofeev,A (2658)-Sokolov,I (2655) Sarajevo 2007, Black should have played} (22... Ne7 $1 {, with a very strong attack.})) 13. Bf4 {Perhaps there is nothing better here, but this move doesn't feel right to me. Why? There is something about putting the bishop in the line of fire (g5/d5) and striving to tuck it in on h2 that rings false. I'd prefer to put it on c3. On the other hand the bishop is not obstructing the queen and could come to e5. After weighing the pros and cons, I must disagree with my first instinct. It does indeed make sense.} ({I'd probably spend some time on} 13. Bd2 {according to the principle "less is more" (and "don't put the bishop on a square where it is likely to be attacked").}) (13. Ne4 {has been played a number of times and the lines after} Nxb3 14. axb3 Qd5 15. Nf3 f5 {seem to hold no danger to Black.}) 13... Nxb3 14. axb3 c5 15. Ne4 {Karjakin is trying to prove that the inclusion of f4 and ...c5 somehow favours White.} f6 $1 {According to the reports I read, Carlsen continued to blitz out the moves even now, so it's pretty clear that this was all part of his preparations.} 16. Nf3 f5 $1 {A recurring idea leaving White with little choice.} 17. Neg5 $1 (17. Ng3 Bxf3 $1 {and it becomes obvious why the attack on the c2-pawn is a problem for White:} 18. gxf3 (18. Qxf3 Nxc2 $19) 18... Bf6 $36) (17. Ned2 {is the most ambitious move, since it keeps some pieces on the board. After} Bf6 18. Be5 Re8 19. Rc1 h6 20. Re2 {What else?} Bxe5 21. Nxe5 Nd5 {White cannot let the knight land on f4 and} 22. g3 f4 {gives Black a nasty initiative. So, it seems that the most ambitious move was less than good.}) 17... Bxg5 18. Nxg5 h6 $1 19. Ne6 Qd5 20. f3 Rfe8 {The last five moves have basically been forced, but now White has two alternatives; one human and one non human.} 21. Re5 (21. Nc7 Qd4+ 22. Kh1 Rxe1+ 23. Qxe1 Qxf4 24. Nxa8 Nxc2 {looks like absolute disaster for White from afar, but in fact White can get a draw in more than one way. One pretty line is} 25. Qe8+ Kh7 26. Nb6 $3 Nxa1 27. Nd7 {and Black has no defence against the f8/ d7-pendulum.}) 21... Qd6 22. c3 $146 {The challenger goes for the draw in the most solid manner.} ({The more complicated} 22. Re2 {also ends up in equality after} Qd7 23. Nc7 (23. Nxc5 $2 Qd4+) 23... Rxe2 24. Qxe2 Rc8 25. Re1 Qd4+ 26. Qe3 Nxc2 27. Qxd4 Nxd4 28. Re7 {Alas, how forced!} Nc6 29. Rd7 Rd8 30. Rxd8+ Nxd8 31. Bd6 Kf7 32. Bxc5 Ne6 33. Nxe6 Kxe6 {is a most drawish draw.}) ({RR} 22. Qe2 Rxe6 23. Rxe6 Qxf4 24. c3 Nd5 25. Re8+ Rxe8 26. Qxe8+ Kh7 27. Qd7 Qd2 28. Qxf5+ Kh8 29. Qf8+ Kh7 30. Kh1 Nf4 31. Qf5+ Kh8 32. Qg4 Nxd3 33. Qg3 Kh7 34. Kh2 Qxb2 35. Rd1 Qc2 36. Rf1 Qxb3 {Gimenez Aguirre,A (2273)-Fuentes,A (1898) Buenos Aires ARG 2023 0-1 (45)}) ({RR} 22. Qe2 Rxe6 23. Rxe6 Qxf4 24. c3 Nd5 25. Re8+ Rxe8 26. Qxe8+ Kh7 27. Qd7 Qd2 28. Qxf5+ Kh8 29. Qf8+ Kh7 30. Kh1 Nf4 31. Qf5+ Kh8 32. Qg4 Nxd3 33. Qg3 Kh7 34. Kh2 Qxb2 35. Rd1 Qc2 36. Rf1 Qxb3 {Gimenez Aguirre,A (2273)-Fuentes,A (1898) Buenos Aires ARG 2023 0-1 (45)}) 22... Rxe6 23. Rxe6 Qxe6 24. cxb4 cxb4 {If White was allowed to play d4, e5 and then put the queen or rook in such a place from where it would keep an eye on g7; then White would be better.} 25. Rc1 Rc8 {But Carlsen will not let White have three moves for free.} 26. Rxc8+ Qxc8 27. Qe1 Qd7 28. Kh2 a5 29. Qe3 Bd5 30. Qb6 Bxb3 31. Qxa5 Qxd3 32. Qxb4 Be6 {Next Black will put the queen on d7 and the position will reach a state of zero entropy. So, draw agreed.} 1/2-1/2

[Event "World-ch Carlsen-Karjakin +1-1=10"]
[Site "New York"]
[Date "2016.11.23"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Karjakin, Sergey"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C78"]
[WhiteElo "2769"]
[BlackElo "2853"]
[Annotator "Caruana,Fabiano"]
[PlyCount "148"]
[EventDate "2016.11.11"]
[EventType "match"]
[EventRounds "12"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 176"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.01.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.01.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{The game after Carlsen's loss wasn't guaranteed to be exciting, but viewers were in for a surprise. I had expected a fairly tame draw, but instead we were treated to an extremely complex fighting game with an opening not usually seen at the top level.} 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O b5 6. Bb3 Bc5 {The Archangel variation was certainly not expected by most people, and probably not by the Karjakin camp either. Playing it requires a tremendous amount of knowledge, so it's likely that Carlsen prepared it before the match as a backup to his main defenses. I have some experience playing this as Black against Karjakin, as it was my mainstay opening for a time, and we played several interesting games. As an attempt to win, it can work if the opponent is poorly prepared or surprised, but Karjakin proved up to the task.} 7. a4 Rb8 8. c3 d6 9. d4 Bb6 10. axb5 ({RR} 10. Na3 O-O 11. axb5 {½-½ (21) Danko,F (1831)-Mysiak,J (1842) Slovakia 2015}) 10... axb5 11. Na3 {Karjakin decided to go for the main and most principled line, immediately grabbing the b-pawn. It is what he recently played against Svidler and the most forcing variation, so he probably felt playing this way avoided the most amount of risk.} O-O 12. Nxb5 Bg4 13. Bc2 exd4 14. Nbxd4 Nxd4 15. cxd4 Bxf3 16. gxf3 Nh5 17. Kh1 {I always felt that this line was one of the most unpleasant for Black to face. White avoids any risk and hopes to prove the advantage of the bishop pair after the center opens up, usually when White sacrifices a pawn with e5 or f4. Meanwhile, Black has to constantly be on the lookout for tactics.} Qf6 18. Be3 c5 $5 {Years ago, as Rustam Kasimdzhanov was frying some plantains, he explained to me that this move was the best chance for Black to equalize. After we analyzed it, he tried it against Nakamura in the 2014 Tromso olympiad. Carlsen and his team also must have felt this was the best way for Black to approach the position.} 19. e5 Qe6 20. exd6 c4 $1 {This unusual move is the point behind 18...c5. Black keeps the center closed, and plans on capturing d6 next and creating mating threats after with ...c7.} 21. b3 cxb3 $146 (21... c3 {was how Rustam approached the position, and although it may be playable, he lost the game. Carlsen's choice is perhaps a better way to equalize.} 22. d5 Qxd6 23. Ra6 Nf4 24. Ra4 Ng6 25. Qd3 Bc7 26. f4 {Nakamura-Kasimdzhanov, Tromso ol 2014, and Black was outplayed.}) ({RR} 21... c3 22. d5 Qxd6 23. Ra6 Nf4 24. Ra4 Ng6 25. Qd3 Bc7 26. f4 Rfd8 27. Rd1 Qf6 28. Rc4 Bd6 29. Qxc3 Qxc3 30. Rxc3 Nxf4 31. Rc6 Be5 32. d6 Ne6 33. Bf5 Rxb3 34. Bb6 Rxb6 35. Rxb6 Nd4 36. f4 {Nakamura,H (2787)-Kasimdzhanov,R (2700) Tromsoe 2014 1-0 (42)}) 22. Bxb3 Qxd6 23. Ra6 {After 23 moves, we have reached a critical position, and one which was certainly analyzed by both players and their teams. Magnus sank into thought here, which perhaps means that he forgot what he had prepared, or that he was deciding between two roughly equivalent options.} Rfd8 ({Another option was to play} 23... Qd7 {immediately, and considering the xf7 tactics which happened later in the game, keeping the rook on f8 for now was worthy of consideration.} 24. Rg1 g6 {I have a feeling that this would have offered Black better chances for equality.}) 24. Rg1 Qd7 25. Rg4 {I thought that placing the rook on h4 was very strange, but there was no other convenient way of defending the d4-pawn. The next dozen or so moves are very difficult to explain. The position is highly concrete and it's likely both players were creating and reacting to immediate threats; the end result being very computeresque play.} ({The tempting sacrifice} 25. Rg5 g6 26. Rxh5 gxh5 {seems to lead nowhere.}) ({The computer suggestion of} 25. Bc4 Bxd4 26. Bg5 {would lead to a very drawish ending:} Rdc8 27. Ra4 Rc7 28. Bxf7+ Qxf7 29. Rxd4 Rf8 30. Rd8 Rc8 31. Rxc8 Rxc8 {, and White's winning chances are minimal}) 25... Nf6 26. Rh4 Qb5 27. Ra1 g6 {This move is generally useful, providing luft for Black's king.} 28. Rb1 Qd7 29. Qd3 Nd5 30. Rg1 {Now White's plans are clear. Rooks on the open files and a bishop on b3 pave the way for an eventual rook sacrifice on g6, h7 or a bishop sacrifice on f7. The immediate threat is g5.} Bc7 31. Bg5 Re8 32. Qc4 Rb5 $1 {An excellent move, but I'm not sure it was one which was accurately calculated by either player.} (32... Nb6 $4 33. Qxf7+ Qxf7 34. Bxf7+ Kxf7 35. Rxh7+ {shows the tactics available at White's disposal.}) 33. Qc2 (33. Ba4 {is of course critical. White seems to win a rook, but Black has a sneaky response:} Qf5 $1 34. Qf1 $1 {Interposing with the queen on g2 is the only way to save White. Now Black has only one move to stay in the game:} Rb1 $3 (34... Qxf3+ 35. Qg2 Qxg2+ 36. Kxg2 {wins for White.}) 35. Qxb1 Qxf3+ 36. Rg2 Nc3 37. Qf1 Nxa4 {, and Black has very decent compensation for the exchange in the form of White's uncoordinated forces and a mighty queen on f3. However, White could still try to regroup and play this for a win, even though a draw is the most likely result.}) 33... Ra8 $6 {After this, Black again experiences difficulties.} (33... Rb4 {is the machine recommendation, the point being to keep the rook on the e-file for} 34. Bd2 Re2 $1) 34. Bc4 Rba5 35. Bd2 Ra4 36. Qd3 Ra1 37. Rxa1 Rxa1+ 38. Kg2 Ne7 $2 {Almost the decisive mistake, but practically this move was difficult to punish.} ({After something like} 38... Bd8 39. Re4 Nf6 {, Black is still clearly worse, but he has decent chances to hold on due to counterplay against White's king.}) 39. Bxf7+ {Very tempting, but not correct. After this sacrifice everyone in the spectators' lounge got very excited and started predicting a win for Karjakin. However, the whole line becomes very forcing and leads to a drawish position.} (39. Qb3 $1 {was more critical:} Nf5 (39... Qf5 40. Re4 Bd6 41. Qb7 {just wins material - the knight is trapped.}) 40. Bxf7+ Kg7 (40... Qxf7 41. Qxf7+ Kxf7 42. Rxh7+ Ke6 43. Rxc7 {, and this ending is most likely lost or at least very difficult to hold.}) 41. Rh3 {It feels like Black should have counterplay here, but there is no path to create threats to White's king. It turns out Black's king is the terminally weak one.} Qe7 42. Bg8 h5 43. d5 {, and c3 is coming. Of course, this would not guarantee a win, as the position remains very complicated, especially in time trouble, but objectively Karjakin would have good winning chances like this.}) 39... Kxf7 40. Qc4+ Kg7 41. d5 ({My first thought during the game was} 41. Rxh7+ Kxh7 42. Qf7+ Kh8 43. Bh6 {, with mate I thought, but then I saw} Qxd4 {and the tables are turned. Black wins.}) (41. Bh6+ Kf6 $1 {is surprisingly also bad for White, as the attack leads nowhere.}) 41... Nf5 {Now everything is forced.} (41... Be5 $2 42. Bc3 Qd6 43. Qf4 $1 {is a very study-like win, with a double pin on Black's king and queen.}) 42. Bc3+ Kf8 43. Bxa1 Nxh4+ 44. Qxh4 Qxd5 {And here it became clear that Carlsen would not lose the game. White is not winning h7 and his pawn advantage is not enough to cause Black significant problems. Karjakin tried hard to create progress here, but to no avail.} 45. Qf6+ Qf7 46. Qd4 Ke8 47. Qe4+ Qe7 48. Qd5 Bd8 49. Kf1 Qf7 50. Qe4+ Qe7 51. Be5 Qe6 52. Kg2 Be7 53. Qa8+ Kf7 54. Qh8 h5 55. Qg7+ Ke8 56. Bf4 Qf7 57. Qh8+ Qf8 58. Qd4 Qf5 59. Qc4 Kd7 60. Bd2 Qe6 61. Qa4+ Qc6 62. Qa7+ Qc7 63. Qa2 Qd6 64. Be3 Qe6 65. Qa7+ Ke8 66. Bc5 Bd8 67. h3 Qd5 68. Be3 Be7 69. Qb8+ Kf7 70. Qh8 Qe6 71. Bf4 Qf6 72. Qb8 Qe6 73. Qb7 Kg8 74. Qb5 Bf6 {Finally Karjakin gave up trying to win. Magnus survived a difficult position! If he had lost, the match would have been practically decided, but now it is still a wide open contest. Tomorrow Carlsen has a critical game with White to try and win; he hasn't managed to convert his advantages so far in the match, so we'll see if he can pull through in the crucial last games.} 1/2-1/2

[Event "World-ch Carlsen-Karjakin +1-1=10"]
[Site "New York"]
[Date "2016.11.24"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Karjakin, Sergey"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C65"]
[WhiteElo "2853"]
[BlackElo "2769"]
[Annotator "So,Wesley"]
[PlyCount "149"]
[EventDate "2016.11.11"]
[EventType "match"]
[EventRounds "12"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 176"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.01.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.01.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{Going into the World Championship matches, many people logically considered Magnus to be the clear favorite against Sergey Karjakin. First of all the difference in their rating was a bit wide, as was their most recent overall performance.This year alone Magnus had won four big tournaments (Tata Steel, Norway, Leuven and Bilbao), while Sergey had only won the (admittedly long and tough) Candidates tournament which qualified him as the Challenger. Those things carry weight in people's minds but rounds 1-9 showed a different and very surprising story. The challenger's strong balanced attack, his ability to find good moves and make plans, his outstanding defense, and resistance to cracking under pressure, proved him to be an impregnable fortress. Magnus could not find a way to break Sergey down until eventually, overextending himself in Round 8, the Champion even had to accept defeat. At this point in Game 10 with only 3 games to the finish he absolutely has to find a way to even the score. He HAS to do it today.} 1. e4 {In Rounds 1 and 8 Magnus got nowhere with 1.d4, after giving the Trompovsky and the Colle system a try. Sergey Karjakin knew his stuff there. In fact he got nothing but trouble in game 8. So today Magnus decides to go back to the "best by test move" recommended by Fischer and Caruana. To be honest I'm kind of surprised that Magnus does not try 1.c4 or 1.f3/1.g3 but maybe we will see that in Round 12.} e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 (3. Bc4 Bc5 {Carlsen-Karjakin Round 5, but Magnus got nothing there either and in the end he must have been happy to save that game.}) 3... Nf6 {Sergey sticks to his guns and goes for the Berlin Opening. I noticed that during the entire match so far, one of Sergey's strategies has been simply to go for the main lines in the opening and play a normal game. He does not overpush but maintains composure by playing objective, strong moves.} 4. d3 {Magnus' strategy seemed mostly aimed at surprises in the opening and later on, hopes to exploit his opponent's mistakes over the board. It reminded me of a quote by a famous chess player: "I will play 40 good moves. If my opponent plays 40 good moves too, we will draw." The problem in this match is Sergey is the opponent who finds all the good moves too.} (4. O-O Nxe4 5. Re1 {Carlsen-Karjakin Round 3, where White got very close to first blood, but later on couldn't convert.}) 4... Bc5 {Putting the bishop on an active post while also preparing to exchange the knights with ...d4.} 5. c3 ({Magnus has won many games in the past with} 5. Bxc6 dxc6 {And here White has many moves, but the latest innovation is} 6. Qe2 {threatening to take xe5.} Qe7 (6... Bg4 7. h3 Bxf3 8. Qxf3 $14) 7. Nbd2 Bg4 8. h3 Bh5 9. a3 Nd7 10. b4 Bd6 11. Nc4 f6 12. Ne3 a5 13. Nf5 {The knight on f5 is very powerful and not easy to dislodge.} Qf8 14. bxa5 Rxa5 15. O-O Qf7 16. a4 Nc5 (16... O-O $2 17. Bh6 $1 {is a really nice combination.}) 17. Qe1 b6 18. Nd2 Rxa4 19. Nc4 Bf8 $2 20. Be3 {and White won easily - Carlsen against a strong GM.}) 5... O-O 6. Bg5 {This is unexpected, both for the spectators and I assume for Sergey too. Usually White castles his king first with 6.O-O and then after 6...d6 7.g5, when Black no longer has the option of ...e7.} (6. Bxc6 {does not win a clean pawn, since after} bxc6 7. Nxe5 d5 {Black will get fast development in return.}) 6... h6 7. Bh4 Be7 {This is the safe and natural approach. I like this move.} (7... g5 8. Bg3 d6 9. Nbd2 {is not desirable for Black as with the rook still on h1, White gets extra attacking options.}) 8. O-O (8. Bxc6 bxc6 9. Nxe5 {You think White has won a pawn? Well...} Nxe4 $1 {No. Black is better.}) 8... d6 9. Nbd2 {It's a little perplexing in general is Magnus' opening approach, as it's not very clear here where White's advantage is.} ({Perhaps} 9. Bg3 {with a complex position for example,} Nh5 ({If} 9... Bd7 {then} 10. h3 {which is a typical Ruy Lopez subtlety, vacating the h2-square for the bishop to retreat into!} Nh5 11. Bh2 f5 $13) 10. Bxc6 bxc6 (10... Nxg3 11. Bxb7 $1 {Aha! The suicidal bishop gives up its life so White wins a pawn.} Bxb7 12. hxg3 $16) 11. Nxe5 dxe5 12. Qxh5 Qxd3 13. Qxe5 Re8 {and Black has the bishop pair and some compensation for the pawn.}) (9. Re1 Nh5 10. Bxe7 Qxe7 11. d4 Nf4 $11) 9... Nh5 10. Bxe7 ({If} 10. Bg3 {Black just grabs the bishop pair:} Nxg3 11. hxg3 Bf6 {with a happy position.} (11... Nb8 12. d4 c6 13. Bd3 Nd7 14. Nc4 Qc7 {should also bring a smile to Sergey's face.})) 10... Qxe7 11. Nc4 (11. Bxc6 {to give Black doubled pawns looks like a good option.} bxc6 12. d4 (12. g3 f5) 12... Nf4 {But in fact White cannot really exploit it. In fact if anything, the strong knight on f4 gives Black good chances. For example} 13. Qa4 Rb8 14. b3 Rb6 $17 {when Black seizes a strong initiative. I can already foresee a rook swing (b6-g6) to the kingside later on.}) 11... Nf4 {Simple and strong.} (11... f5 {is a more complicated way to equality.} 12. Ne3 fxe4 13. dxe4 Kh7 $11) 12. Ne3 Qf6 (12... f5 {is always an option here, though after} 13. g3 fxe4 14. dxe4 Nh3+ 15. Kg2 {the knight on h3 still has to find a way to escape.}) 13. g3 Nh3+ 14. Kh1 {A little too passive.} ({The king would be better placed on g2.} 14. Kg2 Ne7 15. d4 {gives White a small advantage as he has more space and seizes control over the center.} Ng6 16. Bd3 {the knight on h3 can be kicked away later with g1.}) 14... Ne7 {Now comes the manoeuvring phase. Both sides will now try to improve their position. The knight on h3 is very active, and Black can always exchange it with ...g5. I think Black has no problems here.} 15. Bc4 {Putting the bishop on the right diagonal.} (15. d4 {seems natural but leads nowhere.} exd4 16. cxd4 c5 $11) 15... c6 (15... b5 {was being cried out by the spectators online:} 16. Bb3 {But I am not sure where it leads. Advancing pawns too far can lead to unnecessary weaknesses and as everyone knows pawns cannot move backwards. In fact White is threatening a2-a4 so perhaps} (16. Bxb5 Rb8) 16... Rb8 {with an around equal position.}) 16. Bb3 Ng6 {Perhaps a small inaccuracy.} ({The knight was just fine on e7, to guard the d5 and f5-squares. In fact Black has on his agenda an active option here to try to seize the initiative:} 16... d5 $5 17. exd5 cxd5 18. Nxd5 Nxd5 19. Bxd5 Rd8 20. Be4 {and now comes The Pin:} Bg4 $1 {and White has to sacrifice material to get rid of this dangerous pin.}) 17. Qe2 {I always think Magnus excels in this kind of close to equal positions. So in fact his opening choice has been quite successful despite its modest appearance. Now even if the advantage is not much, White has chances to outplay his opponent.} a5 18. a4 {Fighting for space on the queenside and fixing the pawn on a5. With the black knights so far away on the kingside, later this a5 pawn will lack protection.} ({Watching the game live, I thought a stronger move was} 18. d4 {based on the chess principle 'Attack on the flank is best met by a counter-attack in the center'.} a4 19. Bc2 Ng5 20. Nxg5 hxg5 21. Rad1 {and White is a little better. But now I like Magnus' choice too, as he wants to dominate the whole board, and not just the center.}) 18... Be6 19. Bxe6 $5 {When I first saw this move I thought Magnus had just made a small blunder. I thought that's it, he just wasted one of his last White games, congrats to Sergey for making an easy draw and getting one step closer to being a World Champion. However deeper inspection shows that he is setting a trap!} (19. Nd2 $1 {is definitely the best move. Black's knights on g6 and h3 look nice, but in fact they're stepping on each other's toes as neither of them can really put a foot on f4, while White is ready to consolidate his center with f3.} Bxb3 20. Nxb3 {and in fact White is already threatening to win a pawn with c4, amongst other threats.} Ng5 21. f3 {White has a much better coordination of pieces than his opponent's.}) (19. Bc2 Ng5 20. Nxg5 hxg5 21. Rad1 {is possible too, though not as forceful as 19.d2.}) 19... fxe6 20. Nd2 {Now White is threatening to block the kingside with f3.} d5 $146 ({I thought 19.xe6 was a blunder because at first sight} 20... Nxf2+ {seems to finish the game with a clean draw. But Magnus still has a final trick up his sleeve which I am sure he will go for.} 21. Kg1 $1 {is the prepared trick. Now White gets two knights for a rook and a couple of pawns.} (21. Kg2 $2 Nh4+ 22. Kg1 (22. gxh4 $2 Qg6+ {would end the match right here and right now.}) 22... Nh3+ 23. Kh1 Nf2+ {and a perpetual check is undesirable for White, as he is trailing in the match.}) 21... Nh3+ 22. Kg2 Nhf4+ 23. gxf4 Nxf4+ 24. Rxf4 exf4 (24... Qxf4 25. Qf3 $1 {gives Black an unpleasant choice. To trade queens or not to trade? Either way White will be happy.} Qh4 26. Qg3) 25. Nc2 {In terms of material Black is fine, but with the position being closed, the White knights get a lot of jumping potential. Leading the match by one game, Sergey decides to avoid unbalanced positions like this.} e5 ({Perhaps} 25... b5 {to open some files but then} 26. e5 $1 dxe5 27. Ne1 $5 {with the idea to blockade with the knights on e4 and f3. The position is totally chaotic.}) 26. Qg4 {and White is preparing to improve his kingside with h4 or e1-f3. At the very least he is not worse and could even be better.}) ({RR} 20... Nxf2+ 21. Kg2 Nh4+ 22. Kg1 Nh3+ 23. Kh1 Nf2+ 24. Kg1 Nh3+ 25. Kh1 Nf2+ {½-½ (25) Zhang,X (2345)-Shen,Y (2473) China 2017}) 21. Qh5 $5 {Again a very daring try by Magnus. He goes for the most risky but most rewarding continuation.} (21. f3 $1 {would be my preference. White is well on his way to consolidation. Knight sacrifices on f4 do not work, while the doubled e-pawns give Black eternal problems.} Rad8 22. Rae1 {I like White.}) 21... Ng5 {Sergey misses the draw! Just when he is close to it, he chooses another way.} (21... Nxf2+ 22. Kg2 (22. Kg1 Qg5 {wins a pawn with an easy tactic.} 23. Qxg5 Nh3+ {Check!} 24. Kg2 Nxg5 $17) 22... Qf7 $1 {Threatening ...f4 check.} 23. Kg1 {White prevents the check, and now Black has to find:} ({If White retreats with} 23. Qe2 {then} Nh4+ {and it's clear to see that it leads to a perpetual.} 24. Kg1 (24. gxh4 $2 Qg6+) 24... Nh3+ 25. Kh1 Nf2+) 23... Qf6 $1 {It's easy to miss this move. Black prepares ...g5 followed by ...h3 check, so White has nothing better than} 24. Kg2 (24. Ng4 Qg5) 24... Qf7 $11) 22. h4 {Magnus is so happy to be able to torture his opponent in a long endgame that he just went for it. According to online sources he spent less than half a minute on this move.} ({I don't blame him at all for wanting to squeeze the life out of Sergey in the endgame but} 22. Rae1 $1 {preparing g4, is even stronger. For example} Nf3 23. Ng4 Qg5 24. Qxg5 hxg5 25. Nxf3 Rxf3 26. Rd1 $16 {You may ask, what is worse than doubled pawns? Well... two sets of doubled pawns.}) 22... Nf3 23. Nxf3 Qxf3+ 24. Qxf3 Rxf3 25. Kg2 {Magnus' daring play starting from 19.xe6 has paid off. White has a very pleasant endgame advantage. The doubled e-pawns are a constant source of problems. I don't like Black's position.} Rf7 26. Rfe1 {This leaves the f2-pawn slightly vulnerable. Not that it matters though. White has an abundance of plans here.} ({I like} 26. Ng4 {forcing h5.} h5 27. Nh2 Nf8 28. Nf3 {Now White seizes the g5-square too.} Nd7 29. Rae1 {White is well on the way to converting his advantage.}) 26... h5 (26... Raf8 {can be simply met by} 27. Nd1 (27. Re2 {gives birth to} Nf4+ {ideas.} 28. gxf4 exf4) 27... h5 28. Re2 $14) 27. Nf1 {Finding ideal squares for his pieces is a piece of cake for Magnus.} Kf8 (27... Raf8 28. Re2 Rf3 29. Rd1 {with the queens off the board any tries by Black to attack will not be successful. So instead he tries to improve his king.}) 28. Nd2 Ke7 29. Re2 {Protecting f2. This is a very happy position. I had no doubt that White would be able to convert this position barring big blunders. It's got nothing to do with Sergey, Black's structure is simply bad.} Kd6 30. Nf3 Raf8 31. Ng5 Re7 32. Rae1 Rfe8 33. Nf3 {Besides all Black's problems, his knight is also a little misplaced on g6.} Nh8 $1 {Improving the position of the knight. Despite being at a disadvantage, Sergey hangs tough. The question for White now, is how to convert his advantage?} 34. d4 {A conversion of advantages. Magnus decides the time is ripe to blast open the center and endanger the position of the black king.} ({Personally I would prefer to leave Black with his doubled pawns and choose} 34. b4 axb4 35. cxb4 Nf7 36. a5 {with a clear advantage too, but sooner or later White has to find a way to break through.}) 34... exd4 35. Nxd4 g6 {Protecting the f5-square.} ({A lesser wood pusher might go} 35... Nf7 {but then} 36. exd5 cxd5 37. c4 dxc4 {and the black king is caught in the middle of the crossfire.}) 36. Re3 {Threatening f3. Again White has an abundance of plans here. b2-b4 ideas are always in the air.} ({I like the subtle} 36. Nb3 $5 b6 37. Nd4 {with the idea of weakening c6 but perhaps it is too subtle for the most part.}) 36... Nf7 37. e5+ (37. Rf3 Ne5 38. Rf6 Rf7 {allows Black to defend, no problemo. After the exchange of his most active rook, White's chances to convert become much harder.} 39. Rxf7 Nxf7) 37... Kd7 38. Rf3 {Perhaps not the best but it is a normal move, especially when both players are relatively low in time.} (38. b4 {is more accurate, to prevent ...c5 ideas.}) 38... Nh6 $6 {Sergey also makes a natural consolidating move. If he can block the f-file with ...f5, then all well and good. However Black has better options here on move 38 though.} (38... c5 {looks good, to set the queenside pawns into motion. After} 39. Nb3 b6 40. Nd2 {Black still does not fully solve his problems however.} Nh8 $1 (40... Rg8 41. Rf6 {and the g6-h5 pawn chain will be quite vulnerable.}) 41. c4 (41. Rf6 Rf7 $1 {eliminates White's most active piece!}) 41... Rf7 {the programs show that Black is fine but it's hard for me to believe with the knight on h8. Also, it's almost impossible for a human to play ...h8 over the board.}) (38... g5 39. hxg5 Nxg5 40. Rf6) ({Or} 38... Rg8 39. Rf6 {but White still looks better here.}) 39. Rf6 Rg7 40. b4 {Now White is back on track.} (40. c4 $5 {is the complicated way to try to knock out Black. His king will be vulnerable in the center even in the endgame.}) 40... axb4 41. cxb4 $16 {Both players have finished the time trouble stage and now have an extra hour of thinking time. Compared to a few moves back, White has now managed to increase his advantage and gain firm control over the position. Black's dark-squares are very vulnerable and at the same time he has to think of ways to regain control over the f-file.} Ng8 ({If} 41... Nf5 {White simply retreats his knight to b3 or f3, and the pressure becomes untenable in conjunction with a power rook on f6.}) 42. Rf3 Nh6 43. a5 {Improving his position slowly but surely. Of course White avoids the repetition of moves!} Nf5 {.} 44. Nb3 Kc7 45. Nc5 $6 {Magnus starts to drift, probably because he has such a nice position.} ({White could have sealed the win with} 45. Rc1 {threatening b5. And if} Kb8 46. a6 {if the b7-c6 pawn chain falls then the last of Black's bastions are fallen.} Rc7 47. Rfc3 {A sample line of how the game can end:} bxa6 48. Rxc6 Rxc6 49. Rxc6 Kb7 50. Na5+ Ka7 51. Rc7+ Kb8 52. Rf7 $18 {Seventh rank, active pieces, later on active king, White has all the trumps that he needs. Black's position is crumbling.}) 45... Kb8 46. Rb1 Ka7 {Now there is no clean finish. However White is still clearly ahead.} 47. Rd3 Rc7 ({Trying to counter with a punch is too slow} 47... g5 48. hxg5 Rxg5 {After} 49. b5 $18 {Black cannot defend all his weaknesses (b7 and e6).}) (47... b6 {can be met simply by} 48. Na4 ({Or even better:} 48. axb6+ Kxb6 49. Ra3 Ra7 50. Rxa7 Kxa7 51. Kf3 $16 {when the White king is really fast.})) 48. Ra3 Nd4 49. Rd1 Nf5 50. Kh3 Nh6 51. f3 {White has improved the position of his king in the past few moves and is now introducing the possibility of opening up the kingside with g4. Black can do nothing but sit and wait.} Rf7 52. Rd4 Nf5 53. Rd2 ({I like} 53. Rf4 {but then} Rh7 $1 {preventing g4, leaves the White rook immobile on f4.}) 53... Rh7 54. Rb3 Ree7 55. Rdd3 {This is one of Magnus' favorite strategies. He likes to wait patiently for his opponent to crack while slowly improving his own position. This worked well for him today.} ({But objectively now is the time to strike.} 55. b5 $1 cxb5 56. Rxb5 {Black cannot hold on to his b7 and e6-pawn for long. Perhaps Black can try} Ne3 {but then} 57. Rd3 Nc4 58. f4 {gives White all the time he needs to improve his position. Black's rooks are stuck defending pawns, which is never a good sign. Rooks are made for offense, not defense!}) 55... Rh8 56. Rb1 {Again waiting for the right moment. Just wait, just wait... Patience is a virtue.} Rhh7 57. b5 $1 {NOW!} cxb5 {.} 58. Rxb5 {Compared to move 55, the only change is that White's rook is on d3. Notice the difference? Black does not have e3-c4 now and his position crumbles quickly.} d4 59. Rb6 Rc7 60. Nxe6 Rc3 61. Nf4 Rhc7 62. Nd5 $1 {Simplification makes White's job easier. The rule of thumb is that when you are ahead in material you aim for trades and exchanges. Like in soccer, 11 players vs 10 players is harder than 5 players vs 4 players, and a 3 vs 2 game is a piece of cake. Chess is no different. When you are ahead in material, exchanges usually mean less complications = cleaner win.} (62. Rxg6 Rxd3 (62... Rc1 {gives White a choice between five different moves that win.}) 63. Nxd3 Rc3 64. Rf6 Ne3 65. Nf4 {and White's win should be easy. Contrary to appearances there is never any mate on h1, as White can always free his king with g3-g4. Meanwhile White is two pawns up.}) 62... Rxd3 63. Nxc7 {Some people didn't understand it at first, however if you put this position in a super computer it just gives +- 5.36, meaning White is more than five pawns up in a mathematical scale.} Kb8 64. Nb5 Kc8 (64... Rxf3 65. a6 {promotes the passed a-pawn.}) 65. Rxg6 Rxf3 66. Kg2 $1 {Activating the king. From here Magnus does not give Sergey any chance to escape.} Rb3 67. Nd6+ {Another exchange. Now it is 6 vs 5.} Nxd6 68. Rxd6 Re3 69. e6 ({Not} 69. Rxd4 $2 Rxe5 70. Ra4 Kd7 {when the Black king goes over to the kingside and secures the draw. The rook on a4 has become a mere spectator protecting the a-pawn.}) 69... Kc7 (69... d3 70. Kf2 $18) 70. Rxd4 Rxe6 (70... Re5 $5 71. e7 $5 Rxe7 72. Rd5 {does not change anything.}) 71. Rd5 $1 {The White rook attacks h5 while at the same time protecting his a-pawn.} Rh6 72. Kf3 {Sergey could safely have resigned here, but it does not hurt to make a few more moves. After all its not over until the king is mated.} Kb8 (72... b6 73. axb6+ Kxb6 74. Kf4 Kc6 75. Rd8 {White need not even calculate rook and single pawn endings because he can win the enemy pawn by force.} Kc7 76. Rg8 Kd6 77. Kg5 Rh7 78. Kg6 $18) (72... Kc6 73. Rf5 Kd6 74. g4 hxg4+ 75. Kxg4 $18 {also wins easily.}) 73. Kf4 (73. g4 hxg4+ 74. Kxg4 $18 {easy win.}) 73... Ka7 74. Kg5 Rh8 75. Kf6 {Magnus finally levels the match! This has been a great game and a great fight by both players. After choosing a modest line against the Berlin Opening, Magnus slowly improved his position and kept the game going. Black's knight looked a little shaky on h3 (perhaps 11...f5!?) and White managed to take advantage of this. The sequence from move 19-21 seems to me a little strange as Black allowed doubled-pawns and White gladly went for it and both sides developed interesting options. Perhaps 21...g5 was a crucial mistake as Sergey could maybe have made a draw with 21...xf2. But of course sitting at home, it is much easier to calculate than it was for the two fighters in New York. Having played nine long games in two weeks with all the attendant pressure, tension and drama, most certainly took a toll on both players. A World Championship match definitely requires levels of extraordinary endurance for anyone. Looking ahead with the score 5-5 I feel Magnus has good chances now in the match. He absolutely had to win today and he did. Tomorrow is a rest day, so both players can relax and prepare new ideas. I'm sure Sergey will try to put on the pressure in Round 11 and fight for a win with the white pieces (in Round 9 he got close!) If the match ends with two draws and a tie of 6-6 ensues, both players go to the tiebreaks with a shorter time control. Magnus may have the edge there although Sergey never fails to impress and surprise his fans.} 1-0

[Event "World-ch Carlsen-Karjakin +1-1=10"]
[Site "New York"]
[Date "2016.11.26"]
[Round "11"]
[White "Karjakin, Sergey"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C77"]
[WhiteElo "2769"]
[BlackElo "2853"]
[Annotator "So,Wesley"]
[PlyCount "67"]
[EventDate "2016.11.11"]
[EventType "match"]
[EventRounds "12"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 176"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.01.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.01.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{After wining Round 10 both players are tied now 5-5 but I have a sneaking suspicion that Magnus is gaining in control. If he achieves two more draws and they end tied, it's clear he won't be unhappy with rapid playoffs. Sergey just hasn't played as much Rapid and Blitz recently ... but then again ... this is the powerful Sergey Karjakin ... so we could be very surprised. Okay two games left to go and this is Number 11.} 1. e4 {Marin,Mihail This first move is expected, as Sergey sticks to the type of positions that he knows the best - 1.e4 gives him the best results based on his previous games. At least here he achieves playable and fighting positions, which are not easy to get against a well-prepared Magnus. A good idea I'm sure, as Sergey tried serving with 1.d4 back in Round 7, but was worse as early as move 11.} e5 {Did you expect something else? Magnus replies with this almost 90% of the time lately, so obviously he feels at home with it. Garry Kasparov once advised that in important games it's best to stick to the opening in which you have the most experience.} 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 {The Ruy Lopez may be the most classical opening in chess history, with references to it going all the way back to the year 1490.} a6 {Magnus' preference.} (3... Nf6 {was Sergey's choice in Rounds 3 and 10.}) 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 {The main line. Black wants to keep the tension. Magnus has already played like this in Rounds 2, 4, and 6 of the match, so I guess this is what I expected him to play today. Naturally he is hoping to outplay White again like he did in Round 4 and in general his results with Black here are very good. (Which is why I was surprised he went for 5...b5 in Round 9.)} (5... Nxe4 {leads to very forcing variations, where prepration and memory play a huge part. However, the problem is that Black has to play very exact moves, and chances to win are almost non existent.}) (5... b5 6. Bb3 Bc5 {was played in Round 9. But why is there a need for this when 5...e7 is serving him well?}) 6. d3 {Aiming for a closed setup, White hopes for a long game and plenty of maneuvering and the reason White aims for the Closed Ruy Lopez these days, is because it has become increasingly difficult to gain anything in the Marshall Attack.} (6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. c3 d5 9. exd5 Nxd5 10. Nxe5 Nxe5 11. Rxe5 c6 {is the starting position of the Marshall Attack. Black goes ...d6 and ...h4 next, gaining compensation for the sacrificed pawn based on the fact that White's queenside pieces are still undeveloped.}) 6... b5 7. Bb3 d6 ({I always thought that} 7... O-O {is slightly more accurate to keep open options of playing d7-d5 in one move, but still after} 8. Nc3 d6 9. a3 {it just transposes to the game anyway.}) 8. a3 {Reserving the a2-square for the bishop and controlling the b4-square.} (8. a4 {is an active alternative here and it leads to a slightly unusual position. I think the main difference is b4 is not controlled and Black may consider gaining space with} b4) 8... O-O 9. Nc3 Be6 {Clever Magnus! He never plays the exact same line twice in a row. Just when Sergey is ready to face 9...a5 again, as in Round 2, Black chooses a different move.} ({RR} 9... Bb7) 10. Nd5 (10. Bxe6 fxe6 {is an interesting possibility. Black has firm control of the center, but at the same time he has permanent doubled-pawns. Now I like the regrouping} 11. Ne2 {with the idea of preventing any kingside attacks by posting a knight on g3. Not sure if going for quiet positions like this is enough to beat the World Champion though.}) 10... Nd4 {This move is well-known as Black's best here. It was first played by Peter Svidler of Russia back in 2013. I myself remember spending many, many hours of analysis work on this move back in 2014 (how fast time flies) however, not ever really being able to use it. After that, I decided not to waste so much time on lines that have a low chance of appearing in my games. I sometimes think perhaps that's what Magnus does as well. He knows how to be time-efficient. In this regard Anatoly Karpov is a good example, as he is well-known for being the most practical of the World Champions. He didn't really spend hundreds of hours researching the openings, but instead focused on the skill of selecting and absorbing new ideas. Anyway let's go back to the game.} (10... Bxd5 {is not recommended as in general you shouldn't give up your bishop pair at an early stage of the game. After} 11. exd5 Nd4 12. Nxd4 exd4 13. Bd2 {White is slightly better.}) ({If} 10... Na5 {White does not retreat his bishop, but instead goes} 11. Nxf6+ Bxf6 12. Bxe6 fxe6 {when the doubled e-pawns give him a head start.} 13. b4 Nc6 14. c3 $14 {White is much better.}) ({RR} 10... Na5) 11. Nxd4 ({RR} 11. Nxe7+ Qxe7 12. Nxd4 exd4) 11... exd4 12. Nxf6+ {I was a little surprised to see this move, which is thought to be harmless, appear in this game.} ({In my notes I had} 12. Nxe7+ Qxe7 13. Bg5 {as the most critical and the only way to trouble Black. For example:} Bxb3 (13... c5 14. f4) 14. cxb3 h6 (14... Rac8 15. b4 c5 16. f4) 15. Bh4 {The pin is highly unpleasant and after} Qe6 16. f4 {White has chances for an attack on the kingside.} c5 (16... Nd7 17. f5 Qe5 18. b4 $14) 17. b4 Rfe8 (17... Rac8 18. Rc1) 18. f5 $5 (18. Rc1 Rac8 19. Re1 c4 $13) 18... Qe5 19. Bg3 Qe7 20. bxc5 dxc5 21. e5 Nd5 22. f6 Qe6 23. fxg7 Ne3 24. Qd2 Nxf1 25. Rxf1 $13 {with a really complicated position. It's very possible though that my notes are outdated. However it seems to me that Black still has to play extremely accurately to equalize.}) 12... Bxf6 13. Bxe6 fxe6 14. f4 {Sergey makes a natural move, while keeping all of his options open. Options such as g4, g4-g5, or f3-h3. White is basically up a pawn on the kingside right now (3 vs 2), so it is clear he should focus his attention there. But I thought that Black showed the way to equalize after two top level games played in 2013, when everyone was still using the chess engine 'Houdini' and computers and the Internet were significantly slower. In those two games, Black made easy draws.} (14. a4 c5 15. Qg4 Qd7 16. axb5 axb5 17. Bd2 c4 18. Bb4 Ra4 $1 {The best way to force exchanges.} 19. Rxa4 bxa4 20. dxc4 Rc8 21. Qg3 (21. Qe2 Qc6 $11) 21... Rxc4 22. Bxd6 Rxc2 $11 {Anand-Svidler, Alekhine Memorial 2013, and the game soon ended in a draw.}) (14. Qg4 Qc8 15. f4 e5 16. f5 c5 {Black has a 'pawn diamond' in the center and quick counterplay along the c-file. His king's position is quite shaky but White does not have enough time to exploit this.} 17. Bg5 (17. Rf3 c4 18. Rh3 Qe8 $13 {prevents h5, and prepares c8-c2.}) 17... Kh8 (17... c4 18. Bxf6 Rxf6 $11 {might be easier.}) 18. Rf3 c4 19. Rh3 (19. Raf1 {might be a possible improvement to allow defence of the 2nd rank later in some cases with 1f2.}) 19... Bxg5 20. Qxg5 Rf6 21. g4 cxd3 22. cxd3 Qc2 23. Rc1 Qe2 $1 24. Rc7 Qe1+ 25. Kg2 Qe2+ 26. Kg1 Qe1+ 27. Kg2 Qe2+ 28. Kg1 {½-½ Leko -Caruana, Dortmund 2013.}) ({RR} 14. Qg4 Qc8 15. f4 e5 16. f5 c5 17. Bg5 Kh8 18. Rf3 c4 19. Rh3 Bxg5 20. Qxg5 Rf6 21. g4 cxd3 22. cxd3 Qc2 23. Rc1 Qe2 24. Rc7 Qe1+ 25. Kg2 Qe2+ 26. Kg1 Qe1+ 27. Kg2 Qe2+ 28. Kg1 {½-½ (28) Leko,P (2737)-Caruana,F (2796) Dortmund 2013 CBM 156 [Marin,Mihail]}) ({RR} 14. a4) 14... c5 {Preparing queenside counterplay later with c5-c4.} (14... e5 {is an alternative, but perhaps Magnus didn't want to close the center right away. After} 15. f5 c5 16. Rf3 c4 17. Rh3 {looks quite scary for Black, and if} Qe8 18. g4 $5 {with some attacking chances.}) (14... Qd7 15. Qg4 c5 {just transposes to the game.}) 15. Qg4 (15. Rf3 c4 16. Rh3 {can simply be met by} Rf7 {to meet} ({Or} 16... Qd7) 17. Qh5 {with} g6) 15... Qd7 (15... Qc8 $5 {- Leko-Caruana, was a good option. Later after the opening of the c-file, a quick ...c2 is in the agenda. After} 16. Bd2 (16. f5 exf5 17. exf5 Be5 18. Qf3 Ra7 $13) 16... e5 17. f5 c4 {Black has sufficient counterplay.}) 16. f5 $146 {Releasing the tension and allowing trades. I feel that Sergey no longer believes that White has much going on and decides to loosen up the position. After all, in the event of an endgame Black still has his doubled d-pawns to worry about (though it's hard for White to make use of his better pawn structure).} ({If White wants to keep fighting chances then perhaps he should go for 16.d2 or 16.f3. So here I can recommend for White} 16. Bd2 c4 {And now} 17. b3 (17. Rf3 c3 $1 18. bxc3 dxc3 19. Be3 d5 20. e5 Be7 21. Rh3 Rf7) 17... Rac8 18. h3 cxb3 19. cxb3 Rc2 20. Bb4 Be7 21. a4 {with a small advantage.}) (16. Rf3 c4) ({Or} 16. b3 c4 {and the overall position of the picture does not change.}) ({RR} 16. Bd2 c4 17. Rae1 cxd3 18. cxd3 Rac8 19. Bb4 Rfe8 20. Bxd6 Qxd6 21. e5 Bxe5 22. Rxe5 Rc2 23. Re2 Rxe2 24. Qxe2 Rf8 25. Qe4 g6 26. Re1 Kg7 27. g3 Rc8 28. Qxe6 Qxe6 29. Rxe6 Rc2 30. Rxa6 Rxb2 {Pulpan,J (2400)-Turner,M (2533) Prague 2018 ½-½ (41)}) 16... Rae8 {Already, Black has more than one way to equality.} (16... exf5 {is just fine, to clarify the situation right away.} 17. exf5 (17. Rxf5 Rf7 18. Bd2 g6 $11) 17... Rae8 (17... Rf7 18. Bd2 Re8 (18... c4) 19. Rae1 Be5 20. Rf2 c4 $11) 18. Bd2 {and now} g6 {to eliminate White's spearhead.} 19. h3 (19. Bh6 Bg7 20. Bxg7 Rxf5 21. Rxf5 gxf5 22. Qg3 Qxg7 $11) 19... Be5 20. fxg6 Qxg4 21. gxh7+ Kxh7 22. hxg4 Bg3 $1 {and with control over the open file, Black should be able to play ...e2 in the near future. Control of the 2nd rank should give him enough compensation for the pawn.}) ({Even} 16... e5 {although it's no longer necessary to go for a complicated middlegame.}) 17. Bd2 c4 18. h3 {Protecting the queen on g4 so he can take on f5 later with the rook. It also puts a pawn on a light-square to ensure that should they go into some deep endgame, Black cannot capture this h-pawn with his bishop.} (18. fxe6 Qxe6 19. Qxe6+ Rxe6 20. Bb4 Rd8 {followed by posting a bishop on e5, hence guarding his doubled-pawns. The endgame is level.}) (18. b3 exf5 19. exf5 Be5 (19... cxb3 20. cxb3 Re5 $11) 20. Rf2 cxb3 21. cxb3 Rc8 $11 {in general, Black's play is quite easy and he has many options to choose from in each move.}) 18... c3 $5 {The most unbalanced continuation. Black disrupts the coordination of White's queenside before he has the time to consolidate with b3 and a4.} ({Many paths lead to equality. A normal continuation would be} 18... Be5 19. fxe6 Rxf1+ 20. Rxf1 Qxe6 $11) (18... exf5 19. Rxf5 {and now Black just has to avoid} g6 $2 20. Rxf6 {when the white queen is protected.}) (18... e5 $13 {also gives an unclear position, but as I said, there is no more point to keeping the center closed, when Black has easier alternatives.}) 19. bxc3 d5 $5 {Perhaps trying to confuse White, but as usual, Sergey keeps his nerve.} (19... dxc3 20. Be3 d5 21. Bc5 Rf7 $11) 20. Bg5 {What follows now is another series of exchanges, where each side takes away material from the board consecutively.} ({The most obvious continuation is} 20. fxe6 {but after} Qxe6 21. Qxe6+ Rxe6 22. exd5 Re2 {White has some tricky problems to solve.} 23. Rf2 Rxf2 24. Kxf2 Bg5+ (24... dxc3 25. Be1 Rd8 $11 {is perhaps just equal too.}) 25. Ke2 Bxd2 26. Kxd2 Rf2+ 27. Ke1 Rxc2 {White's position looks scary, but according to the computer, White holds the balance with:} 28. c4 $1 (28. cxd4 $2 Rxg2 29. Kf1 Rh2 30. d6 Kf7 $19 {looks like a typical Carlsen grind.}) (28. d6 Kf7 {and the difference in the activity of the kings will be crucial.})) (20. c4 $5 {is fine, since the pawn on c3 was lost anyway. White now gets some stability in the center and after} dxc4 (20... dxe4 21. Bb4) 21. Bb4 Rf7 22. fxe6 Qxe6 23. Qxe6 Rxe6 24. Rf5 $11 {the ending is just equal.}) ({Though not} 20. exd5 exf5 21. Qf3 dxc3 22. Be3 {when White is slightly worse, as now it is he who has the doubled-pawns.} Re5 $15) 20... Bxg5 (20... dxc3 21. Bxf6 Rxf6 22. exd5 exd5 23. a4 $11) 21. Qxg5 dxe4 22. fxe6 Rxf1+ 23. Rxf1 Qxe6 24. cxd4 e3 $5 {Perhaps trying to put psychological stress on the opponent. There is always pressure when you have to make a draw from a defensive point of view. Now instead of making natural moves, White has to remain alert so that the passed e-pawn does not become unstoppable.} ({Instead of 24...e3, Black has at least three ways to make a relatively easy draw.} 24... exd3 25. cxd3 Qe3+ (25... h6 26. Qc5 Qe3+ 27. Kh2 Qxd3 $11 {is another way.}) 26. Qxe3 Rxe3 27. Rd1 Re2 $1 {And because of the control of the 2nd rank and counterplay on the a3-pawn, Black makes a draw by straightforward moves.} 28. Rc1 (28. d5 Kf7 29. Rc1 Ra2 $11) 28... Ra2 29. Rc3 Kf7 $11) ({Or} 24... Qd6 25. Qc5 (25. Qe3 Qxa3) 25... Rd8 26. Qxd6 Rxd6 27. dxe4 Rxd4 28. e5 Re4 29. Rf5 Re3 $11 {as they say, all rook endings are drawn.}) 25. Re1 (25. Qg4 Qe7 26. Qf3 $11) (25. d5 $6 {is an example of how things can go wrong for White.} Qb6 26. Re1 e2+ 27. Kh1 Qf2 28. Qd2 Re3 29. d6 Kf7 {and there are some problems with the white king immobile in the corner.}) 25... h6 (25... e2 26. Qd2 g6 27. Qf4 (27. d5 $11) 27... Qe7 28. Qd2 $11) 26. Qh5 e2 27. Qf3 a5 $5 {Pushing the a-pawn one step closer to promotion, just in case a pawn race happens down the line. Is Magnus still trying to win? Surely he's hoping for Sergey to make a small mistake or better, a major blunder, but really that doesn't happen often. Also, Black's problem is that his king lacks a fortress, meaning it is going to be hard to escape from queen checks later on.} ({Almost all moves lead to a draw now.} 27... Qd6 28. Rxe2 Qxd4+ 29. Kh1 Rxe2 30. Qxe2 Qa1+ 31. Kh2 Qxa3 $11) 28. c3 (28. d5 Qe5 (28... Qe7 29. d6 Qxd6 30. Rxe2 $11) 29. d6 $11) 28... Qa2 {Protecting the e2-pawn while at the same time threatening to take the guy on a3, or play ...d2, attacking the rook on e1.} 29. Qc6 $1 {But Black's queen escapade has left his rook and king a little vulnerable too.} Re6 (29... Re7 30. Qc8+ Kh7 31. Qf5+ {Hoping for perpetual check.} g6 32. Qf8 $11 {There is no way for Black to make progress, as he cannot attack and defend at the same time.}) 30. Qc8+ ({Now is not the time to grab pawns:} 30. Qxb5 $2 Qd2 31. Qb1 Qxc3 $17 32. d5 Qd4+ 33. Kh2 Qxd5 $17 {and White's greed has got him nothing but trouble.}) 30... Kh7 31. c4 Qd2 32. Qxe6 Qxe1+ 33. Kh2 Qf2 34. Qe4+ {Draw. A quiet but well-played game by two experienced players. Today they decided to go for the Closed Ruy Lopez with 6. d3. Sergey played the same moves as in Round 2, but Magnus decided to deviate with 9...e6 just in case his opponent had prepared something vicious against his pet line with 9...a5. What followed after 9...e6 was a series of liquidations, with each player trading three minor pieces each, though Black had to accept doubled d-pawns. Moves 14-16 were critical to see if White could prove an advantage, but in the end Sergey decided to release the tension with 16.f5. What followed was a series of exchanges and with Magnus even trying to spice up the game a bit with 18...c3!? and 19...d5!? Sergey held fast, exchanged a few more pieces, and in the end the game never really left the boundaries of equality. Tomorrow is the last round and let's see if Magnus' sister's prediction that he will win his last two White games comes true. Maybe this game is just the deep breath before the explosion.} 1/2-1/2

[Event "World-ch Carlsen-Karjakin +1-1=10"]
[Site "New York"]
[Date "2016.11.28"]
[Round "12"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Karjakin, Sergey"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C67"]
[WhiteElo "2857"]
[BlackElo "2769"]
[Annotator "Seirawan,Yasser"]
[PlyCount "60"]
[EventDate "2016.11.11"]
[EventType "match"]
[EventRounds "12"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 176"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.01.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.01.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{While both players have much to lament, each receiving a sympathetic ear, let's face it: The arbiters have been brilliant. They have been out of sight and nary a word about them has been spoken. Out of the spotlight they have treble checked that bane of all chess players - the clock. The battery is functioning (good), the time control has been set to the right one (very good), the board and pieces have been set up correctly (most excellent).  And so it all comes down to this: After eleven hard fought games the twelfth and final game would be played for all the marbles. I wanted to describe the situation as high drama. But my 'Spidey sense' began to tingle as I considered the word. Blessed with a heightened sense of caution I decided to look up the current definition of the word. You see the English language changes. Nearly every day in fact. Just like the FIDE rules committee that loves to change the rules of chess, so to do the committees that define words in the English language. It can get pretty confusing.  To assuage my internal warnings I double-checked and learned something new while bringing myself up-to-date: drama: Top definition: "Something women and especially teenage girls thrive on. Consisting of any number of situations that have an easy solution, which would bring a fairly good outcome, but these girls choose another, shitty, bad way to deal with it, again consisting of backstabbing, blackmailing/gossiping/betraying their friends, or the all-too-common, "I want to break up with him but I still love him!" It drives men and what I like to call "normal" girls nuts." Urban Dictionary. Hmm. Right. Just as expected a surprising change. Oh boy, I'm already in trouble and this is before annotating move one. Somehow, I can't quite put my finger on it but the (for me) new definition just feels a tiny bit to be politically incorrect. I confess I'm not the most astute in such matters. Therefore, let us put high drama aside for a moment and instead set up the situation from a different point of view...  Many fans and even non-fans have asked me the question, "What makes one grandmaster stronger than another?" A fair question. Once when describing himself against his colleagues World Champion Mikhail Botvinnik saw himself, "As first amongst equals." It seems the top grandmasters know all the various chess skills and instead to find an answer to such a question we should consider the intangibles: Confidence; ambition; determination; good health; a supportive team; good food; a strong stomach; a working internet connection; staying regular and other key factors.  The twelfth game would require a supreme effort by both players featuring nerves of steel coupled with boundless energy. They would before the gong imagine a long, hard fought game where conquering their nerves and remaining calm at those crucial moments is vital. They would review their preparation to the best of their abilities while hoping to out-calculate their opponent in the heat of battle. Doing all the things that grandmasters do so well. But there is another intangible to consider as well: At such a moment are you capable of getting a good night's sleep? Don't laugh. It is an important question. Imagine yourself in the role of Challenger Sergey Karjakin. You are to have a career defining moment. An opportunity to become World Chess Champion. A dream come true. With so many thoughts and emotions racing through your mind, will you be able to recharge your battery for the biggest contest of your life?  But which player is carrying the bigger pressure? Same questions for Magnus Carlsen, the World Champion. Experts, pollsters and fans had all been unanimous predicting an easy match win. They were stone-cold wrong. Lucky to be at a level score, what risks should Magnus take to try to clinch the match? To go all in as White in the final game? As did Veselin Topalov with White against Viswanathan Anand in 2010? A decision which cost him the match... So many questions. So many worries and all you really want is to rest and recharge your battery. To sleep peacefully with pleasant dreams of victory. Perhaps such an ability, that one, to cast aside your concerns and get a good night sleep, is what makes one grandmaster stronger than another? Before the battle commenced, I wondered, would we see a real drama? Wait, now I'm certain that's not the word I want to use. In this preamble I've got it all wrong entangling myself in knots. I think National Basketball Association legend Michael Jordan said it best at such moments, "Go out and just enjoy the game. Don't think about the consequences. If you do, you'll freeze."} 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O {A first indication that perhaps the "decisive" final Classical game in the match might not be all that decisive after all.} ({For Game 10, Magnus played} 4. d3 {keeping all the pieces on the board.}) 4... Nxe4 5. Re1 {Uh oh. The second indication the game is about to fizzle out.} Nd6 6. Nxe5 Be7 7. Bf1 Nxe5 8. Rxe5 O-O 9. d4 Bf6 10. Re1 {Not repeating Game 3, where Magnus tried:} (10. Re2 $5 {A move that didn't promise much but almost brought him great success.}) 10... Re8 {All according to modern theory as well as strategic principles. The e-file is open and therefore the chopping block for the major pieces.} 11. Bf4 Rxe1 12. Qxe1 Ne8 {The first moment of "excitement" quickly passes. I'm a notorious pawn-grabber but the d4-bait is poisonous:} (12... Bxd4 $6 13. Bxd6 cxd6 (13... Bxb2 $4 14. Bxc7 {simply wins for White}) 14. Nc3 {When I much prefer White's position. Black has difficulties developing while White's moves play themselves:} Rb8 15. Rd1 Be5 16. Nd5 {White's initiative is getting serious.}) 13. c3 d5 14. Bd3 g6 {Practice has proven that the symmetry in the position is hard to crack. With a draw being the most likely result.} 15. Na3 $6 {A confounding move. After all, where is the knight heading? I will certainly not claim that after the standard:} (15. Nd2 Ng7 16. Qe2 c6 17. Re1 Bf5 18. Bxf5 Nxf5 19. Nb3 {It is all "blue sky" for White. Truly, there is not much in the position but the chances for a pull lay in this direction.}) 15... c6 16. Nc2 Ng7 17. Qd2 {This one also had me perplexed. Trying my best to channel my "inner Magnus" I wrongly thought his knight maneuver was designed to cover the f5-square:} (17. Ne3 {seemed to be his intended follow-up. True, it does stop Black's ...c8-f5 plan but allows another in its stead:} Nh5 $1 18. Bh6 Bg5 19. Bxg5 Qxg5 {with a knight coming to the f4-square Black has solved all his opening problems.}) 17... Bf5 18. Bxf5 Nxf5 19. Ne3 Nxe3 20. Qxe3 Qe7 21. Qxe7 Bxe7 {The mutual hacking continues. The board is nearly empty. Just one last trade along the chopping block remains.} 22. Re1 Bf8 {I'm sorely tempted to give this move an exclamation mark. After all I'm a paid commentator and I have to earn my keep. That would make one for the whole game. In truth Black had a perfectly decent alternative as well.} (22... Re8 {Grandmasters do not make such moves: Walking into a "self-pin." However, there is no way for White to exploit the moment:} 23. Bg5 Kf8 24. Bh6+ Kg8 {Black is ready to play: ...f7-f6, and ...g8-f7, releasing the pin, with the time honored ritual of signing the scoresheets to follow.}) 23. Kf1 $146 ({RR} 23. f3 f6 24. Kf2 Kf7 25. g4 Re8 26. Rxe8 Kxe8 27. Ke2 {½-½ (27) Nogerbek,K (2370)-Korneev,O (2559) Tashkent 2019}) ({RR} 23. Bg5 Kg7 24. Be7 f6 25. Bxf8+ Kxf8 26. f4 Re8 27. Rxe8+ Kxe8 28. Kf2 {½-½ (28) Zhu,H (2163)-Jiang,Q (2238) Qiziwan CHN 2023}) 23... f6 24. g4 {This bold thrust does not hold the promise of a vicious attack, so hold the trumpets. Actually it is actually quite safe.} Kf7 25. h3 $1 {At last, I'm in a generous mood, "Give the man an exclam!" The text shows "understanding." In a bishop ending, pawns should be on the opposite colored squares from the bishop. The text also insures against adversity: The possibility of blundering a pawn is greatly reduced.} Re8 26. Rxe8 Kxe8 {The tasks along the chopping block have all been completed. The play must continue until move thirty. At least.} 27. Ke2 Kd7 28. Kd3 Ke6 29. a4 a6 30. f3 Be7 {Draw agreed. Oh boy. My preamble was longer than my notes to the game. Likely for good reasons. I'll leave it to other more gifted writers to share their thoughts on this downer. Instead, I'll just boldly state the obvious: A very disappointing conclusion to an intense World Championship match. Such games do not kindle interest in our glorious sport. Maybe I pegged it right after all? Perhaps Magnus did not get enough sleep? Now another rest day follows and on Wednesday the tension will be at its zenith as the title of who will be World Chess Champion will be decided by tiebreaks.} 1/2-1/2

[Event "Tata Steel-A 79th"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2017.01.15"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Wojtaszek, Radoslaw"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B90"]
[WhiteElo "2840"]
[BlackElo "2750"]
[Annotator "Yermolinsky,Alex "]
[PlyCount "87"]
[EventDate "2017.01.14"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 177"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.03.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.03.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{Some experts believe that Rado must be a tough opponent for Magnus. Part of it is Wojtaszek's experience as Vishy Anand's primary opening theory specialist during his preparation for the World Championship matches, which we assume included their going over every game Carlsen ever played. There's also a memorable upset win Radoslaw scored two years ago on the same stage at the 2015 Tata Steel tournament.} 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. a3 $5 {Just like that Carlsen goes off the theoretical path as early as on move 6, repeating Karjakin's experiment from round one. We can safely assume Wojtaszek was not prepared to face it.} e5 {It is largely a matter of taste. Rado goes the Najdorf way,} ({while some of us would prefer the Scheveningen Variation after} 6... e6 7. f4 Nc6 8. Nf3) 7. Nf5 ({Much more common is} 7. Nf3 {if the word "common" can be applied to the 6.a3 line at all. Russian GM Dvoyris played it a couple of times, and there also was a recent blitz game Harikrishna-Giri. All in all, the white pawn on a3 does not look out of place, and a tempo spent on that move is the same tempo White often loses by stopping over on e3 with his dark-squared bishop on its way to g5.}) 7... d5 8. Bg5 d4 9. Bxf6 Qxf6 $2 {I ablosutely loathe this move. In the name of preserving his pawn structure intact Black invites another white knight to come up to the centre of the board.} (9... gxf6 10. Ne2 Qb6 ({or} 10... Qa5+ 11. Qd2 Qxd2+ 12. Kxd2 Be6) 11. Rb1 (11. b4 a5 $132) 11... Be6 12. Qc1 Nd7 {has to be absolutely fine for Black.}) 10. Nd5 Qd8 11. Qg4 $1 {Carlsen immediately hits on the right idea.} Bxf5 ({The point was to answer} 11... g6 {with} 12. Qg3 Nc6 13. Nxd4 $1) 12. Qxf5 {Already here it became painfully clear that White will win this game. Magnus always wins when he can get his pieces to safe squares, and the opponent doesn't have any dynamic possibilities.} Bd6 13. h4 $5 Nc6 14. Bc4 b5 $146 ({RR} 14... O-O 15. h5 h6 16. Rh3 b5 17. Ba2 Qc8 18. Nf6+ gxf6 19. Rg3+ {1-0 (19) Vaishali,R (2393)-Munkhzul,T (2278) Chess.com INT 2020}) ({RR} 14... O-O 15. Rh3 Kh8 16. h5 Rc8 17. Rg3 h6 18. Qg4 Rg8 19. Rf3 Rf8 20. Rd1 Nb4 21. axb4 Rxc4 22. c3 Qg5 23. Qd7 Rd8 24. Qxf7 Qxg2 25. Rg3 Qxe4+ 26. Kf1 Qh1+ 27. Ke2 Qe4+ 28. Kf1 Qh1+ 29. Rg1 {Slobodjan,R (2457)-Blahynka,M (2399) Czech Republic 2022 1-0 (42)}) 15. Bb3 Ne7 16. Qg4 O-O 17. Rh3 Nxd5 18. Bxd5 Ra7 19. Rg3 Qf6 20. a4 {This move indicates Magnus's desire to open a second front. He must have felt his kingside intiative alone wouldn't be enough.} Bb4+ $2 {And Wojtaszek just plays along!} (20... b4 {had to be the right move simply because it does not accommodate the opponent's intentions.}) 21. Kf1 bxa4 22. Rxa4 a5 23. Ra1 Rc7 24. Bb3 Ra8 25. Kg1 Bf8 26. Qh5 g6 27. Qg4 Ra6 28. h5 Qf4 29. Qe2 Qf6 30. Qb5 Qc6 $4 ({I don't see anything wrong with.} 30... Rc5) 31. Qxe5 Re7 32. Qf4 a4 33. Bd5 Qc7 34. Qd2 Qb6 35. Ra2 Rc7 36. Rf3 Qb4 37. Qe2 Rb6 38. hxg6 hxg6 39. g3 Kg7 40. Kg2 Rd7 41. Qd1 Rf6 42. Rxf6 Kxf6 43. c3 dxc3 44. Rxa4 {We have seen enough games like this. What are these guys thinking... playing passively against Magnus Carlsen?} 1-0

[Event "Tata Steel-A 79th"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2017.01.17"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Wei, Yi"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C24"]
[WhiteElo "2840"]
[BlackElo "2706"]
[Annotator "Meier,Georg"]
[PlyCount "65"]
[EventDate "2017.01.14"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 177"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.03.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.03.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Bc4 Nf6 3. d3 {The Bishops's Opening or Italian Game reminds me of the London System (1.d4 followed by f4 on move 2 or 3) that has also had a resurgence of late, not least due to Magnus's efforts. You can of course find fresh ideas everywhere, but the main point of these openings - at least to me - is to keep a lot of pieces on the board and beat your opponent by a better understanding of positional play and pawn structures.} c6 4. Nf3 d6 {A bit tame. But it was played after almost 6 minutes of contemplation, indicating that Yi had not made up his mind about this opening beforehand.} (4... d5 5. Bb3 Bb4+ {sophisticated!} (5... Bd6 6. Nc3 {would force Black to eventually release the tension in the centre.}) 6. c3 Bd6 {is a popular line for Black}) 5. O-O Be7 6. Bb3 (6. Re1 O-O 7. a4 {would be the modern way to play.}) 6... O-O {Both sides are free as concerns further development, so we get an impression of where both players feel their pieces belong.} 7. c3 Nbd7 8. Re1 Nc5 9. Bc2 Bg4 10. Nbd2 Ne6 11. h3 Bh5 12. Nf1 Nd7 $1 {This is important in connection with ...g4: Black must be ready to take on f3 and then he should soon halve White's bishop pair with g5.} 13. g4 $5 ({The normal move would be} 13. Ng3 Bxf3 14. Qxf3 g6 {keeping the g3 at bay and with g5 soon following.}) 13... Bg6 14. Ng3 {The bishop on g6 will be passive for a long time, but White has also created a hole on f4.} Ng5 {Being a bit cramped, Black wants to exchange pieces.} 15. Bxg5 {After 20 minutes thought! I don't think Magnus was too thrilled with his position at this point.} (15. Kg2 Nxf3 16. Qxf3 Re8 $1 {A smart waiting move, opening the d7-f8-e6 route for the knight.} 17. Be3 Bg5 18. Bxg5 Qxg5 19. Rad1 Rad8 {is completely satisfactory for Black.}) (15. Nf5 Bxf5 16. gxf5 Nxf3+ 17. Qxf3 Bg5 {with a good position for Black was mentioned by Carlsen.}) 15... Bxg5 16. d4 Bf4 {From here on it looks very much like Black was looking for active ideas, when all he had to do is patiently improve his position.} (16... Re8 {getting the rook into play and vacating f8 for the knight; good value for a tempo.}) 17. Ne2 Qf6 18. Kg2 exd4 $146 {"An absolute gift" (Carlsen). Black is giving up the centre for no reason.} (18... Rad8 19. Nxf4 Qxf4 20. Qc1 Qxc1 21. Raxc1 f6 $11) ({RR} 18... h5 19. Nxf4 hxg4 20. Ng1 Qxf4 21. Qxg4 Qxg4+ 22. hxg4 Rfe8 23. dxe5 dxe5 24. Rad1 Rad8 25. f3 {½-½ (25) Vukcevic,N (2275)-Nikcevic,N (2338) Podgorica MNE 2024}) ({RR} 18... h5 19. Nxf4 hxg4 20. Ng1 Qxf4 21. Qxg4 Qxg4+ 22. hxg4 Rfe8 23. dxe5 dxe5 24. Rad1 Rad8 25. f3 {½-½ (25) Vukcevic,N (2275)-Nikcevic,N (2338) Podgorica MNE 2024}) 19. Nfxd4 Rfe8 20. Nxf4 Qxf4 21. f3 {Now White has a straightforward plan: Get rid of the queen on f4 and push his kingside pawns. At this point Black had to look for ways to limit the damage, and quickly.} (21. Qc1 Bxe4+ 22. Bxe4 Rxe4 23. Qxf4 Rxf4 24. Re7 {looks tempting, but Black still holds on with} Nc5 25. Rae1 Kf8 26. Kg3 g5) 21... Nb6 $6 {Further drifting...} (21... d5 {would guarantee that Black does not run out of space. The isolated pawn would remain his only worry after} 22. exd5 Bxc2 (22... cxd5 23. Rxe8+ Rxe8 24. Ba4 $1 {leaves White with the superior minor piece forever.}) 23. Qxc2 cxd5) 22. Qc1 Qxc1 23. Raxc1 d5 24. e5 Nd7 25. f4 Bxc2 26. Rxc2 {Black must have underestimated the dangers of this endgame. Clearly, digging in and holding the fort does not come easy to the Chinese prodigy. He proceeds to lose in no time.} Nc5 ({To put up a line of defence Black should take f5 under control, grab space with a5 to somewhat secure c5 for his knight and then centralise his king. A reasonable sequence would be:} 26... g6 27. Kf3 a5 28. h4 Nc5 29. Re3 (29. g5 Kf8 30. h5 Ke7) 29... Kf8) 27. Re3 Rad8 28. Kf3 Ne4 29. b4 $16 {The black knight has no way back, and White is ready to saddle Black with a weakness by c3-c4xd5 and decisively open the c-file.} g5 $2 {Only creating more weaknesses.} (29... f6 $1 30. exf6 (30. e6 Nd6 {looks like a decent blockade still}) 30... Nxf6 31. Ne6 Rc8 32. Rce2 Kf7 33. Ng5+ Kf8 34. f5 {with a large advantage, but exchanges will ease some of the pressure.}) 30. c4 c5 (30... gxf4 31. Kxf4 f6 32. e6 $18) 31. Nb5 gxf4 32. Kxf4 cxb4 33. cxd5 {This game clearly showed Wei not being comfortable with a quiet manoeuvring struggle. And obviously Carlsen is aware of this shortcoming. Given a strategically superior position out of nowhere he converted with ease.} 1-0

[Event "Tata Steel-A 79th"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2017.01.24"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Van Wely, Loek"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B81"]
[WhiteElo "2840"]
[BlackElo "2695"]
[Annotator "Ftacnik,Lubomir"]
[PlyCount "117"]
[EventDate "2017.01.14"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 177"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.03.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.03.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 d6 6. g4 h6 7. Bg2 Nc6 8. h3 {The position on the board is well known in the version when Black' has already played ...a6. Naturally other moves are possible in this move order and the best score has been when the knight has been exchanged: 8...xd4.} g5 (8... Nxd4 9. Qxd4 e5 (9... Bd7 10. f4 Bc6 11. Be3 b5 (11... Qa5 12. O-O-O Nd7 13. Kb1 Nb6 14. b4 e5 15. bxa5 exd4 16. Rxd4 Nd7 17. Nd5 O-O-O 18. Rhd1 Nc5 19. Nb4 $18 {1-0 (37) Short,N (2685)-Sax,G (2600) Debrecen 1992}) 12. O-O Nd7 13. a4 bxa4 14. Nxa4 Be7 15. Nc3 a5 16. Qc4 Qc8 17. Ra2 O-O 18. Rfa1 Bd8 19. Rd1 {½-½ (19) Ivanov,A (2537)-Ulybin,M (2586) Moscow 2004}) 10. Qd3 (10. Qa4+ Bd7 11. Qb3 b5 12. O-O Be7 13. f4 O-O 14. g5 hxg5 15. fxg5 Nh5 16. h4 Qb6+ 17. Kh2 Be6 18. Nd5 Bxd5 19. Qxd5 $14 {½-½ (24) Sax,G (2570)-Votava,J (2515) Germany 1997}) 10... Be6 11. f4 (11. Be3 Be7 12. O-O-O O-O 13. f4 Qa5 14. g5 hxg5 15. fxg5 Nh7 16. h4 Bxa2 17. Qb5 Qxb5 18. Nxb5 Rfc8 19. Nxa7 Rc7 20. Nb5 Rc6 21. Kd2 $16 {½-½ (64) Zhang,Z (2596)-Movsesian,S (2629) Mallorca 2004}) 11... Rc8 12. Be3 (12. f5 Bc4 13. Qe3 b5 14. b3 b4 15. Nd1 Bb5 16. c4 bxc3 17. Nxc3 Bc6 18. Qxa7 d5 19. exd5 Bb4 20. Bd2 Bd7 21. Qe3 O-O 22. Rc1 e4 $17 {0-1 (34) Wahls,M (2609)-Boensch,U (2533) Germany 1999}) 12... Qa5 13. f5 Bc4 14. Qd2 Be7 15. a3 Qc7 16. Kf2 b6 17. Rac1 Ba6 18. Rhd1 Qb8 19. Kg1 Bb7 20. Nd5 Bxd5 21. exd5 $11 {1-0 (76) Bacrot,E (2719)-Kempinski,R (2620) Germany 2015}) (8... Be7 9. Be3 O-O (9... Ne5 10. f4 Nc4 11. Bf2 Bd7 12. b3 Qa5 13. Qd3 Na3 14. O-O Rc8 15. Nce2 O-O 16. c3 Rfd8 17. Rac1 Nb5 18. a4 Nxd4 19. Nxd4 a6 20. Rfe1 $11 {½-½ (32) Hort,V (2595)-Andersson,U (2585) Valetta 1980}) (9... Nxd4 10. Qxd4 Bd7 11. f4 Bc6 12. O-O-O Qa5 13. Kb1 Nd7 14. Qd2 Nb6 15. Qe2 Rc8 16. Bd4 O-O 17. h4 e5 18. Bxb6 axb6 19. Nd5 Bxd5 20. Rxd5 Rc5 21. f5 b5 $11 {0-1 (39) Palac,M (2605)-Sokolov,A (2568) Metz 2001}) 10. Qe2 (10. O-O Nxd4 11. Qxd4 e5 12. Qd3 Be6 13. Rfd1 a6 14. Ne2 Qc7 15. Ng3 Rfd8 16. Nf5 Bf8 17. g5 Nh5 18. h4 hxg5 19. hxg5 g6 $11 {0-1 (36) Ismagambetov,A (2508)-Yu,Y (2675) Tabriz 2014}) 10... Nxd4 11. Bxd4 e5 12. Be3 Be6 13. O-O-O Rc8 14. Nd5 Nxd5 15. exd5 Bd7 16. Be4 Bg5 17. Kb1 a6 18. Rdg1 Qe7 19. h4 Bxe3 20. Qxe3 f5 $11 {1-0 (67) Grischuk,A (2606)-Ehlvest,J (2627) New Delhi/Teheran 2000}) (8... a6 {The transposition to the known line with ...a6 is certainly playable, but it makes more sense for Black to try using the tempo for a more useful activity.} 9. Be3 (9. Nxc6 bxc6 10. e5 Nd5 11. exd6 Bxd6 12. Ne4 Be5 13. O-O Qc7 14. c4 Nf4 15. Bxf4 Bxf4 16. Qf3 O-O 17. Rad1 Rb8 18. b3 $11 {0-1 (58) Ganguly,S (2668)-Vachier Lagrave,M (2804) Doha 2016}) 9... Be7 (9... Ne5 10. f4 (10. Qe2 g5 (10... Qc7 11. f4 Nc4 12. Bc1 Bd7 13. b3 Nb6 14. Qd3 Rc8 15. Bb2 e5 16. Nde2 Be7 17. O-O-O Bc6 18. Kb1 Nbd7 19. Rhf1 Nc5 20. Qe3 $16 {1-0 (79) Leko,P (2743)-Sasikiran,K (2573) Istanbul 2000}) 11. f4 gxf4 12. Bxf4 Nfd7 (12... Bd7 13. O-O-O Rc8 14. Kb1 Be7 15. Rhf1 Rxc3 16. bxc3 Qc7 17. Qe1 Nc4 18. Bc1 Ne5 19. Ka1 Ba4 20. g5 hxg5 21. Bxg5 $14 {½-½ (27) Timofeev,A (2677)-Movsesian,S (2747) Dagomys 2009}) 13. O-O-O b5 14. Qf2 Bb7 15. Kb1 Qb6 16. Rhf1 Be7 17. Be3 Qc7 18. Nf3 Rh7 19. Bd4 $11 {1-0 (36) Nakamura,H (2710)-Ponomariov,R (2727) San Sebastian 2009}) 10... Nc4 11. Qe2 Nxe3 12. Qxe3 Qb6 13. e5 dxe5 14. fxe5 Nd7 15. O-O-O Be7 16. h4 Qc7 17. Rde1 Nb6 18. b3 Bd7 19. Qg3 Rc8 20. Ne4 Nd5 21. Nd6+ Bxd6 22. exd6 Qc5 23. Bxd5 Qxd4 24. Bxb7 Qa1+ $11 {½-½ (27) Svidler,P (2726)-Movsesian,S (2747) Odessa 2009}) 10. f4 Nd7 (10... Qc7 11. Qd2 Na5 12. b3 Nc6 13. O-O-O Nxd4 14. Bxd4 e5 15. Be3 exf4 16. Bxf4 Be6 17. Rhe1 O-O 18. Ne2 Ne8 19. Nd4 Bf6 20. g5 hxg5 21. Bxg5 $11 {½-½ (39) Svidler,P (2735)-Sokolov,A (2591) Germany 2005}) 11. O-O Nxd4 12. Qxd4 O-O 13. Qd2 Rb8 14. Ne2 b5 15. Rad1 Qc7 16. f5 Nf6 17. Ng3 Bb7 18. Kh1 Rbd8 19. Bxh6 gxh6 20. Qxh6 d5 21. g5 Qxg3 22. Rd3 $16 {1-0 (29) Anand,V (2804)-Vachier Lagrave,M (2723) Stavanger 2015}) (8... Bd7 9. Be3 (9. f4 a6 10. Be3 Be7 11. Qe2 Qc7 12. O-O-O (12. Nb3 b5 13. a3 Rc8 14. O-O Nh7 15. Rad1 O-O 16. Qf2 b4 17. Na4 bxa3 18. bxa3 Nb8 19. Nb6 Rce8 20. c4 $16 {1-0 (37) Short,N (2660)-Sokolov,A (2596) Bazna 2008}) 12... Rc8 13. Nxc6 Bxc6 14. Bd4 b5 15. e5 dxe5 16. Bxe5 Qb7 17. Rhg1 b4 18. Bxf6 Bxf6 19. Ne4 Bxe4 20. Bxe4 Qc7 21. Qf3 g6 22. Kb1 O-O $11 {0-1 (54) Adams,M (2719)-Van Wely,L (2655) Dortmund 2005}) (9. O-O Be7 10. Be3 a6 11. f4 Qc7 12. a4 Rc8 13. Nb3 Na5 14. Nxa5 Qxa5 15. Qd2 Rc4 16. Rad1 Bc6 17. Qd3 Rb4 18. b3 O-O 19. g5 hxg5 20. fxg5 Nd7 21. Na2 $16 {1-0 (47) Short,N (2650)-Sokolov,A (2605) Rotterdam 1989}) 9... Ne5 (9... a6 10. Qe2 Nxd4 11. Bxd4 e5 12. Be3 Rc8 13. O-O Be7 14. f4 exf4 15. Rxf4 Be6 16. Rd1 {½-½ (16) Bruzon Batista,L (2648)-Ehlvest,J (2597) Merida 2006}) 10. Qe2 Rc8 11. f4 (11. O-O-O Rxc3 12. bxc3 Qa5 13. f4 Qxc3 14. fxe5 dxe5 15. Rd3 Qa1+ 16. Kd2 Bb4+ 17. c3 Qb2+ 18. Nc2 Ba5 19. Qd1 Bc6 20. Qb1 Qxb1 21. Rxb1 $16 {1-0 (29) Naiditsch,A (2697)-Ponomariov,R (2727) Villarrobledo 2009}) 11... Nc4 12. O-O-O Qb6 13. b3 Nxe3 14. Qxe3 e5 15. Nd5 Qc5 16. c4 exd4 17. Rxd4 Nxd5 18. exd5+ Kd8 19. Qc3 Be7 20. b4 Qb6 $19 {0-1 (25) Naiditsch,A (2689)-Ponomariov,R (2739) Moscow 2009}) 9. Nxc6 $146 {Carlsen has never been known as a great expert in theory and he decides to try a sound positional approach by activating the bishop on g2.} (9. Be3 Ne5 10. Qe2 Bd7 11. O-O-O Rc8 12. Ndb5 Rc6 13. f4 gxf4 14. Bxf4 Qb8 15. Rhf1 Be7 16. g5 hxg5 17. Bxg5 Ng8 18. h4 a6 19. Nd4 Rxc3 20. bxc3 Qc7 21. Qe1 $14 {1-0 (44) Forster,R (2463)-Atlas,V (2475) Switzerland 2002}) ({RR} 9. Be3 Ne5 10. Qe2 Bd7 11. O-O-O Rc8 12. Ndb5 Rc6 13. f4 gxf4 14. Bxf4 Qb8 15. Rhf1 Be7 16. g5 hxg5 17. Bxg5 Ng8 18. h4 a6 19. Nd4 Rxc3 20. bxc3 Qc7 21. Qe1 Qa5 22. Kb1 Nc4 23. Nb3 Qb5 {Forster,R (2463)-Atlas,V (2475) Switzerland 2002 1-0 (44)}) ({RR} 9. b3 Ne5 10. Bb2 a6 11. Qd2 Be7 12. O-O-O Bd7 13. Nce2 b5 14. f4 gxf4 15. Nxf4 a5 16. Rhe1 a4 17. Kb1 Qc7 18. Nd3 axb3 19. cxb3 Qa7 20. a3 Rg8 21. Nb4 Rg6 22. Nf3 Nxf3 23. Bxf3 e5 {Grischuk,A (2766)-Duda,J (2737) Chess.com INT 2018 0-1 (37)}) ({RR} 9. Be3 Bg7 10. Qe2 a6 11. O-O-O Qc7 12. h4 gxh4 13. Rxh4 Bd7 14. Rdh1 O-O-O 15. Nxc6 Bxc6 16. Bxh6 Bxh6+ 17. Rxh6 Rxh6 18. Rxh6 Nd7 19. f4 Qa5 20. Kb1 Rg8 21. Rh7 f6 22. a3 Qc5 23. Rh1 e5 {Sohier,J (2192)-Antolak,J (2399) Chess.com INT 2022 1-0}) ({RR} 9. Be3 Ne5 10. Qe2 a6 11. O-O-O Qc7 12. f4 gxf4 13. Bxf4 Bd7 14. Nf3 Rc8 15. Nxe5 dxe5 16. Be3 Ba3 17. Rd3 Be7 18. Rf1 b5 19. Qf2 Rh7 20. g5 hxg5 21. Bxg5 Nh5 22. Bxe7 Kxe7 23. Qh4+ f6 {Varitski,I (2359)-Truskavetsky,A (2163) Sevastopol 2000 1-0 (54)}) 9... bxc6 10. e5 Nd5 (10... dxe5 11. Bxc6+ Bd7 12. Bxa8 Qxa8 13. Rg1 Bc6 14. Qe2 $16) 11. exd6 Qxd6 $6 {If Van Wely would like to play the line again he should look into the much more natural recapture with the bishop. The queen comes to the fore way too soon and will become vulnerable on d6.} (11... Bxd6 $5 12. Ne4 Be5 13. c4 Nf4 $11) 12. O-O Ba6 13. Re1 Be7 14. Ne4 Qc7 15. c4 Nb4 (15... Bxc4 $2 16. Qd4 $18) (15... Nf4 16. Bxf4 gxf4 17. Qa4 $16) 16. b3 {In order not to criticise the choice of the much better player I will just note, that developing the bishop to e3 would have been unpleasant for Black.} (16. Be3 $5 Rd8 17. Qb3 Rd3 18. Nc3 $16) 16... Rd8 17. Qf3 Nd3 18. Rd1 Nxc1 19. Raxc1 Qf4 {The opening has not helped Black to full equality as White has the better pieces and pawn structure.} (19... O-O 20. Nf6+ Kg7 21. Nh5+ Kg8 22. Qc3 f6 23. Rxd8 Bxd8 24. Rd1 $16) 20. Rxd8+ Bxd8 (20... Kxd8 $2 21. Rd1+ Ke8 22. Qc3 $18) 21. Qxf4 gxf4 22. Nc5 Bc8 23. Bxc6+ {Losing a pawn in a simple position is dangerous, especially against a player with very good endgame technique.} Ke7 24. Bf3 (24. Rd1 h5 25. g5 $16) 24... Bb6 25. Nd3 Rd8 26. Nb4 Bd7 (26... Rd2 27. c5 $16) 27. c5 {The concept of restricting the opponent's pieces represents a powerful strategic measure. Rather than advancing towards the promotion square the pawn is helping to limit the dark-squared bishop.} Ba5 28. Rc4 Rc8 (28... Bc7 29. Na6 Be5 30. a4 $16) 29. c6 Bxb4 {Van Wely had no better choice than transposition to the rook endgame a pawn down.} (29... Be8 30. Rxf4 $16) 30. Rxb4 Bxc6 31. Bxc6 Rxc6 32. Rxf4 {[%mdl 4096] A rather instructive moment and typical for Carlsen. Instead of givig Black the chance for real counterplay in the line 32.b7 the world champion prefers rather to work longer in an endgame with an extra pawn.} (32. Rb7+ Kf6 33. Rxa7 Rc2 34. a4 e5 $16) 32... a5 (32... Ra6 33. a4 Rb6 34. b4 $16) 33. Kg2 (33. Rc4 Rd6 (33... Rxc4 34. bxc4 Kd6 35. f4 Kc5 36. h4) 34. Rc5 a4 35. bxa4 Rd3 36. Kg2 Ra3 37. Ra5 Rxa2 38. Kg3 $16) 33... Rc5 34. h4 Rd5 35. Kf3 f6 {Once the pawn is missing all the choices in the endgame become difficult. Black can wait and slowly die or fight back and hope for a small miracle.} (35... Rd3+ 36. Ke2 Rh3 37. h5 f5 38. Ra4 fxg4 39. Rxa5 $16) 36. Ke3 h5 (36... Rb5 37. f3 Rd5 38. Rc4 $16) 37. f3 hxg4 (37... Rb5 38. Rc4 Kf7 39. Rc6 Rd5 40. a4 $16) 38. fxg4 Rd1 39. Ra4 Re1+ (39... Rh1 40. h5 f5 41. Rxa5 Kf6 42. gxf5 Rxh5 43. Kf4 $16) 40. Kf3 Re5 41. Rc4 Rd5 42. h5 {The passed pawn on h5 will play an important role as Black will have to watch out for its sudden rush forward.} Rd2 43. Ra4 Rd5 44. Ke3 Rg5 45. Rc4 Kd6 (45... f5 46. h6 Kf6 47. gxf5 Rh5 48. fxe6 Rxh6 49. Re4 Ke7 50. Kd4 $18) 46. Kf4 Rd5 $6 (46... e5+ 47. Kg3 Rg8 48. Kf3 $18) 47. Rc8 $1 Rd4+ 48. Kg3 {White is not active effectively on both flanks and the defence becomes overwhelmed.} Kd7 (48... Rd3+ 49. Kh4 Kd7 50. Ra8 Rd1 51. Kg3 $18) 49. Ra8 Rd3+ 50. Kg2 (50. Kf4 Rh3 51. Rxa5 $18) 50... Rd2+ 51. Kf3 Rd3+ (51... Rxa2 $2 52. h6 $18) 52. Ke4 Rh3 53. Rxa5 e5 54. Kf5 Rf3+ 55. Kg6 e4 56. h6 e3 57. h7 Rh3 (57... e2 58. h8=Q e1=Q 59. Rd5+ Kc6 60. Qa8+ $18) 58. Ra7+ Kd6 59. Ra8 {Defending a worse endgame against Carlsen is well known to be a task which is not for the faint-hearted....} (59. Ra8 e2 60. Re8 Rh4 61. Rxe2 Rxg4+ 62. Kh5 Rg5+ 63. Kh4 Rg1 64. Rh2 $18) 1-0

[Event "Tata Steel-A 79th"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2017.01.25"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Harikrishna, Pentala"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C48"]
[WhiteElo "2766"]
[BlackElo "2840"]
[Annotator "ChessBase II"]
[PlyCount "73"]
[EventDate "2017.01.14"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 177"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.03.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.03.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[TimeControl "40/6000+30:20/3000+30:900+30"]

1. e4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} e5 {[%emt 0:00:04]} 2. Nf3 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Nc6 {[%emt 0:00:04]} 3. Nc3 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Nf6 {[%emt 0:00:12]} 4. Bb5 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Bd6 {[%emt 0:00:43]} 5. d3 {[%emt 0:00:31]} O-O {[%emt 0:03:20]} 6. O-O {[%emt 0:06:32]} (6. a3 Re8 7. g4 Bc5 8. Rg1 d5 9. g5 Ng4 10. Rg2 Nxf2 11. Rxf2 Bxf2+ 12. Kxf2 d4 13. Ne2 Qd6 14. Ng3 Bg4 15. Qh1 Rf8 16. Bc4 Ne7 17. h3 Be6 18. Nh4 Bxc4 19. dxc4 f6 20. Nhf5 Nxf5 21. exf5 fxg5 22. Bxg5 c6 23. Re1 d3 24. cxd3 Qxd3 25. Qe4 Qb3 26. Re2 Rae8 27. Kg2 Rf7 28. Rd2 Ref8 29. h4 b5 30. cxb5 cxb5 31. Qxe5 h6 32. Be3 Rc8 33. Nh5 Rc2 34. f6 Rxd2+ 35. Bxd2 Qd3 {Naiditsch,A (2687)-Malakhov,V (2713) Doha 2016 1-0 (73)}) 6... h6 {[%emt 0:01:49]} 7. a3 {[%emt 0:00:21]} Re8 {[%emt 0:00:59]} 8. h3 {[%emt 0:02:07]} Bc5 {[%emt 0:08:08]} 9. Be3 {[%emt 0:05:39]} Nd4 {[%emt 0:03:55]} 10. Bc4 {[%emt 0:03:08]} c6 {[%emt 0:02:43]} 11. Re1 $146 {[%emt 0:07:29]} (11. Bxd4 exd4 12. Ne2 d5 13. exd5 Nxd5 14. Re1 Nf6 15. Qd2 Be6 16. Bxe6 Rxe6 17. Ng3 Rxe1+ 18. Rxe1 Qd7 19. Qf4 Nd5 20. Qe5 f6 21. Qe4 Nc7 22. Qf5 Qxf5 23. Nxf5 Rd8 24. b4 Bf8 25. N5xd4 c5 26. bxc5 Bxc5 27. Nb3 Bxa3 28. Ra1 Nb5 29. Na5 Bf8 30. Nxb7 Rb8 31. Na5 Nc3 32. Nc4 Bc5 33. Kf1 f5 34. g3 f4 35. gxf4 Nd5 36. d4 Bf8 37. f5 Nf4 38. h4 Rb4 39. Ne3 a5 40. c4 a4 {Acs,P (2567)-Hera,I (2564) Hungary 2013 ½-½ (74)}) ({RR} 11. Bxd4 exd4 12. Ne2 d5 13. exd5 Nxd5 14. Re1 Nf6 15. Qd2 Be6 16. Bxe6 Rxe6 17. Ng3 Rxe1+ 18. Rxe1 Qd7 19. Qf4 Nd5 20. Qe5 f6 21. Qe4 Nc7 22. Qf5 Qxf5 23. Nxf5 Rd8 24. b4 Bf8 25. N5xd4 c5 {Acs,P (2567)-Hera,I (2564) Hungary 2013 ½-½ (74)}) 11... Nxf3+ {[%emt 0:03:15]} 12. Qxf3 {[%emt 0:00:06]} Bxe3 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 13. fxe3 {[%emt 0:01:16]} b5 {[%emt 0:01:15]} 14. Ba2 {[%emt 0:00:12]} a5 {[%emt 0:01:33]} 15. Ne2 {[%emt 0:08:01]} d6 {[%emt 0:09:33]} 16. Ng3 {[%emt 0:03:14]} Be6 {[%emt 0:05:16]} 17. Rf1 {[%emt 0:05:34]} d5 {[%emt 0:01:59]} 18. Rf2 {[%emt 0:05:40]} Ra7 {[%emt 0:05:48]} 19. exd5 {[%emt 0:03:18]} cxd5 {[%emt 0:00:16]} 20. Nf5 {[%emt 0:03:12]} Kh7 {[%emt 0:08:06]} 21. Qg3 {[%emt 0:07:10]} Bxf5 {[%emt 0:12:53]} 22. Rxf5 {[%emt 0:00:06]} Rc7 {[%emt 0:00:07]} 23. c3 {[%emt 0:05:10]} b4 {[%emt 0:05:39]} 24. cxb4 {[%emt 0:01:03]} axb4 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 25. a4 {[%emt 0:01:33]} b3 {[%emt 0:03:29]} 26. Bxb3 {[%emt 0:00:11]} Qb8 {[%emt 0:00:23]} 27. Ra3 {[%emt 0:02:53]} e4 {[%emt 0:01:26]} 28. Kh2 {[%emt 0:04:19]} exd3 {[%emt 0:06:35]} 29. Bxd5 {[%emt 0:00:39]} d2 {[%emt 0:01:02]} 30. Rd3 {[%emt 0:07:55]} Rc2 {[%emt 0:15:11]} 31. Qxb8 {[%emt 0:04:20]} Rxb8 {[%emt 0:00:01]} 32. b3 {[%emt 0:01:22]} Nxd5 {[%emt 0:00:24]} 33. Rfxd5 {[%emt 0:00:11]} d1=Q {[%emt 0:00:06]} 34. Rxd1 {[%emt 0:00:05]} Rxb3 {[%emt 0:00:10]} 35. R5d2 {[%emt 0:03:11]} Rxd2 {[%emt 0:00:07]} 36. Rxd2 {[%emt 0:00:04]} Ra3 {[%emt 0:00:07]} 37. Kg1 {[%emt 0:00:23]} 1/2-1/2

[Event "Tata Steel-A 79th"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2017.01.27"]
[Round "11"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Adhiban, Baskaran"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B01"]
[WhiteElo "2840"]
[BlackElo "2653"]
[Annotator "ChessBase II"]
[PlyCount "98"]
[EventDate "2017.01.14"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 177"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.03.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.03.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[TimeControl "40/6000+30:20/3000+30:900+30"]

1. e4 {[%emt 0:00:55]} d5 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 2. exd5 {[%emt 0:00:05]} Nf6 {[%emt 0:00:04]} 3. Nf3 {[%emt 0:01:47]} Nxd5 {[%emt 0:00:11]} 4. d4 {[%emt 0:02:00]} Bg4 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 5. h3 {[%emt 0:01:35]} Bh5 {[%emt 0:01:38]} 6. Be2 {[%emt 0:00:56]} Nc6 {[%emt 0:00:10]} 7. O-O {[%emt 0:03:49]} e6 {[%emt 0:00:09]} 8. c3 {[%emt 0:07:53]} (8. c4 Nf6 9. Nc3 Be7 10. Be3 O-O 11. Qd2 Bg6 12. Bd3 Bxd3 13. Qxd3 Nb4 14. Qe2 c6 15. a3 Na6 16. b4 Nc7 17. Rab1 Qc8 18. Rfc1 a5 19. Ne5 axb4 20. axb4 Ra3 21. Qb2 Ra8 22. Qb3 Nd7 23. Na4 Rb8 24. Bf4 Nxe5 25. Bxe5 f6 26. Nb6 Qd8 27. Bxc7 Qxc7 28. c5 Bd8 29. Qxe6+ Qf7 30. Qxf7+ Rxf7 31. Nc4 Rd7 32. b5 cxb5 33. Nd6 b6 34. Rxb5 Bc7 35. Nf5 bxc5 36. Rxb8+ Bxb8 37. dxc5 Bf4 {Gdanski,J (2542)-Pakleza,Z (2509) Katowice 2010 1-0 (65)}) ({RR} 8. c4 Nf6 9. Nc3 Be7 10. Be3 O-O 11. Qd2 Bg6 12. Bd3 Bxd3 13. Qxd3 Nb4 14. Qe2 c6 15. a3 Na6 16. b4 Nc7 17. Rab1 Qc8 18. Rfc1 a5 19. Ne5 axb4 20. axb4 Ra3 21. Qb2 Ra8 22. Qb3 Nd7) 8... Be7 {[%emt 0:07:39]} 9. Ne5 {[%emt 0:01:31]} ({RR} 9. Nbd2 O-O 10. Ne4 Bg6 11. Ng3 ({RR} 11. Ng3 Bd6 12. Re1 Re8 13. Bb5 Nde7 14. Ne4 a6 15. Ba4 b5 16. Bc2 Nd5 17. Bg5 Qd7 18. Nh4 Bxe4 19. Bxe4 h6 20. Bxh6 gxh6 21. Qg4+ Kf8 22. Bxd5 h5 23. Bxc6 Qxc6 24. Qxh5 Qd5 25. Qxd5 exd5) 11... Bd6 12. Re1 Re8 13. Bb5 Nde7 14. Ne4 a6 15. Ba4 b5 16. Bc2 Nd5 17. Bg5 Qd7 18. Nh4 Bxe4 19. Bxe4 h6 20. Bxh6 gxh6 21. Qg4+ Kf8 22. Bxd5 h5 23. Bxc6 Qxc6 {Nepomniachtchi,I (2755)-Pakleza,Z (2483) chess.com INT 2024 1-0 (40)}) ({RR} 9. Nbd2 O-O 10. Ne4 Bg6 11. Bd3 Re8 ({RR} 11... Qd7 12. Qe2 Rad8 13. a3 e5 14. Ng3 exd4 15. Bxg6 hxg6 16. cxd4 Bf6 17. Rd1 Rfe8 18. Ne4 Nce7 19. b4 Nf5 20. Bb2 Nd6 21. Ne5 Qf5 22. Re1 Nxe4 23. Qxe4 Qxe4 24. Rxe4 Bg5 25. Ree1 f6 26. Nd3) 12. Re1 a6 13. a4 h6 14. Bd2 Bf8 15. Qc2 Rb8 16. Re2 Bh5 17. g4 Bg6 18. Rae1 b5 19. axb5 axb5 20. b4 Qc8 21. Ng3 Bxd3 22. Qxd3 Bd6 23. g5 Nf4 {Dau Khuong Duy (2489)-Pakleza,Z (2494) chess.com INT 2025 1-0 (40)}) 9... Nxe5 {[%emt 0:14:28]} 10. Bxh5 {[%emt 0:00:08]} Ng6 {[%emt 0:00:02]} 11. Qb3 $146 {[%emt 0:09:58]} (11. Bf3 c6 12. Re1 O-O 13. Nd2 Qc7 14. Nc4 Rad8 15. Qe2 Bf6 16. g3 Nb6 17. Ne3 Be7 18. h4 c5 19. h5 cxd4 20. hxg6 dxe3 21. gxf7+ Rxf7 22. Bxe3 Kh8 23. Be4 g6 24. Qg4 Bc5 25. Qxe6 Rdf8 26. Bd4+ Bxd4 27. cxd4 Rxf2 28. Qe5+ Qxe5 29. dxe5 Rxb2 30. Bxb7 Nc8 31. Reb1 Re2 32. Rf1 Re8 33. Bc6 Rd8 34. Rae1 Rxe1 35. Rxe1 Ne7 36. Ba4 Rd2 37. Bb3 h5 38. Re4 Kg7 39. g4 hxg4 40. Rxg4 Re2 {Vospernik,M-Karaklajic,N Zagreb 1961 ½-½}) ({RR} 11. f4 Qd7 12. Qb3 c5 13. Be2 O-O 14. Bb5 Qd6 15. f5 Nh4 16. Bc4 Qg3 17. Bxd5 exd5 18. Qxd5 Bd6 19. f6 Rfe8 20. Bf4 Bxf4 21. Rxf4 Re1+ 22. Rf1 Qe3+ 23. Kh2 Rxf1 24. Qe5 Nf3+ 25. gxf3 Qg1# {Poorna,S (1493)-Abirama Srinithi,G (1583) Saravanampatty 2017 0-1}) ({RR} 11. Bf3 c6 12. Re1 O-O 13. Nd2 Qc7 14. Nc4 Rad8 15. Qe2 Bf6 16. g3 Nb6 17. Ne3 Be7 18. h4 c5 19. h5 cxd4 20. hxg6 dxe3 21. gxf7+ Rxf7 22. Bxe3 Kh8 23. Be4 g6 24. Qg4 Bc5 25. Qxe6 Rdf8) 11... Rb8 {[%emt 0:08:29]} 12. c4 {[%emt 0:09:09]} Nf6 {[%emt 0:02:20]} 13. Bxg6 {[%emt 0:00:46]} hxg6 {[%emt 0:00:04]} 14. Qa4+ {[%emt 0:00:05]} c6 {[%emt 0:17:56]} 15. Qxa7 {[%emt 0:00:10]} Bd6 {[%emt 0:00:20]} 16. Nc3 {[%emt 0:02:29]} Bc7 {[%emt 0:00:34]} 17. Rd1 {[%emt 0:04:49]} Qd6 {[%emt 0:06:40]} 18. g3 {[%emt 0:00:40]} Qd7 {[%emt 0:03:11]} 19. h4 {[%emt 0:00:40]} O-O {[%emt 0:02:34]} 20. Qc5 {[%emt 0:03:37]} b5 {[%emt 0:05:03]} 21. cxb5 {[%emt 0:11:02]} cxb5 {[%emt 0:00:04]} 22. a3 {[%emt 0:01:02]} Rfc8 {[%emt 0:03:36]} 23. Qg5 {[%emt 0:00:27]} b4 {[%emt 0:00:28]} 24. axb4 {[%emt 0:02:01]} Rxb4 {[%emt 0:00:01]} 25. Qd2 {[%emt 0:12:37]} Bb6 {[%emt 0:02:43]} 26. Ne2 {[%emt 0:00:20]} Rbc4 {[%emt 0:00:25]} 27. Qd3 {[%emt 0:01:41]} e5 {[%emt 0:06:43]} 28. Bg5 {[%emt 0:00:39]} Ng4 {[%emt 0:03:31]} 29. Rac1 {[%emt 0:04:42]} Rxc1 {[%emt 0:00:39]} 30. Rxc1 {[%emt 0:00:03]} Re8 {[%emt 0:02:39]} 31. Rd1 {[%emt 0:09:46]} exd4 {[%emt 0:04:23]} 32. Bf4 {[%emt 0:00:02]} Nf6 {[%emt 0:00:47]} 33. Nc1 {[%emt 0:01:24]} Nd5 {[%emt 0:08:04]} 34. Bd2 {[%emt 0:01:55]} Qc6 {[%emt 0:00:12]} 35. Ne2 {[%emt 0:01:09]} Qf6 {[%emt 0:05:26]} 36. Rc1 {[%emt 0:01:00]} Qf5 {[%emt 0:01:09]} 37. Qxf5 {[%emt 0:05:05]} gxf5 {[%emt 0:00:02]} 38. Kf1 {[%emt 0:00:08]} d3 {[%emt 0:00:20]} 39. Nc3 {[%emt 0:00:17]} Nxc3 {[%emt 0:03:28]} 40. Rxc3 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Bd4 {[%emt 0:01:00]} 41. Rb3 {[%emt 0:01:00]} g6 {[%emt 0:03:40]} 42. f3 {[%emt 0:01:12]} Be5 {[%emt 0:06:43]} 43. g4 {[%emt 0:01:03]} fxg4 {[%emt 0:01:27]} 44. fxg4 {[%emt 0:00:02]} Bf6 {[%emt 0:00:48]} 45. h5 {[%emt 0:00:28]} gxh5 {[%emt 0:01:29]} 46. gxh5 {[%emt 0:00:01]} Re5 {[%emt 0:02:37]} 47. h6 {[%emt 0:00:46]} Kh7 {[%emt 0:00:25]} 48. Rxd3 {[%emt 0:01:08]} Rf5+ {[%emt 0:00:04]} 49. Ke2 {[%emt 0:00:05]} Bxb2 {[%emt 0:00:04]} 1/2-1/2

[Event "Tata Steel-A 79th"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2017.01.29"]
[Round "13"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Karjakin, Sergey"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C54"]
[WhiteElo "2840"]
[BlackElo "2785"]
[Annotator "Meier,Georg"]
[PlyCount "105"]
[EventDate "2017.01.14"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 177"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.03.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.03.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. c3 Nf6 5. d3 O-O 6. Bg5 {Magnus is exploring these positions from all possible angles. In the recent match against Sergey he tried this line with the bishop on b5.} d6 (6... h6 7. Bh4 Be7 {is a frequent reaction, defusing any worries about the pin and anticipating a welcome exchange of dark-squared bishops.}) 7. Nbd2 h6 ({RR} 7... a6 8. Bb3 h6 9. Bh4 Be6 10. Bc2 d5 11. exd5 Bxd5 12. O-O Re8 13. Re1 b5 14. Nf1 Qd6 15. Ne3 Bxe3 16. fxe3 e4 17. Bg3 Qe7 18. Nd4 Nxd4 19. exd4 c5 20. dxe4 Bxe4 21. Bxe4 Nxe4 22. Qg4 {Rahn,M (1226)-Albiero,M (1621) Florianopolis BRA 2023 0-1 (32)}) 8. Bh4 g5 $2 {According to Karjakin's tweet "Loran" Fressinet told him xg5 never works in the Italian. I am quite sure that Magnus's on- and off-second informed his boss about the exceptions!} 9. Nxg5 ({RR} 9. Bg3 a6 10. a4 Ba7 11. h3 Kg7 12. Bh2 Be6 13. Qe2 Ne7 14. g4 Ng6 15. Nf1 d5 16. exd5 Nxd5 17. Ng3 f6 18. Nh5+ Kh7 19. a5 Qd7 20. Nd2 Rad8 21. Ne4 Qe7 22. O-O-O c6 23. Rhe1 f5 {Chigaev,M (2588)-Esipenko,A (2682) Lichess.org INT 2020 1-0 (47)}) 9... hxg5 $146 ({RR} 9... Bxf2+ 10. Bxf2 hxg5 11. Qf3 Kg7 12. h3 Ne7 13. Be3 Nh7 14. h4 g4 15. Qf2 f5 16. Qe2 f4 17. Bf2 Nf6 18. g3 fxg3 19. Bxg3 Nh5 20. Qe3 Ng6 21. O-O-O Ngf4 22. Rhg1 Nxg3 23. Rxg3 Qxh4 24. Rdg1 {Kovalev,V (2329)-Vaseptsov,M (2156) Satka 2010 ½-½ (32)}) 10. Bxg5 Kg7 11. Qf3 Be6 {Armed with engines, many wrote Karjakin off already. But in the meantime, Wesley So was running away with tournament victory as Nepomniachtchi had already(!) self-destructed. I am sure this unsettled Magnus...} 12. b4 $2 (12. Bd5 $1 {This creates a terrible bind, since Black is at pains to defuse the pin. b8-d7 is the only manoeuvre left to do so, but drops the exchange.} Nb8 (12... a5 13. O-O-O Nb8 14. Qg3 Nbd7 15. d4 exd4 16. cxd4 Bxd4 17. Nf3 Bc5 18. Bxf6+ Kxf6 19. Qg5#) 13. Qxf6+ Qxf6 14. Bxf6+ Kxf6 15. Bxb7 Nd7 16. Bxa8 Rxa8 17. b4 Bb6 18. Ke2 {With 3 pawns and a rook for 2 pieces, White of course has a significant edge, but some difficulties remain, as the white rooks won't be active for a long time.}) (12. O-O-O $2 {allows a main defensive idea:} Bxc4 13. Nxc4 Qe7 {and the queen gets to e6 - consolidating.}) 12... Bb6 13. Bd5 a5 $1 {Given a second lease on life Karjakin is going to play very well from here on. A main reason for him being dubbed "World Defence Champion" by colleague Giri and others must be that he seems so unaffected by his mistakes. He can commit the most despicable errors and then show world-class toughness from the next second!} 14. b5 Nb8 {Not only will the rook not drop, but Black has secured squares on the queenside forever. Stable squares are very significant in all types of positions with minor against major pieces.} 15. Bxb7 Ra7 (15... Nbd7 16. Bc6 Rb8 17. Nc4) 16. Bd5 $2 {Allowing Black to overprotect f6.} (16. Bc6 $1 {was definitely stronger, and may give great winning chances, but Black's position is still full of eye-popping resources.} Nxc6 17. bxc6 Ra8 18. h4 Rh8 19. d4 $1 (19. Nc4 {Slow play is not enough, after} Bc5 20. h5 Rh6 21. Ne3 Bxe3 22. Qxe3 Qh8 23. Bxh6+ Qxh6 24. Qxh6+ Kxh6 {Black is very well coordinated.}) 19... exd4 $1 (19... Rh6 20. d5 Bc8 21. Nc4 Bc5 22. Bxh6+ Kxh6 23. Ne3 {looks hopeless for Black.}) 20. e5 dxe5 21. Ne4 Nxe4 22. Bxd8 f5 {Here we have a complete mess and direct attempts appear to run into powerful counterplay.} 23. Be7 $1 {The sane approach, just sticking to the material.} (23. g4 {Opening literally all the gates, but Black can respond in kind!} d3 $1 24. Bxc7 d2+ 25. Kd1 Bxc7 26. gxf5 Bd5 27. Rg1+ Kf7 28. Rg6 {Looks like Black ran out of steam?} Rab8 {Reinforcements!} 29. c4 (29. Kc2 Rb5 {calmly doubling on the b-file!}) 29... Rb2 30. cxd5 Rxh4 31. Rh6 $1 Rg4 $1 (31... Rxh6 $4 32. Qxe4 $18) 32. Rh7+ Kf6 33. Rh1 Rf4 34. Rh6+ Kg7 35. Rh7+ Kxh7 36. Qh5+ $11) (23. Bg5 Nxg5 24. Qg3 $1 {Neat, but not quite enough.} Kf7 25. Qxg5 Rag8 26. Qd2 dxc3 27. Qe2 {Black only has 2 bishops for the queen, but wonderful coordination after} Rg4 $1 28. O-O-O Re4 {and White is obliged to part with an important pawn or go:} 29. Qc2 (29. Qb5 Bxf2) 29... Bc5 30. Rd7+ Kf6 31. h5 Ba3+ 32. Kd1 Bb4 33. a3 Bxd7 34. cxd7 Rd4+ 35. Ke1 Rd2 36. Qc1 c2 37. axb4 Rd1+ 38. Qxd1 cxd1=Q+ 39. Kxd1 axb4 $11) 23... Kf7 24. Ba3 d3 25. O-O-O $1 (25. Rf1 d2+ 26. Kd1 Rad8) 25... Nxf2 26. g4 $1 Nxg4 (26... Rad8 27. c4 $1) 27. Qxd3 Kf6 28. h5 {sees White consolidating without having to give up much material yet. Whenever neccesary, an exchange will be sacrificed to extinguish the counterplay.}) 16... Nbd7 17. Nc4 Bxd5 18. exd5 Qe8 {Black has consolidated and will be able to untangle gradually.} 19. Ne3 Rg8 20. O-O Nh7 21. Nf5+ Kh8 {Relative safety, finally.} 22. Bh4 Ra8 23. Rae1 f6 {It's hard to formulate a plan for White here, while Black will just keep on improving his position, until opportunities come up.} 24. Re4 Nc5 {Karjakin felt it was time to invite a repetition.} (24... Qf7 $5 25. Nh6 Qg6 26. Nxg8 Rxg8 {and again, Black's position seems easier to play, at the very least.}) 25. Re3 Nd7 26. d4 $5 {I don't think White holds an advantage at this point, but as everybody knows, Magnus wants to fight it out!} Qg6 $1 {I like the concept of giving up a rook for the very strong f5. After that Black's position becomes very solid.} 27. Ne7 Qg4 28. Nxg8 Rxg8 29. Qxg4 Rxg4 30. g3 exd4 $2 {Opening files should be done with great care only, when opposing the rooks. And here Black could just regroup to go after the stranded - but nagging - h4 first.} (30... Nhf8 31. h3 (31. Rd1 exd4 32. cxd4 Ng6) 31... exd4 32. Re8 Rg8 33. cxd4 Ng6) 31. cxd4 Bxd4 32. Re8+ {Of course White infiltrates immediately} Rg8 33. Re7 {Mysterious - exchanging Black's rook would greatly weaken the defence.} (33. Rxg8+ $142 Kxg8 34. Kg2 Nhf8 35. g4 Ng6 36. Bg3 $14) 33... Rg7 34. Re4 Ne5 35. Kg2 Bb6 36. f4 Ng6 37. Kh3 $2 {Here Carlsen passed up on his last chance to force the favourable rook exchange.} (37. Re8+ Rg8 38. Rxg8+ Kxg8 39. f5 (39. Kh3) 39... Ne7 40. g4 Nxd5 41. Bf2 Bxf2 42. Kxf2 Ng5 43. Re1 Kf8 44. h4 Nf7 {Black may hold, but he has to suffer without counterplay.}) 37... Kg8 38. Rfe1 Kf7 {It's hard to play constructively as White here, which usually means that the opponent will in a practical game make progress one way or another.} 39. Re6 Rg8 40. R1e4 f5 41. Re2 Rh8 {Black is step by step improving his position and would eventually shatter White´s pawn structure and try to go after the weak pawns one by one.} 42. a4 Kg7 43. Rxg6+ $1 {A very very important decision! Carlsen uses his last chance to disturb Black's regrouping, and secures activity for his remaining pieces.} (43. Re7+ $1 Nxe7 44. Rxe7+ {is the same}) ({while} 43. Re8 $2 Nhf8 {would leave White helpless already.}) 43... Kxg6 44. Re6+ Kf7 45. Re7+ Kg8 (45... Kg6 $5 46. Re6+ Kh5 {looks awkward, as the black king is not that far from a mating net, but some calculation shows that Black is in time to regroup after} 47. Be7 Bd4 48. Kg2 Re8 49. Kf3 {(h3-g4 would be a big threat...)} Nf6 50. Bxf6 Rxe6 51. dxe6 Bxf6 {Still, White survives with perfect play:} 52. h3 Kg6 53. Ke3 Bb2 54. g4 fxg4 55. hxg4 Kf6 56. f5 d5 57. g5+ Ke7 58. g6 $11) 46. Kg2 Nf8 47. Bg5 Rh7 48. Re8 Kf7 49. Rd8 {Black has no space to regroup now.} Kg8 50. Re8 Rf7 51. Bh6 Rf6 52. Bg5 ({Even} 52. Rxf8+ Rxf8 53. Bxf8 Kxf8 {is a fortress for White.}) 52... Rf7 53. Bh6 {What a full-blooded struggle, after the game seemed to be almost over early on! Karjakin's composure is admirable time and again.} 1/2-1/2

[Event "Grenke Chess Classic 4th"]
[Site "Karlsruhe/Baden-Baden"]
[Date "2017.04.16"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C88"]
[WhiteElo "2838"]
[BlackElo "2774"]
[Annotator "Lenderman,Aleksandr"]
[PlyCount "140"]
[EventDate "2017.04.15"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 178"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.05.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.05.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{Welcome everyone! This is GM Aleksandr Lenderman presenting you round 2 game of the day. I decided to choose the game between Magnus Carlsen and Levon Aronian since not only was it arguably the top matchup of the day, but also the game was quite an interesting fight.} 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 ({Aronian has always played exclusively the text move, spurning the Open Ruy Lopez with} 5... Nxe4) ({as well as the Arkhangelsk or Neo-Arkhangelsk with} 5... b5) ({and} 5... Bc5 {respectively.}) 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. a4 {8)a4 is a very common high level Anti-Marshall move, which leads to quieter games and very much to Magnus Carlsen's liking. Magnus decides not to test Levon Aronian in the Marshall Attack this game.} (8. c3 d5 {is of course the Marshall Attack, in which Aronian is considered arguably one of the biggest experts.} 9. exd5 (9. d4 dxe4 10. Nxe5 Bb7 11. Nxc6 Bxc6 12. Bg5 Nd5 13. Bxe7 Qxe7 14. Nd2 f5 15. f3 e3 16. c4 $2 (16. f4 $1 {/\} Kh8 17. Qf3 $14) 16... Nf4 $1 17. cxb5+ Kh8 {[%cal Re3e2,Re7e3,Re3f2]} 18. Nc4 e2 19. Qd2 Qg5 20. Rxe2 Nxe2+ 21. Qxe2 Bxb5 22. Qe3 $15 {/-/+,Carlsen,M (2835)-Kamsky,G (2732)/Wijk aan Zee/2012/}) 9... Nxd5 10. Nxe5 Nxe5 11. Rxe5 c6 12. d3 Bd6 13. Re1 Bf5 14. Qf3 Qh4 15. g3 Qh3 16. Bxd5 cxd5 17. Be3 Bxd3 18. Qxd5 Rad8 19. Qf3 Rfe8 20. Nd2 Qf5 21. Qxf5 Bxf5 22. Bd4 f6 23. f3 b4 24. Ne4 Bc7 25. Kf2 bxc3 26. bxc3 Rb8 $44 {Carlsen,M (2548)-Anand,V (2785)/Leon rpd/2005/ A typical Marshall endgame, the bishop pair makes converting the extra pawn almost impossible.}) ({The immediate} 8. d4 {gives Black a wider choice:} Nxd4 (8... d6 9. c3 Bg4 {-C91 This line is not considered too dangerous for Black.}) 9. Nxd4 (9. Bxf7+ Rxf7 10. Nxe5 Rf8 11. Qxd4 Bb7 $5 $44 12. c4 c5 13. Qd3 Qc7 14. Nf3 bxc4 15. Qxc4+ d5 16. exd5 Bxd5 17. Qe2 Bd6 18. Nc3 Bxf3 19. Qxf3 Bxh2+ 20. Kf1 Rad8 (20... Be5 $5) 21. g3 Nh5 22. Qxh5 Rxf2+ 23. Kxf2 Qxg3+ 24. Ke2 Qg2+ 25. Ke3 Qg3+ 26. Ke2 Qg2+ {1/2, Kamsky,G (2717)-Leko,P (2756)/Jermuk/2009/}) 9... exd4 10. e5 Ne8 11. c3 (11. Qxd4 Bb7 12. c4 c5 13. Qg4 d6 14. Nc3 (14. Bf4 {Short,N (2707)-Fressinet,L (2702)/Bastia rpd/2012/} bxc4 15. Bxc4 d5 $11) 14... dxe5 15. cxb5 axb5 16. Nxb5 {Gilabert Mallol,E (2440)-Kyhos,A (2352)/corr/2010/} Nf6 17. Qf5 Qb6 $132) 11... dxc3 12. Nxc3 d6 13. Qf3 Be6 14. Nd5 Rc8 15. Bf4 Bxd5 $5 (15... dxe5 16. Nxe7+ (16. Bxe5 Bd6 17. Rad1 Bxe5 18. Rxe5 Bxd5 19. Rexd5 Nd6 20. Qf4 Qe7 21. Re5 Qf6 22. Qxf6 gxf6 23. Rc5 Rfd8 24. Rdc1 Re8 25. g3 Re2 26. Rxc7 Rxc7 27. Rxc7 Rxb2 28. Rc6 Ne4 29. Rxa6 Nc5 $11 {Henrichs,T (2483)-Gustafsson, J (2584)/GER-ch Bad Koenigshofen/2007/}) 16... Qxe7 17. Bxe5 Nd6 18. Qc3 Qg5 19. Bxe6 fxe6 20. Rac1 $5 (20. b3 Qg6 21. Qc6 Nf7 22. Bg3 e5 23. Rac1 Qf6 24. h3 Rfd8 {Leko,P (2756)-Aronian,L (2768)/Jermuk/2009/}) 20... Nc4 21. Bg3 Rfe8 22. b3 Nb6 23. Qa5 Nd5 24. Rc6 e5 25. Rxa6 c6 26. h4 Qf6 27. a4 $14 {Sievilainen,T (2179)-Laine,E (2234)/corr/2010/}) 16. Bxd5 dxe5 17. Rxe5 Bf6 18. Re2 Nd6 19. Rd1 Bg5 20. Be5 Bf6 21. Bf4 {1/2,Becerra Rivero,J (2598)-Onischuk, A (2670)/Lubbock/2008/}) 8... b4 ({For} 8... Rb8 9. axb5 axb5 10. d3 d6 11. Nbd2 {- see Carlsen-Topalov}) 9. d3 {A slight surprise.} (9. d4 {is a much more popular move, and Magnus himself has also played this move in the 2013 Sinquefield Cup against Aronian in that famous game where Magnus would have taken clear first with a draw, but when he had a somewhat better position without much risk, he declined a draw despite the fact that it would clinch him clear first.}) 9... Bc5 (9... d6 {is also quite a common move, and also has been played by Aronian quite frequently. However, in his last game in the World Rapid against Yu Yangyi, he did play ...c5, so most likely Magnus did expect ...c5 more.}) ({RR} 9... h6 10. Nbd2 d6 11. c3 Rb8 12. h3 Re8 13. d4 Bf8 14. a5 bxc3 15. bxc3 exd4 16. cxd4 Nb4 17. Ba3 d5 18. Ne5 Bb7 19. Qf3 Ba8 20. Nxf7 Kxf7 21. e5 Kg8 22. exf6 Qxf6 23. Rxe8 Rxe8 24. Qc3 {Topalov,V (2780)-Svidler,P (2757) Moscow 2016 ½-½ (47)}) 10. c3 $146 {Amazingly this move according to my database is already a novelty.} (10. Be3 {This was played by Yu Yangyi.} Bxe3 11. Rxe3 d6 12. Nbd2 Na5 13. Ba2 c5 14. Nc4 Nxc4 15. Bxc4 Be6 $11 {Black has no problems here, and the game was drawn in a few moves in 1/2 (29) Yu Yangyi (2729)-Aronian,L (2785) Doha QAT 2016}) (10. Nbd2 {has also been tried a few times, including once by GM Wei Yi.}) ({RR} 10. h3 d6 11. Nbd2 Rb8 12. a5 Be6 13. Nc4 h6 14. Ba4 Bxc4 15. Bxc6 Bb5 16. Bxb5 Rxb5 17. Be3 c6 18. Qd2 Re8 19. Bxc5 dxc5 20. b3 Rxa5 21. Qe3 Nd7 22. Nd2 Rxa1 23. Rxa1 Qc8 24. Nc4 Re6 {Nagare,A (2211)-Parfenov,V (2193) chess.com INT 2025 0-1 (60)}) ({RR} 10. Nbd2 d6 11. Nc4 Nd4 12. Nxd4 Bxd4 13. Be3 Bxe3 14. Nxe3 Be6 15. Bc4 Bxc4 16. Nxc4 Nd7 17. Ne3 Nc5 18. d4 exd4 19. Qxd4 a5 20. Nf5 Ne6 21. Qc4 Qf6 22. b3 g6 23. Ne3 Qd4 24. Rad1 Qxc4 {Firouzja,A (2702)-Aronian,L (2758) Chess.com INT 2019 1-0 (68)}) 10... bxc3 {First small think here by Aronian for about 5 minutes.} (10... d6 {is also possible, but then Black has to count with the move d4.} 11. d4 Ba7 12. h3 {and maybe White can hope for something with some central control.}) 11. bxc3 {And about a 10-minute think by Magnus here. So, he probably didn't expect bxc3 so much. Or maybe more likely it's just a delayed transposition. Since bxc3 seems like the only logical move.} (11. Nxc3 $2 {seems anti-positional, leaving Black with a strong d4-square and leaving White with backward pawns b2 and d3, for no real compensation.} d6 $15) 11... Rb8 $146 ({RR} 11... d6 12. d4 exd4 13. cxd4 Bb4 14. Bd2 Rb8 15. d5 Na5 16. Bc2 Bg4 17. Bxb4 Rxb4 18. Qd2 Qb8 19. Qc3 Rc4 20. Qxa5 Rxc2 21. Nbd2 Bxf3 22. Nxf3 Qa7 23. Nd2 Ng4 24. Rf1 Rb8 25. h3 Nxf2 26. Rxf2 {Seo,J (2494)-Deac,B (2700) chess.com INT 2023 0-1}) ({RR} 11... d6 12. d4 exd4 13. cxd4 Bb4 14. Bd2 Rb8 15. d5 Na5 16. Bc2 Bg4 17. Bxb4 Rxb4 18. Qd2 Qb8 19. Qc3 Rc4 20. Qxa5 Rxc2 21. Nbd2 Bxf3 22. Nxf3 Qa7 23. Nd2 Ng4 24. Rf1 Rb8 25. h3 Nxf2 26. Rxf2 {Seo,J (2494)-Deac,B (2700) chess.com INT 2023 0-1}) 12. Bg5 $5 {This is an ambitious move, which allows Black to hunt the bishop down in return for weakening his king somewhat.} (12. Nbd2 $11 {was of course an alternative.}) 12... h6 13. Bh4 g5 $1 {Aronian is not the type to back down from principled continuations.} 14. Bg3 (14. Nxg5 $2 {just did not work tactically for White:} hxg5 15. Bxg5 Rxb3 $1 {This is the point, otherwise White can hope for some compensation.} 16. Qxb3 Bxf2+ 17. Kxf2 Ng4+ 18. Kg1 Qxg5 $19 {and Black is completely winning here. Material is roughly equal, but Black's pieces are much better and he has a strong attack.}) 14... Nh5 $1 {Usually the rule is: in for a penny, in for a pound. Very energetic play by Aronian here, and he had to foresee some other interesting possibilites from White as well here. What's also impressive is that Aronian executed the sequence of ...g5 and ...h5 quite quickly, in less than 10 minutes.} (14... d6 $6 {was probably not the best idea. Seems a bit slow.} 15. Nbd2 g4 (15... Nh5 $2 16. Nxe5 $18) 16. Nh4 Nh5 17. Nf5 Bxf5 18. exf5 Qg5 19. Ne4 Qxf5 20. Nxc5 dxc5 21. Bd5 Nxg3 22. hxg3 Ne7 23. Bc4 $16 {would be very strong for White.}) 15. Nbd2 {Played after about 20 minutes of thought and rightfully so. White certainly had interesting alternatives here as well.} (15. Nxe5 $5 Nxg3 16. Nxc6 dxc6 17. hxg3 {Seems like it's just winning for White, but ...} (17. d4 Nxe4 18. Rxe4 Bd6 19. Nd2 c5 $11 {is probably roughly equal.}) 17... Rxb3 $1 18. Qxb3 Qxd3 {This strong exchange sacrifice shatters White's centre, and suddenly here, Black has very strong threats with his very active pieces, and White has to think about defending now.} 19. Qd1 Qxg3 20. Qf3 Qxf3 21. gxf3 Rd8 $44 {and I'd probably prefer Black here, since he has a 2 bishop advantage and a pawn as well as very active pieces for the exchange.}) (15. Bd5 Nxg3 16. hxg3 Qf6 {might be something similar to the game.}) 15... Nxg3 16. hxg3 Qf6 {A very sensible option, activating the queen.} (16... g4 {was also a possible alternative with complex play.} 17. Nh2 h5 18. Nxg4 hxg4 19. Qxg4+ Kh7 20. Qh5+ Kg7 21. Qg4+ $11 {was a possible line.}) 17. Nc4 (17. Bd5 $5 g4 18. d4 Ba7 19. Nxe5 Nxe5 20. dxe5 Qg5 (20... Qxf2+ $2 21. Kh2 Rb2 22. Qxg4+ Kh7 23. Re2 $16) (20... Bxf2+ $4 21. Kf1 $18) 21. Qe2 {would lead to complex play.}) 17... d6 18. Ne3 Be6 {Aronian continues to play the most ambitious way.} (18... Bxe3 $11) 19. Bxe6 {Played after about 25 minutes of thinking and I'm not sure if it's the best move since now Magnus helps Levon activate his rook on f8.} (19. Nd5 {was probably more sensible.} Bxd5 20. Bxd5 (20. exd5 $5) 20... Ne7 21. Bc4 g4 {wasn't so scary because of...} 22. d4 Ba7 23. Nh4 exd4 24. cxd4 Bxd4 25. Qxg4+ Qg5 26. Qxg5+ hxg5 27. Rad1 Bc3 28. Re3 {with a roughly equal game.}) (19. Nd2 Na5 {might be slightly unpleasant for white.}) 19... fxe6 20. Qc2 (20. g4 $5 Qf4 21. Qc2 Bxe3 22. Rxe3 Qxg4 23. Qa2 $44 {is surprising compensation for White since he activates his queen and can soon control the centre, whilst Black's king is slightly weakened.}) 20... h5 21. Rab1 Rxb1 (21... Rbe8 {perhaps keeping the rooks also deserved attention.}) 22. Rxb1 h4 {The computer doesn't like this move, but it's not clear if Black would be able to make sufficient progress if he played the line recommended by the computer.} (22... g4 23. Nh4 Bb6 24. Rb2 {and even though it seems like Black is slightly better, it does not seem so clear how Black should make progress.}) 23. gxh4 gxh4 24. Rb7 (24. Nh2 $11) 24... h3 $6 {But this already seems to be a little bit over ambitious. Now White will have the upper hand. Black had decent alternatives here to maintain the balance.} (24... Qg7 25. Qe2 h3 26. g3 Bb6 27. Nh4 $1 Na5 28. Rxb6 cxb6 29. Qh5 $132 {Here White has enough counterplay for a draw.}) (24... Rf7 25. Nh2 $11) (24... Bb6 25. Nc4 Qg7 26. Nxb6 Rxf3 27. Qe2 Rf7 28. Nc4 $11) 25. Rxc7 hxg2 26. Qe2 Ne7 27. Ne1 $1 {Could it be that Aronian missed this defensive move when he played ...h3? Hard to say what exactly Aronian missed or underestimated.} Rb8 $6 (27... Qh6 28. N1xg2 Rf7 {might've been a little bit more solid but still, White is up a pawn and is probably better.}) 28. Qg4+ $2 {Magnus has used up a lot of time and energy to try to solve the difficult problems that Aronian has posed him this game, and now it's taking its toll. At this point both players are going to make a few mistakes in this complex position.} (28. Qf3 $1 Qxf3 29. Nxf3 Ng6 {Perhaps Magnus thought this would be annoying counterplay for Black but in fact White is actually doing quite well here.} 30. Ng4 $1 {Not the most natural move, maybe the key move that Magnus missed, since without this move things are not so clear. Black might indeed have sufficient counterplay.} (30. Nxg2 $2 Rb1+ $11) (30. Kxg2 $2 Nf4+) 30... Nf4 $2 (30... Kf8 31. Kxg2 Nf4+ 32. Kh2 Rb3 33. Ng5 $1 Ke8 34. Nf7 $1 {and White thanks to combination of threats against Black's king, as well as his weak pawns is winning despite the fact that Black's counterplay looks real.}) 31. Nf6+ {this is the point.} Kf8 (31... Kh8 32. Rh7#) 32. Nd7+ $18) 28... Ng6 $2 {Black errs in return.} (28... Kf8 {Seems fine for Black.} 29. Nf3 {Maybe this was Magnus's plan, but here Black has also very strong counterplay with...} (29. Qf3 Qxf3 30. Nxf3 Ke8 {Now Black is in time with his king to kick out the annoying rook and White has to be careful not to be worse.} 31. Ng5 (31. d4 Bb6 32. Rc4 exd4 33. cxd4 Kd7 $11) 31... Bb6 32. Rc4 Kd7 33. Nh7 Ng6 34. Nxg2 Bd8 35. Rb4 $11) 29... Qh6 $1 30. Kxg2 (30. Ng5 $4 Qh1#) 30... Bxe3 31. fxe3 Rb2+ 32. Kg3 Qxe3 33. Qh4 Qf2+ 34. Kg4 Qg2+ (34... Qxh4+ $11) 35. Qg3 Qf1 $15) 29. Nf3 $1 Rb2 {Maybe Aronian thought he is fine here, since it seems like he has sufficient counterplay, but now Magnus finds a very nice forced sequence to get what should've been a decisive advantage.} 30. d4 $1 exd4 31. e5 $1 dxe5 32. Nc4 $1 $18 Rb1+ 33. Kxg2 e4 $5 {The best chance to muddy the waters. And it worked!} (33... dxc3 34. Rxc5 c2 35. Ncxe5 c1=Q 36. Rxc1 Rxc1 37. Nxg6 $18 {is completely hopeless for Black.}) 34. Qxe4 $2 {And now unexpectedly just a few moves before reaching the time control and converting his winning position comfortably, Magnus makes a big slip.} (34. Nfe5 $1 {was winning. I'm sure Magnus saw this move, but maybe he saw some ghosts in some line.} e3 (34... dxc3 35. Rxc5 c2 {The critical testing line.} (35... Qf5 36. Nd6 Qxg4+ 37. Nxg4 $18 {is a simple technical position.}) 36. Rc8+ $1 Kg7 37. Nd6 $1 {Without the sequence of c8+! followed by d6! White is actually not winning, so perhaps Magnus missed this very nice idea.} Qxe5 (37... c1=Q 38. Rxc1 Rxc1 39. Ne8+) 38. Rc7+ {and White will mate in a few moves here.}) (34... Qf5 35. Qxg6+ Qxg6+ 36. Nxg6 dxc3 37. Nf4 c2 38. Ne2 $18 {is an easy win for White.}) 35. Rf7 $1 $18 {Or perhaps Magnus missed this?}) 34... Nf4+ $1 35. Kg3 Ne2+ $1 {Or maybe Magnus just missed ...e2+ here? Because without this move, White is winning.} (35... Nh5+ $2 36. Kg4 $18 {Here Black runs out of counterplay.}) 36. Kg4 (36. Qxe2 Qg6+ {This line will lead to a perpetual check.} 37. Kf4 Qf5+ 38. Kg3 Qg6+ 39. Kh2 Qh5+ 40. Kg2 Qg4+ $11) 36... Qf5+ 37. Qxf5 exf5+ 38. Kxf5 dxc3 $1 {It's also possible Magnus missed this key move from far away. Without this move Black is still losing. But now Black has just enough counterplay.} 39. Rxc5 c2 40. Rc8+ Kg7 41. Rc7+ Kg8 42. Kf6 Rg1 (42... Rb8 {was also drawing, but Levon understandably saw the other drawing line and perhaps didn't see the need to calculate the consequences of ...b8, since after ...b8, White has potentially a dangerous initiative and if you miss something subtle, it can be deadly. Here are some variations.} 43. Rg7+ {This is much more critical.} (43. Nce5 {isn't dangerous because} c1=Q 44. Rg7+ Kf8 45. Rf7+ Kg8 $11 {and White has no more than a perpetual.} (45... Ke8 46. Re7+ Kd8 47. Nf7+ Kc8 48. Nd6+ $11)) 43... Kf8 $1 (43... Kh8 $2 44. Nd6 Rb6 45. Rd7 c1=Q 46. Rd8+ Kh7 47. Ng5+ Qxg5+ 48. Kxg5 Rb4 49. Rd7+ Kg8 50. Re7 Nc3 51. a5 $16 {with good winning chances for White.}) 44. Ng5 $5 {Again the most critical.} (44. Nfe5 Nf4 45. Rf7+ (45. Nd6 $4 Nh5+ $19) 45... Kg8 46. Rg7+ Kf8 $11) (44. Nh4 Nf4 45. Ng6+ Nxg6 46. Nd6 c1=Q 47. Rf7+ Kg8 48. Rg7+ $11) 44... Nf4 (44... c1=Q $4 45. Ne6+ Ke8 46. Re7#) 45. Nh7+ Ke8 46. Rg8+ (46. Kf5 c1=Q 47. Nf6+ Kf8 48. Rg8+ Ke7 49. Rg7+ $11) 46... Kd7 47. Rxb8 Nd5+ $1 {And this is the key move. 47.h5+ also works with a similar idea to distract the white king.} (47... c1=Q 48. Nb6+ Kd6 49. Rd8+ Kc7 50. Rc8+ $18) (47... Nh5+ {is also good.} 48. Ke5 (48. Kf7 c1=Q 49. Nb6+ Kd6 50. Rd8+ Ke5 $1) 48... c1=Q 49. Nb6+ Ke7 $11) 48. Ke5 (48. Kf7 c1=Q) 48... c1=Q 49. Kxd5 Qh1+ 50. Kc5 Kc7 51. Rb6 Qh5+ 52. Kd4 Qxh7 53. Rxa6 Qh4+ $11 {However, this variation is a little bit complicated and it's very easy to miscalculate a minor detail in a line like this and that can end up being very costly.}) 43. Nxg1 (43. Ng5 $5 {is the computer's choice, but after further investigation I came to the conclusion that it's probably just a positional draw, and most likely both players saw that as well.} Rxg5 44. Ne3 (44. Nd6 c1=Q 45. Rxc1 Nxc1 46. Kxg5 Nd3 {Is more or less the same thing.}) 44... c1=Q 45. Rxc1 Nxc1 46. Kxg5 Nd3 47. Nd1 Kf7 48. f4 Nc5 49. Nc3 a5 50. f5 Kg7 51. f6+ Kf7 52. Kf5 Kg8 $1 (52... Kf8 $2 53. Kg6 Kg8 54. Nd5 Nxa4 55. f7+ Kf8 56. Nf6 $18) 53. Kg6 Kf8 54. f7 Nd7 55. Ne4 Ne5+ 56. Kf6 Nxf7 $11) 43... c1=Q 44. Nxe2 Qh6+ $1 {Probably foreseen by Aronian in advance when he played 42...g1. Now Black will win the knight on e2 by force, which practically makes the game a dead draw.} 45. Ke7 Qh7+ 46. Kd6 Qd3+ 47. Kc5 Qxe2 48. Kb6 Qxf2+ 49. Kxa6 Kf8 50. a5 Ke8 51. Nb6 Qf5 52. Rd7 Qc5 {Of course not...} (52... Qxd7 $4 53. Nxd7 Kxd7 54. Kb7 $18) 53. Rh7 Qe5 54. Rd7 Qc5 55. Rd5 Qc6 56. Rh5 Qc3 57. Kb7 Qg7+ 58. Ka6 Kd8 59. Rd5+ Kc7 {A neat move taking advantage of a stalemate idea.} (59... Ke8 {Of course this also draws.}) 60. Rd7+ Kb8 61. Rd8+ Kc7 62. Rc8+ {Magnus is still playing for a win, but at this point the chance of Black making a mistake is quite small.} Kd6 63. Nc4+ Kd7 64. Rc5 Qg1 65. Kb6 Qb1+ 66. Ka7 Qb4 67. Nb6+ Kd6 68. Rh5 Kc6 69. Rh6+ Kb5 {Still not too late to go wrong with...} (69... Kc7 $4 70. Nd5+ $18) 70. Rh5+ Kc6 {A very nice fight between two top players and both excellent warriors in a fighting mood. Sure, it wasn't perfect from a mathematical standpoint of view, but it was a true battle, and really reflects on the idea that chess is after all a sport!} 1/2-1/2

[Event "Grenke Chess Classic 4th"]
[Site "Karlsruhe/Baden-Baden"]
[Date "2017.04.17"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Hou, Yifan"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B90"]
[WhiteElo "2649"]
[BlackElo "2838"]
[Annotator "Moradiabadi,Elshan"]
[PlyCount "75"]
[EventDate "2017.04.15"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 178"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.05.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.05.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[TimeControl "60"]

1. e4 {[%emt 0:00:00] Chessbase - Stockfish 17} c5 {[%emt 0:00:07]} 2. Nf3 {[%emt 0:00:00]} d6 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 3. d4 {[%emt 0:00:01]} cxd4 {[%emt 0:00:07]} 4. Nxd4 {[%emt 0:00:04]} Nf6 {[%emt 0:00:08]} 5. Nc3 {[%emt 0:00:05]} a6 {[%emt 0:00:09]} 6. a4 {[%emt 0:05:20] A choice of Carlsen himself.} e5 {[%emt 0:03:25]} 7. Nf3 {[%emt 0:00:07]} Be7 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 8. Bg5 {[%emt 0:01:52] Less ambitious but more solid!} Be6 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 9. Bxf6 {[%emt 0:01:19]} Bxf6 {[%emt 0:00:23]} 10. Nd5 {[%emt 0:00:05]} Nd7 {[%emt 0:00:16]} 11. Bc4 {[%emt 0:00:50]} Rc8 {[%emt 0:00:52]} 12. Qe2 {[%emt 0:06:14]} Nb6 {[%emt 0:15:06] The World Champion spent a lot of time here. I am sure he knew the right continuation but was unhappy with the course of the game which has let White dry up the position.} 13. Nxf6+ {[%emt 0:08:57]} Qxf6 {[%emt 0:01:44]} 14. Bxe6 {[%emt 0:00:07]} Qxe6 {[%emt 0:00:14]} 15. O-O {[%emt 0:00:48]} (15. b3 O-O 16. Rd1 Rc6 {1/2-1/2 (16) Svidler,P (2739)-Grischuk,A (2746) Khanty-Mansiysk 2011}) ({RR} 15. b3 O-O 16. Rd1 d5 17. a5 dxe4 18. Qxe4 Nd7 19. Ng5 Qh6 20. Rxd7 Qxg5 21. O-O Rc5 22. b4 Rc3 23. Rxb7 Rfc8 24. Qd5 Qf6 25. Rb6 Qe7 26. Rxa6 Qxb4 27. Rb6 Qd4 28. Qxd4 exd4 29. a6 Ra3 {Hou,Y (2658)-Munkhzul,T (2278) Chess.com INT 2020 1-0 (31)}) 15... O-O {[%emt 0:18:40]} 16. Rfd1 {[%emt 0:05:39]} Rc6 {[%emt 0:06:59]} 17. a5 $146 {[%emt 0:18:39] Finally a new move after a long think by the World Women's number one.} ({RR} 17. b3 Nd7 18. Rd2 Nf6 ({RR} 18... Rfc8 19. Rad1 Qe7 20. g3 Nc5 21. Rd5 b5 22. axb5 axb5 23. h4 h6 24. h5 Qf6 25. R1d2 b4 26. Nh4 Ne6 27. Nf5 Nd4 28. Nxd4 exd4 29. Rb5 Rc3 30. Rxb4 d3 31. cxd3 Rc1+ 32. Kh2 Rb1 33. Rc4) 19. Rad1 Qg4 ({RR} 19... Rfc8) ({RR} 19... Rd8) 20. Rxd6 Rxd6 21. Rxd6 Nxe4 22. h3 Qf4 23. g3 ({RR} 23. Rd7 b5 24. axb5 axb5 25. g3 Qc1+ 26. Kg2 Nf6 27. Rd1 Qb2 28. Nxe5 Re8) 23... Qc1+ 24. Qd1 Qxd1+ 25. Rxd1 f6 26. a5 Rc8 27. c4 Rc7 28. Kf1 Kf7 29. Rc1 Nc5 30. Rb1 Nd3 31. Nd2 Nb4 {Nguyen,T (2668)-L'Ami,E (2614) Wijk aan Zee 2025 [Chessbase - Stockfish 17] ½-½ (37)}) ({RR} 17. b3 Nd7 18. Rd2 Rfc8 19. Rad1 Qe7 20. g3 Nc5 21. Rd5 b5 22. axb5 axb5 23. h4 h6 24. h5 Qf6 25. R1d2 b4 26. Nh4 Ne6 27. Nf5 Nd4 28. Nxd4 exd4 29. Rb5 Rc3 30. Rxb4 d3 31. cxd3 Rc1+ {Ivanchuk,V (2611)-Donchenko,A (2633) Sant Ferran de ses Roques ESP 2024 ½-½ (54)}) 17... Nd7 {[%emt 0:00:15]} 18. b3 {[%emt 0:00:08]} Rfc8 {[%emt 0:03:14]} 19. Rd2 {[%emt 0:07:35]} Nc5 {[%emt 0:07:45]} 20. Rad1 {[%emt 0:12:17]} Qe7 {[%emt 0:01:06]} 21. Qe3 {[%emt 0:00:25]} g6 {[%emt 0:07:16]} 22. g3 {[%emt 0:02:33] The position is balanced but unlike most of the cases, it is Carlsen who does not have the patience to wait.} b5 $6 {[%emt 0:02:05] Played after just a short thinking since Black needs to save time as Carlsen spent a lot of time early on in the game.} (22... Ne6 23. c4 Rb8 {and now b6 where Black compensates for his weaknesses by attacking b3.}) 23. axb6 {[%emt 0:00:14]} Rxb6 {[%emt 0:00:02]} 24. Rd5 {[%emt 0:05:39]} Rcc6 $6 {[%emt 0:16:20] A strange square for the rook.} (24... Rbc6 25. Nd2 Ne6 26. Nc4 Nd4 27. c3 Nxb3 28. Nxd6 Rf8 29. c4 Nd4 30. c5 {is not fun to play but is better than what Carlsen did.}) 25. Nd2 $1 {[%emt 0:03:59]} Nb7 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 26. Nc4 {[%emt 0:01:40]} Rb5 {[%emt 0:00:02]} 27. Qa7 $1 $16 {[%emt 0:00:00] Excellent play by Hou Yifan, Black is completely tied up!} Qc7 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 28. Rxb5 $2 {[%emt 0:12:11] A pity. Hou Yifan concedes a draw precisely when she had the World Champion on the ropes!} (28. h4 h5 29. Ra1 Rb4 $1 30. Rd2 $1 {An excellent prophylactic move.} ({Rushing to take the pawn with} 30. Rxa6 {would let Black confuse the issue with the strong exchange sacrifice} Rcxc4 $1 31. bxc4 Rb1+ 32. Kh2 $1 {The reason this is the best move will be clear in an instant:} Qxc4 33. Ra1 {Now it is understood. If the king had been on g2, Black could have struck with ...f1+, but now there is no such killer blow. Therefore} Rxa1 34. Qxa1 Qxc2 35. Kg1 Nc5 36. Rxd6 Nxe4 37. Rd8+ Kh7 38. Qa7 Qb3 {with good winning chances but it is not clear how winning this position is... if at all.}) 30... a5 31. Ne3 Nc5 32. Qxc7 Rxc7 33. Rxd6 Nxe4 34. Rd5 f6 35. Raxa5 Rd4 36. Kg2 {and I believe Carlsen would be first in line to play this position!}) 28... axb5 {[%emt 0:00:29]} 29. Nxd6 {[%emt 0:00:10] And now the draw is inevitable.} Nxd6 {[%emt 0:00:39]} 30. Qxc7 {[%emt 0:00:05]} Rxc7 {[%emt 0:00:12]} 31. Rxd6 {[%emt 0:00:04]} Rxc2 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 32. Rd5 {[%emt 0:00:08]} Re2 {[%emt 0:00:47]} 33. Rxe5 {[%emt 0:00:25]} b4 {[%emt 0:00:10]} 34. Rb5 {[%emt 0:00:41]} Rxe4 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 35. Kg2 {[%emt 0:00:12]} Rd4 {[%emt 0:00:19]} 36. Kf1 {[%emt 0:00:19]} Re4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 37. Kg2 {[%emt 0:00:30]} Rd4 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 38. Kf1 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 1/2-1/2

[Event "Grenke Chess Classic 4th"]
[Site "Karlsruhe/Baden-Baden"]
[Date "2017.04.19"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C01"]
[WhiteElo "2838"]
[BlackElo "2817"]
[Annotator "Silver,Albert Winston"]
[PlyCount "79"]
[EventDate "2017.04.15"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 178"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.05.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.05.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nxe5 d6 4. Nf3 Nxe4 5. d3 Nf6 6. d4 d5 7. Bd3 Bd6 8. Qe2+ Be6 (8... Qe7 9. Qxe7+ Kxe7 10. O-O Re8 11. Re1+ Kf8 12. Rxe8+ Kxe8 13. Nc3 c6 14. Bd2 h6 15. Re1+ Kf8 16. Ne5 Nbd7 17. f4 Nb6 {1-0 (58) Carlsen,M (2838)-Akobian,V (2645) chess.com INT 2017}) 9. c4 dxc4 10. Bxc4 Qe7 11. O-O O-O 12. Nc3 h6 $146 (12... Re8 13. Bd2 Nc6 14. Rfe1 Qd7 15. Bxe6 Rxe6 16. Qb5 {1/2-1/2 (42) Taksrud,V (2091)-Cerveny, L (2144) ICCF email 2011}) 13. d5 Bg4 14. Qxe7 Bxe7 15. Nb5 $146 ({RR} 15. Bf4 Bxf3 16. gxf3 Bd6 17. Bxd6 cxd6 18. Nb5 Ne8 19. Rfe1 a6 20. Nd4 Nd7 21. Re7 Nef6 22. Nf5 Rfe8 23. Rxe8+ Nxe8 24. Bb3 Nb6 25. Re1 Kf8 26. Re4 a5 27. Kg2 h5 28. Ne3 Rc8 29. Nc4 Nxc4 {Travadon,L (2441)-Nguyen,T (2548) Radenci 2019 0-1 (58)}) 15... Nbd7 16. Re1 Bc5 17. Bb3 (17. Nxc7 $2 {is wrong:} Rac8 18. Ne6 (18. Bf4 $2 Bxf3 19. gxf3 Nh5 $17) 18... fxe6 19. dxe6 Nb6 20. e7+ Nxc4 $17) 17... Rac8 18. Bf4 Bxf3 19. gxf3 {The position is equal.} a6 20. Nxc7 {This might seem unplayable, but both players had seen it was, and knew where it was leading.} Nh5 {The obvious continuation.} 21. Ne6 $1 Nxf4 ({Obviously not} 21... fxe6 $6 22. dxe6 Ndf6 23. e7+ Rf7 24. Rad1 $1 $16 {and the threat of d8 serves as protection of the hanging bishop on f4.}) 22. Nxf4 Bd6 23. Nd3 Nc5 24. Nxc5 Rxc5 25. Rac1 Rxc1 26. Rxc1 $11 {It is pretty easy to guess that this endgame has no hope of coming to life, and after 15 more moves they shook hands.} Re8 27. Ba4 Rd8 28. Kg2 Kf8 29. Re1 g6 30. h3 Kg7 31. Re8 Rxe8 32. Bxe8 Kf6 33. Bd7 a5 34. a4 b6 35. b3 Ke7 36. Bc6 Kf6 37. Be8 Ke7 38. Bc6 Kf6 39. Be8 Ke7 40. Bc6 1/2-1/2

[Event "Grenke Chess Classic 4th"]
[Site "Karlsruhe/Baden-Baden"]
[Date "2017.04.22"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B92"]
[WhiteElo "2838"]
[BlackElo "2803"]
[PlyCount "118"]
[EventDate "2017.04.15"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 178"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.05.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.05.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Be2 e5 7. Nb3 Be7 8. Be3 Be6 9. Qd3 Nbd7 10. Nd5 O-O 11. O-O Bxd5 12. exd5 Ne8 13. a4 Bg5 14. a5 Bxe3 ({RR} 14... Rc8 15. c4 Bxe3 16. Qxe3 f5 17. Nd2 Nef6 18. f3 Nh5 19. b4 Rf6 20. Rfc1 Rg6 21. Bf1 Qe7 22. Nb3 Qh4 23. Qe1 Qf4 24. Kh1 Rh6 25. Rc3 Ng3+ 26. Kg1 Nxf1 27. Qxf1 Qxh2+ 28. Kf2 e4 29. Qg1 {Kiryakov,M (1895)-Gavrilin,R (2148) Montreal CAN 2025 0-1 (36)}) 15. Qxe3 Nef6 16. c4 Rb8 $146 ({RR} 16... Qc7 17. Nd2 Rfb8 18. b4 b6 19. axb6 Rxb6 20. Ra4 Rab8 21. Qa3 Qb7 22. Rb1 Nc5 23. bxc5 Rxb1+ 24. Nxb1 Qxb1+ 25. Bf1 Ne4 26. Rxa6 Qc2 27. Qe3 g6 28. f3 Nd2 29. Qd3 Qc1 30. cxd6 Rb1 31. h3 {Horvath,A (2482)-Seyb,A (2388) Biograd 2018 ½-½ (38)}) 17. Rfb1 Qc7 18. Nd2 b6 19. Nb3 Nc5 20. axb6 Rxb6 21. Nxc5 dxc5 22. b4 Rfb8 23. Rd1 Rxb4 24. Rxa6 Rb3 25. Qg5 h6 26. Qf5 Qc8 27. Qxc8+ Rxc8 28. Rc6 Rbb8 29. Bd3 e4 30. Bc2 Rxc6 31. dxc6 Rc8 32. Ba4 Kf8 33. Bb5 Ke7 34. Ra1 Ng4 35. Ra7+ Ke6 36. f3 exf3 37. gxf3 Ne5 38. f4 Nf3+ 39. Kf2 Nd4 40. Ke3 g6 41. Ke4 Nxc6 42. Ra6 f5+ 43. Kf3 Kd6 44. h4 h5 45. Ke3 Rc7 46. Kd2 Rc8 47. Kc3 Rc7 48. Kb3 Rc8 49. Ka4 Rc7 50. Rb6 Rc8 51. Ba6 Rb8 52. Bb7 Ke7 53. Rxc6 Rxb7 54. Rxc5 Rb1 55. Rd5 Rh1 56. c5 Rxh4 57. c6 Rxf4+ 58. Kb3 Rf1 59. Kb2 Rf2+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "Norway Chess 5th"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2017.06.06"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "So, Wesley"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C54"]
[WhiteElo "2832"]
[BlackElo "2812"]
[PlyCount "125"]
[EventDate "2017.06.06"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 179"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.07.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.07.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. O-O Nf6 5. d3 O-O 6. h3 d6 7. c3 a6 8. a4 Be6 9. Bxe6 fxe6 10. b4 Ba7 11. Be3 Bxe3 12. fxe3 Ne7 13. Nbd2 Ng6 14. d4 Qe7 15. Qb3 Kh8 16. b5 $146 axb5 17. axb5 exd4 18. cxd4 e5 19. Rxa8 Rxa8 20. Rc1 exd4 21. exd4 Nxe4 22. Nxe4 Qxe4 23. Rxc7 Rf8 24. Qc2 Qd5 25. Qc4 Qxc4 26. Rxc4 Kg8 27. b6 h6 28. Nd2 Nf4 29. Rc7 Rf7 30. Nc4 Nd5 31. Rc8+ Rf8 32. Rxf8+ Kxf8 33. Nxd6 Nxb6 34. Nxb7 Ke7 35. Kf2 Ke6 36. Ke3 Kd5 37. Na5 Na4 38. Nb3 Nb2 39. Nd2 Nd1+ 40. Ke2 Nb2 41. Nb3 Kc4 42. Nc5 Kxd4 43. Ne6+ Ke4 44. Nxg7 Nc4 45. Kf2 Kf4 46. g3+ Ke4 47. g4 Kf4 48. Nh5+ Kg5 49. Kg3 Ne5 50. Nf4 Kf6 51. Kh4 Ng6+ 52. Kg3 Nxf4 53. Kxf4 Kg6 54. h4 Kf6 55. Kf3 Kf7 56. Ke3 Ke7 57. Kd3 Kd7 58. Kc4 Ke6 59. Kd4 Kd6 60. Ke4 Ke6 61. Kf4 Kf6 62. Ke4 Ke6 63. Kf4 1/2-1/2

[Event "Norway Chess 5th"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2017.06.07"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C88"]
[WhiteElo "2808"]
[BlackElo "2832"]
[PlyCount "84"]
[EventDate "2017.06.06"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 179"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.07.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.07.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. a4 Bb7 9. d3 d5 10. exd5 Nxd5 11. Nbd2 f6 12. c3 Kh8 13. axb5 axb5 14. Rxa8 Bxa8 15. Ne4 b4 $146 ({RR} 15... g5 16. h3 Nf4 17. d4 f5 18. Nc5 Bxc5 19. Bxf4 gxf4 20. dxc5 Qf6 21. Qd7 e4 22. Nd4 Nxd4 23. cxd4 e3 24. fxe3 Qg5 25. Re2 f3 26. Rf2 Qxe3 27. Qxc7 Qxb3 28. Qe5+ Kg8 29. gxf3 Qd1+ 30. Kh2 {Kushagra,M (2412)-Savchenko,B (2524) Nagpur IND 2023 ½-½ (40)}) ({RR} 15... g5 16. h3 Nf4 17. d4 f5 18. Nc5 Bxc5 19. Bxf4 gxf4 20. dxc5 Qf6 21. Qd7 e4 22. Nd4 Nxd4 23. cxd4 e3 24. fxe3 Qg5 25. Re2 f3 26. Rf2 Qxe3 27. Qxc7 Qxb3 28. Qe5+ Kg8 29. gxf3 Qd1+ 30. Kh2 {Kushagra,M (2412)-Savchenko,B (2524) Nagpur IND 2023 ½-½ (40)}) 16. d4 bxc3 17. bxc3 exd4 18. Nxd4 Nxd4 19. cxd4 Bb4 20. Bd2 Bxd2 21. Qxd2 Re8 22. h3 Nb6 23. Nc5 Bd5 24. Bxd5 Nxd5 25. Ne6 Qd7 26. Nc5 Qf7 27. Re2 Rb8 28. Re1 Re8 29. Re4 Rxe4 30. Nxe4 h6 31. Nc3 Qe6 32. Nxd5 Qxd5 33. Qe3 Kg8 34. Qe8+ Kh7 35. Qe3 c6 36. h4 Kg6 37. Qe8+ Kh7 38. h5 Qxd4 39. Qg6+ Kg8 40. Qe8+ Kh7 41. Qg6+ Kg8 42. Qe8+ Kh7 1/2-1/2

[Event "Norway Chess 5th"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2017.06.08"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B90"]
[WhiteElo "2832"]
[BlackElo "2785"]
[Annotator "Ramirez Alvarez,Alejandro"]
[PlyCount "80"]
[EventDate "2017.06.06"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 179"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.07.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.07.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. h3 g6 {The reason that this move is not very popular is that many consider 6.h3 to be more useful generally than 6...a6 in the normal Dragon. That, however, is truly up for debate.} 7. g3 Nc6 8. Be3 {An example of h3 being useful, normally this runs into ...g4.} Bg7 9. Bg2 O-O 10. O-O Nd7 $146 ({RR} 10... Bd7 11. Nd5 Nxd5 12. exd5 Ne5 13. b3 Bc8 14. Re1 Nd7 15. c4 Nf6 16. Qd2 Bd7 17. a4 a5 18. Re2 Qc8 19. Kh2 Re8 20. Rae1 e5 21. dxe6 fxe6 22. Bg5 e5 23. Nb5 Bxb5 24. axb5 Qc7 25. Bxf6 {Popov,K (2376)-Sahib,S (2438) chess.com INT 2024 1-0 (44)}) ({RR} 10... Bd7 11. Nd5 Nxd5 12. exd5 Ne5 13. b3 Bc8 14. Re1 Nd7 15. c4 Nf6 16. Qd2 Bd7 17. a4 a5 18. Re2 Qc8 19. Kh2 Re8 20. Rae1 e5 21. dxe6 fxe6 22. Bg5 e5 23. Nb5 Bxb5 24. axb5 Qc7 25. Bxf6 {Popov,K (2376)-Sahib,S (2438) chess.com INT 2024 1-0 (44)}) 11. b3 Nxd4 12. Bxd4 Bxd4 13. Qxd4 {Black plays unambitiously, hoping to defend a solid though slightly worse position.} b6 14. Nd5 Bb7 15. c4 e5 {The weakness on d6 is not easy to target, while Black hopes to use the break b5 and the control over the dark squares to create counterplay.} (15... b5 {immediately was also possible.}) 16. Qe3 (16. Qd2 {keeping pressure on d6 rather than on b6, seemed more logical. Black is going to play b5 anyway.}) 16... b5 17. Rac1 bxc4 18. Rxc4 Bxd5 19. exd5 {The eternal fight between the bishop and the knight. In this instance the knight doesn't have many good anchor squares (it will get kicked out of c5 if it goes there), on the other hand the bishop on g2 creates no great impression.} a5 20. Rfc1 Nc5 21. a3 f5 $6 {Black gains space, but truly he simply weakens his position.} (21... a4 {it's strange Nakamura did not go for this option} 22. bxa4 $1 (22. b4 {strategically Black usually does not want to allow this, but after} Nb3 {the knight heads for the d4-square}) 22... Qd7 {and the knight is superb on c5.}) 22. b4 axb4 23. axb4 Nd7 24. Rc6 f4 25. gxf4 $1 {Black has to decide how to lose a pawn.} exf4 (25... Rxf4 26. Rxd6 Qe7 27. Re6 $1 Qxb4 28. d6 $1 {and with the bishop activated Black's position is difficult, but not without resources:} (28. Rc7 {might be more precise}) 28... Ra3 29. Qe2 Qd4 {with counterplay.}) 26. Qe6+ Rf7 27. Qxd6 Qg5 {Again Black finds resources. Thanks to the exchange of the g-pawn, White's king is exposed and Nakamura clings on to this as his hope to battle White's passed pawns.} 28. Kh1 (28. Rc8+ Rxc8 (28... Kg7 29. h4 $1 {doesn't work for Black}) 29. Rxc8+ Kg7 30. Kh1 f3 31. Bf1 {was a better version of the game.}) 28... f3 29. Bf1 Nf6 {The game is certainly sharp. White is up material but his king is weak, and so are his pawns. Black's king isn't particularly safe either, and any move can prove to be a fatal mistake.} 30. Qe6 $6 {Now Nakamura finds strong counterplay.} (30. Qg3 Qxg3 31. fxg3 Ra2 32. b5 Rb2 {is better for White, despite the passed position of the f2-pawn.}) 30... Kg7 {Unpinning the rook is an obvious start.} 31. Rc7 Rxc7 $1 32. Rxc7+ Kh6 $1 {Black's king now hides on h6, where it is much safer than on g8. With the weakness of White's king it is Carlsen who has to be careful.} 33. Qe1 Ra2 34. Re7 Ng4 {Forcing the result.} (34... Qxd5 {and Black isn't in much danger, but he is not better either.}) 35. hxg4 Qh4+ 36. Kg1 Qxg4+ 37. Kh1 Qh4+ 38. Kg1 Qg4+ 39. Kh1 Qh4+ 40. Kg1 Qg4+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "Norway Chess 5th"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2017.06.11"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Giri, Anish"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C54"]
[WhiteElo "2832"]
[BlackElo "2771"]
[PlyCount "81"]
[EventDate "2017.06.06"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 179"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.07.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.07.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 {Prathamesh,Sunil Mokal} e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. O-O Nf6 5. d3 O-O 6. h3 d6 7. c3 a6 8. a4 Ba7 9. Re1 h6 ({RR} 9... Ne7 10. d4 Ng6 11. Nbd2 c6 ({RR} 11... h6 12. Bb3 Re8 13. Bc2 b5 14. b4 Bb7 15. Bb2 Qd7 16. c4 exd4 17. cxb5 d3 18. Bxd3 Nf4 19. Bf1 Nxe4 20. Nxe4 Bxe4 21. bxa6) 12. Bd3 ({RR} 12. Bf1 Re8 13. dxe5 dxe5 14. Qc2 b5 15. b4 Be6 16. Nb3 Qe7 17. Bd2 h6 18. c4) 12... Re8 ({RR} 12... Nh5) 13. Bc2 h6 14. Nf1 exd4 15. cxd4 c5 16. d5) ({RR} 9... b5 10. Bb3 ({RR} 10. Ba2 b4 11. Bg5 Rb8 12. Nbd2 h6 13. Bh4 Be6 14. Bc4 g5 15. Bg3 Na5 16. Bxe6 fxe6 17. d4) ({RR} 10. axb5 axb5 11. Bxb5 Bxf2+) 10... h6 ({RR} 10... b4 11. a5 Rb8 12. Nbd2 Be6 13. Bc2 h6 14. Nf1 d5 15. exd5 Nxd5) 11. axb5 axb5 12. Be3 Bd7 13. Bxa7 Rxa7 14. Nbd2 Rxa1 15. Qxa1 Nh5 16. Nf1 Qf6) 10. Nbd2 Be6 ({RR} 10... Re8 11. b4 Be6 12. Bxe6 Rxe6 13. Bb2 b5 14. d4 Re8 15. axb5 axb5 16. Qe2 exd4 17. Qxb5 dxc3 18. Bxc3 Ne5 19. Qb7 Bb6 20. Bxe5 dxe5 21. Rxa8 Qxa8 22. Qxa8 Rxa8 23. Nxe5 Bd4 24. Nc6 Bc3 25. Rd1 {Giri,A (2779)-So,W (2754) Zagreb 2019 ½-½ (33)}) 11. b4 ({RR} 11. Bxe6 fxe6 12. b4 ({RR} 12. Nf1 Nh5 13. Be3 a5 14. Bxa7 Rxa7 15. d4 Qf6 16. Re3 Nf4 17. h4 Qg6) 12... Qe8 ({RR} 12... Nh5 13. Ra2 Qf6 14. Nc4 b5 15. Ne3 Bb6 16. Ng4 Qe7 17. Be3 Bxe3 18. fxe3 Rab8 19. axb5 axb5 20. Ra6 Nd8 21. d4) 13. Nf1 Nh5 14. Be3 Bxe3 15. Rxe3 Nf4 16. Rb1 b5 ({RR} 16... Qg6 17. Ng3 Rf7 18. b5 ({RR} 18. d4 Raf8) 18... Na5) 17. Ra1 Qg6 ({RR} 17... d5 18. axb5 ({RR} 18. Qb3 d4) ({RR} 18. d4 exd4 19. Nxd4 Nxd4 20. cxd4 Qg6 21. Ng3 h5) ({RR} 18. Re1 d4 19. cxd4 exd4 20. axb5 axb5 21. Rxa8 ({RR} 21. Qb3 Nxh3+) 21... Qxa8 22. Qb3) 18... axb5 19. Rxa8 Qxa8 20. d4 dxe4 21. Nxe5 Nd5) 18. Ng3 Qf6 19. Ne2 Ng6 20. Qb3 Kh8 21. Rf1 Rab8 22. g3 Qf7 ({RR} 22... Nf4 23. gxf4 ({RR} 23. axb5 axb5 ({RR} 23... Nxe2+ 24. Rxe2 Qxf3 25. Re3 Qh5 26. g4) 24. Nxf4 exf4 25. Ree1) ({RR} 23. Nxf4 exf4 24. Ree1 bxa4 25. Qxa4 ({RR} 25. Qa3 Ne5 26. Nxe5 Qxe5 27. g4 Qb5) 25... fxg3 26. fxg3 Qxc3) 23... Qg6+ ({RR} 23... exf4 24. Nxf4 Qxf4 25. axb5 axb5 26. Qxe6) 24. Kh1 exf4) 23. Nh2 d5 24. Rf3 Qd7 25. axb5 axb5 {Karjakin,S (2773)-So,W (2810) Saint Louis 2017 CBM 180 [Prathamesh,Sunil Mokal] 1-0 (63)}) ({RR} 11. Bxe6 fxe6 12. Nc4 Qe8 13. Be3 Bxe3 14. Rxe3 b5 15. axb5 axb5 16. Ncd2 Rxa1 {½-½ (16) Cirkovic,V (2013)-Todorovic,B (2111) Novi Pazar SRB 2025}) 11... Nh5 $146 ({RR} 11... Ne7 12. Bxe6 fxe6 13. Nf1 Nh5 14. Be3 Bxe3 15. Rxe3 Qe8 16. d4 exd4 17. Nxd4 Nf4 18. Ng3 Neg6 19. Nh5 Ne5 20. Nxf4 Rxf4 21. Qe2 Qg6 22. g3 Rf7 23. Kh2 c5 24. Nf3 Nxf3+ 25. Rxf3 Qh5 26. Kg2 {Albuquerque,W (2204)-Rodi,L (2343) Sao Paulo 2019 0-1}) ({RR} 11... d5 12. exd5 Nxd5 13. Ne4 f5 14. Nc5 Bxc5 15. bxc5 Qf6 16. Bd2 Rae8 17. Rb1 Bf7 18. Rxb7 e4 19. dxe4 fxe4 20. Nh2 Nxc3 21. Bxc3 Qxc3 22. Bxa6 e3 23. fxe3 Rxe3 24. Rxe3 Qxe3+ 25. Kh1 Ne5 26. Rxc7 {Nurkiewicz,M (2380)-Pedersen,N (2417) Krakow 2008 1-0 (40)}) 12. Nf1 Qf6 13. Ne3 Bxc4 14. Nxc4 Nf4 15. Be3 Bxe3 16. fxe3 Ng6 17. b5 axb5 18. axb5 Nce7 19. Qb3 d5 20. Rxa8 Rxa8 21. Ncd2 c6 22. d4 Qd6 23. Qb2 dxe4 24. Nxe4 Qd5 25. Ned2 cxb5 26. e4 Qc6 27. Kh1 Rc8 28. d5 Qxc3 29. Qxb5 Qc7 30. Rb1 f5 31. Qb4 fxe4 32. d6 Nd5 33. dxc7 Nxb4 34. Rxb4 exf3 35. Rxb7 f2 36. g3 Kh7 37. Kg2 Ne7 38. Kxf2 Nd5 39. Nc4 Rxc7 40. Rxc7 Nxc7 41. Nxe5 1/2-1/2

[Event "Norway Chess 5th"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2017.06.14"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Kramnik, Vladimir"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C54"]
[WhiteElo "2808"]
[BlackElo "2832"]
[PlyCount "79"]
[EventDate "2017.06.06"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 179"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.07.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.07.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. c3 Nf6 5. d3 d6 6. O-O a6 7. Re1 Ba7 8. a4 O-O 9. h3 Ne7 10. d4 Ng6 11. Nbd2 c6 12. Bd3 ({RR} 12. Bb3 exd4 13. cxd4 d5 14. e5 Nh5 15. Nf1 Nhf4 16. Bxf4 Nxf4 17. Qd2 Ne6 18. Bc2 f6 19. N1h2 f5 20. Nf1 Bd7 21. Ng3 g6 22. Ne2 f4 23. Ra3 Kg7 24. b4 Qe7 25. Rb3 Bb6 26. Reb1 Bc7 {Zhou,Y (2425)-Vocaturo,D (2600) Eforie Nord ROU 2025 ½-½ (75)}) 12... Re8 13. Bc2 h6 14. Nf1 exd4 $146 ({RR} 14... d5 15. exd5 Qxd5 16. Bxg6 fxg6 17. Rxe5 Rxe5 18. Nxe5 Bf5 19. Ne3 Qe6 20. Nxf5 Qxf5 21. Qb3+ Kh7 22. Qxb7 Ne4 23. Be3 Qf8 24. Qxc6 Nf6 25. Re1 Rb8 26. b4 Rb6 27. Qc7 Qa8 28. Qf7 Rb7 29. Qxg6+ {Vivas Zamora,F (2346)-Cardenas Carbajal,N (2126) chess.com INT 2023 1-0}) ({RR} 14... Nh5 15. Be3 Nhf4 16. Ng3 Qf6 17. a5 Nh4 18. Nxh4 Qxh4 19. dxe5 Bxe3 20. Rxe3 dxe5 21. Nf5 Bxf5 22. exf5 Rad8 23. Qe1 Qg5 24. g3 Nh5 25. h4 Qe7 26. Qe2 Nf6 27. Re1 Rd5 28. b4 Qd7 29. Qf3 {Hou,Y (2658)-Khademalsharieh,S (2494) Chess.com INT 2020 1-0 (55)}) 15. cxd4 c5 16. d5 b5 17. axb5 axb5 18. Ng3 Bd7 19. Be3 Bb6 20. Rxa8 Qxa8 21. b4 Qa7 22. Qa1 Qc7 23. Bxh6 cxb4 24. Bxg7 Qxc2 25. Qxf6 Qxf2+ 26. Kh2 Bd8 27. Qxd6 Nh4 28. Nxh4 Bxh4 29. Nh5 Bxh3 30. Rg1 Bg5 31. Bf6 Bg4 32. Bxg5 Bxh5 33. Qh6 Rxe4 34. Qxh5 Qf5 35. Qh6 b3 36. Bf6 Qf4+ 37. Qxf4 Rxf4 38. d6 Rxf6 39. Rd1 Rh6+ 40. Kg1 1-0

[Event "Norway Chess 5th"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2017.06.16"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C54"]
[WhiteElo "2786"]
[BlackElo "2832"]
[Annotator "Yermolinsky,Alex "]
[PlyCount "67"]
[EventDate "2017.06.06"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 179"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.07.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.07.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. c3 Nf6 5. d3 d6 6. O-O a6 7. a4 Ba7 8. Re1 O-O 9. h3 h6 10. Nbd2 Be6 11. Bxe6 fxe6 12. b4 Nh5 13. Ra2 ({RR} 13. Nf1 Qf6 14. Ra2 Nf4 15. Bxf4 Qxf4 16. Ne3 Ne7 17. Nh2 Qf7 18. g3 Rad8 19. Kg2 d5 20. Neg4 Ng6 21. Nf3 c5 22. bxc5 Qc7 23. d4 dxe4 24. Nfxe5 Nxe5 25. Nxe5 Bxc5 26. Rxe4 Bd6 27. Qg4 Bxe5 {Vachier Lagrave,M (2780)-Kramnik,V (2753) Moscow 2019 ½-½ (44)}) ({RR} 13. Nf1 Qf6 14. Ra2 Nf4 15. Bxf4 Qxf4 16. Qb3 Qf7 17. a5 Ne7 18. N1h2 Ng6 19. g3 c6 20. Kg2 Rad8 21. h4 Qf6 22. Qd1 Rfe8 23. Ng4 Qf7 24. h5 Nf8 25. Nh4 Nd7 26. Ng6 Nf6 27. Rd2 Bb8 {Trubini,T (1922)-Artan,T (2054) Biel SUI 2025 0-1 (49)}) 13... Qf6 ({RR} 13... Nf4 14. Nc4 b5 15. Bxf4 bxc4 16. Be3 Bxe3 17. Rxe3 cxd3 18. Qxd3 Ne7 19. c4 Qb8 20. Qd2 Qb7 21. Ne1 Rad8 22. b5 Ng6 23. Nd3 axb5 24. cxb5 Ra8 25. Nb4 Nf4 26. Nc6 Kh7 27. Kh2 Rf6 28. g3 {Anand,V (2756)-Kramnik,V (2753) Amsterdam 2019 1-0 (44)}) 14. Nc4 {This Italian Giuoco Piano/Anti-Berlin Ruy Lopez is a staple of top level chess these days. Between the two of them Anand and Carlsen must have played it a hundred times, including many battles against one another.} b5 $146 {I don't particularly like this move and I suspect Magnus didn't much fancy it either.} ({The thing is, the normal} 14... Ne7 {allows} 15. d4 $1 {and even if Black can hold his own after} exd4 16. cxd4 Ng6 17. e5 $1 Qf5 {which is not a fact yet, the position after} 18. exd6 Qd5 19. Rc2 cxd6 {offers White a chance to wrap it up with repetition:} 20. Ne3 Qe4 21. Nc4) ({RR} 14... Ne7 15. d4 Ng6 16. dxe5 dxe5 17. Ne3 Rad8 18. Ng4 Qe7 19. Rd2 Rd6 20. c4 a5 21. bxa5 Nhf4 22. Qb3 h5 23. Ngh2 Qf6 24. Qxb7 Nxg2 25. Kxg2 Nh4+ 26. Nxh4 Rxd2 27. Bxd2 Qxf2+ 28. Kh1 Qxd2 29. N4f3 {Schlegel,I (2289)-Costa,L (2373) Rosenheim GER 2023 1-0 (41)}) ({RR} 14... Nf4 15. b5 Nd8 16. Bxf4 Qxf4 17. b6 Bxb6 18. Nxb6 cxb6 19. Qb3 Rc8 20. Qxb6 Rc6 21. Qb3 Qf7 22. Rb2 Qc7 23. Rc1 Rc5 24. Nd2 b5 25. axb5 Rxb5 26. Qa2 Qb6 27. Nc4 Rxb2 28. Qxb2 Qxb2 29. Nxb2 {Vovk,A (2618)-Amin,B (2699) Douglas 2019 ½-½ (34)}) 15. Ne3 ({White has to be slightly careful not to walk into} 15. axb5 axb5 16. Ne3 $2 Bxe3 17. Rxa8 Bxf2+) 15... Bb6 16. Ng4 Qe7 17. Be3 Bxe3 18. fxe3 {In the resulting symmetrical structure White holds two advantages: pressure against b5 and better posts for his knights. Granted, it's not much yet, but White's prospects look much brighter.} Rab8 {Concession no.1} 19. axb5 axb5 20. Ra6 Nd8 {Concession no.2 of the same} 21. d4 exd4 22. cxd4 Nf7 23. Qc2 $2 {Not a bad move in itself, but I mark it down for a missed opportunity.} (23. e5 $1 Ng3 24. Qc2 Nf5 (24... Ng5 {offers no compensation whatsoever:} 25. Nxg5 Qxg5 26. exd6 cxd6 27. Rxd6 h5 28. Ne5 $16) 25. e4 Ng3 (25... Nh4 26. Nf6+ gxf6 27. Nxh4 Kg7 28. exd6 cxd6 29. d5 {is disastrous for Black.}) 26. Rc6 {would put Magnus on the ropes yet again. We are used to his indifference to playing for an opening advantage with White because we know of his ability to win from equal positions. Getting in trouble with Black, as consistently happened to Carlsen in this tournament, is another kettle of fish.}) 23... Nf6 $1 {At the last moment the hapless knight escapes.} 24. Nxf6+ Qxf6 25. Rc6 Ng5 $1 {Now Carlsen has a clear path to counterplay.} 26. Nxg5 Qxg5 27. Rxc7 Qg3 $1 28. Qe2 ({Still,} 28. Re2 Ra8 29. Qc1 Ra4 30. Qe1 {was worth trying.}) 28... Ra8 29. Rcc1 Ra3 30. Ra1 Rb3 31. Rab1 Ra3 32. Ra1 Rb3 33. Rab1 Ra3 34. Ra1 1/2-1/2

[Event "Sinquefield Cup 5th"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2017.08.02"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C88"]
[WhiteElo "2807"]
[BlackElo "2822"]
[PlyCount "85"]
[EventDate "2017.08.02"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 180"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.09.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.09.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. d3 b5 7. Bb3 d6 8. a4 b4 9. a5 O-O 10. Nbd2 Rb8 11. Re1 Be6 12. Bxe6 fxe6 13. Nb3 Qc8 14. Qe2 Nd8 15. d4 exd4 16. Nbxd4 c5 17. Nb3 e5 $146 ({RR} 17... Nd7 18. Bg5 Bxg5 19. Nxg5 Ne5 20. Red1 h6 21. Nh3 c4 22. Nd4 Qc5 23. b3 Rc8 24. Kh1 Nec6 25. Nxc6 Rxc6 26. Qxc4 Qxc4 27. bxc4 Nb7 28. Ra4 Rxc4 29. c3 Rxe4 30. Rxb4 Rxb4 31. cxb4 Rf5 32. Rc1 {Salomon,J (2115)-Urkedal,F (2470) Fagernes 2013 ½-½ (60)}) 18. Nbd2 Ne6 19. Nc4 Nd4 20. Nxd4 cxd4 21. Nb6 Qc6 22. Bg5 Bd8 23. Bxf6 Bxb6 24. axb6 Rxf6 25. Rxa6 h6 26. Qd3 Rxb6 27. Rea1 Rxa6 28. Rxa6 Qc5 29. Ra8+ Kh7 30. h3 b3 31. Qxb3 d3 32. cxd3 Qxf2+ 33. Kh2 Qf4+ 34. Kh1 Qc1+ 35. Kh2 Qf4+ 36. Kh1 Qg3 37. Qg8+ Kg6 38. Rf8 Qxd3 39. Rxf6+ Kxf6 40. Qf8+ Ke6 41. Qe8+ Kf6 42. Qf8+ Ke6 43. Qe8+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "Sinquefield Cup 5th"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2017.08.04"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C78"]
[WhiteElo "2783"]
[BlackElo "2822"]
[PlyCount "131"]
[EventDate "2017.08.02"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 180"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.09.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.09.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O b5 6. Bb3 Bc5 7. Nc3 O-O 8. d3 d6 9. Nd5 h6 10. c3 ({RR} 10. a4 Rb8 11. axb5 axb5 12. Be3 Nxd5 13. exd5 Bxe3 14. fxe3 Ne7 15. e4 Ng6 16. Qd2 f5 17. Ra7 fxe4 18. dxe4 Bg4 19. Qe3 Bxf3 20. Rxf3 Rxf3 21. Qxf3 Qg5 22. Ra1 Rf8 23. Qg3 Qd2 24. Qe1 Qd4+ {Dominguez Perez,L (2732)-Ding,L (2766) Huaian 2016 0-1 (38)}) ({RR} 10. a4 b4 11. a5 Bg4 12. c3 bxc3 13. bxc3 Rb8 14. Bc4 Nxd5 15. exd5 Ne7 16. h3 Bc8 17. d4 exd4 18. Nxd4 Bb7 19. Qg4 Ng6 20. Nc6 Bxc6 21. dxc6 Ne5 22. Qe2 Nxc4 23. Qxc4 Rb5 24. Qg4 Qf6) 10... Rb8 ({RR} 10... Re8 11. a4 ({RR} 11. Nxf6+ Qxf6 12. Bd5 Bb7 13. a4 Bb6 14. axb5 axb5 15. Rxa8 Bxa8 16. Qb3 Na7 17. Be3 Bxd5 18. Qxd5 c6 19. Qa2 Qd8 20. Qa6 Nc8 21. Qb7 Qc7 22. Qxc7 Bxc7 23. Ra1 Bb6 24. Bxb6 Nxb6 25. Ra6 Rb8) ({RR} 11. d4 Ba7 12. Re1 Rb8 13. a4 b4 14. a5 exd4 15. cxd4 Nxd5 16. Bxd5 Ne7 17. Bc4 Bg4 18. Bxa6 Nc6 19. Be3 Qf6 20. Rc1 Nxa5 21. Be2 Bb6 22. h3 Bxf3 23. Bxf3 Rbd8 24. Qa4 c6 25. Qxb4 Rb8) 11... Bb7 12. Be3 Na5 13. Nxf6+ Qxf6 14. Ba2 Bb6 15. b4 Nc6 16. Bd5 Rab8 17. a5 Bxe3 18. fxe3 Nd8 19. Bb3 Bc8 20. Qe1 Be6 21. Bd5 c6 22. Bxe6 fxe6 23. d4 Qg6 24. dxe5 dxe5 25. Nxe5 {Das,S (2435)-Orfila,K (2194) Annemasse FRA 2025 1-0}) 11. Re1 $146 ({RR} 11. a4 Nxd5 12. exd5 Ne7 13. axb5 axb5 14. d4 exd4 15. Nxd4 Bd7 16. Be3 Nf5 17. Nxf5 Bxf5 18. Re1 Re8 19. Qd2 Qf6 20. h3 Qg6 21. Kh2 h5 22. Bxc5 dxc5 23. Qf4 c4 24. Rxe8+ Rxe8 25. Bd1 Be4 {Zarubitski,V (2442)-Aleksandrov,A (2593) Minsk 2020 1-0 (69)}) ({RR} 11. d4 Ba7 12. Be3 Ng4 13. dxe5 Nxe3 14. Nxe3 dxe5 15. Qxd8 Rxd8 16. Nd5 Rb7 17. Nb4 Nxb4 18. Nxe5 c5 19. cxb4 c4 20. Nc6 Rd2 21. Rad1 Rxb2 22. Rd8+ Kh7 23. Rxc8 cxb3 24. axb3 Bb6 25. Rb8 Rxb8 {Sargsyan,S (2472)-Harutyunian,T (2504) Yerevan 2018 ½-½ (35)}) 11... Ba7 12. Be3 Bxe3 13. Nxe3 Re8 14. a4 b4 15. a5 bxc3 16. bxc3 Be6 17. Bxe6 Rxe6 18. Nd5 Ne7 19. Nxf6+ Rxf6 20. d4 Ng6 21. g3 Qc8 22. Re3 Rb5 23. Nd2 h5 24. h4 Qh3 25. Qf1 Qg4 26. Qe2 Qxe2 27. Rxe2 Re6 28. Nf1 Nf8 29. Rc2 exd4 30. cxd4 c5 31. dxc5 dxc5 32. Nd2 Rd6 33. Nc4 Rd4 34. Kg2 Ne6 35. Ra3 g6 36. Nd2 Kg7 37. Rac3 Rdb4 38. Ra2 Rd4 39. Rac2 Ra4 40. Nb3 Rxb3 41. Rxb3 Nd4 42. Rcb2 Nxb3 43. Rxb3 Rxe4 44. Rb6 Re6 45. Rb7 c4 46. Rc7 Re5 47. Rxc4 Rxa5 48. Rc6 Ra2 49. Kf3 a5 50. Ra6 a4 51. Ke3 a3 52. Kf3 f6 53. Ra7+ Kf8 54. Kg2 Ra1 55. Kf3 Ke8 56. Ra6 Ke7 57. Kg2 Kf7 58. Kf3 Ra2 59. Kg2 g5 60. g4 gxh4 61. gxh5 Ra1 62. Ra7+ Kg8 63. h6 Kh8 64. Kh2 f5 65. f4 a2 66. Kg2 1/2-1/2

[Event "Sinquefield Cup 5th"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2017.08.06"]
[Round "5"]
[White "So, Wesley"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C45"]
[WhiteElo "2810"]
[BlackElo "2822"]
[Annotator "Mekhitarian,Krikor Sevag"]
[PlyCount "58"]
[EventDate "2017.08.02"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 180"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.09.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.09.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 exd4 4. Nxd4 {It is kind of funny that Carlsen has played only 4 classical games in the Scotch Game since he became a grandmaster. Probably another reason for Wesley So to try it against the reigning World Champion.} Bb4+ $5 {An off-beat variation, forcing White to play c3, and removing that ideal square for the b1-knight. Magnus himself said he wasn't expecting the Scotch and just thought about playing some variation to try and develop his pieces.} (4... Nf6 {is the most popular response, with well-known variations after the most ambitious 5.xc6 followed by 6.e5, or the simpler 5.c3.}) (4... Bc5 {when White has options between the old moves xc6 and e3, or the more fashionable b3 followed by c3, e2, e3 or g5 and possibly castling queenside.}) 5. c3 Be7 $6 {should be inferior for Black. We arrive in a Philidor-type position, where White has sound pieces and a space advantage.} (5... Bc5 $5 {is also possible, now in the xc6 and b3 variations, the b1-knight would like to go to c3.} 6. Be3 Bb6 {and here White would be happy to play c3-d5 as well, justifying the ...b4+ and ...c5 manoeuvre.} (6... Qf6 $2 {now this wouldn't make any sense, since the pawn is already on c3 (this is played in the line after 4...c5 where White still has the pawn on c2)}) 7. Nf5 $1 g6 8. Bxb6 axb6 9. Ne3 Nf6 10. f3 Qe7 (10... O-O 11. c4 {and White tries to keep a positional advantage. Black has an interesting piece sacrifice with ...d5 now:} d5 12. cxd5 Nxe4 13. fxe4 Qh4+ 14. Kd2 Qxe4 15. Bd3 Qd4 16. Qb3 Re8 17. Re1 Ne5 18. Na3 Nxd3 $2 (18... Bd7 $5 $40) 19. Qxd3 $6 (19. Nac2 $1 $18) 19... Qxb2+ 20. Nac2 Bd7 (20... Qe5 $1 $132) 21. Qc3 $16 {1-0 (30) Danin,A (2581)-Zeller,F (2402) Wunsiedel 2016}) 11. Be2 $5 (11. c4 Qb4+ 12. Qd2 Qxd2+ 13. Kxd2 {with a pleasant endgame} d6 14. Nc3 Kd8 15. Be2 Re8 16. Rac1 $14 {1-0 (40) Yu,Y (2662)-Salem,A (2570) Kocaeli 2013}) 11... Qc5 12. Qd2 h5 $6 13. Na3 Qe7 $2 14. Nd5 Nxd5 15. exd5 Ne5 16. d6 $1 Qxd6 17. Qxd6 cxd6 18. Nb5 Ke7 19. a4 $18 {1-0 (47) Duda,J (2693)-Degraeve,J (2592) Chartres 2017}) 6. Nxc6 bxc6 7. Bd3 (7. Bc4 $5 Nf6 8. e5 $36) 7... d6 8. O-O Nf6 9. Re1 ({RR} 9. h3 O-O 10. Be3 Nd7 11. f4 a5 12. Nd2 a4 13. Qc2 Ba6 14. b4 axb3 15. axb3 Bxd3 16. Qxd3 d5 17. e5 Re8 18. b4 Bf8 19. Nf3 Qe7 20. Bf2 Rxa1 21. Rxa1 f6 22. Ra6 Qf7 23. Bd4 c5 {Tari,A (2570)-Kovalenko,I (2651) Fornebu 2016 ½-½ (59)}) ({RR} 9. Nd2 O-O 10. h3 Nd7 11. Re1 Bf6 12. Nf3 Re8 13. Bf4 a5 14. e5 dxe5 15. Nxe5 Nxe5 16. Bxe5 Ba6 17. Bxf6 Rxe1+ 18. Qxe1 Qxd3 19. Bd4 c5 20. Bxc5 Qb5 21. Bd4 Re8 22. Qd2 Re2 23. Qf4 Qxb2 {Melian,J (2333)-Gomez,C (2412) Buenos Aires ARG 2025 1-0}) 9... O-O 10. Nd2 {I like White's position here, the knight will be well placed on f3, Black has to be watching for moves like e5.} Re8 11. Nf3 $146 ({RR} 11. h3 Nd7 12. Nf3 Bf6 13. Bf4 Ne5 14. Nxe5 Bxe5 15. Be3 Qh4 16. Qd2 Qe7 17. f4 Bf6 18. Re2 c5 19. Rf1 Bb7 20. e5 Bh4 21. Qc2 g6 22. Bb5 Red8 23. exd6 Qxd6 24. f5 g5 25. Bc4 Rab8 {Gusain,H (2444)-Mohammad Fahad,R (2234) Dhaka 2018 1-0}) 11... Nd7 {A natural reaction - the knight stands well on c5 in these kind of structures, but this will be the start of his problems as well.} 12. Bf4 Nc5 13. Bc2 Bg4 $6 (13... Ne6 $5 14. Be3 c5 {followed by ...b8 and ...a5} 15. b4 $5 {trying to avoid that plan} cxb4 16. cxb4 $14) 14. h3 Bh5 15. Be3 $1 {Threatening to destroy Black's structure; this is the key move to look for an advantage. Carlsen said in the post-mortem that his position started to deteriorate now, after this and 16.a4!, that he missed.} Nd7 (15... Qb8 16. Bxc5 dxc5 17. Rb1 $16 {has to be ugly for Black.}) 16. Ba4 $1 c5 (16... Ne5 $2 17. g4 $1 Nxf3+ 18. Qxf3 Bg6 19. Bxc6 $18 {is simply lost for Black.}) 17. g4 $5 (17. e5 $1 {was a very interesting pawn sacrifice:} Bxf3 (17... Nxe5 18. g4 $1 Bg6 19. Nxe5 dxe5 20. Bxe8 $18) (17... Rb8 18. b3 Bxf3 19. Qxf3 Nxe5 20. Qe4 Rf8 21. Rad1 $44) 18. Qxf3 Nxe5 19. Qe4 {hitting the e8-rook} Rf8 20. Rad1 {threatening to take on c5} Qc8 21. Bxc5 (21. b4 $5 cxb4 22. cxb4 $44 {trying to maintain the pressure, without exchanging anything.}) 21... dxc5 22. Qxe5 Bd6 23. Qe4 $16 {with good prospects.}) 17... Bg6 18. e5 (18. Bc6 $1 Rb8 19. b4 {was a very strong hidden idea} h5 $1 {with a double-edged position, that should be safe enough for White} (19... cxb4 $2 20. Qa4 $1 {winning the e8 exchange by force, because now b6 is under control} (20. Bxa7 $6 Ra8 $1 21. Bxa8 $2 Qxa8 22. Be3 Bxe4 $19 {is horrible for White}) 20... Nb6 21. Bxb6 axb6 22. Bxe8 Qxe8 23. Qxe8+ Rxe8 24. cxb4 $18 {should be simply winning}) 20. bxc5 hxg4 21. hxg4 $16) 18... Rb8 19. Bf4 $2 {Now many simplifications take place, Carlsen equalises and gets the initiative suddenly.} (19. b3 $1 $16 {was simple and strong, Black still has to solve many problems.}) 19... Rxb2 $1 20. exd6 $2 (20. Bxd7 $1 {was the best chance to equalise} Qxd7 21. exd6 cxd6 22. Ne5 Qc7 (22... Qc8 23. Nxg6 hxg6 24. Bxd6 $11) 23. Nc4 $11) 20... Bxd6 $1 21. Rxe8+ Qxe8 22. Bxd6 cxd6 23. Qxd6 (23. Nd2 {the computer suggests this very sad idea to survive, a hard decision to make after giving away a pawn. On the other hand, there is a c4 threat} d5 24. Nb3 Qe7 25. Bxd7 Qxd7 26. Nxc5 Qd6 27. Qd4 h5 $36) 23... Qe2 $1 {Maybe So missed this move.} 24. Qg3 Nf8 $1 $17 {White has many problems now, with the weak king, weak pawns and having to control Black's initiative.} 25. Re1 Rb1 $1 26. Rxb1 Bxb1 {At least the a2-pawn will be lost, White is in deep trouble.} 27. Bc6 (27. a3 Be4 $1 {with mating ideas as well} 28. Nh2 Qe1+ 29. Nf1 Qb1 $1 {threatening the unstoppable ...d3} 30. f4 Bd3 31. Qf3 c4 $19 {Black will take on c3 at the proper time and win the game.}) 27... Bxa2 $19 28. Qd6 Qc4 $1 29. Ne5 Qxc3 {With no counterplay left, and two pawns down, White had to resign.} 0-1

[Event "Sinquefield Cup 5th"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2017.08.09"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Svidler, Peter"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C45"]
[WhiteElo "2749"]
[BlackElo "2822"]
[PlyCount "93"]
[EventDate "2017.08.02"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 180"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.09.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.09.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 exd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nxc6 bxc6 6. e5 Qe7 7. Qe2 Nd5 8. c4 Ba6 9. b3 g6 10. f4 d6 11. Qf2 Nf6 12. Ba3 Qe6 13. Be2 dxe5 14. Bxf8 Kxf8 15. O-O exf4 16. Qxf4 Kg7 17. Nc3 Rae8 18. Bf3 Qe3+ 19. Qxe3 Rxe3 20. Na4 Bc8 21. Bxc6 Rd8 22. Rae1 Rxe1 23. Rxe1 Rd2 24. Nc3 Rc2 25. Nb5 Rxa2 26. Nxc7 Rb2 27. Ne8+ Nxe8 28. Rxe8 Be6 29. Bd5 $146 ({RR} 29. Ba4 Ra2 30. Bc6 Kf6 31. Bd5 a5 32. Bxe6 fxe6 33. Rb8 Ke5 34. Rb6 Rb2 35. Rb5+ Kd4 36. Rxa5 Rxb3 37. Ra7 e5 38. Rxh7 Rb2 39. Rg7 e4 {½-½ (39) Bakalchuk,J (2456)-Khmelniker,I (2483) Israel 2019}) 29... Bxd5 30. cxd5 Rxb3 31. d6 Rd3 32. Ra8 Rxd6 33. Rxa7 Rd2 34. Ra6 g5 35. h3 h5 36. Ra5 Kg6 37. Rb5 Ra2 38. Kf1 Ra6 39. Kf2 f5 40. Rb8 Ra2+ 41. Kf3 Ra3+ 42. Kf2 g4 43. hxg4 hxg4 44. g3 Ra2+ 45. Kf1 Ra1+ 46. Kf2 Ra2+ 47. Kf1 1/2-1/2

[Event "Sinquefield Cup 5th"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2017.08.11"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C88"]
[WhiteElo "2822"]
[BlackElo "2809"]
[Annotator "Szabo,Krisztian"]
[PlyCount "103"]
[EventDate "2017.08.02"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 180"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.09.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.09.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 {Postny,Evgeny} e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. a4 b4 ({RR} 8... Bb7) 9. a5 ({RR} 9. d4 d6 10. dxe5 dxe5 11. Nbd2 Bc5 12. a5 Be6 13. Bxe6 fxe6 14. Qe2 Ng4 15. Rf1 Bxf2+ ({RR} 15... Nd4 16. Qc4 Qd6) 16. Rxf2 Nd4 17. Qc4 ({RR} 17. Qd3 Nxf2 18. Kxf2) 17... Nxf2 18. Kxf2 Qh4+ 19. Kg1 Qg4 20. h3 Qg3 21. Qd3 Rxf3 22. Nxf3 Rf8 23. Nxd4 Qe1+) 9... d6 10. d3 Be6 11. Bxe6 {A relatively new idea. White exchanges the bishops, opens the f-file for Black, but he hopes that the double-pawns on the e-file will be a weakness for Black.} (11. Nbd2 {is the another main move.}) 11... fxe6 12. Nbd2 Rb8 13. c3 ({In the first round Carlsen had this line with Black too,} 13. Nb3 Qc8 14. Qe2 ({RR} 14. Qe2 Nd8 15. d4 exd4 16. Nbxd4 c5 17. Nb3 e5 18. Nbd2 Ne6 19. Nc4 Nd4 20. Nxd4 cxd4 21. Nb6 Qc6 22. Bg5 Bd8 23. Bxf6 Bxb6 24. axb6 Rxf6 25. Rxa6 h6 26. Qd3 Rxb6) 14... Nd8 15. d4 exd4 16. Nbxd4 c5 17. Nb3 e5 18. Nbd2 Ne6 19. Nc4 Nd4 20. Nxd4 cxd4 21. Nb6 Qc6 22. Bg5 Bd8 23. Bxf6 Bxb6 24. axb6 Rxf6 25. Rxa6 h6 26. Qd3 Rxb6 $11 {Caruana-Carlsen, Saint Louis 2017, with an equal position.}) ({RR} 13. Nc4 Nd7 14. h3 Rb5 15. Qe2 Bf6 16. Bd2 Qe8 17. Be3 Qg6 18. c3 Rfb8 19. Ncd2 bxc3 20. bxc3 Qe8 21. d4 exd4 22. cxd4 Nxa5 23. Nc4 Nxc4 24. Qxc4 c5 25. Rxa6 Rb4 26. Qc3 Nb6 27. e5 Nd5 {Agmanov,Z (2480)-Gupta,A (2577) Al Ain UAE 2025 ½-½ (55)}) ({RR} 13. Nb3 Qc8 14. h3 Nd8 ({RR} 14... Na7 15. d4 exd4 16. e5 dxe5 17. Nxe5 c5 18. Nc4) 15. Be3 ({RR} 15. d4 exd4 16. Qxd4 ({RR} 16. e5 dxe5 17. Nxe5 c5 18. Nc4 Nd5) 16... c5 17. Qc4 d5 18. exd5 exd5 19. Qe2 Bd6) 15... c5 16. Nbd2 Nc6 17. c3 Rb5 18. d4 ({RR} 18. Nc4 h6) 18... exd4 ({RR} 18... cxd4 19. cxd4 Nxa5 20. Qe2 Qb7 21. Qd3) ({RR} 18... bxc3 19. bxc3 exd4 20. cxd4 c4 21. Nxc4 Nxe4 22. Nb6 Qe8 23. d5 Nc3 24. Qd3 Nxd5 25. Nxd5 Rxd5 26. Qxa6 Bf6) 19. cxd4 Nxa5 20. dxc5 ({RR} 20. e5 dxe5 21. dxc5 Nd5 22. Ne4 Nxe3 23. Rxe3 Nb7 24. Nxe5 Nxc5 25. Rc1 Qd8 26. Qxd8 Rxd8 27. Nc6 Nxe4 28. Nxd8 Bg5 29. Nxe6 Bxe3 30. fxe3 a5) 20... dxc5 21. Ra2 ({RR} 21. Rc1 Rd8 22. Qa4 Qb7) 21... Qb7 ({RR} 21... Nd7 22. Qe2 Nb8) 22. b3 Kh8 ({RR} 22... Nxe4 23. Nxe4 Qxe4 24. Bg5 Qb7 25. Rd2 Qa7 26. Rde2) ({RR} 22... Nd7) 23. Qc2 Nd7 24. Rea1 Bd8 25. Nc4 Nxc4 26. Qxc4 Bf6 27. Rd1 Qc6 {So,W (2799)-Aronian,L (2794) Berlin 2018 CBM 184 [Postny,Evgeny] 1-0 (78)}) 13... Qe8 ({RR} 13... Rb5 14. d4 bxc3 15. bxc3 exd4 16. cxd4 Qc8 17. Ba3 Nxa5 18. Qc2 c5 19. e5 dxe5 20. dxc5 Nc6 21. Ne4 Nxe4 22. Rxe4 Rd8 23. Rae1 Bf6 24. h4 h6 25. R4e3 Rd5 26. g4 Qe8 27. Kg2 h5 28. g5 {Caruana,F (2842)-Ding,L (2805) Ekaterinburg 2021 ½-½ (40)}) 14. Nc4 $146 {A novelty by Carlsen.} ({Recently} 14. d4 {was played by Topalov,} bxc3 15. bxc3 exd4 16. cxd4 Rb5 17. Nc4 Qg6 18. Qe2 Nd7 $13 {Topalov-Adams, Shamkir 2017, with an unclear middlegame.}) 14... Qg6 15. h3 $146 ({RR} 15. Bd2 Rb5 16. cxb4 Nxb4 17. Bxb4 Rxb4 18. Rc1 Nh5 19. g3 Nf4 20. Rc2 c5 21. Kf1 Nh3 22. Ng1 Nxg1 23. Kxg1 h5 24. Re3 Rf7 25. Rc3 Qf6 26. Rc2 Qg6 27. Rf3 h4 28. Rxf7 Kxf7 29. Rc3 Qg5 {Papp,G (2558)-Bagi,M (2446) Ajka HUN 2023 1-0 (65)}) ({RR} 15. Be3 Rb5 16. Qe2 Nd7 17. Ncd2 bxc3 18. bxc3 d5 19. c4 Rb2 20. cxd5 exd5 21. exd5 Nb4 22. Reb1 Rxb1+ 23. Rxb1 Nxd5 24. Ne4 Kh8 25. Nfd2 N7f6 26. Rc1 Nh5 27. g3 Nhf4 28. Bxf4 exf4 29. Rc4 Bb4 {Geher,K (2271)-Nemeth,M (2449) Balatonlelle HUN 2024 ½-½ (42)}) 15... Nd7 {A typical continuation, Black prepares for ...d5.} ({Nevertheless I prefer} 15... Nh5 $5 {like an active move to play for ...f4.}) ({RR} 15... Rb5) 16. Be3 d5 17. Ncd2 {Of course White doesn't exchange. The e5- and e6-pawns became weaker.} bxc3 18. bxc3 Nc5 19. Bxc5 $1 {At first this seems a strange move. Why does White give up his nice bishop? The knight was exerting pressure on d3; moreover after removing the knight White has an extra possibility on the next move.} Bxc5 20. Qa4 $1 {This was the point of White's previous move.} Rb2 $5 {Ambitious reply!} 21. Rf1 $1 {Very deep move! Carlsen protects his f2-pawn in advance, now the c6-knight is hanging already.} ({The careless} 21. Qxc6 $2 {loses immediately, because of} Bxf2+ $1 22. Kxf2 Rxd2+ $19 {and Black is winning.}) 21... Na7 $6 {Too passive a move!} (21... Qe8 {should have been played, however} 22. Rab1 Rxb1 23. Rxb1 $14 {and White is more comfortable.}) 22. Nxe5 Qh6 23. Ndf3 Nb5 24. Rae1 $1 {White doesn't protect the c3-pawn and he solves the problem with a nice idea.} ({Moreover} 24. Rac1 $2 {could have been met by} Rxf2 $1 25. Rxf2 Qxc1+ $19 {and Black wins.}) 24... Nxc3 ({In the event of} 24... Bd6 25. exd5 exd5 (25... Nxc3 26. Qa1 $1 $16 {important tempo!}) 26. Qa1 $1 Rc2 27. c4 $1 $16 {White is better too.}) 25. Qc6 $1 {Suddenly Black has a lot of weaknesses on the queenside. White is safe, his pieces are active, the white queen is threatening to take the pawns.} Bb4 26. Kh1 {Probably this is not the strongest move, but a good practical prophylactic reply. The king moves away from a possible ...e2+.} dxe4 (26... Ne2 27. Rb1 $16 {is similar to the text move.}) 27. dxe4 Ne2 28. Rb1 {White simplifies the position, so Black's pressure is decreasing.} Rxb1 29. Rxb1 Bd6 30. Qxa6 {Carlsen starts to eat the pawns.} Nf4 31. Qb5 c5 32. a6 {It's time to advance the passed pawn.} Bxe5 33. Nxe5 Qg5 34. Ng4 h5 35. Ne3 {White is safe.} Nxg2 {Still the best practical chance, otherwise White promotes his a-pawn without any counterplay.} 36. Nxg2 Rxf2 37. Rg1 Kh7 38. Qd3 {It is important to come back with the queen especially in time pressure.} Qe5 39. Qe3 Ra2 40. Qf4 {The best practical move. White doesn't protect his a-pawn, he wants to exchange the queens and then he can win without any difficulties.} Qc3 41. Ne3 Qf6 ({Or} 41... Rxa6 42. Qg5 $18 {and Black has no hope.}) 42. Qxf6 gxf6 43. Rc1 Rxa6 44. Kg2 $1 {Correct reply!} ({The greedy} 44. Rxc5 {could have been met by} Ra3 {and Black wins the h3-pawn and he survives.}) 44... Ra2+ 45. Rc2 Ra5 46. Kf3 Kg6 47. h4 Rb5 48. Ra2 Rb1 49. Rc2 Rb5 50. Rc3 f5 (50... Ra5 51. Ng2 $18 {is also hopeless for Black.}) 51. exf5+ exf5 52. Rd3 {A very nice victory by Carlsen!} 1-0

[Event "FIDE World Cup"]
[Site "Tbilisi"]
[Date "2017.09.03"]
[Round "1.1"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Balogun, Oluwafemi"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B06"]
[WhiteElo "2827"]
[BlackElo "2255"]
[Annotator "Sagar,Shah"]
[PlyCount "77"]
[EventDate "2017.09.03"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "GEO"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 181"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.11.10"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.11.10"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[TimeControl "40/5400+30:1800+30"]

1. e4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} d6 {[%emt 0:01:19]} 2. d4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} g6 {[%emt 0:00:29]} 3. Bc4 {[%emt 0:00:50] Magnus goes for something that the opponent would not have prepared.} Nf6 {[%emt 0:02:38]} 4. Qe2 {[%emt 0:00:12] Mikhail Tal played this before, Carlsen must know this game as he has adopted similar plan in his game.} Nc6 {[%emt 0:02:59]} 5. Nf3 {[%emt 0:03:23]} Bg7 {[%emt 0:04:46]} (5... Bg4 6. Bb5 (6. c3 $14) 6... Nd7 7. c3 e5 8. d5 Ncb8 9. h3 Bxf3 10. Qxf3 Be7 11. g3 Bg5 12. Nd2 h5 13. h4 Bh6 14. Nf1 Bxc1 15. Rxc1 a6 16. Ba4 Kf8 17. Ne3 Nf6 18. O-O Nbd7 19. b4 Kg7 20. Bc2 a5 21. a3 axb4 22. cxb4 Nb6 23. Ra1 Qd7 24. Rfc1 Ra7 25. Bd3 Rha8 26. Rc3 Na4 27. Rc2 Nb6 28. Rc3 Na4 29. Rc2 Nb6 {½-½ (29) Tal,M (2625)-Matulovic,M (2525) Skopje 1972}) 6. O-O {[%emt 0:20:34]} Bg4 {[%emt 0:07:18]} 7. c3 {[%emt 0:01:32] Because White has not developed his knight to c3, he gets to bolster his centre.} O-O {[%emt 0:09:31]} 8. h3 {[%emt 0:06:29]} Bxf3 {[%emt 0:06:29]} 9. Qxf3 {[%emt 0:00:35] I would say such positions are a nightmare against Magnus. Not only does he have the centre, but also the bishop pair.} e5 {[%emt 0:00:22]} 10. Rd1 {[%emt 0:05:32]} ({RR} 10. Be3 Nd7 11. Nd2 exd4 12. cxd4 Nxd4 13. Bxd4 Bxd4 14. Qb3 Nc5 15. Qc2 Qf6 16. Rab1 a5 17. Nf3 Be5 18. a3 Kg7 19. b4 axb4 20. axb4 Nd7 21. b5 Nc5 22. b6 c6 23. Rfd1 Ra3 24. Qe2 Na4 {Levitan,C (2385)-Ilinca,F (2446) chess.com INT 2025 0-1}) 10... Qe8 $146 {[%emt 0:08:42][%csl Ge4] Getting away from the rook's fire and threatening to capture the pawn on e4.} ({RR} 10... Nd7 11. Be3 Kh8 12. Qg3 Qe8 13. dxe5 Ndxe5 14. Be2 f5 15. exf5 gxf5 16. Na3 Ng6 17. Bh5 f4 18. Bxf4 Rxf4 19. Bxg6 Qf8 20. Bc2 Be5 21. Nb5 Qf7 22. Qe3 Rf8 23. Rd2 Qg7 24. Be4 Re8 25. Kh1 {Luukkonen,T (2290)-Sychev,K (2563) Moscow 2019 0-1 (52)}) ({RR} 10... Nd7 11. Qe3 Kh8 12. dxe5 Ncxe5 13. Bf1 f5 14. f4 Nf7 15. exf5 gxf5 16. Qf3 c6 17. Bd3 d5 18. Bxf5 Nd6 19. Bc2 Qb6+ 20. Qf2 Rae8 21. Qxb6 Nxb6 22. a4 Nbc4 23. Na3 Nxa3 24. Rxa3 Nc4 25. Ra1 {Bacrot,E (2677)-Adhiban,B (2682) Zagreb 2018 1-0 (60)}) ({RR} 10... Nd7 11. Be3 Kh8 12. Bb5 Qe7 13. Na3 f5 14. Bxc6 bxc6 15. exf5 e4 16. f6 Nxf6 17. Qe2 Nd5 18. Nc2 Rae8 19. Re1 Qf7 20. c4 Ne7 21. Rad1 Nf5 22. b3 h5 23. Bg5 Kh7 24. Qd2 a5 25. Qxa5 {Lenderman,A (2634)-Sadhwani,R (2545) Chess.com INT 2020 0-1 (62)}) 11. d5 {[%emt 0:11:41][%csl Gc4,Gd5][%cal Rc4d5] Shutting down your own bishop is not ideal. However, it closes the centre and gives White the much needed time to complete his development. Other choices like e3 or d2 did not work as in both cases one of the central pawns would fall.} Ne7 {[%emt 0:01:46]} 12. Qe2 $14 {[%emt 0:01:25][%csl Gc1,Gc4,Gd5,Ge4] The position is similar to the King's Indian Defence but the major difference is that Black is missing the light-squared bishop which is usually a very important piece.} Nh5 {[%emt 0:06:07]} 13. Bb5 {[%emt 0:07:30]} Qc8 {[%emt 0:05:59]} 14. Na3 {[%emt 0:01:29]} a6 {[%emt 0:02:55]} 15. Ba4 {[%emt 0:01:07]} f5 {[%emt 0:08:06] Good strong play by Balogun. He realises that he must do something active before White can finish his development.} 16. Bc2 {[%emt 0:03:53]} f4 $6 {[%emt 0:06:42] Closing the position wasn't the best idea.} (16... fxe4 $5 {looks more reasonable} 17. Bxe4 Nf6 18. Bf3 Qd7 19. Bg5 Rae8 $11) 17. Qg4 $1 {[%emt 0:04:09] A really good decision, Black's threat was to play f3 and shatter White's kingside. Now if Black exchanges queens then White will have a small edge as he has the bishop pair and if Black doesn't exchange then White will be in a good position to repel Black's attack.} Qxg4 {[%emt 0:04:06]} (17... Nf6 18. Qxc8 Rfxc8 $14 {gives White a small edge like in the game.}) (17... Qd8 $5 {keeping the queens on should have been preferred.}) 18. hxg4 {[%emt 0:01:14]} Nf6 {[%emt 0:00:10]} 19. g5 {[%emt 0:00:28]} (19. f3 $6 h5 $1 $11) 19... Nd7 {[%emt 0:04:27]} 20. Nc4 {[%emt 0:00:07]} b6 {[%emt 0:00:38]} 21. b4 {[%emt 0:00:29] As the kingside is closed White is in a good position to start his activity on the queenside.} h6 {[%emt 0:01:51]} 22. gxh6 {[%emt 0:01:42]} Bxh6 {[%emt 0:00:55]} 23. g4 $5 {[%emt 0:01:22]} (23. a4 $14 {was also slightly better for White.}) 23... Nf6 {[%emt 0:01:09]} 24. f3 {[%emt 0:00:04] The kingside is now under control. Over to the queenside.} Bg5 {[%emt 0:00:15]} 25. Kg2 {[%emt 0:01:38]} Kg7 {[%emt 0:01:27]} 26. a4 {[%emt 0:00:54]} Bh4 {[%emt 0:01:43][%cal Gh4g3,Gf8h8] Trying to create counterplay on the kingside with ...g3, ...h8 and ...h2.} 27. Bd2 {[%emt 0:01:32]} g5 {[%emt 0:00:53]} 28. Rh1 {[%emt 0:03:59]} Ng6 {[%emt 0:02:05]} 29. Kf1 {[%emt 0:00:44][%cal Gh4g3,Gg6h4] Getting away from the line of fire as ...g3 and ...h4 was threatened.} Rh8 {[%emt 0:01:37]} 30. Ke2 {[%emt 0:00:12]} Bg3 {[%emt 0:00:50]} 31. a5 $1 {[%emt 0:01:16]} b5 $6 {[%emt 0:00:57]} (31... bxa5 {looks odd but this was the best choice as after} 32. Nxa5 Rh4 $1 33. c4 (33. Nc6 Rah8 {and Black will have control over the h-file and good counterplay.} 34. Rxh4 gxh4 {[%cal Gh4h2]} 35. c4 h3 $11) 33... Rah8 34. Rxh4 Nxh4 {[%cal Gh4f3] and now White needs to be careful as ...xf3 is a nice tactical idea hanging in there.} 35. Rg1 $11 (35. c5 $2 {will fail to the nice} Nxf3 $1 36. Kxf3 Rh2 37. Rf1 Rxd2 $19) 35... Nxf3 {is still possible} 36. Kxf3 Rh2 37. Rg2 Rh3 38. Rg1 Rh2 39. Rg2 $11) 32. Na3 {[%emt 0:00:01] White's plan is very clear. Play c4, then b5-break and finally get a passed a-pawn.} Ne7 {[%emt 0:00:56]} 33. c4 {[%emt 0:02:22]} c6 {[%emt 0:00:53]} 34. dxc6 {[%emt 0:01:03]} Nxc6 {[%emt 0:00:09]} 35. Bc3 $1 {[%emt 0:00:05][%csl Rd4][%cal Rc6d4]} Rxh1 {[%emt 0:05:35]} 36. Rxh1 {[%emt 0:00:02]} bxc4 {[%emt 0:00:43]} 37. Nxc4 {[%emt 0:00:03] Now it's over.} Rb8 {[%emt 0:01:00]} (37... Rd8 38. Nb6 $18 {[%cal Gc2d3,Gd3a6]}) 38. Nxd6 {[%emt 0:00:29]} Kg6 {[%emt 0:00:30]} (38... Nxb4 39. Nf5+ Kg6 40. Rh6+ Kf7 41. Bb3+ $18) 39. Nf5 {[%emt 0:00:25] White is in control and Black's king is close to getting mated. Magnus scored his first win of the event.} 1-0

[Event "FIDE World Cup"]
[Site "Tbilisi"]
[Date "2017.09.07"]
[Round "2.2"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Dreev, Alexey"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B51"]
[WhiteElo "2822"]
[BlackElo "2648"]
[PlyCount "59"]
[EventDate "2017.09.03"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "GEO"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 181"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.11.10"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.11.10"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. Bb5+ Nd7 4. a4 Ngf6 5. Nc3 g6 6. a5 Bg7 7. a6 O-O 8. O-O e6 $146 ({RR} 8... bxa6 9. Bxa6 Bxa6 10. Rxa6 Nb8 11. Ra1 Nc6 12. d3 Nd7 13. Bd2 Rb8 14. b3 e6 15. Ra6 Qc7 16. Qa1 Rb7 17. Qc1 Nb4 18. Ra3 Nb8 19. Na2 N8c6 20. Bh6 Bxh6 21. Qxh6 f6 22. Qd2 Nxa2 23. Rxa2 {Jaskolka,T (2241)-Dias,P (2308) chess.com INT 2024 1-0 (73)}) ({RR} 8... Qc7 9. Re1 bxa6 10. Bxa6 Bxa6 11. Rxa6 c4 12. d4 cxd3 13. cxd3 Qb7 14. Ra3 Rfc8 15. h3 Nc5 16. Qe2 Rab8 17. d4 Ncxe4 18. Nxe4 Nxe4 19. Bf4 Nf6 20. Qxe7 Qxe7 21. Rxe7 Nd5 22. Bxd6 Nxe7 23. Bxe7 {Carlsen,M (2832)-Niemann,H (2733) Paris FRA 2024 1-0 (37)}) ({RR} 8... bxa6 9. Bxa6 Bxa6 10. Rxa6 Qc8 11. Ra3 Qc6 12. Qe2 Nh5 13. d3 a5 14. Bd2 Ra7 15. Rfa1 Rfa8 16. g3 Nhf6 17. R1a2 Ne8 18. b3 Nc7 19. Nh4 e6 20. Ng2 Nb5 21. Nxb5 Qxb5 22. Qe1 a4 23. Bc3 {Jaiswal,R (2064)-De Lomas Busquets,A (1997) chess.com INT 2025 1-0 (74)}) ({RR} 8... bxa6 9. Bxa6 Bxa6 10. Rxa6 Nb8 11. Ra3 Nc6 12. d3 Qb6 13. b3 Nd7 14. Bb2 Qb7 15. Qa1 a5 16. Nd5 Bxb2 17. Qxb2 a4 18. Qc1 e6 19. Ne3 axb3 20. Rxb3 Qc7 21. Qb2 Rfb8 22. Rxb8+ Rxb8 23. Qc3 {Carlsen,M (2847)-Artemiev,V (2704) Chess24.com INT 2021 ½-½ (51)}) ({RR} 8... bxa6 9. Bxa6 Bxa6 10. Rxa6 Nb8 11. Ra4 Nc6 12. Re1 Nd7 13. d3 Rb8 14. Nd2 Nb6 15. Ra2 Qd7 16. Nb3 Rfc8 17. Na5 Nxa5 18. Rxa5 Rb7 19. Qd2 Na8 20. b3 Nc7 21. Bb2 Ne6 22. Ba1 h5 23. Ne2 {Pniaczek,M (2180)-Paszewski,M (2329) Suwalki 2019 1-0 (53)}) 9. d3 Qb6 10. axb7 Bxb7 11. Re1 Rfd8 12. Ba4 h6 13. h3 d5 14. e5 Nh7 15. Bxd7 Rxd7 16. d4 cxd4 17. Ne2 d3 18. Qxd3 d4 19. Nexd4 g5 20. c3 Nf8 21. Nh2 Ng6 22. Qg3 Nh4 23. Nhf3 Nxf3+ 24. Nxf3 Rd3 25. h4 gxh4 26. Qxh4 Bxf3 27. gxf3 Rxf3 28. Bxh6 f5 29. Bxg7 Kxg7 30. Kh1 1-0

[Event "FIDE World Cup"]
[Site "Tbilisi"]
[Date "2017.09.09"]
[Round "3.1"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Bu, Xiangzhi"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C55"]
[WhiteElo "2822"]
[BlackElo "2710"]
[Annotator "Marin,Mihail"]
[PlyCount "72"]
[EventDate "2017.09.03"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "GEO"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 181"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.11.10"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.11.10"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Bc4 Nf6 3. d3 Nc6 4. Nf3 Be7 5. O-O O-O 6. Bb3 $5 {A comparatively rare variation.} ({The main line goes} 6. Re1 d6 7. a4) 6... d6 {I may be wrong, but after this slow move both players were on their own, without previous home preparation.} ({The alternative is} 6... d5 {in the spirit of the Marshall attack:} 7. exd5 Nxd5 8. h3 a5 9. a4 (9. a3 Nd4 {Radjabov,T (2740)-Ponomariov,R (2733) Medias 2010 CBM 137 [Rogozenco,D] (½-½, 30)}) 9... Nd4 {Karjakin,S (2723)-Gelfand,B (2758) Khanty-Mansiysk 2009 CBM 134 [Gelfand,B] (0-1, 33)}) 7. c3 Be6 {A natural developing move, but in the long run the bishop may be exposed to the threat d3-d4-d5.} ({Playing in the spirit of the Chigorin Ruy Lopez looks entirely viable:} 7... Na5 8. Bc2 c5 9. d4 (9. h3 Nc6 10. Re1 Qc7 11. Nbd2 Be6 12. Nf1 Nd7 13. Ng5 Bxg5 14. Bxg5 d5 $132 {Bortnyk,O (2588)-Wang,H (2712) Abu Dhabi 2016 (0-1, 23)}) 9... cxd4 10. cxd4 Nc6 11. d5 Nb4 12. Bb3 a5 13. a3 Na6 14. Bc2 Bd7 15. Bd2 a4 16. Re1 b5 $11 {Tiviakov,S (2639)-Nikolic,P (2601) Leiden 2015 (0-1, 48)}) 8. Re1 (8. Bxe6 fxe6 9. Qb3 Qc8 {stops the white initiative for instance} 10. Ng5 $6 Nd8) 8... Qd7 9. Nbd2 ({RR} 9. Bc2 Bg4 10. Nbd2 d5 11. exd5 Nxd5 12. h3 Bxf3 13. Nxf3 Bf6 14. Bg5 Rfe8 15. Qd2 Qd6 16. Bb3 Nf4 17. Bxf4 exf4 18. d4 Rad8 19. Qd3 Ne7 20. Re2 Ng6 21. Rae1 Qd7 22. Qc4 c6 23. Qxf7+ Qxf7 {Fedunov,D (1917)-Gavarrete,N (2281) chess.com INT 2025 1-0 (108)}) 9... Rab8 $146 {A mysterious move. At first I thought it was aimed at defending b7, but it looks more probable that it was a way of preparing ..b7-b5 in one of the lines below.} ({After the natural} 9... Rad8 {Black has to reckon with} 10. d4 $146 exd4 11. cxd4 Bg4 ({The discussion about the b7-pawn does not make sense. After} 11... Bxb3 12. Qxb3 d5 13. e5 Ne4 14. Nxe4 dxe4 15. Rxe4 Qd5 {with just some compensation, the rook is needed on d8, of course.}) 12. Ba4 $1 $14) (9... Bxb3 10. Qxb3 (10. axb3 a5 $5) 10... Nd8 $146 {[%cal Gc7c6,Gd8e6] looks like the most flexible way of freeing Black's position. For instance} 11. d4 exd4 12. cxd4 d5 13. e5 Nh5 14. g3 c6 {The control on the light squares offers Black good manoeuvring possibilities.}) ({What is not very clear to me is why did Black prefer the game move over} 9... a6 {with similar ideas.}) ({RR} 9... Rae8 10. Nf1 Bd8 11. Ng3 d5 12. Ba4 Qd6 13. Qe2 Nd7 14. b4 a6 15. Bb3 Ne7 16. d4 Ng6 17. dxe5 Ndxe5 18. Nxe5 Nxe5 19. Be3 b6 20. Rad1 Bc8 21. Bxd5 Qg6 22. Rd2 Ng4 23. Bd4 Bg5 24. Rd3 {Nicevski,R-Nemet,I Porec 1974 ½-½ (67)}) ({RR} 9... Rae8 10. h3 Bxb3 11. Qxb3 Na5 12. Qd1 Nc6 13. Qb3 {½-½ (13) Kudrin,S (2610)-Christiansen,L (2640) Needham 2000}) ({RR} 9... Kh8 10. Nf1 Nh5 11. d4 Bxb3 12. axb3 exd4 13. cxd4 Bf6 14. d5 Nb4 15. Be3 Bxb2 16. Rxa7 Rxa7 17. Bxa7 Bc3 18. Re3 Ra8 19. Rxc3 Rxa7 20. Qd4 c5 21. dxc6 Nxc6 22. Qd1 Nf4 23. Ng3 h6 24. h3 {Nunn,J (2597)-Wall,G (2319) London 2015 1-0 (39)}) 10. Bc2 (10. d4 {runs into} exd4 11. cxd4 Bg4 12. h3 (12. Ba4 b5 $1) 12... Bh5 {and White does not have adequate ways of maintaining his central pawns intact.} 13. Qc2 (13. g4 Nxg4 14. hxg4 Qxg4+ 15. Kh1 Nxd4 16. Re3 Qf4 17. Kg2 Bg5 18. Rd3 Qg4+ 19. Kf1 Qh3+ 20. Kg1 Bxd2 21. Nxd4 Qxd3 22. Qxd2 Qxe4 $19) 13... Na5 $11) (10. Nf1 {looks like a constructive alternative.}) 10... d5 $5 {Very provocative and eventually successful!} 11. h3 ({I assume Carlsen considered that after the imemdiate pawn grabbing} 11. exd5 Bxd5 12. Nxe5 ({Actually I find Black's position a bit artificial after} 12. h3 Bd6 13. Nf1) 12... Nxe5 13. Rxe5 Bd6 14. Re1 Rbe8 {offers Black too much initiative, partly because of the lack of defence of the g4-square. Here are a couple of lines sustaining this point of view.} 15. Nf1 (15. Nc4 Qg4 $1 $19) 15... Qg4 16. Qxg4 Bxh2+ $1 17. Kh1 (17. Nxh2 Rxe1+ 18. Nf1 Nxg4 $19) (17. Kxh2 Nxg4+ 18. Kg3 Rxe1 $19) 17... Nxg4 18. Rxe8 Rxe8 19. f3 Bd6 20. fxg4 Re2 $44 21. Ba4 $3 {[%csl Gc6]} (21. Bb3 Bc6 $1 22. d4 Be4 $1) 21... Rxg2 22. Ne3 Rh2+ 23. Kg1 Rh1+ 24. Kf2 Rh2+ {with a perpetual.}) 11... h6 {Preventing g5 and reckoning with the fact that after h2-h3 Black gets attacking chances in another way than in the lines above.} 12. exd5 {Picking up the gauntlet. Being a world champion creates certain obligations.} Nxd5 13. Nxe5 Nxe5 14. Rxe5 Bd6 15. Re1 Bxh3 $1 {Due to his advance in development, Black gets full compensation for the sacrifced piece.} 16. gxh3 Qxh3 17. Nf1 {The most consistent move.} (17. Qf3 {would have allowed (and forced!) a draw by perpetual:} Bh2+ 18. Kh1 Bg3+) (17. Nf3 $2 {runs into problems:} Rbe8 18. Bd2 (18. d4 Rxe1+ 19. Qxe1 Qxf3) (18. Rxe8 Rxe8 19. d4 Re6 $19 {[%cal Gf7f5,Ge6g6]}) 18... Rxe1+ 19. Bxe1 Nf4 $19) 17... Rbe8 {Black's play flows naturally, in a similar way to the Marshall attack main lines. For White, there are small choices on each step and the correct answer is not always obvious. This slightly speaks against Carlsen's decision to allow the sacrifice.} 18. d4 (18. Bb3 c6 19. Bd2 Re6 20. Rxe6 fxe6 21. Qe1 Rf6 22. Qe4 Kf7 $44) 18... f5 19. Bb3 c6 20. f4 Kh7 (20... g5 $5 {, immedoately putting pressure on f4, may have been even stronger:} 21. Re2 ({The point is that} 21. fxg5 $2 {clears the fourth rank for the rook:} Re4 $19) 21... Kg7 22. Rf2 Nxf4 23. Bxf4 Bxf4 24. Qf3 Qxf3 25. Rxf3 Re7 26. Rd1 h5 {Black has only two pawns for the piece but the compact kingside mass is threatening.}) {Black has a strong attack for the piece and White faces the threat on f4. Carlsen decides on parrying it in a simplistic way.} 21. Bxd5 $2 {This bishop was important because it now only was ready taking on d5 when really needed but also defended the queen.} (21. Re2 $1 {was the only way of staying out of troubles. Black would have retained compensation for the piece, even though not necessarily entirely adequate.} Nxf4 (21... Rxe2 22. Qxe2 Rf6 23. Bxd5 cxd5 24. Nh2 Rg6+ 25. Kh1 Rg4 26. Bd2 Bxf4 27. Bxf4 Rxf4 28. Rf1 $44) (21... Qg4+ 22. Rg2 $16 {[%cal Gb3d1]}) 22. Rh2 Qg4+ 23. Qxg4 fxg4 $44 {/}) 21... cxd5 22. Re3 (22. Re2 {does not work anymore:} Qg4+ {[%csl Gd1]} 23. Kf2 g5 24. fxg5 Re4 $40) 22... Rxe3 23. Bxe3 g5 $19 {Being incompletely developed, White is helpless now against the combined attack of Black's pieces and pawns.} 24. Kf2 (24. fxg5 f4 25. Qc2+ Rf5 {[%cal Gf4f3]} (25... Kh8 26. Qg6) 26. Bf2 f3 27. Be3 Kh8 28. c4 Qg4+ 29. Kh1 Qh4+ 30. Kg1 f2+ 31. Bxf2 Rxg5+) 24... gxf4 25. Qf3 (25. Bd2 Qh4+ 26. Kf3 Rg8 $19) 25... fxe3+ 26. Nxe3 Qh2+ 27. Kf1 Rg8 {Black is attacking with equal material already.} 28. Qxf5+ Rg6 $1 ({The only way to avoid the repetition. If} 28... Kh8 29. Qf6+ Rg7 30. Nf5 $11 {it is Black already who needs to look for a perpetual.}) 29. Ke1 h5 $6 {This could have spoiled the win, as it is by one tempo too slow.} ({Black should have unpinned the rook at once. He would escape from perpetual with a curious manoeuvre:} 29... Kg7 $1 30. Qd7+ Kh8 31. Qd8+ Kh7 32. Qd7+ Rg7 33. Qf5+ Kh8 34. Qc8+ Rg8 $19) 30. Kd1 $2 ({Missing his chance with:} 30. Rd1 $1 {Good or bad, White needs to complete his development. Even great players tend to forget simple things under the pressure.} Kh6 31. Rd2 Rg1+ 32. Nf1 Qh4+ 33. Rf2 {and White is entirely safe already.}) 30... Kh6 31. Nc2 h4 {The rest is agony. There is no perpetual, the white king is in danger and the h-pawn unstoppable.} 32. Ne1 h3 33. Nf3 Qg2 34. Ne1 Qg4+ 35. Qxg4 Rxg4 36. Nf3 Rg1+ $5 (36... Rg1+ 37. Nxg1 h2) 0-1

[Event "Douglas IoM op"]
[Site "Douglas"]
[Date "2017.09.26"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Kasimdzhanov, Rustam"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B07"]
[WhiteElo "2676"]
[BlackElo "2827"]
[Annotator "Marin,Mihail"]
[PlyCount "144"]
[EventDate "2017.09.23"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "IOM"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 181"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.11.10"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.11.10"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 Nc6 {Carlsen's opening surprises do not... surprise anybody anymore. Usually, it is a about a rare move or line in the early phase of the game, but it seems that he also intends trying out all the openings, one by one! Apparently, he has never played this opening before.} 2. Nf3 ({We can only speculate about what he had in mind after} 2. d4 {Possibly the "main line"} d5 3. e5 Bf5 {with some sort of Advance Caro Kann structure.}) 2... d6 3. d4 Nf6 {Black's intention is to transpose to a classical Pirc, where due to the early commitment of the queen's knight he will have to play ...g4, but this is one of Black's main weapons anyway.} 4. d5 {With both central pawns under pressure, this is the only way of transposing to some sort of King's Indian, where the pawn will stand on c4 instead of c2.} ({It is worth mentioning that Carlsen had twice played} 4. Nc3 Bg4 5. d5 ({If} 5. Be2 g6 6. O-O Bg7 {play is not far from transposing to a genuine Pirc.}) 5... Nb8 (5... Bxf3 {is premature:} 6. Qxf3 Ne5 7. Qg3 c6 8. f4 Ned7 9. dxc6 bxc6 10. e5 Nd5 11. exd6 exd6 12. Nxd5 cxd5 13. Bd2 $16 {Carlsen,M (2385)-Kiik,K (2439) Rethymno 2003 (1-0, 27)}) 6. h3 Bxf3 7. Qxf3 Nbd7 (7... g6 {may be more flexible, leaving the d7-square available for the king's knight.}) 8. g4 {A logical way to try taking advantage of the unusual move order.} g6 9. Be3 Bg7 10. O-O-O c5 11. Qe2 (11. Qg2 {may have slowed down a bit the queenside counter-attack.} b5 12. Bxb5 $5) 11... b5 12. g5 (12. Qxb5 Rb8 {may be less dangerous than it seems, but in blitz this is not an easy decision to take.}) (12. Nxb5 Nxe4) 12... Nh5 13. Nxb5 Rb8 14. c3 Qa5 15. a4 Nb6 (15... O-O 16. Qc2 Nb6 $11) 16. Nc7+ Kd8 17. Qa6 Qxa4 (17... Bxc3 $5 18. Qxa5 Bxa5 19. Na6 Rc8 20. Bb5) 18. Bb5 Qxa6 19. Nxa6 Rb7 20. Bc6 $16 {Carlsen,M (2851)-Petrosian,T (2611) chess.com INT (blitz) 2016 (1-0, 34)}) (4. Bb5 a6 (4... Nxe4 $2 5. d5 a6 6. Bd3 {wins a piece}) (4... Bd7 $5 5. Nc3 a6 6. Be2 e5 {or 6...g4}) 5. Ba4 (5. Bxc6+ bxc6 6. Qe2) 5... b5 6. Bb3 Nxe4 $2 (6... Bg4) (6... Bb7) (6... Na5) 7. Bd5 {1-0 De Jong,T (2258)-Lindeman,J (1985) Utrecht 2017}) 4... Nb8 5. Bd3 g6 ({In view of the line examined below it makes sense to play} 5... Bg4 {at once. But probably Carlsen thought it would be better avoiding the same kind of treatment as in his games with White, based on an early h2-h3.}) 6. O-O Bg7 7. c4 O-O 8. Nc3 (8. h3 $5 e5 $2 {This transposes to a King's Indian with two tempi less for Black.} (8... Na6 {is more flexible:} 9. Nc3 Nc5 10. Bc2 a5) 9. Nc3 Na6 10. a3 Nh5 11. Re1 Qe8 12. b4 h6 13. c5 f5 14. Bd2 Nf6 15. exf5 gxf5 16. Nh4 e4 17. c6 bxc6 18. Bxa6 Bxa6 19. Nxf5 cxd5 20. Bxh6 Bxh6 21. Nxh6+ Kh7 22. Ng4 $18 {Tabatabaei,M (2509)-Maghsoodloo,P (2584) Teheran 2017 (½-½, 59)}) 8... Bg4 ({RR} 8... c6 9. Re1 Na6 10. Bg5 h6 11. Be3 Bg4 12. h3 Bxf3 13. Qxf3 Nd7 14. Qd1 Qc7 15. Rc1 Rae8 16. Qd2 Kh7 17. a3 Nac5 18. Bc2 a5 19. b4 axb4 20. axb4 Na6 21. Rb1 Ra8 22. Rec1 c5 23. Nb5 {Van Kampen,R (2646)-Shabalov,A (2544) Chess.com INT 2018 ½-½ (44)}) ({RR} 8... e5 9. Nd2 Nbd7 10. Be2 a5 11. Rb1 Nc5 12. b3 Bh6 13. Bf3 Nd3 14. Ba3 Nd7 15. g3 Qg5 16. Nb5 Qxd2 17. Qxd2 Bxd2 18. Rfd1 Ne1 19. Rxe1 Bxe1 20. Rxe1 Nc5 21. Nxc7 Rb8 22. Nb5 Rd8 23. Nxd6 {Kosteniuk,A (2484)-Ibarra Jerez,J (2559) chess.com INT 2025 1-0 (45)}) 9. Be2 $146 ({After castling short White does not get much with} 9. h3 Bxf3 10. Qxf3 Nbd7 11. Qe2 c6 12. Bd2 a5 13. b3 Nc5 14. Bc2 e6 (14... Re8 {[%cal Ge7e6]}) 15. dxe6 (15. Rad1 $5) 15... Nxe6 16. Rad1 Nd7 17. Qd3 {Poniaev,R (2265)-Nikolaev,N (2411) Dagomys 2010 (1-0, 53)} a4 $1 18. Nxa4 (18. Qxd6 axb3 19. axb3 Nd4 20. Rc1 Be5 21. Qb4 b6 $17 {[%csl Gb4]}) 18... Ndc5 19. Nxc5 Nxc5 20. Qg3 Rxa2 21. Bb1 Rb2 22. b4 Ne6 $132) ({RR} 9. h3 Bxf3 10. Qxf3 Nfd7 11. Qg3 c6 12. Be3 Na6 13. Rac1 Nac5 14. Bb1 a5 15. h4 a4 16. h5 Qb6 17. Nd1 Qb4 18. Qh3 Ne5 19. a3 Qb3 20. Rc3 Qb6 21. f4 Ned7 22. e5 cxd5 23. cxd5 dxe5 {Preotu,R (2445)-Pranav,A (2467) Chess.com INT 2022 1-0 (41)}) ({RR} 9. h3 Bxf3 10. Qxf3 Nfd7 11. Qg3 c6 12. Be3 Na6 13. Rac1 Nac5 14. Bb1 a5 15. h4 a4 16. h5 Qb6 17. Nd1 Qb4 18. Qh3 Ne5 19. a3 Qb3 20. Rc3 Qb6 21. f4 Ned7 22. e5 cxd5 23. cxd5 dxe5 {Preotu,R (2445)-Pranav,A (2467) Chess.com INT 2022 1-0 (41)}) 9... Nfd7 {In the first phase, Black consolidates his control on the dark squares. Later he will break on the light squares. Quite logical and consistent. White has more space but cannot create threats easily.} 10. Bg5 a5 11. Nd2 Bxe2 12. Qxe2 c6 13. Kh1 a4 14. a3 {0-1 Botvinnik,M-Geller,E Budapest Maroczy Memorial 1952 (2) Frankly, I am very much against such self-blocking moves if they do not lead to something concrete, for instance winning the a4-pawn. The first time I was puzzled by such a move was when I saw the game} (14. Rac1 {is a more flexible way of neutralising the effects of ...a4-a3.} Na6 15. f4 (15. Nxa4 Nb4) 15... Nac5 16. Nf3 Re8 {[%cal Gd8a5,Ge7e6] Maybe White wanted to prevent the immediate ...a6, but freezing the queenside offers Black comfortable play.}) 14... Nc5 15. f4 Nbd7 16. Nf3 Qc7 17. Rad1 (17. Bxe7 $2 Rfe8 18. Bh4 Bxc3 19. bxc3 Nxe4 20. Qc2 cxd5 21. cxd5 Qxc3 $17) {Later Carlsen will change the rooks' placement.} 17... Rae8 {[%cal Ge7e6]} ({He might have refrained from} 17... Rfe8 {due to} 18. e5 f6 (18... dxe5 19. fxe5 Nxe5 20. Bf4 f6 21. dxc6 bxc6 22. Ne4 Nxe4 23. Qxe4 $44) 19. e6 fxg5 20. exd7 Qxd7 21. Nxg5 {when it would be of course better having the other rook on f8. But even this looks acceptable for Black after} e6) 18. f5 {The only way to fight against the planned ...e7-e6, turning the e4-pawn vulnerable. But now the weakness of the e5-square increases Black's stability and manoeuvring possibilities, while White does not have real attacking chances due to his strategic problems on other sectors of the board.} Qa5 (18... e6 $6 19. dxe6 fxe6 20. fxg6 hxg6 21. Be3 $14 {[%csl Gg6][%cal Gf3g5]}) 19. Na2 {Heading for b4 but weakening e4.} Nf6 20. Nd2 Ncd7 21. Nf3 Nc5 22. Nd2 Ncd7 23. Nf3 Rc8 {Carlsen of course plays on. Black's position is too pleasant to agree to a draw by repetition.} 24. Nb4 Rfe8 {SLightly careless.} (24... cxd5 25. cxd5 Rc5 $132) 25. Bd2 ({Missing a good chance for activity.} 25. e5 $1 Nxe5 (25... dxe5 26. dxc6 bxc6 27. Bxf6 Nxf6 28. Nxe5 $16 {The c6-pawn is hanging but there is also a surprising kingside threat:} Qb6 $6 29. Nxf7 $1 Kxf7 30. Qe6+ Kf8 31. fxg6 hxg6 32. Nd3 $18 {[%cal Gd3e5]}) 26. Nxe5 dxe5 27. d6 $16 {Black is suddenly hanging.}) 25... Qc7 26. dxc6 {White could not stand the pressure anymore.} (26. Bc3 cxd5 27. cxd5 Qc4 28. Rfe1 Qxe2 29. Rxe2 Nc5 30. e5 Nfe4 $15) 26... bxc6 27. Bc3 e5 $11 {Blck has stabilised the centre with good play, but White is not without chances either due to the pressure along the f-file.} (27... e6 28. fxg6 hxg6 29. e5 $36) 28. Nd2 (28. fxe6 Rxe6 $17) (28. fxg6 hxg6 {[%csl Gd4][%cal Gd7c5,Gc5e6] clears the queen's knight's path to d4.} 29. Ng5 Nc5 30. Qe1 Nh7) 28... Nc5 29. Rf3 Nh5 30. g3 Bh6 31. Rdf1 Qe7 32. Nd3 Nxd3 {After this natural exchange Black loses stability in the centre.} (32... Nd7 $5 {[%cal Gh5f6,Gd6d5]}) 33. Rxd3 Nf6 34. Rdf3 Rf8 35. c5 {The idea is right, but White could have prepared it} (35. Nb1 $5 $14 {[%csl Ga4][%cal Gc3d2,Gb1c3] This not only prepares the regrouping illustrated with arrows but also removes the knight from the attacked square, making the pressure on e5 real.} Rb8 36. c5 d5 37. exd5 Nxd5 38. Qxe5 $16) 35... d5 36. exd5 cxd5 37. fxg6 (37. c6 $5 {wins an exchange but with good compensation for Black.} g5 $5 (37... Rxc6 38. Bb4 {forces} Rd6 {due to the pressure on the f-file but Black seems to be doing well.} 39. Rd3 Rfd8) 38. Bb4 (38. Qxe5 Qxe5 39. Bxe5 Rxc6 40. Bxf6 Rxf6 41. Rd3 Rb6 {is also playable for Black.}) 38... Qe8 39. Bxf8 Kxf8 40. Rc3 g4 $44) 37... fxg6 38. Qxe5 Qxe5 39. Bxe5 Nd7 40. Rxf8+ Bxf8 {Black's endgame is slightly more pleasant already due to the queenside configuration. But a draw is the most probable result.} 41. Bd4 (41. Bd6 $11) 41... Nxc5 42. Rc1 Bh6 43. Bxc5 (43. Rxc5 Rxc5 44. Bxc5 Bxd2 45. Kg2 $11) 43... Bxd2 44. Rd1 Rxc5 45. Rxd2 Kf7 46. Rd4 Ke6 47. Rxa4 Rc2 48. Kg1 Rxb2 49. Rh4 Rb7 (49... h5 50. g4 hxg4 51. Rxg4 Kf5 52. Rd4 Ke5 53. Rg4 d4 54. Kf1 d3 55. Ke1 $11) 50. Kf2 Kd6 51. Ke3 Kc5 52. Kd3 Rb3+ 53. Kc2 Rxa3 54. Rxh7 Kc4 55. Rc7+ Kd4 56. Rc6 Ra2+ 57. Kb3 Rxh2 58. Rxg6 Kd3 59. g4 d4 60. g5 Rg2 61. Rh6 Ke2 (61... Rxg5 62. Rh3+ {is similar to the game.}) 62. Rh1 Rg3+ 63. Kb2 Rxg5 64. Rh2+ Kd3 65. Rh3+ Kc4 66. Kc2 Rg2+ 67. Kd1 Rb2 68. Rg3 Rh2 69. Rf3 Rh1+ 70. Kd2 Rh2+ 71. Kd1 Rh1+ 72. Kd2 Rh2+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "Douglas IoM op"]
[Site "Douglas"]
[Date "2017.09.27"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Granda Zuniga, Julio E"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C42"]
[WhiteElo "2827"]
[BlackElo "2653"]
[PlyCount "55"]
[EventDate "2017.09.23"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "IOM"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 181"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.11.10"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.11.10"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nxe5 d6 4. Nf3 Nxe4 5. d4 d5 6. Bd3 Be7 7. O-O O-O 8. c4 Nf6 9. Nc3 Nc6 10. cxd5 Nb4 11. Re1 Nbxd5 12. h3 c6 ({RR} 12... Re8 13. Bg5 Be6 14. Bc2 c6 15. a3 Nd7 16. Bxe7 Rxe7 17. Ng5 Nf8 18. Qf3 Nf6 19. Rad1 Bc4 20. Nge4 Nxe4 21. Rxe4 Rxe4 22. Bxe4 Bb3 23. Rd3 Bc4 {½-½ (23) David,A (2540)-Nezar,M (2356) Chartres FRA 2023}) 13. a3 Re8 14. Qc2 h6 15. Nxd5 $146 ({RR} 15. Ne5 Qb6 16. Nxd5 cxd5 17. Be3 Be6 18. Qd2 Rac8 19. Bxh6 gxh6 20. Qxh6 Qxb2 21. Rab1 Qxa3 22. Re3 Rc1+ 23. Kh2 Rxb1 24. Rg3+ Bg4 25. Nxg4 Rh1+ 26. Kxh1 Qc1+ {1-0 (26) Maximov,D (2485)-Shtanko,D (2346) Poltava 2009}) 15... Nxd5 16. Ne5 Bd6 17. Bh7+ Kf8 18. Bd2 Be6 19. Re2 Nf6 20. Rae1 Qc7 21. Ng6+ fxg6 22. Rxe6 Nxh7 23. Rxe8+ Rxe8 24. Rxe8+ Kxe8 25. Qxg6+ Kd8 26. Qxh7 Qe7 27. g3 Kc7 28. Qg6 1-0

[Event "Douglas IoM op"]
[Site "Douglas"]
[Date "2017.09.30"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C78"]
[WhiteElo "2799"]
[BlackElo "2827"]
[Annotator "Nielsen,Peter Heine"]
[PlyCount "70"]
[EventDate "2017.09.23"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "IOM"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 181"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.11.10"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.11.10"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{While many players had planned their "exit-strategy" from the World Cup with the Isle of Man's organisers in advance, Magnus after the unexpected loss in round 3 to Bu, wanted to quickly wash a way the defeat, and an open tournament with most of the worlds elite present seemed like an excellent opportunity. The early rounds had the expected scares with risktaking and unusual openings in the end Magnus was rewarded with a half point lead before this game in the penultimate round:} 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O b5 6. Bb3 Bc5 {Magnus played the Moeller in the crucial game 9 of the match in New York, and had to pull of a spectacular save after getting into troubles out of the opening, and thus had parked the line until this game:} 7. c3 d6 8. a4 Rb8 9. d4 Bb6 10. a5 Ba7 11. h3 O-O 12. Be3 Ra8 13. Re1 h6 14. Nbd2 {Caruana had this exact position the day before also with the white pieces against Gawain Jones, who preferred 14...exd4.} Re8 {Curiously Magnus prefers the move Caruana himself played against Karjakin in 2013! That game continued with the pawn sacrifice 15.f1, but the American had prepared an even more cunning idea:} (14... exd4 15. cxd4 Nb4 {From a positional point of view Black is doing well, but Fabiano launched a well prepared attack with} 16. e5 $1 Nfd5 17. Ne4 Nxe3 18. Rxe3 Bb7 19. e6 Nd5 20. exf7+ Kh8 21. Re1 Rxf7 22. Rc1 Rc8 23. Nfg5 $1 {winning excellently. The depth of White's play is shown after} Re7 $1 (23... Rf5 $2 {was the game}) 24. Qg4 Qe8 25. Kh2 $1 Rd8 26. Qf5 $1 g6 27. Qg4 $1 {when the computer shows White has a very promising attack.}) 15. g4 $5 {The idea of attacking a pawn on h6 with g4 is not exactly new but, ideally White would prefer a rook and not his king on g1! Here however White's control of the centre means that it is difficult for Black to launch an attack against White's now somewhat weakened king, and more pressingly it's not easy to see how White develops next. There is no point in hiding that the move took the World Champion by surprise, as he now thought for more than half an hour coming up with a common sense reply:} Qe7 $6 {The computer indicates two ways for Black:} (15... exd4 16. cxd4 Nb4 {in the style of Jones is logical, now however with the rook on e8,} 17. Bxf7+ (17. g5 $5 {also deserves attention with wild tactics emerging after} c5 $1 18. e5 $5 Nfd5 19. Ne4 {with a complete mess, where Caruana certainly would be prepared.}) 17... Kxf7 18. Qb3+ {is possible, allthough} Nbd5 19. exd5 Bb7 20. Qd3 Qd7 $1 {as indicated by the computers seems to hold.}) (15... Qd7 $5 {is very interesting, combining defending the knight on c6 (and thus threatening 16...exd4 17.cxd4 xe4 18.xe4 xe4 as 19.d5 does not threaten on c6.) with ...xg4 motives cropping up.} {White can play it slow with} 16. Qc2 {but then} ({White can try and force events with} 16. g5 $5 {but Black can still play} exd4 17. cxd4 Nxe4 18. Nxe4 Rxe4 19. Bd5 {and while now} Re8 {loses to both 20.gxh6 or 20.g6,} (19... Qxh3 $1 {forces a draw, as} 20. Bxe4 Qg4+ {both 21.f1 and 21.h1 leave White's king exposed after 21...xe4 and} 21. Kh2 Qh5+ {is a perpetual.})) 16... Nd8 {is a good way to regroup.}) 16. Nf1 $1 {A very strong move, leaving Black in a strategically very difficult position.} Nd8 ({Tactically the problem is that} 16... exd4 17. cxd4 Nxe4 {loses a piece to} 18. d5 $1 Bxe3 19. Rxe3 Ne5 20. Nxe5 Qxe5 21. f3 {which means that Black has to play it slow.}) 17. Ng3 c5 18. Qd2 c4 19. Bc2 Nh7 20. b4 {An interesting moment. The computers at first indicate that 20.b3! is the move, and 20.b4 somewhat lets Black off the hook, but obviously both players seemed to think that sealing off the queenside is to White's advantage, and after a while the machine somewhat agrees with that after 20...f6!? 21.g2 e6 22.h4! still means White has a considerable advantage as Black's intended 22...hg5 is prevented.} cxb3 (20... Qf6 $5 21. Kg2 Ne6 22. h4 $1) 21. Bxb3 Be6 {Till here Caruana has turned in a powerful performance, but things are about to take a dramatic shift.} 22. Bc2 $2 ({After} 22. Nf5 $1 Qc7 {maybe at first it looks like White has made no progress, but} 23. Bd5 $1 {leaves White close to strategically winning:} Bxd5 (23... Rc8 24. Rac1 {also leaves Black stuck for moves, and biting the bullet and taking on f5, e.g. already in move 22 means White has a basically unstoppable attack down the g-file.}) 24. exd5 f6 {loses tactically to} 25. Bxh6 {as White's attack is unstoppable after} gxh6 26. Qxh6 Kh8 27. g5 fxg5 28. Nxd6 $18) 22... Rc8 23. Bd3 Nb7 24. Rec1 $146 {Not managing to follow through on his aggressive intentions, Caruana has shifted to a defensive setup keeping a5 and c3 protected, and planning d5 and c4 should Black place his queen on the obvious square c7, but Black does have another way of pressurising the a-pawn:} ({RR} 24. Qb2 Qd8 25. Qa3 Qe7 26. Qb2 Qd8 {0-1 (37) Bogdanov,E (2433)-Jeet,J (2223) Rochefort 2020}) ({RR} 24. Qb2 Qd8 25. Qa3 Qe7 26. Qb2 Qd8 {0-1 (37) Bogdanov,E (2433)-Jeet,J (2223) Rochefort 2020}) 24... Qd8 $1 {Short of time, White now collapses.} 25. Qb2 (25. d5 $1 {still was the best move, as after} Bxe3 26. Qxe3 Bd7 27. c4 $1 Nxa5 28. cxb5 Rxc1+ 29. Rxc1 axb5 30. Qa7 $1 {it seems like Black's best is} Nb3 {when White gets the pawn back with} 31. Rb1 Nc5 32. Bxb5 {and should be able to save the draw. In time pressure, however, Caruana goes astray.}) 25... Nxa5 26. Nd2 d5 $1 {Not only is Black a pawn up, but also the white centre is collapsing.} 27. Re1 Bb8 28. exd5 Bxd5 29. Bf5 Rc6 30. Qa3 Nb7 31. Rad1 exd4 32. Bxd4 Ng5 33. c4 Rxe1+ 34. Rxe1 Be6 35. Qe3 Bf4 $1 {The bishop, who White went to great length excluding from the game has returned efficiently and fittingly delivers the final blow. And as 36.xf4 loses to 36...xh3+ and 36.e2 xd2 37.xd2 to 37...f3+ Caruana resigned. Another American however kept the pase, meaning Magnus had a half point lead over Nakamura and a full point over the remaining field. Playing Hikaru as White the World Champion found inspiration from the French Championship, copying a recent game and effectively forcing a draw to clinch tournament victory.} 0-1

[Event "London Classic 9th"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2017.12.03"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Karjakin, Sergey"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C54"]
[WhiteElo "2760"]
[BlackElo "2837"]
[PlyCount "59"]
[EventDate "2017.12.01"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 182"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.01.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.01.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. O-O Nf6 5. d3 d6 6. c3 a6 7. a4 Ba7 8. Re1 h6 9. Nbd2 g5 10. b4 Nh5 11. Nb3 g4 12. b5 gxf3 13. Qxf3 Qf6 14. Qxf6 Nxf6 15. bxc6 bxc6 16. d4 $146 ({RR} 16. Na5 Bd7 17. Bb3 Rb8 18. Bd1 h5 19. Bg5 Ng8 20. Be2 f6 21. Be3 Bxe3 22. fxe3 Ne7 23. Reb1 Rc8 24. d4 Bg4 25. Bf1 Kd7 26. Rb7 Rb8 27. Rab1 Rxb7 28. Rxb7 Ra8 29. Nc4 Kd8 30. a5 d5 {Santos Latasa,J (2633)-Abdusattorov,N (2646) Castelldefels 2021 ½-½ (34)}) ({RR} 16. Na5 Bd7 17. Bb3 Rb8 18. Bd1 h5 19. Bg5 Ng8 20. Be2 f6 21. Be3 Bxe3 22. fxe3 Ne7 23. Reb1 Rc8 24. d4 Bg4 25. Bf1 Kd7 26. Rb7 Rb8 27. Rab1 Rxb7 28. Rxb7 Ra8 29. Nc4 Kd8 30. a5 d5 {Santos Latasa,J (2633)-Abdusattorov,N (2646) Castelldefels 2021 ½-½ (34)}) 16... Be6 17. Bxe6 fxe6 18. Be3 exd4 19. Bxd4 e5 20. Bxa7 Rxa7 21. Na5 Kd7 22. Rab1 Raa8 23. f3 Rab8 24. Kf2 h5 25. h4 Rhf8 26. Ke3 Rg8 27. Kf2 Rgf8 28. Ke3 Rg8 29. Kf2 Rgf8 30. Ke3 1/2-1/2

[Event "London Classic 9th"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2017.12.05"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C54"]
[WhiteElo "2789"]
[BlackElo "2837"]
[PlyCount "84"]
[EventDate "2017.12.01"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 182"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.01.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.01.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. c3 Nf6 5. d3 d6 6. O-O O-O 7. Re1 Ne7 8. d4 Bb6 9. a4 ({RR} 9. Nbd2 Ng6 10. Bd3 c6 11. Nf1 Bg4 12. Be3 d5 13. dxe5 Nxe5 14. exd5 Bxf3 15. gxf3 Nxd5 16. Be2 Qf6 17. Bxb6 axb6 18. Ng3 Nf4 19. Kh1 Rfd8 20. Qc2 g6 21. a3 Nxe2 22. Qxe2 Nxf3 23. Qe7 Qf4 {Zemlyanskii,I (2543)-Afanasiev,N (2526) Leninskiy RUS 2024 0-1 (35)}) 9... c6 ({RR} 9... a5 10. Be3 Nxe4 11. dxe5 Bxe3 12. Rxe3 d5 13. Bxd5 Nc5 14. Bb3 Be6 15. Qxd8 Raxd8 16. Bxe6 fxe6 17. Na3 Nd5 18. Re2 Nf4 19. Rc2 Nxa4 20. Nc4 b6 21. g3 Nd5 22. Nd4 Nc5 23. f4 a4 24. Re2 {Vachier Lagrave,M (2779)-Dominguez Perez,L (2739) Chess.com INT 2018 1-0 (52)}) 10. dxe5 Ng4 11. Rf1 dxe5 $146 ({RR} 11... Nxe5 12. Nxe5 dxe5 13. Qxd8 Rxd8 14. a5 Bc7 15. Be3 Bd7 16. Rd1 Bg4 17. Rxd8+ Rxd8 18. Nd2 Nc8 19. f3 Bd7 20. b4 Kf8 21. Kf1 Ke7 22. Ke2 f6 23. Kd1 Be6 24. Bxe6 Kxe6 25. Kc2 g6 26. Nb3 {Dominguez Perez,L (2758)-Xiong,J (2710) Saint Louis 2021 1-0 (38)}) ({RR} 11... Nxe5 12. Nxe5 dxe5 13. Qxd8 Rxd8 14. a5 Bc7 15. Be3 Bd7 16. Rd1 Bg4 17. Rxd8+ Rxd8 18. Nd2 Nc8 19. f3 Bd7 20. b4 Kf8 21. Kf1 Ke7 22. Ke2 f6 23. Kd1 Be6 24. Bxe6 Kxe6 25. Kc2 g6 26. Nb3 {Dominguez Perez,L (2758)-Xiong,J (2710) Saint Louis 2021 1-0 (38)}) 12. Qxd8 Bxd8 13. h3 Nf6 14. Nxe5 Nxe4 15. Re1 Nd6 16. Bb3 Re8 17. Nf3 Nd5 18. Rd1 Ne4 19. Bxd5 cxd5 20. Rxd5 Be6 21. Re5 Nf6 22. Re1 Bc7 23. Na3 a6 24. Nc2 Nd5 25. c4 Nf4 26. Bxf4 Bxf4 27. b3 Rad8 28. Rad1 Kf8 29. Nb4 Bc7 30. Nd3 Bf5 31. Rxe8+ Kxe8 32. Re1+ Kf8 33. Nc5 Bc8 34. Kf1 Ba5 35. Re3 Rd1+ 36. Ke2 Rb1 37. Ne4 Rb2+ 38. Kf1 Bf5 39. Nd6 Rb1+ 40. Ke2 Rb2+ 41. Kf1 Rb1+ 42. Ke2 Rb2+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "London Classic 9th"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2017.12.06"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "So, Wesley"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C65"]
[WhiteElo "2837"]
[BlackElo "2788"]
[PlyCount "136"]
[EventDate "2017.12.01"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 182"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.01.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.01.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. d3 Bc5 5. Bg5 Nd4 6. Nxd4 Bxd4 7. c3 Bb6 8. Nd2 c6 9. Ba4 h6 10. Bh4 d6 ({RR} 10... O-O 11. O-O d5 12. exd5 cxd5 13. Qe2 e4 14. dxe4 Bg4 15. Qe1 dxe4 16. Nxe4 g5 17. Bg3 Qe7 18. Nd6 Qe6 19. Bb3 Qd7 20. h3 Bxh3 21. Rd1 Bg4 22. Nxf7 Bxd1 23. Ne5+ Bxb3 24. Nxd7 Bc4 25. Nxf8 {So,W (2773)-Rasulov,V (2480) Chess.com INT 2022 1-0 (40)}) 11. Nc4 Bc7 ({RR} 11... Be6 12. Nxb6 axb6 13. Bc2 d5 14. f3 b5 15. O-O b4 16. d4 dxe4 17. fxe4 bxc3 18. bxc3 Qa5 19. Qf3 exd4 20. cxd4 Qd2 21. Bd3 Qb2 22. Bxf6 gxf6 23. d5 cxd5 24. exd5 Qd4+ 25. Kh1 Bxd5 26. Qg3 {Pranesh,M (2611)-Tarhan,A (2439) Bajina Basta SRB 2025 ½-½}) 12. Ne3 Bb6 13. Bb3 $146 ({RR} 13. Qf3 g5 14. Bg3 Bxe3 15. fxe3 Bg4 16. Qf2 Nh5 17. Bb3 Qe7 18. O-O Be6 19. Qf3 Nxg3 20. Qxg3 O-O-O 21. Rf3 Rh7 22. Raf1 Rg8 23. Bxe6+ fxe6 24. Rf6 h5 25. d4 exd4 26. exd4 g4 27. e5 d5 {Mihok,O (2522)-Parligras,M (2550) Hungary HUN 2024 1-0 (39)}) 13... g5 14. Bg3 Bxe3 15. fxe3 Bg4 16. Qd2 Nh5 17. O-O O-O 18. Be1 Qe7 19. h3 Be6 20. Qe2 Bxb3 21. Qxh5 Bc2 22. Qe2 Ba4 23. b3 Bb5 24. a4 Ba6 25. b4 b6 26. c4 Bb7 27. a5 f6 28. d4 Qh7 29. c5 bxc5 30. bxc5 Qxe4 31. cxd6 exd4 32. Qc4+ Kg7 33. a6 Bc8 34. Qxd4 Qxd4 35. exd4 Rb8 36. Bf2 Rf7 37. d5 cxd5 38. Rfc1 d4 39. Bxd4 Bf5 40. Rc7 Rd8 41. Bc5 Rdd7 42. Rxd7 Rxd7 43. Kf2 Be4 44. g4 f5 45. Ke3 Kf6 46. Ra5 Bc2 47. Rb5 Ke6 48. Rb2 f4+ 49. Kd4 Bd1 50. Rb8 f3 51. Ke3 Kd5 52. Ba3 Be2 53. Rh8 Kc4 54. Rxh6 Kb3 55. Bc5 Kc4 56. Bd4 Kd5 57. Rg6 Rxd6 58. Rxg5+ Ke6 59. Bxa7 Rxa6 60. Bc5 Ra2 61. Kf4 f2 62. Re5+ Kf7 63. Rf5+ Kg8 64. Bxf2 Bf1 65. Kg3 Ra3+ 66. Rf3 Rxf3+ 67. Kxf3 Bxh3 68. Kf4 Bxg4 1/2-1/2

[Event "London Classic 9th"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2017.12.08"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C45"]
[WhiteElo "2781"]
[BlackElo "2837"]
[Annotator "Yermolinsky,Alex "]
[PlyCount "145"]
[EventDate "2017.12.01"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 182"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.01.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.01.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 exd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nxc6 bxc6 6. e5 Qe7 7. Qe2 Nd5 8. h4 Bb7 9. c4 Nb6 10. Rh3 ({RR} 10. Nc3 O-O-O 11. Bg5 f6 12. exf6 Qf7 13. fxg7 Bxg7 14. Bxd8 Re8 15. Bg5 Ba6 16. Be3 Nxc4 17. O-O-O d5 18. Qc2 Kb7 19. Bxc4 Bxc4 20. Rhe1 Qf8 21. Na4 Qb4 22. Bd2 {1-0 (22) Carlsen,M (2862)-Tang,A (2538) Lichess.org INT 2021}) ({RR} 10. Bg5 Qe6 11. Nd2 Bb4 12. O-O-O h6 13. Bf4 O-O-O 14. g3 Ba6 15. b3 Rhe8 16. Qd3 Ba3+ 17. Kb1 Kb8 18. Bh3 Qe7 19. h5 Nd5 20. Rhe1 Nxf4 21. gxf4 d5 22. Qc2 Qh4 23. Bf1 Qxf4 24. Qc3 Bf8 {Durarbayli,V (2612)-Gorovets,A (2465) chess.com INT 2025 ½-½ (33)}) 10... Qe6 11. f4 O-O-O $146 ({RR} 11... Bb4+ 12. Bd2 c5 13. Nc3 O-O-O 14. a3 Bxc3 15. Rxc3 d6 16. O-O-O Rhe8 17. g4 dxe5 18. g5 Kb8 19. fxe5 Rd4 20. Be1 Qxe5 21. Qxe5 Rxe5 22. Bg3 Re7 23. Bf2 Rxd1+ 24. Kxd1 Nd7 25. Bh3 Bc6 26. Rd3 {Naumann,A (2562)-Walter,S (2397) Austria 2018 ½-½ (68)}) 12. a4 d5 13. a5 Nxc4 14. b3 Bb4+ 15. Kf2 Nxa5 16. Bd2 c5 17. Rxa5 Bxa5 18. Bxa5 Qf5 19. Nc3 Qxf4+ 20. Kg1 Rhe8 21. Nb5 a6 22. Rf3 Qxe5 23. Qxe5 Rxe5 24. Bxc7 Ree8 25. Bxd8 Rxd8 26. Na3 Rd7 27. Bd3 Kd8 28. Bxh7 g6 29. h5 gxh5 30. Rf6 Ke7 31. Rb6 Rc7 32. Nc2 a5 33. Ne3 c4 34. Bc2 Bc6 35. bxc4 dxc4 36. Ra6 a4 37. Bxa4 Be4 38. Ra5 Ke6 39. Rxh5 c3 40. Bb3+ Kd6 41. Bc2 Bxc2 42. Nxc2 Ke6 43. Kf2 f5 44. Rh3 {Hikaru's choice shows his desire to stabilise the situation.} ({He had a direct plan of bringing his king up, but there were many tactics to calculate.} 44. Ke3 $1 {is a very human move, in reply to which} Kf6 {is the toughest defence.} (44... Rc8 45. Nd4+ Kd7 46. Rh7+ Kd6 47. Kd3 $1 f4 (47... Rg8 48. Nxf5+ Ke5 49. Ne3) 48. Rh6+ $1 Ke5 49. Re6+ Kd5 {and finally,} 50. Rg6 $1 {puts Black in zugzwang.} Ke5 (50... Rc7 51. Rg5+ Kd6 52. Nb5+) 51. Nc6+ Kf5 52. Ne7+) 45. Kd4 Rc8 $1 (45... Rg7 {gets turned away by} 46. Ne3 f4 47. Nd5+ Kf7 48. Nxf4 $18) (45... f4 $5 {is a try, but the black king can never support the pawn, so White should be able to navigate his way to a win after} 46. Ke4 Rc4+ (46... Rg7 47. Rf5+ Ke6 48. Nd4+ Ke7 49. Kf3 Rg3+ 50. Kf2 Rd3 51. Ne2 $18) 47. Kf3 Kg6 48. Rh4 $1 Kg5 49. g3 $18) 46. Rh6+ (46. Rh3 Rg8 47. Ne1 c2 48. Rc3 Re8 49. Nxc2 Re2 $11) 46... Kg5 47. Rh3 {the c3-pawn drops, and it has to be all over now, right?} f4 {Well, not quite.} (47... Kg4 48. Ne3+ Kg5 49. Rg3+ Kh5 50. Nc2 {is an important step forward, as the black king is now cut off on the h-file.}) 48. Rxc3 {We're making progress now, but there's still a lot of work to be done.} Rd8+ 49. Ke4 Kg4 50. Nd4 (50. Rf3 Rh8 $3 {is surprisingly a draw.}) 50... Re8+ 51. Kd5 Rd8+ 52. Ke5 Ra8 {I must admit I don't see a forced win here. Nevertheless, I would have gone for this position, hoping to find a solution over the board.}) ({There was also a rather mechanical plan of rounding up the c-pawn:} 44. Rh1 Ke5 45. Rc1 f4 $1 (45... Ke4 46. Na3 $1 Rc5 47. Nb1 c2 48. Na3 {aiming for a pawn ending:} Kd3 (48... Rc3 49. Nxc2 Kf4 {would have been nice for Black if it wasn't for knight forks:} 50. Ne1 $18) 49. Rxc2 Rxc2+ 50. Nxc2 Kxc2 51. Ke3 $18) 46. Na3 Rc5 47. Nb1 c2 {Look out!} 48. Nd2 {is the only way to win.} ({Not} 48. Na3 {because Black has the amazing resource} f3 $3 49. gxf3 Rc3 50. Nxc2 Kf6 {staying away from the forks and keeping White tied up.}) 48... Rc8 49. Nf3+ Ke4 50. Ne1 $18 {Remember this position, it represents White's ultimate goal in this entire endgame.}) 44... Ke5 45. Rd3 Kf4 46. Rd4+ Kg5 47. Kf3 Rc8 48. Ra4 Rc7 49. Ra8 Kf6 50. Ra6+ Kg5 {Carlsen's defensive plan is taking shape. He avoids playing his pawn to f4, while keeping his king ready for a counter-attack should White attempt to move his king to the Q-side. Hikaru has to regroup.} 51. Nd4 $3 Rc4 $1 ({Magnus avoids a devilish trap:} 51... c2 $2 {loses to a mating attack!} 52. Ne6+ Kh4 (52... Kh5 53. Nf4+ Kg5 54. Rg6+ Kh4 55. g3#) 53. g3+ Kh3 54. Nf4+ Kh2 55. Rh6+ Kg1 56. Ne2+ Kf1 57. Rh1# {The knight, as an extra piece, still has its limitations when it comes to playing on both sides of the board. It's strength, however, is in tactical motifs.}) 52. Ne6+ ({A good chance to get on the winning track was} 52. Ne2 $1 c2 53. Ra1 Kf6 54. Rc1 Kg5 55. Kf2 Kg4 {and now the final knight transfer:} 56. Ng1 Kf4 57. Nf3 Rc8 58. Ne1 $18) 52... Kf6 53. Nf4+ Ke5 54. Nd3+ Kd5 55. Ra2 (55. Ra5+ Kd4 56. Nf4 {was an idea, as} c2 57. Ne2+ Kd3 58. Rd5+ {ends in mate. This and similar lines illustrate the difficulty of playing such endgames. One has to calculate variations all the time!}) 55... Kd4 56. Nc1 c2 57. Ra5 Rc3+ 58. Kf4 Rc8 59. Rxf5 $2 {A tragic miss.} (59. Ra3 Rc5 60. Rd3+ Kc4 61. Re3 Rc7 62. Kxf5 {would have clinched it for Nakamura.}) 59... Re8 60. Rf7 (60. Ra5 Re1 61. Ra1 Rd1 62. g4 Kc3 63. g5 Kb2 $11) 60... Re1 {Black will attack the knight, which cannot leave the c-pawn unattended.} 61. Rd7+ Kc3 62. Rc7+ Kd2 63. Nb3+ Kd3 64. Nc5+ Kd4 65. Nb3+ Kd3 66. Nc5+ Kd4 67. Nb3+ Kd3 68. g4 Rf1+ 69. Kg5 Rb1 70. Nc5+ Ke3 71. Nb3 Kd3 72. Nc5+ Ke3 73. Nb3 1/2-1/2

[Event "Tata Steel-A 80th"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2018.01.13"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C42"]
[WhiteElo "2834"]
[BlackElo "2811"]
[Annotator "Fernandez,Daniel Howard"]
[PlyCount "80"]
[EventDate "2018.01.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 183"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[TimeControl "40/5400+30:1800+30"]

1. e4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} e5 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 2. Nf3 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Nf6 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 3. Nxe5 {[%emt 0:00:00]} d6 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 4. Nf3 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Nxe4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 5. Qe2 {[%emt 0:00:00] A minor choice, generally renowned for leading to a drawish ending.'} Qe7 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 6. d3 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Nf6 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 7. Nc3 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Qxe2+ {[%emt 0:06:40]} 8. Bxe2 {[%emt 0:00:00]} g6 {[%emt 0:00:12]} ({On schematic grounds, I might have preferred} 8... c6 {[%csl Rc3] to close off all options of b5 and 'dominate' the c3-knight. The followup could then be ...d5 and ...g4, with the idea of trying to exchange the light-squared bishop for anything, and exchange the pair of dark-squared bishops.}) 9. Nd4 {[%emt 0:05:37]} a6 {[%emt 0:04:25]} 10. Bf4 {[%emt 0:05:06] Now this pressures the d6-pawn, so as to prevent ...c6 following a fianchetto. Black has little choice but to play ...c6 one way or another, and he will be left with doubled pawns.'} Bg7 {[%emt 0:00:33]} (10... Nbd7 {is the maximalist move, trying to prevent f3 altogether.}) 11. h3 {[%emt 0:00:43]} Bd7 {[%emt 0:06:15]} 12. Bf3 {[%emt 0:00:36]} Nc6 {[%emt 0:00:15]} 13. Nxc6 {[%emt 0:00:14]} Bxc6 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 14. Bxc6+ {[%emt 0:00:13]} bxc6 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 15. O-O-O {[%emt 0:00:50]} Kd7 {[%emt 0:06:33] Objectively, there is nothing whatsoever wrong with Black's position, and as long as one doesn't get carried away with premonitions of White kings appearing on a5 after the rooks come off (echoes of Rubinstein) then it is also easy enough to play.'} 16. Rhe1 {[%emt 0:01:14]} Rhe8 {[%emt 0:04:33]} 17. Ne4 $146 {[%emt 0:00:42]} (17. Bd2 {[%cal Ge1e8,Gd1e1] may have been wisest, focusing on the task of exchanging all the rooks as quickly as possible and then placing pawns on light squares.}) ({RR} 17. Bd2) 17... Nd5 {[%emt 0:07:57]} (17... Nxe4 18. dxe4 Re6 19. f3 Rae8 20. Bd2 {[%cal Gc2c4,Gc1c2] is also fine but now White's moves are definitely easier to find, starting with c4, Kc2, b3.}) 18. Bd2 {[%emt 0:00:11]} f5 {[%emt 0:02:42]} 19. Ng5 {[%emt 0:00:11]} h6 {[%emt 0:00:09]} 20. Nf3 {[%emt 0:00:09]} g5 {[%emt 0:04:07]} 21. c3 {[%emt 0:02:59]} c5 {[%emt 0:07:56]} 22. Kc2 {[%emt 0:02:16]} Bf6 {[%emt 0:00:30]} ({The computer wants} 22... a5 {but it can never be good to allow this pawn to be fixed.}) 23. Rxe8 {[%emt 0:01:08]} Rxe8 {[%emt 0:01:29]} 24. Re1 {[%emt 0:00:11]} Rf8 {[%emt 0:05:21]} 25. Rh1 {[%emt 0:01:51]} Re8 {[%emt 0:06:55]} 26. g3 {[%emt 0:01:59]} g4 {[%emt 0:09:09]} 27. Ng1 {[%emt 0:00:38]} Bg5 {[%emt 0:00:14]} 28. Kd1 {[%emt 0:06:20]} a5 {[%emt 0:11:46]} 29. Ne2 {[%emt 0:02:30] One of several acceptable moves.} (29. a4 Rb8 $1 $15 {was the point and White is being stretched a bit thin.}) 29... a4 {[%emt 0:00:13]} (29... Rb8 $5 30. b3 a4 31. Bxg5 hxg5 {is a little bit testing, perhaps}) 30. Bxg5 {[%emt 0:05:53]} hxg5 {[%emt 0:00:15]} 31. hxg4 {[%emt 0:00:09]} fxg4 {[%emt 0:00:04]} 32. Rh5 {[%emt 0:00:22]} Re5 {[%emt 0:01:40]} 33. Rh7+ {[%emt 0:00:31]} Ke6 {[%emt 0:07:59]} 34. a3 {[%emt 0:13:54]} (34. d4 {screams out to be played, but there is nothing much going on here either:} Rf5 35. c4 Nb6 36. b3 axb3 37. axb3 Rf3 $11 {Nevertheless, this was marginally safer for White than the game.}) 34... Rf5 {[%emt 0:00:09]} 35. c4 {[%emt 0:02:06]} Nf6 {[%emt 0:05:21]} 36. Rh2 {[%emt 0:00:45] It looks slightly dangerous to a human to allow ...xf2, because ...d7-e5 with pressure will follow soon.'} Rf3 {[%emt 0:00:52]} 37. Kc2 {[%emt 0:00:51]} Nd7 {[%emt 0:00:45]} 38. d4 {[%emt 0:05:54] Else White is in very obvious difficulties.} Nb6 {[%emt 0:00:17]} (38... Rf5 {is a sensible engine suggestion; this keeps a bit of pressure by not clarifying the situation of the d4-pawn.} 39. Kd3 (39. Rh7 Nb6 40. dxc5 Rxc5 $36) 39... Rf7 {An engine move; what was your first clue?} 40. Rh6+ $6 Ke7 41. Rh2 cxd4 42. Nxd4 Ne5+ 43. Kc3 c5 $15) 39. dxc5 {[%emt 0:00:42]} dxc5 {[%emt 0:00:07]} 40. Nc3 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Ke5 (40... Ke5 {[%emt 0:00:00]} {Presumably the expected continuation was:} 41. Nd1 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Nxc4 42. Rh5 Kd4 43. Rxg5 Ne5 44. Rg7 {when White is completely out of the woods.}) 1/2-1/2

[Event "Tata Steel-A 80th"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2018.01.14"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Adhiban, Baskaran"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C47"]
[WhiteElo "2655"]
[BlackElo "2834"]
[Annotator "Fernandez,Daniel Howard"]
[PlyCount "72"]
[EventDate "2018.01.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 183"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 {[%emt 0:00:07]} e5 {[%emt 0:00:10]} 2. Nf3 {[%emt 0:00:39]} Nc6 {[%emt 0:00:09]} 3. Nc3 {[%emt 0:00:51]} Nf6 {[%emt 0:00:25]} 4. d4 {[%emt 0:00:07]} exd4 {[%emt 0:00:22]} 5. Nxd4 {[%emt 0:00:05]} Bb4 {[%emt 0:00:19]} 6. Nxc6 {[%emt 0:00:13]} bxc6 {[%emt 0:00:03]} 7. Bd3 {[%emt 0:00:16]} d5 {[%emt 0:01:36]} 8. exd5 {[%emt 0:00:15]} O-O {[%emt 0:00:10]} 9. O-O {[%emt 0:00:03]} cxd5 {[%emt 0:00:07]} 10. Bg5 {[%emt 0:01:31]} c6 {[%emt 0:00:14]} 11. Qf3 {[%emt 0:00:39] It is interesting how these things change. In 2008 this line was taught to me from the White side by Ukrainian-Israeli GM Boris Alterman; shortly after becoming an IM (in 2011) I viewed it as primarily a drawing weapon and now I think it's just a way to get a long and strategically messy game which the better player will probably win. That is in fact what occurred.} Bd6 {[%emt 0:02:48]} (11... Rb8 12. h3 {probably brings White a little bit closer to his dream of a4, b3, c4, f4 and ad1.}) (11... Be7 {is more played and is most solid, but the doubled f-pawns are not something to get that scared about.}) 12. Rae1 {[%emt 0:01:50] Possibly preparation, but in any case quite logical to take the e5-square from Black's bishop.} (12. h3 {is main, and now a tactic worth knowing is} Rb8 13. b3 Be5 14. Bf4 $5 {although it doesn't necessarily promise White anything after} Bxc3 15. Bxb8 Bxa1 16. Rxa1 Bg4 17. hxg4 Qxb8 $11 {Morozevich,A-Kramnik,V Moscow 2013. However, we were not destined to see another bishop-vs- knight-and-solid-d5-centre draw this round.}) 12... Rb8 {[%emt 0:06:40]} 13. b3 {[%emt 0:02:24] Keeping equality.} (13. Na4 h6 $1 $15) ({RR} 13. Bxf6 Qxf6 14. Qxf6 gxf6 15. Nd1 Bd7 16. b3 Rfe8 17. Rxe8+ Rxe8 18. Ne3 {½-½ (18) Tomashevsky,E (2681)-Karjakin,S (2750) Moscow RUS 2023}) 13... a5 $146 {[%emt 0:13:26]} (13... Bb4 {tries to take advantage of White's tactically vulnerable pieces. There could follow:} 14. Qg3 Bd7 {and I assume Carlsen saw this and steered clear due to the drawing line} 15. Qh4 $1 h6 16. Bxh6 $11) ({RR} 13... Bb4 14. Bd2 Bg4 15. Qg3 Qa5 16. a3 Bxa3 17. Ra1 Qc5 18. Na4 Qd6 19. Bf4 Nh5 20. Bxd6 Nxg3 21. Bxg3 {1-0 (21) Nguyen,V (2423)-Jackson,B (2165) Chess.com INT 2016}) ({RR} 13... h6 14. Bxf6 Qxf6 15. Qxf6 gxf6 16. Ne2 Re8 17. Nd4 Bd7 18. Nf5 Bxf5 19. Bxf5 Bb4 20. Rxe8+ Rxe8 21. Bd7 Re2 22. Bxc6 Rxc2 23. Bxd5 Rxa2 24. g4 Bc3 25. Bc4 Ra1 26. Rxa1 Bxa1 27. Kg2 Bd4 28. f4 {Zhang,D (2370)-Xie Jianjun (2351) Tianjin CHN 2024 ½-½ (32)}) ({RR} 13... h6 14. Bxf6 Qxf6 15. Qxf6 gxf6 16. Ne2 Re8 17. Ng3 Re5 18. f4 Rxe1 19. Rxe1 Kf8 20. Nh5 Bb4 21. Re2 Bc3 22. h3 c5 23. Kh2 a5 24. Re3 Bd4 25. Rg3 a4 26. Bh7 Bb2 27. Rg8+ Ke7 28. Bf5 {Petrov,V (1980)-Khmelniker,I (2523) Plovdiv 2012 0-1 (45)}) 14. h3 {[%emt 0:05:11]} h6 {[%emt 0:05:20]} 15. Bxf6 {[%emt 0:00:12]} Qxf6 {[%emt 0:00:03]} 16. Qxf6 {[%emt 0:00:07]} gxf6 {[%emt 0:00:19]} 17. Ne2 {[%emt 0:00:07]} c5 {[%emt 0:08:27]} 18. Ng3 {[%emt 0:02:40]} Rd8 {[%emt 0:00:40]} 19. Nf5 {[%emt 0:02:17] So White has emerged with a marginally more comfortable position from the opening, but Black isn't giving up on trying to win just yet.} Bf8 $1 {[%emt 0:03:03] Bishops of the same colour always offer more imbalance, and in this case White needs to be concerned about the ...c4 push too.} (19... Bxf5 20. Bxf5 a4 21. g3 axb3 22. axb3 Be5 $11 {would be a reasonably solid way to make a draw.}) 20. Ne7+ {[%emt 0:14:20]} Bxe7 {[%emt 0:00:03]} 21. Rxe7 {[%emt 0:00:06]} Be6 {[%emt 0:01:18]} 22. Rd1 {[%emt 0:06:01]} (22. Ra7 $1 {As always, White should exchange precisely one pair of rooks, and this poses Black some significant problems.} Ra8 (22... c4 23. Be2 {is inconvenient for Black as he doesn't obtain enough in the event of ...c4, but} Ra8 {is also bad:} 24. Rxa8 Rxa8 25. f4 $14) 23. Rxa8 Rxa8 24. f4 (24. g4 h5 $11) 24... f5 $1 (24... Kf8 25. Kf2 Ke7 26. g4 $14 {leads to the same problem as in Giri-Hou yesterday, and a Rubinstein game about 100 years ago: the isolated rook's pawn is often a major weakness.}) 25. g4 fxg4 26. f5 Bd7 27. hxg4 Re8 $11) 22... c4 {[%emt 0:09:45]} 23. Be2 {[%emt 0:20:23]} a4 {[%emt 0:00:23] Now Black is having some fun: possibly Adhiban missed from afar that ...xc2 can pin a bishop to a c7-rook a few moves into certain lines.} 24. bxa4 {[%emt 0:01:35]} Bf5 $6 {[%emt 0:03:32] Either an inaccuracy or a slight gamble. Either way, it makes the game look a bit less 'smooth' given that it is a win in the end, but also increased the likelihood of that being the result.} (24... Kf8 25. Rc7 Rb2 $132 {was for instance one reasonable continuation for Black.}) 25. Bf3 $2 {[%emt 0:20:41] Missing the accidental chance.} (25. c3 $1 Ra8 (25... d4 26. Bxc4 dxc3 27. Rxd8+ Rxd8 28. Bb3 $14) 26. Rc7 $1 {The point is that White can use the pin on the d-file, and for this reason Black is unable to take on a4. For instance:} Be6 27. f4 f5 28. Rd2 $14) 25... d4 $1 $15 {[%emt 0:01:40]} 26. a5 $2 {[%emt 0:08:52]} (26. Re2 Rb2 27. Red2 {is the engine suggestion but following} d3 $5 {it is also a bit depressing, e.g.} 28. cxd3 (28. c3 Rb6 29. a5 Ra6 $15) 28... c3 29. Rxb2 cxb2 30. Rb1 Rb8 31. Be4 Be6 32. a5 Bxa2 33. Rxb2 Rxb2 34. a6 Rb1+ 35. Kh2 Ra1 36. a7 Bd5 37. Bxd5 Rxa7 $15 {and the endgame should be held, especially at this level: bishop goes to f5 and is supported by g4, for instance, but it requires a certain appetite for suffering to go in for this.}) 26... Bxc2 $19 {[%emt 0:01:45]} 27. Rc1 {[%emt 0:00:36]} Rb1 {[%emt 0:06:42]} 28. Rxb1 {[%emt 0:09:46]} Bxb1 {[%emt 0:00:03]} 29. Rc7 {[%emt 0:03:43]} c3 {[%emt 0:00:49] The engine takes a while to realise, but White is toast.} 30. Bd1 {[%emt 0:02:52]} (30. Kf1 Re8 {snares the a5-pawn in a reasonably funny way.}) 30... Ra8 {[%emt 0:02:33]} 31. Rc5 {[%emt 0:00:56]} Bxa2 {[%emt 0:00:47]} 32. Bc2 {[%emt 0:00:16]} Be6 {[%emt 0:01:47]} 33. Kf1 {[%emt 0:02:06]} Rc8 {[%emt 0:00:59]} 34. Rxc8+ {[%emt 0:00:10]} Bxc8 {[%emt 0:00:02]} 35. Ke2 {[%emt 0:03:28]} Ba6+ {[%emt 0:00:03]} 36. Kf3 {[%emt 0:00:11]} d3 {[%emt 0:00:19] A very well played game!} 0-1

[Event "Tata Steel-A 80th"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2018.01.16"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Giri, Anish"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C18"]
[WhiteElo "2752"]
[BlackElo "2834"]
[PlyCount "61"]
[EventDate "2018.01.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 183"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[TimeControl "40/6000+30:20/3000+30:900+30"]

1. e4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} e6 {[%emt 0:00:23]} 2. d4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} d5 {[%emt 0:00:07]} 3. Nc3 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Bb4 {[%emt 0:00:08]} 4. e5 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Ne7 {[%emt 0:00:11]} 5. a3 {[%emt 0:00:27]} Bxc3+ {[%emt 0:00:10]} 6. bxc3 {[%emt 0:00:03]} c5 {[%emt 0:00:15]} 7. Qg4 {[%emt 0:00:52]} cxd4 {[%emt 0:00:09]} 8. Qxg7 {[%emt 0:03:29]} Rg8 {[%emt 0:00:09]} 9. Qxh7 {[%emt 0:00:03]} Qc7 {[%emt 0:00:17]} 10. Ne2 {[%emt 0:00:15]} Nbc6 {[%emt 0:00:23]} 11. f4 {[%emt 0:00:19]} dxc3 {[%emt 0:00:08]} 12. Nxc3 {[%emt 0:05:59]} Nd4 {[%emt 0:00:25]} 13. Bb2 {[%emt 0:09:42]} Bd7 {[%emt 0:02:15]} 14. O-O-O {[%emt 0:00:58]} Qb6 {[%emt 0:00:45]} ({RR} 14... Ndf5 15. Qh3 Qc5 16. Rd2 O-O-O 17. g4 Ne3 18. Nd1 Nxf1 19. Rxf1 Bb5 20. Re1 Nc6 21. f5 d4 22. fxe6 fxe6 23. Nf2 Nxe5 24. Ne4 Qc6 25. Bxd4 Nd3+ 26. Rxd3 Bxd3 27. Qxd3 e5 28. Nf6 Qxf6 29. Qc3+ {Karjakin,S (2786)-Nepomniachtchi,I (2703) Moscow 2013 ½-½ (73)}) 15. Qd3 {[%emt 0:13:31]} Ndf5 {[%emt 0:00:19]} 16. Rd2 $146 {[%emt 0:01:11]} ({RR} 16. Nb5 Rc8 17. g3 a6 18. Nd4 Ba4 19. Rd2 Rc4 20. Bg2 Nxd4 21. Bxd4 Qb5 22. Bf1 Qc6 23. Qh7 Rg7 24. Qh8+ Rg8 25. Qh7 Rg7 26. Qh8+ Rg8 27. Qh7 {½-½ (27) Horvath,C (2515)-Balog,I (2539) Budapest 2013}) ({RR} 16. Nb5 O-O-O 17. g3 a6 18. Nd4 Kb8 19. Qb3 Qa7 20. Bh3 Rc8 21. Nxf5 exf5 22. Bd4 Qa8 23. Qb4 Rce8 24. Qd6+ Kc8 25. Bb6 Qb8 26. Qc5+ Bc6 27. Bg2 {1-0 (27) Nijboer,F (2525)-Wirschell,T (2325) Antwerp 1996}) 16... Rc8 {[%emt 0:06:56]} 17. g3 {[%emt 0:03:47]} Ne3 {[%emt 0:10:51]} 18. Ne4 {[%emt 0:14:49]} Rxc2+ {[%emt 0:07:35]} 19. Rxc2 {[%emt 0:00:54]} dxe4 {[%emt 0:00:03]} 20. Qxe4 {[%emt 0:05:59]} Nxc2 {[%emt 0:01:38]} 21. Qxc2 {[%emt 0:00:07]} Bc6 {[%emt 0:01:54]} 22. Bg2 {[%emt 0:00:20]} Bxg2 {[%emt 0:00:29]} 23. Qxg2 {[%emt 0:00:05]} Nd5 {[%emt 0:00:07]} 24. Kb1 {[%emt 0:09:31]} Nc3+ {[%emt 0:00:31]} 25. Ka1 {[%emt 0:00:24]} Qb3 {[%emt 0:00:28]} 26. Bxc3 {[%emt 0:00:05]} Qxa3+ {[%emt 0:00:09]} 27. Kb1 {[%emt 0:00:18]} Qxc3 {[%emt 0:00:04]} 28. Rc1 {[%emt 0:10:34]} Qb4+ {[%emt 0:00:15]} 29. Qb2 {[%emt 0:00:54]} Qe4+ {[%emt 0:00:09]} 30. Qc2 {[%emt 0:00:05]} Qb4+ {[%emt 0:00:11]} 31. Qb2 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 1/2-1/2

[Event "Tata Steel-A 80th"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2018.01.17"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Kramnik, Vladimir"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C54"]
[WhiteElo "2834"]
[BlackElo "2787"]
[Annotator "ChessBase II"]
[PlyCount "126"]
[EventDate "2018.01.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 183"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[TimeControl "40/6000+30:20/3000+30:900+30"]

{Especially dramatic was the match between Magnus Carlsen and Vladimir Kramnik. In an Italian game Kramnik reached easy equality with Black} 1. e4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} e5 {[%emt 0:00:09]} 2. Nf3 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Nc6 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 3. Bc4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Bc5 {[%emt 0:00:16]} 4. O-O {[%emt 0:00:01]} Nf6 {[%emt 0:00:22]} 5. d3 {[%emt 0:00:07]} d6 {[%emt 0:01:10]} 6. c3 {[%emt 0:00:19]} a6 {[%emt 0:00:11]} 7. a4 {[%emt 0:00:17]} O-O {[%emt 0:01:12]} 8. h3 {[%emt 0:00:18]} h6 {[%emt 0:02:17]} 9. Re1 {[%emt 0:02:41]} Re8 {[%emt 0:00:58]} 10. Nbd2 {[%emt 0:03:42]} Be6 {[%emt 0:01:14]} 11. Bxe6 {[%emt 0:01:26]} Rxe6 {[%emt 0:00:25]} 12. b4 {[%emt 0:00:06]} Ba7 {[%emt 0:00:04]} 13. Qc2 {[%emt 0:06:43]} Qd7 {[%emt 0:00:13]} 14. Nf1 {[%emt 0:06:09]} ({RR} 14. Rb1 Rd8 15. b5 Ne7 16. Nc4 Ng6 17. Be3 Bxe3 18. Nxe3 d5 19. c4 d4 20. Nd5 axb5 21. axb5 c6 22. bxc6 bxc6 23. Nb6 Qe7 24. g3 Nf8 25. c5 Ne8 26. Ra1 Qf6 27. Kg2 Nc7 28. Ra5 Ree8 {Bok,B (2593)-Vrolijk,L (2521) Venlo NED 2025 ½-½ (42)}) 14... d5 {[%emt 0:01:00]} 15. Ng3 {[%emt 0:14:26]} Rd8 {[%emt 0:04:39]} 16. exd5 $146 {[%emt 0:16:32]} ({RR} 16. Rb1 Ne7 17. c4 dxc4 18. dxc4 Nc6 19. c5 Qd3 20. Qxd3 Rxd3 21. Be3 a5 22. bxa5 Nxa5 23. Rb5 b6 24. Nxe5 Ra3 25. Rd1 Rxa4 26. Rd8+ Kh7 27. Nxf7 Nxe4 28. Nxe4 Raxe4 29. Rc8 Re7 30. Nd8 c6 {Silich,Y (2221)-Bialiauski,A (1996) Minsk 2022 1-0 (74)}) ({RR} 16. Rb1 Ne7 17. c4 dxc4 18. dxc4 Nc6 19. c5 Qd3 20. Qxd3 Rxd3 21. Be3 a5 22. bxa5 Nxa5 23. Rb5 b6 24. Nxe5 Ra3 25. Rd1 Rxa4 26. Rd8+ Kh7 27. Nxf7 Nxe4 28. Nxe4 Raxe4 29. Rc8 Re7 30. Nd8 c6 {Silich,Y (2221)-Bialiauski,A (1996) Minsk 2022 1-0 (74)}) 16... Qxd5 {[%emt 0:14:05]} 17. Be3 {[%emt 0:00:09]} Qxd3 {[%emt 0:19:40]} 18. Qxd3 {[%emt 0:00:07]} Rxd3 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 19. Bxa7 {[%emt 0:09:11]} Nxa7 {[%emt 0:01:24]} 20. Nxe5 {[%emt 0:00:04]} Rd5 {[%emt 0:02:26]} 21. Ng4 {[%emt 0:00:20]} Nxg4 {[%emt 0:06:14]} 22. Rxe6 {[%emt 0:00:04]} fxe6 {[%emt 0:00:09]} 23. hxg4 {[%emt 0:00:04]} a5 {[%emt 0:01:58]} 24. f3 {[%emt 0:02:26]} Nc6 {[%emt 0:07:20]} 25. Rb1 {[%emt 0:07:16]} b6 {[%emt 0:08:27]} 26. Ne4 {[%emt 0:00:46]} axb4 {[%emt 0:04:39]} 27. cxb4 {[%emt 0:00:12]} Rd4 {[%emt 0:00:03]} 28. b5 $6 {[%emt 0:01:15] After one "impulsive" move (28.b5) — as Carlsen said after the game — the Norwegian even came under pressure and had to save himself in a rook ending, where black had two pawns extra — although doubled on the g-line. With only one g-pawn it would be a theoretical draw, but the second g-pawn made the matter "tricky" to quote Carlsen. But Carlsen defended himself precisely and saved the draw} Ne5 {[%emt 0:01:27]} 29. Rc1 {[%emt 0:11:02]} Nxg4 {[%emt 0:07:22]} 30. fxg4 {[%emt 0:02:50]} Rxe4 {[%emt 0:00:35]} 31. Rxc7 {[%emt 0:00:09]} Rxa4 {[%emt 0:02:44]} 32. Rc6 {[%emt 0:02:10]} Kf7 {[%emt 0:02:36]} 33. g5 {[%emt 0:01:35]} hxg5 {[%emt 0:00:22]} 34. Rxb6 {[%emt 0:00:02]} Rb4 {[%emt 0:01:28]} 35. Rb8 {[%emt 0:04:45]} Kf6 {[%emt 0:04:54]} 36. b6 {[%emt 0:00:21]} Ke5 {[%emt 0:02:25]} 37. Kh2 {[%emt 0:09:23]} Rb3 {[%emt 0:00:59]} 38. g4 {[%emt 0:08:53]} Kf4 {[%emt 0:07:48]} 39. b7 {[%emt 0:00:04]} Kxg4 {[%emt 0:02:10]} 40. Re8 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Rxb7 {[%emt 0:01:14]} 41. Rxe6 {[%emt 0:01:39]} Rb2+ {[%emt 0:08:12]} 42. Kg1 {[%emt 0:00:03]} Kf3 {[%emt 0:02:35]} 43. Ra6 {[%emt 0:00:44]} Rg2+ {[%emt 0:04:59]} 44. Kh1 {[%emt 0:00:52]} Re2 {[%emt 0:02:48]} 45. Kg1 {[%emt 0:08:27]} g4 {[%emt 0:02:28]} 46. Ra1 {[%emt 0:01:24]} Re8 {[%emt 0:08:00]} 47. Rb1 {[%emt 0:03:54]} g3 {[%emt 0:09:01]} 48. Rb3+ {[%emt 0:00:40]} Re3 {[%emt 0:03:29]} 49. Rb1 {[%emt 0:00:02]} Re8 {[%emt 0:04:24]} 50. Rb3+ {[%emt 0:00:05]} Kg4 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 51. Rb5 {[%emt 0:00:11]} Re1+ {[%emt 0:05:22]} 52. Kg2 {[%emt 0:00:01]} Re2+ {[%emt 0:00:18]} 53. Kg1 {[%emt 0:00:02]} g5 {[%emt 0:05:15]} 54. Rb8 {[%emt 0:00:12]} Re1+ {[%emt 0:00:24]} 55. Kg2 {[%emt 0:00:03]} Re2+ {[%emt 0:00:04]} 56. Kg1 {[%emt 0:00:10]} Ra2 {[%emt 0:00:42]} 57. Rc8 {[%emt 0:00:10]} Ra1+ {[%emt 0:01:28]} 58. Kg2 {[%emt 0:00:02]} Ra2+ {[%emt 0:00:04]} 59. Kg1 {[%emt 0:00:07]} g2 {[%emt 0:02:18]} 60. Rc4+ {[%emt 0:00:00]} Kh3 {[%emt 0:00:53]} 61. Rc3+ {[%emt 0:00:18]} Kh4 {[%emt 0:00:09]} 62. Rc4+ {[%emt 0:00:08]} g4 {[%emt 0:00:35]} 63. Rc3 {[%emt 0:00:04]} Kh5 1/2-1/2

[Event "Tata Steel-A 80th"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2018.01.21"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Jones, Gawain C B"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B76"]
[WhiteElo "2834"]
[BlackElo "2640"]
[Annotator "Nielsen,Peter Heine"]
[PlyCount "83"]
[EventDate "2018.01.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 183"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 {Golubev,M} c5 {A slight surprise as recently Jones have preferred the indeed more solid 1...e5. But as these days publicity is what matters even Nakamura played the Dragon in order just to get in one funny tweet, why wouldn't Jones use his opportunity at the stage vs. the World Champion to advertise his two books on the subject?} 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 $5 {Somewhat impratical, as one could argue Magnus would be an even bigger favourite if a theoretical battle was out of the picture with any random move like 3.b5+, but again, that would indeed be predictable.} cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 g6 6. Be3 Bg7 7. f3 Nc6 8. Qd2 O-O 9. O-O-O {A few years back when Magnus himself played the Dragon as Black 9.c4 was the line he was most tested in, but Leko did play this move agianst him in their match at Miskolic 2008.} d5 10. Qe1 $5 {This is the pet-line that Leko used to cause get opening advantages yet no wins against Magnus in the match, but later both did collect the full point against Lawrence Trent at Isle of Mans.} e5 {On my own repertoire DVD I recommended 10...e6 for Black, but since then White has found improvements and in his book Jones rightfully preferred 10...e5.} 11. Nxc6 bxc6 12. exd5 Nxd5 {Magnus took with the c-pawn - 12...cxd5 - but after 13.g5 e6 14.c4 it has now been established that Black just suffers, which the games illustrated well.} 13. Bc4 Be6 14. Kb1 $5 {Especially two games by Wei Yi in 2013 made this particular move popular as Black just seemed to suffer. In his book Jones recommends 14...b8 which even was played shortly after this game in Gibraltar against Duda. Gawain however cunningly deviates from his own recommendation, obviously taking the World Champion by surprise, as he now started spending considerable amounts of times for his next moves:} Re8 $5 ({RR} 14... f5 15. Qd2 e4 16. Nxd5 cxd5 17. Bxd5 Qxd5 18. Qxd5 Bxd5 19. Rxd5 f4 20. Bc5 Rfb8 21. b3 e3 22. Bd6 Rd8 23. c4 g5 24. Kc2 Rac8 25. Rhd1 a5 26. Be7 Rxd5 27. Rxd5 e2 28. Kd2 Rc6 29. Bxg5 {Anand,V (2751)-Mamedov,R (2656) Baku 2021 1-0 (49)}) ({RR} 14... Rb8 15. Ne4 h6 16. g4 Qc7 17. Bc5 Rfd8 18. Bb3 a5 19. h4 f5 20. gxf5 gxf5 21. Nc3 e4 22. Na4 Nf4 23. Rxd8+ Qxd8 24. Rg1 Bxb3 25. axb3 Rb7 26. fxe4 fxe4 27. Qxe4 Qf6 28. Bd4 Qxh4 29. Qxc6 {Klim,F (2212)-Manukyan,S (2267) chess.com INT 2025 1-0 (33)}) 15. Ne4 f5 $1 {A strong novelty.} 16. Ng5 Bc8 $1 {This is the point. Surprisingly there is no way White can really exploit Black's loss of time.  From a practical point of view its tempting for White to try and find a move that might push Black out of his preparations and force "man vs. man" situations, and after a few minutes Magnus lashed out with:} 17. g4 $146 {This is logical, as after 17...h6 18.e4 why wouldn't it be better that White immediately threatened to open the gfile? However 17.h4 was not only an aggressive move, it also had the advantage of protecting the knight at g5, which means that after...} ({The computer indicates the logical} 17. h4 {but concluding that after} Rb8 $5 {willingly sacrificing the a7-pawn, Black has sufficient counterplay:} 18. Bb3 h6 19. c4 hxg5 20. cxd5 Rxb3 $1 {being a principled line.}) ({One more idea is} 17. Bb3 $5 {Golubev,M} f4 18. h4 ({Black should be able to survive also} 18. Ne4 fxe3 19. c4 Be6 $1 20. cxd5 cxd5 21. Qxe3 $11) 18... fxe3 19. c4 e4 $5 20. cxd5 Qf6 {and White has an easy draw, for example,} 21. dxc6+ Kh8 22. Nf7+ Kg8 23. Ng5+ {(where Black should avoid} Be6 $2 24. Bxe6+ Rxe6 25. Qb4 $1 $18 {) but probably no more. Hopefully, Black is OK everywhere. But before entering all these lines in a practical game, the safest is to check them with AlphaZero. One way or another, one can see how dangerous is to play the Dragon these days, if your opponent isn't a lazy world champ but someone who is well prepared.}) ({RR} 17. h4 h6 18. Ne4 Be6 19. Nc5 Bf7 20. g4 e4 21. gxf5 exf3 22. fxg6 Bxg6 23. Qg1 Kh7 24. Bd4 Bxd4 25. Rxd4 Qf6 26. Qf2 Ne3 27. Rd7+ Kh8 28. Bd3 Ng4 29. Qd2 f2 30. Rf1 Bxd3 31. Nxd3 Rad8 {Lindberg,B (2353)-Olsson,W (2355) Tylosand SWE 2023 0-1 (67)}) ({RR} 17. h4 h6 18. Ne4 Be6 19. Nc5 Bf7 20. Bc1 Qe7 21. Qf2 e4 22. fxe4 fxe4 23. Bxd5 Bxd5 24. Rhe1 a5 25. Be3 Rab8 26. Bd4 e3 27. Qf4 Rf8 28. Qg4 Bxd4 29. Qxd4 e2 30. Rd2 Rf1 31. Nd3 Rbf8 {Pichot,A (2564)-Jones,G (2667) Chess.com INT 2018 1-0 (60)}) 17... f4 $1 {...the shocking reality is that Black is winning a piece! Magnus in an interview afterwards admitting to that simply having blundered.} 18. h4 $5 {After all Fischer had a point. It's all about h4-h5 and mate against the Dragon!} ({Else a possible explanation could be invented that} 18. Bxf4 exf4 19. Rxd5 cxd5 $1 ({but not} 19... Rxe1+ 20. Rd1+ $1) 20. Bxd5+ Qxd5 21. Qxe8+ Bf8 {is sufficient as Black's queen covers the f7-square thus leaving White with no effective follow up. Even more interesting, online spectators where speculating that Magnus was inspired by the sensational attacking games of Alphazero where material considerations seemed to be less important to artificial intelligence that humans so far had seemed to appreciate. Still right now that's a stretch, Black is just a piece up and resignation would in principle be a viable option for White, but as the World Champion stated in the post game interview that the psychological situation had completely changed. White has indeed lost a piece, but also any kind of expectations for a result, while for Jones obviously the reverse must have been true. All pressure is now on the Englishman:}) 18... fxe3 19. Qxe3 h6 20. Qc5 Bb7 $1 {Objectively the strongest move,} ({but} 20... hxg5 {was worth considering. White gets back one piece with some interest after} 21. Qxc6 Be6 22. Bxd5 Bxd5 23. Rxd5 {but} Qb6 24. Qc4 Qe6 $1 {while being less advantages based on engine-evalution still should be plenty to win the game as after} 25. hxg5 e4 {the black Dragon bishop comes to life and after all, is an extra piece!}) 21. Ne4 Re6 22. h5 Qb6 $2 {Somewhat understandably Gawain wants ot exchange queens, and simultaneously puts it on a logical square eying the b-pawn in the open b-line.} ({However} 22... g5 $1 {would effectively shut down White's counterplay on the kingside, and while it does weaken the f5-square and the white squares in general, its not nearly enough for a piece.}) {Now however:} 23. g5 $1 {Norwegian Grandmaster Johan Salomon got it spot on here, while tweeting that things has turned 180 degrees predicting a white win, while the engines indeed still shows Black is safely winning. Black is still a piece up, but he has gone from having the kingside under control, to now entering chaos.} hxg5 $2 ({The primary problem of course is that} 23... Qxc5 {while it does exchange the queens, does lose material immediately after} 24. Nxc5 {as} Re7 25. Nxb7 Rxb7 26. Rxd5 $1 {wins.}) (23... Bf8 $1 {would have prevented White's next move, and while} 24. Qg1 $1 Qxg1 25. Rdxg1 {still is a decent initiative for White, the lack of queens does make a noticeable difference.}) 24. Qa3 Rb8 25. b3 $1 {A great move. Sure it blocks White's queen from the 3rd rank, but it can be regrouped via c1 if neccesary, and mainly now it's all about king safety: Black's will be exposed, while White now having removed the weakness of b2, to the safely defended b3, will not have to bother in the sligthest about a black counterattack in the process. Stockfish despite being a piece down already gives 0.00 indicating equality, but I'm sure, were Alphazero not busy with new important research projects, it would tell us White already is winning as his long-term initiative is unstoppable.} Qd8 {Technically the losing move. 25...gxh5 or 25...g4 was a better chance.} 26. Qxa7 $1 {It's not so much the pawn, but more the attack along the 7th rank that matters, as well as again the queen could go to g1 attacking along the g-file if need be.} gxh5 27. Rxh5 Rg6 28. Rxg5 Rxg5 29. Nxg5 {Exploiting that the rook on b8 is unprotected should Black take the knight on g5.} Qc8 30. Rg1 Ra8 31. Qb6 Ra6 32. Qc5 Qd7 33. Ne4 Kh8 34. Qf2 Qe7 35. Bxa6 {Direct attack also would have decided the game, but almost with a touch of irony, Magnus gets materialistic in the end.} Bxa6 36. Qh2+ Kg8 37. Qh6 Qa7 38. Qe6+ Kf8 39. Rg5 Ne3 40. Qd6+ Kf7 41. Nc5 Bc8 42. Rxg7+ {As 42...xg7 43.xe5+ followed by 44.xe3 leaves White a healthy 3 pawns up, Black resigned.} 1-0

[Event "Tata Steel-A 80th"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2018.01.23"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C95"]
[WhiteElo "2767"]
[BlackElo "2834"]
[Annotator "Fernandez,Daniel Howard"]
[PlyCount "63"]
[EventDate "2018.01.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 183"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[TimeControl "40/6000+30:20/3000+30:900+30"]

1. e4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} e5 {[%emt 0:00:58]} 2. Nf3 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Nc6 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 3. Bb5 {[%emt 0:00:00]} a6 {[%emt 0:00:15]} 4. Ba4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Nf6 {[%emt 0:00:44]} 5. O-O {[%emt 0:00:15]} Be7 {[%emt 0:00:09]} 6. Re1 {[%emt 0:00:07]} b5 {[%emt 0:00:07]} 7. Bb3 {[%emt 0:00:07]} d6 {[%emt 0:00:07]} 8. c3 {[%emt 0:00:31]} O-O {[%emt 0:00:07]} 9. h3 {[%emt 0:00:07]} Nb8 {[%emt 0:00:08] The famously solid Breyer variation! Similar in character to some games of mine that began with the move 1.d4 b5, Black's play in this line is extremely formulaic and rarely deviates from well-established and easily understood plans. A good sign of mastery is to be able to combine elements from different plans as the game dictates.} 10. d4 {[%emt 0:00:23]} (10. d3 $5 {is another move, recently used against Mamedyarov by the young Spanish GM David Anton. The logic is that Black has spent time on ...b8 that he probably wouldn't have done against an earlier d3-system. For instance:} Nbd7 11. Nbd2 Bb7 12. Nf1 Re8 13. Ng3 $132 {and White can contemplate playing with h2-g4 in place of the standard d4, c2 stuff.}) 10... Nbd7 {[%emt 0:00:03]} 11. Nbd2 {[%emt 0:00:09]} Bb7 {[%emt 0:00:11]} (11... c5 {The reason this move order is not played, is that Black would like White to have to play a4 before Black goes c4.} 12. Nf1 Re8 13. Ng3 Bf8 14. Ng5 {The point. Now there is no real choice other than c4, and then Black has to go for tricks.} c4 15. Bc2 exd4 $5 (15... h6 16. Nf3 Bb7 17. d5 g6 18. Be3 {is exactly what Black doesn't want: counterplay is slow to arrive because White doesn't have a4 yet, and White may continue with h2-g4 or d2, etc.}) 16. cxd4 Bb7 17. Bd2 g6 $132 {Black's play now is aimed at making the knight on g5 feel silly. Nevertheless, he doesn't have quite enough pressure on e4 and the feeling is that White must be better somehow, perhaps with a4 under the now-different circumstances.}) 12. Bc2 {[%emt 0:07:27]} Re8 {[%emt 0:00:11]} 13. Nf1 {[%emt 0:01:09]} Bf8 {[%emt 0:00:09]} 14. Ng3 {[%emt 0:00:06]} g6 {[%emt 0:00:08]} 15. a4 {[%emt 0:00:05]} (15. Nh2 {is an interesting creative move:} exd4 16. cxd4 c5 17. d5 $11 {In this kind of position it's hard to know how much weight to give to the opinion of the machine, but Black should not be worse if he follows normal plans (...g7, ...c4, ...c5, possibly ...h5.) See Motycakova,M-Nemcova,K Frydek Mistek 2009.}) (15. b3 $5 {A conceptually challenging line. White wants to get d5 without a4, and not have it punished by ...c6 and detonation of the centre. Black must react carefully, and I am not sure quite how to equalise here, though there is a very interesting piece sacrifice which gives excellent compensation.} Bg7 (15... c5 16. d5 $14) (15... d5 16. Bg5 h6 17. Bh4 $14 {seems to have been pioneered by Mamedyarov and analysed down to a draw, but cloud engines disagree! The consensus will probably change soon...}) 16. d5 Rc8 17. c4 {This was White's point.} c6 18. Be3 (18. dxc6 Rxc6 19. cxb5 axb5 20. Bd3 b4 $11 {Berg,E-Butnorius,A Gibraltar 2008}) 18... Nb6 $1 {Now for concrete reasons this is best.} (18... Qa5 {is suggested by the engine, but following} 19. a3 bxc4 20. bxc4 Nc5 21. Qd2 Qxd2 22. Nxd2 Nfd7 23. Rab1 $14 {the queens have come off and Black is quite passive}) 19. Qe2 $1 {Other moves have been tried, but this is the most convincing for White.} cxd5 20. cxd5 Nbxd5 {If not for this move White would be trivially better.} 21. exd5 Nxd5 22. Rac1 $1 {The only way to take back on e3 with a piece.} (22. Qd2 Nxe3 23. fxe3 e4 24. Nd4 Bxd4 25. exd4 e3 26. Qe2 Qh4 27. Kh2 Qxd4 {is not what White was looking for from the opening}) 22... Nxe3 (22... Nc3 23. Qd2 $14) 23. Qxe3 d5 $44 {Black has good compensation based on the big centre.}) 15... Nb6 $5 {[%emt 0:00:51] Not a move I had seen before, but perhaps it will be seen more in light of the present game.} (15... c5 {This is the main line. White is only given liberty to close the centre after he has played a4. Here I have some quite detailed analysis but suffice it to say in summary that Black faces some slight problems according to the present theory, largely depending on how fast he allows tripling on the a-file.} 16. d5 c4 17. Bg5 $1 {White is trying to cross or delay Black's usual knight redeployment of c5, fd7.} Bg7 $1 (17... h6 $6 {is less strong, and a simple plan for White can be formulated, involving... tripling on the a-file. Far from gaining a tempo, ...h6 in fact loses one. I will give some sample lines.} 18. Be3 Nc5 19. Qd2 h5 20. Ra3 Qc7 (20... Nfd7 21. Rea1 Nb6 {Else just 1a2, c1-a1, etc.} 22. a5 Nba4 {Interesting idea, but probably bad.} 23. Rb1 $1 Bg7 24. Nf1 $14 {The idea is just d1, 1d2, xc4 and there is not a lot Black can do about it.}) 21. Rea1 Rab8 22. Qd1 Bc8 23. axb5 axb5 24. Ra5 Rb7 25. R1a2 Bd7 26. Bg5 Nh7 27. Bd2 Nf6 28. Ng5 Reb8 29. Nf1 {White has gained a marginally more pleasant position and will be able to triple on the a-file if desired, however if Black plays completely precisely the advantage will grow, and as we all know, with almost nothing on the board 0.3 is a draw!}) 18. Qd2 Nc5 19. Ra3 (19. Nh2 Qc7 20. Ng4 Nxg4 21. hxg4 Bc8 22. f3 Bd7 $11) 19... Qc7 20. Rea1 Reb8 21. Qc1 Nfd7 {Black is just about in time, for instance:} 22. R1a2 Nd3 $132) (15... Bg7 $5 {is an interesting attempt to dodge the main line - Black is fine to play with ...c6 in place of ...c5, and keep the position compact and solid in a Philidor-like way.} 16. Bd3 {Otherwise Black gets ...c5, free of the problems outlined above.} c6 17. Be3 (17. Bg5 {encourages Black's concept:} Nf8 18. Qd2 Ne6 19. Be3 Nd7 $11 {Black is fine as in Hou,Y-Sasikiran,K New Delhi 2011.}) 17... Qc7 $132 {Black is playing for ...d5 and whether White has an edge depends heavily on whether he can sufficiently discourage this move in the coming phase. One motif to pay attention to is the dark-square complex. Anand has been on the White side of this: Anand,V-Baramidze,D Baden-Baden 2015}) 16. axb5 {[%emt 0:06:22]} (16. a5 Nbd7 17. b4 $5 {Caruana,F-Roiz,M Bilbao 2014 , An audacious concept . White is trying to play d5, lock down the centre as well as the queenside and only subsequently (and extremely slowly) make progress with the kingside attack. The idea could, however, have come slightly unstuck against the principled} exd4 18. cxd4 c5 19. bxc5 dxc5 20. d5 c4 $132) (16. b3 $5 {is possibly more ambitious than the text - White wants d3, c4, d5.} bxa4 {may be the best way to counter this:} 17. bxa4 a5 18. Bd3 Qc8 $132 {Adams,M-Tan,J Bournemouth 2016, Black has reasonable play according to current knowledge, but Black's position looks slightly looser than usual, so there may be an incisive way for White to get an edge.}) 16... axb5 {[%emt 0:00:04]} 17. Bg5 {[%emt 0:00:13]} Bg7 {[%emt 0:06:43]} 18. Bd3 {[%emt 0:05:49]} Rxa1 {[%emt 0:06:36]} 19. Qxa1 {[%emt 0:00:16]} c6 {[%emt 0:00:49]} 20. Be3 {[%emt 0:02:51]} (20. Qc1 {followed by h6 is the engine idea, but Black is solid in any case.}) 20... Qc7 {[%emt 0:07:19]} 21. dxe5 {[%emt 0:01:00]} dxe5 {[%emt 0:00:03]} 22. Qc1 {[%emt 0:00:52]} Bc8 {[%emt 0:05:35]} 23. Qc2 {[%emt 0:01:39] The last two moves do not create a great impression, but White has a very wide margin of error in such positions.} Nfd7 {[%emt 0:05:08]} 24. c4 {[%emt 0:05:31] This move looks like White has reconciled himself to offering a draw soon.} Nxc4 {[%emt 0:01:03]} 25. Bxc4 {[%emt 0:00:13]} bxc4 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 26. Qxc4 {[%emt 0:00:10]} Nf8 {[%emt 0:01:19]} 27. Rc1 {[%emt 0:00:30]} Bb7 {[%emt 0:04:33]} (27... Rd8 $5 {is a nice wrinkle: after} 28. Qxc6 Rd1+ 29. Kh2 Rxc1 30. Qxc1 Qxc1 31. Bxc1 Ne6 $36 {Black has full compensation for the pawn despite the reduced material and his bishop pair means his game is more pleasant.}) 28. Nf1 {[%emt 0:04:57]} Ne6 {[%emt 0:00:17]} 29. N1d2 {[%emt 0:00:12]} Qa5 $146 {[%emt 0:10:37]} ({RR} 29... Bf8) 30. Ng5 {[%emt 0:16:57]} Nxg5 {[%emt 0:01:18]} 31. Bxg5 {[%emt 0:00:11]} Bf8 {[%emt 0:08:28]} 32. Be3 {[%emt 0:05:44] With a draw offer which was accepted.} (32. Nb3 Qb5 33. Qc3 {was maybe worth considering, as on strategic purity White is still marginally ahead. Definitely below super-GM level there is a strong chance that White will consolidate a dark-square bind, e.g. e3-c5, d2, b4, f3, h2.}) 1/2-1/2

[Event "Tata Steel-A 80th"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2018.01.27"]
[Round "12"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Matlakov, Maxim"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B48"]
[WhiteElo "2834"]
[BlackElo "2718"]
[Annotator "Fernandez,Daniel Howard"]
[PlyCount "113"]
[EventDate "2018.01.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 183"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[TimeControl "40/6000+30:20/3000+30:900+30"]

1. e4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} c5 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 2. Nf3 {[%emt 0:01:09]} e6 {[%emt 0:00:12]} 3. d4 {[%emt 0:02:08]} cxd4 {[%emt 0:00:17]} 4. Nxd4 {[%emt 0:00:02]} Nc6 {[%emt 0:00:10]} 5. Nc3 {[%emt 0:00:12]} Qc7 {[%emt 0:00:31] Another pull-no-punches opening choice from Matlakov, who in his Black games against the other 2 world champions in this event (yep, quite a tough draw!) chose innovative systems in the Italian and Ruy Lopez involving knights moving to the edge. Maybe this is something of a habit for him, as in this game the c6-knight soon makes its way to a5...} 6. Be3 {[%emt 0:01:25]} a6 {[%emt 0:00:30]} (6... Nf6 7. f4 Bb4 $5 {is an interesting attempt to make do without ...a6 for at least a few moves:} 8. Ndb5 Qa5 9. e5 Nd5 10. Bd2 Nxc3 11. Bxc3 O-O 12. Qd2 a6 (12... f6 $5 $132) 13. Bxb4 Qxb4 14. Qxb4 Nxb4 15. Nd4 $132 {1/2-1/2 (15) Motylev,A (2656)-Svidler,P (2751) Tallinn 2016}) 7. Qd2 {[%emt 0:01:04]} Nf6 {[%emt 0:00:53]} 8. f4 {[%emt 0:00:24]} (8. O-O-O Be7 (8... Bb4 9. f3 {is the absolute main line:} Ne5 (9... Na5 {is also a thing here, but White must be slightly better in the ending after a3}) 10. Nb3 b5 (10... d6 11. Bd4 $16 {was the unfortunate opening outcome (for Black) of one game from the 2016 British Championships}) 11. Qf2 $5 {Main is 11.e1 but this is an interesting new idea.} Be7 $6 12. g4 d6 13. Rg1 Rb8 14. g5 $14 {Dominguez Perez,L-Vachier Lagrave,M Berlin 2015}) 9. f3 h5 10. Nxc6 bxc6 11. Bf4 e5 12. Bg5 a5 13. Bc4 a4 14. a3 d6 15. f4 O-O 16. Rhf1 Bg4 17. Rde1 Rfd8 18. Qe3 Rab8 19. fxe5 dxe5 20. Bxf6 Bxf6 21. h3 Rd4 22. hxg4 Rxc4 23. gxh5 Be7 24. Rf3 Rd4 25. Nd1 Qb6 26. h6 Qd8 27. Rg3 g6 28. Rf1 Rb7 29. Nf2 Bh4 30. Rg4 Bxf2 31. Qxf2 Rbd7 32. Qf3 Kh7 33. Kb1 Qe7 34. Rg3 Qh4 35. Rg4 Qe7 36. Rg3 Qd6 37. Rc1 Rd1 {Grischuk,A (2783)-Cori Tello,J (2641) Tbilisi 2017 ½-½}) 8... Bb4 {[%emt 0:02:08]} 9. Bd3 {[%emt 0:00:41]} Na5 {[%emt 0:00:36]} (9... Ne7 $5 {tries to play ...d5 under favourable circumstances, but just ends up looking slow after the same move} 10. a3 $14) 10. a3 {[%emt 0:00:31]} Bxc3 {[%emt 0:00:32]} 11. Qxc3 {[%emt 0:00:02]} Qxc3+ {[%emt 0:00:18]} 12. bxc3 {[%emt 0:00:04]} d5 {[%emt 0:00:07]} 13. exd5 {[%emt 0:00:05]} (13. e5 Ne4 14. Nb3 Nc4 $11 {led to an interesting game with a sidelined White knight:} 15. Bxc4 dxc4 16. Na5 Bd7 17. Bd4 Rc8 18. Nxb7 Bc6 19. Na5 Bd5 $44 {Volokitin,A-Giri,A Germany 2014}) 13... exd5 {[%emt 0:01:03]} 14. Nb3 {[%emt 0:00:09]} Nc4 {[%emt 0:00:47]} 15. Bd4 {[%emt 0:00:02]} Ne4 {[%emt 0:04:13]} 16. Nc5 {[%emt 0:01:07]} Nxc5 {[%emt 0:25:42]} 17. Bxc5 {[%emt 0:00:05]} Bd7 {[%emt 0:00:25] The position is similar in essence to Mamedyarov-Carlsen from yesterday - the only difference being that Carlsen held nearly effortlessly there, but Matlakov is not able to do the same today.} 18. O-O-O {[%emt 0:02:34]} O-O-O {[%emt 0:01:38]} 19. Bxc4 {[%emt 0:00:53]} dxc4 {[%emt 0:00:24]} 20. Bb6 {[%emt 0:00:02]} Rde8 {[%emt 0:01:07]} 21. Rd4 {[%emt 0:00:11]} Re6 {[%emt 0:07:55] Dropping a healthy pawn by force.} (21... Bb5 $5 22. Rhd1 Kb8 {looks a bit passive, but avoids going in for hard-to-calculate forced lines. Black's idea is ...c8-c6.}) 22. Rxc4+ {[%emt 0:00:24]} Rc6 {[%emt 0:00:48]} (22... Kb8 23. Rd1 $5 Bb5 24. Rb4 Rxb6 25. c4 $14 {is unlikely to be much more pleasant, since Black now ends up with doubled pawns himself.}) 23. Rxc6+ {[%emt 0:00:44]} Bxc6 {[%emt 0:00:26]} 24. Rd1 {[%emt 0:00:25]} Bxg2 {[%emt 0:18:10]} 25. Rg1 {[%emt 0:00:14]} Be4 {[%emt 0:12:19]} 26. Rxg7 {[%emt 0:00:44]} Bg6 {[%emt 0:00:18]} 27. a4 {[%emt 0:12:05]} (27. f5 {immediately was also possible, and Black's drawing chances may not be as good as they immediately seem.}) 27... Rf8 $146 {[%emt 0:05:24]} ({RR} 27... Re8 28. f5 Bxf5 29. Rxf7 Bg6 30. Rc7+ Kb8 31. Rd7 Kc8 32. Rd4 Be4 33. a5 h5 34. h4 Bc6 35. Kb2 Rg8 36. Rd6 Re8 37. Rh6 Re5 38. Rd6 Rd5 39. Rh6 Kd7 40. c4 Rf5 41. Rh7+ Ke6 42. Kb3 {Srijit,P (2310)-Thilakarathne,G (2397) Delhi 2019 1-0 (85)}) 28. Kb2 {[%emt 0:04:57]} Kd7 {[%emt 0:02:12]} (28... h5 {could also have been played, since it is not clear, especially given the further course of the game, whether having the king out helps or hinders Black's drawing efforts.}) 29. f5 {[%emt 0:00:34]} Bxf5 {[%emt 0:00:17]} 30. Bc5 {[%emt 0:00:02]} Rc8 {[%emt 0:00:20]} 31. Rxf7+ {[%emt 0:00:07]} Ke6 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 32. Re7+ {[%emt 0:00:03]} Kf6 {[%emt 0:00:17]} 33. Bb4 $14 {[%emt 0:00:53] Now White has a healthy nibble, and he coaxes ...a5.} a5 {[%emt 0:09:19]} (33... b5 34. axb5 axb5 35. Rb7 Re8 36. Rxb5 Re2 $14 {was a marginally better version of the same thing.}) 34. Ba3 {[%emt 0:00:21]} Rc4 {[%emt 0:00:43]} 35. Rxb7 {[%emt 0:00:41]} Rxa4 {[%emt 0:00:12]} 36. Ra7 {[%emt 0:05:14]} Re4 {[%emt 0:09:40]} 37. Rxa5 {[%emt 0:00:11]} Re2 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 38. Bd6 {[%emt 0:00:05]} Bxc2 {[%emt 0:02:20]} 39. c4 $16 {[%emt 0:00:55] Eventually Carlsen had to be able to swap one of his doubled pawns for another pawn. The position is now completely thankless - the best Black can hope for is not even a straight draw, but to have to defend rook and bishop against rook!} Ke6 {[%emt 0:02:00]} 40. Ra6 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Bf5+ {[%emt 0:05:14]} 41. Kc3 {[%emt 0:01:48]} Be4 {[%emt 0:11:24]} 42. Kd4 {[%emt 0:06:19]} Kf5 {[%emt 0:02:03]} 43. Ra5+ {[%emt 0:00:29]} Kg4 {[%emt 0:03:26]} 44. c5 {[%emt 0:05:32]} Bf3 {[%emt 0:05:04]} 45. Ra7 {[%emt 0:01:20]} h6 {[%emt 0:04:19]} 46. Rh7 {[%emt 0:03:14]} Re4+ {[%emt 0:04:33]} 47. Kd3 {[%emt 0:01:05]} Re6 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 48. Kc4 {[%emt 0:00:11]} Bc6 {[%emt 0:02:48]} 49. Rc7 {[%emt 0:00:51]} Bh1 {[%emt 0:00:47]} 50. Kb5 {[%emt 0:01:16]} h5 {[%emt 0:02:17]} (50... Re1 $16 {keeps the game going a bit better.}) 51. Rg7+ {[%emt 0:01:38]} Kh4 $6 {[%emt 0:01:02] Walking into all kinds of mating motifs.} (51... Kf5 52. Rg1 Bf3 53. Rf1 {might have been a line Black was afraid of, but he survives by defending with the rook:} Re3 $16) 52. Rg1 {[%emt 0:16:52]} Ba8 {[%emt 0:01:23]} 53. Kb6 {[%emt 0:06:28]} Re2 {[%emt 0:01:29]} 54. Kc7 {[%emt 0:01:04]} Bd5 {[%emt 0:03:57]} 55. Rg3 {[%emt 0:03:30]} Bh1 {[%emt 0:00:35]} (55... Rxh2 56. Rd3 {is a nice small tactic.}) 56. Rc3 {[%emt 0:07:56]} Kg4 {[%emt 0:03:34]} 57. c6 {[%emt 0:01:07] So White has managed everything he needs to and he will win the bishop without the need for a h-pawn swap. In a game Sowray-Harvey, Bedford 2013, the weaker side continued even after the win of a similar piece, but ultimately even after some inspired resistance was unable to save half a point.} 1-0

[Event "Tata Steel-A 80th"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2018.01.28"]
[Round "13"]
[White "Karjakin, Sergey"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C88"]
[WhiteElo "2753"]
[BlackElo "2834"]
[Annotator "Fernandez,Daniel Howard"]
[PlyCount "67"]
[EventDate "2018.01.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 183"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[TimeControl "40/6000+30:20/3000+30:900+30"]

1. e4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} e5 {[%emt 0:00:10]} 2. Nf3 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Nc6 {[%emt 0:00:04]} 3. Bb5 {[%emt 0:00:00]} a6 {[%emt 0:00:19]} 4. Ba4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Nf6 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 5. O-O {[%emt 0:00:00]} Be7 {[%emt 0:00:08]} 6. Re1 {[%emt 0:00:00]} b5 {[%emt 0:00:10]} 7. Bb3 {[%emt 0:00:02]} O-O {[%emt 0:00:06]} 8. a4 {[%emt 0:00:07] No Breyer today.} b4 {[%emt 0:00:05]} (8... Bb7 {is more popular, but I have never understood the appeal of developing the bishop to a diagonal that will remain closed, in the case when the Breyeresque ...c5-c4 is still some moves off.} 9. d3 d6 10. Nc3 {is White's point; Black's queenside pawns will not be permitted to advance abreast. The best he might be able to do is} Na5 11. Ba2 b4 12. Ne2 c5 13. Ng3 g6 (13... Bc8 14. c3 Rb8 15. d4 $36 {Duda,J-Najer,E Czech Republic 2017}) 14. h3 {when White appears to have extra tempi in his kingside attack, compared to most systems with an early d3.}) (8... Rb8 {is slightly compliant: after} 9. axb5 axb5 10. c3 d6 11. d4 {Black lacks the usual recourse of ...a5 in the line} exd4 12. cxd4 Bg4 13. Be3 {so might have to make do with} d5 14. e5 Ne4 15. h3 Bh5 16. Nc3 $36 {; furthermore, 13.c3!? might be unexpectedly strong in spite of the doubled f-pawns.}) 9. d4 {[%emt 0:01:17]} (9. a5 d6 10. d3 Be6 11. Bxe6 fxe6 12. Nbd2 {led to a nice win for Magnus himself in Carlsen,M-Aronian,L Saint Louis 2017; one wonders where the improvement was?}) (9. d3 d6 10. Nbd2 Na5 11. Ba2 c5 12. c3 Rb8 {is now fine for Black, who has not wasted time on ...b7 unlike in the 8...b7 line.}) 9... d6 {[%emt 0:00:07]} 10. dxe5 {[%emt 0:00:05]} Nxe5 {[%emt 0:00:08]} 11. Nxe5 {[%emt 0:05:48]} (11. Nbd2 Ned7 $5 {was an unusual method of pressuring e4, but a successful one:} 12. Nd4 Bb7 13. c3 bxc3 14. bxc3 Nc5 15. Bc2 Re8 16. f3 Nfd7 17. a5 d5 $11 {Nakamura, H-Svidler,P Saint Louis 2017}) 11... dxe5 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 12. Qe2 {[%emt 0:00:04]} a5 {[%emt 0:00:49] Possibly still affected by his own experience on the White side, Carlsen decides to avoid White's a5-ideas.} (12... Bc5 {is of course fine immediately.}) 13. Nd2 {[%emt 0:10:03]} Bc5 {[%emt 0:01:05]} 14. Nf3 {[%emt 0:06:46]} ({RR} 14. h3 Bb7 15. Bc4 Qe7 16. Bd3 Rfd8 17. Nf3 h6 18. Nh4 Bc8 19. Qf3 Rb8 20. Bc4 Rb6 21. b3 Rbd6 22. Bb2 Rd2 23. Re2 Rxe2 24. Qxe2 Ng4 25. Nf5 Bxf5 26. hxg4 Be6 27. Bxe6 Qxe6 28. Rd1 Rd6 {Dominguez Perez,L (2763)-Ding,L (2805) Saint Louis 2019 ½-½}) 14... Qe7 $146 {[%emt 0:02:23]} ({RR} 14... Ng4 15. Bg5 Qd6 16. Bh4 Ba6 17. Qd2 Qxd2 {½-½ (17) Talibov,S (2423)-Suleymanli,A (2617) Baku AZE 2025}) 15. Be3 {[%emt 0:12:57]} Ba6 {[%emt 0:19:41]} 16. Bxc5 {[%emt 0:02:31]} Qxc5 {[%emt 0:00:04]} 17. Qe3 {[%emt 0:00:04]} Qxe3 {[%emt 0:00:52]} 18. Rxe3 {[%emt 0:00:01]} Rfe8 $11 {[%emt 0:02:35] Initially this position looked to me to be slightly nicer for White, but this isn't really the case. In fact, Black may have more ideas in the position, and in the long term has the better bishop, so it would not surprise me if he was vaguely thinking about winning here.} 19. c3 {[%emt 0:02:40]} (19. h3 c5 20. Rd1 c4 21. Ba2 Kf8 $132 {is hard to get enthused about from the White side, especially if we remember Adhiban-Carlsen from round 2.}) 19... Ng4 {[%emt 0:01:23]} 20. Ng5 {[%emt 0:06:14] Simplifying quickly lest he end up worse.} Nxe3 {[%emt 0:02:28]} 21. Bxf7+ {[%emt 0:00:14]} Kf8 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 22. Bxe8 {[%emt 0:00:43]} Rxe8 {[%emt 0:01:06]} 23. fxe3 {[%emt 0:00:07]} bxc3 {[%emt 0:01:57]} 24. bxc3 {[%emt 0:00:09]} h6 {[%emt 0:00:20]} 25. Nf3 {[%emt 0:00:55]} Bd3 {[%emt 0:01:30]} 26. Rd1 {[%emt 0:01:54]} Bxe4 {[%emt 0:00:07]} 27. Rd7 {[%emt 0:00:11] Continuing to force pieces off, because if White plays slowly the bishop will be superior.} Re7 {[%emt 0:03:06]} 28. Rd8+ {[%emt 0:00:23]} (28. Rxe7 Kxe7 29. Nxe5 Ke6 30. Nc4 Kd5 31. Nxa5 Bc2 {leads to an odd position where White is a pawn up but only he is taking risks.}) 28... Kf7 {[%emt 0:00:43]} 29. Nd2 {[%emt 0:00:41]} Bc6 {[%emt 0:00:19]} 30. Nc4 {[%emt 0:00:38]} Ke6 {[%emt 0:01:41]} 31. Nxa5 {[%emt 0:02:20]} Bxa4 {[%emt 0:00:07]} 32. Nb7 {[%emt 0:00:59]} Re8 {[%emt 0:03:30]} (32... Bd7 {might be a try if Black is desperate to play on.} 33. e4 (33. Nc5+ Kd6 34. Ne4+ Kc6 35. Kf2 Be8 $132) 33... Rf7 34. Nc5+ Kd6 35. Nd3 c5 $132 {Objectively this might be nothing for Black, and so there is no reason to go for it, especially if one has looked at Anish Giri's game and concluded he is unlikely to win.}) 33. Nc5+ {[%emt 0:00:14]} Kf6 {[%emt 0:00:28]} 34. Rxe8 $11 {[%emt 0:01:04] Unlike the previous note, here White gets to play a6 immediately, and thus seal up the whole position.} 1/2-1/2

[Event "Grenke Chess Classic 5th"]
[Site "Karlsruhe/Baden-Baden"]
[Date "2018.04.01"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Hou, Yifan"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C24"]
[WhiteElo "2843"]
[BlackElo "2654"]
[Annotator "Roiz,Michael"]
[PlyCount "121"]
[EventDate "2018.03.31"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 184"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.05.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.05.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Bc4 Nf6 3. d3 c6 4. Qe2 {As often happens, Magnus prefers to take the game into relatively unexplored territory at an early stage.} Be7 {A somewhat modest choice.} ({The more ambitious way of development would be:} 4... Bc5 $5 5. Nf3 O-O 6. O-O d5 7. Bb3 h6 {Black isn't worse, to say the least.}) ({Possibly, the most principled was} 4... d5 $5 5. exd5 cxd5 6. Bb5+ Nc6 7. Qxe5+ Be7 8. Nf3 O-O 9. Bxc6 bxc6 10. O-O Bd6 $44 {The powerful bishops provide Black excellent compensation for the pawn.}) 5. Nf3 d6 {There is nothing wrong with this natural move, but now the early queen's move is sort of justified.} ({I guess, more challenging for Magnus would be} 5... O-O 6. O-O d5 7. Bb3 dxe4 8. dxe4 Nbd7 {and Black is fine, though a long strategic struggle lies ahead.}) 6. c3 Nbd7 7. Bb3 O-O 8. O-O a5 $146 ({RR} 8... Re8 9. Re1 Nf8 10. Nbd2 Ng6 11. Nf1 Be6 12. Bxe6 fxe6 13. d4 exd4 14. cxd4 Nd7 15. Ng3 Bf6 16. Bd2 Rc8 17. Nh5 e5 18. Qc4+ Kh8 19. Bc3 exd4 20. Nxd4 d5 21. exd5 Rxe1+ 22. Rxe1 Nb6 23. Qd3 {Paehtz,E (2449)-Molchanova,T (2359) Dagomys 2008 1-0}) 9. d4 $146 {This natural move is a novelty.} ({The previously played} 9. a4 {didn't pose Black serious problems:} b5 10. Bc2 Ba6 11. axb5 cxb5 12. Nbd2 Qc7 $132 {Polgar,J - Gelfand,B Khanty-Mansiysk 2009}) 9... a4 ({It made sense to postpone the a5-a4 advance:} 9... Re8 $5 10. Nbd2 ({Toothless is} 10. Ng5 d5 11. exd5 Nxd5) 10... Bf8 $132 {with decent pressure on the e4-pawn.}) 10. Bc2 {Black has managed to seize some space on the q-side, but White's centre is well protected now.} Re8 {The standard way of relocating the pieces.} (10... b5 11. Re1 Ba6 12. Nbd2 Re8 $132) 11. Re1 Bf8 12. Qd1 {Indeed, the e2 is somewhat misplaced, so White to has to remove it sooner or later.} b5 13. Nbd2 {No doubt, in comparison to the Classical Ruy Lopez, Black managed to make a lot of progress on the queenside, so White has no advantage. However, all the pieces are on the board, so the World Champion can still be satisfied with what he got.} Qc7 ({Once again, Hou Yifan is deviating from the most ambitious way of handling the position:} 13... Bb7 $5 14. Nf1 exd4 15. cxd4 c5 16. d5 g6 $132) 14. Nf1 g6 15. Bg5 h6 {A somewhat weakening move, though Black mostly can do with it.} (15... Bg7 $5 16. Ng3 c5 17. d5 c4 $132) 16. Bd2 Bg7 17. Ng3 Nb6 18. b3 {This advance is inviting simplifications, but what else?} (18. Bd3 Nc4 19. Bxc4 bxc4 {would offer Black an excellent play along the b-file.}) 18... axb3 19. axb3 Rxa1 20. Qxa1 Bg4 {Both sides have mobilised their forces, so the position is about equal.} 21. Qc1 $5 {An interesting choice! Magnus is inviting his opponent to enter into an unbalanced position.} (21. Nh4 exd4 22. cxd4 c5 $132) 21... Bxf3 {Accepting the challenge! Now the position is getting much more complex.} (21... Kh7 {also looks perfectly playable:} 22. Nh4 c5 23. h3 Bd7 24. d5 Ra8 $132) 22. gxf3 {The change of pawn structure is double-edged: The g1 is getting less safe, but White can use the f-pawn for attacking the opponent's centre.} h5 23. Bh6 {This move clearly illustrates White's attacking ambitions.} Qe7 {Not fearing ghosts!} ({Another possibility was} 23... Bh8 $5 24. Kh1 c5 25. d5 Ra8 $132) 24. Bxg7 Kxg7 25. Qg5 Kh7 ({A seemingly more precise move was} 25... Kh8 $1 {, and then} 26. Ra1 Ra8 27. Rxa8+ Nxa8 28. f4 exf4 29. Qxf4 Nc7 {looks acceptable for Black.}) 26. f4 (26. Ra1 $5 Nfd7 (26... Ra8 $6 {runs into} 27. Rxa8 Nxa8 28. f4 exd4 29. e5 dxe5 30. f5 $36) 27. Qxe7 Rxe7 28. Ne2 {would have secured White a small advantage due to control over the open a-file, but Magnus lays claim to more.}) 26... Nfd7 {I guess, liquidating into an endgame isn't the best practical decision, even though Black's position isn't bad at all.} (26... exf4 $5 {deserved serious attention:} 27. Qxf4 b4 $1 28. c4 ({After} 28. cxb4 $6 Nbd5 29. Qd2 h4 30. Nf1 Nh5 $15 {Black takes full control over the dark squares.}) 28... Nbd7 29. Ra1 c5 $132 {and the resulting complex position contains definite strategic risk for both sides.}) 27. Qxe7 Rxe7 28. fxe5 dxe5 {Now White's position looks somewhat better due to superiority in the centre.} 29. Rd1 (29. Ra1 $5 exd4 30. cxd4 c5 31. Ne2 cxd4 32. Nxd4 {would offer White a tiny advantage, even though the simplifications favour Black.}) 29... Re8 30. dxe5 {The most consistent. Still, releasing the tension makes Black's knights much more mobile.} Nxe5 ({Another decent way of handling the position was} 30... h4 $5 31. Ne2 (31. e6 Rxe6 32. Ne2 Kg7 33. f4 Nf6 34. e5 Nfd5 $11) 31... Nxe5 32. f4 Ng4 33. Rd6 Ra8 $1 {with sufficient counterplay.}) 31. f4 Ng4 32. Rd6 Re6 {This is a definite concession - Black loses access to the open file.} ({The active defence would most likely secure a draw:} 32... Ra8 $1 33. Rxc6 Ra2 34. Bd3 h4 $1 35. Rxb6 hxg3 36. hxg3 Nh2 37. Rxb5 Nf3+ 38. Kf1 Nh2+ $11) 33. Rd8 Kg7 34. Nf1 {Till now Hou Yifan has been defending well, but her next move invites serious troubles.} ({White achieves nothing special with} 34. h3 Ne3 35. Bd3 Re7 36. Rb8 Nd7 37. Rb7 Kf8 $11) 34... Rf6 $2 {Alas, after locking the f6-spot Black's position lacks harmony.} ({After the correct} 34... Nf6 35. Nd2 Re7 36. Rd6 Ra7 37. Bd3 (37. Rxc6 Ra2 $11) 37... Rd7 38. Rxd7 Nbxd7 {White hardly would have real winning chances.}) 35. h3 Nh6 36. f5 $1 gxf5 37. Ng3 Rg6 38. Kf2 $2 {This inaccurate move oculd have spoiled all the advantage!} ({A much better one is} 38. Kh2 $1 Rg5 (38... fxe4 39. Nxh5+ Kh7 40. Nf4 Rg5 41. Bxe4+ Kg7 42. Bxc6 {, and White is winning, since the pawn is untouchable:} Rc5 43. Be4 Rxc3 44. Nh5#) 39. h4 Rg4 40. Kh3 $1 fxe4 41. Bxe4 $18 {and Black cannot avoid the major loss of material.}) 38... fxe4 $2 {Luckily for Carlsen, his opponent doesn't take her chance!} ({Had she played} 38... Rg5 $1 {Black's problems would be solved. For instance,} 39. h4 Rg4 {, and White isn't better.}) 39. Nxh5+ Kh7 40. Bxe4 f5 41. Bg2 {Despite the limited material balance, Black's position is lost - there are too many weaknesses.} Nf7 42. Rf8 Ne5 43. Nf4 $1 (43. Rxf5 $6 {is weaker:} Nd3+ 44. Kf1 Re6 {, and Black is getting active.}) 43... Rd6 44. Rxf5 Nbd7 45. Ke2 $18 {Neutralising any counterplay.} Kg7 46. h4 Nf7 47. Be4 Nde5 48. Nh5+ Kh6 49. Ng3 Re6 50. Ke3 {White is slowly improving his position.} Kg7 51. Rf1 Kf8 (51... Ng4+ 52. Kd4 Nf6 53. Bg2 Rd6+ 54. Kc5 Nd7+ 55. Kb4 $18 {wouldn't change much,}) 52. Nf5 Ng4+ 53. Kf4 Nf6 54. Bf3 Nd5+ {That makes White's task easier.} (54... Nd7 55. Ra1 Nfe5 56. Bh5 Kg8 57. Ra8+ Kh7 58. Ra7 $18) 55. Bxd5 cxd5 56. Ra1 Kg8 57. Ra8+ Kh7 58. Ra7 Rf6 59. h5 {Black is almost paralysed.} Kg8 60. Rd7 b4 61. cxb4 1-0

[Event "Grenke Chess Classic 5th"]
[Site "Karlsruhe/Baden-Baden"]
[Date "2018.04.07"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Naiditsch, Arkadij"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B91"]
[WhiteElo "2701"]
[BlackElo "2843"]
[Annotator "Quintiliano,Renato"]
[PlyCount "84"]
[EventDate "2018.03.31"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 184"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.05.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.05.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. g3 {For some reason, games between Carlsen and Naiditsch tend to be very interesting and complicated. This time, however, Naiditsch aims for a more quiet, positional struggle.} e5 7. Nb3 {A less played, but still interesting option.} (7. Nde2 {is the main move, White plans to improve this knight by means of d5 followed by ec3 or h3-g4-g3.}) 7... Be7 8. Bg2 (8. a4 {a normal move to keep Black's queenside under control, but not a good one in this case, as Black can play} Nc6 $1 {[%csl Gb4][%cal Yc6b4] and with the b4-square available to this knight, Black establishes a firm control over d5} 9. Bg2 Nb4 10. Bg5 Be6 11. O-O Rc8 {Black's development not only protects the important point d5, but exerts pressure against the c-file; d5 is also prevented} 12. a5 {[%cal Ya1a4]} Qd7 $1 {0-1 Guo,A (2219)-Quintiliano Pinto,R (2451) SPICE Cup Open 2017 (4.18) and Black is fine -} 13. Ra4 $2 Nxc2 $1) 8... O-O 9. O-O Be6 ({Some recent games proved that} 9... b5 $5 {is also playable} 10. Nd5 $5 (10. a4 {used to be considered favourable for White, but times and evaluations change} b4 11. Nd5 Nxd5 12. Qxd5 Ra7 13. Be3 Be6 14. Qd3 Ra8 $5 {the best way to avoid problems with the a6-pawn under attack in many variations} 15. f4 Qc7 16. Nd2 a5 $1 {[%cal Yb8a6,Ya6c5];0-1 Hou,Y (2652)-Grischuk,A (2750) Moscow FIDE GP 2017 (5) and Black is ok -}) 10... Nxd5 11. Qxd5 Ra7 12. Be3 Be6 13. Qd2 Ra8 14. a4 (14. Na5 $5) 14... Nc6 15. axb5 axb5 16. Rxa8 Qxa8 17. Ra1 Qb7 $11 {½-½ Naiditsch,A (2710)-Vidit,S (2693) ESP-chT CECLUB Honor 2017 (6.2)}) 10. Re1 {[%csl Gd5][%cal Yb3d2,Yd2f1,Yf1e3] Preparing the standard manoeuvre d2-f1-e3, typical in such positions.} ({Naiditsch had also played the main move} 10. a4 Nbd7 (10... Nc6 $6 {is not so strong now due to the direct} 11. Nd5 $1) 11. Re1 {now White goes for the same plan without the queenside expansion for Black, but the time spent on the move a4 allows a good idea. It is nice to remember the line} (11. a5 {doesn't really prevent Black's counterplay on the queenside} Qc7 12. Re1 Rfc8 13. h3 h6 14. Be3 b5 $1 15. axb6 Nxb6 {[%cal Yb6c4]} 16. Na5 Nc4 17. Nxc4 Bxc4 $11 {½-½ Leko,P (2740)-Topalov,V (2801) Corus Wijk aan Zee 2006 (13)}) 11... Qc7 12. Nd2 Bd8 $1 {[%cal Yd8a5,Ya5e1] a very nice plan, Black is improving his bad bishop and at the same time preventing White from using the d5-square} 13. Nf1 Qc5 14. Ne3 ({Naiditsch's game went} 14. h3 Ba5 15. Be3 Qc7 16. Bd2 Rac8 17. Ne3 {1-0 Naiditsch,A (2684)-Sunilduth Lyna,N (2536) Douglas IoM op 2016 (8)} Bxc3 $1 18. Bxc3 Nc5 {[%csl Ye4] and Black is fine, for example} 19. Nd5 $2 Nxd5 20. exd5 Bd7 {[%csl Ya4]} 21. a5 Na4 22. Re3 f5 $1 $36) 14... Ba5 15. Bd2 Rac8 {½-½ Wei,Y (2706)-Giri,A (2798) Tata Steel-A 78th 2016 (5) and Black had no problems in}) 10... Nbd7 11. Nd2 ({White had the chance to transpose to the last move's previous lines with} 11. a4) ({RR} 11. a4 Nb6 12. Nd2 Rc8 13. Nf1 d5 14. exd5 Nbxd5 15. Nxd5 Nxd5 16. c3 Bc5 17. Ne3 Bxe3 18. Bxe3 f6 19. a5 Nxe3 20. Rxe3 Qc7 21. Rd3 Rfd8 22. Be4 g6 23. Bd5 Bxd5 24. Rxd5 Kg7 25. Ra4 Rxd5 {Ponomariov,R (2741)-Cheparinov,I (2710) Leon 2012 ½-½}) ({RR} 11. a4 b6 12. Nd2 Rb8 13. Nf1 b5 14. axb5 axb5 15. Ne3 Re8 16. Bd2 Qc8 17. Qe2 b4 18. Ncd5 Nc5 19. Ra7 Rb7 20. Rxb7 Qxb7 21. Nxf6+ Bxf6 22. b3 Nxe4 23. Nc4 d5 24. Bxe4 Qc7 25. Ne3 dxe4 {Pranav,V (2597)-Robson,R (2687) Chennai IND 2025 ½-½ (35)}) 11... b5 $1 {Although in the positions in which White avoids this move Black is also ok, allowing it looks even worse for me. Black simply has no problems and now has more space and possibilities on the queenside.} 12. Nf1 Bg4 $146 {Carlsen shows excellent understanding of this position, this move provokes weaknesses in the dark squares in White's camp, besides making the g2 (even more) bad.} (12... Nb6 {was played by a Najdorf specialist and also gave a nice position to Black} 13. Ne3 b4 14. Ncd5 Nfxd5 15. exd5 Bd7 16. Bd2 a5 17. a3 bxa3 18. Rxa3 a4 19. Bb4 Qb8 20. c3 Bg5 21. Ra1 f5 $36 {0-1 Balogh,C (2648)-Wojtaszek,R (2715) HUN-POL m Budapest 2014 (4.6)}) ({RR} 12... b4 13. Na4 Qc7 14. b3 Qc6 15. Bb2 Rfd8 16. c4 bxc3 17. Bxc3 Rdc8 18. Rc1 Qb7 19. Qd3 d5 20. exd5 Bxd5 21. Bh3 Rc7 22. Ba5 Rxc1 23. Rxc1 Bc6 24. Qc4 Bb5 25. Bg2 e4 26. Qc7 Qxc7 27. Bxc7 {Valls Marti,A (2181)-Alonso Moyano,J (2342) Barcelona 2022 1-0 (75)}) ({RR} 12... Rc8 13. Ne3 Nb6 14. Ncd5 Nfxd5 15. exd5 Bd7 16. c3 Bg5 17. Nc2 Bxc1 18. Rxc1 Na4 19. Rb1 a5 20. Ne3 Qb6 21. Qd2 f5 22. f4 Rfe8 23. Kh1 b4 24. fxe5 Rxe5 25. Bf1 Qb7 26. c4 Nc5 27. Ng2 {Faibisovich,V (2302)-Zanan,E (2486) Riga 2019 0-1 (57)}) 13. f3 (13. Qd2 {looks very unnatural, but it is probably better as White keeps his position untouched, and e3 is coming in the next move, then he will be able to correctly replace the queen.}) 13... Be6 14. Ne3 Rc8 15. a3 (15. a4 $5 b4 16. Ncd5 Bxd5 17. exd5 (17. Nxd5 Nxd5 18. exd5 Bg5 $1 {is a typical idea, looking to endgames in which the knight will be much superior to the light-squared bishop}) 17... Rc5 $132 {[%cal Yd7b6,Gd8c7,Yd8a8]}) 15... Nb6 {Black has solved the positional problem of d5: White is not able to place his knights there and recapture with a piece, which would be the ideal plan.} 16. f4 $5 {Necessary to prevent d5.} (16. Bd2 d5 $1 17. exd5 Nfxd5 18. Nexd5 Nxd5 19. Rxe5 Bf6 {[%csl Yc3] and Black regains the pawn with a better structure} 20. Re1 Qb6+ 21. Kh1 Nxc3 22. bxc3 Bxc3 23. Bxc3 Rxc3 $17 {[%csl Ga3,Gc2][%cal Yf8d8]}) 16... Re8 (16... exf4 17. gxf4 Re8 $15 {also seems easier for Black due to White's unstable centre.}) 17. Kh1 Bf8 18. f5 $1 {Black was ready to take on f4 and exert pressure against White's centre.} Bd7 19. Qd3 {White should keep an eye on d5. The position remains balanced.} (19. Bd2 Bc6 20. Rc1 d5 $1 {is very good for Black.}) 19... h6 20. b3 ({Against the direct} 20. Bd2 {Naiditsch was maybe worried about} Nc4) 20... Bc6 21. Bd2 Qc7 22. Rac1 Qb7 {Carlsen has improved the queen and is looking for ideas with d6-d5 or pressure against the e4-pawn.} 23. Ned5 (23. Rcd1 Nbd7 $1 {[%cal Yd7c5] would force a similar position to the game} 24. Ncd5 Bxd5 25. exd5 (25. Nxd5 Nxd5 26. exd5 Be7 $1 {[%cal Ye7g5]}) {but here Blackalso has the interesting idea} 25... Be7 $5 {[%cal Ye7d8,Yd8b6]}) 23... Bxd5 24. exd5 Nbd7 $1 {[%cal Yd7c5] After the exchange on d5 the kinight is misplaced on b6, so Carlsen hurries to improve it, via c5.} 25. Nd1 {[%cal Yd2b4,Gd1e3] White is also trying to improve his pieces.} (25. Ne4 $5) 25... e4 $5 {Looking for complications, although Black had another idea which was very good.} (25... Be7 $1 {[%cal Ye7d8,Yd8b6] would be simple and good} 26. Nf2 (26. Bb4 e4 $1 {[%csl Yd5]} 27. Bxe4 a5 $1 $19 {[%cal Gd7c5]}) 26... Bd8 27. g4 $5 Bb6 $1 28. Ne4 Nxe4 29. Bxe4 Bf2 $1 30. Re2 Bh4 $15 {[%cal Yh4g5,Gd7c5,Yb7e7] with a pleasant position.}) 26. Qd4 (26. Bxe4 $4 Nc5 $19) 26... Ne5 {The only continuation that makes sense for Black.} (26... Qxd5 {is harmless} 27. Qxd5 Nxd5 28. Bxe4 N5f6 29. Bb7 Rxe1+ 30. Bxe1 Rb8 31. Bg2 $11 (31. Bxa6 $2 Nc5 {[%csl Ga6]})) 27. Nf2 $2 {After this move White has problems.} (27. Nc3 $1 {would be better, keeping d5 protected} Nf3 $1 28. Bxf3 exf3 29. Rxe8 Rxe8 30. Qf4 $1 a5 {[%cal Yb5b4]} 31. b4 $1 (31. Qxf3 b4 32. axb4 axb4 33. Na2 Ne4 $1 34. Bxb4 Qxd5 35. Rf1 Qb7 $44 {[%cal Yd6d5]}) 31... axb4 32. axb4 Rc8 $1 33. Qxf3 Rc4 $132 {and the position is unclear}) 27... Nf3 $1 28. Bxf3 exf3 {[%csl Yd5] The d5-pawn hanging forces White to expose his structure even more.} 29. c4 bxc4 30. bxc4 Re5 $1 {A very practical and strong move.} (30... Rxe1+ 31. Bxe1 (31. Rxe1 Qb3 {[%csl Ra3,Rc4]}) 31... Re8 32. Kg1 Nd7 $17 {[%cal Yd7e5] is also very unpleasant for White.}) 31. Re3 (31. Rxe5 $2 dxe5 32. Qxe5 Bxa3 $19) 31... Rxe3 (31... Rxf5 32. Qd3 {[%cal Ye3f3]}) 32. Qxe3 (32. Bxe3 Re8 {with the dangerous threat b3} 33. Qc3 Qe7 34. Re1 {Black has a beautiful idea here} Ne4 $3 {seemingly falling into a trap} 35. Nxe4 Qxe4 36. Bf2 Qxf5 $1 37. Rxe8 Qh3 $1 {[%csl Rg2] and it is mate} 38. Qxf3 Qf1+ 39. Bg1 Qxf3#) 32... Qb2 $1 {The queen's invasion is very unpleasant and puts White under serious pressure. xd5 is already a threat.} 33. Nd3 (33. Qc3 Qa2 34. Qd3 (34. Kg1 Nxd5 $1 35. Qxf3 Qxd2 36. Rd1 Qc3 37. Qxd5 Rxc4 $17) 34... Rb8 $19 {[%cal Yb8b3,Yb8b2] the rook also comes and White can't avoid material losses.}) 33... Qxa3 34. Qxf3 Qa2 $17 {White's position is collapsing, and the time trouble is just an additional problem.} 35. Bc3 (35. Qd1 {is not better:} Rxc4 36. Ra1 Qc2) 35... Rxc4 (35... Nd7 $5) 36. Ra1 Qb3 37. Bxf6 gxf6 38. Kg2 $2 (38. Qd1 $1 {would had offered better chances:} Qb5 39. Nf4 a5 $17) 38... Rc3 39. Rd1 (39. Qg4+ Bg7 40. Nf4 {doesn't work:} Qb2+ 41. Kh3 Qxa1 42. Nh5 Qf1+ 43. Kh4 Rc4 $19) 39... h5 $1 {One last touch of precision by the World Champion: g4+ is not possible now.} 40. Kh3 Bh6 $19 {The time control was reached, but it just enough to realise that White's position is hopeless and lost.} 41. Re1 (41. Qxh5 Rxd3 42. Rxd3 Qxd3 43. Qxh6 Qxf5+ 44. Kg2 (44. Kh4 Qg5+ $1 45. Qxg5+ fxg5+ 46. Kxg5 a5 $19) 44... Qg5 45. Qh3 Qxd5+ 46. Kf2 Qd4+ 47. Ke2 a5 $19 {the endgame is a simple win for Black.}) 41... Rxd3 42. Qxh5 Re3 {If 43. c1 xg3! A typical strategic win by Carlsen, building a sound position, taking the right opportunity to create some complications that lead to new weaknesses in his opponent's camp, then exploiting them very convincingly.} 0-1

[Event "Grenke Chess Classic 5th"]
[Site "Karlsruhe/Baden-Baden"]
[Date "2018.04.08"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Vitiugov, Nikita"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C77"]
[WhiteElo "2843"]
[BlackElo "2735"]
[PlyCount "129"]
[EventDate "2018.03.31"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 184"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.05.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.05.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. d3 b5 6. Bb3 Bc5 7. c3 O-O 8. O-O Re8 9. Re1 h6 10. Nbd2 Bb6 11. Nf1 d6 12. Ng3 $146 ({RR} 12. Be3 Bxe3 13. Nxe3 Ne7 14. Bc2 Ng6 15. d4 exd4 16. Nxd4 Bb7 17. f3 d5 18. exd5 Nf4 19. Nc6 Qd6 20. Nf5 Qc5+ 21. Qd4 Qxd4+ 22. Nfxd4 N4xd5 23. Na5 Rxe1+ 24. Rxe1 Bc8 25. c4 Nb4 26. Bb1 bxc4 {Samoun,F (2228)-Basso,P (2443) Skalica 2020 0-1 (48)}) ({RR} 12. Be3 Bxe3 13. Nxe3 Ne7 14. Bc2 Ng6 15. d4 exd4 16. Nxd4 Bb7 17. f3 d5 18. exd5 Nf4 19. Nc6 Qd6 20. Nf5 Qc5+ 21. Qd4 Qxd4+ 22. Nfxd4 N4xd5 23. Na5 Rxe1+ 24. Rxe1 Bc8 25. c4 Nb4 26. Bb1 bxc4 {Samoun,F (2228)-Basso,P (2443) Skalica 2020 0-1 (48)}) 12... Be6 13. h3 Bxb3 14. axb3 d5 15. Qe2 Bc5 16. b4 Bf8 17. Nd2 a5 18. bxa5 Rxa5 19. Rxa5 Nxa5 20. exd5 Qxd5 21. Nde4 Nxe4 22. dxe4 Qc4 23. Qf3 Qe6 24. Nf5 Nc4 25. h4 Kh7 26. h5 g6 27. Ne3 Nxe3 28. hxg6+ fxg6 29. Bxe3 Bd6 30. Qe2 Qc4 31. Qxc4 bxc4 32. Ra1 Rb8 33. Bc1 Rb6 34. Ra4 Rc6 35. Be3 h5 36. Kf1 Kg7 37. Ke2 Kf6 38. Kd1 Ke6 39. Kc2 Be7 40. f3 Bh4 41. Ra5 Bg3 42. Bc5 g5 43. Bb4 g4 44. fxg4 hxg4 45. Ra8 Kf7 46. Rc8 Bf4 47. Kd1 Kg7 48. Ke2 Kf7 49. Rf8+ Kg7 50. Rd8 Kf7 51. Kf2 Kg7 52. Rd7+ Kf6 53. g3 Bc1 54. Rd1 Bg5 55. Ke2 Ke6 56. Rh1 Ra6 57. Ba3 Rb6 58. Rh7 Rb7 59. Kd1 Rb8 60. Kc2 Rd8 61. Rg7 Rd2+ 62. Kc1 Bf6 63. Kxd2 Bxg7 64. Bc5 Kd7 65. Be3 1/2-1/2

[Event "Grenke Chess Classic 5th"]
[Site "Karlsruhe/Baden-Baden"]
[Date "2018.04.09"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B67"]
[WhiteElo "2776"]
[BlackElo "2843"]
[PlyCount "81"]
[EventDate "2018.03.31"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 184"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.05.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.05.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 Nc6 6. Bg5 e6 7. Qd2 a6 8. O-O-O Bd7 9. f3 Nxd4 10. Qxd4 Be7 11. Kb1 b5 12. Bxf6 $146 ({RR} 12. Qd2 b4 13. Ne2 h6 14. Be3 e5 15. Ng3 Qa5 16. Bc4 Be6 17. Bb3 Qb5 18. Nf5 Bxf5 19. exf5 a5 20. Bd5 Rc8 21. g4 a4 22. h4 a3 23. Bb3 axb2 24. g5 Nd7 25. g6 fxg6 26. fxg6 Rf8 {Alvarez Albiol,V (2159)-Kaganskiy,G (2172) chess.com INT 2023 1-0 (51)}) ({RR} 12. h4 Rb8 13. g4 b4 14. Ne2 a5 15. Ng3 Qc7 16. Be3 Rc8 17. Rh2 d5 18. e5 O-O 19. Ba6 Ra8 20. Bd3 Rfc8 21. Qf4 Ne8 22. g5 Bc5 23. Bxc5 Qxc5 24. h5 Bb5 25. Bxh7+ Kxh7 26. g6+ fxg6 {Carlsen,M (2859)-Maghsoodloo,P (2719) Almaty KAZ 2022 1-0}) ({RR} 12. h4 h6 13. Be3 h5 14. Ne2 a5 15. Nc1 b4 16. Bc4 Qc7 17. Rd2 a4 18. Be2 Rb8 19. Qa7 Qxa7 20. Bxa7 Rb7 21. Be3 d5 22. e5 Ng8 23. Bd4 Bb5 24. Bd1 Nh6 25. g4 hxg4 26. fxg4 O-O {Sharma,I (2230)-Turzo,A (2248) Budapest HUN 2025 0-1 (65)}) ({RR} 12. g4 h5 13. gxh5 Nxh5 14. Bxe7 Qxe7 15. Rg1 Bc6 16. Qxd6 Qxd6 17. Rxd6 Rc8 18. a4 Ke7 19. Rd4 Nf4 20. axb5 axb5 21. Rd2 b4 22. Na2 Rb8 23. Bc4 Ng6 24. Rg5 Rb6 25. Rc5 Kf6 26. b3 Ne5 {Anand,V (2751)-Topalov,V (2730) Stavanger 2022 1-0 (41)}) ({RR} 12. h4 Qc7 13. Qd2 b4 14. Ne2 Rc8 15. c4 h6 16. Be3 Qxc4 17. Nd4 Qc7 18. Bxa6 Ra8 19. Rc1 Qa5 20. Bc4 O-O 21. Bb3 Ra6 22. g4 Rfa8 23. g5 Nh5 24. g6 Bf8 25. gxf7+ Kxf7 26. Rhg1 Nf6 {Jarocka,L (2143)-Malek,J (2376) Bialystok POL 2022 ½-½ (113)}) 12... gxf6 13. Ne2 Rc8 14. Qd2 Qb6 15. Nf4 h5 16. g3 Rc7 17. Bd3 Kd8 18. c3 Kc8 19. Bc2 Kb8 20. a3 a5 21. Bb3 Rb7 22. Nd3 Bc6 23. Rhe1 Rd8 24. f4 d5 25. exd5 exd5 26. Ka1 Bf8 27. Rc1 Ka7 28. Ba2 Rc7 29. Red1 Bb7 30. Ne1 d4 31. Nc2 d3 32. Nd4 Bc5 33. Qxd3 Bxd4 34. cxd4 Rxd4 35. Qe2 Rxc1+ 36. Rxc1 b4 37. Bxf7 h4 38. Qe3 Rd7 39. Qxb6+ Kxb6 40. Be6 Rd2 41. gxh4 1/2-1/2

[Event "Gashimov Memorial 5th"]
[Site "Shamkir"]
[Date "2018.04.20"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Navara, David"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B12"]
[WhiteElo "2843"]
[BlackElo "2745"]
[PlyCount "99"]
[EventDate "2018.04.19"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "AZE"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 184"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.05.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.05.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. e5 Bf5 4. Nd2 e6 5. Nb3 Nd7 6. Nf3 a6 7. Be2 c5 8. c3 h6 9. dxc5 ({RR} 9. O-O c4 10. Nbd2 b5 11. Ne1 Ne7 12. Nc2 Bh7 13. f4 h5 14. g3 Bxc2 15. Qxc2 g6 16. Nf3 Nf5 17. Bd2 Be7 18. Kg2 Nb6 19. h3 h4 20. g4 Ng3 21. Rfe1 a5 22. Bd1 b4 23. Qc1 Qd7 {Caruana,F (2777)-Carlsen,M (2837) Zagreb CRO 2025 0-1 (57)}) 9... Bxc5 10. Nxc5 Nxc5 11. Be3 Nd7 $146 ({RR} 11... Rc8 12. O-O Ne7 13. Nd4 O-O 14. a4 Bh7 15. a5 Nc6 16. Nxc6 Rxc6 17. Bd4 Qg5 18. Ra3 Qf5 19. b4 Nd3 20. g4 Qg6 21. f4 Qe4 22. Bf3 Qxf4 23. Bxd5 exd5 24. Rxf4 Nxf4 25. Be3 Nd3 26. Bd4 {Wei,Y (2743)-Navara,D (2740) Yancheng 2017 0-1 (41)}) 12. Nd4 Ne7 13. f4 Be4 14. O-O Nc6 15. Nxc6 bxc6 16. c4 O-O 17. cxd5 cxd5 18. b4 f6 19. exf6 Qxf6 20. Rc1 e5 21. Bd3 Qg6 22. Bxe4 Qxe4 23. Re1 d4 24. Qb3+ Kh8 25. Bd2 Qf5 26. Qh3 Qxh3 27. gxh3 exf4 28. Rc4 Rad8 29. Re6 Rf6 30. Re4 Nb6 31. Rcxd4 Rxd4 32. Rxd4 g5 33. h4 Kg7 34. hxg5 hxg5 35. h4 Kg6 36. Kg2 gxh4 37. Bxf4 Rc6 38. Kf3 Kf5 39. Be3 Rc3 40. Rf4+ Ke5 41. Rxh4 Nc4 42. Re4+ Kd5 43. Kf4 Nxe3 44. Rxe3 Rxe3 45. Kxe3 Kc4 46. a3 Kb3 47. Kd4 Kxa3 48. Kc5 Kb3 49. b5 axb5 50. Kxb5 1/2-1/2

[Event "Gashimov Memorial 5th"]
[Site "Shamkir"]
[Date "2018.04.21"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Mamedov, Rauf"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B09"]
[WhiteElo "2704"]
[BlackElo "2843"]
[PlyCount "102"]
[EventDate "2018.04.19"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "AZE"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 184"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.05.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.05.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 d6 2. d4 Nf6 3. Nc3 g6 4. f4 Bg7 5. Nf3 c5 6. Bb5+ Bd7 7. e5 Ng4 8. Bxd7+ Qxd7 9. d5 dxe5 10. h3 e4 11. Nxe4 Nf6 12. Nxf6+ Bxf6 13. O-O O-O 14. c4 e6 15. Be3 $146 ({RR} 15. Ne5 Qd6 16. Qb3 Nd7 17. Qxb7 Nxe5 18. fxe5 Qxe5 19. Bh6 Rfb8 20. Qc6 Rc8 21. Qa6 Bg7 22. Bxg7 Kxg7 23. Rae1 Qd4+ 24. Kh1 Rf8 25. b3 exd5 26. Rd1 Qe3 27. Rxd5 Kg8 28. Qf6 Rae8 29. Qf2 Qc3 {Adorjan,A (2515)-Pfleger,H (2540) Lanzarote 1975 1-0 (37)}) ({RR} 15. Ne5 Qd6 16. Be3 exd5 17. cxd5 Rd8 18. Ng4 Bg7 19. Qb3 h5 20. Ne5 Nd7 21. Rad1 Nxe5 22. fxe5 Qxe5 23. Bxc5 Qxb2 24. Qf3 Rd7 25. Rf2 Qc3 26. Qxc3 Bxc3 27. Re2 b6 28. Ba3 Rad8 29. d6 f6 {Acs,P (2542)-Chernin,A (2583) Budapest 2000 0-1 (40)}) ({RR} 15. Ne5 Qd6 16. Qb3 b6 17. Qf3 Nd7 18. Nc6 Nb8 19. Ne5 Nd7 20. Nc6 Nb8 21. Ne5 Nd7 {½-½ (21) Renner,K (2153)-Muecke,L (1694) Verden an der Aller GER 2024}) ({RR} 15. dxe6 Qxe6 16. Qb3 Nc6 17. Bd2 Qd7 18. Rad1 Qc7 19. Rfe1 Rad8 20. Be3 b6 21. Qc2 Nb4 22. Qb1 Nc6 23. f5 Nd4 24. Nxd4 Bxd4 25. Bxd4 Rxd4 26. Rxd4 cxd4 27. Qd3 Qc5 28. f6 Qd6 29. Rf1 Re8 {Soboleva,A (1993)-Malin,A (1844) Voronezh 2013 1-0 (49)}) 15... exd5 16. cxd5 Rd8 17. Qc2 Na6 18. Rad1 Nb4 19. Qxc5 Nxd5 20. Bd4 Rac8 21. Qa3 Qf5 22. Bxf6 Qxf6 23. Qxa7 Nxf4 24. Rxd8+ Rxd8 25. Qe3 Nd5 26. Qb3 Nf4 27. Qe3 Nd5 28. Qb3 b6 29. Rd1 Nf4 30. Rxd8+ Qxd8 31. Qe3 g5 32. Kh2 h6 33. h4 Ne6 34. hxg5 hxg5 35. Qe4 Qf6 36. Qe5 Qg6 37. g4 Qd3 38. Kg3 b5 39. Kf2 Kf8 40. Qe2 Nf4 41. Qxd3 Nxd3+ 42. Ke3 Nxb2 43. Nxg5 Nd1+ 44. Kd4 Nf2 45. Nxf7 Kxf7 46. Kc5 Ne4+ 47. Kxb5 Nc3+ 48. Kc4 Nxa2 49. g5 Kg7 50. g6 Nb4 51. Kxb4 Kxg6 1/2-1/2

[Event "Gashimov Memorial 5th"]
[Site "Shamkir"]
[Date "2018.04.23"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Wojtaszek, Radoslaw"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B23"]
[WhiteElo "2843"]
[BlackElo "2744"]
[Annotator "Nielsen,Peter Heine"]
[PlyCount "61"]
[EventDate "2018.04.19"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "AZE"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 184"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.05.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.05.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{The tournament in general, but for Magnus especially had a very quiet start with Topalov's win over Navara being the only deceisive game. The pairings gave Magnus 3 Blacks vs. the Azeri players not leaving much scope for creativity, however in round 5 things were about to change:} 1. e4 {Quintiliano,R} c5 {Radek stays loyal to his compratiot inviting his favourite Najdorf variation.} 2. Nc3 d6 {Najdorf players have to use this move order as e.g.} (2... Nc6 {can be met by} 3. Nf3 $1 {intending 4.d4.}) 3. d4 cxd4 4. Qxd4 {A nice and fitting touch, as this move order vs. the Sicilian was favoured by Vugar Gashimov.} Nc6 5. Qd2 $5 {Magnus unleashes a rare and original concept, completely novel at top level. During Wijk Aan Zee 2017 I received an email from Greek IM Ioannis Simeonidis suggesting this setup as an interesting anti-Najdorf concept and offered it to Magnus to test his concept! At first it reminded me of Greek hubris. After all how likely is it that you can come up with a meaningful and new setup at move 5 in one of the most tested openings historically in chess? GM, Khenkin, the commentator at the event formulated it with classic Soviet iron chess logic: "Chess-wisdom suggests only moving each piece once in the opening, especially the queen, however the World Champion seem to have his own rules". First sight however is deceptive: White has an interesting concept in mind, and very similarly to Fischer-Random chess the players now have to adapt to problems completely untested previously in practice.} Nf6 {Logical and common-sense, but Ofitserian took a much more concrete approach when facing Paravyan in the Russian Junior championship 4 days later harassing the white queen with} (5... g6 6. b3 Bh6 $5 {White however did not budge and went} 7. f4 Nf6 8. Bb2 e5 {Quintiliano,R: '?!'} (8... O-O $142 {Quintiliano,R} 9. O-O-O a5 10. Bb5 Qb6 $132) 9. g3 O-O 10. O-O-O {and won a complex fight. This is what fascinates the most with Simeonidis variation, that an oasis of creativity existed in territory believed to have been long mapped out.}) 6. b3 e6 {On the same day in the Budapest Spring Open but 3 hours later due to the time difference, Kotronias faced} (6... g6 {but got an excellent position after} 7. Bb2 Bg7 8. O-O-O O-O 9. f3 Qa5 10. Kb1 Be6 11. Nge2 {As in the actual game it's noteworthy that the surprised player acts with typical Sicilian moves, while in the game played 4 days later, Ofitserian most likely influenced by the computer, tried a setup aimed specifically at the possible defects of White's concept.}) 7. Bb2 a6 {Again typical Sicilian style.} ({Quintiliano,R: 'Knowing how the game goes,'} 7... d5 $5 {intending ...b4 was a more concrete approach. Quintiliano,R: 'maybe is a worthy try'} 8. exd5 {Quintiliano,R} exd5 9. O-O-O Be6 10. Nge2 Qa5 {The point is that despite the isolated pawn, Black has open lines and more freedom to develop the pieces} 11. Kb1 Bc5 12. Nf4 O-O-O $13) 8. O-O-O b5 9. f3 {The position reminds one of a Rauzer, however the white bishop being on b2 and the knight on g1 instead of d4! At first this sounds considerably more passive from whites perspective, but the bishop on b2 not only attacks in the long diagonal but also provides additional safety for the white king. While a knight on d4 would just be exchanged now on g1 it can consider various routes of attack.} h5 $6 {Preventing g4 makes perfect sense, but} (9... Be7 10. Kb1 {is the obvious reply, but then after} (10. g4 Nxg4 $1 {is a nice trick as} 11. fxg4 Bg5 {wins the white queen.}) 10... h5 {Black has a slightly improved version of the game.} (10... O-O {Quintiliano,R} 11. g4 Bb7 {with typical and double-edged Sicilian positions, despite there are some differences of normal lines, the b2 being the most clear one, Black should have the usual counterplay ideas.})) ({RR} 9... Be7 10. Kb1 O-O 11. g4 Nd7 12. Nge2 Bb7 13. Ng3 b4 14. Na4 Nc5 15. Nh5 e5 16. Bc4 Nxa4 17. bxa4 Na5 18. Bb3 Rc8 19. Ng3 Qc7 20. Nf5 Rfd8 21. Nxe7+ Qxe7 22. Qxb4 Qc7 23. Rd2 d5 24. Bxe5 {Vallejo Pons,F (2704)-Warmerdam,M (2600) Germany 2022 1-0 (38)}) 10. Nh3 $1 {Till this move, the general concept was mapped out in preparation, but here the World Champion demonstrates his level, adopting to the specifics of the position excellently. The g5-square very rarely being a relevant square for a white knight in the Scheveningen style Sicilian is of no importance. Like in chess 960 what matters is adapting to the new situation, and the combination of Black's last move weakening the g5-square and White's knight being on g1 prompted this unusual approach.} ({RR} 10. Nge2 Bb7 11. Kb1 Qb6 12. Nd4 Nxd4 13. Qxd4 Qxd4 14. Rxd4 d5 15. exd5 exd5 16. Rd1 O-O-O 17. Ne2 Ne8 18. Nd4 Rg8 19. g3 g6 20. Bh3+ Kb8 21. Rhe1 Bb4 22. Re2 Nc7 23. a3 Bd6 24. Rde1 h4 {Colville,J (2248)-Yudasin,L (2290) New York USA 2025 ½-½ (71)}) 10... Be7 $146 ({RR} 10... Bb7 11. Ng5 Qa5 12. Kb1 Rc8 13. Bd3 Be7 14. f4 Nb4 15. Rhe1 O-O 16. a3 Nxd3 17. cxd3 Qb6 18. Ne2 d5 19. e5 Ng4 20. Nd4 Bc5 21. Ngf3 b4 22. a4 Nxh2 23. f5 Nxf3 24. gxf3 exf5 25. Qf4 {Ollier,M (2227)-Gao,E (2306) Avoine 2019 1-0 (35)}) ({RR} 10... Bb7 11. Ng5 Rc8 12. Kb1 Be7 13. f4 Qa5 14. Be2 O-O 15. Bf3 Rc7 16. Rhe1 b4 17. Ne2 Rfc8 18. h4 Na7 19. a4 d5 20. e5 Ne4 21. Bxe4 dxe4 22. Nd4 Bxg5 23. hxg5 Bd5 24. Qe2 g6 25. g4 {Kraus,T (2463)-Kozak,A (2458) Radenci 2019 ½-½ (36)}) 11. Ng5 h4 $6 {Again logical and typical, however for this specific position just not very relevant.} 12. f4 Bb7 13. Kb1 Rc8 14. Be2 $1 Qc7 15. Rhe1 $1 {While White's two last moves might appear unimpressive, e2 almost feeling passive, looks are again deceptive. White quietly finishes his development in essence claiming he can improve his position meaningfully before the eventual confrontation, while Black cannot. Black's position is much worse than it looks. Normally ...b4 and ...a5 would create counterplay, exchange sacrifices on c3 being part of the equation, but with the white bishop being on b2 such action by Black would be completely pointless, and ...b4 simply being answered by a white a3. Especially the knight at c6 seems misplaced blocking both the bishop on b7 and the rook on c8. The relevant question would be, why did Black put it there? But who could resist free development harassing the opponent's queen at move 4?} Nh7 16. Nxh7 Rxh7 17. g4 $6 {At the press conference Magnus explained that he saw the indeed crushing 17.d5! but thought his position so dominating that sacrifices were not even neccesary.} (17. Nd5 $1 {Still the knight sacrifice was the best way, as after} exd5 18. exd5 {Black's position is close to hopeless as giving back the piece is positional bankruptcy, but} Nb8 {loses instantly to} 19. Bd3 $1 {with} Rh5 20. Rxe7+ $1 {being the principal tactical point.}) 17... hxg3 18. hxg3 Bf6 19. Bd3 Rh8 20. g4 $6 {A strange coincidence. Magnus' only inaccuracy in the game was g4; unfortunately it was possible to play twice! Unlike move 17 here simplicity was in order, figthing for the open file with} (20. Rh1 $1 {would have given an overwhelming edge.}) 20... Nd4 21. Re3 Kf8 22. Ne2 $1 Nxe2 23. Rxe2 {Despite the exchanges of minor pieces, the difference in king safety still gives White the much more pleasant position.} Bc3 $2 (23... Bxb2 24. Kxb2 Qc5 $1 {was Black's best chance to minimise the damage, but in time pressure Radek finally goes astray.} (24... Rh4 $1 {Quintiliano,R} 25. g5 Qc5 {[%cal Yc5d4]} 26. Kb1 (26. Rh2 Rxh2 27. Qxh2 Ke7 28. Kb1 Qe3 $132) 26... d5 $5 27. exd5 Bxd5 28. Rh2 Rxh2 29. Qxh2 g6 $14 {despite White's position still looking easier, Black is fighting well and has real chances to equalise.})) 24. Bxc3 Qxc3 25. Qe3 Rc5 {Allows a tactical blow, but after} (25... Qc5 26. Qg3 {Black is passive without counterplay while f5 and g5 follow for White with an overwhelming edge.}) 26. e5 $1 dxe5 27. fxe5 Rh1 28. Rxh1 Bxh1 29. Rh2 Rxe5 ({If} 29... Bb7 {then} 30. Rh8+ Ke7 31. Qg5+ {mates.}) 30. Rh8+ $1 Ke7 31. Qa7+ {And with 32.xh1 following next, Black being a piece down resigned. Magnus' shift of pace not only lasted to the upcoming free day's soccer tournament scoring all 6 six goals for the winning team, but also for the remainder of the tournament with crucial wins over first the leader Topalov and then with the black pieces against Anish Giri eventually securing overall victory.} 1-0

[Event "Gashimov Memorial 5th"]
[Site "Shamkir"]
[Date "2018.04.25"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Karjakin, Sergey"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C89"]
[WhiteElo "2778"]
[BlackElo "2843"]
[PlyCount "59"]
[EventDate "2018.04.19"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "AZE"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 184"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.05.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.05.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. c3 d5 9. exd5 Nxd5 10. Nxe5 Nxe5 11. Rxe5 c6 12. d3 Bd6 13. Re1 Bf5 14. Qf3 Qh4 15. g3 Qh3 16. Be3 Bxd3 17. Nd2 Qf5 18. Bd4 Rfe8 19. a4 Kf8 20. h4 h6 $146 ({RR} 20... Rxe1+ 21. Rxe1 f6 22. Qxf5 Bxf5 23. c4 Nb4 24. axb5 axb5 25. cxb5 cxb5 26. Rc1 Nd3 27. Rc6 Be5 28. Be3 Ra1+ 29. Kh2 Bd7 30. Rc2 Ne1 31. Rc5 Nd3 32. Rc2 Ne1 33. Rc5 Nd3 {½-½ (33) Vachier Lagrave,M (2796)-Carlsen,M (2832) Paris 2017}) 21. Qxf5 Bxf5 22. Rxe8+ Rxe8 23. axb5 axb5 24. Ra6 Ne7 25. Be3 Kg8 26. Ba2 Rd8 27. Bb6 Re8 28. Be3 Rd8 29. Bb6 Re8 30. Be3 1/2-1/2

[Event "Gashimov Memorial 5th"]
[Site "Shamkir"]
[Date "2018.04.28"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Ding, Liren"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C48"]
[WhiteElo "2843"]
[BlackElo "2778"]
[PlyCount "53"]
[EventDate "2018.04.19"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "AZE"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 184"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.05.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.05.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bb5 Nd4 5. Nxd4 exd4 6. e5 dxc3 7. exf6 Qxf6 8. Qe2+ Qe7 9. dxc3 Qxe2+ 10. Kxe2 Bc5 11. Be3 Bxe3 12. Kxe3 c6 13. Bd3 d5 14. Rae1 ({RR} 14. c4 Be6 15. cxd5 Bxd5 16. f3 O-O-O 17. Rhe1 Rhe8+ 18. Kf2 h6 19. a3 Kc7 20. Rxe8 Rxe8 21. Re1 Rxe1 22. Kxe1 {½-½ (22) Galperin,P (2494)-Sivuk,V (2501) Upplands Vasby SWE 2025}) 14... Ke7 $146 ({RR} 14... Be6 15. f4 O-O-O 16. Kd2 Rde8 17. Re5 Kc7 18. Rhe1 Kd6 19. Bf5 Bd7 20. Bxd7 Kxd7 21. Kd3 Rxe5 22. Rxe5 Re8 23. Rxe8 Kxe8 24. c4 dxc4+ 25. Kxc4 Kd7 26. Kd4 Kd6 27. c4 {½-½ (27) Cortlever,N-Szabo,L Zaandam 1946}) 15. c4 dxc4 16. Bxc4 Rd8 17. Rd1 Be6 18. Bxe6 Kxe6 19. Rhe1 Rxd1 20. Rxd1 Re8 21. f4 f5 22. Kf3 Re7 23. Re1+ Kf6 24. Rd1 Ke6 25. Re1+ Kf6 26. Rd1 Ke6 27. Re1+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "Norway Chess 6th"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2018.05.28"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C24"]
[WhiteElo "2843"]
[BlackElo "2822"]
[Annotator "Mekhitarian,Krikor Sevag"]
[PlyCount "153"]
[EventDate "2018.05.28"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 185"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.07.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.07.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Bc4 {The Bishop's Opening, played five times by Magnus Carlsen in classical games. It fits his style, since a positional battle begins, and there is not much theory. In 2014, the very same Fabiano Caruana with Black beat Carlsen in the Sinquefield Cup.} Nf6 3. d3 c6 4. Nf3 (4. Qe2 Be7 (4... d5 $1 $36 {is the best way to deal with e2}) 5. Nf3 d6 6. c3 Nbd7 7. Bb3 O-O 8. O-O a5 9. d4 a4 10. Bc2 Re8 11. Re1 Bf8 12. Qd1 b5 $17 {with a balanced middlegame, the reigning world champion scored a win over world's number 1 woman, Hou Yifan. 1-0 (61) Carlsen,M (2843)-Hou,Y (2654) Karlsruhe/Baden-Baden 2018}) 4... d5 5. Bb3 Bb4+ $1 {The main move here. Black provokes the c2-c3 advance, so White loses the option to play c3 at a later stage. Carlsen played 6.c3 in the aforementioned game.} 6. Bd2 {This is another way to play it.} (6. c3 {happened in the aforementioned game, between these two players back in 2014.} Bd6 7. Bg5 dxe4 8. dxe4 h6 9. Bh4 Qe7 10. Nbd2 Nbd7 11. Bg3 Bc7 12. O-O Nh5 13. h3 $6 Nxg3 14. fxg3 Nc5 15. Bxf7+ {Black was able to stop this pseudo-initiative and converted the game on move 34} Kxf7 16. Nxe5+ Kg8 17. Ng6 Qg5 18. Rf8+ Kh7 19. Nxh8 Bg4 20. Qf1 Nd3 21. Qxd3 Rxf8 22. hxg4 Qxg4 $17 {0-1 Carlsen,M (2877)-Caruana,F (2801) Sinquefield Cup 2nd 2014 (3)}) 6... Bxd2+ 7. Nbxd2 a5 {Threatening the old and good bishop trap with ...a4. I only found one high-level reference in classical games here, where White played 8.a3.} 8. c3 (8. a3 a4 9. Ba2 Nbd7 10. O-O O-O 11. Re1 Re8 12. d4 {Trying to start central play did not lead to any advantage for White:} exd4 13. exd5 Rxe1+ 14. Qxe1 cxd5 {Black has the isolated pawn, but has well placed pieces (...f8-e6 is a possible plan) and a b2-pawn to attack with ...b6} 15. Nb1 $2 {too slow} (15. Nxd4 {was possible} Qb6 16. Nf5 Qxb2 17. Ne7+ Kf8 18. Nxd5 Nxd5 19. Bxd5 Qd4 $11 {followed by ...f6}) 15... d3 $6 (15... Nb8 $1 16. Nxd4 Nc6 $17 {would give a nice advantage for Black}) 16. cxd3 Nc5 17. d4 Nce4 18. Nc3 Be6 $11 {½-½ (27) Shirov,A (2713)-Rodshtein,M (2641) Rogaska Slatina 2011}) 8... Nbd7 9. exd5 {A typical reaction, when Back develops his knight to d7. It is logical, because now Black can not play ...c6 anymore, an ideal move whenever the c6-pawn goes to d5.} cxd5 {[%csl Rd7][%cal Rb8c6]} 10. O-O O-O 11. Re1 Re8 12. Nf1 $146 ({RR} 12. Ba4 Re7 13. Bxd7 Nxd7 14. c4 d4 15. Ne4 Nf8 16. Rc1 f6 17. a3 a4 18. Rb1 Ng6 19. b4 axb3 20. Qxb3 Kh8 21. a4 Bf5 22. Ng3 Bg4 23. Nd2 Qa5 24. Nde4 Qxa4 25. Qxa4 Rxa4 26. Nc5 Ra7 {Cooper,L (2317)-Banusz,T (2563) Warsaw 2011 0-1 (44)}) 12... b5 13. a4 $5 b4 14. cxb4 axb4 {We have already reached a very imbalaced position, starting from a very modest opening.} 15. Ne3 Bb7 16. d4 $1 {A very nice concept from the World Champion, as we shall see:} e4 17. Ne5 Nxe5 (17... Rxe5 $5 {was playable, but it hardly looks like Black is already in need to give away an exchange.} 18. dxe5 Nxe5 19. Qd4 Nc6 20. Qd2 d4 21. Nf5 Ra5 $1 22. Ng3 Re5 $44 {With a very original position. It looks very shaky for Black, but the central pawns are strong, giving good compensation.}) 18. dxe5 Rxe5 19. Qd4 Re7 20. Rac1 $1 {Getting the pawn back with 20.xb4 was possible, but the whole concept of sacrificing a pawn in a seemingly normal position just goes to show how brilliant Carlsen is sometimes.} (20. Qxb4 Bc6 {[%cal Re7b7] The main downside for taking the pawn is the bishop on b3 that becomes loose now. Ideally, you want to place your minor pieces in a way they can't be attacked easily.} 21. Qd4 Rb7 22. Rec1 {We have a similar position compared to the game, but here Black is in full control of the b-file and should equalise:} Qb6 23. Qxb6 Rxb6 24. a5 Rxb3 25. Rxc6 Rxb2 26. Rd6 $11 {Black is a pawn up, but he will soon lose it, when the endgame will be simply equal.}) 20... Rd7 21. Red1 (21. Qxb4 $2 {doesn't make sense now:} d4 $17) 21... h6 22. Rc5 $44 {I feel that here White wants to make small improvements, like dc1 and h3, and only then think about taking any decisive action. The d5-pawn is weak, and Black always has to count on the a4-pawn advancing at some point.} Ra5 23. Rxa5 (23. Rdc1 $5 {would be similar}) 23... Qxa5 24. h3 Kh7 25. Rc1 Rc7 $2 {In the post-mortem, Caruana mentioned that he simply misevaluated the following position, thinking he would have good activity with his queen, but soon he realised it was a bad idea. Now White is in full control.} (25... Qa6 $1 {would be a smart move, anticipating White's c5 followed by a5, with ...e2!} 26. Rc5 Qe2 $132) 26. Rxc7 Qxc7 27. Qxb4 $16 Qc1+ 28. Bd1 Ba6 29. Qd4 {We have the same position as before, without the b4-pawn. Now, compared with the middlegame, it is way more valuable to take the pawn back and start advancing the passed a and b-pawns, since they are free and very frightening! Also, there are no rooks to create direct counterplay against them.} Be2 30. Kh2 Bxd1 $6 (30... Qc7+ $1 {forcing White to weaken a little bit} 31. g3 (31. Kg1 Qc1 {repeats the position.}) 31... Bxd1 32. Nxd1 h5 {Being able to play ...h4 at some point and create threats against your opponent's king is usually good. Here it could have been a nice way to look for counterplay.} 33. Kg1 Qc1 $36 {with ...e3 ideas.}) 31. Nxd1 Qc7+ 32. Kg1 $1 {Now there is no need to play g3, like in the 30...c7+ line.} Qc1 33. b4 e3 {The same idea I mentioned earlier, but the big difference is that with the pawn on g2, White's king is much safer.} 34. fxe3 $18 {White is winning. With flawless technique, Carlsen converts the full point:} Ne4 35. Qxd5 Nd2 36. Qf5+ Kh8 37. Qg4 f5 38. Qe2 Ne4 39. Qe1 Qa1 40. a5 Nd6 41. Qd2 {Slowly untangling the position. That is common when you have a lot of additional material but your opponent is active. You have to find space for small improvements and soon the position will play itself.} Nc4 42. Qd4 Qc1 43. Kf1 {Trying to bring the king closer so White can advance his pawns further.} Nxe3+ {Caruana goes for the queen endgame, that should also be hopeless, but the position is very bad anyway.} 44. Qxe3 Qxd1+ 45. Kf2 Qc2+ 46. Kg3 g5 {Black does not want to weaken his king, but he's lost otherwise, so he has to try something like this.} 47. Qe5+ Kh7 48. Kh2 $1 {King safety always in first place in queen endgames!} f4 49. Qd5 Qa4 50. Qf7+ Kh8 51. Qg6 $1 {Simplifying into a clear win:} Qxb4 52. Qxh6+ Kg8 53. Qxg5+ Kh7 54. Qh5+ Kg7 55. Qg5+ Kh7 56. h4 Qd6 57. Qh5+ Kg7 58. Qg5+ Kh7 59. h5 {Somewhat cold-blooded to allow ...f3+, but it's all good for White. The good thing is that g6+ is a very strong threat now.} f3+ 60. g3 f2 61. Qg6+ Kh8 (61... Qxg6 62. hxg6+ Kxg6 63. Kg2 $18 {and the game ends immediately.}) 62. Qxd6 f1=Q 63. Qh6+ Kg8 64. Qe6+ (64. Qg6+ Kh8 65. h6 $4 {would be a way to mess up the position!} Qg2+ $1 {forcing stalemate} 66. Kxg2 $11) 64... Kh8 65. Qe3 {With three pawns up, White has to be just a little bit careful.} Qb5 66. Qc3+ {Finding a good square for the queen.} Kh7 67. g4 Qd5 68. Qc7+ Kg8 69. Kg3 {[%cal Gc7g3]} Qe6 (69... Qd3+ 70. Kh4 $18 {and Black has no more checks already.}) 70. Qd8+ Kh7 71. Qd3+ Kh8 72. a6 Qe5+ 73. Kh3 Qa1 74. Qd8+ Kh7 75. Qe7+ Kh6 76. Qe3+ Kh7 77. a7 {It is nice to see that Carlsen used the same technique always - defending the pawn from the diagonal (a5, c3 - a6, d3 - a7, e3). Now Black resigned, since it's impossible to avoid White giving a check somewhere and then queening that pawn. A superb win from the World Champion!} 1-0

[Event "Norway Chess 6th"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2018.05.29"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Karjakin, Sergey"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C78"]
[WhiteElo "2782"]
[BlackElo "2843"]
[PlyCount "82"]
[EventDate "2018.05.28"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 185"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.07.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.07.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Bc5 6. c3 O-O 7. d4 Ba7 8. dxe5 Nxe4 9. Qd5 Nc5 10. Bc2 Ne7 11. Qd1 d5 12. exd6 Qxd6 13. Qxd6 cxd6 14. Rd1 Bg4 15. Rxd6 Bf5 16. Na3 Ne4 17. Bxe4 Bxe4 18. Rd1 Nf5 19. Nc4 $146 ({RR} 19. Bf4 Rfe8 20. Nc4 Bxf3 21. gxf3 Re2 22. Rd2 Bxf2+ 23. Kf1 Rxd2 24. Nxd2 Ba7 25. Ne4 Rd8 26. Ke2 f6 27. Rd1 Rxd1 28. Kxd1 Kf7 29. a4 Ke6 30. Ke2 h5 31. h3 Ne7 32. Bd2 Ke5 33. Ng3 g6 {Bacrot,E (2678)-Piorun,K (2608) Krasnaya Polyana 2021 ½-½ (46)}) ({RR} 19. Bf4 Rfe8 20. Nc4 Bxf3 21. gxf3 Re2 22. Rd2 Bxf2+ 23. Kf1 Rxd2 24. Nxd2 Ba7 25. Ne4 Rd8 26. Ke2 f6 27. Rd1 Rxd1 28. Kxd1 Kf7 29. a4 Ke6 30. Ke2 h5 31. h3 Ne7 32. Bd2 Ke5 33. Ng3 g6 {Bacrot,E (2678)-Piorun,K (2608) Krasnaya Polyana 2021 ½-½ (46)}) 19... Rfe8 20. Be3 Bxe3 21. Nxe3 Nxe3 22. fxe3 Bxf3 23. gxf3 Rxe3 24. Rd7 Rb8 25. Rad1 Kf8 26. Kf2 Re7 27. Rd8+ Re8 28. Rxb8 Rxb8 29. Rd7 Ke8 30. Rc7 b5 31. Rc6 Ra8 32. c4 Kd7 33. cxb5 axb5 34. Rb6 Rxa2 35. Rxb5 Ra4 36. Kg3 Rd4 37. Rb7+ Ke6 38. Rb6+ Kf5 39. Rb5+ Ke6 40. Rb6+ Kf5 41. Rb5+ Ke6 1/2-1/2

[Event "Norway Chess 6th"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2018.05.30"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C67"]
[WhiteElo "2843"]
[BlackElo "2764"]
[Annotator "Nielsen,Peter Heine"]
[PlyCount "61"]
[EventDate "2018.05.28"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 185"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.07.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.07.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 {In round one Magnus won a good game against Fabiano Caruana with 2.c4, but that move at top level is almost exclusively seen as an anti-Petroff move order.} Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 $5 4. O-O ({In round one Anand continued} 4. d3 Bc5 5. c3 d5 6. Bd2 O-O 7. O-O Re8 8. exd5 a6 $1 {when while not only springing an excellent novelty, Aronian also managed to amuse in the confession booth saying he forgot to play it at move 3, and now seemed at good moment to correct the mistake! Even so, his switch from Marshall to Berlin seemed more than just a fling.}) 4... Nxe4 5. Re1 {The most solid of lines, suiting well that Magnus actually was the sole leader at this point.} Nd6 6. Nxe5 Be7 7. Bf1 Nxe5 8. Rxe5 O-O 9. d4 Bf6 10. Re1 {By far the main move, but in the New York match vs. Karjakin, Magnus did put the rook on e2, an idea of Caruana's second Kasimdzhanov, and had some pressure before the game was eventually drawn.} Nf5 $5 {Also the latest trend.} ({People used to go} 10... Re8 {and while that still makes a solid apperance, the preference by the experts has been for this slightly more aggressive move.}) 11. d5 {Grabbing space, or from Black's perspective, slightly weakening White's pawn chain. Less ambitious but more solid is 11.c3 d5, with numerous games being drawn shortly thereafter.} Re8 {Here everybody routinely played the standard move, till Caruana in Baden tried 12.d3 against Aronian. Magnus' next move was intended to be a novelty:} 12. Rxe8+ $5 {But to my surprise this had already been played by Palac in 2005, against me! The unimpressive continuation being 12...xe8 13.d2 d6 draw agreed.} Qxe8 13. Qd3 $5 {Putting the bishop on d3 similar to Caruana looks like a normal move, while this somewhat goes against chess principles. First developing your queen, and only then figuring out how to proceed next is not excactly what is recommended in the beginners' books. But apart from the primitive threats of taking the knight on f5, more relevantly it supports the e4-square planning to transfer the knight there eventually as well and in general having much more scope. Aronian seemed surprised but after some thought played the obvious reply.} d6 14. Nd2 {Intending e4, followed by c3 d2 e1. The good thing about White's position is that it has a lot of room for improvement! For Black it's more difficult, and probably, especially in light of White not being fully developed, 14...c6!? switching the position to an isolani-style type after a white dxc6 or a black ...cxd5 would assure counterplay. But Black has an almost perfect pawn structure so voluntarily ruining it is not an easy over the board decision.} Bg5 $6 {A very logical move, assuring the exchange of the dark-squared bishops and at the same time eliminating the e4 threat.} 15. Nf3 {A case (the engines!) could be made for including g3+h4 to gain a bit of time, but Magnus Magnus either wanted to assure himself of the following favourable exchanges, or perhaps as the games later shows the relevance of, rather would not lose the flexibilty on how to put his pawns on the kingside.} Bxc1 16. Rxc1 Bd7 17. Re1 {At first sight it looks like a typical quick e1 Berlin draw is in progress. Rooks will be exchanged in the e-line and White has absolutely nothing constructive to do with his moderate space advantage. But details do matter! After 17...f8 White will immediately attack Black's queenside with moves like 18.b3 or 18.c4, when Black face a passive defence using his rook to defend the weakness on especially c7. Perhaps a small difference, but with a huge effect. Black has no way of getting the neccesary echanges and is doomed to passive defence. His position is so solid that the chances of sucess obviously is there, but White's edge, as indicated by the engines, is certainly larger than it looks at first sight.} Qd8 18. Qc4 $146 ({RR} 18. g4 Nh4 19. h3 Nxf3+ 20. Qxf3 Qg5 21. Bd3 g6 22. Re4 h5 23. Qf4 Qxf4 24. Rxf4 hxg4 25. hxg4 c5 26. dxc6 bxc6 27. c4 Be6 28. Rd4 Rd8 29. b3 c5 30. Rf4 Kg7 31. g5 d5 32. cxd5 Rxd5 {Bracker,A (2227)-Vaskevicius,A (1872) Riga 2019 0-1 (34)}) 18... g6 19. h3 Ng7 20. Re3 {A nice setup, the rook might be used to attack the vulnerable spots on the queenside, or more directely, the black kingside as in the game. It does however give Aronian a chance to change the structure play with an isolani.} a5 ({After} 20... c5 $1 21. dxc6 Bxc6 {Black obviously is slightly worse, but in a less suffocating way than the game.}) 21. a4 {Now ...c5 would leave the b5-square weak, thus 21...c6!} Ne8 22. Qd4 {An ideal square for White's queen. Normally ...f6 would chase it away, but with the pawn already on g6, White always has the small tactic xe8+! meaning Black will never achieve a f6+g7 setup.} Ng7 23. g4 $5 {Logical and strong. Magnus cntrols the f5-square, not allowing ...f5 attacking his queen. Weakening his own king is not a concern due to Black's passivity, but even so the engine does seem to think White would optimize his edge with the less compromising 23.d3.} c6 {At last, and with the logical justification that White's last move has changed the battle from a positional one to a tactical, Aronian stops caring about his pawn structure but tries creating counterplay.} (23... Qf8 {intending 24...e8 looks solid and logical, but} 24. Ng5 $1 {becomes alarming as if} Re8 ({Suffice it to say that the engines suggests} 24... Qd8 $1) {then} 25. Ne4 $1 {gets access to the f6-square with immediate disaster for Black.}) 24. c4 Ne8 {With all this suffering , why not at least have a pawn for it?} (24... c5 25. Qf4 Bxa4 {is possible, when White has excellent compensation in numerous ways, the engines preferring} 26. Ra3 $5 Bd7 27. Rb3 {eyeing the b6-square!}) 25. Qf4 Kg7 {Adding to his misery, Levon was also now desperately short of time, and Magnus now pulls off an almost basketball like trick, first looking to one side, but the attacking fiercly on the other:} 26. Rb3 {Just a decoy.} Rb8 27. Ng5 $1 Nf6 $2 (27... Qf6 {still defends, as while} 28. Qd2 {does attack the a5-pawn Black can defend with} h6 29. Ne4 Qd8 {without facing disaster. Now however swift tactics decide.}) 28. Rf3 $1 h6 {Not even a blunder, as Black has no meaningful defence anyway.} ({The d6-pawn is attacked, and} 28... Qe7 29. Re3 Qf8 {leaves White so many options that the engine does not even mention that 30.xf6+?! followed by xh7+ wins a pawn. Easiest is} 30. Qd4 $1 {with a crushing pin.}) 29. Ne4 $1 Nxe4 30. Qxf7+ Kh8 31. Qxg6 {And with the combined threats to the knight in e4 and the h6-pawn as well as f7 mating, Aronian resigned.} 1-0

[Event "Norway Chess 6th"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2018.06.06"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C83"]
[WhiteElo "2843"]
[BlackElo "2808"]
[PlyCount "100"]
[EventDate "2018.05.28"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 185"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.07.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.07.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Nxe4 6. d4 b5 7. Bb3 d5 8. dxe5 Be6 9. c3 Be7 10. Re1 O-O 11. Nbd2 Nxd2 12. Qxd2 Qd7 13. Qd3 Rad8 14. Bc2 g6 15. Bh6 Rfe8 16. Rad1 d4 $146 ({RR} 16... f6 17. exf6 Bxf6 18. h3 Bf7 19. Bf4 Rxe1+ 20. Rxe1 Re8 21. Rxe8+ Bxe8 22. Qe3 Bf7 23. Ng5 d4 24. Ne4 Bg7 25. Qg3 dxc3 26. bxc3 Bxa2 27. Bxc7 Qe7 28. Bd6 Qe6 29. Nc5 Qe1+ 30. Kh2 Qxc3 31. Qxc3 {Fox,A-Schroeder,A New York 1916 0-1 (48)}) 17. Nxd4 Nxd4 18. Qxd4 Qxd4 19. Rxd4 Rxd4 20. cxd4 c5 21. dxc5 Bxc5 22. b3 a5 23. h3 b4 24. Rd1 Rc8 25. Rd2 Be7 26. Bd1 Rc5 27. Bf4 g5 28. Bg3 Kg7 29. f4 Rc1 30. Kh2 Bc5 31. fxg5 Be3 32. Rd3 Bxg5 33. h4 Bf5 34. Rf3 Bg4 35. hxg5 Rxd1 36. Rf2 Be6 37. Bf4 Rd3 38. Rf3 Rxf3 39. gxf3 Bf5 40. e6 fxe6 41. Bc7 Bb1 42. Bxa5 Bxa2 43. Bxb4 Bxb3 44. Bc3+ Kg6 45. f4 Kf7 46. Kg3 Kg6 47. Be5 Kf7 48. Bc3 Kg6 49. Be5 Kf7 50. Bc3 Kg6 1/2-1/2

[Event "Norway Chess 6th"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2018.06.07"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C77"]
[WhiteElo "2789"]
[BlackElo "2843"]
[PlyCount "33"]
[EventDate "2018.05.28"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 185"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.07.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.07.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 {Sagar,Shah} e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. d3 b5 7. Bb3 d6 8. a3 O-O 9. Nc3 Na5 10. Ba2 Be6 11. b4 Bxa2 12. Rxa2 Nc6 13. Bg5 Ng4 14. Bd2 Nf6 15. Bg5 ({RR} 15. Qb1 d5 16. Bg5 dxe4 17. dxe4 Qd6 18. Qb3 ({RR} 18. Rd1 Nd4) 18... Nd4 19. Nxd4 exd4 20. Bxf6 Bxf6 21. Ne2 ({RR} 21. Nd5 Bd8) 21... Rfe8 22. Ng3 c5 23. bxc5 Qxc5 24. a4 h5 25. axb5 axb5 26. Rxa8 Rxa8 27. Rb1 Rc8 ({RR} 27... h4) 28. Qxb5 Qxb5 29. Rxb5 h4 {Vachier Lagrave,M (2804)-Aronian,L (2802) Tbilisi 2017 CBM 181 [Sagar,Shah] ½-½ (41)}) ({RR} 15. Nd5 Nxd5 16. exd5 Na7 17. a4 bxa4 18. Rxa4 Nc8 19. c4 Nb6 20. Ra5 Qd7 21. Qb3 c6 22. dxc6 Qxc6 23. Rfa1 Qb7 24. c5 Nd7 25. cxd6 Bxd6 26. Qd5 Qb6 27. b5 Nf6 28. Qa2 Bc5 29. Be1 Bd4 {Amar,E (2584)-Kvaloy,A (2490) Sestao ESP 2025 1-0 (47)}) ({RR} 15. Re1 Qd7 16. Nd5 Nxd5 17. exd5 Na7 18. a4 c6 19. dxc6 Nxc6 20. c4 d5 21. axb5 axb5 22. Rxa8 Rxa8 23. cxb5 Nxb4 24. Nxe5 Qxb5 25. Qg4 Nc2 26. Rf1 Bf6 27. Bf4 Nd4 28. Bg3 Ne6 29. Qf5 Nd4 {Vachier Lagrave,M (2784)-Nihal,S (2620) Chess.com INT 2020 ½-½ (32)}) 15... Ng4 16. Bd2 Nf6 17. Bg5 $146 ({RR} 17. Re1 Qd7 18. Nd5 Nxd5 19. exd5 Na7 20. a4 c6 21. dxc6 Nxc6 22. c4 Bf6 23. axb5 axb5 24. Rxa8 Rxa8 25. cxb5 Ne7 26. d4 Qxb5 27. dxe5 dxe5 28. Qe2 Qxe2 29. Rxe2 Ra1+ 30. Re1 Ra2 31. Bc3 Nd5 {Shevchenko,K (2642)-Esipenko,A (2692) Ankara 2022 ½-½ (35)}) 1/2-1/2

[Event "Biel GM 51st"]
[Site "Biel"]
[Date "2018.07.23"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B08"]
[WhiteElo "2779"]
[BlackElo "2842"]
[Annotator "Nielsen,Peter Heine"]
[PlyCount "158"]
[EventDate "2018.07.22"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "SUI"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 186"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.09.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.09.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 d6 {The players also faced each other in the last round of the Stavanger tournament, where both tried to bluff the other by following joint preparations for the 2016 World Championship match. As neither "blinked", the game came to a quick conclusion with a repetition. In Biel however, inspired by his win in the first round, Magnus immediately tries taking the game to uncharted waters by playing the Pirc:} 2. d4 Nf6 3. Nc3 g6 4. Bf4 $5 {Maxime varies from his usual 4.e3, afterwards at the press conference saying that he knew this line, having studied it from Black's perspective via the 1.d4 f6 2.f4 g6 3.c3 g7 4.e4 d6 move order.} c6 5. Nf3 Bg7 6. Qd2 O-O 7. h3 {Played after some hesitation. A solid positional approach, even thought from the agressive Frenchman, one might have expected h4, h6 and mate!} ({RR} 7. Be2 b5 8. a3 a5 9. h4 h5 10. Bh6 Na6 11. Bxg7 Kxg7 12. O-O b4 13. axb4 axb4 14. e5 dxe5 15. dxe5 Qxd2 16. exf6+ exf6 17. Nxd2 bxc3 18. bxc3 Nc7 19. Rxa8 Nxa8 20. Bf3 Bd7 21. Nb3 Rc8 {Chitlange,S (2211)-Zakhartsov,V (2481) chess.com INT 2025 0-1 (99)}) 7... Qa5 ({RR} 7... b5 8. Bd3 Bb7 9. O-O b4 10. Ne2 c5 11. dxc5 Nxe4 12. Bxe4 Bxe4 13. Ng5 Bf5 14. cxd6 Nc6 15. Ng3 Bxb2 16. Nxf5 gxf5 17. Qd5 Nd4 18. Rab1 Ne2+ 19. Kh1 Nxf4 20. Qxf5 Ng6 21. dxe7 Qxe7 22. Rxb2 {Van Foreest,J (2614)-Guseinov,G (2664) St Petersburg 2018 ½-½ (43)}) 8. e5 $146 {A somewhat pessimistic decision, forcing an equal ending, instead of a slightly better middlegame with e.g. 8.d3.} ({RR} 8. Bd3 Nbd7 9. g4 e5 10. Bh6 b5 11. Rg1 Bb7 12. h4 b4 13. Ne2 c5 14. dxe5 Nxe5 15. Nxe5 dxe5 16. f3 Rad8 17. Qg5 b3+ 18. Nc3 c4 19. Be2 Bxh6 20. Qxh6 Qb6 21. Rh1 bxc2 22. Qc1 Rd4 {Deckert,M (2075)-Kirbach,T (1925) Roethenbach 1996 ½-½ (75)}) ({RR} 8. Bd3 Nbd7 9. Bh6 e5 10. Bxg7 Kxg7 11. Qg5 h6 12. Qd2 Re8 13. O-O-O b5 14. a3 b4 15. Nb1 c5 16. dxe5 dxe5 17. Qe2 Rb8 18. Nfd2 Qc7 19. Bb5 Re7 20. g3 Nf8 21. c3 Qb6 22. a4 a6 {Markowski,D (2186)-Maciejczak,J (2374) Jastrzebia Gora 2022 0-1 (33)}) 8... dxe5 9. dxe5 Nd5 10. Nxd5 Qxd2+ 11. Bxd2 cxd5 12. O-O-O Nc6 13. Bc3 {White's plan takes form. He protects the pawn on e5 stabilising the centre, and claiming that in the upcoming race White is quicker on the kingside than Black is on the queenside.} e6 14. h4 h6 {Precaution against White's plan of h5, but the engines suggest a more provocative alternative just playing 14...d7 and if 15.h5 then answering with ...h6! as now Black threatens ...g5 and if 16.hxg6 fxg6 he gets counterplay in the f-file as well as a possible ...g5.} 15. Bd3 Bd7 16. Rhe1 Rfc8 17. Rd2 $6 {A miscalculation.} ({White needed to be more careful,} 17. Bd2 $1 {being the correct plan, intending after} Rab8 18. Kb1 b5 {to play} 19. a3 $1 a5 20. b3 $1 {effectively shutting down the queenside being ready to answer ...a4 with b4, and ...b4 with a4! One could argue that White then would have a free hand on the kingside, but Black's solidity there still makes the position rather equal, even so a much better scenario compared to what happens now:}) 17... Rab8 18. Rde2 b5 19. Nd4 b4 20. Nxc6 Bxc6 21. Bd4 Bb5 $1 {Black starts exerting pressure. MVL admitted he underestimated this move, expecting Black first to protect his a7-pawn by moving it to a5, but forgetting that xa7 with a2 unprotected allows Black to just play ...a8 and win back the pawn under favourable circumstances.} 22. Kd2 h5 23. f4 Bf8 24. g4 $5 {A very temporary pawn sacrifice, speeding up White's counterplay, trying to get to Black's king first:} hxg4 25. Rg1 Bc5 26. Bxc5 Rxc5 27. Rxg4 Kf8 $1 {King-safety being the main concern, evacuating the danger area just in time.} 28. Rh2 Bxd3 29. Kxd3 Rc4 $1 {Another key moment, MVL mentioned this as a crucial move he missed and Black is now better as he combines exerting pressure along the 4th rank and the c-file. From a practical point of view correct, but White still has a hidden defence:} 30. h5 gxh5 31. Rxh5 Ke7 32. Rgh4 $2 {An outright blunder finally changing Black's position from practically better, to a real substantial edge.} (32. Rh6 $1 {with the idea of} Rbc8 33. Rf6 $1 Rxc2 $2 34. Rg7 $1 {shows that Black's attack is not as dangerous as it might seem at first sight, as here White's king remains safe, and White gets to attack just in time.}) 32... Rg8 33. f5 Rg3+ 34. Kd2 Rg2+ 35. Kd1 Rcxc2 36. f6+ {MVL had pinned his hopes on this, but while he does get some counterplay, the difference in king-safety is a huge difference. In the above line the white king felt at least somewhat safe at d3, while now on d1 mating threats are imminent.} Kd7 37. Rxb4 a5 38. Rb8 Rcf2 39. Ke1 Kc6 $1 (39... Rxb2 40. Rxb2 Rxb2 41. Rh7 $1 {creates counterplay, so Black's trick is to keep the mating threats against the white king, while trying to walk his own into safety.}) 40. Rc8+ Kb5 $6 {The computer points to this logical move made just before the time-control as being inaccurate!} (40... Kb6 41. Rh7 Re2+ 42. Kf1 Rgf2+ 43. Kg1 Rf4 44. Rxf7 Rxe5 {winning for Black, as unlike in the game White now has no efficient 45.b7+.}) 41. Rh7 d4 42. Rg8 $5 {Resourceful and creative as ever, even in the most dire of situations, the Frenchman manages to cause confusion.} Re2+ $1 43. Kf1 Rgf2+ $1 44. Kg1 Rf4 $1 45. Rxf7 Rxe5 46. Rc7 Rxf6 $6 {Technically still winning, but} (46... d3 $1 {pushing the passed pawn was a much cleaner solution.} 47. Rb8+ Ka4 $1 48. Rc3 {might have felt threatening, but} Rg5+ $1 {mates in two!}) 47. Rb8+ Ka6 48. Rc6+ Ka7 49. Rg8 Rf7 50. Rg6 Re1+ 51. Kg2 d3 $2 (51... Re2+ 52. Kg3 Re3+ 53. Kg2 e5 $19) 52. Rd6 $1 Re2+ 53. Kh3 d2 54. Rg8 $1 {White simply wants to double in the d-file making sure the d-pawn goes nowhere as well as if Black starts defending with both rooks on the 2nd, then there is an easy perpetual on d7 and d8. It is no longer a matter of Black being winning, but about finding any practical chances.} Kb7 55. Rgd8 d1=Q $5 56. Rxd1 Rxb2 57. Re1 Rf6 58. Rd6 Rxa2 59. Kg3 $5 (59. Rdxe6 Rxe6 60. Rxe6 {then} Rf2 $1 {cutting the white king off as well as 60...b2!? leads to a tablebase win.}) (59. Rb1+ $145 Kc7 60. Ra6 Rg6 $15) 59... Rb2 60. Re5 Rb3+ 61. Kg2 a4 62. Ra5 $2 (62. Rh5 Rf7 63. Rxe6 $17) 62... a3 63. Rda6 Rff3 $1 64. Ra7+ $5 {At least it looks like counterplay, even if Black's king easily zig-zags out of the danger zone.} (64. Rxe6 Rfc3 $1 {sets up an interesting formation, where Black threatens a mating attack on the 2nd and 1st ranks, while if} 65. Re2 {then} Rc6 $1 {followed by ...a6 or ...b2 wins easily.}) 64... Kc6 65. R7a6+ Kd7 66. Ra7+ Kd6 67. R7a6+ Ke7 68. Re5 Rfc3 $1 {Again not caring about the e6-pawn.} 69. Rexe6+ Kd7 70. Kf2 Rb2+ 71. Re2 Rh3 72. Kg2 Rxe2+ 73. Kxh3 a2 74. Kg3 Kc7 75. Kf3 Kb7 76. Ra4 Rh2 77. Ke3 Kb6 78. Kd3 Kb5 79. Ra8 Kb4 {And as Magnus' king was just in time, MVL resigned.} 0-1

[Event "Biel GM 51st"]
[Site "Biel"]
[Date "2018.07.24"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Svidler, Peter"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B94"]
[WhiteElo "2842"]
[BlackElo "2753"]
[Annotator "Ftacnik,Lubomir"]
[PlyCount "52"]
[EventDate "2018.07.22"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "SUI"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 186"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.09.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.09.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Bg5 Nbd7 {Svidler is putting his trust in a modern variation 6...bd7 which presents White with bigger challenges than the older 6...e6.} 7. Qe2 h6 8. Bh4 g6 9. f4 Qc7 {Black is abstaining from advancing the e pawn as the level of risk is much higher in a direct fight with better developed white pieces.} (9... e5 10. fxe5 dxe5 11. O-O-O (11. Nf3 Qc7 12. O-O-O b5 13. Nd5 Nxd5 14. exd5 Bd6 15. Qe3 Bb7 16. Bd3 f5 $6 (16... Rc8 $11) 17. Nd4 Qb6 18. Bxf5 gxf5 19. Qg3 Nf8 20. Nxf5 $18 {1-0 (38) Khader,S (2392)-Karjakin,S (2760) Riadh 2017}) 11... Qc7 12. Nd5 (12. Nb3 b5 13. Qf3 (13. g4 Be7 14. Qf3 Bb7 15. a3 Nxe4 16. Nxe4 Bxh4 17. Rxd7 Qxd7 18. Nbc5 Bg5+ 19. Kb1 Bxe4 20. Qxe4 Qd1+ 21. Ka2 O-O 22. Bd3 Qd2 $15 {0-1 (44) Savchenko,B (2550)-Sarana,A (2577) Moscow 2018}) (13. Rxd7 Nxd7 14. Nd5 Qb8 15. Bf6 Nxf6 16. Nxf6+ Ke7 17. Nd5+ Ke8 18. Nf6+ Ke7 19. Nd5+ Ke8 20. Nf6+ Ke7 {½-½ (20) Sarana,A (2613)-Khanin,S (2494) Ekaterinburg 2018}) 13... Bg7 14. Kb1 O-O 15. g4 Bb7 16. a3 Rac8 17. Bd3 Qb6 18. Be1 Qe6 19. Rg1 Nb6 20. h4 $14 {0-1 (41) Wan,Y (2500)-Cheparinov,I (2702) China 2018}) 12... Nxd5 13. exd5 Bd6 14. Nb3 b5 15. Qd2 (15. g4 h5 16. g5 Nb6 17. h3 O-O 18. Na5 Bf5 19. Bg2 e4 20. Rhf1 Bf4+ 21. Kb1 Rad8 $19 {0-1 (48) Yankelevich,L (2442)-Jakovenko,D (2710) Germany 2017}) 15... g5 (15... f5 16. g4 f4 17. Bd3 Kf7 18. Qe2 g5 19. Qe4 gxh4 20. Qg6+ Kf8 $11 {1-0 (35) Pichot,A (2552)-Asis Gargatagli,H (2529) Barcelona 2018}) 16. Be1 Nc5 17. Nxc5 Qxc5 18. h4 g4 19. Bg3 Bd7 20. Re1 f6 21. Bd3 O-O-O 22. Rhf1 Rdf8 23. Bf5 $16 {1-0 (39) Naiditsch,A (2697)-Hamdouchi,H (2580) Brest 2018}) 10. O-O-O {Carlsen most likely did not like 10.f3 because after the best 10...e5! the knight may turn out to be somewhat misplaced on f3.} (10. Nf3 Bg7 $6 (10... e5 $1) 11. O-O-O (11. e5 $1 dxe5 12. fxe5 Ng4 13. O-O-O e6 14. Bg3 h5 15. Ne4 $16) 11... Nb6 12. e5 dxe5 13. fxe5 Nh5 14. Bf2 Be6 15. Qe4 g5 16. Nd4 Bc8 17. g3 Bxe5 18. Nc6 Bd6 19. Bxb6 Qxc6 20. Qd4 Nf6 {0-1 (29) Levrand,R (2156)-Bauer,C (2647) Zuerich 2017} 21. Rg1 $1 Be6 22. Bg2 Qc4 23. Ne4 $16) 10... Bg7 (10... e5 11. fxe5 dxe5 12. Nb3 Bg7 13. Qc4 $1 Qb8 14. Nc5 O-O 15. Nxd7 Nxd7 16. Nd5 b5 17. Qc6 $16 {1-0 (56) Smirnov,P (2569)-Bocharov,D (2610) Vladivostok 2016}) ({RR} 10... e5 11. fxe5 dxe5 12. Nb3 b5 13. g4 Be7 14. a3 Bb7 15. Bg2 Rc8 16. Rhf1 g5 17. Bg3 Bxa3 18. bxa3 Qxc3 19. Rd3 Qc7 20. Nd4 O-O 21. Nf5 Qc4 22. Nd6 Qa2 23. Nxb7 Rc6 24. Na5 Rc7 25. Rxf6 {Kotronias,V (2578)-Papaioannou,I (2624) Vrachati 2013 ½-½ (40)}) 11. g4 {Surprisingly enough there have been as good as no games played from this position; the players have to invent theory.} (11. Kb1 O-O 12. Nf3 e5 13. f5 b5 14. g4 b4 15. Nd5 Nxd5 16. exd5 a5 17. g5 e4 18. Nd4 hxg5 $2 (18... Bxd4 $1 19. Rxd4 Ne5 20. fxg6 Bg4 21. Qe3 fxg6 $15) 19. Bxg5 $16 {1-0 (39) Melia,S (2400)-Travkina,A (2287) Riga 2017}) ({RR} 11. g3 O-O 12. Bg2 Rb8 13. Rhe1 Nb6 14. h3 Qc5 15. Nb3 Qc7 16. g4 Be6 17. e5 dxe5 18. fxe5 Nh7 19. Nd4 Bc4 20. Qe3 Rbc8 21. e6 Nf6 22. Bg3 Qc5 23. Bxb7 Nfd5 24. exf7+ Rxf7 25. Nxd5 Nxd5 {Campos,E (1992)-Vaibhav Gautam (1674) Goa IND 2025 0-1 (31)}) ({RR} 11. Nf3 e5 12. Qd2 O-O 13. f5 g5 14. Bxg5 hxg5 15. Qxg5 b5 16. Qh4 b4 17. Nd5 Nxd5 18. exd5 Nf6 19. g4 Qc5 20. Bg2 Bd7 21. Rd2 e4 22. g5 e3 23. gxf6 exd2+ 24. Nxd2 Rfc8 25. Be4 Qd4 {Siva,M (2349)-Svidler,P (2714) Chess.com INT 2021 1-0}) 11... e5 12. fxe5 Nxe5 $146 (12... dxe5 13. Nb3 O-O $14) ({RR} 12... dxe5 13. Nb3 b5 14. Nd5 Nxd5 15. exd5 Qd6 16. Bg2 Nf6 17. h3 O-O 18. Rhf1 Bb7 19. Na5 Rab8 20. Kb1 g5 21. Bg3 Bxd5 22. Rxf6 Bxa2+ 23. Kxa2 Qxf6 24. Be4 Rfd8 25. Nc6 Qe6+ 26. b3 Rxd1 27. Qxd1 {Podgorski,M (1980)-Grzegorski,M (1752) Sypniewo 2021 1-0 (40)}) ({RR} 12... dxe5 13. Nb3 b5 14. Nd5 Nxd5 15. exd5 Qd6 16. Bg2 Nf6 17. h3 O-O 18. Rhf1 Bb7 19. Na5 Rab8 20. Kb1 g5 21. Bg3 Bxd5 22. Rxf6 Bxa2+ 23. Kxa2 Qxf6 24. Be4 Rfd8 25. Nc6 Qe6+ 26. b3 Rxd1 27. Qxd1 {Podgorski,M (1980)-Grzegorski,M (1752) Sypniewo 2021 1-0 (40)}) 13. h3 Be6 {We can safely presume, that this move was most likely part of Black's preparation. Immediate castling has the drawback of a vulnerable f6-knight that has to defend the sensitive d5-square.} (13... O-O 14. Qf2 g5 15. Bg3 b5 16. Kb1 $16) 14. Qf2 Nfd7 15. Bb5 $5 {The world champion must have tried to guess which line of attack will turn out to be more efficient - the text move or the unpleasant 15.d2.} (15. Qd2 O-O (15... Nc5 16. Nxe6 fxe6 17. Qxd6 Qxd6 18. Rxd6 O-O 19. b4 Ncd7 20. Ne2 $14) 16. Be7 Rfc8 17. Nxe6 fxe6 18. Qxd6 Nc5 19. Qxc5 Qxc5 20. Bxc5 Rxc5 21. Ne2 $14) 15... O-O (15... axb5 $4 16. Ncxb5 Qa5 17. Nxe6 $18) 16. Bxd7 Qxd7 (16... Nxd7 17. Be7 Rfc8 18. Nxe6 fxe6 19. Bxd6 $14) 17. Nf5 $6 {[%mdl 32] The temptation to play a flashy attacking move proved to be too strong. The engine is not so emotional and clearly prefers the modest positional exchange of the g7-bishop with some advantage.} (17. Bf6 $1 Rac8 (17... Bxf6 18. Qxf6 Qd8 19. Qf4 Kh7 20. Kb1 $14) 18. Bxg7 Kxg7 19. Kb1 $14) 17... gxf5 18. gxf5 Kh7 19. Rhg1 Bh8 {It makes sense to show some respect to the best player in the world even though objectively even 19...c7 with the knight retreat to g6 was good enough for keeping the balance.} (19... Qc7 20. Rg3 Ng6 21. Qg2 Rg8 22. fxg6+ fxg6 23. Rgd3 Rac8 $11) 20. Bg3 Rac8 21. Bf4 (21. fxe6 fxe6 22. Qe2 Rg8 $11) 21... Qe7 $1 {The queen prevents aggression via h4 and prepares to create counterplay on the a1-h8 diagonal.} (21... Bc4 $2 22. Qh4 Bg7 23. Rxg7+ Kxg7 24. Rg1+ Ng6 25. f6+ $18) 22. fxe6 (22. Kb1 Qf6 (22... Bc4 23. Bxh6 Kxh6 24. Rxd6+ Kh7 25. f6 Bxf6 26. Rxf6 Ng6 27. h4 $16) 23. fxe6 fxe6 24. Rdf1 Ng6 25. Qg3 Nxf4 26. Rxf4 Rg8 $11) 22... fxe6 23. Qg3 Rg8 {The disappointed champion must have realised that White has not even a hint of any advantage.} 24. Qf2 Rgf8 (24... Bg7 25. Rdf1 Nc4 $11) 25. Qg3 Rg8 26. Qf2 Rgf8 1/2-1/2

[Event "Biel GM 51st"]
[Site "Biel"]
[Date "2018.07.25"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Georgiadis, Nico"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C18"]
[WhiteElo "2526"]
[BlackElo "2842"]
[PlyCount "116"]
[EventDate "2018.07.22"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "SUI"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 186"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.09.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.09.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e5 c5 5. a3 Ba5 6. b4 cxd4 7. Qg4 Kf8 8. Nb5 Bc7 9. Qxd4 Nc6 10. Qc5+ Nge7 11. Nxc7 Qxc7 12. Nf3 b6 13. Qd6 $146 ({RR} 13. Qe3 Bd7 14. Bb2 h6 15. Bd3 Rc8 16. O-O g6 17. Rac1 Kg7 18. Rfd1 Qb7 19. Qf4 Rhf8 20. h4 Ng8 21. h5 Nce7 22. Qg3 a6 23. Bd4 Bb5 24. c4 Bxc4 25. Bb1 Be2 26. Re1 Rxc1 27. Rxc1 Rc8 {Asgarizadeh,A (2452)-Tregubov,P (2560) Chess.com INT 2020 1-0 (36)}) ({RR} 13. Qc3 a6 14. Bd3 Bb7 15. Bf4 Rc8 16. O-O h6 17. Rfe1 Na7 18. Qxc7 Rxc7 19. Be3 Nac8 20. Nd4 g6 21. a4 Nf5 22. Bxf5 gxf5 23. Rec1 Rc4 24. c3 Ne7 25. Nb3 d4 26. Bxd4 Nd5 27. g3 h5 {Van Haastert,E (2440)-Berelowitsch,A (2549) Belgium 2014 ½-½ (48)}) 13... Qxd6 14. exd6 Nf5 15. Bf4 f6 16. g4 Nfd4 17. Nxd4 Nxd4 18. O-O-O e5 19. Rxd4 exd4 20. Bb5 Bxg4 21. Re1 g5 22. Bg3 Rd8 23. Re7 h5 24. h4 gxh4 25. Bf4 Bf5 26. Rxa7 Rh7 27. Rc7 Bd7 28. Bc6 h3 29. Kd2 Rg7 30. Bh6 Bxc6 31. Rxg7 Rxd6 32. Rg5+ Kf7 33. Rxh5 Bb5 34. Rxh3 Re6 35. Rf3 Kg6 36. Bf4 Rc6 37. Bg3 Rc4 38. Rd3 Kf5 39. Rf3+ Ke6 40. Rd3 f5 41. f3 f4 42. Bf2 Ke5 43. c3 Rc6 44. Rxd4 Rh6 45. Kc1 Rh3 46. Rd2 Rxf3 47. Bd4+ Ke4 48. Kb2 Rd3 49. Rxd3 Kxd3 50. Bxb6 Ba4 51. Ba7 f3 52. Bg1 Kd2 53. Ba7 Bd1 54. Bc5 Ba4 55. Ba7 Ke2 56. c4 d4 57. Bxd4 Kd3 58. Ba7 Kxc4 1/2-1/2

[Event "Biel GM 51st"]
[Site "Biel"]
[Date "2018.07.26"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C77"]
[WhiteElo "2842"]
[BlackElo "2801"]
[PlyCount "133"]
[EventDate "2018.07.22"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "SUI"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 186"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.09.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.09.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. d3 b5 6. Bb3 Bc5 7. c3 d6 8. Bg5 h6 9. Bh4 O-O 10. Nbd2 Be6 11. O-O Bb6 12. Re1 Bxb3 $146 ({RR} 12... Kh8 13. a4 Rb8 14. Nf1 Rg8 15. axb5 axb5 16. Ne3 g5 17. Bg3 Qd7 18. Bc2 Ng4 19. Nd5 Bxd5 20. exd5 Ne7 21. d4 exd4 22. Nxd4 Ng6 23. Bf5 {1-0 (23) Carlsen,M (2830)-Grigoriants,S (2544) Samarkand UZB 2023}) ({RR} 12... Kh7 13. Bc2 Ne7 14. d4 Ng6 15. Bg3 Re8 16. Nf1 Nh5 17. Ne3 Nxg3 18. hxg3 c5 19. Nf5 cxd4 20. cxd4 exd4 21. Bb3 d5 22. N3xd4 Qf6 23. Nxe6 fxe6 24. Ne3 Rf8 25. Qe2 d4 26. Ng4 Qg5 27. Rad1 {Grischuk,A (2761)-Mamedyarov,S (2800) Paris 2017 0-1 (33)}) 13. Nxb3 Nb8 14. d4 Nbd7 15. a4 Re8 16. Qc2 Qe7 17. h3 Rab8 18. axb5 axb5 19. Na5 Bxa5 20. Rxa5 c6 21. Ra7 Qe6 22. Rd1 Nf8 23. Rc7 Rec8 24. Rxc6 Rxc6 25. d5 Qc8 26. dxc6 Ne8 27. Be7 Qxc6 28. Nh4 Ng6 29. Nf5 Rb7 30. Bxd6 Rd7 31. Ba3 Rxd1+ 32. Qxd1 Qxe4 33. Ne3 Nf6 34. g3 h5 35. h4 Qc6 36. Bb4 Kh7 37. b3 Qa8 38. c4 bxc4 39. bxc4 Qc6 40. Bd6 Kg8 41. c5 Qe4 42. Qf1 Nd5 43. Nxd5 Qxd5 44. Qc1 f6 45. Qc2 e4 46. Kf1 Kf7 47. Qa4 Qd3+ 48. Kg1 Kg8 49. Qa2+ Kh7 50. Kh2 Qd1 51. Qa3 Qd2 52. Qe3 Qd5 53. Qc1 Kg8 54. Kg1 Kf7 55. Qa1 Kg8 56. Qc1 Kf7 57. Qb1 Ne7 58. Bxe7 Kxe7 59. Qb6 Qd1+ 60. Kh2 Qd4 61. Qb7+ Ke6 62. Qc6+ Ke7 63. Kg2 e3 64. Qb7+ Ke6 65. Qc8+ Kd5 66. fxe3 Qg4 67. Qd8+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "Biel GM 51st"]
[Site "Biel"]
[Date "2018.07.29"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B90"]
[WhiteElo "2842"]
[BlackElo "2779"]
[Annotator "Szabo,Krisztian"]
[PlyCount "97"]
[EventDate "2018.07.22"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "SUI"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 186"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.09.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.09.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. f3 e5 7. Nb3 Be6 8. Be3 h5 (8... Be7 {is the other main line.}) 9. Qd2 Nbd7 10. Nd5 Bxd5 11. exd5 g6 12. Be2 Bg7 13. O-O a5 {A rare move, probably Black wants to avoid the a5 variation.} (13... O-O {is the most popular move with a lot of top games.}) 14. a4 O-O 15. Bb5 $146 {The first new move in the game. It is very logical to put the  on this square.} (15. Nc1 $6 {(Palekha-Kovchan, Serpukhov 2003) was weaker, because} Nb6 $1 16. c4 e4 $1 $36 {with good activity for Black.}) 15... Qc7 16. c4 b6 17. h3 {A useful move to control the g4-square.} ({In the event of} 17. Rae1 Nc5 18. Nc1 e4 $132 {with some counterplay for Black.}) 17... Nc5 (17... e4 $6 {is dubious, as} 18. f4 $16 {and White has avoided ...g4; he is clearly better.}) 18. Nxc5 bxc5 19. Ra3 $1 {A smart move! White prepares for b3, c6, b5 and attack the a5-.} Nh7 20. Rb3 f5 $146 ({RR} 20... Rab8 21. Bf2 f5 22. Be1 e4 23. Qxa5 Bd4+ 24. Kh1 Qe7 25. Qd2 exf3 26. Rbxf3 Ng5 27. Rd3 f4 28. Bh4 Be3 29. Qe2 Rf5 30. Rxf4 Rxf4 31. Rxe3 Qf6 32. Re6 Qf5 33. Bxg5 Qxg5 34. a5 Rbf8 35. Qe3 {Le Pen,S (2094)-Dalaud,D (2220) Sables d'Olonne 2019 0-1 (47)}) 21. Bc6 Rab8 (21... Ra7 $5 {was the alternative,} 22. Qe1 ({The immediate} 22. Rb5 {could have been met by} f4 23. Bf2 Ng5 $36 {threatening ...e4 and Black looks nicely placed.}) 22... f4 23. Bd2 Ng5 24. Rb5 e4 $1 {This break-through is the point!} 25. fxe4 $6 Bd4+ 26. Kh1 Qc8 $1 {Threatening ...xh3.} 27. Bxf4 Nxh3 28. Bxd6 (28. gxh3 $2 Qxh3+ $19) 28... Nf2+ 29. Rxf2 ({If} 29. Kh2 Qg4 $19 {and mate soon.}) 29... Bxf2 30. Qxf2 Rxf2 31. Rb8 Qxb8 32. Bxb8 Rh7 $17 {at first sight this is a very strange position, hard to evaluate. The engine gives winning for Black, but by human measures especially in a practical game this is complicated enough.}) 22. Rb5 f4 23. Bf2 e4 $1 {A great -sacrifice to create counterplay on the kingside.} 24. Qc2 $1 {A very high-level reply! White doesn't take, just plays a quiet move.} ({In the event of} 24. fxe4 Qe7 25. Qd3 (25. Qc2 f3 $40) 25... Qe5 $44 {with good compensation for the .}) 24... Qe7 (24... exf3 $2 25. gxf3 $16) (24... e3 $5 {would be interesting,} 25. Be1 Rxb5 26. axb5 Kf7 $132 {followed by ...d4 with a double-edged fight.}) 25. Qxe4 Qxe4 26. fxe4 Ng5 {Suddenly they have exchanged the s; White is a  up, but Black has some counterplay for it.} 27. Re1 Nf7 28. Rb1 ({In the event of} 28. b3 Bc3 29. Rc1 Bb4 {and it's not clear how White can improve his position.}) 28... Ng5 29. Rxa5 (29. Re1 $11 {would be a repetition.}) 29... Rb3 $1 {A great move to create counterplay!} (29... Nxe4 $2 {could have been met by} 30. Rb5 $1 $16 {and the a- is unstoppable.}) 30. Rb5 Rd3 31. Re1 $2 {The most natural move, but this is a decisive mistake!} (31. a5 $2 {is too slow, because of} f3 $1 32. a6 fxg2 33. a7 Nxh3+ 34. Kxg2 Rxf2+ 35. Kh1 Rdd2 $1 36. a8=Q+ Kh7 $19 {and White can't avoid the mate!}) ({The brilliant} 31. e5 $3 {can only hold the position,} Bxe5 32. Re1 f3 33. h4 $1 fxg2 34. hxg5 Rd2 35. Rxe5 $1 dxe5 36. d6 $1 Rfxf2 37. Bd5+ Kf8 38. Rb8+ $11 {and perpetual checks.}) 31... f3 $1 {Black has a strong attack even without s too.} 32. h4 Nf7 $6 {Black is missing the chance.} (32... fxg2 $1 {was the winning move,} 33. hxg5 Rd2 34. Be3 Rc2 $19 {and White can't avoid the ...e5, ...f1 followed by ...h2 winning plan. Of course in a practical game, it isn't so easy to find.}) 33. a5 Ne5 34. a6 Rd2 $1 {The correct reply!} ({The immediate} 34... fxg2 $2 {could have been met by} 35. Re2 $1 $18 {and White has protected his position and the a- is unstoppable.}) 35. a7 fxg2 36. a8=Q Nf3+ 37. Kxg2 Nxe1+ 38. Kf1 Rdxf2+ 39. Kxe1 Rxa8 40. Kxf2 Rf8+ 41. Ke2 Rf4 {The position is simplifying, still White needs some accurate moves to reach the draw, but for Carlsen it is not a difficult task.} 42. b4 $1 {The best way!} cxb4 43. c5 Be5 ({The greedy} 43... dxc5 $6 {is dubious, as} 44. d6 $1 {and suddenly the white s are becoming fast.}) (43... Rxe4+ 44. Kf3 Rxh4 45. cxd6 $11) 44. cxd6 Bxd6 45. Kd3 Kf7 46. Rb6 Bc5 47. Rb5 Bd6 48. Rb6 Bc5 49. Rb5 {What a great fight!} 1/2-1/2

[Event "Biel GM 51st"]
[Site "Biel"]
[Date "2018.07.30"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Svidler, Peter"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C65"]
[WhiteElo "2753"]
[BlackElo "2842"]
[Annotator "Golubev,Mikhail"]
[PlyCount "72"]
[EventDate "2018.07.22"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "SUI"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 186"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.09.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.09.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. d3 Bc5 5. Bxc6 dxc6 $8 6. Nbd2 {This is the most common move, but no less than five other options also have been tried in the practice of these players.} Be6 ({Instead,} 6... Bg4 7. h3 Bh5 {had been played by Carlsen in his 2013 world championship match against Anand.}) 7. Qe2 $5 Nd7 8. Nb3 {Introduced by Caruana in a game against Navara in 2013.} Bb6 $5 ({RR} 8... Bd6 9. Ng5 Nf8 10. Nxe6 Nxe6 11. Be3 c5 12. O-O O-O 13. g3 Nd4 14. Bxd4 cxd4 15. c3 c5 16. cxd4 cxd4 17. Rfc1 Rc8 18. Rxc8 Qxc8 19. Rc1 Qe6 20. Qc2 h5 21. h4 Kh7 22. Kg2 g6 23. a3 {Czarnota,P (2476)-Chmiel,M (2165) Jastrzebia Gora POL 2025 1-0 (42)}) 9. Ng5 Nf8 $5 ({RR} 9... Bxb3 10. axb3 f6 11. Nf3 Nc5 12. O-O Ne6 13. Nd2 O-O 14. Nc4 Qd7 15. Kh1 Rae8 16. Be3 c5 17. Qg4 Kh8 18. g3 Qc6 19. f3 a6 20. h4 Ba7 21. Bd2 Nd4 22. Ne3 Rd8 23. Bc3 Nb5 24. Rae1 {Caruana,F (2804)-Kramnik,V (2812) Leuven 2016 1-0 (54)}) 10. Be3 $146 ({In Caruana-Nakamura, Internet blitz 2017 there was} 10. O-O Bxb3 11. axb3 f6 12. Nf3 Ne6 {, transposing also to Caruana-Kramnik, Leuven blitz 2016.}) ({There is also} 10. Nxe6 Nxe6 $11) 10... Qe7 ({Engines suggest} 10... Bd7 $5 {planning ...g6.}) 11. g3 $146 ({Probably more accurate is} 11. Nxe6 Nxe6 12. Qh5) ({RR} 11. O-O Bd7 12. Rad1 f6 13. Nf3 c5 14. c3 a6 15. Rfe1 Bb5 16. Nbd2 Ne6 17. Nc4 Bxc4 18. dxc4 Kf7 19. Nh4 g6 20. g3 Rad8 21. Ng2 Rxd1 22. Rxd1 Rd8 23. f4 exf4 24. gxf4 c6 25. Kf2 Bc7 {Dann,M (2508)-Mladek,R (2291) Pardubice 2021 0-1 (46)}) ({RR} 11. O-O Bd7 12. Rad1 f6 13. Nf3 c5 14. c3 a6 15. Rfe1 Bb5 16. Nbd2 Ne6 17. Nc4 Bxc4 18. dxc4 Kf7 19. Nh4 g6 20. g3 Rad8 21. Ng2 Rxd1 22. Rxd1 Rd8 23. f4 exf4 24. gxf4 c6 25. Kf2 Bc7 {Dann,M (2508)-Mladek,R (2291) Pardubice 2021 0-1 (46)}) 11... Bxb3 $5 12. axb3 f6 13. Nf3 Ne6 14. Bxb6 cxb6 15. O-O a6 $1 {Instead of the banal 15...0-0, Carlsen prepares to castle long.} 16. c3 ({Maybe} 16. Qe3 $5 {was worth trying.}) 16... O-O-O {If White had not prepared d4 now, Black could get some attacking prospects on the kingside.} 17. Rad1 Kb8 18. Qe3 Ka7 {True magic. The black king is completely safe on the queenside. Black gradually gained some chances from what seemed to be a completely equal position.} 19. d4 exd4 20. Nxd4 ({After} 20. cxd4 $6 Rhe8 {White's pawns are vulnerable.}) 20... Nxd4 21. Rxd4 h5 $5 22. Rfd1 $5 Rxd4 23. cxd4 ({After} 23. Rxd4 {Black plays} h4 ({or} 23... Qe6 24. b4 h4)) 23... h4 24. d5 ({A serious alternative was} 24. g4 {but there too some initiative is with Black.}) 24... hxg3 25. hxg3 Qe5 (25... cxd5 $5 {is curious:} 26. exd5 (26. Rxd5 g5 $1) 26... Qxe3 27. fxe3 Kb8 $1 {though I am not sure that Black has any significant winning chances after} 28. d6 $5) 26. Qf3 ({Not} 26. dxc6 $4 Qh5 $1 $19) 26... cxd5 27. exd5 Qxb2 $6 ({Here} 27... Rd8 $1 28. Qd3 Qxb2 29. d6 Qe5 ({if} 29... Rd7 {, White plays} 30. Qf5 $1 Qxb3 31. Qxd7 Qxd1+ 32. Kg2 $11 {with the inevitable draw, because the d6-pawn is too dangerous}) 30. d7 Qe6 {was a better practical chance: Black plans to play, approximately, ...c6, b5, b6, b7 at some point threatening with ...h8, or .. .a5-a4. At least, White would have had to work for a draw.}) 28. d6 $1 Rd8 29. d7 Qc2 {Now White uses the opportunity to place his rook actively, equalising.} 30. Rd6 $1 Qc5 31. Qd1 $1 $11 Qf5 32. Rd5 Qe4 33. Rd4 Qc6 34. Rd6 Qe4 35. Rd4 Qc6 36. Rd6 Qe4 1/2-1/2

[Event "Biel GM 51st"]
[Site "Biel"]
[Date "2018.08.01"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Georgiadis, Nico"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B31"]
[WhiteElo "2842"]
[BlackElo "2526"]
[Annotator "Golubev,Mikhail"]
[PlyCount "93"]
[EventDate "2018.07.22"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "SUI"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 186"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.09.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.09.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Na3 $5 {This move remained virtually unknown until Zvjaginsev used it three times in the Russian Superfinal 2005. Still, there were almost no followers among the strong GMs afterwards. By using such an offbeat move, the world champion probably expressed his disappointment with the loss in the previous round - and also avoided the main theory, indeed.} g6 ({Quite a decent recipe is} 2... d6 3. c3 Nf6 4. g3 Nc6 5. Bg2 e5 $1 $11 {Welling-Swinkels, Hilversum 2008.}) 3. Nf3 Bg7 4. c3 $1 d5 ({An alternative is} 4... Nc6 $5 5. d4 cxd4 6. cxd4 Nf6 $1 7. d5 Nb4 8. Bd3 ({or} 8. Qa4 a5) 8... O-O {Zvjaginsev-Bocharov, Tomsk 2006.}) 5. exd5 Qxd5 {Now it has transposed to a sideline of the Alapin System, where a3 is a useful/typical move.} 6. Bc4 ({After the rare} 6. Qb3 {Black can play} Nf6 $5 ({but not} 6... Be6 $2 7. Bc4 $1 Qe4+ 8. Kd1 $1 {and if} Bxc4 9. Nxc4 Qd5 10. Nb6 $3 $18 {Smyslov-Zhu Chen, Amsterdam 2001})) ({A sensible alternative is} 6. d4 cxd4 7. Bc4 ({or} 7. Nb5 Na6 8. Nbxd4 Nf6 9. Bb5+ Bd7 {where GM Karpatchev advocated} 10. Bxa6 $5 bxa6 11. O-O O-O 12. Re1 {and if} Rfe8 13. Ne5) 7... Qe4+ 8. Be3 {and now} Nh6 $1 ({avoiding the trap} 8... dxe3 $4 9. Bxf7+)) 6... Qe4+ 7. Kf1 $5 ({In a number of games the "Alapin" expert GM Sveshnikov preferred} 7. Be2 Nf6 8. O-O {, which is a more common choice generally. Now it makes sense to play} Nc6 $1 {first} ({avoiding the line} 8... O-O 9. d4 cxd4 10. Nxd4 $1 {Sveshnikov-Miezis, ch-LAT Riga 2005})) 7... Be6 $1 {Clearly the best way to parry the xf7+ threat.} ({Instead} 7... e6 $4 8. d3 Qf5 9. Nb5 $18 {Cherniaev-Vasquez Schroder, Wch blitz Khanty-Mansiysk 2013, was already lost for Black.}) ({RR} 7... Nh6 8. Qa4+ Kf8 9. d3 Qc6 10. Bb5 Qc7 11. Bf4 Qd8 12. Re1 a6 13. Bc4 Bg4 14. Ne5 Bf5 15. Bxh6 Bxh6 16. Nxf7 Qc7 17. Nxh8 Bd2 18. Re2 Bc1 19. Qc2 Bf4 20. Bd5 Nd7 21. Nf7 Nf6 22. Bb3 {Chassard,C (2284)-Tissir,M (2342) chess.com INT 2024 1-0 (62)}) 8. Qa4+ $146 ({After} 8. Bb5+ Bd7 9. d3 (9. Bc4 Be6 $11 {repeats}) 9... Bxb5 10. Nxb5 Qc6 $8 11. Qa4 {(Peptan-Uta, ROM-ch wom Amara 2007)} Nd7 12. Bf4 Kf8 $1 {Black is fine.}) (8. Qe2 $5 $11 {can not be overly attractive.}) ({But White can also try} 8. Be2 $5 {where Black, likely, has to allow g5 by} Nf6 ({or} 8... Nc6)) ({RR} 8. Bb5+ Bd7 9. Qb3 Bxb5+ 10. Qxb5+ Qc6 11. d3 a6 12. Qxc6+ Nxc6 13. Be3 b6 14. Nc4 Rb8 15. Bf4 Rb7 16. Re1 Kd7 17. h4 h5 18. Rh3 Nh6 19. Bxh6 Rxh6 20. Ng5 Nd8 21. Rhe3 Bf6 22. Ne5+ Bxe5 {Mangold,T (1896)-Giese,G (1899) Mecklenburg VP 2013 ½-½ (45)}) 8... Nd7 ({There was nothing wrong with} 8... Nc6 $5 {as well.}) 9. d4 $6 {Another overly optimistic move.} Ngf6 10. Bg5 Bxc4+ 11. Qxc4 Qd5 $6 ({A more promising move was} 11... Qf5 $1 {and Black is somewhat better.}) 12. Re1 e6 13. Bxf6 $5 Nxf6 $1 14. Qb5+ $6 ({After} 14. Qxc5 Qxc5 15. dxc5 {Black is fine, but at least White can hope to be no worse.}) 14... Nd7 $1 15. Ne5 $6 a6 $2 ({A sharp, principled continuation was} 15... Bxe5 16. dxe5 Qxa2 $1 {which looks very risky, but Black is doing well here.} 17. Rd1 ({or} 17. Nc4 O-O $1 $17 {and then, for example,} 18. b3 Rfd8 19. h4 Rab8 {with the idea of 20...a6}) 17... O-O-O $1 ({rather than} 17... O-O 18. Qxd7 Rad8 19. Qxd8 Rxd8 20. Rxd8+ Kg7 21. Nc2 $1 {etc. where White probably holds}) 18. Nc4 {(otherwise 18...a6)} Nxe5 $1 19. Qxc5+ Nc6 $17) 16. Qc4 $6 ({Normally, White had to play} 16. Qxd7+ Qxd7 17. Nxd7 Kxd7 18. Nc4 $11 {. While after Carlsen's move Black is better.}) 16... Nxe5 17. dxe5 Rd8 18. Qxd5 Rxd5 19. f4 g5 $6 ({Two stronger moves were} 19... Bh6 $5 20. g3 g5) ({and} 19... O-O $5 {preparing ...f6}) 20. fxg5 $8 Ke7 21. h4 $1 Rxe5 ({If} 21... Rhd8 $5 22. Rh3 $1 ({rather than} 22. Nc4 b5 23. Na5 Rc8 $1)) 22. Rxe5 Bxe5 {The ending is equal, more or less.} 23. Ke2 b5 24. Nc2 Rd8 25. Ne1 c4 26. Nf3 Bg7 27. Nd2 $6 h6 28. Ne4 hxg5 29. hxg5 Rd5 30. a3 a5 31. Re1 Be5 32. g3 $6 Kf8 $1 33. Kf3 $6 Kg7 {After several inaccurate moves, the world champion's position has become unpleasant.} 34. Kg4 Kg6 35. Rf1 Rd3 ({The Swiss grandmaster could have tried} 35... Bg7 $5 {. The following illustrative lines show some ideas:} 36. Rf2 Re5 37. Kf4 Rf5+ 38. Kg4 Rxf2 39. Nxf2 a4 (39... Bf8 $5 40. Nh3 Bd6 41. Nf4+ Bxf4 42. gxf4 a4 43. Kg3 Kf5 44. Kf3 e5 45. fxe5 Kxe5 46. Kg4 Ke4 47. Kh5 Kd3 48. Kh6 Kc2 49. Kg7 Kxb2 50. Kxf7 b4) 40. Ne4 (40. Nh3 b4 $1) 40... Bf8 $1 41. Kf4 Be7 42. Kg4 $2 (42. Ke5 $1) 42... e5 $1 {(Zugzwang)} 43. Kf3 Bxg5 44. Nd6 Bc1 45. Ke4 Bxb2 46. Nxb5 f6 $1 47. Kd5 Kg5 48. Kxc4 Kg4 49. Kd3 Kxg3 50. Kc2 Ba1 $1 51. Kb1 f5 $1 52. Kxa1 f4 53. c4 f3 54. Nc3 Kf4 $1 55. Nd1 e4 {and wins.}) 36. Rf3 Rd1 37. Rf2 Rd5 $2 {Georgiadis allows White to regroup.} 38. Nd2 $5 (38. Nf6 $1 Bxf6 {(otherwise White can play 39.h5)} 39. Rxf6+ Kg7 40. Rf2 {is drawish.}) 38... Bc7 39. Nf3 Bd8 40. Nh4+ Kg7 41. Nf3 Bb6 ({Avoiding the repetition,} 41... Kg6 {. But White is already OK.}) 42. Re2 Bc7 43. Re4 $1 Bd6 44. Rd4 $1 Rxd4+ 45. Nxd4 b4 46. a4 {The position is a draw, after many of Black's moves. But he blunders terribly.} b3 $4 ({Quite normal would have been, for example,} 46... Be5 47. Nc2 $1 (47. Nb5 $2 Kg6 $1 48. cxb4 axb4 49. a5 Bxb2 50. a6 c3 51. Nd4 c2 52. Nxc2 b3) 47... bxc3 48. bxc3 Bxc3 49. Ne3 $11) 47. Nf3 $1 $18 {Threatening 48.d2.} ({Instead of giving up (after quite a long think) after} 47. Nf3 {Black could have tried} Ba3 48. bxa3 b2 49. Nd2 {and now} Kg6 {but there are not many practical chances for him. For example,} 50. Kf4 Kh5 51. Ke3 Kxg5 52. Kd4 (52. Ke2 Kg4 53. Kd1 $1 Kxg3 54. Kc2 {wins as well}) 52... Kg4 53. Kxc4 e5 54. Kb3 ({after} 54. Kd5 $4 Kxg3 55. Kxe5 Kf2 {Black saves the game}) 54... e4 55. Kxb2 e3 56. Nc4 e2 57. Ne3+ Kxg3 58. Nc2 f5 59. c4 f4 60. Kc3 f3 61. Kd2 $18 {. I suspect that this Carlsen's win will never be included in his best games collections. He played quite poorly and was just very lucky in the end.}) 1-0

[Event "Sinquefield Cup 6th"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2018.08.18"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B30"]
[WhiteElo "2779"]
[BlackElo "2842"]
[PlyCount "74"]
[EventDate "2018.08.18"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 186"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.09.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.09.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 e5 4. Bc4 g6 5. h4 h6 6. h5 g5 7. Nh2 Nf6 8. d3 d6 9. Nf1 $146 ({RR} 9. Nd5 Nxd5 10. Bxd5 Be6 11. Ng4 Bg7 12. c3 Bxd5 13. exd5 Ne7 14. Ne3 f5 15. g4 f4 16. Nc4 b5 17. Nd2 Nxd5 18. Qf3 Nb6 19. d4 O-O 20. O-O c4 21. d5 Qd7 22. Rd1 Rad8 23. b3 Qc7 {Golubev,M (2461)-Tabatabaei,M (2629) Chess.com INT 2020 0-1 (55)}) ({RR} 9. Nd5 Nxd5 10. Bxd5 Be6 11. Ng4 Bg7 12. c3 Bxd5 13. exd5 Ne7 14. Ne3 f5 15. g4 f4 16. Nc4 b5 17. Nd2 Nxd5 18. Qf3 Nb6 19. d4 O-O 20. O-O c4 21. d5 Qd7 22. Rd1 Rad8 23. b3 Qc7 {Golubev,M (2461)-Tabatabaei,M (2629) Chess.com INT 2020 0-1 (55)}) 9... Bg4 10. f3 Be6 11. Ne3 Bg7 12. Ncd5 O-O 13. c3 Rb8 14. a4 a6 15. g4 b5 16. axb5 axb5 17. Bb3 Ne7 18. Nxe7+ Qxe7 19. O-O Qb7 20. Bxe6 fxe6 21. c4 b4 22. b3 Nd7 23. Qe2 Rbd8 24. Nc2 Nb8 25. Be3 Nc6 26. Kg2 Rf7 27. Ra4 Rdf8 28. Bg1 Bf6 29. Rfa1 Bd8 30. Ra8 Rxf3 31. Qxf3 Rxf3 32. Kxf3 Kg7 33. Ke2 Bb6 34. R8a6 Kf7 35. Ra8 Kg7 36. R8a6 Kf7 37. Ra8 Kg7 1/2-1/2

[Event "Sinquefield Cup 6th"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2018.08.20"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C54"]
[WhiteElo "2767"]
[BlackElo "2842"]
[PlyCount "75"]
[EventDate "2018.08.18"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 186"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.09.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.09.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. d3 Nf6 5. O-O d6 6. c3 a6 7. Re1 h6 8. b4 Ba7 9. a4 O-O 10. Nbd2 Re8 11. Nf1 Be6 12. Bxe6 Rxe6 13. Ng3 ({RR} 13. Be3 Bxe3 14. Nxe3 Ne7 15. Qc2 Ng6 16. c4 c6 17. a5 d5 18. c5 Ne8 19. g3 Nc7 20. Rad1 Nb5 21. Qb2 d4 22. Nf5 Ne7 23. N3h4 Nxf5 24. Nxf5 h5 25. Rf1 g6 26. Nh4 Nc3 27. Rde1 Qe7 {So,W (2771)-Nakamura,H (2768) chess.com INT 2022 ½-½ (49)}) ({RR} 13. b5 axb5 14. axb5 Bxf2+ 15. Kxf2 Rxa1 16. bxc6 bxc6 17. Qb3 Qa8 18. Bd2 Ra3 19. Qb4 Ra4 20. Qb3 Ra3 21. Qb4 Ra4 22. Qb3 {½-½ (22) Korobov,A (2631)-Pulpan,J (2405) Pardubice CZE 2025}) 13... Ne7 14. d4 Ng6 $146 ({RR} 14... exd4 15. cxd4 Ng6 16. h3 Qe8 17. Qc2 Qd7 18. d5 Ree8 19. Bb2 Nh7 20. Nf5 Ne5 21. N3d4 c6 22. dxc6 bxc6 23. Rad1 Rad8 24. Kh1 Nf8 25. f4 Neg6 26. Nxg7 Kxg7 27. Nxc6+ Kh7 28. Qc3 f6 29. Nxd8 {Eljanov,P (2682)-Sanal,V (2511) Chess.com INT 2019 1-0 (46)}) 15. Qc2 c6 16. h3 Qc7 17. Be3 d5 18. Nxe5 Nxe5 19. dxe5 Qxe5 20. exd5 cxd5 21. Rad1 Bxe3 22. Rxe3 Qc7 23. Nf5 Rae8 24. Qd3 Qf4 25. g3 Qc7 26. a5 Rxe3 27. Nxe3 Qc6 28. Nxd5 Nxd5 29. Qxd5 Re1+ 30. Kh2 Rxd1 31. Qxd1 Qxc3 32. Qd8+ Kh7 33. Qd5 Qxb4 34. Qf5+ Kg8 35. Qc8+ Kh7 36. Qf5+ Kg8 37. Qc8+ Kh7 38. Qf5+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "Sinquefield Cup 6th"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2018.08.21"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B31"]
[WhiteElo "2768"]
[BlackElo "2842"]
[PlyCount "107"]
[EventDate "2018.08.18"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 186"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.09.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.09.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 g6 4. Bxc6 dxc6 5. d3 Bg7 6. h3 Nf6 7. Nc3 O-O 8. Be3 b6 9. Qd2 e5 10. Bh6 Qd6 11. Bxg7 Kxg7 12. a4 ({RR} 12. Nh2 Nh5 13. Ng4 f6 14. g3 Be6 15. Ne2 Rad8 16. O-O-O Kh8 17. f4 Rde8 18. Rhf1 exf4 19. gxf4 Qd7 20. Qe3 Ng7 21. Qg3 Qe7 22. Kb1 Bc8 23. Ne3 Nf5 24. Nxf5 gxf5 25. Nc3 Qf7 26. Rg1 c4 {Ivanchuk,V (2769)-Radjabov,T (2788) Astana 2012 1-0 (48)}) ({RR} 12. Qe3 Ne8 13. Nd2 Nc7 14. Nc4 Qe7 15. Ne2 Ba6 16. b3 Ne6 17. Qg3 Bxc4 18. bxc4 Nd4 19. Nxd4 cxd4 20. O-O b5 21. cxb5 cxb5 22. f4 f6 23. Rf2 Rac8 24. Raf1 exf4 25. Qxf4 Rc5 26. Qd2 Rc3 {Andersen,M (2585)-Hansen,S (2505) Denmark DEN 2025 ½-½ (44)}) 12... Ne8 13. Nh2 $146 ({RR} 13. a5 b5 14. O-O Nc7 15. Ne2 Ne6 16. c3 Rd8 17. Rfd1 Ba6 18. Ng5 b4 19. Nxe6+ Qxe6 20. Qe3 Rd7 21. Nc1 c4 22. d4 exd4 23. Rxd4 Rad8 24. Ne2 c5 25. Rxd7 Rxd7 26. e5 Rd3 27. Nf4 Qc6 {Droin,A (2343)-Benmesbah,N (2224) Clichy 2022 1-0 (35)}) ({RR} 13. a5 b5 14. O-O Nc7 15. Ne2 Ne6 16. c3 Rd8 17. Rfd1 Ba6 18. Ng5 b4 19. Nxe6+ Qxe6 20. Qe3 Rd7 21. Nc1 c4 22. d4 exd4 23. Rxd4 Rad8 24. Ne2 c5 25. Rxd7 Rxd7 26. e5 Rd3 27. Nf4 Qc6 {Droin,A (2343)-Benmesbah,N (2224) Clichy 2022 1-0 (35)}) 13... Nc7 14. Ng4 f6 15. f3 Ne6 16. h4 Nd4 17. h5 g5 18. Ne3 Be6 19. Ne2 Kh8 20. Ng3 Rad8 21. Kf2 Qe7 22. Qd1 c4 23. dxc4 f5 24. exf5 Nxf5 25. Ngxf5 Bxf5 26. Qe2 g4 27. Kg1 gxf3 28. Qxf3 Bxc2 29. Qg3 Bd3 30. Rh4 Rd4 31. Rg4 Rxg4 32. Nxg4 e4 33. Qe5+ Qxe5 34. Nxe5 Kg7 35. Rd1 Rd8 36. Nxc6 Re8 37. Kf2 e3+ 38. Ke1 Bxc4 39. Rd4 Bf7 40. g4 a5 41. b4 axb4 42. Rxb4 Be6 43. g5 Bf7 44. h6+ Kg6 45. Rb5 Ba2 46. Re5 Rxe5 47. Nxe5+ Kxg5 48. Nd7 Bb3 49. Nxb6 Bxa4 50. Nxa4 Kxh6 51. Nc3 e2 52. Nxe2 Kg5 53. Ng3 h5 54. Nxh5 1/2-1/2

[Event "Sinquefield Cup 6th"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2018.08.25"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C42"]
[WhiteElo "2842"]
[BlackElo "2822"]
[Annotator "Roiz,Michael"]
[PlyCount "82"]
[EventDate "2018.08.18"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 186"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.09.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.09.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nxe5 d6 4. Nf3 Nxe4 5. Nc3 Nxc3 6. dxc3 Be7 7. Be3 Nc6 8. Bc4 $5 {This move is almost unexplored on a high level.} ({RR} 8. Bd3 Bf6 9. Qd2 Be6 10. O-O-O Qd7 11. Bg5 Qe7 12. Qf4 Bxg5 13. Nxg5 O-O-O 14. Rhe1 Ne5 15. Kb1 h6 16. Nxe6 fxe6 17. Qe3 Kb8 18. f4 Nxd3 19. Rxd3 Rhe8 20. Rd4 Qh4 21. h3 Qf6 22. Re4 a6 {Karjakin,S (2763)-Grischuk,A (2767) Moscow 2018 ½-½ (43)}) ({RR} 8. Bb5 O-O 9. Qd2 Be6 10. Nd4 Nxd4 11. cxd4 c6 12. Bd3 Bf6 13. h4 Bd5 14. h5 Qb6 15. c4 Bxg2 16. Rg1 Bf3 17. h6 g6 18. Rg3 Bh5 19. Rb1 Bxd4 20. Bxg6 Bxg6 21. Bxd4 Rfe8+ 22. Kf1 Qa6 {Lasya,G (2039)-Filindash,N (2072) chess.com INT 2025 1-0}) 8... O-O ({After} 8... Bf6 9. Qe2 O-O 10. O-O-O Re8 11. h3 Be6 12. Bxe6 Rxe6 13. g4 {Dubov,D - Fridman,D Tbilisi 2017, White had a definite initiative on the k-side and eventually won.}) (8... Be6 9. Bxe6 fxe6 {, as was checked in a few games doesn't seem to fully solve Black's problems in view of} 10. h4 $1 Qd7 11. Ng5 e5 12. Qd5 Bxg5 13. hxg5 $14) 9. Qd2 ({Another possibility was} 9. Qe2 Re8 10. O-O-O Bg4 {, though White's queen is placed rather awkwardly here. For instance,} 11. h3 Bxf3 12. gxf3 Bg5 13. f4 Bxf4 14. Bxf7+ Kxf7 15. Qc4+ Kf8 16. Qxf4+ Qf6 $11) 9... Bf5 ({A move deserving serious attention is} 9... Ne5 $5 10. Nxe5 dxe5 11. O-O-O Qxd2+ 12. Rxd2 Bf5 13. Re1 Rfe8 {, and then in 1 correspondence game Black managed to slowly liquidate White's pressure along central files. However, play of such a character would most likely suit Magnus.}) 10. O-O-O Qd7 $146 ({RR} 10... Rb8 11. Bb3 Na5 12. Nd4 Bg6 13. f3 c5 14. Ne2 c4 15. g4 cxb3 16. cxb3 Nc6 17. Bf2 Ne5 18. Qd5 Bg5+ 19. f4 Nxg4 20. Bxa7 Ra8 21. fxg5 Rxa7 22. Qd4 Qxg5+ 23. Rd2 Rxa2 24. Kd1 Ra1+ 25. Nc1 {Henke,H (891)-Dietrich,M (1071) Magdeburg 2012 0-1 (31)}) ({RR} 10... a6 11. h3 Ne5 12. Nxe5 dxe5 13. Qe2 Qc8 14. g4 Be6 15. f4 Bxc4 16. Qxc4 exf4 17. Bxf4 c6 18. Bd6 Bxd6 19. Rxd6 Rd8 20. Rhd1 Rxd6 21. Rxd6 Qe8 22. Qd3 Qe1+ 23. Qd1 Qe3+ 24. Kb1 Re8 25. h4 {Gjeorgjievski,D (1827)-Cokreva,G (1844) Struga 2012 1-0 (46)}) 11. Kb1 $146 {This typical prophylactic move is a novelty.} ({The previously played} 11. Rhe1 Rae8 12. Bd5 Be6 13. c4 Bf6 14. Bg5 Bxg5 15. Qxg5 h6 {led to equal position in Takacs,B - Horvath,I Hungary 2008}) ({Another interesting try was} 11. h3 $5 Na5 12. Bd3 {, and the effect} Qa4 13. Kb1 Nc4 {doesn't lead to full equality:} 14. Bxc4 Qxc4 15. b3 Qa6 16. Nd4 Bd7 17. c4 $14) 11... Rfe8 12. h4 {The most aggressive. Magnus is intending to push his kingside pawns as soon as possible.} (12. h3 Be4 13. Bd5 Bf6 14. g4 g6 {looks very solid for Black.}) 12... Bf8 {This move looks somewhat passive, but Fabiano searches for counterplay along the e-file.} (12... Bf6 13. Bg5 $1 Be5 14. Nd4 Bxd4 15. cxd4 d5 16. Bf1 {would have yielded White a definite advantage due to the pair of bishops.}) 13. h5 h6 14. Be2 $1 {After this move Black can hardly stop g2-g4} Bg4 (14... a6 15. Nh2 Be4 16. Rhg1 $36) 15. Nh2 Bxe2 16. Qxe2 Ne5 {This move is connected with loss of time, since White is going to push the k-side pawns and attack the knight.} ({A safer one was} 16... Re4 $5 17. Nf1 (17. g4 {is well met by} Rae8 18. Qd3 d5 $1 19. Qxd5 Qxd5 20. Rxd5 Bd6 $132) 17... Rae8 18. Nd2 R4e5 19. g4 Qe6 {White is still somewhat better, but Black's counterplay shouldn't be underestimated.}) 17. Bc1 Qc6 18. f4 (18. g4 $5 Qc4 19. Qxc4 Nxc4 20. b3 Ne5 21. c4 $14 {also would have kept Black under long-lasting pressure.}) 18... Nc4 19. Qd3 Qe4 {Black manages to liquidate into the endgame, but it doesn't fully solve his problems.} 20. g4 Ne3 21. Rde1 Qxd3 22. cxd3 Nd5 23. Reg1 $1 {White reasonably prefers to keep both rooks on the board.} (23. g5 $6 {would be premature:} Rxe1 24. Rxe1 g6 $1 {and the initiative is almost gone.}) 23... Re6 $6 ({Much better was} 23... Re2 $1 24. g5 Kh7 25. Ng4 Rae8 {, and the activity of rooks offers Black definite counter-play. For instance,} 26. g6+ (26. f5 hxg5 27. Bxg5 Be7 28. Bxe7 R8xe7 29. c4 Nf6 $11) 26... Kg8 27. f5 f6 28. c4 Nb4 $132) 24. g5 Ne7 $6 {This is too passive.} ({After} 24... Kh7 25. Ng4 Re2 26. f5 hxg5 27. Bxg5 Be7 28. Bxe7 Rxe7 29. h6 g6 30. fxg6+ fxg6 31. Rf1 $16 {The h-passer also would have put Black in danger, but it was the lesser evil.}) 25. gxh6 Rxh6 26. f5 Rh7 27. Ng4 (27. f6 $1 {was stronger:} Nd5 28. fxg7 Rxg7 29. Rf1 Re8 30. h6 Rg6 31. Nf3 $18 {and Black doesn't seem to withstand the pressure.}) 27... Kh8 28. f6 Ng8 29. fxg7+ {This inaccuracy enables Black to activate the pieces.} ({More energetic was} 29. h6 $1 Nxf6 ({Black is almost paralysed also after} 29... gxf6 30. Rf1 Re8 31. Be3 c5 32. c4) 30. Nxf6 gxf6 31. Re1 {White is dominating over the board, and he should be able to win.}) 29... Rxg7 30. Be3 c5 $1 {It's necessary to cover the d4-square.} 31. Bf4 $6 {Another step in the wrong direction.} ({A much stronger move was} 31. Bd2 $1 Re8 (31... Kh7 32. Nf2 $16) 32. c4 Re6 33. Bc3 f6 34. Rg3 $16 {and Black is still doomed to passive defence.}) 31... Re8 $1 32. Ne3 Rxg1+ 33. Rxg1 Re6 {Black's pieces are slowly getting out now.} 34. Nd5 Nf6 35. Nc7 Re2 36. Nb5 Re6 $1 {A cool-blooded reply, that makes it difficult for White to make real progress.} 37. Rf1 $6 {Spoiling all the advantage.} ({The last chance was} 37. Nxa7 Kh7 38. Rh1 Ng4 39. Nb5 Nf2 40. Rf1 Nxd3 41. Bxd6 $1 Bxd6 42. Rxf7+ Kh6 43. Rd7 Re1+ 44. Kc2 c4 45. Rxd6+ Kxh5 $14 {Black is very active, but the draw isn't guaranteed yet.}) 37... Kg8 38. Nc7 {Accepting a draw by repetition.} (38. Nxa7 Nxh5 39. Bc1 Rf6 40. Rg1+ Rg6 {is fine for Black.}) 38... Re2 39. Nb5 Re6 40. Nc7 Re2 41. Nb5 Re6 1/2-1/2

[Event "EU-Cup 34th"]
[Site "Porto Carras"]
[Date "2018.10.13"]
[Round "2.1"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Potkin, Vladimir"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C54"]
[WhiteElo "2839"]
[BlackElo "2597"]
[Annotator "Mikhalchishin,Adrian"]
[PlyCount "97"]
[EventDate "2018.10.12"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "GRE"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 187"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.12.11"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.12.11"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Valerenga"]
[BlackTeam "Molodezhka"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "NOR"]
[BlackTeamCountry "RUS"]

1. e4 {Havasi,Gergo} e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. c3 Nf6 5. d3 d6 6. Nbd2 O-O 7. b4 ({RR} 7. O-O a6 8. Bb3 Be6 9. Re1 Re8 10. Nf1 d5 11. exd5 Bxd5 ({RR} 11... Nxd5 12. Ng5 ({RR} 12. Nxe5 Bxf2+ ({RR} 12... Nxe5 13. d4 Bxd4 14. Qxd4 Ng6) 13. Kxf2 Nxe5) 12... Qd7 13. Nxe6 ({RR} 13. Qf3 Rad8) 13... Rxe6) 12. Bg5 Qd6 13. Bc2 ({RR} 13. Bxf6 Bxb3 14. Qxb3 Qxf6) 13... h6 14. Bh4 Nh5 15. Ne3 Bxe3 16. Rxe3 ({RR} 16. fxe3 e4) 16... Nf4) 7... Bb6 8. Bb3 (8. a4 {is also typical, but it can't harm Black:} a5 9. b5 Ne7 $13) ({RR} 8. a4 a5 9. b5 Ne7) ({RR} 8. a4 a5 9. b5 Ne7 10. Nf1 d5 11. exd5 Nexd5 12. Qb3 Be6 13. Ng3 Nf4 14. Bxf4 exf4 15. Ne4 Qxd3 16. Nxf6+ gxf6 17. Bxd3 Bxb3 18. O-O Rad8 19. Be4 Rfe8 20. Rfe1 f5 21. Bxb7 Rxe1+ 22. Rxe1 Bxa4 {Srivatsan Karthikeyan (1905)-Palczert,M (2427) chess.com INT 2025 0-1}) 8... Ne7 {A typical improving manouevre à la Karpov.} 9. Nc4 ({It is also possible to start flank activity faster:} 9. a4 c6 $1 10. Nc4 Bc7 11. Bg5 (11. O-O Ng6 12. Re1 Re8 13. Qc2 d5 14. Ncd2 Nf4 $13 {Goetz-Neunhoeffer, Germany 1995} (14... h6 $5 { ...e6, ...d7}) ({RR} 14... h6)) ({RR} 11. O-O Ng6 12. Re1 Re8 13. Qc2 d5 14. Ncd2 Nf4) 11... Ng6 $1 (11... d5 $5) ({RR} 11... d5) 12. Nh4 (12. O-O h6 13. Be3 d5 $13 {with a good position} (13... Be6 $13 {is also good.}) ({RR} 13... Be6)) ({RR} 12. O-O h6 13. Be3 d5) 12... Kh8 (12... d5 $1 {is even better.} 13. exd5 cxd5 14. Ne3 Nf4 $15) ({RR} 12... d5 13. exd5 cxd5 14. Ne3 Nf4) 13. Nxg6+ fxg6 14. Ne3 h6 15. Bh4 (15. Bxf6 Qxf6 $132) ({RR} 15. Bxf6 Qxf6) 15... Bb6 $1 {Activating the bishop.} (15... a5 $5 {or}) (15... g5 $5 {is also good.}) ({RR} 15... a5) ({RR} 15... g5) 16. Qe2 a5 $1 {with counterplay,Fressinet,L (2711)-Hammer,J (2638) Malmo 2014.} {RR} 17. O-O g5 18. Bg3 axb4 19. cxb4 Bd4 20. Rab1 Qe8) ({RR} 9. a4 c6 10. Nc4 Bc7 11. Bg5 Ng6 12. Nh4 Kh8 13. Nxg6+ fxg6 14. Ne3 h6 15. Bh4 Bb6 16. Qe2 a5 17. b5 Qe8 ({RR} 17... cxb5 18. Bxf6) ({RR} 17... g5 18. Bg3 cxb5 19. axb5 Bd7 20. Ba4 Be6) 18. Nc4 ({RR} 18. Bxf6 Rxf6 19. O-O) 18... Bc5 19. bxc6 bxc6 20. O-O g5 ({RR} 20... Nh5) 21. Bg3 Nh5 22. d4 ({RR} 22. Rad1 Nf4 23. Bxf4 gxf4 24. Qf3 Qg6 25. h3) 22... Nxg3 23. hxg3 exd4 {Fressinet,L (2711)-Hammer,J (2638) Malmo 2014 CBM 161 [Havasi,Gergo] ½-½}) 9... Ng6 10. O-O ({In my opinion more interesting here is} 10. a4 c6 11. Nxb6 axb6 12. Be3 d5 13. Bc2 Qc7 14. h3 Rd8 15. Qb1 dxe4 16. dxe4 Be6 17. O-O h6 18. a5 Nd7 19. Rd1 bxa5 20. bxa5 Rxa5 21. Rxa5 Qxa5 22. Bb6 $1 {winning material, Onischuk,V (2627)-Buckels,V (2363) Dresden GER 2018}) 10... c6 $146 ({An even preciser equalizing way was demonstrated in an old game:} 10... Be6 11. Re1 h6 12. Nxb6 Bxb3 13. Qxb3 axb6 14. b5 Re8 15. Bd2 Qd7 16. a4 d5 {1/2 (16) Nunn,J (2610)-Azmaiparashvili,Z (2575) Amsterdam 1990}) ({RR} 10... Be6 11. a4 c6 12. h3 h6 13. Re1 Bc7 14. Qc2 Nh5 15. d4 Qf6 16. Nh2 Ngf4 17. Ng4 Qg6 18. f3 Bxc4 19. Bxc4 Nf6 20. Bxf4 Nxg4 21. hxg4 exf4 22. Bd3 h5 23. gxh5 Qxh5 24. Kf2 Bd8 25. Rh1 {Forsberg Conde,M (2046)-Gonzalez Santamartina,J (1795) Salobrena 2012 1-0 (54)}) ({RR} 10... Be6 11. Re1 h6 12. Nxb6 Bxb3 13. Qxb3 axb6 14. b5 Re8 15. Bd2 Qd7) 11. Nxb6 axb6 12. a4 Re8 ({Not bad was to exchange the double pawn with} 12... b5 13. Re1 bxa4 14. Rxa4 Rxa4 15. Bxa4 Be6) 13. Be3 Be6 14. Bc2 {White must retreat with this important bishop since after the Black is very comfortable.} (14. Bxe6 Rxe6 15. Qc2 d5) 14... d5 15. h3 Qc7 16. Re1 h6 17. exd5 Nxd5 ({A more risky, but very much playable approach would be} 17... Bxd5 18. d4 exd4 19. Bxd4 Nf4 20. Bxf6 gxf6) 18. Bd2 Bf5 19. d4 {Now forced play starts for some moves.} Bxc2 20. Qxc2 exd4 21. Nxd4 c5 22. bxc5 bxc5 23. Nf5 ({Much weaker was another position of the knight:} 23. Nb5 Qc6) 23... Qc6 24. c4 Ndf4 25. Rxe8+ Rxe8 26. Bxf4 Nxf4 27. Ne3 Rd8 (27... b6 28. Rb1 Qd6) 28. Rb1 ({Nothing promised} 28. a5 Ra8 $1) 28... h5 ({It was possible to keep the pawn structure more compact:} 28... b6 29. Rb5 Qf6) 29. a5 h4 30. Rb6 ({More energetic was} 30. Qf5 Qc7 31. Rb5 Ne2+ 32. Kh1 Nd4 33. Rxc5) 30... Qd7 31. Qb2 Nd3 ({A bit more precise was the defence} 31... Qc7 32. Rxb7 Qxa5 33. Nf5 Qe1+ 34. Kh2 Ne6) 32. Qb1 {[#]} Nb4 $2 ({It was necessary to keep counterattacking with} 32... Qa4 33. Rb5 g6) 33. Qe4 Qd4 {Black's best chance seems to be pawn sacrifice transferring to a rook ending, but Carlsen shows great technique.} 34. Qxd4 cxd4 35. Rxb4 dxe3 36. fxe3 Rd1+ 37. Kf2 Ra1 38. Rb5 Ra2+ 39. Kf3 g6 (39... Ra4 40. c5 Kf8 41. e4 Ke8 42. Kf4 g6 (42... Kd8 43. Rxb7 Rxa5 44. Rxf7 Rxc5 45. Rxg7) 43. Ke5 {with decisive activation of the king.}) 40. c5 Kg7 41. Ke4 Rxg2 ({Also no rescue was} 41... Kf6 42. Rb6+ Ke7 43. Rxb7+ Ke6 44. Rb6+ Kd7 45. a6 Rxg2 46. a7 Ra2 47. Rb7+ Kc6 48. Rxf7 Kxc5 49. Ke5 Ra6 50. e4) 42. Rxb7 g5 ({Black has no real chances for a defence:} 42... Ra2 43. c6 Rxa5 44. Kd4 Ra2 45. Rb4 Ra8 46. Kc5 Rc8 47. Kd6 Rd8+ 48. Ke7 Rd3 49. c7 Rc3 50. Kd6 Kh6 51. Rb5 g5 52. Rc5) 43. c6 {Now the win is very simple.} g4 44. c7 Rc2 45. Kd3 Rc1 46. Kd2 Rc6 47. a6 gxh3 48. a7 h2 49. Rb1 1-0

[Event "EU-Cup 34th"]
[Site "Porto Carras"]
[Date "2018.10.17"]
[Round "6.1"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Ding, Liren"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C47"]
[WhiteElo "2839"]
[BlackElo "2804"]
[PlyCount "114"]
[EventDate "2018.10.12"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "GRE"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 187"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.12.11"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.12.11"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Valerenga"]
[BlackTeam "Alkaloid"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "NOR"]
[BlackTeamCountry "MKD"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. d4 exd4 5. Nxd4 Bb4 6. Nxc6 bxc6 7. Bd3 d5 8. exd5 O-O 9. O-O cxd5 10. Bg5 c6 11. Qf3 Bd6 12. h3 h6 13. Bf4 Rb8 14. b3 Rb4 ({RR} 14... Rb7 15. Rad1 Re8 16. Na4 c5 17. Rfe1 Rbe7 18. Rxe7 Qxe7 19. Bxd6 Qxd6 20. Qg3 Qc6 21. Nc3 a6 22. Be2 d4 23. Bf3 Qe6 24. Na4 Qf5 25. Qc7 Qxc2 26. Rxd4 Bd7 27. Rxd7 Nxd7 28. Qxd7 Re1+ 29. Kh2 {Gunina,V (2405)-Girya,O (2401) Moscow RUS 2025 1-0 (62)}) 15. Bxd6 Qxd6 16. Rfe1 a5 $146 ({RR} 16... Be6 17. Ne2 Re8 18. c3 Rbb8 19. Nd4 Bd7 20. Bf5 Rxe1+ 21. Rxe1 c5 22. Nc2 a5 23. Bxd7 Qxd7 24. Rd1 Qe6 25. Ne3 Rd8 26. Nf5 Ne4 27. g4 Ng5 28. Qg3 Qe4 29. h4 Nf3+ 30. Kf1 d4 31. cxd4 {Yirik,V (1957)-Haddouche,M (2483) Chess.com INT 2022 0-1 (37)}) ({RR} 16... Be6 17. Ne2 Re8 18. c3 Rbb8 19. Nd4 Bd7 20. Bf5 Rxe1+ 21. Rxe1 c5 22. Nc2 a5 23. Bxd7 Qxd7 24. Rd1 Qe6 25. Ne3 Rd8 26. Nf5 Ne4 27. g4 Ng5 28. Qg3 Qe4 29. h4 Nf3+ 30. Kf1 d4 31. cxd4 {Yirik,V (1957)-Haddouche,M (2483) Chess.com INT 2022 0-1 (37)}) 17. Rad1 Bd7 18. Qe3 Rc8 19. Qa7 Rh4 20. Re3 Qc7 21. Qxc7 Rxc7 22. Na4 c5 23. g4 d4 24. Rf3 Nxg4 25. Re1 Nf6 26. Nb6 Bc6 27. Rg3 g5 28. Re5 Nh5 29. Bf5 Rf4 30. Rg4 Bf3 31. Rxf4 Nxf4 32. Nd7 c4 33. bxc4 Rxc4 34. Rxa5 Rb4 35. Kh2 Rb1 36. Ne5 Rh1+ 37. Kg3 Bd5 38. f3 Re1 39. Nd3 Rg1+ 40. Kf2 Rg2+ 41. Ke1 Re2+ 42. Kf1 Bc4 43. Kg1 Rg2+ 44. Kh1 Bxd3 45. Bxd3 Rg3 46. h4 Rh3+ 47. Kg1 Rxh4 48. Bf1 Kg7 49. a4 Ng6 50. Rc5 d3 51. a5 dxc2 52. Rxc2 Ra4 53. a6 h5 54. Rc5 Kf6 55. Rc6+ Kg7 56. Rc5 Kf6 57. Rc6+ Kg7 1/2-1/2

[Event "EU-Cup 34th"]
[Site "Porto Carras"]
[Date "2018.10.18"]
[Round "7.1"]
[White "Svidler, Peter"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B15"]
[WhiteElo "2756"]
[BlackElo "2839"]
[PlyCount "115"]
[EventDate "2018.10.12"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "GRE"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 187"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.12.11"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.12.11"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "St Petersburg Bronze Horseman"]
[BlackTeam "Valerenga"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "RUS"]
[BlackTeamCountry "NOR"]

1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nd2 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Nf6 5. Nxf6+ exf6 6. c3 Bd6 7. Bd3 O-O 8. Qc2 Re8+ 9. Be3 h6 10. Ne2 Na6 ({RR} 10... Be6 11. O-O Qc7 12. g3 Nd7 13. Rfe1 Bd5 14. c4 Bf3 15. Nc3 Bb4 16. a3 Bxc3 17. Qxc3 g5 18. Bf5 Bh5 19. f4 Re7 20. Bf2 Nf8 21. d5 Rxe1+ 22. Rxe1 Qd6 23. c5 Qxd5 24. Qxf6 Nh7 25. Qxh6 {Mista,A (2616)-Landa,K (2647) Germany 2014 0-1 (42)}) 11. O-O ({RR} 11. O-O-O Nc7 12. Rdg1 Ne6 13. g4 Qc7 14. h4 Nf4 15. g5 Nxe2+ 16. Qxe2 fxg5 17. hxg5 Bf4 18. gxh6 g6 19. Kc2 Bxe3 20. fxe3 Kh7 21. e4 c5 22. d5 Qe5 23. Qf2 Re7 24. Qxc5 b6 25. Qd4 Bd7 {Santeramo,A (2162)-Bold,A (2218) chess.com INT 2024 1-0 (45)}) 11... Nc7 12. c4 Bg4 13. h3 $146 ({RR} 13. Nc3 Qd7 14. Ne4 Ne6 15. d5 cxd5 16. cxd5 Nc7 17. h3 Bh5 18. Nc3 Be5 19. Bf5 Qd6 20. Ne4 Qxd5 21. Nc5 Rab8 22. Be4 Bg6 23. Bxg6 fxg6 24. Qxg6 Qf7 25. Qxf7+ Kxf7 26. Nd7 Ra8 27. Rfd1 b6 {Shailesh,D (2269)-Muthaiah,A (2299) Rajahmundry 2016 ½-½}) 13... Bxe2 14. Bxe2 Ne6 15. Rad1 Qc7 16. Bg4 Rad8 17. Rfe1 Bf4 18. Bxf4 Nxf4 19. Rxe8+ Rxe8 20. h4 Qa5 21. g3 f5 22. Bf3 Re1+ 23. Kh2 Rxd1 24. Qxd1 Ng6 25. a3 f4 26. Be4 fxg3+ 27. fxg3 Nf8 28. d5 cxd5 29. Qxd5 Qxd5 30. Bxd5 b6 31. b4 Nd7 32. Kg2 Kf8 33. Kf2 Nf6 34. Bf3 Ke7 35. Ke3 Kd6 36. Kd4 Ng8 37. c5+ bxc5+ 38. bxc5+ Kc7 39. Bd5 Ne7 40. Ke5 Nxd5 41. Kxd5 h5 42. c6 a6 43. a4 a5 44. Kc5 f6 45. Kd5 g5 46. Ke6 Kxc6 47. Kxf6 gxh4 48. gxh4 Kd6 49. Kg5 Ke5 50. Kxh5 Kf5 51. Kh6 Kf6 52. h5 Kf7 53. Kg5 Kg7 54. h6+ Kh7 55. Kh5 Kh8 56. Kg6 Kg8 57. h7+ Kh8 58. Kh6 1/2-1/2

[Event "World-ch Carlsen-Caruana"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2018.11.09"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B31"]
[WhiteElo "2832"]
[BlackElo "2835"]
[Annotator "Duda,Jan Krzysztof"]
[PlyCount "229"]
[EventDate "2018.11.09"]
[EventType "match"]
[EventRounds "12"]
[EventCountry "GBR"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 187"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.12.11"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.12.11"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 $5 {A minor surprise, as early as on move 1. Normally people tend to play relatively solid openings at the beginning of the WCC matches. Magnus decided however to play in a principled way, instead of choosing a Ruy Lopez / Italian torture.} 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 {The Rossolimo Variation, a favourite of the Challenger. Even though he lost beautiful game in the Wijk Ann Zee to Carlsen some years ago, everyone keeps in mind many of his masterpieces against strong opposition. And probably all kibitzers were happy - there is no easy draw in sight.} g6 4. Bxc6 dxc6 {Lately the favourite of Magnus.} 5. d3 Bg7 6. h3 {Not allowing ...Bg4, which would ease Black's play.} Nf6 7. Nc3 Nd7 (7... b6 {was played between the same opponents 3 years ago. White was probably better after the opening, but the game became very tense, and eventually the Black player won} 8. Be3 e5 9. O-O O-O 10. a3 Qe7 11. Qb1 Nh5 12. b4 f5 13. bxc5 f4 14. Bd2 bxc5 15. Qb3+ Be6 16. Qa4 $36 {0-1 (39) Caruana,F (2820)-Carlsen,M (2862) Wijk aan Zee NED 2015}) (7... O-O {is the most popular move.}) 8. Be3 e5 ({In a similar way played Nakamura against Caruana some years ago:} 8... b6 9. Qd2 h6 10. O-O e5 11. Nh2 g5 $13 {Here Hikaru didn't allow White to go for f4. The position becomes a pretty manoeuvre one, where a stronger player is likely to win. Computers give modest edge for White, but Black has also an easy play on his own: to re-route the knight and then start the pawn offensive on the kingside: 1/2 (44) Caruana,F (2787)-Nakamura,H (2793) Saint Louis USA 2015}) 9. O-O ({Usually White starts with} 9. Qd2 h6 {not allowing Bh6. After a sample line:} 10. O-O b6 11. Nh2 Nf8 12. f4 exf4 13. Rxf4 Be6 14. Rf2 {there is the same position as in the game, but obviously both sides are flexible and can change something basically on every move}) 9... b6 (9... Qe7 {It's a much more common way to free the d7-knight. I am not an expert in this kind of positions, and can hardly say which way to over-protect the c5 pawn is better.} 10. Qd2 Nf8) 10. Nh2 Nf8 {A typical maneouvre started with Nd7} 11. f4 exf4 12. Rxf4 Be6 $5 {Interesting set-up. I thought he was going to play Ne6-Nd4 asap, but this is even nicer, as it controls all important squares.} 13. Rf2 h6 14. Qd2 g5 $5 {Restraining white pieces. Honestly, I don't know what is White's best bet here, as he lacks visible improvements. It would be lovely to get the h2-knight to f5, but how? Also loosening Black's queenside is not at all that easy. a4 can always be parried by a5, while it's not easy to achieve b4 in a comfortable way. Therefore I think Magnus won the opening duel, and now the challenger move by move was using a large amount of time.} 15. Raf1 (15. Nf1 Qd6 16. Rf3 $2 Ng6 {and White is not in time with Ng3-Nf5.}) (15. a4 a5 $5 (15... Ng6 16. a5 O-O)) (15. a3 Qd6 16. Rb1 Ng6 17. b4 cxb4 18. axb4 O-O $11) 15... Qd6 16. Ng4 $146 {The American decides to improve his worst piece, the h2-knight. Even though the computer doesn't like it, it's still better to have a faulty plan than any.} ({RR} 16. Qe2 O-O-O 17. Qh5 Ng6 18. Qe2 Be5 19. Ng4 Bg3 20. Rxf7 Bxf7 21. Rxf7 Rdf8 22. Nxh6 Qe6 23. Rxf8+ Rxf8 24. Qg4 Qxg4 25. Nxg4 Bf4 26. Bxf4 Nxf4 27. Ne3 Ne6 28. Ne2 Ng7 29. Ng3 Kd7 30. Ngf5 Nxf5 {Nyamdorj,D (2282)-Sohal,T (2370) Richmond 2019 ½-½ (35)}) 16... O-O-O {The king is safe on the queenside for the time being, and now Black is having all the fun on the kingside.} 17. Nf6 {Other plans are:} (17. a4 Nd7 (17... a5 $5) 18. a5 Qc7 {even here profits are not visible. Black intends b5, and if White opens the a-file, Black is always on time with Kb7-Ra8.}) (17. e5 {is an easy-to-play sacrifice for everyone but White player. White gets some minute activity, but it may evaporate easily, and pawn down is pawn down.} Bxe5 (17... Qc7 18. Ne4 {and White is likely to take on e5 anyway.}) 18. b4 $5 (18. Ne4 Qc7 19. Nxe5 Qxe5) 18... c4 {Locking down the queenside.} (18... cxb4 19. Ne4 Qc7 20. Nxe5 Qxe5 21. Qxb4 Qc7 22. a4 $44) 19. Nxe5 Qxe5 20. d4 Qc7 $15 {and I don't see any advantages for White for the missing pawn.}) 17... Nd7 18. Nh5 {Not exchanging the knight which made so many moves.} Be5 19. g4 {Such moves were unthinkable some 60 years ago, but now are standard. The kingside is so far locked, and White gains space.} f6 20. b3 Bf7 21. Nd1 ({I would prefer} 21. Ne2 {defending some vital squares, but it's true that Black is in the driving seat, while White is solid but very passive at the same time.} Bxh5 22. gxh5 Kb7 23. Kg2 Nf8 $17 {and Black may go for the h5 pawn}) 21... Nf8 {Imaginative, but not neccesary. Black could part with his light-square bishop, and try to gain the h5-pawn or break with g4. An important note is that in that case White would remain even more passive than in the game.} (21... Kb7 22. c3 Bxh5 23. gxh5 Qe7 24. Qe2 Rhg8 $17 {and Black has many ideas like Nf8-Ne6.}) 22. Nxf6 Ne6 23. Nh5 (23. Nd7 Rxd7 {was probably the idea.} (23... Bf4 24. Nf6 Bg3 {Comps think that Black is slightly better here, but White might try to complicate the position with some timely exchange sacrifice.}) 24. Rxf7 h5 25. Qg2 {and engine show its usual 0.00, but over the board Black for sure is having fun and White is being under considerable pressure.}) 23... Bxh5 24. gxh5 Nf4 25. Bxf4 gxf4 26. Rg2 (26. Rxf4 $1 {was a good way to cut the Gordian knot. Suprisingly it seems that Black can't stop White's d1-knight from reaching f5-square, from where it has a dominant position.} Bxf4 27. Qxf4 Qd4+ 28. Ne3 Kb7 (28... Rdf8 29. Qxf8+ Rxf8 30. Rxf8+ Kb7 31. Rf7+ Ka6 32. Rf3 $11) 29. Kh1 Rdf8 30. Nf5 Qc3 31. Qc1 $5 $13) 26... Rhg8 $36 {White's king is open, and Black is enjoying a long-lasting initiative.} 27. Qe2 {The position is not easy to analyse, and even harder to play. Both sides have many ideas, which sometimes are similar to each other. From now on I will focus on the most critical positions.} Rxg2+ 28. Qxg2 Qe6 29. Nf2 Rg8 30. Ng4 Qe8 $1 {Going after h5-pawn, and then kicking White's knight with h5.} 31. Qf3 Qxh5 32. Kf2 {The least place where White's king is safe is the kingside, so logically Fabiano removes it to the center.} Bc7 33. Ke2 (33. e5 Kb7 34. Nf6 Qh4+ 35. Ke2 Rg3 36. Qxf4 Qxh3 37. Rf2 {doesn't look any good, but in the game after a couple of moves the a1-h8 diagonal was wide open for Black's pieces.}) 33... Qg5 34. Nh2 $6 {Looks strange, because White gives away the control of the big diagonal without even gaining a tempo which Black has to spend on h5. Still there is no good enough preparatory move, and I think Black is winning already.} (34. Kd2 h5 35. Nh2 Qe5 36. Qf2 Qb2 37. Rg1 Rg3 {It would be very odd that White can defend here.}) 34... h5 $2 ({Why not} 34... Qf6 {with ...Qb2 coming, penetrating the queenside? White would be lost in that case.}) 35. Rf2 Qg1 {The wrong direction!} 36. Nf1 h4 $2 (36... Qg7 $1 $19) 37. Kd2 $2 (37. e5 $1 Rg5 (37... Bxe5 38. Qxc6+ Kb8 39. a4 {Paradoxically White can allow himself luxury of playing such a slow move. But there is nothing really threatening Black can do.}) 38. Kd2 Kb7 39. e6 Re5 40. Re2 Qg6 41. Qg4 {and White got his own play.}) 37... Kb7 {The position is still dead lost for White, because of the threat Qg7-Qa1, there is one more, namely Rg3! It's really amazing that Caruana survived this storm!} 38. c3 Be5 (38... Rg3 $1 39. Nxg3 hxg3 40. Rg2 Qa1 $19 {is game over. It transpires than in zeitnot, even the World Champion plays far below his normal strength!}) 39. Kc2 Qg7 $6 {This would be a serious blunder, if not the fact that Black can repeat his position.} (39... b5 $1 {with b4 next would create too many holes in White's position.}) 40. Nh2 (40. Qh5 Ka6 $1 {It's very important to avoid eventual checks on f7.} 41. Qe2 b5 42. a4) 40... Bxc3 $4 {Actually this move lets all the advantage go. Black still could win by means of} (40... Qg1 $1 41. Nf1 b5 $1 $19 {with transposition to the position, which is mentioned in the earlier comment.}) 41. Qxf4 Bd4 {Now by force White can save himself in an rook endgame with pawn down. Other alternatives also failed to win:} (41... Ka6 42. Nf3 Ba1 43. e5 $11) 42. Qf7+ Ka6 43. Qxg7 Rxg7 44. Re2 Rg3 45. Ng4 Rxh3 46. e5 Rf3 47. e6 Rf8 48. e7 Re8 49. Nh6 h3 50. Nf5 Bf6 {Initially when I first saw this position, I thought Black has nearly 50/50 chances, but on the closer inspection I understood that White is going to play either d4 or b4, and 2 vs 3 pawns on the queenside is a draw.} 51. a3 b5 ({Being in Magnus' place I would have tried to play with the pawn on b6, but still this should be an easy draw.} 51... Bxe7 52. Nxe7 h2 53. Rxh2 Rxe7 54. Rh5) 52. b4 cxb4 53. axb4 Bxe7 {Otherwise Black runs out of moves} 54. Nxe7 h2 55. Rxh2 Rxe7 56. Rh6 Kb6 57. Kc3 Rd7 58. Rg6 $11 {The endgame is a draw, although White needs to be a bit careful not to allow Black to get two rolling pawns. Magnus tries to win for another 60 moves, but the draw is trivial.} Kc7 59. Rh6 Rd6 60. Rh8 Rg6 61. Ra8 Kb7 62. Rh8 Rg5 63. Rh7+ Kb6 64. Rh6 Rg1 65. Kc2 Rf1 66. Rg6 Rh1 67. Rf6 Rh8 68. Kc3 Ra8 69. d4 Rd8 70. Rh6 Rd7 71. Rg6 Kc7 72. Rg5 Rd6 73. Rg8 Rh6 74. Ra8 Rh3+ 75. Kc2 Ra3 (75... Kd6 76. Rxa7 Kd5 77. Rc7 $11) 76. Kb2 Ra4 77. Kc3 a6 78. Rh8 Ra3+ 79. Kb2 Rg3 80. Kc2 Rg5 81. Rh6 Rd5 82. Kc3 Rd6 83. Rh8 Rg6 84. Kc2 Kb7 85. Kc3 Rg3+ 86. Kc2 Rg1 87. Rh5 Rg2+ 88. Kc3 Rg3+ 89. Kc2 Rg4 90. Kc3 Kb6 91. Rh6 Rg5 92. Rf6 Rh5 93. Rg6 Rh3+ 94. Kc2 Rh5 95. Kc3 Rd5 96. Rh6 Kc7 97. Rh7+ Rd7 98. Rh5 Rd6 99. Rh8 Rg6 100. Rf8 Rg3+ 101. Kc2 Ra3 102. Rf7+ Kd6 103. Ra7 {One of possible defensive set-ups for White} Kd5 104. Kb2 Rd3 (104... Ra4 105. Kc3 Ra1 106. Rd7+ Ke6 107. Ra7 $11) 105. Rxa6 Rxd4 106. Kb3 Re4 107. Kc3 Rc4+ 108. Kb3 Kd4 109. Rb6 Kd3 110. Ra6 Rc2 111. Rb6 Rc3+ 112. Kb2 Rc4 113. Kb3 Kd4 114. Ra6 Kd5 115. Ra8 {A fighting, nerve-racking, and unpleasant game for both players. Fabiano Caruana didn't manage to get even the slightest of an opening initiative, and quickly had to defend himself. Magnus Carlsen on the other hand was winning several times before the 40th move, but in time trouble he spoiled, what looked like an easy win, and had to settle for the endgame which was drawn. Still 11 games to come, and it seems it will be entertaining match!} 1/2-1/2

[Event "World-ch Carlsen-Caruana"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2018.11.12"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B31"]
[WhiteElo "2832"]
[BlackElo "2835"]
[Annotator "Duda,Jan Krzysztof"]
[PlyCount "97"]
[EventDate "2018.11.09"]
[EventType "match"]
[EventRounds "12"]
[EventCountry "GBR"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 187"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.12.11"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.12.11"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 {So it turned out that my guess was wrong, and Magnus repeats the Rossolimo Sicilian once more. After a little reflection, I realised that it's a perfect opening for Magnus - no theory, no repetitions, no super-sharp positions and a complex strategic game ahead - everything he needs.} 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 g6 4. Bxc6 dxc6 5. d3 Bg7 6. O-O {This time Caruana allows Black to play Bg4. Magnus instead chooses a sideline, in order to get a non-theoritical position as quickly as possible.} Qc7 $5 (6... Nf6 {is of course the main move.}) 7. Re1 {A useful move, with the intention to see what Black is going to do.} e5 {An interesting move, played when the White rook is on e1, from where it can't help to achieve f4. On the other hand, this move is strategically risky because now a break with b4 is on the agenda.} 8. a3 {A logical push once Black played e5. The preference of the engine is} (8. Be3 {forcing Black to play b6, and only then start the minority attack.} b6 9. a3 Nf6 (9... a5 $5 10. Nbd2 Nf6 11. b4 Ng4 12. Bg5 (12. bxc5 Nxe3 13. Rxe3 b5 $5 {with decent chances.}) 12... axb4 (12... cxb4 13. axb4 a4 14. c4 b5 {looks risky for Black, but the comp holds on.} 15. h3 f6 16. Bh4 Nh6 17. Nb3 $5) 13. axb4 Rxa1 14. Qxa1 cxb4 15. Qa4 O-O 16. Qxb4 c5 17. Qb2 f6 18. Bh4 Be6 $13 {and Black can regroup his forces easily, while White's pieces on the kingside are stuck.}) 10. b4 (10. Nbd2 $5 O-O (10... Ng4 11. Bg5 f6 12. Bh4) 11. b4 cxb4 (11... Ng4 12. Bg5) 12. axb4 Ng4 13. Bg5 h6 14. Bh4 Nf6 $13) 10... c4 11. Nbd2 cxd3 12. cxd3 O-O 13. Rc1 $36 {with easier play for White.}) (8. b4 $2 {is not working:} cxb4 9. a3 bxa3 10. Bxa3 Ne7 11. Nbd2 O-O 12. Nc4 c5 $17 {with a clear plus pawn for Black.}) ({RR} 8. Be3 b6 9. a3 a5 10. Nbd2 Nf6 11. b4 Ng4 12. bxc5 Nxe3 13. fxe3 bxc5 14. Nc4 Be6 15. Nfd2 O-O 16. Rf1 Rab8 17. Qe2 a4 18. Rf2 Rb7 19. Raf1 Qd8 20. Qe1 h5 21. Qa1 f6 22. h3 Bh6 {Nakamura,H (2743)-Carlsen,M (2882) Saint Louis 2019 ½-½}) 8... Nf6 9. b4 O-O 10. Nbd2 (10. bxc5 $5 {I think this deserves attention. Black can postpone recapturing the pawn, but then White has chances to exploit the d6-square with one of his knights. Black can also take the pawn by means of} Nd7 11. Be3 f5 12. a4 f4 13. Bc1 Nxc5 {but White gets the upper hands after} 14. Ba3 b6 15. Nbd2 {with some initiative.}) (10. Be3 c4 {is completely toothless for White.}) ({RR} 10. Bb2 Re8 11. Nbd2 Nd7 12. Nb3 Qb6 13. Nbd2 cxb4 14. Nc4 Qc7 15. axb4 b5 16. Ne3 Nb6 17. c4 Na4 18. Ba3 a6 19. Qc2 Qb6 20. Rac1 Bd7 21. h3 Rac8 22. c5 Qc7 23. g4 a5 24. Kg2 Kh8 {Nadzamova,V (2126)-Manko,M (2298) Batumi GEO 2025 1-0 (39)}) 10... Bg4 $146 {Only now does Magnus decide to part with his light-squared bishop. A smart decision, because this piece has a very high potential to become a bad piece in the future.} ({RR} 10... cxb4 11. Bb2 Nh5 12. axb4 Nf4 13. Ra3 Re8 14. Qa1 a6 15. d4 exd4 16. Bxd4 Bxd4 17. Nxd4 Qe7 18. Rf3 Nxg2 19. e5 Nxe1 {0-1 (19) Kaiszauri,K (2405)-Cramling,D (2355) Boras 1979}) 11. h3 Bxf3 12. Nxf3 cxb4 (12... Nd7 13. Be3 cxb4 14. axb4 a5 {was another way to play.}) 13. axb4 a5 14. bxa5 Rxa5 15. Bd2 (15. Rxa5 $1 {I think this is stronger, because White gets control of the open a-line.} Qxa5 16. Bd2 Qc7 17. Qa1 Nd7 18. Qa7 Rc8 {with the idea to play b5, e.g.} 19. Ra1 Bf8 20. Be3 b5 21. g4 $36 {and White has pressure.}) 15... Raa8 {Of course Black doesn't allow White to get the a-file for free.} 16. Qb1 Nd7 {At first sight this position looks nice for White, but there is no obvious way to pose even slightest challenge for Black. He is going to play b5 and exchange everything down the a-file.} 17. Qb4 (17. Qb2 b5 18. Rxa8 Rxa8 19. Ra1 Qb7 {looks drawish.}) (17. Qb3 Nc5 18. Qc4 Ne6 {only improves Black's position}) (17. Be3 $1 b5 18. Qb3 Rfb8 19. Ra2 Rxa2 20. Qxa2 {was probably the only way to play for 'something'.}) 17... Rfe8 18. Bc3 b5 19. Rxa8 Rxa8 20. Ra1 Rxa1+ 21. Bxa1 Qa7 22. Bc3 Qa2 23. Qb2 Qxb2 24. Bxb2 f6 $11 {Now Black has easy equality, and Magnus as usual tries to squeeze his opponent in the endgame. This time the challenger was very alert though.} 25. Kf1 Kf7 26. Ke2 Nc5 27. Bc3 Ne6 28. g3 Bf8 29. Nd2 {It looks sensible to bring the knight to b3.} (29. d4 {was also possible, exchanging knights, but on the other hand Black may get 'the passer' on the queenside, which is always threating.} exd4 30. Nxd4 Nxd4+ 31. Bxd4 c5 32. Bb2 c4 33. f4 b4 34. g4 Bd6 35. f5 $11) 29... Ng5 $1 {Forcing White to play h4, which later might be used as a 'hook'.} 30. h4 Ne6 31. Nb3 h5 {Fixing the pawns on the wrong color.} 32. Bd2 Bd6 33. c3 c5 34. Be3 Ke7 35. Kd1 Kd7 36. Kc2 f5 {The top preference of the engine. I also thought about} (36... g5 {but after} 37. f3 gxh4 38. gxh4 {is harmless for White, because Black can never get to the h4-pawn.}) 37. Kd1 fxe4 {Objectively it was better to keep the tension with} (37... Kc6 38. Na5+ Kb6 39. Nb3 Be7 {and now Black has a choice between f4 and fxe4, depending on circumstances. But of course the position is still close to equal.}) 38. dxe4 c4 39. Nd2 Nc5 40. Bxc5 $1 {At first to me this felt counter-intuitive, but in fact it is a good move. White eliminates Black's strong knight, and all his weakness can be protected by his king.} Bxc5 41. Ke2 Kc6 42. Nf1 b4 {Otherwise White plays Ne3, where the pawn endgame is dead drawn.} 43. cxb4 Bxb4 44. Ne3 Kc5 45. f4 {Exchanging as many pawns as possible.} exf4 46. gxf4 Ba5 47. f5 gxf5 48. Nxc4 $1 {A nice interlude move, using the classical theme of the wrong corner.} Kxc4 49. exf5 {and White moves his king to h1, from where it can't be chased. Today we have seen yet another Rossolimo Sicilian, where Magnus gradually equalised, and even tried to take over in the endgame. Caruana managed to draw with ease though. I am interested if in case of another 2...Nc6 Sicilian, Caruana will play 3.d4!? Or perhaps he will switch to another opening? The future will tell, but before reaching it, tomorrow he has to defend with Black first.} 1/2-1/2

[Event "World-ch Carlsen-Caruana"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2018.11.15"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B31"]
[WhiteElo "2832"]
[BlackElo "2835"]
[Annotator "Anand,Viswanathan"]
[PlyCount "67"]
[EventDate "2018.11.09"]
[EventType "match"]
[EventRounds "12"]
[EventCountry "GBR"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 187"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.12.11"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.12.11"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{[%evp 0,63,18,18,53,58,49,26,51,37,37,22,52,-11,22,3,24,24,2,6,62,37,80,83,86,71,77,72,70,18,78,66,75,83,188,111,111,130,133,62,125,76,103,119,112,112,107,150,171,197,184,198,178,185,176,167,190,172,200,205,276,227,241,232,291,300]} 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 {The 3rd Rossolimo in a row. Both players seem happy to continue the discussion. Magnus is looking for unbalanced positions with Black and is comfortable assuming some risk, while Fabiano has a clear target as well. Switching to a main line Sicilian is getting harder. Fabi may end up wasting a White to gain some info on Magnus's choice of subvariation though many people (myself included!) assume its the Sveshnikov.} g6 4. O-O {Switching from 4.Bxc6.} Bg7 5. Re1 e5 (5... Nf6 6. e5 Nd5 7. Nc3 Nc7 8. Bxc6 dxc6 {is playable, but is simply not the kind of position Magnus is looking for with Black.}) 6. b4 Nxb4 (6... cxb4 7. a3 b3 {was Grischuk's sensible response when surprised by Bacrot in a rapid game. It would be amazing if Carlsen was unprepared for 6.b4 (hardly a rare move) and he has a more concrete response in mind.}) 7. Bb2 {Carlsen did spend some time on his decisions, but I did this as well quite often just remember things with clarity. After all they must have revised lots of different options in the morning.} a6 (7... Qc7 8. d4 {is a surprising suggestion of the computer.} (8. c3 Nc6 9. d4 d6 10. d5 a6 11. Na3 Ke7 {is the by now famous game Rapport-Granda 2013.}) 8... a6 9. Bc4 (9. Bf1 exd4 10. Qd2 (10. c3 d3 11. Na3 {also looks reasonable for a mere pawn})) 9... cxd4 10. Bb3 Nc6 11. c3 {The position is very rich in possibilities, but I won't second-guess their conclusions since Magnus certainly studied this line.}) 8. a3 axb5 (8... Nc6 9. Bxc6 dxc6 10. Nxe5 Qc7 11. Nc4 Bxb2 12. Nxb2 Nf6 13. d4 {seems pleasant for White.}) 9. axb4 Rxa1 10. Bxa1 d6 (10... cxb4 {is playable, but Magnus move seems more natural to me.} 11. Bxe5 Bxe5 12. Nxe5 Ne7 13. Qe2 Qb6 14. c3 bxc3 (14... Nc6 15. Ng4) 15. Nxc3 b4 $1 16. Nc4 (16. Nd5 Nxd5 17. exd5 O-O 18. Qe3 Qd6) 16... Qe6 {otherwise Nd5} 17. Nb5 O-O 18. Ncd6 b6) 11. bxc5 Ne7 12. Qe2 (12. cxd6 Qxd6 13. d4 {doesnt give very much.}) 12... b4 {The only move. All Black's hopes in this position are connected with this pawn, both restricting the b1 as well as potentially becoming passed once c2 drops.} 13. Qc4 (13. c3 bxc3 14. Qb5+ Nc6 $11) (13. Qb5+ Nc6 14. cxd6 Qxd6 15. d3 O-O 16. Nbd2 Be6 $1 {The pawn on b4 is more valuable than b7.} 17. Nc4 (17. Qxb7 Qc5 {is suddenly better for Black.}) 17... Bxc4 18. Qxc4 Ra8 {looks fine to me.}) 13... Qa5 $1 {Precise.} (13... Nc6 14. d4 exd4 15. Nxd4 Bxd4 16. Bxd4 Be6 17. Qb5 O-O 18. Be3 {Black is ok here, but White runs no risk anymore while in the game, Black keeps chances.}) 14. cxd6 Be6 15. Qc7 (15. d7+ $2 Kd8 {loses the piece.}) 15... Qxc7 16. dxc7 Nc6 17. c3 $146 (17. Rd1 {is the critical try but here both king moves work} Ke7 (17... Kd7 18. d4 Bg4 (18... b3 {equalises, but its possible to miss this move....}) 19. d5 Nd4 20. Nbd2 Bxf3 21. gxf3 Rc8 22. Nb3 (22. Nc4 Rxc7 23. Nxe5+ Bxe5 24. Bxd4 Bf4 25. Rb1 Rc4 26. Be3 Bxe3 27. fxe3 Kd6 28. Kf1 f5 $11) 22... Nxc2 23. d6 b6 24. Rd5 f6 (24... Nxa1 25. Nxa1 Bh6 $1 (25... Bf8 26. f4 f6 27. fxe5 fxe5 28. f4 exf4 29. Nb3 Re8 30. Nd4 b3 $1 {just in time} 31. Nxb3 Bxd6 32. c8=Q+ Rxc8 33. e5 Ke6 34. Rxd6+ Kxe5 35. Rxb6 Rc2 {is drawn}) 26. Nb3 f6 $1 27. Kf1 Bf8 28. Nd2 b5 $1 29. Rxb5 Bxd6 30. Nc4 $11) 25. Nd2 $3 {is a very nice trick}) 18. d4 Ra8 19. d5 (19. Bb2 Nxd4 20. Nxd4 exd4 21. Bxd4 Bxd4 22. Rxd4 Ra2 23. Rxb4 Rxc2 {is a draw}) 19... Rxa1 20. dxe6 Ra8 21. exf7 Rc8 22. Nbd2 Rxc7 23. Rb1 Kxf7 24. Kf1 $11) ({RR} 17. Rd1 Kd7 18. d4 b3 19. Nxe5+ Kxc7 20. cxb3 Bxb3 21. Rc1 Ra8 22. Bc3 Kd6 23. Nd2 Ba2 24. Ndc4+ Bxc4 25. Nxc4+ Ke7 26. e5 Ra4 27. Nb6 Nxd4 28. Nxa4 Ne2+ 29. Kf1 Nxc1 30. Nc5 {½-½ (30) Ellames,R (2041)-Grant,D (2074) Lichess.org INT 2020}) ({RR} 17. Rd1 Kd7 18. d4 b3 19. Nxe5+ Kxc7 20. cxb3 Bxb3 21. Rc1 Ra8 22. Bc3 Kd6 23. Nd2 Ba2 24. Ndc4+ Bxc4 25. Nxc4+ Ke7 26. e5 Ra4 27. Nb6 Nxd4 28. Nxa4 Ne2+ 29. Kf1 Nxc1 30. Nc5 {½-½ (30) Ellames,R (2041)-Grant,D (2074) Lichess.org INT 2020}) 17... Kd7 18. cxb4 Ra8 19. Bc3 {played after a long think. Clearly Fabi wanted to not only play Bc3 (which is obvious) but also tried to evaluate the position exactly before continuing.} Kxc7 {Black should win the b-pawn and in fact White should be precise here. I think its easier to play Black over the board.} 20. d3 (20. Ng5 $1 {was correct, but I would not have trusted my eyes if I had to figure this out over the board.}) 20... Kb6 $6 {After Fabi's exact response, this fizzles out.} (20... b5 {This is more precise, but one has to be phenomenally accurate for many moves to extract anything. Without an engine, one could be forgiven for missing it.} 21. Kf1 (21. Nbd2 Kb6 (21... Rd8 22. Rc1 $1 {An important trick.} Kb6 23. Ne1 Bf8 24. Rb1) 22. Ra1 Rxa1+ 23. Bxa1 Nxb4 24. Nxe5 Nxd3 25. Nec4+ bxc4 26. Bxg7 Nc5 27. f3 (27. Kf1 Kb5 28. Ke2 Kb4) 27... Kb5 28. Nb1 Na4 29. Nc3+ Nxc3 30. Bxc3 Ka4 31. Kf2 Kb3 32. Bf6 c3 33. Ke3 {this is as much as I managed to get for Black and its not enough.}) 21... Kb7 $1 {I kept trying Kb6, but the comp insists...Apparently a later Bxd4 with check...}) 21. Bd2 $1 {Dealing with ...Kb5 by freeing the c3-square for the knight.} Rd8 22. Be3+ Kb5 23. Nc3+ Kxb4 24. Nd5+ Bxd5 25. exd5 Rxd5 26. Rb1+ Kc3 27. Rxb7 Nd8 28. Rc7+ Kxd3 29. Kf1 {No way Black can use his extra pawn.} h5 30. h3 Ke4 31. Ng5+ Kf5 32. Nxf7 Nxf7 33. Rxf7+ Bf6 34. g4+ {A fascinating game.} 1/2-1/2

[Event "World-ch Carlsen-Caruana"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2018.11.16"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C42"]
[WhiteElo "2835"]
[BlackElo "2832"]
[Annotator "Grivas,Efstratios"]
[PlyCount "160"]
[EventDate "2018.11.09"]
[EventType "match"]
[EventRounds "12"]
[EventCountry "GBR"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 187"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.12.11"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.12.11"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 {So, the WC seems quite unpredictable! In game 2 he chose 1.d4, in game 3 1.c4 and now 1.e4!} e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 {Nothing less to be expected by the Challenger - he has made his living by the 'Petroff Defence'!} 3. Nxe5 d6 {(D) [#]} 4. Nd3 ({A quite unusual line. Their most recent game went} 4. Nf3 Nxe4 5. Nc3 Nxc3 6. dxc3 Be7 7. Be3 Nc6 8. Bc4 O-O 9. Qd2 Bf5 10. O-O-O Qd7 11. Kb1 Rfe8 12. h4 Bf8 13. h5 h6 14. Be2 Bg4 15. Nh2 Bxe2 16. Qxe2 Ne5 17. Bc1 Qc6 18. f4 Nc4 19. Qd3 Qe4 20. g4 Ne3 21. Rde1 Qxd3 22. cxd3 Nd5 23. Reg1 Re6 24. g5 Ne7 25. gxh6 Rxh6 26. f5 Rh7 27. Ng4 Kh8 28. f6 Ng8 29. fxg7+ Rxg7 30. Be3 c5 31. Bf4 Re8 32. Ne3 Rxg1+ 33. Rxg1 Re6 {½-½ Carlsen,M-Caruana,F Saint Louis 2018. But it was expected that M.Carlsen will come with something new, but not that early... I would say that M.Carlsen is more interesting to his physical strength and stamina than to try to get something in the opening from his very well-prepared opponent…}) 4... Nxe4 5. Qe2 Qe7 {(D) [#]} 6. Nf4 ({Another rare line chosen by the WC. There are quite a few games with} 6. Nc3 Nf6 7. Nf4 (7. b3 Nc6 8. Bb2 Bf5 9. Nf4 O-O-O 10. Qxe7 Nxe7 11. O-O-O Ng6 $11 {So, W-Caruana,F Saint Louis 2018}) 7... c6 8. f3 g5 9. Nd3 $11 {Ganguly,S-Abasov,N Ulaanbaatar 2018.}) 6... Nc6 (6... Nf6 {seems also safe:} 7. d4 Qxe2+ 8. Bxe2 Nc6 9. c3 g6 10. f3 Bg7 11. h4 h5 12. Na3 Ne7 13. Nb5 Kd8 14. Kf2 a6 $11 {Motylev,A-Rakhmanov,A Yaroslavl 2018.}) 7. Nd5 Nd4 $1 8. Nxe7 Nxe2 9. Nd5 (9. Bxe2 Bxe7 {promises nothing to both sides!}) 9... Nd4 {(D) [#]} 10. Na3 ({A novelty upon} 10. Bd3 Nc5 $1 (10... Nxf2 $2 11. Kxf2 Kd8 12. b3 $18 {Seyb, A-Gaier,R Willingen 2001}) 11. Nxc7+ Kd7 12. Nxa8 Nxd3+ 13. cxd3 Nc2+ 14. Kd1 Nxa1 $13 {.}) 10... Ne6 11. f3 N4c5 12. d4 Nd7 13. c3 c6 14. Nf4 Nb6 {(D) [#] Black seems to have solved with success all his opening 'problems', for the sixth time in 6 games in this match! Probably all seconds of both players should be sent on vacation, as they do not really seem to be needed! It is the first WC that I am following, without any strong 'feelings' in the opening phase! Well, this is a well-known pawn structure, mainly coming from the ‘Exchange Variation’ of the ‘French Defence’ (1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 exd5). There is a clear drawn tendency, mainly because there are not many good pawn breaks and as some pieces can rapidly be exchanged, there is not much play left. But of course we must keep I mind that an equal position is not necessary a drawn one; mistakes need to be made and explored in order to have a decisive result. And this can happen in any position…} 15. Bd3 d5 16. Nc2 Bd6 17. Nxe6 Bxe6 18. Kf2 {(D) [#]} h5 ({A good reaction. White could be slightly better after} 18... f5 $6 19. Re1 Kf7 20. g3 Rhe8 21. b3 g6 22. Ne3 $14 {.}) 19. h4 Nc8 {Planning the simple ...Ne7 and ...Bf5, with full equality.} 20. Ne3 Ne7 21. g3 {(D) [#]} c5 $1 {Active and good play by Black.} 22. Bc2 $146 (22. dxc5 Bxc5 23. Kg2 d4 24. cxd4 Bxd4 {, is fine for Black.}) ({RR} 22. dxc5 Bxc5 23. Kg2 d4 24. cxd4 Bxd4 25. Nc2 Bf6 26. Bg5 Bxg5 27. hxg5 O-O-O 28. Ne1 Nc6 29. a3 Ne5 30. Rc1+ Kb8 31. Rc3 Rd6 32. Rh4 Rhd8 33. Be2 Rd2 34. Kf1 g6 35. Re4 Nc6 36. Nd3 Bf5 {Burg,T (2526)-Seo,J (2409) Lund 2019 1-0 (75)}) 22... O-O 23. Rd1 Rfd8 24. Ng2 cxd4 25. cxd4 Rac8 26. Bb3 Nc6 {Again a fine idea, trying to harass the b3-bishop.} 27. Bf4 Na5 28. Rdc1 {White is dreaming of getting a better ending with the knight vs the e6-bishop, but Black of course is not interested!} Bb4 $1 {Preserving the dark-squared bishops is essential.} 29. Bd1 ({White cannot go for} 29. Bc7 Nxb3 30. axb3 Re8 31. Rxa7 Bd6 32. Rxb7 Re7 33. Bxd6 Rxb7 34. Rxc8+ Bxc8 35. b4 Rd7 36. Bc5 Ba6 {, as only Black can have winning chances here.}) 29... Nc4 30. b3 Na3 31. Rxc8 Rxc8 32. Rc1 Nb5 33. Rxc8+ Bxc8 {(D) [#] The position seems to be dead equal, but from now on M.Carlsen is not at his best...} 34. Ne3 $6 ({Troubles start! Good is} 34. Bb8 a6 35. Nf4 $11 {.}) 34... Nc3 35. Bc2 {(D) [#]} Ba3 $1 {White's queenside pawn structure seems to be in trouble...} 36. Bb8 $6 ({Black seems to be doing good after} 36. Bd3 Be6 (36... Nxa2 $6 37. Nxd5 Nb4 38. Nxb4 Bxb4 39. Ke2 $11) 37. Nc2 Bb2 38. a4 Na2 $15 {.}) 36... a6 37. f4 {(D) [#]} Bd7 $1 38. f5 Bc6 ({Obviously better than} 38... Nb5 $6 39. Nxd5 Nxd4 40. Bd1 $11 {.}) 39. Bd1 Bb2 ({With hindsight I would have gone for an ending with the bishop pair after} 39... Nxd1+ 40. Nxd1 f6 $15 {. Well, the presence of the central pawns is not helping Black, but White will have to defend accurately. But Black's move is stronger.}) 40. Bxh5 {(D) [#]} Ne4+ $2 ({The notorious 40th move!} 40... Nxa2 $1 {can be dangerous:} 41. Ba7 Nc3 42. Bb6 Nb5 43. Nc2 Nd6 $1 (43... Bd7 $2 44. Bg4 Nd6 45. Ne3 Nc8 46. Bc7 Bxd4 47. Bf3 Bxf5 48. Bxd5 b5 49. Bb7 Bg4 50. Bxa6 Ne7 51. Be5 Ba7 52. Bb7 Nf5 53. Bf4 $11) 44. Bf3 (44. g4 Ne4+ 45. Ke2 Nf6 $17) 44... Nxf5 45. Bg4 Nd6 46. Nb4 Ne4+ $17 {.}) 41. Kg2 Bxd4 42. Bf4 Bc5 {(D) [#] Black still seems to be doing better, but White finds a radical, and quite far from obvious, solution.} 43. Bf3 $1 Nd2 {(D) [#]} 44. Bxd5 $1 ({An incredible solution to White's problems. Endless suffering is the passive} 44. Nf1 Nxf3 45. Kxf3 d4+ 46. Ke2 Bb5+ 47. Ke1 Bd3 $15 {. For me it is more than obvious that M.Carlsen's extreme and deep knowledge on various endings is the key point here - how else can you make such a radical decision?}) 44... Bxe3 45. Bxc6 Bxf4 46. Bxb7 Bd6 47. Bxa6 Ne4 {(D) [#] A consequence of forced moves after White's 44th.} 48. g4 {(D) [#]} (48. Kf3 Nxg3 49. Bd3 Nh5 50. a4 Bb4 51. Ke4 {is another great story! The analysis is extremely difficult and in general I would say that White should hold here, but I can be proven wrong by some powerful engine!}) 48... Ba3 $1 {The only move - Black's wins one of the two connected white queenside pawns.} 49. Bc4 Kf8 50. g5 Nc3 51. b4 $1 {It is important to retain an as far as possible outside pawn.} Bxb4 52. Kf3 Na4 53. Bb5 Nc5 54. a4 {(D) [#] So, White has just two pawns for the piece and he doesn't seem able to make any progress. But can Black win? And if yes, how? He will obviously need his king to capture the white a-pawn, but in the meantime White will exchange the kingside pawns. I think that White can hold.} f6 55. Kg4 $1 {The white king has to stay on the kingside, protecting his pawns.} Ne4 56. Kh5 Be1 57. Bd3 Nd6 {White can also wait here - I cannot see how Black will radically improve, but M.Carlsen creates with his next a marvelous position - the straightest way to gain a fortress! This kind of thinking is of a legend player!} 58. a5 $1 Bxa5 59. gxf6 gxf6 60. Kg6 Bd8 61. Kh7 $1 {(D) [#] A very nice position for White! Some facts to understand it: 1) The white h-pawn shouldn’t move to h6. 2) The white king should be able to be retained to g6- and h7-squares. 3) The white bishop should be able to check the black king if he goes to f7. 4) Black can win if his king enters the h8- or f7-squares.} Nf7 62. Bc4 Ne5 63. Bd5 Ba5 64. h5 Bd2 65. Ba2 Nf3 66. Bd5 Nd4 {(D) [#]} 67. Kg6 $2 ({White blunders! Correct is} 67. Bc4 Bc3 68. Bd3 $11 {.}) 67... Bg5 68. Bc4 {(D) [#]} ({What else? If} 68. h6 Ne2 69. Kh7 Nf4 70. Be4 Nh3 71. Bh1 (71. Kg6 Kg8 $19) 71... Nf2 72. Bf3 Nd3 73. Be2 Ne5 74. Bh5 Nf7 $19 {, or}) (68. Be4 Kg8 $19 {.}) 68... Nf3 $2 ({And the favour is returned! Black could cash the point with some delicate manoeuvres:} 68... Bh4 $1 69. Bd5 Ne2 70. Bf3 Ng1 $1 71. Bd5 Bg5 72. Kh7 Ne2 73. Bf3 Ng3 74. Bg4 {(the bishop 'lost' the important a2-g8 diagonal)} Kf7 75. Kh8 Be3 76. Kh7 Bc5 77. Kh8 (77. Bd1 Nxf5 78. Bb3+ Ke7 79. Kg6 Nh4+ 80. Kg7 Bd4 $19) 77... Bf8 78. Kh7 Ne4 $19 {.}) 69. Kh7 {Back to business!} Ne5 70. Bb3 Ng4 71. Bc4 Ne3 72. Bd3 $1 ({But not} 72. Be6 $2 Bh4 73. Bd7 Nf1 74. Ba4 Ng3 75. Kg6 Kg8 $19 {. White must always keep in mind the notes after the 61st move and never fall into a zugzwang! Easier said than done!}) 72... Ng4 73. Bc4 Nh6 74. Kg6 {(D) [#] Black cannot make progress, so he decides to move with the king.} Ke7 75. Bb3 Kd6 76. Bc2 Ke5 77. Bd3 Kf4 78. Bc2 Ng4 79. Bb3 Ne3 80. h6 Bxh6 (80... Bxh6 {Draw agreed. White can draw with either} 81. Kxf6 {, or} (81. Kxh6 Nxf5+ 82. Kg6 Ke5 83. Bc2 {[%emt 3:12:44] . The game looked as another dull case in the start, but quickly moved to a classic one! And what an endgame surprise by the great Magnus!})) 1/2-1/2

[Event "World-ch Carlsen-Caruana"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2018.11.19"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B33"]
[WhiteElo "2832"]
[BlackElo "2835"]
[Annotator "So,Wesley"]
[PlyCount "75"]
[EventDate "2018.11.09"]
[EventType "match"]
[EventRounds "12"]
[EventCountry "GBR"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 187"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.12.11"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.12.11"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{Game 8 of the Carlsen-Caruana match. Many questions are in the air. Are we going to see the same Sicilian Rossolimo or will we finally see 1.e4 e5? Will they break the drawing streak and someone draw first blood?} 1. e4 {Fabiano sticks to his openings as you can see from his games so far. With White he plays 1.e4 and with Black he does not change his lines. This is not really surprising as this flow is recommended in many top matches. Plus, Leinier Dominguez being one of his assistants and a fan of this same system himself, I think it's safe to assume we will see 1.e4 whenever Fabiano is White here in London.} c5 {I can't help wondering though why Magnus sticks to the Sicilian in these games. Against Sergey Karjakin two years ago he only played 1...e5 and had absolutely no problems. I suppose it's a matter of fashion and personal preference. Before this Championship match the Sicilian was never really the main opening of Magnus even less so the Sveshnikov.} 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 {Checking what Magnus had prepared against the Open Sicilian, I must say I am surprised that Fabiano avoided going for 3.Bb5. He must have run out of good ideas there.} cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 e5 {Now we see the long-awaited Sicilian Sveshnikov! This opening became very popular during the late 90s and early 2000s thanks to the effort of Kasparov, Kramnik and Leko. These days it has a rock solid reputation and is often employed as a barricade to any White attempts at an advantage. It is obvious Fabiano expected this and accordingly prepared a special idea. The Sveshnikov holds good memories for me as back in the days of my youth it was my one and only opening against 1.e4. One of my first ever chess books was by Mikhail Krasenkow published in 1996! I also had books by Yuri Yakovich and Dorian Rogozenco on this specific opening. It is always a pleasure for me to annotate a game on an opening that has good vibes for me.} 6. Ndb5 d6 7. Nd5 Nxd5 8. exd5 Nb8 {This is the main retreat, the knight will be transferred to the kingside via d7 later on. Even though I have not checked the most updated theory here recently, it is known that this is the most solid option for Black.} ({Retreating to e7 is possible} 8... Ne7 {where Black's plan next consists of Nf5 followed by ...g6-Bg7.}) 9. a4 {This is the first surprise. 9.c4 is the main move here. I wonder if Magnus' team preparation anticipated this. It is not clear yet if this idea poses any serious threat to the Sveshnikov. I am sure over the board it can be difficult to face.} ({The normal continuation for most games here is} 9. c4 Be7 10. Be2 O-O 11. O-O a6 12. Nc3 f5 {where we have a typical position. White has a grip on the queenside while Black has more space on the other flank. The position should be close to equal. I had this position in some of my games many years ago. One of them went} 13. f3 Nd7 14. Rb1 Bg5 15. b4 b6 16. a3 $14 {when White seems slightly better but the game ended in a draw later on. ½-½ (58) Wan,Y (2471)-So,W (2577) Manila 2008}) 9... Be7 10. Be2 O-O 11. O-O Nd7 (11... f5 12. Bd2 f4) 12. Bd2 {Quiet, refined and dangerous moves like this one are very much Caruana! Remember 9.Bd2 in the Ruy Lopez against Aronian in the Candidates? (Though to be fair Grischuk played it first.) Anyway my point is, there is more to this move than meets the eye.} f5 {This looks like a most natural response.} (12... Nf6 {Seems like a good move that requires further research. After} 13. Be3 a6 14. Na3 Qa5 $5 {A funny instance that could work.} 15. c4 Qd8 $5 {The idea is to blockade the queenside dark-squares with a5 and b6.} 16. Nc2 (16. b4 a5) 16... a5 17. Na3 b6 {Black has accomplished his strategy and the position now looks very interesting to me.}) 13. a5 a6 (13... f4 $5 14. Bb4 Nf6 15. c4 a6 16. Nc3 Bf5 17. f3) 14. Na3 e4 {I think Magnus is playing all the most logical moves here. He fixes the problem of needing more space for his pieces by securing the e5 post for his knight.} (14... f4 {is one of the suggestions I saw on the live book.} 15. Nc4 Rf6 {The idea is to attack on the kingside with Rh6 while keeping the b6 square protected for the moment.}) (14... Nf6 15. Bb4 Bd7 16. Nc4 Bb5 17. Nb6 Bxe2 18. Qxe2 Rb8 19. f4 $14) 15. Nc4 Ne5 16. Nb6 {Keeping the queenside in check. This protected knight is very annoying on b6 and it controls many squares. Now White can always grab the bishop pair if need be.} (16. Nxe5 dxe5 17. Bc4 Bd6 18. Re1 Bd7 19. Bf1) 16... Rb8 17. f4 exf3 18. Bxf3 g5 $6 {The best word to describe my thoughts when I first saw this move is "shocking"! This looks at first sight like utter desperation. With a powerful knight on b6 tying down Black's queenside and significantly more space, it looks like White's opportunities have a substantially higher chance to succeed.} ({It seems to me that much stronger is} 18... Bf6 19. c3 Nd7 {to get rid of the annoying White knight. The f6 bishop can then be posted on e5.} 20. Be3 Be5) ({Or Black can also start with} 18... Nd7) ({RR} 18... Bf6 19. c3 g5 20. Be2 f4 21. Nxc8 Qxc8 22. Kh1 b5 23. axb6 Rxb6 24. Qc2 Bg7 25. b3 Qb7 26. b4 Qxd5 27. Qa2 Qxa2 28. Rxa2 d5 29. Rxa6 Rxa6 30. Bxa6 Nc4 31. Rd1 Nxd2 32. Rxd2 Bxc3 33. Rxd5 {Svidler,P (2735)-Caruana,F (2819) Karlsruhe/Baden Baden 2019 ½-½ (40)}) 19. c4 {While watching this game live I thought Magnus was in deep danger here. His attack does not seem to be going anywhere. At the same time Black has to be careful not to weaken his king's position. And White's play on the queenside is definitely faster. We might finally see a decisive result today!} f4 ({RR} 19... Bf6 20. Bc3 g4 21. Be2 Bg7 22. Qd2 Qh4 23. g3 Qh5 24. Rae1 Bh6 25. Qd4 Bg7 26. Qf2 Rf7 27. c5 Bd7 28. cxd6 Rbf8 29. Bxe5 Bxe5 30. Nxd7 Rxd7 31. Bxg4 Qxg4 32. Rxe5 Rxd6 33. Qf4 Qg7 34. Rf2 {Casadio,N (2186)-Ezra,P (2362) Kaltern ITA 2025 1-0 (44)}) 20. Bc3 $146 ({Trading the light-squared bishops with} 20. Be4 {is a serious option too.} Bf5 21. Bxf5 Rxf5 22. Bc3 {White has a stable advantage.}) ({RR} 20. Be4 Bf5 21. Qc2 Bxe4 22. Qxe4 Qc7 23. Rac1 Rbe8 24. c5 dxc5 25. b4 Bd6 26. bxc5 Bxc5+ 27. Kh1 Qd6 28. Na4 Qh6 29. d6 Bxd6 30. Nc5 f3 31. g3 Qh3 32. Rf2 Ng4 33. Qd5+ Kh8 34. Rcf1 Bxg3 {Wu,H-Jiang,Q (2319) Liaocheng CHN 2024 0-1 (39)}) ({RR} 20. Be4 Bf5 21. Qc2 Bxe4 22. Qxe4 Qc7 23. Rac1 Rbe8 24. c5 dxc5 25. b4 Bd6 26. bxc5 Bxc5+ 27. Kh1 Qd6 28. Na4 Qh6 29. d6 Bxd6 30. Nc5 f3 31. g3 Qh3 32. Rf2 Ng4 33. Qd5+ Kh8 34. Rcf1 Bxg3 {Wu,H-Jiang,Q (2319) Liaocheng CHN 2024 0-1 (39)}) 20... Bf5 (20... Bf6 {is met by the same c5} 21. c5 $1 {it is incredible how powerful this pawn sacrifice can be.} dxc5 22. d6 Nxf3+ 23. gxf3 Bxc3 24. bxc3 Be6 25. Re1 $18 {when White is just totally winning. The knight on b6 and the pawn on d6 totally bind up Black's forces.}) 21. c5 $1 {Fabiano is playing accurately and powerfully. White wastes no time in mobilizing his forces at the cost of a pawn.} Nxf3+ (21... Bf6 22. c6 $16) 22. Qxf3 dxc5 23. Rad1 {This seems like a most natual move. What can be more instinctive than putting a rook behind a passed pawn? But here White had two great opportunities that would almost certainly lead to a win.} (23. g4 $1 {is an enormously powerful move. It kicks away Black's bishop from its ideal square on f5. After} Bg6 (23... fxg3 24. Qxg3 {leads to a winning attack. After} Bd6 {White has Be5, with irresistible threats.}) 24. Rad1 Bd6 (24... Bf6 25. d6 $18 {Once the d-pawn reaches d6, it is over.}) 25. Rfe1 {White is cruising to the win. Black cannot defend against the rook infiltration on e6. Nc4 is another huge threat.} c4 26. Re6 Qc7 27. Qh3 $18) (23. Rae1 Bf6 (23... Bd6 24. Nc4) 24. h4 {also looks absolutely dominating. After} h6 25. hxg5 hxg5 {We have the now familiar motif} 26. g4 {which just crushes Black's defences. Of course although in both cases the lines are totally winning for White, lets be fair. It's easy to see it with a coffee in one hand, a sandwich in the other, and an incredibly powerful computer analyzing lines right in front of you. Poor Carlsen and Caruana have to do all the calculating in their heads over a board.}) 23... Bd6 24. h3 $2 {I suppose Fabiano panicked a little in the face of the threat of g4. White can opt for more active possibilities at his disposal.} (24. Qh5 {looks like a natural move to me. If White is afraid of the g4 push then he can play this.} Qe8 (24... Bg6 {is met by} 25. Qh3 {Now} Bf5 {can be replied to by the typical} 26. g4 $1 {gaining time and dislodging the Black bishop.} Bg6 27. Rfe1 f3 28. Re6 {and now Rxg6 is a threat. It seems that once a White rook gets to e6 Black's defences fall apart.}) 25. Qxg5+ Qg6 26. Qxg6+ hxg6 27. Nc4 {White still maintains a clear advantage in the ending.}) (24. Nc4 {could be stronger still. Albeit the lines look a bit more like computer variations. It is probably too hard for a human to find them over the board.} g4 25. Qf2 f3 (25... g3 26. Qd2 Qh4 27. h3 $18) 26. Rfe1 fxg2 27. Qxg2 {Black's king turns out to be much more vulnerable than White's.}) 24... Qe8 $1 {Black more or less equalizes now and does not give White any second chance after his mistake.} 25. Nc4 Qg6 {Black manages to mobilize his forces very comfortably. Now he is ready to fight for control in the center and he is a pawn up. So Fabiano decides its time to trade pieces.} 26. Nxd6 (26. Rfe1 Rbe8) 26... Qxd6 27. h4 (27. Qh5 Qg6 28. Qxg6+ hxg6 {does not lead anywhere for White.} 29. d6 {could just be met by} Rbd8) 27... gxh4 28. Qxf4 Qxf4 29. Rxf4 h5 {The last accurate move. It secures the g4 square.} 30. Re1 (30. d6 Bg4 31. Rxf8+ Rxf8 32. Rd5 Rf5 $11) 30... Bg4 31. Rf6 Rxf6 32. Bxf6 Kf7 33. Bxh4 Re8 34. Rf1+ Kg8 35. Rf6 (35. d6 Re2 $11) 35... Re2 36. Rg6+ Kf8 37. d6 Rd2 38. Rg5 1/2-1/2

[Event "World-ch Carlsen-Caruana"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2018.11.22"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B33"]
[WhiteElo "2832"]
[BlackElo "2835"]
[Annotator "Shankland,Samuel L"]
[PlyCount "107"]
[EventDate "2018.11.09"]
[EventType "match"]
[EventRounds "12"]
[EventCountry "GBR"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 187"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.12.11"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.12.11"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{The 10th game of the World Championship match was the most back and forth affair of any game thus far. There were plenty of games where one side did not make the most of their chances, but this has been the only one where I thought both players at some point had very real winning chances.} 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 {Magnus stays true to his Rossolimo/Sveshnikov repertoire for the 5th time in a row. Starting from game 5, I have expected him to pivot every single game, and been wrong every single time. Perhaps he will just play this the whole way through?} 3. d4 {Caruana eschews Bb5, which he chose in his first 3 White games.} cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 e5 6. Ndb5 d6 7. Nd5 {I was a bit surprised to see Caruana enter the same line as game 8. Even though he got an excellent position in that game, he had to figure Magnus would have come with improvements, and the line is supposed to be okay for Black.} (7. Bg5 {Leads to the mainline Sveshnikov.}) 7... Nxd5 8. exd5 Nb8 9. a4 Be7 10. Be2 O-O 11. O-O Nd7 12. b4 $5 {The first major deviation. Caruana chose Bd2 in the previous game. Still, the move does not look too impressive to me.} (12. Bd2 {Carlsen misplayed the position and quickly ended up worse.}) 12... a6 13. Na3 a5 $5 {A very commital decision, but not a bad one. Magnus forces the queenside open right away, a fearless decision against a prepared opponent, but he had other options.} (13... b6 {Appeals the most to me. Black tries to keep the queenside closed and will look for his own counterplay with f7-f5. In fact, I actually prefer Black in a practical game here.}) 14. bxa5 Rxa5 15. Nc4 Ra8 16. Be3 {Caruana was still playing very fast. He probably was in his preparation.} ({RR} 16. Bd2 b6 17. a5 Ba6 18. axb6 Nxb6 19. Ne3 Bxe2 20. Qxe2 Qd7 21. Ra6 Na4 22. Ra1 Rxa6 23. Qxa6 Nc5 24. Qa7 Qxa7 25. Rxa7 Bg5 26. h4 Bh6 27. Bb4 Bxe3 28. fxe3 Ne4 29. Rd7 Rc8 30. Bxd6 Nf6 {Martins,B (2378)-Silva,P (2278) Matosinhos POR 2025 1-0 (42)}) 16... f5 $1 {Black absolutely needs counterplay, and f5-f4 is coming. However, unlike game 8, here White cannot comfortabll play f2-f4 himself to keep his kingside secure.} 17. a5 (17. f4 {Black is absolutely fine after} exf4 18. Bxf4 Nb6 (18... g5 $5 {If Black is in a feisty mood})) 17... f4 $1 18. Bb6 Qe8 $146 {The battle lines are drawn. White clearly has an edge on the queenside, Black's pieces (particularly the c8-bishop and d7-knight) look a little clumsy, and the b6 square could prove to be a problem. But Black's kingside pawn mass promises him decent counterplay.} ({RR} 18... Nxb6 19. Nxb6 Rb8 20. Bg4 Bf5 21. Bxf5 Rxf5 22. Qd3 Rg5 23. c4 Qc7 24. Rfd1 Rf8 25. c5 f3 26. g3 Rg4 27. cxd6 Bxd6 28. Rac1 Qf7 29. Nc4 Bb8 30. d6 Rd4 31. Qc3 Qd5 32. Ne3 Qxd6 33. Qb3+ {Seo,J (2455)-Urh,Z (2195) Uppsala 2020 1-0 (43)}) ({RR} 18... Nxb6 19. Nxb6 Rb8 20. Bg4 Bf5 21. Bxf5 Rxf5 22. Qd3 Rg5 23. c4 Qc7 24. Rfd1 Rf8 25. c5 f3 26. g3 Rg4 27. cxd6 Bxd6 28. Rac1 Qf7 29. Nc4 Bb8 30. d6 Rd4 31. Qc3 Qd5 32. Ne3 Qxd6 33. Qb3+ {Seo,J (2455)-Urh,Z (2195) Uppsala 2020 1-0 (43)}) 19. Ra3 {A not so mysterious rook move. It looks pointless now but Black's plan is clearly to launch a kingside attack, and the rook will be a good defender laterally along the third rank.} (19. Re1 {This is the computer's recommendation by a wide margin, but I don't really understand the move? I guess it just serves as some vague prophylaxis against e5-e4. It claims white is better but I am unconvinced because after} Rf6 $1 {Black is ready to challenge the b6-bishop via Be7-d8.}) 19... Qg6 20. Bc7 e4 $1 {Carlsen is in burn the bridges mode. His pawns are vulnerable and could quickly fall if the center were to open at an inopportune moment, but he is looking for direct counterplay against White's king, truly in the style of the Sveshnikov.} (20... Ra6 {A quiet defensive move like this one was surely fine, but I think the World Champion was right to go for it.}) (20... b5 $5 {It was also possible to play in the same manner as the game, only without committing to e5-e4. This could make some sense as the central pawns proved weak.} 21. Nb6 (21. axb6 $2 {It's possible this move annoyed Magnus since e5-e4 no longer works, but it is also insufficient.} Rxa3 22. Nxa3 {The problem is here Black needs a new attacking plan since e5-e4 fails to bring its desired returns.} Nc5 $1 {The b-pawn is well under control, and most importantly, White's pieces are totally unprepared to defend his king. How will the c7-bishop ever contribute to a proper defense? Rf6-h6 is coming and Black should win.} (22... e4 23. Bh5 $1 Qg5 24. Qg4 $1 {White is doing well. Getting his queen to g4 will really lesse any attacking chances Black can hope for})) 21... Nxb6 22. Bxb6 {This leads to a similar position to the game, but Black does not need to play e5-e4 if he so desires. For instance, he seems to have a good position after} b4 23. Rb3 Bf5 $1 {When it is clear there are reasons the pawn is good on e5 as well.}) 21. Kh1 b5 $5 {A very commital move, but not a bad one.} (21... Qh6 {The machines prefer a slower buildup with something like this. Black certainly will have attacking chances by lifting the f8-rook, but I don't mind Magnus's decision either.}) 22. Nb6 $1 (22. axb6 $2 {This would be asking for trouble. I find it unlikely White will survive after the energetic} Rxa3 23. Nxa3 f3 $1 24. gxf3 Ne5 $1 {Black's attack looks devastating.}) 22... Nxb6 23. Bxb6 Qg5 $6 {Technically, this move loses the game against best play, but it comes with a very nasty idea of playing Rf6-h6 and delivering mate on the h-file. A machine with its nerves of steel would have no trouble grabbing h5, but for a human, it looks absurdly dangerous.} 24. g3 {Caruana's move makes a lot of sense. Taking on f4 and bringing the rook to g3 should dispel any mating dreams.} (24. Bxb5 $1 {White could have gotten away with this.} Rf6 {Extreme precision is needed to beat back the attack, but it is possible.} 25. Re1 $1 {An important move. White hits the e4-pawn while simultaneously clearing f1 for the bishop.} Bf5 (25... Rh6 26. Rxe4) (25... Rg6 26. Bf1 Bf5 (26... Ba6 27. Rxe4 $1 $18) 27. a6 Rh6 28. a7 Qh4 29. h3 f3 {This loks absolutely terrifying for a human, but apparently White wins with another only move:} 30. Qd4 $1 $18 {The point is to defend against the threat of Bxh3 followed by Qg4.} Bxh3 31. gxh3 Qg4 32. Rxf3 $1 {No more exf3 thanks to the pin exerted by the queen being on d4. After} Qxf3+ 33. Bg2 {The a-pawn will carry the day. One certainly cannot fault Caruana for not seeing all of this.}) 26. f3 $1 e3 27. a6 Rh6 28. Re2 $3 {An incredibly difficult only move that would have to have been prepared in advance. White is ready to play Qg1 and hold the position together. Even then, the variation continues.} Qh5 29. Qg1 Bh4 30. g4 $1 fxg3 31. Raxe3 $1 {White wins. But this is really just a machine line, and outside of human capability.}) 24... b4 25. Rb3 (25. gxf4 {I would have been tempted to clear the 3rd rank for defensive purposes, and this probably is an easier route to equality. Still, while Caruana's choice gives him some only moves to find, he did find the moves and he objectively was not worse.}) 25... Bh3 26. Rg1 $1 {The rook is needed for defensive purposes.} (26. Re1 Bf6 $1 {Moves like Bc3 or Be5 could come next. White is in trouble.}) 26... f3 {White is under a lot of pressure. Around here I thought Caruana might crack and give Magnus the first decisive result, but he defended very well.} 27. Bf1 $1 {This is a tough move. I would have been tempted to just let the bishop stay on h3, since White can always sacrifice an exchange on g2 very happily and otherwise it's not clear what active role the bishop plays. But it was absolutely critical to play Bf1.} (27. Bb5 $2 {A move like this looks sensible...} Rf6 $1 {Until you realize White will simply be mated on the h-file! Rh6 and Qh5 is coming, and there is nothing to be done.}) 27... Bxf1 $1 (27... Qh5 {Caveman play does not work here since White is in better shape to keep the h-file under control. The queen coming to f1 is very important, for instance after} 28. Rxb4 Rf6 29. Bxh3 Qxh3 30. Be3 $1 {Black will not get Rh6 very easily, and e4 is hanging to boot. White should win.}) 28. Qxf1 $1 {Another important decision. White cannot allow a disaster on the h-file. His position looks awful with the queen and the rook so passively placed and the d5-pawn falling, but he remains solid and can rely on the a5-pawn for counterplay.} (28. Rxf1 $2 {Keeping active pieces comes at a heavy price. After} Qg4 $1 29. Rxb4 Rf5 $1 {White will promptly be mated by Rh5 and Qh3.}) 28... Qxd5 29. Rxb4 Qe6 30. Rb5 $11 {The position is dynamically balanced, but White has to be more careful than Black. He managed without a ton of trouble.} Bd8 31. Qe1 $1 {The queen returns to life.} Bxb6 32. axb6 Rab8 33. Qe3 Qc4 34. Rb2 Rb7 35. Rd1 Qe2 $1 {Setting a devilish trap, though it is not enough to claim an advantage.} 36. Re1 $1 {Far from the only holding move, but I am awarding an exclamation point for not falling for Black's idea.} (36. Qb3+ $2 Kh8 37. c4 {Looks like it traps Black's queen. But the nasty response} Rxb6 $1 $19 {Would promptly turn the tables!}) 36... Qxe3 37. Rxe3 d5 {The position is balanced as neither side can easily mobilize their pawn majority. Black's center looks impressive, but he can't do anything with it so long as he is left with a passive rook on b7.} 38. h4 Rc8 39. Ra3 Kf7 40. Kh2 Ke6 41. g4 Rc6 42. Ra6 Ke5 43. Kg3 h6 44. h5 {The position is some kind of mutual stalemate where neither side can do anything. Magnus tried to make something happen with} Kd4 $2 {But only made trouble for himself after the strong response} 45. Rb5 $1 {When Black has to be somewhat accurate to not get into trouble. Still, he has more than one route to a draw, and Magnus found a very easy one.} Rd6 $1 {Overprotecting the d5-pawn White was planning to harass with Raa5.} 46. Ra4+ Ke5 47. Rab4 Ke6 {Nice and easy. White has no good way to challenge Black's central pawn mass without allowing liquidation.} 48. c4 dxc4 49. Rxc4 Rdxb6 50. Rxe4+ Kf7 51. Rf5+ Rf6 {Black loses a pawn but simplifies into an easily drawn 3 vs 2 on the kingside. Caruana did not even bother trying. His winning chances are approximately zero.} 52. Rxf6+ Kxf6 53. Kxf3 Kf7 54. Kg3 {With only 2 games to go, each player has only one game to try with White. Carlsen gets to go first, and I'll be interested to see what first move he chooses, as well as if we will see a 6th 2.Nf3 Nc6 Sicilian in the final game.} 1/2-1/2

[Event "World-ch Carlsen-Caruana"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2018.11.24"]
[Round "11"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C42"]
[WhiteElo "2835"]
[BlackElo "2832"]
[Annotator "Gelfand,Boris"]
[PlyCount "110"]
[EventDate "2018.11.09"]
[EventType "match"]
[EventRounds "12"]
[EventCountry "GBR"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 187"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.12.11"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.12.11"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 {It is noteworthy that Magnus shuffles beetween 1.d4, 1.c4 and 1.e4, while Fabiano had always started his games with 1.e4.The reason is a totally different attitude to opening preparation by world champion and the challenger.} e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 {I am happy to see that Fabiano sticks to a Petroff, which served him well this year (especially in the Candidates,where he didn't face any problems in this opening) I had successfully used this opening for many years and during World Cup 2009 which I won it was my only weapon. However, before my World Championship match vs Vishy Anand in 2012, I switched to the Sveshnikov (Magnus' choice in this match!) in order to surprise my opponent. It seems that Fabiano has even more trust in Petroff than I had!} 3. Nxe5 d6 4. Nf3 Nxe4 5. Nc3 {One of the most popular systems nowadays.} Nxc3 6. dxc3 Be7 7. Be3 O-O {Here, two schools of thoughts exist. Vladimir Kramnik and myself had always castled short, which is a more ambitious try. More popular is 7...Nc6, followed by Be6, Qd7 and long castle with a solid, but passive position. Fabiano tried it both, but had chosen a more principled approach in this important game.} 8. Qd2 Nd7 9. O-O-O Nf6 (9... Ne5 {was a system I advocated with quite a success, but since then some new, interesting ideas have been found.}) (9... c6 {was Fabiano's choice earlier this year. He equalized convincingly against Levon Aronian.} 10. h4 (10. Kb1 d5 11. c4 Nb6 12. cxd5 Nxd5 13. Bc4 Bf5 14. Bxd5 cxd5 15. Qxd5 Qc8 16. Nd4 Bg6 17. Ka1 Re8 18. Rhe1 Bf6 19. c3 Re5 20. Qb3 a6 21. Bf4 Rxe1 22. Rxe1 Qd7 23. Be5 Re8 24. f4 Bd8 25. a4 h6 26. Rd1 Qg4 27. Rd2 b5 28. axb5 axb5 29. Qd1 Qd7 30. f5 Bg5 31. Rd3 Bxf5 32. Nxf5 Qxf5 33. Bg3 Ra8+ 34. Kb1 Rd8 35. Kc2 b4 36. cxb4 Rc8+ 37. Kb3 Qe6+ 38. Rd5 Rd8 39. Kc4 Qc6+ {0-1 (39) Robson,R (2660)-Caruana,F (2804) Saint Louis 2018}) 10... d5 11. Kb1 Re8 12. Bd3 Bc5 13. Rde1 Bxe3 14. Rxe3 Rxe3 15. Qxe3 Nf6 16. Re1 Qd6 17. Qe8+ Qf8 18. Qxf8+ Kxf8 19. Kc1 Bd7 20. c4 dxc4 21. Bxc4 Re8 22. Rxe8+ Bxe8 23. Kd2 Ke7 24. Ne5 Nd7 25. Nf3 Nf6 26. Ne5 Nd7 27. Nf3 Nf6 28. Ne5 {1/2-1/2 (28) Aronian,L (2780)-Caruana,F (2827) Batumi 2018}) 10. Bd3 ({Fabiano failed to equalize with White in the following game} 10. h3 c5 11. Bf4 Be6 12. a3 d5 13. Ng5 Bd7 14. g4 Bc6 15. Bg2 Re8 16. Qd3 Bd6 {1/2-1/2 (98) Caruana,F (2784)-Hou,Y (2654) Karlsruhe/Baden-Baden 2018}) 10... c5 11. Rhe1 Be6 {Ex-women's world champion Alexandra Kosteniuk is the main advocate of this setup.} 12. Kb1 (12. Bg5 {White won a beautiful game after} h6 $2 13. Bxh6 c4 14. Bxg7 $1 cxd3 15. Qg5 Ne4 16. Qh6 Bg5+ 17. Nxg5 Qxg5+ 18. Qxg5 Nxg5 19. Bxf8 dxc2 20. Rxd6 Kxf8 21. h4 Nh7 22. Kxc2 {1-0 (62) Karjakin,S (2779)-Harikrishna,P (2763) Shamkir 2016 CBM 173 [Mekhitarian,K]}) 12... Qa5 13. c4 Qxd2 14. Bxd2 {Black's position is extremely solid and I believe he has solved all the opening problems. Either Magnus trusted in his ability to exploit minimal advantages or he was not well prepared for this game. I would tend to believe the first option.} h6 {A small deviation from an earlier game.} (14... Rfe8 15. Ng5 Bd7 16. f3 Bc6 17. a3 h6 18. Ne4 Nxe4 19. Bxe4 Bxe4 20. Rxe4 Bf8 21. Bf4 g5 22. Bg3 f5 23. Ree1 Kf7 24. Kc1 Rxe1 25. Rxe1 Re8 26. Rxe8 Kxe8 {1/2-1/2 (48) Sasikiran,K (2671)-Miroshnichenko,E (2606) Saint Louis USA 2018}) 15. Nh4 (15. h3 $5 {would prevent Ng4-e5 ,but give Black time to prepare d6-d5}) 15... Rfe8 16. Ng6 Ng4 17. Nxe7+ Rxe7 18. Re2 Ne5 19. Bf4 (19. Bc3 {was the last attempt to spice things up:} Nxd3 $140 ({Safer is} 19... f6 20. Bxe5 dxe5 21. Bg6 Rd7 $11) 20. Rxd3 Rd7 21. Rg3 g6 22. Rxe6 (22. Bf6 $5) 22... fxe6 23. Rxg6+ Kh7 24. Rxe6 {with a complicated endgame.}) 19... Nxd3 20. Rxd3 Rd7 {The rest of the game is hardly interesting.} 21. Rxd6 $146 ({RR} 21. Red2 Bxc4 22. Rxd6 Rxd6 23. Rxd6 Be6 24. b3 Kf8 25. c4 Ke7 26. Rd2 b6 27. Kb2 Rd8 28. Rxd8 Kxd8 29. Kc3 Bf5 30. h4 Bb1 31. a4 {½-½ (31) Wang Yue (2652)-Wang Hao (2702) Fuling CHN 2024}) ({RR} 21. Red2 Bxc4 22. Rxd6 Rxd6 23. Rxd6 Be6 24. b3 Kf8 25. c4 Ke7 26. Rd2 b6 27. Kb2 Rd8 28. Rxd8 Kxd8 29. Kc3 Bf5 30. h4 Bb1 31. a4 {½-½ (31) Wang Yue (2652)-Wang Hao (2702) Fuling CHN 2024}) 21... Rxd6 22. Bxd6 Rd8 23. Rd2 Bxc4 24. Kc1 b6 25. Bf4 Rxd2 26. Kxd2 a6 ({Avoiding a cute trap:} 26... Bxa2 $2 27. b3 c4 28. Kc3 cxb3 29. Kb2) 27. a3 Kf8 28. Bc7 b5 29. Bd6+ Ke8 30. Bxc5 {Even though White is a full pawn up, this is a dead draw.} h5 31. Ke3 Kd7 32. Kd4 g6 33. g3 Be2 34. Bf8 Kc6 35. b3 Bd1 36. Kd3 Bg4 37. c4 Be6 38. Kd4 bxc4 39. bxc4 Bg4 40. c5 Be6 41. Bh6 Bd5 42. Be3 Be6 43. Ke5 Bd5 44. Kf4 Be6 45. Kg5 Bd5 46. g4 hxg4 47. Kxg4 Ba2 48. Kg5 Bb3 49. Kf6 Ba2 50. h4 Bb3 51. f4 Ba2 52. Ke7 Bb3 53. Kf6 Ba2 54. f5 Bb1 $1 {The only finesse Black should know.} 55. Bf2 Bc2 (55... Bxf5 $4 56. h5) 1/2-1/2

[Event "World-ch Carlsen-Caruana"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2018.11.26"]
[Round "12"]
[White "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B33"]
[WhiteElo "2832"]
[BlackElo "2835"]
[Annotator "So,Wesley"]
[PlyCount "62"]
[EventDate "2018.11.09"]
[EventType "match"]
[EventRounds "12"]
[EventCountry "GBR"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 187"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.12.11"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.12.11"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{The last game, where so much is at stake. If Fabiano wins he'll become the 17th world champion. All his tournaments, all the work of his life has been aimed at reaching this point. After accomplishing everything necessary to reach the goal of playing for the World Championship, Fabiano has survived eleven tough rounds to get to this last game. I cannot think of any game where there's so much to play for. Will we see Fabiano win the biggest game of his life? Or will we see Carlsen defend his title once again?} 1. e4 $1 {Nielsen,Peter Heine In the last few months and in tournaments before this one, Fabiano had been experimenting with 1.d4 or 1.c4. Although he had great results with White in some games in the Catalan or the Nimzo, that was just a distraction for Magnus to ponder. In this match of all matches, Fabiano will stick to his main opening 1.e4!} c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 {Shelving 3.b5, which has been played three times in this tournament.} cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 e5 6. Ndb5 d6 {As predicted by many people including myself, we see the Sveshnikov Sicilian for the last game. I'm sure many people were pleased to see such a sharp opening for the final game of the match. Magnus has strongh nerves. In order to be able to play such a sharp opening you have to come very well prepared; there are many pitfalls and traps that Black can easily fall into in the Sveshnikov. You have to have complete trust in your ability to calculate and assess the arising positions. Part of me wonders what would happen if Magnus employed 1...e5 in a game in this match.} 7. Nd5 (7. Bg5 {is the main move here by far. Fabiano has played this many times before, his most recent being a big win against Gata Kamsky in the 2017 US Championships.} a6 8. Na3 b5 9. Bxf6 gxf6 10. Nd5 {Now Black can play both 10...f5 or 10...g7. This complex variation used to be very popular. Just a few years ago Boris Gelfand and Teimour Radjabov were staunch defenders of this line. These days we'll probably see 7.d5 grow into popularity since everyone copies the top player's games.}) 7... Nxd5 8. exd5 Ne7 {While annotating game 8 for ChessBase, I wondered what would happen if Magnus chose 8...e7. Today we'll see exactly that.} ({The usual move} 8... Nb8 {was played in games 8 and 10.}) 9. c4 ({Many years ago while reading Rogozenco's The Sveshnikov Reloaded book, I remember that 9.c3 was considered White's best. It gives White some extra options on the queenside.} 9. c3 {Now Black should probably play 9...f5 to keep d6 defended. If he tries} Ng6 $2 {it's a mistake since} (9... f5 $5 10. Qa4 Kf7 {is playable too, though White might be a bit better after} 11. Qb4) 10. Qa4 Bd7 11. Qc4 {is unpleasant. Especially after} Rc8 12. Qb4 {hitting the d6 and a7 pawns.}) 9... Ng6 10. Qa4 Bd7 {is a quick way to decide the last round game and head for the rapid playoffs. But if this happens we might see protesters and rioters in London, and the fans who paid tickets would definitely want a full refund. Playing top level chess is not easy, but fortunately Fabiano comes well prepared and ready to fight for an advantage.} 11. Qb4 Bf5 {The best move, I'm sure Magnus is still following his prep.} ({The most natural move is} 11... Qb8 {It has been played 13 times in the past according to the ChessBase Live Book. Still it doesn't seem to equalize. White just has too much space.} 12. h4 h5 13. Be2 a6 14. Nc3 Be7 15. g3 $14 {for example here. I still like White, after making natural moves for both sides. It seems to me that White has an easier game and the knight on g6 is misplaced.}) ({Needless to say} 11... Bxb5 12. Qxb5+ Qd7 {has to be avoided. No one should give up the bishop pair without getting someting concrete in return.}) 12. h4 h5 $146 {Black pushes back and does not give White any more space to work with. Fabiano likes playing with a lot of space and it's dangerous to give him too much ground to work with. Coincidentally this is also a novelty according to my database.} (12... Be7 13. h5 Nf4 14. Be3 a6 15. Nc3 Nd3+ 16. Bxd3 Bxd3 17. Rd1) (12... a6 13. h5) 13. Qa4 {A provocative move and a typical strategy. By repeating the position twice a player can move the game closer to the time control on move 40. This allows him or her to have more time to think on critical positions. This makes more sense in complicated or unfamiliar openings like the Sveshnikov. In a Berlin 5.e1 or a symmetrical Petroff it is perhaps unnecessary. But in this game it could be beneficial as we are in foreign territory at such an early stage of the game.} ({RR} 13. Bg5 Qb8 14. Qa4 Bd7 15. Qc2 Bxb5 16. cxb5 Be7 17. Bd3 Nf8 18. b6 Nd7 19. bxa7 Qxa7 20. O-O Bxg5 21. hxg5 O-O 22. Bf5 Rad8 23. b4 Qd4 24. Qc7 Nb6 25. Rad1 Qf4 26. Bh3 Na4 27. g6 fxg6 {Caruana,F (2819)-Carlsen,M (2845) Karlsruhe/Baden Baden 2019 ½-½ (71)}) ({RR} 13. Bg5 Qb8 14. g3 a6 15. Nc3 Qc7 16. Be2 Be7 17. Be3 e4 18. Qa4+ Bd7 19. Qb3 Bf5 20. O-O Ne5 21. Bd4 O-O 22. Bxh5 Rac8 23. Rad1 Nxc4 24. Rfe1 e3 25. Bxe3 Nxe3 26. Rxe3 Bf6 27. Rde1 Qd7 {Polak,T (2443)-Hrbek,S (2446) Plzen CZE 2025 0-1 (39)}) 13... Bd7 14. Qb4 Bf5 15. Be3 $146 {White gains time from creating threats on the queenside. I suppose he has to act quickly or else Black comfortably finishes his development. Then the construction of Black active pieces on the kingside guarantees counterplay. In that regard 15.g5 looks interesting too.} ({A slow move like} 15. Be2 {will not cut it, if White is looking for an advantage. After} Be7 16. g3 a6 17. Nc3 e4 {Black creates strong counterplay with f6 and e5 coming next.}) ({It is tempting to disrupt Black's development with} 15. Bg5 {and with hindsight I would recommend this move. Black does not really want to play f6, and e7 loses so} Qb8 {has to be played.} (15... Be7 $2 16. Bxe7 Kxe7 17. c5 {is bad for Black. Now his king is forced unto f6} dxc5 18. Qxc5+ Kf6 {And now 19.d6 leaves Black's king in a tough spot.} 19. Nd6 $16) 16. g3 (16. Qa5 $5 {is a deep computer move. The fun idea is that} b6 17. Qa4 Bd7 18. Bd3 {White wants to win quickly with f5 but} Be7 $1 {equalizes and takes out the fun.} (18... a6 19. Bf5 $1 {is tough to meet for Black.}) 19. Bxg6 fxg6 20. Bxe7 Kxe7 21. Qc2 Kf7 $11) 16... a6 17. Nc3 Be7 18. Be2 Qc7 {now we get a line very similar to the game, but Black has to spend two tempi moving his queen from b8 to c7. Also Fabiano avoids the possibility of 15...e7 as could happen in his game. It does not look like there is much difference to the untrained eye, but in top level chess little things like this matter.}) ({RR} 15. Bg5 Qb8 16. Be2 a6 17. Nc3 Qc7 ({RR} 17... Nf4 18. Bf1 Be7 19. Bxe7 Kxe7 20. g3 Ng6 21. Qb6) 18. g3 Be7 19. Be3 e4 20. O-O O-O 21. Bxh5 Ne5 22. Be2 Qd7 23. Qa4 Qc8 24. c5 ({RR} 24. Qd1 Nxc4 25. Bxc4 Qxc4 26. Bd4) 24... dxc5 25. Nxe4 c4 26. Nc3 b5 ({RR} 26... Bd3 27. Bxd3 Nf3+ 28. Kg2 Nxh4+) 27. Qd1 b4 28. Na4 Be4 29. Qd4 ({RR} 29. f3 Qh3) 29... Qf5 {Karjakin,S (2753)-Carlsen,M (2845) Shamkir 2019 CBM 190 [Nielsen,Peter Heine] 0-1 (39)} {RR} 30. f3 Nxf3+ ({RR} 30... Bxf3 31. Rae1) 31. Bxf3 Bxf3 32. Qf4) ({RR} 15. Bg5 Qb8 16. Be2 a6 17. Nc3 Qc7 18. g3 Be7 19. Be3 e4 20. O-O O-O 21. Bxh5 Ne5 22. Bd4 Nd3 23. Qb3 Bxh4 24. gxh4 Qe7 25. Ne2 Qxh4 26. Ng3 Nf4 27. Nxf5 Qxh5 28. Qg3 Ne2+ 29. Kg2 Nxg3 {Tsolakidou,S (2389)-Buksa,N (2377) Budva MNE 2023 1-0 (36)}) 15... a6 {I wonder where both players preparation ended. I suspect it was a move ago. Here Black has another seemingly better (albeit more risky) option.} ({I like here} 15... Be7 {Black is going to get fast development and piece play for his pawn.} 16. Nxa7 (16. Bxa7 O-O 17. g3 b6 {the bishop on a7 is in a tricky spot.}) (16. g3 {Black can finish his development by castling or go 16...e4 and 17...f3.}) 16... O-O {White has many possibilities now. It is not simple to defend over the board against Black's initiative. Perhaps} 17. Bb6 (17. g3 Be4 18. Rh2 Bf3 19. Nb5 f5 $1 {with attack.}) (17. Qxb7 $2 Qa5+ 18. b4 Qa3 $19) (17. Nb5 Nxh4) (17. Be2 Nf4) (17. a4 Nxh4 $13) 17... Qd7 18. Qb5 {is the safest in order to trade queens. The position is very complex.} Bd8 19. Qxd7 Bxd7 20. Bxd8 Rfxd8 21. Nb5 Bxb5 22. cxb5 Ra4 23. g3 Rc8 $13) 16. Nc3 Qc7 {Solid and simple.} ({There is no need to go for assymetrical positions} 16... Be7 17. Qxb7 O-O 18. O-O-O Nxh4 19. Qb6 $14 {it feels that the h4 pawn is not as important as Black's b7 pawn.}) 17. g3 (17. Qa4+ Bd7 18. Qd1 Ne7) 17... Be7 18. f3 (18. Qa4+ Bd7 19. Qd1 Bg4 20. Be2 Bxe2 21. Qxe2) (18. Be2 Nf8) 18... Nf8 $1 {Optimal rearrangement of the pieces. In these kinds of positions you want to delay castling until White shows his hand. Castling short now will only tempt White to go for a full frontal kingside attack with e2, and g4/f4 etc.} (18... O-O 19. Be2 Bd7 20. a4 $1 {With the queenside closed, White can focus on planning his kingside attack.} f5 21. f4 exf4 22. gxf4 {the position is complex, but it should be in White's favour.}) 19. Ne4 Nd7 (19... Bxe4 20. fxe4 Nd7 21. Bh3 $14) 20. Bd3 O-O ({Watching this game live I expected} 20... Bg6 {although perhaps it does not make much difference since Black has to castle sooner or later.}) 21. Rh2 $2 {No doubt the enormous tension of the last round of the World Championship match takes its toll on everyone. Both players start making mistakes. This has a nice idea to it, but it's too ambitious and simply does not work. White wants to play c2 and castle long, but this gives Magnus more than enough time and options to meet this plan. Fabiano gives the impression that he likes positions of opposite castled kings. Therefore this move does not come as a big surprise from him. It's just too ambitious.} ({White has to acquiesce and play the calmer} 21. O-O Bg6 22. Qd2 {when f5 is always met by g5. White can still try to fight for an advantage if Magnus is not careful.}) (21. O-O-O b5 $15 {castling queenside is unrealistic at this point.}) 21... Rac8 ({Or} 21... Bg6) 22. O-O-O Bg6 {Now f5 is coming and its unpleasant to meet it as White has no good way to prevent it. His best option now is to play calmly and brace for the coming storm.} 23. Rc2 ({I thought at first} 23. Kb1 {was better to keep the rook on the h-file for now.} f5 24. Ng5 Bxg5 25. hxg5 e4 26. fxe4 Ne5 27. Be2 {but still both g4 or fxe4 now is in Black's favour.}) 23... f5 24. Nf2 (24. Ng5 Bxg5 25. hxg5 e4) 24... Nc5 $17 {Black has seized a powerful initiative and is slowly taking over.} 25. f4 {Desperation, but what else? White hopes to at least keep the g6-bishop away from action.} (25. Bxc5 dxc5 26. Qe1 Rfe8 {as I said earlier no one really wants to give up the bishop pair unless necessary.}) 25... a5 {An automatic move in conjuction with a piece outpost on c5. I wonder if Magnus thought of or even considered b5 ideas here.} (25... exf4 26. Bxf4 b5 {looks powerful, and might be just close to winning.} 27. Qd2 {is the sternest defence, when Black can go 27...f6, or 27...b6. White's position is tough to defend and his consolation (asleep bishop on g6) is not enough to save him objectively. His pieces are just badly placed especially the knight on f2. Not to mention shaky king safety.} (27. Kb1 a5 {when taking on b5 will lead to a queen trap after e8.} 28. Qxb5 $2 Be8) 27... Bf6) (25... b5 {is perfectly good too with the same ideas.}) 26. Qd2 {I expected f6 now to keep the tension on the kingside open for a while, but Magnus has no qualms about closing it right away.} e4 (26... Bf6 27. Be2 {is possible, and now Black can think whether to take on f4 or play like Magnus with e4. The computer gives a large advantage for Black after taking on f4, but it is definitely far from clear over the board.} exf4 28. gxf4 Rfe8 29. Rg1 (29. Bd4 Qe7) 29... Bf7 30. Kb1 a4 {Black has b3 ideas and even positional exchange sacrifices on e3.} 31. Bf3 Rxe3 32. Qxe3 Re8 33. Qa3 Bd4 {these are computer lines of course. I cannot imagine anyone finding any of these in a tournament game.}) 27. Be2 Be8 {Still even after not playing the best way on move 25 Magnus keeps hopes alive by maintaining a stable advantage. White has to solve the small issue of his vulnerable king.} 28. Kb1 Bf6 (28... Ba4 {is possible, White can sac the exchange with} 29. Bxh5 {now} b5 {is an out of this world move. Black is clearly better here by the way.}) 29. Re1 ({White's best defense is} 29. Nh3 $1 {posting the knight on g5. From there it always has the option to jump on e6 and create distraction.} Ba4 $5 30. b3 {looks scary for White, though he probably just survives the onslaught.} Bxb3 31. axb3 Nxb3 32. Qe1 b5 33. c5) 29... a4 {Magnus misses a great opportunity to try to seal the deal.} (29... Ba4 $1 {is incredibly powerful. Black's attack is simply much faster in all lines. Here are some ChessBase engine analysis:} 30. Rcc1 (30. b3 Bxb3 31. axb3 Nxb3 32. Qd1 a4 $1 {Is a steady but sure way to win as White cannot defend against all the threats. a5 is Black's main idea.} 33. Bxh5 (33. Ka2 Qa5 34. Qb1 b5) 33... Qa5 34. Bg6 Qb4 {Now a possible line is} 35. Qh5 (35. Ka2 Nc1+) 35... Rfd8 36. Bxf5 Nd4+ 37. Rb2 Qxe1+ 38. Ka2 Nxf5 39. Qxf5 Bxb2 {when White loses all his pieces.}) (30. Bxh5 Bxc2+ 31. Qxc2 b5 32. cxb5 Qd7 33. Qe2 Na4 $19) 30... b5 $1 {An important follow up.} 31. cxb5 (31. Bxh5 Qb7) (31. Bd4 Bxd4 32. Qxd4 bxc4 33. Rxc4 Rb8) 31... Qb6 32. Bd4 Bxd4 33. Qxd4 Bxb5 34. Bxh5 a4 {basically Black is almost winning after 29...a4. I think though it is unrealistic to expect a person to find it over the board. Just reading the reports on ChessBase I can only imagine how much tension the players are going through to perform well. Pressure, pressure pressure from every side.}) 30. Qb4 g6 31. Rd1 {When I first saw this move I thought it was an internet glitch. I expected Fabiano to improve the position of his knight with 31.d1.} (31. Nd1 {White will hopefully unravel and take a solid stance with d2 and c3.}) 31... Ra8 {Draw agreed. A big surprise, considering that Black still had a stable advantage in the position and on the clock. (If I remember correctly Magnus had 50 minutes left here compared to Fabiano's 20 minutes.) I guess h3 followed by g5 gives White a solid position, so Magnus decided to call it a day.  Magnus must be really looking forward to the rapid tiebreaks, as he did two years ago against Sergey Karjakin. He missed great winning opportunities on move 25 and move 29 and I sort of suspect he came into the game with an eye on the tiebreaks. It's also posisble that he just wnated to make a lot of people happy (including myself). As two years ago we again get to see a four game rapid playoff! I am very excited to watch this match live. My prediction is that Fabiano will give Magnus a run for his money. That said, rapid games are a totally different kind of chess. Usually the player with the better nerves wins. Let's see what happens.} 1/2-1/2

[Event "Tata Steel-A 81st"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2019.01.15"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Kramnik, Vladimir"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C00"]
[WhiteElo "2835"]
[BlackElo "2777"]
[PlyCount "112"]
[EventDate "2019.01.12"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 188"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.12.21"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.12.21"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. d3 Bc5 5. c3 d5 6. Nbd2 dxe4 7. dxe4 O-O 8. O-O Qe7 9. b4 Bd6 10. a3 a5 11. Rb1 axb4 12. axb4 Be6 13. Re1 $146 ({RR} 13. Qe2 Ra2 14. Ng5 Bg4 15. Qc4 Rfa8 16. h3 Bd7 17. Qd3 h6 18. Ngf3 Be6 19. Bc4 Bxc4 20. Nxc4 Qe6 21. Ne3 Rd8 22. Nd5 Nxd5 23. exd5 e4 24. Qc4 Ne5 25. Qxe4 Qg6 26. Qxg6 Nxf3+ 27. gxf3 fxg6 {Moussard,J (2672)-Duda,J (2750) Chennai 2022 ½-½ (38)}) ({RR} 13. Qe2 Ra2 14. Ng5 Bg4 15. Qc4 Rfa8 16. h3 Bd7 17. Qd3 h6 18. Ngf3 Be6 19. Bc4 Bxc4 20. Nxc4 Qe6 21. Ne3 Rd8 22. Nd5 Nxd5 23. exd5 e4 24. Qc4 Ne5 25. Qxe4 Qg6 26. Qxg6 Nxf3+ 27. gxf3 fxg6 {Moussard,J (2672)-Duda,J (2750) Chennai 2022 ½-½ (38)}) 13... Rfd8 14. Qc2 h6 15. Bf1 Ra2 16. Bb2 Qe8 17. Nc4 b5 18. Ne3 Ne7 19. Ra1 Rda8 20. Rxa2 Rxa2 21. Ra1 Rxa1 22. Bxa1 Qa8 23. Bb2 Qxe4 24. Qxe4 Nxe4 25. Bxb5 f5 26. Bd3 Nf6 27. Bf1 g5 28. Nc4 Bxc4 29. Bxc4+ Kg7 30. Nd2 e4 31. Bb3 c6 32. h3 h5 33. Kf1 Kg6 34. Nc4 Bc7 35. Na5 Nd7 36. Ba4 Nb6 37. Bxc6 Nxc6 38. Nxc6 Nc4 39. Bc1 f4 40. f3 exf3 41. gxf3 g4 42. Kg2 Kg5 43. b5 g3 44. Nb4 Ne3+ 45. Bxe3 fxe3 46. Nd3 e2 47. f4+ Bxf4 48. b6 Kf5 49. Kf3 g2 50. Kxg2 Ke4 51. Ne1 Ke3 52. b7 h4 53. c4 Bg3 54. c5 Kd2 55. Nf3+ Kd1 56. c6 Kc1 1/2-1/2

[Event "Tata Steel-A 81st"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2019.01.16"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Van Foreest, Jorden"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B33"]
[WhiteElo "2612"]
[BlackElo "2835"]
[Annotator "Howell,David"]
[PlyCount "66"]
[EventDate "2019.01.12"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 188"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.12.21"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.12.21"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 {Edouard,Romain Fernandez,Daniel Howard} c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 {Carlsen sticks to his repertoire from the recent World Championship match.} 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 e5 6. Ndb5 d6 7. Nd5 {The first surprise of the game. Van Foreest is a very principled player who often favours direct openings, especially with White. However it seems excessively brave to take on Carlsen in this line. While Van Foreest might have spent several hours preparing this position, it is likely that Carlsen and his team (assisted by powerful engines) had spent many weeks analysing the following labyrinthine varitions for the World Championship. In hindsight it would have been wiser to choose something which would have been less fresh in Carlsen's memory.} (7. Bg5 {is the main line of the Sveshnikov Sicilian. Play could then continue:} a6 8. Na3 b5 9. Nd5 (9. Bxf6 gxf6 10. Nd5 {leads to many long complex variations with chances for both sides.}) 9... Be7 10. Bxf6 Bxf6 11. c4 ({or} 11. c3) 11... b4 12. Nc2 {with a strategic battle ahead.}) 7... Nxd5 8. exd5 Ne7 {This was played twice by Carlsen in his recent match against Caruana.} (8... Nb8 {also featured in two games from the World Championship match.}) ({RR} 8... Nb8 9. a4 Be7 10. Be2 O-O 11. O-O Nd7 12. b4 a6 13. Na3 a5 14. bxa5 Rxa5 15. Nc4 Ra8 16. Be3 f5 17. a5 f4) 9. c4 Ng6 10. Qa4 Bd7 11. Qb4 Qb8 {Carlsen shows his ambitious intentions.} (11... Bf5 {featured in Game 12 of the World Championship, but it allows a repetition of moves:} 12. Qa4 Bd7 13. Qb4 Bf5 14. Qa4 (14. h4 {was Caruana's choice in the aforementioned game and was also played by Kramnik at the 2018 Olympiad.})) ({RR} 11... Bf5 12. h4 h5 13. Qa4 Bd7 14. Qb4 Bf5 15. Be3 a6 16. Nc3 Qc7 17. g3 Be7 18. f3 Nf8) 12. h4 h5 {With the inclusion of the h-pawn moves it appears that neither king will find a safe haven on this side of the board.} 13. Be3 ({RR} 13. Bd3) 13... a6 ({RR} 13... b6 14. Be2 Be7 15. g3 a6 16. Nc3) 14. Nc3 f5 $5 {Not quite a novelty, but Carlsen displays his opening expertise by unleashing a rare idea.} (14... a5 {was Carlsen's choice in one of the decisive tie-break games against Caruana:} 15. Qb3 ({RR} 15. Qa3 f5 16. g3 Be7 17. Be2 Kf7 18. Na4) 15... a4 16. Qd1 Be7 ({RR} 16... Ne7) 17. g3 Qc8 18. Be2 Bg4 19. Rc1 Bxe2 20. Qxe2 Qf5 {and despite Carlsen's victory, White holds the upper hand.} ({RR} 20... O-O 21. b3 ({RR} 21. O-O Qh3 22. Qxh5 Nxh4 23. gxh4 Bxh4) 21... axb3 22. axb3 Qf5) 21. c5 (21. O-O $14 {would have left White with a long-term edge due to his structural superiority on the queenside.}) ({RR} 21. O-O O-O 22. Kg2 Rfc8 23. f3 Nf8 24. f4) 21... O-O $1 22. c6 bxc6 23. dxc6 Rfc8 24. Qc4 Bd8 25. Nd5 ({RR} 25. Ne4 Bc7 26. O-O) 25... e4 $2 26. c7 ({RR} 26. Bd4 Ba5+ 27. Bc3 Bxc3+ 28. Rxc3 Ra5) 26... Bxc7 $1 27. Nxc7 Ne5 28. Nd5 $2 ({RR} 28. Qd5 Rab8 29. O-O Rxc7) 28... Kh7 $1 {0-1, Caruana-Carlsen, London 2018.} ({RR} 28... Nxc4 29. Ne7+ Kh7 30. Nxf5 Nxe3 31. Rxc8 Rxc8 32. Nxe3 Rc1+ 33. Nd1) {RR} 29. Ne7 Qf3) ({RR} 14... a5 15. Qb3 a4 16. Qd1 Be7 17. g3 Qc8 18. Be2 Bg4 19. Rc1 Bxe2 20. Qxe2 Qf5 21. c5 O-O 22. c6 bxc6 23. dxc6 Rfc8 24. Qc4 Bd8 25. Nd5 e4 26. c7 Bxc7 27. Nxc7 Ne5 28. Nd5 Kh7 {0-1 (28) Caruana,F (2832)-Carlsen,M (2835) London 2018 CBM 187 [Fernandez,Daniel Howard]}) ({RR} 14... Be7 15. g3 ({RR} 15. Na4) 15... O-O 16. Be2 b5 ({RR} 16... Bg4 17. Bxg4 hxg4 18. h5) 17. cxb5 axb5 18. Bxh5 Bd8 19. O-O ({RR} 19. Bxg6 fxg6) 19... Ne7 20. Bg5 Ba5 21. Qb3 Nf5 22. Ne2 Bb6 ({RR} 22... f6 23. Bc1 Rc8 24. Bg6 Qb7 25. Qf3 Ne7) 23. Rac1 Ra4 24. Rc6 Bxc6 25. dxc6 Rc4 26. a4 ({RR} 26. Bf3 e4 27. Bg4 Nd4 28. Nxd4 Bxd4 29. Bd7 d5 30. Be7 Re8) 26... Nd4 ({RR} 26... d5 27. axb5 Rc5) 27. Nxd4 Bxd4 28. axb5 d5 29. Rc1 {Karjakin,S (2758)-Carlsen,M (2855) Stavanger 2021 CBM 204 [Edouard,Romain] 1-0 (54)}) ({RR} 14... a5) 15. O-O-O $146 {A natural choice, if somewhat risky.} (15. g3 {looks like a safe option}) ({while} 15. Be2 {is also playable.}) (15. Na4 $5 {was mentioned by Van Foreest after the game, and indeed this move would have led to interesting positions which would have suited his style:} f4 $1 16. Bd3 Nxh4 $1 {(apparently this was suggested by Carlsen in the post mortem. Further proof of the depth of his preparation)} 17. Rxh4 fxe3 18. Bg6+ Kd8 {with a very double-edged position. As usual, the engine eventually assesses this as 0.00 but neither king is safe and fireworks are likely to ensue.}) ({RR} 15. Na4 Qc7 16. Bb6 Qc8 17. Ba5 Bxa4 18. Qxa4+ Qd7 19. Qxd7+ Kxd7 20. g3 Be7 21. Bc3 Bf6 22. Kd2 Raf8 23. Bh3 Ne7 24. a4 e4 25. Bxf6 Rxf6 26. Rhe1 Kd8 27. b4 Ng6 28. Bf1 Ne5 29. Kc3 Nf3 {Mora Munoz,A (2135)-Hernandez,E (1973) Medellin COL 2025 ½-½ (66)}) ({RR} 15. Na4 f4 16. Bd3 Nxh4 17. Rxh4 fxe3 18. Nb6) ({RR} 15. g3 Be7 16. Be2 Kf7 17. Na4 f4) ({RR} 15. a4 Be7 16. a5 O-O 17. O-O-O Nxh4 18. Na4 f4 19. Nb6 Bg4 20. f3 Nxf3 21. gxf3 Bxf3 22. Bh3 fxe3 23. Be6+ Kh7 24. Rdg1 Bxh1 25. Rxh1 e2 26. Kd2 Rf1 27. Rxh5+ Kg6 28. Kxe2 Qf8 29. Rf5 Rxf5 {Paramzina,A (2224)-De Abreu,R (2154) Caleta 2020 0-1 (43)}) 15... Be7 16. g3 O-O $5 {An interesting pawn sacrifice, most likely still part of Carlsen's preparation.} (16... e4 {would have been my first thought. Black intends to land the knight on e5 as quickly as possible.}) ({Meanwhile the immediate} 16... b5 $5 {is also worthy of consideration.}) 17. Be2 {Now the h5-pawn is indefensible.} e4 18. Bd4 $6 {A step in the wrong direction.} ({Snatching the pawn with} 18. Bxh5 {was of course critical:} Ne5 19. Be2 b5 20. cxb5 axb5 $44 {it is clear that Black has compensation here. There is a simple plan of ...Rf8-c8 and ...Be7-d8-a5 while the white king is a target. However, the b5-pawn will soon fall and if an attack fails then White should convert his extra pawn.} 21. Bg5 $1 {looks like White's most accurate move to nullify the black initiative.}) ({If White was too afraid to capture on h5, then} 18. f4 {was another option:} exf3 19. Bxf3 Ne5 20. Be2 b5 21. cxb5 axb5 22. Bd4 $132 {and, compared to the game, Black's e5-knight lacks stability.}) 18... Bf6 19. Bxf6 Rxf6 20. Qb6 $2 {Van Foreest's plan is understandable; he wishes to prevent Black from opening the queenside. Unfortunately queens are known to be poor blockaders, and this short-term measure soon fails.} (20. Bxh5 {was now essential. Play could continue:} Ne5 21. Be2 b5 22. cxb5 Bxb5 $1 {(forcing the exchange of White's strong knight)} 23. Nxb5 axb5 24. a3 (24. Kb1 $6 Qa7 $15) 24... Rf8 25. Bxb5 Qc7+ 26. Kb1 Rfb8 $44 {with yet another position that is difficult to evaluate. Objectively chances are still equal, although in practical terms it feels easier to play Black.}) 20... Ne5 21. Kb1 Be8 $1 $15 {Black re-routes the bishop and intends to kick the white queen away from b6.} 22. Rd2 Nd7 23. Qd4 Qc7 24. Nd1 {The start of a poor manoeuvre, but it is not easy to offer any constructive alternatives. White's position is strategically dubious - it lacks purpose, while Black can slowly prepare the b7-b5 or f5-f4 pawn breaks.} Ne5 {Black's knight is incredibly powerful here. It simply cannot be challenged.} 25. Ne3 f4 $1 {Simple and strong.} 26. gxf4 Rxf4 27. Rg1 (27. Ng2 {does not help:} Rf8 28. Qe3 Qf7 29. Rf1 (29. Qxe4 Qxf2 $19) 29... Rc8 $17 {and Black holds an obvious advantage.}) 27... Bg6 28. Ka1 ({It is a sad situation when the engine suggests jettisoning material with moves such as} 28. Rxg6 {although Black's conversion task is not so easy:} Nxg6 29. Ng2 Rf5 $17 30. Qxe4 Qf7 31. Bd3 {and the game continues.}) 28... Raf8 29. c5 {Desperation, but otherwise f2 falls without compensation.} Rxf2 {Black simply gobbles the pawn.} (29... dxc5 {is also sufficient:} 30. Qc3 Qd6 $17) 30. Qc3 (30. c6 $5 {would have been my final attempt at creating confusion.}) 30... Qxc5 31. Qxc5 dxc5 32. d6 Kh7 33. d7 Nf3 {Winning material. A brutal victory from Carlsen, who pounced upon his opponent's indecisiveness to score his first win of the tournament.} 0-1

[Event "Tata Steel-A 81st"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2019.01.20"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Rapport, Richard"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B80"]
[WhiteElo "2835"]
[BlackElo "2731"]
[PlyCount "79"]
[EventDate "2019.01.12"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 188"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.12.21"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.12.21"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nc6 5. Nc3 Qc7 6. g3 a6 7. Bg2 Nf6 8. O-O d6 9. Nxc6 bxc6 10. Na4 Rb8 11. c4 c5 12. b3 ({RR} 12. f4 Be7 13. Qe2 Nd7 14. b3 Bb7 15. Bb2 O-O 16. Rad1 Bc6 17. Nc3 Bf6 18. e5 Bxg2 19. Qxg2 dxe5 20. Ne4 Be7 21. Qd2 Rbd8 22. fxe5 Nxe5 23. Qf4 Rxd1 24. Rxd1 f6 25. Bxe5 fxe5 26. Qg4 Qc6 {Giri,A (2776)-Korobov,A (2670) Bucharest 2019 ½-½ (40)}) 12... Be7 13. Bb2 O-O 14. Qe1 $146 ({RR} 14. Qc2 Bb7 15. Rad1 Rfd8 16. h3 Nd7 17. Kh2 Bc6 18. Nc3 Qb7 19. Rfe1 Ne5 20. Ba1 Be8 21. Ne2 Qc7 22. Nf4 Nc6 23. Qe2 Bf8 24. h4 a5 25. Bh3 Qa7 26. Nd3 a4 27. Rb1 axb3 28. Rxb3 Qa4 {Gantar,J (2134)-Mazi,L (2375) Aschach 2010 0-1 (77)}) ({RR} 14. f4 Bb7 15. Re1 Rfd8 16. Qe2 Ne8 17. Rad1 Bf6 18. e5 Bxg2 19. Kxg2 Be7 20. Qf3 dxe5 21. fxe5 g6 22. Rf1 Bf8 23. Kf2 Ng7 24. g4 Qe7 25. Ke2 Rbc8 26. h3 Qc7 27. Bc3 Ne8 28. Rd3 Bg7 {Jepson,C (2377)-Pedersen,N (2223) Ballerup 2020 ½-½ (52)}) 14... Nd7 15. Rd1 Bb7 16. Qc3 Bf6 17. Qd2 Be7 18. Qc3 Bf6 19. Qd2 Be7 20. f4 e5 21. Bc3 Bc6 22. Ba5 Qb7 23. Nc3 exf4 24. gxf4 Rfe8 25. e5 Bxg2 26. Qxg2 dxe5 27. Nd5 e4 28. Bc3 f6 29. Kh1 Kh8 30. Rg1 Bf8 31. Ne3 Qc6 32. Rd5 Qe6 33. Rh5 Qf7 34. Qh3 g6 35. Rh4 Rb6 36. f5 Ne5 37. Nd5 Rd6 38. fxg6 Nxg6 39. Bxf6+ Rxf6 40. Rxh7+ 1-0

[Event "Tata Steel-A 81st"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2019.01.23"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C77"]
[WhiteElo "2835"]
[BlackElo "2773"]
[Annotator "Hillarp Persson,Tiger"]
[PlyCount "151"]
[EventDate "2019.01.12"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 188"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.12.21"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.12.21"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. Nc3 $5 {This move takes an immediate step off the Ruy Lopez main road. The conventional wisdom is that the knight should go to d2, and then after 0-0, Re1 and Nd2-f1, it is within reach of the kingside meadows. If such a move was played by a beginner in the 90s, a stronger opponent would probably have pointed out that it is a mistake (although it clearly is not). Still, Spassky used to play this way and in the last decade, Dominguez Perez has kept it among his big guns.} Bc5 {Black faces an important choice already here. Should b5 be played or not? Should the bishop go to c5 or not? 5.Nc3 is obviously not a slower move than the usual 5.0-0, so Black doesn't have time for extravagant alternatives. When you start playing chess you clearly prefer c5 to e7, if you are to plonk down the bishop somewhere, but then later you become aware that the bishop could be vulnerable to c3/d4 and Nxe5/d4-tricks, so you turn a bit more philosophical about which "the right square" is for the bishop, and might even swing over to the e7-side. I sometimes get the feeling that really strong GMs have had the pendulum swing back to where c5 is the "right square".} ({The other main line goes} 5... b5 6. Bb3 Be7 (6... Bc5 {Ah, anyway! Clearly the better move order if you prefer to avoid the exchange on c6.} 7. d3 h6 8. Nd5 Rb8 (8... O-O) 9. c3 d6 10. O-O O-O {and we come to a position where White has a wide choice. When Carlsen and Anand played each other in Sinquefield Cup 2017, with opposite colours, their game reached this position and continued:} 11. Re1 Ba7 12. Be3 Bxe3 13. Nxe3 Re8 14. a4 b4 15. a5 bxc3 16. bxc3 Be6 17. Bxe6 Rxe6 18. Nd5 Ne7 19. Nxf6+ Rxf6 20. d4 Ng6 21. g3 Qc8 22. Re3 Rb5 23. Nd2 h5 $1 24. h4 Qh3 25. Qf1 Qg4 26. Qe2 Qxe2 27. Rxe2 Re6 {with a balanced game.}) 7. d3 d6 {Black is threatening to pick up the bishop pair with Na5 next, so White must do something about it. The usual way is...} 8. a3 O-O (8... Na5 9. Ba2 c5 10. b4 Nc6 11. Nd5 O-O 12. Be3 cxb4 13. axb4 Bb7 14. O-O Nxd5 15. Bxd5 Qd7 16. Qb1 {and although White is not significantly better, this seems like the kind of position White is striving for, Rapport,R (2715)-Kollars,D (2530) GRENKE Chess Open 2018.}) 9. Nd5 Na5 10. Ba2 Nxd5 11. Bxd5 c6 12. Ba2 {This position is hard to avoid for White in the 5.Nc3-line, so if you intend to play it you should have a look at it. I'm not entirely clear about what went on in the following game:} Bf6 13. O-O Re8 14. b4 Nb7 15. c4 Be6 16. Bb2 c5 17. Bc3 Qd7 18. cxb5 axb5 19. Bxe6 Qxe6 20. a4 Qd7 21. axb5 Rxa1 22. Qxa1 Qxb5 23. Qb1 Rb8 {1/2-1/2 (23) Rapport,R (2690)-Aronian,L (2785) Sharjah Grand Prix 2017}) ({A third option is to play} 5... Bb4 {, in analogy to the four knights opening.} 6. O-O (6. Nd5 $5) 6... O-O 7. d3 {...a6 is not, generally speaking, a move that Black would play in the four knights, since White would take on c6, but it is not clear to me that Black has anything to be unhappy about here.} Bxc3 8. bxc3 d6 9. Nd2 (9. Bg5 {is standard in this position, but then it is usual for Black to play Bd7 in order to prepare for a6, so one might argue that a6 actually is a slight gain for Black here.} Qe7 10. Re1 (10. Nd2 $5) 10... Nd8 {and suddenly we are in two-knights-land, by a long detour:} 11. Bb3 Ne6 12. Bh4 Nf4 13. Nd2 b5 14. Nf1 Ng6 15. Bg3 c5 16. Ne3 Qc7 17. h4 Be6 18. h5 Nf4 19. Bxf4 exf4 20. Nd5 Bxd5 21. Bxd5 Rae8 22. h6 Re5 $5 23. hxg7 Kxg7 24. Qd2 Rfe8 {and Black eventually won this rather unclear position, in Artemiev,V (2705)-Andreikin,D (2715) World Rapid 2018.}) 9... Re8 10. c4 Bd7 11. f4 Nd4 12. Bxd7 Qxd7 13. c3 Ne6 14. f5 Nc5 15. Nb3 b5 {and Black had managed to land himself in a situation where a6 actually makes sense, in Adhiban,B (2680) -Stevic,H (2585) Tournament of Peace 2018.}) 6. Bxc6 {How very Magnus.} ({After} 6. O-O b5 (6... O-O 7. Nxe5 Nxe5 8. d4 Bd6 9. f4 Neg4 10. h3 Bb4 11. e5 d6 12. exf6 Nxf6 13. Qf3 Bxc3 14. Qxc3 b5 15. Bb3 Bb7 16. f5 Re8 17. Bg5 Re2 18. d5 {and instead of taking the pawn, as in Vishnu,P (2535)-Grandelius,N (2640) CellaVision Cup 2017, Black could have played} c5 $1 19. Qd3 Qe7 20. Bxf6 gxf6 21. Rae1 Re5 {with a balanced game. I'm prone to put some thought into this move order as (my compatriot) Nils usually knows what he is doing.}) 7. Bb3 O-O 8. Nd5 $5 {is a spectacular way to try to make more sense of the 0-0 move order...} ({After} 8. d3 {we soon end up in a position that we looked at after 5...b5 6.Bb3 Bc5.}) 8... Nxe4 (8... h6 9. c3 $1 {and White's d-pawn doesn't have to 'refuel' on d3.}) 9. d3 Nf6 10. Bg5 Be7 11. Nxe7+ Qxe7 12. Re1 $44 {Anand,V (2785)-Kramnik,V (2805) Norway 2017}) 6... dxc6 7. d3 {This position is very similar to one of the main lines of the Berlin Defence (of the Ruy Lopez); the only difference is that the pawn is on a6. Usually strong GMs have prefered to play h3, Qe2, or Nbd2, rather than Nc3, in this position, but Magnus has played a blitz game earlier where he had exactly the same position (minus a6):} Qd6 {I presume Vishy was aiming to apply a similar set-up to the one Jakovenko used to win against Motylev (see comment after 9.0-0).} (7... O-O 8. Be3 (8. Qe2 Re8 9. h3 Nd7 10. Nd1 {can hardly be the hidden meaning behind Nc3...} Nf8 11. Ne3 {Rapport,R (2675)-Ding Liren (2770) FIDE World Cup 2017}) 8... Bd6 9. Bg5 Re8 (9... h6 10. Bd2) 10. h3 c5 11. Nd5 Be7 12. Nxe7+ Qxe7 13. O-O h6 14. Be3 Nd7 15. Nd2 Nb8 16. f4 exf4 17. Rxf4 Nc6 18. Qh5 b6 19. Raf1 Rf8 20. Nf3 Be6 21. Rh4 f6 22. Qg6 Qf7 23. Qg3 Nb4 24. Bxh6 Nxc2 25. Ne5 fxe5 26. Rxf7 Rxf7 27. Qg6 Bxa2 28. Bg5 Rff8 29. Rh7 Rf7 30. Bf6 {1-0 Carlsen,M (2835)-Karjakin,S (2760) World Blitz 2017 (with pawn on a7 instead of a6).}) ({RR} 7... O-O 8. Qe2 Re8 9. h3 Nd7 10. Nd1 Nf8 11. Ne3 {½-½ (11) Rapport,R (2675)-Ding,L (2777) Tbilisi 2017}) ({RR} 7... O-O 8. h3 h6 9. O-O Qe7 10. Be3 Rd8 11. Bxc5 Qxc5 12. Nd2 a5 13. Kh1 a4 14. a3 Be6 15. Ne2 Qb6 16. Qc1 Ra5 17. Rb1 Nh5 18. Nf3 Qc5 19. Qd2 b6 20. Rbd1 Qe7 21. Qe3 Qf6 22. d4 {Begmuratov,K (2409)-Jaiveer,M (2251) Petrovac MNE 2025 1-0 (37)}) 8. h3 Be6 9. Be3 $146 {Like I mentioned before; Black's bishop is on the "best square" and White's bishop has nowhere to go. It's simple maths that White wants them exchanged. (Magnus thought about the move for more than 10 minutes, so I guess my logic is somewhat over simplified...)} (9. O-O O-O-O 10. Ng5 Nd7 11. Kh1 f6 12. Nxe6 Qxe6 13. Ne2 Rhf8 (13... g6 $5) 14. Qe1 g6 15. b4 Bd6 16. Be3 f5 17. f3 f4 18. Bg1 g5 19. Qf2 b6 20. Rfb1 h5 21. a4 g4 {and Black went on to win, in Motylev,A (2686)-Jakovenko,D (2747) Yaroslavl 2014 (again with a pawn on a7, rather than on a6).}) ({RR} 9. Qe2 Nd7 10. Be3 Bb4 11. a3 Bxc3+ 12. bxc3 c5 13. a4 a5 14. O-O O-O 15. Nd2 f5 16. exf5 Bxf5 17. f3 b6 18. Bf2 Qg6 19. Kh2 Rae8 20. Rae1 Nf6 21. Nc4 Nd5 22. Nxe5 Qh6 23. Bg3 Nxc3 {Deac,B (2625)-Vrolijk,L (2480) Chess.com INT 2021 1-0 (51)}) ({RR} 9. O-O h6 10. Be3 g5 11. Bxc5 Qxc5 12. d4 exd4 13. Qxd4 Qxd4 14. Nxd4 Bd7 15. Rad1 O-O-O 16. Rfe1 g4 17. Nf5 Bxf5 18. exf5 gxh3 19. gxh3 Rhg8+ 20. Kh2 Rxd1 21. Nxd1 Kd7 22. Ne3 b5 23. b4 c5 {Leon Fernandez,J-Carcavilla Ledesma,J Alfaro 2008 ½-½ (54)}) 9... Nd7 10. Bxc5 Nxc5 11. Qd2 {This position seems like nothing special for White and if Black gets to play Nd7 and c5, then White has nothing. So the next two moves seem like the only ambitious alternative.} ({After} 11. O-O O-O-O {White regrets having played h3 when Black launches the g-pawn.}) 11... Nd7 12. d4 $5 ({I don't see a good way for White to change the pawn structure after} 12. O-O-O c5 {One can try a plan with Nf3-somewhere, followed by f4, but it will only give Black a good square for the knight on e5.}) 12... exd4 13. Nxd4 c5 {Slightly surprising and the kind of move one regrets after losing. It could be taken as a statement, that: "I will take the d5-square from your knight and then you have nothing." (Although Anand most certainly would not put it like that.)} 14. Nxe6 fxe6 {Ergo, no d5-square for White's knight.} 15. O-O-O Qxd2+ 16. Kxd2 $1 {The king belongs on e3 where it is centrally placed and can support White's extra kingside pawn.} (16. Rxd2 {is not completely bonkers either, since} Ke7 (16... O-O-O $1 {looks sensible, intending} 17. Rhd1 g5 18. b3 Rhg8 19. Ne2 Rg7 {, followed by Rd8-f8. With both pairs of rooks still on the board, White's extra kingside pawn doesn't mean as much.}) 17. Rhd1 Rhd8 18. f4 {, forces Black to play a less than comfortable endgame.}) 16... Ne5 17. f4 $1 {Only by unsettling this knight, before it becomes a permanent feature on e5, can Black be challenged.} (17. b3 g5 $1 18. f3 Ke7 19. h4 h6 {is comfortable for Black. White cannot get a passed pawn without giving Black a ton of activity.}) 17... Nc4+ 18. Kc1 {King is back where it came from, but the knight is floating without a strong point.} Ke7 19. b3 Nd6 $1 20. e5 Nf5 21. Ne4 ({There is something to be said for} 21. g4 $1 {, since it forces Black's hand:} Nd4 (21... Nh4 $2 {fails to tactics:} 22. f5 $1 exf5 23. Nd5+ Kf7 24. e6+ $1 $18 Kg6 25. Nxc7) 22. Rhf1 (22. Ne4 Ne2+ 23. Kb2 Nxf4 24. Nxc5 b6 25. Rd7+ Ke8 26. Rd4 Rf8 27. Nd7 Rf7 28. Nf6+ gxf6 29. Rxf4 Ke7 {is a position that Black can hold, if I haven't missed something.}) 22... Rhf8 23. Rf2 b6 24. Rdf1 $36 {This looks promising for White, but I feel that it could be one of those positions that habitual Berlin-defenders could have all figured out (no, no, that's the position when the knight is on h4!). Still, Anand avoided something very similar on the second next move...}) 21... b6 22. g4 Nh4 $1 {The advantage of hanging out on h4, is that there are no pieces that can push it away. The downside is, you know, knight on the rim...} (22... Nd4 23. Rhf1 {is similar to the line above, which means that 21.g4 probably was stronger than 21.Ne4, at least from Anand's point of view. Perhaps Magnus didn't bother to stop the knight from going to h4.}) 23. Rhf1 {From now on, life will be hard for Black.} Rad8 $6 ({Instead,} 23... Rhf8 {holds the balance without too much difficulty:} 24. Rf2 (24. Rd2 h6 25. Kd1 Rad8) 24... h6 {and I wonder how White will continue?} 25. Rfd2 (25. Ng3 Rad8 26. Nh5 Rxd1+ 27. Kxd1 g5) 25... Rad8 $1 26. Rxd8 Rxd8 27. Rxd8 Kxd8 28. Kd2 Ng2 29. f5 exf5 30. gxf5 Nh4 31. Ng3 Nf3+ 32. Ke3 Nxe5 33. Kf4 Nc6 34. Nh5 Ke7 35. Nxg7 Nb4 {and White should force a draw before things get out of hand.}) 24. Rxd8 Rxd8 25. f5 $1 {It seems that White got to play e5, f4, g4 and f5 a bit too easily. Considering what happens later, I wonder if Black felt the same thing here?} exf5 26. gxf5 Rf8 (26... Rd5 $5 27. Rf4 Ng2 28. f6+ gxf6 29. exf6+ Kf8 $1 (29... Kf7 30. Rg4 Re5 31. Rg7+ Ke8 32. Ng5 $18) 30. Rg4 Rd4 31. Rxg2 Rxe4 32. Rg7 c4 33. Rxc7 cxb3 34. axb3 Rh4 35. Rc6 b5 36. Rxa6 Rxh3 {and although Black is struggling, it seems that he has good chances to hold.}) 27. f6+ gxf6 28. exf6+ Kf7 $6 {This looks natural and Ng5+ can be met with Kg6. There is only one (well, actually two) problem(s) .} (28... Kd7 29. Rg1 h6 30. Rg7+ Kc6 31. Rh7 Kd5 32. Nc3+ Kd4 33. Na4 Rxf6 34. Rxc7) 29. Rf4 $5 {Forcing Black to block the king's road to the kingside.} (29. Rg1 $5 {looks even better. The point is that} Rg8 (29... Nf5 30. Ng5+ Ke8 31. Re1+ Kd7 32. Nxh7 Rf7 33. Rf1 Ng3 34. Rf2 Ne4 35. Rf4 Ng3 36. Kd1 Nh5 37. Rf5 Ng3 38. Rg5 $18) (29... Ng6 30. Ng5+ Ke8 31. Nxh7 Rf7 32. Rxg6 Rxh7 33. Rg8+ Kf7 34. Rg7+ Rxg7 35. fxg7 Kxg7 36. Kd2 $18) 30. Ng5+ Kxf6 31. Nxh7+ Kf7 32. Rxg8 Kxg8 33. Nf6+ Kf7 34. Nd5 {should win for White.}) 29... Ng6 30. Ng5+ Ke8 31. Rf1 h6 32. Ne6 Rf7 33. Rd1 $1 Rxf6 34. Nxc7+ Kf8 35. Nxa6 Nf4 36. h4 Ng6 37. Rh1 Rf7 38. h5 $2 {I cannot see how this helps White. The knight becomes more active on f4, so why force it to go there?} (38. a4 $1 {One way to make sense of h5 is that Magnus was worried about} Ra7 (38... h5 39. Kb2 Kg7 40. Rd1 Nxh4 41. Rh1 Nf5 42. Rxh5 {and White has a hard defence ahead.}) 39. Nb8 Rb7 40. Nc6 Rc7 {, but after} 41. Rf1+ Rf7 42. Re1 Nxh4 43. Rh1 {there is no good way to hold on to the pawn:} Nf5 (43... Rf4 44. Ne5 Kg7 45. Nc4 $18) 44. Ne5 Rg7 45. Nc4 $1 Rg6 $2 46. Rf1 $18) 38... Nf4 39. a4 Ke7 40. Nc7 Kf6 41. Nb5 Kg5 {Black has almost managed to equalize, or, wait, is it only a mirage? Has the king been deviously lured away from the queenside, so that White can continue with his insidious ways? No, not really, but it is still more difficult to play Black. White's knight is a bit more jumpy for the time being.} 42. Nd6 Re7 43. Kb2 Re6 (43... Nxh5 $1 44. Rg1+ Kf6 45. Rh1 Kg6 46. Rg1+ Kf6 {is very equal indeed.}) 44. Nf7+ Kf5 45. Rd1 $1 {To help the knights return to the queenside.} Kg4 46. Kc3 Kxh5 47. Rh1+ Kg6 48. Nxh6 {So, White is a pawn up again, but the knight is misplaced. Black needs to find a way to make a net that will keep it from getting out.} Re4 $1 {This stops the king from advancing further and keeps an eye on g4, from where Nh6 will try to stage its reentry into the game.} 49. Kb2 (49. Rh2 Nd5+ 50. Kb2 c4 $11) 49... Re2 $1 50. Ng4 Nd3+ $6 {Another slight mistake puts Black under pressure again.} (50... Kf5 $1 {was the way to keep the knight in the cage:} 51. Nh6+ Kg6 52. Kb1 Nd5 53. Ng4 Kg5 54. Rg1 Kf4 {and there is not way for White to gain coordination.}) 51. Kc3 Nb4 $6 {And with this the pressure becomes quite hard to bear, again.} (51... Ne1 $1 52. Rh2 Re4 53. Nf2 Re2 54. Kc4 Rxc2+ 55. Kb5 c4 56. bxc4 Rb2+ 57. Kc6 Nf3 58. Rg2+ Kf7 59. Kb7 Ne5 $11) 52. Rh2 $1 Rxh2 53. Nxh2 Kf5 54. Nf3 Ke4 55. Ne1 Kd5 56. Nd3 Nc6 (56... Na2+ 57. Kb2 Nb4 58. c4+ $1 (58. Nxb4+ $2 cxb4 59. c3 bxc3+ 60. Kxc3 Kc5 $11) 58... Ke4 59. Nxb4 cxb4 60. Kc2 Kd4 61. Kd2 Ke4 62. Ke2 Kd4 63. Kf3 Kc3 64. a5 $1 bxa5 65. c5 Kxb3 66. c6 {and White wins.}) 57. Nf4+ $1 Kd6 (57... Ke5 $2 {loses to} 58. Kc4 $1 Kxf4 (58... Na7 59. Nd5) 59. Kb5 Nb4 60. Kxb6 Nxc2 61. a5 Nb4 62. Kxc5 {and the knight is unable to stop both pawns.}) 58. Kc4 Na7 59. Nd5 Kc6 60. Ne7+ Kd6 61. Nf5+ Kc6 62. Kd3 Kc7 (62... b5 $1 {is a good start, exchanging one of the pawns.}) 63. Ke4 Nc6 64. Ne3 Kd6 65. Nc4+ Kc7 66. c3 Ne7 67. Ke5 Ng6+ 68. Kf5 Ne7+ 69. Ke6 Ng6 {On one hand, Black's position is awful, but on the other; there is no way for White to go forward.} 70. a5 b5 $4 {A terrible blunder in a drawn position.} (70... bxa5 $1 71. Kd5 (71. Nxa5 Nf4+ 72. Ke5 Ne2 73. c4 Kb6 $11 74. b4) 71... Nf4+ 72. Kxc5 Ne2 73. Na3 Nc1 74. Kc4 Kb6 75. Nc2 Ne2 76. Nd4 (76. Ne3 Nc1) 76... Nf4 77. Nf5 Ne6 {and there is no way for White to make progress.}) 71. Ne3 Nf4+ 72. Ke5 Ne2 73. Nd5+ Kc6 74. b4 Nxc3 75. Nxc3 cxb4 76. Ne2 {a rather tragic end to an exciting game.} 1-0

[Event "Tata Steel-A 81st"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2019.01.25"]
[Round "11"]
[White "Radjabov, Teimour"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B33"]
[WhiteElo "2757"]
[BlackElo "2835"]
[PlyCount "49"]
[EventDate "2019.01.12"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 188"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.12.21"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.12.21"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 e5 6. Ndb5 d6 7. Bg5 a6 8. Na3 b5 9. Nd5 Be7 10. Bxf6 Bxf6 11. c3 O-O 12. Nc2 Rb8 13. Be2 Bg5 14. O-O Kh8 15. a3 ({RR} 15. Bg4 Bb7 16. Ncb4 Nxb4 17. cxb4 g6 18. a4 bxa4 19. Rxa4 Bc6 20. Be2 Bxa4 21. Qxa4 f5 22. exf5 Rxf5 23. Bd3 Rf8 24. Qxa6 Bd2 25. Qc4 Qc8 26. Qe4 Bxb4 27. Nxb4 Rf4 28. Qc6 Rfxb4 29. Qxd6 Qf8 {Giri,A (2783)-Carlsen,M (2835) Wijk aan Zee 2019 ½-½}) 15... Ne7 $146 ({RR} 15... g6 16. Ncb4 Nxb4 17. axb4 f5 18. Bf3 Bb7 19. Qd3 Rc8 20. Rfd1 Qe8 21. Qe2 f4 22. Bg4 Rc6 23. Qf3 Bc8 24. Qh3 Bxg4 25. Qxg4 Bd8 26. h4 Qf7 27. Rd3 h5 28. Qh3 Rg8 29. b3 g5 30. hxg5 {Castellanos Rodriguez,R (2468)-Can,I (2500) Budapest HUN 2024 1-0 (52)}) ({RR} 15... g6 16. Ncb4 Nxb4 17. axb4 f5 18. Bf3 Bb7 19. Qd3 Rc8 20. Rfd1 Qe8 21. Qe2 f4 22. Bg4 Rc6 23. Qf3 Bc8 24. Qh3 Bxg4 25. Qxg4 Bd8 26. h4 Qf7 27. Rd3 h5 28. Qh3 Rg8 29. b3 g5 30. hxg5 {Castellanos Rodriguez,R (2468)-Can,I (2500) Budapest HUN 2024 1-0 (52)}) 16. Ncb4 Nxd5 17. Nxd5 Be6 18. Qd3 Qc8 19. Rad1 a5 20. Qg3 h6 21. h3 Qc6 22. Qd3 Qd7 23. Qg3 Qc6 24. Qd3 Qd7 25. Qg3 1/2-1/2

[Event "Tata Steel-A 81st"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2019.01.27"]
[Round "13"]
[White "Giri, Anish"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B33"]
[WhiteElo "2783"]
[BlackElo "2835"]
[PlyCount "59"]
[EventDate "2019.01.12"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 188"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.12.21"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.12.21"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 e5 6. Ndb5 d6 7. Bg5 a6 8. Na3 b5 9. Nd5 Be7 10. Bxf6 Bxf6 11. c3 Bg5 12. Nc2 Rb8 13. Be2 O-O 14. O-O Kh8 15. Bg4 ({RR} 15. a3 Ne7 16. Ncb4 Nxd5 17. Nxd5 Be6 18. Qd3 Qc8 19. Rad1 a5 20. Qg3 h6 21. h3 Qc6 22. Qd3 Qd7 23. Qg3 Qc6 24. Qd3 Qd7 25. Qg3 {½-½ (25) Radjabov,T (2757)-Carlsen,M (2835) Wijk aan Zee 2019}) ({RR} 15. a3 g6 16. Ncb4 Nxb4 17. axb4 f5 18. Bf3 Bb7 19. Qd3 Rc8 20. Rfd1 Qe8 21. Qe2 f4 22. Bg4 Rc6 23. Qf3 Bc8 24. Qh3 Bxg4 25. Qxg4 Bd8 26. h4 Qf7 27. Rd3 h5 28. Qh3 Rg8 29. b3 g5 {Castellanos Rodriguez,R (2468)-Can,I (2500) Budapest HUN 2024 1-0 (52)}) 15... Bb7 16. Ncb4 $146 ({RR} 16. g3 Ne7 17. Ncb4 a5 18. Nxe7 axb4 19. Nd5 bxc3 20. Nxc3 b4 21. Nd5 Qa5 22. Bh3 Bxd5 23. exd5 Rb5 24. Bg2 f5 25. Qb3 Rc8 26. Rfd1 g6 {0-1 (26) Zverev,L (1849)-Fedoseev,V (2681) Riga 2019}) 16... Nxb4 17. cxb4 g6 18. a4 bxa4 19. Rxa4 Bc6 20. Be2 Bxa4 21. Qxa4 f5 22. exf5 Rxf5 23. Bd3 Rf8 24. Qxa6 Bd2 25. Qc4 Qc8 26. Qe4 Bxb4 27. Nxb4 Rf4 28. Qc6 Rfxb4 29. Qxd6 Qf8 30. Qxe5+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "Gashimov Memorial 6th"]
[Site "Shamkir"]
[Date "2019.03.31"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Radjabov, Teimour"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C55"]
[WhiteElo "2756"]
[BlackElo "2845"]
[PlyCount "81"]
[EventDate "2019.03.31"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "AZE"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 190"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.06.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.06.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. d3 Be7 5. O-O O-O 6. h3 d6 7. a4 a5 8. Nbd2 ({RR} 8. Re1 Be6 9. Nbd2 Nd7 10. c3 Nc5 11. d4 Bxc4 12. Nxc4 exd4 13. cxd4 Nd7 14. Bd2 Re8 15. d5 Nce5 16. Nfxe5 Nxe5 17. Nxa5 c5 18. dxc6 bxc6 19. b4 c5 20. Nb3 Nd3 21. Re3 Nb2 22. Qc2 Nxa4 {So,W (2754)-Nepomniachtchi,I (2773) Abidjan 2019 ½-½ (33)}) 8... Nd7 $146 ({RR} 8... Be6 9. Re1 h6 10. b3 Nd7 11. Bb2 Nb6 12. Bb5 Bf6 13. Bxc6 bxc6 14. d4 exd4 15. Bxd4 Bxd4 16. Nxd4 c5 17. Nxe6 fxe6 18. e5 d5 19. Qg4 Qe7 20. c4 c6 21. Rac1 Nd7 22. Rc3 Rf5 23. f4 {Nikitenko,M (2516)-Korchmar,V (2414) Sochi RUS 2025 ½-½}) 9. Re1 Nb6 10. Bb3 Kh8 11. c3 f5 12. exf5 Bxf5 13. Nf1 Bg6 14. Ng3 Bf6 15. Ne4 d5 16. Nxf6 Qxf6 17. Bg5 Qf5 18. Qd2 Rae8 19. Be3 Bh5 20. Bd1 Qd7 21. Bxb6 cxb6 22. Qg5 Qf7 23. Qh4 Bg6 24. Bb3 Qd7 25. Qg3 d4 26. Nxe5 Nxe5 27. Rxe5 dxc3 28. Rxe8 Rxe8 29. bxc3 Qxd3 30. Qxd3 Bxd3 31. Rd1 Be4 32. Rd6 Bc6 33. Bd5 Bxd5 34. Rxd5 Re1+ 35. Kh2 h6 36. Rd7 Rc1 37. Rxb7 Rxc3 38. Rxb6 Rc4 39. Ra6 Rxa4 40. f4 Rxf4 41. Rxa5 1/2-1/2

[Event "Gashimov Memorial 6th"]
[Site "Shamkir"]
[Date "2019.04.02"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Navara, David"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B33"]
[WhiteElo "2739"]
[BlackElo "2845"]
[PlyCount "116"]
[EventDate "2019.03.31"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "AZE"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 190"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.06.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.06.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 e5 6. Ndb5 d6 7. Nd5 Nxd5 8. exd5 Nb8 9. a4 Be7 10. Be2 O-O 11. O-O Nd7 12. Kh1 a6 13. Na3 a5 14. f4 f5 15. Nc4 b6 16. Ra3 ({RR} 16. Be3 Ba6 17. Na3 Bb7 18. Nb5 Ba6 19. Na3 Bb7 20. Nb5 Ba6 21. Na3 {½-½ (21) Uysal,B (2202)-Citak,S (2361) Ankara TUR 2025}) 16... exf4 17. Bxf4 Nc5 18. Re3 $146 ({RR} 18. h3 Ba6 19. Bh2 g6 20. Ne3 Bg5 21. Bxa6 Bxe3 22. Bb5 f4 23. c3 Ra7 24. Ra1 Raf7 25. Qg4 Qf6 26. Rae1 h5 27. Qd1 Qh4 28. Qc2 Kg7 29. b4 Nd7 30. Bxd7 Rxd7 31. Qd3 Rdf7 32. Bg1 Bxg1 {Steinberg,N (2554)-Sebenik,M (2498) Chess.com INT 2020 0-1 (51)}) ({RR} 18. h3 Ba6 19. Bh2 g6 20. Ne3 Bg5 21. Bxa6 Bxe3 22. Bb5 f4 23. c3 Ra7 24. Ra1 Raf7 25. Qg4 Qf6 26. Rae1 h5 27. Qd1 Qh4 28. Qc2 Kg7 29. b4 Nd7 30. Bxd7 Rxd7 31. Qd3 Rdf7 32. Bg1 Bxg1 {Steinberg,N (2554)-Sebenik,M (2498) Chess.com INT 2020 0-1 (51)}) 18... g5 19. Rxe7 gxf4 20. Re6 Nxe6 21. dxe6 Bxe6 22. Rxf4 Bxc4 23. Bxc4+ Kh8 24. g4 Qf6 25. c3 Qe5 26. Qf1 Rae8 27. gxf5 Rf6 28. Qf2 Qc5 29. Kg2 Qc6+ 30. Kh3 Qc5 31. Kg2 Qxf2+ 32. Rxf2 Re4 33. Be6 Rxa4 34. Kf3 Kg7 35. Rd2 Kh6 36. Rxd6 Kg5 37. Rd8 Rh6 38. Rg8+ Kf6 39. Rb8 Rxh2 40. Rxb6 Kg5 41. f6 Rf4+ 42. Kg3 Rhf2 43. Rb5+ Kxf6 44. Bg4 a4 45. c4 Kg6 46. c5 a3 47. bxa3 h5 48. Rb4 Rf8 49. Bd1 Rd2 50. Bf3 Rd3 51. Rf4 h4+ 52. Kg4 Rxf4+ 53. Kxf4 Rxa3 54. c6 Rc3 55. Bd5 h3 56. Ke5 Rc5 57. Kd6 Rxd5+ 58. Kxd5 h2 0-1

[Event "Gashimov Memorial 6th"]
[Site "Shamkir"]
[Date "2019.04.08"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Karjakin, Sergey"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B33"]
[WhiteElo "2753"]
[BlackElo "2845"]
[Annotator "Nielsen,Peter Heine"]
[PlyCount "78"]
[EventDate "2019.03.31"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "AZE"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 190"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.06.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.06.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 $5 {Considering the tournament standings, maybe made this a somewhat surprising move. Magnus was leading the tournament by ½ a point ahead of Karjakin who then had a further 1 point to the rest of the field. Meaning for Karjakin this was almost a " must-win" situation as if the game was drawn he would need not only to score half a point more in the final round, but also to win a playoff. Even so Magnus stayed loyal to the Sveshnikov which generally does promise solidity, but as shown in the London WC match does allow one way for White to get a very complex battle:} 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 e5 6. Ndb5 d6 7. Nd5 $5 {Karjakin takes up the gauntlet and follow in Caruanas footsteps. After London Magnus won with the black pieces against Van Forest in Wijk aan Zee as well as Navara earlier in Shamkir. Magnus said after the game that he was indeed exited to see 7.Nd5 on the board as it always leads to very exiting positions. And that while the engines indeed seems to give a preference for White, people tend to underestimate the human factor and that Black's position is easier to play, as he generally tries to aim for the opponent's king, while White has to balance positional gains on the queenside with also caring about the security of his own king.} Nxd5 8. exd5 Ne7 $5 {The move from game 12 of the match as well as the tiebreaker and vs. Van Forest. 8...Nb8 is of equal value and was seen in game 8 & 10 as well as vs. Narvara, meaning for Karjakin it was impossible to know for sure which move to expect.} 9. c4 Ng6 10. Qa4 Bd7 11. Qb4 Bf5 {The move from game 12, later Magnus preferred 11...Qb8. Anyway this is very much a theoretical debate in progress where the status very much is unsettled. Actually a rare occurence these days that suddenly an oasis of almost untouched but very interesting positions suddenly occurs in a popular opening variation at the highest level.} 12. Qa4 Bd7 13. Qb4 Bf5 14. h4 h5 15. Bg5 $5 {Karjakin of course comes prepared and plays the critical move. Caruana went 15.Be3 but got into trouble before the game controversially ended in a sudden draw.} Qb8 16. Be2 a6 17. Nc3 Qc7 {In principle only this is the novelty, as 17...Nf4 18 Bf1 Be7 19 Bxe7 Kxe7 20 g3 Ng6 21 Qb6 was played in the game Houdini- Stockfish which Grischuk pointed out during his interesting live commentary during game 12 of the WC match. Magnus' idea, however, is very different and much more human. He does not want to leave his king vulnerable in the centre, on the contrary it will be hidden safely away before he launches an attack on the enemy king. That the price is the h5-pawn is of no significance. Black is playing for mate!} (17... Nf4 18. Bf1 Be7 19. Bxe7 Kxe7 20. g3 Ng6 21. Qb6 {Houdini- Stockfish.}) 18. g3 Be7 19. Be3 e4 $1 {That's the key point. Playing ...Nf8-d7 and covering h5 before castling of course is possible, but this is so much more temptin, as the knight on e5 touches vital squares at f3 and d3 and starts making the "aggressive" h4 and g3 by White look like weaknesses.} 20. O-O O-O 21. Bxh5 Ne5 22. Be2 $146 ({RR} 22. Bd4 Nd3 23. Qb3 Bxh4 24. gxh4 Qe7 25. Ne2 Qxh4 26. Ng3 Nf4 27. Nxf5 Qxh5 28. Qg3 Ne2+ 29. Kg2 Nxg3 30. Ne7+ Kh7 31. fxg3 Kh6 32. Rh1 Qxh1+ 33. Rxh1+ Kg5 34. Bxg7 Rfe8 35. Rf1 e3 36. Bf6+ {1-0 (36) Tsolakidou,S (2389)-Buksa,N (2377) Budva MNE 2023}) ({RR} 22. Bd4 Nd3 23. Qb3 Bxh4 24. gxh4 Qe7 25. Ne2 Qxh4 26. Ng3 Nf4 27. Nxf5 Qxh5 28. Qg3 Ne2+ 29. Kg2 Nxg3 30. Ne7+ Kh7 31. fxg3 Kh6 32. Rh1 Qxh1+ 33. Rxh1+ Kg5 34. Bxg7 Rfe8 35. Rf1 e3 36. Bf6+ {1-0 (36) Tsolakidou,S (2389)-Buksa,N (2377) Budva MNE 2023}) 22... Qd7 {White won a pawn, but Black immediately zooms in on the sore spots in White's position, immediately threatening 23...Bg4 followed by a deadly invasion on the f3 square.} 23. Qa4 Qc8 $1 {Obviously not allowing the exchange of queens, while still upholding the threat of ...Bg4, meaning Karjakin has to act.} 24. c5 $6 {Too ambitious, and now tipping the game in Black's favour.} (24. Qd1 $1 {was the right move, controlling g4. Indeed Black is perfectly fine} Nxc4 {when} 25. Bxc4 Qxc4 26. Bd4 {leads to an equal position.}) {That is, however, the best White's position had on offer, as now things are only to get worse. Much worse.} 24... dxc5 25. Nxe4 c4 $5 {Magnus was happy with this move after the game. 25...b5 also was possible, forcing White to "self-pin" with 26 Qc2. But as the computer shows, after 25...c4 26 Qc2! is still the best move, so why "force" White in the right direction?} 26. Nc3 b5 $1 {Magnus said that he saw 26...Bd3 27.Bxd3 Nf3+ 28.Kg2 Nxh4+ forcing a draw by perpetual, but that while for the tournament situation this would indeed be a good result, Black's attacking options are just too tempting to pass on.} (26... Bd3 27. Bxd3 Nf3+ 28. Kg2 Nxh4+ $11) 27. Qd1 b4 $1 {Another forceful move. Sure it does ruin the solidity of Black's pawnstructure, but much more importantly it forces White's knight basically as far away as possible from the kingside where the game is going to be decided, as well as it allows Black's bishop access to the e4 square.} 28. Na4 Be4 29. Qd4 ({If} 29. f3 {then} Qh3 $1 {decides.}) 29... Qf5 30. f4 $2 {Logical, but leaving Black with a winning position.} ({The absolutely last chance was} 30. f3 $1 {when after} Nxf3+ (30... Bxf3 31. Rae1 $1 {and White very much fights on}) 31. Bxf3 Bxf3 32. Qf4 {White defends.}) {While now with a couple of powerful moves, Magnus shows his attacking skills.} 30... Qg6 $1 {A great intermezzo. By attacking g3, Black forces White into unprotecting the f4 pawn.} (30... Nd3 31. g4 $1 Qh7 32. h5 {is much less clear.}) 31. Bf2 Nd3 32. h5 Qf5 $1 {This is the big difference, the basic point being that 33.g4 Qxf4 now is possible due to the bishop on f2 blocking the rook on f1.} (32... Nxf4 {might look tempting, but after} 33. Rae1 Qf5 34. Bg4 $3 {the tables are completely turned as} Qxg4 35. Rxe4 Ne2+ 36. Kg2 $1 {wins for White.}) 33. Bg4 {Better was 33.Bxd3, still however leading to a winning position for Black after either recapture.} Qxg4 34. Qxe4 Bd6 {Of course threatening to take on f4, but while that is possible to prevent, the main theme is that Black's knight on d3 protects the e1-square meaning that his rooks can penetrate unopposed in the e-file.} 35. Qg2 Rae8 $1 36. Bd4 Qxh5 $1 {Precision to the end.} (36... Re2 37. Qf3 $1 {would force off the queens, leaving White with some hope in an indeed bad ending.}) {Now, however, 37...Re2 is a deadly threat as 38.Qf3 would then allow mate on h2.} 37. Qf3 Qg6 $1 {Again seemingly slow, but like in move 34 Black uses the threat to the f4 pawn to gain time for his real aims.} 38. Kh1 Re4 $1 39. Bf2 Rfe8 {Blacks threats are numerous. 39...Nxf4, 39...Re2 or 39...Nxf2+ followed by 40...Re3. Karjakin had seen enough and resigned meaning Magnus won the Shamkir tournament with a round to spare, but also scored his 4th (!) win in a row vs. 7.Nd5. Similarities to Kasparov's dominance tournament-wise as well as his Kings Indian come to mind.} 0-1

[Event "Gashimov Memorial 6th"]
[Site "Shamkir"]
[Date "2019.04.09"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Grischuk, Alexander"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C65"]
[WhiteElo "2845"]
[BlackElo "2771"]
[Annotator "Nielsen,Peter Heine"]
[PlyCount "77"]
[EventDate "2019.03.31"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "AZE"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 190"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.06.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.06.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 {Sagar,Shah} e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 {Trailing Magnus by 1½ point meant Grischuk had instead to care about the fight for 2nd place which he before the round was sharing with Ding and Karjakin. And thus he chooses the Berlin's solidity over the Najdorf's aggressiveness.} 4. d3 Bc5 5. c3 O-O {Earlier in the tournament Grischuk had played the popular 5...d5 vs. Vishy, but now reverts to the main line.} 6. O-O d6 7. Ba4 $5 {A move that by itself should explain the popularity of the Berlin. If White anyway voluntarily will play Ba4, then 3...a6 must be really a bad move! More seriously this is the kind of position where White anyway would make "half-moves" like 7.h3 or 7.Re1 meaning Ba4 can't be that much more worse as a waiting move. Still, it does look odd indeed!} ({RR} 7. Nbd2 Ne7 8. d4 exd4 9. cxd4 Bb6 10. Re1 Bg4 11. Qb3 d5 12. e5 Nd7 13. h3 Bh5 14. Qd1 f6 15. e6 Nb8 16. g4 Bg6 17. Nf1 Qd6 18. Ng3 Nbc6 19. Bxc6 bxc6 20. a4 Ba5 21. Bd2 Bxd2) 7... Ne7 8. Bc2 Ng6 9. d4 Bb6 10. a4 $5 {Apart from the obvous threat of 11.a5 winning a piece, White's general concept is that he will push his pawn as forward as possible, then create confusion on the other side of the board, and use that to then queen his a-pawn. If that sounds like a fairytale, have a look at the remainder of the game!} c6 11. dxe5 $5 {Very simplistic. White has just gotten the advantage in the centre, but now immediately creates a symmetrical structure only for the sake of being able to push the a-pawn.} Nxe5 {Going by logic, Black does very little wrong in this game, but should something be mentioned, it's this. Black now exchanges a knight he has spent several tempi relocating to g6, against its white counterpart that only had moved once so far.} 12. Nxe5 dxe5 13. Qxd8 Rxd8 14. a5 {For what it's worth, Magnus achieved his aim.} Bc5 {The active choice. 14...Bc7 is obviously more passive, but does have an important idea in mind: After 15 Be3 Be6 16 f3 b6!? Black forces White into a decision on the queenside. 17 a6!? obviously being the critical move, but as Black has not played ...b5 it means that a7 is now not a target and that its very unclear if White's pawn on a6 is a weakness or an asset. Of course 17 axb6 is possible, but then Black's operation has been a sucess in the sense that White's queenside pressure has evaporised.} (14... Bc7 15. Be3 Be6 16. f3 b6 $5 17. a6 $5) 15. Nd2 Be6 16. Re1 {As 16.Nb3 Nxe4! is possible, White first has to consolidate before continuing with his plan. Now 16...Nd7 17.Nb3 Be7 is possible, but after 18.Be3, at least by sight, White does have a small edge due to the vulnerability of Black's queenside structure. And with Black obviously having playing solidly and logically till now, why should Grischuk start making concession?} b5 $146 {Grabbing space and potentially threatening ...a6, when Black might even start claiming that White's pawn is a weakness. White on the other hand is not that thrilled about pushing a6 himself too early, as it would give Black access to the b6 square for his bishop.} ({RR} 16... Ne8 17. Nb3 Be7 18. f3 b6 19. Be3 c5 20. Nd2 f6 21. g3 c4 22. Ba4 Rab8 23. axb6 axb6 24. Bxe8 Rxe8 25. Ra6 Red8 26. Nf1 Bh3 27. Nd2 b5 28. Kf2 h5 29. f4 b4 30. fxe5 bxc3 31. bxc3 {Praggnanandhaa,R (2536)-Heimann,A (2627) Brest 2019 CBM 190 Extra [Sagar,Shah] ½-½ (67)}) 17. Nb3 Bxb3 {Obviously a debatable move, but also typical of Grischuks "high-level" style. Not limiting himself to just general considerations like " White now has the pair of bishops", Grischuk goes beyond that and claims that yes, White of course gets the pair of bishops, but in return I get control of the d-line and avoid the else moderately akward pressure against my queenside. As well my minor piece are immediately active, while White's pair of bishops indeed struggle to find squares to develop to naturally. 17...Nd7!? however might have been the better way. 18.Nxc5 Nxc5 19.Be3 Bb3! forces an interesting opposite colored bishop postion after 20.Bxc5 Bxc2 21.a6. The human perspective is that Black's pawn on a7 will be an eternal weakness, and rook exchanges will not magnify that problematic. However, Black can argue that as he controls the d-file White has no way to make progress, while Black will just double his rooks on d7 and d8, solidly covering the a7-pawn, basically with an impregnable fortress, at least if the engines are to be believed.} (17... Nd7 $5 18. Nxc5 Nxc5 19. Be3 Bb3 $1 20. Bxc5 Bxc2 21. a6) 18. Bxb3 Ng4 {Active, but not really creating more than an easily parried threat. 18...Rab8!? 19..Kf1 b4 means both black rooks will be in control of the open files, but after 20.Ba4!? White does limit Black's immediate actitivy and at the same time starts attacking Black's weaknesses.} (18... Rab8 $5 19. Kf1 b4 20. Ba4 $5) 19. Re2 Rd6 {Creating the threat of 20...Nxf2 21.Rxf2 Rf6!} 20. Bg5 Kf8 21. Rf1 $1 {Putting pressure on f2, Grischuk might have forced this "passive" move, but actually only the first part of the sentence is true. White indeed had no choice, but to put his rook on f1, but happily does so, as it fits very well with the next part of his expansion plans:} Nf6 22. g3 $1 {Another beautiful move combining the neccesary with the useful. With f4 potentially being White's way to progress, removing his king from the pin in the g1-a7 diagonal is mandatory and this also adds the option of recapturing with the g-pawn on f4, as well as opening a route towards the centre for White's king via g2 and later f3.} a6 23. Kg2 Nd7 24. Bc1 $1 {Answering the question to which square White should develop his bishop. The key part was getting his a1 rook into play, and with that accomplished White's dark-squared bishop happily returns to its original square where its safely "out of the way", while still being ready to join the battle immediately at any given opportunity.} Ba7 25. f4 f6 26. h4 $1 {My first acquaintance with Magnus was a guest lecture at a youth camp for the youngest group of Norwegian talents. I spoke of Larsen, and obviously had a set of exercices where the correct answer always was to push the h-pawn! Natasha Regan and Matthew Sadler's fascinating "Gamechanger" devotes a full chapter to Alphazero's preference compared to normal engines in pushing its flank pawns much more agressively. It would have warmed the Danish giant's heart to know that a theme he consistently wrote of being underestimated in chess, now is being uphold and refined by the cutting-edge technology. If a5 and h5 looks odd to you in this game, just think of the importance of having the black weak pawn at a6, and the access to g6 for White's bishop. It's those details that make Black's position collapse, and they are created exactly by advancing White's flank pawns.} Re8 27. h5 h6 28. Ba2 c5 {With hindsight a very easy move to criticise, but as Grischuk pointed out at the press conference, this exactly should be the one. To him it looked like now was the perfect timing, as White due to the weakness of the e4-pawn still seemingly needs a move to consolidate before taking agressive measures. That premise being wrong, Black's best would have been to seek counterplay with 28...exf4 29.gxf4 Nc5, the idea being 30.e5 Nd3! with Black still being in the game.} (28... exf4 29. gxf4 Nc5 30. e5 Nd3 $1) 29. Be3 $1 {An easy move to miss, as it indeed sacrifices a full central pawn. 29.c4 is the alternative given by the computers which funnily at the same time blocks both Black's bishop on a7, but also White's at a2! White is better, but in a much less spectacular way than in the game.} exf4 30. gxf4 Rxe4 31. Bb1 Re7 32. Rfe1 {White has given away a full pawn, but has the killing threat of 33.Bg6 when 34.Bxc5 becomes deadly due to mating motifs on the e8 square.} f5 $2 {The surprising 32...Nb8! was the way to fight on, with the hope of ...Nc6, Rdd7 and c4. Obviously white will prevent this liberation attempt, most forcefully with 33 Kf3 Nc6 34 Bf5!? stopping the rook entering d7, and replying to 34...c4? with 35.Bxa7 Rxe2 36.Rxe2 Nxa7 37.Bg6! Rd8 38. Re6! picking up the pawn on a6 and winning easily.} (32... Nb8 $5 33. Kf3 Nc6 34. Bf5 $5 c4 $2 35. Bxa7 Rxe2 36. Rxe2 Nxa7 37. Bg6 Rd8 38. Re6 $1 $18 {[%cal Ge6a6]}) 33. Bxf5 Nf6 34. Kf3 Nd5 {Grischuk said that at sight this move looked like counterplay to him, but Magnus' next move was a cold shower:} 35. Rd2 $1 {White was better anyway, but as often in favourable positions the tactics also works in your favour. 35...Nxe3 36 Rxd6 Nxf5 37.Rxe7 is just winning for White, as the rook and passed pawn easily outmanoeuvre Black's 2 minor pieces, 37...Nxe7 38 Rxa6 Bb8 39 Ra8! Nc6 40.a6 followed by 41.Rxb8 Nxb8 42.a7 being a sample line. 35...Bb8 was a line the players both looked at, but discareded due to 36.Bxc5! Rxe1 37.Rxd5 when 37...Ke7 is met with the pretty 38.Re5+! as after 38...Rxe5 39.fxe5 White ends up with an extra piece.} Rd8 (35... Nxe3 36. Rxd6 Nxf5 37. Rxe7 Nxe7 38. Rxa6 Bb8 39. Ra8 $1 Nc6 40. a6 Z0 41. Rxb8+ Nxb8 42. a7) (35... Bb8 36. Bxc5 $1 Rxe1 37. Rxd5 Ke7 38. Re5+ $1 Rxe5 39. fxe5 $18) 36. Be4 Red7 37. Red1 {No tactical magic is needed anymore. Despite being nominally a pawn down, White aims for general exchanges!} Nf6 38. Rxd7 Nxd7 {38...Rxd7 maybe was more illustrative as after 39.Rxd7 Nxd7 40.Bb7 Nb8 41.Ke4 black is completely tied up with the bishop unable as the knight needs to block its only aviable square in order to defend the pawn at a6.} (38... Rxd7 39. Rxd7 Nxd7 40. Bb7 Nb8 41. Ke4) 39. Rd6 $1 {[%cal Gd6a6] And here Grischuk resigned. White will win the a-pawn and then basically mechanically queen it after Rxa6 Bb8 Ra8 followed by a6+a7.  In many ways an amazing game. White got nothing out of the opening, and Black's moves from there all looked healthy and with logic. To use the words of Grischuk himself: "Magnus played incredibly well."} (39. Rd6 $1 {[%cal Gd6a6]} Z0 40. Rxa6 Bb8 41. Ra8 {[%cal Ga5a8]}) 1-0

[Event "Grenke Chess Classic 6th"]
[Site "Karlsruhe/Baden Baden"]
[Date "2019.04.21"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Vallejo Pons, Francisco"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C78"]
[WhiteElo "2693"]
[BlackElo "2845"]
[Annotator "Krasenkow,Michal"]
[PlyCount "146"]
[EventDate "2019.04.20"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 190"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.06.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.06.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{[%evp 0,146,38,42,40,11,25,8,16,3,-12,10,11,12,74,44,24,24,17,23,5,12,21,-3,18,16,9,4,2,22,27,19,19,25,16,26,14,16,16,34,43,-8,27,-4,7,9,10,15,17,-4,0,-6,-16,-20,5,-1,25,19,11,31,25,34,66,48,52,67,48,-17,-26,-26,-16,-31,-29,-50,-20,-200,-72,-89,-109,-174,-194,-198,-171,-110,-103,-101,-85,-96,-103,-93,-93,-162,-173,-208,-193,-187,-171,-208,-193,-196,-196,-204,-200,-195,-192,-208,-211,-207,-197,-206,-207,-209,-207,-207,-216,-222,-208,-233,-229,-229,-222,-222,-222,-222,-204,-222,-206,-193,-194,-204,-188,-249,-251,-203,-246,-517,-517,-517,-517,-517,-517,-517,-517,-517,-517,-29992,-29978,-29979,-797]} 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Bc5 6. c3 O-O 7. d4 Ba7 8. dxe5 Nxe4 9. Bc2 (9. Qd5 {is the main move in this position. A recent example from the World Champion's practice:} Nc5 10. Bc2 Ne7 11. Qd1 d5 12. exd6 Qxd6 13. Qxd6 cxd6 14. Rd1 (14. Re1 Re8 15. Be3 Bf5 16. Na3 Bxc2 17. Bxc5 dxc5 18. Nxc2 Nc6 $11 {1/2 (84) Vachier Lagrave,M (2780)-Fressinet,L (2640) Brest 2019}) 14... Bg4 $5 15. Rxd6 Bf5 $1 16. Na3 Ne4 17. Bxe4 Bxe4 18. Rd1 Nf5 19. Nc4 Rfe8 20. Be3 Bxe3 21. Nxe3 Nxe3 22. fxe3 Bxf3 23. gxf3 Rxe3 24. Rd7 Rb8 $11 {1/2 (41) Karjakin,S (2782)-Carlsen,M (2843) Stavanger 2018}) 9... d5 10. exd6 Nxd6 11. Bg5 f6 12. Bf4 g5 $5 $146 {A curious concept. Magnus Carlsen complicates (disbalances) the position. There have been two old games which continued:} (12... Bg4 13. Qd3 Bf5 14. Qd5+ Kh8 15. Bxf5 Ne7 16. Qb3 Nexf5 17. Nbd2 Qd7 18. Rad1 Qc6 $11 {1-0 (62) Gurnhill,C-Blake,J Edinburgh 1926}) (12... Kh8 13. Bxd6 cxd6 14. Qd5 Ne5 15. Nbd2 Bd7 $6 (15... Qc7) 16. Qxd6 $6 (16. Nxe5 fxe5 (16... dxe5 17. Qxb7 Bb5 18. Rfd1 Be2 $2 19. Qe4) 17. Qxb7 $16 Bb5 $140 $2 18. c4) 16... Bb5 17. Qxd8 Raxd8 18. Rfe1 Ng4 19. Nd4 Rxd4 $1 20. cxd4 Bxd4 $44 {0-1 (35) Horn,C-Gabinara,A San Marino 1950}) 13. Bxd6 (13. Bg3 f5 $5 14. Qd5+ Nf7 $1 15. Qxd8 Rxd8 16. Bxc7 $140 $2 Rd7 17. Bg3 f4) 13... Qxd6 14. Qxd6 cxd6 15. Nbd2 (15. Bb3+ $5 Kg7 16. Na3 {preventing ...d6-d5} Bg4 $1 17. Bd5 Rae8 $13) 15... g4 $146 (15... d5 $142 $13) ({RR} 15... d5 16. Rfe1 Bg4 17. Bb3 Rad8 18. Rad1 Kh8 19. h3 Bh5 20. Nf1 d4 21. Ng3 Bg6 22. cxd4 Nxd4 23. Nxd4 Bxd4 24. Rd2 Be5 25. Rde2 Bd3 26. Rd2 Bg6 27. Rde2 Bd3 {½-½ (27) Nepomniachtchi,I (2792)-Svidler,P (2683) Chess.com INT 2022}) ({RR} 15... Kg7 16. Rad1 g4 17. Nh4 f5 18. Nc4 d5 19. Nd6 Ne7 20. Rfe1 Kf6 21. Re2 Bc5 22. Ndxf5 Nxf5 23. Nxf5 Be6 24. Nd4 Bg8 25. Rde1 Rac8 26. Bf5 {1-0 (26) Shirov,A (2681)-Van Foreest,J (2702) Maastricht 2022}) 16. Nh4 d5 17. Nf5 (17. Rfe1 $142 d4 (17... Bd7 18. Bb3) 18. Rad1 {creating a kind of domination in the centre but that was not easy to evaluate!}) 17... d4 18. Nc4 Bxf5 19. Bxf5 h5 $11 {The position is roughly equal but complicated enough for the World Champion to outplay his opponent.} 20. Rad1 Rfd8 21. a4 Ne7 22. Be6+ Kg7 23. Rfe1 f5 24. Na5 Rab8 25. Kf1 Kf6 26. Bb3 Ng6 27. Re6+ Kg5 28. g3 dxc3 29. bxc3 Rxd1+ 30. Bxd1 {[%mdl 4096]} Rd8 31. f4+ $5 gxf3 32. Bxf3 h4 33. Nc4 (33. Bxb7 Rd2 34. gxh4+ Nxh4 35. Rxa6 $13 {looked too risky to White but after the text move the initiative firmly belongs to Black.}) 33... hxg3 34. hxg3 Bb8 35. Kg2 b5 36. axb5 axb5 37. Ne3 $2 (37. Na3 $1 f4 38. Be4 Nf8 39. Rb6 fxg3 40. Rxb5+ Kf4 41. Rd5 Re8 42. Bf3 Ng6 43. Rd4+ Kf5 44. Nc4 $11) 37... Rd2+ (37... f4 $1 38. Be4 Nf8 39. gxf4+ Bxf4 40. Rb6 Bxe3 41. Rxb5+ Kf4 $17) 38. Kh3 Rd3 39. Be2 Rxc3 40. Bxb5 f4 41. Be8 Nf8 42. Rb6 Be5 (42... fxe3 43. Rxb8 e2 44. Rb1 Re3 45. Re1 Rxe8 46. Kg2 $11 {[%cal Yg2f2,Ye1e2]}) 43. Nf1 fxg3 44. Rc6 Ra3 45. Rb6 Ra2 46. Rb4 Ne6 47. Rg4+ Kf6 48. Bc6 $2 (48. Rxg3 $1 Bxg3 (48... Ng5+ 49. Kg4) 49. Kxg3 {is a theoretical draw while "R+B vs B+N" is theoretically won in case of opposite-coloured bishops. True, that position is very difficult. I failed to score a victory against GM Kivanc Haznedaroglu in a similar situation but Magnus Carlsen manages it much better.}) 48... g2 $1 49. Bxg2 Nf4+ 50. Rxf4+ Bxf4 51. Bf3 Bb8 52. Ng3 Kg5 53. Ne2 Bc7 54. Kg2 Kh4 55. Kf2 Bb6+ 56. Ke1 Be3 57. Kd1 Kg5 58. Be4 Kf6 59. Bf3 Ke5 60. Bg2 Kd6 61. Be4 Kc5 62. Bf5 Rd2+ 63. Ke1 Rd8 64. Be4 Kc4 65. Kf1 $6 ({This endgame is almost impossible to explain. For some reason,} 65. Ng3 {was better. If} Re8 {then} 66. Bg6) 65... Rf8+ 66. Ke1 $2 ({And here the stalemate trick} 66. Kg2 $3 Rf2+ 67. Kh1 $3 {was White's last chance to continue resistance.} Rxe2 $4 68. Bd3+ $1 Kxd3 $11) 66... Bf2+ $1 {Black forces White's king to the a1 corner and mates it there.} 67. Kd2 (67. Kf1 Bc5+ 68. Ke1 Bb4+ 69. Kd1 Rd8+ 70. Kc1 Bd2+ 71. Kc2 Be3 {leads to the same outcome.}) 67... Rd8+ 68. Kc2 Be3 69. Bf3 Rd2+ 70. Kb1 Kb3 71. Nc1+ Ka3 72. Ne2 Rb2+ 73. Ka1 Rb8 {[%cal Re3g5,Rg5f6]} 0-1

[Event "Grenke Chess Classic 6th"]
[Site "Karlsruhe/Baden Baden"]
[Date "2019.04.23"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B33"]
[WhiteElo "2819"]
[BlackElo "2845"]
[PlyCount "142"]
[EventDate "2019.04.20"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 190"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.06.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.06.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 {Nielsen,Peter Heine So,Wesley} c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 e5 6. Ndb5 d6 7. Nd5 ({RR} 7. Bg5 a6 8. Na3 b5 9. Bxf6 gxf6 10. Nd5) 7... Nxd5 8. exd5 Ne7 ({RR} 8... Nb8) 9. c4 ({RR} 9. c3 Ng6 ({RR} 9... f5 10. Qa4 Kf7 11. Qb4) 10. Qa4 Bd7 11. Qc4 Rc8 12. Qb4) 9... Ng6 10. Qa4 Bd7 11. Qb4 Bf5 ({RR} 11... Qb8 12. h4 h5 13. Be2 a6 14. Nc3 Be7 15. g3) ({RR} 11... Bxb5 12. Qxb5+ Qd7) 12. h4 h5 ({RR} 12... Be7 13. h5 Nf4 14. Be3 a6 15. Nc3 Nd3+ 16. Bxd3 Bxd3 17. Rd1) ({RR} 12... a6 13. h5) 13. Bg5 ({RR} 13. Be3 a6 ({RR} 13... Be7 14. Nxa7 ({RR} 14. Bxa7 O-O 15. g3 b6) ({RR} 14. g3) 14... O-O 15. Bb6 ({RR} 15. g3 Be4 16. Rh2 Bf3 17. Nb5 f5) ({RR} 15. Qxb7 Qa5+ 16. b4 Qa3) ({RR} 15. Nb5 Nxh4) ({RR} 15. Be2 Nf4) ({RR} 15. a4 Nxh4) 15... Qd7 16. Qb5 Bd8 17. Qxd7 Bxd7 18. Bxd8 Rfxd8 19. Nb5 Bxb5 20. cxb5 Ra4 21. g3 Rc8) 14. Nc3 Qc7 ({RR} 14... Be7 15. Qxb7 O-O 16. O-O-O Nxh4 17. Qb6) 15. g3 ({RR} 15. Qa4+ Bd7 16. Qd1 Ne7) 15... Be7 16. f3 ({RR} 16. Qa4+ Bd7 17. Qd1 Bg4 18. Be2 Bxe2 19. Qxe2) ({RR} 16. Be2 Nf8) 16... Nf8 ({RR} 16... O-O 17. Be2 Bd7 18. a4 f5 19. f4 exf4 20. gxf4) 17. Ne4 Nd7 ({RR} 17... Bxe4 18. fxe4 Nd7 19. Bh3) 18. Bd3 O-O ({RR} 18... Bg6) 19. Rh2 ({RR} 19. O-O Bg6 20. Qd2) ({RR} 19. O-O-O b5) 19... Rac8 ({RR} 19... Bg6) 20. O-O-O Bg6 21. Rc2 ({RR} 21. Kb1 f5 22. Ng5 Bxg5 23. hxg5 e4 24. fxe4 Ne5 25. Be2) 21... f5 22. Nf2 ({RR} 22. Ng5 Bxg5 23. hxg5 e4) 22... Nc5 23. f4 ({RR} 23. Bxc5 dxc5 24. Qe1 Rfe8) 23... a5 ({RR} 23... exf4 24. Bxf4 b5 25. Qd2 ({RR} 25. Kb1 a5 26. Qxb5 Be8) 25... Bf6) ({RR} 23... b5) 24. Qd2 e4 ({RR} 24... Bf6 25. Be2 exf4 26. gxf4 Rfe8 27. Rg1 ({RR} 27. Bd4 Qe7) 27... Bf7 28. Kb1 a4 29. Bf3 Rxe3 30. Qxe3 Re8 31. Qa3 Bd4) 25. Be2 Be8 26. Kb1 Bf6 ({RR} 26... Ba4 27. Bxh5 b5) 27. Re1 ({RR} 27. Nh3 Ba4 28. b3 Bxb3 29. axb3 Nxb3 30. Qe1 b5 31. c5) 27... a4 {Caruana,F (2832)-Carlsen,M (2835) London 2018 CBM 187 [So,Wesley] ½-½ (31)} ({RR} 27... Ba4 28. Rcc1 ({RR} 28. b3 Bxb3 29. axb3 Nxb3 30. Qd1 a4 31. Bxh5 ({RR} 31. Ka2 Qa5 32. Qb1 b5) 31... Qa5 32. Bg6 Qb4 33. Qh5 ({RR} 33. Ka2 Nc1+) 33... Rfd8 34. Bxf5 Nd4+ 35. Rb2 Qxe1+ 36. Ka2 Nxf5 37. Qxf5 Bxb2) ({RR} 28. Bxh5 Bxc2+ 29. Qxc2 b5 30. cxb5 Qd7 31. Qe2 Na4) 28... b5 29. cxb5 ({RR} 29. Bxh5 Qb7) ({RR} 29. Bd4 Bxd4 30. Qxd4 bxc4 31. Rxc4 Rb8) 29... Qb6 30. Bd4 Bxd4 31. Qxd4 Bxb5 32. Bxh5 a4)) ({RR} 13. Be2 Be7 14. g3 a6 15. Nc3 e4) 13... Qb8 ({RR} 13... Be7 14. Bxe7 Kxe7 15. c5 dxc5 16. Qxc5+ Kf6 17. Nd6) 14. Qa4 $146 ({RR} 14. Be2 a6 15. Nc3 Qc7 ({RR} 15... Nf4 16. Bf1 Be7 17. Bxe7 Kxe7 18. g3 Ng6 19. Qb6) 16. g3 Be7 17. Be3 Nf8 18. a4 Nd7 19. a5 O-O 20. Bxh5 Bd3 21. Be2 Bxe2 22. Kxe2 f5 23. f3 Nf6 24. Kd2 Rac8 25. b3 Nh5 26. Rag1 Bd8 27. Kc2 Qd7 28. Rh2 Rf7 {Alekseenko,K (2650)-Kuzubov,Y (2671) Konya 2019 1-0 (42)}) ({RR} 14. g3 a6 15. Nc3 Be7 16. Be2 Qc7) ({RR} 14. Qa5 b6 15. Qa4 Bd7 16. Bd3 Be7 ({RR} 16... a6 17. Bf5) 17. Bxg6 fxg6 18. Bxe7 Kxe7 19. Qc2 Kf7) ({RR} 14. g3 a6 15. Nc3 Qc7 16. Be2 Be7 17. Be3 e4 18. Qa4+ Bd7 19. Qb3 Bf5 20. O-O Ne5 21. Bd4 O-O 22. Bxh5 Rac8 23. Rad1 Nxc4 24. Rfe1 e3 25. Bxe3 Nxe3 26. Rxe3 Bf6 27. Rde1 Qd7 28. Qb6 Rc4 {Polak,T (2443)-Hrbek,S (2446) Plzen CZE 2025 0-1 (39)}) ({RR} 14. Be2 a6 15. Nc3 Qc7 16. g3 Be7 17. Be3 e4 18. O-O O-O 19. Bxh5 Ne5 20. Be2 Qd7 21. Qa4 Qc8 22. c5 ({RR} 22. Qd1 Nxc4 23. Bxc4 Qxc4 24. Bd4) 22... dxc5 23. Nxe4 c4 24. Nc3 b5 ({RR} 24... Bd3 25. Bxd3 Nf3+ 26. Kg2 Nxh4+) 25. Qd1 b4 26. Na4 Be4 27. Qd4 ({RR} 27. f3 Qh3) 27... Qf5 28. f4 ({RR} 28. f3 Nxf3+ ({RR} 28... Bxf3 29. Rae1) 29. Bxf3 Bxf3 30. Qf4) 28... Qg6 {Karjakin,S (2753)-Carlsen,M (2845) Shamkir 2019 CBM 190 [Nielsen,Peter Heine] 0-1 (39)} ({RR} 28... Nd3 29. g4 Qh7 30. h5)) ({RR} 14. g3 a6 15. Nc3 Be7 16. Be3 O-O 17. Be2 e4 18. Bxh5 Ne5 19. Be2 Qc8 20. Na4 Bd8 21. Qxd6 Nxc4 22. Qf4 Bc7 23. Qg5 f6 24. Qh5 Ne5 25. Rc1 Bg6 26. Qxe5 fxe5 27. O-O Qb8 28. Nc5 Bd6 {Karjakin,S (2750)-Inarkiev,E (2682) Nazran 2019 0-1 (43)}) 14... Bd7 15. Qc2 Bxb5 16. cxb5 Be7 17. Bd3 Nf8 18. b6 Nd7 19. bxa7 Qxa7 20. O-O Bxg5 21. hxg5 O-O 22. Bf5 Rad8 23. b4 Qd4 24. Qc7 Nb6 25. Rad1 Qf4 26. Bh3 Na4 27. g6 fxg6 28. Qc2 b5 29. Qxg6 Rf6 30. Qxh5 g6 31. Qg4 Qxg4 32. Bxg4 Rf4 33. Be6+ Kg7 34. Rc1 Rxb4 35. Rc7+ Kh6 36. g3 Nc5 37. f4 exf4 38. Rxf4 Rxf4 39. gxf4 Ra8 40. Rc6 Ne4 41. Bh3 Rxa2 42. Bg2 Ng3 43. Rxd6 Ne2+ 44. Kf1 Nxf4 45. Be4 Ra4 46. Bxg6 Nxg6 47. Rb6 Rf4+ 48. Ke1 b4 49. d6 Rd4 50. d7 Rxd7 51. Rxb4 Kg5 52. Ke2 Re7+ 53. Kd2 Kf5 54. Rb5+ Ne5 55. Rb4 Rd7+ 56. Ke2 Nd3 57. Ra4 Nf4+ 58. Ke1 Kg4 59. Ra3 Rd8 60. Rc3 Rh8 61. Ra3 Rh2 62. Kd1 Kf5 63. Re3 Nd5 64. Re8 Kf4 65. Kc1 Nc3 66. Re7 Ne4 67. Re8 Ke3 68. Re7 Rh6 69. Rc7 Kd3 70. Rd7+ Rd6 71. Rxd6+ Nxd6 1/2-1/2

[Event "Grenke Chess Classic 6th"]
[Site "Karlsruhe/Baden Baden"]
[Date "2019.04.28"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Svidler, Peter"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B30"]
[WhiteElo "2735"]
[BlackElo "2845"]
[Annotator "Nielsen,Peter Heine"]
[PlyCount "66"]
[EventDate "2019.04.20"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 190"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.06.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.06.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{[%evp 0,178,28,10,41,41,41,41,50,36,38,33,73,31,31,33,31,-3,-3,-28,-15,-11,0,-30,-12,-37,-18,-26,6,-18,11,-19,-19,-19,-4,-14,-13,-20,-28,-26,37,76,70,42,46,-8,-3,-61,-67,-83,-67,-59,-48,-52,-47,-50,-46,-45,-35,-41,-25,-14,-20,-42,-51,-51,-34,-28,-32,-26,-25,-34,-12,-10,-18,-19,-20,-17,-4,-13,0,-33,-35,-30,-12,-19,-24,-23,-35,-32,-36,-30,-46,-61,-35,-30,-37,-15,-21,-22,0,-16,-6,-42,-54,-99,-69,-111,-106,-170,-168,-169,-169,-169,-169,-179,-187,-180,-180,-183,-153,-199,-199,-255,-249,-241,-216,-239,-230,-239,-233,-234,-260,-260,-288,-326,-347,-410,-480,-517,-331,-325,-327,-448,-399,-399,-329,-338,-353,-352,-349,-346,-346,-349,-349,-349,-374,-389,-411,-403,-405,-405,-376,-383,-387,-388,-387,-388,-255,-192,-184,-183,-157,-507,-527,-537,-537,-537,-557,-567,-567]} 1. e4 {Erenburg,Sergey} c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 {Magnus favourite opening of late, obviously played in the World Championship but actually starting already from the 2018 Sinquefield Cup. There MVL played 3.Nc3, but since then the focus has been on first 3.Bb5 and then the popular 7.Nd5 in the Sveshnikov where Caruana earlier in the tournament continued his theoretical discusion vs. Magnus.} 3. Nc3 {Svidler copies MVL, staying away from the most principal battles.} e5 ({RR} 3... Nf6 4. Bb5) 4. Bc4 Be7 $5 {Absolutely the standard move, but in St. Louis Magnus choose the more surprising 4...g6, but here reverts to the standard.} 5. d3 d6 6. Nd2 $5 {Kasparov's favourite move, aiming for the control of d5. Later attention switched to 6.0-0 Nf6 7.Ng5 leading to a much sharper battle, but the positional approach both has logic and venom.} ({RR} 6. O-O) 6... Nf6 {The modest 6...Bg5 was the choice in the early encounters, but modern theory has started to focus on this natural development move.} 7. Nf1 Nd7 $5 {This, however, is much less played, but does follow in the footsteps of both Kramnik and Gelfand and was also employed twice by Lenic in his 2917 World Cup match vs. Magnus' French second Laurent Fressinet. The idea is to exchange White's strong knight on d5, and while obviously this also could be done from f6, and thus by logic Black just throws away 2 tempi, the point is doing it on Black's terms, trying to force White to take on b6.} ({RR} 7... Bg4 8. f3 Be6 9. Ne3 O-O 10. O-O Rb8 ({RR} 10... Nd7 11. Ncd5 ({RR} 11. Ned5 Nb6 12. Nxb6 Qxb6 13. Nd5 Bxd5 14. Bxd5 Nb4 15. Bc4 Rad8 16. f4 exf4 17. Rxf4 d5 18. exd5 Nxd5 19. Rf5) ({RR} 11. g3 Nb6 12. Ncd5 ({RR} 12. f4 Nxc4 13. dxc4 exf4 14. gxf4 f5 15. exf5 Bc8 16. Ncd5 Nd4 17. b3 Nxf5 18. Bb2 Nxe3 19. Nxe3 Bf6) 12... Nxc4 13. dxc4 g6 14. Bd2 f5 15. exf5 gxf5 16. f4 Bf6 17. Qh5 Qd7 18. Nxf6+ Rxf6 19. fxe5 dxe5 20. Ng4 fxg4 21. Rxf6 Qxd2 22. Rxe6 Qe3+ 23. Kh1 Qe4+ 24. Kg1 Qe3+ 25. Kh1) 11... Nb6 12. Nxb6 axb6 13. Nd5 Na5 14. a4 Nxc4 15. dxc4 Bd7 16. Nc3 Bc6 17. Qd3 Qd7 18. b3 Rae8 19. Be3 Kh8 20. Rad1 Qe6 21. Nd5) 11. a3 Nd7 12. g3 Nb6 13. Ba2 Bg5 14. f4 exf4 15. gxf4 Bf6 16. Kh1 Bxc3 17. bxc3 Bxa2 18. Rxa2 d5) 8. Nd5 (8. Ne3 {was Fressinet and Kasparov's choice, and while White does keep a nominal edge, neither managed to break down the solidity of Black's position.}) 8... Nb6 9. Nxb6 $5 ({RR} 9. Nfe3 Nxc4 10. Nxc4 Be6) ({RR} 9. Nxe7 Qxe7 10. Bb3 Nd4) 9... axb6 ({RR} 9... Qxb6 10. Ne3) 10. c3 {This is the point of White's play, creating a somewhat akward double pawn, and now not allowing 10.Ne3 b5! removing the weakness due to 11.Bxb5 Qa5+! losing a piece.} (10. Ne3 b5 $1 11. Bxb5 Qa5+ $1 {[%cal Ga5e1,Ga5b5]}) 10... O-O 11. Ne3 Bg5 12. O-O {Here Kramnik took on e3 followed by ...Qe7 and Be6 equalising, and the engines verify similar thoughts, suggesting 12...Be6. But how do you actually play for a win?} Kh8 $5 {At least posing the question if ...f5 next is a "threat" as well as generally safeguarding the king.} ({RR} 12... Bxe3 13. Bxe3 Qe7 ({RR} 13... Be6 14. a3 ({RR} 14. Bxe6 fxe6 15. Qb3 d5 ({RR} 15... Re8 16. f4) 16. f4) 14... Qd7 15. Qb3 Bxc4 16. Qxc4 Kh8 17. Qb5 Ra6 18. d4 Qe7 19. dxc5 ({RR} 19. d5 Nb8 20. b4) 19... bxc5 20. b4) 14. f4 exf4 ({RR} 14... Be6 15. f5 Bxc4 16. f6 ({RR} 16. dxc4) 16... Qe6 ({RR} 16... gxf6 17. dxc4) 17. Qh5 ({RR} 17. dxc4) 17... gxf6 18. dxc4 Kh8 19. Qh4) 15. Bxf4 Be6 16. Bxe6 Qxe6 ({RR} 16... fxe6 17. Qb3) 17. Qb3 Qxb3 18. axb3 Rad8 19. Bg3 Rd7 ({RR} 19... d5 20. Bc7) 20. Rf5 Rfd8 ({RR} 20... Ne7 21. Rf3 d5 22. exd5 Nxd5 23. b4 cxb4 24. c4 Ne7 25. Re1 Nc6 26. Rfe3 f6) 21. b4 ({RR} 21. Kf2 Ne7 22. Rf3 d5 23. exd5 ({RR} 23. e5 d4) 23... Nxd5) 21... Ne7 {½-½ (21) Leko,P (2739)-Kramnik,V (2785) Dortmund 2003 CBM 097 [Erenburg,Sergey]} ({RR} 21... cxb4 22. Rd5 ({RR} 22. Rb5 bxc3 23. bxc3 d5 24. exd5 Rxd5 25. Rxd5 Rxd5 26. Ra8+ Rd8 27. Rxd8+ Nxd8 28. c4 ({RR} 28. Bc7 Ne6 29. Bxb6 Nf4) 28... Nc6 29. Kf2 b5 30. cxb5 Nd4 31. b6 Kf8) 22... bxc3 ({RR} 22... f6 23. c4) 23. bxc3 f6 24. Rb1 Ne7 25. Rdb5 d5 26. Rxb6 dxe4 27. dxe4 Rd1+ 28. Rxd1 Rxd1+ 29. Kf2 Rd7 30. c4) {RR} 22. Rf3 cxb4 ({RR} 22... d5 23. exd5 Nxd5 24. Bf2) 23. c4 ({RR} 23. Bf2 bxc3 24. bxc3 b5) 23... Nc6 24. Rf5 Ne5 25. Rd1 f6 26. b3 b5 27. d4 bxc4 28. dxe5 dxe5 29. Rxd7 Rxd7) ({RR} 12... Be6 13. Bb3 ({RR} 13. Bd5 Bxd5 14. exd5 Ne7 15. c4 b5) 13... Re8) ({RR} 12... Be6 13. Kh1 b5 14. Bxe6 fxe6 15. Qb3 Rf6 16. Qxb5 Rh6 17. Qxb7 Qe8 18. h3 Na5 19. Qb6 Qh5 20. Qxd6 Bf4 21. f3 Qh4 22. Ng4 Rg6 23. Bxf4 exf4 24. Qxc5 h5 25. Nh2 Rg3 26. b4 Nb7 27. Qc6 {Tschernatsch,J (2286)-Orf,N (2077) Bamberg GER 2024 1-0}) 13. a3 $6 (13. Nd5 {now ould have been safer as after} Bxc1 14. Qxc1 f5 15. exf5 Bxf5 16. Qe3 {White does keep a pleasant position with b4 or f4 next.}) {Svidler however indicates that ...f5 does not worry him, and Magnus follows with maybe you should be?} 13... f5 $1 14. Nxf5 $146 ({RR} 14. exf5 Bxf5 15. Nxf5 Rxf5 16. Be6 Rf8 17. Qb3 Bxc1 18. Raxc1 Rf6 19. Bd5 Qc7 20. g3 Raf8 21. Rce1 Ne7 22. Bg2 Nc6 23. Re2 g6 24. h4 Qd8 25. Qd5 Qc7 26. b4 Ra8 27. Qb3 Rff8 28. Rfe1 Qf7 {Holm,K (2474)-Vestby Ellingsen,M (2345) Sarpsborg 2019 1-0 (47)}) 14... Bxc1 15. Rxc1 Bxf5 16. exf5 d5 $1 {White got bishop vs knight, but black has the f-file and more pawns in the centre.} 17. Ba2 {Svidler plays ambitiously eyeing the d5-pawn as a potential weakness.} ({but safer would be the liquidating} 17. Bb5 $5 Rxf5 18. Bxc6 {simplifying with a likely draw.}) {Not the battle focuses around if White's bishop on a2 will be in or out of play:} 17... Rxf5 18. Qg4 Rf6 19. f4 $6 {The wish to exchange as well as annulate the pressure in the f-line is understandable, but the ensuing tactics turns out (very) well for Black. Common sense chess with 19.Rce1 Qd6 20.Qd1 brings some harmony into White's positions, and while his aggressive prospects are not huge, he does have a solid position. After the game move, however, not so much.} (19. Rce1 Qd6 20. Qd1) 19... exf4 20. Qg5 {A neccesary intermediate move} ({as} 20. Rxf4 $2 {loses material immediately to} Ne5 21. Qg3 Rxf4 22. Qxf4 Nxd3) 20... Qf8 $1 {While the early phase of this game of Magnus has seen standard moves combined with a bit of provocation, the rest is another serious matter, developing a strong attack and finishing it off in style. Keeping the f4 pawn is crucial in his attacking concept, and readmitting the bishop on a2 into the game of much lesser importance, as the game will show its just shooting into thin air.} 21. Qxd5 {21.Bxd5 rerouting the bishop to e4 would have been ideal strategically, but unfortunately drops a pieces due to 21...Rf5!} (21. Bxd5 Rf5 $1) 21... Rd8 $1 22. Qf3 $6 {Logical and consequent, but giving Black everything he wants.} (22. Qg5 h6 23. Qh5 Rxd3 24. Rce1 {is indeed a pawn down, but with decent compensation with good chances of a draw.}) 22... Ne5 23. Qe4 $5 {Svidler maybe pinned his hopes on this move, kicking the knight and thus not allowing ...f3 which would be lethal after the direct 23.Qxb7.} (23. Qxb7 f3 $1) 23... Ng4 $1 {Magnus is in the zone, both mentally but also with the knight invading next on e3 where it becomes the fix-point of the black attack.} (23... Nxd3 {would leave Black a pawn up but the attack would then evaporate.}) 24. Rce1 Ne3 25. Rf2 Re8 $1 26. Qxb7 g5 $1 {First a pawn sac and then followed up by this key move. The knight on e3 and the pawn on f4 completely block White's rooks, and the bishop on a2 basically is on an empty diagonal as Black's attack will happen on the dark squares. White's position might look sufficiently solid, but the march of the g-pawn drastically changes that. White'ss position is actually so bad that there is nothing he can do, and Svidler decides to literally do that, going back and forth:} 27. Rfe2 $6 {I guess should be criticised on principle, but I cannot offer any reasonable alternative.} g4 28. Rf2 Qh6 $1 {Simply threatening ...g3 and then mate on h2.} 29. Qc7 {X-raying the g3 square.} Ref8 $1 {Renewing the threat of... g3, with hxg3 Ng4+! now being the followup, and there is no longer a rook hanging on e8 against which White can do absolutely nothing.} 30. h3 $5 {One might think that Svidler decided to be a good sport and allow a very spectacular finish, but actually his position is just dead lost.} ({The computer wants tragic moves like} 30. Qe5 g3 31. hxg3 Ng4 32. Qxf6+) ({or} 30. g3 fxg3 31. Qxg3 {allowing} Rxf2 {just to illustrate how desperate the situation actually is.}) 30... gxh3 31. g3 fxg3 32. Rxf6 $5 {The idea is that after 32...Qxf6 33 Qxg3 white does fight on, but also that after:} h2+ $1 33. Kh1 g2# {We have a mate that just speak for itself in its beauty:} 0-1

[Event "Norway Chess 7th"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2019.06.05"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B31"]
[WhiteElo "2752"]
[BlackElo "2875"]
[Annotator "Lupulescu,Constantin"]
[PlyCount "136"]
[EventDate "2019.06.04"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 191"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.08.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.08.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 {when faced with this move against the same opponent in a blitz game in 2018 Aronian chose 3.c3} 3. Bb5 g6 4. Bxc6 dxc6 {Carlsen has had quite an extensive experience in this positions from his match with Caruana} 5. d3 Qc7 {Black's idea is to play a quick e5 and then perhaps f6-h5 to prevent in advance f4 ideas. Compared to the previous game where he chose 6...c7, he keeps his  on f8 to protect c5} (5... Bg7 6. O-O Qc7 {was the similar idea played in the World Championship match} 7. Re1 e5 8. a3 Nf6 9. b4 O-O 10. Nbd2 Bg4 11. h3 Bxf3 12. Nxf3 cxb4 13. axb4 a5 14. bxa5 Rxa5 15. Bd2 (15. Rxa5 Qxa5 16. Bd2 {was at least interesting}) 15... Raa8 16. Qb1 Nd7 17. Qb4 Rfe8 18. Bc3 b5 $11 {½-½ (49) Caruana,F (2832)-Carlsen,M (2835) London 2018}) 6. O-O e5 7. Be3 Nf6 8. Qe1 $5 {practically a novelty. White's idea is the typical c3 putting some pressure on e5.} (8. Nbd2 $6 Ng4 {White has to give up his pride and joy}) (8. h3 {was possible as well}) 8... Bg4 {of course Carlsen doesn't allow his opponent to execute his idea} (8... Be7 $143 9. Qc3 Nd7 10. a4 {[%cal Gb1d2] White has a harmonious position}) 9. Nbd2 Nh5 $1 {a strong move that is keeping an eye of f4 breaks while also preparing f6} (9... Be7 $6 10. h3 Bxf3 (10... Be6 11. Ng5 $16) 11. Nxf3 O-O 12. Nh2) 10. a3 (10. h3 Be6 11. Ng5 Bd7) 10... Be7 $2 ({a move like} 10... f6 $1 {to consolidate e5 was needed for exemple} 11. Qb1 (11. h3 Be6 12. Qe2 {does not make a lot of use of 8.e1}) 11... a5 12. b4 cxb4 13. axb4 Bxb4 14. Qb3 (14. Qxb4 {it's interesting but doesn't give White more than compensation} axb4 15. Rxa8+ Bc8 16. Nc4 Kf7 17. Bc5 Kg7 $15 {Black's  is quite safe}) 14... Qc8 $13 {[%cal Gg4e6]}) 11. Qb1 $146 {not only original but also very strong. Now Black cannot stop the thematic b4 and he faces serious problems} (11. Rb1 a5 {goes nowhere}) ({RR} 11. b4 cxb4 12. axb4 O-O 13. Qb1 Nf4 14. Qb2 f6 15. Bxf4 exf4 16. Qb3+ Kh8 17. d4 g5 18. c4 b6 19. c5 Qd7 20. Qc3 Rfd8 21. Nb3 Kg8 22. Rfe1 bxc5 23. bxc5 Rab8 24. Nfd2 Be6 25. h3 Bf7 {Svidler,P (2694)-Praggnanandhaa,R (2618) Riga 2021 ½-½ (31)}) ({RR} 11. b4 cxb4 12. axb4 O-O 13. Qb1 Nf4 14. Qb2 f6 15. Bxf4 exf4 16. Qb3+ Kh8 17. d4 g5 18. c4 b6 19. c5 Qd7 20. Qc3 Rfd8 21. Nb3 Kg8 22. Rfe1 bxc5 23. bxc5 Rab8 24. Nfd2 Be6 25. h3 Bf7 {Svidler,P (2694)-Praggnanandhaa,R (2618) Riga 2021 ½-½ (31)}) 11... Nf4 {Black is also trying to get some counterplay} ({we can see White idea after} 11... a5 12. b4 axb4 (12... cxb4 13. axb4 a4 14. Qb2 f6 15. d4 $16) 13. axb4 Rxa1 14. Qxa1 cxb4 15. Nxe5 Bf6 16. Bd4 $16) 12. b4 Ne2+ (12... b6 13. bxc5 bxc5 {the engine claims just a small edge but I am pretty sure nobody would really enjoy his time as Black in this position. However, it was probably the lesser evil as Black's activity after 12...e2 will not amount to much}) 13. Kh1 Nd4 14. Ng1 $1 {Also introducing c3 ideas and the  cannot go back to e6} (14. bxc5 Nxf3 15. Nxf3 Bxf3 16. gxf3 {was also possible but it is understandable that Aronian didn't want to spoil the pawn strucuture around his }) 14... g5 {since his strategical position is compromised Black needs to try something} (14... cxb4 15. axb4 g5 {preventing f4} (15... O-O 16. f4 $36) 16. c3 Ne6 {would for exemple keep the material equal but Black is still facing a difficult struggle} 17. Nc4 b5 (17... O-O 18. Bxa7 {is already possible} b5 19. Bb6 Rxa1 20. Qxa1 Qb8 21. Ne3 Bh5 22. Qa6 $16) 18. Na5 $16) 15. bxc5 Bxc5 16. Bxg5 {White needs to accept the gift one way or the other. However it's not at all clear how Black will take advantage of the opening of the g file} Rg8 17. Bh4 Be7 18. Bg3 (18. Bxe7 Qxe7 19. f3 Be6 (19... Bh5 20. Nb3 Qg5 21. Rf2 Qe3 22. Nh3 {Black's attack ends here}) 20. c3 $16 {also looked grim for Black}) 18... O-O-O {Black needs also a shelter for his } 19. Nc4 f6 20. a4 (20. f4 Be6 21. fxe5 Rxg3 {even though White would still be close to winning, it would create some unnecessary mess}) 20... Ne6 (20... h5 {was perhaps worth a try to muddy the waters a little for exemple} 21. f3 Be6 22. c3 Bxc4 23. cxd4 Ba6 {and at least Black has some active play}) 21. f3 Bh5 22. Bf2 {now, after all the dust has settled, White is a clear pawn up with easier play} Bc5 (22... Kb8 23. a5 {doesn't make Black's life any easier}) 23. Bxc5 Nxc5 24. Ne2 {getting the second  back into play} Bf7 25. Ne3 Qa5 (25... h5 26. a5 h4 {is not doing much after} 27. h3 {White's two  around his  assure him against any attacking Black options}) 26. Qe1 Qxe1 {the  swap was the only chance for Black to create some resemblance of counterplay on the queenside} 27. Rfxe1 a5 28. Kg1 {White continues the logical play activating his } h5 29. h4 {White could allow the pawn to get to h4 but it is more logical to block in on a light square} Kc7 30. Kf2 Be6 {now White makes a few passing moves with the  before returning to the right plan of the d4 break} 31. Rg1 Rh8 32. Rh1 Rd7 33. Rhd1 Bf7 (33... Rhd8 34. Ng3 Bf7 {it was an idea to make it harder for White to achieve the central break although it would still be a rather desperate fight} 35. Ngf5 Ne6 36. Rdb1 {now White can play at his leisure combining play on the queenside with a g4 break at the right moment}) 34. d4 exd4 35. Rxd4 Rxd4 36. Nxd4 Rd8 37. Ne2 {a good regrouping} (37. Nef5 Bg6 38. Ke3 {was also nice for White}) 37... Rd2 38. Ke1 Rd8 39. Nf5 Ra8 {Black tries to activate his  via a6, b6} 40. Nc3 Be6 41. Ne3 Kd6 {Black take his  closer to the kingside to be better place against g4 ideas} (41... Ra6 {doesn't achieve its aim} 42. Kf2 Rb6 43. Rh1 $1 $18 {[%cal Gg2g4] the White Knights are doing a very good job protecting White's weaknesses and now g4 become unstoppable} (43. g4 hxg4 44. fxg4 Rb4 45. Kf3 Bg8 {would give Black some chances})) 42. Rd1+ Ke7 43. Rd4 {White has centralised his pieces and is ready for the winning f5 following by g4} Ra6 44. Kd2 Rb6 45. Nf5+ {this is also winning} (45. Rd5 $1 {would finish off the world champion in style} cxd5 46. Nexd5+) 45... Bxf5 46. exf5 Rb2 47. Rc4 Kd6 48. Ne4+ {here it is, I believe, where things started to go wrong for Aronian. Objectively 48.e4 was the best choice. However, playing with such a demanding time control, it feels like he invested too much of his remaining time on this move} (48. g4 {was also a valid choice} b5 (48... Rb4 49. Rxb4 axb4 50. Na2 Nxa4 51. Nxb4 {also White looks totally winning}) 49. axb5 cxb5 50. Rd4+ Ke7 51. Rd5 $18) 48... Nxe4+ 49. Rxe4 Ra2 50. g4 hxg4 51. fxg4 Kd5 52. Kd3 Ra3+ 53. c3 b5 54. h5 $2 {left with just a few minutes on the clock White goes wrong} (54. g5 b4 55. Rg4 $1 b3 56. g6 Ra1 57. g7 {perhaps Aronian forgot he would be queening with check?!}) 54... b4 $2 {very tempting but giving White chances again} (54... Ra1 55. axb5 cxb5 56. Re6 (56. Re8 Rd1+ 57. Ke2 Rh1 58. Kf3 a4 {Black has enough activity to draw}) 56... Rg1 57. Rxf6 Rxg4 58. Rb6 Rg3+ 59. Kd2 b4 60. cxb4 axb4 61. f6 Ra3 62. Ke2 Ra7 63. Kf3 Kc5 $8 64. Re6 b3 65. Kg4 b2 66. Re1 Kd5 (66... Ra1 $2 67. f7 $18) 67. Rb1 Ke6 {was not such a trivial draw}) 55. Rd4+ Ke5 56. Rc4 Rxa4 (56... b3 57. Re4+ Kd6 58. h6 Ra1 59. Re2 Rh1 60. Kc4 Rxh6 61. Re6+ Kc7 62. Kxb3 {would be very difficult for Black}) 57. h6 $6 {White misses his last winning chance} (57. Re4+ $1 Kd5 58. g5 Ra3 (58... fxg5 59. f6 $18) 59. Re3 $3 $18 {would be not that easy to find even with time on the clock} (59. gxf6 $4 Rxc3+ 60. Kd2 Kxe4 61. f7 Rd3+ 62. Kc2 Rd8 {would end tragic for White})) 57... Ra1 58. cxb4 (58. Re4+ $1 {was the last practical chance that would still be a draw if both players found amazing resources} Kd5 59. g5 b3 (59... fxg5 60. c4+ Kd6 61. f6 $18) 60. Re2 fxg5 61. c4+ Kd6 62. c5+ Kd5 63. f6 b2 64. Rxb2 Ke6 65. Rb6 Kxf6 66. Rxc6+ Kf5 (66... Ke5 $2 {allows White to push his h pawn to the 7th rank} 67. Rg6 Kf5 68. h7 Rh1 69. Rg7 $18) 67. Rd6 Rh1 68. Kd2 Rh2+ 69. Kc3 Ke5 (69... Rh1 $2 70. Kb3 Rh4 71. c6 $18) 70. Kb3 Rh4 71. Rg6 Kf5 72. c6 Kxg6 73. c7 Rxh6 (73... Rh3+ 74. Kc2 Rh2+ $11) 74. c8=Q Rh4 $1 {would still be a draw}) 58... axb4 59. Rxc6 {now is very easy for Black} (59. Re4+ Kd5 60. g5 fxg5 61. f6 $4 Ra3+ $19 {is where we see the difference with 58.cb4 included}) 59... Ra3+ 60. Kc4 Rc3+ 61. Kb5 Rh3 62. Kxb4 Rxh6 63. Kc5 Rh1 64. Re6+ Kf4 65. Rxf6 Kxg4 66. Kd6 Kg5 67. Ke7 Ra1 68. Rf8 Ra7+ {After Aronian's brilliant 11.b1! the World champion looked in very big danger. To say he managed a miraculous escape it would probably be a small understatement.} 1/2-1/2

[Event "Norway Chess 7th"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2019.06.09"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B33"]
[WhiteElo "2779"]
[BlackElo "2875"]
[PlyCount "60"]
[EventDate "2019.06.04"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 191"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.08.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.08.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 e5 6. Ndb5 d6 7. Nd5 Nxd5 8. exd5 Nb8 9. a4 Be7 10. Be2 O-O 11. O-O Nd7 12. Kh1 a6 13. Na3 Nc5 14. Nc4 a5 15. f4 exf4 16. Bxf4 f5 17. Bd3 b6 18. Qe2 $146 ({RR} 18. Re1 Ba6 19. Nxb6 Nxd3 20. cxd3 Qxb6 21. Rxe7 Rad8 22. Qe2 Kh8 23. Rc1 Qd4 24. Qe3 Qxb2 25. Rcc7 Qa1+ 26. Qc1 Qxc1+ 27. Bxc1 Rc8 28. Rxc8 Rxc8 29. Bb2 Rb8 30. h4 h5 31. Bxg7+ Kg8 32. Bf6 Bxd3 {Fule,S (2280)-Fishchuk,V (2253) Budapest 2022 ½-½ (36)}) ({RR} 18. Re1 Ba6 19. Nxb6 Nxd3 20. cxd3 Qxb6 21. Rxe7 Rad8 22. Qe2 Kh8 23. Rc1 Qd4 24. Qe3 Qxb2 25. Rcc7 Qa1+ 26. Qc1 Qxc1+ 27. Bxc1 Rc8 28. Rxc8 Rxc8 29. Bb2 Rb8 30. h4 h5 31. Bxg7+ Kg8 32. Bf6 Bxd3 {Fule,S (2280)-Fishchuk,V (2253) Budapest 2022 ½-½ (36)}) 18... Ba6 19. Nxb6 Nxd3 20. cxd3 Qxb6 21. Qxe7 Bxd3 22. Qe6+ Kh8 23. Qxd6 Qxd6 24. Bxd6 Bxf1 25. Bxf8 Bc4 26. Be7 Bxd5 27. Rd1 Bb3 28. Rd8+ Rxd8 29. Bxd8 Bxa4 30. Bxa5 Kg8 1/2-1/2

[Event "Norway Chess 7th"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2019.06.12"]
[Round "7"]
[White "So, Wesley"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B33"]
[WhiteElo "2754"]
[BlackElo "2875"]
[PlyCount "71"]
[EventDate "2019.06.04"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 191"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.08.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.08.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 e5 6. Ndb5 d6 7. Bg5 a6 8. Na3 b5 9. Nd5 Be7 10. Bxf6 Bxf6 11. c3 O-O 12. Nc2 Rb8 13. h4 g6 14. g3 Bg7 15. h5 Ne7 ({RR} 15... Be6 16. Nce3 Bxd5 17. Nxd5 Ne7 18. Bh3 Nxd5 {½-½ (19) Kvaloy,A (2266)-Seo,J (2500) Fagernes NOR 2023}) ({RR} 15... Be6 16. Nce3 Bxd5 17. Nxd5 Ne7 18. Bh3 Nxd5 {½-½ (19) Kvaloy,A (2266)-Seo,J (2500) Fagernes NOR 2023}) 16. Nce3 Nxd5 17. Nxd5 Be6 18. Bh3 Bxd5 ({RR} 18... Qg5 19. hxg6 hxg6 20. Kf1 Bxd5 21. Qxd5 b4 22. c4 b3 23. Kg2 bxa2 24. Rxa2 Rb6 25. b4 Rxb4 26. Rxa6 Rb2 27. Rxd6 Qe3 28. Rf1 Qd4 29. Qc6 Qc3 30. Rxg6 fxg6 31. Be6+ Kh7 32. Rh1+ Bh6 33. Qd7+ {Bizhigitov,Z (2276)-Skliarov,V (2340) chess.com INT 2025 1-0 (34)}) 19. Qxd5 b4 $146 20. c4 Qc7 21. O-O Rb6 22. b3 Rd8 23. a4 bxa3 24. hxg6 hxg6 25. Rxa3 Qc5 26. Rfa1 Qxd5 27. cxd5 Bh6 28. Rxa6 Rxb3 29. Ra8 Rxa8 30. Rxa8+ Bf8 31. Bd7 Rb4 32. Ra4 Rb2 33. Ra7 Be7 34. Bc6 Kf8 35. Rb7 Rxb7 36. Bxb7 1/2-1/2

[Event "Norway Chess 7th"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2019.06.14"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B31"]
[WhiteElo "2819"]
[BlackElo "2875"]
[PlyCount "111"]
[EventDate "2019.06.04"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 191"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.08.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.08.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 {Nielsen,Peter Heine} c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 g6 4. Bxc6 dxc6 5. d3 Bg7 ({RR} 5... Qc7 6. O-O e5 7. Be3 Nf6 8. Qe1 Bg4 9. Nbd2 Nh5 10. a3 Be7 11. Qb1 a5 12. b4 axb4 ({RR} 12... cxb4 13. axb4 Bxb4 14. Qxb4 axb4 15. Rxa8+) 13. axb4 Rxa1 14. Qxa1) 6. h3 e5 7. O-O Qc7 8. a3 ({RR} 8. Be3 b6 9. Nbd2 Ne7 10. a3 O-O 11. b4 cxb4 12. axb4 f5 13. Nc4 Be6 14. Ng5 Bd7 15. Qe2 ({RR} 15. Ra3 h6 16. Nf3 f4 17. Bd2 g5 18. Bc3 Ng6 19. d4) 15... h6 16. Nf3 f4 17. Bd2 g5 18. Bc3 Ng6 19. d4 exd4 20. Bxd4 g4 21. hxg4 Bxg4 22. c3 ({RR} 22. Ncd2 Bxd4 23. Qc4+) 22... c5 {Aronian,L (2752)-Carlsen,M (2875) Stavanger 2019 CBM 191 [Nielsen,Peter Heine] 0-1 (43)}) 8... Nf6 ({RR} 8... Ne7 9. b4 cxb4 10. axb4 O-O 11. Bb2 h6 12. Nbd2 Be6 13. d4 exd4 14. Bxd4 Rfd8 15. Bxg7 Kxg7 16. Ra5 b6 17. Qa1+ Kh7 18. Ra3 c5 19. b5 Qf4 20. Qc3 Nc8 21. Rfa1 Qc7 22. Ra4 Nd6 23. Qb2 {Haubro,M (2436)-Thybo,J (2542) Svendborg DEN 2024 ½-½ (50)}) 9. Be3 $146 ({RR} 9. b4 cxb4 10. axb4 O-O 11. Bb2 Nh5 12. Nbd2 Be6 13. Re1 Rfd8 14. Ng5 Nf4 15. Nxe6 Nxe6 16. Nf3 a5 17. Rxa5 Rxa5 18. bxa5 Qxa5 19. Qa1 Qxa1 20. Rxa1 f6 21. Ra7 Rd7 22. Nd2 Bf8 23. Nb3 Kf7 {Mrdja,M (2368)-Sgnaolin,D (2118) Robecchetto 2002 1-0 (68)}) ({RR} 9. Nc3 O-O 10. b4 Qe7 11. Rb1 Rd8 12. Qe2 Nh5 13. Be3 Nf4 14. Bxf4 exf4 15. e5 cxb4 16. axb4 a5 17. b5 Bf5 18. Rfe1 a4 19. bxc6 bxc6 20. Qd2 g5 21. Ne4 Bxe4 22. Rxe4 a3 23. Qb4 Qxb4 {Kucumenler,T (2024)-Tadic,S (2241) Veliko Gradiste 2019 0-1 (31)}) 9... c4 10. Nc3 cxd3 11. Qxd3 O-O 12. Rfd1 Re8 13. Bc5 Bf8 14. Bxf8 Kxf8 15. Rd2 Be6 16. Rad1 Rad8 17. Qxd8 Rxd8 18. Rxd8+ Kg7 19. R8d3 h6 20. b4 a5 21. Re3 Nd7 22. Na4 b5 23. Nb2 c5 24. c3 c4 25. Rd2 axb4 26. axb4 Nf6 27. Nd1 Bd7 28. Nh2 Qa7 29. h4 Bc6 30. f3 Bd7 31. Nf1 Be6 32. Kh2 Nh5 33. g3 g5 34. hxg5 hxg5 35. Nf2 g4 36. Nxg4 Bxg4 37. fxg4 Nf6 38. Kg2 Nxg4 39. Rf3 Qa8 40. Re2 Kg6 41. Rf5 f6 42. Nh2 Nh6 43. Rf1 Kg7 44. Rd1 Qa3 45. Rd7+ Kg6 46. Nf3 Qxc3 47. Nh4+ Kh5 48. Rh7 Qd3 49. Re1 c3 50. Nf3 Qc2+ 51. Kh3 Kg6 52. Rc7 Nf7 53. Nh4+ Kg7 54. Nf5+ Kg6 55. Nh4+ Kg7 56. Nf5+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "Croatia GCT"]
[Site "Zagreb"]
[Date "2019.06.26"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Giri, Anish"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B30"]
[WhiteElo "2779"]
[BlackElo "2875"]
[PlyCount "46"]
[EventDate "2019.06.26"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "CRO"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 191"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.08.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.08.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 e6 4. Bxc6 bxc6 5. d3 Ne7 6. h4 h5 7. e5 ({RR} 7. Qe2 d6 8. e5 d5 9. c4 Nf5 10. Nc3 Be7 11. Bg5 f6 12. Bf4 O-O 13. O-O-O Nd4 14. Qd2 a5 15. Na4 Ra7 16. exf6 gxf6 17. Bh6 Rf7 18. Kb1 dxc4 19. Qc3 cxd3 20. Nxc5 e5 21. Nxd4 exd4 {Firouzja,A (2728)-Korobov,A (2688) Chess.com INT 2020 0-1 (38)}) 7... d6 ({RR} 7... f6 8. Nc3 Nf5 9. Ne4 d5 10. exd6 Bxd6 11. b3 Be7 12. Be3 Nxe3 13. fxe3 Qa5+ 14. Qd2 Qxd2+ 15. Nexd2 e5 16. O-O-O Bg4 17. Nc4 O-O-O 18. Rdf1 Rhe8 19. Nfd2 Bf8 20. e4 Kc7 21. Kb2 Rd7 22. Rf2 {Bednarczyk,D (2249)-Karut,K (2150) Jastrzebia Gora POL 2025 1-0 (66)}) 8. exd6 Ng6 9. Nfd2 $146 ({RR} 9. Nc3 Bxd6 10. Ne4 Rb8 11. b3 e5 12. Nxd6+ Qxd6 13. Ng5 Qd4 14. Be3 Qb4+ 15. Kf1 Bf5 16. Qf3 Ne7 17. Re1 f6 18. Ne4 Bxe4 19. Qxe4 Qxe4 20. dxe4 c4 21. Rd1 Kf7 22. Ke2 Rhd8 23. Bxa7 Rxd1 {Warakomski,T (2531)-Brzezinski,M (2187) Bydgoszcz 2022 1-0 (52)}) ({RR} 9. Nc3 Bxd6 10. Ne4 Rb8 11. b3 e5 12. Nxd6+ Qxd6 13. Ng5 Qd4 14. Be3 Qb4+ 15. Kf1 Bf5 16. Qf3 Ne7 17. Re1 f6 18. Ne4 Bxe4 19. Qxe4 Qxe4 20. dxe4 c4 21. Rd1 Kf7 22. Ke2 Rhd8 23. Bxa7 Rxd1 {Warakomski,T (2531)-Brzezinski,M (2187) Bydgoszcz 2022 1-0 (52)}) 9... Bxd6 10. Nc4 Be7 11. Nc3 Ba6 12. Qf3 Bxc4 13. Qxc6+ Kf8 14. dxc4 Nxh4 15. O-O Nf5 16. Ne2 Rc8 17. Qa4 Rc7 18. Bf4 Rd7 19. c3 g5 20. Rad1 Rxd1 21. Rxd1 Qa8 22. Bc7 h4 23. f3 h3 0-1

[Event "Croatia GCT"]
[Site "Zagreb"]
[Date "2019.06.28"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C84"]
[WhiteElo "2819"]
[BlackElo "2875"]
[PlyCount "135"]
[EventDate "2019.06.26"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "CRO"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 191"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.08.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.08.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Nxe4 6. d4 Be7 7. Re1 b5 8. Rxe4 d5 9. Nxe5 Nxe5 10. Rxe5 bxa4 11. Nc3 O-O 12. Re1 Bd6 13. Qh5 ({RR} 13. h3 a3 14. bxa3 c6 15. Qf3 Qh4 16. Ne2 Re8 17. Bf4 Bf8 18. Ng3 Bd7 19. Rxe8 Rxe8 20. Rb1 Qf6 21. Rb7 Bc8 22. Rc7 Qxd4 23. Bd6 Be6 24. Bxf8 Rxf8 25. Rxc6 Qa1+ 26. Kh2 Qxa2 27. Nh5 Qb2 {Caruana,F (2766)-Yu Yangyi (2729) chess.com INT 2023 1-0 (31)}) ({RR} 13. Qf3 Qh4 14. g3 Qxd4 15. Qxd5 Qxd5 16. Nxd5 Be6 17. Nc3 a3 18. bxa3 Rab8 19. Rb1 Rxb1 20. Nxb1 Bf5 21. Re2 f6 22. Nc3 Be5 23. Nd5 Bg4 24. Re1 Rd8 25. Ne7+ Kf8 26. Nc6 Bc3 27. Nxd8 Bxe1 {Leitgeb,J (2328)-Stefansson,V (2492) Ceske Budejovice CZE 2024 0-1 (51)}) 13... a3 14. Nxd5 axb2 $146 ({RR} 14... Bb7 15. Ne3 Re8 16. bxa3 Re6 17. h3 Qf6 18. Rb1 Be4 19. d5 Bg6 20. Qd1 Re4 21. Bb2 Qf4 22. Nf1 Rb8 23. Bc3 Rxb1 24. Qxb1 h5 25. Bb4 Be5 26. Bd2 Qh4 27. c4 Rxe1 28. Qxe1 f6 29. Ne3 {Rakotomaharo,F (2475)-Vlachos,A (2421) Paris 2021 ½-½ (36)}) ({RR} 14... Bb7 15. Ne3 Re8 16. bxa3 Re6 17. h3 Qf6 18. Rb1 Be4 19. d5 Bg6 20. Qd1 Re4 21. Bb2 Qf4 22. Nf1 Rb8 23. Bc3 Rxb1 24. Qxb1 h5 25. Bb4 Be5 26. Bd2 Qh4 27. c4 Rxe1 28. Qxe1 f6 29. Ne3 {Rakotomaharo,F (2475)-Vlachos,A (2421) Paris 2021 ½-½ (36)}) 15. Bxb2 Rb8 16. Rab1 Re8 17. Ne3 Bf4 18. d5 Rb4 19. c4 Bxe3 20. Rxe3 Rxe3 21. fxe3 Rxc4 22. Bd4 c5 23. Ba1 f6 24. h3 Qe7 25. Qf3 h6 26. Re1 Re4 27. Kf2 Bd7 28. Rd1 Kh7 29. Rd2 Qe8 30. Bb2 Ra4 31. a3 Rc4 32. Re2 Qg6 33. e4 Ba4 34. d6 Bc6 35. Qg3 Qxg3+ 36. Kxg3 Kg6 37. e5 fxe5 38. Bxe5 h5 39. Bb2 h4+ 40. Kh2 Kf5 41. Bxg7 Re4 42. Rxe4 Kxe4 43. Bf6 c4 44. Bxh4 c3 45. Bf6 c2 46. Bb2 Kd5 47. g4 Kxd6 48. Kg3 Bb5 49. Kf3 Ke7 50. h4 Kf8 51. h5 Be8 52. Kg3 Kg8 53. Kh4 Kh7 54. Kg5 Bd7 55. Kf4 a5 56. Kg5 a4 57. Kf4 Be6 58. g5 Bf7 59. g6+ Bxg6 60. hxg6+ Kxg6 61. Ke5 Kf7 62. Kd6 Ke8 63. Bc1 Kd8 64. Kc6 Kc8 65. Bf4 c1=Q+ 66. Bxc1 Kb8 67. Kb6 Ka8 68. Bf4 1/2-1/2

[Event "Croatia GCT"]
[Site "Zagreb"]
[Date "2019.07.03"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B30"]
[WhiteElo "2775"]
[BlackElo "2875"]
[PlyCount "62"]
[EventDate "2019.06.26"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "CRO"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 191"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.08.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.08.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 e5 4. Bc4 g6 5. d3 h6 6. h4 d6 7. h5 g5 8. Nh2 Bg7 9. Ng4 Nge7 ({RR} 9... Nd4 10. Ne3 Ne7 11. Ncd5 Nxd5 12. Bxd5 O-O 13. c3 Ne6 14. g3 Nc7 15. Qb3 Nxd5 16. Nxd5 Kh8 17. f4 exf4 18. gxf4 f5 19. fxg5 fxe4 20. Be3 Bg4 21. Nf4 Rxf4 22. Bxf4 Qf8 23. Rf1 exd3 24. Qxb7 {Chua,J (1935)-Zhou,W (2008) Daqing CHN 2025 0-1}) 10. Ne3 O-O 11. Bd2 $146 ({RR} 11. g4 Be6 12. Ncd5 Bxd5 13. Nxd5 Nxd5 14. Bxd5 Rb8 15. a4 Ne7 16. Bb3 d5 17. Qf3 dxe4 18. dxe4 Nc6 19. c3 Qe7 20. O-O Rbd8 21. Be3 b6 22. Rad1 Na5 23. Bd5 c4 24. Qe2 Rc8 25. Qc2 Rc7 {Tahaoglu,E (1694)-Kul,O (2042) Adapazari 2022 1-0 (57)}) ({RR} 11. Ncd5 Rb8 12. a4 a6 13. Nxe7+ Nxe7 14. a5 Be6 15. Qf3 Qd7 16. g4 Rbd8 17. Nf5 Bxf5 18. gxf5 Bf6 19. Be3 Rc8 20. Rg1 Rfd8 21. Rg4 Qc6 22. Ke2 d5 23. exd5 Nxd5 24. Bxd5 Rxd5 25. Rc4 Rcd8 {Akash,G (2394)-Krishnater,K (2324) Balatonlelle 2019 1-0 (53)}) 11... Kh8 12. g4 Rb8 13. a4 Nd4 14. Ncd5 Nxd5 15. Nxd5 Ne6 16. f3 Nf4 17. Qb1 Be6 18. Qa2 Qd7 19. Rg1 b6 20. Bc3 Bxd5 21. Bxd5 a6 22. Bd2 Qe7 23. Rf1 b5 24. axb5 axb5 25. Kf2 c4 26. Bxf4 exf4 27. Rad1 f5 28. gxf5 g4 29. d4 Qh4+ 30. Ke2 Qh2+ 31. Rf2 gxf3+ 0-1

[Event "Sinquefield Cup 7th"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2019.08.18"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B31"]
[WhiteElo "2756"]
[BlackElo "2882"]
[PlyCount "89"]
[EventDate "2019.08.17"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 192"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.10.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.10.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 g6 4. Bxc6 bxc6 5. d4 Bg7 6. dxc5 Qa5+ 7. Nbd2 Qxc5 8. O-O d6 ({RR} 8... Nf6 9. Nb3 Qd6 10. e5 Qxd1 11. Rxd1 Nd5 12. c4 Nc7 13. Be3 f6 14. exf6 Bxf6 15. Rd2 Rb8 16. Re1 Rb4 17. Rc2 Ne6 18. Nc5 Rxb2 19. Rxb2 Bxb2 20. Nxe6 dxe6 21. Rb1 Bf6 22. Bxa7 Kf7 23. h4 {Moussard,J (2651)-Aryan,C (2609) Sharjah 2022 ½-½ (54)}) 9. Re1 f6 ({RR} 9... Bg4 10. h3 Bxf3 11. Nxf3 Rd8 12. Qe2 e5 13. Qa6 Nf6 14. Be3 Qxc2 15. Re2 Qxe4 16. Bh6 Qxe2 17. Qxe2 Bxh6 18. Nxe5 O-O 19. Nxc6 Rd7 20. Rd1 Re8 21. Qb5 Bg7 22. a4 d5 23. a5 d4 24. Rxd4 {Erdos,V (2542)-Halvax,G (2441) Austria AUT 2025 1-0 (38)}) 10. a3 $146 ({RR} 10. c4 Nh6 11. Qa4 Ng4 12. Re2 Bd7 13. h3 Ne5 14. Nxe5 Qxe5 15. Nf3 Qh5 16. Qb3 Kf7 17. e5 dxe5 18. g4 Bxg4 19. hxg4 Qxg4+ 20. Kf1 Qh3+ 21. Kg1 {½-½ (21) Antal,G (2546)-Markos,J (2568) Slovakia 2019}) 10... Nh6 11. b4 Qh5 12. c4 O-O 13. Qa4 Bd7 14. Nf1 Nf7 15. Ng3 Qg4 16. c5 e5 17. cxd6 c5 18. Qb3 cxb4 19. axb4 Qe6 20. Qxe6 Bxe6 21. Be3 a6 22. Rec1 Rfd8 23. Nd2 Bf8 24. Nc4 Rac8 25. Bc5 Bxc4 26. Rxc4 Nxd6 27. Rcc1 Rc6 28. f3 Nb5 29. Bxf8 Rxc1+ 30. Rxc1 Kxf8 31. Nf1 Nd4 32. Rc4 Ke7 33. Ne3 Kd6 34. Rc5 Nc6 35. Rd5+ Ke7 36. b5 axb5 37. Rxb5 Rb8 38. Rxb8 Nxb8 39. Kf2 Ke6 40. g3 Nd7 41. Nc4 Nc5 42. Ke3 Nd7 43. Kf2 Nc5 44. Ke3 Nd7 45. Kf2 1/2-1/2

[Event "Sinquefield Cup 7th"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2019.08.23"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B31"]
[WhiteElo "2743"]
[BlackElo "2882"]
[PlyCount "60"]
[EventDate "2019.08.17"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 192"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.10.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.10.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 g6 4. O-O Bg7 5. Re1 e5 6. Bxc6 dxc6 7. d3 Qc7 8. Be3 b6 9. a3 a5 10. Nbd2 Nf6 11. b4 Ng4 12. bxc5 Nxe3 13. fxe3 bxc5 14. Nc4 Be6 15. Nfd2 O-O 16. Rf1 $146 ({RR} 16. Rb1 Rfb8 17. Rxb8+ Rxb8 18. Qa1 a4 19. Qc3 Rb5 20. Rf1 f6 21. h3 h5 22. Qa1 {½-½ (22) Nakamura,H (2736)-Carlsen,M (2872) Moscow 2019}) 16... Rab8 17. Qe2 a4 18. Rf2 Rb7 19. Raf1 Qd8 20. Qe1 h5 21. Qa1 f6 22. h3 Bh6 23. Qd1 Kh7 24. Qe2 Rb8 25. Rd1 Qc7 26. Rff1 Kg7 27. Rb1 Rb5 28. Rbd1 Rbb8 29. Rb1 Rb5 30. Rbd1 Rbb8 1/2-1/2

[Event "Sinquefield Cup 7th"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2019.08.26"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B31"]
[WhiteElo "2765"]
[BlackElo "2882"]
[PlyCount "81"]
[EventDate "2019.08.17"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 192"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.10.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.10.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 g6 4. c3 Nf6 5. Qe2 Bg7 6. O-O O-O 7. d4 cxd4 8. cxd4 d6 ({RR} 8... Ne8 9. Be3 Nc7 10. Bxc6 bxc6 11. Nc3 Ba6 12. Qd2 Bxf1 13. Rxf1 Rb8 14. h4 h5 15. Bh6 d5 16. e5 Ne6 17. Bxg7 Kxg7 18. b3 Qa5 19. Ng5 Nxg5 20. hxg5 e6 21. Rc1 Rfc8 22. Ne4 Qxd2 23. Nxd2 {Asish Panda (1935)-Buscar,M (2015) chess.com INT 2025 0-1 (62)}) 9. h3 Nd7 ({RR} 9... a6 10. Bxc6 bxc6 11. Nc3 a5 12. Re1 Nd7 13. Bg5 h6 14. Be3 Kh7 15. Rac1 Ba6 16. Qd2 c5 17. dxc5 Nxc5 18. Red1 Nd3 19. Rb1 Rc8 20. Bd4 e5 21. Be3 f5 22. exf5 gxf5 23. Nd5 a4 24. Ne1 {Kantans,T (2478)-Mamedov,R (2709) Chess.com INT 2018 ½-½ (47)}) 10. Rd1 $146 ({RR} 10. Be3 a6 11. Bd3 e5 12. d5 Nd4 13. Bxd4 exd4 14. Nbd2 Nc5 15. b4 Na4 16. Nb3 Qb6 17. Qd2 Bd7 18. Rac1 Rac8 19. a3 Rc3 20. Na5 Qc7 21. Rxc3 dxc3 22. Qe3 Nb2 23. Nd4 Bxd4 24. Qxd4 Nxd3 {Kshatriya,N (2224)-Turzo,A (2279) Budapest HUN 2023 0-1 (49)}) ({RR} 10. Be3 a6 11. Bd3 e5 12. d5 Nd4 13. Bxd4 exd4 14. Nbd2 Nc5 15. b4 Na4 16. Nb3 Qb6 17. Qd2 Bd7 18. Rac1 Rac8 19. a3 Rc3 20. Na5 Qc7 21. Rxc3 dxc3 22. Qe3 Nb2 23. Nd4 Bxd4 24. Qxd4 Nxd3 {Kshatriya,N (2224)-Turzo,A (2279) Budapest HUN 2023 0-1 (49)}) 10... a6 11. Bxc6 bxc6 12. Be3 a5 13. Qc2 c5 14. Nc3 cxd4 15. Bxd4 Bb7 16. Bxg7 Kxg7 17. Nd4 Rc8 18. Qd2 Re8 19. Qe3 Qb6 20. e5 dxe5 21. Nb3 Nc5 22. Qxe5+ Kg8 23. Qe3 Qc6 24. Nd5 Nxb3 25. axb3 Qc5 26. Rac1 Qxe3 27. Nxe3 Rxc1 28. Rxc1 Rb8 29. Rc5 Bc8 30. Nd5 Be6 31. Nxe7+ Kf8 32. Nc6 Rxb3 33. Nd4 Rxb2 34. Nxe6+ fxe6 35. Rxa5 h5 36. Ra6 Kf7 37. Ra5 Rb1+ 38. Kh2 Rb2 39. Kg1 Rb1+ 40. Kh2 Rb2 41. Kg1 1/2-1/2

[Event "Sinquefield Cup 7th"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2019.08.27"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "So, Wesley"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C54"]
[WhiteElo "2882"]
[BlackElo "2776"]
[Annotator "Nielsen,Peter Heine"]
[PlyCount "85"]
[EventDate "2019.08.17"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 192"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.10.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.10.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{[%evp 0,57,19,38,25,7,30,27,27,7,3,9,16,2,13,-5,17,-8,10,0,24,2,3,-8,3,13,26,24,27,27,22,19,4,5,6,-13,-24,-17,-24,-13,0,-34,-42,-5,0,-13,-19,7,53,53,44,-12,8,0,0,0,0,0,0,0]} 1. e4 $5 {Starting off with 9 draws the strategic situation for the world champion was pretty simple, nothing short of 2 wins would leave any chance of first place. This being his 6th white, it was still the first game where Magnus opened with the king's pawn, having recently preferred a more 1.d4 based approach, but in the moment of need, it felt like time for a surprise.} e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 {Wesley is loyal to his solid approach, inviting to a Berlin.} 3. Bc4 {This used to be considered basically inferior to 3.Bb5 and the Ruy Lopez, but as this position appeared 10(!) times in the Sinquefield Cup, it indicates the present preferences of the top players. Compared to 3.Bb5 it has the advantage of leading to less forced lines.} Bc5 4. O-O Nf6 5. d3 O-O 6. c3 d6 7. h3 h6 $5 ({Earlier in the tournament Wesley had tried the more extravagant} 7... a6 8. a4 Ba7 9. Re1 Kh8 $5 {ambitiously aiming for ...Ng8 and ...f5, but fearing Magnus preparation he sensibly chooses one of the main lines.}) 8. Re1 a6 9. a4 a5 $5 {Obviously a strange looking move, moving the a-pawn continiously. But there is logic behind it:} ({After the immediate} 9... Be6 {, then} 10. Bxe6 fxe6 11. b4 Ba7 12. Nbd2 {leads to troubles for Black like in e.g. Anand-Carlsen from Stavanger 2017 as White's expansion on the queenside makes a lot of difference in the ...fxe6 structures. The space itself obviously, but also that a rook on a2 will defend the f2-pawn eventually.}) {Now, however, Black uses the possibility to fix the queenside structure. One could argue why not 8...a5 then? It is a reasonable move, played by Ding, but there potentially White has the option of a3+b4, while now the b4-square is definitely under Black's control.} 10. Nbd2 ({RR} 10. d4 Bb6 11. Bb3 Re8 12. Bc2 exd4 13. cxd4 Nb4 14. Nc3 Nxc2 15. Qxc2 d5 16. e5 Nh7 17. Be3 Re6 18. Ne2 Rc6 19. Qd3 Ng5 20. Nxg5 hxg5 21. f3 Rg6 22. Rf1 Be6 23. f4 gxf4 24. Nxf4 Rh6 {Schoppen,C (2524)-Geirnaert,S (2402) Belgium BEL 2025 1-0 (33)}) 10... Be6 {As explained previously, the benefit of having played ...a5 is that Black now can play ...Be6 without fearing the ...Bxe6 fxe6 structures, and So obviously exploits that:} 11. Bb5 $5 ({RR} 11. Bb3 Bxb3 12. Qxb3 Qd7 13. Nf1 Rab8 14. Ng3 Qe6 15. Qd1 Ba7 16. d4 Ne7 17. Be3 Ra8 18. Nh4 Rfe8 19. Qf3 Kh7 20. Rad1 Bb6 21. Bc1 Rad8 22. d5 Qd7 23. b3 Nfg8 24. Nf1 Rf8 25. g4 c6 {Caruana,F (2819)-Anand,V (2764) Paris 2019 0-1 (52)}) ({RR} 11. b3 Re8 12. Bb2 d5 13. Bb5 dxe4 14. dxe4 Nh5 15. Nc4 Qf6 16. Bxc6 bxc6 17. Ncxe5 Bxh3 18. Nd3 Qg6 19. Nh4 Qg5 20. Nxc5 Qxh4 21. gxh3 Qg5+ 22. Qg4 Qxc5 23. c4 Rab8 24. e5 g6 25. Ba3 Qb6 {Firouzja,A (2778)-So,W (2771) Saint Louis 2022 1-0 (32)}) 11... Na7 $146 ({RR} 11... Ne7 12. d4 exd4 13. Nxd4 Bd7 14. Bc4 Ng6 15. N2f3 Re8 16. Qb3 Re7 17. Qc2 Qe8 18. Bd2 Ne5 19. Nxe5 Rxe5 20. Bd3 Qf8 21. Nf3 Ree8 22. Be3 Bxe3 23. Rxe3 Nh5 24. Rae1 Nf4 25. Bf1 Ne6 26. Bc4 {Khripachenko,A (2137)-Smirnov,P (2544) Yalta 2022 ½-½ (31)}) ({RR} 11... Ne7 12. d4 exd4 13. Nxd4 Bd7 14. Bc4 Ng6 15. N2f3 Re8 16. Qb3 Re7 17. Qc2 Qe8 18. Bd2 Ne5 19. Nxe5 Rxe5 20. Bd3 Qf8 21. Nf3 Ree8 22. Be3 Bxe3 23. Rxe3 Nh5 24. Rae1 Nf4 25. Bf1 Ne6 26. Bc4 {Khripachenko,A (2137)-Smirnov,P (2544) Yalta 2022 ½-½ (31)}) 12. d4 Nxb5 13. dxc5 $5 {Earlier this year in Wijk Aan Zee, Giri took back on b5 against Anand, with the game ending in a quick draw.} Na7 14. b3 Re8 {Still common ground, White's concept is that 14...Nc6 is met by 15 cxd6 cxd6 ( 15...Qxd6? 16 Ba3! wins an exchange, and is the point of 14 b3) 16Ba3 Re8 17 c4! when the resulting pawn structure heavily favours White, explaining why So had to put his rook on e8, in order to be able to take back on d6 with the queen.} 15. cxd6 Qxd6 16. Ba3 c5 {Grischuk played 16...Qa6 against MVL in the 2017 World Cup, but while he got a good position in the game, the computer very much prefers 16...c5.} 17. Nc4 $5 {Over the board inspiration, and making the inclusion of b3 having a positive effect. MVL had a later game with Karjakin in 2019 where he continued 17.Qe2, but Magnus' move is, despite the exchange of queens, somewhat more aggressive.} Qxd1 18. Raxd1 Bxc4 {For a human, an obvious choice, but the computers actually insists that 18...Nd7 also is a reasonable move as after 19 Ne3, which seems to nicely give White control over the d5 square, after 19...Red8 20 Nd5 Rb8, it indeed is difficult for White to make any reasonable progress. Being a human being, So, however, obviously took the knight.} 19. bxc4 {Explaining the games to the commentators, Magnus said that this was paying a bit of hommage to Mikhail Botvinnik who in numerous games showed the dynamic potential of this exact pawn structure where the doubled pawns obviously are potential weaknesses and thus the position is much sharper than it appears at first sight: Black needs to hurry, as seen in the game White's potential is huge if the position stabilizes.} b6 $6 ({The computers strongly suggest} 19... Rac8 $1 {the idea being to protect the b7-pawn from c7, and then regrouping with ...Nc8/d6 immediately attacking White's fragile c4-pawn. At first the computers says Black is better, but after a while settles on} 20. Nh2 (20. Nh4 g6 21. f3 {followed by g4/Ng2-e3 leads to similar positions.}) 20... Rc7 21. Nf1 Nc8 22. Ne3 Nb6 23. Rb1 Nxa4 24. f3 {when White has sacrificed a pawn, and offers a second on c3, but as compensation gets serious initiative combing threats via the b-line with the knight landing on d5. White is neither better nor worse, but the position is very interesting with rich possibilities for both to outplay the opponent.}) {So instead chooses solidity, but this permanently places the initiative with White.} 20. Nh4 Rad8 21. f3 g6 22. g3 {22.g4 intending the same knight regrouping as in the game, but at the same time stopping Black's ...Nh5 had merits, but Magnus wanted to keep his own kingside structure as flexible as possible.} Nh5 23. Kf2 Nc6 $6 {Again Wesley's choice is more solid than good.} (23... Nc8 {23...Nc8!? would reroute the knight to d6, attacking the c-pawn and after} 24. Ng2 Nd6 25. Ne3 f5 {create some counterplay.}) {But So believes in the solidity of his position.} 24. Bc1 Kg7 25. Be3 Rxd1 ({Once again} 25... Ne7 26. Ng2 f5 $1 {was called for, creating some counterplay, but its repeating the previous remark, as Black's play is based on the wrong assumption that he has an impregnable fortress.}) 26. Rxd1 Rd8 27. Rb1 $1 {Keeping a pair of rooks is an absolute neccesity.} Rb8 28. Ng2 Nf6 29. Ke2 Ne8 30. Bf2 Nd6 31. Ne3 Ne7 $2 {Blacks position was bad, much worse than it looks, but with this it becomes just plainly lost. But again: Black thinks he has a fortress.} 32. Nd5 $1 Nxd5 33. cxd5 Rb7 34. Kd3 {One could argue a slight inaccuracy, the computer prefers 34 c4!?.} f5 {This created a weakness on e5, but as White anyway could force that with f4xe5 after a black ...f6, it makes no difference.} ({But even after} 34... c4+ 35. Kd2 Nc8 36. Bc5 $1 {followed by the f4 break, Blacks position will collapse rather quickly.}) 35. c4 fxe4+ $5 {Facing reality, So alternates his plan, tries to complicate.} ({The problem is, as Magnus happily explained after the game, that the "fortress" after} 35... Kf6 36. g4 f4 37. Be1 g5 38. Bc3 $1 {has one problem: Yes, everything is solididly protected and White can do no harm to Black's position on his own. But as Black is not allowed to "pass", Zugzwang here plays its deadly consequence. Black has to make a move, and that makes his position instantly collapse. The rook needs to protect the b-pawn, but if it goes to b8, it allows Bxa5. The knight on d6 is needed there to protect the rook on b7, else Bxa5 again is possible, and as the king is stuck on f6 protecting e5, and Black has run out of pawn moves, this is a pure and illustrative zugzwang. Black's position will fall like a cardhouse, when removing one bit, will eventually make it all fall.}) 36. fxe4 Rf7 {A good try, even allowing the hope for the trap below.} 37. Rxb6 (37. Be3 Rf3 38. Rxb6 $4 Rxe3+ $1) 37... Rxf2 38. Rxd6 Rf3+ 39. Ke2 $6 {Sloppy technique.} (39. Kd2 Rf2+ 40. Ke3 Rc2 41. Kd3 Ra2 42. Rc6 {was a very trivial win. as White gets connected passed pawns while keeping Black's counterplay to a minimum.}) 39... Rc3 40. Re6 Rxc4 41. Rxe5 Rxa4 42. Re7+ Kf6 $2 {Returning the favour and making the win trivial.} (42... Kf8 $1 {would surprisingly force a huge degree of precision on White's part.} 43. Re6 $1 {is the only winning move.} ({After} 43. d6 $2 Rd4 44. e5 a4 45. Ke3 a3 46. Ra7 Rd5 $1 {White cannot successfully advance his connected passed pawns, as after} 47. Ke4 ({or} 47. Kf4) 47... Rd4+ $1 {the king is forced back, and Black will just return the rook to d5, again attacking the e5 pawn forcing a repetition.}) 43... Rb4 {again forces precision, as} 44. Kf3 $1 {is needed. The difference is that after} a4 45. Rxg6 a3 46. Ra6 Rb3+ {now} 47. Kg4 $1 {is available, the point being that after} c4 48. d6 c3 49. Ra8+ Kf7 50. d7 c2 {White simply plays} 51. d8=Q {soon mating the black king, but if the white king were on f4, then 51...c1Q would be a check, reversing the table.  Very much a line that the World Champion would be able to calculate, but still an unneccesary risk to take indeed.}) 43. d6 {44.e5+ follows next, and the pawns marches through.} 1-0

[Event "Sinquefield Cup 7th"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2019.08.28"]
[Round "11"]
[White "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B31"]
[WhiteElo "2778"]
[BlackElo "2882"]
[Annotator "Nielsen,Peter Heine"]
[PlyCount "88"]
[EventDate "2019.08.17"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 192"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.10.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.10.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{[%evp 0,71,19,38,40,41,51,32,72,38,11,13,23,27,60,54,57,30,35,5,0,-29,1,1,0,-7,-1,-22,-16,-33,-9,-35,-38,-28,-30,-30,-14,-31,-46,-50,-53,-65,-68,-92,-92,-135,-135,-141,-125,-251,-242,-242,-206,-216,-210,-224,-224,-233,-243,-222,-202,-213,-200,-190,-200,-222,-209,-215,-232,-236,-246,-253,-288,-271] Having started the tournament with 9 draws, Magnus chances of competing for first place seemed theoretical, yet in the 10th round he got the exact results he needed, not only winning his own game vs. So, but also the leaders faltering meaning suddenly going into the last round there was actually a real chance! Still, apart from Ding not winning his game, beating MVL with the black pieces was not exactly an easy task, but at least the Frenchman also needed a win as this was the only chance he had left for being in the top 4 of the Grand Chess Tour standings meaning we had two players both willing to fight and take risks!} 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 {Maxime for many years was a big fan of 3.Nc3, but recently seemed to have shifted to the Rossolimo. The popular choice among the elite, Magnus faced it no less than 4(!) times in the Sinquefield Cup!} g6 4. Bxc6 bxc6 $5 {In the WC-match but also the previous tournaments Magnus went for the more solid 4...dxc6, but earlier in the tournament he did experiment with capturing towards the centre against Anand, so this more ambitious more hardly came as a surprise to Vachier.} 5. d4 $5 {The main line, at least if you look at number of games is 5 0-0, but Anand also played this more direct approach against Magnus.} cxd4 ({Vishy was better after} 5... Bg7 6. dxc5 Qa5+ 7. Nbd2 Qxc5 8. O-O d6 9. Re1 f6 10. a3 Nh6 11. b4 Qh5 12. c4 {, even if the game ended in a solid draw.}) {Magnus, however, had not lost faith in Black's positional potential, but alters the move order while striving for a similar structure.} 6. Qxd4 f6 7. O-O d6 8. c4 c5 {The Indian prodigy Praggnanandhaa played like this earlier this year in the B-group of Wijk Aan Zee, earning a draw against the higher rated Kovalev. It's easy to see the attraction: Black has a broad stabilised centre and the pair of bishops, in many ways leaving the bigger burden on White, having to prove that his initiative is not only temporary.} 9. Qd3 Bg7 10. b3 {Its hard to see why MVL did not play 10.Nc3 first.} ({RR} 10. Nc3 Nh6 11. Rd1 Bb7 12. a3 a5 13. Rb1 O-O 14. b4 axb4 15. axb4 cxb4 16. Rxb4 Qd7 17. Nd5 Ra1 18. Qc3 f5 19. e5 Bxd5 20. Qxa1 Bxf3 21. gxf3 Nf7 22. f4 Qc6 23. Qd4 Qf3 24. Rd3 Qg4+ {Kacharava,N (2516)-Royal,S (2493) Sharjah UAE 2025 0-1 (50)}) 10... Nh6 {But Magnus does not pick up the gauntlet, yet.} ({Maybe he just wanted to tempt Black to play} 10... f5 {when} 11. e5 Bb7 12. Bb2 Nh6 13. Ng5 $5 {is an interesting pawn sacrifice aiming for the e6 square, before Black manages to stabilize with ...Nf7.}) 11. Nc3 Rb8 12. Bd2 $146 {At first sight maybe a strange looking move, but not much action is expected on the long diagonal, as Black plans to keep it close, while instead MVL has ambitions on the kingside.} ({RR} 12. Bb2 O-O 13. Rfe1 Nf7 14. Nd5 e6 15. Nc3 f5 16. Rad1 Qa5 17. Re2 a6 18. Na4 Bxb2 19. Rxb2 fxe4 20. Qxe4 Bb7 21. Qe3 Bxf3 22. Qxf3 d5 23. cxd5 exd5 24. Qxd5 Rbd8 25. Qf3 Rfe8 26. Rbb1 c4 {Gal,H (2161)-Juhasz,B (2224) Budapest HUN 2022 1-0 (40)}) ({RR} 12. Bb2 O-O 13. Rfe1 Nf7 14. Nd5 e6 15. Nc3 f5 16. Rad1 Qa5 17. Re2 a6 18. Na4 Bxb2 19. Rxb2 fxe4 20. Qxe4 Bb7 21. Qe3 Bxf3 22. Qxf3 d5 23. cxd5 exd5 24. Qxd5 Rbd8 25. Qf3 Rfe8 26. Rbb1 c4 {Gal,H (2161)-Juhasz,B (2224) Budapest HUN 2022 1-0 (40)}) 12... O-O 13. Rae1 Nf7 {A fascinating position. Modern chess suffers from symmetry and too much balance, while here there is so much life and complexity. Stockfish somewhat prefers White, suggesting moves like 14.Nh4!? preparing 15.f4, when Black should either respond with ...e6 planning ...f5, or reroute the knight to d4, via e5-c6. Its just a very interesting position, and Maxime adds his own flavour, playing the ever so popular flank-pawn push!} 14. h4 $6 (14. Nh4 $5 {[%cal Gf2f4]} e6 {[%cal Gf6f5]} (14... Ne5 {[%cal Ge5c6,Gc6d4]})) 14... Rb7 $5 {As White did not want the bishop on the diagonal, Black chooses not to financhetto his bishop but instead the rook! But there is logic: as Black wants his bishop remaining on c8, eying the kingside and a potential ...f5, why not just improve the rook's prospects? Still it is an extraordinary move, at least to me. It's "mysterious" in many ways, illustrating perhaps that in standard positions we have a good understanding based on experience of where the pieces belong, while under extraordinary circumstances like this one, one gets a more polarised view of the difference between an average grandmaster and the World Champion. ...Rb7 never would have entered my mind, while the game shows it makes sense, a lot of sense!} 15. h5 g5 {15...f5 also has logic, but Magnus keeps the position closed for the moment, also the pawn at h5 can now become a target, forcing White to act.} 16. Nh2 $6 {Probably like 14 h4?! a step in the wrong direction.} ({The computer seems to indidate} 16. Ne2 {[%cal Ge2g3,Gg3f5] rerouting the knight to the kingside and the f5 square especially. Still the position is so complex and unfamiliar that both for the players and commentators it is very hard to say. Black could then either continioue with ...e6 covering the f5 square, ...Be6 intending ...Qd7 and ...a5 but maybe best, just like with 14...Rb7!?, improving the position while remaining flexible is the key, meaning} Kh8 $1 (16... Be6 {[%cal Gd8d7]}) (16... e6 {[%csl Ge6][%cal Ge6f5]})) 16... Ne5 17. Qg3 Kh8 18. f4 {With hindsight this is easy to criticize based on the result, but MVL is just consistently following his planned concept.} gxf4 19. Bxf4 Rg8 20. Re3 Nc6 {Vacating the diagonal as preparation for ...f5 when the e5 and d4 squares not only become relevant for Black's knight, but certainly now also the bishop.} ({The computer, however, prefers} 20... Qf8 $5 21. Qh4 Bh6 22. Rg3 Bxf4 23. Rxg8+ Kxg8 24. Qxf4 Nf7 $5 {with ...Qh6 or ...Qg7-g5 as the follow-up.}) 21. Qf2 f5 22. Nf3 $2 {Speaking with MVL just after the game, the Frenchman said he thought his position here was already very bad. It is easy to understand why one would think so, Black's position has enormous potential and the pieces are about to spring to life.} ({But the computer does not suffer from such generalisation, and just states that} 22. exf5 $1 Bxf5 (22... Bd4 23. Ne2 Bxe3 24. Bxe3 {gives White sufficient compensation for the exchange.}) 23. Rg3 {really is no big deal.} {After} Qe8 (23... Bd4 {is now parried by} 24. Be3) {White can play} 24. Ne2 $1 (24. h6 Bxc3 25. Rxc3 e5 {shows why the rook is excellently placed on b7.}) 24... Qxh5 25. Rg5 Qf7 26. Be3 {with sufficient compensation for the pawn, leading to an equal position.}) {Yet to stress it once again: these positions are so unfamiliar, meaning the complexity of playing them is uncomparable to more standard positions where one can rely on experience.} 22... Bxc3 $1 {Exchanging the strong bishop for a knight that is out of play!? Perhaps, but that just goes to show how one can easily create false narratives in chess. In reality Black speeds up the attack by removing a bishop that is A) in the way when Black wants to attack via the g-file, and B) would be locked in behind its own pawns, when Black now in the following wants to play ...e5 and ...f4.} 23. Rxc3 e5 24. Rd3 $5 {Maxime realises the severity of his troubles, and tries complicating.} (24. Bh2 f4 {would be a positional tragedy with Black doubling in the g-file, the knight reaching d4 etc. etc. The computer instantly evaluates it as -4! indicating the hopelessness.}) 24... exf4 $1 {Praising a World Champion for taking a piece is maybe to much, but this does involve selfpinning his rook to be taken by a white pawn. Magnus took his time reassuring himself that while at first sight it looks dangerous, Black's king is safe and White's not:} 25. Qb2+ Rbg7 26. h6 fxe4 27. Rd2 ({No tactics are working, the funniest try being} 27. hxg7+ Rxg7 28. Ne5 $5 {, but} Nxe5 29. Qxe5 exd3 $1 {wins easily, not that it is the only way either.}) 27... exf3 28. hxg7+ Rxg7 29. Rxf3 Qg5 {Generally the game is over. Magnus has two minor pieces for the rook, and in the following reroutes the bishop cleverly to the g8 square safeguarding his king.} 30. Rdf2 Nd4 31. Rxf4 Bf5 32. b4 Be6 $1 33. Rf8+ Bg8 34. bxc5 dxc5 35. Qb8 Qe3 36. Qd6 {Threatening 37.Rxg8+ Rxg8 38 Qf6+ with a perpetual.} Qc1+ 37. Kh2 Qg5 38. Qd5 Qh4+ 39. Kg1 Qe7 {Controlling e5, so there is no perpetual, also, Black creates threats of his own.} 40. Qh5 Qe3 41. Qh4 Ne2+ 42. Kh1 (42. Kh2 Qe5+ {also instantly finishes the game.}) 42... Qc1+ 43. Rf1 Ng3+ 44. Kg1 ({If} 44. Qxg3 {then Black interpolates} Qxf1+ {before taking White's queen.}) 44... Qe3+ {And as 45 R1f2 Qe1+ 46 Rf1 Ne2+! wins the queen and mates at the same time, Maxime resigned. This earned Magnus a what just 2 days earlier seemed a completely unlikely playoff. A dicipline he has dominated to the extend that it almost became mythical like he could never lose with his last loss dating back more than 10 years tgo his teenage days. yet Ding won, and did it in a convincing way. While the result on the day was bad, it does however also put into perspective what an achievement Magnus playoff streak was. It takes you to show up every time giving your absolute best, even when a World Championship is at stake.} 0-1

[Event "FIDE Chess.com Grand Swiss"]
[Site "Douglas"]
[Date "2019.10.11"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Sarana, Alexey"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B33"]
[WhiteElo "2655"]
[BlackElo "2876"]
[PlyCount "103"]
[EventDate "2019.10.10"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "IOM"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 193"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.12.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.12.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 e5 6. Ndb5 d6 7. Bg5 a6 8. Na3 b5 9. Bxf6 gxf6 10. Nd5 Bg7 11. Bd3 Ne7 12. Nxe7 Qxe7 13. c4 f5 14. O-O O-O 15. Qh5 d5 16. cxd5 Qd8 17. exf5 Qxd5 18. Rad1 e4 19. Bxb5 Qxf5 20. Qxf5 Bxf5 21. Bd7 Bxd7 22. Rxd7 Bxb2 23. Nc4 Bg7 24. g3 $146 ({RR} 24. Rfd1 f5 25. g3 f4 26. gxf4 Rxf4 27. Rd8+ Rxd8 28. Rxd8+ Bf8 29. Ne3 Kf7 30. Rd7+ Kg6 31. Rd4 a5 32. Ng2 Rg4 33. h3 Rg5 34. Rxe4 Rb5 35. Ne3 Rb2 36. Rg4+ Kf7 37. Rf4+ Kg7 38. a4 Ra2 {Karacsonyi,G (2375)-Volkov,D (2292) Budapest HUN 2023 ½-½ (82)}) ({RR} 24. Rfd1 Rac8 25. Ne3 Rc5 26. g4 Ra5 27. R1d2 Bh6 28. Re7 Bxe3 29. fxe3 Rg5 30. Rxe4 f5 31. Ra4 Rxg4+ 32. Rxg4+ fxg4 33. Rd4 h5 34. Rd5 Rf3 35. Rxh5 Rxe3 36. Rg5+ Kh7 37. Rxg4 Ra3 38. Rg2 a5 {Xiong,J (2709)-Carlsen,M (2863) Lichess.org INT 2020 ½-½ (73)}) ({RR} 24. Rfd1 Rab8 25. g3 f5 26. Kg2 f4 27. Re7 e3 28. fxe3 Rfc8 29. Nd6 Rc2+ 30. Kh3 Bf8 31. Re5 Bxd6 32. Rxd6 fxe3 33. Rxe3 Rbb2 34. Rxa6 Rxh2+ 35. Kg4 Rxa2 36. Rxa2 {½-½ (36) Aveskulov,V (2494)-Juhasz,A (2428) Budapest HUN 2025}) 24... Rfd8 25. Rfd1 Rxd7 26. Rxd7 Rc8 27. Nd6 Rc1+ 28. Kg2 Rc2 29. Nxe4 Rxa2 30. Rd8+ Bf8 31. Nf6+ Kg7 32. Nh5+ Kg8 33. g4 a5 34. g5 a4 35. h4 Rb2 36. Nf6+ Kg7 37. h5 Rb5 38. f4 h6 39. Ng4 Ba3 40. Nxh6 Be7 41. Rd7 Bxg5 42. Nxf7 Rb2+ 43. Kf3 Bxf4 44. Ne5+ Kh6 45. Kxf4 a3 46. Rd5 Rb4+ 47. Kg3 a2 48. Ra5 a1=Q 49. Rxa1 Kxh5 50. Ra5 Rb1 51. Kf4 Rf1+ 52. Nf3+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "FIDE Chess.com Grand Swiss"]
[Site "Douglas"]
[Date "2019.10.13"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Kovalev, Vladislav"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B52"]
[WhiteElo "2661"]
[BlackElo "2876"]
[PlyCount "93"]
[EventDate "2019.10.10"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "IOM"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 193"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.12.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.12.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. Bb5+ Bd7 4. Bxd7+ Qxd7 5. c4 e5 6. Nc3 Nc6 7. d3 Be7 8. a3 Bd8 9. O-O Nge7 10. b4 ({RR} 10. Rb1 O-O 11. b4 Ng6 12. Be3 b6 13. Qa4 f5 14. exf5 Rxf5 15. Nd2 Rf7 16. Nde4 Nf4 17. Bxf4 exf4 18. f3 Rc8 19. Nd5 h6 20. Rbe1 Bh4 21. g3 fxg3 22. hxg3 Be7 23. Kg2 Rcf8 24. Rf2 Bd8 {Nepomniachtchi,I (2771)-Caruana,F (2795) Saint Louis USA 2023 1-0 (52)}) 10... O-O ({RR} 10... b6 11. Rb1 O-O 12. Be3 f5 13. exf5 Nxf5 14. Nd5 Kh8 15. Qe2 Nce7 16. Nxe7 Bxe7 17. Bg5 Bf6 18. Qe4 Bxg5 19. Nxg5 h6 20. Nf3 Rae8 21. bxc5 bxc5 22. Rb7 Qa4 23. Qg4 Qa6 24. Rfb1 Re7 25. Rb8 {George,K (2301)-Schnaider,I (2388) chess.com INT 2025 1-0 (33)}) ({RR} 10... cxb4 11. axb4 Nxb4 12. Ba3 Nbc6 13. d4 exd4 14. Nxd4 Nxd4 15. Qxd4 O-O 16. e5 Nc6 17. Qxd6 Qxd6 18. exd6 Bf6 19. Rac1 Bxc3 20. Rxc3 Rfd8 21. Rb1 Rd7 22. Re3 f6 23. c5 Kf7 24. Reb3 Nd8 25. Kf1 {Bacrot,E (2708)-Carlsen,M (2832) Paris 2017 0-1 (38)}) 11. bxc5 dxc5 12. Nd5 Ng6 $146 ({RR} 12... f5 13. Bb2 Ng6 14. Re1 Bc7 15. exf5 Rxf5 16. Re3 Raf8 17. Qd2 h6 18. Rae1 Kh7 19. Bc3 b6 20. Qb2 Nd4 21. Bxd4 exd4 22. Re4 Bd6 23. Qe2 Qf7 24. Re6 Nf4 25. Nxf4 Bxf4 26. Qe4 Kg8 27. Nh4 {Vokhidov,S (2579)-Tan Zhongyi (2518) chess.com INT 2022 1-0 (37)}) ({RR} 12... f5 13. Bb2 Ng6 14. Re1 Bc7 15. exf5 Rxf5 16. Re3 Raf8 17. Qd2 h6 18. Rae1 Kh7 19. Bc3 b6 20. Qb2 Nd4 21. Bxd4 exd4 22. Re4 Bd6 23. Qe2 Qf7 24. Re6 Nf4 25. Nxf4 Bxf4 26. Qe4 Kg8 27. Nh4 {Vokhidov,S (2579)-Tan Zhongyi (2518) chess.com INT 2022 1-0 (37)}) 13. Be3 b6 14. Nd2 f5 15. exf5 Qxf5 16. Ne4 Nf4 17. g3 Qg6 18. Kh1 Nxd5 19. cxd5 Ne7 20. d6 Nf5 21. Qb3+ Kh8 22. Qd5 Bf6 23. Rae1 Rad8 24. f4 Nxe3 25. Rxe3 exf4 26. Rxf4 h6 27. d7 Be7 28. Ref3 Rxf4 29. Rxf4 b5 30. Nxc5 Bxc5 31. Qxc5 Kh7 32. Qd5 Qg5 33. Qe4+ Qg6 34. Qd5 Qg5 35. Qd6 Qg6 36. Qc7 Qg5 37. Qd6 Qg6 38. Qc7 Qg5 39. Qc6 Qe7 40. Qxb5 Rxd7 41. Qf5+ g6 42. Qf8 Qxf8 43. Rxf8 Kg7 44. Ra8 Kf6 45. Kg2 Rxd3 46. Rxa7 Rd2+ 47. Kg1 1/2-1/2

[Event "FIDE Chess.com Grand Swiss"]
[Site "Douglas"]
[Date "2019.10.14"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Ganguly, Surya Shekhar"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B90"]
[WhiteElo "2876"]
[BlackElo "2658"]
[PlyCount "81"]
[EventDate "2019.10.10"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "IOM"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 193"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.12.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.12.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. h3 e5 7. Nb3 Be7 8. g4 h6 9. Be3 Nbd7 10. a4 b6 ({RR} 10... Nf8 11. Bc4 Ng6 12. Qe2 Bd7 13. f3 Rc8 14. h4 Nh7 15. h5 Bh4+ 16. Rxh4 Nxh4 17. O-O-O Nxf3 18. Rxd6 Qe7 19. Rb6 Bxg4 20. Bd5 O-O 21. Qg2 Qh4 22. Rg6 Nhg5 23. Kb1 Be6 24. Rxe6 fxe6 25. Bxb7 {Nepomniachtchi,I (2784)-Carlsen,M (2863) chess24.com INT 2020 0-1 (76)}) 11. f3 ({RR} 11. Bg2 Nf8 12. Qd2 Ng6 13. O-O-O Be6 14. Nd5 Nxd5 15. exd5 Bd7 16. a5 b5 17. Be4 O-O 18. Rhg1 Bg5 19. Qb4 Qf6 20. Kb1 Rac8 21. Nd2 Nf4 22. Bd3 Nxd3 23. cxd3 Qg6 24. Ne4 Be7 25. h4 Rc4 {Khamdamova,A (2409)-Liavonava,Y (2114) Durres ALB 2025 ½-½ (40)}) 11... Qc7 $146 ({RR} 11... Bb7 12. h4 Qc7 13. Be2 Rc8 14. Rc1 Nc5 15. Nxc5 dxc5 16. Nd5 Nxd5 17. exd5 c4 18. Qd2 Rd8 19. Qc3 Bxd5 20. Kf2 b5 21. axb5 axb5 22. Rhd1 b4 23. Qe1 Bxh4+ {0-1 (23) Singh,O (2278)-Liyanage,R (2203) Chess.com INT 2021}) ({RR} 11... Bb7 12. h4 Qc7 13. Be2 Rc8 14. Rc1 Nc5 15. Nxc5 dxc5 16. Nd5 Nxd5 17. exd5 c4 18. Qd2 Rd8 19. Qc3 Bxd5 20. Kf2 b5 21. axb5 axb5 22. Rhd1 b4 23. Qe1 Bxh4+ {0-1 (23) Singh,O (2278)-Liyanage,R (2203) Chess.com INT 2021}) 12. h4 Nf8 13. Rg1 Be6 14. g5 hxg5 15. hxg5 N6d7 16. Nd5 Qc6 17. Qd2 Ng6 18. a5 b5 19. O-O-O Rc8 20. Kb1 Nc5 21. Be2 Bd8 22. Nxc5 dxc5 23. f4 exf4 24. Bxf4 Be7 25. Nxe7 Kxe7 26. Bd6+ Ke8 27. Qc3 Rh7 28. Bg3 b4 29. Qd3 c4 30. Qd6 Qxe4 31. Rd4 Qb7 32. Qb6 Qa8 33. Rgd1 Rh1 34. Be1 Ne5 35. Bxb4 Rxd1+ 36. Rxd1 Qc6 37. Qe3 Qb5 38. Bc3 Rc5 39. b4 Nd3 40. cxd3 Rd5 41. dxc4 1-0

[Event "FIDE Chess.com Grand Swiss"]
[Site "Douglas"]
[Date "2019.10.15"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Shirov, Alexei"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C43"]
[WhiteElo "2876"]
[BlackElo "2664"]
[PlyCount "85"]
[EventDate "2019.10.10"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "IOM"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 193"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.12.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.12.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. d4 Nxe4 4. Bd3 d5 5. Nxe5 Nd7 6. Nc3 Nxe5 7. dxe5 Nxc3 8. bxc3 Be7 ({RR} 8... c5 9. Be3 Be7 10. O-O O-O 11. f4 f5 12. a4 Be6 13. Qf3 Qc7 14. h3 Rad8 15. Rfd1 Rf7 16. Be2 g6 17. Rab1 Qa5 18. Bf2 Bf8 19. c4 dxc4 20. Rxd8 Qxd8 21. Qc3 Rd7 22. Bxc4 Qe7 23. a5 {Amar,E (2593)-Cummings,D (2238) Fagernes NOR 2025 ½-½ (68)}) 9. O-O O-O 10. f4 f5 11. Be3 c5 ({RR} 11... Be6 12. a4 Qd7 13. Qf3 Rfd8 14. Rfd1 c5 15. Kh1 g6 16. h3 Qc7 17. Qf2 b6 18. Qe1 Kh8 19. Be2 Rg8 20. Bf3 Rad8 21. a5 b5 22. a6 Rd7 23. Rdb1 Rb8 24. Bf2 Rdd8 25. Qe2 Qb6 26. Rb2 {Vitiugov,N (2732)-So,W (2767) Khanty-Mansiysk 2019 1-0 (60)}) 12. Be2 Be6 13. Bf3 $146 ({RR} 13. a4 Qc7 14. Kh1 Rfd8 15. Bf3 Rac8 16. Rb1 b6 17. Bg1 Rd7 18. Qe2 d4 19. c4 Bf8 20. Rfe1 Rdd8 21. a5 Rb8 22. axb6 Rxb6 23. Rxb6 axb6 24. Rb1 g6 25. Bd5 Qf7 26. Bxe6 Qxe6 27. h3 Qc6 {Perez Ponsa,F (2553)-Spata,G (2300) Montevideo 2022 ½-½}) ({RR} 13. a4 Qc7 14. Kh1 Rfd8 15. Bf3 Rac8 16. Rb1 b6 17. Bg1 Rd7 18. Qe2 d4 19. c4 Bf8 20. Rfe1 Rdd8 21. a5 Rb8 22. axb6 Rxb6 23. Rxb6 axb6 24. Rb1 g6 25. Bd5 Qf7 26. Bxe6 Qxe6 27. h3 Qc6 {Perez Ponsa,F (2553)-Spata,G (2300) Montevideo 2022 ½-½}) 13... Qd7 14. a4 Rad8 15. Qe2 Qc7 16. Rfb1 b6 17. Rd1 g5 18. h3 Rd7 19. Rd2 Rfd8 20. Rad1 gxf4 21. Bxf4 d4 22. Qf2 Kh8 23. Kh1 Qc8 24. Kh2 Rg8 25. cxd4 cxd4 26. Rxd4 Rxd4 27. Rxd4 Bc5 28. c3 Bxd4 29. cxd4 Qd7 30. Qd2 Bd5 31. e6 Qxe6 32. Be5+ Rg7 33. Qc3 Bxf3 34. Qxf3 Qe8 35. Qxf5 Kg8 36. Bxg7 Kxg7 37. Qg5+ Kf8 38. Qf4+ Ke7 39. Qe4+ Kf8 40. Qxh7 Qxa4 41. Qf5+ Kg7 42. Qe5+ Kf7 43. h4 1-0

[Event "FIDE Chess.com Grand Swiss"]
[Site "Douglas"]
[Date "2019.10.17"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Alekseenko, Kirill"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B92"]
[WhiteElo "2674"]
[BlackElo "2876"]
[PlyCount "110"]
[EventDate "2019.10.10"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "IOM"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 193"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.12.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.12.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 {Kramnik,Vladimir} c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Be2 e5 7. Nb3 Be7 8. O-O O-O 9. Kh1 b5 ({RR} 9... Nc6 10. f4 a5 ({RR} 10... exf4 11. Bxf4 Be6) 11. a4 Nb4 12. Bf3 Qb6 13. g4 exf4 14. Bxf4 Nd7 15. Nd4 g6 16. Bh6 Re8 17. Nf5) ({RR} 9... Be6 10. f4 Qc7 11. Nd5 Bxd5 12. exd5 Nbd7) 10. a4 ({RR} 10. Nd5 Nxd5 11. Qxd5 Ra7 12. Be3 Be6 13. Qd2 Rd7) 10... Bb7 ({RR} 10... b4 11. Nd5 Nxe4 12. Bf3) 11. Nd5 ({RR} 11. f3 b4 12. Nd5 Nxd5 13. exd5 Nd7) 11... b4 ({RR} 11... bxa4 12. Rxa4 Bc6 13. Ra3 ({RR} 13. Rc4 Bb5 14. Rb4 Nc6) 13... Nxe4 14. Na5 Nf6 15. Nxc6 Nxc6 16. Bc4 Nd4 17. Rh3 g6 18. Qd2 Nf5 19. Nxf6+ Bxf6 20. Bd5 ({RR} 20. g4 Qc8 ({RR} 20... Nh4 21. g5) ({RR} 20... d5 21. gxf5 dxc4 22. Qh6 Qd5+ 23. f3 Rfd8) 21. Bd5 ({RR} 21. Rc3 Qb7+ 22. Bd5 Qb5) 21... Nh4 22. Rg1 ({RR} 22. Bxa8 Qxa8+ 23. f3 e4) 22... g5 23. Rxh4 gxh4 24. g5 Bg7 25. g6 hxg6 ({RR} 25... Qf5 26. gxf7+ Kh8 27. Bxa8 Rxa8 ({RR} 27... e4 28. Qf4 Qxf4 29. Bxf4 Rxa8 30. Bxd6 h6 31. Rxg7 Kxg7 32. f8=Q+ Rxf8 33. Bxf8+ Kxf8 34. Kg2 Kf7 35. Kh3) 28. Qd5 Rf8 29. Bh6) ({RR} 25... Ra7 26. gxh7+ Kh8 ({RR} 26... Kxh7 27. Qg5) 27. Rxg7 Kxg7 28. Qh6+ Kh8 29. Qf6+ Kxh7 30. Be4+ Kg8 31. Qg5+ Kh8 32. Qh6+ Kg8 33. Qh7#) 26. Rxg6 Qh3 27. Rg1 Kh8 ({RR} 27... e4 28. Bxe4 f5 29. Bd5+ Kh8 30. Rxg7 Kxg7 31. Qh6#) 28. Qg5) 20... h5 ({RR} 20... Rc8 21. g4) 21. Bxa8 Qxa8 22. Ra3 Rc8 23. c3 Qb7 24. Qd3 ({RR} 24. Rd1 d5 ({RR} 24... Rc5 25. b4 Rc6) 25. Qxd5 Rd8 26. Qb3 Qxb3 27. Rxd8+) 24... Rc6 25. Rd1 ({RR} 25. b4 Ne7 26. Be3 d5 27. Bc5 e4) 25... d5 26. Ra5 {Kasparov,G (2785)-Anand,V (2735) Las Palmas 1996 CBM 057 [Kramnik,Vladimir] ½-½ (63)} ({RR} 26. Qxd5 Rd6)) ({RR} 11... Nxd5 12. exd5 b4 13. a5) ({RR} 11... Nxe4 12. axb5 ({RR} 12. Bf3 f5 13. Na5 Qxa5 14. Nxe7+ Kh8 15. Bxe4 Bxe4 16. Qxd6) 12... axb5 13. Rxa8 Bxa8 14. Be3 Nd7 15. Bxb5) ({RR} 11... Nbd7 12. axb5 ({RR} 12. Nxe7+ Qxe7 13. f3 bxa4 14. Na5 Nc5 15. Nxb7) 12... axb5 13. Rxa8 Bxa8 14. Nxe7+ Qxe7 15. f3) 12. Nxf6+ Bxf6 13. f3 Qc7 $146 ({RR} 13... a5 14. Be3 d5 15. Nc5 Bc6 16. exd5 Bxd5 17. Qd3 Bc6 18. Rfd1 Qxd3 19. Bxd3 e4 20. Nxe4 Bxb2 21. Rab1 Be5 22. Nc5 g6 23. Bc4 Kg7 24. Kg1 Rc8 25. Bb3 Be8 26. f4 Bf6 27. Ne4 Be7 28. Bd4+ {Alekseenko,K (2698)-Leiva Rodriguez,J (2405) Chess.com INT 2022 1-0 (72)}) ({RR} 13... a5 14. Be3 d5 15. Nc5 Bc6 16. exd5 Bxd5 17. Qd3 Bc6 18. Rfd1 Qxd3 19. Bxd3 e4 20. Nxe4 Bxb2 21. Rab1 Be5 22. Nc5 g6 23. Bc4 Kg7 24. Kg1 Rc8 25. Bb3 Be8 26. f4 Bf6 27. Ne4 Be7 28. Bd4+ {Alekseenko,K (2698)-Leiva Rodriguez,J (2405) Chess.com INT 2022 1-0 (72)}) 14. Bd2 Nc6 15. a5 Bc8 16. Bc4 Be6 17. Bxe6 fxe6 18. Qe2 Rfc8 19. Rfd1 Nd4 20. Nxd4 exd4 21. Bxb4 Qxc2 22. Qxc2 Rxc2 23. Bxd6 Rxb2 24. e5 Bd8 25. h3 Rc8 26. Rxd4 h5 27. Bb4 Bg5 28. f4 Bh4 29. Be1 Bxe1 30. Rxe1 Rcc2 31. Rg1 Ra2 32. Rd6 Rxa5 33. Rxe6 Rf2 34. Rc1 Kh7 35. Re1 Raa2 36. f5 Rxg2 37. Rxa6 Rh2+ 38. Kg1 Rag2+ 39. Kf1 Rf2+ 40. Kg1 Rfg2+ 41. Kf1 Rg5 42. Ra3 Rh1+ 43. Ke2 Rxe1+ 44. Kxe1 Rxf5 45. e6 Re5+ 46. Kf2 Rxe6 47. Kg3 g5 48. Ra8 Rd6 49. Rb8 Kg7 50. Ra8 Kf6 51. Rf8+ Ke5 52. Re8+ Kf5 53. Rf8+ Rf6 54. Ra8 h4+ 55. Kg2 Rb6 1/2-1/2

[Event "London Classic 11th"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2019.12.02"]
[Round "1.1"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B95"]
[WhiteElo "2872"]
[BlackElo "2780"]
[Annotator "Edouard,Romain"]
[PlyCount "63"]
[EventDate "2019.12.02"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "2"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 194"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.01.27"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.01.27"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 {Edouard,Romain} c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Bg5 e6 7. f3 $5 h6 8. Be3 {An interesting idea, similar to another idea that Grischuk had used several times against MVL: 6.Be3 Ng4 7.Bg5 h6 8.Bc1!?. Basically, the idea is that in opposite castle attacks, Black's kingside might be more fragile if the pawn stands on h6 instead of h7 (notably after White plays g4-g5).} b5 9. a3 $5 {A useful move, as Black is going to aim for ...b4 sooner or later.} Nbd7 10. Qd2 Bb7 11. O-O-O (11. g4 $6 d5 $1 $15) 11... h5 $5 {A very logical move. Maxime judged that his "extra tempo" ...h6 wasn't bringing anything positive and went ...h5 just as if his pawn came from h7.} (11... Rc8 $5 {or 11...Be7!? were two very natural options.}) ({Whereas} 11... d5 $6 12. exd5 Nxd5 13. Nxd5 Bxd5 14. Nf5 {looks very dangerous for Black.} (14. Kb1 $5)) 12. Kb1 Be7 13. Qe1 $6 {A dubious one, as the game will prove.} (13. Rg1 $1 $146 {was Magnus' improvement in their next encounter in this line... just two days later! See annotations of Game 9 (rapid) of the match.}) ({RR} 13. Rg1 Rc8 14. Be2 Nb6 ({RR} 14... Ne5) 15. Qe1 Nfd7 ({RR} 15... Qc7 16. Qg3 Nc4 17. Bxc4 bxc4 18. Qxg7 Rg8 19. Qh6 e5 20. Nf5 Rg6 21. Qh8+ Kd7) 16. g4 hxg4 17. Rxg4 Bf8 ({RR} 17... g6 18. Rxg6 Rxc3 ({RR} 18... e5 19. Qg1 exd4 20. Bxd4 Rf8 21. e5) ({RR} 18... fxg6 19. Nxe6) 19. Nxe6 ({RR} 19. Qxc3 Na4 20. Qd2 fxg6 21. Nxe6 Qc8) 19... Qc8 20. Ng7+ Kf8 21. Rh6 Rxh6 22. Bxh6 Rxc2 23. Nf5+ Ke8 24. Nxe7 Kxe7 25. Qh4+ f6 26. Bf4 Rxb2+ 27. Kxb2 Na4+ 28. Kb1 Nc3+ 29. Kb2 Na4+) ({RR} 17... Rh7) ({RR} 17... Kf8 18. Qg3 Nf6 19. Rxg7 Nh5 20. Bh6 Nxg3 21. Rh7+ Kg8 22. Rg7+ Kf8) ({RR} 17... g5) 18. Rg2 ({RR} 18. Bg5 Qc7 19. Rh4) 18... Ne5 19. f4 ({RR} 19. Bc1 Qc7 ({RR} 19... Nec4 20. b3) 20. Qg1 Nbc4 21. b3 Nxa3+ 22. Bxa3 Qxc3 23. Rxg7) 19... Nec4 20. Bc1 Qc7 21. Bxc4 ({RR} 21. Rd3) 21... Nxc4 22. Rd3 g6 23. b3 Bg7 ({RR} 23... Nb6 24. Bb2) 24. Qd1 ({RR} 24. bxc4 bxc4 25. Nxe6 fxe6 26. Rdg3) 24... Qa5 ({RR} 24... Qb6) 25. f5 ({RR} 25. Nxe6 fxe6 ({RR} 25... Bxc3 26. bxc4 bxc4 27. Rxc3 Qxc3 28. Qxd6) 26. bxc4 Bxc3 ({RR} 26... bxc4 27. Rxd6 Qxc3 28. Rxe6+ Kf7 29. Qd7+ Kg8 30. Re5) 27. Rxd6 Rc6 28. Rxg6 Rxd6 29. Qxd6 Bc8 30. Qb8 Qd8 31. f5 bxc4 32. fxe6 Bxe6 33. Qxd8+ Kxd8 34. Rxe6 Rxh2 35. Bb2) 25... Ne5 ({RR} 25... exf5 26. Re2 f4) ({RR} 25... Nxa3+ 26. Bxa3 Qxa3 27. fxg6) 26. b4 ({RR} 26. fxg6 Rxc3 27. gxf7+ Kxf7 28. Rxg7+ Kxg7 29. Nxe6+ Kf7 30. Rxd6) 26... Qb6 27. fxg6 Nxg6 {Carlsen,M (2872)-Vachier Lagrave,M (2780) London 2019 CBM 194 [Edouard,Romain] 0-1 (82)} ({RR} 27... Nxd3 28. gxf7+ Kxf7 29. Rxg7+ Kxg7 30. Qg4+) {RR} 28. Nxe6 Bxc3 29. Rxd6 Rc6 ({RR} 29... Bc6 30. Rxg6 fxg6 31. Ng5) 30. Rd8+ Ke7 31. Bg5+) 13... Rc8 14. Rg1 Qc7 $146 ({RR} 14... g6 15. Bc1 Qc7 16. g4 e5 17. g5 exd4 18. gxf6 Bxf6 19. Nd5 Qxc2+ 20. Ka2 Bxd5+ 21. exd5+ Kf8 22. Bh3 Re8 23. Qb4 Ne5 24. Qxd6+ Kg7 25. Qb4 Nc4 26. f4 Re3 27. Bxe3 dxe3 28. Rb1 Qxh2 29. Bg2 {Papadiamandis,E (2134)-Mendonca,L (2538) Budapest 2021 0-1 (43)}) 15. g3 $6 (15. Be2 d5 $132) 15... Ne5 (15... d5 $5 {could lead to crazy lines:} 16. Bf4 (16. exd5 Nxd5 17. Nxd5 Bxd5 18. Nf5 $2 {fails to} Qxc2+ $19) 16... e5 17. exd5 Nxd5 18. Nxd5 Bxd5 19. Rg2 $5 (19. Bh3 O-O $1 20. Bxd7 Qxd7 21. Bxe5 Bc5 $44) 19... exf4 20. Nf5 Nf6 21. Re2 Be6 22. Nxg7+ Kf8 23. Nxe6+ fxe6 24. Bh3 Rd8 {and Black should be at least no worse.}) 16. Rg2 {A fun manoeuvre, which I had never seen in this exact setup. The rook on the second rank will proove useful. On the other hand, this is far too slow in such a complex position.} O-O (16... Nfd7 $5) 17. h3 d5 18. f4 Nc4 19. e5 (19. Bxc4 $6 dxc4 $17) 19... Nxe3 $1 {MVL correctly judged that he should swap his knight for the dark-squared bishop.} 20. Qxe3 Ne4 21. Nxe4 dxe4 22. Re2 ({A direct attack would just fail:} 22. h4 $2 Rfd8 23. g4 Bc5 24. c3 (24. gxh5 Bxd4 25. Rxd4 Rxd4 26. Qxd4 e3 $1 27. Re2 Rd8 $19) 24... Bxd4 25. cxd4 hxg4 $17) 22... Bd5 $5 (22... Rfd8 23. Bg2 b4 $1 24. axb4 Bxb4 {would have given Black great compensation as well.}) 23. Bg2 Qc4 24. Nb3 Bc5 $1 25. Nxc5 Qa2+ 26. Kc1 Rfd8 $1 {What a tactical continuation! White should be very careful now.} 27. c4 $1 (27. Bxe4 {leads to a draw:} Qa1+ 28. Kd2 Bxe4+ 29. Nd3 Qxb2 30. Qxe4 Rc4 31. Qf3 Qc3+ (31... Rxd3+ $5 32. Qxd3 Rd4 $11) 32. Ke3 Qd4+ $11) ({But} 27. c3 $4 {is bad due to} Qa1+ 28. Kc2 Bb3+ $3 29. Kxb3 Qxd1+ 30. Ka2 Rxc5 $17) 27... bxc4 $3 (27... Bxc4 {fails to} 28. Rxd8+ Rxd8 29. Rd2 $18) 28. Red2 (28. Na4 $5 {leads to incredibly fun lines:} Bc6 $1 29. Rxd8+ Rxd8 30. Nc3 Qa1+ 31. Nb1 (31. Kc2 $4 Ba4+ 32. Nxa4 Qd1+ 33. Kc3 Qb3#) 31... Rd3 32. Qg1 Ba4 33. Bxe4 Bb3 34. Bxd3 cxd3 35. Re1 (35. Rd2 $2 Ba2 $17) 35... Ba2 36. Qd4 Qxb1+ 37. Kd2 Qc2+ 38. Ke3 Bd5 39. Qxd3 Qg2 {and Black should be able to make a draw.}) (28. b4 {is a cute way to force a draw:} Qa1+ 29. Kc2 Qa2+ $11) 28... Qa1+ $5 (28... Rxc5 29. Qxc5 Rb8 {was another good option:} 30. Bxe4 (30. Rc2 e3 $1 31. Qxe3 Bxg2 $17) 30... Bxe4 31. Rd8+ Rxd8 32. Rxd8+ Kh7 33. Qb4 Qb1+ 34. Kd2 Qc2+ 35. Ke1 $11) 29. Kc2 Qa2 30. Kc1 (30. Na4 $4 c3 $1 $19) 30... Qa1+ 31. Kc2 Qa2 32. Kc1 {An unusual move repetition!} 1/2-1/2

[Event "London Classic 11th"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2019.12.03"]
[Round "1.2"]
[White "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C84"]
[WhiteElo "2780"]
[BlackElo "2872"]
[Annotator "Edouard,Romain"]
[PlyCount "86"]
[EventDate "2019.12.02"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "2"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 194"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.01.27"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.01.27"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Nxe4 6. d4 Be7 $5 {Recent fashion!} (6... b5 7. Bb3 d5 8. dxe5 Be6 {is the main line.}) 7. Re1 ({Practice has shown that} 7. Qe2 {doesn't bring much:} b5 8. Bb3 (8. Nxe5 Nd6 $5 9. Nxc6 dxc6 10. Bb3 O-O 11. Bf4 Nf5 12. c3 c5 13. dxc5 Bxc5 14. Nd2 Bd6 15. Bxd6 Nxd6 16. Ne4 Bb7 17. Nxd6 Qxd6 18. Rad1 Qg6 $11 {1-0 (59) Shirov,A (2673)-Dubov,D (2660) Moscow 2016}) 8... d5 9. dxe5 Be6 10. Rd1 O-O (10... Nc5 $5 11. c4 Nxb3 12. axb3 b4 13. cxd5 Bxd5 14. Rxa6 Rxa6 15. Qxa6 O-O 16. Qb5 Bc4 17. Rxd8 Bxb5 18. Rxf8+ Kxf8 $44 {0-1 (40) Vokhidov,S (2526)-Khanin,S (2500) Moscow 2019}) 11. c4 bxc4 12. Bxc4 Bc5 13. Be3 Bxe3 14. Qxe3 Qb8 $1 15. Bb3 Na5 (15... Qb6 $5) 16. Nbd2 Qa7 17. Qxa7 Rxa7 18. Rac1 Rb8 19. Nd4 (19. Nxe4 $5 Nxb3 20. axb3 dxe4 21. Nd4 Bd5 22. Rc5 c6 23. Rxc6 h6 $5 $11) 19... c5 20. Nxe6 fxe6 21. Nxe4 Nxb3 22. axb3 dxe4 $11 {½-½ (73) Smeets,J (2596)-Ernst,S (2553) Amstelveen 2019}) 7... b5 8. Rxe4 $1 {Definitely the best try.} (8. Bb3 d5 9. dxe5 Be6 {transposes into a regular Open Spanish with 9.Re1 Be7, which theory claims is fine for Black.}) (8. d5 Nc5 9. dxc6 (9. Bb3 $5 Na5 10. Nxe5 d6 11. Nc6 Nxc6 12. dxc6 O-O 13. Nc3 Bf6 14. Nd5 Nxb3 15. axb3 Be6 16. c3 Re8 $11) 9... Nxa4 10. cxd7+ Qxd7 $15 {½-½ (13) Negi,P (2642)-Radjabov,T (2744) Khanty-Mansiysk 2011}) 8... d5 9. Nxe5 Nxe5 10. Rxe5 bxa4 11. b3 {A natural move, as White wants to play Ba3, but not the most ambitious one.} (11. Qe2 $1 {could be the best move - see the analysis of the fifth game of that same match: Vachier Lagrave,M (2780)-Carlsen,M (2872) London 2019, ½-½ (46).}) ({Practice has shown Black to be fine after other moves so far:} 11. Nc3 O-O (11... Be6 $2 12. Qh5 $1 g6 $2 13. Qf3 $1 Bf6 14. Rxd5 $1 Bxd5 15. Nxd5 Bg7 16. Bg5 Qxg5 17. Nxc7+ Kd8 18. Nxa8 {1-0 Lasker,E-Tarrasch,S Berlin 1916}) 12. Re1 (12. Nxa4 Bd6 13. Re1 Bf5 14. c3 Qh4 15. g3 Qh3 {would give Black typical compensation, similar to what we see in the Marshall Gambit.}) (12. Nxd5 Bd6 {is also quite unclear, since if Black retracts his rook on the e-file Black has got ...Bxh2+ regaining the pawn.}) (12. Rxd5 Bd6 13. Bf4 Be6 $1 14. Bxd6 cxd6 15. Rh5 g6 16. Rh6 a3 $1 17. bxa3 Rc8 $44 {0-1 (29) Sidorenko,I (2395)-Mikhalevski,V (2581) Israel 2019}) 12... Bd6 13. Qh5 a3 $5 (13... c6 14. Nxa4 Qa5 15. Nc3 Rb8 $44 {1-0 (39) Preotu,R (2524)-Mikhalevski,V (2581) chess.com 2019}) 14. Nxd5 axb2 15. Bxb2 Rb8 16. Rab1 Re8 (16... Be6 $5 17. c4 g6 18. Qe2 Bxd5 19. cxd5 Qg5 $11) 17. Ne3 Bf4 18. d5 (18. c4 g6 19. Qe2 Bf5 20. Rbd1 Qd6 $44) (18. Qf3 Bxe3 19. fxe3 Be6 $44) 18... Rb4 (18... Re4 $5 19. Qf3 Qe8 {also makes sense, according to the engine.}) 19. c4 Bxe3 20. Rxe3 Rxe3 21. fxe3 Rxc4 22. Bd4 c5 23. Ba1 f6 24. h3 Qe7 25. Qf3 h6 26. Re1 Re4 $15 {½-½ (68) Caruana,F (2819)-Carlsen,M (2875) Zagreb 2019}) (11. Qe1 f6 $1 (11... Be6 12. f4 $40) 12. Re2 (12. Re3 c5 $5 (12... Kf7 $5) 13. Qd1 (13. dxc5 d4 14. Re2 Kf7 $44) 13... O-O 14. Nc3 Rb8 15. b3 cxd4 16. Qxd4 Bd6 $6 {Very inspired - but probably not correct.} (16... axb3 17. axb3 Bb7 {shouldn't be much for White.}) 17. Qxd5+ Kh8 18. Rd3 Qe8 19. Bb2 Be5 20. Nxa4 Rb5 21. Qf3 (21. Qc4 $5) 21... Bb7 22. Qe3 Be4 $1 23. Rd2 Bxg2 $1 24. Kxg2 (24. f4 $5) 24... Qg6+ 25. Kf1 Bxh2 26. Re1 Rg5 27. Ke2 $2 Re8 28. Kd1 Rg1 $1 $19 {Not a fully correct game from Black, but an incredibly inspired one! 0-1 (48) Aronian,L (2780)-Mamedyarov,S (2820) Batumi 2018}) 12... Kf7 {This leads to drawish positions.} 13. Nc3 Bb4 (13... Re8 $5 14. Nxa4 Bd7 15. Nc3 Bb4 16. Rxe8 Qxe8 17. Bf4 Qxe1+ 18. Rxe1 Bxc3 19. bxc3 Re8 20. Rxe8 Bxe8 21. Bxc7 Bb5 22. f3 {½-½ Van Kampen,R (2637)-L'Ami,E (2630) Netherlands 2014}) 14. a3 Ba5 15. Bd2 Bxc3 16. Bxc3 Bf5 17. Bb4 (17. Qd2 Qd7 18. Rae1 Rhe8 19. f3 Rxe2 20. Qxe2 Re8 21. Qxa6 Rxe1+ 22. Bxe1 Bxc2 $11 {½-½ (31) Tari,A (2614)-Ernst,S (2535) Kiel 2018}) 17... Re8 18. Rxe8 Qxe8 19. Qxe8+ Rxe8 20. Re1 Rxe1+ 21. Bxe1 Bxc2 $11 {½-½ (32) Santos Ruiz,M (2583)-Vallejo Pons,F (2694) Marbella 2019}) 11... O-O ({So far} 11... Be6 {didn't prove to be bad either, but the game move looks more natural.} 12. Ba3 Bxa3 13. Nxa3 O-O 14. Nb1 Qd6 15. Nc3 axb3 16. axb3 c5 17. Ne2 (17. Re3 Rfc8 18. Rg3 Rab8 19. dxc5 Qxc5 20. h3 g6 21. Rxa6 d4 22. Ne4 Qe5 23. Ng5 d3 24. Qxd3 Bf5 25. Qf3 $6 f6 $1 26. Nxh7 Kxh7 27. Ra7+ Rc7 $15 {½-½ (43) Saric,I (2689)-Kapnisis,S (2456) Greece 2018}) 17... f6 18. Re3 c4 19. Ng3 cxb3 20. cxb3 g6 21. Qf3 Bf7 $11 {½-½ (43) Nakamura,H (2743)-Caruana,F (2818) Saint Louis 2019}) 12. Ba3 (12. Rxe7 Qxe7 13. Ba3 Qg5 14. Bxf8 Bh3 $1 15. Qf1 Kxf8 16. Nc3 Re8 17. Kh1 Qd2 $5 18. Nxd5 Bxg2+ $1 19. Qxg2 Re1+ 20. Rxe1 Qxe1+ 21. Qg1 Qe4+ {½-½ Relange,E (2490)-Benjamin,J (2595) Mermaid Beach 1998}) 12... Bxa3 13. Nxa3 {The only way White can be better in these positions is to bring the a3-knight to c5 (Nb1, Nc3, Na4, Nc5) but he never succeeds.} Re8 $1 {The "clearest" way to equalize.} (13... Qd6 14. Nb1 f6 15. Re3 Bd7 16. Nc3 Rfe8 {was played by Radjabov, and is also very solid.}) 14. Rxe8+ Qxe8 15. Qd2 (15. Nb1 axb3 16. axb3 Bf5 (16... Qc6 $5) 17. Nc3 Qc6 (17... Qe6 $5) 18. Qd2 Re8 19. Rc1 Qe6 20. f3 h5 $11 {½-½ (36) Balogh,C (2630)-Radjabov,T (2715) Poland 2013}) 15... Bf5 16. Re1 (16. Nb1 $2 Bxc2 $15) ({RR} 16. Nb1 Bxc2 17. bxa4 Bxa4 18. Nc3 Bc6 19. Re1 Qd7 20. Qe3 h6 21. h3 a5 22. Qe5 a4 23. Re3 Qd6 24. Qxd6 cxd6 25. Re7 a3 26. Rc7 Ra6 27. Kf1 Kf8 28. Rc8+ Ke7 29. Rb8 Ra5 30. Ke2 g5 {Lohia,S (2364)-Eljanov,P (2669) London ENG 2025 0-1 (54)}) 16... Qc6 {This setup paralyzes the white knight on a3. With his next move, White just tries to exchange everything and forces a draw.} 17. c4 $146 ({RR} 17. Re3 axb3 18. axb3 Re8 19. Rxe8+ Qxe8 20. Kf1 h6 21. f3 Qc6 22. g3 Qd6 23. Qa5 h5 24. Kf2 h4 25. c4 hxg3+ 26. hxg3 Qh6 27. cxd5 Qh2+ 28. Ke3 Qg1+ 29. Ke2 Qxg3 30. Nc4 Qg2+ 31. Ke3 Qg1+ {Vovk,Y (2553)-Prokofiev,V (2288) Lviv UKR 2022 ½-½ (38)}) ({RR} 17. Re3 axb3 18. axb3 Re8 19. Rxe8+ Qxe8 20. Kf1 h6 21. f3 Qc6 22. g3 Qd6 23. Qa5 h5 24. Kf2 h4 25. c4 hxg3+ 26. hxg3 Qh6 27. cxd5 Qh2+ 28. Ke3 Qg1+ 29. Ke2 Qxg3 30. Nc4 Qg2+ 31. Ke3 Qg1+ {Vovk,Y (2553)-Prokofiev,V (2288) Lviv UKR 2022 ½-½ (38)}) 17... axb3 18. axb3 h6 19. cxd5 Qxd5 20. Nc4 Be6 21. Re5 Qd7 22. d5 Rd8 $1 23. dxe6 (23. Ne3 $2 c6 $17) 23... Qxd2 24. Nxd2 Rxd2 25. g3 fxe6 26. Rxe6 Ra2 27. Rc6 Ra3 28. Rxc7 Rxb3 29. Ra7 Ra3 30. g4 h5 $5 {Not necessary, but anyway a good move to disturb White's pawn chain.} 31. gxh5 (31. g5 $6 Kh7 $15) 31... Kh7 32. Kg2 Ra5 33. f4 Ra3 34. Ra8 a5 35. Ra6 a4 36. f5 Rb3 $1 {Simplest.} 37. Rxa4 Rb5 38. Rf4 Kh6 39. f6 gxf6 40. Rxf6+ Kxh5 41. h4 Rb2+ 42. Rf2 Rxf2+ 43. Kxf2 Kxh4 1/2-1/2

[Event "London Classic 11th"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2019.12.04"]
[Round "1.3"]
[White "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C78"]
[WhiteElo "2780"]
[BlackElo "2872"]
[PlyCount "92"]
[EventDate "2019.12.02"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "2"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 194"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.01.27"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.01.27"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 {ChessBase II} e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Bc5 6. c3 O-O 7. d4 Ba7 8. dxe5 Nxe4 9. Qd5 Nc5 10. Bc2 Ne7 11. Qd1 d5 12. exd6 Qxd6 13. Qxd6 cxd6 14. Re1 ({RR} 14. Rd1 Bf5 15. Na3 Rfd8 16. Nd4 Bxc2 17. Naxc2 Ne6 18. Ne2 Bc5 19. Rd3 Nc6 20. Be3 Ne5 21. Rd5 Nc4 22. Bc1 a5 23. a4 Rac8 24. Kf1 Nc7 25. Rd1 d5 26. b3 Ne5 27. Be3 Ne6 28. f3 Nc6) ({RR} 14. Rd1 Bg4 15. Be3 Bxf3 16. gxf3 d5 17. Nd2 Ne6 18. Nb3 Rfd8 19. Rd2 d4 20. Nxd4 Bxd4 21. Bxd4 Nxd4 22. Rxd4 Rxd4 23. cxd4 Rd8 24. Be4 Rd7 25. Rd1 f5 26. Bb1 Kf7 27. a3 Kf6 28. Ba2 Nc6 {So,W (2770)-Carlsen,M (2863) Lichess.org INT 2020 ½-½}) ({RR} 14. Rd1 Bg4 15. Be3 Bxf3 16. gxf3 d5 17. Nd2 Ne6 18. Nb3 g6 19. Rd2 Kg7 20. Re1 Rfd8 21. Kf1 Kf6 22. Red1 Rdc8 23. Nc1 a5 24. Ne2 Bxe3 25. fxe3 Ra6 26. Bd3 Rb6 27. a4 Nc6 28. Bb5 Nc7 {Vachier Lagrave,M (2736)-Caruana,F (2784) Saint Louis USA 2025 ½-½ (35)}) 14... Re8 15. Na3 $146 ({RR} 15. Be3 Bf5 16. Na3 Bxc2 17. Bxc5 dxc5 18. Nxc2 Nc6 19. a4 Rxe1+ 20. Rxe1 Rd8 21. g3 f6 22. Na3 Kf7 23. Kg2 Bb8 24. Nc4 Bc7 25. Ra1 b6 26. h4 Ne7 27. h5 Rd5 28. Rh1 Rd7 ({RR} 28... Nf5) 29. Ne3 Nd5 {Vachier Lagrave,M (2780)-Fressinet,L (2640) Brest 2019 CBM 190 Extra [ChessBase II] ½-½ (84)}) 15... Bg4 16. Bf4 Bxf3 17. gxf3 d5 18. Rad1 Ne6 19. Be3 g6 20. Bb3 d4 21. cxd4 Nf5 22. d5 Ned4 23. Bxd4 Rxe1+ 24. Rxe1 Bxd4 25. Nc4 b5 26. Ne3 Nd6 27. Rc1 Bxb2 28. Rc6 Be5 29. Ng4 Bf4 30. Nf6+ Kg7 31. Ne4 Nf5 32. d6 Ra7 33. Bd1 Nd4 34. Rb6 Rd7 35. Rxa6 f5 36. Nc5 Rxd6 37. Rxd6 Bxd6 38. Nb3 Ne6 39. Be2 b4 40. Bc4 Nf4 41. Nc1 Kf6 42. Nd3 Nxd3 43. Bxd3 Bf4 44. Bc4 Bd6 45. Bd3 Bf4 46. Bc4 Bd6 1/2-1/2

[Event "London Classic 11th"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2019.12.04"]
[Round "1.5"]
[White "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C84"]
[WhiteElo "2780"]
[BlackElo "2872"]
[Annotator "Edouard,Romain"]
[PlyCount "91"]
[EventDate "2019.12.02"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "2"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 194"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.01.27"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.01.27"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Nxe4 6. d4 Be7 7. Re1 b5 8. Rxe4 d5 9. Nxe5 Nxe5 10. Rxe5 bxa4 11. Qe2 c6 (11... Be6 12. f4 g6 {The inclusion of the moves ...f4 and g6 gives White a strong option of sacrificing an exchange on e5 (when Black plays ...Bd6) after what the black position will be disastrous on the dark squares.} 13. Nc3 a3 14. b3 Bb4 15. Na4 O-O 16. Bd2 (16. c3 $5 Bd6 17. Nc5 {may be stronger}) 16... Bd6 17. Nc5 Bf5 18. Bb4 $5 (18. Rxd5 Re8 $132) 18... Bxe5 19. fxe5 Qh4 20. c3 a5 21. Bxa3 $44 {1-0 (33) Alekseenko,K (2637)-Ernst,S (2540) Gibraltar 2019.}) ({RR} 11... Be6 12. f4 g6 13. Nc3 a3 14. b3 Bb4 15. Na4 O-O 16. c3 Bd6 17. Nc5 Bf5 18. Bxa3 Qh4 19. Rf1 c6 20. Qe1 Qxe1 21. Rexe1 Rfe8 22. Bc1 Bxc5 23. dxc5 Bd3 24. Rxe8+ Rxe8 25. Rd1 Bc2 26. Rf1 {Vachier Lagrave,M (2732)-Caruana,F (2805) Bucharest ROU 2024 ½-½}) 12. Bd2 (12. Nc3 Ra7 (12... Be6 13. f4 $1 g6 14. Nxa4 $16) 13. Bf4 $1 $146 {This could be a serious attempt at refuting the whole line.} (13. Nxa4 O-O 14. Bd2 $6 Bd6 $13 {½-½ (65) Saric,I (2695)-Ragger,M (2687) St Petersburg 2018}) 13... O-O (13... a3 14. b3 $16) 14. Re1 Be6 (14... Bd6 $2 15. Re8 $1 $18) 15. Re3 a3 16. bxa3 $1 Bxa3 (16... c5 17. Be5 $16) 17. Nxd5 Qxd5 18. Rxa3 Qxd4 19. Be5 $16 {Rg3}) ({RR} 12. b3 Ra7 13. Ba3 Be6 14. Bxe7 Qxe7 15. Nc3 axb3 16. axb3 O-O 17. Na4 Qb4 18. Qe3 g6 19. Nc5 Bf5 20. c3 Qb6 21. Re1 f6 22. Re8 Raf7 23. f3 Qa7 24. Qf4 Kg7 25. Rxf8 {1-0 (25) Puranik,A (2615)-Frendzas,P (2179) Rhodes GRE 2025}) 12... Be6 $146 (12... a5 $2 13. Nc3 $16) ({RR} 12... f6 13. Re3 Kf7 14. Nc3 a3 15. b3 Bf5 16. Re1 Bd6 17. Qf3 Qd7 18. Nxd5 cxd5 19. Qxd5+ Kg6 20. c4 Bf4 21. Qf3 Bxe3 22. Bxe3 Rae8 23. d5 h5 24. Qg3+ Kh7 25. h3 Re4 26. Rd1 Re5 27. Qf3 {Gukesh,D (2563)-Martinez Alcantara,J (2620) Chess.com INT 2020 1-0 (54)}) ({RR} 12... f6 13. Re3 Kf7 14. Nc3 a3 15. b3 Bf5 16. Re1 Bd6 17. Qf3 Qd7 18. Nxd5 cxd5 19. Qxd5+ Kg6 20. c4 Bf4 21. Qf3 Bxe3 22. Bxe3 Rae8 23. d5 h5 24. Qg3+ Kh7 25. h3 Re4 26. Rd1 Re5 27. Qf3 {Gukesh,D (2563)-Martinez Alcantara,J (2620) Chess.com INT 2020 1-0 (54)}) 13. f4 g6 (13... Qb6 $5 {is the other option:} 14. f5 (14. Bc3 g6 $13) 14... a3 $1 (14... Qxd4+ $2 15. Kh1 Qxb2 (15... a3 $2 16. Bc3 $18) 16. fxe6 O-O (16... Qxa1 $2 17. exf7+ Kf8 18. Rxe7 Qxb1+ 19. Be1 $18) 17. Bc3 Qc1+ 18. Qe1 $18) 15. Nxa3 (15. Nc3 axb2 16. Re1 Qxd4+ 17. Kh1 O-O 18. fxe6 fxe6 $44) (15. b3 $4 Qxd4+ $19) 15... Qxb2 16. Re1 Qxd4+ 17. Kh1 Bxa3 18. Rxe6+ fxe6 19. Qxe6+ Kf8 20. Bg5 h6 21. Be7+ Bxe7 22. Qxe7+ Kg8 23. Qe6+ $11) 14. Nc3 a3 15. b3 ({The move chosen by MVL is the most natural one, but actually} 15. bxa3 $5 {may be stronger. The idea is simple: play in similar fashion as in the game, while the queenside is already open. Black will have to castle kingside, and a pawn is pawn, after all.}) 15... Bd6 $1 (15... O-O 16. f5 gxf5 17. Bh6 $40) 16. f5 $1 gxf5 17. Rf1 Bxe5 $6 {A poisoned gift!} (17... O-O $1 {was the tough but right decision.} 18. Bf4 (18. Bh6 Qh4 $132) 18... Bxe5 19. Qxe5 Qe8 20. Bh6 f6 21. Qg3+ Qg6 22. Bxf8 Qxg3 23. hxg3 Kxf8 $11) 18. Qxe5 Rg8 19. Na4 Qb8 20. Qe3 Rg4 (20... Rg6 {followed with ...Kf8 and ...Kg8 might be playable, but Carlsen's continuation is more human.}) 21. Nc5 Re4 22. Nxe4 {That wasn't mandatory. White could also have played 22.Qh6 right away, for example.} fxe4 23. Qh6 Qa7 24. Qg7 (24. c3 {followed with Qxh7 would have guaranteed White a great advantage.}) (24. Qf6 $5 {to prevent ...0-0-0 also made a lot of sense.}) 24... O-O-O 25. Bb4 $6 (25. c3 {was a better move - the white bishop is more useful on the c1-h6 diagonal, as it may go to f4 while defending against ...e3.}) 25... Re8 26. Bxa3 h5 27. Bc5 Qd7 28. Qg5 e3 29. Qxe3 Bf5 30. Qf2 $6 {The white queen should aim at the other side.} (30. Qd2 $1 Bg6 (30... Be4 31. Qe2 $1 Kb7 32. Qxh5 $18) 31. Qa5 Qb7 32. Bd6 Re2 33. Re1 {and Black's position is just lost.}) 30... Bg6 31. c4 $2 {A huge blunder, surely missing Black's next move.} (31. h3 {would have kept a clear advantage.}) 31... Bd3 $1 32. Re1 (32. Rc1 Re2 $44) 32... Rxe1+ 33. Qxe1 dxc4 34. bxc4 Bxc4 35. h3 Qe6 36. Qxe6+ Bxe6 {And the rest was just played for the audience!} 37. a3 Bd5 38. Kf2 Kd7 39. g3 Be6 40. h4 Bg4 41. Ke3 Ke6 42. Kf4 Kd5 43. Ke3 Ke6 44. Kf4 Kd5 45. Ke3 Ke6 46. Kf4 1/2-1/2

[Event "London Classic 11th"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2019.12.04"]
[Round "1.7"]
[White "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B56"]
[WhiteElo "2780"]
[BlackElo "2872"]
[PlyCount "90"]
[EventDate "2019.12.02"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "2"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 194"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.01.27"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.01.27"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 Bd7 6. Bg5 e6 7. Ndb5 Bxb5 8. Bxb5+ Nc6 9. Qf3 Be7 10. e5 dxe5 11. Bxc6+ bxc6 12. Qxc6+ Kf8 13. O-O Qc8 14. Qf3 Rb8 15. Rab1 ({RR} 15. Ne4 Nxe4 16. Bxe7+ Kxe7 17. Qxe4 Qc5 18. b3 f5 19. Qe3 Qxe3 20. fxe3 a5 21. Rfd1 g5 22. Rd2 Rhc8 23. c4 e4 24. Rc1 h5 25. c5 Rc6 26. Kf2 h4 27. Rc4 Rb4 28. Rdc2 e5 29. R4c3 Ke6 {Mishra,A (2611)-Carlsen,M (2837) chess.com INT 2025 0-1 (43)}) 15... h6 16. Bxf6 $146 ({RR} 16. Be3 Qc7 17. Ne4 Nxe4 18. Qxe4 f5 19. Qd3 Kf7 20. c4 Rhd8 21. Qe2 Bc5 {½-½ (21) De Winter,A (2150)-Lahaye,R (2417) Dieren 2022}) ({RR} 16. Bh4 g5 17. Bg3 Nd7 18. Rfd1 f6 19. h4 Kg7 20. Ne4 Rd8 21. b3 Qc6 22. Nxg5 Rbc8 23. Ne4 f5 24. Rxd7 Qxd7 25. Bxe5+ Kh7 26. Ng5+ Bxg5 27. hxg5 Qf7 28. Bf6 Rd7 29. c4 hxg5 30. Bxg5 Qg6 {Solodovnichenko,Y (2577)-Torres Sanchez,J (2275) La Nucia 2021 1-0 (38)}) 16... gxf6 17. Rfd1 f5 18. Qe3 Qc7 19. Na4 Kg7 20. b3 Qxc2 21. Qxe5+ Bf6 22. Qg3+ Kh7 23. Qd3 Rhc8 24. Qd2 Rc7 25. g3 Rbc8 26. a3 Kg6 27. Qxc2 Rxc2 28. b4 R8c4 29. Nc5 Bd4 30. Nd3 Ra2 31. Rbc1 Rxc1 32. Rxc1 Rxa3 33. Nf4+ Kf6 34. Kf1 Ra2 35. Ne2 Bb6 36. f4 Rb2 37. Rc4 Ke7 38. h4 Kd6 39. Nc3 Rf2+ 40. Ke1 Rf3 41. Ne2 Kd5 42. Rc8 Rb3 43. Kd2 Ke4 44. Nc3+ Kf3 45. Rh8 Bd4 0-1

[Event "London Classic 11th"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2019.12.04"]
[Round "1.9"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B95"]
[WhiteElo "2872"]
[BlackElo "2780"]
[Annotator "Edouard,Romain"]
[PlyCount "164"]
[EventDate "2019.12.02"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "2"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 194"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.01.27"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.01.27"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 {Edouard,Romain} c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Bg5 e6 7. f3 h6 8. Be3 b5 9. a3 $5 Nbd7 10. Qd2 Bb7 11. O-O-O ({RR} 11. g4 d5) 11... h5 ({RR} 11... Rc8) ({RR} 11... d5 12. exd5 Nxd5 13. Nxd5 Bxd5 14. Nf5 ({RR} 14. Kb1)) ({RR} 11... Rc8 12. Kb1 h5 13. h3 Be7 14. Rg1 h4 15. g4 hxg3 16. Rxg3 g6 17. Bd3 Qc7 18. f4 Nc5 19. Qg2 Ba8 20. Nde2 d5 21. Bxc5 Bxc5 22. exd5 Nxd5 23. Nxd5 Bxd5 24. Be4 Bc4 25. b3 Bxe2 26. Qxe2 {Mac Farlane Patrick,R (1993)-Acosta Guerrero,Y (2120) Santa Clara CUB 2025 1-0 (62)}) 12. Kb1 Be7 13. Rg1 $1 $146 {A huge improvement on 13.Qe1, previously played by Carlsen.} ({RR} 13. Qe1 Rc8 14. Rg1 Qc7 15. g3 ({RR} 15. Be2 d5) 15... Ne5 ({RR} 15... d5 16. Bf4 ({RR} 16. exd5 Nxd5 17. Nxd5 Bxd5 18. Nf5 Qxc2+) 16... e5 17. exd5 Nxd5 18. Nxd5 Bxd5 19. Rg2 ({RR} 19. Bh3 O-O 20. Bxd7 Qxd7 21. Bxe5 Bc5) 19... exf4 20. Nf5 Nf6 21. Re2 Be6 22. Nxg7+ Kf8 23. Nxe6+ fxe6 24. Bh3 Rd8) 16. Rg2 O-O ({RR} 16... Nfd7) 17. h3 d5 18. f4 Nc4 19. e5 ({RR} 19. Bxc4 dxc4) 19... Nxe3 20. Qxe3 Ne4 21. Nxe4 dxe4 22. Re2 ({RR} 22. h4 Rfd8 23. g4 Bc5 24. c3 ({RR} 24. gxh5 Bxd4 25. Rxd4 Rxd4 26. Qxd4 e3 27. Re2 Rd8) 24... Bxd4 25. cxd4 hxg4) 22... Bd5 ({RR} 22... Rfd8 23. Bg2 b4 24. axb4 Bxb4) 23. Bg2 Qc4 24. Nb3 Bc5 25. Nxc5 Qa2+ 26. Kc1 Rfd8 27. c4 ({RR} 27. Bxe4 Qa1+ 28. Kd2 Bxe4+ 29. Nd3 Qxb2 30. Qxe4 Rc4 31. Qf3 Qc3+ ({RR} 31... Rxd3+ 32. Qxd3 Rd4) 32. Ke3 Qd4+) ({RR} 27. c3 Qa1+ 28. Kc2 Bb3+ 29. Kxb3 Qxd1+ 30. Ka2 Rxc5) 27... bxc4 {Carlsen,M (2872)-Vachier Lagrave,M (2780) London 2019 CBM 194 [Edouard,Romain] ½-½ (32)} ({RR} 27... Bxc4 28. Rxd8+ Rxd8 29. Rd2) {RR} 28. Na4 ({RR} 28. b4 Qa1+ 29. Kc2 Qa2+) 28... Bc6 29. Rxd8+ Rxd8 30. Nc3 Qa1+ 31. Nb1 ({RR} 31. Kc2 Ba4+ 32. Nxa4 Qd1+ 33. Kc3 Qb3#) 31... Rd3 32. Qg1 Ba4 33. Bxe4 Bb3 34. Bxd3 cxd3 35. Re1 ({RR} 35. Rd2 Ba2) 35... Ba2 36. Qd4 Qxb1+ 37. Kd2 Qc2+ 38. Ke3 Bd5 39. Qxd3 Qg2) 13... Rc8 14. Be2 $146 ({RR} 14. Qe1 g6 15. Bc1 Qc7 16. g4 e5 17. g5 exd4 18. gxf6 Bxf6 19. Nd5 Qxc2+ 20. Ka2 Bxd5+ 21. exd5+ Kf8 22. Bh3 Re8 23. Qb4 Ne5 24. Qxd6+ Kg7 25. Qb4 Nc4 26. f4 Re3 27. Bxe3 dxe3 28. Rb1 Qxh2 {Papadiamandis,E (2134)-Mendonca,L (2538) Budapest 2021 0-1 (43)}) ({RR} 14. Qe1 g6 15. Bc1 Qc7 16. g4 e5 17. g5 exd4 18. gxf6 Bxf6 19. Nd5 Qxc2+ 20. Ka2 Bxd5+ 21. exd5+ Kf8 22. Bh3 Re8 23. Qb4 Ne5 24. Qxd6+ Kg7 25. Qb4 Nc4 26. f4 Re3 27. Bxe3 dxe3 28. Rb1 Qxh2 {Papadiamandis,E (2134)-Mendonca,L (2538) Budapest 2021 0-1 (43)}) 14... Nb6 (14... Ne5 $5 {is definitely worth consideration.}) 15. Qe1 $1 {Now that move makes sense - as White already threatens to push e5.} Nfd7 (15... Qc7 {definitely makes sense too. A logical follow-up would be} 16. Qg3 Nc4 17. Bxc4 bxc4 {while} 18. Qxg7 $2 {would allow} Rg8 19. Qh6 e5 $1 {with the idea} 20. Nf5 Rg6 21. Qh8+ Kd7 $19) 16. g4 {Logical, once the knight is gone from f6 - so White can recapture on g4 with his rook.} hxg4 17. Rxg4 Bf8 $6 {It is rarely very good to set your pieces ready for the next game! Several moves lead to unclear positions here.} (17... g6 $5 18. Rxg6 {(the move MVL admitted to have overlooked beforehand)} Rxc3 $1 (18... e5 19. Qg1 $1 exd4 20. Bxd4 Rf8 21. e5 {is also a mess, but could go wrong for Black}) (18... fxg6 $4 19. Nxe6 $18) 19. Nxe6 (19. Qxc3 Na4 $1 20. Qd2 fxg6 21. Nxe6 Qc8 $13) 19... Qc8 $8 {And now the engine suggests a fun drawing line:} 20. Ng7+ Kf8 21. Rh6 Rxh6 22. Bxh6 Rxc2 23. Nf5+ Ke8 24. Nxe7 Kxe7 25. Qh4+ f6 26. Bf4 Rxb2+ 27. Kxb2 Na4+ 28. Kb1 Nc3+ 29. Kb2 Na4+ $11) (17... Rh7 $5 {also looks playable. Any time the queen leaves its protection of the c3-knight, Black will sac on c3 and play ...Na4.}) (17... Kf8 $5 {also looks reasonable, if} 18. Qg3 {then} Nf6 $1 19. Rxg7 Nh5 20. Bh6 $8 Nxg3 21. Rh7+ Kg8 22. Rg7+ Kf8 $11 {is another fun draw!}) ({Even} 17... g5 {is suggested by the engine, but it looks somewhat more suspicious.}) 18. Rg2 {Not the most percussive move, although Black's position remains unpleasant to play.} (18. Bg5 $1 Qc7 19. Rh4 {exchanging Black's very important h8-rook (that had both an attacking and defensive role) was very disturbing.}) 18... Ne5 19. f4 (19. Bc1 $5 {was an interesting way to wait for Black to put a piece on the c-file, so ...Rxc3 becomes impossible.} Qc7 (19... Nec4 $2 20. b3 $16) 20. Qg1 $1 Nbc4 21. b3 Nxa3+ 22. Bxa3 Qxc3 23. Rxg7 $1 $40) 19... Nec4 20. Bc1 Qc7 21. Bxc4 (21. Rd3 $5) 21... Nxc4 22. Rd3 g6 $5 {Black needs to activate his f8-bishop!} 23. b3 Bg7 {It is important to keep the tension. Retracting the c4-knight would allow Bb2, after which White would have no attacking prospects.} (23... Nb6 24. Bb2) 24. Qd1 (24. bxc4 bxc4 {(...Qb6+)} 25. Nxe6 $8 {(or 24.Nxe6 first)} fxe6 26. Rdg3 {would be another critical line.}) 24... Qa5 $6 {Tempting but wrong.} ({Black had to play the more quiet} 24... Qb6 {to "defend" the c4-knight.}) 25. f5 $2 {Bluff? But it did work!} (25. Nxe6 $1 {was powerful:} fxe6 (25... Bxc3 26. bxc4 bxc4 27. Rxc3 Qxc3 28. Qxd6 $1 $18) 26. bxc4 $1 Bxc3 (26... bxc4 27. Rxd6 Qxc3 28. Rxe6+ Kf7 29. Qd7+ Kg8 30. Re5 $1 $18) 27. Rxd6 {and Black may survive the attack, but will remain worse, e.g.} Rc6 28. Rxg6 Rxd6 29. Qxd6 Bc8 30. Qb8 Qd8 31. f5 bxc4 32. fxe6 Bxe6 33. Qxd8+ Kxd8 34. Rxe6 Rxh2 35. Bb2 $1 $16) 25... Ne5 $2 ({Black should have taken the offered pawn with} 25... exf5 $1 {- after} 26. Re2 f4 $5 {it would be difficult for White to continue his attack.}) ({Of course not} 25... Nxa3+ $2 26. Bxa3 Qxa3 27. fxg6 $40) 26. b4 (26. fxg6 {was strong as well, if} Rxc3 27. gxf7+ Kxf7 {White has several wins, for example} 28. Rxg7+ $1 Kxg7 29. Nxe6+ Kf7 30. Rxd6 $18) 26... Qb6 27. fxg6 $1 {After that move, Black's position collapses. Maxime's best chance then was the clock: with around 8 minutes vs. 3.} Nxg6 (27... Nxd3 28. gxf7+ Kxf7 29. Rxg7+ $1 Kxg7 30. Qg4+ {with a devastating attack.}) 28. Be3 {The easy option.} (28. Nxe6 {was the hard one:} Bxc3 29. Rxd6 Rc6 (29... Bc6 30. Rxg6 $1 fxg6 31. Ng5 $5 $18) 30. Rd8+ Ke7 31. Bg5+ {followed with Qd7#.}) 28... Bh6 29. Ndxb5 {Logical, but not the strongest.} (29. Bg1 {was the simple option, keeping bishops alive.}) (29. Nxe6 $1 {was again the hard one:} Bxe3 30. Rxd6 Rc6 (30... Bc6 31. Nd5 $18) 31. Rd8+ Ke7 32. Qd7+ Kf6 33. e5+ $1 {and mate to follow.}) 29... Bxe3 30. Nxd6+ Ke7 31. Nxb7 $2 {Slowly Magnus is giving Black practical chances.} ({The strongest move was pretty hard to find:} 31. Nxf7 $1 Kxf7 32. Rd7+ Kf6 33. Qf3+ Bf4 34. Ne2 $1 e5 35. Nxf4 exf4 (35... Nxf4 36. Qg4 $18) 36. Rxb7 $1 Qxb7 37. e5+ {and wins.}) 31... Ne5 $5 {A good practical try.} ({After} 31... Qxb7 32. Rxe3 {Black wouldn't be without chances, but objectively he shouldn't be able to prove compensation for the two pawns.}) 32. Rxe3 Nc4 $1 {That was the idea behind 31...Ne5.} ({Of course not} 32... Qxe3 $2 33. Qd6+ Kf6 $2 34. Nd5#) 33. Rd3 $6 (33. Rf3 $1 Qxb7 34. Qd4 {would probably have finished off the game quickly.}) 33... Qxb7 34. Na4 {White had other ways to defend the a3-pawn, like 34.Qc1, but that one isn't bad.} Rhd8 35. Nc5 $4 {Finally a serious mistake by White! Magnus blunders his two extra pawns in just one move.} (35. Rxd8 Rxd8 36. Qe1 Nxa3+ 37. Ka2 {and White is just winning.}) 35... Rxd3 36. Nxd3 (36. Qxd3 Rxc5 {was surely missed by the Norwegian.}) 36... Nxa3+ 37. Kc1 $2 ({Better was} 37. Ka2 Nb5 38. Qg4 Qxe4 {which is around equal.}) 37... Qxe4 {Suddenly, material is equal and White's king is in trouble!} 38. Rf2 Qe3+ $2 (38... Qd4 $1 {would have won the game: White is defenseless against 39...Qa1+.}) 39. Kb2 Nc4+ 40. Ka2 Nd6 41. Qh5 {The white king could escape and White is more or less fine again.} Nf5 42. Re2 Qg1 43. Qf3 ({Of course not} 43. Qxf5 $4 Rxc2+ $1 {deflecting the white rook.}) 43... Qb6 44. Ne5 Qb5 {Black's position remains much easier to play.} 45. c4 $2 (45. Qe4 $1 {was necessary.}) 45... Qa4+ 46. Qa3 Qxa3+ 47. Kxa3 f6 {The c4-pawn falls and Black is technically winning. What a turnover in game 9 of the match!} 48. Nd3 Rxc4 49. Nc5 Nd4 50. Re4 a5 $5 51. Ka2 Rxb4 (51... axb4 $2 52. Nxe6 $1 {was the last trick to avoid.}) 52. Nd3 Nb5 $1 {A cute way to exchange rooks.} 53. Rxb4 (53. Nxb4 Nc3+ $19) 53... axb4 54. Nxb4 f5 55. Kb2 Kf6 56. Kc2 Nd4+ 57. Kd3 Nf3 58. h3 e5 59. Ke3 Nh4 60. Nd5+ Kg5 61. Ne7 Ng6 62. Nc8 Nf4 {Black's technical has been irreprochable. Now the h3-pawn falls as well.} 63. h4+ Kxh4 64. Ne7 Kg5 65. Kf3 Ng6 66. Nd5 e4+ 67. Ke3 Ne5 68. Kd4 Ng4 69. Nc7 Nh2 70. Ke3 Nf1+ 71. Kf2 Nd2 72. Ke3 Nc4+ 73. Kd4 Nd6 74. Ne6+ Kg4 75. Ke3 Kg3 76. Nd4 (76. Nf4 $2 Nc4+ $19) 76... f4+ 77. Ke2 Kg2 78. Ne6 f3+ 79. Ke3 Kg3 80. Nf4 Nc4+ $1 81. Kxe4 f2 82. Ne2+ Kg4 0-1

[Event "London Classic 11th"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2019.12.04"]
[Round "1.10"]
[White "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B51"]
[WhiteElo "2780"]
[BlackElo "2872"]
[PlyCount "87"]
[EventDate "2019.12.02"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "2"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 194"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.01.27"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.01.27"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. Bb5+ Nd7 4. d4 cxd4 5. Qxd4 a6 6. Bxd7+ Qxd7 7. Nc3 e5 8. Qd3 Qc6 9. O-O Be6 10. Rd1 Rc8 11. a4 h6 12. Nd2 Nf6 13. Nf1 Be7 14. Ne3 O-O 15. Ncd5 Bxd5 16. exd5 Qd7 17. Nf5 Kh8 18. c4 e4 $146 ({RR} 18... Rfe8 19. Nxe7 Qxe7 20. b3 Nd7 21. Ba3 a5 22. Qc3 Ra8 23. Rac1 b6 24. Re1 f5 25. Qh3 Qf6 26. Rc2 g5 27. Rce2 Kh7 28. Qd3 Nc5 29. Qc2 Qg6 30. Qc3 f4 31. Bxc5 bxc5 32. Qc2 Rab8 33. Qxg6+ {Paszewski,M (2251)-Edouard,R (2653) Sitges 2019 0-1 (48)}) 19. Qh3 Nh7 20. b3 Bf6 21. Ra2 b5 22. axb5 axb5 23. cxb5 Ng5 24. Qg4 Qxb5 25. Bxg5 hxg5 26. Nxd6 Qxb3 27. Nxc8 Qxa2 28. Nd6 e3 29. Qh3+ Kg8 30. Qxe3 Rd8 31. Ne4 Rxd5 32. Nxf6+ gxf6 33. Rf1 Kg7 34. h3 Qc4 35. Qf3 Qd3 36. Qxd3 Rxd3 37. Re1 Rd6 38. Rf1 Rd7 39. Re1 Rd8 40. g4 Rd7 41. Kg2 Rd8 42. Kg1 Rd7 43. Kg2 Rd8 44. Kg1 1/2-1/2

[Event "London Classic 11th"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2019.12.08"]
[Round "2.6"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B90"]
[WhiteElo "2872"]
[BlackElo "2775"]
[PlyCount "109"]
[EventDate "2019.12.02"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "2"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 194"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.01.27"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.01.27"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. a3 g6 7. f3 Bg7 8. Be3 b5 9. Qd2 h5 10. a4 b4 11. Na2 a5 12. c3 bxc3 13. Bb5+ Bd7 14. Nxc3 O-O 15. O-O $146 ({RR} 15. Qe2 e5 16. Nc2 Nc6 17. Rd1 Qb8 18. O-O Rc8 19. Rd2 Be6 20. Qf2 Bf8 21. Qh4 Nh7 22. Nd5 Bxd5 23. Rxd5 Ne7 24. Rd2 d5 25. exd5 Nf5 26. Qf2 Qd6 27. Kh1 Rab8 28. Rfd1 Nf6 29. Bg5 Ne8 {Alekseev,E (2639)-Fedoseev,V (2719) St Petersburg 2018 1-0 (55)}) 15... Na6 16. Nc6 Bxc6 17. Bxc6 Rb8 18. Bb5 Nc5 19. Rad1 Qc7 20. Kh1 Rfd8 21. Bg5 Qa7 22. Qf2 Rdc8 23. Be3 Qc7 24. e5 Nh7 25. Nd5 Qa7 26. Nxe7+ Qxe7 27. exd6 Qe5 28. f4 Qf5 29. d7 Ne4 30. dxc8=Q+ Qxc8 31. Qf3 Nhf6 32. Bd4 Qf8 33. Rfe1 Qb4 34. b3 Rd8 35. Bxf6 Rxd1 36. Rxd1 Bxf6 37. Bc4 Nd6 38. Qd5 Be7 39. Bd3 Kg7 40. g3 Qc3 41. Qe5+ Qxe5 42. fxe5 Nb7 43. Bc4 Nc5 44. Rf1 f5 45. exf6+ Bxf6 46. Rd1 Be7 47. Rd5 g5 48. Kg2 Kf6 49. Kf3 Kg6 50. Ke3 Kf6 51. h3 Kg6 52. g4 hxg4 53. hxg4 Kf6 54. Rf5+ Kg6 55. Kd4 1-0

[Event "London Classic 11th"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2019.12.08"]
[Round "2.8"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C44"]
[WhiteElo "2872"]
[BlackElo "2775"]
[PlyCount "128"]
[EventDate "2019.12.02"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "2"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 194"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.01.27"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.01.27"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. g3 d5 4. exd5 Qxd5 5. Nc3 Qd6 6. Bg2 Bg4 7. h3 Bh5 8. g4 Bg6 9. Nh4 O-O-O 10. d3 Nd4 11. Nxg6 hxg6 12. Ne4 Qd7 13. c3 Ne6 14. Qb3 $146 ({RR} 14. Ng5 Nc5 15. d4 f6 16. Be3 exd4 17. cxd4 Qb5 18. Qe2 Qb4+ 19. Kf1 fxg5 20. dxc5 Bxc5 21. a3 Qb6 22. Bxg5 Nf6 23. Bf3 Qb3 24. Bxf6 gxf6 25. Re1 Rde8 26. Be4 f5 27. Qf3 Qc4+ 28. Bd3 Rxe1+ {Boskovic,D (2451)-Sadhwani,R (2555) Veliko Gradiste 2021 0-1}) ({RR} 14. Ng5 Nc5 15. d4 f6 16. Be3 exd4 17. cxd4 Qb5 18. Qe2 Qb4+ 19. Kf1 fxg5 20. dxc5 Bxc5 21. a3 Qb6 22. Bxg5 Nf6 23. Bf3 Qb3 24. Bxf6 gxf6 25. Re1 Rde8 26. Be4 f5 27. Qf3 Qc4+ 28. Bd3 Rxe1+ {Boskovic,D (2451)-Sadhwani,R (2555) Veliko Gradiste 2021 0-1}) 14... Qxd3 15. Be3 Qa6 16. Bf1 Qc6 17. Bg2 Qa6 18. Bf1 Qc6 19. Qc4 Nf6 20. Qxc6 bxc6 21. Ba6+ Kb8 22. Ng5 Nxg5 23. Bxg5 Bc5 24. Ke2 Rd6 25. f3 Nd5 26. Rad1 f6 27. Bc1 g5 28. Rd3 Nf4+ 29. Bxf4 exf4 30. Kd2 Be3+ 31. Kc2 c5 32. Rxd6 cxd6 33. Bc4 Kc7 34. Bd5 a5 35. Kd3 Kb6 36. Kc4 Bf2 37. Rh2 Be3 38. Be4 Bg1 39. Rd2 Kc7 40. Kb5 Rxh3 41. Kxa5 g6 42. Rd1 Be3 43. Rf1 Rh2 44. b4 Rxa2+ 45. Kb5 cxb4 46. cxb4 f5 47. gxf5 gxf5 48. Bxf5 d5 49. Rh1 Kd6 50. Rh5 Rb2 51. Rxg5 Bd2 52. Rg6+ Ke5 53. Bd3 Kd4 54. Bf5 Bxb4 55. Kc6 Ra2 56. Rg4 Bd2 57. Rg1 Ra6+ 58. Kb5 Ra3 59. Bg4 Rc3 60. Rh1 Ke3 61. Rh8 d4 62. Rd8 d3 63. Bf5 Be1 64. Re8+ Kf2 0-1

[Event "Tata Steel-A 82nd"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2020.01.12"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Yu, Yangyi"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B56"]
[WhiteElo "2726"]
[BlackElo "2872"]
[PlyCount "61"]
[EventDate "2020.01.11"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 194"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.01.27"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.01.27"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Be3 e5 7. Nf3 Be7 8. Bc4 O-O 9. O-O Nc6 10. Bb3 Na5 11. Bg5 Nxb3 12. axb3 Be6 13. Bxf6 Bxf6 14. Nd5 Rc8 15. c4 Bg5 ({RR} 15... Be7 16. Qd3 f5 17. Nxe7+ Qxe7 18. Nd2 g6 19. f3 Qc7 20. Qe3 Kg7 21. f4 Rce8 22. Qc3 Bd7 23. Rae1 Rf6 24. b4 b6 25. Qd3 Kh8 26. b3 a5 27. bxa5 bxa5 28. h3 Qc5+ 29. Kh2 exf4 30. Rxf4 {Anissimova,M (1901)-Bashylina,L (2175) Augsburg GER 2025 0-1 (51)}) 16. Nxg5 Qxg5 17. Qd3 Bxd5 $146 ({RR} 17... Kh8 18. Qe3 h6 19. Rfd1 Rc5 20. Qxg5 hxg5 21. Ne3 Rc6 22. f3 g6 23. g4 Kg7 24. Kg2 Rb8 25. Rd2 b5 26. Rc1 bxc4 27. bxc4 Rb3 28. Kf2 Rcb6 29. Rcc2 a5 30. Nd1 Rc6 31. Ne3 a4 32. Ke2 {Wacker,P (2299)-Neverov,V (2502) Bad Wiessee 2015 ½-½ (51)}) 18. Qxd5 Rc6 19. Rfd1 Rfc8 20. Rd3 Qe7 21. g3 g6 22. Rad1 Qc7 23. Rc3 Kg7 24. Kg2 Re8 25. Qd3 Rb8 26. Rdc1 h5 27. h4 Qe7 28. Rd1 Qc7 29. Rdc1 Qe7 30. Rd1 Qc7 31. Rdc1 1/2-1/2

[Event "Tata Steel-A 82nd"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2020.01.14"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Van Foreest, Jorden"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C58"]
[WhiteElo "2644"]
[BlackElo "2872"]
[PlyCount "89"]
[EventDate "2020.01.11"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 194"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.01.27"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.01.27"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. Ng5 d5 5. exd5 Na5 6. Bb5+ c6 7. dxc6 bxc6 8. Bd3 Nd5 9. Nf3 Bd6 10. Nc3 O-O 11. Be2 Nf4 12. O-O Bg4 13. d3 Nxe2+ 14. Qxe2 f5 15. h3 Bh5 16. g4 fxg4 17. Ng5 Qd7 18. Nce4 Be7 $146 ({RR} 18... Bc7 19. Ng3 g6 20. Nxh5 gxh5 21. hxg4 hxg4 22. Kg2 Bb6 23. Be3 Qd5+ 24. Ne4 Rf3 25. Bxb6 axb6 26. Rh1 Rf4 27. Rh4 Kh8 28. Rah1 Ra7 29. b3 Raf7 30. Kf1 Rg7 31. Qe3 Nb7 32. Rh5 Nd8 33. Nc3 {Van Foreest,J (2697)-Mamedyarov,S (2746) Samarkand UZB 2025 1-0 (50)}) 19. Ng3 Bg6 20. Qxg4 Qxg4 21. hxg4 c5 22. N5e4 Nc6 23. Be3 Nd4 24. Rac1 Rac8 25. Kg2 c4 26. Bxd4 exd4 27. f3 Rc6 28. b3 Ba3 29. Rce1 cxd3 30. cxd3 a5 31. Rf2 Bc1 32. Nd2 Bxd3 33. Nc4 Bf4 34. Ne5 Rc3 35. Nxd3 Rxd3 36. Nf5 g6 37. Re4 Bg5 38. Ne7+ Kh8 39. Nc6 Be3 40. Re2 Rd1 41. Nxa5 Rg1+ 42. Kh2 Rc1 43. Kg2 Rg1+ 44. Kh2 Rc1 45. Kg2 1/2-1/2

[Event "Tata Steel-A 82nd"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2020.01.16"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Dubov, Daniil"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B31"]
[WhiteElo "2872"]
[BlackElo "2683"]
[PlyCount "93"]
[EventDate "2020.01.11"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 194"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.01.27"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.01.27"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 g6 4. O-O Bg7 5. Re1 e5 6. Bxc6 dxc6 7. d3 Qe7 8. a4 Nf6 9. Bg5 ({RR} 9. a5 O-O 10. Be3 Rd8 11. Qc1 c4 12. Ra3 cxd3 13. cxd3 Nh5 14. Bg5 Bf6 15. Bxf6 Qxf6 16. Qc5 Re8 17. Nbd2 Bg4 18. h3 Bxf3 19. Nxf3 Nf4 20. Kh2 b6 21. axb6 axb6 22. Rxa8 bxc5 23. Rxe8+ Kg7 {Nepomniachtchi,I (2755)-Carlsen,M (2831) New York USA 2024 0-1 (57)}) 9... h6 10. Be3 O-O 11. h3 $146 ({RR} 11. Na3 Bg4 12. h3 Bxf3 13. Qxf3 Nd7 14. Nc4 Rfd8 15. g3 Nf8 16. Kg2 Ne6 17. Qe2 b5 18. Nd2 h5 19. axb5 cxb5 20. Ra5 Qb7 21. Rea1 a6 22. Nf3 Re8 23. Kg1 Nd4 24. Nxd4 exd4 25. Bf4 Re6 {Dubov,D (2708)-Melkumyan,H (2645) chess.com INT 2023 0-1 (38)}) ({RR} 11. Na3 Bg4 12. Nc4 Ne8 13. Qd2 Kh7 14. Qa5 Bxf3 15. gxf3 Qh4 16. Qxc5 Qh3 17. Nxe5 f6 18. Nc4 Qxf3 19. Nd2 Qh3 20. Kh1 f5 21. Rg1 f4 22. Bd4 Nf6 23. f3 Nh5 24. Bf2 Rad8 25. Rg2 Rfe8 {Yaniv,Y (2410)-Hercegovac,N (2242) Trieste ITA 2025 1-0 (45)}) 11... b6 12. a5 Ba6 13. Qd2 Kh7 14. Qc3 Nd7 15. axb6 axb6 16. Nbd2 f5 17. Nc4 Qe6 18. Qb3 fxe4 19. Nfd2 exd3 20. cxd3 e4 21. Nxe4 Bxc4 22. Qxc4 Qd5 23. Rxa8 Rxa8 24. Qc2 Ne5 25. Rd1 Rd8 26. Nc3 Qd7 27. b3 Qf5 28. Ne4 Rd5 29. Nc3 Rxd3 30. Rxd3 Qxd3 31. Qxd3 Nxd3 32. Na4 c4 33. bxc4 b5 34. cxb5 cxb5 35. Nc5 Nxc5 36. Bxc5 Kg8 37. Kf1 Kf7 38. Ke2 Ke6 39. Kd3 Kd5 40. Bb4 Bd4 41. f4 Bc5 42. Bd2 Bf8 43. g4 b4 44. h4 h5 45. gxh5 gxh5 46. Bxb4 Bxb4 47. Ke3 1/2-1/2

[Event "Tata Steel-A 82nd"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2020.01.18"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B31"]
[WhiteElo "2758"]
[BlackElo "2872"]
[PlyCount "107"]
[EventDate "2020.01.11"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 194"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.01.27"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.01.27"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 g6 4. O-O Bg7 5. c3 Nf6 6. Re1 O-O 7. d4 a6 8. Bd3 d5 9. e5 Ne8 $146 ({RR} 9... Ne4 10. Be3 Qb6 11. Nbd2 Bf5 12. Qc2 Nxd2 13. Qxd2 Bg4 14. Be2 e6 15. dxc5 Qc7 16. Nd4 Bxe2 17. Rxe2 Bxe5 18. Bh6 Rfe8 19. Rae1 Bf6 20. Bf4 Qd7 21. Nf3 Bg7 22. h4 f6 23. Bd6 b6 24. b4 {Tsaknakis,Z (2339)-Krallis,C (2383) Thessaloniki GRE 2025 ½-½ (35)}) ({RR} 9... Ne4 10. Be3 Qb6 11. Qc2 cxd4 12. cxd4 Bf5 13. Nc3 Nxc3 14. bxc3 Bxd3 15. Qxd3 Na5 16. h4 Qe6 17. Ng5 Qg4 18. f3 Qxh4 19. Re2 Nc4 20. g3 Qxg3+ 21. Rg2 Qh4 22. Rh2 Qg3+ 23. Kh1 Nxe5 24. dxe5 {Grandelius,N (2659)-Anton Guijarro,D (2697) Prague 2020 0-1 (67)}) 10. dxc5 Bg4 11. Be2 Nc7 12. Nbd2 a5 13. h3 Bc8 14. Bd3 Ne6 15. Nb3 a4 16. Nbd4 Nxc5 17. Bc2 Qa5 18. Bd2 Rd8 19. Qc1 Ne6 20. b4 Qc7 21. Nxc6 bxc6 22. Be3 c5 23. bxc5 Nxc5 24. Qa3 Ne6 25. Rab1 d4 26. Nxd4 Bxe5 27. Nb5 Qc6 28. Rb4 Bb7 29. Be4 Qd7 30. Bxb7 Qxb7 31. Rxa4 Bf4 32. Rxa8 Rxa8 33. Qb3 Bxe3 34. Rxe3 Nf4 35. Rf3 Qe4 36. Kh2 Nd5 37. c4 Qe5+ 38. g3 Nf6 39. a3 Ne4 40. Qc2 Ng5 41. Re3 Qc5 42. h4 Ne6 43. Qe2 Rc8 44. Rc3 h5 45. Kg2 Kf8 46. Qe4 Kg8 47. Qd5 Qb6 48. a4 Qa6 49. c5 Qxa4 50. c6 Rd8 51. Qc4 Qxc4 52. Rxc4 Rb8 53. c7 Rc8 54. Rc1 1/2-1/2

[Event "Tata Steel-A 82nd"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2020.01.19"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Vitiugov, Nikita"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C84"]
[WhiteElo "2872"]
[BlackElo "2747"]
[PlyCount "59"]
[EventDate "2020.01.11"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 194"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.01.27"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.01.27"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. d3 b5 7. Bb3 d6 8. Bd2 O-O 9. h3 h6 10. Re1 Re8 11. a3 Bf8 12. Nc3 Rb8 13. Ba2 $146 ({RR} 13. Ne2 Be6 14. Ng3 d5 15. Qe2 dxe4 16. dxe4 Bxb3 17. cxb3 Nd4 18. Nxd4 exd4 19. b4 Nd7 20. Bf4 Rc8 21. Rad1 c5 22. bxc5 Nxc5 23. Qg4 Kh8 24. e5 Ne6 25. Nf5 Rc2 26. Nd6 Bxd6 27. exd6 Qf6 {Caruana,F (2828)-Tari,A (2633) Stavanger 2020 1-0 (38)}) ({RR} 13. a4 Na5 14. Ba2 b4 15. Nd5 c5 16. Nh2 Nxd5 17. Bxd5 Be6 18. Qf3 Rc8 19. Ng4 Nc6 20. c3 bxc3 21. bxc3 Bxd5 22. exd5 Ne7 23. Rab1 Rb8 24. Ne3 Qd7 25. Nc4 Ng6 26. a5 Rb5 27. Rbd1 Ne7 {Pranav,V (2594)-Esipenko,A (2679) chess.com INT 2025 1-0 (44)}) 13... Ne7 14. Nh4 g5 15. Nf3 Ng6 16. Nh2 c6 17. Ne2 d5 18. Ng3 dxe4 19. dxe4 Rb7 20. Qf3 Nf4 21. Rad1 Rd7 22. Be3 Rxd1 23. Rxd1 Qe7 24. Ng4 Nxg4 25. hxg4 Rd8 26. Re1 c5 27. Nf5 Qc7 28. g3 Ne6 29. Qh1 f6 30. Bd5 1-0

[Event "Tata Steel-A 82nd"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2020.01.21"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Firouzja, Alireza"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C92"]
[WhiteElo "2723"]
[BlackElo "2872"]
[Annotator "Nielsen,Peter Heine"]
[PlyCount "78"]
[EventDate "2020.01.11"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 194"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.01.27"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.01.27"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{[%evp 0,8,34,37,37,10,25,12,12,12,22] Firouzja had made a marked impression, at this point leading the tournament with 5 rounds to go. It could be said that someone experienced should have told Alireza to take it easy and aim for a draw, but that would ruin the chance to gain experience and the young Iranian ( FIDE?) stays true to his aggressive instincts and goes for it!} 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. d3 {Aiming for a battle.} (4. O-O Nxe4 5. Re1 {would be going in the other direction.}) 4... d6 $5 {4...Bc5 by far being the main-line these days, Magnus chooses a solid line known to give White a moderate edge, but keeping all the pieces on the board.} 5. c3 {In the World blitz he had played 5.c4, but here he chooses the main line.} a6 6. Ba4 Be7 7. O-O O-O 8. Re1 Re8 9. Nbd2 Bf8 10. h3 b5 11. Bc2 {After a lot of typical "Spanish" moves, its worth noting the bishop going to c2 instead of b3, as that would allow ...Na5 followed by ...c5.} Bb7 12. d4 {Would Magnus now play 12...h6, then after 13.a4 a famous position from the Kasparov-Karpov matches would arise by transposition, with white having played d4 in 2 moves, but Bc2 instead of Bb3-c2. The line has gone out of fashion, except for the detail that Firouzja brought it back to people's attention by beating Kovalev with it in the first round! Magnus, however, knows his classics, and that Karpov had exploited that White now has no threat of Ng5 meaning ...h6 is unneccesary, and thus makes a more useful move:} g6 $5 {Quite interestingly Karpov in 2019 in the legends rapid tournament deviated agianst Ljubojevic, and played 12...Nb8. Or maybe he exactly remembered that he had lost against the same player with 12...g6 28 years earlier!} 13. a3 $6 {The move in itself is good enough, but the plan is wrong.} (13. d5 Nb8 14. b3 c6 15. c4 Nbd7 16. a4 Qc7 {has been played numerous times, and transposes into the game, with the exception that here it is White to move!}) 13... Nb8 14. d5 {[%emt 0:00:14]} (14. Nb3 $5 {[%cal Gb3a5] would be an interesting move, threatening Na5.} exd4 {is the typical reply, as now e4 is hanging, but} 15. Bg5 $5 {renews the threat of Na5, and} dxc3 $2 (15... h6 $1 {, however, is fine for Black.}) 16. e5 $1 {wins a piece.}) (14. b4 {would be more in line with 13.a3, when after} Nbd7 15. Bb2 {we have a typical Breyer position.}) ({RR} 14. b3 Nbd7 15. Bb2 c6 16. c4 exd4 17. Bxd4 c5 18. Bc3 Bg7 19. Rc1 Qb6 20. Bd3 b4 21. axb4 cxb4 22. Bd4 Nc5 23. Bc2 Qc7 24. Re3 Re7 25. Qe2 Rae8 26. Re1 Nh5 27. Bxg7 Kxg7 28. Qd1 f6 {Yakubboev,N (2598)-Kamsky,G (2658) Europe Echecs INT 2021 1-0 (48)}) ({RR} 14. Re2 Nbd7 15. Qe1 Nh5 16. Nf1 Nf4 17. Bxf4 exf4 18. Qd2 Qf6 19. N1h2 h5 20. Rae1 Bh6 21. Qd3 Rad8 22. Qd1 Qg7 23. h4 c5 24. dxc5 Nxc5 25. Qd4 Qf8 26. Qd1 Qe7 27. a4 Nd7 28. axb5 axb5 {Zhang,L-Long,S (1632) Qiziwan CHN 2023 ½-½ (47)}) 14... c6 15. c4 Nbd7 $146 ({RR} 15... bxc4 16. dxc6 Bxc6 17. Nxc4 Nxe4 18. Rxe4 d5 19. Rxe5 dxc4 20. Rxe8 Qxe8 21. Nd4 Bb7 22. Bd2 Bg7 23. Bc3 Nd7 24. Qd2 Nc5 25. Re1 Qd7 26. Qe3 Qd5 27. Nf3 Nd3 28. Rd1 Rd8 29. Bxg7 Kxg7 30. b3 {Tomiello,L (2114)-Terletsky,O (2195) Chess.com INT 2021 1-0 (32)}) 16. a4 Qc7 $1 17. b3 {The above-mentioned position, but with Black to move. Magnus uses the given extra tempo to regroup.} Rec8 $1 18. Ra2 bxc4 19. bxc4 a5 $1 20. Nf1 $2 {A logical and typical move, but a mistake.The problem for White is that optically we would tend to asses it as White being slightly better. After all, he has the centre, and can regroup behind it. The game exemplifies why that is very far from the truth, and thus} (20. Nb1 $1 {, strange as it looks, would be a much better move, trying to land the knight on b5, and at least put up some resistance to Black's plans.}) 20... Ba6 $1 21. Ne3 Nc5 22. Nd2 cxd5 23. cxd5 Rab8 24. Ba3 Qd8 $5 {A good move, also for illustrative purposes, as Magnus retreats his queen to the back rank but clears the c-line for his rook.} 25. Qf3 h5 $1 26. Raa1 Bh6 $1 {A beautiful geometrical motif, with Black's bishops literally playing around White's centre. The a5 and h5 pawns provide excellent cover, meaning the bishops becomes untouchable, and dominate till the end.} 27. Rab1 Rxb1 28. Rxb1 Kg7 $1 29. Nef1 h4 $1 {Black just keeps improving his postion, as White can literally not do anything active without immediately losing material.} 30. Ne3 Bf4 31. Nef1 Qc7 32. g3 $6 {Alireza loses patience, an in order " to do something", just weakens his position.} (32. Ne3 {, staying loyal to the back and forth concept, could have led to this beautiful line:} Ncd7 33. Rc1 Qc3 34. Nb1 Qa1 $1 {when White is completely dominated and loses material!}) 32... hxg3 33. fxg3 Bh6 34. h4 Qd7 {Simplicity at its best, eyeing the a4 pawn, which white really can do nothing about.} 35. Kg2 Nxa4 36. Bxa4 Qxa4 37. Bxd6 Qd4 $1 {The knight on d2 is hanging, there is a threat of 38...Ne8 as bxa3 Rc3 then wins a piece, etc. White position is collapsing.} 38. Qf2 (38. Z0 Ne8 39. Ba3 Rc3) 38... Qxf2+ 39. Kxf2 Bxf1 {And here Alireza, being very short of time resigned, as 40.Nxf1 Nxe4+ loses the bishop on d6. However, with 40.Kxf1 Bxd2 41 Bxe5 he could have prolonged the game somewhat. Magnus was planning 41...Bc3 42.Rc1! Bxe5 43.Rxc8 Nxe4, and while the win will take some moves, the result is not in doubt. A great strategical game by Magnus, outplaying his young opponent by positional means. One could even make the statement that absolutely no tactical remedies were used by Black at all in tis game, he only further and further strengthened his own position until his opponent's camp collapsed!} (39... Bxf1 40. Kxf1 (40. Nxf1 Nxe4+) 40... Bxd2 41. Bxe5 Bc3 42. Rc1 $1 Bxe5 43. Rxc8 Nxe4 $19) 0-1

[Event "Tata Steel-A 82nd"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2020.01.24"]
[Round "11"]
[White "Duda, Jan Krzysztof"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C54"]
[WhiteElo "2758"]
[BlackElo "2872"]
[Annotator "Duda,Jan Krzysztof"]
[PlyCount "86"]
[EventDate "2020.01.11"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 194"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.01.27"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.01.27"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{The game was played on 11th round, and after a free day which felt no fun at all. Magnus had just overcome a drawing crisis and had scored 3/3 in the last rounds. Still he was down to Caruana by half a point, so I assumed he would go for an even higher winning streak. Furthermore the free day made me paranoic about his opening preparation. After much thought I decided to stay loyal to my 1.e4 and see what happens, without certainity though.} 1. e4 e5 {So after all this hours spend on repeating all kinds of Sicilian variations, French Defence, Modern, Scandinavian and even Alekhine Defence, he just played 1...e5. A true surprise.} 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 ({Not even going for} 3... Nf6 {as he played against Van Foreest a couple of rounds earlier}) 4. c3 Nf6 5. d3 d6 {So the Italian game. The only prep I had done was that I wasn't going to play a set up with Bg5. Not a brilliant stuff, but at least I had played the Italian 32 times in my recent years.} 6. Nbd2 a6 7. Nf1 {Pretending to save a tempo on Re1 later on, but most importantly avoid ...Ng4/...f5 stuff.} (7. Bb3 h6 8. Nf1 d5 9. exd5 Nxd5 10. Ng3 O-O 11. O-O Re8 12. Re1 Nf6 13. h3 Be6 14. Bc2 Bd5 15. Nh4 Qd7 16. Nhf5 Bf8 $1 {That's the point!} 17. f4 Rad8 18. fxe5 Nxe5 19. d4 Ng6 20. Rf1 Qc6 21. Rf2 Ne4 $11 {1/2 (43) Duda,J (2739)-Mamedyarov,S (2820) Batumi 2018; with comfortable equality for Black.}) 7... h6 8. Ng3 O-O 9. O-O {I didn't remember the exact move order from my game against Mamedyarov. Obviously I wasn't willing to allow Bf8 anymore. Luckily here Black can hardly play d5, because his e5-pawn would be too weak. My opponent's next move deprives him of this option once and for all.} Ba7 10. Bb3 {I spent some time choosing between the game continuation and the more positional 10.a4.} Re8 11. h3 Be6 12. Bc2 d5 13. exd5 {By transposition we have arrived to a position which is quite tricky for unprepared Black player to face, and was popular some time ago. The good thing was I had analysed this stuff a couple of years ago, back in times, when setups with a4 or Bg5 hadn't been yet so well known. The bad thing was that I couldn't have recalled anything and I was facing the World Champion} Nxd5 {Black has other recaptures as well:} (13... Qxd5 14. Re1 Rad8) (13... Bxd5 14. Re1 Qd7 15. Nh4 (15. Be3 $5 {is a slower approach}) 15... Rad8 16. Nhf5 Kh8 17. d4 {this is a 'forced draw' when Black defends right} exd4 18. Nxg7 Rxe1+ (18... Kxg7 $2 19. Bxh6+ Kh8 20. Qd2 $40 {with a very powerful attack 1-0 (29) Ganguly,S (2660)-Kollars,D (2436) Caleta 2016}) 19. Qxe1 Kxg7 (19... Bxg2 $5 20. Kxg2 Qd5+ (20... d3) 21. Kf1 Qb5+ 22. Kg2 Qd5+ 23. Kf1 {1/2 (23) Laine,J (2311)-Gerhards,G (2304) ICCF email 2018}) (19... d3 $5) 20. Bxh6+ Kh8 (20... Kxh6 $2 21. Qd2+) 21. Qd2 (21. Bg5) 21... Rg8 (21... Nh7) 22. Qf4 Qd6 $4 {Vishy didn't handle it well, but it was a blitz game after all.} (22... Nh5 $1 23. Bg7+ Kxg7 24. Nxh5+ Kf8 25. Qh6+ Ke7 26. Re1+ Kd8 27. Nf6 Rxg2+ 28. Kf1 Rxf2+ 29. Kxf2 d3+ 30. Re3 Bxe3+ 31. Kxe3 Qe6+ 32. Kxd3 $11) 23. Qh4 Qxg3 24. fxg3 {1-0 (26) Giri,A (2773)-Anand,V (2804) Stavanger 2015}) 14. Re1 Qd6 15. Nh4 $146 ({RR} 15. Ne4 Qd7 16. Bd2 Rad8 17. Qe2 f6 18. Rad1 Nce7 19. d4 exd4 20. Nxd4 Bf7 21. Qf3 Nc6 22. Nxc6 Qxc6 23. Bc1 Re5 24. Bb3 Rde8 25. Bd2 Kh7 26. Ng3 Rxe1+ 27. Rxe1 Rxe1+ 28. Bxe1 Qe6 29. Qe4+ Qxe4 {Yeshchenko,U (2097)-Coto Mederos,M (2348) Chess.com INT 2021 ½-½ (66)}) 15... Qe7 16. Nhf5 ({On the correspondence level, the following endgame is quite common:} 16. Qh5 Rad8 17. d4 Nf4 (17... exd4 $2 18. Bxh6 gxh6 19. Qxh6 $40) (17... Nf6 18. Qf3 Bd5 (18... exd4 19. Nhf5 Qf8 20. Nxh6+) 19. Qd3 $36) 18. Bxf4 exf4 19. Nf1 (19. Ngf5 Qg5 20. Qxg5 hxg5 21. Nf3 g6 22. Nh6+ Kg7 23. Ng4 f6) 19... Rd5 20. Qxd5 Bxd5 21. Rxe7 Nxe7 {Maybe in corr chess this is an easy draw, but to my eyes it looks as comfortable edge for White, at least in terms of OTB chess.}) 16... Qf6 17. Qf3 $2 {As it turned out - the bluff. But in the game I was pretty confident, I guess I mixed up variations. The other logical continuation is probably better, but it involves a queen sac.} (17. Qg4 {with the following line in mind:} g6 18. Nxh6+ Kf8 19. Ne4 $1 Bxf2+ 20. Nxf2 Bxg4 21. Nhxg4 {with a crazy game ahead. Objectively my choice was bad, but it's refutation was anything but easy.}) 17... g6 $2 {Frankly I didn't see this. But both alternatives are better:} (17... Kh7 18. d4 g6 {and the engine suggests} 19. Ne4 {which feels entirely wrong} (19. Be4 exd4) 19... Qxf5 20. Ng5+ Qxg5 21. Bxg5 hxg5 22. dxe5 {and in general terms three pieces should be better than the queen, but thanks to Qh5+ White is only marginally worse.}) ({or} 17... Kh8 $1 18. d4 (18. Re4 g6 19. Nh4 {is a disaster. After} Qg7 {the black pawns will start rolling.}) 18... g6 19. Be4 {Magnus calculated this far, but he either didn't see or misevaluated the next move} exd4 $1 {The refutation. White has to go for a sad endgame after} 20. Nxh6 Qxf3 21. Bxf3 Kg7 22. Bd2 {which might be holdable but no more than that.}) 18. Nxh6+ Kg7 19. Qxf6+ Nxf6 20. Ne4 (20. Bd1 {is the alternative mentioned by Magnus, but Black obviously has some compensation for the missing pawn:} Rad8 21. Be2 Nd5 22. Ng4 Nf4 $5 (22... f5 23. Nh2 Nf4 24. Bxf4 exf4 25. Ngf1 $14 {1/2 (74) Harikrishna,P (2737)-Sethuraman,S (2640) Baku 2015})) 20... Nh7 ({In the game I also wasn't entirely sure about} 20... Nxe4 21. dxe4 Rh8 22. Ng4 Bxg4 23. hxg4 Rh4 {but here both} 24. Kf1 ({and} 24. Bd1 {should lead to some edge for White})) 21. g4 (21. h4 {is probably better, but I was a bit unease about my h6-knight.} Rf8 $5 {A sophisticated move.} (21... f5 22. Ng5 Bd5 23. Nxh7 Kxh7 24. g4) (21... Rad8 22. g4 f5 23. gxf5 gxf5 {1-0 (75) Rabiega,R (2498)-Feller,S (2573) Germany 2017} 24. Ng3 $1 {is a far better version of my game.}) 22. g4 f5 {Now with the f5-pawn safely guarded, White has to go Ng5 and the position becomes a complicated one with h6-knight indeed being hanging.}) 21... f5 22. gxf5 gxf5 23. Ng3 f4 24. Ngf5+ Kg6 {For some reason I was expecting only} (24... Kf6 {which according to engine doesn't change much:} 25. d4 Ng5 26. Ng4+ Kf7 27. Kg2 Bd5+ 28. Kf1 {with similar equality.}) 25. d4 Ng5 26. Kg2 $1 Bd5+ 27. Kf1 {Black has a perpetual but apparently nothing better. Of course at this moment I didn't expect Magnus to take repetition.} Nf3 28. Rd1 (28. Re2 {I calculated this valid alternative as well, but it felt a bit unnatural with the potential ...Bc4 in the air.}) 28... Rad8 29. Ne7+ $1 {The simplest, and I think he missed it} Kxh6 30. Nxd5 Nfxd4 $1 {Luckily for Magnus he had this escape. Now the game should peter out to a draw.} 31. cxd4 Rxd5 32. dxe5 Rxd1+ 33. Bxd1 Kg5 34. h4+ Kf5 35. Bc2+ $6 {Played based on a miscalculation.} ({After the normal} 35. Bd2 {it's Black who would have to work for a draw.} Bd4) 35... Kg4 36. Bd1+ $6 (36. Bd2 {was still a lesser evil.}) 36... f3 37. Bg5 Nxe5 38. Bc2 $1 {Luckily I have this move, which with a correct follow-up guarantees draw.} ({In the intended variation} 38. Rc1 Nd3 39. Rc4+ {I completely forgot Black has} Kh3 $1 {and he is already winning now.}) 38... Nc4 39. Re1 Rxe1+ 40. Kxe1 Nxb2 41. Bf6 $1 Nc4 42. Bg6 Bc5 {It seems as if Black is going to stop the h-pawn, but my next move disturbs his coordination.} 43. Bf7 $1 (43. h5 Bf8 $15 {would be very unpleasant to defend even if defensible.}) 43... Kf5 {Offering a draw.} (43... Bb4+ 44. Kd1 $1 Nd6 45. Be6+ Kh5 (45... Kf4 46. h5 Ne4 47. Bd4 Kg5 48. Bd5 $11) 46. Bd5 Kg4 47. Be6+ {with a draw.  An interesting battle, and my first draw in classical chess against Magnus!}) 1/2-1/2

[Event "Tata Steel-A 82nd"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2020.01.26"]
[Round "13"]
[White "So, Wesley"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C47"]
[WhiteElo "2765"]
[BlackElo "2872"]
[PlyCount "103"]
[EventDate "2020.01.11"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 194"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.01.27"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.01.27"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 ({RR} 2... Nf6 3. Nc3 {½-½ (26) Chlpek,D (2040)-Kuna,P (1921) Skalica SVK 2023}) 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. d4 exd4 5. Nxd4 Bb4 6. Nxc6 bxc6 7. Bd3 d5 8. Bd2 O-O 9. O-O Bxc3 10. Bxc3 dxe4 11. Bxf6 Qxf6 12. Bxe4 Qxb2 13. Bxc6 Rb8 14. Rb1 Qxb1 15. Qxb1 Rxb1 16. Rxb1 Rd8 17. Bf3 Kf8 18. Rb8 Re8 19. h4 Ba6 20. Rb3 Be2 21. Bxe2 Rxe2 22. Rc3 Re7 23. f3 Ke8 24. Kf2 Kd7 25. Ra3 Re5 26. Rxa7 Rc5 27. Ke3 $146 Rxc2 28. g4 h5 29. gxh5 Rc4 30. Ra5 Rxh4 31. Rg5 Ke6 32. Rc5 Ra4 33. h6 gxh6 34. Rxc7 Kf6 35. Rc6+ Kg7 36. Rc2 Kg6 37. Kf2 h5 38. Kg3 Kg5 39. Rc7 h4+ 40. Kh3 f5 41. Rh7 Rc4 42. Rh8 Rc1 43. a3 Kf4 44. Rh5 Ra1 45. a4 Ra2 46. Rxh4+ Kxf3 47. Rb4 f4 48. Rb3+ Kf2 49. Kg4 Rxa4 50. Rf3+ Kg2 51. Rxf4 Rxf4+ 52. Kxf4 1/2-1/2

[Event "Legends of Chess Final"]
[Site "chess24.com INT"]
[Date "2020.07.31"]
[Round "1.12"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Svidler, Peter"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B80"]
[WhiteElo "2863"]
[BlackElo "2723"]
[PlyCount "94"]
[EventDate "2020.07.31"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "2"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 197"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.07.27"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.07.27"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Be3 e6 7. f3 b5 8. a3 Bb7 9. Qd2 h5 ({RR} 9... Nbd7 10. O-O-O Ne5 11. g4 Nfd7 12. g5 Nb6 13. f4 Nec4 14. Qf2 Rc8 15. Bxc4 Nxc4 16. Rd3 Qb6 17. f5 Nxe3 18. fxe6 fxe6 19. Qxe3 e5 20. Nf5 Qxe3+ 21. Nxe3 g6 22. Ned5 Be7 23. Nxe7 Kxe7 24. Rhd1 {Ultra-d (2631)-Etaoin Shrdlu (2727) Playchess.com INT 2007 ½-½}) ({RR} 9... Nbd7 10. O-O-O Rc8 11. g4 Ne5 12. g5 Nfd7 13. f4 Nc4 14. Bxc4 Rxc4 15. Rhe1 Be7 16. f5 e5 17. Nf3 Bxe4 18. Nxe4 Rxe4 19. Qd5 Rxe3 20. Rxe3 Bxg5 21. Nxg5 Qxg5 22. Qd2 O-O 23. Rg3 Qxf5 24. Qxd6 {Sathvik Adiga (2413)-Esenbek Uulu,I (2016) chess.com INT 2024 1-0 (45)}) 10. O-O-O Nbd7 11. Rg1 $146 ({RR} 11. Kb1 Rc8 12. Nb3 Be7 13. Be2 Ne5 14. h3 h4 15. Bg5 Qb6 16. Bxf6 gxf6 17. Rhe1 b4 18. axb4 Qxb4 19. Na2 Qb6 20. Qa5 Qf2 21. Qd2 Kf8 22. Bf1 Qa7 23. f4 Nc4 24. Bxc4 Rxc4 25. e5 fxe5 {Veiga,E (2106)-Gelman,A (2403) Chess.com INT 2021 0-1 (35)}) 11... Rc8 12. Be2 Be7 13. Kb1 Qc7 14. Bg5 Qb6 15. Be3 Qa5 16. g3 Rxc3 17. Nb3 Qc7 18. Qxc3 Qxc3 19. bxc3 d5 20. exd5 Nxd5 21. Bd2 Bxa3 22. c4 bxc4 23. Bxc4 N7b6 24. Na5 Nxc4 25. Nxc4 Bc5 26. Rge1 h4 27. f4 hxg3 28. hxg3 Ke7 29. f5 Rb8 30. Ka2 Nb4+ 31. Bxb4 Bxb4 32. Re3 Rc8 33. Ne5 Rxc2+ 34. Kb3 Rd2 35. Rxd2 Bxd2 36. Re2 Bd5+ 37. Ka4 Bc3 38. fxe6 Bxe6 39. Re3 Bxe5 40. Rxe5 Kf6 41. Rc5 Bd7+ 42. Kb4 Bb5 43. Kc3 Ke6 44. Kd4 f6 45. Rc7 g5 46. Rb7 Kf5 47. Rb6 Kg4 1/2-1/2

[Event "Legends of Chess Final"]
[Site "chess24.com INT"]
[Date "2020.08.01"]
[Round "1.21"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Svidler, Peter"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B84"]
[WhiteElo "2863"]
[BlackElo "2723"]
[PlyCount "51"]
[EventDate "2020.07.31"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "2"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 197"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.07.27"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.07.27"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Be3 e6 7. Be2 Qc7 8. Qd2 b5 9. a3 Bb7 10. f3 Nbd7 11. O-O-O d5 12. exd5 Bxd5 ({RR} 12... Nxd5 13. Nxd5 Bxd5 14. Rhe1 Qb7 15. Kb1 b4 16. c4 bxc3 17. Qxc3 Be7 18. Nf5 exf5 19. Rxd5 Qxd5 20. Bc4 Qd6 21. Qxg7 Qf6 22. Qg3 Rb8 23. Qf2 Qh4 24. Qe2 O-O 25. Bf2 Qf6 26. Qd2 Bc5 {0-1 (26) De Wachter,M (2147)-Coenen,N (2259) Belgium BEL 2025}) 13. Bf4 Qb6 14. Rhe1 O-O-O $146 ({RR} 14... b4 15. Nxd5 Nxd5 16. a4 O-O-O 17. Bg5 N7f6 18. Qd3 Kb7 19. f4 Bc5 20. a5 Qd6 21. g3 Rc8 22. Bf3 Rhd8 23. Bxf6 gxf6 24. Qxh7 Bxd4 25. Rxd4 Qc5 26. Bxd5+ exd5 27. Qd3 Qxa5 28. Kb1 Qc5 29. Rd1 {Kollars,D (2612)-Gungl,T (2352) Munich GER 2023 1-0 (39)}) 15. Be3 Qb7 16. a4 b4 17. Nxd5 Nxd5 18. Nb3 Qc6 19. Qd4 Bd6 20. Na5 Qc5 21. Bxa6+ Kc7 22. Nb7 Qxd4 23. Rxd4 Ra8 24. Nxd6 Kxd6 25. Bb5 N7f6 26. Bd2 1-0

[Event "Legends of Chess Final"]
[Site "chess24.com INT"]
[Date "2020.08.01"]
[Round "1.23"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Svidler, Peter"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B51"]
[WhiteElo "2863"]
[BlackElo "2723"]
[PlyCount "82"]
[EventDate "2020.07.31"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "2"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 197"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.07.27"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.07.27"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. Bb5+ Nd7 4. d4 cxd4 5. Qxd4 a6 6. Bxd7+ Bxd7 7. c4 e5 8. Qd3 b5 9. Nc3 bxc4 10. Qxc4 Qc8 11. Qd3 Qb7 12. O-O h6 13. Nd2 Be6 ({RR} 13... Bb5 14. Nc4 Qc6 15. Nxb5 axb5 16. Ne3 Nf6 17. f3 Rd8 18. Rd1 Be7 19. Nd5 Nxd5 20. Qxd5 Qc5+ 21. Kh1 Rc8 22. Qb3 Qc4 23. Qxc4 Rxc4 24. Be3 Kd7 25. Rd2 Rhc8 26. Kg1 Rc2 27. Rad1 R8c6 28. Kf2 {Rocha,L (1869)-Ferreira,E (2089) Natal BRA 2024 ½-½ (51)}) 14. Nc4 Qc6 $146 ({RR} 14... Rd8 15. f4 Nf6 16. f5 Bxc4 17. Qxc4 Be7 18. Be3 O-O 19. Nd5 Nxd5 20. exd5 Rc8 21. Qg4 h5 22. Qxh5 Qxb2 23. Rab1 Qxa2 24. Rb7 Bf6 25. Bg5 Rc2 26. Qg4 Bxg5 27. Qxg5 Qxd5 28. f6 g6 29. Rb4 {Lugovskoy,M (2431)-Fedoseev,V (2659) St Petersburg 2015 0-1 (39)}) 15. b3 Nf6 16. Ne3 Rc8 17. Bd2 Be7 18. Rac1 Qb7 19. Ncd5 O-O 20. Nxe7+ Qxe7 21. Rxc8 Rxc8 22. Rc1 Rxc1+ 23. Bxc1 Qc7 24. Bd2 Qc6 25. f3 d5 26. exd5 Nxd5 27. Nxd5 Bxd5 28. Qc3 Qe6 29. Qc5 f6 30. h3 Qd7 31. Be3 Qe6 32. Qb6 Qxb6 33. Bxb6 Kf7 34. Bc5 g5 35. Kf2 h5 36. Bb6 h4 37. Bd8 Ke6 38. Ke3 Kf5 39. Kf2 Ke6 40. Ke3 Kf5 41. Kf2 Ke6 1/2-1/2

[Event "Legends of Chess Final"]
[Site "chess24.com INT"]
[Date "2020.08.03"]
[Round "2.11"]
[White "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B90"]
[WhiteElo "2784"]
[BlackElo "2863"]
[PlyCount "96"]
[EventDate "2020.07.31"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "2"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 197"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.07.27"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.07.27"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 {Giri,Anish} c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Rg1 b5 ({RR} 6... e5 7. Nb3 Be6 ({RR} 7... h5 8. h3 Be6 9. Be3 d5 ({RR} 9... h4) ({RR} 9... Nbd7) 10. exd5 Nxd5 11. Nxd5 Qxd5 12. Qxd5 Bxd5 13. O-O-O Be6 14. Na5) 8. g4 d5 9. exd5 Nxd5 10. Nxd5 Qxd5 11. Qxd5 Bxd5 12. Be3 Nc6 13. O-O-O O-O-O 14. Bb6 Rd6 15. Rg3 Be7 16. g5 Be6) ({RR} 6... h5 7. h3 ({RR} 7. Be3) ({RR} 7. Bg5)) ({RR} 6... Nc6 7. g4 g6 ({RR} 7... Nxd4 8. Qxd4 Nxg4 ({RR} 8... Bxg4 9. Rxg4 Nxg4 10. Qa4+ Qd7 11. Bb5 axb5 12. Qxa8+ Qd8 13. Qxb7) 9. Nd5) 8. g5 Nd7 9. h4 Nxd4 10. Qxd4 Ne5 11. Kd1 Rg8 12. Nd5 Bg7 ({RR} 12... Be6 13. Qb4 Rb8 14. Be3 ({RR} 14. f4 Nc6 15. Qb6))) ({RR} 6... g6 7. g4 Bg7 8. g5 Nfd7 9. Be3) ({RR} 6... e6 7. g4) 7. g4 ({RR} 7. a4 b4 8. Nd5 e6 ({RR} 8... Nxd5 9. exd5) ({RR} 8... Nxe4) 9. Nxf6+ Qxf6 10. Be3 Bb7 11. Qd2 Bxe4 12. f3 Bb7 13. Qxb4 Qe7 14. Nb3 ({RR} 14. Qb6 Qd7 15. O-O-O Qc8 ({RR} 15... Be7 16. Nb3 Bd5) 16. Nb3) 14... Nc6 15. Qb6 Qd7 16. O-O-O Qc8 17. Bd4 Nxd4 18. Qxd4 Qb8) 7... Bb7 8. g5 Nfd7 ({RR} 8... Nxe4 9. Nxe4 Bxe4 10. a4 ({RR} 10. Qg4 Bb7 11. Bg2 Bxg2 ({RR} 11... Qc7) 12. Qxg2 Nd7 13. g6 hxg6 14. Ne6 Rxh2 15. Qxa8 fxe6 16. Qxa6) 10... e5 ({RR} 10... bxa4) ({RR} 10... b4) 11. axb5 Be7 ({RR} 11... exd4 12. Qxd4) 12. Rg4 axb5 13. Bxb5+ Nd7 14. Bd2 Bb7 15. Nf5 O-O 16. Rxa8 ({RR} 16. Rga4 Rxa4 17. Rxa4 Nb6 18. Ra7) 16... Bxa8 17. Rh4 g6 18. Qg4 Nc5 19. Qh3 ({RR} 19. Kf1) 19... h5 ({RR} 19... Bxg5 20. Rxh7 Bxd2+ 21. Kxd2 Qg5+ 22. Kc3 Ne4+ 23. Kb4 Qd2+ 24. Ka3 Qa5+ 25. Ba4 Qc5+ 26. Ka2 Qc4+) 20. Rxh5 gxh5 21. Qxh5 Ne6 {1-0 (21) Nepomniachtchi,I (2784)-Carlsen,M (2863) chess24.com INT 2020 CBM 199 [Giri,Anish]}) 9. a3 ({RR} 9. Be3 b4 10. Nd5) 9... g6 10. h4 ({RR} 10. Be3 h6 11. h4 hxg5 12. hxg5 Bg7 13. Qd2 Nb6 14. O-O-O N8d7 15. Be2 Qc7 16. Rh1 Nc4 17. Bxc4 Qxc4 18. b3 Qc7 19. Rxh8+ Bxh8 20. Rh1 Bg7 21. Rh7 Kf8 22. Nde2 Kg8 23. Rh3 Qa5 24. Kb2 Bxe4 {Bersamina,P (2426)-Aditya,M (2547) Al Ain UAE 2025 ½-½ (121)}) 10... Bg7 11. h5 $146 ({RR} 11. Be3 O-O 12. h5 Nb6 13. hxg6 hxg6 14. Qg4 e5 15. Ne6 fxe6 16. Qxe6+ Rf7 17. O-O-O Nc8 18. Qxg6 Nd7 19. Rh1 Nf8 20. Rh8+ Kxh8 21. Qxf7 Qe7 22. Bc4 bxc4 23. Rh1+ Nh7 24. Qf5 Kg8 25. Qxh7+ Kf8 {Nagy Hegyesi,B (2296)-Erdelyi,Z (2363) Hungary 2009 1-0 (31)}) 11... Nc6 12. Be3 Nc5 13. f3 O-O 14. hxg6 fxg6 15. Nxc6 Bxc6 16. Bh3 Bxc3+ 17. bxc3 e5 18. Bg4 Qe7 19. Qd2 Rad8 20. c4 bxc4 21. O-O-O Ne6 22. Qc3 Bd7 23. Qxc4 Kg7 24. Qb4 Nf4 25. Bxf4 Bxg4 26. Rxg4 Rxf4 27. Rxf4 Qxg5 28. Rxd6 Qxf4+ 29. Kb1 Rxd6 30. Qxd6 h5 31. c4 Qxf3 32. Qxe5+ Qf6 33. Qd5 h4 34. c5 Qf1+ 35. Ka2 Qg2+ 36. Kb3 Qg3+ 37. Ka4 h3 38. c6 h2 39. Qd7+ Kh6 40. Qd8 Qe5 41. Qh4+ Kg7 42. Kb3 Qb5+ 43. Kc3 Qxc6+ 44. Kd3 Qd6+ 45. Ke2 Qxa3 46. Kf2 Qb2+ 47. Kg3 Qf6 48. Qh3 Qc3+ 0-1

[Event "Legends of Chess Final"]
[Site "chess24.com INT"]
[Date "2020.08.03"]
[Round "2.13"]
[White "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B90"]
[WhiteElo "2784"]
[BlackElo "2863"]
[Annotator "Giri,Anish"]
[PlyCount "42"]
[EventDate "2020.07.31"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "2"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 199"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.12.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.12.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{[%evp 0,42,26,34,86,77,111,93,65,91,65,58,87,12,90,16,55,30,8,-14,-36,-65,-44,-169,47,17,30,-17,42,25,25,99,171,51,51,8,11,-2,-59,-172,-70,0,6,27,336]} 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Rg1 {Recently this variation has been all the rage and unsurprisingly so. The positions are fresh and highly unexplored and the newest Neural Network based engines are on board with it. The variations spread out in all sorts of directions here, so instead of going too deep into one of them, I will try to give an overview of what is all going on here.} b5 {This is the move I had chosen against Ian and also the direction Magnus decided to follow. Incidentally it is also one of the engine's top choices, but there are plenty of alternatives, obviously.} (6... e5 7. Nb3 Be6 {is the traditional way of dealing with this system and it remains quite reliable and also quite simple. The endgame that arises after} (7... h5 $5 {is possible here and on the 6th move as well. One thing to note is that after} 8. h3 Be6 9. Be3 {it is important not to follow Sanan Sjugirov who got a lost position in his off-hand blitz match against Magnus Carlsen.} d5 $2 (9... h4 $5 {is a possible improvement, intending bd7 and the typical Najdorf play}) ({or the immediate} 9... Nbd7 $5 {or perhaps something else, but definitely not d5?.}) 10. exd5 Nxd5 11. Nxd5 Qxd5 12. Qxd5 Bxd5 13. O-O-O Be6 14. Na5 $18 {1-0 (36) Carlsen,M (2876)-Sjugirov,S (2662) chess24.com INT 2020}) 8. g4 d5 9. exd5 Nxd5 10. Nxd5 Qxd5 11. Qxd5 Bxd5 12. Be3 {this endgame actually arises more or less by force.} Nc6 13. O-O-O O-O-O 14. Bb6 {The critical direction.} Rd6 {and now White has a lot of moves, but perhaps one of the reasons that 6.g1 is back in fashion in general, is that here after} 15. Rg3 {the engines give White a small plus. Still Black is quite solid after for example} Be7 16. g5 Be6 {intending h6 at the right moment, trying to simplify the game.}) (6... h5 $5 {is a funky move that the engines don't dislike. White has three different ways of developing here, g5, e3 or the flexible h3. The positions are in a way still typical, as the usual Najdorf structure is there, but with g1 h5 included, they are very unexplored.} 7. h3 {here again Black has the choice, between e5, c6, b5 and so on. Completely unexplored territory!} (7. Be3) (7. Bg5)) (6... Nc6 {This is a very natural reaction too. Now White's point is that he can and should sacrifice a pawn!} 7. g4 $1 {taking the pawn is quite dubious, so the main move here is} g6 (7... Nxd4 8. Qxd4 {now taking with the bishop loses outright, but taking with the knight is also quite dubious as Black is massively lagging behind in development.} Nxg4 (8... Bxg4 $2 {loses-} 9. Rxg4 $1 Nxg4 10. Qa4+ Qd7 11. Bb5 $1 {the point.} axb5 12. Qxa8+ Qd8 13. Qxb7) 9. Nd5 {White has very strong compensation- Black should not get into this.}) 8. g5 Nd7 9. h4 {Be3 is also possible, but my countryman Jorden goes for another plan.} Nxd4 10. Qxd4 Ne5 11. Kd1 $5 {A very spectacular idea. Jorden was quite fortunate to be able to implement it in a tournament game!} Rg8 12. Nd5 Bg7 $5 {is the better move. This position on it's own deserves a survey!} (12... Be6 13. Qb4 Rb8 14. Be3 $1 {is a natural improvement over the game. Black has some questions to answer. Both kings are uncastled, but White has more space overal and clearer play.} (14. f4 Nc6 15. Qb6 {½-½ (36) Van Foreest,J (2644)-Firouzja,A (2723) Wijk aan Zee 2020}))) (6... g6 {is likely to transpose to 6...c6 7.g4 g6 as after} 7. g4 Bg7 (7... Nc6) 8. g5 Nfd7 9. Be3 {Black has no better square for his b8 knight than c6. 7...c6 is in fact more flexible, as Black has some xd4 options, like in the Van Foreest-Firouzja game.}) (6... e6 $6 {would fully justify g1 for whoever after} 7. g4 {wants to follow it up with g5 and h4, winning a full tempo over g1, compared to the 6.h3 e6 7.g4 variation in the very same Najdorf.}) 7. g4 {Another attempt by Ian, who was a step ahead of Magnus here and must have clearly surprised him with this one.} (7. a4 $5 b4 8. Nd5 e6 {I felt this was the most practical option, but here too, the position gets crazy.} (8... Nxd5 9. exd5 {is a very strange position, also deserves further investigation.}) (8... Nxe4 $5 {is very brave. Usually I would say that this position needs a separate survey, but here I would say it needs two separate surveys. White has many ways to play for compensation here.}) 9. Nxf6+ Qxf6 10. Be3 Bb7 11. Qd2 {the main idea, it allows Black to trade the e4-pawn for the b4-pawn, but White keeps the momentum and doesn't waste time to defend the e4-pawn.} Bxe4 12. f3 Bb7 {deviating from 12...d5, which has been played before in the only game that reached this position. Motylev-Kokarev 2019.} 13. Qxb4 Qe7 14. Nb3 $5 {was the right way to get the position Ian wanted to get.} (14. Qb6 $6 {this being a blitz game, we both did a mix up here.} Qd7 $1 15. O-O-O Qc8 $2 {I probably tried reconstructing what I knew, but just e7! was good here.} (15... Be7 $1 16. Nb3 {was the reason I didn't do this, but here I have 2 strong options c6! or d5! with an enormous advantage.} Bd5) 16. Nb3 Nc6 {and now we transposed to a position that Ian probably wanted to get.} 17. Bd4 {1-0 (76) Nepomniachtchi,I (2784)-Giri,A (2764) chess24.com INT 2020}) 14... Nc6 15. Qb6 Qd7 16. O-O-O Qc8 17. Bd4 {here I played e5, but alternatively the engines suggest} Nxd4 18. Qxd4 Qb8 $1 {intending a7!, with a very unclear position, that needs to be checked more carefully. Both sides also had alternatives along the way.}) 7... Bb7 8. g5 $5 {it is possible to defend the e4-pawn, but then Black is quite happy with the b5/b7 order.} Nxe4 {in their first encounter that day Magnus didn't take up the challenge and although he won, White clearly had improvements along the way. Now he takes up the challenge, but probably he (or his team) didn't take this seriously enough, as he now lands in trouble again.} (8... Nfd7 9. Be3 $5 {could already be an improvement, as} (9. a3 g6 10. h4 Bg7 11. h5 Nc6 12. Be3) 9... b4 10. Nd5 {seems quite dubious for Black, who is much behind in development.}) 9. Nxe4 Bxe4 10. a4 $5 (10. Qg4 {contains a beautiful trap, which Black can and should avoid} Bb7 11. Bg2 Bxg2 $6 (11... Qc7 $1 {is a simple improvement, when White doesn't have enough compensation most likely.}) 12. Qxg2 Nd7 $2 {it was still possible to avoid the trap with 12...a7!, but a few people fell for this one actually -} 13. g6 $1 {very beautiful idea!} hxg6 14. Ne6 $1 {Boom! The point. White won in (17) Belousov,D (2274)-Thing,B (2222) Moscow 2019. fxe6 is not possible due to xg6 mate, while if the queen moves, xa8 is incoming.} Rxh2 {is a creative defensive attempt, but after} 15. Qxa8 fxe6 16. Qxa6 {White is up in material and is winning.}) 10... e5 {this is possible, but alternatives b4 and bxa4 are definitely to be studied.} (10... bxa4 $5) (10... b4 $5) 11. axb5 Be7 $146 (11... exd4 {Black has to accept the sacrifice.} 12. Qxd4 {and now d5 or e7, both are possible. The position is crazy complex, g3-e3 lift is a typical idea and White also hopes to get his queenside pawns going at some point. Complicated stuff.}) ({RR} 11... exd4 12. Qxd4 d5 13. Rg3 Nd7 14. Re3 Be7 15. Qxg7 Rf8 16. Bh3 f5 17. f3 f4 18. Re2 Bxf3 19. Re6 Be4 20. Bg4 Nc5 21. Rc6 Qb8 22. Rxc5 f3 23. Be3 Qxh2 24. O-O-O axb5 25. Kb1 f2 26. Be2 {Peng,L (2489)-Neugebauer,M (2509) Trencin SVK 2025 ½-½ (38)}) 12. Rg4 $1 {White is forcing the e4 bishop to decide, what to give up, the h1-a8 diagonal, or the crucial f5-square for the knight.} axb5 13. Bxb5+ Nd7 {according to the engine f8 was a better defence, but that looks even worse.} 14. Bd2 $1 {very strong, developing the bishop and connecting the queen to the rook.} Bb7 15. Nf5 {now white is winning, thanks to this superstrong knight and the potential for a strong attack on the kingside.} O-O 16. Rxa8 {the most direct, but not so easy actually.} ({the sick} 16. Rga4 $1 {was winning more trivially, apparently, because now after} Rxa4 17. Rxa4 Nb6 18. Ra7 $1 {hits that vulnerable b7 bishop.}) 16... Bxa8 17. Rh4 g6 {only move} 18. Qg4 {White appears to be crushing his opponent but things are not so simple.} Nc5 $1 {Magnus tries to fight and correctly so.} 19. Qh3 $2 (19. Kf1 $3 {this prophylaxis wins, but obviously this all has little to do with the reality. Computer stuff and that too, on quite some depth...}) 19... h5 $2 (19... Bxg5 $1 {would actually save Black. I am curious what he missed here, but with little time on the clock, it could frankly be anything.} 20. Rxh7 Bxd2+ $1 21. Kxd2 {otherwise gxf5 and there is no mate as the h6-square is protected.} Qg5+ $1 22. Kc3 Ne4+ $1 23. Kb4 Qd2+ 24. Ka3 Qa5+ 25. Ba4 Qc5+ 26. Ka2 Qc4+ {with a perpetual.}) 20. Rxh5 $1 {White is crushing here.} gxh5 21. Qxh5 Ne6 {and not waiting for g6 Black resigned.} 1-0

[Event "Legends of Chess Final"]
[Site "chess24.com INT"]
[Date "2020.08.03"]
[Round "2.15"]
[White "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B90"]
[WhiteElo "2784"]
[BlackElo "2863"]
[PlyCount "118"]
[EventDate "2020.07.31"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "2"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 197"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.07.27"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.07.27"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. h3 g6 7. g4 Bg7 8. Bg2 O-O 9. Be3 Nc6 10. Qd2 Nxd4 11. Bxd4 b5 12. g5 Nh5 13. Bxg7 Nxg7 14. e5 Ra7 15. O-O-O $146 ({RR} 15. exd6 Rd7 16. Ne4 Bb7 17. O-O-O Bxe4 18. Bxe4 Rxd6 19. Qe3 Qc7 20. Rxd6 Qxd6 21. Rd1 Qe6 22. Bd5 Qxe3+ 23. fxe3 Nf5 24. Rd3 Rb8 25. b4 Kg7 26. Kb2 Nd6 27. e4 f6 28. h4 h6 29. gxh6+ Kxh6 {Hou Yifan (2632)-Kramnik,V (2753) Tashkent UZB 2023 ½-½ (60)}) 15... Rd7 16. Bc6 Rc7 17. Bf3 Bf5 18. exd6 exd6 19. Ne4 Ne6 20. h4 Rc4 21. Nf6+ Kh8 22. Bd5 Rxc2+ 23. Qxc2 Bxc2 24. Kxc2 Nf4 25. Kb1 Kg7 26. Rd4 Nxd5 27. Rxd5 h6 28. Rhd1 Qc8 29. a3 Qh3 30. R1d4 Qf1+ 31. Ka2 Qxf2 32. Rxd6 hxg5 33. hxg5 Qg3 34. R6d5 Rc8 35. Rd3 Qf4 36. R3d4 Qh2 37. Rd2 Qc7 38. R2d4 Rh8 39. Rd7 Qe5 40. R7d5 Qe3 41. Rd3 Qc1 42. Rc3 Qf4 43. Rc2 b4 44. a4 b3+ 45. Kxb3 Rb8+ 46. Ka2 Qxa4+ 47. Kb1 Rh8 48. Rc1 Qb3 49. Rd2 Qe6 50. Rc5 a5 51. Rcd5 a4 52. Ka2 Qe3 53. R2d3 Qb6 54. Rd6 Qg1 55. R6d5 Rh1 56. Ka3 Qa1+ 57. Kb4 Qxb2+ 58. Ka5 Rh8 59. Rb5 Ra8+ 0-1

[Event "Legends of Chess Final"]
[Site "chess24.com INT"]
[Date "2020.08.04"]
[Round "2.22"]
[White "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B90"]
[WhiteElo "2784"]
[BlackElo "2863"]
[PlyCount "152"]
[EventDate "2020.07.31"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "2"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 197"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.07.27"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.07.27"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. h3 e5 7. Nb3 Be7 8. g4 h6 9. Be3 Nbd7 10. a4 Nf8 ({RR} 10... b6 11. f3 Qc7 12. h4 Nf8 13. Rg1 Be6 14. g5 hxg5 15. hxg5 N6d7 16. Nd5 Qc6 17. Qd2 Ng6 18. a5 b5 19. O-O-O Rc8 20. Kb1 Nc5 21. Be2 Bd8 22. Nxc5 dxc5 23. f4 exf4 24. Bxf4 Be7 25. Nxe7 {Carlsen,M (2876)-Ganguly,S (2658) Douglas 2019 1-0 (41)}) 11. Bc4 ({RR} 11. Qf3 Ng6 12. O-O-O Bd7 13. a5 Qb8 14. Nd2 Be6 15. Nc4 Qc7 16. Nb6 Rd8 17. Ncd5 Bxd5 18. exd5 Nd7 19. Bd3 Bg5 20. Kb1 Bxe3 21. fxe3 Nxb6 22. axb6 Qxb6 23. Bxg6 fxg6 24. Rhf1 Rd7 25. Qe4 {½-½ (25) Lin,B (2343)-Zhou Jianchao (2581) Philadelphia USA 2025}) 11... Ng6 12. Qe2 $146 ({RR} 12. a5 Be6 13. Bd5 Nxd5 14. Nxd5 Rc8 15. Qd3 Bxd5 16. Qxd5 Qc7 17. c3 Bg5 18. O-O-O Ke7 19. Rhf1 Qc6 20. Qxc6 Rxc6 21. Kc2 f6 22. Rg1 Nf8 23. Nc1 Ne6 24. Rg3 Rc4 25. Kd3 Rhc8 26. Nb3 Bf4 {Ajay,K (2426)-Koelle,T (2312) Budapest 2021 ½-½ (43)}) 12... Bd7 13. f3 Rc8 14. h4 Nh7 15. h5 Bh4+ 16. Rxh4 Nxh4 17. O-O-O Nxf3 18. Rxd6 Qe7 19. Rb6 Bxg4 20. Bd5 O-O 21. Qg2 Qh4 22. Rg6 Nhg5 23. Kb1 Be6 24. Rxe6 fxe6 25. Bxb7 Qe1+ 26. Bc1 Rxc3 27. bxc3 Nxe4 28. Bxe4 Qxe4 29. Bxh6 Rf7 30. Bc1 Qf5 31. Qe2 Rc7 32. Kb2 Qxh5 33. Qxa6 Qe8 34. Qb5 Qc6 35. c4 Kf7 36. c5 Nd4 37. Qf1+ Kg8 38. Be3 Qxa4 39. Bxd4 exd4 40. Qf4 Qd7 41. Qe5 Rb7 42. Qe4 Rb8 43. Qe5 Rb4 44. Qe4 Qd5 45. Qg4 Rc4 46. Qf4 Rb4 47. Qg4 Qf5 48. Qh4 Rc4 49. Qd8+ Kh7 50. Qh4+ Kg6 51. Nxd4 Qe5 52. Qg4+ Kh7 53. Qh4+ Kg8 54. Qd8+ Kf7 55. Qd7+ Kf6 56. c3 Rxc5 57. Qd8+ Kg6 58. Qe8+ Kh7 59. Qd8 Rd5 60. Qh4+ Kg8 61. Qg4 Rd6 62. Qh4 Qf6 63. Qe4 Rb6+ 64. Kc2 Kf7 65. Qa8 Qg6+ 66. Kd2 Rb2+ 67. Ke3 Qg1+ 68. Kd3 Qf1+ 69. Ke3 Qf2+ 70. Kd3 Qg2 71. Nf3 Qe2+ 72. Kd4 Qd1+ 73. Ke3 Re2+ 74. Kf4 Qd6+ 75. Kg4 Rg2+ 76. Kh5 g6+ 0-1

[Event "Norway Chess 8th"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2020.10.07"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Tari, Aryan"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B69"]
[WhiteElo "2633"]
[BlackElo "2863"]
[PlyCount "90"]
[EventDate "2020.10.05"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 199"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.12.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.12.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 d6 6. Bg5 Bd7 7. Qd2 a6 8. O-O-O e6 9. f4 Be7 10. Nf3 b5 11. Bxf6 gxf6 12. Kb1 Qb6 13. f5 O-O-O 14. Bd3 Kb8 15. Ne2 Bc8 16. Nf4 Ne5 17. Be2 d5 18. exd5 exf5 19. Nd4 Bc5 20. Rhf1 Rhe8 21. a3 Ka8 22. h3 $146 ({RR} 22. Qc3 Bd7 23. d6 Rc8 24. Nd5 Qxd6 25. Nxf5 Qb8 26. Nxf6 b4 27. axb4 Bxb4 28. Qb3 Be6 29. Qa4 a5 30. Nxe8 Rxe8 31. Ng7 Rc8 32. Nxe6 fxe6 33. Qb5 Qc7 34. Qa6+ Kb8 35. c3 Bxc3 36. Rc1 {1-0 (36) Juhasz,A (2373)-Fiedorek,M (2319) Budapest 2022}) 22... Bd7 23. Nh5 Nc4 24. Bxc4 bxc4 25. Qc3 Rb8 26. Rf3 Re1 27. Rxe1 Bxd4 28. Qb4 Qc7 29. d6 Qc6 30. Qa5 Bxb2 31. Ka2 Be5 32. Rb1 Rxb1 33. Kxb1 Qxd6 34. Kc1 Qd4 35. Qxa6+ Kb8 36. c3 Qg1+ 37. Kd2 Qxg2+ 38. Ke3 f4+ 39. Nxf4 Bxf4+ 40. Rxf4 Qg3+ 41. Rf3 Qe1+ 42. Kd4 Qe5+ 43. Kxc4 Qe4+ 44. Kc5 Qxf3 45. Kd6 Bc8 0-1

[Event "Norway Chess 8th"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2020.10.10"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Duda, Jan Krzysztof"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B15"]
[WhiteElo "2757"]
[BlackElo "2863"]
[Annotator "Duda,Jan Krzysztof"]
[PlyCount "125"]
[EventDate "2020.10.05"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 199"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.12.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.12.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{[%evp 0,125,45,40,69,68,68,44,44,44,46,22,22,27,18,18,20,15,12,12,41,34,35,-27,82,80,143,142,125,125,183,111,115,67,97,97,109,92,197,163,205,54,140,47,176,134,193,171,164,166,166,142,255,255,245,225,240,240,289,212,212,207,207,176,344,427,369,428,461,426,528,525,524,540,492,471,537,529,507,507,599,575,575,386,433,378,403,403,403,402,476,464,473,425,511,511,538,368,398,297,333,333,403,403,449,442,435,455,435,496,505,481,532,501,672,663,706,458,499,370,1439,1439,1439,1489,1489,1532,1830,1934]} 1. e4 {The start of the tournament had been extremely bad for me, as I had scored 0.5 out of 4, and now had to meet Magnus two times in a row. Fortunately there was a free day in-between, so I allowed myself to forget about the tournament for a while. I was also largely surprised by quite some interest of my supporters in Poland, who believed in a positive score for this game, possibly more than I did!  Der Turnierstart war extrem schlecht für mich gewesen, denn ich hatte 0.5 aus 4 und musste nun zweimal nacheinander gegen Magnus antreten. Zum Glück gab es dazwischen einen freien Tag, daher erlaubte ich mir, das Turnier eine Weile zu vergessen. Ich war auch ziemlich überrascht von dem beträchtlichen Interesse seitens meiner Fans in Polen, die an das positive Ergebnis in dieser Partie glaubten, womöglich mehr als ich!} c6 {The surprise was in the air, but the thing is that you don't know what it's going to be, until it's done. Die Überraschung lag in der Luft, aber das Ding ist, dass man ja nicht weiß, was passieren wird, bis es erledigt ist.} 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Nf6 $5 {But this was a real shocker. I have always found it difficult to believe in this system, even though I have given it a try a few times myself. Magnus might have been inspired by L'Ami's chessable course on the Caro Kann, where among others this variation was included. I was lucky enough to have a quick look on a short & sweet version (a free and limited one) of the course before the tournament, so at least I wasn't completely caught unaware.  Aber das war ein echter Schocker. Es ist mir immer schwer gefallen, an dieses System zu glauben, obwohl ich es ein paarmal selbst versucht habe. Magnus war womöglich inpiriert von L'Amis chessable-Kurs zu Caro Kann, der unter anderem diese Variante beinhaltete. Ich hatte das Glück, vor dem Turnier kurz einen Blick auf eine Short&sweet-Version des Kurses (gratis und begrenzt) zu erhaschen, daher wurde ich zumindest nicht völlig kalt erwischt.} 5. Nxf6+ exf6 6. c3 Bd6 7. Bd3 O-O 8. Qc2 Re8+ 9. Ne2 h5 {That's the way they play these days, and it's the reason for the renaissance of this very variation.  So spielen sie es heutzutage, und es ist der Grund für die Renaissance genau dieser Variante.} 10. Be3 Nd7 ({I had one earlier experience in this variation: Ich hatte eine frühere Erfahrung in dieser Variante:} 10... h4 11. O-O-O Be6 12. c4 Nd7 13. Kb1 Nf8 14. Nc3 Bg4 15. Rde1 Bb4 16. a3 Bxc3 17. Qxc3 Qd7 $13 {1/2 (68) Duda,J (2734)-Lupulescu,C (2643) Batumi 2019; with an unclear game. Magnus' choice is much sharper though. mit unklarem Spiel. Magnus' Wahl ist allerdings viel schärfer.}) 11. O-O-O {Perhaps castling short was more suitable, but somehow I found the king to be in greater danger there :) Vielleicht war kurze Rochade passender, aber irgendwie schien mit der König dort in größerer Gefahr :)} b5 $5 {This is the idea. Instead of the usual f8 retreat, Black aims for an instant counterattack  Das ist die Idee. Statt des üblichen Sf8-Rückzugs strebt Schwarz sofortigen Gegenangriff an.} 12. d5 {This is obviously the mainstream choice, but I assume it would have been wiser to play it instantly, rather than throwing away 20 minutes for free. Dies ist offensichtlich die Mainstream-Fortsetzung, aber ich nehme an, es wäre klüger gewesen, es sofort zu spielen, als dafür 20 Minuten zu verballern.} (12. Kb1 {felt too soft for me. After fühlte sich für mich zu weich an. Nach} Nb6 13. Bc1 Be6 14. Rhe1 {1/2 (89) Azarov,S (2604)-Van Foreest,J (2682) chess.com INT 2020} a5 $5 {Black looks quicker. ist Schwarz offenbar schneller.}) (12. g4 $5 {as suggested by Kramnik is interesting, but for some reason I didn't seriously consider it during the game. , wie von Kramnik vorgeschlagen, ist interessant, aber auf irgendeinem Grund zog ich es während der Partie nicht ernsthaft in Betracht.}) 12... c5 (12... cxd5 {I got temped to find a killer after this move, but I didn't quite suceed. Nach diesem Zug war ich verlockt, einen Killer zu finden, aber ich schaffte es nicht ganz.} 13. Bh7+ (13. Bxb5 Bb7) 13... Kh8 (13... Kf8 14. Rxd5 Nb6 15. Rxb5 $16) 14. Rxd5 Ne5 (14... Nb6 15. Rxh5 Bg4 16. Rh4 f5 17. g3 Be7 {I calculated this far, but couldn't make it work. Soweit rechnete ich, aber konnte es nicht zum Funktionieren bringen.} 18. Rxg4 $5 fxg4 19. h3 Bg5 20. hxg4 $18) 15. Be4 $1 Be6 16. Rd4 $16) 13. Bxb5 Rb8 14. c4 a6 (14... Rxe3 $5 {is a very interesting idea I had seen in L'Ami's course before, and frankly speaking I was a bit surpised that Magnus didn't choose this, as it felt very suitable given the tournament situation.  ist eine sehr interessante Idee, die ich zuvor in L'Amis Kurs gesehen hatte, und offen gestanden war ich ein bisschen überrascht, dass Magnus es nicht wählte, da es angesichts der Turniersituation sehr passend schien.} 15. fxe3 Ne5 16. h3 $1 {This one I figured out. Das verstand ich noch.} Qa5 (16... g6 17. Rhf1) 17. b3 Qa3+ 18. Kd2 g6 19. Rhf1 f5 20. Ke1 {Engines don't quite approve, but over the board the position is a mess of course. Die Engines sind nicht ganz einverstanden, aber am Brett ist die Stellung natürlich ein Chaos.}) 15. Ba4 ({RR} 15. Bc6 Re7 16. Nc3 Ne5 17. Ne4 Bg4 18. Rd2 Bf5 19. Nxf6+ gxf6 20. Qxf5 Nxc4 21. Qxf6 Nxd2 22. Qg5+ Kf8 23. Qh6+ Kg8 24. Qg5+ Kf8 25. Qh6+ {½-½ (25) Wei Yi (2740)-Ding Liren (2780) Chengdu CHN 2024}) 15... Re7 (15... Rxe3 16. fxe3 Ne5 {again was possible, where again the best is war wieder möglich, wonach} 17. h3 {wiederum das Beste ist.}) (15... h4 16. Nc3 Rxe3 17. fxe3 Ne5 18. Bb3 Bg4 19. Rdf1 Bh5 20. Kb1 {In all the lines Black has acceptable compensation, but it doesn't seem to be sound. In allen Abspielen hat Schwarz akzeptable Kompensation, aber gesund scheint es nicht zu sein.}) (15... g6 16. Nc3 Rb4 17. b3 Re7 18. a3 Rb7 19. Kb1 $5 Ne5 20. Ka2) (15... Re5 $5 {looks quite mysterious, I assume f5 is the idea. wirkt sehr mysteriös, ich nehme an, Lf5 ist die Idee.} 16. Nc3 (16. Bb3 Nb6 17. Nc3 {transposes. leitet über.}) 16... Nb6 17. Bb3 Bf5 (17... a5 $5 $13) 18. Qe2 (18. Qd2 a5 19. a3 (19. Qe2) 19... Nxd5 20. Nxd5 Rxb3 21. Nc3 Rb6 22. Nb5 Re4 $1 23. b3 Qe8 (23... Qb8 24. a4 $1) 24. a4 (24. Nxd6 Rxb3 25. Qd5 $8 Rexe3 $8 26. Nxe8 Re2 27. Nxf6+ gxf6 28. Qxf5 Rc3+ 29. Kb1 Rb3+ $11) 24... Qe6 $5 (24... Rxb5 $6 25. axb5 Qe5 26. Qb2 Qe6 27. Rd5 $16) (24... Qe5 25. Qb2 $1 (25. Qc3 $6 Qxc3+ 26. Nxc3 Rxe3 27. fxe3 Rxb3 28. Rxd6 Rxc3+ 29. Kb2 Rxc4 30. Rc1 Rb4+ 31. Ka3 Be6 32. Rxe6 fxe6 33. Rxc5 Re4 34. Rxa5 Rxe3+ 35. Kb4 Re4+ 36. Kb3 $11) 25... Rxe3 26. Qxe5 Rxe5 27. Rxd6 Rxd6 28. Nxd6 Bd7 29. Rd1 Bc6 30. g3 g5 $11) 25. Qxa5 Rxe3 (25... Be5 26. Qa8+ (26. Rd5 Bg6) 26... Kh7 27. Qd5 Qc8 $8) 26. fxe3 Qxe3+ 27. Kb2 Be5+ 28. Ka3 Bc2 29. Qa8+ $8 Rb8 30. Qf3 Qxf3 31. gxf3 Bxd1 32. Rxd1 Bxh2 33. Rh1 Bf4 34. Rxh5 g5 $13) 18... Bg4 19. Qd3 (19. f3 $5 Qc7 20. Rd2 $8 Rbe8 21. Nd1 Bd7 $13) 19... Bxd1 (19... Bf5 20. Qf1 Qd7 21. Rd2) 20. Rxd1 f5 (20... Nc8 21. f4 Re7 22. Bd2 $36) 21. Bf4 g6 22. Bxe5 Bxe5 $44) ({RR} 15... Re5 16. Rd2 Nb6 17. Bb3 a5 18. Nc3 Bf5 19. Qd1 Re7 20. Qxh5 Bg6 21. Qh4 Be5 22. Nb5 a4 23. Bc2 Bxc2 24. Rxc2 Reb7 25. Bxc5 Nxc4 26. Qxc4 Rxb5 27. Ba3 Rxd5 28. g3 Qd7 29. f4 Rd8 30. Qe2 {Cave,I (2066)-Zia,T (2323) Petrovac MNE 2025 0-1 (40)}) 16. Ng3 $146 {I was quite pleased to have the possibility to re-route the knight. Ich war recht erfreut, die Möglichkeit zu haben, den Springer umzuleiten.} ({RR} 16. Rhe1 Ne5 17. Ng3 Reb7 18. b3 Rb4 19. Bd2 Rxa4 20. bxa4 Qb6 21. Re3 Ng4 22. Rb3 Qc7 23. Ne4 Bd7 24. Rxb8+ Qxb8 25. Qb3 Qc7 26. f3 Ne5 27. a5 Bf5 28. Qb6 Bxe4 29. Qxc7 Bxc7 30. fxe4 Nxc4 {Van Osch,M (2366)-Koubova,A (2137) Prague 2022 1-0 (36)}) 16... Ne5 (16... g6 {If I remember correctly this move worried me a bit, as e4 is bad (ok on correspondence level, where White can make a bunch of only moves), but White can play something else instead. Wenn ich mich recht erinnerte, sorgte mich dieser Zug ein wenig, da Se4 schlecht ist (okay, auf Fernschachebene, wo Weiß einen Haufen einziger Züge machen kann), aber Weiß kann stattdessen etwas anderes spielen..} 17. Rhe1 {The most natural. Am natürlichsten.} (17. Ne4 $2 Rxe4 18. Qxe4 Ne5 (18... Nb6) 19. Qc2 Bf5 (19... Rb4 $5 20. Bb3 Qb6 21. f4 $8 Bf5 22. Qe2 $8 (22. Qc3 a5 $1 $19) 22... Ng4 $132) 20. Qc3 Rb4 21. Bb3 Qb6 (21... Qb8 22. Rhe1 (22. f4 a5 23. fxe5 Bxe5 24. Bd4 cxd4 25. Rxd4 Bf4+ 26. Kd1 a4 27. Rxf4 Qxf4 28. Qxb4 Bg4+ 29. Kc2 Bf5+ $11) 22... a5 (22... Ng4 23. h3 Be5 24. hxg4 Bxc3 25. bxc3 Rxb3 26. axb3 Qxb3 27. gxf5 Qxc3+ 28. Kb1 Qb3+ $11) 23. Bf4 $8 a4 (23... h4) 24. Bc2 Rxc4 25. Bxe5 Bxe5 (25... Rxc3 26. Bxc3 {0.00 0.00}) 26. Qxc4 Qxb2+ 27. Kd2 Bxc2 28. Ke3 $1 Bxd1 29. Rxd1 Bd4+ 30. Rxd4 cxd4+ 31. Qxd4 Qa3+ 32. Qd3 Qxa2 33. d6 Qe6+ 34. Kd2 Qd7 $11) (21... Nxc4 22. Bxc4 Be5 23. Bd4 Bf4+ 24. Be3 Be5 25. Rd4 $5 a5 $13) 22. Rhe1 $1 Nxc4 23. Bg5 $3 (23. Bh6 Ne5 $17) 23... Qb5 (23... Be5 24. Rxe5 Nxe5 25. Be3 Nd7 $13) (23... fxg5 $4 24. Re8+ Bf8 25. Bxc4 $18) 24. Qxf6 $8 Bf8 25. Re7 (25. d6 Rxb3 26. Re7) 25... Bxe7 26. Qxe7 Rxb3 27. axb3 Qxb3 28. Qe8+ $8 Kg7 29. Rd2 Nxd2 30. Qe5+ Kh7 31. Kxd2 Qc2+ 32. Ke1 $11) (17. Bd2) 17... h4 (17... Nb6 18. Bc6 h4 19. Ne4 Bf5 20. f3 $16) 18. Ne4 Rxe4 19. Qxe4 Ne5 20. Qc2 $1 Bf5 (20... Rb4 21. Bb3 Bf5 (21... a5 22. a3 Bf5 23. Qc3 {transposes. leitet über.}) 22. Qc3 {again transposes. leitet wieder über.}) 21. Qc3 Rb4 (21... Ng4 22. b3 Be5 23. Qd2 Qd6 24. g3 $16) 22. Bb3 a5 23. a3 Qb8 $1 24. Ba2 (24. axb4 $2 axb4 25. Qd2 Qa8 26. Qc2 Bxc2 27. Kxc2 Qc8 $19) 24... Rb7 25. h3 {Stopping g4. Stoppt Sg4.} g5 26. Re2 a4 27. Rdd2 Bg6 28. Kd1 {White is better according to the engine. Laut Engine steht Weiß besser.}) (16... Nb6 $5 17. Bc6 Rxe3 18. fxe3 h4 19. Nf1 $1 Bg4 20. Rd3 Bf5 21. Nd2 $14 {is the optimal but highly computerish variation. ist die optimale, aber höchst computermäßige Variante.}) 17. Ne4 (17. Bd2 $1 {seems to be better, not to allow the b4 idea as was the case in the game. scheint besser zu sein, um nicht die Tb4-Idee zu erlauben, wie es in der Partie kam.} h4 (17... Ng4 18. Rhe1 $1 Nxf2 19. Rxe7 Bxe7 20. Re1 Ng4 21. h3 Ne5 22. Nxh5 $16) (17... g6 18. Rhe1 h4 19. Ne4 Bf5 20. h3 $16) (17... Reb7 18. b3 h4 19. Ne4 {transposes. leitet über.}) 18. Ne4 Reb7 (18... h3 $6 {is a typical idea in this structure, but here it just doesn't work: ist eine typische Idee in dieser Struktur, aber hier funktioniert es einfach nicht:} 19. f4 hxg2 20. Rhg1 $18 Nf3 $2 21. Nxf6+ $1 gxf6 22. Rxg2+ Kh8 23. Qc3 $1 $18) 19. b3 Bf5 (19... h3 20. Nxd6 Qxd6 21. f4 hxg2 (21... Ng6 22. gxh3 Nxf4 23. Rhe1 Bxh3 24. Re3) 22. Rhe1 g1=Q 23. fxe5 Qxe1 24. exd6 Qf2 25. Qe4 $18) 20. h3 Ng6 21. Rhe1 $16 {is better for White, and in contrast to the game his position is pretty solid. ist besser für Weiß, und im Gegensatz zu seiner Partie ist seine Stellung ziemlich solide.}) 17... Reb7 18. b3 {I was hesitant to play this move, but there is nothing better. Ich zögerte bei diesem Zug, aber es gibt nichts Besseres.} Rb4 $1 {This surprised me, but in fact it's a brilliant idea, showing good judgement by Magnus. Dies überraschte mich, aber in Wirklichkeit ist es eine brillante Idee, die gutes Urteilsvermögen von Magnus zeigt.} (18... Bf5 {was what I expected, but here White again can play war, was ich erwartete, aber hier kann Weiß wieder mit starker Wirkung} 19. Bd2 $1 {with a strong effect. After spielen. Nach} Ng4 $5 {ist} 20. Rhf1 $1 {is good for White: gut für Weiß:} Nxh2 21. Rh1 Ng4 22. Rxh5 Bg6 23. Rh3 {and White is winning, thanks to the following tactics: und Weiß gewinnt dank der folgenden taktischen Wendung:} Nxf2 $2 24. Nxf2 Bxc2 25. Rdh1 $1 $18) 19. Bd2 (19. Nxd6 Qxd6 {is ok for Black e.g. ist okay für Schwarz, z.B.} 20. f4 Rxa4 $5 21. bxa4 Rb4 22. fxe5 Qxe5 23. Bxc5 Qf4+ 24. Qd2 Qxc4+ 25. Qc2 Qf4+ $11 {with perpetual with perpetual}) 19... Rxa4 $1 20. bxa4 Bf5 $13 {I must admit I didn't believe that Black is objectively fine here, but it turns out to be the case with exact play. Black doesn't need to cash in immediately, he can rely on a long-term positional compensation here. Furthermore we were both approaching time trouble, so basically it was getting random from now on.  Ich muss zugeben, dass ich nicht glaubte, dass Schwarz hier objektiv ordentlich steht, aber bei genauem Spiel scheint dies der Fall zu sein. Schwarz braucht nicht sofort zu kassieren, er kann hier auf langfristige positionelle Kompensation setzen. Außerdem nähertne wir uns beide der Zeitnot, daher ging es im Grunde von jetzt an drunter und drüber.} 21. Rde1 {Daydreaming of the e3-b3 manoeuvre. Träumt von dem Te3-Tb3-Manöver.} h4 (21... Ng4 $1 {holds the balance according to the computer. hält die Balance laut Computer.} 22. f3 Bxe4 23. fxe4 (23. Rxe4 {I guess I would seriously consider giving the exchange back. Ich schätze, ich würde ernsthaft erwägen, die Qualität zurückzugeben.} Nf2 24. Rhe1 Nxe4 25. Qxe4 Qd7 26. f4 Qxa4 27. Qc2 Qd7 {which is objectively level, but looks like easy play for Black. was objektiv ausgeglichen ist, aber nach leichtem Spiel für Schwarz aussieht.}) 23... Be5 24. Bc3 Qc7 25. g3 Bd4 26. Re2 Qe5 27. Bxd4 cxd4 $5 (27... Qxd4 28. Rd1 Qa1+ 29. Kd2 Qd4+ {is perpetual. ist Dauerschach.}) 28. Qd3 $13) 22. h3 (22. Re3 $1 {would be more exact. I was afraid of wäre genauer. Ich hatte Angst vor} Bg6 {with the idea f5-f4, but apparently it's only chimera: mit der Idee f5-f4, aber offenbar ist es nur ein Hirngespinst:} (22... Ng4 23. Rf3) (22... Bh7 23. Rb3 $1) 23. f4 $1 (23. Rb3 h3 24. Rxh3 Ng4 25. Rf3 {is also ok. ist auch okay.}) 23... Ng4 24. Rf3 Nh6 25. Rb3 Ra8 26. Re1 Nf5 27. Qb2 $16 {and White is close to winning. and White is close to winning.}) 22... Ng6 23. Re3 Nf4 24. g4 {I wasn't overly happy with a potential target on h3, but at the very least I stabilised my e4-knight somewhat Ich war nicht überglücklich über ein potentielles Ziel auf h3, aber zuallermindest stabilisierte ich meinen e4-Springer etwas.} Bg6 (24... hxg3 25. fxg3 Nh5 26. Rg1 Bh7 27. Bc3 Qd7 28. Bb2 $1 $16 {is one example of an engine's approach, which has nothing in common with how humans play chess. ist ein Beispiel für eine Herangehensweise einer Engine, die nichts gemein hat damit, wie Menschen Schach spielen..}) 25. Kd1 {Sidestepping ...e2+ if the rook moves. Umgeht ...Se2+, wenn der Turm zieht.} f5 $1 {Even though it's not good objectively, he had to do something. Otherwise I would just exchange everything with Rb3, Bxf4 etc. slowly consolidating the position. Obwohl es objektiv nicht gut ist, irgendwas musste er tun. Ansonsten würde ich einfach mit Tb3, Lxf4 etc. alles tauschen und die Stellung langsam konsolidieren.} (25... Qe7 26. f3 Qe5 27. Rb3 Re8 28. Qc3 Qe7 29. Bxf4 Bxf4 30. Re1 $18) 26. Nxd6 Qxd6 27. gxf5 Bh5+ 28. f3 {In computer language White is winning, but with so many targets on both flanks as well as shortage of time (only +10s increment), it's anything but easy to reduce Black's activity. In Computersprache steht Weiß auf Gewinn, aber bei so vielen Zielen auf beiden Flanken sowie Zeitknappheit (nur +10 Sekunden Inkrement) ist es alles andere als einfach, die schwarze Aktivität zu reduzieren.} Qf6 29. Bc3 $6 (29. Rhe1 {was perhaps more logical, to bring more toys to the party, but I was afraid of allowing counterplay with the passed pawn. Concretely I didn't see how to proceed after war vielleicht logischer, um mehr Spielzeug zur Party mitzubringen, aber ich hatte Angst, Gegenspiel mit dem Freibauern zuzulassen. Konkret sah ich keine Fortsetzung für mich nach} Kh7 (29... Qa1+ {also requires some good calculation: erfordert ebenfalls einiges an guter Berechnung:} 30. Bc1 Qd4+ 31. Qd2 Qxc4 32. Re8+ Kh7 $1 33. Qxf4 Qd3+ (33... Bxf3+ 34. Qxf3 Qxa4+ 35. Ke2 Rxe8+ 36. Be3 Qxa2+ 37. Kf1 $18) 34. Qd2 Bxf3+ 35. R1e2 $1 Bxe2+ 36. Rxe2 Qxh3 37. d6 $18) 30. Rb3 $5 (30. Qc3 Rb1+ (30... Qxf5 31. Qc2 $1 {is the idea: ist die Idee:} Qxc2+ 32. Kxc2 Ng2 33. Rf1 Nxe3+ 34. Bxe3 Rc8 35. Kc3 $18) 31. Bc1 Qg5 32. Kc2 Qxf5+ 33. Re4 Ng2 34. R1e2 Bxf3 35. Kxb1 Bxe2 36. Qc2 Bd1 37. Qxd1 Qxe4+ 38. Qc2 Qxc2+ 39. Kxc2 Kg6 40. d6 Kf6 41. Kd1 $18 {and the knight is trapped. und der Springer ist gefangen.}) 30... Rxb3 31. Qxb3 Nxh3 32. Kc1 $18 {In general it's quite tricky to analyse such games with engines afterwards. During the game everything looks uncertain or scary, while the engine suggests that basically everything wins :) Generell ist es so eine Sache, solche Partien hinterher mit Engines zu analysieren. Während der Partie wirkt alles unsicher oder beängstigend, während die Engine andeutet, dass im Grunde alles gewinnt. :)}) 29... Qg5 30. Qe4 $2 {Objectively a poor move, made as an effect of miscalculation. However, it won the game pretty straightforwardly, due to some lucky tactics in the game. Objektiv ein schwacher Zug, gemacht als Effekt einer Fehlberechnung. Allerdings gewann er die Partie ziemlich direkt aufgrund einiger glücklicher taktischer Umstände auf dem Brett.} ({It would have been better to play Besser gewesen wäre} 30. Rhe1 Kh7 {when White would have to admit his mistake, and play , wonach Weiß seinen Fehler einräumen und} 31. Bd2 $1 Qg3 32. Rb3 $18 {which is still winning. spielen müsste, was noch immer gewinnt.}) 30... Qg2 $2 {An extremely tempting move, but the bad one! Ein extrem verlockender Zug, aber der schlechte!} ({The position is totally unclear after both Die Stellung ist total unklar nach sowohl} 30... f6 {(!) (!)} 31. Bd2 (31. d6 Rb6 $5 32. d7 Rd6+ 33. Kc1 Rxd7 34. Kb1 Rd8 $13) 31... Qg2 32. Qxf4 (32. Rhe1 Rb2 33. Bc3 Nxh3 $1 34. Kc1 Ng5 35. Qd3 Rb8 36. Qd2 h3 37. Qxg2 hxg2 38. Rg1 Bxf3 39. Rxf3 Nxf3 40. Rxg2 Kf7 $11 {with a balanced endgame, but it's only after random computerish lines, with approx 0% chance of happening in the actual game mit einem ausgeglichenen Endspiel, aber erst nach wilden computermäßigen Varianten, mit etwa 0% Chance, dass es in der tatsächlichen Partie so kommt.}) 32... Qxh1+ 33. Re1 Rb1+ 34. Ke2 Qg2+ 35. Kd3 Rb7 $13 {and Black is taking over, und Schwarz nimmt das Heft in die Hand,}) ({or more sophisticated oder anspruchsvoller} 30... Kh7 31. Be5 (31. Rhe1 Ng2 32. R3e2 Nxe1 33. Bxe1 f6 $13) 31... Nxd5 $3 32. cxd5 Rb1+ 33. Qxb1 Qxe3 34. Kc2 Bxf3 35. Qe1 Qe4+ $1 36. Qxe4 Bxe4+ 37. Kc3 Bxh1 38. Kc4 $11 {with an apparently equal position. mit offenbar ausgeglichener Stellung.}) 31. Rhe1 {I was lucky to have this move. Dass ich diesen Zug hatte, war Glück.} ({My 'big' idea was to play Meine 'große' Idee war} 31. Qxf4 {when White indeed would be winning if not for wonach Weiß gewinnen würde, wäre da nicht} Rb1# $1) 31... Qxa2 $2 {A tempting follow-up, but it's even worse than the move before. Eine verlockende Fortsetzung, aber sie ist sogar noch schlechter als einen Zug vorher.} (31... Nxh3 32. Kc1 $18 {is relatively easy for White. ist relative einfach für Weiß.}) (31... f6 $1 {would have been a real test. White wins after wäre ein echter Test gewesen. Weiß gewinnt nach} 32. d6 $1 {is the computer win, and the move I started calculating albeit honestly I doubt I would go for it. Der Computergewinn, und der Zug, mit dessen Berechnung ich begonnen hatte, wobei ich ehrlich gesagt bezweifle, dass ich ihn spielen würde.} (32. Kc1 $5 {Here White is also in charge, possibly winning in the endgame after Auch hier ist Weiß Chef und gewinnt wahrscheinlich in dem Endspiel nach} Qxa2 33. Rd1 $1 {with the idea Qc2 and Re4. mit der Idee Dc2 und Te4.} (33. Qc2 $2 Qxc4 34. Re4 Nd3+ $1 {makes the difference. macht den Unterschied.}) 33... Bxf3 $1 34. Qc2 $1 Qa3+ (34... Qxc2+ 35. Kxc2 Bxd1+ 36. Kxd1 $16) 35. Kd2 Bxd1 36. Kxd1 Nh5 37. Ke2 $1 {A little move threating the queen on a3! Ein kleiner Zug, der die Dame auf a3 bedroht!} Ng3+ 38. Kf2 $1 {The queen is almost trapped, so Black must play Die Dame ist fast gefangen, daher bleibt Schwarz nichts anderes als} Qb3 39. Qxb3 Rxb3 40. Bd4 $3 {and White seems to be winning here. und hier scheint Weiß zu gewinnen.}) 32... Kh7 33. Kc1 (33. d7 Qxa2 34. Qc2 Qxc4 35. Kc1 {is the same thing. ist dasselbe.}) 33... Qxa2 34. Qc2 Qxc4 35. d7 Rd8 36. Bxf6 $3 Qxc2+ 37. Kxc2 gxf6 38. Re4 $3 $18 {The variation seems highly unlikely to find even with 1 hour on the clock, so I can only guess I would play 32.c1 instead. Die Variante wäre wohl selbst mit einer Stunde auf der Uhr kaum zu finden, daher kann ich nur vermuten, dass ich stattdessen 32.Kc1 spielen würde.}) 32. Qc2 $1 {Now it's almost game over. Jetzt ist die Sache fast gelaufen.} Qxc4 33. Re8+ Kh7 $5 (33... Rxe8 34. Rxe8+ Kh7 35. Rh8+ $1 Kxh8 36. Bxg7+ {must have been a tactic Magnus missed from afar. The move in the game almost works but ... muss ein taktischer Trick gewesen sein, den Magnus von weitem übersah. Der Zug in der Partie funktioniert beinahe, aber ...}) 34. Rxb8 Qxd5+ (34... Bxf3+ 35. Kc1 $5 {The simplest, relying on the same trick: Am einfachsten, im Vertrauen auf denselben Trick:} Nd3+ 36. Kb1 Nxe1 37. Rh8+ $1) 35. Qd2 $1 $18 (35. Kc1 {Amazingly Black holds after this: Danach hält sich Schwarz überraschenderweise:} Nd3+ 36. Kb1 Nxe1 37. Qe4 (37. Bxe1 Qe5 $1) 37... Qd1+ 38. Ka2 Nd3 $11 {and White has nothing e.g. und Weiß hat nichts, z.B.} 39. f6+ g6 40. Rh8+ Kxh8 41. Qe8+ Kh7 42. Qxf7+ Kh6 43. Qg7+ Kg5 44. f7 Qxa4+ 45. Kb1 Qb3+ 46. Ka1 $11) 35... Bxf3+ 36. Kc1 $18 {With the extra rook and exchange the win should be quite easy. I managed to complicate my task a bit, but the result was never really in doubt. Mit Turm und Qualität mehr sollte der Gewinn recht leicht sein. Ich schaffte es, meine Aufgabe ein wenig zu komplizierten, aber das Resultat war nie wirklich in Zweifel.} Qxf5 37. Re3 Ne2+ 38. Kb2 Nxc3 39. Qxc3 Qf4 40. Qd3+ (40. Qe5 $1 $18) 40... f5 41. Rf8 Qb4+ 42. Kc1 Be4 43. Qb3 Qd4 44. Qc3 Qd6 45. Rf7 Qg6 46. Rd7 Qg1+ 47. Kb2 c4 {Magnus defends creatively, but the position is just too winnable even for +10s increment.  Magnus verteidigt kreativ, aber die Stellung ist einfach selbst für +10 Sekunden Inkrement zu gewonnen.} 48. Rxe4 $5 {If you exchange something, you wouldn't blunder it later :) Wenn man etwas tauscht, stellt man es später nicht ein :)} fxe4 49. Rd4 Qf2+ 50. Qd2 c3+ 51. Kxc3 Qg3+ 52. Kb2 Qxh3 53. Rxe4 Qg3 54. Qd4 Qg2+ 55. Kc3 Qf3+ 56. Kb4 Qf8+ 57. Ka5 Qf5+ 58. Kxa6 g5 59. a5 (59. Re7+ Kg6 60. Qg7+ Kh5 61. Qh7+ Qxh7 62. Rxh7+ Kg6 63. Rh8 Kg7 64. Rd8 $18 {would have been winning as well, but there was no point in relying on calculation at this point. hätte ebenfalls gewonnen, aber an dieser Stelle hatte es keinen Sinn, sich auf Berechnung zu verlassen.}) 59... h3 60. Re7+ Kg6 61. Qg7+ Kh5 62. Qh7+ Kg4 63. Re4+ {A nerve-wracking game, but I was on the happy side of it this time. It felt great to be the one to break Carlsen's record of not-losing in classical time control for 125 games and 801 days (or 802 nobody knows for sure) :) From this place I would like to say thank you to all of my supporters, and to the ones who contributed to this success. Eine nervenaufreibende Partie, aber diesmal saß ich auf der Sonnenseite. Es war ein tolles Gefühl, derjenige zu sein, der Carlsens Rekord von 125 ungeschlagenen Partien bei klassischer Bedenkzeit in 801 Tagen (oder 802, weiß keiner ganz genau :)) gebrochen hatte. Von dieser Stelle aus möchte ich mich bei allen meinen Fans bedanken und denjenigen, die zu diesem Erfolg betrugen.} 1-0

[Event "Norway Chess 8th"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2020.10.12"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B31"]
[WhiteElo "2828"]
[BlackElo "2863"]
[PlyCount "78"]
[EventDate "2020.10.05"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 199"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.12.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.12.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 g6 4. O-O Bg7 5. c3 e5 6. d4 cxd4 7. cxd4 exd4 8. Bf4 a6 9. Ba4 Nge7 10. Bd6 b5 11. Bb3 Bb7 12. Re1 Nc8 13. e5 Nxd6 14. exd6+ Kf8 15. h4 Bf6 16. Nbd2 Kg7 17. Bd5 Na5 18. Bxb7 Nxb7 19. Ne4 Re8 20. h5 Rc8 $146 ({RR} 20... d3 21. Qxd3 Bxb2 22. h6+ Kg8 23. Rad1 Rb8 24. Re2 Bf6 25. Rde1 Re6 26. Nxf6+ Qxf6 27. Ne5 Rd8 28. Ng4 Qh8 29. Rxe6 dxe6 30. d7 Nc5 31. Qd6 Qc3 32. Qe7 Qxe1+ 33. Kh2 Nxd7 34. Qxd8+ Nf8 35. Nf6+ {Idani,P (2588)-Goh,W (2501) Chess.com INT 2020 1-0 (35)}) 21. Rc1 Rxc1 22. Qxc1 h6 23. hxg6 fxg6 24. Qd2 d3 25. b4 Re6 26. Qxd3 Qb6 27. Rd1 Qc6 28. Nxf6 Rxf6 29. Ne5 Qc8 30. Qd5 Re6 31. Ng4 Kh7 32. Qd4 Qf8 33. Qa7 Rxd6 34. Re1 Nd8 35. Ne5 Qe7 36. Nf3 Re6 37. Rd1 Rd6 38. Re1 Re6 39. Rd1 Rd6 1/2-1/2

[Event "Norway Chess 8th"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2020.10.13"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Tari, Aryan"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C84"]
[WhiteElo "2863"]
[BlackElo "2633"]
[Annotator "Nielsen,Peter Heine"]
[PlyCount "89"]
[EventDate "2020.10.05"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 199"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.12.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.12.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{[%evp 0,89,30,28,28,28,31,4,8,-13,3,8,22,4,22,27,17,2,31,-26,10,-63,-1,-64,17,-54,17,17,8,17,17,6,13,9,9,20,15,19,27,50,47,29,32,48,46,55,48,50,91,38,38,30,65,36,60,17,23,34,39,35,39,22,25,29,80,82,131,114,113,128,119,128,133,150,170,156,167,161,280,255,302,302,596,698,705,725,732,724,748,756,1188,1337]} {Winning this game was essential. Not only due to having the white pieces vs. the tournaments lowest rated player, but also in order to regain the lead in the tournament. Kasparov in his day would crush the lower-rated with his opening knowledge, not even allowing them to get a game, but these days the situation has reversed, and from the strongest player's perspective it is more a matter of actualy getting out of the opening with a position full of play that becomes the target. Many would try along the lines of 1.f3/2.g3, keeping as many pieces on the board as possible, but the World Champion, as always, goes his own way:} 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 {In the previous round Tari tried 4...f5?! against Duda, but as expected such a move is based on its surprise value, and not to be repeated.} 5. O-O Be7 6. d3 $5 {Aronian played 6.e1 against Tari earlier in the tournament, but Magnus stays loyal to the line that even in some books carries his name, as he popularised it by succesfully employing it in his early youth.} b5 7. Bb3 d6 8. a4 Bd7 $1 {In the 2007 Elista Candidates, Aronian went for 8...b8 against Magnus, and later 8...b4 would become the preferred move, until Black finally settling for the game move being the solution to his problems.} 9. c3 Na5 10. Ba2 c5 ({A much more radical solution is} 10... bxa4 $5 {Temporarily it wins a pawn, and after} 11. Nbd2 O-O 12. Bb1 Bb5 $5 {Ding had a reasonable position vs Magnus in the 2017 St. Louis showdown. The ideas is that to get the pawn on a4 back, White has to play c4, but that means that he no longer has the c3+d4 option, and Black's position therefore stablises.}) ({RR} 10... bxa4 11. Nbd2 O-O 12. Bb1 Bb5 13. Bc2 Nb7 14. c4 Bd7 15. Bxa4 Bxa4 16. Qxa4 Nc5 17. Qc2 a5 18. b3 Ne6 19. Bb2 c5 20. Ra4 Nd7 21. Rfa1 Nb8 22. Nf1 Nc6 23. Ne3 Qd7 24. Bc3 Bd8 25. Qd1 {Carlsen,M (2837)-Ding,L (2774) Saint Louis 2017 ½-½ (53)}) 11. Bg5 O-O 12. Nbd2 $146 {Caruana played 12 axb5 axb5 13 a3 aiming for the e3-square via c2, but Magnus will not yet release the tension in the a-line.} ({RR} 12. axb5 axb5 13. Nbd2 Nc6 14. Bxf6 Bxf6 15. Bd5 Ra5 16. Re1 Ne7 17. Bb3 Nc6 18. Rxa5 Qxa5 19. Nf1 g6 20. Ne3 {½-½ (20) Manik,M (2356)-Borosova,Z (2256) Slovakia 2020}) ({RR} 12. axb5 axb5 13. Nbd2 Nc6 14. Bxf6 Bxf6 15. Re1 g6 16. Nf1 Bg7 17. Ne3 Kh8 18. Bd5 Rc8 19. Ra6 f5 20. Qe2 f4 21. Bxc6 Rxc6 22. Rxc6 Bxc6 23. Nd5 {½-½ (23) Brkic,A (2637)-Ali Marandi,C (2515) Ankara TUR 2024}) 12... Rb8 13. axb5 {Logical timing, as Black has just removed his rook form the a-file.} axb5 14. Re1 b4 15. Nc4 Nxc4 16. Bxc4 bxc3 17. bxc3 Qc7 18. Qc2 Bb5 19. Bxb5 Rxb5 20. Bxf6 $1 Bxf6 21. Nd2 {A very interesting position, at least from a technical point oi view. Black has managed to clear off 3 sets of minor pieces, as well as the a- and b-pawns. All this speaks in favour of a draw, but White does have a very visible plus in the sense that his knight wil settle on c4 or d5. That in itself is not enought to make Black's position collapse, so a lot is going to depend on how White can improve his position, intensifying the pressure. This position perhaps is not Black's last chance, but still a very crucial one.} Qc6 $6 ({Had Tari played} 21... h5 $1 {, he would have seriously improved his chances of making a draw. Getting the pawn to h4 holds a lot of benefits. His bishop will have a safe haven on g5, and White's king will feel some discomfort should he allow a black rook access to the first rank.}) 22. Qa4 Rfb8 23. Nc4 {Another instructive moment.} Be7 (23... Bg5 {suggests itself, stopping the knight from going on to e3 heading for d5, but} 24. Na3 R5b6 25. Qxc6 Rxc6 26. Nc4 {the computers indicate as basicaly winning for White! Despite the symmetry Black has been rendered completely passive. White's rook will enter a7, then perhaps d7 and a1-a7 coming next, Black is in a hopeless situation.}) (23... h5 {was a more active way of defending but apart from 24.a3, White also has} 24. g3 h4 25. Rab1 $5 {as after} Rxb1 26. Qxc6 Rxe1+ 27. Kg2 {despite nominally being behind in material, White's queen and knight coordinate much better than the black pieces and should win easily.}) 24. g3 $1 {24.a3 certainly also was good, but with e7 protected, Black will be in time for ...c7 defending the 7th rank, and thus Magnus decides to reinforce his position even further.} Qc8 25. Qd1 g6 26. Kg2 Bf8 27. Qf3 Rb3 28. Rec1 Qe6 29. Ra7 {Black's problem is not so much that his position in any way is collapsing, but that he has absolutly no way of trying to equalise. Often slightly worse positions have a tendency to turn into equality with exact moves, as the initiative evaporates, but here Magnus' advantage is purely static, and in a way that Black cannot repair. He'll just have so sit and wait, and try to parry White's attempts at breaking through.} R8b7 30. Rxb7 $5 {A remarkable decision. In general one would think keeping material on the board favours the attacker, but as with the potential queen swap earlier, it is not neccessarily so. White also has to break through, and eliminating a defender thus has definite plusses.} Rxb7 31. Ra1 h5 32. Ra8 Kg7 33. Ne3 Rc7 $2 {An innocent looking move, but the decisive mistake.} ({The computer indicates that} 33... Qd7 $1 {is the only way to defend, answering} 34. Nd5 {with} Be7 {defending the f6 square, when Black stays in the game, with 35...a7 coming next. Objectively perhaps the position is drawn, but from a practical point of view, Tari would still have to suffer for many moves as White would play for h3-g3, d4 or even taking his king to the queenside.}) (33... Be7 {looks similar, but then} 34. Nf5+ $1 {wins, illustrating the pressure Black is under.}) 34. Nd5 Rc8 {If 34...Rd7 White wins exactly like in the game, preparing g4-g5.} 35. Ra7 Rb8 36. h3 Rd8 37. g4 hxg4 38. hxg4 Rd7 39. Ra8 f6 40. g5 $1 {The final finesse, as Black can not take on g5, due to f8 hanging.} f5 41. Qh3 Rf7 42. Re8 $5 {Nice, and winning, yet the computers suggestion of 42 c4!? being even better is noteworthy! It illustrates the story of the game, the inability of the black position to improve itself, even given time for free.} Qxe8 43. Qh6+ Kg8 44. Qxg6+ Kh8 45. Nf6 {And having to choose between mate or substantial material losses, Tari resigned.} 1-0

[Event "Tata Steel 83rd"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2021.01.17"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Anton Guijarro, David"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B34"]
[WhiteElo "2679"]
[BlackElo "2862"]
[PlyCount "137"]
[EventDate "2021.01.16"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 200"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2021.02.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2021.02.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 g6 4. d4 cxd4 5. Nxd4 Bg7 6. Be3 Nf6 7. Nb3 d6 8. f3 ({RR} 8. Qd2 Be6 9. Be2 Rc8 10. f3 O-O 11. O-O-O Ne5 12. Kb1 a6 13. h4 h5 14. Bh6 Qb6 15. Bxg7 Kxg7 16. Nd4 Bc4 17. f4 Neg4 18. Bxg4 Nxg4 19. f5 Qa5 20. Rh3 e5 21. Nb3 Qd8 22. Qe1 f6 {Santos Latasa,J (2656)-Gelfand,B (2668) Leon ESP 2023 1-0 (33)}) 8... Be6 9. Qd2 d5 10. Bb5 $146 ({RR} 10. exd5 Nxd5 11. Nxd5 Qxd5 12. Qxd5 Bxd5 13. O-O-O O-O-O 14. Bb5 Kc7 15. c3 a6 16. Be2 Bxb3 17. axb3 Rxd1+ 18. Kxd1 Rd8+ 19. Kc2 e6 20. b4 Ne7 21. g4 Nd5 22. Bg5 Rd7 23. b5 a5 24. Ra1 b6 {Pena Riasco,A (2181)-Nieto Asencio,M (1985) Caleta 2015 0-1 (52)}) ({RR} 10. exd5 Nxd5 11. Nxd5 Qxd5 12. Qxd5 Bxd5 13. O-O-O O-O-O 14. Be2 b6 15. Rd2 e5 16. Rhd1 Be6 17. Bb5 Kc7 18. c4 h6 19. c5 Rxd2 20. cxb6+ axb6 21. Rxd2 Nb4 22. a3 Nd5 23. Rc2+ Kb8 24. Bf2 h5 {Golis,W (2234)-Krysa,L (2488) chess.com INT 2025 ½-½ (53)}) 10... dxe4 11. Qxd8+ Rxd8 12. fxe4 Bd7 13. O-O-O Ng4 14. Bc5 Bxc3 15. bxc3 b6 16. Bg1 Nce5 17. Bd3 Ba4 18. Bd4 Nxd3+ 19. cxd3 Rxd4 20. cxd4 Nf2 21. Kd2 Nxh1 22. Rxh1 e6 23. Nc1 Ke7 24. Ne2 Bd7 25. a4 Rc8 26. Nc3 f5 27. Rb1 fxe4 28. dxe4 e5 29. Kd3 exd4 30. Kxd4 Rc5 31. Nd5+ Kf7 32. Rf1+ Kg7 33. Nc3 Be6 34. Nb5 Rc2 35. Ke5 Bg8 36. Rg1 a5 37. Nd6 Bb3 38. Rb1 Bxa4 39. Rxb6 Rxg2 40. h4 Rh2 41. Ra6 Rxh4 42. Rxa5 Bd1 43. Ra1 Rh1 44. Ne8+ Kh6 45. Nf6 Kg5 46. Ra7 h5 47. Nh7+ Kh6 48. Nf8 Rf1 49. Rh7+ Kg5 50. Ne6+ Kh4 51. Rg7 Rg1 52. Nd4 g5 53. Nf5+ Kh3 54. Ne3 Bf3 55. Kf5 Kh4 56. Ke5 Bg4 57. Kd4 Bh3 58. e5 Ra1 59. Rg6 Ra4+ 60. Kd5 Ra5+ 61. Kd4 Ra8 62. e6 Re8 63. Ke5 Bg4 64. Kd6 Rxe6+ 65. Rxe6 Bxe6 66. Kxe6 Kg3 67. Kf5 Kf3 68. Kxg5 Kxe3 69. Kxh5 1/2-1/2

[Event "Tata Steel 83rd"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2021.01.19"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Van Foreest, Jorden"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C84"]
[WhiteElo "2671"]
[BlackElo "2862"]
[PlyCount "116"]
[EventDate "2021.01.16"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 200"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2021.02.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2021.02.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O b5 6. Bb3 Bb7 7. d3 Be7 8. Nc3 O-O 9. a3 Nd4 ({RR} 9... d6 10. Ne2 d5 11. exd5 Nxd5 12. Re1 Kh8 13. Ng3 f6 14. c3 Qd7 15. d4 exd4 16. cxd4 Rad8 17. Qd3 f5 18. Bc2 g6 19. Bh6 Rfe8 20. Bb3 Bf6 21. Qd2 Nb6 22. Bg5 Qg7 23. Rxe8+ Rxe8 24. Re1 {Nepomniachtchi,I (2789)-Carlsen,M (2862) chess24.com INT 2021 ½-½ (35)}) 10. Nxd4 ({RR} 10. Ba2 Nxf3+ 11. Qxf3 d6 12. Bg5 Qd7 13. Ne2 Nxe4 14. Bxe7 Nc5 15. Bd5 Bxd5 16. Qxd5 Qxe7 17. d4 exd4 18. Nxd4 Rfe8 19. c4 Qe4 20. Rfd1 Qxd5 21. cxd5 Re5 22. Nf3 Re4 23. Rac1 b4 24. Nd4 bxa3 {Caruana,F (2804)-Carlsen,M (2855) Paris 2016 0-1 (48)}) 10... exd4 11. Ne2 c5 12. Bg5 $146 ({RR} 12. Ng3 d5 13. f3 c4 14. Ba2 g6 15. Bh6 Re8 16. Qd2 Nd7 17. Rae1 Rc8 18. f4 Nf6 19. e5 Ng4 20. f5 Nxh6 21. Qxh6 Bg5 22. Qh3 Be3+ 23. Rxe3 dxe3 24. d4 Qg5 25. c3 Rc6 26. Bb1 Bc8 {Munguntuul,B (2342)-Zhukova,N (2302) Doha QAT 2024 ½-½ (47)}) 12... d5 13. Bxf6 Bxf6 14. Bxd5 Bxd5 15. exd5 Qxd5 16. Ng3 c4 17. Re1 Rae8 18. a4 Rxe1+ 19. Qxe1 cxd3 20. cxd3 bxa4 21. Qd1 Qb5 22. Ne4 Be7 23. Qc2 Rb8 24. Rxa4 Qxb2 25. Qxb2 Rxb2 26. g4 Rb6 27. Rxd4 Kf8 28. Rd7 Rg6 29. Kf1 Rxg4 30. Ra7 f5 31. Ng3 g6 32. Rxa6 Rh4 33. Kg2 Rd4 34. Ne2 Rxd3 35. Ng1 Rd7 36. Nf3 Kg7 37. h3 Bf6 38. Kg3 Rb7 39. Kg2 Re7 40. Ra5 Rc7 41. Rd5 Ra7 42. Rb5 Be7 43. Nd4 Rd7 44. Nf3 Rd6 45. Rb7 Kf6 46. Ra7 h6 47. Nh4 Bd8 48. Rh7 Rd2 49. Rxh6 Kg7 50. Rxg6+ Kh7 51. Nf3 Rxf2+ 52. Kxf2 Kxg6 53. Kg2 Kh5 54. Nd4 f4 55. Ne6 Bg5 56. Nxg5 Kxg5 57. Kf3 Kh4 58. Kxf4 Kxh3 1/2-1/2

[Event "Tata Steel 83rd"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2021.01.21"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Donchenko, Alexander"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B90"]
[WhiteElo "2862"]
[BlackElo "2668"]
[PlyCount "137"]
[EventDate "2021.01.16"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 200"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2021.02.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2021.02.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Be3 e5 7. Nb3 Be6 8. h3 Nc6 9. Qf3 Rc8 ({RR} 9... Nb4 10. O-O-O Rc8 11. Kb1 d5 12. a3 Nxc2 13. Kxc2 Nxe4 14. Qxe4 dxe4 15. Rxd8+ Kxd8 16. g4 h5 17. Rg1 hxg4 18. hxg4 Be7 19. Nd2 Rh4 20. Be2 Ke8 21. Ndxe4 f6 22. f3 Rh2 23. Kb1 Bb3 24. Bd3 {He,Z (1743)-Simpson,M (2204) Changsha CHN 2025 0-1 (70)}) 10. O-O-O Na5 ({RR} 10... Nb4 11. Kb1 Qc7 12. a3 Nxc2 13. Kxc2 Qc6 14. Nd2 d5 15. exd5 Nxd5 16. Ndb1 Qa4+ 17. Kd2 Qb3 18. Ke1 Nxe3 19. Qxe3 Qxb2 20. Qxe5 Bc5 21. Rd2 Qc1+ 22. Rd1 Qb2 23. Rd2 Qc1+ 24. Rd1 Qb2 {½-½ (24) Laznicka,V (2681)-Wojtaszek,R (2713) Yerevan 2014}) 11. Bg5 ({RR} 11. Nd5 Bxd5 12. exd5 Nxb3+ 13. axb3 g6 14. g4 Bg7 15. h4 Qc7 16. Rd2 h5 17. g5 Nd7 18. Bh3 O-O 19. Qe4 b5 20. Kd1 a5 21. Ke2 Ra8 22. Bxd7 Qxd7 23. c4 a4 24. c5 axb3 25. c6 Qc8 {Aryan,C (2536)-Donchenko,A (2588) Biel 2018 0-1 (38)}) 11... Be7 12. Bxf6 $146 ({RR} 12. g4 h6 13. Bd2 Nc4 14. Bxc4 Rxc4 15. Qd3 Qc7 16. f4 b5 17. f5 Bc8 18. Kb1 Bb7 19. Rhe1 O-O 20. Nd5 Bxd5 21. exd5 e4 22. Qg3 Rc8 23. c3 Nxd5 24. Nd4 Bf6 25. g5 hxg5 26. Bxg5 Be5 {Babiy,O (2228)-Sarana,A (2654) Chess.com INT 2020 0-1 (42)}) 12... Bxf6 13. Nd5 Bg5+ 14. Kb1 h5 15. Be2 h4 16. Nxa5 Qxa5 17. Qb3 Qc5 18. Bg4 Qc4 19. Bxe6 fxe6 20. Nb6 Qxb3 21. axb3 Rc6 22. Nc4 Ke7 23. Rd3 Rf8 24. f3 Bf4 25. Rhd1 Rd8 26. c3 Rd7 27. Kc2 Rd8 28. Na5 Rc7 29. b4 Rdd7 30. Kb3 Rd8 31. Nc4 Rc6 32. Na3 d5 33. b5 Rcd6 34. bxa6 bxa6 35. Ka4 Rb8 36. b4 Rc6 37. Kb3 Rbc8 38. Ra1 Rc4 39. Ra2 a5 40. bxa5 Rb8+ 41. Kc2 Rc5 42. Nb1 Rbb5 43. exd5 exd5 44. a6 Ra5 45. Rxa5 Rxa5 46. c4 Rxa6 47. cxd5 Ra2+ 48. Kb3 Rxg2 49. Nc3 Rg3 50. d6+ Kd7 51. Ne4 Rxh3 52. Kc4 Rh1 53. Kd5 Rc1 54. Nc5+ Ke8 55. Ke6 Rxc5 56. Ra3 Rc8 57. d7+ Kd8 58. dxc8=Q+ Kxc8 59. Ra1 h3 60. Rh1 h2 61. Kf5 g5 62. Kg4 Kd7 63. Kh3 Ke6 64. Kg2 Kf5 65. Kh3 e4 66. fxe4+ Kxe4 67. Kg4 Ke3 68. Rxh2 Bxh2 69. Kxg5 1/2-1/2

[Event "Tata Steel 83rd"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2021.01.22"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Duda, Jan Krzysztof"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C54"]
[WhiteElo "2743"]
[BlackElo "2862"]
[PlyCount "101"]
[EventDate "2021.01.16"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 200"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2021.02.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2021.02.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. d3 Bc5 5. O-O d6 6. c3 a5 7. Re1 O-O 8. Nbd2 Ba7 9. Nf1 Be6 10. Bb5 Ne7 11. Ng3 Ng6 12. h3 c6 13. Ba4 d5 14. exd5 Nxd5 15. d4 exd4 16. Nxd4 Qc7 17. Qf3 $146 ({RR} 17. Ne4 Rae8 18. Bc2 Ndf4 19. Nxe6 Rxe6 20. Be3 Bxe3 21. Rxe3 Rfe8 22. Qf1 Nh4 23. Ng5 Rxe3 24. fxe3 Nfxg2 25. Bb3 Rf8 26. Qf2 a4 27. Bc2 Qe5 28. Bxh7+ Kh8 29. Nxf7+ Rxf7 30. Qxf7 Kxh7 31. Qf2 Qg5 {Neiksans,A (2560)-Hovhannisyan,R (2669) Riga 2021 0-1 (35)}) ({RR} 17. Bc2 Ndf4 18. Qf3 Rae8 19. Nh5 Nxh5 20. Qxh5 Bb8 21. Nf3 Bd5 22. Be3 Bxf3 23. Qxf3 Qh2+ 24. Kf1 Qh1+ 25. Ke2 Nf4+ 26. Kd2 Qxg2 27. Qxg2 Nxg2 28. Rg1 Nxe3 29. fxe3 Re5 30. Raf1 Rd8+ 31. Ke2 Rde8 {Weidemann,J (2285)-Ganguly,S (2566) Dortmund GER 2025 0-1 (51)}) 17... Bxd4 18. cxd4 Qb6 19. Rd1 Rad8 20. Bb3 Nc7 21. Nf5 Bxb3 22. axb3 Qb5 23. h4 h5 24. Bd2 b6 25. Bg5 f6 26. Bh6 Rf7 27. Qxh5 Ne7 28. Nxe7+ Rxe7 29. Qxb5 cxb5 30. Bd2 Re4 31. d5 Nxd5 32. Be3 Rd7 33. g3 Ree7 34. Bd4 Re6 35. Rac1 Red6 36. Re1 Nb4 37. Rc8+ Kf7 38. Be3 Nd5 39. Rb8 b4 40. Kf1 Kg6 41. g4 Nxe3+ 42. Rxe3 Rd4 43. g5 f5 44. Rh8 Re4 45. Ke2 Rxe3+ 46. Kxe3 Re7+ 47. Kd3 Rd7+ 48. Ke3 Re7+ 49. Kd3 Rd7+ 50. Ke3 Re7+ 51. Kd3 1/2-1/2

[Event "Tata Steel 83rd"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2021.01.23"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Harikrishna, Pentala"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B46"]
[WhiteElo "2862"]
[BlackElo "2732"]
[PlyCount "60"]
[EventDate "2021.01.16"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 200"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2021.02.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2021.02.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nc6 5. Nc3 Qc7 6. f4 a6 7. Nxc6 bxc6 8. Bd3 d5 9. O-O Nf6 10. Qe2 Be7 11. Bd2 c5 ({RR} 11... g6 12. Kh1 O-O 13. Rae1 dxe4 14. Nxe4 Nxe4 15. Bxe4 Bf6 16. b3 a5 17. Qf3 Bb7 18. Bc3 Bxc3 19. Qxc3 Rfd8 20. a4 Qb6 21. Rd1 Rac8 22. h3 Ba6 23. Rfe1 c5 24. Qf6 Rd4 25. Rxd4 cxd4 26. Rd1 {Adams,M (2745)-Giri,A (2768) London 2014 1-0 (39)}) 12. b3 Bb7 13. Rae1 $146 ({RR} 13. exd5 exd5 14. Rae1 Kf8 15. Nd1 Bd6 16. Ne3 Re8 17. Qd1 Bxf4 18. Nf5 Bxh2+ 19. Kh1 Be5 20. Qf3 d4 21. Qh3 Bc8 22. Bh6 Bxf5 23. Rxf5 Rg8 24. Bd2 h5 25. Bxa6 Ng4 26. Ref1 g6 27. R5f3 Kg7 {Alexakis,D (2484)-Anand,B (2312) Belgrade 2022 1-0 (87)}) ({RR} 13. exd5 exd5 14. Rae1 Kf8 15. Nd1 Bd6 16. Ne3 Re8 17. Qf2 d4 18. Nf5 Ne4 19. Bxe4 Bxe4 20. Nxd6 Qxd6 21. f5 f6 22. Qe2 h5 23. b4 d3 24. cxd3 Qxd3 25. Qf2 Re5 26. Bf4 Rd5 27. Re3 Qc2 {Orujov,F (2303)-Tissir,M (2309) Abu Dhabi UAE 2025 1-0}) 13... c4 14. bxc4 dxe4 15. Nxe4 Nxe4 16. Bxe4 Bxe4 17. Qxe4 Rc8 18. f5 Qxc4 19. fxe6 f6 20. Qb7 Qc6 21. Rb1 Bc5+ 22. Kh1 Qxb7 23. Rxb7 O-O 24. Re1 Rfe8 25. g3 Rc6 26. e7 Kf7 27. c4 Bd6 28. Bb4 Bxb4 29. Rxb4 Rxe7 30. Rxe7+ Kxe7 1/2-1/2

[Event "Tata Steel 83rd"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2021.01.24"]
[Round "8.1"]
[White "Esipenko, Andrey"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B84"]
[WhiteElo "2677"]
[BlackElo "2862"]
[Annotator "Edouard,Romain"]
[PlyCount "75"]
[EventDate "2021.01.16"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 201 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2021.05.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2021.05.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{[%evp 0,75,58,31,100,90,111,111,87,36,65,65,94,63,110,99,103,73,106,88,98,17,0,10,30,23,37,25,72,81,89,28,34,34,78,-100,108,108,108,108,89,78,161,178,220,156,156,13,81,108,108,116,104,121,267,70,102,124,144,144,148,69,153,118,135,116,179,311,480,148,395,425,446,383,915,1171,1171,1171]} 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Be2 e6 7. Be3 Be7 8. g4 b5 9. g5 ({RR} 9. a3 Bb7 10. f3 Nc6 11. Nxc6 Bxc6 12. Qd4 Nd7 13. Qxg7 Bf6 14. Qh6 Qe7 15. h4 Rc8 16. Bg5 Bxg5 17. Qxg5 f6 18. Qd2 Ne5 19. O-O-O Rd8 20. f4 Nf7 21. g5 e5 22. Bh5 O-O 23. f5 d5 {Durarbayli,V (2614)-Mousavi,S (2479) chess.com INT 2025 ½-½ (50)}) 9... Nfd7 10. a3 ({RR} 10. Qd2 Bb7 11. a3 Nb6 12. h4 N8d7 13. h5 Ne5 14. b3 Rc8 15. f4 Ned7 16. Bf3 Qc7 17. Nce2 Nc5 18. Ng3 d5 19. g6 hxg6 20. hxg6 Rxh1+ 21. Bxh1 dxe4 22. b4 Nc4 23. gxf7+ Kxf7 24. Qe2 Nd3+ {Nepomniachtchi,I (2779)-Matlakov,M (2662) chess.com INT 2023 1-0 (38)}) 10... Bxg5 {Now that this pawn is gone, it will be hard for Black to safely castle shortside.} (10... Bb7 11. Qd2 {is what White wants: he has avoided ...b4.}) 11. Qd2 Bxe3 $146 (11... Bf6 {didn't go much better for GM Negi, eleven years ago:} 12. O-O-O Bb7 13. Rhg1 Nc5 14. e5 $3 Bxe5 (14... dxe5 15. Ndxb5 $16) 15. Ndxb5 Nb3+ (15... axb5 16. Bxc5 $16) 16. cxb3 axb5 17. Bxb5+ Bc6 18. Bd4 $18 {1-0 (21) Ivanchuk,V (2739)-Negi,P (2615) Peristeri 2010}) (11... Be7 12. O-O-O Bb7 {is the other crtical option:} 13. Rhg1 (13. f4 $5) 13... g6 14. Bh6 (14. f4 $5) 14... Nc6 15. Bg7 Rg8 16. Nxc6 Bxc6 17. Qh6 Qc7 18. Qxh7 O-O-O $132 {1-0 (46) Ni Hua,- (2671)-Xu Yinglun (2333) China 2013}) ({RR} 11... Bf6 12. O-O-O Bb7 13. Rhg1 Qe7 14. Kb1 Nc6 15. f4 Nxd4 16. Bxd4 e5 17. Be3 Rc8 18. Bg4 Rc7 19. Bxd7+ Rxd7 20. f5 O-O 21. Rg4 d5 22. exd5 Rfd8 23. Bb6 Rxd5 24. Nxd5 Rxd5 25. Qe1 Qd6 26. Rxd5 {Hesham,A (2412)-Zaibi,A (2393) Riyadh KSA 2023 0-1 (42)}) 12. Qxe3 Qh4 $6 {Just a a loss of time, it seems.} (12... Bb7 {should be critical and a more solid approach, e.g.} 13. O-O-O Qe7 14. f4 Nc6 15. Rhg1 g6 16. Nxc6 Bxc6 17. h4 {with a messy position where I definitely like White.} (17. Qd4 O-O 18. Qxd6 Qxd6 19. Rxd6 Rac8 20. Rgd1 Nf6 $11)) 13. Rg1 g6 (13... O-O 14. O-O-O {just looks awful for Black.}) 14. O-O-O Qe7 15. f4 Bb7 16. Kb1 Nc6 $6 {A mistake - and beautifully punished - but Black's position was already a nightmare.} (16... O-O 17. h4 $146) 17. Ncxb5 $1 axb5 18. Nxc6 Bxc6 19. Qc3 {A pattern I had never seen! Beautiful!} O-O 20. Qxc6 {Black will lose the d6-pawn and the b5-pawn is on the line of sight as well. The World Champion is lost!} d5 21. exd5 Rfc8 22. d6 Qd8 23. Qxb5 {Just taking all the pawns, although a retreat to f3 was strong and safe.} Rcb8 24. Qc4 (24. Qd3 Ra4 {wth the ideas of ...Qf6 and ...Rxf4 is not entirely over for Black.} (24... Nc5 25. Qd4 Na4 26. b4 {should be a walk in the dark fo White.})) 24... Rxa3 25. Qc7 Qe8 26. Rg5 $1 {An exellent move - aiming for b5 or a5 eliminating Black's dangerous a-rook.} Ra4 27. Ra5 ({The last trick was NOT to play} 27. Bb5 $4 {due to} Rxb5 28. Rxb5 Qa8 29. Kc1 Ra1+ 30. Kd2 Qg2+ 31. Kc3 Rxd1 32. Qxd7 {and White will be lucky if there's no forced win for Black! Which is probably the case as the engine suggests 32...Kg7, with a clear advantage (only) for Black.}) 27... Rab4 28. b3 {Black has no counterattack whatsoever. White is completely winning.} R4b7 29. Qc3 Qd8 30. Bf3 Rb4 31. Qc7 Qf6 32. Ra8 $1 {Putting an end to any hope for Black.} ({Obviously not} 32. Qxd7 $2 Rxb3+ {with mate to follow.}) 32... Rxa8 33. Bxa8 Qf5 34. Kb2 Rb5 35. Qxd7 Rc5 36. Rc1 Qxf4 37. Qe8+ Kg7 38. d7 {Young talents starting to crush the World Champion - let's expect quite some fight for the supreme title in the years to come!} 1-0

[Event "Tata Steel 83rd"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2021.01.26"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Grandelius, Nils"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B90"]
[WhiteElo "2862"]
[BlackElo "2663"]
[PlyCount "129"]
[EventDate "2021.01.16"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 200"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2021.02.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2021.02.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Qd3 e6 7. a4 Nc6 ({RR} 7... b6 8. Qg3 Bb7 9. f3 Nbd7 10. Be3 Rc8 11. Be2 Be7 12. O-O O-O 13. Kh1 Re8 14. Rad1 Qc7 15. Nb3 Qb8 16. Bd4 h6 17. Bd3 Nh5 18. Qf2 Nf4 19. Bxb6 Nxd3 20. Rxd3 Ne5 21. Rdd1 Nc4 22. Rb1 {Caruana,F (2835)-Ding,L (2791) chess24.com INT 2020 ½-½ (73)}) ({RR} 7... Be7 8. Be2 O-O 9. Qg3 Kh8 10. O-O Bd7 11. Rd1 Qc7 12. Be3 Nc6 13. Nb3 Ne5 14. a5 Rac8 15. Bb6 Qb8 16. Nd2 Bc6 17. f4 Ng6 18. Be3 Bd8 19. Bd3 Bc7 20. Nf3 Rcd8 21. Nd4 Bd7 22. Nde2 {Vaculik,J (2281)-Sliwerski,R (2040) Marianske Lazne CZE 2025 ½-½ (72)}) 8. Nxc6 bxc6 9. Qg3 Bb7 $146 ({RR} 9... h5 10. h4 Qa5 11. Bd2 Qb6 12. Bd3 a5 13. b3 e5 14. f4 Qc5 15. Bc4 Bg4 16. Qd3 Be7 17. Be3 Qb4 18. O-O O-O 19. f5 Rfd8 20. Bf2 Qb7 21. Qg3 d5 22. Bd3 Bb4 23. Na2 dxe4 24. Nxb4 {Razafindratsima,T (2451)-Argote Heredia,V (2153) Spilimbergo ITA 2023 1-0 (41)}) 10. Be2 Be7 11. Bf4 e5 12. Be3 O-O 13. O-O Kh8 14. a5 Nd7 15. Rfd1 f5 16. exf5 d5 17. Na4 d4 18. Bd2 c5 19. Qh3 Bg5 20. Bxg5 Qxg5 21. Re1 Be4 22. Bd3 Bxf5 23. Bxf5 Rxf5 24. Nb6 Nxb6 25. axb6 h6 26. Qd3 Rb8 27. Rxa6 Rf6 28. g3 Rfxb6 29. Rxb6 Rxb6 30. f4 Qd8 31. Rxe5 Rxb2 32. Rxc5 Qa8 33. Kf2 Rb8 34. Qf3 Qa7 35. Qd5 Qa1 36. Qe5 Qb2 37. Rc6 Kh7 38. Rc7 Rg8 39. Kg2 Qb4 40. Qe4+ Kh8 41. Rd7 Qd2+ 42. Kh3 Qd1 43. Re7 Qh5+ 44. Kg2 Rc8 45. f5 Qd1 46. Re8+ Rxe8 47. Qxe8+ Kh7 48. Qe4 Kh8 49. Qe8+ Kh7 50. Qg6+ Kh8 51. f6 Qe2+ 52. Kh3 Qe6+ 53. Kh4 gxf6 54. Qxh6+ Kg8 55. Qg6+ Kf8 56. g4 Qe5 57. h3 Ke7 58. Qf5 Qe3 59. Kh5 Qxh3+ 60. Kg6 Kd6 61. Kxf6 Qe3 62. g5 Qe7+ 63. Kg6 Qe8+ 64. Kg7 Qe7+ 65. Kg8 1-0

[Event "Tata Steel 83rd"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2021.01.29"]
[Round "11"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Giri, Anish"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C54"]
[WhiteElo "2862"]
[BlackElo "2764"]
[PlyCount "83"]
[EventDate "2021.01.16"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 200"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2021.02.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2021.02.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. c3 Nf6 5. d3 O-O 6. b4 Be7 7. Nbd2 d5 8. Bb3 Bg4 ({RR} 8... a5 9. b5 Na7 10. a4 c6 11. bxc6 Nxc6 12. O-O Bg4 13. h3 Bxf3 14. Qxf3 d4 15. cxd4 Nxd4 16. Qd1 Nxb3 17. Qxb3 Nd7 18. Ba3 b6 19. Nc4 Bxa3 20. Qxa3 Rc8 21. Rfb1 Rc6 22. Rb5 Re8 23. Rab1 {Carlsen,M (2847)-Aronian,L (2782) Chess24.com INT 2021 ½-½ (54)}) ({RR} 8... dxe4 9. dxe4 Qd3 10. Bb2 a5 11. Bc4 Qd6 12. b5 Nd8 13. a4 Ne6 14. O-O Nc5 15. Ba3 Bg4 16. Qc2 Nfd7 {½-½ (16) Cherukuri,N (2246)-Espinosa,P (2242) New York USA 2025}) ({RR} 8... a6 9. Qc2 h6 10. O-O Be6 11. Re1 Re8 12. Bb2 Bf8 13. a4 b5 14. h3 dxe4 15. dxe4 Qd7 16. Bxe6 Qxe6 17. axb5 axb5 18. Rxa8 Rxa8 19. Qd3 Rb8 20. Ra1 Ne7 21. Ra5 c6 22. Bc1 Nc8 23. Nf1 {Carlsen,M (2847)-Nakamura,H (2736) chess24.com INT 2021 ½-½ (57)}) 9. Qc2 dxe4 $146 ({RR} 9... Bxb4 10. cxb4 Nxb4 11. Qb1 dxe4 12. dxe4 Nd3+ 13. Kf1 Nh5 14. h3 Be6 15. Nc4 f6 16. Ne3 Bf7 17. Ba3 c5 18. g3 Kh8 19. Bd5 Bxd5 20. Nxd5 f5 21. Qxd3 fxe4 22. Qxe4 Qa5 23. Bc1 Rf7 24. g4 {Gulbas,C (2393)-Zor,A (2167) Kemer 2018 1-0 (35)}) 10. dxe4 Bd6 11. h3 Bh5 12. Rb1 a5 13. a3 axb4 14. axb4 b5 15. O-O Ne7 16. Re1 Qc8 17. Qd3 Rb8 18. Nh4 Ng6 19. Nxg6 Bxg6 20. Nf1 Rd8 21. Qf3 c5 22. Bg5 Be7 23. Ng3 c4 24. Bc2 h6 25. Be3 Qc6 26. Nf5 Bxf5 27. Qxf5 g6 28. Qf3 Kg7 29. Ra1 Ra8 30. Qe2 Rxa1 31. Rxa1 Ra8 32. Rxa8 Qxa8 33. Qd2 h5 34. Kh2 Qc6 35. Qe2 Qe6 36. g3 Bd8 37. Kg2 Bb6 38. Bg5 Nh7 39. Bc1 Nf6 40. Bg5 Nh7 41. Bc1 Nf6 42. Bg5 1/2-1/2

[Event "San Fermin Masters Final"]
[Site "chess24.com INT"]
[Date "2021.07.10"]
[Round "1.1"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Iturrizaga Bonelli, Eduardo"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B30"]
[WhiteElo "2847"]
[BlackElo "2607"]
[PlyCount "55"]
[EventDate "2021.07.10"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "3"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 203 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2021.09.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2021.09.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 e6 4. O-O Nge7 5. Re1 Nd4 6. Ba4 a6 7. c3 Nxf3+ 8. Qxf3 b5 9. Bc2 Nc6 10. Qg3 $146 ({RR} 10. b3 Be7 11. e5 f5 12. exf6 Bxf6 13. Qh5+ Kf8 14. Qxc5+ Qe7 15. Qe3 Kf7 16. Bb2 Bb7 17. d4 Rac8 18. Bd3 h5 19. Nd2 g5 20. Ne4 Rcg8 21. a4 bxa4 22. Ba3 Qd8 23. Nd6+ Kg7 24. Nxb7 Qb6 {Lajdamik,K (1795)-Campos Munoz,V (1716) Florianopolis BRA 2024 1-0}) 10... e5 11. a4 Rb8 12. axb5 axb5 13. d4 d6 14. d5 Ne7 15. f4 Ng6 16. f5 Ne7 17. b4 c4 18. Be3 Ng8 19. Ra7 Nf6 20. Nd2 Bd7 21. Rea1 g6 22. Nf3 Be7 23. Nxe5 dxe5 24. Qxe5 O-O 25. Bd4 Re8 26. d6 Bf8 27. Qxf6 Qxf6 28. Bxf6 1-0

[Event "San Fermin Masters Final"]
[Site "chess24.com INT"]
[Date "2021.07.10"]
[Round "1.3"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Iturrizaga Bonelli, Eduardo"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B30"]
[WhiteElo "2847"]
[BlackElo "2607"]
[PlyCount "99"]
[EventDate "2021.07.10"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "3"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 203 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2021.09.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2021.09.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 e6 4. O-O Nge7 5. Re1 Nd4 6. Ba4 Qa5 7. Nxd4 cxd4 8. c3 b5 9. Bc2 Nc6 10. b4 Qb6 11. a4 bxa4 12. Bxa4 $146 ({RR} 12. Rxa4 Be7 13. Na3 O-O 14. b5 Ne5 15. cxd4 Ng6 16. d5 exd5 17. exd5 Bb7 18. Bxg6 fxg6 19. d4 Qf6 20. Qf3 Qxf3 21. gxf3 Bf6 22. Nc4 Bxd5 23. Ba3 Rfb8 24. Nd6 Bb3 25. Rb4 Bd5 26. Ra4 Bb3 {Carlsen,M (2847)-Iturrizaga Bonelli,E (2607) chess24.com INT 2021 ½-½}) 12... Be7 13. Na3 O-O 14. Nc4 Qc7 15. e5 Nxb4 16. Nd6 Nd3 17. Re4 Nxe5 18. Nb5 Qb8 19. cxd4 Ng6 20. d5 Bb7 21. Nc3 exd5 22. Re1 Bc6 23. Bc2 Bd6 24. Qh5 Re8 25. Rxe8+ Qxe8 26. Ne2 Bb5 27. d3 Rc8 28. Ra2 Qe5 29. Qxe5 Bxe5 30. Be3 a6 31. g3 Ne7 32. f4 Bf6 33. Bd4 Nc6 34. Bxf6 gxf6 35. Rb2 d4 36. Kf2 Kg7 37. Bb1 f5 38. Ng1 Kf6 39. Nf3 h6 40. Rc2 Bxd3 41. Rxc6+ dxc6 42. Bxd3 c5 43. Bxa6 Ra8 44. Bc4 Ra3 45. Ne5 Rc3 46. Bxf7 Rc2+ 47. Kf3 Rc3+ 48. Kf2 Rc2+ 49. Kf3 Rc3+ 50. Kf2 1/2-1/2

[Event "San Fermin Masters Final"]
[Site "chess24.com INT"]
[Date "2021.07.10"]
[Round "1.7"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Iturrizaga Bonelli, Eduardo"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B30"]
[WhiteElo "2847"]
[BlackElo "2607"]
[PlyCount "55"]
[EventDate "2021.07.10"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "3"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 203 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2021.09.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2021.09.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 e6 4. O-O Nge7 5. Re1 Nd4 6. Ba4 Qa5 7. Nxd4 cxd4 8. c3 b5 9. Bc2 Nc6 10. b4 Qb6 11. a4 bxa4 12. Rxa4 $146 ({RR} 12. Bxa4 Be7 13. Na3 O-O 14. Nc4 Qc7 15. e5 Nxb4 16. Nd6 Nd3 17. Re4 Nxe5 18. Nb5 Qb8 19. cxd4 Ng6 20. d5 Bb7 21. Nc3 exd5 22. Re1 Bc6 23. Bc2 Bd6 24. Qh5 Re8 25. Rxe8+ Qxe8 26. Ne2 Bb5 {Carlsen,M (2847)-Iturrizaga Bonelli,E (2607) chess24.com INT 2021 ½-½ (50)}) 12... Be7 13. Na3 O-O 14. b5 Ne5 15. cxd4 Ng6 16. d5 exd5 17. exd5 Bb7 18. Bxg6 fxg6 19. d4 Qf6 20. Qf3 Qxf3 21. gxf3 Bf6 22. Nc4 Bxd5 23. Ba3 Rfb8 24. Nd6 Bb3 25. Rb4 Bd5 26. Ra4 Bb3 27. Rb4 Bd5 28. Ra4 1/2-1/2

[Event "San Fermin Masters Final"]
[Site "chess24.com INT"]
[Date "2021.07.11"]
[Round "2.1"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "So, Wesley"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C54"]
[WhiteElo "2847"]
[BlackElo "2772"]
[PlyCount "85"]
[EventDate "2021.07.10"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "3"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 203 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2021.09.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2021.09.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. d3 Bc5 5. c3 d6 6. O-O h6 7. Re1 O-O 8. Nbd2 Bb6 9. Bb3 a5 ({RR} 9... Ne7 10. Nc4 Ng6 11. d4 Be6 12. h3 exd4 13. Nxd4 Bxc4 14. Bxc4 Re8 15. Bd3 d5 16. exd5 Rxe1+ 17. Qxe1 Bxd4 18. cxd4 Qxd5 19. Be3 c6 20. Qb4 Nh4 21. Bf1 Qd7 22. d5 Nf5 23. dxc6 bxc6 24. Bc5 {Firouzja,A (2762)-Le Tuan Minh (2598) chess.com INT 2025 1-0 (42)}) 10. Nf1 Be6 11. Bc2 d5 12. Qe2 $146 ({RR} 12. exd5 Qxd5 13. Bb3 Qd6 14. Bxe6 Qxe6 15. d4 Rad8 16. Qc2 Nd7 17. Bf4 f6 18. a3 Qg4 19. Be3 exd4 20. cxd4 Rfe8 21. Rad1 Ne7 22. d5 Kh8 23. d6 cxd6 24. Rxd6 Nc8 25. Rd2 Qh5 26. Red1 Ne5 {Aronian,L (2781)-So,W (2770) Paris 2021 1-0}) 12... a4 13. exd5 Bxd5 14. Be3 Re8 15. Bxb6 cxb6 16. Ne3 Be6 17. a3 b5 18. Rad1 Nd5 19. d4 Nxe3 20. Qxe3 exd4 21. Qd3 g6 22. Qxb5 Bg4 23. Rxe8+ Qxe8 24. Re1 Qc8 25. Nd2 dxc3 26. Ne4 Bf5 27. bxc3 Qc7 28. Nf6+ Kf8 29. Bxf5 Ra5 30. Qb2 Rxf5 31. c4 Ne5 32. Nd5 Qxc4 33. Ne3 Qe4 34. Qc3 Rg5 35. Kh1 Kg8 36. Rd1 Nc6 37. h3 Re5 38. Ng4 Qe2 39. Rb1 Rb5 40. Re1 Rb3 41. Qc1 Qb2 42. Qxh6 Ne7 43. Rxe7 1-0

[Event "San Fermin Masters Final"]
[Site "chess24.com INT"]
[Date "2021.07.11"]
[Round "2.3"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "So, Wesley"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C88"]
[WhiteElo "2847"]
[BlackElo "2772"]
[PlyCount "57"]
[EventDate "2021.07.10"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "3"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 203 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2021.09.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2021.09.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 {Marin,Mihail} e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. a4 b4 9. d3 d6 10. Nbd2 Be6 ({RR} 10... Na5) 11. Nc4 ({RR} 11. Bxe6 fxe6 12. Nf1 ({RR} 12. Nc4 Nd7 13. Bd2 Rb8 14. h3 Qe8) 12... Qd7 13. Ng3 Na5 ({RR} 13... Rab8 14. c3 bxc3 15. bxc3 Na5) 14. d4 exd4 15. Qxd4 c5 16. Qd3 Nc6 17. c3 bxc3 18. bxc3 Kh8 ({RR} 18... Ng4 19. e5 d5 20. h3 Nxf2 21. Kxf2 Bh4) 19. h3 Qc7 ({RR} 19... d5) 20. Ng5 Ne5 21. Qe2 Qc8 22. f4 Nf7 23. Nf3 Rb8 24. c4 Qb7 25. Bd2 Qb2 {Leko,P (2751)-Grischuk,A (2726) Mexico City 2007 CBM 120 [Marin,Mihail] 1-0 (60)}) ({RR} 11. Bc4 Nd7 12. a5 Bf6 13. Nb3 Ne7 14. Bxe6 fxe6 15. d4 Ng6 16. Qe2 Kh8 17. Qc4 exd4 18. Nbxd4 Bxd4 19. Nxd4 Qh4 20. g3 Qf6 21. f4 c5 22. Nf3 Nde5) ({RR} 11. c3 Rb8 ({RR} 11... Qd7) 12. Bxe6 fxe6 13. d4 bxc3 14. bxc3 Nd7 15. Qe2 exd4 ({RR} 15... Qc8 16. Qc4) 16. Nxd4 ({RR} 16. cxd4 Nb4 17. Rb1 c5) 16... Nxd4 17. cxd4) 11... Rb8 ({RR} 11... Nd7 12. Be3 Bf6 ({RR} 12... a5 13. c3 bxc3 14. bxc3 d5 15. exd5 Bxd5 16. Rb1 Re8 17. Ba2 f6 18. Rb5 Bf7 19. Qc2 Nf8 20. d4) 13. c3 ({RR} 13. d4 exd4 14. Nxd4 Nxd4 15. Bxd4 Re8) 13... Rb8 ({RR} 13... bxc3 14. bxc3 Rb8 15. Rb1 Qe7) 14. d4 exd4 ({RR} 14... bxc3 15. d5) 15. cxd4 d5 16. Ncd2 dxe4 17. Nxe4) ({RR} 11... Qd7 12. a5 Ne8 13. Ba4 f5 14. Nfxe5 dxe5 15. Nxe5 Qd6 16. Nxc6 Bh4 17. e5 Qd5 18. d4 f4 19. Nxb4 Qxa5 20. Bd2 f3 21. Bxe8 Qb6 22. Bc6 Bg3 23. hxg3 {1-0 (23) Estrada Nieto,J (2184)-Calvo Gonzalez,J (2198) chess.com INT 2025}) 12. a5 ({RR} 12. h3 Nd7 13. Be3 Bf6 14. d4 exd4 15. Nxd4 Bxd4 16. Bxd4 Nxd4 17. Qxd4 Nc5 18. Re3 f6) ({RR} 12. Be3 Ng4 13. Bd2 Bh4 14. Rf1 Be7 15. Rc1 Nf6) ({RR} 12. c3 Nd7 13. d4) 12... Na7 $146 ({RR} 12... Qc8 13. h3 h6 14. Be3 Nh7 15. Qd2 Kh8 16. d4 exd4 17. Nxd4 Nxd4 18. Bxd4 Bf6 19. Ne3 Bxd4 20. Qxd4 Bxh3 21. Ra4 Rb5 22. Bc4 Ng5 23. Qd1 Bxg2 24. Nxg2 Nh3+ 25. Kf1 f5 26. e5 Rxe5 27. Rxe5 {Roganovic,M (2517)-Marjanusic,V (2276) Palic 2014 1-0 (36)}) 13. d4 Nxe4 14. Rxe4 d5 15. Rxe5 dxc4 16. Rxe6 cxb3 17. Rxa6 Nb5 18. cxb3 Qd5 19. Qc2 c5 20. dxc5 Bxc5 21. Be3 Bxe3 22. fxe3 Rfc8 23. Rb6 Ra8 24. Rd1 Rxc2 25. Rxd5 Nc7 26. Rd7 h6 27. Nd4 Rc1+ 28. Kf2 Rxa5 29. Rc6 1-0

[Event "San Fermin Masters Final"]
[Site "chess24.com INT"]
[Date "2021.07.11"]
[Round "2.4"]
[White "So, Wesley"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B12"]
[WhiteElo "2772"]
[BlackElo "2847"]
[PlyCount "113"]
[EventDate "2021.07.10"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "3"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 203 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2021.09.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2021.09.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. e5 Bf5 4. Nf3 e6 5. Be2 Ne7 6. O-O h6 7. Nbd2 Nd7 8. Nb3 a5 9. a4 Qb6 10. Bd2 ({RR} 10. c3 Bg4 11. Be3 Nf5 12. Bd2 Bh5 13. h3 Bg6 14. g4 Ne7 15. Nh4 Be4 16. f3 Bh7 17. f4 Be4 18. f5 c5 19. Bb5 Nc6 20. Be3 Be7 21. Ng2 c4 22. Nd2 Bd3 23. Rf3 Bg5 24. Ne1 Be4 {Andreev,K (2208)-Cupid,K (2189) chess.com INT 2025 1-0 (51)}) 10... Bh7 11. Rc1 $146 ({RR} 11. h3 Ng6 12. Qe1 Bb4 13. Bxb4 Qxb4 14. Qxb4 axb4 15. Bd3 c5 16. Nxc5 Nxc5 17. dxc5 Ra5 18. Bb5+ Ke7 19. Rfe1 Rc8 20. c3 bxc3 21. b4 Raa8 22. Rac1 Nf4 23. Rxc3 Be4 24. a5 f6 25. h4 g5 {So,W (2770)-Carlsen,M (2862) chess24.com INT 2020 1-0 (44)}) 11... Nf5 12. Bd3 Bb4 13. Bxb4 Qxb4 14. c3 Qe7 15. Qc2 Bg6 16. g3 O-O 17. Rfe1 c5 18. dxc5 Nxc5 19. Nxc5 Qxc5 20. Qe2 Ne7 21. Bxg6 Nxg6 22. Nd4 Ne7 23. Qb5 Rfc8 24. Qxc5 Rxc5 25. Rc2 Nc6 26. Nb5 d4 27. f4 dxc3 28. Rd1 Nb4 29. Rxc3 Rxc3 30. Nxc3 Rc8 31. Rd7 b6 32. Rd6 Rc6 33. Rxc6 Nxc6 34. Kf2 Kf8 35. Ke3 Ke7 36. Kd3 Kd7 37. Kc4 Ne7 38. Kb5 Kc7 39. Ka6 Kc6 40. Nb5 Nd5 41. Nd6 f6 42. Ne8 fxe5 43. fxe5 g5 44. Ng7 Nb4+ 45. Ka7 Nd3 46. Nxe6 Nxe5 47. Ka6 Nf3 48. h3 h5 49. b3 h4 50. g4 Kd6 51. Ng7 Kc5 52. Ne6+ Kc6 53. Ka7 Kd6 54. Ng7 Kc6 55. Ne6 Kd6 56. Ng7 Kc6 57. Ne6 1/2-1/2

[Event "San Fermin Masters Final"]
[Site "chess24.com INT"]
[Date "2021.07.11"]
[Round "2.5"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "So, Wesley"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C67"]
[WhiteElo "2847"]
[BlackElo "2772"]
[PlyCount "33"]
[EventDate "2021.07.10"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "3"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 203 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2021.09.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2021.09.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. Re1 Nd6 6. Nxe5 Be7 7. Bf1 Nf5 8. c3 Nxe5 9. Rxe5 d6 10. Re1 d5 11. d4 O-O 12. Bf4 Bd6 13. Qf3 Nh4 14. Qg3 Nf5 15. Qf3 Nh4 16. Qg3 Nf5 17. Qf3 1/2-1/2

[Event "San Fermin Masters Final"]
[Site "chess24.com INT"]
[Date "2021.07.11"]
[Round "2.6"]
[White "So, Wesley"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C54"]
[WhiteElo "2772"]
[BlackElo "2847"]
[PlyCount "96"]
[EventDate "2021.07.10"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "3"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 203 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2021.09.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2021.09.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. c3 Nf6 5. d4 exd4 6. e5 d5 7. Bb5 Ne4 8. cxd4 Bb6 9. Nc3 O-O 10. Be3 Bg4 11. h3 Bh5 12. Qc2 Nxc3 13. bxc3 f6 14. exf6 Qxf6 15. Be2 Na5 16. O-O Bxf3 17. Bxf3 c6 18. Rae1 Nc4 19. Bc1 Qg6 20. Qxg6 hxg6 21. Re7 Rf7 22. Re2 Ba5 23. Rc2 Re8 24. Be2 $146 ({RR} 24. Bg4 b5 25. g3 Bb6 26. Rd1 a5 27. Kg2 Rb7 28. Be2 Rbe7 29. Bd3 Kf7 30. h4 Bd8 31. Kf1 Rb7 32. Be2 Bf6 33. Rd3 Nd6 34. Rf3 Kg8 35. Bd3 Ne4 36. Kg2 Rbe7 37. Rf4 g5 38. Rg4 gxh4 {Liang,J (2409)-Guo,A (2432) New York 2022 ½-½ (62)}) 24... Rfe7 25. Bd3 Kf7 26. g3 b5 27. h4 Re1 28. Kg2 Bc7 29. a4 a5 30. Bg5 Rxf1 31. Kxf1 bxa4 32. Bxc4 dxc4 33. Ra2 Ke6 34. Rxa4 Kd5 35. Ra2 Ra8 36. Be7 a4 37. Bb4 Bd6 38. Bxd6 Kxd6 39. Ke2 c5 40. Ke3 a3 41. g4 Kd5 42. dxc5 Kxc5 43. Ra1 Kb5 44. Rb1+ Ka4 45. Rb4+ Ka5 46. Rb1 Ka4 47. Rb4+ Ka5 48. Rb1 Ka4 1/2-1/2

[Event "San Fermin Masters Final"]
[Site "chess24.com INT"]
[Date "2021.07.11"]
[Round "3.1"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C54"]
[WhiteElo "2847"]
[BlackElo "2782"]
[PlyCount "115"]
[EventDate "2021.07.10"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "3"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 203 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2021.09.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2021.09.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 {Sagar,Shah} e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. c3 Nf6 5. d3 d6 6. O-O O-O 7. Re1 a5 8. Nbd2 Ng4 ({RR} 8... Be6 9. Bb5 Qb8 10. Nf1 Qa7 11. Be3 Bxe3 12. Nxe3 Ne7 13. a4 Ng6 ({RR} 13... c6 14. Bc4 d5 15. exd5 cxd5 16. Bb5) 14. Bc4 Bxc4 15. Nxc4 Qa6 16. g3 Rfe8 17. Qb3 Nf8 18. Qb5 Qxb5 19. axb5 b6 20. Ra3 Ne6 21. Ne3 Nc5 22. c4 a4 ({RR} 22... Z0 23. Rea1 Rac8 24. Ne1) 23. Rea1 {So,W (2810)-Ding,L (2777) Tbilisi 2017 CBM 181 [Sagar,Shah] ½-½ (47)}) ({RR} 8... Be6 9. Bb5 Qb8 10. Nf1 Qa7 11. d4 exd4 12. Bxc6 dxc3 13. Ba4 Bxf2+ 14. Kh1 Bxe1 15. Qxe1 Ng4 16. h3 Nf2+ 17. Kh2 cxb2 18. Bxb2 Nd3 19. Qc3 Nxb2 20. Qxb2 Qc5 21. a3 d5 22. Rc1 Qe7 23. e5 {Svidler,P (2714)-Aronian,L (2781) chess24.com INT 2021 1-0 (52)}) 9. Re2 Kh8 10. h3 f5 ({RR} 10... Nh6 11. Nf1 f5 12. Bg5 Qd7 13. d4 exd4 14. Bxh6 gxh6 15. cxd4 fxe4 16. Rxe4 d5 17. Re3 Bb6 18. Bb5 Qg7 19. Bxc6 bxc6 20. Ne5 c5 21. Rg3 Qe7 22. Qh5 cxd4 23. Qxh6 Bf5 24. Re1 Qf6 25. Qh5 {Drygalov,A (2431)-Zverev,L (2453) Sochi RUS 2025 1-0 (78)}) 11. d4 $146 ({RR} 11. Bb5 Nf6 12. Bxc6 bxc6 13. d4 exd4 14. Nxd4 Bxd4 15. cxd4 a4 16. e5 Nd5 17. Nf3 f4 18. Qc2 Ba6 19. Re1 Bb5 20. Bd2 g6 21. exd6 cxd6 22. Re6 Qd7 23. Rae1 Rae8 24. Ng5 Rxe6 25. Rxe6 Nc7 {Vignesh,N (2436)-Lobanov,S (2507) Moscow 2020 1-0 (56)}) 11... exd4 12. cxd4 Nxd4 13. Nxd4 Nxf2 14. Rxf2 Bxd4 15. e5 dxe5 16. Qe2 e4 17. Nf1 f4 18. Qxe4 Bxf2+ 19. Kxf2 Bf5 20. Qe5 Qh4+ 21. Kg1 Rae8 22. Qc3 f3 23. Be3 fxg2 24. Nh2 Re4 25. Bd5 Bxh3 26. Bxe4 Qxe4 27. Bf2 Qe2 28. Qc5 Rf7 29. Qe3 Qxe3 30. Bxe3 h6 31. Re1 Kh7 32. Bf2 g5 33. Re4 h5 34. Re5 Kg6 35. Rxa5 g4 36. Re5 h4 37. Nxg4 Bxg4 38. Bxh4 Bf3 39. Re6+ Kh5 40. Rf6 Rxf6 41. Bxf6 Kg4 42. Be5 c6 43. a3 Kf5 44. Bc3 Ke4 45. Bd2 Kd3 46. Bc3 Bd5 47. Be5 Kc2 48. Bc3 Kb3 49. Be5 c5 50. Bc3 b5 51. Be5 Kc2 52. Bd6 Kxb2 53. Bxc5 Kb3 54. Bb4 Ka4 55. Kf2 Kb3 56. Kg1 Ka4 57. Kf2 Kb3 58. Kg1 1/2-1/2

[Event "San Fermin Masters Final"]
[Site "chess24.com INT"]
[Date "2021.07.11"]
[Round "3.2"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B50"]
[WhiteElo "2782"]
[BlackElo "2847"]
[PlyCount "100"]
[EventDate "2021.07.10"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "3"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 203 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2021.09.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2021.09.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. c3 Nf6 4. Be2 g6 5. O-O Bg7 6. d3 O-O 7. Be3 Nc6 8. Nbd2 e5 ({RR} 8... Bg4 9. h3 Bxf3 10. Bxf3 Nd7 11. g3 b5 12. Bg2 Qc7 13. f4 a5 14. Nf3 b4 15. Rc1 bxc3 16. bxc3 Rab8 17. g4 Rb2 18. Rf2 Rfb8 19. d4 Rxf2 20. Bxf2 Rb2 21. d5 Na7 22. Qa4 Qb7 23. Qxa5 {Garcia Garcia,A (2140)-Gunnarsson,J (2444) chess.com INT 2025 0-1 (47)}) 9. a3 a5 ({RR} 9... h6 10. h3 Be6 11. b4 b6 12. b5 Na5 13. c4 Nh7 14. g4 f5 15. gxf5 gxf5 16. exf5 Bxf5 17. Kh2 d5 18. Rg1 e4 19. dxe4 dxe4 20. Ne5 Ng5 21. Ng4 Kh7 22. Rb1 Qd6+ 23. Kg2 Rad8 24. Qf1 {Aronian,L (2785)-Matlakov,M (2674) Chess.com INT 2022 0-1 (63)}) 10. d4 exd4 $146 ({RR} 10... cxd4 11. cxd4 d5 12. Nxe5 Nxe4 13. Nxc6 bxc6 14. Rc1 Rb8 15. Nxe4 dxe4 16. Rxc6 Rxb2 17. Bc4 Bd7 18. Rc5 Qb6 19. Bd5 Bf5 20. Qa4 Rb1 21. Qxa5 Rxf1+ 22. Kxf1 Qb1+ 23. Qe1 Qd3+ 24. Qe2 Qxa3 25. g4 {Aronian,L (2781)-Nepomniachtchi,I (2784) Chess.com INT 2020 1-0 (40)}) 11. cxd4 cxd4 12. Nxd4 Re8 13. Rc1 Nxd4 14. Bxd4 Nxe4 15. Nc4 Be6 16. Nb6 Bxd4 17. Qxd4 Nc5 18. Nxa8 Nb3 19. Qb6 Nxc1 20. Rxc1 Qxa8 21. Qxd6 Qd8 22. Qf4 Bb3 23. Bf3 b6 24. h4 h5 25. g3 Qe7 26. Kg2 Qe5 27. Qd2 Kg7 28. Rc6 Re6 29. Qc3 Qxc3 30. Rxc3 a4 31. Kf1 b5 32. Be2 Re5 33. f4 Rd5 34. Ke1 Kf6 35. Rc7 Ke6 36. Rc6+ Kf5 37. Rc3 Rd4 38. Bxb5 Rd1+ 39. Ke2 Rh1 40. Kf3 Rh2 41. Rc5+ Kf6 42. Rc7 Rxb2 43. Ke3 Ra2 44. Rc3 Ra1 45. Kf2 Rxa3 46. Ke3 Ra1 47. Bc4 Bxc4 48. Rxc4 a3 49. Ra4 a2 50. Kf2 Rh1 0-1

[Event "San Fermin Masters Final"]
[Site "chess24.com INT"]
[Date "2021.07.11"]
[Round "3.4"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B12"]
[WhiteElo "2782"]
[BlackElo "2847"]
[PlyCount "128"]
[EventDate "2021.07.10"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "3"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 203 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2021.09.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2021.09.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. e5 Bf5 4. h4 Qc8 5. h5 h6 6. Bd3 ({RR} 6. Nc3 e6 7. g4 Bh7 8. Bd3 Bxd3 9. Qxd3 c5 10. Nce2 Nc6 11. Nf3 cxd4 12. Nexd4 Bc5 13. Be3 Bxd4 14. Bxd4 Nge7 15. c3 b6 16. O-O g6 17. hxg6 Nxg6 18. Qe3 h5 19. gxh5 Rxh5 20. Kg2 Kd7 {Zhauynbay Aldiyar (2109)-Rasulov,V (2505) chess.com INT 2025 0-1 (38)}) 6... Bxd3 7. Qxd3 e6 8. Nd2 $146 ({RR} 8. f4 c5 9. c3 cxd4 10. cxd4 Qxc1+ 11. Kf2 Qxb2+ 12. Nd2 {0-1 (12) Tsotsonava,E (1887)-Ozen,B (2369) Chess.com INT 2021}) 8... c5 9. c3 Ne7 10. Ne2 b6 11. Nf3 Qa6 12. Qd1 Nbc6 13. O-O Nf5 14. g4 Nfe7 15. Nf4 O-O-O 16. Be3 g5 17. hxg6 Nxg6 18. Nh5 Be7 19. a3 c4 20. Kh1 Kb8 21. Qc2 Qc8 22. Rg1 Rdf8 23. Raf1 Kb7 24. Nh2 Nh4 25. f4 f5 26. Bf2 Rhg8 27. Bxh4 Bxh4 28. gxf5 Rxf5 29. Rg7+ Ka6 30. Qa4+ Na5 31. Qd1 Rgf8 32. Qg4 Qe8 33. Rg6 Bg5 34. Rg7 Qb5 35. Qe2 Bxf4 36. Nf6 Bg5 37. Rxf5 exf5 38. Nd7 Re8 39. e6 Qc6 40. Nf3 Qxe6 41. Nfe5 Bf4 42. Qh5 Bxe5 43. Nxe5 f4 44. Rg6 Qe7 45. Rxh6 Rg8 46. Rh7 Qe6 47. Qf7 Qxf7 48. Rxf7 Kb5 49. Rxf4 Ka4 50. Rf2 Kb3 51. Nd7 Nb7 52. Nf6 Rg5 53. Kh2 Nd6 54. Kh3 Rf5 55. Rxf5 Nxf5 56. Nxd5 Kxb2 57. Kg4 Nd6 58. a4 a5 59. Kf4 b5 60. axb5 Nxb5 61. Ke5 a4 62. Nb6 Kb3 63. Nxa4 Kxa4 64. d5 Kb3 0-1

[Event "San Fermin Masters Final"]
[Site "chess24.com INT"]
[Date "2021.07.11"]
[Round "3.5"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C47"]
[WhiteElo "2847"]
[BlackElo "2782"]
[PlyCount "59"]
[EventDate "2021.07.10"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "3"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 203 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2021.09.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2021.09.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. d4 exd4 5. Nxd4 Bc5 6. Be3 Bb6 7. Nf5 O-O 8. Bxb6 axb6 9. Ne3 Re8 10. Bd3 d6 11. O-O Nd7 $146 ({RR} 11... Ne5 12. Re1 Nfg4 13. Nxg4 Nxg4 14. f3 Ne5 15. Bf1 Ng6 16. Qd2 Ra5 17. f4 Rh5 18. g3 Bd7 19. Be2 Rh6 20. Rad1 Bc6 21. Bf3 Qc8 22. Bg2 Nf8 23. b4 b5 24. Qf2 Qa8 25. Rb1 Nd7 26. a4 {Rosandic,D (2222)-Smetisko,M (1802) Zagreb 2016 1-0 (41)}) 12. f4 Nc5 13. Qh5 Ra5 14. f5 Ne5 15. b4 Ra3 16. Nb5 Ncxd3 17. Nxa3 Nxb4 18. f6 Re6 19. c3 Nbd3 20. Nd5 c6 21. Ne7+ Rxe7 22. fxe7 Qxe7 23. Qe2 Qg5 24. Nc4 Nf4 25. Rxf4 Qxf4 26. Nxd6 Ng4 27. g3 Qxd6 28. Rd1 Qc5+ 29. Kg2 Qf8 30. Qd2 0-1

[Event "San Fermin Masters Final"]
[Site "chess24.com INT"]
[Date "2021.07.11"]
[Round "3.6"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C67"]
[WhiteElo "2782"]
[BlackElo "2847"]
[PlyCount "103"]
[EventDate "2021.07.10"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "3"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 203 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2021.09.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2021.09.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. d4 Nd6 6. Bxc6 dxc6 7. dxe5 Nf5 8. Qxd8+ Kxd8 9. Rd1+ Ke8 10. Nc3 h5 11. Bg5 ({RR} 11. Bf4 Be6 12. Ng5 Rh6 13. b3 Be7 14. Nxe6 Rxe6 15. h3 Rd8 16. Rxd8+ Kxd8 17. Rd1+ Kc8 18. Kf1 b6 19. Ne2 Bc5 20. Rd3 g6 21. g4 hxg4 22. hxg4 Ne7 23. c4 f6 24. exf6 Rxf6 25. Bg3 Bd6 {Kamsky,G (2610)-Bravo De La Vega,A (2128) chess.com INT 2024 1-0 (44)}) 11... Be6 ({RR} 11... Be7 12. Ne2 Bd7 13. Nf4 Rd8 14. Bxe7 Kxe7 15. Ng5 Rh6 16. g3 Rf8 17. Rd3 Bc8 18. Re1 Re8 19. f3 Kf8 20. Kf2 a6 21. h3 Ne7 22. g4 hxg4 23. hxg4 Ng6 24. Nxg6+ Rxg6 25. Nh3 Rh6 26. Nf4 {Karjakin,S (2762)-Radjabov,T (2738) Berlin 2015 0-1 (68)}) 12. Ne2 $146 ({RR} 12. Rd2 Be7 13. Re1 Rd8 14. Rxd8+ Kxd8 15. Rd1+ Kc8 16. Bxe7 Nxe7 17. Ng5 Nd5 18. Nxe6 Nxc3 19. bxc3 fxe6 20. f4 Rg8 21. h4 Rd8 22. Rxd8+ Kxd8 23. Kf2 Ke7 24. g4 g6 25. Kf3 b5 26. gxh5 gxh5 {Kobalia,M (2594)-Visakh,N (2516) Chess.com INT 2021 1-0 (68)}) 12... Bd5 13. Nfd4 Nxd4 14. Rxd4 Bc5 15. Rd2 Be7 16. Bxe7 Kxe7 17. Nf4 Rad8 18. h4 Be4 19. Rad1 Rxd2 20. Rxd2 g6 21. f3 Bf5 22. Kf2 a5 23. Ke3 f6 24. exf6+ Kxf6 25. Ne2 g5 26. hxg5+ Kxg5 27. Ng3 Re8+ 28. Kf2 Bg6 29. c3 h4 30. Nf1 Bf5 31. a3 a4 32. Ne3 Be6 33. Rd4 b5 34. Re4 Bf7 35. f4+ Kf6 36. Rxe8 Bxe8 37. Kf3 Bh5+ 38. Ke4 Bf7 39. f5 Kg5 40. Ke5 c5 41. f6 c6 42. Nf5 Bd5 43. Ne7 Bc4 44. Nxc6 Kg4 45. Kd6 Kg3 46. Ne5 Bg8 47. Ng6 Bf7 48. Ne5 Bg8 49. Ng6 Bf7 50. Nxh4 Kxh4 51. Ke7 Bc4 52. f7 1-0

[Event "San Fermin Masters Final"]
[Site "chess24.com INT"]
[Date "2021.07.11"]
[Round "3.8"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B90"]
[WhiteElo "2782"]
[BlackElo "2847"]
[PlyCount "68"]
[EventDate "2021.07.10"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "3"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 203 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2021.09.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2021.09.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Bc4 b5 7. Bd5 Ra7 ({RR} 7... Nxd5 8. exd5 Bb7 9. a3 g6 10. Be3 Bg7 11. Qd2 Nd7 12. Bh6 Bxh6 13. Qxh6 Nf6 14. O-O-O Rc8 15. Rd3 Qc7 16. Re1 Nxd5 17. Qg7 Rf8 18. Ne4 Kd7 19. Ng5 Qc4 20. Nxh7 Rfe8 21. Kd2 Kc7 22. Ng5 {Bauer,C (2562)-Kempinski,R (2498) Germany 2000 0-1 (32)}) ({RR} 7... Nxd5 8. exd5 Bb7 9. O-O b4 10. Ne4 Bxd5 11. Re1 e6 12. Ng5 Nd7 13. Ndxe6 Bxe6 14. Nxe6 fxe6 15. Rxe6+ Be7 16. Bg5 Nf6 17. Qd4 O-O 18. Rae1 Qa5 19. Bh4 Bd8 20. Qxd6 Bc7 21. Qd4 Qh5 22. h3 {Lares Jordan,M (1617)-Lopez,R (1837) Medellin COL 2024 1-0 (32)}) 8. a4 $146 ({RR} 8. Be3 Rc7 9. a4 e6 10. Bb3 b4 11. Na2 Nxe4 12. Nxb4 d5 13. Nd3 Bd6 14. Qe2 O-O 15. O-O Nd7 16. c3 Rb7 17. Bc2 Nb6 18. Nb4 f5 19. a5 Nc4 20. Bxe4 fxe4 21. Ndc6 Qh4 22. g3 Qh3 {Eberth,Z (2175)-Deak,S (2311) Hungary 2008 0-1 (39)}) 8... b4 9. Na2 e6 10. Bc6+ Bd7 11. Nxb4 d5 12. c3 Bxb4 13. Bxd7+ Rxd7 14. e5 Bc5 15. exf6 Qxf6 16. Be3 e5 17. Nf3 Bxe3 18. fxe3 e4 19. Nd4 Rb7 20. Qe2 Nd7 21. Rf1 Qh4+ 22. g3 Qd8 23. Nf5 O-O 24. O-O-O Ne5 25. Qxa6 Qb8 26. Rf2 Ra7 27. Qb5 Nd3+ 28. Rxd3 exd3 29. Rf4 g6 30. Nh6+ Kg7 31. Ng4 f5 32. Qc5 fxg4 33. Rxf8 Qxf8 34. Qxa7+ Kh6 0-1

[Event "FIDE World Cup"]
[Site "Krasnaya Polyana"]
[Date "2021.07.16"]
[Round "2.2"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Martinovic, Sasa"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B76"]
[WhiteElo "2847"]
[BlackElo "2548"]
[PlyCount "153"]
[EventDate "2021.07.12"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "8"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 203"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2021.08.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2021.08.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 Nc6 6. Nb3 g6 7. Be3 Bg7 8. Qd2 O-O 9. f3 Be6 10. O-O-O Rc8 11. Kb1 Ne5 12. Be2 ({RR} 12. h4 h5 13. Be2 a6 14. Bd4 Qc7 15. g4 hxg4 16. f4 Nc6 17. Bxf6 Bxf6 18. Nd5 Bxd5 19. exd5 Nd4 20. Bxg4 Nxb3 21. axb3 a5 22. h5 a4 23. hxg6 axb3 24. cxb3 Ra8 25. Qh2 {1-0 (25) Carlsen,M (2853)-Shevchenko,K (2684) Warsaw POL 2023}) 12... Bc4 13. Bd4 $146 ({RR} 13. g4 Bxe2 14. Qxe2 Nc4 15. Bc1 Qb6 16. h4 h6 17. g5 Nh5 18. Nd5 Qd8 19. gxh6 Bf6 20. Nxf6+ exf6 21. Rhg1 Qe7 22. Rd5 Kh7 23. f4 f5 24. Rd4 b5 25. Qd3 fxe4 26. Rxe4 Qf6 27. f5 Ne5 {Radeva,V (2297)-Dicen,E (2129) Rhodes GRE 2025 1-0 (63)}) 13... Bxe2 14. Qxe2 Nc6 15. Bxf6 Bxf6 16. Nd5 Bg7 17. h4 e6 18. Ne3 Qe7 19. h5 d5 20. exd5 exd5 21. Qd2 d4 22. Ng4 Rfd8 23. hxg6 hxg6 24. f4 Nb4 25. Rde1 Qd6 26. Rc1 Nd5 27. f5 Ne3 28. Nxe3 dxe3 29. Qxd6 Rxd6 30. Rce1 Re8 31. fxg6 Rxg6 32. Re2 Rg3 33. c3 Re4 34. Nd2 Reg4 35. Nf1 Rxg2 36. Rxg2 Rxg2 37. Nxe3 Re2 38. Nf5 Rf2 39. Rh5 Bf8 40. a4 f6 41. a5 Re2 42. Nd4 Re5 43. Rxe5 fxe5 44. Nf3 Bd6 45. Kc2 Kf7 46. Kd3 Ke6 47. Ke4 a6 48. Ne1 Bc7 49. Nd3 Bd6 50. b3 Be7 51. b4 Bd6 52. c4 Bf8 53. c5 Bh6 54. b5 axb5 55. c6 Kd6 56. cxb7 Kc7 57. a6 Bf8 58. Nxe5 Bd6 59. Nd7 Kc6 60. Kd4 Bc7 61. Kd3 Bd6 62. Ke4 Bc7 63. Kf5 Bg3 64. Ne5+ Kc7 65. Ke4 b4 66. Nd7 Kc6 67. Kd3 Bc7 68. Kc4 Bd6 69. Kb3 Bc7 70. Kxb4 Bd6+ 71. Kc4 Bc7 72. Kd3 Bd6 73. Ke4 Bc7 74. Kf5 Bd6 75. Ne5+ Kc7 76. Ke6 Bc5 77. Nc6 1-0

[Event "FIDE World Cup"]
[Site "Krasnaya Polyana"]
[Date "2021.07.19"]
[Round "3.2"]
[White "Tari, Aryan"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B46"]
[WhiteElo "2639"]
[BlackElo "2847"]
[PlyCount "149"]
[EventDate "2021.07.12"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "8"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 203"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2021.08.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2021.08.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nc6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Bf4 d6 7. Nxc6 bxc6 8. Qd2 e5 9. Bg5 Nf6 10. O-O-O h6 11. Bh4 Be6 12. Be2 a5 $146 ({RR} 12... Qa5 13. Bxf6 gxf6 14. b3 Rd8 15. Na4 Qxd2+ 16. Rxd2 a5 17. Bf3 d5 18. Rhd1 Ba3+ 19. Kb1 d4 20. c3 c5 21. Be2 O-O 22. Nb6 Rb8 23. Nc4 dxc3 24. Rc2 Bb4 25. a3 Bxa3 26. Nxa3 Bxb3 27. Re1 {Ganguly,S (2652)-Rublevsky,S (2702) Berlin 2015 0-1 (55)}) 13. Kb1 Rb8 14. Ka1 Qb6 15. b3 Qb4 16. f3 Be7 17. Na4 O-O 18. Bxf6 Qxd2 19. Rxd2 gxf6 20. g4 d5 21. Rhd1 h5 22. h3 hxg4 23. hxg4 Kg7 24. Kb2 dxe4 25. fxe4 Rh8 26. Rd3 Rh2 27. Bf3 Rf2 28. R1d2 Rxd2 29. Rxd2 Kg6 30. Rh2 Kg5 31. Nc3 Rd8 32. Ne2 a4 33. Kc3 Rb8 34. Kb2 a3+ 35. Kc1 Rd8 36. Rh5+ Kg6 37. Ng3 Bb4 38. Nf5 Bd2+ 39. Kb1 Bc3 40. Ne7+ Kg7 41. Rh2 Rd7 42. Nf5+ Bxf5 43. gxf5 Rd4 44. Kc1 Kf8 45. Kb1 Ke7 46. Rg2 Rd8 47. Kc1 c5 48. Be2 Bb2+ 49. Kb1 Rh8 50. Rg1 Rh4 51. Bd3 Kd6 52. Rd1 Kc7 53. Re1 Kb6 54. Rd1 Rg4 55. Re1 Ka5 56. Rd1 Kb4 57. Re1 Rf4 58. Rh1 Rg4 59. Re1 Rh4 60. Rg1 Bd4 61. Rf1 Be3 62. Rd1 Bd2 63. Rf1 Kc3 64. Rf3 Kd4 65. Rf1 c4 66. Bxc4 Kxe4 67. Bxf7 Kd4 68. c3+ Kxc3 69. Rf3+ Kd4 70. Kc2 e4 71. Rf2 Bb4 72. Bc4 Rh1 73. Bf1 Rg1 74. Re2 Rxf1 75. Rxe4+ 0-1

[Event "FIDE World Cup"]
[Site "Krasnaya Polyana"]
[Date "2021.07.23"]
[Round "4.2"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Wojtaszek, Radoslaw"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B51"]
[WhiteElo "2847"]
[BlackElo "2691"]
[PlyCount "68"]
[EventDate "2021.07.12"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "8"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 203"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2021.08.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2021.08.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 {Vitiugov,Nikita} c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. Bb5+ ({RR} 3. d4 cxd4 4. Qxd4 Nf6 5. Be2 Nc6 6. Qe3 g6 7. O-O Bg7 8. h3 O-O 9. Rd1 Be6 10. Nc3 Rc8 11. a3 Qa5 12. Bd2 h6 13. Nb5 Qb6 14. Qxb6 axb6 15. Bd3 Nd7) 3... Nd7 4. d4 cxd4 5. Nxd4 Ngf6 6. O-O a6 7. Ba4 e6 8. c4 Be7 9. Nc3 ({RR} 9. Bc2 O-O 10. Re1 Qc7 11. b3 b6 12. Bb2 Bb7 13. Nc3 Rfe8 14. Re3 Bf8 15. Qf1 g6 16. Rd1 Rad8) 9... O-O 10. Qe2 Qc7 11. f4 ({RR} 11. Bb3 b6 12. Be3 Bb7 13. f3 Rac8 14. Rac1 Rfe8 15. Rfd1 Qb8 16. Ba4 Rc7 17. b4 Rec8 18. Bb3 b5) 11... Nb6 12. Bb3 e5 ({RR} 12... Bd7) 13. Nf5 Bxf5 14. exf5 Rfe8 15. g4 exf4 $146 ({RR} 15... d5 16. cxd5 Nfxd5 ({RR} 16... Bb4 17. g5 Bxc3 18. bxc3 Nfxd5 19. g6) 17. Bxd5 Nxd5 18. Nxd5 Qc5+ 19. Ne3 exf4 20. Rxf4 Bg5 21. Rf3 Rad8 22. Kf1 ({RR} 22. f6 g6 23. h4 Bxh4 24. Bd2) 22... Qd4 ({RR} 22... Qc6 23. h4 ({RR} 23. Bd2 Rxd2) 23... Bxh4 24. Rh3 Bg5 25. Bd2 Rxd2 26. Qxd2 Bxe3 27. Rxe3 Qh1+ 28. Kf2 Qh2+ 29. Kf3 Qh3+ 30. Kf4 Qh6+) 23. a4 Qe4 24. Ra3 Rc8 ({RR} 24... b5) 25. Rc3 Rxc3 26. bxc3 Qxa4 27. Kg2 Qe4 28. Qf2 a5 29. h4 Bf6 30. Qc2 {Svidler,P (2714)-Vitiugov,N (2724) Krasnaya Polyana 2021 CBM 203 [Vitiugov,Nikita] 1-0 (45)}) 16. Bxf4 Bf8 17. Qg2 Nxc4 18. g5 Nh5 19. Nd5 Qc5+ 20. Kh1 b5 21. g6 Rab8 22. Rad1 Nxf4 23. Rxf4 Re5 24. Rh4 Rxf5 25. Bc2 Qf2 26. gxf7+ Kxf7 27. Bxf5 Qxh4 28. Rf1 Kg8 29. Rf4 Qe1+ 30. Rf1 Qe5 31. Qh3 Qxd5+ 32. Rf3 Qd1+ 33. Rf1 Qd5+ 34. Rf3 Qd1+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "FIDE World Cup"]
[Site "Krasnaya Polyana"]
[Date "2021.07.26"]
[Round "5.2"]
[White "Esipenko, Andrey"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C54"]
[WhiteElo "2716"]
[BlackElo "2847"]
[PlyCount "71"]
[EventDate "2021.07.12"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "8"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 203"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2021.08.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2021.08.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. c3 Nf6 5. d3 d6 6. O-O h6 7. Re1 O-O 8. h3 Bb6 9. Nbd2 Ne7 10. a4 c6 11. d4 Ng6 12. Bf1 Re8 ({RR} 12... Bc7 13. b4 d5 14. exd5 exd4 15. c4 a5 16. dxc6 axb4 17. Bb2 bxc6 18. Nxd4 Bb7 19. g3 Ne5 20. N2b3 Nfd7 21. c5 Nf6 22. Qc2 Nd5 23. Bg2 Re8 24. Nf5 Nc3 25. Bxc3 bxc3 26. Qxc3 Ba6 27. f4 {Khubukshanov,E (2448)-Ivanov,O (2390) Moscow RUS 2025 1-0 (68)}) 13. dxe5 $146 ({RR} 13. Qc2 Be6 14. b4 a6 15. Bb2 Qc7 16. c4 Bxd4 17. Nxd4 exd4 18. Bxd4 Nd7 19. Qb2 f6 20. Be3 Rad8 21. Rac1 c5 22. b5 axb5 23. cxb5 b6 24. f4 Ne7 25. Nb3 Ra8 26. Ra1 d5 27. Bd2 d4 {Bansal,A (2255)-Tang,D (2148) Sunnyvale USA 2023 1-0 (50)}) ({RR} 13. Qc2 Bc7 14. dxe5 Nxe5 15. Nxe5 dxe5 16. Nc4 Be6 17. Rd1 Qe7 18. b3 Red8 19. Ba3 Qe8 20. Nd6 Bxd6 21. Bxd6 Bd5 22. exd5 Rxd6 23. dxc6 Qxc6 24. Bb5 Qe4 25. Bd3 Qc6 26. Bc4 Rad8 27. Rxd6 Qxd6 {Esipenko,A (2677)-Afanasiev,N (2533) Sochi RUS 2024 ½-½ (43)}) 13... Nxe5 14. Nxe5 dxe5 15. Qc2 Be6 16. Nc4 Bxc4 17. Bxc4 a5 18. Qe2 Qe7 19. Bd2 Rad8 20. Red1 Rd7 21. Be1 Rxd1 22. Rxd1 Rd8 23. Rb1 g6 24. Kh2 Kg7 25. Bb3 h5 26. Rd1 Rxd1 27. Bxd1 h4 28. Qd3 Qe6 29. b3 Qe7 30. Kg1 Nd7 31. Be2 Nc5 32. Qc2 Qf6 33. Bf3 Qd8 34. Be2 Qf6 35. Bf3 Qd8 36. Be2 1/2-1/2

[Event "FIDE World Cup"]
[Site "Krasnaya Polyana"]
[Date "2021.07.27"]
[Round "5.4"]
[White "Esipenko, Andrey"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C54"]
[WhiteElo "2716"]
[BlackElo "2847"]
[PlyCount "170"]
[EventDate "2021.07.12"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "8"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 203"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2021.08.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2021.08.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. c3 Nf6 5. d3 d6 6. h3 Bb6 7. Nbd2 Ne7 8. O-O O-O 9. Re1 c6 ({RR} 9... Ng6 10. Nf1 Nh5 11. Be3 Nhf4 12. Ng3 c6 13. d4 Qf6 14. Nh5 Qd8 15. Bxf4 exf4 16. Bb3 c5 17. Qd2 cxd4 18. Nxf4 dxc3 19. bxc3 Nxf4 20. Qxf4 Be6 21. Red1 Bc5 22. Nd4 Qe7 23. Rab1 Rac8 24. Rd3 {Vivaan Sardana (2008)-Priansh,D (2339) Guntur IND 2025 1-0 (48)}) 10. Bb3 Ng6 11. Nf1 d5 $146 ({RR} 11... h6 12. Ng3 d5 13. Be3 c5 14. Bc2 Re8 15. Qe2 Be6 16. Ba4 Re7 17. Nf5 Rc7 18. Rad1 Qf8 19. Bc2 c4 20. Nd2 cxd3 21. Bxd3 Rd7 22. Bxb6 Nf4 23. Qf3 Nxd3 24. Qxd3 axb6 25. Qg3 Kh7 26. Qxe5 {Knoppert,E (2400)-Mikhalevski,V (2495) Amsterdam 1995 1-0 (34)}) 12. Ng3 dxe4 13. dxe4 Qxd1 14. Rxd1 h6 15. Re1 Rd8 16. Be3 Bxe3 17. Rxe3 a5 18. a4 Kf8 19. Ree1 b6 20. Rad1 Ba6 21. Bc2 Bc4 22. Nf5 Be6 23. g3 Ne8 24. h4 f6 25. Rxd8 Rxd8 26. Ne3 Ne7 27. b4 Nd6 28. bxa5 bxa5 29. Rb1 Nc4 30. Nxc4 Bxc4 31. Rb7 g5 32. hxg5 hxg5 33. Rb1 Nc8 34. Rd1 Rxd1+ 35. Bxd1 Bd3 36. Nd2 Nd6 37. f3 g4 38. Nb3 Nb7 39. Nd2 gxf3 40. Kf2 Nc5 41. Kxf3 Ke7 42. Ke3 Kd6 43. Bb3 Kc7 44. Bd1 Ba6 45. Bc2 Bc8 46. Bd1 Be6 47. Bc2 Kd6 48. Ke2 Ke7 49. Kf3 Kf7 50. g4 Kg6 51. Kg3 Nb7 52. Nf3 Bc4 53. g5 Be2 54. Ng1 Bh5 55. gxf6 Kxf6 56. Nh3 Nc5 57. Nf2 Be2 58. Ng4+ Bxg4 59. Kxg4 Kg6 60. Kh4 Ne6 61. Kg4 Nf4 62. Bd1 Kf6 63. Kh4 Ng2+ 64. Kh5 Ne1 65. Be2 Ng2 66. Bd1 Nf4+ 67. Kh6 Nd3 68. Kh5 Nc1 69. Kh6 Na2 70. c4 Nc3 71. Bc2 Ne2 72. Kh5 Ng3+ 73. Kh4 Nf1 74. Kh5 Nd2 75. Bd3 Nb3 76. Bc2 Nc5 77. Kh6 Nd7 78. Kh5 Nc5 79. Kh6 Ne6 80. Kh5 Kg7 81. Bd1 Kf7 82. Bc2 Kf6 83. Bd1 Nf4+ 84. Kh6 Ne6 85. Kh5 Ng7+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "FIDE World Cup"]
[Site "Krasnaya Polyana"]
[Date "2021.07.27"]
[Round "5.6"]
[White "Esipenko, Andrey"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C54"]
[WhiteElo "2716"]
[BlackElo "2847"]
[PlyCount "127"]
[EventDate "2021.07.12"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "8"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 203"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2021.08.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2021.08.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. c3 Nf6 5. d3 d6 6. O-O h6 7. Re1 O-O 8. h3 Bb6 9. Nbd2 Ne7 10. a4 c6 11. d4 Ng6 12. Bf1 Re8 ({RR} 12... Bc7 13. b4 d5 14. exd5 exd4 15. c4 a5 16. dxc6 axb4 17. Bb2 bxc6 18. Nxd4 Bb7 19. g3 Ne5 20. N2b3 Nfd7 21. c5 Nf6 22. Qc2 Nd5 23. Bg2 Re8 24. Nf5 Nc3 25. Bxc3 bxc3 26. Qxc3 Ba6 27. f4 {Khubukshanov,E (2448)-Ivanov,O (2390) Moscow RUS 2025 1-0 (68)}) 13. Qc2 Bc7 14. b4 $146 ({RR} 14. dxe5 Nxe5 15. Nxe5 dxe5 16. Nc4 Be6 17. Rd1 Qe7 18. b3 Red8 19. Ba3 Qe8 20. Nd6 Bxd6 21. Bxd6 Bd5 22. exd5 Rxd6 23. dxc6 Qxc6 24. Bb5 Qe4 25. Bd3 Qc6 26. Bc4 Rad8 27. Rxd6 Qxd6 28. Qf5 Kf8 {Esipenko,A (2677)-Afanasiev,N (2533) Sochi RUS 2024 ½-½ (43)}) 14... Be6 15. Bb2 a5 16. b5 Bb6 17. Ba3 Qc7 18. Rab1 cxb5 19. Bxb5 Rec8 20. d5 Bd7 21. Bf1 Rab8 22. Nc4 Bc5 23. Bxc5 Qxc5 24. Rb6 Ne8 25. Reb1 Qc7 26. Qb3 Qd8 27. Qa3 Qf6 28. Nxd6 Nxd6 29. Rxd6 Qe7 30. Rbb6 f6 31. Qa1 Nh8 32. Bb5 Bxb5 33. Re6 Qc5 34. Rxb5 Qc4 35. Qe1 Nf7 36. Rxa5 Qxc3 37. Qxc3 Rxc3 38. Rb5 Rc4 39. a5 Rf8 40. Nh4 Nd8 41. Re7 Rf7 42. Re8+ Rf8 43. Rxf8+ Kxf8 44. f3 Rc7 45. Nf5 h5 46. Rb6 Ke8 47. g4 hxg4 48. hxg4 g6 49. Nh4 Rh7 50. Nxg6 Kf7 51. Rd6 Kxg6 52. Rxd8 Rc7 53. Kf2 Rc5 54. d6 Rc2+ 55. Kg3 Rd2 56. d7 Kf7 57. Rh8 Rxd7 58. Rh7+ Ke6 59. Rxd7 Kxd7 60. g5 fxg5 61. Kg4 Kc6 62. Kf5 Kb5 63. Kxe5 Kxa5 64. Kd6 1-0

[Event "FIDE World Cup"]
[Site "Krasnaya Polyana"]
[Date "2021.07.27"]
[Round "5.7"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Esipenko, Andrey"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C79"]
[WhiteElo "2847"]
[BlackElo "2716"]
[PlyCount "123"]
[EventDate "2021.07.12"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "8"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 203"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2021.08.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2021.08.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. d3 d6 5. O-O a6 6. Bxc6+ bxc6 7. d4 exd4 8. Nxd4 c5 9. Nc6 Qd7 10. Na5 Qa4 11. Bd2 Bg4 ({RR} 11... Nxe4 12. Nc3 Nxc3 13. Bxc3 Be6 14. Qf3 d5 15. Rfe1 O-O-O 16. b3 Qb5 17. Bd2 Qb6 18. c4 Kb8 19. a3 g5 20. b4 g4 21. Qf6 Bd6 22. bxc5 Qxc5 23. Rab1+ Kc8 24. Nb7 Be7 25. Qb2 Qxa3 26. Qc2 {Grischuk,A (2766)-Kramnik,V (2792) Paris 2018 ½-½ (75)}) 12. f3 Be6 13. Bc3 $146 ({RR} 13. c4 Qxd1 14. Rxd1 Nd7 15. Nc3 Be7 16. Nd5 Bxd5 17. cxd5 O-O 18. g4 Bf6 19. Rab1 Rab8 20. b4 Ne5 21. Kg2 g5 22. Be1 cxb4 23. Bxb4 Rb5 24. Rb3 Rfb8 25. Bd2 Nd7 26. Rdb1 Kg7 27. Nc6 Ra8 {Adams,M (2696)-Dardha,D (2575) Chennai 2022 ½-½ (68)}) ({RR} 13. c4 Qxd1 14. Rxd1 Be7 15. Bc3 O-O 16. Nc6 Rfe8 17. Na3 Nd7 18. Nxe7+ Rxe7 19. Re1 f6 20. Rad1 Rb8 21. b3 Ne5 22. Kf2 Nc6 23. Rd2 Bf7 24. Nc2 a5 25. Na3 Nb4 26. Nb5 Be8 27. a3 Na6 {Cordoba Roa,A (2358)-Setumadhav,Y (2334) chess.com INT 2025 1-0 (50)}) 13... Be7 14. b3 Qd7 15. Nd2 d5 16. Qe1 O-O 17. Rd1 Rad8 18. Ndc4 Qe8 19. exd5 Nxd5 20. Bb2 Kh8 21. Qg3 f6 22. Rfe1 Qf7 23. Nc6 Rde8 24. Nxe7 Rxe7 25. Qf2 Rfe8 26. Qxc5 h5 27. Ba3 Rd7 28. Re4 Bf5 29. Rxe8+ Qxe8 30. Qf2 Nc3 31. Re1 Qg6 32. Ne3 Be6 33. Bb2 Nd5 34. Nxd5 Bxd5 35. Qe2 Kh7 36. Bc1 Bc6 37. Bf4 h4 38. h3 Qf5 39. Be3 Re7 40. Qd2 Qg6 41. Qf2 Kg8 42. Bd2 Rxe1+ 43. Bxe1 Bd7 44. Kh2 Bf5 45. c4 Bb1 46. Qa7 Bd3 47. Qxc7 Bf1 48. Qd8+ Kh7 49. Qd2 Qh5 50. Qc2+ Kg8 51. Qe4 Qg5 52. Qd5+ Qxd5 53. cxd5 g5 54. a4 Kf7 55. Bc3 Bd3 56. b4 Bc2 57. b5 axb5 58. axb5 Bb3 59. d6 Ke6 60. b6 Bd5 61. d7 Kxd7 62. Bxf6 1-0

[Event "FIDE World Cup"]
[Site "Krasnaya Polyana"]
[Date "2021.07.27"]
[Round "5.8"]
[White "Esipenko, Andrey"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C54"]
[WhiteElo "2716"]
[BlackElo "2847"]
[PlyCount "86"]
[EventDate "2021.07.12"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "8"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 203"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2021.08.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2021.08.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. c3 Nf6 5. d3 d6 6. O-O h6 7. Re1 O-O 8. h3 a6 9. a4 Ba7 10. Nbd2 Re8 11. b4 Be6 12. Bxe6 Rxe6 13. Qc2 Qd7 14. Nf1 d5 ({RR} 14... Ne7 15. Ng3 c6 16. c4 Qc7 17. Bb2 a5 18. bxa5 Qxa5 19. Bc3 Qc7 20. a5 Nd7 21. Reb1 Rf6 22. Kh2 Ng6 23. Nf5 Nc5 24. g3 Re6 25. Kg2 Ree8 26. d4 Nxe4 27. Nxg7 Kxg7 28. Qxe4 d5 29. Qg4 {Oro,F (2465)-Anand,V (2743) Leon ESP 2025 ½-½ (52)}) 15. Be3 Bxe3 16. Nxe3 Ne7 17. Rab1 $146 ({RR} 17. a5 Ng6 18. g3 Rd8 19. Kg2 Qc6 20. Nf5 Ne7 21. Nxe7+ Rxe7 22. c4 dxe4 23. dxe4 Qe8 24. Rad1 c5 25. bxc5 Rc8 26. Nh4 Rxc5 27. Nf5 Rd7 28. Rxd7 Qxd7 29. Rd1 Qc7 30. Rd6 Rxc4 31. Qd3 Kh7 {Ding,L (2791)-Carlsen,M (2863) chess24.com INT 2020 1-0 (33)}) 17... Rd8 18. a5 Ng6 19. c4 c6 20. Red1 Nf4 21. Nf5 g6 22. Nxh6+ Kg7 23. Ng4 Nxg4 24. hxg4 Ree8 25. Nh2 Rh8 26. f3 dxe4 27. dxe4 Qe7 28. Rxd8 Qxd8 29. g3 Qd4+ 30. Kh1 Nd3 31. Qe2 Qxc4 32. Rd1 Rd8 33. Rf1 Qxb4 34. f4 exf4 35. gxf4 Qxa5 36. g5 Nc5 37. Qb2+ Kg8 38. Ng4 Nxe4 39. Nh6+ Kh7 40. Qh2 Rd2 41. Qh4 Kg7 42. f5 Qd5 43. f6+ Nxf6+ 0-1

[Event "FIDE World Cup"]
[Site "Krasnaya Polyana"]
[Date "2021.07.28"]
[Round "6.1"]
[White "Bacrot, Etienne"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C88"]
[WhiteElo "2678"]
[BlackElo "2847"]
[PlyCount "88"]
[EventDate "2021.07.12"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "8"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 203"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2021.08.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2021.08.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. a4 Bb7 9. d3 d6 10. Bd2 Qd7 11. Nc3 Na5 12. Ba2 c5 ({RR} 12... b4 13. Ne2 c5 14. Ng3 Rab8 15. Nh4 g6 16. Bh6 Rfe8 17. Nhf5 Bd8 18. Ng7 Rf8 19. h3 b3 20. Bxb3 Nxb3 21. cxb3 Bc6 22. Rc1 Kh8 23. Ne6 Qxe6 24. Bxf8 Ba5 25. Bh6 Bxe1 26. Qxe1 Rxb3 27. Qa5 {Caruana,F (2783)-Ding,L (2806) Madrid 2022 0-1 (78)}) 13. Ne2 Nc6 14. Ng3 d5 $146 ({RR} 14... g6 15. Bh6 Rfc8 16. h3 Nd8 17. c3 Ne6 18. d4 cxd4 19. cxd4 exd4 20. Nxd4 Nc5 21. Qf3 Ne6 22. Rad1 Nxd4 23. Rxd4 Rc7 24. Qf4 Qc6 25. Bg5 Kg7 26. Bxf6+ {1-0 (26) Matulovic,M-Mariotti,S Reggio Emilia 1967}) ({RR} 14... g6 15. h3 Nd8 16. Bh6 Re8 17. c3 Ne6 18. Qd2 bxa4 19. Bxe6 fxe6 20. d4 cxd4 21. cxd4 Qb5 22. Bg5 Rad8 23. h4 exd4 24. Nxd4 Qd7 25. h5 e5 26. Nf3 Qg4 27. hxg6 hxg6 28. Rxa4 Nh7 29. Bxe7 {Markidis,K (2288)-Knaak,R (2472) Paphos CYP 2025 1-0 (36)}) 15. exd5 Nxd5 16. c3 Rad8 17. axb5 axb5 18. Nxe5 Nxe5 19. Rxe5 Bd6 20. Re1 Nf4 21. Bxf4 Bxf4 22. Ne4 Qc7 23. g3 Be5 24. f4 Bd6 25. Qh5 Qc6 26. Qh3 c4 27. d4 Rde8 28. d5 Qxd5 29. Rad1 Rxe4 30. Rxd5 Rxe1+ 31. Kf2 Rfe8 32. Re5 Bxe5 33. Kxe1 Bxc3+ 34. Kf1 Bc8 35. Qg2 Bf5 36. Qd5 Be6 37. Qc5 Bxb2 38. Kg2 Bd7 39. Qd5 Rd8 40. Qc5 Bf6 41. Bb1 g6 42. g4 Bxg4 43. Qxb5 c3 44. f5 g5 0-1

[Event "FIDE World Cup"]
[Site "Krasnaya Polyana"]
[Date "2021.07.29"]
[Round "6.2"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Bacrot, Etienne"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B52"]
[WhiteElo "2847"]
[BlackElo "2678"]
[PlyCount "77"]
[EventDate "2021.07.12"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "8"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 203"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2021.08.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2021.08.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. Bb5+ Bd7 4. Bxd7+ Qxd7 5. c4 e5 6. Nc3 Nc6 7. d3 f5 ({RR} 7... Be7 8. a3 Bd8 9. O-O Nge7 10. Rb1 O-O 11. b4 Ng6 12. Nd5 f5 13. exf5 Rxf5 14. Be3 b6 15. Nd2 Nce7 16. Nc3 Kh8 17. Nde4 cxb4 18. axb4 d5 19. cxd5 Nxd5 20. Nxd5 Qxd5 21. Qc2 Be7 22. Qc4 {So,W (2772)-Caruana,F (2791) Chess.com INT 2021 ½-½ (44)}) ({RR} 7... Be7 8. a3 Bd8 9. O-O Nge7 10. b4 O-O 11. bxc5 dxc5 12. Nd5 Ng6 13. Be3 b6 14. Nd2 f5 15. exf5 Qxf5 16. Ne4 Nf4 17. g3 Qg6 18. Kh1 Nxd5 19. cxd5 Ne7 20. d6 Nf5 21. Qb3+ Kh8 22. Qd5 {Kovalev,V (2661)-Carlsen,M (2876) Douglas 2019 ½-½ (47)}) 8. exf5 ({RR} 8. Nd5 fxe4 9. dxe4 Be7 10. O-O Nf6 11. Nxf6+ Bxf6 12. Be3 Rd8 13. Qd3 O-O 14. Rad1 Qe7 15. Kh1 Kh8 16. b3 g5 17. Ng1 g4 18. Ne2 Bh4 19. Nc3 Nd4 20. Nd5 Qg7 21. Bxd4 cxd4 22. Qe2 Rf7 {Dau Khuong Duy (2489)-Bacrot,E (2627) chess.com INT 2025 0-1 (54)}) 8... Qxf5 9. Ng5 $146 ({RR} 9. Nd5 O-O-O 10. a3 Nf6 11. Bg5 Nxd5 12. cxd5 Ne7 13. Bxe7 Bxe7 14. Qe2 g5 15. Qe4 Rhf8 16. Qxf5+ Rxf5 17. Nd2 Rf4 18. Ne4 Kd7 19. Rc1 b5 20. b3 Rc8 21. g3 Rf3 22. Ke2 g4 23. h3 h5 {Staechelin,R (2079)-Mueller,P (2092) Germany 2012 1-0 (56)}) 9... Be7 10. Nge4 Nf6 11. O-O O-O 12. f4 exf4 13. Bxf4 Nxe4 14. dxe4 Qg6 15. Nd5 Bg5 16. Qd3 Nd4 17. Bg3 Rxf1+ 18. Rxf1 Re8 19. Re1 h5 20. h3 Kh7 21. Bf2 Nc6 22. b3 Ne5 23. Qe2 Bh6 24. Kh2 Nc6 25. Qf3 Ne5 26. Qe2 Rf8 27. Bg3 Nc6 28. Rf1 Re8 29. Re1 Nd4 30. Qf2 b6 31. h4 Rxe4 32. Ne7 Rxe7 33. Rxe7 Nf5 34. Re2 Nd4 35. Re1 Qd3 36. Bf4 Nf5 37. Bxh6 Nxh6 38. Qf3 Ng4+ 39. Kg3 1-0

[Event "FIDE World Cup"]
[Site "Krasnaya Polyana"]
[Date "2021.08.02"]
[Round "7.2"]
[White "Duda, Jan Krzysztof"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C88"]
[WhiteElo "2738"]
[BlackElo "2847"]
[PlyCount "129"]
[EventDate "2021.07.12"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "8"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 203"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2021.08.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2021.08.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. a4 Rb8 9. c3 d5 10. exd5 Nxd5 11. axb5 axb5 12. Nxe5 Nxe5 13. Rxe5 c6 14. d4 Bd6 15. Re1 Qh4 16. g3 Qh3 17. Re4 g5 18. Qf1 $146 ({RR} 18. Bc2 f5 19. Re1 f4 20. Ra7 fxg3 21. fxg3 Bd7 22. Rxd7 Qxd7 23. Qh5 Rf7 24. Bxg5 Kh8 25. Nd2 Re8 26. Ne4 Qf5 27. Bd3 Qg6 28. Qxg6 hxg6 29. Kg2 Bc7 30. Ra1 Kg7 31. Ra6 Nb6 32. Ra7 Nd5 {Krutti,V (2415)-Felegyhazi,L (2350) Hajduszoboszlo 1995 1-0 (42)}) 18... Qxf1+ 19. Kxf1 Bf5 20. Nd2 Bxe4 21. Nxe4 Be7 22. Bxg5 Bxg5 23. Nxg5 Ra8 24. Rd1 Nb6 25. Re1 Nc4 26. Bxc4 bxc4 27. Nf3 Rfb8 28. Ne5 Rxb2 29. Nxc4 Rc2 30. Re3 Ra1+ 31. Kg2 Rac1 32. Re8+ Kg7 33. Ne5 Rxc3 34. Re7 R3c2 35. Rxf7+ Kg8 36. Rc7 h5 37. Nd7 Rd1 38. Nf6+ Kf8 39. Nxh5 Rdd2 40. h4 Rxf2+ 41. Kh3 Rf7 42. Rc8+ Ke7 43. Nf4 Kd6 44. h5 Rd2 45. Kg4 Rg7+ 46. Kf3 Rxd4 47. h6 Rh7 48. Rd8+ Ke5 49. Re8+ Kd6 50. Rd8+ Ke5 51. Re8+ Kd6 52. Re6+ Kd7 53. Rg6 Ke7 54. Rxc6 Rd6 55. Ng6+ Kd7 56. Ne5+ Ke6 57. Rxd6+ Kxd6 58. Kf4 Ke6 59. Ng4 Ra7 60. Kg5 Kf7 61. Ne3 Kg8 62. g4 Kh7 63. Kh5 Ra3 64. Nf5 Ra5 65. Kg5 1/2-1/2

[Event "FIDE World Cup"]
[Site "Krasnaya Polyana"]
[Date "2021.08.03"]
[Round "7.3"]
[White "Duda, Jan Krzysztof"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C77"]
[WhiteElo "2738"]
[BlackElo "2847"]
[PlyCount "66"]
[EventDate "2021.07.12"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "8"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 203"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2021.08.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2021.08.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. d3 d6 5. c3 a6 6. Ba4 g6 7. O-O Bg7 8. Re1 O-O 9. h3 Nb8 10. Nbd2 Nbd7 11. Bc2 b5 12. a4 Bb7 13. b4 c5 14. bxc5 $146 ({RR} 14. Bb2 Re8 15. bxc5 Nxc5 16. axb5 axb5 17. Rxa8 Qxa8 18. Qa1 d5 19. exd5 Nxd5 20. Ne4 Nxe4 21. dxe4 Nb6 22. Ba3 Nc4 {½-½ (22) Brkic,A (2602)-Sedlak,N (2472) Deggendorf GER 2023}) 14... Nxc5 15. axb5 axb5 16. Ba3 Re8 17. Qb1 Bc6 18. d4 exd4 19. cxd4 b4 20. Bb2 b3 21. dxc5 bxc2 22. Qxc2 dxc5 23. Ne5 Ba4 24. Rxa4 Rxa4 25. Qxa4 Qxd2 26. Qa1 Nh5 27. Bc3 Qc2 28. Qa7 Qb3 29. Qxc5 Nf4 30. Re3 Qd1+ 31. Re1 Qb3 32. Re3 Qd1+ 33. Re1 Qb3 1/2-1/2

[Event "FIDE World Cup"]
[Site "Krasnaya Polyana"]
[Date "2021.08.03"]
[Round "7.4"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Duda, Jan Krzysztof"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B52"]
[WhiteElo "2847"]
[BlackElo "2738"]
[Annotator "Sagar,Shah"]
[PlyCount "148"]
[EventDate "2021.07.12"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "8"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 203 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2021.09.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2021.09.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{This was the Semi-Finals of the World Cup 2021. The first two games in the Classical segment had ended in draws. The first rapid game of 25+10 had also ended in a draw. This was the 2nd rapid game and Magnus having the white pieces was naturally quite ambitious.} 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. Bb5+ {This is a typical Carlsen move where he doesn't go into deep and sharp theoretical lines of the open Sicilian, rather with Bb5+ he is able to keep the game in positional territory and at the same time keep pressure on his opponent.} (3. d4) 3... Bd7 {Duda's main aim in the game as he explains on ChessBase India was to exchange as many pieces as he could and keep the game simple. A draw in this game was a good result for him.} 4. Bxd7+ Qxd7 5. O-O Nf6 6. Qe2 (6. Re1 {is the main move in the position. Qe2 is the second most popular.}) 6... Nc6 7. c3 e6 {A standard idea to meet d4 by White with cxd4 cxd4 and d5.} (7... e5 {is a move that you would like to play in order to stop d4. However, you cannot nip that move in the bud for long. White goes} 8. Rd1 $14 {and d4 is coming up.}) (7... O-O-O) 8. d4 cxd4 9. cxd4 d5 (9... e5 $2 {is a positional error because you want to place the pawns on the opposite colour of your bishop on f8 and not on the same colour.}) 10. e5 Ne4 (10... Ng8 {is also possible here. It seems like an undeveloping move, but the idea is to reroute the knight to f5 via e7.} 11. Nc3 Nge7 12. Be3 Nf5 $11) 11. Nbd2 Nxd2 12. Bxd2 Bb4 $5 {Following the strategy of exchanging pieces. This is an interesting moment in the game. On one hand Black has the better bishop because the central pawns are not on the same colour as the bishop here. On the other hand, Black is low on space and exchange of pieces is to his advantage.} (12... Be7 {Duda made an important point here. He said that a few years ago, this position would have been round about even or even slightly better for Black. But in recent years, space advantage has assumed more importance for the engines. The fact that Magnus Carlsen has played this opening in such an important game shows his trust in this position as White.}) 13. Bf4 (13. Bxb4 Nxb4 $11) ({RR} 13. Bxb4 Nxb4 14. a3 Nc6 15. Rac1 Rc8 16. Rc3 O-O 17. Rfc1 Ne7 18. h3 Rxc3 19. Rxc3 Rc8 20. Qc2 h6 21. Rxc8+ Qxc8 22. Qxc8+ Nxc8 {½-½ (22) Adly,A (2603)-Amin,B (2654) Abu Dhabi 2016}) 13... O-O 14. Qd3 ({RR} 14. h4 h6 15. a3 Be7 16. Bd2 a5 17. g3 a4 18. Rac1 Na5 19. Bxa5 Rxa5 20. Rc3 Qb5 21. Qc2 Ra6 22. Rc1 Rb6 23. Kg2 g6 24. Qd2 Kg7 25. Rc7 Bd8 26. Rc8 Be7 27. R8c7 Bd8 28. Rc8 Be7 {Bogdanov,A (2373)-Elmirzaev,K (2036) Vrnjacka Banja SRB 2025 ½-½}) 14... Be7 $146 {Getting ready to chop off the knight on g5 and also clearing the b4 square for the knight.} ({RR} 14... h6 15. h4 Rac8 16. g3 Be7 17. Kg2 a6 18. a3 Na5 19. Rad1 Qb5 20. Qd2 Nc4 21. Qe2 Qxb2 22. Qxb2 Nxb2 23. Rb1 Bxa3 24. Bc1 Nc4 25. Bxa3 Nxa3 26. Rxb7 a5 27. g4 Rb8 28. Ra7 Ra8 29. Rd7 {Erzhanov,A (2139)-Schnaider,I (2392) chess.com INT 2024 0-1 (41)}) 15. a3 (15. Ng5 Bxg5 16. Bxg5 Rac8 $11) 15... Rac8 16. g3 {Magnus's plan starts to become clear. He wants to play h4, Kg2, switch his rook to h1 and launch an attack on Black's king with Ng5 ideas. For Duda, the problem is that his position looks very nice on the surface, but he needs to come up with a concrete plan for activity.} Na5 17. b3 {Stopping Nc4.} Qc6 18. Bd2 {The knight on a5 is attacked and has to be defended.} Qb6 19. Rfb1 {This looks slightly uncomfortable, but moving your pawn to b4 is not a great idea as it gives up the c4 square and Rab1 loses the a3 pawn.} a6 {This is part of Duda's plan. As we will see, this move is useful to play Qb5 in future to dislodge the strong queen on d3.} 20. Kg2 Nc6 21. Re1 {Magnus realized that Duda wants to offer a queen trade with Qb5, that's the reason why cleared the b1 square.} (21. a4 {Trying to stop Qb5 gives up the b4 square.} Nb4 $15) 21... Qb5 $1 (21... f6 {is not a good move in the position. You shouldn't be touching your pawns on the kingside if not provoked.} 22. exf6 Rxf6 23. Ng5 $1 $18) (21... Na5 22. Red1 $5 Qxb3 (22... Nxb3 23. Rab1 $18) 23. Bxa5 $18) 22. Qb1 (22. Qxb5 axb5 $15 {is a very pleasant position for Black as the pawn on a3 is weak.}) 22... Rc7 23. h4 Rfc8 24. Ra2 (24. Ng5 Bxg5 25. hxg5 Nxd4 $19) (24. Be3 Na5 $17) (24. Rh1 {was possible.}) 24... a5 $5 {Duda tries to be slightly more ambitious here. If White goes a4, then Black gets the b4 square. Otherwise Black will go a4 and try to fix the weakness on a3 and get the c4 square for himself.} (24... Qb6 25. Rd1 $5 (25. Qd3 Qb5 26. Qb1 $11) 25... Nxd4 $2 26. Be3 $18) (24... Na5 $5 {was perhaps the strongest move in this position.} 25. Ng5 $5 (25. Re3 Nc4 $19) (25. Bxa5 Qxa5 $15) 25... g6 $13 (25... Bxg5 26. a4 (26. hxg5 Nxb3 $15) 26... Qb6 (26... Qxb3 27. Bxa5 $18) 27. hxg5 $16)) 25. Rh1 a4 26. b4 $6 (26. Ng5 $5 Bxg5 27. hxg5 g6 28. bxa4 Qxa4 29. Rh4 Nxd4 30. Be3 Rc4 31. Qxb7 $13) 26... h6 27. Be3 $2 {This move is akin to accepting an inferior position.} (27. g4 {This does look too risky, but White has to unleash himself on the kingside.}) 27... Na7 $1 {The knight is going to b5 where it will attack the a3 pawn as well as the c3 square.} (27... f6 $2 28. Qg6 $1 $18) (27... f5 28. exf6 Bxf6 29. Ng5 $1 hxg5 30. hxg5 $18) 28. Bd2 Qe2 $5 29. Re1 {Duda was happy that he was able to distract the rook from h1 and bring it to e1.} Qc4 $5 {Duda's idea is to play Qb3 to offer a trade of queens.} (29... Qa6 $1 {This was a better square for the queen, so as to keep the c-file open.}) 30. Re3 {Magnus stops it.} Nb5 31. Rd3 {Defending the d4 pawn.} Rc6 $1 {A well-thought out move. The idea is to open up the d8-b6 diagonal from where the bishop will attack the d4 pawn.} 32. Rb2 Bd8 $1 (32... f5 {is possible, but after} 33. exf6 Bxf6 34. Bf4 $13 {The position is unclear.}) 33. g4 Bb6 34. Be3 Nc3 35. Qf1 Qb5 36. Rc2 Ne4 37. Rxc6 (37. Rc5 $1 {Magnus thought for a bit before executing his move Rxc6, and that's when Duda saw that Rc5 is also possible. Although this move does not change the evaluation of the position - black is still better. However, it does make Black's task quite difficult.} Bxc5 (37... Qa6 38. b5 $18) 38. dxc5 R6c7 39. Nd4 Qc4 40. f3 Nc3 $17) 37... Rxc6 38. Rd1 Rc4 (38... Qxf1+ 39. Kxf1 Rc3 {was the better way to play for Black. However, Duda mentions that he was slightly worried about} 40. Rc1 Rxa3 41. Rc8+ Kh7 $19 {and that White rook could get very active here. Ghosts as they say!}) 39. Nd2 Nxd2 40. Rxd2 Qc6 41. Qe2 $1 {The point of this move is to play g5 when h5 won't be possible.} Rc3 42. Ra2 $2 {This is just too passive.} (42. g5 $1 {Good or bad Magnus had to go for this.} h5 43. Qxh5 $16) 42... Bd8 $1 (42... Qc4 43. Qxc4 Rxc4) 43. g5 hxg5 44. hxg5 Qc4 {The other drawback of Ra2 is that now White cannot go Qg4 as the rook on a2 is hanging.} 45. Qxc4 (45. Qd2 Bb6 $19) 45... dxc4 (45... Rxc4 $19 {With the king coming to g6, this position is lost for White. But when you are playing a game which is of great importance, sometimes you just want to be extra sure that you are winning and hence, your conversion is not the smoothest.}) 46. d5 $5 {interesting practical attempt by the World Champion.} exd5 47. Rd2 Rd3 $2 (47... Rxa3 48. Rxd5 Rd3 $1 {This move was missed by Duda.}) 48. Rxd3 cxd3 49. f4 Kf8 $2 {A crucial loss of tempo.} (49... f6 $1 {One first glance it might not be clear as to white this move is so strong. The main idea is to break the kingside pawn structure for White and also fight for the h8-a1 diagonal.} 50. gxf6 (50. exf6 gxf6 51. gxf6 (51. Kf2 fxg5 52. fxg5 Kg7 53. Ke1 Kg6 54. Kd2 Bxg5 55. Bxg5 Kxg5 56. Kxd3 Kf5 57. Kd4 Ke6 $19) 51... Bxf6 $19) (50. Kf3 fxe5 51. fxe5 Kf7 $19) 50... gxf6 51. e6 f5 $19) (49... d4 $2 50. Bd2 $11) (49... Bb6 $2 50. Kf3 $11) (49... Kh7 {was also winning.} 50. f5 (50. Kf3 Kg6 51. Kg4 b5 52. f5+ Kh7 53. Kf3 Kg8 54. Kf2 Bc7 55. Bf4 f6 $1 $19) 50... g6 $1 51. f6 Bc7 $19) 50. Kf3 $2 {It's difficult to imagine that a move like Kf3 is a mistake, when Kf2 and Kf1 both draw. But the small point here is that the king will not be able to come to d2 quickly to win the d3 pawn from f3, while from f2 or f1 it can quickly move to d2 and win.} (50. Kf2 $1 f6 51. exf6 (51. gxf6 $2 gxf6 52. exf6 Bxf6 $19) 51... gxf6 52. Ke1 $1 fxg5 53. fxg5 Kg7 54. Kd2 Kg6 55. Kxd3 $11 {And you realize that losing an important move with Kg8-f8 leads to Black being unable to win this position.}) (50. Kf1 $1) 50... Ke7 $2 (50... f6 $1 {As White has not made progress to move towards the d2 square, so Black can exploit this with ...f6!} 51. Bc5+ Kf7 52. gxf6 gxf6 53. Ke3 fxe5 54. fxe5 Ke6 55. Kxd3 Kxe5 $19) 51. Bc5+ Ke6 52. Ke3 Kf5 53. Kxd3 $1 {This is where Duda realized that he had botched it up. Because now taking on f4 is impossible because of g6!} g6 (53... Kxf4 $2 54. g6 $1 f5 (54... fxg6 55. e6 $18) 55. e6 Kg5 56. e7 Bxe7 57. Bxe7+ Kxg6 {White should be winning here. But in worst case, he cannot be losing!}) 54. Be3 {The position is now drawn.} Bc7 55. b5 $6 {Magnus is trying to be active, but with this move he exposes his a3 pawn and also gives the black bishop a square on a5.} (55. Bc5 $5 Kxf4 $4 (55... Bb8 $11) 56. Bd6 $1 Bd8 57. e6+ $18) (55. Bd2 $11) 55... Bd8 56. Kd4 Bb6+ 57. Kd3 Bd8 (57... Bxe3 58. Kxe3 d4+ 59. Kxd4 Kxf4 60. Kc5 Kxg5 $1 (60... Kxe5 61. Kb6 $18) 61. Kb6 Kf5 62. Kxb7 g5 63. b6 g4 64. Ka6 g3 65. b7 g2 66. b8=Q g1=Q $11) 58. Kd4 Be7 59. Bc1 Ke6 60. Bb2 Bd8 61. Kc5 Ba5 62. Bc1 $2 {A big lapse by Magnus.} (62. Bd4 $11) 62... Bc3 $1 {Duda finds the winning move. But as he mentions, he hadn't seen the key idea here. He just saw this was the right move and made it.} 63. b6 (63. Kb6 d4 64. Kxb7 d3 65. b6 d2 66. Bxd2 Bxd2 67. Ka7 Bxf4 68. b7 Bxe5 $19 {Black wipes out all the pawns and also stops the pawn on b7 from queening.}) 63... d4 64. Kc4 Kd7 65. Be3 Bb2 $1 (65... Ke6 {also wins but Black needs to be very accurate.} 66. Bxd4 Bd2 $1 (66... Bxd4 67. Kxd4) 67. Kb5 Bxf4 68. Kxa4 Kd5 69. Bb2 Kc4 $19) (65... dxe3 $2 {White wins after this.} 66. Kxc3 Kc6 67. Kd3 Kxb6 68. f5 $1 $18) 66. Bxd4 Bxa3 67. Be3 Bb2 68. Kb4 a3 69. Kb3 Ke6 70. Ka2 Kd5 {The rest is easy. Duda comes in with his king, the pawn on a3 stops the white king from activating itself and the bishop cleans up the remaining pawns.} 71. Kb3 Ke4 72. Bd2 Bd4 73. Kxa3 Bxb6 (73... Be3 $2 {It is never to late to blunder and lose!} 74. Bxe3 Kxe3 75. f5 $18) 74. Kb4 Bf2 {With the bishop coming to g3, Magnus is going to lose all his pawns. He resigned here. Duda won this game and he calls this duel as the most significant game of his career, as with this win he not only moved to the finals of the World Cup 2021, but also qualified for the Candidates 2022.} 0-1

[Event "FIDE World Cup"]
[Site "Krasnaya Polyana"]
[Date "2021.08.05"]
[Round "8.2"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Fedoseev, Vladimir1"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B12"]
[WhiteElo "2847"]
[BlackElo "2696"]
[Annotator "Nielsen,Peter Heine"]
[PlyCount "98"]
[EventDate "2021.07.12"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "8"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 204"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2021.10.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2021.10.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{[%evp 0,98,61,25,67,70,68,57,70,23,23,23,19,-6,35,40,45,42,42,42,42,48,41,62,32,37,41,58,39,52,55,68,46,60,68,64,41,42,59,51,52,-47,6,11,8,-54,47,47,50,-28,-28,-46,22,37,24,-29,81,0,25,8,7,-1,14,14,-1,-40,-28,0,0,0,27,39,35,288,942,70,48,95,67,67,67,67,74,82,92,109,101,77,65,96,111,99,118,122,132,139,164,171,385,474,602]} {For both players, the play-off for 3rd place must have been quite an anti-climax. The World Champion obviously wanted to add the World Cup to his resume of tournament victories, and for Fedoseev he would have preferred facing Duda, as then a spot in the candidates tournament would have been at stake. But with less at stake, perhaps the players played more freely and created two masterpieces of positional attacking chess. The first one, where Magnus won with the black pieces by sacrifing an exchange, to be followed by this second game:} 1. e4 c6 {Fedoseev needing to win, does his part to ensure an unbalanced game and deviates from his usual 1...e5.} 2. d4 d5 3. e5 Bf5 4. c4 $5 {Typically this is played with 4 h4 h5 included. It is unclear who benefits from excluding the pair, but it leads to less familiar structures, where the players will have to think themselves and not being able to rely on well-throdden paths.} e6 5. Nc3 Bb4 (5... Ne7 {is played more often, but the game move is preferred by at least some of the computers. But as said: we are basically in unchartered waters.}) 6. cxd5 Qxd5 $5 {A principled move, giving black the d5-square where he will later relocate one of his knights. But as will be seen, it also means white gets access to the e4-square.} ({RR} 6... cxd5 7. Bd3 Ne7 8. Nge2 Nbc6 9. O-O O-O 10. Be3 Rc8 11. a3 Bxc3 12. Nxc3 h6 13. g4 Bxd3 14. Qxd3 f5 15. exf6 Rxf6 16. f4 Qd7 17. Kh1 Rcf8 18. Rg1 Na5 19. Raf1 Nc4 20. Bc1 Nd6 21. h4 {Alekseenko,K (2687)-Ter Sahakyan,S (2605) chess.com INT 2022 0-1 (39)}) 7. Nge2 Qd8 $146 ({RR} 7... Ne7 8. a3 Bxc3+ 9. Nxc3 Qd7 10. h4 h5 11. Bg5 Nd5 12. Bd3 Na6 13. Ne4 Bxe4 14. Bxe4 Ne7 15. O-O Nc7 16. Qb3 Ncd5 17. Rac1 f6 18. Bd2 Nf5 19. Bxf5 exf5 20. e6 Qe7 21. Bb4 Nxb4 22. axb4 {Tzidkiya,Y (2419)-Yarmonov,I (2372) Jerusalem 2022 1-0}) ({RR} 7... Ne7 8. a3 Bxc3+ 9. Nxc3 Qd7 10. Be2 Nd5 11. O-O O-O 12. g4 Bg6 13. f4 Nxc3 14. bxc3 Be4 15. Qd2 c5 16. Qe3 Qc6 17. f5 Nd7 18. Bf3 Bxf3 19. Rxf3 Kh8 20. Bd2 Rae8 21. f6 gxf6 22. Rh3 {Toliopoulos,K (1981)-Mnatsakanyan,A (2150) Thessaloniki GRE 2025 ½-½ (34)}) 8. a3 Ba5 9. Ng3 Ne7 10. Bc4 Bg6 {One could argue black as a pretty good Caro-Kann. The d5-square is firmly his, and Nd7-b6 an easy way to utilize that. But with all the pieces on the board, having one good square available is not really enough for black's cramped position as the other minor pieces lacks obvious footholds. And Magnus immediately uses the momentum to attack:} 11. h4 $1 {Not having committed to this advance at move 4, means that white always had the options of playing it later, and Magnus, as usual, times his flank attacks well. Should back reply with the typical ...h5 then white has the option of Bg5, while black, with his bishop on g6, no longer has ...Bg5 options.} h6 ({Interestingly, if} 11... h5 {, the computers prefer} 12. O-O $5 {with a promising position for white.}) 12. h5 Bh7 13. Qg4 Kf8 $6 {It seemed like Fedoseev had to give up the right to castle, as 13...Rg8 looks like the only other way to defend the g7-pawn.} ({However, the interesting tactic} 13... Bf5 $1 {was possible, the point being} 14. Qxg7 (14. Nxf5) 14... Rh7 {trapping white's queen.}) {14 Nxf5 of course is possible, with a pleasant position for white, but nothing compared to the overwhelming advantage he has from here on:} 14. O-O Nd7 15. Nce4 Bc7 16. Ba2 Nf5 17. Nxf5 Bxf5 18. Qf3 {Black has managed to easy the pressure a bit, by exchanging a set of minor pieces, but the long-term damage to his position is irrepairable. With Anand and kramnik recently testing the " no castle" chess version, this is a good reminder of how valuable that option is. Blacks king simply has no reasonable way to long-term safety. While whites is safely hidden away on g1.} Qe7 19. Ng3 Bh7 20. Qg4 c5 21. Bd2 {The immediate f4 was also strong, but this is a nice little move, nipping any black counterplay in the bud.} Rd8 ({If} 21... cxd4 {then} 22. Bb4 Nc5 23. Rac1 b6 24. f4 {gives a crushing attack.}) 22. f4 Nb6 23. Bc3 $1 {A nice move, again meeting ...cxd4 by Bb4! and then again, holding back black's counterplay.} Nd5 (23... cxd4 24. Bb4) 24. f5 $1 {While Magnus has restrained himself for a while not giving up any material, the following phase changes that starting off the fireworks with an exchange sacrifice.} Ne3 25. Qf3 Nxf5 (25... Nxf1 {was possible, but after simply} 26. Rxf1 {white's attack in the f-line is unstoppable.}) {Now it comes to a temporary hold, and Magnus has to open a 2nd front.} 26. Nxf5 Bxf5 27. d5 $1 {As black's bishop was lured to f5, this is now possible as 27...exd5 is mt by 28 Qxf5.} Bb6 ({As black's bishop was lured to f5, this is now possible as} 27... exd5 {is met by} 28. Qxf5) 28. Bc4 {Another move very much in the spirit of the game, limiting black's activity as much as possible, avoiding ...c4+.} Kg8 ({If} 28... exd5 {, then e.g.} 29. Qxf5 dxc4 30. e6 f6 31. Bxf6 gxf6 32. Qg6 {wins instantly}) 29. d6 Qh4 30. b3 {At first sight maybe black's position does not look that hopeless. 30...Kh7 31 a4! a5 32 g4!! when after 32... Bxg4 33 Qe4+ Kg8 34 Ra2 blacks position again collapses due to his king being boxed in, and after 32...Qxg4+ 33 Qxg4 Bxg4 34 Rxf7 the inclusion of a4/a5 means that Rxb7 next will threaten the now unprotected bishop at b6.} Rd7 (30... Kh7 {could look like finishing artificial castling, but the computer gives} 31. a4 $1 a5 32. g4 $3 {when after} Bxg4 ({after} 32... Qxg4+ 33. Qxg4 Bxg4 34. Rxf7 {[%csl Rb6][%cal Gf7b7] the inclusion of a4/a5 means that Rxb7 next will threaten the now unprotected bishop at b6.}) 33. Qe4+ Kg8 34. Ra2 {black's position again collapses due to his king being boxed in.}) 31. Qe2 Qg4 {Fedoseev had a fantastic World Cup, an impression which is not changed by the games in this mini-match despite being on the wrong side of two brilliancies. It does take two to create a good game, and Fedoseev does his best to fight, forcing Magnus to take extra-ordinary measures. Which the World Champion indeed does:} 32. Rxf5 $3 Qxf5 ({Black could get an ending with} 32... Qxe2 {, but after} 33. Bxe2 exf5 34. Bb5 $5 Rd8 35. Bc4 {is tragic despite being an exchange and a pawn up. There is no way he can free himself, and 36 Rf1 will be next, when black's position collapses.}) 33. Rf1 Qg5 34. Bd2 Qd8 35. Qg4 a6 {Easy to criticise, but black practically is in zugzwang. This prepares ...Qe8 without allowing Bb5. But obviously Magnus strikes before black manages to consolidate.} (35... Kh7 {would not change anything, as} 36. Rxf7 Rxf7 37. Qg6+ Kg8 38. Qxe6 {leads to a similar kind of position.}) 36. Rxf7 $3 {The f7-pawn was the fundament of black's position. Its striking how helpless black is, despite actually being two rooks up for a bishop. But the remaining white pieces and pawns coordinate so well that a normal material count has absolutely no relevance.} Kxf7 (36... Rxf7 37. Qxe6 Qf8 38. Qg6 {leaves black completely boxed in.}) 37. Qxe6+ $5 {The human touch.} ({The computer gives} 37. Bxe6+ Ke8 38. Qg6+ Kf8 39. Bxd7 Qxd7 40. e6 {winning,}) {but the interesting part of Magnus's double rook sacrifice is that it wins by pure strength of position, and that no calculation is basically necessary!} 37... Kf8 38. Qf5+ Ke8 39. Qg6+ Kf8 40. Qf5+ Ke8 41. Qg6+ Kf8 42. e6 $1 Qf6 {The computers preferred move as well.} ({After} 42... Re7 {it gives} 43. Qf5+ Ke8 44. Bf4 $1 {protecting d6, when black is completely lost for a reasonable move.}) 43. exd7 $1 Qxg6 44. hxg6 {If black feels the pressure has evoporated, it's an illusion. He still is completely boxed in} Bd8 ({and if} 44... h5 {then comes} 45. Bg5 $1 {followed by} Z0 46. Be7#) 45. Be6 h5 46. Kf2 h4 47. Bg4 $1 {[%cal Rh8h5] Staying loyal to the theme of the game till the end. Rh5 of course will not be allowed, so black has to stay boxed in.} b5 48. Kf3 b4 (48... Rh6 {might look as the only way to fight, but the opposite colored bishop ending after} 49. Bxh6 gxh6 {is easily winning, as the white king undisturbedly can walk to c8, and white's bishop from f5 both covers the g6-pawn and prevents a possible black passer from queening.}) 49. axb4 cxb4 {But at the same time Fedoseev resigned.} 1-0

[Event "Norway Chess 9th"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2021.09.07"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Firouzja, Alireza"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B30"]
[WhiteElo "2754"]
[BlackElo "2855"]
[PlyCount "77"]
[EventDate "2021.09.07"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 204"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2021.10.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2021.10.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 e6 4. O-O Nge7 5. Re1 Ng6 6. c3 d5 7. h4 ({RR} 7. Qa4 Be7 8. d4 O-O 9. exd5 Qxd5 10. dxc5 Bxc5 11. Nbd2 Be7 12. Nc4 Qd8 13. Bxc6 bxc6 14. Nd4 c5 15. Nc6 Qc7 16. Nxe7+ Nxe7 17. Qa5 Qxa5 18. Nxa5 Ba6 19. Bg5 Rfe8 20. Rad1 h6 21. Bxe7 Rxe7 {Wang,H (2752)-Carlsen,M (2861) Wijk aan Zee 2013 ½-½ (31)}) 7... a6 $146 ({RR} 7... dxe4 8. Rxe4 Bd6 9. h5 Nge7 10. d4 a6 11. Ba4 b5 12. dxc5 Bxc5 13. Qxd8+ Nxd8 14. Bc2 Bb7 15. Rg4 Bxf3 16. gxf3 Nf5 17. a4 bxa4 18. Rgxa4 O-O 19. Rxa6 Rc8 20. Nd2 Nc6 21. Nc4 Nce7 22. R1a4 {Carlsen,M (2853)-Mikaelyan,A (2523) chess.com INT 2023 1-0 (33)}) ({RR} 7... h5 8. d4 a6 9. Bd3 Be7 10. exd5 exd5 11. Bxg6 fxg6 12. Bg5 O-O 13. dxc5 Bxg5 14. Nxg5 Qf6 15. Qxd5+ Kh8 16. Qf3 Qd8 17. Nf7+ Rxf7 18. Qxf7 Bf5 19. Nd2 Qxd2 20. Rad1 Qxb2 21. Rd5 Qxc3 22. Rf1 {Grot,B (2190)-Saragih,A (2140) chess.com INT 2024 1-0 (39)}) 8. Bxc6+ bxc6 9. h5 Nf4 10. d4 Nxh5 11. Ne5 Nf6 12. Qa4 Bd7 13. Bg5 Be7 14. Nxd7 Qxd7 15. e5 Ng8 16. Bxe7 Nxe7 17. dxc5 Qb7 18. b4 a5 19. Qb3 O-O 20. Nd2 Qa6 21. Nf3 Qc4 22. Qxc4 dxc4 23. Re4 axb4 24. cxb4 Ra4 25. Rxc4 Rfa8 26. Nd4 Rxa2 27. Rxa2 Rxa2 28. b5 cxb5 29. Nxb5 Nc6 30. Nd4 Nxd4 31. Rxd4 Kf8 32. c6 Rc2 33. Rd8+ Ke7 34. Rd7+ Ke8 35. Rc7 g5 36. Rc8+ Ke7 37. Rc7+ Ke8 38. Rc8+ Ke7 39. Rc7+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "Norway Chess 9th"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2021.09.08"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Tari, Aryan"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C54"]
[WhiteElo "2855"]
[BlackElo "2642"]
[PlyCount "92"]
[EventDate "2021.09.07"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 204"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2021.10.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2021.10.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. d3 Bc5 5. c3 d6 6. Nbd2 a5 7. Nf1 Be6 ({RR} 7... O-O 8. Ng3 Be6 9. Bb5 Ne7 10. O-O c6 11. Ba4 Ng6 12. d4 Ba7 13. h3 exd4 14. Nxd4 d5 15. Nxe6 fxe6 16. Bc2 Qc7 17. Kh2 dxe4 18. Qe2 Nf4 19. Qe1 Rad8 20. Bxe4 h5 21. Be3 Bb8 22. Kg1 {Carlsen,M (2864)-So,W (2773) Zagreb 2022 0-1 (39)}) 8. Bb5 O-O 9. Bg5 $146 ({RR} 9. Ng3 d5 10. Qe2 Na7 11. Ba4 b5 12. exd5 Nxd5 13. Bc2 Nf4 14. Bxf4 exf4 15. Ne4 Be7 16. O-O c5 17. Bb3 Bg4 18. a4 b4 19. Rfe1 Nc6 20. Ned2 Bf6 21. Qe4 bxc3 22. bxc3 Qd7 23. Rac1 {½-½ (23) Oratovsky,M (2417)-Mrva,M (2361) Krakow POL 2024}) ({RR} 9. Ng3 d5 10. Qe2 h6 11. O-O Re8 12. Bxc6 bxc6 13. Nxe5 Bd6 14. Nxc6 Qd7 15. Nd4 dxe4 16. dxe4 Bxg3 17. hxg3 Bg4 18. Qb5 Rxe4 19. Qxd7 Bxd7 20. Bf4 Nd5 21. Rfe1 Rxe1+ 22. Rxe1 c5 23. Nb3 c4 {Asish Panda (1911)-Tari,A (2636) chess.com INT 2025 0-1 (41)}) 9... h6 10. Bh4 g5 11. Bg3 Nh5 12. Ne3 Qf6 13. Bxc6 bxc6 14. d4 exd4 15. Nxd4 Bxd4 16. cxd4 Nf4 17. h4 Rfb8 18. b3 a4 19. bxa4 Rb2 20. hxg5 hxg5 21. Bxf4 gxf4 22. Nf5 Bxf5 23. exf5 Re8+ 24. Kf1 Qxf5 25. Rh5 Qg6 26. Rh4 Ree2 27. Qxe2 Rxe2 28. Kxe2 Qe4+ 29. Kf1 Qxd4 30. Re1 Qxa4 31. Kg1 Kf8 32. Rh8+ Kg7 33. Rc8 f3 34. gxf3 Qa5 35. Re4 c5 36. a4 d5 37. Re7 Qxa4 38. Rexc7 c4 39. Rc6 Qa1+ 40. Kg2 Qe5 41. Kh3 Qg5 42. Kh2 Qf4+ 43. Kg2 Qf5 44. Kg3 Qh5 45. Kg2 Qh4 46. R8c7 Qg5+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "Norway Chess 9th"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2021.09.10"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C67"]
[WhiteElo "2855"]
[BlackElo "2792"]
[PlyCount "77"]
[EventDate "2021.09.07"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 204"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2021.10.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2021.10.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. d4 Nd6 6. Bxc6 dxc6 7. dxe5 Nf5 8. Qxd8+ Kxd8 9. Rd1+ Ke8 10. Nc3 Be6 11. Ng5 Bc8 12. h3 ({RR} 12. Ne2 a5 13. Nf4 h6 14. Nf3 a4 15. g4 Ne7 16. h3 c5 17. c4 b6 18. Kg2 Ba6 19. b3 Bb7 20. Bb2 a3 21. Bc3 Ng6 22. Nxg6 fxg6 23. Kg3 Be7 24. e6 Bd6+ 25. Rxd6 cxd6 26. Nh4 Be4 {Aronian,L (2782)-Carlsen,M (2847) Chess24.com INT 2021 ½-½ (41)}) 12... Be7 13. Nf3 h5 14. Ne2 Nh4 $146 ({RR} 14... Be6 15. Nf4 {½-½ (17) Grischuk,A (2763)-Karjakin,S (2779) Astana 2012}) 15. Nxh4 Bxh4 16. g3 Be7 17. Kg2 Bf5 18. c3 c5 19. Be3 g5 20. f3 g4 21. Nf4 gxf3+ 22. Kxf3 b6 23. Rd2 Rd8 24. Rad1 Rxd2 25. Rxd2 Bd8 26. h4 c6 27. Ng2 Bg4+ 28. Kf2 Rg8 29. a3 Be7 30. Bf4 Rg6 31. Ne1 Be6 32. Nf3 Bd5 33. Bg5 Bxf3 34. Bxe7 Kxe7 35. Kxf3 Ke6 36. Kf4 Rg4+ 37. Kf3 Rg6 38. Kf4 Rg4+ 39. Kf3 1/2-1/2

[Event "Norway Chess 9th"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2021.09.12"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Karjakin, Sergey"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B33"]
[WhiteElo "2758"]
[BlackElo "2855"]
[Annotator "Edouard,Romain"]
[PlyCount "107"]
[EventDate "2021.09.07"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 204"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2021.10.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2021.10.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 e5 6. Ndb5 d6 7. Nd5 Nxd5 8. exd5 Ne7 9. c4 Ng6 10. Qa4 Bd7 11. Qb4 Qb8 12. h4 h5 13. Be3 (13. Bd3 {was played in MVL-Carlsen in 2019.}) 13... a6 ({After} 13... b6 14. Be2 Be7 15. g3 a6 16. Nc3 {Carlsen himself had a smooth win against Gelfand. Black pushed ...b5 now as Magnus did in the current game, but has lost a crucial tempo with ...b6.}) 14. Nc3 Be7 ({Carlsen did not dare to repeat} 14... a5 {which brought him a short victory against Caruana in the tiebreak of their World Championship match. The engine prefers White here, so surely both players knew a way for White to improve on the previous game!}) ({He did not repeat} 14... f5 {either, as he played against Van Foreest in Wijk aan Zee (2020).}) 15. g3 (15. Na4 {as in Van Foreest-Gukesh (Chess.com) may deserve attention, but here Black should probably just play 15...Qc7 in order not to lose an exchange after Nb6.}) 15... O-O $1 $146 {An excellent novelty! So far, only ...f5 and ...a5 had been tried.} 16. Be2 b5 $1 (16... Bg4 $2 17. Bxg4 hxg4 18. h5 {would be a disaster for Black.}) 17. cxb5 axb5 18. Bxh5 Bd8 $1 {Magnus is playing like an engine - definitely just a great preparation. Black has lost one pawn but has great compensation as the game proves.} 19. O-O ({After} 19. Bxg6 fxg6 {White's light-squares would be a disaster.}) 19... Ne7 20. Bg5 $146 {White removes the bishop from e3 as ...Nf5 is coming.} ({RR} 20. a3 f5 21. f4 e4 22. Kg2 Ba5 23. Qb3 Rc8 24. Na2 Qb7 25. Rfd1 Rc7 26. Bd2 Bxd2 27. Rxd2 Kh7 28. Nb4 Rac8 29. Rad1 Qb6 30. Rd4 Rc4 31. Qe3 Rxd4 32. Qxd4 Qxd4 33. Rxd4 Rc5 34. Bd1 Bc8 {Van der Werf,J (2117)-Grana Castanal,A (2027) Maia POR 2025 ½-½ (43)}) 20... Ba5 21. Qb3 Nf5 22. Ne2 {Had Black been able to play ...Nd4 his position would have been even better.} Bb6 (22... f6 $5 {(as the d2-square is still covered) looked very interesting as well, e.g.} 23. Bc1 Rc8 24. Bg6 Qb7 25. Qf3 Ne7 $17) 23. Rac1 Ra4 24. Rc6 $1 {A great sacrifice, which Black should just have declined, for example playing 24...Bc5 or 24...Qa7.} Bxc6 $2 25. dxc6 Rc4 26. a4 ({After} 26. Bf3 {White has enough compensation as well. After} e4 27. Bg4 Nd4 28. Nxd4 Bxd4 29. Bd7 d5 $1 {the position is unclear, as Black can just answer} 30. Be7 {with} Re8 {with a fine position.}) 26... Nd4 $2 (26... d5 $1 27. axb5 Rc5 {threatening ...Rxb5 was a better option.}) 27. Nxd4 Bxd4 28. axb5 d5 29. Rc1 $1 {By trading Black's active rook White is much better thanks to his queenside passed pawns.} Rxc1+ 30. Bxc1 Qb6 31. Be3 Bxe3 32. fxe3 Rd8 (32... d4 33. exd4 Qxd4+ 34. Kf1 e4 35. Qc3 Qd5 36. Be2 {and Black doesn't have enough counterplay.}) 33. Kg2 g6 34. Be2 Kg7 35. Qc3 d4 36. exd4 exd4 37. Qd3 Qa5 38. Qc2 Qb4 39. b3 Re8 40. Bc4 $6 (40. c7 $1 {was winning by force:} Rc8 41. Bg4 f5 42. Bxf5 $3 gxf5 43. Qxf5 Rxc7 44. Qe5+ $18) 40... Re7 41. Qf2 $4 (41. Qd3 $1 {would force Black to defend the d4-pawn passively.}) 41... Qc3 {Suddenly Black has enough counterplay!} 42. Qf3 Qb4 $4 {No, not this way!} (42... f5 $3 43. b6 (43. Qxc3 dxc3 44. Bd3 $2 c2 $19) (43. Qd5 Qc2+ 44. Kh3 Qd1 $1 $11) 43... Qc2+ 44. Kh3 g5 $3 45. hxg5 Kg6 $1 46. Bg8 $8 Re2 {and Black has enough counterplay!} (46... d3 $5) (46... Rg7 $5)) (42... Qc2+ 43. Kh3 f5 $3 {works as well.}) 43. Kh3 $2 (43. Qd5 $1 Qd2+ 44. Kh3 {was more precise: Black is paralyzed.}) 43... Qd6 $2 {Passive moves are not the way to save that game!} (43... Qe1 $1 {could have turned the tables:} 44. b6 d3 $3 45. Bxd3 $2 Re3 $17) 44. Qf4 $2 (44. b6 {was just winning.}) 44... Qxf4 $2 (44... Qc5 {was necessary.}) 45. gxf4 d3 {Black wins a piece but White's pawns are too fast.} 46. Bxd3 Re3+ 47. Kg2 Rxd3 48. b6 Rxb3 49. b7 Rb6 50. h5 gxh5 51. Kh3 Rxc6 52. b8=Q Rc5 53. Qb2+ f6 54. Kh4 {Black has no fortress, so he resigned!} 1-0

[Event "Norway Chess 9th"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2021.09.13"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Firouzja, Alireza"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C78"]
[WhiteElo "2855"]
[BlackElo "2754"]
[PlyCount "103"]
[EventDate "2021.09.07"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 204"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2021.10.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2021.10.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O b5 6. Bb3 Bc5 7. a4 Rb8 8. c3 d6 9. d4 Bb6 10. a5 Ba7 11. h3 Bb7 12. Be3 Nxe4 13. Nbd2 Nxd2 14. Qxd2 O-O 15. dxe5 dxe5 16. Qxd8 Rbxd8 17. Bxa7 Nxa7 18. Nxe5 Bd5 19. Bc2 Nc6 20. Nxc6 Bxc6 21. Rad1 Rfe8 22. Rxd8 $146 ({RR} 22. f3 Kf8 23. Kf2 h6 24. h4 Bd5 25. b4 Rd6 26. Rd2 Be6 27. Rxd6 cxd6 28. Rc1 Rc8 29. Bd3 g5 30. hxg5 hxg5 31. Ke3 Ke7 32. Kd4 Rh8 33. g3 Rh2 34. Rg1 Rd2 35. Ke3 Rh2 36. Be4 d5 {Sindarov,J (2629)-Arjun,K (2513) Abu Dhabi 2022 ½-½ (72)}) 22... Rxd8 23. Rd1 Rxd1+ 24. Bxd1 Kf8 25. f4 Ke7 26. Kf2 Kd6 27. b4 Bd5 28. g4 h6 29. g5 hxg5 30. fxg5 c5 31. Ke3 cxb4 32. cxb4 Ke5 33. h4 g6 34. Bg4 Be6 35. h5 gxh5 36. Bxh5 Kf5 37. Bf3 Bc8 38. Kd4 Kxg5 39. Ke5 f5 40. Kd6 f4 41. Ke5 Kg6 42. Kxf4 Kf6 43. Bd5 Bd7 44. Bb7 Ke6 45. Ke4 Kd6 46. Bxa6 Bc6+ 47. Kd4 Be8 48. Bb7 Bd7 49. Bf3 Bc8 50. Be2 Bd7 51. Bd3 Bc6 52. Be4 1-0

[Event "Norway Chess 9th"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2021.09.14"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Tari, Aryan"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C89"]
[WhiteElo "2642"]
[BlackElo "2855"]
[PlyCount "102"]
[EventDate "2021.09.07"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 204"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2021.10.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2021.10.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. c3 Na5 9. Bc2 d5 10. d4 dxe4 11. Nxe5 c5 12. Be3 Bb7 13. Nd2 Rc8 14. h3 ({RR} 14. Nf1 Qc7 15. Ng3 Rfd8 16. Rc1 cxd4 17. Bxd4 Bc5 18. Ng4 Bxd4 19. cxd4 Qf4 20. Nxf6+ Qxf6 21. Bxe4 Qxd4 22. Qxd4 Rxd4 23. Bxb7 Rxc1 24. Rxc1 Nxb7 25. Kf1 g6 26. Ke2 Kg7 27. Ke3 Ra4 28. a3 Nd6 {Mazur,S (2398)-Sosa,T (2519) Santa Cruz de La Palma ESP 2025 ½-½ (35)}) 14... Re8 $146 ({RR} 14... b4 15. Rc1 Bd5 16. c4 cxd4 17. Bxd4 Nxc4 18. Ndxc4 Bxc4 19. Bxe4 Nxe4 20. Nxc4 Bg5 21. Rxe4 Bxc1 22. Qxc1 f5 23. Rf4 g5 24. Qe3 gxf4 25. Qe6+ Rf7 26. Nd6 Rc1+ 27. Kh2 Qe7 28. Qd5 Re1 29. Nxf5 {Kong,X (2457)-Li Chao2 (2635) Shaoxing CHN 2024 ½-½ (31)}) 15. Ng4 Nd5 16. Bxe4 Nxe3 17. Nxe3 cxd4 18. cxd4 Bxe4 19. Nxe4 Bb4 20. Nc3 Rxc3 21. bxc3 Bxc3 22. Re2 Bxa1 23. Qxa1 Nc4 24. Qe1 Nd6 25. Nd5 Rxe2 26. Qxe2 Kf8 27. Ne3 g6 28. Qf3 Kg7 29. Qd5 Qf6 30. a3 Qe6 31. Qc5 Ne4 32. Qc2 h5 33. Qd3 Nd6 34. Qd2 Qf6 35. Nd5 Nc4 36. Qc3 Qd6 37. Nb4 a5 38. Nc2 a4 39. Qd3 h4 40. d5 Qe5 41. Ne3 Qa1+ 42. Kh2 Qe5+ 43. Kg1 Nxe3 44. fxe3 b4 45. d6 Qa1+ 46. Kf2 bxa3 47. d7 Qf6+ 48. Ke2 a2 49. d8=Q Qxd8 50. Qxd8 a1=Q 51. Qxh4 a3 0-1

[Event "Norway Chess 9th"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2021.09.15"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Rapport, Richard"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C65"]
[WhiteElo "2855"]
[BlackElo "2760"]
[PlyCount "153"]
[EventDate "2021.09.07"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 204"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2021.10.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2021.10.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. d3 Ne7 5. O-O c6 6. Ba4 Ng6 7. Re1 Be7 8. d4 d6 9. c3 ({RR} 9. c4 O-O 10. d5 cxd5 11. cxd5 Nh5 12. Nc3 Ngf4 13. Be3 f5 14. Bc2 fxe4 15. Bxe4 Bg4 16. h3 Bxh3 17. gxh3 Qd7 18. Nh2 Nxh3+ 19. Kh1 g6 20. Qg4 Rxf2 21. Rg1 Qxg4 22. Nxg4 Rxb2 23. Rab1 Rxb1 {Groenewoud,J (2257)-Darie,A (2035) Amsterdam NED 2025 0-1 (49)}) 9... O-O 10. Nbd2 h6 11. Nf1 $146 ({RR} 11. Bc2 Nh7 12. Nc4 Be6 13. Ne3 Ng5 14. d5 Nxf3+ 15. Qxf3 cxd5 16. exd5 Bd7 17. Nf5 Bxf5 18. Qxf5 Bg5 19. Bxg5 Qxg5 20. Qxg5 hxg5 21. Bxg6 fxg6 22. g3 Rac8 23. Re4 Rc5 24. Rd1 b5 25. Rg4 Rc4 {Predojevic,B (2616)-Nestorovic,N (2405) Sarajevo 2013 ½-½ (66)}) 11... Re8 12. Ng3 a5 13. Bc2 Qc7 14. a4 Bd7 15. h3 b5 16. Be3 Rab8 17. Qd2 b4 18. Bd3 bxc3 19. bxc3 Be6 20. Qc2 Rb7 21. Nf1 Nh5 22. N1d2 Nhf4 23. Ba6 Rbb8 24. dxe5 dxe5 25. Rab1 Bd7 26. Bc4 Ne6 27. Qa2 Nh4 28. Nxh4 Bxh4 29. Nf3 Be7 30. Rbd1 Bc8 31. Qc2 Nf8 32. Rd2 Be6 33. Qa2 Red8 34. Rxd8 Bxd8 35. Rd1 Be7 36. h4 Rd8 37. Rb1 Rb8 38. Rxb8 Qxb8 39. g3 Bd8 40. Kg2 Bc7 41. Bxe6 Nxe6 42. Qc4 Qe8 43. h5 Kh7 44. Qd3 Qe7 45. Nd2 Bd6 46. Nc4 Bc7 47. Qd1 Nf8 48. Qg4 Nd7 49. Kf1 Qe8 50. Kg2 Qe7 51. Qf5+ Kg8 52. g4 Nf8 53. g5 hxg5 54. Bxg5 Qc5 55. Ne3 Qd6 56. Qg4 g6 57. Bh6 Nd7 58. Nc4 Nf6 59. Qc8+ Qd8 60. Qxd8+ Bxd8 61. Bg5 gxh5 62. Bxf6 Bxf6 63. Nxa5 Kf8 64. Nxc6 Ke8 65. Nb4 Bd8 66. Nd3 f6 67. Kg3 Kd7 68. f3 Ba5 69. c4 Ke6 70. Kh4 f5 71. Kxh5 fxe4 72. fxe4 Kd6 73. Kg6 Bc7 74. Kf5 Kc6 75. Ke6 Kb6 76. Kd7 Bb8 77. c5+ 1-0

[Event "Norway Chess 9th"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2021.09.16"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Karjakin, Sergey"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C65"]
[WhiteElo "2855"]
[BlackElo "2758"]
[Annotator "Nielsen,Peter Heine"]
[PlyCount "105"]
[EventDate "2021.09.07"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 204"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2021.10.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2021.10.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{[%evp 0,105,16,26,53,50,42,-17,38,-20,31,-29,-15,-44,35,13,40,25,59,43,52,51,49,29,60,32,34,-5,8,8,-1,-5,-5,17,29,-9,11,-44,-3,-23,-28,-31,-1,-12,-17,-38,-26,-34,-19,-21,9,-93,-21,-106,-28,-39,-26,-24,-2,-30,19,9,40,82,135,176,214,208,147,188,221,105,140,126,207,105,110,125,178,175,186,65,114,97,81,81,81,81,86,74,145,134,138,151,156,144,202,204,204,226,226,226,226,160,244,237,303,310]} 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. d3 Bc5 5. Bxc6 dxc6 6. O-O Nd7 7. c3 h6 8. Nbd2 O-O 9. Nc4 Re8 10. b4 ({RR} 10. Re1 a5 11. h3 a4 12. Ncxe5 Nxe5 13. Nxe5 Bxf2+ 14. Kxf2 Rxe5 15. Bf4 Re6 16. Kg1 Rg6 17. Qf3 c5 18. Rf1 Be6 19. a3 Qd7 20. Kh2 Bb3 21. Qe2 Re8 22. c4 b5 23. cxb5 Qxb5 24. Rac1 Qc6 {Munguntuul,B (2331)-Goryachkina,A (2546) Monaco MNC 2025 ½-½ (40)}) 10... Bd6 11. Be3 Nf8 12. Nfd2 $146 ({RR} 12. h3 Ng6 13. a4 Bf8 14. Qc2 Qf6 15. Qe2 b6 16. Nfd2 Be6 17. a5 b5 18. Nb2 a6 19. Qf3 Rad8 20. Rfd1 Qh4 21. Nf1 Bd6 22. Ng3 Nf4 23. Nf5 Bxf5 24. exf5 Nd5 25. Bd2 e4 26. dxe4 Rxe4 {Anton Guijarro,D (2703)-Salgado Lopez,I (2584) chess24.com INT 2020 ½-½ (35)}) 12... Ng6 13. Nxd6 cxd6 14. a4 d5 15. Nb3 b6 16. a5 Rb8 17. Qc2 Be6 18. Rfb1 Re7 19. c4 d4 20. Bd2 f5 21. axb6 axb6 22. f3 Rf7 23. Rf1 Kh7 24. exf5 Bxf5 25. Be1 Qg5 26. Rd1 h5 27. Bd2 Qh4 28. Rde1 Ra8 29. Ra1 Raf8 30. Ra6 {It is a commonly used trick by seconds for upcoming World Championship matches to refuse to say anything about the opening moves claiming the need for secrecy and not revealing any secrets. Using that privilege to skip the first 30 moves is indeed taking it too far, but the only thing to report til now is that Karjakin has a strategically winning position and that after e.g the retreat 30...Qd8!? the Norwegian computer "Sesse" always following Magnus games, gave as much as +3(!) for Black. But simply ...h4-h3 next would undermine White's defences and win trivially. But having already beaten Magnus once during this event, Karjakin thought why not make it 2-0 and in style?} e4 $6 {Magnus won 4 games in a row at Stavanger, and while in other sports or even in earlier stages of chess history that would not be seen as something special, in modern top-level tournaments it certainly is. Streaks requires a mixture of luck and skill, and as Larsen once pointed out, it is easier to win a bad position than a completely equal one.} (30... Qd8 $5) 31. Nxd4 $1 {Taking his chance ( and a pawn!) immediately, but Karjakin obviously was expecting that and has a cunning plan up his sleeve:} exf3 32. Nxf3 Bh3 $5 {One can understand Karjakins attraction to this move. Not only is it beautiful, but also logical. White has a stranded rook on the queenside, while all black pieces join the attack on the white king. It would not be unreasonable if Black was just winning, but Magnus has a resource:} 33. Rf2 $1 {Absolutely neccesary amd modest-looking, but excactly enough fence off the black attack! 33...Bxg2 perhaps was what Karjakin intended, hoping for 34 Nxh4 Rxf2 but 35 Ng5+! turns the tables, as in this version of Black sacrificing his queen, after 35...Qxg5 36 Bxg5 Rxf2 suddenly 37 Qxf2 has become available. The computer suggests the calm 33...Kg8!? with an ultimately balanced position, but Karjakins ove also is not bad:} Rxf3 (33... Bxg2 34. Ng5+ $1 (34. Nxh4 Rxf2) 34... Qxg5 35. Bxg5 Rxf2 36. Qxf2 $1) (33... Kg8 $5) 34. gxf3 Rf5 $2 {But here however he falters.} (34... Bg4 $5 {was the logical way continuing to attack with maximum energy, when after} 35. f4 Ne5 $1 {Black once again exploits that White can not take the offered piece. Surprisingly White would still be able to defend, as both} 36. Bc3 {and 36.Be3 keeps him in the game most likely to end in a draw by perpetual check}) 35. d4 $1 {Materially White is ahead plenty, so more importantly this opens the diagonal of the white queen towards the king on h7, as well as the 3-rank where the rook via a3 can join the defence.} Qxd4 36. Ra3 {36.f4! would have been more precise, as now 36...Re5!? becomes an extra option.} (36. f4 $1) 36... Rf7 (36... Re5 $5) 37. Re3 Bf5 38. Qc3 Qd8 39. Re1 $6 {"Sesse" gave 39 f4! as the winning move, but from a human perspective once can understand the logic behind leaving the the pawn on f3 giving the king somewhat more protection, as well as preparing the following manouver. And wile tactically flawed, it does win the game!} (39. f4 $1) 39... Rd7 40. Qe3 Rd4 $2 {When Karjakin played his 30th move, he had considerably more time left on is clock than Magnus, but in the ensuing complications he caught up and being short on time blunders the game with his last move before the time-control. 40...Re7! was possible as 41 Qg5?? then loses to 41... Rxe1+ as 42 Bxe1 leaves the queen unprotected on g5. Thus 41 Qc3 would be neccesary but after 41...Rd7 white would according to the computers not have better than a repetition draw after 42 Qe3.} (40... Re7 41. Qc3 (41. Qg5 $4 Rxe1+ 42. Bxe1 Qxg5+) 41... Rd7 42. Qe3) 41. Qg5 {Now, however, White just wins trivially. There thraet of exchanging queens as well as h5 and f5 hanging, is more than the black position can handle.} Qxg5+ 42. Bxg5 Rxc4 43. Rb2 $1 {Perhaps looking passive, but defending the b-pawn was neccesary. And as Larsen said: while opposite colored bishop endings often are drawn, when they are winning, the often win easily! And this is the case here indeed: White will rearrange to attack g7, and Black's bishop being of the opposite colour, means there just is no way to defend.} b5 44. Kf2 c5 45. bxc5 Rxc5 46. Rc1 Rd5 47. Rd2 Rxd2+ 48. Bxd2 Ne5 49. Rc7 b4 $5 {Trying to confuse the issue as else Bc3 next wins trivially.} 50. Rb7 Be6 51. Re7 $1 Nd3+ 52. Ke3 Bc4 53. Kd4 {But as 53... Bb5 54 Rb7 Ba6 55 Rb6 wins a piece and 53....Nb2 54 Bxb4 is hopeless, Karjakin resigned.} (53. Kd4 Bb5 (53... Nb2 54. Bxb4) 54. Rb7 Ba6 55. Rb6) 1-0

[Event "Norway Chess 9th"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2021.09.17"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C54"]
[WhiteElo "2792"]
[BlackElo "2855"]
[PlyCount "65"]
[EventDate "2021.09.07"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 204"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2021.10.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2021.10.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. c3 Nf6 5. d4 exd4 6. e5 d5 7. Bb5 Ne4 8. cxd4 Bb6 9. Nc3 O-O 10. Be3 Bg4 11. h3 Bh5 12. Qc2 Nxc3 13. bxc3 f6 14. exf6 Qxf6 15. Be2 Na5 16. O-O Bxf3 17. Bxf3 c6 18. Rae1 Nc4 19. Bc1 Qg6 20. Qd1 ({RR} 20. Qxg6 hxg6 21. Re7 Rf7 22. Re2 Ba5 23. Rc2 Re8 24. Be2 Rfe7 25. Bd3 Kf7 26. g3 b5 27. h4 Re1 28. Kg2 Bc7 29. a4 a5 30. Bg5 Rxf1 31. Kxf1 bxa4 32. Bxc4 dxc4 33. Ra2 Ke6 34. Rxa4 Kd5 {So,W (2772)-Carlsen,M (2847) chess24.com INT 2021 ½-½ (48)}) 20... Rae8 $146 ({RR} 20... Ba5 21. Bh5 Qf6 22. Qb3 b5 23. Bg4 Rae8 24. Qc2 Re7 25. Rxe7 Qxe7 26. Bf5 Bxc3 27. Bxh7+ Kh8 28. Qxc3 Kxh7 29. Re1 Qf7 30. Qg3 Re8 31. Rxe8 Qxe8 32. Ba3 Nxa3 33. Qxa3 Qe1+ 34. Kh2 a5 35. Qd3+ {Volokitin,A (2650)-Eljanov,P (2672) Lvov 2021 ½-½ (43)}) 21. Rxe8 Qxe8 22. Be2 Qe6 23. Bxc4 dxc4 24. Re1 Qf7 25. Qe2 Ba5 26. Qe3 h6 27. Ba3 Rd8 28. h4 Kh7 29. Re2 Qf5 30. Qc1 Rd5 31. f3 b5 32. Re4 Bb6 33. Be7 1/2-1/2

[Event "EU-Cup 36th"]
[Site "Struga"]
[Date "2021.09.21"]
[Round "4.31"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Llobel Cortell, Enrique"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B51"]
[WhiteElo "2855"]
[BlackElo "2392"]
[Annotator "Kapnisis,Spyridon"]
[PlyCount "67"]
[EventDate "2021.09.18"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "MKD"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 205"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2021.11.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2021.11.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{[%evp 0,67,16,38,100,79,60,44,73,13,21,-38,-3,-87,-28,-28,27,27,33,10,41,40,29,20,47,52,52,35,37,15,8,-11,-3,-3,22,-26,6,3,-16,-46,6,-12,5,-20,34,-28,-6,-28,30,26,86,73,148,148,155,155,148,180,180,188,198,174,174,174,174,204,233,209,242,265]} 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 d6 4. Bxc6+ $5 {An interesting sideline to 4.0-0. White spoils Black's pawn structure, as is often the case in the Sicilian Rossolimo, and an interesting strategic battle lies ahead with White trying to make the most out of Black's structural problems while Black will mostly rely on the bishop pair.} bxc6 5. e5 $1 {Important move before black gets the chance to play e5.} dxe5 (5... f6 {In my opinion, this is one of the most critical variations for the evaluation of the line with 4.xc6 and 5.e5. Black accepts a bad structure but gets activity on the kingside.} 6. exd6 e5 (6... exd6 7. O-O d5 8. Re1+ Kf7 9. d4 Bd6 $6 (9... cxd4 10. Nxd4 Ne7 11. Nc3 $14) 10. c4 $16 {1/2 (43) Gagare,S (2482)-Neelash,S (2315) Taleigao IND 2019}) 7. d3 {This is my suggestion. By playing d3, fd2 as fast as possible we avoid the annoying pin with g4. Furthermore White keeps open the possibility of long castling.} (7. Nxe5 {'?'} fxe5 8. Qh5+ Kd7 $19 {0-1 (14) De Filomeno,S (2392)-Eliseev,U (2550) Kocaeli TUR 2013}) (7. O-O Bxd6 8. d3 (8. Nc3 $6 Ne7 9. b3 O-O 10. Ba3 f5 (10... Bg4 $5 $17) 11. d3 Ng6 12. Na4 $2 e4 13. Nd2 Qh4 $19 {0-1 (19) Abarca Gonzalez,N (2412)-Dobrov,V (2478) chess.com INT 2020 Black's attack is too powerful to handle.}) (8. c3 $6 Ne7 (8... Ba6 {0-1 (59) Perske,T (2456)-Travadon,L (2441) Radenci SLO 2019}) 9. Re1 (9. d4 cxd4 10. cxd4 e4 11. Nfd2 f5 $17) 9... Bg4 $15) 8... Bg4 $13) (7. d7+ Bxd7 8. d3 Ne7 9. O-O Nf5 (9... Bg4 $5) 10. b3 Be7 11. Nfd2 O-O 12. Nc3 Nd4 13. Na4 Bf5 14. Ba3 Ne6 15. Nc4 $14 {1-0 (58) Lovakovic,F (2355)-Caruso,A (2349) ICCF 2017}) 7... Bxd6 (7... Bg4 $2 8. Nxe5 $1 {is an important resource} Bxd1 9. d7+ $18) 8. Nfd2 $1 Ne7 9. Nc4 (9. Ne4 Bc7 $1) 9... Bc7 (9... O-O {Giving up the d6 will likely help White.} 10. Nxd6 Qxd6 11. O-O f5 12. Nd2 Ba6 13. Re1 Ng6 14. b3 Rae8 15. Ba3 $14 {[%cal Yd2c4]}) 10. Be3 $5 (10. Qh5+ Ng6 (10... g6 $6 11. Qf3 O-O 12. Be3 $14) 11. Nc3 Be6 $1 12. Be3 Qd7 13. Qe2 Bxc4 $1 (13... O-O 14. O-O-O $14) 14. dxc4 O-O 15. Rd1 $13 (15. Bxc5 $6 Nf4 16. Qf3 e4 $1 17. Nxe4 f5 $40)) 10... Nf5 11. Nbd2 (11. Bxc5 $2 Qd5 $19 {[%cal Yd5c5,Yd5g2]}) 11... Nd4 12. c3 O-O 13. Qa4 Qd5 14. f3 Ne6 15. O-O-O a5 16. Ne4 f5 (16... Ba6 $2 17. Ncd6 $1 Bxd6 18. c4 Bb5 19. cxd5 Bxa4 20. dxe6 $16) 17. Ncd6 $1 fxe4 18. dxe4 Qxd6 19. Rxd6 Bxd6 20. Rd1 $13) (5... Bg4 6. d3 $5 (6. exd6 $6 exd6 $15 {1/2 (17) Jurcik,M (2329)-Vesselovsky,S (2333) Czech Republic CZE 2017 is clearly in Black's favour}) (6. h3 Bh5 (6... Bxf3 7. Qxf3 d5 (7... Qd7 $6 8. O-O $5 (8. exd6 exd6 9. O-O Nf6 10. Nc3 Be7 11. b3 $14 {[%cal Yc1b2,Yc3e2,Ye2g3]} (11. d4 {1/2 (25) Predojevic,B (2626)-Boensch,U (2553) Dusseldorf GER 2019})) 8... dxe5 9. Qh5 $1 $16) 8. e6 {Typical pawn sacrifice in order to disrupt Black's development on the kingside} (8. d3 e6 9. Nd2 Ne7 10. Qe2 Nf5 11. Nf3 {White can count on having a small edge.}) 8... fxe6 9. b3 (9. O-O Qd6 10. d4 $5 cxd4 11. Bf4 e5 12. Qh5+ g6 13. Qxe5 Qxe5 14. Bxe5 Nf6 15. Bxd4 Bh6 $13 {1/2 (21) Giri,A (2696)-Reinderman,D (2598) Amsterdam NED 2012}) 9... e5 10. d3 Nf6 11. Bb2 Qd6 12. Nd2 Nd7 13. Qe2 g6 14. f4 $5 (14. O-O {1/2 (21) Dimov,D (2407)-Câmpian,C (2417) ICCF 2016}) 14... Bg7 15. O-O O-O (15... Rg8 16. fxe5 Bxe5 17. Bxe5 Qxe5 18. Qf2 $44) 16. Rae1 $14) 7. d3 (7. O-O dxe5 {is a line I would prefer to avoid.}) 7... e6 (7... dxe5 8. g4 {See the line 5...dxe5 6.d3 g4} Bg6 9. Nxe5) 8. exd6 Bxd6 9. g4 $5 (9. Nbd2 Ne7 (9... Nf6 10. Nc4 O-O 11. g4 Bg6 12. Bg5 $16 {[%cal Yd1e2,Ye1c1]}) 10. Nc4 (10. Qe2 Nd5 11. Nc4 Nb6 12. Bg5 $5 (12. Qe4 {1/2 (21) Oratovsky,M (2414)-Grigoryan,K (2659) Barbera del Valles ESP 2020}) 12... Qc7 13. g4 Nxc4 14. dxc4 Bg6 15. O-O-O $16) (10. g4 $1 Bg6 11. Qe2 O-O (11... h5 12. Rg1 $14 {[%cal Yd2c4]}) 12. Nc4 Nd5 13. h4 (13. Nfe5 $5 $16) 13... h6 14. h5 Bh7 15. g5 $16) 10... O-O 11. Qe2 Bc7 12. g4 Bg6 13. Bd2 (13. Be3 $5) 13... f6 14. O-O-O {1/2 (48) Predojevic,B (2601)-Safarli,E (2598) chess.com INT 2020 is clearly better for White}) 9... Bg6 10. Na3 Ne7 11. Nc4 Bc7 12. Qe2 {White will castle long and continue with his attack on the kingside.}) 6... dxe5 (6... d5 {see the line 5...d5}) 7. h3 Bxf3 (7... Bh5 8. g4 {see the line 5...dxe5 6.d3 g4}) 8. Qxf3 Qd5 9. Qg3 f6 (9... g6 10. Nc3 Qe6 11. O-O Nh6 (11... Bg7 12. Re1 $36 {it is difficult for Black to develop his knight.}) 12. Re1 f6 13. f4 $14) 10. Nc3 Qd7 11. Be3 e6 12. Qg4 (12. f4 $5) 12... Ne7 $1 13. Qh5+ Ng6 14. O-O-O $44 {[%cal Yc3e4]}) (5... d5 6. h3 (6. O-O Bg4 7. h3 Bxf3 (7... Bh5 $6 8. e6 $1 (8. g4 $5 Bg6 9. e6 $1 {[%csl Rf8]}) 8... fxe6 (8... Qd6 9. g4 Bg6 10. Re1 $18 {[%csl Rf8] Black will have great difficulty developing his kingside.}) 9. d3 $16) 8. Qxf3 e6 9. d3 Ne7 (9... Qc7 10. Re1 Ne7 11. Nd2 Ng6 12. Qg3 Be7 13. Nf3 $14 (13. Nb3 {1-0 (37) Manakova,M (2280)-Nikolova,A (2358) Kragujevac SRB 2016})) 10. Nd2 Nf5 11. Qe2 (11. Nb3 h5 $13) 11... h5 12. g3 Be7 13. Nb3) (6. c4 Bf5 $6 (6... Bg4 7. d3 e6 {leads to 6.d3}) 7. Qa4 Qd7 8. d4 $1 e6 9. Be3 (9. dxc5 $2 Bxc5 $15 {0-1 (28) Okhotnik,V (2395)-Perunovic,M (2620) Bad Gleichenberg AUT 2013}) 9... cxd4 10. Nxd4 Bd3 11. cxd5 cxd5 12. Nc3 $16) (6. d3 Bg4 (6... e6 7. Qe2 (7. c4 $5 $14) 7... Ne7 8. h4 $1 $14 {[%cal Yh4h5]} (8. O-O $6 Ng6 9. c4 Be7 10. Nc3 O-O 11. Na4 f6 $132 {1-0 (57) Briestensky,R (2300)-Kucera,M (1979) Tatranske Zruby SVK 2011})) 7. Nbd2 $5 (7. O-O e6 8. h3 Bh5 9. c4 Ne7 $13 {1/2 (38) Sochacki,C (2412)-Dourerassou,J (2462) Belfort FRA 2012}) 7... e6 8. h3 $14) 6... Bf5 (6... e6 7. d3 Ne7 8. b3 (8. c4 {[%csl Rc5][%cal Yb1c3,Yb2b3,Yc3a4,Yc1a3]} Ng6 9. h4 $1 f6 10. h5 Nxe5 11. Nxe5 fxe5 12. h6 $44) 8... Ng6 (8... Nf5 9. c4 $14) 9. h4 f6 10. Bb2 $16 {[%cal Yd1e2,Yh4h5,Yb1d2]}) 7. d3 (7. O-O {Castling too early in connection with h3 provokes Black to go for g5 which is normally enough to generate adequate play for Black.} e6 8. d3 h6 9. Qe2 g5 $1 10. g4 Bg6 11. Re1 Ne7 12. Nc3 Nc8 $13 {1-0 (55) Ardeleanu,A (2394)-Bartha,A (2025) Arad ROU 2011}) 7... e6 8. b3 Ne7 9. Nc3 Nc8 10. g4 Bg6 11. Ne2 $14 {[%cal Ye2f4]}) (5... e6 6. O-O Ne7 7. exd6 Ng6 8. Na3 $5 (8. Nc3 $6 {White shouldn't hurry with the development of the knight to c3 since a lot of times the knight will be better placed on c4.} Bxd6 9. d3 f5 $1 (9... O-O 10. Ng5 f6 11. Nge4 Be7 12. Na4 e5 (12... f5 $1 13. Nexc5 f4 $44 {[%cal Ye6e5]}) 13. Nexc5 $14 {1/2 (38) Negi,P (2640)-Vishnu,P (2465) Sharjah UAE 2014}) 10. d4 Bc7 11. dxc5 Qe7 {[%cal Ye8g8,Ye6e5] According to my taste Black's position is clearly easier to handle and more pleasant.}) 8... Bxd6 (8... Ba6 9. d3 Bxd6 (9... h6 10. b3 Bxd6 11. Bb2 O-O 12. Re1 $16 {[%cal Yf3e5]}) 10. Ng5 $1 O-O 11. Qh5 h6 12. Nxe6 Bxh2+ 13. Kxh2 Qd6+ 14. f4 Qxe6 15. f5 Qe5+ 16. Kh1 $16) 9. Nc4 Bc7 (9... Be7 10. Nfe5 $5 Qc7 11. Qh5 O-O 12. d3 $16) 10. d3 O-O 11. Be3 $14) (5... g6 $6 6. O-O Bg7 7. Re1 (7. exd6 $5 exd6 {Black tries to keep his pawn structure as solid as possible but White gets a dangerous initiative.} 8. d4 cxd4 9. Re1+ Ne7 10. Bg5 f6 11. Nxd4 $1 {[%cal Yd4c6]} O-O 12. Be3 $16) 7... Nh6 8. exd6 Qxd6 9. Nc3 (9. d3 O-O (9... c4 $5) 10. Nbd2 Nf5 11. Ne4 Qd5 12. c4 Qd8 13. Nxc5 $16 {1-0 (53) Pavlidis,A (2536)-Golsta,M (1967) chess.com INT 2021}) 9... O-O 10. d3 Rd8 (10... Bg4 $5) 11. Ne4 Qd5 12. c4 Qxd3 13. Qxd3 Rxd3 14. Bxh6 $1 (14. Nxc5 {1/2 (53) Rausis,I (2482)-Bernasek,J (2490) Czech Rep CZE 2011}) 14... Bxh6 15. Ne5 $16) 6. Nxe5 (6. d3 {I don't see any particular reason for White to avoid the immediate take on e5.} c4 $5 (6... f6 $5 7. Nc3 c4 {is likely to transpose to 6...c4}) (6... Bg4 7. h3 Bh5 8. g4 $1 Bg6 (8... e4 $6 9. gxh5 (9. dxe4 Qxd1+ (9... Bg6 $6 10. Qxd8+ (10. Qe2 $18) 10... Rxd8 $16 {0-1 (31) Georgakopoulos,N (2033)-Vlachos,A (2428) Rio 2018}) 10. Kxd1 Bg6 11. Nc3 $14) 9... exf3 10. Nc3 $1 $16 {[%cal Yd1f3]} (10. Qxf3 $2 Qd5 $1 11. Nd2 g6 $13)) 9. Nc3 $5 (9. Nxe5 Qd5 (9... e6 $6 10. Nc3 Bd6 11. Nc4 Nf6 12. Qe2 (12. Qf3 Nd5 13. Bd2 Be7 14. O-O-O $16 {0-1 (35) Nasuta,G (2561)-Spoelman,W (2578) chess.com INT 2020}) 12... Nd5 13. Bd2 Bf4 14. Ne4 O-O 15. O-O-O $16 {1/2 (28) Chen,Q (2422)-Wang Yue (2683) China CHN 2019}) 10. Nf3 c4 (10... h5 11. g5 h4 (11... e5 12. Nc3 Qe6 13. Qe2 Bd6 14. Ne4 $16) 12. Nc3 Qf5 13. Qe2 $1 e6 (13... Bh5 14. Nxh4 Bxe2 15. Nxf5 Bf3 16. Rg1 $14) 14. Ne5 $14) 11. Nc3 Qe6+ 12. Qe2 Qxe2+ 13. Kxe2 f6 $5 {Black should avoid taking too early on d3 since White can easily bring his pieces and attack against c6.} (13... cxd3+ 14. cxd3 f6 15. Be3 $14 {[%csl Rc6][%cal Yh1c1] 1/2 (53) Gagare,S (2058)-Seger,R (2350) Pardubice CZE 2019}) 14. dxc4 (14. Be3 e5) 14... e5 15. Be3 h5 (15... Bxc2 16. Rac1 Bg6 17. Nh4 $14 {[%cal Yh1d1]}) (15... Bb4 16. Na4 Bxc2 17. b3 $14)) 9... f6 10. Nd2 e6 11. Nc4 Ne7 12. Bd2 Nd5 13. Qe2 Nb4 14. Be3 (14. O-O-O Bxd3 $1 15. cxd3 Qxd3 16. Qxd3 Nxd3+ 17. Kc2 Nxf2 $13) 14... Nd5 15. Ne4 {White has good compensation for the sacrificed pawn}) 7. O-O cxd3 (7... f6 8. dxc4 $6 (8. Nc3 cxd3 9. cxd3 e6 10. Re1 c5 11. Be3 Ne7 $1 (11... Bd6 $6 12. Rc1 Ne7 13. Ne4 $14) 12. Bxc5 Nf5 $13) 8... Qxd1 9. Rxd1 g5 $15 {[%cal Yh7h5,Yg8h6,Yh6f5]}) 8. Nxe5 Nf6 9. Nc3 e6 10. Bf4 $14 {[%cal Yc2d3]}) 6... Qd5 (6... Nh6 7. O-O Nf5 (7... f6 8. Nc4 e5 9. d3 Nf5 10. f4 exf4 11. Bxf4 Be7 12. Nbd2 $16) 8. d3 g6 9. Nc3 Bg7 10. Re1 O-O 11. Bf4 $14) 7. Nf3 Bg4 (7... Qe4+ $6 {One of Black's main choices after 7.Nf3 but not a very strong one in my opinion. White will be forced to lose his castling rights but Black loses valuable time by moving his queen one more time.} 8. Kf1 (8. Qe2 {is playable but f1 is probably stronger.} Qxc2 (8... Qxe2+ 9. Kxe2 Ba6+ 10. Kd1 Nf6 (10... Nh6 11. b3 f6 12. Ba3 e5 (12... c4 13. Re1 $14) 13. Nc3 Nf5 14. Ne4 Nd4 15. Nxd4 cxd4 16. Bxf8 Rxf8 17. Rc1 $14 {[%cal Yc2c3]}) 11. Nc3 $14 {[%cal Yb2b3]} (11. d3 {1-0 (18) Estrada Nieto,J (2280)-Weetik,V (2423) chess.com INT 2021})) 9. O-O Nf6 10. Nc3 e6 11. b3 $44 {[%cal Yc1a3,Ya1c1]}) 8... g6 (8... Nf6 9. d3 Qf5 (9... Qg4 $6 10. h3 (10. Nc3 {1/2 (34) Manakova,M (2318)-Seliverstov,V (2432) Moscow RUS 2015}) 10... Qh5 11. Nbd2 $16) {[#]} 10. Nbd2 $1 {This is clearly the right way to go with White. Black is deprived of the chance to play c4 which is quite important.} (10. Qe2 g6 (10... c4 $5 11. dxc4 g6 12. b3 Bg7 13. Bb2 O-O {followed by c5 and b7 Black will have some compensation although White should be preferable.}) 11. Qe5 $6 (11. b3 $1 $14) 11... c4 $1 12. Qc3 Rb8 $1 (12... Ba6 {0-1 (34) Fernandez Fuentes,F (2158)-Abreu Delgado,A (2474) Sitges ESP 2010}) 13. Qxc4 Bg7 $15 {[%cal Ye8g8,Yf6d5] Black gets excellent compensation while White faces problems with his development.}) 10... g6 (10... Nd5 11. Nc4 (11. Ne4 e5 12. c4 $5 Nf4 13. Bxf4 Qxf4 14. h3 Be7 15. Qa4 Bd7 16. Qa5 $14 {[%cal Ya1e1,Ya5c7]}) 11... Nb6 (11... f6 12. Nfd2 e5 13. Ne4 Qg6 14. h4 $1 h5 15. b3 $16) 12. Ne3 Qh5 13. Qe2 $14 {[%cal Yf3d2]}) 11. b3 Bg7 12. Bb2 O-O 13. Qe2 Ba6 {[#]} (13... Re8 14. Qe5 (14. Re1 $5 $16 {[%cal Yh2h3,Yg2g3,Yf1g2]}) 14... Qd7 15. Qxc5 Ne4 16. Nxe4 Bxb2 17. Rb1 $16 {1-0 (39) Hou Yifan (2658)-Zwirs,N (2413) Muelheim GER 2018}) 14. Qe5 $16 {White forces the exchange of queens which clearly favours him since it will be very difficult for Black to defend his weak pawns.} Rfd8 15. Re1 e6 16. h3 Ne8 17. Qxf5 exf5 18. Ne5 (18. Bxg7 Nxg7 19. Re5 Rd5 20. g4 $16) 18... Rac8 19. Ba3 Bf8 {[#]} 20. g4 $1 {White wants to make e4 accessible to his knight.} f6 21. Nef3 Rd5 22. Nc4 fxg4 23. hxg4 Rd7 24. Nfd2 Bxc4 25. bxc4 Re7 26. Kg2 Rxe1 27. Rxe1 $18 {1-0 (44) Pavlidis,A (2532)-Kotronias,V (2524) Thessaloniki GRE 2017}) (8... Bg4 9. d3 {is probably more accurate than 9.c3 since Black will not get a chance to transfer his knight from h6 to f5.} (9. Nc3 Bxf3 10. Qxf3 Qxf3 11. gxf3 {with a position similar to the one of our main game Carlsen-Llobell.} Nh6 $1 12. d3 Nf5 $13 {1/2 (64) Sanduleac,V (2426)-Pavel,S (2183) Mamaia ROU 2019}) 9... Bxf3 10. Qxf3 Qxf3 11. gxf3 O-O-O 12. Be3 e6 13. Nd2 Nf6 14. Ke2 (14. Ne4 $5) 14... Be7 15. Nb3 Nd7 16. Rhg1 g6 17. Rg4 $16 {1-0 (49) Carmaciu,L (2388)-Gvilava,M (2018) Sunny Beach BUL 2011}) (8... Ba6+ $6 9. d3 Qf5 10. Qe2 Rd8 11. Nbd2 (11. Ne5 $6 Nf6 (11... f6 $1 12. Nc4 (12. Nxc6 $2 Rxd3 $1 {[%cal Yd3d1]} 13. Kg1 (13. Ke1 {[#]} Rd2 $3 {A wonderful rook sacrifice} 14. Qxd2 Qe4+ 15. Qe3 (15. Kd1 Qxg2 16. Re1 Qf3+ 17. Re2 Bxe2+ 18. Qxe2 Qxc6 $19) 15... Qxg2 16. Na5 Qxh1+ 17. Kd2 e5 $19) 13... Rd6 $19) 12... Bxc4 13. dxc4 e5 {Black is fine}) 12. Nd2 $14 {0-1 (44) Sharma,I (2169)-Peng,H (2362) Prague CZE 2020}) 11... g6 (11... Rxd3 $2 12. Kg1 $1 Ra3 13. Nc4 Bxc4 14. Qxc4 Ra5 15. a4 $18 {[%csl Ra5]}) 12. Qe5 $1 $16) (8... e5 9. d3 Qf5 10. Nbd2 (10. Qe1 f6 11. Qc3 {White tries to immediately place c5 under attack which is not the right plan.} Ne7 $1 12. Qxc5 Qd7 13. Qc4 {[#]} Nf5 $5 $44 {[%cal Yf8e7,Yc6c5,Yc8b7] Black has very good compensation. By analysing lots of these positions I understood that White should avoid immediately attacking the c5=pawn and should focus mainly on his development and exchange of queens since by getting c5 Black gets the chance to place a very powerful bishop on b7.} (13... Nd5 14. a3 $6 c5 15. Nbd2 $2 (15. Nc3 $13) 15... Bb7 $17 {1-0 (44) Karp,I (2402)-Oratovsky,M (2415) Israel ISR 2021})) 10... f6 11. Nc4 $14) 9. d3 Qf5 10. Nbd2 $1 {it makes sense to deprive Black of the chance to sacirfice his c5-pawn.} (10. Bd2 c4 $1 {Black gets rid of his weak c5-pawn and opens the d-file which will offer adequate compensation} (10... Nf6 11. Bc3 Bg7 12. Nbd2 $14) (10... Ba6 11. Bc3 f6 12. Nbd2 e5 {[#]} 13. g4 $1 (13. Nc4 $6 Bxc4 14. dxc4 $13 {1/2 (40) Velicka,P (2441)-Kotronias,V (2489) Aghios Kirykos GRE 2017}) 13... Qxg4 (13... Qe6 14. g5 Qh3+ 15. Ke1 $16 {[%cal Yd1e2,Yh1g1,Yg1g3]}) (13... Qf4 14. g5 $16) 14. Nxe5 Qh3+ (14... Qxd1+ 15. Rxd1 $16) 15. Kg1 $14 {[%cal Yd1f3]}) 11. dxc4 Be6 12. b3 Rd8 13. Nc3 Bg7 14. Qe2 Qxc2 $13) (10. Nc3 Bg7 11. Qe1 c4 $1 12. Qe4 Qe6 $1 $15 (12... Qxe4 $13 {1-0 (90) Liu Guanchu (2457)-Atakisi,U (2385) Roquetas de Mar ESP 2018})) 10... Bg7 (10... Ba6 11. b3 Bg7 12. Rb1 $14) 11. Rb1 $1 {[%cal Yb2b3,Yc1b2]} Nf6 12. b3 Nd5 13. Ne4 O-O 14. h4 $14) 8. Nc3 (8. d3 c4 $5 (8... Nh6 $5 9. Bxh6 gxh6 10. Nc3 $14) 9. dxc4 (9. Nc3 Bxf3 $1 $13) 9... Qxc4 (9... Qxd1+ 10. Kxd1 O-O-O+ 11. Ke1 $14) 10. Be3 Nf6 11. Nbd2 Qa6 {is quite acceptable for Black}) 8... Bxf3 9. gxf3 (9. Qxf3 $5 Qxf3 10. gxf3 Nh6 $1 {Black's knight should go to f5 and d4 creating some counterplay.} 11. Ne4 (11. d3 Nf5 12. Be3 Nd4 13. O-O-O Nxf3 14. Bxc5 e5 (14... g5 $5 15. Ne4 f6 16. Nd2 Nxd2 17. Kxd2 {is more or less equal}) 15. d4 $13 {1/2 (135) Apryshko,G (2335)-Trjapishko,A (2466) St Petersburg RUS 2016}) 11... Nf5 $1 (11... e6 12. d3 Nf5 13. f4 Nd4 14. Kd1 O-O-O 15. Be3 c4 16. c3 Nf5 17. Bxa7 Rxd3+ 18. Ke2 $13) 12. f4 (12. c3 e5 13. d3 Nh4 $5 14. Ke2 f5 15. Nd2 Kf7 $13) 12... e6 13. d3 Nd4 14. Kd1 Be7 15. c3 Nf5 16. Be3 O-O-O 17. Kc2 Rd5 18. a3 {[%cal Yb2b4] White's position is more pleasant}) 9... Qe5+ $6 (9... Qd7 10. Ne4 $5 (10. b3 Nh6 $1 11. Bb2 Nf5) 10... Nh6 $5 {Sacrificing the weak pawn on c5 in order to get some time to develop properly is something that Black must consider.} (10... e5 11. Qe2 f5 12. Nc3 Bd6 13. b3 $14 {[%cal Yc1a3,Ye1c1] Of all the weak isolated pawns on the board, c5 seems to be the weakest.}) 11. Nxc5 (11. d3 Nf5 12. Be3 g6 13. Bxc5 Bg7 14. c3 O-O {Black has decent compensation.}) 11... Qd5 $1 12. Ne4 Nf5 $44) 10. Qe2 Qxe2+ 11. Kxe2 Nf6 $6 (11... Nh6 {Getting the knight to d4 is the only way for Black to create some counterplay.} 12. Ne4 Nf5 13. c3 e6 14. d3 O-O-O 15. Be3 Rd5 16. a3 $14 {[%cal Yb2b4]}) 12. d3 e6 $146 ({RR} 12... e5 13. Ne4 Nd5 14. Bd2 Be7 15. Rhg1 Rg8 16. Ng5 h6 17. Ne4 O-O-O 18. Rg2 f5 19. Ng3 Rdf8 20. Rag1 Bg5 21. Nf1 Bxd2 22. Kxd2 g5 23. Ne3 Nf4 24. Rg3 Ne6 25. Rh3 Rf6 26. Nc4 Kc7 27. Re1 {Visanescu,D (1802)-Bida,M (1952) Mureck 2008 1-0 (43)}) 13. Be3 Be7 14. Na4 (14. Rag1 $5 g6 15. h4 h5 16. Ne4 $16) 14... Nd7 {[#]} 15. b3 $14 {[%csl Rc5] White has managed to put c5 under pressure and certainly has the better chances with Bblack having little chance to create any counterplay.} O-O 16. Rag1 Kh8 $6 {[#]} (16... g6 $5 17. Bh6 $1 {[%cal Yh2h4,Yh4h5]} Rfb8 18. h4 Nb6 19. Nb2 $16) 17. d4 $5 {A very interesting positional decision by Magnus who deliberately helps his opponent to get rid of his weak pawn on c5 while his minor pieces will no longer have to guard it.. On the other hand Black's pawns on the queenside (a7,c6) become possible targets while the d-ile opens up with White having the better chances of getting the control of it.} (17. Rg4 $5 Rfe8 18. Rhg1 g6 19. Rc4 Nb6 20. Re4 Nd7 {is clearly better for White but it is not easy to put more pressure on c5.}) 17... cxd4 18. Bxd4 f6 $6 (18... e5 19. Be3 {[#]} Nb6 $1 20. Rd1 $5 (20. Nxb6 axb6 21. a4 Rfb8 (21... b5 $2 22. Ra1 $1 {[%cal Ya4a5]} Bb4 23. axb5 cxb5 24. Rxa8 Rxa8 25. Rd1 $16 {[%cal Yd1d7,Yd1d5]}) 22. Rd1 Rb7 23. Rd3 $14 {[%cal Yh1d1] is clearly pleasant for White but maybe Black can survive with accurate play.}) 20... Nd5 $1 (20... Nxa4 $6 21. bxa4 Rfd8 22. Rxd8+ Bxd8 (22... Rxd8 $6 23. Rb1 $18 {[%cal Yb1b7]}) 23. Rd1 a5 24. Kd3 $16 {[%cal Yd3c4,Yd1d7]}) 21. Rhg1 $5 {[%cal Yg1g4,Yg4c4]} (21. c4 Nxe3 22. fxe3 Rfd8 23. c5 $1 g5 24. Nb2 Bxc5 25. Nd3 Bd6) 21... h5 $5 (21... f5 22. c4 Nxe3 23. Rd7 $1 Rae8 24. fxe3 {White has the better chances.}) 22. c4 Nxe3 23. fxe3 Rfd8 24. c5 g5 25. Rxd8+ Rxd8 26. Nb2 f6 27. Rc1 $14) 19. Rg4 (19. Be3 $5 Kg8 (19... Rfd8 20. Rg4 $1 $16 {[%cal Yh1g1,Yg4e4,Yg4c4,Yh1d1]}) 20. Rd1 Rfd8 21. Rd3 Kf7 22. Rhd1 Ke8 23. f4 $16) 19... Rfd8 (19... Kg8 $5 20. Be3 Kf7 21. Rd1 Nb6 $1 22. Nxb6 axb6 23. a4 b5 $14) 20. Rd1 Kg8 21. Be3 Kf7 22. Rc4 Ne5 23. Rxd8 $1 Bxd8 $2 {[#]} (23... Rxd8 24. Re4 Rd7 25. Nb2 $16 {[%csl Ra7][%cal Ye4a4]}) 24. Rb4 $1 $18 {The white rook enters the 7th rank with decisive effect.} a5 25. Rb7+ Kg6 (25... Be7 26. Nb6 Rd8 27. Ra7 $18) 26. Nc5 {The pawn on e6 falls and Black's position deteriorates very fast.} f5 27. Nxe6 $18 Bf6 28. Nf4+ Kh6 29. Nd5+ Kg6 30. Ne7+ Bxe7 31. Rxe7 Kf6 32. Rc7 Ra6 33. Bd4 Ke6 34. Rxg7 1-0

[Event "NOR-chT Elite 2122"]
[Site "Norway"]
[Date "2021.10.29"]
[Round "1.2"]
[White "Arvola, Benjamin"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "E54"]
[WhiteElo "2471"]
[BlackElo "2855"]
[PlyCount "114"]
[EventDate "2021.10.29"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 204 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2022.09.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2022.09.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Tromsoe"]
[BlackTeam "Offerspill"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "NOR"]
[BlackTeamCountry "NOR"]

1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. exd5 cxd5 4. c4 Nf6 5. Nc3 e6 6. Nf3 Bb4 7. Bd3 dxc4 8. Bxc4 O-O 9. O-O b6 10. Bg5 Bb7 11. Ne5 h6 ({RR} 11... Bxc3 12. bxc3 Nbd7 13. Nxd7 Qxd7 14. Bxf6 gxf6 15. d5 Bxd5 16. Qg4+ Kh8 17. Qh4 Bxc4 18. Qxf6+ Kg8 19. Qg5+ Kh8 {½-½ (19) Shirov,A (2691)-Giri,A (2768) Hoogeveen 2014}) 12. Bh4 Nc6 ({RR} 12... Be7 13. Re1 Nbd7 14. Nxd7 Qxd7 15. d5 exd5 16. Bxd5 Rad8 17. Bxb7 Qxb7 18. Qe2 Rd7 19. Rad1 Rfd8 20. Rxd7 Rxd7 21. Rd1 Rxd1+ 22. Qxd1 b5 23. b3 g5 24. Bg3 b4 25. Ne2 Ne4 26. Be5 Qb5 27. Bd4 {Pilgaard,K (2353)-Lopez Martinez,J (2477) Rhodes GRE 2025 ½-½ (43)}) 13. Bxf6 Qxf6 $146 ({RR} 13... gxf6 14. Nxc6 Bxc6 15. Qg4+ Kh7 16. d5 Bxc3 17. dxc6 Be5 18. Rad1 Qc7 19. Qe4+ f5 20. Qf3 Rad8 21. g3 Bg7 22. b3 Rd6 23. Rxd6 Qxd6 24. Rd1 Qc5 25. Rd7 b5 26. Bf1 b4 27. Bc4 a5 28. Rb7 {Kazakov,M (2516)-Shimelkov,V (2159) Chess.com INT 2021 0-1 (47)}) 14. Nd7 Qh4 15. Nxf8 Rxf8 16. Re1 Nxd4 17. Bd3 f5 18. Re3 f4 19. Rh3 Qg5 20. Be4 Bxe4 21. Nxe4 Qe5 22. Rd3 Bc5 23. Nxc5 bxc5 24. f3 Rb8 25. b3 a5 26. Qe1 Qd5 27. Qe4 Qxe4 28. fxe4 Rb4 29. Kf2 a4 30. bxa4 Rxa4 31. Rc3 c4 32. a3 Nb5 33. Rcc1 Nd4 34. Rc3 Nb5 35. Rcc1 Nd4 36. Rcb1 Nb3 37. Ra2 Kf7 38. Kf3 g5 39. Ke2 Kf6 40. Kd1 Ke5 41. Kc2 g4 42. Kc3 f3 43. h3 h5 44. hxg4 hxg4 45. Rh1 Kf4 46. e5 Kxe5 47. gxf3 gxf3 48. Rh4 Nc1 49. Rah2 Ne2+ 50. Kc2 Kd5 51. Rh8 e5 52. Kb2 c3+ 53. Kb3 Ra7 54. Rc8 Rb7+ 55. Ka2 Rb2+ 56. Ka1 Rd2 57. a4 Nd4 0-1

[Event "NOR-chT Elite 2122"]
[Site "Norway"]
[Date "2022.02.05"]
[Round "5.4"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Ostmoe, Geir S Tallaksen"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B10"]
[WhiteElo "2865"]
[BlackElo "2466"]
[PlyCount "168"]
[EventDate "2021.10.29"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2023"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2022.10.05"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2022.10.05"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Offerspill"]
[BlackTeam "SOSS"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "NOR"]
[BlackTeamCountry "NOR"]

1. e4 c6 2. Nf3 d5 3. d3 dxe4 4. dxe4 Qxd1+ 5. Kxd1 Nd7 6. Nbd2 ({RR} 6. Nfd2 e5 7. a4 Nc5 8. f3 f5 9. b4 Na6 10. c3 Nf6 11. Bd3 fxe4 12. Nxe4 Be6 13. Bg5 Nd5 14. Re1 h6 15. Bh4 Nf4 16. Bf1 g5 17. Bf2 Kf7 18. Nbd2 Nc7 19. Kc2 Be7 20. Nc4 Rhd8 {Nepomniachtchi,I (2784)-Artemiev,V (2716) Chess.com INT 2020 0-1 (42)}) 6... e5 ({RR} 6... Ngf6 7. Ne1 g5 8. a4 h5 9. Nd3 g4 10. h3 Bg7 11. Be2 Nf8 12. hxg4 hxg4 13. Rxh8 Bxh8 14. a5 Ne6 15. e5 Nd7 16. Nc4 f5 17. exf6 Nxf6 18. Be3 Nc7 19. Ra4 Ncd5 20. Bd4 Bf5 21. Nce5 {Wachinger,N (2453)-Shagbazyan,T (2439) Prague CZE 2025 1-0 (55)}) 7. Nc4 f6 8. Nfd2 $146 ({RR} 8. Ne1 Nb6 9. Be3 Bg4+ 10. f3 Nxc4 11. Bxc4 Bh5 12. Nd3 Bf7 13. Bxf7+ Kxf7 14. a4 a5 15. Ke2 h5 16. Rhd1 Nh6 17. Nc5 Bxc5 18. Bxc5 Rhd8 19. Bb6 Rxd1 20. Rxd1 Ke8 21. Rd3 Nf7 22. Rb3 Kd7 {Popov,I (2636)-Galkin,A (2611) Moscow 2019 1-0 (49)}) 8... Nc5 9. a4 Be6 10. b4 Nd7 11. c3 Nh6 12. Kc2 Nf7 13. Nb3 Nd6 14. Nxd6+ Bxd6 15. Na5 O-O-O 16. Bc4 Bxc4 17. Nxc4 Be7 18. Be3 b6 19. Rhd1 Kc7 20. a5 b5 21. Nb6 Nb8 22. Rxd8 Bxd8 23. a6 Nxa6 24. Nc4 bxc4 25. Rxa6 Kd7 26. Rxa7+ Bc7 27. f4 Kc8 28. fxe5 fxe5 29. Ra8+ Bb8 30. Ra5 Kb7 31. b5 Rc8 32. b6 Rf8 33. Ra1 Rf6 34. g3 h5 35. Kd2 Rd6+ 36. Kc2 Rf6 37. Bc5 h4 38. Rd1 hxg3 39. hxg3 Rg6 40. Rd7+ Ka6 41. Rd8 Kb7 42. Bf2 Rf6 43. Be1 g6 44. Bd2 Bd6 45. Be3 c5 46. g4 Kxb6 47. Re8 Kc6 48. g5 Kd7 49. Ra8 Rf3 50. Kd2 Ke6 51. Ra6 Ke7 52. Ra7+ Kf8 53. Ra4 Be7 54. Rxc4 Rg3 55. Bxc5 Rxg5 56. Bb4 Rg2+ 57. Kd3 Rg3+ 58. Kc2 Bxb4 59. cxb4 Ke7 60. b5 Rf3 61. Rc5 Kd6 62. Rd5+ Ke6 63. Rd8 Ke7 64. Rg8 Kd6 65. Rxg6+ Kc5 66. b6 Rf7 67. Re6 Kd4 68. Kb3 Rf1 69. Ka4 Kxe4 70. Rd6 Rb1 71. Ka5 Kf3 72. Rf6+ Kg3 73. Rf5 e4 74. Rb5 Ra1+ 75. Kb4 Ra8 76. Kc3 e3 77. Kd3 Kf4 78. b7 Rd8+ 79. Ke2 Rb8 80. Rb4+ Ke5 81. Kxe3 Kd5 82. Kd3 Kc6 83. Kc4 Rxb7 84. Rxb7 Kxb7 1/2-1/2

[Event "World-ch Carlsen-Nepomniachtchi"]
[Site "Dubai"]
[Date "2021.11.26"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C88"]
[WhiteElo "2782"]
[BlackElo "2855"]
[Annotator "Adams,Michael"]
[PlyCount "89"]
[EventDate "2021.11.26"]
[EventType "match"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "UAE"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 206"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2022.02.28"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2022.02.28"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{[%evp 0,89,69,19,71,-8,53,-27,45,-92,-71,-147,-44,-90,-58,-51,-30,-46,-7,-44,34,30,30,30,30,17,37,17,28,-18,3,-27,-40,-8,4,-9,26,35,46,-3,53,-3,24,-13,4,29,31,4,46,25,73,0,0,-11,33,28,50,31,22,6,61,-16,2,-14,10,-7,32,13,23,0,3,-27,-28,-28,-51,-72,-63,-85,-64,-71,38,37,18,18,59,59,60,59,40,29,29,7] After a lot of build up everyone was eager for the match to start, and this fighting game bodes well for the spectators. Nach langem Vorlauf warteten alle gespannt auf den Beginn des Matches, und diese Kampfpartie lässt die Zuschauer Gutes erhoffen.} 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. h3 Na5 ({I was glad to see an opening that I have some experience with, but I was not at all aware of this rather rare move. Like many valuable new concepts, it doesn't seem so surprising in retrospect. Another important move discussed in the world championship game Karjakin-Carlsen continues Ich war froh, eine Eröffnung zu sehen, mit der ich einige Erfahrung habe, aber diesen ziemlich seltenen Zug hatte ich überhaupt nicht auf dem Schirm. Wie viele wertvolle neue Konzepte scheint er im Nachhinein nicht so überraschend zu sein. Ein weitere wichtige Fortsetzung, die in der WM-Partie Karjakin-Carlsen diskutiert wurde, verläuft} 8... Bb7 9. d3 d5 10. exd5 Nxd5 11. Nxe5 Nd4 {when Black will acquire the bishop pair and a lead in development to compensate for the pawn. In the game events develop in similar fashion. , wonach Schwarz als Kompensation für den Bauern das Läuferpaar und einen Entwicklungsvorsprung erhält. In der Partie entwickeln sich die Ereignisse auf ähnliche Weise.}) 9. Nxe5 Nxb3 (9... d6 $2 10. Nf3 c5 11. d3 {doesn't give enough. gibt nicht genug.}) 10. axb3 Bb7 11. d3 d5 {The forcing play continues. Das forcierte Spiel geht weiter.} 12. exd5 Qxd5 ({It's tempting to try Es ist verlockend,} 12... Nxd5 {but zu versuchen, aber} 13. d4 $1 {is a good response, the knight might drop back to d3 whilst his colleague goes to f3 to consolidate matters. ist eine gute Antwort, der Springer könnte sich nach d3 zurückziehen, während sein Kollege nach f3 geht, um die Lage zu konsolidieren.}) 13. Qf3 (13. Nf3 Rae8 {gives Black plenty of compensation, swapping queens is clearly preferable. gibt Schwarz viel Kompensation, ein Damentausch ist eindeutig vorzuziehen.}) 13... Bd6 14. Kf1 ({A subtle finesse. Not Eine subtile Finesse. Nicht} 14. Nc3 $2 Qxe5 15. Rxe5 Bxf3 $19) (14. Qxd5 Nxd5 15. Bd2 {gives Black a better version of the game. gibt Schwarz eine bessere Version der Partie.}) 14... Rfb8 {The players were rather substantially better informed than me, as Nepo confirmed at the press conference that this position was also in his preparation, whilst Carlsen was still playing quickly. Die Spieler waren wesentlich besser informiert als ich, denn Nepo bestätigte auf der Pressekonferenz, dass diese Stellung auch in seiner Vorbereitung war, während Carlsen immer noch schnell spielte.} (14... Rfe8 $2 15. Nc3 $1 Qxe5 16. Rxe5 Bxf3 17. Rxe8+ $16 {is exactly what White wants. ist genau das, was Weiß will.}) ({For those of you who that were hoping the queens would have stayed on the board a bit longer I can recommend investigating the very interesting, Denjenigen, die gehofft haben, dass die Damen noch etwas länger auf dem Brett bleiben, kann ich empfehlen, das sehr interessante} 14... Qxe5 $5 {here are some preliminary lines: zu untersuchen. Hier sind einige vorläufige Varianten:} 15. Qxb7 Qh2 {the black queen can't be evicted, and although there aren't immediate threats matters are quite complicated Die schwarze Dame kann nicht vertrieben werden, und obwohl es keine unmittelbaren Drohungen gibt, ist die Lage ziemlich kompliziert} 16. Nc3 {A real computer move Ein echter Computerzug} (16. Be3 c6 $1 17. Qxc6 Rac8 18. Qf3 Rxc2 {is ok for Black. ist für Schwarz in Ordnung.}) (16. Qf3 Rae8 17. Be3 Nh5 $1 {a great move clearing a path for the f-pawn ein großartiger Zug, der den Weg für den f-Bauern freimacht} 18. Qxh5 f5 19. f4 $1 Bxf4 20. Qf3 Bxe3 (20... Qh1+ 21. Kf2 Qxe1+ 22. Kxe1 Rxe3+ 23. Qxe3 Bxe3 24. Rxa6) 21. Rxe3 Qh1+ (21... f4 {looks rather scary sieht ziemlich gruselig aus} 22. Re4 $1 Rxe4 23. Qxe4 (23. dxe4 Rd8 $1) 23... f3 24. gxf3 Qxc2 25. Qe6+ Kh8 26. Qe2 Qc1+ 27. Kg2 {Black is worse here. Hier steht Schwarz schlechter.}) 22. Kf2 f4 23. Re4 Qc1 24. Ke2 Qxb2 25. Rxa6 Qxb1 26. Kd2 $14 {The material is regained but White's king has now found a safe home in the middle. Das Material wird zurückgewonnen, aber der weiße König hat nun ein sicheres Zuhause in der Mitte gefunden.}) 16... Rfe8 (16... Rae8 17. Be3 b4 18. Ne2 Qh1+ 19. Ng1 Bh2 (19... Nh5 20. Qf3 Bh2 21. Ke2 Nf4+ 22. Kd2) 20. Ke2) 17. Be3 c6 18. Qxc6 Rac8 19. Qf3 b4 20. Ne2 Rxc2 21. g4 Rxb2 22. Bd4 {with a wild position where White is apparently doing well. mit einer wilden Stellung, in der Weiß offenbar gut steht.}) 15. Qxd5 Nxd5 16. Bd2 ({White wants to keep the square c3 for his pieces, and Weiß will das Feld c3 für seine Figuren behalten, und} 16. c3 c5 {also makes the pawn on d3 vulnerable. macht auch den Bauern auf d3 verwundbar.}) (16. Nc3 $2 Nb4) 16... c5 {Black will rely on the greater space, activity and the long term potential of the bishops to maintain the balance. Schwarz wird sich auf den größeren Raum, die Aktivität und das langfristige Potenzial der Läufer verlassen, um das Gleichgewicht zu halten.} 17. Nf3 ({More subtle than Subtiler als} 17. Nc3 Nb4 18. Rac1 Rd8 {I thought stacking the knights on e3 and e2 could be good here Ich dachte, die Springer auf e3 und e2 zu stapeln, könnte hier gut sein.} 19. Ng4 h5 20. Ne3 Bf8 $1 21. Ne2 g6 $1 {is a sound response, the bishop can profitably emerge on g7 or h6. ist eine gute Antwort, der Läufer kann profitabel auf g7 oder h6 auftauchen.}) 17... Rd8 (17... Nb4 $5 18. Bxb4 (18. Rc1 {is similar to the game ist ähnlich wie die Partie}) 18... cxb4 {I once had a game with David Howell with this structure, although queens remained on the board in that game. One oddity of this pawn formation is that despite the preponderance of White pawns on the queenside, the fact that Black's pawns are all towards the edge of the board means that creating a passed a-pawn is a real possibility in the long term. Ich hatte einmal eine Partie mit David Howell mit dieser Struktur, obwohl in dieser Partie die Damen auf dem Brett blieben. Eine Besonderheit dieser Bauernformation ist, dass trotz der numerischen Überlegenheit der weißen Bauern am Damenflügel die schwarzen Bauern alle am Brettrand stehen, was bedeutet, dass die Schaffung eines a-Freibauern auf lange Sicht eine echte Möglichkeit ist.} 19. c4 (19. Nbd2 Rc8 $1) 19... Bxf3 20. gxf3 Bf4 $13) 18. Nc3 $146 ({RR} 18. Re2 Rac8 19. Nc3 Nb4 20. Ne1 Bf8 21. Ne4 Nc6 22. Nf3 f6 23. g4 Rd7 24. h4 Kf7 25. h5 h6 26. Kg2 f5 27. gxf5 Rd5 28. Ng3 Nd4 29. Nxd4 cxd4 30. Kh3 Rxc2 31. Rc1 Rxc1 32. Bxc1 Rc5 {Kuybokarov,T (2602)-Sivuk,V (2544) Sharjah UAE 2024 1-0 (106)}) 18... Nb4 19. Rec1 {An interesting decision the other rook can be useful on the a-file sometimes, and as all the entry squares on the e-file are well protected, it isn't so influential there. The position is quite tense and not that easy to play, often releasing the tension is a mistake. The next few moves see both players move the same minor piece on consecutive moves as White tries to untangle. Eine interessante Entscheidung, der andere Turm kann manchmal auf der a-Linie nützlich sein, und da alle Einbruchsfelder auf der e-Linie gut geschützt sind, ist er dort nicht so einflussreich. Die Stellung ist ziemlich spannungsvoll und nicht ganz einfach zu spielen, oft ist es ein Fehler, die Spannung zu lösen. In den nächsten Zügen ziehen beide Spieler mehrmals nacheinander dieselbe Leichtfigur, während Weiß versucht, sich zu entwirren.} Rac8 ({I hope that one day I can impose c4, Ich hoffe, dass ich eines Tages c4 durchsetzen kann,} 19... f6 20. Ne2 Kf7 {looked like a good alternative sah wie eine gute Alternative aus}) 20. Ne2 ({The constraint Das forcierende} 20. Ne4 Bf8 {is less impressive ist weniger beeindruckend} 21. Bxb4 (21. Ng3 Bxf3 22. gxf3 g6 $1) 21... cxb4 22. Ne1 g6 {and Black will fianchetto another bishop to great effect. und Schwarz wird einen weiteren Läufer mit großer Wirkung fianchettieren.}) 20... Nc6 ({A surprising retreat when Ein überraschender Rückzug, zumal} 20... Bf8 21. Bxb4 ({The cautious Das vorsichtige} 21. Ne1 $5 {or oder}) (21. Bc3 $5 {are more challenging. sind eine größere Herausforderung.}) 21... cxb4 22. d4 g6 23. c3 Bh6 24. Rd1 Bd5 {is ok for Black ok für Schwarz ist.}) (20... f6 $5 {still seems sensible scheint immer noch sinnvoll}) 21. Be3 ({White would like to push d4 here, all his pieces are set for this advance, and this further reinforces that idea. However, I think Weiß möchte hier d4 durchdrücken, alle seine Figuren sind für diesen Vorstoß bereit, und dies verstärkt diese Idee noch. Ich denke jedoch} 21. Bf4 $1 {made sense here, Black's pieces are a bit disorganised for the moment. ergab hier Sinn, denn die Figuren von Schwarz sind im Moment etwas unorganisiert.} Bf8 (21... Be7 22. Bg5 $1 f6 23. Be3 Nb4 24. d4 $14) 22. Rd1 Ne7 23. d4 $14) 21... Ne7 $1 ({Another knight move, but a good decision, since he will find another good position on f5. Ein weiterer Springerzug, aber eine gute Entscheidung, da er eine weitere gute Stellung auf f5 finden wird.} 21... Nb4 $6 22. d4 $1) 22. Bf4 $6 ({At a critical moment Ian forces an bishop exchange, which is not good, more patient play was more practical and precise. In einem kritischen Moment erzwingt Ian einen Läufertausch, was nicht gut ist, geduldigeres Spiel war praktischer und präziser.} 22. Rd1 Nf5 23. Bd2 f6 {isn't that impressive. ist nicht besonders beeindruckend.}) ({I like Mir gefällt} 22. Ng3 $1 {the most after am meisten, nach} Nd5 {Black's play doesn't make a convincing impression, having taken three moves to transfer the knight to d5 from b4. All those jumps had their points, and interfered with White's plans, but macht das Spiel von Schwarz keinen überzeugenden Eindruck, da er drei Züge brauchte, um den Springer von b4 nach d5 zu bringen. Alle diese Sprünge hatten ihre Berechtigung und durchkreuzten die Pläne von Weiß, aber} (22... f5 23. Re1 $1) 23. Bd2 {is the kind of position White should aim for. ist die Art von Stellung, die Weiß anstreben sollte.}) (22. Nc3 $5 Nf5 23. Ne4 {White's knight has taken the scenic route to e4. Der weiße Springer hat die Aussichtsroute nach e4 genommen.} Be7 24. Bd2 (24. Bf4 c4 $1) 24... f6 (24... c4 25. bxc4 bxc4 26. Ba5)) ({The direct Die direkte} 22. d4 Nf5 23. c3 {or oder} (23. Rd1 {also have some merit. haben auch einige Vorzüge.})) 22... Bxf3 23. gxf3 Bxf4 24. Nxf4 Rc6 $1 {The position has clarified, and this move is very strong - the pawn on a6 is secured, and now the White rook on a1 becomes peripheral to the action. Black's rook can also be active along the third rank, in particular probing White's shattered kingside pawns. Die Stellung hat sich geklärt, und dieser Zug ist sehr stark - der Bauer auf a6 ist gesichert, und nun wird der weiße Turm auf a1 zum Zuschauer des Geschehens. Der schwarze Turm kann auch auf der dritten Reihe aktiv werden und dabei insbesondere die zerschlagenen weißen Bauern am Königsflügel angehen.} 25. Re1 (25. Ra5 g6 26. Rca1 Rdd6 {leaves White's rooks up a blind alley. lässt die Türme von Weiß in einer Sackgasse stehen.}) 25... Nf5 26. c3 {The knight is kept away from d4, but now there are lots of weaklings. Der Springer wird von d4 ferngehalten, aber jetzt gibt es eine Menge Schwächlinge.} Nh4 27. Re3 Kf8 ({A strange decision Eine seltsame Entscheidung} 27... g6 {gets rid of back rank issues, and Black might well regain the pawn with a much more compact position. beseitigt die Probleme der Grundreihe, und Schwarz könnte durchaus den Bauern in einer viel kompakteren Stellung zurückgewinnen.} 28. Ke2 (28. Ng2 $2 Nf5) 28... h6 $5 {would be a little unpleasant to meet the knight on f4 is not secure, and has no flight squares. wäre ein wenig unangenehm zu spielen, der Springer auf f4 ist nicht sicher und hat keine Fluchtfelder.} (28... Kf8 {is a better version of the game ist eine bessere Version der Partie}) (28... Rf6 29. Re4)) 28. Ng2 ({Now after Jetzt ist nach} 28. Ke2 g5 {or oder} (28... Rf6 {are good for Black. gut für Schwarz.})) 28... Nf5 29. Re5 g6 30. Ne1 ({A passive place for the knight although it does protect two of the weak pawns. Ein passiver Platz für den Springer, obwohl er zwei der schwachen Bauern schützt.} 30. Ke2 $1 {leaves White's rook without many squares but it isn't easy to exploit this. lässt den weißen Turm ohne viele Felder, aber es ist nicht einfach, dies auszunutzen.} Ng7 $1 {looks best, but it is a much better version of the game for White. sieht am besten aus, aber es ist eine viel bessere Version der Partie für Weiß.} (30... f6 31. Re4 Nd6 32. Rh4 $1 {and White's rook is not as short of room as it looks und der weiße Turm hat nicht so wenig Platz, wie es aussieht} (32. Re3 Kf7 $1 {leaves White without an obvious move. lässt Weiß ohne einen offensichtlichen Zug zurück.} (32... Nf5 33. Re4 {repeats mit Zugwiederholung})) 32... h5 (32... Rd7 33. Ne3 $14) 33. b4 (33. Ne3 g5 $2 34. Rxh5 Kg7 35. Rg1 $1 Kg6 36. Rh4 $18) 33... g5 34. Rxh5 Kg7 35. bxc5 Kg6 36. Rh4 $16)) 30... Ng7 31. Re4 (31. f4 $5 Ne6 32. f5 Nf4 33. fxg6 hxg6 34. Re3 {at least swaps one of the weak pawns. tauscht zumindest einen der schwachen Bauern.}) 31... f5 $1 ({The rook should be driven to the rear Der Turm sollte nach hinten getrieben werden} 31... Ne6 $6 32. b4 $1 {is much more what White is looking for ist viel mehr das, wonach Weiß sucht} f5 ({After Nach} 32... Ng5 {the amusing ist das Amüsante} 33. bxc5 (33. Rh4 {is a simpler option. ist eine einfachere Option.}) 33... Nxe4 34. fxe4 Rxc5 35. Rxa6 {is fun lustig.}) (32... cxb4 $142 33. Rxb4 g5) 33. Rxe6 Rxe6 34. bxc5 {is dangerous only for Black ist nur für Schwarz gefährlich} Rde8 35. d4 Re2 36. Nd3 Rd2 37. Ne5) 32. Re3 Ne6 33. Ng2 {It is clear Black's knight is dominating it's adversary. Es ist klar, dass der schwarze Springer seinen Gegenüber dominiert.} b4 $1 ({Black could have improved the king first with Schwarz hätte den König zuerst mit} 33... Kf7 {but this would give White's own king more time to reinforce the queenside - playing this directly maximises the pressure. verbessern können, aber dies würde dem weißen König mehr Zeit geben, den Damenflügel zu verstärken - dies direkt zu spielen, maximiert den Druck.}) 34. Ke2 {A sad move to make, but as the c3 pawn must stay in place to keep d4 covered there are no other promising options. Ein trauriger Zug, aber da der c3-Bauer stehen bleiben muss, um d4 zu decken, gibt es keine anderen vielversprechenden Möglichkeiten.} Rb8 35. Kd2 $1 ({Return of the pledge on its terms Rückgabe des Bauern zu seinen Bedingungen.} 35. Rb1 $2 a5 $1 36. Kd2 bxc3+ 37. bxc3 a4 {is already very serious ist bereits sehr ernst} 38. Kc2 $2 axb3+ 39. Rxb3 Nd4+ $19) 35... bxc3+ 36. bxc3 Rxb3 37. Kc2 (37. Ra2 Rb1 38. Re1 Rxe1 39. Nxe1 Nf4 {is also not desirable. ist ebenfalls nicht wünschenswert}) 37... Rb7 (37... Rcb6 $2 38. Rxe6 $1 $18) 38. h4 Kf7 (38... Nd4+ 39. Kd1 {doesn't lead anywhere. führt nirgendwo hin.}) ({However Magnus could use this tactical idea to play Magnus konnte diese taktische Idee jedoch dazu nutzen,} 38... a5 $1 {as zu spielen, da} 39. Rxa5 $2 (39. Ree1 $1 Rcb6 40. Ra2 a4 41. Ne3 Ra6 42. Rea1 Rba7 $15 {is no fun for White, the a-pawn is now much more useful. The direct 33...b4! was well timed, but here Carlsen was not quite urgent enough. ist kein Spaß für Weiß, der a-Bauer ist jetzt viel nützlicher. Das direkte 33...b4! war gut getimt, aber hier war Carlsen nicht zwingend genug.}) 39... Nd4+ {isn't possible. ist nicht möglich.}) (38... Rcb6 $5 {was also better than the move played. war auch besser als der gespielte Zug.}) 39. Ree1 $1 {Suddenly White's co-ordination has returned, and now the knight that has had a hard life recently has a route to freedom via e3 and c4.The b5 pawn's disappearance created this new potential. Plötzlich ist die weiße Koordination zurückgekehrt, und der Springer, der in letzter Zeit ein schweres Leben hatte, hat nun einen Weg in die Freiheit über e3 und c4. Das Verschwinden des b5-Bauern hat dieses neue Potenzial geschaffen.} Kf6 40. Ne3 ({After} 40. Ra2 f4 {leaves the knight on g2 looking silly again. This may not be so bad, but it is not easy to allow. lässt den Springer auf g2 wieder dumm aussehen. Das mag nicht so schlimm sein, aber man lässt es nicht gerne zu.}) 40... Rd7 (40... Nf4 $1 {looked rather obvious and sets a small trap sah ziemlich offensichtlich aus und stellt eine kleine Falle} 41. Nc4 (41. Ra4 $2 Rb2+ $1 42. Kxb2 Nxd3+ $19) 41... Re7 {is still not completely dead ist noch nicht ganz tot} 42. Rxe7 (42. Re3 $5) 42... Kxe7 43. Ra4 Ng2 $1 {and White must be more careful. und Weiß muss mehr aufpassen.}) 41. Nc4 ({White could even play Weiß könnte sogar} 41. Ra4 $5 {as proposed by Judit Polgar. spielen, wie von Judit Polgar vorgeschlagen.} Rd8 (41... h5 $6 42. Nc4 $14) 42. Rea1 Rcd6 43. Rd1 {is likely to lead to the same result. The players head for a repetition instead. wird wahrscheinlich zum gleichen Ergebnis führen. Die Spieler steuern stattdessen auf eine Wiederholung zu.}) 41... Re7 42. Ne5 ({Even the 'oversight' Selbst das 'Verrsehen'} 42. Ra4 Nd4+ 43. cxd4 Rxe1 44. d5 Rc8 45. Rxa6+ Kg7 46. Ra7+ {leads to a draw. führt zu einem Unentschieden.}) 42... Rd6 43. Nc4 Rc6 44. Ne5 Rd6 45. Nc4 {An interesting opening encounter. Magnus edged the preparation battle, although clearly both particpants are well armed there. Carlsen got the type of position he would probably be happy to see in this match, but Ian got back on track after drifting earlier in the endgame. The Marshall also proved a tough nut to crack for Nepomniachtchi's compatriot Sergey Karjakin in their match. With no free day before game three, it will be intriguing to see if Magnus repeats his opening choice then. Eine interessante Auftaktbegegnung. Magnus gewann die Vorbereitungsschlacht, obwohl beide Teilnehmer dort eindeutig gut gerüstet sind. Carlsen bekam die Art von Stellung, die er in diesem Match wahrscheinlich gerne sehen würde, aber Ian kam, nachdem er anfangs im Endspiel abdriftete, wieder in die Spur. Marshall erwies sich auch für Nepomniachtchis Landsmann Sergey Karjakin als harte Nuss in ihrem Match . Da es vor der dritten Partie keinen freien Tag mehr gibt, wird es spannend sein zu sehen, ob Magnus seine Eröffnungswahl dann wiederholt.} 1/2-1/2

[Event "World-ch Carlsen-Nepomniachtchi"]
[Site "Dubai"]
[Date "2021.11.28"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C88"]
[WhiteElo "2782"]
[BlackElo "2855"]
[Annotator "Navara,David"]
[PlyCount "81"]
[EventDate "2021.11.26"]
[EventType "match"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "UAE"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 206"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2022.02.28"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2022.02.28"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[TimeControl "60"]

{[%evp 0,81,80,23,56,31,27,-6,-13,-26,-27,-63,-38,-51,-37,-37,-16,-28,-38,-38,18,-31,-3,-2,24,35,75,51,80,58,59,52,52,44,29,38,67,80,66,51,51,51,75,43,79,81,80,81,71,37,54,54,45,31,31,25,27,6,19,6,6,1,-4,-8,-20,-16,-12,-13,-3,-19,-7,-18,-7,-7,-7,-21,-21,-6,0,0,0,0,0,0] In the initial game Magnus Carlsen applied a rare pawn sacrifice against the anti-Marshall. The game ended peacefully. Does Black have a sufficient compensation for the pawn? The further practice will definitely show more. Before this game the experts and club players alike were curious, who would deviate from the first game. In der ersten Partie brachte Magnus Carlsen ein seltenes Bauernopfer gegen den Anti-Marshall. Die Partie endete friedlich. Hat Schwarz eine ausreichende Kompensation für den Bauern? Die weitere Praxis wird sicherlich mehr zeigen. Vor dieser Partie waren die Experten und Vereinsspieler gleichermaßen gespannt, wer von der ersten Partie abweichen würde.} 1. e4 {[%emt 0:00:07]} e5 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 2. Nf3 {[%emt 0:00:06]} Nc6 {[%emt 0:00:04]} 3. Bb5 {[%emt 0:00:22]} a6 {[%emt 0:00:08]} ({Perhaps we might see Vielleicht werden wir} 3... Nf6 {later in the match, but there is little doubt that White has been ready for it. später im Match sehen, aber es besteht kaum ein Zweifel, dass Weiß darauf vorbereitet war.}) 4. Ba4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Nf6 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 5. O-O {[%emt 0:00:07]} Be7 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 6. Re1 {[%emt 0:00:07]} b5 {[%emt 0:00:08]} 7. Bb3 {[%emt 0:00:07]} O-O {[%emt 0:00:07] So far we have been following the first game. Bislang sind wir der ersten Partie gefolgt.} ({The classic lines starting with Die klassischen Abspiele beginnend mit} 7... d6 8. c3 O-O 9. h3 {have been less popular recently. True, there is nothing wrong with it and Black even has a wide choice here, but White's position generally remains easier to play. sind in letzter Zeit weniger populär gewesen. Daran ist zwar nichts auszusetzen, und Schwarz hat hier sogar eine große Auswahl, aber die weiße Stellung bleibt im Allgemeinen einfacher zu spielen.}) 8. a4 {[%emt 0:00:13] The Marshall Attack has transformed throughout a century from a daring innovation to a topical continuation a lot of theory and strong drawing tendencies. Alas, many sharp lines have been analysed till a draw. In is then not surprising that grandmasters are often opting for seemingly less ambitious lines rather than for the most forcing ones. Both 8.h3 and 8.a4 are good moves which avoid the Marshall Attack. Black can still sacrifice a pawn in a similar way, but it is slightly less attractive. Der Marshall-Angriff hat sich im Laufe eines Jahrhunderts von einer gewagten Neuerung zu einer aktuellen Fortsetzung mit viel Theorie und starken Remistendenzen entwickelt. Leider sind viele scharfe Varianten bis zum Remis ausanalysiert worden. So ist es nicht verwunderlich, dass sich Großmeister oft für scheinbar weniger ambitionierte Abspiele entscheiden statt für die zwingendsten. Sowohl 8.h3 als auch 8.a4 sind gute Züge, die den Marshall-Angriff vermeiden. Schwarz kann immer noch einen Bauern auf ähnliche Weise opfern, aber es ist etwas weniger attraktiv.} ({The first game saw Das erste Partie sah} 8. h3 Na5 $5 {A rare move. Ein seltener Zug.} ({Both Sowohl} 8... Bb7 9. d3) ({und als auch} 8... d6 9. c3 {are standard continuations. sind Standardfortsetzungen.}) 9. Nxe5 Nxb3 10. axb3 Bb7 11. d3 d5 {. .}) 8... Bb7 {[%emt 0:00:50]} ({There is nothing wrong with Es ist nichts falsch an} 8... b4 {, but White gets control of the c4-square in such a case. It should not bring him much, but it is at least something to play for. , aber Weiß erhält in einem solchen Fall die Kontrolle über das Feld c4. Es sollte ihm nicht viel bringen, aber es ist zumindest etwas, worauf man spielen kann.}) 9. d3 {[%emt 0:01:07] As GM Vlastimil Jansa has taught me, the bishop is mostly not placed well on b7 in Ruy Lopez when White keeps a pawn on d5 or on d3. (And its neighbour on e4, of course.) In both cases the bishop remains passive. This rule of thumb mostly works. With the pawn still on d3 White's light-squared bishop is really strong, as it controls the d5-square and eyes f7. Similarly to some big dogs, the bishop is powerful even without moving and without attracting too much attention. Wie mich GM Vlastimil Jansa gelehrt hat, ist der Läufer im Spanier meist nicht gut auf b7 platziert, wenn Weiß einen Bauern auf d5 oder d3 hält. (Und seinen Nachbarn auf e4, natürlich.) In beiden Fällen bleibt der Läufer passiv. Diese Faustregel funktioniert meistens. Wenn der Bauer noch auf d3 steht, ist der weißfeldrige Läufer des Anziehenden sehr stark, da er das Feld d5 kontrolliert und f7 im Blick hat. Ähnlich wie bei einigen großen Hunden ist der Läufer auch stark, ohne sich zu bewegen und ohne zu viel Aufmerksamkeit zu erregen.} d6 {[%emt 0:00:10]} ({While black can play Schwarz kann} 9... d5 10. exd5 Nxd5 {even here, it is not the most attractive version of the pawn sacrifice. White has several promising options there. After zwar spielen, aber auch hier ist es nicht die attraktivste Variante des Bauernopfers. Weiß hat hier mehrere vielversprechende Möglichkeiten. Nach} 11. axb5 (11. Nxe5 Nd4 12. c3 $5 Nxb3 13. Qxb3) (11. Nc3 $5) 11... axb5 12. Rxa8 Bxa8 13. Nxe5 Nd4 14. Nd2 ({or oder} 14. c3 Nxb3 15. Qxb3 {Black has almost sufficient compensation. hat Schwarz fast ausreichende Kompensation.})) 10. Nbd2 {[%emt 0:00:38] The steed heads for fresh pastures, the f5-square would be the optimal one. Das Roß strebt auf frische Weiden, das f5-Feld wäre optimal.} ({The knight would also stand well on d5, but Der Springer würde auch gut auf d5 stehen, aber} 10. Nc3 {allows ermöglicht} Na5 $1 11. Ba2 ({After Nach} 11. axb5 Nxb3 12. cxb3 axb5 13. Rxa8 Qxa8 14. Nxb5 Rb8 $5 {Black's better bishop pair and better pawn structure fully compensate the pawn deficit. White had better avoid kompensieren das bessere Läuferpaar und die bessere Bauernstruktur von Schwarz das Bauerndefizit vollständig. Lieber vermeiden sollte Weiß} 15. Nxc7 $2 Qa5 $17 {. .}) 11... b4 {, when White has nothing better than , wonach Weiß nichts Besseres hat als} 12. Ne2 {. .}) 10... Re8 {[%emt 0:05:11] Black had many reasonable options here, which makes concrete preparation very difficult. Both players were obviously well acquainted with the theory, but I would still like to remark that understanding plays a big role in such positions, as one cannot remember everything by heart. It is important to know where the pieces belong, which structure transformations are desirable and what are the typical motifs in such positions. Schwarz hatte hier viele vernünftige Optionen, was die konkrete Vorbereitung sehr schwierig macht. Beide Spieler waren offensichtlich gut mit der Theorie vertraut, aber ich möchte dennoch anmerken, dass das Verständnis in solchen Stellungen eine große Rolle spielt, da man nicht alles auswendig lernen kann. Es ist wichtig zu wissen, wo die Figuren hingehören, welche Strukturtransformationen erwünscht sind und was die typischen Motive in solchen Stellungen sind.} ({The other options do not promise easy equality either: Auch die anderen Optionen versprechen keinen einfachen Ausgleich:} 10... Na5 11. Ba2 c5 12. Nf1 $36) (10... Nd7 $5 11. c3 Nc5 12. axb5 axb5 13. Rxa8 Qxa8 14. Bc2 $36) (10... Qd7 11. c3 $5 $14) 11. Nf1 {[%emt 0:04:26]} h6 {[%emt 0:01:34] A useful prophylactic move. Eine nützliche prophylaktische Maßnahme.} ({Immediate Unmittelbar} 11... Bf8 $6 {allows ermöglicht} 12. Bg5 $1 h6 13. Bh4 $14 {, when Black has to make some concession to release the pin. After , wonach Schwarz ein Zugeständnis machen muss, um die Fesselung zu lösen. Nach} Nb8 {Stockfish suggests schlägt Stockfish} 14. g4 $5 {, g4-g5 with a dangerous attack, but even less radical continuations promise White an edge. g4-g5 mit einem gefährlichen Angriff vor, aber auch weniger radikale Fortsetzungen versprechen Weiß einen Vorteil.}) 12. Bd2 {[%emt 0:02:58] White develops a bishop, preventing c6-a5. It was not a threat, but ruling out Black's options is a reasonable decision. Weiß entwickelt einen Läufer und verhindert Sc6-a5. Das war keine Drohung, aber es ist eine vernünftige Entscheidung, die Optionen von Schwarz auszuschließen.} Bf8 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 13. Ne3 {[%emt 0:00:20]} Ne7 {[%emt 0:01:49]  Black has prevented White's knight from entering f5. Schwarz hat verhindert, dass der weiße Springer auf f5 eindringen kann.} 14. c4 $1 {[%emt 0:00:20] This advance looks unusual but makes a lot of sense. White is better prepared for queenside play. Dieser Vorstoß sieht ungewöhnlich aus, macht aber sehr viel Sinn. Weiß ist besser auf das Spiel am Damenflügel vorbereitet.} ({Anish Giri opined that Magnus might have been ready for Anish Giri war der Meinung, dass Magnus womöglich für} 14. g4 $5 {. While that move is not standard in these positions, it requires an accurate reaction, as the threat of g4-g5 spells danger for Black's king. While gewappnet war. Dieser Zug ist in diesen Stellungen zwar nicht üblich, aber er erfordert eine genaue Reaktion, da die Drohung g4-g5 Gefahr für den schwarzen König verheißt. Während} Nh7 {does not look impressive, Wilhelm Steinitz famously remarked that pawns cannot go backwards and it still holds. A sample line sieht nicht beeindruckend aus, aber Wilhelm Steinitz merkte bekannterweise an, dass Bauern nicht rückwärts gehen können, und das gilt immer noch. Eine Beispielvairante} 15. h4 c5 $5 16. g5 c4 $5 17. dxc4 Bxe4 18. gxh6 Qd7 {leads to a complex position where both kings are rather unsafe. I would not like to play such a position against a prepared opponent with any colour. führt zu einer komplexen Stellung, in der beide Könige ziemlich unsicher sind. Ich würde eine solche Stellung nicht gegen einen vorbereiteten Gegner mit irgendeiner Farbe spielen wollen.}) 14... bxc4 {[%emt 0:00:29]} 15. Nxc4 {[%emt 0:02:45]} Nc6 {[%emt 0:01:33] The pieces often need some time to reach good squares. White's knight reached c4 through f1 and e3, but this detour has been compensated by Black's knight oscillating between c6 and e7. White has slightly better chances due to more active minor pieces. Die Figuren brauchen oft einige Zeit, um gute Felder zu erreichen. Der weiße Springer erreichte c4 über f1 und e3, aber dieser Umweg wurde durch den schwarzen Springer kompensiert, der zwischen c6 und e7 pendelte. Weiß hat aufgrund der aktiveren Leichtfiguren etwas bessere Chancen.} 16. Rc1 $14 {[%emt 0:05:28]} ({Wei could also play Weiß könnte auch} 16. Na5 Nxa5 17. Bxa5 {, but it seems that the exchanges favour the defender in this case. Black should gradually equalize after spielen, aber es scheint, dass die Abtausche in diesem Fall den Verteidiger begünstigen. Schwarz sollte allmählich ausgleichen nach} Qd7 {. White improves the rook. Now 17.Na5 would be more unpleasant for Black. . Weiß verbessert den Turm. Jetzt wäre 17.Na5 für Schwarz unangenehmer.}) 16... a5 $1 {[%emt 0:13:07] A strong move, preventing c4-a5. That said, Black had to weigh its pros and cons carefully, as the a5 might become a target. Ein starker Zug, der c4-a5 verhindert. Allerdings muss Schwarz die Vor- und Nachteile sorgfältig abwägen, da a5 zur Zielscheibe werden könnte.} 17. Bc3 {[%emt 0:07:31]  The main threat is 18. d2 with subsequent 19.xa5, but as we will soon see, White's move pursues more goals. Die Hauptdrohung ist 18. d2 mit anschließendem 19.xa5, aber wie wir bald sehen werden, verfolgt Weiß mit seinem Zug mehr Ziele.} Bc8 $146 {[%emt 0:00:00] The bishop was not doing much on b7, contrary to White's light-squared bishop which was controlling the d5- and f7-squares. The bishop transfer to e6 or even d7 takes the f5-square under control and neutralizes the strength of white's bishop. Der Läufer hatte auf b7 nicht viel zu tun, im Gegensatz zu dem weißfeldrigen Läufer von Weiß, der die Felder d5 und f7 kontrollierte. Die Verlegung des Läufers nach e6 oder auch d7 bringt das f5-Feld unter Kontrolle und neutralisiert die Stärke des weißen Läufers.} (17... Qb8 {would parry the main threat without allowing d3-d4, but White could then switch his attention to the kingside, trying to install a knight on f5 after würde die Hauptdrohung abwehren, ohne d3-d4 zuzulassen, aber Weiß könnte dann seine Aufmerksamkeit auf den Königsflügel lenken und versuchen, einen Springer auf f5 zu installieren, und zwar nach} 18. Ne3 {. Black's king could hardly feel safe then. . Der schwarze König konnte sich dann kaum noch sicher fühlen.}) ({Black could also play Schwarz könnte auch} 17... Nd7 {, but then spielen, aber dann überlässt} 18. d4 $1 exd4 19. Nxd4 Nxd4 20. Qxd4 Qg5 $1 21. Bd2 Qc5 22. Qd3 $1 {again leaves White with initiative, as the pawns a5, c7 and f7 can be vulnerable. Weiß wieder die Initiative, da die Bauern a5, c7 und f7 verwundbar sein können.}) ({RR} 17... Qb8 18. h3 Bc8 19. Ncd2 Be6 20. Bxe6 Rxe6 21. d4 exd4 22. Nxd4 Nxd4 23. Bxd4 Nd7 24. f4 Qb7 25. Qc2 c5 26. Bc3 d5 27. exd5 Qxd5 28. Nf3 c4 29. Rcd1 Rxe1+ 30. Bxe1 Qc6 31. Kh1 Nc5 32. Ne5 {Borisova,P (2034)-Kuznetsova,P (2097) Barnaul RUS 2025 ½-½ (51)}) 18. d4 $1 {[%emt 0:07:14] This move underlines the only drawback of Black's previous move. Dieser Zug unterstreicht den einzigen Nachteil des vorherigen Zuges von Schwarz.} exd4 {[%emt 0:01:32]} 19. Nxd4 {[%emt 0:01:19]} Nxd4 {[%emt 0:00:09]} 20. Qxd4 {[%emt 0:00:15] For the present White's queen cannot be expelled from the centre without serious concessions. But Black can live with it and pursue his own plans. Im Moment kann die weiße Dame nicht ohne große Zugeständnisse aus dem Zentrum vertrieben werden. Aber Schwarz kann damit leben und seine eigenen Pläne verfolgen.} Be6 {[%emt 0:01:29] Black prepares the d6-d5 advance, neutralizing White's spatial advantage and perhaps also exchanging his centralized queen. Schwarz bereitet den Vorstoß d6-d5 vor, neutralisiert den Raumvorteil von Weiß und tauscht vielleicht auch seine zentralisierte Dame ab.} 21. h3 {[%emt 0:29:49]} ({White could try Weiß könnte} 21. Qd3 $1 {, when versuchen, wonach} d5 $1 {seems to be Black's best reaction anyway. Otherwise White could play 22.c2 with some threats agains Black's king or at least target his queenside pawns with 22.d2. The pawns advance costs Black a pawn, but a bishop pair should provide reasonable compensation after ohnehin die beste Reaktion von Schwarz zu sein scheint. Andernfalls könnte Weiß 22c2 mit einigen Drohungen gegen den schwarzen König spielen oder zumindest mit 22.d2 auf seine Bauern am Damenflügel zielen. Der Bauernvorstoß kostet Schwarz einen Bauern, aber ein Läuferpaar sollte eine angemessene Kompensation nach} 22. Bxf6 Qxf6 23. exd5 Bd7 $5 {. I would still prefer to be a pawn up, but it is irrelevant as I cannot choose. Nor could the players, by the way. . Ich würde es immer noch vorziehen, einen Bauern mehr zu haben, aber das ist irrelevant, da ich nicht wählen kann. Das können die Spieler übrigens auch nicht.} ({Less accurate is Weniger genau ist} 23... Bf5 24. Qf3 $14 {. .})) ({The a5 was poisoned: Der a5 war vergiftet:} 21. Nxa5 $2 c5 22. Qd2 Bxb3 23. Nxb3 $2 ({White can still limit the damage through Weiß kann immer noch den Schaden begrenzen durch} 23. e5 $1 $15 {. .}) 23... Nxe4 $17 {loses a pawn, verliert einen Bauern,}) ({während während} 21. Bxa5 $2 Bxc4 22. Qxc4 Rxa5 23. Qxf7+ Kh8 $19 {loses the game. die Partie verliert.}) 21... c6 {[%emt 0:17:00] Black prepares the d6-d5 advance. White cannot prevent it anyway. Schwarz bereitet den Vorstoß d6-d5 vor. Weiß kann ihn ohnehin nicht verhindern.} ({Immediate Unmittelbar} 21... d5 {was also possible. White should probably react with war auch möglich. Weiß sollte wahrscheinlich reagieren mit} 22. exd5 Qxd5 23. Qf4 $5 {with an ephemerous initiative, mit einer flüchtigen Initiative,} ({as denn} 23. Qxd5 $6 Nxd5 24. Bxa5 Nf4 $44 {is dangerous for White in practical terms, with 25... d3 being the main threat. ist in der Praxis gefährlich für Weiß, wobei 25... ?d3 ist die Hauptdrohung.})) 22. Bc2 {[%emt 0:03:38]} d5 $1 {[%emt 0:08:15]} 23. e5 {[%emt 0:03:48]} (23. exd5 Nxd5 $5 (23... Qxd5 $11) 24. Qe4 g6 $11 ({or even oder sogar} 24... f5 $5 {is good for Black. His king is exposed, but White's pieces are not active enough to start an attack. ist gut für Schwarz. Sein König ist exponiert, aber die weißen Figuren sind nicht aktiv genug, um einen Angriff zu starten.})) 23... dxc4 {[%emt 0:02:02]} 24. Qxd8 {[%emt 0:00:24]} Rexd8 {[%emt 0:01:35]} 25. exf6 {[%emt 0:00:06]  At the first sight White's position looks preferable owing to his better pawn structure, but his pieces are not active enough. With his next move Black exchanges White's best placed piece.  Auf den ersten Blick ist die Stellung von Weiß wegen seiner besseren Bauernstruktur offenbar vorzuziehen, aber seine Figuren sind nicht aktiv genug. Mit seinem nächsten Zug tauscht Schwarz die am besten platzierte Figur von Weiß ab.} Bb4 $1 {[%emt 0:00:19]} 26. fxg7 {[%emt 0:00:19]} Bxc3 {[%emt 0:02:01]} 27. bxc3 {[%emt 0:00:05]} Kxg7 {[%emt 0:00:00] White has a nominally better pawn structure, but his bishop is passive. The a4 needs care in bishop endgames, while the c4 is less vulnerable and even restricts White's bishop a bit. Weiß hat eine nominell bessere Bauernstruktur, aber sein Läufer ist passiv. a4 erfordert in Läuferendspielen Vorsicht, während c4 weniger verwundbar ist und sogar den weißen Läufer ein wenig einschränkt.} 28. Kf1 {[%emt 0:02:09]} ({All rook games are drawn after Alle Turmendspiele sind remis nach} 28. Be4 Bd5 $11 {, unless Black exchanges on e4 at a wrong moment. He can play Rab8 and improve his rook instead. Es sei denn, Schwarz tauscht im falschen Moment auf e4. Er kann stattdessen Rab8 spielen und seinen Turm verbessern.}) 28... Rab8 {[%emt 0:05:05]} 29. Rb1 {[%emt 0:00:27]} Kf6 $11 {[%emt 0:00:24]} 30. Rxb8 {[%emt 0:01:56]} ({After Nach} 30. Ke2 {Black could play könnte Schwarz} h5 $1 {, hoping to fix White's kingside pawns on light squares and attack them at a convenient moment. spielen in der Hoffnung, die weißen Bauern am Königsflügel auf leichten Feldern zu fixieren und sie in einem günstigen Moment anzugreifen.}) 30... Rxb8 {[%emt 0:00:11]} 31. Rb1 {[%emt 0:00:02]} Rxb1+ {[%emt 0:00:35]} 32. Bxb1 {[%emt 0:00:04]} Ke5 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 33. Ke2 {[%emt 0:01:24] White would like to push Black's king back through the f2-f4 advance and then play g2-g4, but it is not going to happen. Weiß würde gerne den schwarzen König durch den Vorstoß f2-f4 zurückdrängen und dann g2-g4 spielen, aber das wird nicht passieren.} f5 $1 {[%emt 0:00:06] The pawn advance hinders White's activity. Der Bauernvorstoß behindert die Aktivität von Weiß.} 34. Bc2 {[%emt 0:01:06]} ({The white majority at the kingsside would not get anywhere after Die weiße Mehrheit am Königsflügel würde nichts bringen nach} 34. g3 f4 35. g4 c5 36. Bc2 Bd7 $11 {. .}) 34... f4 {[%emt 0:00:15]} 35. Bb1 {[%emt 0:01:08]} c5 {[%emt 0:00:32] Neither side can make progress. Keine der beiden Seiten kann Fortschritte erzielen.} 36. Bc2 {[%emt 0:00:21]} Bd7 {[%emt 0:00:26]} 37. f3 {[%emt 0:00:33]} Kf6 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 38. h4 {[%emt 0:00:43]} Ke5 {[%emt 0:00:12]} 39. Kf2 {[%emt 0:00:12]} Kf6 {[%emt 0:00:19]} 40. Ke2 {[%emt 0:00:00]} ({After Nach} 40. g3 {Black can play almost anything, including kann Schwarz fast alles spielen, einschließlich} Ke5 ({und und} 40... fxg3+ 41. Kxg3 Ke5 42. f4+ Kf6 $11 {. White's king is unable to attack Black's pawns. . Der weiße König ist nicht in der Lage, die schwarzen Bauern anzugreifen.}) 41. g4 Kf6 $11) 40... Ke5 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 41. Kf2 {[%emt 0:00:37] The game was quiet, but not dull, it contained many strong moves and many inconspicuous subtleties. A draw is a logical result, as both grandmasters played it very well and none of them made a mistake. It is very hard to beat an elite grandmaster in a classical game, especially when he is excellently prepared. It is good that both players are looking for fight, I expect that someone will take the lead in this week. We have many interesting games ahead! Die Partie war ruhig, aber nicht langweilig, sie enthielt viele starke Züge und viele unauffällige Feinheiten. Ein Remis ist ein logisches Ergebnis, da beide Großmeister sehr gut spielten und keiner von ihnen einen Fehler machte. Es ist sehr schwer, einen Elite-Großmeister in einer klassischen Partie zu schlagen, besonders wenn er hervorragend vorbereitet ist. Es ist gut, dass beide Spieler den Kampf suchen, ich erwarte, dass jemand in dieser Woche die Führung übernehmen wird. Wir haben viele interessante Partien vor uns!} 1/2-1/2

[Event "World-ch Carlsen-Nepomniachtchi"]
[Site "Dubai"]
[Date "2021.11.30"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C42"]
[WhiteElo "2855"]
[BlackElo "2782"]
[Annotator "McShane,Luke"]
[PlyCount "65"]
[EventDate "2021.11.26"]
[EventType "match"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "UAE"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 206"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2022.02.28"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2022.02.28"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{[%evp 0,65,80,16,53,5,61,-8,53,9,41,-41,6,-46,-12,12,34,32,32,34,56,-34,29,48,106,106,103,65,64,64,42,55,76,57,39,52,58,-16,-28,-53,-78,-2,35,12,17,17,17,75,55,55,56,0,0,0,0,18,42,7,0,0,12,3,3,3,0,0,3,0]} 1. e4 {This game was played on Carlsen's birthday, 30th November. In his first White game, Carlsen played 1.d4. The World Champion has a wide repertoire, so it is natural that he wants to see what Nepomniachtchi has prepared against both main first moves. Diese Partie wurde an Carlsens Geburtstag, dem 30. November, gespielt. In seiner ersten Weißpartie spielte Carlsen 1.d4. Der Weltmeister verfügt über ein breites Repertoire, daher ist es nur natürlich, dass er sehen will, was Nepomniachtchi gegen die beiden wichtigsten ersten Züge vorbereitet hat.} e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 {Nepomniachtchi won an important game with the Petroff (Russian) defence against Wang Hao at the Candidates tournament in April 2021. Nepomniachtchi gewann eine wichtige Partie mit der Petroff-Verteidigung (Russisch) gegen Wang Hao beim Kandidatenturnier im April 2021.} 3. Nxe5 d6 4. Nf3 Nxe4 5. d4 d5 6. Bd3 Bd6 7. O-O O-O {The position is nearly symmetrical. In this variation, White tries to build a slight initiative around the fact that the d5 pawn has been slightly weakened by the 'extra' move Nf6-e4. Die Stellung ist fast symmetrisch. In dieser Variante versucht Weiß, eine leichte Initiative um die Tatsache herum aufzubauen, dass der d5-Bauer durch den "Extra"-Zug Sf6-e4 leicht geschwächt wurde.} 8. c4 c6 9. Re1 Bf5 10. Qb3 Qd7 11. Nc3 Nxc3 12. Bxf5 Qxf5 13. bxc3 (13. Qxb7 {is the other try in this position. Caruana used this move at the Grand Swiss in 2019. ist der andere Versuch in dieser Stellung. Caruana hat diesen Zug beim Grand Swiss 2019 angewandt.} Qd7 14. Qxd7 (14. Qxa8 $2 Na4 15. c5 Na6 {the queen is trapped die Dame ist gefangen}) 14... Nxd7 15. c5 Bxh2+ 16. Nxh2 Ne4 {Caruana - Wang Hao, FIDE Chess.com Grand Swiss, 2019 (a draw) Caruana - Wang Hao, FIDE Chess.com Grand Swiss, 2019 (ein Remis)}) 13... b6 14. cxd5 cxd5 15. Qb5 Qd7 {Surprisingly, this is Black's only reasonable move Überraschenderweise ist dies der einzige vernünftige Zug von Schwarz} (15... Nd7 16. Qc6 {Black just loses material here. Schwarz verliert hier einfach Material.} Bb8 {White can't capture the rook on a8 immediately, but simple moves suffice, e.g. Weiß kann den Turm auf a8 nicht sofort schlagen, aber es genügen einfache Züge, z.B.} 17. Ba3 Rd8 18. Be7 Re8 19. Bg5 Rf8 20. Kh1 {wins und gewinnt}) 16. a4 (16. Qxd5 $4 Bxh2+) (16. Rb1 {has also been played at top level in Vachier Lagrave - Caruana Norway Chess 2017 (a draw) wurde auch auf höchstem Niveau gespielt, in Vachier Lagrave - Caruana, Norway Chess 2017 (ein Remis)}) 16... Qxb5 17. axb5 a5 18. Nh4 {An interesting try from Carlsen, and the first new move of the game. Nevertheless, it is clear that Nepomniachtchi was ready for this. Of course, Carlsen's 18.Nh4 is rather committal, as has passed up the last opportunity to capture en passant. Black's protected passed pawn on the a-file now becomes a permanent asset. Ein interessanter Versuch von Carlsen, und der erste neue Zug der Partie. Dennoch ist es klar, dass Nepomniachtchi darauf vorbereitet war. Natürlich ist Carlsens 18.Sh4 ziemlich verpflichtend, da er die letzte Gelegenheit zum Schlagen en passant verpasst hat. Der gedeckte schwarze Freibauer auf der a-Linie wird nun zu einem dauerhaften Vorteil.} (18. bxa6 {gives Black little to worry about. gibt Schwarz wenig Anlass zur Sorge.} Nxa6 19. Ba3 Bxa3 20. Rxa3 Nc7 {with equality mit Ausgleich}) ({RR} 18. bxa6 Nxa6 19. Ba3 Bxa3 20. Rxa3 Nc7 21. Rb3 b5 22. Reb1 f6 23. Ne1 Ra2 24. R1b2 Ra1 25. Rb1 Ra2 26. R1b2 Ra1 27. Rb1 Ra2 {½-½ (27) Zhou,R (2313)-Hong,M (2172) Daqing CHN 2025}) 18... g6 {Keeping the knight out of f5. Carlsen hinted during the press conference that there were many possibilities for the game to become sharp. Perhaps he was considering lines such as the following: Hält den Springer von f5 fern. Carlsen deutete während der Pressekonferenz an, dass es viele Möglichkeiten gäbe, die Partie scharf zu machen. Vielleicht zog er dabei Varianten wie die folgende in Betracht:} (18... Nd7 {A natural alternative Eine natürliche Alternative} 19. Nf5 Rfe8 20. Bg5 Rxe1+ 21. Rxe1 Bf8 22. Ne3 {White will win the d5 pawn, but Black's passed a-pawn could be rather dangerous. Weiß wird den d5-Bauern gewinnen, aber der a-Bauer von Schwarz könnte ziemlich gefährlich sein.}) 19. g4 $146 {This reveals the secondary point of 18.Nf3-h4. The knight is coming, via g2, to attack the pawn on d5. Dies offenbart den zweiten Punkt von 18.Nf3-h4. Der Springer kommt über g2, um den Bauern auf d5 anzugreifen.} ({RR} 19. Bh6 Rc8 20. g4 Nd7 21. Ng2 Rxc3 22. Ne3 Bf8 23. Nxd5 Bxh6 24. Nxc3 Bd2 25. Na4 Bxe1 26. Rxe1 Rc8 27. Re7 Rc4 28. Rxd7 Rxa4 29. Rd6 Rb4 30. Rxb6 Rxd4 31. h3 Rb4 32. Rb8+ Kg7 33. b6 a4 {Carlsen,M (2853)-Deac,B (2700) Warsaw POL 2023 ½-½ (46)}) 19... Nd7 20. Ng2 Rfc8 (20... Nf6 {is a plausible alternative. The game would become extremely sharp after ist eine plausible Alternative. Das Spiel würde extrem scharf werden nach} 21. Bh6 Rfc8 (21... Bxh2+ 22. Kh1 {is double edged ist zweischneidig}) 22. Ne3 Rxc3 23. g5 Nd7 24. Nxd5 {with a really unclear position. Black's king is always going to be in some danger, because doubling rooks on the e-file, followed by Re8+ is an obvious plan for White. But the a-pawn is dangerous, and the Bh6 could easily become irrelevant. mit einer wirklich unklaren Stellung. Der schwarze König wird immer in einer gewissen Gefahr sein, denn die Verdopplung der Türme auf der e-Linie, gefolgt von Te8+, ist ein offensichtlicher Plan für Weiß. Aber der a-Bauer ist gefährlich, und der Lh6 könnte leicht irrelevant werden.}) 21. Bf4 (21. Bd2 {defending the pawn is much less promising. With the extra move Rf8-c8, Black has time to play Das Verteidigen des Bauern ist viel weniger aussichtsreich. Mit dem Extrazug Tf8-c8 hat Schwarz Zeit für} Nf6 22. f3 Ne8 {and the knight is coming to a nice square on c7, so White seems to be in more danger here. und der Springer kommt auf ein schönes Feld auf c7, so dass Weiß hier in größerer Gefahr zu sein scheint.}) 21... Bxf4 22. Nxf4 Rxc3 (22... Nf6 23. g5 {shows one of the reasons to prefer 19.g4 over 19.g3 zeigt einen der Gründe, 19.g4 gegenüber 19.g3 vorzuziehen}) 23. Nxd5 Rd3 24. Re7 Nf8 {The only move, since Der einzige Schritt, da} (24... Rd8 25. Rxd7 {wins a piece: gewinnt eine Figur:} Rxd7 26. Nf6+) 25. Nf6+ {This came after Carlsen's first big think of the game, lasting more than 20 minutes. It is possible that he was still somewhat familiar with the position (which remains balanced), but needed time to decide how best to pose practical problems. Dies geschah nach Carlsens erstem großen Nachdenken in der Partie, der mehr als 20 Minuten dauerte. Es ist möglich, dass er mit der Stellung (die nach wie vor ausgeglichen ist) noch einigermaßen vertraut war, aber Zeit brauchte, um zu entscheiden, wie er am besten praktische Probleme stellen kann.} (25. Nxb6 Rb8 26. Nd5 Rxd4 {is likely to end in a draw soon. wird wahrscheinlich bald mit einem Unentschieden enden.}) 25... Kg7 26. Ne8+ Kg8 {Other king moves are possible, but leaving the pawn on f7 loose would introduce a bit more risk into the position. Black has no reason to fear a repetition Andere Königszüge sind möglich, aber den Bauern auf f7 hängen zu lassen, würde die Stellung etwas riskanter machen. Schwarz hat keinen Grund, eine Wiederholung zu befürchten} 27. d5 {Avoiding the immediate draw by repetition. Vermeidet das sofortige Remis durch Zugwiederholung.} a4 {Not the only decent move for Black, but certainly the simplest. Nicht der einzige anständige Zug für Schwarz, aber sicherlich der einfachste.} 28. Nf6+ (28. d6 {was also playable, but Black has various ways to secure equality. For example war auch spielbar, aber Schwarz hat verschiedene Möglichkeiten, Ausgleich zu sichern. Zum Beispiel} a3 29. d7 Rd8 30. Nf6+ Kg7 31. Re8 R3xd7 32. Nxd7 Rxe8 33. Nxb6 Rb8 34. Nc4 Rxb5 35. Rxa3 {with a draw mit einem Unentschieden}) 28... Kg7 29. g5 {Supporting the knight in this way creates the outline of a mating net around the Black king. One of White's ideas here is extremely simple: Ra1-c1-c7 and Rxf7+. But Black has more than one way to deal with this, and pushing the passed a-pawn is certainly the simplest. Indem der Springer auf diese Weise unterstützt wird, entsteht der Umriss eines Mattnetzes um den schwarzen König. Eine der Ideen von Weiß ist hier extrem einfach: Ta1-c1-c7 und Txf7. Aber Schwarz hat mehr als eine Möglichkeit, damit umzugehen, und das Vorstoßen des a-Bauern ist sicherlich die einfachste.} a3 30. Ne8+ {This came after another long think from Carlsen. There are quite a few alternatives to contemplate: Dies geschah nach einer weiteren langen Denkpause von Carlsen. Es gibt eine ganze Reihe erwägenswerter Alternativen:} (30. Rc1 {leads to a pretty draw by perpetual check führt zu einem schönen Unentschieden durch Dauerschach} a2 31. Rxf7+ (31. Rcc7 $4 {is too clever, and meets a simple refutation: ist zu clever und kann einfach widerlegt werden:} a1=Q+ 32. Kg2 Qxf6) 31... Kxf7 (31... Kh8 32. Kg2 $1 {and Black is in big trouble und Schwarz ist in großen Schwierigkeiten}) 32. Rc7+ Nd7 33. Rxd7+ Kf8 34. Nxh7+ Kg8 35. Nf6+ {with a typical draw by repetition, because hiding in the corner allows Rh7 mate. mit einem typischen Remis durch Zugwiederholung, weil das Verstecken in der Ecke Th7 Matt ermöglicht.}) (30. Re3 {is another move Carlsen may have considered. ist ein weiterer Zug, den Carlsen in Betracht gezogen haben könnte.} Rxe3 31. fxe3 {If White had time to bring his king to the queenside, this could be dangerous for Black. But the bind on the kingside is not permanent: Wenn Weiß Zeit hätte, seinen König zum Damenflügel zu bringen, könnte dies für Schwarz gefährlich werden. Aber die Fesselung am Königsflügel ist nicht dauerhaft:} h6 32. h4 hxg5 33. hxg5 Nh7 34. Nxh7 Kxh7 {and now White must be careful to secure the draw und jetzt muss Weiß darauf achten, das Remis zu sichern} 35. Kf2 $2 (35. d6 {draws easily by deflecting the Black rook remisiert leicht durch Ablenkung des schwarzen Turms}) 35... Kg7 36. e4 f6 37. gxf6+ Kxf6 38. Ke3 Ke5 {and Black wins und Schwarz gewinnt}) (30. d6 {was possible, but Black has various paths to equality. For example war möglich, aber Schwarz hat verschiedene Wege zum Ausgleich. Zum Beispiel} Ne6 31. d7 Nxg5 {this strikes me as the simplest, though 31...Rd8 is also acceptable Das scheint mir am einfachsten zu sein, obwohl 31...Td8 auch akzeptabel ist} 32. Re8 Ra5 33. d8=Q Rxd8 34. Rxd8 (34. Nh5+ Kh6 35. Rxd8 Kxh5 {doesn't change much ändert nicht viel}) 34... Kxf6 35. Rd6+ Kg7 36. Rxb6 Nf3+ 37. Kg2 Nd4 38. Ra6 Rxb5 39. R6xa3 {and Black will draw without any difficulty. und Schwarz wird ohne Schwierigkeiten Remis machen.}) (30. Kg2 a2 31. Re2 Rda3 {is a strange position, which seems to be equal, although I suspect White is the one running more risk here. One simple idea for Black is to play Ra3-a7, followed by Nf8-d7. ist eine seltsame Stellung, die ausgeglichen zu sein scheint, obwohl ich vermute, dass Weiß hier das größere Risiko eingeht. Eine einfache Idee für Schwarz ist es, Ta3-a7 zu spielen, gefolgt von Sf8-d7.}) 30... Kg8 (30... Kh8 {was possible, as before, but Black should not be overly ambitious. war nach wie vor möglich, aber Schwarz sollte nicht zu ehrgeizig sein.} 31. Nf6 a2 (31... Kg7 {is safer ist sicherer}) 32. Rxf7 Rb3 33. Kg2 Rxb5 34. h4 {and Black has serious problems to solve. und Schwarz hat ernsthafte Probleme zu lösen.} Rb1 35. Rxa2 Rxa2 36. Rxf8+ Kg7 37. Rb8 {and Black may already be lost here. und Schwarz könnte hier bereits verloren sein.}) 31. Nf6+ Kg7 {is safer ist sicherer} 32. Ne8+ Kg8 33. Nf6+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "World-ch Carlsen-Nepomniachtchi"]
[Site "Dubai"]
[Date "2021.12.01"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C88"]
[WhiteElo "2782"]
[BlackElo "2855"]
[Annotator "Giri,Anish"]
[PlyCount "85"]
[EventDate "2021.11.26"]
[EventType "match"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "UAE"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 206"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2022.02.28"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2022.02.28"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{[%evp 0,85,61,26,56,50,61,-17,8,-20,-38,-95,-19,-58,-58,-37,5,-28,29,28,28,-14,24,-17,22,-17,-1,3,97,21,25,18,51,31,53,11,28,35,58,18,49,44,56,50,50,17,23,19,42,37,22,29,32,24,34,17,50,34,40,43,90,62,106,93,103,78,74,41,41,54,51,58,48,53,53,29,53,42,41,4,37,37,37,11,37,37,29,37]} 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O {No surprises thus far, as both the players continue the discussion in the Anti-Marshall. Keine Überraschungen bis jetzt, da beide Spieler die Diskussion im Anti-Marshall fortsetzen.} 8. a4 {Repeating the previous White game, from round 3, Ian is ready to challenge Magnus in this topical sideline once again. Die vorangegangene Weißpartie aus Runde 3 wiederholend, ist Ian bereit, Magnus in dieser aktuellen Nebenvariante erneut herauszufordern.} Rb8 {A deviation from the third game, but hardly a surprise, as Magnus used this move against Duda in the relatively recently finished World Cup in Sochi. Eine Abweichung von der dritten Partie, aber kaum eine Überraschung, da Magnus diesen Zug gegen Duda beim erst kürzlich beendeten World Cup in Sotschi anwandte.} (8... Bb7 9. d3 d6 10. Nbd2 Re8 $5 {happened in game 3. geschah in Partie 3.}) 9. axb5 axb5 10. h3 {Ian shows some move order finesse here, avoiding 10.c3 d5, which happened in Duda-Carlsen, though without the inclusion of 9.axb5 axb5 yet -9.c3 d5. Ian zeigt hier eine gewisse Finesse in der Zugfolge, indem er 10.c3 d5 vermeidet, was in Duda-Carlsen geschah, allerdings noch ohne die Einschaltung von 9.axb5 axb5 - 9.c3 d5.} d6 {Marshall style pawn sacrifice is less tempting here, as White has the c3 square for the knight, down the line. Ein Bauernopfer im Marshall-Stil ist hier weniger verlockend, da Weiß im Lauf der Variante das Feld c3 für den Springer.} 11. c3 {An interesting idea. When watching this game live, I felt it is more principled not to allow the trade of b-pawns with b4-bxc3 and play 11.d3, but going deeper into the position, I also noticed the downsides of trading the b5 pawn away. The c4 and a4 squares become available to White pieces. Eine interessante Idee. Als ich diese Partie live sah, hielt ich es für prinzipieller, den b-Bauern mit b4-bxc3 nicht zu tauschen und 11.d3 zu spielen, aber als ich mich näher mit der Stellung befasste, bemerkte ich auch die Nachteile des Abtauschs des b5-Bauern. Die Felder c4 und a4 werden für die weißen Figuren verfügbar.} b4 {If Black goes for the plan with Re8, h6, Bf8, White will strike with the immediate d4!. This reply is very sensible, preparing counterplay against the d4 push. Wenn Schwarz den Plan mit Te8, h6, Lf8 verfolgt, wird Weiß sofort mit d4! zuschlagen. Diese Antwort ist sehr vernünftig und bereitet ein Gegenspiel gegen den d4-Vorstoß vor.} 12. d3 {Now the the c4 and a4 squares are under White's control, this timid setup has some venom. Jetzt, da die Felder c4 und a4 unter weißer Kontrolle sind, hat dieser zaghafte Aufbau etwas Gift.} (12. d4 bxc3 13. bxc3 exd4 {a thematic sequence gives Black enough counterplay. eine thematische Sequenz gibt Schwarz genug Gegenspiel.} 14. cxd4 d5 $1 15. e5 Ne4 {With a complicated position, but with the active knight on e4 and the play, as well as squares, along the b-file Black appears to have a decent position. Mit einer komplizierten Stellung, aber mit dem aktiven Springer auf e4 und dem Spiel sowie den Feldern entlang der b-Linie scheint Schwarz eine anständige Position zu haben.}) 12... bxc3 {Not neccessary, but Black likely has to release the tension sooner or later. Das ist nicht notwendig, aber Schwarz muss wahrscheinlich früher oder später die Spannung aufheben.} 13. bxc3 d5 {This is not a must, but Black played it quickly, suggesting that the team of the World Champion thought this was the best way to try and neutralize White's small initiative. I would also consider the slower plan with h6 Re8 Bf8, intending Be6 or Ne7-Ng6 regroup. Basically, Black's main issue is his c6 knight, that is restrained by the c3 pawn. Dies ist kein Muss, aber Schwarz spielte es schnell, was darauf hindeutet, dass das Team des Weltmeisters dachte, dies sei der beste Weg, um zu versuchen, die kleine Initiative von Weiß zu neutralisieren. Ich würde auch den langsameren Plan mit h6/Te8/Lf8 in Betracht ziehen, mit der Absicht, Le6 oder Se7-Sg6 umzugruppieren. Im Grunde genommen ist das Hauptproblem von Schwarz sein Springer auf c6, der durch den c3-Bauern zurückgehalten wird.} 14. Nbd2 {A quiet reply. White intends to finish development and banks his hopes on the fact that the c6 knight is an awful piece. Eine ruhige Antwort. Weiß will die Entwicklung beenden und setzt seine Hoffnungen auf die Tatsache, dass der Springer auf c6 eine schreckliche Figur ist.} dxe4 {Black needs to release the tension, as Ba4 is a threat potentially. Schwarz muss die Spannung auflösen, da La4 eine potenzielle Drohung ist.} 15. dxe4 Bd6 {This seems slightly less accurate than the immediate h6, Magnus has mixed up the move order here, but Ian returns the favor, transposing back into the position he was aiming for anyway. Das scheint etwas weniger genau zu sein als das unmittelbare h6, Magnus hat hier die Zugfolge durcheinandergebracht, aber Ian revanchiert sich, indem er wieder in die Stellung überleitet, die er ohnehin anstrebte.} (15... h6 {This was a better order, when after 16.Qc2 Bd6 we are back in the game. Das war eine bessere Reihenfolge, da wir nach 16.Dc2 Ld6 wieder in der Partie sind.} 16. Ba4 {is not dangerous for Black. ist für Schwarz nicht gefährlich.} Ra8 17. Ba3 (17. Bb2 Bd7 18. Bxc6 Bxc6 19. Nxe5 Rxa1 20. Bxa1 Bxe4 {regaining the pawn, with further trades. mit Rückgewinn des Bauern und weiteren Tauschaktionen.} 21. Nxe4 Qxd1 22. Nxf6+ Bxf6 23. Rxd1 Bxe5) 17... Nb8 $1 {everything holds, as 18.Nxe5 is met by 18...Rxa4! when the d2 knight is hanging in the end. hält alles, denn 18.Sxe5 wird mit 18...Txa4! beantwortet, wonach der Springer auf d2 am Ende hängt.}) 16. Qc2 {16.Nc4, as well as starting with 16.Ba4 first and then Nc4 was very challenging. Mit 16.Sc4 zu beginnen wie auch erst 16.La4 und dann Sc4, war sehr herausfordernd.} h6 17. Nf1 {A modest but a very harmonious plan. White just wants to finish his development with Ng3 and Be3. Ein bescheidener, aber sehr harmonischer Plan. Weiß will einfach seine Entwicklung mit Sg3 und Le3 beenden.} Ne7 $146 {A somewhat inaccurate move order once again, as the knight moving away from the center this early gives White the opportunity to eventually grab space with c4-c5. Wieder einmal eine etwas ungenaue Zugfolge, da der sich so früh aus dem Zentrum entfernde Springer gibt, Weiß die Möglichkeit, mit c4-c5 Raum zu gewinnen.} (17... Bd7 {Would have likely led to a similar position as in the game eventually, but sidestepping the 20.c4! option. hätte wahrscheinlich zu einer ähnlichen Stellung wie in der Partie geführt, aber unter Umgehung der Option 20.c4!} 18. Ng3 Qc8 19. Be3 Be6 20. Bxe6 Qxe6 {Black is on the defensive, but it is nothing much for White. Schwarz ist in der Defensive, aber das ist nicht viel für Weiß.}) ({RR} 17... Bd7 18. Ng3 Qc8 19. Be3 Be6 20. Bxe6 Qxe6 21. Qa4 Ne7 22. Reb1 Nd7 23. Nd2 {½-½ (23) Bacrot,E (2648)-Fressinet,L (2624) Albi 2022}) 18. Ng3 Ng6 19. Be3 Qe8 {Clever, as Black intends Be6 and doesn't want to get hit by Nf5 after 19...Qe7. Clever, da Schwarz Le6 beabsichtigt und nicht nach 19...De7 von Sf5 getroffen werden will.} 20. Red1 {Too soft. Ian likely gets back into a position similar to the one he had in his notes after 17...Bd7, but it isn't much. Instead he had an opportunity to get a real plus. Zu weich. Ian kommt wahrscheinlich in eine ähnliche Stellung zurück, wie er sie in seinen Notizen nach 17...Ld7 hatte, aber das ist nicht viel. Stattdessen hatte er die Gelegenheit, ein echtes Plus zu erzielen.} (20. c4 $1 {This would gain some space and put more pressure on the Black's position. Dies würde Raum gewinnen und mehr Druck auf die schwarze Stellung ausüben.} Be6 {Probably this is what Magnus would have done. Black gets to trade the bishops, but gets cramped with c5. Wahrscheinlich hätte Magnus genau das getan. Schwarz kann die Läufer tauschen, wird aber mit c5 eingeklemmt.} (20... Bb4 {Ambitious, trying to give the bishop more air, but it doesn't work well. Ehrgeizig, um dem Läufer mehr Luft zu verschaffen, aber es funktioniert nicht gut.} 21. Reb1 $1 {Clever. Raffiniert.} c5 22. Ba4 $1 {Now Qe6 is not possible because of 23.Bxc5! and White bishop gets to reroute itself. Jetzt ist De6 wegen 23.Lxc5! nicht möglich, und der weiße Läufer kann sich selbst umleiten.} Qe7 23. Bc6 $1 {Heading for d5, a major upgrade from b3. White is better here, as the bishop on b4 is out of play and Black has got all these light square weaknesses. Er geht nach d5, eine große Verbesserung gegenüber b3. Weiß steht hier besser, da der Läufer auf b4 aus dem Spiel ist und Schwarz all diese weißen Feldschwächen hat.}) 21. Ba4 Bd7 {Slightly more accurate is 21...Qc8!, but I am not sure how easy it is for a human to understand that. Etwas genauer ist 21...Dc8!, aber ich bin mir nicht sicher, wie einfach das für einen Menschen zu verstehen ist.} 22. c5 Bxa4 23. Rxa4 {The pressure is on here, as the d6 bishop gets destabilized and the e5 as well as c7 pawns are now more vulnerable. Early to celebrate, but this would have given Ian better chances to achieve his first World Championship match victory. Der Druck ist hier groß, da der Läufer auf d6 destabilisiert wird und die Bauern auf e5 und c7 nun verwundbarer sind. Es ist noch zu früh zum Feiern, aber das hätte Ian bessere Chancen auf seinen ersten Sieg in einem Weltmeisterschaftsmatch gegeben.}) 20... Be6 21. Ba4 Bd7 22. Nd2 {Ian allows a lot of trades. Ian erlaubt eine Vielzahl von Abtäuschen.} Bxa4 23. Qxa4 Qxa4 24. Rxa4 {White still has a slightly better bishop, but there is very little Black should be worried about here. Easiest was 24... Rfd8! ready to meet 25.Nc4 with 25...Rb3. Weiß hat immer noch einen etwas besseren Läufer, aber es gibt sehr wenig, worüber sich Schwarz Sorgen machen müsste. Am einfachsten war 24... Tfd8!, bereit, 25.Sc4 mit 25...Tb3 zu begegnen.} Ra8 {Natural, to trade one more pair of pieces. Natürlich, um ein weiteres Figurenpaar zu tauschen.} 25. Rda1 Rxa4 26. Rxa4 Rb8 27. Ra6 Ne8 {Quite passive, but very solid. Ziemlich passiv, aber sehr solide.} (27... Nd7 {Seems to be cleaner. Scheint sauberer zu sein.} 28. Nc4 Bf8) (27... Nf4 {Is the engine way, but for a human it's hard to somehow make one active move in a row in a slightly lightly worse endgame. Das ist der Weg der Engine, aber für einen Menschen ist es schwer, in einem leicht schlechteren Endspiel irgendwie auf einmal einen aktiven Zug zu machen.}) 28. Kf1 Nf8 {Sticking to the passive approach again. Bleibt wieder beim passiven Ansatz.} 29. Nf5 {I was getting excited about 29.h4 but after 29...Ne6, it doesn't seem that h5 bind is that big a deal. Ich hatte mich schon auf 29.h4 gefreut, aber nach 29...Se6 scheint die h5-Klammer keine große Sache zu sein.} Ne6 30. Nc4 Rd8 31. f3 f6 {I thought 31...h5 was the more traditional way of solving the slightly issues that Black still has, but as Magnus correctly pointed out, after 32. Ncxd6! cxd6 33.Ra7 White keeps some pressure, while 32.g4 followed by h4-h5 bind is not such a big deal after all. Ich dachte, 31...h5 wäre der traditionellere Weg, um die leichten Probleme zu lösen, die Schwarz noch hat, aber wie Magnus richtig bemerkte, behält Weiß nach 32. Scxd6! cxd6 33.Ta7 etwas Druck, während 32.g4 gefolgt von der Klammer h4-h5 doch keine so große Sache ist.} 32. g4 Kf7 33. h4 Bf8 34. Ke2 Nd6 $1 {Trading a pair of knights makes Black's life easier. Der Abtausch eines Springerpaares macht Schwarz das Leben leichter.} 35. Ncxd6+ Bxd6 36. h5 Bf8 {Black now has the bad bishop, but there is nothing to be done here for White, as he has to keep the f4 square in check and also has no pawn breaks. Ian didn't see what he could try either and the game ended in a move repetition quickly. Schwarz hat nun den schlechten Läufer, aber für Weiß gibt es hier nichts zu tun, da er das Feld f4 in Schach halten muss und auch keine Bauerndurchbrüche hat. Ian sah auch nicht, was er versuchen könnte, und die Partie endete schnell in einer Zugwiederholung.} 37. Ra5 Ke8 38. Rd5 Ra8 39. Rd1 Ra2+ 40. Rd2 Ra1 41. Rd1 Ra2+ 42. Rd2 Ra1 43. Rd1 1/2-1/2

[Event "World-ch Carlsen-Nepomniachtchi"]
[Site "Dubai"]
[Date "2021.12.04"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C88"]
[WhiteElo "2782"]
[BlackElo "2855"]
[Annotator "Giri,Anish"]
[PlyCount "81"]
[EventDate "2021.11.26"]
[EventType "match"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "UAE"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 206"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2022.02.28"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2022.02.28"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{[%evp 0,81,58,32,26,61,50,20,8,-25,-5,-63,-19,-58,-58,-51,-20,-50,-16,28,34,-18,24,-3,22,19,54,61,85,36,36,33,75,64,76,79,82,50,83,83,83,72,81,67,107,86,14,14,8,8,8,4,-1,-5,-5,-5,-7,-4,-9,-3,-3,5,1,0,6,0,3,0,0,0,0,-4,0,-18,0,0,0,-18,0,0,0,0,0,0]} 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. a4 {The repeat of the same opening as in game 3 and 5 is not too surprising, given that Ian didn't have much time after the previous long game that ended in a loss for him. Also Ian was getting some small plus there, after all Die Wiederholung der gleichen Eröffnung wie in den Partien 3 und 5 ist nicht allzu überraschend, wenn man bedenkt, dass Ian nach der letzten langen Partie, die für ihn mit einer Niederlage endete, nicht viel Zeit hatte. Außerdem bekam Ian dort ein kleines Plus, immerhin} Rb8 9. axb5 axb5 10. h3 d6 11. d3 {Another twist, keeping the b-pawns on the board for now. In the previous game in this position Ian included 11.c3 b4, got a small plus, but for this game, Magnus (his team) would likely come up with an improvement neutralizing that attempt. Eine weitere Wendung, bei der die b-Bauern vorerst auf dem Brett bleiben. In der vorherigen Partie hatte Ian in dieser Stellung 11.c3 b4 eingeschaltet und ein kleines Plus erzielt, aber für diese Partie würde Magnus (sein Team) wahrscheinlich eine Verbesserung finden, die diesen Versuch neutralisiert.} h6 {Magnus is going for the very simple plan of h6, Re8, Bf8, Be6, trading the bishops without doubling the pawns. It is slow, but quite efficient. Magnus wählt den sehr einfachen Plan h6, Te8, Lf8, Le6 mit Läufertausch, ohne die Bauern zu verdoppeln. Es ist langsam, aber ziemlich effizient.} 12. Nc3 {Ian chooses for the Nc3-Nd5 plan. Ian entscheidet sich für den Plan Sc3-Sd5.} Re8 13. Nd5 Bf8 {Black continues with his plan, not minding the trade of knights much. Schwarz fährt mit seinem Plan fort und kümmert sich nicht sonderlich um den Tausch von Springern.} 14. Nxf6+ Qxf6 15. c3 {Black is left with the "bad" c6 knight, but as so often in these structures, he can reroute it to g6 at will. Schwarz bleibt der "schlechte" Springer auf c6, aber wie so oft in diesen Strukturen kann er ihn nach Belieben nach g6 umlenken.} Ne7 16. Be3 Be6 {Magnus took some time to go for this move order. It was also possible to start with 15....Be6, or play another move here, for example 16... b4 or 16...c5. Magnus brauchte einige Zeit, um sich für diese Zugfolge zu entscheiden. Es war auch möglich, mit 15....Le6 zu beginnen oder hier einen anderen Zug zu spielen, zum Beispiel 16...b4 oder 16...c5.} 17. d4 {White gains space in the center, but with the second pair of light pieces getting traded, the center alone is not worth too much. The side with the less space is always happy to trade stuff away. Weiß gewinnt Raum in der Mitte, aber mit dem zweiten Paar Leichtfiguren, die getauscht werden, ist die Mitte allein nicht allzu viel wert. Die Seite mit dem weniger Platz ist immer froh, wenn sie etwas abtauschen kann.} exd4 $146 {Likely an operation prepared by the team of the World Champion. Giving up the center may seem surprising at first, but it equalizes quite smoothly. Wahrscheinlich eine Operation, die vom Team des Weltmeisters vorbereitet wurde. Die Aufgabe des Zentrums mag zunächst überraschen, aber sie gleicht ganz problemlos aus.} ({RR} 17... Ng6 18. Bxe6 {½-½ (18) Esipenko,A (2678)-Tomashevsky,E (2700) Cheboksary 2022}) 18. cxd4 Bxb3 19. Qxb3 Ng6 {It transpires that the e4 pawn is hanging and more importantly, c5 push is coming next. Es stellt sich heraus, dass der e4-Bauer hängt und, was noch wichtiger ist, dass der c5-Vorstoß als nächstes kommt.} 20. Rec1 (20. Rac1 $1 {The only way to put some pressure, preventing c5, but Black is fine here as well. Die einzige Möglichkeit, Druck auszuüben und c5 zu verhindern, aber auch hier steht Schwarz gut.} Rxe4 (20... Rbc8 {or 20...Qd8 is also possible, trying to be even more pedantic. oder 20...Dd8 ist auch möglich, um noch pedantischer zu sein.}) 21. Rxc7 Re7 {White is maybe somewhat more pleasant here, with b5 pawn being slightly lightly weak, but it is not a big deal. Weiß steht hier vielleicht etwas angenehmer, da der b5-Bauer leicht schwach ist, aber das ist keine große Sache.}) (20. Qc2 c5 21. e5 Qd8 {should lead to mass exchanges as well, just like in the game. sollte ebenfalls zu einem Massenaustausch führen, genau wie im Spiel.}) 20... c5 {Now the stuff just gets traded and the game ends in a draw quickly. Jetzt werden die Sachen einfach abgetauscht und das Spiel endet schnell unentschieden.} 21. e5 Qf5 22. dxc5 dxc5 23. Bxc5 Bxc5 24. Rxc5 Nxe5 25. Nxe5 Rxe5 26. Rxe5 Qxe5 27. Qc3 {Vacuum cleaner is on. Der Staubsauger ist eingeschaltet.} Qxc3 28. bxc3 Rc8 29. Ra5 Rxc3 30. Rxb5 Rc1+ 31. Kh2 Rc3 32. h4 g6 33. g3 h5 34. Kg2 Kg7 35. Ra5 Kf6 36. Rb5 Kg7 37. Ra5 Kf6 38. Rb5 Kg7 39. Ra5 Kf6 40. Ra6+ Kg7 41. Ra7 {Not the most exciting of the games, but after a 7+ hour long game the day before, the players have nothing to prove to anyone. Nicht die aufregendste Partie, aber nach einer 7-stündigen Partie am Vortag haben die Spieler niemandem etwas zu beweisen.} 1/2-1/2

[Event "World-ch Carlsen-Nepomniachtchi"]
[Site "Dubai"]
[Date "2021.12.05"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C43"]
[WhiteElo "2855"]
[BlackElo "2782"]
[Annotator "Giri,Anish"]
[PlyCount "91"]
[EventDate "2021.11.26"]
[EventType "match"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "UAE"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 206"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2022.02.28"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2022.02.28"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{[%evp 0,91,25,25,56,31,76,8,9,9,9,-29,-29,-39,-36,-90,23,13,24,32,100,26,31,31,35,25,16,0,57,48,82,40,75,68,68,67,68,62,62,62,88,83,109,109,155,135,138,125,114,114,144,114,114,111,111,101,119,91,173,173,179,179,179,181,197,195,195,198,208,201,186,185,188,229,230,236,236,188,199,176,166,188,199,203,205,183,171,205,246,243,302,285,363,281]} 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 {Ian stays loyal to the Petroff. A draw in this game means he gets a restday and an opportunity to go for it in the next game with the White pieces. Ian bleibt Russisch treu. Ein Remis in dieser Partie bedeutet, dass er einen Ruhetag bekommt und die Möglichkeit hat, in der nächsten Partie mit den weißen Figuren zuzuschlagen.} 3. d4 Nxe4 4. Bd3 d5 5. Nxe5 Nd7 6. Nxd7 Bxd7 7. Nd2 $5 {A very innocent looking try, but Carlsen evidently felt it was good enough for this particular game and it worked out indeed. Ein sehr unschuldig aussehender Versuch, aber Carlsen war offensichtlich der Meinung, dass er für diese spezielle Partie gut genug war, und es hat tatsächlich funktioniert.} Nxd2 {Not the only move with 7. ..f5 and 7...Nf6 looking like interesting alternatives. Nicht der einzige Zug, denn 7...f5 und 7...Sf6 sehen wie interessante Alternativen aus.} ({RR} 7... Nf6 8. O-O Be7 9. h3 O-O 10. Nf3 Re8 11. Re1 c5 12. c3 Qb6 13. a4 ({RR} 13. Ne5 Be6 14. Re2 Rac8 15. Be3 Nd7 16. f4 Nxe5 17. fxe5 Bd7 18. Rf2 Rf8 19. Qf3 Qc6 20. Raf1 h6 21. Qh5 Be8 22. Rf6 Bxf6 23. Rxf6 Qa4 24. Bxh6 g6 25. Bxg6 fxg6 26. Rxg6+ Kf7 27. Qf5+ Ke7) 13... cxd4 14. a5 Qc7 15. Nxd4 Bc5 16. Rxe8+ Rxe8 17. a6 bxa6 18. Rxa6 Bb6 19. Be3 Ne4 20. Bxe4 dxe4 21. Nc2 Bb5 22. Bxb6 {Carlsen,M (2830)-Abdusattorov,N (2766) Warsaw POL 2024 1-0 (107)}) ({RR} 7... Nf6 8. O-O Be7 9. h3 O-O 10. Nf3 Re8 11. Re1 c5 12. c3 Qb6 13. a4 cxd4 14. a5 Qc7 15. Nxd4 Bc5 16. Rxe8+ Rxe8 17. a6 bxa6 18. Rxa6 Bb6 19. Be3 Ne4 20. Bxe4 dxe4 21. Nc2 Bb5 22. Bxb6 {Carlsen,M (2828)-Abdusattorov,N (2733) Warsaw, Poland 2024 1-0 (107)}) 8. Bxd2 Bd6 {Objectively this natural move may be quite inaccurate. The computer's first suggestion is 8...Qe7+. Objektiv mag dieser natürliche Zug ziemlich ungenau sein. Der erste Vorschlag des Computers ist 8...De7+.} ({RR} 8... Qe7+ 9. Be3 Qb4+ 10. Qd2 Qxd2+ 11. Kxd2 Bd6 12. h4 h5 13. Rae1 Be6 14. g3 Kd7 15. Bf4 Rae8 16. Bxd6 Kxd6 17. Re3 Bg4 18. f3 Bd7 19. Rxe8 Rxe8 20. Re1 Be6 21. c3 a5 22. Re2 Re7 23. a3 {Fressinet,L (2616)-Svane,R (2629) Hamburg GER 2025 ½-½}) 9. O-O h5 $5 {This can be seen as a sign of aggression, but in fact it is more than that, a very clever idea. The simple castle at this point, maintaining symmetry will not maintain it for too long, as after 9...0-0 10.Qh5! Black is forced to weaken his position somewhat with 10...f5. With the move in the game, Ian guards h5 square, accepts the fact that the king will no longer castle and think about activating the h8 rook already. Dies kann als ein Zeichen von Aggression gesehen werden, aber in Wirklichkeit ist es mehr als das, eine sehr clevere Idee. Die einfache Rochade an dieser Stelle, welche die Symmetrie aufrechterhält, wird selbige nicht allzu lange aufrechterhalten, denn nach 9...0-0 10.Dh5! ist Schwarz gezwungen, seine Stellung mit 10...f5 etwas zu schwächen. Mit dem Partiezug bewacht Ian das Feld h5, akzeptiert die Tatsache, dass der König nicht mehr rochiert und denkt bereits über die Aktivierung des Turms h8 nach.} 10. Qe1+ $146 {After a surprise, followed a long thought and this move, essentially offering simplifications and basically a draw. After the game Magnus mentioned that he was also not 100% sure whether Ian was not out of book at this point. Nach einer Überraschung folgte eine langes Nachdenken und dieser Zug, der im Wesentlichen Vereinfachungen und im Grunde ein Remis bot. Nach der Partie erwähnte Magnus, dass er sich auch nicht 100% sicher war, ob Ian zu diesem Zeitpunkt nicht aus dem Buch war.} (10. c4 {was the most tempting move, but the lines could get very complicated here. war der verlockendste Zug, aber die Varianten könnten hier sehr kompliziert werden.} dxc4 11. Re1+ Kf8 12. Bxc4 {here it's tempting to go for the double attack with Qh4, but actually Black should be very alert here. Hier ist es verlockend, den Doppelangriff mit Dh4 zu wagen, aber eigentlich sollte Schwarz hier sehr wachsam sein.} Qf6 $1 {The strongest reply, preventing Qf3 first and foremost. Die stärkste Antwort, die vor allem Df3 verhindert.} (12... Qh4 {This would be good if not for a very powerful reply. Das wäre gut, wenn es nicht eine sehr starke Antwort gäbe.} 13. Qf3 $3 {Suddenly it transpires that White's threat of Qxf7 is far too serious, while Black's check on h2, even though it captures a pawn, is only a check. Plötzlich stellt sich heraus, dass die weiße Drohung Dxf7 viel zu ernst ist, während das schwarze Schach auf h2, auch wenn es einen Bauern schlägt, eben nur ein Schach ist.}) 13. Qb3 h4 $1 {Black can meet 14.Qxb7 with 14...Bc6! gaining a lot of time to generate kingside play. The position is actually quite unclear, as the h8 rook is ready to get into the game via h5. Schwarz kann 14.Dxb7 mit 14...Lc6! begegnen und gewinnt viel Zeit, um Spiel am Königsflügel zu erzeugen. Die Stellung ist eigentlich ziemlich unklar, da der Turm auf h8 bereit ist, über h5 ins Spiel zu kommen.}) ({RR} 10. c4 Qh4 11. g3 Qg4 12. Re1+ Kf8 13. c5 Be7 14. Bf4 Qxd1 15. Raxd1 c6 16. h4 Re8 17. b4 a6 18. a4 g6 19. b5 axb5 20. axb5 Kg7 21. b6 Bf6 22. Be3 Bf5 23. Be2 Re7 24. Bf3 Be4 {Slizhevsky,A (2381)-Gochelashvili,D (2230) Chennai IND 2024 ½-½}) 10... Kf8 $6 {An inexplicable error, even though the arising position is still pretty solid and very drawish. It is just not clear why not to play 10...Qe7 instead, which would equalize on the spot, while the move in the game isn't a winning attempt at all. Ein unerklärlicher Fehler, auch wenn die entstehende Stellung immer noch ziemlich solide und sehr remislich ist. Es ist nur nicht klar, warum man nicht stattdessen 10...De7 spielt, was auf der Stelle ausgleichen würde, während der Zug in der Partie überhaupt kein Gewinnversuch ist.} (10... Qe7 {there isn't much to show here, as the queens come off, the position is totally dry. Hier gibt es nicht viel zu zeigen, da die Damen verschwinden, die Stellung ist völlig trocken.}) 11. Bb4 {White obviously elimates the d6 bishop (else why did he go Qe1+) and gets a very slightly better position, thanks to a very very slightly better bishop and better coordination of rooks, as the rook on h8, though it can join the game via h6, is still somewhat oddly placed, with h5 pawn being weak if it ever leaves the h-file. Weiß eliminiert natürlich den Läufer auf d6 (warum hätte er sonst De1+ gespielt) und erhält eine ganz leicht bessere Stellung, dank eines ganz leicht besseren Läufers und einer besseren Koordination der Türme, da der Turm auf h8, obwohl er über h6 ins Spiel kommen kann, immer noch etwas seltsam platziert ist, da der h5-Bauer schwach ist, wenn er jemals die h-Linie verlässt.} Qe7 12. Bxd6 Qxd6 13. Qd2 Re8 14. Rae1 Rh6 {This questionable move was played too fast and I started to get worried for Black here. It started to become clear that Ian was out of balance on this day. Dieser fragwürdige Zug wurde zu schnell gespielt, und ich begann, mir Sorgen um Schwarz zu machen. Es wurde langsam klar, dass Ian an diesem Tag aus dem Gleichgewicht war.} 15. Qg5 {An annoying move, pointing out that f6 now reduces the range of the h6 rook. Ein lästiger Zug, der darauf hinweist, dass f6 nun die Reichweite des h6-Turms reduziert.} c6 16. Rxe8+ Bxe8 17. Re1 Qf6 18. Qe3 {Magnus plays it simple. Also possible was to go for another route. Magnus macht es sich einfach. Möglich wäre auch, einen anderen Weg einzuschlagen.} (18. Qg3 Qd6 19. Qh4 Qf6 20. Qh3 $5 {This is another attempt at transforming the position and making use of White's better coordinated pieces. Dies ist ein weiterer Versuch, die Stellung umzuwandeln und die besser koordinierten Figuren von Weiß auszunutzen.} Qxd4 21. Qc8 Re6 22. Rxe6 fxe6 23. g3 $1 {Threatening Bg6 and keeping Qxb7 in the pocket as well. Black can likely hold, but only with very precise play. Er droht mit Lg6 und hält auch Dxb7 in der Trommel. Schwarz kann sich wahrscheinlich halten, aber nur mit sehr präzisem Spiel.}) 18... Bd7 19. h3 h4 {A decent move, even though Ian felt this was not accurate, unhappy that he allowed c4 in this version. Ein anständiger Zug, auch wenn Ian der Meinung war, dass dies nicht genau war, unglücklich darüber, dass er c4 in dieser Version erlaubte.} 20. c4 {Transforming the position somewhat, opening it a little bit, trying to use Black's weird piece coordination. Verwandelt die Stellung etwas, öffnet sie en wenig, versucht, die seltsame Figurenkoordination von Schwarz zu nutzen.} dxc4 21. Bxc4 b5 $4 {A blunder that is hard to explain. I'd go with the cliches: the nerves, tiredness, pressure and all of that. Ein Fehler, der schwer zu erklären ist. Ich würde die Klischees bemühen: die Nerven, die Müdigkeit, der Druck und all das.} (21... Kg8 $1 {Would equalize, as 22.Qe7 can be met with 22...Be6! when things work out just fine for Black. würde ausgleichen, da 22.De7 mit 22...Le6! beantwortet werden kann, wonach die Dinge für Schwarz einfach gut laufen.}) 22. Qa3+ {Now Magnus picks up the a7 pawn for free, thanks to some back rank tricks. Besides that now Black's position is pretty much lost, not able to cope with all the setbacks, he doesn't manage to put up any resistance. Jetzt holt sich Magnus den a7-Bauern umsonst, dank einiger Tricks auf der Grundreihe. Abgesehen davon ist die Stellung von Schwarz jetzt ziemlich verloren, er ist nicht in der Lage, all die Rückschläge zu verkraften und schafft es nicht, Widerstand zu leisten.} Kg8 {The alternative was still better-22...Qd6 23.Qxa7 g5 and somehow fight on, though White is up a pawn and has all the compensation for it as well, as they say in such cases. Die Alternative war immer noch besser: 22...Dd6 23.Dxa7 g5 und irgendwie weiterkämpfen, obwohl Weiß einen Bauern mehr hat und auch die ganze Kompensation dafürt, wie man in solchen Fällen sagt.} (22... Qd6 23. Qxa7 {is the trick, as 23...bxc4 loses to 24.Qa8+. ist der Trick, denn 23...bxc4 verliert gegen 24.Da8+.}) 23. Qxa7 Qd8 {This and the next move, puts Black's pieces to a total freeze, though I have to say it's not that there was a great alternative. Dieser und der nächste Zug bringen Schwarz' Figuren zum völligen Stillstand, obwohl ich sagen muss, dass es keine großartige Alternative gab.} (23... Bxh3 {would have been the best shot. The endgame is more lost than it seems, but there was a trap, though Magnus at the press conference pointed out that he had seen it. wäre die beste Chance gewesen. Das Endspiel ist verlorener als es scheint, aber es gab eine Falle, obwohl Magnus auf der Pressekonferenz darauf hinwies, dass er sie gesehen hatte.} 24. Qxf7+ (24. Re8+ Kh7 25. Bxf7 $2 {White threatens the spectacular Rh8+ followed by Qa8-g8 mate, but here comes the shocker. Weiß droht mit dem spektakulären Th8+ und anschließendem Da8-g8-Matt, aber jetzt kommt der Schocker.} Rg6 $3 {and things suddenly turn around for Black. und plötzlich wendet sich das Blatt zugusnten von Schwarz.}) 24... Qxf7 25. Re8+ Kh7 26. Bxf7 Bf5 27. Bg8+ Kg6 28. Bb3 {The endgame is significantly worse than it may seem at first, as Black is still poorly coordinated and is struggling with a weak c6 pawn. Das Endspiel ist wesentlich schlechter, als es auf den ersten Blick scheint, da Schwarz immer noch schlecht koordiniert ist und mit einem schwachen c6-Bauern zu kämpfen hat.}) 24. Bb3 Rd6 {Black is already dead lost, but Rh5-Rg5 was a better try to somehow fish for some miracle. Schwarz ist bereits auf verlorenem Posten, aber Th5-Tg5 war ein besserer Versuch, irgendwie nach einem Wunder zu fischen.} 25. Re4 {Black is now paralyzed and White can come up with threats at will, for example Rf4 is coming. Schwarz ist nun gelähmt und Weiß kann nach Belieben Drohungen aufstellen, zum Beispiel kommt Tf4.} Be6 {Entering a dead lost queen endgame, but there was no salvation at this point. Geht in ein tot verlorenes Damenendspiel, aber zu diesem Zeitpunkt gab es keine Rettung mehr.} 26. Bxe6 Rxe6 27. Rxe6 fxe6 28. Qc5 {The queen endgame is just too winning for Magnus to really need his famous endgame skills, though he still shows them in this game, winning this endgame with the biggest of margins. Das Damenendspiel ist einfach zu gewonnen für Magnus, als dass er seine berühmten Endspielfähigkeiten wirklich brauchen würde, obwohl er sie in dieser Partie trotzdem zeigt, indem er dieses Endspiel mit dem größten Vorsprung gewinnt.} Qa5 29. Qxc6 Qe1+ 30. Kh2 Qxf2 31. Qxe6+ Kh7 32. Qe4+ Kg8 33. b3 {The queen on e4 ensures that there is never any perpetual check, as after Qg3+ Kh1, the e1 square is always under control. Die Dame auf e4 sorgt dafür, dass es nie zu einem Dauerschach kommt, da nach Dg3+ Kh1 das Feld e1 immer unter Kontrolle ist.} Qxa2 34. Qe8+ Kh7 35. Qxb5 Qf2 36. Qe5 Qb2 37. Qe4+ Kg8 {Now Magnus could capture the h4 pawn, but he chooses a more clinical finish, keeping all of his pawns alive. Jetzt könnte Magnus den h4-Bauern schlagen, aber er entscheidet sich für ein klinisches Ende, bei dem alle seine Bauern am Leben bleiben.} 38. Qd3 Qf2 39. Qc3 {The queen controls all the vital squares. Black has no perpetual here ever. Die Dame kontrolliert alle wichtigen Felder. Schwarz hat hier niemals ein Dauerschach.} Qf4+ 40. Kg1 Kh7 41. Qd3+ {Too accurate, as on d1 the queen controls everything even better. Zu genau, denn auf d1 kontrolliert die Dame alles noch besser.} g6 42. Qd1 Qe3+ 43. Kh1 g5 44. d5 g4 45. hxg4 {Prettier was 45.d6! gxh3 46.Qh5+ and the idea is that Black is going to have to allow the queens to come off- 46...Kg7 47.Qg4+ Kf8 48.Qf3+. Schöner war 45.d6! gxh3 46.Dh5+ und die Idee ist, dass Schwarz den Damentausch zulassen muss - 46...Kg7 47.Dg4+ Kf8 48.Df3+ .} h3 46. Qf3 {Three pawns is more than enough as well and so Nepo resigns. Drei Bauern sind auch mehr als genug und so gibt Nepo auf.} 1-0

[Event "World-ch Carlsen-Nepomniachtchi"]
[Site "Dubai"]
[Date "2021.12.08"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C42"]
[WhiteElo "2855"]
[BlackElo "2782"]
[Annotator "So,Wesley"]
[PlyCount "81"]
[EventDate "2021.11.26"]
[EventType "match"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "UAE"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 206"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2022.02.28"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2022.02.28"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{[%evp 0,81,58,32,56,50,31,-13,52,10,10,17,6,-54,36,-50,-62,-50,-39,-27,40,37,57,60,34,31,31,31,32,3,-7,-7,-7,-7,-5,-28,3,-6,10,-24,21,-2,40,36,40,22,32,23,41,38,41,19,30,19,16,10,61,61,71,22,100,84,84,0,0,9,7,12,31,30,31,23,19,12,22,16,42,32,40,2,12,2,0,0]} {What can we expect from this game? Magnus just won three of the last four games and the match has turned horribly for Ian, losing at least two games unnecessarily. After yesterday's blunder of a piece, Ian now has only five games left to try to do something in this match. Today he has the black pieces, so let's take a look at the game. Was können wir von dieser Partie erwarten? Magnus hat gerade drei der letzten vier Partien gewonnen und das Match hat sich für Ian schrecklich entwickelt, er hat mindestens zwei Partien unnötig verloren. Nach dem gestrigen Figureneinsteller hat Ian nur noch fünf Partien, in denen er versuchen kann, etwas in diesem Match zu erreichen. Heute hat er die schwarzen Figuren, also schauen wir uns die Partie an.} 1. e4 {Magnus is good with any first move, as he can play any position very well. But as predicted by most people, he goes for the 'best by test' 1.e4. 1.d4 is an option too, but since he only needs a few draws to retain the title the concrete 1.e4 makes sense, especially since Ian has been defending with the Petroff for this match. No need to go for the English or other more offbeat openings when you have such a big lead. Magnus ist mit jedem ersten Zug gut, da er jede Stellung sehr gut spielen kann. Aber wie von den meisten Leuten vorhergesagt, entscheidet er sich für "best by test" 1.e4. 1.d4 ist auch eine Option, aber da er nur ein paar Remis braucht, um den Titel zu behalten, macht das konkrete 1.e4 Sinn, besonders da Ian in diesem Match mit Russisch verteidigt hat. Es gibt keinen Grund, Englisch oder andere ungewöhnlichere Eröffnungen zu spielen, wenn man einen so großen Vorsprung hat.} e5 $5 {This shocked almost all commentators watching the game. Many of them expected Ian to play his favorite Sicilian Najdorf. They thought that today was a must win game for Ian. But I'm sure Magnus has some deep preparation against the Najdorf too. Dies schockierte fast alle Kommentatoren, die die Partie verfolgten. Viele von ihnen hatten erwartet, dass Ian seinen Lieblings-Sizilianer Najdorf spielen würde. Sie dachten, dass Ian die Partie heute unbedingt gewinnen muss. Aber ich bin mir sicher, dass Magnus auch gegen Najdorf irgendeine tiefe Vorbereitung hat.} 2. Nf3 {There are a lot of safe lines for White in 1.e4 e5. The Scotch Four Knights, for example is very safe, so are the Ruy Lopez/Italian lines. Es gibt eine Menge sicherer Varianten für Weiß in 1.e4 e5. Das Schottische Vierspringerspiel ist zum Beispiel sehr sicher, ebenso wie Spanisch-/Italienisch-Varianten.} Nf6 $5 {Ian's strategy in this match confused many people including myself. In game 8 when he was only down one point he tried to unbalance the game as much as possible and play for the win (he avoided the early trade of the queens.) Now when he is down by three points he seems to be willing to make a draw with Black. You can't really expect to gain too many winning chances with a slow defensive opening like the Petroff. Ians Strategie in diesem Match verwirrte viele Leute, mich eingeschlossen. In der 8. Partie, als er nur einen Punkt zurücklag, versuchte er, die Partie so weit wie möglich aus dem Gleichgewicht zu bringen und auf Sieg zu spielen (er vermied den frühen Damentausch.) Jetzt, wo er drei Punkte zurückliegt, scheint er bereit zu sein, mit Schwarz Remis zu machen. Man kann nicht wirklich erwarten, dass man mit einer langsamen, defensiven Eröffnung wie Russisch allzu viele Gewinnchancen hat.} 3. Nxe5 {I think it's clear at this point that Magnus is very happy to make a draw with White. He has such a huge lead in the match with so few games left. Ich denke, es ist zu diesem Zeitpunkt klar, dass Magnus sehr zufrieden ist, mit Weiß zu remisieren. Er hat einen so großen Vorsprung im Match, und nur noch so wenige Partien verbleiben.} ({Another possibility to force the draw is Eine weitere Möglichkeit, das Unentschieden zu erzwingen, ist} 3. d4 Nxe4 4. Bd3 d5 5. Nxe5 Nd7 6. Nxf7 {this line is very heartbreaking for both sides. Diese Linie ist für beide Seiten sehr herzzerreißend.} Kxf7 7. Qh5+ Ke7 (7... Ke6 8. Qg4+) 8. Qe2 Kf6 9. Qf3+ {and Black has no good way to avoid the repetition. But Magnus does not want to play such an unattractive line. However If I was White and had a three point lead in a match I will definitely consider this :) and get a rest day. und Schwarz hat keine gute Möglichkeit, die Wiederholung zu vermeiden. Aber Magnus will eine so unattraktive Variante nicht spielen. Wenn ich Weiß wäre und drei Punkte Vorsprung hätte, würde ich das auf jeden Fall in Betracht ziehen :) und einen Ruhetag einlegen.}) 3... d6 4. Nd3 $5 {This move has become very popular in recent years as it not so easy to get an advantage in the Petroff and White is looking for new unstandard ways. The knight wants to rerout itself to the logical f4-square. Dieser Zug ist in den letzten Jahren sehr populär geworden, da es nicht so einfach ist, in Russisch einen Vorteil zu erlangen und Weiß nach neuen, unüblichen Wegen sucht. Der Springer will sich auf das logische f4-Feld umleiten.} (4. Nf3 Nxe4 5. d4 d5 6. Bd3 Bd6 7. O-O O-O 8. c4 c6 {is the fashionable line which Magnus played in game 4. ist die aktuelle Variante, die Magnus in Partie 4 gespielt hat.}) 4... Nxe4 5. Qe2 Qe7 {Black has to cover the e-file with the queen, since otherwise f3 wins a piece. Schwarz muss die e-Linie mit der Dame decken, da sonst f3 eine Figur gewinnt.} 6. Nf4 {Magnus also played this variation in the 2018 match against Fabiano Caruana. White's position is very safe and the queens will most likely be traded soon, with a close to equality ending. Magnus spielte diese Variante auch in der Partie 2018 gegen Fabiano Caruana. Die weiße Stellung ist sehr sicher, und die Damen werden höchstwahrscheinlich bald getauscht werden, mit einem nahezu ausgeglichenen Endspiel.} Nf6 7. d4 Nc6 $5 {A very provocative move by Nepo. Maybe he planned this move-order in order to provoke White to keep queens on the board? Here Magnus thought for a very long time. 8.e3 is clearly a way to exploit Black's inaccurate move-order, but on the other hand 8.c3 and a trade of queens is very safe. Most commentators were hoping for 8.e3 to see an exciting game. I'm sure Magnus considered it also very strongly and at some point everyone thought he would go for it. Ein sehr provokanter Zug von Nepo. Vielleicht plante er diese Zugfolge, um Weiß dazu zu provozieren, die Damen auf dem Brett zu behalten? Hier dachte Magnus sehr lange nach. 8.e3 ist eindeutig eine Möglichkeit, die ungenaue Zugfolge von Schwarz auszunutzen, aber andererseits ist 8.c3 und ein Damentausch sehr sicher. Die meisten Kommentatoren hofften auf 8.e3, um eine spannende Partie zu sehen. Ich bin sicher, dass Magnus dies auch sehr stark in Erwägung gezogen hat und irgendwann dachte jeder, dass er sich darauf einlassen würde.} ({Black could also exchange queens first with Schwarz könnte auch zuerst die Damen tauschen mit} 7... Qxe2+ 8. Bxe2 Nc6 9. c3 d5 {followed by ...d8 later, with similar play as in the game. , gefolgt von ...d8 später, mit ähnlichem Spiel wie in der Partie.}) 8. c3 {I think this is the normal decision. White wants to play it as safe as possible, and keep the option to head for the endgame at all times. we transpose back to the game while avoiding 8.e3 later. Ich denke, das ist die normale Entscheidung. Weiß möchte so sicher wie möglich spielen und sich jederzeit die Möglichkeit offen halten, ins Endspiel zu gehen. leiten wir zurück in die Partie und vermeiden 8.e3 später.} ({A more ambitious move is Ein ehrgeizigerer Schritt ist} 8. Be3 {which poses Black theoretical problems, as now c3 is a threat. But considering the match situation it's not necessary for Magnus to avoid the trade of queens. was Schwarz theoretische Probleme bereitet, da nun c3 eine Drohung ist. Aber in Anbetracht der Matchsituation ist es für Magnus nicht notwendig, den Damentausch zu vermeiden.} Bf5 (8... g5 9. Nd3 {looks complex, but Black has no real way to exploit his pressure on the e-file, for example after sieht komplex aus, aber Schwarz hat keine wirkliche Möglichkeit, seinen Druck auf die e-Linie auszunutzen, zum Beispiel nach} Bg4 (9... Nd5 10. Nc3 Nxc3 11. bxc3 {is bad for Black, as after g3 followed by g2 Black has too many weaknesses. ist schlecht für Schwarz, denn nach g3 gefolgt von g2 hat Schwarz zu viele Schwächen.}) 10. f3 Bf5 11. Bxg5 O-O-O 12. Qxe7 Bxe7 13. c3 Rhg8 {Black has some compensation for the pawn, but still has to be accurate to equalize. Schwarz hat eine gewisse Kompensation für den Bauern, muss aber trotzdem genau agieren, um auszugleichen.}) 9. Nc3 O-O-O 10. d5 (10. O-O-O d5 11. a3 {here this might also be a bit better for White with g3 coming next. Hier könnte dies auch ein bisschen besser für Weiß sein, wenn g3 als nächstes kommt.}) 10... Ne5 11. O-O-O a6 12. Qd2 {and White has extra space and can pose Black some problems. und Weiß hat zusätzlichen Raum und kann Schwarz vor einige Probleme stellen.}) 8... d5 ({The main line here is actually Die Hauptvariante hier ist eigentlich} 8... g5 $1 {kicking the enemy knight away from the good square on f4. um den gegnerischen Springer von dem guten Feld auf f4 wegzukicken.} 9. Qxe7+ (9. Nd3 h6 10. h4 Rg8 {is actually just better for Black, since White lost a lot of time moving his knight back and forth and on d3 it's not well placed. ist eigentlich nur besser für Schwarz, da Weiß viel Zeit verloren hat, um seinen Springer hin und her zu bewegen, und auf d3 ist er nicht gut platziert.}) 9... Nxe7 10. Ne2 $1 {This is an important move. Dies ist ein wichtiger Zug.} h6 11. Ng3 {from here the knight is well placed. White can play d3 or h4 next move, with a solid position and I'm sure Magnus had prepared this line and knows what to do. Von hier aus ist der Springer gut platziert. Weiß kann im nächsten Zug d3 oder h4 spielen, mit einer soliden Stellung, und ich bin sicher, dass Magnus diese Linie vorbereitet hatte und weiß, was zu tun ist.}) ({RR} 8... Bf5 9. f3 h5 10. h4 O-O-O 11. Qxe7 Nxe7 12. Kf2 g6 13. Nh3 Nh7 14. Bc4 d5 15. Be2 Bd7 16. Nd2 Nf5 17. g3 Re8 18. Bd3 c5 19. Bxf5 Bxf5 20. Nf1 cxd4 21. cxd4 Bxh3 22. Rxh3 Kd7 23. Bf4 {Maghsoodloo,P (2706)-Aronian,L (2782) Kolkata 2021 ½-½ (41)}) 9. Nd2 $146 ({White can also play maybe Weiß kann vielleicht auch} 9. h4 {to secure the f4-square for the knight. spielen, um das f4-Feld für den Springer zu sichern.}) ({RR} 9. f3 h5 10. h4 Bf5 11. Qxe7+ Nxe7 12. Ne2 g6 13. Bf4 Kd7 14. Ng3 Be6 15. Bd3 Ne8 16. Nd2 Bh6 17. Bxh6 Rxh6 18. Ndf1 Nd6 19. Ne3 Rf8 20. b3 f5 21. Ne2 f4 22. Nd1 Rh7 23. Nb2 Nc6 {Flores Quillas,D (2431)-Rojas Salas,S (2223) Cusco PER 2025 0-1 (58)}) 9... Nd8 {Black improves the position of his knight and prepares to trade it by playing ...e6. Schwarz verbessert die Stellung seines Springers und bereitet sich darauf vor, ihn mit ...e6 zu tauschen.} (9... Bf5 {looks like a very natural move too, the point is to castle long right away. sieht auch wie eine sehr natürlicher Zug aus, der Punkt ist, sofort lang zu rochieren.} 10. Qxe7+ {here we take with the knight hier nehmen wir mit dem Springer} Nxe7 {followed by ...g6 next move, with equality. , gefolgt von ...g6 im nächsten Zug, mit Ausgleich.}) 10. Nf3 Qxe2+ 11. Bxe2 Bd6 12. O-O O-O $11 {Black has completely equalized. I think both players got what they were aiming for today. Magnus got a very safe position, and Ian has no problems with Black. I think for Ian though trying to bounce back in this match comes a little too late. Every draw brings Magnus closer to match victory. Three points is just way too big a deficit. Ian won an equal Petroff endgame with Black against Wang Hao in the Candidates tournament earlier this year, but Magnus is a completely different opponent. Schwarz hat vollständig ausgeglichen. Ich denke, beide Spieler haben heute erreicht, was sie wollten. Magnus hat eine sehr sichere Stellung, und Ian hat keine Probleme mit Schwarz. Ich denke, für Ian kommt der Versuch, sich in diesem Match zu revanchieren, ein wenig zu spät. Jedes Remis bringt Magnus näher an den Matchsieg heran. Drei Punkte ist einfach ein viel zu großes Defizit. Ian gewann Anfang des Jahres ein ausgeglichenes Russisch-Endspiel mit Schwarz gegen Wang Hao im Kandidatenturnier, aber Magnus ist ein ganz anderer Gegner.} 13. Bd3 {Of course there is all to play for with so many pieces on the board, and both sides need to display some level of accuracy and not fall asleep. But with only one open file and a symmetrical structure the most likely result is a draw. Natürlich gibt es bei so vielen Figuren auf dem Brett jede Menge Spiel, und beide Seiten müssen ein gewisses Maß an Genauigkeit an den Tag legen und nicht einschlafen. Aber mit nur einer offenen Linie und einer symmetrischen Struktur ist das wahrscheinlichste Ergebnis ein Remis.} Re8 (13... Ne6 14. Nxe6 Bxe6 15. Re1 Rfe8 16. Ne5 {followed by f4 looks very sterile. gefolgt von f4 sieht sehr steril aus.}) 14. Re1 {White has to fight for control over the open file. Weiß muss um die Kontrolle über die offene Linie kämpfen.} Rxe1+ 15. Nxe1 {The knight is actually even better placed here than on f3, since White can rerout his knight over to g2 and later f4 or e3. Der Springer ist hier sogar besser platziert als auf f3, da Weiß seinen Springer nach g2 und später nach f4 oder e3 umleiten kann.} Ne6 16. Nxe6 Bxe6 17. g3 g6 (17... Re8 18. Ng2 Bg4 19. Bg5 Ne4 20. Bf4 $11 {followed by e1, and a most likely draw. gefolgt von e1, und ein wahrscheinliches Remis.}) 18. Ng2 Re8 19. f3 Nh5 (19... Bh3 20. Kf2 {is very safe for White, since f4 is coming next and ist sehr sicher für Weiß, da f4 als nächstes kommt, und nach} Bxg2 21. Kxg2 Re1 {White can force a draw if he wants with kann Weiß ein Remis erzwingen, wenn er will, mit} 22. Kf2 Rh1 23. Kg2 $11) 20. Kf2 ({If at all, White is a little better after Wenn überhaupt, dann steht Weiß nach} 20. g4 Ng7 21. h3 {since his knight is well placed and plans to play f4 next. White's light-squared bishop is slightly more active than Black's. en wenig besser, da sein Springer gut platziert ist und er plant, als nächstes f4 zu spielen. Der weißfeldrige Läufer des Anziehenden ist etwas aktiver als der von Schwarz.}) 20... c6 (20... Bh3 21. Bd2 $11) 21. g4 Ng7 22. Bf4 (22. h3 {is a tiny bit better for White, to over-protect the pawn on g4. Black has to be slightly careful to avoid any trouble, for example after the logical continuation , um den Bauern auf g4 zu schützen, ist ein klein wenig besser für Weiß. Schwarz muss etwas vorsichtig sein, um Probleme zu vermeiden, zum Beispiel nach der logischen Fortsetzung} Bd7 23. Bf4 Bxf4 24. Nxf4 g5 25. Ne2 f5 26. Rg1 h6 27. Nc1 Re7 28. Bc2 {White has some chances with the knight coming over to d3. Weiß hat einige Chancen, wenn der Springer nach d3 kommt.}) 22... Bxf4 23. Nxf4 {If White is allowed to play h4 then he gets to push, but Ian does not let this happen. Wenn Weiß h4 spielen darf, dann kann er drängen, aber Ian lässt das nicht zu.} g5 $1 24. Ne2 f5 25. h3 Kf7 {Black equalizes very cleanly and the players soon agree to a draw. Schwarz gleicht sehr sauber aus und die Spieler einigen sich bald auf ein Remis.} 26. Rh1 h6 27. f4 {All the pawns on the kingside will now be traded and the draw is clear. Alle Bauern am Königsflügel werden nun getauscht und das Remis ist klar.} (27. Ng3 Kf6 28. h4 {is another way to make the draw. ist eine weitere Möglichkeit, Remis zu machen.} fxg4 29. hxg5+ hxg5 30. Rh6+ Ke7 31. Rg6 $11) 27... fxg4 28. hxg4 Bxg4 29. Rxh6 Bf5 ({Obviously not Offensichtlich nicht} 29... Bxe2 $2 30. Bg6+ {winning the exchange. mit Qualitätsgewinn.}) 30. Bxf5 Nxf5 31. Rh7+ Ng7 (31... Kg6 32. Rxb7 g4 {is interesting, threatening to create some play with ...e3. But White can just trade the knights with ist interessant, drohend, mit ...e3 etwas Spiel zu schaffen. Aber Weiß kann die Springer einfach tauschen mit} 33. Ng3 (33. Rxa7 {and now 33...e3 or und jetzt 33...e3 oder} Rh8 {threatening ...h2+ gives Black some activity as compensation for the pawns. drohend ...h2+ gibt Schwarz etwas Aktivität als Kompensation für die Bauern.}) 33... a5 34. Rc7 Nxg3 35. Kxg3 Kf5 36. Rf7+ Kg6 37. Rc7 Kf5 $11 {and the game still ends in a draw thanks to Black's king activity and the ...e3+ threat. und die Partie endet dank der schwarzen Königsaktivität und der ...e3+-Drohung trotzdem mit einem Remis.}) 32. fxg5 Kg6 33. Rh3 Kxg5 34. Rg3+ Kf6 35. Rf3+ Ke7 36. Nf4 Kd6 37. Ng6 Re6 38. Ne5 Ne8 39. Rf7 Rf6+ 40. Rxf6+ Nxf6 41. Ke3 {A short and quite uneventful draw, which totally makes sense as Magnus is on the verge of match victory. Ian barely used any time today and a draw Black is a very good result especially after two tough losses. With three points down and only four games left the match is almost over, but it'll be nice for Ian to come back and win a game or more and show what he is really capable of. Ein kurzes und recht ereignisloses Remis, was durchaus Sinn macht, da Magnus kurz vor dem Matchsieg steht. Ian hat heute kaum Zeit verbraucht und ein Remis mit Schwarz ist ein sehr gutes Ergebnis, besonders nach zwei harten Niederlagen. Mit drei Punkten Rückstand und nur noch vier Partien ist das Match fast vorbei, aber es wäre schön, wenn Ian zurückkommt und eine oder mehrere Partien gewinnt und zeigt, wozu er wirklich fähig ist.} 1/2-1/2

[Event "World-ch Carlsen-Nepomniachtchi"]
[Site "Dubai"]
[Date "2021.12.10"]
[Round "11"]
[White "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C54"]
[WhiteElo "2782"]
[BlackElo "2855"]
[Annotator "Kasimdzhanov,Rustam"]
[PlyCount "98"]
[EventDate "2021.11.26"]
[EventType "match"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "UAE"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 206"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2022.02.28"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2022.02.28"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{[%evp 0,98,58,6,61,18,42,32,26,-31,28,-5,26,-2,40,-27,4,4,63,12,12,5,24,8,56,22,24,28,14,22,27,20,28,20,22,-7,13,-9,-9,-7,7,-20,-4,-6,-14,-25,-18,-190,-190,-190,-178,-190,-178,-190,-94,-295,-297,-297,-210,-174,-96,-85,-109,-109,-107,-107,-107,-114,-114,-116,-120,-121,-114,-147,-154,-162,-176,-202,-201,-191,-179,-214,-183,-267,-239,-245,-245,-204,-249,-311,-311,-301,-307,-313,-314,-378,-414,-456,-443,-443,-458]} 1. e4 {Nepo goes back to his main move. 1.c4 worked decently well for him a few days ago, at least in the early phase of the game... Nepo kehrt zu seinem Hauptzug zurück. 1.c4 funktionierte vor ein paar Tagen recht gut für ihn, zumindest in der frühen Phase der Partie...} e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 {No more Spanish. Kein Spanisch mehr.} Nf6 $1 {Actually, a better move order. Just trust me on this! Tatsächlich eine bessere Zugfolge. Vertrauen Sie mir einfach!} 4. d3 (4. Ng5 d5 {currently works very well for Black. funktioniert derzeit sehr gut für Schwarz.}) 4... Bc5 5. c3 d6 6. O-O a5 7. Re1 Ba7 {Very interesting and an almost completely new set-up. One of the drawbacks of the Italian from White's point of view is the variety of different solid lines for Black. Sehr interessant und ein fast völlig neuer Aufbau. Einer der Nachteile von Italienisch aus weißer Sicht ist die Vielfalt der verschiedenen soliden Vairanten für Schwarz.} 8. Na3 {I suspect Nepo was on his own here, and Na3 looks natural enough. Ich vermute, dass Nepo hier auf sich allein gestellt war, und Na3 sieht natürlich genug aus.} h6 {The solid way. Der solide Weg.} (8... O-O 9. Bg5 h6 10. Bh4 g5 {looks too risky for a World Championship match - sieht zu riskant aus für einen Weltmeisterschaftskampf -} 11. Bg3 {0-1 (28) Volokitin,A (2606)-Rakotomaharo, F (2391) Riga 2021} (11. Nxg5 $5 {as always, this looks messy: Das sieht wie immer chaotisch aus:} hxg5 12. Bxg5 Kg7 13. Qf3)) 9. Nc2 {Somewhat too standard. Ein wenig zu schematisch.} (9. Nb5 $5 {looks a bit more lively to me: sieht für mich ein bisschen lebendiger aus:} Bb6 10. Be3 Bxe3 11. Rxe3 O-O 12. d4 Bg4 13. h3 Bh5 14. Qe1 {and maybe White could claim a bit of something. und vielleicht könnte Weiß ein bisschen was beanspruchen.}) 9... O-O 10. Be3 {Only this is really new. Erst dies ist wirklich neu.} (10. a4 Ne7 11. d4 {1-0 (39) Saric,I (2646) -Yankelevich,L (2461) Skalica 2020} Ng6 $1 {Black is perfectly fine here. The knight on c2 is remarkably badly placed to support e4, and White will feel this. Schwarz steht hier vollkommen ordentlich. Der Springer auf c2 ist bemerkenswert schlecht platziert, um e4 zu unterstützen, und Weiß wird das spüren.}) 10... Bxe3 (10... Ne7 11. Bxa7 Rxa7 12. d4 Ng6 {looks very easy too. sieht auch sehr einfach aus.}) 11. Nxe3 Re8 12. a4 {Another instant move. Eine weitere Sofortmaßnahme.} (12. Qc2 Be6 13. b3 $5 {looks like a chance to keep it more complex: Sieht nach einer Chance aus, es komplexer zu gestalten:} (13. Bxe6 Rxe6 14. Rad1 d5 $11) 13... d5 14. Bb5 $1) 12... Be6 13. Bxe6 {At this moment I really felt Nepo wanted nothing of this game. In diesem Moment hatte ich wirklich das Gefühl, dass Nepo nichts von dieser Partie wollte.} (13. Bb5 Bd7 14. Qb3 {at least looks more like a fight. sieht zumindest mehr nach einem Kampf aus.}) 13... Rxe6 14. Qb3 b6 (14... Rb8 15. Qb5 $1 {is suddenly awkward. Magnus is always alert ist plötzlich unangenehm. Magnus ist immer wachsam}) 15. Rad1 Ne7 16. h3 $146 ({RR} 16. g3 Qd7 {½-½ (16) Karjakin,S (2747)-Artemiev,V (2701) Krasnogorsk RUS 2023}) 16... Qd7 17. Nh2 Rd8 18. Nhg4 Nxg4 19. hxg4 d5 $1 {Perfectly in time. Genau zur rechten Zeit.} 20. d4 exd4 $1 (20... dxe4 21. dxe5 Qe8 {was playable too, but the game continuation is more direct and well-calculated. war auch spielbar, aber die Partiefortsetzung ist direkter und gut berechnet.}) 21. exd5 (21. Rxd4 Rxe4 22. Rxe4 dxe4 23. Rd1 Qc8 24. Rxd8+ Qxd8 25. Qc4 Qd7 26. Qxe4 Kf8 $11) 21... Re4 $1 (21... Nxd5 22. Rxd4 $18) 22. Qc2 Rf4 $1 {Only moves, but sufficient. Now facing a bunch of very drawn lines, Nepo makes of one of the worst mistakes in a long history of World Championship matches. Einzige Züge, aber ausreichend. Nun sieht sich Nepo einer Reihe von sehr remislichen Varianten gegenüber und begeht einen der schlimmsten Fehler in der langen Geschichte der Weltmeisterschaftskämpfe.} 23. g3 $4 (23. Rxd4 Rxd4 24. cxd4 Nxd5 25. Nxd5 Qxd5 26. Qxc7 Qxd4 $11) (23. Nc4 Ng6 24. cxd4 Qxd5 $11) 23... dxe3 {Also, an absolutely only move. Auch ein absolut einziger Zug.} 24. gxf4 Qxg4+ 25. Kf1 Qh3+ 26. Kg1 Nf5 $6 {There were several checkmating lines, for instance Es gab mehrere Mattvarianten, zum Beispiel} (26... exf2+ $1 27. Qxf2 Rd6 28. Qf1 Rg6+ 29. Kf2 Qh2+ 30. Ke3 Nf5+ 31. Kd3 Rg3+ 32. Kc4 Qxb2 {etc. usw.}) 27. d6 $1 {Somehow White isn't immediately lost. Irgendwie ist Weiß nicht sofort verloren.} Nh4 28. fxe3 Qg3+ 29. Kf1 Nf3 30. Qf2 Qh3+ {Magnus goes for a winning rook endgame. With his technique it's probably as good as delivering checkmate. Magnus strebt ein gewonnenes Turmendspiel an. Mit seiner Technik ist das wahrscheinlich so gut wie ein Schachmatt.} 31. Qg2 (31. Ke2 Nxe1 32. dxc7 Qg4+ $1) 31... Qxg2+ 32. Kxg2 Nxe1+ 33. Rxe1 Rxd6 34. Kf3 Rd2 {A pawn up and an active rook is plenty. The rest is agony. Ein Bauer mehr und ein aktiver Turm sind genug. Der Rest ist Agonie.} 35. Rb1 (35. b4 axb4 36. cxb4 Ra2 37. Rc1 Rxa4 38. Rxc7 Rxb4 $19) 35... g6 36. b4 axb4 37. Rxb4 (37. cxb4 Ra2 $19) 37... Ra2 38. Ke4 h5 39. Kd5 Rc2 $5 (39... h4 {was winning, but Magnus carefully avoids any complications. gewann, aber Magnus vermeidet sorgfältig jegliche Komplikationen.} 40. Kc6 h3 41. Rb1 h2 42. Kxc7 f6 43. Kxb6 g5) 40. Rb3 (40. c4 h4 41. Kc6 h3 42. Kxc7 h2 43. Rb1 Rxc4+ {Now White doesn't even get a passed pawn, Jetzt bekommt Weiß nicht einmal einen Freibauern,}) 40... h4 41. Kc6 h3 42. Kxc7 h2 43. Rb1 Rxc3+ ({I would probably prefer Ich würde wahrscheinlich bevorzugen} 43... f6 44. Kxb6 g5 45. a5 g4 46. a6 Ra2 47. a7 g3 {and pawns will queen. Nothing is wrong with the World Champion's choice either. und die Bauern wandeln um. Auch an der Wahl des Weltmeisters ist nichts auszusetzen.}) 44. Kxb6 Rb3+ 45. Rxb3 h1=Q 46. a5 Qe4 $1 {White doesn't get a single chance here. Weiß bekommt hier nicht eine einzige Chance.} 47. Ka7 (47. a6 Qe6+ $1) 47... Qe7+ $1 48. Ka8 Kg7 49. Rb6 (49. a6 Qe6 50. Ra3 Qc8+ 51. Ka7 Qc5+ $19) 49... Qc5 {and Nepo resigned. The second half of the match wasn't the fight we all wanted to see, with most of the games being blundered away ( 21...b5??, 27.c5??, 23.g3?? and others). Still, the World Champion barely made a mistake in 11 games, and never gave a chance once in control. Hopefully Nepo can recover from what must be an absolute nightmare of a match. und Nepo gab auf. Die zweite Hälfte des Matches war nicht der Kampf, den wir alle sehen wollten, da die meisten Partien verpatzt wurden ( 21...b5??, 27.c5??, 23.g3?? und andere). Dennoch machte der Weltmeister in 11 Partien kaum einen Fehler und gab nie eine Chance, sobald er die Kontrolle hatte. Hoffentlich kann sich Nepo von diesem absoluten Albtraum eines Matches erholen.} 0-1

[Event "Tata Steel-A 84th"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2022.01.17"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Duda, Jan Krzysztof"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C88"]
[WhiteElo "2760"]
[BlackElo "2865"]
[PlyCount "75"]
[EventDate "2022.01.15"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 206"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2022.02.28"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2022.02.28"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 {Giri,Anish} e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. a4 Rb8 ({RR} 8... Bb7 9. d3 d6 10. Nbd2 Re8) 9. axb5 axb5 10. h3 d6 11. c3 b4 12. d3 ({RR} 12. d4 bxc3 13. bxc3 exd4 14. cxd4 d5 15. e5 Ne4) 12... bxc3 13. bxc3 h6 ({RR} 13... d5 14. Nbd2 dxe4 15. dxe4 Bd6 ({RR} 15... h6 16. Ba4 Ra8 17. Ba3 ({RR} 17. Bb2 Bd7 18. Bxc6 Bxc6 19. Nxe5 Rxa1 20. Bxa1 Bxe4 21. Nxe4 Qxd1 22. Nxf6+ Bxf6 23. Rxd1 Bxe5) 17... Nb8) 16. Qc2 h6 17. Nf1 Ne7 ({RR} 17... Bd7 18. Ng3 Qc8 19. Be3 Be6 20. Bxe6 Qxe6) 18. Ng3 Ng6 19. Be3 Qe8 20. Red1 ({RR} 20. c4 Be6 ({RR} 20... Bb4 21. Reb1 c5 22. Ba4 Qe7 23. Bc6) 21. Ba4 Bd7 22. c5 Bxa4 23. Rxa4) 20... Be6 21. Ba4 Bd7 22. Nd2 Bxa4 23. Qxa4 Qxa4 24. Rxa4 Ra8 25. Rda1 Rxa4 26. Rxa4 Rb8 27. Ra6 Ne8 ({RR} 27... Nd7 28. Nc4 Bf8) ({RR} 27... Nf4) 28. Kf1 {Nepomniachtchi,I (2782)-Carlsen,M (2855) Dubai 2021 CBM 206 [Giri,Anish] ½-½ (43)}) 14. Be3 Re8 15. Nbd2 Bf8 16. Qc2 $146 ({RR} 16. g4 Nh7 17. d4 h5 18. Ba4 Bd7 19. gxh5 exd4 20. cxd4 Nb4 21. Bxd7 Qxd7 22. Kh2 d5 23. e5 c5 24. dxc5 Nd3 25. Rg1 Nxc5 26. Rg4 Qf5 27. h6 g6 28. Ra7 Nd3 29. Kg2 Rb4 30. Nd4 Rxd4 {Yakubboev,N (2617)-Esipenko,A (2683) chess.com INT 2023 1-0 (44)}) 16... Be6 17. Bxe6 Rxe6 18. d4 exd4 19. Nxd4 Nxd4 20. cxd4 Qe8 21. d5 Re7 22. Ra4 Rb2 23. Qxb2 Qxa4 24. Bd4 Nh5 25. Ra1 Qd7 26. Qc3 Nf4 27. Qf3 Ng6 28. Rc1 Qa4 29. Qd3 f5 30. g3 fxe4 31. Nxe4 Qe8 32. Nc3 Re1+ 33. Rxe1 Qxe1+ 34. Kg2 Qe8 35. Qb5 Qc8 36. Qd3 Ne7 37. Qe4 c6 38. dxc6 1/2-1/2

[Event "Tata Steel-A 84th"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2022.01.20"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Grandelius, Nils"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B48"]
[WhiteElo "2672"]
[BlackElo "2865"]
[Annotator "Grandelius,Nils"]
[PlyCount "107"]
[EventDate "2022.01.15"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 206"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2022.02.28"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2022.02.28"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{[%evp 0,107,30,-2,100,76,83,17,73,57,28,69,140,88,127,86,111,111,112,112,92,64,93,53,53,61,63,-16,20,22,34,21,52,54,54,57,57,41,133,47,76,54,77,35,21,-12,15,-13,-4,-8,0,21,-33,-18,-20,-20,-20,-27,111,95,95,-146,-105,-126,-126,-177,-126,-126,-101,-177,0,-105,85,64,64,79,46,29,29,52,6,-91,-51,-51,-75,-67,-84,-95,-95,-78,-54,-40,-63,0,51,47,47,68,77,77,77,77,68,54,54,33,33,42,39,11]} 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 e6 5. Nc3 Qc7 {The Taimanov is a rare guest in Carlsen's repertoire, but the World Champion is of course able to play any opening in a very high class manner. Taimanov ist ein seltener Gast in Carlsens Repertoire, aber der Weltmeister ist natürlich in der Lage, jede Eröffnung auf sehr hohem Niveau zu spielen.} 6. Be3 a6 7. g4 {My own invention! As so often in modern chess, I would guess many people already knew about this idea, but I was very happy when I was the first one allowed to play it. In my opinion, the 7.g4 line (which doesn't have a name yet) is currently the most serious test against the Taimanov Sicilian. By delaying f3 or Qf3 White is hoping to get an improved version of the usual attacking setups. Meine eigene Erfindung! Wie so oft im modernen Schach wussten wohl schon viele Leute von dieser Idee, aber ich war sehr froh, als ich sie als Erster spielen durfte. Meiner Meinung nach ist die Variante 7.g4 (die noch keinen Namen hat) derzeit der ernsthafteste Test gegen den Taimanov-Sizilianer. Durch die Verzögerung von f3 oder Df3 hofft Weiß, eine verbesserte Version der üblichen Angriffsaufstellungen zu erhalten.} Nxd4 {This was how Fabiano Caruana handled the Black side when he faced 7.g4 last year, and therefore one of the most important attempts for Black. So handhabte Fabiano Caruana die schwarze Seite, als er letztes Jahr mit 7.g4 konfrontiert wurde, und das war daher einer der wichtigsten Versuche für Schwarz.} (7... b5 {is the main move. ist der Hauptzug.} 8. Nxc6 Qxc6 {And now the big point of 7.g4 is the pawn sacrifice Und jetzt ist die große Pointe von 7.g4 das Bauernopfer} 9. Qd2 $1 b4 10. Ne2 Qxe4 11. Rg1 {Subsequently there has been a number of games here, but my initial conclusion that the positions are very dangerous for Black still seems broadly valid. In der Folgezeit gab es hier eine Reihe von Partien, aber meine anfängliche Schlussfolgerung, dass die Stellungen für Schwarz sehr gefährlich sind, scheint immer noch im Großen und Ganzen gültig zu sein.}) 8. Qxd4 {In one move, rather than having to drop by d2 first. Already this should be some success for White, although chess is rarely that simple. In einem Zug, anstatt erst auf d2 vorbeischauen zu müssen. Schon das sollte ein Erfolg für Weiß sein, obwohl Schach selten so einfach ist.} b5 9. O-O-O Bb7 10. f3 {Sooner or later necessary, as the e4-pawn needs support. Still, we haven't transposed to the English Attack, as Black normally prefers to delay the trade on d4. Nepomniachtchi instead played 10.Kb1 against Caruana. Früher oder später notwendig, da der e4-Bauer Unterstützung braucht. Dennoch haben wir nicht in den Englischen Angriff übergeleitet, da Schwarz es normalerweise vorzieht, den Tausch auf d4 zu verzögern. Nepomniachtchi spielte stattdessen gegen Caruana 10.Kb1 .} Rc8 11. Qd2 {Protecting c2. Deckt c2.} Bb4 12. Bd4 f6 {Looks odd, but necessary for a concrete reason. Sieht seltsam aus, ist aber aus einem konkreten Grund notwendig.} (12... Nf6 {looks much more normal, but runs into sieht viel normaler aus, läuft aber in} 13. g5 Nh5 14. Be5 $1 {and due to the weakness of d7 White is seriously better. und wegen der Schwäche von d7 steht Weiß deutlich besser.}) 13. g5 {Chess the way I like it most - White is going for an all-out attack. Schach, wie ich es am liebsten mag - Weiß setzt auf einen Generalangriff.} h6 $1 {Forcing me to make a choice on how to proceed. This was still played quickly by both players, as we were following the engine's recommendation. Das zwang mich, eine Entscheidung über das weitere Vorgehen zu treffen. Dies wurde von beiden Spielern noch schnell gespielt, da wir der Empfehlung der Engine folgten.} (13... e5 14. Be3 {would weaken both the d5-square but also the h3-d7 diagonal. würde sowohl das d5-Feld als auch die Diagonale h3-d7 schwächen.}) 14. gxh6 (14. gxf6 $5 {allows ermöglicht} Nxf6 {but on the other hand Black's structure is now more vulnerable. I expect further practical tests if not with this specific move, then at least with some other deviation around here. aber auf der anderen Seite ist die Struktur von Schwarz jetzt verwundbarer. Ich erwarte weitere praktische Tests, wenn nicht mit diesem speziellen Zug, dann zumindest mit einer anderen Abweichung in dieser Gegend.}) 14... Nxh6 15. a3 $1 {The most forcing continuation. Die zwingendste Fortsetzung.} Bxa3 $1 (15... Ba5 16. b4 {is again a disaster for Black due to the d7-pawn hanging. ist wegen des hängenden d7-Bauern wieder eine Katastrophe für Schwarz.}) 16. bxa3 e5 {The point. Black wins back the piece. Die Pointe. Schwarz gewinnt die Figur zurück.} 17. Nxb5 $1 {A desperado sacrifice. I would much rather keep my potentially strong dark squared bishop rather than the knight. Ein Desperado-Opfer. Ich möchte viel lieber meinen potentiell starken schwarzfeldrigen Läufer behalten als den Springer.} axb5 18. Bb2 {Up until this moment the play has been fairly forced, and both me and Carlsen had played fast, as we clearly both knew what we were doing. Here, however, Carlsen spent a few minutes trying to recall his analysis. Alas, he failed... Bis zu diesem Moment war das Spiel ziemlich forciert, und sowohl ich als auch Carlsen hatten schnell gespielt, da wir offensichtlich beide wussten, was wir taten. Hier jedoch verbrachte Carlsen ein paar Minuten damit, sich an seine Analyse zu erinnern. Leider scheiterte er...} d5 $4 {Modern chess at it's most typical! Objectively speaking this move leads to a losing position for Black, but the World Champion played it within a few minutes. The reason, which he admitted in an interview the next day, is that he mixed up his preparation. Modernes Schach in seiner typischsten Form! Objektiv gesehen führt dieser Zug zu einer Verluststellung für Schwarz, aber der Weltmeister spielte ihn innerhalb weniger Minuten. Der Grund dafür ist, wie er in einem Interview am nächsten Tag zugab, dass er seine Vorbereitung durcheinander gebracht hat.} (18... Nf7 {is the engines top choice. Now I had intended to follow along with ist die erste Wahl der Engine. Nun hatte ich beabsichtigt,} 19. h4 {which stops both ...g5 and ...Ng5, and prepares Rg1 to put pressure on the g-file. folgen zu lassen, was sowohl ...g5 als auch ...Sg5 verhindert und Tg1 vorbereitet, um Druck auf die g-Linie auszuüben.} (19. Bxb5 $6 Bc6 {is the sort of thing White really should avoid in this line. Black consolidates, and the extra pawn for White is absolutely not felt at all. The most important factor is the long-term safety of Black's king on f8, whereas my own king will soon be hit on the b- and c-files. ist die Art von Dingen, die Weiß in dieser Variante wirklich vermeiden sollte. Schwarz konsolidiert sich, und der zusätzliche Bauer für Weiß ist absolut nicht spürbar. Der wichtigste Faktor ist die langfristige Sicherheit des schwarzen Königs auf f8, während mein eigener König bald auf der b- und c-Linie angegangen wird.}) {Here, however, the sacrifice with Hier jedoch funktionert das Opfer mit} 19... d5 $5 {works out much, much better than in the game, as the move ...Nf7 is clearly more useful than h4. The position after viel, viel besser als in der Partie, da der Zug ...Sf7 eindeutig nützlicher ist als h4. Die Stellung nach} 20. Bxb5+ Kf8 {is insanely complicated and I would expect both players being happy to have reached it :-) ist wahnsinnig kompliziert und ich würde erwarten, dass beide Spieler froh sind, sie erreicht zu haben :-)}) 19. Bxb5+ Kf8 20. Ba4 $146 {Returning the favour. Revanchiert sich.} (20. exd5 Bxd5 {doesn't really work due to the weakness of the c2-pawn, but funktioniert wegen der Schwäche des c2-Bauern nicht wirklich, aber}) (20. Qb4+ {was an excellent opportunity. war eine ausgezeichnete Gelegenheit.} Kg8 21. Qb3 $1 {is the move that escaped my attention during the game. By pinning the d5-pawn while at the same time protecting c2, I make sure to end up two pawns up. ist der Zug, der meiner Aufmerksamkeit während der Partie entgangen ist. Indem ich den d5-Bauern fessle und gleichzeitig c2 schütze, stelle ich sicher, dass ich am Ende zwei Bauern mehr habe.} Nf7 22. exd5 Nd6 {looks like a typical scenario in which Black gets a lot of counterplay, but there is the super strong resource sieht wie ein typisches Szenario aus, in dem Schwarz viel Gegenspiel bekommt, aber es gibt die superstarke Ressource} 23. Rd3 $1 $18 {after which I am able to release much of the tension with Rc3 next move. Had I found all this, which is unlikely, it is fair to say that I would have had an objectively winning position! woraufhin ich im nächsten Zug mit Tc3 einen Großteil der Spannung abbauen kann. Hätte ich all das gefunden, was unwahrscheinlich ist, kann man sagen, dass ich eine objektive Gewinnstellung gehabt hätte!}) ({RR} 20. Qb4+ Kg8 21. Qb3 Nf7 22. h4 d4 23. Bd3 Bc6 24. Rh2 Rb8 25. Qa2 Ba4 26. Qc4 Qb6 27. Qxa4 Qxb2+ 28. Kd2 Rh7 29. Rhh1 Rh6 30. Ke2 Qc3 31. Rdg1 Kh7 32. Rg4 Rb2 33. Rc1 g6 34. Qd7 Kg7 {Pranav,A (2540)-Grebnev,A (2540) Gandhinagar IND 2024 ½-½ (106)}) 20... d4 $1 {A good strategic move. With the pawn chain g7-d4 Black is no longer afraid of White's bishops. The position is of course still a total mess, but over the next couple of moves I am unable to come up with a clear plan. Ein guter strategischer Zug. Mit der Bauernkette g7-d4 hat Schwarz keine Angst mehr vor den Läufern von Weiß. Die Stellung ist natürlich immer noch ein totales Chaos, aber in den nächsten paar Zügen kann ich keinen klaren Plan entwickeln.} 21. Bb3 Nf7 22. Qb4+ $2 {I wanted to activate my queen and force Black to self-pin his knight, but didn't realize that my queen would in fact become vulnerable on b4. Ich wollte meine Dame aktivieren und Schwarz dazu zwingen, seinen Springer selbst zu fesseln, aber mir war nicht klar, dass meine Dame auf b4 verwundbar werden würde.} (22. h4 $1 {was probably the best move after all. By playing h4 I stop ...g5, but also ...Rh3. My main idea should be the same as in the game, i.e. to push f4. But this is a better version. For example war wahrscheinlich doch der beste Zug. Indem ich h4 spiele, verhindere ich ...g5, aber auch ...Th3. Meine Hauptidee sollte die gleiche sein wie in der Partie, nämlich f4 durchzudrücken. Aber dies ist eine bessere Version. Zum Beispiel ist nach} Ba6 23. f4 $1 {is already possible. bereits möglich.} Bc4 24. Kb1 {is still very messy, but at least both sides are now fighting for the initiative. ist immer noch sehr chaotisch, aber zumindest kämpfen jetzt beide Seiten um die Initiative.}) 22... Kg8 23. Rd2 Ba6 {Now I realized that Carlsen is intending ...Rb8 next, after which my queen is almost trapped. After spending a good part of my remaining time, I managed to come up with the best defence. Jetzt wurde mir klar, dass Carlsen als Nächstes ...Tb8 vorhat, wonach meine Dame fast gefangen ist. Nachdem ich einen guten Teil meiner verbleibenden Zeit verbraucht hatte, gelang es mir, die beste Verteidigung zu finden.} 24. f4 $1 {Simlpy ignoring Black's threats - I need counterplay above everything else! Ignoriert einfach die Drohungen von Schwarz - ich brauche vor allem Gegenspiel!} Rb8 (24... Rh3 $5 {was an option, but war eine Option, aber} 25. fxe5 fxe5 26. Rg2 {looks like enough counterplay. sieht nach genügend Gegenspiel aus.}) 25. Qa4 Bb5 26. Qb4 {It was of course very scary to allow all sorts of discovered attacks during the game, but I couldn't find anything clear for him. To my slight surprise this actually seems to be true! Es war natürlich während der Partie sehr beängstigend, alle Arten von Abzugsangriffen zuzulassen, aber ich konnte nichts Klares für ihn finden. Zu meiner leichten Überraschung scheint das tatsächlich zu stimmen!} Ba6 27. Qa4 Bb5 28. Qb4 Rh3 {The most natural move, activating the last piece. Der natürlichste Zug, aktiviert die letzten Figur.} 29. fxe5 fxe5 {With a few minutes left I now had an important and difficult choice, which I got wrong. Mir blieben nur noch wenige Minuten, um eine wichtige und schwierige Entscheidung zu treffen, die ich falsch getroffen habe.} 30. Rg1 $2 {The most natural move, activating the last piece. For tactical reasons however, not the best. Der natürlichste Zug, aktiviert die letzte Figur. Aus taktischen Gründen jedoch nicht der beste.} (30. Rf2 $1 {was the most convincing defence. By putting pressure on f7 I force matters. war die überzeugendste Verteidigung. Indem ich Druck auf f7 ausübe, forciere ich die Dinge.} Rxb3 $1 {is probably the best try. After ist wahrscheinlich der beste Versuch. Nach} 31. Qxb3 Bc4 32. Qa4 Ng5 $1 {Black is having some scary-looking threats, but it's very messy. Strongest seems to be hat Schwarz einige beängstigend aussehende Drohungen, aber es ist sehr unübersichtlich. Am stärksten zu sein scheint} 33. Rg1 $1 Nh3 34. Rf6 Nxg1 35. Rc6 {winning back the piece on c4, with an ongoing mess. If I would have been able to find it in the game though is a completely different matter... , was die Figur auf c4 zurückgewinnt, mit anhaltendem Durcheinander. Ob ich allerdings in der Lage gewesen wäre, dies in der Partie zu finden, ist eine ganz andere Sache...}) 30... Be2 $2 {The move I expected and feared most during the game, but actually missing the best chance of the game! Der Zug, den ich während der Partie am meisten erwartet und befürchtet hatte, aber tatsächlich verpasst er die beste Chance der Partie!} (30... Ba6 $1 {has similar ideas, but here the bishop isn't hanging. hat ähnliche Ideen, aber hier hängt der Läufer nicht.} 31. Bxf7+ Kh8 $3 {The beautiful point, which we both missed. Black steps out of the Rdg2-trick and can pick up the bishop on the next move. Die schöne Pointe, die wir beide übersehen haben. Schwarz kommt aus dem Tdg2-Trick heraus und kann im nächsten Zug den Läufer einsammeln.} (31... Kxf7 32. Rdg2 {would be a good version of the game for me. wäre für mich eine gute Version des Partie.}) {For example Zum Beispiel} 32. Qa4 Qxf7 33. Qxa6 Qa2 $1 {and the attack wins. und der Angriff gewinnt.}) 31. Bxf7+ Kxf7 (31... Kh8 32. Qxb8+ Qxb8 33. Rxe2 {now gives me too many pieces for the queen. gibt mir jetzt zu viele Figuren für die Dame.}) 32. Qa4 Qb7 (32... Bc4 $5 {was probably the best way to play on. war wahrscheinlich der beste Weg, um weiterzuspielen.} 33. Rdg2 Rh7 $15 {and with my queen offside Black is still probably for preference. Making further progress is not easy at all though. und mit meiner Dame im Abseits verdient Schwarz wahrscheinlich immer noch den Vorzug. Weitere Fortschritte zu machen ist allerdings nicht einfach.}) 33. Qb4 Qc7 34. Qa4 Bb5 $6 35. Rdg2 $1 {I am fairly sure this was missed by Carlsen, who somewhat untypically also were running short of time. Ich bin mir ziemlich sicher, dass Carlsen dies übersehen hat, da er - etwas untypischerweise - ebenfalls in Zeitnot war.} Rh7 36. Qb3+ Bc4 37. Qg3 Qb6 38. Qg6+ {Trading queens just in time. Tauscht gerade noch rechtzeitig die Damen.} Qxg6 39. Rxg6 Rc8 {Now the ending should be a clear draw, but on move 40 I made an unnecessary mistake. Jetzt sollte das Endspiel ein klares Remis sein, aber im 40. Zug machte ich einen unnötigen Fehler.} 40. R6g5 $2 (40. Kb1 $11) (40. R6g4 $11) 40... Bd3 $1 {Woops. I can't defend both c2 and e4. Huch. Ich kann nicht sowohl c2 als auch e4 verteidigen.} 41. Rf5+ Kg8 42. Rf2 Rh6 43. Rd1 $6 (43. Rd2 Bxe4 44. Re1 Rh4 45. Rf2 $15) 43... Bxe4 $6 {Slightly unusual for Carlsen, making it much easier for me to defend. Das ist etwas ungewöhnlich für Carlsen und macht es mir viel leichter, mich zu verteidigen.} (43... Rf6 {was pointed out to us after the game. It's a good try, but White still holds. wurde uns nach der Partie aufgezeigt. Es ist ein guter Versuch, aber Weiß hält sich noch.} 44. Rxf6 Rxc2+ 45. Kb1 Rd2+ 46. Kc1 Rxd1+ 47. Kxd1 gxf6 {This is forced. It looks like the 3 connected passed pawns would give Black good winning chances, but I am just in time with my counterplay. For example Das ist erzwungen. Es sieht so aus, als würden die 3 verbundenen Freibauern Schwarz gute Gewinnchancen geben, aber ich komme mit meinem Gegenspiel gerade noch rechtzeitig. Zum Beispiel} 48. a4 Bxe4 49. h4 f5 50. Ba3 Kf7 (50... Bc6 51. Bd6 Bxa4+ 52. Kd2 e4 53. Be5 d3 {is in fact a draw even without the h-pawn, as the pawns are simply blocked. ist auch ohne den h-Bauern remis, da die Bauern einfach blockiert werden.}) 51. Ke1 {intending h5 without Bf3+. mit der Absicht h5 ohne ...Lf3+ .} Bc6 52. h5 Bxa4 53. Bd6 $1 Ke6 54. h6 $1 {and Black has to allow a blockade on the dark squares. und Schwarz muss eine Blockade auf den dunklen Feldern zulassen.}) (43... Bb5 $1 {is the strongest move, keeping the bishop and intending to put pressure on e4 later on. ist der stärkste Zug, der Läufer wird behalten mit der Absicht, später Druck auf e4 auszuüben.}) 44. Re1 Rh4 45. a4 {Now Black is as stuck as White, and it's just a draw. Jetzt steckt Schwarz genauso fest wie Weiß, und es ist einfach Remis.} Rc5 $6 (45... d3 {could perhaps have been played, but White is completely safe after hätte man vielleicht spielen können, aber Weiß steht völlig sicher nach} 46. Bxe5 dxc2 47. Rf4 $11) 46. Ba3 Rc8 47. Be7 Rg4 48. h3 Rg2 49. Rxg2 Bxg2 50. Rxe5 d3 51. Bc5 Ra8 52. cxd3 Rxa4 53. Kd2 Bxh3 54. Re4 1/2-1/2

[Event "Tata Steel-A 84th"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2022.01.26"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Karjakin, Sergey"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C67"]
[WhiteElo "2743"]
[BlackElo "2865"]
[PlyCount "32"]
[EventDate "2022.01.15"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 206"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2022.02.28"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2022.02.28"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. Re1 Nd6 6. Nxe5 Be7 7. Bf1 Nf5 8. c3 Nxe5 9. Rxe5 d6 10. Re1 O-O 11. d4 d5 12. Bf4 Bd6 13. Qf3 Nh4 14. Qg3 Nf5 15. Qf3 Nh4 16. Qg3 Nf5 1/2-1/2

[Event "Tata Steel-A 84th"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2022.01.28"]
[Round "11"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Vidit, Santosh Gujrathi"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C50"]
[WhiteElo "2865"]
[BlackElo "2727"]
[PlyCount "102"]
[EventDate "2022.01.15"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 206"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2022.02.28"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2022.02.28"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Bc4 Nf6 3. d3 Nc6 4. Nf3 Bc5 5. Nc3 h6 6. h3 a6 7. a4 d6 8. Be3 Bxe3 9. fxe3 Be6 10. b3 O-O 11. O-O d5 12. exd5 Nxd5 13. Qd2 Nxc3 ({RR} 13... Re8 14. a5 Nxc3 15. Qxc3 e4 16. dxe4 Bxc4 17. Qxc4 Qe7 18. Nd4 Ne5 19. Qc3 g6 20. Ne2 Rad8 21. Rf2 Qd6 22. Raf1 c6 23. Nf4 Re7 24. b4 Qd7 25. Qb3 Kg7 26. Nd3 Rf8 27. Qc3 Qc7 28. Rf6 {Elmi,S (2412)-Vestby-Ellingsen,M (2395) Bergen NOR 2025 ½-½ (34)}) 14. Qxc3 Qd6 15. Nd2 $146 ({RR} 15. Bxe6 Qxe6 16. Nd2 a5 17. Nc4 b6 18. e4 Nd4 19. Rae1 Rad8 20. Ne3 Rd6 21. Rf2 Rc6 22. Qd2 Rd8 23. Qd1 Qe7 24. Nd5 Qc5 25. c3 Ne6 26. Qf3 Ng5 27. Qg3 Rg6 28. Qe3 Qxe3 29. Ne7+ Kh7 {Kramnik,V (2753)-Rasulov,V (2526) chess.com INT 2023 1-0 (88)}) 15... f5 16. Bxe6+ Qxe6 17. Qc4 Qxc4 18. bxc4 e4 19. d4 f4 20. Rxf4 Rxf4 21. exf4 Nxd4 22. Nxe4 Ne2+ 23. Kf2 Nxf4 24. Rb1 b6 25. c5 Rf8 26. cxb6 cxb6 27. c4 Nd5+ 28. Ke2 Re8 29. cxd5 Rxe4+ 30. Kd3 Rxa4 31. d6 Kf7 32. Re1 Ra5 33. Kd4 Ra2 34. Kd5 Rd2+ 35. Kc6 b5 36. d7 Rc2+ 37. Kb6 Rd2 38. Kc7 Rc2+ 39. Kd8 b4 40. Re7+ Kf8 41. Re3 Kf7 42. Re7+ Kf8 43. Re5 g6 44. Re6 b3 45. Rf6+ Kg7 46. Ke7 Re2+ 47. Re6 Rxe6+ 48. Kxe6 b2 49. d8=Q b1=Q 50. Qc7+ Kg8 51. Qd8+ Kg7 1/2-1/2

[Event "Tata Steel-A 84th"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2022.01.29"]
[Round "12"]
[White "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B31"]
[WhiteElo "2792"]
[BlackElo "2865"]
[PlyCount "98"]
[EventDate "2022.01.15"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 206"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2022.02.28"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2022.02.28"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 g6 4. O-O Bg7 5. c3 Nf6 6. Re1 O-O 7. d4 d5 8. e5 Ne4 9. Be3 cxd4 10. cxd4 Qb6 11. Qe2 Bd7 12. Ba4 Rac8 13. Nc3 Nxc3 14. bxc3 Qd8 15. Bb3 Na5 $146 ({RR} 15... Bg4 16. h3 Bxf3 17. Qxf3 e6 18. Qg3 Na5 19. Bd2 Nc4 20. Bg5 Qa5 21. h4 Na3 22. Bd2 Nc4 23. Bg5 Na3 24. Bd2 Nc4 25. Bg5 Na3 {½-½ (25) Hernandez Guerrero,G (2457)-Tomiello,L (2298) Florianopolis BRA 2025}) 16. Rac1 Nxb3 17. axb3 Qb6 18. Qa2 a5 19. Qa3 Rfe8 20. c4 dxc4 21. bxc4 Qa6 22. c5 Bc6 23. Rb1 a4 24. Rec1 Rcd8 25. Nd2 Qe2 26. f3 Rxd4 27. Bxd4 Qxd2 28. Rd1 Qf4 29. Qb4 e6 30. Bc3 Qxb4 31. Bxb4 Bxe5 32. Ba3 Bf6 33. Kf2 Be7 34. Rb6 Rc8 35. Rd2 f6 36. f4 e5 37. fxe5 fxe5 38. Re2 Rf8+ 39. Ke1 Rf5 40. Rb1 e4 41. Rc1 Bh4+ 42. g3 Bg5 43. Rb1 Rf3 44. Bc1 Bf6 45. Rb6 Rf5 46. Ba3 Kf7 47. Rf2 Rf3 48. Rxf3 exf3 49. Kf1 Bd4 0-1

[Event "Norway Chess 10th"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2022.06.05"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C55"]
[WhiteElo "2751"]
[BlackElo "2864"]
[PlyCount "80"]
[EventDate "2022.05.31"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 209"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2022.08.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2022.08.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. d3 Be7 5. O-O O-O 6. Re1 d6 7. a4 Na5 8. Ba2 c5 9. c3 Nc6 10. Na3 h6 11. Nc2 ({RR} 11. Bd2 Re8 12. Nc4 Bf8 13. h3 Be6 14. b4 Qc7 15. Ne3 Bxa2 16. Rxa2 cxb4 17. cxb4 d5 18. Qb1 dxe4 19. dxe4 Nd4 20. Nxd4 exd4 21. Nf5 Rad8 22. Qd3 Qe5 23. Ng3 Nh5 24. Nxh5 Qxh5 25. Rc2 Rd7 {Harikrishna,P (2753)-Ponomariov,R (2712) Huaian 2016 ½-½ (49)}) ({RR} 11. Bd2 a6 12. h3 Rb8 13. b4 b5 14. axb5 axb5 15. Nc2 cxb4 16. cxb4 Be6 17. Ne3 Bxa2 18. Rxa2 d5 19. Qb1 Qd7 20. Nf5 Rfe8 21. Rc1 Bf8 22. Ra6 dxe4 23. dxe4 Re6 24. Be1 Qb7 25. Ra3 g6 {Kawulski-Chodkiewicz,A (1985)-Gajdzica,M (2113) Polanica Zdroj POL 2025 0-1 (125)}) 11... a6 12. Ne3 Be6 13. Nd5 $146 ({RR} 13. Bd2 Rb8 14. Bd5 Qd7 15. a5 Bd8 16. b4 cxb4 17. cxb4 Bxd5 18. Nxd5 Nxd5 19. exd5 Ne7 20. Qb3 Qb5 21. d4 exd4 22. Nxd4 Qxd5 23. Qxd5 Nxd5 24. Nf5 Bf6 25. Ra3 Rbd8 26. Rd3 Nc7 27. Bf4 Nb5 {Swindells,J (2305)-Gourlay,I (2377) England 2018 ½-½ (73)}) 13... Re8 14. Nd2 b5 15. Nf1 Bxd5 16. Bxd5 Nxd5 17. exd5 Na5 18. b4 Nb7 19. Re2 cxb4 20. cxb4 a5 21. axb5 axb4 22. Rb1 Qd7 23. Reb2 Nc5 24. Rxb4 Qf5 25. Be3 Nxd3 26. Ng3 Qh7 27. R4b3 Nc5 28. Bxc5 dxc5 29. b6 Red8 30. b7 Rab8 31. Rb6 c4 32. Rc6 Qd3 33. Qf1 Bf8 34. Rxc4 Qxf1+ 35. Kxf1 Rd7 36. Rc8 Rbxb7 37. Rxb7 Rxb7 38. Nf5 Rd7 39. g4 g6 40. Nxh6+ Kh7 1/2-1/2

[Event "Norway Chess 10th"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2022.06.07"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Tari, Aryan"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C47"]
[WhiteElo "2654"]
[BlackElo "2864"]
[PlyCount "65"]
[EventDate "2022.05.31"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 209"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2022.08.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2022.08.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. d4 exd4 5. Nxd4 Bb4 6. Nxc6 bxc6 7. Bd3 d5 8. Bd2 O-O 9. O-O Rb8 10. Re1 Re8 11. h3 ({RR} 11. a3 Bf8 12. b4 h6 13. h3 dxe4 14. Nxe4 Nxe4 15. Bxe4 c5 16. Bf4 Qxd1 17. Raxd1 Bb7 18. Bxb7 Rxe1+ 19. Rxe1 Rxb7 20. Re8 cxb4 21. axb4 Rxb4 22. Bxc7 Rd4 23. Ra8 f6 24. Rxa7 Rc4 25. Bb6 {½-½ (25) Motylev,A (2644)-Karjakin,S (2753) St Petersburg 2018}) 11... Be6 $146 ({RR} 11... dxe4 12. Bxe4 Bxh3 13. Bxc6 Bd7 14. Bf3 Bf5 15. Rxe8+ Qxe8 16. Be3 Bxc3 17. bxc3 Rd8 18. Qb1 Be4 19. Bxe4 Nxe4 20. Qb7 Nxc3 21. Re1 Qe5 22. Qxa7 h6 23. Qa6 Qd5 24. Bf4 Ra8 25. Qd3 Qxd3 26. cxd3 {Kraus,T (2488)-Navara,D (2678) Ostrava, CZ 2024 0-1 (54)}) ({RR} 11... h6 12. Qf3 d4 13. Nb1 Bd6 14. Na3 Bxa3 15. bxa3 Nd7 16. Qg3 Kh8 17. Bf4 Rb7 18. Bc4 Re7 19. Ba6 Rb2 20. Bxc7 Qe8 21. Bc4 Nc5 22. Bd6 Rxe4 23. Rxe4 Nxe4 24. Qf4 Nxd6 25. Qxd6 Rxc2 26. Qxd4 {Hrabinska,M (2130)-Craciun,S (2325) Eforie Nord ROU 2025 ½-½ (37)}) 12. b3 Nd7 13. exd5 cxd5 14. Qf3 Nc5 15. Re2 c6 16. Rae1 g6 17. Nb1 Bxd2 18. Nxd2 Qg5 19. c3 Bd7 20. b4 Rxe2 21. Rxe2 Ne6 22. g3 Qd8 23. h4 a5 24. a3 axb4 25. axb4 Ra8 26. Nb3 Ra3 27. Bc2 Kg7 28. Re3 Qf6 29. Qd1 h5 30. Rf3 Qe5 31. Re3 Qf6 32. Rf3 Qe5 33. Re3 1/2-1/2

[Event "Norway Chess 10th"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2022.06.10"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Topalov, Veselin"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C54"]
[WhiteElo "2730"]
[BlackElo "2864"]
[PlyCount "69"]
[EventDate "2022.05.31"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 209"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2022.08.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2022.08.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. d3 Bc5 5. c3 d6 6. O-O a5 7. Re1 Ba7 8. Nbd2 O-O 9. Nf1 Be6 ({RR} 9... Ne7 10. Ng3 Ng6 11. Bb3 c6 12. d4 exd4 13. cxd4 Bg4 14. Qd3 d5 15. e5 Ne4 16. Nxe4 dxe4 17. Rxe4 Bxf3 18. Qxf3 Bxd4 19. Bf4 a4 20. Bc2 Nxf4 21. Qxf4 c5 22. Rd1 Ra6 23. g3 Re8 24. b4 {Topalov,V (2730)-Carlsen,M (2864) Stavanger 2022 ½-½ (33)}) 10. Bxe6 ({RR} 10. Bb5 Ne7 11. d4 c6 12. Bd3 Ng6 13. h3 Nh5 14. Be3 Nhf4 15. Bc2 Qc8 16. Bb3 exd4 17. Nxd4 Bxd4 18. Qxd4 Bxb3 19. axb3 d5 20. Qd2 Nxh3+ 21. gxh3 Qxh3 22. f4 Nh4 23. Nh2 dxe4 24. Qf2 Rfe8 {So,W (2770)-Carlsen,M (2862) chess24.com INT 2021 ½-½ (54)}) 10... fxe6 11. Be3 Bxe3 12. Rxe3 $146 ({RR} 12. Nxe3 Qd7 13. Qc2 Nh5 14. Rad1 Rxf3 15. gxf3 Qf7 16. Qe2 Nf4 17. Qf1 Qh5 18. Ng4 Rf8 19. Kh1 Ne7 20. d4 exd4 21. cxd4 Neg6 22. Re3 Qh4 23. Rc3 h5 24. Ne3 Nh3 25. Ng2 Nxf2+ 26. Kg1 Nh3+ {Vachier Lagrave,M (2736)-Carlsen,M (2859) chess.com INT 2022 ½-½}) ({RR} 12. Nxe3 d5 13. Qb3 a4 14. Qxb7 Qd7 15. exd5 exd5 16. Nf5 Na5 17. Nxe5 Nxb7 18. Nxd7 Nxd7 19. Ne7+ Kh8 20. Nxd5 c6 21. Re7 Nbc5 22. Nb4 Rae8 23. Rae1 Nf6 24. Rxe8 Rxe8 25. Rxe8+ Nxe8 26. f3 Kg8 {Nemeth Junior,H (2189)-Gonzalez Culi,D (2099) Foz do Iguacu BRA 2025 1-0 (50)}) 12... Qd7 13. Rc1 a4 14. Ng3 Qf7 15. d4 h6 16. Qe2 Ra5 17. h3 Nh5 18. Nxh5 Qxh5 19. Rd1 Qf7 20. a3 exd4 21. cxd4 Ne7 22. g3 Nc8 23. Nh4 Nb6 24. e5 dxe5 25. Rf3 Qe8 26. Rxf8+ Qxf8 27. Ng6 Qe8 28. Nxe5 Rd5 29. Qc2 Qd8 30. Rd3 Rxd4 31. Rxd4 Qxd4 32. Qxc7 Kh7 33. Qc2+ Kg8 34. Qe2 Nd7 35. Nxd7 1/2-1/2

[Event "Olympiad-44"]
[Site "Chennai"]
[Date "2022.07.30"]
[Round "2.1"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Meier, Georg"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C10"]
[WhiteElo "2864"]
[BlackElo "2613"]
[PlyCount "159"]
[EventDate "2022.07.29"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "IND"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2023"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2022.10.05"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2022.10.05"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Norway"]
[BlackTeam "Uruguay"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "NOR"]
[BlackTeamCountry "URU"]

1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Nd7 5. c3 Ngf6 6. Bd3 Nxe4 7. Bxe4 Nf6 8. Bc2 c5 9. Nf3 cxd4 10. Nxd4 Bc5 11. O-O Bxd4 ({RR} 11... O-O 12. Re1 Bxd4 13. cxd4 Bd7 14. a4 Nd5 15. Ra3 f5 16. Bb3 Re8 17. Bxd5 exd5 18. Bf4 Rxe1+ 19. Qxe1 Qf8 20. Be5 Rc8 21. h4 g6 22. Qd2 h6 23. Bf4 Kh7 24. Re3 Re8 25. Rc3 Rc8 26. Rxc8 {Santos Latasa,J (2656)-Meier,G (2629) Baku AZE 2023 1-0 (50)}) ({RR} 11... O-O 12. Bg5 Bxd4 13. cxd4 Qd5 14. Bxf6 gxf6 15. Qd3 f5 16. Rfe1 Bd7 17. Qg3+ Kh8 18. Bb3 Qa5 19. d5 Rad8 20. Qh4 Rg8 21. Qf6+ Rg7 22. Rad1 Re8 23. Re3 exd5 24. Rxe8+ Bxe8 25. Bxd5 Kg8 26. Qe7 {Ponomariov,R (2622)-Keinanen,T (2532) Kuressaare EST 2025 1-0}) 12. cxd4 b6 $146 ({RR} 12... Bd7 13. a4 Bc6 14. Ra3 O-O 15. Bg5 h6 16. Bxh6 gxh6 17. Qd2 Ng4 18. h3 Qg5 19. f4 Qh4 20. hxg4 Rfd8 21. g5 hxg5 22. Rh3 Qg4 23. Bd1 Qf5 24. fxg5 Qe4 25. Bh5 Qxd4+ 26. Qxd4 Rxd4 27. Bxf7+ {Antal,G (2563)-Balog,I (2558) Budapest 2019 ½-½ (65)}) ({RR} 12... Bd7 13. a4 Bc6 14. Ra3 Nd5 15. Qg4 g6 16. Bh6 Qe7 17. Bg5 f6 18. Re1 O-O-O 19. Bd2 Rhe8 20. Rh3 Rd7 21. Qg3 Red8 22. Bb3 Nc7 23. Bc3 Bd5 24. Bc2 Na6 25. Bd3 Nb4 26. Bxb4 Qxb4 27. Rc1+ {Li,R (2548)-Meier,G (2651) Saint Louis 2017 ½-½ (32)}) 13. Qd3 Bb7 14. Ba4+ Kf8 15. Bd2 h5 16. Rac1 h4 17. h3 Qd6 18. Bd1 Rd8 19. Re1 Kg8 20. Be3 Nd5 21. Qd2 Nxe3 22. fxe3 Rh6 23. Rf1 Rg6 24. Bg4 f5 25. Bf3 Bxf3 26. Rxf3 Rg3 27. Qf2 e5 28. Rxf5 exd4 29. exd4 Qxd4 30. Rf8+ Kh7 31. Rxd8 Qxd8 32. Qf5+ g6 33. Qf4 Rd3 34. Rc7+ Rd7 35. Rxd7+ Qxd7 36. Qxh4+ Kg7 37. Qf4 Qd5 38. a3 b5 39. Qc7+ Kh6 40. Qxa7 Qd1+ 41. Kh2 Qd6+ 42. Kh1 Qd2 43. b4 Qc1+ 44. Qg1 Qxa3 45. Qe1 Qd3 46. Qh4+ Kg7 47. Qe7+ Kh6 48. Kh2 Qd4 49. h4 Qf4+ 50. Kh3 Qf5+ 51. Kg3 Qd5 52. Qc5 Qd3+ 53. Kh2 Qe4 54. Qg5+ Kh7 55. h5 Qxb4 56. Qxg6+ Kh8 57. Qf6+ Kh7 58. Qf5+ Kg8 59. Qe6+ Kh7 60. Qf7+ Kh8 61. Qf6+ Kh7 62. Kh3 Qe4 63. g4 Qe3+ 64. Kg2 Qe2+ 65. Kg3 Qe1+ 66. Qf2 Qc3+ 67. Kh4 b4 68. Qf7+ Kh8 69. Qe8+ Kg7 70. Qe7+ Kh8 71. h6 b3 72. Kh5 b2 73. Qe8+ Kh7 74. Qe4+ Kh8 75. Kg6 b1=B 76. Qxb1 Qc6+ 77. Kg5 Qc5+ 78. Qf5 Qe3+ 79. Qf4 Qc5+ 80. Kg6 1-0

[Event "Olympiad-44"]
[Site "Chennai"]
[Date "2022.07.31"]
[Round "3.1"]
[White "Vocaturo, Daniele"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B13"]
[WhiteElo "2616"]
[BlackElo "2864"]
[PlyCount "111"]
[EventDate "2022.07.29"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "IND"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2023"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2022.10.05"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2022.10.05"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Italy"]
[BlackTeam "Norway"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "ITA"]
[BlackTeamCountry "NOR"]

1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. exd5 cxd5 4. Bd3 Nc6 5. c3 e6 6. Bf4 Bd6 7. Bxd6 Qxd6 8. Nf3 Nge7 9. O-O Bd7 10. Re1 O-O 11. Ne5 Nxe5 12. dxe5 Qb6 13. Qb3 Qxb3 14. axb3 Rfd8 $146 ({RR} 14... f6 15. Nd2 Nc6 16. Nf3 a5 17. Bb5 Kf7 18. Ra3 Nb8 19. Bd3 Nc6 20. Bb5 {½-½ (20) Chirilov,J (2212)-Zhou Jianchao (2584) Rockville USA 2025}) 15. Na3 f6 16. Nc2 Nc6 17. exf6 gxf6 18. Bb5 Kf7 19. Bxc6 Bxc6 20. f4 a5 21. Re3 h5 22. Rae1 Bd7 23. Nd4 Ra6 24. Kf2 b5 25. g3 Re8 26. h3 Rh8 27. Kg2 b4 28. Ra1 Re8 29. Rae1 a4 30. bxa4 Rxa4 31. R1e2 Ra2 32. cxb4 Ra4 33. Nc2 Raa8 34. Kf2 Reb8 35. Ra3 Ke7 36. Rd2 Kd6 37. Ne3 Bc6 38. Nc4+ Ke7 39. Na5 Bd7 40. Nb3 Kd6 41. Nc5 Bc6 42. Re3 e5 43. Ne4+ Ke7 44. Nc5 e4 45. Rd4 f5 46. Ra3 Rg8 47. Rxa8 Bxa8 48. Na4 Kd6 49. Nc3 Bc6 50. Nd1 Bd7 51. Ne3 Be6 52. Rd2 Rb8 53. Nc2 Bd7 54. Ne3 Be6 55. Nc2 Bd7 56. Ne3 1/2-1/2

[Event "Olympiad-44"]
[Site "Chennai"]
[Date "2022.08.03"]
[Round "6.1"]
[White "Smirnov, Anton"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B08"]
[WhiteElo "2600"]
[BlackElo "2864"]
[PlyCount "80"]
[EventDate "2022.07.29"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "IND"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2023"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2022.10.05"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2022.10.05"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Australia"]
[BlackTeam "Norway"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "AUS"]
[BlackTeamCountry "NOR"]

1. e4 Nc6 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 Nf6 4. Nc3 g6 5. h3 Bg7 6. Be3 O-O 7. Qd2 a6 8. Bd3 e5 9. dxe5 Nxe5 10. Nxe5 dxe5 11. O-O-O b5 12. g4 $146 ({RR} 12. Bc5 Be6 13. Qe3 Nd7 14. Bxf8 Qxf8 15. g4 Nc5 16. Kb1 Rb8 17. Ne2 Na4 18. Qa7 Qc8 19. Qe3 Qf8 20. Nc1 c5 21. c3 c4 22. Bc2 Nc5 23. Rd2 Qe7 24. f4 exf4 25. Qxf4 Rc8 26. e5 a5 {Smeets,J (2617)-Loxine,J (2411) Germany 2016 ½-½ (57)}) 12... c6 13. f3 Be6 14. h4 Qa5 15. a3 Rfb8 16. Bc5 h5 17. Bd6 Rb7 18. Kb1 Rd8 19. Bb4 Qc7 20. Ne2 Rd7 21. Bc5 hxg4 22. Ng3 gxf3 23. h5 Qd8 24. hxg6 fxg6 25. Qg5 Kf7 26. Nf5 Nxe4 27. Nh6+ Bxh6 28. Qxh6 Bf5 29. Ka2 Qg8 30. Bxe4 Bxe4 31. Rde1 Kf6+ 32. b3 Rh7 33. Qe3 Rxh1 34. Rxh1 Qd5 35. Kb2 Rd7 36. Rh8 Bf5 37. Rf8+ Rf7 38. Re8 Qe4 39. Qd2 Kg7 40. Bf2 Qe2 0-1

[Event "EU-Cup 37th"]
[Site "Mayrhofen"]
[Date "2022.10.04"]
[Round "2.1"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Naumann, Alexander"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C45"]
[WhiteElo "2856"]
[BlackElo "2513"]
[PlyCount "59"]
[EventDate "2022.10.03"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "AUT"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2023"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2022.10.05"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2022.10.05"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Offerspill"]
[BlackTeam "Solingen SG"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "NOR"]
[BlackTeamCountry "GER"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 exd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nxc6 bxc6 6. e5 Qe7 7. Qe2 Nd5 8. Nd2 Nf4 ({RR} 8... Rb8 9. c4 Nb4 10. Nf3 c5 11. g3 Qe6 12. Bg2 Be7 13. O-O Bb7 14. b3 O-O 15. Bb2 Rfe8 16. Rfe1 h6 17. Bc3 Bf8 18. Rad1 Ba8 19. Bxb4 Rxb4 20. Qd2 Rd8 21. Nh4 Rbb8 22. Bd5 Bxd5 23. cxd5 {Nepomniachtchi,I (2733)-Karjakin,S (2776) Moscow 2011 1-0 (39)}) 9. Qe3 Nd5 ({RR} 9... Ne6 10. Bd3 d5 11. exd6 cxd6 12. O-O Qd8 13. Nf3 Be7 14. Bd2 Bd7 15. Bc3 O-O 16. Rad1 Bf6 17. Qd2 Re8 18. Rfe1 Bxc3 19. Qxc3 Qf6 20. Qxf6 gxf6 21. c4 Rad8 22. Bc2 Bc8 23. g3 Ba6 24. b3 {Abdusattorov,N (2767)-Sindarov,J (2710) Tashkent UZB 2025 ½-½ (55)}) 10. Qe4 f6 11. c4 $146 ({RR} 11. exf6 Nxf6 12. Qxe7+ Bxe7 13. Bd3 O-O 14. O-O d5 15. Nb3 Bd6 16. h3 Nd7 17. Bd2 Ne5 18. Be3 a5 19. Nc5 Re8 20. Na4 Nxd3 21. cxd3 Ba6 22. Rfd1 c5 23. Bxc5 Bb5 24. Nc3 Bxc5 25. Nxb5 Rab8 {Fier,A (2595)-Gupta,A (2630) Cappelle la Grande 2014 ½-½ (34)}) 11... Nb4 12. Kd1 Qxe5 13. a3 Qxe4 14. Nxe4 Na6 15. b4 c5 16. b5 Bb7 17. Bd3 Nb8 18. Re1 Kf7 19. Nc3 Bd6 20. f4 Bxg2 21. Kc2 g6 22. Bb2 Bxf4 23. Re2 Bb7 24. Rf1 g5 25. h4 d6 26. hxg5 Be5 27. Ne4 Nd7 28. Nxf6 Nxf6 29. Bxe5 dxe5 30. Rxe5 1-0

[Event "45th Olympiad 2024"]
[Site "Budapest HUN"]
[Date "2024.09.13"]
[Round "3.20"]
[White "Garcia Pantoja, Roberto"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B41"]
[WhiteElo "2550"]
[BlackElo "2832"]
[PlyCount "80"]
[EventDate "2024.09.11"]
[WhiteTeam "Colombia"]
[BlackTeam "Norway"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "COL"]
[BlackTeamCountry "NOR"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 a6 5. c4 Nf6 6. Nc3 Qc7 7. Be2 b6 8. O-O Bb7 9. f3 Nc6 10. Nxc6 Bxc6 11. Qd3 h5 12. Be3 Bd6 13. f4 Ng4 $146 ({RR} 13... Bb4 14. e5 Ng4 15. Bd4 d6 16. Bxg4 hxg4 17. a3 dxe5 18. fxe5 Be7 19. Qe3 f5 20. Bxb6 Qb7 21. Rf2 Bh4 22. Rd2 O-O 23. Bc5 f4 24. Qd3 f3 25. g3 Rad8 26. Qc2 Bg5 27. Rxd8 Rxd8 28. Rd1 {½-½ Miranda,R (2304)-Flores,D (2547) ProAm 100 Ani FADA 2022 (9.7)}) ({RR} 13... Bb4 14. e5 Ng4 15. Bd4 d6 16. Bxg4 hxg4 17. a3 dxe5 18. fxe5 Be7 19. Qe3 f5 20. Bxb6 Qb7 21. Rf2 Bh4 22. Rd2 O-O 23. Bc5 f4 24. Qd3 f3 25. g3 Rad8 26. Qc2 Bg5 27. Rxd8 Rxd8 28. Rd1 {Miranda,R (2304)-Flores,D (2547) Buenos Aires ARG 2022 ½-½ (38)}) 14. e5 Be7 15. Bd4 d6 16. exd6 Bxd6 17. Bf3 Bxf3 18. Qxf3 O-O 19. Ne4 Qxc4 20. Rad1 Be7 21. b3 Qb5 22. a4 Qb4 23. h3 Nh6 24. Bc3 Qxb3 25. Rd7 Nf5 26. Rfd1 Rad8 27. g4 Nh4 28. Qe2 Qxa4 29. R1d4 Qa3 30. Kh2 Rxd7 31. Rxd7 Rd8 32. Ra7 hxg4 33. hxg4 Ng6 34. f5 Bd6+ 35. Kg1 Qc1+ 36. Qe1 Bc5+ 37. Kg2 Nh4+ 38. Qxh4 Qg1+ 39. Kf3 Rd3+ 40. Ke2 Qd1# 0-1

[Event "45th Olympiad 2024"]
[Site "Budapest HUN"]
[Date "2024.09.16"]
[Round "6.3"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Maghsoodloo, Parham"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B12"]
[WhiteElo "2832"]
[BlackElo "2723"]
[PlyCount "174"]
[EventDate "2024.09.11"]
[WhiteTeam "Norway"]
[BlackTeam "Iran"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "NOR"]
[BlackTeamCountry "IRI"]

1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. e5 Bf5 4. Nd2 e6 5. Nb3 Nd7 6. Nf3 Ne7 7. Be2 h6 8. O-O Bh7 9. a4 a5 ({RR} 9... Nf5 10. a5 a6 11. c4 dxc4 12. Bxc4 Ne7 13. Qe2 Nd5 14. Nfd2 Nb4 15. Ne4 b5 16. axb6 Nxb6 17. f3 Nxc4 18. Qxc4 Qd5 19. Qc3 Qb5 20. Ra5 Qb6 21. Bd2 Be7 22. Rfa1 O-O 23. Qc4 Rab8 24. Nbc5 {0-1 Stukopin,A (2586)-Nyzhnyk,I (2610) Saint Louis Spring-C 2017 (4)}) ({RR} 9... Ng6 10. a5 Be7 11. c4 O-O 12. a6 b6 13. cxd5 cxd5 14. Be3 Rc8 15. Nc1 Nb8 16. Bb5 Nc6 17. Nd3 Na5 18. Qe2 Rc7 19. Rac1 Nc4 20. b3 Nxe3 21. Qxe3 Nh4 22. Nxh4 Bxd3 23. Qxd3 Bxh4 24. Qd2 {Nguyen,T (2577)-Hera,I (2610) Tornelo INT 2021 1-0 (39)}) 10. Bd2 Qb6 ({RR} 10... Nf5 11. c3 Qb6 12. g4 Ne7 13. Ne1 c5 14. Nxc5 Nxc5 15. dxc5 Qxc5 16. Bb5+ Nc6 17. Be3 Qe7 18. f4 Qc7 19. Bd3 Bg8 20. Nf3 f6 21. exf6 gxf6 22. Nd4 Bc5 23. Qf3 Qb6 24. Qf2 O-O-O 25. Rae1 {George,K (2288)-Yoo,C (2588) chess.com INT 2025 ½-½ (98)}) 11. Rc1 $146 ({RR} 11. h3 Be4 12. Ne1 Bh7 13. Rc1 Nf5 14. Nf3 Bb4 15. c3 Be7 16. Re1 O-O 17. Bd3 Bg6 18. Bf1 Rfd8 19. g3 Bh7 20. Kg2 c5 21. Bb5 cxd4 22. cxd4 Bf8 23. g4 Ne7 24. g5 h5 25. Nh4 Be4+ {1-0 Corrales Jimenez,F (2564)-Yoo,C (2616) 1000GM Labor Super Swiss 2024 (5.7)}) ({RR} 11. h3 Be4 12. Ne1 Bh7 13. Rc1 Nf5 14. Nf3 Bb4 15. c3 Be7 16. Re1 O-O 17. Bd3 Bg6 18. Bf1 Rfd8 19. g3 Bh7 20. Kg2 c5 21. Bb5 cxd4 22. cxd4 Bf8 23. g4 Ne7 24. g5 h5 25. Nh4 Be4+ {Corrales Jimenez,F (2564)-Yoo,C (2616) San Jose CA USA 2024 1-0 (55)}) 11... g5 12. Kh1 Ng6 13. Bd3 Bb4 14. Be3 Qc7 15. Nfd2 Nh4 16. Bxh7 Rxh7 17. c3 Be7 18. c4 Nf8 19. f4 Nf5 20. Bg1 gxf4 21. cxd5 exd5 22. Rxf4 Ng7 23. Qc2 h5 24. Rcf1 Nge6 25. Rf5 Qb6 26. Nb1 h4 27. h3 Rg7 28. Nc3 Bg5 29. Nd2 Qa6 30. R1f3 Rd8 31. Nf1 Rd7 32. Nh2 Qc4 33. b3 Qb4 34. Ne2 Ng6 35. Ng4 Ne7 36. Rf6 Qd2 37. Qxd2 Bxd2 38. Be3 Bxe3 39. Rxe3 c5 40. dxc5 d4 41. Rd3 Nc6 42. Rxe6+ fxe6 43. Nf6+ Kf8 44. Nxd7+ Rxd7 45. g3 Kg8 46. gxh4 Rd5 47. Kg2 Kh7 48. Rd2 Rxc5 49. Nxd4 Nxd4 50. Rxd4 b5 51. Kf3 Rxe5 52. Re4 Rf5+ 53. Ke3 bxa4 54. bxa4 Rh5 55. Rg4 Kh6 56. Kd4 Rd5+ 57. Kc4 Re5 58. Kd4 Rd5+ 59. Ke3 Rh5 60. Re4 Kg7 61. Kf3 Kf6 62. Kg4 Rh8 63. Rf4+ Kg6 64. Re4 Kf6 65. h5 Rg8+ 66. Kf3 Rg5 67. Rh4 Kg7 68. h6+ Kh7 69. Re4 Rh5 70. Kg4 Rxh6 71. Re5 Rg6+ 72. Kf4 Rf6+ 73. Kg3 Rg6+ 74. Kh2 Rf6 75. Rxa5 Rf3 76. Rg5 Ra3 77. a5 Kh6 78. h4 Ra4 79. Kg3 Ra3+ 80. Kf4 Ra4+ 81. Ke3 Rxh4 82. Re5 Kg7 83. a6 Ra4 84. Rxe6 Kf7 85. Rh6 Kg7 86. Rb6 Kf7 87. Kd3 Ke7 1/2-1/2

[Event "45th Olympiad 2024"]
[Site "Budapest HUN"]
[Date "2024.09.18"]
[Round "7.9"]
[White "Dragnev, Valentin"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C41"]
[WhiteElo "2556"]
[BlackElo "2832"]
[PlyCount "80"]
[EventDate "2024.09.11"]
[WhiteTeam "Austria"]
[BlackTeam "Norway"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "AUT"]
[BlackTeamCountry "NOR"]

1. e4 d6 2. d4 Nf6 3. Nc3 e5 4. Nf3 Nbd7 5. Bc4 Be7 6. O-O O-O 7. a4 c6 8. h3 h6 9. Be3 Re8 10. a5 ({RR} 10. Ba2 exd4 11. Bxd4 Nf8 12. Re1 Be6 13. Qb1 Qa5 14. Be3 Qh5 15. Nd4 Bxa2 16. Qxa2 Bd8 17. Nf5 Bc7 18. Bd4 N8h7 19. Qb3 d5 20. Qxb7 Bf4 21. Qxc6 dxe4 22. Ne7+ Kh8 23. Ned5 Rac8 24. Nxf4 Qf5 {1-0 Demchenko,A (2641)-Ivanisevic,I (2604) PNWCC Online blitz JP 8th 2020 (9)}) ({RR} 10. Qd3 exd4 11. Bxd4 Nf8 12. Rad1 Be6 13. Rfe1 Bxc4 14. Qxc4 Ne6 15. Bxf6 Bxf6 16. e5 d5 17. Qg4 Be7 18. Ne2 Qa5 19. Ned4 Qxa4 20. b3 Qb4 21. c3 Qxc3 22. Nxe6 fxe6 23. Qxe6+ Kh8 24. Qd7 Qb4 {Vasilevich,T (2625)-Draskovic,L (2770) Chess.com 2024 1-0 (61)}) 10... exd4 11. Qxd4 Bf8 $146 ({RR} 11... Nc5 12. e5 dxe5 13. Qxd8 Rxd8 14. Bxc5 Bxc5 15. Nxe5 Rf8 16. Rfd1 Bf5 17. Bb3 Rac8 18. Ra4 Rc7 19. Rf4 Bh7 20. Ng4 Nxg4 21. hxg4 Re8 22. Na4 Bf8 23. Rfd4 Bg6 24. Rd7 Rec8 25. f4 Be4 26. Bxf7+ {1-0 Otero Marino,A (2280)-Yedidia,J (2361) Titled Tue 25th Jun Early 2024 (2)}) ({RR} 11... Nc5 12. e5 dxe5 13. Qxd8 Rxd8 14. Bxc5 Bxc5 15. Nxe5 Rf8 16. Rfd1 Bf5 17. Bb3 Rac8 18. Ra4 Rc7 19. Rf4 Bh7 20. Ng4 Nxg4 21. hxg4 Re8 22. Na4 Bf8 23. Rfd4 Bg6 24. Rd7 Rec8 25. f4 Be4 26. Bxf7+ {Otero Marino,A (2280)-Yedidia,J (2361) chess.com INT 2024 1-0 (38)}) ({RR} 11... Nf8 12. Rfd1 Be6 13. Bxe6 Nxe6 14. Qc4 Qc8 15. Nd4 Bf8 16. Nf5 Qc7 17. b4 Nd7 18. Qb3 Ng5 19. Bf4 Ne5 20. Bg3 Ne6 21. Ne3 Ng6 22. Rd2 Nef4 23. Rad1 Re6 24. Nf5 Rae8 25. Kh1 Qd7 26. Kh2 {Mitusov,S (2478)-Amar,E (2600) Bergen NOR 2025 ½-½ (37)}) 12. Rfe1 Qc7 13. Bf4 Ne5 14. Be2 Bd7 15. Bg3 a6 16. Bh4 Re6 17. Nxe5 Rxe5 18. b4 Rae8 19. Bg3 c5 20. Qd1 cxb4 21. Bxe5 dxe5 22. Nd5 Nxd5 23. exd5 e4 24. Bg4 f5 25. Bh5 Rc8 26. d6 Qc5 27. c3 bxc3 28. Qb3+ Qc4 29. Qxb7 Qe6 30. Qxa6 Bxd6 31. Qa7 c2 32. a6 Bf4 33. Qb7 Rb8 34. Qa7 Qd6 35. Be2 Be6 36. Bf1 Kh7 37. Rec1 Bxc1 38. Rxc1 Rb1 39. Qe3 Qd1 40. a7 Qxc1 0-1

[Event "GRENKE Chess Classic and Open 2024"]
[Site "Karlsruhe, Germany"]
[Date "2024.04.01"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Rapport, Richard"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C18"]
[WhiteElo "2823"]
[BlackElo "2708"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "101"]
[EventDate "2024.??.??"]
[TimeControl "2700+10"]

1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e5 c5 5. a3 Bxc3+ 6. bxc3 Ne7 7. Qg4 Qc7 8. Bd3 Qa5 {Rapport repeats the same variation from his game against Vachier-Lagrave, in which he achieved a good position from the opening.} 9. Bd2 c4 10. Be2 Rg8 11. a4 Nbc6 12. Qh3 {I suggested this move in my analysis of the above-mentioned game, but I thought Rapport's idea was to sacrifice the h-pawn.} (12. Nf3 {was the move played by Vachier-Lagrave.}) ({RR} 12. Nf3 Bd7 13. O-O h6 14. Rfb1 O-O-O 15. Rb5 Qc7 16. Qf4 g5 17. Qxf7 Nf5 18. g4 Rdf8 19. Qh5 Be8 20. Qh3 h5 21. Nxg5 hxg4 22. Bxg4 Qe7 23. f4 Rh8 24. Qg2 Nd8 25. Rbb1 Bg6 26. Rf1 Kb8 {Vachier Lagrave,M (2728)-Rapport,R (2720) Karlsruhe GER 2024 1-0 (70)}) 12... h6 $6 {[%c_effect h6;square;h6;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} (12... Bd7 {This is a critical move and I had imagined that Rapport would play it.} 13. Qxh7 O-O-O {With the idea of playing f7-f6, with a complicated fight. Black has some compensation for the pawn in the form of better development and chances of attacking White's vulnerable queen.}) 13. Bh5 $146 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The bishop is placed on an active square, preventing Black from castling queenside and freeing the e2-square for the knight. If Black plays g7-g6, weaknesses on the dark squares are created.} ({RR} 13. Qf3 Bd7 14. Nh3 Rf8 15. Nf4 O-O-O 16. g4 f6 17. exf6 gxf6 18. Nh5 f5 19. Qe3 fxg4 20. Bxg4 e5 21. Bxd7+ Rxd7 22. Qxh6 Qd8 23. dxe5 Nxe5 24. O-O-O N7g6 25. Qe3 Qa5 26. f4 Qxa4 27. Qc5+ Nc6 {Janeczko,J (2282)-Sengupta,D (2497) Warsaw POL 2025 1-0 (41)}) 13... Bd7 14. Ne2 g6 {This move is ultimately a necessary evil, as it's the only way to castle.} (14... O-O-O $2 {[%c_effect c8;square;c8;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 15. Bxf7) 15. Bg4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A curious move. Why didn't Carlsen immediately return the bishop to f3, as the vast majority of humanity would do $2 Playing such subtle moves is one of the many reasons why he is so special.} (15. Bf3 Rh8 {This is forced, since there's no other way to defend the pawn and h6-h5 is a much worse version for Black of what happens in the game. Maybe the point is that White's plan here is not as clear or effective as the possible plan with the bishop on g4.} 16. g4 $5 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;Interesting;persistent;true] with the idea of Qg3 and then h4-h5.}) 15... h5 {White's previous move was designed to provoke this advance.} (15... Rh8 16. Qf3 {This is one difference from the bishop being on g4: White can use the third rank for the queen to go to either to g3 or f3, followed by the advance of the h-pawn.}) 16. Bf3 Nf5 $6 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} (16... O-O-O {is more accurate, although Black is still suffering after} 17. Bg5 {The dark squares are too vulnerable.}) 17. g4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} hxg4 18. Bxg4 O-O-O 19. Bxf5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Changing the strategic nature of the position is often difficult in chess, so the moves g4 and now Bxf5 may not be the easiest for many players. By looking at the board objectively, however, we can see that Black has a miserable position strategically: too many weaknesses on the dark squares and no active plan.} exf5 20. Bg5 Rde8 21. Kd2 $1 {[%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The white king finds a surprisingly safe haven in the middle of the board. White's plan now is relatively simple: place the queen on f3 and advance the h-pawn.} Rh8 22. Qf3 {The bad light-squared bishop in the French Defense is once again one of the reasons for tragedy.} Nd8 $1 {[%c_effect d8;square;d8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The only chance is to activate the knight by the placing it on e6.} 23. Bf6 Rh6 24. h4 (24. Nf4 {is a possible alternative.} Ne6 $1 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 25. Nxe6 $1 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} (25. Qxd5 {is less clear:} Qc7 $1 {[%c_effect c7;square;c7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is what Black wants: some activity at the cost of a pawn, even though his position is still objectively worse.} (25... Qxd5 {is good for White after} 26. Nxd5 Bc6 27. Ne3 $1 {[%c_effect e3;square;e3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} Bxh1 28. Rxh1)) 25... Bxe6 26. h4 Rh5 27. Qd1 $1 {[%c_effect d1;square;d1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] With the idea of playing Qc1-a3 and torturing Black for a long time on the dark squares.}) 24... Ne6 25. h5 $2 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This sharpens the game, but it isn't the best.} (25. Qe3 Rh5 26. Nf4 Nxf4 27. Qxf4 {with advantage for White, similar to the one we saw after 24.Nf4. It should be pointed out that the rook on h5, although it is protecting the kingside, is shut out from the game.}) 25... g5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 26. Rae1 $3 {[%c_effect e1;square;e1;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] This is another very difficult move that it's not easy to understand until we go deeper into the position. This type of move is much more beautiful than a simple combination, which is a pure mathematical question. Here, though, is the true art of chess: moves that can only be understood after much reflection and that involve a hidden idea to prevent an opponent's plan.} (26. Qxf5 $4 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;Blunder;persistent;true] tragically loses the queen after} Nxd4 27. Qxg5 Nf3+) (26. Rag1 $2 {[%c_effect g1;square;g1;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} g4 27. Qe3 f4 $1 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 28. Nxf4 Rxf6 $1 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 29. exf6 Ng5 {In this line we can see the importance of the rook on e1.}) 26... f4 $2 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;Mistake;persistent;true] The position is very difficult to play and it's hard for Black not to make a mistake.} (26... Qxa4 $2 {[%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;Mistake;persistent;true] Taking the pawn on a4 is clearly wrong:} 27. Ra1) (26... Bxa4 $2 {[%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 27. Qxf5) (26... g4 $2 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;Mistake;persistent;true] In this line we can understand the idea behind Carlsen's previous move.} 27. Qe3 f4 {This no longer works:} 28. Nxf4 Rxf6 29. exf6 Ng5 30. Qxe8+ {Thanks to the rook on e1, White wins two rooks and a pawn—the dangerous passed h-pawn, no less—for the queen. The true art of chess.}) (26... a6 $1 {[%c_effect a6;square;a6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This or 26...b6 are the best moves according to the computer. What can I say $2 Chess is not easy. 26...a6 I can understand: now it's possible to capture on a4 in some lines, since there's no more Ra1 capturing on a7. Apart from that, the king can march to a safer place with Kb8-a7. I apologize if that explanation was not convincing. The position remains very complicated and the evaluation is the one we expect (0.00).}) 27. Reg1 $1 {[%c_effect g1;square;g1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The pawns on the kingside are too vulnerable.} Rg8 {This loses by force, but it's difficult to make recommendations.} (27... Bxa4 {is the computer suggestion and probably the best practical chance, but after} 28. Ra1 $1 {[%c_effect a1;square;a1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Black is tied up.} (28. Bxg5 $2 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;Mistake;persistent;true] is wrong:} Bxc2 $1 {[%c_effect c2;square;c2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 29. Kxc2 Qa2+ {with perpetual check.})) 28. Nxf4 $1 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} Rxf6 $1 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Rapport is up to the challenge and fights with great resilience.} (28... Nxf4 29. Qxf4 {29.Rxg5 or 29.Bxg5 are also winning.} (29. Rxg5 Rxg5 30. Bxg5 Rxh5 31. Rxh5 Nxh5 32. Qxh5 Be6 33. f4 {Black cannot hold the position for long.}) 29... gxf4 30. Rxg8+ Be8 (30... Kc7 31. Bd8+) 31. Rxe8+ Kd7 32. Re7+ Kc6 33. Rxf7 {with an easy win, since the king is too exposed and White has two dangerous passed pawns.}) 29. exf6 Nxf4 30. h6 $6 {[%c_effect h6;square;h6;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] I was surprised by this move, since I expected Carlsen to take on f4. But things are not so easy as I initially thought.} (30. Qxf4 $1 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} gxf4 31. Rxg8+ Kc7 {Now White must be very accurate.} 32. Rg7 $1 {[%c_effect g7;square;g7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} (32. Rf8 {is also good.}) (32. h6 $2 {[%c_effect h6;square;h6;type;Mistake;persistent;true] is tempting... and wrong:} Bf5 33. h7 $2 {[%c_effect h7;square;h7;type;Mistake;persistent;true] Now White even loses $1} (33. Rh5 {is enough for a draw.}) 33... Qxa4 $1 {[%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Black begins some surprising counterplay and wins the game.} (33... Bxh7 $2 {[%c_effect h7;square;h7;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 34. Rxh7 {with an easy win.}) 34. h8=Q Qxc2+ 35. Ke1 f3 {with inevitable mate.}) 32... Qxa4 (32... Bf5 33. Rxf7+ Kc6 34. Rc1 $1 {[%c_effect c1;square;c1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The c2-pawn is protected and the h- and f-pawns are decisive, for instance:} Qd8 35. h6 Qe8 36. h7) 33. h6 Bf5 34. Rxf7+ Kb6 35. Rc1 Qe8 36. h7 $1 {[%c_effect h7;square;h7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] with a decisive advantage for White.}) 30... Ne6 $1 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 31. h7 Rh8 32. Qe3 $1 {[%c_effect e3;square;e3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Preparing the sac on g5.} Qd8 $1 {[%c_effect d8;square;d8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 33. Rxg5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} Nxg5 34. Qxg5 {The queen goes to g7 and Black is paralyzed, but it remains to be seen how White can completely break the resistance.} Kc7 35. Qg7 Be6 36. Re1 $2 {[%c_effect e1;square;e1;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This move surprisingly lets the win slip.} (36. Rh5 $1 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] was the right path for the rook, with the same plan as in the game.}) 36... Kb6 $2 {[%c_effect b6;square;b6;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} (36... Bf5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the right move:} 37. Qxf7+ Kc6 {Now White is the one who needs to play carefully.} 38. Rg1 Rxh7 39. Rg7 {The game ends in a draw in many possible ways.} Rxg7 (39... Qb8 40. Kc1 $1 {[%c_effect c1;square;c1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} Qf4+ 41. Kb2 Rxg7 42. fxg7 Qxf2 43. Qe8+ {with perpetual check.}) 40. fxg7 (40. Qxg7 {is also a draw:} Qd6 41. f7 Qf4+ 42. Ke1 Qe4+ 43. Kf1 Qh1+ {with perpetual check again.}) 40... Qg5+ 41. Ke2 Bh7 42. Qe6+ {with a draw.}) 37. Re5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} Qc8 38. f4 {Preparing f4-f5 at the right moment.} a6 39. Kc1 $1 {[%c_effect c1;square;c1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] It's important to hide the king first.} (39. f5 $2 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} Bxf5 40. Rxf5 Qxf5 41. Qxh8 Qf4+ {with perpetual check.}) 39... Ka7 40. f5 Bd7 (40... Bxf5 41. Rxf5 Qxf5 42. Qxh8 {Now there is a pawn shelter protecting the king.}) 41. a5 $1 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} Qf8 42. Kb2 Qc8 43. Rxd5 {White starts collecting the pawns.} Bc6 44. Re5 Bd7 45. Qxf7 Bxf5 46. Rc5 Qe6 47. Qxe6 Bxe6 48. Rc7 Bf5 49. Rg7 $1 {[%c_effect g7;square;g7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Even the last moves are pretty.} Bxh7 50. f7 {Preparing Rxh7. If the bishop moves, White can play Rg8. A study-like position.} Bd3 51. cxd3 {A marvelous game.} 1-0

[Event "Champions Chess Tour Chess.com Classic "]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2024.05.15"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Firouzja, Alireza"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C24"]
[WhiteElo "2867"]
[BlackElo "2889"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "83"]
[EventDate "2024.??.??"]

{[%evp 0,83,28,28,28,15,15,-3,14,9,19,24,3,-62,-58,-47,-29,-41,-29,-40,2,-5,5,12,-7,-6,2,12,-1,4,40,39,17,17,21,-12,71,43,64,65,130,97,109,115,93,93,149,203,204,206,213,213,213,240,233,198,183,190,196,192,193,195,198,198,198,198,198,226,223,240,263,212,273,297,329,323,309,311,300,300,300,306,402,414,447,386]} 1. e4 e5 2. Bc4 Nf6 3. d3 c6 4. Nf3 d5 5. Bb3 Bd6 6. Nbd2 {O desenvolvimento do cavalo para d2 não é perigoso para as Negras.} (6. Nc3 {é mais popular.}) 6... O-O 7. O-O Re8 8. Re1 Nbd7 9. c3 Nc5 10. Bc2 dxe4 11. dxe4 Bc7 12. Qe2 Qe7 $146 (12... a5 $1 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Meu lance favorito aqui, antecipando o avanço b2-b4 e preparando um plano com b6-Ba6. As Negras têm uma boa posição.} 13. b4) ({RR} 12... Nh5 13. Nc4 Qf6 14. Bg5 Qg6 15. Be3 Nf4 16. Bxf4 exf4 17. e5 Qh6 18. b4 b5 19. bxc5 bxc4 20. Qxc4 Bg4 21. Bb3 Qh5 22. Qxf4 Bxf3 23. Qxf3 Qxf3 24. gxf3 Bxe5 25. Rad1 g5 26. Re4 Re7 27. Rde1 {Bernasek,J (2498)-Mladek,R (2365) Czech Republic 2021 ½-½ (66)}) 13. b4 $1 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] tirando o cavalo de sua posição ativa.} Ne6 14. Nc4 Nf4 {A posição das Negras se torna muito perigosa agora.} (14... a5 $1 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] ainda é um bom lance, quebrando a estrutura de peões na ala do rei.}) 15. Bxf4 exf4 16. e5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} Nd5 $2 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} (16... Bg4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] é o melhor lance, mas boa sorte em encontrá-lo em uma partida rápida.} 17. h3 (17. Qd3 {parece tentador, mas as Negras conseguem escapar depois de} Bxf3 18. gxf3 g6 {Agora} (18... Rad8 19. Qf5 Rd5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] também é possível.}) 19. exf6 $2 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;Mistake;persistent;true] perde para} Qxe1+ 20. Rxe1 Rxe1+ 21. Kg2 Rd8 $1 {[%c_effect d8;square;d8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] e a dama não tem casas disponíveis.}) 17... Bxf3 18. Qxf3 Nd7 {com uma posição ligeiramente melhor para as Brancas.}) 17. h3 $2 {[%c_effect h3;square;h3;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} (17. Nd6 $1 {[%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] é a melhor maneira de manter a iniciativa.} Bxd6 18. Qd3 {Este é o ponto.} Bf5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] O mal menor.} 19. Qxf5 g6 20. Qd3 Bc7 21. Bb3 {com uma posição promissora para as Brancas: seu bispo de casas claras é muito melhor do que o das Negras de casas escuras.}) 17... g6 {Um lance de duplo propósito, jogado tanto para restringir o bispo branco quanto para dar ar ao rei.} 18. Qd2 Be6 $2 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;Mistake;persistent;true] Foi essencial para controlar a casa d6.} (18... Rd8 $1 {[%c_effect d8;square;d8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] é necessário, embora as Brancas mantenham a pressão depois de} 19. Bb3) 19. Nd6 $1 {[%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} Red8 $6 {[%c_effect d8;square;d8;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] Depois disso, as Negras estão perdidas sem uma chance real de salvar a partida.} (19... Bxd6 {é uma tentativa melhor, indo para um final com três peões pela peça, embora as Brancas ainda devam vencer depois de} 20. exd6 Qxd6 21. c4 Qxb4 22. cxd5 Qxd2 23. Nxd2 Bxd5) 20. c4 Nb6 21. c5 {Firouzja tem um cavalo monstro em d6. Raramente vi Carlsen em uma posição estratégica tão ruim.} Nd5 22. Be4 b6 {Tentando conseguir algum contra-jogo, mas isso só piora as coisas.} 23. Nd4 Bd7 24. Bxd5 cxd5 25. Qxf4 bxc5 26. bxc5 {O resultado não está em dúvida e Firouzja converte a vantagem sem nenhum problema.} Rab8 27. Rab1 (27. Qf3 {também é bom, capturando o peão em d5.}) 27... Rxb1 28. Rxb1 Rb8 29. Rxb8+ Bxb8 30. Nf3 {Abrindo caminho para a dama ir para a ala da dama.} (30. c6 {também é muito bom, simplesmente avançando o peão passado.}) 30... Bc7 31. Qb4 Bc6 32. Nc8 $1 {[%c_effect c8;square;c8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] O cavalo deixa sua posição majestosa por uma boa razão: coletar o peão de a7.} Qd7 33. Nxa7 Ba4 34. Qb7 {Preparando o avanço do peão de c.} d4 35. c6 Qd8 36. Qb4 Bc2 37. Nb5 {Capturar o peão de d4 também leva a uma vitória simples, mas a posição é tão boa que quase qualquer coisa vence.} (37. Qxd4) (37. Nxd4) 37... Be4 38. Nxc7 Qxc7 39. Nxd4 Qxe5 40. Qc4 $1 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] O detalhe final.} (40. Qc3 $2 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;Mistake;persistent;true] perde um peão, embora o final de dama após} Bxc6 41. Qxc6 Qxd4 {está tecnicamente ganho.}) 40... Qg5 (40... Bd5 41. c7 $1 {[%c_effect c7;square;c7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Esta é a ideia:} Bxc4 42. c8=Q+ Kg7 43. Qxc4) 41. f3 Qe3+ 42. Kh1 {As Negras não têm xeque perpétuo e o peão de c não pode ser parado. Uma vitória surpreendentemente tranquila para Firouzja em um dia em que ele fez o impossível acontecer.} 1-0

[Event "Division I"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2024.05.10"]
[Round "1.2"]
[White "Ivic, Velimir"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B31"]
[WhiteElo "2651"]
[BlackElo "2899"]
[Annotator "Stockfish 16.1"]
[PlyCount "124"]
[EventDate "2024.??.??"]
[WhiteTeam "SRB"]
[BlackTeam "NOR"]
[WhiteClock "0:00:03"]
[BlackClock "0:00:46"]

{[%evp 9,124,31,48,33,50,48,49,8,11,9,75,51,46,47,56,46,55,0,0,-3,-3,-39,-32,-36,-36,-35,-36,-42,-33,-72,0,-5,27,27,26,23,21,20,20,24,26,27,107,101,110,108,107,104,103,99,104,31,139,143,131,153,147,0,0,0,0,-45,-42,-42,-40,-39,-30,-37,-30,-38,-23,-24,-21,-24,-18,-22,0,-50,-23,-26,-48,-539,-537,-537,-534,-530,-530,-499,-413,-508,-475,-442,-338,-318,-279,-396,-264,-509,-497,-29970,-29977,-29973,-29978,-29974,-29975,-29990,-29959,-29981,-29982,-29992,-29993,-29993,-29994,-29994,-29995,-29995,-29996]} 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 g6 4. Bxc6 dxc6 5. d3 Qc7 6. a4 ({RR} 6. O-O e5 7. a4 Nf6 8. a5 Nh5 9. Nc3 Be7 10. Be3 O-O 11. Nd2 Rb8 12. Ne2 Nf4 13. Nc4 Be6 14. b3 b5 15. axb6 axb6 16. Qd2 Nxe2+ 17. Qxe2 b5 18. Nd2 Ra8 19. f3 Ra5 20. Qf2 Rfa8 {Giri,A (2764)-Carlsen,M (2862) chess24.com INT 2020 ½-½ (46)}) 6... e5 7. a5 Nf6 8. Nbd2 {White is slightly better.} Be6 $146 ({RR} 8... Bg7 9. O-O O-O 10. Nc4 Nd7 11. h3 Rb8 12. Qe2 b5 13. axb6 axb6 14. Ne3 Re8 15. c4 Nf8 16. Nc2 Ne6 17. Ng5 Nf4 18. Bxf4 exf4 19. Rab1 Ra8 20. Nf3 Ra2 21. Nce1 Be6 22. Qc2 Qa7 23. Qb3 {Yonal,T (1818)-Iskusnyh,S (2473) Chess.com INT 2021 0-1 (34)}) ({RR} 8... Nh5 9. Nc4 f6 10. h4 Be6 11. b3 Be7 12. Bh6 O-O-O 13. Nfd2 Bf7 14. g3 f5 15. Qe2 f4 16. Qg4+ Kb8 17. Nf3 Bf6 18. Ng5 Bxg5 19. Qxg5 fxg3 20. fxg3 Rhe8 21. O-O Bxc4 22. bxc4 Ng7 23. Bxg7 {Fedorchuk,S (2565)-Negrean,A (2336) Bucharest ROU 2025 1-0 (35)}) 9. b3 h6 10. Nc4 Nd7 11. O-O Bg7 12. Kh1 O-O 13. Ng1 b5 14. axb6 axb6 {[%cal Ba7b6,Bb6b5][%mdl 32]} 15. Rxa8 Rxa8 16. Bb2 b5 17. Ne3 c4 18. bxc4 bxc4 19. d4 Ra2 20. d5 Bxd5 21. Qb1 Ra5 22. exd5 cxd5 23. Bc3 Rc5 {next ...d4 is good for Black.} 24. Qa2 d4 25. Bb4 dxe3 26. Bxc5 Qxc5 27. fxe3 Nf6 28. Qa8+ Kh7 29. Qb7 Kg8 30. Nf3 e4 (30... Qxe3 $14 31. Re1 Qc3) 31. Nd4 $16 Qa3 32. Nc6 Qd6 33. Qb8+ (33. h3 $16) 33... Qxb8 $11 34. Nxb8 {[%mdl 4096] Endgame KRN-KBN} Nd5 35. Re1 (35. Rd1 $5 {[%cal Rd1d5]} Nxe3 {[%mdl 64] Double Attack} 36. Re1 Nxc2 37. Rxe4 $15) 35... Bc3 {[%mdl 1024] Black has compensation.} 36. Re2 f5 37. Nc6 Kf7 38. g3 Ke6 39. Kg2 Kd6 (39... Kd7 {is more complex.} 40. Na7 Ba5 41. Nb5 Kc6 42. Nd4+ Kc5) 40. Nd4 $1 Bxd4 41. exd4 {KR-KN} c3 42. Kf2 Nb4 43. Ke3 (43. Re3 $5 {[%cal Re3c3]} Nd5 44. Re1 $11) 43... Kd5 44. Rf2 Kc4 45. g4 $2 {[%mdl 8192]} (45. h4 $1 $15) 45... Nd5+ $19 46. Ke2 f4 {[#] Strongly threatening ...f3+.} 47. Rf1 g5 48. Ra1 Ne3 49. Ra4+ Kd5 50. Ra5+ Kxd4 51. Ra4+ Nc4 52. Ra6 (52. h3 $142 e3 53. Kf3) 52... e3 53. Rxh6 $2 (53. Ra4 Kc5 54. h3) 53... Ne5 {And now ...f3+ would win.} 54. h3 {[#]} (54. Ke1 $19 f3 55. Rh7 Nxg4 56. Rh8) 54... f3+ {Black mates.} 55. Ke1 Nc4 56. Rf6 Nd2 57. Kd1 Ke4 58. Ke1 f2+ 59. Ke2 f1=Q+ 60. Rxf1 Nxf1 61. Kxf1 Kf3 62. Ke1 e2 {Accuracy: White = 63%, Black = 70%.} 0-1

[Event "Division I"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2024.05.10"]
[Round "1.3"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Ivic, Velimir"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B53"]
[WhiteElo "2902"]
[BlackElo "2648"]
[Annotator "Stockfish 16.1"]
[PlyCount "57"]
[EventDate "2024.??.??"]
[WhiteTeam "NOR"]
[BlackTeam "SRB"]
[WhiteClock "0:05:49"]
[BlackClock "0:03:19"]

{[%evp 9,57,7,11,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,25,24,26,29,44,39,41,46,51,46,45,49,175,177,164,159,179,162,173,143,246,240,244,99,98,78,81,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0]} 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. d4 cxd4 5. Qxd4 Nc6 6. Qe3 g6 7. h3 Bg7 8. Bc4 O-O 9. O-O Nd7 10. Rd1 b6 11. Qf4 ({RR} 11. Nd5 Bb7 12. c3 Rc8 13. Bb3 Nc5 14. Bc2 e6 15. Nf4 Qe7 16. Qe2 Rfd8 17. Rb1 Ne5 18. Nd4 a6 19. a4 h5 20. f3 Qf6 21. Qf2 h4 22. b3 d5 23. exd5 Bxd5 24. Nxd5 exd5 25. Be3 Nc6 {Aronian,L (2773)-Carlsen,M (2863) chess24.com INT 2020 1-0 (58)}) 11... Bxc3 $146 ({RR} 11... Bb7 12. Qh4 Nce5 13. Nxe5 Nxe5 14. Bb3 Bf6 15. Bg5 Bxg5 16. Qxg5 Rc8 17. Rd4 Kg7 18. Rad1 Rc5 19. Qg3 Qc8 20. Nd5 Re8 21. Ne3 b5 22. Bd5 f6 23. h4 Bxd5 24. exd5 Nc4 25. h5 Nxe3 26. Qxe3 {Horvath,A (2447)-Lamard,G (2500) Budapest HUN 2024 0-1 (77)}) ({RR} 11... Nde5 12. Nxe5 Bxe5 13. Qh4 Bf6 14. Qg3 Bb7 15. Bh6 Bg7 16. Bxg7 Kxg7 17. Rd2 Rc8 18. Rad1 Qe8 19. h4 Ne5 20. Be2 f6 21. Nd5 Nc4 22. Bxc4 Rxc4 23. f3 Bxd5 24. exd5 Qc8 25. Qf2 Qf5 26. c3 {Santos Latasa,J (2620)-Tudor,H (2376) Bucharest ROU 2025 ½-½ (54)}) 12. bxc3 Nde5 13. Nxe5 Nxe5 14. Bd5 $36 {[%mdl 2048] White has some pressure.} Rb8 15. Qh4 {Hoping for Bg5.} Be6 {[#]} (15... e6 $14 16. Qxd8 Rxd8) 16. Bg5 $1 $18 {[%cal Rg5e7]} Re8 {[#]} 17. f4 $1 {[%cal Rf4e5]} Nc4 18. Bxe6 fxe6 {[#]} 19. f5 $1 {[%mdl 512]} Qc7 (19... exf5 $16 {was called for.} 20. exf5 Ne5) 20. fxg6 ({Inferior is} 20. fxe6 Qc8 $11) 20... hxg6 21. Qh6 (21. Rf1 $18 {and White stays clearly on top. Rf7! would kill now.} Ne5 22. Kh1) 21... Ne5 $16 22. Bf4 {Bxe5 is the strong threat.} Qxc3 23. Kh1 Rf8 {The position is equal.} 24. Bxe5 Qxe5 25. Qxg6+ Kh8 $1 26. Qh6+ Kg8 27. Qg6+ Kh8 $1 28. Qh6+ Kg8 29. Qg6+ {Accuracy: White = 82%, Black = 72%.} 1/2-1/2

[Event "Division I"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2024.05.10"]
[Round "1.1"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Ivic, Velimir"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B92"]
[WhiteElo "2896"]
[BlackElo "2654"]
[Annotator "Stockfish 16.1"]
[PlyCount "101"]
[EventDate "2024.??.??"]
[WhiteTeam "NOR"]
[BlackTeam "SRB"]
[WhiteClock "0:01:06"]

{[%evp 16,101,29,21,17,10,18,20,29,19,28,13,12,0,3,3,92,43,47,47,46,47,48,48,46,41,47,41,47,47,46,47,51,50,51,46,52,53,50,50,57,41,41,41,76,77,69,40,41,41,41,41,41,40,41,24,51,42,46,41,47,47,50,46,62,49,57,46,56,55,137,129,141,141,158,150,235,234,248,278,347,347,346,346,543,548,618,646]} 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 $146 ({RR} 2... Nc6 3. Nc3 d6 4. d4 cxd4 5. Nxd4 e5 6. Nde2 Nf6 7. g3 Be7 8. Bg2 O-O 9. O-O Bg4 10. h3 Bh5 11. g4 Bg6 12. Ng3 Ne8 13. Nd5 Bh4 14. Be3 Ne7 15. Nc3 Nc7 16. Qd2 b5 17. Rad1 {Aragon Trujillo,R (2447)-Vatansever,B (2363) Seattle 2013 CBM 139 [ChessBase] ½-½ (60)}) 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Be2 e5 7. Nb3 Be7 8. O-O O-O 9. Re1 Be6 10. Bf3 Nbd7 11. a4 {[%cal Ba2a4,Ba4a5][%mdl 32]} Rc8 {The position is equal.} 12. Nd2 Nb6 13. a5 ({RR} 13. Nf1 d5 14. exd5 Nbxd5 15. Nxd5 Nxd5 16. c3 Qd6 17. Qe2 f6 18. Rd1 Qc5 19. Be3 Nxe3 20. Nxe3 Rb8 21. Bd5 Bxd5 22. Rxd5 Qc6 23. Qg4 f5 24. Qc4 Qxc4 25. Nxc4 e4 26. Rd7 Kf7 27. Rad1 Ke6 {Movsesian,S (2747)-Shirov,A (2745) Dagomys 2009 ½-½ (45)}) 13... Nc4 14. Nxc4 Rxc4 15. Be3 Qb8 $146 (15... Qd7 $11) ({RR} 15... Qd7 16. Re2 Rfc8 17. Rd2 Rb4 18. Bg5 Rcc4 19. Bxf6 Bxf6 20. Rxd6 Qc7 21. Be2 Rc5 22. Rb6 Rd4 23. Bd3 Rd7 24. Ra3 Bd8 25. Na4 Rxa5 26. b4 Rxa4 27. Rxe6 fxe6 28. Rxa4 Qd6 29. Kh1 Bb6 30. f3 {Rublevsky,S (2683)-Oparin,G (2602) Moscow 2017 0-1 (48)}) 16. Na4 Bd8 17. b3 Rc6 18. Nb6 Bxb6 19. Bxb6 Rc3 20. Re3 Rfc8 21. Rxc3 Rxc3 22. Be3 Qc7 23. Ra2 Qd7 24. Bd2 Rc6 25. c4 Bg4 26. Bxg4 Nxg4 27. f3 Nf6 28. Be3 Qc7 29. Bb6 Qb8 30. Rd2 Nd7 31. Be3 Qc7 32. Qa1 Nc5 33. Qc3 h6 34. Rd5 Nd7 35. h3 Nf6 36. Rd3 Nd7 37. Kh2 Kh7 38. Qd2 Kg8 39. Bf2 Kh7 40. Be3 Kg8 41. Kg1 Kh7 42. Kh1 Kg8 {[#]} 43. b4 $1 Rxc4 44. Rxd6 Nf6 45. Bc5 Kh7 (45... Nh5 $16) 46. Qd3 $18 Rc1+ 47. Kh2 Qc8 48. Qd2 Rc4 49. Qa2 Ne8 (49... Rxc5 $142 50. bxc5 Qxc5) 50. Rb6 Rc1 51. Qxf7 {Accuracy: White = 87%, Black = 69%.} 1-0

[Event "Division I"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2024.05.15"]
[Round "5.3"]
[White "Firouzja, Alireza"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C24"]
[WhiteElo "2867"]
[BlackElo "2889"]
[Annotator "Stockfish 16.1 (GM Rafael Leitão)"]
[PlyCount "83"]
[EventDate "2024.??.??"]
[WhiteTeam "FRA"]
[BlackTeam "NOR"]
[WhiteClock "0:02:01"]
[BlackClock "0:01:17"]

{[%evp 10,83,18,-39,-41,-33,-43,-38,-44,-48,-6,-14,-7,-24,-22,-25,5,6,7,6,55,53,55,66,101,35,75,70,150,146,264,273,288,271,291,298,334,323,352,353,353,353,352,361,364,325,365,367,352,353,328,317,319,281,320,307,397,392,403,400,461,460,479,476,479,479,475,475,465,466,462,440,519,505,523,524]} 1. e4 e5 2. Bc4 Nf6 3. d3 c6 4. Nf3 d5 5. Bb3 Bd6 6. Nbd2 {O desenvolvimento do cavalo para d2 não é perigoso para as Negras. (GM Leitão)} (6. Nc3 {é o mais popular}) 6... O-O 7. O-O Re8 8. Re1 Nbd7 {Black is slightly better.} 9. c3 Nc5 10. Bc2 dxe4 11. dxe4 Bc7 12. Qe2 Qe7 $146 (12... a5 $1 {Meu lance favorito aqui, antecipando o avanço b2-b4 e preparando um plano com b6-Ba6. As Negras têm uma boa posição. (GM Leitão)}) ({RR} 12... Nh5 13. Nc4 Qf6 14. Bg5 Qg6 15. Be3 Nf4 16. Bxf4 exf4 17. e5 Qh6 18. b4 b5 19. bxc5 bxc4 20. Qxc4 Bg4 21. Bb3 Qh5 22. Qxf4 Bxf3 23. Qxf3 Qxf3 24. gxf3 Bxe5 25. Rad1 g5 26. Re4 Re7 27. Rde1 {Bernasek,J (2498)-Mladek,R (2365) Czech Republic 2021 ½-½ (66)}) 13. b4 {tirando o cavalo de sua posição ativa.} Ne6 14. Nc4 Nf4 {A posição das Negras se torna muito perigosa agora.} (14... a5 $1 {ainda é um bom lance, quebrando a estrutura de peões na ala do rei. (GM Leitão)}) 15. Bxf4 $1 exf4 16. e5 $36 {[%mdl 2048] And now Qd3 would win. Black is under pressure.} Nd5 (16... Bg4 {é o melhor lance, mas boa sorte em encontrá-lo numa partida rápida.} 17. h3 (17. Qd3 {parece tentador, mas as Negras conseguem escapar depois de} Bxf3 18. gxf3 g6 ({Jogar} 18... Rad8 19. Qf5 Rd5 {também seria possível}) 19. exf6 $2 Qxe1+ 20. Rxe1 Rxe1+ 21. Kg2 Rd8 {e a dama não tem casas disponíveis e para salvar a mesma teria que entregar o cavalo em d6}) 17... Bxf3 18. Qxf3 Nd7 {com uma posição ligeiramente melhor para as Brancas.}) 17. h3 (17. Nd6 {é a melhor maneira de manter a iniciativa.} Bxd6 18. Qd3 {Este é o ponto} Bf5 19. Qxf5 g6 20. Qd3 Bc7 21. Bb3 {com uma posição promissora para as Brancas: seu bispo de casas claras é muito melhor do que o das Negras de casas escuras. (GM Leitão)}) 17... g6 {Um lance de duplo propósito, jogado tanto para restringir o bispo branco quanto para dar uma casinha ao rei para respirar..(GM Leitão)} 18. Qd2 Be6 $2 {[#]} ({Era essencial controlar a casa d6.com:} 18... Rd8 {Super necessário, embora as Brancas mantenham a pressão depois de:} 19. Bb3 {(GM Leitão)}) 19. Nd6 $1 {[%mdl 512]} Red8 {Depois disso, as Negras estão perdidas sem uma chance real de salvar a partida.} (19... Bxd6 $16 {Seria uma tentativa melhor, indo para um final com três peões pela peça, embora as Brancas ainda deveriam vencer após esta sequencia:} 20. exd6 Qxd6 21. c4 Qxb4 22. cxd5 Qxd2 23. Nxd2 Bxd5) 20. c4 $18 ({Less strong is} 20. Nxb7 Bxe5 21. Nxe5 (21. Nxd8 Bxc3 22. Nxc6 Qc7 $14) 21... Qxb7 $16) 20... Nb6 21. c5 {Firouzja tem um cavalo monstro em d6. Raramente vi Carlsen em uma posição estratégica tão ruim.} ({Don't play} 21. Qxf4 $6 Rxd6 22. exd6 Bxd6 $16) 21... Nd5 22. Be4 b6 {Tentando conseguir algum contra-jogo, mas isso só piora as coisas.} 23. Nd4 Bd7 24. Bxd5 cxd5 25. Qxf4 bxc5 26. bxc5 {O resultado não está em dúvida e Firouzja converte a vantagem sem nenhum problema.} Rab8 27. Rab1 (27. Qf3 {também seria bom, visando capturar o peão em d5.}) 27... Rxb1 28. Rxb1 Rb8 29. Rxb8+ Bxb8 30. Nf3 {Abrindo caminho para a dama ir para a ala da dama.} (30. c6 {também é muito bom, simplesmente avançando o peão passado.}) 30... Bc7 31. Qb4 Bc6 32. Nc8 {O cavalo deixa sua posição majestosa por uma boa razão: coletar o peão de a7.} Qd7 33. Nxa7 Ba4 34. Qb7 {Preparando o avanço do peão de c.} d4 {Now ...d3 and Black clings on.} 35. c6 {White is clearly winning.} Qd8 36. Qb4 $1 {[%csl LRa4,LRd4]} Bc2 37. Nb5 ({Capturar o peão de d4 também leva a uma vitória simples, mas a posição é tão boa que quase qualquer coisa vence.} 37. Qxd4) (37. Nxd4) 37... Be4 {intending ...Bxf3.} 38. Nxc7 {[%mdl 64] Overworked Piece} Qxc7 39. Nxd4 {Qd6 is the strong threat.} Qxe5 {Black hopes to continue with ...Qg5.} 40. Qc4 {O detalhe final} (40. Qc3 $4 {perde um peão, embora o final de damas após} Bxc6 41. Qxc6 Qxd4 {está tecnicamente ganho.}) 40... Qg5 {[%csl Ge4][%cal Rg5g2]} ({Não resolveria caso jogasse} 40... Bd5 41. c7 Bxc4 42. c8=Q+ Kg7 43. Qxc4) 41. f3 Qe3+ 42. Kh1 {As Negras não têm xeque perpétuo e o peão de c não pode ser parado. Uma vitória surpreendentemente tranquila para Firouzja em um dia em que ele fez o impossível acontecer.   Precisão Chessbase: Brancas 89% Pretas 53%. Precisão Chess.com: Brancas 96.0% Pretas 88.8%.} 1-0

[Event "Division I"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2024.05.15"]
[Round "5.2"]
[White "Firouzja, Alireza"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C43"]
[WhiteElo "2866"]
[BlackElo "2890"]
[Annotator "Stockfish 16.1"]
[PlyCount "59"]
[EventDate "2024.??.??"]
[WhiteTeam "FRA"]
[BlackTeam "NOR"]
[WhiteClock "0:01:58"]
[BlackClock "0:04:09"]

{[%evp 9,59,21,45,17,33,31,40,39,41,31,30,-28,64,-13,-12,-48,12,12,31,-26,38,31,27,31,42,33,23,29,125,128,142,81,81,84,82,59,85,73,77,72,76,68,70,67,70,22,23,17,25,0,0,-2]} 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. d4 Nxe4 4. dxe5 d5 5. Nbd2 Qd7 6. Bd3 Nc5 7. Be2 Ne6 8. O-O {White is slightly better.} b6 ({RR} 8... Be7 9. Re1 O-O 10. Nf1 c5 11. Ng3 Rd8 12. b3 Nc6 13. Bd2 b6 14. Bd3 a6 15. a4 Rb8 16. Nf5 b5 17. Nxe7+ Qxe7 18. axb5 axb5 19. h4 h6 20. c3 c4 21. bxc4 bxc4 22. Bb1 Nc5 23. Be3 {Wei Yi (2748)-Nakamura,H (2807) Riyadh KSA 2025 0-1 (46)}) 9. Re1 Bb7 10. Nf1 c5 (10... Nc6 $11) 11. c3 $146 ({RR} 11. Ng3 Nc6 12. Bd2 g6 13. Qc1 O-O-O 14. Bh6 Kb8 15. a4 Qc7 16. Bf1 Ncd4 17. Nxd4 Nxd4 18. Bg5 Be7 19. Bxe7 Qxe7 20. a5 h5 21. Ne2 Qxe5 22. Nxd4 Qxd4 23. axb6 axb6 24. Bb5 Qf6 25. Qe3 Rd6 {Grieve,H (2475)-Del Rey,D (2269) Vitoria-Gasteiz ESP 2025 ½-½ (32)}) 11... Nc6 12. Ng3 g6 13. Bg5 Bg7 14. Bf6 O-O 15. Qd2 Bxf6 16. exf6 {[#] Qh6 would kill now.} Qc7 17. Bb5 ({Not} 17. Qxd5 Ncd4 $17) 17... Qf4 $1 18. Qxd5 Ncd8 (18... Nc7 $11 {remains equal.} 19. Qc4 Qxf6) 19. Qe5 $16 Bxf3 20. Qxf4 Nxf4 21. gxf3 Nde6 22. Rad1 Rad8 23. Ne4 g5 24. Bd7 h6 25. Rd6 Kh7 26. Red1 Kg6 27. Ba4 Rxd6 28. Rxd6 Rd8 29. Rxd8 Nxd8 30. Bc2 {Accuracy: White = 61%, Black = 72%.} 1/2-1/2

[Event "Division I"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2024.05.15"]
[Round "5.1"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Firouzja, Alireza"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C54"]
[WhiteElo "2891"]
[BlackElo "2865"]
[Annotator "Stockfish 16.1"]
[PlyCount "70"]
[EventDate "2024.??.??"]
[WhiteTeam "NOR"]
[BlackTeam "FRA"]
[WhiteClock "0:01:40"]
[BlackClock "0:00:46"]

{[%evp 11,70,28,35,21,26,19,22,25,38,17,21,0,0,-28,-22,-21,-26,-49,16,22,48,5,37,-21,-21,-25,-23,-23,-23,-21,-33,-25,-12,-63,-45,-54,-4,-17,-18,-26,-19,-19,-23,-51,-31,-30,-45,-71,-28,-30,-32,-40,-17,-19,-26,-16,-7,-135,-13,-10,-10]} 1. e4 {Yermolinsky,Alex} e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. d3 Bc5 5. O-O d6 6. c3 a6 7. a4 Ba7 8. Nbd2 O-O 9. h3 Re8 ({RR} 9... h6 10. Re1 Re8 11. b4 Be6 12. Bxe6 Rxe6 13. Qc2 Ne7 ({RR} 13... Qd7) 14. Nf1 Ng6 15. c4 a5 16. bxa5 Ne7 17. Rb1 Rb8 18. Bd2 Nc6 19. Ng3 Nd7 20. Rb5 Nc5 21. Reb1 Qc8 22. Be3 Re8 23. Nf5 Ne6 24. Qd2 {Karjakin,S (2776)-Carlsen,M (2851) Paris 2017 CBM 179 [Yermolinsky,Alex ] 1-0 (86)} ({RR} 24. a6 bxa6 25. Rxb8 Bxb8 26. c5)) 10. Qb3 $146 ({RR} 10. Re1 Be6 11. Bb3 d5 12. Bc2 h6 13. Qe2 d4 14. Nf1 b5 15. Ng3 b4 16. cxb4 Nxb4 17. Nxe5 Bxh3 18. Nxf7 Bg4 19. Nxd8 Bxe2 20. Bb3+ Kh7 21. Rxe2 Raxd8 22. Bc4 a5 23. Bd2 Bc5 24. Nf5 Nd7 {Sachi Jain (2124)-Estrada Nieto,J (2201) chess.com INT 2024 1-0 (63)}) ({RR} 10. Re1 Be6 11. Bxe6 Rxe6 12. Nc4 d5 13. exd5 Qxd5 14. Ng5 Ree8 15. Qf3 Rad8 16. Qxd5 Rxd5 17. Be3 Bxe3 18. Rxe3 Red8 19. Ne4 b5 20. axb5 axb5 21. Na5 Ra8 22. Nxf6+ gxf6 23. b4 Nxa5 24. c4 Rd4 {Tadic,S (2413)-Zajic,M (2381) Bajina Basta SRB 2025 ½-½ (42)}) ({RR} 10. b4 Be6 11. Bxe6 Rxe6 12. Qc2 h6 13. Rd1 Ne7 14. Nf1 Ng6 15. Ng3 Qd7 16. d4 exd4 17. Nxd4 Re5 18. Be3 Rae8 19. Nf3 Bxe3 20. Nxe5 Bxf2+ 21. Qxf2 Rxe5 22. Rd4 Qc6 23. c4 Nxe4 24. Nxe4 Rxe4 {Firouzja,A (2744)-Duda,J (2733) chess.com INT 2024 ½-½ (48)}) 10... Rf8 11. a5 Nh5 12. Qd1 Qf6 13. Nb3 Nf4 14. Be3 Ne7 15. d4 Neg6 16. Kh2 (16. Nbd2 {is interesting.} c6 17. Re1 exd4 18. cxd4 d5 19. Bf1) 16... c6 (16... exd4 {looks sharper.} 17. cxd4 c6 18. Re1 d5 19. exd5 Nxd5 20. Nbd2 Re8) 17. dxe5 (17. Re1 {with more complications.} exd4 18. Nbxd4 d5 19. exd5 Nxd5 20. Kg1) 17... Nxe5 18. Nxe5 Qxe5 19. Bxa7 Qxe4 {[%csl Gf4][%cal Re4g2][%mdl 64] [#] Double Attack} 20. f3 Qxc4 21. Be3 Nd3 22. Nd2 Qb5 {...Re8 is the strong threat.} 23. Ne4 Nxb2 24. Qd4 Qe5+ 25. Qxe5 dxe5 26. Rfb1 Nc4 27. Bc5 {And now Rb4 would win.} Rd8 28. Rb4 Be6 {aiming for ...f5.} 29. Rxb7 h6 30. Bb6 Rdb8 31. Re7 Nxb6 32. axb6 Rxb6 33. Nc5 Bd5 {With the idea ...f6.} 34. Rxe5 (34. Nd7 $1 $11 {was the only way to keep the balance.} Rb2 {[#]} 35. Rxa6 $1 {[%mdl 512]}) 34... Rb5 (34... Rb2 $17 {Strongly threatening ...Bxf3.} 35. Kh1 a5) 35. Rxa6 $11 Rd8 {Accuracy: White = 62%, Black = 69%.} 1/2-1/2

[Event "Division I"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2024.05.12"]
[Round "3.1"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Keymer, Vincent"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C54"]
[WhiteElo "2895"]
[BlackElo "2814"]
[Annotator "Stockfish 16.1"]
[PlyCount "121"]
[EventDate "2024.??.??"]
[WhiteTeam "NOR"]
[BlackTeam "GER"]
[WhiteClock "0:00:16"]
[BlackClock "0:00:14"]

{[%evp 11,120,22,25,23,20,16,16,18,21,17,16,18,23,15,28,21,25,21,43,1,22,4,51,55,42,4,9,16,10,0,24,22,43,29,34,25,63,63,61,80,92,35,28,32,33,25,28,31,35,28,29,29,28,27,33,16,18,16,21,17,37,21,25,17,30,30,33,14,10,9,26,24,28,20,40,37,72,77,76,66,76,81,115,72,116,47,81,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0]} 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. d3 Bc5 5. O-O a6 6. c3 Ba7 7. a4 d6 8. Nbd2 O-O 9. h3 h6 10. b4 Ne7 11. Re1 Be6 12. Bxe6 fxe6 13. Nf1 Ng6 14. Ra2 d5 {next ...dxe4 is good for Black.} 15. Qe2 $146 ({RR} 15. exd5 Nxd5 16. Rc2 Qd7 17. a5 Qa4 18. Bd2 Rxf3 19. gxf3 Rf8 20. Nh2 Rf5 21. Be3 c5 22. Rc1 Qe8 23. bxc5 Ngf4 24. Kh1 Qh5 25. Rg1 Nxh3 26. Rg2 Qh4 27. Qd2 Rh5 28. Rg4 Qf6 29. c6 Ng5 {Santos Latasa,J (2624)-Keymer,V (2730) chess.com INT 2024 ½-½ (44)}) 15... Qd6 16. c4 dxc4 (16... a5 $5) 17. dxc4 a5 18. bxa5 Bc5 19. Bd2 Qc6 20. Rb2 b6 21. Rb5 Ne8 22. Be3 Bxe3 23. Nxe3 {aiming for axb6.} Rxa5 24. Ng4 Rxb5 25. cxb5 Qc3 26. Qe3 Qxe3 27. Rxe3 Nd6 28. Rc3 Ra8 29. Rxc7 Rxa4 30. Rc6 {[%mdl 64] [#] Double Attack} Nxb5 31. Rxe6 Nf4 32. Rxb6 Nc3 33. Ngxe5 {Hoping for Rb8+.} Nxe4 34. Rb2 Kh7 35. Kh2 Nd5 36. Ne1 Ndc3 37. f3 Nf6 38. N1d3 Ra7 39. Nf4 g5 40. Ne6 Re7 41. Rb6 Ncd5 42. Rd6 Re8 43. g4 Nc3 {[#]} 44. h4 $1 {[%mdl 512]} gxh4 45. Kh3 Ncd5 46. Kxh4 Re7 47. f4 {And now g5 would win.} Ne3 48. Rc6 {Threatens to win with f5.} Ned5 49. Nd4 Nxf4 {The position is equal.} 50. Rxf6 {Ndc6 is the strong threat.} Ng2+ 51. Kg3 Rxe5 $11 {[%mdl 4096] Endgame KRN-KRN} 52. Nf5 Ne3 53. Rxh6+ Kg8 54. Kf4 Nxf5 {KRN-KR} 55. Rg6+ Kf7 56. Kxe5 Kxg6 57. gxf5+ Kf7 58. f6 Kf8 59. Ke6 {White threatens f7 and mate.} Ke8 60. f7+ Kf8 61. Kf6 {Accuracy: White = 80%, Black = 77%.} 1/2-1/2

[Event "Division I"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2024.05.11"]
[Round "2.3"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Lazavik, Denis"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C67"]
[WhiteElo "2900"]
[BlackElo "2785"]
[Annotator "Stockfish 16.1"]
[PlyCount "85"]
[EventDate "2024.??.??"]
[WhiteTeam "NOR"]
[BlackTeam "BLR"]
[WhiteClock "0:03:58"]
[BlackClock "0:02:37"]

{[%evp 23,85,12,21,14,7,10,12,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,-1,-4,-6,-2,-3,-2,-9,3,0,4,3,4,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,17,3,2,0,7,3,6,0,2,2,2,3,4,3,3,5,5,-4,0,0,0,0,0,0,6,4,5,0]} 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. d4 Nd6 6. dxe5 Nxb5 7. a4 Nbd4 8. Nxd4 d5 9. exd6 Nxd4 10. Qxd4 Qxd6 11. Qe4+ Qe6 12. Qd4 Qd6 {The position is equal.} 13. Qe3+ Be6 14. Nc3 a6 15. Rd1 Qc6 16. Qg3 Bd6 17. Bf4 Bxf4 18. Qxf4 O-O 19. Rd4 Rad8 20. Rad1 Rxd4 21. Rxd4 h6 $146 22. h3 Qb6 23. b3 Qc5 24. Qd2 Re8 25. Nd1 Qg5 26. Qxg5 hxg5 $11 {[%mdl 4096] Endgame KRB-KRN} 27. Ne3 f6 28. a5 Kf7 29. Kf1 f5 30. Rb4 f4 31. Ng4 Bc8 32. Rc4 c6 33. Rc5 (33. Rd4 {looks sharper.} Bf5 34. c3 Ke6 35. Ke2 c5 36. Rd2) 33... Bxg4 34. hxg4 {KR-KR} Kf6 35. Rf5+ Kg6 36. Rc5 Kf6 37. Rf5+ Kg6 38. c4 Re7 39. Rf8 Re5 40. Rb8 Re7 41. Rf8 Re5 42. Rb8 Re7 43. Rf8 {Accuracy: White = 100%, Black = 96%.} 1/2-1/2

[Event "Division I"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2024.05.15"]
[Round "4.1"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Firouzja, Alireza"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C77"]
[WhiteElo "2895"]
[BlackElo "2861"]
[Annotator "Stockfish 16.1"]
[PlyCount "71"]
[EventDate "2024.??.??"]
[WhiteTeam "NOR"]
[BlackTeam "FRA"]
[WhiteClock "0:01:46"]
[BlackClock "0:00:50"]

{[%evp 16,71,25,24,32,-8,29,25,27,18,27,15,32,17,21,9,8,12,54,49,41,0,-4,0,-3,-2,-3,-33,-49,-27,-12,-17,-34,-55,-53,-89,-81,-94,-82,-92,-22,-19,-26,-29,-27,-25,-19,-25,0,0,-9,-6,-7,-9,0,-1,0,-12]} 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. d3 d6 6. c3 g6 7. O-O Bg7 8. Re1 O-O 9. h3 h6 10. Be3 Re8 11. Nbd2 d5 {White has an edge.} ({RR} 11... Bd7 12. a3 a5 13. Qc2 d5 14. exd5 Nxd5 15. Ne4 Nxe3 16. Rxe3 Ne7 17. c4 Nf5 18. Ree1 Bxa4 19. Qxa4 c6 20. Rad1 Nd4 21. Nxd4 Qxd4 22. Qc2 b6 23. c5 bxc5 24. Nxc5 f5 25. Re4 Qd5 26. Rc4 {Akopian,V (2586)-Fishbein,A (2368) Saint Louis USA 2025 1-0 (73)}) 12. Bxc6 bxc6 13. d4 dxe4 14. Nxe5 $146 ({RR} 14. dxe5 exf3 15. exf6 Qxf6 16. Nxf3 Be6 17. Bd4 Qd8 18. Qa4 Bxd4 19. Qxd4 Qxd4 20. Nxd4 Bd5 21. b3 c5 22. Nc2 a5 23. f3 Be6 24. Kf2 Red8 25. Re5 a4 26. b4 Rd2+ 27. Re2 Rad8 28. Ne3 cxb4 {Tomashevsky,E (2681)-Madaminov,M (2494) Samarkand UZB 2023 ½-½ (38)}) 14... c5 15. Nb3 cxd4 16. cxd4 Bb7 17. Qd2 Bd5 18. Bxh6 (18. Rac1 {is interesting.} g5 19. h4 Nh7 20. hxg5 hxg5 21. Qa5) 18... Bxh6 19. Qxh6 Bxb3 $1 20. axb3 {Threatens to win with Rac1.} Qxd4 21. Nxg6 fxg6 22. Qxg6+ Kh8 23. Red1 Qb6 $1 24. Ra5 Nh7 ({Inferior is} 24... Qxa5 25. Qxf6+ Kg8 26. Rd7 Qa1+ 27. Kh2 Re7 28. Rxe7 Qg1+ 29. Kxg1 Rf8 30. Qg7#) 25. Qh5 {[#] Threatening mate with Rd7.} e3 26. fxe3 Qxe3+ 27. Kh1 Rad8 28. Rxd8 Rxd8 29. Rxa6 Qc1+ {[%mdl 64] [#] Double Attack} 30. Kh2 Qf4+ 31. Kg1 Rg8 {aiming for ...Qe3+.} 32. Qe2 {The position is equal.} Qc1+ 33. Kh2 {White threatens Qe5+ and mate.} Qf4+ 34. Kg1 Qc1+ 35. Kh2 {White wants to mate with Qe5+.} Qf4+ 36. Kg1 {Accuracy: White = 76%, Black = 75%.} 1/2-1/2

[Event "Division I"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2024.05.12"]
[Round "3.3"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Keymer, Vincent"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C88"]
[WhiteElo "2891"]
[BlackElo "2818"]
[Annotator "Stockfish 16.1"]
[PlyCount "140"]
[EventDate "2024.??.??"]
[WhiteTeam "NOR"]
[BlackTeam "GER"]
[WhiteClock "0:01:31"]
[BlackClock "0:00:16"]

{[%evp 16,140,29,4,29,17,26,7,10,3,10,13,14,14,14,20,27,23,41,43,70,27,50,42,41,13,20,17,19,2,0,0,7,1,1,-30,-21,-72,-25,-32,-32,-25,-25,-44,-50,-73,-75,-87,-83,-94,-95,-80,-84,-101,-80,-98,-58,-58,-54,-110,-126,-94,-19,-37,-8,-7,-7,-11,0,-44,0,-9,-11,-20,-24,-26,-22,-33,0,-1,-1,-8,0,-8,-12,-16,-11,-13,-13,-13,-19,-19,-19,-19,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0]} 1. e4 {Lenderman,Aleksandr} e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 ({RR} 5... Nxe4) ({RR} 5... b5) ({RR} 5... Bc5) 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. a4 ({RR} 8. c3 d5 9. exd5 ({RR} 9. d4 dxe4 10. Nxe5 Bb7 11. Nxc6 Bxc6 12. Bg5 Nd5 13. Bxe7 Qxe7 14. Nd2 f5 15. f3 e3 16. c4 ({RR} 16. f4 Kh8 17. Qf3) 16... Nf4 17. cxb5+ Kh8 18. Nc4 e2 19. Qd2 Qg5 20. Rxe2 Nxe2+ 21. Qxe2 Bxb5 22. Qe3) 9... Nxd5 10. Nxe5 Nxe5 11. Rxe5 c6 12. d3 Bd6 13. Re1 Bf5 14. Qf3 Qh4 15. g3 Qh3 16. Bxd5 cxd5 17. Be3 Bxd3 18. Qxd5 Rad8 19. Qf3 Rfe8 20. Nd2 Qf5 21. Qxf5 Bxf5 22. Bd4 f6) ({RR} 8. d4 Nxd4 ({RR} 8... d6 9. c3 Bg4) 9. Nxd4 ({RR} 9. Bxf7+ Rxf7 10. Nxe5 Rf8 11. Qxd4 Bb7 12. c4 c5 13. Qd3 Qc7 14. Nf3 bxc4 15. Qxc4+ d5 16. exd5 Bxd5 17. Qe2 Bd6 18. Nc3 Bxf3 19. Qxf3 Bxh2+ 20. Kf1 Rad8 ({RR} 20... Be5) 21. g3 Nh5 22. Qxh5 Rxf2+ 23. Kxf2 Qxg3+) 9... exd4 10. e5 Ne8 11. c3 ({RR} 11. Qxd4 Bb7 12. c4 c5 13. Qg4 d6 14. Nc3 ({RR} 14. Bf4 bxc4 15. Bxc4 d5) 14... dxe5 15. cxb5 axb5 16. Nxb5 Nf6 17. Qf5 Qb6) 11... dxc3 12. Nxc3 d6 13. Qf3 Be6 14. Nd5 Rc8 15. Bf4 Bxd5 ({RR} 15... dxe5 16. Nxe7+ ({RR} 16. Bxe5 Bd6 17. Rad1 Bxe5 18. Rxe5 Bxd5 19. Rexd5 Nd6 20. Qf4 Qe7 21. Re5 Qf6 22. Qxf6 gxf6 23. Rc5 Rfd8 24. Rdc1 Re8 25. g3 Re2 26. Rxc7 Rxc7 27. Rxc7 Rxb2 28. Rc6 Ne4 29. Rxa6 Nc5) 16... Qxe7 17. Bxe5 Nd6 18. Qc3 Qg5 19. Bxe6 fxe6 20. Rac1 ({RR} 20. b3 Qg6 21. Qc6 Nf7 22. Bg3 e5 23. Rac1 Qf6 24. h3 Rfd8) 20... Nc4 21. Bg3 Rfe8 22. b3 Nb6 23. Qa5 Nd5 24. Rc6 e5 25. Rxa6 c6 26. h4 Qf6 27. a4) 16. Bxd5 dxe5 17. Rxe5 Bf6 18. Re2 Nd6 19. Rd1 Bg5 20. Be5 Bf6 21. Bf4) 8... b4 ({RR} 8... Rb8 9. axb5 axb5 10. d3 d6 11. Nbd2) 9. d3 ({RR} 9. d4) 9... Rb8 ({RR} 9... Bc5 10. c3 ({RR} 10. Be3 Bxe3 11. Rxe3 d6 12. Nbd2 Na5 13. Ba2 c5 14. Nc4 Nxc4 15. Bxc4 Be6) ({RR} 10. Nbd2) 10... bxc3 ({RR} 10... d6 11. d4 Ba7 12. h3) 11. bxc3 ({RR} 11. Nxc3 d6) 11... Rb8 12. Bg5 ({RR} 12. Nbd2) 12... h6 13. Bh4 g5 14. Bg3 ({RR} 14. Nxg5 hxg5 15. Bxg5 Rxb3 16. Qxb3 Bxf2+ 17. Kxf2 Ng4+ 18. Kg1 Qxg5) 14... Nh5 ({RR} 14... d6 15. Nbd2 g4 ({RR} 15... Nh5 16. Nxe5) 16. Nh4 Nh5 17. Nf5 Bxf5 18. exf5 Qg5 19. Ne4 Qxf5 20. Nxc5 dxc5 21. Bd5 Nxg3 22. hxg3 Ne7 23. Bc4) 15. Nbd2 ({RR} 15. Nxe5 Nxg3 16. Nxc6 dxc6 17. hxg3 ({RR} 17. d4 Nxe4 18. Rxe4 Bd6 19. Nd2 c5) 17... Rxb3 18. Qxb3 Qxd3 19. Qd1 Qxg3 20. Qf3 Qxf3 21. gxf3 Rd8) ({RR} 15. Bd5 Nxg3 16. hxg3 Qf6) 15... Nxg3 16. hxg3 Qf6 ({RR} 16... g4 17. Nh2 h5 18. Nxg4 hxg4 19. Qxg4+ Kh7 20. Qh5+ Kg7 21. Qg4+) 17. Nc4 ({RR} 17. Bd5 g4 18. d4 Ba7 19. Nxe5 Nxe5 20. dxe5 Qg5 ({RR} 20... Qxf2+ 21. Kh2 Rb2 22. Qxg4+ Kh7 23. Re2) ({RR} 20... Bxf2+ 21. Kf1) 21. Qe2) 17... d6 18. Ne3 Be6 ({RR} 18... Bxe3) 19. Bxe6 ({RR} 19. Nd5 Bxd5 20. Bxd5 ({RR} 20. exd5) 20... Ne7 21. Bc4 g4 22. d4 Ba7 23. Nh4 exd4 24. cxd4 Bxd4 25. Qxg4+ Qg5 26. Qxg5+ hxg5 27. Rad1 Bc3 28. Re3) ({RR} 19. Nd2 Na5) 19... fxe6 20. Qc2 ({RR} 20. g4 Qf4 21. Qc2 Bxe3 22. Rxe3 Qxg4 23. Qa2) 20... h5 21. Rab1 Rxb1 ({RR} 21... Rbe8) 22. Rxb1 h4 ({RR} 22... g4 23. Nh4 Bb6 24. Rb2) 23. gxh4 gxh4 24. Rb7 {Carlsen,M (2838)-Aronian,L (2774) Karlsruhe/Baden-Baden 2017 CBM 178 [Lenderman,Aleksandr] ½-½ (70)} ({RR} 24. Nh2) {RR} 24... Qg7 ({RR} 24... Rf7 25. Nh2) ({RR} 24... Bb6 25. Nc4 Qg7 26. Nxb6 Rxf3 27. Qe2 Rf7 28. Nc4) 25. Qe2 h3 26. g3 Bb6 27. Nh4 Na5 28. Rxb6 cxb6 29. Qh5) ({RR} 9... d6) 10. Nbd2 Bc5 11. Nc4 ({RR} 11. h3 d6 12. Nc4 Be6 13. Be3 Bxe3 14. fxe3 Ne7 15. a5 Ng6 16. Qd2 h6 17. Ra4 c5 18. Raa1 Nh7 19. Qe2 Kh8 20. Rf1 Qe7 21. Nfd2 Nh4 22. Kh2 Ng5 23. g3 Nxh3 24. gxh4 Qxh4 25. Nf3 Qh5 {Navara,D (2657)-Kantor,G (2584) London ENG 2025 1-0}) 11... d6 12. Be3 $146 (12. h3 {with more complications.} Be6 13. c3 bxc3 14. bxc3 h6 15. Ba2) ({RR} 12. h3 h6 13. c3 bxc3 14. bxc3 Be6 15. Ba2 Re8 16. Re2 Qd7 17. d4 exd4 18. cxd4 Nb4 19. Bb3 Ba7 20. Ba3 Nc6 21. Ba2 Bxh3 22. gxh3 Qxh3 23. Re3 Rxe4 24. Nh2 Rxe3 25. Nxe3 Bxd4 26. Qf1 Qh5 {Oparin,G (2478)-Tkachiev,V (2650) Caleta 2013 ½-½ (45)}) ({RR} 12. a5 h6 13. Be3 Bxe3 14. fxe3 Be6 15. Rf1 Kh8 16. Qe1 Ne7 17. Nh4 Nh7 18. Qg3 Qd7 19. Rf2 g5 20. Nf5 Nxf5 21. exf5 Bxc4 22. Bxc4 Nf6 23. Bxa6 Kg7 24. Bc4 d5 25. Bb3 Qd6 26. Rff1 Ra8 {Zhalmakhanov,R (2493)-Keymer,V (2738) Samarkand UZB 2023 0-1 (55)}) 12... Bxe3 13. fxe3 Ne7 14. Rf1 Ng6 15. Qe1 h6 16. Na5 {[#] Hoping for Nc6.} Qe8 17. Nh4 {Black must now prevent Nxg6.} Kh7 18. Qg3 (18. Nf5 {is more complex.} Be6 19. Rf3 d5 20. exd5 Bxd5 21. e4) 18... Be6 19. Bxe6 fxe6 20. Qxg6+ (20. Nf3 {keeps more tension.} Rd8 21. Qh3 Kg8 22. Nc4 Nd7 23. Ncd2) 20... Qxg6 21. Nxg6 Kxg6 22. Nc6 Rb6 23. Na5 $1 d5 24. exd5 exd5 25. Rf3 Re8 26. Raf1 c5 27. Rg3+ Kh7 28. e4 dxe4 29. dxe4 Nxe4 30. Re3 Nd6 31. Rd1 Nf5 $36 {[%mdl 2048] Black is really pushing.} 32. Re4 Rd6 33. Rxd6 Nxd6 $17 {[%mdl 4096] Endgame KRN-KRN} 34. Re1 e4 35. Kf2 Re6 36. Rd1 Nf5 37. c3 bxc3 38. bxc3 Rf6 39. Ke2 Rb6 (39... Rg6 $5 {[%cal Rg6g2]} 40. g3 Rg5 $15) 40. Nc4 Rb3 41. Kd2 Rb7 42. Re1 Re7 43. g3 h5 44. Rb1 Rd7+ 45. Kc2 Re7 46. Kd2 g6 47. Ke2 {The position is equal.} e3 48. Rd1 Kh6 49. Rd5 Re4 50. Rxc5 h4 51. gxh4 Rxh4 52. Kd3 Rxh2 53. Re5 Kg5 54. Re6 Rh1 55. Rxa6 Rd1+ 56. Ke2 Rc1 57. Nxe3 {aiming for Nd5.} Nxe3 58. Kxe3 Rxc3+ $11 {KR-KR} 59. Kd4 Ra3 60. Kc4 Kf5 61. Kb4 Ra1 62. Ra8 g5 63. a5 g4 64. a6 g3 65. a7 Kf4 66. Rf8+ Ke3 67. a8=Q Rxa8 68. Rxa8 g2 69. Rg8 Kf2 70. Rxg2+ Kxg2 {Accuracy: White = 82%, Black = 81%.} 1/2-1/2

[Event "GCT Warsaw 2024"]
[Site "Warsaw, Poland"]
[Date "2024.05.08"]
[Round "1.5"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Erigaisi Arjun"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C01"]
[WhiteElo "2828"]
[BlackElo "2671"]
[PlyCount "102"]
[EventDate "2024.??.??"]

1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. exd5 exd5 4. h3 Nf6 5. Nf3 Bd6 6. Bd3 O-O 7. O-O Nc6 8. Nc3 ({RR} 8. Bg5 h6 9. Bh4 Nb4 10. Nc3 Nxd3 11. Qxd3 c6 12. Rfe1 Be7 13. a3 Re8 14. Ne5 Nd7 15. Bxe7 Rxe7 16. Nxd7 Bxd7 17. Qd2 Rxe1+ 18. Rxe1 Qf8 19. Re3 Re8 20. Nd1 Rxe3 21. Nxe3 Qd6 22. Qb4 Qxb4 {Shkuran,D (2349)-Larkin,V (2366) Mukachevo UKR 2019 ½-½ (31)}) 8... h6 9. Nb5 $146 ({RR} 9. Be3 Re8 10. Re1 Bd7 11. Qd2 Ne4 12. Bxe4 dxe4 13. Nh2 Bf5 14. d5 Ne5 15. g4 Bh7 16. Bd4 Qh4 17. Kg2 Nf3 {0-1 (17) Bozhilov,G (1302)-Ilieva,R (1238) Sofia 2015}) 9... Re8 10. Nxd6 Qxd6 11. c3 Ne4 12. Re1 Bf5 13. Be3 Re7 14. Bf1 Rae8 15. Rc1 a6 16. Qb3 b5 17. a4 Na5 18. Qb4 Nc4 19. b3 Nxe3 20. Rxe3 c6 21. Rce1 Qf4 22. g3 Qc7 23. axb5 axb5 24. Bg2 Re6 25. c4 bxc4 26. bxc4 Rb8 27. Qa3 Nd6 28. cxd5 Rxe3 29. Rxe3 Nc4 30. Re7 Nxa3 31. Rxc7 cxd5 32. Ne5 Be6 33. Rc5 Rb1+ 34. Kh2 Rb2 35. Bxd5 Rxf2+ 36. Kg1 Rd2 37. Nf3 Rd1+ 38. Kf2 Bxd5 39. Rxd5 Kf8 40. Rc5 Rb1 41. d5 Nb5 42. Nd2 Rb2 43. Ke3 Ke7 44. Rc6 Nd6 45. Rxd6 Rxd2 46. Rxh6 Rxd5 47. Ra6 Rb5 48. Ra7+ Ke6 49. Ra6+ Ke7 50. Ra7+ Ke6 51. Ra6+ $146 Ke5 1/2-1/2

[Event "GCT Warsaw 2024"]
[Site "Warsaw, Poland"]
[Date "2024.05.08"]
[Round "2.1"]
[White "Wei, Yi"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B31"]
[WhiteElo "2758"]
[BlackElo "2828"]
[PlyCount "84"]
[EventDate "2024.??.??"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 g6 4. Bxc6 dxc6 5. d3 Qc7 6. Be3 ({RR} 6. O-O e5 7. Be3 Nf6 8. Qe1 Bg4 9. Nbd2 Nh5 10. a3 Be7 11. Qb1 Nf4 12. b4 Ne2+ 13. Kh1 Nd4 14. Ng1 g5 15. bxc5 Bxc5 16. Bxg5 Rg8 17. Bh4 Be7 18. Bg3 O-O-O 19. Nc4 f6 20. a4 Ne6 {Aronian,L (2752)-Carlsen,M (2875) Stavanger NOR 2019 ½-½ (68)}) ({RR} 6. h3 e5 7. Be3 Be6 8. a4 f6 9. Qd2 a5 10. Na3 b6 11. b3 Ne7 12. Bh6 O-O-O 13. Bxf8 Rhxf8 14. Qh6 Ng8 15. Qe3 Ne7 16. Qh6 Ng8 17. Qe3 Ne7 18. O-O-O Kb7 19. Kb2 Nc8 20. Rhe1 g5 {Abdumalik,Z (2502)-Dzagnidze,N (2525) Struga MKD 2021 ½-½ (34)}) ({RR} 6. O-O e5 7. a4 Nf6 8. a5 Nh5 9. Nc3 Be7 10. Be3 O-O 11. Nd2 Rb8 12. Ne2 Nf4 13. Nc4 Be6 14. b3 b5 15. axb6 axb6 16. Qd2 Nxe2+ 17. Qxe2 b5 18. Nd2 Ra8 19. f3 Ra5 20. Qf2 Rfa8 {Giri,A (2764)-Carlsen,M (2862) chess24.com INT 2020 ½-½ (46)}) 6... e5 7. Qd2 $146 ({RR} 7. h3 f6 8. O-O Nh6 9. Nh2 Be6 10. f4 O-O-O 11. Qc1 Nf7 12. f5 gxf5 13. exf5 Bd7 14. Ng4 Be7 15. Nc3 h5 16. Nh6 Nd6 17. Ne4 Nxe4 18. dxe4 Be8 19. g4 Bf8 20. g5 Qg7 21. Kh2 fxg5 {Ostos,J (2344)-Blanco,C (2185) Valencia 2000 1-0 (38)}) ({RR} 7. Nc3 Nf6 8. h3 h6 9. Qe2 Nh5 10. O-O-O Ng7 11. Kb1 Ne6 12. Qe1 Bg7 13. g4 Nd4 14. Nd2 h5 15. g5 h4 16. Qf1 Be6 17. f4 exf4 18. Bxf4 Be5 19. Bxe5 Qxe5 20. Qf6 Qxf6 21. gxf6 Rh5 {Eren,Y (1906)-Gunduz,U (2268) Denizli TUR 2025 0-1 (39)}) 7... b6 $146 ({RR} 7... h6 8. Qc3 b6 9. Qxe5+ Qxe5 10. Nxe5 Bg7 11. f4 Nf6 12. Nd2 Ng4 13. Nxg4 Bxg4 14. Rb1 Be6 15. Nc4 O-O-O 16. e5 f6 17. exf6 Bxf6 18. Kf2 Rhf8 19. Rhe1 Bd5 20. Kg3 b5 21. Nd2 c4 22. dxc4 {Sadykov,R (2345)-Pinto,D (2274) chess.com INT 2023 ½-½ (49)}) 8. a4 a5 9. Na3 f6 10. O-O Be6 11. Nc4 Bxc4 12. dxc4 Rd8 13. Qe2 Bh6 14. c3 Bxe3 15. Qxe3 Ne7 16. b4 Qd6 17. bxa5 bxa5 18. Rab1 Kf7 19. h3 Rd7 20. Rb2 Qd3 21. Qxc5 Qxc3 22. Rfb1 Rhd8 23. Kh2 g5 24. Rb7 h5 25. R1b3 Qc1 26. Qa7 Ke6 27. Rxd7 Rxd7 28. Qxa5 g4 29. Ng1 Qf4+ 30. Kh1 Qxf2 31. Qb6 g3 32. Rb1 Qxb6 33. Rxb6 Rd1 34. a5 h4 35. a6 Ra1 36. c5 f5 37. exf5+ Kxf5 38. Rb7 Nd5 39. a7 Nf4 40. a8=Q Rxa8 41. Rb1 e4 42. Rf1 Ra2 0-1

[Event "GCT Warsaw 2024"]
[Site "Warsaw, Poland"]
[Date "2024.05.08"]
[Round "3.3"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Duda, Jan-Krzysztof"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B50"]
[WhiteElo "2828"]
[BlackElo "2748"]
[PlyCount "68"]
[EventDate "2024.??.??"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. h3 Nf6 4. Nc3 a6 5. a4 e6 ({RR} 5... Nc6 6. d4 cxd4 7. Nxd4 g6 8. Be3 Bg7 9. g3 O-O 10. Bg2 Bd7 11. O-O Ne5 12. Nde2 Nc4 13. Bc1 Rc8 14. b3 Ne5 15. Bb2 b5 16. axb5 axb5 17. Nd4 b4 18. Nd5 e6 19. Nxf6+ Bxf6 20. Qd2 {Nakamura,H (2769)-Vachier Lagrave,M (2789) Paris FRA 2018 ½-½ (40)}) ({RR} 5... e5 6. Bc4 Be7 7. d3 Nc6 8. Bg5 Rb8 9. Bxf6 Bxf6 10. Nd5 b5 11. axb5 axb5 12. Ba2 O-O 13. O-O g6 14. b4 Bg7 15. bxc5 dxc5 16. Ne3 Kh8 17. Bd5 Nb4 18. Ra7 Nxd5 19. Nxd5 b4 20. Rc7 {Paciorkowski,L (2335)-Zeltsan,J (2325) New York USA 2022 1-0 (31)}) ({RR} 5... Nc6 6. d4 cxd4 7. Nxd4 g6 8. Be3 Bg7 9. g3 O-O 10. Bg2 Bd7 11. O-O Ne5 12. Nde2 Nc4 13. Bc1 Rc8 14. b3 Ne5 15. Bb2 b5 16. axb5 axb5 17. Nd4 b4 18. Nd5 e6 19. Nxf6+ Bxf6 20. Qd2 {Nakamura,H (2769)-Vachier Lagrave,M (2789) Paris 2018 ½-½ (40)}) 6. d4 cxd4 7. Nxd4 b6 8. g4 $146 ({RR} 8. g3 Bb7 9. Bg2 Qc7 10. O-O Nc6 11. Nxc6 Bxc6 12. Bf4 Be7 13. Re1 O-O 14. Qd3 Rfd8 15. Rad1 Qb7 16. Qe2 b5 17. axb5 axb5 18. b4 h6 19. Rd3 d5 20. exd5 Nxd5 21. Nxd5 Bxd5 22. Bxd5 Rxd5 {Nakamura,H (2745)-Nepomniachtchi,I (2776) chess.com INT 2020 0-1 (44)}) ({RR} 8. Be2 Bb7 9. f3 Be7 10. Be3 O-O 11. O-O Nbd7 12. Bd3 Qc7 13. Nce2 Rac8 14. Qd2 d5 15. exd5 Nxd5 16. c3 Nxe3 17. Qxe3 e5 18. Nb3 Bd5 19. Nec1 Nc5 20. c4 Nxb3 21. Nxb3 Bxc4 22. Rac1 b5 {Gavarrete,N (2281)-Yonal,T (2249) chess.com INT 2025 0-1 (47)}) 8... Bb7 9. Bg2 Be7 10. g5 Nfd7 11. h4 Nc6 12. Nxc6 Bxc6 13. Qd4 O-O 14. b3 b5 15. Bb2 e5 16. Qd2 bxa4 17. Nxa4 f6 18. g6 hxg6 19. h5 g5 20. Nc3 Kh8 21. Nd5 Nc5 22. Ba3 a5 23. O-O-O Bxd5 24. Qxd5 Qb6 25. Bh3 a4 26. b4 Na6 27. Qe6 Nxb4 28. Bxb4 Qxb4 29. Qxe7 a3 30. h6 Qb2+ 31. Kd2 Qd4+ 32. Kc1 Qb2+ 33. Kd2 Qd4+ 34. Kc1 Qb2+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "GCT Warsaw 2024"]
[Site "Warsaw, Poland"]
[Date "2024.05.09"]
[Round "5.2"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Abdusattorov, Nodirbek"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C43"]
[WhiteElo "2828"]
[BlackElo "2733"]
[PlyCount "213"]
[EventDate "2024.??.??"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. d4 Nxe4 4. Bd3 d5 5. Nxe5 Nd7 6. Nxd7 Bxd7 7. Nd2 Nf6 8. O-O Be7 9. h3 O-O 10. Nf3 Re8 11. Re1 c5 12. c3 Qb6 13. a4 $146 ({RR} 13. Ne5 Be6 14. Re2 Rac8 15. Be3 Nd7 16. f4 Nxe5 17. fxe5 Bd7 18. Rf2 Rf8 19. Qf3 Qc6 20. Raf1 h6 21. Qh5 Be8 22. Rf6 Bxf6 23. Rxf6 Qa4 24. Bxh6 g6 25. Bxg6 fxg6 26. Rxg6+ Kf7 27. Qf5+ Ke7 {Peschansky,M-Goreskul,A (2144) Voronezh 1999 1-0}) ({RR} 13. Ne5 Be6 14. Re2 Rac8 15. Be3 Nd7 16. f4 Nxe5 17. fxe5 Bd7 18. Rf2 Rf8 19. Qf3 Qc6 20. Raf1 h6 21. Qh5 Be8 22. Rf6 Bxf6 23. Rxf6 Qa4 24. Bxh6 g6 25. Bxg6 fxg6 26. Rxg6+ Kf7 27. Qf5+ Ke7 {Peschansky,M-Goreskul,A (2144) Voronezh 1999 1-0}) 13... cxd4 14. a5 Qc7 15. Nxd4 Bc5 16. Rxe8+ Rxe8 17. a6 bxa6 18. Rxa6 Bb6 19. Be3 Ne4 20. Bxe4 dxe4 21. Nc2 Bb5 22. Bxb6 axb6 23. Ra3 Rd8 24. Qa1 Bc6 25. Ra7 Qf4 26. Qe1 h5 27. Nd4 Bd5 28. Qe3 Qf6 29. Ra4 h4 30. Rb4 Bb7 31. Ra4 g6 32. Ra7 Bd5 33. Qh6 Bc4 34. Rc7 Bd5 35. Ra7 Bc4 36. Qe3 Bd5 37. Ra1 Bb7 38. Rd1 Kh7 39. Qc1 Ba6 40. Nc2 Bd3 41. Nb4 Bc4 42. Rxd8 Qxd8 43. Qf4 f5 44. Nc6 Qf6 45. Qc7+ Kh6 46. Nd4 Bd5 47. Qf4+ Kg7 48. Qc7+ Kh6 49. b4 f4 50. Qd7 Qe5 51. Qd8 e3 52. Qxh4+ Kg7 53. fxe3 fxe3 54. Ne2 b5 55. Qf4 Qe6 56. Qd4+ Kh7 57. Nf4 e2 58. Nxe2 Qxe2 59. Qxd5 Qe3+ 60. Kh2 Qf4+ 61. g3 Qe3 62. Qd4 Qe2+ 63. Kg1 Qf3 64. Qe5 Kg8 65. h4 Kh7 66. Kh2 Qf2+ 67. Kh3 Qf3 68. Kh2 Qf2+ 69. Kh3 Qf3 70. Qd4 Qf1+ 71. Kh2 Qe2+ 72. Kg1 Qf3 73. Qd7+ Kh6 74. Qd2+ Kh7 75. Kh2 Qf1 76. Qd5 Kh6 77. Qe4 Kg7 78. Qe3 Kh7 79. g4 Qd1 80. Kg3 Qd6+ 81. Qf4 Qd3+ 82. Qf3 Qd6+ 83. Kh3 Qd2 84. h5 gxh5 85. Qf7+ Kh8 86. Qxh5+ Kg7 87. Qe5+ Kh7 88. Kg3 Kg8 89. Kf3 Kh7 90. Qd4 Qb2 91. Kf4 Kg6 92. Qd6+ Kh7 93. Kg5 Qc1+ 94. Qf4 Qe1 95. Qc7+ Kg8 96. Qd8+ Kh7 97. Qd7+ Kg8 98. Kg6 Qe4+ 99. Qf5 Qc6+ 100. Kg5 Kg7 101. Qe5+ Kf7 102. Kf4 Qc4+ 103. Qd4 Qc7+ 104. Ke4 Kg6 105. Kd5 Kf7 106. Qe5 Qc4+ 107. Kd6 1-0

[Event "GCT Warsaw 2024"]
[Site "Warsaw, Poland"]
[Date "2024.05.09"]
[Round "6.4"]
[White "Gukesh D"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C57"]
[WhiteElo "2649"]
[BlackElo "2828"]
[PlyCount "78"]
[EventDate "2024.??.??"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. Ng5 d5 5. exd5 b5 6. Bf1 Nxd5 7. Bxb5 Bb7 8. d4 exd4 9. O-O Be7 ({RR} 9... Qf6 10. Qf3 Nde7 11. c3 h6 12. Qxf6 gxf6 13. Ne4 O-O-O 14. Nxf6 d3 15. Rd1 Ne5 16. f4 a6 17. Ba4 N5g6 18. Nd2 Nd5 19. Nxd5 Bc5+ 20. Kf1 Bxd5 21. b4 Be3 22. Bb3 Nxf4 23. Bxd5 Rxd5 24. c4 {Nadyrhanov,S (2480)-Obukhov,A (2415) Krasnodar 1997 0-1}) ({RR} 9... Qf6 10. Re1+ Nde7 11. Qg4 h6 12. Nf3 Rd8 13. Na3 Rd5 14. Bf4 Kd8 15. Rad1 g5 16. Be5 Nxe5 17. Rxe5 c6 18. Rxd5+ Nxd5 19. Bc4 Bxa3 20. bxa3 Re8 21. Bxd5 cxd5 22. Qxd4 Qxd4 23. Nxd4 Kc7 24. f3 {Frisk,E (2227)-Skripchenko,A (2403) Batumi GEO 2019 ½-½ (41)}) 10. Nf3 $146 ({RR} 10. Qh5 g6 11. Qh6 Bf8 12. Re1+ Nde7 13. Ne4 Qc8 14. Qh4 Qf5 15. Bxc6+ Bxc6 16. Nf6+ Kd8 17. Qxd4+ Kc8 18. Bf4 Qa5 19. Nc3 Nf5 20. Qc4 Qc5 21. Qxf7 Bd6 22. Nfe4 Qb4 23. Nxd6+ Nxd6 24. Bxd6 Qxd6 {Jarrah,K (2039)-Kryspin,L (2046) Czechia 2006 1-0 (47)}) ({RR} 10. Qh5 g6 11. Qh6 Bxg5 12. Bxg5 f6 13. c4 Kf7 14. cxd5 Qxd5 15. Na3 Qxg5 16. Bc4+ Ke8 17. Qg7 Ne5 18. Bb5+ Kd8 19. Qxh8+ Ke7 20. Qxh7+ Kd6 21. Qh3 Nf3+ 22. Kh1 Rh8 23. Qd7+ Ke5 24. Rae1+ {1-0 (24) Egoroff,J (2311)-Guimaraes,R (2033) Maringa 2012}) ({RR} 10. Qh5 g6 11. Qh6 Qd7 12. Re1 O-O-O 13. Nxf7 Bb4 14. Nxd8 Bxe1 15. Nxc6 Bxc6 16. Ba6+ Kb8 17. Bd2 Re8 18. Na3 Bxd2 19. Qxd2 Nb6 20. c3 Qd5 21. Bf1 Rd8 22. cxd4 Qxd4 23. Qxd4 Rxd4 24. Rc1 Kb7 {Pena,D (1965)-Fonseca,C (2098) Pamplona 2012 ½-½ (32)}) 10... O-O 11. Bxc6 Bxc6 12. Nxd4 Bb7 13. Nd2 Re8 14. c3 $146 ({RR} 14. N2f3 Bf6 15. c4 Nb4 16. Be3 Qc8 17. a3 Nc6 18. Ne2 Bxb2 19. Ra2 Bf6 20. Nf4 Ne7 21. Nh5 Qf5 22. Nxf6+ Qxf6 23. Qd4 Qg6 24. Nh4 Qh5 25. Rb2 Bc6 26. h3 Nc8 27. Qc5 Qxc5 28. Bxc5 Re4 {Zwirs,N (2442)-Schoppen,C (2522) Vlissingen NED 2023 0-1 (33)}) 14... c5 15. Nf5 Bf8 16. Nf3 Qf6 17. Ng3 h6 18. Qc2 Rad8 19. Rd1 Nb6 20. Rxd8 Rxd8 21. Ne1 Re8 22. Be3 Nc4 23. Nf1 Nxe3 24. Nxe3 c4 25. Qa4 Rxe3 26. fxe3 Bc5 27. Nf3 Bxe3+ 28. Kf1 Bc6 29. Qd1 Be4 30. Qd7 Kh7 31. Ke2 Bb6 32. Re1 Qg6 33. Kd1 Qxg2 34. Rxe4 Qxf3+ 35. Re2 Be3 36. b3 Qf1+ 37. Re1 Qf3+ 38. Re2 Qf1+ 39. Re1 Qf3+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "GCT Warsaw 2024"]
[Site "Warsaw, Poland"]
[Date "2024.05.10"]
[Round "7.2"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Praggnanandhaa R"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C54"]
[WhiteElo "2828"]
[BlackElo "2704"]
[PlyCount "98"]
[EventDate "2024.??.??"]

1. e4 {Yermolinsky,A} e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. O-O Nf6 5. d3 d6 6. c3 a6 7. a4 Ba7 8. Nbd2 O-O 9. h3 h6 10. b4 ({RR} 10. Re1 Re8 11. b4 Be6 12. Bxe6 Rxe6 13. Qc2 Ne7 ({RR} 13... Qd7) 14. Nf1 Ng6 15. c4 a5 16. bxa5 Ne7 17. Rb1 Rb8 18. Bd2 Nc6 19. Ng3 Nd7 20. Rb5 Nc5 21. Reb1 Qc8 22. Be3 Re8 23. Nf5 Ne6 24. Qd2 ({RR} 24. a6 bxa6 25. Rxb8 Bxb8 26. c5) 24... h5 {Karjakin,S (2776)-Carlsen,M (2851) Paris 2017 CBM 179 [Yermolinsky,A] 1-0 (86)}) 10... Ne7 11. Re1 Ng6 12. d4 ({RR} 12. Nf1 Be6 13. Bxe6 fxe6 14. Be3 Bxe3 15. Nxe3 Qe7 16. g3 Rf7 17. Ra2 Raf8 18. Nh2 d5 19. Neg4 Nd7 20. h4 Qd6 21. h5 Ne7 22. Qb3 Nc6 23. b5 Na5 24. Qb4 Qb6 25. exd5 exd5 26. bxa6 Qxa6 {Preotu,R (2485)-Swiercz,D (2647) chess.com INT 2021 ½-½ (37)}) 12... c6 $146 ({RR} 12... Re8 13. b5 exd4 14. cxd4 d5 15. exd5 Rxe1+ 16. Qxe1 Nxd5 17. Ne4 axb5 18. axb5 Be6 19. Qa5 Nf8 20. Nc5 b6 21. Nxe6 bxa5 22. Nxd8 Rxd8 23. Rxa5 Bxd4 24. Nxd4 Nb6 25. Bxf7+ Kxf7 26. Be3 Nd5 27. Ra3 {Mosadeghpour,M (2517)-Gholami Orimi,M (2375) Bushehr IRI 2019 1-0 (57)}) ({RR} 12... exd4 13. cxd4 d5 14. exd5 Nxd5 15. Qb3 Be6 16. Ne4 Ndf4 17. Bxf4 Nxf4 18. Bxe6 fxe6 19. Nc5 Bxc5 20. bxc5 b5 21. cxb6 cxb6 22. Re3 b5 23. axb5 axb5 24. Rae1 Rb8 25. Kh2 Qd5 26. Qxd5 exd5 27. Ne5 {Sevian,S (2667)-Hauge,L (2476) Helsingor DEN 2019 1-0 (66)}) ({RR} 12... Be6 13. dxe5 Nxe5 14. Nxe5 dxe5 15. Qe2 Re8 16. Nb3 Qd7 17. Qf1 Nh5 18. Be3 Bxe3 19. Rxe3 Bxc4 20. Qxc4 Nf4 21. a5 Rad8 22. Kh2 Qe6 23. Qxe6 Nxe6 24. g3 Rd6 25. Kg2 Red8 26. Kf1 Kf8 27. Ke2 {Short,N (2679)-McShane,L (2652) London 2016 ½-½ (55)}) 13. Bf1 Re8 14. Qc2 d5 15. exd5 exd4 16. Rxe8+ Qxe8 17. c4 cxd5 18. c5 Ne4 19. Nxd4 a5 $146 ({RR} 19... Bd7 20. Bb2 a5 21. Nxe4 dxe4 22. b5 Rc8 23. Nb3 Be6 24. Qc3 Qf8 25. Qxa5 Bb8 26. Nd4 e3 27. fxe3 Bd5 28. Nf5 Be4 29. Nd6 Bxd6 30. cxd6 Qxd6 31. Qe1 Rc2 32. Rd1 Qe7 33. Rd2 Qc7 34. Rxc2 {Kramnik,V (2753)-Le Tuan Minh (2567) chess.com INT 2024 ½-½ (78)}) 20. Nxe4 dxe4 21. Nb5 Bb8 22. Bb2 axb4 23. Re1 Bf5 24. Qb3 Bf4 25. Qxb4 Qd7 26. Qd4 Qxd4 27. Nxd4 Bd7 28. Bb5 Bxb5 29. axb5 Ra2 30. Bc3 Ra4 31. c6 Rc4 32. Ba1 bxc6 33. Nxc6 Bc7 34. Bd4 Nf4 35. Kf1 Nd5 36. Rxe4 Kh7 37. Re1 Nb4 38. Be5 Bb6 39. Nxb4 Rxb4 40. g3 Rxb5 41. Bf4 Rb2 42. Be3 Bxe3 43. Rxe3 Rb1+ 44. Kg2 g6 45. h4 h5 46. Rf3 Kg7 47. Re3 Kh7 48. Rf3 Kg7 49. Re3 Kh7 1/2-1/2

[Event "GCT Warsaw 2024"]
[Site "Warsaw, Poland"]
[Date "2024.05.09"]
[Round "9.4"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Giri, Anish"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C54"]
[WhiteElo "2828"]
[BlackElo "2687"]
[PlyCount "136"]
[EventDate "2024.??.??"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. d3 Bc5 5. O-O d6 6. c3 a5 7. Re1 O-O ({RR} 7... Ba7 8. Na3 h6 9. Nc2 O-O 10. Be3 Bxe3 11. Nxe3 Re8 12. a4 Be6 13. Bxe6 Rxe6 14. Qb3 b6 15. Rad1 Ne7 16. h3 Qd7 17. Nh2 Rd8 18. Nhg4 Nxg4 19. hxg4 d5 20. d4 exd4 21. exd5 Re4 22. Qc2 {Nepomniachtchi,I (2782)-Carlsen,M (2855) Dubai UAE 2021 0-1 (49)}) 8. h3 Be6 ({RR} 8... h6 9. Nbd2 Be6 10. Bb5 Ba7 11. Nf1 Ne7 12. Ng3 Ng6 13. d4 exd4 14. cxd4 d5 15. e5 Ne4 16. Bd3 c5 17. Nxe4 dxe4 18. Bxe4 cxd4 19. Bxb7 Rb8 20. Be4 Qd7 21. b3 Rfd8 22. Ba3 d3 23. Bd6 {Leiva,G (2405)-Real de Azua,E (2446) chess.com INT 2022 1-0 (73)}) 9. Bb5 Ba7 10. d4 $146 ({RR} 10. Nbd2 Ne7 11. Nf1 c6 12. Ba4 Ng6 13. Ng3 d5 14. exd5 Nxd5 15. d4 exd4 16. Nxd4 Qc7 17. Ne4 Rae8 18. Bc2 Ndf4 19. Nxe6 Rxe6 20. Be3 Bxe3 21. Rxe3 Rfe8 22. Qf1 Nh4 23. Ng5 Rxe3 24. fxe3 Nfxg2 {Neiksans,A (2575)-Hovhannisyan,R (2622) Riga LAT 2021 0-1 (35)}) ({RR} 10. Nbd2 Ne7 11. d4 Ng6 12. Nf1 exd4 13. Nxd4 c6 14. Bd3 Qc7 15. Ng3 Rae8 16. f4 Bc8 17. Bc2 Nd7 18. Kh2 Bb8 19. Nh5 Nc5 20. Nf5 Ne6 21. g3 Rd8 22. Qf3 Kh8 23. Be3 c5 24. Rad1 b5 {Nikolovski,N (2424)-Svane,R (2592) Batumi GEO 2019 1-0 (86)}) ({RR} 10. Be3 Bxe3 11. Rxe3 Ne7 12. d4 Ng6 13. Nbd2 c6 14. Bf1 a4 15. b4 axb3 16. axb3 b5 17. b4 Qb6 18. Re1 h6 19. Qc2 Ra7 20. Rxa7 Qxa7 21. c4 bxc4 22. Nxc4 Bxc4 23. Qxc4 Qb6 24. Rc1 Rb8 {Adams,M (2692)-Matlakov,M (2710) Budva MNE 2019 ½-½}) 10... Bd7 11. Ba4 Re8 12. Bc2 h6 13. a4 exd4 14. cxd4 Nb4 15. Nc3 Nxc2 16. Qxc2 c6 17. Be3 $146 ({RR} 17. Bd2 Qc8 18. Rac1 Bxh3 19. gxh3 Qxh3 20. Qd3 Re6 21. Ne5 Qh5 22. Nc4 Ng4 23. Bf4 Rf6 24. Bg3 Rxf2 25. Re2 Rxe2 26. Nxe2 d5 27. exd5 Rd8 28. Rf1 Re8 29. Bc7 Bxd4+ 30. Nxd4 Re7 31. Rb1 Re4 {Laohawirapap,P (2348)-Azarya,J (2393) Hanoi VIE 2024 ½-½ (36)}) ({RR} 17. Re2 b5 18. axb5 cxb5 19. e5 dxe5 20. dxe5 Nh7 21. Be3 Bxe3 22. Rxe3 Ng5 23. Nxg5 Qxg5 24. Rae1 Bc6 25. Ne4 Qg6 26. Nf6+ gxf6 27. Rg3 Qxg3 28. fxg3 Re6 29. Qf5 fxe5 30. Rxe5 Rae8 31. Qg4+ Rg6 {So,W (2760)-Carlsen,M (2859) chess24.com INT 2022 ½-½ (69)}) ({RR} 17. Bd2 Rc8 18. Rac1 Be6 19. Be3 b5 20. Nd2 b4 21. Ne2 d5 22. e5 c5 23. dxc5 Nd7 24. Nb3 Nxe5 25. Nf4 Nc4 26. Rcd1 Qd7 27. Nh5 Bf5 28. Qc1 Nxe3 29. Rxe3 Rxe3 30. Qxe3 Bg6 31. Qe5 f6 {Zhou,Y (2425)-Kantor,G (2563) Eforie Nord ROU 2025 0-1 (40)}) 17... Nxe4 18. Nxe4 Bf5 19. Nfd2 d5 20. Qb3 dxe4 21. Qxb7 Bxd4 22. Nc4 c5 23. Rad1 Qf6 24. Qb6 Qxb6 25. Nxb6 Rab8 26. Nc4 Rb4 27. Bxd4 cxd4 28. Rxd4 Rxa4 29. b3 Rb4 30. Rd5 Be6 31. Rxa5 Bxc4 32. bxc4 Rxc4 33. f3 Re6 34. Rxe4 Rcxe4 35. fxe4 Rxe4 36. Kf2 g6 37. Kf3 Rb4 38. g3 Rb3+ 39. Kg2 Rb2+ 40. Kf3 g5 41. g4 Kg7 42. Kg3 Kg6 43. Ra6+ f6 44. Rc6 Rb1 45. Kg2 Rb4 46. Kg3 h5 47. gxh5+ Kf5 48. Rc5+ Ke6 49. Rc6+ Ke5 50. Rc5+ Kd6 51. Rc8 Rh4 52. Rh8 Ke5 53. Re8+ Kf5 54. Rh8 Ra4 55. Rb8 Rh4 56. Rb5+ Ke6 57. Rb6+ Kf7 58. Rb7+ Kg8 59. Rb8+ Kg7 60. Rb7+ Kh6 61. Rb6 Rf4 62. h4 Kxh5 63. hxg5 Kxg5 64. Rb5+ f5 65. Rb8 Ra4 66. Rg8+ Kf6 67. Rf8+ Kg6 68. Rg8+ Kf6 1/2-1/2

[Event "GCT Warsaw 2024"]
[Site "Warsaw, Poland"]
[Date "2024.05.11"]
[Round "10.4"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Shevchenko, Kirill"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B30"]
[WhiteElo "2828"]
[BlackElo "2622"]
[PlyCount "83"]
[EventDate "2024.??.??"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. Bxc6 dxc6 5. d3 Qc7 6. Nbd2 ({RR} 6. e5 Nd5 7. h3 Bf5 8. Nbd2 g5 9. Ne4 h6 10. Qe2 O-O-O 11. Bd2 Qb6 12. O-O-O Bg7 13. g4 Be6 14. Kb1 Rd7 15. Ng3 Rhd8 16. Nf5 Bxf5 17. gxf5 c4 18. dxc4 Nc3+ 19. Bxc3 Qxf2 20. Rxd7 Qxe2 {Bologan,V (2680)-Naiditsch,A (2702) Kishinev 2012 0-1 (34)}) ({RR} 6. h3 e5 7. Nbd2 Be6 8. Ng5 Bd7 9. Nc4 h6 10. Nf3 Be6 11. Ncxe5 Bd6 12. Nc4 Bxc4 13. dxc4 Nxe4 14. O-O O-O-O 15. Qe2 Rhe8 16. Be3 f5 17. Nh4 Qf7 18. Qf3 Rf8 19. g4 g6 20. gxf5 gxf5 {Bauer,C (2631)-Bellahcene,B (2508) Europe-Echecs INT 2022 0-1 (53)}) 6... e5 7. Nc4 ({RR} 7. a4 Be6 8. b3 Be7 9. Nc4 Nd7 10. Ng5 Bxc4 11. bxc4 Nf8 12. Qg4 h5 13. Qf5 Bd6 14. O-O Qe7 15. Qh3 f6 16. Nf3 g5 17. Nd2 Ne6 18. Re1 g4 19. Qe3 O-O-O 20. Qe2 Rdg8 21. Nf1 h4 {Praggnanandhaa,R (2747)-Caruana,F (2803) Toronto CAN 2024 0-1 (89)}) ({RR} 7. a4 Be6 8. b3 Be7 9. a5 Nd7 10. h4 f6 11. h5 Nf8 12. Nc4 Rd8 13. Nh4 Qd7 14. Qf3 g6 15. Bh6 Bg4 16. Qe3 g5 17. Bxf8 Kxf8 18. Nf3 Be6 19. Qd2 Rg8 20. Ne3 Qc8 21. Nh2 g4 {Praggnanandhaa,R (2747)-Shevchenko,K (2677) Warsaw POL 2024 0-1 (59)}) 7... b5 $146 ({RR} 7... Nd7 8. Nh4 g6 9. f4 Be7 10. Nf3 exf4 11. e5 Nb6 12. Nxb6 Qxb6 13. Qd2 g5 14. h4 g4 15. Ng5 Bxg5 16. hxg5 f3 17. gxf3 gxf3 18. Qc3 Be6 19. Be3 Qb4 20. Qxb4 cxb4 21. Rh4 a5 22. Kf2 {Oratovsky,M (2535)-Murey,J (2433) Israel 2007 ½-½ (51)}) ({RR} 7... Bd6 8. Bg5 Nd7 9. Nh4 Nb6 10. Nxd6+ Qxd6 11. b3 Be6 12. f4 exf4 13. O-O O-O 14. Bxf4 Qd4+ 15. Kh1 f5 16. Nf3 Qd7 17. Nd2 Rae8 18. Be3 Qe7 19. Qh5 Nd7 20. Rae1 fxe4 21. Bg5 Qd6 22. Nxe4 {Larsen,K (2331)-Hagen,A (2130) Helsingor 2012 1-0 (43)}) ({RR} 7... Nd7 8. a4 Be7 9. Bd2 O-O 10. Bc3 f6 11. Ne3 Re8 12. Nh4 g6 13. Qg4 Nf8 14. Qg3 Ne6 15. Nhf5 Kh8 16. Nxe7 Qxe7 17. h4 Nd4 18. f4 Bd7 19. Kd2 Rf8 20. Rhf1 Qg7 21. Rf2 Be6 22. Raf1 {Perez Mitjans,O (2434)-Alsina Leal,D (2531) Badalona 2015 ½-½ (31)}) 8. Ncd2 $146 ({RR} 8. Ne3 Bd6 9. a4 O-O 10. O-O Be6 11. Ng5 Bd7 12. b3 h6 13. Nf3 Ng4 14. Nxg4 Bxg4 15. h3 Be6 16. Qe2 c4 17. dxc4 bxc4 18. bxc4 Rab8 19. Be3 Rb4 20. c5 Be7 21. c3 Bc4 22. Qc2 Rb7 {Fomkin,D (2141)-Vakhlamov,I (2413) chess.com INT 2025 1-0 (71)}) 8... Be7 9. b3 Be6 10. O-O O-O 11. Ng5 Bg4 12. Qe1 Nd7 13. h3 Bh5 14. Ngf3 Rfd8 15. Bb2 f6 16. Nh4 Nf8 17. Nf5 Ne6 18. Nxe7+ Qxe7 19. a4 a6 20. Ra2 Nf4 21. f3 Bf7 22. Qe3 c4 23. dxc4 bxc4 24. Ba3 Qd7 25. Nxc4 Bxc4 26. bxc4 Qe6 27. Rb2 Rd7 28. Rb6 Rad8 29. Bc1 h5 30. Kh2 Kh7 31. Qc5 Ng6 32. Rxc6 Qf7 33. Be3 a5 34. Qxa5 Rd6 35. Rxd6 Rxd6 36. c5 Rc6 37. Qb5 Rc8 38. Rd1 Rc7 39. a5 Qa2 40. Rd7 Rxd7 41. Qxd7 Qxc2 42. Qf5 1-0

[Event "GCT Warsaw 2024"]
[Site "Warsaw, Poland"]
[Date "2024.05.11"]
[Round "11.3"]
[White "Praggnanandhaa R"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B13"]
[WhiteElo "2704"]
[BlackElo "2828"]
[PlyCount "137"]
[EventDate "2024.??.??"]

1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. exd5 cxd5 4. Bd3 Nc6 5. c3 e6 6. Bf4 Bd6 7. Bxd6 Qxd6 8. Nf3 Nge7 9. O-O O-O 10. Re1 ({RR} 10. Qc2 h6 11. Re1 Bd7 12. Qe2 Rae8 13. Nbd2 f6 14. Rad1 Qc7 15. Bc2 e5 16. dxe5 fxe5 17. Nxe5 Nc8 18. Ndf3 Nb6 19. Bb3 Bg4 20. Rxd5 Nxd5 21. Bxd5+ Kh7 22. Qc4 Bf5 23. g4 Bc2 24. Qe2 Nxe5 {Inarkiev,E (2665)-Gajewski,G (2623) Berlin GER 2021 1-0 (39)}) 10... Bd7 $146 ({RR} 10... Ng6 11. Nbd2 Bd7 12. Ng5 Nce7 13. Qh5 h6 14. Nxf7 Qf4 15. Bxg6 Qxd2 16. Re2 Qf4 17. Ne5 Be8 18. Bxe8 Raxe8 19. g3 Qf5 20. Qxf5 Nxf5 21. Ng6 Rf6 22. Nf4 Nd6 23. Rae1 Kf7 24. Kg2 b5 25. Nd3 {Lebrun,X (2162)-Plantet,M (1927) Montigny le Bretonneux 2007 1-0 (42)}) ({RR} 10... g6 11. Nbd2 Bd7 12. Nf1 Qf4 13. g3 Qh6 14. Ne3 f6 15. Bf1 Nd8 16. Rc1 Nf7 17. Bg2 Ng5 18. Nxg5 Qxg5 19. h4 Qh6 20. Ng4 Qg7 21. Qb3 b6 22. Ne3 Kh8 23. Re2 Rae8 24. Rce1 Nc8 25. c4 {Schubert,W-Binder,A Wiesbaden 1998 ½-½}) ({RR} 10... f6 11. c4 Nb4 12. Nc3 Nxd3 13. Qxd3 b6 14. Nb5 Qd7 15. Rac1 Ba6 16. Qa3 Bxb5 17. cxb5 Rac8 18. g3 Rxc1 19. Rxc1 Rc8 20. Rxc8+ Nxc8 21. Qe3 Kf7 22. a4 Qc7 23. Qd3 h6 24. Kg2 Nd6 25. Nd2 {Babiy,O (2275)-Popov,I (2588) Chennai IND 2019 0-1 (48)}) ({RR} 10... f6 11. c4 dxc4 12. Bxc4 Nf5 13. d5 exd5 14. Bxd5+ Kh8 15. Nc3 Bd7 16. Qb3 Qc7 17. Rad1 Rad8 18. h3 Bc8 19. Qa3 Nfe7 20. Nb5 Qb6 21. Nxa7 Nxd5 22. Nxc8 Rxc8 23. Rxd5 Ra8 24. Qb3 Qxb3 25. axb3 {Carlsen,M (2835)-Anand,V (2754) Zagreb CRO 2023 1-0 (53)}) 11. Nbd2 ({RR} 11. Ne5 Nxe5 12. dxe5 Qb6 13. Qb3 Qxb3 14. axb3 Rfd8 15. Na3 f6 16. Nc2 Nc6 17. exf6 gxf6 18. Bb5 Kf7 19. Bxc6 Bxc6 20. f4 a5 21. Re3 h5 22. Rae1 Bd7 23. Nd4 Ra6 24. Kf2 b5 25. g3 Re8 {Vocaturo,D (2616)-Carlsen,M (2864) Chennai 2022 ½-½ (56)}) 11... f6 12. b4 b6 $146 ({RR} 12... Rac8 13. Qb1 h6 14. Qb3 Be8 15. b5 Nb8 16. c4 Bf7 17. Re3 Nd7 18. Rae1 Rfe8 19. g3 Qc7 20. Rxe6 Bxe6 21. Rxe6 Nf8 22. Re1 Qd7 23. c5 Kh8 24. Kg2 Neg6 25. h3 Rxe1 26. Nxe1 Ne7 27. Nc2 {Johnson,D (2323)-Mou,I (2227) Asuncion PAR 2025 0-1 (60)}) 13. a4 Rac8 14. Re3 Be8 15. Qe1 Bf7 16. a5 Nf5 17. Re2 Nce7 18. Nf1 Qd7 19. axb6 axb6 20. Ng3 Nd6 21. Ra6 Rb8 22. h4 Rfe8 23. Rea2 Nef5 24. Ra7 Rb7 25. Nxf5 exf5 26. Ra8 Rbb8 27. Qa1 Rxa8 28. Rxa8 Rxa8 29. Qxa8+ Qe8 30. Qa7 Qd8 31. Nd2 Ne4 32. Bxe4 fxe4 33. Nf1 f5 34. g3 h6 35. Qb7 g5 36. hxg5 hxg5 37. Ne3 Be6 38. Qc6 Kf7 39. c4 dxc4 40. d5 Bd7 41. Qh6 Qf6 42. Qh7+ Ke8 43. Qg8+ Ke7 44. Nxc4 Bb5 45. d6+ Kd7 46. Nxb6+ Kxd6 47. Qd5+ Kc7 48. Qxb5 Qxb6 49. Qxf5 Qxb4 50. Qxg5 Kd7 51. Qf4 Ke6 52. Kg2 Qd4 53. g4 Qd5 54. Kg3 Qd3+ 55. Kh4 Qb1 56. Qf5+ Ke7 57. Kh5 Qd3 58. g5 Qd1+ 59. Kg6 Qd3 60. Kg7 Qc4 61. Qe5+ Kd7 62. g6 Qd3 63. Qf5+ Ke7 64. Qf6+ Kd7 65. Kg8 e3 66. Qf7+ Kd6 67. fxe3 Qxe3 68. g7 Qe5 69. Kf8 1-0

[Event "GCT Warsaw 2024"]
[Site "Warsaw, Poland"]
[Date "2024.05.11"]
[Round "12.2"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Abdusattorov, Nodirbek"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B01"]
[WhiteElo "2828"]
[BlackElo "2733"]
[PlyCount "102"]
[EventDate "2024.??.??"]

1. e4 d5 2. exd5 Qxd5 3. Nc3 Qd6 4. d4 Nf6 5. Nf3 Nc6 6. Nb5 Qd8 7. Be2 a6 8. Na3 Bg4 9. Nc4 $146 ({RR} 9. c3 e6 10. Nc4 Bd6 11. O-O h6 12. Nxd6+ cxd6 13. Bf4 O-O 14. h3 Bf5 15. Bd3 Nd5 16. Bxf5 Nxf4 17. Bc2 Qf6 18. h4 Rac8 19. g3 Nd5 20. Kg2 Nce7 21. Re1 Nf5 22. Qd2 b5 23. Be4 Nde7 {Neiksans,A (2575)-Narva,T (2112) Puhajarve EST 2021 1-0 (50)}) 9... e6 10. O-O Be7 11. c3 O-O 12. h3 ({RR} 12. a4 Nd5 13. a5 Bd6 14. Re1 Re8 15. Bg5 f6 16. Bh4 Nce7 17. Bg3 Bxg3 18. hxg3 Nf5 19. Qb3 Rb8 20. Bd3 Bh5 21. Ncd2 Bf7 22. Qc2 Bg6 23. Nb3 Qd6 24. Nc5 b6 25. axb6 cxb6 26. Ne4 Qc7 {Carlsen,M (2862)-Dubov,D (2710) chess24.com INT 2021 1-0 (42)}) 12... Bh5 13. Bf4 $146 ({RR} 13. a4 Re8 14. Bf4 Nd5 15. Bh2 Bf6 16. Re1 Rb8 17. Qd2 h6 18. Rad1 b5 19. axb5 axb5 20. Nce5 Nxe5 21. Nxe5 Bxe2 22. Nc6 Qc8 23. Qxe2 Rb7 24. Ra1 Rb6 25. Ne5 c6 26. Ra7 Ra6 27. Ra1 Rxa1+ {Milovic,A (2121)-Caxita,E (1932) Budapest HUN 2024 0-1 (90)}) 13... Nd5 14. Bg3 b5 15. Ncd2 Bd6 16. Ne4 Bxg3 17. Nxg3 Bg6 18. Qd2 Qd6 19. a4 Na5 20. Qd1 b4 21. c4 Nf4 22. Re1 c5 23. Bf1 Rfd8 24. Ne4 Bxe4 25. Rxe4 cxd4 26. g3 Ng6 27. Rxd4 Qc7 28. c5 Rxd4 29. Qxd4 Nb3 30. Qe4 Rb8 31. Rd1 Nxc5 32. Qc4 Qb6 33. b3 h6 34. Rc1 Rc8 35. Qd4 a5 36. h4 Ne7 37. Ne5 Nf5 38. Qc4 Rc7 39. Qb5 Qd6 40. Qe8+ Kh7 41. Nxf7 Qd4 42. h5 g6 43. hxg6+ Kxg6 44. Ne5+ Kf6 45. Re1 Ne4 46. Ng4+ Kg7 47. Qxe6 Nexg3 48. Ne5 Nxf1 49. Qg6+ Kf8 50. Qf6+ Kg8 51. Qg6+ Rg7 0-1

[Event "GCT Warsaw 2024"]
[Site "Warsaw, Poland"]
[Date "2024.05.11"]
[Round "13.3"]
[White "Wei, Yi"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B48"]
[WhiteElo "2758"]
[BlackElo "2828"]
[PlyCount "130"]
[EventDate "2024.??.??"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nc6 5. Nc3 Qc7 6. Be3 a6 7. Qd2 Nf6 8. O-O-O Be7 9. f4 b5 10. e5 b4 11. Ncb5 axb5 12. Nxb5 Qb8 13. exf6 gxf6 14. Nd6+ Bxd6 15. Qxd6 Qxd6 16. Rxd6 Rxa2 17. Kb1 Ra5 18. Bb6 $146 ({RR} 18. Be2 Ne7 19. Bb6 Rd5 20. Rd1 Bb7 21. g3 h5 22. Bc4 Rxd6 23. Rxd6 Nc8 24. Bc5 Nxd6 25. Bxd6 h4 26. Bxb4 hxg3 27. hxg3 Rh1+ 28. Ka2 Rg1 29. b3 Rxg3 30. Kb2 Rg2 31. Bd3 e5 {0-1 (31) Dirmeier,C (2049)-Bochis,J (2181) Bad Wiessee 2013}) ({RR} 18. Be2 Ne7 19. Bb6 Rd5 20. Rd1 Bb7 21. g3 h5 22. Bc4 Rxd6 23. Rxd6 Nc8 24. Bc5 Nxd6 25. Bxd6 h4 26. Bxb4 hxg3 27. hxg3 Rh1+ 28. Ka2 Rg1 29. b3 Rxg3 30. Kb2 Rg2 31. Bd3 e5 {0-1 (31) Dirmeier,C (2049)-Bochis,J (2181) Bad Wiessee 2013}) 18... Ra8 19. Bb5 Ne7 20. Rhd1 Rb8 21. Bd3 Bb7 22. g3 Bf3 23. Rf1 Bg2 24. Rf2 Nc8 25. Bc7 Rb7 26. Rxg2 Rxc7 27. Rd4 b3 28. c3 Ke7 29. Rb4 d5 30. Rxb3 Nd6 31. Re2 f5 32. Kc2 h5 33. Rb6 h4 34. Kb3 hxg3 35. hxg3 Rh3 36. Rg2 Ne4 37. Kb4 Nxg3 38. Bb5 Nh5 39. Rb8 Nxf4 40. Rgg8 Kf6 41. Ka5 Ra7+ 42. Ba6 Rh2 43. Kb6 Re7 44. b4 d4 45. c4 e5 46. c5 e4 47. c6 e3 48. Rbd8 d3 49. Bxd3 Nxd3 50. Rd6+ Re6 51. Rxd3 e2 52. Rg1 e1=Q 53. Rxe1 Rxe1 54. Rc3 Rb1 55. c7 Rh8 56. b5 Rc8 57. Ka6 Ke5 58. b6 f4 59. b7 Rxc7 60. Rxc7 Rxb7 61. Rxb7 f3 62. Rxf7 Ke4 63. Kb5 Ke3 64. Kc4 f2 65. Rxf2 Kxf2 1/2-1/2

[Event "GCT Warsaw 2024"]
[Site "Warsaw, Poland"]
[Date "2024.05.11"]
[Round "15.3"]
[White "Duda, Jan-Krzysztof"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C47"]
[WhiteElo "2748"]
[BlackElo "2828"]
[PlyCount "86"]
[EventDate "2024.??.??"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. d4 exd4 5. Nxd4 Bb4 6. Nxc6 bxc6 7. Bd3 d5 8. exd5 O-O 9. O-O Bg4 10. f3 Bh5 11. Bg5 cxd5 12. Bxf6 Qxf6 13. Nxd5 Qxb2 14. Rb1 Bc5+ 15. Kh1 Qe5 16. f4 Bxd1 17. fxe5 Bg4 18. Nxc7 $146 ({RR} 18. Rf4 Be6 19. Nxc7 Rab8 20. Ra1 Bb6 21. Nxe6 fxe6 22. Rxf8+ Rxf8 23. Bc4 Kf7 24. Rd1 Rd8 25. Rf1+ Ke7 26. Bd3 h6 27. g3 Bc7 28. Bg6 Rf8 29. Rxf8 Kxf8 {½-½ (29) Nihal,S (2576)-Vidit,S (2702) Kolkata IND 2018}) ({RR} 18. h3 Bd7 19. Nxc7 Rac8 20. Nd5 Rfe8 21. Rfe1 {½-½ (21) Bruzon Batista,L (2643)-Nyzhnyk,I (2666) Orlando USA 2019}) 18... Rac8 19. Rb7 Be6 $146 ({RR} 19... Rfd8 20. e6 fxe6 21. Bc4 Rf8 22. Rxf8+ Bxf8 23. h3 Bd6 24. hxg4 Rxc7 25. Rxc7 {½-½ (25) Murzin,V (2534)-Rakhmanov,A (2633) Cheboksary 2022}) 20. Nxe6 fxe6 21. Rxf8+ Rxf8 22. Bc4 Re8 23. g3 Kf8 24. Kg2 Re7 25. Rb5 Bb6 26. Kf3 Rc7 27. Bxe6 Rxc2 28. Bb3 Rxh2 29. Rd5 Ke7 30. e6 Rf2+ 31. Kg4 Kxe6 32. Rd2+ Ke5 33. Rxf2 Bxf2 34. Kh3 h5 35. g4 h4 36. Bc4 g5 37. Bb3 a5 38. Bc4 a4 39. Bb5 a3 40. Bc4 Be3 41. Bb3 Bf2 42. Bc4 Be3 43. Bb3 Bf2 1/2-1/2

[Event "GCT Warsaw 2024"]
[Site "Warsaw, Poland"]
[Date "2024.05.11"]
[Round "17.5"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Giri, Anish"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C65"]
[WhiteElo "2828"]
[BlackElo "2687"]
[PlyCount "89"]
[EventDate "2024.??.??"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. d3 Bc5 5. c3 O-O 6. O-O d5 7. Nbd2 dxe4 8. dxe4 a5 9. Qc2 ({RR} 9. h3 Qe7 10. Qe2 Nh5 11. Nb3 Ng3 12. Qc4 Bb6 13. Bg5 Qe6 14. Qxe6 Bxe6 15. Rfe1 a4 16. Nbd2 f6 17. Be3 Bxe3 18. fxe3 g6 19. Kf2 Nh5 20. Bc4 Ng7 21. b3 Bxc4 22. Nxc4 Ne6 23. b4 Na7 {Korobov,A (2689)-Vidit,S (2629) http://www.chessbomb.com 2021 0-1 (47)}) 9... Qe7 10. a4 Nb8 11. h3 $146 ({RR} 11. Be2 Nbd7 12. Nc4 Nb6 13. Ncxe5 Bd6 14. Nc4 Nxc4 15. Bxc4 Qxe4 16. Qxe4 Nxe4 17. Be3 Bd7 18. Rfd1 Rfd8 19. Bd5 Nf6 20. Bc4 Ne4 21. Bd5 Nf6 22. Bc4 Ne4 {½-½ (22) David,A (2563)-Balogh,C (2628) Brest FRA 2018}) 11... h6 12. Re1 Rd8 13. Bf1 ({RR} 13. Nf1 c6 14. Bc4 Na6 15. Ne3 Bb6 16. Nf1 Bc5 17. Ne3 Bb6 18. Bf1 Nc5 19. Nc4 Bc7 20. Be3 Ncxe4 21. Bb6 Bf5 22. Bd3 Bxb6 23. Nxb6 Qc5 24. Bxe4 Bxe4 25. Rxe4 Qxb6 26. Rxe5 Re8 27. Rae1 Rxe5 {LCZero 0.31-dag-5350a2e-BT4-6 (3631)-Stockfish dev-20240728-2343f7 (3662) tcec-chess.com INT 2024 ½-½ (39)}) 13... Nbd7 14. Nc4 b6 15. Rb1 $146 ({RR} 15. Ne3 Bxe3 16. Bxe3 Bb7 17. Nd2 Nc5 18. f3 Nh5 19. Bc4 Ne6 20. Nf1 Ba6 21. Bd5 Rac8 22. Rad1 Nef4 23. Bxf4 Nxf4 24. Ne3 Qg5 25. Kh2 c6 26. Bc4 Bxc4 27. Nxc4 b5 28. axb5 cxb5 29. Nxa5 b4 {Firouzja,A (2760)-Lazavik,D (2567) chess.com INT 2024 0-1 (41)}) 15... Bb7 16. Bd2 Qe6 17. b4 axb4 18. cxb4 Bd4 19. a5 Rdc8 20. Nxd4 exd4 21. f3 Nh5 22. Qd3 Ng3 23. Qxd4 Nxf1 24. Rxf1 c5 25. bxc5 bxc5 26. Qc3 Ba6 27. Rfc1 Bxc4 28. Qxc4 Qxc4 29. Rxc4 Ne5 30. Ra4 Ra6 31. Bc3 Nd3 32. Rc4 Nf4 33. Kf2 Ne6 34. Ke3 g5 35. g3 Rca8 36. f4 Rc6 37. f5 Nc7 38. Rb6 Ra6 39. Rxa6 Nxa6 40. e5 Rc8 41. Ra4 Rd8 42. Ra2 Nb4 43. Rd2 Ra8 44. Rd6 Rxa5 45. Rd8+ 1-0

[Event "GCT Warsaw 2024"]
[Site "Warsaw, Poland"]
[Date "2024.05.12"]
[Round "25.3"]
[White "Gukesh D"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B07"]
[WhiteElo "2649"]
[BlackElo "2828"]
[PlyCount "86"]
[EventDate "2024.??.??"]

1. e4 g6 2. d4 d6 3. Nc3 c6 4. Be3 Nf6 5. Qd2 Nbd7 6. f3 b5 7. h4 Nb6 ({RR} 7... h5 8. Nh3 Bg7 9. Ng5 Qc7 10. Rd1 a6 11. a3 Bb7 12. Kf2 c5 13. d5 Ne5 14. Kg1 Bc8 15. g3 O-O 16. Rh2 Nh7 17. Nh3 Nxf3+ {0-1 (17) Nepomniachtchi,I (2520)-Nyback,T (2736) playchess.com INT 2006}) 8. Bd3 ({RR} 8. g4 b4 9. Nd1 a5 10. h5 Qc7 11. hxg6 fxg6 12. a3 bxa3 13. Rxa3 a4 14. Nc3 Be6 15. Nh3 Bc4 16. Bd3 Bxd3 17. cxd3 e5 18. Ng5 Be7 19. Ne6 Qc8 20. dxe5 dxe5 21. Bxb6 Qxe6 22. Rxa4 Rxa4 {Do Valle Cardoso,L (2214)-Timofeev,A (2574) chess.com INT 2022 0-1 (55)}) ({RR} 8. b3 a5 9. a4 b4 10. Nd1 h5 11. Nh3 Bxh3 12. Rxh3 Bg7 13. Nb2 O-O 14. Nc4 Nxc4 15. Bxc4 d5 16. Bd3 dxe4 17. Bxe4 Nxe4 18. fxe4 c5 19. O-O-O c4 20. Bh6 cxb3 21. cxb3 Qc8+ 22. Kb2 Bxh6 {Simonian,H (2404)-Carlsen,M (2833) chess.com INT 2025 0-1 (52)}) 8... h5 ({RR} 8... a5 9. Nh3 Bxh3 10. Rxh3 h5 11. O-O-O Bg7 12. Kb1 Nfd7 13. f4 Nf6 14. f5 gxf5 15. e5 dxe5 16. dxe5 Ng4 17. Bxb6 Qxb6 18. Bxf5 Nxe5 19. Rg3 Bh6 20. Qxh6 Rf8 21. Ne4 Rd8 22. Rxd8+ Qxd8 23. a3 {Gukesh,D (2725)-Carlsen,M (2859) chess.com INT 2022 1-0 (65)}) 9. O-O-O $146 ({RR} 9. Nh3 Bxh3 10. Rxh3 Qc7 11. O-O-O Bg7 12. Kb1 Rb8 13. e5 dxe5 14. dxe5 Nfd5 15. f4 O-O 16. Rg1 b4 17. Ne4 Na4 18. Ka1 c5 19. Bc4 Ndb6 20. Qe2 Qc6 21. Ng5 Nxc4 22. Qxc4 Rbd8 23. g4 hxg4 {Kunc,J (1832)-Kulhanek,T (2364) Ricany 2016 ½-½}) ({RR} 9. Nh3 Bg7 10. Ng5 Qc7 11. O-O-O a5 12. e5 b4 13. Ne2 dxe5 14. dxe5 Nh7 15. Nxh7 Rxh7 16. Bxb6 Qxb6 17. Nf4 Bh6 18. Kb1 Be6 19. g3 a4 20. Qe2 Bxf4 21. gxf4 Qc5 22. f5 gxf5 23. Rhg1 Rh8 {Greibrokk,I (1820)-Egyed,J (2142) Montevideo 2017 0-1 (32)}) ({RR} 9. Nh3 Bxh3 10. Rxh3 Qc7 11. O-O-O Bg7 12. Kb1 Rb8 13. e5 dxe5 14. dxe5 Nfd5 15. f4 O-O 16. Rg1 b4 17. Ne4 Na4 18. Ka1 c5 19. Bc4 Ndb6 20. Qe2 Qc6 21. Ng5 Nxc4 22. Qxc4 Rbd8 23. g4 hxg4 {Kunc,J (1832)-Kulhanek,T (2364) Ricany 2016 ½-½}) 9... Bg7 10. Nh3 Bxh3 11. gxh3 e6 12. f4 d5 13. e5 Nfd7 14. Rhg1 Bf8 15. Rxg6 Nc4 16. Qg2 Ndxe5 17. Rg3 Nxd3+ 18. cxd3 Nxe3 19. Rxe3 Qxh4 20. Rf1 Bd6 21. Kb1 O-O-O 22. Qc2 Kb7 23. Ne2 Rhg8 24. f5 exf5 25. Ref3 Rd7 26. a4 a6 27. Rxf5 Qxh3 28. Rxf7 Rc8 29. Nc1 Rxf7 30. Rxf7+ Rc7 31. Rf6 Be7 32. Rf2 Qe3 33. Nb3 bxa4 34. Re2 Qg1+ 35. Nc1 Qxd4 36. Rh2 h4 37. Ne2 Qb4 38. Nc3 a3 39. Qd1 Bd6 40. Rc2 h3 41. Ka2 h2 42. bxa3 Qxa3+ 43. Kb1 Ka7 0-1

[Event "GCT Warsaw 2024"]
[Site "Warsaw, Poland"]
[Date "2024.05.12"]
[Round "27.1"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Erigaisi Arjun"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C47"]
[WhiteElo "2828"]
[BlackElo "2671"]
[PlyCount "66"]
[EventDate "2024.??.??"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. d4 exd4 5. Nxd4 Bb4 6. Nxc6 bxc6 7. Bd3 O-O ({RR} 7... d5) 8. O-O d5 9. exd5 cxd5 10. Bg5 c6 11. Qf3 ({RR} 11. Na4) 11... h6 12. Bxf6 Qxf6 13. Qxf6 gxf6 14. Ne2 Re8 15. Nd4 ({RR} 15. Ng3 Kf8) ({RR} 15. Ng3 Kf8 {½-½ (15) Dubov,D (2629)-Tkachiev,V (2637) Warsaw 2013}) 15... c5 ({RR} 15... Bb7 16. Nf5 Bf8 17. Rae1 Re5 18. Re3 Bc8 19. Nd4 Bd7 20. Rfe1 c5 21. Nf3 Rxe3 22. fxe3 a5 23. b3 a4 24. Nd2 Rb8 25. c4 Be6 26. cxd5 Bxd5 27. Kf2 Be6 28. h3 Bd6 29. Bc4 f5 30. Ke2) ({RR} 15... Bd7 16. Nf5 Bf8 17. Rfe1 Re5 18. g4 Rae8 19. Kf1 h5 20. h3 hxg4 21. hxg4 c5 22. b3 Bc6 23. f4 R5e6 24. c4 d4 25. Kf2 a5 26. Re2 Rxe2+ 27. Bxe2 Re4 28. Ng3 Rxf4+ 29. Ke1 d3 30. Bxd3 {Antonio,V (2397)-Salinas Herrera,P (2509) chess.com INT 2021 ½-½ (66)}) 16. a3 $146 ({RR} 16. c3 Ba5 17. Bb5 cxd4 18. Bxe8 Be6 19. Ba4 dxc3 20. bxc3 Bxc3 21. Rac1 d4 22. Bb3 Bf5 23. Bc2 Be6 24. Bb3 Bxb3 25. axb3 a5 26. Rfd1 Rb8 27. Rb1 Kf8 28. Kf1 Ke7 29. Ke2 Kd6 30. Kd3 Kc5 {Li,H (2344)-Wang,H (2696) China 2008 ½-½ (36)}) ({RR} 16. Nc6 Bd2 17. Rad1 Bf4 18. Rfe1 Bd7 19. Ne7+ Kg7 20. Nxd5 Rxe1+ 21. Rxe1 Be5 22. b3 Be6 23. Ne3 a5 24. Bf5 a4 25. Bxe6 fxe6 26. Nc4 axb3 27. axb3 Bd4 28. g3 Ra2 29. Re2 f5 30. Kg2 Kf6 {Hovhannisyan,R (2607)-Vitiugov,N (2720) chess.com INT 2023 1-0 (80)}) ({RR} 16. Nc6 Bd2 17. Rad1 Bf4 18. c4 d4 19. b4 cxb4 20. Nxb4 Be6 21. Nc6 Be5 22. Nxe5 fxe5 23. f4 Rac8 24. fxe5 Bxc4 25. Bxc4 Rxc4 26. Rf4 Rxe5 27. Rfxd4 Rc2 28. R4d2 Re2 29. Rxe2 Rxe2 30. Rd6 Rxa2 {Druska,J (2442)-Pulpan,J (2404) Slovakia SVK 2025 ½-½ (40)}) 16... Ba5 17. b4 $146 ({RR} 17. Bb5 Rd8 18. Nc6 Bd7 19. Nxd8 Bxb5 20. Nb7 Bxf1 21. Kxf1 Bb6 22. Nd6 Bc7 23. Nf5 Be5 24. Rb1 Kh7 25. Ne3 Rd8 26. Ke2 Kg6 27. b3 Bd4 28. Rd1 Re8 29. Kd3 Bxe3 30. fxe3 Kf5 31. Rf1+ Ke5 {Duboue,P (2431)-Stephan,V (2430) Chartres 2021 ½-½ (66)}) 17... Bb6 18. bxc5 Bxc5 19. Nf5 h5 20. h3 Rb8 21. g4 hxg4 22. hxg4 Bxf5 23. Bxf5 Kg7 24. Kg2 Re2 25. Kf3 Re5 26. a4 Rh8 27. Rh1 Rxh1 28. Rxh1 a5 29. Rh5 Bb4 30. Rh7+ Kg8 31. Rh6 Kg7 32. Rh7+ Kg8 33. Rh6 Kg7 1/2-1/2

[Event "GRENKE Chess Classic - Matches"]
[Site "Karlsruhe, Germany"]
[Date "2024.04.01"]
[Round "1.2"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Rapport, Richard"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C18"]
[WhiteElo "2823"]
[BlackElo "2708"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/AAArmstark"]
[PlyCount "101"]
[EventDate "2024.??.??"]

1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e5 c5 5. a3 Bxc3+ 6. bxc3 Ne7 7. Qg4 Qc7 8. Bd3 Qa5 9. Bd2 c4 10. Be2 Rg8 11. a4 Nbc6 12. Qh3 ({RR} 12. Nf3 Bd7 13. O-O h6 14. Rfb1 O-O-O 15. Rb5 Qc7 16. Qf4 g5 17. Qxf7 Nf5 18. g4 Rdf8 19. Qh5 Be8 20. Qh3 h5 21. Nxg5 hxg4 22. Bxg4 Qe7 23. f4 Rh8 24. Qg2 Nd8 25. Rbb1 Bg6 26. Rf1 Kb8 {Vachier Lagrave,M (2728)-Rapport,R (2720) Karlsruhe GER 2024 1-0 (70)}) 12... h6 13. Bh5 $146 ({RR} 13. Qf3 Bd7 14. Nh3 Rf8 15. Nf4 O-O-O 16. g4 f6 17. exf6 gxf6 18. Nh5 f5 19. Qe3 fxg4 20. Bxg4 e5 21. Bxd7+ Rxd7 22. Qxh6 Qd8 23. dxe5 Nxe5 24. O-O-O N7g6 25. Qe3 Qa5 26. f4 Qxa4 27. Qc5+ Nc6 {Janeczko,J (2282)-Sengupta,D (2497) Warsaw POL 2025 1-0 (41)}) 13... Bd7 14. Ne2 g6 15. Bg4 h5 16. Bf3 Nf5 17. g4 hxg4 18. Bxg4 O-O-O 19. Bxf5 exf5 20. Bg5 Rde8 21. Kd2 Rh8 22. Qf3 Nd8 23. Bf6 Rh6 24. h4 Ne6 25. h5 g5 26. Rae1 f4 27. Reg1 Rg8 28. Nxf4 Rxf6 29. exf6 Nxf4 30. h6 Ne6 31. h7 Rh8 32. Qe3 Qd8 33. Rxg5 Nxg5 34. Qxg5 Kc7 35. Qg7 Be6 36. Re1 Kb6 37. Re5 Qc8 38. f4 a6 39. Kc1 Ka7 40. f5 Bd7 41. a5 Qf8 42. Kb2 Qc8 43. Rxd5 Bc6 44. Re5 Bd7 45. Qxf7 Bxf5 46. Rc5 Qe6 47. Qxe6 Bxe6 48. Rc7 Bf5 49. Rg7 Bxh7 50. f7 Bd3 51. cxd3 1-0

[Event "GRENKE Chess Classic - Matches"]
[Site "Karlsruhe, Germany"]
[Date "2024.04.01"]
[Round "2.2"]
[White "Rapport, Richard"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C50"]
[WhiteElo "2708"]
[BlackElo "2823"]
[Annotator "Stockfish 16"]
[PlyCount "157"]
[EventDate "2024.??.??"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. d3 Bc5 5. Nc3 h6 6. O-O d6 7. Na4 Bb6 8. a3 Bg4 ({RR} 8... O-O 9. c3 Ne7 10. Re1 Ng6 11. h3 Re8 12. Bb3 Ba5 13. Bc2 c6 14. b4 Bc7 15. c4 d5 16. exd5 cxd5 17. Nc3 Bf5 18. Bb2 a6 19. Nxd5 Nxd5 20. cxd5 Qxd5 21. d4 Bxc2 22. Qxc2 e4 23. Ne5 {Abdusattorov,N (2688)-Nakamura,H (2760) Chess.com INT 2022 0-1 (62)}) 9. c3 Qc8 10. Nxb6 axb6 11. Bb3 $146 ({RR} 11. Qe2 O-O 12. Bb3 Rd8 13. h3 Be6 14. Bc2 d5 15. exd5 Rxd5 16. Be3 Bf5 17. Nd2 Rd8 18. Rad1 Nd5 19. Rfe1 Qd7 20. Nf1 Re8 21. Bc1 Rad8 22. Ng3 Bg6 23. Qg4 Qe6 24. Qh4 Qe7 25. Qg4 Qe6 {Ivic,V (2623)-Jacobson,B (2570) Reykjavik ISL 2025 ½-½}) 11... Ne7 12. h3 Be6 13. Ba4+ Bd7 14. Bc2 Ng6 15. Nh2 O-O 16. f4 exf4 17. Bxf4 Nxf4 18. Rxf4 Qd8 19. d4 Ra5 20. Qd3 d5 $2 {Mistake. Re8 was best.} (20... Re8 21. Qf1) 21. exd5 g6 22. c4 b5 23. Raf1 Ra6 24. Qf3 Kg7 25. d6 Rxd6 26. c5 Bc6 27. Qf2 Re6 28. Bb3 g5 29. Rf5 Be4 30. Bxe6 fxe6 31. Re5 Bd3 32. Rd1 Ng4 33. Nxg4 Rxf2 34. Nxf2 Bc4 35. Ng4 Bb3 36. Rd2 h5 $6 {Inaccuracy. Bc4 was best.} (36... Bc4) 37. Nf2 Bd5 38. Ne4 $6 {Inaccuracy. h4 was best.} (38. h4 gxh4 39. Nh3 Bb3 40. Rxh5 b6 41. Rg5+ Kh6 42. cxb6 cxb6 43. Rg4 e5 44. Re4 b4) 38... Bxe4 39. Rxe4 g4 $6 {Inaccuracy. Qd5 was best.} (39... Qd5 40. Rde2 Kf7 41. Kh2 e5 42. Rxe5 Qxd4 43. R2e4 Qd3 44. h4 gxh4 45. Rxh4 Qc2 46. b4) 40. hxg4 Qg5 41. Rde2 $6 {Inaccuracy. Rf2 was best.} (41. Rf2 Qd5 42. Rff4 h4 43. Re3 Qc4 44. Kh2 Qc1 45. Rfe4 Qxb2 46. Kh3 Qc1 47. Kxh4 Qh1+) 41... hxg4 42. g3 Qf5 43. Rf4 Qd3 44. Kf2 Qb3 45. Rxg4+ Kf7 46. Rf4+ Kg7 47. Rfe4 Qd3 48. Kg2 c6 49. Rg4+ Kf7 50. Rf2+ Ke7 51. Rg7+ Ke8 52. Rgf7 e5 53. dxe5 Qd5+ 54. Kh2 Qxc5 55. R7f5 Qe3 56. Kh3 $6 {Inaccuracy. g4 was best.} (56. g4 c5 57. g5 b4 58. axb4 cxb4 59. Kg2 b3 60. g6 Qh6 61. Rf6 Qe3 62. R2f5 Ke7) 56... Ke7 57. Rf7+ Ke8 58. Rf8+ Ke7 59. R2f7+ (59. R2f5) 59... Ke6 60. Rf6+ Kd5 61. Rd8+ $2 {Mistake. e6 was best.} (61. e6 Kc4 62. b3+ Kd5 63. b4 Qe2 64. Kh4 Kc4 65. Rf4+ Kb3 66. Rf3+ Kb2 67. Rf2) 61... Kc4 62. e6 $6 {Inaccuracy. b4 was best.} (62. b4 Qe2 63. Rdf8 Qh5+ 64. Kg2 Qe2+ 65. Rf2 Qe4+ 66. Kh2 Qxe5 67. R2f3 Qe1 68. R8f6 Kd5) 62... Qe5 63. Rf4+ Kb3 $6 {Inaccuracy. Kc5 was best.} (63... Kc5) 64. Rd3+ Kc2 65. Rdf3 $6 {Inaccuracy. Rff3 was best.} (65. Rff3) 65... Qxe6+ 66. g4 Kxb2 $6 {Inaccuracy. c5 was best.} (66... c5 67. Rf5 c4 68. Rg3 Kb1 69. Rf2 Qh6+ 70. Kg2 Qg5 71. Kg1 Qe5 72. Kh2 Qg5 73. Kg2) 67. Kg2 c5 68. Rg3 $6 {Inaccuracy. Rd3 was best.} (68. Rd3 c4 69. Rf2+ Kc1 70. Rg3 Kb1 71. Kh1 Qh6+ 72. Kg1 Ka1 73. g5 Qh4 74. Rff3 Qd4+) 68... Qd5+ $4 {Blunder. c4 was best.} (68... c4) 69. Kh2 Qe5 70. Rf2+ Kb1 71. Rf1+ Kc2 72. Rf2+ Kd1 73. Kh3 $4 {Blunder. g5 was best.} (73. g5 Ke1 74. Kg2 c4 75. g6 Qc5 76. Rf1+ Ke2 77. g7 Qc6+ 78. Rff3 c3 79. g8=Q c2) 73... Ke1 74. Rf5 Qe4 $2 {Mistake. Qe7 was best.} (74... Qe7 75. Rff3 Qg5 76. Re3+ Kd2 77. Rb3 Kd1 78. Kh2 c4 79. Rb1+ Kc2 80. Rf1 Kd2 81. Rf5) 75. Rg1+ $4 {Blunder. Rff3 was best.} (75. Rff3) 75... Ke2 76. Rg2+ Ke1 77. Rg1+ Ke2 78. Rg2+ Ke1 79. Rg1+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "GRENKE Chess Classic - Matches"]
[Site "Karlsruhe, Germany"]
[Date "2024.04.01"]
[Round "1.2"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Rapport, Richard"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C18"]
[WhiteElo "2823"]
[BlackElo "2708"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/AAArmstark"]
[PlyCount "101"]
[EventDate "2024.??.??"]

1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e5 c5 5. a3 Bxc3+ 6. bxc3 Ne7 7. Qg4 Qc7 8. Bd3 Qa5 9. Bd2 c4 10. Be2 Rg8 11. a4 Nbc6 12. Qh3 ({RR} 12. Nf3 Bd7 13. O-O h6 14. Rfb1 O-O-O 15. Rb5 Qc7 16. Qf4 g5 17. Qxf7 Nf5 18. g4 Rdf8 19. Qh5 Be8 20. Qh3 h5 21. Nxg5 hxg4 22. Bxg4 Qe7 23. f4 Rh8 24. Qg2 Nd8 25. Rbb1 Bg6 26. Rf1 Kb8 {Vachier Lagrave,M (2728)-Rapport,R (2720) Karlsruhe GER 2024 1-0 (70)}) 12... h6 13. Bh5 $146 ({RR} 13. Qf3 Bd7 14. Nh3 Rf8 15. Nf4 O-O-O 16. g4 f6 17. exf6 gxf6 18. Nh5 f5 19. Qe3 fxg4 20. Bxg4 e5 21. Bxd7+ Rxd7 22. Qxh6 Qd8 23. dxe5 Nxe5 24. O-O-O N7g6 25. Qe3 Qa5 26. f4 Qxa4 27. Qc5+ Nc6 {Janeczko,J (2282)-Sengupta,D (2497) Warsaw POL 2025 1-0 (41)}) 13... Bd7 14. Ne2 g6 15. Bg4 h5 16. Bf3 Nf5 17. g4 hxg4 18. Bxg4 O-O-O 19. Bxf5 exf5 20. Bg5 Rde8 21. Kd2 Rh8 22. Qf3 Nd8 23. Bf6 Rh6 24. h4 Ne6 25. h5 g5 26. Rae1 f4 27. Reg1 Rg8 28. Nxf4 Rxf6 29. exf6 Nxf4 30. h6 Ne6 31. h7 Rh8 32. Qe3 Qd8 33. Rxg5 Nxg5 34. Qxg5 Kc7 35. Qg7 Be6 36. Re1 Kb6 37. Re5 Qc8 38. f4 a6 39. Kc1 Ka7 40. f5 Bd7 41. a5 Qf8 42. Kb2 Qc8 43. Rxd5 Bc6 44. Re5 Bd7 45. Qxf7 Bxf5 46. Rc5 Qe6 47. Qxe6 Bxe6 48. Rc7 Bf5 49. Rg7 Bxh7 50. f7 Bd3 51. cxd3 1-0

[Event "GRENKE Chess Classic - Matches"]
[Site "Karlsruhe, Germany"]
[Date "2024.04.01"]
[Round "2.2"]
[White "Rapport, Richard"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C50"]
[WhiteElo "2708"]
[BlackElo "2823"]
[Annotator "Stockfish 16"]
[PlyCount "157"]
[EventDate "2024.??.??"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. d3 Bc5 5. Nc3 h6 6. O-O d6 7. Na4 Bb6 8. a3 Bg4 ({RR} 8... O-O 9. c3 Ne7 10. Re1 Ng6 11. h3 Re8 12. Bb3 Ba5 13. Bc2 c6 14. b4 Bc7 15. c4 d5 16. exd5 cxd5 17. Nc3 Bf5 18. Bb2 a6 19. Nxd5 Nxd5 20. cxd5 Qxd5 21. d4 Bxc2 22. Qxc2 e4 23. Ne5 {Abdusattorov,N (2688)-Nakamura,H (2760) Chess.com INT 2022 0-1 (62)}) 9. c3 Qc8 10. Nxb6 axb6 11. Bb3 $146 ({RR} 11. Qe2 O-O 12. Bb3 Rd8 13. h3 Be6 14. Bc2 d5 15. exd5 Rxd5 16. Be3 Bf5 17. Nd2 Rd8 18. Rad1 Nd5 19. Rfe1 Qd7 20. Nf1 Re8 21. Bc1 Rad8 22. Ng3 Bg6 23. Qg4 Qe6 24. Qh4 Qe7 25. Qg4 Qe6 {Ivic,V (2623)-Jacobson,B (2570) Reykjavik ISL 2025 ½-½}) 11... Ne7 12. h3 Be6 13. Ba4+ Bd7 14. Bc2 Ng6 15. Nh2 O-O 16. f4 exf4 17. Bxf4 Nxf4 18. Rxf4 Qd8 19. d4 Ra5 20. Qd3 d5 $2 {Mistake. Re8 was best.} (20... Re8 21. Qf1) 21. exd5 g6 22. c4 b5 23. Raf1 Ra6 24. Qf3 Kg7 25. d6 Rxd6 26. c5 Bc6 27. Qf2 Re6 28. Bb3 g5 29. Rf5 Be4 30. Bxe6 fxe6 31. Re5 Bd3 32. Rd1 Ng4 33. Nxg4 Rxf2 34. Nxf2 Bc4 35. Ng4 Bb3 36. Rd2 h5 $6 {Inaccuracy. Bc4 was best.} (36... Bc4) 37. Nf2 Bd5 38. Ne4 $6 {Inaccuracy. h4 was best.} (38. h4 gxh4 39. Nh3 Bb3 40. Rxh5 b6 41. Rg5+ Kh6 42. cxb6 cxb6 43. Rg4 e5 44. Re4 b4) 38... Bxe4 39. Rxe4 g4 $6 {Inaccuracy. Qd5 was best.} (39... Qd5 40. Rde2 Kf7 41. Kh2 e5 42. Rxe5 Qxd4 43. R2e4 Qd3 44. h4 gxh4 45. Rxh4 Qc2 46. b4) 40. hxg4 Qg5 41. Rde2 $6 {Inaccuracy. Rf2 was best.} (41. Rf2 Qd5 42. Rff4 h4 43. Re3 Qc4 44. Kh2 Qc1 45. Rfe4 Qxb2 46. Kh3 Qc1 47. Kxh4 Qh1+) 41... hxg4 42. g3 Qf5 43. Rf4 Qd3 44. Kf2 Qb3 45. Rxg4+ Kf7 46. Rf4+ Kg7 47. Rfe4 Qd3 48. Kg2 c6 49. Rg4+ Kf7 50. Rf2+ Ke7 51. Rg7+ Ke8 52. Rgf7 e5 53. dxe5 Qd5+ 54. Kh2 Qxc5 55. R7f5 Qe3 56. Kh3 $6 {Inaccuracy. g4 was best.} (56. g4 c5 57. g5 b4 58. axb4 cxb4 59. Kg2 b3 60. g6 Qh6 61. Rf6 Qe3 62. R2f5 Ke7) 56... Ke7 57. Rf7+ Ke8 58. Rf8+ Ke7 59. R2f7+ (59. R2f5) 59... Ke6 60. Rf6+ Kd5 61. Rd8+ $2 {Mistake. e6 was best.} (61. e6 Kc4 62. b3+ Kd5 63. b4 Qe2 64. Kh4 Kc4 65. Rf4+ Kb3 66. Rf3+ Kb2 67. Rf2) 61... Kc4 62. e6 $6 {Inaccuracy. b4 was best.} (62. b4 Qe2 63. Rdf8 Qh5+ 64. Kg2 Qe2+ 65. Rf2 Qe4+ 66. Kh2 Qxe5 67. R2f3 Qe1 68. R8f6 Kd5) 62... Qe5 63. Rf4+ Kb3 $6 {Inaccuracy. Kc5 was best.} (63... Kc5) 64. Rd3+ Kc2 65. Rdf3 $6 {Inaccuracy. Rff3 was best.} (65. Rff3) 65... Qxe6+ 66. g4 Kxb2 $6 {Inaccuracy. c5 was best.} (66... c5 67. Rf5 c4 68. Rg3 Kb1 69. Rf2 Qh6+ 70. Kg2 Qg5 71. Kg1 Qe5 72. Kh2 Qg5 73. Kg2) 67. Kg2 c5 68. Rg3 $6 {Inaccuracy. Rd3 was best.} (68. Rd3 c4 69. Rf2+ Kc1 70. Rg3 Kb1 71. Kh1 Qh6+ 72. Kg1 Ka1 73. g5 Qh4 74. Rff3 Qd4+) 68... Qd5+ $4 {Blunder. c4 was best.} (68... c4) 69. Kh2 Qe5 70. Rf2+ Kb1 71. Rf1+ Kc2 72. Rf2+ Kd1 73. Kh3 $4 {Blunder. g5 was best.} (73. g5 Ke1 74. Kg2 c4 75. g6 Qc5 76. Rf1+ Ke2 77. g7 Qc6+ 78. Rff3 c3 79. g8=Q c2) 73... Ke1 74. Rf5 Qe4 $2 {Mistake. Qe7 was best.} (74... Qe7 75. Rff3 Qg5 76. Re3+ Kd2 77. Rb3 Kd1 78. Kh2 c4 79. Rb1+ Kc2 80. Rf1 Kd2 81. Rf5) 75. Rg1+ $4 {Blunder. Rff3 was best.} (75. Rff3) 75... Ke2 76. Rg2+ Ke1 77. Rg1+ Ke2 78. Rg2+ Ke1 79. Rg1+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "GCT Warsaw 2024"]
[Site "Warsaw, Poland"]
[Date "2024.05.08"]
[Round "1.5"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Erigaisi Arjun"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C01"]
[WhiteElo "2828"]
[BlackElo "2671"]
[PlyCount "102"]
[EventDate "2024.??.??"]

1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. exd5 exd5 4. h3 Nf6 5. Nf3 Bd6 6. Bd3 O-O 7. O-O Nc6 8. Nc3 ({RR} 8. Bg5 h6 9. Bh4 Nb4 10. Nc3 Nxd3 11. Qxd3 c6 12. Rfe1 Be7 13. a3 Re8 14. Ne5 Nd7 15. Bxe7 Rxe7 16. Nxd7 Bxd7 17. Qd2 Rxe1+ 18. Rxe1 Qf8 19. Re3 Re8 20. Nd1 Rxe3 21. Nxe3 Qd6 22. Qb4 Qxb4 {Shkuran,D (2349)-Larkin,V (2366) Mukachevo UKR 2019 ½-½ (31)}) 8... h6 9. Nb5 $146 ({RR} 9. Be3 Re8 10. Re1 Bd7 11. Qd2 Ne4 12. Bxe4 dxe4 13. Nh2 Bf5 14. d5 Ne5 15. g4 Bh7 16. Bd4 Qh4 17. Kg2 Nf3 {0-1 (17) Bozhilov,G (1302)-Ilieva,R (1238) Sofia 2015}) 9... Re8 10. Nxd6 Qxd6 11. c3 Ne4 12. Re1 Bf5 13. Be3 Re7 14. Bf1 Rae8 15. Rc1 a6 16. Qb3 b5 17. a4 Na5 18. Qb4 Nc4 19. b3 Nxe3 20. Rxe3 c6 21. Rce1 Qf4 22. g3 Qc7 23. axb5 axb5 24. Bg2 Re6 25. c4 bxc4 26. bxc4 Rb8 27. Qa3 Nd6 28. cxd5 Rxe3 29. Rxe3 Nc4 30. Re7 Nxa3 31. Rxc7 cxd5 32. Ne5 Be6 33. Rc5 Rb1+ 34. Kh2 Rb2 35. Bxd5 Rxf2+ 36. Kg1 Rd2 37. Nf3 Rd1+ 38. Kf2 Bxd5 39. Rxd5 Kf8 40. Rc5 Rb1 41. d5 Nb5 42. Nd2 Rb2 43. Ke3 Ke7 44. Rc6 Nd6 45. Rxd6 Rxd2 46. Rxh6 Rxd5 47. Ra6 Rb5 48. Ra7+ Ke6 49. Ra6+ Ke7 50. Ra7+ Ke6 51. Ra6+ $146 Ke5 1/2-1/2

[Event "GCT Warsaw 2024"]
[Site "Warsaw, Poland"]
[Date "2024.05.08"]
[Round "2.1"]
[White "Wei, Yi"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B31"]
[WhiteElo "2758"]
[BlackElo "2828"]
[PlyCount "84"]
[EventDate "2024.??.??"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 g6 4. Bxc6 dxc6 5. d3 Qc7 6. Be3 ({RR} 6. O-O e5 7. Be3 Nf6 8. Qe1 Bg4 9. Nbd2 Nh5 10. a3 Be7 11. Qb1 Nf4 12. b4 Ne2+ 13. Kh1 Nd4 14. Ng1 g5 15. bxc5 Bxc5 16. Bxg5 Rg8 17. Bh4 Be7 18. Bg3 O-O-O 19. Nc4 f6 20. a4 Ne6 {Aronian,L (2752)-Carlsen,M (2875) Stavanger NOR 2019 ½-½ (68)}) ({RR} 6. h3 e5 7. Be3 Be6 8. a4 f6 9. Qd2 a5 10. Na3 b6 11. b3 Ne7 12. Bh6 O-O-O 13. Bxf8 Rhxf8 14. Qh6 Ng8 15. Qe3 Ne7 16. Qh6 Ng8 17. Qe3 Ne7 18. O-O-O Kb7 19. Kb2 Nc8 20. Rhe1 g5 {Abdumalik,Z (2502)-Dzagnidze,N (2525) Struga MKD 2021 ½-½ (34)}) ({RR} 6. O-O e5 7. a4 Nf6 8. a5 Nh5 9. Nc3 Be7 10. Be3 O-O 11. Nd2 Rb8 12. Ne2 Nf4 13. Nc4 Be6 14. b3 b5 15. axb6 axb6 16. Qd2 Nxe2+ 17. Qxe2 b5 18. Nd2 Ra8 19. f3 Ra5 20. Qf2 Rfa8 {Giri,A (2764)-Carlsen,M (2862) chess24.com INT 2020 ½-½ (46)}) 6... e5 7. Qd2 $146 ({RR} 7. h3 f6 8. O-O Nh6 9. Nh2 Be6 10. f4 O-O-O 11. Qc1 Nf7 12. f5 gxf5 13. exf5 Bd7 14. Ng4 Be7 15. Nc3 h5 16. Nh6 Nd6 17. Ne4 Nxe4 18. dxe4 Be8 19. g4 Bf8 20. g5 Qg7 21. Kh2 fxg5 {Ostos,J (2344)-Blanco,C (2185) Valencia 2000 1-0 (38)}) ({RR} 7. Nc3 Nf6 8. h3 h6 9. Qe2 Nh5 10. O-O-O Ng7 11. Kb1 Ne6 12. Qe1 Bg7 13. g4 Nd4 14. Nd2 h5 15. g5 h4 16. Qf1 Be6 17. f4 exf4 18. Bxf4 Be5 19. Bxe5 Qxe5 20. Qf6 Qxf6 21. gxf6 Rh5 {Eren,Y (1906)-Gunduz,U (2268) Denizli TUR 2025 0-1 (39)}) 7... b6 $146 ({RR} 7... h6 8. Qc3 b6 9. Qxe5+ Qxe5 10. Nxe5 Bg7 11. f4 Nf6 12. Nd2 Ng4 13. Nxg4 Bxg4 14. Rb1 Be6 15. Nc4 O-O-O 16. e5 f6 17. exf6 Bxf6 18. Kf2 Rhf8 19. Rhe1 Bd5 20. Kg3 b5 21. Nd2 c4 22. dxc4 {Sadykov,R (2345)-Pinto,D (2274) chess.com INT 2023 ½-½ (49)}) 8. a4 a5 9. Na3 f6 10. O-O Be6 11. Nc4 Bxc4 12. dxc4 Rd8 13. Qe2 Bh6 14. c3 Bxe3 15. Qxe3 Ne7 16. b4 Qd6 17. bxa5 bxa5 18. Rab1 Kf7 19. h3 Rd7 20. Rb2 Qd3 21. Qxc5 Qxc3 22. Rfb1 Rhd8 23. Kh2 g5 24. Rb7 h5 25. R1b3 Qc1 26. Qa7 Ke6 27. Rxd7 Rxd7 28. Qxa5 g4 29. Ng1 Qf4+ 30. Kh1 Qxf2 31. Qb6 g3 32. Rb1 Qxb6 33. Rxb6 Rd1 34. a5 h4 35. a6 Ra1 36. c5 f5 37. exf5+ Kxf5 38. Rb7 Nd5 39. a7 Nf4 40. a8=Q Rxa8 41. Rb1 e4 42. Rf1 Ra2 0-1

[Event "GCT Warsaw 2024"]
[Site "Warsaw, Poland"]
[Date "2024.05.08"]
[Round "3.3"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Duda, Jan-Krzysztof"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B50"]
[WhiteElo "2828"]
[BlackElo "2748"]
[PlyCount "68"]
[EventDate "2024.??.??"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. h3 Nf6 4. Nc3 a6 5. a4 e6 ({RR} 5... Nc6 6. d4 cxd4 7. Nxd4 g6 8. Be3 Bg7 9. g3 O-O 10. Bg2 Bd7 11. O-O Ne5 12. Nde2 Nc4 13. Bc1 Rc8 14. b3 Ne5 15. Bb2 b5 16. axb5 axb5 17. Nd4 b4 18. Nd5 e6 19. Nxf6+ Bxf6 20. Qd2 {Nakamura,H (2769)-Vachier Lagrave,M (2789) Paris FRA 2018 ½-½ (40)}) ({RR} 5... e5 6. Bc4 Be7 7. d3 Nc6 8. Bg5 Rb8 9. Bxf6 Bxf6 10. Nd5 b5 11. axb5 axb5 12. Ba2 O-O 13. O-O g6 14. b4 Bg7 15. bxc5 dxc5 16. Ne3 Kh8 17. Bd5 Nb4 18. Ra7 Nxd5 19. Nxd5 b4 20. Rc7 {Paciorkowski,L (2335)-Zeltsan,J (2325) New York USA 2022 1-0 (31)}) ({RR} 5... Nc6 6. d4 cxd4 7. Nxd4 g6 8. Be3 Bg7 9. g3 O-O 10. Bg2 Bd7 11. O-O Ne5 12. Nde2 Nc4 13. Bc1 Rc8 14. b3 Ne5 15. Bb2 b5 16. axb5 axb5 17. Nd4 b4 18. Nd5 e6 19. Nxf6+ Bxf6 20. Qd2 {Nakamura,H (2769)-Vachier Lagrave,M (2789) Paris 2018 ½-½ (40)}) 6. d4 cxd4 7. Nxd4 b6 8. g4 $146 ({RR} 8. g3 Bb7 9. Bg2 Qc7 10. O-O Nc6 11. Nxc6 Bxc6 12. Bf4 Be7 13. Re1 O-O 14. Qd3 Rfd8 15. Rad1 Qb7 16. Qe2 b5 17. axb5 axb5 18. b4 h6 19. Rd3 d5 20. exd5 Nxd5 21. Nxd5 Bxd5 22. Bxd5 Rxd5 {Nakamura,H (2745)-Nepomniachtchi,I (2776) chess.com INT 2020 0-1 (44)}) ({RR} 8. Be2 Bb7 9. f3 Be7 10. Be3 O-O 11. O-O Nbd7 12. Bd3 Qc7 13. Nce2 Rac8 14. Qd2 d5 15. exd5 Nxd5 16. c3 Nxe3 17. Qxe3 e5 18. Nb3 Bd5 19. Nec1 Nc5 20. c4 Nxb3 21. Nxb3 Bxc4 22. Rac1 b5 {Gavarrete,N (2281)-Yonal,T (2249) chess.com INT 2025 0-1 (47)}) 8... Bb7 9. Bg2 Be7 10. g5 Nfd7 11. h4 Nc6 12. Nxc6 Bxc6 13. Qd4 O-O 14. b3 b5 15. Bb2 e5 16. Qd2 bxa4 17. Nxa4 f6 18. g6 hxg6 19. h5 g5 20. Nc3 Kh8 21. Nd5 Nc5 22. Ba3 a5 23. O-O-O Bxd5 24. Qxd5 Qb6 25. Bh3 a4 26. b4 Na6 27. Qe6 Nxb4 28. Bxb4 Qxb4 29. Qxe7 a3 30. h6 Qb2+ 31. Kd2 Qd4+ 32. Kc1 Qb2+ 33. Kd2 Qd4+ 34. Kc1 Qb2+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "GCT Warsaw 2024"]
[Site "Warsaw, Poland"]
[Date "2024.05.09"]
[Round "5.2"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Abdusattorov, Nodirbek"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C43"]
[WhiteElo "2828"]
[BlackElo "2733"]
[PlyCount "213"]
[EventDate "2024.??.??"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. d4 Nxe4 4. Bd3 d5 5. Nxe5 Nd7 6. Nxd7 Bxd7 7. Nd2 Nf6 8. O-O Be7 9. h3 O-O 10. Nf3 Re8 11. Re1 c5 12. c3 Qb6 13. a4 $146 ({RR} 13. Ne5 Be6 14. Re2 Rac8 15. Be3 Nd7 16. f4 Nxe5 17. fxe5 Bd7 18. Rf2 Rf8 19. Qf3 Qc6 20. Raf1 h6 21. Qh5 Be8 22. Rf6 Bxf6 23. Rxf6 Qa4 24. Bxh6 g6 25. Bxg6 fxg6 26. Rxg6+ Kf7 27. Qf5+ Ke7 {Peschansky,M-Goreskul,A (2144) Voronezh 1999 1-0}) ({RR} 13. Ne5 Be6 14. Re2 Rac8 15. Be3 Nd7 16. f4 Nxe5 17. fxe5 Bd7 18. Rf2 Rf8 19. Qf3 Qc6 20. Raf1 h6 21. Qh5 Be8 22. Rf6 Bxf6 23. Rxf6 Qa4 24. Bxh6 g6 25. Bxg6 fxg6 26. Rxg6+ Kf7 27. Qf5+ Ke7 {Peschansky,M-Goreskul,A (2144) Voronezh 1999 1-0}) 13... cxd4 14. a5 Qc7 15. Nxd4 Bc5 16. Rxe8+ Rxe8 17. a6 bxa6 18. Rxa6 Bb6 19. Be3 Ne4 20. Bxe4 dxe4 21. Nc2 Bb5 22. Bxb6 axb6 23. Ra3 Rd8 24. Qa1 Bc6 25. Ra7 Qf4 26. Qe1 h5 27. Nd4 Bd5 28. Qe3 Qf6 29. Ra4 h4 30. Rb4 Bb7 31. Ra4 g6 32. Ra7 Bd5 33. Qh6 Bc4 34. Rc7 Bd5 35. Ra7 Bc4 36. Qe3 Bd5 37. Ra1 Bb7 38. Rd1 Kh7 39. Qc1 Ba6 40. Nc2 Bd3 41. Nb4 Bc4 42. Rxd8 Qxd8 43. Qf4 f5 44. Nc6 Qf6 45. Qc7+ Kh6 46. Nd4 Bd5 47. Qf4+ Kg7 48. Qc7+ Kh6 49. b4 f4 50. Qd7 Qe5 51. Qd8 e3 52. Qxh4+ Kg7 53. fxe3 fxe3 54. Ne2 b5 55. Qf4 Qe6 56. Qd4+ Kh7 57. Nf4 e2 58. Nxe2 Qxe2 59. Qxd5 Qe3+ 60. Kh2 Qf4+ 61. g3 Qe3 62. Qd4 Qe2+ 63. Kg1 Qf3 64. Qe5 Kg8 65. h4 Kh7 66. Kh2 Qf2+ 67. Kh3 Qf3 68. Kh2 Qf2+ 69. Kh3 Qf3 70. Qd4 Qf1+ 71. Kh2 Qe2+ 72. Kg1 Qf3 73. Qd7+ Kh6 74. Qd2+ Kh7 75. Kh2 Qf1 76. Qd5 Kh6 77. Qe4 Kg7 78. Qe3 Kh7 79. g4 Qd1 80. Kg3 Qd6+ 81. Qf4 Qd3+ 82. Qf3 Qd6+ 83. Kh3 Qd2 84. h5 gxh5 85. Qf7+ Kh8 86. Qxh5+ Kg7 87. Qe5+ Kh7 88. Kg3 Kg8 89. Kf3 Kh7 90. Qd4 Qb2 91. Kf4 Kg6 92. Qd6+ Kh7 93. Kg5 Qc1+ 94. Qf4 Qe1 95. Qc7+ Kg8 96. Qd8+ Kh7 97. Qd7+ Kg8 98. Kg6 Qe4+ 99. Qf5 Qc6+ 100. Kg5 Kg7 101. Qe5+ Kf7 102. Kf4 Qc4+ 103. Qd4 Qc7+ 104. Ke4 Kg6 105. Kd5 Kf7 106. Qe5 Qc4+ 107. Kd6 1-0

[Event "GCT Warsaw 2024"]
[Site "Warsaw, Poland"]
[Date "2024.05.09"]
[Round "6.4"]
[White "Gukesh D"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C57"]
[WhiteElo "2649"]
[BlackElo "2828"]
[PlyCount "78"]
[EventDate "2024.??.??"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. Ng5 d5 5. exd5 b5 6. Bf1 Nxd5 7. Bxb5 Bb7 8. d4 exd4 9. O-O Be7 ({RR} 9... Qf6 10. Qf3 Nde7 11. c3 h6 12. Qxf6 gxf6 13. Ne4 O-O-O 14. Nxf6 d3 15. Rd1 Ne5 16. f4 a6 17. Ba4 N5g6 18. Nd2 Nd5 19. Nxd5 Bc5+ 20. Kf1 Bxd5 21. b4 Be3 22. Bb3 Nxf4 23. Bxd5 Rxd5 24. c4 {Nadyrhanov,S (2480)-Obukhov,A (2415) Krasnodar 1997 0-1}) ({RR} 9... Qf6 10. Re1+ Nde7 11. Qg4 h6 12. Nf3 Rd8 13. Na3 Rd5 14. Bf4 Kd8 15. Rad1 g5 16. Be5 Nxe5 17. Rxe5 c6 18. Rxd5+ Nxd5 19. Bc4 Bxa3 20. bxa3 Re8 21. Bxd5 cxd5 22. Qxd4 Qxd4 23. Nxd4 Kc7 24. f3 {Frisk,E (2227)-Skripchenko,A (2403) Batumi GEO 2019 ½-½ (41)}) 10. Nf3 $146 ({RR} 10. Qh5 g6 11. Qh6 Bf8 12. Re1+ Nde7 13. Ne4 Qc8 14. Qh4 Qf5 15. Bxc6+ Bxc6 16. Nf6+ Kd8 17. Qxd4+ Kc8 18. Bf4 Qa5 19. Nc3 Nf5 20. Qc4 Qc5 21. Qxf7 Bd6 22. Nfe4 Qb4 23. Nxd6+ Nxd6 24. Bxd6 Qxd6 {Jarrah,K (2039)-Kryspin,L (2046) Czechia 2006 1-0 (47)}) ({RR} 10. Qh5 g6 11. Qh6 Bxg5 12. Bxg5 f6 13. c4 Kf7 14. cxd5 Qxd5 15. Na3 Qxg5 16. Bc4+ Ke8 17. Qg7 Ne5 18. Bb5+ Kd8 19. Qxh8+ Ke7 20. Qxh7+ Kd6 21. Qh3 Nf3+ 22. Kh1 Rh8 23. Qd7+ Ke5 24. Rae1+ {1-0 (24) Egoroff,J (2311)-Guimaraes,R (2033) Maringa 2012}) ({RR} 10. Qh5 g6 11. Qh6 Qd7 12. Re1 O-O-O 13. Nxf7 Bb4 14. Nxd8 Bxe1 15. Nxc6 Bxc6 16. Ba6+ Kb8 17. Bd2 Re8 18. Na3 Bxd2 19. Qxd2 Nb6 20. c3 Qd5 21. Bf1 Rd8 22. cxd4 Qxd4 23. Qxd4 Rxd4 24. Rc1 Kb7 {Pena,D (1965)-Fonseca,C (2098) Pamplona 2012 ½-½ (32)}) 10... O-O 11. Bxc6 Bxc6 12. Nxd4 Bb7 13. Nd2 Re8 14. c3 $146 ({RR} 14. N2f3 Bf6 15. c4 Nb4 16. Be3 Qc8 17. a3 Nc6 18. Ne2 Bxb2 19. Ra2 Bf6 20. Nf4 Ne7 21. Nh5 Qf5 22. Nxf6+ Qxf6 23. Qd4 Qg6 24. Nh4 Qh5 25. Rb2 Bc6 26. h3 Nc8 27. Qc5 Qxc5 28. Bxc5 Re4 {Zwirs,N (2442)-Schoppen,C (2522) Vlissingen NED 2023 0-1 (33)}) 14... c5 15. Nf5 Bf8 16. Nf3 Qf6 17. Ng3 h6 18. Qc2 Rad8 19. Rd1 Nb6 20. Rxd8 Rxd8 21. Ne1 Re8 22. Be3 Nc4 23. Nf1 Nxe3 24. Nxe3 c4 25. Qa4 Rxe3 26. fxe3 Bc5 27. Nf3 Bxe3+ 28. Kf1 Bc6 29. Qd1 Be4 30. Qd7 Kh7 31. Ke2 Bb6 32. Re1 Qg6 33. Kd1 Qxg2 34. Rxe4 Qxf3+ 35. Re2 Be3 36. b3 Qf1+ 37. Re1 Qf3+ 38. Re2 Qf1+ 39. Re1 Qf3+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "GCT Warsaw 2024"]
[Site "Warsaw, Poland"]
[Date "2024.05.10"]
[Round "7.2"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Praggnanandhaa R"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C54"]
[WhiteElo "2828"]
[BlackElo "2704"]
[PlyCount "98"]
[EventDate "2024.??.??"]

1. e4 {Yermolinsky,A} e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. O-O Nf6 5. d3 d6 6. c3 a6 7. a4 Ba7 8. Nbd2 O-O 9. h3 h6 10. b4 ({RR} 10. Re1 Re8 11. b4 Be6 12. Bxe6 Rxe6 13. Qc2 Ne7 ({RR} 13... Qd7) 14. Nf1 Ng6 15. c4 a5 16. bxa5 Ne7 17. Rb1 Rb8 18. Bd2 Nc6 19. Ng3 Nd7 20. Rb5 Nc5 21. Reb1 Qc8 22. Be3 Re8 23. Nf5 Ne6 24. Qd2 ({RR} 24. a6 bxa6 25. Rxb8 Bxb8 26. c5) 24... h5 {Karjakin,S (2776)-Carlsen,M (2851) Paris 2017 CBM 179 [Yermolinsky,A] 1-0 (86)}) 10... Ne7 11. Re1 Ng6 12. d4 ({RR} 12. Nf1 Be6 13. Bxe6 fxe6 14. Be3 Bxe3 15. Nxe3 Qe7 16. g3 Rf7 17. Ra2 Raf8 18. Nh2 d5 19. Neg4 Nd7 20. h4 Qd6 21. h5 Ne7 22. Qb3 Nc6 23. b5 Na5 24. Qb4 Qb6 25. exd5 exd5 26. bxa6 Qxa6 {Preotu,R (2485)-Swiercz,D (2647) chess.com INT 2021 ½-½ (37)}) 12... c6 $146 ({RR} 12... Re8 13. b5 exd4 14. cxd4 d5 15. exd5 Rxe1+ 16. Qxe1 Nxd5 17. Ne4 axb5 18. axb5 Be6 19. Qa5 Nf8 20. Nc5 b6 21. Nxe6 bxa5 22. Nxd8 Rxd8 23. Rxa5 Bxd4 24. Nxd4 Nb6 25. Bxf7+ Kxf7 26. Be3 Nd5 27. Ra3 {Mosadeghpour,M (2517)-Gholami Orimi,M (2375) Bushehr IRI 2019 1-0 (57)}) ({RR} 12... exd4 13. cxd4 d5 14. exd5 Nxd5 15. Qb3 Be6 16. Ne4 Ndf4 17. Bxf4 Nxf4 18. Bxe6 fxe6 19. Nc5 Bxc5 20. bxc5 b5 21. cxb6 cxb6 22. Re3 b5 23. axb5 axb5 24. Rae1 Rb8 25. Kh2 Qd5 26. Qxd5 exd5 27. Ne5 {Sevian,S (2667)-Hauge,L (2476) Helsingor DEN 2019 1-0 (66)}) ({RR} 12... Be6 13. dxe5 Nxe5 14. Nxe5 dxe5 15. Qe2 Re8 16. Nb3 Qd7 17. Qf1 Nh5 18. Be3 Bxe3 19. Rxe3 Bxc4 20. Qxc4 Nf4 21. a5 Rad8 22. Kh2 Qe6 23. Qxe6 Nxe6 24. g3 Rd6 25. Kg2 Red8 26. Kf1 Kf8 27. Ke2 {Short,N (2679)-McShane,L (2652) London 2016 ½-½ (55)}) 13. Bf1 Re8 14. Qc2 d5 15. exd5 exd4 16. Rxe8+ Qxe8 17. c4 cxd5 18. c5 Ne4 19. Nxd4 a5 $146 ({RR} 19... Bd7 20. Bb2 a5 21. Nxe4 dxe4 22. b5 Rc8 23. Nb3 Be6 24. Qc3 Qf8 25. Qxa5 Bb8 26. Nd4 e3 27. fxe3 Bd5 28. Nf5 Be4 29. Nd6 Bxd6 30. cxd6 Qxd6 31. Qe1 Rc2 32. Rd1 Qe7 33. Rd2 Qc7 34. Rxc2 {Kramnik,V (2753)-Le Tuan Minh (2567) chess.com INT 2024 ½-½ (78)}) 20. Nxe4 dxe4 21. Nb5 Bb8 22. Bb2 axb4 23. Re1 Bf5 24. Qb3 Bf4 25. Qxb4 Qd7 26. Qd4 Qxd4 27. Nxd4 Bd7 28. Bb5 Bxb5 29. axb5 Ra2 30. Bc3 Ra4 31. c6 Rc4 32. Ba1 bxc6 33. Nxc6 Bc7 34. Bd4 Nf4 35. Kf1 Nd5 36. Rxe4 Kh7 37. Re1 Nb4 38. Be5 Bb6 39. Nxb4 Rxb4 40. g3 Rxb5 41. Bf4 Rb2 42. Be3 Bxe3 43. Rxe3 Rb1+ 44. Kg2 g6 45. h4 h5 46. Rf3 Kg7 47. Re3 Kh7 48. Rf3 Kg7 49. Re3 Kh7 1/2-1/2

[Event "GCT Warsaw 2024"]
[Site "Warsaw, Poland"]
[Date "2024.05.09"]
[Round "9.4"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Giri, Anish"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C54"]
[WhiteElo "2828"]
[BlackElo "2687"]
[PlyCount "136"]
[EventDate "2024.??.??"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. d3 Bc5 5. O-O d6 6. c3 a5 7. Re1 O-O ({RR} 7... Ba7 8. Na3 h6 9. Nc2 O-O 10. Be3 Bxe3 11. Nxe3 Re8 12. a4 Be6 13. Bxe6 Rxe6 14. Qb3 b6 15. Rad1 Ne7 16. h3 Qd7 17. Nh2 Rd8 18. Nhg4 Nxg4 19. hxg4 d5 20. d4 exd4 21. exd5 Re4 22. Qc2 {Nepomniachtchi,I (2782)-Carlsen,M (2855) Dubai UAE 2021 0-1 (49)}) 8. h3 Be6 ({RR} 8... h6 9. Nbd2 Be6 10. Bb5 Ba7 11. Nf1 Ne7 12. Ng3 Ng6 13. d4 exd4 14. cxd4 d5 15. e5 Ne4 16. Bd3 c5 17. Nxe4 dxe4 18. Bxe4 cxd4 19. Bxb7 Rb8 20. Be4 Qd7 21. b3 Rfd8 22. Ba3 d3 23. Bd6 {Leiva,G (2405)-Real de Azua,E (2446) chess.com INT 2022 1-0 (73)}) 9. Bb5 Ba7 10. d4 $146 ({RR} 10. Nbd2 Ne7 11. Nf1 c6 12. Ba4 Ng6 13. Ng3 d5 14. exd5 Nxd5 15. d4 exd4 16. Nxd4 Qc7 17. Ne4 Rae8 18. Bc2 Ndf4 19. Nxe6 Rxe6 20. Be3 Bxe3 21. Rxe3 Rfe8 22. Qf1 Nh4 23. Ng5 Rxe3 24. fxe3 Nfxg2 {Neiksans,A (2575)-Hovhannisyan,R (2622) Riga LAT 2021 0-1 (35)}) ({RR} 10. Nbd2 Ne7 11. d4 Ng6 12. Nf1 exd4 13. Nxd4 c6 14. Bd3 Qc7 15. Ng3 Rae8 16. f4 Bc8 17. Bc2 Nd7 18. Kh2 Bb8 19. Nh5 Nc5 20. Nf5 Ne6 21. g3 Rd8 22. Qf3 Kh8 23. Be3 c5 24. Rad1 b5 {Nikolovski,N (2424)-Svane,R (2592) Batumi GEO 2019 1-0 (86)}) ({RR} 10. Be3 Bxe3 11. Rxe3 Ne7 12. d4 Ng6 13. Nbd2 c6 14. Bf1 a4 15. b4 axb3 16. axb3 b5 17. b4 Qb6 18. Re1 h6 19. Qc2 Ra7 20. Rxa7 Qxa7 21. c4 bxc4 22. Nxc4 Bxc4 23. Qxc4 Qb6 24. Rc1 Rb8 {Adams,M (2692)-Matlakov,M (2710) Budva MNE 2019 ½-½}) 10... Bd7 11. Ba4 Re8 12. Bc2 h6 13. a4 exd4 14. cxd4 Nb4 15. Nc3 Nxc2 16. Qxc2 c6 17. Be3 $146 ({RR} 17. Bd2 Qc8 18. Rac1 Bxh3 19. gxh3 Qxh3 20. Qd3 Re6 21. Ne5 Qh5 22. Nc4 Ng4 23. Bf4 Rf6 24. Bg3 Rxf2 25. Re2 Rxe2 26. Nxe2 d5 27. exd5 Rd8 28. Rf1 Re8 29. Bc7 Bxd4+ 30. Nxd4 Re7 31. Rb1 Re4 {Laohawirapap,P (2348)-Azarya,J (2393) Hanoi VIE 2024 ½-½ (36)}) ({RR} 17. Re2 b5 18. axb5 cxb5 19. e5 dxe5 20. dxe5 Nh7 21. Be3 Bxe3 22. Rxe3 Ng5 23. Nxg5 Qxg5 24. Rae1 Bc6 25. Ne4 Qg6 26. Nf6+ gxf6 27. Rg3 Qxg3 28. fxg3 Re6 29. Qf5 fxe5 30. Rxe5 Rae8 31. Qg4+ Rg6 {So,W (2760)-Carlsen,M (2859) chess24.com INT 2022 ½-½ (69)}) ({RR} 17. Bd2 Rc8 18. Rac1 Be6 19. Be3 b5 20. Nd2 b4 21. Ne2 d5 22. e5 c5 23. dxc5 Nd7 24. Nb3 Nxe5 25. Nf4 Nc4 26. Rcd1 Qd7 27. Nh5 Bf5 28. Qc1 Nxe3 29. Rxe3 Rxe3 30. Qxe3 Bg6 31. Qe5 f6 {Zhou,Y (2425)-Kantor,G (2563) Eforie Nord ROU 2025 0-1 (40)}) 17... Nxe4 18. Nxe4 Bf5 19. Nfd2 d5 20. Qb3 dxe4 21. Qxb7 Bxd4 22. Nc4 c5 23. Rad1 Qf6 24. Qb6 Qxb6 25. Nxb6 Rab8 26. Nc4 Rb4 27. Bxd4 cxd4 28. Rxd4 Rxa4 29. b3 Rb4 30. Rd5 Be6 31. Rxa5 Bxc4 32. bxc4 Rxc4 33. f3 Re6 34. Rxe4 Rcxe4 35. fxe4 Rxe4 36. Kf2 g6 37. Kf3 Rb4 38. g3 Rb3+ 39. Kg2 Rb2+ 40. Kf3 g5 41. g4 Kg7 42. Kg3 Kg6 43. Ra6+ f6 44. Rc6 Rb1 45. Kg2 Rb4 46. Kg3 h5 47. gxh5+ Kf5 48. Rc5+ Ke6 49. Rc6+ Ke5 50. Rc5+ Kd6 51. Rc8 Rh4 52. Rh8 Ke5 53. Re8+ Kf5 54. Rh8 Ra4 55. Rb8 Rh4 56. Rb5+ Ke6 57. Rb6+ Kf7 58. Rb7+ Kg8 59. Rb8+ Kg7 60. Rb7+ Kh6 61. Rb6 Rf4 62. h4 Kxh5 63. hxg5 Kxg5 64. Rb5+ f5 65. Rb8 Ra4 66. Rg8+ Kf6 67. Rf8+ Kg6 68. Rg8+ Kf6 1/2-1/2

[Event "GCT Warsaw 2024"]
[Site "Warsaw, Poland"]
[Date "2024.05.11"]
[Round "10.4"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Shevchenko, Kirill"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B30"]
[WhiteElo "2828"]
[BlackElo "2622"]
[PlyCount "83"]
[EventDate "2024.??.??"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. Bxc6 dxc6 5. d3 Qc7 6. Nbd2 ({RR} 6. e5 Nd5 7. h3 Bf5 8. Nbd2 g5 9. Ne4 h6 10. Qe2 O-O-O 11. Bd2 Qb6 12. O-O-O Bg7 13. g4 Be6 14. Kb1 Rd7 15. Ng3 Rhd8 16. Nf5 Bxf5 17. gxf5 c4 18. dxc4 Nc3+ 19. Bxc3 Qxf2 20. Rxd7 Qxe2 {Bologan,V (2680)-Naiditsch,A (2702) Kishinev 2012 0-1 (34)}) ({RR} 6. h3 e5 7. Nbd2 Be6 8. Ng5 Bd7 9. Nc4 h6 10. Nf3 Be6 11. Ncxe5 Bd6 12. Nc4 Bxc4 13. dxc4 Nxe4 14. O-O O-O-O 15. Qe2 Rhe8 16. Be3 f5 17. Nh4 Qf7 18. Qf3 Rf8 19. g4 g6 20. gxf5 gxf5 {Bauer,C (2631)-Bellahcene,B (2508) Europe-Echecs INT 2022 0-1 (53)}) 6... e5 7. Nc4 ({RR} 7. a4 Be6 8. b3 Be7 9. Nc4 Nd7 10. Ng5 Bxc4 11. bxc4 Nf8 12. Qg4 h5 13. Qf5 Bd6 14. O-O Qe7 15. Qh3 f6 16. Nf3 g5 17. Nd2 Ne6 18. Re1 g4 19. Qe3 O-O-O 20. Qe2 Rdg8 21. Nf1 h4 {Praggnanandhaa,R (2747)-Caruana,F (2803) Toronto CAN 2024 0-1 (89)}) ({RR} 7. a4 Be6 8. b3 Be7 9. a5 Nd7 10. h4 f6 11. h5 Nf8 12. Nc4 Rd8 13. Nh4 Qd7 14. Qf3 g6 15. Bh6 Bg4 16. Qe3 g5 17. Bxf8 Kxf8 18. Nf3 Be6 19. Qd2 Rg8 20. Ne3 Qc8 21. Nh2 g4 {Praggnanandhaa,R (2747)-Shevchenko,K (2677) Warsaw POL 2024 0-1 (59)}) 7... b5 $146 ({RR} 7... Nd7 8. Nh4 g6 9. f4 Be7 10. Nf3 exf4 11. e5 Nb6 12. Nxb6 Qxb6 13. Qd2 g5 14. h4 g4 15. Ng5 Bxg5 16. hxg5 f3 17. gxf3 gxf3 18. Qc3 Be6 19. Be3 Qb4 20. Qxb4 cxb4 21. Rh4 a5 22. Kf2 {Oratovsky,M (2535)-Murey,J (2433) Israel 2007 ½-½ (51)}) ({RR} 7... Bd6 8. Bg5 Nd7 9. Nh4 Nb6 10. Nxd6+ Qxd6 11. b3 Be6 12. f4 exf4 13. O-O O-O 14. Bxf4 Qd4+ 15. Kh1 f5 16. Nf3 Qd7 17. Nd2 Rae8 18. Be3 Qe7 19. Qh5 Nd7 20. Rae1 fxe4 21. Bg5 Qd6 22. Nxe4 {Larsen,K (2331)-Hagen,A (2130) Helsingor 2012 1-0 (43)}) ({RR} 7... Nd7 8. a4 Be7 9. Bd2 O-O 10. Bc3 f6 11. Ne3 Re8 12. Nh4 g6 13. Qg4 Nf8 14. Qg3 Ne6 15. Nhf5 Kh8 16. Nxe7 Qxe7 17. h4 Nd4 18. f4 Bd7 19. Kd2 Rf8 20. Rhf1 Qg7 21. Rf2 Be6 22. Raf1 {Perez Mitjans,O (2434)-Alsina Leal,D (2531) Badalona 2015 ½-½ (31)}) 8. Ncd2 $146 ({RR} 8. Ne3 Bd6 9. a4 O-O 10. O-O Be6 11. Ng5 Bd7 12. b3 h6 13. Nf3 Ng4 14. Nxg4 Bxg4 15. h3 Be6 16. Qe2 c4 17. dxc4 bxc4 18. bxc4 Rab8 19. Be3 Rb4 20. c5 Be7 21. c3 Bc4 22. Qc2 Rb7 {Fomkin,D (2141)-Vakhlamov,I (2413) chess.com INT 2025 1-0 (71)}) 8... Be7 9. b3 Be6 10. O-O O-O 11. Ng5 Bg4 12. Qe1 Nd7 13. h3 Bh5 14. Ngf3 Rfd8 15. Bb2 f6 16. Nh4 Nf8 17. Nf5 Ne6 18. Nxe7+ Qxe7 19. a4 a6 20. Ra2 Nf4 21. f3 Bf7 22. Qe3 c4 23. dxc4 bxc4 24. Ba3 Qd7 25. Nxc4 Bxc4 26. bxc4 Qe6 27. Rb2 Rd7 28. Rb6 Rad8 29. Bc1 h5 30. Kh2 Kh7 31. Qc5 Ng6 32. Rxc6 Qf7 33. Be3 a5 34. Qxa5 Rd6 35. Rxd6 Rxd6 36. c5 Rc6 37. Qb5 Rc8 38. Rd1 Rc7 39. a5 Qa2 40. Rd7 Rxd7 41. Qxd7 Qxc2 42. Qf5 1-0

[Event "GCT Warsaw 2024"]
[Site "Warsaw, Poland"]
[Date "2024.05.11"]
[Round "11.3"]
[White "Praggnanandhaa R"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B13"]
[WhiteElo "2704"]
[BlackElo "2828"]
[PlyCount "137"]
[EventDate "2024.??.??"]

1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. exd5 cxd5 4. Bd3 Nc6 5. c3 e6 6. Bf4 Bd6 7. Bxd6 Qxd6 8. Nf3 Nge7 9. O-O O-O 10. Re1 ({RR} 10. Qc2 h6 11. Re1 Bd7 12. Qe2 Rae8 13. Nbd2 f6 14. Rad1 Qc7 15. Bc2 e5 16. dxe5 fxe5 17. Nxe5 Nc8 18. Ndf3 Nb6 19. Bb3 Bg4 20. Rxd5 Nxd5 21. Bxd5+ Kh7 22. Qc4 Bf5 23. g4 Bc2 24. Qe2 Nxe5 {Inarkiev,E (2665)-Gajewski,G (2623) Berlin GER 2021 1-0 (39)}) 10... Bd7 $146 ({RR} 10... Ng6 11. Nbd2 Bd7 12. Ng5 Nce7 13. Qh5 h6 14. Nxf7 Qf4 15. Bxg6 Qxd2 16. Re2 Qf4 17. Ne5 Be8 18. Bxe8 Raxe8 19. g3 Qf5 20. Qxf5 Nxf5 21. Ng6 Rf6 22. Nf4 Nd6 23. Rae1 Kf7 24. Kg2 b5 25. Nd3 {Lebrun,X (2162)-Plantet,M (1927) Montigny le Bretonneux 2007 1-0 (42)}) ({RR} 10... g6 11. Nbd2 Bd7 12. Nf1 Qf4 13. g3 Qh6 14. Ne3 f6 15. Bf1 Nd8 16. Rc1 Nf7 17. Bg2 Ng5 18. Nxg5 Qxg5 19. h4 Qh6 20. Ng4 Qg7 21. Qb3 b6 22. Ne3 Kh8 23. Re2 Rae8 24. Rce1 Nc8 25. c4 {Schubert,W-Binder,A Wiesbaden 1998 ½-½}) ({RR} 10... f6 11. c4 Nb4 12. Nc3 Nxd3 13. Qxd3 b6 14. Nb5 Qd7 15. Rac1 Ba6 16. Qa3 Bxb5 17. cxb5 Rac8 18. g3 Rxc1 19. Rxc1 Rc8 20. Rxc8+ Nxc8 21. Qe3 Kf7 22. a4 Qc7 23. Qd3 h6 24. Kg2 Nd6 25. Nd2 {Babiy,O (2275)-Popov,I (2588) Chennai IND 2019 0-1 (48)}) ({RR} 10... f6 11. c4 dxc4 12. Bxc4 Nf5 13. d5 exd5 14. Bxd5+ Kh8 15. Nc3 Bd7 16. Qb3 Qc7 17. Rad1 Rad8 18. h3 Bc8 19. Qa3 Nfe7 20. Nb5 Qb6 21. Nxa7 Nxd5 22. Nxc8 Rxc8 23. Rxd5 Ra8 24. Qb3 Qxb3 25. axb3 {Carlsen,M (2835)-Anand,V (2754) Zagreb CRO 2023 1-0 (53)}) 11. Nbd2 ({RR} 11. Ne5 Nxe5 12. dxe5 Qb6 13. Qb3 Qxb3 14. axb3 Rfd8 15. Na3 f6 16. Nc2 Nc6 17. exf6 gxf6 18. Bb5 Kf7 19. Bxc6 Bxc6 20. f4 a5 21. Re3 h5 22. Rae1 Bd7 23. Nd4 Ra6 24. Kf2 b5 25. g3 Re8 {Vocaturo,D (2616)-Carlsen,M (2864) Chennai 2022 ½-½ (56)}) 11... f6 12. b4 b6 $146 ({RR} 12... Rac8 13. Qb1 h6 14. Qb3 Be8 15. b5 Nb8 16. c4 Bf7 17. Re3 Nd7 18. Rae1 Rfe8 19. g3 Qc7 20. Rxe6 Bxe6 21. Rxe6 Nf8 22. Re1 Qd7 23. c5 Kh8 24. Kg2 Neg6 25. h3 Rxe1 26. Nxe1 Ne7 27. Nc2 {Johnson,D (2323)-Mou,I (2227) Asuncion PAR 2025 0-1 (60)}) 13. a4 Rac8 14. Re3 Be8 15. Qe1 Bf7 16. a5 Nf5 17. Re2 Nce7 18. Nf1 Qd7 19. axb6 axb6 20. Ng3 Nd6 21. Ra6 Rb8 22. h4 Rfe8 23. Rea2 Nef5 24. Ra7 Rb7 25. Nxf5 exf5 26. Ra8 Rbb8 27. Qa1 Rxa8 28. Rxa8 Rxa8 29. Qxa8+ Qe8 30. Qa7 Qd8 31. Nd2 Ne4 32. Bxe4 fxe4 33. Nf1 f5 34. g3 h6 35. Qb7 g5 36. hxg5 hxg5 37. Ne3 Be6 38. Qc6 Kf7 39. c4 dxc4 40. d5 Bd7 41. Qh6 Qf6 42. Qh7+ Ke8 43. Qg8+ Ke7 44. Nxc4 Bb5 45. d6+ Kd7 46. Nxb6+ Kxd6 47. Qd5+ Kc7 48. Qxb5 Qxb6 49. Qxf5 Qxb4 50. Qxg5 Kd7 51. Qf4 Ke6 52. Kg2 Qd4 53. g4 Qd5 54. Kg3 Qd3+ 55. Kh4 Qb1 56. Qf5+ Ke7 57. Kh5 Qd3 58. g5 Qd1+ 59. Kg6 Qd3 60. Kg7 Qc4 61. Qe5+ Kd7 62. g6 Qd3 63. Qf5+ Ke7 64. Qf6+ Kd7 65. Kg8 e3 66. Qf7+ Kd6 67. fxe3 Qxe3 68. g7 Qe5 69. Kf8 1-0

[Event "GCT Warsaw 2024"]
[Site "Warsaw, Poland"]
[Date "2024.05.11"]
[Round "12.2"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Abdusattorov, Nodirbek"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B01"]
[WhiteElo "2828"]
[BlackElo "2733"]
[PlyCount "102"]
[EventDate "2024.??.??"]

1. e4 d5 2. exd5 Qxd5 3. Nc3 Qd6 4. d4 Nf6 5. Nf3 Nc6 6. Nb5 Qd8 7. Be2 a6 8. Na3 Bg4 9. Nc4 $146 ({RR} 9. c3 e6 10. Nc4 Bd6 11. O-O h6 12. Nxd6+ cxd6 13. Bf4 O-O 14. h3 Bf5 15. Bd3 Nd5 16. Bxf5 Nxf4 17. Bc2 Qf6 18. h4 Rac8 19. g3 Nd5 20. Kg2 Nce7 21. Re1 Nf5 22. Qd2 b5 23. Be4 Nde7 {Neiksans,A (2575)-Narva,T (2112) Puhajarve EST 2021 1-0 (50)}) 9... e6 10. O-O Be7 11. c3 O-O 12. h3 ({RR} 12. a4 Nd5 13. a5 Bd6 14. Re1 Re8 15. Bg5 f6 16. Bh4 Nce7 17. Bg3 Bxg3 18. hxg3 Nf5 19. Qb3 Rb8 20. Bd3 Bh5 21. Ncd2 Bf7 22. Qc2 Bg6 23. Nb3 Qd6 24. Nc5 b6 25. axb6 cxb6 26. Ne4 Qc7 {Carlsen,M (2862)-Dubov,D (2710) chess24.com INT 2021 1-0 (42)}) 12... Bh5 13. Bf4 $146 ({RR} 13. a4 Re8 14. Bf4 Nd5 15. Bh2 Bf6 16. Re1 Rb8 17. Qd2 h6 18. Rad1 b5 19. axb5 axb5 20. Nce5 Nxe5 21. Nxe5 Bxe2 22. Nc6 Qc8 23. Qxe2 Rb7 24. Ra1 Rb6 25. Ne5 c6 26. Ra7 Ra6 27. Ra1 Rxa1+ {Milovic,A (2121)-Caxita,E (1932) Budapest HUN 2024 0-1 (90)}) 13... Nd5 14. Bg3 b5 15. Ncd2 Bd6 16. Ne4 Bxg3 17. Nxg3 Bg6 18. Qd2 Qd6 19. a4 Na5 20. Qd1 b4 21. c4 Nf4 22. Re1 c5 23. Bf1 Rfd8 24. Ne4 Bxe4 25. Rxe4 cxd4 26. g3 Ng6 27. Rxd4 Qc7 28. c5 Rxd4 29. Qxd4 Nb3 30. Qe4 Rb8 31. Rd1 Nxc5 32. Qc4 Qb6 33. b3 h6 34. Rc1 Rc8 35. Qd4 a5 36. h4 Ne7 37. Ne5 Nf5 38. Qc4 Rc7 39. Qb5 Qd6 40. Qe8+ Kh7 41. Nxf7 Qd4 42. h5 g6 43. hxg6+ Kxg6 44. Ne5+ Kf6 45. Re1 Ne4 46. Ng4+ Kg7 47. Qxe6 Nexg3 48. Ne5 Nxf1 49. Qg6+ Kf8 50. Qf6+ Kg8 51. Qg6+ Rg7 0-1

[Event "GCT Warsaw 2024"]
[Site "Warsaw, Poland"]
[Date "2024.05.11"]
[Round "13.3"]
[White "Wei, Yi"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B48"]
[WhiteElo "2758"]
[BlackElo "2828"]
[PlyCount "130"]
[EventDate "2024.??.??"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nc6 5. Nc3 Qc7 6. Be3 a6 7. Qd2 Nf6 8. O-O-O Be7 9. f4 b5 10. e5 b4 11. Ncb5 axb5 12. Nxb5 Qb8 13. exf6 gxf6 14. Nd6+ Bxd6 15. Qxd6 Qxd6 16. Rxd6 Rxa2 17. Kb1 Ra5 18. Bb6 $146 ({RR} 18. Be2 Ne7 19. Bb6 Rd5 20. Rd1 Bb7 21. g3 h5 22. Bc4 Rxd6 23. Rxd6 Nc8 24. Bc5 Nxd6 25. Bxd6 h4 26. Bxb4 hxg3 27. hxg3 Rh1+ 28. Ka2 Rg1 29. b3 Rxg3 30. Kb2 Rg2 31. Bd3 e5 {0-1 (31) Dirmeier,C (2049)-Bochis,J (2181) Bad Wiessee 2013}) ({RR} 18. Be2 Ne7 19. Bb6 Rd5 20. Rd1 Bb7 21. g3 h5 22. Bc4 Rxd6 23. Rxd6 Nc8 24. Bc5 Nxd6 25. Bxd6 h4 26. Bxb4 hxg3 27. hxg3 Rh1+ 28. Ka2 Rg1 29. b3 Rxg3 30. Kb2 Rg2 31. Bd3 e5 {0-1 (31) Dirmeier,C (2049)-Bochis,J (2181) Bad Wiessee 2013}) 18... Ra8 19. Bb5 Ne7 20. Rhd1 Rb8 21. Bd3 Bb7 22. g3 Bf3 23. Rf1 Bg2 24. Rf2 Nc8 25. Bc7 Rb7 26. Rxg2 Rxc7 27. Rd4 b3 28. c3 Ke7 29. Rb4 d5 30. Rxb3 Nd6 31. Re2 f5 32. Kc2 h5 33. Rb6 h4 34. Kb3 hxg3 35. hxg3 Rh3 36. Rg2 Ne4 37. Kb4 Nxg3 38. Bb5 Nh5 39. Rb8 Nxf4 40. Rgg8 Kf6 41. Ka5 Ra7+ 42. Ba6 Rh2 43. Kb6 Re7 44. b4 d4 45. c4 e5 46. c5 e4 47. c6 e3 48. Rbd8 d3 49. Bxd3 Nxd3 50. Rd6+ Re6 51. Rxd3 e2 52. Rg1 e1=Q 53. Rxe1 Rxe1 54. Rc3 Rb1 55. c7 Rh8 56. b5 Rc8 57. Ka6 Ke5 58. b6 f4 59. b7 Rxc7 60. Rxc7 Rxb7 61. Rxb7 f3 62. Rxf7 Ke4 63. Kb5 Ke3 64. Kc4 f2 65. Rxf2 Kxf2 1/2-1/2

[Event "GCT Warsaw 2024"]
[Site "Warsaw, Poland"]
[Date "2024.05.11"]
[Round "15.3"]
[White "Duda, Jan-Krzysztof"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C47"]
[WhiteElo "2748"]
[BlackElo "2828"]
[PlyCount "86"]
[EventDate "2024.??.??"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. d4 exd4 5. Nxd4 Bb4 6. Nxc6 bxc6 7. Bd3 d5 8. exd5 O-O 9. O-O Bg4 10. f3 Bh5 11. Bg5 cxd5 12. Bxf6 Qxf6 13. Nxd5 Qxb2 14. Rb1 Bc5+ 15. Kh1 Qe5 16. f4 Bxd1 17. fxe5 Bg4 18. Nxc7 $146 ({RR} 18. Rf4 Be6 19. Nxc7 Rab8 20. Ra1 Bb6 21. Nxe6 fxe6 22. Rxf8+ Rxf8 23. Bc4 Kf7 24. Rd1 Rd8 25. Rf1+ Ke7 26. Bd3 h6 27. g3 Bc7 28. Bg6 Rf8 29. Rxf8 Kxf8 {½-½ (29) Nihal,S (2576)-Vidit,S (2702) Kolkata IND 2018}) ({RR} 18. h3 Bd7 19. Nxc7 Rac8 20. Nd5 Rfe8 21. Rfe1 {½-½ (21) Bruzon Batista,L (2643)-Nyzhnyk,I (2666) Orlando USA 2019}) 18... Rac8 19. Rb7 Be6 $146 ({RR} 19... Rfd8 20. e6 fxe6 21. Bc4 Rf8 22. Rxf8+ Bxf8 23. h3 Bd6 24. hxg4 Rxc7 25. Rxc7 {½-½ (25) Murzin,V (2534)-Rakhmanov,A (2633) Cheboksary 2022}) 20. Nxe6 fxe6 21. Rxf8+ Rxf8 22. Bc4 Re8 23. g3 Kf8 24. Kg2 Re7 25. Rb5 Bb6 26. Kf3 Rc7 27. Bxe6 Rxc2 28. Bb3 Rxh2 29. Rd5 Ke7 30. e6 Rf2+ 31. Kg4 Kxe6 32. Rd2+ Ke5 33. Rxf2 Bxf2 34. Kh3 h5 35. g4 h4 36. Bc4 g5 37. Bb3 a5 38. Bc4 a4 39. Bb5 a3 40. Bc4 Be3 41. Bb3 Bf2 42. Bc4 Be3 43. Bb3 Bf2 1/2-1/2

[Event "GCT Warsaw 2024"]
[Site "Warsaw, Poland"]
[Date "2024.05.11"]
[Round "17.5"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Giri, Anish"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C65"]
[WhiteElo "2828"]
[BlackElo "2687"]
[PlyCount "89"]
[EventDate "2024.??.??"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. d3 Bc5 5. c3 O-O 6. O-O d5 7. Nbd2 dxe4 8. dxe4 a5 9. Qc2 ({RR} 9. h3 Qe7 10. Qe2 Nh5 11. Nb3 Ng3 12. Qc4 Bb6 13. Bg5 Qe6 14. Qxe6 Bxe6 15. Rfe1 a4 16. Nbd2 f6 17. Be3 Bxe3 18. fxe3 g6 19. Kf2 Nh5 20. Bc4 Ng7 21. b3 Bxc4 22. Nxc4 Ne6 23. b4 Na7 {Korobov,A (2689)-Vidit,S (2629) http://www.chessbomb.com 2021 0-1 (47)}) 9... Qe7 10. a4 Nb8 11. h3 $146 ({RR} 11. Be2 Nbd7 12. Nc4 Nb6 13. Ncxe5 Bd6 14. Nc4 Nxc4 15. Bxc4 Qxe4 16. Qxe4 Nxe4 17. Be3 Bd7 18. Rfd1 Rfd8 19. Bd5 Nf6 20. Bc4 Ne4 21. Bd5 Nf6 22. Bc4 Ne4 {½-½ (22) David,A (2563)-Balogh,C (2628) Brest FRA 2018}) 11... h6 12. Re1 Rd8 13. Bf1 ({RR} 13. Nf1 c6 14. Bc4 Na6 15. Ne3 Bb6 16. Nf1 Bc5 17. Ne3 Bb6 18. Bf1 Nc5 19. Nc4 Bc7 20. Be3 Ncxe4 21. Bb6 Bf5 22. Bd3 Bxb6 23. Nxb6 Qc5 24. Bxe4 Bxe4 25. Rxe4 Qxb6 26. Rxe5 Re8 27. Rae1 Rxe5 {LCZero 0.31-dag-5350a2e-BT4-6 (3631)-Stockfish dev-20240728-2343f7 (3662) tcec-chess.com INT 2024 ½-½ (39)}) 13... Nbd7 14. Nc4 b6 15. Rb1 $146 ({RR} 15. Ne3 Bxe3 16. Bxe3 Bb7 17. Nd2 Nc5 18. f3 Nh5 19. Bc4 Ne6 20. Nf1 Ba6 21. Bd5 Rac8 22. Rad1 Nef4 23. Bxf4 Nxf4 24. Ne3 Qg5 25. Kh2 c6 26. Bc4 Bxc4 27. Nxc4 b5 28. axb5 cxb5 29. Nxa5 b4 {Firouzja,A (2760)-Lazavik,D (2567) chess.com INT 2024 0-1 (41)}) 15... Bb7 16. Bd2 Qe6 17. b4 axb4 18. cxb4 Bd4 19. a5 Rdc8 20. Nxd4 exd4 21. f3 Nh5 22. Qd3 Ng3 23. Qxd4 Nxf1 24. Rxf1 c5 25. bxc5 bxc5 26. Qc3 Ba6 27. Rfc1 Bxc4 28. Qxc4 Qxc4 29. Rxc4 Ne5 30. Ra4 Ra6 31. Bc3 Nd3 32. Rc4 Nf4 33. Kf2 Ne6 34. Ke3 g5 35. g3 Rca8 36. f4 Rc6 37. f5 Nc7 38. Rb6 Ra6 39. Rxa6 Nxa6 40. e5 Rc8 41. Ra4 Rd8 42. Ra2 Nb4 43. Rd2 Ra8 44. Rd6 Rxa5 45. Rd8+ 1-0

[Event "GCT Warsaw 2024"]
[Site "Warsaw, Poland"]
[Date "2024.05.12"]
[Round "25.3"]
[White "Gukesh D"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B07"]
[WhiteElo "2649"]
[BlackElo "2828"]
[PlyCount "86"]
[EventDate "2024.??.??"]

1. e4 g6 2. d4 d6 3. Nc3 c6 4. Be3 Nf6 5. Qd2 Nbd7 6. f3 b5 7. h4 Nb6 ({RR} 7... h5 8. Nh3 Bg7 9. Ng5 Qc7 10. Rd1 a6 11. a3 Bb7 12. Kf2 c5 13. d5 Ne5 14. Kg1 Bc8 15. g3 O-O 16. Rh2 Nh7 17. Nh3 Nxf3+ {0-1 (17) Nepomniachtchi,I (2520)-Nyback,T (2736) playchess.com INT 2006}) 8. Bd3 ({RR} 8. g4 b4 9. Nd1 a5 10. h5 Qc7 11. hxg6 fxg6 12. a3 bxa3 13. Rxa3 a4 14. Nc3 Be6 15. Nh3 Bc4 16. Bd3 Bxd3 17. cxd3 e5 18. Ng5 Be7 19. Ne6 Qc8 20. dxe5 dxe5 21. Bxb6 Qxe6 22. Rxa4 Rxa4 {Do Valle Cardoso,L (2214)-Timofeev,A (2574) chess.com INT 2022 0-1 (55)}) ({RR} 8. b3 a5 9. a4 b4 10. Nd1 h5 11. Nh3 Bxh3 12. Rxh3 Bg7 13. Nb2 O-O 14. Nc4 Nxc4 15. Bxc4 d5 16. Bd3 dxe4 17. Bxe4 Nxe4 18. fxe4 c5 19. O-O-O c4 20. Bh6 cxb3 21. cxb3 Qc8+ 22. Kb2 Bxh6 {Simonian,H (2404)-Carlsen,M (2833) chess.com INT 2025 0-1 (52)}) 8... h5 ({RR} 8... a5 9. Nh3 Bxh3 10. Rxh3 h5 11. O-O-O Bg7 12. Kb1 Nfd7 13. f4 Nf6 14. f5 gxf5 15. e5 dxe5 16. dxe5 Ng4 17. Bxb6 Qxb6 18. Bxf5 Nxe5 19. Rg3 Bh6 20. Qxh6 Rf8 21. Ne4 Rd8 22. Rxd8+ Qxd8 23. a3 {Gukesh,D (2725)-Carlsen,M (2859) chess.com INT 2022 1-0 (65)}) 9. O-O-O $146 ({RR} 9. Nh3 Bxh3 10. Rxh3 Qc7 11. O-O-O Bg7 12. Kb1 Rb8 13. e5 dxe5 14. dxe5 Nfd5 15. f4 O-O 16. Rg1 b4 17. Ne4 Na4 18. Ka1 c5 19. Bc4 Ndb6 20. Qe2 Qc6 21. Ng5 Nxc4 22. Qxc4 Rbd8 23. g4 hxg4 {Kunc,J (1832)-Kulhanek,T (2364) Ricany 2016 ½-½}) ({RR} 9. Nh3 Bg7 10. Ng5 Qc7 11. O-O-O a5 12. e5 b4 13. Ne2 dxe5 14. dxe5 Nh7 15. Nxh7 Rxh7 16. Bxb6 Qxb6 17. Nf4 Bh6 18. Kb1 Be6 19. g3 a4 20. Qe2 Bxf4 21. gxf4 Qc5 22. f5 gxf5 23. Rhg1 Rh8 {Greibrokk,I (1820)-Egyed,J (2142) Montevideo 2017 0-1 (32)}) ({RR} 9. Nh3 Bxh3 10. Rxh3 Qc7 11. O-O-O Bg7 12. Kb1 Rb8 13. e5 dxe5 14. dxe5 Nfd5 15. f4 O-O 16. Rg1 b4 17. Ne4 Na4 18. Ka1 c5 19. Bc4 Ndb6 20. Qe2 Qc6 21. Ng5 Nxc4 22. Qxc4 Rbd8 23. g4 hxg4 {Kunc,J (1832)-Kulhanek,T (2364) Ricany 2016 ½-½}) 9... Bg7 10. Nh3 Bxh3 11. gxh3 e6 12. f4 d5 13. e5 Nfd7 14. Rhg1 Bf8 15. Rxg6 Nc4 16. Qg2 Ndxe5 17. Rg3 Nxd3+ 18. cxd3 Nxe3 19. Rxe3 Qxh4 20. Rf1 Bd6 21. Kb1 O-O-O 22. Qc2 Kb7 23. Ne2 Rhg8 24. f5 exf5 25. Ref3 Rd7 26. a4 a6 27. Rxf5 Qxh3 28. Rxf7 Rc8 29. Nc1 Rxf7 30. Rxf7+ Rc7 31. Rf6 Be7 32. Rf2 Qe3 33. Nb3 bxa4 34. Re2 Qg1+ 35. Nc1 Qxd4 36. Rh2 h4 37. Ne2 Qb4 38. Nc3 a3 39. Qd1 Bd6 40. Rc2 h3 41. Ka2 h2 42. bxa3 Qxa3+ 43. Kb1 Ka7 0-1

[Event "GCT Warsaw 2024"]
[Site "Warsaw, Poland"]
[Date "2024.05.12"]
[Round "27.1"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Erigaisi Arjun"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C47"]
[WhiteElo "2828"]
[BlackElo "2671"]
[PlyCount "66"]
[EventDate "2024.??.??"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. d4 exd4 5. Nxd4 Bb4 6. Nxc6 bxc6 7. Bd3 O-O ({RR} 7... d5) 8. O-O d5 9. exd5 cxd5 10. Bg5 c6 11. Qf3 ({RR} 11. Na4) 11... h6 12. Bxf6 Qxf6 13. Qxf6 gxf6 14. Ne2 Re8 15. Nd4 ({RR} 15. Ng3 Kf8) ({RR} 15. Ng3 Kf8 {½-½ (15) Dubov,D (2629)-Tkachiev,V (2637) Warsaw 2013}) 15... c5 ({RR} 15... Bb7 16. Nf5 Bf8 17. Rae1 Re5 18. Re3 Bc8 19. Nd4 Bd7 20. Rfe1 c5 21. Nf3 Rxe3 22. fxe3 a5 23. b3 a4 24. Nd2 Rb8 25. c4 Be6 26. cxd5 Bxd5 27. Kf2 Be6 28. h3 Bd6 29. Bc4 f5 30. Ke2) ({RR} 15... Bd7 16. Nf5 Bf8 17. Rfe1 Re5 18. g4 Rae8 19. Kf1 h5 20. h3 hxg4 21. hxg4 c5 22. b3 Bc6 23. f4 R5e6 24. c4 d4 25. Kf2 a5 26. Re2 Rxe2+ 27. Bxe2 Re4 28. Ng3 Rxf4+ 29. Ke1 d3 30. Bxd3 {Antonio,V (2397)-Salinas Herrera,P (2509) chess.com INT 2021 ½-½ (66)}) 16. a3 $146 ({RR} 16. c3 Ba5 17. Bb5 cxd4 18. Bxe8 Be6 19. Ba4 dxc3 20. bxc3 Bxc3 21. Rac1 d4 22. Bb3 Bf5 23. Bc2 Be6 24. Bb3 Bxb3 25. axb3 a5 26. Rfd1 Rb8 27. Rb1 Kf8 28. Kf1 Ke7 29. Ke2 Kd6 30. Kd3 Kc5 {Li,H (2344)-Wang,H (2696) China 2008 ½-½ (36)}) ({RR} 16. Nc6 Bd2 17. Rad1 Bf4 18. Rfe1 Bd7 19. Ne7+ Kg7 20. Nxd5 Rxe1+ 21. Rxe1 Be5 22. b3 Be6 23. Ne3 a5 24. Bf5 a4 25. Bxe6 fxe6 26. Nc4 axb3 27. axb3 Bd4 28. g3 Ra2 29. Re2 f5 30. Kg2 Kf6 {Hovhannisyan,R (2607)-Vitiugov,N (2720) chess.com INT 2023 1-0 (80)}) ({RR} 16. Nc6 Bd2 17. Rad1 Bf4 18. c4 d4 19. b4 cxb4 20. Nxb4 Be6 21. Nc6 Be5 22. Nxe5 fxe5 23. f4 Rac8 24. fxe5 Bxc4 25. Bxc4 Rxc4 26. Rf4 Rxe5 27. Rfxd4 Rc2 28. R4d2 Re2 29. Rxe2 Rxe2 30. Rd6 Rxa2 {Druska,J (2442)-Pulpan,J (2404) Slovakia SVK 2025 ½-½ (40)}) 16... Ba5 17. b4 $146 ({RR} 17. Bb5 Rd8 18. Nc6 Bd7 19. Nxd8 Bxb5 20. Nb7 Bxf1 21. Kxf1 Bb6 22. Nd6 Bc7 23. Nf5 Be5 24. Rb1 Kh7 25. Ne3 Rd8 26. Ke2 Kg6 27. b3 Bd4 28. Rd1 Re8 29. Kd3 Bxe3 30. fxe3 Kf5 31. Rf1+ Ke5 {Duboue,P (2431)-Stephan,V (2430) Chartres 2021 ½-½ (66)}) 17... Bb6 18. bxc5 Bxc5 19. Nf5 h5 20. h3 Rb8 21. g4 hxg4 22. hxg4 Bxf5 23. Bxf5 Kg7 24. Kg2 Re2 25. Kf3 Re5 26. a4 Rh8 27. Rh1 Rxh1 28. Rxh1 a5 29. Rh5 Bb4 30. Rh7+ Kg8 31. Rh6 Kg7 32. Rh7+ Kg8 33. Rh6 Kg7 1/2-1/2

[Event "Norway Chess 2024"]
[Site "Stavanger, Norway"]
[Date "2024.05.28"]
[Round "3.1"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C64"]
[WhiteElo "2830"]
[BlackElo "2794"]
[Annotator "Stockfish 16.1 - Chessbase"]
[PlyCount "70"]
[EventDate "2024.??.??"]

1. e4 {[%eval 15,0] Stockfish 16.1} e5 {[%eval 21,0]} 2. Nf3 {[%eval 19,0]} Nc6 {[%eval 19,0]} 3. Bb5 {[%eval 22,0]} a6 {[%eval 38,0]} 4. Ba4 {[%eval 21,0]} Bc5 {[%eval 42,0]} 5. c3 {[%eval 41,0]} Nge7 {[%eval 42,0]} 6. O-O {[%eval 35,0]} Ng6 {[%eval 34,0]} 7. d4 {[%eval 39,0]} Ba7 {[%eval 38,0]} 8. Re1 {[%eval 5,0]} ({RR} 8. Bg5 f6 9. Be3 O-O 10. Nbd2 Kh8 11. Re1 exd4 ({RR} 11... d6 12. h3 exd4 ({RR} 12... Bd7 13. Nf1 Nce7 14. Bc2 exd4 15. Bxd4 Bxd4 16. cxd4 d5 17. Ng3 dxe4 18. Bxe4 Bc6 19. Qb3 Bd5 20. Qc2 Qd7 21. Rac1 c6 22. Bxd5 Nxd5 23. Ne4 Rae8 24. Nc5 Qf7 25. Qf5) 13. cxd4 Nce7 14. Nf1 c6 15. Bb3 d5 16. Ng3 Bb8 17. Bd2 a5 18. Qc2 ({RR} 18. Rc1) 18... Bxg3 19. fxg3 a4 20. Bxa4 dxe4 21. Rxe4 Bf5 22. Bb3 Nd5 23. Rae1 Qd7 24. g4 ({RR} 24. Rf1) 24... Bxe4 25. Rxe4 Rae8 26. Rxe8) 12. Nxd4 Nxd4 13. Bxd4 ({RR} 13. cxd4 d5 14. exd5 Ne7 15. Bc2 Bf5 16. Bxf5 Nxf5 17. Qb3 Rb8 18. Ne4 Nxd4 19. Bxd4 Bxd4 20. Rad1 Ba7 21. d6 Qd7 22. Qg3 ({RR} 22. Qc3 Bb6 23. a4 cxd6 24. Rxd6) 22... Rbe8 23. h3 cxd6 24. Qxd6 Qf7 25. Nc3 h6 26. g3 Bb8 27. Qd5 Rxe1+) 13... Bxd4 14. cxd4 d5 15. exd5 Qxd5 16. Ne4 Qd8 17. Bc2 ({RR} 17. d5 b6) 17... f5 18. Nc5 b6 19. Nd3 Bb7 20. Ne5 Qg5 21. d5 Rad8 22. Bb3 c5 {½-½ Nepomniachtchi,I (2758)-Nakamura,H (2789) FIDE Candidates 2024 Toronto CAN (13.1)} ({RR} 22... Nh4 23. g3 f4)) ({RR} 8. Bg5 f6 9. Be3 O-O 10. Nbd2 Kh8 11. Re1 exd4 12. Nxd4 Nxd4 13. Bxd4 Bxd4 14. cxd4 d5 15. exd5 Qxd5 16. Ne4 Qd8 17. Bc2 f5 18. Nc5 b6 19. Nd3 Bb7 20. Ne5 Qg5 21. d5 Rad8 22. Bb3 c5 {½-½ Nepomniachtchi,I (2758)-Nakamura,H (2789) FIDE Candidates 2024 Toronto, Canada (13.1)}) 8... O-O {[%eval 52,0]} 9. Be3 {[%eval 36,0]} Qf6 {[%eval 44,0]} ({RR} 9... d6 10. Nbd2 Bd7 11. h3 Kh8 12. Bc2 h6 13. Nf1 Nh4 14. N1h2 Nxf3+ 15. Nxf3 Qf6 16. dxe5 Nxe5 17. Nxe5 Qxe5 18. Bxa7 Rxa7 19. Qd2 Raa8 20. f4 Qc5+ 21. Kh2 Bc6 22. b4 Qb6 23. a4 Rae8 24. a5 {Niemann,H (2733)-Nakamura,H (2802) Paris FRA 2024 ½-½ (50)}) 10. Bxc6 {[%eval 29,0]} exd4 $146 {[%eval 39,0]} ({RR} 10... dxc6 11. Nxe5 Nxe5 12. dxe5 Qxe5 13. Bxa7 Rxa7 14. Nd2 Rd8 15. Qe2 Ra8 16. Nb3 Be6 17. Rad1 h6 18. Nd4 Bd7 19. Rd2 c5 20. Nf3 Qe7 21. Red1 Be6 22. Rxd8+ Rxd8 23. Rxd8+ Qxd8 24. a3 a5 25. h3 {0-1 Huschenbeth,N (2605)-Mamedyarov,S (2734) Bundesliga 2023-24 Deizisau GER (8.4)}) ({RR} 10... dxc6 11. Nxe5 Nxe5 12. dxe5 Qxe5 13. Bxa7 Rxa7 14. Nd2 Rd8 15. Qe2 Ra8 16. Nb3 Be6 17. Rad1 h6 18. Nd4 Bd7 19. Rd2 c5 20. Nf3 Qe7 21. Red1 Be6 22. Rxd8+ Rxd8 23. Rxd8+ Qxd8 24. a3 a5 25. h3 {Huschenbeth,N (2605)-Mamedyarov,S (2734) Deizisau GER 2024 0-1 (38)}) ({RR} 10... dxc6 11. Nxe5 Nxe5 12. dxe5 Qxe5 13. Bxa7 Rxa7 14. Nd2 Ra8 15. Nf3 Qe7 16. Nd4 Re8 17. Re3 Be6 18. Nxe6 Qxe6 19. Qc2 Rad8 20. a3 Rd7 21. Rd1 Red8 22. Rxd7 Qxd7 23. Kf1 Qd2 24. Qxd2 Rxd2 25. Re2 {Parligras,M (2505)-Nasuta,G (2513) Ankara TUR 2025 ½-½}) 11. Bxd4 {[%eval 11,0]} Bxd4 {[%eval 21,0]} 12. Qxd4 {[%eval 7,0]} Qxd4 {[%eval 16,0]} 13. Nxd4 {[%eval 8,0]} dxc6 {[%eval 2,0]} 14. Nd2 {[%eval 4,0]} c5 {[%eval 5,0]} 15. Nf5 {[%eval 4,0]} Be6 {[%eval 1,0]} 16. Nf3 {[%eval 28,0]} Rad8 {[%eval 29,0]} 17. g3 {[%eval 43,0]} Rfe8 {[%eval 37,0]} 18. Kg2 {[%eval 63,0]} f6 {[%eval 44,0]} 19. Re3 {[%eval 89,0]} Nh8 {[%eval 54,0]} 20. h3 {[%eval 56,0]} g6 {[%eval 66,0]} 21. N5h4 {[%eval 67,0]} Nf7 {[%eval 61,0]} 22. g4 {[%eval 55,0]} Bd7 {[%eval 32,0]} 23. Rae1 {[%eval 28,0]} Bc6 {[%eval 27,0]} 24. Kg3 {[%eval 23,0]} Re6 {[%eval 12,0]} 25. b3 {[%eval 1,0]} Kf8 {[%eval 8,0]} 26. c4 {[%eval 3,0]} a5 {[%eval 9,0]} 27. a4 {[%eval 22,0]} b6 {[%eval 1,0]} 28. Ng2 {[%eval 1,0]} g5 {[%eval 0,0]} 29. R1e2 {[%eval 0,0]} Rd1 {[%eval 0,0]} 30. Nfe1 {[%eval 15,0]} Red6 {[%eval 1,0]} 31. Rc3 {[%eval 3,0]} Nd8 {[%eval 8,0]} 32. Ne3 {[%eval 21,0]} R1d2 {[%eval 0,0]} 33. Rxd2 {[%eval 0,0]} Rxd2 {[%eval 0,0]} 34. Nf3 {[%eval 0,0]} Rb2 {[%eval 0,0]} 35. Nd5 {[%eval 0,0]} Bxd5 {[%eval 0,0]} 1/2-1/2

[Event "Norway Chess 2024"]
[Site "Stavanger, Norway"]
[Date "2024.05.28"]
[Round "4.1"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C70"]
[WhiteElo "2830"]
[BlackElo "2794"]
[Annotator "Stockfish 16.1 - Chessbase"]
[PlyCount "99"]
[EventDate "2024.??.??"]

1. e4 {[%eval 15,0] https://lichess.org/broadcast/-/-/wEMDjw2I} e5 {[%eval 21,0]} 2. Nf3 {[%eval 19,0]} Nc6 {[%eval 19,0]} 3. Bb5 {[%eval 22,0]} a6 {[%eval 38,0]} 4. Ba4 {[%eval 21,0]} Bc5 {[%eval 42,0]} 5. O-O {[%eval 37,0]} Nge7 {[%eval 4,0]} 6. Nxe5 {[%eval 23,0]} Nxe5 {[%eval 28,0]} 7. d4 {[%eval 28,0]} b5 {[%eval 39,0]} 8. Bb3 {[%eval 37,0]} Bxd4 {[%eval 44,0]} 9. Qxd4 {[%eval 45,0]} d6 {[%eval 5,0]} 10. c3 {[%eval 12,0]} ({RR} 10. f4 c5 11. Qd2 c4 12. fxe5 Qb6+ 13. Qe3 Qxe3+ 14. Bxe3 dxe5 15. Bxc4 bxc4 16. Nc3 Bd7 17. Rfd1 Bc6 18. Rd6 f6 19. b4 cxb3 20. axb3 Kf7 21. Ra5 Rhc8 22. Bc5 Be8 23. Rb6 Nc6 24. Raxa6 Rxa6 {Firouzja,A (2767)-Nakamura,H (2802) Paris FRA 2024 ½-½ (59)}) 10... O-O {[%eval 22,0]} ({RR} 10... c5 11. Qe3 O-O 12. Qg3 Bb7 13. Nd2 N7g6 14. f4 Nc6 15. Nf3 Na5 16. Bc2 f6 17. h4 Ne7 18. h5 f5 19. h6 g6 20. e5 Bxf3 21. Qxf3 dxe5 22. fxe5 Qd5 23. Qxd5+ Nxd5 24. Rd1 Rad8 25. Bg5 {1-0 Sharapov,E (2375)-Marchesich,G (2226) Titled Tue 5th Mar Early chess.com INT 2024 (6)}) 11. Bf4 $146 {[%eval 23,0]} ({RR} 11. f4 N5c6 12. Qe3 Be6 13. f5 Bxb3 14. axb3 f6 15. Qg3 Qe8 16. Bf4 Kh8 17. Nd2 Rg8 18. Qd3 Qf7 19. c4 Rab8 20. Qc3 a5 21. Rf3 Rb7 22. Rf2 Rgb8 23. Nf3 bxc4 24. bxc4 Rb3 25. Qc1 R8b4 {0-1 Bengt Hammar (2136)-Jose Luis Fernandez Garcia (2379) 65+ World Senior Championship - 2023 (3.12)}) ({RR} 11. f4 c5 12. Qd1 Ng4 13. h3 Nf6 14. Re1 Ng6 15. f5 Ne5 16. Bg5 Bb7 17. Bc2 Re8 18. Nd2 d5 19. exd5 Qxd5 20. Ne4 Nxe4 21. Bxe4 Qxd1 22. Raxd1 Bxe4 23. Rxe4 c4 24. Rde1 f6 25. Bf4 Rad8 {George Samir,D (2345)-Bigaliev,R (2417) Fujairah City UAE 2025 ½-½ (56)}) 11... c5 {[%eval 22,0]} 12. Qd1 {[%eval 13,0]} Bb7 $146 {[%eval 19,0]} ({RR} 12... N7g6 13. Bg3 h5 14. h3 h4 15. Bh2 c4 16. Bc2 Bb7 17. Nd2 Re8 18. Nf3 Qf6 19. Nd4 Nf4 20. Bxf4 Qxf4 21. a4 bxa4 22. Ne2 Qf6 23. Rxa4 Bc6 24. Ra5 Qd8 25. Ra2 Ng6 26. f3 Bb7 27. Qd2 {Kulaots,K (2520)-Makkar,R (2453) Chartres FRA 2024 ½-½ (31)}) 13. Re1 {[%eval 6,0]} Qc7 {[%eval 36,0]} 14. Bc2 {[%eval 35,0]} Rad8 {[%eval 43,0]} 15. Nd2 {[%eval 42,0]} Qc8 {[%eval 73,0]} 16. Qh5 {[%eval 33,0]} Rfe8 {[%eval 45,0]} 17. Rad1 {[%eval 35,0]} N7g6 {[%eval 23,0]} 18. Bg3 {[%eval 21,0]} c4 {[%eval 23,0]} 19. Nf1 {[%eval 12,0]} Nd3 {[%eval 3,0]} 20. Bxd3 {[%eval 39,0]} cxd3 {[%eval 33,0]} 21. Rxd3 {[%eval 29,0]} Rxe4 {[%eval 27,0]} 22. Rxe4 {[%eval 19,0]} Bxe4 {[%eval 2,0]} 23. Rd4 {[%eval 2,0]} Bb7 {[%eval 47,0]} 24. Qd1 {[%eval 32,0]} h6 $6 {[%eval 105,0] Inaccuracy. d5 was best.} (24... d5) 25. Rxd6 {[%eval 91,0]} Rxd6 {[%eval 89,0]} 26. Qxd6 {[%eval 101,0]} Kh7 {[%eval 94,0]} 27. Ne3 {[%eval 79,0]} Qe8 {[%eval 76,0]} 28. Qd4 {[%eval 81,0]} Qc6 {[%eval 101,0]} 29. f3 {[%eval 108,0]} Qe6 {[%eval 102,0]} 30. b3 {[%eval 107,0]} Ne7 {[%eval 98,0]} 31. Qd3+ {[%eval 103,0]} Qg6 $6 {[%eval 185,0] Inaccuracy. Kg8 was best.} (31... Kg8 32. c4 h5 33. c5 Nc6 34. h3 Nb4 35. Qd2 f6 36. Kf2 Nd5 37. Nc2) 32. Qxg6+ {[%eval 136,0]} Kxg6 {[%eval 125,0]} 33. Kf2 {[%eval 124,0]} Nd5 {[%eval 123,0]} 34. Nd1 {[%eval 128,0]} f6 {[%eval 134,0]} 35. Ke2 {[%eval 146,0]} Kf7 {[%eval 186,0]} 36. Kd3 {[%eval 183,0]} Ke6 {[%eval 175,0]} 37. Kd4 {[%eval 185,0]} Ne7 $6 {[%eval 258,0] Inaccuracy. f5 was best.} (37... f5 38. Kc5 f4 39. Bf2 g5 40. c4 bxc4 41. bxc4 Ne7 42. Kb6 Ba8 43. Nc3) 38. Kc5 {[%eval 258,0]} Kd7 {[%eval 315,0]} 39. Ne3 {[%eval 314,0]} h5 {[%eval 304,0]} 40. c4 {[%eval 285,0]} bxc4 {[%eval 298,0]} 41. bxc4 {[%eval 287,0]} g5 {[%eval 314,0]} 42. Kb6 {[%eval 297,0]} Bc6 {[%eval 303,0]} 43. Be1 {[%eval 321,0]} h4 {[%eval 323,0]} 44. h3 {[%eval 331,0]} Ng6 $6 {[%eval 444,0] Inaccuracy. f5 was best.} (44... f5 45. Bb4 Nc8+ 46. Kxa6 Ke6 47. Ka5 Ke5 48. Bd2 Bd7 49. Nd5 Nd6 50. Bc3+) 45. Bc3 {[%eval 444,0]} f5 {[%eval 455,0]} 46. Nxf5 {[%eval 449,0]} Nf4 {[%eval 487,0]} 47. Ne3 {[%eval 472,0]} Ba4 {[%eval 500,0]} 48. Bf6 {[%eval 501,0]} Ne6 {[%eval 523,0]} 49. Kxa6 {[%eval 506,0]} Kd6 {[%eval 502,0]} 50. Kb6 {[%eval 501,0]} 1-0

[Event "Norway Chess 2024"]
[Site "Stavanger, Norway"]
[Date "2024.05.29"]
[Round "5.1"]
[White "Praggnanandhaa R"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B42"]
[WhiteElo "2747"]
[BlackElo "2830"]
[Annotator "Stockfish 16.1 - Chessbase"]
[PlyCount "73"]
[EventDate "2024.??.??"]

1. e4 {[%eval 15,0]} c5 {[%eval 25,0]} 2. Nf3 {[%eval 25,0]} e6 {[%eval 37,0]} 3. d4 {[%eval 43,0]} cxd4 {[%eval 36,0]} 4. Nxd4 {[%eval 35,0]} a6 {[%eval 43,0]} 5. Bd3 {[%eval 48,0]} Qc7 {[%eval 46,0]} 6. O-O {[%eval 52,0]} Nf6 {[%eval 52,0]} 7. Qe2 {[%eval 53,0]} d6 {[%eval 49,0]} 8. c4 {[%eval 61,0]} Nbd7 {[%eval 57,0]} 9. Nc3 {[%eval 5,0]} Ne5 {[%eval 34,0]} 10. h3 $146 {[%eval 34,0]} ({RR} 10. Kh1 Be7 11. f4 Nxd3 12. Qxd3 O-O 13. f5 g6 14. Bh6 Re8 15. Bg5 Ng4 16. f6 Bf8 17. Qh3 h5 18. Nde2 Qxc4 19. Qg3 Qc5 20. Bf4 e5 21. Bg5 Bh6 22. Bxh6 Nxh6 23. Qg5 Ng4 24. Nd5 Be6 {1-0 Hrebenshchykova,Y (2275)-Mrvova,A (2160) European Women Rapid 2023 Monaco MNC 2024 (2.20)}) ({RR} 10. f4 Nxd3 11. Qxd3 Be7 12. Bd2 O-O 13. Rae1 Nd7 14. b3 b6 15. f5 Ne5 16. Qg3 Bf6 17. Bg5 Bxg5 18. Qxg5 Qc5 19. Rd1 b5 20. Kh1 f6 21. Qg3 exf5 22. Nd5 Ra7 23. Nxf5 Bxf5 24. Rxf5 Kh8 {0-1 Bauyrzhan,A (2029)-Teterev,V (2257) Titled Tue 23rd Apr Early chess.com INT 2024 (1)}) ({RR} 10. f4 Nxd3 11. Qxd3 Be7 12. b3 b6 13. Bb2 Bb7 14. f5 e5 15. Nc2 b5 16. cxb5 Qb6+ 17. Kh1 axb5 18. Qxb5+ Qxb5 19. Nxb5 Rc8 20. Ne3 Nxe4 21. Rad1 O-O 22. Nc4 Rfd8 23. Ba3 Bh4 24. Nbxd6 Nf2+ {1-0 Bynum,J (1966)-Teterev,V (2257) Titled Tue 23rd Apr Early chess.com INT 2024 (3)}) ({RR} 10. f4 Nxd3 11. Qxd3 Be7 12. b3 O-O 13. Bb2 b6 14. Rae1 Bb7 15. Kh1 Nd7 16. f5 Nc5 17. Qg3 Bf6 18. Ndb5 axb5 19. Nd5 exd5 20. Bxf6 g6 21. Qh4 Nd7 22. Be7 f6 23. fxg6 hxg6 24. Bxf8 Rxf8 {Robson,R (2673)-Nakamura,H (2736) Lichess.org INT 2020 1-0 (63)}) 10... b6 $146 {[%eval 53,0]} ({RR} 10... Nxd3 11. Qxd3 Be7 12. Nf3 b6 13. Bf4 O-O 14. e5 dxe5 15. Nxe5 Rd8 16. Qe2 Bd6 17. Rfe1 Bb7 18. Bg3 Rac8 19. Rad1 Qe7 20. a3 Bxe5 21. Bxe5 Nd7 22. Bg3 Qg5 23. Ne4 Bxe4 24. Qxe4 Nc5 25. Qe2 {Semenova,E (2256)-Sukhareva,E (2151) Sochi 2016 ½-½ (31)}) ({RR} 10... Be7 11. Be3 O-O 12. Rac1 Nxd3 13. Qxd3 b6 14. f4 Re8 15. b3 Bb7 16. f5 Bd8 17. fxe6 fxe6 18. Nf3 Be7 19. Ng5 Bd8 20. Bf4 Qc5+ 21. Rf2 h6 22. Nf3 Be7 23. Rd1 Rad8 24. Nd4 Bc8 25. Be3 {Mayorga Araya,S (1996)-Jiang,T (2165) Durres ALB 2025 0-1 (53)}) 11. f4 {[%eval 42,0]} Nxd3 {[%eval 41,0]} 12. Qxd3 {[%eval 39,0]} Bb7 {[%eval 42,0]} 13. f5 {[%eval 42,0]} Qd7 $6 {[%eval 132,0] Inaccuracy. e5 was best.} (13... e5 14. Nc2 Rc8 15. Ne3 Qc5 16. Rd1 Be7 17. Kh2 b5 18. cxb5 axb5 19. Nxb5) 14. Bg5 {[%eval 103,0]} Be7 {[%eval 135,0]} 15. Rad1 {[%eval 127,0]} Rc8 {[%eval 183,0]} 16. Qe2 {[%eval 183,0]} e5 {[%eval 184,0]} 17. Bxf6 {[%eval 191,0]} Bxf6 {[%eval 173,0]} 18. Nc2 {[%eval 183,0]} Qc6 {[%eval 204,0]} 19. Ne3 {[%eval 194,0]} Bg5 {[%eval 198,0]} 20. Kh1 $6 {[%eval 103,0] Inaccuracy. Ned5 was best.} (20. Ned5 Qxc4 21. Qg4 Bf6 22. Kh2 Bxd5 23. Nxd5 h5 24. Qf3 Qxa2 25. Nxb6 Rc6) 20... Bxe3 {[%eval 133,0]} 21. Qxe3 {[%eval 129,0]} f6 {[%eval 134,0]} 22. b3 {[%eval 145,0]} b5 {[%eval 129,0]} 23. Nd5 {[%eval 142,0]} Qc5 {[%eval 168,0]} 24. Qf3 {[%eval 159,0]} bxc4 {[%eval 133,0]} 25. Qh5+ {[%eval 178,0]} Kf8 {[%eval 148,0]} 26. Rf3 {[%eval 128,0]} Bxd5 {[%eval 132,0]} 27. Rxd5 {[%eval 165,0]} Qb6 {[%eval 211,0]} 28. bxc4 {[%eval 201,0]} Rxc4 {[%eval 201,0]} 29. Rb3 {[%eval 192,0]} Rb4 {[%eval 226,0]} 30. Rdd3 {[%eval 221,0]} Rxb3 $2 {[%eval 419,0] Mistake. Ke7 was best.} (30... Ke7 31. Rg3) 31. Rxb3 {[%eval 404,0]} Qc7 {[%eval 395,0]} 32. Qd1 {[%eval 308,0]} g6 {[%eval 382,0]} 33. Qb1 {[%eval 386,0]} Qc5 $6 {[%eval 551,0] Inaccuracy. Qc4 was best.} (33... Qc4 34. Rb4 Qc3 35. Rb7 Rg8 36. Rxh7 Qc8 37. Kh2 Rg7 38. Rh8+ Rg8 39. Rh6) 34. Rb7 {[%eval 543,0]} gxf5 {[%eval 605,0]} 35. Kh2 {[%eval 553,0]} Rg8 $4 {[%eval 32706,0] Checkmate is now unavoidable. d5 was best.} (35... d5 36. Rb8+ Kf7 37. Qb7+ Qe7 38. Qxd5+ Kg7 39. Rb7 Re8 40. exf5 Kf8 41. Rxe7) 36. Qb3 {[%eval 32706,0]} d5 {[%eval 1069,0]} 37. Rxh7 {[%eval 752,0]} 1-0

[Event "Norway Chess 2024"]
[Site "Stavanger, Norway"]
[Date "2024.05.30"]
[Round "7.1"]
[White "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C54"]
[WhiteElo "2805"]
[BlackElo "2830"]
[Annotator "Stockfish 16.1 - Chessbase"]
[PlyCount "132"]
[EventDate "2024.??.??"]

1. e4 {[%eval 15,0] Stockfish 16.1} e5 {[%eval 17,0]} 2. Nf3 {[%eval 19,0]} Nc6 {[%eval 19,0]} 3. Bc4 {[%eval 1,0]} Nf6 {[%eval 15,0]} 4. d3 {[%eval 9,0]} Bc5 {[%eval 17,0]} 5. O-O {[%eval 9,0]} d6 {[%eval 14,0]} 6. c3 {[%eval 11,0]} a6 {[%eval 25,0]} 7. a4 {[%eval 13,0]} Ba7 {[%eval 16,0]} 8. h3 {[%eval 23,0]} ({RR} 8. Nbd2 O-O 9. h3 Re8 10. Qb3 Rf8 11. a5 Nh5 12. Qd1 Qf6 13. Nb3 Nf4 14. Be3 Ne7 15. d4 Neg6 16. Kh2 ({RR} 16. Nbd2 c6 17. Re1 exd4 18. cxd4 d5 19. Bf1) 16... c6 ({RR} 16... exd4 17. cxd4 c6 18. Re1 d5 19. exd5 Nxd5 20. Nbd2 Re8) 17. dxe5 ({RR} 17. Re1 exd4 18. Nbxd4 d5 19. exd5 Nxd5 20. Kg1) 17... Nxe5 18. Nxe5 Qxe5 19. Bxa7 Qxe4 20. f3 Qxc4 21. Be3 Nd3 22. Nd2 Qb5 {½-½ Carlsen,M (2891)-Firouzja,A (2865) Division I Chess.com 2024 (5.1)}) 8... h6 {[%eval 31,0]} ({RR} 8... O-O 9. Nbd2 Re8 10. b4 Be6 11. Bxe6 Rxe6 12. Qc2 Re8 13. Re1 h6 14. Nf1 d5 15. Ng3 b5 16. Nf5 dxe4 ({RR} 16... Qd7 17. Bxh6 gxh6 18. Qc1 dxe4 19. dxe4 Nh7 20. Qxh6 f6 21. Qg6+ Kf8 22. Qh6+ Kg8 23. Qg6+ Kf8 24. Red1 Qf7 25. Qxf7+ Kxf7 26. Rd7+ Kg8 27. Rxc7 Nd8 28. axb5 Ne6 29. Rb7 Reb8 30. bxa6 Bb6 31. Rd1) 17. dxe4 Ne7 18. Nxe5 ({RR} 18. Ng3) 18... Nxf5 19. exf5 c5 20. Bf4 bxa4 21. Nc6 Qd7 22. Rxe8+ Rxe8 23. Nxa7 {½-½ Caruana,F (2803)-Gukesh,D (2743) FIDE Candidates 2024 Toronto, Canada (4.3)}) 9. Be3 $146 {[%eval 27,0]} ({RR} 9. Nbd2 O-O 10. Re1 Ne7 11. Nf1 Ng6 12. Ng3 c6 13. b4 b5 14. Bb3 bxa4 15. Rxa4 Bb7 16. Ra2 Qc7 17. Nf5 d5 18. N3h4 Nxh4 19. Nxh4 dxe4 20. dxe4 c5 21. Qf3 Nxe4 22. Rxe4 cxb4 23. Bxh6 Bxe4 {1-0 Mirzanurov,B (2232)-Gutierrez Carmona,J (2095) Titled Tue 6th Feb Early chess.com INT 2024 (3)}) ({RR} 9. Nbd2 O-O 10. Re1 Re8 11. b4 Be6 12. Bxe6 Rxe6 13. Qc2 ({RR} 13. Nf1 Ne7 14. Ng3 Ng6 15. d4 Qd7 16. d5 Ree8 17. a5 c6 18. c4 cxd5 19. cxd5 Rac8 20. Qd3 Rc7 21. Bd2 Rec8 22. Nf5 Rc4 23. Rac1 Rxe4 24. Rxc8+ Qxc8 25. Nxd6 Rxe1+ 26. Nxe1 Qd7 27. Ne4 Nxd5) 13... Qd7 ({RR} 13... Qd7 14. Rb1 Rd8 15. b5 Ne7 16. d4 Ng6 17. d5 Ree8 18. c4 Ra8 19. a5 b6 20. c5 dxc5 21. axb6 cxb6 22. Qb3 Bb8 23. Nc4 Bc7 24. bxa6 Rxa6 25. Bd2 Qa4 26. Qc3 Qd7 27. Qb3 Qa4 28. Qc3) 14. Rb1 Ne7 15. Nf1 Rd8 16. d4 Ng6 17. d5 Ree8 18. Be3 Bxe3 19. Nxe3 c6 20. Nd2 cxd5 21. exd5 Nf4 22. Qb3 e4 23. c4 Re5 {1-0 Urh,Z (2287)-Ivekovic,T (2081) 24th Mediterranean Flower Rijeka CRO 2024 (8.2)}) ({RR} 9. Re1 O-O 10. Nbd2 Re8 11. b4 Be6 12. Bxe6 Rxe6 13. Qc2 Re8 14. Nf1 b5 15. Be3 ({RR} 15. Ng3 d5 16. Nf5 Qd7 17. Bxh6 gxh6 18. Qc1 dxe4 19. dxe4 Nh7 20. Qxh6 f6 21. Qg6+ Kf8 22. Qh6+ Kg8 23. Qg6+ Kf8 24. Red1 Qf7 25. Qxf7+ Kxf7 26. Rd7+ Kg8 27. Rxc7 Nd8 28. axb5 Ne6 29. Rb7 Reb8) 15... Bxe3 16. Nxe3 Qb8 17. Reb1 Ne7 18. c4 c6 19. c5 dxc5 20. bxc5 Qc7 21. Qc3 Nd7 22. g3 Kh7 23. a5 Rad8 {½-½ Suleymanli,A (2621)-Begmuratov,K (2403) Dubai Police Global Chess Challenge 202 Dubai Police Officers Club, A 2024 (8.17)}) 9... Bxe3 {[%eval 23,0]} 10. fxe3 {[%eval 24,0]} Be6 {[%eval 28,0]} 11. Bxe6 {[%eval 26,0]} fxe6 {[%eval 23,0]} 12. Nbd2 {[%eval 23,0]} O-O {[%eval 25,0]} 13. Rf2 $146 {[%eval 25,0]} ({RR} 13. Qb3 Qd7 14. Rf2 b6 15. Raf1 Rf7 16. Qc2 Raf8 17. b4 Ne7 18. d4 exd4 19. exd4 Nh5 20. Kh2 Nf4 21. Ne1 Nfg6 22. Ndf3 Qc6 23. c4 e5 24. dxe5 Nxe5 25. Nxe5 dxe5 26. Rxf7 Rxf7 27. Rxf7 Kxf7 {Pichot,A (2638)-Fedorchuk,S (2564) Ubeda ESP 2024 ½-½ (63)}) 13... Qe7 {[%eval 22,0]} 14. Qb3 {[%eval 32,0]} Rab8 {[%eval 26,0]} 15. Raf1 {[%eval 24,0]} Nd8 {[%eval 25,0]} 16. Qd1 {[%eval 5,0]} b5 {[%eval 4,0]} 17. axb5 {[%eval 0,0]} axb5 {[%eval 0,0]} 18. Nh2 {[%eval 0,0]} Nf7 {[%eval 1,0]} 19. Ng4 {[%eval 6,0]} Nd7 {[%eval 0,0]} 20. d4 {[%eval 0,0]} c5 {[%eval 2,0]} 21. Qe2 {[%eval 2,0]} c4 {[%eval 1,0]} 22. Nh2 {[%eval 21,0]} Nf6 {[%eval 1,0]} 23. Ng4 {[%eval 21,0]} Nd7 {[%eval 5,0]} 24. Nh2 {[%eval 23,0]} Ra8 {[%eval 21,0]} 25. b3 {[%eval 13,0]} cxb3 {[%eval 16,0]} 26. Nxb3 {[%eval 15,0]} Rac8 {[%eval 19,0]} 27. Qd3 {[%eval 21,0]} Nf6 {[%eval 19,0]} 28. Nd2 {[%eval 2,0]} Qc7 {[%eval 21,0]} 29. Qxb5 {[%eval 22,0]} Qxc3 {[%eval 22,0]} 30. Nhf3 {[%eval 2,0]} Qxe3 {[%eval 9,0]} 31. dxe5 {[%eval 4,0]} dxe5 {[%eval 9,0]} 32. Nxe5 {[%eval 11,0]} Ng5 {[%eval 6,0]} 33. Qd3 {[%eval 1,0]} Qc5 {[%eval 1,0]} 34. Nef3 {[%eval 6,0]} Rcd8 {[%eval 5,0]} 35. Qb1 {[%eval 2,0]} Nh5 {[%eval 9,0]} 36. Qc1 {[%eval 8,0]} Qa7 {[%eval 0,0]} 37. Qa1 {[%eval 4,0]} Qb6 {[%eval 6,0]} 38. Qb1 {[%eval 0,0]} Qc5 {[%eval 0,0]} 39. Qc1 {[%eval 6,0]} Qe7 {[%eval 1,0]} 40. Nxg5 {[%eval 21,0]} Rxf2 {[%eval 14,0]} 41. Rxf2 {[%eval 14,0]} Qxg5 {[%eval 21,0]} 42. Qc3 {[%eval 13,0]} Ng3 {[%eval 1,0]} 43. Kh2 {[%eval 12,0]} Rxd2 {[%eval 15,0]} 44. Qxg3 {[%eval 16,0]} Rxf2 {[%eval 11,0]} 45. Qxf2 {[%eval 16,0]} Qe5+ {[%eval 19,0]} 46. Kg1 {[%eval 29,0]} Qxe4 {[%eval 14,0]} 47. Qa7 {[%eval 14,0]} h5 {[%eval 14,0]} 48. Qe7 {[%eval 14,0]} Qe1+ {[%eval 14,0]} 49. Kh2 {[%eval 15,0]} Qe5+ {[%eval 14,0]} 50. Kg1 {[%eval 14,0]} Kh7 {[%eval 14,0]} 51. Qe8 {[%eval 14,0]} h4 {[%eval 13,0]} 52. Qe7 {[%eval 11,0]} Qd4+ {[%eval 11,0]} 53. Kh1 {[%eval 11,0]} Qa1+ {[%eval 11,0]} 54. Kh2 {[%eval 11,0]} Qf6 {[%eval 12,0]} 55. Qe8 {[%eval 14,0]} Kh6 {[%eval 14,0]} 56. Kg1 {[%eval 14,0]} e5 {[%eval 3,0]} 57. Qa4 {[%eval 3,0]} Qf4 {[%eval 3,0]} 58. Qc6+ {[%eval 3,0]} Kg5 {[%eval 3,0]} 59. Qc7 {[%eval 6,0]} Qd4+ {[%eval 0,0]} 60. Kf1 {[%eval 0,0]} Kf4 {[%eval 0,0]} 61. Qxg7 {[%eval 0,0]} Ke3 {[%eval 0,0]} 62. Kg1 {[%eval 0,0]} e4 {[%eval 0,0]} 63. Qh6+ {[%eval 0,0]} Ke2+ {[%eval 0,0]} 64. Kh1 {[%eval 0,0]} e3 {[%eval 0,0]} 65. Qa6+ {[%eval 4,0]} Kf2 {[%eval 1,0]} 66. Kh2 $4 {[%eval -32757,0] Checkmate is now unavoidable. Qa2+ was best.} (66. Qa2+) 66... e2 {[%eval -32759,0]} 0-1

[Event "Norway Chess 2024"]
[Site "Stavanger, Norway"]
[Date "2024.06.01"]
[Round "9.1"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Firouzja, Alireza"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C67"]
[WhiteElo "2830"]
[BlackElo "2737"]
[Annotator "Stockfish 16.1 - Chessbase"]
[PlyCount "163"]
[EventDate "2024.??.??"]

1. e4 {[%eval 15,0]} e5 {[%eval 17,0]} 2. Nf3 {[%eval 19,0]} Nc6 {[%eval 19,0]} 3. Bb5 {[%eval 16,0]} Nf6 {[%eval 19,0]} 4. O-O {[%eval 16,0]} Nxe4 {[%eval 21,0]} 5. Re1 {[%eval 27,0]} Nd6 {[%eval 15,0]} 6. Nxe5 {[%eval 27,0]} Be7 {[%eval 21,0]} 7. Bf1 {[%eval 23,0]} Nxe5 {[%eval 15,0]} 8. Rxe5 {[%eval 21,0]} O-O {[%eval 22,0]} 9. d4 {[%eval 19,0]} Bf6 {[%eval 19,0]} 10. Re1 {[%eval 15,0]} Re8 {[%eval 18,0]} 11. c3 {[%eval 21,0]} ({RR} 11. Rxe8+ Nxe8 12. c3 d5 13. Bd3 c6 14. Bf4 g6 15. Nd2 Ng7 16. Nf3 Bf5 17. Bh6 Bxd3 18. Qxd3 Nf5 19. Bf4 Qb6 20. Qd2 Re8 21. Be5 Qd8 22. Re1 Nh4 23. Nxh4 Bxh4 24. g3 Bg5 25. Bf4 Rxe1+ {½-½ Caruana,F (2805)-So,W (2757) Chess.com Classic Play-In chess.com INT 2024 (8.2)}) 11... Rxe1 {[%eval 19,0]} 12. Qxe1 {[%eval 24,0]} Ne8 {[%eval 23,0]} 13. d5 {[%eval 16,0]} ({RR} 13. Bf4 d5 14. a4 a5 15. Nd2 Bf5 16. Qe3 Nd6 17. Bd3 Bxd3 18. Qxd3 Bg5 19. Bxd6 Qxd6 20. Nf3 Bf6 21. Qb5 b6 22. Re1 g6 23. g3 Rd8 24. Ne5 Bxe5 25. Rxe5 Qd7 26. Qe2 Qxa4 27. Re7 c5 {½-½ Martinez Alcantara,J (2610)-Firouzja,A (2760) Chessable Masters Div 1 L chess.com INT 2024 (2.1)}) 13... Qe7 $146 {[%eval 15,0]} ({RR} 13... d6 14. Bd3 g6 15. Nd2 Bg7 16. Ne4 Bf5 17. Bg5 Qd7 18. Qd2 Bxe4 19. Bxe4 Nf6 20. Bf3 Qf5 21. Re1 Qd7 22. Qf4 Re8 23. Rd1 Qf5 24. Qxf5 gxf5 25. Be3 Ng4 26. Bc1 Ne5 27. Be2 a6 28. Kf1 {1-0 Jackson,E (2156)-Liu,A (2285) Titled Tue 20th Feb Early chess.com INT 2024 (7)}) ({RR} 13... c6 14. Nd2 cxd5 15. Nf3 d6 16. Be3 Nc7 17. Qd2 Bd7 18. g3 Bc6 19. Bg2 Ne6 20. Rd1 Qa5 21. a3 h6 22. Nd4 Nxd4 23. Bxd4 Bxd4 24. Qxd4 Re8 25. Bxd5 Bxd5 26. Qxd5 Qxd5 27. Rxd5 Re2 28. b4 {Giri,A (2780)-Caruana,F (2827) Batumi 2018 ½-½ (32)}) ({RR} 13... d6 14. Be3 Bd7 15. Qd2 h6 16. c4 Bg5 17. f4 Bf6 18. Nc3 Bf5 19. Re1 g6 20. Nb5 a6 21. Nd4 Ng7 22. Bf2 Qd7 23. b4 Re8 24. Rxe8+ Qxe8 25. c5 Be4 26. Nb3 Qd7 27. Bc4 Qg4 28. Bf1 {Popovic,D (2494)-Simek,P (2322) Prague CZE 2025 ½-½ (64)}) 14. Qd1 {[%eval 2,0]} b6 {[%eval 14,0]} 15. a4 {[%eval 13,0]} a5 {[%eval 5,0]} 16. Na3 $146 {[%eval 4,0]} ({RR} 16. Nd2 Bb7 17. Nf3 g6 18. Ra3 Qd6 19. c4 c6 20. Rb3 cxd5 21. c5 Qxc5 22. Be3 Qd6 23. Rxb6 Bc6 24. Bd4 Bd8 25. Ra6 Rxa6 26. Bxa6 Nc7 27. Bf1 Ne6 28. Bc3 d4 29. Bd2 Qd5 30. b4 axb4 {Berchtenbreiter,M (2494)-Kozak,A (2578) Austria AUT 2023 0-1 (67)}) 16... Bb7 {[%eval 5,0]} 17. Nc4 {[%eval 6,0]} Bg5 {[%eval 5,0]} 18. d6 {[%eval 7,0]} Nxd6 {[%eval 1,0]} 19. Bxg5 {[%eval 8,0]} Qxg5 {[%eval 18,0]} 20. Nxd6 {[%eval 8,0]} cxd6 {[%eval 9,0]} 21. Qxd6 {[%eval 1,0]} Bc6 {[%eval 12,0]} 22. Re1 {[%eval 9,0]} Qf6 {[%eval 34,0]} 23. Qxf6 {[%eval 35,0]} gxf6 {[%eval 41,0]} 24. b3 {[%eval 39,0]} Rb8 {[%eval 29,0]} 25. c4 {[%eval 5,0]} d5 {[%eval 5,0]} 26. Re7 {[%eval 0,0]} Rc8 {[%eval 17,0]} 27. f3 {[%eval 0,0]} dxc4 {[%eval 2,0]} 28. Bxc4 {[%eval 6,0]} Bxa4 {[%eval 4,0]} 29. Bxf7+ {[%eval 2,0]} Kf8 {[%eval 5,0]} 30. Ra7 {[%eval 4,0]} Bb5 {[%eval 5,0]} 31. h4 {[%eval 0,0]} Rc5 {[%eval 4,0]} 32. Kf2 {[%eval 5,0]} Rc2+ {[%eval 11,0]} 33. Kg3 {[%eval 7,0]} Re2 {[%eval 2,0]} 34. Rb7 {[%eval 6,0]} Bd3 {[%eval 15,0]} 35. Bc4 {[%eval 1,0]} Bxc4 {[%eval 1,0]} 36. bxc4 {[%eval 13,0]} Rc2 {[%eval 16,0]} 37. Rxb6 {[%eval 7,0]} Kg7 {[%eval 8,0]} 38. Ra6 {[%eval 6,0]} Rxc4 {[%eval 6,0]} 39. Rxa5 {[%eval 6,0]} Rc7 {[%eval 22,0]} 40. Kg4 {[%eval 4,0]} Kg6 {[%eval 7,0]} 41. h5+ {[%eval 4,0]} Kf7 {[%eval 4,0]} 42. Kf5 {[%eval 5,0]} h6 {[%eval 1,0]} 43. Kg4 {[%eval 1,0]} Rc4+ {[%eval 12,0]} 44. Kh3 {[%eval 11,0]} Rc7 {[%eval 8,0]} 45. Ra4 {[%eval 7,0]} Rb7 {[%eval 1,0]} 46. Rg4 {[%eval 9,0]} Rb5 {[%eval 1,0]} 47. Kh4 {[%eval 14,0]} Rb1 {[%eval 9,0]} 48. Ra4 {[%eval 9,0]} Rb7 {[%eval 1,0]} 49. Kg4 {[%eval 9,0]} Rc7 {[%eval 1,0]} 50. Ra5 {[%eval 9,0]} Rb7 {[%eval 4,0]} 51. Kf5 {[%eval 6,0]} Re7 {[%eval 12,0]} 52. f4 {[%eval 3,0]} Rb7 {[%eval 12,0]} 53. g3 {[%eval 13,0]} Rc7 {[%eval 14,0]} 54. Ke4 {[%eval 14,0]} Re7+ {[%eval 14,0]} 55. Kf3 {[%eval 7,0]} Kg7 {[%eval 7,0]} 56. Ra1 {[%eval 8,0]} Kf7 {[%eval 9,0]} 57. Rh1 {[%eval 5,0]} Ra7 {[%eval 3,0]} 58. Rd1 {[%eval 4,0]} Rb7 {[%eval 9,0]} 59. Ke4 {[%eval 9,0]} Re7+ {[%eval 9,0]} 60. Kf5 {[%eval 3,0]} Ra7 {[%eval 3,0]} 61. Rd5 {[%eval 3,0]} Rb7 {[%eval 3,0]} 62. Ra5 {[%eval 3,0]} Rc7 {[%eval 1,0]} 63. Ke4 {[%eval 1,0]} Re7+ {[%eval 1,0]} 64. Kf3 {[%eval 13,0]} Rb7 {[%eval 16,0]} 65. f5 {[%eval 0,0]} Rc7 {[%eval 0,0]} 66. Ke4 {[%eval 0,0]} Re7+ {[%eval 0,0]} 67. Kd4 {[%eval 0,0]} Rd7+ {[%eval 1,0]} 68. Kc5 {[%eval 1,0]} Rb7 {[%eval 2,0]} 69. g4 {[%eval 2,0]} Re7 {[%eval 2,0]} 70. Kd6 {[%eval 0,0]} Re4 {[%eval 0,0]} 71. Ra7+ {[%eval 0,0]} Kf8 {[%eval 19,0]} 72. Rb7 {[%eval 3,0]} Rxg4 {[%eval 12,0]} 73. Ke6 {[%eval 12,0]} Ra4 {[%eval 12,0]} 74. Rd7 {[%eval 12,0]} Ra1 {[%eval 12,0]} 75. Kxf6 {[%eval 12,0]} Ra6+ {[%eval 12,0]} 76. Ke5 {[%eval 13,0]} Rb6 {[%eval 13,0]} 77. Rd6 {[%eval 14,0]} Rxd6 $4 {[%eval 32730,0] Checkmate is now unavoidable. Rb2 was best.} (77... Rb2) 78. Kxd6 {[%eval 32732,0]} Kf7 {[%eval 32732,0]} 79. Ke5 {[%eval 32734,0]} Ke7 {[%eval 32734,0]} 80. f6+ {[%eval 32736,0]} Kf8 {[%eval 32736,0]} 81. Kf4 {[%eval 32738,0]} Ke8 {[%eval 32738,0]} 82. Ke4 {[%eval 32740,0]} 1-0

[Event "Norway Chess 2024"]
[Site "Stavanger, Norway"]
[Date "2024.06.04"]
[Round "15.1"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Praggnanandhaa R"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C81"]
[WhiteElo "2830"]
[BlackElo "2747"]
[Annotator "Stockfish 16.1 - Chessbase"]
[PlyCount "150"]
[EventDate "2024.??.??"]

1. e4 {[%eval 15,0]} e5 {[%eval 17,0]} 2. Nf3 {[%eval 11,0]} Nc6 {[%eval 19,0]} 3. Bb5 {[%eval 16,0]} a6 {[%eval 38,0]} 4. Ba4 {[%eval 14,0]} Nf6 {[%eval 25,0]} 5. O-O {[%eval 23,0]} Nxe4 {[%eval 27,0]} 6. d4 {[%eval 31,0]} b5 {[%eval 19,0]} 7. Bb3 {[%eval 33,0]} d5 {[%eval 25,0]} 8. dxe5 {[%eval 44,0]} Be6 {[%eval 28,0]} 9. Qe2 {[%eval 16,0]} Be7 {[%eval 18,0]} 10. Rd1 {[%eval 7,0]} O-O {[%eval 7,0]} 11. c3 {[%eval 11,0]} f5 $146 {[%eval 13,0]} ({RR} 11... Qd7 12. Nbd2 Nc5 13. Bc2 f6 14. exf6 Bxf6 15. Nf1 Rae8 16. Ne3 Bf7 17. Qf1 Ne5 18. Nxe5 Bxe5 19. h3 c6 20. Ng4 Bc7 21. Be3 Qd6 22. b4 Nd7 23. g3 Nf6 24. Bf4 Qd7 25. Nxf6+ gxf6 26. Bxc7 {½-½ Garifullina,L (2423)-Lei,T (2550) World Blitz Women 2023 Samarkand UZB (1.1)}) ({RR} 11... Qd7 12. Bc2 f5 13. Nbd2 Qe8 ({RR} 13... Rad8 14. Nb3 Bf7 15. Nbd4 Bh5 16. Nxc6 Qxc6 17. Nd4 Bxe2 18. Nxc6 Bxd1 19. Nxe7+ Kf7 20. Bxd1 Kxe7 21. f3 Nc5 22. Bg5+ Ke6 23. Bxd8 Rxd8 24. b4 Nd3 25. a4 Nxe5 26. axb5 axb5 27. Bc2 Rd6 28. f4) 14. Nf1 Qf7 15. Nd4 Nxd4 16. cxd4 Qe8 17. a4 c6 18. f3 Ng5 19. Qf2 Bd7 20. Bxg5 Bxg5 21. f4 Be7 22. Nd2 Be6 23. Bd3 Qb8 24. a5 Qe8 25. Rdc1 h6 26. Nb3 {0-1 Wang,C (2288)-Tarhan,A (2457) Dubai Police Global Chess Challenge 202 Dubai Police Officers Club, A 2024 (1.57)}) ({RR} 11... Nc5 12. Bc2 Qc8 13. Nbd2 Bf5 14. Nb3 Bxc2 15. Qxc2 Qe6 16. Nfd4 Nxd4 17. cxd4 Nxb3 18. axb3 Rac8 19. Be3 h6 20. f4 Bb4 21. f5 Qb6 22. f6 g5 23. Qf5 Qe6 24. Qxe6 fxe6 25. Rxa6 Kf7 26. Rc1) ({RR} 11... Re8 12. Bc2 f5 13. exf6 Bxf6 14. Bxe4 Bf7 15. Bxh7+ Kxh7 16. Be3 Bg6 17. Nbd2 d4 18. cxd4 Nxd4 19. Qf1 Nc2 20. Ne4 Qe7 21. Nxf6+ Qxf6 22. Bd4 Nxd4 23. Rxd4 c5 24. Rh4+ Kg8 25. Qc1 Rad8 26. a4 {½-½ Li Chao2 (2651)-Xu,Y (2515) CHN Team Men 2024 Qingdao CHN (9.1)}) 12. exf6 {[%eval 9,0]} Bxf6 {[%eval 15,0]} 13. Nbd2 {[%eval 11,0]} Nc5 {[%eval 16,0]} 14. Bc2 {[%eval 14,0]} Re8 {[%eval 12,0]} 15. Nf1 $146 {[%eval 0,0]} ({RR} 15. Nb3 Bf7 16. Be3 Na4 17. Qd3 Bg6 18. Qd2 Bf7 19. Nbd4 Nxd4 20. cxd4 Nb6 21. b3 Qd7 22. Ne5 Bxe5 23. dxe5 Rxe5 24. Bd4 Rh5 25. f3 Bg6 26. Rac1 Re8 27. g4 Rh6 28. Re1 Bxc2 29. Rxe8+ Qxe8 {Carlsen,M (2831)-Sevian,S (2696) New York USA 2024 1-0 (76)}) 15... Bf7 {[%eval 16,0]} 16. Be3 {[%eval 15,0]} Ne4 {[%eval 18,0]} 17. Ng3 {[%eval 22,0]} Nxg3 {[%eval 25,0]} 18. hxg3 {[%eval 29,0]} Ne5 {[%eval 36,0]} 19. Nxe5 {[%eval 33,0]} Bxe5 {[%eval 31,0]} 20. a4 {[%eval 25,0]} c6 {[%eval 22,0]} 21. Qd2 {[%eval 23,0]} Qd6 {[%eval 39,0]} 22. Re1 {[%eval 39,0]} Bg6 {[%eval 4,0]} 23. Bxg6 {[%eval 4,0]} Qxg6 {[%eval 12,0]} 24. Bd4 {[%eval 12,0]} Bxd4 {[%eval 14,0]} 25. Qxd4 {[%eval 7,0]} bxa4 {[%eval 9,0]} 26. Qxa4 {[%eval 1,0]} c5 {[%eval 28,0]} 27. Qd7 {[%eval 1,0]} Rad8 {[%eval 7,0]} 28. Qc7 {[%eval 7,0]} d4 {[%eval 8,0]} 29. cxd4 {[%eval 1,0]} cxd4 {[%eval 8,0]} 30. Qc4+ {[%eval 7,0]} Kh8 {[%eval 5,0]} 31. Rxe8+ {[%eval 5,0]} Qxe8 {[%eval 4,0]} 32. Rd1 {[%eval 4,0]} Qd7 {[%eval 7,0]} 33. Qxa6 {[%eval 7,0]} d3 {[%eval 7,0]} 34. b4 {[%eval 0,0]} h6 {[%eval 5,0]} 35. Qc4 {[%eval 0,0]} d2 {[%eval 3,0]} 36. Qe2 {[%eval 7,0]} Qd3 {[%eval 3,0]} 37. Qxd3 {[%eval 6,0]} Rxd3 {[%eval 8,0]} 38. f3 {[%eval 0,0]} Kh7 {[%eval 3,0]} 39. Kf2 {[%eval 0,0]} Rb3 {[%eval 6,0]} 40. Rxd2 {[%eval 6,0]} Rxb4 {[%eval 8,0]} 41. Rd5 {[%eval 0,0]} Rb2+ {[%eval 0,0]} 42. Kg1 {[%eval 3,0]} Rb7 {[%eval 3,0]} 43. Kh2 {[%eval 4,0]} g6 {[%eval 6,0]} 44. Kh3 {[%eval 0,0]} h5 {[%eval 4,0]} 45. g4 {[%eval 4,0]} hxg4+ {[%eval 4,0]} 46. Kxg4 {[%eval 2,0]} Kh6 {[%eval 2,0]} 47. Ra5 {[%eval 4,0]} (47. Rb5) 47... Rb4+ {[%eval 8,0]} 48. f4 {[%eval 11,0]} Rb2 {[%eval 0,0]} 49. Kh3 {[%eval 0,0]} Rb4 {[%eval 0,0]} 50. g3 {[%eval 2,0]} Kg7 {[%eval 0,0]} 51. Kh4 {[%eval 2,0]} Rc4 {[%eval 3,0]} 52. Ra7+ {[%eval 3,0]} Kf6 {[%eval 3,0]} 53. Kg4 {[%eval 3,0]} Rc3 {[%eval 2,0]} 54. Ra5 {[%eval 2,0]} Rb3 {[%eval 2,0]} 55. Kh3 {[%eval 2,0]} Rc3 {[%eval 3,0]} 56. Re5 {[%eval 11,0]} Rc2 {[%eval 3,0]} 57. g4 {[%eval 3,0]} Rc3+ {[%eval 3,0]} 58. Kg2 {[%eval 7,0]} Ra3 {[%eval 0,0]} 59. Kf2 {[%eval 2,0]} Kf7 {[%eval 0,0]} 60. Re3 {[%eval 0,0]} Ra1 {[%eval 2,0]} 61. Rb3 {[%eval 0,0]} Kg7 {[%eval 0,0]} 62. Kg3 {[%eval 0,0]} Rf1 {[%eval 0,0]} 63. Rb7+ {[%eval 0,0]} Kg8 {[%eval 0,0]} 64. Ra7 {[%eval 0,0]} Kf8 {[%eval 3,0]} 65. Ra4 {[%eval 2,0]} Rh1 {[%eval 0,0]} 66. Kf3 {[%eval 2,0]} Rg1 {[%eval 0,0]} 67. g5 {[%eval 0,0]} Rf1+ {[%eval 0,0]} 68. Ke4 {[%eval 0,0]} Kg7 {[%eval 0,0]} 69. Ra7+ {[%eval 0,0]} Kg8 {[%eval 0,0]} 70. Ke5 {[%eval 0,0]} Rf2 {[%eval 0,0]} 71. Kf6 {[%eval 0,0]} Rxf4+ {[%eval 0,0]} 72. Kxg6 {[%eval 0,0]} Rf8 {[%eval 0,0]} 73. Rg7+ {[%eval 0,0]} Kh8 {[%eval 0,0]} 74. Rh7+ {[%eval 0,0]} Kg8 {[%eval 0,0]} 75. Rg7+ {[%eval 0,0]} Kh8 {[%eval 0,0]} 1/2-1/2

[Event "Norway Chess 2024"]
[Site "Stavanger, Norway"]
[Date "2024.06.06"]
[Round "17.1"]
[White "Firouzja, Alireza"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C54"]
[WhiteElo "2737"]
[BlackElo "2830"]
[Annotator "Stockfish 16.1 - Chessbase"]
[PlyCount "62"]
[EventDate "2024.??.??"]

{[%evp 0,62,18,43,24,15,25,17,7,7,-3,-6,13,-38,-10,-29,-25,-22,-8,6,29,17,22,12,14,-8,16,8,42,51,40,38,44,50,40,42,62,40,40,27,38,-9,-10,-3,-12,-10,-13,-2,-9,-30,-19,-17,-13,-19,-31,-25,-13,-46,-47,-40,-22,-28,0,-15,6]} 1. e4 {Stockfish 16.1 - Chessbase} e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. d3 Nf6 5. Bg5 h6 6. Bh4 d6 7. c3 a6 8. Nbd2 Ba7 9. O-O Qe7 10. b4 Be6 11. a4 O-O 12. Rb1 $146 ({RR} 12. b5 Nb8 13. Bxe6 Qxe6 14. Re1 axb5 15. axb5 Nbd7 16. Qb3 Qxb3 17. Nxb3 Bb6 18. Bxf6 Nxf6 19. Nfd2 Nd7 20. Nc4 Nc5 21. Nxc5 {½-½ Makarian,R (2525)-Petrosyan,M (2620) Aeroflot Open A 2024 Moscow RUS (7.8)}) ({RR} 12. Re1 Bxc4 13. Nxc4 Qe6 14. b5 Ne7 15. Bxf6 Qxf6 16. Rb1 axb5 17. axb5 Ng6 18. g3 Rfc8 19. Kg2 Nf8 20. d4 Qe6 21. Qd3 Nd7 22. h4 Bb6 23. Ne3 Nf6 24. Nc4 Ra2 25. Nfd2 Rca8 26. Re2 R8a4 {So,W (2770)-Carlsen,M (2847) chess24.com INT 2021 0-1 (85)}) ({RR} 12. Bd5 Nd8 13. d4 g5 14. dxe5 Nxd5 15. exd5 Bxd5 16. exd6 cxd6 17. Re1 Be6 18. Bg3 f5 19. h3 f4 20. Bh2 Rc8 21. c4 Qg7 22. Ne4 Rxc4 23. b5 g4 24. hxg4 Bxg4 25. Ra3 Ne6 26. Qd5 Rc2 {Zhapova,Y (2258)-Girya,O (2400) Al Ain UAE 2025 ½-½ (37)}) ({RR} 12. Bd5 g5 13. Nxg5 Nxd5 14. Nxe6 Qxh4 15. exd5 fxe6 16. g3 Qh3 17. dxc6 bxc6 18. Qe2 Rf5 19. Kh1 Raf8 20. f3 Rg5 21. Qg2 Qf5 22. Rad1 h5 23. Nb3 h4 24. g4 Qh7 25. Qe2 h3 26. d4 exd4 {Firouzja,A (2737)-Carlsen,M (2830) Stavanger, Norway 2024 [Stockfish 16.1 - Chessbase] 0-1 (46)} {RR} 27. f4 Rg6) ({RR} 12. b5 Nb8 13. Bxe6 Qxe6 14. Re1 axb5 15. axb5 Nbd7 16. Qb3 Qxb3 17. Nxb3 Bb6 18. Bxf6 Nxf6 19. Nfd2 Nd7 20. Nc4 Nc5 21. Nxc5) 12... Bxc4 13. Nxc4 Qe6 14. Bxf6 $146 ({RR} 14. b5 axb5 15. axb5 Nb8 16. b6 Bxb6 17. Nxb6 cxb6 18. Bxf6 Qxf6 19. Rxb6 Nd7 20. Rxb7 Nc5 21. Rb6 Ra3 22. d4 Nxe4 23. dxe5 Qd8 24. Rb4 Nxc3 25. Qxd6 Qxd6 26. exd6 Ra6 27. d7 Rd6 28. Ne5 f6 {Adhiban,B (2537)-Kuybokarov,T (2562) Bajina Basta SRB 2024 ½-½ (69)}) 14... Qxf6 15. b5 axb5 16. Rxb5 Nd8 17. d4 c6 18. Rb1 exd4 19. cxd4 Ne6 20. Nb6 Bxb6 21. Rxb6 (21. Rb5) 21... Ra7 22. d5 cxd5 23. Qxd5 Rxa4 24. Qxb7 Nd4 25. Nxd4 Rxd4 26. Rb3 Re8 27. Re3 Qg6 28. Rfe1 d5 29. e5 Qe6 30. h3 Rc4 31. Rd3 Re4 1/2-1/2

[Event "Norway Chess 2024"]
[Site "Stavanger, Norway"]
[Date "2024.06.06"]
[Round "18.1"]
[White "Firouzja, Alireza"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C54"]
[WhiteElo "2737"]
[BlackElo "2830"]
[Annotator "Stockfish 16.1 - Chessbase"]
[PlyCount "92"]
[EventDate "2024.??.??"]

{[%evp 0,92,18,24,10,29,17,7,7,-3,22,5,7,-20,-22,-34,-22,-9,7,11,12,12,14,15,15,-22,-12,-72,0,-58,-8,-5,5,6,6,6,6,-2,-3,-5,16,16,45,0,0,21,32,21,72,60,70,81,86,68,79,67,61,78,78,78,72,5,21,17,34,44,101,33,25,39,41,0,0,-91,55,19,84,57,57,29,29,29,31,35,17,5,16,16,0,0,0,0,0,-127,-142]} 1. e4 {Stockfish 16.1 - Chessbase} e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. d3 Nf6 5. Bg5 h6 6. Bh4 d6 7. c3 a6 8. Nbd2 Ba7 9. O-O Qe7 10. b4 Be6 11. a4 O-O 12. Bd5 $146 ({RR} 12. b5 Nb8 13. Bxe6 Qxe6 14. Re1 axb5 15. axb5 Nbd7 16. Qb3 Qxb3 17. Nxb3 Bb6 18. Bxf6 Nxf6 19. Nfd2 Nd7 20. Nc4 Nc5 21. Nxc5 {½-½ Makarian,R (2525)-Petrosyan,M (2620) Aeroflot Open A 2024 Moscow RUS (7.8)}) ({RR} 12. Re1 Bxc4 13. Nxc4 Qe6 14. b5 Ne7 15. Bxf6 Qxf6 16. Rb1 axb5 17. axb5 Ng6 18. g3 Rfc8 19. Kg2 Nf8 20. d4 Qe6 21. Qd3 Nd7 22. h4 Bb6 23. Ne3 Nf6 24. Nc4 Ra2 25. Nfd2 Rca8 26. Re2 R8a4 {So,W (2770)-Carlsen,M (2847) chess24.com INT 2021 0-1 (85)}) ({RR} 12. Rb1 Bxc4 13. Nxc4 Qe6 14. Bxf6 Qxf6 15. b5 axb5 16. Rxb5 Nd8 17. d4 c6 18. Rb1 exd4 19. cxd4 Ne6 20. Nb6 Bxb6 21. Rxb6 ({RR} 21. Rb5) 21... Ra7 22. d5 cxd5 23. Qxd5 Rxa4 24. Qxb7 Nd4 25. Nxd4 Rxd4 26. Rb3 Re8 {Firouzja,A (2737)-Carlsen,M (2830) Stavanger, Norway 2024 [Stockfish 16.1 - Chessbase] ½-½ (31)}) ({RR} 12. b5 Nb8 13. Bxe6 Qxe6 14. Re1 axb5 15. axb5 Nbd7 16. Qb3 Qxb3 17. Nxb3 Bb6 18. Bxf6 Nxf6 19. Nfd2 Nd7 20. Nc4 Nc5 21. Nxc5) 12... g5 $146 ({RR} 12... Nd8 13. d4 g5 14. dxe5 Nxd5 15. exd5 Bxd5 16. exd6 cxd6 17. Re1 Be6 18. Bg3 f5 19. h3 f4 20. Bh2 Rc8 21. c4 Qg7 22. Ne4 Rxc4 23. b5 g4 24. hxg4 Bxg4 25. Ra3 Ne6 26. Qd5 Rc2 27. Ned2 {Zhapova,Y (2258)-Girya,O (2400) Al Ain UAE 2025 ½-½ (37)}) 13. Nxg5 Nxd5 14. Nxe6 Qxh4 15. exd5 fxe6 16. g3 Qh3 17. dxc6 bxc6 18. Qe2 Rf5 19. Kh1 Raf8 20. f3 Rg5 21. Qg2 Qf5 22. Rad1 h5 23. Nb3 h4 24. g4 Qh7 25. Qe2 h3 26. d4 exd4 27. cxd4 $6 {Inaccuracy. f4 was best.} (27. f4 Rg6) 27... e5 28. Na5 Bxd4 29. Nxc6 Qf7 30. Rc1 Rg6 31. Qxa6 Rf6 32. Qe2 Rxf3 $2 {Mistake. Bb2 was best.} (32... Bb2) 33. Rxf3 $2 {Mistake. Ne7+ was best.} (33. Ne7+ Kh7 34. Qe4+ Kh8 35. Nf5 Rxf1+ 36. Rxf1 Qa2 37. a5 Bc3 38. Qf3 Qg2+) 33... Qxf3+ 34. Qxf3 Rxf3 35. Nxd4 exd4 36. Ra1 $4 {Blunder. Kg1 was best.} (36. Kg1 Rc3 37. Ra1 Rc4 38. a5 Rxb4 39. a6 Rb8 40. a7 Ra8 41. Kf2 c5) 36... Rb3 $4 {Blunder. d3 was best.} (36... d3 37. Kg1 c5 38. Rc1 cxb4 39. Rd1 b3 40. Rd2 Re3 41. Kf1 Re2 42. Rxd3) 37. a5 Rxb4 38. a6 Rb8 39. a7 Ra8 40. Kg1 c5 41. Kf2 Kf7 42. Ke2 c4 43. Ra5 d3+ 44. Kd2 Kg6 45. Kc3 d5 46. Ra2 $4 {Blunder. Rxd5 was best.} (46. Rxd5 Rxa7 47. Kxc4 d2 48. Rxd2 Kg5 49. Kd3 Kxg4 50. Ke2 Ra4 51. Ke3 Ra3+) 46... Kg5 0-1

[Event "Norway Chess 2024"]
[Site "Stavanger, Norway"]
[Date "2024.06.07"]
[Round "19.1"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C77"]
[WhiteElo "2830"]
[BlackElo "2805"]
[Annotator "Stockfish 16.1 - Chessbase"]
[PlyCount "49"]
[EventDate "2024.??.??"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. Nc3 Bc5 6. O-O b5 7. Bb3 O-O ({RR} 7... d6 8. a4 b4 9. Nd5 Bg4 10. c3 Rb8 11. Bc4 O-O 12. h3 Bh5 13. Nxf6+ Qxf6 14. g4 Qg6 15. Nh4 Qf6 16. Nf3 Na5 17. Ba2 Bg6 18. d4 b3 19. Bb1 Ba7 20. Bg5 Qe6 21. d5 Qd7 22. Qe2 {1-0 Grigoriants,S (2544)-Nepomniachtchi,I (2771) World Rapid 2023 Samarkand UZB (3.35)}) 8. a4 $146 ({RR} 8. Nd5 d6 9. Nxf6+ Qxf6 10. Bd5 Bd7 11. d3 h6 12. h3 Rab8 13. Be3 Ne7 14. Bb3 Ng6 15. d4 exd4 16. Nxd4 Nh4 17. Kh1 Qg6 18. Rg1 Bxd4 19. Bxd4 c5 20. Bc3 c4 21. f3 cxb3 22. axb3 f5 {1-0 Szpar,M (2491)-Bochnicka,V (2398) Titled Tue 2nd Jan Late chess.com INT 2024 (1)}) 8... Rb8 9. axb5 axb5 10. d3 h6 11. h3 d6 12. Ne2 Ne7 13. Ng3 Ng6 14. c3 Bb6 15. d4 Bb7 $146 ({RR} 15... Re8 16. Re1 Bb7 17. d5 c6 18. dxc6 Bxc6 19. Nf5 d5 20. exd5 Bxd5 21. Ra6 Bxb3 22. Qxb3 Qc8 23. Nd6 Qxa6 24. Qxf7+ Kh7 25. Bxh6 Qa7 26. Ng5+ Kxh6 27. Qxa7 Bxa7 28. Ndf7+ Kh5 29. g4+ Nxg4 30. hxg4+ {Bodnaruk,A (2443)-Lagno,K (2546) Chess.com INT 2021 0-1 (42)}) 16. Bc2 c5 17. Re1 Re8 18. dxe5 dxe5 19. Qxd8 Rexd8 20. Be3 Bc8 21. Nf5 Be6 22. Ra6 Bc8 23. Raa1 Be6 24. Ra6 Bc8 25. Raa1 1/2-1/2

[Event "July 23 Late 2024"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2024.07.23"]
[Round "1.1"]
[White "Villa Tornero, Alex"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B10"]
[WhiteElo "2545"]
[BlackElo "3240"]
[PlyCount "110"]
[EventDate "2024.??.??"]
[WhiteTeam "ESP"]
[BlackTeam "NOR"]
[TimeControl "180+1"]
[WhiteClock "0:00:01"]
[BlackClock "0:01:30"]

1. e4 {[%emt 0:00:02] Wojtaszek,Radoslaw} c6 {[%emt 0:00:03]} 2. Nf3 {[%emt 0:00:01]} d5 {[%emt 0:00:01]} 3. exd5 {[%emt 0:00:01]} cxd5 {[%emt 0:00:03]} 4. Ne5 {[%emt 0:00:01]} e6 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 5. d4 {[%emt 0:00:03]} Nc6 {[%emt 0:00:04]} 6. c3 {[%emt 0:00:04]} Bd6 {[%emt 0:00:02]} ({RR} 6... Nxe5 7. dxe5 Ne7 8. Nd2 Nc6 9. Nf3 Qc7 10. Bf4 Be7) 7. Nxc6 {[%emt 0:00:06]} ({RR} 7. f4 Nge7 8. Bd3 O-O 9. O-O f6 10. Qh5 ({RR} 10. Nxc6 bxc6) 10... Nf5 11. Nxc6 ({RR} 11. g4 fxe5 12. fxe5 ({RR} 12. gxf5 e4) 12... Nxe5 13. dxe5 Bc5+ 14. Kh1 g6 15. Qh3 Nh4) 11... bxc6 12. Nd2 ({RR} 12. Bxf5 exf5) 12... g6 13. Qe2 ({RR} 13. Qh3 e5 14. fxe5 fxe5 15. dxe5 Bxe5) 13... Qc7 14. g4 Ng7 15. Nb3 ({RR} 15. Nf3 Bxf4 16. Bxf4 Qxf4 17. Ne5 Qg5 18. Nxc6 Bd7) 15... Bd7 16. Bd2 ({RR} 16. c4 e5 17. c5 Be7 18. fxe5 fxe5 19. Rxf8+ ({RR} 19. Qxe5 Qxe5 20. dxe5 Rxf1+ 21. Kxf1 Bxg4) 19... Rxf8 20. dxe5 a5 21. a4 Ne6) 16... Rae8 17. Rae1 e5 18. fxe5 fxe5 19. Rxf8+ Kxf8 20. dxe5 Bxe5 21. Qf3+ Kg8 {Sedlak,N (2550)-Wojtaszek,R (2711) Khanty-Mansiysk 2010 CBM 139 [Wojtaszek,Radoslaw] 0-1 (32)} {RR} 22. h3 Ne6 23. Rf1 Rf8 24. Qe2 Rxf1+ 25. Kxf1) ({RR} 7. f4 Nge7 8. Bd3 O-O 9. O-O f6 10. Qh5 Nf5 11. Nf3 g6 12. Qh3 e5 13. fxe5 Nfxd4 14. Qh6 Nxf3+ 15. Rxf3 Nxe5 16. Rg3 Qb6+ 17. Be3 Bc5 18. Bxc5 Qxc5+ 19. Kh1 Ng4 20. Qf4 Nf2+ 21. Kg1 Nxd3+ {Diaz Vasquez,M (2266)-Brenke,A (2349) chess.com INT 2025 0-1 (41)}) 7... bxc6 {[%emt 0:00:01]} 8. Bd3 {[%emt 0:00:02]} Ne7 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 9. O-O {[%emt 0:00:06]} O-O $146 {[%emt 0:00:01]} ({RR} 9... Qc7 10. h3 O-O 11. Nd2 f6 12. Nb3 e5 13. c4 e4 14. Be2 Qd8 15. cxd5 Nxd5 16. f3 Bf5 17. Nd2 exf3 18. Bxf3 Bg6 19. Nc4 Bb8 20. Ne3 Bf7 21. Nxd5 cxd5 22. Bg4 Qb6 23. Kh1 Re8 24. b3 {Coicev,M (2153)-Kuzubov,Y (2605) Bucharest ROU 2024 0-1 (46)}) 10. Qh5 {[%emt 0:00:02]} g6 {[%emt 0:00:04]} 11. Qh6 {[%emt 0:00:08]} c5 {[%emt 0:00:02]} 12. Nd2 {[%emt 0:00:24]} cxd4 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 13. cxd4 {[%emt 0:00:01]} f6 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 14. Nf3 {[%emt 0:00:04]} a5 {[%emt 0:00:03]} 15. Bf4 {[%emt 0:00:07]} Ba6 {[%emt 0:00:02]} 16. Bxa6 {[%emt 0:00:08]} Nf5 {[%emt 0:00:02]} 17. Qh3 {[%emt 0:00:06]} Rxa6 {[%emt 0:00:01]} 18. Bxd6 {[%emt 0:00:02]} Qxd6 {[%emt 0:00:02]} 19. g4 {[%emt 0:00:13]} Ne7 {[%emt 0:00:07]} 20. Rae1 {[%emt 0:00:05]} g5 {[%emt 0:00:04]} 21. Qg3 {[%emt 0:00:06]} Ng6 {[%emt 0:00:01]} 22. h4 {[%emt 0:00:11]} h6 {[%emt 0:00:02]} 23. Qxd6 {[%emt 0:00:26]} Rxd6 {[%emt 0:00:02]} 24. Rc1 {[%emt 0:00:03]} a4 {[%emt 0:00:07]} 25. hxg5 {[%emt 0:00:05]} hxg5 {[%emt 0:00:01]} 26. Rc7 {[%emt 0:00:05]} Rb6 {[%emt 0:00:04]} 27. Rb1 {[%emt 0:00:05]} Rfb8 {[%emt 0:00:08]} 28. Rc2 {[%emt 0:00:05]} Kf7 {[%emt 0:00:04]} 29. Nd2 {[%emt 0:00:08]} Rb4 {[%emt 0:00:02]} 30. Nf3 {[%emt 0:00:08]} Nf4 {[%emt 0:00:01]} 31. Kf1 {[%emt 0:00:02]} R8b7 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 32. Ke1 {[%emt 0:00:03]} Nd3+ {[%emt 0:00:02]} 33. Kd2 {[%emt 0:00:02]} Nxb2 {[%emt 0:00:04]} 34. Ke2 {[%emt 0:00:07]} Nc4 {[%emt 0:00:04]} 35. Rxb4 {[%emt 0:00:04]} Rxb4 {[%emt 0:00:01]} 36. Ne1 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Nd6 {[%emt 0:00:03]} 37. Ke3 {[%emt 0:00:06]} Nb5 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 38. Nd3 {[%emt 0:00:02]} Rxd4 {[%emt 0:00:03]} 39. Rb2 {[%emt 0:00:04]} Re4+ {[%emt 0:00:01]} 40. Kd2 {[%emt 0:00:01]} Nd4 {[%emt 0:00:02]} 41. Kc3 {[%emt 0:00:01]} Rxg4 {[%emt 0:00:02]} 42. Rb7+ {[%emt 0:00:02]} Kg6 {[%emt 0:00:02]} 43. f3 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Nxf3 {[%emt 0:00:01]} 44. Nf2 {[%emt 0:00:01]} Rc4+ {[%emt 0:00:01]} 45. Kd3 {[%emt 0:00:01]} Ne5+ {[%emt 0:00:01]} 46. Ke2 {[%emt 0:00:01]} g4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 47. a3 {[%emt 0:00:02]} g3 {[%emt 0:00:01]} 48. Nh1 {[%emt 0:00:01]} g2 {[%emt 0:00:02]} 49. Rb8 {[%emt 0:00:01]} Rc2+ {[%emt 0:00:03]} 50. Kd1 {[%emt 0:00:01]} gxh1=Q+ {[%emt 0:00:02]} 51. Kxc2 {[%emt 0:00:01]} Qe4+ {[%emt 0:00:00]} 52. Kb2 {[%emt 0:00:01]} Nc4+ {[%emt 0:00:02]} 53. Ka1 {[%emt 0:00:01]} Qe5+ {[%emt 0:00:02]} 54. Ka2 {[%emt 0:00:01]} Qxb8 {[%emt 0:00:01]} 55. Ka1 {[%emt 0:00:01]} Qb2# {[%emt 0:00:00]} 0-1

[Event "July 23 Late 2024"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2024.07.23"]
[Round "2.1"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Baziuk, Vladyslav"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B22"]
[WhiteElo "3240"]
[BlackElo "2652"]
[PlyCount "111"]
[EventDate "2024.??.??"]
[WhiteTeam "NOR"]
[BlackTeam "UKR"]
[TimeControl "180+1"]
[WhiteClock "0:00:42"]
[BlackClock "0:00:15"]

1. e4 {[%emt 0:00:02]} c6 {[%emt 0:00:03]} 2. c4 {[%emt 0:00:06]} d5 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 3. cxd5 {[%emt 0:00:01]} cxd5 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 4. e5 {[%emt 0:00:01]} Nc6 {[%emt 0:00:04]} 5. d4 {[%emt 0:00:01]} Bf5 {[%emt 0:00:03]} 6. Bd3 {[%emt 0:00:02]} Bxd3 {[%emt 0:00:02]} 7. Qxd3 {[%emt 0:00:00]} e6 {[%emt 0:00:01]} 8. Nf3 {[%emt 0:00:02]} Nge7 {[%emt 0:00:03]} ({RR} 8... Qb6 9. O-O Rc8 10. a3 Na5 11. Nbd2 Ne7 12. b4 Nc4 13. Ra2 Qa6 14. Rc2 Nxd2 15. Qxd2 h6 16. Bb2 Nc6 17. Rfc1 Be7 18. Qe3 Qa4 19. Nd2 O-O 20. Nb1 a5 21. bxa5 Qxa5 22. Qb3 Qa6 23. Bc3 {Kjoita,T (2062)-Haarr,J (2240) Norway NOR 2025 ½-½ (80)}) 9. O-O {[%emt 0:00:03]} Nf5 {[%emt 0:00:01]} 10. Nc3 {[%emt 0:00:01]} Be7 {[%emt 0:00:02]} 11. g3 $146 {[%emt 0:00:02]} ({RR} 11. a3 O-O 12. Bd2 Nh4 13. Nxh4 Bxh4 14. Na4 Be7 15. Rac1 Qd7 16. Nc5 Bxc5 17. Rxc5 Rfc8 18. Rfc1 Ne7 19. b3 Rxc5 20. Rxc5 Rc8 21. Rxc8+ Qxc8 22. g4 Nc6 23. Kg2 a6 24. a4 Qf8 25. Bc3 Qe7 {Agdestein,S (2583)-Wang,Y (2704) Amsterdam 2008 ½-½ (62)}) 11... O-O {[%emt 0:00:07]} 12. h4 {[%emt 0:00:02]} a6 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 13. Kg2 {[%emt 0:00:06]} Rc8 {[%emt 0:00:04]} 14. h5 {[%emt 0:00:07]} f6 {[%emt 0:00:31]} 15. exf6 {[%emt 0:00:06]} Bxf6 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 16. Ne2 {[%emt 0:00:05]} Qb6 {[%emt 0:00:07]} 17. Rd1 {[%emt 0:00:07]} Nb4 {[%emt 0:00:02]} 18. Qb3 {[%emt 0:00:02]} Qb5 {[%emt 0:00:19]} 19. Nf4 {[%emt 0:00:10]} Rc6 {[%emt 0:00:03]} 20. Rb1 {[%emt 0:00:39]} Nc2 {[%emt 0:00:12]} 21. Qxb5 {[%emt 0:00:03]} axb5 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 22. Ne2 {[%emt 0:00:03]} Rfc8 {[%emt 0:00:08]} 23. Bf4 {[%emt 0:00:03]} h6 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 24. Rd2 {[%emt 0:00:03]} Nb4 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 25. a3 {[%emt 0:00:02]} Na6 {[%emt 0:00:02]} 26. Ne5 {[%emt 0:00:09]} Rc2 {[%emt 0:00:03]} 27. Rbd1 {[%emt 0:00:02]} b4 {[%emt 0:00:02]} 28. g4 {[%emt 0:00:02]} Ne7 {[%emt 0:00:04]} 29. Nd7 {[%emt 0:00:07]} Kf7 {[%emt 0:00:08]} 30. Nxf6 {[%emt 0:00:02]} Kxf6 {[%emt 0:00:01]} 31. Be5+ {[%emt 0:00:02]} Kf7 {[%emt 0:00:01]} 32. Nf4 {[%emt 0:00:01]} bxa3 {[%emt 0:00:04]} 33. bxa3 {[%emt 0:00:01]} Rxd2 {[%emt 0:00:02]} 34. Rxd2 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Nc6 {[%emt 0:00:01]} 35. Ng6 {[%emt 0:00:05]} Nxe5 {[%emt 0:00:03]} 36. Nxe5+ {[%emt 0:00:02]} Ke7 {[%emt 0:00:03]} 37. Rb2 {[%emt 0:00:01]} Rc7 {[%emt 0:00:01]} 38. a4 {[%emt 0:00:06]} Nb8 {[%emt 0:00:01]} 39. a5 {[%emt 0:00:02]} Nd7 {[%emt 0:00:01]} 40. Kf3 {[%emt 0:00:13]} Nxe5+ {[%emt 0:00:16]} 41. dxe5 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Kd7 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 42. Rb6 {[%emt 0:00:02]} Ke7 {[%emt 0:00:16]} 43. Ke3 {[%emt 0:00:02]} Kd7 {[%emt 0:00:01]} 44. f4 {[%emt 0:00:01]} Rc3+ {[%emt 0:00:06]} 45. Kd2 {[%emt 0:00:02]} Rc4 {[%emt 0:00:03]} 46. Rxb7+ {[%emt 0:00:01]} Kc6 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 47. Rxg7 {[%emt 0:00:02]} Rxf4 {[%emt 0:00:01]} 48. a6 {[%emt 0:00:02]} Kc5 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 49. a7 {[%emt 0:00:01]} Ra4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 50. g5 {[%emt 0:00:00]} hxg5 {[%emt 0:00:04]} 51. h6 {[%emt 0:00:01]} Kd4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 52. h7 {[%emt 0:00:01]} Ra2+ {[%emt 0:00:00]} 53. Kc1 {[%emt 0:00:02]} Kc3 {[%emt 0:00:02]} 54. Rc7+ {[%emt 0:00:02]} Kd3 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 55. h8=Q {[%emt 0:00:01]} Ra1+ {[%emt 0:00:01]} 56. Kb2 {[%emt 0:00:01]} 1-0

[Event "July 23 Late 2024"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2024.07.23"]
[Round "4.1"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Vasquez Schroeder, Rodrigo"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B50"]
[WhiteElo "3242"]
[BlackElo "2885"]
[PlyCount "85"]
[EventDate "2024.??.??"]
[WhiteTeam "NOR"]
[BlackTeam "CHI"]
[TimeControl "180+1"]
[WhiteClock "0:00:44"]
[BlackClock "0:00:14"]

1. e4 {[%emt 0:00:02]} c5 {[%emt 0:00:03]} 2. Nf3 {[%emt 0:00:01]} d6 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 3. Bc4 {[%emt 0:00:01]} Nc6 {[%emt 0:00:02]} 4. O-O {[%emt 0:00:07]} Nf6 {[%emt 0:00:01]} 5. d3 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Bg4 {[%emt 0:00:02]} 6. h3 {[%emt 0:00:01]} Bh5 {[%emt 0:00:02]} 7. g4 {[%emt 0:00:02]} Bg6 {[%emt 0:00:01]} 8. Nh2 {[%emt 0:00:01]} e5 {[%emt 0:00:15]} 9. Nc3 {[%emt 0:00:04]} Be7 {[%emt 0:00:02]} 10. f4 {[%emt 0:00:01]} exf4 {[%emt 0:00:02]} 11. Bxf4 {[%emt 0:00:01]} Nd7 $146 {[%emt 0:00:02]} ({RR} 11... h5 12. g5 Nd7 13. h4 Nde5 14. Bb3 Qd7 15. Nd5 O-O-O 16. c3 Qh3 17. Bxe5 dxe5 18. Qe1 f6 19. Rf3 Qd7 20. gxf6 gxf6 21. Qf2 Bf7 22. Rf1 Be6 23. Kh1 Rhg8 24. Rg1 Rxg1+ 25. Qxg1 Bg4 26. Nxg4 {Aronian,L (2742)-Korobov,A (2663) chess.com INT 2023 1-0 (41)}) 12. Qd2 {[%emt 0:00:05]} Nde5 {[%emt 0:00:01]} 13. b3 {[%emt 0:00:11]} h6 {[%emt 0:00:03]} 14. Nd5 {[%emt 0:00:02]} Bg5 {[%emt 0:00:01]} 15. Nf3 {[%emt 0:00:02]} Nxf3+ {[%emt 0:00:13]} 16. Rxf3 {[%emt 0:00:01]} O-O {[%emt 0:00:06]} 17. Raf1 {[%emt 0:00:03]} Ne5 {[%emt 0:00:03]} 18. R3f2 {[%emt 0:00:04]} a6 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 19. a4 {[%emt 0:00:04]} Rb8 {[%emt 0:00:01]} 20. a5 {[%emt 0:00:05]} Nc6 {[%emt 0:00:08]} 21. Bxg5 {[%emt 0:00:05]} Qxg5 {[%emt 0:00:07]} 22. Qxg5 {[%emt 0:00:03]} hxg5 {[%emt 0:00:01]} 23. h4 {[%emt 0:00:13]} gxh4 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 24. g5 {[%emt 0:00:01]} Rfe8 {[%emt 0:00:07]} 25. Nf4 {[%emt 0:00:02]} Ne5 {[%emt 0:00:22]} 26. Bd5 {[%emt 0:00:04]} Re7 {[%emt 0:00:15]} 27. Rh2 {[%emt 0:00:10]} Bh7 {[%emt 0:00:08]} 28. Rxh4 {[%emt 0:00:05]} g6 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 29. Kf2 {[%emt 0:00:07]} Kg7 {[%emt 0:00:02]} 30. Rfh1 {[%emt 0:00:01]} Bg8 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 31. Ke3 {[%emt 0:00:06]} Nc6 {[%emt 0:00:01]} 32. Bc4 {[%emt 0:00:24]} Nd4 {[%emt 0:00:03]} 33. R4h2 {[%emt 0:00:08]} Re5 {[%emt 0:00:01]} 34. Rg2 {[%emt 0:00:02]} Nc6 {[%emt 0:00:02]} 35. Ra1 {[%emt 0:00:03]} Rbe8 {[%emt 0:00:01]} 36. Nd5 {[%emt 0:00:02]} Rd8 {[%emt 0:00:08]} 37. Nf6 {[%emt 0:00:04]} Nd4 {[%emt 0:00:08]} 38. c3 {[%emt 0:00:03]} Nc6 {[%emt 0:00:09]} 39. Kf4 {[%emt 0:00:05]} Re7 {[%emt 0:00:02]} 40. Rh2 {[%emt 0:00:05]} Rb8 {[%emt 0:00:18]} 41. Rah1 {[%emt 0:00:03]} Rd8 {[%emt 0:00:02]} 42. Bd5 {[%emt 0:00:03]} Rc8 {[%emt 0:00:07]} 43. Rh7+ {[%emt 0:00:03]} 1-0

[Event "July 23 Late 2024"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2024.07.23"]
[Round "6.1"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Erigaisi Arjun"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C77"]
[WhiteElo "3247"]
[BlackElo "3069"]
[PlyCount "57"]
[EventDate "2024.??.??"]
[WhiteTeam "NOR"]
[BlackTeam "IND"]
[TimeControl "180+1"]
[WhiteClock "0:02:00"]
[BlackClock "0:00:50"]

1. e4 {[%emt 0:00:02]} e5 {[%emt 0:00:04]} 2. Nf3 {[%emt 0:00:01]} Nc6 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 3. Bb5 {[%emt 0:00:01]} a6 {[%emt 0:00:03]} 4. Ba4 {[%emt 0:00:02]} Nf6 {[%emt 0:00:01]} 5. d3 {[%emt 0:00:01]} d6 {[%emt 0:00:04]} 6. c3 {[%emt 0:00:03]} g6 {[%emt 0:00:02]} 7. O-O {[%emt 0:00:00]} Bg7 {[%emt 0:00:01]} 8. Re1 {[%emt 0:00:02]} O-O {[%emt 0:00:01]} 9. Nbd2 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Re8 {[%emt 0:00:03]} 10. h3 {[%emt 0:00:05]} h6 {[%emt 0:00:03]} ({RR} 10... b5 11. Bc2 Bb7 12. d4 Nb8 13. Rb1 Nbd7 14. d5 c6 15. c4 Qc7 16. b3 Bh6 17. Nf1 Bxc1 18. Rxc1 bxc4 19. bxc4 Nc5 20. N3h2 Bc8 21. Qf3 Qe7 22. dxc6 Be6 23. Ne3 Nh5 24. Nd5 Qg5 25. Rb1 {Morozevich,A (2765)-Ivanchuk,V (2751) Nice 2008 1-0 (50)}) 11. Nf1 {[%emt 0:00:06]} b5 {[%emt 0:00:11]} 12. Bc2 {[%emt 0:00:01]} Rb8 $146 {[%emt 0:00:01]} ({RR} 12... Bb7 13. Ng3 Nb8 14. d4 Nbd7 15. a4 c5 16. d5 c4 17. Be3 Qc7 18. Qd2 Kh7 19. Reb1 Nc5 20. Qe2 Nfd7 21. Nd2 Nb6 22. axb5 axb5 23. b3 cxb3 24. Bxb3 Ba6 25. Qd1 Rec8 26. Ra3 Bb7 27. Rba1 {Abrahamyan,T (2324)-Andersen,M (2479) Reykjavik 2016 ½-½ (44)}) ({RR} 12... d5 13. exd5 Nxd5 14. Bd2 Bb7 15. Qc1 Kh7 16. Ng3 b4 17. Ne4 Bf8 18. Bb3 Na5 19. Ba4 Bc6 20. cxb4 Bxa4 21. bxa5 Bb5 22. Nc5 Qd6 23. b4 Bg7 24. a4 Bc6 25. Qc4 Nf6 26. Rac1 Bd5 27. Qh4 {Zheng,H (2248)-Smietanska,W (2157) Krakow POL 2025 1-0 (96)}) ({RR} 12... d5 13. a4 Be6 14. Ng3 b4 15. a5 dxe4 16. Nxe4 Nxe4 17. dxe4 Qxd1 18. Bxd1 bxc3 19. bxc3 Red8 20. Be2 Ne7 21. Be3 Nc8 22. Nd2 Nd6 23. f3 Nb5 24. Rec1 Bf8 25. Kf2 f5 26. Ke1 f4 27. Bf2 {Carlsen,M (2847)-Muzychuk,A (2535) chess24.com INT 2021 1-0 (38)}) 13. d4 {[%emt 0:00:08]} exd4 {[%emt 0:00:14]} 14. cxd4 {[%emt 0:00:02]} Nb4 {[%emt 0:00:01]} 15. Bb1 {[%emt 0:00:01]} c5 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 16. d5 {[%emt 0:00:01]} a5 {[%emt 0:00:04]} 17. a3 {[%emt 0:00:06]} Na6 {[%emt 0:00:01]} 18. a4 {[%emt 0:00:01]} bxa4 {[%emt 0:00:07]} 19. Qxa4 {[%emt 0:00:06]} Rb4 {[%emt 0:00:07]} 20. Qxa5 {[%emt 0:00:14]} Qxa5 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 21. Rxa5 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Nxe4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 22. Bd2 {[%emt 0:00:01]} f5 {[%emt 0:01:09]} 23. Bxb4 {[%emt 0:00:02]} Nxb4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 24. N1d2 {[%emt 0:00:02]} Bxb2 {[%emt 0:00:02]} 25. Bxe4 {[%emt 0:00:06]} fxe4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 26. Rxe4 {[%emt 0:00:01]} Rf8 {[%emt 0:00:04]} 27. Nc4 {[%emt 0:00:10]} Bg7 {[%emt 0:00:12]} 28. Nxd6 {[%emt 0:00:04]} Bf5 {[%emt 0:00:04]} 29. Nxf5 {[%emt 0:00:01]} 1-0

[Event "July 23 Late 2024"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2024.07.23"]
[Round "7.1"]
[White "Bortnyk, Olexandr"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B21"]
[WhiteElo "3037"]
[BlackElo "3251"]
[PlyCount "179"]
[EventDate "2024.??.??"]
[WhiteTeam "UKR"]
[BlackTeam "NOR"]
[TimeControl "180+1"]
[WhiteClock "0:00:07"]
[BlackClock "0:00:06"]

1. e4 {[%emt 0:00:02]} c5 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 2. Be2 {[%emt 0:00:02]} Nc6 {[%emt 0:00:03]} 3. f4 {[%emt 0:00:01]} d5 {[%emt 0:00:03]} 4. d3 {[%emt 0:00:02]} Nd4 {[%emt 0:00:14]} 5. Nf3 {[%emt 0:00:10]} Nxe2 {[%emt 0:00:01]} 6. Qxe2 {[%emt 0:00:00]} e6 {[%emt 0:00:01]} 7. Nc3 {[%emt 0:00:06]} Ne7 {[%emt 0:00:03]} 8. O-O {[%emt 0:00:03]} d4 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 9. Nd1 {[%emt 0:00:02]} Nc6 $146 {[%emt 0:00:01]} ({RR} 9... g6 10. Nf2 Bg7 11. g4 h5 12. gxh5 Rxh5 13. Kh1 Bd7 14. Ng4 Qc7 15. Nfe5 Rh7 16. Bd2 f6 17. Nxd7 Qxd7 18. Rae1 O-O-O 19. b4 Rdh8 20. bxc5 f5 21. Ne5 Bxe5 22. fxe5 Rxh2+ 23. Qxh2 Rxh2+ 24. Kxh2 {Kolzenburg,J (1671)-Fieberg,S (2180) Playchess.com INT 2020 0-1 (44)}) 10. Nf2 {[%emt 0:00:07]} Be7 {[%emt 0:00:01]} 11. g4 {[%emt 0:00:09]} f5 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 12. Kh1 {[%emt 0:00:10]} O-O {[%emt 0:00:02]} 13. Rg1 {[%emt 0:00:17]} b6 {[%emt 0:00:02]} 14. Bd2 {[%emt 0:00:05]} Bb7 {[%emt 0:00:01]} 15. exf5 {[%emt 0:00:10]} exf5 {[%emt 0:00:03]} 16. gxf5 {[%emt 0:00:03]} Qd5 {[%emt 0:00:22]} 17. Ne4 {[%emt 0:00:18]} Rxf5 {[%emt 0:00:03]} 18. Rg3 {[%emt 0:00:08]} Raf8 {[%emt 0:00:02]} 19. Rag1 {[%emt 0:00:01]} g6 {[%emt 0:00:16]} 20. Qg2 {[%emt 0:00:02]} Qf7 {[%emt 0:00:18]} 21. h4 {[%emt 0:00:10]} Rh5 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 22. Kh2 {[%emt 0:00:09]} Nd8 {[%emt 0:00:11]} 23. Rg4 {[%emt 0:00:19]} Qf5 {[%emt 0:00:30]} 24. Qh3 {[%emt 0:00:10]} Bc8 {[%emt 0:00:04]} 25. Ne5 {[%emt 0:00:05]} Kh8 {[%emt 0:00:08]} 26. Be1 {[%emt 0:00:12]} Ne6 {[%emt 0:00:08]} 27. Ng3 {[%emt 0:00:03]} Nxf4 {[%emt 0:00:03]} 28. Nxf5 {[%emt 0:00:02]} Nxh3 {[%emt 0:00:02]} 29. Nxe7 {[%emt 0:00:09]} Nxg1 {[%emt 0:00:01]} 30. N5xg6+ {[%emt 0:00:08]} hxg6 {[%emt 0:00:01]} 31. Nxg6+ {[%emt 0:00:00]} Kg7 {[%emt 0:00:02]} 32. Rxg1 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Re8 {[%emt 0:00:21]} 33. Nf4+ {[%emt 0:00:01]} Kh6 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 34. Nxh5 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Kxh5 {[%emt 0:00:01]} 35. Rg5+ {[%emt 0:00:04]} Kh6 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 36. Bd2 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Kh7 {[%emt 0:00:01]} 37. Rg2 {[%emt 0:00:02]} Bb7 {[%emt 0:00:02]} 38. Rf2 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Kg6 {[%emt 0:00:01]} 39. Bg5 {[%emt 0:00:02]} Bd5 {[%emt 0:00:01]} 40. a3 {[%emt 0:00:01]} Re6 {[%emt 0:00:01]} 41. Kg3 {[%emt 0:00:01]} c4 {[%emt 0:00:01]} 42. dxc4 {[%emt 0:00:01]} Bxc4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 43. Rd2 {[%emt 0:00:02]} Re4 {[%emt 0:00:02]} 44. Kf3 {[%emt 0:00:02]} Bd5 {[%emt 0:00:01]} 45. Kg3 {[%emt 0:00:01]} Kh5 {[%emt 0:00:02]} 46. c3 {[%emt 0:00:01]} Rg4+ {[%emt 0:00:01]} 47. Kh2 {[%emt 0:00:02]} dxc3 {[%emt 0:00:03]} 48. bxc3 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Bc6 {[%emt 0:00:02]} 49. Rd6 {[%emt 0:00:03]} Rc4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 50. Kg3 {[%emt 0:00:02]} Rxc3+ {[%emt 0:00:01]} 51. Kf4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Rc4+ {[%emt 0:00:01]} 52. Kf5 {[%emt 0:00:01]} Be4+ {[%emt 0:00:00]} 53. Ke5 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Bc2 {[%emt 0:00:01]} 54. Rh6+ {[%emt 0:00:01]} Kg4 {[%emt 0:00:01]} 55. Rh8 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Ra4 {[%emt 0:00:01]} 56. Be7 {[%emt 0:00:01]} Re4+ {[%emt 0:00:01]} 57. Kd6 {[%emt 0:00:02]} Rd4+ {[%emt 0:00:00]} 58. Kc7 {[%emt 0:00:01]} Rc4+ {[%emt 0:00:01]} 59. Kb7 {[%emt 0:00:01]} Ra4 {[%emt 0:00:01]} 60. Rg8+ {[%emt 0:00:01]} Kh3 {[%emt 0:00:01]} 61. h5 {[%emt 0:00:01]} Be4+ {[%emt 0:00:01]} 62. Kc7 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Ra5 {[%emt 0:00:01]} 63. h6 {[%emt 0:00:02]} Rh5 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 64. Bg5 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Kg4 {[%emt 0:00:01]} 65. Bc1+ {[%emt 0:00:02]} Kf3 {[%emt 0:00:01]} 66. Kb8 {[%emt 0:00:00]} a5 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 67. Ka7 {[%emt 0:00:01]} b5 {[%emt 0:00:01]} 68. Rb8 {[%emt 0:00:03]} b4 {[%emt 0:00:01]} 69. axb4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} axb4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 70. Rxb4 {[%emt 0:00:01]} Bd3 {[%emt 0:00:02]} 71. Rf4+ {[%emt 0:00:01]} Ke2 {[%emt 0:00:01]} 72. Rf6 {[%emt 0:00:01]} Rc5 {[%emt 0:00:01]} 73. Bf4 {[%emt 0:00:01]} Rb5 {[%emt 0:00:02]} 74. Rd6 {[%emt 0:00:02]} Kf3 {[%emt 0:00:01]} 75. Rxd3+ {[%emt 0:00:01]} Kxf4 {[%emt 0:00:01]} 76. Rh3 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Ra5+ {[%emt 0:00:01]} 77. Kb7 {[%emt 0:00:01]} Rb5+ {[%emt 0:00:00]} 78. Kc7 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Rc5+ {[%emt 0:00:03]} 79. Kd7 {[%emt 0:00:01]} Rd5+ {[%emt 0:00:01]} 80. Ke7 {[%emt 0:00:01]} Re5+ {[%emt 0:00:00]} 81. Kf7 {[%emt 0:00:03]} Rf5+ {[%emt 0:00:01]} 82. Kg7 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Rg5+ {[%emt 0:00:00]} 83. Kf6 {[%emt 0:00:01]} Rf5+ {[%emt 0:00:01]} 84. Ke6 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Re5+ {[%emt 0:00:01]} 85. Kf7 {[%emt 0:00:02]} Rf5+ {[%emt 0:00:00]} 86. Ke7 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Re5+ {[%emt 0:00:01]} 87. Kd6 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Re8 {[%emt 0:00:01]} 88. h7 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Rh8 {[%emt 0:00:01]} 89. Ke6 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Kg5 {[%emt 0:00:02]} 90. Kf7 {[%emt 0:00:01]} 1-0

[Event "July 23 Late 2024"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2024.07.23"]
[Round "8.2"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Xiong, Jeffery"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C01"]
[WhiteElo "3239"]
[BlackElo "3081"]
[PlyCount "85"]
[EventDate "2024.??.??"]
[WhiteTeam "NOR"]
[BlackTeam "USA"]
[TimeControl "180+1"]
[WhiteClock "0:00:36"]
[BlackClock "0:00:02"]

1. e4 {[%emt 0:00:02]} e6 {[%emt 0:00:03]} 2. d4 {[%emt 0:00:01]} d5 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 3. exd5 {[%emt 0:00:01]} exd5 {[%emt 0:00:01]} 4. Nf3 {[%emt 0:00:01]} Bd6 {[%emt 0:00:02]} 5. c4 {[%emt 0:00:01]} Nf6 {[%emt 0:00:01]} 6. c5 {[%emt 0:00:01]} Be7 {[%emt 0:00:01]} 7. Qa4+ {[%emt 0:00:04]} c6 {[%emt 0:00:03]} 8. Bd3 {[%emt 0:00:02]} O-O {[%emt 0:00:01]} 9. O-O {[%emt 0:00:01]} Ne4 {[%emt 0:00:01]} 10. Nc3 {[%emt 0:00:03]} f5 {[%emt 0:00:01]} 11. Qc2 $146 {[%emt 0:00:04]} ({RR} 11. Ne5 Bf6 12. f4 Be6 13. Be3 Qe7 14. Rad1 Nd7 15. Nxe4 fxe4 16. Be2 g6 17. b4 a6 18. Qb3 Kg7 19. Qc3 h5 20. a4 Kh7 21. b5 axb5 22. axb5 Bxe5 23. fxe5 Bg4 24. Bxg4 hxg4 25. Qb2 Rxf1+ {Vachier Lagrave,M (2777)-Topalov,V (2736) Hamburg 2019 ½-½}) ({RR} 11. Ne5 Bf6 12. f4 Be6 13. Be3 Nd7 14. Nxe4 dxe4 15. Bc4 Qe7 16. Qb3 Bxc4 17. Qxc4+ Kh8 18. b4 Rad8 19. b5 Nb8 20. a4 Qe8 21. Rab1 Rc8 22. bxc6 Nxc6 23. Rxb7 Na5 24. Nf7+ Kg8 25. Nh6+ Kh8 {Pap,G (2476)-Xiong,J (2645) chess.com INT 2024 ½-½}) 11... Nd7 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 12. b4 {[%emt 0:00:01]} Bf6 {[%emt 0:00:02]} 13. Rb1 {[%emt 0:00:02]} Re8 {[%emt 0:00:13]} 14. Ne2 {[%emt 0:00:02]} g5 {[%emt 0:00:08]} 15. b5 {[%emt 0:00:02]} Nf8 {[%emt 0:00:13]} 16. bxc6 {[%emt 0:00:02]} bxc6 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 17. Ne5 {[%emt 0:00:02]} Bxe5 {[%emt 0:00:12]} 18. dxe5 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Ne6 {[%emt 0:00:01]} 19. f3 {[%emt 0:00:03]} Qa5 {[%emt 0:00:35]} 20. Be3 {[%emt 0:00:07]} N4xc5 {[%emt 0:00:48]} 21. Bxf5 {[%emt 0:00:03]} Ba6 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 22. Bxh7+ {[%emt 0:00:14]} Kh8 {[%emt 0:00:01]} 23. Bf5 {[%emt 0:00:23]} Rf8 {[%emt 0:00:04]} 24. Bxe6 {[%emt 0:00:21]} Nxe6 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 25. Qxc6 {[%emt 0:00:03]} Rae8 {[%emt 0:00:02]} 26. Nd4 {[%emt 0:00:08]} Bxf1 {[%emt 0:00:11]} 27. Nxe6 {[%emt 0:00:02]} Bd3 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 28. Rd1 {[%emt 0:00:15]} Rg8 {[%emt 0:00:20]} 29. Nxg5 {[%emt 0:00:13]} Qa6 {[%emt 0:00:01]} 30. Qxa6 {[%emt 0:00:07]} Bxa6 {[%emt 0:00:01]} 31. Rxd5 {[%emt 0:00:01]} Re7 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 32. e6 {[%emt 0:00:03]} Rb8 {[%emt 0:00:02]} 33. Bd4+ {[%emt 0:00:08]} Kg8 {[%emt 0:00:01]} 34. h4 {[%emt 0:00:01]} Bc4 {[%emt 0:00:01]} 35. Rd6 {[%emt 0:00:01]} Bxa2 {[%emt 0:00:02]} 36. Bf6 {[%emt 0:00:01]} Reb7 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 37. h5 {[%emt 0:00:04]} a5 {[%emt 0:00:03]} 38. h6 {[%emt 0:00:02]} Bb1 {[%emt 0:00:01]} 39. e7 {[%emt 0:00:03]} Re8 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 40. Ra6 {[%emt 0:00:08]} Rb5 {[%emt 0:00:01]} 41. g4 {[%emt 0:00:02]} Bc2 {[%emt 0:00:03]} 42. f4 {[%emt 0:00:01]} a4 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 43. f5 {[%emt 0:00:02]} 1-0

[Event "July 23 Late 2024"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2024.07.23"]
[Round "10.5"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Esipenko, Andrey"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C54"]
[WhiteElo "3235"]
[BlackElo "3018"]
[PlyCount "67"]
[EventDate "2024.??.??"]
[WhiteTeam "NOR"]
[BlackTeam "FID"]
[TimeControl "180+1"]
[WhiteClock "0:00:44"]

1. e4 {[%emt 0:00:02]} e5 {[%emt 0:00:02]} 2. Nf3 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Nc6 {[%emt 0:00:01]} 3. Bc4 {[%emt 0:00:01]} Nf6 {[%emt 0:00:01]} 4. d3 {[%emt 0:00:01]} Bc5 {[%emt 0:00:02]} 5. O-O {[%emt 0:00:01]} O-O {[%emt 0:00:02]} 6. h3 {[%emt 0:00:01]} h6 {[%emt 0:00:02]} 7. c3 {[%emt 0:00:04]} d6 {[%emt 0:00:01]} 8. Nbd2 {[%emt 0:00:04]} a5 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 9. Re1 {[%emt 0:00:04]} Be6 {[%emt 0:00:00]} ({RR} 9... Ba7 10. Nf1 Be6 11. Bb5 Ne7 12. d4 exd4 13. Nxd4 Bd7 14. Bd3 Ng6 15. Ng3 Re8 16. a4 c6 17. Bd2 d5 18. exd5 Rxe1+ 19. Qxe1 Nxd5 20. Be4 Bxd4 21. cxd4 Qb6 22. Bxd5 cxd5 23. Bc3 Qc7 24. Qd2 {Tsydypov,Z (2534)-Esipenko,A (2678) Almaty KAZ 2022 ½-½ (31)}) 10. Bxe6 {[%emt 0:00:05]} ({RR} 10. Bb5 Bb6 11. Ba4 Nd7 12. Nf1 f5 13. exf5 Bxf5 14. Ng3 Bh7 15. d4 exd4 16. Bxc6 bxc6 17. cxd4 a4 18. Qe2 Kh8 19. Be3 Nf6 20. Qc4 Nd5 21. Bd2 Qd7 22. Rac1 Ne7 23. a3 Bg8 24. Qd3 Bh7 {Karjakin,S (2752)-Vidit,S (2726) chess24.com INT 2020 1-0 (50)}) ({RR} 10. Bb5 Bb6 11. Nf1 Ne7 12. Ba4 Ng6 13. Ng3 Qc8 14. Be3 Bxe3 15. fxe3 Nh7 16. Qd2 f5 17. exf5 Bxf5 18. Nxf5 Qxf5 19. Rf1 Qh5 20. Bb3+ Kh8 21. Kh2 Ng5 22. Bd1 Nxf3+ 23. Bxf3 Qg5 24. Bxb7 Rab8 {Shitiz Prasad (1804)-Manya Abhishek Drolia (1713) Mumbai IND 2025 1-0 (54)}) 10... fxe6 {[%emt 0:00:02]} 11. Nf1 {[%emt 0:00:01]} a4 $146 {[%emt 0:00:09]} ({RR} 11... Qe8 12. Be3 Bxe3 13. Rxe3 Nh5 14. d4 Qf7 15. Qc2 Qf6 16. Rd1 Rf7 17. Qb3 Rb8 18. Qb5 Kh8 19. Rd2 Kh7 20. dxe5 dxe5 21. g3 Qg6 22. Nxe5 Qg5 23. Rd5 Rxf2 24. Kxf2 exd5 25. Nf3 Rf8 26. exd5 {Ceres,D (2380)-Moroni,L (2584) Forni di Sopra 2022 ½-½ (44)}) 12. Rb1 {[%emt 0:00:07]} b5 {[%emt 0:00:10]} 13. Be3 {[%emt 0:00:06]} Bxe3 {[%emt 0:00:04]} 14. Rxe3 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Qe8 {[%emt 0:00:03]} 15. d4 {[%emt 0:00:02]} Nd7 {[%emt 0:00:07]} 16. Qe2 {[%emt 0:00:06]} Rb8 {[%emt 0:00:07]} 17. Rd1 {[%emt 0:00:03]} Na5 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 18. b3 {[%emt 0:00:25]} axb3 {[%emt 0:00:07]} 19. axb3 {[%emt 0:00:01]} b4 {[%emt 0:00:45]} 20. dxe5 {[%emt 0:00:04]} Nxe5 {[%emt 0:00:01]} 21. Nxe5 {[%emt 0:00:02]} dxe5 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 22. Nd2 {[%emt 0:00:11]} Nc6 {[%emt 0:00:12]} 23. Nf3 {[%emt 0:00:03]} bxc3 {[%emt 0:00:16]} 24. Rxc3 {[%emt 0:00:01]} Rb4 {[%emt 0:00:02]} 25. Qc2 {[%emt 0:00:13]} Nd4 {[%emt 0:00:15]} 26. Nxd4 {[%emt 0:00:02]} exd4 {[%emt 0:00:01]} 27. Rxc7 {[%emt 0:00:01]} e5 {[%emt 0:00:02]} 28. Ra1 {[%emt 0:00:16]} Rb6 {[%emt 0:00:04]} 29. Qc5 {[%emt 0:00:20]} Rbf6 {[%emt 0:00:25]} 30. Raa7 {[%emt 0:00:08]} Rg6 {[%emt 0:00:01]} 31. Re7 {[%emt 0:00:03]} Qb8 {[%emt 0:00:04]} 32. Qxe5 {[%emt 0:00:08]} Qxe5 {[%emt 0:00:04]} 33. Rxe5 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Rc8 {[%emt 0:00:11]} 34. Rd7 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 1-0

[Event "Tata Steel-A 82nd"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2020.01.12"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Yu, Yangyi"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B56"]
[WhiteElo "2726"]
[BlackElo "2872"]
[PlyCount "61"]
[EventDate "2020.01.11"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 194"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.01.27"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.01.27"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Be3 e5 7. Nf3 Be7 8. Bc4 O-O 9. O-O Nc6 10. Bb3 Na5 11. Bg5 Nxb3 12. axb3 Be6 13. Bxf6 Bxf6 14. Nd5 Rc8 15. c4 Bg5 ({RR} 15... Be7 16. Qd3 f5 17. Nxe7+ Qxe7 18. Nd2 g6 19. f3 Qc7 20. Qe3 Kg7 21. f4 Rce8 22. Qc3 Bd7 23. Rae1 Rf6 24. b4 b6 25. Qd3 Kh8 26. b3 a5 27. bxa5 bxa5 28. h3 Qc5+ 29. Kh2 exf4 30. Rxf4 {Anissimova,M (1901)-Bashylina,L (2175) Augsburg GER 2025 0-1 (51)}) 16. Nxg5 Qxg5 17. Qd3 Bxd5 $146 ({RR} 17... Kh8 18. Qe3 h6 19. Rfd1 Rc5 20. Qxg5 hxg5 21. Ne3 Rc6 22. f3 g6 23. g4 Kg7 24. Kg2 Rb8 25. Rd2 b5 26. Rc1 bxc4 27. bxc4 Rb3 28. Kf2 Rcb6 29. Rcc2 a5 30. Nd1 Rc6 31. Ne3 a4 32. Ke2 {Wacker,P (2299)-Neverov,V (2502) Bad Wiessee 2015 ½-½ (51)}) 18. Qxd5 Rc6 19. Rfd1 Rfc8 20. Rd3 Qe7 21. g3 g6 22. Rad1 Qc7 23. Rc3 Kg7 24. Kg2 Re8 25. Qd3 Rb8 26. Rdc1 h5 27. h4 Qe7 28. Rd1 Qc7 29. Rdc1 Qe7 30. Rd1 Qc7 31. Rdc1 1/2-1/2

[Event "Tata Steel-A 82nd"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2020.01.14"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Van Foreest, Jorden"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C58"]
[WhiteElo "2644"]
[BlackElo "2872"]
[PlyCount "89"]
[EventDate "2020.01.11"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 194"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.01.27"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.01.27"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. Ng5 d5 5. exd5 Na5 6. Bb5+ c6 7. dxc6 bxc6 8. Bd3 Nd5 9. Nf3 Bd6 10. Nc3 O-O 11. Be2 Nf4 12. O-O Bg4 13. d3 Nxe2+ 14. Qxe2 f5 15. h3 Bh5 16. g4 fxg4 17. Ng5 Qd7 18. Nce4 Be7 $146 ({RR} 18... Bc7 19. Ng3 g6 20. Nxh5 gxh5 21. hxg4 hxg4 22. Kg2 Bb6 23. Be3 Qd5+ 24. Ne4 Rf3 25. Bxb6 axb6 26. Rh1 Rf4 27. Rh4 Kh8 28. Rah1 Ra7 29. b3 Raf7 30. Kf1 Rg7 31. Qe3 Nb7 32. Rh5 Nd8 33. Nc3 {Van Foreest,J (2697)-Mamedyarov,S (2746) Samarkand UZB 2025 1-0 (50)}) 19. Ng3 Bg6 20. Qxg4 Qxg4 21. hxg4 c5 22. N5e4 Nc6 23. Be3 Nd4 24. Rac1 Rac8 25. Kg2 c4 26. Bxd4 exd4 27. f3 Rc6 28. b3 Ba3 29. Rce1 cxd3 30. cxd3 a5 31. Rf2 Bc1 32. Nd2 Bxd3 33. Nc4 Bf4 34. Ne5 Rc3 35. Nxd3 Rxd3 36. Nf5 g6 37. Re4 Bg5 38. Ne7+ Kh8 39. Nc6 Be3 40. Re2 Rd1 41. Nxa5 Rg1+ 42. Kh2 Rc1 43. Kg2 Rg1+ 44. Kh2 Rc1 45. Kg2 1/2-1/2

[Event "Tata Steel-A 82nd"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2020.01.16"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Dubov, Daniil"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B31"]
[WhiteElo "2872"]
[BlackElo "2683"]
[PlyCount "93"]
[EventDate "2020.01.11"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 194"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.01.27"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.01.27"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 g6 4. O-O Bg7 5. Re1 e5 6. Bxc6 dxc6 7. d3 Qe7 8. a4 Nf6 9. Bg5 ({RR} 9. a5 O-O 10. Be3 Rd8 11. Qc1 c4 12. Ra3 cxd3 13. cxd3 Nh5 14. Bg5 Bf6 15. Bxf6 Qxf6 16. Qc5 Re8 17. Nbd2 Bg4 18. h3 Bxf3 19. Nxf3 Nf4 20. Kh2 b6 21. axb6 axb6 22. Rxa8 bxc5 23. Rxe8+ Kg7 {Nepomniachtchi,I (2755)-Carlsen,M (2831) New York USA 2024 0-1 (57)}) 9... h6 10. Be3 O-O 11. h3 $146 ({RR} 11. Na3 Bg4 12. h3 Bxf3 13. Qxf3 Nd7 14. Nc4 Rfd8 15. g3 Nf8 16. Kg2 Ne6 17. Qe2 b5 18. Nd2 h5 19. axb5 cxb5 20. Ra5 Qb7 21. Rea1 a6 22. Nf3 Re8 23. Kg1 Nd4 24. Nxd4 exd4 25. Bf4 Re6 {Dubov,D (2708)-Melkumyan,H (2645) chess.com INT 2023 0-1 (38)}) ({RR} 11. Na3 Bg4 12. Nc4 Ne8 13. Qd2 Kh7 14. Qa5 Bxf3 15. gxf3 Qh4 16. Qxc5 Qh3 17. Nxe5 f6 18. Nc4 Qxf3 19. Nd2 Qh3 20. Kh1 f5 21. Rg1 f4 22. Bd4 Nf6 23. f3 Nh5 24. Bf2 Rad8 25. Rg2 Rfe8 {Yaniv,Y (2410)-Hercegovac,N (2242) Trieste ITA 2025 1-0 (45)}) 11... b6 12. a5 Ba6 13. Qd2 Kh7 14. Qc3 Nd7 15. axb6 axb6 16. Nbd2 f5 17. Nc4 Qe6 18. Qb3 fxe4 19. Nfd2 exd3 20. cxd3 e4 21. Nxe4 Bxc4 22. Qxc4 Qd5 23. Rxa8 Rxa8 24. Qc2 Ne5 25. Rd1 Rd8 26. Nc3 Qd7 27. b3 Qf5 28. Ne4 Rd5 29. Nc3 Rxd3 30. Rxd3 Qxd3 31. Qxd3 Nxd3 32. Na4 c4 33. bxc4 b5 34. cxb5 cxb5 35. Nc5 Nxc5 36. Bxc5 Kg8 37. Kf1 Kf7 38. Ke2 Ke6 39. Kd3 Kd5 40. Bb4 Bd4 41. f4 Bc5 42. Bd2 Bf8 43. g4 b4 44. h4 h5 45. gxh5 gxh5 46. Bxb4 Bxb4 47. Ke3 1/2-1/2

[Event "Tata Steel-A 82nd"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2020.01.18"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B31"]
[WhiteElo "2758"]
[BlackElo "2872"]
[PlyCount "107"]
[EventDate "2020.01.11"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 194"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.01.27"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.01.27"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 g6 4. O-O Bg7 5. c3 Nf6 6. Re1 O-O 7. d4 a6 8. Bd3 d5 9. e5 Ne8 $146 ({RR} 9... Ne4 10. Be3 Qb6 11. Nbd2 Bf5 12. Qc2 Nxd2 13. Qxd2 Bg4 14. Be2 e6 15. dxc5 Qc7 16. Nd4 Bxe2 17. Rxe2 Bxe5 18. Bh6 Rfe8 19. Rae1 Bf6 20. Bf4 Qd7 21. Nf3 Bg7 22. h4 f6 23. Bd6 b6 24. b4 {Tsaknakis,Z (2339)-Krallis,C (2383) Thessaloniki GRE 2025 ½-½ (35)}) ({RR} 9... Ne4 10. Be3 Qb6 11. Qc2 cxd4 12. cxd4 Bf5 13. Nc3 Nxc3 14. bxc3 Bxd3 15. Qxd3 Na5 16. h4 Qe6 17. Ng5 Qg4 18. f3 Qxh4 19. Re2 Nc4 20. g3 Qxg3+ 21. Rg2 Qh4 22. Rh2 Qg3+ 23. Kh1 Nxe5 24. dxe5 {Grandelius,N (2659)-Anton Guijarro,D (2697) Prague 2020 0-1 (67)}) 10. dxc5 Bg4 11. Be2 Nc7 12. Nbd2 a5 13. h3 Bc8 14. Bd3 Ne6 15. Nb3 a4 16. Nbd4 Nxc5 17. Bc2 Qa5 18. Bd2 Rd8 19. Qc1 Ne6 20. b4 Qc7 21. Nxc6 bxc6 22. Be3 c5 23. bxc5 Nxc5 24. Qa3 Ne6 25. Rab1 d4 26. Nxd4 Bxe5 27. Nb5 Qc6 28. Rb4 Bb7 29. Be4 Qd7 30. Bxb7 Qxb7 31. Rxa4 Bf4 32. Rxa8 Rxa8 33. Qb3 Bxe3 34. Rxe3 Nf4 35. Rf3 Qe4 36. Kh2 Nd5 37. c4 Qe5+ 38. g3 Nf6 39. a3 Ne4 40. Qc2 Ng5 41. Re3 Qc5 42. h4 Ne6 43. Qe2 Rc8 44. Rc3 h5 45. Kg2 Kf8 46. Qe4 Kg8 47. Qd5 Qb6 48. a4 Qa6 49. c5 Qxa4 50. c6 Rd8 51. Qc4 Qxc4 52. Rxc4 Rb8 53. c7 Rc8 54. Rc1 1/2-1/2

[Event "Tata Steel-A 82nd"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2020.01.19"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Vitiugov, Nikita"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C84"]
[WhiteElo "2872"]
[BlackElo "2747"]
[PlyCount "59"]
[EventDate "2020.01.11"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 194"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.01.27"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.01.27"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. d3 b5 7. Bb3 d6 8. Bd2 O-O 9. h3 h6 10. Re1 Re8 11. a3 Bf8 12. Nc3 Rb8 13. Ba2 $146 ({RR} 13. Ne2 Be6 14. Ng3 d5 15. Qe2 dxe4 16. dxe4 Bxb3 17. cxb3 Nd4 18. Nxd4 exd4 19. b4 Nd7 20. Bf4 Rc8 21. Rad1 c5 22. bxc5 Nxc5 23. Qg4 Kh8 24. e5 Ne6 25. Nf5 Rc2 26. Nd6 Bxd6 27. exd6 Qf6 {Caruana,F (2828)-Tari,A (2633) Stavanger 2020 1-0 (38)}) ({RR} 13. a4 Na5 14. Ba2 b4 15. Nd5 c5 16. Nh2 Nxd5 17. Bxd5 Be6 18. Qf3 Rc8 19. Ng4 Nc6 20. c3 bxc3 21. bxc3 Bxd5 22. exd5 Ne7 23. Rab1 Rb8 24. Ne3 Qd7 25. Nc4 Ng6 26. a5 Rb5 27. Rbd1 Ne7 {Pranav,V (2594)-Esipenko,A (2679) chess.com INT 2025 1-0 (44)}) 13... Ne7 14. Nh4 g5 15. Nf3 Ng6 16. Nh2 c6 17. Ne2 d5 18. Ng3 dxe4 19. dxe4 Rb7 20. Qf3 Nf4 21. Rad1 Rd7 22. Be3 Rxd1 23. Rxd1 Qe7 24. Ng4 Nxg4 25. hxg4 Rd8 26. Re1 c5 27. Nf5 Qc7 28. g3 Ne6 29. Qh1 f6 30. Bd5 1-0

[Event "Tata Steel-A 82nd"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2020.01.21"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Firouzja, Alireza"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C92"]
[WhiteElo "2723"]
[BlackElo "2872"]
[Annotator "Nielsen,Peter Heine"]
[PlyCount "78"]
[EventDate "2020.01.11"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 194"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.01.27"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.01.27"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{[%evp 0,8,34,37,37,10,25,12,12,12,22] Firouzja had made a marked impression, at this point leading the tournament with 5 rounds to go. It could be said that someone experienced should have told Alireza to take it easy and aim for a draw, but that would ruin the chance to gain experience and the young Iranian ( FIDE?) stays true to his aggressive instincts and goes for it!} 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. d3 {Aiming for a battle.} (4. O-O Nxe4 5. Re1 {would be going in the other direction.}) 4... d6 $5 {4...Bc5 by far being the main-line these days, Magnus chooses a solid line known to give White a moderate edge, but keeping all the pieces on the board.} 5. c3 {In the World blitz he had played 5.c4, but here he chooses the main line.} a6 6. Ba4 Be7 7. O-O O-O 8. Re1 Re8 9. Nbd2 Bf8 10. h3 b5 11. Bc2 {After a lot of typical "Spanish" moves, its worth noting the bishop going to c2 instead of b3, as that would allow ...Na5 followed by ...c5.} Bb7 12. d4 {Would Magnus now play 12...h6, then after 13.a4 a famous position from the Kasparov-Karpov matches would arise by transposition, with white having played d4 in 2 moves, but Bc2 instead of Bb3-c2. The line has gone out of fashion, except for the detail that Firouzja brought it back to people's attention by beating Kovalev with it in the first round! Magnus, however, knows his classics, and that Karpov had exploited that White now has no threat of Ng5 meaning ...h6 is unneccesary, and thus makes a more useful move:} g6 $5 {Quite interestingly Karpov in 2019 in the legends rapid tournament deviated agianst Ljubojevic, and played 12...Nb8. Or maybe he exactly remembered that he had lost against the same player with 12...g6 28 years earlier!} 13. a3 $6 {The move in itself is good enough, but the plan is wrong.} (13. d5 Nb8 14. b3 c6 15. c4 Nbd7 16. a4 Qc7 {has been played numerous times, and transposes into the game, with the exception that here it is White to move!}) 13... Nb8 14. d5 {[%emt 0:00:14]} (14. Nb3 $5 {[%cal Gb3a5] would be an interesting move, threatening Na5.} exd4 {is the typical reply, as now e4 is hanging, but} 15. Bg5 $5 {renews the threat of Na5, and} dxc3 $2 (15... h6 $1 {, however, is fine for Black.}) 16. e5 $1 {wins a piece.}) (14. b4 {would be more in line with 13.a3, when after} Nbd7 15. Bb2 {we have a typical Breyer position.}) ({RR} 14. b3 Nbd7 15. Bb2 c6 16. c4 exd4 17. Bxd4 c5 18. Bc3 Bg7 19. Rc1 Qb6 20. Bd3 b4 21. axb4 cxb4 22. Bd4 Nc5 23. Bc2 Qc7 24. Re3 Re7 25. Qe2 Rae8 26. Re1 Nh5 27. Bxg7 Kxg7 28. Qd1 f6 {Yakubboev,N (2598)-Kamsky,G (2658) Europe Echecs INT 2021 1-0 (48)}) ({RR} 14. Re2 Nbd7 15. Qe1 Nh5 16. Nf1 Nf4 17. Bxf4 exf4 18. Qd2 Qf6 19. N1h2 h5 20. Rae1 Bh6 21. Qd3 Rad8 22. Qd1 Qg7 23. h4 c5 24. dxc5 Nxc5 25. Qd4 Qf8 26. Qd1 Qe7 27. a4 Nd7 28. axb5 axb5 {Zhang,L-Long,S (1632) Qiziwan CHN 2023 ½-½ (47)}) 14... c6 15. c4 Nbd7 $146 ({RR} 15... bxc4 16. dxc6 Bxc6 17. Nxc4 Nxe4 18. Rxe4 d5 19. Rxe5 dxc4 20. Rxe8 Qxe8 21. Nd4 Bb7 22. Bd2 Bg7 23. Bc3 Nd7 24. Qd2 Nc5 25. Re1 Qd7 26. Qe3 Qd5 27. Nf3 Nd3 28. Rd1 Rd8 29. Bxg7 Kxg7 30. b3 {Tomiello,L (2114)-Terletsky,O (2195) Chess.com INT 2021 1-0 (32)}) 16. a4 Qc7 $1 17. b3 {The above-mentioned position, but with Black to move. Magnus uses the given extra tempo to regroup.} Rec8 $1 18. Ra2 bxc4 19. bxc4 a5 $1 20. Nf1 $2 {A logical and typical move, but a mistake.The problem for White is that optically we would tend to asses it as White being slightly better. After all, he has the centre, and can regroup behind it. The game exemplifies why that is very far from the truth, and thus} (20. Nb1 $1 {, strange as it looks, would be a much better move, trying to land the knight on b5, and at least put up some resistance to Black's plans.}) 20... Ba6 $1 21. Ne3 Nc5 22. Nd2 cxd5 23. cxd5 Rab8 24. Ba3 Qd8 $5 {A good move, also for illustrative purposes, as Magnus retreats his queen to the back rank but clears the c-line for his rook.} 25. Qf3 h5 $1 26. Raa1 Bh6 $1 {A beautiful geometrical motif, with Black's bishops literally playing around White's centre. The a5 and h5 pawns provide excellent cover, meaning the bishops becomes untouchable, and dominate till the end.} 27. Rab1 Rxb1 28. Rxb1 Kg7 $1 29. Nef1 h4 $1 {Black just keeps improving his postion, as White can literally not do anything active without immediately losing material.} 30. Ne3 Bf4 31. Nef1 Qc7 32. g3 $6 {Alireza loses patience, an in order " to do something", just weakens his position.} (32. Ne3 {, staying loyal to the back and forth concept, could have led to this beautiful line:} Ncd7 33. Rc1 Qc3 34. Nb1 Qa1 $1 {when White is completely dominated and loses material!}) 32... hxg3 33. fxg3 Bh6 34. h4 Qd7 {Simplicity at its best, eyeing the a4 pawn, which white really can do nothing about.} 35. Kg2 Nxa4 36. Bxa4 Qxa4 37. Bxd6 Qd4 $1 {The knight on d2 is hanging, there is a threat of 38...Ne8 as bxa3 Rc3 then wins a piece, etc. White position is collapsing.} 38. Qf2 (38. Z0 Ne8 39. Ba3 Rc3) 38... Qxf2+ 39. Kxf2 Bxf1 {And here Alireza, being very short of time resigned, as 40.Nxf1 Nxe4+ loses the bishop on d6. However, with 40.Kxf1 Bxd2 41 Bxe5 he could have prolonged the game somewhat. Magnus was planning 41...Bc3 42.Rc1! Bxe5 43.Rxc8 Nxe4, and while the win will take some moves, the result is not in doubt. A great strategical game by Magnus, outplaying his young opponent by positional means. One could even make the statement that absolutely no tactical remedies were used by Black at all in tis game, he only further and further strengthened his own position until his opponent's camp collapsed!} (39... Bxf1 40. Kxf1 (40. Nxf1 Nxe4+) 40... Bxd2 41. Bxe5 Bc3 42. Rc1 $1 Bxe5 43. Rxc8 Nxe4 $19) 0-1

[Event "Tata Steel-A 82nd"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2020.01.24"]
[Round "11"]
[White "Duda, Jan Krzysztof"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C54"]
[WhiteElo "2758"]
[BlackElo "2872"]
[Annotator "Duda,Jan Krzysztof"]
[PlyCount "86"]
[EventDate "2020.01.11"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 194"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.01.27"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.01.27"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{The game was played on 11th round, and after a free day which felt no fun at all. Magnus had just overcome a drawing crisis and had scored 3/3 in the last rounds. Still he was down to Caruana by half a point, so I assumed he would go for an even higher winning streak. Furthermore the free day made me paranoic about his opening preparation. After much thought I decided to stay loyal to my 1.e4 and see what happens, without certainity though.} 1. e4 e5 {So after all this hours spend on repeating all kinds of Sicilian variations, French Defence, Modern, Scandinavian and even Alekhine Defence, he just played 1...e5. A true surprise.} 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 ({Not even going for} 3... Nf6 {as he played against Van Foreest a couple of rounds earlier}) 4. c3 Nf6 5. d3 d6 {So the Italian game. The only prep I had done was that I wasn't going to play a set up with Bg5. Not a brilliant stuff, but at least I had played the Italian 32 times in my recent years.} 6. Nbd2 a6 7. Nf1 {Pretending to save a tempo on Re1 later on, but most importantly avoid ...Ng4/...f5 stuff.} (7. Bb3 h6 8. Nf1 d5 9. exd5 Nxd5 10. Ng3 O-O 11. O-O Re8 12. Re1 Nf6 13. h3 Be6 14. Bc2 Bd5 15. Nh4 Qd7 16. Nhf5 Bf8 $1 {That's the point!} 17. f4 Rad8 18. fxe5 Nxe5 19. d4 Ng6 20. Rf1 Qc6 21. Rf2 Ne4 $11 {1/2 (43) Duda,J (2739)-Mamedyarov,S (2820) Batumi 2018; with comfortable equality for Black.}) 7... h6 8. Ng3 O-O 9. O-O {I didn't remember the exact move order from my game against Mamedyarov. Obviously I wasn't willing to allow Bf8 anymore. Luckily here Black can hardly play d5, because his e5-pawn would be too weak. My opponent's next move deprives him of this option once and for all.} Ba7 10. Bb3 {I spent some time choosing between the game continuation and the more positional 10.a4.} Re8 11. h3 Be6 12. Bc2 d5 13. exd5 {By transposition we have arrived to a position which is quite tricky for unprepared Black player to face, and was popular some time ago. The good thing was I had analysed this stuff a couple of years ago, back in times, when setups with a4 or Bg5 hadn't been yet so well known. The bad thing was that I couldn't have recalled anything and I was facing the World Champion} Nxd5 {Black has other recaptures as well:} (13... Qxd5 14. Re1 Rad8) (13... Bxd5 14. Re1 Qd7 15. Nh4 (15. Be3 $5 {is a slower approach}) 15... Rad8 16. Nhf5 Kh8 17. d4 {this is a 'forced draw' when Black defends right} exd4 18. Nxg7 Rxe1+ (18... Kxg7 $2 19. Bxh6+ Kh8 20. Qd2 $40 {with a very powerful attack 1-0 (29) Ganguly,S (2660)-Kollars,D (2436) Caleta 2016}) 19. Qxe1 Kxg7 (19... Bxg2 $5 20. Kxg2 Qd5+ (20... d3) 21. Kf1 Qb5+ 22. Kg2 Qd5+ 23. Kf1 {1/2 (23) Laine,J (2311)-Gerhards,G (2304) ICCF email 2018}) (19... d3 $5) 20. Bxh6+ Kh8 (20... Kxh6 $2 21. Qd2+) 21. Qd2 (21. Bg5) 21... Rg8 (21... Nh7) 22. Qf4 Qd6 $4 {Vishy didn't handle it well, but it was a blitz game after all.} (22... Nh5 $1 23. Bg7+ Kxg7 24. Nxh5+ Kf8 25. Qh6+ Ke7 26. Re1+ Kd8 27. Nf6 Rxg2+ 28. Kf1 Rxf2+ 29. Kxf2 d3+ 30. Re3 Bxe3+ 31. Kxe3 Qe6+ 32. Kxd3 $11) 23. Qh4 Qxg3 24. fxg3 {1-0 (26) Giri,A (2773)-Anand,V (2804) Stavanger 2015}) 14. Re1 Qd6 15. Nh4 $146 ({RR} 15. Ne4 Qd7 16. Bd2 Rad8 17. Qe2 f6 18. Rad1 Nce7 19. d4 exd4 20. Nxd4 Bf7 21. Qf3 Nc6 22. Nxc6 Qxc6 23. Bc1 Re5 24. Bb3 Rde8 25. Bd2 Kh7 26. Ng3 Rxe1+ 27. Rxe1 Rxe1+ 28. Bxe1 Qe6 29. Qe4+ Qxe4 {Yeshchenko,U (2097)-Coto Mederos,M (2348) Chess.com INT 2021 ½-½ (66)}) 15... Qe7 16. Nhf5 ({On the correspondence level, the following endgame is quite common:} 16. Qh5 Rad8 17. d4 Nf4 (17... exd4 $2 18. Bxh6 gxh6 19. Qxh6 $40) (17... Nf6 18. Qf3 Bd5 (18... exd4 19. Nhf5 Qf8 20. Nxh6+) 19. Qd3 $36) 18. Bxf4 exf4 19. Nf1 (19. Ngf5 Qg5 20. Qxg5 hxg5 21. Nf3 g6 22. Nh6+ Kg7 23. Ng4 f6) 19... Rd5 20. Qxd5 Bxd5 21. Rxe7 Nxe7 {Maybe in corr chess this is an easy draw, but to my eyes it looks as comfortable edge for White, at least in terms of OTB chess.}) 16... Qf6 17. Qf3 $2 {As it turned out - the bluff. But in the game I was pretty confident, I guess I mixed up variations. The other logical continuation is probably better, but it involves a queen sac.} (17. Qg4 {with the following line in mind:} g6 18. Nxh6+ Kf8 19. Ne4 $1 Bxf2+ 20. Nxf2 Bxg4 21. Nhxg4 {with a crazy game ahead. Objectively my choice was bad, but it's refutation was anything but easy.}) 17... g6 $2 {Frankly I didn't see this. But both alternatives are better:} (17... Kh7 18. d4 g6 {and the engine suggests} 19. Ne4 {which feels entirely wrong} (19. Be4 exd4) 19... Qxf5 20. Ng5+ Qxg5 21. Bxg5 hxg5 22. dxe5 {and in general terms three pieces should be better than the queen, but thanks to Qh5+ White is only marginally worse.}) ({or} 17... Kh8 $1 18. d4 (18. Re4 g6 19. Nh4 {is a disaster. After} Qg7 {the black pawns will start rolling.}) 18... g6 19. Be4 {Magnus calculated this far, but he either didn't see or misevaluated the next move} exd4 $1 {The refutation. White has to go for a sad endgame after} 20. Nxh6 Qxf3 21. Bxf3 Kg7 22. Bd2 {which might be holdable but no more than that.}) 18. Nxh6+ Kg7 19. Qxf6+ Nxf6 20. Ne4 (20. Bd1 {is the alternative mentioned by Magnus, but Black obviously has some compensation for the missing pawn:} Rad8 21. Be2 Nd5 22. Ng4 Nf4 $5 (22... f5 23. Nh2 Nf4 24. Bxf4 exf4 25. Ngf1 $14 {1/2 (74) Harikrishna,P (2737)-Sethuraman,S (2640) Baku 2015})) 20... Nh7 ({In the game I also wasn't entirely sure about} 20... Nxe4 21. dxe4 Rh8 22. Ng4 Bxg4 23. hxg4 Rh4 {but here both} 24. Kf1 ({and} 24. Bd1 {should lead to some edge for White})) 21. g4 (21. h4 {is probably better, but I was a bit unease about my h6-knight.} Rf8 $5 {A sophisticated move.} (21... f5 22. Ng5 Bd5 23. Nxh7 Kxh7 24. g4) (21... Rad8 22. g4 f5 23. gxf5 gxf5 {1-0 (75) Rabiega,R (2498)-Feller,S (2573) Germany 2017} 24. Ng3 $1 {is a far better version of my game.}) 22. g4 f5 {Now with the f5-pawn safely guarded, White has to go Ng5 and the position becomes a complicated one with h6-knight indeed being hanging.}) 21... f5 22. gxf5 gxf5 23. Ng3 f4 24. Ngf5+ Kg6 {For some reason I was expecting only} (24... Kf6 {which according to engine doesn't change much:} 25. d4 Ng5 26. Ng4+ Kf7 27. Kg2 Bd5+ 28. Kf1 {with similar equality.}) 25. d4 Ng5 26. Kg2 $1 Bd5+ 27. Kf1 {Black has a perpetual but apparently nothing better. Of course at this moment I didn't expect Magnus to take repetition.} Nf3 28. Rd1 (28. Re2 {I calculated this valid alternative as well, but it felt a bit unnatural with the potential ...Bc4 in the air.}) 28... Rad8 29. Ne7+ $1 {The simplest, and I think he missed it} Kxh6 30. Nxd5 Nfxd4 $1 {Luckily for Magnus he had this escape. Now the game should peter out to a draw.} 31. cxd4 Rxd5 32. dxe5 Rxd1+ 33. Bxd1 Kg5 34. h4+ Kf5 35. Bc2+ $6 {Played based on a miscalculation.} ({After the normal} 35. Bd2 {it's Black who would have to work for a draw.} Bd4) 35... Kg4 36. Bd1+ $6 (36. Bd2 {was still a lesser evil.}) 36... f3 37. Bg5 Nxe5 38. Bc2 $1 {Luckily I have this move, which with a correct follow-up guarantees draw.} ({In the intended variation} 38. Rc1 Nd3 39. Rc4+ {I completely forgot Black has} Kh3 $1 {and he is already winning now.}) 38... Nc4 39. Re1 Rxe1+ 40. Kxe1 Nxb2 41. Bf6 $1 Nc4 42. Bg6 Bc5 {It seems as if Black is going to stop the h-pawn, but my next move disturbs his coordination.} 43. Bf7 $1 (43. h5 Bf8 $15 {would be very unpleasant to defend even if defensible.}) 43... Kf5 {Offering a draw.} (43... Bb4+ 44. Kd1 $1 Nd6 45. Be6+ Kh5 (45... Kf4 46. h5 Ne4 47. Bd4 Kg5 48. Bd5 $11) 46. Bd5 Kg4 47. Be6+ {with a draw.  An interesting battle, and my first draw in classical chess against Magnus!}) 1/2-1/2

[Event "Tata Steel-A 82nd"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2020.01.26"]
[Round "13"]
[White "So, Wesley"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C47"]
[WhiteElo "2765"]
[BlackElo "2872"]
[PlyCount "103"]
[EventDate "2020.01.11"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 194"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.01.27"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.01.27"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 ({RR} 2... Nf6 3. Nc3 {½-½ (26) Chlpek,D (2040)-Kuna,P (1921) Skalica SVK 2023}) 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. d4 exd4 5. Nxd4 Bb4 6. Nxc6 bxc6 7. Bd3 d5 8. Bd2 O-O 9. O-O Bxc3 10. Bxc3 dxe4 11. Bxf6 Qxf6 12. Bxe4 Qxb2 13. Bxc6 Rb8 14. Rb1 Qxb1 15. Qxb1 Rxb1 16. Rxb1 Rd8 17. Bf3 Kf8 18. Rb8 Re8 19. h4 Ba6 20. Rb3 Be2 21. Bxe2 Rxe2 22. Rc3 Re7 23. f3 Ke8 24. Kf2 Kd7 25. Ra3 Re5 26. Rxa7 Rc5 27. Ke3 $146 Rxc2 28. g4 h5 29. gxh5 Rc4 30. Ra5 Rxh4 31. Rg5 Ke6 32. Rc5 Ra4 33. h6 gxh6 34. Rxc7 Kf6 35. Rc6+ Kg7 36. Rc2 Kg6 37. Kf2 h5 38. Kg3 Kg5 39. Rc7 h4+ 40. Kh3 f5 41. Rh7 Rc4 42. Rh8 Rc1 43. a3 Kf4 44. Rh5 Ra1 45. a4 Ra2 46. Rxh4+ Kxf3 47. Rb4 f4 48. Rb3+ Kf2 49. Kg4 Rxa4 50. Rf3+ Kg2 51. Rxf4 Rxf4+ 52. Kxf4 1/2-1/2

[Event "Legends of Chess Final"]
[Site "chess24.com INT"]
[Date "2020.07.31"]
[Round "1.12"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Svidler, Peter"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B80"]
[WhiteElo "2863"]
[BlackElo "2723"]
[PlyCount "94"]
[EventDate "2020.07.31"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "2"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 197"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.07.27"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.07.27"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Be3 e6 7. f3 b5 8. a3 Bb7 9. Qd2 h5 ({RR} 9... Nbd7 10. O-O-O Ne5 11. g4 Nfd7 12. g5 Nb6 13. f4 Nec4 14. Qf2 Rc8 15. Bxc4 Nxc4 16. Rd3 Qb6 17. f5 Nxe3 18. fxe6 fxe6 19. Qxe3 e5 20. Nf5 Qxe3+ 21. Nxe3 g6 22. Ned5 Be7 23. Nxe7 Kxe7 24. Rhd1 {Ultra-d (2631)-Etaoin Shrdlu (2727) Playchess.com INT 2007 ½-½}) ({RR} 9... Nbd7 10. O-O-O Rc8 11. g4 Ne5 12. g5 Nfd7 13. f4 Nc4 14. Bxc4 Rxc4 15. Rhe1 Be7 16. f5 e5 17. Nf3 Bxe4 18. Nxe4 Rxe4 19. Qd5 Rxe3 20. Rxe3 Bxg5 21. Nxg5 Qxg5 22. Qd2 O-O 23. Rg3 Qxf5 24. Qxd6 {Sathvik Adiga (2413)-Esenbek Uulu,I (2016) chess.com INT 2024 1-0 (45)}) 10. O-O-O Nbd7 11. Rg1 $146 ({RR} 11. Kb1 Rc8 12. Nb3 Be7 13. Be2 Ne5 14. h3 h4 15. Bg5 Qb6 16. Bxf6 gxf6 17. Rhe1 b4 18. axb4 Qxb4 19. Na2 Qb6 20. Qa5 Qf2 21. Qd2 Kf8 22. Bf1 Qa7 23. f4 Nc4 24. Bxc4 Rxc4 25. e5 fxe5 {Veiga,E (2106)-Gelman,A (2403) Chess.com INT 2021 0-1 (35)}) 11... Rc8 12. Be2 Be7 13. Kb1 Qc7 14. Bg5 Qb6 15. Be3 Qa5 16. g3 Rxc3 17. Nb3 Qc7 18. Qxc3 Qxc3 19. bxc3 d5 20. exd5 Nxd5 21. Bd2 Bxa3 22. c4 bxc4 23. Bxc4 N7b6 24. Na5 Nxc4 25. Nxc4 Bc5 26. Rge1 h4 27. f4 hxg3 28. hxg3 Ke7 29. f5 Rb8 30. Ka2 Nb4+ 31. Bxb4 Bxb4 32. Re3 Rc8 33. Ne5 Rxc2+ 34. Kb3 Rd2 35. Rxd2 Bxd2 36. Re2 Bd5+ 37. Ka4 Bc3 38. fxe6 Bxe6 39. Re3 Bxe5 40. Rxe5 Kf6 41. Rc5 Bd7+ 42. Kb4 Bb5 43. Kc3 Ke6 44. Kd4 f6 45. Rc7 g5 46. Rb7 Kf5 47. Rb6 Kg4 1/2-1/2

[Event "Legends of Chess Final"]
[Site "chess24.com INT"]
[Date "2020.08.01"]
[Round "1.21"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Svidler, Peter"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B84"]
[WhiteElo "2863"]
[BlackElo "2723"]
[PlyCount "51"]
[EventDate "2020.07.31"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "2"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 197"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.07.27"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.07.27"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Be3 e6 7. Be2 Qc7 8. Qd2 b5 9. a3 Bb7 10. f3 Nbd7 11. O-O-O d5 12. exd5 Bxd5 ({RR} 12... Nxd5 13. Nxd5 Bxd5 14. Rhe1 Qb7 15. Kb1 b4 16. c4 bxc3 17. Qxc3 Be7 18. Nf5 exf5 19. Rxd5 Qxd5 20. Bc4 Qd6 21. Qxg7 Qf6 22. Qg3 Rb8 23. Qf2 Qh4 24. Qe2 O-O 25. Bf2 Qf6 26. Qd2 Bc5 {0-1 (26) De Wachter,M (2147)-Coenen,N (2259) Belgium BEL 2025}) 13. Bf4 Qb6 14. Rhe1 O-O-O $146 ({RR} 14... b4 15. Nxd5 Nxd5 16. a4 O-O-O 17. Bg5 N7f6 18. Qd3 Kb7 19. f4 Bc5 20. a5 Qd6 21. g3 Rc8 22. Bf3 Rhd8 23. Bxf6 gxf6 24. Qxh7 Bxd4 25. Rxd4 Qc5 26. Bxd5+ exd5 27. Qd3 Qxa5 28. Kb1 Qc5 29. Rd1 {Kollars,D (2612)-Gungl,T (2352) Munich GER 2023 1-0 (39)}) 15. Be3 Qb7 16. a4 b4 17. Nxd5 Nxd5 18. Nb3 Qc6 19. Qd4 Bd6 20. Na5 Qc5 21. Bxa6+ Kc7 22. Nb7 Qxd4 23. Rxd4 Ra8 24. Nxd6 Kxd6 25. Bb5 N7f6 26. Bd2 1-0

[Event "Legends of Chess Final"]
[Site "chess24.com INT"]
[Date "2020.08.01"]
[Round "1.23"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Svidler, Peter"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B51"]
[WhiteElo "2863"]
[BlackElo "2723"]
[PlyCount "82"]
[EventDate "2020.07.31"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "2"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 197"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.07.27"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.07.27"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. Bb5+ Nd7 4. d4 cxd4 5. Qxd4 a6 6. Bxd7+ Bxd7 7. c4 e5 8. Qd3 b5 9. Nc3 bxc4 10. Qxc4 Qc8 11. Qd3 Qb7 12. O-O h6 13. Nd2 Be6 ({RR} 13... Bb5 14. Nc4 Qc6 15. Nxb5 axb5 16. Ne3 Nf6 17. f3 Rd8 18. Rd1 Be7 19. Nd5 Nxd5 20. Qxd5 Qc5+ 21. Kh1 Rc8 22. Qb3 Qc4 23. Qxc4 Rxc4 24. Be3 Kd7 25. Rd2 Rhc8 26. Kg1 Rc2 27. Rad1 R8c6 28. Kf2 {Rocha,L (1869)-Ferreira,E (2089) Natal BRA 2024 ½-½ (51)}) 14. Nc4 Qc6 $146 ({RR} 14... Rd8 15. f4 Nf6 16. f5 Bxc4 17. Qxc4 Be7 18. Be3 O-O 19. Nd5 Nxd5 20. exd5 Rc8 21. Qg4 h5 22. Qxh5 Qxb2 23. Rab1 Qxa2 24. Rb7 Bf6 25. Bg5 Rc2 26. Qg4 Bxg5 27. Qxg5 Qxd5 28. f6 g6 29. Rb4 {Lugovskoy,M (2431)-Fedoseev,V (2659) St Petersburg 2015 0-1 (39)}) 15. b3 Nf6 16. Ne3 Rc8 17. Bd2 Be7 18. Rac1 Qb7 19. Ncd5 O-O 20. Nxe7+ Qxe7 21. Rxc8 Rxc8 22. Rc1 Rxc1+ 23. Bxc1 Qc7 24. Bd2 Qc6 25. f3 d5 26. exd5 Nxd5 27. Nxd5 Bxd5 28. Qc3 Qe6 29. Qc5 f6 30. h3 Qd7 31. Be3 Qe6 32. Qb6 Qxb6 33. Bxb6 Kf7 34. Bc5 g5 35. Kf2 h5 36. Bb6 h4 37. Bd8 Ke6 38. Ke3 Kf5 39. Kf2 Ke6 40. Ke3 Kf5 41. Kf2 Ke6 1/2-1/2

[Event "Legends of Chess Final"]
[Site "chess24.com INT"]
[Date "2020.08.03"]
[Round "2.11"]
[White "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B90"]
[WhiteElo "2784"]
[BlackElo "2863"]
[PlyCount "96"]
[EventDate "2020.07.31"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "2"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 197"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.07.27"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.07.27"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 {Giri,Anish} c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Rg1 b5 ({RR} 6... e5 7. Nb3 Be6 ({RR} 7... h5 8. h3 Be6 9. Be3 d5 ({RR} 9... h4) ({RR} 9... Nbd7) 10. exd5 Nxd5 11. Nxd5 Qxd5 12. Qxd5 Bxd5 13. O-O-O Be6 14. Na5) 8. g4 d5 9. exd5 Nxd5 10. Nxd5 Qxd5 11. Qxd5 Bxd5 12. Be3 Nc6 13. O-O-O O-O-O 14. Bb6 Rd6 15. Rg3 Be7 16. g5 Be6) ({RR} 6... h5 7. h3 ({RR} 7. Be3) ({RR} 7. Bg5)) ({RR} 6... Nc6 7. g4 g6 ({RR} 7... Nxd4 8. Qxd4 Nxg4 ({RR} 8... Bxg4 9. Rxg4 Nxg4 10. Qa4+ Qd7 11. Bb5 axb5 12. Qxa8+ Qd8 13. Qxb7) 9. Nd5) 8. g5 Nd7 9. h4 Nxd4 10. Qxd4 Ne5 11. Kd1 Rg8 12. Nd5 Bg7 ({RR} 12... Be6 13. Qb4 Rb8 14. Be3 ({RR} 14. f4 Nc6 15. Qb6))) ({RR} 6... g6 7. g4 Bg7 8. g5 Nfd7 9. Be3) ({RR} 6... e6 7. g4) 7. g4 ({RR} 7. a4 b4 8. Nd5 e6 ({RR} 8... Nxd5 9. exd5) ({RR} 8... Nxe4) 9. Nxf6+ Qxf6 10. Be3 Bb7 11. Qd2 Bxe4 12. f3 Bb7 13. Qxb4 Qe7 14. Nb3 ({RR} 14. Qb6 Qd7 15. O-O-O Qc8 ({RR} 15... Be7 16. Nb3 Bd5) 16. Nb3) 14... Nc6 15. Qb6 Qd7 16. O-O-O Qc8 17. Bd4 Nxd4 18. Qxd4 Qb8) 7... Bb7 8. g5 Nfd7 ({RR} 8... Nxe4 9. Nxe4 Bxe4 10. a4 ({RR} 10. Qg4 Bb7 11. Bg2 Bxg2 ({RR} 11... Qc7) 12. Qxg2 Nd7 13. g6 hxg6 14. Ne6 Rxh2 15. Qxa8 fxe6 16. Qxa6) 10... e5 ({RR} 10... bxa4) ({RR} 10... b4) 11. axb5 Be7 ({RR} 11... exd4 12. Qxd4) 12. Rg4 axb5 13. Bxb5+ Nd7 14. Bd2 Bb7 15. Nf5 O-O 16. Rxa8 ({RR} 16. Rga4 Rxa4 17. Rxa4 Nb6 18. Ra7) 16... Bxa8 17. Rh4 g6 18. Qg4 Nc5 19. Qh3 ({RR} 19. Kf1) 19... h5 ({RR} 19... Bxg5 20. Rxh7 Bxd2+ 21. Kxd2 Qg5+ 22. Kc3 Ne4+ 23. Kb4 Qd2+ 24. Ka3 Qa5+ 25. Ba4 Qc5+ 26. Ka2 Qc4+) 20. Rxh5 gxh5 21. Qxh5 Ne6 {1-0 (21) Nepomniachtchi,I (2784)-Carlsen,M (2863) chess24.com INT 2020 CBM 199 [Giri,Anish]}) 9. a3 ({RR} 9. Be3 b4 10. Nd5) 9... g6 10. h4 ({RR} 10. Be3 h6 11. h4 hxg5 12. hxg5 Bg7 13. Qd2 Nb6 14. O-O-O N8d7 15. Be2 Qc7 16. Rh1 Nc4 17. Bxc4 Qxc4 18. b3 Qc7 19. Rxh8+ Bxh8 20. Rh1 Bg7 21. Rh7 Kf8 22. Nde2 Kg8 23. Rh3 Qa5 24. Kb2 Bxe4 {Bersamina,P (2426)-Aditya,M (2547) Al Ain UAE 2025 ½-½ (121)}) 10... Bg7 11. h5 $146 ({RR} 11. Be3 O-O 12. h5 Nb6 13. hxg6 hxg6 14. Qg4 e5 15. Ne6 fxe6 16. Qxe6+ Rf7 17. O-O-O Nc8 18. Qxg6 Nd7 19. Rh1 Nf8 20. Rh8+ Kxh8 21. Qxf7 Qe7 22. Bc4 bxc4 23. Rh1+ Nh7 24. Qf5 Kg8 25. Qxh7+ Kf8 {Nagy Hegyesi,B (2296)-Erdelyi,Z (2363) Hungary 2009 1-0 (31)}) 11... Nc6 12. Be3 Nc5 13. f3 O-O 14. hxg6 fxg6 15. Nxc6 Bxc6 16. Bh3 Bxc3+ 17. bxc3 e5 18. Bg4 Qe7 19. Qd2 Rad8 20. c4 bxc4 21. O-O-O Ne6 22. Qc3 Bd7 23. Qxc4 Kg7 24. Qb4 Nf4 25. Bxf4 Bxg4 26. Rxg4 Rxf4 27. Rxf4 Qxg5 28. Rxd6 Qxf4+ 29. Kb1 Rxd6 30. Qxd6 h5 31. c4 Qxf3 32. Qxe5+ Qf6 33. Qd5 h4 34. c5 Qf1+ 35. Ka2 Qg2+ 36. Kb3 Qg3+ 37. Ka4 h3 38. c6 h2 39. Qd7+ Kh6 40. Qd8 Qe5 41. Qh4+ Kg7 42. Kb3 Qb5+ 43. Kc3 Qxc6+ 44. Kd3 Qd6+ 45. Ke2 Qxa3 46. Kf2 Qb2+ 47. Kg3 Qf6 48. Qh3 Qc3+ 0-1

[Event "Legends of Chess Final"]
[Site "chess24.com INT"]
[Date "2020.08.03"]
[Round "2.13"]
[White "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B90"]
[WhiteElo "2784"]
[BlackElo "2863"]
[Annotator "Giri,Anish"]
[PlyCount "42"]
[EventDate "2020.07.31"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "2"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 199"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.12.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.12.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{[%evp 0,42,26,34,86,77,111,93,65,91,65,58,87,12,90,16,55,30,8,-14,-36,-65,-44,-169,47,17,30,-17,42,25,25,99,171,51,51,8,11,-2,-59,-172,-70,0,6,27,336]} 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Rg1 {Recently this variation has been all the rage and unsurprisingly so. The positions are fresh and highly unexplored and the newest Neural Network based engines are on board with it. The variations spread out in all sorts of directions here, so instead of going too deep into one of them, I will try to give an overview of what is all going on here.} b5 {This is the move I had chosen against Ian and also the direction Magnus decided to follow. Incidentally it is also one of the engine's top choices, but there are plenty of alternatives, obviously.} (6... e5 7. Nb3 Be6 {is the traditional way of dealing with this system and it remains quite reliable and also quite simple. The endgame that arises after} (7... h5 $5 {is possible here and on the 6th move as well. One thing to note is that after} 8. h3 Be6 9. Be3 {it is important not to follow Sanan Sjugirov who got a lost position in his off-hand blitz match against Magnus Carlsen.} d5 $2 (9... h4 $5 {is a possible improvement, intending bd7 and the typical Najdorf play}) ({or the immediate} 9... Nbd7 $5 {or perhaps something else, but definitely not d5?.}) 10. exd5 Nxd5 11. Nxd5 Qxd5 12. Qxd5 Bxd5 13. O-O-O Be6 14. Na5 $18 {1-0 (36) Carlsen,M (2876)-Sjugirov,S (2662) chess24.com INT 2020}) 8. g4 d5 9. exd5 Nxd5 10. Nxd5 Qxd5 11. Qxd5 Bxd5 12. Be3 {this endgame actually arises more or less by force.} Nc6 13. O-O-O O-O-O 14. Bb6 {The critical direction.} Rd6 {and now White has a lot of moves, but perhaps one of the reasons that 6.g1 is back in fashion in general, is that here after} 15. Rg3 {the engines give White a small plus. Still Black is quite solid after for example} Be7 16. g5 Be6 {intending h6 at the right moment, trying to simplify the game.}) (6... h5 $5 {is a funky move that the engines don't dislike. White has three different ways of developing here, g5, e3 or the flexible h3. The positions are in a way still typical, as the usual Najdorf structure is there, but with g1 h5 included, they are very unexplored.} 7. h3 {here again Black has the choice, between e5, c6, b5 and so on. Completely unexplored territory!} (7. Be3) (7. Bg5)) (6... Nc6 {This is a very natural reaction too. Now White's point is that he can and should sacrifice a pawn!} 7. g4 $1 {taking the pawn is quite dubious, so the main move here is} g6 (7... Nxd4 8. Qxd4 {now taking with the bishop loses outright, but taking with the knight is also quite dubious as Black is massively lagging behind in development.} Nxg4 (8... Bxg4 $2 {loses-} 9. Rxg4 $1 Nxg4 10. Qa4+ Qd7 11. Bb5 $1 {the point.} axb5 12. Qxa8+ Qd8 13. Qxb7) 9. Nd5 {White has very strong compensation- Black should not get into this.}) 8. g5 Nd7 9. h4 {Be3 is also possible, but my countryman Jorden goes for another plan.} Nxd4 10. Qxd4 Ne5 11. Kd1 $5 {A very spectacular idea. Jorden was quite fortunate to be able to implement it in a tournament game!} Rg8 12. Nd5 Bg7 $5 {is the better move. This position on it's own deserves a survey!} (12... Be6 13. Qb4 Rb8 14. Be3 $1 {is a natural improvement over the game. Black has some questions to answer. Both kings are uncastled, but White has more space overal and clearer play.} (14. f4 Nc6 15. Qb6 {½-½ (36) Van Foreest,J (2644)-Firouzja,A (2723) Wijk aan Zee 2020}))) (6... g6 {is likely to transpose to 6...c6 7.g4 g6 as after} 7. g4 Bg7 (7... Nc6) 8. g5 Nfd7 9. Be3 {Black has no better square for his b8 knight than c6. 7...c6 is in fact more flexible, as Black has some xd4 options, like in the Van Foreest-Firouzja game.}) (6... e6 $6 {would fully justify g1 for whoever after} 7. g4 {wants to follow it up with g5 and h4, winning a full tempo over g1, compared to the 6.h3 e6 7.g4 variation in the very same Najdorf.}) 7. g4 {Another attempt by Ian, who was a step ahead of Magnus here and must have clearly surprised him with this one.} (7. a4 $5 b4 8. Nd5 e6 {I felt this was the most practical option, but here too, the position gets crazy.} (8... Nxd5 9. exd5 {is a very strange position, also deserves further investigation.}) (8... Nxe4 $5 {is very brave. Usually I would say that this position needs a separate survey, but here I would say it needs two separate surveys. White has many ways to play for compensation here.}) 9. Nxf6+ Qxf6 10. Be3 Bb7 11. Qd2 {the main idea, it allows Black to trade the e4-pawn for the b4-pawn, but White keeps the momentum and doesn't waste time to defend the e4-pawn.} Bxe4 12. f3 Bb7 {deviating from 12...d5, which has been played before in the only game that reached this position. Motylev-Kokarev 2019.} 13. Qxb4 Qe7 14. Nb3 $5 {was the right way to get the position Ian wanted to get.} (14. Qb6 $6 {this being a blitz game, we both did a mix up here.} Qd7 $1 15. O-O-O Qc8 $2 {I probably tried reconstructing what I knew, but just e7! was good here.} (15... Be7 $1 16. Nb3 {was the reason I didn't do this, but here I have 2 strong options c6! or d5! with an enormous advantage.} Bd5) 16. Nb3 Nc6 {and now we transposed to a position that Ian probably wanted to get.} 17. Bd4 {1-0 (76) Nepomniachtchi,I (2784)-Giri,A (2764) chess24.com INT 2020}) 14... Nc6 15. Qb6 Qd7 16. O-O-O Qc8 17. Bd4 {here I played e5, but alternatively the engines suggest} Nxd4 18. Qxd4 Qb8 $1 {intending a7!, with a very unclear position, that needs to be checked more carefully. Both sides also had alternatives along the way.}) 7... Bb7 8. g5 $5 {it is possible to defend the e4-pawn, but then Black is quite happy with the b5/b7 order.} Nxe4 {in their first encounter that day Magnus didn't take up the challenge and although he won, White clearly had improvements along the way. Now he takes up the challenge, but probably he (or his team) didn't take this seriously enough, as he now lands in trouble again.} (8... Nfd7 9. Be3 $5 {could already be an improvement, as} (9. a3 g6 10. h4 Bg7 11. h5 Nc6 12. Be3) 9... b4 10. Nd5 {seems quite dubious for Black, who is much behind in development.}) 9. Nxe4 Bxe4 10. a4 $5 (10. Qg4 {contains a beautiful trap, which Black can and should avoid} Bb7 11. Bg2 Bxg2 $6 (11... Qc7 $1 {is a simple improvement, when White doesn't have enough compensation most likely.}) 12. Qxg2 Nd7 $2 {it was still possible to avoid the trap with 12...a7!, but a few people fell for this one actually -} 13. g6 $1 {very beautiful idea!} hxg6 14. Ne6 $1 {Boom! The point. White won in (17) Belousov,D (2274)-Thing,B (2222) Moscow 2019. fxe6 is not possible due to xg6 mate, while if the queen moves, xa8 is incoming.} Rxh2 {is a creative defensive attempt, but after} 15. Qxa8 fxe6 16. Qxa6 {White is up in material and is winning.}) 10... e5 {this is possible, but alternatives b4 and bxa4 are definitely to be studied.} (10... bxa4 $5) (10... b4 $5) 11. axb5 Be7 $146 (11... exd4 {Black has to accept the sacrifice.} 12. Qxd4 {and now d5 or e7, both are possible. The position is crazy complex, g3-e3 lift is a typical idea and White also hopes to get his queenside pawns going at some point. Complicated stuff.}) ({RR} 11... exd4 12. Qxd4 d5 13. Rg3 Nd7 14. Re3 Be7 15. Qxg7 Rf8 16. Bh3 f5 17. f3 f4 18. Re2 Bxf3 19. Re6 Be4 20. Bg4 Nc5 21. Rc6 Qb8 22. Rxc5 f3 23. Be3 Qxh2 24. O-O-O axb5 25. Kb1 f2 26. Be2 {Peng,L (2489)-Neugebauer,M (2509) Trencin SVK 2025 ½-½ (38)}) 12. Rg4 $1 {White is forcing the e4 bishop to decide, what to give up, the h1-a8 diagonal, or the crucial f5-square for the knight.} axb5 13. Bxb5+ Nd7 {according to the engine f8 was a better defence, but that looks even worse.} 14. Bd2 $1 {very strong, developing the bishop and connecting the queen to the rook.} Bb7 15. Nf5 {now white is winning, thanks to this superstrong knight and the potential for a strong attack on the kingside.} O-O 16. Rxa8 {the most direct, but not so easy actually.} ({the sick} 16. Rga4 $1 {was winning more trivially, apparently, because now after} Rxa4 17. Rxa4 Nb6 18. Ra7 $1 {hits that vulnerable b7 bishop.}) 16... Bxa8 17. Rh4 g6 {only move} 18. Qg4 {White appears to be crushing his opponent but things are not so simple.} Nc5 $1 {Magnus tries to fight and correctly so.} 19. Qh3 $2 (19. Kf1 $3 {this prophylaxis wins, but obviously this all has little to do with the reality. Computer stuff and that too, on quite some depth...}) 19... h5 $2 (19... Bxg5 $1 {would actually save Black. I am curious what he missed here, but with little time on the clock, it could frankly be anything.} 20. Rxh7 Bxd2+ $1 21. Kxd2 {otherwise gxf5 and there is no mate as the h6-square is protected.} Qg5+ $1 22. Kc3 Ne4+ $1 23. Kb4 Qd2+ 24. Ka3 Qa5+ 25. Ba4 Qc5+ 26. Ka2 Qc4+ {with a perpetual.}) 20. Rxh5 $1 {White is crushing here.} gxh5 21. Qxh5 Ne6 {and not waiting for g6 Black resigned.} 1-0

[Event "Legends of Chess Final"]
[Site "chess24.com INT"]
[Date "2020.08.03"]
[Round "2.15"]
[White "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B90"]
[WhiteElo "2784"]
[BlackElo "2863"]
[PlyCount "118"]
[EventDate "2020.07.31"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "2"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 197"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.07.27"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.07.27"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. h3 g6 7. g4 Bg7 8. Bg2 O-O 9. Be3 Nc6 10. Qd2 Nxd4 11. Bxd4 b5 12. g5 Nh5 13. Bxg7 Nxg7 14. e5 Ra7 15. O-O-O $146 ({RR} 15. exd6 Rd7 16. Ne4 Bb7 17. O-O-O Bxe4 18. Bxe4 Rxd6 19. Qe3 Qc7 20. Rxd6 Qxd6 21. Rd1 Qe6 22. Bd5 Qxe3+ 23. fxe3 Nf5 24. Rd3 Rb8 25. b4 Kg7 26. Kb2 Nd6 27. e4 f6 28. h4 h6 29. gxh6+ Kxh6 {Hou Yifan (2632)-Kramnik,V (2753) Tashkent UZB 2023 ½-½ (60)}) 15... Rd7 16. Bc6 Rc7 17. Bf3 Bf5 18. exd6 exd6 19. Ne4 Ne6 20. h4 Rc4 21. Nf6+ Kh8 22. Bd5 Rxc2+ 23. Qxc2 Bxc2 24. Kxc2 Nf4 25. Kb1 Kg7 26. Rd4 Nxd5 27. Rxd5 h6 28. Rhd1 Qc8 29. a3 Qh3 30. R1d4 Qf1+ 31. Ka2 Qxf2 32. Rxd6 hxg5 33. hxg5 Qg3 34. R6d5 Rc8 35. Rd3 Qf4 36. R3d4 Qh2 37. Rd2 Qc7 38. R2d4 Rh8 39. Rd7 Qe5 40. R7d5 Qe3 41. Rd3 Qc1 42. Rc3 Qf4 43. Rc2 b4 44. a4 b3+ 45. Kxb3 Rb8+ 46. Ka2 Qxa4+ 47. Kb1 Rh8 48. Rc1 Qb3 49. Rd2 Qe6 50. Rc5 a5 51. Rcd5 a4 52. Ka2 Qe3 53. R2d3 Qb6 54. Rd6 Qg1 55. R6d5 Rh1 56. Ka3 Qa1+ 57. Kb4 Qxb2+ 58. Ka5 Rh8 59. Rb5 Ra8+ 0-1

[Event "Legends of Chess Final"]
[Site "chess24.com INT"]
[Date "2020.08.04"]
[Round "2.22"]
[White "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B90"]
[WhiteElo "2784"]
[BlackElo "2863"]
[PlyCount "152"]
[EventDate "2020.07.31"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "2"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 197"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.07.27"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.07.27"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. h3 e5 7. Nb3 Be7 8. g4 h6 9. Be3 Nbd7 10. a4 Nf8 ({RR} 10... b6 11. f3 Qc7 12. h4 Nf8 13. Rg1 Be6 14. g5 hxg5 15. hxg5 N6d7 16. Nd5 Qc6 17. Qd2 Ng6 18. a5 b5 19. O-O-O Rc8 20. Kb1 Nc5 21. Be2 Bd8 22. Nxc5 dxc5 23. f4 exf4 24. Bxf4 Be7 25. Nxe7 {Carlsen,M (2876)-Ganguly,S (2658) Douglas 2019 1-0 (41)}) 11. Bc4 ({RR} 11. Qf3 Ng6 12. O-O-O Bd7 13. a5 Qb8 14. Nd2 Be6 15. Nc4 Qc7 16. Nb6 Rd8 17. Ncd5 Bxd5 18. exd5 Nd7 19. Bd3 Bg5 20. Kb1 Bxe3 21. fxe3 Nxb6 22. axb6 Qxb6 23. Bxg6 fxg6 24. Rhf1 Rd7 25. Qe4 {½-½ (25) Lin,B (2343)-Zhou Jianchao (2581) Philadelphia USA 2025}) 11... Ng6 12. Qe2 $146 ({RR} 12. a5 Be6 13. Bd5 Nxd5 14. Nxd5 Rc8 15. Qd3 Bxd5 16. Qxd5 Qc7 17. c3 Bg5 18. O-O-O Ke7 19. Rhf1 Qc6 20. Qxc6 Rxc6 21. Kc2 f6 22. Rg1 Nf8 23. Nc1 Ne6 24. Rg3 Rc4 25. Kd3 Rhc8 26. Nb3 Bf4 {Ajay,K (2426)-Koelle,T (2312) Budapest 2021 ½-½ (43)}) 12... Bd7 13. f3 Rc8 14. h4 Nh7 15. h5 Bh4+ 16. Rxh4 Nxh4 17. O-O-O Nxf3 18. Rxd6 Qe7 19. Rb6 Bxg4 20. Bd5 O-O 21. Qg2 Qh4 22. Rg6 Nhg5 23. Kb1 Be6 24. Rxe6 fxe6 25. Bxb7 Qe1+ 26. Bc1 Rxc3 27. bxc3 Nxe4 28. Bxe4 Qxe4 29. Bxh6 Rf7 30. Bc1 Qf5 31. Qe2 Rc7 32. Kb2 Qxh5 33. Qxa6 Qe8 34. Qb5 Qc6 35. c4 Kf7 36. c5 Nd4 37. Qf1+ Kg8 38. Be3 Qxa4 39. Bxd4 exd4 40. Qf4 Qd7 41. Qe5 Rb7 42. Qe4 Rb8 43. Qe5 Rb4 44. Qe4 Qd5 45. Qg4 Rc4 46. Qf4 Rb4 47. Qg4 Qf5 48. Qh4 Rc4 49. Qd8+ Kh7 50. Qh4+ Kg6 51. Nxd4 Qe5 52. Qg4+ Kh7 53. Qh4+ Kg8 54. Qd8+ Kf7 55. Qd7+ Kf6 56. c3 Rxc5 57. Qd8+ Kg6 58. Qe8+ Kh7 59. Qd8 Rd5 60. Qh4+ Kg8 61. Qg4 Rd6 62. Qh4 Qf6 63. Qe4 Rb6+ 64. Kc2 Kf7 65. Qa8 Qg6+ 66. Kd2 Rb2+ 67. Ke3 Qg1+ 68. Kd3 Qf1+ 69. Ke3 Qf2+ 70. Kd3 Qg2 71. Nf3 Qe2+ 72. Kd4 Qd1+ 73. Ke3 Re2+ 74. Kf4 Qd6+ 75. Kg4 Rg2+ 76. Kh5 g6+ 0-1

[Event "Norway Chess 8th"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2020.10.07"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Tari, Aryan"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B69"]
[WhiteElo "2633"]
[BlackElo "2863"]
[PlyCount "90"]
[EventDate "2020.10.05"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 199"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.12.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.12.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 d6 6. Bg5 Bd7 7. Qd2 a6 8. O-O-O e6 9. f4 Be7 10. Nf3 b5 11. Bxf6 gxf6 12. Kb1 Qb6 13. f5 O-O-O 14. Bd3 Kb8 15. Ne2 Bc8 16. Nf4 Ne5 17. Be2 d5 18. exd5 exf5 19. Nd4 Bc5 20. Rhf1 Rhe8 21. a3 Ka8 22. h3 $146 ({RR} 22. Qc3 Bd7 23. d6 Rc8 24. Nd5 Qxd6 25. Nxf5 Qb8 26. Nxf6 b4 27. axb4 Bxb4 28. Qb3 Be6 29. Qa4 a5 30. Nxe8 Rxe8 31. Ng7 Rc8 32. Nxe6 fxe6 33. Qb5 Qc7 34. Qa6+ Kb8 35. c3 Bxc3 36. Rc1 {1-0 (36) Juhasz,A (2373)-Fiedorek,M (2319) Budapest 2022}) 22... Bd7 23. Nh5 Nc4 24. Bxc4 bxc4 25. Qc3 Rb8 26. Rf3 Re1 27. Rxe1 Bxd4 28. Qb4 Qc7 29. d6 Qc6 30. Qa5 Bxb2 31. Ka2 Be5 32. Rb1 Rxb1 33. Kxb1 Qxd6 34. Kc1 Qd4 35. Qxa6+ Kb8 36. c3 Qg1+ 37. Kd2 Qxg2+ 38. Ke3 f4+ 39. Nxf4 Bxf4+ 40. Rxf4 Qg3+ 41. Rf3 Qe1+ 42. Kd4 Qe5+ 43. Kxc4 Qe4+ 44. Kc5 Qxf3 45. Kd6 Bc8 0-1

[Event "Norway Chess 8th"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2020.10.10"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Duda, Jan Krzysztof"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B15"]
[WhiteElo "2757"]
[BlackElo "2863"]
[Annotator "Duda,Jan Krzysztof"]
[PlyCount "125"]
[EventDate "2020.10.05"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 199"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.12.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.12.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{[%evp 0,125,45,40,69,68,68,44,44,44,46,22,22,27,18,18,20,15,12,12,41,34,35,-27,82,80,143,142,125,125,183,111,115,67,97,97,109,92,197,163,205,54,140,47,176,134,193,171,164,166,166,142,255,255,245,225,240,240,289,212,212,207,207,176,344,427,369,428,461,426,528,525,524,540,492,471,537,529,507,507,599,575,575,386,433,378,403,403,403,402,476,464,473,425,511,511,538,368,398,297,333,333,403,403,449,442,435,455,435,496,505,481,532,501,672,663,706,458,499,370,1439,1439,1439,1489,1489,1532,1830,1934]} 1. e4 {The start of the tournament had been extremely bad for me, as I had scored 0.5 out of 4, and now had to meet Magnus two times in a row. Fortunately there was a free day in-between, so I allowed myself to forget about the tournament for a while. I was also largely surprised by quite some interest of my supporters in Poland, who believed in a positive score for this game, possibly more than I did!  Der Turnierstart war extrem schlecht für mich gewesen, denn ich hatte 0.5 aus 4 und musste nun zweimal nacheinander gegen Magnus antreten. Zum Glück gab es dazwischen einen freien Tag, daher erlaubte ich mir, das Turnier eine Weile zu vergessen. Ich war auch ziemlich überrascht von dem beträchtlichen Interesse seitens meiner Fans in Polen, die an das positive Ergebnis in dieser Partie glaubten, womöglich mehr als ich!} c6 {The surprise was in the air, but the thing is that you don't know what it's going to be, until it's done. Die Überraschung lag in der Luft, aber das Ding ist, dass man ja nicht weiß, was passieren wird, bis es erledigt ist.} 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Nf6 $5 {But this was a real shocker. I have always found it difficult to believe in this system, even though I have given it a try a few times myself. Magnus might have been inspired by L'Ami's chessable course on the Caro Kann, where among others this variation was included. I was lucky enough to have a quick look on a short & sweet version (a free and limited one) of the course before the tournament, so at least I wasn't completely caught unaware.  Aber das war ein echter Schocker. Es ist mir immer schwer gefallen, an dieses System zu glauben, obwohl ich es ein paarmal selbst versucht habe. Magnus war womöglich inpiriert von L'Amis chessable-Kurs zu Caro Kann, der unter anderem diese Variante beinhaltete. Ich hatte das Glück, vor dem Turnier kurz einen Blick auf eine Short&sweet-Version des Kurses (gratis und begrenzt) zu erhaschen, daher wurde ich zumindest nicht völlig kalt erwischt.} 5. Nxf6+ exf6 6. c3 Bd6 7. Bd3 O-O 8. Qc2 Re8+ 9. Ne2 h5 {That's the way they play these days, and it's the reason for the renaissance of this very variation.  So spielen sie es heutzutage, und es ist der Grund für die Renaissance genau dieser Variante.} 10. Be3 Nd7 ({I had one earlier experience in this variation: Ich hatte eine frühere Erfahrung in dieser Variante:} 10... h4 11. O-O-O Be6 12. c4 Nd7 13. Kb1 Nf8 14. Nc3 Bg4 15. Rde1 Bb4 16. a3 Bxc3 17. Qxc3 Qd7 $13 {1/2 (68) Duda,J (2734)-Lupulescu,C (2643) Batumi 2019; with an unclear game. Magnus' choice is much sharper though. mit unklarem Spiel. Magnus' Wahl ist allerdings viel schärfer.}) 11. O-O-O {Perhaps castling short was more suitable, but somehow I found the king to be in greater danger there :) Vielleicht war kurze Rochade passender, aber irgendwie schien mit der König dort in größerer Gefahr :)} b5 $5 {This is the idea. Instead of the usual f8 retreat, Black aims for an instant counterattack  Das ist die Idee. Statt des üblichen Sf8-Rückzugs strebt Schwarz sofortigen Gegenangriff an.} 12. d5 {This is obviously the mainstream choice, but I assume it would have been wiser to play it instantly, rather than throwing away 20 minutes for free. Dies ist offensichtlich die Mainstream-Fortsetzung, aber ich nehme an, es wäre klüger gewesen, es sofort zu spielen, als dafür 20 Minuten zu verballern.} (12. Kb1 {felt too soft for me. After fühlte sich für mich zu weich an. Nach} Nb6 13. Bc1 Be6 14. Rhe1 {1/2 (89) Azarov,S (2604)-Van Foreest,J (2682) chess.com INT 2020} a5 $5 {Black looks quicker. ist Schwarz offenbar schneller.}) (12. g4 $5 {as suggested by Kramnik is interesting, but for some reason I didn't seriously consider it during the game. , wie von Kramnik vorgeschlagen, ist interessant, aber auf irgendeinem Grund zog ich es während der Partie nicht ernsthaft in Betracht.}) 12... c5 (12... cxd5 {I got temped to find a killer after this move, but I didn't quite suceed. Nach diesem Zug war ich verlockt, einen Killer zu finden, aber ich schaffte es nicht ganz.} 13. Bh7+ (13. Bxb5 Bb7) 13... Kh8 (13... Kf8 14. Rxd5 Nb6 15. Rxb5 $16) 14. Rxd5 Ne5 (14... Nb6 15. Rxh5 Bg4 16. Rh4 f5 17. g3 Be7 {I calculated this far, but couldn't make it work. Soweit rechnete ich, aber konnte es nicht zum Funktionieren bringen.} 18. Rxg4 $5 fxg4 19. h3 Bg5 20. hxg4 $18) 15. Be4 $1 Be6 16. Rd4 $16) 13. Bxb5 Rb8 14. c4 a6 (14... Rxe3 $5 {is a very interesting idea I had seen in L'Ami's course before, and frankly speaking I was a bit surpised that Magnus didn't choose this, as it felt very suitable given the tournament situation.  ist eine sehr interessante Idee, die ich zuvor in L'Amis Kurs gesehen hatte, und offen gestanden war ich ein bisschen überrascht, dass Magnus es nicht wählte, da es angesichts der Turniersituation sehr passend schien.} 15. fxe3 Ne5 16. h3 $1 {This one I figured out. Das verstand ich noch.} Qa5 (16... g6 17. Rhf1) 17. b3 Qa3+ 18. Kd2 g6 19. Rhf1 f5 20. Ke1 {Engines don't quite approve, but over the board the position is a mess of course. Die Engines sind nicht ganz einverstanden, aber am Brett ist die Stellung natürlich ein Chaos.}) 15. Ba4 ({RR} 15. Bc6 Re7 16. Nc3 Ne5 17. Ne4 Bg4 18. Rd2 Bf5 19. Nxf6+ gxf6 20. Qxf5 Nxc4 21. Qxf6 Nxd2 22. Qg5+ Kf8 23. Qh6+ Kg8 24. Qg5+ Kf8 25. Qh6+ {½-½ (25) Wei Yi (2740)-Ding Liren (2780) Chengdu CHN 2024}) 15... Re7 (15... Rxe3 16. fxe3 Ne5 {again was possible, where again the best is war wieder möglich, wonach} 17. h3 {wiederum das Beste ist.}) (15... h4 16. Nc3 Rxe3 17. fxe3 Ne5 18. Bb3 Bg4 19. Rdf1 Bh5 20. Kb1 {In all the lines Black has acceptable compensation, but it doesn't seem to be sound. In allen Abspielen hat Schwarz akzeptable Kompensation, aber gesund scheint es nicht zu sein.}) (15... g6 16. Nc3 Rb4 17. b3 Re7 18. a3 Rb7 19. Kb1 $5 Ne5 20. Ka2) (15... Re5 $5 {looks quite mysterious, I assume f5 is the idea. wirkt sehr mysteriös, ich nehme an, Lf5 ist die Idee.} 16. Nc3 (16. Bb3 Nb6 17. Nc3 {transposes. leitet über.}) 16... Nb6 17. Bb3 Bf5 (17... a5 $5 $13) 18. Qe2 (18. Qd2 a5 19. a3 (19. Qe2) 19... Nxd5 20. Nxd5 Rxb3 21. Nc3 Rb6 22. Nb5 Re4 $1 23. b3 Qe8 (23... Qb8 24. a4 $1) 24. a4 (24. Nxd6 Rxb3 25. Qd5 $8 Rexe3 $8 26. Nxe8 Re2 27. Nxf6+ gxf6 28. Qxf5 Rc3+ 29. Kb1 Rb3+ $11) 24... Qe6 $5 (24... Rxb5 $6 25. axb5 Qe5 26. Qb2 Qe6 27. Rd5 $16) (24... Qe5 25. Qb2 $1 (25. Qc3 $6 Qxc3+ 26. Nxc3 Rxe3 27. fxe3 Rxb3 28. Rxd6 Rxc3+ 29. Kb2 Rxc4 30. Rc1 Rb4+ 31. Ka3 Be6 32. Rxe6 fxe6 33. Rxc5 Re4 34. Rxa5 Rxe3+ 35. Kb4 Re4+ 36. Kb3 $11) 25... Rxe3 26. Qxe5 Rxe5 27. Rxd6 Rxd6 28. Nxd6 Bd7 29. Rd1 Bc6 30. g3 g5 $11) 25. Qxa5 Rxe3 (25... Be5 26. Qa8+ (26. Rd5 Bg6) 26... Kh7 27. Qd5 Qc8 $8) 26. fxe3 Qxe3+ 27. Kb2 Be5+ 28. Ka3 Bc2 29. Qa8+ $8 Rb8 30. Qf3 Qxf3 31. gxf3 Bxd1 32. Rxd1 Bxh2 33. Rh1 Bf4 34. Rxh5 g5 $13) 18... Bg4 19. Qd3 (19. f3 $5 Qc7 20. Rd2 $8 Rbe8 21. Nd1 Bd7 $13) 19... Bxd1 (19... Bf5 20. Qf1 Qd7 21. Rd2) 20. Rxd1 f5 (20... Nc8 21. f4 Re7 22. Bd2 $36) 21. Bf4 g6 22. Bxe5 Bxe5 $44) ({RR} 15... Re5 16. Rd2 Nb6 17. Bb3 a5 18. Nc3 Bf5 19. Qd1 Re7 20. Qxh5 Bg6 21. Qh4 Be5 22. Nb5 a4 23. Bc2 Bxc2 24. Rxc2 Reb7 25. Bxc5 Nxc4 26. Qxc4 Rxb5 27. Ba3 Rxd5 28. g3 Qd7 29. f4 Rd8 30. Qe2 {Cave,I (2066)-Zia,T (2323) Petrovac MNE 2025 0-1 (40)}) 16. Ng3 $146 {I was quite pleased to have the possibility to re-route the knight. Ich war recht erfreut, die Möglichkeit zu haben, den Springer umzuleiten.} ({RR} 16. Rhe1 Ne5 17. Ng3 Reb7 18. b3 Rb4 19. Bd2 Rxa4 20. bxa4 Qb6 21. Re3 Ng4 22. Rb3 Qc7 23. Ne4 Bd7 24. Rxb8+ Qxb8 25. Qb3 Qc7 26. f3 Ne5 27. a5 Bf5 28. Qb6 Bxe4 29. Qxc7 Bxc7 30. fxe4 Nxc4 {Van Osch,M (2366)-Koubova,A (2137) Prague 2022 1-0 (36)}) 16... Ne5 (16... g6 {If I remember correctly this move worried me a bit, as e4 is bad (ok on correspondence level, where White can make a bunch of only moves), but White can play something else instead. Wenn ich mich recht erinnerte, sorgte mich dieser Zug ein wenig, da Se4 schlecht ist (okay, auf Fernschachebene, wo Weiß einen Haufen einziger Züge machen kann), aber Weiß kann stattdessen etwas anderes spielen..} 17. Rhe1 {The most natural. Am natürlichsten.} (17. Ne4 $2 Rxe4 18. Qxe4 Ne5 (18... Nb6) 19. Qc2 Bf5 (19... Rb4 $5 20. Bb3 Qb6 21. f4 $8 Bf5 22. Qe2 $8 (22. Qc3 a5 $1 $19) 22... Ng4 $132) 20. Qc3 Rb4 21. Bb3 Qb6 (21... Qb8 22. Rhe1 (22. f4 a5 23. fxe5 Bxe5 24. Bd4 cxd4 25. Rxd4 Bf4+ 26. Kd1 a4 27. Rxf4 Qxf4 28. Qxb4 Bg4+ 29. Kc2 Bf5+ $11) 22... a5 (22... Ng4 23. h3 Be5 24. hxg4 Bxc3 25. bxc3 Rxb3 26. axb3 Qxb3 27. gxf5 Qxc3+ 28. Kb1 Qb3+ $11) 23. Bf4 $8 a4 (23... h4) 24. Bc2 Rxc4 25. Bxe5 Bxe5 (25... Rxc3 26. Bxc3 {0.00 0.00}) 26. Qxc4 Qxb2+ 27. Kd2 Bxc2 28. Ke3 $1 Bxd1 29. Rxd1 Bd4+ 30. Rxd4 cxd4+ 31. Qxd4 Qa3+ 32. Qd3 Qxa2 33. d6 Qe6+ 34. Kd2 Qd7 $11) (21... Nxc4 22. Bxc4 Be5 23. Bd4 Bf4+ 24. Be3 Be5 25. Rd4 $5 a5 $13) 22. Rhe1 $1 Nxc4 23. Bg5 $3 (23. Bh6 Ne5 $17) 23... Qb5 (23... Be5 24. Rxe5 Nxe5 25. Be3 Nd7 $13) (23... fxg5 $4 24. Re8+ Bf8 25. Bxc4 $18) 24. Qxf6 $8 Bf8 25. Re7 (25. d6 Rxb3 26. Re7) 25... Bxe7 26. Qxe7 Rxb3 27. axb3 Qxb3 28. Qe8+ $8 Kg7 29. Rd2 Nxd2 30. Qe5+ Kh7 31. Kxd2 Qc2+ 32. Ke1 $11) (17. Bd2) 17... h4 (17... Nb6 18. Bc6 h4 19. Ne4 Bf5 20. f3 $16) 18. Ne4 Rxe4 19. Qxe4 Ne5 20. Qc2 $1 Bf5 (20... Rb4 21. Bb3 Bf5 (21... a5 22. a3 Bf5 23. Qc3 {transposes. leitet über.}) 22. Qc3 {again transposes. leitet wieder über.}) 21. Qc3 Rb4 (21... Ng4 22. b3 Be5 23. Qd2 Qd6 24. g3 $16) 22. Bb3 a5 23. a3 Qb8 $1 24. Ba2 (24. axb4 $2 axb4 25. Qd2 Qa8 26. Qc2 Bxc2 27. Kxc2 Qc8 $19) 24... Rb7 25. h3 {Stopping g4. Stoppt Sg4.} g5 26. Re2 a4 27. Rdd2 Bg6 28. Kd1 {White is better according to the engine. Laut Engine steht Weiß besser.}) (16... Nb6 $5 17. Bc6 Rxe3 18. fxe3 h4 19. Nf1 $1 Bg4 20. Rd3 Bf5 21. Nd2 $14 {is the optimal but highly computerish variation. ist die optimale, aber höchst computermäßige Variante.}) 17. Ne4 (17. Bd2 $1 {seems to be better, not to allow the b4 idea as was the case in the game. scheint besser zu sein, um nicht die Tb4-Idee zu erlauben, wie es in der Partie kam.} h4 (17... Ng4 18. Rhe1 $1 Nxf2 19. Rxe7 Bxe7 20. Re1 Ng4 21. h3 Ne5 22. Nxh5 $16) (17... g6 18. Rhe1 h4 19. Ne4 Bf5 20. h3 $16) (17... Reb7 18. b3 h4 19. Ne4 {transposes. leitet über.}) 18. Ne4 Reb7 (18... h3 $6 {is a typical idea in this structure, but here it just doesn't work: ist eine typische Idee in dieser Struktur, aber hier funktioniert es einfach nicht:} 19. f4 hxg2 20. Rhg1 $18 Nf3 $2 21. Nxf6+ $1 gxf6 22. Rxg2+ Kh8 23. Qc3 $1 $18) 19. b3 Bf5 (19... h3 20. Nxd6 Qxd6 21. f4 hxg2 (21... Ng6 22. gxh3 Nxf4 23. Rhe1 Bxh3 24. Re3) 22. Rhe1 g1=Q 23. fxe5 Qxe1 24. exd6 Qf2 25. Qe4 $18) 20. h3 Ng6 21. Rhe1 $16 {is better for White, and in contrast to the game his position is pretty solid. ist besser für Weiß, und im Gegensatz zu seiner Partie ist seine Stellung ziemlich solide.}) 17... Reb7 18. b3 {I was hesitant to play this move, but there is nothing better. Ich zögerte bei diesem Zug, aber es gibt nichts Besseres.} Rb4 $1 {This surprised me, but in fact it's a brilliant idea, showing good judgement by Magnus. Dies überraschte mich, aber in Wirklichkeit ist es eine brillante Idee, die gutes Urteilsvermögen von Magnus zeigt.} (18... Bf5 {was what I expected, but here White again can play war, was ich erwartete, aber hier kann Weiß wieder mit starker Wirkung} 19. Bd2 $1 {with a strong effect. After spielen. Nach} Ng4 $5 {ist} 20. Rhf1 $1 {is good for White: gut für Weiß:} Nxh2 21. Rh1 Ng4 22. Rxh5 Bg6 23. Rh3 {and White is winning, thanks to the following tactics: und Weiß gewinnt dank der folgenden taktischen Wendung:} Nxf2 $2 24. Nxf2 Bxc2 25. Rdh1 $1 $18) 19. Bd2 (19. Nxd6 Qxd6 {is ok for Black e.g. ist okay für Schwarz, z.B.} 20. f4 Rxa4 $5 21. bxa4 Rb4 22. fxe5 Qxe5 23. Bxc5 Qf4+ 24. Qd2 Qxc4+ 25. Qc2 Qf4+ $11 {with perpetual with perpetual}) 19... Rxa4 $1 20. bxa4 Bf5 $13 {I must admit I didn't believe that Black is objectively fine here, but it turns out to be the case with exact play. Black doesn't need to cash in immediately, he can rely on a long-term positional compensation here. Furthermore we were both approaching time trouble, so basically it was getting random from now on.  Ich muss zugeben, dass ich nicht glaubte, dass Schwarz hier objektiv ordentlich steht, aber bei genauem Spiel scheint dies der Fall zu sein. Schwarz braucht nicht sofort zu kassieren, er kann hier auf langfristige positionelle Kompensation setzen. Außerdem nähertne wir uns beide der Zeitnot, daher ging es im Grunde von jetzt an drunter und drüber.} 21. Rde1 {Daydreaming of the e3-b3 manoeuvre. Träumt von dem Te3-Tb3-Manöver.} h4 (21... Ng4 $1 {holds the balance according to the computer. hält die Balance laut Computer.} 22. f3 Bxe4 23. fxe4 (23. Rxe4 {I guess I would seriously consider giving the exchange back. Ich schätze, ich würde ernsthaft erwägen, die Qualität zurückzugeben.} Nf2 24. Rhe1 Nxe4 25. Qxe4 Qd7 26. f4 Qxa4 27. Qc2 Qd7 {which is objectively level, but looks like easy play for Black. was objektiv ausgeglichen ist, aber nach leichtem Spiel für Schwarz aussieht.}) 23... Be5 24. Bc3 Qc7 25. g3 Bd4 26. Re2 Qe5 27. Bxd4 cxd4 $5 (27... Qxd4 28. Rd1 Qa1+ 29. Kd2 Qd4+ {is perpetual. ist Dauerschach.}) 28. Qd3 $13) 22. h3 (22. Re3 $1 {would be more exact. I was afraid of wäre genauer. Ich hatte Angst vor} Bg6 {with the idea f5-f4, but apparently it's only chimera: mit der Idee f5-f4, aber offenbar ist es nur ein Hirngespinst:} (22... Ng4 23. Rf3) (22... Bh7 23. Rb3 $1) 23. f4 $1 (23. Rb3 h3 24. Rxh3 Ng4 25. Rf3 {is also ok. ist auch okay.}) 23... Ng4 24. Rf3 Nh6 25. Rb3 Ra8 26. Re1 Nf5 27. Qb2 $16 {and White is close to winning. and White is close to winning.}) 22... Ng6 23. Re3 Nf4 24. g4 {I wasn't overly happy with a potential target on h3, but at the very least I stabilised my e4-knight somewhat Ich war nicht überglücklich über ein potentielles Ziel auf h3, aber zuallermindest stabilisierte ich meinen e4-Springer etwas.} Bg6 (24... hxg3 25. fxg3 Nh5 26. Rg1 Bh7 27. Bc3 Qd7 28. Bb2 $1 $16 {is one example of an engine's approach, which has nothing in common with how humans play chess. ist ein Beispiel für eine Herangehensweise einer Engine, die nichts gemein hat damit, wie Menschen Schach spielen..}) 25. Kd1 {Sidestepping ...e2+ if the rook moves. Umgeht ...Se2+, wenn der Turm zieht.} f5 $1 {Even though it's not good objectively, he had to do something. Otherwise I would just exchange everything with Rb3, Bxf4 etc. slowly consolidating the position. Obwohl es objektiv nicht gut ist, irgendwas musste er tun. Ansonsten würde ich einfach mit Tb3, Lxf4 etc. alles tauschen und die Stellung langsam konsolidieren.} (25... Qe7 26. f3 Qe5 27. Rb3 Re8 28. Qc3 Qe7 29. Bxf4 Bxf4 30. Re1 $18) 26. Nxd6 Qxd6 27. gxf5 Bh5+ 28. f3 {In computer language White is winning, but with so many targets on both flanks as well as shortage of time (only +10s increment), it's anything but easy to reduce Black's activity. In Computersprache steht Weiß auf Gewinn, aber bei so vielen Zielen auf beiden Flanken sowie Zeitknappheit (nur +10 Sekunden Inkrement) ist es alles andere als einfach, die schwarze Aktivität zu reduzieren.} Qf6 29. Bc3 $6 (29. Rhe1 {was perhaps more logical, to bring more toys to the party, but I was afraid of allowing counterplay with the passed pawn. Concretely I didn't see how to proceed after war vielleicht logischer, um mehr Spielzeug zur Party mitzubringen, aber ich hatte Angst, Gegenspiel mit dem Freibauern zuzulassen. Konkret sah ich keine Fortsetzung für mich nach} Kh7 (29... Qa1+ {also requires some good calculation: erfordert ebenfalls einiges an guter Berechnung:} 30. Bc1 Qd4+ 31. Qd2 Qxc4 32. Re8+ Kh7 $1 33. Qxf4 Qd3+ (33... Bxf3+ 34. Qxf3 Qxa4+ 35. Ke2 Rxe8+ 36. Be3 Qxa2+ 37. Kf1 $18) 34. Qd2 Bxf3+ 35. R1e2 $1 Bxe2+ 36. Rxe2 Qxh3 37. d6 $18) 30. Rb3 $5 (30. Qc3 Rb1+ (30... Qxf5 31. Qc2 $1 {is the idea: ist die Idee:} Qxc2+ 32. Kxc2 Ng2 33. Rf1 Nxe3+ 34. Bxe3 Rc8 35. Kc3 $18) 31. Bc1 Qg5 32. Kc2 Qxf5+ 33. Re4 Ng2 34. R1e2 Bxf3 35. Kxb1 Bxe2 36. Qc2 Bd1 37. Qxd1 Qxe4+ 38. Qc2 Qxc2+ 39. Kxc2 Kg6 40. d6 Kf6 41. Kd1 $18 {and the knight is trapped. und der Springer ist gefangen.}) 30... Rxb3 31. Qxb3 Nxh3 32. Kc1 $18 {In general it's quite tricky to analyse such games with engines afterwards. During the game everything looks uncertain or scary, while the engine suggests that basically everything wins :) Generell ist es so eine Sache, solche Partien hinterher mit Engines zu analysieren. Während der Partie wirkt alles unsicher oder beängstigend, während die Engine andeutet, dass im Grunde alles gewinnt. :)}) 29... Qg5 30. Qe4 $2 {Objectively a poor move, made as an effect of miscalculation. However, it won the game pretty straightforwardly, due to some lucky tactics in the game. Objektiv ein schwacher Zug, gemacht als Effekt einer Fehlberechnung. Allerdings gewann er die Partie ziemlich direkt aufgrund einiger glücklicher taktischer Umstände auf dem Brett.} ({It would have been better to play Besser gewesen wäre} 30. Rhe1 Kh7 {when White would have to admit his mistake, and play , wonach Weiß seinen Fehler einräumen und} 31. Bd2 $1 Qg3 32. Rb3 $18 {which is still winning. spielen müsste, was noch immer gewinnt.}) 30... Qg2 $2 {An extremely tempting move, but the bad one! Ein extrem verlockender Zug, aber der schlechte!} ({The position is totally unclear after both Die Stellung ist total unklar nach sowohl} 30... f6 {(!) (!)} 31. Bd2 (31. d6 Rb6 $5 32. d7 Rd6+ 33. Kc1 Rxd7 34. Kb1 Rd8 $13) 31... Qg2 32. Qxf4 (32. Rhe1 Rb2 33. Bc3 Nxh3 $1 34. Kc1 Ng5 35. Qd3 Rb8 36. Qd2 h3 37. Qxg2 hxg2 38. Rg1 Bxf3 39. Rxf3 Nxf3 40. Rxg2 Kf7 $11 {with a balanced endgame, but it's only after random computerish lines, with approx 0% chance of happening in the actual game mit einem ausgeglichenen Endspiel, aber erst nach wilden computermäßigen Varianten, mit etwa 0% Chance, dass es in der tatsächlichen Partie so kommt.}) 32... Qxh1+ 33. Re1 Rb1+ 34. Ke2 Qg2+ 35. Kd3 Rb7 $13 {and Black is taking over, und Schwarz nimmt das Heft in die Hand,}) ({or more sophisticated oder anspruchsvoller} 30... Kh7 31. Be5 (31. Rhe1 Ng2 32. R3e2 Nxe1 33. Bxe1 f6 $13) 31... Nxd5 $3 32. cxd5 Rb1+ 33. Qxb1 Qxe3 34. Kc2 Bxf3 35. Qe1 Qe4+ $1 36. Qxe4 Bxe4+ 37. Kc3 Bxh1 38. Kc4 $11 {with an apparently equal position. mit offenbar ausgeglichener Stellung.}) 31. Rhe1 {I was lucky to have this move. Dass ich diesen Zug hatte, war Glück.} ({My 'big' idea was to play Meine 'große' Idee war} 31. Qxf4 {when White indeed would be winning if not for wonach Weiß gewinnen würde, wäre da nicht} Rb1# $1) 31... Qxa2 $2 {A tempting follow-up, but it's even worse than the move before. Eine verlockende Fortsetzung, aber sie ist sogar noch schlechter als einen Zug vorher.} (31... Nxh3 32. Kc1 $18 {is relatively easy for White. ist relative einfach für Weiß.}) (31... f6 $1 {would have been a real test. White wins after wäre ein echter Test gewesen. Weiß gewinnt nach} 32. d6 $1 {is the computer win, and the move I started calculating albeit honestly I doubt I would go for it. Der Computergewinn, und der Zug, mit dessen Berechnung ich begonnen hatte, wobei ich ehrlich gesagt bezweifle, dass ich ihn spielen würde.} (32. Kc1 $5 {Here White is also in charge, possibly winning in the endgame after Auch hier ist Weiß Chef und gewinnt wahrscheinlich in dem Endspiel nach} Qxa2 33. Rd1 $1 {with the idea Qc2 and Re4. mit der Idee Dc2 und Te4.} (33. Qc2 $2 Qxc4 34. Re4 Nd3+ $1 {makes the difference. macht den Unterschied.}) 33... Bxf3 $1 34. Qc2 $1 Qa3+ (34... Qxc2+ 35. Kxc2 Bxd1+ 36. Kxd1 $16) 35. Kd2 Bxd1 36. Kxd1 Nh5 37. Ke2 $1 {A little move threating the queen on a3! Ein kleiner Zug, der die Dame auf a3 bedroht!} Ng3+ 38. Kf2 $1 {The queen is almost trapped, so Black must play Die Dame ist fast gefangen, daher bleibt Schwarz nichts anderes als} Qb3 39. Qxb3 Rxb3 40. Bd4 $3 {and White seems to be winning here. und hier scheint Weiß zu gewinnen.}) 32... Kh7 33. Kc1 (33. d7 Qxa2 34. Qc2 Qxc4 35. Kc1 {is the same thing. ist dasselbe.}) 33... Qxa2 34. Qc2 Qxc4 35. d7 Rd8 36. Bxf6 $3 Qxc2+ 37. Kxc2 gxf6 38. Re4 $3 $18 {The variation seems highly unlikely to find even with 1 hour on the clock, so I can only guess I would play 32.c1 instead. Die Variante wäre wohl selbst mit einer Stunde auf der Uhr kaum zu finden, daher kann ich nur vermuten, dass ich stattdessen 32.Kc1 spielen würde.}) 32. Qc2 $1 {Now it's almost game over. Jetzt ist die Sache fast gelaufen.} Qxc4 33. Re8+ Kh7 $5 (33... Rxe8 34. Rxe8+ Kh7 35. Rh8+ $1 Kxh8 36. Bxg7+ {must have been a tactic Magnus missed from afar. The move in the game almost works but ... muss ein taktischer Trick gewesen sein, den Magnus von weitem übersah. Der Zug in der Partie funktioniert beinahe, aber ...}) 34. Rxb8 Qxd5+ (34... Bxf3+ 35. Kc1 $5 {The simplest, relying on the same trick: Am einfachsten, im Vertrauen auf denselben Trick:} Nd3+ 36. Kb1 Nxe1 37. Rh8+ $1) 35. Qd2 $1 $18 (35. Kc1 {Amazingly Black holds after this: Danach hält sich Schwarz überraschenderweise:} Nd3+ 36. Kb1 Nxe1 37. Qe4 (37. Bxe1 Qe5 $1) 37... Qd1+ 38. Ka2 Nd3 $11 {and White has nothing e.g. und Weiß hat nichts, z.B.} 39. f6+ g6 40. Rh8+ Kxh8 41. Qe8+ Kh7 42. Qxf7+ Kh6 43. Qg7+ Kg5 44. f7 Qxa4+ 45. Kb1 Qb3+ 46. Ka1 $11) 35... Bxf3+ 36. Kc1 $18 {With the extra rook and exchange the win should be quite easy. I managed to complicate my task a bit, but the result was never really in doubt. Mit Turm und Qualität mehr sollte der Gewinn recht leicht sein. Ich schaffte es, meine Aufgabe ein wenig zu komplizierten, aber das Resultat war nie wirklich in Zweifel.} Qxf5 37. Re3 Ne2+ 38. Kb2 Nxc3 39. Qxc3 Qf4 40. Qd3+ (40. Qe5 $1 $18) 40... f5 41. Rf8 Qb4+ 42. Kc1 Be4 43. Qb3 Qd4 44. Qc3 Qd6 45. Rf7 Qg6 46. Rd7 Qg1+ 47. Kb2 c4 {Magnus defends creatively, but the position is just too winnable even for +10s increment.  Magnus verteidigt kreativ, aber die Stellung ist einfach selbst für +10 Sekunden Inkrement zu gewonnen.} 48. Rxe4 $5 {If you exchange something, you wouldn't blunder it later :) Wenn man etwas tauscht, stellt man es später nicht ein :)} fxe4 49. Rd4 Qf2+ 50. Qd2 c3+ 51. Kxc3 Qg3+ 52. Kb2 Qxh3 53. Rxe4 Qg3 54. Qd4 Qg2+ 55. Kc3 Qf3+ 56. Kb4 Qf8+ 57. Ka5 Qf5+ 58. Kxa6 g5 59. a5 (59. Re7+ Kg6 60. Qg7+ Kh5 61. Qh7+ Qxh7 62. Rxh7+ Kg6 63. Rh8 Kg7 64. Rd8 $18 {would have been winning as well, but there was no point in relying on calculation at this point. hätte ebenfalls gewonnen, aber an dieser Stelle hatte es keinen Sinn, sich auf Berechnung zu verlassen.}) 59... h3 60. Re7+ Kg6 61. Qg7+ Kh5 62. Qh7+ Kg4 63. Re4+ {A nerve-wracking game, but I was on the happy side of it this time. It felt great to be the one to break Carlsen's record of not-losing in classical time control for 125 games and 801 days (or 802 nobody knows for sure) :) From this place I would like to say thank you to all of my supporters, and to the ones who contributed to this success. Eine nervenaufreibende Partie, aber diesmal saß ich auf der Sonnenseite. Es war ein tolles Gefühl, derjenige zu sein, der Carlsens Rekord von 125 ungeschlagenen Partien bei klassischer Bedenkzeit in 801 Tagen (oder 802, weiß keiner ganz genau :)) gebrochen hatte. Von dieser Stelle aus möchte ich mich bei allen meinen Fans bedanken und denjenigen, die zu diesem Erfolg betrugen.} 1-0

[Event "Norway Chess 8th"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2020.10.12"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B31"]
[WhiteElo "2828"]
[BlackElo "2863"]
[PlyCount "78"]
[EventDate "2020.10.05"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 199"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.12.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.12.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 g6 4. O-O Bg7 5. c3 e5 6. d4 cxd4 7. cxd4 exd4 8. Bf4 a6 9. Ba4 Nge7 10. Bd6 b5 11. Bb3 Bb7 12. Re1 Nc8 13. e5 Nxd6 14. exd6+ Kf8 15. h4 Bf6 16. Nbd2 Kg7 17. Bd5 Na5 18. Bxb7 Nxb7 19. Ne4 Re8 20. h5 Rc8 $146 ({RR} 20... d3 21. Qxd3 Bxb2 22. h6+ Kg8 23. Rad1 Rb8 24. Re2 Bf6 25. Rde1 Re6 26. Nxf6+ Qxf6 27. Ne5 Rd8 28. Ng4 Qh8 29. Rxe6 dxe6 30. d7 Nc5 31. Qd6 Qc3 32. Qe7 Qxe1+ 33. Kh2 Nxd7 34. Qxd8+ Nf8 35. Nf6+ {Idani,P (2588)-Goh,W (2501) Chess.com INT 2020 1-0 (35)}) 21. Rc1 Rxc1 22. Qxc1 h6 23. hxg6 fxg6 24. Qd2 d3 25. b4 Re6 26. Qxd3 Qb6 27. Rd1 Qc6 28. Nxf6 Rxf6 29. Ne5 Qc8 30. Qd5 Re6 31. Ng4 Kh7 32. Qd4 Qf8 33. Qa7 Rxd6 34. Re1 Nd8 35. Ne5 Qe7 36. Nf3 Re6 37. Rd1 Rd6 38. Re1 Re6 39. Rd1 Rd6 1/2-1/2

[Event "Norway Chess 8th"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2020.10.13"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Tari, Aryan"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C84"]
[WhiteElo "2863"]
[BlackElo "2633"]
[Annotator "Nielsen,Peter Heine"]
[PlyCount "89"]
[EventDate "2020.10.05"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 199"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.12.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.12.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{[%evp 0,89,30,28,28,28,31,4,8,-13,3,8,22,4,22,27,17,2,31,-26,10,-63,-1,-64,17,-54,17,17,8,17,17,6,13,9,9,20,15,19,27,50,47,29,32,48,46,55,48,50,91,38,38,30,65,36,60,17,23,34,39,35,39,22,25,29,80,82,131,114,113,128,119,128,133,150,170,156,167,161,280,255,302,302,596,698,705,725,732,724,748,756,1188,1337]} {Winning this game was essential. Not only due to having the white pieces vs. the tournaments lowest rated player, but also in order to regain the lead in the tournament. Kasparov in his day would crush the lower-rated with his opening knowledge, not even allowing them to get a game, but these days the situation has reversed, and from the strongest player's perspective it is more a matter of actualy getting out of the opening with a position full of play that becomes the target. Many would try along the lines of 1.f3/2.g3, keeping as many pieces on the board as possible, but the World Champion, as always, goes his own way:} 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 {In the previous round Tari tried 4...f5?! against Duda, but as expected such a move is based on its surprise value, and not to be repeated.} 5. O-O Be7 6. d3 $5 {Aronian played 6.e1 against Tari earlier in the tournament, but Magnus stays loyal to the line that even in some books carries his name, as he popularised it by succesfully employing it in his early youth.} b5 7. Bb3 d6 8. a4 Bd7 $1 {In the 2007 Elista Candidates, Aronian went for 8...b8 against Magnus, and later 8...b4 would become the preferred move, until Black finally settling for the game move being the solution to his problems.} 9. c3 Na5 10. Ba2 c5 ({A much more radical solution is} 10... bxa4 $5 {Temporarily it wins a pawn, and after} 11. Nbd2 O-O 12. Bb1 Bb5 $5 {Ding had a reasonable position vs Magnus in the 2017 St. Louis showdown. The ideas is that to get the pawn on a4 back, White has to play c4, but that means that he no longer has the c3+d4 option, and Black's position therefore stablises.}) ({RR} 10... bxa4 11. Nbd2 O-O 12. Bb1 Bb5 13. Bc2 Nb7 14. c4 Bd7 15. Bxa4 Bxa4 16. Qxa4 Nc5 17. Qc2 a5 18. b3 Ne6 19. Bb2 c5 20. Ra4 Nd7 21. Rfa1 Nb8 22. Nf1 Nc6 23. Ne3 Qd7 24. Bc3 Bd8 25. Qd1 {Carlsen,M (2837)-Ding,L (2774) Saint Louis 2017 ½-½ (53)}) 11. Bg5 O-O 12. Nbd2 $146 {Caruana played 12 axb5 axb5 13 a3 aiming for the e3-square via c2, but Magnus will not yet release the tension in the a-line.} ({RR} 12. axb5 axb5 13. Nbd2 Nc6 14. Bxf6 Bxf6 15. Bd5 Ra5 16. Re1 Ne7 17. Bb3 Nc6 18. Rxa5 Qxa5 19. Nf1 g6 20. Ne3 {½-½ (20) Manik,M (2356)-Borosova,Z (2256) Slovakia 2020}) ({RR} 12. axb5 axb5 13. Nbd2 Nc6 14. Bxf6 Bxf6 15. Re1 g6 16. Nf1 Bg7 17. Ne3 Kh8 18. Bd5 Rc8 19. Ra6 f5 20. Qe2 f4 21. Bxc6 Rxc6 22. Rxc6 Bxc6 23. Nd5 {½-½ (23) Brkic,A (2637)-Ali Marandi,C (2515) Ankara TUR 2024}) 12... Rb8 13. axb5 {Logical timing, as Black has just removed his rook form the a-file.} axb5 14. Re1 b4 15. Nc4 Nxc4 16. Bxc4 bxc3 17. bxc3 Qc7 18. Qc2 Bb5 19. Bxb5 Rxb5 20. Bxf6 $1 Bxf6 21. Nd2 {A very interesting position, at least from a technical point oi view. Black has managed to clear off 3 sets of minor pieces, as well as the a- and b-pawns. All this speaks in favour of a draw, but White does have a very visible plus in the sense that his knight wil settle on c4 or d5. That in itself is not enought to make Black's position collapse, so a lot is going to depend on how White can improve his position, intensifying the pressure. This position perhaps is not Black's last chance, but still a very crucial one.} Qc6 $6 ({Had Tari played} 21... h5 $1 {, he would have seriously improved his chances of making a draw. Getting the pawn to h4 holds a lot of benefits. His bishop will have a safe haven on g5, and White's king will feel some discomfort should he allow a black rook access to the first rank.}) 22. Qa4 Rfb8 23. Nc4 {Another instructive moment.} Be7 (23... Bg5 {suggests itself, stopping the knight from going on to e3 heading for d5, but} 24. Na3 R5b6 25. Qxc6 Rxc6 26. Nc4 {the computers indicate as basicaly winning for White! Despite the symmetry Black has been rendered completely passive. White's rook will enter a7, then perhaps d7 and a1-a7 coming next, Black is in a hopeless situation.}) (23... h5 {was a more active way of defending but apart from 24.a3, White also has} 24. g3 h4 25. Rab1 $5 {as after} Rxb1 26. Qxc6 Rxe1+ 27. Kg2 {despite nominally being behind in material, White's queen and knight coordinate much better than the black pieces and should win easily.}) 24. g3 $1 {24.a3 certainly also was good, but with e7 protected, Black will be in time for ...c7 defending the 7th rank, and thus Magnus decides to reinforce his position even further.} Qc8 25. Qd1 g6 26. Kg2 Bf8 27. Qf3 Rb3 28. Rec1 Qe6 29. Ra7 {Black's problem is not so much that his position in any way is collapsing, but that he has absolutly no way of trying to equalise. Often slightly worse positions have a tendency to turn into equality with exact moves, as the initiative evaporates, but here Magnus' advantage is purely static, and in a way that Black cannot repair. He'll just have so sit and wait, and try to parry White's attempts at breaking through.} R8b7 30. Rxb7 $5 {A remarkable decision. In general one would think keeping material on the board favours the attacker, but as with the potential queen swap earlier, it is not neccessarily so. White also has to break through, and eliminating a defender thus has definite plusses.} Rxb7 31. Ra1 h5 32. Ra8 Kg7 33. Ne3 Rc7 $2 {An innocent looking move, but the decisive mistake.} ({The computer indicates that} 33... Qd7 $1 {is the only way to defend, answering} 34. Nd5 {with} Be7 {defending the f6 square, when Black stays in the game, with 35...a7 coming next. Objectively perhaps the position is drawn, but from a practical point of view, Tari would still have to suffer for many moves as White would play for h3-g3, d4 or even taking his king to the queenside.}) (33... Be7 {looks similar, but then} 34. Nf5+ $1 {wins, illustrating the pressure Black is under.}) 34. Nd5 Rc8 {If 34...Rd7 White wins exactly like in the game, preparing g4-g5.} 35. Ra7 Rb8 36. h3 Rd8 37. g4 hxg4 38. hxg4 Rd7 39. Ra8 f6 40. g5 $1 {The final finesse, as Black can not take on g5, due to f8 hanging.} f5 41. Qh3 Rf7 42. Re8 $5 {Nice, and winning, yet the computers suggestion of 42 c4!? being even better is noteworthy! It illustrates the story of the game, the inability of the black position to improve itself, even given time for free.} Qxe8 43. Qh6+ Kg8 44. Qxg6+ Kh8 45. Nf6 {And having to choose between mate or substantial material losses, Tari resigned.} 1-0

[Event "Tata Steel 83rd"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2021.01.17"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Anton Guijarro, David"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B34"]
[WhiteElo "2679"]
[BlackElo "2862"]
[PlyCount "137"]
[EventDate "2021.01.16"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 200"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2021.02.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2021.02.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 g6 4. d4 cxd4 5. Nxd4 Bg7 6. Be3 Nf6 7. Nb3 d6 8. f3 ({RR} 8. Qd2 Be6 9. Be2 Rc8 10. f3 O-O 11. O-O-O Ne5 12. Kb1 a6 13. h4 h5 14. Bh6 Qb6 15. Bxg7 Kxg7 16. Nd4 Bc4 17. f4 Neg4 18. Bxg4 Nxg4 19. f5 Qa5 20. Rh3 e5 21. Nb3 Qd8 22. Qe1 f6 {Santos Latasa,J (2656)-Gelfand,B (2668) Leon ESP 2023 1-0 (33)}) 8... Be6 9. Qd2 d5 10. Bb5 $146 ({RR} 10. exd5 Nxd5 11. Nxd5 Qxd5 12. Qxd5 Bxd5 13. O-O-O O-O-O 14. Bb5 Kc7 15. c3 a6 16. Be2 Bxb3 17. axb3 Rxd1+ 18. Kxd1 Rd8+ 19. Kc2 e6 20. b4 Ne7 21. g4 Nd5 22. Bg5 Rd7 23. b5 a5 24. Ra1 b6 {Pena Riasco,A (2181)-Nieto Asencio,M (1985) Caleta 2015 0-1 (52)}) ({RR} 10. exd5 Nxd5 11. Nxd5 Qxd5 12. Qxd5 Bxd5 13. O-O-O O-O-O 14. Be2 b6 15. Rd2 e5 16. Rhd1 Be6 17. Bb5 Kc7 18. c4 h6 19. c5 Rxd2 20. cxb6+ axb6 21. Rxd2 Nb4 22. a3 Nd5 23. Rc2+ Kb8 24. Bf2 h5 {Golis,W (2234)-Krysa,L (2488) chess.com INT 2025 ½-½ (53)}) 10... dxe4 11. Qxd8+ Rxd8 12. fxe4 Bd7 13. O-O-O Ng4 14. Bc5 Bxc3 15. bxc3 b6 16. Bg1 Nce5 17. Bd3 Ba4 18. Bd4 Nxd3+ 19. cxd3 Rxd4 20. cxd4 Nf2 21. Kd2 Nxh1 22. Rxh1 e6 23. Nc1 Ke7 24. Ne2 Bd7 25. a4 Rc8 26. Nc3 f5 27. Rb1 fxe4 28. dxe4 e5 29. Kd3 exd4 30. Kxd4 Rc5 31. Nd5+ Kf7 32. Rf1+ Kg7 33. Nc3 Be6 34. Nb5 Rc2 35. Ke5 Bg8 36. Rg1 a5 37. Nd6 Bb3 38. Rb1 Bxa4 39. Rxb6 Rxg2 40. h4 Rh2 41. Ra6 Rxh4 42. Rxa5 Bd1 43. Ra1 Rh1 44. Ne8+ Kh6 45. Nf6 Kg5 46. Ra7 h5 47. Nh7+ Kh6 48. Nf8 Rf1 49. Rh7+ Kg5 50. Ne6+ Kh4 51. Rg7 Rg1 52. Nd4 g5 53. Nf5+ Kh3 54. Ne3 Bf3 55. Kf5 Kh4 56. Ke5 Bg4 57. Kd4 Bh3 58. e5 Ra1 59. Rg6 Ra4+ 60. Kd5 Ra5+ 61. Kd4 Ra8 62. e6 Re8 63. Ke5 Bg4 64. Kd6 Rxe6+ 65. Rxe6 Bxe6 66. Kxe6 Kg3 67. Kf5 Kf3 68. Kxg5 Kxe3 69. Kxh5 1/2-1/2

[Event "Tata Steel 83rd"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2021.01.19"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Van Foreest, Jorden"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C84"]
[WhiteElo "2671"]
[BlackElo "2862"]
[PlyCount "116"]
[EventDate "2021.01.16"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 200"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2021.02.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2021.02.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O b5 6. Bb3 Bb7 7. d3 Be7 8. Nc3 O-O 9. a3 Nd4 ({RR} 9... d6 10. Ne2 d5 11. exd5 Nxd5 12. Re1 Kh8 13. Ng3 f6 14. c3 Qd7 15. d4 exd4 16. cxd4 Rad8 17. Qd3 f5 18. Bc2 g6 19. Bh6 Rfe8 20. Bb3 Bf6 21. Qd2 Nb6 22. Bg5 Qg7 23. Rxe8+ Rxe8 24. Re1 {Nepomniachtchi,I (2789)-Carlsen,M (2862) chess24.com INT 2021 ½-½ (35)}) 10. Nxd4 ({RR} 10. Ba2 Nxf3+ 11. Qxf3 d6 12. Bg5 Qd7 13. Ne2 Nxe4 14. Bxe7 Nc5 15. Bd5 Bxd5 16. Qxd5 Qxe7 17. d4 exd4 18. Nxd4 Rfe8 19. c4 Qe4 20. Rfd1 Qxd5 21. cxd5 Re5 22. Nf3 Re4 23. Rac1 b4 24. Nd4 bxa3 {Caruana,F (2804)-Carlsen,M (2855) Paris 2016 0-1 (48)}) 10... exd4 11. Ne2 c5 12. Bg5 $146 ({RR} 12. Ng3 d5 13. f3 c4 14. Ba2 g6 15. Bh6 Re8 16. Qd2 Nd7 17. Rae1 Rc8 18. f4 Nf6 19. e5 Ng4 20. f5 Nxh6 21. Qxh6 Bg5 22. Qh3 Be3+ 23. Rxe3 dxe3 24. d4 Qg5 25. c3 Rc6 26. Bb1 Bc8 {Munguntuul,B (2342)-Zhukova,N (2302) Doha QAT 2024 ½-½ (47)}) 12... d5 13. Bxf6 Bxf6 14. Bxd5 Bxd5 15. exd5 Qxd5 16. Ng3 c4 17. Re1 Rae8 18. a4 Rxe1+ 19. Qxe1 cxd3 20. cxd3 bxa4 21. Qd1 Qb5 22. Ne4 Be7 23. Qc2 Rb8 24. Rxa4 Qxb2 25. Qxb2 Rxb2 26. g4 Rb6 27. Rxd4 Kf8 28. Rd7 Rg6 29. Kf1 Rxg4 30. Ra7 f5 31. Ng3 g6 32. Rxa6 Rh4 33. Kg2 Rd4 34. Ne2 Rxd3 35. Ng1 Rd7 36. Nf3 Kg7 37. h3 Bf6 38. Kg3 Rb7 39. Kg2 Re7 40. Ra5 Rc7 41. Rd5 Ra7 42. Rb5 Be7 43. Nd4 Rd7 44. Nf3 Rd6 45. Rb7 Kf6 46. Ra7 h6 47. Nh4 Bd8 48. Rh7 Rd2 49. Rxh6 Kg7 50. Rxg6+ Kh7 51. Nf3 Rxf2+ 52. Kxf2 Kxg6 53. Kg2 Kh5 54. Nd4 f4 55. Ne6 Bg5 56. Nxg5 Kxg5 57. Kf3 Kh4 58. Kxf4 Kxh3 1/2-1/2

[Event "Tata Steel 83rd"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2021.01.21"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Donchenko, Alexander"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B90"]
[WhiteElo "2862"]
[BlackElo "2668"]
[PlyCount "137"]
[EventDate "2021.01.16"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 200"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2021.02.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2021.02.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Be3 e5 7. Nb3 Be6 8. h3 Nc6 9. Qf3 Rc8 ({RR} 9... Nb4 10. O-O-O Rc8 11. Kb1 d5 12. a3 Nxc2 13. Kxc2 Nxe4 14. Qxe4 dxe4 15. Rxd8+ Kxd8 16. g4 h5 17. Rg1 hxg4 18. hxg4 Be7 19. Nd2 Rh4 20. Be2 Ke8 21. Ndxe4 f6 22. f3 Rh2 23. Kb1 Bb3 24. Bd3 {He,Z (1743)-Simpson,M (2204) Changsha CHN 2025 0-1 (70)}) 10. O-O-O Na5 ({RR} 10... Nb4 11. Kb1 Qc7 12. a3 Nxc2 13. Kxc2 Qc6 14. Nd2 d5 15. exd5 Nxd5 16. Ndb1 Qa4+ 17. Kd2 Qb3 18. Ke1 Nxe3 19. Qxe3 Qxb2 20. Qxe5 Bc5 21. Rd2 Qc1+ 22. Rd1 Qb2 23. Rd2 Qc1+ 24. Rd1 Qb2 {½-½ (24) Laznicka,V (2681)-Wojtaszek,R (2713) Yerevan 2014}) 11. Bg5 ({RR} 11. Nd5 Bxd5 12. exd5 Nxb3+ 13. axb3 g6 14. g4 Bg7 15. h4 Qc7 16. Rd2 h5 17. g5 Nd7 18. Bh3 O-O 19. Qe4 b5 20. Kd1 a5 21. Ke2 Ra8 22. Bxd7 Qxd7 23. c4 a4 24. c5 axb3 25. c6 Qc8 {Aryan,C (2536)-Donchenko,A (2588) Biel 2018 0-1 (38)}) 11... Be7 12. Bxf6 $146 ({RR} 12. g4 h6 13. Bd2 Nc4 14. Bxc4 Rxc4 15. Qd3 Qc7 16. f4 b5 17. f5 Bc8 18. Kb1 Bb7 19. Rhe1 O-O 20. Nd5 Bxd5 21. exd5 e4 22. Qg3 Rc8 23. c3 Nxd5 24. Nd4 Bf6 25. g5 hxg5 26. Bxg5 Be5 {Babiy,O (2228)-Sarana,A (2654) Chess.com INT 2020 0-1 (42)}) 12... Bxf6 13. Nd5 Bg5+ 14. Kb1 h5 15. Be2 h4 16. Nxa5 Qxa5 17. Qb3 Qc5 18. Bg4 Qc4 19. Bxe6 fxe6 20. Nb6 Qxb3 21. axb3 Rc6 22. Nc4 Ke7 23. Rd3 Rf8 24. f3 Bf4 25. Rhd1 Rd8 26. c3 Rd7 27. Kc2 Rd8 28. Na5 Rc7 29. b4 Rdd7 30. Kb3 Rd8 31. Nc4 Rc6 32. Na3 d5 33. b5 Rcd6 34. bxa6 bxa6 35. Ka4 Rb8 36. b4 Rc6 37. Kb3 Rbc8 38. Ra1 Rc4 39. Ra2 a5 40. bxa5 Rb8+ 41. Kc2 Rc5 42. Nb1 Rbb5 43. exd5 exd5 44. a6 Ra5 45. Rxa5 Rxa5 46. c4 Rxa6 47. cxd5 Ra2+ 48. Kb3 Rxg2 49. Nc3 Rg3 50. d6+ Kd7 51. Ne4 Rxh3 52. Kc4 Rh1 53. Kd5 Rc1 54. Nc5+ Ke8 55. Ke6 Rxc5 56. Ra3 Rc8 57. d7+ Kd8 58. dxc8=Q+ Kxc8 59. Ra1 h3 60. Rh1 h2 61. Kf5 g5 62. Kg4 Kd7 63. Kh3 Ke6 64. Kg2 Kf5 65. Kh3 e4 66. fxe4+ Kxe4 67. Kg4 Ke3 68. Rxh2 Bxh2 69. Kxg5 1/2-1/2

[Event "Tata Steel 83rd"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2021.01.22"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Duda, Jan Krzysztof"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C54"]
[WhiteElo "2743"]
[BlackElo "2862"]
[PlyCount "101"]
[EventDate "2021.01.16"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 200"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2021.02.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2021.02.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. d3 Bc5 5. O-O d6 6. c3 a5 7. Re1 O-O 8. Nbd2 Ba7 9. Nf1 Be6 10. Bb5 Ne7 11. Ng3 Ng6 12. h3 c6 13. Ba4 d5 14. exd5 Nxd5 15. d4 exd4 16. Nxd4 Qc7 17. Qf3 $146 ({RR} 17. Ne4 Rae8 18. Bc2 Ndf4 19. Nxe6 Rxe6 20. Be3 Bxe3 21. Rxe3 Rfe8 22. Qf1 Nh4 23. Ng5 Rxe3 24. fxe3 Nfxg2 25. Bb3 Rf8 26. Qf2 a4 27. Bc2 Qe5 28. Bxh7+ Kh8 29. Nxf7+ Rxf7 30. Qxf7 Kxh7 31. Qf2 Qg5 {Neiksans,A (2560)-Hovhannisyan,R (2669) Riga 2021 0-1 (35)}) ({RR} 17. Bc2 Ndf4 18. Qf3 Rae8 19. Nh5 Nxh5 20. Qxh5 Bb8 21. Nf3 Bd5 22. Be3 Bxf3 23. Qxf3 Qh2+ 24. Kf1 Qh1+ 25. Ke2 Nf4+ 26. Kd2 Qxg2 27. Qxg2 Nxg2 28. Rg1 Nxe3 29. fxe3 Re5 30. Raf1 Rd8+ 31. Ke2 Rde8 {Weidemann,J (2285)-Ganguly,S (2566) Dortmund GER 2025 0-1 (51)}) 17... Bxd4 18. cxd4 Qb6 19. Rd1 Rad8 20. Bb3 Nc7 21. Nf5 Bxb3 22. axb3 Qb5 23. h4 h5 24. Bd2 b6 25. Bg5 f6 26. Bh6 Rf7 27. Qxh5 Ne7 28. Nxe7+ Rxe7 29. Qxb5 cxb5 30. Bd2 Re4 31. d5 Nxd5 32. Be3 Rd7 33. g3 Ree7 34. Bd4 Re6 35. Rac1 Red6 36. Re1 Nb4 37. Rc8+ Kf7 38. Be3 Nd5 39. Rb8 b4 40. Kf1 Kg6 41. g4 Nxe3+ 42. Rxe3 Rd4 43. g5 f5 44. Rh8 Re4 45. Ke2 Rxe3+ 46. Kxe3 Re7+ 47. Kd3 Rd7+ 48. Ke3 Re7+ 49. Kd3 Rd7+ 50. Ke3 Re7+ 51. Kd3 1/2-1/2

[Event "Tata Steel 83rd"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2021.01.23"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Harikrishna, Pentala"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B46"]
[WhiteElo "2862"]
[BlackElo "2732"]
[PlyCount "60"]
[EventDate "2021.01.16"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 200"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2021.02.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2021.02.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nc6 5. Nc3 Qc7 6. f4 a6 7. Nxc6 bxc6 8. Bd3 d5 9. O-O Nf6 10. Qe2 Be7 11. Bd2 c5 ({RR} 11... g6 12. Kh1 O-O 13. Rae1 dxe4 14. Nxe4 Nxe4 15. Bxe4 Bf6 16. b3 a5 17. Qf3 Bb7 18. Bc3 Bxc3 19. Qxc3 Rfd8 20. a4 Qb6 21. Rd1 Rac8 22. h3 Ba6 23. Rfe1 c5 24. Qf6 Rd4 25. Rxd4 cxd4 26. Rd1 {Adams,M (2745)-Giri,A (2768) London 2014 1-0 (39)}) 12. b3 Bb7 13. Rae1 $146 ({RR} 13. exd5 exd5 14. Rae1 Kf8 15. Nd1 Bd6 16. Ne3 Re8 17. Qd1 Bxf4 18. Nf5 Bxh2+ 19. Kh1 Be5 20. Qf3 d4 21. Qh3 Bc8 22. Bh6 Bxf5 23. Rxf5 Rg8 24. Bd2 h5 25. Bxa6 Ng4 26. Ref1 g6 27. R5f3 Kg7 {Alexakis,D (2484)-Anand,B (2312) Belgrade 2022 1-0 (87)}) ({RR} 13. exd5 exd5 14. Rae1 Kf8 15. Nd1 Bd6 16. Ne3 Re8 17. Qf2 d4 18. Nf5 Ne4 19. Bxe4 Bxe4 20. Nxd6 Qxd6 21. f5 f6 22. Qe2 h5 23. b4 d3 24. cxd3 Qxd3 25. Qf2 Re5 26. Bf4 Rd5 27. Re3 Qc2 {Orujov,F (2303)-Tissir,M (2309) Abu Dhabi UAE 2025 1-0}) 13... c4 14. bxc4 dxe4 15. Nxe4 Nxe4 16. Bxe4 Bxe4 17. Qxe4 Rc8 18. f5 Qxc4 19. fxe6 f6 20. Qb7 Qc6 21. Rb1 Bc5+ 22. Kh1 Qxb7 23. Rxb7 O-O 24. Re1 Rfe8 25. g3 Rc6 26. e7 Kf7 27. c4 Bd6 28. Bb4 Bxb4 29. Rxb4 Rxe7 30. Rxe7+ Kxe7 1/2-1/2

[Event "Tata Steel 83rd"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2021.01.24"]
[Round "8.1"]
[White "Esipenko, Andrey"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B84"]
[WhiteElo "2677"]
[BlackElo "2862"]
[Annotator "Edouard,Romain"]
[PlyCount "75"]
[EventDate "2021.01.16"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 201 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2021.05.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2021.05.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{[%evp 0,75,58,31,100,90,111,111,87,36,65,65,94,63,110,99,103,73,106,88,98,17,0,10,30,23,37,25,72,81,89,28,34,34,78,-100,108,108,108,108,89,78,161,178,220,156,156,13,81,108,108,116,104,121,267,70,102,124,144,144,148,69,153,118,135,116,179,311,480,148,395,425,446,383,915,1171,1171,1171]} 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Be2 e6 7. Be3 Be7 8. g4 b5 9. g5 ({RR} 9. a3 Bb7 10. f3 Nc6 11. Nxc6 Bxc6 12. Qd4 Nd7 13. Qxg7 Bf6 14. Qh6 Qe7 15. h4 Rc8 16. Bg5 Bxg5 17. Qxg5 f6 18. Qd2 Ne5 19. O-O-O Rd8 20. f4 Nf7 21. g5 e5 22. Bh5 O-O 23. f5 d5 {Durarbayli,V (2614)-Mousavi,S (2479) chess.com INT 2025 ½-½ (50)}) 9... Nfd7 10. a3 ({RR} 10. Qd2 Bb7 11. a3 Nb6 12. h4 N8d7 13. h5 Ne5 14. b3 Rc8 15. f4 Ned7 16. Bf3 Qc7 17. Nce2 Nc5 18. Ng3 d5 19. g6 hxg6 20. hxg6 Rxh1+ 21. Bxh1 dxe4 22. b4 Nc4 23. gxf7+ Kxf7 24. Qe2 Nd3+ {Nepomniachtchi,I (2779)-Matlakov,M (2662) chess.com INT 2023 1-0 (38)}) 10... Bxg5 {Now that this pawn is gone, it will be hard for Black to safely castle shortside.} (10... Bb7 11. Qd2 {is what White wants: he has avoided ...b4.}) 11. Qd2 Bxe3 $146 (11... Bf6 {didn't go much better for GM Negi, eleven years ago:} 12. O-O-O Bb7 13. Rhg1 Nc5 14. e5 $3 Bxe5 (14... dxe5 15. Ndxb5 $16) 15. Ndxb5 Nb3+ (15... axb5 16. Bxc5 $16) 16. cxb3 axb5 17. Bxb5+ Bc6 18. Bd4 $18 {1-0 (21) Ivanchuk,V (2739)-Negi,P (2615) Peristeri 2010}) (11... Be7 12. O-O-O Bb7 {is the other crtical option:} 13. Rhg1 (13. f4 $5) 13... g6 14. Bh6 (14. f4 $5) 14... Nc6 15. Bg7 Rg8 16. Nxc6 Bxc6 17. Qh6 Qc7 18. Qxh7 O-O-O $132 {1-0 (46) Ni Hua,- (2671)-Xu Yinglun (2333) China 2013}) ({RR} 11... Bf6 12. O-O-O Bb7 13. Rhg1 Qe7 14. Kb1 Nc6 15. f4 Nxd4 16. Bxd4 e5 17. Be3 Rc8 18. Bg4 Rc7 19. Bxd7+ Rxd7 20. f5 O-O 21. Rg4 d5 22. exd5 Rfd8 23. Bb6 Rxd5 24. Nxd5 Rxd5 25. Qe1 Qd6 26. Rxd5 {Hesham,A (2412)-Zaibi,A (2393) Riyadh KSA 2023 0-1 (42)}) 12. Qxe3 Qh4 $6 {Just a a loss of time, it seems.} (12... Bb7 {should be critical and a more solid approach, e.g.} 13. O-O-O Qe7 14. f4 Nc6 15. Rhg1 g6 16. Nxc6 Bxc6 17. h4 {with a messy position where I definitely like White.} (17. Qd4 O-O 18. Qxd6 Qxd6 19. Rxd6 Rac8 20. Rgd1 Nf6 $11)) 13. Rg1 g6 (13... O-O 14. O-O-O {just looks awful for Black.}) 14. O-O-O Qe7 15. f4 Bb7 16. Kb1 Nc6 $6 {A mistake - and beautifully punished - but Black's position was already a nightmare.} (16... O-O 17. h4 $146) 17. Ncxb5 $1 axb5 18. Nxc6 Bxc6 19. Qc3 {A pattern I had never seen! Beautiful!} O-O 20. Qxc6 {Black will lose the d6-pawn and the b5-pawn is on the line of sight as well. The World Champion is lost!} d5 21. exd5 Rfc8 22. d6 Qd8 23. Qxb5 {Just taking all the pawns, although a retreat to f3 was strong and safe.} Rcb8 24. Qc4 (24. Qd3 Ra4 {wth the ideas of ...Qf6 and ...Rxf4 is not entirely over for Black.} (24... Nc5 25. Qd4 Na4 26. b4 {should be a walk in the dark fo White.})) 24... Rxa3 25. Qc7 Qe8 26. Rg5 $1 {An exellent move - aiming for b5 or a5 eliminating Black's dangerous a-rook.} Ra4 27. Ra5 ({The last trick was NOT to play} 27. Bb5 $4 {due to} Rxb5 28. Rxb5 Qa8 29. Kc1 Ra1+ 30. Kd2 Qg2+ 31. Kc3 Rxd1 32. Qxd7 {and White will be lucky if there's no forced win for Black! Which is probably the case as the engine suggests 32...Kg7, with a clear advantage (only) for Black.}) 27... Rab4 28. b3 {Black has no counterattack whatsoever. White is completely winning.} R4b7 29. Qc3 Qd8 30. Bf3 Rb4 31. Qc7 Qf6 32. Ra8 $1 {Putting an end to any hope for Black.} ({Obviously not} 32. Qxd7 $2 Rxb3+ {with mate to follow.}) 32... Rxa8 33. Bxa8 Qf5 34. Kb2 Rb5 35. Qxd7 Rc5 36. Rc1 Qxf4 37. Qe8+ Kg7 38. d7 {Young talents starting to crush the World Champion - let's expect quite some fight for the supreme title in the years to come!} 1-0

[Event "Tata Steel 83rd"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2021.01.26"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Grandelius, Nils"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B90"]
[WhiteElo "2862"]
[BlackElo "2663"]
[PlyCount "129"]
[EventDate "2021.01.16"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 200"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2021.02.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2021.02.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Qd3 e6 7. a4 Nc6 ({RR} 7... b6 8. Qg3 Bb7 9. f3 Nbd7 10. Be3 Rc8 11. Be2 Be7 12. O-O O-O 13. Kh1 Re8 14. Rad1 Qc7 15. Nb3 Qb8 16. Bd4 h6 17. Bd3 Nh5 18. Qf2 Nf4 19. Bxb6 Nxd3 20. Rxd3 Ne5 21. Rdd1 Nc4 22. Rb1 {Caruana,F (2835)-Ding,L (2791) chess24.com INT 2020 ½-½ (73)}) ({RR} 7... Be7 8. Be2 O-O 9. Qg3 Kh8 10. O-O Bd7 11. Rd1 Qc7 12. Be3 Nc6 13. Nb3 Ne5 14. a5 Rac8 15. Bb6 Qb8 16. Nd2 Bc6 17. f4 Ng6 18. Be3 Bd8 19. Bd3 Bc7 20. Nf3 Rcd8 21. Nd4 Bd7 22. Nde2 {Vaculik,J (2281)-Sliwerski,R (2040) Marianske Lazne CZE 2025 ½-½ (72)}) 8. Nxc6 bxc6 9. Qg3 Bb7 $146 ({RR} 9... h5 10. h4 Qa5 11. Bd2 Qb6 12. Bd3 a5 13. b3 e5 14. f4 Qc5 15. Bc4 Bg4 16. Qd3 Be7 17. Be3 Qb4 18. O-O O-O 19. f5 Rfd8 20. Bf2 Qb7 21. Qg3 d5 22. Bd3 Bb4 23. Na2 dxe4 24. Nxb4 {Razafindratsima,T (2451)-Argote Heredia,V (2153) Spilimbergo ITA 2023 1-0 (41)}) 10. Be2 Be7 11. Bf4 e5 12. Be3 O-O 13. O-O Kh8 14. a5 Nd7 15. Rfd1 f5 16. exf5 d5 17. Na4 d4 18. Bd2 c5 19. Qh3 Bg5 20. Bxg5 Qxg5 21. Re1 Be4 22. Bd3 Bxf5 23. Bxf5 Rxf5 24. Nb6 Nxb6 25. axb6 h6 26. Qd3 Rb8 27. Rxa6 Rf6 28. g3 Rfxb6 29. Rxb6 Rxb6 30. f4 Qd8 31. Rxe5 Rxb2 32. Rxc5 Qa8 33. Kf2 Rb8 34. Qf3 Qa7 35. Qd5 Qa1 36. Qe5 Qb2 37. Rc6 Kh7 38. Rc7 Rg8 39. Kg2 Qb4 40. Qe4+ Kh8 41. Rd7 Qd2+ 42. Kh3 Qd1 43. Re7 Qh5+ 44. Kg2 Rc8 45. f5 Qd1 46. Re8+ Rxe8 47. Qxe8+ Kh7 48. Qe4 Kh8 49. Qe8+ Kh7 50. Qg6+ Kh8 51. f6 Qe2+ 52. Kh3 Qe6+ 53. Kh4 gxf6 54. Qxh6+ Kg8 55. Qg6+ Kf8 56. g4 Qe5 57. h3 Ke7 58. Qf5 Qe3 59. Kh5 Qxh3+ 60. Kg6 Kd6 61. Kxf6 Qe3 62. g5 Qe7+ 63. Kg6 Qe8+ 64. Kg7 Qe7+ 65. Kg8 1-0

[Event "Tata Steel 83rd"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2021.01.29"]
[Round "11"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Giri, Anish"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C54"]
[WhiteElo "2862"]
[BlackElo "2764"]
[PlyCount "83"]
[EventDate "2021.01.16"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 200"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2021.02.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2021.02.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. c3 Nf6 5. d3 O-O 6. b4 Be7 7. Nbd2 d5 8. Bb3 Bg4 ({RR} 8... a5 9. b5 Na7 10. a4 c6 11. bxc6 Nxc6 12. O-O Bg4 13. h3 Bxf3 14. Qxf3 d4 15. cxd4 Nxd4 16. Qd1 Nxb3 17. Qxb3 Nd7 18. Ba3 b6 19. Nc4 Bxa3 20. Qxa3 Rc8 21. Rfb1 Rc6 22. Rb5 Re8 23. Rab1 {Carlsen,M (2847)-Aronian,L (2782) Chess24.com INT 2021 ½-½ (54)}) ({RR} 8... dxe4 9. dxe4 Qd3 10. Bb2 a5 11. Bc4 Qd6 12. b5 Nd8 13. a4 Ne6 14. O-O Nc5 15. Ba3 Bg4 16. Qc2 Nfd7 {½-½ (16) Cherukuri,N (2246)-Espinosa,P (2242) New York USA 2025}) ({RR} 8... a6 9. Qc2 h6 10. O-O Be6 11. Re1 Re8 12. Bb2 Bf8 13. a4 b5 14. h3 dxe4 15. dxe4 Qd7 16. Bxe6 Qxe6 17. axb5 axb5 18. Rxa8 Rxa8 19. Qd3 Rb8 20. Ra1 Ne7 21. Ra5 c6 22. Bc1 Nc8 23. Nf1 {Carlsen,M (2847)-Nakamura,H (2736) chess24.com INT 2021 ½-½ (57)}) 9. Qc2 dxe4 $146 ({RR} 9... Bxb4 10. cxb4 Nxb4 11. Qb1 dxe4 12. dxe4 Nd3+ 13. Kf1 Nh5 14. h3 Be6 15. Nc4 f6 16. Ne3 Bf7 17. Ba3 c5 18. g3 Kh8 19. Bd5 Bxd5 20. Nxd5 f5 21. Qxd3 fxe4 22. Qxe4 Qa5 23. Bc1 Rf7 24. g4 {Gulbas,C (2393)-Zor,A (2167) Kemer 2018 1-0 (35)}) 10. dxe4 Bd6 11. h3 Bh5 12. Rb1 a5 13. a3 axb4 14. axb4 b5 15. O-O Ne7 16. Re1 Qc8 17. Qd3 Rb8 18. Nh4 Ng6 19. Nxg6 Bxg6 20. Nf1 Rd8 21. Qf3 c5 22. Bg5 Be7 23. Ng3 c4 24. Bc2 h6 25. Be3 Qc6 26. Nf5 Bxf5 27. Qxf5 g6 28. Qf3 Kg7 29. Ra1 Ra8 30. Qe2 Rxa1 31. Rxa1 Ra8 32. Rxa8 Qxa8 33. Qd2 h5 34. Kh2 Qc6 35. Qe2 Qe6 36. g3 Bd8 37. Kg2 Bb6 38. Bg5 Nh7 39. Bc1 Nf6 40. Bg5 Nh7 41. Bc1 Nf6 42. Bg5 1/2-1/2

[Event "San Fermin Masters Final"]
[Site "chess24.com INT"]
[Date "2021.07.10"]
[Round "1.1"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Iturrizaga Bonelli, Eduardo"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B30"]
[WhiteElo "2847"]
[BlackElo "2607"]
[PlyCount "55"]
[EventDate "2021.07.10"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "3"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 203 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2021.09.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2021.09.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 e6 4. O-O Nge7 5. Re1 Nd4 6. Ba4 a6 7. c3 Nxf3+ 8. Qxf3 b5 9. Bc2 Nc6 10. Qg3 $146 ({RR} 10. b3 Be7 11. e5 f5 12. exf6 Bxf6 13. Qh5+ Kf8 14. Qxc5+ Qe7 15. Qe3 Kf7 16. Bb2 Bb7 17. d4 Rac8 18. Bd3 h5 19. Nd2 g5 20. Ne4 Rcg8 21. a4 bxa4 22. Ba3 Qd8 23. Nd6+ Kg7 24. Nxb7 Qb6 {Lajdamik,K (1795)-Campos Munoz,V (1716) Florianopolis BRA 2024 1-0}) 10... e5 11. a4 Rb8 12. axb5 axb5 13. d4 d6 14. d5 Ne7 15. f4 Ng6 16. f5 Ne7 17. b4 c4 18. Be3 Ng8 19. Ra7 Nf6 20. Nd2 Bd7 21. Rea1 g6 22. Nf3 Be7 23. Nxe5 dxe5 24. Qxe5 O-O 25. Bd4 Re8 26. d6 Bf8 27. Qxf6 Qxf6 28. Bxf6 1-0

[Event "San Fermin Masters Final"]
[Site "chess24.com INT"]
[Date "2021.07.10"]
[Round "1.3"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Iturrizaga Bonelli, Eduardo"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B30"]
[WhiteElo "2847"]
[BlackElo "2607"]
[PlyCount "99"]
[EventDate "2021.07.10"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "3"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 203 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2021.09.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2021.09.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 e6 4. O-O Nge7 5. Re1 Nd4 6. Ba4 Qa5 7. Nxd4 cxd4 8. c3 b5 9. Bc2 Nc6 10. b4 Qb6 11. a4 bxa4 12. Bxa4 $146 ({RR} 12. Rxa4 Be7 13. Na3 O-O 14. b5 Ne5 15. cxd4 Ng6 16. d5 exd5 17. exd5 Bb7 18. Bxg6 fxg6 19. d4 Qf6 20. Qf3 Qxf3 21. gxf3 Bf6 22. Nc4 Bxd5 23. Ba3 Rfb8 24. Nd6 Bb3 25. Rb4 Bd5 26. Ra4 Bb3 {Carlsen,M (2847)-Iturrizaga Bonelli,E (2607) chess24.com INT 2021 ½-½}) 12... Be7 13. Na3 O-O 14. Nc4 Qc7 15. e5 Nxb4 16. Nd6 Nd3 17. Re4 Nxe5 18. Nb5 Qb8 19. cxd4 Ng6 20. d5 Bb7 21. Nc3 exd5 22. Re1 Bc6 23. Bc2 Bd6 24. Qh5 Re8 25. Rxe8+ Qxe8 26. Ne2 Bb5 27. d3 Rc8 28. Ra2 Qe5 29. Qxe5 Bxe5 30. Be3 a6 31. g3 Ne7 32. f4 Bf6 33. Bd4 Nc6 34. Bxf6 gxf6 35. Rb2 d4 36. Kf2 Kg7 37. Bb1 f5 38. Ng1 Kf6 39. Nf3 h6 40. Rc2 Bxd3 41. Rxc6+ dxc6 42. Bxd3 c5 43. Bxa6 Ra8 44. Bc4 Ra3 45. Ne5 Rc3 46. Bxf7 Rc2+ 47. Kf3 Rc3+ 48. Kf2 Rc2+ 49. Kf3 Rc3+ 50. Kf2 1/2-1/2

[Event "San Fermin Masters Final"]
[Site "chess24.com INT"]
[Date "2021.07.10"]
[Round "1.7"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Iturrizaga Bonelli, Eduardo"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B30"]
[WhiteElo "2847"]
[BlackElo "2607"]
[PlyCount "55"]
[EventDate "2021.07.10"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "3"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 203 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2021.09.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2021.09.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 e6 4. O-O Nge7 5. Re1 Nd4 6. Ba4 Qa5 7. Nxd4 cxd4 8. c3 b5 9. Bc2 Nc6 10. b4 Qb6 11. a4 bxa4 12. Rxa4 $146 ({RR} 12. Bxa4 Be7 13. Na3 O-O 14. Nc4 Qc7 15. e5 Nxb4 16. Nd6 Nd3 17. Re4 Nxe5 18. Nb5 Qb8 19. cxd4 Ng6 20. d5 Bb7 21. Nc3 exd5 22. Re1 Bc6 23. Bc2 Bd6 24. Qh5 Re8 25. Rxe8+ Qxe8 26. Ne2 Bb5 {Carlsen,M (2847)-Iturrizaga Bonelli,E (2607) chess24.com INT 2021 ½-½ (50)}) 12... Be7 13. Na3 O-O 14. b5 Ne5 15. cxd4 Ng6 16. d5 exd5 17. exd5 Bb7 18. Bxg6 fxg6 19. d4 Qf6 20. Qf3 Qxf3 21. gxf3 Bf6 22. Nc4 Bxd5 23. Ba3 Rfb8 24. Nd6 Bb3 25. Rb4 Bd5 26. Ra4 Bb3 27. Rb4 Bd5 28. Ra4 1/2-1/2

[Event "San Fermin Masters Final"]
[Site "chess24.com INT"]
[Date "2021.07.11"]
[Round "2.1"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "So, Wesley"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C54"]
[WhiteElo "2847"]
[BlackElo "2772"]
[PlyCount "85"]
[EventDate "2021.07.10"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "3"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 203 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2021.09.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2021.09.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. d3 Bc5 5. c3 d6 6. O-O h6 7. Re1 O-O 8. Nbd2 Bb6 9. Bb3 a5 ({RR} 9... Ne7 10. Nc4 Ng6 11. d4 Be6 12. h3 exd4 13. Nxd4 Bxc4 14. Bxc4 Re8 15. Bd3 d5 16. exd5 Rxe1+ 17. Qxe1 Bxd4 18. cxd4 Qxd5 19. Be3 c6 20. Qb4 Nh4 21. Bf1 Qd7 22. d5 Nf5 23. dxc6 bxc6 24. Bc5 {Firouzja,A (2762)-Le Tuan Minh (2598) chess.com INT 2025 1-0 (42)}) 10. Nf1 Be6 11. Bc2 d5 12. Qe2 $146 ({RR} 12. exd5 Qxd5 13. Bb3 Qd6 14. Bxe6 Qxe6 15. d4 Rad8 16. Qc2 Nd7 17. Bf4 f6 18. a3 Qg4 19. Be3 exd4 20. cxd4 Rfe8 21. Rad1 Ne7 22. d5 Kh8 23. d6 cxd6 24. Rxd6 Nc8 25. Rd2 Qh5 26. Red1 Ne5 {Aronian,L (2781)-So,W (2770) Paris 2021 1-0}) 12... a4 13. exd5 Bxd5 14. Be3 Re8 15. Bxb6 cxb6 16. Ne3 Be6 17. a3 b5 18. Rad1 Nd5 19. d4 Nxe3 20. Qxe3 exd4 21. Qd3 g6 22. Qxb5 Bg4 23. Rxe8+ Qxe8 24. Re1 Qc8 25. Nd2 dxc3 26. Ne4 Bf5 27. bxc3 Qc7 28. Nf6+ Kf8 29. Bxf5 Ra5 30. Qb2 Rxf5 31. c4 Ne5 32. Nd5 Qxc4 33. Ne3 Qe4 34. Qc3 Rg5 35. Kh1 Kg8 36. Rd1 Nc6 37. h3 Re5 38. Ng4 Qe2 39. Rb1 Rb5 40. Re1 Rb3 41. Qc1 Qb2 42. Qxh6 Ne7 43. Rxe7 1-0

[Event "San Fermin Masters Final"]
[Site "chess24.com INT"]
[Date "2021.07.11"]
[Round "2.3"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "So, Wesley"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C88"]
[WhiteElo "2847"]
[BlackElo "2772"]
[PlyCount "57"]
[EventDate "2021.07.10"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "3"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 203 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2021.09.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2021.09.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 {Marin,Mihail} e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. a4 b4 9. d3 d6 10. Nbd2 Be6 ({RR} 10... Na5) 11. Nc4 ({RR} 11. Bxe6 fxe6 12. Nf1 ({RR} 12. Nc4 Nd7 13. Bd2 Rb8 14. h3 Qe8) 12... Qd7 13. Ng3 Na5 ({RR} 13... Rab8 14. c3 bxc3 15. bxc3 Na5) 14. d4 exd4 15. Qxd4 c5 16. Qd3 Nc6 17. c3 bxc3 18. bxc3 Kh8 ({RR} 18... Ng4 19. e5 d5 20. h3 Nxf2 21. Kxf2 Bh4) 19. h3 Qc7 ({RR} 19... d5) 20. Ng5 Ne5 21. Qe2 Qc8 22. f4 Nf7 23. Nf3 Rb8 24. c4 Qb7 25. Bd2 Qb2 {Leko,P (2751)-Grischuk,A (2726) Mexico City 2007 CBM 120 [Marin,Mihail] 1-0 (60)}) ({RR} 11. Bc4 Nd7 12. a5 Bf6 13. Nb3 Ne7 14. Bxe6 fxe6 15. d4 Ng6 16. Qe2 Kh8 17. Qc4 exd4 18. Nbxd4 Bxd4 19. Nxd4 Qh4 20. g3 Qf6 21. f4 c5 22. Nf3 Nde5) ({RR} 11. c3 Rb8 ({RR} 11... Qd7) 12. Bxe6 fxe6 13. d4 bxc3 14. bxc3 Nd7 15. Qe2 exd4 ({RR} 15... Qc8 16. Qc4) 16. Nxd4 ({RR} 16. cxd4 Nb4 17. Rb1 c5) 16... Nxd4 17. cxd4) 11... Rb8 ({RR} 11... Nd7 12. Be3 Bf6 ({RR} 12... a5 13. c3 bxc3 14. bxc3 d5 15. exd5 Bxd5 16. Rb1 Re8 17. Ba2 f6 18. Rb5 Bf7 19. Qc2 Nf8 20. d4) 13. c3 ({RR} 13. d4 exd4 14. Nxd4 Nxd4 15. Bxd4 Re8) 13... Rb8 ({RR} 13... bxc3 14. bxc3 Rb8 15. Rb1 Qe7) 14. d4 exd4 ({RR} 14... bxc3 15. d5) 15. cxd4 d5 16. Ncd2 dxe4 17. Nxe4) ({RR} 11... Qd7 12. a5 Ne8 13. Ba4 f5 14. Nfxe5 dxe5 15. Nxe5 Qd6 16. Nxc6 Bh4 17. e5 Qd5 18. d4 f4 19. Nxb4 Qxa5 20. Bd2 f3 21. Bxe8 Qb6 22. Bc6 Bg3 23. hxg3 {1-0 (23) Estrada Nieto,J (2184)-Calvo Gonzalez,J (2198) chess.com INT 2025}) 12. a5 ({RR} 12. h3 Nd7 13. Be3 Bf6 14. d4 exd4 15. Nxd4 Bxd4 16. Bxd4 Nxd4 17. Qxd4 Nc5 18. Re3 f6) ({RR} 12. Be3 Ng4 13. Bd2 Bh4 14. Rf1 Be7 15. Rc1 Nf6) ({RR} 12. c3 Nd7 13. d4) 12... Na7 $146 ({RR} 12... Qc8 13. h3 h6 14. Be3 Nh7 15. Qd2 Kh8 16. d4 exd4 17. Nxd4 Nxd4 18. Bxd4 Bf6 19. Ne3 Bxd4 20. Qxd4 Bxh3 21. Ra4 Rb5 22. Bc4 Ng5 23. Qd1 Bxg2 24. Nxg2 Nh3+ 25. Kf1 f5 26. e5 Rxe5 27. Rxe5 {Roganovic,M (2517)-Marjanusic,V (2276) Palic 2014 1-0 (36)}) 13. d4 Nxe4 14. Rxe4 d5 15. Rxe5 dxc4 16. Rxe6 cxb3 17. Rxa6 Nb5 18. cxb3 Qd5 19. Qc2 c5 20. dxc5 Bxc5 21. Be3 Bxe3 22. fxe3 Rfc8 23. Rb6 Ra8 24. Rd1 Rxc2 25. Rxd5 Nc7 26. Rd7 h6 27. Nd4 Rc1+ 28. Kf2 Rxa5 29. Rc6 1-0

[Event "San Fermin Masters Final"]
[Site "chess24.com INT"]
[Date "2021.07.11"]
[Round "2.4"]
[White "So, Wesley"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B12"]
[WhiteElo "2772"]
[BlackElo "2847"]
[PlyCount "113"]
[EventDate "2021.07.10"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "3"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 203 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2021.09.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2021.09.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. e5 Bf5 4. Nf3 e6 5. Be2 Ne7 6. O-O h6 7. Nbd2 Nd7 8. Nb3 a5 9. a4 Qb6 10. Bd2 ({RR} 10. c3 Bg4 11. Be3 Nf5 12. Bd2 Bh5 13. h3 Bg6 14. g4 Ne7 15. Nh4 Be4 16. f3 Bh7 17. f4 Be4 18. f5 c5 19. Bb5 Nc6 20. Be3 Be7 21. Ng2 c4 22. Nd2 Bd3 23. Rf3 Bg5 24. Ne1 Be4 {Andreev,K (2208)-Cupid,K (2189) chess.com INT 2025 1-0 (51)}) 10... Bh7 11. Rc1 $146 ({RR} 11. h3 Ng6 12. Qe1 Bb4 13. Bxb4 Qxb4 14. Qxb4 axb4 15. Bd3 c5 16. Nxc5 Nxc5 17. dxc5 Ra5 18. Bb5+ Ke7 19. Rfe1 Rc8 20. c3 bxc3 21. b4 Raa8 22. Rac1 Nf4 23. Rxc3 Be4 24. a5 f6 25. h4 g5 {So,W (2770)-Carlsen,M (2862) chess24.com INT 2020 1-0 (44)}) 11... Nf5 12. Bd3 Bb4 13. Bxb4 Qxb4 14. c3 Qe7 15. Qc2 Bg6 16. g3 O-O 17. Rfe1 c5 18. dxc5 Nxc5 19. Nxc5 Qxc5 20. Qe2 Ne7 21. Bxg6 Nxg6 22. Nd4 Ne7 23. Qb5 Rfc8 24. Qxc5 Rxc5 25. Rc2 Nc6 26. Nb5 d4 27. f4 dxc3 28. Rd1 Nb4 29. Rxc3 Rxc3 30. Nxc3 Rc8 31. Rd7 b6 32. Rd6 Rc6 33. Rxc6 Nxc6 34. Kf2 Kf8 35. Ke3 Ke7 36. Kd3 Kd7 37. Kc4 Ne7 38. Kb5 Kc7 39. Ka6 Kc6 40. Nb5 Nd5 41. Nd6 f6 42. Ne8 fxe5 43. fxe5 g5 44. Ng7 Nb4+ 45. Ka7 Nd3 46. Nxe6 Nxe5 47. Ka6 Nf3 48. h3 h5 49. b3 h4 50. g4 Kd6 51. Ng7 Kc5 52. Ne6+ Kc6 53. Ka7 Kd6 54. Ng7 Kc6 55. Ne6 Kd6 56. Ng7 Kc6 57. Ne6 1/2-1/2

[Event "San Fermin Masters Final"]
[Site "chess24.com INT"]
[Date "2021.07.11"]
[Round "2.5"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "So, Wesley"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C67"]
[WhiteElo "2847"]
[BlackElo "2772"]
[PlyCount "33"]
[EventDate "2021.07.10"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "3"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 203 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2021.09.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2021.09.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. Re1 Nd6 6. Nxe5 Be7 7. Bf1 Nf5 8. c3 Nxe5 9. Rxe5 d6 10. Re1 d5 11. d4 O-O 12. Bf4 Bd6 13. Qf3 Nh4 14. Qg3 Nf5 15. Qf3 Nh4 16. Qg3 Nf5 17. Qf3 1/2-1/2

[Event "San Fermin Masters Final"]
[Site "chess24.com INT"]
[Date "2021.07.11"]
[Round "2.6"]
[White "So, Wesley"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C54"]
[WhiteElo "2772"]
[BlackElo "2847"]
[PlyCount "96"]
[EventDate "2021.07.10"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "3"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 203 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2021.09.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2021.09.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. c3 Nf6 5. d4 exd4 6. e5 d5 7. Bb5 Ne4 8. cxd4 Bb6 9. Nc3 O-O 10. Be3 Bg4 11. h3 Bh5 12. Qc2 Nxc3 13. bxc3 f6 14. exf6 Qxf6 15. Be2 Na5 16. O-O Bxf3 17. Bxf3 c6 18. Rae1 Nc4 19. Bc1 Qg6 20. Qxg6 hxg6 21. Re7 Rf7 22. Re2 Ba5 23. Rc2 Re8 24. Be2 $146 ({RR} 24. Bg4 b5 25. g3 Bb6 26. Rd1 a5 27. Kg2 Rb7 28. Be2 Rbe7 29. Bd3 Kf7 30. h4 Bd8 31. Kf1 Rb7 32. Be2 Bf6 33. Rd3 Nd6 34. Rf3 Kg8 35. Bd3 Ne4 36. Kg2 Rbe7 37. Rf4 g5 38. Rg4 gxh4 {Liang,J (2409)-Guo,A (2432) New York 2022 ½-½ (62)}) 24... Rfe7 25. Bd3 Kf7 26. g3 b5 27. h4 Re1 28. Kg2 Bc7 29. a4 a5 30. Bg5 Rxf1 31. Kxf1 bxa4 32. Bxc4 dxc4 33. Ra2 Ke6 34. Rxa4 Kd5 35. Ra2 Ra8 36. Be7 a4 37. Bb4 Bd6 38. Bxd6 Kxd6 39. Ke2 c5 40. Ke3 a3 41. g4 Kd5 42. dxc5 Kxc5 43. Ra1 Kb5 44. Rb1+ Ka4 45. Rb4+ Ka5 46. Rb1 Ka4 47. Rb4+ Ka5 48. Rb1 Ka4 1/2-1/2

[Event "San Fermin Masters Final"]
[Site "chess24.com INT"]
[Date "2021.07.11"]
[Round "3.1"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C54"]
[WhiteElo "2847"]
[BlackElo "2782"]
[PlyCount "115"]
[EventDate "2021.07.10"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "3"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 203 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2021.09.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2021.09.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 {Sagar,Shah} e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. c3 Nf6 5. d3 d6 6. O-O O-O 7. Re1 a5 8. Nbd2 Ng4 ({RR} 8... Be6 9. Bb5 Qb8 10. Nf1 Qa7 11. Be3 Bxe3 12. Nxe3 Ne7 13. a4 Ng6 ({RR} 13... c6 14. Bc4 d5 15. exd5 cxd5 16. Bb5) 14. Bc4 Bxc4 15. Nxc4 Qa6 16. g3 Rfe8 17. Qb3 Nf8 18. Qb5 Qxb5 19. axb5 b6 20. Ra3 Ne6 21. Ne3 Nc5 22. c4 a4 ({RR} 22... Z0 23. Rea1 Rac8 24. Ne1) 23. Rea1 {So,W (2810)-Ding,L (2777) Tbilisi 2017 CBM 181 [Sagar,Shah] ½-½ (47)}) ({RR} 8... Be6 9. Bb5 Qb8 10. Nf1 Qa7 11. d4 exd4 12. Bxc6 dxc3 13. Ba4 Bxf2+ 14. Kh1 Bxe1 15. Qxe1 Ng4 16. h3 Nf2+ 17. Kh2 cxb2 18. Bxb2 Nd3 19. Qc3 Nxb2 20. Qxb2 Qc5 21. a3 d5 22. Rc1 Qe7 23. e5 {Svidler,P (2714)-Aronian,L (2781) chess24.com INT 2021 1-0 (52)}) 9. Re2 Kh8 10. h3 f5 ({RR} 10... Nh6 11. Nf1 f5 12. Bg5 Qd7 13. d4 exd4 14. Bxh6 gxh6 15. cxd4 fxe4 16. Rxe4 d5 17. Re3 Bb6 18. Bb5 Qg7 19. Bxc6 bxc6 20. Ne5 c5 21. Rg3 Qe7 22. Qh5 cxd4 23. Qxh6 Bf5 24. Re1 Qf6 25. Qh5 {Drygalov,A (2431)-Zverev,L (2453) Sochi RUS 2025 1-0 (78)}) 11. d4 $146 ({RR} 11. Bb5 Nf6 12. Bxc6 bxc6 13. d4 exd4 14. Nxd4 Bxd4 15. cxd4 a4 16. e5 Nd5 17. Nf3 f4 18. Qc2 Ba6 19. Re1 Bb5 20. Bd2 g6 21. exd6 cxd6 22. Re6 Qd7 23. Rae1 Rae8 24. Ng5 Rxe6 25. Rxe6 Nc7 {Vignesh,N (2436)-Lobanov,S (2507) Moscow 2020 1-0 (56)}) 11... exd4 12. cxd4 Nxd4 13. Nxd4 Nxf2 14. Rxf2 Bxd4 15. e5 dxe5 16. Qe2 e4 17. Nf1 f4 18. Qxe4 Bxf2+ 19. Kxf2 Bf5 20. Qe5 Qh4+ 21. Kg1 Rae8 22. Qc3 f3 23. Be3 fxg2 24. Nh2 Re4 25. Bd5 Bxh3 26. Bxe4 Qxe4 27. Bf2 Qe2 28. Qc5 Rf7 29. Qe3 Qxe3 30. Bxe3 h6 31. Re1 Kh7 32. Bf2 g5 33. Re4 h5 34. Re5 Kg6 35. Rxa5 g4 36. Re5 h4 37. Nxg4 Bxg4 38. Bxh4 Bf3 39. Re6+ Kh5 40. Rf6 Rxf6 41. Bxf6 Kg4 42. Be5 c6 43. a3 Kf5 44. Bc3 Ke4 45. Bd2 Kd3 46. Bc3 Bd5 47. Be5 Kc2 48. Bc3 Kb3 49. Be5 c5 50. Bc3 b5 51. Be5 Kc2 52. Bd6 Kxb2 53. Bxc5 Kb3 54. Bb4 Ka4 55. Kf2 Kb3 56. Kg1 Ka4 57. Kf2 Kb3 58. Kg1 1/2-1/2

[Event "San Fermin Masters Final"]
[Site "chess24.com INT"]
[Date "2021.07.11"]
[Round "3.2"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B50"]
[WhiteElo "2782"]
[BlackElo "2847"]
[PlyCount "100"]
[EventDate "2021.07.10"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "3"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 203 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2021.09.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2021.09.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. c3 Nf6 4. Be2 g6 5. O-O Bg7 6. d3 O-O 7. Be3 Nc6 8. Nbd2 e5 ({RR} 8... Bg4 9. h3 Bxf3 10. Bxf3 Nd7 11. g3 b5 12. Bg2 Qc7 13. f4 a5 14. Nf3 b4 15. Rc1 bxc3 16. bxc3 Rab8 17. g4 Rb2 18. Rf2 Rfb8 19. d4 Rxf2 20. Bxf2 Rb2 21. d5 Na7 22. Qa4 Qb7 23. Qxa5 {Garcia Garcia,A (2140)-Gunnarsson,J (2444) chess.com INT 2025 0-1 (47)}) 9. a3 a5 ({RR} 9... h6 10. h3 Be6 11. b4 b6 12. b5 Na5 13. c4 Nh7 14. g4 f5 15. gxf5 gxf5 16. exf5 Bxf5 17. Kh2 d5 18. Rg1 e4 19. dxe4 dxe4 20. Ne5 Ng5 21. Ng4 Kh7 22. Rb1 Qd6+ 23. Kg2 Rad8 24. Qf1 {Aronian,L (2785)-Matlakov,M (2674) Chess.com INT 2022 0-1 (63)}) 10. d4 exd4 $146 ({RR} 10... cxd4 11. cxd4 d5 12. Nxe5 Nxe4 13. Nxc6 bxc6 14. Rc1 Rb8 15. Nxe4 dxe4 16. Rxc6 Rxb2 17. Bc4 Bd7 18. Rc5 Qb6 19. Bd5 Bf5 20. Qa4 Rb1 21. Qxa5 Rxf1+ 22. Kxf1 Qb1+ 23. Qe1 Qd3+ 24. Qe2 Qxa3 25. g4 {Aronian,L (2781)-Nepomniachtchi,I (2784) Chess.com INT 2020 1-0 (40)}) 11. cxd4 cxd4 12. Nxd4 Re8 13. Rc1 Nxd4 14. Bxd4 Nxe4 15. Nc4 Be6 16. Nb6 Bxd4 17. Qxd4 Nc5 18. Nxa8 Nb3 19. Qb6 Nxc1 20. Rxc1 Qxa8 21. Qxd6 Qd8 22. Qf4 Bb3 23. Bf3 b6 24. h4 h5 25. g3 Qe7 26. Kg2 Qe5 27. Qd2 Kg7 28. Rc6 Re6 29. Qc3 Qxc3 30. Rxc3 a4 31. Kf1 b5 32. Be2 Re5 33. f4 Rd5 34. Ke1 Kf6 35. Rc7 Ke6 36. Rc6+ Kf5 37. Rc3 Rd4 38. Bxb5 Rd1+ 39. Ke2 Rh1 40. Kf3 Rh2 41. Rc5+ Kf6 42. Rc7 Rxb2 43. Ke3 Ra2 44. Rc3 Ra1 45. Kf2 Rxa3 46. Ke3 Ra1 47. Bc4 Bxc4 48. Rxc4 a3 49. Ra4 a2 50. Kf2 Rh1 0-1

[Event "San Fermin Masters Final"]
[Site "chess24.com INT"]
[Date "2021.07.11"]
[Round "3.4"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B12"]
[WhiteElo "2782"]
[BlackElo "2847"]
[PlyCount "128"]
[EventDate "2021.07.10"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "3"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 203 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2021.09.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2021.09.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. e5 Bf5 4. h4 Qc8 5. h5 h6 6. Bd3 ({RR} 6. Nc3 e6 7. g4 Bh7 8. Bd3 Bxd3 9. Qxd3 c5 10. Nce2 Nc6 11. Nf3 cxd4 12. Nexd4 Bc5 13. Be3 Bxd4 14. Bxd4 Nge7 15. c3 b6 16. O-O g6 17. hxg6 Nxg6 18. Qe3 h5 19. gxh5 Rxh5 20. Kg2 Kd7 {Zhauynbay Aldiyar (2109)-Rasulov,V (2505) chess.com INT 2025 0-1 (38)}) 6... Bxd3 7. Qxd3 e6 8. Nd2 $146 ({RR} 8. f4 c5 9. c3 cxd4 10. cxd4 Qxc1+ 11. Kf2 Qxb2+ 12. Nd2 {0-1 (12) Tsotsonava,E (1887)-Ozen,B (2369) Chess.com INT 2021}) 8... c5 9. c3 Ne7 10. Ne2 b6 11. Nf3 Qa6 12. Qd1 Nbc6 13. O-O Nf5 14. g4 Nfe7 15. Nf4 O-O-O 16. Be3 g5 17. hxg6 Nxg6 18. Nh5 Be7 19. a3 c4 20. Kh1 Kb8 21. Qc2 Qc8 22. Rg1 Rdf8 23. Raf1 Kb7 24. Nh2 Nh4 25. f4 f5 26. Bf2 Rhg8 27. Bxh4 Bxh4 28. gxf5 Rxf5 29. Rg7+ Ka6 30. Qa4+ Na5 31. Qd1 Rgf8 32. Qg4 Qe8 33. Rg6 Bg5 34. Rg7 Qb5 35. Qe2 Bxf4 36. Nf6 Bg5 37. Rxf5 exf5 38. Nd7 Re8 39. e6 Qc6 40. Nf3 Qxe6 41. Nfe5 Bf4 42. Qh5 Bxe5 43. Nxe5 f4 44. Rg6 Qe7 45. Rxh6 Rg8 46. Rh7 Qe6 47. Qf7 Qxf7 48. Rxf7 Kb5 49. Rxf4 Ka4 50. Rf2 Kb3 51. Nd7 Nb7 52. Nf6 Rg5 53. Kh2 Nd6 54. Kh3 Rf5 55. Rxf5 Nxf5 56. Nxd5 Kxb2 57. Kg4 Nd6 58. a4 a5 59. Kf4 b5 60. axb5 Nxb5 61. Ke5 a4 62. Nb6 Kb3 63. Nxa4 Kxa4 64. d5 Kb3 0-1

[Event "San Fermin Masters Final"]
[Site "chess24.com INT"]
[Date "2021.07.11"]
[Round "3.5"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C47"]
[WhiteElo "2847"]
[BlackElo "2782"]
[PlyCount "59"]
[EventDate "2021.07.10"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "3"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 203 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2021.09.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2021.09.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. d4 exd4 5. Nxd4 Bc5 6. Be3 Bb6 7. Nf5 O-O 8. Bxb6 axb6 9. Ne3 Re8 10. Bd3 d6 11. O-O Nd7 $146 ({RR} 11... Ne5 12. Re1 Nfg4 13. Nxg4 Nxg4 14. f3 Ne5 15. Bf1 Ng6 16. Qd2 Ra5 17. f4 Rh5 18. g3 Bd7 19. Be2 Rh6 20. Rad1 Bc6 21. Bf3 Qc8 22. Bg2 Nf8 23. b4 b5 24. Qf2 Qa8 25. Rb1 Nd7 26. a4 {Rosandic,D (2222)-Smetisko,M (1802) Zagreb 2016 1-0 (41)}) 12. f4 Nc5 13. Qh5 Ra5 14. f5 Ne5 15. b4 Ra3 16. Nb5 Ncxd3 17. Nxa3 Nxb4 18. f6 Re6 19. c3 Nbd3 20. Nd5 c6 21. Ne7+ Rxe7 22. fxe7 Qxe7 23. Qe2 Qg5 24. Nc4 Nf4 25. Rxf4 Qxf4 26. Nxd6 Ng4 27. g3 Qxd6 28. Rd1 Qc5+ 29. Kg2 Qf8 30. Qd2 0-1

[Event "San Fermin Masters Final"]
[Site "chess24.com INT"]
[Date "2021.07.11"]
[Round "3.6"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C67"]
[WhiteElo "2782"]
[BlackElo "2847"]
[PlyCount "103"]
[EventDate "2021.07.10"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "3"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 203 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2021.09.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2021.09.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. d4 Nd6 6. Bxc6 dxc6 7. dxe5 Nf5 8. Qxd8+ Kxd8 9. Rd1+ Ke8 10. Nc3 h5 11. Bg5 ({RR} 11. Bf4 Be6 12. Ng5 Rh6 13. b3 Be7 14. Nxe6 Rxe6 15. h3 Rd8 16. Rxd8+ Kxd8 17. Rd1+ Kc8 18. Kf1 b6 19. Ne2 Bc5 20. Rd3 g6 21. g4 hxg4 22. hxg4 Ne7 23. c4 f6 24. exf6 Rxf6 25. Bg3 Bd6 {Kamsky,G (2610)-Bravo De La Vega,A (2128) chess.com INT 2024 1-0 (44)}) 11... Be6 ({RR} 11... Be7 12. Ne2 Bd7 13. Nf4 Rd8 14. Bxe7 Kxe7 15. Ng5 Rh6 16. g3 Rf8 17. Rd3 Bc8 18. Re1 Re8 19. f3 Kf8 20. Kf2 a6 21. h3 Ne7 22. g4 hxg4 23. hxg4 Ng6 24. Nxg6+ Rxg6 25. Nh3 Rh6 26. Nf4 {Karjakin,S (2762)-Radjabov,T (2738) Berlin 2015 0-1 (68)}) 12. Ne2 $146 ({RR} 12. Rd2 Be7 13. Re1 Rd8 14. Rxd8+ Kxd8 15. Rd1+ Kc8 16. Bxe7 Nxe7 17. Ng5 Nd5 18. Nxe6 Nxc3 19. bxc3 fxe6 20. f4 Rg8 21. h4 Rd8 22. Rxd8+ Kxd8 23. Kf2 Ke7 24. g4 g6 25. Kf3 b5 26. gxh5 gxh5 {Kobalia,M (2594)-Visakh,N (2516) Chess.com INT 2021 1-0 (68)}) 12... Bd5 13. Nfd4 Nxd4 14. Rxd4 Bc5 15. Rd2 Be7 16. Bxe7 Kxe7 17. Nf4 Rad8 18. h4 Be4 19. Rad1 Rxd2 20. Rxd2 g6 21. f3 Bf5 22. Kf2 a5 23. Ke3 f6 24. exf6+ Kxf6 25. Ne2 g5 26. hxg5+ Kxg5 27. Ng3 Re8+ 28. Kf2 Bg6 29. c3 h4 30. Nf1 Bf5 31. a3 a4 32. Ne3 Be6 33. Rd4 b5 34. Re4 Bf7 35. f4+ Kf6 36. Rxe8 Bxe8 37. Kf3 Bh5+ 38. Ke4 Bf7 39. f5 Kg5 40. Ke5 c5 41. f6 c6 42. Nf5 Bd5 43. Ne7 Bc4 44. Nxc6 Kg4 45. Kd6 Kg3 46. Ne5 Bg8 47. Ng6 Bf7 48. Ne5 Bg8 49. Ng6 Bf7 50. Nxh4 Kxh4 51. Ke7 Bc4 52. f7 1-0

[Event "San Fermin Masters Final"]
[Site "chess24.com INT"]
[Date "2021.07.11"]
[Round "3.8"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B90"]
[WhiteElo "2782"]
[BlackElo "2847"]
[PlyCount "68"]
[EventDate "2021.07.10"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "3"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 203 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2021.09.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2021.09.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Bc4 b5 7. Bd5 Ra7 ({RR} 7... Nxd5 8. exd5 Bb7 9. a3 g6 10. Be3 Bg7 11. Qd2 Nd7 12. Bh6 Bxh6 13. Qxh6 Nf6 14. O-O-O Rc8 15. Rd3 Qc7 16. Re1 Nxd5 17. Qg7 Rf8 18. Ne4 Kd7 19. Ng5 Qc4 20. Nxh7 Rfe8 21. Kd2 Kc7 22. Ng5 {Bauer,C (2562)-Kempinski,R (2498) Germany 2000 0-1 (32)}) ({RR} 7... Nxd5 8. exd5 Bb7 9. O-O b4 10. Ne4 Bxd5 11. Re1 e6 12. Ng5 Nd7 13. Ndxe6 Bxe6 14. Nxe6 fxe6 15. Rxe6+ Be7 16. Bg5 Nf6 17. Qd4 O-O 18. Rae1 Qa5 19. Bh4 Bd8 20. Qxd6 Bc7 21. Qd4 Qh5 22. h3 {Lares Jordan,M (1617)-Lopez,R (1837) Medellin COL 2024 1-0 (32)}) 8. a4 $146 ({RR} 8. Be3 Rc7 9. a4 e6 10. Bb3 b4 11. Na2 Nxe4 12. Nxb4 d5 13. Nd3 Bd6 14. Qe2 O-O 15. O-O Nd7 16. c3 Rb7 17. Bc2 Nb6 18. Nb4 f5 19. a5 Nc4 20. Bxe4 fxe4 21. Ndc6 Qh4 22. g3 Qh3 {Eberth,Z (2175)-Deak,S (2311) Hungary 2008 0-1 (39)}) 8... b4 9. Na2 e6 10. Bc6+ Bd7 11. Nxb4 d5 12. c3 Bxb4 13. Bxd7+ Rxd7 14. e5 Bc5 15. exf6 Qxf6 16. Be3 e5 17. Nf3 Bxe3 18. fxe3 e4 19. Nd4 Rb7 20. Qe2 Nd7 21. Rf1 Qh4+ 22. g3 Qd8 23. Nf5 O-O 24. O-O-O Ne5 25. Qxa6 Qb8 26. Rf2 Ra7 27. Qb5 Nd3+ 28. Rxd3 exd3 29. Rf4 g6 30. Nh6+ Kg7 31. Ng4 f5 32. Qc5 fxg4 33. Rxf8 Qxf8 34. Qxa7+ Kh6 0-1

[Event "FIDE World Cup"]
[Site "Krasnaya Polyana"]
[Date "2021.07.16"]
[Round "2.2"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Martinovic, Sasa"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B76"]
[WhiteElo "2847"]
[BlackElo "2548"]
[PlyCount "153"]
[EventDate "2021.07.12"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "8"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 203"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2021.08.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2021.08.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 Nc6 6. Nb3 g6 7. Be3 Bg7 8. Qd2 O-O 9. f3 Be6 10. O-O-O Rc8 11. Kb1 Ne5 12. Be2 ({RR} 12. h4 h5 13. Be2 a6 14. Bd4 Qc7 15. g4 hxg4 16. f4 Nc6 17. Bxf6 Bxf6 18. Nd5 Bxd5 19. exd5 Nd4 20. Bxg4 Nxb3 21. axb3 a5 22. h5 a4 23. hxg6 axb3 24. cxb3 Ra8 25. Qh2 {1-0 (25) Carlsen,M (2853)-Shevchenko,K (2684) Warsaw POL 2023}) 12... Bc4 13. Bd4 $146 ({RR} 13. g4 Bxe2 14. Qxe2 Nc4 15. Bc1 Qb6 16. h4 h6 17. g5 Nh5 18. Nd5 Qd8 19. gxh6 Bf6 20. Nxf6+ exf6 21. Rhg1 Qe7 22. Rd5 Kh7 23. f4 f5 24. Rd4 b5 25. Qd3 fxe4 26. Rxe4 Qf6 27. f5 Ne5 {Radeva,V (2297)-Dicen,E (2129) Rhodes GRE 2025 1-0 (63)}) 13... Bxe2 14. Qxe2 Nc6 15. Bxf6 Bxf6 16. Nd5 Bg7 17. h4 e6 18. Ne3 Qe7 19. h5 d5 20. exd5 exd5 21. Qd2 d4 22. Ng4 Rfd8 23. hxg6 hxg6 24. f4 Nb4 25. Rde1 Qd6 26. Rc1 Nd5 27. f5 Ne3 28. Nxe3 dxe3 29. Qxd6 Rxd6 30. Rce1 Re8 31. fxg6 Rxg6 32. Re2 Rg3 33. c3 Re4 34. Nd2 Reg4 35. Nf1 Rxg2 36. Rxg2 Rxg2 37. Nxe3 Re2 38. Nf5 Rf2 39. Rh5 Bf8 40. a4 f6 41. a5 Re2 42. Nd4 Re5 43. Rxe5 fxe5 44. Nf3 Bd6 45. Kc2 Kf7 46. Kd3 Ke6 47. Ke4 a6 48. Ne1 Bc7 49. Nd3 Bd6 50. b3 Be7 51. b4 Bd6 52. c4 Bf8 53. c5 Bh6 54. b5 axb5 55. c6 Kd6 56. cxb7 Kc7 57. a6 Bf8 58. Nxe5 Bd6 59. Nd7 Kc6 60. Kd4 Bc7 61. Kd3 Bd6 62. Ke4 Bc7 63. Kf5 Bg3 64. Ne5+ Kc7 65. Ke4 b4 66. Nd7 Kc6 67. Kd3 Bc7 68. Kc4 Bd6 69. Kb3 Bc7 70. Kxb4 Bd6+ 71. Kc4 Bc7 72. Kd3 Bd6 73. Ke4 Bc7 74. Kf5 Bd6 75. Ne5+ Kc7 76. Ke6 Bc5 77. Nc6 1-0

[Event "FIDE World Cup"]
[Site "Krasnaya Polyana"]
[Date "2021.07.19"]
[Round "3.2"]
[White "Tari, Aryan"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B46"]
[WhiteElo "2639"]
[BlackElo "2847"]
[PlyCount "149"]
[EventDate "2021.07.12"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "8"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 203"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2021.08.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2021.08.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nc6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Bf4 d6 7. Nxc6 bxc6 8. Qd2 e5 9. Bg5 Nf6 10. O-O-O h6 11. Bh4 Be6 12. Be2 a5 $146 ({RR} 12... Qa5 13. Bxf6 gxf6 14. b3 Rd8 15. Na4 Qxd2+ 16. Rxd2 a5 17. Bf3 d5 18. Rhd1 Ba3+ 19. Kb1 d4 20. c3 c5 21. Be2 O-O 22. Nb6 Rb8 23. Nc4 dxc3 24. Rc2 Bb4 25. a3 Bxa3 26. Nxa3 Bxb3 27. Re1 {Ganguly,S (2652)-Rublevsky,S (2702) Berlin 2015 0-1 (55)}) 13. Kb1 Rb8 14. Ka1 Qb6 15. b3 Qb4 16. f3 Be7 17. Na4 O-O 18. Bxf6 Qxd2 19. Rxd2 gxf6 20. g4 d5 21. Rhd1 h5 22. h3 hxg4 23. hxg4 Kg7 24. Kb2 dxe4 25. fxe4 Rh8 26. Rd3 Rh2 27. Bf3 Rf2 28. R1d2 Rxd2 29. Rxd2 Kg6 30. Rh2 Kg5 31. Nc3 Rd8 32. Ne2 a4 33. Kc3 Rb8 34. Kb2 a3+ 35. Kc1 Rd8 36. Rh5+ Kg6 37. Ng3 Bb4 38. Nf5 Bd2+ 39. Kb1 Bc3 40. Ne7+ Kg7 41. Rh2 Rd7 42. Nf5+ Bxf5 43. gxf5 Rd4 44. Kc1 Kf8 45. Kb1 Ke7 46. Rg2 Rd8 47. Kc1 c5 48. Be2 Bb2+ 49. Kb1 Rh8 50. Rg1 Rh4 51. Bd3 Kd6 52. Rd1 Kc7 53. Re1 Kb6 54. Rd1 Rg4 55. Re1 Ka5 56. Rd1 Kb4 57. Re1 Rf4 58. Rh1 Rg4 59. Re1 Rh4 60. Rg1 Bd4 61. Rf1 Be3 62. Rd1 Bd2 63. Rf1 Kc3 64. Rf3 Kd4 65. Rf1 c4 66. Bxc4 Kxe4 67. Bxf7 Kd4 68. c3+ Kxc3 69. Rf3+ Kd4 70. Kc2 e4 71. Rf2 Bb4 72. Bc4 Rh1 73. Bf1 Rg1 74. Re2 Rxf1 75. Rxe4+ 0-1

[Event "FIDE World Cup"]
[Site "Krasnaya Polyana"]
[Date "2021.07.23"]
[Round "4.2"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Wojtaszek, Radoslaw"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B51"]
[WhiteElo "2847"]
[BlackElo "2691"]
[PlyCount "68"]
[EventDate "2021.07.12"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "8"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 203"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2021.08.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2021.08.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 {Vitiugov,Nikita} c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. Bb5+ ({RR} 3. d4 cxd4 4. Qxd4 Nf6 5. Be2 Nc6 6. Qe3 g6 7. O-O Bg7 8. h3 O-O 9. Rd1 Be6 10. Nc3 Rc8 11. a3 Qa5 12. Bd2 h6 13. Nb5 Qb6 14. Qxb6 axb6 15. Bd3 Nd7) 3... Nd7 4. d4 cxd4 5. Nxd4 Ngf6 6. O-O a6 7. Ba4 e6 8. c4 Be7 9. Nc3 ({RR} 9. Bc2 O-O 10. Re1 Qc7 11. b3 b6 12. Bb2 Bb7 13. Nc3 Rfe8 14. Re3 Bf8 15. Qf1 g6 16. Rd1 Rad8) 9... O-O 10. Qe2 Qc7 11. f4 ({RR} 11. Bb3 b6 12. Be3 Bb7 13. f3 Rac8 14. Rac1 Rfe8 15. Rfd1 Qb8 16. Ba4 Rc7 17. b4 Rec8 18. Bb3 b5) 11... Nb6 12. Bb3 e5 ({RR} 12... Bd7) 13. Nf5 Bxf5 14. exf5 Rfe8 15. g4 exf4 $146 ({RR} 15... d5 16. cxd5 Nfxd5 ({RR} 16... Bb4 17. g5 Bxc3 18. bxc3 Nfxd5 19. g6) 17. Bxd5 Nxd5 18. Nxd5 Qc5+ 19. Ne3 exf4 20. Rxf4 Bg5 21. Rf3 Rad8 22. Kf1 ({RR} 22. f6 g6 23. h4 Bxh4 24. Bd2) 22... Qd4 ({RR} 22... Qc6 23. h4 ({RR} 23. Bd2 Rxd2) 23... Bxh4 24. Rh3 Bg5 25. Bd2 Rxd2 26. Qxd2 Bxe3 27. Rxe3 Qh1+ 28. Kf2 Qh2+ 29. Kf3 Qh3+ 30. Kf4 Qh6+) 23. a4 Qe4 24. Ra3 Rc8 ({RR} 24... b5) 25. Rc3 Rxc3 26. bxc3 Qxa4 27. Kg2 Qe4 28. Qf2 a5 29. h4 Bf6 30. Qc2 {Svidler,P (2714)-Vitiugov,N (2724) Krasnaya Polyana 2021 CBM 203 [Vitiugov,Nikita] 1-0 (45)}) 16. Bxf4 Bf8 17. Qg2 Nxc4 18. g5 Nh5 19. Nd5 Qc5+ 20. Kh1 b5 21. g6 Rab8 22. Rad1 Nxf4 23. Rxf4 Re5 24. Rh4 Rxf5 25. Bc2 Qf2 26. gxf7+ Kxf7 27. Bxf5 Qxh4 28. Rf1 Kg8 29. Rf4 Qe1+ 30. Rf1 Qe5 31. Qh3 Qxd5+ 32. Rf3 Qd1+ 33. Rf1 Qd5+ 34. Rf3 Qd1+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "FIDE World Cup"]
[Site "Krasnaya Polyana"]
[Date "2021.07.26"]
[Round "5.2"]
[White "Esipenko, Andrey"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C54"]
[WhiteElo "2716"]
[BlackElo "2847"]
[PlyCount "71"]
[EventDate "2021.07.12"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "8"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 203"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2021.08.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2021.08.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. c3 Nf6 5. d3 d6 6. O-O h6 7. Re1 O-O 8. h3 Bb6 9. Nbd2 Ne7 10. a4 c6 11. d4 Ng6 12. Bf1 Re8 ({RR} 12... Bc7 13. b4 d5 14. exd5 exd4 15. c4 a5 16. dxc6 axb4 17. Bb2 bxc6 18. Nxd4 Bb7 19. g3 Ne5 20. N2b3 Nfd7 21. c5 Nf6 22. Qc2 Nd5 23. Bg2 Re8 24. Nf5 Nc3 25. Bxc3 bxc3 26. Qxc3 Ba6 27. f4 {Khubukshanov,E (2448)-Ivanov,O (2390) Moscow RUS 2025 1-0 (68)}) 13. dxe5 $146 ({RR} 13. Qc2 Be6 14. b4 a6 15. Bb2 Qc7 16. c4 Bxd4 17. Nxd4 exd4 18. Bxd4 Nd7 19. Qb2 f6 20. Be3 Rad8 21. Rac1 c5 22. b5 axb5 23. cxb5 b6 24. f4 Ne7 25. Nb3 Ra8 26. Ra1 d5 27. Bd2 d4 {Bansal,A (2255)-Tang,D (2148) Sunnyvale USA 2023 1-0 (50)}) ({RR} 13. Qc2 Bc7 14. dxe5 Nxe5 15. Nxe5 dxe5 16. Nc4 Be6 17. Rd1 Qe7 18. b3 Red8 19. Ba3 Qe8 20. Nd6 Bxd6 21. Bxd6 Bd5 22. exd5 Rxd6 23. dxc6 Qxc6 24. Bb5 Qe4 25. Bd3 Qc6 26. Bc4 Rad8 27. Rxd6 Qxd6 {Esipenko,A (2677)-Afanasiev,N (2533) Sochi RUS 2024 ½-½ (43)}) 13... Nxe5 14. Nxe5 dxe5 15. Qc2 Be6 16. Nc4 Bxc4 17. Bxc4 a5 18. Qe2 Qe7 19. Bd2 Rad8 20. Red1 Rd7 21. Be1 Rxd1 22. Rxd1 Rd8 23. Rb1 g6 24. Kh2 Kg7 25. Bb3 h5 26. Rd1 Rxd1 27. Bxd1 h4 28. Qd3 Qe6 29. b3 Qe7 30. Kg1 Nd7 31. Be2 Nc5 32. Qc2 Qf6 33. Bf3 Qd8 34. Be2 Qf6 35. Bf3 Qd8 36. Be2 1/2-1/2

[Event "FIDE World Cup"]
[Site "Krasnaya Polyana"]
[Date "2021.07.27"]
[Round "5.4"]
[White "Esipenko, Andrey"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C54"]
[WhiteElo "2716"]
[BlackElo "2847"]
[PlyCount "170"]
[EventDate "2021.07.12"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "8"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 203"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2021.08.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2021.08.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. c3 Nf6 5. d3 d6 6. h3 Bb6 7. Nbd2 Ne7 8. O-O O-O 9. Re1 c6 ({RR} 9... Ng6 10. Nf1 Nh5 11. Be3 Nhf4 12. Ng3 c6 13. d4 Qf6 14. Nh5 Qd8 15. Bxf4 exf4 16. Bb3 c5 17. Qd2 cxd4 18. Nxf4 dxc3 19. bxc3 Nxf4 20. Qxf4 Be6 21. Red1 Bc5 22. Nd4 Qe7 23. Rab1 Rac8 24. Rd3 {Vivaan Sardana (2008)-Priansh,D (2339) Guntur IND 2025 1-0 (48)}) 10. Bb3 Ng6 11. Nf1 d5 $146 ({RR} 11... h6 12. Ng3 d5 13. Be3 c5 14. Bc2 Re8 15. Qe2 Be6 16. Ba4 Re7 17. Nf5 Rc7 18. Rad1 Qf8 19. Bc2 c4 20. Nd2 cxd3 21. Bxd3 Rd7 22. Bxb6 Nf4 23. Qf3 Nxd3 24. Qxd3 axb6 25. Qg3 Kh7 26. Qxe5 {Knoppert,E (2400)-Mikhalevski,V (2495) Amsterdam 1995 1-0 (34)}) 12. Ng3 dxe4 13. dxe4 Qxd1 14. Rxd1 h6 15. Re1 Rd8 16. Be3 Bxe3 17. Rxe3 a5 18. a4 Kf8 19. Ree1 b6 20. Rad1 Ba6 21. Bc2 Bc4 22. Nf5 Be6 23. g3 Ne8 24. h4 f6 25. Rxd8 Rxd8 26. Ne3 Ne7 27. b4 Nd6 28. bxa5 bxa5 29. Rb1 Nc4 30. Nxc4 Bxc4 31. Rb7 g5 32. hxg5 hxg5 33. Rb1 Nc8 34. Rd1 Rxd1+ 35. Bxd1 Bd3 36. Nd2 Nd6 37. f3 g4 38. Nb3 Nb7 39. Nd2 gxf3 40. Kf2 Nc5 41. Kxf3 Ke7 42. Ke3 Kd6 43. Bb3 Kc7 44. Bd1 Ba6 45. Bc2 Bc8 46. Bd1 Be6 47. Bc2 Kd6 48. Ke2 Ke7 49. Kf3 Kf7 50. g4 Kg6 51. Kg3 Nb7 52. Nf3 Bc4 53. g5 Be2 54. Ng1 Bh5 55. gxf6 Kxf6 56. Nh3 Nc5 57. Nf2 Be2 58. Ng4+ Bxg4 59. Kxg4 Kg6 60. Kh4 Ne6 61. Kg4 Nf4 62. Bd1 Kf6 63. Kh4 Ng2+ 64. Kh5 Ne1 65. Be2 Ng2 66. Bd1 Nf4+ 67. Kh6 Nd3 68. Kh5 Nc1 69. Kh6 Na2 70. c4 Nc3 71. Bc2 Ne2 72. Kh5 Ng3+ 73. Kh4 Nf1 74. Kh5 Nd2 75. Bd3 Nb3 76. Bc2 Nc5 77. Kh6 Nd7 78. Kh5 Nc5 79. Kh6 Ne6 80. Kh5 Kg7 81. Bd1 Kf7 82. Bc2 Kf6 83. Bd1 Nf4+ 84. Kh6 Ne6 85. Kh5 Ng7+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "FIDE World Cup"]
[Site "Krasnaya Polyana"]
[Date "2021.07.27"]
[Round "5.6"]
[White "Esipenko, Andrey"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C54"]
[WhiteElo "2716"]
[BlackElo "2847"]
[PlyCount "127"]
[EventDate "2021.07.12"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "8"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 203"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2021.08.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2021.08.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. c3 Nf6 5. d3 d6 6. O-O h6 7. Re1 O-O 8. h3 Bb6 9. Nbd2 Ne7 10. a4 c6 11. d4 Ng6 12. Bf1 Re8 ({RR} 12... Bc7 13. b4 d5 14. exd5 exd4 15. c4 a5 16. dxc6 axb4 17. Bb2 bxc6 18. Nxd4 Bb7 19. g3 Ne5 20. N2b3 Nfd7 21. c5 Nf6 22. Qc2 Nd5 23. Bg2 Re8 24. Nf5 Nc3 25. Bxc3 bxc3 26. Qxc3 Ba6 27. f4 {Khubukshanov,E (2448)-Ivanov,O (2390) Moscow RUS 2025 1-0 (68)}) 13. Qc2 Bc7 14. b4 $146 ({RR} 14. dxe5 Nxe5 15. Nxe5 dxe5 16. Nc4 Be6 17. Rd1 Qe7 18. b3 Red8 19. Ba3 Qe8 20. Nd6 Bxd6 21. Bxd6 Bd5 22. exd5 Rxd6 23. dxc6 Qxc6 24. Bb5 Qe4 25. Bd3 Qc6 26. Bc4 Rad8 27. Rxd6 Qxd6 28. Qf5 Kf8 {Esipenko,A (2677)-Afanasiev,N (2533) Sochi RUS 2024 ½-½ (43)}) 14... Be6 15. Bb2 a5 16. b5 Bb6 17. Ba3 Qc7 18. Rab1 cxb5 19. Bxb5 Rec8 20. d5 Bd7 21. Bf1 Rab8 22. Nc4 Bc5 23. Bxc5 Qxc5 24. Rb6 Ne8 25. Reb1 Qc7 26. Qb3 Qd8 27. Qa3 Qf6 28. Nxd6 Nxd6 29. Rxd6 Qe7 30. Rbb6 f6 31. Qa1 Nh8 32. Bb5 Bxb5 33. Re6 Qc5 34. Rxb5 Qc4 35. Qe1 Nf7 36. Rxa5 Qxc3 37. Qxc3 Rxc3 38. Rb5 Rc4 39. a5 Rf8 40. Nh4 Nd8 41. Re7 Rf7 42. Re8+ Rf8 43. Rxf8+ Kxf8 44. f3 Rc7 45. Nf5 h5 46. Rb6 Ke8 47. g4 hxg4 48. hxg4 g6 49. Nh4 Rh7 50. Nxg6 Kf7 51. Rd6 Kxg6 52. Rxd8 Rc7 53. Kf2 Rc5 54. d6 Rc2+ 55. Kg3 Rd2 56. d7 Kf7 57. Rh8 Rxd7 58. Rh7+ Ke6 59. Rxd7 Kxd7 60. g5 fxg5 61. Kg4 Kc6 62. Kf5 Kb5 63. Kxe5 Kxa5 64. Kd6 1-0

[Event "FIDE World Cup"]
[Site "Krasnaya Polyana"]
[Date "2021.07.27"]
[Round "5.7"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Esipenko, Andrey"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C79"]
[WhiteElo "2847"]
[BlackElo "2716"]
[PlyCount "123"]
[EventDate "2021.07.12"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "8"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 203"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2021.08.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2021.08.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. d3 d6 5. O-O a6 6. Bxc6+ bxc6 7. d4 exd4 8. Nxd4 c5 9. Nc6 Qd7 10. Na5 Qa4 11. Bd2 Bg4 ({RR} 11... Nxe4 12. Nc3 Nxc3 13. Bxc3 Be6 14. Qf3 d5 15. Rfe1 O-O-O 16. b3 Qb5 17. Bd2 Qb6 18. c4 Kb8 19. a3 g5 20. b4 g4 21. Qf6 Bd6 22. bxc5 Qxc5 23. Rab1+ Kc8 24. Nb7 Be7 25. Qb2 Qxa3 26. Qc2 {Grischuk,A (2766)-Kramnik,V (2792) Paris 2018 ½-½ (75)}) 12. f3 Be6 13. Bc3 $146 ({RR} 13. c4 Qxd1 14. Rxd1 Nd7 15. Nc3 Be7 16. Nd5 Bxd5 17. cxd5 O-O 18. g4 Bf6 19. Rab1 Rab8 20. b4 Ne5 21. Kg2 g5 22. Be1 cxb4 23. Bxb4 Rb5 24. Rb3 Rfb8 25. Bd2 Nd7 26. Rdb1 Kg7 27. Nc6 Ra8 {Adams,M (2696)-Dardha,D (2575) Chennai 2022 ½-½ (68)}) ({RR} 13. c4 Qxd1 14. Rxd1 Be7 15. Bc3 O-O 16. Nc6 Rfe8 17. Na3 Nd7 18. Nxe7+ Rxe7 19. Re1 f6 20. Rad1 Rb8 21. b3 Ne5 22. Kf2 Nc6 23. Rd2 Bf7 24. Nc2 a5 25. Na3 Nb4 26. Nb5 Be8 27. a3 Na6 {Cordoba Roa,A (2358)-Setumadhav,Y (2334) chess.com INT 2025 1-0 (50)}) 13... Be7 14. b3 Qd7 15. Nd2 d5 16. Qe1 O-O 17. Rd1 Rad8 18. Ndc4 Qe8 19. exd5 Nxd5 20. Bb2 Kh8 21. Qg3 f6 22. Rfe1 Qf7 23. Nc6 Rde8 24. Nxe7 Rxe7 25. Qf2 Rfe8 26. Qxc5 h5 27. Ba3 Rd7 28. Re4 Bf5 29. Rxe8+ Qxe8 30. Qf2 Nc3 31. Re1 Qg6 32. Ne3 Be6 33. Bb2 Nd5 34. Nxd5 Bxd5 35. Qe2 Kh7 36. Bc1 Bc6 37. Bf4 h4 38. h3 Qf5 39. Be3 Re7 40. Qd2 Qg6 41. Qf2 Kg8 42. Bd2 Rxe1+ 43. Bxe1 Bd7 44. Kh2 Bf5 45. c4 Bb1 46. Qa7 Bd3 47. Qxc7 Bf1 48. Qd8+ Kh7 49. Qd2 Qh5 50. Qc2+ Kg8 51. Qe4 Qg5 52. Qd5+ Qxd5 53. cxd5 g5 54. a4 Kf7 55. Bc3 Bd3 56. b4 Bc2 57. b5 axb5 58. axb5 Bb3 59. d6 Ke6 60. b6 Bd5 61. d7 Kxd7 62. Bxf6 1-0

[Event "FIDE World Cup"]
[Site "Krasnaya Polyana"]
[Date "2021.07.27"]
[Round "5.8"]
[White "Esipenko, Andrey"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C54"]
[WhiteElo "2716"]
[BlackElo "2847"]
[PlyCount "86"]
[EventDate "2021.07.12"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "8"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 203"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2021.08.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2021.08.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. c3 Nf6 5. d3 d6 6. O-O h6 7. Re1 O-O 8. h3 a6 9. a4 Ba7 10. Nbd2 Re8 11. b4 Be6 12. Bxe6 Rxe6 13. Qc2 Qd7 14. Nf1 d5 ({RR} 14... Ne7 15. Ng3 c6 16. c4 Qc7 17. Bb2 a5 18. bxa5 Qxa5 19. Bc3 Qc7 20. a5 Nd7 21. Reb1 Rf6 22. Kh2 Ng6 23. Nf5 Nc5 24. g3 Re6 25. Kg2 Ree8 26. d4 Nxe4 27. Nxg7 Kxg7 28. Qxe4 d5 29. Qg4 {Oro,F (2465)-Anand,V (2743) Leon ESP 2025 ½-½ (52)}) 15. Be3 Bxe3 16. Nxe3 Ne7 17. Rab1 $146 ({RR} 17. a5 Ng6 18. g3 Rd8 19. Kg2 Qc6 20. Nf5 Ne7 21. Nxe7+ Rxe7 22. c4 dxe4 23. dxe4 Qe8 24. Rad1 c5 25. bxc5 Rc8 26. Nh4 Rxc5 27. Nf5 Rd7 28. Rxd7 Qxd7 29. Rd1 Qc7 30. Rd6 Rxc4 31. Qd3 Kh7 {Ding,L (2791)-Carlsen,M (2863) chess24.com INT 2020 1-0 (33)}) 17... Rd8 18. a5 Ng6 19. c4 c6 20. Red1 Nf4 21. Nf5 g6 22. Nxh6+ Kg7 23. Ng4 Nxg4 24. hxg4 Ree8 25. Nh2 Rh8 26. f3 dxe4 27. dxe4 Qe7 28. Rxd8 Qxd8 29. g3 Qd4+ 30. Kh1 Nd3 31. Qe2 Qxc4 32. Rd1 Rd8 33. Rf1 Qxb4 34. f4 exf4 35. gxf4 Qxa5 36. g5 Nc5 37. Qb2+ Kg8 38. Ng4 Nxe4 39. Nh6+ Kh7 40. Qh2 Rd2 41. Qh4 Kg7 42. f5 Qd5 43. f6+ Nxf6+ 0-1

[Event "FIDE World Cup"]
[Site "Krasnaya Polyana"]
[Date "2021.07.28"]
[Round "6.1"]
[White "Bacrot, Etienne"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C88"]
[WhiteElo "2678"]
[BlackElo "2847"]
[PlyCount "88"]
[EventDate "2021.07.12"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "8"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 203"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2021.08.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2021.08.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. a4 Bb7 9. d3 d6 10. Bd2 Qd7 11. Nc3 Na5 12. Ba2 c5 ({RR} 12... b4 13. Ne2 c5 14. Ng3 Rab8 15. Nh4 g6 16. Bh6 Rfe8 17. Nhf5 Bd8 18. Ng7 Rf8 19. h3 b3 20. Bxb3 Nxb3 21. cxb3 Bc6 22. Rc1 Kh8 23. Ne6 Qxe6 24. Bxf8 Ba5 25. Bh6 Bxe1 26. Qxe1 Rxb3 27. Qa5 {Caruana,F (2783)-Ding,L (2806) Madrid 2022 0-1 (78)}) 13. Ne2 Nc6 14. Ng3 d5 $146 ({RR} 14... g6 15. Bh6 Rfc8 16. h3 Nd8 17. c3 Ne6 18. d4 cxd4 19. cxd4 exd4 20. Nxd4 Nc5 21. Qf3 Ne6 22. Rad1 Nxd4 23. Rxd4 Rc7 24. Qf4 Qc6 25. Bg5 Kg7 26. Bxf6+ {1-0 (26) Matulovic,M-Mariotti,S Reggio Emilia 1967}) ({RR} 14... g6 15. h3 Nd8 16. Bh6 Re8 17. c3 Ne6 18. Qd2 bxa4 19. Bxe6 fxe6 20. d4 cxd4 21. cxd4 Qb5 22. Bg5 Rad8 23. h4 exd4 24. Nxd4 Qd7 25. h5 e5 26. Nf3 Qg4 27. hxg6 hxg6 28. Rxa4 Nh7 29. Bxe7 {Markidis,K (2288)-Knaak,R (2472) Paphos CYP 2025 1-0 (36)}) 15. exd5 Nxd5 16. c3 Rad8 17. axb5 axb5 18. Nxe5 Nxe5 19. Rxe5 Bd6 20. Re1 Nf4 21. Bxf4 Bxf4 22. Ne4 Qc7 23. g3 Be5 24. f4 Bd6 25. Qh5 Qc6 26. Qh3 c4 27. d4 Rde8 28. d5 Qxd5 29. Rad1 Rxe4 30. Rxd5 Rxe1+ 31. Kf2 Rfe8 32. Re5 Bxe5 33. Kxe1 Bxc3+ 34. Kf1 Bc8 35. Qg2 Bf5 36. Qd5 Be6 37. Qc5 Bxb2 38. Kg2 Bd7 39. Qd5 Rd8 40. Qc5 Bf6 41. Bb1 g6 42. g4 Bxg4 43. Qxb5 c3 44. f5 g5 0-1

[Event "FIDE World Cup"]
[Site "Krasnaya Polyana"]
[Date "2021.07.29"]
[Round "6.2"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Bacrot, Etienne"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B52"]
[WhiteElo "2847"]
[BlackElo "2678"]
[PlyCount "77"]
[EventDate "2021.07.12"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "8"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 203"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2021.08.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2021.08.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. Bb5+ Bd7 4. Bxd7+ Qxd7 5. c4 e5 6. Nc3 Nc6 7. d3 f5 ({RR} 7... Be7 8. a3 Bd8 9. O-O Nge7 10. Rb1 O-O 11. b4 Ng6 12. Nd5 f5 13. exf5 Rxf5 14. Be3 b6 15. Nd2 Nce7 16. Nc3 Kh8 17. Nde4 cxb4 18. axb4 d5 19. cxd5 Nxd5 20. Nxd5 Qxd5 21. Qc2 Be7 22. Qc4 {So,W (2772)-Caruana,F (2791) Chess.com INT 2021 ½-½ (44)}) ({RR} 7... Be7 8. a3 Bd8 9. O-O Nge7 10. b4 O-O 11. bxc5 dxc5 12. Nd5 Ng6 13. Be3 b6 14. Nd2 f5 15. exf5 Qxf5 16. Ne4 Nf4 17. g3 Qg6 18. Kh1 Nxd5 19. cxd5 Ne7 20. d6 Nf5 21. Qb3+ Kh8 22. Qd5 {Kovalev,V (2661)-Carlsen,M (2876) Douglas 2019 ½-½ (47)}) 8. exf5 ({RR} 8. Nd5 fxe4 9. dxe4 Be7 10. O-O Nf6 11. Nxf6+ Bxf6 12. Be3 Rd8 13. Qd3 O-O 14. Rad1 Qe7 15. Kh1 Kh8 16. b3 g5 17. Ng1 g4 18. Ne2 Bh4 19. Nc3 Nd4 20. Nd5 Qg7 21. Bxd4 cxd4 22. Qe2 Rf7 {Dau Khuong Duy (2489)-Bacrot,E (2627) chess.com INT 2025 0-1 (54)}) 8... Qxf5 9. Ng5 $146 ({RR} 9. Nd5 O-O-O 10. a3 Nf6 11. Bg5 Nxd5 12. cxd5 Ne7 13. Bxe7 Bxe7 14. Qe2 g5 15. Qe4 Rhf8 16. Qxf5+ Rxf5 17. Nd2 Rf4 18. Ne4 Kd7 19. Rc1 b5 20. b3 Rc8 21. g3 Rf3 22. Ke2 g4 23. h3 h5 {Staechelin,R (2079)-Mueller,P (2092) Germany 2012 1-0 (56)}) 9... Be7 10. Nge4 Nf6 11. O-O O-O 12. f4 exf4 13. Bxf4 Nxe4 14. dxe4 Qg6 15. Nd5 Bg5 16. Qd3 Nd4 17. Bg3 Rxf1+ 18. Rxf1 Re8 19. Re1 h5 20. h3 Kh7 21. Bf2 Nc6 22. b3 Ne5 23. Qe2 Bh6 24. Kh2 Nc6 25. Qf3 Ne5 26. Qe2 Rf8 27. Bg3 Nc6 28. Rf1 Re8 29. Re1 Nd4 30. Qf2 b6 31. h4 Rxe4 32. Ne7 Rxe7 33. Rxe7 Nf5 34. Re2 Nd4 35. Re1 Qd3 36. Bf4 Nf5 37. Bxh6 Nxh6 38. Qf3 Ng4+ 39. Kg3 1-0

[Event "FIDE World Cup"]
[Site "Krasnaya Polyana"]
[Date "2021.08.02"]
[Round "7.2"]
[White "Duda, Jan Krzysztof"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C88"]
[WhiteElo "2738"]
[BlackElo "2847"]
[PlyCount "129"]
[EventDate "2021.07.12"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "8"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 203"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2021.08.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2021.08.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. a4 Rb8 9. c3 d5 10. exd5 Nxd5 11. axb5 axb5 12. Nxe5 Nxe5 13. Rxe5 c6 14. d4 Bd6 15. Re1 Qh4 16. g3 Qh3 17. Re4 g5 18. Qf1 $146 ({RR} 18. Bc2 f5 19. Re1 f4 20. Ra7 fxg3 21. fxg3 Bd7 22. Rxd7 Qxd7 23. Qh5 Rf7 24. Bxg5 Kh8 25. Nd2 Re8 26. Ne4 Qf5 27. Bd3 Qg6 28. Qxg6 hxg6 29. Kg2 Bc7 30. Ra1 Kg7 31. Ra6 Nb6 32. Ra7 Nd5 {Krutti,V (2415)-Felegyhazi,L (2350) Hajduszoboszlo 1995 1-0 (42)}) 18... Qxf1+ 19. Kxf1 Bf5 20. Nd2 Bxe4 21. Nxe4 Be7 22. Bxg5 Bxg5 23. Nxg5 Ra8 24. Rd1 Nb6 25. Re1 Nc4 26. Bxc4 bxc4 27. Nf3 Rfb8 28. Ne5 Rxb2 29. Nxc4 Rc2 30. Re3 Ra1+ 31. Kg2 Rac1 32. Re8+ Kg7 33. Ne5 Rxc3 34. Re7 R3c2 35. Rxf7+ Kg8 36. Rc7 h5 37. Nd7 Rd1 38. Nf6+ Kf8 39. Nxh5 Rdd2 40. h4 Rxf2+ 41. Kh3 Rf7 42. Rc8+ Ke7 43. Nf4 Kd6 44. h5 Rd2 45. Kg4 Rg7+ 46. Kf3 Rxd4 47. h6 Rh7 48. Rd8+ Ke5 49. Re8+ Kd6 50. Rd8+ Ke5 51. Re8+ Kd6 52. Re6+ Kd7 53. Rg6 Ke7 54. Rxc6 Rd6 55. Ng6+ Kd7 56. Ne5+ Ke6 57. Rxd6+ Kxd6 58. Kf4 Ke6 59. Ng4 Ra7 60. Kg5 Kf7 61. Ne3 Kg8 62. g4 Kh7 63. Kh5 Ra3 64. Nf5 Ra5 65. Kg5 1/2-1/2

[Event "FIDE World Cup"]
[Site "Krasnaya Polyana"]
[Date "2021.08.03"]
[Round "7.3"]
[White "Duda, Jan Krzysztof"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C77"]
[WhiteElo "2738"]
[BlackElo "2847"]
[PlyCount "66"]
[EventDate "2021.07.12"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "8"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 203"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2021.08.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2021.08.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. d3 d6 5. c3 a6 6. Ba4 g6 7. O-O Bg7 8. Re1 O-O 9. h3 Nb8 10. Nbd2 Nbd7 11. Bc2 b5 12. a4 Bb7 13. b4 c5 14. bxc5 $146 ({RR} 14. Bb2 Re8 15. bxc5 Nxc5 16. axb5 axb5 17. Rxa8 Qxa8 18. Qa1 d5 19. exd5 Nxd5 20. Ne4 Nxe4 21. dxe4 Nb6 22. Ba3 Nc4 {½-½ (22) Brkic,A (2602)-Sedlak,N (2472) Deggendorf GER 2023}) 14... Nxc5 15. axb5 axb5 16. Ba3 Re8 17. Qb1 Bc6 18. d4 exd4 19. cxd4 b4 20. Bb2 b3 21. dxc5 bxc2 22. Qxc2 dxc5 23. Ne5 Ba4 24. Rxa4 Rxa4 25. Qxa4 Qxd2 26. Qa1 Nh5 27. Bc3 Qc2 28. Qa7 Qb3 29. Qxc5 Nf4 30. Re3 Qd1+ 31. Re1 Qb3 32. Re3 Qd1+ 33. Re1 Qb3 1/2-1/2

[Event "FIDE World Cup"]
[Site "Krasnaya Polyana"]
[Date "2021.08.03"]
[Round "7.4"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Duda, Jan Krzysztof"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B52"]
[WhiteElo "2847"]
[BlackElo "2738"]
[Annotator "Sagar,Shah"]
[PlyCount "148"]
[EventDate "2021.07.12"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "8"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 203 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2021.09.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2021.09.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{This was the Semi-Finals of the World Cup 2021. The first two games in the Classical segment had ended in draws. The first rapid game of 25+10 had also ended in a draw. This was the 2nd rapid game and Magnus having the white pieces was naturally quite ambitious.} 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. Bb5+ {This is a typical Carlsen move where he doesn't go into deep and sharp theoretical lines of the open Sicilian, rather with Bb5+ he is able to keep the game in positional territory and at the same time keep pressure on his opponent.} (3. d4) 3... Bd7 {Duda's main aim in the game as he explains on ChessBase India was to exchange as many pieces as he could and keep the game simple. A draw in this game was a good result for him.} 4. Bxd7+ Qxd7 5. O-O Nf6 6. Qe2 (6. Re1 {is the main move in the position. Qe2 is the second most popular.}) 6... Nc6 7. c3 e6 {A standard idea to meet d4 by White with cxd4 cxd4 and d5.} (7... e5 {is a move that you would like to play in order to stop d4. However, you cannot nip that move in the bud for long. White goes} 8. Rd1 $14 {and d4 is coming up.}) (7... O-O-O) 8. d4 cxd4 9. cxd4 d5 (9... e5 $2 {is a positional error because you want to place the pawns on the opposite colour of your bishop on f8 and not on the same colour.}) 10. e5 Ne4 (10... Ng8 {is also possible here. It seems like an undeveloping move, but the idea is to reroute the knight to f5 via e7.} 11. Nc3 Nge7 12. Be3 Nf5 $11) 11. Nbd2 Nxd2 12. Bxd2 Bb4 $5 {Following the strategy of exchanging pieces. This is an interesting moment in the game. On one hand Black has the better bishop because the central pawns are not on the same colour as the bishop here. On the other hand, Black is low on space and exchange of pieces is to his advantage.} (12... Be7 {Duda made an important point here. He said that a few years ago, this position would have been round about even or even slightly better for Black. But in recent years, space advantage has assumed more importance for the engines. The fact that Magnus Carlsen has played this opening in such an important game shows his trust in this position as White.}) 13. Bf4 (13. Bxb4 Nxb4 $11) ({RR} 13. Bxb4 Nxb4 14. a3 Nc6 15. Rac1 Rc8 16. Rc3 O-O 17. Rfc1 Ne7 18. h3 Rxc3 19. Rxc3 Rc8 20. Qc2 h6 21. Rxc8+ Qxc8 22. Qxc8+ Nxc8 {½-½ (22) Adly,A (2603)-Amin,B (2654) Abu Dhabi 2016}) 13... O-O 14. Qd3 ({RR} 14. h4 h6 15. a3 Be7 16. Bd2 a5 17. g3 a4 18. Rac1 Na5 19. Bxa5 Rxa5 20. Rc3 Qb5 21. Qc2 Ra6 22. Rc1 Rb6 23. Kg2 g6 24. Qd2 Kg7 25. Rc7 Bd8 26. Rc8 Be7 27. R8c7 Bd8 28. Rc8 Be7 {Bogdanov,A (2373)-Elmirzaev,K (2036) Vrnjacka Banja SRB 2025 ½-½}) 14... Be7 $146 {Getting ready to chop off the knight on g5 and also clearing the b4 square for the knight.} ({RR} 14... h6 15. h4 Rac8 16. g3 Be7 17. Kg2 a6 18. a3 Na5 19. Rad1 Qb5 20. Qd2 Nc4 21. Qe2 Qxb2 22. Qxb2 Nxb2 23. Rb1 Bxa3 24. Bc1 Nc4 25. Bxa3 Nxa3 26. Rxb7 a5 27. g4 Rb8 28. Ra7 Ra8 29. Rd7 {Erzhanov,A (2139)-Schnaider,I (2392) chess.com INT 2024 0-1 (41)}) 15. a3 (15. Ng5 Bxg5 16. Bxg5 Rac8 $11) 15... Rac8 16. g3 {Magnus's plan starts to become clear. He wants to play h4, Kg2, switch his rook to h1 and launch an attack on Black's king with Ng5 ideas. For Duda, the problem is that his position looks very nice on the surface, but he needs to come up with a concrete plan for activity.} Na5 17. b3 {Stopping Nc4.} Qc6 18. Bd2 {The knight on a5 is attacked and has to be defended.} Qb6 19. Rfb1 {This looks slightly uncomfortable, but moving your pawn to b4 is not a great idea as it gives up the c4 square and Rab1 loses the a3 pawn.} a6 {This is part of Duda's plan. As we will see, this move is useful to play Qb5 in future to dislodge the strong queen on d3.} 20. Kg2 Nc6 21. Re1 {Magnus realized that Duda wants to offer a queen trade with Qb5, that's the reason why cleared the b1 square.} (21. a4 {Trying to stop Qb5 gives up the b4 square.} Nb4 $15) 21... Qb5 $1 (21... f6 {is not a good move in the position. You shouldn't be touching your pawns on the kingside if not provoked.} 22. exf6 Rxf6 23. Ng5 $1 $18) (21... Na5 22. Red1 $5 Qxb3 (22... Nxb3 23. Rab1 $18) 23. Bxa5 $18) 22. Qb1 (22. Qxb5 axb5 $15 {is a very pleasant position for Black as the pawn on a3 is weak.}) 22... Rc7 23. h4 Rfc8 24. Ra2 (24. Ng5 Bxg5 25. hxg5 Nxd4 $19) (24. Be3 Na5 $17) (24. Rh1 {was possible.}) 24... a5 $5 {Duda tries to be slightly more ambitious here. If White goes a4, then Black gets the b4 square. Otherwise Black will go a4 and try to fix the weakness on a3 and get the c4 square for himself.} (24... Qb6 25. Rd1 $5 (25. Qd3 Qb5 26. Qb1 $11) 25... Nxd4 $2 26. Be3 $18) (24... Na5 $5 {was perhaps the strongest move in this position.} 25. Ng5 $5 (25. Re3 Nc4 $19) (25. Bxa5 Qxa5 $15) 25... g6 $13 (25... Bxg5 26. a4 (26. hxg5 Nxb3 $15) 26... Qb6 (26... Qxb3 27. Bxa5 $18) 27. hxg5 $16)) 25. Rh1 a4 26. b4 $6 (26. Ng5 $5 Bxg5 27. hxg5 g6 28. bxa4 Qxa4 29. Rh4 Nxd4 30. Be3 Rc4 31. Qxb7 $13) 26... h6 27. Be3 $2 {This move is akin to accepting an inferior position.} (27. g4 {This does look too risky, but White has to unleash himself on the kingside.}) 27... Na7 $1 {The knight is going to b5 where it will attack the a3 pawn as well as the c3 square.} (27... f6 $2 28. Qg6 $1 $18) (27... f5 28. exf6 Bxf6 29. Ng5 $1 hxg5 30. hxg5 $18) 28. Bd2 Qe2 $5 29. Re1 {Duda was happy that he was able to distract the rook from h1 and bring it to e1.} Qc4 $5 {Duda's idea is to play Qb3 to offer a trade of queens.} (29... Qa6 $1 {This was a better square for the queen, so as to keep the c-file open.}) 30. Re3 {Magnus stops it.} Nb5 31. Rd3 {Defending the d4 pawn.} Rc6 $1 {A well-thought out move. The idea is to open up the d8-b6 diagonal from where the bishop will attack the d4 pawn.} 32. Rb2 Bd8 $1 (32... f5 {is possible, but after} 33. exf6 Bxf6 34. Bf4 $13 {The position is unclear.}) 33. g4 Bb6 34. Be3 Nc3 35. Qf1 Qb5 36. Rc2 Ne4 37. Rxc6 (37. Rc5 $1 {Magnus thought for a bit before executing his move Rxc6, and that's when Duda saw that Rc5 is also possible. Although this move does not change the evaluation of the position - black is still better. However, it does make Black's task quite difficult.} Bxc5 (37... Qa6 38. b5 $18) 38. dxc5 R6c7 39. Nd4 Qc4 40. f3 Nc3 $17) 37... Rxc6 38. Rd1 Rc4 (38... Qxf1+ 39. Kxf1 Rc3 {was the better way to play for Black. However, Duda mentions that he was slightly worried about} 40. Rc1 Rxa3 41. Rc8+ Kh7 $19 {and that White rook could get very active here. Ghosts as they say!}) 39. Nd2 Nxd2 40. Rxd2 Qc6 41. Qe2 $1 {The point of this move is to play g5 when h5 won't be possible.} Rc3 42. Ra2 $2 {This is just too passive.} (42. g5 $1 {Good or bad Magnus had to go for this.} h5 43. Qxh5 $16) 42... Bd8 $1 (42... Qc4 43. Qxc4 Rxc4) 43. g5 hxg5 44. hxg5 Qc4 {The other drawback of Ra2 is that now White cannot go Qg4 as the rook on a2 is hanging.} 45. Qxc4 (45. Qd2 Bb6 $19) 45... dxc4 (45... Rxc4 $19 {With the king coming to g6, this position is lost for White. But when you are playing a game which is of great importance, sometimes you just want to be extra sure that you are winning and hence, your conversion is not the smoothest.}) 46. d5 $5 {interesting practical attempt by the World Champion.} exd5 47. Rd2 Rd3 $2 (47... Rxa3 48. Rxd5 Rd3 $1 {This move was missed by Duda.}) 48. Rxd3 cxd3 49. f4 Kf8 $2 {A crucial loss of tempo.} (49... f6 $1 {One first glance it might not be clear as to white this move is so strong. The main idea is to break the kingside pawn structure for White and also fight for the h8-a1 diagonal.} 50. gxf6 (50. exf6 gxf6 51. gxf6 (51. Kf2 fxg5 52. fxg5 Kg7 53. Ke1 Kg6 54. Kd2 Bxg5 55. Bxg5 Kxg5 56. Kxd3 Kf5 57. Kd4 Ke6 $19) 51... Bxf6 $19) (50. Kf3 fxe5 51. fxe5 Kf7 $19) 50... gxf6 51. e6 f5 $19) (49... d4 $2 50. Bd2 $11) (49... Bb6 $2 50. Kf3 $11) (49... Kh7 {was also winning.} 50. f5 (50. Kf3 Kg6 51. Kg4 b5 52. f5+ Kh7 53. Kf3 Kg8 54. Kf2 Bc7 55. Bf4 f6 $1 $19) 50... g6 $1 51. f6 Bc7 $19) 50. Kf3 $2 {It's difficult to imagine that a move like Kf3 is a mistake, when Kf2 and Kf1 both draw. But the small point here is that the king will not be able to come to d2 quickly to win the d3 pawn from f3, while from f2 or f1 it can quickly move to d2 and win.} (50. Kf2 $1 f6 51. exf6 (51. gxf6 $2 gxf6 52. exf6 Bxf6 $19) 51... gxf6 52. Ke1 $1 fxg5 53. fxg5 Kg7 54. Kd2 Kg6 55. Kxd3 $11 {And you realize that losing an important move with Kg8-f8 leads to Black being unable to win this position.}) (50. Kf1 $1) 50... Ke7 $2 (50... f6 $1 {As White has not made progress to move towards the d2 square, so Black can exploit this with ...f6!} 51. Bc5+ Kf7 52. gxf6 gxf6 53. Ke3 fxe5 54. fxe5 Ke6 55. Kxd3 Kxe5 $19) 51. Bc5+ Ke6 52. Ke3 Kf5 53. Kxd3 $1 {This is where Duda realized that he had botched it up. Because now taking on f4 is impossible because of g6!} g6 (53... Kxf4 $2 54. g6 $1 f5 (54... fxg6 55. e6 $18) 55. e6 Kg5 56. e7 Bxe7 57. Bxe7+ Kxg6 {White should be winning here. But in worst case, he cannot be losing!}) 54. Be3 {The position is now drawn.} Bc7 55. b5 $6 {Magnus is trying to be active, but with this move he exposes his a3 pawn and also gives the black bishop a square on a5.} (55. Bc5 $5 Kxf4 $4 (55... Bb8 $11) 56. Bd6 $1 Bd8 57. e6+ $18) (55. Bd2 $11) 55... Bd8 56. Kd4 Bb6+ 57. Kd3 Bd8 (57... Bxe3 58. Kxe3 d4+ 59. Kxd4 Kxf4 60. Kc5 Kxg5 $1 (60... Kxe5 61. Kb6 $18) 61. Kb6 Kf5 62. Kxb7 g5 63. b6 g4 64. Ka6 g3 65. b7 g2 66. b8=Q g1=Q $11) 58. Kd4 Be7 59. Bc1 Ke6 60. Bb2 Bd8 61. Kc5 Ba5 62. Bc1 $2 {A big lapse by Magnus.} (62. Bd4 $11) 62... Bc3 $1 {Duda finds the winning move. But as he mentions, he hadn't seen the key idea here. He just saw this was the right move and made it.} 63. b6 (63. Kb6 d4 64. Kxb7 d3 65. b6 d2 66. Bxd2 Bxd2 67. Ka7 Bxf4 68. b7 Bxe5 $19 {Black wipes out all the pawns and also stops the pawn on b7 from queening.}) 63... d4 64. Kc4 Kd7 65. Be3 Bb2 $1 (65... Ke6 {also wins but Black needs to be very accurate.} 66. Bxd4 Bd2 $1 (66... Bxd4 67. Kxd4) 67. Kb5 Bxf4 68. Kxa4 Kd5 69. Bb2 Kc4 $19) (65... dxe3 $2 {White wins after this.} 66. Kxc3 Kc6 67. Kd3 Kxb6 68. f5 $1 $18) 66. Bxd4 Bxa3 67. Be3 Bb2 68. Kb4 a3 69. Kb3 Ke6 70. Ka2 Kd5 {The rest is easy. Duda comes in with his king, the pawn on a3 stops the white king from activating itself and the bishop cleans up the remaining pawns.} 71. Kb3 Ke4 72. Bd2 Bd4 73. Kxa3 Bxb6 (73... Be3 $2 {It is never to late to blunder and lose!} 74. Bxe3 Kxe3 75. f5 $18) 74. Kb4 Bf2 {With the bishop coming to g3, Magnus is going to lose all his pawns. He resigned here. Duda won this game and he calls this duel as the most significant game of his career, as with this win he not only moved to the finals of the World Cup 2021, but also qualified for the Candidates 2022.} 0-1

[Event "FIDE World Cup"]
[Site "Krasnaya Polyana"]
[Date "2021.08.05"]
[Round "8.2"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Fedoseev, Vladimir1"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B12"]
[WhiteElo "2847"]
[BlackElo "2696"]
[Annotator "Nielsen,Peter Heine"]
[PlyCount "98"]
[EventDate "2021.07.12"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "8"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 204"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2021.10.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2021.10.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{[%evp 0,98,61,25,67,70,68,57,70,23,23,23,19,-6,35,40,45,42,42,42,42,48,41,62,32,37,41,58,39,52,55,68,46,60,68,64,41,42,59,51,52,-47,6,11,8,-54,47,47,50,-28,-28,-46,22,37,24,-29,81,0,25,8,7,-1,14,14,-1,-40,-28,0,0,0,27,39,35,288,942,70,48,95,67,67,67,67,74,82,92,109,101,77,65,96,111,99,118,122,132,139,164,171,385,474,602]} {For both players, the play-off for 3rd place must have been quite an anti-climax. The World Champion obviously wanted to add the World Cup to his resume of tournament victories, and for Fedoseev he would have preferred facing Duda, as then a spot in the candidates tournament would have been at stake. But with less at stake, perhaps the players played more freely and created two masterpieces of positional attacking chess. The first one, where Magnus won with the black pieces by sacrifing an exchange, to be followed by this second game:} 1. e4 c6 {Fedoseev needing to win, does his part to ensure an unbalanced game and deviates from his usual 1...e5.} 2. d4 d5 3. e5 Bf5 4. c4 $5 {Typically this is played with 4 h4 h5 included. It is unclear who benefits from excluding the pair, but it leads to less familiar structures, where the players will have to think themselves and not being able to rely on well-throdden paths.} e6 5. Nc3 Bb4 (5... Ne7 {is played more often, but the game move is preferred by at least some of the computers. But as said: we are basically in unchartered waters.}) 6. cxd5 Qxd5 $5 {A principled move, giving black the d5-square where he will later relocate one of his knights. But as will be seen, it also means white gets access to the e4-square.} ({RR} 6... cxd5 7. Bd3 Ne7 8. Nge2 Nbc6 9. O-O O-O 10. Be3 Rc8 11. a3 Bxc3 12. Nxc3 h6 13. g4 Bxd3 14. Qxd3 f5 15. exf6 Rxf6 16. f4 Qd7 17. Kh1 Rcf8 18. Rg1 Na5 19. Raf1 Nc4 20. Bc1 Nd6 21. h4 {Alekseenko,K (2687)-Ter Sahakyan,S (2605) chess.com INT 2022 0-1 (39)}) 7. Nge2 Qd8 $146 ({RR} 7... Ne7 8. a3 Bxc3+ 9. Nxc3 Qd7 10. h4 h5 11. Bg5 Nd5 12. Bd3 Na6 13. Ne4 Bxe4 14. Bxe4 Ne7 15. O-O Nc7 16. Qb3 Ncd5 17. Rac1 f6 18. Bd2 Nf5 19. Bxf5 exf5 20. e6 Qe7 21. Bb4 Nxb4 22. axb4 {Tzidkiya,Y (2419)-Yarmonov,I (2372) Jerusalem 2022 1-0}) ({RR} 7... Ne7 8. a3 Bxc3+ 9. Nxc3 Qd7 10. Be2 Nd5 11. O-O O-O 12. g4 Bg6 13. f4 Nxc3 14. bxc3 Be4 15. Qd2 c5 16. Qe3 Qc6 17. f5 Nd7 18. Bf3 Bxf3 19. Rxf3 Kh8 20. Bd2 Rae8 21. f6 gxf6 22. Rh3 {Toliopoulos,K (1981)-Mnatsakanyan,A (2150) Thessaloniki GRE 2025 ½-½ (34)}) 8. a3 Ba5 9. Ng3 Ne7 10. Bc4 Bg6 {One could argue black as a pretty good Caro-Kann. The d5-square is firmly his, and Nd7-b6 an easy way to utilize that. But with all the pieces on the board, having one good square available is not really enough for black's cramped position as the other minor pieces lacks obvious footholds. And Magnus immediately uses the momentum to attack:} 11. h4 $1 {Not having committed to this advance at move 4, means that white always had the options of playing it later, and Magnus, as usual, times his flank attacks well. Should back reply with the typical ...h5 then white has the option of Bg5, while black, with his bishop on g6, no longer has ...Bg5 options.} h6 ({Interestingly, if} 11... h5 {, the computers prefer} 12. O-O $5 {with a promising position for white.}) 12. h5 Bh7 13. Qg4 Kf8 $6 {It seemed like Fedoseev had to give up the right to castle, as 13...Rg8 looks like the only other way to defend the g7-pawn.} ({However, the interesting tactic} 13... Bf5 $1 {was possible, the point being} 14. Qxg7 (14. Nxf5) 14... Rh7 {trapping white's queen.}) {14 Nxf5 of course is possible, with a pleasant position for white, but nothing compared to the overwhelming advantage he has from here on:} 14. O-O Nd7 15. Nce4 Bc7 16. Ba2 Nf5 17. Nxf5 Bxf5 18. Qf3 {Black has managed to easy the pressure a bit, by exchanging a set of minor pieces, but the long-term damage to his position is irrepairable. With Anand and kramnik recently testing the " no castle" chess version, this is a good reminder of how valuable that option is. Blacks king simply has no reasonable way to long-term safety. While whites is safely hidden away on g1.} Qe7 19. Ng3 Bh7 20. Qg4 c5 21. Bd2 {The immediate f4 was also strong, but this is a nice little move, nipping any black counterplay in the bud.} Rd8 ({If} 21... cxd4 {then} 22. Bb4 Nc5 23. Rac1 b6 24. f4 {gives a crushing attack.}) 22. f4 Nb6 23. Bc3 $1 {A nice move, again meeting ...cxd4 by Bb4! and then again, holding back black's counterplay.} Nd5 (23... cxd4 24. Bb4) 24. f5 $1 {While Magnus has restrained himself for a while not giving up any material, the following phase changes that starting off the fireworks with an exchange sacrifice.} Ne3 25. Qf3 Nxf5 (25... Nxf1 {was possible, but after simply} 26. Rxf1 {white's attack in the f-line is unstoppable.}) {Now it comes to a temporary hold, and Magnus has to open a 2nd front.} 26. Nxf5 Bxf5 27. d5 $1 {As black's bishop was lured to f5, this is now possible as 27...exd5 is mt by 28 Qxf5.} Bb6 ({As black's bishop was lured to f5, this is now possible as} 27... exd5 {is met by} 28. Qxf5) 28. Bc4 {Another move very much in the spirit of the game, limiting black's activity as much as possible, avoiding ...c4+.} Kg8 ({If} 28... exd5 {, then e.g.} 29. Qxf5 dxc4 30. e6 f6 31. Bxf6 gxf6 32. Qg6 {wins instantly}) 29. d6 Qh4 30. b3 {At first sight maybe black's position does not look that hopeless. 30...Kh7 31 a4! a5 32 g4!! when after 32... Bxg4 33 Qe4+ Kg8 34 Ra2 blacks position again collapses due to his king being boxed in, and after 32...Qxg4+ 33 Qxg4 Bxg4 34 Rxf7 the inclusion of a4/a5 means that Rxb7 next will threaten the now unprotected bishop at b6.} Rd7 (30... Kh7 {could look like finishing artificial castling, but the computer gives} 31. a4 $1 a5 32. g4 $3 {when after} Bxg4 ({after} 32... Qxg4+ 33. Qxg4 Bxg4 34. Rxf7 {[%csl Rb6][%cal Gf7b7] the inclusion of a4/a5 means that Rxb7 next will threaten the now unprotected bishop at b6.}) 33. Qe4+ Kg8 34. Ra2 {black's position again collapses due to his king being boxed in.}) 31. Qe2 Qg4 {Fedoseev had a fantastic World Cup, an impression which is not changed by the games in this mini-match despite being on the wrong side of two brilliancies. It does take two to create a good game, and Fedoseev does his best to fight, forcing Magnus to take extra-ordinary measures. Which the World Champion indeed does:} 32. Rxf5 $3 Qxf5 ({Black could get an ending with} 32... Qxe2 {, but after} 33. Bxe2 exf5 34. Bb5 $5 Rd8 35. Bc4 {is tragic despite being an exchange and a pawn up. There is no way he can free himself, and 36 Rf1 will be next, when black's position collapses.}) 33. Rf1 Qg5 34. Bd2 Qd8 35. Qg4 a6 {Easy to criticise, but black practically is in zugzwang. This prepares ...Qe8 without allowing Bb5. But obviously Magnus strikes before black manages to consolidate.} (35... Kh7 {would not change anything, as} 36. Rxf7 Rxf7 37. Qg6+ Kg8 38. Qxe6 {leads to a similar kind of position.}) 36. Rxf7 $3 {The f7-pawn was the fundament of black's position. Its striking how helpless black is, despite actually being two rooks up for a bishop. But the remaining white pieces and pawns coordinate so well that a normal material count has absolutely no relevance.} Kxf7 (36... Rxf7 37. Qxe6 Qf8 38. Qg6 {leaves black completely boxed in.}) 37. Qxe6+ $5 {The human touch.} ({The computer gives} 37. Bxe6+ Ke8 38. Qg6+ Kf8 39. Bxd7 Qxd7 40. e6 {winning,}) {but the interesting part of Magnus's double rook sacrifice is that it wins by pure strength of position, and that no calculation is basically necessary!} 37... Kf8 38. Qf5+ Ke8 39. Qg6+ Kf8 40. Qf5+ Ke8 41. Qg6+ Kf8 42. e6 $1 Qf6 {The computers preferred move as well.} ({After} 42... Re7 {it gives} 43. Qf5+ Ke8 44. Bf4 $1 {protecting d6, when black is completely lost for a reasonable move.}) 43. exd7 $1 Qxg6 44. hxg6 {If black feels the pressure has evoporated, it's an illusion. He still is completely boxed in} Bd8 ({and if} 44... h5 {then comes} 45. Bg5 $1 {followed by} Z0 46. Be7#) 45. Be6 h5 46. Kf2 h4 47. Bg4 $1 {[%cal Rh8h5] Staying loyal to the theme of the game till the end. Rh5 of course will not be allowed, so black has to stay boxed in.} b5 48. Kf3 b4 (48... Rh6 {might look as the only way to fight, but the opposite colored bishop ending after} 49. Bxh6 gxh6 {is easily winning, as the white king undisturbedly can walk to c8, and white's bishop from f5 both covers the g6-pawn and prevents a possible black passer from queening.}) 49. axb4 cxb4 {But at the same time Fedoseev resigned.} 1-0

[Event "Norway Chess 9th"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2021.09.07"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Firouzja, Alireza"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B30"]
[WhiteElo "2754"]
[BlackElo "2855"]
[PlyCount "77"]
[EventDate "2021.09.07"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 204"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2021.10.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2021.10.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 e6 4. O-O Nge7 5. Re1 Ng6 6. c3 d5 7. h4 ({RR} 7. Qa4 Be7 8. d4 O-O 9. exd5 Qxd5 10. dxc5 Bxc5 11. Nbd2 Be7 12. Nc4 Qd8 13. Bxc6 bxc6 14. Nd4 c5 15. Nc6 Qc7 16. Nxe7+ Nxe7 17. Qa5 Qxa5 18. Nxa5 Ba6 19. Bg5 Rfe8 20. Rad1 h6 21. Bxe7 Rxe7 {Wang,H (2752)-Carlsen,M (2861) Wijk aan Zee 2013 ½-½ (31)}) 7... a6 $146 ({RR} 7... dxe4 8. Rxe4 Bd6 9. h5 Nge7 10. d4 a6 11. Ba4 b5 12. dxc5 Bxc5 13. Qxd8+ Nxd8 14. Bc2 Bb7 15. Rg4 Bxf3 16. gxf3 Nf5 17. a4 bxa4 18. Rgxa4 O-O 19. Rxa6 Rc8 20. Nd2 Nc6 21. Nc4 Nce7 22. R1a4 {Carlsen,M (2853)-Mikaelyan,A (2523) chess.com INT 2023 1-0 (33)}) ({RR} 7... h5 8. d4 a6 9. Bd3 Be7 10. exd5 exd5 11. Bxg6 fxg6 12. Bg5 O-O 13. dxc5 Bxg5 14. Nxg5 Qf6 15. Qxd5+ Kh8 16. Qf3 Qd8 17. Nf7+ Rxf7 18. Qxf7 Bf5 19. Nd2 Qxd2 20. Rad1 Qxb2 21. Rd5 Qxc3 22. Rf1 {Grot,B (2190)-Saragih,A (2140) chess.com INT 2024 1-0 (39)}) 8. Bxc6+ bxc6 9. h5 Nf4 10. d4 Nxh5 11. Ne5 Nf6 12. Qa4 Bd7 13. Bg5 Be7 14. Nxd7 Qxd7 15. e5 Ng8 16. Bxe7 Nxe7 17. dxc5 Qb7 18. b4 a5 19. Qb3 O-O 20. Nd2 Qa6 21. Nf3 Qc4 22. Qxc4 dxc4 23. Re4 axb4 24. cxb4 Ra4 25. Rxc4 Rfa8 26. Nd4 Rxa2 27. Rxa2 Rxa2 28. b5 cxb5 29. Nxb5 Nc6 30. Nd4 Nxd4 31. Rxd4 Kf8 32. c6 Rc2 33. Rd8+ Ke7 34. Rd7+ Ke8 35. Rc7 g5 36. Rc8+ Ke7 37. Rc7+ Ke8 38. Rc8+ Ke7 39. Rc7+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "Norway Chess 9th"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2021.09.08"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Tari, Aryan"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C54"]
[WhiteElo "2855"]
[BlackElo "2642"]
[PlyCount "92"]
[EventDate "2021.09.07"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 204"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2021.10.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2021.10.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. d3 Bc5 5. c3 d6 6. Nbd2 a5 7. Nf1 Be6 ({RR} 7... O-O 8. Ng3 Be6 9. Bb5 Ne7 10. O-O c6 11. Ba4 Ng6 12. d4 Ba7 13. h3 exd4 14. Nxd4 d5 15. Nxe6 fxe6 16. Bc2 Qc7 17. Kh2 dxe4 18. Qe2 Nf4 19. Qe1 Rad8 20. Bxe4 h5 21. Be3 Bb8 22. Kg1 {Carlsen,M (2864)-So,W (2773) Zagreb 2022 0-1 (39)}) 8. Bb5 O-O 9. Bg5 $146 ({RR} 9. Ng3 d5 10. Qe2 Na7 11. Ba4 b5 12. exd5 Nxd5 13. Bc2 Nf4 14. Bxf4 exf4 15. Ne4 Be7 16. O-O c5 17. Bb3 Bg4 18. a4 b4 19. Rfe1 Nc6 20. Ned2 Bf6 21. Qe4 bxc3 22. bxc3 Qd7 23. Rac1 {½-½ (23) Oratovsky,M (2417)-Mrva,M (2361) Krakow POL 2024}) ({RR} 9. Ng3 d5 10. Qe2 h6 11. O-O Re8 12. Bxc6 bxc6 13. Nxe5 Bd6 14. Nxc6 Qd7 15. Nd4 dxe4 16. dxe4 Bxg3 17. hxg3 Bg4 18. Qb5 Rxe4 19. Qxd7 Bxd7 20. Bf4 Nd5 21. Rfe1 Rxe1+ 22. Rxe1 c5 23. Nb3 c4 {Asish Panda (1911)-Tari,A (2636) chess.com INT 2025 0-1 (41)}) 9... h6 10. Bh4 g5 11. Bg3 Nh5 12. Ne3 Qf6 13. Bxc6 bxc6 14. d4 exd4 15. Nxd4 Bxd4 16. cxd4 Nf4 17. h4 Rfb8 18. b3 a4 19. bxa4 Rb2 20. hxg5 hxg5 21. Bxf4 gxf4 22. Nf5 Bxf5 23. exf5 Re8+ 24. Kf1 Qxf5 25. Rh5 Qg6 26. Rh4 Ree2 27. Qxe2 Rxe2 28. Kxe2 Qe4+ 29. Kf1 Qxd4 30. Re1 Qxa4 31. Kg1 Kf8 32. Rh8+ Kg7 33. Rc8 f3 34. gxf3 Qa5 35. Re4 c5 36. a4 d5 37. Re7 Qxa4 38. Rexc7 c4 39. Rc6 Qa1+ 40. Kg2 Qe5 41. Kh3 Qg5 42. Kh2 Qf4+ 43. Kg2 Qf5 44. Kg3 Qh5 45. Kg2 Qh4 46. R8c7 Qg5+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "Norway Chess 9th"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2021.09.10"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C67"]
[WhiteElo "2855"]
[BlackElo "2792"]
[PlyCount "77"]
[EventDate "2021.09.07"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 204"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2021.10.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2021.10.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. d4 Nd6 6. Bxc6 dxc6 7. dxe5 Nf5 8. Qxd8+ Kxd8 9. Rd1+ Ke8 10. Nc3 Be6 11. Ng5 Bc8 12. h3 ({RR} 12. Ne2 a5 13. Nf4 h6 14. Nf3 a4 15. g4 Ne7 16. h3 c5 17. c4 b6 18. Kg2 Ba6 19. b3 Bb7 20. Bb2 a3 21. Bc3 Ng6 22. Nxg6 fxg6 23. Kg3 Be7 24. e6 Bd6+ 25. Rxd6 cxd6 26. Nh4 Be4 {Aronian,L (2782)-Carlsen,M (2847) Chess24.com INT 2021 ½-½ (41)}) 12... Be7 13. Nf3 h5 14. Ne2 Nh4 $146 ({RR} 14... Be6 15. Nf4 {½-½ (17) Grischuk,A (2763)-Karjakin,S (2779) Astana 2012}) 15. Nxh4 Bxh4 16. g3 Be7 17. Kg2 Bf5 18. c3 c5 19. Be3 g5 20. f3 g4 21. Nf4 gxf3+ 22. Kxf3 b6 23. Rd2 Rd8 24. Rad1 Rxd2 25. Rxd2 Bd8 26. h4 c6 27. Ng2 Bg4+ 28. Kf2 Rg8 29. a3 Be7 30. Bf4 Rg6 31. Ne1 Be6 32. Nf3 Bd5 33. Bg5 Bxf3 34. Bxe7 Kxe7 35. Kxf3 Ke6 36. Kf4 Rg4+ 37. Kf3 Rg6 38. Kf4 Rg4+ 39. Kf3 1/2-1/2

[Event "Norway Chess 9th"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2021.09.12"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Karjakin, Sergey"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B33"]
[WhiteElo "2758"]
[BlackElo "2855"]
[Annotator "Edouard,Romain"]
[PlyCount "107"]
[EventDate "2021.09.07"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 204"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2021.10.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2021.10.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 e5 6. Ndb5 d6 7. Nd5 Nxd5 8. exd5 Ne7 9. c4 Ng6 10. Qa4 Bd7 11. Qb4 Qb8 12. h4 h5 13. Be3 (13. Bd3 {was played in MVL-Carlsen in 2019.}) 13... a6 ({After} 13... b6 14. Be2 Be7 15. g3 a6 16. Nc3 {Carlsen himself had a smooth win against Gelfand. Black pushed ...b5 now as Magnus did in the current game, but has lost a crucial tempo with ...b6.}) 14. Nc3 Be7 ({Carlsen did not dare to repeat} 14... a5 {which brought him a short victory against Caruana in the tiebreak of their World Championship match. The engine prefers White here, so surely both players knew a way for White to improve on the previous game!}) ({He did not repeat} 14... f5 {either, as he played against Van Foreest in Wijk aan Zee (2020).}) 15. g3 (15. Na4 {as in Van Foreest-Gukesh (Chess.com) may deserve attention, but here Black should probably just play 15...Qc7 in order not to lose an exchange after Nb6.}) 15... O-O $1 $146 {An excellent novelty! So far, only ...f5 and ...a5 had been tried.} 16. Be2 b5 $1 (16... Bg4 $2 17. Bxg4 hxg4 18. h5 {would be a disaster for Black.}) 17. cxb5 axb5 18. Bxh5 Bd8 $1 {Magnus is playing like an engine - definitely just a great preparation. Black has lost one pawn but has great compensation as the game proves.} 19. O-O ({After} 19. Bxg6 fxg6 {White's light-squares would be a disaster.}) 19... Ne7 20. Bg5 $146 {White removes the bishop from e3 as ...Nf5 is coming.} ({RR} 20. a3 f5 21. f4 e4 22. Kg2 Ba5 23. Qb3 Rc8 24. Na2 Qb7 25. Rfd1 Rc7 26. Bd2 Bxd2 27. Rxd2 Kh7 28. Nb4 Rac8 29. Rad1 Qb6 30. Rd4 Rc4 31. Qe3 Rxd4 32. Qxd4 Qxd4 33. Rxd4 Rc5 34. Bd1 Bc8 {Van der Werf,J (2117)-Grana Castanal,A (2027) Maia POR 2025 ½-½ (43)}) 20... Ba5 21. Qb3 Nf5 22. Ne2 {Had Black been able to play ...Nd4 his position would have been even better.} Bb6 (22... f6 $5 {(as the d2-square is still covered) looked very interesting as well, e.g.} 23. Bc1 Rc8 24. Bg6 Qb7 25. Qf3 Ne7 $17) 23. Rac1 Ra4 24. Rc6 $1 {A great sacrifice, which Black should just have declined, for example playing 24...Bc5 or 24...Qa7.} Bxc6 $2 25. dxc6 Rc4 26. a4 ({After} 26. Bf3 {White has enough compensation as well. After} e4 27. Bg4 Nd4 28. Nxd4 Bxd4 29. Bd7 d5 $1 {the position is unclear, as Black can just answer} 30. Be7 {with} Re8 {with a fine position.}) 26... Nd4 $2 (26... d5 $1 27. axb5 Rc5 {threatening ...Rxb5 was a better option.}) 27. Nxd4 Bxd4 28. axb5 d5 29. Rc1 $1 {By trading Black's active rook White is much better thanks to his queenside passed pawns.} Rxc1+ 30. Bxc1 Qb6 31. Be3 Bxe3 32. fxe3 Rd8 (32... d4 33. exd4 Qxd4+ 34. Kf1 e4 35. Qc3 Qd5 36. Be2 {and Black doesn't have enough counterplay.}) 33. Kg2 g6 34. Be2 Kg7 35. Qc3 d4 36. exd4 exd4 37. Qd3 Qa5 38. Qc2 Qb4 39. b3 Re8 40. Bc4 $6 (40. c7 $1 {was winning by force:} Rc8 41. Bg4 f5 42. Bxf5 $3 gxf5 43. Qxf5 Rxc7 44. Qe5+ $18) 40... Re7 41. Qf2 $4 (41. Qd3 $1 {would force Black to defend the d4-pawn passively.}) 41... Qc3 {Suddenly Black has enough counterplay!} 42. Qf3 Qb4 $4 {No, not this way!} (42... f5 $3 43. b6 (43. Qxc3 dxc3 44. Bd3 $2 c2 $19) (43. Qd5 Qc2+ 44. Kh3 Qd1 $1 $11) 43... Qc2+ 44. Kh3 g5 $3 45. hxg5 Kg6 $1 46. Bg8 $8 Re2 {and Black has enough counterplay!} (46... d3 $5) (46... Rg7 $5)) (42... Qc2+ 43. Kh3 f5 $3 {works as well.}) 43. Kh3 $2 (43. Qd5 $1 Qd2+ 44. Kh3 {was more precise: Black is paralyzed.}) 43... Qd6 $2 {Passive moves are not the way to save that game!} (43... Qe1 $1 {could have turned the tables:} 44. b6 d3 $3 45. Bxd3 $2 Re3 $17) 44. Qf4 $2 (44. b6 {was just winning.}) 44... Qxf4 $2 (44... Qc5 {was necessary.}) 45. gxf4 d3 {Black wins a piece but White's pawns are too fast.} 46. Bxd3 Re3+ 47. Kg2 Rxd3 48. b6 Rxb3 49. b7 Rb6 50. h5 gxh5 51. Kh3 Rxc6 52. b8=Q Rc5 53. Qb2+ f6 54. Kh4 {Black has no fortress, so he resigned!} 1-0

[Event "Norway Chess 9th"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2021.09.13"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Firouzja, Alireza"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C78"]
[WhiteElo "2855"]
[BlackElo "2754"]
[PlyCount "103"]
[EventDate "2021.09.07"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 204"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2021.10.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2021.10.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O b5 6. Bb3 Bc5 7. a4 Rb8 8. c3 d6 9. d4 Bb6 10. a5 Ba7 11. h3 Bb7 12. Be3 Nxe4 13. Nbd2 Nxd2 14. Qxd2 O-O 15. dxe5 dxe5 16. Qxd8 Rbxd8 17. Bxa7 Nxa7 18. Nxe5 Bd5 19. Bc2 Nc6 20. Nxc6 Bxc6 21. Rad1 Rfe8 22. Rxd8 $146 ({RR} 22. f3 Kf8 23. Kf2 h6 24. h4 Bd5 25. b4 Rd6 26. Rd2 Be6 27. Rxd6 cxd6 28. Rc1 Rc8 29. Bd3 g5 30. hxg5 hxg5 31. Ke3 Ke7 32. Kd4 Rh8 33. g3 Rh2 34. Rg1 Rd2 35. Ke3 Rh2 36. Be4 d5 {Sindarov,J (2629)-Arjun,K (2513) Abu Dhabi 2022 ½-½ (72)}) 22... Rxd8 23. Rd1 Rxd1+ 24. Bxd1 Kf8 25. f4 Ke7 26. Kf2 Kd6 27. b4 Bd5 28. g4 h6 29. g5 hxg5 30. fxg5 c5 31. Ke3 cxb4 32. cxb4 Ke5 33. h4 g6 34. Bg4 Be6 35. h5 gxh5 36. Bxh5 Kf5 37. Bf3 Bc8 38. Kd4 Kxg5 39. Ke5 f5 40. Kd6 f4 41. Ke5 Kg6 42. Kxf4 Kf6 43. Bd5 Bd7 44. Bb7 Ke6 45. Ke4 Kd6 46. Bxa6 Bc6+ 47. Kd4 Be8 48. Bb7 Bd7 49. Bf3 Bc8 50. Be2 Bd7 51. Bd3 Bc6 52. Be4 1-0

[Event "Norway Chess 9th"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2021.09.14"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Tari, Aryan"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C89"]
[WhiteElo "2642"]
[BlackElo "2855"]
[PlyCount "102"]
[EventDate "2021.09.07"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 204"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2021.10.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2021.10.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. c3 Na5 9. Bc2 d5 10. d4 dxe4 11. Nxe5 c5 12. Be3 Bb7 13. Nd2 Rc8 14. h3 ({RR} 14. Nf1 Qc7 15. Ng3 Rfd8 16. Rc1 cxd4 17. Bxd4 Bc5 18. Ng4 Bxd4 19. cxd4 Qf4 20. Nxf6+ Qxf6 21. Bxe4 Qxd4 22. Qxd4 Rxd4 23. Bxb7 Rxc1 24. Rxc1 Nxb7 25. Kf1 g6 26. Ke2 Kg7 27. Ke3 Ra4 28. a3 Nd6 {Mazur,S (2398)-Sosa,T (2519) Santa Cruz de La Palma ESP 2025 ½-½ (35)}) 14... Re8 $146 ({RR} 14... b4 15. Rc1 Bd5 16. c4 cxd4 17. Bxd4 Nxc4 18. Ndxc4 Bxc4 19. Bxe4 Nxe4 20. Nxc4 Bg5 21. Rxe4 Bxc1 22. Qxc1 f5 23. Rf4 g5 24. Qe3 gxf4 25. Qe6+ Rf7 26. Nd6 Rc1+ 27. Kh2 Qe7 28. Qd5 Re1 29. Nxf5 {Kong,X (2457)-Li Chao2 (2635) Shaoxing CHN 2024 ½-½ (31)}) 15. Ng4 Nd5 16. Bxe4 Nxe3 17. Nxe3 cxd4 18. cxd4 Bxe4 19. Nxe4 Bb4 20. Nc3 Rxc3 21. bxc3 Bxc3 22. Re2 Bxa1 23. Qxa1 Nc4 24. Qe1 Nd6 25. Nd5 Rxe2 26. Qxe2 Kf8 27. Ne3 g6 28. Qf3 Kg7 29. Qd5 Qf6 30. a3 Qe6 31. Qc5 Ne4 32. Qc2 h5 33. Qd3 Nd6 34. Qd2 Qf6 35. Nd5 Nc4 36. Qc3 Qd6 37. Nb4 a5 38. Nc2 a4 39. Qd3 h4 40. d5 Qe5 41. Ne3 Qa1+ 42. Kh2 Qe5+ 43. Kg1 Nxe3 44. fxe3 b4 45. d6 Qa1+ 46. Kf2 bxa3 47. d7 Qf6+ 48. Ke2 a2 49. d8=Q Qxd8 50. Qxd8 a1=Q 51. Qxh4 a3 0-1

[Event "Norway Chess 9th"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2021.09.15"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Rapport, Richard"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C65"]
[WhiteElo "2855"]
[BlackElo "2760"]
[PlyCount "153"]
[EventDate "2021.09.07"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 204"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2021.10.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2021.10.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. d3 Ne7 5. O-O c6 6. Ba4 Ng6 7. Re1 Be7 8. d4 d6 9. c3 ({RR} 9. c4 O-O 10. d5 cxd5 11. cxd5 Nh5 12. Nc3 Ngf4 13. Be3 f5 14. Bc2 fxe4 15. Bxe4 Bg4 16. h3 Bxh3 17. gxh3 Qd7 18. Nh2 Nxh3+ 19. Kh1 g6 20. Qg4 Rxf2 21. Rg1 Qxg4 22. Nxg4 Rxb2 23. Rab1 Rxb1 {Groenewoud,J (2257)-Darie,A (2035) Amsterdam NED 2025 0-1 (49)}) 9... O-O 10. Nbd2 h6 11. Nf1 $146 ({RR} 11. Bc2 Nh7 12. Nc4 Be6 13. Ne3 Ng5 14. d5 Nxf3+ 15. Qxf3 cxd5 16. exd5 Bd7 17. Nf5 Bxf5 18. Qxf5 Bg5 19. Bxg5 Qxg5 20. Qxg5 hxg5 21. Bxg6 fxg6 22. g3 Rac8 23. Re4 Rc5 24. Rd1 b5 25. Rg4 Rc4 {Predojevic,B (2616)-Nestorovic,N (2405) Sarajevo 2013 ½-½ (66)}) 11... Re8 12. Ng3 a5 13. Bc2 Qc7 14. a4 Bd7 15. h3 b5 16. Be3 Rab8 17. Qd2 b4 18. Bd3 bxc3 19. bxc3 Be6 20. Qc2 Rb7 21. Nf1 Nh5 22. N1d2 Nhf4 23. Ba6 Rbb8 24. dxe5 dxe5 25. Rab1 Bd7 26. Bc4 Ne6 27. Qa2 Nh4 28. Nxh4 Bxh4 29. Nf3 Be7 30. Rbd1 Bc8 31. Qc2 Nf8 32. Rd2 Be6 33. Qa2 Red8 34. Rxd8 Bxd8 35. Rd1 Be7 36. h4 Rd8 37. Rb1 Rb8 38. Rxb8 Qxb8 39. g3 Bd8 40. Kg2 Bc7 41. Bxe6 Nxe6 42. Qc4 Qe8 43. h5 Kh7 44. Qd3 Qe7 45. Nd2 Bd6 46. Nc4 Bc7 47. Qd1 Nf8 48. Qg4 Nd7 49. Kf1 Qe8 50. Kg2 Qe7 51. Qf5+ Kg8 52. g4 Nf8 53. g5 hxg5 54. Bxg5 Qc5 55. Ne3 Qd6 56. Qg4 g6 57. Bh6 Nd7 58. Nc4 Nf6 59. Qc8+ Qd8 60. Qxd8+ Bxd8 61. Bg5 gxh5 62. Bxf6 Bxf6 63. Nxa5 Kf8 64. Nxc6 Ke8 65. Nb4 Bd8 66. Nd3 f6 67. Kg3 Kd7 68. f3 Ba5 69. c4 Ke6 70. Kh4 f5 71. Kxh5 fxe4 72. fxe4 Kd6 73. Kg6 Bc7 74. Kf5 Kc6 75. Ke6 Kb6 76. Kd7 Bb8 77. c5+ 1-0

[Event "Norway Chess 9th"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2021.09.16"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Karjakin, Sergey"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C65"]
[WhiteElo "2855"]
[BlackElo "2758"]
[Annotator "Nielsen,Peter Heine"]
[PlyCount "105"]
[EventDate "2021.09.07"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 204"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2021.10.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2021.10.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{[%evp 0,105,16,26,53,50,42,-17,38,-20,31,-29,-15,-44,35,13,40,25,59,43,52,51,49,29,60,32,34,-5,8,8,-1,-5,-5,17,29,-9,11,-44,-3,-23,-28,-31,-1,-12,-17,-38,-26,-34,-19,-21,9,-93,-21,-106,-28,-39,-26,-24,-2,-30,19,9,40,82,135,176,214,208,147,188,221,105,140,126,207,105,110,125,178,175,186,65,114,97,81,81,81,81,86,74,145,134,138,151,156,144,202,204,204,226,226,226,226,160,244,237,303,310]} 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. d3 Bc5 5. Bxc6 dxc6 6. O-O Nd7 7. c3 h6 8. Nbd2 O-O 9. Nc4 Re8 10. b4 ({RR} 10. Re1 a5 11. h3 a4 12. Ncxe5 Nxe5 13. Nxe5 Bxf2+ 14. Kxf2 Rxe5 15. Bf4 Re6 16. Kg1 Rg6 17. Qf3 c5 18. Rf1 Be6 19. a3 Qd7 20. Kh2 Bb3 21. Qe2 Re8 22. c4 b5 23. cxb5 Qxb5 24. Rac1 Qc6 {Munguntuul,B (2331)-Goryachkina,A (2546) Monaco MNC 2025 ½-½ (40)}) 10... Bd6 11. Be3 Nf8 12. Nfd2 $146 ({RR} 12. h3 Ng6 13. a4 Bf8 14. Qc2 Qf6 15. Qe2 b6 16. Nfd2 Be6 17. a5 b5 18. Nb2 a6 19. Qf3 Rad8 20. Rfd1 Qh4 21. Nf1 Bd6 22. Ng3 Nf4 23. Nf5 Bxf5 24. exf5 Nd5 25. Bd2 e4 26. dxe4 Rxe4 {Anton Guijarro,D (2703)-Salgado Lopez,I (2584) chess24.com INT 2020 ½-½ (35)}) 12... Ng6 13. Nxd6 cxd6 14. a4 d5 15. Nb3 b6 16. a5 Rb8 17. Qc2 Be6 18. Rfb1 Re7 19. c4 d4 20. Bd2 f5 21. axb6 axb6 22. f3 Rf7 23. Rf1 Kh7 24. exf5 Bxf5 25. Be1 Qg5 26. Rd1 h5 27. Bd2 Qh4 28. Rde1 Ra8 29. Ra1 Raf8 30. Ra6 {It is a commonly used trick by seconds for upcoming World Championship matches to refuse to say anything about the opening moves claiming the need for secrecy and not revealing any secrets. Using that privilege to skip the first 30 moves is indeed taking it too far, but the only thing to report til now is that Karjakin has a strategically winning position and that after e.g the retreat 30...Qd8!? the Norwegian computer "Sesse" always following Magnus games, gave as much as +3(!) for Black. But simply ...h4-h3 next would undermine White's defences and win trivially. But having already beaten Magnus once during this event, Karjakin thought why not make it 2-0 and in style?} e4 $6 {Magnus won 4 games in a row at Stavanger, and while in other sports or even in earlier stages of chess history that would not be seen as something special, in modern top-level tournaments it certainly is. Streaks requires a mixture of luck and skill, and as Larsen once pointed out, it is easier to win a bad position than a completely equal one.} (30... Qd8 $5) 31. Nxd4 $1 {Taking his chance ( and a pawn!) immediately, but Karjakin obviously was expecting that and has a cunning plan up his sleeve:} exf3 32. Nxf3 Bh3 $5 {One can understand Karjakins attraction to this move. Not only is it beautiful, but also logical. White has a stranded rook on the queenside, while all black pieces join the attack on the white king. It would not be unreasonable if Black was just winning, but Magnus has a resource:} 33. Rf2 $1 {Absolutely neccesary amd modest-looking, but excactly enough fence off the black attack! 33...Bxg2 perhaps was what Karjakin intended, hoping for 34 Nxh4 Rxf2 but 35 Ng5+! turns the tables, as in this version of Black sacrificing his queen, after 35...Qxg5 36 Bxg5 Rxf2 suddenly 37 Qxf2 has become available. The computer suggests the calm 33...Kg8!? with an ultimately balanced position, but Karjakins ove also is not bad:} Rxf3 (33... Bxg2 34. Ng5+ $1 (34. Nxh4 Rxf2) 34... Qxg5 35. Bxg5 Rxf2 36. Qxf2 $1) (33... Kg8 $5) 34. gxf3 Rf5 $2 {But here however he falters.} (34... Bg4 $5 {was the logical way continuing to attack with maximum energy, when after} 35. f4 Ne5 $1 {Black once again exploits that White can not take the offered piece. Surprisingly White would still be able to defend, as both} 36. Bc3 {and 36.Be3 keeps him in the game most likely to end in a draw by perpetual check}) 35. d4 $1 {Materially White is ahead plenty, so more importantly this opens the diagonal of the white queen towards the king on h7, as well as the 3-rank where the rook via a3 can join the defence.} Qxd4 36. Ra3 {36.f4! would have been more precise, as now 36...Re5!? becomes an extra option.} (36. f4 $1) 36... Rf7 (36... Re5 $5) 37. Re3 Bf5 38. Qc3 Qd8 39. Re1 $6 {"Sesse" gave 39 f4! as the winning move, but from a human perspective once can understand the logic behind leaving the the pawn on f3 giving the king somewhat more protection, as well as preparing the following manouver. And wile tactically flawed, it does win the game!} (39. f4 $1) 39... Rd7 40. Qe3 Rd4 $2 {When Karjakin played his 30th move, he had considerably more time left on is clock than Magnus, but in the ensuing complications he caught up and being short on time blunders the game with his last move before the time-control. 40...Re7! was possible as 41 Qg5?? then loses to 41... Rxe1+ as 42 Bxe1 leaves the queen unprotected on g5. Thus 41 Qc3 would be neccesary but after 41...Rd7 white would according to the computers not have better than a repetition draw after 42 Qe3.} (40... Re7 41. Qc3 (41. Qg5 $4 Rxe1+ 42. Bxe1 Qxg5+) 41... Rd7 42. Qe3) 41. Qg5 {Now, however, White just wins trivially. There thraet of exchanging queens as well as h5 and f5 hanging, is more than the black position can handle.} Qxg5+ 42. Bxg5 Rxc4 43. Rb2 $1 {Perhaps looking passive, but defending the b-pawn was neccesary. And as Larsen said: while opposite colored bishop endings often are drawn, when they are winning, the often win easily! And this is the case here indeed: White will rearrange to attack g7, and Black's bishop being of the opposite colour, means there just is no way to defend.} b5 44. Kf2 c5 45. bxc5 Rxc5 46. Rc1 Rd5 47. Rd2 Rxd2+ 48. Bxd2 Ne5 49. Rc7 b4 $5 {Trying to confuse the issue as else Bc3 next wins trivially.} 50. Rb7 Be6 51. Re7 $1 Nd3+ 52. Ke3 Bc4 53. Kd4 {But as 53... Bb5 54 Rb7 Ba6 55 Rb6 wins a piece and 53....Nb2 54 Bxb4 is hopeless, Karjakin resigned.} (53. Kd4 Bb5 (53... Nb2 54. Bxb4) 54. Rb7 Ba6 55. Rb6) 1-0

[Event "Norway Chess 9th"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2021.09.17"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C54"]
[WhiteElo "2792"]
[BlackElo "2855"]
[PlyCount "65"]
[EventDate "2021.09.07"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 204"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2021.10.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2021.10.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. c3 Nf6 5. d4 exd4 6. e5 d5 7. Bb5 Ne4 8. cxd4 Bb6 9. Nc3 O-O 10. Be3 Bg4 11. h3 Bh5 12. Qc2 Nxc3 13. bxc3 f6 14. exf6 Qxf6 15. Be2 Na5 16. O-O Bxf3 17. Bxf3 c6 18. Rae1 Nc4 19. Bc1 Qg6 20. Qd1 ({RR} 20. Qxg6 hxg6 21. Re7 Rf7 22. Re2 Ba5 23. Rc2 Re8 24. Be2 Rfe7 25. Bd3 Kf7 26. g3 b5 27. h4 Re1 28. Kg2 Bc7 29. a4 a5 30. Bg5 Rxf1 31. Kxf1 bxa4 32. Bxc4 dxc4 33. Ra2 Ke6 34. Rxa4 Kd5 {So,W (2772)-Carlsen,M (2847) chess24.com INT 2021 ½-½ (48)}) 20... Rae8 $146 ({RR} 20... Ba5 21. Bh5 Qf6 22. Qb3 b5 23. Bg4 Rae8 24. Qc2 Re7 25. Rxe7 Qxe7 26. Bf5 Bxc3 27. Bxh7+ Kh8 28. Qxc3 Kxh7 29. Re1 Qf7 30. Qg3 Re8 31. Rxe8 Qxe8 32. Ba3 Nxa3 33. Qxa3 Qe1+ 34. Kh2 a5 35. Qd3+ {Volokitin,A (2650)-Eljanov,P (2672) Lvov 2021 ½-½ (43)}) 21. Rxe8 Qxe8 22. Be2 Qe6 23. Bxc4 dxc4 24. Re1 Qf7 25. Qe2 Ba5 26. Qe3 h6 27. Ba3 Rd8 28. h4 Kh7 29. Re2 Qf5 30. Qc1 Rd5 31. f3 b5 32. Re4 Bb6 33. Be7 1/2-1/2

[Event "EU-Cup 36th"]
[Site "Struga"]
[Date "2021.09.21"]
[Round "4.31"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Llobel Cortell, Enrique"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B51"]
[WhiteElo "2855"]
[BlackElo "2392"]
[Annotator "Kapnisis,Spyridon"]
[PlyCount "67"]
[EventDate "2021.09.18"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "MKD"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 205"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2021.11.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2021.11.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{[%evp 0,67,16,38,100,79,60,44,73,13,21,-38,-3,-87,-28,-28,27,27,33,10,41,40,29,20,47,52,52,35,37,15,8,-11,-3,-3,22,-26,6,3,-16,-46,6,-12,5,-20,34,-28,-6,-28,30,26,86,73,148,148,155,155,148,180,180,188,198,174,174,174,174,204,233,209,242,265]} 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 d6 4. Bxc6+ $5 {An interesting sideline to 4.0-0. White spoils Black's pawn structure, as is often the case in the Sicilian Rossolimo, and an interesting strategic battle lies ahead with White trying to make the most out of Black's structural problems while Black will mostly rely on the bishop pair.} bxc6 5. e5 $1 {Important move before black gets the chance to play e5.} dxe5 (5... f6 {In my opinion, this is one of the most critical variations for the evaluation of the line with 4.xc6 and 5.e5. Black accepts a bad structure but gets activity on the kingside.} 6. exd6 e5 (6... exd6 7. O-O d5 8. Re1+ Kf7 9. d4 Bd6 $6 (9... cxd4 10. Nxd4 Ne7 11. Nc3 $14) 10. c4 $16 {1/2 (43) Gagare,S (2482)-Neelash,S (2315) Taleigao IND 2019}) 7. d3 {This is my suggestion. By playing d3, fd2 as fast as possible we avoid the annoying pin with g4. Furthermore White keeps open the possibility of long castling.} (7. Nxe5 {'?'} fxe5 8. Qh5+ Kd7 $19 {0-1 (14) De Filomeno,S (2392)-Eliseev,U (2550) Kocaeli TUR 2013}) (7. O-O Bxd6 8. d3 (8. Nc3 $6 Ne7 9. b3 O-O 10. Ba3 f5 (10... Bg4 $5 $17) 11. d3 Ng6 12. Na4 $2 e4 13. Nd2 Qh4 $19 {0-1 (19) Abarca Gonzalez,N (2412)-Dobrov,V (2478) chess.com INT 2020 Black's attack is too powerful to handle.}) (8. c3 $6 Ne7 (8... Ba6 {0-1 (59) Perske,T (2456)-Travadon,L (2441) Radenci SLO 2019}) 9. Re1 (9. d4 cxd4 10. cxd4 e4 11. Nfd2 f5 $17) 9... Bg4 $15) 8... Bg4 $13) (7. d7+ Bxd7 8. d3 Ne7 9. O-O Nf5 (9... Bg4 $5) 10. b3 Be7 11. Nfd2 O-O 12. Nc3 Nd4 13. Na4 Bf5 14. Ba3 Ne6 15. Nc4 $14 {1-0 (58) Lovakovic,F (2355)-Caruso,A (2349) ICCF 2017}) 7... Bxd6 (7... Bg4 $2 8. Nxe5 $1 {is an important resource} Bxd1 9. d7+ $18) 8. Nfd2 $1 Ne7 9. Nc4 (9. Ne4 Bc7 $1) 9... Bc7 (9... O-O {Giving up the d6 will likely help White.} 10. Nxd6 Qxd6 11. O-O f5 12. Nd2 Ba6 13. Re1 Ng6 14. b3 Rae8 15. Ba3 $14 {[%cal Yd2c4]}) 10. Be3 $5 (10. Qh5+ Ng6 (10... g6 $6 11. Qf3 O-O 12. Be3 $14) 11. Nc3 Be6 $1 12. Be3 Qd7 13. Qe2 Bxc4 $1 (13... O-O 14. O-O-O $14) 14. dxc4 O-O 15. Rd1 $13 (15. Bxc5 $6 Nf4 16. Qf3 e4 $1 17. Nxe4 f5 $40)) 10... Nf5 11. Nbd2 (11. Bxc5 $2 Qd5 $19 {[%cal Yd5c5,Yd5g2]}) 11... Nd4 12. c3 O-O 13. Qa4 Qd5 14. f3 Ne6 15. O-O-O a5 16. Ne4 f5 (16... Ba6 $2 17. Ncd6 $1 Bxd6 18. c4 Bb5 19. cxd5 Bxa4 20. dxe6 $16) 17. Ncd6 $1 fxe4 18. dxe4 Qxd6 19. Rxd6 Bxd6 20. Rd1 $13) (5... Bg4 6. d3 $5 (6. exd6 $6 exd6 $15 {1/2 (17) Jurcik,M (2329)-Vesselovsky,S (2333) Czech Republic CZE 2017 is clearly in Black's favour}) (6. h3 Bh5 (6... Bxf3 7. Qxf3 d5 (7... Qd7 $6 8. O-O $5 (8. exd6 exd6 9. O-O Nf6 10. Nc3 Be7 11. b3 $14 {[%cal Yc1b2,Yc3e2,Ye2g3]} (11. d4 {1/2 (25) Predojevic,B (2626)-Boensch,U (2553) Dusseldorf GER 2019})) 8... dxe5 9. Qh5 $1 $16) 8. e6 {Typical pawn sacrifice in order to disrupt Black's development on the kingside} (8. d3 e6 9. Nd2 Ne7 10. Qe2 Nf5 11. Nf3 {White can count on having a small edge.}) 8... fxe6 9. b3 (9. O-O Qd6 10. d4 $5 cxd4 11. Bf4 e5 12. Qh5+ g6 13. Qxe5 Qxe5 14. Bxe5 Nf6 15. Bxd4 Bh6 $13 {1/2 (21) Giri,A (2696)-Reinderman,D (2598) Amsterdam NED 2012}) 9... e5 10. d3 Nf6 11. Bb2 Qd6 12. Nd2 Nd7 13. Qe2 g6 14. f4 $5 (14. O-O {1/2 (21) Dimov,D (2407)-Câmpian,C (2417) ICCF 2016}) 14... Bg7 15. O-O O-O (15... Rg8 16. fxe5 Bxe5 17. Bxe5 Qxe5 18. Qf2 $44) 16. Rae1 $14) 7. d3 (7. O-O dxe5 {is a line I would prefer to avoid.}) 7... e6 (7... dxe5 8. g4 {See the line 5...dxe5 6.d3 g4} Bg6 9. Nxe5) 8. exd6 Bxd6 9. g4 $5 (9. Nbd2 Ne7 (9... Nf6 10. Nc4 O-O 11. g4 Bg6 12. Bg5 $16 {[%cal Yd1e2,Ye1c1]}) 10. Nc4 (10. Qe2 Nd5 11. Nc4 Nb6 12. Bg5 $5 (12. Qe4 {1/2 (21) Oratovsky,M (2414)-Grigoryan,K (2659) Barbera del Valles ESP 2020}) 12... Qc7 13. g4 Nxc4 14. dxc4 Bg6 15. O-O-O $16) (10. g4 $1 Bg6 11. Qe2 O-O (11... h5 12. Rg1 $14 {[%cal Yd2c4]}) 12. Nc4 Nd5 13. h4 (13. Nfe5 $5 $16) 13... h6 14. h5 Bh7 15. g5 $16) 10... O-O 11. Qe2 Bc7 12. g4 Bg6 13. Bd2 (13. Be3 $5) 13... f6 14. O-O-O {1/2 (48) Predojevic,B (2601)-Safarli,E (2598) chess.com INT 2020 is clearly better for White}) 9... Bg6 10. Na3 Ne7 11. Nc4 Bc7 12. Qe2 {White will castle long and continue with his attack on the kingside.}) 6... dxe5 (6... d5 {see the line 5...d5}) 7. h3 Bxf3 (7... Bh5 8. g4 {see the line 5...dxe5 6.d3 g4}) 8. Qxf3 Qd5 9. Qg3 f6 (9... g6 10. Nc3 Qe6 11. O-O Nh6 (11... Bg7 12. Re1 $36 {it is difficult for Black to develop his knight.}) 12. Re1 f6 13. f4 $14) 10. Nc3 Qd7 11. Be3 e6 12. Qg4 (12. f4 $5) 12... Ne7 $1 13. Qh5+ Ng6 14. O-O-O $44 {[%cal Yc3e4]}) (5... d5 6. h3 (6. O-O Bg4 7. h3 Bxf3 (7... Bh5 $6 8. e6 $1 (8. g4 $5 Bg6 9. e6 $1 {[%csl Rf8]}) 8... fxe6 (8... Qd6 9. g4 Bg6 10. Re1 $18 {[%csl Rf8] Black will have great difficulty developing his kingside.}) 9. d3 $16) 8. Qxf3 e6 9. d3 Ne7 (9... Qc7 10. Re1 Ne7 11. Nd2 Ng6 12. Qg3 Be7 13. Nf3 $14 (13. Nb3 {1-0 (37) Manakova,M (2280)-Nikolova,A (2358) Kragujevac SRB 2016})) 10. Nd2 Nf5 11. Qe2 (11. Nb3 h5 $13) 11... h5 12. g3 Be7 13. Nb3) (6. c4 Bf5 $6 (6... Bg4 7. d3 e6 {leads to 6.d3}) 7. Qa4 Qd7 8. d4 $1 e6 9. Be3 (9. dxc5 $2 Bxc5 $15 {0-1 (28) Okhotnik,V (2395)-Perunovic,M (2620) Bad Gleichenberg AUT 2013}) 9... cxd4 10. Nxd4 Bd3 11. cxd5 cxd5 12. Nc3 $16) (6. d3 Bg4 (6... e6 7. Qe2 (7. c4 $5 $14) 7... Ne7 8. h4 $1 $14 {[%cal Yh4h5]} (8. O-O $6 Ng6 9. c4 Be7 10. Nc3 O-O 11. Na4 f6 $132 {1-0 (57) Briestensky,R (2300)-Kucera,M (1979) Tatranske Zruby SVK 2011})) 7. Nbd2 $5 (7. O-O e6 8. h3 Bh5 9. c4 Ne7 $13 {1/2 (38) Sochacki,C (2412)-Dourerassou,J (2462) Belfort FRA 2012}) 7... e6 8. h3 $14) 6... Bf5 (6... e6 7. d3 Ne7 8. b3 (8. c4 {[%csl Rc5][%cal Yb1c3,Yb2b3,Yc3a4,Yc1a3]} Ng6 9. h4 $1 f6 10. h5 Nxe5 11. Nxe5 fxe5 12. h6 $44) 8... Ng6 (8... Nf5 9. c4 $14) 9. h4 f6 10. Bb2 $16 {[%cal Yd1e2,Yh4h5,Yb1d2]}) 7. d3 (7. O-O {Castling too early in connection with h3 provokes Black to go for g5 which is normally enough to generate adequate play for Black.} e6 8. d3 h6 9. Qe2 g5 $1 10. g4 Bg6 11. Re1 Ne7 12. Nc3 Nc8 $13 {1-0 (55) Ardeleanu,A (2394)-Bartha,A (2025) Arad ROU 2011}) 7... e6 8. b3 Ne7 9. Nc3 Nc8 10. g4 Bg6 11. Ne2 $14 {[%cal Ye2f4]}) (5... e6 6. O-O Ne7 7. exd6 Ng6 8. Na3 $5 (8. Nc3 $6 {White shouldn't hurry with the development of the knight to c3 since a lot of times the knight will be better placed on c4.} Bxd6 9. d3 f5 $1 (9... O-O 10. Ng5 f6 11. Nge4 Be7 12. Na4 e5 (12... f5 $1 13. Nexc5 f4 $44 {[%cal Ye6e5]}) 13. Nexc5 $14 {1/2 (38) Negi,P (2640)-Vishnu,P (2465) Sharjah UAE 2014}) 10. d4 Bc7 11. dxc5 Qe7 {[%cal Ye8g8,Ye6e5] According to my taste Black's position is clearly easier to handle and more pleasant.}) 8... Bxd6 (8... Ba6 9. d3 Bxd6 (9... h6 10. b3 Bxd6 11. Bb2 O-O 12. Re1 $16 {[%cal Yf3e5]}) 10. Ng5 $1 O-O 11. Qh5 h6 12. Nxe6 Bxh2+ 13. Kxh2 Qd6+ 14. f4 Qxe6 15. f5 Qe5+ 16. Kh1 $16) 9. Nc4 Bc7 (9... Be7 10. Nfe5 $5 Qc7 11. Qh5 O-O 12. d3 $16) 10. d3 O-O 11. Be3 $14) (5... g6 $6 6. O-O Bg7 7. Re1 (7. exd6 $5 exd6 {Black tries to keep his pawn structure as solid as possible but White gets a dangerous initiative.} 8. d4 cxd4 9. Re1+ Ne7 10. Bg5 f6 11. Nxd4 $1 {[%cal Yd4c6]} O-O 12. Be3 $16) 7... Nh6 8. exd6 Qxd6 9. Nc3 (9. d3 O-O (9... c4 $5) 10. Nbd2 Nf5 11. Ne4 Qd5 12. c4 Qd8 13. Nxc5 $16 {1-0 (53) Pavlidis,A (2536)-Golsta,M (1967) chess.com INT 2021}) 9... O-O 10. d3 Rd8 (10... Bg4 $5) 11. Ne4 Qd5 12. c4 Qxd3 13. Qxd3 Rxd3 14. Bxh6 $1 (14. Nxc5 {1/2 (53) Rausis,I (2482)-Bernasek,J (2490) Czech Rep CZE 2011}) 14... Bxh6 15. Ne5 $16) 6. Nxe5 (6. d3 {I don't see any particular reason for White to avoid the immediate take on e5.} c4 $5 (6... f6 $5 7. Nc3 c4 {is likely to transpose to 6...c4}) (6... Bg4 7. h3 Bh5 8. g4 $1 Bg6 (8... e4 $6 9. gxh5 (9. dxe4 Qxd1+ (9... Bg6 $6 10. Qxd8+ (10. Qe2 $18) 10... Rxd8 $16 {0-1 (31) Georgakopoulos,N (2033)-Vlachos,A (2428) Rio 2018}) 10. Kxd1 Bg6 11. Nc3 $14) 9... exf3 10. Nc3 $1 $16 {[%cal Yd1f3]} (10. Qxf3 $2 Qd5 $1 11. Nd2 g6 $13)) 9. Nc3 $5 (9. Nxe5 Qd5 (9... e6 $6 10. Nc3 Bd6 11. Nc4 Nf6 12. Qe2 (12. Qf3 Nd5 13. Bd2 Be7 14. O-O-O $16 {0-1 (35) Nasuta,G (2561)-Spoelman,W (2578) chess.com INT 2020}) 12... Nd5 13. Bd2 Bf4 14. Ne4 O-O 15. O-O-O $16 {1/2 (28) Chen,Q (2422)-Wang Yue (2683) China CHN 2019}) 10. Nf3 c4 (10... h5 11. g5 h4 (11... e5 12. Nc3 Qe6 13. Qe2 Bd6 14. Ne4 $16) 12. Nc3 Qf5 13. Qe2 $1 e6 (13... Bh5 14. Nxh4 Bxe2 15. Nxf5 Bf3 16. Rg1 $14) 14. Ne5 $14) 11. Nc3 Qe6+ 12. Qe2 Qxe2+ 13. Kxe2 f6 $5 {Black should avoid taking too early on d3 since White can easily bring his pieces and attack against c6.} (13... cxd3+ 14. cxd3 f6 15. Be3 $14 {[%csl Rc6][%cal Yh1c1] 1/2 (53) Gagare,S (2058)-Seger,R (2350) Pardubice CZE 2019}) 14. dxc4 (14. Be3 e5) 14... e5 15. Be3 h5 (15... Bxc2 16. Rac1 Bg6 17. Nh4 $14 {[%cal Yh1d1]}) (15... Bb4 16. Na4 Bxc2 17. b3 $14)) 9... f6 10. Nd2 e6 11. Nc4 Ne7 12. Bd2 Nd5 13. Qe2 Nb4 14. Be3 (14. O-O-O Bxd3 $1 15. cxd3 Qxd3 16. Qxd3 Nxd3+ 17. Kc2 Nxf2 $13) 14... Nd5 15. Ne4 {White has good compensation for the sacrificed pawn}) 7. O-O cxd3 (7... f6 8. dxc4 $6 (8. Nc3 cxd3 9. cxd3 e6 10. Re1 c5 11. Be3 Ne7 $1 (11... Bd6 $6 12. Rc1 Ne7 13. Ne4 $14) 12. Bxc5 Nf5 $13) 8... Qxd1 9. Rxd1 g5 $15 {[%cal Yh7h5,Yg8h6,Yh6f5]}) 8. Nxe5 Nf6 9. Nc3 e6 10. Bf4 $14 {[%cal Yc2d3]}) 6... Qd5 (6... Nh6 7. O-O Nf5 (7... f6 8. Nc4 e5 9. d3 Nf5 10. f4 exf4 11. Bxf4 Be7 12. Nbd2 $16) 8. d3 g6 9. Nc3 Bg7 10. Re1 O-O 11. Bf4 $14) 7. Nf3 Bg4 (7... Qe4+ $6 {One of Black's main choices after 7.Nf3 but not a very strong one in my opinion. White will be forced to lose his castling rights but Black loses valuable time by moving his queen one more time.} 8. Kf1 (8. Qe2 {is playable but f1 is probably stronger.} Qxc2 (8... Qxe2+ 9. Kxe2 Ba6+ 10. Kd1 Nf6 (10... Nh6 11. b3 f6 12. Ba3 e5 (12... c4 13. Re1 $14) 13. Nc3 Nf5 14. Ne4 Nd4 15. Nxd4 cxd4 16. Bxf8 Rxf8 17. Rc1 $14 {[%cal Yc2c3]}) 11. Nc3 $14 {[%cal Yb2b3]} (11. d3 {1-0 (18) Estrada Nieto,J (2280)-Weetik,V (2423) chess.com INT 2021})) 9. O-O Nf6 10. Nc3 e6 11. b3 $44 {[%cal Yc1a3,Ya1c1]}) 8... g6 (8... Nf6 9. d3 Qf5 (9... Qg4 $6 10. h3 (10. Nc3 {1/2 (34) Manakova,M (2318)-Seliverstov,V (2432) Moscow RUS 2015}) 10... Qh5 11. Nbd2 $16) {[#]} 10. Nbd2 $1 {This is clearly the right way to go with White. Black is deprived of the chance to play c4 which is quite important.} (10. Qe2 g6 (10... c4 $5 11. dxc4 g6 12. b3 Bg7 13. Bb2 O-O {followed by c5 and b7 Black will have some compensation although White should be preferable.}) 11. Qe5 $6 (11. b3 $1 $14) 11... c4 $1 12. Qc3 Rb8 $1 (12... Ba6 {0-1 (34) Fernandez Fuentes,F (2158)-Abreu Delgado,A (2474) Sitges ESP 2010}) 13. Qxc4 Bg7 $15 {[%cal Ye8g8,Yf6d5] Black gets excellent compensation while White faces problems with his development.}) 10... g6 (10... Nd5 11. Nc4 (11. Ne4 e5 12. c4 $5 Nf4 13. Bxf4 Qxf4 14. h3 Be7 15. Qa4 Bd7 16. Qa5 $14 {[%cal Ya1e1,Ya5c7]}) 11... Nb6 (11... f6 12. Nfd2 e5 13. Ne4 Qg6 14. h4 $1 h5 15. b3 $16) 12. Ne3 Qh5 13. Qe2 $14 {[%cal Yf3d2]}) 11. b3 Bg7 12. Bb2 O-O 13. Qe2 Ba6 {[#]} (13... Re8 14. Qe5 (14. Re1 $5 $16 {[%cal Yh2h3,Yg2g3,Yf1g2]}) 14... Qd7 15. Qxc5 Ne4 16. Nxe4 Bxb2 17. Rb1 $16 {1-0 (39) Hou Yifan (2658)-Zwirs,N (2413) Muelheim GER 2018}) 14. Qe5 $16 {White forces the exchange of queens which clearly favours him since it will be very difficult for Black to defend his weak pawns.} Rfd8 15. Re1 e6 16. h3 Ne8 17. Qxf5 exf5 18. Ne5 (18. Bxg7 Nxg7 19. Re5 Rd5 20. g4 $16) 18... Rac8 19. Ba3 Bf8 {[#]} 20. g4 $1 {White wants to make e4 accessible to his knight.} f6 21. Nef3 Rd5 22. Nc4 fxg4 23. hxg4 Rd7 24. Nfd2 Bxc4 25. bxc4 Re7 26. Kg2 Rxe1 27. Rxe1 $18 {1-0 (44) Pavlidis,A (2532)-Kotronias,V (2524) Thessaloniki GRE 2017}) (8... Bg4 9. d3 {is probably more accurate than 9.c3 since Black will not get a chance to transfer his knight from h6 to f5.} (9. Nc3 Bxf3 10. Qxf3 Qxf3 11. gxf3 {with a position similar to the one of our main game Carlsen-Llobell.} Nh6 $1 12. d3 Nf5 $13 {1/2 (64) Sanduleac,V (2426)-Pavel,S (2183) Mamaia ROU 2019}) 9... Bxf3 10. Qxf3 Qxf3 11. gxf3 O-O-O 12. Be3 e6 13. Nd2 Nf6 14. Ke2 (14. Ne4 $5) 14... Be7 15. Nb3 Nd7 16. Rhg1 g6 17. Rg4 $16 {1-0 (49) Carmaciu,L (2388)-Gvilava,M (2018) Sunny Beach BUL 2011}) (8... Ba6+ $6 9. d3 Qf5 10. Qe2 Rd8 11. Nbd2 (11. Ne5 $6 Nf6 (11... f6 $1 12. Nc4 (12. Nxc6 $2 Rxd3 $1 {[%cal Yd3d1]} 13. Kg1 (13. Ke1 {[#]} Rd2 $3 {A wonderful rook sacrifice} 14. Qxd2 Qe4+ 15. Qe3 (15. Kd1 Qxg2 16. Re1 Qf3+ 17. Re2 Bxe2+ 18. Qxe2 Qxc6 $19) 15... Qxg2 16. Na5 Qxh1+ 17. Kd2 e5 $19) 13... Rd6 $19) 12... Bxc4 13. dxc4 e5 {Black is fine}) 12. Nd2 $14 {0-1 (44) Sharma,I (2169)-Peng,H (2362) Prague CZE 2020}) 11... g6 (11... Rxd3 $2 12. Kg1 $1 Ra3 13. Nc4 Bxc4 14. Qxc4 Ra5 15. a4 $18 {[%csl Ra5]}) 12. Qe5 $1 $16) (8... e5 9. d3 Qf5 10. Nbd2 (10. Qe1 f6 11. Qc3 {White tries to immediately place c5 under attack which is not the right plan.} Ne7 $1 12. Qxc5 Qd7 13. Qc4 {[#]} Nf5 $5 $44 {[%cal Yf8e7,Yc6c5,Yc8b7] Black has very good compensation. By analysing lots of these positions I understood that White should avoid immediately attacking the c5=pawn and should focus mainly on his development and exchange of queens since by getting c5 Black gets the chance to place a very powerful bishop on b7.} (13... Nd5 14. a3 $6 c5 15. Nbd2 $2 (15. Nc3 $13) 15... Bb7 $17 {1-0 (44) Karp,I (2402)-Oratovsky,M (2415) Israel ISR 2021})) 10... f6 11. Nc4 $14) 9. d3 Qf5 10. Nbd2 $1 {it makes sense to deprive Black of the chance to sacirfice his c5-pawn.} (10. Bd2 c4 $1 {Black gets rid of his weak c5-pawn and opens the d-file which will offer adequate compensation} (10... Nf6 11. Bc3 Bg7 12. Nbd2 $14) (10... Ba6 11. Bc3 f6 12. Nbd2 e5 {[#]} 13. g4 $1 (13. Nc4 $6 Bxc4 14. dxc4 $13 {1/2 (40) Velicka,P (2441)-Kotronias,V (2489) Aghios Kirykos GRE 2017}) 13... Qxg4 (13... Qe6 14. g5 Qh3+ 15. Ke1 $16 {[%cal Yd1e2,Yh1g1,Yg1g3]}) (13... Qf4 14. g5 $16) 14. Nxe5 Qh3+ (14... Qxd1+ 15. Rxd1 $16) 15. Kg1 $14 {[%cal Yd1f3]}) 11. dxc4 Be6 12. b3 Rd8 13. Nc3 Bg7 14. Qe2 Qxc2 $13) (10. Nc3 Bg7 11. Qe1 c4 $1 12. Qe4 Qe6 $1 $15 (12... Qxe4 $13 {1-0 (90) Liu Guanchu (2457)-Atakisi,U (2385) Roquetas de Mar ESP 2018})) 10... Bg7 (10... Ba6 11. b3 Bg7 12. Rb1 $14) 11. Rb1 $1 {[%cal Yb2b3,Yc1b2]} Nf6 12. b3 Nd5 13. Ne4 O-O 14. h4 $14) 8. Nc3 (8. d3 c4 $5 (8... Nh6 $5 9. Bxh6 gxh6 10. Nc3 $14) 9. dxc4 (9. Nc3 Bxf3 $1 $13) 9... Qxc4 (9... Qxd1+ 10. Kxd1 O-O-O+ 11. Ke1 $14) 10. Be3 Nf6 11. Nbd2 Qa6 {is quite acceptable for Black}) 8... Bxf3 9. gxf3 (9. Qxf3 $5 Qxf3 10. gxf3 Nh6 $1 {Black's knight should go to f5 and d4 creating some counterplay.} 11. Ne4 (11. d3 Nf5 12. Be3 Nd4 13. O-O-O Nxf3 14. Bxc5 e5 (14... g5 $5 15. Ne4 f6 16. Nd2 Nxd2 17. Kxd2 {is more or less equal}) 15. d4 $13 {1/2 (135) Apryshko,G (2335)-Trjapishko,A (2466) St Petersburg RUS 2016}) 11... Nf5 $1 (11... e6 12. d3 Nf5 13. f4 Nd4 14. Kd1 O-O-O 15. Be3 c4 16. c3 Nf5 17. Bxa7 Rxd3+ 18. Ke2 $13) 12. f4 (12. c3 e5 13. d3 Nh4 $5 14. Ke2 f5 15. Nd2 Kf7 $13) 12... e6 13. d3 Nd4 14. Kd1 Be7 15. c3 Nf5 16. Be3 O-O-O 17. Kc2 Rd5 18. a3 {[%cal Yb2b4] White's position is more pleasant}) 9... Qe5+ $6 (9... Qd7 10. Ne4 $5 (10. b3 Nh6 $1 11. Bb2 Nf5) 10... Nh6 $5 {Sacrificing the weak pawn on c5 in order to get some time to develop properly is something that Black must consider.} (10... e5 11. Qe2 f5 12. Nc3 Bd6 13. b3 $14 {[%cal Yc1a3,Ye1c1] Of all the weak isolated pawns on the board, c5 seems to be the weakest.}) 11. Nxc5 (11. d3 Nf5 12. Be3 g6 13. Bxc5 Bg7 14. c3 O-O {Black has decent compensation.}) 11... Qd5 $1 12. Ne4 Nf5 $44) 10. Qe2 Qxe2+ 11. Kxe2 Nf6 $6 (11... Nh6 {Getting the knight to d4 is the only way for Black to create some counterplay.} 12. Ne4 Nf5 13. c3 e6 14. d3 O-O-O 15. Be3 Rd5 16. a3 $14 {[%cal Yb2b4]}) 12. d3 e6 $146 ({RR} 12... e5 13. Ne4 Nd5 14. Bd2 Be7 15. Rhg1 Rg8 16. Ng5 h6 17. Ne4 O-O-O 18. Rg2 f5 19. Ng3 Rdf8 20. Rag1 Bg5 21. Nf1 Bxd2 22. Kxd2 g5 23. Ne3 Nf4 24. Rg3 Ne6 25. Rh3 Rf6 26. Nc4 Kc7 27. Re1 {Visanescu,D (1802)-Bida,M (1952) Mureck 2008 1-0 (43)}) 13. Be3 Be7 14. Na4 (14. Rag1 $5 g6 15. h4 h5 16. Ne4 $16) 14... Nd7 {[#]} 15. b3 $14 {[%csl Rc5] White has managed to put c5 under pressure and certainly has the better chances with Bblack having little chance to create any counterplay.} O-O 16. Rag1 Kh8 $6 {[#]} (16... g6 $5 17. Bh6 $1 {[%cal Yh2h4,Yh4h5]} Rfb8 18. h4 Nb6 19. Nb2 $16) 17. d4 $5 {A very interesting positional decision by Magnus who deliberately helps his opponent to get rid of his weak pawn on c5 while his minor pieces will no longer have to guard it.. On the other hand Black's pawns on the queenside (a7,c6) become possible targets while the d-ile opens up with White having the better chances of getting the control of it.} (17. Rg4 $5 Rfe8 18. Rhg1 g6 19. Rc4 Nb6 20. Re4 Nd7 {is clearly better for White but it is not easy to put more pressure on c5.}) 17... cxd4 18. Bxd4 f6 $6 (18... e5 19. Be3 {[#]} Nb6 $1 20. Rd1 $5 (20. Nxb6 axb6 21. a4 Rfb8 (21... b5 $2 22. Ra1 $1 {[%cal Ya4a5]} Bb4 23. axb5 cxb5 24. Rxa8 Rxa8 25. Rd1 $16 {[%cal Yd1d7,Yd1d5]}) 22. Rd1 Rb7 23. Rd3 $14 {[%cal Yh1d1] is clearly pleasant for White but maybe Black can survive with accurate play.}) 20... Nd5 $1 (20... Nxa4 $6 21. bxa4 Rfd8 22. Rxd8+ Bxd8 (22... Rxd8 $6 23. Rb1 $18 {[%cal Yb1b7]}) 23. Rd1 a5 24. Kd3 $16 {[%cal Yd3c4,Yd1d7]}) 21. Rhg1 $5 {[%cal Yg1g4,Yg4c4]} (21. c4 Nxe3 22. fxe3 Rfd8 23. c5 $1 g5 24. Nb2 Bxc5 25. Nd3 Bd6) 21... h5 $5 (21... f5 22. c4 Nxe3 23. Rd7 $1 Rae8 24. fxe3 {White has the better chances.}) 22. c4 Nxe3 23. fxe3 Rfd8 24. c5 g5 25. Rxd8+ Rxd8 26. Nb2 f6 27. Rc1 $14) 19. Rg4 (19. Be3 $5 Kg8 (19... Rfd8 20. Rg4 $1 $16 {[%cal Yh1g1,Yg4e4,Yg4c4,Yh1d1]}) 20. Rd1 Rfd8 21. Rd3 Kf7 22. Rhd1 Ke8 23. f4 $16) 19... Rfd8 (19... Kg8 $5 20. Be3 Kf7 21. Rd1 Nb6 $1 22. Nxb6 axb6 23. a4 b5 $14) 20. Rd1 Kg8 21. Be3 Kf7 22. Rc4 Ne5 23. Rxd8 $1 Bxd8 $2 {[#]} (23... Rxd8 24. Re4 Rd7 25. Nb2 $16 {[%csl Ra7][%cal Ye4a4]}) 24. Rb4 $1 $18 {The white rook enters the 7th rank with decisive effect.} a5 25. Rb7+ Kg6 (25... Be7 26. Nb6 Rd8 27. Ra7 $18) 26. Nc5 {The pawn on e6 falls and Black's position deteriorates very fast.} f5 27. Nxe6 $18 Bf6 28. Nf4+ Kh6 29. Nd5+ Kg6 30. Ne7+ Bxe7 31. Rxe7 Kf6 32. Rc7 Ra6 33. Bd4 Ke6 34. Rxg7 1-0

[Event "NOR-chT Elite 2122"]
[Site "Norway"]
[Date "2021.10.29"]
[Round "1.2"]
[White "Arvola, Benjamin"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "E54"]
[WhiteElo "2471"]
[BlackElo "2855"]
[PlyCount "114"]
[EventDate "2021.10.29"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 204 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2022.09.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2022.09.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Tromsoe"]
[BlackTeam "Offerspill"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "NOR"]
[BlackTeamCountry "NOR"]

1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. exd5 cxd5 4. c4 Nf6 5. Nc3 e6 6. Nf3 Bb4 7. Bd3 dxc4 8. Bxc4 O-O 9. O-O b6 10. Bg5 Bb7 11. Ne5 h6 ({RR} 11... Bxc3 12. bxc3 Nbd7 13. Nxd7 Qxd7 14. Bxf6 gxf6 15. d5 Bxd5 16. Qg4+ Kh8 17. Qh4 Bxc4 18. Qxf6+ Kg8 19. Qg5+ Kh8 {½-½ (19) Shirov,A (2691)-Giri,A (2768) Hoogeveen 2014}) 12. Bh4 Nc6 ({RR} 12... Be7 13. Re1 Nbd7 14. Nxd7 Qxd7 15. d5 exd5 16. Bxd5 Rad8 17. Bxb7 Qxb7 18. Qe2 Rd7 19. Rad1 Rfd8 20. Rxd7 Rxd7 21. Rd1 Rxd1+ 22. Qxd1 b5 23. b3 g5 24. Bg3 b4 25. Ne2 Ne4 26. Be5 Qb5 27. Bd4 {Pilgaard,K (2353)-Lopez Martinez,J (2477) Rhodes GRE 2025 ½-½ (43)}) 13. Bxf6 Qxf6 $146 ({RR} 13... gxf6 14. Nxc6 Bxc6 15. Qg4+ Kh7 16. d5 Bxc3 17. dxc6 Be5 18. Rad1 Qc7 19. Qe4+ f5 20. Qf3 Rad8 21. g3 Bg7 22. b3 Rd6 23. Rxd6 Qxd6 24. Rd1 Qc5 25. Rd7 b5 26. Bf1 b4 27. Bc4 a5 28. Rb7 {Kazakov,M (2516)-Shimelkov,V (2159) Chess.com INT 2021 0-1 (47)}) 14. Nd7 Qh4 15. Nxf8 Rxf8 16. Re1 Nxd4 17. Bd3 f5 18. Re3 f4 19. Rh3 Qg5 20. Be4 Bxe4 21. Nxe4 Qe5 22. Rd3 Bc5 23. Nxc5 bxc5 24. f3 Rb8 25. b3 a5 26. Qe1 Qd5 27. Qe4 Qxe4 28. fxe4 Rb4 29. Kf2 a4 30. bxa4 Rxa4 31. Rc3 c4 32. a3 Nb5 33. Rcc1 Nd4 34. Rc3 Nb5 35. Rcc1 Nd4 36. Rcb1 Nb3 37. Ra2 Kf7 38. Kf3 g5 39. Ke2 Kf6 40. Kd1 Ke5 41. Kc2 g4 42. Kc3 f3 43. h3 h5 44. hxg4 hxg4 45. Rh1 Kf4 46. e5 Kxe5 47. gxf3 gxf3 48. Rh4 Nc1 49. Rah2 Ne2+ 50. Kc2 Kd5 51. Rh8 e5 52. Kb2 c3+ 53. Kb3 Ra7 54. Rc8 Rb7+ 55. Ka2 Rb2+ 56. Ka1 Rd2 57. a4 Nd4 0-1

[Event "NOR-chT Elite 2122"]
[Site "Norway"]
[Date "2022.02.05"]
[Round "5.4"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Ostmoe, Geir S Tallaksen"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B10"]
[WhiteElo "2865"]
[BlackElo "2466"]
[PlyCount "168"]
[EventDate "2021.10.29"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2023"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2022.10.05"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2022.10.05"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Offerspill"]
[BlackTeam "SOSS"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "NOR"]
[BlackTeamCountry "NOR"]

1. e4 c6 2. Nf3 d5 3. d3 dxe4 4. dxe4 Qxd1+ 5. Kxd1 Nd7 6. Nbd2 ({RR} 6. Nfd2 e5 7. a4 Nc5 8. f3 f5 9. b4 Na6 10. c3 Nf6 11. Bd3 fxe4 12. Nxe4 Be6 13. Bg5 Nd5 14. Re1 h6 15. Bh4 Nf4 16. Bf1 g5 17. Bf2 Kf7 18. Nbd2 Nc7 19. Kc2 Be7 20. Nc4 Rhd8 {Nepomniachtchi,I (2784)-Artemiev,V (2716) Chess.com INT 2020 0-1 (42)}) 6... e5 ({RR} 6... Ngf6 7. Ne1 g5 8. a4 h5 9. Nd3 g4 10. h3 Bg7 11. Be2 Nf8 12. hxg4 hxg4 13. Rxh8 Bxh8 14. a5 Ne6 15. e5 Nd7 16. Nc4 f5 17. exf6 Nxf6 18. Be3 Nc7 19. Ra4 Ncd5 20. Bd4 Bf5 21. Nce5 {Wachinger,N (2453)-Shagbazyan,T (2439) Prague CZE 2025 1-0 (55)}) 7. Nc4 f6 8. Nfd2 $146 ({RR} 8. Ne1 Nb6 9. Be3 Bg4+ 10. f3 Nxc4 11. Bxc4 Bh5 12. Nd3 Bf7 13. Bxf7+ Kxf7 14. a4 a5 15. Ke2 h5 16. Rhd1 Nh6 17. Nc5 Bxc5 18. Bxc5 Rhd8 19. Bb6 Rxd1 20. Rxd1 Ke8 21. Rd3 Nf7 22. Rb3 Kd7 {Popov,I (2636)-Galkin,A (2611) Moscow 2019 1-0 (49)}) 8... Nc5 9. a4 Be6 10. b4 Nd7 11. c3 Nh6 12. Kc2 Nf7 13. Nb3 Nd6 14. Nxd6+ Bxd6 15. Na5 O-O-O 16. Bc4 Bxc4 17. Nxc4 Be7 18. Be3 b6 19. Rhd1 Kc7 20. a5 b5 21. Nb6 Nb8 22. Rxd8 Bxd8 23. a6 Nxa6 24. Nc4 bxc4 25. Rxa6 Kd7 26. Rxa7+ Bc7 27. f4 Kc8 28. fxe5 fxe5 29. Ra8+ Bb8 30. Ra5 Kb7 31. b5 Rc8 32. b6 Rf8 33. Ra1 Rf6 34. g3 h5 35. Kd2 Rd6+ 36. Kc2 Rf6 37. Bc5 h4 38. Rd1 hxg3 39. hxg3 Rg6 40. Rd7+ Ka6 41. Rd8 Kb7 42. Bf2 Rf6 43. Be1 g6 44. Bd2 Bd6 45. Be3 c5 46. g4 Kxb6 47. Re8 Kc6 48. g5 Kd7 49. Ra8 Rf3 50. Kd2 Ke6 51. Ra6 Ke7 52. Ra7+ Kf8 53. Ra4 Be7 54. Rxc4 Rg3 55. Bxc5 Rxg5 56. Bb4 Rg2+ 57. Kd3 Rg3+ 58. Kc2 Bxb4 59. cxb4 Ke7 60. b5 Rf3 61. Rc5 Kd6 62. Rd5+ Ke6 63. Rd8 Ke7 64. Rg8 Kd6 65. Rxg6+ Kc5 66. b6 Rf7 67. Re6 Kd4 68. Kb3 Rf1 69. Ka4 Kxe4 70. Rd6 Rb1 71. Ka5 Kf3 72. Rf6+ Kg3 73. Rf5 e4 74. Rb5 Ra1+ 75. Kb4 Ra8 76. Kc3 e3 77. Kd3 Kf4 78. b7 Rd8+ 79. Ke2 Rb8 80. Rb4+ Ke5 81. Kxe3 Kd5 82. Kd3 Kc6 83. Kc4 Rxb7 84. Rxb7 Kxb7 1/2-1/2

[Event "World-ch Carlsen-Nepomniachtchi"]
[Site "Dubai"]
[Date "2021.11.26"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C88"]
[WhiteElo "2782"]
[BlackElo "2855"]
[Annotator "Adams,Michael"]
[PlyCount "89"]
[EventDate "2021.11.26"]
[EventType "match"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "UAE"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 206"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2022.02.28"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2022.02.28"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{[%evp 0,89,69,19,71,-8,53,-27,45,-92,-71,-147,-44,-90,-58,-51,-30,-46,-7,-44,34,30,30,30,30,17,37,17,28,-18,3,-27,-40,-8,4,-9,26,35,46,-3,53,-3,24,-13,4,29,31,4,46,25,73,0,0,-11,33,28,50,31,22,6,61,-16,2,-14,10,-7,32,13,23,0,3,-27,-28,-28,-51,-72,-63,-85,-64,-71,38,37,18,18,59,59,60,59,40,29,29,7] After a lot of build up everyone was eager for the match to start, and this fighting game bodes well for the spectators. Nach langem Vorlauf warteten alle gespannt auf den Beginn des Matches, und diese Kampfpartie lässt die Zuschauer Gutes erhoffen.} 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. h3 Na5 ({I was glad to see an opening that I have some experience with, but I was not at all aware of this rather rare move. Like many valuable new concepts, it doesn't seem so surprising in retrospect. Another important move discussed in the world championship game Karjakin-Carlsen continues Ich war froh, eine Eröffnung zu sehen, mit der ich einige Erfahrung habe, aber diesen ziemlich seltenen Zug hatte ich überhaupt nicht auf dem Schirm. Wie viele wertvolle neue Konzepte scheint er im Nachhinein nicht so überraschend zu sein. Ein weitere wichtige Fortsetzung, die in der WM-Partie Karjakin-Carlsen diskutiert wurde, verläuft} 8... Bb7 9. d3 d5 10. exd5 Nxd5 11. Nxe5 Nd4 {when Black will acquire the bishop pair and a lead in development to compensate for the pawn. In the game events develop in similar fashion. , wonach Schwarz als Kompensation für den Bauern das Läuferpaar und einen Entwicklungsvorsprung erhält. In der Partie entwickeln sich die Ereignisse auf ähnliche Weise.}) 9. Nxe5 Nxb3 (9... d6 $2 10. Nf3 c5 11. d3 {doesn't give enough. gibt nicht genug.}) 10. axb3 Bb7 11. d3 d5 {The forcing play continues. Das forcierte Spiel geht weiter.} 12. exd5 Qxd5 ({It's tempting to try Es ist verlockend,} 12... Nxd5 {but zu versuchen, aber} 13. d4 $1 {is a good response, the knight might drop back to d3 whilst his colleague goes to f3 to consolidate matters. ist eine gute Antwort, der Springer könnte sich nach d3 zurückziehen, während sein Kollege nach f3 geht, um die Lage zu konsolidieren.}) 13. Qf3 (13. Nf3 Rae8 {gives Black plenty of compensation, swapping queens is clearly preferable. gibt Schwarz viel Kompensation, ein Damentausch ist eindeutig vorzuziehen.}) 13... Bd6 14. Kf1 ({A subtle finesse. Not Eine subtile Finesse. Nicht} 14. Nc3 $2 Qxe5 15. Rxe5 Bxf3 $19) (14. Qxd5 Nxd5 15. Bd2 {gives Black a better version of the game. gibt Schwarz eine bessere Version der Partie.}) 14... Rfb8 {The players were rather substantially better informed than me, as Nepo confirmed at the press conference that this position was also in his preparation, whilst Carlsen was still playing quickly. Die Spieler waren wesentlich besser informiert als ich, denn Nepo bestätigte auf der Pressekonferenz, dass diese Stellung auch in seiner Vorbereitung war, während Carlsen immer noch schnell spielte.} (14... Rfe8 $2 15. Nc3 $1 Qxe5 16. Rxe5 Bxf3 17. Rxe8+ $16 {is exactly what White wants. ist genau das, was Weiß will.}) ({For those of you who that were hoping the queens would have stayed on the board a bit longer I can recommend investigating the very interesting, Denjenigen, die gehofft haben, dass die Damen noch etwas länger auf dem Brett bleiben, kann ich empfehlen, das sehr interessante} 14... Qxe5 $5 {here are some preliminary lines: zu untersuchen. Hier sind einige vorläufige Varianten:} 15. Qxb7 Qh2 {the black queen can't be evicted, and although there aren't immediate threats matters are quite complicated Die schwarze Dame kann nicht vertrieben werden, und obwohl es keine unmittelbaren Drohungen gibt, ist die Lage ziemlich kompliziert} 16. Nc3 {A real computer move Ein echter Computerzug} (16. Be3 c6 $1 17. Qxc6 Rac8 18. Qf3 Rxc2 {is ok for Black. ist für Schwarz in Ordnung.}) (16. Qf3 Rae8 17. Be3 Nh5 $1 {a great move clearing a path for the f-pawn ein großartiger Zug, der den Weg für den f-Bauern freimacht} 18. Qxh5 f5 19. f4 $1 Bxf4 20. Qf3 Bxe3 (20... Qh1+ 21. Kf2 Qxe1+ 22. Kxe1 Rxe3+ 23. Qxe3 Bxe3 24. Rxa6) 21. Rxe3 Qh1+ (21... f4 {looks rather scary sieht ziemlich gruselig aus} 22. Re4 $1 Rxe4 23. Qxe4 (23. dxe4 Rd8 $1) 23... f3 24. gxf3 Qxc2 25. Qe6+ Kh8 26. Qe2 Qc1+ 27. Kg2 {Black is worse here. Hier steht Schwarz schlechter.}) 22. Kf2 f4 23. Re4 Qc1 24. Ke2 Qxb2 25. Rxa6 Qxb1 26. Kd2 $14 {The material is regained but White's king has now found a safe home in the middle. Das Material wird zurückgewonnen, aber der weiße König hat nun ein sicheres Zuhause in der Mitte gefunden.}) 16... Rfe8 (16... Rae8 17. Be3 b4 18. Ne2 Qh1+ 19. Ng1 Bh2 (19... Nh5 20. Qf3 Bh2 21. Ke2 Nf4+ 22. Kd2) 20. Ke2) 17. Be3 c6 18. Qxc6 Rac8 19. Qf3 b4 20. Ne2 Rxc2 21. g4 Rxb2 22. Bd4 {with a wild position where White is apparently doing well. mit einer wilden Stellung, in der Weiß offenbar gut steht.}) 15. Qxd5 Nxd5 16. Bd2 ({White wants to keep the square c3 for his pieces, and Weiß will das Feld c3 für seine Figuren behalten, und} 16. c3 c5 {also makes the pawn on d3 vulnerable. macht auch den Bauern auf d3 verwundbar.}) (16. Nc3 $2 Nb4) 16... c5 {Black will rely on the greater space, activity and the long term potential of the bishops to maintain the balance. Schwarz wird sich auf den größeren Raum, die Aktivität und das langfristige Potenzial der Läufer verlassen, um das Gleichgewicht zu halten.} 17. Nf3 ({More subtle than Subtiler als} 17. Nc3 Nb4 18. Rac1 Rd8 {I thought stacking the knights on e3 and e2 could be good here Ich dachte, die Springer auf e3 und e2 zu stapeln, könnte hier gut sein.} 19. Ng4 h5 20. Ne3 Bf8 $1 21. Ne2 g6 $1 {is a sound response, the bishop can profitably emerge on g7 or h6. ist eine gute Antwort, der Läufer kann profitabel auf g7 oder h6 auftauchen.}) 17... Rd8 (17... Nb4 $5 18. Bxb4 (18. Rc1 {is similar to the game ist ähnlich wie die Partie}) 18... cxb4 {I once had a game with David Howell with this structure, although queens remained on the board in that game. One oddity of this pawn formation is that despite the preponderance of White pawns on the queenside, the fact that Black's pawns are all towards the edge of the board means that creating a passed a-pawn is a real possibility in the long term. Ich hatte einmal eine Partie mit David Howell mit dieser Struktur, obwohl in dieser Partie die Damen auf dem Brett blieben. Eine Besonderheit dieser Bauernformation ist, dass trotz der numerischen Überlegenheit der weißen Bauern am Damenflügel die schwarzen Bauern alle am Brettrand stehen, was bedeutet, dass die Schaffung eines a-Freibauern auf lange Sicht eine echte Möglichkeit ist.} 19. c4 (19. Nbd2 Rc8 $1) 19... Bxf3 20. gxf3 Bf4 $13) 18. Nc3 $146 ({RR} 18. Re2 Rac8 19. Nc3 Nb4 20. Ne1 Bf8 21. Ne4 Nc6 22. Nf3 f6 23. g4 Rd7 24. h4 Kf7 25. h5 h6 26. Kg2 f5 27. gxf5 Rd5 28. Ng3 Nd4 29. Nxd4 cxd4 30. Kh3 Rxc2 31. Rc1 Rxc1 32. Bxc1 Rc5 {Kuybokarov,T (2602)-Sivuk,V (2544) Sharjah UAE 2024 1-0 (106)}) 18... Nb4 19. Rec1 {An interesting decision the other rook can be useful on the a-file sometimes, and as all the entry squares on the e-file are well protected, it isn't so influential there. The position is quite tense and not that easy to play, often releasing the tension is a mistake. The next few moves see both players move the same minor piece on consecutive moves as White tries to untangle. Eine interessante Entscheidung, der andere Turm kann manchmal auf der a-Linie nützlich sein, und da alle Einbruchsfelder auf der e-Linie gut geschützt sind, ist er dort nicht so einflussreich. Die Stellung ist ziemlich spannungsvoll und nicht ganz einfach zu spielen, oft ist es ein Fehler, die Spannung zu lösen. In den nächsten Zügen ziehen beide Spieler mehrmals nacheinander dieselbe Leichtfigur, während Weiß versucht, sich zu entwirren.} Rac8 ({I hope that one day I can impose c4, Ich hoffe, dass ich eines Tages c4 durchsetzen kann,} 19... f6 20. Ne2 Kf7 {looked like a good alternative sah wie eine gute Alternative aus}) 20. Ne2 ({The constraint Das forcierende} 20. Ne4 Bf8 {is less impressive ist weniger beeindruckend} 21. Bxb4 (21. Ng3 Bxf3 22. gxf3 g6 $1) 21... cxb4 22. Ne1 g6 {and Black will fianchetto another bishop to great effect. und Schwarz wird einen weiteren Läufer mit großer Wirkung fianchettieren.}) 20... Nc6 ({A surprising retreat when Ein überraschender Rückzug, zumal} 20... Bf8 21. Bxb4 ({The cautious Das vorsichtige} 21. Ne1 $5 {or oder}) (21. Bc3 $5 {are more challenging. sind eine größere Herausforderung.}) 21... cxb4 22. d4 g6 23. c3 Bh6 24. Rd1 Bd5 {is ok for Black ok für Schwarz ist.}) (20... f6 $5 {still seems sensible scheint immer noch sinnvoll}) 21. Be3 ({White would like to push d4 here, all his pieces are set for this advance, and this further reinforces that idea. However, I think Weiß möchte hier d4 durchdrücken, alle seine Figuren sind für diesen Vorstoß bereit, und dies verstärkt diese Idee noch. Ich denke jedoch} 21. Bf4 $1 {made sense here, Black's pieces are a bit disorganised for the moment. ergab hier Sinn, denn die Figuren von Schwarz sind im Moment etwas unorganisiert.} Bf8 (21... Be7 22. Bg5 $1 f6 23. Be3 Nb4 24. d4 $14) 22. Rd1 Ne7 23. d4 $14) 21... Ne7 $1 ({Another knight move, but a good decision, since he will find another good position on f5. Ein weiterer Springerzug, aber eine gute Entscheidung, da er eine weitere gute Stellung auf f5 finden wird.} 21... Nb4 $6 22. d4 $1) 22. Bf4 $6 ({At a critical moment Ian forces an bishop exchange, which is not good, more patient play was more practical and precise. In einem kritischen Moment erzwingt Ian einen Läufertausch, was nicht gut ist, geduldigeres Spiel war praktischer und präziser.} 22. Rd1 Nf5 23. Bd2 f6 {isn't that impressive. ist nicht besonders beeindruckend.}) ({I like Mir gefällt} 22. Ng3 $1 {the most after am meisten, nach} Nd5 {Black's play doesn't make a convincing impression, having taken three moves to transfer the knight to d5 from b4. All those jumps had their points, and interfered with White's plans, but macht das Spiel von Schwarz keinen überzeugenden Eindruck, da er drei Züge brauchte, um den Springer von b4 nach d5 zu bringen. Alle diese Sprünge hatten ihre Berechtigung und durchkreuzten die Pläne von Weiß, aber} (22... f5 23. Re1 $1) 23. Bd2 {is the kind of position White should aim for. ist die Art von Stellung, die Weiß anstreben sollte.}) (22. Nc3 $5 Nf5 23. Ne4 {White's knight has taken the scenic route to e4. Der weiße Springer hat die Aussichtsroute nach e4 genommen.} Be7 24. Bd2 (24. Bf4 c4 $1) 24... f6 (24... c4 25. bxc4 bxc4 26. Ba5)) ({The direct Die direkte} 22. d4 Nf5 23. c3 {or oder} (23. Rd1 {also have some merit. haben auch einige Vorzüge.})) 22... Bxf3 23. gxf3 Bxf4 24. Nxf4 Rc6 $1 {The position has clarified, and this move is very strong - the pawn on a6 is secured, and now the White rook on a1 becomes peripheral to the action. Black's rook can also be active along the third rank, in particular probing White's shattered kingside pawns. Die Stellung hat sich geklärt, und dieser Zug ist sehr stark - der Bauer auf a6 ist gesichert, und nun wird der weiße Turm auf a1 zum Zuschauer des Geschehens. Der schwarze Turm kann auch auf der dritten Reihe aktiv werden und dabei insbesondere die zerschlagenen weißen Bauern am Königsflügel angehen.} 25. Re1 (25. Ra5 g6 26. Rca1 Rdd6 {leaves White's rooks up a blind alley. lässt die Türme von Weiß in einer Sackgasse stehen.}) 25... Nf5 26. c3 {The knight is kept away from d4, but now there are lots of weaklings. Der Springer wird von d4 ferngehalten, aber jetzt gibt es eine Menge Schwächlinge.} Nh4 27. Re3 Kf8 ({A strange decision Eine seltsame Entscheidung} 27... g6 {gets rid of back rank issues, and Black might well regain the pawn with a much more compact position. beseitigt die Probleme der Grundreihe, und Schwarz könnte durchaus den Bauern in einer viel kompakteren Stellung zurückgewinnen.} 28. Ke2 (28. Ng2 $2 Nf5) 28... h6 $5 {would be a little unpleasant to meet the knight on f4 is not secure, and has no flight squares. wäre ein wenig unangenehm zu spielen, der Springer auf f4 ist nicht sicher und hat keine Fluchtfelder.} (28... Kf8 {is a better version of the game ist eine bessere Version der Partie}) (28... Rf6 29. Re4)) 28. Ng2 ({Now after Jetzt ist nach} 28. Ke2 g5 {or oder} (28... Rf6 {are good for Black. gut für Schwarz.})) 28... Nf5 29. Re5 g6 30. Ne1 ({A passive place for the knight although it does protect two of the weak pawns. Ein passiver Platz für den Springer, obwohl er zwei der schwachen Bauern schützt.} 30. Ke2 $1 {leaves White's rook without many squares but it isn't easy to exploit this. lässt den weißen Turm ohne viele Felder, aber es ist nicht einfach, dies auszunutzen.} Ng7 $1 {looks best, but it is a much better version of the game for White. sieht am besten aus, aber es ist eine viel bessere Version der Partie für Weiß.} (30... f6 31. Re4 Nd6 32. Rh4 $1 {and White's rook is not as short of room as it looks und der weiße Turm hat nicht so wenig Platz, wie es aussieht} (32. Re3 Kf7 $1 {leaves White without an obvious move. lässt Weiß ohne einen offensichtlichen Zug zurück.} (32... Nf5 33. Re4 {repeats mit Zugwiederholung})) 32... h5 (32... Rd7 33. Ne3 $14) 33. b4 (33. Ne3 g5 $2 34. Rxh5 Kg7 35. Rg1 $1 Kg6 36. Rh4 $18) 33... g5 34. Rxh5 Kg7 35. bxc5 Kg6 36. Rh4 $16)) 30... Ng7 31. Re4 (31. f4 $5 Ne6 32. f5 Nf4 33. fxg6 hxg6 34. Re3 {at least swaps one of the weak pawns. tauscht zumindest einen der schwachen Bauern.}) 31... f5 $1 ({The rook should be driven to the rear Der Turm sollte nach hinten getrieben werden} 31... Ne6 $6 32. b4 $1 {is much more what White is looking for ist viel mehr das, wonach Weiß sucht} f5 ({After Nach} 32... Ng5 {the amusing ist das Amüsante} 33. bxc5 (33. Rh4 {is a simpler option. ist eine einfachere Option.}) 33... Nxe4 34. fxe4 Rxc5 35. Rxa6 {is fun lustig.}) (32... cxb4 $142 33. Rxb4 g5) 33. Rxe6 Rxe6 34. bxc5 {is dangerous only for Black ist nur für Schwarz gefährlich} Rde8 35. d4 Re2 36. Nd3 Rd2 37. Ne5) 32. Re3 Ne6 33. Ng2 {It is clear Black's knight is dominating it's adversary. Es ist klar, dass der schwarze Springer seinen Gegenüber dominiert.} b4 $1 ({Black could have improved the king first with Schwarz hätte den König zuerst mit} 33... Kf7 {but this would give White's own king more time to reinforce the queenside - playing this directly maximises the pressure. verbessern können, aber dies würde dem weißen König mehr Zeit geben, den Damenflügel zu verstärken - dies direkt zu spielen, maximiert den Druck.}) 34. Ke2 {A sad move to make, but as the c3 pawn must stay in place to keep d4 covered there are no other promising options. Ein trauriger Zug, aber da der c3-Bauer stehen bleiben muss, um d4 zu decken, gibt es keine anderen vielversprechenden Möglichkeiten.} Rb8 35. Kd2 $1 ({Return of the pledge on its terms Rückgabe des Bauern zu seinen Bedingungen.} 35. Rb1 $2 a5 $1 36. Kd2 bxc3+ 37. bxc3 a4 {is already very serious ist bereits sehr ernst} 38. Kc2 $2 axb3+ 39. Rxb3 Nd4+ $19) 35... bxc3+ 36. bxc3 Rxb3 37. Kc2 (37. Ra2 Rb1 38. Re1 Rxe1 39. Nxe1 Nf4 {is also not desirable. ist ebenfalls nicht wünschenswert}) 37... Rb7 (37... Rcb6 $2 38. Rxe6 $1 $18) 38. h4 Kf7 (38... Nd4+ 39. Kd1 {doesn't lead anywhere. führt nirgendwo hin.}) ({However Magnus could use this tactical idea to play Magnus konnte diese taktische Idee jedoch dazu nutzen,} 38... a5 $1 {as zu spielen, da} 39. Rxa5 $2 (39. Ree1 $1 Rcb6 40. Ra2 a4 41. Ne3 Ra6 42. Rea1 Rba7 $15 {is no fun for White, the a-pawn is now much more useful. The direct 33...b4! was well timed, but here Carlsen was not quite urgent enough. ist kein Spaß für Weiß, der a-Bauer ist jetzt viel nützlicher. Das direkte 33...b4! war gut getimt, aber hier war Carlsen nicht zwingend genug.}) 39... Nd4+ {isn't possible. ist nicht möglich.}) (38... Rcb6 $5 {was also better than the move played. war auch besser als der gespielte Zug.}) 39. Ree1 $1 {Suddenly White's co-ordination has returned, and now the knight that has had a hard life recently has a route to freedom via e3 and c4.The b5 pawn's disappearance created this new potential. Plötzlich ist die weiße Koordination zurückgekehrt, und der Springer, der in letzter Zeit ein schweres Leben hatte, hat nun einen Weg in die Freiheit über e3 und c4. Das Verschwinden des b5-Bauern hat dieses neue Potenzial geschaffen.} Kf6 40. Ne3 ({After} 40. Ra2 f4 {leaves the knight on g2 looking silly again. This may not be so bad, but it is not easy to allow. lässt den Springer auf g2 wieder dumm aussehen. Das mag nicht so schlimm sein, aber man lässt es nicht gerne zu.}) 40... Rd7 (40... Nf4 $1 {looked rather obvious and sets a small trap sah ziemlich offensichtlich aus und stellt eine kleine Falle} 41. Nc4 (41. Ra4 $2 Rb2+ $1 42. Kxb2 Nxd3+ $19) 41... Re7 {is still not completely dead ist noch nicht ganz tot} 42. Rxe7 (42. Re3 $5) 42... Kxe7 43. Ra4 Ng2 $1 {and White must be more careful. und Weiß muss mehr aufpassen.}) 41. Nc4 ({White could even play Weiß könnte sogar} 41. Ra4 $5 {as proposed by Judit Polgar. spielen, wie von Judit Polgar vorgeschlagen.} Rd8 (41... h5 $6 42. Nc4 $14) 42. Rea1 Rcd6 43. Rd1 {is likely to lead to the same result. The players head for a repetition instead. wird wahrscheinlich zum gleichen Ergebnis führen. Die Spieler steuern stattdessen auf eine Wiederholung zu.}) 41... Re7 42. Ne5 ({Even the 'oversight' Selbst das 'Verrsehen'} 42. Ra4 Nd4+ 43. cxd4 Rxe1 44. d5 Rc8 45. Rxa6+ Kg7 46. Ra7+ {leads to a draw. führt zu einem Unentschieden.}) 42... Rd6 43. Nc4 Rc6 44. Ne5 Rd6 45. Nc4 {An interesting opening encounter. Magnus edged the preparation battle, although clearly both particpants are well armed there. Carlsen got the type of position he would probably be happy to see in this match, but Ian got back on track after drifting earlier in the endgame. The Marshall also proved a tough nut to crack for Nepomniachtchi's compatriot Sergey Karjakin in their match. With no free day before game three, it will be intriguing to see if Magnus repeats his opening choice then. Eine interessante Auftaktbegegnung. Magnus gewann die Vorbereitungsschlacht, obwohl beide Teilnehmer dort eindeutig gut gerüstet sind. Carlsen bekam die Art von Stellung, die er in diesem Match wahrscheinlich gerne sehen würde, aber Ian kam, nachdem er anfangs im Endspiel abdriftete, wieder in die Spur. Marshall erwies sich auch für Nepomniachtchis Landsmann Sergey Karjakin als harte Nuss in ihrem Match . Da es vor der dritten Partie keinen freien Tag mehr gibt, wird es spannend sein zu sehen, ob Magnus seine Eröffnungswahl dann wiederholt.} 1/2-1/2

[Event "World-ch Carlsen-Nepomniachtchi"]
[Site "Dubai"]
[Date "2021.11.28"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C88"]
[WhiteElo "2782"]
[BlackElo "2855"]
[Annotator "Navara,David"]
[PlyCount "81"]
[EventDate "2021.11.26"]
[EventType "match"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "UAE"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 206"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2022.02.28"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2022.02.28"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[TimeControl "60"]

{[%evp 0,81,80,23,56,31,27,-6,-13,-26,-27,-63,-38,-51,-37,-37,-16,-28,-38,-38,18,-31,-3,-2,24,35,75,51,80,58,59,52,52,44,29,38,67,80,66,51,51,51,75,43,79,81,80,81,71,37,54,54,45,31,31,25,27,6,19,6,6,1,-4,-8,-20,-16,-12,-13,-3,-19,-7,-18,-7,-7,-7,-21,-21,-6,0,0,0,0,0,0] In the initial game Magnus Carlsen applied a rare pawn sacrifice against the anti-Marshall. The game ended peacefully. Does Black have a sufficient compensation for the pawn? The further practice will definitely show more. Before this game the experts and club players alike were curious, who would deviate from the first game. In der ersten Partie brachte Magnus Carlsen ein seltenes Bauernopfer gegen den Anti-Marshall. Die Partie endete friedlich. Hat Schwarz eine ausreichende Kompensation für den Bauern? Die weitere Praxis wird sicherlich mehr zeigen. Vor dieser Partie waren die Experten und Vereinsspieler gleichermaßen gespannt, wer von der ersten Partie abweichen würde.} 1. e4 {[%emt 0:00:07]} e5 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 2. Nf3 {[%emt 0:00:06]} Nc6 {[%emt 0:00:04]} 3. Bb5 {[%emt 0:00:22]} a6 {[%emt 0:00:08]} ({Perhaps we might see Vielleicht werden wir} 3... Nf6 {later in the match, but there is little doubt that White has been ready for it. später im Match sehen, aber es besteht kaum ein Zweifel, dass Weiß darauf vorbereitet war.}) 4. Ba4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Nf6 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 5. O-O {[%emt 0:00:07]} Be7 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 6. Re1 {[%emt 0:00:07]} b5 {[%emt 0:00:08]} 7. Bb3 {[%emt 0:00:07]} O-O {[%emt 0:00:07] So far we have been following the first game. Bislang sind wir der ersten Partie gefolgt.} ({The classic lines starting with Die klassischen Abspiele beginnend mit} 7... d6 8. c3 O-O 9. h3 {have been less popular recently. True, there is nothing wrong with it and Black even has a wide choice here, but White's position generally remains easier to play. sind in letzter Zeit weniger populär gewesen. Daran ist zwar nichts auszusetzen, und Schwarz hat hier sogar eine große Auswahl, aber die weiße Stellung bleibt im Allgemeinen einfacher zu spielen.}) 8. a4 {[%emt 0:00:13] The Marshall Attack has transformed throughout a century from a daring innovation to a topical continuation a lot of theory and strong drawing tendencies. Alas, many sharp lines have been analysed till a draw. In is then not surprising that grandmasters are often opting for seemingly less ambitious lines rather than for the most forcing ones. Both 8.h3 and 8.a4 are good moves which avoid the Marshall Attack. Black can still sacrifice a pawn in a similar way, but it is slightly less attractive. Der Marshall-Angriff hat sich im Laufe eines Jahrhunderts von einer gewagten Neuerung zu einer aktuellen Fortsetzung mit viel Theorie und starken Remistendenzen entwickelt. Leider sind viele scharfe Varianten bis zum Remis ausanalysiert worden. So ist es nicht verwunderlich, dass sich Großmeister oft für scheinbar weniger ambitionierte Abspiele entscheiden statt für die zwingendsten. Sowohl 8.h3 als auch 8.a4 sind gute Züge, die den Marshall-Angriff vermeiden. Schwarz kann immer noch einen Bauern auf ähnliche Weise opfern, aber es ist etwas weniger attraktiv.} ({The first game saw Das erste Partie sah} 8. h3 Na5 $5 {A rare move. Ein seltener Zug.} ({Both Sowohl} 8... Bb7 9. d3) ({und als auch} 8... d6 9. c3 {are standard continuations. sind Standardfortsetzungen.}) 9. Nxe5 Nxb3 10. axb3 Bb7 11. d3 d5 {. .}) 8... Bb7 {[%emt 0:00:50]} ({There is nothing wrong with Es ist nichts falsch an} 8... b4 {, but White gets control of the c4-square in such a case. It should not bring him much, but it is at least something to play for. , aber Weiß erhält in einem solchen Fall die Kontrolle über das Feld c4. Es sollte ihm nicht viel bringen, aber es ist zumindest etwas, worauf man spielen kann.}) 9. d3 {[%emt 0:01:07] As GM Vlastimil Jansa has taught me, the bishop is mostly not placed well on b7 in Ruy Lopez when White keeps a pawn on d5 or on d3. (And its neighbour on e4, of course.) In both cases the bishop remains passive. This rule of thumb mostly works. With the pawn still on d3 White's light-squared bishop is really strong, as it controls the d5-square and eyes f7. Similarly to some big dogs, the bishop is powerful even without moving and without attracting too much attention. Wie mich GM Vlastimil Jansa gelehrt hat, ist der Läufer im Spanier meist nicht gut auf b7 platziert, wenn Weiß einen Bauern auf d5 oder d3 hält. (Und seinen Nachbarn auf e4, natürlich.) In beiden Fällen bleibt der Läufer passiv. Diese Faustregel funktioniert meistens. Wenn der Bauer noch auf d3 steht, ist der weißfeldrige Läufer des Anziehenden sehr stark, da er das Feld d5 kontrolliert und f7 im Blick hat. Ähnlich wie bei einigen großen Hunden ist der Läufer auch stark, ohne sich zu bewegen und ohne zu viel Aufmerksamkeit zu erregen.} d6 {[%emt 0:00:10]} ({While black can play Schwarz kann} 9... d5 10. exd5 Nxd5 {even here, it is not the most attractive version of the pawn sacrifice. White has several promising options there. After zwar spielen, aber auch hier ist es nicht die attraktivste Variante des Bauernopfers. Weiß hat hier mehrere vielversprechende Möglichkeiten. Nach} 11. axb5 (11. Nxe5 Nd4 12. c3 $5 Nxb3 13. Qxb3) (11. Nc3 $5) 11... axb5 12. Rxa8 Bxa8 13. Nxe5 Nd4 14. Nd2 ({or oder} 14. c3 Nxb3 15. Qxb3 {Black has almost sufficient compensation. hat Schwarz fast ausreichende Kompensation.})) 10. Nbd2 {[%emt 0:00:38] The steed heads for fresh pastures, the f5-square would be the optimal one. Das Roß strebt auf frische Weiden, das f5-Feld wäre optimal.} ({The knight would also stand well on d5, but Der Springer würde auch gut auf d5 stehen, aber} 10. Nc3 {allows ermöglicht} Na5 $1 11. Ba2 ({After Nach} 11. axb5 Nxb3 12. cxb3 axb5 13. Rxa8 Qxa8 14. Nxb5 Rb8 $5 {Black's better bishop pair and better pawn structure fully compensate the pawn deficit. White had better avoid kompensieren das bessere Läuferpaar und die bessere Bauernstruktur von Schwarz das Bauerndefizit vollständig. Lieber vermeiden sollte Weiß} 15. Nxc7 $2 Qa5 $17 {. .}) 11... b4 {, when White has nothing better than , wonach Weiß nichts Besseres hat als} 12. Ne2 {. .}) 10... Re8 {[%emt 0:05:11] Black had many reasonable options here, which makes concrete preparation very difficult. Both players were obviously well acquainted with the theory, but I would still like to remark that understanding plays a big role in such positions, as one cannot remember everything by heart. It is important to know where the pieces belong, which structure transformations are desirable and what are the typical motifs in such positions. Schwarz hatte hier viele vernünftige Optionen, was die konkrete Vorbereitung sehr schwierig macht. Beide Spieler waren offensichtlich gut mit der Theorie vertraut, aber ich möchte dennoch anmerken, dass das Verständnis in solchen Stellungen eine große Rolle spielt, da man nicht alles auswendig lernen kann. Es ist wichtig zu wissen, wo die Figuren hingehören, welche Strukturtransformationen erwünscht sind und was die typischen Motive in solchen Stellungen sind.} ({The other options do not promise easy equality either: Auch die anderen Optionen versprechen keinen einfachen Ausgleich:} 10... Na5 11. Ba2 c5 12. Nf1 $36) (10... Nd7 $5 11. c3 Nc5 12. axb5 axb5 13. Rxa8 Qxa8 14. Bc2 $36) (10... Qd7 11. c3 $5 $14) 11. Nf1 {[%emt 0:04:26]} h6 {[%emt 0:01:34] A useful prophylactic move. Eine nützliche prophylaktische Maßnahme.} ({Immediate Unmittelbar} 11... Bf8 $6 {allows ermöglicht} 12. Bg5 $1 h6 13. Bh4 $14 {, when Black has to make some concession to release the pin. After , wonach Schwarz ein Zugeständnis machen muss, um die Fesselung zu lösen. Nach} Nb8 {Stockfish suggests schlägt Stockfish} 14. g4 $5 {, g4-g5 with a dangerous attack, but even less radical continuations promise White an edge. g4-g5 mit einem gefährlichen Angriff vor, aber auch weniger radikale Fortsetzungen versprechen Weiß einen Vorteil.}) 12. Bd2 {[%emt 0:02:58] White develops a bishop, preventing c6-a5. It was not a threat, but ruling out Black's options is a reasonable decision. Weiß entwickelt einen Läufer und verhindert Sc6-a5. Das war keine Drohung, aber es ist eine vernünftige Entscheidung, die Optionen von Schwarz auszuschließen.} Bf8 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 13. Ne3 {[%emt 0:00:20]} Ne7 {[%emt 0:01:49]  Black has prevented White's knight from entering f5. Schwarz hat verhindert, dass der weiße Springer auf f5 eindringen kann.} 14. c4 $1 {[%emt 0:00:20] This advance looks unusual but makes a lot of sense. White is better prepared for queenside play. Dieser Vorstoß sieht ungewöhnlich aus, macht aber sehr viel Sinn. Weiß ist besser auf das Spiel am Damenflügel vorbereitet.} ({Anish Giri opined that Magnus might have been ready for Anish Giri war der Meinung, dass Magnus womöglich für} 14. g4 $5 {. While that move is not standard in these positions, it requires an accurate reaction, as the threat of g4-g5 spells danger for Black's king. While gewappnet war. Dieser Zug ist in diesen Stellungen zwar nicht üblich, aber er erfordert eine genaue Reaktion, da die Drohung g4-g5 Gefahr für den schwarzen König verheißt. Während} Nh7 {does not look impressive, Wilhelm Steinitz famously remarked that pawns cannot go backwards and it still holds. A sample line sieht nicht beeindruckend aus, aber Wilhelm Steinitz merkte bekannterweise an, dass Bauern nicht rückwärts gehen können, und das gilt immer noch. Eine Beispielvairante} 15. h4 c5 $5 16. g5 c4 $5 17. dxc4 Bxe4 18. gxh6 Qd7 {leads to a complex position where both kings are rather unsafe. I would not like to play such a position against a prepared opponent with any colour. führt zu einer komplexen Stellung, in der beide Könige ziemlich unsicher sind. Ich würde eine solche Stellung nicht gegen einen vorbereiteten Gegner mit irgendeiner Farbe spielen wollen.}) 14... bxc4 {[%emt 0:00:29]} 15. Nxc4 {[%emt 0:02:45]} Nc6 {[%emt 0:01:33] The pieces often need some time to reach good squares. White's knight reached c4 through f1 and e3, but this detour has been compensated by Black's knight oscillating between c6 and e7. White has slightly better chances due to more active minor pieces. Die Figuren brauchen oft einige Zeit, um gute Felder zu erreichen. Der weiße Springer erreichte c4 über f1 und e3, aber dieser Umweg wurde durch den schwarzen Springer kompensiert, der zwischen c6 und e7 pendelte. Weiß hat aufgrund der aktiveren Leichtfiguren etwas bessere Chancen.} 16. Rc1 $14 {[%emt 0:05:28]} ({Wei could also play Weiß könnte auch} 16. Na5 Nxa5 17. Bxa5 {, but it seems that the exchanges favour the defender in this case. Black should gradually equalize after spielen, aber es scheint, dass die Abtausche in diesem Fall den Verteidiger begünstigen. Schwarz sollte allmählich ausgleichen nach} Qd7 {. White improves the rook. Now 17.Na5 would be more unpleasant for Black. . Weiß verbessert den Turm. Jetzt wäre 17.Na5 für Schwarz unangenehmer.}) 16... a5 $1 {[%emt 0:13:07] A strong move, preventing c4-a5. That said, Black had to weigh its pros and cons carefully, as the a5 might become a target. Ein starker Zug, der c4-a5 verhindert. Allerdings muss Schwarz die Vor- und Nachteile sorgfältig abwägen, da a5 zur Zielscheibe werden könnte.} 17. Bc3 {[%emt 0:07:31]  The main threat is 18. d2 with subsequent 19.xa5, but as we will soon see, White's move pursues more goals. Die Hauptdrohung ist 18. d2 mit anschließendem 19.xa5, aber wie wir bald sehen werden, verfolgt Weiß mit seinem Zug mehr Ziele.} Bc8 $146 {[%emt 0:00:00] The bishop was not doing much on b7, contrary to White's light-squared bishop which was controlling the d5- and f7-squares. The bishop transfer to e6 or even d7 takes the f5-square under control and neutralizes the strength of white's bishop. Der Läufer hatte auf b7 nicht viel zu tun, im Gegensatz zu dem weißfeldrigen Läufer von Weiß, der die Felder d5 und f7 kontrollierte. Die Verlegung des Läufers nach e6 oder auch d7 bringt das f5-Feld unter Kontrolle und neutralisiert die Stärke des weißen Läufers.} (17... Qb8 {would parry the main threat without allowing d3-d4, but White could then switch his attention to the kingside, trying to install a knight on f5 after würde die Hauptdrohung abwehren, ohne d3-d4 zuzulassen, aber Weiß könnte dann seine Aufmerksamkeit auf den Königsflügel lenken und versuchen, einen Springer auf f5 zu installieren, und zwar nach} 18. Ne3 {. Black's king could hardly feel safe then. . Der schwarze König konnte sich dann kaum noch sicher fühlen.}) ({Black could also play Schwarz könnte auch} 17... Nd7 {, but then spielen, aber dann überlässt} 18. d4 $1 exd4 19. Nxd4 Nxd4 20. Qxd4 Qg5 $1 21. Bd2 Qc5 22. Qd3 $1 {again leaves White with initiative, as the pawns a5, c7 and f7 can be vulnerable. Weiß wieder die Initiative, da die Bauern a5, c7 und f7 verwundbar sein können.}) ({RR} 17... Qb8 18. h3 Bc8 19. Ncd2 Be6 20. Bxe6 Rxe6 21. d4 exd4 22. Nxd4 Nxd4 23. Bxd4 Nd7 24. f4 Qb7 25. Qc2 c5 26. Bc3 d5 27. exd5 Qxd5 28. Nf3 c4 29. Rcd1 Rxe1+ 30. Bxe1 Qc6 31. Kh1 Nc5 32. Ne5 {Borisova,P (2034)-Kuznetsova,P (2097) Barnaul RUS 2025 ½-½ (51)}) 18. d4 $1 {[%emt 0:07:14] This move underlines the only drawback of Black's previous move. Dieser Zug unterstreicht den einzigen Nachteil des vorherigen Zuges von Schwarz.} exd4 {[%emt 0:01:32]} 19. Nxd4 {[%emt 0:01:19]} Nxd4 {[%emt 0:00:09]} 20. Qxd4 {[%emt 0:00:15] For the present White's queen cannot be expelled from the centre without serious concessions. But Black can live with it and pursue his own plans. Im Moment kann die weiße Dame nicht ohne große Zugeständnisse aus dem Zentrum vertrieben werden. Aber Schwarz kann damit leben und seine eigenen Pläne verfolgen.} Be6 {[%emt 0:01:29] Black prepares the d6-d5 advance, neutralizing White's spatial advantage and perhaps also exchanging his centralized queen. Schwarz bereitet den Vorstoß d6-d5 vor, neutralisiert den Raumvorteil von Weiß und tauscht vielleicht auch seine zentralisierte Dame ab.} 21. h3 {[%emt 0:29:49]} ({White could try Weiß könnte} 21. Qd3 $1 {, when versuchen, wonach} d5 $1 {seems to be Black's best reaction anyway. Otherwise White could play 22.c2 with some threats agains Black's king or at least target his queenside pawns with 22.d2. The pawns advance costs Black a pawn, but a bishop pair should provide reasonable compensation after ohnehin die beste Reaktion von Schwarz zu sein scheint. Andernfalls könnte Weiß 22c2 mit einigen Drohungen gegen den schwarzen König spielen oder zumindest mit 22.d2 auf seine Bauern am Damenflügel zielen. Der Bauernvorstoß kostet Schwarz einen Bauern, aber ein Läuferpaar sollte eine angemessene Kompensation nach} 22. Bxf6 Qxf6 23. exd5 Bd7 $5 {. I would still prefer to be a pawn up, but it is irrelevant as I cannot choose. Nor could the players, by the way. . Ich würde es immer noch vorziehen, einen Bauern mehr zu haben, aber das ist irrelevant, da ich nicht wählen kann. Das können die Spieler übrigens auch nicht.} ({Less accurate is Weniger genau ist} 23... Bf5 24. Qf3 $14 {. .})) ({The a5 was poisoned: Der a5 war vergiftet:} 21. Nxa5 $2 c5 22. Qd2 Bxb3 23. Nxb3 $2 ({White can still limit the damage through Weiß kann immer noch den Schaden begrenzen durch} 23. e5 $1 $15 {. .}) 23... Nxe4 $17 {loses a pawn, verliert einen Bauern,}) ({während während} 21. Bxa5 $2 Bxc4 22. Qxc4 Rxa5 23. Qxf7+ Kh8 $19 {loses the game. die Partie verliert.}) 21... c6 {[%emt 0:17:00] Black prepares the d6-d5 advance. White cannot prevent it anyway. Schwarz bereitet den Vorstoß d6-d5 vor. Weiß kann ihn ohnehin nicht verhindern.} ({Immediate Unmittelbar} 21... d5 {was also possible. White should probably react with war auch möglich. Weiß sollte wahrscheinlich reagieren mit} 22. exd5 Qxd5 23. Qf4 $5 {with an ephemerous initiative, mit einer flüchtigen Initiative,} ({as denn} 23. Qxd5 $6 Nxd5 24. Bxa5 Nf4 $44 {is dangerous for White in practical terms, with 25... d3 being the main threat. ist in der Praxis gefährlich für Weiß, wobei 25... ?d3 ist die Hauptdrohung.})) 22. Bc2 {[%emt 0:03:38]} d5 $1 {[%emt 0:08:15]} 23. e5 {[%emt 0:03:48]} (23. exd5 Nxd5 $5 (23... Qxd5 $11) 24. Qe4 g6 $11 ({or even oder sogar} 24... f5 $5 {is good for Black. His king is exposed, but White's pieces are not active enough to start an attack. ist gut für Schwarz. Sein König ist exponiert, aber die weißen Figuren sind nicht aktiv genug, um einen Angriff zu starten.})) 23... dxc4 {[%emt 0:02:02]} 24. Qxd8 {[%emt 0:00:24]} Rexd8 {[%emt 0:01:35]} 25. exf6 {[%emt 0:00:06]  At the first sight White's position looks preferable owing to his better pawn structure, but his pieces are not active enough. With his next move Black exchanges White's best placed piece.  Auf den ersten Blick ist die Stellung von Weiß wegen seiner besseren Bauernstruktur offenbar vorzuziehen, aber seine Figuren sind nicht aktiv genug. Mit seinem nächsten Zug tauscht Schwarz die am besten platzierte Figur von Weiß ab.} Bb4 $1 {[%emt 0:00:19]} 26. fxg7 {[%emt 0:00:19]} Bxc3 {[%emt 0:02:01]} 27. bxc3 {[%emt 0:00:05]} Kxg7 {[%emt 0:00:00] White has a nominally better pawn structure, but his bishop is passive. The a4 needs care in bishop endgames, while the c4 is less vulnerable and even restricts White's bishop a bit. Weiß hat eine nominell bessere Bauernstruktur, aber sein Läufer ist passiv. a4 erfordert in Läuferendspielen Vorsicht, während c4 weniger verwundbar ist und sogar den weißen Läufer ein wenig einschränkt.} 28. Kf1 {[%emt 0:02:09]} ({All rook games are drawn after Alle Turmendspiele sind remis nach} 28. Be4 Bd5 $11 {, unless Black exchanges on e4 at a wrong moment. He can play Rab8 and improve his rook instead. Es sei denn, Schwarz tauscht im falschen Moment auf e4. Er kann stattdessen Rab8 spielen und seinen Turm verbessern.}) 28... Rab8 {[%emt 0:05:05]} 29. Rb1 {[%emt 0:00:27]} Kf6 $11 {[%emt 0:00:24]} 30. Rxb8 {[%emt 0:01:56]} ({After Nach} 30. Ke2 {Black could play könnte Schwarz} h5 $1 {, hoping to fix White's kingside pawns on light squares and attack them at a convenient moment. spielen in der Hoffnung, die weißen Bauern am Königsflügel auf leichten Feldern zu fixieren und sie in einem günstigen Moment anzugreifen.}) 30... Rxb8 {[%emt 0:00:11]} 31. Rb1 {[%emt 0:00:02]} Rxb1+ {[%emt 0:00:35]} 32. Bxb1 {[%emt 0:00:04]} Ke5 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 33. Ke2 {[%emt 0:01:24] White would like to push Black's king back through the f2-f4 advance and then play g2-g4, but it is not going to happen. Weiß würde gerne den schwarzen König durch den Vorstoß f2-f4 zurückdrängen und dann g2-g4 spielen, aber das wird nicht passieren.} f5 $1 {[%emt 0:00:06] The pawn advance hinders White's activity. Der Bauernvorstoß behindert die Aktivität von Weiß.} 34. Bc2 {[%emt 0:01:06]} ({The white majority at the kingsside would not get anywhere after Die weiße Mehrheit am Königsflügel würde nichts bringen nach} 34. g3 f4 35. g4 c5 36. Bc2 Bd7 $11 {. .}) 34... f4 {[%emt 0:00:15]} 35. Bb1 {[%emt 0:01:08]} c5 {[%emt 0:00:32] Neither side can make progress. Keine der beiden Seiten kann Fortschritte erzielen.} 36. Bc2 {[%emt 0:00:21]} Bd7 {[%emt 0:00:26]} 37. f3 {[%emt 0:00:33]} Kf6 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 38. h4 {[%emt 0:00:43]} Ke5 {[%emt 0:00:12]} 39. Kf2 {[%emt 0:00:12]} Kf6 {[%emt 0:00:19]} 40. Ke2 {[%emt 0:00:00]} ({After Nach} 40. g3 {Black can play almost anything, including kann Schwarz fast alles spielen, einschließlich} Ke5 ({und und} 40... fxg3+ 41. Kxg3 Ke5 42. f4+ Kf6 $11 {. White's king is unable to attack Black's pawns. . Der weiße König ist nicht in der Lage, die schwarzen Bauern anzugreifen.}) 41. g4 Kf6 $11) 40... Ke5 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 41. Kf2 {[%emt 0:00:37] The game was quiet, but not dull, it contained many strong moves and many inconspicuous subtleties. A draw is a logical result, as both grandmasters played it very well and none of them made a mistake. It is very hard to beat an elite grandmaster in a classical game, especially when he is excellently prepared. It is good that both players are looking for fight, I expect that someone will take the lead in this week. We have many interesting games ahead! Die Partie war ruhig, aber nicht langweilig, sie enthielt viele starke Züge und viele unauffällige Feinheiten. Ein Remis ist ein logisches Ergebnis, da beide Großmeister sehr gut spielten und keiner von ihnen einen Fehler machte. Es ist sehr schwer, einen Elite-Großmeister in einer klassischen Partie zu schlagen, besonders wenn er hervorragend vorbereitet ist. Es ist gut, dass beide Spieler den Kampf suchen, ich erwarte, dass jemand in dieser Woche die Führung übernehmen wird. Wir haben viele interessante Partien vor uns!} 1/2-1/2

[Event "World-ch Carlsen-Nepomniachtchi"]
[Site "Dubai"]
[Date "2021.11.30"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C42"]
[WhiteElo "2855"]
[BlackElo "2782"]
[Annotator "McShane,Luke"]
[PlyCount "65"]
[EventDate "2021.11.26"]
[EventType "match"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "UAE"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 206"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2022.02.28"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2022.02.28"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{[%evp 0,65,80,16,53,5,61,-8,53,9,41,-41,6,-46,-12,12,34,32,32,34,56,-34,29,48,106,106,103,65,64,64,42,55,76,57,39,52,58,-16,-28,-53,-78,-2,35,12,17,17,17,75,55,55,56,0,0,0,0,18,42,7,0,0,12,3,3,3,0,0,3,0]} 1. e4 {This game was played on Carlsen's birthday, 30th November. In his first White game, Carlsen played 1.d4. The World Champion has a wide repertoire, so it is natural that he wants to see what Nepomniachtchi has prepared against both main first moves. Diese Partie wurde an Carlsens Geburtstag, dem 30. November, gespielt. In seiner ersten Weißpartie spielte Carlsen 1.d4. Der Weltmeister verfügt über ein breites Repertoire, daher ist es nur natürlich, dass er sehen will, was Nepomniachtchi gegen die beiden wichtigsten ersten Züge vorbereitet hat.} e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 {Nepomniachtchi won an important game with the Petroff (Russian) defence against Wang Hao at the Candidates tournament in April 2021. Nepomniachtchi gewann eine wichtige Partie mit der Petroff-Verteidigung (Russisch) gegen Wang Hao beim Kandidatenturnier im April 2021.} 3. Nxe5 d6 4. Nf3 Nxe4 5. d4 d5 6. Bd3 Bd6 7. O-O O-O {The position is nearly symmetrical. In this variation, White tries to build a slight initiative around the fact that the d5 pawn has been slightly weakened by the 'extra' move Nf6-e4. Die Stellung ist fast symmetrisch. In dieser Variante versucht Weiß, eine leichte Initiative um die Tatsache herum aufzubauen, dass der d5-Bauer durch den "Extra"-Zug Sf6-e4 leicht geschwächt wurde.} 8. c4 c6 9. Re1 Bf5 10. Qb3 Qd7 11. Nc3 Nxc3 12. Bxf5 Qxf5 13. bxc3 (13. Qxb7 {is the other try in this position. Caruana used this move at the Grand Swiss in 2019. ist der andere Versuch in dieser Stellung. Caruana hat diesen Zug beim Grand Swiss 2019 angewandt.} Qd7 14. Qxd7 (14. Qxa8 $2 Na4 15. c5 Na6 {the queen is trapped die Dame ist gefangen}) 14... Nxd7 15. c5 Bxh2+ 16. Nxh2 Ne4 {Caruana - Wang Hao, FIDE Chess.com Grand Swiss, 2019 (a draw) Caruana - Wang Hao, FIDE Chess.com Grand Swiss, 2019 (ein Remis)}) 13... b6 14. cxd5 cxd5 15. Qb5 Qd7 {Surprisingly, this is Black's only reasonable move Überraschenderweise ist dies der einzige vernünftige Zug von Schwarz} (15... Nd7 16. Qc6 {Black just loses material here. Schwarz verliert hier einfach Material.} Bb8 {White can't capture the rook on a8 immediately, but simple moves suffice, e.g. Weiß kann den Turm auf a8 nicht sofort schlagen, aber es genügen einfache Züge, z.B.} 17. Ba3 Rd8 18. Be7 Re8 19. Bg5 Rf8 20. Kh1 {wins und gewinnt}) 16. a4 (16. Qxd5 $4 Bxh2+) (16. Rb1 {has also been played at top level in Vachier Lagrave - Caruana Norway Chess 2017 (a draw) wurde auch auf höchstem Niveau gespielt, in Vachier Lagrave - Caruana, Norway Chess 2017 (ein Remis)}) 16... Qxb5 17. axb5 a5 18. Nh4 {An interesting try from Carlsen, and the first new move of the game. Nevertheless, it is clear that Nepomniachtchi was ready for this. Of course, Carlsen's 18.Nh4 is rather committal, as has passed up the last opportunity to capture en passant. Black's protected passed pawn on the a-file now becomes a permanent asset. Ein interessanter Versuch von Carlsen, und der erste neue Zug der Partie. Dennoch ist es klar, dass Nepomniachtchi darauf vorbereitet war. Natürlich ist Carlsens 18.Sh4 ziemlich verpflichtend, da er die letzte Gelegenheit zum Schlagen en passant verpasst hat. Der gedeckte schwarze Freibauer auf der a-Linie wird nun zu einem dauerhaften Vorteil.} (18. bxa6 {gives Black little to worry about. gibt Schwarz wenig Anlass zur Sorge.} Nxa6 19. Ba3 Bxa3 20. Rxa3 Nc7 {with equality mit Ausgleich}) ({RR} 18. bxa6 Nxa6 19. Ba3 Bxa3 20. Rxa3 Nc7 21. Rb3 b5 22. Reb1 f6 23. Ne1 Ra2 24. R1b2 Ra1 25. Rb1 Ra2 26. R1b2 Ra1 27. Rb1 Ra2 {½-½ (27) Zhou,R (2313)-Hong,M (2172) Daqing CHN 2025}) 18... g6 {Keeping the knight out of f5. Carlsen hinted during the press conference that there were many possibilities for the game to become sharp. Perhaps he was considering lines such as the following: Hält den Springer von f5 fern. Carlsen deutete während der Pressekonferenz an, dass es viele Möglichkeiten gäbe, die Partie scharf zu machen. Vielleicht zog er dabei Varianten wie die folgende in Betracht:} (18... Nd7 {A natural alternative Eine natürliche Alternative} 19. Nf5 Rfe8 20. Bg5 Rxe1+ 21. Rxe1 Bf8 22. Ne3 {White will win the d5 pawn, but Black's passed a-pawn could be rather dangerous. Weiß wird den d5-Bauern gewinnen, aber der a-Bauer von Schwarz könnte ziemlich gefährlich sein.}) 19. g4 $146 {This reveals the secondary point of 18.Nf3-h4. The knight is coming, via g2, to attack the pawn on d5. Dies offenbart den zweiten Punkt von 18.Nf3-h4. Der Springer kommt über g2, um den Bauern auf d5 anzugreifen.} ({RR} 19. Bh6 Rc8 20. g4 Nd7 21. Ng2 Rxc3 22. Ne3 Bf8 23. Nxd5 Bxh6 24. Nxc3 Bd2 25. Na4 Bxe1 26. Rxe1 Rc8 27. Re7 Rc4 28. Rxd7 Rxa4 29. Rd6 Rb4 30. Rxb6 Rxd4 31. h3 Rb4 32. Rb8+ Kg7 33. b6 a4 {Carlsen,M (2853)-Deac,B (2700) Warsaw POL 2023 ½-½ (46)}) 19... Nd7 20. Ng2 Rfc8 (20... Nf6 {is a plausible alternative. The game would become extremely sharp after ist eine plausible Alternative. Das Spiel würde extrem scharf werden nach} 21. Bh6 Rfc8 (21... Bxh2+ 22. Kh1 {is double edged ist zweischneidig}) 22. Ne3 Rxc3 23. g5 Nd7 24. Nxd5 {with a really unclear position. Black's king is always going to be in some danger, because doubling rooks on the e-file, followed by Re8+ is an obvious plan for White. But the a-pawn is dangerous, and the Bh6 could easily become irrelevant. mit einer wirklich unklaren Stellung. Der schwarze König wird immer in einer gewissen Gefahr sein, denn die Verdopplung der Türme auf der e-Linie, gefolgt von Te8+, ist ein offensichtlicher Plan für Weiß. Aber der a-Bauer ist gefährlich, und der Lh6 könnte leicht irrelevant werden.}) 21. Bf4 (21. Bd2 {defending the pawn is much less promising. With the extra move Rf8-c8, Black has time to play Das Verteidigen des Bauern ist viel weniger aussichtsreich. Mit dem Extrazug Tf8-c8 hat Schwarz Zeit für} Nf6 22. f3 Ne8 {and the knight is coming to a nice square on c7, so White seems to be in more danger here. und der Springer kommt auf ein schönes Feld auf c7, so dass Weiß hier in größerer Gefahr zu sein scheint.}) 21... Bxf4 22. Nxf4 Rxc3 (22... Nf6 23. g5 {shows one of the reasons to prefer 19.g4 over 19.g3 zeigt einen der Gründe, 19.g4 gegenüber 19.g3 vorzuziehen}) 23. Nxd5 Rd3 24. Re7 Nf8 {The only move, since Der einzige Schritt, da} (24... Rd8 25. Rxd7 {wins a piece: gewinnt eine Figur:} Rxd7 26. Nf6+) 25. Nf6+ {This came after Carlsen's first big think of the game, lasting more than 20 minutes. It is possible that he was still somewhat familiar with the position (which remains balanced), but needed time to decide how best to pose practical problems. Dies geschah nach Carlsens erstem großen Nachdenken in der Partie, der mehr als 20 Minuten dauerte. Es ist möglich, dass er mit der Stellung (die nach wie vor ausgeglichen ist) noch einigermaßen vertraut war, aber Zeit brauchte, um zu entscheiden, wie er am besten praktische Probleme stellen kann.} (25. Nxb6 Rb8 26. Nd5 Rxd4 {is likely to end in a draw soon. wird wahrscheinlich bald mit einem Unentschieden enden.}) 25... Kg7 26. Ne8+ Kg8 {Other king moves are possible, but leaving the pawn on f7 loose would introduce a bit more risk into the position. Black has no reason to fear a repetition Andere Königszüge sind möglich, aber den Bauern auf f7 hängen zu lassen, würde die Stellung etwas riskanter machen. Schwarz hat keinen Grund, eine Wiederholung zu befürchten} 27. d5 {Avoiding the immediate draw by repetition. Vermeidet das sofortige Remis durch Zugwiederholung.} a4 {Not the only decent move for Black, but certainly the simplest. Nicht der einzige anständige Zug für Schwarz, aber sicherlich der einfachste.} 28. Nf6+ (28. d6 {was also playable, but Black has various ways to secure equality. For example war auch spielbar, aber Schwarz hat verschiedene Möglichkeiten, Ausgleich zu sichern. Zum Beispiel} a3 29. d7 Rd8 30. Nf6+ Kg7 31. Re8 R3xd7 32. Nxd7 Rxe8 33. Nxb6 Rb8 34. Nc4 Rxb5 35. Rxa3 {with a draw mit einem Unentschieden}) 28... Kg7 29. g5 {Supporting the knight in this way creates the outline of a mating net around the Black king. One of White's ideas here is extremely simple: Ra1-c1-c7 and Rxf7+. But Black has more than one way to deal with this, and pushing the passed a-pawn is certainly the simplest. Indem der Springer auf diese Weise unterstützt wird, entsteht der Umriss eines Mattnetzes um den schwarzen König. Eine der Ideen von Weiß ist hier extrem einfach: Ta1-c1-c7 und Txf7. Aber Schwarz hat mehr als eine Möglichkeit, damit umzugehen, und das Vorstoßen des a-Bauern ist sicherlich die einfachste.} a3 30. Ne8+ {This came after another long think from Carlsen. There are quite a few alternatives to contemplate: Dies geschah nach einer weiteren langen Denkpause von Carlsen. Es gibt eine ganze Reihe erwägenswerter Alternativen:} (30. Rc1 {leads to a pretty draw by perpetual check führt zu einem schönen Unentschieden durch Dauerschach} a2 31. Rxf7+ (31. Rcc7 $4 {is too clever, and meets a simple refutation: ist zu clever und kann einfach widerlegt werden:} a1=Q+ 32. Kg2 Qxf6) 31... Kxf7 (31... Kh8 32. Kg2 $1 {and Black is in big trouble und Schwarz ist in großen Schwierigkeiten}) 32. Rc7+ Nd7 33. Rxd7+ Kf8 34. Nxh7+ Kg8 35. Nf6+ {with a typical draw by repetition, because hiding in the corner allows Rh7 mate. mit einem typischen Remis durch Zugwiederholung, weil das Verstecken in der Ecke Th7 Matt ermöglicht.}) (30. Re3 {is another move Carlsen may have considered. ist ein weiterer Zug, den Carlsen in Betracht gezogen haben könnte.} Rxe3 31. fxe3 {If White had time to bring his king to the queenside, this could be dangerous for Black. But the bind on the kingside is not permanent: Wenn Weiß Zeit hätte, seinen König zum Damenflügel zu bringen, könnte dies für Schwarz gefährlich werden. Aber die Fesselung am Königsflügel ist nicht dauerhaft:} h6 32. h4 hxg5 33. hxg5 Nh7 34. Nxh7 Kxh7 {and now White must be careful to secure the draw und jetzt muss Weiß darauf achten, das Remis zu sichern} 35. Kf2 $2 (35. d6 {draws easily by deflecting the Black rook remisiert leicht durch Ablenkung des schwarzen Turms}) 35... Kg7 36. e4 f6 37. gxf6+ Kxf6 38. Ke3 Ke5 {and Black wins und Schwarz gewinnt}) (30. d6 {was possible, but Black has various paths to equality. For example war möglich, aber Schwarz hat verschiedene Wege zum Ausgleich. Zum Beispiel} Ne6 31. d7 Nxg5 {this strikes me as the simplest, though 31...Rd8 is also acceptable Das scheint mir am einfachsten zu sein, obwohl 31...Td8 auch akzeptabel ist} 32. Re8 Ra5 33. d8=Q Rxd8 34. Rxd8 (34. Nh5+ Kh6 35. Rxd8 Kxh5 {doesn't change much ändert nicht viel}) 34... Kxf6 35. Rd6+ Kg7 36. Rxb6 Nf3+ 37. Kg2 Nd4 38. Ra6 Rxb5 39. R6xa3 {and Black will draw without any difficulty. und Schwarz wird ohne Schwierigkeiten Remis machen.}) (30. Kg2 a2 31. Re2 Rda3 {is a strange position, which seems to be equal, although I suspect White is the one running more risk here. One simple idea for Black is to play Ra3-a7, followed by Nf8-d7. ist eine seltsame Stellung, die ausgeglichen zu sein scheint, obwohl ich vermute, dass Weiß hier das größere Risiko eingeht. Eine einfache Idee für Schwarz ist es, Ta3-a7 zu spielen, gefolgt von Sf8-d7.}) 30... Kg8 (30... Kh8 {was possible, as before, but Black should not be overly ambitious. war nach wie vor möglich, aber Schwarz sollte nicht zu ehrgeizig sein.} 31. Nf6 a2 (31... Kg7 {is safer ist sicherer}) 32. Rxf7 Rb3 33. Kg2 Rxb5 34. h4 {and Black has serious problems to solve. und Schwarz hat ernsthafte Probleme zu lösen.} Rb1 35. Rxa2 Rxa2 36. Rxf8+ Kg7 37. Rb8 {and Black may already be lost here. und Schwarz könnte hier bereits verloren sein.}) 31. Nf6+ Kg7 {is safer ist sicherer} 32. Ne8+ Kg8 33. Nf6+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "World-ch Carlsen-Nepomniachtchi"]
[Site "Dubai"]
[Date "2021.12.01"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C88"]
[WhiteElo "2782"]
[BlackElo "2855"]
[Annotator "Giri,Anish"]
[PlyCount "85"]
[EventDate "2021.11.26"]
[EventType "match"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "UAE"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 206"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2022.02.28"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2022.02.28"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{[%evp 0,85,61,26,56,50,61,-17,8,-20,-38,-95,-19,-58,-58,-37,5,-28,29,28,28,-14,24,-17,22,-17,-1,3,97,21,25,18,51,31,53,11,28,35,58,18,49,44,56,50,50,17,23,19,42,37,22,29,32,24,34,17,50,34,40,43,90,62,106,93,103,78,74,41,41,54,51,58,48,53,53,29,53,42,41,4,37,37,37,11,37,37,29,37]} 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O {No surprises thus far, as both the players continue the discussion in the Anti-Marshall. Keine Überraschungen bis jetzt, da beide Spieler die Diskussion im Anti-Marshall fortsetzen.} 8. a4 {Repeating the previous White game, from round 3, Ian is ready to challenge Magnus in this topical sideline once again. Die vorangegangene Weißpartie aus Runde 3 wiederholend, ist Ian bereit, Magnus in dieser aktuellen Nebenvariante erneut herauszufordern.} Rb8 {A deviation from the third game, but hardly a surprise, as Magnus used this move against Duda in the relatively recently finished World Cup in Sochi. Eine Abweichung von der dritten Partie, aber kaum eine Überraschung, da Magnus diesen Zug gegen Duda beim erst kürzlich beendeten World Cup in Sotschi anwandte.} (8... Bb7 9. d3 d6 10. Nbd2 Re8 $5 {happened in game 3. geschah in Partie 3.}) 9. axb5 axb5 10. h3 {Ian shows some move order finesse here, avoiding 10.c3 d5, which happened in Duda-Carlsen, though without the inclusion of 9.axb5 axb5 yet -9.c3 d5. Ian zeigt hier eine gewisse Finesse in der Zugfolge, indem er 10.c3 d5 vermeidet, was in Duda-Carlsen geschah, allerdings noch ohne die Einschaltung von 9.axb5 axb5 - 9.c3 d5.} d6 {Marshall style pawn sacrifice is less tempting here, as White has the c3 square for the knight, down the line. Ein Bauernopfer im Marshall-Stil ist hier weniger verlockend, da Weiß im Lauf der Variante das Feld c3 für den Springer.} 11. c3 {An interesting idea. When watching this game live, I felt it is more principled not to allow the trade of b-pawns with b4-bxc3 and play 11.d3, but going deeper into the position, I also noticed the downsides of trading the b5 pawn away. The c4 and a4 squares become available to White pieces. Eine interessante Idee. Als ich diese Partie live sah, hielt ich es für prinzipieller, den b-Bauern mit b4-bxc3 nicht zu tauschen und 11.d3 zu spielen, aber als ich mich näher mit der Stellung befasste, bemerkte ich auch die Nachteile des Abtauschs des b5-Bauern. Die Felder c4 und a4 werden für die weißen Figuren verfügbar.} b4 {If Black goes for the plan with Re8, h6, Bf8, White will strike with the immediate d4!. This reply is very sensible, preparing counterplay against the d4 push. Wenn Schwarz den Plan mit Te8, h6, Lf8 verfolgt, wird Weiß sofort mit d4! zuschlagen. Diese Antwort ist sehr vernünftig und bereitet ein Gegenspiel gegen den d4-Vorstoß vor.} 12. d3 {Now the the c4 and a4 squares are under White's control, this timid setup has some venom. Jetzt, da die Felder c4 und a4 unter weißer Kontrolle sind, hat dieser zaghafte Aufbau etwas Gift.} (12. d4 bxc3 13. bxc3 exd4 {a thematic sequence gives Black enough counterplay. eine thematische Sequenz gibt Schwarz genug Gegenspiel.} 14. cxd4 d5 $1 15. e5 Ne4 {With a complicated position, but with the active knight on e4 and the play, as well as squares, along the b-file Black appears to have a decent position. Mit einer komplizierten Stellung, aber mit dem aktiven Springer auf e4 und dem Spiel sowie den Feldern entlang der b-Linie scheint Schwarz eine anständige Position zu haben.}) 12... bxc3 {Not neccessary, but Black likely has to release the tension sooner or later. Das ist nicht notwendig, aber Schwarz muss wahrscheinlich früher oder später die Spannung aufheben.} 13. bxc3 d5 {This is not a must, but Black played it quickly, suggesting that the team of the World Champion thought this was the best way to try and neutralize White's small initiative. I would also consider the slower plan with h6 Re8 Bf8, intending Be6 or Ne7-Ng6 regroup. Basically, Black's main issue is his c6 knight, that is restrained by the c3 pawn. Dies ist kein Muss, aber Schwarz spielte es schnell, was darauf hindeutet, dass das Team des Weltmeisters dachte, dies sei der beste Weg, um zu versuchen, die kleine Initiative von Weiß zu neutralisieren. Ich würde auch den langsameren Plan mit h6/Te8/Lf8 in Betracht ziehen, mit der Absicht, Le6 oder Se7-Sg6 umzugruppieren. Im Grunde genommen ist das Hauptproblem von Schwarz sein Springer auf c6, der durch den c3-Bauern zurückgehalten wird.} 14. Nbd2 {A quiet reply. White intends to finish development and banks his hopes on the fact that the c6 knight is an awful piece. Eine ruhige Antwort. Weiß will die Entwicklung beenden und setzt seine Hoffnungen auf die Tatsache, dass der Springer auf c6 eine schreckliche Figur ist.} dxe4 {Black needs to release the tension, as Ba4 is a threat potentially. Schwarz muss die Spannung auflösen, da La4 eine potenzielle Drohung ist.} 15. dxe4 Bd6 {This seems slightly less accurate than the immediate h6, Magnus has mixed up the move order here, but Ian returns the favor, transposing back into the position he was aiming for anyway. Das scheint etwas weniger genau zu sein als das unmittelbare h6, Magnus hat hier die Zugfolge durcheinandergebracht, aber Ian revanchiert sich, indem er wieder in die Stellung überleitet, die er ohnehin anstrebte.} (15... h6 {This was a better order, when after 16.Qc2 Bd6 we are back in the game. Das war eine bessere Reihenfolge, da wir nach 16.Dc2 Ld6 wieder in der Partie sind.} 16. Ba4 {is not dangerous for Black. ist für Schwarz nicht gefährlich.} Ra8 17. Ba3 (17. Bb2 Bd7 18. Bxc6 Bxc6 19. Nxe5 Rxa1 20. Bxa1 Bxe4 {regaining the pawn, with further trades. mit Rückgewinn des Bauern und weiteren Tauschaktionen.} 21. Nxe4 Qxd1 22. Nxf6+ Bxf6 23. Rxd1 Bxe5) 17... Nb8 $1 {everything holds, as 18.Nxe5 is met by 18...Rxa4! when the d2 knight is hanging in the end. hält alles, denn 18.Sxe5 wird mit 18...Txa4! beantwortet, wonach der Springer auf d2 am Ende hängt.}) 16. Qc2 {16.Nc4, as well as starting with 16.Ba4 first and then Nc4 was very challenging. Mit 16.Sc4 zu beginnen wie auch erst 16.La4 und dann Sc4, war sehr herausfordernd.} h6 17. Nf1 {A modest but a very harmonious plan. White just wants to finish his development with Ng3 and Be3. Ein bescheidener, aber sehr harmonischer Plan. Weiß will einfach seine Entwicklung mit Sg3 und Le3 beenden.} Ne7 $146 {A somewhat inaccurate move order once again, as the knight moving away from the center this early gives White the opportunity to eventually grab space with c4-c5. Wieder einmal eine etwas ungenaue Zugfolge, da der sich so früh aus dem Zentrum entfernde Springer gibt, Weiß die Möglichkeit, mit c4-c5 Raum zu gewinnen.} (17... Bd7 {Would have likely led to a similar position as in the game eventually, but sidestepping the 20.c4! option. hätte wahrscheinlich zu einer ähnlichen Stellung wie in der Partie geführt, aber unter Umgehung der Option 20.c4!} 18. Ng3 Qc8 19. Be3 Be6 20. Bxe6 Qxe6 {Black is on the defensive, but it is nothing much for White. Schwarz ist in der Defensive, aber das ist nicht viel für Weiß.}) ({RR} 17... Bd7 18. Ng3 Qc8 19. Be3 Be6 20. Bxe6 Qxe6 21. Qa4 Ne7 22. Reb1 Nd7 23. Nd2 {½-½ (23) Bacrot,E (2648)-Fressinet,L (2624) Albi 2022}) 18. Ng3 Ng6 19. Be3 Qe8 {Clever, as Black intends Be6 and doesn't want to get hit by Nf5 after 19...Qe7. Clever, da Schwarz Le6 beabsichtigt und nicht nach 19...De7 von Sf5 getroffen werden will.} 20. Red1 {Too soft. Ian likely gets back into a position similar to the one he had in his notes after 17...Bd7, but it isn't much. Instead he had an opportunity to get a real plus. Zu weich. Ian kommt wahrscheinlich in eine ähnliche Stellung zurück, wie er sie in seinen Notizen nach 17...Ld7 hatte, aber das ist nicht viel. Stattdessen hatte er die Gelegenheit, ein echtes Plus zu erzielen.} (20. c4 $1 {This would gain some space and put more pressure on the Black's position. Dies würde Raum gewinnen und mehr Druck auf die schwarze Stellung ausüben.} Be6 {Probably this is what Magnus would have done. Black gets to trade the bishops, but gets cramped with c5. Wahrscheinlich hätte Magnus genau das getan. Schwarz kann die Läufer tauschen, wird aber mit c5 eingeklemmt.} (20... Bb4 {Ambitious, trying to give the bishop more air, but it doesn't work well. Ehrgeizig, um dem Läufer mehr Luft zu verschaffen, aber es funktioniert nicht gut.} 21. Reb1 $1 {Clever. Raffiniert.} c5 22. Ba4 $1 {Now Qe6 is not possible because of 23.Bxc5! and White bishop gets to reroute itself. Jetzt ist De6 wegen 23.Lxc5! nicht möglich, und der weiße Läufer kann sich selbst umleiten.} Qe7 23. Bc6 $1 {Heading for d5, a major upgrade from b3. White is better here, as the bishop on b4 is out of play and Black has got all these light square weaknesses. Er geht nach d5, eine große Verbesserung gegenüber b3. Weiß steht hier besser, da der Läufer auf b4 aus dem Spiel ist und Schwarz all diese weißen Feldschwächen hat.}) 21. Ba4 Bd7 {Slightly more accurate is 21...Qc8!, but I am not sure how easy it is for a human to understand that. Etwas genauer ist 21...Dc8!, aber ich bin mir nicht sicher, wie einfach das für einen Menschen zu verstehen ist.} 22. c5 Bxa4 23. Rxa4 {The pressure is on here, as the d6 bishop gets destabilized and the e5 as well as c7 pawns are now more vulnerable. Early to celebrate, but this would have given Ian better chances to achieve his first World Championship match victory. Der Druck ist hier groß, da der Läufer auf d6 destabilisiert wird und die Bauern auf e5 und c7 nun verwundbarer sind. Es ist noch zu früh zum Feiern, aber das hätte Ian bessere Chancen auf seinen ersten Sieg in einem Weltmeisterschaftsmatch gegeben.}) 20... Be6 21. Ba4 Bd7 22. Nd2 {Ian allows a lot of trades. Ian erlaubt eine Vielzahl von Abtäuschen.} Bxa4 23. Qxa4 Qxa4 24. Rxa4 {White still has a slightly better bishop, but there is very little Black should be worried about here. Easiest was 24... Rfd8! ready to meet 25.Nc4 with 25...Rb3. Weiß hat immer noch einen etwas besseren Läufer, aber es gibt sehr wenig, worüber sich Schwarz Sorgen machen müsste. Am einfachsten war 24... Tfd8!, bereit, 25.Sc4 mit 25...Tb3 zu begegnen.} Ra8 {Natural, to trade one more pair of pieces. Natürlich, um ein weiteres Figurenpaar zu tauschen.} 25. Rda1 Rxa4 26. Rxa4 Rb8 27. Ra6 Ne8 {Quite passive, but very solid. Ziemlich passiv, aber sehr solide.} (27... Nd7 {Seems to be cleaner. Scheint sauberer zu sein.} 28. Nc4 Bf8) (27... Nf4 {Is the engine way, but for a human it's hard to somehow make one active move in a row in a slightly lightly worse endgame. Das ist der Weg der Engine, aber für einen Menschen ist es schwer, in einem leicht schlechteren Endspiel irgendwie auf einmal einen aktiven Zug zu machen.}) 28. Kf1 Nf8 {Sticking to the passive approach again. Bleibt wieder beim passiven Ansatz.} 29. Nf5 {I was getting excited about 29.h4 but after 29...Ne6, it doesn't seem that h5 bind is that big a deal. Ich hatte mich schon auf 29.h4 gefreut, aber nach 29...Se6 scheint die h5-Klammer keine große Sache zu sein.} Ne6 30. Nc4 Rd8 31. f3 f6 {I thought 31...h5 was the more traditional way of solving the slightly issues that Black still has, but as Magnus correctly pointed out, after 32. Ncxd6! cxd6 33.Ra7 White keeps some pressure, while 32.g4 followed by h4-h5 bind is not such a big deal after all. Ich dachte, 31...h5 wäre der traditionellere Weg, um die leichten Probleme zu lösen, die Schwarz noch hat, aber wie Magnus richtig bemerkte, behält Weiß nach 32. Scxd6! cxd6 33.Ta7 etwas Druck, während 32.g4 gefolgt von der Klammer h4-h5 doch keine so große Sache ist.} 32. g4 Kf7 33. h4 Bf8 34. Ke2 Nd6 $1 {Trading a pair of knights makes Black's life easier. Der Abtausch eines Springerpaares macht Schwarz das Leben leichter.} 35. Ncxd6+ Bxd6 36. h5 Bf8 {Black now has the bad bishop, but there is nothing to be done here for White, as he has to keep the f4 square in check and also has no pawn breaks. Ian didn't see what he could try either and the game ended in a move repetition quickly. Schwarz hat nun den schlechten Läufer, aber für Weiß gibt es hier nichts zu tun, da er das Feld f4 in Schach halten muss und auch keine Bauerndurchbrüche hat. Ian sah auch nicht, was er versuchen könnte, und die Partie endete schnell in einer Zugwiederholung.} 37. Ra5 Ke8 38. Rd5 Ra8 39. Rd1 Ra2+ 40. Rd2 Ra1 41. Rd1 Ra2+ 42. Rd2 Ra1 43. Rd1 1/2-1/2

[Event "World-ch Carlsen-Nepomniachtchi"]
[Site "Dubai"]
[Date "2021.12.04"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C88"]
[WhiteElo "2782"]
[BlackElo "2855"]
[Annotator "Giri,Anish"]
[PlyCount "81"]
[EventDate "2021.11.26"]
[EventType "match"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "UAE"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 206"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2022.02.28"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2022.02.28"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{[%evp 0,81,58,32,26,61,50,20,8,-25,-5,-63,-19,-58,-58,-51,-20,-50,-16,28,34,-18,24,-3,22,19,54,61,85,36,36,33,75,64,76,79,82,50,83,83,83,72,81,67,107,86,14,14,8,8,8,4,-1,-5,-5,-5,-7,-4,-9,-3,-3,5,1,0,6,0,3,0,0,0,0,-4,0,-18,0,0,0,-18,0,0,0,0,0,0]} 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. a4 {The repeat of the same opening as in game 3 and 5 is not too surprising, given that Ian didn't have much time after the previous long game that ended in a loss for him. Also Ian was getting some small plus there, after all Die Wiederholung der gleichen Eröffnung wie in den Partien 3 und 5 ist nicht allzu überraschend, wenn man bedenkt, dass Ian nach der letzten langen Partie, die für ihn mit einer Niederlage endete, nicht viel Zeit hatte. Außerdem bekam Ian dort ein kleines Plus, immerhin} Rb8 9. axb5 axb5 10. h3 d6 11. d3 {Another twist, keeping the b-pawns on the board for now. In the previous game in this position Ian included 11.c3 b4, got a small plus, but for this game, Magnus (his team) would likely come up with an improvement neutralizing that attempt. Eine weitere Wendung, bei der die b-Bauern vorerst auf dem Brett bleiben. In der vorherigen Partie hatte Ian in dieser Stellung 11.c3 b4 eingeschaltet und ein kleines Plus erzielt, aber für diese Partie würde Magnus (sein Team) wahrscheinlich eine Verbesserung finden, die diesen Versuch neutralisiert.} h6 {Magnus is going for the very simple plan of h6, Re8, Bf8, Be6, trading the bishops without doubling the pawns. It is slow, but quite efficient. Magnus wählt den sehr einfachen Plan h6, Te8, Lf8, Le6 mit Läufertausch, ohne die Bauern zu verdoppeln. Es ist langsam, aber ziemlich effizient.} 12. Nc3 {Ian chooses for the Nc3-Nd5 plan. Ian entscheidet sich für den Plan Sc3-Sd5.} Re8 13. Nd5 Bf8 {Black continues with his plan, not minding the trade of knights much. Schwarz fährt mit seinem Plan fort und kümmert sich nicht sonderlich um den Tausch von Springern.} 14. Nxf6+ Qxf6 15. c3 {Black is left with the "bad" c6 knight, but as so often in these structures, he can reroute it to g6 at will. Schwarz bleibt der "schlechte" Springer auf c6, aber wie so oft in diesen Strukturen kann er ihn nach Belieben nach g6 umlenken.} Ne7 16. Be3 Be6 {Magnus took some time to go for this move order. It was also possible to start with 15....Be6, or play another move here, for example 16... b4 or 16...c5. Magnus brauchte einige Zeit, um sich für diese Zugfolge zu entscheiden. Es war auch möglich, mit 15....Le6 zu beginnen oder hier einen anderen Zug zu spielen, zum Beispiel 16...b4 oder 16...c5.} 17. d4 {White gains space in the center, but with the second pair of light pieces getting traded, the center alone is not worth too much. The side with the less space is always happy to trade stuff away. Weiß gewinnt Raum in der Mitte, aber mit dem zweiten Paar Leichtfiguren, die getauscht werden, ist die Mitte allein nicht allzu viel wert. Die Seite mit dem weniger Platz ist immer froh, wenn sie etwas abtauschen kann.} exd4 $146 {Likely an operation prepared by the team of the World Champion. Giving up the center may seem surprising at first, but it equalizes quite smoothly. Wahrscheinlich eine Operation, die vom Team des Weltmeisters vorbereitet wurde. Die Aufgabe des Zentrums mag zunächst überraschen, aber sie gleicht ganz problemlos aus.} ({RR} 17... Ng6 18. Bxe6 {½-½ (18) Esipenko,A (2678)-Tomashevsky,E (2700) Cheboksary 2022}) 18. cxd4 Bxb3 19. Qxb3 Ng6 {It transpires that the e4 pawn is hanging and more importantly, c5 push is coming next. Es stellt sich heraus, dass der e4-Bauer hängt und, was noch wichtiger ist, dass der c5-Vorstoß als nächstes kommt.} 20. Rec1 (20. Rac1 $1 {The only way to put some pressure, preventing c5, but Black is fine here as well. Die einzige Möglichkeit, Druck auszuüben und c5 zu verhindern, aber auch hier steht Schwarz gut.} Rxe4 (20... Rbc8 {or 20...Qd8 is also possible, trying to be even more pedantic. oder 20...Dd8 ist auch möglich, um noch pedantischer zu sein.}) 21. Rxc7 Re7 {White is maybe somewhat more pleasant here, with b5 pawn being slightly lightly weak, but it is not a big deal. Weiß steht hier vielleicht etwas angenehmer, da der b5-Bauer leicht schwach ist, aber das ist keine große Sache.}) (20. Qc2 c5 21. e5 Qd8 {should lead to mass exchanges as well, just like in the game. sollte ebenfalls zu einem Massenaustausch führen, genau wie im Spiel.}) 20... c5 {Now the stuff just gets traded and the game ends in a draw quickly. Jetzt werden die Sachen einfach abgetauscht und das Spiel endet schnell unentschieden.} 21. e5 Qf5 22. dxc5 dxc5 23. Bxc5 Bxc5 24. Rxc5 Nxe5 25. Nxe5 Rxe5 26. Rxe5 Qxe5 27. Qc3 {Vacuum cleaner is on. Der Staubsauger ist eingeschaltet.} Qxc3 28. bxc3 Rc8 29. Ra5 Rxc3 30. Rxb5 Rc1+ 31. Kh2 Rc3 32. h4 g6 33. g3 h5 34. Kg2 Kg7 35. Ra5 Kf6 36. Rb5 Kg7 37. Ra5 Kf6 38. Rb5 Kg7 39. Ra5 Kf6 40. Ra6+ Kg7 41. Ra7 {Not the most exciting of the games, but after a 7+ hour long game the day before, the players have nothing to prove to anyone. Nicht die aufregendste Partie, aber nach einer 7-stündigen Partie am Vortag haben die Spieler niemandem etwas zu beweisen.} 1/2-1/2

[Event "World-ch Carlsen-Nepomniachtchi"]
[Site "Dubai"]
[Date "2021.12.05"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C43"]
[WhiteElo "2855"]
[BlackElo "2782"]
[Annotator "Giri,Anish"]
[PlyCount "91"]
[EventDate "2021.11.26"]
[EventType "match"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "UAE"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 206"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2022.02.28"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2022.02.28"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{[%evp 0,91,25,25,56,31,76,8,9,9,9,-29,-29,-39,-36,-90,23,13,24,32,100,26,31,31,35,25,16,0,57,48,82,40,75,68,68,67,68,62,62,62,88,83,109,109,155,135,138,125,114,114,144,114,114,111,111,101,119,91,173,173,179,179,179,181,197,195,195,198,208,201,186,185,188,229,230,236,236,188,199,176,166,188,199,203,205,183,171,205,246,243,302,285,363,281]} 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 {Ian stays loyal to the Petroff. A draw in this game means he gets a restday and an opportunity to go for it in the next game with the White pieces. Ian bleibt Russisch treu. Ein Remis in dieser Partie bedeutet, dass er einen Ruhetag bekommt und die Möglichkeit hat, in der nächsten Partie mit den weißen Figuren zuzuschlagen.} 3. d4 Nxe4 4. Bd3 d5 5. Nxe5 Nd7 6. Nxd7 Bxd7 7. Nd2 $5 {A very innocent looking try, but Carlsen evidently felt it was good enough for this particular game and it worked out indeed. Ein sehr unschuldig aussehender Versuch, aber Carlsen war offensichtlich der Meinung, dass er für diese spezielle Partie gut genug war, und es hat tatsächlich funktioniert.} Nxd2 {Not the only move with 7. ..f5 and 7...Nf6 looking like interesting alternatives. Nicht der einzige Zug, denn 7...f5 und 7...Sf6 sehen wie interessante Alternativen aus.} ({RR} 7... Nf6 8. O-O Be7 9. h3 O-O 10. Nf3 Re8 11. Re1 c5 12. c3 Qb6 13. a4 ({RR} 13. Ne5 Be6 14. Re2 Rac8 15. Be3 Nd7 16. f4 Nxe5 17. fxe5 Bd7 18. Rf2 Rf8 19. Qf3 Qc6 20. Raf1 h6 21. Qh5 Be8 22. Rf6 Bxf6 23. Rxf6 Qa4 24. Bxh6 g6 25. Bxg6 fxg6 26. Rxg6+ Kf7 27. Qf5+ Ke7) 13... cxd4 14. a5 Qc7 15. Nxd4 Bc5 16. Rxe8+ Rxe8 17. a6 bxa6 18. Rxa6 Bb6 19. Be3 Ne4 20. Bxe4 dxe4 21. Nc2 Bb5 22. Bxb6 {Carlsen,M (2830)-Abdusattorov,N (2766) Warsaw POL 2024 1-0 (107)}) ({RR} 7... Nf6 8. O-O Be7 9. h3 O-O 10. Nf3 Re8 11. Re1 c5 12. c3 Qb6 13. a4 cxd4 14. a5 Qc7 15. Nxd4 Bc5 16. Rxe8+ Rxe8 17. a6 bxa6 18. Rxa6 Bb6 19. Be3 Ne4 20. Bxe4 dxe4 21. Nc2 Bb5 22. Bxb6 {Carlsen,M (2828)-Abdusattorov,N (2733) Warsaw, Poland 2024 1-0 (107)}) 8. Bxd2 Bd6 {Objectively this natural move may be quite inaccurate. The computer's first suggestion is 8...Qe7+. Objektiv mag dieser natürliche Zug ziemlich ungenau sein. Der erste Vorschlag des Computers ist 8...De7+.} ({RR} 8... Qe7+ 9. Be3 Qb4+ 10. Qd2 Qxd2+ 11. Kxd2 Bd6 12. h4 h5 13. Rae1 Be6 14. g3 Kd7 15. Bf4 Rae8 16. Bxd6 Kxd6 17. Re3 Bg4 18. f3 Bd7 19. Rxe8 Rxe8 20. Re1 Be6 21. c3 a5 22. Re2 Re7 23. a3 {Fressinet,L (2616)-Svane,R (2629) Hamburg GER 2025 ½-½}) 9. O-O h5 $5 {This can be seen as a sign of aggression, but in fact it is more than that, a very clever idea. The simple castle at this point, maintaining symmetry will not maintain it for too long, as after 9...0-0 10.Qh5! Black is forced to weaken his position somewhat with 10...f5. With the move in the game, Ian guards h5 square, accepts the fact that the king will no longer castle and think about activating the h8 rook already. Dies kann als ein Zeichen von Aggression gesehen werden, aber in Wirklichkeit ist es mehr als das, eine sehr clevere Idee. Die einfache Rochade an dieser Stelle, welche die Symmetrie aufrechterhält, wird selbige nicht allzu lange aufrechterhalten, denn nach 9...0-0 10.Dh5! ist Schwarz gezwungen, seine Stellung mit 10...f5 etwas zu schwächen. Mit dem Partiezug bewacht Ian das Feld h5, akzeptiert die Tatsache, dass der König nicht mehr rochiert und denkt bereits über die Aktivierung des Turms h8 nach.} 10. Qe1+ $146 {After a surprise, followed a long thought and this move, essentially offering simplifications and basically a draw. After the game Magnus mentioned that he was also not 100% sure whether Ian was not out of book at this point. Nach einer Überraschung folgte eine langes Nachdenken und dieser Zug, der im Wesentlichen Vereinfachungen und im Grunde ein Remis bot. Nach der Partie erwähnte Magnus, dass er sich auch nicht 100% sicher war, ob Ian zu diesem Zeitpunkt nicht aus dem Buch war.} (10. c4 {was the most tempting move, but the lines could get very complicated here. war der verlockendste Zug, aber die Varianten könnten hier sehr kompliziert werden.} dxc4 11. Re1+ Kf8 12. Bxc4 {here it's tempting to go for the double attack with Qh4, but actually Black should be very alert here. Hier ist es verlockend, den Doppelangriff mit Dh4 zu wagen, aber eigentlich sollte Schwarz hier sehr wachsam sein.} Qf6 $1 {The strongest reply, preventing Qf3 first and foremost. Die stärkste Antwort, die vor allem Df3 verhindert.} (12... Qh4 {This would be good if not for a very powerful reply. Das wäre gut, wenn es nicht eine sehr starke Antwort gäbe.} 13. Qf3 $3 {Suddenly it transpires that White's threat of Qxf7 is far too serious, while Black's check on h2, even though it captures a pawn, is only a check. Plötzlich stellt sich heraus, dass die weiße Drohung Dxf7 viel zu ernst ist, während das schwarze Schach auf h2, auch wenn es einen Bauern schlägt, eben nur ein Schach ist.}) 13. Qb3 h4 $1 {Black can meet 14.Qxb7 with 14...Bc6! gaining a lot of time to generate kingside play. The position is actually quite unclear, as the h8 rook is ready to get into the game via h5. Schwarz kann 14.Dxb7 mit 14...Lc6! begegnen und gewinnt viel Zeit, um Spiel am Königsflügel zu erzeugen. Die Stellung ist eigentlich ziemlich unklar, da der Turm auf h8 bereit ist, über h5 ins Spiel zu kommen.}) ({RR} 10. c4 Qh4 11. g3 Qg4 12. Re1+ Kf8 13. c5 Be7 14. Bf4 Qxd1 15. Raxd1 c6 16. h4 Re8 17. b4 a6 18. a4 g6 19. b5 axb5 20. axb5 Kg7 21. b6 Bf6 22. Be3 Bf5 23. Be2 Re7 24. Bf3 Be4 {Slizhevsky,A (2381)-Gochelashvili,D (2230) Chennai IND 2024 ½-½}) 10... Kf8 $6 {An inexplicable error, even though the arising position is still pretty solid and very drawish. It is just not clear why not to play 10...Qe7 instead, which would equalize on the spot, while the move in the game isn't a winning attempt at all. Ein unerklärlicher Fehler, auch wenn die entstehende Stellung immer noch ziemlich solide und sehr remislich ist. Es ist nur nicht klar, warum man nicht stattdessen 10...De7 spielt, was auf der Stelle ausgleichen würde, während der Zug in der Partie überhaupt kein Gewinnversuch ist.} (10... Qe7 {there isn't much to show here, as the queens come off, the position is totally dry. Hier gibt es nicht viel zu zeigen, da die Damen verschwinden, die Stellung ist völlig trocken.}) 11. Bb4 {White obviously elimates the d6 bishop (else why did he go Qe1+) and gets a very slightly better position, thanks to a very very slightly better bishop and better coordination of rooks, as the rook on h8, though it can join the game via h6, is still somewhat oddly placed, with h5 pawn being weak if it ever leaves the h-file. Weiß eliminiert natürlich den Läufer auf d6 (warum hätte er sonst De1+ gespielt) und erhält eine ganz leicht bessere Stellung, dank eines ganz leicht besseren Läufers und einer besseren Koordination der Türme, da der Turm auf h8, obwohl er über h6 ins Spiel kommen kann, immer noch etwas seltsam platziert ist, da der h5-Bauer schwach ist, wenn er jemals die h-Linie verlässt.} Qe7 12. Bxd6 Qxd6 13. Qd2 Re8 14. Rae1 Rh6 {This questionable move was played too fast and I started to get worried for Black here. It started to become clear that Ian was out of balance on this day. Dieser fragwürdige Zug wurde zu schnell gespielt, und ich begann, mir Sorgen um Schwarz zu machen. Es wurde langsam klar, dass Ian an diesem Tag aus dem Gleichgewicht war.} 15. Qg5 {An annoying move, pointing out that f6 now reduces the range of the h6 rook. Ein lästiger Zug, der darauf hinweist, dass f6 nun die Reichweite des h6-Turms reduziert.} c6 16. Rxe8+ Bxe8 17. Re1 Qf6 18. Qe3 {Magnus plays it simple. Also possible was to go for another route. Magnus macht es sich einfach. Möglich wäre auch, einen anderen Weg einzuschlagen.} (18. Qg3 Qd6 19. Qh4 Qf6 20. Qh3 $5 {This is another attempt at transforming the position and making use of White's better coordinated pieces. Dies ist ein weiterer Versuch, die Stellung umzuwandeln und die besser koordinierten Figuren von Weiß auszunutzen.} Qxd4 21. Qc8 Re6 22. Rxe6 fxe6 23. g3 $1 {Threatening Bg6 and keeping Qxb7 in the pocket as well. Black can likely hold, but only with very precise play. Er droht mit Lg6 und hält auch Dxb7 in der Trommel. Schwarz kann sich wahrscheinlich halten, aber nur mit sehr präzisem Spiel.}) 18... Bd7 19. h3 h4 {A decent move, even though Ian felt this was not accurate, unhappy that he allowed c4 in this version. Ein anständiger Zug, auch wenn Ian der Meinung war, dass dies nicht genau war, unglücklich darüber, dass er c4 in dieser Version erlaubte.} 20. c4 {Transforming the position somewhat, opening it a little bit, trying to use Black's weird piece coordination. Verwandelt die Stellung etwas, öffnet sie en wenig, versucht, die seltsame Figurenkoordination von Schwarz zu nutzen.} dxc4 21. Bxc4 b5 $4 {A blunder that is hard to explain. I'd go with the cliches: the nerves, tiredness, pressure and all of that. Ein Fehler, der schwer zu erklären ist. Ich würde die Klischees bemühen: die Nerven, die Müdigkeit, der Druck und all das.} (21... Kg8 $1 {Would equalize, as 22.Qe7 can be met with 22...Be6! when things work out just fine for Black. würde ausgleichen, da 22.De7 mit 22...Le6! beantwortet werden kann, wonach die Dinge für Schwarz einfach gut laufen.}) 22. Qa3+ {Now Magnus picks up the a7 pawn for free, thanks to some back rank tricks. Besides that now Black's position is pretty much lost, not able to cope with all the setbacks, he doesn't manage to put up any resistance. Jetzt holt sich Magnus den a7-Bauern umsonst, dank einiger Tricks auf der Grundreihe. Abgesehen davon ist die Stellung von Schwarz jetzt ziemlich verloren, er ist nicht in der Lage, all die Rückschläge zu verkraften und schafft es nicht, Widerstand zu leisten.} Kg8 {The alternative was still better-22...Qd6 23.Qxa7 g5 and somehow fight on, though White is up a pawn and has all the compensation for it as well, as they say in such cases. Die Alternative war immer noch besser: 22...Dd6 23.Dxa7 g5 und irgendwie weiterkämpfen, obwohl Weiß einen Bauern mehr hat und auch die ganze Kompensation dafürt, wie man in solchen Fällen sagt.} (22... Qd6 23. Qxa7 {is the trick, as 23...bxc4 loses to 24.Qa8+. ist der Trick, denn 23...bxc4 verliert gegen 24.Da8+.}) 23. Qxa7 Qd8 {This and the next move, puts Black's pieces to a total freeze, though I have to say it's not that there was a great alternative. Dieser und der nächste Zug bringen Schwarz' Figuren zum völligen Stillstand, obwohl ich sagen muss, dass es keine großartige Alternative gab.} (23... Bxh3 {would have been the best shot. The endgame is more lost than it seems, but there was a trap, though Magnus at the press conference pointed out that he had seen it. wäre die beste Chance gewesen. Das Endspiel ist verlorener als es scheint, aber es gab eine Falle, obwohl Magnus auf der Pressekonferenz darauf hinwies, dass er sie gesehen hatte.} 24. Qxf7+ (24. Re8+ Kh7 25. Bxf7 $2 {White threatens the spectacular Rh8+ followed by Qa8-g8 mate, but here comes the shocker. Weiß droht mit dem spektakulären Th8+ und anschließendem Da8-g8-Matt, aber jetzt kommt der Schocker.} Rg6 $3 {and things suddenly turn around for Black. und plötzlich wendet sich das Blatt zugusnten von Schwarz.}) 24... Qxf7 25. Re8+ Kh7 26. Bxf7 Bf5 27. Bg8+ Kg6 28. Bb3 {The endgame is significantly worse than it may seem at first, as Black is still poorly coordinated and is struggling with a weak c6 pawn. Das Endspiel ist wesentlich schlechter, als es auf den ersten Blick scheint, da Schwarz immer noch schlecht koordiniert ist und mit einem schwachen c6-Bauern zu kämpfen hat.}) 24. Bb3 Rd6 {Black is already dead lost, but Rh5-Rg5 was a better try to somehow fish for some miracle. Schwarz ist bereits auf verlorenem Posten, aber Th5-Tg5 war ein besserer Versuch, irgendwie nach einem Wunder zu fischen.} 25. Re4 {Black is now paralyzed and White can come up with threats at will, for example Rf4 is coming. Schwarz ist nun gelähmt und Weiß kann nach Belieben Drohungen aufstellen, zum Beispiel kommt Tf4.} Be6 {Entering a dead lost queen endgame, but there was no salvation at this point. Geht in ein tot verlorenes Damenendspiel, aber zu diesem Zeitpunkt gab es keine Rettung mehr.} 26. Bxe6 Rxe6 27. Rxe6 fxe6 28. Qc5 {The queen endgame is just too winning for Magnus to really need his famous endgame skills, though he still shows them in this game, winning this endgame with the biggest of margins. Das Damenendspiel ist einfach zu gewonnen für Magnus, als dass er seine berühmten Endspielfähigkeiten wirklich brauchen würde, obwohl er sie in dieser Partie trotzdem zeigt, indem er dieses Endspiel mit dem größten Vorsprung gewinnt.} Qa5 29. Qxc6 Qe1+ 30. Kh2 Qxf2 31. Qxe6+ Kh7 32. Qe4+ Kg8 33. b3 {The queen on e4 ensures that there is never any perpetual check, as after Qg3+ Kh1, the e1 square is always under control. Die Dame auf e4 sorgt dafür, dass es nie zu einem Dauerschach kommt, da nach Dg3+ Kh1 das Feld e1 immer unter Kontrolle ist.} Qxa2 34. Qe8+ Kh7 35. Qxb5 Qf2 36. Qe5 Qb2 37. Qe4+ Kg8 {Now Magnus could capture the h4 pawn, but he chooses a more clinical finish, keeping all of his pawns alive. Jetzt könnte Magnus den h4-Bauern schlagen, aber er entscheidet sich für ein klinisches Ende, bei dem alle seine Bauern am Leben bleiben.} 38. Qd3 Qf2 39. Qc3 {The queen controls all the vital squares. Black has no perpetual here ever. Die Dame kontrolliert alle wichtigen Felder. Schwarz hat hier niemals ein Dauerschach.} Qf4+ 40. Kg1 Kh7 41. Qd3+ {Too accurate, as on d1 the queen controls everything even better. Zu genau, denn auf d1 kontrolliert die Dame alles noch besser.} g6 42. Qd1 Qe3+ 43. Kh1 g5 44. d5 g4 45. hxg4 {Prettier was 45.d6! gxh3 46.Qh5+ and the idea is that Black is going to have to allow the queens to come off- 46...Kg7 47.Qg4+ Kf8 48.Qf3+. Schöner war 45.d6! gxh3 46.Dh5+ und die Idee ist, dass Schwarz den Damentausch zulassen muss - 46...Kg7 47.Dg4+ Kf8 48.Df3+ .} h3 46. Qf3 {Three pawns is more than enough as well and so Nepo resigns. Drei Bauern sind auch mehr als genug und so gibt Nepo auf.} 1-0

[Event "World-ch Carlsen-Nepomniachtchi"]
[Site "Dubai"]
[Date "2021.12.08"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C42"]
[WhiteElo "2855"]
[BlackElo "2782"]
[Annotator "So,Wesley"]
[PlyCount "81"]
[EventDate "2021.11.26"]
[EventType "match"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "UAE"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 206"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2022.02.28"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2022.02.28"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{[%evp 0,81,58,32,56,50,31,-13,52,10,10,17,6,-54,36,-50,-62,-50,-39,-27,40,37,57,60,34,31,31,31,32,3,-7,-7,-7,-7,-5,-28,3,-6,10,-24,21,-2,40,36,40,22,32,23,41,38,41,19,30,19,16,10,61,61,71,22,100,84,84,0,0,9,7,12,31,30,31,23,19,12,22,16,42,32,40,2,12,2,0,0]} {What can we expect from this game? Magnus just won three of the last four games and the match has turned horribly for Ian, losing at least two games unnecessarily. After yesterday's blunder of a piece, Ian now has only five games left to try to do something in this match. Today he has the black pieces, so let's take a look at the game. Was können wir von dieser Partie erwarten? Magnus hat gerade drei der letzten vier Partien gewonnen und das Match hat sich für Ian schrecklich entwickelt, er hat mindestens zwei Partien unnötig verloren. Nach dem gestrigen Figureneinsteller hat Ian nur noch fünf Partien, in denen er versuchen kann, etwas in diesem Match zu erreichen. Heute hat er die schwarzen Figuren, also schauen wir uns die Partie an.} 1. e4 {Magnus is good with any first move, as he can play any position very well. But as predicted by most people, he goes for the 'best by test' 1.e4. 1.d4 is an option too, but since he only needs a few draws to retain the title the concrete 1.e4 makes sense, especially since Ian has been defending with the Petroff for this match. No need to go for the English or other more offbeat openings when you have such a big lead. Magnus ist mit jedem ersten Zug gut, da er jede Stellung sehr gut spielen kann. Aber wie von den meisten Leuten vorhergesagt, entscheidet er sich für "best by test" 1.e4. 1.d4 ist auch eine Option, aber da er nur ein paar Remis braucht, um den Titel zu behalten, macht das konkrete 1.e4 Sinn, besonders da Ian in diesem Match mit Russisch verteidigt hat. Es gibt keinen Grund, Englisch oder andere ungewöhnlichere Eröffnungen zu spielen, wenn man einen so großen Vorsprung hat.} e5 $5 {This shocked almost all commentators watching the game. Many of them expected Ian to play his favorite Sicilian Najdorf. They thought that today was a must win game for Ian. But I'm sure Magnus has some deep preparation against the Najdorf too. Dies schockierte fast alle Kommentatoren, die die Partie verfolgten. Viele von ihnen hatten erwartet, dass Ian seinen Lieblings-Sizilianer Najdorf spielen würde. Sie dachten, dass Ian die Partie heute unbedingt gewinnen muss. Aber ich bin mir sicher, dass Magnus auch gegen Najdorf irgendeine tiefe Vorbereitung hat.} 2. Nf3 {There are a lot of safe lines for White in 1.e4 e5. The Scotch Four Knights, for example is very safe, so are the Ruy Lopez/Italian lines. Es gibt eine Menge sicherer Varianten für Weiß in 1.e4 e5. Das Schottische Vierspringerspiel ist zum Beispiel sehr sicher, ebenso wie Spanisch-/Italienisch-Varianten.} Nf6 $5 {Ian's strategy in this match confused many people including myself. In game 8 when he was only down one point he tried to unbalance the game as much as possible and play for the win (he avoided the early trade of the queens.) Now when he is down by three points he seems to be willing to make a draw with Black. You can't really expect to gain too many winning chances with a slow defensive opening like the Petroff. Ians Strategie in diesem Match verwirrte viele Leute, mich eingeschlossen. In der 8. Partie, als er nur einen Punkt zurücklag, versuchte er, die Partie so weit wie möglich aus dem Gleichgewicht zu bringen und auf Sieg zu spielen (er vermied den frühen Damentausch.) Jetzt, wo er drei Punkte zurückliegt, scheint er bereit zu sein, mit Schwarz Remis zu machen. Man kann nicht wirklich erwarten, dass man mit einer langsamen, defensiven Eröffnung wie Russisch allzu viele Gewinnchancen hat.} 3. Nxe5 {I think it's clear at this point that Magnus is very happy to make a draw with White. He has such a huge lead in the match with so few games left. Ich denke, es ist zu diesem Zeitpunkt klar, dass Magnus sehr zufrieden ist, mit Weiß zu remisieren. Er hat einen so großen Vorsprung im Match, und nur noch so wenige Partien verbleiben.} ({Another possibility to force the draw is Eine weitere Möglichkeit, das Unentschieden zu erzwingen, ist} 3. d4 Nxe4 4. Bd3 d5 5. Nxe5 Nd7 6. Nxf7 {this line is very heartbreaking for both sides. Diese Linie ist für beide Seiten sehr herzzerreißend.} Kxf7 7. Qh5+ Ke7 (7... Ke6 8. Qg4+) 8. Qe2 Kf6 9. Qf3+ {and Black has no good way to avoid the repetition. But Magnus does not want to play such an unattractive line. However If I was White and had a three point lead in a match I will definitely consider this :) and get a rest day. und Schwarz hat keine gute Möglichkeit, die Wiederholung zu vermeiden. Aber Magnus will eine so unattraktive Variante nicht spielen. Wenn ich Weiß wäre und drei Punkte Vorsprung hätte, würde ich das auf jeden Fall in Betracht ziehen :) und einen Ruhetag einlegen.}) 3... d6 4. Nd3 $5 {This move has become very popular in recent years as it not so easy to get an advantage in the Petroff and White is looking for new unstandard ways. The knight wants to rerout itself to the logical f4-square. Dieser Zug ist in den letzten Jahren sehr populär geworden, da es nicht so einfach ist, in Russisch einen Vorteil zu erlangen und Weiß nach neuen, unüblichen Wegen sucht. Der Springer will sich auf das logische f4-Feld umleiten.} (4. Nf3 Nxe4 5. d4 d5 6. Bd3 Bd6 7. O-O O-O 8. c4 c6 {is the fashionable line which Magnus played in game 4. ist die aktuelle Variante, die Magnus in Partie 4 gespielt hat.}) 4... Nxe4 5. Qe2 Qe7 {Black has to cover the e-file with the queen, since otherwise f3 wins a piece. Schwarz muss die e-Linie mit der Dame decken, da sonst f3 eine Figur gewinnt.} 6. Nf4 {Magnus also played this variation in the 2018 match against Fabiano Caruana. White's position is very safe and the queens will most likely be traded soon, with a close to equality ending. Magnus spielte diese Variante auch in der Partie 2018 gegen Fabiano Caruana. Die weiße Stellung ist sehr sicher, und die Damen werden höchstwahrscheinlich bald getauscht werden, mit einem nahezu ausgeglichenen Endspiel.} Nf6 7. d4 Nc6 $5 {A very provocative move by Nepo. Maybe he planned this move-order in order to provoke White to keep queens on the board? Here Magnus thought for a very long time. 8.e3 is clearly a way to exploit Black's inaccurate move-order, but on the other hand 8.c3 and a trade of queens is very safe. Most commentators were hoping for 8.e3 to see an exciting game. I'm sure Magnus considered it also very strongly and at some point everyone thought he would go for it. Ein sehr provokanter Zug von Nepo. Vielleicht plante er diese Zugfolge, um Weiß dazu zu provozieren, die Damen auf dem Brett zu behalten? Hier dachte Magnus sehr lange nach. 8.e3 ist eindeutig eine Möglichkeit, die ungenaue Zugfolge von Schwarz auszunutzen, aber andererseits ist 8.c3 und ein Damentausch sehr sicher. Die meisten Kommentatoren hofften auf 8.e3, um eine spannende Partie zu sehen. Ich bin sicher, dass Magnus dies auch sehr stark in Erwägung gezogen hat und irgendwann dachte jeder, dass er sich darauf einlassen würde.} ({Black could also exchange queens first with Schwarz könnte auch zuerst die Damen tauschen mit} 7... Qxe2+ 8. Bxe2 Nc6 9. c3 d5 {followed by ...d8 later, with similar play as in the game. , gefolgt von ...d8 später, mit ähnlichem Spiel wie in der Partie.}) 8. c3 {I think this is the normal decision. White wants to play it as safe as possible, and keep the option to head for the endgame at all times. we transpose back to the game while avoiding 8.e3 later. Ich denke, das ist die normale Entscheidung. Weiß möchte so sicher wie möglich spielen und sich jederzeit die Möglichkeit offen halten, ins Endspiel zu gehen. leiten wir zurück in die Partie und vermeiden 8.e3 später.} ({A more ambitious move is Ein ehrgeizigerer Schritt ist} 8. Be3 {which poses Black theoretical problems, as now c3 is a threat. But considering the match situation it's not necessary for Magnus to avoid the trade of queens. was Schwarz theoretische Probleme bereitet, da nun c3 eine Drohung ist. Aber in Anbetracht der Matchsituation ist es für Magnus nicht notwendig, den Damentausch zu vermeiden.} Bf5 (8... g5 9. Nd3 {looks complex, but Black has no real way to exploit his pressure on the e-file, for example after sieht komplex aus, aber Schwarz hat keine wirkliche Möglichkeit, seinen Druck auf die e-Linie auszunutzen, zum Beispiel nach} Bg4 (9... Nd5 10. Nc3 Nxc3 11. bxc3 {is bad for Black, as after g3 followed by g2 Black has too many weaknesses. ist schlecht für Schwarz, denn nach g3 gefolgt von g2 hat Schwarz zu viele Schwächen.}) 10. f3 Bf5 11. Bxg5 O-O-O 12. Qxe7 Bxe7 13. c3 Rhg8 {Black has some compensation for the pawn, but still has to be accurate to equalize. Schwarz hat eine gewisse Kompensation für den Bauern, muss aber trotzdem genau agieren, um auszugleichen.}) 9. Nc3 O-O-O 10. d5 (10. O-O-O d5 11. a3 {here this might also be a bit better for White with g3 coming next. Hier könnte dies auch ein bisschen besser für Weiß sein, wenn g3 als nächstes kommt.}) 10... Ne5 11. O-O-O a6 12. Qd2 {and White has extra space and can pose Black some problems. und Weiß hat zusätzlichen Raum und kann Schwarz vor einige Probleme stellen.}) 8... d5 ({The main line here is actually Die Hauptvariante hier ist eigentlich} 8... g5 $1 {kicking the enemy knight away from the good square on f4. um den gegnerischen Springer von dem guten Feld auf f4 wegzukicken.} 9. Qxe7+ (9. Nd3 h6 10. h4 Rg8 {is actually just better for Black, since White lost a lot of time moving his knight back and forth and on d3 it's not well placed. ist eigentlich nur besser für Schwarz, da Weiß viel Zeit verloren hat, um seinen Springer hin und her zu bewegen, und auf d3 ist er nicht gut platziert.}) 9... Nxe7 10. Ne2 $1 {This is an important move. Dies ist ein wichtiger Zug.} h6 11. Ng3 {from here the knight is well placed. White can play d3 or h4 next move, with a solid position and I'm sure Magnus had prepared this line and knows what to do. Von hier aus ist der Springer gut platziert. Weiß kann im nächsten Zug d3 oder h4 spielen, mit einer soliden Stellung, und ich bin sicher, dass Magnus diese Linie vorbereitet hatte und weiß, was zu tun ist.}) ({RR} 8... Bf5 9. f3 h5 10. h4 O-O-O 11. Qxe7 Nxe7 12. Kf2 g6 13. Nh3 Nh7 14. Bc4 d5 15. Be2 Bd7 16. Nd2 Nf5 17. g3 Re8 18. Bd3 c5 19. Bxf5 Bxf5 20. Nf1 cxd4 21. cxd4 Bxh3 22. Rxh3 Kd7 23. Bf4 {Maghsoodloo,P (2706)-Aronian,L (2782) Kolkata 2021 ½-½ (41)}) 9. Nd2 $146 ({White can also play maybe Weiß kann vielleicht auch} 9. h4 {to secure the f4-square for the knight. spielen, um das f4-Feld für den Springer zu sichern.}) ({RR} 9. f3 h5 10. h4 Bf5 11. Qxe7+ Nxe7 12. Ne2 g6 13. Bf4 Kd7 14. Ng3 Be6 15. Bd3 Ne8 16. Nd2 Bh6 17. Bxh6 Rxh6 18. Ndf1 Nd6 19. Ne3 Rf8 20. b3 f5 21. Ne2 f4 22. Nd1 Rh7 23. Nb2 Nc6 {Flores Quillas,D (2431)-Rojas Salas,S (2223) Cusco PER 2025 0-1 (58)}) 9... Nd8 {Black improves the position of his knight and prepares to trade it by playing ...e6. Schwarz verbessert die Stellung seines Springers und bereitet sich darauf vor, ihn mit ...e6 zu tauschen.} (9... Bf5 {looks like a very natural move too, the point is to castle long right away. sieht auch wie eine sehr natürlicher Zug aus, der Punkt ist, sofort lang zu rochieren.} 10. Qxe7+ {here we take with the knight hier nehmen wir mit dem Springer} Nxe7 {followed by ...g6 next move, with equality. , gefolgt von ...g6 im nächsten Zug, mit Ausgleich.}) 10. Nf3 Qxe2+ 11. Bxe2 Bd6 12. O-O O-O $11 {Black has completely equalized. I think both players got what they were aiming for today. Magnus got a very safe position, and Ian has no problems with Black. I think for Ian though trying to bounce back in this match comes a little too late. Every draw brings Magnus closer to match victory. Three points is just way too big a deficit. Ian won an equal Petroff endgame with Black against Wang Hao in the Candidates tournament earlier this year, but Magnus is a completely different opponent. Schwarz hat vollständig ausgeglichen. Ich denke, beide Spieler haben heute erreicht, was sie wollten. Magnus hat eine sehr sichere Stellung, und Ian hat keine Probleme mit Schwarz. Ich denke, für Ian kommt der Versuch, sich in diesem Match zu revanchieren, ein wenig zu spät. Jedes Remis bringt Magnus näher an den Matchsieg heran. Drei Punkte ist einfach ein viel zu großes Defizit. Ian gewann Anfang des Jahres ein ausgeglichenes Russisch-Endspiel mit Schwarz gegen Wang Hao im Kandidatenturnier, aber Magnus ist ein ganz anderer Gegner.} 13. Bd3 {Of course there is all to play for with so many pieces on the board, and both sides need to display some level of accuracy and not fall asleep. But with only one open file and a symmetrical structure the most likely result is a draw. Natürlich gibt es bei so vielen Figuren auf dem Brett jede Menge Spiel, und beide Seiten müssen ein gewisses Maß an Genauigkeit an den Tag legen und nicht einschlafen. Aber mit nur einer offenen Linie und einer symmetrischen Struktur ist das wahrscheinlichste Ergebnis ein Remis.} Re8 (13... Ne6 14. Nxe6 Bxe6 15. Re1 Rfe8 16. Ne5 {followed by f4 looks very sterile. gefolgt von f4 sieht sehr steril aus.}) 14. Re1 {White has to fight for control over the open file. Weiß muss um die Kontrolle über die offene Linie kämpfen.} Rxe1+ 15. Nxe1 {The knight is actually even better placed here than on f3, since White can rerout his knight over to g2 and later f4 or e3. Der Springer ist hier sogar besser platziert als auf f3, da Weiß seinen Springer nach g2 und später nach f4 oder e3 umleiten kann.} Ne6 16. Nxe6 Bxe6 17. g3 g6 (17... Re8 18. Ng2 Bg4 19. Bg5 Ne4 20. Bf4 $11 {followed by e1, and a most likely draw. gefolgt von e1, und ein wahrscheinliches Remis.}) 18. Ng2 Re8 19. f3 Nh5 (19... Bh3 20. Kf2 {is very safe for White, since f4 is coming next and ist sehr sicher für Weiß, da f4 als nächstes kommt, und nach} Bxg2 21. Kxg2 Re1 {White can force a draw if he wants with kann Weiß ein Remis erzwingen, wenn er will, mit} 22. Kf2 Rh1 23. Kg2 $11) 20. Kf2 ({If at all, White is a little better after Wenn überhaupt, dann steht Weiß nach} 20. g4 Ng7 21. h3 {since his knight is well placed and plans to play f4 next. White's light-squared bishop is slightly more active than Black's. en wenig besser, da sein Springer gut platziert ist und er plant, als nächstes f4 zu spielen. Der weißfeldrige Läufer des Anziehenden ist etwas aktiver als der von Schwarz.}) 20... c6 (20... Bh3 21. Bd2 $11) 21. g4 Ng7 22. Bf4 (22. h3 {is a tiny bit better for White, to over-protect the pawn on g4. Black has to be slightly careful to avoid any trouble, for example after the logical continuation , um den Bauern auf g4 zu schützen, ist ein klein wenig besser für Weiß. Schwarz muss etwas vorsichtig sein, um Probleme zu vermeiden, zum Beispiel nach der logischen Fortsetzung} Bd7 23. Bf4 Bxf4 24. Nxf4 g5 25. Ne2 f5 26. Rg1 h6 27. Nc1 Re7 28. Bc2 {White has some chances with the knight coming over to d3. Weiß hat einige Chancen, wenn der Springer nach d3 kommt.}) 22... Bxf4 23. Nxf4 {If White is allowed to play h4 then he gets to push, but Ian does not let this happen. Wenn Weiß h4 spielen darf, dann kann er drängen, aber Ian lässt das nicht zu.} g5 $1 24. Ne2 f5 25. h3 Kf7 {Black equalizes very cleanly and the players soon agree to a draw. Schwarz gleicht sehr sauber aus und die Spieler einigen sich bald auf ein Remis.} 26. Rh1 h6 27. f4 {All the pawns on the kingside will now be traded and the draw is clear. Alle Bauern am Königsflügel werden nun getauscht und das Remis ist klar.} (27. Ng3 Kf6 28. h4 {is another way to make the draw. ist eine weitere Möglichkeit, Remis zu machen.} fxg4 29. hxg5+ hxg5 30. Rh6+ Ke7 31. Rg6 $11) 27... fxg4 28. hxg4 Bxg4 29. Rxh6 Bf5 ({Obviously not Offensichtlich nicht} 29... Bxe2 $2 30. Bg6+ {winning the exchange. mit Qualitätsgewinn.}) 30. Bxf5 Nxf5 31. Rh7+ Ng7 (31... Kg6 32. Rxb7 g4 {is interesting, threatening to create some play with ...e3. But White can just trade the knights with ist interessant, drohend, mit ...e3 etwas Spiel zu schaffen. Aber Weiß kann die Springer einfach tauschen mit} 33. Ng3 (33. Rxa7 {and now 33...e3 or und jetzt 33...e3 oder} Rh8 {threatening ...h2+ gives Black some activity as compensation for the pawns. drohend ...h2+ gibt Schwarz etwas Aktivität als Kompensation für die Bauern.}) 33... a5 34. Rc7 Nxg3 35. Kxg3 Kf5 36. Rf7+ Kg6 37. Rc7 Kf5 $11 {and the game still ends in a draw thanks to Black's king activity and the ...e3+ threat. und die Partie endet dank der schwarzen Königsaktivität und der ...e3+-Drohung trotzdem mit einem Remis.}) 32. fxg5 Kg6 33. Rh3 Kxg5 34. Rg3+ Kf6 35. Rf3+ Ke7 36. Nf4 Kd6 37. Ng6 Re6 38. Ne5 Ne8 39. Rf7 Rf6+ 40. Rxf6+ Nxf6 41. Ke3 {A short and quite uneventful draw, which totally makes sense as Magnus is on the verge of match victory. Ian barely used any time today and a draw Black is a very good result especially after two tough losses. With three points down and only four games left the match is almost over, but it'll be nice for Ian to come back and win a game or more and show what he is really capable of. Ein kurzes und recht ereignisloses Remis, was durchaus Sinn macht, da Magnus kurz vor dem Matchsieg steht. Ian hat heute kaum Zeit verbraucht und ein Remis mit Schwarz ist ein sehr gutes Ergebnis, besonders nach zwei harten Niederlagen. Mit drei Punkten Rückstand und nur noch vier Partien ist das Match fast vorbei, aber es wäre schön, wenn Ian zurückkommt und eine oder mehrere Partien gewinnt und zeigt, wozu er wirklich fähig ist.} 1/2-1/2

[Event "World-ch Carlsen-Nepomniachtchi"]
[Site "Dubai"]
[Date "2021.12.10"]
[Round "11"]
[White "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C54"]
[WhiteElo "2782"]
[BlackElo "2855"]
[Annotator "Kasimdzhanov,Rustam"]
[PlyCount "98"]
[EventDate "2021.11.26"]
[EventType "match"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "UAE"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 206"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2022.02.28"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2022.02.28"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{[%evp 0,98,58,6,61,18,42,32,26,-31,28,-5,26,-2,40,-27,4,4,63,12,12,5,24,8,56,22,24,28,14,22,27,20,28,20,22,-7,13,-9,-9,-7,7,-20,-4,-6,-14,-25,-18,-190,-190,-190,-178,-190,-178,-190,-94,-295,-297,-297,-210,-174,-96,-85,-109,-109,-107,-107,-107,-114,-114,-116,-120,-121,-114,-147,-154,-162,-176,-202,-201,-191,-179,-214,-183,-267,-239,-245,-245,-204,-249,-311,-311,-301,-307,-313,-314,-378,-414,-456,-443,-443,-458]} 1. e4 {Nepo goes back to his main move. 1.c4 worked decently well for him a few days ago, at least in the early phase of the game... Nepo kehrt zu seinem Hauptzug zurück. 1.c4 funktionierte vor ein paar Tagen recht gut für ihn, zumindest in der frühen Phase der Partie...} e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 {No more Spanish. Kein Spanisch mehr.} Nf6 $1 {Actually, a better move order. Just trust me on this! Tatsächlich eine bessere Zugfolge. Vertrauen Sie mir einfach!} 4. d3 (4. Ng5 d5 {currently works very well for Black. funktioniert derzeit sehr gut für Schwarz.}) 4... Bc5 5. c3 d6 6. O-O a5 7. Re1 Ba7 {Very interesting and an almost completely new set-up. One of the drawbacks of the Italian from White's point of view is the variety of different solid lines for Black. Sehr interessant und ein fast völlig neuer Aufbau. Einer der Nachteile von Italienisch aus weißer Sicht ist die Vielfalt der verschiedenen soliden Vairanten für Schwarz.} 8. Na3 {I suspect Nepo was on his own here, and Na3 looks natural enough. Ich vermute, dass Nepo hier auf sich allein gestellt war, und Na3 sieht natürlich genug aus.} h6 {The solid way. Der solide Weg.} (8... O-O 9. Bg5 h6 10. Bh4 g5 {looks too risky for a World Championship match - sieht zu riskant aus für einen Weltmeisterschaftskampf -} 11. Bg3 {0-1 (28) Volokitin,A (2606)-Rakotomaharo, F (2391) Riga 2021} (11. Nxg5 $5 {as always, this looks messy: Das sieht wie immer chaotisch aus:} hxg5 12. Bxg5 Kg7 13. Qf3)) 9. Nc2 {Somewhat too standard. Ein wenig zu schematisch.} (9. Nb5 $5 {looks a bit more lively to me: sieht für mich ein bisschen lebendiger aus:} Bb6 10. Be3 Bxe3 11. Rxe3 O-O 12. d4 Bg4 13. h3 Bh5 14. Qe1 {and maybe White could claim a bit of something. und vielleicht könnte Weiß ein bisschen was beanspruchen.}) 9... O-O 10. Be3 {Only this is really new. Erst dies ist wirklich neu.} (10. a4 Ne7 11. d4 {1-0 (39) Saric,I (2646) -Yankelevich,L (2461) Skalica 2020} Ng6 $1 {Black is perfectly fine here. The knight on c2 is remarkably badly placed to support e4, and White will feel this. Schwarz steht hier vollkommen ordentlich. Der Springer auf c2 ist bemerkenswert schlecht platziert, um e4 zu unterstützen, und Weiß wird das spüren.}) 10... Bxe3 (10... Ne7 11. Bxa7 Rxa7 12. d4 Ng6 {looks very easy too. sieht auch sehr einfach aus.}) 11. Nxe3 Re8 12. a4 {Another instant move. Eine weitere Sofortmaßnahme.} (12. Qc2 Be6 13. b3 $5 {looks like a chance to keep it more complex: Sieht nach einer Chance aus, es komplexer zu gestalten:} (13. Bxe6 Rxe6 14. Rad1 d5 $11) 13... d5 14. Bb5 $1) 12... Be6 13. Bxe6 {At this moment I really felt Nepo wanted nothing of this game. In diesem Moment hatte ich wirklich das Gefühl, dass Nepo nichts von dieser Partie wollte.} (13. Bb5 Bd7 14. Qb3 {at least looks more like a fight. sieht zumindest mehr nach einem Kampf aus.}) 13... Rxe6 14. Qb3 b6 (14... Rb8 15. Qb5 $1 {is suddenly awkward. Magnus is always alert ist plötzlich unangenehm. Magnus ist immer wachsam}) 15. Rad1 Ne7 16. h3 $146 ({RR} 16. g3 Qd7 {½-½ (16) Karjakin,S (2747)-Artemiev,V (2701) Krasnogorsk RUS 2023}) 16... Qd7 17. Nh2 Rd8 18. Nhg4 Nxg4 19. hxg4 d5 $1 {Perfectly in time. Genau zur rechten Zeit.} 20. d4 exd4 $1 (20... dxe4 21. dxe5 Qe8 {was playable too, but the game continuation is more direct and well-calculated. war auch spielbar, aber die Partiefortsetzung ist direkter und gut berechnet.}) 21. exd5 (21. Rxd4 Rxe4 22. Rxe4 dxe4 23. Rd1 Qc8 24. Rxd8+ Qxd8 25. Qc4 Qd7 26. Qxe4 Kf8 $11) 21... Re4 $1 (21... Nxd5 22. Rxd4 $18) 22. Qc2 Rf4 $1 {Only moves, but sufficient. Now facing a bunch of very drawn lines, Nepo makes of one of the worst mistakes in a long history of World Championship matches. Einzige Züge, aber ausreichend. Nun sieht sich Nepo einer Reihe von sehr remislichen Varianten gegenüber und begeht einen der schlimmsten Fehler in der langen Geschichte der Weltmeisterschaftskämpfe.} 23. g3 $4 (23. Rxd4 Rxd4 24. cxd4 Nxd5 25. Nxd5 Qxd5 26. Qxc7 Qxd4 $11) (23. Nc4 Ng6 24. cxd4 Qxd5 $11) 23... dxe3 {Also, an absolutely only move. Auch ein absolut einziger Zug.} 24. gxf4 Qxg4+ 25. Kf1 Qh3+ 26. Kg1 Nf5 $6 {There were several checkmating lines, for instance Es gab mehrere Mattvarianten, zum Beispiel} (26... exf2+ $1 27. Qxf2 Rd6 28. Qf1 Rg6+ 29. Kf2 Qh2+ 30. Ke3 Nf5+ 31. Kd3 Rg3+ 32. Kc4 Qxb2 {etc. usw.}) 27. d6 $1 {Somehow White isn't immediately lost. Irgendwie ist Weiß nicht sofort verloren.} Nh4 28. fxe3 Qg3+ 29. Kf1 Nf3 30. Qf2 Qh3+ {Magnus goes for a winning rook endgame. With his technique it's probably as good as delivering checkmate. Magnus strebt ein gewonnenes Turmendspiel an. Mit seiner Technik ist das wahrscheinlich so gut wie ein Schachmatt.} 31. Qg2 (31. Ke2 Nxe1 32. dxc7 Qg4+ $1) 31... Qxg2+ 32. Kxg2 Nxe1+ 33. Rxe1 Rxd6 34. Kf3 Rd2 {A pawn up and an active rook is plenty. The rest is agony. Ein Bauer mehr und ein aktiver Turm sind genug. Der Rest ist Agonie.} 35. Rb1 (35. b4 axb4 36. cxb4 Ra2 37. Rc1 Rxa4 38. Rxc7 Rxb4 $19) 35... g6 36. b4 axb4 37. Rxb4 (37. cxb4 Ra2 $19) 37... Ra2 38. Ke4 h5 39. Kd5 Rc2 $5 (39... h4 {was winning, but Magnus carefully avoids any complications. gewann, aber Magnus vermeidet sorgfältig jegliche Komplikationen.} 40. Kc6 h3 41. Rb1 h2 42. Kxc7 f6 43. Kxb6 g5) 40. Rb3 (40. c4 h4 41. Kc6 h3 42. Kxc7 h2 43. Rb1 Rxc4+ {Now White doesn't even get a passed pawn, Jetzt bekommt Weiß nicht einmal einen Freibauern,}) 40... h4 41. Kc6 h3 42. Kxc7 h2 43. Rb1 Rxc3+ ({I would probably prefer Ich würde wahrscheinlich bevorzugen} 43... f6 44. Kxb6 g5 45. a5 g4 46. a6 Ra2 47. a7 g3 {and pawns will queen. Nothing is wrong with the World Champion's choice either. und die Bauern wandeln um. Auch an der Wahl des Weltmeisters ist nichts auszusetzen.}) 44. Kxb6 Rb3+ 45. Rxb3 h1=Q 46. a5 Qe4 $1 {White doesn't get a single chance here. Weiß bekommt hier nicht eine einzige Chance.} 47. Ka7 (47. a6 Qe6+ $1) 47... Qe7+ $1 48. Ka8 Kg7 49. Rb6 (49. a6 Qe6 50. Ra3 Qc8+ 51. Ka7 Qc5+ $19) 49... Qc5 {and Nepo resigned. The second half of the match wasn't the fight we all wanted to see, with most of the games being blundered away ( 21...b5??, 27.c5??, 23.g3?? and others). Still, the World Champion barely made a mistake in 11 games, and never gave a chance once in control. Hopefully Nepo can recover from what must be an absolute nightmare of a match. und Nepo gab auf. Die zweite Hälfte des Matches war nicht der Kampf, den wir alle sehen wollten, da die meisten Partien verpatzt wurden ( 21...b5??, 27.c5??, 23.g3?? und andere). Dennoch machte der Weltmeister in 11 Partien kaum einen Fehler und gab nie eine Chance, sobald er die Kontrolle hatte. Hoffentlich kann sich Nepo von diesem absoluten Albtraum eines Matches erholen.} 0-1

[Event "Tata Steel-A 84th"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2022.01.17"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Duda, Jan Krzysztof"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C88"]
[WhiteElo "2760"]
[BlackElo "2865"]
[PlyCount "75"]
[EventDate "2022.01.15"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 206"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2022.02.28"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2022.02.28"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 {Giri,Anish} e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. a4 Rb8 ({RR} 8... Bb7 9. d3 d6 10. Nbd2 Re8) 9. axb5 axb5 10. h3 d6 11. c3 b4 12. d3 ({RR} 12. d4 bxc3 13. bxc3 exd4 14. cxd4 d5 15. e5 Ne4) 12... bxc3 13. bxc3 h6 ({RR} 13... d5 14. Nbd2 dxe4 15. dxe4 Bd6 ({RR} 15... h6 16. Ba4 Ra8 17. Ba3 ({RR} 17. Bb2 Bd7 18. Bxc6 Bxc6 19. Nxe5 Rxa1 20. Bxa1 Bxe4 21. Nxe4 Qxd1 22. Nxf6+ Bxf6 23. Rxd1 Bxe5) 17... Nb8) 16. Qc2 h6 17. Nf1 Ne7 ({RR} 17... Bd7 18. Ng3 Qc8 19. Be3 Be6 20. Bxe6 Qxe6) 18. Ng3 Ng6 19. Be3 Qe8 20. Red1 ({RR} 20. c4 Be6 ({RR} 20... Bb4 21. Reb1 c5 22. Ba4 Qe7 23. Bc6) 21. Ba4 Bd7 22. c5 Bxa4 23. Rxa4) 20... Be6 21. Ba4 Bd7 22. Nd2 Bxa4 23. Qxa4 Qxa4 24. Rxa4 Ra8 25. Rda1 Rxa4 26. Rxa4 Rb8 27. Ra6 Ne8 ({RR} 27... Nd7 28. Nc4 Bf8) ({RR} 27... Nf4) 28. Kf1 {Nepomniachtchi,I (2782)-Carlsen,M (2855) Dubai 2021 CBM 206 [Giri,Anish] ½-½ (43)}) 14. Be3 Re8 15. Nbd2 Bf8 16. Qc2 $146 ({RR} 16. g4 Nh7 17. d4 h5 18. Ba4 Bd7 19. gxh5 exd4 20. cxd4 Nb4 21. Bxd7 Qxd7 22. Kh2 d5 23. e5 c5 24. dxc5 Nd3 25. Rg1 Nxc5 26. Rg4 Qf5 27. h6 g6 28. Ra7 Nd3 29. Kg2 Rb4 30. Nd4 Rxd4 {Yakubboev,N (2617)-Esipenko,A (2683) chess.com INT 2023 1-0 (44)}) 16... Be6 17. Bxe6 Rxe6 18. d4 exd4 19. Nxd4 Nxd4 20. cxd4 Qe8 21. d5 Re7 22. Ra4 Rb2 23. Qxb2 Qxa4 24. Bd4 Nh5 25. Ra1 Qd7 26. Qc3 Nf4 27. Qf3 Ng6 28. Rc1 Qa4 29. Qd3 f5 30. g3 fxe4 31. Nxe4 Qe8 32. Nc3 Re1+ 33. Rxe1 Qxe1+ 34. Kg2 Qe8 35. Qb5 Qc8 36. Qd3 Ne7 37. Qe4 c6 38. dxc6 1/2-1/2

[Event "Tata Steel-A 84th"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2022.01.20"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Grandelius, Nils"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B48"]
[WhiteElo "2672"]
[BlackElo "2865"]
[Annotator "Grandelius,Nils"]
[PlyCount "107"]
[EventDate "2022.01.15"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 206"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2022.02.28"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2022.02.28"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{[%evp 0,107,30,-2,100,76,83,17,73,57,28,69,140,88,127,86,111,111,112,112,92,64,93,53,53,61,63,-16,20,22,34,21,52,54,54,57,57,41,133,47,76,54,77,35,21,-12,15,-13,-4,-8,0,21,-33,-18,-20,-20,-20,-27,111,95,95,-146,-105,-126,-126,-177,-126,-126,-101,-177,0,-105,85,64,64,79,46,29,29,52,6,-91,-51,-51,-75,-67,-84,-95,-95,-78,-54,-40,-63,0,51,47,47,68,77,77,77,77,68,54,54,33,33,42,39,11]} 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 e6 5. Nc3 Qc7 {The Taimanov is a rare guest in Carlsen's repertoire, but the World Champion is of course able to play any opening in a very high class manner. Taimanov ist ein seltener Gast in Carlsens Repertoire, aber der Weltmeister ist natürlich in der Lage, jede Eröffnung auf sehr hohem Niveau zu spielen.} 6. Be3 a6 7. g4 {My own invention! As so often in modern chess, I would guess many people already knew about this idea, but I was very happy when I was the first one allowed to play it. In my opinion, the 7.g4 line (which doesn't have a name yet) is currently the most serious test against the Taimanov Sicilian. By delaying f3 or Qf3 White is hoping to get an improved version of the usual attacking setups. Meine eigene Erfindung! Wie so oft im modernen Schach wussten wohl schon viele Leute von dieser Idee, aber ich war sehr froh, als ich sie als Erster spielen durfte. Meiner Meinung nach ist die Variante 7.g4 (die noch keinen Namen hat) derzeit der ernsthafteste Test gegen den Taimanov-Sizilianer. Durch die Verzögerung von f3 oder Df3 hofft Weiß, eine verbesserte Version der üblichen Angriffsaufstellungen zu erhalten.} Nxd4 {This was how Fabiano Caruana handled the Black side when he faced 7.g4 last year, and therefore one of the most important attempts for Black. So handhabte Fabiano Caruana die schwarze Seite, als er letztes Jahr mit 7.g4 konfrontiert wurde, und das war daher einer der wichtigsten Versuche für Schwarz.} (7... b5 {is the main move. ist der Hauptzug.} 8. Nxc6 Qxc6 {And now the big point of 7.g4 is the pawn sacrifice Und jetzt ist die große Pointe von 7.g4 das Bauernopfer} 9. Qd2 $1 b4 10. Ne2 Qxe4 11. Rg1 {Subsequently there has been a number of games here, but my initial conclusion that the positions are very dangerous for Black still seems broadly valid. In der Folgezeit gab es hier eine Reihe von Partien, aber meine anfängliche Schlussfolgerung, dass die Stellungen für Schwarz sehr gefährlich sind, scheint immer noch im Großen und Ganzen gültig zu sein.}) 8. Qxd4 {In one move, rather than having to drop by d2 first. Already this should be some success for White, although chess is rarely that simple. In einem Zug, anstatt erst auf d2 vorbeischauen zu müssen. Schon das sollte ein Erfolg für Weiß sein, obwohl Schach selten so einfach ist.} b5 9. O-O-O Bb7 10. f3 {Sooner or later necessary, as the e4-pawn needs support. Still, we haven't transposed to the English Attack, as Black normally prefers to delay the trade on d4. Nepomniachtchi instead played 10.Kb1 against Caruana. Früher oder später notwendig, da der e4-Bauer Unterstützung braucht. Dennoch haben wir nicht in den Englischen Angriff übergeleitet, da Schwarz es normalerweise vorzieht, den Tausch auf d4 zu verzögern. Nepomniachtchi spielte stattdessen gegen Caruana 10.Kb1 .} Rc8 11. Qd2 {Protecting c2. Deckt c2.} Bb4 12. Bd4 f6 {Looks odd, but necessary for a concrete reason. Sieht seltsam aus, ist aber aus einem konkreten Grund notwendig.} (12... Nf6 {looks much more normal, but runs into sieht viel normaler aus, läuft aber in} 13. g5 Nh5 14. Be5 $1 {and due to the weakness of d7 White is seriously better. und wegen der Schwäche von d7 steht Weiß deutlich besser.}) 13. g5 {Chess the way I like it most - White is going for an all-out attack. Schach, wie ich es am liebsten mag - Weiß setzt auf einen Generalangriff.} h6 $1 {Forcing me to make a choice on how to proceed. This was still played quickly by both players, as we were following the engine's recommendation. Das zwang mich, eine Entscheidung über das weitere Vorgehen zu treffen. Dies wurde von beiden Spielern noch schnell gespielt, da wir der Empfehlung der Engine folgten.} (13... e5 14. Be3 {would weaken both the d5-square but also the h3-d7 diagonal. würde sowohl das d5-Feld als auch die Diagonale h3-d7 schwächen.}) 14. gxh6 (14. gxf6 $5 {allows ermöglicht} Nxf6 {but on the other hand Black's structure is now more vulnerable. I expect further practical tests if not with this specific move, then at least with some other deviation around here. aber auf der anderen Seite ist die Struktur von Schwarz jetzt verwundbarer. Ich erwarte weitere praktische Tests, wenn nicht mit diesem speziellen Zug, dann zumindest mit einer anderen Abweichung in dieser Gegend.}) 14... Nxh6 15. a3 $1 {The most forcing continuation. Die zwingendste Fortsetzung.} Bxa3 $1 (15... Ba5 16. b4 {is again a disaster for Black due to the d7-pawn hanging. ist wegen des hängenden d7-Bauern wieder eine Katastrophe für Schwarz.}) 16. bxa3 e5 {The point. Black wins back the piece. Die Pointe. Schwarz gewinnt die Figur zurück.} 17. Nxb5 $1 {A desperado sacrifice. I would much rather keep my potentially strong dark squared bishop rather than the knight. Ein Desperado-Opfer. Ich möchte viel lieber meinen potentiell starken schwarzfeldrigen Läufer behalten als den Springer.} axb5 18. Bb2 {Up until this moment the play has been fairly forced, and both me and Carlsen had played fast, as we clearly both knew what we were doing. Here, however, Carlsen spent a few minutes trying to recall his analysis. Alas, he failed... Bis zu diesem Moment war das Spiel ziemlich forciert, und sowohl ich als auch Carlsen hatten schnell gespielt, da wir offensichtlich beide wussten, was wir taten. Hier jedoch verbrachte Carlsen ein paar Minuten damit, sich an seine Analyse zu erinnern. Leider scheiterte er...} d5 $4 {Modern chess at it's most typical! Objectively speaking this move leads to a losing position for Black, but the World Champion played it within a few minutes. The reason, which he admitted in an interview the next day, is that he mixed up his preparation. Modernes Schach in seiner typischsten Form! Objektiv gesehen führt dieser Zug zu einer Verluststellung für Schwarz, aber der Weltmeister spielte ihn innerhalb weniger Minuten. Der Grund dafür ist, wie er in einem Interview am nächsten Tag zugab, dass er seine Vorbereitung durcheinander gebracht hat.} (18... Nf7 {is the engines top choice. Now I had intended to follow along with ist die erste Wahl der Engine. Nun hatte ich beabsichtigt,} 19. h4 {which stops both ...g5 and ...Ng5, and prepares Rg1 to put pressure on the g-file. folgen zu lassen, was sowohl ...g5 als auch ...Sg5 verhindert und Tg1 vorbereitet, um Druck auf die g-Linie auszuüben.} (19. Bxb5 $6 Bc6 {is the sort of thing White really should avoid in this line. Black consolidates, and the extra pawn for White is absolutely not felt at all. The most important factor is the long-term safety of Black's king on f8, whereas my own king will soon be hit on the b- and c-files. ist die Art von Dingen, die Weiß in dieser Variante wirklich vermeiden sollte. Schwarz konsolidiert sich, und der zusätzliche Bauer für Weiß ist absolut nicht spürbar. Der wichtigste Faktor ist die langfristige Sicherheit des schwarzen Königs auf f8, während mein eigener König bald auf der b- und c-Linie angegangen wird.}) {Here, however, the sacrifice with Hier jedoch funktionert das Opfer mit} 19... d5 $5 {works out much, much better than in the game, as the move ...Nf7 is clearly more useful than h4. The position after viel, viel besser als in der Partie, da der Zug ...Sf7 eindeutig nützlicher ist als h4. Die Stellung nach} 20. Bxb5+ Kf8 {is insanely complicated and I would expect both players being happy to have reached it :-) ist wahnsinnig kompliziert und ich würde erwarten, dass beide Spieler froh sind, sie erreicht zu haben :-)}) 19. Bxb5+ Kf8 20. Ba4 $146 {Returning the favour. Revanchiert sich.} (20. exd5 Bxd5 {doesn't really work due to the weakness of the c2-pawn, but funktioniert wegen der Schwäche des c2-Bauern nicht wirklich, aber}) (20. Qb4+ {was an excellent opportunity. war eine ausgezeichnete Gelegenheit.} Kg8 21. Qb3 $1 {is the move that escaped my attention during the game. By pinning the d5-pawn while at the same time protecting c2, I make sure to end up two pawns up. ist der Zug, der meiner Aufmerksamkeit während der Partie entgangen ist. Indem ich den d5-Bauern fessle und gleichzeitig c2 schütze, stelle ich sicher, dass ich am Ende zwei Bauern mehr habe.} Nf7 22. exd5 Nd6 {looks like a typical scenario in which Black gets a lot of counterplay, but there is the super strong resource sieht wie ein typisches Szenario aus, in dem Schwarz viel Gegenspiel bekommt, aber es gibt die superstarke Ressource} 23. Rd3 $1 $18 {after which I am able to release much of the tension with Rc3 next move. Had I found all this, which is unlikely, it is fair to say that I would have had an objectively winning position! woraufhin ich im nächsten Zug mit Tc3 einen Großteil der Spannung abbauen kann. Hätte ich all das gefunden, was unwahrscheinlich ist, kann man sagen, dass ich eine objektive Gewinnstellung gehabt hätte!}) ({RR} 20. Qb4+ Kg8 21. Qb3 Nf7 22. h4 d4 23. Bd3 Bc6 24. Rh2 Rb8 25. Qa2 Ba4 26. Qc4 Qb6 27. Qxa4 Qxb2+ 28. Kd2 Rh7 29. Rhh1 Rh6 30. Ke2 Qc3 31. Rdg1 Kh7 32. Rg4 Rb2 33. Rc1 g6 34. Qd7 Kg7 {Pranav,A (2540)-Grebnev,A (2540) Gandhinagar IND 2024 ½-½ (106)}) 20... d4 $1 {A good strategic move. With the pawn chain g7-d4 Black is no longer afraid of White's bishops. The position is of course still a total mess, but over the next couple of moves I am unable to come up with a clear plan. Ein guter strategischer Zug. Mit der Bauernkette g7-d4 hat Schwarz keine Angst mehr vor den Läufern von Weiß. Die Stellung ist natürlich immer noch ein totales Chaos, aber in den nächsten paar Zügen kann ich keinen klaren Plan entwickeln.} 21. Bb3 Nf7 22. Qb4+ $2 {I wanted to activate my queen and force Black to self-pin his knight, but didn't realize that my queen would in fact become vulnerable on b4. Ich wollte meine Dame aktivieren und Schwarz dazu zwingen, seinen Springer selbst zu fesseln, aber mir war nicht klar, dass meine Dame auf b4 verwundbar werden würde.} (22. h4 $1 {was probably the best move after all. By playing h4 I stop ...g5, but also ...Rh3. My main idea should be the same as in the game, i.e. to push f4. But this is a better version. For example war wahrscheinlich doch der beste Zug. Indem ich h4 spiele, verhindere ich ...g5, aber auch ...Th3. Meine Hauptidee sollte die gleiche sein wie in der Partie, nämlich f4 durchzudrücken. Aber dies ist eine bessere Version. Zum Beispiel ist nach} Ba6 23. f4 $1 {is already possible. bereits möglich.} Bc4 24. Kb1 {is still very messy, but at least both sides are now fighting for the initiative. ist immer noch sehr chaotisch, aber zumindest kämpfen jetzt beide Seiten um die Initiative.}) 22... Kg8 23. Rd2 Ba6 {Now I realized that Carlsen is intending ...Rb8 next, after which my queen is almost trapped. After spending a good part of my remaining time, I managed to come up with the best defence. Jetzt wurde mir klar, dass Carlsen als Nächstes ...Tb8 vorhat, wonach meine Dame fast gefangen ist. Nachdem ich einen guten Teil meiner verbleibenden Zeit verbraucht hatte, gelang es mir, die beste Verteidigung zu finden.} 24. f4 $1 {Simlpy ignoring Black's threats - I need counterplay above everything else! Ignoriert einfach die Drohungen von Schwarz - ich brauche vor allem Gegenspiel!} Rb8 (24... Rh3 $5 {was an option, but war eine Option, aber} 25. fxe5 fxe5 26. Rg2 {looks like enough counterplay. sieht nach genügend Gegenspiel aus.}) 25. Qa4 Bb5 26. Qb4 {It was of course very scary to allow all sorts of discovered attacks during the game, but I couldn't find anything clear for him. To my slight surprise this actually seems to be true! Es war natürlich während der Partie sehr beängstigend, alle Arten von Abzugsangriffen zuzulassen, aber ich konnte nichts Klares für ihn finden. Zu meiner leichten Überraschung scheint das tatsächlich zu stimmen!} Ba6 27. Qa4 Bb5 28. Qb4 Rh3 {The most natural move, activating the last piece. Der natürlichste Zug, aktiviert die letzten Figur.} 29. fxe5 fxe5 {With a few minutes left I now had an important and difficult choice, which I got wrong. Mir blieben nur noch wenige Minuten, um eine wichtige und schwierige Entscheidung zu treffen, die ich falsch getroffen habe.} 30. Rg1 $2 {The most natural move, activating the last piece. For tactical reasons however, not the best. Der natürlichste Zug, aktiviert die letzte Figur. Aus taktischen Gründen jedoch nicht der beste.} (30. Rf2 $1 {was the most convincing defence. By putting pressure on f7 I force matters. war die überzeugendste Verteidigung. Indem ich Druck auf f7 ausübe, forciere ich die Dinge.} Rxb3 $1 {is probably the best try. After ist wahrscheinlich der beste Versuch. Nach} 31. Qxb3 Bc4 32. Qa4 Ng5 $1 {Black is having some scary-looking threats, but it's very messy. Strongest seems to be hat Schwarz einige beängstigend aussehende Drohungen, aber es ist sehr unübersichtlich. Am stärksten zu sein scheint} 33. Rg1 $1 Nh3 34. Rf6 Nxg1 35. Rc6 {winning back the piece on c4, with an ongoing mess. If I would have been able to find it in the game though is a completely different matter... , was die Figur auf c4 zurückgewinnt, mit anhaltendem Durcheinander. Ob ich allerdings in der Lage gewesen wäre, dies in der Partie zu finden, ist eine ganz andere Sache...}) 30... Be2 $2 {The move I expected and feared most during the game, but actually missing the best chance of the game! Der Zug, den ich während der Partie am meisten erwartet und befürchtet hatte, aber tatsächlich verpasst er die beste Chance der Partie!} (30... Ba6 $1 {has similar ideas, but here the bishop isn't hanging. hat ähnliche Ideen, aber hier hängt der Läufer nicht.} 31. Bxf7+ Kh8 $3 {The beautiful point, which we both missed. Black steps out of the Rdg2-trick and can pick up the bishop on the next move. Die schöne Pointe, die wir beide übersehen haben. Schwarz kommt aus dem Tdg2-Trick heraus und kann im nächsten Zug den Läufer einsammeln.} (31... Kxf7 32. Rdg2 {would be a good version of the game for me. wäre für mich eine gute Version des Partie.}) {For example Zum Beispiel} 32. Qa4 Qxf7 33. Qxa6 Qa2 $1 {and the attack wins. und der Angriff gewinnt.}) 31. Bxf7+ Kxf7 (31... Kh8 32. Qxb8+ Qxb8 33. Rxe2 {now gives me too many pieces for the queen. gibt mir jetzt zu viele Figuren für die Dame.}) 32. Qa4 Qb7 (32... Bc4 $5 {was probably the best way to play on. war wahrscheinlich der beste Weg, um weiterzuspielen.} 33. Rdg2 Rh7 $15 {and with my queen offside Black is still probably for preference. Making further progress is not easy at all though. und mit meiner Dame im Abseits verdient Schwarz wahrscheinlich immer noch den Vorzug. Weitere Fortschritte zu machen ist allerdings nicht einfach.}) 33. Qb4 Qc7 34. Qa4 Bb5 $6 35. Rdg2 $1 {I am fairly sure this was missed by Carlsen, who somewhat untypically also were running short of time. Ich bin mir ziemlich sicher, dass Carlsen dies übersehen hat, da er - etwas untypischerweise - ebenfalls in Zeitnot war.} Rh7 36. Qb3+ Bc4 37. Qg3 Qb6 38. Qg6+ {Trading queens just in time. Tauscht gerade noch rechtzeitig die Damen.} Qxg6 39. Rxg6 Rc8 {Now the ending should be a clear draw, but on move 40 I made an unnecessary mistake. Jetzt sollte das Endspiel ein klares Remis sein, aber im 40. Zug machte ich einen unnötigen Fehler.} 40. R6g5 $2 (40. Kb1 $11) (40. R6g4 $11) 40... Bd3 $1 {Woops. I can't defend both c2 and e4. Huch. Ich kann nicht sowohl c2 als auch e4 verteidigen.} 41. Rf5+ Kg8 42. Rf2 Rh6 43. Rd1 $6 (43. Rd2 Bxe4 44. Re1 Rh4 45. Rf2 $15) 43... Bxe4 $6 {Slightly unusual for Carlsen, making it much easier for me to defend. Das ist etwas ungewöhnlich für Carlsen und macht es mir viel leichter, mich zu verteidigen.} (43... Rf6 {was pointed out to us after the game. It's a good try, but White still holds. wurde uns nach der Partie aufgezeigt. Es ist ein guter Versuch, aber Weiß hält sich noch.} 44. Rxf6 Rxc2+ 45. Kb1 Rd2+ 46. Kc1 Rxd1+ 47. Kxd1 gxf6 {This is forced. It looks like the 3 connected passed pawns would give Black good winning chances, but I am just in time with my counterplay. For example Das ist erzwungen. Es sieht so aus, als würden die 3 verbundenen Freibauern Schwarz gute Gewinnchancen geben, aber ich komme mit meinem Gegenspiel gerade noch rechtzeitig. Zum Beispiel} 48. a4 Bxe4 49. h4 f5 50. Ba3 Kf7 (50... Bc6 51. Bd6 Bxa4+ 52. Kd2 e4 53. Be5 d3 {is in fact a draw even without the h-pawn, as the pawns are simply blocked. ist auch ohne den h-Bauern remis, da die Bauern einfach blockiert werden.}) 51. Ke1 {intending h5 without Bf3+. mit der Absicht h5 ohne ...Lf3+ .} Bc6 52. h5 Bxa4 53. Bd6 $1 Ke6 54. h6 $1 {and Black has to allow a blockade on the dark squares. und Schwarz muss eine Blockade auf den dunklen Feldern zulassen.}) (43... Bb5 $1 {is the strongest move, keeping the bishop and intending to put pressure on e4 later on. ist der stärkste Zug, der Läufer wird behalten mit der Absicht, später Druck auf e4 auszuüben.}) 44. Re1 Rh4 45. a4 {Now Black is as stuck as White, and it's just a draw. Jetzt steckt Schwarz genauso fest wie Weiß, und es ist einfach Remis.} Rc5 $6 (45... d3 {could perhaps have been played, but White is completely safe after hätte man vielleicht spielen können, aber Weiß steht völlig sicher nach} 46. Bxe5 dxc2 47. Rf4 $11) 46. Ba3 Rc8 47. Be7 Rg4 48. h3 Rg2 49. Rxg2 Bxg2 50. Rxe5 d3 51. Bc5 Ra8 52. cxd3 Rxa4 53. Kd2 Bxh3 54. Re4 1/2-1/2

[Event "Tata Steel-A 84th"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2022.01.26"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Karjakin, Sergey"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C67"]
[WhiteElo "2743"]
[BlackElo "2865"]
[PlyCount "32"]
[EventDate "2022.01.15"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 206"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2022.02.28"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2022.02.28"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. Re1 Nd6 6. Nxe5 Be7 7. Bf1 Nf5 8. c3 Nxe5 9. Rxe5 d6 10. Re1 O-O 11. d4 d5 12. Bf4 Bd6 13. Qf3 Nh4 14. Qg3 Nf5 15. Qf3 Nh4 16. Qg3 Nf5 1/2-1/2

[Event "Tata Steel-A 84th"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2022.01.28"]
[Round "11"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Vidit, Santosh Gujrathi"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C50"]
[WhiteElo "2865"]
[BlackElo "2727"]
[PlyCount "102"]
[EventDate "2022.01.15"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 206"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2022.02.28"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2022.02.28"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Bc4 Nf6 3. d3 Nc6 4. Nf3 Bc5 5. Nc3 h6 6. h3 a6 7. a4 d6 8. Be3 Bxe3 9. fxe3 Be6 10. b3 O-O 11. O-O d5 12. exd5 Nxd5 13. Qd2 Nxc3 ({RR} 13... Re8 14. a5 Nxc3 15. Qxc3 e4 16. dxe4 Bxc4 17. Qxc4 Qe7 18. Nd4 Ne5 19. Qc3 g6 20. Ne2 Rad8 21. Rf2 Qd6 22. Raf1 c6 23. Nf4 Re7 24. b4 Qd7 25. Qb3 Kg7 26. Nd3 Rf8 27. Qc3 Qc7 28. Rf6 {Elmi,S (2412)-Vestby-Ellingsen,M (2395) Bergen NOR 2025 ½-½ (34)}) 14. Qxc3 Qd6 15. Nd2 $146 ({RR} 15. Bxe6 Qxe6 16. Nd2 a5 17. Nc4 b6 18. e4 Nd4 19. Rae1 Rad8 20. Ne3 Rd6 21. Rf2 Rc6 22. Qd2 Rd8 23. Qd1 Qe7 24. Nd5 Qc5 25. c3 Ne6 26. Qf3 Ng5 27. Qg3 Rg6 28. Qe3 Qxe3 29. Ne7+ Kh7 {Kramnik,V (2753)-Rasulov,V (2526) chess.com INT 2023 1-0 (88)}) 15... f5 16. Bxe6+ Qxe6 17. Qc4 Qxc4 18. bxc4 e4 19. d4 f4 20. Rxf4 Rxf4 21. exf4 Nxd4 22. Nxe4 Ne2+ 23. Kf2 Nxf4 24. Rb1 b6 25. c5 Rf8 26. cxb6 cxb6 27. c4 Nd5+ 28. Ke2 Re8 29. cxd5 Rxe4+ 30. Kd3 Rxa4 31. d6 Kf7 32. Re1 Ra5 33. Kd4 Ra2 34. Kd5 Rd2+ 35. Kc6 b5 36. d7 Rc2+ 37. Kb6 Rd2 38. Kc7 Rc2+ 39. Kd8 b4 40. Re7+ Kf8 41. Re3 Kf7 42. Re7+ Kf8 43. Re5 g6 44. Re6 b3 45. Rf6+ Kg7 46. Ke7 Re2+ 47. Re6 Rxe6+ 48. Kxe6 b2 49. d8=Q b1=Q 50. Qc7+ Kg8 51. Qd8+ Kg7 1/2-1/2

[Event "Tata Steel-A 84th"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2022.01.29"]
[Round "12"]
[White "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B31"]
[WhiteElo "2792"]
[BlackElo "2865"]
[PlyCount "98"]
[EventDate "2022.01.15"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 206"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2022.02.28"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2022.02.28"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 g6 4. O-O Bg7 5. c3 Nf6 6. Re1 O-O 7. d4 d5 8. e5 Ne4 9. Be3 cxd4 10. cxd4 Qb6 11. Qe2 Bd7 12. Ba4 Rac8 13. Nc3 Nxc3 14. bxc3 Qd8 15. Bb3 Na5 $146 ({RR} 15... Bg4 16. h3 Bxf3 17. Qxf3 e6 18. Qg3 Na5 19. Bd2 Nc4 20. Bg5 Qa5 21. h4 Na3 22. Bd2 Nc4 23. Bg5 Na3 24. Bd2 Nc4 25. Bg5 Na3 {½-½ (25) Hernandez Guerrero,G (2457)-Tomiello,L (2298) Florianopolis BRA 2025}) 16. Rac1 Nxb3 17. axb3 Qb6 18. Qa2 a5 19. Qa3 Rfe8 20. c4 dxc4 21. bxc4 Qa6 22. c5 Bc6 23. Rb1 a4 24. Rec1 Rcd8 25. Nd2 Qe2 26. f3 Rxd4 27. Bxd4 Qxd2 28. Rd1 Qf4 29. Qb4 e6 30. Bc3 Qxb4 31. Bxb4 Bxe5 32. Ba3 Bf6 33. Kf2 Be7 34. Rb6 Rc8 35. Rd2 f6 36. f4 e5 37. fxe5 fxe5 38. Re2 Rf8+ 39. Ke1 Rf5 40. Rb1 e4 41. Rc1 Bh4+ 42. g3 Bg5 43. Rb1 Rf3 44. Bc1 Bf6 45. Rb6 Rf5 46. Ba3 Kf7 47. Rf2 Rf3 48. Rxf3 exf3 49. Kf1 Bd4 0-1

[Event "Norway Chess 10th"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2022.06.05"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C55"]
[WhiteElo "2751"]
[BlackElo "2864"]
[PlyCount "80"]
[EventDate "2022.05.31"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 209"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2022.08.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2022.08.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. d3 Be7 5. O-O O-O 6. Re1 d6 7. a4 Na5 8. Ba2 c5 9. c3 Nc6 10. Na3 h6 11. Nc2 ({RR} 11. Bd2 Re8 12. Nc4 Bf8 13. h3 Be6 14. b4 Qc7 15. Ne3 Bxa2 16. Rxa2 cxb4 17. cxb4 d5 18. Qb1 dxe4 19. dxe4 Nd4 20. Nxd4 exd4 21. Nf5 Rad8 22. Qd3 Qe5 23. Ng3 Nh5 24. Nxh5 Qxh5 25. Rc2 Rd7 {Harikrishna,P (2753)-Ponomariov,R (2712) Huaian 2016 ½-½ (49)}) ({RR} 11. Bd2 a6 12. h3 Rb8 13. b4 b5 14. axb5 axb5 15. Nc2 cxb4 16. cxb4 Be6 17. Ne3 Bxa2 18. Rxa2 d5 19. Qb1 Qd7 20. Nf5 Rfe8 21. Rc1 Bf8 22. Ra6 dxe4 23. dxe4 Re6 24. Be1 Qb7 25. Ra3 g6 {Kawulski-Chodkiewicz,A (1985)-Gajdzica,M (2113) Polanica Zdroj POL 2025 0-1 (125)}) 11... a6 12. Ne3 Be6 13. Nd5 $146 ({RR} 13. Bd2 Rb8 14. Bd5 Qd7 15. a5 Bd8 16. b4 cxb4 17. cxb4 Bxd5 18. Nxd5 Nxd5 19. exd5 Ne7 20. Qb3 Qb5 21. d4 exd4 22. Nxd4 Qxd5 23. Qxd5 Nxd5 24. Nf5 Bf6 25. Ra3 Rbd8 26. Rd3 Nc7 27. Bf4 Nb5 {Swindells,J (2305)-Gourlay,I (2377) England 2018 ½-½ (73)}) 13... Re8 14. Nd2 b5 15. Nf1 Bxd5 16. Bxd5 Nxd5 17. exd5 Na5 18. b4 Nb7 19. Re2 cxb4 20. cxb4 a5 21. axb5 axb4 22. Rb1 Qd7 23. Reb2 Nc5 24. Rxb4 Qf5 25. Be3 Nxd3 26. Ng3 Qh7 27. R4b3 Nc5 28. Bxc5 dxc5 29. b6 Red8 30. b7 Rab8 31. Rb6 c4 32. Rc6 Qd3 33. Qf1 Bf8 34. Rxc4 Qxf1+ 35. Kxf1 Rd7 36. Rc8 Rbxb7 37. Rxb7 Rxb7 38. Nf5 Rd7 39. g4 g6 40. Nxh6+ Kh7 1/2-1/2

[Event "Norway Chess 10th"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2022.06.07"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Tari, Aryan"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C47"]
[WhiteElo "2654"]
[BlackElo "2864"]
[PlyCount "65"]
[EventDate "2022.05.31"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 209"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2022.08.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2022.08.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. d4 exd4 5. Nxd4 Bb4 6. Nxc6 bxc6 7. Bd3 d5 8. Bd2 O-O 9. O-O Rb8 10. Re1 Re8 11. h3 ({RR} 11. a3 Bf8 12. b4 h6 13. h3 dxe4 14. Nxe4 Nxe4 15. Bxe4 c5 16. Bf4 Qxd1 17. Raxd1 Bb7 18. Bxb7 Rxe1+ 19. Rxe1 Rxb7 20. Re8 cxb4 21. axb4 Rxb4 22. Bxc7 Rd4 23. Ra8 f6 24. Rxa7 Rc4 25. Bb6 {½-½ (25) Motylev,A (2644)-Karjakin,S (2753) St Petersburg 2018}) 11... Be6 $146 ({RR} 11... dxe4 12. Bxe4 Bxh3 13. Bxc6 Bd7 14. Bf3 Bf5 15. Rxe8+ Qxe8 16. Be3 Bxc3 17. bxc3 Rd8 18. Qb1 Be4 19. Bxe4 Nxe4 20. Qb7 Nxc3 21. Re1 Qe5 22. Qxa7 h6 23. Qa6 Qd5 24. Bf4 Ra8 25. Qd3 Qxd3 26. cxd3 {Kraus,T (2488)-Navara,D (2678) Ostrava, CZ 2024 0-1 (54)}) ({RR} 11... h6 12. Qf3 d4 13. Nb1 Bd6 14. Na3 Bxa3 15. bxa3 Nd7 16. Qg3 Kh8 17. Bf4 Rb7 18. Bc4 Re7 19. Ba6 Rb2 20. Bxc7 Qe8 21. Bc4 Nc5 22. Bd6 Rxe4 23. Rxe4 Nxe4 24. Qf4 Nxd6 25. Qxd6 Rxc2 26. Qxd4 {Hrabinska,M (2130)-Craciun,S (2325) Eforie Nord ROU 2025 ½-½ (37)}) 12. b3 Nd7 13. exd5 cxd5 14. Qf3 Nc5 15. Re2 c6 16. Rae1 g6 17. Nb1 Bxd2 18. Nxd2 Qg5 19. c3 Bd7 20. b4 Rxe2 21. Rxe2 Ne6 22. g3 Qd8 23. h4 a5 24. a3 axb4 25. axb4 Ra8 26. Nb3 Ra3 27. Bc2 Kg7 28. Re3 Qf6 29. Qd1 h5 30. Rf3 Qe5 31. Re3 Qf6 32. Rf3 Qe5 33. Re3 1/2-1/2

[Event "Norway Chess 10th"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2022.06.10"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Topalov, Veselin"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C54"]
[WhiteElo "2730"]
[BlackElo "2864"]
[PlyCount "69"]
[EventDate "2022.05.31"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 209"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2022.08.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2022.08.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. d3 Bc5 5. c3 d6 6. O-O a5 7. Re1 Ba7 8. Nbd2 O-O 9. Nf1 Be6 ({RR} 9... Ne7 10. Ng3 Ng6 11. Bb3 c6 12. d4 exd4 13. cxd4 Bg4 14. Qd3 d5 15. e5 Ne4 16. Nxe4 dxe4 17. Rxe4 Bxf3 18. Qxf3 Bxd4 19. Bf4 a4 20. Bc2 Nxf4 21. Qxf4 c5 22. Rd1 Ra6 23. g3 Re8 24. b4 {Topalov,V (2730)-Carlsen,M (2864) Stavanger 2022 ½-½ (33)}) 10. Bxe6 ({RR} 10. Bb5 Ne7 11. d4 c6 12. Bd3 Ng6 13. h3 Nh5 14. Be3 Nhf4 15. Bc2 Qc8 16. Bb3 exd4 17. Nxd4 Bxd4 18. Qxd4 Bxb3 19. axb3 d5 20. Qd2 Nxh3+ 21. gxh3 Qxh3 22. f4 Nh4 23. Nh2 dxe4 24. Qf2 Rfe8 {So,W (2770)-Carlsen,M (2862) chess24.com INT 2021 ½-½ (54)}) 10... fxe6 11. Be3 Bxe3 12. Rxe3 $146 ({RR} 12. Nxe3 Qd7 13. Qc2 Nh5 14. Rad1 Rxf3 15. gxf3 Qf7 16. Qe2 Nf4 17. Qf1 Qh5 18. Ng4 Rf8 19. Kh1 Ne7 20. d4 exd4 21. cxd4 Neg6 22. Re3 Qh4 23. Rc3 h5 24. Ne3 Nh3 25. Ng2 Nxf2+ 26. Kg1 Nh3+ {Vachier Lagrave,M (2736)-Carlsen,M (2859) chess.com INT 2022 ½-½}) ({RR} 12. Nxe3 d5 13. Qb3 a4 14. Qxb7 Qd7 15. exd5 exd5 16. Nf5 Na5 17. Nxe5 Nxb7 18. Nxd7 Nxd7 19. Ne7+ Kh8 20. Nxd5 c6 21. Re7 Nbc5 22. Nb4 Rae8 23. Rae1 Nf6 24. Rxe8 Rxe8 25. Rxe8+ Nxe8 26. f3 Kg8 {Nemeth Junior,H (2189)-Gonzalez Culi,D (2099) Foz do Iguacu BRA 2025 1-0 (50)}) 12... Qd7 13. Rc1 a4 14. Ng3 Qf7 15. d4 h6 16. Qe2 Ra5 17. h3 Nh5 18. Nxh5 Qxh5 19. Rd1 Qf7 20. a3 exd4 21. cxd4 Ne7 22. g3 Nc8 23. Nh4 Nb6 24. e5 dxe5 25. Rf3 Qe8 26. Rxf8+ Qxf8 27. Ng6 Qe8 28. Nxe5 Rd5 29. Qc2 Qd8 30. Rd3 Rxd4 31. Rxd4 Qxd4 32. Qxc7 Kh7 33. Qc2+ Kg8 34. Qe2 Nd7 35. Nxd7 1/2-1/2

[Event "Olympiad-44"]
[Site "Chennai"]
[Date "2022.07.30"]
[Round "2.1"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Meier, Georg"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C10"]
[WhiteElo "2864"]
[BlackElo "2613"]
[PlyCount "159"]
[EventDate "2022.07.29"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "IND"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2023"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2022.10.05"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2022.10.05"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Norway"]
[BlackTeam "Uruguay"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "NOR"]
[BlackTeamCountry "URU"]

1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Nd7 5. c3 Ngf6 6. Bd3 Nxe4 7. Bxe4 Nf6 8. Bc2 c5 9. Nf3 cxd4 10. Nxd4 Bc5 11. O-O Bxd4 ({RR} 11... O-O 12. Re1 Bxd4 13. cxd4 Bd7 14. a4 Nd5 15. Ra3 f5 16. Bb3 Re8 17. Bxd5 exd5 18. Bf4 Rxe1+ 19. Qxe1 Qf8 20. Be5 Rc8 21. h4 g6 22. Qd2 h6 23. Bf4 Kh7 24. Re3 Re8 25. Rc3 Rc8 26. Rxc8 {Santos Latasa,J (2656)-Meier,G (2629) Baku AZE 2023 1-0 (50)}) ({RR} 11... O-O 12. Bg5 Bxd4 13. cxd4 Qd5 14. Bxf6 gxf6 15. Qd3 f5 16. Rfe1 Bd7 17. Qg3+ Kh8 18. Bb3 Qa5 19. d5 Rad8 20. Qh4 Rg8 21. Qf6+ Rg7 22. Rad1 Re8 23. Re3 exd5 24. Rxe8+ Bxe8 25. Bxd5 Kg8 26. Qe7 {Ponomariov,R (2622)-Keinanen,T (2532) Kuressaare EST 2025 1-0}) 12. cxd4 b6 $146 ({RR} 12... Bd7 13. a4 Bc6 14. Ra3 O-O 15. Bg5 h6 16. Bxh6 gxh6 17. Qd2 Ng4 18. h3 Qg5 19. f4 Qh4 20. hxg4 Rfd8 21. g5 hxg5 22. Rh3 Qg4 23. Bd1 Qf5 24. fxg5 Qe4 25. Bh5 Qxd4+ 26. Qxd4 Rxd4 27. Bxf7+ {Antal,G (2563)-Balog,I (2558) Budapest 2019 ½-½ (65)}) ({RR} 12... Bd7 13. a4 Bc6 14. Ra3 Nd5 15. Qg4 g6 16. Bh6 Qe7 17. Bg5 f6 18. Re1 O-O-O 19. Bd2 Rhe8 20. Rh3 Rd7 21. Qg3 Red8 22. Bb3 Nc7 23. Bc3 Bd5 24. Bc2 Na6 25. Bd3 Nb4 26. Bxb4 Qxb4 27. Rc1+ {Li,R (2548)-Meier,G (2651) Saint Louis 2017 ½-½ (32)}) 13. Qd3 Bb7 14. Ba4+ Kf8 15. Bd2 h5 16. Rac1 h4 17. h3 Qd6 18. Bd1 Rd8 19. Re1 Kg8 20. Be3 Nd5 21. Qd2 Nxe3 22. fxe3 Rh6 23. Rf1 Rg6 24. Bg4 f5 25. Bf3 Bxf3 26. Rxf3 Rg3 27. Qf2 e5 28. Rxf5 exd4 29. exd4 Qxd4 30. Rf8+ Kh7 31. Rxd8 Qxd8 32. Qf5+ g6 33. Qf4 Rd3 34. Rc7+ Rd7 35. Rxd7+ Qxd7 36. Qxh4+ Kg7 37. Qf4 Qd5 38. a3 b5 39. Qc7+ Kh6 40. Qxa7 Qd1+ 41. Kh2 Qd6+ 42. Kh1 Qd2 43. b4 Qc1+ 44. Qg1 Qxa3 45. Qe1 Qd3 46. Qh4+ Kg7 47. Qe7+ Kh6 48. Kh2 Qd4 49. h4 Qf4+ 50. Kh3 Qf5+ 51. Kg3 Qd5 52. Qc5 Qd3+ 53. Kh2 Qe4 54. Qg5+ Kh7 55. h5 Qxb4 56. Qxg6+ Kh8 57. Qf6+ Kh7 58. Qf5+ Kg8 59. Qe6+ Kh7 60. Qf7+ Kh8 61. Qf6+ Kh7 62. Kh3 Qe4 63. g4 Qe3+ 64. Kg2 Qe2+ 65. Kg3 Qe1+ 66. Qf2 Qc3+ 67. Kh4 b4 68. Qf7+ Kh8 69. Qe8+ Kg7 70. Qe7+ Kh8 71. h6 b3 72. Kh5 b2 73. Qe8+ Kh7 74. Qe4+ Kh8 75. Kg6 b1=B 76. Qxb1 Qc6+ 77. Kg5 Qc5+ 78. Qf5 Qe3+ 79. Qf4 Qc5+ 80. Kg6 1-0

[Event "Olympiad-44"]
[Site "Chennai"]
[Date "2022.07.31"]
[Round "3.1"]
[White "Vocaturo, Daniele"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B13"]
[WhiteElo "2616"]
[BlackElo "2864"]
[PlyCount "111"]
[EventDate "2022.07.29"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "IND"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2023"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2022.10.05"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2022.10.05"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Italy"]
[BlackTeam "Norway"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "ITA"]
[BlackTeamCountry "NOR"]

1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. exd5 cxd5 4. Bd3 Nc6 5. c3 e6 6. Bf4 Bd6 7. Bxd6 Qxd6 8. Nf3 Nge7 9. O-O Bd7 10. Re1 O-O 11. Ne5 Nxe5 12. dxe5 Qb6 13. Qb3 Qxb3 14. axb3 Rfd8 $146 ({RR} 14... f6 15. Nd2 Nc6 16. Nf3 a5 17. Bb5 Kf7 18. Ra3 Nb8 19. Bd3 Nc6 20. Bb5 {½-½ (20) Chirilov,J (2212)-Zhou Jianchao (2584) Rockville USA 2025}) 15. Na3 f6 16. Nc2 Nc6 17. exf6 gxf6 18. Bb5 Kf7 19. Bxc6 Bxc6 20. f4 a5 21. Re3 h5 22. Rae1 Bd7 23. Nd4 Ra6 24. Kf2 b5 25. g3 Re8 26. h3 Rh8 27. Kg2 b4 28. Ra1 Re8 29. Rae1 a4 30. bxa4 Rxa4 31. R1e2 Ra2 32. cxb4 Ra4 33. Nc2 Raa8 34. Kf2 Reb8 35. Ra3 Ke7 36. Rd2 Kd6 37. Ne3 Bc6 38. Nc4+ Ke7 39. Na5 Bd7 40. Nb3 Kd6 41. Nc5 Bc6 42. Re3 e5 43. Ne4+ Ke7 44. Nc5 e4 45. Rd4 f5 46. Ra3 Rg8 47. Rxa8 Bxa8 48. Na4 Kd6 49. Nc3 Bc6 50. Nd1 Bd7 51. Ne3 Be6 52. Rd2 Rb8 53. Nc2 Bd7 54. Ne3 Be6 55. Nc2 Bd7 56. Ne3 1/2-1/2

[Event "Olympiad-44"]
[Site "Chennai"]
[Date "2022.08.03"]
[Round "6.1"]
[White "Smirnov, Anton"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B08"]
[WhiteElo "2600"]
[BlackElo "2864"]
[PlyCount "80"]
[EventDate "2022.07.29"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "IND"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2023"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2022.10.05"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2022.10.05"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Australia"]
[BlackTeam "Norway"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "AUS"]
[BlackTeamCountry "NOR"]

1. e4 Nc6 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 Nf6 4. Nc3 g6 5. h3 Bg7 6. Be3 O-O 7. Qd2 a6 8. Bd3 e5 9. dxe5 Nxe5 10. Nxe5 dxe5 11. O-O-O b5 12. g4 $146 ({RR} 12. Bc5 Be6 13. Qe3 Nd7 14. Bxf8 Qxf8 15. g4 Nc5 16. Kb1 Rb8 17. Ne2 Na4 18. Qa7 Qc8 19. Qe3 Qf8 20. Nc1 c5 21. c3 c4 22. Bc2 Nc5 23. Rd2 Qe7 24. f4 exf4 25. Qxf4 Rc8 26. e5 a5 {Smeets,J (2617)-Loxine,J (2411) Germany 2016 ½-½ (57)}) 12... c6 13. f3 Be6 14. h4 Qa5 15. a3 Rfb8 16. Bc5 h5 17. Bd6 Rb7 18. Kb1 Rd8 19. Bb4 Qc7 20. Ne2 Rd7 21. Bc5 hxg4 22. Ng3 gxf3 23. h5 Qd8 24. hxg6 fxg6 25. Qg5 Kf7 26. Nf5 Nxe4 27. Nh6+ Bxh6 28. Qxh6 Bf5 29. Ka2 Qg8 30. Bxe4 Bxe4 31. Rde1 Kf6+ 32. b3 Rh7 33. Qe3 Rxh1 34. Rxh1 Qd5 35. Kb2 Rd7 36. Rh8 Bf5 37. Rf8+ Rf7 38. Re8 Qe4 39. Qd2 Kg7 40. Bf2 Qe2 0-1

[Event "EU-Cup 37th"]
[Site "Mayrhofen"]
[Date "2022.10.04"]
[Round "2.1"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Naumann, Alexander"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C45"]
[WhiteElo "2856"]
[BlackElo "2513"]
[PlyCount "59"]
[EventDate "2022.10.03"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "AUT"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2023"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2022.10.05"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2022.10.05"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Offerspill"]
[BlackTeam "Solingen SG"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "NOR"]
[BlackTeamCountry "GER"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 exd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nxc6 bxc6 6. e5 Qe7 7. Qe2 Nd5 8. Nd2 Nf4 ({RR} 8... Rb8 9. c4 Nb4 10. Nf3 c5 11. g3 Qe6 12. Bg2 Be7 13. O-O Bb7 14. b3 O-O 15. Bb2 Rfe8 16. Rfe1 h6 17. Bc3 Bf8 18. Rad1 Ba8 19. Bxb4 Rxb4 20. Qd2 Rd8 21. Nh4 Rbb8 22. Bd5 Bxd5 23. cxd5 {Nepomniachtchi,I (2733)-Karjakin,S (2776) Moscow 2011 1-0 (39)}) 9. Qe3 Nd5 ({RR} 9... Ne6 10. Bd3 d5 11. exd6 cxd6 12. O-O Qd8 13. Nf3 Be7 14. Bd2 Bd7 15. Bc3 O-O 16. Rad1 Bf6 17. Qd2 Re8 18. Rfe1 Bxc3 19. Qxc3 Qf6 20. Qxf6 gxf6 21. c4 Rad8 22. Bc2 Bc8 23. g3 Ba6 24. b3 {Abdusattorov,N (2767)-Sindarov,J (2710) Tashkent UZB 2025 ½-½ (55)}) 10. Qe4 f6 11. c4 $146 ({RR} 11. exf6 Nxf6 12. Qxe7+ Bxe7 13. Bd3 O-O 14. O-O d5 15. Nb3 Bd6 16. h3 Nd7 17. Bd2 Ne5 18. Be3 a5 19. Nc5 Re8 20. Na4 Nxd3 21. cxd3 Ba6 22. Rfd1 c5 23. Bxc5 Bb5 24. Nc3 Bxc5 25. Nxb5 Rab8 {Fier,A (2595)-Gupta,A (2630) Cappelle la Grande 2014 ½-½ (34)}) 11... Nb4 12. Kd1 Qxe5 13. a3 Qxe4 14. Nxe4 Na6 15. b4 c5 16. b5 Bb7 17. Bd3 Nb8 18. Re1 Kf7 19. Nc3 Bd6 20. f4 Bxg2 21. Kc2 g6 22. Bb2 Bxf4 23. Re2 Bb7 24. Rf1 g5 25. h4 d6 26. hxg5 Be5 27. Ne4 Nd7 28. Nxf6 Nxf6 29. Bxe5 dxe5 30. Rxe5 1-0

[Event "45th Olympiad 2024"]
[Site "Budapest HUN"]
[Date "2024.09.13"]
[Round "3.20"]
[White "Garcia Pantoja, Roberto"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B41"]
[WhiteElo "2550"]
[BlackElo "2832"]
[PlyCount "80"]
[EventDate "2024.09.11"]
[WhiteTeam "Colombia"]
[BlackTeam "Norway"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "COL"]
[BlackTeamCountry "NOR"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 a6 5. c4 Nf6 6. Nc3 Qc7 7. Be2 b6 8. O-O Bb7 9. f3 Nc6 10. Nxc6 Bxc6 11. Qd3 h5 12. Be3 Bd6 13. f4 Ng4 $146 ({RR} 13... Bb4 14. e5 Ng4 15. Bd4 d6 16. Bxg4 hxg4 17. a3 dxe5 18. fxe5 Be7 19. Qe3 f5 20. Bxb6 Qb7 21. Rf2 Bh4 22. Rd2 O-O 23. Bc5 f4 24. Qd3 f3 25. g3 Rad8 26. Qc2 Bg5 27. Rxd8 Rxd8 28. Rd1 {½-½ Miranda,R (2304)-Flores,D (2547) ProAm 100 Ani FADA 2022 (9.7)}) ({RR} 13... Bb4 14. e5 Ng4 15. Bd4 d6 16. Bxg4 hxg4 17. a3 dxe5 18. fxe5 Be7 19. Qe3 f5 20. Bxb6 Qb7 21. Rf2 Bh4 22. Rd2 O-O 23. Bc5 f4 24. Qd3 f3 25. g3 Rad8 26. Qc2 Bg5 27. Rxd8 Rxd8 28. Rd1 {Miranda,R (2304)-Flores,D (2547) Buenos Aires ARG 2022 ½-½ (38)}) 14. e5 Be7 15. Bd4 d6 16. exd6 Bxd6 17. Bf3 Bxf3 18. Qxf3 O-O 19. Ne4 Qxc4 20. Rad1 Be7 21. b3 Qb5 22. a4 Qb4 23. h3 Nh6 24. Bc3 Qxb3 25. Rd7 Nf5 26. Rfd1 Rad8 27. g4 Nh4 28. Qe2 Qxa4 29. R1d4 Qa3 30. Kh2 Rxd7 31. Rxd7 Rd8 32. Ra7 hxg4 33. hxg4 Ng6 34. f5 Bd6+ 35. Kg1 Qc1+ 36. Qe1 Bc5+ 37. Kg2 Nh4+ 38. Qxh4 Qg1+ 39. Kf3 Rd3+ 40. Ke2 Qd1# 0-1

[Event "45th Olympiad 2024"]
[Site "Budapest HUN"]
[Date "2024.09.16"]
[Round "6.3"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Maghsoodloo, Parham"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B12"]
[WhiteElo "2832"]
[BlackElo "2723"]
[PlyCount "174"]
[EventDate "2024.09.11"]
[WhiteTeam "Norway"]
[BlackTeam "Iran"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "NOR"]
[BlackTeamCountry "IRI"]

1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. e5 Bf5 4. Nd2 e6 5. Nb3 Nd7 6. Nf3 Ne7 7. Be2 h6 8. O-O Bh7 9. a4 a5 ({RR} 9... Nf5 10. a5 a6 11. c4 dxc4 12. Bxc4 Ne7 13. Qe2 Nd5 14. Nfd2 Nb4 15. Ne4 b5 16. axb6 Nxb6 17. f3 Nxc4 18. Qxc4 Qd5 19. Qc3 Qb5 20. Ra5 Qb6 21. Bd2 Be7 22. Rfa1 O-O 23. Qc4 Rab8 24. Nbc5 {0-1 Stukopin,A (2586)-Nyzhnyk,I (2610) Saint Louis Spring-C 2017 (4)}) ({RR} 9... Ng6 10. a5 Be7 11. c4 O-O 12. a6 b6 13. cxd5 cxd5 14. Be3 Rc8 15. Nc1 Nb8 16. Bb5 Nc6 17. Nd3 Na5 18. Qe2 Rc7 19. Rac1 Nc4 20. b3 Nxe3 21. Qxe3 Nh4 22. Nxh4 Bxd3 23. Qxd3 Bxh4 24. Qd2 {Nguyen,T (2577)-Hera,I (2610) Tornelo INT 2021 1-0 (39)}) 10. Bd2 Qb6 ({RR} 10... Nf5 11. c3 Qb6 12. g4 Ne7 13. Ne1 c5 14. Nxc5 Nxc5 15. dxc5 Qxc5 16. Bb5+ Nc6 17. Be3 Qe7 18. f4 Qc7 19. Bd3 Bg8 20. Nf3 f6 21. exf6 gxf6 22. Nd4 Bc5 23. Qf3 Qb6 24. Qf2 O-O-O 25. Rae1 {George,K (2288)-Yoo,C (2588) chess.com INT 2025 ½-½ (98)}) 11. Rc1 $146 ({RR} 11. h3 Be4 12. Ne1 Bh7 13. Rc1 Nf5 14. Nf3 Bb4 15. c3 Be7 16. Re1 O-O 17. Bd3 Bg6 18. Bf1 Rfd8 19. g3 Bh7 20. Kg2 c5 21. Bb5 cxd4 22. cxd4 Bf8 23. g4 Ne7 24. g5 h5 25. Nh4 Be4+ {1-0 Corrales Jimenez,F (2564)-Yoo,C (2616) 1000GM Labor Super Swiss 2024 (5.7)}) ({RR} 11. h3 Be4 12. Ne1 Bh7 13. Rc1 Nf5 14. Nf3 Bb4 15. c3 Be7 16. Re1 O-O 17. Bd3 Bg6 18. Bf1 Rfd8 19. g3 Bh7 20. Kg2 c5 21. Bb5 cxd4 22. cxd4 Bf8 23. g4 Ne7 24. g5 h5 25. Nh4 Be4+ {Corrales Jimenez,F (2564)-Yoo,C (2616) San Jose CA USA 2024 1-0 (55)}) 11... g5 12. Kh1 Ng6 13. Bd3 Bb4 14. Be3 Qc7 15. Nfd2 Nh4 16. Bxh7 Rxh7 17. c3 Be7 18. c4 Nf8 19. f4 Nf5 20. Bg1 gxf4 21. cxd5 exd5 22. Rxf4 Ng7 23. Qc2 h5 24. Rcf1 Nge6 25. Rf5 Qb6 26. Nb1 h4 27. h3 Rg7 28. Nc3 Bg5 29. Nd2 Qa6 30. R1f3 Rd8 31. Nf1 Rd7 32. Nh2 Qc4 33. b3 Qb4 34. Ne2 Ng6 35. Ng4 Ne7 36. Rf6 Qd2 37. Qxd2 Bxd2 38. Be3 Bxe3 39. Rxe3 c5 40. dxc5 d4 41. Rd3 Nc6 42. Rxe6+ fxe6 43. Nf6+ Kf8 44. Nxd7+ Rxd7 45. g3 Kg8 46. gxh4 Rd5 47. Kg2 Kh7 48. Rd2 Rxc5 49. Nxd4 Nxd4 50. Rxd4 b5 51. Kf3 Rxe5 52. Re4 Rf5+ 53. Ke3 bxa4 54. bxa4 Rh5 55. Rg4 Kh6 56. Kd4 Rd5+ 57. Kc4 Re5 58. Kd4 Rd5+ 59. Ke3 Rh5 60. Re4 Kg7 61. Kf3 Kf6 62. Kg4 Rh8 63. Rf4+ Kg6 64. Re4 Kf6 65. h5 Rg8+ 66. Kf3 Rg5 67. Rh4 Kg7 68. h6+ Kh7 69. Re4 Rh5 70. Kg4 Rxh6 71. Re5 Rg6+ 72. Kf4 Rf6+ 73. Kg3 Rg6+ 74. Kh2 Rf6 75. Rxa5 Rf3 76. Rg5 Ra3 77. a5 Kh6 78. h4 Ra4 79. Kg3 Ra3+ 80. Kf4 Ra4+ 81. Ke3 Rxh4 82. Re5 Kg7 83. a6 Ra4 84. Rxe6 Kf7 85. Rh6 Kg7 86. Rb6 Kf7 87. Kd3 Ke7 1/2-1/2

[Event "45th Olympiad 2024"]
[Site "Budapest HUN"]
[Date "2024.09.18"]
[Round "7.9"]
[White "Dragnev, Valentin"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C41"]
[WhiteElo "2556"]
[BlackElo "2832"]
[PlyCount "80"]
[EventDate "2024.09.11"]
[WhiteTeam "Austria"]
[BlackTeam "Norway"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "AUT"]
[BlackTeamCountry "NOR"]

1. e4 d6 2. d4 Nf6 3. Nc3 e5 4. Nf3 Nbd7 5. Bc4 Be7 6. O-O O-O 7. a4 c6 8. h3 h6 9. Be3 Re8 10. a5 ({RR} 10. Ba2 exd4 11. Bxd4 Nf8 12. Re1 Be6 13. Qb1 Qa5 14. Be3 Qh5 15. Nd4 Bxa2 16. Qxa2 Bd8 17. Nf5 Bc7 18. Bd4 N8h7 19. Qb3 d5 20. Qxb7 Bf4 21. Qxc6 dxe4 22. Ne7+ Kh8 23. Ned5 Rac8 24. Nxf4 Qf5 {1-0 Demchenko,A (2641)-Ivanisevic,I (2604) PNWCC Online blitz JP 8th 2020 (9)}) ({RR} 10. Qd3 exd4 11. Bxd4 Nf8 12. Rad1 Be6 13. Rfe1 Bxc4 14. Qxc4 Ne6 15. Bxf6 Bxf6 16. e5 d5 17. Qg4 Be7 18. Ne2 Qa5 19. Ned4 Qxa4 20. b3 Qb4 21. c3 Qxc3 22. Nxe6 fxe6 23. Qxe6+ Kh8 24. Qd7 Qb4 {Vasilevich,T (2625)-Draskovic,L (2770) Chess.com 2024 1-0 (61)}) 10... exd4 11. Qxd4 Bf8 $146 ({RR} 11... Nc5 12. e5 dxe5 13. Qxd8 Rxd8 14. Bxc5 Bxc5 15. Nxe5 Rf8 16. Rfd1 Bf5 17. Bb3 Rac8 18. Ra4 Rc7 19. Rf4 Bh7 20. Ng4 Nxg4 21. hxg4 Re8 22. Na4 Bf8 23. Rfd4 Bg6 24. Rd7 Rec8 25. f4 Be4 26. Bxf7+ {1-0 Otero Marino,A (2280)-Yedidia,J (2361) Titled Tue 25th Jun Early 2024 (2)}) ({RR} 11... Nc5 12. e5 dxe5 13. Qxd8 Rxd8 14. Bxc5 Bxc5 15. Nxe5 Rf8 16. Rfd1 Bf5 17. Bb3 Rac8 18. Ra4 Rc7 19. Rf4 Bh7 20. Ng4 Nxg4 21. hxg4 Re8 22. Na4 Bf8 23. Rfd4 Bg6 24. Rd7 Rec8 25. f4 Be4 26. Bxf7+ {Otero Marino,A (2280)-Yedidia,J (2361) chess.com INT 2024 1-0 (38)}) ({RR} 11... Nf8 12. Rfd1 Be6 13. Bxe6 Nxe6 14. Qc4 Qc8 15. Nd4 Bf8 16. Nf5 Qc7 17. b4 Nd7 18. Qb3 Ng5 19. Bf4 Ne5 20. Bg3 Ne6 21. Ne3 Ng6 22. Rd2 Nef4 23. Rad1 Re6 24. Nf5 Rae8 25. Kh1 Qd7 26. Kh2 {Mitusov,S (2478)-Amar,E (2600) Bergen NOR 2025 ½-½ (37)}) 12. Rfe1 Qc7 13. Bf4 Ne5 14. Be2 Bd7 15. Bg3 a6 16. Bh4 Re6 17. Nxe5 Rxe5 18. b4 Rae8 19. Bg3 c5 20. Qd1 cxb4 21. Bxe5 dxe5 22. Nd5 Nxd5 23. exd5 e4 24. Bg4 f5 25. Bh5 Rc8 26. d6 Qc5 27. c3 bxc3 28. Qb3+ Qc4 29. Qxb7 Qe6 30. Qxa6 Bxd6 31. Qa7 c2 32. a6 Bf4 33. Qb7 Rb8 34. Qa7 Qd6 35. Be2 Be6 36. Bf1 Kh7 37. Rec1 Bxc1 38. Rxc1 Rb1 39. Qe3 Qd1 40. a7 Qxc1 0-1

[Event "GRENKE Chess Classic and Open 2024"]
[Site "Karlsruhe, Germany"]
[Date "2024.04.01"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Rapport, Richard"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C18"]
[WhiteElo "2823"]
[BlackElo "2708"]
[Annotator "Rafael Leitao"]
[PlyCount "101"]
[EventDate "2024.??.??"]
[TimeControl "2700+10"]

1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e5 c5 5. a3 Bxc3+ 6. bxc3 Ne7 7. Qg4 Qc7 8. Bd3 Qa5 {Rapport repete a mesma variante de sua partida contra Vachier-Lagrave, na qual ele obteve uma boa posição desde a abertura.} 9. Bd2 c4 10. Be2 Rg8 11. a4 Nbc6 12. Qh3 {Eu sugeri esse lance na minha análise da partida acima mencionada, mas pensei que a ideia de Rapport fosse sacrificar o peão de h.} (12. Nf3 {foi o lance feito por Vachier-Lagrave.}) ({RR} 12. Nf3 Bd7 13. O-O h6 14. Rfb1 O-O-O 15. Rb5 Qc7 16. Qf4 g5 17. Qxf7 Nf5 18. g4 Rdf8 19. Qh5 Be8 20. Qh3 h5 21. Nxg5 hxg4 22. Bxg4 Qe7 23. f4 Rh8 24. Qg2 Nd8 25. Rbb1 Bg6 26. Rf1 Kb8 {Vachier Lagrave,M (2728)-Rapport,R (2720) Karlsruhe GER 2024 1-0 (70)}) 12... h6 $6 (12... Bd7 {Este é um lance crítico e eu tinha imaginado que Rapport o jogaria.} 13. Qxh7 O-O-O {Com a ideia de jogar f7-f6, com uma luta complicada. As Negras têm alguma compensação pelo peão na forma de um desenvolvimento melhor e chances de atacar a vulnerável dama das Brancas.}) 13. Bh5 $146 {O bispo está posicionado em uma casa ativa, impedindo as Negras de fazer o roque grande e liberando a casa e2 para o cavalo. Se as Negras jogarem g7-g6, são criadas fraquezas nas casas escuras.} ({RR} 13. Qf3 Bd7 14. Nh3 Rf8 15. Nf4 O-O-O 16. g4 f6 17. exf6 gxf6 18. Nh5 f5 19. Qe3 fxg4 20. Bxg4 e5 21. Bxd7+ Rxd7 22. Qxh6 Qd8 23. dxe5 Nxe5 24. O-O-O N7g6 25. Qe3 Qa5 26. f4 Qxa4 27. Qc5+ Nc6 {Janeczko,J (2282)-Sengupta,D (2497) Warsaw POL 2025 1-0 (41)}) 13... Bd7 14. Ne2 g6 {Este lance é, no final das contas, um mal necessário, pois é a única maneira de fazer o roque.} (14... O-O-O $2 15. Bxf7) 15. Bg4 $1 {Um lance curioso. Por que Carlsen não retornou imediatamente o bispo para f3, como a grande maioria da humanidade faria $2 Jogar lances tão sutis é uma das muitas razões pelas quais ele é tão especial.} (15. Bf3 Rh8 {Isso é forçado, já que não há outra maneira de defender o peão, e h6-h5 é uma versão muito pior para as Negras do que o que acontece na partida. Talvez o ponto seja que o plano das Brancas aqui não é tão claro ou eficaz quanto o plano possível com o bispo em g4.} 16. g4 $5 {com a ideia de Dg3 e depois h4-h5.}) 15... h5 {O lance anterior das Brancas foi feito para provocar esse avanço.} (15... Rh8 16. Qf3 {Essa é uma das diferenças de o bispo estar em g4: as Brancas podem usar a terceira fileira para a dama ir para g3 ou f3, seguido pelo avanço do peão de h.}) 16. Bf3 Nf5 $6 (16... O-O-O {é mais preciso, embora as Negras ainda estejam sofrendo após} 17. Bg5 {As casas escuras estão muito vulneráveis.}) 17. g4 $1 hxg4 18. Bxg4 O-O-O 19. Bxf5 $1 {Mudar a natureza estratégica da posição é frequentemente difícil no xadrez, então os lances g4 e agora Bxf5 podem não ser os mais fáceis para muitos jogadores. No entanto, ao olhar para o tabuleiro de forma objetiva, podemos ver que as Negras têm uma posição miserável estrategicamente: muitas fraquezas nas casas escuras e nenhum plano ativo.} exf5 20. Bg5 Rde8 21. Kd2 $1 {O rei das Brancas encontra um refúgio surpreendentemente seguro no meio do tabuleiro. O plano das Brancas agora é relativamente simples: colocar a dama em f3 e avançar o peão de h.} Rh8 22. Qf3 {O mau bispo de casas claras na Defesa Francesa é mais uma vez uma das causas da tragédia.} Nd8 $1 {A única chance é ativar o cavalo colocando-o em e6.} 23. Bf6 Rh6 24. h4 (24. Nf4 {é uma alternativa possível.} Ne6 $1 25. Nxe6 $1 (25. Qxd5 {é menos claro:} Qc7 $1 {Isso é o que as Negras querem: alguma atividade às custas de um peão, embora sua posição ainda esteja objetivamente pior.} (25... Qxd5 {é bom para as Brancas depois de} 26. Nxd5 Bc6 27. Ne3 $1 Bxh1 28. Rxh1)) 25... Bxe6 26. h4 Rh5 27. Qd1 $1 {Com a ideia de jogar Dc1-a3 e torturar as Negras por um longo tempo nas casas escuras.}) 24... Ne6 25. h5 $2 {Isso deixa a posição aguda, mas não é o melhor lance.} (25. Qe3 Rh5 26. Nf4 Nxf4 27. Qxf4 {com uma vantagem para as Brancas, semelhante à que vimos após 24.Cf4. Deve-se ressaltar que a torre em h5, embora esteja protegendo a ala do rei, está isolada do jogo.}) 25... g5 $1 26. Rae1 $3 {Este é outro lance muito difícil que não é fácil de entender até que mergulhemos mais fundo na posição. Esse tipo de lance é muito mais bonito do que uma simples combinação, que é uma questão puramente matemática. Aqui, no entanto, está a verdadeira arte do xadrez: lances que só podem ser compreendidos após muita reflexão e que envolvem uma ideia oculta para impedir o plano do adversário.} (26. Qxf5 $4 {perde tragicamente a dama após} Nxd4 27. Qxg5 Nf3+) (26. Rag1 $2 g4 27. Qe3 f4 $1 28. Nxf4 Rxf6 $1 29. exf6 Ng5 {Nesta linha, podemos ver a importância da torre em e1.}) 26... f4 $2 {A posição é muito difícil de jogar e é difícil para as Negras não cometerem um erro.} (26... Qxa4 $2 {Capturar o peão em a4 é claramente errado:} 27. Ra1) (26... Bxa4 $2 27. Qxf5) (26... g4 $2 {Nesta linha, podemos entender a ideia por trás do lance anterior de Carlsen.} 27. Qe3 f4 {Isso não funciona mais:} 28. Nxf4 Rxf6 29. exf6 Ng5 30. Qxe8+ {Graças à torre em e1, as Brancas ganham duas torres e um peão—nada menos do que o perigoso peão passado de h—pela dama. A verdadeira arte do xadrez.}) (26... a6 $1 {Este ou 26...b6 são os melhores lances segundo o computador. O que posso dizer $2 Xadrez não é fácil. 26...a6 eu consigo entender: agora é possível capturar em a4 em algumas linhas, já que não há mais Ta1 capturando em a7. Além disso, o rei pode marchar para um lugar mais seguro com Rb8-a7. Peço desculpas se essa explicação não foi convincente. A posição continua muito complicada e a avaliação é a que esperamos (0.00).}) 27. Reg1 $1 {Os peões na ala do rei estão muito vulneráveis.} Rg8 {Isso perde forçado, mas é difícil fazer recomendações.} (27... Bxa4 {é a sugestão do computador e provavelmente a melhor chance prática, mas após} 28. Ra1 $1 {as Negras estão presas.} (28. Bxg5 $2 {é errado:} Bxc2 $1 29. Kxc2 Qa2+ {com xeque perpétuo.})) 28. Nxf4 $1 Rxf6 $1 {Rapport está à altura do desafio e luta com grande resiliência.} (28... Nxf4 29. Qxf4 {29.Txg5 ou 29.Bxg5 também ganha.} (29. Rxg5 Rxg5 30. Bxg5 Rxh5 31. Rxh5 Nxh5 32. Qxh5 Be6 33. f4 {As Negras não conseguem manter a posição por muito tempo.}) 29... gxf4 30. Rxg8+ Be8 (30... Kc7 31. Bd8+) 31. Rxe8+ Kd7 32. Re7+ Kc6 33. Rxf7 {com uma vitória fácil, já que o rei está muito exposto e as Brancas têm dois peões passados perigosos.}) 29. exf6 Nxf4 30. h6 $6 {Fiquei surpreso com esse lance, já que esperava que Carlsen capturasse em f4. Mas as coisas não são tão fáceis quanto eu pensei inicialmente.} (30. Qxf4 $1 gxf4 31. Rxg8+ Kc7 {Agora as Brancas devem ser muito precisas.} 32. Rg7 $1 (32. Rf8 {também é bom.}) (32. h6 $2 {é tentador... e errado:} Bf5 33. h7 $2 {Agora as Brancas até perdem $1} (33. Rh5 {é o suficiente para um empate.}) 33... Qxa4 $1 {As Negras começam um contra-ataque surpreendente e vencem a partida.} (33... Bxh7 $2 34. Rxh7 {com uma vitória fácil.}) 34. h8=Q Qxc2+ 35. Ke1 f3 {com mate inevitável.}) 32... Qxa4 (32... Bf5 33. Rxf7+ Kc6 34. Rc1 $1 {O peão de c2 está protegido e os peões de h e f são decisivos, por exemplo:} Qd8 35. h6 Qe8 36. h7) 33. h6 Bf5 34. Rxf7+ Kb6 35. Rc1 Qe8 36. h7 $1 {com uma vantagem decisiva para as Brancas.}) 30... Ne6 $1 31. h7 Rh8 32. Qe3 $1 {Preparando o sacrifício em g5.} Qd8 $1 33. Rxg5 $1 Nxg5 34. Qxg5 {A dama vai para g7 e as Negras ficam paralisadas, mas ainda resta saber como as Brancas podem quebrar completamente a resistência.} Kc7 35. Qg7 Be6 36. Re1 $2 {Esse lance surpreendentemente deixa a vitória escapar.} (36. Rh5 $1 {era o caminho certo para a torre, com o mesmo plano da partida.}) 36... Kb6 $2 (36... Bf5 $1 {é o lance certo:} 37. Qxf7+ Kc6 {Agora é a vez das Brancas precisarem jogar com cuidado.} 38. Rg1 Rxh7 39. Rg7 {A partida termina em empate de várias maneiras possíveis.} Rxg7 (39... Qb8 40. Kc1 $1 Qf4+ 41. Kb2 Rxg7 42. fxg7 Qxf2 43. Qe8+ {com xeque perpétuo.}) 40. fxg7 (40. Qxg7 {também é um empate:} Qd6 41. f7 Qf4+ 42. Ke1 Qe4+ 43. Kf1 Qh1+ {com xeque perpétuo novamente.}) 40... Qg5+ 41. Ke2 Bh7 42. Qe6+ {com um empate.}) 37. Re5 $1 Qc8 38. f4 {Preparando f4-f5 no momento certo.} a6 39. Kc1 $1 {É importante esconder o rei primeiro.} (39. f5 $2 Bxf5 40. Rxf5 Qxf5 41. Qxh8 Qf4+ {com xeque perpétuo.}) 39... Ka7 40. f5 Bd7 (40... Bxf5 41. Rxf5 Qxf5 42. Qxh8 {Agora há um abrigo de peões protegendo o rei.}) 41. a5 $1 Qf8 42. Kb2 Qc8 43. Rxd5 {As Brancas começam a coletar os peões.} Bc6 44. Re5 Bd7 45. Qxf7 Bxf5 46. Rc5 Qe6 47. Qxe6 Bxe6 48. Rc7 Bf5 49. Rg7 $1 {Até os últimos lances são bonitos.} Bxh7 50. f7 {Preparando Txh7. Se o bispo se mover, as Brancas podem jogar Tg8. Uma posição de estudo.} Bd3 51. cxd3 {Uma partida maravilhosa.} 1-0

[Event "13th Norway Chess 2025"]
[Site "Stavanger NOR"]
[Date "2025.05.27"]
[Round "2.2"]
[White "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C78"]
[WhiteElo "2804"]
[BlackElo "2837"]
[PlyCount "67"]
[EventDate "2025.05.26"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. d3 Bc5 6. O-O d6 7. c3 O-O 8. Nbd2 Ba7 9. h3 Ne7 10. Re1 Ng6 11. Nf1 d5 $146 ({RR} 11... Nh5 12. Bg5 f6 13. Be3 Nhf4 14. Bb3+ Kh8 15. d4 f5 16. exf5 Bxf5 17. Ng3 e4 18. Nd2 d5 19. Nxf5 Rxf5 20. Nf1 Rg5 21. Ng3 h5 22. h4 Rg4 23. Qxg4 hxg4 24. h5 Nd3 25. hxg6 Nxe1 26. Rxe1 {Getz,N (2367)-Mikalsen,E (2177) Oslo 2015 0-1 (55)}) ({RR} 11... c6 12. d4 exd4 13. cxd4 d5 14. e5 Ne4 15. Bc2 f5 16. Ng3 Nh4 17. Nh2 c5 18. Ne2 cxd4 19. Bd3 Nxg2 20. Kxg2 Qh4 21. Rf1 f4 22. Ng1 Bxh3+ 23. Nxh3 f3+ 24. Nxf3 Qg4+ 25. Kh2 Rxf3 26. Qxf3 {Pranav,V (2597)-Wei Yi (2722) chess.com INT 2023 0-1}) ({RR} 11... c6 12. Ng3 d5 13. exd5 Nxd5 14. d4 exd4 15. Nxd4 Re8 16. Rxe8+ Qxe8 17. Bb3 Qe5 18. Qd3 Qe1+ 19. Qf1 Qxf1+ 20. Kxf1 Bxd4 21. cxd4 Be6 22. Ne4 b6 23. Ng5 Bd7 24. Bd2 h6 25. Bxd5 cxd5 26. Nf3 {Kevlishvili,R (2536)-Bruzon Batista,L (2559) Saint Louis USA 2025 ½-½ (42)}) ({RR} 11... c6 12. Ng3 d5 13. exd5 Nxd5 14. d4 exd4 15. Nxd4 Qc7 16. Bc2 Bd7 17. c4 Ndf4 18. Be3 c5 19. Ndf5 Rad8 20. Qg4 Bc6 21. Bxf4 Qxf4 22. Ne7+ Kh8 23. Qxf4 Nxf4 24. Nxc6 bxc6 25. Rad1 Ne6 26. Be4 {Gheng,D (2068)-Lehmann,S (1989) Deizisau 2019 ½-½ (41)}) ({RR} 11... Nh5 12. d4 Nhf4 13. Ng3 Qf6 14. Nh5 Qe7 15. Bxf4 Nxf4 16. Nxf4 exf4 17. Qd2 Qf6 18. e5 dxe5 19. Nxe5 f3 20. Nxf3 Bxh3 21. Qg5 Be6 22. Qxf6 gxf6 23. b4 c6 24. Nd2 a5 25. a3 axb4 26. axb4 {Stoleriu,G (2392)-Cosma,I (2367) Geoagiu Bai ROU 2022 1-0 (67)}) ({RR} 11... b5 12. Bc2 Re8 13. d4 Bb7 14. Ng3 Nf4 15. b3 h6 16. d5 Bc8 17. Be3 Bd7 18. Bxa7 Rxa7 19. c4 c6 20. Qd2 Nh7 21. Rad1 c5 22. Kh2 b4 23. Ne2 Ng6 24. Rf1 a5 25. g3 a4 26. h4 {Krutko,A (2397)-Putri,R (1897) Chess.com INT 2022 0-1 (69)}) ({RR} 11... c6 12. d4 exd4 13. cxd4 d5 14. e5 Ne4 15. Bc2 f5 16. Ng3 Nh4 17. Nh2 c5 18. Ne2 cxd4 19. Bd3 Nxg2 20. Kxg2 Qh4 21. Rf1 f4 22. Ng1 Bxh3+ 23. Nxh3 f3+ 24. Nxf3 Qg4+ 25. Kh2 Rxf3 26. Qxf3 {Pranav,V (2597)-Wei Yi (2722) chess.com INT 2023 0-1}) ({RR} 11... c6 12. Ng3 d5 13. Bg5 h6 14. Be3 Bxe3 15. Rxe3 dxe4 16. dxe4 Be6 17. Bb3 Qxd1+ 18. Rxd1 Rfd8 19. Red3 Rxd3 20. Rxd3 Kf8 21. Bxe6 fxe6 22. Nd2 Nf4 23. Re3 Rd8 24. Nc4 Rd1+ 25. Kh2 Nd7 26. Ne2 {Urazayev,A (2467)-Makarian,R (2547) chess.com INT 2025 ½-½ (40)}) 12. exd5 Nxd5 13. d4 exd4 14. Nxd4 c5 15. Nf3 b5 16. Bc2 Bb7 17. a4 c4 18. Bd2 Qc7 19. Nd4 b4 20. Qg4 Rae8 21. Rad1 bxc3 22. bxc3 Nf6 23. Qg3 Qa5 24. Qg5 Qxg5 25. Bxg5 Ne4 26. Bxe4 Bxe4 27. Nd2 Bd5 28. Nc2 Rxe1+ 29. Rxe1 Rc8 30. Nb4 Bb7 31. Ne4 a5 32. Nd6 Rb8 33. Nc2 Bc6 34. Be3 1/2-1/2

[Event "13th Norway Chess 2025"]
[Site "Stavanger NOR"]
[Date "2025.05.27"]
[Round "2.2"]
[White "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C78"]
[WhiteElo "2804"]
[BlackElo "2837"]
[PlyCount "67"]
[EventDate "2025.05.26"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. d3 Bc5 6. O-O d6 7. c3 O-O 8. Nbd2 Ba7 9. h3 Ne7 10. Re1 Ng6 11. Nf1 d5 $146 ({RR} 11... Nh5 12. Bg5 f6 13. Be3 Nhf4 14. Bb3+ Kh8 15. d4 f5 16. exf5 Bxf5 17. Ng3 e4 18. Nd2 d5 19. Nxf5 Rxf5 20. Nf1 Rg5 21. Ng3 h5 22. h4 Rg4 23. Qxg4 hxg4 24. h5 Nd3 25. hxg6 Nxe1 26. Rxe1 {Getz,N (2367)-Mikalsen,E (2177) Oslo 2015 0-1 (55)}) ({RR} 11... c6 12. d4 exd4 13. cxd4 d5 14. e5 Ne4 15. Bc2 f5 16. Ng3 Nh4 17. Nh2 c5 18. Ne2 cxd4 19. Bd3 Nxg2 20. Kxg2 Qh4 21. Rf1 f4 22. Ng1 Bxh3+ 23. Nxh3 f3+ 24. Nxf3 Qg4+ 25. Kh2 Rxf3 26. Qxf3 {Pranav,V (2597)-Wei Yi (2722) chess.com INT 2023 0-1}) ({RR} 11... c6 12. Ng3 d5 13. exd5 Nxd5 14. d4 exd4 15. Nxd4 Re8 16. Rxe8+ Qxe8 17. Bb3 Qe5 18. Qd3 Qe1+ 19. Qf1 Qxf1+ 20. Kxf1 Bxd4 21. cxd4 Be6 22. Ne4 b6 23. Ng5 Bd7 24. Bd2 h6 25. Bxd5 cxd5 26. Nf3 {Kevlishvili,R (2536)-Bruzon Batista,L (2559) Saint Louis USA 2025 ½-½ (42)}) ({RR} 11... c6 12. Ng3 d5 13. exd5 Nxd5 14. d4 exd4 15. Nxd4 Qc7 16. Bc2 Bd7 17. c4 Ndf4 18. Be3 c5 19. Ndf5 Rad8 20. Qg4 Bc6 21. Bxf4 Qxf4 22. Ne7+ Kh8 23. Qxf4 Nxf4 24. Nxc6 bxc6 25. Rad1 Ne6 26. Be4 {Gheng,D (2068)-Lehmann,S (1989) Deizisau 2019 ½-½ (41)}) ({RR} 11... Nh5 12. d4 Nhf4 13. Ng3 Qf6 14. Nh5 Qe7 15. Bxf4 Nxf4 16. Nxf4 exf4 17. Qd2 Qf6 18. e5 dxe5 19. Nxe5 f3 20. Nxf3 Bxh3 21. Qg5 Be6 22. Qxf6 gxf6 23. b4 c6 24. Nd2 a5 25. a3 axb4 26. axb4 {Stoleriu,G (2392)-Cosma,I (2367) Geoagiu Bai ROU 2022 1-0 (67)}) ({RR} 11... b5 12. Bc2 Re8 13. d4 Bb7 14. Ng3 Nf4 15. b3 h6 16. d5 Bc8 17. Be3 Bd7 18. Bxa7 Rxa7 19. c4 c6 20. Qd2 Nh7 21. Rad1 c5 22. Kh2 b4 23. Ne2 Ng6 24. Rf1 a5 25. g3 a4 26. h4 {Krutko,A (2397)-Putri,R (1897) Chess.com INT 2022 0-1 (69)}) ({RR} 11... c6 12. d4 exd4 13. cxd4 d5 14. e5 Ne4 15. Bc2 f5 16. Ng3 Nh4 17. Nh2 c5 18. Ne2 cxd4 19. Bd3 Nxg2 20. Kxg2 Qh4 21. Rf1 f4 22. Ng1 Bxh3+ 23. Nxh3 f3+ 24. Nxf3 Qg4+ 25. Kh2 Rxf3 26. Qxf3 {Pranav,V (2597)-Wei Yi (2722) chess.com INT 2023 0-1}) ({RR} 11... c6 12. Ng3 d5 13. Bg5 h6 14. Be3 Bxe3 15. Rxe3 dxe4 16. dxe4 Be6 17. Bb3 Qxd1+ 18. Rxd1 Rfd8 19. Red3 Rxd3 20. Rxd3 Kf8 21. Bxe6 fxe6 22. Nd2 Nf4 23. Re3 Rd8 24. Nc4 Rd1+ 25. Kh2 Nd7 26. Ne2 {Urazayev,A (2467)-Makarian,R (2547) chess.com INT 2025 ½-½ (40)}) 12. exd5 Nxd5 13. d4 exd4 14. Nxd4 c5 15. Nf3 b5 16. Bc2 Bb7 17. a4 c4 18. Bd2 Qc7 19. Nd4 b4 20. Qg4 Rae8 21. Rad1 bxc3 22. bxc3 Nf6 23. Qg3 Qa5 24. Qg5 Qxg5 25. Bxg5 Ne4 26. Bxe4 Bxe4 27. Nd2 Bd5 28. Nc2 Rxe1+ 29. Rxe1 Rc8 30. Nb4 Bb7 31. Ne4 a5 32. Nd6 Rb8 33. Nc2 Bc6 34. Be3 1/2-1/2

[Event "13th Norway Chess 2025"]
[Site "Stavanger NOR"]
[Date "2025.05.31"]
[Round "5.3"]
[White "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C85"]
[WhiteElo "2776"]
[BlackElo "2837"]
[Annotator "Tactical Analysis 7.0"]
[PlyCount "133"]
[EventDate "2025.05.26"]

{[%evp 0,133,20,19,19,19,19,19,28,4,6,-2,16,0,-3,-3,17,-5,37,23,18,6,20,22,22,9,11,11,11,11,20,28,35,41,35,24,54,60,66,66,69,104,95,60,68,87,87,87,87,87,87,87,31,6,9,22,18,10,51,32,71,61,62,62,62,69,52,73,55,80,92,95,97,59,61,49,61,72,76,79,45,43,47,52,57,76,37,26,97,57,57,21,22,4,0,0,46,41,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0]} 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Bxc6 dxc6 7. Re1 Nd7 {[%cal Bf6d7,Bd7f8,Bf8g6][%mdl 32]} 8. d4 {C85: Closed Ruy Lopez: Deferred Exchange Variation.} Bf6 {[%eval 36,27] [%wdl 66,930,4]} (8... exd4 $11 {[%eval -13,33] [%wdl 9,965,26]} 9. Qxd4 O-O) ({RR} 8... exd4 9. Qxd4 O-O 10. Bf4 Nc5 11. Qe3 Bg4 12. Nd4 Qd7 13. Nc3 Rad8 14. Nf5 Ne6 15. Nxe7+ Qxe7 16. Bg3 Bh5 17. f3 f6 18. h3 h6 19. Kh2 Bf7 20. Rad1 b6 21. a3 a5 22. Ne2 Rxd1 23. Rxd1 {Nepomniachtchi,I (2795)-Ding Liren (2788) Astana KAZ 2023 ½-½ (49)}) ({RR} 8... exd4 9. Qxd4 O-O 10. Bf4 Bf6 11. e5 Be7 12. Nc3 Nb6 13. Qe4 Nd5 14. Rad1 Nxc3 15. bxc3 Qe8 16. Ng5 Bxg5 17. Bxg5 Qe6 18. Rd3 Qf5 19. Qe3 Be6 20. Qd2 Bd5 21. c4 Be4 22. Rg3 Kh8 23. Qd4 {Nepomniachtchi,I (2757)-Svidler,P (2698) Moscow RUS 2025 1-0 (38)}) ({RR} 8... exd4 9. Qxd4 O-O 10. Bf4 Nc5 11. Qe3 Bg4 12. Nd4 Qd7 13. Nc3 Rad8 14. Nf5 Ne6 15. Nxe7+ Qxe7 16. Bg3 Bh5 17. f3 f6 18. h3 h6 19. Kh2 Bf7 20. Rad1 b6 21. a3 a5 22. Ne2 Rxd1 23. Rxd1 {Nepomniachtchi,I (2795)-Ding Liren (2788) Astana KAZ 2023 ½-½ (49)}) ({RR} 8... Bd6 9. Nbd2 exd4 10. Nxd4 Ne5 11. Nf5 O-O 12. Nxd6 Qxd6 13. Nf1 Qf6 14. Qd2 Ng6 15. Qg5 Qxg5 16. Bxg5 f5 17. exf5 Bxf5 18. Rac1 h6 19. Be3 Rad8 20. f3 b6 21. Bf2 Rfe8 22. Bg3 Rxe1 23. Rxe1 {Golod,V (2489)-Mindlin,A (2444) Israel ISR 2025 ½-½ (31)}) 9. Be3 O-O 10. c3 $146 {White has an edge.} ({Predecessor:} 10. Nc3 Qe7 11. Qd3 Rd8 12. d5 c5 13. a4 Qd6 14. Nd2 Be7 15. Nc4 Qg6 16. f4 {½-½ Ermenkov,E (2520)-Hernandez Onna,R (2465) Olympiad-23 Buenos Aires 1978 (6)}) ({RR} 10. Nc3 Qe7 11. Qd3 Rd8 12. d5 c5 13. a4 Qd6 14. Nd2 Be7 15. Nc4 Qg6 16. f4 Bd6 17. f5 Qh5 18. Rf1 f6 19. Rf3 b6 20. Kh1 Nf8 21. Rg1 Qe8 22. g4 h6 23. b3 Bd7 24. Qd2 Nh7 {Ermenkov,E (2520)-Hernandez Onna,R (2465) Buenos Aires 1978 ½-½ (35)}) ({RR} 10. Nc3 Qe7 11. Qd3 Rd8 12. d5 c5 13. a4 Qd6 14. Nd2 Be7 15. Nc4 Qg6 16. f4 Bd6 17. f5 Qh5 18. Rf1 f6 19. Rf3 b6 20. Kh1 Nf8 21. Rg1 Qe8 22. g4 h6 23. b3 Bd7 24. Qd2 Nh7 {Ermenkov,E (2520)-Hernandez Onna,R (2465) Buenos Aires 1978 ½-½ (35)}) 10... Re8 11. Nbd2 exd4 12. cxd4 Nf8 13. Qc2 Ng6 14. h3 a5 15. Rad1 a4 16. Nb1 Be7 17. Nc3 Bb4 18. d5 {[#]} Qe7 {[%eval 84,26] [%wdl 331,669,0]} (18... Nh4 $1 $14 {[%eval 35,32] [%wdl 57,940,3]}) 19. a3 Bd6 20. Bd4 (20. Nxa4 Qxe4 21. Qxe4 Rxe4 $11) 20... Qd7 21. e5 Bf8 22. e6 {White is more active.} (22. Nxa4 cxd5 23. b3 Qf5 (23... Bxa3 24. Ra1 $17) 24. Qxf5 (24. Qxc7 Nf4 $17) 24... Bxf5 $17) 22... fxe6 23. dxe6 (23. Nxa4 exd5 (23... cxd5 24. Nc3 $17) 24. Nc5 Bxc5 25. Bxc5 b6 26. Rxe8+ Qxe8 $17) 23... Rxe6 24. Ne4 $1 Ra5 25. Bc5 $1 Qe8 26. Qc3 (26. Qc4 $5) 26... b6 27. Bxf8 Nxf8 28. Neg5 $40 {[%mdl 128]} Rxe1+ 29. Rxe1 Qd8 30. Qxc6 h6 $1 (30... Rxg5 $2 31. Nxg5 Qxg5 32. Qc4+ (32. Qxa4 Be6 $15) (32. Re8 Qf5 $16) 32... Ne6 33. Rxe6 Bxe6 34. Qxe6+ Kf8 35. Qc8+ Kf7 36. Qxc7+ Kg8 37. Qc8+ (37. Qxb6 Qc1+ 38. Kh2 Qc4 $18) 37... Kf7 38. Qc7+ Kg8 39. Qb8+ Kf7 40. Qa7+ (40. Qxb6 Qc1+ 41. Kh2 Qf4+ 42. g3 Qc4 $18) 40... Kf8 41. Qxb6 $18 (41. Qxa4 Qc1+ 42. Kh2 Qxb2 $16)) 31. Ne4 Be6 {[%eval 48,32] [%wdl 50,950,0]} (31... Qd7 $11 {[%eval 12,31] [%wdl 7,991,2]} 32. Qc4+ Kh7) 32. Nc3 $14 {[%csl Ba4,Be6]} Qd7 33. Qxd7 Bxd7 34. Re7 Rc5 {[%eval 103,27] [%wdl 547,453,0]} (34... Rf5 $14 {[%eval 59,32] [%wdl 84,916,0]}) 35. Ne5 $16 Bf5 36. g4 {[%eval 24,31] [%wdl 12,987,1] Not the most accurate.} ({White should try} 36. Re8 $1 $16 {[%eval 82,32] [%wdl 261,739,0]}) 36... Ng6 $1 $11 37. Re8+ (37. Nxg6 {simplifies} Bxg6 38. Nxa4 Rc1+ 39. Kg2) 37... Kh7 38. f4 Nxe5 39. Rxe5 Rxe5 40. fxe5 {[%mdl 4096] Endgame KB-KN} Bd7 41. Nd5 Kg6 42. Nxc7 {[%eval 51,29] [%wdl 51,949,0]} (42. Kf2 $11 {[%eval 6,39] [%wdl 4,994,2] deserves consideration.}) 42... Kf7 $14 43. Kf2 g5 $2 {[%eval 433,27] [%wdl 1000,0,0][%mdl 8192] This move should be losing.} (43... Bc6 $14 {[%eval 68,27] [%wdl 128,872,0]}) 44. Nd5 $2 {[%eval 20,30] [%wdl 8,991,1]} ({White must play} 44. Ke3 $18 {[%eval 433,27] [%wdl 1000,0,0] is winning according to the engine, I don't think it's easy to see that's the case.} Bc6 45. Kd4 Bg2 46. Nd5 Bxh3 47. Ne3 h5 48. gxh5 Be6 49. Nd5 Bc8 50. Nxb6 Bg4 51. h6 Bh3 52. Nxa4) 44... Ke6 {[%csl Bd5,Be5] The position is equal.} 45. Nf6 Bc8 46. Ng8 Kxe5 47. Nxh6 Be6 48. Ke3 b5 49. Nf5 Bxf5 50. gxf5 Kxf5 $11 {K3P-K3P} 51. Kf3 $1 Kf6 52. Kg4 Kg6 53. Kg3 Kh5 (53... Kf5 $5) 54. Kf3 Kh4 55. Kg2 g4 56. hxg4 Kxg4 57. Kf2 Kf4 58. Ke2 Ke4 59. Kd2 Kd4 60. Kc2 Kc4 61. b3+ axb3+ 62. Kb2 b4 {(  ...bxa3+)} 63. a4 Kd5 64. Kxb3 Kc5 65. a5 Kb5 66. a6 {[%mdl 64] [#] Deflection} Kxa6 67. Kxb4 {PRECISÃO LICHESS: BRANCAS 95% PRETAS 96% PRECISÃO CHESS.COM: BRANCAS 97.7% PRETAS 97.5%} 1/2-1/2

[Event "13th Norway Chess 2025"]
[Site "Stavanger NOR"]
[Date "2025.05.31"]
[Round "5.3"]
[White "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C54"]
[WhiteElo "2776"]
[BlackElo "2837"]
[Annotator "Tactical Analysis 7.0"]
[PlyCount "112"]
[EventDate "2025.05.26"]

{[%evp 0,112,20,20,20,20,20,20,11,5,9,2,-2,-70,-14,-51,-22,-33,-8,2,25,25,20,16,8,-17,61,50,74,-15,35,37,33,-37,-26,-53,-21,-29,-32,-45,-45,-40,-29,-27,1,-16,-7,-26,-20,-20,-33,-47,-46,-67,-49,-56,-76,-119,-62,-49,-46,-85,-55,-77,-67,-38,-57,-127,-3,-177,-187,-162,-157,-193,-201,-193,-196,-174,-188,-188,-208,-218,-160,-213,-201,-220,-132,-125,-87,-102,-103,-185,-160,-148,-148,-176,-179,-180,-171,-221,-216,-221,-174,-221,-225,-224,-247,-231,-248,-300,-286,-717,-719,-726,-777]} 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. d3 Bc5 5. c3 d6 6. Bg5 h6 7. Bh4 a6 8. a4 {C54: Giuoco Piano: 4 c3 Nf6, main lines with 5 d4 and 5 d3.} Ba7 9. Nbd2 Qe7 $1 {9...Qe7 is better than 9...g5.} 10. b4 {The position is equal.} ({RR} 10. O-O g5 11. Bg3 Nh7 12. b4 Nf8 13. b5 Na5 14. Bd5 c6 15. Ba2 Ng6 16. Rb1 axb5 17. axb5 cxb5 18. Rxb5 Nc6 19. Bd5 h5 20. h3 g4 21. hxg4 hxg4 22. Nh2 Nf4 23. d4 Nh5 24. Nb3 Nd8 {So,W (2776)-Carlsen,M (2864) Stavanger 2022 1-0 (50)}) 10... Nd8 $5 {[%cal Bc6d8,Bd8e6,Be6f4][%mdl 4] An interesting side line.} ({RR} 10... g5 11. Bg3 Nh5 12. b5 Na5 13. bxa6 bxa6 14. Ba2 Be6 15. Bxe6 Qxe6 16. O-O Ng7 17. d4 f6 18. Qe2 O-O 19. h3 Bb6 20. Rfe1 Kh7 21. Nf1 Qc4 22. Qb2 Rab8 23. N1d2 Qf7 24. Qc2 Ne6 25. Nf1 {Tsydypov,Z (2514)-Deac,B (2668) chess.com INT 2025 1-0 (44)}) ({RR} 10... Be6 11. O-O Bxc4 12. Nxc4 Qe6 13. b5 Ne7 14. Bxf6 Qxf6 15. Rb1 axb5 16. Rxb5 Rb8 17. Qb3 O-O 18. Rxb7 Ng6 19. Rxb8 Rxb8 20. Qd1 c6 21. Re1 Nf4 22. d4 exd4 23. cxd4 Rb4 24. Ne3 Rb2 25. Nc4 {Firouzja,A (2767)-Carlsen,M (2832) Paris FRA 2024 0-1 (35)}) 11. O-O ({RR} 11. b5 Ne6 12. bxa6 bxa6 13. Bd5 Rb8 14. Nc4 g5 15. Bg3 Nxd5 16. exd5 Nf4 17. O-O Nxd5 18. Re1 O-O 19. Nfxe5 dxe5 20. Rxe5 Be6 21. h4 gxh4 22. Bh2 Qf6 23. Qd2 Kh7 24. d4 Rg8 25. Na5 Qf3 {Tsydypov,Z (2514)-Rasulov,V (2483) chess.com INT 2025 0-1 (36)}) 11... Ne6 {Against d4} 12. d4 $146 ({Predecessor:} 12. Bb3 g5 13. Bg3 h5 14. h4 g4 15. Ne1 Nf4 16. Nc4 Ng6 17. Ne3 Ng8 18. Nd5 {1-0 Fiorito,J (2404)-Gomez Barrera,J (2209) Titled Tuesday intern op 25th Jun Early Chess.com INT blitz 2024 (4)}) ({RR} 12. Bb3 g5 13. Bg3 h5 14. h4 g4 15. Ne1 Nf4 16. Nc4 Ng6 17. Ne3 Ng8 18. Nd5 Qd8 19. Kh2 c6 20. Ne3 Nxh4 21. d4 Ng6 22. Kg1 Qf6 23. Nc4 h4 24. Bh2 Bb8 25. Nd3 Qg5 26. f4 exf4 {Fiorito,J (2404)-Gomez Barrera,J (2209) chess.com INT 2024 1-0 (48)}) ({RR} 12. Bb3 g5 13. Bg3 h5 14. h4 g4 15. Ne1 Nf4 16. Nc4 Ng6 17. Ne3 Ng8 18. Nd5 Qd8 19. Kh2 c6 20. Ne3 Nxh4 21. d4 Ng6 22. Kg1 Qf6 23. Nc4 h4 24. Bh2 Bb8 25. Nd3 Qg5 26. f4 exf4 {Fiorito,J (2404)-Gomez Barrera,J (2209) chess.com INT 2024 1-0 (48)}) ({RR} 12. Bb3 g5 13. Bg3 h5 14. h4 g4 15. Ne1 Nf4 16. Nc4 Ng6 17. Ne3 Ng8 18. Nd5 Qd8 19. Kh2 c6 20. Ne3 Nxh4 21. d4 Ng6 22. Kg1 Qf6 23. Nc4 h4 24. Bh2 Bb8 25. Nd3 Qg5 26. f4 exf4 {Fiorito,J (2404)-Gomez Barrera,J (2209) chess.com INT 2024 1-0 (48)}) 12... Nf4 13. Re1 Bg4 14. Nf1 {[%eval -11,28] [%wdl 19,941,40]} (14. h3 $142 {[%eval 28,29] [%wdl 72,918,10]} Bd7 15. Bb3) 14... Ng6 $1 $11 {[#]} 15. Bg3 Bxf3 16. Qxf3 (16. gxf3 {simplifies} Nh5 17. Kh1 Nhf4 18. Ne3) 16... exd4 17. cxd4 (17. e5 dxe5 18. Qxb7 O-O 19. cxd4 Bxd4 $17) 17... Bxd4 18. Rad1 Ne5 19. Qb3 Ba7 20. Ne3 Bxe3 (20... Nxe4 $2 21. Nd5 Qd8 22. Rxe4 $18) 21. Rxe3 Nh5 {[%eval 95,37] [%wdl 439,561,0]} (21... Nxc4 $11 {[%eval -25,29] [%wdl 2,975,23] remains equal.} 22. Qxc4 O-O) 22. Be2 {[%eval -12,26] [%wdl 4,983,13]} (22. Bxe5 $16 {[%eval 95,37] [%wdl 439,561,0]} dxe5 23. Red3) 22... Nxg3 23. hxg3 O-O 24. f4 Nd7 25. Bf3 a5 26. b5 Nc5 27. Qc2 Rad8 {[%cal Od6d5]} 28. Rde1 {[%eval -90,29] [%wdl 0,627,373]} (28. Kh2 $15 {[%eval -41,31] [%wdl 1,959,40] was preferable.}) 28... c6 {[%eval -5,30] [%wdl 3,991,6]} (28... b6 $17 {[%eval -90,29] [%wdl 0,627,373] Black wants to play ...Qf6.} 29. Bd1 Qf6) 29. bxc6 bxc6 30. Rc1 Qa7 {[%cal Oc5e4]} 31. Kh2 {[%eval -47,32] [%wdl 0,948,52] [#]} (31. Qf2 $1 $11 {[%eval 0,31] [%wdl 4,992,4]}) 31... Nxa4 $1 {[%csl Oe3][%mdl 64] Discovered Attack} 32. Ra3 (32. Ree1 Nc5) 32... Nc5 33. Qf2 Rd7 34. Bg4 $2 {[%eval -239,26] [%wdl 0,0,1000]} (34. e5 $11 {[%eval -17,34] [%wdl 2,988,10]}) 34... Nxe4 $19 35. Qa2 Rc7 36. Rxa5 {[%eval -390,31] [%wdl 0,0,1000]} (36. Bf3 $142 {[%eval -246,28] [%wdl 0,0,1000]} Nc5 37. Rxa5) 36... Qe3 {[%csl Bc1,Bg3]} 37. Qa3 Qxa3 38. Rxa3 d5 39. Bf3 f5 40. Ra6 {[%eval -386,20] [%wdl 0,0,1000]} (40. g4 $142 {[%eval -260,23] [%wdl 0,0,1000]}) 40... Rf6 41. Ra8+ Kh7 42. Rd8 Rd6 {[%eval -85,27] [%wdl 0,702,298]} (42... h5 $19 {[%eval -350,27] [%wdl 0,0,1000] and Black stays clearly on top. Strongly threatening ...Re6.} 43. Rxd5 cxd5 44. Rxc7 Rd6) 43. Rxd6 $17 Nxd6 44. Bxd5 {[%mdl 4096] Endgame KRB-KRN. Black is a pawn up.} c5 45. Bb3 {[%eval -386,22] [%wdl 0,0,1000][%mdl 8192]} (45. Be6 $17 {[%eval -127,25] [%wdl 0,173,827] is a better defense.}) 45... c4 $19 46. Bc2 g6 47. Rd1 Ne4 48. Rd4 h5 49. Kh3 c3 50. Kh4 Kh6 51. Rd3 Ra7 52. Rd1 {Prevents Ra1.} Ra2 53. Rc1 Nf2 54. Bb3 Rb2 55. Rxc3 Rb1 {[%cal Rb1h1]} 56. g4 {Weighted Error Value: White=0.49/Black=0.21 (precise)} Rh1+ {PRECISÃO LICHESS: BRANCAS 89% PRETAS 93% PRECISÃO CHESS.COM: BRANCAS 85.6% PRETAS 90.9%} ({And not} 56... fxg4 57. Bc2 Rc1 58. Rc6 $11) (56... Nxg4 $2 57. Bd5 $19) (56... hxg4 $2 57. Bc2 Rc1 58. Rc6 $19) 0-1

[Event "13th Norway Chess 2025"]
[Site "Stavanger NOR"]
[Date "2025.06.01"]
[Round "6.3"]
[White "Gukesh, D.."]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C65"]
[WhiteElo "2787"]
[BlackElo "2837"]
[Annotator "Mark Crowther"]
[PlyCount "123"]
[EventDate "2025.05.26"]

{[%evp 0,123,19,27,26,34,20,19,19,10,12,0,-38,-23,-26,-28,-1,-40,-5,-51,-41,-27,8,-34,16,4,22,27,33,10,15,5,24,17,24,2,18,0,8,0,5,9,9,1,0,16,30,9,0,-55,-42,-49,-80,-25,-52,-43,-91,-93,-93,-120,-120,-136,-102,-133,-142,-130,-216,-206,-181,-182,-182,-236,-236,-221,-195,-170,-187,-192,-190,-193,-184,-124,-105,-150,-150,-157,-157,-157,-163,-166,-96,-147,-129,-129,-131,-131,-125,-114,-150,-136,-148,-144,-50,-86,-78,-86,249,287,345,345,370,367,374,362,431,474,613,657,657,962,962,962,1269,1279,1279,1527]} 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. d3 Bc5 5. c3 O-O 6. O-O d6 7. h3 {Nowadays more popular than 7.Nbd2.} a6 {C65: Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defence (3...Nf6), unusual lines and 4 0-0 Bc5.} 8. Ba4 h6 9. Re1 b5 {The position is equal.} 10. Bc2 Bb6 ({RR} 10... Re8 11. b4 Bb6 12. a4 Bd7 13. Nbd2 Ne7 14. Nf1 a5 15. bxa5 Rxa5 16. Be3 Bxe3 17. Nxe3 Ng6 18. axb5 Rxb5 19. Ba4 Rb8 20. Bxd7 Qxd7 21. Qc2 Nf4 22. Kh2 Qb5 23. Red1 Qb2 24. Ra2 Qxc2 25. Rxc2 {Nakamura,H (2736)-Carlsen,M (2872) Moscow 2019 ½-½ (62)}) ({RR} 10... Re8 11. d4 Ba7 12. Be3 exd4 13. cxd4 Nb4 14. Nbd2 Nxc2 15. Qxc2 Bb7 16. d5 Bxe3 17. Rxe3 Rc8 18. Rd1 c5 19. dxc6 Bxc6 20. Qd3 d5 21. e5 Ne4 22. Nd4 Rxe5 23. Nxc6 Rxc6 24. Nxe4 Qa5 25. Nc3 {Sydykov,B (2268)-Gutkin,I (2285) chess.com INT 2024 1-0 (42)}) ({RR} 10... Re8 11. b4 Bb6 12. a4 Bd7 13. Nbd2 Ne7 14. Nf1 a5 15. bxa5 Rxa5 16. Be3 Bxe3 17. Nxe3 Ng6 18. axb5 Rxb5 19. Ba4 Rb8 20. Bxd7 Qxd7 21. Qc2 Nf4 22. Kh2 Qb5 23. Red1 Qb2 24. Ra2 Qxc2 25. Rxc2 {Nakamura,H (2736)-Carlsen,M (2872) Moscow 2019 ½-½ (62)}) ({RR} 10... Ba7 11. Nbd2 Ne7 12. Nf1 Ng6 13. d4 c6 14. Ng3 Re8 15. Be3 Qc7 16. Qd2 Be6 17. Rad1 Rad8 18. Nf5 d5 19. Bxh6 Nxe4 20. Bxe4 dxe4 21. Bxg7 Bxf5 22. Qh6 exf3 23. Bf6 {1-0 (23) Nepomniachtchi,I (2732)-Hoghmrtsyan,A (2271) chess.com INT 2025}) 11. Nbd2 {[%cal Bb1d2,Bd2f1,Bf1g3][%mdl 32]} Ne7 12. a4 Rb8 $146 ({Predecessor:} 12... Bb7 13. d4 Ng6 14. Nf1 Re8 15. Ng3 d5 16. exd5 Qxd5 17. axb5 axb5 18. Rxa8 Bxa8 {1-0 Schon,E (2002)-Yuen,J AUS-ch U18 Sydney 2008 (3)}) ({RR} 12... Bb7 13. d4 Ng6 14. Nf1 Re8 15. Ng3 d5 16. exd5 Qxd5 17. axb5 axb5 18. Rxa8 Bxa8 19. Ne4 Nd7 20. Bb3 Qb7 21. Qd3 exd4 22. Nf6+ Nxf6 23. Rxe8+ Nxe8 24. Qxg6 c5 25. Bxf7+ Qxf7 26. Qxb6 Bxf3 27. gxf3 {Schon,E (2002)-Yuen,J Sydney 2008 1-0 (47)}) ({RR} 12... Bb7 13. d4 Ng6 14. Nf1 Re8 15. Ng3 d5 16. exd5 Qxd5 17. axb5 axb5 18. Rxa8 Bxa8 19. Ne4 Nd7 20. Bb3 Qb7 21. Qd3 exd4 22. Nf6+ Nxf6 23. Rxe8+ Nxe8 24. Qxg6 c5 25. Bxf7+ Qxf7 26. Qxb6 Bxf3 27. gxf3 {Schon,E (2002)-Yuen,J Sydney 2008 1-0 (47)}) 13. d4 Ng6 14. Nf1 (14. a5 $5 Ba7 $8 15. Nf1 $11) 14... c5 15. Ng3 cxd4 16. cxd4 bxa4 17. Bxa4 Bb7 {Carlsen has equalised.} 18. d5 a5 19. Be3 (19. Bc2) 19... Bc8 20. b3 $6 {White probably hasn't played the best and black is a tiny bit better.} Bxe3 21. Rxe3 Nf4 22. Bc6 $6 {[%eval -77,27] [%wdl 0,742,258]} (22. Rc1 $15 {[%eval -36,26] [%wdl 2,945,53] is better.}) 22... Rb4 {[%eval -39,21] [%wdl 2,938,60]} (22... h5 $17 {[%eval -77,27] [%wdl 0,742,258]}) 23. Qc2 $6 {[%eval -75,23] [%wdl 0,753,247]} (23. Nd2 $15 {[%eval -39,21] [%wdl 2,938,60]}) 23... g6 $17 {[%cal Oc8h3]} 24. Kh1 $6 {[%eval -127,22] [%wdl 0,228,772]} ({Better is} 24. Ne2 {[%eval -82,22] [%wdl 0,693,307]}) 24... Ba6 25. Qa2 $2 {[%eval -188,20] [%wdl 0,18,982] Maybe this is the point that Gukesh is now lost.} (25. Kh2 $17 {[%eval -114,21] [%wdl 0,347,653]}) 25... Bd3 $19 {[%cal Rd3e4]} 26. Nd2 {[%eval -241,21] [%wdl 0,2,998]} (26. Kh2 $142 {[%eval -181,22] [%wdl 0,25,975]}) 26... h5 $1 27. Qxa5 Qxa5 28. Rxa5 h4 {[%cal Of8b8]} 29. Ra4 (29. Ngf1 Bxe4 30. f3 Bxd5 31. Bxd5 N6xd5 {is horrible for white.}) 29... Rfb8 (29... Rxa4 30. Bxa4 Rd8 (30... hxg3 31. fxg3 Bxe4 32. gxf4 $11) 31. Kh2 $11 (31. Ngf1 Nxe4 32. Rxe4 Bxe4 $15)) 30. Ra2 Kg7 (30... hxg3 $2 31. fxg3 Ne2 32. Rxd3 $19) 31. Ra7 Rd4 (31... hxg3 $2 32. fxg3 Nxe4 33. Nxe4 (33. gxf4 $2 exf4 34. Rf3 Bc2 $19) 33... Rxe4 (33... Bxe4 34. gxf4 exf4 35. Re1 $17) 34. Rxe4 Bxe4 35. gxf4 $19) 32. Nf3 hxg3 {Finally taking the piece.} 33. fxg3 {[#]} Nxh3 {[%mdl 512]} (33... Bxe4 34. gxf4 Rd1+ 35. Re1 Bxf3 36. Rxd1 Bxd1 {clearly winning.}) 34. gxh3 Bxe4 (34... Rxe4 $2 35. Rxd3 Nh7 36. h4 $18 (36. Rd7 Re2 $18)) 35. Kh2 Rd1 36. g4 Bxd5 (36... Bxf3 37. Rxf3 e4 38. Rf2 e3 39. Re2 Rd2 {winning.}) (36... Rh8) 37. Bxd5 Nxd5 (37... Rxd5 38. Ng5 Kg8 (38... Rd2+ 39. Kg3 $11) 39. Rf3 $11) 38. Re2 Nf4 (38... Rxb3 39. Ng5 Rf1 40. Rd7 $19) 39. Rc2 Kf6 (39... Rxb3 40. Ng5 Rb8 41. Rxf7+ Kg8 42. Re7 $17) (39... Ne6 {might have been much easier to play.}) 40. h4 Ke6 {[%cal Of7f6] Hoping for ...f6!.} (40... Rxb3 41. Ng5 e4 42. Rxf7+ (42. Nxf7 $2 Rh3#) (42. Rf2 Ke5 $15) 42... Ke5 43. Re7+ Kd5 44. Rxe4 $11) (40... Rh8 $5) 41. Ng5+ Kd5 42. Ra5+ Kd4 43. Ra4+ Kd3 44. Rf2 f6 $2 {[%eval -71,24] [%wdl 0,845,155] Gukesh is even objectively back in the game now. The players both have a couple of minutes left and only 10 seconds a move.} (44... Rh8 $19 {[%eval -312,22] [%wdl 0,0,1000] and Black stays clearly on top.} 45. Rf3+ Kc2 46. Ra2+ Kb1) 45. Rf3+ $17 Ke2 46. Ra2+ Rd2 47. Rxd2+ Kxd2 {[%mdl 4096]} 48. Ne4+ Ke2 49. Kg3 d5 {[%cal Bd6d5,Bd5d4,Bd4d3][%mdl 32]} 50. Nxf6 Rf8 51. Rf2+ Ke1 52. Nd7 {[%csl Be5,Bf8]} Ne2+ $2 {[%eval 32700,77] [%wdl 1000,0,0][%mdl 8192] Turning a slight advantage into a loss. It's not clear to me what Carlsen missed but likely it was something very, very simple.} (52... Re8 $11 {[%eval -16,27] [%wdl 1,991,8]} 53. Nf6 Re6) 53. Rxe2+ $1 {[%mdl 512]} Kxe2 54. Nxf8 d4 55. Ne6 (55. Nxg6 $2 d3 56. h5 (56. Nxe5 $2 d2 $19) 56... d2 57. Nxe5 d1=Q $19 (57... d1=B 58. h6)) 55... d3 56. Nc5 {Threatening mate with h5.} Ke3 {[#]} 57. Na4 $1 {White mates.} e4 {[%cal Be5e4,Be4e3][%mdl 32]} 58. h5 gxh5 59. gxh5 Kd2 60. Nb2 ({Inferior is} 60. h6 e3 61. h7 e2 $11) 60... e3 {[#]} 61. Nc4+ $1 Ke2 {Quite a comeback for White. Weighted Error Value: White=0.31/Black=0.38} 62. Kf4 {White stops both pawns.   PRECISÃO LICHESS: BRANCAS 96% PRETAS 88% PRECISÃO CHESS.COM: BRANCAS 92.8% PRETAS 86.1%} 1-0

[Event "13th Norway Chess 2025"]
[Site "Stavanger NOR"]
[Date "2025.06.03"]
[Round "8.2"]
[White "Wei, Yi"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C48"]
[WhiteElo "2758"]
[BlackElo "2837"]
[Annotator "Tactical Analysis 7.0"]
[PlyCount "61"]
[EventDate "2025.05.26"]

{[%evp 0,61,19,26,26,30,13,19,19,19,48,28,32,19,23,25,33,21,13,3,14,11,19,11,11,9,9,9,12,8,8,-7,0,-10,-10,-10,-2,-24,-7,-3,0,0,0,0,7,0,8,13,21,14,15,16,24,24,24,26,20,24,24,19,19,15,15,14]} 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bb5 Bd6 5. d3 h6 6. a3 {C48: Four Knights: 4 Bb5, replies other than 4...Bb4.} a6 7. Ba4 Bc5 ({RR} 7... b5 8. Bb3 Bb7 9. Be3 Na5 10. Ba2 c5 11. O-O O-O 12. Re1 Nc6 13. Nd5 Re8 14. c3 Bf8 15. b4 d6 16. Rb1 Rb8 17. h3 Ba8 18. a4 cxb4 19. cxb4 Nxd5 20. Bxd5 Qd7 21. axb5 Rxb5 22. Qa4 {Yu,Y (2738)-Vidit,S (2721) Moscow 2019 1-0 (38)}) ({RR} 7... b5 8. Bb3 Bc5 9. O-O d6 10. Be3 O-O 11. h3 Rb8 12. Nd5 Be6 13. c3 Bxd5 14. exd5 Bxe3 15. fxe3 Ne7 16. e4 Nd7 17. Rf2 a5 18. Qd2 Ng6 19. Raf1 Rb6 20. g3 Qb8 21. Nh2 b4 22. axb4 {Zheenbekov,N (2105)-Rasulov,V (2485) Karshi UZB 2025 0-1 (57)}) ({RR} 7... O-O 8. g4 Bc5 9. h3 d5 10. g5 hxg5 11. Bxg5 dxe4 12. Nxe4 Be7 13. Bxf6 Bxf6 14. Rg1 Bf5 15. Bxc6 bxc6 16. Qe2 Re8 17. O-O-O Rb8 18. Nfd2 Re6 19. Qf3 Bg6 20. Nc4 Be7 21. Qg3 Bh4 22. Qf3 {Wei,Y (2709)-Guo,Y (2407) Shenzhen 2016 1-0 (71)}) ({RR} 7... b5 8. Bb3 Bb7 9. O-O O-O 10. Nd5 Re8 11. Bd2 Nd4 12. Nxd4 exd4 13. Qf3 Nxd5 14. exd5 Qh4 15. g3 Qh3 16. Rae1 Re5 17. Rxe5 Bxe5 18. Re1 d6 19. Bf4 Bf6 20. Qg2 Qxg2+ 21. Kxg2 a5 22. h4 {Grandelius,N (2623)-Fressinet,L (2712) Oslo 2015 ½-½ (59)}) ({RR} 7... Rb8 8. g4 b5 9. Bb3 Be7 10. g5 hxg5 11. Nxg5 Rf8 12. Nf3 d6 13. Rg1 Bg4 14. Be3 g6 15. h3 Bh5 16. Rg3 Qd7 17. Qd2 Nd8 18. d4 exd4 19. Bxd4 Ne6 20. Bxf6 Bxf6 21. Nd5 Bd8 22. O-O-O {Lisenkov,S (2322)-Yeletsky,I (2460) Sochi RUS 2025 1-0 (42)}) 8. Bxc6 {White has an edge.} dxc6 {The position is equal.} 9. Nxe5 (9. Be3 {simplifies} Bxe3 10. fxe3 Qd6 11. d4) 9... Qd4 $146 {[%csl Gc5,Be5,Bf2][%cal Rd4f2] [#]} ({Predecessor:} 9... Bxf2+ 10. Kxf2 Qd4+ 11. Be3 Qxe5 12. h3 Qe7 13. Rf1 Be6 14. Kg1 O-O-O 15. Qf3 Kb8 16. Qf2 {½-½ Cornette,M (2599)-Adams,M (2744) Kilkenny Masters 2016 (3)}) ({RR} 9... Bxf2+ 10. Kxf2 Qd4+ 11. Be3 Qxe5 12. h3 Bd7 13. Qf3 O-O-O 14. Rhf1 Nh7 15. Qg3 Qe7 16. Kg1 g5 17. Bd4 Rhg8 18. b4 Be6 19. Bc5 Qd7 20. a4 h5 21. b5 b6 22. Be3 cxb5 23. axb5 a5 24. Ra4 {Lazarne Vajda,S (2265)-Janzelj,L (2201) Budva MNE 2023 ½-½ (81)}) ({RR} 9... Bxf2+ 10. Kxf2 Qd4+ 11. Be3 Qxe5 12. h3 Bd7 13. Qf3 O-O-O 14. Rhf1 Nh7 15. Qg3 Qe7 16. Kg1 g5 17. Bd4 Rhg8 18. b4 Be6 19. Bc5 Qd7 20. a4 h5 21. b5 b6 22. Be3 cxb5 23. axb5 a5 24. Ra4 {Lazarne Vajda,S (2265)-Janzelj,L (2201) Budva MNE 2023 ½-½ (81)}) ({RR} 9... Bxf2+ 10. Kxf2 Qd4+ 11. Be3 Qxe5 12. h3 Bd7 13. Qf3 O-O-O 14. Rhf1 Nh7 15. Qg3 Qe7 16. Kg1 g5 17. Bd4 Rhg8 18. b4 Be6 19. Bc5 Qd7 20. a4 h5 21. b5 b6 22. Be3 cxb5 23. axb5 a5 24. Ra4 {Lazarne Vajda,S (2265)-Janzelj,L (2201) Budva MNE 2023 ½-½ (81)}) 10. Be3 Qxe5 11. d4 Qe7 12. dxc5 {And now f3 would win.} Nxe4 13. Nxe4 Qxe4 14. Qd4 Qxd4 (14... Qxg2 $2 {perishes.} 15. O-O-O (15. Qe5+ Be6 $16) 15... Be6 16. Rhg1 $18) 15. Bxd4 f6 16. Kd2 Kf7 17. Kc3 Bf5 18. Rad1 Rad8 19. f3 {White is weak on the light squares} h5 20. h4 Rhe8 {...Re2 would now be deadly.} 21. Bf2 Rxd1 22. Rxd1 $11 {[%mdl 4096] Endgame KRB-KRB} g5 23. Re1 Rxe1 24. Bxe1 {KB-KB} Ke6 25. Bg3 Kd5 26. b4 b5 27. hxg5 fxg5 28. Bxc7 g4 29. fxg4 Bxg4 30. g3 Ke4 {An interesting draw.  Weighted Error Value: White=0.03 (flawless) /Black=0.02 (flawless)} 31. Kd2 {PRECISÃO LICHESS: BRANCAS 99% PRETAS 99% PRECISÃO CHESS.COM: BRANCAS 99.0% PRETAS 99.3%} 1/2-1/2

[Event "13th Norway Chess 2025"]
[Site "Stavanger NOR"]
[Date "2025.06.03"]
[Round "8.2"]
[White "Wei, Yi"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C24"]
[WhiteElo "2758"]
[BlackElo "2837"]
[Annotator "Tactical Analysis 7.0"]
[PlyCount "93"]
[EventDate "2025.05.26"]

1. e4 e5 2. Bc4 Nf6 3. d3 c6 4. Nf3 Be7 5. O-O d6 6. c3 {C24: Bishop's Opening: 2...Nf6.} Nbd7 ({RR} 6... Bg4 7. h3 Bxf3 8. Qxf3 Nbd7 9. Qg3 O-O 10. f4 exf4 11. Bxf4 Nh5 12. Qg4 Nxf4 13. Qxf4 d5 14. exd5 cxd5 15. Bb3 Nf6 16. Nd2 a5 17. Rae1 Bd6 18. Qf3 a4 19. Bc2 Qb6+ 20. Kh1 Qxb2 21. Rc1 {Akhayan,R (2249)-Rose,F (2091) chess.com INT 2024 1-0 (41)}) ({RR} 6... Bg4 7. h3 Bxf3 8. Qxf3 Nbd7 9. Qg3 O-O 10. f4 exf4 11. Bxf4 Nh5 12. Qg4 Nxf4 13. Qxf4 d5 14. exd5 cxd5 15. Bb3 Nf6 16. Nd2 a5 17. Rae1 Bd6 18. Qf3 a4 19. Bc2 Qb6+ 20. Kh1 Qxb2 21. Rc1 {Akhayan,R (2249)-Rose,F (2091) chess.com INT 2024 1-0 (41)}) 7. Re1 Nf8 (7... O-O $11) 8. Qb3 $14 {White is slightly better.} Ne6 9. d4 $146 ({Predecessor:} 9. Bxe6 fxe6 10. d4 exd4 11. Nxd4 d5 12. exd5 exd5 13. Bg5 O-O 14. Nd2 Kh8 15. Bh4 {½-½ Fernandez Garcia,J (2474)-Kaplan,S (2345) Andorra op 24th 2006 (7)}) ({RR} 9. Bxe6 fxe6 10. d4 exd4 11. Nxd4 d5 12. exd5 exd5 13. Bg5 O-O 14. Nd2 Kh8 15. Bh4 Bd6 16. Nf1 c5 17. Nf3 b6 18. Bg3 Bb7 19. Rad1 Bxg3 20. Nxg3 Qc7 21. Qa4 Bc6 22. Qh4 Rae8 23. Ng5 Qd7 {Fernandez Garcia,J (2474)-Kaplan,S (2345) Andorra 2006 ½-½ (46)}) ({RR} 9. Bxe6 fxe6 10. d4 exd4 11. Nxd4 d5 12. exd5 exd5 13. Bg5 O-O 14. Nd2 Kh8 15. Bh4 Bd6 16. Nf1 c5 17. Nf3 b6 18. Bg3 Bb7 19. Rad1 Bxg3 20. Nxg3 Qc7 21. Qa4 Bc6 22. Qh4 Rae8 23. Ng5 Qd7 {Fernandez Garcia,J (2474)-Kaplan,S (2345) Andorra 2006 ½-½ (46)}) 9... Qc7 10. Nbd2 O-O 11. Bf1 Re8 12. a4 a5 (12... exd4 $11 13. cxd4 Bd7) 13. Nc4 exd4 14. Nb6 {White is much more active.} Rb8 15. cxd4 Bd8 16. Nxc8 Rxc8 17. Bd2 Qb6 $1 18. Qd3 d5 19. e5 Ne4 {[%cal Oe4d2]} 20. Be3 Be7 {[%cal Oc6c5]} (20... Qxb2 21. Reb1 Qc3 22. Qd1 $18 (22. Qxc3 Nxc3 23. Rb3 Ne4 $11)) 21. Red1 Red8 22. Qb1 (22. g3 {is superior.}) 22... c5 $11 23. Bb5 cxd4 24. Nxd4 Nxd4 25. Bxd4 {A strong pair of Bishops.} Bc5 26. Qd3 g6 27. Qe3 Bxd4 28. Rxd4 Ng5 {[%mdl 64] [#] Deflection} 29. Qd2 {[%cal Od4d5]} (29. Rad1 {simplifies} Ne6 30. Rxd5 Rxd5 31. Rxd5 Qxe3 32. fxe3 Rc1+ 33. Kf2) 29... Rc2 $2 {[%mdl 8192]} 30. Qxg5 $2 $18 {Carlsen just laughed here.} ({Not} 30. Qxc2 Qxd4 31. Qe2 Qb4 $11 (31... Ne4 32. Rd1 $11)) 30... Rxf2 31. Qxd8+ Qxd8 32. Kxf2 Qc7 33. Rxd5 Qb6+ 34. Ke2 Qe6 35. Rad1 Qf5 36. R1d4 Qc2+ 37. Kf3 Kg7 38. h3 h5 39. Rd7 g5 40. Bc4 Qf5+ 41. Ke2 Qxe5+ 42. Kd1 Qh2 43. R4d6 Qg1+ 44. Kc2 Qxg2+ 45. Kb3 Kf8 46. Rxf7+ Ke8 {Weighted Error Value: White=0.09 (flawless) /Black=0.35} 47. Rg6 1-0

[Event "13th Norway Chess 2025"]
[Site "Stavanger NOR"]
[Date "2025.05.27"]
[Round "2.2"]
[White "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C78"]
[WhiteElo "2804"]
[BlackElo "2837"]
[Annotator "Chessbase"]
[PlyCount "67"]
[EventDate "2025.05.26"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. d3 Bc5 6. O-O d6 7. c3 O-O 8. Nbd2 Ba7 9. h3 Ne7 10. Re1 Ng6 11. Nf1 d5 $146 ({RR} 11... Nh5 12. Bg5 f6 13. Be3 Nhf4 14. Bb3+ Kh8 15. d4 f5 16. exf5 Bxf5 17. Ng3 e4 18. Nd2 d5 19. Nxf5 Rxf5 20. Nf1 Rg5 21. Ng3 h5 22. h4 Rg4 23. Qxg4 hxg4 24. h5 Nd3 25. hxg6 Nxe1 26. Rxe1 {Getz,N (2367)-Mikalsen,E (2177) Oslo 2015 0-1 (55)}) ({RR} 11... c6 12. d4 exd4 13. cxd4 d5 14. e5 Ne4 15. Bc2 f5 16. Ng3 Nh4 17. Nh2 c5 18. Ne2 cxd4 19. Bd3 Nxg2 20. Kxg2 Qh4 21. Rf1 f4 22. Ng1 Bxh3+ 23. Nxh3 f3+ 24. Nxf3 Qg4+ 25. Kh2 Rxf3 26. Qxf3 {Pranav,V (2597)-Wei Yi (2722) chess.com INT 2023 0-1}) ({RR} 11... c6 12. Ng3 d5 13. exd5 Nxd5 14. d4 exd4 15. Nxd4 Re8 16. Rxe8+ Qxe8 17. Bb3 Qe5 18. Qd3 Qe1+ 19. Qf1 Qxf1+ 20. Kxf1 Bxd4 21. cxd4 Be6 22. Ne4 b6 23. Ng5 Bd7 24. Bd2 h6 25. Bxd5 cxd5 26. Nf3 {Kevlishvili,R (2536)-Bruzon Batista,L (2559) Saint Louis USA 2025 ½-½ (42)}) ({RR} 11... c6 12. Ng3 d5 13. exd5 Nxd5 14. d4 exd4 15. Nxd4 Qc7 16. Bc2 Bd7 17. c4 Ndf4 18. Be3 c5 19. Ndf5 Rad8 20. Qg4 Bc6 21. Bxf4 Qxf4 22. Ne7+ Kh8 23. Qxf4 Nxf4 24. Nxc6 bxc6 25. Rad1 Ne6 26. Be4 {Gheng,D (2068)-Lehmann,S (1989) Deizisau 2019 ½-½ (41)}) ({RR} 11... Nh5 12. d4 Nhf4 13. Ng3 Qf6 14. Nh5 Qe7 15. Bxf4 Nxf4 16. Nxf4 exf4 17. Qd2 Qf6 18. e5 dxe5 19. Nxe5 f3 20. Nxf3 Bxh3 21. Qg5 Be6 22. Qxf6 gxf6 23. b4 c6 24. Nd2 a5 25. a3 axb4 26. axb4 {Stoleriu,G (2392)-Cosma,I (2367) Geoagiu Bai ROU 2022 1-0 (67)}) ({RR} 11... b5 12. Bc2 Re8 13. d4 Bb7 14. Ng3 Nf4 15. b3 h6 16. d5 Bc8 17. Be3 Bd7 18. Bxa7 Rxa7 19. c4 c6 20. Qd2 Nh7 21. Rad1 c5 22. Kh2 b4 23. Ne2 Ng6 24. Rf1 a5 25. g3 a4 26. h4 {Krutko,A (2397)-Putri,R (1897) Chess.com INT 2022 0-1 (69)}) ({RR} 11... c6 12. d4 exd4 13. cxd4 d5 14. e5 Ne4 15. Bc2 f5 16. Ng3 Nh4 17. Nh2 c5 18. Ne2 cxd4 19. Bd3 Nxg2 20. Kxg2 Qh4 21. Rf1 f4 22. Ng1 Bxh3+ 23. Nxh3 f3+ 24. Nxf3 Qg4+ 25. Kh2 Rxf3 26. Qxf3 {Pranav,V (2597)-Wei Yi (2722) chess.com INT 2023 0-1}) ({RR} 11... c6 12. Ng3 d5 13. Bg5 h6 14. Be3 Bxe3 15. Rxe3 dxe4 16. dxe4 Be6 17. Bb3 Qxd1+ 18. Rxd1 Rfd8 19. Red3 Rxd3 20. Rxd3 Kf8 21. Bxe6 fxe6 22. Nd2 Nf4 23. Re3 Rd8 24. Nc4 Rd1+ 25. Kh2 Nd7 26. Ne2 {Urazayev,A (2467)-Makarian,R (2547) chess.com INT 2025 ½-½ (40)}) 12. exd5 Nxd5 13. d4 exd4 14. Nxd4 c5 15. Nf3 b5 16. Bc2 Bb7 17. a4 c4 18. Bd2 Qc7 19. Nd4 b4 20. Qg4 Rae8 21. Rad1 bxc3 22. bxc3 Nf6 23. Qg3 Qa5 24. Qg5 Qxg5 25. Bxg5 Ne4 26. Bxe4 Bxe4 27. Nd2 Bd5 28. Nc2 Rxe1+ 29. Rxe1 Rc8 30. Nb4 Bb7 31. Ne4 a5 32. Nd6 Rb8 33. Nc2 Bc6 34. Be3 1/2-1/2

[Event "13th Norway Chess 2025"]
[Site "Stavanger NOR"]
[Date "2025.06.02"]
[Round "13.2"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C49"]
[WhiteElo "2837"]
[BlackElo "2804"]
[Annotator "CB-RR"]
[PlyCount "41"]
[EventDate "2025.05.26"]
[WhiteTeam "NOR"]
[BlackTeam "USA"]
[WhiteClock "1:48:41"]
[BlackClock "1:24:18"]

{[%evp 0,41,28,25,40,18,18,8,20,19,3,5,5,14,14,13,7,1,1,9,9,10,9,8,21,21,21,8,15,9,15,-11,-11,-11,-2,-10,5,-16,-2,-2,13,-16,-2,-10]} 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bb5 Bb4 5. O-O O-O 6. Bxc6 dxc6 7. Nxe5 Re8 8. Nd3 Bxc3 9. dxc3 Nxe4 10. Re1 Nd6 11. Bf4 Rxe1+ 12. Qxe1 Bf5 13. Rd1 $146 ({RR} 13. f3 Bxd3 14. cxd3 Qf6 15. Bxd6 Qxd6 16. d4 Rd8 17. Qe3 h5 18. Re1 g6 19. Qe7 Qxe7 20. Rxe7 Rc8 21. Kf2 Kf8 22. Re4 f6 23. h4 Kf7 24. Re1 Rd8 25. Re4 a5 26. Re1 a4 27. Re3 Rd5 {Ivanov,A (2540)-Kamsky,G (2733) Saint Louis 2011 ½-½ (38)}) ({RR} 13. b3 Qf6 14. Qe5 Qxe5 15. Bxe5 Re8 16. Bxd6 cxd6 17. Re1 Rxe1+ 18. Nxe1 d5 19. Kf1 Kf8 20. Ke2 Ke7 21. Kd2 Kd6 22. Nd3 g5 23. f3 h5 24. Nb2 c5 25. c4 d4 26. Nd3 b6 27. a3 f6 {Maroczy,G-Rubinstein,A Vienna (Messepalast) 1922 ½-½ (35)}) ({RR} 13. b3 Qf6 14. Qe5 Qxe5 15. Bxe5 Re8 16. Bxd6 cxd6 17. Re1 Rxe1+ 18. Nxe1 d5 19. Kf1 Kf8 20. Ke2 Ke7 21. Kd2 Kd6 22. Nd3 g5 23. f3 h5 24. Nb2 c5 25. c4 d4 26. Nd3 b6 27. a3 f6 {Maroczy,G-Rubinstein,A Vienna (Messepalast) 1922 ½-½ (35)}) ({RR} 13. f3 Bxd3 14. cxd3 Qf6 15. Bxd6 Qxd6 16. d4 Rd8 17. Qe3 h5 18. Re1 g6 19. Qe7 Qxe7 20. Rxe7 Rc8 21. Kf2 Kf8 22. Re4 f6 23. h4 Kf7 24. Re1 Rd8 25. Re4 a5 26. Re1 a4 27. Re3 Rd5 {Ivanov,A (2540)-Kamsky,G (2733) Saint Louis 2011 ½-½ (38)}) 13... Qe8 14. f3 f6 15. Qxe8+ Rxe8 16. Kf2 g5 17. Bg3 Rd8 18. Ke2 Re8+ 19. Kf2 Rd8 20. Ke2 Re8+ 21. Kf2 {PRECISÃO LICHESS: BRANCAS 99% PRETAS 100% PRECISÃO CHESS.COM: BRANCAS 99.2% PRETAS 99.4%} 1/2-1/2

[Event "13th Norway Chess 2025"]
[Site "Stavanger NOR"]
[Date "2025.05.31"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C85"]
[WhiteElo "2776"]
[BlackElo "2837"]
[Annotator "Rafael Leitao"]
[PlyCount "133"]
[EventDate "2025.05.26"]
[TimeControl "40/7200:0"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Bxc6 dxc6 7. Re1 {Este sistema de abertura foi jogado na primeira partida do match Nepomniachtchi-Ding em 2023. Embora tenha sido discutido apenas uma vez na disputa, este lance agora é testado de vez em quando por Grandes Mestres fortes.} Nd7 {O lance principal, mas 7...Bg4 e 7...Dd6 são alternativas importantes.} (7... Bg4) (7... Qd6) 8. d4 Bf6 {Um lance muito raro, jogado em apenas uma partida de GM na histórica Olimpíada de Buenos Aires em 1978.} (8... exd4 {foi o lance jogado por Ding e pela esmagadora maioria dos jogadores de xadrez.}) ({RR} 8... exd4 9. Qxd4 O-O 10. Bf4 Nc5 11. Qe3 Bg4 12. Nd4 Qd7 13. Nc3 Rad8 14. Nf5 Ne6 15. Nxe7+ Qxe7 16. Bg3 Bh5 17. f3 f6 18. h3 h6 19. Kh2 Bf7 20. Rad1 b6 21. a3 a5 22. Ne2 Rxd1 23. Rxd1 {Nepomniachtchi,I (2795)-Ding Liren (2788) Astana KAZ 2023 ½-½ (49)}) ({RR} 8... Bd6 9. Nbd2 exd4 10. Nxd4 Ne5 11. Nf5 O-O 12. Nxd6 Qxd6 13. Nf1 Qf6 14. Qd2 Ng6 15. Qg5 Qxg5 16. Bxg5 f5 17. exf5 Bxf5 18. Rac1 h6 19. Be3 Rad8 20. f3 b6 21. Bf2 Rfe8 22. Bg3 Rxe1 23. Rxe1 {Golod,V (2489)-Mindlin,A (2444) Israel ISR 2025 ½-½ (31)}) 9. Be3 {Simplesmente reforçando o centro. Isso é melhor do que trocar em e5 para jogar o final.} ({Após} 9. dxe5 Nxe5 10. Qxd8+ Kxd8 11. Nxe5 Bxe5 12. Nd2 Be6 13. Nf3 Bf6 14. Bg5 Ke7 {a estrutura de peões melhor não é suficiente para oferecer vantagem às Brancas.}) (9. c3 {é semelhante à partida.}) 9... O-O 10. c3 $146 {Um lance novo e lógico. Caruana quer terminar o desenvolvimento com Dc2-Tad1 e lutar por uma vantagem com seu bom controle central.} (10. Nc3 {foi jogado em Ermenkov-Hernandez Onna, Olimpíada de Buenos Aires 1978.}) ({RR} 10. Nc3 Qe7 11. Qd3 Rd8 12. d5 c5 13. a4 Qd6 14. Nd2 Be7 15. Nc4 Qg6 16. f4 Bd6 17. f5 Qh5 18. Rf1 f6 19. Rf3 b6 20. Kh1 Nf8 21. Rg1 Qe8 22. g4 h6 23. b3 Bd7 24. Qd2 Nh7 {Ermenkov,E (2520)-Hernandez Onna,R (2465) Buenos Aires 1978 ½-½ (35)}) 10... Re8 11. Nbd2 {Acho que o experimento na abertura foi um sucesso para as Brancas, já que não é fácil jogar com as Negras.} exd4 {Abrir mão do centro não é o ideal, mas é necessário para mover o cavalo de f8.} ({O imediato} 11... Nf8 $2 {é ruim devido a} 12. dxe5 Bxe5 13. Nxe5 Rxe5 14. f4 Re8 15. f5 {com uma vantagem esmagadora para as Brancas, graças à sua estrutura de peões muito superior.}) (11... b6 $5 {é um plano alternativo, e eu posso imaginar muitos jogadores tentando-o. As Negras simplesmente querem desenvolver o bispo em b7. As Brancas mantêm uma pequena vantagem após} 12. Qc2 (12. Nc4 $6 {é pior:} exd4 13. Bxd4 c5 14. Bxf6 Nxf6 {e as Negras não têm problemas.}) 12... Bb7) (11... a5 {é um lance sutil, uma ideia parecida com a que Carlsen joga mais tarde na partida.}) 12. cxd4 Nf8 13. Qc2 Ng6 14. h3 {As Brancas melhoram a posição calmamente.} a5 $5 {Tentando ganhar espaço na ala da dama. Após a5-a4, há também uma pequena chance de a torre entrar em jogo usando a casa a5, falaremos mais sobre isso depois.} (14... Be6 15. Rad1 {com a iniciativa das Brancas.}) 15. Rad1 (15. a4 {para o avanço do peão, mas as Negras podem usar a casa b4 depois de} Be7) 15... a4 16. Nb1 $1 {Uma excelente manobra para melhorar o cavalo.} Be7 17. Nc3 Bb4 (17... a3 $5 {As Negras podem considerar jogar esse lance antes de colocar o bispo em b4.}) 18. d5 {Caruana joga o meio-jogo com muita energia.} (18. a3 {é uma abordagem mais simples e também possível. Após} Bxc3 19. bxc3 {As Brancas mantêm uma pequena vantagem. Se conseguirem avançar os peões no centro, a posição das Negras pode se tornar perigosa.} (19. Qxc3 $2 {perde um peão:} Rxe4)) 18... Qe7 $6 {Carlsen tinha que encontrar um lance muito difícil sugerido pela máquina para ter chances realistas de igualar.} (18... cxd5 $2 {é errado:} 19. Nxd5 Bxe1 $2 20. Nxc7 {com uma vantagem decisiva.}) (18... Nh4 $1 {é o lance recomendado pelo computador. Após} 19. Nxh4 Qxh4 {surpreendentemente, as Negras estão mais ou menos bem, com um possível sacrifício de bispo em h3 pairando no ar.}) 19. a3 Bd6 (19... Bxc3 20. Qxc3 cxd5 21. exd5 {É perigoso para as Negras abrir a posição devido ao desenvolvimento superior das Brancas.}) 20. Bd4 {As Negras estão sob forte pressão.} (20. dxc6 bxc6 {As Brancas têm uma vantagem estável e muitas ideias promissoras. Uma delas é} 21. Bg5 $5 (21. Nxa4 Qxe4 {não é tão convincente.}) 21... f6 22. Bc1 {seguido pela captura do peão de a4.}) 20... Qd7 $1 {O único lance. Carlsen, aliás, encontrará vários lances difíceis e forçados nesta partida, que é uma verdadeira aula de defesa.} (20... c5 $2 {perde forçado:} 21. e5 $1 cxd4 22. exd6 Qf8 23. Nb5 {com uma vantagem esmagadora.}) (20... f6 {impede e4-e5, mas perde um peão:} 21. dxc6 bxc6 22. Nxa4) 21. e5 $1 {Caruana ataca da maneira mais eficiente.} (21. dxc6 Qxc6 {é defensável.}) (21. Nxa4 Nf4 $1 {é uma excelente recomendação da máquina, com a ideia de sacrificar o cavalo em h3 ou g2. As Negras conseguem alcançar um contra-ataque repentino.} (21... cxd5 22. Nc3 Nf4 {também é possível.})) 21... Bf8 22. e6 $1 (22. d6 {é menos perigoso. As Negras estão bem depois de} cxd6 23. exd6 Rxe1+ 24. Nxe1 Qf5 $1) 22... fxe6 23. dxe6 (23. dxc6 {também é interessante. Depois de} Qxc6 24. Ne5 $1 Nxe5 25. Bxe5 {as Brancas sacrificam um peão, mas tem excelente compensação. O plano é mover a dama para g4 e o cavalo para e4 com um ataque.}) 23... Rxe6 24. Ne4 {A situação é crítica, mas Carlsen encontra um lance brilhante.} Ra5 $3 {O único lance. A torre entra no jogo no momento certo. Qualquer outra coisa simplesmente perde.} (24... Qe8 $2 25. Neg5) (24... Bd6 $2 25. Nfg5) (24... h6 $2 25. Nf6+) 25. Bc5 (25. Nfg5 $2 {não funciona mais com a torre em a5.} Rxg5 $1 26. Nxg5 Rxe1+ 27. Rxe1 Qxd4 {ganhando material.}) 25... Qe8 26. Qc3 (26. Qc4 $5 {também é muito perigoso. As Negras precisam encontrar vários lances difíceis para sobreviver.} b6 $1 27. Nfg5 Ne5 28. Qe2 {Vamos seguir a principal linha recomendada pelo computador:} bxc5 29. Nxe6 Bxe6 30. f4 {As Negras têm problemas na coluna 'e', mas há uma saída.} Bb3 $1 31. fxe5 c4 $3 {A torre está salvando o dia novamente.} (31... Bxd1 32. Rxd1 {deixa as Negras com problemas posicionais.}) 32. Rc1 Rxe5 {com contra-jogo.}) 26... b6 27. Bxf8 Nxf8 (27... Qxf8 $2 {perde para} 28. Nd4) 28. Neg5 Rxe1+ 29. Rxe1 Qd8 (29... Qg6 {é mais preciso quando as Negras estão próximas da igualdade.}) 30. Qxc6 h6 31. Ne4 Be6 $6 (31... Qd7 $1 {é melhor.}) 32. Nc3 Qd7 33. Qxd7 Bxd7 34. Re7 {As Negras ainda não estão fora de perigo.} Rc5 $6 (34... Rf5 $1 35. Ne5 Be6 {dá melhores chances de defesa.}) 35. Ne5 Bf5 36. g4 $6 (36. Nxa4 {não é muito preciso:} Rc1+ 37. Kh2 Rc2 {com chances de empate.}) (36. Re8 $1 {é muito desagradável para as Negras.} g5 (36... Kh7 37. Rxf8 Rxe5 38. Nxa4 {com um peão a mais no final.}) 37. g4 Be6 38. Ng6 Bf7 (38... Kf7 $2 39. Nxf8 Kxe8 40. Nxe6) 39. Rxf8+ Kg7 40. Ra8 Kxg6 41. Rxa4 {Talvez as Negras ainda consigam escapar com uma defesa perfeita, mas será uma longa tortura jogar o final com um peão a menos.}) 36... Ng6 $1 37. Re8+ Kh7 38. f4 (38. Nxg6 Bxg6 {seguido por b6-b5, defendendo o peão de a4.}) 38... Nxe5 39. Rxe5 Rxe5 40. fxe5 Bd7 (40... Bd3 {é uma boa alternativa:} 41. Nxa4 Kg6 {com um empate provável.}) 41. Nd5 Kg6 42. Nxc7 Kf7 43. Kf2 {As Negras precisam encontrar a ordem correta dos lances para alcançar o empate. Carlsen finalmente comete um erro claro.} g5 $2 (43... Bc6 $1 {é o único caminho.} 44. Ke3 (44. h4 g5 $1 45. hxg5 hxg5 46. Ke3 Bd7 {A pressão em g4 salva as Negras.}) 44... Bg2 $1 {chegou na hora certa $1} (44... g5 $2 45. Kd4 {as Brancas vencem, como veremos na análise da partida.}) 45. h4 g5 $1 46. hxg5 hxg5 {Novamente as Negras estão prontas para atacar o peão de g4.} 47. Nb5 Ke6 48. Kd4 (48. Nc3 Kxe5 49. Nxa4 b5 {e parece que as Brancas não conseguem vencer, mesmo estando com um peão a mais.}) 48... Bf3 49. Nc3 Bxg4 50. Nxa4 Bf3 51. Nxb6 g4 {O peão de g custará material às Brancas: ou o cavalo, ou o peão de e.}) 44. Nd5 $2 {Carlsen deixa passar um ganho.} (44. Ke3 $1 Bc6 45. Kd4 Bg2 46. Nd5 $1 Ke6 (46... Bxh3 {A questão é que as Brancas podem jogar} 47. Ne3 $1 {quando o bispo está preso.}) 47. Nxb6 Bxh3 48. Nxa4 Bxg4 49. Nc5+ Ke7 50. b4 $1 {Os peões das Brancas são mais rápidos, por exemplo:} h5 51. b5 h4 52. Ke3 $1 {quando o rei se aproxima do peão de h.}) 44... Ke6 45. Nf6 (45. Nxb6 Bb5 {seguido da captura do peão de e5.}) 45... Bc8 46. Ng8 Kxe5 47. Nxh6 Be6 48. Ke3 b5 49. Nf5 Bxf5 50. gxf5 Kxf5 {O empate fica claro.} 51. Kf3 Kf6 52. Kg4 Kg6 53. Kg3 Kh5 54. Kf3 Kh4 55. Kg2 g4 56. hxg4 Kxg4 57. Kf2 Kf4 58. Ke2 Ke4 59. Kd2 Kd4 60. Kc2 Kc4 61. b3+ axb3+ 62. Kb2 b4 63. a4 Kd5 64. Kxb3 Kc5 65. a5 Kb5 66. a6 Kxa6 67. Kxb4 {Uma luta maravilhosa entre dois gigantes do jogo.} 1/2-1/2

[Event "13th Norway Chess 2025"]
[Site "Stavanger NOR"]
[Date "2025.05.31"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C54"]
[WhiteElo "2782"]
[BlackElo "2883"]
[PlyCount "112"]
[EventDate "2025.05.26"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. d3 Bc5 5. c3 d6 6. Bg5 h6 7. Bh4 a6 8. a4 Ba7 9. Nbd2 Qe7 10. b4 Nd8 ({RR} 10... Be6 11. O-O Bxc4 12. Nxc4 Qe6 13. b5 Ne7 14. Bxf6 Qxf6 15. Rb1 axb5 16. Rxb5 Rb8 17. Qb3 O-O 18. Rxb7 Ng6 19. Rxb8 Rxb8 20. Qd1 c6 21. Re1 Nf4 22. d4 exd4 23. cxd4 Rb4 24. Ne3 Rb2 25. Nc4 {Firouzja,A (2767)-Carlsen,M (2832) Paris FRA 2024 0-1 (35)}) 11. O-O ({RR} 11. b5 Ne6 12. bxa6 bxa6 13. Bd5 Rb8 14. Nc4 g5 15. Bg3 Nxd5 16. exd5 Nf4 17. O-O Nxd5 18. Re1 O-O 19. Nfxe5 dxe5 20. Rxe5 Be6 21. h4 gxh4 22. Bh2 Qf6 23. Qd2 Kh7 24. d4 Rg8 25. Na5 Qf3 {Tsydypov,Z (2514)-Rasulov,V (2483) chess.com INT 2025 0-1 (36)}) 11... Ne6 12. d4 $146 (12. Bb3 g5 13. Bg3 h5 {1-0 (48) Fiorito,J (2404)-Gomez Barrera,J (2209) Chess.com INT 2024}) ({RR} 12. Bb3 g5 13. Bg3 h5 14. h4 g4 15. Ne1 Nf4 16. Nc4 Ng6 17. Ne3 Ng8 18. Nd5 Qd8 19. Kh2 c6 20. Ne3 Nxh4 21. d4 Ng6 22. Kg1 Qf6 23. Nc4 h4 24. Bh2 Bb8 25. Nd3 Qg5 26. f4 exf4 {Fiorito,J (2404)-Gomez Barrera,J (2209) chess.com INT 2024 1-0 (48)}) 12... Nf4 13. Re1 Bg4 14. Nf1 Ng6 15. Bg3 Bxf3 16. Qxf3 exd4 17. cxd4 Bxd4 {Caruana has sacrificed a pawn, but Black isn't just yet finished developing. In addition, White has the pair of bishops and a bit more space.} 18. Rad1 Ne5 19. Qb3 Ba7 20. Ne3 Bxe3 21. Rxe3 Nh5 $2 (21... Nxc4 22. Qxc4 O-O {was safer.}) 22. Be2 $2 {Black eliminates the bishop pair.} ({White had one chance here for an advantage.} 22. Bxe5 $1 dxe5 23. Red3 O-O (23... Nf6 $4 {walks into some nice tactics, which Howell pointed out.} 24. Bxf7+ $1 Qxf7 25. Rd8+ Ke7 26. R8d7+ {White wins the queen.} Nxd7 27. Rxd7+ Kxd7 28. Qxf7+) 24. Rd7 {with a huge initiative.}) 22... Nxg3 23. hxg3 O-O 24. f4 Nd7 25. Bf3 a5 26. b5 Nc5 27. Qc2 Rad8 28. Rde1 c6 29. bxc6 bxc6 30. Rc1 Qa7 31. Kh2 Nxa4 32. Ra3 Nc5 33. Qf2 Rd7 {Until this moment, White generally had compensation even for the two pawns, but it's over after the next move.} 34. Bg4 $4 Nxe4 $1 {Blitzed out by Carlsen.} 35. Qa2 (35. Qxa7 Rxa7 {saves the rook and Black is three pawns up.}) 35... Rc7 36. Rxa5 Qe3 37. Qa3 Qxa3 38. Rxa3 {Up two pawns in a must-draw game, a good deal for Magnus $1} d5 39. Bf3 f5 40. Ra6 Rf6 41. Ra8+ Kh7 42. Rd8 Rd6 43. Rxd6 Nxd6 44. Bxd5 c5 45. Bb3 c4 46. Bc2 g6 47. Rd1 Ne4 48. Rd4 h5 49. Kh3 c3 50. Kh4 Kh6 51. Rd3 Ra7 52. Rd1 Ra2 53. Rc1 Nf2 54. Bb3 Rb2 55. Rxc3 Rb1 56. g4 Rh1+ {0-} 0-1

[Event "13th Norway Chess 2025"]
[Site "Stavanger NOR"]
[Date "2025.05.26"]
[Round "3.2"]
[White "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C78"]
[WhiteElo "2804"]
[BlackElo "2837"]
[Annotator "Stockfish 17.1"]
[PlyCount "67"]
[EventDate "2025.05.26"]

{[%evp 0,67,19,26,26,26,20,19,24,-2,-4,9,4,17,15,-13,-6,-38,2,-18,7,-7,1,-1,20,12,12,17,2,11,15,15,11,-5,-5,-6,-20,-27,-18,-33,-45,-62,-18,-37,-12,-12,-28,-30,5,-87,-78,-76,-29,-26,-18,-20,-3,-29,-1,-1,15,-1,0,7,39,39,25,42,25,25]} 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. d3 Bc5 6. O-O d6 7. c3 O-O 8. Nbd2 Ba7 9. h3 Ne7 10. Re1 Ng6 11. Nf1 d5 $146 ({RR} 11... b5 12. Bc2 Re8 13. d4 Bb7 14. Ng3 Nf4 15. b3 h6 16. d5 Bc8 17. Be3 Bd7 18. Bxa7 Rxa7 19. c4 c6 20. Qd2 Nh7 21. Rad1 c5 22. Kh2 b4 23. Ne2 Ng6 24. Rf1 a5 25. g3 a4 26. h4 {Krutko,A (2397)-Putri,R (1897) Chess.com INT 2022 0-1 (69)}) ({RR} 11... c6 12. d4 exd4 13. cxd4 d5 14. e5 Ne4 15. Bc2 f5 16. Ng3 Nh4 17. Nh2 c5 18. Ne2 cxd4 19. Bd3 Nxg2 20. Kxg2 Qh4 21. Rf1 f4 22. Ng1 Bxh3+ 23. Nxh3 f3+ 24. Nxf3 Qg4+ 25. Kh2 Rxf3 26. Qxf3 {Pranav,V (2597)-Wei Yi (2722) chess.com INT 2023 0-1}) ({RR} 11... c6 12. Ng3 d5 13. Bg5 h6 14. Be3 Bxe3 15. Rxe3 dxe4 16. dxe4 Be6 17. Bb3 Qxd1+ 18. Rxd1 Rfd8 19. Red3 Rxd3 20. Rxd3 Kf8 21. Bxe6 fxe6 22. Nd2 Nf4 23. Re3 Rd8 24. Nc4 Rd1+ 25. Kh2 Nd7 26. Ne2 {Urazayev,A (2467)-Makarian,R (2547) chess.com INT 2025 ½-½ (40)}) 12. exd5 Nxd5 13. d4 exd4 14. Nxd4 c5 15. Nf3 b5 16. Bc2 Bb7 17. a4 c4 18. Bd2 $6 {Inaccuracy. Be4 was best.} (18. Be4) 18... Qc7 19. Nd4 b4 20. Qg4 Rae8 21. Rad1 bxc3 22. bxc3 Nf6 23. Qg3 Qa5 24. Qg5 Qxg5 $6 {Inaccuracy. Qc7 was best.} (24... Qc7) 25. Bxg5 Ne4 26. Bxe4 Bxe4 27. Nd2 Bd5 28. Nc2 Rxe1+ 29. Rxe1 Rc8 30. Nb4 Bb7 31. Ne4 a5 32. Nd6 Rb8 33. Nc2 Bc6 34. Be3 {PRECISÃO LICHESS: BRANCAS 97% PRETAS 97% PRECISÃO CHESS.COM: BRANCAS 96.6% PRETAS 97.2%} 1/2-1/2

[Event "13th Norway Chess 2025"]
[Site "Stavanger NOR"]
[Date "2025.05.21"]
[Round "8.2"]
[White "Wei, Yi"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C24"]
[WhiteElo "2758"]
[BlackElo "2837"]
[Annotator "Stockfish 17.1"]
[PlyCount "93"]
[EventDate "2025.05.26"]

{[%evp 0,93,37,35,43,15,5,4,9,9,37,34,40,22,19,-21,40,25,25,-9,21,-16,-14,-30,-19,-29,38,26,26,27,27,35,33,10,16,0,6,-18,-1,-2,-12,-35,-1,-30,-4,-11,-13,-2,-2,-22,6,6,6,6,6,19,27,27,40,0,334,356,379,383,376,387,406,419,426,352,380,380,369,327,392,327,367,319,364,364,496,629,606,626,643,644,666,387,361,361,369,275,29987,29988,29989,29990]} 1. e4 e5 2. Bc4 Nf6 3. d3 c6 4. Nf3 Be7 5. O-O d6 6. c3 Nbd7 ({RR} 6... Bg4 7. h3 Bxf3 8. Qxf3 Nbd7 9. Qg3 O-O 10. f4 exf4 11. Bxf4 Nh5 12. Qg4 Nxf4 13. Qxf4 d5 14. exd5 cxd5 15. Bb3 Nf6 16. Nd2 a5 17. Rae1 Bd6 18. Qf3 a4 19. Bc2 Qb6+ 20. Kh1 Qxb2 21. Rc1 {Akhayan,R (2249)-Rose,F (2091) chess.com INT 2024 1-0 (41)}) 7. Re1 Nf8 8. Qb3 Ne6 9. d4 $146 ({RR} 9. Bxe6 fxe6 10. d4 exd4 11. Nxd4 d5 12. exd5 exd5 13. Bg5 O-O 14. Nd2 Kh8 15. Bh4 Bd6 16. Nf1 c5 17. Nf3 b6 18. Bg3 Bb7 19. Rad1 Bxg3 20. Nxg3 Qc7 21. Qa4 Bc6 22. Qh4 Rae8 23. Ng5 Qd7 {Fernandez Garcia,J (2474)-Kaplan,S (2345) Andorra 2006 ½-½ (46)}) 9... Qc7 10. Nbd2 O-O 11. Bf1 Re8 12. a4 a5 13. Nc4 exd4 14. Nb6 Rb8 15. cxd4 Bd8 16. Nxc8 Rxc8 17. Bd2 Qb6 18. Qd3 d5 19. e5 Ne4 20. Be3 Be7 21. Red1 Red8 22. Qb1 c5 23. Bb5 cxd4 24. Nxd4 Nxd4 25. Bxd4 Bc5 26. Qd3 g6 27. Qe3 Bxd4 28. Rxd4 Ng5 29. Qd2 Rc2 $4 {Blunder. Ne6 was best.} (29... Ne6 30. Rxd5) 30. Qxg5 Rxf2 31. Qxd8+ Qxd8 32. Kxf2 Qc7 33. Rxd5 Qb6+ 34. Ke2 Qe6 35. Rad1 Qf5 36. R1d4 Qc2+ 37. Kf3 Kg7 38. h3 h5 39. Rd7 g5 $6 {Inaccuracy. Kh6 was best.} (39... Kh6 40. Kg3 Qb3+ 41. Kh2 Qe3 42. Rd1 Qxe5+ 43. Kh1 f5 44. b3 Kg5 45. R7d6) 40. Bc4 Qf5+ 41. Ke2 Qxe5+ 42. Kd1 Qh2 $6 {Inaccuracy. g4 was best.} (42... g4 43. h4 Kh8 44. Kc2 b5 45. axb5 a4 46. R4d5 Qe4+ 47. Kc3 Qe1+ 48. Rd2) 43. R4d6 $6 {Inaccuracy. Rxf7+ was best.} (43. Rxf7+ Kg6 44. Rdd7 Qg1+ 45. Rf1 Qxf1+ 46. Bxf1 Kf5 47. Rf7+ Ke6 48. Rxb7 Ke5) 43... Qg1+ 44. Kc2 Qxg2+ 45. Kb3 Kf8 $4 {Checkmate is now unavoidable. Qxh3+ was best.} (45... Qxh3+ 46. Rd3 Qf5 47. Rxf7+ Qxf7 48. Bxf7 Kxf7 49. Kc2 h4 50. Kd2 Ke6 51. Ke3) 46. Rxf7+ Ke8 47. Rg6 {PRECISÃO LICHESS: BRANCAS 97% PRETAS 89% PRECISÃO CHESS.COM: BRANCAS 94.1% PRETAS 85.8%} 1-0

[Event "Norway Chess 2025"]
[Site "Stavanger, Norway"]
[Date "2025.05.27"]
[Round "2.2"]
[White "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C78"]
[WhiteElo "2804"]
[BlackElo "2837"]
[Annotator "Chess.com"]
[PlyCount "67"]
[EventDate "2025.??.??"]
[TimeControl "40/7200:0"]

{[%evp 0,67,19,19,19,19,19,7,6,-13,7,7,17,15,19,-36,-6,-38,2,-16,-3,-14,0,-3,16,21,34,2,2,11,15,11,11,-5,17,-6,-2,-19,-12,-33,-24,-24,-4,-41,-12,-12,-28,-30,-9,-87,-68,-73,-26,-24,-24,-46,-3,-32,-1,-1,15,-1,0,7,25,25,25,25,25,25]} 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. d3 Bc5 6. O-O d6 7. c3 O-O 8. Nbd2 Ba7 9. h3 Ne7 10. Re1 Ng6 11. Nf1 d5 $146 ({RR} 11... b5 12. Bc2 Re8 13. d4 Bb7 14. Ng3 Nf4 15. b3 h6 16. d5 Bc8 17. Be3 Bd7 18. Bxa7 Rxa7 19. c4 c6 20. Qd2 Nh7 21. Rad1 c5 22. Kh2 b4 23. Ne2 Ng6 24. Rf1 a5 25. g3 a4 26. h4 {Krutko,A (2397)-Putri,R (1897) Chess.com INT 2022 0-1 (69)}) ({RR} 11... c6 12. d4 exd4 13. cxd4 d5 14. e5 Ne4 15. Bc2 f5 16. Ng3 Nh4 17. Nh2 c5 18. Ne2 cxd4 19. Bd3 Nxg2 20. Kxg2 Qh4 21. Rf1 f4 22. Ng1 Bxh3+ 23. Nxh3 f3+ 24. Nxf3 Qg4+ 25. Kh2 Rxf3 26. Qxf3 {Pranav,V (2597)-Wei Yi (2722) chess.com INT 2023 0-1}) ({RR} 11... c6 12. Ng3 d5 13. Bg5 h6 14. Be3 Bxe3 15. Rxe3 dxe4 16. dxe4 Be6 17. Bb3 Qxd1+ 18. Rxd1 Rfd8 19. Red3 Rxd3 20. Rxd3 Kf8 21. Bxe6 fxe6 22. Nd2 Nf4 23. Re3 Rd8 24. Nc4 Rd1+ 25. Kh2 Nd7 26. Ne2 {Urazayev,A (2467)-Makarian,R (2547) chess.com INT 2025 ½-½ (40)}) 12. exd5 Nxd5 13. d4 $6 {This leads to trouble—when played in the earlier Nakamura-Caruana game, Black still had a bishop on c5.} (13. Ng3 {was suggested by Carlsen first, and it does seem to keep the position rock-solid.}) (13. Bc2 {is an alternative.}) 13... exd4 14. Nxd4 c5 $1 {Carlsen seizes the chance to expand on the queenside.} 15. Nf3 b5 $1 16. Bc2 Bb7 17. a4 c4 $1 18. Bd2 $6 {Both a shaky move, and one that cost Nakamura 31 minutes, leaving him over 40 minutes down on the clock.} Qc7 19. Nd4 $6 b4 $1 {This is the high-water mark of Carlsen's advantage. He's 24 minutes up on the clock and close to winning, according to the computer, but from here Nakamura begins to play fast and equalize the game.} 20. Qg4 Rae8 21. Rad1 bxc3 $6 {The first misstep of the whole game by the world number-one.} (21... b3 $1 {or}) (21... Nf6 $1 {keep a bigger edge.}) 22. bxc3 Nf6 23. Qg3 Qa5 $5 24. Qg5 {Offering an exchange of queens.} Qxg5 $6 {Carlsen accepts, thinking he can do his thing of pushing in the endgame, but it turns out he's soon no better. It's also notable that in playing this move, he dropped lower on the clock than Nakamura.} (24... Qc7 {is the computer suggestion, but it's always tough to reverse your previous move.}) 25. Bxg5 Ne4 26. Bxe4 Bxe4 {Black has the bishop pair, but the position is too unstable.} 27. Nd2 Bd5 28. Nc2 Rxe1+ 29. Rxe1 Rc8 30. Nb4 Bb7 31. Ne4 (31. Nxc4 {was also possible, illustrating how tricky things have become e.g.} Rxc4 32. Re8+ Nf8 33. Re7) 31... a5 $1 {Here it's Carlsen who needs to be precise $1} (31... f6 $5 32. Nd6 $1 {again highlights issues in Black's camp.}) 32. Nd6 Rb8 33. Nc2 Bc6 $1 {One last precise move.} 34. Be3 $1 {Mass exchanges would likely now follow, but neither player had an urge to play on in this position with six minutes on their clock, and a draw was agreed.} 1/2-1/2

[Event "Norway Chess 2025"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2025.05.31"]
[Round "5.3"]
[White "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C85"]
[WhiteElo "2776"]
[BlackElo "2837"]
[Annotator "Rafael Leitao"]
[PlyCount "133"]
[EventDate "2025.??.??"]

{[%evp 0,133,19,19,19,19,19,6,6,7,0,16,11,5,5,-54,20,-2,39,19,20,7,22,22,10,5,12,16,13,11,25,30,42,37,60,41,40,32,56,43,45,61,95,87,87,78,78,69,69,69,73,37,22,18,18,51,36,36,36,59,62,62,62,69,69,52,95,70,47,74,97,97,72,61,76,45,45,43,43,37,39,37,37,54,47,47,53,57,48,40,54,0,0,0,0,0,42,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0]} 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Bxc6 dxc6 7. Re1 {Este sistema de abertura foi jogado na primeira partida do match Nepomniachtchi-Ding em 2023. Embora tenha sido discutido apenas uma vez na disputa, este lance agora é testado de vez em quando por Grandes Mestres fortes.} Nd7 {O lance principal, mas 7...Bg4 e 7...Dd6 são alternativas importantes.} (7... Bg4) (7... Qd6) 8. d4 Bf6 {Um lance muito raro, jogado em apenas uma partida de GM na histórica Olimpíada de Buenos Aires em 1978.} (8... exd4 {foi o lance jogado por Ding e pela esmagadora maioria dos jogadores de xadrez.}) ({RR} 8... exd4 9. Qxd4 O-O 10. Bf4 Nc5 11. Qe3 Bg4 12. Nd4 Qd7 13. Nc3 Rad8 14. Nf5 Ne6 15. Nxe7+ Qxe7 16. Bg3 Bh5 17. f3 f6 18. h3 h6 19. Kh2 Bf7 20. Rad1 b6 21. a3 a5 22. Ne2 Rxd1 23. Rxd1 {Nepomniachtchi,I (2795)-Ding Liren (2788) Astana KAZ 2023 ½-½ (49)}) ({RR} 8... Bd6 9. Nbd2 exd4 10. Nxd4 Ne5 11. Nf5 O-O 12. Nxd6 Qxd6 13. Nf1 Qf6 14. Qd2 Ng6 15. Qg5 Qxg5 16. Bxg5 f5 17. exf5 Bxf5 18. Rac1 h6 19. Be3 Rad8 20. f3 b6 21. Bf2 Rfe8 22. Bg3 Rxe1 23. Rxe1 {Golod,V (2489)-Mindlin,A (2444) Israel ISR 2025 ½-½ (31)}) 9. Be3 {Simplesmente reforçando o centro. Isso é melhor do que trocar em e5 para jogar o final.} ({Após} 9. dxe5 Nxe5 10. Qxd8+ Kxd8 11. Nxe5 Bxe5 12. Nd2 Be6 13. Nf3 Bf6 14. Bg5 Ke7 {a estrutura de peões melhor não é suficiente para oferecer vantagem às Brancas.}) (9. c3 {é semelhante à partida.}) 9... O-O 10. c3 $146 {Um lance novo e lógico. Caruana quer terminar o desenvolvimento com Dc2-Tad1 e lutar por uma vantagem com seu bom controle central.} (10. Nc3 {foi jogado em Ermenkov-Hernandez Onna, Olimpíada de Buenos Aires 1978.}) ({RR} 10. Nc3 Qe7 11. Qd3 Rd8 12. d5 c5 13. a4 Qd6 14. Nd2 Be7 15. Nc4 Qg6 16. f4 Bd6 17. f5 Qh5 18. Rf1 f6 19. Rf3 b6 20. Kh1 Nf8 21. Rg1 Qe8 22. g4 h6 23. b3 Bd7 24. Qd2 Nh7 {Ermenkov,E (2520)-Hernandez Onna,R (2465) Buenos Aires 1978 ½-½ (35)}) 10... Re8 11. Nbd2 {Acho que o experimento na abertura foi um sucesso para as Brancas, já que não é fácil jogar com as Negras.} exd4 {Abrir mão do centro não é o ideal, mas é necessário para mover o cavalo de f8.} ({O imediato} 11... Nf8 $2 {é ruim devido a} 12. dxe5 Bxe5 13. Nxe5 Rxe5 14. f4 Re8 15. f5 {com uma vantagem esmagadora para as Brancas, graças à sua estrutura de peões muito superior.}) (11... b6 $5 {é um plano alternativo, e eu posso imaginar muitos jogadores tentando-o. As Negras simplesmente querem desenvolver o bispo em b7. As Brancas mantêm uma pequena vantagem após} 12. Qc2 (12. Nc4 $6 {é pior:} exd4 13. Bxd4 c5 14. Bxf6 Nxf6 {e as Negras não têm problemas.}) 12... Bb7) (11... a5 {é um lance sutil, uma ideia parecida com a que Carlsen joga mais tarde na partida.}) 12. cxd4 Nf8 13. Qc2 Ng6 14. h3 {As Brancas melhoram a posição calmamente.} a5 $5 {Tentando ganhar espaço na ala da dama. Após a5-a4, há também uma pequena chance de a torre entrar em jogo usando a casa a5, falaremos mais sobre isso depois.} (14... Be6 15. Rad1 {com a iniciativa das Brancas.}) 15. Rad1 (15. a4 {para o avanço do peão, mas as Negras podem usar a casa b4 depois de} Be7) 15... a4 16. Nb1 $1 {Uma excelente manobra para melhorar o cavalo.} Be7 17. Nc3 Bb4 (17... a3 $5 {As Negras podem considerar jogar esse lance antes de colocar o bispo em b4.}) 18. d5 {Caruana joga o meio-jogo com muita energia.} (18. a3 {é uma abordagem mais simples e também possível. Após} Bxc3 19. bxc3 {As Brancas mantêm uma pequena vantagem. Se conseguirem avançar os peões no centro, a posição das Negras pode se tornar perigosa.} (19. Qxc3 $2 {perde um peão:} Rxe4)) 18... Qe7 $6 {Carlsen tinha que encontrar um lance muito difícil sugerido pela máquina para ter chances realistas de igualar.} (18... cxd5 $2 {é errado:} 19. Nxd5 Bxe1 $2 20. Nxc7 {com uma vantagem decisiva.}) (18... Nh4 $1 {é o lance recomendado pelo computador. Após} 19. Nxh4 Qxh4 {surpreendentemente, as Negras estão mais ou menos bem, com um possível sacrifício de bispo em h3 pairando no ar.}) 19. a3 Bd6 (19... Bxc3 20. Qxc3 cxd5 21. exd5 {É perigoso para as Negras abrir a posição devido ao desenvolvimento superior das Brancas.}) 20. Bd4 {As Negras estão sob forte pressão.} (20. dxc6 bxc6 {As Brancas têm uma vantagem estável e muitas ideias promissoras. Uma delas é} 21. Bg5 $5 (21. Nxa4 Qxe4 {não é tão convincente.}) 21... f6 22. Bc1 {seguido pela captura do peão de a4.}) 20... Qd7 $1 {O único lance. Carlsen, aliás, encontrará vários lances difíceis e forçados nesta partida, que é uma verdadeira aula de defesa.} (20... c5 $2 {perde forçado:} 21. e5 $1 cxd4 22. exd6 Qf8 23. Nb5 {com uma vantagem esmagadora.}) (20... f6 {impede e4-e5, mas perde um peão:} 21. dxc6 bxc6 22. Nxa4) 21. e5 $1 {Caruana ataca da maneira mais eficiente.} (21. dxc6 Qxc6 {é defensável.}) (21. Nxa4 Nf4 $1 {é uma excelente recomendação da máquina, com a ideia de sacrificar o cavalo em h3 ou g2. As Negras conseguem alcançar um contra-ataque repentino.} (21... cxd5 22. Nc3 Nf4 {também é possível.})) 21... Bf8 22. e6 $1 (22. d6 {é menos perigoso. As Negras estão bem depois de} cxd6 23. exd6 Rxe1+ 24. Nxe1 Qf5 $1) 22... fxe6 23. dxe6 (23. dxc6 {também é interessante. Depois de} Qxc6 24. Ne5 $1 Nxe5 25. Bxe5 {as Brancas sacrificam um peão, mas tem excelente compensação. O plano é mover a dama para g4 e o cavalo para e4 com um ataque.}) 23... Rxe6 24. Ne4 {A situação é crítica, mas Carlsen encontra um lance brilhante.} Ra5 $3 {O único lance. A torre entra no jogo no momento certo. Qualquer outra coisa simplesmente perde.} (24... Qe8 $2 25. Neg5) (24... Bd6 $2 25. Nfg5) (24... h6 $2 25. Nf6+) 25. Bc5 (25. Nfg5 $2 {não funciona mais com a torre em a5.} Rxg5 $1 26. Nxg5 Rxe1+ 27. Rxe1 Qxd4 {ganhando material.}) 25... Qe8 26. Qc3 (26. Qc4 $5 {também é muito perigoso. As Negras precisam encontrar vários lances difíceis para sobreviver.} b6 $1 27. Nfg5 Ne5 28. Qe2 {Vamos seguir a principal linha recomendada pelo computador:} bxc5 29. Nxe6 Bxe6 30. f4 {As Negras têm problemas na coluna 'e', mas há uma saída.} Bb3 $1 31. fxe5 c4 $3 {A torre está salvando o dia novamente.} (31... Bxd1 32. Rxd1 {deixa as Negras com problemas posicionais.}) 32. Rc1 Rxe5 {com contra-jogo.}) 26... b6 27. Bxf8 Nxf8 (27... Qxf8 $2 {perde para} 28. Nd4) 28. Neg5 Rxe1+ 29. Rxe1 Qd8 (29... Qg6 {é mais preciso quando as Negras estão próximas da igualdade.}) 30. Qxc6 h6 31. Ne4 Be6 $6 (31... Qd7 $1 {é melhor.}) 32. Nc3 Qd7 33. Qxd7 Bxd7 34. Re7 {As Negras ainda não estão fora de perigo.} Rc5 $6 (34... Rf5 $1 35. Ne5 Be6 {dá melhores chances de defesa.}) 35. Ne5 Bf5 36. g4 $6 (36. Nxa4 {não é muito preciso:} Rc1+ 37. Kh2 Rc2 {com chances de empate.}) (36. Re8 $1 {é muito desagradável para as Negras.} g5 (36... Kh7 37. Rxf8 Rxe5 38. Nxa4 {com um peão a mais no final.}) 37. g4 Be6 38. Ng6 Bf7 (38... Kf7 $2 39. Nxf8 Kxe8 40. Nxe6) 39. Rxf8+ Kg7 40. Ra8 Kxg6 41. Rxa4 {Talvez as Negras ainda consigam escapar com uma defesa perfeita, mas será uma longa tortura jogar o final com um peão a menos.}) 36... Ng6 $1 37. Re8+ Kh7 38. f4 (38. Nxg6 Bxg6 {seguido por b6-b5, defendendo o peão de a4.}) 38... Nxe5 39. Rxe5 Rxe5 40. fxe5 Bd7 (40... Bd3 {é uma boa alternativa:} 41. Nxa4 Kg6 {com um empate provável.}) 41. Nd5 Kg6 42. Nxc7 Kf7 43. Kf2 {As Negras precisam encontrar a ordem correta dos lances para alcançar o empate. Carlsen finalmente comete um erro claro.} g5 $2 (43... Bc6 $1 {é o único caminho.} 44. Ke3 (44. h4 g5 $1 45. hxg5 hxg5 46. Ke3 Bd7 {A pressão em g4 salva as Negras.}) 44... Bg2 $1 {chegou na hora certa $1} (44... g5 $2 45. Kd4 {as Brancas vencem, como veremos na análise da partida.}) 45. h4 g5 $1 46. hxg5 hxg5 {Novamente as Negras estão prontas para atacar o peão de g4.} 47. Nb5 Ke6 48. Kd4 (48. Nc3 Kxe5 49. Nxa4 b5 {e parece que as Brancas não conseguem vencer, mesmo estando com um peão a mais.}) 48... Bf3 49. Nc3 Bxg4 50. Nxa4 Bf3 51. Nxb6 g4 {O peão de g custará material às Brancas: ou o cavalo, ou o peão de e.}) 44. Nd5 $2 {Carlsen deixa passar um ganho.} (44. Ke3 $1 Bc6 45. Kd4 Bg2 46. Nd5 $1 Ke6 (46... Bxh3 {A questão é que as Brancas podem jogar} 47. Ne3 $1 {quando o bispo está preso.}) 47. Nxb6 Bxh3 48. Nxa4 Bxg4 49. Nc5+ Ke7 50. b4 $1 {Os peões das Brancas são mais rápidos, por exemplo:} h5 51. b5 h4 52. Ke3 $1 {quando o rei se aproxima do peão de h.}) 44... Ke6 45. Nf6 (45. Nxb6 Bb5 {seguido da captura do peão de e5.}) 45... Bc8 46. Ng8 Kxe5 47. Nxh6 Be6 48. Ke3 b5 49. Nf5 Bxf5 50. gxf5 Kxf5 {O empate fica claro.} 51. Kf3 Kf6 52. Kg4 Kg6 53. Kg3 Kh5 54. Kf3 Kh4 55. Kg2 g4 56. hxg4 Kxg4 57. Kf2 Kf4 58. Ke2 Ke4 59. Kd2 Kd4 60. Kc2 Kc4 61. b3+ axb3+ 62. Kb2 b4 63. a4 Kd5 64. Kxb3 Kc5 65. a5 Kb5 66. a6 Kxa6 67. Kxb4 {Uma luta maravilhosa entre dois gigantes do jogo.} 1/2-1/2

[Event "Norway Chess 2025"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2025.05.31"]
[Round "5.3"]
[White "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C54"]
[WhiteElo "2782"]
[BlackElo "2883"]
[Annotator "Carvalho,Carlos"]
[PlyCount "112"]
[EventDate "2025.??.??"]

{[%evp 0,112,19,19,19,19,19,9,9,7,20,15,2,-14,-13,-50,-22,-65,-34,-4,23,26,40,8,8,-32,46,50,74,-15,35,33,57,-42,-37,-54,-41,-41,-41,-41,-43,-29,-27,-27,7,-9,-23,-26,-20,-31,-5,-47,-2,-49,-49,-56,-60,-107,-49,-55,-55,-71,-37,-76,-67,-38,-43,-127,9,-162,-162,-162,-185,-201,-188,-188,-188,-188,-187,-167,-182,-220,-181,-201,-174,-212,-103,-103,-103,-98,-116,-148,-163,-153,-146,-158,-170,-180,-187,-208,-204,-213,-199,-224,-224,-199,-170,-244,-244,-262,-262,-730,-747,-772,-778]} {Armagedom} 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. d3 Bc5 5. c3 d6 6. Bg5 h6 7. Bh4 a6 8. a4 Ba7 9. Nbd2 Qe7 10. b4 Nd8 ({RR} 10... Be6 11. O-O Bxc4 12. Nxc4 Qe6 13. b5 Ne7 14. Bxf6 Qxf6 15. Rb1 axb5 16. Rxb5 Rb8 17. Qb3 O-O 18. Rxb7 Ng6 19. Rxb8 Rxb8 20. Qd1 c6 21. Re1 Nf4 22. d4 exd4 23. cxd4 Rb4 24. Ne3 Rb2 25. Nc4 {Firouzja,A (2767)-Carlsen,M (2832) Paris FRA 2024 0-1 (35)}) 11. O-O ({RR} 11. b5 Ne6 12. bxa6 bxa6 13. Bd5 Rb8 14. Nc4 g5 15. Bg3 Nxd5 16. exd5 Nf4 17. O-O Nxd5 18. Re1 O-O 19. Nfxe5 dxe5 20. Rxe5 Be6 21. h4 gxh4 22. Bh2 Qf6 23. Qd2 Kh7 24. d4 Rg8 25. Na5 Qf3 {Tsydypov,Z (2514)-Rasulov,V (2483) chess.com INT 2025 0-1 (36)}) 11... Ne6 12. d4 $146 (12. Bb3 g5 13. Bg3 h5 {1-0 (48) Fiorito,J (2404)-Gomez Barrera,J (2209) Chess.com INT 2024}) ({RR} 12. Bb3 g5 13. Bg3 h5 14. h4 g4 15. Ne1 Nf4 16. Nc4 Ng6 17. Ne3 Ng8 18. Nd5 Qd8 19. Kh2 c6 20. Ne3 Nxh4 21. d4 Ng6 22. Kg1 Qf6 23. Nc4 h4 24. Bh2 Bb8 25. Nd3 Qg5 26. f4 exf4 {Fiorito,J (2404)-Gomez Barrera,J (2209) chess.com INT 2024 1-0 (48)}) 12... Nf4 13. Re1 Bg4 14. Nf1 Ng6 15. Bg3 Bxf3 16. Qxf3 exd4 17. cxd4 Bxd4 {Caruana has sacrificed a pawn, but Black isn't just yet finished developing. In addition, White has the pair of bishops and a bit more space.} 18. Rad1 Ne5 19. Qb3 Ba7 20. Ne3 Bxe3 21. Rxe3 Nh5 $2 (21... Nxc4 22. Qxc4 O-O {was safer.}) 22. Be2 $2 {Black eliminates the bishop pair.} ({White had one chance here for an advantage.} 22. Bxe5 $1 dxe5 23. Red3 O-O (23... Nf6 $4 {walks into some nice tactics, which Howell pointed out.} 24. Bxf7+ $1 Qxf7 25. Rd8+ Ke7 26. R8d7+ {White wins the queen.} Nxd7 27. Rxd7+ Kxd7 28. Qxf7+) 24. Rd7 {with a huge initiative.}) 22... Nxg3 23. hxg3 O-O 24. f4 Nd7 25. Bf3 a5 26. b5 Nc5 27. Qc2 Rad8 28. Rde1 c6 29. bxc6 bxc6 30. Rc1 Qa7 31. Kh2 Nxa4 32. Ra3 Nc5 33. Qf2 Rd7 {Until this moment, White generally had compensation even for the two pawns, but it's over after the next move.} 34. Bg4 $4 Nxe4 $1 {Blitzed out by Carlsen.} 35. Qa2 (35. Qxa7 Rxa7 {saves the rook and Black is three pawns up.}) 35... Rc7 36. Rxa5 Qe3 37. Qa3 Qxa3 38. Rxa3 {Up two pawns in a must-draw game, a good deal for Magnus $1} d5 39. Bf3 f5 40. Ra6 Rf6 41. Ra8+ Kh7 42. Rd8 Rd6 43. Rxd6 Nxd6 44. Bxd5 c5 45. Bb3 c4 46. Bc2 g6 47. Rd1 Ne4 48. Rd4 h5 49. Kh3 c3 50. Kh4 Kh6 51. Rd3 Ra7 52. Rd1 Ra2 53. Rc1 Nf2 54. Bb3 Rb2 55. Rxc3 Rb1 56. g4 Rh1+ {0-} 0-1

[Event "Norway Chess 2025"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2025.06.01"]
[Round "6.3"]
[White "Gukesh D"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C65"]
[WhiteElo "2787"]
[BlackElo "2837"]
[Annotator "Rafael Leitao"]
[PlyCount "123"]
[EventDate "2025.??.??"]
[TimeControl "40/7200:0"]

{[%evp 0,123,19,19,19,19,19,6,21,15,20,-23,-1,-15,-6,-29,-3,-28,-7,-68,-41,-70,-50,-47,4,4,22,13,30,10,21,-18,5,5,15,-5,5,6,13,-17,0,1,13,4,5,30,17,17,36,-25,-25,-25,-52,-52,-22,-43,-99,-108,-84,-120,-120,-136,-159,-167,-167,-181,-181,-181,-216,-204,-204,-221,-211,-215,-190,-193,-193,-193,-193,-193,-150,-150,-157,-157,-157,-163,-163,-171,-189,-184,-147,-129,-129,-125,-148,-134,-139,-123,-120,-120,-141,-133,-65,-75,-65,-75,374,445,464,465,465,480,446,449,496,496,726,726,962,684,684,937,752,1279,1522,1696]} 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 {Depois de ter dificuldades com a Ruy Lopez clássica e o lance 4...a6 em sua partida anterior contra Caruana, Carlsen decide jogar a Berlinesa. Ele costuma alternar entre essas duas opções como sua principal arma de Negras contra o peão rei.} 4. d3 Bc5 5. c3 O-O 6. O-O (6. Bxc6 $6 {Brancas não devem tentar capturar o peão de e5. Após} bxc6 7. Nxe5 d5 {as Negras têm a iniciativa.}) 6... d6 7. h3 a6 8. Ba4 (8. Bxc6 {muda a característica da partida e é uma alternativa importante.} bxc6 9. d4 {Jogo mais lento com 9.Cbd2 ou 9.Te1 também é possível.} Bb6 (9... exd4 $6 {A troca precoce dá ao cavalo branco uma casa confortável em c3.} 10. cxd4 Bb6 11. Nc3) 10. Re1 (10. dxe5 {é pior, já que as Negras ficam melhor depois de} Nxe4) 10... Re8 {com chances para ambos os lados.}) 8... h6 {O sempre útil lance profilático, prevenindo a cravada com Bg5.} (8... Ba7 {é outro lance clássico sempre útil nas aberturas Espanhola e Italiana e geralmente é jogado aqui.}) 9. Re1 b5 10. Bc2 Bb6 ({RR} 10... Re8 11. b4 Bb6 12. a4 Bd7 13. Nbd2 Ne7 14. Nf1 a5 15. bxa5 Rxa5 16. Be3 Bxe3 17. Nxe3 Ng6 18. axb5 Rxb5 19. Ba4 Rb8 20. Bxd7 Qxd7 21. Qc2 Nf4 22. Kh2 Qb5 23. Red1 Qb2 24. Ra2 Qxc2 25. Rxc2 {Nakamura,H (2736)-Carlsen,M (2872) Moscow 2019 ½-½ (62)}) ({RR} 10... Ba7 11. Nbd2 Ne7 12. Nf1 Ng6 13. d4 c6 14. Ng3 Re8 15. Be3 Qc7 16. Qd2 Be6 17. Rad1 Rad8 18. Nf5 d5 19. Bxh6 Nxe4 20. Bxe4 dxe4 21. Bxg7 Bxf5 22. Qh6 exf3 23. Bf6 {1-0 (23) Nepomniachtchi,I (2732)-Hoghmrtsyan,A (2271) chess.com INT 2025}) 11. Nbd2 {Uma posição típica da Ruy Lopez com o bispo em b6 ao invés de e7, parecida com a Variante Arkhangelsk.} Ne7 {A conhecida manobra do cavalo para g6.} (11... Be6) (11... Re8) 12. a4 Rb8 $146 (12... Bb7 {é a alternativa.}) ({RR} 12... Bb7 13. d4 Ng6 14. Nf1 Re8 15. Ng3 d5 16. exd5 Qxd5 17. axb5 axb5 18. Rxa8 Bxa8 19. Ne4 Nd7 20. Bb3 Qb7 21. Qd3 exd4 22. Nf6+ Nxf6 23. Rxe8+ Nxe8 24. Qxg6 c5 25. Bxf7+ Qxf7 26. Qxb6 Bxf3 27. gxf3 {Schon,E (2002)-Yuen,J Sydney 2008 1-0 (47)}) 13. d4 Ng6 14. Nf1 (14. a5 $1 {As Brancas devem considerar jogar esse lance, pois depois de c7-c5 ele não será mais possível.} Ba7 15. Nf1 c5 16. Ng3 {As Brancas continuarão com Be3 e estão lutando pela iniciativa.}) 14... c5 15. Ng3 cxd4 {O primeiro lance novo da partida.} (15... Qc7 {foi jogado na partida Friedrich-Schmider, Munich Laimer Open 2023.}) 16. cxd4 bxa4 17. Bxa4 {As Brancas têm algumas opções:} (17. Nf5 $6 {é prematuro, já que as Negras podem responder com} d5 $1) (17. Be3 {é possível. A princípio, pensei que isso fosse ruim devido a} Ba5 {e o peão de b2 pode ser capturado, mas isso não está claro. Depois de} 18. Rf1 Rxb2 19. Qc1 $1 {As Brancas têm a ideia tática de sacrificar o bispo em h6.}) (17. Rxa4 {é um lance sólido, mantendo a partida mais ou menos igual.}) 17... Bb7 18. d5 a5 19. Be3 Bc8 $1 {Mesmo sem as Brancas cometerem um erro claro, a posição já é preferível para as Negras. A partir daqui, as coisas vão piorar rapidamente para Gukesh. A ideia do lance jogado é melhorar o bispo e também a torre em b8.} 20. b3 (20. Nd2 {parece ser melhor.}) 20... Bxe3 21. Rxe3 Nf4 {As Negras têm controle firme das casas escuras e chances de ataque na ala do rei, com o sacrifício do bispo em h3 pairando no ar.} 22. Bc6 Rb4 {Já há muitos lances tentadores.} (22... Bxh3 {é possível, mas não é necessário buscar tais complicações quando se tem uma clara vantagem posicional.} 23. gxh3 Nxh3+ 24. Kg2 Ng4 $1 25. Rc3 {com boas chances para as Negras, mas a posição se tornou tensa.}) (22... h5 $5 {é sugerido pela máquina como uma boa alternativa. Este é um lance temático para melhorar a estrutura de peões na ala do rei com h5-h4.}) 23. Qc2 $6 (23. Nd2 {é melhor. Vamos seguir uma varianet que, embora não seja forçada, é bastante interessante e lógica:} Ba6 24. Qc2 h5 $1 25. Qa2 {As Brancas vão atrás do peão de a5.} h4 26. Qxa5 hxg3 27. Qxd8 (27. fxg3 {é ruim:} Ne2+ 28. Kf2 Rb6 $1 {defendendo o bispo.}) 27... gxf2+ 28. Kxf2 Rxd8 29. Rxa6 Rd4 30. Ra2 Nd3+ 31. Kf3 Nb4 32. Rb2 {As Negras têm excelente compensação pelo peão, mas não está claro se isso será suficiente para pressionar pela vitória.}) 23... g6 $1 {Esse lance aparentemente inofensivo é, na verdade, muito profundo. Além de dar “ar” ao rei e oferecer suporte extra para h6-h5, Carlsen tira a casa f5 do cavalo das Brancas. Isso é útil como preparação para o sacrifício do bispo em h3, seguido de Dc8.} 24. Kh1 {Esse lance misterioso tem a intenção de proteger contra o sacrifício em h3, dando ao cavalo uma casa para retornar a g1, se necessário.} (24. Ne2 {pode ser respondido por} Bxh3 (24... g5 {também é muito bom.}) 25. gxh3 $6 Nxh3+ 26. Kg2 Nxf2 {com uma forte iniciativa para as Negras.}) (24. Qa2 {As Brancas não têm tempo para atacar o peão em a5, pois agora as Negras podem jogar o lance padrão} Bxh3 $1 25. gxh3 Qc8 {com um ataque vencedor.}) 24... Ba6 {O bispo vai para outra diagonal muito útil.} 25. Qa2 Bd3 $1 26. Nd2 {Protegendo e4 e b3.} h5 $1 {Preparando-se para expulsar o cavalo de g3 e destruir a posição das Brancas. As Negras alcançaram uma vantagem decisiva.} 27. Qxa5 Qxa5 28. Rxa5 h4 29. Ra4 $5 {Uma tentativa interessante de oferecer resistência, usando a ideia de que a captura em g3 ainda não é decisiva, já que o bispo em d3 ficará pendurado.} (29. Ngf1 {Aqui, as Negras podem vencer de várias maneiras. Uma delas é} Bxf1 30. Nxf1 Nxe4) 29... Rfb8 $1 {As Brancas estão quase em zugzwang: suas peças não têm para onde se mover.} 30. Ra2 (30. Rxb4 Rxb4 {e as Brancas não têm nada a fazer.}) (30. Ngf1 Bxf1 31. Nxf1 Rxb3 32. Rxb3 Rxb3 {apesar das poucas peças restantes, as Brancas estão completamente perdidas.}) 30... Kg7 {Um lance surpreendentemente tranquilo.} (30... hxg3 {ganha imediatamente.} 31. fxg3 Ne2 $1 32. Rxd3 Nc1 33. Rf3 {Talvez Carlsen tenha jogado o rei para g7 para proteger o cavalo nessa linha.} Nxa2 34. Rxf6 Nc3 35. Rxd6 Rd4 36. Nf3 Nxe4 {com uma vitória fácil.}) 31. Ra7 Rd4 {O bispo em d4 está protegido, e as Negras definitivamente estão ameaçando capturar o cavalo agora.} 32. Nf3 (32. Ngf1 Bxf1 33. Nxf1 Nxe4 {oferece pouca esperança para as Brancas. Os peões em b3 e d5 provavelmente cairão nos próximos lances.}) 32... hxg3 33. fxg3 Nxh3 (33... Bxe4 $1 {é uma vitória mais limpa, com uma ideia bonita.} 34. gxf4 (34. Nxd4 exd4 35. Rxe4 Nxe4 36. gxf4 d3 {O peão de d decide a partida.}) 34... Rd1+ 35. Kh2 (35. Re1 Bxf3 {perde uma peça.}) (35. Ne1 exf4 36. Re2 f3 $1) 35... exf4 36. Rc3 Ng4+ $1 {Isso dói.} 37. hxg4 Rh8+ 38. Nh4 Rxh4+ 39. Rh3 Rxh3+ 40. gxh3 Rh1#) 34. gxh3 (34. Nxd4 exd4 35. Rxd3 Nf2+ {Cavalos são peças traiçoeiras.}) 34... Bxe4 35. Kh2 {Nos próximos lances, Carlsen continuará tendo muitas oportunidades de vencer a partida diretamente: o computador aqui lhe dá uma vantagem de cinco pontos. Embora essa partida vá ser lembrada pelo erro dramático no final, é importante destacar que, para mim, o mais estranho não é a imprecisão que perde o jogo, mas o fato de que um jogador que nunca dá chances ao adversário tenha, por algum motivo, permitido que seu oponente sobrevivesse nessa posição.} Rd1 (35... Bxf3 36. Rxf3 e4 {ganha imediatamente:} 37. Re3 Rd3 38. Rxd3 exd3 39. Ra2 Ne4 {O peão de d corre rumo à glória.}) 36. g4 Bxd5 (36... Bxf3 37. Rxf3 {está ganho novamente, semelhante ao lance anterior.} e4) (36... Rh8 {também é muito convincente:} 37. Kg3 Bxd5 ({or} 37... Bxf3 38. Rxf3 Ne4+ 39. Kg2 Rd2+ 40. Kf1 Ng5 {com uma vitória fácil.}) 38. Bxd5 Nxd5 {As Brancas estão com um peão a menos e sob ataque.}) 37. Bxd5 Nxd5 38. Re2 Nf4 (38... Nc3 39. Rc2 Nb5 {Isso está ganho para as Negras sem muita dificuldade, por exemplo:} 40. Rd7 Kf6 $1 {seguido por Re6.}) (38... Rxb3 {também é possível:} 39. Ng5 Rf1 {e as Negras também devem ganhar.}) 39. Rc2 Kf6 {Novamente, existem boas alternativas:} (39... Rxb3 40. Ng5 Rdd3 $1 41. Rxf7+ Kh6 42. h4 Rh3+ 43. Nxh3 Rxh3+ 44. Kg1 Rxh4 {As Negras têm três peões pela qualidade.}) (39... Ne6 {também está ganho.}) 40. h4 Ke6 {O rei marcha para o centro do tabuleiro.} 41. Ng5+ Kd5 42. Ra5+ Kd4 43. Ra4+ (43. Nxf7 {As Negras conseguem iniciar um ataque:} Rxb3 44. Ng5 Rbb1) 43... Kd3 44. Rf2 f6 $2 {Esse lance torna a vitória problemática.} (44... Rh8 $1 {é a maneira mais simples de vencer.}) 45. Rf3+ Ke2 46. Ra2+ (46. Re4+ {também é possível, com uma ideia tão bonita que parece até uma composição:} Kd2 47. Ra4 $3 {O ponto é que, se as Negras capturarem o cavalo, então as Brancas conseguem um empate surpreendente após} fxg5 $2 48. Ra2+ Kc1 49. Rff2 $1 Rxb3 50. Ra1+ Rb1 51. Raa2 {As Negras são incapazes de escapar do xeque perpétuo. Uma variante incrível.}) 46... Rd2 47. Rxd2+ Kxd2 48. Ne4+ Ke2 49. Kg3 {Talvez as Negras ainda possam vencer essa posição, mas não está nada claro. $146ão consegui encontrar nada convincente.} d5 50. Nxf6 Rf8 51. Rf2+ Ke1 52. Nd7 (52. g5 {também é possível, e parece levar a um empate também.}) 52... Ne2+ $4 {A tal \"capivarada\" sobre a qual todos vão falar por muito tempo. Quero deixar claro que as Negras já não estavam mais ganhas.} (52... Re8 {As Brancas podem empatar de mais de uma maneira.} 53. Nxe5 (53. Rxf4 {também é bom:} exf4+ 54. Kxf4 d4 55. Nc5 $1 Ke2 56. h5 gxh5 57. gxh5 d3 58. Nxd3 Kxd3 59. h6 {e assim por diante.}) 53... Ne2+ 54. Rxe2+ Kxe2 55. Kf4 d4 (55... g5+ 56. hxg5 Rf8+ 57. Kg3 {Isso parece inteligente para as Negras, mas de qualquer forma é um empate.}) 56. Nc4 $1 {O único lance.} (56. h5 $2 gxh5 57. gxh5 Rxe5 58. Kxe5 d3 59. h6 d2 60. h7 d1=Q 61. h8=Q Qa1+ {ganhando a dama.}) 56... d3 57. h5 gxh5 58. gxh5 d2 59. Nxd2 Kxd2 60. h6 {e um empate.}) 53. Rxe2+ Kxe2 54. Nxf8 d4 55. Ne6 d3 56. Nc5 {Como escrevi antes nesta partida e muitas outras vezes, os cavalos são peças traiçoeiras. Eles podem confundir até os melhores dos melhores.} (56. Ng5 {também ganha.}) 56... Ke3 (56... d2 57. Ne4 d1=Q 58. Nc3+ {Este é um método antigo para um cavalo lidar com um peão passado.}) 57. Na4 $1 e4 58. h5 gxh5 59. gxh5 Kd2 60. Nb2 e3 (60... Kc2 {também perde:} 61. Nc4 d2 62. Ne3+) 61. Nc4+ Ke2 62. Kf4 {O peão de e3 cai. A primeira vitória de Gukesh contra Carlsen em uma partida clássica provavelmente não foi como ele esperava, mas acho que ele vai aceitar do mesmo jeito.} 1-0

[Event "Norway Chess 2025"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2025.06.03"]
[Round "8.2"]
[White "Wei, Yi"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C48"]
[WhiteElo "2758"]
[BlackElo "2837"]
[Annotator "Chess.com"]
[PlyCount "61"]
[EventDate "2025.??.??"]

{[%evp 0,61,35,19,28,19,19,19,19,17,48,11,79,19,28,24,45,21,25,3,14,11,11,9,11,9,9,9,12,8,8,-22,0,-10,-10,-55,-2,-60,-7,-25,0,-18,0,0,7,-5,8,13,21,14,16,16,24,4,26,26,20,24,24,19,24,15,15,14]} 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bb5 (4. d4 {would have been a draw offer, Carlsen said.}) 4... Bd6 {Carlsen said he didn't really know much about this move but played it anyway.} 5. d3 h6 6. a3 a6 7. Ba4 Bc5 ({RR} 7... b5 8. Bb3 Bb7 9. O-O O-O 10. Nd5 Re8 11. Bd2 Nd4 12. Nxd4 exd4 13. Qf3 Nxd5 14. exd5 Qh4 15. g3 Qh3 16. Rae1 Re5 17. Rxe5 Bxe5 18. Re1 d6 19. Bf4 Bf6 20. Qg2 Qxg2+ 21. Kxg2 a5 22. h4 {Grandelius,N (2623)-Fressinet,L (2712) Oslo 2015 ½-½ (59)}) ({RR} 7... Rb8 8. g4 b5 9. Bb3 Be7 10. g5 hxg5 11. Nxg5 Rf8 12. Nf3 d6 13. Rg1 Bg4 14. Be3 g6 15. h3 Bh5 16. Rg3 Qd7 17. Qd2 Nd8 18. d4 exd4 19. Bxd4 Ne6 20. Bxf6 Bxf6 21. Nd5 Bd8 22. O-O-O {Lisenkov,S (2322)-Yeletsky,I (2460) Sochi RUS 2025 1-0 (42)}) 8. Bxc6 dxc6 9. Nxe5 Qd4 $146 {A novelty, but it's actually the best move.} (9... Bxf2+ {has been played twice before, but the engine gives White an advantage, even if the players agreed to a draw in the following game.} 10. Kxf2 Qd4+ 11. Be3 Qxe5 12. h3 Qe7 13. Rf1 Be6 14. Kg1 O-O-O 15. Qf3 Kb8 16. Qf2 {½-½ (16) Cornette,M (2599)-Adams,M (2744) Kilkenny 2016}) ({RR} 9... Bxf2+ 10. Kxf2 Qd4+ 11. Be3 Qxe5 12. h3 Bd7 13. Qf3 O-O-O 14. Rhf1 Nh7 15. Qg3 Qe7 16. Kg1 g5 17. Bd4 Rhg8 18. b4 Be6 19. Bc5 Qd7 20. a4 h5 21. b5 b6 22. Be3 cxb5 23. axb5 a5 24. Ra4 {Lazarne Vajda,S (2265)-Janzelj,L (2201) Budva MNE 2023 ½-½ (81)}) 10. Be3 Qxe5 11. d4 Qe7 12. dxc5 Nxe4 13. Nxe4 Qxe4 14. Qd4 Qxd4 15. Bxd4 {Opposite-color bishops, equal pawns, means this is headed for a draw.} f6 16. Kd2 Kf7 17. Kc3 Bf5 18. Rad1 Rad8 19. f3 h5 20. h4 Rhe8 21. Bf2 Rxd1 22. Rxd1 g5 23. Re1 Rxe1 24. Bxe1 Ke6 25. Bg3 Kd5 26. b4 b5 27. hxg5 fxg5 28. Bxc7 g4 29. fxg4 Bxg4 30. g3 Ke4 31. Kd2 1/2-1/2

[Event "Norway Chess 2025"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2025.06.03"]
[Round "8.2"]
[White "Wei, Yi"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C24"]
[WhiteElo "2711"]
[BlackElo "2883"]
[Annotator "Chess.com"]
[PlyCount "93"]
[EventDate "2025.??.??"]

{[%evp 0,93,19,19,19,32,14,-3,-1,-5,78,35,32,1,18,-9,28,25,32,-2,34,-5,-26,-26,-16,-16,19,19,38,60,60,18,-6,11,11,-14,-4,-12,-5,-24,-10,-18,-6,-36,-3,-14,-18,-1,-6,1,-12,-6,-6,-18,-1,17,27,0,4,-4,336,351,387,387,395,384,404,420,424,356,345,367,372,315,365,344,400,335,379,379,459,448,573,575,630,609,609,362,343,343,338,267,1297,29988,29989,29990]} {Armagedom} 1. e4 e5 2. Bc4 Nf6 3. d3 c6 4. Nf3 Be7 5. O-O d6 6. c3 Nbd7 ({RR} 6... Bg4 7. h3 Bxf3 8. Qxf3 Nbd7 9. Qg3 O-O 10. f4 exf4 11. Bxf4 Nh5 12. Qg4 Nxf4 13. Qxf4 d5 14. exd5 cxd5 15. Bb3 Nf6 16. Nd2 a5 17. Rae1 Bd6 18. Qf3 a4 19. Bc2 Qb6+ 20. Kh1 Qxb2 21. Rc1 {Akhayan,R (2249)-Rose,F (2091) chess.com INT 2024 1-0 (41)}) 7. Re1 Nf8 8. Qb3 Ne6 9. d4 $146 (9. Bxe6 fxe6 10. d4 exd4 11. Nxd4 d5 12. exd5 exd5 13. Bg5 O-O 14. Nd2 {½- (46) ½ (46) Fernandez Garcia,J (2474)-Kaplan,S (2345) Andorra 2006}) ({RR} 9. Bxe6 fxe6 10. d4 exd4 11. Nxd4 d5 12. exd5 exd5 13. Bg5 O-O 14. Nd2 Kh8 15. Bh4 Bd6 16. Nf1 c5 17. Nf3 b6 18. Bg3 Bb7 19. Rad1 Bxg3 20. Nxg3 Qc7 21. Qa4 Bc6 22. Qh4 Rae8 23. Ng5 Qd7 {Fernandez Garcia,J (2474)-Kaplan,S (2345) Andorra 2006 ½-½ (46)}) 9... Qc7 10. Nbd2 O-O 11. Bf1 Re8 12. a4 a5 13. Nc4 exd4 14. Nb6 Rb8 15. cxd4 Bd8 16. Nxc8 Rxc8 17. Bd2 Qb6 18. Qd3 d5 19. e5 Ne4 20. Be3 Be7 21. Red1 Red8 22. Qb1 c5 23. Bb5 cxd4 24. Nxd4 Nxd4 25. Bxd4 Bc5 26. Qd3 g6 27. Qe3 Bxd4 28. Rxd4 Ng5 29. Qd2 {Carlsen was slightly worse at some points earlier, but here he's reached an equal position and has several good moves available.} (29. Qxg5 $4 {isn't possible yet because the rook hangs.} Qxd4) 29... Rc2 $4 {A one-move blunder that the chess world won't soon forget.} (29... Ne6 30. Rxd5 Rxd5 31. Qxd5 Rc2 {wins the pawn back with a fork on b2 and f2.}) (29... Ne4 {is also an attempt to repeat moves.} 30. Qe3 (30. Qd3 Nc5 {and White's only move would be} 31. Qh3 $1 (31. Qd1 $4 Nb3 $1 {wins an exchange.} 32. Qxb3 Qxd4)) 30... Ng5) 30. Qxg5 {The knight that wasn't hanging a move ago now can be taken.} Rxf2 (30... Qxd4 31. Qxd8+ {This may be what Carlsen missed, that the rook is hanging on d8 now.}) 31. Qxd8+ Qxd8 32. Kxf2 Qc7 {White has a winning material advantage. For Wei, this is an easy win.} 33. Rxd5 Qb6+ 34. Ke2 Qe6 35. Rad1 Qf5 36. R1d4 Qc2+ 37. Kf3 Kg7 38. h3 h5 39. Rd7 g5 40. Bc4 Qf5+ 41. Ke2 Qxe5+ 42. Kd1 Qh2 43. R4d6 Qg1+ 44. Kc2 Qxg2+ 45. Kb3 Kf8 46. Rxf7+ Ke8 47. Rg6 {Threatening mate on g8 and there's no good defense.} 1-0

[Event "Norway Chess 2025"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2025.05.31"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C85"]
[WhiteElo "2776"]
[BlackElo "2837"]
[Annotator "Rafael Leitao"]
[PlyCount "133"]
[EventDate "2025.??.??"]
[TimeControl "40/7200:0"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Bxc6 dxc6 7. Re1 {This opening system was played in the first game of the match Nepomniachtchi-Ding in 2023. Although it has only been discussed once in the match, this move is now tried from time to time by strong GMs.} Nd7 {The main move, but 7...Bg4 and 7...Qd6 are important alternatives.} (7... Bg4) (7... Qd6) 8. d4 Bf6 {A very rare move, played in just one GM game in the historic Buenos Aires Olympiad in 1978.} (8... exd4 {was the move played by Ding and by the overwhelming majority of chess players.}) ({RR} 8... exd4 9. Qxd4 O-O 10. Bf4 Nc5 11. Qe3 Bg4 12. Nd4 Qd7 13. Nc3 Rad8 14. Nf5 Ne6 15. Nxe7+ Qxe7 16. Bg3 Bh5 17. f3 f6 18. h3 h6 19. Kh2 Bf7 20. Rad1 b6 21. a3 a5 22. Ne2 Rxd1 23. Rxd1 {Nepomniachtchi,I (2795)-Ding Liren (2788) Astana KAZ 2023 ½-½ (49)}) ({RR} 8... Bd6 9. Nbd2 exd4 10. Nxd4 Ne5 11. Nf5 O-O 12. Nxd6 Qxd6 13. Nf1 Qf6 14. Qd2 Ng6 15. Qg5 Qxg5 16. Bxg5 f5 17. exf5 Bxf5 18. Rac1 h6 19. Be3 Rad8 20. f3 b6 21. Bf2 Rfe8 22. Bg3 Rxe1 23. Rxe1 {Golod,V (2489)-Mindlin,A (2444) Israel ISR 2025 ½-½ (31)}) 9. Be3 {Simply reinforcing the center. This is better than exchanging on e5 to play the endgame.} ({After} 9. dxe5 Nxe5 10. Qxd8+ Kxd8 11. Nxe5 Bxe5 12. Nd2 Be6 13. Nf3 Bf6 14. Bg5 Ke7 {The better pawn structure isn't enough to offer White an advantage.}) (9. c3 {is similar to the game.}) 9... O-O 10. c3 $146 {A new and logical move. Caruana wants to finish the development with Qc2-Rad1 and fight for an advantage with his good central control.} (10. Nc3 {was played in Ermenkov-Hernandez Onna, Olympiad Buenos Aires 1978.}) ({RR} 10. Nc3 Qe7 11. Qd3 Rd8 12. d5 c5 13. a4 Qd6 14. Nd2 Be7 15. Nc4 Qg6 16. f4 Bd6 17. f5 Qh5 18. Rf1 f6 19. Rf3 b6 20. Kh1 Nf8 21. Rg1 Qe8 22. g4 h6 23. b3 Bd7 24. Qd2 Nh7 {Ermenkov,E (2520)-Hernandez Onna,R (2465) Buenos Aires 1978 ½-½ (35)}) 10... Re8 11. Nbd2 {I think the opening experiment was a success for White, since it's not easy to play as Black.} exd4 {Giving up the center is not ideal, but it's necessary to move the knight from f8.} ({The immediate} 11... Nf8 $2 {is bad due to} 12. dxe5 Bxe5 13. Nxe5 Rxe5 14. f4 Re8 15. f5 {with an overwhelming advantage for White, thanks to his much better pawn structure.}) (11... b6 $5 {is an alternative plan, and I can imagine many players trying it. Black simply wants to develop the bishop on b7. White keeps a small edge after} 12. Qc2 (12. Nc4 $6 {is worse:} exd4 13. Bxd4 c5 14. Bxf6 Nxf6 {and Black has no problems.}) 12... Bb7) (11... a5 {is a subtle move, an idea similar to the one Carlsen plays later in the game.}) 12. cxd4 Nf8 13. Qc2 Ng6 14. h3 {White calmly improves the position.} a5 $5 {Trying to gain some space on the queenside. After a5-a4, there's also a small chance that the rook will come into play using the a5-square, more on this later.} (14... Be6 15. Rad1 {with the initiative for White.}) 15. Rad1 (15. a4 {stops the pawn, but Black can use the b4-square after} Be7) 15... a4 16. Nb1 $1 {An excellent maneuver to improve the knight.} Be7 17. Nc3 Bb4 (17... a3 $5 {Black can consider playing this move before placing the bishop on b4.}) 18. d5 {Caruana plays the middlegame with a lot of energy.} (18. a3 {is a simpler approach and also possible. After} Bxc3 19. bxc3 {White keeps a small edge. If he manages to advance the pawns in the center, Black's position may become dangerous.} (19. Qxc3 $2 {loses a pawn:} Rxe4)) 18... Qe7 $6 {Carlsen had to find a very difficult move suggested by the machine in order to have realistic chances to equalize.} (18... cxd5 $2 {is wrong:} 19. Nxd5 Bxe1 $2 20. Nxc7 {with a decisive advantage.}) (18... Nh4 $1 {is the move recommended by the computer. After} 19. Nxh4 Qxh4 {surprisingly, Black is more or less ok, with a possible bishop sac on h3 looming in the air.}) 19. a3 Bd6 (19... Bxc3 20. Qxc3 cxd5 21. exd5 {It's dangerous for Black to open the position due to White's superior development.}) 20. Bd4 {Black is under serious pressure.} (20. dxc6 bxc6 {White has a stable advantage and many promising ideas. One of them is} 21. Bg5 $5 (21. Nxa4 Qxe4 {isn't so convincing.}) 21... f6 22. Bc1 {followed by capturing the a4-pawn.}) 20... Qd7 $1 {The only move. Carlsen, by the way, will find several difficult and forced moves in this game that is a masterclass on defense.} (20... c5 $2 {loses by force:} 21. e5 $1 cxd4 22. exd6 Qf8 23. Nb5 {with an overwhelming advantage.}) (20... f6 {prevents e4-e5, but loses a pawn:} 21. dxc6 bxc6 22. Nxa4) 21. e5 $1 {Caruana strikes in the most efficient way.} (21. dxc6 Qxc6 {is defendable.}) (21. Nxa4 Nf4 $1 {is an excellent recommendation by the machine, with the idea of sacrificing the knight on h3 or g2. Black manages to achieve a sudden counterplay.} (21... cxd5 22. Nc3 Nf4 {is also possible.})) 21... Bf8 22. e6 $1 (22. d6 {is less dangerous. Black is ok after} cxd6 23. exd6 Rxe1+ 24. Nxe1 Qf5 $1) 22... fxe6 23. dxe6 (23. dxc6 {is also interesting. After} Qxc6 24. Ne5 $1 Nxe5 25. Bxe5 {White sacrifices a pawn but has excellent compensation. The plan is to move the queen to g4 and the knight to e4 with an attack.}) 23... Rxe6 24. Ne4 {The situation is critical, but Carlsen finds a brilliant move.} Ra5 $3 {The only move. The rook joins the game at the right moment. Everything else just loses.} (24... Qe8 $2 25. Neg5) (24... Bd6 $2 25. Nfg5) (24... h6 $2 25. Nf6+) 25. Bc5 (25. Nfg5 $2 {no longer works with the rook on a5.} Rxg5 $1 26. Nxg5 Rxe1+ 27. Rxe1 Qxd4 {winning material.}) 25... Qe8 26. Qc3 (26. Qc4 $5 {is also very dangerous. Black has to find several difficult moves to survive.} b6 $1 27. Nfg5 Ne5 28. Qe2 {Let's follow the main computer line:} bxc5 29. Nxe6 Bxe6 30. f4 {Black has problems on the e-file, but there's a way out.} Bb3 $1 31. fxe5 c4 $3 {The rook is saving the day again.} (31... Bxd1 32. Rxd1 {leaves Black with positional problems.}) 32. Rc1 Rxe5 {with counterplay.}) 26... b6 27. Bxf8 Nxf8 (27... Qxf8 $2 {loses to} 28. Nd4) 28. Neg5 Rxe1+ 29. Rxe1 Qd8 (29... Qg6 {is more accurate when Black is close to equality.}) 30. Qxc6 h6 31. Ne4 Be6 $6 (31... Qd7 $1 {is better.}) 32. Nc3 Qd7 33. Qxd7 Bxd7 34. Re7 {Black is still not out of danger.} Rc5 $6 (34... Rf5 $1 35. Ne5 Be6 {gives better chances of defending.}) 35. Ne5 Bf5 36. g4 $6 (36. Nxa4 {is not very precise:} Rc1+ 37. Kh2 Rc2 {with drawing chances.}) (36. Re8 $1 {is very unpleasant for Black.} g5 (36... Kh7 37. Rxf8 Rxe5 38. Nxa4 {with a pawn up in the endgame.}) 37. g4 Be6 38. Ng6 Bf7 (38... Kf7 $2 39. Nxf8 Kxe8 40. Nxe6) 39. Rxf8+ Kg7 40. Ra8 Kxg6 41. Rxa4 {Maybe Black can still escape with a perfect defense, but it will be a long torture playing the endgame a pawn down.}) 36... Ng6 $1 37. Re8+ Kh7 38. f4 (38. Nxg6 Bxg6 {followed by b6-b5, defending the a4-pawn.}) 38... Nxe5 39. Rxe5 Rxe5 40. fxe5 Bd7 (40... Bd3 {is a good alternative:} 41. Nxa4 Kg6 {with a likely draw.}) 41. Nd5 Kg6 42. Nxc7 Kf7 43. Kf2 {Black has to find the right order of moves to achieve a draw. Carlsen finally makes a clear mistake.} g5 $2 (43... Bc6 $1 {is the only way.} 44. Ke3 (44. h4 g5 $1 45. hxg5 hxg5 46. Ke3 Bd7 {The pressure on g4 saves Black.}) 44... Bg2 $1 {right in time $1} (44... g5 $2 45. Kd4 {wins for White, as we will see in the game analysis.}) 45. h4 g5 $1 46. hxg5 hxg5 {Again Black is ready to target the g4-pawn.} 47. Nb5 Ke6 48. Kd4 (48. Nc3 Kxe5 49. Nxa4 b5 {and it appears that White is unable to win, even a pawn up.}) 48... Bf3 49. Nc3 Bxg4 50. Nxa4 Bf3 51. Nxb6 g4 {The g-pawn will cost White material: either the knight or the e-pawn.}) 44. Nd5 $2 {Caruana misses a win.} (44. Ke3 $1 Bc6 45. Kd4 Bg2 46. Nd5 $1 Ke6 (46... Bxh3 {The point is that White can play} 47. Ne3 $1 {when the bishop is trapped.}) 47. Nxb6 Bxh3 48. Nxa4 Bxg4 49. Nc5+ Ke7 50. b4 $1 {White's pawns are faster, for instance:} h5 51. b5 h4 52. Ke3 $1 {when the king approaches the h-pawn.}) 44... Ke6 45. Nf6 (45. Nxb6 Bb5 {followed by capturing the e5-pawn.}) 45... Bc8 46. Ng8 Kxe5 47. Nxh6 Be6 48. Ke3 b5 49. Nf5 Bxf5 50. gxf5 Kxf5 {The draw becomes clear.} 51. Kf3 Kf6 52. Kg4 Kg6 53. Kg3 Kh5 54. Kf3 Kh4 55. Kg2 g4 56. hxg4 Kxg4 57. Kf2 Kf4 58. Ke2 Ke4 59. Kd2 Kd4 60. Kc2 Kc4 61. b3+ axb3+ 62. Kb2 b4 63. a4 Kd5 64. Kxb3 Kc5 65. a5 Kb5 66. a6 Kxa6 67. Kxb4 {A wonderful fight by two giants of the game.} 1/2-1/2

[Event "Norway Chess 2025"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2025.06.01"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Gukesh D"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C65"]
[WhiteElo "2787"]
[BlackElo "2837"]
[Annotator "Rafael Leitao"]
[PlyCount "123"]
[EventDate "2025.??.??"]
[TimeControl "40/7200:0"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 {After having trouble with the classical Ruy Lopez and 4...a6 in his previous game against Caruana, Carlsen decides to play the Berlin. He often alternates between these two options as his main weapon with Black against the king's pawn.} 4. d3 Bc5 5. c3 O-O 6. O-O (6. Bxc6 $6 {White shouldn't attempt to capture the e5-pawn. After} bxc6 7. Nxe5 d5 {Black has the initiative.}) 6... d6 7. h3 a6 8. Ba4 (8. Bxc6 {changes the character of the game and is an important alternative.} bxc6 9. d4 {Slower play with 9.Nbd2 or 9.Re1 is also possible.} Bb6 (9... exd4 $6 {The early exchange gives the white knight a comfortable square on c3.} 10. cxd4 Bb6 11. Nc3) 10. Re1 (10. dxe5 {is worse, since Black is better after} Nxe4) 10... Re8 {with chances for both sides.}) 8... h6 {The always useful prophylactic move, preventing the pin with Bg5.} (8... Ba7 {is another classical always useful move in the Spanish and Italian openings and is usually played here.}) 9. Re1 b5 10. Bc2 Bb6 ({RR} 10... Re8 11. b4 Bb6 12. a4 Bd7 13. Nbd2 Ne7 14. Nf1 a5 15. bxa5 Rxa5 16. Be3 Bxe3 17. Nxe3 Ng6 18. axb5 Rxb5 19. Ba4 Rb8 20. Bxd7 Qxd7 21. Qc2 Nf4 22. Kh2 Qb5 23. Red1 Qb2 24. Ra2 Qxc2 25. Rxc2 {Nakamura,H (2736)-Carlsen,M (2872) Moscow 2019 ½-½ (62)}) ({RR} 10... Ba7 11. Nbd2 Ne7 12. Nf1 Ng6 13. d4 c6 14. Ng3 Re8 15. Be3 Qc7 16. Qd2 Be6 17. Rad1 Rad8 18. Nf5 d5 19. Bxh6 Nxe4 20. Bxe4 dxe4 21. Bxg7 Bxf5 22. Qh6 exf3 23. Bf6 {1-0 (23) Nepomniachtchi,I (2732)-Hoghmrtsyan,A (2271) chess.com INT 2025}) 11. Nbd2 {A typical Ruy Lopez position with the bishop on b6 instead of e7, resembling the Arkhangelsk Variation.} Ne7 {The well-known knight maneuver to g6.} (11... Be6) (11... Re8) 12. a4 Rb8 $146 (12... Bb7 {is the alternative.}) ({RR} 12... Bb7 13. d4 Ng6 14. Nf1 Re8 15. Ng3 d5 16. exd5 Qxd5 17. axb5 axb5 18. Rxa8 Bxa8 19. Ne4 Nd7 20. Bb3 Qb7 21. Qd3 exd4 22. Nf6+ Nxf6 23. Rxe8+ Nxe8 24. Qxg6 c5 25. Bxf7+ Qxf7 26. Qxb6 Bxf3 27. gxf3 {Schon,E (2002)-Yuen,J Sydney 2008 1-0 (47)}) 13. d4 Ng6 14. Nf1 (14. a5 $1 {White should consider playing this move, since it won't be possible to play it after c7-c5.} Ba7 15. Nf1 c5 16. Ng3 {White will continue with Be3 and is fighting for the initiative.}) 14... c5 15. Ng3 cxd4 {The first new move of the game.} (15... Qc7 {was played in Friedrich-Schmider, Munich Laimer op 2023.}) 16. cxd4 bxa4 17. Bxa4 {White has a few options:} (17. Nf5 $6 {is premature, since Black can reply} d5 $1) (17. Be3 {is possible. At first I thought this was bad due to} Ba5 {and the b2-pawn can be captured, but this isn't clear. After} 18. Rf1 Rxb2 19. Qc1 $1 {White has the tactical idea of sacrificing the bishop on h6.}) (17. Rxa4 {is a solid move, keeping the game more or less equal.}) 17... Bb7 18. d5 a5 19. Be3 Bc8 $1 {Even without White making a clear mistake, the position is already preferable for Black. From here on, things will quickly get worse for Gukesh. The idea of the move played is to improve the bishop and also the rook on b8.} 20. b3 (20. Nd2 {seems to be better.}) 20... Bxe3 21. Rxe3 Nf4 {Black has firm control of the dark squares and attacking chances on the kingside, with the bishop sac on h3 hanging in the air.} 22. Bc6 Rb4 {There are already many tempting moves.} (22... Bxh3 {is possible, but it's unnecessary to go for such complications when you have a clear positional advantage.} 23. gxh3 Nxh3+ 24. Kg2 Ng4 $1 25. Rc3 {with good chances for Black, but the position has become sharp.}) (22... h5 $5 {is suggested by the machine as a good alternative. This is a thematic move to improve the pawn structure on the kingside with h5-h4.}) 23. Qc2 $6 (23. Nd2 {is better. Let's follow a variation that, though not forced, is quite interesting and logical:} Ba6 24. Qc2 h5 $1 25. Qa2 {White goes after the a5-pawn.} h4 26. Qxa5 hxg3 27. Qxd8 (27. fxg3 {is bad:} Ne2+ 28. Kf2 Rb6 $1 {defending the bishop.}) 27... gxf2+ 28. Kxf2 Rxd8 29. Rxa6 Rd4 30. Ra2 Nd3+ 31. Kf3 Nb4 32. Rb2 {Black has excellent compensation for the pawn, but it's unclear whether this will be enough to push for a win.}) 23... g6 $1 {This seemingly harmless move is actually very deep. Apart from giving air to the king and extra support for h6-h5, Carlsen takes the f5-square from White's knight. This is useful in preparation for the bishop sac on h3, followed by Qc8.} 24. Kh1 {This mysterious move is intended to guard against the sac on h3, giving the knight a square to return to g1 if necessary.} (24. Ne2 {can be met by} Bxh3 (24... g5 {is also very good.}) 25. gxh3 $6 Nxh3+ 26. Kg2 Nxf2 {with a strong initiative for Black.}) (24. Qa2 {White is not in time to attack the pawn on a5, since now Black can play the standard} Bxh3 $1 25. gxh3 Qc8 {with a winning attack.}) 24... Ba6 {The bishop goes to another very useful diagonal.} 25. Qa2 Bd3 $1 26. Nd2 {Protecting e4 and b3.} h5 $1 {Preparing to drive the knight from g3 and destroy White's position. Black has achieved a winning advantage.} 27. Qxa5 Qxa5 28. Rxa5 h4 29. Ra4 $5 {An interesting attempt to offer resistance, using the idea that the capture on g3 isn't yet winning since the bishop on d3 will be hanging.} (29. Ngf1 {Here Black can win in many ways. One of them is} Bxf1 30. Nxf1 Nxe4) 29... Rfb8 $1 {White is nearly in zugzwang: his pieces can't go anywhere.} 30. Ra2 (30. Rxb4 Rxb4 {and White has nothing to do.}) (30. Ngf1 Bxf1 31. Nxf1 Rxb3 32. Rxb3 Rxb3 {despite the few pieces left, White is dead lost.}) 30... Kg7 {A remarkably calm move.} (30... hxg3 {is winning on the spot.} 31. fxg3 Ne2 $1 32. Rxd3 Nc1 33. Rf3 {Maybe Carlsen played the king to g7 in order to protect the knight on this line.} Nxa2 34. Rxf6 Nc3 35. Rxd6 Rd4 36. Nf3 Nxe4 {with an easy win.}) 31. Ra7 Rd4 {The bishop on d3 is protected, and Black is definitely threatening to capture the knight now.} 32. Nf3 (32. Ngf1 Bxf1 33. Nxf1 Nxe4 {offers little hope for White. The pawns on b3 and d5 will likely fall in the next moves.}) 32... hxg3 33. fxg3 Nxh3 (33... Bxe4 $1 {is a cleaner win with a beautiful idea.} 34. gxf4 (34. Nxd4 exd4 35. Rxe4 Nxe4 36. gxf4 d3 {The d-pawn decides the game.}) 34... Rd1+ 35. Kh2 (35. Re1 Bxf3 {loses a piece.}) (35. Ne1 exf4 36. Re2 f3 $1) 35... exf4 36. Rc3 Ng4+ $1 {This hurts.} 37. hxg4 Rh8+ 38. Nh4 Rxh4+ 39. Rh3 Rxh3+ 40. gxh3 Rh1#) 34. gxh3 (34. Nxd4 exd4 35. Rxd3 Nf2+ {Knights are tricky pieces.}) 34... Bxe4 35. Kh2 {In the next few moves, Carlsen will continue to have many opportunities to win the game directly: the computer here gives him a five-point advantage. Although this game will be remembered for the dramatic blunder at the end, it's important to point out that for me a miscalculation that loses the game isn't the strangest thing, but rather the fact that a player who never gives his opponent a chance has, for some reason, let his opponent survive in this position.} Rd1 (35... Bxf3 36. Rxf3 e4 {wins right away:} 37. Re3 Rd3 38. Rxd3 exd3 39. Ra2 Ne4 {The d-pawn rushes for glory.}) 36. g4 Bxd5 (36... Bxf3 37. Rxf3 {is winning again, similar to the move before.} e4) (36... Rh8 {is also very convincing:} 37. Kg3 Bxd5 ({or} 37... Bxf3 38. Rxf3 Ne4+ 39. Kg2 Rd2+ 40. Kf1 Ng5 {with an easy win.}) 38. Bxd5 Nxd5 {White is a pawn down and under attack.}) 37. Bxd5 Nxd5 38. Re2 Nf4 (38... Nc3 39. Rc2 Nb5 {This is winning for Black without much trouble, for instance:} 40. Rd7 Kf6 $1 {followed by Ke6.}) (38... Rxb3 {is also possible:} 39. Ng5 Rf1 {and Black should also win.}) 39. Rc2 Kf6 {Again there are good alternatives:} (39... Rxb3 40. Ng5 Rdd3 $1 41. Rxf7+ Kh6 42. h4 Rh3+ 43. Nxh3 Rxh3+ 44. Kg1 Rxh4 {Black has three pawns for the exchange.}) (39... Ne6 {is also winning.}) 40. h4 Ke6 {The king marches to the middle of the board.} 41. Ng5+ Kd5 42. Ra5+ Kd4 43. Ra4+ (43. Nxf7 {Black is able to start an attack:} Rxb3 44. Ng5 Rbb1) 43... Kd3 44. Rf2 f6 $2 {This move makes the win problematic.} (44... Rh8 $1 {is the simpler way to win.}) 45. Rf3+ Ke2 46. Ra2+ (46. Re4+ {is also possible, with an idea so pretty it resembles a composition:} Kd2 47. Ra4 $3 {The point is that if Black captures the knight, then White finds a surprising draw after} fxg5 $2 48. Ra2+ Kc1 49. Rff2 $1 Rxb3 50. Ra1+ Rb1 51. Raa2 {Black is unable to escape perpetual check. An amazing variation.}) 46... Rd2 47. Rxd2+ Kxd2 48. Ne4+ Ke2 49. Kg3 {Maybe Black can still win this position, but it's not clear at all. I couldn't find anything convincing.} d5 50. Nxf6 Rf8 51. Rf2+ Ke1 52. Nd7 (52. g5 {is also possible, and it seems to lead to a draw as well.}) 52... Ne2+ $4 {The blunder everybody will be talking about for a long time. I just want to make it clear that Black wasn't winning anymore.} (52... Re8 {White can make a draw in more than one way.} 53. Nxe5 (53. Rxf4 {is also good:} exf4+ 54. Kxf4 d4 55. Nc5 $1 Ke2 56. h5 gxh5 57. gxh5 d3 58. Nxd3 Kxd3 59. h6 {and so on.}) 53... Ne2+ 54. Rxe2+ Kxe2 55. Kf4 d4 (55... g5+ 56. hxg5 Rf8+ 57. Kg3 {This looks clever for Black, but it's a draw anyway.}) 56. Nc4 $1 {The only move.} (56. h5 $2 gxh5 57. gxh5 Rxe5 58. Kxe5 d3 59. h6 d2 60. h7 d1=Q 61. h8=Q Qa1+ {winning the queen.}) 56... d3 57. h5 gxh5 58. gxh5 d2 59. Nxd2 Kxd2 60. h6 {and a draw.}) 53. Rxe2+ Kxe2 54. Nxf8 d4 55. Ne6 d3 56. Nc5 {As I wrote before in this game and many more times before, knights are tricky pieces. It can confuse even the best of the best.} (56. Ng5 {also wins.}) 56... Ke3 (56... d2 57. Ne4 d1=Q 58. Nc3+ {This is an old method for a knight dealing with a passed pawn.}) 57. Na4 $1 e4 58. h5 gxh5 59. gxh5 Kd2 60. Nb2 e3 (60... Kc2 {also loses:} 61. Nc4 d2 62. Ne3+) 61. Nc4+ Ke2 62. Kf4 {The e3-pawn falls. Gukesh's first-ever win against Carlsen in a classical game probably wasn't as he expected, but I guess he will take it anyway.} 1-0

