[Event "7th Norway Armageddon"] [Site "Stavanger NOR"] [Date "2019.06.04"] [Round "1.3"] [White "Ding, Liren"] [Black "So, Wesley"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "D35"] [WhiteElo "2805"] [BlackElo "2754"] [PlyCount "69"] [EventDate "2019.06.04"] 1. c4 e6 2. Nc3 d5 3. d4 Nf6 4. cxd5 Nxd5 5. e4 Nxc3 6. bxc3 c5 7. Rb1 { A popular move. Ding revealed at the press conference that he wanted to play more solidly in the first game and prepared something more aggressive for the Armageddon.} Be7 8. Nf3 O-O 9. Bc4 ({Roughly a month ago Carlsen chose against So:} 9. Be2 b6 10. O-O Bb7 11. Qd3 Nd7 12. Re1 Rc8 13. Bf4 Nf6 14. Bd1 $5 { Carlsen,M (2861)-So,W (2754) Abidjan 2019}) 9... a6 10. a4 Qc7 11. Be2 b6 12. O-O cxd4 13. cxd4 Bb7 14. Bd3 Nc6 {N} (14... Nd7 15. Bb2 Nf6 16. Qe2 Rfd8 17. Ne5 b5 18. axb5 axb5 19. Ng4 b4 20. d5 {with very sharp, double-edged play in Liu, Z (2098)-Gu,T (2201) Qinhuangdao 2019}) 15. Rb3 {"It was an idea I prepared some time ago. A very strong move I think." (Ding) Somehow this move reminded me of the game Tal- Gligoric, Belgrade 1968. Later Kasparov used the the same idea to defeat Karpov in a spectacular Ruy Lopez game. In both games, however, the rook entered the attack via the a3 square. But the idea is the same: to make good use of the space advantage and bring more troops to the kingside. The side that possesses a strong center should attack there.} Na5 { So prevents the rook shift on the opposite wing.} 16. Rb2 Nc6 17. Rd2 {But the rook finds another way to support the attack.} Rfd8 {Probably already an inaccuracy.} ({Better looks:} 17... Nb4 18. Bb1 {Then:} Rfd8 {And if White tries to play the same way as in the game:} 19. d5 exd5 20. e5 g6 21. Bb2 { Black will have the important resource:} Bc8 $1 {which will bring the bishop into the defense.}) 18. Bb2 Rac8 19. d5 $1 {"I need to attack immediately." (Ding)} Nb4 ({In case of the preliminary:} 19... exd5 20. exd5 Nb4 {White can defend the central pawn:} 21. Be4) 20. Bb1 exd5 21. e5 {Now this is very much like Polugaevsky-Tal, USSR 1969. The white bishops are released, the d4 square becomes available for the knight and the e-pawn is ready to break the black kingside.} g6 22. Re1 d4 $5 ({Here:} 22... Re8 $5 {deserved attention, with the idea to meet:} 23. e6 {with} fxe6 24. Rxe6 Bc5) 23. e6 f6 ({Here} 23... fxe6 {is not as convincing as after:} 24. Rxe6 d3 25. Bxd3 Nxd3 26. Rxd3 Bxf3 27. gxf3 Bf8 {the control over the long diagonal and the safer king promise White serious attack.}) 24. Nxd4 Nc6 $2 {So was running low on time and commits a mistake.} ({The last chance was to bring the queen over for the kingside defense with:} 24... Qf4) 25. Nf5 $1 {"Even if it does not work, White has very good compensation."(Ding) But it definitely works!} ({Ding rejected:} 25. Qg4 {because of the possible exchanges after:} Nxd4 ({Although Polgar's recommendation:} 25... Ne5 26. Qg3 Nc4 {might be even better for Black.}) 26. Rxd4 Rxd4 27. Bxd4) 25... Rxd2 ({After:} 25... gxf5 {The Chinese grandmaster intended:} 26. Rd7 Qf4 ({Or:} 26... Rxd7 27. exd7 Rd8 28. Bxf5 { When if Black tries to block the diagonal with:} Ne5 {White wins with:} 29. Rxe5 $1 ({Better than:} 29. Bxe5 fxe5 30. Qg4+ Kf8 31. Be6 Bc5) 29... fxe5 30. Qg4+ Kf8 31. Be6 Bc5 32. Qf5+ Ke7 33. Bxe5 {and wins the queen.}) 27. Qh5 { with decisive attack for White.}) 26. Nxe7+ Qxe7 27. Qxd2 {"The position is almost winning for White." (Polgar)} Kg7 28. Qf4 {White calmly bring his forces to the kingside and concentrates on the dark squares.} Rf8 ({If} 28... Nd8 29. g4 $1 Nxe6 30. Ba2 {wins for White.}) 29. h4 $1 Bc8 ({Even the endgame would not save So:} 29... Qb4 30. Qxb4 Nxb4 31. e7 Re8 32. Re6) 30. h5 Ne5 31. Rxe5 $1 {The bishop is more valuable than the rook in the attack.} ({Although White should also win after:} 31. Bxe5 fxe5 32. Qxe5+ Rf6) 31... fxe5 32. Qxe5+ Kh6 ({Or} 32... Rf6 33. h6+) 33. hxg6 hxg6 34. Qh2+ Kg5 35. Qg3+ {Mate is inevitable:} (35. Qg3+ Kh5 36. Qxg6+ Kh4 37. g3+ Kh3 38. Qh5+) 1-0 [Event "7th Norway Armageddon"] [Site "Stavanger NOR"] [Date "2019.06.04"] [Round "1.5"] [White "Aronian, Levon"] [Black "Grischuk, Alexander"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "A20"] [WhiteElo "2752"] [BlackElo "2775"] [PlyCount "109"] [EventDate "2019.06.04"] 1. c4 e5 2. g3 Nf6 3. Bg2 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 5. Nc3 Nb6 6. d3 (6. Nf3 Nc6 7. O-O Be7 8. d3 O-O 9. a3 Re8 10. Be3 Bf8 11. Rc1 Nd4 12. Ne4 c6 13. b4 Bg4 { Laznicka,V (2670)-Vidit,S (2711) Prague 2019}) 6... Bc5 7. Bd2 {N} (7. Nf3 Nc6 8. O-O O-O 9. a3 a5 10. Qc2 f6 11. Na4 Nxa4 12. Qxa4 Be6 13. Qc2 Qd6 14. b3 Bd5 {Oleniak,W (1806)-Maliszewski,J (1773) Police 2016}) 7... O-O 8. Rc1 Re8 9. Nb5 Bd6 10. h4 Nc6 11. Bxc6 bxc6 12. Nc3 a5 13. Nf3 a4 14. Qc2 h6 15. Rg1 f5 { Aronian needed to be creative here because Black was about to launch a strong initiative.} 16. Nd1 $5 {"Brilliant move!" - Aronian} c5 $6 {Too slow.} (16... Be6 {Aronian/Polgar}) 17. Ne3 Be6 18. Bc3 Nd7 19. Nd2 Qe7 20. Ndc4 {Aronian felt he was better here "at least from a practical point of view in a blitz game."} Qf7 21. f4 Bxc4 22. Nxc4 e4 23. Rd1 Ra6 24. Kf2 Bf8 $5 (24... Nb6) 25. e3 {From here engines start to agree with Aronian's evaluation.} Rae6 26. Qe2 exd3 27. Qxd3 Re4 28. Qxd7 Qxc4 29. Rge1 a3 30. Rd2 R4e6 31. Qd5 Qxd5 32. Rxd5 axb2 33. Bxb2 Ra6 34. a3 c4 35. Rxf5 Rb8 36. Re2 Rb3 37. Rc2 c3 38. Bc1 Rb1 { This completely confused Aronian, who missed that c3 is just hanging.} 39. Kf3 (39. Rxc3) 39... Rc6 40. Rd5 Ra1 41. Rd3 Bxa3 42. Bxa3 Rxa3 43. e4 Kf7 44. e5 h5 45. f5 Rc5 46. Ke4 Raa5 47. e6+ Kf6 {Here Aronian had five seconds vs. seven for Grischuk with no increment.} 48. Rd7 {"Here he spent a looong time thinking. He spent three seconds here." - Aronian} Rxf5 (48... Re5+) 49. Rf7+ Kxe6 50. Rxc7 Rfe5+ {The final moves were made in a crazy time scramble where both sides tipped over their pieces several times.} 51. Kd4 Rad5+ 52. Kc4 Rd8 53. Rc5 $4 (53. Rxc3) 53... Rxc5+ 54. Kxc5 Rd7 55. Kc4 {and in a won position Black lost on time.} 1-0 [Event "7th Norway Armageddon"] [Site "Stavanger NOR"] [Date "2019.06.04"] [Round "1.4"] [White "Vachier-Lagrave, Maxime"] [Black "Yu, Yangyi"] [Result "0-1"] [ECO "A28"] [WhiteElo "2779"] [BlackElo "2738"] [PlyCount "78"] [EventDate "2019.06.04"] 1. c4 Nf6 2. Nc3 e5 3. Nf3 Nc6 4. e3 g6 5. d4 d6 6. Be2 Bg7 7. O-O O-O 8. b3 Bf5 9. Bb2 exd4 10. exd4 Ne4 11. Nd5 Re8 12. Re1 a5 13. a3 Ne7 14. Ne3 Bd7 15. Bd3 Nf6 16. Qd2 Ng4 17. d5 Nxe3 18. Bxg7 Kxg7 19. Rxe3 ({The intermediate check } 19. Qc3+ $1 {was pointed out by MVL afterward and White is clearly better.}) 19... Ng8 20. Rxe8 Bxe8 21. Re1 Bd7 22. h3 Qf6 {Black has found a good setup and is OK now.} 23. Kh2 b6 {From here MVL needs to take drastic measures because a draw means the same as a loss. It backfires as Yu counters strongly:} 24. Re4 $6 Re8 25. Rf4 $6 Qa1 26. g4 h6 27. g5 hxg5 28. Nxg5 Nf6 29. Kg2 Qe1 30. Qb2 Qe5 31. Qxe5 dxe5 32. Rh4 Nh5 33. Be2 f6 34. Ne4 Nf4+ 35. Kf3 g5 36. Rh7+ Kxh7 37. Nxf6+ Kg7 38. Nxd7 Nxe2 39. Kxe2 Rd8 0-1 [Event "7th Norway Armageddon"] [Site "Stavanger NOR"] [Date "2019.06.04"] [Round "1.2"] [White "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"] [Black "Caruana, Fabiano"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "A45"] [WhiteElo "2774"] [BlackElo "2819"] [PlyCount "141"] [EventDate "2019.06.04"] 1. d4 Nf6 2. Bg5 e6 3. e4 h6 4. Bxf6 Qxf6 5. c3 d5 (5... d6 6. Bc4 Qg6 7. Qf3 Nc6 8. Ne2 Be7 9. Nd2 e5 10. d5 Nb8 11. Ng3 Qg4 12. Qd3 g6 {Duda,J (2738) -Miton,K (2588) St Petersburg 2018}) 6. Qe2 {N} (6. Nd2 Qd8 7. Ngf3 Be7 8. Bd3 Nd7 9. Qe2 O-O 10. h4 c5 11. e5 Qb6 12. O-O-O Qa5 {Bosiocic,M (2624)-Duda,J (2717) Katowice 2017}) 6... dxe4 7. Qxe4 Bd6 8. Nf3 O-O 9. Bd3 g6 10. Nbd2 Nd7 11. Nc4 Qe7 12. O-O-O Nf6 13. Qe2 c5 14. Kb1 cxd4 15. Nxd4 Bc7 16. Rde1 Kg7 17. g3 Rd8 18. f4 Qc5 19. Ne5 Bxe5 20. fxe5 Nd5 21. Qf2 Qe7 22. h4 Bd7 23. h5 g5 24. Qe2 Rac8 25. Ka1 a5 26. Rhf1 a4 27. c4 Nb4 28. Bb1 a3 29. bxa3 Na6 30. Rf6 Rh8 31. Ref1 Be8 32. Qf2 ({Missing} 32. Nxe6+ $1 fxe6 33. Qe4 {when 34.Rg6+ is a killing threat.}) 32... Nc5 33. Qc2 $2 ({Mamedyarov doesn't see the knight maneuver to d6 yet.} 33. Nb5) 33... Rd8 $2 ({And here Caruana gets a chance but also sees it once move too late:} 33... Nd7 $1 {attacks a3, e5 and f6.}) 34. Nb5 Nd7 35. Qc3 ({More accurate was} 35. Qb2 $1 {when} Qc5 36. Nd6 Nxf6 ( 36... Nxe5 37. Nxf7) (36... Qxe5 37. Nxe8+ Rhxe8 38. Rxf7+ Kg8 39. Qxe5 Nxe5 40. Rxb7) 37. exf6+ Kf8 38. Nxb7 {just wins instantly because Black doesn't have the 38...Qd4 reply.}) 35... Qc5 36. Nd6 Nxf6 37. exf6+ Kf8 38. Nxb7 Qd4 { The difference with move 35. White is also winning here but it takes much longer.} 39. Rf3 Qxc3+ 40. Rxc3 Rd1 41. a4 $2 (41. Nc5 Rf1 42. Ne4 {keeps the pawn when it's easier.}) 41... Bc6 42. Nc5 Rf1 43. Rb3 Rxf6 44. Rb6 Bxa4 $4 ( 44... e5 {=}) 45. Nxa4 Kg7 46. c5 Rf3 47. Rb3 Rf1 48. Kb2 Rd8 49. Bc2 Rf2 50. Rc3 Rb8+ 51. Ka3 Rc8 52. c6 Rc7 53. Kb4 f5 54. Kb5 f4 55. gxf4 Rxf4 56. Kb6 Rc8 57. Kb7 Rcf8 58. Nb6 g4 59. c7 R4f7 60. a4 Kf6 61. a5 Rg8 62. a6 g3 63. Be4 Ke5 64. Bg2 Kd4 65. Rc2 Kd3 66. Rc6 Rf2 67. c8=Q Rxc8 68. Rxc8 Rxg2 69. a7 Ra2 70. Rg8 g2 71. a8=Q 1-0 [Event "7th Norway Chess 2019"] [Site "Stavanger NOR"] [Date "2019.06.04"] [Round "1.1"] [White "Carlsen, Magnus"] [Black "Anand, Viswanathan"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [ECO "D37"] [WhiteElo "2875"] [BlackElo "2767"] [PlyCount "116"] [EventDate "2019.06.04"] 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. e4 Bb4 6. Bg5 c5 7. Bxc4 cxd4 8. Nxd4 Bxc3+ 9. bxc3 Qa5 10. Nb5 Nxe4 11. Qd4 O-O 12. Qxe4 a6 13. O-O {N} (13. Be7 axb5 14. Bb4 Qc7 15. Bxf8 Kxf8 16. Bb3 Qxc3+ 17. Ke2 Qb2+ 18. Ke3 Qc3+ 19. Ke2 Qb2+ 20. Ke3 Qc3+ 21. Ke2 Qb2+ {1/2 (21) Zhou,J (2613)-Wei,Y (2727) China 2017}) 13... axb5 14. Bd3 f5 15. Qe2 Nc6 16. Bd2 Qc7 17. Bxb5 f4 18. f3 e5 19. Rfe1 Bd7 20. a4 Kh8 21. Rad1 Rae8 22. Bc1 e4 $5 23. fxe4 Ne5 24. Bxd7 Nxd7 25. Rf1 Nc5 26. Ba3 Rxe4 27. Qb5 (27. Qh5 {seems to win a healthy pawn based on Black's back rank:} Re5 (27... b6 28. a5 $1 {is annoying}) (27... Qe5 $6 28. Rd5 $1 Qxh5 29. Rxh5 b6 {and now again} 30. a5 $1 {is even worse for Black}) 28. Rxf4 $1) 27... Re5 28. Rde1 ({White could have tried the same endgame but with an extra pair of rooks:} 28. Bxc5 Qxc5+ 29. Qxc5 Rxc5 30. Rxf4) 28... Rc8 29. Rxe5 Qxe5 30. Bxc5 Qxc5+ 31. Qxc5 Rxc5 32. Rxf4 h6 33. Rf3 Kg8 34. Rd3 Ra5 35. Rd7 Rxa4 36. Rxb7 Ra2 37. h4 Kh7 38. Kh2 Rd2 39. Rc7 Kg6 40. Kg3 Kh5 41. Rc5+ g5 42. Kh3 Rd3+ 43. g3 Re3 44. Kg2 Rd3 45. Rc4 Re3 46. hxg5 hxg5 47. Kh3 Rd3 48. Rc8 g4+ 49. Kg2 Rd2+ 50. Kf1 Rc2 51. c4 Kg5 52. c5 Kf6 53. c6 Ke7 54. c7 Kd6 55. Rd8+ Kxc7 56. Rd4 Kc6 57. Kg1 Kc5 58. Rxg4 Kd5 1/2-1/2 [Event "7th Norway Armageddon"] [Site "Stavanger NOR"] [Date "2019.06.04"] [Round "1.1"] [White "Carlsen, Magnus"] [Black "Anand, Viswanathan"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "A21"] [WhiteElo "2875"] [BlackElo "2767"] [PlyCount "85"] [EventDate "2019.06.04"] 1. c4 e5 2. Nc3 Bb4 3. Nd5 Be7 4. d4 exd4 5. Qxd4 Nf6 6. Nxe7 Qxe7 7. Bg5 Nc6 8. Qc3 Ne5 9. Nf3 {N} (9. g3 d6 10. Bg2 h6 11. Bxf6 Qxf6 12. Nh3 Bxh3 13. Bxh3 h5 14. Bg2 c6 15. h3 Rh6 {Dubov,D (2703)-Erdos,V (2612) Skopje 2019}) 9... d6 10. e3 h6 11. Bh4 g5 12. Nxe5 dxe5 $6 (12... Ne4 $5 13. Ng6 (13. Qc2 $6 Qxe5 14. Bg3 Qa5+) (13. Qa5 $5 dxe5 14. Bg3 Nxg3 15. hxg3 b6 16. Qc3 Bb7) 13... Nxc3 14. Nxe7 Kxe7 15. Bxg5+ hxg5 16. bxc3 Be6 {with compensation.}) 13. Bg3 Nd7 14. h4 g4 15. c5 h5 16. Rc1 c6 17. Bd3 O-O 18. O-O Re8 19. Rfd1 Nf6 20. Bb1 Nd5 21. Qc2 e4 22. Rd4 f5 23. a3 Be6 24. Rcd1 Rad8 25. Ba2 Rd7 26. b4 a6 27. a4 Red8 28. b5 axb5 29. axb5 Nf6 $6 (29... Kh7) 30. Rd6 $1 Bxa2 31. Qxa2+ Qf7 32. Qa5 Rxd6 33. cxd6 Qd7 34. bxc6 bxc6 35. Rb1 Rf8 36. Qc7 Rf7 37. Rb8+ Kh7 38. Be5 Nd5 39. Rh8+ Kg6 40. Qb8 Nf6 41. Bxf6 Kxf6 42. Rh6+ Ke5 43. Qh8+ (43. Qb2+ Kd5 44. Qd4#) 1-0 [Event "7th Altibox Norway Chess 2019"] [Site "Stavanger"] [Date "2019.06.04"] [Round "1.2"] [White "Carlsen, Magnus"] [Black "Anand, Viswanathan"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [ECO "D39"] [WhiteElo "2875"] [BlackElo "2767"] [Annotator "Tanmay Srinath"] [PlyCount "116"] [EventDate "2019.??.??"] {This game was definitely the focus of the round as far as the audience and the players were concerned-Magnus Carlsen taking on his predecessor Vishy Anand. Considering Anand's lopsided results against Carlsen in recent times, it was interesting to see how he would get what he wanted in this game.} 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 {Magnus did not surprise me at all here-Anand's repertoire against the QGD is not as airtight as I initially thought it would be.} 4. Nc3 dxc4 $5 {The first surprise by Vishy, going for the Vienna Game. Clearly he doesn't trust his preparation in the 5.Bf4 QGD anymore, considering the fact that he lost 2 games in Shamkir in the very same line.} (4... Be7 5. Bf4 O-O 6. e3 c5 {was the subject of debate in all of Anand's previous 1.d4 black games. Black plays directly in this line, aiming to play dynamically to make use of White's lack of kingside development. However, as the critical line shows, after} 7. dxc5 Bxc5 8. Qc2 Nc6 9. a3 Qa5 10. Rd1 Rd8 11. Be2 Ne4 12. cxd5 $5 Nxc3 13. bxc3 exd5 {White's play is easier- the c3 pawn is easier to defend than d5, and Black's queenside can't naturally develop. 1-0 Carlsen-Anand, Shamkir 2019.}) 5. e4 Bb4 {Now we have a Ragozin. The names are interchangable, so I'll stick to this one for the rest of the game. This is far by the most popular move, but there are some other interesting alternatives.} (5... c5 6. Bxc4 cxd4 7. Nxd4 $1 Bc5 8. Be3 O-O 9. O-O Nbd7 10. Qe2 Qc7 11. Rfd1 $16 {and it's clear why Black players don't play this line nowadays- the c8 bishop's development is a problem, and subsequently the a8 rook's as well. White just centralises his pieces and can then decide on a subsequent of action.}) (5... a6 6. e5 $1 Nd5 7. Bxc4 Nxc3 (7... b5 $5 { has scored well in the database, but I don't think it's because of the opening. After} 8. Bxd5 $1 exd5 9. Bg5 Qd7 10. O-O $16 {White has the much better game, as d5 is horribly weak and the two bishops don't have much prospects in lieu of the super strong White center.}) 8. bxc3 c5 9. O-O b5 10. Be2 Bb7 11. Be3 cxd4 12. Nxd4 $1 $16 {and White's better development and space advantage guarantee him a risk free advantage.}) (5... b5 $1 {looks critical to me. No human would have played like this if not for the comps. Surprisingly, White has a poor score in this variation. After the best} 6. e5 Nd5 7. Nxb5 Nb6 8. Be2 Be7 9. O-O Nc6 $13 {White's position does look optically good, but the engines overrate the central structure. The position resembles some lines in the Queen's Gambit Accepted where Black keeps a firm hold of the c4 pawn, which cramps white's light squared bishop. Along with the d5 square, this grants him sufficient counterplay, though there is still a game to be played.}) 6. Bg5 c5 7. Bxc4 cxd4 8. Nxd4 Bxc3+ 9. bxc3 Qa5 {The players have so far followed Carlsen's Shamkir encounter against Aronian. There Carlsen essayed Bd2!?, but here he deviated with a more common move.} 10. Nb5 (10. Bd2 $5 { was Carlsen-Aronian Shamkir 2019, and here I'm sure Vishy would have played the critical} Nxe4 $1 11. Qg4 Nxd2 12. Qxg7 Rf8 13. Kxd2 Qc5 $1 $132 {and obtained reasonable counterplay.}) 10... Nxe4 $1 {Anand has prepared the most clinical path to equalise.} 11. Qd4 O-O 12. Qxe4 a6 13. O-O $1 axb5 14. Bd3 f5 15. Qe2 Nc6 16. Bd2 Qc7 $5 {This retreat is something I don't really understand-unless forced, Anand had every reason to keep the queen there. It is the bishop that needs to be brought out.} ({I feel} 16... e5 $1 {equalises much faster. If we look at the position, the only black piece that isn't having a role in the game is the light squared bishop. Thus it is natural to develop it to e6 where it will pressurise the a2 pawn along with the rook on a8. After} 17. Bxb5 Be6 18. a4 {and here} e4 $1 $132 {should give black a fully playable position. Anand's choice isn't wrong, but I personally feel this variation is more principled.}) 17. Bxb5 f4 18. f3 e5 19. Rfe1 Bd7 20. a4 $1 $14 {Magnus has got what he wants from the opening-a slight advantage based mostly on static factors, like permanent access to the e4 square and the two bishops . Considering Anand's suffering in the rest of the game, he should really consider improving his play with 16...e5! if he wants to try this variation again.} (20. Bxc6 $5 Bxc6 21. Qxe5 Qf7 $1 $132 {gives Black sufficient counterplay against White's queenside. A sample line can go} 22. Qc5 Rfd8 $1 23. Re7 (23. Re2 Rxa2 $1 $11) 23... Qf8 24. Qc4+ Kh8 25. Re2 Ra4 $1 26. Qb3 Qc5+ 27. Kh1 Qb5 28. Qxb5 Bxb5 29. Re5 Rxd2 $11 {and as stated earlier, Black equalises.}) 20... Kh8 21. Rad1 $1 (21. Bxc6 $5 {The comps seem crazy about this move, and it is partially understandable. Black's king is subtly weaker than in the previous line. Still, after} Bxc6 22. Qxe5 Qxe5 23. Rxe5 Rxa4 24. Rxa4 Bxa4 25. Kf2 $14 {White has only a nominal edge, which should be easier for Vishy to neutralise. Thus, Carlsen's game move is practically and psychologically stronger.}) 21... Rae8 22. Bc1 e4 {Anand's plan behind Kh8-now Qc4 isn't check.} 23. fxe4 Ne5 24. Bxd7 Nxd7 25. Rf1 $5 (25. Qb5 $1 {is Komodo's proposal, and from a human perspective it is definitely a strong continuation. White improves his queen and at the same time tries to consolidate the extra pawn. It is not easy for Black to gain counterplay here. For example, after} f3 $5 26. gxf3 (26. Rf1 Ne5 27. Bf4 Qxc3 28. Bxe5 Qxe5 29. Qxe5 Rxe5 30. gxf3 Ra5 31. Rd4 $14 {is not as one sided as the engines make it appear. Black can successfully defend this ending if the queenside pawns are exchanged.}) 26... Ne5 27. Rf1 $1 Qxc3 28. Kh1 Nc4 ({the pawn is taboo due to} 28... Nxf3 $4 29. Rd3 $1 $18) 29. a5 $1 $16 {The position remains tense, but White definitely has better chances of making some use of the extra pawn.}) 25... Nc5 26. Ba3 Rxe4 27. Qb5 Re5 28. Rde1 $6 {This is the first real innacuracy from the World Champion. I don't know what exactly he missed in the ensuing sequence.} (28. Bxc5 $6 {was even worse, taking the game into a drawn double rook ending following the forced} Qxc5+ $1 29. Qxc5 Rxc5 30. Rxf4 Kg8 31. Rb4 Rxc3 32. Rxb7 h6 33. h3 Rf5) (28. Bc1 $1 {was perhaps the last chance to make something out of this game. If Black plays accurately with} Qe7 $1 29. Bxf4 Ref5 30. Rde1 Qf7 31. a5 Nb3 $1 {to maintain an attack on the a5 pawn, then} 32. Bc7 $1 h6 33. Rxf5 Qxf5 34. Qxf5 Rxf5 35. Re7 $14 {provides Magnus with an opportunity to torture Black in a R+B vs R+N endgame, though objectively the game is closer to a draw.}) 28... Rc8 $1 29. Rxe5 Qxe5 30. Bxc5 Qxc5+ 31. Qxc5 Rxc5 32. Rxf4 h6 {Magnus gets a rook endgame with an extra pawn, but Vishy ensures that there will be no setbacks today. The rest of the game is a display of fine endgame defensive technique.} 33. Rf3 Kg8 34. Rd3 Ra5 35. Rd7 Rxa4 36. Rxb7 {Now Anand shows the right way to draw for Black, which is to improve the king and keep the rook behind the passed pawn, while trying to trade the remaining two kingside pawns.} Ra2 37. h4 Kh7 38. Kh2 Rd2 39. Rc7 Kg6 40. Kg3 Kh5 41. Rc5+ g5 $1 {threatening to further reduce the number of pawns.} 42. Kh3 Rd3+ 43. g3 Re3 {Anand has created the ideal setup for Black. If now 44.c4, then Rc3! draws as stated above.} 44. Kg2 (44. c4 Rc3 45. Rc7 g4+ 46. Kg2 Rc2+ 47. Kf1 Rc3 {and White can't really make progress, due to the weakness on g3.}) 44... Rd3 45. Rc4 Re3 46. hxg5 hxg5 47. Kh3 Rd3 48. Rc8 g4+ 49. Kg2 Rd2+ 50. Kf1 Rc2 51. c4 Kg5 52. c5 Kf6 53. c6 Ke7 54. c7 Kd6 55. Rd8+ Kxc7 56. Rd4 Kc6 57. Kg1 Kc5 58. Rxg4 Kd5 {and the players agree to a draw, which takes them to the Armageddon. A good hold for Viswanathan Anand, who had to suffer for a bit in the opening before finding the right resources at the right time to equalise the game. Enterprising play from Magnus, but I'm sure he was happy to take this to the armageddon. More on this later though.} 1/2-1/2 [Event "Stavanger"] [Site "Stavanger"] [Date "2019.06.04"] [Round "1.3"] [White "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"] [Black "Caruana, Fabiano"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [ECO "A28"] [WhiteElo "2774"] [BlackElo "2819"] [Annotator "Tanmay Srinath"] [PlyCount "63"] [EventDate "2019.??.??"] 1. c4 e5 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. Nf3 Nc6 4. e3 d5 5. cxd5 Nxd5 6. Bb5 Nxc3 7. bxc3 Bd6 8. d4 Bd7 9. O-O O-O 10. Nd2 Na5 11. Bd3 f5 12. e4 f4 13. Nf3 Bg4 14. Be2 Bxf3 15. Bxf3 b6 16. Qe2 Qe7 17. Rd1 Rad8 18. Bd2 g6 19. Be1 Kg7 20. Rac1 h5 21. h3 c5 22. Kf1 Nc6 23. Qb5 (23. d5 $3 {I had first given this an interesting annotation, but it is actually a very deep idea connected with the principle of two weaknesses.} Nb8 ({First of all, no human would voluntarily play} 23... Na5 {here, and after} 24. c4 $16 {White anyways has a pleasant position- he can slowly unravel on the kingside with g3, and play there with an extra piece, due to the misplaced knight. If the a5 square is insufficiently defended, then he can give up the bishop for it and win a pawn. The situation is thus unpleasant for Black.}) 24. c4 Nd7 25. a4 Nf6 26. a5 $1 {Forward!} Rh8 27. axb6 g5 28. Kg1 $3 {Another seemingly illogical move, that actually forces black to enter an unpleasant ending.} Qd7 (28... axb6 29. g3 $1 Kf8 (29... Rh6 30. Rb1 Bc7 31. Ra1) 30. Ra1 Rb8 31. Rd3 Qg7 32. g4 hxg4 (32... h4 $2 33. Rda3 $18 { and White invades.}) 33. Bxg4 Nxg4 34. Qxg4 $1 $16 {and White has a clear advantage.}) 29. Qd3 axb6 30. Be2 g4 31. Rb1 gxh3 32. Qxh3 Qxh3 33. gxh3 Bc7 34. Ra1 Ra8 {The nuances of the positions are clearly explained in the diagram. Continuing logically} 35. Bf3 Kf7 36. Kf1 $1 Ke7 37. Ke2 Rhg8 38. Bc3 $1 h4 $5 39. Kd3 $16 {and its now a battle of skill- White's tenacity vs Black's patience. The better player will prevail.}) 23... Rc8 24. dxc5 Bxc5 25. Rd5 Rfd8 26. Rcd1 Rd6 27. R1d3 Rcd8 28. Rxd6 Rxd6 29. Bd1 Rxd3 30. Qxd3 Na5 31. Qd5 Qd6 32. Qxd6 1/2-1/2 [Event "Stavanger"] [Site "Stavanger"] [Date "2019.06.05"] [Round "2"] [White "Caruana, Fabiano"] [Black "Vachier-Lagrave, Maxime"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "B97"] [WhiteElo "2819"] [BlackElo "2779"] [Annotator "Tanmay Srinath"] [PlyCount "119"] [EventDate "2019.??.??"] {Definitely the game of the round. After just a half point in the first game, both players must have ready to give it their all. This wasn't just a fight-it was a street brawl! Fabiano Caruana again showed great depth and class in his opening preparation, and one only wonders what would have happened if he had better speed chess skills in the previous World Chess Championship match.} 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Bg5 e6 7. f4 Qb6 {MVL opts for the poisoned pawn variation, which is no surprise considering he is a Najdorf expert.} 8. Qd2 Qxb2 9. Rb1 Qa3 10. f5 {Today this line is considered most critical in the variation.} ({The move considered best previously} 10. e5 {has today been disarmed by the sequence.} h6 $1 11. Bh4 dxe5 12. fxe5 g5 $1 { it is important to attack the bishop this way, which also gives the f8 bishop a chance to develop on the long diagonal if allowed.} 13. Bg3 Nh5 14. Ne4 Qxa2 15. Rb3 Nd7 16. Be2 Qa1+ 17. Bd1 Nc5 $44 {and White has enough compensation for the two missing pawns, but no more.}) 10... Be7 {A rare move, but not a surprising one-it is the engine first choice today.} (10... Nc6 11. fxe6 fxe6 12. Nxc6 bxc6 {was the old tabiya, where today's engines have found perpetual checks rather easily. Here there are two ways to play.} 13. Rb3 (13. Be2 Be7 14. O-O O-O 15. Rb3 Qc5+ 16. Be3 Qe5 17. Bf4 Qc5+ 18. Kh1 {is the other, which is a little different from the previous line, but still leads to mind boggling play otb. If one is unprepared, he will get thrashed.}) 13... Qa5 14. Bd3 Be7 15. O-O {is one, with a complex game.}) (10... b5 {looked promising, but White has the neat sequence} 11. fxe6 fxe6 12. Rb3 $1 Qa5 13. Bxf6 gxf6 14. Be2 h5 15. O-O $14 {and it's clear that he has got more that what he expected for his material investment-Black can barely move.}) (10... e5 {looks logical at first, trying to keep the center closed, but the calm} 11. Bxf6 $1 gxf6 12. Nb3 Be7 13. Bc4 Nd7 14. Bd5 Nb6 15. O-O $14 {gives White a permanent bind-the d5 square is his forever, and Black's kingside doesn't help his cause.}) 11. fxe6 Bxe6 $1 (11... fxe6 $2 {is the move Black would like to make work, but after} 12. Bc4 $1 O-O 13. Nxe6 Bxe6 14. Bxe6+ Kh8 15. Rxb7 $16 {he is getting slaughtered.}) 12. Nxe6 fxe6 $44 {White now has more than enough compensation for the pawn, in the form of his two bishops and Black's central weaknesses.} 13. Bc4 Nbd7 14. Bxe6 Nc5 15. Bc4 $1 {In hindsight, this is a really clever move from Fabiano. It tempts MVL into making a mistake. There are other moves of roughly equal value, but this looks like the best practical chance for Black.} (15. Bf5 $5 g6 16. O-O $1 gxf5 17. Rxf5 {looks strong, but if Black stays calm with} Rf8 18. Bxf6 Bxf6 19. Nd5 O-O-O $1 {then White has nothing better than} 20. Nxf6 Nxe4 21. Qd4 Nxf6 22. Qa7 Rde8 23. Qxb7+ Kd8 24. Qb6+ $11 {with perpetual check.}) (15. Bb3 Nxb3 (15... Ncxe4 16. Bf7+ $1 {Transposes to the game.}) 16. Rxb3 Qc5 17. Rxb7 $14 {should also give White a little something.}) 15... Ncxe4 $6 {I'm not sure whether MVL mixed up his preparation, or whether it was a miscalculation when he was thinking, but this gives White so much play that I doubt Black can survive in a practical game, especially with the time control in Norway, which doesn't even have increment.} (15... b5 $1 16. Bd5 Nxd5 17. Qxd5 Qxc3+ 18. Bd2 Qxc2 {Forces White into a perpetual check after} 19. Qc6+ Kf7 20. Qd5+ Ke8 (20... Kf8 $4 21. O-O+ $18 {Loses on the spot.}) (20... Kg6 $4 21. Qf5# $1 {is even worse!}) 21. Qc6+ $11) (15... Rc8 $1 {was also interesting, leading after} 16. O-O Ncd7 $1 17. Rf5 Ne5 18. Rxb7 $1 {to a position where Black has to be just a little bit more precise} Qc5+ $1 (18... Nxc4 $6 19. Qd4 $14 Bd8 20. Nd5 Na5 21. Rxg7 Nxd5 22. Rxd5 Nc6 23. Qd1) 19. Kh1 Qxc4 20. Bxf6 gxf6 $1 (20... Bxf6 $4 21. Qxd6 $18) 21. Nd5 Ng6 22. h4 Qxc2 $1 23. Qd4 Rf8 24. h5 Rc4 $1 {forcing a draw after} 25. Rb8+ Kd7 26. Rb7+ $11 {I'm sure the players would have worked out the position at home, as it is a relatively straight line. Maybe White has something elsen, but it is just an illustration of how Black should have enough counterplay.}) 16. Nxe4 Nxe4 17. Bf7+ $3 {I don't know if the move was prepared or an inspiration on board decision. The chaos it creates is just too much for Black to solve. Fabi was clearly in top form in this game.} Kxf7 18. Qd5+ Ke8 19. Qxe4 Qa5+ { Black wins a piece, but that is not all.} 20. Kd1 $1 Qxg5 21. Rxb7 $14 { What do we have here? White has given up a whole piece to keep Black's king in the center, but does he have enough pieces to mate? The answer is no, but the threat of Rxe7+ is very hard to defend against.} Rf8 $1 {The only move.} ({ Trying to save the rook with} 21... Rd8 $4 {loses ignomiously to} 22. Rf1 $1 Rf8 23. Qc6+ $18 {This is the kind of fate that can befall black if he isn't careful.}) (21... d5 $5 {looks interesting, but White still has the powerful} 22. Qe6 $1 Rf8 23. Re1 Rf7 24. Rxe7+ $1 {winning back the piece and forcing a transition into a pawn up queen endgame after} Rxe7 25. Qc6+ Kd8 26. Qxa8+ Kd7 27. Qb7+ Kd8 28. Rxe7 Qxe7 29. Qxd5+ Kc7 30. c3 $1 $16 {Whether White can win this is up for debate, but the number of pawns means that Black is close to lost, if not lost by force, as the White king can find shelter rather easily, and the queen is on an all powerful square.}) 22. Re1 $1 (22. Rxe7+ Qxe7 23. Qxa8+ Kd7 24. Qa7+ Kd8 25. Qxa6 {is something Komodo is hyper about, but it soon realises that after} Rf5 $1 $14 {White's only trump is the extra pawn.}) 22... Rf7 23. Rxe7+ Rxe7 24. Qxa8+ Kf7 25. Rf1+ Kg6 26. Qxa6 $14 {we can pause to take stock here. Fabiano's play has been of machine precision till now, so we can assume that this was his last move in preparation. White has an extra pawn, his king feels safer and his queen only needs one tempo to return to action. All in all, the endgame is really unpleasant for Black to defend, and MVL doesn't manage it.} Qe5 27. Qd3+ Kh6 28. c3 $5 {A move that causes more practical problems than theoretical ones, atleast as far as my engines are concerned.} (28. g3 $1 Qa1+ 29. Kd2 Qe5 $1 {and here} (29... Qxa2 $2 30. Qxd6+ Re6 31. Qf4+ Kg6 32. Qf5+ Kh6 33. Rf4 $1 {is horrible for Black, he is forced into a lost rook ending after} Rd6+ 34. Ke3 Qe6+ 35. Qxe6+ Rxe6+ 36. Kd4 Rd6+ 37. Ke5 Rd2 38. c4 $18) 30. c3 $1 $16 {looks like the best way to consolidate the extra pawn. Fabi must have felt there was not much difference between this and the game continuation, but there is! White's king feels safer on d2 and the h2 pawn is safely protected.}) 28... Qxh2 29. Qd2+ Kg6 30. Rf4 $1 {This must have be Caruana's idea behind the pawn sacrifice-d6 is very weak.} Re6 31. Qc2+ Kh6 32. Qf2 Qh5+ 33. Kd2 Qd5+ 34. Kc1 g6 {I like the way Fabiano has played for an attack, but the engines just claim equality. However, such claims are not the end of the world. For starters, Black has to find atleast 10-20 precise moves in time trouble to fully equalise chances. Even if he manages that, White will always possess the initiative, so creating something should not be much of a problem.} 35. a4 $1 {The a-pawn is on its way.} Qe5 $6 {and just like that MVL falters!} (35... g5 $1 {was the only defense, forcing White's rook to make a decision about its position. It is bizarre to move the same pawn twice, but the engines show the concrete idea behind it. Now, after} 36. Rf5 (36. Rf7 Qb3 $1 {is the same thing. Notice how the g5 pawn takes away the h4 square from the white queen?}) 36... Qb3 $1 {The idea is revealed- the a4 advance is rendered a weakening-that is why g6-g5 is necessary! White has nothing better than} 37. Rf6+ Rxf6 38. Qxf6+ Kh5 39. Qd4 $11 {with a symbolic advantage.}) 36. Kc2 (36. Kb2 $1 {was more precise, intending after} Qe2+ { to go} 37. Ka3 Qe5 38. Qd2 $1 $16 {and White's threats mean Black has little time to stop the a-pawn.}) 36... g5 $6 {Now the move is too late!} (36... Qe2+ $1 37. Kb3 Qd1+ $1 {the point, on a3 the king successfully escapes the checks, but here it is susceptible to one!} 38. Qc2 Qxc2+ 39. Kxc2 Re2+ 40. Kb3 Rxg2 $11 {is just equal, though Black should be the more careful one.}) 37. Rd4 $1 Kg6 38. Qf3 $6 (38. Qd2 $1 $16 {was better, keeping control of everything.}) 38... h5 39. Rd5 $6 {This loses all the advantage.} (39. Kb3 g4 40. Qd3+ Qf5 41. a5 $16 {still kept most of the trumps.}) 39... Qe2+ $1 40. Qxe2 Rxe2+ 41. Rd2 Re6 $2 {this is one of the most serious mistakes of the game. Black should quickly get his rook behind the passed pawn.} (41... Re5 $1 42. Kb3 Kf5 43. Ra2 Ke6 44. a5 Kd7 45. a6 Re8 46. a7 Ra8 $11 {or}) (41... Re8 $1 {hold rather comfortably after} 42. a5 Ra8 43. Rxd6+ Kf5 44. a6 Kf4 $1 {with concrete threats against the kingside pawn.}) 42. a5 $1 h4 43. Kb3 g4 44. Kb4 Re1 $2 { it is hard to offer black any advice after this move.} (44... d5 $1 {was critical, forcing white to find the accurate} 45. Ra2 $1 h3 46. gxh3 gxh3 47. Kc5 $1 (47. Kb5 $2 Re3 $1 {is just a draw, as shown by} 48. a6 Rxc3 49. a7 Rc8 50. a8=Q Rxa8 51. Rxa8 Kf5 $1 {and the white king is too far off.}) 47... Kf7 48. Rh2 Re3 49. Kd4 Re6 50. Rxh3 Ra6 51. Kxd5 $18 {winning the rook ending, as the traditional plan of bringing the king in isolates the rook and loses ignomiously after} Rxa5+ 52. Kc6 Ke7 53. c4 Kd8 54. c5) 45. Ra2 $1 {Caruana doesn't miss out, and finishes off the game beautifully} Rb1+ 46. Kc4 h3 47. gxh3 gxh3 48. a6 Rb8 49. Kd5 Ra8 50. Kxd6 h2 51. Rxh2 Rxa6+ 52. Kd5 Kf7 53. Re2 $1 {The correct technique, cutting off the black king. The rest requires no comments.} Ra8 54. c4 Rd8+ 55. Kc6 Rc8+ 56. Kb5 Rb8+ 57. Ka6 Rc8 58. Re4 Kf6 59. Kb7 Kf5 60. Rd4 {and MVL throws in the towel. A fantastic game by Fabiano Caruana, showing off his varied skillset-superlative opening preparation, penchant for dynamics, and vastly improved endgame technique. He returns to the leading pack, and this should be a huge confidence booster for him after a dismal blitz tournament.} 1-0 [Event "Stavanger"] [Site "Stavanger"] [Date "2019.06.05"] [Round "2.1"] [White "Aronian, Levon"] [Black "Carlsen, Magnus"] [Result "0-1"] [ECO "B31"] [WhiteElo "2752"] [BlackElo "2875"] [Annotator "Tanmay Srinath"] [PlyCount "86"] [EventDate "2019.??.??"] 1. e4 {It's surprising that Levon repeats 1.e4. I expected him to go for his favourite 1.c4, considering Magnus' proficiency in the Sicilian. While the same opening might have gotten him a clearly better position, it was incorrect to assume that Magnus couldn't improve his opening play.} c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 g6 4. Bxc6 dxc6 5. d3 Bg7 6. h3 e5 7. O-O Qc7 8. Be3 b6 {Deviating from their classical game, where Carlsen suffered for almost an eternity before escaping with a draw.} 9. Nbd2 (9. a3 $1 Nf6 10. b4 {feels stronger, and after} c4 11. Nc3 cxd3 12. cxd3 O-O 13. Qc2 Rd8 14. Rfd1 $14 {White is ready to push d4 with a nice space advantage.}) 9... Ne7 10. a3 O-O 11. b4 cxb4 12. axb4 f5 {For all practical purposes, Carlsen has equalised. His changed style of going after the enemy king in most positions is paying dividends.} 13. Nc4 Be6 14. Ng5 Bd7 15. Qe2 $6 {doesn't seem coherent with White's plans. Levon's lack of experience in these structures shows.} (15. Qb1 $1 {was much stronger, aiming to activate the queen to the powerful b3 square. Even after the most precise} Kh8 $1 (15... h6 16. Qb3 $1 $14 {is the point-White obtains annoying central pressure.}) 16. Qb3 h6 17. Nf3 Be6 18. Qc3 $1 $14 {White should have something here.}) 15... h6 16. Nf3 f4 $1 {a good decision from Magnus, going for concrete kingside action. It wasn't benificial keeping the tension anymore.} 17. Bd2 g5 18. Bc3 Ng6 19. d4 $1 {A good decision, blowing up the center to get counterplay.} exd4 20. Bxd4 g4 21. hxg4 Bxg4 22. c3 c5 23. bxc5 bxc5 24. Bxg7 Qxg7 25. Nd6 (25. Kh1 $1 {looks better than the game continuation, though after} Nh4 26. Rg1 Qg5 27. Nxg5 Bxe2 {White has to find the precise sequence} 28. Nf3 Nxf3 29. gxf3+ Kh7 30. Ne5 $11 {to maintain the balance.}) 25... Kh8 26. Nf5 Rxf5 $1 {now the tide turns. Carlsen takes over, and he never lets up.} 27. exf5 Nh4 28. f6 Qxf6 29. Ra6 Qg7 30. Rxh6+ Qxh6 31. Qe5+ Qg7 32. Qxg7+ Kxg7 33. Nxh4 a5 $17 {The remainder of the game is not too important, as mutual mistakes occured in time trouble, but I will point out one moment where White could have successfully saved the game.} 34. Ra1 a4 35. Ra3 Kf6 36. Kf1 Ke5 37. Ke1 Kd5 $6 (37... Ra6 $1 {prevents the saving resource White had in the game.}) 38. f3 $6 (38. Ng6 $1 Re8+ 39. Kd2 Re2+ 40. Kc1 Rxf2 41. Rxa4 c4 42. Ra5+ Ke6 43. Nh4 $11 {and White escapes!}) 38... Bh5 39. Kd2 $2 Be8 $6 40. Kc1 $2 (40. g3 $1 fxg3 41. Nf5 $1 $15) 40... Kc4 41. Nf5 Ra6 42. Ng7 Bg6 43. Kd2 Kd5 { A fine game by Carlsen.} 0-1 [Event "Stavanger NOR"] [Site "Stavanger NOR"] [Date "2019.06.05"] [Round "2.5"] [White "Grischuk, Alexander"] [Black "So, Wesley"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [ECO "A05"] [WhiteElo "2775"] [BlackElo "2754"] [PlyCount "110"] [EventDate "2019.06.04"] 1. Nf3 Nf6 2. g3 d5 3. d3 c5 4. Bg2 Nc6 5. O-O e5 6. e4 d4 7. a4 Be7 8. Na3 Be6 (8... O-O 9. Nc4 Nd7 10. Nfd2 Nb6 11. f4 exf4 12. gxf4 f5 13. Ne5 Nxe5 14. fxe5 f4 15. a5 Nd7 {Ding,L (2791)-Karjakin,S (2782) Stavanger 2018}) 9. Ng5 Bg4 10. f3 Bh5 11. h4 Nd7 12. Bd2 {N} ({Predecessor:} 12. Nh3 f6 13. Nf2 O-O 14. Bh3 Bf7 15. Bd2 b6 16. f4 a6 {Ost Hansen,J-Hansen,C (2505) Naestved 1985}) 12... O-O 13. Qe1 Re8 14. Nh3 f6 15. f4 b6 16. f5 a6 17. Bf3 Bxf3 18. Rxf3 {So felt he was getting outplayed, and checkmated on g7, so he wanted to do something.} b5 $1 {"An excellent move." (Polgar)} 19. b3 (19. axb5 axb5 20. Nxb5 Qb6 { is bad for White.}) 19... c4 $1 {Continuing energetically.} 20. bxc4 Bxa3 21. Rxa3 bxc4 22. dxc4 (22. g4 $5) 22... Rb8 23. Nf2 Qe7 24. Ra1 Qf7 25. g4 { Finally.} Rb2 26. Qc1 Reb8 27. Nd3 R2b7 28. c5 $6 (28. g5 $1 Qxc4 29. Qd1 $1 Nc5 30. Nxc5 Qxc5 31. Rf2 {might still be OK for White as his pieces are better placed for counterplay on the kingside now.}) 28... Qc4 29. g5 Nxc5 { It's not so much about losing the c-pawn as about the queen on c1 being very badly placed.} 30. Qe1 $6 ({Also here} 30. Nxc5 Qxc5 31. Rf2 {was better.}) 30... Qxc2 {Now the white position is collapsing.} 31. Nxc5 Rb1 32. Nd3 Rxe1+ 33. Bxe1 Rb1 {So is making his life a bit harder than necessary.} ({As Polgar pointed out,} 33... Qe2 {is just a killer:} 34. Rg3 Rb3 35. gxf6 Rxd3 36. Rxg7+ Kf8 37. Rb1 {and now there is actually a threat (mate in five starting with 38. Rb8+! Nxb8 39. Bb4+) but} Rd1 {is curtains.}) 34. Rxb1 Qxb1 35. Kf1 a5 36. Rg3 Kh8 37. gxf6 gxf6 38. Nc5 Qc2 39. Nd7 Qc4+ 40. Kg1 Qf7 41. Nb6 d3 42. Rxd3 Qh5 43. Nd5 {It's quite remarkable that Grischuk even managed to get this far.} Kg7 44. Rc3 Qd1 45. Kf2 Nd4 46. Rc7+ Kf8 47. Nc3 Qf3+ 48. Kg1 Qg4+ 49. Kf1 Qh3+ 50. Kf2 Qf3+ 51. Kg1 Qg4+ 52. Kf1 Qh3+ 53. Kf2 Qf3+ 54. Kg1 Qg4+ 55. Kf1 Qh3+ { A draw as Black is the same as a win.} 1/2-1/2 [Event "7th Norway Chess 2019"] [Site "Stavanger NOR"] [Date "2019.06.05"] [Round "2.2"] [White "Anand, Viswanathan"] [Black "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"] [Result "0-1"] [ECO "B31"] [WhiteElo "2767"] [BlackElo "2774"] [PlyCount "68"] [EventDate "2019.06.04"] 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 g6 4. Bxc6 bxc6 5. O-O Bg7 6. Re1 Nh6 7. c3 O-O 8. h3 f5 9. e5 Nf7 10. d3 Rb8 (10... d6 11. Bf4 Ba6 12. Na3 Rb8 13. Qd2 dxe5 14. Nxe5 Nxe5 15. Bxe5 Bxe5 16. Rxe5 Qxd3 17. Qc1 Rfd8 {Amin,B (2686)-Guseinov,G (2667) Hoogeveen 2018}) 11. b3 d6 12. Bf4 h6 {N} (12... Qc7 13. Qe2 Nd8 14. Nbd2 Ne6 15. Qe3 Nxf4 16. Qxf4 d5 17. h4 e6 18. h5 gxh5 19. g3 Bd7 {Inarkiev,E (2702)-Gelfand,B (2729) Nazran 2017}) 13. h4 e6 14. exd6 g5 $5 15. Be5 { Playing positionally, White hopes to keep control over the e5 square even if it means giving up the second bishop.} ({Perhaps didn't like} 15. d7 gxf4 ({ even} 15... Bxd7 $5 16. Bxb8 Qxb8 {is playable}) 16. dxc8=Q Qxc8 17. Nbd2 (17. d4 $2 cxd4 18. cxd4 c5) 17... e5) 15... Nxe5 16. Nxe5 Qxd6 17. Qe2 Bxe5 18. Qxe5 Qxe5 19. Rxe5 Rd8 20. Rxc5 Rxd3 21. Na3 {It worked, and White might still have a tiny edge here.} Bd7 22. Ra5 Rb7 23. hxg5 hxg5 24. c4 Kg7 25. c5 Kf6 26. Nc4 e5 27. Nd6 Rc7 28. f3 Ke6 29. Re1 Rd5 30. b4 Rd4 31. a3 $6 {A first step in the wrong direction.} (31. Ra3 $1 Rxb4 32. Rae3 Kf6 33. Rxe5 {was still good for White.}) 31... g4 32. Ra6 Kd5 33. Nf7 $6 e4 34. fxg4 $2 Bc8 {Ouch. A painful lose for Anand, who played quite a good game the first 30 moves.} 0-1 [Event "7th Norway Chess 2019"] [Site "Stavanger NOR"] [Date "2019.06.05"] [Round "2.4"] [White "Caruana, Fabiano"] [Black "Vachier-Lagrave, Maxime"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "B97"] [WhiteElo "2819"] [BlackElo "2779"] [PlyCount "119"] [EventDate "2019.06.04"] 1. e4 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 Be7 11. fxe6 Bxe6 12. Nxe6 fxe6 13. Bc4 Nbd7 14. Bxe6 Nc5 15. Bc4 {N} (15. Bf5 g6 16. Bh3 Nfxe4 17. Nxe4 Nxe4 18. Qd4 Qc3+ 19. Qxc3 Nxc3 20. Bxe7 Kxe7 21. Rb3 Ne4 22. Rxb7+ Kf6 {Wei,Y (2736)-Nepomniachtchi,I (2773) Moscow 2019}) 15... Ncxe4 $6 {Not the best way to play for Black.} ( 15... Rc8 $5) (15... b5 $5) 16. Nxe4 Nxe4 17. Bf7+ $1 {The point of White's play involves a piece sacrifice.} Kxf7 18. Qd5+ Ke8 19. Qxe4 Qa5+ 20. Kd1 Qxg5 21. Rxb7 {White is a full piece down, but his rooks will both be active, unlike their counterparts. MVL said he had underestimated this position when he took on e4.} Rf8 {"Actually the only move." - Caruana} ({MVL had planned} 21... d5 {but here he saw the line} 22. Qe6 Qf6 23. Re1 Qd4+ 24. Kc1 Qa1+ 25. Rb1 Qf6 26. Qxf6 gxf6 27. Rb7 Kf7 28. Rexe7+ Kg6 29. Rbd7 {with "a disgusting endgame."}) 22. Re1 (22. Rxe7+ Qxe7 23. Qxa8+ Kd7 24. Qxa6 Qf6 25. Qb7+ Kd8 26. Qb6+ Kd7 27. Re1 Rc8 {looked scary to MVL}) 22... Rf7 23. Rxe7+ (23. Qc6+ Kf8 24. Rbxe7 Qg4+ (24... Qh5+) 25. Kc1 Qg5+ 26. R7e3 Qd8) 23... Rxe7 24. Qxa8+ Kf7 25. Rf1+ Kg6 26. Qxa6 Qe5 (26... Qd5+ 27. Qd3+ Qxd3+ 28. cxd3 Ra7 29. Rf2 Ra3 30. Kc1 Rxd3 31. Kb2 {is probably winning as Black's king is cut off.}) 27. Qd3+ Kh6 28. c3 (28. h3 $5 g6 29. c3 Ra7 30. Rf2 Ra3 31. Rc2 {Caruana}) 28... Qxh2 29. Qd2+ ({Here Caruana noticed that} 29. g4 g6 30. Qf3 {is not so strong because of} Qe5 $1 {and White better take the draw immediately with} 31. g5+ Kxg5 32. Rg1+ Kh6 33. Qf8+ Kh5 34. Rh1+ Kg4 35. Rg1+) 29... Kg6 30. Rf4 Re6 31. Qc2+ Kh6 32. Qf2 Qh5+ 33. Kd2 Qd5+ 34. Kc1 g6 $6 (34... Qg5 35. a4 Re4 {MVL} 36. g3 $1 {Caruana} Rxa4 $2 37. Qh2+ Kg6 38. Qc2+) (34... g5 $5) 35. a4 Qe5 36. Kc2 g5 37. Rd4 Kg6 38. Qf3 h5 (38... Qf5+ $6 39. Qxf5+ Kxf5 40. g4+) 39. Rd5 Qe2+ 40. Qxe2 Rxe2+ 41. Rd2 Re6 $2 {Putting the rook back on a bad square was probably the decisive mistake.} (41... Re8 $1 {looks good for a draw:} 42. Rxd6+ (42. Kb3 g4) 42... Kf5 43. a5 Kf4 44. a6 Kg3) 42. a5 h4 43. Kb3 g4 44. Kb4 Re1 45. Ra2 Rb1+ 46. Kc4 h3 47. gxh3 gxh3 48. a6 Rb8 49. Kd5 Ra8 50. Kxd6 h2 51. Rxh2 Rxa6+ 52. Kd5 Kf7 53. Re2 Ra8 54. c4 Rd8+ 55. Kc6 Rc8+ 56. Kb5 Rb8+ 57. Ka6 Rc8 58. Re4 Kf6 59. Kb7 Kf5 60. Rd4 1-0 [Event "7th Norway Armageddon"] [Site "Stavanger NOR"] [Date "2019.06.05"] [Round "2.3"] [White "Yu, Yangyi"] [Black "Ding, Liren"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "E32"] [WhiteElo "2738"] [BlackElo "2805"] [PlyCount "111"] [EventDate "2019.06.04"] 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 ({The standard game went} 3. g3 c5 4. Nf3 cxd4 5. Nxd4 d5 6. Bg2 e5 7. Nf3 d4 8. O-O Nc6 9. e3 Be7 10. exd4 exd4 11. Bf4 Be6 12. Nbd2 O-O 13. Re1 Qd7 14. a3 a5 15. Ne5 Nxe5 16. Bxe5 Ng4 17. Nf3 Nxe5 18. Nxe5 Qd6 19. Rc1 Rac8 20. Bxb7 Rc5 21. Bd5 Bxd5 22. cxd5 Qxd5 23. Rxc5 Bxc5 24. Qf3 Qxf3 25. Nxf3 f6 26. Rc1 Bb6 27. Ne1 Kf7 28. Nd3 Ke7 29. Rc6 Rb8 30. Kg2 Kd7 31. Rc2 Ba7 32. b4 axb4 33. axb4 Bb6 34. Kf3 Ra8 35. Ke4 Ra3 36. Nc5+ Bxc5 37. Rxc5 Ra2 38. Rh5 h6 39. f4 Rb2 40. Rd5+ Kc6 41. Rxd4 Rxh2 42. Kf5 Rg2 43. g4 g5 44. fxg5 {1/2 (44) Yu,Y (2738)-Ding,L (2805) Stavanger NOR 2019}) 3... Bb4 4. Qc2 O-O 5. e4 d5 6. e5 Ne4 7. Bd3 c5 8. Nf3 cxd4 9. Nxd4 Nd7 10. Bf4 Qh4 11. g3 Qh5 12. f3 (12. O-O g5 13. cxd5 Bxc3 14. bxc3 exd5 15. Bxe4 dxe4 16. e6 gxf4 17. exd7 Bxd7 18. Qxe4 fxg3 19. fxg3 b6 {So,W (2786)-Nakamura,H (2787) Saint Louis 2018}) 12... Bxc3+ 13. bxc3 Nec5 14. g4 {N} (14. Be2 dxc4 15. Bxc4 Nxe5 16. g4 Qh4+ 17. Bg3 Qf6 18. Be2 Ned7 19. Bd6 Qh4+ 20. Kf1 Re8 {Monell Camarasa, D (2259)-Trepat Herranz,J (2281) Lleida 2012}) 14... Nxd3+ 15. Qxd3 Qg6 16. Qxg6 hxg6 17. cxd5 exd5 18. Kf2 Nc5 19. Rhd1 Bd7 20. Kg3 Rfc8 21. Rab1 b6 22. Ne2 Ne6 (22... Bc6) 23. Rxd5 Bc6 24. Rd6 Bb7 25. Be3 Ba6 26. Nd4 Rxc3 27. Nxe6 fxe6 28. Rb3 Rac8 (28... Rc2) 29. Rxe6 Bc4 30. Rxc3 Bxe6 31. Rxc8+ Bxc8 32. Kh4 Kf7 33. Kg5 Bb7 34. f4 Be4 35. f5 gxf5 36. gxf5 b5 37. Bxa7 b4 38. Bc5 Bd5 39. Bxb4 Bxa2 40. h4 Bd5 41. h5 Bc6 42. e6+ Kg8 43. Bc3 Be8 44. Bxg7 $1 Kxg7 45. h6+ Kh7 46. f6 Kg8 47. Kf5 Bh5 48. Ke5 Bg6 49. Kd6 Kf8 50. Kd7 Bf5 51. h7 Bxh7 52. e7+ Kf7 53. e8=Q+ Kxf6 54. Qh8+ Kg6 55. Ke7 Kg5 56. Qxh7 1-0 [Event "7th Norway Chess 2019"] [Site "Stavanger NOR"] [Date "2019.06.05"] [Round "2.1"] [White "Aronian, Levon"] [Black "Carlsen, Magnus"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [ECO "B31"] [WhiteElo "2752"] [BlackElo "2875"] [PlyCount "136"] [EventDate "2019.06.04"] 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 g6 4. Bxc6 dxc6 5. d3 Qc7 (5... Bg7 6. h3 e5 7. a4 a5 8. Be3 b6 9. Na3 Qc7 10. O-O Ne7 11. Nc4 Be6 12. Ng5 Bxc4 13. dxc4 h6 14. Nf3 Nc8 15. Nd2 O-O {Amin,B (2704)-Carlsen,M (2861) Abidjan 2019}) 6. O-O e5 7. Be3 Nf6 8. Qe1 {N} (8. h3 b6 9. Nc3 Bg7 10. Qd2 h6 11. a3 a5 12. Nh2 Nh5 13. Ne2 g5 14. b4 cxb4 15. axb4 a4 {Hairapetian,A-Alaverdyan,L Yerevan 2005}) 8... Bg4 9. Nbd2 Nh5 10. a3 Be7 11. Qb1 Nf4 12. b4 Ne2+ 13. Kh1 Nd4 14. Ng1 $1 { Carlsen's opening hasn't been a success, and the next move will provide less counterplay along the g-file than he was hoping for.} g5 $6 15. bxc5 Bxc5 16. Bxg5 Rg8 17. Bh4 Be7 18. Bg3 O-O-O 19. Nc4 f6 20. a4 Ne6 21. f3 Bh5 22. Bf2 Bc5 23. Bxc5 Nxc5 24. Ne2 {Carlsen once said that nobody has outplayed him more than Aronian. It happened again.} Bf7 25. Ne3 Qa5 26. Qe1 Qxe1 27. Rfxe1 a5 28. Kg1 h5 29. h4 Kc7 30. Kf2 Be6 31. Rg1 Rh8 32. Rh1 Rd7 33. Rhd1 Bf7 34. d4 exd4 35. Rxd4 Rxd4 36. Nxd4 Rd8 37. Ne2 Rd2 38. Ke1 Rd8 39. Nf5 Ra8 40. Nc3 Be6 41. Ne3 Kd6 42. Rd1+ Ke7 43. Rd4 Ra6 44. Kd2 Rb6 45. Nf5+ (45. Rd5 $1 {was a nice way of winning another pawn, and the game.}) 45... Bxf5 46. exf5 Rb2 47. Rc4 Kd6 48. Ne4+ Nxe4+ 49. Rxe4 Ra2 50. g4 hxg4 51. fxg4 Kd5 52. Kd3 Ra3+ 53. c3 b5 54. h5 $2 ({White was still winning after} 54. g5 b4 55. Rg4 $1 Rxc3+ 56. Kd2) 54... b4 55. Rd4+ Ke5 56. Rc4 Rxa4 57. h6 Ra1 58. cxb4 ({The last chance to make things difficult for the opponent was} 58. Re4+ $1 Kd5 (58... Kd6 59. Re6+ Kc5 60. cxb4+ axb4 61. Rxf6) 59. c4+ Kc5 {and now} 60. g5 $1 {when Black needs to find} b3 61. Kc3 Rh1 $1 62. g6 a4 63. h7 Rc1+ 64. Kd2 b2 65. h8=Q Rd1+ $1) 58... axb4 59. Rxc6 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+ 1/2-1/2 [Event "7th Norway Armageddon"] [Site "Stavanger NOR"] [Date "2019.06.05"] [Round "2.1"] [White "Aronian, Levon"] [Black "Carlsen, Magnus"] [Result "0-1"] [ECO "B31"] [WhiteElo "2752"] [BlackElo "2875"] [PlyCount "86"] [EventDate "2019.06.04"] 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 g6 4. Bxc6 dxc6 5. d3 Bg7 {Back to the main lines.} ({The world champion tried a different line in the standard game:} 5... Qc7 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 {but experienced difficulties after:} 14. Ng1 $1 {Aronian,L (2752) -Carlsen,M (2875) Stavanger NOR 2019}) 6. h3 e5 7. O-O Qc7 8. Be3 b6 9. Nbd2 ({ The immediate queenside aggression with} 9. a3 Nf6 10. b4 {is also possible. Gelfand held the position after:} c4 11. Nbd2 cxd3 12. cxd3 O-O 13. Qc2 Rd8 14. a4 Nh5 15. a5 Ba6 16. Nc4 Bxc4 17. dxc4 Nf4 {Lomasov,S (2553)-Gelfand,B (2673) Moscow 2018}) 9... Ne7 10. a3 O-O 11. b4 cxb4 12. axb4 f5 {N A novelty. Black needs to play this sooner or later.} ({An email predecessor saw:} 12... h6 13. Nc4 Be6 14. Ra3 f5 15. Qe2 f4 16. Bd2 b5 17. Na5 g5 {Eshuis,H (2165) -Oortwijn, R (2267) ICCF email 2015. But apparently Carlsen disliked the pressure along the a-file in this variation.}) 13. Nc4 {In return, Aronian generates pressure against the e5 pawn.} Be6 14. Ng5 Bd7 15. Qe2 ({Also interesting was:} 15. Qb1 {in order to harrass the enemy king along the a2-g8 diagonal.} h6 16. Qb3 Kh8 17. Nf3 Be6 18. Qc3 {But the queen is also ready to hit the e5 pawn with everything he has. Black can react with the cool:} Kh7 {when White should try:} 19. Rfe1 ({The pawn is immune:} 19. Ncxe5 $2 fxe4 20. dxe4 Rxf3) ({Also bad is: } 19. Nfxe5 $2 Bxc4) 19... f4 20. Bc1 g5 21. Bb2 Ng6 {when everything will depend now if White can dare capture the pawn with:} 22. Ncxe5) 15... h6 { Carlsen manages to regroup in time to protect the central pawn.} 16. Nf3 f4 17. Bd2 g5 18. Bc3 Ng6 {If the second player manages to prepare g5-g4 his attack will be unstoppable. Therefore Aronian strikes in the center with:} 19. d4 exd4 (19... g4 {would most likely transpose to the game after:} 20. hxg4 exd4 21. Bxd4 ({White should be constantly aware of the f4-f3 thrust:} 21. Nxd4 $2 f3 $1 22. gxf3 Nf4 {Thanks to the super-knight on f4 Black's attack seems crushing.}) 21... Bxg4) 20. Bxd4 g4 21. hxg4 Bxg4 22. c3 ({It makes no sense to help Black occupy the g-file with:} 22. Bxg7 Qxg7) 22... c5 {But Black forces the trade anyway.} 23. bxc5 bxc5 24. Bxg7 Qxg7 25. Nd6 Kh8 {Prepares Rf8-g8.} ({Instead: } 25... Bxf3 26. Qxf3 Nh4 {favours White after:} 27. Qh3 f3 28. g3 {Net the white knight will land on f5 and it will be White who is attacking.}) 26. Nf5 { So far both players played the most logical moves. This one is also obvious, but has a non-trivial refutation.} ({Aronian should have tried instead:} 26. Qd3 {Breaking the pin at once. Then Black's best is the spoiler:} c4 $1 { The main idea of the spoiler is that:} ({Just like before:} 26... Bxf3 { favours White after:} 27. Qxf3 Ne5 28. Qh3) ({If} 26... Rad8 27. Rfd1 Rg8 { the white king will hide in the center-} 28. Kf1) 27. Qxc4 $2 {Loses to:} ({ Also bad for White is:} 27. Nxc4 Rad8 28. Nd4 (28. Qe2 $2 {loses at once after: } Nh4) 28... Nh4 {When Black's attack seems crushing.}) ({Therefore, White needs to play:} 27. Qd4 $1 Bxf3 28. Qxg7+ Kxg7 29. gxf3 Nh4 30. Rfb1 {which objectively should lead to a draw.}) 27... Bxf3 28. gxf3 Ne5+) 26... Rxf5 $1 { Very strong! The world champion preserves the pinning bishop.} ({Perhaps Aronian hoped for:} 26... Bxf5 27. exf5 Rxf5 28. Qe4 Raf8 29. Rfb1 {with excellent compensation for the pawn.}) 27. exf5 Nh4 28. f6 $1 {The only defense.} (28. Kh2 {loses to} Bxf3) 28... Qxf6 ({Not} 28... Nxf3+ 29. Qxf3 $1) ({Nor:} 28... Qg6 $4 29. Nxh4) ({Neither:} 28... Qg8 $2 29. f7 $1) 29. Ra6 ({ Or else there is mate, say after:} 29. Qa6 Nxf3+ 30. gxf3 Qg5 31. fxg4 Qxg4+ 32. Kh2 Qh5+ 33. Kg2 Rg8+) 29... Qg7 $1 {The safest.} ({There was an alternative:} 29... Bxf3 30. Rxf6 Bxe2 31. Re1 Kg7 32. Rxf4 Ng6 33. Rf5 Bd3 34. Rxc5 a5 {which is very unclear.}) ({But Black should definitely avoid:} 29... Qxc3 $4 30. Rxh6+ Kg7 31. Rxh4) 30. Rxh6+ $1 {Another only move.} Qxh6 31. Qe5+ Qg7 (31... Kg8 $2 32. Qd5+) 32. Qxg7+ ({More accurate seems:} 32. Nxh4 Qxe5 33. Ng6+ Kg7 34. Nxe5 Bf5 35. Ra1 a5 36. Ra4 Bc2 37. Ra2 Bb3 38. Ra3 c4 39. Nc6 a4 40. Nd4 {although here too, Black's winning chances are very high.}) 32... Kxg7 33. Nxh4 a5 {Aronian managed to survive the attack, but the endgame is not good for him at all. The bishop is obviously superior to his knight, Carlsen has a huge outside passer and his rook is placed brilliantly. Add to that the fact that Black only needs a draw to win the Armageddon game and you will understand why White could not put much of resistance.} 34. Ra1 a4 35. Ra3 Kf6 36. Kf1 Ke5 37. Ke1 Kd5 38. f3 Bh5 39. Kd2 Be8 40. Kc1 $2 (40. Nf5 {should have been tried.}) 40... Kc4 41. Nf5 Ra6 42. Ng7 $6 Bg6 43. Kd2 Kd5 {The knight has been trapped and is lost in a minute. Aronian resigned without thinking.} 0-1 [Event "7th Norway Armageddon"] [Site "Stavanger NOR"] [Date "2019.06.06"] [Round "3"] [White "Vachier-Lagrave, Maxime"] [Black "Anand, Viswanathan"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [ECO "C78"] [WhiteElo "2779"] [BlackElo "2767"] [PlyCount "80"] [EventDate "2019.??.??"] 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Bc5 6. c3 b5 7. Bb3 d6 8. a4 ({ The standard game went} 8. d4 Bb6 9. a4 Bb7 10. axb5 axb5 11. Rxa8 Bxa8 12. Na3 Nxe4 13. Nxb5 O-O 14. Qe2 Nf6 15. dxe5 Nxe5 16. Nxe5 Qe8 17. Nd4 Qxe5 18. Qxe5 dxe5 19. Nf3 Re8 20. Ba4 c6 21. Nd2 Bb7 22. Nc4 Bc7 23. Rd1 Nd5 24. Ne3 Rd8 25. c4 Nf4 26. Rxd8+ Bxd8 27. Bd2 c5 28. b4 cxb4 29. Bxb4 Nd3 30. Bd6 Bb6 31. Kf1 Bc5 32. Bxc5 {1/2 (32) Vachier-Lagrave,M (2779)-Anand,V (2767) Stavanger NOR 2019}) 8... Bb7 (8... Bg4 9. h3 Bh5 10. d3 Rb8 11. Re1 b4 12. Nbd2 Na5 13. Bc2 O-O 14. g4 Bg6 15. Nf1 Re8 {Caruana,F (2828)-Kollars,D (2564) chess.com INT 2019}) 9. d3 h6 10. Re1 O-O 11. axb5 {N} (11. Nbd2 Re8 12. Nf1 Ne7 13. Nh4 Qd7 14. Be3 Bxe3 {0-1 Roux,P (2474)-Bowyer,K (2416) ICCF email 2004}) 11... axb5 12. Rxa8 Bxa8 13. Nh4 $6 Na5 $1 {Anand said he was "lucky to have this trick."} (13... Nxe4 $2 {doesn't work here because of} 14. Rxe4) 14. Nf5 ({The point was } 14. Bc2 $2 Nxe4 $1) 14... Nxb3 15. Qxb3 Bc6 16. Na3 Bd7 $1 {Anand already felt very comfortable here.} 17. Ne3 (17. Nxb5 {mostly fails to} Bxf5 $1 (17... Qb8 {is not clear:} 18. d4 $1 Ba7 19. c4 c6 $6 20. Qg3) 18. exf5 Ng4) 17... Qb8 18. Qd1 ({Seeing} 18. Nac2 Be6 {Anand knew he was in the driving seat.}) 18... b4 19. Nac4 bxc3 20. bxc3 Qa7 21. Qf3 Rb8 22. Bd2 Qa2 23. h3 Rb1 24. Rxb1 Qxb1+ 25. Nf1 Bb5 26. Bxh6 Bxc4 27. dxc4 Qxe4 28. Bg5 Qxf3 29. gxf3 Nd7 30. Bd8 Nb6 31. Nd2 Na8 32. Nb3 f6 33. Nxc5 dxc5 34. Be7 Nb6 35. Bxc5 Nxc4 36. Kf1 Kf7 37. Ke2 Ke6 38. h4 g6 39. Kd3 Kd5 40. Be7 f5 1/2-1/2 [Event "7th Norway Armageddon"] [Site "Stavanger NOR"] [Date "2019.06.06"] [Round "3"] [White "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"] [Black "Aronian, Levon"] [Result "0-1"] [ECO "A28"] [WhiteElo "2774"] [BlackElo "2752"] [PlyCount "62"] [EventDate "2019.??.??"] [WhiteClock "0:11:42"] [BlackClock "0:52:12"] 1. c4 e5 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. Nf3 Nc6 4. e3 Bb4 5. Qc2 Bxc3 6. Qxc3 Qe7 7. d4 (7. Be2 O-O 8. d4 Ne4 9. Qc2 exd4 10. exd4 Qb4+ 11. Bd2 Nxd2 12. Qxd2 Qxd2+ 13. Kxd2 d6 {Vitiugov,N (2709)-Kryvoruchko,Y (2698) Germany 2019}) 7... Ne4 8. Qd3 exd4 9. Nxd4 O-O 10. Be2 Nxd4 11. Qxd4 b6 {Aronian noted that this is roughly "the same position as the Budapest Gambit but with like five extra tempi!"} 12. O-O {N} (12. f3 Nc5 13. h4 Bb7 14. Bd2 f5 15. h5 h6 16. O-O-O Rae8 17. Rde1 Rd8 18. Qh4 Qf7 {Jumabayev,R (2604)-Vitiugov,N (2720) Gibraltar 2019}) 12... Bb7 13. Rd1 d6 ({Judit Polgar pointed out} 13... Qh4 14. g3 (14. Rf1) 14... Qh3 15. Qxd7 Nxf2 $1) 14. f3 Ng5 15. b4 ({After} 15. e4 {Aronian was planning} Rae8 ({ as he wasn't sure about} 15... f5 16. c5 bxc5 17. Qe3 Ne6 18. Bc4)) 15... Rae8 16. a4 f5 ({Aronian felt} 16... Ne6 {was a bit lazy} 17. Qc3 f5 18. a5 Rf6) 17. c5 dxc5 18. bxc5 Ne6 19. Bc4 ({Aronian thought} 19. Qc4 {would be an easy draw: } Qxc5 20. Qxc5 Nxc5 21. Bc4+ Kh8 22. Ba3) 19... Rd8 20. Bxe6+ Qxe6 21. Qxd8 Rxd8 22. Rxd8+ Kf7 23. Rd1 ({Earlier in his calculations Mamedyarov had blundered} 23. cxb6 $2 Qf6 {and probably felt "demoralized" in the remainder (Aronian).}) 23... bxc5 24. Re1 c4 25. Bd2 g5 {Aronian said that he was following an advice from Iossif Dorfman here: "If you have a strategical risk, you have to play fast."} 26. Bc3 g4 27. fxg4 Qe4 28. Ra2 Qd3 29. Ba1 $2 ({ White could still fight with} 29. Bd4 {although} h5 $3 {is strong.} ({not the immediate} 29... c3 30. Rc1 c5 31. Bxc5 Qd5 {because of} 32. Rf2 $1 {when} Qxc5 {is met by} 33. Rxf5+) 30. gxh5 {and only now} c3 31. Rc1 c5 32. Bxc5 Qd5 { winning.}) 29... c3 30. Rf2 Be4 31. Rc1 c2 0-1 [Event "7th Norway Armageddon"] [Site "Stavanger NOR"] [Date "2019.06.06"] [Round "?"] [White "Carlsen, Magnus"] [Black "Grischuk, Alexander"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "D85"] [WhiteElo "2875"] [BlackElo "2775"] [Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"] [PlyCount "67"] [EventDate "2019.??.??"] 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 5. e4 Nxc3 6. bxc3 Bg7 7. Be3 c5 8. Rc1 Qa5 9. Qd2 O-O 10. Nf3 Bg4 11. d5 b5 ({Grischuk has pleasant memories with this line. Five years back, in the same city, he managed to defeat a former world champion with the following sharp play:} 11... Nd7 12. c4 Qa3 13. Be2 Bxf3 14. Bxf3 Bd4 15. Bxd4 cxd4 16. O-O Ne5 17. Qxd4 Nxf3+ 18. gxf3 Qxf3 19. Rc3 Qe2 20. f4 Qxa2 21. f5 {Kramnik,V (2783)-Grischuk, A (2792) Stavanger 2014} ) 12. Be2 Nd7 13. O-O Bxf3 {Played after a lenghty thought. It was a surprise for Carlsen who was unaware if this was still preparation or not. “You never know with him. He spends so much time but maybe he’s still in his prep.” But he said it is "very risky strategically speaking" and the world champion was happy about his position.} ({The immediate} 13... c4 { is met with} 14. Nd4) 14. Bxf3 c4 15. Be2 {The most natural play. The f-pawn is freed and White is ready to launch his kingside attack.} ({Carlsen also considered the immediate:} 15. h4) 15... Rfd8 {N Surprisingly, this all had been played before.} (15... Qa3 16. f4 Nc5 17. e5 Rad8 18. Bf3 f6 19. e6 f5 20. Bd4 Bxd4+ 21. Qxd4 Nxe6 22. Qe5 {with huge complications in Kantorik,M (2289) -Hlas,J (2207) Zvolen 2000}) 16. f4 Nb6 17. Bf3 Qa3 {Somehow he misplayed it as all his pieces ended up on the queenside, said later the world champion.} 18. h4 {After the game Grischuk said to Carlsen that he thought Black was just lost here.} ({The Norwegian rejected} 18. e5 {as he did not want to calculate the possible captures on d5, for instance:} Rab8 19. Bxb6 Rxb6 {"and I can no longer win with direct attack, and that's what I want." (Carlsen)}) 18... e6 ({ There is no way Grischuk can block the coming storm.} 18... h5 {only pours fuel into the fire and:} 19. g4 hxg4 20. Bxg4 e6 21. h5 exd5 22. e5 {should be very bad for Black.}) 19. h5 Na4 ({After:} 19... b4 {White would simply ignore the c3 pawn and proceed with the kingside assault:} 20. hxg6 hxg6 21. f5 exf5 22. exf5 bxc3 23. Qf2) 20. hxg6 (20. f5 $5) 20... hxg6 21. f5 {Carlsen tries to open every single line and diagonal on the kingside.} exf5 ({If} 21... Nxc3 22. fxg6 fxg6 23. Bg4 Nxe4 24. Bxe6+ Kh7 25. Qe1 $1 {is strong for White.}) ({ Grischuk is also in trouble after:} 21... Bxc3 22. Qf2 exf5 23. exf5 Rf8 24. Rxc3 $1 {with decisive threats on the dark squares for a change:} Nxc3 ({Or} 24... Qxc3 25. Bd4 Qd3 26. Qh4) 25. Bd4 {and mate will follow.}) 22. exf5 Qd6 ( {Maybe Grischuk should have tried:} 22... Nxc3 23. fxg6 fxg6 {Then:} 24. Bg4 { Would give Black a chance to slow down the attack:} ({Carlsen would need to find the strong continuation:} 24. d6 $1 Rxd6 25. Rxc3 $1 {when all the captures are not sufficient for Black:} Qxc3 {drops a piece after:} ({Whereas: } 25... Bxc3 26. Bd5+ Kh7 ({Worse is:} 26... Kh8 27. Bd4+ Bxd4+ 28. Qxd4+ Kh7 29. Rf7+ Kh6 30. Qh4#) 27. Rf7+ Bg7 28. Rxg7+ Kxg7 29. Qd4+ Rf6 30. Bxa8 Qd3 { might as well be lost for Black but he can keep on fighting.}) 26. Qxc3 Bxc3 27. Bxa8) 24... Nxd5 25. Be6+ Kh7 26. Bxd5 Rxd5 $1 27. Qxd5 Qxe3+ {and Black is even better.}) 23. Bf4 Qb6+ ({White breaks through after:} 23... Be5 24. Bxe5 Qxe5 25. fxg6 fxg6 26. Bg4 Rxd5 27. Qh6) 24. Kh1 gxf5 25. d6 {Almost everything is ready for the final effort along the f-file.} Rab8 26. Bd5 Nc5 27. Bg3 Ne6 {This loses prosaically.} ({To a neat finish leads:} 27... Ne4 28. Bxe4 fxe4 29. Rxf7 $3 Kxf7 30. Qd5+ Kg6 31. Qxe4+ Kf7 32. Rf1+ Kg8 33. Qe6+ Kh7 34. Rf5 {with inevitable mate. One of those lines which clearly shows how useless the black pieces on the queenside are.}) 28. Rxf5 Rxd6 29. Bxd6 Qxd6 30. Qe3 {Next Carlsen kept mounting pressure on the light squares until Grischuk's position collapsed:} Qb6 31. Qf3 Rf8 32. Rf1 Nd8 33. Rh5 Qc7 34. Qe4 1-0 [Event "7th Norway Armageddon"] [Site "Stavanger NOR"] [Date "2019.06.06"] [Round "3"] [White "So, Wesley"] [Black "Yu, Yangyi"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "C42"] [WhiteElo "2754"] [BlackElo "2738"] [PlyCount "131"] [EventDate "2019.??.??"] [WhiteClock "0:00:41"] [BlackClock "0:00:30"] 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. Kb1 (10. a3 a6 11. h4 Bf6 12. Ng5 O-O-O 13. Nxe6 fxe6 14. g3 d5 15. Bh3 Kb8 16. Rhe1 Rhe8 {Vachier Lagrave,M (2780)-Duda,J (2738) chess.com INT 2019}) 10... Bf6 11. h4 O-O-O 12. Nd4 Nxd4 13. Bxd4 Be5 14. Qe3 Qa4 15. b3 Qa5 16. Bxe5 dxe5 17. Be2 g6 {N} (17... Rde8 18. Kb2 f6 19. Rd2 {1/2 Walka,W (2264)-Koch,H (2292) GER email 2016}) 18. c4 Rxd1+ 19. Rxd1 Rd8 20. Bd3 Qb6 21. Qxb6 axb6 22. Re1 f6 23. f4 Re8 24. fxe5 Bg8 $6 ({A better square was} 24... Bd7 {e.g.} 25. Kb2 fxe5 {with only a small edge for White.}) 25. h5 $1 gxh5 26. Bf5+ Kb8 (26... Kd8 $2 27. Rd1+ Ke7 28. Rd7+ Kf8 29. exf6) 27. e6 {Now White definitely has something to play for...} c5 (27... c6 $5) 28. Re3 Kc7 29. Rg3 $6 {...but this seems to lose the advantage again.} Bxe6 30. Rg7+ Kb8 $6 ({Super active play was called for:} 30... Kd6 $1 31. Bxe6 Rxe6 32. Rxb7 Ke5 33. Rxh7 f5 $1 34. Rxh5 Rg6 35. Rh2 Kf4 {with enough counterplay.}) 31. Be4 Bc8 32. Bd5 Re2 33. Bf3 Rd2 34. Bxh5 Bf5 35. Bf3 Rd7 36. Rg8+ Ka7 37. Kc1 Re7 38. Rf8 Be4 39. Rxf6 Bxf3 40. gxf3 Re2 41. Rh6 Rf2 42. Rh3 h5 43. Kb2 Ka6 44. a4 h4 45. Kc3 Ka5 46. Kb2 Ka6 47. Kc1 Ka7 48. Kb1 Ka6 49. Kb2 Ka7 50. Kc3 Kb8 51. Kd3 Kc7 52. Ke4 Re2+ 53. Kd3 Rf2 54. Ke4 Re2+ 55. Kf5 Rxc2 56. f4 Rf2 57. Rxh4 Rf3 58. Kg5 Rxb3 59. f5 Rg3+ 60. Rg4 Ra3 61. f6 Rxa4 62. f7 Ra8 63. Kf6 b5 64. Rg8 Ra1 65. f8=Q Rf1+ 66. Ke5 1-0 [Event "7th Norway Armageddon"] [Site "Stavanger NOR"] [Date "2019.06.06"] [Round "3"] [White "Ding, Liren"] [Black "Caruana, Fabiano"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "A46"] [WhiteElo "2805"] [BlackElo "2819"] [PlyCount "153"] [EventDate "2019.??.??"] [WhiteClock "0:02:06"] [BlackClock "0:00:18"] 1. d4 Nf6 2. g3 e6 3. Bg2 c5 4. Nf3 cxd4 5. O-O Qc7 6. Nxd4 a6 7. b3 d5 8. c4 ( 8. Bb2 e5 9. Nf3 Nc6 10. Nbd2 Be7 11. e3 O-O 12. c4 Rd8 13. cxd5 Nxd5 14. Rc1 f6 15. a3 Be6 16. Qe2 Rac8 {Stupak, K (2520)-Khismatullin,D (2638) St Petersburg 2012}) 8... dxc4 9. Bb2 {N} (9. bxc4 Be7 10. Nd2 O-O 11. Bb2 Ra7 12. Rc1 b6 13. Qa4 Bb7 14. Bxb7 Qxb7 15. Rfd1 Rc8 16. Ba3 Qd7 17. Qxd7 Rxd7 18. Bxe7 Rxe7 {Zablotsky,S (2508)-Khismatullin,D (2584) Tomsk 2008}) 9... cxb3 $2 { Ding thought this was a mistake.} ({The Chinese GM suggested} 9... e5 10. Nf3 Nc6 11. bxc4 Be6 12. Qa4 Nd7 13. Ng5 Bf5 14. Nc3 Nc5 15. Nd5 Qd8) 10. Qxb3 Nc6 $6 ({And here Ding preferred} 10... Nbd7 11. Nc3 Bc5 12. Rfc1 Qb6 {for Black.}) 11. Nxc6 bxc6 12. Bxf6 gxf6 13. Qc3 {Ding thought he was already winning here.} Bd7 14. Qxf6 Rg8 15. Nc3 Rg6 16. Qf3 Be7 17. Rac1 Kf8 18. Ne4 Be8 19. Nc5 (19. Rc2) 19... Qa5 20. Qe3 Qxa2 21. Be4 Rg7 22. Rc2 Qa5 23. Rb1 Qc7 {"It turns out it's not so easy." (Ding)} 24. Qf3 (24. Rb7 Qd6) 24... Kg8 25. Rb7 Qd6 26. Bd3 ({Ding was planning} 26. Kg2 a5 27. Bxh7+ Rxh7 28. Ne4 Qe5 29. Rxe7 f5 30. Rxh7 {but then saw} fxe4 {although he missed} 31. Qb3 $1 Kxh7 32. Qb7+) 26... Bd8 27. Ne4 Qe5 (27... Qd4 28. Rc4) 28. Rc5 (28. Qe3 $1) 28... Qd4 29. Rc4 (29. Bc4 $1) 29... Qe5 30. Rc5 Qd4 31. Qf4 a5 32. Rb8 Rxb8 33. Qxb8 Kf8 34. Nd6 Ke7 35. Nxe8 Qxc5 36. Nxg7 a4 37. g4 {Ding was happy to have found this move.} (37. Qb7+ Kf8 38. Qa8 Kxg7 39. Qxd8 a3 40. Qa8 (40. Qh4 Qc1+ 41. Kg2 a2) 40... Qc3 41. Kg2 Qb3 {Ding}) 37... a3 38. Qb3 Bb6 39. e3 Qg5 {"A good move." - Ding} 40. Nh5 (40. Qxa3+ $2 Bc5 41. Qa1 Qxg4+ 42. Kf1 Kf8) (40. Nf5+ exf5 41. Qxa3+ c5 42. Bxf5 h5) (40. h3 a2) 40... Qxg4+ 41. Ng3 Bc5 42. Kg2 h5 43. h3 (43. Qb7+ $1 Kf6 44. Be2) 43... Qg5 44. Kf1 Qd5 {"The losing move,"said Ding, who thought Black shouldn't exchange queens.} (44... Qh4 45. Ne4 Qxh3+ 46. Ke2 (46. Ke1 $1) 46... Qg4+ 47. Kd2 Qf5 48. Qb7+ Kf8 49. Qxc6 Bb4+ {Ding}) 45. Qxd5 cxd5 46. Bb1 h4 47. Ne2 f5 48. Nf4 Kf7 49. Ba2 Be7 50. Ke2 Bf6 51. Kd3 Be5 52. Ng2 Bf6 53. Ne1 Be7 54. Kc2 Kf6 55. Nf3 f4 56. Nxh4 fxe3 57. fxe3 Kg5 58. Nf3+ Kf5 59. Kd3 Bc5 60. Nd4+ Ke5 61. Nf3+ Kf5 62. Ke2 Kf6 63. Bb1 e5 64. Ba2 e4 65. Nd4 Ke5 66. Nb5 Be7 67. Bb3 Bc5 68. h4 d4 69. exd4+ Bxd4 70. Nxa3 Kf5 71. h5 Kg5 72. Bf7 Kf4 73. Nc4 Bg7 74. Bg6 Bd4 75. Nd6 e3 76. Nf7 Bg7 77. Bd3 $1 (77. h6 $2 Bxh6 78. Nxh6 Kg5) 1-0 [Event "7th Altibox Norway Chess 2019"] [Site "Stavanger"] [Date "2019.06.06"] [Round "3.1"] [White "Carlsen, Magnus"] [Black "Grischuk, Alexander"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "D85"] [WhiteElo "2875"] [BlackElo "2775"] [Annotator "Tanmay Srinath"] [PlyCount "67"] [EventDate "2019.??.??"] {The most fascinating encounter of the round, with two of the world's most uncompromising players going head to head.} 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 (3. Nf3 Bg7 4. e3 d5 5. cxd5 Nxd5 6. e4 Nb6 7. Be2 O-O 8. O-O $14 {is a line that has scored heavily in the past. Another interesting option against the Grunfeld, where White maintains the integrity of his pawn chain.}) 3... d5 {The Grunfeld, the most fighting opening at the very top level.} 4. cxd5 (4. Nf3 Bg7 5. h4 $5 {was played a few times by Shakriyar Mamedyarov. An interesting line, probably not best.}) 4... Nxd5 5. e4 Nxc3 6. bxc3 Bg7 7. Be3 {Carlsen goes for the Be3-Qd2-Rc1 setup, one of the most standard ones against the venerated Black defense.} (7. Bc4 c5 8. Ne2 Nc6 9. Be3 O-O 10. O-O Bg4 11. f3 Na5 12. Bd3 cxd4 13. cxd4 Be6 14. Rc1 $14 {is one way to treat the Grunfeld-the classical development line.}) (7. Nf3 c5 8. Rb1 O-O 9. Be2 {offers the a2 pawn as a gambit. This heavily theoretical line was once the universal choice of top grandmasters, but the abundance of defensive options for Black makes it a very hard system to play. For example,} cxd4 10. cxd4 Qa5+ 11. Bd2 Qxa2 12. O-O Bg4 13. Bg5 $1 {The improvement over the previously played lines. Play gets very one-sided if Black isn't careful.} (13. Rxb7 Bxf3 14. Bxf3 Bxd4 $11 {was the old main line, with comfortable equality according to Avrukh.}) 13... h6 14. Be3 Nc6 15. d5 Na5 16. Bc5 Bxf3 17. Bxf3 Rfe8 18. Re1 $14 {is Black's best try in this variation, which leads to a slightly better position for White.}) 7... c5 8. Rc1 Qa5 9. Qd2 O-O (9... cxd4 10. cxd4 Qxd2+ 11. Kxd2 O-O {is the Grunfeld Endgame variation.}) 10. Nf3 Bg4 11. d5 b5 $5 {the first relatively rare move of the game.Grischuk starts concrete queenside play and defines contours immediately.} 12. Be2 Nd7 13. O-O Bxf3 {Alexander doesn't want to provoke h3 before this exchange.} (13... c4 14. Nd4 $1 $14 {forces the exchange of light squared bishops, which should favour White.}) 14. Bxf3 c4 15. Be2 Rfd8 $146 {Deviating from a 1981 game between two amateurs, and judging by the play of both the players, their preparation has ended.} 16. f4 Nb6 $5 { The knight maneuver to win the pawn looks too slow to me.} (16... Rac8 $1 { looks far more natural to me. After} 17. Bf3 Nc5 18. Bxc5 $5 {otherwise the knight on d3 will be extremely unpleasant.} Rxc5 19. e5 Qb6 $1 $13 {with nice queenside counterplay.}) 17. Bf3 Qa3 18. h4 {Carlsen makes the most human move in the position. However, it allows Black a very powerful idea to equalise.} ( 18. Rc2 $5 {is Komodo's top choice in the position, but the idea behind the move is very unclear, and was thus rejected by my intuition instantly, mainly because Black gets a lot of activity after} Rab8 $1 (18... b4 $5 19. cxb4 c3 20. Qd3 Qxb4 21. e5 Rac8 {is interesting as well, but here White can try to get greedy with} 22. Rfc1 Nxd5 23. Bxd5 Qa5 24. Rxc3 {winning a pawn after} Rxc3 25. Bxf7+ Kxf7 26. Qxc3 Rd1+ 27. Kf2 Qxa2+ 28. Rc2 Qe6 29. Bxa7 {but the game is far from finished after} g5 $1) 19. Rd1 a5 $1) (18. e5 $1 {is probably the only way to try and claim an advantage, though after} Rab8 19. Bxb6 Rxb6 20. Qf2 Rbb8 $132 {Black is always in time for concrete action with a5 and b4, prepared with R(d/b)c8.}) 18... e6 $6 {Grischuk misses his chance. This thematic central strike overlooks a strong riposte. Instead, Black had to focus on his stronger side-the queenside!} (18... b4 $1 {is a very strong idea, that didn't work in the previous positions, but here it serves Black well.} 19. h5 $1 {White's best option here is to give up a pawn on the queenside and checkmate Black on the kingside. Ideally this should not work, because for now the fianchetto bishop is protecting the king.} Bxc3 20. Qf2 Bg7 21. hxg6 hxg6 22. f5 $44 {and White definitely has compensation. Whethere he has an advantage is tough to decide upon. His chances tend to look preferable, due to the two bishops and open h-file. Compared to the game Black atleast has a pawn for the defensive suffering, and this should guarantee him hope.}) 19. h5 $1 $16 {Carlsen doesn't look back from here. The situation turns desparate for Black.} Na4 $5 (19... b4 $1 {was still playable, but compared to the last move it is a worse version.} 20. Qf2 bxc3 21. hxg6 hxg6 22. dxe6 fxe6 23. e5 $16 { and White has a massive advantage.}) 20. hxg6 hxg6 21. f5 $1 {Magnus is on the charge!} exf5 (21... Bxc3 {is too greedy-} 22. Qf2 $1 Be5 (22... exf5 23. Rxc3 $1) (22... exd5 23. Rxc3 $1 Nxc3 24. fxg6 $18 {is game, set and match in chess terms!}) 23. fxg6 f6 24. Bg4 $1 Kg7 25. dxe6 $16 {and White is not only a pawn up, but also has a raging attack on the kingside.}) 22. exf5 Qd6 23. Bf4 $1 Qb6+ 24. Kh1 {The computers are surprisingly short sighted. While I saw the tornado of White's pieces coming on move 18 itself, the engines begin to understand only now that Black is in big trouble.} gxf5 $2 {an unfortunate mistake. It was hard to defend already, and this puts the position beyond hope. What follows now is a masterclass in attack.} (24... Qf6 $1 25. fxg6 Qxg6 26. d6 Rab8 27. Bh2 $16 {is still a horrible position for Black, but it remains defensible.}) 25. d6 $1 {Cutting off the queenside pieces from the defense.} Rab8 26. Bd5 {Concentrating fire on the f7 weakness.} Nc5 27. Bg3 (27. Bh2 $1 $18 {is trivial- the knight no longer has any hope of attacking it, and the queen hops on to the f4 square.}) 27... Ne6 (27... Ne4 $1 28. Bxe4 fxe4 { forces White to find} 29. Rxf7 $3 Kxf7 30. Qd5+ Kg6 31. Qxe4+ Kg5 32. Bf4+ Kf6 33. Rf1 $18 {with a clinical finish.}) 28. Rxf5 Rxd6 29. Bxd6 Qxd6 30. Qe3 Qb6 31. Qf3 $18 {The rest is unimportant- White has all the advantages that chess allows.} Rf8 32. Rf1 Nd8 33. Rh5 Qc7 34. Qe4 {and with mate in 5 on the board, Grischuk resigned.} 1-0 [Event "Stavanger"] [Site "Stavanger"] [Date "2019.06.06"] [Round "3.3"] [White "Ding, Liren"] [Black "Caruana, Fabiano"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "A46"] [WhiteElo "2805"] [BlackElo "2819"] [Annotator "Tanmay Srinath"] [PlyCount "153"] [EventDate "2019.??.??"] {While Carlsen put up a clinic in attacking play, Ding Liren showed in this game that he is no slouch when it comes to positional sacrifices.} 1. d4 Nf6 2. g3 $5 {No mainlines today.} e6 3. Bg2 c5 4. Nf3 cxd4 5. O-O {This is a 1.d4 sideline which I'm seeing for the first time. It looks like a reversed Anti-Grunfeld on closer inspection, that has been tried by many top players in recent times in faster time controls.} Qc7 $2 {To be very clear and honest, this is an illogical move with no apparent purpose.I understand this is a very fresh position, but in such cases shouldn't understanding dictate the course of action? Apparently, there are 72(!) games in the database after Qc7, with a very good score for Black. It really doesn't make sense! White can refute it instantly!} (5... d5 $1 {is best, occupying the center.} 6. Nxd4 e5 $5 7. Nb3 Be6 {is the e3 poison against the Grunfeld two tempi down, but a much better option than the game continuation. Play can go} 8. Nc3 Be7 9. f4 $1 exf4 10. Bxf4 Nc6 11. Qd3 O-O $13 {with a very unclear position.}) 6. Nxd4 $14 {Because of Fabiano's queen move, White has suddenly acquired some chances. He however had a much more clinical option at his disposal. The move played by Ding is automatic and innacurate.} (6. c3 $1 {is best, making use of Black's severe developmental lag.} Be7 (6... dxc3 7. Nxc3 d5 8. Bf4 Qb6 9. e4 $1 $16 {and Black's position is torn apart.}) 7. cxd4 Nc6 8. Nc3 d5 9. Bf4 Qb6 10. Ne5 $1 $16 {with a considerable advantage to White.}) 6... a6 7. b3 d5 (7... h5 $5 { is one way of making sense of that queen move-Black immediately launches an attack on the h-file. After} 8. Nf3 $1 {Black can't immediately create something, but he should just complete development} (8. h4 $5 {is interesting, but I feel that the inclusion of h4 and h5 favours the second player. Now he should just continue developing with} Nc6 9. c4 Bc5 10. Bb2 {and now interpose a prophylactic} Rb8 $1 {restricting White to a nominal advantage in an imaginative position.}) 8... Nc6 (8... Be7 9. Bf4 d6 10. c4 b6 11. Nc3 Bb7 { reaches a Hedgehog that should be favourable for White after} 12. Qd2 $1 $16) 9. Bb2 (9. Bf4 $5 {is the most human move, but after} e5 $1 {Black is fine-a sample line goes} 10. Bg5 d5 $1 11. Bxf6 gxf6 12. Nc3 $1 (12. Qxd5 $6 Be6 13. Qd3 Rd8 $15) 12... d4 13. Nd5 Qd8 14. Nh4 Be6 15. c4 dxc3 16. Nxc3 Rc8 $132 { with adequate counterplay.}) 9... b6 $1 {here the hedgehog is fine, as the bishop is not well placed to take advantage of the black queen's awkward position.} 10. c4 Be7 11. e3 Bb7 $14 {with a playable position for Black, though White's chances are preferable.}) 8. c4 $1 {Finally the typical Grunfeld break comes, and with it some attacking possibilities.} dxc4 9. Bb2 $1 $146 {A deep and interesting positional sacrifice by Ding Liren. For the pawn White gets a complete bind on the queenside.} cxb3 $6 {I can't fathom Caruana's play in this game.} (9... Bd7 10. Qc2 Nc6 11. Qxc4 Rc8 12. Rc1 Qa5 13. Qd3 Be7 {was a better way for Black to play, though White still has a sizeable advantage after} 14. Nd2 $1 $16) 10. Qxb3 $16 {Black can't unravel without giving up material. Fabiano now suffers for the rest of the game.} Nc6 $6 {it is hard to offer Black any advice at all. Such has been the disaster of his opening play.} (10... Nbd7 $1 11. Nd2 Be7 12. Rac1 Qb6 13. Qc2 O-O 14. Rfd1 Rd8 15. Nc4 Qc7 16. Nb3 Qb8 $16 {resists better.}) 11. Nxc6 $1 bxc6 12. Bxf6 $1 gxf6 13. Qc3 {White wins back the pawn and retains all his positional advantages. The game is effectively decided here, but Fabiano resists like a wounded lion from here on.} Bd7 14. Qxf6 Rg8 15. Nc3 Rg6 16. Qf3 Be7 17. Rac1 { Ding's play is perfect today-having reaped the benifits of the sacrifice, he goes on to complete development.} Kf8 {You know the position is really bad when these kind of moves are forced.} 18. Ne4 Be8 19. Nc5 Qa5 20. Qe3 $1 { Centralising the queen and giving up the a2 pawn for an attack on the king.} Qxa2 21. Be4 (21. h4 $1 {was more precise, including the h-pawn in the attack.} Qa5 (21... h5 $6 22. Rfd1 $18) 22. Rc4 $1 Rd8 23. Be4 f5 24. Bd3 Bxc5 25. Rxc5 Qc7 26. Re5 Bf7 27. Rc1 $16 {was a better version of the game.}) 21... Rg7 22. Rc2 Qa5 23. Rb1 {Ding goes for an overall bind. That probably explains his decision to go Be4!? instead of a direct attack on the king.} Qc7 24. Qf3 Kg8 25. Rb7 Qd6 $1 26. Bd3 {The last few moves have reduced White's advantage. This is the consequence of choosing a slightly incorrect plan.} Bd8 (26... Kh8 $1 27. Ne4 Qd8 $1 $14 {greatly reduces Black's burdens. He threatens to move the f-pawn and release the bishop next.}) 27. Ne4 $1 {Ding is back on track.} Qe5 $1 (27... Qf8 $5 28. Nf6+ Bxf6 29. Qxf6 a5 {is a more active defense, but the computer quickly finds the refutation with} 30. Rc4 a4 31. Rd4 $1 {and black has nothing better than} a3 32. Rd8 Rxd8 33. Qxd8 a2 34. Qa8 f5 35. Rb8 Re7 36. Qxa2 $18 {losing his last remaining pawn and remaining horribly tied up.}) 28. Rc5 $6 {supposedly innacurate, but I suppose the players had already entered mild time trouble by now.} (28. Qe3 $1 Bg5 (28... Rb8 29. f4 $1 { cuts off the queen from the defense. If} Qa1+ {then} 30. Rc1 $1 Qxc1+ 31. Qxc1 Rxb7 32. Nd6 $18 {and the game's more or less decided-Black is too badly co-ordinated to make use of his pieces effectively.}) 29. Qb6 $1 {retains the absolute bind on Black's queenside, and should win in the long haul after} a5 30. Rc5 $18) 28... Qd4 (28... Qa1+ $1 29. Kg2 f5 $1 {is the miraculous resource at Black's disposal, blunting the bishop and opening the 7th rank for defensive operations. The astonishing fact is that despite such poor pieces, Black's queen single handedly saves the day. After} 30. Rxg7+ Qxg7 31. Nd2 Kh8 {White's best try is} 32. Rxc6 $1 Bxc6 33. Qxc6 Ra7 34. Qxe6 Rf7 35. Qxa6 f4 $1 $14 {but Black should succesfully defend this.}) 29. Rc4 Qe5 30. Rc5 Qd4 (30... Qa1+ $1 31. Rb1 Qd4 32. Bc2 $16 {is still worse for Black, but offers offers better saving chances.}) 31. Qf4 a5 $6 {This desperate thrust is understandable, but now Black quickly loses material.} 32. Rb8 Rxb8 33. Qxb8 Kf8 34. Nd6 Ke7 35. Nxe8 Qxc5 $5 (35... Kxe8 $1 36. Rxc6 Ke7 37. Rc4 $16 { is bad for Black, but not lost. But Fabi has had enough of passive defense, which is fully understandable.}) 36. Nxg7 a4 37. g4 $6 {Time trouble mistake? It's possible Ding hallucinated about his knight being lost on the kingside.} ( 37. Qf4 $1 a3 38. Bc4 h6 39. Kg2 Qa5 40. Qh4+ Qg5 41. Qd4 $1 $18 {consolidates the piece without giving another pawn.}) 37... a3 $1 $16 {Black is no longer as tied up as earlier. Fabi reveals the idea behind his piece sacrifice- Black will surely win a second pawn, and then with only three White pawns he can hope to eliminate them and draw. What makes this game so special is the genius of both players- Fabi's creative defense after a horrible opening and Ding's special conversion abilities.} 38. Qb3 Bb6 39. e3 Qg5 40. Nh5 Qxg4+ 41. Ng3 Bc5 42. Kg2 $6 {Natural endgame play, but unnecessary.} (42. Qb7+ Kf6 43. Bxh7 { creates a passed pawn, that should win in the long run after} Kg7 44. Bc2 Qg5 45. Qxc6 a2 46. Qa8 $1 (46. Qa4 Qd5 $1 {somehow holds on, and I no longer how White can win this.}) 46... Qd5 47. Nf5+ exf5 48. Qxd5 a1=Q+ 49. Kg2 Be7 50. Qxf5 $16 {White should win this endgame with queens on, though Black has realistic hopes.}) 42... h5 $6 (42... Qb4 $1 43. Qxb4 Bxb4 44. Bc4 f5 $16 { looks like the best chance to me, with some technical difficulties still awaiting White.}) 43. h3 $6 (43. Qb7+ $1 Kd8 44. Qxc6 $1 $18 {wins on a canter, as} a2 {is beautifully refuted by} 45. Qxc5 $3 a1=Q 46. Qd6+ Kc8 (46... Ke8 47. Bb5#) 47. Ba6+ {and Black has to give up his new queen.}) 43... Qg5 (43... Qb4 $1 $16 {tries to transpose to the ending mentioned earlier.}) 44. Kf1 $1 { A good decision.} (44. Qb7+ $5 Kf8 45. h4 $1 Qd8 46. Qxc6 Bxe3 47. Bc4 $16 { should consolidate for White, though the number of pawns remaining for him is just two.}) 44... Qd5 45. Qxd5 cxd5 $16 {Apparently Black can hold this endgame, but Ding plays superbly from here on out.} 46. Bb1 h4 47. Ne2 f5 48. Nf4 $1 Kf7 49. Ba2 Be7 50. Ke2 Bf6 51. Kd3 Be5 52. Ng2 Bf6 53. Ne1 $1 {No repetitions!} Be7 54. Kc2 Kf6 55. Nf3 $1 f4 $6 {This gives White additional chances.} (55... Kf7 56. Kb3 Kg6 $11 {is a fortress as far as I can see.}) 56. Nxh4 $1 {Now White has a passed pawn. The computers remain unfazed about the evaluation, but I frankly feel that it is getting more and more difficult for Black.} fxe3 57. fxe3 Kg5 58. Nf3+ Kf5 59. Kd3 Bc5 60. Nd4+ Ke5 61. Nf3+ Kf5 62. Ke2 Kf6 63. Bb1 {White has regrouped successfully, though Black still holds strongs.} e5 $2 {It looks natural to play d4 and exchange one more pawn, but it now demands extreme precision from Black to defend this- maybe it is no longer to do so after this move.} (63... Bb4 $1 64. Kd3 Bc5 $11 {and the bishop oscillation holds without an issue.}) 64. Ba2 e4 65. Nd4 Ke5 66. Nb5 Be7 (66... d4 $1 67. exd4+ Bxd4 68. Nxa3 Bc5 69. Nb5 Be7 70. Bg8 Kf4 {seems to hold, but the tablebases will need to confirm it for me. Black should play e3 as early as possible, then rush back with the king and let the bishop defend the pawn.}) 67. Bb3 Bc5 68. h4 d4 69. exd4+ Bxd4 70. Nxa3 Kf5 71. h5 Kg5 72. Bf7 Kf4 $2 (72... e3 $1 73. Nc4 Bc5 $1 {holds according to the previous analysis.}) 73. Nc4 Bg7 74. Bg6 Bd4 75. Nd6 $1 {now it's over- White gets to f7 and the pawn promotes.} e3 76. Nf7 Bg7 77. Bd3 {and Black resigned. A marathon game, and one of the best battle of brains in a while.} 1-0 [Event "Stavanger"] [Site "Stavanger"] [Date "2019.06.06"] [Round "3.2"] [White "So, Wesley"] [Black "Yu, Yangyi"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "C42"] [WhiteElo "2754"] [BlackElo "2738"] [Annotator "Tanmay Srinath"] [PlyCount "131"] [EventDate "2019.??.??"] 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 {C42: Petroff Defence: 3 Nxe5 and unusual White 3rd moves} Qd7 ({Wrong is} 9... Bxa2 $2 10. b3 $18) 10. Kb1 (10. h3 Bf6 11. g4 h6 12. Bg2 O-O-O 13. b3 g5 14. Nd4 Nxd4 15. cxd4 d5 16. f4 gxf4 17. Bxf4 {1/2-1/2 (39) Cheparinov,I (2679)-Wang,Y (2684) China 2019}) 10... Bf6 11. h4 {White is slightly better.} O-O-O 12. Nd4 Nxd4 13. Bxd4 Be5 14. Qe3 Qa4 15. b3 Qa5 16. Bxe5 dxe5 17. Be2 g6 $146 ({Predecessor:} 17... Rde8 18. Kb2 f6 19. Rd2 { 1/2-1/2 (19) Walka,W (2264) -Koch,H (2292) GER email 2016}) 18. c4 Rxd1+ 19. Rxd1 Rd8 20. Bd3 Qb6 21. Qxb6 axb6 $11 {Endgame KRB-KRB} 22. Re1 f6 {[#]} 23. f4 $1 Re8 (23... exf4 24. Rxe6) 24. fxe5 Bg8 25. h5 gxh5 26. Bf5+ Kb8 27. e6 { Black must now prevent e7.} c5 (27... c6 $14) 28. Re3 $16 Kc7 29. Rg3 (29. g3 $16) 29... Bxe6 $11 30. Rg7+ Kb8 (30... Kd6 $1 $11 {remains equal.} 31. Bxe6 Kxe6) 31. Be4 $16 Bc8 32. Bd5 (32. Bf3 $1 $16) 32... Re2 $14 33. Bf3 Rd2 34. Bxh5 Bf5 35. Bf3 Rd7 36. Rg8+ Ka7 37. Kc1 $1 Re7 38. Rf8 Be4 39. Rxf6 Bxf3 40. gxf3 $16 {KR-KR} Re2 41. Rh6 Rf2 42. Rh3 h5 43. Kb2 Ka6 (43... Kb8 44. a3 $1 h4 45. b4 Ka7 46. Kb3 Ka6 47. c3 cxb4 48. cxb4 b5 49. c5 Ka7 50. a4 bxa4+ 51. Kxa4 {I'm sure Wesley So would have gone for this position. Whether it is holdable for Black is a question that is debatable.} Ra2+ 52. Kb5 Ra3 53. Kc4 Ka6 54. Rxh4 Rxf3 55. Rd4 Rg3 56. Rd6+ Ka7 57. Kb5 Rg5 58. Rd7 {and Black holds on.}) 44. a4 h4 45. Kc3 $1 Ka5 46. Kb2 Ka6 47. Kc1 Ka7 48. Kb1 Ka6 $2 (48... Kb8 { is tougher.} 49. Rxh4 (49. Kb2 Kc8 50. Kc3 Kd7 51. Kd3 Ke7) 49... Rxf3 $11 { and White can't make progress.}) 49. Kb2 $1 $18 Ka7 (49... Ka5 50. Rxh4 Rxf3 51. Rh8 b5 52. Ra8+ Kb6 53. a5+ Kc6 54. Rc8+ Kd7 55. Rxc5 $18) 50. Kc3 $1 Kb8 51. Kd3 Kc7 {[#]} 52. Ke4 $1 Re2+ (52... Rxc2 $142 53. f4 (53. Rxh4 Rb2 $16) 53... Kd6 54. Rxh4 Re2+ 55. Kf5 Re3) 53. Kd3 $5 (53. Kf5 $18 Rxc2 54. Kg4 (54. Rxh4 Rc3 $16)) 53... Rf2 $18 54. Ke4 Re2+ 55. Kf5 Rxc2 56. f4 Rf2 57. Rxh4 Rf3 58. Kg5 Rxb3 {[#]} 59. f5 $1 Rg3+ 60. Rg4 {White mates.} Ra3 61. f6 Rxa4 62. f7 Ra8 63. Kf6 b5 64. Rg8 Ra1 65. f8=Q Rf1+ 66. Ke5 {Accuracy: White = 77%, Black = 46%.} 1-0 [Event "Stavanger NOR"] [Site "Stavanger NOR"] [Date "2019.06.08"] [Round "4.3"] [White "Caruana, Fabiano"] [Black "So, Wesley"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [ECO "C42"] [WhiteElo "2819"] [BlackElo "2754"] [PlyCount "142"] [EventDate "2019.06.04"] 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 ({The standard game went} 2... Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. c3 Nf6 5. d4 exd4 6. e5 d5 7. Be2 Ne4 8. cxd4 Bb4+ 9. Bd2 Nxd2 10. Nbxd2 O-O 11. O-O f6 12. Bb5 Ne7 13. a3 Ba5 14. Bd3 Nc6 15. Bb5 Bb6 16. Bxc6 bxc6 17. Rc1 fxe5 18. Nxe5 Ba6 19. Nxc6 Qf6 20. Nf3 Bb5 21. Nce5 Bxf1 22. Qxf1 Rad8 23. Qd3 Qf4 24. Rc2 Rde8 25. g3 Qe4 26. Rd2 c5 27. dxc5 Bxc5 28. Qxd5+ Qxd5 29. Rxd5 Bb6 30. Kg2 Rc8 31. Nd7 Rfe8 32. Nxb6 axb6 33. Rb5 Rc2 34. Nd4 Rd2 35. Nf3 Rc2 36. Nd4 Rd2 37. Nf3 {1/2 (37) Caruana,F (2819)-So,W (2754) Stavanger NOR 2019}) 3. Nxe5 d6 4. Nf3 Nxe4 5. Nc3 Nxc3 6. dxc3 Be7 7. Be3 Nc6 8. Qd2 Be6 9. O-O-O Qd7 10. h4 (10. a3 a6 11. h4 Bf6 12. Ng5 O-O-O 13. Nxe6 fxe6 14. g3 d5 15. Bh3 Kb8 { Vachier Lagrave,M (2780)-Duda,J (2738) chess.com INT 2019}) 10... h6 11. Nd4 Nxd4 12. Bxd4 Rg8 13. c4 c5 14. Bc3 O-O-O 15. Qe3 g5 {N} (15... Rde8 16. Kb1 Bf6 17. Qg3 Bxc3 18. Qxc3 Qc6 19. Be2 Bf5 {Nisipeanu,L (2672)-Wang,Y (2752) Medias 2010}) 16. hxg5 hxg5 17. Be2 Rge8 18. b3 d5 19. cxd5 Bxd5 20. Bf3 Bd6 21. Qxg5 Bxf3 22. gxf3 Qe6 23. Kb1 Be7 24. Qf4 Bd6 25. Qa4 Bb8 26. Rdg1 Qd7 27. Qc4 Qd5 28. Qg4+ f5 29. Qh5 Rg8 30. Re1 Bf4 31. Bf6 Rd7 32. Kb2 b6 33. Re8+ Rxe8 34. Qxe8+ Kb7 35. Rh8 Ka6 36. Qe2+ Kb7 37. a4 Qd6 38. Bc3 Re7 39. Qc4 Be5 40. Rf8 Bxc3+ 41. Qxc3 Qd5 42. f4 Ka6 43. a5 bxa5 44. Rf6+ Kb5 45. Ka3 Re4 46. Qh3 $2 {Caruana must have thought this was a winning move, but it isn't.} ({ As Vachier-Lagrave pointed out} 46. Qe5 $3 {would have won here:} Rxe5 47. c4+ Qxc4 48. bxc4+ Kxc4 49. fxe5) ({And also} 46. f3 $1 Rd4 47. Qe3 {would have won.}) 46... Qd1 $3 47. Qc3 ({After} 47. c4+ Rxc4 48. bxc4+ Kxc4 {White cannot prevent the perpetual check.}) 47... a4 $1 48. Rxf5 Qc1+ 49. Qb2 Qxb2+ 50. Kxb2 axb3 51. Kxb3 Rb4+ 52. Kc3 Rc4+ 53. Kd3 Rd4+ 54. Ke3 Rc4 55. Kd2 Rd4+ 56. Ke2 Re4+ 57. Kd2 Rd4+ 58. Kc1 a5 59. Rf8 Re4 60. f5 Re1+ 61. Kb2 Rf1 62. Rb8+ Kc6 63. Rf8 Rxf2 64. f6 a4 65. Ka3 Kb7 66. c4 Rf4 67. f7 Ka7 68. Kxa4 Rxc4+ 69. Kb5 Rf4 70. Kxc5 Kb7 71. Kd6 Rf1 1/2-1/2 [Event "7th Norway Chess 2019"] [Site "Stavanger NOR"] [Date "2019.06.08"] [Round "4.4"] [White "Anand, Viswanathan"] [Black "Ding, Liren"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [ECO "C50"] [WhiteElo "2767"] [BlackElo "2805"] [PlyCount "214"] [EventDate "2019.06.04"] 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. d3 Bc5 5. O-O O-O 6. c3 d6 7. h3 a5 8. Re1 h6 9. Nbd2 Be6 10. Bb5 Qb8 11. Nf1 Qa7 12. d4 ({A somewhat strange-looking plan was chosen in the following game:} 12. Qd2 a4 13. Ng3 Qa5 14. Bxc6 bxc6 15. Nh4 Kh7 16. Nhf5 Ng8 {Dominguez Perez,L (2750)-Vidit,S (2707) Hengshui 2019}) 12... exd4 13. Bxc6 dxc3 $5 {N A rich sacrifice. Anand revealed that he was certainly aware of it and had checked it beforehand.} ({Both players knew the predecessor:} 13... bxc6 14. cxd4 Bb4 15. Re3 d5 16. a3 Be7 17. Ne5 {Van Foreest,J (2601)-Gozzoli,Y (2622) Brest 2019}) 14. Ba4 Bxf2+ 15. Kh2 d5 { In order to open files for the rooks.} (15... Bxe1 {is not as good:} 16. Qxe1 b5 17. Bc2 Qb7 18. Ng3 {White stabilizes the position and the light pieces would prevail the rook and pawns.}) 16. e5 {Anand does not allow it.} Ne4 17. Be3 (17. Re2 $5 {deserves investigation too.}) 17... c5 18. Bxf2 Nxf2 19. Qc2 cxb2 20. Rab1 ({The former world champion also remembered that he had studied: } 20. Qxb2 Nd3 21. Qd2 Nxe1 22. Rxe1 {In comparision to the game he lacks the d4 square for the knight, but can launch some "Polgar stuff" on the kingside-Nf1-g3-h5 hoping for checkmate.}) 20... c4 21. Qxb2 Nd3 22. Qc3 Nxe1 23. Rxe1 Qc5 {The end of the forcing line. Mechanically speaking Ding should be an exchange ahead. If for instance he gets a chance to put his pawn on b5 and start rolling his majority the white light pieces will be helpless.} (23... Qf2 $5) 24. Rb1 {However Anand hopes that he can build a blockade thank to the strong pieces on d4 and b5, thus keeping the enemy rooks passive. In the game this plan worked well as Ding was not determined to part with material.} Bf5 { A dubious maneuver.} ({Stronger was:} 24... b5 $1 25. Rxb5 Qf2 {For the pawn Black got open files for his rooks and enjoys comfortable play:} ({Worse seems to be:} 25... Qc7 {as the queen stands on the road of the white knights:} 26. Ne3 Rfd8 (26... Rab8 $2 27. Nxd5) 27. Nd4) 26. Ne3 Rab8 $5 {The idea is to meet:} ({Simple and good is:} 26... Rfb8 27. Rxb8+ Rxb8 28. Bc2 Ra8) 27. Nxd5 $2 ({Or} 27. Rxa5 Ra8 {enjoying yet another open file.}) 27... Rxb5 28. Ne7+ Kh8 29. Bxb5 {With:} Qc5 $1) 25. Rb5 Qc7 26. Ne3 Be4 27. Nd2 {Black lost a couple of tempi and not his only light piece would be traded.} Rae8 28. Nxe4 Qxe5+ 29. Qxe5 Rxe5 30. Bc2 f5 {From afar this might have seen good for Black as the rook and the pawns are becoming even better in the endgame as a rule. The problem is that there is a little tactic:} 31. Nxc4 $1 {After which White is clearly on top.} Re7 32. Rxd5 {Later Anand slightly regretted he had chosen this line.} ({He suggested instead:} 32. Ned2 dxc4 33. Nxc4 g6 34. Nxa5 { The pawn on b7 will drop, while Black would try to occupy the second rank with his rooks. Will that be sufficient to a White's win is not certain, but his play would be definitely more fun.}) 32... fxe4 33. Ne3 b6 {In most of the endgame the rook and the two pawns are better than the light pieces. But here after:} 34. Rb5 {White has the better game as the black pawns are fixed and under pressure. This makes the black rooks less capable of great deeds.} Rb8 35. Nf5 {This wins another pawn. However Anand believed he cashed out on his advantage too early.} ({He also suggested the best plan:} 35. Kg3 $1 {The scheme is as follows: the king gets to e2 in order to stabilize the situation and eventually free the knight. Next the white pawn runs to h5 and fixes the g6 square. It will become handy for the light pieces later and will be used for a kingside attack. The other pawn might be pushed to a4 in order to block the black pawn duo. In this case White should not worry the g7-g6 moves as it will lead to further weakening on the kingside. In any case the position will keep stability, exactly what the light pieces need.}) (35. h4 $5 {with similar ideas as before was also good.}) 35... Rc7 36. Bxe4 Rc5 $1 37. Rb3 $1 {The last rook should be preserved in order to keep the blockade.} (37. Rxc5 bxc5 38. Bd5+ Kh7 {can hardly be any better for White.}) 37... Re5 38. Bd3 Rd8 39. Ng3 Rd4 {Ding activated his rooks and forced the white knight occupy poor position.} 40. Be2 Rb4 41. Rd3 b5 42. Bh5 Kh7 43. Rd6 {The play for mate remains White's best chance even in the endgame.} Rg5 44. Be2 (44. Bf7 { "might have been better" (Anand)}) 44... Kg8 45. Bd3 Kf8 46. Nf5 Rb2 47. Be4 g6 ({Avoiding the trick:} 47... Rxa2 48. Rd8+ Kf7 49. Bd5+ Kf6 50. Bxa2) 48. Rf6+ Ke8 49. Bc6+ ({Missing the best chance:} 49. Nxh6 $1 {It is not about the pawn, but about the attack. Anand probably feared the power of the connected passers after:} Rxa2 {But:} 50. Rf7 Rd2 51. Ra7 {leads to strong attack by the remaining white pieces. For example:} Kf8 52. Bc6 {Threatening mate.} Rf2 53. Ng4 Rf4 54. Rxa5 {with excellent winning chances.}) 49... Kd8 50. Nd4 Ke7 51. Re6+ Kf7 52. Rd6 Rxa2 $1 {Here Black is good to sacrifice the exchange.} 53. Nxb5 ({As the pin after:} 53. Bd5+ Rxd5 54. Rxd5 Rd2 {keeps him out of danger.} ) 53... Rb2 54. Rd7+ Kf6 {The king is out, Black is out of danger.} 55. Nc3 Ke6 56. Rd3 h5 57. Bd5+ Ke7 58. Bf3 Re5 59. Rd4 {Anand believed that he is winning and even suggested the right plan: bring the king out, h3-h4, fix the position, bring the knight on g5 and eventually mate or get the pawns there. The problem was that he was very low on time, having just a minute on the clock without any increment.} Kf8 60. Rd8+ Kg7 61. Ra8 Rf5 62. Be4 Rg5 63. Ra7+ Kh6 64. Ra6 Rd2 65. Bf3 Rf5 66. Be4 Rg5 67. h4 Rg4 68. Kh3 Rd4 69. Bf5 (69. Rxa5 Rdxe4 70. Nxe4 Rxe4) 69... Rxh4+ 70. Kg3 Kg5 71. Bxg6 Rhg4+ 72. Kh2 a4 73. Bh7 h4 74. Rg6+ (74. Ra5+ Kh6 75. Bf5 Rg5 76. Ra6+ Kg7 77. Ra7+ Kf6 78. Bh3) 74... Kh5 75. Re6 a3 76. Bf5 Rg5 77. Be4 Ra5 78. Bf3+ Kg5 79. Re2 Rd3 80. Rc2 ({"Of course I saw":} 80. Na2 {"but I decided to blunder to a draw." (Anand)}) 80... Rxc3 81. Rxc3 a2 82. Rc1 a1=Q 83. Rxa1 Rxa1 {There are many fortresses in the bishop versus rook endgames with pawns on the same flank. This is one of them.} 84. Bc6 Kf4 85. Bb7 ({The only thing to avoid is:} 85. Kh3 $4 Rh1#) 85... Rc1 86. Bd5 Rc2 87. Be6 Rc3 {Ding tried for a while but at the end he had to resign to the draw:} 88. Bd7 Rg3 89. Bh3 Ke3 90. Kg1 Ke2 91. Bc8 Ra3 92. Bg4+ Ke3 93. Kh2 Kf2 94. Bf3 Ra1 95. Bb7 Ra7 96. Bd5 Ke3 97. Bc6 Kf4 98. Bd5 Ra3 99. Be6 Rg3 100. Bh3 Ke3 101. Kg1 Rg7 102. Be6 Re7 103. Bh3 Rc7 104. Be6 Rc6 105. Bd7 Rd6 106. Bc8 Rd8 107. Be6 Rd6 1/2-1/2 [Event "7th Norway Armageddon"] [Site "Stavanger NOR"] [Date "2019.06.08"] [Round "4.4"] [White "Anand, Viswanathan"] [Black "Ding, Liren"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "C50"] [WhiteElo "2767"] [BlackElo "2805"] [PlyCount "53"] [EventDate "2019.06.04"] 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. O-O ({Three years ago Anand got a similar position vs. Nakamura and played much slower as he underestimated the strength of Bxh6:} 4. c3 Nf6 5. d3 d6 6. Nbd2 a6 7. Bb3 O-O 8. O-O Ba7 9. h3 h6 10. Re1 Re8 11. Nf1 Be6 12. Bc2 Ne7 13. d4 Ng6 14. Ng3 c6 15. Be3 Qc7 16. Qd2 Rad8 17. Rad1 b5 18. b3 Bb6 19. Qc1 Bc8 20. Bd3 c5 21. d5 Ba5 22. Qb2 Bd7 23. Rc1 Rb8 24. Nd2 Nf4 {Anand,V (2779)-Nakamura,H (2779) Saint Louis 2016}) 4... Nf6 5. d3 O-O 6. c3 d6 7. Re1 a5 8. h3 h6 9. Nbd2 Be6 10. Bb5 Qb8 11. Nf1 Qa7 12. Qd2 ({ The standard game went} 12. d4 exd4 13. Bxc6 dxc3 14. Ba4 Bxf2+ 15. Kh2 d5 16. e5 Ne4 {Anand,V (2767)-Ding,L (2805) Stavanger NOR 2019}) 12... Rad8 13. Ng3 Ne7 14. d4 Bb6 15. Qc2 Ng6 16. Be3 c6 17. Bd3 Rfe8 18. Qd2 d5 19. Bxh6 $1 dxe4 20. Nxe4 Nxe4 21. Rxe4 $5 (21. Bxe4 exd4 (21... f5 {fails to} 22. Qg5) 22. Qg5 {was strong too.}) 21... Bd5 22. Rg4 e4 23. Nh4 (23. Bc2) 23... exd3 {Around here Anand already say the beautiful winning idea.} 24. Nf5 $5 {Sadly, it's not correct and therefore this is not a good move.} Be6 $2 ({The counterattack } 24... Re2 $1 {would have spoiled everything:} 25. Qg5 (25. Qxd3 Qa6 $1 26. Qg3 gxh6 27. Rxg6+ fxg6 28. Qxg6+ Kf8 {and White has nothing}) 25... d2 $1 26. Bxg7 Bc7 $3 {and Black is winning in all lines. Amazing.}) 25. Bxg7 $1 { Now all well for White again.} Bxf5 26. Qh6 Re6 (26... f6 27. Rxg6) 27. Bh8 $1 (27. Rh4 f6 28. Qh7+ Kf7) 1-0 [Event "7th Norway Chess 2019"] [Site "Stavanger NOR"] [Date "2019.06.08"] [Round "4.5"] [White "Grischuk, Alexander"] [Black "Yu, Yangyi"] [Result "0-1"] [ECO "C42"] [WhiteElo "2775"] [BlackElo "2738"] [PlyCount "102"] [EventDate "2019.06.04"] 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nxe5 d6 4. Nf3 Nxe4 5. d4 d5 6. Bd3 Bf5 7. O-O Be7 8. Ne5 (8. Re1 O-O 9. c4 Nc6 10. cxd5 Qxd5 11. Nc3 Nxc3 12. bxc3 Bxd3 13. Qxd3 Rae8 14. Bf4 Bd6 {Nakamura,H (2761)-Wei,Y (2736) Abidjan 2019}) 8... Nd7 9. Nc3 Nxc3 10. bxc3 Bxd3 11. cxd3 O-O 12. Qb3 {N} (12. Rb1 Rb8 13. f4 f6 14. Ng4 f5 15. Ne5 Nxe5 16. fxe5 Qd7 17. Rb2 b5 18. Be3 a5 19. Rbf2 b4 {Ponomariov,R (2682)-Gelfand,B (2719) Hengshui 2019}) 12... Nxe5 13. dxe5 Qd7 14. f4 (14. Qxb7 Rfb8 15. Qa6 Rb6 16. Qa5 Qc6 17. c4 dxc4 18. dxc4 Qxc4 {Yu}) 14... f5 15. a4 b6 16. Be3 Rfd8 17. Rfd1 c6 {Yu thougth White was slightly better.} 18. c4 Qe6 19. Rac1 Kf7 20. Bf2 dxc4 21. dxc4 Rxd1+ 22. Qxd1 (22. Rxd1 $5 Rd8 23. Rxd8 Bxd8 24. Qh3 h6 25. Qh5+ Kg8 26. Qe2) 22... Rd8 23. Qh5+ Kg8 24. h3 g6 25. Qf3 (25. Qe2 c5 26. Ra1 {Yu}) 25... c5 26. Qc3 {Perhaps the queen should stay on the h1-a8 diagonal.} Qc6 27. a5 Qe4 28. Qe3 Rd4 29. Qxe4 Rxe4 30. g3 g5 31. fxg5 Bxg5 32. Rb1 $6 (32. axb6 axb6 33. Rb1 Bd8 34. Rd1) 32... bxa5 33. Rb5 a4 34. Rxc5 $6 (34. Ra5 $5) 34... Bd2 {Only here Yu was sure he was better. "The a-pawn was very strong."} 35. Rc8+ Kf7 36. Rc7+ Ke6 37. Rc6+ Kxe5 38. Bxa7 a3 39. Rc5+ Ke6 40. Rc6+ Kd7 41. Ra6 Bb4 42. c5 Re2 43. c6+ Kc7 44. Bd4 a2 45. Kf1 Rc2 46. g4 f4 47. g5 f3 48. h4 Bd6 49. h5 Bg3 50. Bb6+ Kd6 51. Be3 Rb2 0-1 [Event "7th Norway Chess 2019"] [Site "Stavanger NOR"] [Date "2019.06.08"] [Round "4.1"] [White "Carlsen, Magnus"] [Black "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [ECO "D85"] [WhiteElo "2875"] [BlackElo "2774"] [PlyCount "92"] [EventDate "2019.06.04"] 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 5. e4 Nxc3 6. bxc3 Bg7 7. Be3 c5 8. Rc1 O-O 9. Nf3 Nd7 (9... Qa5 10. Qd2 Bg4 (10... Nd7 11. Bd3 e5 12. Bh6 exd4 13. Bxg7 Kxg7 14. cxd4 Qxd2+ 15. Kxd2 b6 16. d5 Bb7 {Ding,L (2805)-Wei,Y (2736) Abidjan 2019}) 11. d5 b5 12. Be2 Nd7 13. O-O Bxf3 14. Bxf3 c4 15. Be2 Rfd8 { Carlsen,M (2875)-Grischuk,A (2775) Stavanger NOR 2019}) 10. Be2 Qa5 {N} (10... b6 11. O-O e5 12. Qa4 Qe7 13. Bb5 a6 14. Bc6 Ra7 15. Rfe1 Nb8 {Schneider Zinner,H (2347)-Schorn,C (2215) Austria 2003}) 11. O-O Qxa2 12. Nd2 Qa5 13. h4 b5 14. h5 Bb7 15. h6 Bh8 16. e5 Qc7 17. Bxb5 Bxg2 18. Kxg2 Qb7+ 19. Qf3 Qxb5 20. Rb1 Qa6 21. Ne4 ({Stronger, and according to Norwegian 'super computer' Sesse was} 21. Rb7 Rad8 22. Nb3 {threatening 23.Ra1 leading to a +2 advantage.} ) 21... cxd4 22. cxd4 f6 23. Ng5 $1 e6 (23... fxg5 $2 24. Qd5+ e6 25. Qxd7) 24. Ra1 ({And here} 24. Qb7 {was more promising:} Qxb7+ (24... Qe2 25. Qxd7 Qg4+ 26. Kh2 fxg5 27. f3 Qf5 28. Rb7 Rf7 29. Qxf7+ Qxf7 30. Rxf7 Kxf7 31. Rc1 { and Black is lost because of his terrible bishop}) 25. Rxb7 Nxe5 $1 26. Nxe6 $1 Rf7 27. Rfb1) 24... Qb6 {Missed by Carlsen.} 25. exf6 ({The point of Black's move was} 25. d5 fxg5) 25... Bxf6 {Now the worst is over for Black.} 26. Qe4 Bxg5 27. Bxg5 Qd6 28. Rfe1 Qd5 29. Qxd5 exd5 30. Ra5 Rf5 31. f4 Nf6 32. Re7 Ne4 33. Rg7+ Kh8 34. Raxa7 Rxa7 35. Rxa7 Kg8 36. Rg7+ Kf8 37. Be7+ Ke8 38. Rxh7 Rf7 39. Rxf7 Kxf7 40. Kf3 Kg8 41. Kg4 Kh7 42. Bf8 Nf6+ 43. Kh4 Ne4 44. Bg7 Nd6 45. Kg5 Ne4+ 46. Kg4 Nd6 1/2-1/2 [Event "7th Norway Armageddon"] [Site "Stavanger NOR"] [Date "2019.06.08"] [Round "4.1"] [White "Carlsen, Magnus"] [Black "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "D85"] [WhiteElo "2875"] [BlackElo "2774"] [PlyCount "115"] [EventDate "2019.06.04"] 1. d4 (1. Nf3 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 5. e4 Nxc3 6. bxc3 Bg7 7. d4 c5 8. Be3 Qa5 9. Qd2 Nc6 10. Rc1 cxd4 11. cxd4 Qxd2+ 12. Kxd2 O-O 13. d5 Rd8 14. Ke1 Nb4 15. Bd2 Na6 16. Bxa6 bxa6 17. Ba5 Rd7 18. Ke2 f5 19. Ng5 fxe4 20. Rhd1 Bh6 21. h4 Rb7 22. Rd4 Rb2+ 23. Bd2 Bg4+ 24. Ke1 Rd8 25. Rxe4 Rxd5 26. Be3 Bd7 27. a4 e5 28. Rec4 Bxg5 29. hxg5 Ra2 30. Rc5 Rxc5 {Mchedlishvili,M (2631) -Volokitin,A (2682) Warsaw 2013 1/2}) 1... Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 5. e4 Nxc3 6. bxc3 Bg7 7. Be3 c5 8. Rc1 O-O 9. Nf3 Qa5 10. Qd2 cxd4 11. cxd4 Qxd2+ 12. Nxd2 {N} (12. Kxd2 Nc6 13. d5 Rd8 14. Ke1 Nb4 15. Bd2 Na6 16. Bg5 Kf8 17. Bxa6 bxa6 18. Nd2 h6 19. Be3 f5 20. f3 e6 21. d6 Ke8 22. Rc7 Rd7 23. Kf2 Rxc7 24. dxc7 Be5 25. Bxh6 Bxc7 26. Rc1 Kd7 27. exf5 gxf5 28. Nc4 Bb7 29. Rd1+ Bd5 30. Ne3 Bb6 31. Ke2 Rg8 32. Kf1 Bxe3 33. Bxe3 Kc6 34. Bf4 Bxa2 35. Be5 Rf8 36. g3 Bd5 37. Kf2 Rf7 38. Rc1+ Kb6 39. h4 Rh7 40. Ke3 a5 41. Kf4 a4 {Saiyn,Z (2394)-Tabatabaei,M (2482) Doha 2015 1/2}) 12... Rd8 13. Nf3 Nc6 14. d5 Nb4 15. Bd2 Na6 16. Bg5 Kf8 17. Bxa6 bxa6 18. O-O Rb8 19. Rc7 Rd7 20. Rc6 Rdb7 21. Bf4 Ra8 22. Rfc1 Bd7 23. Rc7 Rxc7 24. Rxc7 Ke8 25. h3 h6 26. Ne5 Bxe5 27. Bxe5 f5 28. exf5 Bxf5 29. a3 Rd8 30. d6 exd6 31. Bf4 g5 32. Be3 Rd7 33. Rc6 Kf7 34. Rxa6 Bd3 35. Ra4 a6 36. h4 d5 37. hxg5 hxg5 38. Rd4 Bc4 39. Bxg5 Rb7 40. Rf4+ Ke6 41. g4 Rb3 42. Bh4 Rxa3 43. g5 Ra1+ 44. Kh2 d4 45. g6 Bd5 46. f3 d3 47. g7 Ke5 48. Bg3 Ra2+ 49. Kh3 d2 50. Rf7+ Kd4 51. g8=Q d1=Q 52. Qg7+ Kd3 53. Qg6+ Kd4 $6 ({The black king could hide in the corner:} 53... Kd2 $1 54. Bf4+ Ke2 55. Re7+ Kf1 56. Bg3 Re2 57. Qxa6 Bxf3 58. Rf7 Kg1 59. Qa7+ Kh1 60. Rxf3 Rh2+ $1 61. Kg4 Rc2 {and it should be a draw.}) 54. Qf6+ ({The quiet move} 54. Qd6 $1 {(threatening 55.Qxd5+) was the strongest here.}) 54... Kd3 55. Qf5+ Kc4 56. Rc7+ Kb5 $2 ({After} 56... Kb3 {White doesn't even have a check, and it's a draw in fact.}) 57. Qd7+ Kb4 58. Qd6+ (58. Qd6+ Kb5 59. Rc5+ Ka4 60. Qxa6+ { and mate soon.}) 1-0 [Event "7th Norway Armageddon"] [Site "Stavanger NOR"] [Date "2019.06.08"] [Round "4.2"] [White "Aronian, Levon"] [Black "Vachier-Lagrave, Maxime"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [ECO "A36"] [WhiteElo "2752"] [BlackElo "2779"] [PlyCount "84"] [EventDate "2019.06.04"] 1. c4 c5 2. Nc3 g6 3. g3 Bg7 4. Bg2 Nc6 5. d3 Nf6 ({In the standard game MVL also had the better chances:} 5... e6 6. h4 h6 7. h5 g5 8. f4 Qc7 9. e4 Nge7 10. Nge2 gxf4 11. gxf4 d6 12. Be3 Bd7 13. Qd2 Nd4 14. Rc1 Rg8 15. b4 cxb4 16. Bxd4 $6 (16. Nxd4 Bxd4 17. Bxd4 bxc3 {=}) 16... Bxd4 17. Nxd4 bxc3 18. Rxc3 e5 19. Nb3 O-O-O 20. c5 Kb8 21. cxd6 Qxd6 22. fxe5 Qxe5 23. d4 Qg5 24. Bf3 f5 25. Qxg5 Rxg5 26. e5 Bc6 27. Kf2 Bxf3 28. Rxf3 Rdg8 29. Rh2 b6 30. Nc1 Rc8 31. Ne2 Rc2 32. a3 Nd5 (32... Rg4 $1) 33. Ke1 Kc7 34. Rhf2 Rxh5 35. Ng3 Rxf2 36. Kxf2 Rh2+ 37. Kg1 Rd2 {1/2 (37) Aronian,L (2752)-Vachier-Lagrave,M (2779) Stavanger NOR 2019}) 6. Rb1 e6 7. a3 d5 8. Bg5 dxc4 9. dxc4 Qxd1+ 10. Rxd1 Bd7 11. Nb5 Ke7 12. Nd6 h6 13. Bf4 $2 (13. Bd2 b6 14. Bc3 {was roughly equal.}) (13. Bxf6+ Bxf6 14. Nxf7 Rh7 15. Nd6 Bxb2) 13... g5 $1 14. Be3 b6 15. h4 g4 {Now Black is better.} 16. b4 $5 {White needs to win, but this actually helps Black.} cxb4 17. axb4 Nxb4 $1 18. Bxa8 Nc2+ 19. Kd2 Nxe3 20. Kxe3 Rxa8 21. f3 Bc6 22. Nb5 Nd7 23. Kf2 Ne5 {Black can very safely play until the draw is there.} 24. Rc1 gxf3 25. Nxf3 Bxf3 26. exf3 Nd3+ 27. Ke3 Nxc1 28. Rxc1 a6 29. Nc3 Rc8 (29... Bxc3 30. Rxc3 a5 {was Polgar's suggestion.}) 30. Ne4 f5 31. Nd2 Be5 32. Rb1 b5 33. cxb5 axb5 34. g4 Rc3+ 35. Ke2 Bf4 36. Nb3 fxg4 37. fxg4 e5 38. Na5 e4 39. Rb4 Rc2+ 40. Kd1 Rc1+ 41. Ke2 Rc2+ 42. Kd1 Rc1+ 1/2-1/2 [Event "7th Altibox Norway Chess 2019"] [Site "Stavanger"] [Date "2019.06.08"] [Round "4.5"] [White "Grischuk, Alexander"] [Black "Yu, Yangyi"] [Result "0-1"] [ECO "C42"] [WhiteElo "2775"] [BlackElo "2738"] [PlyCount "102"] [EventDate "2019.??.??"] {Both Grischuk and Yu Yangyi were coming off losses, so it was interesting to see how both would fare in their individual encounter.} 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nxe5 d6 4. Nf3 Nxe4 5. d4 {A small surprise. The current feelers in top level chess seem to tell us that this move has been more or less neutralised.} (5. Nc3 Nxc3 6. dxc3 {has been the position of constant debate. According to modern engines and the top players, White has better chances of claiming an edge in these lines.}) 5... d5 6. Bd3 Bf5 {A relatively rare move.} (6... Nc6 7. O-O Be7 8. c4 Nb4 9. Be2 O-O 10. Nc3 Bf5 $14) (6... Bd6 7. O-O O-O 8. c4 c6 9. Re1 Bf5 $14) (6... Be7 7. O-O O-O 8. c4 Nf6 $14 {are all more common options.}) 7. O-O Be7 8. Ne5 $5 {An interesting idea that gives White additional plans for an advantageous middlegame.} (8. c4 {has been the go to move, until Black started neutralising White's attacking chances with} dxc4 $1 9. Bxc4 O-O 10. Nc3 Nc6 11. Re1 Nxc3 12. bxc3 Bd6 $1) 8... Nd7 9. Nc3 $1 { The only way to justify the knight tour.} Nxc3 10. bxc3 Bxd3 11. cxd3 $1 { The idea behind 8.Ne5-White builds a nice strong central pawn mass.} O-O 12. Qb3 Nxe5 $1 {Yu finds the best defensive idea for Black} 13. dxe5 Qd7 14. f4 f5 $1 {Black sets up a light squared Blockade.} 15. a4 $1 {The right idea, to play on the queenside. Unfortunately, Sasha doesn't quite show the required accuracy from this stage.} b6 16. Be3 Rfd8 {Now, White is out of preparation, as shown by Sasha's next move} 17. Rfd1 (17. Rfb1 $1 {is the best way to continue for White. As mentioned previously, once a5 comes, Black will be hard pressed to play c5, as then b6 will be too weak. Also, all of White's pieces are pointing to the queenside, so it makes sense to get the last piece in. Logical play can go} a6 $1 {forseeing a future a5.} 18. h3 Qe6 19. Qc2 Bh4 20. Kh2 Qg6 21. Bf2 $1 Be7 22. c4 $1 $16 {with a tangible advantage to White.}) 17... c6 18. c4 Qe6 19. Rac1 {it is hard to call this natural move an innacuracy, but this loses the larger part of White's advantage.} (19. Rdc1 $1 {actually makes sense if the purpose is understood-White's stronger side is the queenside, so it is best to play there. White intends the double dagger strike a5 folowed by c5, paralysing Black's pawns into juicy targets. Play can go} dxc4 $1 (19... d4 $5 {is interesting, but second rate.} 20. Bd2 $1 Rab8 $1 (20... c5 $5 {Taking play immediately into such a structure shouldn't work for Black, but it is definitely an option. After} 21. a5 $1 Rdb8 22. Rcb1 g6 23. Qc2 $16 {White should have all the fun.}) 21. Bb4 {to provoke c5} c5 (21... Bxb4 22. Qxb4 c5 23. Qd2 g6 24. Rcb1 $14 {is an improvement for both sides- White gets rid of his bad bishop, but so does black. The trend though is in White's favour.}) 22. Bd2 g6 23. Rcb1 a6 24. Qd1 $14 {the presence of Bishops actually suits White-Black's g5 strike can't be as effective as it ideally is.} ) 20. dxc4 Rd7 21. a5 $1 {without this, White's previous moves are meaningless. } b5 22. Rab1 a6 $1 {the strongest, to prevent further expansion.} (22... b4 23. c5 $14 {is precisely what White wants-now b4 will eventually fall, and even if c5 falls in return, black's remaining queenside pawns are isolated, thus giving better chances to White.}) 23. cxb5 $1 Qxb3 24. Rxb3 cxb5 25. Kf2 $14 {with pleasant play in the ending.}) 19... Kf7 20. Bf2 dxc4 21. dxc4 Rxd1+ 22. Qxd1 Rd8 23. Qh5+ Kg8 24. h3 g6 $1 {it is from here that the tide slowly turns in Black's favour.} 25. Qf3 c5 26. Qc3 Qc6 27. a5 Qe4 28. Qe3 Rd4 29. Qxe4 Rxe4 $11 {Black has fully equalised only here, but he has not had to face a single tough problem in the game. Thus, he must have felt confident of winning this endgame.} 30. g3 $6 (30. axb6 $1 axb6 31. g3 $11 {is as dead a draw as it can get- Black has no way of getting play.}) 30... g5 $5 (30... bxa5 31. Ra1 Bd8 $1 32. Ra4 Bb6 33. Kg2 Kf7 34. Kf3 Ke6 35. Be3 g5 36. fxg5 Kxe5 { is one possible attempt to improve play, though after} 37. h4 $11 {White seems to hold.}) 31. fxg5 Bxg5 32. Rb1 $6 {This is unnecessary.} (32. axb6 $1 axb6 33. Rb1 {was necessary, to meet} Bd8 {with} 34. Rd1 $1 Be7 35. Rb1 Rxc4 36. Rxb6 Re4 37. Kg2 Rxe5 38. Kf3 $1 $11 {with the active king and few number of pawns holding easily.}) 32... bxa5 33. Rb5 a4 $1 {from here the Chinese Express starts accelerating really fast!} 34. Rxc5 $5 {was Sasha playing for a win even here?} (34. Ra5 $1 {was his final opportunity to equalise the game.} Rxc4 35. Rxa7 Re4 36. Bxc5 Rxe5 37. Bd4 {and Black seems to have nothing better than} Be3+ (37... Rd5 38. Rg7+ Kf8 39. Rxg5 Rxd4 40. Rxf5+ Ke7 41. Ra5 Kd6 42. Kf2 $11) 38. Bxe3 Rxe3 39. Rxa4 Rxg3+ 40. Kh2 Rg6 $11 {reaching a position that is a book draw.}) 34... Bd2 $1 $17 {Now the truth is revealed-the extra a-pawn is infact much more dangerous than the combined might of White's e and c pawns.} 35. Rc8+ Kf7 36. Rc7+ Ke6 37. Rc6+ $6 (37. Rxa7 $1 {was correct. Play could have then gone.} Rxc4 38. Kf1 Bc3 39. Rxh7 $1 {further reducing the number of pawns.} a3 40. Ra7 Bb4 41. Ra4 Kxe5 42. g4 $1 { this finesse takes the game into the drawing zone.} fxg4 $5 {Black has nothing better.} (42... f4 43. Kg2 $1 Kd5 44. Kf3 Rc3+ 45. Kxf4 Bd6+ 46. Kg5 Rf3 47. Ba7 $1 $11 {is an easy draw.}) 43. hxg4 Rxg4 44. Be1 Rf4+ 45. Kg2 Bxe1 46. Rxa3 $15 {Rook vs Rook+Bishop is normally holdable.}) 37... Kxe5 38. Bxa7 a3 $1 39. Rc5+ Ke6 40. Rc6+ Kd7 41. Ra6 Bb4 42. c5 $2 (42. Kf2 {retained slim chances of holding, but after the precise} h5 $1 $19 {even that would have evaporated.}) 42... Re2 $1 {Now mating threats arise.} 43. c6+ Kc7 44. Bd4 a2 45. Kf1 Rc2 46. g4 f4 $1 {playing on two fronts. White is horribly uncoordinated and soon loses.} 47. g5 f3 48. h4 Bd6 49. h5 Bg3 50. Bb6+ Kd6 51. Be3 Rb2 {and Grischuk resigned. A good game by Yu Yangyi.} 0-1 [Event "Stavanger"] [Site "Stavanger"] [Date "2019.06.08"] [Round "4.4"] [White "Anand, Viswanathan"] [Black "Ding, Liren"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [ECO "C54"] [WhiteElo "2767"] [BlackElo "2805"] [Annotator "Tanmay Srinath"] [PlyCount "214"] [EventDate "2019.??.??"] {Vishy has returned to form! A thumping of MVL in the armageddon yesterday signalled his intention to fight for 1st place, and today's game against Ding Liren only confirmed what was mused upon yesterday-the Madras Tiger's claws are razor sharp again!} 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 {Anand doesn't want to test Ding Liren in the Ruy Lopez today.} Nf6 4. d3 Bc5 5. O-O O-O 6. c3 d6 7. h3 a5 {all these moves are standard theory, covered in greath depth in my previous annotations of Anand's and Hari's games in 2017 and 2018.} 8. Re1 h6 9. Nbd2 Be6 10. Bb5 $1 {A good practical decision by Anand, keeping Bishops on.} (10. b3 {is another interesting ploy, but if Black is accurate with} d5 $1 (10... Bxc4 $6 11. bxc4 $1 $14 {would have been bad for Black, as White's central control is suffocating.}) 11. exd5 Nxd5 12. Ne4 Bb6 13. Bd2 $1 f6 14. Ng3 Qe8 15. d4 Rd8 $132 {he obtains sufficient counterplay.}) 10... Qb8 $1 {Activating the queen using the Rubenstein maneuver} 11. Nf1 Qa7 12. d4 $5 {Enterprising chess by Anand. This move wasn't forced, but this is White's best try for an advantage. My engines aren't too impressed with this move, but human intuition feels that the chaos that arises is the best place to outplay the second player.} (12. Be3 Bxe3 13. Nxe3 Ne7 $1 $11 {and the game will soon end in a draw after further liquidation. Anand had once lost a similar game against So, where he got nothing from the opening and soon misplayed. Knowing Vishy, I'm sure he felt keeping the dark square bishops on was best.}) 12... exd4 $1 { Ding takes up the challenge.} 13. Bxc6 dxc3 $1 {A nice move, but practically forced} 14. Ba4 $1 {Anand too is up to the task.} Bxf2+ 15. Kh2 d5 $5 {This move I can't understand. Why give White a chance to save his rook and consolidate?} (15... Bxe1 $1 16. Qxe1 d5 $13 {is probably the best way for Black to make something of this position. Soon, c6! and Qb8 will harass the White king, and Black's rook have all the files in the world to play on.}) 16. e5 $5 {Anand shuts down the kingside.} (16. exd5 $1 {is a surprising resource that is available for White. The idea is that White's developed pieces create enough threats to compensate for his dormant ones.} Bxd5 (16... Nxd5 17. Re5 $1 Rad8 18. bxc3 Nxc3 19. Qc2 Nxa4 20. Qxa4 $14 {also consolidates for White- he needs only two more tempi to bring his last two pieces into the action, and then the extra piece should tell.}) 17. Be3 $1 {Trading Black's most dangerous piece.} Bxe3 18. Nxe3 cxb2 19. Rb1 Bxf3 $1 {The only way to get some counterplay.} 20. Qxf3 Qd4 21. Bd1 $1 $14 {and despite having 4(!) pawns for the piece, Black is in trouble, as White has co-ordinated his pieces and in a middlegame an extra piece is more often than not decisive.}) 16... Ne4 $1 17. Be3 c5 18. Bxf2 $6 {This lands White in trouble.} (18. Re2 $1 cxb2 19. Rxb2 Bxe3 20. Nxe3 Nc3 21. Qc2 d4 $1 {looks dangerous, but with precise play White manages to navigate the woods-} 22. Bb3 $1 b5 23. Bxe6 fxe6 24. Nd1 $1 $44 { and though Black's armada of paws are more dangerous, the excellent blockading nature of the knight means that White is fine here. Though the computers support this variation, I understand the psychology behind Vishy's decision in the game-he was never a fan of passive defense.}) 18... Nxf2 19. Qc2 (19. Qe2 $1 {does the same function as Qc2, but doesn't allow the knight fork that happened in the game. After} cxb2 20. Rab1 c4 21. Ne3 Nd3 22. Red1 Rfd8 23. Rxd3 $1 {Vishy could have obtained a balanced position.} cxd3 24. Qxd3 d4 25. Nf5 Qc5 26. N5xd4 $11) 19... cxb2 20. Rab1 c4 21. Qxb2 Nd3 $1 {The point-Black gets an exchange, and his three extra pawns are enough to claim a slight advantage.} 22. Qc3 Nxe1 23. Rxe1 Qc5 24. Rb1 Bf5 $6 {this is slightly dubious. } (24... Rfb8 $1 {is the only move to maintain Black's advantage-after the forced} 25. Qe3 Qxe3 26. Nxe3 b5 $15) 25. Rb5 $1 {Now Vishy gets his mojo back. } Qc7 26. Ne3 Be4 27. Nd2 Rae8 $6 (27... d4 $1 28. Qxd4 Bc6 29. Ndxc4 Bxb5 30. Bxb5 $13 {reaches a position that looks optically good for White, but the fact that Black has an extra pawn and e5 is weak means that Black should hold on.}) 28. Nxe4 $1 Qxe5+ 29. Qxe5 Rxe5 30. Bc2 $1 {Anand stays sharp, winning a pawn.} f5 31. Nxc4 Re7 32. Rxd5 (32. Ne3 $5 {immediately was almost equally strong strong. After} fxe4 33. Rxd5 $1 (33. Nxd5 Re5 34. Rxb7 Rf7 35. Rb8+ Rf8 36. Rxf8+ Kxf8 37. Ne3 $14 {the endgame is unpleasant for Black.}) 33... b6 34. Rb5 Rb8 35. Nf5 Rc7 36. Bxe4 $16 {Black is condemned to passive defense.}) 32... fxe4 33. Ne3 $16 {The endgame is not winning for White, but Black's weaknesses means that he can press for almost eternity.} b6 34. Rb5 Rb8 35. Nf5 Rc7 36. Bxe4 Rc5 {Reaching the same variation given above! Anand finds an interesting regrouping.} 37. Rb3 Re5 38. Bd3 Rd8 39. Ng3 Rd4 40. Be2 Rb4 41. Rd3 b5 42. Bh5 Kh7 43. Rd6 {Vishy hasn't aimlessly shuffled his pieces-White's threats against the Black king are getting more and more definite.} Rg5 44. Be2 Kg8 45. Bd3 Kf8 46. Nf5 Rb2 47. Be4 g6 (47... Rxa2 $6 {was perhaps less challenging for White. Black loses a piece after} 48. Rd8+ Kf7 49. Bd5+ Kf6 50. Rf8+ Ke5 51. Bxa2 Rxf5 52. Ra8 a4 53. Bb1 Rf6 {and the two pawns are going nowhere.}) 48. Rf6+ Ke8 49. Bc6+ $6 $14 (49. Nxh6 $1 Rxa2 50. Rf7 $1 {and the point of White's idea is revealed-the Black king is inside a net. Black has to be extremely resourceful with} Rd2 $1 51. Ra7 Kf8 52. Bc6 Rf2 53. Ng4 {to maintain som hopes, but the end is nearer than ever after} Rff5 54. Rxa5 b4 55. Ra7 $16) 49... Kd8 50. Nd4 Ke7 51. Re6+ Kf7 52. Rd6 Rxa2 53. Nxb5 Rb2 54. Rd7+ Kf6 55. Nc3 Ke6 56. Rd3 h5 57. Bd5+ $6 $14 {After this Ding successfully defends.} (57. h4 $1 Re5 58. Ne4 Re2 59. Ng5+ Kf6 60. Rd7 $1 $16 {leads to a position where White has almost fully turned the screws on Black. I would not be surprised if the position is already beyond salvation.}) 57... Ke7 58. Bf3 Re5 59. Rd4 Kf8 60. Rd8+ Kg7 61. Ra8 Rf5 62. Be4 Rg5 63. Ra7+ Kh6 64. Ra6 (64. Nd5 $1 {was perhaps the last real try.} Re5 65. Nf6 Kg5 66. Ra6 Rf2 67. Bf3 Rxf3 $1 68. gxf3 Kf4 69. Ne4 Kxf3 $14 {and White has an extra piece, but the game is close to even.}) 64... Rd2 65. Bf3 Rf5 66. Be4 Rg5 67. h4 Rg4 68. Kh3 Rd4 69. Bf5 Rxh4+ 70. Kg3 Kg5 71. Bxg6 Rhg4+ 72. Kh2 a4 73. Bh7 h4 74. Rg6+ Kh5 75. Re6 a3 76. Bf5 Rg5 77. Be4 Ra5 78. Bf3+ Kg5 79. Re2 Rd3 80. Rc2 $1 { Anand forces the draw.} Rxc3 $1 81. Rxc3 a2 82. Rc1 a1=Q 83. Rxa1 Rxa1 84. Bc6 $1 {All the bishop has to do is prevent Black from getting in both Kg4 and h3 with a rook on the second rank, which is easy enough to do.} Kf4 85. Bb7 Rc1 86. Bd5 Rc2 87. Be6 $1 {Anand has found the drawing motif rather easily. Now the remainder of the game is uninteresting.} Rc3 88. Bd7 Rg3 89. Bh3 Ke3 90. Kg1 Ke2 91. Bc8 Ra3 92. Bg4+ Ke3 93. Kh2 Kf2 94. Bf3 Ra1 95. Bb7 Ra7 96. Bd5 Ke3 97. Bc6 Kf4 98. Bd5 Ra3 99. Be6 Rg3 100. Bh3 Ke3 101. Kg1 Rg7 102. Be6 Re7 103. Bh3 Rc7 104. Be6 Rc6 105. Bd7 Rd6 106. Bc8 Rd8 107. Be6 Rd6 {and the players agreed to a draw. A fascinating encounter!} 1/2-1/2 [Event "Stavanger NOR"] [Site "Stavanger NOR"] [Date "2019.06.09"] [Round "5.1"] [White "Vachier-Lagrave, Maxime"] [Black "Carlsen, Magnus"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [ECO "A29"] [WhiteElo "2779"] [BlackElo "2875"] [PlyCount "90"] [EventDate "2019.06.04"] 1. c4 ({The standard game went} 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 ( 11... f5 12. f4 a6 13. Na3 Nd7 14. Nc4 b6 15. fxe5 Nxe5 16. Be3 Nxc4 17. Bxc4 Bf6 18. Bd4 Bd7 {Nepomniachtchi,I (2773)-Carlsen,M (2861) Abidjan 2019}) 12. Kh1 a6 13. Na3 Nc5 14. Nc4 a5 15. f4 exf4 16. Bxf4 f5 {N} (16... b6 17. Ra3 f5 18. Rg3 g6 19. b3 Rf7 20. Re3 Ba6 21. Nd2 g5 22. Rg3 Rg7 {De Smet,K (2186) -Hanen,B (2374) ICCF email 2011}) 17. Bd3 b6 18. Qe2 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 (30) Vachier-Lagrave,M (2779)-Carlsen,M (2875) Stavanger NOR 2019}) 1... e5 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. Nf3 Nc6 4. g3 d5 5. cxd5 Nxd5 6. Bg2 Bc5 7. O-O O-O 8. d3 h6 9. Bd2 (9. Nxd5 Qxd5 10. a3 a5 11. Bd2 Qe6 12. Rc1 Qe7 13. Bc3 Nd4 14. e3 Nxf3+ 15. Qxf3 Bd6 16. Qh5 c6 {Carlsen,M (2845)-Giri,A (2797) Shamkir 2019}) 9... Nf6 10. Na4 {N} (10. Rc1 Be6 11. Na4 Bd6 12. a3 Qe7 13. Qc2 Rad8 14. Be3 Rfe8 15. Nc5 Bxc5 16. Bxc5 Qd7 17. b4 b5 {Balleer,D (2006)-Oppel,D (1503) GER email 2011}) 10... Bb6 11. Rc1 Re8 12. Bc3 e4 13. dxe4 Nxe4 14. Qxd8 Rxd8 15. Be5 Re8 16. Nxb6 axb6 17. Bxc7 Rxa2 18. Ne5 Bf5 19. Nxc6 (19. g4 $5 Nxe5 20. gxf5 Nc6 {= Carlsen }) 19... bxc6 20. f3 Nd2 21. Rf2 Rxb2 22. e4 Be6 23. Be5 Rb5 24. Rxd2 Rxe5 25. Rxc6 Rb5 26. f4 g6 27. e5 Kg7 28. Be4 Rb4 29. Bf3 Ra8 30. Kf2 Ra2 31. Rxa2 Bxa2 32. Bg4 h5 33. Bd7 Rb2+ 34. Ke3 Rxh2 35. Rc7 Kf8 36. Rc8+ Kg7 37. Rc7 Kf8 38. f5 gxf5 39. Bxf5 Be6 40. Bxe6 fxe6 41. Rb7 Rb2 42. Kf4 Rf2+ 43. Ke4 Re2+ 44. Kf4 Rf2+ 45. Ke4 Re2+ 1/2-1/2 [Event "7th Norway Armageddon"] [Site "Stavanger NOR"] [Date "2019.06.09"] [Round "5.3"] [White "Yu, Yangyi"] [Black "Caruana, Fabiano"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "B30"] [WhiteElo "2738"] [BlackElo "2819"] [PlyCount "131"] [EventDate "2019.06.04"] 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 g6 4. Bc4 {An original way to play for a win the Armageddon game. If anything, Caruana is out of book.} Bg7 5. O-O a6 6. a3 e6 7. d3 Nge7 8. Ba2 d5 ({Also possible was:} 8... O-O 9. Bf4 d6 10. Rb1 b5 11. h3 Bb7 12. Qd2 Qc7 13. Ne2 {Gutierrez Olivares,D (2320) -Pinho,P (2205) Caleta 2019}) 9. exd5 {N Here we are, a fresh position as early as on move nine.} (9. Re1 d4 10. Ne2 O-O 11. h3 e5 12. Ng3 b6 13. Bg5 h6 {with good game for Black, Pahler, D-Saering,P Baden 2001}) 9... exd5 10. Bg5 {The only way to bother the enemy center, but it backfires.} h6 $1 {Caruana finds the best plan. Yu will either have to give up the bishop pair, or put the bishop to a bad position.} ( {There was nothing wrong with:} 10... Be6) 11. Bh4 g5 12. Bg3 O-O ({In case of the immediate:} 12... f5 {White could consider a piece sacrifice, like:} 13. Nd2 f4 14. Qh5+ Kf8 15. Rae1) 13. h3 Be6 ({A fruitful idea is to limit the second bishop as well with:} 13... b5 $5 {For example:} 14. Re1 c4 15. dxc4 dxc4 16. Bd6 Be6 {when Black already looks better.}) 14. Qd2 Ng6 15. Ne2 f5 $1 {Black outplayed his opponent despite the original opening. Yu's dark-squared bishop will remain excluded from the game in the foreseeable future and this strongly favors Caruana.} 16. Rae1 Qd7 ({It is too early for:} 16... f4 $2 17. Nxf4 gxf4 18. Rxe6 Kf7 19. Rxg6 $1 {when White is on top.}) 17. b4 f4 18. Bh2 cxb4 {Not a bad move.} ({Although more decisive would have been to launch a kingside attack with:} 18... Nge5 $1 19. Nxe5 Bxe5 20. bxc5 f3 $1 21. Bxe5 fxg2 ({Or} 21... Nxe5)) 19. axb4 Kh8 {Very cautious play by Caruana.} ({Aggressive moves like} 19... g4 $5) ({or even} 19... Bxh3 20. gxh3 g4 {would have been favorable for Black.}) 20. c3 Rad8 21. Kh1 Bf5 22. Ned4 {The only active possibility led to a very positive result for Yu.} Rfe8 $2 {The correct idea to trade the unnecessary pieces, but with the wrong move order. It should be said though that Caruana was quite low on time whereas Yu was practically blitzing the whole game till now.} ({After the correct} 22... Nxd4 $1 23. Nxd4 Bxd4 24. cxd4 Qb5 {Black would have been clearly better without any risk of losing. The more pieces are traded, the more obvious it will be that the bishop on h2 is out of the game.}) 23. Nxf5 Qxf5 24. d4 $1 {Setting strong play on the light squares.} Qf7 25. Bb1 Rxe1 26. Rxe1 Re8 27. Bg1 {Since the bishop is not coming out at once, it made sense to choose a different move order.} ({Better was} 27. Bd3 Rxe1+ 28. Qxe1 Bf6 29. Qb1 {when White's position is stronger.}) 27... Rxe1 28. Nxe1 Nce7 29. Qd3 ({Not} 29. f3 Nf5 $1 { when Black is fine.}) 29... Qe6 30. Nf3 Bf6 31. Ne5 $1 {In order to open the diagonal for the second bishop. The investment is worth it!} ({White could have also tried something slower like:} 31. Nd2 Qe1 32. Bc2 {although there was never guarantee that the bishop will see the light.}) 31... Bxe5 32. dxe5 Qxe5 33. f3 Qe1 34. Bc2 Kg7 {If the bishops come out Black will be in trouble, but Caruana hopes that his queen is active enough to suppress them.} ({If} 34... Qe6 35. Bf2) 35. c4 dxc4 36. Qxc4 Nh4 $6 ({Better was} 36... h5 $1 { in order to secure a good hiding square for the king in case of} 37. Qd4+ Kh6 { h6-h5 also prepare the g5-g4 advance.}) 37. Qd4+ Kf7 38. Bb3+ Ke8 {The next moves were played in severe time trouble for both sides which explains some of the decisions by both the players. Yu's play seemed easier as his king was safer and he owed the more active queen.} 39. Qd6 Nhf5 ({Missing the chance to build a fortress in the lengthy line:} 39... Qe2 40. Qb8+ Kd7 41. Qxb7+ Ke8 42. Qa8+ Kd7 43. Qa7+ Ke8 44. Qf2 Qxf2 45. Bxf2 Nef5 46. Bc4 Ne3 47. Bxe3 fxe3 48. Bxa6 Nf5 49. Kh2 Kd7) 40. Qb8+ Kd7 41. Qxb7+ Kd8 42. Bc4 {Avoiding any perpetual checks after Nf5-g3-f1+.} ({Although the preliminary check:} 42. Qb6+ Ke8 43. Bc4 {might have been a tad more accurate.}) 42... Nc8 43. Bxa6 Ncd6 44. Qa8+ Ke7 45. Bd3 (45. Qb8 $5) 45... Ne3 ({I am not sure what ghosts did Caruana see after the obvious capture:} 45... Qxb4 $1 46. Qd5 Kf6 $1 {Black should be able to hold on one flank.}) 46. Qa7+ Ke6 47. Qa2+ Kd7 48. b5 Qd1 49. Be2 {Allows a beauty, which Caruana did not spot.} Qe1 (49... Nef5 $3 {would have saved the game and won the mini-match. The lonely knight is capable of great deeds after:} 50. Bxd1 ({Nothing changes:} 50. Qa7+ Ke6 51. Qa2+ Kd7) 50... Ng3+ 51. Kh2 Nf1+ 52. Kh1 Ng3+ {with perpetual check.}) 50. Bd3 Qd1 51. Qe2 (51. Qa7+ $1 Ke6 52. Qh7 {should had won without much headache.}) 51... Qc1 {Intuitively, Black avoids the queen trade.} ({However} 51... Qxe2 $1 52. Bxe2 Ndf5 53. Kh2 ({Or} 53. Bd3 Ng3+ 54. Kh2 Nef1+ {with the familiar perpetual.}) 53... Nd4 54. Bd3 Kd6 {should have split the point instead.}) 52. Kh2 h5 53. Bf2 Kc7 54. Qe1 (54. Qa2 $1) 54... Qc5 ({Once more Caruana has no time to evaluate the consequences of:} 54... Qxe1 55. Bxe1 Kb6 56. Bc3 Nxb5 57. Bf6 Nc7 58. Bxg5 Ne6 {although it seems as a draw.}) 55. Kg1 Kb6 56. Qa1 Nxb5 {Finally the extra pawn dropped. Yu can still hope on some tricks based on the pin though.} 57. Qb2 Kc6 58. Qxb5+ {Forcing a pawn endgame.} Qxb5 59. Bxb5+ Kxb5 60. Bxe3 fxe3 61. Kf1 Kc4 62. Ke2 Kd4 63. g3 {And just a step away from the draw...} Kd5 $4 {Caruana blows the game away.} ({Apparently he did not have the time to figure out that despite the defended passer, Yu has no chance of winning after} 63... g4 $1 {(Spotted by Judit Polgar in the commentary studio)} 64. fxg4 ({Nothing changes:} 64. hxg4 hxg4 65. f4 Ke4 66. Ke1 Kd4 67. Kd1 Kd5) 64... hxg4 65. h4 Ke4 66. Kf1 Kf5 {As the white king does not have enough room to triangulate and it should end peacefully with:} 67. Ke1 Ke5 68. Ke2 Ke4 69. h5 Kf5 70. Kxe3 Kg5 71. Ke4 Kxh5 72. Kf5 Kh6 73. Kxg4 Kg6) ({Grischuk showed the line} 63... h4 64. g4 Kd5 65. Kxe3 Ke5 66. f4+ gxf4+ 67. Kf3 Kf6 68. Kxf4 Kg6 69. g5 $4 ({winning is e.g.} 69. Ke4 Kf6 70. Kd5 Kg5 71. Ke5 Kg6 72. Kf4 { as pointed out by Polgar}) 69... Kh5 70. Kf5 {stalemate!}) 64. Kxe3 Ke5 65. f4+ Kf5 66. Kf3 1-0 [Event "7th Norway Armageddon"] [Site "Stavanger NOR"] [Date "2019.06.09"] [Round "5.4"] [White "Ding, Liren"] [Black "Aronian, Levon"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [ECO "A28"] [WhiteElo "2805"] [BlackElo "2752"] [PlyCount "194"] [EventDate "2019.06.04"] 1. c4 ({The standard game went} 1. Nf3 d5 2. g3 Nf6 3. Bg2 e6 4. O-O Be7 5. d4 O-O 6. Nbd2 b6 7. c4 Bb7 8. cxd5 exd5 9. b3 a5 10. Ne5 a4 11. bxa4 Qe8 12. Qc2 Nc6 13. Bb2 Bd6 14. Rfc1 Nd8 15. a5 Rxa5 16. a4 Ra7 17. e3 Ne6 18. h4 $5 Qa8 19. Ndf3 (19. Bh3 Re8 20. Bf5 {Aronian}) 19... Re8 20. Bf1 c5 21. Bb5 Re7 22. dxc5 $6 {"Extremely strange." (Aronian)} bxc5 23. Qd1 h6 24. a5 Nd8 $6 ({Both} 24... Nc7 {and}) (24... Ba6 {are very good for Black.}) 25. a6 $1 {A great pawn sacrifice that solves all problems.} Bxa6 26. Bxa6 ({After} 26. Nc4 Bxb5 27. Nxd6 Ba4 28. Rxa4 Rxa4 29. Bxf6 gxf6 30. Nf5 {Black needs to be extremely precise:} Rea7 31. N3d4 Ra1 $1 32. Qg4+ Kf8 33. Qg7+ Ke8) 26... Rxa6 27. Nc4 dxc4 28. Qxd6 Rxa1 29. Rxa1 Qxf3 30. Qxe7 Ne4 31. Qxd8+ Kh7 32. Rf1 Nxg3 33. fxg3 {1/2 Ding,L (2805) -Aronian,L (2752) Stavanger NOR 2019}) 1... Nf6 2. Nc3 e5 3. Nf3 Nc6 4. e3 Bb4 5. Qc2 Bxc3 6. bxc3 O-O 7. d3 d6 8. Be2 e4 (8... Ne8 9. O-O f5 10. c5 d5 11. c4 e4 12. Nd2 Nb4 13. Qb3 exd3 14. Bf3 Na6 15. Ba3 dxc4 16. Qxc4+ Kh8 {Ding,L (2805)-Karjakin,S (2752) Abidjan 2019}) 9. dxe4 Re8 10. Nd2 Ng4 {N} (10... Qe7 11. f3 b6 12. Nb3 Nd7 13. O-O Nce5 14. f4 Ng6 15. c5 Nxc5 16. Nxc5 bxc5 17. Rb1 Bd7 {Teeriaho,T (2345)-Kaan,J (2206) ICCF email 2015 }) 11. h3 Qh4 12. g3 Qh6 13. Ba3 b6 14. f4 (14. Qa4 Nge5 15. f4 Bd7 {Aronian}) 14... Nf6 15. Bf3 Bb7 16. O-O-O {Grischuk questioned this decision. The king will be quite unsafe later on.} Na5 17. g4 Nd7 18. g5 Qe6 19. f5 $2 {Giving the black queen a very nice square.} (19. h4 $5) (19. Bg4 Qe7 20. Rhe1) 19... Qe5 20. Rhg1 Nc5 21. Rg4 Bc6 22. Bxc5 Qxc5 23. Qd3 Qa3+ 24. Kb1 b5 25. Ka1 Rab8 26. Qc2 Nxc4 ({The text move looks safer (Black only needed a draw!) but} 26... bxc4 {was stronger:} 27. g6 hxg6 28. fxg6 f6 {and Nb3+ at some point.}) ({ "Why don't I go} 26... b4 {This was my plan all along!" said Aronian afterward. }) 27. Nxc4 bxc4 28. Qc1 Qxc1+ ({Polgar preferred} 28... Qa5) 29. Rxc1 g6 30. f6 Re5 31. Rb1 Rxb1+ 32. Kxb1 h5 33. Rg2 Bxe4+ $2 ({First} 33... Kf8 {as pointed out by Grischuk was still winning.}) 34. Bxe4 Rxe4 35. Rb2 {Now White has a lot of counterplay.} Kf8 36. Rb8+ Re8 37. Rb7 Rxe3 38. Rxa7 Ke8 39. Ra8+ Kd7 40. Rf8 Rxh3 41. Rxf7+ Ke6 {Here Aronian dropped below one minute on the clock vs. a bit more than two for Ding.} (41... Ke8 {is not pleasant to play but according to the computer it was equal.}) 42. Re7+ Kd5 43. a4 h4 44. a5 Kc6 45. Rg7 $2 Rxc3 ({Missing} 45... Rg3 $1 46. Rxg6 h3 47. f7 Rf3 {=}) 46. Rxg6 Rf3 47. Rh6 h3 {Here Aronian had 14 seconds left to reach move 60, after which the players get 10 seconds increment per move.} (47... Rf5 48. Rh8) 48. Rxh3 $1 {Played with 1:14 left on the clock.} Rxh3 49. f7 Rf3 50. g6 Kb5 51. g7 Rxf7 52. g8=Q Rf1+ 53. Kc2 Rf2+ 54. Kc3 Rf3+ 55. Kd4 $4 {"Extremely unfortunate." (Grischuk)} ({White was obviously winning with something like} 55. Kd2 Rf2+ 56. Ke1) 55... Rd3+ 56. Ke4 d5+ 57. Ke5 Kxa5 58. Qb8 Ka4 59. Qxc7 Kb3 60. Qb6+ Kc2 61. Qf2+ Kb3 62. Qb6+ Kc2 63. Qf2+ Kd1 64. Qf5 Kd2 65. Qf4+ Kd1 66. Qg4+ Kd2 67. Qg2+ Kd1 68. Qg1+ Kd2 69. Qf2+ Kd1 70. Qg1+ Kd2 71. Qh2+ Kd1 72. Qh5+ Kd2 73. Qh6+ Kd1 74. Qa6 Kd2 75. Qa2+ Kd1 76. Qb1+ Kd2 77. Qb2+ Kd1 78. Qa1+ Kd2 79. Qb2+ Kd1 80. Qb1+ Kd2 81. Qb2+ Kd1 82. Kd6 c3 83. Qb3+ Kd2 84. Qb4 Kd1 85. Qg4+ Kd2 86. Qg2+ Kd1 87. Qf1+ Kd2 88. Qf2+ Kd1 89. Qf5 Kd2 90. Qf4+ Kd1 91. Qg4+ Kd2 92. Qb4 Kd1 93. Qb1+ Kd2 94. Qb4 Kd1 95. Qb5 Kd2 96. Qa5 Kd1 97. Qb5 Kd2 1/2-1/2 [Event "7th Norway Armageddon"] [Site "Stavanger NOR"] [Date "2019.06.09"] [Round "5.5"] [White "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"] [Black "Grischuk, Alexander"] [Result "0-1"] [ECO "E21"] [WhiteElo "2774"] [BlackElo "2775"] [PlyCount "74"] [EventDate "2019.06.04"] 1. d4 ({The standard game went} 1. c4 Nf6 2. Nc3 e5 3. Nf3 Nc6 4. e3 d5 5. cxd5 Nxd5 6. Bb5 Nxc3 7. bxc3 Bd6 8. d4 Bd7 9. O-O O-O 10. Nd2 Qh4 11. g3 Qh6 12. Bd3 Rae8 13. Ne4 Be7 14. f4 f5 {Grischuk said he blundered this "interesting pawn sacrifice" (Polgar).} 15. Bc4+ Kh8 16. dxe5 Rd8 17. Nf2 Na5 18. Bd3 Bb5 { Positionally, this loss of a pawn works out great for Black.} 19. Qc2 Bxd3 20. Nxd3 Qc6 21. Nb2 Nc4 22. Qe2 Na3 ({Grischuk didn't like} 22... b5 23. a4 a6 24. axb5 axb5 25. Nxc4 bxc4 26. Ba3) 23. Nd1 Nc4 24. Nb2 Na3 25. Nd1 Nc4 26. Nb2 { 1/2 Mamedyarov,S (2774) -Grischuk,A (2775) Stavanger NOR 2019}) 1... Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Nf3 O-O 5. Bg5 c5 6. Rc1 cxd4 7. Nxd4 h6 8. Bh4 d5 9. e3 e5 10. Nf3 d4 {"[This] is supposed to be very good for Black but I couldn't remember why." (Grischuk)} 11. exd4 exd4 12. Qxd4 Re8+ ({"You need to be very precise with Black. Five seconds with computer and you'll be fine." (Grischuk) That computer gives} 12... g5 13. Qxd8 Rxd8 14. Bg3 Nc6 {as equal.}) 13. Be2 Qxd4 14. Nxd4 Nc6 15. Bxf6 gxf6 16. Nc2 Bxc3+ 17. bxc3 Ne5 18. Ne3 Be6 19. O-O Rac8 20. Rfd1 Rc5 21. Rd4 Rec8 22. h3 Nxc4 23. Bxc4 Bxc4 24. Rd7 R5c7 25. Rxc7 Rxc7 26. a3 Be6 27. f4 Rc5 28. g4 f5 29. Kf2 Kg7 30. Kf3 Kf6 31. a4 b6 32. c4 Ra5 33. Rd1 Rxa4 34. Rd8 Ra3 35. Ke2 Ra2+ 36. Kd3 Rh2 37. gxf5 Bxf5+ {Here Mamedyarov played the illegal move 38.Rd6+ and then decided to resign.} 0-1 [Event "7th Norway Armageddon"] [Site "Stavanger NOR"] [Date "2019.06.09"] [Round "5.2"] [White "So, Wesley"] [Black "Anand, Viswanathan"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [ECO "D02"] [WhiteElo "2754"] [BlackElo "2767"] [PlyCount "84"] [EventDate "2019.06.04"] 1. d4 ({The standard game went} 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Bc5 6. c3 b5 7. Bb3 d6 8. a4 Bb7 9. d3 h6 10. Re1 O-O 11. Nbd2 Ne7 12. Nh4 {N} (12. Nf1 Ng6 13. Ng3 d5 14. d4 exd4 15. e5 Ne4 16. cxd4 Bb4 17. Re2 c5 { Smirin, I (2639)-Blagojevic,D (2513) Heraklio 2007}) 12... Rb8 13. axb5 axb5 14. Nf1 Bc8 15. h3 Be6 16. Bxe6 fxe6 17. Nf3 b4 18. Ng3 bxc3 19. bxc3 Ng6 20. d4 Bb6 21. Be3 Nd7 22. Nd2 exd4 23. cxd4 e5 24. Nf3 Qf6 25. Nf5 Ne7 26. Nxe7+ Qxe7 27. Rc1 Rf7 28. d5 Bxe3 29. Rxe3 Nc5 30. Qe2 Rff8 31. Rec3 Rb4 32. Rc4 Rfb8 33. g3 Rxc4 34. Rxc4 Qe8 35. Kg2 Rb7 36. Nh4 Qf7 37. Nf5 Kh7 38. h4 Nd7 39. Qc2 Nc5 40. Qe2 Nd7 41. Qc2 Nc5 42. Ne3 Nb3 43. Qd1 Nd4 44. Nc2 Rb2 45. Rc3 h5 46. Qd3 {1/2 So,W (2754)-Anand,V (2767) Stavanger NOR 2019}) 1... Nf6 2. Nf3 d5 3. g3 c6 4. Bg2 Bf5 5. c4 e6 6. Nc3 Nbd7 7. Nh4 Bg6 8. Qb3 Qb6 9. c5 Qa6 10. Nxg6 hxg6 11. e4 b6 12. exd5 exd5 13. cxb6 axb6 14. Bf1 b5 15. Bd3 Bd6 16. O-O O-O 17. Qc2 Qa7 $1 (17... Qb6 18. Be3 b4 19. Na4) 18. Ne2 Rfc8 19. Be3 c5 20. dxc5 Bxc5 21. Bxc5 Nxc5 22. Bxb5 Qb6 23. Bd3 Nxd3 24. Qxd3 Qxb2 25. a4 (25. Rfb1 Qc2) 25... Qc2 26. Nf4 g5 27. Qxc2 Rxc2 28. Nd3 Ne4 29. a5 Nc5 30. Nb4 Rb2 31. Nc6 (31. Nxd5 Nb3 32. Rab1 Rxb1 33. Rxb1 Rxa5 34. Ne7+ Kf8 35. Nc6 Rc5 { Anand}) 31... Ra6 32. Nd4 Nb3 33. Nxb3 Rxb3 34. Ra2 Rb5 35. Rfa1 d4 36. Kf1 Re5 37. Ra4 d3 38. f4 gxf4 39. gxf4 Rd5 40. Ke1 d2+ 41. Kd1 g6 42. R1a2 Kg7 1/2-1/2 [Event "7th Altibox Norway Chess 2019"] [Site "Stavanger"] [Date "2019.06.09"] [Round "5.2"] [White "So, Wesley"] [Black "Anand, Viswanathan"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [ECO "C78"] [WhiteElo "2754"] [BlackElo "2767"] [Annotator "Tanmay Srinath"] [PlyCount "91"] [EventDate "2019.??.??"] 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Bc5 (5... b5 $1 6. Bb3 Bc5 { is probably a better move order to reach the Archangel.}) 6. c3 b5 7. Bb3 d6 8. a4 {Wesley So goes for lines without an early d4.} (8. d4 Bb6 9. a4 {is considered the most critical test of Black's opening play, and here he has two options, the classical} Bb7 {both leading to complex play.} ({or the modern} 9... Rb8)) 8... Bb7 9. d3 (9. d4 {is still the best way to fight for an opening advantage. So's approach is to get a playable position, then outplay Anand in the middlegame, which is perfectly sound. What I feel is the reason he didn't go for this is} Bb6 10. Bg5 $5 (10. Re1 O-O 11. Bg5 h6 12. axb5 $1 axb5 13. Rxa8 Bxa8 14. Bh4 g5 15. Bg3 exd4 16. cxd4 Re8 $132) (10. Be3 exd4 11. cxd4 Na5 12. e5 $1 (12. axb5 O-O 13. e5 Ng4 $1 {better than the previous main line with Bxf3-here Black retains both bishops and thus better chances of an advantage} 14. Bc2 $1 {it is important to retain this bishop.} (14. bxa6 Bxf3 15. gxf3 Nxe3 16. fxe3 dxe5 17. dxe5 Qh4 $17 {is not what you are aiming for as White-Black has a crushing initiative.}) 14... Nxe3 15. fxe3 axb5 16. Nc3 g6 $1 {it is more important to blunt this bishop.} 17. Nxb5 dxe5 18. Nxe5 f6 19. Ng4 Kg7 $44 {with wonderful play for Black-White's pieces are slightly awkward and Black's two bishops are tearing the board apart.}) 12... Nxb3 (12... dxe5 13. dxe5 Qxd1 14. Bxd1 Nd7 15. Bxb6 cxb6 16. axb5 axb5 $132 {and Black eventually equalises, though he has to play precisely to do so.}) 13. Qxb3 Nd5 14. axb5) 10... h6 $1 11. Bxf6 (11. Be3 $5 exd4 12. cxd4 Na5 13. e5 Nxb3 $13 { with a position where Black is definitely not worse.}) 11... Qxf6 12. Bd5 O-O 13. Na3 (13. axb5 axb5 $11 {releases the tension too early.}) 13... Rfb8 $1 $13 {is an improvement that gives Black good play.}) 9... h6 10. Re1 O-O 11. Nbd2 Ne7 {Vishy immediately tries to improve his knight to g6.} 12. Nh4 Rb8 13. axb5 axb5 14. Nf1 Bc8 15. h3 Be6 16. Bxe6 fxe6 $13 {from here it seemed to me that Anand was the one pressing, as I quite like the central structure and White doesn't have good squares for his knights.} 17. Nf3 b4 18. Ng3 bxc3 19. bxc3 Ng6 $11 {It seems to me that Anand has now fully equalised.} 20. d4 Bb6 21. Be3 Nd7 22. Nd2 exd4 23. cxd4 e5 24. Nf3 Qf6 (24... Rxf3 $1 {was probably a better option, to win a pawn for the exchange after the relatively forced} 25. Qxf3 $1 (25. gxf3 exd4 26. Bxd4 Bxd4 27. Qxd4 Nde5 $15 {is actually worse for White! Black's outposts on the kingside mean a lot more than White's extra exchange.}) 25... exd4 26. Bd2 Nge5 27. Qd1 Nc5 $44 {with wonderful compensation for the exchange- the connected passers on the queenside are potentially very dangerous.}) 25. Nf5 Ne7 26. Nxe7+ Qxe7 27. Rc1 Rf7 28. d5 $5 Bxe3 29. Rxe3 Nc5 30. Qe2 Rff8 31. Rec3 Rb4 32. Rc4 Rfb8 (32... Rb3 $1 33. R4c3 Rfb8 34. Rxb3 Rxb3 35. Rc2 Qe8 36. Nd2 Ra3 37. g3 Qa4 {puts that extra squeeze on So, but at the top level it is unlikely that Vishy would have benefitted much from this.}) 33. g3 Rxc4 34. Rxc4 Qe8 35. Kg2 Rb7 36. Nh4 Qf7 37. Nf5 Kh7 38. h4 Nd7 39. Qc2 Nc5 40. Qe2 Nd7 41. Qc2 Nc5 42. Ne3 Nb3 43. Qd1 Nd4 44. Nc2 Rb2 45. Rc3 h5 46. Qd3 {A very interesting strategic fight.} 1/2-1/2 [Event "Stavanger"] [Site "Stavanger"] [Date "2019.06.09"] [Round "5.4"] [White "Ding, Liren"] [Black "Aronian, Levon"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [ECO "D02"] [WhiteElo "2805"] [BlackElo "2752"] [Annotator "Tanmay Srinath"] [PlyCount "65"] [EventDate "2019.??.??"] {Definitely the most fascinating duel of the round-two 1.d4 players with contrasting styles faced each other in a bid to rise up the leaderboard.} 1. Nf3 d5 2. g3 Nf6 3. Bg2 e6 4. O-O Be7 {Levon here is ready even for a King's Indian Attack, by choosing the French structure. It is unclear whether he would have handled the structure in the most precise fashion, as databases show he has practically never played it.} 5. d4 {Here a potential flaw of Ding Liren is revealed-his restricted White repertoire. Generally most of the top GMs are reasonably proficient with both 1.e4 and 1.d4, but Ding is an exception to the rule. He does get good positions though, and it remains to be seen if this lack of versatilitly affects him in his quest for the World Crown. } (5. d3 $1 {would have been a better choice, given the reasons stated above.} c5 6. Nbd2 Nc6 7. e4 {and here I doubt Levon would have gone for} O-O (7... dxe4 $5 {is probably what he would have played, and after} 8. dxe4 {we have a typical position, where as a King's Indian Attack player I prefer White and so does Komodo, due to his better structure after} e5 9. Nc4 Qc7 10. Ne3 $14) 8. e5 Nd7 9. Re1 Qc7 10. Qe2 $14 {with slightly better chances to White in a Kings Indian Attack.}) 5... O-O 6. Nbd2 b6 7. c4 Bb7 {We now have the Queen's Indian structure, where chances are balanced due to White's move order.} 8. cxd5 $5 {Ding Liren sets a very interesting plan in motion. He wants to play on the flanks, so he first fixes the center. Alpha Zero also used to favour such ideas in similar structures.} exd5 9. b3 a5 10. Ne5 a4 $1 {a temporary pawn sacrifice by Aronian to break down White's queenside structure. This deviates from an old game of GM Alexander Donchenko, then still a 2000 something rated player.} 11. bxa4 Qe8 12. Qc2 Nc6 13. Bb2 Bd6 14. Rfc1 Nd8 $5 { the move seems too passive initially, but Levon has a deep idea here.} 15. a5 $1 {while I feel all this has probably been prepared, it is still a nice idea-Ding gives the pawn back to cramp Black's position.} Rxa5 16. a4 Ra7 17. e3 Ne6 {Levon prepares c5} 18. h4 $5 {Ding plays on all fronts.} ({Here, I found another interesting plan of regrouping the pieces, with the engines, starting with} 18. f4 $5 c5 19. Bc3 Qa8 $5 {an interesting idea, initially not well respected by the engines. The idea is to take firmer control over e4 and harass the a4 pawn.} 20. Ndf3 Rc8 21. Qb2 {taking full control of the central square e5. After} Rxa4 $5 22. Qxb6 cxd4 23. Rxa4 Qxa4 24. Ra1 Qe8 25. Bxd4 $13 {the position remains complex, but human intuition is slightly partial to White's chances.}) 18... Qa8 $1 {Aronian switches his queen to the half open file, and with Rc8 coming after c5, I can't see what Ding Liren has achieved from the opening.} 19. Ndf3 Re8 20. Bf1 c5 21. Bb5 $6 {this natural looking move is infact the first innacuracy of the game. Ding had at his disposal a very strong temporary pawn sacrifice, that justifies his previous play.} (21. a5 $1 c4 $1 (21... Rxa5 $2 {this is wrong, but it is good to know why.} 22. Rxa5 bxa5 (22... Qxa5 $4 23. Ra1 $18 {is game over-the Black queen is unceremoniously trapped.}) 23. dxc5 Nxc5 (23... Bxc5 24. Nxf7 $3 Kxf7 25. Bxf6 Kg8 $1 (25... gxf6 26. Qxh7+ Kf8 27. Bh3 $1 $18 {and it is literally impossible for black to defend, for example} Qa7 28. Nd4 Nxd4 29. Qh6+ Kg8 ( 29... Ke7 $2 30. Qg7+ Kd6 31. Qd7+ Ke5 32. exd4+ Kxd4 33. Qxe8 $18 {is mate in 3.}) 30. Qg6+ Kf8 31. Qxf6+ Kg8 32. Qg5+ Kf7 33. exd4 $18 {is killing-White has too many threats.}) 26. Bb2 $18 {is also not much better.}) (23... Rc8 24. c6 $1 {now White strikes from the queenside.} Qb8 25. Bd4 Nxd4 26. exd4 Ba3 27. Rb1 Bb4 28. Ng5 $18 {with a winning position.}) 24. Nxf7 $3 {A sudden blow, but considering the fact that White's pieces are pointing towards the kingside, this is not too surprision. Now, after} Kxf7 $1 {the most critical move, forcing White to demonstrate his idea,} (24... Nce4 $5 {A human defense.} 25. Nxd6 Nxd6 26. Bxf6 gxf6 27. Qa4 $18 {and despite material equality, Black is slaughtered.}) 25. Ng5+ Ke7 (25... Kg8 26. Bxf6 $18) (25... Kf8 26. Qf5 $18) 26. Bxf6+ $1 {removing the last defender of the kingside} gxf6 (26... Kxf6 27. Qc3+ Ke7 28. Qxg7+ Kd8 29. Bb5 $1 {transposes to the main line.}) 27. Qxh7+ Kd8 28. Bb5 $3 {another piece sacrifice, this time of decisive proportions. After the forced} fxg5 (28... Bc6 29. Nf7+ Kc7 30. Nxd6+ Kxd6 31. Qc2 $1 $18 { Black collapses on the c-file.}) 29. Rxc5 $1 {this time the move is obvious. Black can't defend against the numerous threats, for eg} Bc8 (29... Re7 30. Qh8+ Re8 31. Qxe8#) 30. Rc6 Be7 31. Qf7 $1 Rf8 32. Qxd5+ Bd7 33. Qd3 $1 $18 { and Black is in zugzwang!}) 22. axb6 Rxa1 23. Bxa1 $1 {only this move justifies the previous ones.} Qa5 24. Ng5 $1 {White now mounts a ferocious onslaught on the kingside, and Black has to be extremely precise with} Nxg5 25. hxg5 Bxe5 26. dxe5 Ne4 27. Bd4 Nxg5 28. Be2 $14 {to retain chances of a successful defense.}) 21... Re7 $1 {Now Levon takes over.} 22. dxc5 bxc5 { in this position, the hanging pawns are source of strength, not a weakness, since they are amply supported by Black's pieces.} 23. Qd1 h6 24. a5 Nd8 $2 { This throws away most of Black's advantage.} (24... Nc7 $1 {was much better, retaining better control over a6, while at the same time controlling the d5 square and attacking the Bb5. But the key point is revelaed soon. If White is accurate with} 25. Bd3 {then the superb} Nce8 $1 {illustrates Black's idea-a complete blockade on the e4 square. This is why the retreat Nd8? is wrong-Black doesn't achieve anything by doing so. Here the comps are so disgusted with White's position that they find nothing better than} 26. g4 { perhaps the most human way of creating counterplay} (26. Bb5 $5 Qb8 $1 27. Bc6 Ba8 $1 28. Ra2 Qc8 $1 29. Bxa8 Rxa8 $1 {is not much better-Black's pressure means that White will sonn have to give up a pawn.}) 26... Ne4 $1 27. g5 c4 28. Bc2 hxg5 $19 {and Black is clearly winning.}) 25. a6 $1 {Ding finds the only move to stay in the game.} Bxa6 26. Bxa6 Rxa6 27. Nc4 $1 {it is this strong idea that takes the game closer to a draw.} dxc4 28. Qxd6 Rxa1 29. Rxa1 Qxf3 30. Qxe7 Ne4 31. Qxd8+ Kh7 32. Rf1 Nxg3 $1 {Aronian forces a draw.} 33. fxg3 { One of the most creative games in recent times!} 1/2-1/2 [Event "Stavanger NOR"] [Site "Stavanger NOR"] [Date "2019.06.10"] [Round "6.5"] [White "Grischuk, Alexander"] [Black "Caruana, Fabiano"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [ECO "B33"] [WhiteElo "2775"] [BlackElo "2819"] [PlyCount "85"] [EventDate "2019.05.04"] 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 Rb8 12. Nc2 Bg5 13. a4 bxa4 14. Ncb4 Nxb4 15. Nxb4 Bd7 16. Bxa6 Qa5 17. Qxd6 Rb6 18. Qd3 Be6 (18... Be7 19. Nd5 Rxb2 20. O-O Qc5 21. c4 Rb3 22. Qe2 Bd6 23. Bb5 Bxb5 24. cxb5 Qxb5 25. Qg4 O-O 26. Nf6+ Kh8 27. Qf5 g6 28. Qg5 Kg7 29. Nh5+ Kg8 30. Nf6+ Kg7 31. Nh5+ Kg8 32. Qh6 gxh5 33. Qg5+ Kh8 34. Qf6+ Kg8 {1/2 Dominguez Perez,L (2734)-Grischuk,A (2780) Khanty-Mansiysk 2015}) 19. O-O Be7 20. Bc4 Bxb4 21. Bxe6 {N} (21. cxb4 Qxb4 22. Bxe6 fxe6 $2 23. Qf3 $1 {and Black lost quickly in Ehlvest,J (2600)-Ataman, A (2156) Kocaeli 2002}) 21... Rxe6 22. cxb4 Qxb4 23. Qc2 O-O 24. Rxa4 Qb7 25. Qc3 Rb6 26. Qxe5 Rxb2 27. Rd4 h6 28. h4 Rb1 29. g4 Rxf1+ 30. Kxf1 Qc8 31. Qg3 Re8 32. Kg2 Qc6 33. Qd3 Qf6 34. h5 Qg5 35. Qf3 Qf6 36. Rd3 Qc6 37. Rd4 Qf6 38. Rb4 Qd6 39. Qb3 Qd7 40. Qg3 Qe7 41. Qb3 Qd7 42. Kf3 Qd6 43. Kg2 1/2-1/2 [Event "7th Norway Armageddon"] [Site "Stavanger NOR"] [Date "2019.06.10"] [Round "6.3"] [White "Aronian, Levon"] [Black "So, Wesley"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "A22"] [WhiteElo "2752"] [BlackElo "2754"] [PlyCount "93"] [EventDate "2019.06.04"] 1. c4 e5 2. g3 ({The standard game went} 2. d3 Nf6 3. Nf3 Nc6 4. a3 g6 5. Nc3 Bg7 6. e3 d5 7. cxd5 Nxd5 8. Bd2 O-O 9. Be2 Nxc3 10. Bxc3 a5 11. O-O a4 12. Rc1 Be6 13. Nd2 Na5 14. f4 Nb3 15. Nxb3 Bxb3 16. Qe1 Re8 17. Qg3 exf4 18. Qxf4 Bxc3 19. Rxc3 Qe7 20. Bd1 Bxd1 21. Rxc7 Qxe3+ 22. Qxe3 Rxe3 23. Rxd1 Rd8 24. Rxb7 Rexd3 25. Rxd3 Rxd3 26. Rb4 Rd2 27. h4 Kg7 28. Kh2 h5 29. Kg3 f6 30. Kf3 g5 31. hxg5 {1/2 (31) Aronian,L (2752)-So,W (2754) Stavanger NOR 2019}) 2... Nf6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e4 O-O 5. Nge2 Nc6 6. Bg2 Bc5 7. O-O d6 8. d3 Bg4 9. Kh1 Bxe2 10. Qxe2 Nd4 11. Qd1 c6 12. f4 h6 13. Na4 Bb4 14. a3 Ba5 15. Be3 b5 16. cxb5 cxb5 17. Nc3 Bb6 18. Rc1 a6 19. Bh3 Re8 20. g4 Ne6 21. Bxb6 Qxb6 22. g5 hxg5 23. Bxe6 fxe6 24. fxg5 Nh7 25. Qg4 (25. Qh5 {looks strong but surprisingly it's nothing after} Qe3) (25. g6 Nf6 26. Qf3 {and 27.Qh3 was strong though.}) 25... Qe3 26. h4 Rf8 (26... Qxd3) 27. g6 Rxf1+ 28. Rxf1 Nf8 29. h5 Qxd3 30. Kg2 Qd2+ 31. Rf2 Qe3 32. Nd1 Qc1 33. Qf3 Qg5+ 34. Kf1 Qe7 ({Aronian expected} 34... Qf4 $1 {with the point} 35. Qxf4 exf4 36. Rxf4 Nd7 37. Rf7 Rf8) 35. Ke2 b4 36. a4 Nd7 37. Qf7+ Qxf7 38. Rxf7 Nc5 39. Nf2 Rf8 40. Rc7 b3 41. Ng4 ({As Black cannot do anything,} 41. a5 $1 {was even stronger.}) 41... Nxe4 42. h6 Ng3+ 43. Ke1 ({Here} 43. Kd1 {was more accurate.}) 43... Nf5 44. hxg7 Nxg7 45. Nh6+ Kh8 46. Ra7 Nf5 $4 ({Black was probably lost anyway, e.g.} 46... Rc8 47. a5 e4 48. Ng4 $1 (48. Rxa6 $2 Nf5 49. Nxf5 exf5 50. Rxd6 Kg7 {=}) 48... d5 49. Rxa6) 47. Rh7# 1-0 [Event "7th Norway Armageddon"] [Site "Stavanger NOR"] [Date "2019.06.10"] [Round "6.2"] [White "Anand, Viswanathan"] [Black "Yu, Yangyi"] [Result "0-1"] [ECO "C24"] [WhiteElo "2767"] [BlackElo "2738"] [PlyCount "96"] [EventDate "2019.06.04"] 1. e4 e5 2. Bc4 ({The standard game went} 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nxe5 d6 4. Nf3 Nxe4 5. d4 d5 6. Bd3 Be7 7. O-O O-O 8. Re1 Bf5 9. Nbd2 Nd6 10. Bxf5 Nxf5 11. Nf1 c6 12. Qd3 Nd6 13. Bf4 Na6 14. Ne3 Nc7 15. Re2 Ne6 16. Bxd6 Bxd6 17. g3 Qd7 18. Rae1 Rae8 19. b3 Nc7 20. c4 Bb4 21. Ra1 f6 22. a3 Be7 23. Rae1 Bd8 24. Kg2 Re6 25. cxd5 cxd5 26. Rc1 Rc6 27. Rec2 Rxc2 28. Qxc2 Re8 29. Qc5 a6 30. a4 Re6 31. Qb4 {1/2 Anand,V (2767)-Yu,Y (2738) Stavanger NOR 2019}) 2... Nf6 3. d3 c6 4. Nf3 d5 5. Bb3 a5 6. a3 Bd6 7. exd5 Nxd5 8. O-O O-O 9. Re1 Bg4 10. Nbd2 Nd7 11. h3 Bh5 12. Ne4 Qc7 13. Ng3 Bg6 14. Nh4 Nc5 15. Ba2 Ne6 16. Nxg6 hxg6 17. h4 Rae8 18. Ne4 f5 19. Ng5 Nxg5 20. Bxg5 Bc5 21. c3 Qf7 22. Qd2 a4 23. Qc2 e4 24. Qxa4 b5 25. Qc2 Kh8 26. b4 Ba7 27. c4 bxc4 28. dxc4 Nf6 29. c5 Qc7 30. g3 Bb8 31. Rad1 (31. Bxf6 $5 gxf6 (31... Rxf6 32. f4 $1 {stops all counterplay}) 32. Rad1) 31... Qc8 32. Qd2 f4 $5 33. Bxf4 $2 ({As Yu pointed out, the only move was} 33. Bxf6 Rxf6 {and now the human move is} 34. Qd7 {which is roughly equal after} ({ The engine goes} 34. f3 $1) 34... Qxd7 35. Rxd7 fxg3 36. fxg3 Bxg3 37. Re2 e3 38. Rd4) 33... Qh3 {Somewhat surprisingly, there's no defense.} 34. f3 (34. Bxb8 Rxb8 {doesn't change much.}) 34... exf3 35. Qh2 Qxh2+ 36. Kxh2 Ng4+ 37. Kh1 (37. Kg1 {allows a different fork:} f2+) 37... Nf2+ 38. Kg1 Nxd1 39. Rxd1 Bxf4 40. gxf4 Re2 41. Bc4 Rg2+ 42. Kf1 Rxf4 43. Rd8+ Kh7 44. Bg8+ Kh6 45. Bd5 g5 46. hxg5+ Kxg5 47. Bxc6 Rc2 48. Rd3 Kg4 0-1 [Event "7th Norway Chess 2019"] [Site "Stavanger NOR"] [Date "2019.06.10"] [Round "6.1"] [White "Carlsen, Magnus"] [Black "Ding, Liren"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [ECO "A15"] [WhiteElo "2875"] [BlackElo "2805"] [PlyCount "120"] [EventDate "2019.06.04"] 1. c4 Nf6 2. g3 e5 3. Bg2 c6 4. d4 e4 5. Qb3 $5 (5. Nc3 d5 6. Bg5 Bb4 7. Qb3 Bxc3+ 8. Qxc3 O-O 9. f3 dxc4 10. Bxf6 Qxf6 11. fxe4 c5 12. e5 cxd4 13. exf6 dxc3 14. fxg7 Re8 {McShane,L (2647)-Anand,V (2783) Germany 2018}) 5... d5 6. Nc3 dxc4 7. Qxc4 b5 8. Qb3 Qxd4 9. Be3 {N} (9. Bg5 Bf5 10. Rd1 Qe5 11. f4 Qe6 12. Qxe6+ fxe6 13. Bxf6 gxf6 14. Nxe4 Bb4+ 15. Nc3 Ke7 {Haessel,D (2225)-Reeve, J (2237) Edmonton 2005}) 9... Qb4 10. Bd2 ({Aronian thought} 10. Qc2 {was good for White.}) 10... Qxb3 11. axb3 Bf5 12. g4 $5 Bxg4 13. Nxe4 Nxe4 14. Bxe4 g6 15. Bc3 Rg8 16. b4 a6 17. e3 Bg7 18. Ne2 Bxe2 19. Kxe2 Ra7 20. Bxg7 Rxg7 21. Rhc1 Rc7 22. h4 Kd8 23. h5 Kc8 24. hxg6 fxg6 25. Rd1 Rge7 26. f3 Re6 27. Rh1 Kb7 28. Rh6 Rf7 29. Rah1 Ree7 30. Rc1 Kb6 31. Rh2 Re6 32. Rch1 Nd7 33. Rxh7 Rxh7 34. Rxh7 Nf6 35. Rh4 Nxe4 36. fxe4 c5 37. bxc5+ Kxc5 38. Kd3 g5 39. Rg4 Rg6 40. Kc3 a5 41. b4+ axb4+ 42. Kc2 Kc4 43. e5+ Kd5 44. Rxb4 g4 45. Rxb5+ Ke4 46. Rb4+ Kxe3 47. e6 Kf3 48. Rb3+ Kf2 49. Rb4 Kf3 50. Rb3+ Kf4 51. Rb4+ Kf5 52. Rb5+ Kxe6 53. Kd3 g3 54. Rb6+ Kf5 55. Rxg6 Kxg6 56. Ke2 Kg5 57. Kf3 Kh4 58. Kg2 Kg4 59. Kg1 Kh3 60. Kh1 g2+ 1/2-1/2 [Event "7th Norway Armageddon"] [Site "Stavanger NOR"] [Date "2019.06.10"] [Round "6.1"] [White "Carlsen, Magnus"] [Black "Ding, Liren"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "C77"] [WhiteElo "2875"] [BlackElo "2805"] [PlyCount "103"] [EventDate "2019.06.04"] 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. d3 b5 6. Bb3 Bc5 7. c3 d6 8. Bg5 ({ Ding has pleasant memories with this line:} 8. h3 O-O 9. Nbd2 Be6 10. Bxe6 fxe6 11. O-O Nh5 12. b4 Bb6 13. a4 Nf4 {and Black later managed to win in Karjakin, S (2752)-Ding,L (2805) Abidjan 2019}) 8... h6 9. Bh4 g5 10. Bg3 Bb6 11. Nbd2 Na5 12. Bc2 Nh5 {N} (12... c5 13. Nf1 Nc6 14. Ne3 Be6 15. O-O Qd7 16. a4 O-O 17. Qd2 Kg7 {was Holderer,E (2202)-Haverkamp,K (2013) Goch 2006. Here White missed a chance to launch a powerful attack with:} 18. Nxg5 $1 hxg5 19. Nd5) 13. a4 Rb8 14. b4 Nxg3 ({The immediate} 14... Nc6 {will trigger huge complications which seem favorable for White:} 15. Nxe5 Nxg3 16. Nxc6 Qf6 17. Qf3 Qxc3 18. hxg3) 15. hxg3 Nc6 16. Nf1 {A complex battle emerged in which both sides have their chances. All the pawns are on the board, Black enjoys the bishop pair, whereas White can try to use the kingside weaknesses and the f5 square in particular. The next moves are an actual battle for that square.} Qf6 17. Qe2 Ne7 18. Ne3 h5 19. Bb3 c6 20. axb5 axb5 21. d4 $1 {There is no other plan.} g4 ({Pawn grabbing is too risky for Black:} 21... exd4 $6 22. Nxd4 Bxd4 23. cxd4 Qxd4 24. O-O {leads to a major attack for White along the central files. Taking another pawn:} Qxb4 $2 {would be disastrous after:} ({ Better is:} 24... Qe5 25. Qd3 O-O 26. f4 Qf6 27. Rad1 {although White also has obvious advantage here.}) 25. Qb2 $1 {when the double attack (against the rook and the Bf7 thereat) cannot be stopped.}) 22. dxe5 dxe5 {Ding misses a good chance to equalize comfortably.} ({Strong was the forcing line:} 22... gxf3 $1 23. exf6 fxe2 24. fxe7 Bxe3 25. fxe3 Bg4 {A picturesque position!} 26. Ra7 { Now:} Rh6 $1 {Brings the second rook in the game and the constant threat of Rh6-f6-f1 keeps Black out of trouble:} 27. Kd2 ({If White goes for the e2 pawn: } 27. Bc2 {then Black would do the same with the e7 one:} Re6 28. Bd3 Rxe7 29. Ra6 {with approximate equality.}) 27... Rf6) 23. Nh4 {Once that the position had been stabilized, the knights became more confident. White has the better game.} Qg5 ({More accurate was:} 23... O-O 24. O-O Rd8 25. Rfd1 Rxd1+ 26. Rxd1 Ra8 {when Black also has an open file for his rook.}) 24. O-O O-O 25. Rad1 Ra8 26. Kh2 ({Good was also:} 26. Rd6 Rd8 27. Rxd8+ Bxd8 28. Rd1 Bb6 29. Rd6) 26... Ra3 27. Qb2 Ra7 28. Rd6 Kg7 29. c4 {Carlsen wants to uncover the opponent's king and this makes perfect sense.} ({However, there was an even more convincing way based on small tactics:} 29. Nef5+ Bxf5 30. exf5 Nxf5 31. Qd2 $1 f6 ({The little tactics that makes things hard for Black is:} 31... Qxd2 $2 32. Nxf5+) 32. Nxf5+ Qxf5 33. Rxc6 {when White grows his advantage.}) 29... Bc7 30. f4 $5 {A nice concept. The pawn is sacrificed in order to gain better control over the f5 square. The f-file also comes in handy for White. But a pawn is a pawn, and on top of that Carlsen also weakens his third rank.} ({Although objectively better was to keep control of the position with:} 30. Rd3 $1 bxc4 31. Bxc4) 30... gxf3 31. Rd3 fxg2 32. Kxg2 f6 ({The attack along the g-file does not yield much yet:} 32... Kh8 33. cxb5 Rg8 34. Nef5 Nxf5 35. Nxf5 Bxf5 36. Rxf5 {and White is happier.}) 33. c5 Rd8 34. Rxd8 Bxd8 {If White can somehow build a battery along the a2-g8 diagonal he might be winning, but he has too many hanging pieces to care about.} 35. Qe2 Ra3 36. Qd3 Bc7 37. Nef5+ Nxf5 38. Nxf5+ Kf8 ({Not:} 38... Bxf5 $4 39. Rxf5 Qg4 40. Qd7+ {with mate. The opposite-colored bishop attacks are extremely strong.}) 39. Qc2 ({More accurate was:} 39. Qd1 Qg4 40. Qxg4 hxg4 41. Bd1) 39... Qg4 40. Rf3 Bxf5 { Somewhat impatient. There was no need to hurry with the trade.} (40... Be6 $1 { would have helped Ding fight for the win after:} 41. Re3 Rxb3 ({Also:} 41... Bxf5 42. exf5 h4 {is a better version of the trade than in the game.}) 42. Rxb3 Bxb3 43. Qxb3 Qxe4+ 44. Qf3 Qxf3+ 45. Kxf3 Kf7 {and the needed draw is there.}) ({Also good was:} 40... h4 $1) 41. Rxf5 h4 {Another forcing move.} ({There was nothing wrong with:} 41... Ke7 42. Qd3 h4 43. Qf3 Qg6) 42. Rxf6+ Kg7 43. Rf7+ Kg6 44. Qf2 Qxg3+ {The liquidation into an endgame is forced.} ({As otherwise it is mate:} 44... Rxb3 45. Qf6+ Kh5 46. Rh7#) 45. Qxg3+ hxg3 46. Be6 Bd8 { The opposite-colored bishops are harbingers of the draw, but the rooks add a lot of spiciness to the game. Both sides still have to be very careful not to get mated.} 47. Kh3 Bg5 48. Rc7 Bf4 49. Rxc6 Kg5 $6 {A step in the wrong direction.} ({The logical outcome would be the perpetual after:} 49... Ra1 50. Kh4 Rh1+ 51. Bh3+ Kf7 52. Rc7+ Ke8 53. Rc8+ Ke7 54. Rc7+ Kd8 55. Rc8+) 50. Bf7 Bd2 $4 {And a huge blunder to end the game.} 51. Rg6+ {Ding was visibly upset and couldn't get himself to make a move for a while, but the pushed...} Kf4 52. Rg4+ {...only to resign immediately here, not willing to see his rook disappear after:} (52. Rg4+ Ke3 53. Rxg3+) 1-0 [Event "7th Altibox Norway Chess 2019"] [Site "Stavanger"] [Date "2019.06.10"] [Round "6.2"] [White "Anand, Viswanathan"] [Black "Yu, Yangyi"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [ECO "C42"] [WhiteElo "2767"] [BlackElo "2738"] [Annotator "Tanmay Srinath"] [PlyCount "61"] [EventDate "2019.??.??"] {After two consecutive armageddon wins, Vishy Anand must have felt confident of his chances. This game would be interesting though, as he was facing the in-form Yu Yangyi.} 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 {The Petroff has served the Chinese GM well in this tournament.} 3. Nxe5 d6 4. Nf3 Nxe4 5. d4 {Anand decides to test Yu in the main line Petroff.} d5 6. Bd3 Be7 {Currently the most popular move at the top level.} 7. O-O O-O 8. Re1 {One of White's main tries. These days he is eschewing IQP positions in favour of a bigger central pawn structure. Grischuk did something similar as well previously.} (8. c4 Nf6 9. Nc3 Nc6 $1 { is probably why this variation isn't seen so often-Black prepares to harass the White bishop.} 10. Re1 $1 (10. a3 $6 Bg4 $1 {and now White doesn't even have a smidgen of an edge.} 11. cxd5 Nxd4 12. Bxh7+ Nxh7 13. Qxd4 Bxf3 14. gxf3 Bf6 15. Qd3 c6 $132 {with good play for Black.}) (10. h3 $5 Nb4 11. Be2 dxc4 12. Bxc4 Nbd5 13. Re1 c6 $13 {and the game remains in the balance, though White is maybe slightly better.}) 10... Bg4 11. cxd5 Nxd4 12. Bxh7+ Nxh7 13. Qxd4 Bxf3 14. gxf3 Bf6 15. Qd3 $5 $14 {is maybe White's best try in this position, with a stable advantage in space and central control.}) 8... Bf5 9. Nbd2 (9. c4 $5 Nc6 10. Nc3 Nxc3 11. bxc3 Bxd3 $1 {without this move, Black would be badly placed, but this relieves the pressure.} 12. Qxd3 dxc4 13. Qxc4 Bd6 $14 {and despite the superior central control, White can't advance his hanging pawns rather easily.}) 9... Nd6 10. Bxf5 Nxf5 11. Nf1 c6 12. Qd3 Nd6 13. Bf4 {Play has now taken character of some exchange French variations, which is not surprising, considering that the resulting structures are the same.} Na6 14. Ne3 Nc7 15. Re2 Ne6 16. Bxd6 $1 {A very good decision by Anand, unbalancing play. Black's knight seemed to have more prospects in the fixed center than White's Bishop.} Bxd6 17. g3 {taking the f4 square under control.} Qd7 18. Rae1 Rae8 19. b3 Nc7 20. c4 Bb4 21. Ra1 f6 22. a3 Be7 23. Rae1 { With this oscillatory maneuver, Vishy has gained more space on the queenside. The position borders on equality, but it is clear that White holds all the cards for now.} Bd8 24. Kg2 Re6 $5 {With this natural move, Yu Yangyi aims to double rooks on the e-file. However, it fails to take into account a strong rejoinder that Anand had in this position.} 25. cxd5 $1 cxd5 26. Rc1 $5 (26. b4 $1 {is universally suggested by all the engines, so it is interesting to see what this move aims to achieve.} Rfe8 27. Qb3 Kh8 28. h4 $5 Be7 29. h5 $1 $16 { and Black is in big trouble. White threatens h6 after almost any move, and his pieces are much better placed. This is probably a better version of the h4 line suggested below. For example,}) (26. h4 $5 {is an interesting idea suggested by Leela Chess Zero. The idea is to mow the h-pawn down the board after} Rfe8 27. h5 Qf7 28. Rh1 $1 $14 {and White's assortment of plans are getting very hard to deal with. He has the space to play on two fronts-with h6 on the kingside and with b4-a4-b5-a5 on the queenside.}) 26... Rc6 27. Rec2 Rxc2 28. Qxc2 {now Yu efficiently neutralises White's symbolic advantage.} Re8 29. Qc5 a6 30. a4 Re6 31. Qb4 {and the players agreed to a draw. A seemingly straightforward game that contained a lot of nuances.} 1/2-1/2 [Event "Stavanger"] [Site "Stavanger"] [Date "2019.06.10"] [Round "6.2"] [White "Anand, Viswanathan"] [Black "Yu, Yangyi"] [Result "0-1"] [ECO "C24"] [WhiteElo "2767"] [BlackElo "2738"] [Annotator "Tanmay Srinath"] [PlyCount "94"] [EventDate "2019.??.??"] 1. e4 e5 2. Bc4 Nf6 3. d3 c6 4. Nf3 d5 5. Bb3 a5 6. a3 $5 {an interesting fresh concept by Vishy} Bd6 7. exd5 Nxd5 (7... a4 $1 8. Ba2 cxd5 9. O-O Be6 { looks like a better option for Black, even after the most critical} 10. c4 $5 d4 11. c5 Bxa2 12. cxd6 $1 Bb3 $1 13. Qe2 Qxd6 14. Bf4 O-O 15. Bxe5 Re8 16. Re1 Qd7 $11 {and with White's queenside in such bad shape, he can't claim an advantage.}) 8. O-O O-O 9. Re1 {Anand has again got what he wants out of the opening-an unbalanced position with a lot of chances for both sides.} Bg4 10. Nbd2 Nd7 11. h3 Bh5 12. Ne4 Qc7 13. Ng3 $1 $14 {I feel that this is the point from where Vishy takes over. The computers underestimate White's potential.} Bg6 14. Nh4 Nc5 15. Ba2 Ne6 16. Nxg6 hxg6 17. h4 Rae8 18. Ne4 (18. h5 $1 { probably the more critical continuation. After the forced} g5 19. Nf5 Bc5 20. Qf3 $14 {White has an undisputed advantage-Black's light squares are too weak.} ) 18... f5 19. Ng5 Nxg5 20. Bxg5 (20. hxg5 $1 {was better, opening the h-file for the rook. Play can go} Bc5 21. Be3 Bxe3 22. Rxe3 $1 f4 23. Rh3 Rf5 24. Qg4 Qd8 25. Re1 Rxg5 26. Qf3 $14 {and White has more than enough compensation for the pawn.}) 20... Bc5 21. c3 Qf7 22. Qd2 $6 {perhaps this move is the cause of Vishy's eventual defeat in this game-it is too passive.} ({He should have turned on the afterburners with} 22. b4 $1 axb4 (22... Bd6 $6 {is inferior.} 23. c4 $1 {White tries to take over the initiative.} Nc3 $1 {the only move} 24. c5 $1 {if not for this move, White might actually be worse.} Nxa2 $5 {the most critical continuation.} ({Considering that this was an Armageddon, Yu might have played} 24... Nxd1 {but he would have been put under a bus after} 25. Bxf7+ Rxf7 26. cxd6 $1 Nc3 27. Be7 $1 Rfxe7 {Forced, as otherwise e5 falls and with it the game-White threatens d7!} 28. dxe7 axb4 29. axb4 Rxe7 30. Rac1 $16 {with a nearly decisive advantage to White.}) 25. cxd6 Nc3 26. Qc2 Nd5 27. bxa5 $16 {and even if the d6 pawn falls, White's play on the half open b-file should guarantee him the better chances.}) 23. axb4 Bb6 {and here maybe} 24. Qd2 {makes more sense-after} Bc7 25. c4 Nf6 26. c5 Nd5 27. b5 $1 $36 {White has a surging initiative.}) 22... a4 23. Qc2 e4 24. Qxa4 b5 25. Qc2 Kh8 26. b4 (26. d4 $1 {was better. After} Bd6 27. a4 $1 bxa4 28. Qxa4 Qb7 29. Bxd5 cxd5 30. Qa6 Qxa6 (30... Qd7 $1 31. Ra5 $16 {White has all the fun.}) 31. Rxa6 Be7 32. Ra5 Bxg5 33. hxg5 Rd8 34. f4 $18 {White has a winning advantage.}) 26... Ba7 27. c4 bxc4 28. dxc4 Nf6 29. c5 Qc7 30. g3 (30. Rad1 $1 Bb8 31. Rd6 Qc8 32. Rxf6 $1 {with this resource, White simplifies the game and his extra pawn will soon be decisive after} gxf6 33. Bh6 Be5 34. Bxf8 Rxf8 35. Rd1 $16) 30... Bb8 31. Rad1 $2 {One move too late!} (31. Bxf6 $1 {Paradoxical, but the point is obvious- White wants to dominate the light squares. After the semi forced} gxf6 $1 (31... Rxf6 $2 32. f4 $1 $18 {is completely decisive-the Black bishop is trapped in a cage it can never come out of, and White wins with the extra pawn and extra piece.}) 32. Rad1 {and the problem here is that Black can't trade everything starting with} Rd8 $2 (32... Kg7 $1 {is best, though even here after } 33. Rd4 $16 {White holds all the cards}) 33. Kg2 $1 Rxd1 34. Rxd1 Rd8 $4 { because of} 35. Rxd8+ $1 Qxd8 36. Qc4 $1 $18 {where the opposite coloured bishop attack proves decisive.}) 31... Qc8 $1 32. Qd2 $2 {Another serious mistake.} (32. Bxf6 $1 {was still possible, and after} Rxf6 33. Kg2 Be5 34. a4 $16 {White begins the conversion process.}) 32... f4 33. Bxf4 $4 {Vishy has continued to miss the only path to an advantage. Perhaps he lost the thread of the game somewhat and this unfortunate blunder is the result of that.} (33. Bxf6 $1 Rxf6 34. f3 $1 $13 {was the only saving resource, showing us how dangerous Black's threats have become. This is the paradox of opposite coloured bishops-as long as you have the initiative, they are most helpful, but when you concede it they suddenly become a burden!}) 33... Qh3 $1 $19 { from here Yu Yangyi's play is unquestionable. Vishy soon gives up an exchange, and then the game itself.} 34. f3 exf3 35. Qh2 Qxh2+ 36. Kxh2 Ng4+ 37. Kh1 Nf2+ 38. Kg1 Nxd1 39. Rxd1 Bxf4 40. gxf4 Re2 41. Bc4 Rg2+ 42. Kf1 Rxf4 43. Rd8+ Kh7 44. Bg8+ Kh6 45. Bd5 g5 46. hxg5+ Kxg5 47. Bxc6 Rc2 {An uncompromising battle!} 0-1 [Event "Stavanger"] [Site "Stavanger"] [Date "2019.06.10"] [Round "6.1"] [White "Carlsen, Magnus"] [Black "Ding, Liren"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "C77"] [WhiteElo "2875"] [BlackElo "2805"] [Annotator "Tanmay Srinath"] [PlyCount "103"] [EventDate "2019.??.??"] 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 g5 {Ding Liren shows an aggressive handling of the Black pieces.} 10. Bg3 Bb6 11. Nbd2 Na5 12. Bc2 Nh5 13. a4 Rb8 14. b4 {Magnus slowly turns the screws.} Nxg3 15. hxg3 Nc6 16. Nf1 Qf6 17. Qe2 Ne7 18. Ne3 h5 19. Bb3 c6 20. axb5 axb5 21. d4 g4 22. dxe5 dxe5 23. Nh4 Qg5 24. O-O O-O 25. Rad1 Ra8 26. Kh2 (26. Rd3 $1 {was more natural.}) 26... Ra3 (26... Bxe3 $1 27. fxe3 Ng6 28. Nf5 Ra3 $13 {would lead to a position where Black starts his turnaround.}) 27. Qb2 Ra7 28. Rd6 Kg7 29. c4 $1 (29. Qd2 $5 {would continue the python strategy, but Magnus decides to try and finish Ding off.}) 29... Bc7 30. f4 $5 {this is more speculative than correct.} (30. Rd3 $1 $16 {retains good chances.}) 30... gxf3 31. Rd3 fxg2 32. Kxg2 f6 33. c5 {Magnus plays on the pathetic dark squared Bishop. However, the lack of breakthroughs mean that the position might be only slightly better for White.} Rd8 34. Rxd8 Bxd8 35. Qe2 Ra3 36. Qd3 Bc7 37. Nef5+ Nxf5 38. Nxf5+ Kf8 $1 {The light squared bishop must be retained to aid the defences.} 39. Qc2 Qg4 40. Rf3 Bxf5 (40... Be6 $1 $19 {kills off any further resistance.}) 41. Rxf5 h4 42. Rxf6+ Kg7 43. Rf7+ Kg6 44. Qf2 Qxg3+ 45. Qxg3+ hxg3 46. Be6 {the position is just equal now, but Carlsen's patience soon pays off.} Bd8 47. Kh3 Bg5 48. Rc7 Bf4 49. Rxc6 Kg5 50. Bf7 $5 {The World Champion sets the last trap} Bd2 $4 {Ding Liren tragically blunders near the finish line.} (50... Be3 $1 51. Rg6+ Kf4 52. Rxg3 Kxe4 $11 {and it is a clear draw.}) 51. Rg6+ Kf4 52. Rg4+ {and Black loses his rook.} 1-0 [Event "Stavanger NOR"] [Site "Stavanger NOR"] [Date "2019.06.12"] [Round "7.1"] [White "So, Wesley"] [Black "Carlsen, Magnus"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [ECO "D70"] [WhiteElo "2754"] [BlackElo "2875"] [PlyCount "71"] [EventDate "2019.06.04"] 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. f3 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 5. e4 Nb6 6. Nc3 Bg7 7. Be3 O-O 8. Qd2 Nc6 9. O-O-O f5 (9... Qd6 10. Kb1 Rd8 11. Nb5 Qd7 12. d5 a6 13. Nc3 Qe8 14. Qc1 Na5 15. h4 e6 16. Bf4 Rd7 {Aronian,L (2809)-Svidler,P (2749) Geneva 2017}) 10. e5 f4 11. Bf2 Nb4 12. a3 {N} (12. Nh3 Qe8 13. a3 N4d5 14. Ng5 Bh6 15. h4 Bxg5 16. hxg5 Bf5 17. Ne4 Qc6+ 18. Qc2 Qxc2+ 19. Kxc2 Ne3+ 20. Bxe3 fxe3 {Harsha,B (2492)-Sutovsky,E (2633) Isle of Man 2018}) 12... a5 13. h4 Be6 14. Nh3 Na2+ 15. Nxa2 Bxa2 16. d5 $2 {A big oversight.} Qxd5 ({Even} 16... Bxe5 {is good for Black.}) 17. Qxd5+ Nxd5 18. Re1 Rf5 19. Bd3 Rxe5 20. Rxe5 Bxe5 21. h5 gxh5 22. Ng5 Nf6 23. Nxh7 Rd8 24. Bc2 Bf7 25. Ng5 Bd4 26. Be1 b6 27. Bh4 Be3+ 28. Kb1 Rd2 29. Nxf7 Kxf7 30. Bxf6 Kxf6 31. Rxh5 Rxg2 32. Rh6+ Ke5 33. Rh5+ Kd6 34. Rh6+ Ke5 35. Rh5+ Kd6 36. Rh6+ 1/2-1/2 [Event "7th Norway Armageddon"] [Site "Stavanger NOR"] [Date "2019.06.12"] [Round "7.2"] [White "Yu, Yangyi"] [Black "Aronian, Levon"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [ECO "E32"] [WhiteElo "2738"] [BlackElo "2752"] [PlyCount "120"] [EventDate "2019.06.04"] 1. d4 ({The standard game went} 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 $5 {Stepping away from most of the theory here.} 10. f3 ({According to Aronian the most critical is} 10. Be2 Bxe2 11. Nxe2 cxd5 12. Bg5) 10... Bh5 11. dxc6 Qd4+ 12. Kh1 Bxc3 13. bxc3 Qxc3 14. Bf4 Qxc6 15. Qd2 Bg6 16. Rac1 {"Honestly speaking I was getting a little bit ambitious here." (Aronian)} Rfd8 17. Rfe1 a5 18. Be5 Nd5 19. a3 Qa4 20. Bxg6 hxg6 21. Qd3 (21. Re4 Qxa3 22. Rd4 Qe3 23. Qxe3 Nxe3 24. Rxd8+ Rxd8 25. Bxc7 Ra8 {Aronian}) 21... Rd7 22. h3 Rad8 23. Qb3 Qxb3 24. cxb3 Rb8 25. Rc5 Rxb3 26. Rxa5 f6 27. Bg3 Ne3 28. Bf4 Nc2 29. Rc1 Rxa3 30. Rxa3 Nxa3 31. Rxc7 {1/2}) 1... Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Qc2 O-O 5. e4 d5 6. e5 Ne4 7. Bd3 c5 8. Nf3 cxd4 9. Nxd4 Nd7 10. Bf4 Qh4 11. g3 Qh5 12. cxd5 ({Improving on his earlier game in this tournament:} 12. f3 Bxc3+ 13. bxc3 Nec5 14. g4 Nxd3+ 15. Qxd3 Qg6 16. Qxg6 hxg6 17. cxd5 exd5 18. Kf2 Nc5 {was the Armageddon Yu,Y (2738)-Ding,L (2805) Stavanger NOR 2019}) 12... exd5 13. f3 {N} (13. O-O Bxc3 14. bxc3 Nec5 15. Be2 Qg6 16. Qd1 Nb6 17. a4 Bd7 18. a5 Nc4 {Richter, M (2460) -Luch,M (2429) Germany 2012}) 13... Bxc3+ 14. bxc3 Nec5 15. g4 Qh4+ 16. Bg3 Qh6 17. Nf5 (17. f4 Nxd3+ 18. Qxd3 Nc5 19. Qf3 Qa6 $1) 17... Qe6 18. O-O Nxe5 19. Nd4 Qh6 20. Bxh7+ Qxh7 21. Qxh7+ Kxh7 22. Bxe5 Re8 23. Bg3 Bd7 {This endgame is fine for Black.} 24. Rfe1 Na4 25. Rac1 Rac8 26. Rxe8 Bxe8 27. Be1 Bd7 28. h4 b6 29. Bd2 Nb2 30. Re1 Re8 31. Rxe8 Bxe8 32. Kf2 Bd7 33. h5 f6 34. Kg3 Nc4 35. Bc1 Kg8 36. f4 Nd6 37. Kh4 Nb5 38. Ne2 Be6 39. f5 Bf7 40. a3 Kf8 $6 ({Aronian said he "blundered a4."} 40... d4 41. cxd4 Bc4 42. Ng3 Nxd4 43. Ne4 {was perhaps not so practical but}) ({e.g.} 40... Nd6 {was fine.}) 41. a4 Nc7 42. Nd4 Be8 43. Bf4 Na6 44. Ne6+ Kf7 {As it turns out, White doesn't have winning chances here either.} 45. g5 (45. Bd6 Bd7) 45... fxg5+ 46. Kxg5 Nc5 47. Nxc5 bxc5 48. a5 d4 49. cxd4 cxd4 50. Be5 d3 51. Bc3 a6 52. Kf4 Bd7 53. Kg5 Bc6 54. Kf4 Bd7 55. Bd2 Kf6 56. Bc3+ Kf7 57. Ke4 Bc8 58. Ke5 Bd7 59. Kf4 Bc8 60. Kg5 Bb7 1/2-1/2 [Event "7th Norway Chess 2019"] [Site "Stavanger NOR"] [Date "2019.06.12"] [Round "7.4"] [White "Caruana, Fabiano"] [Black "Anand, Viswanathan"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [ECO "C80"] [WhiteElo "2819"] [BlackElo "2767"] [PlyCount "135"] [EventDate "2019.06.04"] 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 Bg4 12. Re1 {A almost new move here.} (12. Nxe4 dxe4 13. Qd5 Qxd5 14. Bxd5 exf3 15. Bxc6 fxg2 16. Rfc1 Rab8 17. a4 b4 18. cxb4 Rxb4 19. Bxg2 c5 {Karjakin,S (2773)-Anand,V (2768) Saint Louis 2018}) 12... Nxd2 $6 {N "A bad move." - Caruana} (12... Nc5 13. h3 Nxb3 14. axb3 Bh5 15. Qb1 Bg6 16. Qc1 a5 17. Nf1 Qd7 {Nikolova,A (2334)-Olsarova,T (2296) Germany 2014}) 13. Bxd2 Qd7 14. h3 Bh5 15. a4 b4 16. a5 bxc3 17. Bxc3 Rfd8 ( 17... Rad8 18. Ba4 Qe6 19. Bxc6 Bxf3 (19... Qxc6 20. Nd4 Qh6 21. Qd3) 20. Qxf3 Qxc6 21. e6 fxe6 (21... Qc4 $1) 22. Qg4 {Caruana}) 18. Rc1 Bxf3 (18... Qe6 19. g4 Bg6 20. Bd2 $1 {Caruana}) 19. Qxf3 Na7 20. Bc2 g6 21. Qg3 Qe6 22. Bd1 d4 ( 22... c5 23. Bg4 Qc6 24. e6 f6 25. Bxf6 $1 Bxf6 26. e7 Re8 27. Re6 {Caruana}) 23. Bd2 c5 24. Bg4 (24. Bb3 Qc6 25. e6 f6 {"is atrocious for Black but I wanted a more direct way to win." - Caruana}) 24... Qa2 25. e6 f6 26. Bf5 Qxb2 (26... Kg7 27. Be4 Rac8 28. Qh4 Kg8 29. Bxg6 hxg6 30. Qh6 {Caruana}) 27. Rc2 Qb8 28. Bf4 Qb4 29. Bxg6 $1 Qxe1+ 30. Kh2 Rd5 31. Rc1 $1 ({Stronger than} 31. Be4+ Rg5 32. Bxg5 Qxe4 33. Bxf6+ Qg6 34. Qxg6+ hxg6 35. Bxe7 {Caruana}) 31... Rg5 32. Qf3 {"This is really embarrassing." - Caruana. "I basically panicked because I was low on time."} ({He "completely forgot about"} 32. Bf7+ Kh8 33. Bxg5 Qe5 34. Bf4 {is over.}) (32. Bxh7+ {is also completely winning.}) 32... Qxe6 33. Qxa8+ Kg7 34. Bd3 ({Caruana wanted to avoid} 34. Bxg5 hxg6 35. Qxa7 fxg5) ({After the game he realized} 34. Be4 {was crushing:} Nb5 35. Bxg5 fxg5 36. Bd3 {and "my king is safe and his queenside is falling apart." - Caruana.}) 34... Qd5 35. Qxd5 Rxd5 36. Bxa6 c4 37. Bxc4 Rxa5 38. Bd3 Nb5 39. Rc6 Nc3 40. g4 Nd5 41. Bd6 Ra7 42. Be4 {From here onwards, Caruana is even getting into some trouble.} ({The safest was} 42. Bxe7 Rxe7 43. Rd6 Nf4 44. Rxd4 Nxd3 45. Rxd3) 42... Rd7 43. Bg3 Nb4 44. Rc1 d3 45. Bf5 d2 46. Rd1 Rd4 {"Here it's borderline over." - Caruana} 47. f4 {The only move.} Na2 48. Bf2 Rd8 49. Be3 Bb4 50. Kg2 Nc1 51. Kf3 Nb3 52. Bc2 Nd4+ 53. Bxd4 Rxd4 54. Ke3 Rc4 55. Bd3 Rc1 56. Ke2 h5 57. gxh5 Kh6 58. Bg6 Ba5 59. Be8 Rc7 60. Bg6 Re7+ 61. Kd3 Re1 62. Kc2 Re3 63. h4 Re1 64. Bf7 Kg7 ({Caruana was worried about} 64... Re4 65. f5 Rxh4 {eventually getting Zugzwang'ed (with black bringing his rook back to e1) and losing another pawn.}) 65. Bg6 Bb4 66. Bd3 Re3 67. Rb1 Re1 68. Rd1 1/2-1/2 [Event "7th Norway Armageddon"] [Site "Stavanger NOR"] [Date "2019.06.12"] [Round "7.4"] [White "Caruana, Fabiano"] [Black "Anand, Viswanathan"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "C53"] [WhiteElo "2819"] [BlackElo "2767"] [PlyCount "87"] [EventDate "2019.06.04"] 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. c3 Nf6 5. d3 d6 6. Bg5 a6 ({A quick draw was sealed in the following game:} 6... h6 7. Bh4 g5 8. Bg3 Bg4 9. a4 a5 10. Nbd2 Qe7 11. O-O O-O-O 12. Bb5 h5 13. h4 Rdg8 14. Kh1 {1/2-1/2 (14) Demchenko,A (2671)-Petrov,N (2610) Maikop 2019}) 7. a4 Ba7 8. Nbd2 h6 9. Bh4 Qe7 10. b4 g5 11. Bg3 Nh5 12. b5 {N} (12. Nf1 Be6 13. Bxe6 Qxe6 14. Ne3 Bxe3 15. fxe3 a5 16. b5 Ne7 17. Nd4 Qg6 18. Nf5 Nxg3 19. Nxg3 f5 20. exf5 Nxf5 21. Nxf5 Qxf5 22. Rf1 Qe6 23. Qh5+ Ke7 24. Kf2 e4 {½-½ (24) Vocaturo,D (2574)-Romanov,E (2641) Gjakova 2016}) 12... Nd8 ({The other retreat of the knight might have been better:} 12... Na5 13. bxa6 (13. Ba2 Bb6) 13... bxa6 14. Bd5 Rb8 {although there is always a danger it remains out of the game on the rim.}) 13. bxa6 bxa6 14. Rb1 {"I kind of liked my position. This rook on a8 is semi-trapped." - Caruana} Qf6 15. d4 {Déjà vu. Carlsen offered more or less the same sacrifice a couple of rounds earlier.} Nxg3 16. hxg3 g4 ({The other capture of the pawn promises White excellent initiative after:} 16... exd4 17. Nxd4 Bxd4 18. cxd4 Qxd4 19. Qc2 {The black king has nowhere to hide.}) 17. Nh4 exd4 18. cxd4 Bxd4 ({In case of:} 18... Qxd4 {both} 19. O-O ({And} 19. Qe2 {are very good for White.})) 19. O-O O-O 20. Kh1 {Despite the pawn deficit Caruana has all the play. He is about to open the f-file now and eventually use the f5 outpost for his pieces. "My play is easy here." - Caruana} c6 {This facilitates White's attack.} ({The bishop should have moved out of the vulnerable square:} 20... Be5 {Then} 21. f4 gxf3 22. Rxf3 Qg5 {is not scary for Black.}) 21. f4 $1 {Played at the best possible moment. "I thought I'm already better." - Caruana} d5 ({It transpires that after:} 21... gxf3 22. Ndxf3 Bc5 23. e5 $1 dxe5 24. Qd3 Qg7 25. Rbe1 Qxg3 26. Rxe5 {Black hardly has any moves.}) 22. Bd3 ({One more little tactic could have made Anand's situation critical:} 22. e5 Qg7 23. Ne4 $1 Bxe5 24. fxe5 dxe4 25. Rf6) 22... Qg7 ({If:} 22... dxe4 23. Nxe4 Qg7 24. Nd6 {is strong attack for White.}) 23. e5 f5 ({Anand should have tried} 23... f6 {because} 24. Ng6 {as mentioned by Caruana can be met by} f5 (24... fxe5 $5) 25. Nh4 {and Black is two tempi up compared to the game. - PD} (25. Nxf8 $2 Qf7 $1 {is the point - PD})) 24. Qc2 { Simple play. White mounts as much pressure as he can against the isolated pair of pawns. The world champion also beat someone with a similar strategy, but a jet-lag prevents me from discovering the name of his opponent.} ({There was a tactical way again:} 24. Nc4 $5 Bc5 25. Nd6 Bxd6 26. exd6 {Although Black can keep on playing with:} Qf6) 24... Qf7 25. Nb3 Be3 26. Rfe1 Ba7 27. a5 {After winning a bunch of tempos chasing the black bishop Caruana will aggressively block the position in full.} Be6 28. Nc5 Bxc5 29. Qxc5 Re8 30. Rb6 {Anand is paralized and in such situations everybody commits mistakes.} Qf8 {This drops the f5 pawn and with it everything collapses. But Black could hardly save himself at this stage of the game.} 31. Qc2 Ra7 ({Or} 31... Qa3 32. Kh2 Qxa5 33. Reb1) 32. Bxf5 Bxf5 33. Nxf5 {The arising two connected passers cannot be stopped.} h5 34. Nh4 Rg7 35. f5 Qa3 36. Kh2 Qxa5 37. Rbb1 Qc7 38. e6 Qe7 39. Qc3 Rf8 40. Rb8 c5 41. Qe5 ({Or} 41. f6 Qxf6 42. Qxf6 Rxf6 43. Rxd8+ {winning a piece.}) 41... d4 42. Qd5 Kh7 43. Re5 Qf6 44. Ng6 (44. Ng6 {The former world champion did not wait to see} Re8 (44... Rfg8 45. e7) 45. e7) 1-0 [Event "7th Norway Chess 2019"] [Site "Stavanger NOR"] [Date "2019.06.12"] [Round "7.3"] [White "Ding, Liren"] [Black "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "D70"] [WhiteElo "2805"] [BlackElo "2774"] [PlyCount "67"] [EventDate "2019.06.04"] 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. f3 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 5. e4 Nb6 6. Nc3 Bg7 7. Be3 O-O 8. Qd2 e5 9. d5 c6 10. h4 (10. Rd1 cxd5 11. exd5 N8d7 12. Nh3 e4 13. fxe4 Ne5 14. Nf2 f5 15. Bc5 Rf7 {Aronian,L (2805)-Vachier Lagrave,M (2789) London 2017}) 10... cxd5 11. exd5 N8d7 12. h5 Nf6 13. hxg6 fxg6 14. O-O-O Bd7 15. Kb1 Rc8 16. d6 e4 17. fxe4 Ng4 18. Bg5 Qe8 19. Nf3 Rf7 20. Qe1 Rc5 21. Bd2 {N} ({Also not bad was } 21. Be7 Rxe7 22. dxe7 Qxe7 23. Nd4 h5 24. Be2 Ne3 25. Rd3 Nbc4 26. Qg3 Kh7 27. Nb3 Bxc3 28. Nxc5 Nd2+ 29. Rxd2 Bxd2 30. Bxh5 {1-0 (30) Vocaturo,D (2570) -Wagner,D (2579) Germany 2016}) 21... Be6 22. e5 Bxe5 23. Bd3 $1 (23. Nxe5 $2 Rxe5 24. Qg3 Nf2 {is not possible.}) 23... Na4 $2 (23... Bxd6 24. Ng5 {is too dangerous for Black}) ({but} 23... Nc4 $5 {was perhaps playable.}) 24. Nxe5 Rxe5 25. Qh4 Rh5 26. Qg3 {Without his dark-squared bishop, the black king will always be in danger.} Nxc3+ 27. Bxc3 Qa4 28. d7 $1 {Starting a forcing, and winning line.} Rd5 (28... Qxa2+ 29. Kc1 {or}) (28... Bxa2+ 29. Kc1 {only help White.}) 29. Bc2 Qxd7 30. Bb3 Rxd1+ 31. Rxd1 Qc8 32. Qh4 $1 Nf6 $1 {The best try, but Ding almost immediately followed up with...} 33. Rd6 $1 {...as he had seen everything.} ({Mamedyarov was hoping for} 33. Bxf6 Bxb3 {and a check on f5 next.}) 33... Bxb3 34. Rxf6 {White wins at least a piece, with 35.Rxg6+ among the threats.} 1-0 [Event "7th Altibox Norway Chess 2019"] [Site "Stavanger"] [Date "2019.06.12"] [Round "7.4"] [White "Caruana, Fabiano"] [Black "Anand, Viswanathan"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [ECO "C83"] [WhiteElo "2819"] [BlackElo "2767"] [Annotator "Tanmay Srinath"] [PlyCount "135"] [EventDate "2019.??.??"] {This game can be considered as one of Anand's greatest escape acts in recent times!} 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Nxe4 {The Open Spanish, Anand's weapon of choice in his youth.} 6. d4 b5 7. Bb3 d5 8. dxe5 Be6 9. Be3 { Caruana follows the path of his predecessor (as challenger for the World Crown) Karjakin.} (9. c3 Be7 10. Bf4 Nc5 $5 11. Nd4 Nxd4 12. cxd4 Nxb3 13. Qxb3 h5 $1 $13 {and Black went on to upset the top seed of the tournament.Adhiban,B (2701) -Anton Guijarro,D (2667) Havana 2019}) (9. Qe2 Nc5 10. Rd1 (10. Nc3 Nxb3 11. cxb3 Be7 12. Be3 O-O {was Fabiano's attempted improvement, but it didn't quite pay off. 0-1 (32) Caruana,F (2808)-Mamedyarov,S (2800) Paris 2017}) 10... Nxb3 11. cxb3 Be7 12. Nc3 O-O 13. Be3 Qd7 14. h3 Rad8 {and Black has a fine position. Fabiano though managed to play exceeding well and win this.Caruana,F (2807)-Giri,A (2769) Saint Louis 2016}) (9. Nbd2 Nc5 10. c3 Be7 11. Bc2 d4 12. Nb3 d3 13. Bb1 Nxb3 14. axb3 {Fabiano managed to win from this slightly better position.Caruana,F (2827)-Mamedyarov,S (2820) Batumi 2018.}) 9... Be7 10. c3 O-O (10... Nc5 {is a worthy alternative.} 11. Bc2 Nd7 12. Re1 Ndxe5 13. Nxe5 Nxe5 14. Bd4 Ng6 15. Bxg7 Rg8 16. Bxg6 Rxg7 $1 17. Rxe6 $1 hxg6 18. Re2 Kf8 $1 $13 {and Naka managed to hold the Cuban No.1. Dominguez Perez,L (2757) -Nakamura,H (2772) Elancourt 2013}) 11. Nbd2 Bg4 $1 {The best move according to today's engines.} 12. Re1 $5 {Fabiano's attempted improvement.} (12. Nxe4 dxe4 13. Qd5 Qxd5 14. Bxd5 exf3 15. Bxc6 fxg2 16. Rfc1 Rab8 {and Black seems to have nearly equalised.} 17. a4 b4 $11 {Vishy held on comfortably.See my annotations on that game for more details.Karjakin,S (2773)-Anand,V (2768) Saint Louis 2018.}) 12... Nxd2 (12... Nxe5 $1 {was far better. I don't know what Anand saw here, but the equalising maneuver is fairly clear to me.} 13. Nxe4 Bxf3 $1 14. Qxd5 Qxd5 15. Bxd5 Rad8 16. Bb7 {was all seen previously in an 1915(!) game Milnes-Northrup, and here Black equalises after} f5 $1 $146 17. Nc5 Bxb7 18. Nxb7 Rd5 $11) 13. Bxd2 Qd7 14. h3 $1 $14 {Caruana manages to get a slight initiative now.} Bh5 15. a4 $5 {Not a bad move at all, and might infact be the best in this position.} (15. g4 $1 {was more energetic - after} Bg6 16. Bf4 Rad8 17. Ng5 $1 $36 {White manages to force matters. The situation looks dangerous for Black. For example} f5 18. e6 $1) 15... b4 16. a5 bxc3 $6 { the start of Vishy's problems.} (16... Rab8 $1 {maintains the balance rather comfortably after} 17. Ba4 bxc3 $1 {now this move is correct, to open the b-file for Black's rook.} 18. Bxc3 Qe6 19. Bxc6 Qxc6 20. Nd4 $5 Qg6 $1 21. g4 c5 $1 $132 {with counterplay in the center.}) 17. Bxc3 Rfd8 (17... Rad8 $1 { looks far more natural to me. But Anand seemingly wants to put the other one on b8, where it looks active, but doesn't concretely threaten anything.}) 18. Rc1 $1 {A fine move by Fabiano. Vishy's position slowly starts to deteriorate.} Bxf3 $2 {This is already a bad mistake - giving White an unopposed light squared bishop is never a good idea in the Spanish.} (18... Rac8 $5 {was perhaps the best option for Black. White should now go} 19. Ba4 Qe6 20. Bxc6 Qxc6 21. g4 Bg6 22. e6 $1 $40 {with a surging initiative, but atleast Black has some defensive options due to the rock on g6.}) 19. Qxf3 $18 {White is now clearly better.} Na7 20. Bc2 $6 (20. e6 $1 {decides, as Black is inadequately defended on the central files. After} fxe6 21. Qg4 Bf8 $1 (21... Kf7 $2 { is mate in 10, after} 22. Qxg7+ Ke8 23. Qg8+ Bf8 24. Rxe6+ $18) 22. Rxe6 c6 23. Bc2 d4 24. Qe4 $1 $18 {White crashes through.}) 20... g6 21. Qg3 Qe6 $6 { Anand is not playing good chess. He misses a more tenacious defense.} (21... Nb5 22. e6 $1 Qe8 23. exf7+ Qxf7 24. Bxg6 $1 Qxg6 25. Qxg6+ hxg6 26. Rxe7 $16 { is close to winning for White, but Black can continue to resist. Instead, Vishy nearly gets smashed in the game.}) 22. Bd1 $1 {Fabiano remains accurate.} (22. f4 $1 {was more direct.} Kh8 23. f5 {seems to breakthrough quickly} gxf5 24. Qf2 Qg6 25. Bxf5 Qg7 26. e6 f6 $18 27. b4 $1 $18 {and Black can barely move. This was definitely an option.}) 22... d4 23. Bd2 c5 24. Bg4 Qa2 25. e6 f6 26. Bf5 Qxb2 {Vishy had probably decided to go down swinging.} 27. Rc2 $1 Qb8 28. Bf4 Qb4 29. Bxg6 $1 {With so many pieces on the kingside this move is most natural.} Qxe1+ 30. Kh2 Rd5 {Black desparately tries to shore up his defenses.} 31. Rc1 $1 {Fabiano continues to play like a machine.} Rg5 $5 { Anand's last throw of the dice, and it worked!} 32. Qf3 $2 {This move still keeps a winning advantage, but it is no longer so clear, as Black manages to bring his queen back into play. Perhaps Fabi was hounded by his nemesis time trouble?} (32. Bf7+ $1 Kh8 33. Bxg5 {Decides the game on the spot, as Black's king is completely cornered.} Qe5 34. Bf4 Qf5 35. Bh6 $1 {Wins the queen and forces resignation.}) 32... Qxe6 33. Qxa8+ Kg7 34. Bd3 $2 {This throws away the win, but still keeps a steady advantage. Fabiano's time management is maybe not good enough for non-increment time controls.} (34. Be4 $1 {keeps the queen under check (the d5 square is covered) and wins rather easily after} Rh5 (34... Nb5 35. Bxg5 fxg5 36. Bd3 $1) 35. Bf3 $1 Rf5 36. Bg4 Nb5 37. Qb7 $1 $18) 34... Qd5 $1 {Anand manages to simplify into a worse but holdable ending.} 35. Qxd5 Rxd5 36. Bxa6 c4 $1 37. Bxc4 Rxa5 38. Bd3 Nb5 39. Rc6 Nc3 {Anand has played so precisely from here on that one wonders where this superlative play had been previously!} 40. g4 Nd5 41. Bd6 Ra7 42. Be4 Rd7 43. Bg3 Nb4 44. Rc1 ( 44. Rc7 $1 {was probably better, maintaining the remnants of a winning advantage in the form of the bishop pair and better pawn structrue. True, after } Rxc7 45. Bxc7 Na6 $1 46. Bf4 Nc5 47. Bf5 Nb7 48. Kg2 Nd6 49. Bd3 $16 { White is far away from winning this game, and maybe this ending is a draw due to all the pawns being on the same side, but Caruana could have tried on for a long time.}) 44... d3 $1 {Anand quickly pounces.} 45. Bf5 d2 46. Rd1 Rd4 47. f4 Na2 48. Bf2 Rd8 49. Be3 Bb4 50. Kg2 Nc1 51. Kf3 Nb3 52. Bc2 Nd4+ 53. Bxd4 Rxd4 {The remainder is White coming to terms with his previous play.} 54. Ke3 Rc4 55. Bd3 Rc1 56. Ke2 h5 57. gxh5 Kh6 58. Bg6 Ba5 59. Be8 Rc7 60. Bg6 Re7+ 61. Kd3 Re1 62. Kc2 Re3 63. h4 Re1 64. Bf7 Kg7 65. Bg6 Bb4 66. Bd3 Re3 67. Rb1 Re1 68. Rd1 {A rollercoaster ride!} 1/2-1/2 [Event "Stavanger"] [Site "Stavanger"] [Date "2019.06.12"] [Round "7.3"] [White "Ding, Liren"] [Black "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "D70"] [WhiteElo "2805"] [BlackElo "2774"] [Annotator "Tanmay Srinath"] [PlyCount "67"] [EventDate "2019.??.??"] {In a battle between two 1.d4 regulars, it was interesting to understand how Mamedyarov chose to combat his opening.} 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. f3 d5 {This might not be a serious mistake as far as the engines are concerned, but given the dynamic player that Mamedyarov is, I am surprised that he didn't go for better options.} (3... c5 $1 {is far better! It is well known that the f3 systems are not the most testing variations in the Modern Benoni. After} 4. d5 e6 5. Nc3 exd5 6. cxd5 d6 7. e4 Bg7 8. Nge2 (8. Bd3 $5 O-O 9. Nge2 a6 10. a4 Nbd7 11. O-O Rb8 12. Ng3 Ne5 {A seasoned grandmaster lost as White from this position, although here chances are equal. Grigoryan,K (2616)-Asis Gargatagli, H (2483) Barcelona 2015}) 8... O-O 9. Ng3 a6 10. a4 Ne8 {Black had a fine position and went on to win. Ding,L (2778)-Grischuk,A (2747) Wenzhou 2016}) 4. cxd5 Nxd5 5. e4 Nb6 6. Nc3 Bg7 7. Be3 O-O 8. Qd2 e5 $5 {this is a very interesting decision taken by Shak. He decides to immediately confront White in the center. This approach has not been very popular though. It remains to be seen whether Mamedyarov's efforts to resurrect this line are successsful.} ( 8... Nc6 {has been the most common move in this position. Black seeks to first complete his development. After} 9. O-O-O f5 $1 {this move is most critical.} 10. e5 Nb4 11. Nh3 Be6 12. Kb1 Qd7 13. Nf4 Nc4 14. Qc1 $14 {White had a comfortable position and went on to win. Vidit,S (2648)-Maghsoodloo,P (2489) Abu Dhabi 2016}) 9. d5 c6 10. h4 {This line has scored reasonably well, maybe because defending against an attack on the h-file is scarier than it looks.} cxd5 11. exd5 N8d7 12. h5 $1 {it is important to get this move in befor Black can play Nf6.} Nf6 (12... e4 $5 {is an interesting idea that has never been played before. It seems like an anti-blockading sacrifice at first sight, and makes some sense atleast -White hasn't castled yet, so Black seeks to distract him in the center.} 13. fxe4 Ne5 14. Nf3 {The engines are initially unimpressed, but as you take them along they understand that the position isn't as one-sided as they'd want to believe.} (14. h6 $5 Bh8 {is an Alpha-Zero like position, where White has permanently weakened Black's fortress, but after the logical} 15. Bg5 (15. Nf3 Bg4 16. Nxe5 Bxe5 {and without the engine's help, I don't see how White can unravel here. Black has fine compensation for the pawn. The main issue for White seems to be the fact that he can't castle. If I try to play logically here with} 17. Be2 {then after a nice sequence} Bxe2 $1 18. Qxe2 Rc8 19. Rd1 Nc4 20. Bd4 Qg5 21. Bxe5 Nxe5 $44 {helps us understand fully why Black sacrificed a pawn-White's king is tied up in the center, and he seemingly has no easy way to unravel. The position is close to dynamic balance.}) 15... Qe8 $1 16. Nf3 f5 $44 {Black has wonderful compensation for the pawn.}) 14... Bg4 $1 15. Nxe5 (15. Be2 $6 { is suitably met by the strong} Nec4 $1 16. Bxc4 Nxc4 17. Qf2 Nxe3 18. Qxe3 Bxh5 $1 $15 {and even if White sacrifices an exchange, the super strong dark square bishop ensures that Black defends.}) 15... Bxe5 16. Bd4 {and White gives back the pawn. Black can either play for dynamic compensation with} Bg3+ ({or take the pawn} 16... Bxd4 17. Qxd4 Bxh5 {with a small edge for White after} 18. e5 $1 $14) 17. Bf2 Be5 $1 $44 {and it is not so easy for White to unravel.}) 13. hxg6 fxg6 14. O-O-O Bd7 15. Kb1 Rc8 16. d6 {Ding follows the main theoretical path. Despite a decent number of draws at the top level, the move has scored incredibly well, with a large number of upsets. This proves that the line is not completely sound.} e4 17. fxe4 (17. Bh6 $5 {My engines seem to prefer this move, trying to exchange off Black's main kingside defender. The problem with this line is that after} Na4 $1 {Black stirrs up the pot just in time! A sample line to illustrate.} 18. Nd5 (18. Nxa4 Bxh6 $1 (18... Bxa4 19. Bxg7 Kxg7 20. b3 Qb6 21. Qb2 Bc6 {is worse for Black after} 22. Nh3 $1 $16) 19. Rxh6 $1 ( 19. Qxh6 $6 Bxa4 20. b3 Qb6 $15 {and Black might even be very slightly better here!}) 19... Bxa4 20. b3 Qb6 21. Be2 Bd7 $132 {with nice counterplay.}) 18... Nxd5 19. Qxd5+ Kh8 20. Bxg7+ Kxg7 21. fxe4 Qb6 $1 {and Gelfand managed to hold rather easily.Ding,L (2749)-Gelfand,B (2751) Wenzhou 2015}) 17... Ng4 18. Bg5 Qe8 19. Nf3 {Ding confidently continues along the seemingly best theoretical path, but both players miss the fact that Black has an absolute bomb of a move that suddenly equalises chances!} Rf7 $6 {Shak's first mistake. I am surprised that such a strong tactical player missed a great opportunity to level chances. } (19... Rxc3 $3 {is a very strong exchange sacrifice to wrest the initiative. After} 20. bxc3 Qxe4+ 21. Bd3 Qc6 $1 22. Bc2 Bxc3 (22... Bf5 {was Black's previous try at a reasonably high level, but White missed the super strong} 23. Nd4 $1 (23. Bxf5 $2 Rxf5 24. Nd4 Bxd4 25. Qxd4 Rxg5 26. Rhe1 $2 $19 {and though White had a horrible position he managed to win. Rodshtein,M (2616) -Navara,D (2722) Eilat 2012}) 23... Bxc2+ 24. Qxc2 Qd5 25. Qb3 Qxb3+ 26. axb3 Nf2 27. Ne6 $18 {with a winning advantage.}) 23. Qd3 Bf5 $1 24. Nd4 $3 { only this counter sacrifice helps White to maintain the balance.} (24. Qe2 $2 Nc4 $1 $19 {and the game is effectively over-White's king has nowhere to go.}) 24... Bxd4 25. Qb3+ Nd5 $1 26. Bxf5 Rxf5 27. Rc1 $1 (27. Rxd4 Rxg5 $19 { will be Rodstein-Navara all over again, but this time Black will hope to convert the extra material.}) 27... Qe8 28. Rhe1 Be3 $13 {and the position is balanced.}) 20. Qe1 {Ding seemingly hands back the favour, but on closer inspection he had nothing better.} (20. Be7 $5 {This beautiful move cuts off the Black pieces from the f8 square, and seeks to be a thorn in the flesh. It also has the purpose of splitting the board in two. Black's only saving resource appears to be} Rxc3 $1 21. bxc3 Qc8 22. Rc1 Na4 $44 {with mutual chances.}) (20. Bd3 $1 {Appears to be the only move to retain a small advantage. After} Ne5 $1 21. Nxe5 Qxe5 22. Be7 Be6 $1 $132 {Black does have some counterplay, but I like White's chances.}) 20... Rc5 $6 {Yet again Mamedyarov sticks to GM games and fails to find the most clinical path to equality!} (20... Bxc3 $1 21. bxc3 {was previously seen in Walczak,P (2466) -Hebels,A (2409) ICCF email 2014, and here Black should improve with} Ne5 $1 $44 {retaining enough compensation for the pawn.}) 21. Bd2 $146 Be6 {after this the players are surely out of preparation.} 22. e5 $5 {Ding attempts to safeguard his d6 pawn, but Black's control over the queenside squares provides him with a surprising opportunity.} Bxe5 (22... Na4 $1 {was clinical, attempting to start an attack on White's king. White manages to hold on only with precise play after} 23. Ne4 Bf5 $1 24. Ka1 Bxe4 25. Qxe4 Nf2 26. Qh4 $1 Bxe5 27. Nxe5 Qxe5 28. Qxa4 Nxd1 29. Qxd1 Qxd6 {and despite White's material advantage, he is better off taking the draw after} 30. g3 Rd5 31. Bc4 Rxd2 32. Qe1 Kg7 33. Bxf7 Kxf7 34. Rxh7+ Kg8 35. Rh1 $11) 23. Bd3 Na4 $2 (23... Bg7 $1 { it was best to save this powerful bishop. Play can continue} 24. Ng5 $5 Rxg5 25. Bxg5 Nf2 26. Bb5 Bf5+ $13 {and Black equalises chances.} (26... Nd7 27. Rc1 Nxh1 28. Be7 Bf5+ $11 {is also equal.})) 24. Nxe5 $1 {Now Ding doesn't let go. Black's mistake comes back to haunt him.} Rxe5 25. Qh4 Rh5 26. Qg3 Nxc3+ $2 { Shak's desperation to land a blow on the queenside is easily refuted.} (26... Rxh1 $1 27. Rxh1 Nc5 28. Re1 $1 {is still worse for Black, but he can hope to defend this position after} Nxd3 29. Qxd3 Qc8 $16 {and the drawing tendency of opposite coloured bishops can come into play with a few more exchanges.}) 27. Bxc3 Qa4 28. d7 $1 Rd5 29. Bc2 $1 Qxd7 30. Bb3 Rxd1+ 31. Rxd1 Qc8 32. Qh4 Nf6 33. Rd6 Bxb3 34. Rxf6 {this move wins a piece, so Shak decided to cut short the torture. A game that was balanced on the knife edge for most part!} 1-0 [Event "Stavanger NOR"] [Site "Stavanger NOR"] [Date "2019.06.13"] [Round "8.1"] [White "Carlsen, Magnus"] [Black "Yu, Yangyi"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "D15"] [WhiteElo "2875"] [BlackElo "2738"] [PlyCount "87"] [EventDate "2019.06.04"] 1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. e4 b5 6. Be2 {"I was taken by surprise in the opening. He does not play the Slav so often. So I decided to go for this off-beat line." (Carlsen)} b4 (6... e6 7. O-O Be7 8. a4 b4 9. e5 Nd5 10. Ne4 Ba6 11. Bd2 Qa5 {Salem,A (2672)-Shankland,S (2725) chess.com INT 2019}) 7. e5 bxc3 8. exf6 exf6 9. bxc3 Bd6 {N A novelty, which however leads to an easy game for White.} ({More aggressive is:} 9... Qa5 10. O-O Be6 11. Re1 Be7 12. Qc2 Nd7 13. Bf4 Nb6 14. a4 {as in Drozdov,S (2241)-Beinoras,M (2404) Lithuania 2014}) 10. O-O O-O 11. Nd2 $1 {"Maybe he underestimated this move." (Carlsen)} ({Instead:} 11. Bxc4 Bg4 {would allow Black a solid Caro-Kann type of position.}) 11... Re8 12. Re1 $1 {"Just waiting where he is going to put his bishop." (Carlsen)} Nd7 ({For example:} 12... Be6 {will be met with:} 13. Bxc4 {Carlsen}) 13. Nxc4 Bc7 14. Bf3 {This position also resembles a line in the Caro-Kann where the Nf6 is traded early. The line is not considered to be especially reliable for Black as due to the doubled f-pawns the endgames are often bad for him. Here things might be even worse for Yu as the b-pawns are missing and he has additional trouble defending his queenside.} Ba6 15. Ne3 Nb6 16. Ba3 Nc4 $2 {"Just a huge mistake. I think it was a blunder." (Carlsen)} ({ White is also much better after:} 16... Qd7 17. Bc5 Nd5 18. Qa4 {as he is practically a pawn ahead and plays without any risk.}) 17. Qd3 ({Most likely Yu had concentrated his calculation on the moves:} 17. Bxc6 {when one idea for Black is:} Nxa3 18. Qa4 Bxh2+ 19. Kxh2 Bb5 20. Bxb5 Qb8+) ({Or} 17. Nxc4 Rxe1+ 18. Qxe1 Bxc4 {with the point that:} 19. Bxc6 Bxh2+ {does not win a pawn for White.}) 17... Rxe3 {The only move.} (17... Nxa3 18. Qxa6 Qd6 19. g3 {leaves Black defenseless.}) 18. Rxe3 Nxe3 ({In case of:} 18... Qc8 {"at the very least I have"} 19. Rae1 Nxe3 20. Qxe3 {"Maybe he is still in the game, but barely. It's really awful." (Carlsen)}) 19. Qxa6 Nc2 20. Rd1 Nxa3 21. Qxa3 Qd6 22. Qxd6 Bxd6 23. c4 {The forced sequence led to an excellent endgame for Carlsen. He is practically a pawn ahead and enjoys the more active pieces.} ({ Avoid the blockade, possible after:} 23. Bxc6 Rc8 24. d5 Rb8) 23... Rc8 24. c5 $1 {"I think it's just over to be honest." (Carlsen) This move fixes the pawn on the color of the white bishop, thus winning it in the foreseeable future. What follows is another demonstration of Carlsen's impeccable technique.} Be7 25. Kf1 {The king enters the battle in order to set free the rook.} f5 26. Ke2 g5 27. h3 {Unfortunately for Yu, he can hardly make anything from his pawn majority on the kingside.} Kg7 28. Kd3 {The centre is fortified, it is time for the rook to show what it is capable of.} Kg6 29. Rb1 h5 ({Nothing changes: } 29... Rc7 30. Rb8) 30. Rb7 Bf6 31. Rd7 $1 {Excellent technique. The world champion keeps everything under control.} ({He could have won a pawn with:} 31. Rxa7 {But this would send his pieces to less active positions after:} g4 32. Be2 Rd8 33. Ra4) 31... g4 {Now this move is only a minor issue.} 32. Bd1 { As the bishop can easily find itself another working diagonal.} Kg5 33. Ba4 f4 34. f3 {The triangular formation easily stops the black four pawns on the same flank.} Re8 ({Or} 34... gxh3 35. gxh3 Kh4 36. Rxf7) 35. fxg4 ({There was nothing wrong with:} 35. Bxc6) 35... hxg4 36. hxg4 Re6 ({Or} 36... Kxg4 37. Bxc6) 37. Bd1 Re3+ 38. Kc4 a5 ({If} 38... Ra3 39. Bb3 {locks the rook.}) 39. Bf3 Ra3 40. Bxc6 {The two passers are unstoppable.} Rxa2 41. Be4 a4 42. c6 Ra1 43. c7 a3 44. Kb3 1-0 [Event "7th Norway Chess 2019"] [Site "Stavanger NOR"] [Date "2019.06.13"] [Round "8.2"] [White "Aronian, Levon"] [Black "Caruana, Fabiano"] [Result "0-1"] [ECO "A22"] [WhiteElo "2752"] [BlackElo "2819"] [PlyCount "82"] [EventDate "2019.06.04"] 1. c4 e5 2. g3 Nf6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e4 $5 {An idea of Carlsen during his title match with Caruana.} (4. Bg2 O-O 5. e4 Bxc3 {"is supposed to be OK for Black." - Caruana}) 4... Bxc3 (4... O-O 5. Nge2 {is the main idea of White's move order and} c6 6. Bg2 a6 7. O-O b5 8. d4 d6 9. a3 Bxc3 10. Nxc3 bxc4 11. dxe5 dxe5 12. Na4 {was good for White in one of the playoff games Carlsen,M (2835) -Caruana,F (2832) London ENG 2018}) 5. dxc3 d6 {The second point is that here White doesn't need to go Bg2.} 6. Qc2 {N} (6. f3 O-O (6... a5 7. Nh3 a4 8. Nf2 Be6 9. Bd3 Nbd7 10. Qe2 c6 11. f4 Nb6 12. Be3 c5 {Carlsen,M (2845)-Anand,V (2774) Karlsruhe/Baden Baden GER 2019}) (6... Be6 7. Nh3 h6 8. Nf2 a5 9. f4 Na6 10. f5 Bd7 11. Bg2 b5 {Carlsen,M (2835)-Petrov,N (2593) St Petersburg RUS 2018} ) 7. Nh3 a6 8. a4 Nbd7 9. Nf2 a5 10. Be2 Nc5 11. O-O Bd7 12. Be3 b6 13. Kh1 Kh8 14. b3 Ng8 {Carlsen,M (2861)-Karjakin,S (2752) Abidjan 2019}) 6... O-O 7. Nf3 Be6 8. Ng5 $6 {Caruana thought this was "a very questionable move."} Bd7 9. f3 a5 10. Nh3 (10. a4 Na6) 10... a4 11. Nf2 Nc6 12. Be2 Na5 ({Caruana didn't like } 12... Be6 13. f4 exf4 14. gxf4 Re8 15. Rg1) 13. b4 (13. f4 exf4 14. gxf4 Re8 {is a much better version for Black.}) ({Aronian probably wanted to avoid} 13. O-O Be6 14. b3 axb3 15. axb3 b5) 13... axb3 14. axb3 Nc6 15. Rb1 (15. Rxa8 Qxa8 16. Bg5 $5 (16. O-O) 16... Qa1+ 17. Nd1 Ra8 18. Bxf6 gxf6 19. O-O Ra2 20. Qd3 Qc1 21. Ne3 Qb2 {Caruana/Polgar}) 15... Be6 16. Nd1 (16. f4 exf4 17. gxf4 Re8 18. Rg1 Bd7 {Caruana}) 16... Ne7 {"At this point I am already a little bit better." - Caruana} 17. O-O c6 18. Bg5 (18. Ne3 $5) 18... Nd7 19. Qd2 h6 20. Be3 (20. Bxe7 Qxe7 21. Ne3 {Caruana}) 20... Nf6 (20... Qc7 21. Nf2 f5 22. Rbd1 {Caruana}) 21. Nf2 d5 22. Rfd1 (22. exd5 cxd5 23. cxd5 Qxd5 24. Qxd5 (24. Rfd1 Qc6) 24... Nexd5 25. Bd2 Ra2 {Caruana}) 22... Qc7 23. Bc5 (23. Qc2 Ng6) 23... b6 24. Bxe7 Qxe7 25. cxd5 cxd5 26. exd5 Bxd5 27. c4 Bc6 28. Qe3 (28. Qd6 Qb7 $1 {is "very unpleasant for White." - Caruana}) 28... Ra2 $1 {“I don’t wanna sound immodest but I was quite proud of my play.” - Caruana} (28... Nd7 29. b4) 29. Ra1 (29. Qxb6 Rxe2 30. Qxc6 Qa7 31. Rf1 (31. c5 Qa2 32. Ra1 Qxb3) 31... Qe3 32. Rbd1 e4 33. fxe4 Qxb3) 29... Rxa1 30. Rxa1 Nd7 31. Bd3 $6 (31. Qc3 f5 32. b4 e4 33. c5 bxc5 34. b5 {Caruana}) 31... f5 32. Bc2 e4 33. fxe4 Ne5 34. Bd1 $2 ({The most natural was} 34. Rf1 {and Black's advantage is actually not very big, e.g.} Qd6 ({or} 34... g5 $5 {but not}) ( 34... Qf6 $6 35. Nd1 $1)) 34... fxe4 35. Be2 $6 (35. Ng4) 35... Nf3+ 36. Bxf3 Rxf3 37. Qxb6 Qf6 $1 {Black is winning in all lines now.} (37... e3 $2 38. Qxc6 exf2+ 39. Kf1 {is nothing.}) 38. Rd1 e3 39. Ng4 Qe6 40. Qb8+ Kh7 41. Ne5 Qh3 ({ Caruana was also looking at} 41... e2 42. Re1 Rf1+ 43. Rxf1 Qh3) 0-1 [Event "7th Norway Armageddon"] [Site "Stavanger NOR"] [Date "2019.06.13"] [Round "8.5"] [White "Grischuk, Alexander"] [Black "Anand, Viswanathan"] [Result "0-1"] [ECO "A05"] [WhiteElo "2775"] [BlackElo "2767"] [PlyCount "80"] [EventDate "2019.06.04"] 1. Nf3 ({The standard game went} 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 d4 11. Bxe6 Nxe6 12. cxd4 Ncxd4 13. a4 Bb4 (13... Bc5 14. Ne4 Bb6 15. Nfg5 Qd5 16. Nxe6 Qxe6 17. axb5 a5 18. b4 a4 19. Be3 Qxe5 20. Nc3 Ne6 {Kramnik,V (2777)-Mamedyarov,S (2817) Wijk aan Zee 2019}) 14. axb5 Nxf3+ 15. Nxf3 axb5 16. Rxa8 Qxa8 17. Ng5 Nxg5 18. Bxg5 h6 19. e6 {N} (19. Bh4 g5 20. e6 O-O 21. Bg3 Qc6 22. exf7+ Rxf7 23. h3 Bd6 24. Bxd6 Qxd6 25. Qxd6 cxd6 {Witzschel,P (2380)-Milanollo,M (2305) ICCF email 2014 1-0}) 19... fxe6 20. Qh5+ Kf8 21. Bf4 Qd5 22. Qe2 Bd6 23. Rd1 Qc4 24. Qxc4 ({Anand had} 24. Bxd6+ cxd6 25. Qf3+ Ke7 26. Qg3 Kf7 $1 27. Qxd6 Rc8 $1 {= in his notes.}) 24... bxc4 25. Bxd6+ cxd6 26. Rxd6 Ke7 27. Rc6 Rb8 28. Rxc4 Rxb2 29. g3 h5 30. h4 g6 31. Kg2 {1/2 (31) Grischuk,A (2775)-Anand,V (2767) Stavanger NOR 2019}) 1... Nf6 2. g3 d5 3. Bg2 c5 4. O-O Nc6 5. d3 g6 6. c4 Bg7 7. Nc3 O-O 8. Bf4 (8. cxd5 Nxd5 9. Bd2 Nc7 10. Qc1 b6 11. Bh6 Bb7 12. Bxg7 Kxg7 13. Ne5 {1/2 Antipov,M (2598)-Piorun,K (2659) Moscow 2018}) 8... d4 9. Na4 Nd7 10. a3 e5 11. Bg5 {N} (11. Bd2 Rb8 12. Ng5 Qc7 13. b4 b6 14. bxc5 bxc5 15. Ne4 Nd8 16. Rb1 Rxb1 17. Qxb1 Bb7 {Minasian,A (2488)-Grigoryan,A (2580) Yerevan 2014}) 11... Qc7 12. b4 cxb4 13. axb4 Nxb4 {Anand had missed b2-b4 but then he liked his exchange sacrifice a lot.} 14. Be7 a5 15. c5 Re8 ( 15... Ra6) 16. Bd6 Qd8 17. Nd2 Bf8 18. Nc4 Bxd6 19. Nxd6 Re6 20. f4 Nxc5 $6 ( 20... Rb8) 21. Nxf7 $1 Kxf7 22. Nxc5 Re7 23. fxe5+ Kg7 24. Qb3 (24. Qc1 $1) 24... Qc7 25. Rac1 Qxe5 26. Qb2 Bf5 27. Nxb7 Rb8 28. Rc5 Qe3+ 29. Kh1 Bxd3 ({ Also good was} 29... Nxd3 $1 30. exd3 Bxd3 31. Rf3 (31. Ra1 Rexb7 32. Bxb7 Be4+ ) 31... Qe1+) ({Anand correctly judged that} 29... Rexb7 30. Bxb7 Rxb7 { fails to} 31. Rf3 {and d4 will fall with check.}) 30. exd3 (30. Rf3 Qxe2 31. Qxd4+ Kg8) 30... Nxd3 31. Qc2 Nxc5 32. Qxc5 d3 33. Qd6 Qe5 34. Qa3 d2 35. Nxa5 Ra7 36. Nc6 Rxa3 37. Nxe5 Rd8 38. Rd1 Rc3 39. Ng4 Rc1 40. Nf2 Rf8 0-1 [Event "7th Norway Armageddon"] [Site "Stavanger NOR"] [Date "2019.06.13"] [Round "8.3"] [White "Vachier-Lagrave, Maxime"] [Black "Ding, Liren"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "A22"] [WhiteElo "2779"] [BlackElo "2805"] [PlyCount "117"] [EventDate "2019.06.04"] 1. c4 ({The standard game went} 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. c3 Nf6 5. d3 d6 6. O-O O-O 7. Re1 a6 8. a4 Ba7 9. h3 Be6 10. Bxe6 fxe6 11. b4 Nh5 12. Ra2 Qf6 13. Na3 Ne7 14. Bg5 Qf7 15. Be3 Nf4 16. Kh2 Qg6 17. Nh4 Qh6 18. Nf3 Qg6 19. Nh4 Qh6 20. Nf3 Qg6 {1/2 (20) Vachier-Lagrave,M (2779)-Ding,L (2805) Stavanger NOR 2019}) 1... e5 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. e3 Bb4 4. Nge2 O-O 5. a3 Bxc3 6. Nxc3 d5 7. cxd5 Nxd5 8. Qc2 (8. Qb3 Nxc3 9. bxc3 c5 10. Be2 Nc6 11. c4 b6 12. Bf3 Bb7 13. Qc3 Re8 14. Bd5 Na5 15. e4 Qd7 {Laznicka,V (2647)-Kryvoruchko,Y (2689) Riadh 2017}) 8... c5 9. Bd3 h6 10. b3 {N} (10. b4 cxb4 11. Nxd5 Qxd5 12. Bh7+ Kh8 13. Be4 Qb5 14. axb4 Nc6 15. Qc5 Qxc5 16. bxc5 Be6 {Blomqvist,E (2525) -Dhulipalla, B (2392) Barcelona 2017}) 10... Nc6 11. Nxd5 Qxd5 12. Be4 Qd6 13. Bb2 Be6 14. O-O Rac8 15. f4 Bd5 16. Bh7+ Kh8 17. Bf5 Rcd8 18. Rad1 ({MVL didn't like} 18. fxe5 Nxe5 19. Bxe5 Qxe5 20. Qxc5 {because of} Qb2 {but in the analysis he found } 21. Rab1 $1 {with the idea} Qxd2 $4 22. Rf2 {and the queen is trapped.}) 18... b6 19. Qc3 f6 20. b4 cxb4 21. axb4 Qxb4 22. Qxb4 Nxb4 23. fxe5 fxe5 24. Bxe5 Bc4 (24... Bb3 $5) 25. d3 Nxd3 26. Rxd3 Bxd3 27. Bxd3 Rxf1+ 28. Bxf1 a5 29. Bc7 Rd2 30. Bxb6 a4 31. Bc5 Rc2 32. Bb4 Rb2 33. Bd6 Rd2 (33... Rb3 { was a simple draw, since White needs to give either the e3-pawn or one of his bishops.}) 34. Be7 Ra2 $2 ({Why not just keep on chasing?} 34... Rd7 35. Bc5 Rc7 36. Bb4 Rb7 37. Bd6 Rd7) 35. Bc4 $1 Ra1+ 36. Kf2 a3 37. Kf3 a2 38. Ke4 Rg1 $6 ({The last chance was doing nothing:} 38... Kh7 39. g4 Kh8 40. h4 Kh7 41. h5 Kh8 {and here MVL wasn't sure if} 42. Ke5 Re1 43. Bxa2 Rxe3+ 44. Kd6 {was winning.}) 39. Bxa2 Rxg2 40. Bd5 Rxh2 41. Kf5 {"One pawn runs faster than two, " especially when backed up by the bishop pair.} Kh7 42. e4 Rf2+ 43. Ke6 g5 44. e5 g4 45. Bh4 Rh2 46. Bg3 Rh3 47. Bf4 Kg7 48. Kd6 Rd3 49. e6 Kf8 50. Bxh6+ Ke8 51. Bf4 g3 52. Bxg3 Rd1 53. Ke5 Rc1 54. Bf4 Re1+ 55. Kf6 Kd8 56. Kf7 Re2 57. Bg5+ Kc7 58. e7 Rf2+ 59. Bf6 1-0 [Event "7th Norway Armageddon"] [Site "Stavanger NOR"] [Date "2019.06.13"] [Round "8.4"] [White "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"] [Black "So, Wesley"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [ECO "A45"] [WhiteElo "2774"] [BlackElo "2754"] [PlyCount "76"] [EventDate "2019.06.04"] 1. d4 Nf6 2. Bg5 d5 3. Bxf6 ({The standard game went} 3. e3 c5 4. Bxf6 gxf6 5. dxc5 Nc6 6. Bb5 e6 7. c4 dxc4 8. Nd2 Bd7 9. Ngf3 c3 10. bxc3 Bxc5 11. O-O O-O 12. Rb1 Qc7 13. Nd4 Be7 14. Qh5 f5 15. e4 Qf4 16. Rfd1 Qg4 17. Qxg4+ fxg4 18. Nc4 Rfd8 19. Bxc6 bxc6 20. Ne5 c5 21. Ndc6 Bxc6 22. Nxc6 Rxd1+ 23. Rxd1 Bf6 24. e5 Bg5 25. g3 a5 26. h4 Bh6 27. Kf1 Kf8 28. Rd7 Ke8 29. Re7+ Kf8 30. Rc7 Bd2 31. c4 h5 32. Ke2 Bc3 33. Kd3 Be1 34. Ke2 Bc3 35. f3 (35. a4 $5 {was interesting because} Ra6 $2 {loses to} 36. Kd3 Be1 37. Nb8 $1 Ra8 38. Nd7+ Kg7 39. Ke2 Bb4 40. Nxc5) 35... gxf3+ 36. Kxf3 a4 $1 37. g4 Kg7 38. gxh5 Rh8 39. Kg4 Rg8 40. Rd7 Kh6+ 41. Kf3 Rg1 42. Nd8 Kxh5 43. Rxf7 Bxe5 44. Ra7 Rf1+ 45. Ke2 Rf4 46. Rxa4 Bd4 {1/2 (46) Mamedyarov,S (2774)-So,W (2754) Stavanger NOR 2019}) 3... exf6 4. e3 Bd6 5. Nd2 (5. Bd3 c6 6. Nd2 Qe7 7. Qf3 g6 8. h3 Nd7 9. g4 h5 10. Ne2 Nb6 11. Rg1 hxg4 12. hxg4 Bd7 {Duda,J (2737)-So, W (2780) chess. com INT 2018}) 5... O-O 6. Qf3 c6 7. Bd3 Re8 8. Ne2 Be6 9. g4 Qb6 10. O-O-O { N White can be happy with a position like this in a game he needs to win.} (10. a3 Nd7 11. h4 c5 12. b3 Qc7 13. c3 a6 14. g5 Be7 15. Nf4 Qd6 16. Ke2 Nf8 { Ubezio,M (2182)-Cereda,L (1890) Corsico 2003}) 10... Nd7 11. Nf4 (11. h4 $5) 11... Qc7 12. h4 {Caruana thought White had 80 percent winning chance here.} a5 13. Rdg1 a4 14. a3 c5 15. g5 $2 {Practically speaking, Mamedyarov loses the game with this move.} ({There was nothing wrong with} 15. Nxd5 Bxd5 16. Qxd5 cxd4 17. exd4 Bf4 18. Rd1) 15... Bxf4 16. exf4 $6 (16. gxf6 Nxf6) ({It's understandable that Mamedyarov wanted to keep the queens on the board but} 16. Qxf4 {was still preferable here.}) 16... f5 $1 {Keeping the kingside closed, the worst is over for Black.} 17. Qe3 Rac8 18. c3 $6 (18. Nf3) 18... cxd4 ({ Strong was} 18... b5 $1) 19. Qxd4 $5 Nb8 20. Kb1 $6 ({White should have tried} 20. Bb5 {because} Bd7 {can be met by} (20... Nc6 21. Bxc6 bxc6 22. h5 c5 { is still good for Black}) 21. h5 $1 {as pointed out by Caruana:} Bxb5 $2 (21... Qc5) 22. h6 f6 23. gxf6 g6 24. Qxd5+) 20... Nc6 $1 21. Qxa4 d4 {Black is taking over.} 22. Rc1 Qxf4 {Black is just winning here, and only draws because he plays it safe as a draw is enough.} 23. Rhd1 Qxh4 24. Nf3 Qxf2 25. Nxd4 Nxd4 26. cxd4 Qe3 27. Rxc8 Rxc8 28. d5 Bxd5 29. Bxf5 Be6 30. Qg4 g6 31. Bxe6 Qxe6 32. Qxe6 fxe6 33. Rd7 b5 34. b4 Rf8 35. Rb7 Rf5 36. a4 bxa4 37. b5 Rxg5 38. Ka2 Rg3 1/2-1/2 [Event "7th Norway Chess"] [Site "Stavanger NOR"] [Date "2019.06.14"] [Round "9.1"] [White "Caruana, Fabiano"] [Black "Carlsen, Magnus"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [ECO "B31"] [WhiteElo "2819"] [BlackElo "2875"] [PlyCount "111"] [EventDate "2019.05.04"] 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 g6 4. Bxc6 dxc6 5. d3 Bg7 6. h3 e5 7. O-O Qc7 8. a3 (8. Be3 b6 9. a3 Nf6 10. b4 c4 11. Nbd2 cxd3 12. cxd3 O-O 13. Qc2 Rd8 {Lomasov, S (2553)-Gelfand,B (2673) Moscow 2018}) 8... Nf6 9. Be3 {N} (9. b4 cxb4 10. axb4 O-O 11. Bb2 Nh5 12. Nbd2 Be6 13. Re1 Rfd8 14. Ng5 Nf4 {Mrdja,M (2368) -Sgnaolin,D (2118) Robecchetto 2002}) 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 (17. Qe3 Rxd2 18. Rxd2 b6 19. Qg5 Nd7 20. Qh6+ Kg8 21. Ng5 Nf8 {"and he equalizes pretty quickly." - Caruana}) 17... Rxd8 18. Rxd8+ Kg7 19. R8d3 (19. Ra8 Qb6 20. b4 Qa6 {Caruana}) 19... h6 20. b4 a5 21. Re3 Nd7 22. Na4 b5 23. Nb2 c5 24. c3 c4 25. Rd2 axb4 26. axb4 Nf6 {Caruana missed this move and felt a bit comfortable for a while.} 27. Nd1 Bd7 28. Nh2 Qa7 29. h4 (29. f3 Nh5 30. Nf1 Nf4 31. Nf2 Be6 (31... h5) 32. g3 Nd3 {Caruana}) 29... Bc6 30. f3 Bd7 31. Nf1 Be6 ({Caruana was more worried about} 31... Nh5 32. Kh2 {e.g.} Nf4 33. g3 Nd3 34. Nf2 Nxf2 35. Rxf2 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 ({Caruana had seen that } 40. Ne3 Qxe4 41. Nxg4 Qxg4 42. Rdf2 Qe4 43. Kg1 Qg6 44. Rxf7+ Qxf7 45. Rxf7+ Kxf7 46. Kf2 Kf6 47. Ke3 Kf5 48. Kf3 e4+ 49. Ke3 Kg4 50. Kxe4 Kxg3 51. Kd5 Kf3 52. Kc5 Ke3 53. Kxb5 Kd3 {is a draw, but because he was eight minutes up on time he decided to play on. "I thought I was not risking."}) 40... Kg6 41. Rf5 f6 ({On} 41... Qa3 {Caruana was planning} 42. Ne3 $6 Nf6 43. Rf3 $6 {but he must have missed} Qa8 $1 {and White is in big trouble.} ({not Caruana's} 43... Nxe4 44. Ng4)) 42. Nh2 Nh6 43. Rf1 {Caruana felt this was practically better for White.} Kg7 44. Rd1 Qa3 45. Rd7+ Kg6 46. Nf3 Qxc3 47. Nh4+ Kh5 48. Rh7 Qd3 49. Re1 c3 ({Caruana had seen} 49... Qd2+ 50. Kh3 Qxe1 $2 51. g4+ Kg5 52. Nf3+ ({even easier is} 52. Rg7+ Kf4 53. Ng2+) 52... Kg6 53. Rxh6+ Kxh6 54. Nxe1 Kg5 55. Kg3) ({The move} 49... Qd2+ {is not bad but after} 50. Kh3 {Black should go } Qf2 {and White is in some kind of Zugzwang. One way for the game to end in a draw is} 51. g4+ Kg5 52. Rg7+ Kf4 53. Ng2+ Kf3 54. Nh4+ Kf4 55. Ng2+) 50. Nf3 $2 {Actually a losing move.} ({Missing a golden opportunity to win the game in study-like fashion with} 50. Nf5 $1 Qd2+ (50... Kg6 51. Rg7+ Kh5 52. Rh1#) 51. Kf3 ({not} 51. Kh3 $4 Qxe1 52. Rxh6+ Kg5) 51... Qxe1 (51... Qd3+ 52. Kf2 Qd2+ 53. Re2 Qxe2+) 52. g4+ {This move was "off my radar" (Caruana).} Kg5 (52... Kg6 53. Rg7#) 53. Rg7#) 50... Qc2+ 51. Kh3 Kg6 ({Without an engine and with only a minute on the clock it's virtually impossible to find} 51... Qb3 $3 52. Nh4 ( 52. g4+ Kg6) (52. Rh1 Kg6) 52... Qg8 $1 53. Rc7 Nf7 54. Rxc3 Ng5+ 55. Kh2 Qa2+ 56. Kh1 Nxe4 {with a winning advantage.}) 52. Rc7 {Here for both players the time trouble was too much to even think about playing for a win further.} Nf7 53. Nh4+ Kg7 54. Nf5+ Kg6 55. Nh4+ Kg7 56. Nf5+ 1/2-1/2 [Event "7th Norway Chess"] [Site "Stavanger NOR"] [Date "2019.06.14"] [Round "9"] [White "Caruana, Fabiano"] [Black "Carlsen, Magnus"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "B30"] [WhiteElo "2819"] [BlackElo "2875"] [PlyCount "104"] [EventDate "2019.05.04"] 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. Nc3 Nd4 5. e5 Nxb5 6. Nxb5 Nd5 7. Ng5 { "I remember my coach was showing me this when I was like eight years old." - Caruana} f6 8. Ne4 ({A recent GM game went:} 8. Qf3 e6 9. Ne4 Qb6 10. Nbd6+ Bxd6 11. Nxd6+ Ke7 12. Qg3 Rg8 13. d3 {Grischuk,A (2772)-Korobov,A (2652) Huaian 2017}) 8... f5 9. Nbc3 Nxc3 10. Nxc3 d6 {N} ({Previously only:} 10... g6 11. d3 d5 12. h4 d4 13. Ne2 Qd5 14. Bf4 Qxg2 15. Rg1 Qc6 16. c3 dxc3 17. bxc3 { has been checked in Novoselski,Z (2389)-Milovanovic,S (2203) Paracin}) 11. O-O dxe5 12. Qe2 {"This position can't be very nice for Black." (Caruana)} e6 ({ After:} 12... e4 13. Rd1 {followed by d2-d3 was White's plan. For example:} e6 14. d3 exd3 15. Rxd3 {with huge attack against the enemy king.}) 13. Qxe5 Qd6 14. Qe2 Be7 {Carlsen has the long-term advantage (the bishop pair) whereas Caruana has the advantage of the better development and should make something out of it. In the game the American GM decided to play for a blockade on the dark squares.} 15. b3 ({However, more interesting seemed to be the dynamic play with:} 15. d4 $5 cxd4 ({Worse is:} 15... Qxd4 $6 16. Nb5 Qd8 17. Bf4 { when White is close to winning.}) 16. Nb5 Qc5 17. Bf4 O-O 18. Rad1 Bd7 19. Nxd4 {and White has the advantage thanks to his more active pieces.}) 15... O-O 16. Bb2 Bd7 17. Rae1 $1 {The correct rook.} ({In case of:} 17. Rfe1 Bf6 18. Nd1 e5 $1 {is strong and White cannot touch this pawn:} 19. Bxe5 Bxe5 20. Qxe5 Rae8 { (Caruana)}) 17... Rae8 {This looks like a waste of time.} ({Stronger is:} 17... Bf6 $5 18. Nd1 Rad8 19. Bxf6 Rxf6 20. f4 Bc6 21. d3 Rg6 {when White will find it much harder to rearrange his pieces as he did in the game.}) 18. Nd1 Bf6 19. Bxf6 Rxf6 ({Here Caruana's suggestion:} 19... gxf6 $5 {looks interesting when Black will continue Kg8-h8, Bd7-c6 and Rf8-g8 with clear play along the g-file. }) 20. Nb2 Rh6 21. Qe5 {Just in time.} ({Perhaps Carlsen expected:} 21. h3 Bc6 {(Caruana)}) 21... Qxe5 ({The pawn is poisoned:} 21... Qxd2 $2 22. Rd1 Qxc2 23. Rxd7) 22. Rxe5 b6 23. a4 {The endgame is clearly better for White as he will soon have an eternal knight versus a worthless bishop. Black has an additional problem with his kingside rook which is not where it is supposed to be.} Bc6 24. a5 Rd8 25. axb6 axb6 26. d3 Rd5 27. Nc4 ({More accurate was:} 27. Rfe1 Kf7 28. Nc4) 27... Bb5 ({Here Carlsen could have tried:} 27... b5 28. Rxd5 exd5 ({ Worse is:} 28... Bxd5 29. Ne5) 29. Ne5 {White intends f2-f4 followed by the a-file occupation, therefore:} f4 $1 30. Ra1 Re6 {with chances for survival.}) 28. Rxd5 exd5 29. Ne3 d4 ({More resilient was:} 29... Bc6 30. Nxf5 Re6 { (Polgar)}) 30. Nxf5 Re6 31. Ra1 Kf7 32. f3 {Caruana won a pawn and consolidates his advantage.} Kf6 33. Ng3 Re7 34. Ne4+ Ke6 35. Ra8 Bc6 36. Ra6 Bxe4 37. Rxb6+ {But this is not the best way.} ({White would have won relatively easily with:} 37. dxe4 $1 Rb7 38. Kf2 {followed by a king march to c4 and b5.}) 37... Bc6 $1 {The world champion seizes his last chance. One more pawn is sacrificed but in return he gets a lot of activity.} 38. Rxc6+ Kd5 39. Ra6 Re2 40. Ra2 {Apparently, this was the position that Carlsen was opting for. His rook cannot be expelled from the second rank and without an active white king Caruana can never win.} Kc6 ({True Black has to watch out for a discovered attack after:} 40... g5 $2 41. c4+) ({However, after the strong:} 40... Ke5 $1 {with the idea to meet} 41. h4 {with} Kf4 {Black would have retained serious drawing chances. Two pawns are a lot, but the black pieces are huge.}) 41. h4 $1 {Now the white king comes out and the game is essentially over.} h5 42. Kh2 Kb6 43. Kg3 Rd2 44. f4 g6 45. Kf3 Kb7 46. b4 $1 { The rook is also out, and the rest is easy.} c4 ({Or} 46... cxb4 47. Rb2 Kc6 48. Rxb4 Rxc2 49. Rxd4) 47. dxc4 d3 48. Ke3 Rxg2 49. Kxd3 Rg4 50. Ra5 Rxf4 51. Rg5 Rxh4 52. Rxg6 Rh1 1-0 [Event "7th Norway Chess"] [Site "Stavanger NOR"] [Date "2019.06.14"] [Round "9.4"] [White "Yu, Yangyi"] [Black "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "C47"] [WhiteElo "2738"] [BlackElo "2774"] [PlyCount "59"] [EventDate "2019.05.04"] 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 (10. Be2 Bxe2 11. Nxe2 cxd5 12. Bg5 Be7 13. Nd4 Qd7 14. Qd3 Rfe8 15. Rad1 Ne4 16. Bxe7 Rxe7 17. c4 Rae8 {Carlsen,M (2861)-Nakamura, H (2761) Abidjan 2019}) 10... Bh5 11. Bg5 ({Two days before it went} 11. dxc6 Qd4+ 12. Kh1 Bxc3 13. bxc3 Qxc3 14. Bf4 Qxc6 15. Qd2 Bg6 {and Black as OK in Yu,Y (2738)-Aronian,L (2752) Stavanger NOR 2019}) 11... Qd6 12. Bxf6 {N} (12. Qc1 cxd5 13. Kh1 c6 14. Ne2 Bg6 15. Nf4 Rae8 16. Nxg6 fxg6 17. c3 Ba5 18. Qf4 Qd7 {Dappiano,A (2310)-Altini,N (2426) Gallipoli 2018}) 12... Qxf6 13. Ne4 Qxb2 14. dxc6 Bg6 15. Kh1 Qd4 16. Qe2 Rfe8 ({Polgar suggested} 16... Qd5 17. Rab1 ( 17. c3 Be7) 17... Rab8) 17. Rad1 Qe5 18. Bc4 {Yu thought he was a little better here.} Rad8 $6 (18... Kh8 $5 {was interesting as...f5 is threatened to remove the excellent knight on e4.}) 19. Rd7 $1 {Mamedyarov must have underestimated this.} Rxd7 20. cxd7 Rd8 21. Rd1 Kf8 (21... c6 $5) 22. c3 Ba3 ({ Yu suggested} 22... Bd6 23. Nxd6 cxd6 24. Qxe5 dxe5 25. Bb5 Bf5 {but missed} 26. Rd5 $1 f6 27. g4 $1 Be6 {and now} 28. Rd6 {wins a tempo to get the rook to a5 and White is much better.}) 23. Rd5 Qe7 24. Bb5 Bd6 (24... Qe6 25. Rd2) 25. c4 $1 {Threatening c4-c5-c6.} a6 26. Ba4 Bxe4 27. Qxe4 Qxe4 28. fxe4 f6 29. Ra5 Rb8 30. g3 1-0 [Event "7th Norway Chess"] [Site "Stavanger NOR"] [Date "2019.06.14"] [Round "9"] [White "Anand, Viswanathan"] [Black "Aronian, Levon"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [ECO "C54"] [WhiteElo "2767"] [BlackElo "2752"] [PlyCount "81"] [EventDate "2019.??.??"] 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 ({Aronian had good memories of his ...Kh8 and ... Ng8 as he won his first Linares using the same idea:} 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 Qc8 12. Nc4 Rb8 13. Bg5 Kh8 14. h3 Ng8 15. c3 bxc3 16. bxc3 f5 17. Ba4 fxe4 18. Bxc6 exf3 19. Bxe7 Nxe7 20. Bxf3 Ng6 21. Bg4 Nf4 22. Ra2 Qb7 23. Bf3 Qb3 24. Rc2 Nxd3 25. Qxd3 Qxc4 26. Qxc4 Bxc4 27. Bc6 Rb3 28. g3 g5 29. Re3 Ra3 30. Be4 Rxa5 31. g4 Bd5 32. f3 Bxe4 33. fxe4 Ra1+ 34. Kg2 Rff1 35. Ree2 Rg1+ 36. Kh2 Rh1+ 37. Kg3 Rag1+ 38. Rg2 Re1 39. Rgf2 Re3+ 40. Kg2 Rexh3 {0-1 (40) Leko,P (2740)-Aronian, L (2752) Morelia/Linares 2006}) 3... Bc5 4. c3 Nf6 5. d3 ({The standard game went} 5. d4 exd4 6. e5 d5 7. Bb5 Ne4 8. cxd4 Bb6 9. Nc3 O-O 10. Be3 Bg4 (10... Ba5 11. Qb3 Bxc3+ 12. bxc3 Na5 13. Qb4 b6 14. O-O Bf5 15. Rfc1 Rc8 {Karjakin,S (2753)-Topalov,V (2740) Shamkir 2019}) 11. h3 Bh5 12. Qc2 Nxc3 13. bxc3 f6 14. exf6 Qxf6 15. Be2 Na5 {N} (15... Rae8 16. O-O Kh8 17. a4 Bg6 18. Bd3 Bxd3 19. Qxd3 Qf5 20. Qxf5 Rxf5 21. Rfe1 Rff8 {Jones,G (2682)-Jakovenko,D (2735) St Petersburg 2018}) 16. O-O Bxf3 17. Bxf3 c6 18. Rae1 Nc4 19. Bc1 Rae8 20. Be2 Re6 21. Bd3 (21. Bg4 {Polgar} Re7 22. Re2 Rfe8 23. Rfe1 g6 {is slightly better for White.}) 21... g6 22. Re2 {"Too slow." - Aronian} (22. Bg5 Qf7 23. h4 $5) 22... Rxe2 23. Qxe2 Nd6 24. Re1 Re8 25. Qd1 Rxe1+ 26. Qxe1 c5 27. dxc5 Bxc5 28. Bd2 b6 29. Qe2 Kf7 30. Be1 Qf4 31. Kf1 Ne4 32. Qg4 Qxg4 33. hxg4 Be7 34. Ke2 Nc5 35. Bc2 Bf6 36. Bd2 {1/2 (36) Anand,V (2767)-Aronian,L (2752) Stavanger NOR 2019}) 5... O-O 6. O-O a6 7. a4 d6 8. Nbd2 (8. Re1 h6 9. h3 a5 10. Nbd2 Be6 11. b3 d5 12. exd5 Nxd5 13. Ne4 Bb6 14. Ra2 f5 {Ding,L (2813)-Anand,V (2773) Wijk aan Zee 2019}) 8... Ba7 9. h3 Kh8 $5 10. b4 Ng8 {N "I invented it I think in this particular position. It’s beautiful!" - Aronian} (10... d5 11. exd5 Nxd5 12. Ne4 f5 13. Neg5 Nxc3 14. Qe1 e4 15. dxe4 Nxe4 16. Nxe4 fxe4 17. Ng5 Qf6 {Rasch,H (2301)-Derichs,R (2307) Germany 2008}) 11. Bb3 f5 12. b5 { Aronian said this was not a blunder as what follows is "practically easier to play as White."} axb5 13. axb5 Bxf2+ 14. Rxf2 Rxa1 15. bxc6 bxc6 16. Qc2 Qe7 17. Ba2 Be6 18. Nb3 Bxb3 19. Bxb3 f4 20. Kh2 Nf6 ({Aronian: "Here I should have played} 20... g5 {I don't know what went wrong in my mind."}) 21. Bb2 Raa8 22. d4 exd4 23. Re2 ({Interesting was} 23. e5 $5 dxe5 24. cxd4 e4 25. Ne5) 23... d3 24. Qxd3 Nd7 25. c4 Rab8 26. Qc3 Qf6 (26... Ne5 27. c5) 27. Qc1 (27. Ba4 $5) 27... Qe6 28. Ba4 Nc5 29. Bxc6 (29. Qa1 $5) 29... Rb6 30. Bd5 $2 { Blundering a piece.} (30. Qc3) 30... Qg6 31. Bd4 c6 32. Bxc5 dxc5 33. Qe1 cxd5 34. cxd5 h6 35. e5 Rb3 36. e6 Rd3 37. Ne5 Qg3+ 38. Kg1 Rxd5 39. Qxg3 fxg3 40. Ng6+ Kh7 41. Nxf8+ (41. Nxf8+ Kg8 42. Re1 Kxf8 {should be winning, but a draw was enough to win the Armaggedon.}) 1/2-1/2 [Event "7th Norway Chess"] [Site "Stavanger NOR"] [Date "2019.06.14"] [Round "9"] [White "Ding, Liren"] [Black "Grischuk, Alexander"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [ECO "D78"] [WhiteElo "2805"] [BlackElo "2775"] [PlyCount "87"] [EventDate "2019.??.??"] 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. g3 c6 4. Bg2 d5 5. Nf3 ({The standard game went} 5. Nd2 Bg7 6. b3 O-O 7. Bb2 Bf5 8. Ngf3 a5 9. O-O a4 10. bxa4 (10. e3 Nbd7 11. Qe2 Ne4 12. Nxe4 Bxe4 13. cxd5 cxd5 14. Qb5 Ra5 15. Qxb7 Nc5 16. Qb4 Nd3 17. Qd2 Rb5 { So,W (2792)-Ding,L (2771) Tbilisi 2017}) 10... Qa5 11. Qb3 Qxa4 12. Qxb7 Nbd7 13. Qb3 Rfb8 14. cxd5 cxd5 ({"To show you what kind of shape I am in: for one minute I was considering} 14... Rxb3 15. axb3 Qb5 16. Rxa8+ {and I had a ghost rook on b8. So for one minute I was thinking I was completely winning. That's kind of a shame." - Grischuk}) 15. Qxa4 Rxa4 16. Bc3 {N} (16. Nb3 Rba8 { 1/2 Blohberger,F (2355)-Karavade,E (2384) Zadar 2017} 17. Nc1 Rb8 18. Nb3 Rba8 19. Nc1 Rb8 20. Nb3 Rba8 {1/2 Blohberger,F (2355)-Karavade,E (2384) Zadar 2017} ) 16... e6 17. h3 h5 18. Nh4 Rba8 19. Nxf5 gxf5 20. Rfb1 Rxa2 21. Rxa2 Rxa2 22. Rb2 Rxb2 23. Bxb2 Ne4 24. Nxe4 fxe4 25. e3 Kh7 26. Bf1 Bf8 27. Bc3 Kg6 28. Ba5 Be7 29. Bc7 Nf6 30. Bb5 Nh7 31. Kg2 {1/2 (31) Ding,L (2805)-Grischuk,A (2775) Stavanger NOR 2019}) 5... Bg7 6. O-O O-O 7. b3 dxc4 8. bxc4 c5 9. Na3 (9. Bb2 cxd4 10. Nxd4 Qb6 11. Qc1 Nc6 12. Nxc6 bxc6 13. Nd2 Rd8 14. Nb3 Qc7 {Vidit,S (2718)-So,W (2780) Chess.com INT 2018}) 9... Bf5 {N} (9... Nc6 10. d5 Ne4 11. Bf4 Nb4 12. Nb5 Bd7 13. Bc7 Qe8 14. Be5 Bxb5 15. Bxg7 Kxg7 16. cxb5 Qxb5 17. Qb3 c4 18. Qe3 Nf6 19. Rab1 Qa4 20. d6 exd6 21. Nd4 Nbd5 22. Bxd5 {1/2 Troia,E (2304)-Hybl,V (2382) ICCF email 2016}) 10. Bb2 cxd4 11. Nxd4 Be4 12. f3 Bc6 13. e4 $6 {An opening blunder.} (13. e3) (13. Rb1) 13... Qb6 {The obvious refutation.} 14. Qb3 $2 (14. Rf2 Rd8 15. e5 Nfd7 16. f4 {is also good for Black but it's still a game.}) 14... Nxe4 $1 {White is busted.} 15. Rad1 ({ The other point was} 15. Qxb6 axb6 16. fxe4 Bxd4+ 17. Bxd4 Rxa3) 15... Nc5 16. Qxb6 axb6 17. Nab5 Rxa2 18. Bc3 Nbd7 19. Rf2 Rxf2 20. Kxf2 Ra8 21. Rd2 Bxb5 22. cxb5 Nf6 23. Ne2 e6 24. Bd4 Nd5 25. f4 Bxd4+ 26. Rxd4 Ra2 27. Bxd5 exd5 28. Rxd5 Rb2 29. Kf3 Rxb5 30. f5 Rb3+ 31. Kg4 Rd3 32. Re5 Kg7 33. Nf4 Rd6 34. Re7 Kf6 35. Rc7 gxf5+ 36. Kh5 Ne6 37. Rxb7 Nxf4+ 38. gxf4 Kg7 39. Kg5 Rg6+ 40. Kxf5 Rh6 41. Kg5 Rxh2 42. Rxb6 Rg2+ 43. Kf5 Rg6 44. Ke4 1/2-1/2 [Event "7th Norway Chess"] [Site "Stavanger NOR"] [Date "2019.06.14"] [Round "9"] [White "So, Wesley"] [Black "Vachier-Lagrave, Maxime"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "E61"] [WhiteElo "2754"] [BlackElo "2779"] [PlyCount "89"] [EventDate "2019.??.??"] 1. d4 ({The standard game went} 1. Nf3 c5 2. c4 Nf6 3. Nc3 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 5. e3 Nxc3 6. dxc3 Qc7 7. e4 e6 8. Be3 Be7 9. Nd2 {N} (9. Be2 O-O 10. O-O Bd7 11. Qd2 Bc6 12. Bf4 Qa5 13. Qc2 Qa4 14. Qxa4 Bxa4 15. Nd2 Nd7 {So,W (2754)-Vachier Lagrave,M (2780) Abidjan 2019}) 9... O-O 10. Qf3 Rd8 ({"The stupid computer only gives} 10... Nc6) ({and} 10... Nd7 {but not 10...Rd8. Just bad preparation from me." - So}) 11. Qg3 Bd6 12. f4 b6 13. Qf2 (13. a4 Bb7) 13... Bf8 14. Be2 Ba6 15. O-O Bxe2 16. Qxe2 Nc6 17. f5 exf5 18. exf5 Re8 19. Rae1 Rad8 {Black is fine here. "It's just not my day today. - So.} 20. Nf3 f6 21. Qc4+ Qf7 22. Qxf7+ Kxf7 23. Bf4 Ne7 24. g4 Nd5 25. Bd2 c4 26. Rxe8 Bc5+ 27. Kg2 Rxe8 28. Re1 Be3 29. a4 a6 30. Bxe3 Nxe3+ 31. Kg3 h5 32. gxh5 Re7 33. Kf2 Nxf5 34. Rd1 Rb7 35. Rd5 Ke6 36. Rd8 b5 37. Ra8 bxa4 38. Rxa6+ Kf7 39. Rxa4 Rxb2+ 40. Ke1 Ne3 41. Nd2 Rc2 42. Nxc4 Nf5 43. Ra5 Rxc3 44. Rxf5 Rxc4 45. Kf2 Rc3 46. Ra5 Rh3 47. Kg2 Re3 48. Ra8 Re5 49. Rh8 Re8 50. Rxe8 Kxe8 51. Kf3 Kf7 52. Ke4 Kg8 53. Kf5 Kh7 54. Kf4 Kh6 55. Kg4 f5+ 56. Kxf5 Kxh5 57. h4 Kxh4 58. Kg6 Kg4 59. Kxg7 {1/2 (59) So,W (2754)-Vachier-Lagrave,M (2779) Stavanger NOR 2019}) 1... Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nf3 Bg7 4. e3 O-O 5. Be2 d6 6. Nc3 Bf5 7. O-O (7. Qb3 b6 8. d5 a5 9. Nd4 Bd7 10. O-O Na6 11. Qd1 Nc5 12. Bf3 Rc8 13. a3 e5 14. dxe6 Nxe6 15. Re1 Nxd4 16. exd4 Re8 {Topalov,V (2747)-Ding,L (2797) Wenzhou 2018}) 7... a5 8. Nd2 {N} (8. b3 Nc6 9. Bb2 Ne4 10. Nxe4 Bxe4 11. Nd2 Bf5 12. Rc1 e5 13. d5 Nb4 14. e4 Bd7 {Dominguez Perez,L (2739)-Vachier Lagrave,M (2779) Chess.com INT 2018}) 8... e5 9. d5 Na6 10. e4 Bd7 11. a3 Nc5 12. b3 c6 13. Rb1 cxd5 14. cxd5 Qc7 15. Re1 Rfc8 16. f3 {Somehow White's play on the queenside has been too slow. As Polgar pointed out, he would be better with a bishop on e3 but now he's worse.} Bh6 17. Kh1 a4 18. b4 Bxd2 19. Bxd2 Nb3 20. Bg5 Nh5 21. Na2 Qc2 22. Qxc2 Rxc2 23. Nc1 {From here, the game will turn around completely.} f6 $6 (23... Nd4 24. Bd3 Rc3 25. Be7 Bb5 {was virtually winning for Black.}) 24. Nxb3 fxg5 $2 {A bad decision, perhaps overestimating the knight that will be on f4.} (24... axb3 25. Be3 Rxa3 26. Bd1 Rc4 {was still better for Black.}) 25. Na5 Nf4 26. Bf1 Rac8 $2 {This doesn't work.} (26... b6) 27. Nxb7 R8c3 28. Nxd6 Rxa3 29. b5 {White's pawn is too strong.} Rb3 30. b6 Rcb2 31. Rxb2 Rxb2 32. b7 Rb6 33. g3 Nh3 34. Rc1 Kf8 35. Rc8+ Ke7 36. b8=Q Rxb8 37. Rxb8 Kxd6 38. Rd8 Kc7 39. Rxd7+ Kxd7 40. Bxh3+ g4 41. Bf1 a3 42. Bc4 gxf3 43. Kg1 g5 44. g4 Kd6 45. Kf2 1-0 [Event "7th Altibox Norway Chess 2019"] [Site "Stavanger"] [Date "2019.06.14"] [Round "9.4"] [White "Yu, Yangyi"] [Black "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "C47"] [WhiteElo "2738"] [BlackElo "2774"] [Annotator "Tanmay Srinath"] [PlyCount "59"] [EventDate "2019.??.??"] {One of the games of the round! Yu Yangyi produces one of his best games in recent times to trounce Shakriyar Mamedyarov.} 1. e4 {Yu switches to his favourite first move for the last round.} e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 {This is slightly surprising, as theory doesn't think greatly of the 4 Knights variation.} Nf6 4. d4 {Yu's idea is revealed now-he wanted to force play into the Scotch 4 Knights.} exd4 5. Nxd4 Bb4 {The reason this line isn't played so often is because of this move.} 6. Nxc6 bxc6 7. Bd3 d5 8. exd5 O-O 9. O-O Bg4 $5 {The first surprise is given by Shak. He goes for a relatively rare continuation, that has recently been played by GMs Nakamura and Vidit.} (9... cxd5 {is the absolute main line of this opening.} 10. h3 $1 {seems like the best White can do currently. After} ({White has never scored well with} 10. Bg5 c6 11. Qf3 Be7 12. h3 h6 $11 {probably because Black's positions seems a little easier to play.}) 10... c6 11. Qf3 Bd6 12. Bf4 Rb8 13. b3 Rb4 14. Bxd6 Qxd6 15. Ne2 c5 16. Rad1 $13 {and the position remains tense, though Alexander managed to win from here. Morozevich-Dubov, Moscow 2014.}) 10. f3 Bh5 11. Bg5 Qd6 12. Bxf6 (12. Kh1 $5 {is interesting as well-after} Bxc3 13. bxc3 cxd5 14. Re1 Rfe8 15. Qd2 {White has a weaker structure, but his two bishops should mean something.}) 12... Qxf6 13. Ne4 Qxb2 14. dxc6 Bg6 15. Kh1 Qd4 16. Qe2 Rfe8 {All this seems to have been prepared, but I don't quite understand what Black got out of all this. It seems to me that White's knight on e4 and the extra doubled c-pawn are more relavant in this position that Black's bishop pair.} 17. Rad1 Qe5 18. Bc4 Rad8 $6 {The first innacuracy. Now White gets a super strong passed pawn.} (18... Kh8 $5 {was much better, moving out of the pin on the a2-f7 diagonal and preparing to play f6. After} 19. Rd5 Qf4 20. Qd3 f6 21. Rd7 $16 {White is better, but Black is managing to hold tight.}) (18... Bd6 $1 19. Nxd6 $1 Qxe2 20. Bxe2 Rxe2 21. Nb5 $16 {is also better for White, but Black has counterplay, unlike the game continuation.}) 19. Rd7 $1 {It is surprising, but the game ends in just 11 more moves. Such is the power of the passed d-pawn.} Rxd7 (19... Kf8 {was playable, but White has} 20. Qf2 $1 { which forces Black to take on d7 anyways} Rxd7 21. cxd7 Rd8 22. Qxa7 $1 Be7 ( 22... Rxd7 23. Qb8+ $18) 23. Qa4 $16 {with a healthy two pawns advantage.}) 20. cxd7 Rd8 21. Rd1 Kf8 22. c3 $5 {Yu forces Black to make a decision regarding his bishop.} (22. Bb5 $1 {tries to provoke Black into lashing out with} f5 $6 ( 22... h5 $5 23. Bc6 a5 (23... h4 24. f4 $1 Qxf4 $2 25. Nc5 $18 {is White's point in this variation.}) 24. c3 Bd6 25. f4 $1 Qe6 26. Re1 $16 {and Black is in big trouble, but he is not lost yet.}) 23. Ng3 $1 Bd6 24. Qxe5 Bxe5 25. Rd5 Bf6 26. Nxf5 Bf7 27. Rd1 $18 {after which White should win in the long run.}) 22... Ba3 $6 {Shak had his last chance to complicate matters, and he fails to take it.} (22... Bd6 $1 {and White's best option appears to be} 23. Nxd6 cxd6 24. Qxe5 dxe5 25. g4 h5 26. h3 hxg4 27. hxg4 Bc2 $1 {forces White to give up the choking d-pawn.} 28. Rd5 Ba4 29. Rxe5 Rxd7 30. Ra5 Bc2 31. Kg2 $16 { and White is definitely better, but he will need time and patience to win this. }) 23. Rd5 $1 Qe7 24. Bb5 {now Black is close to powerless.} Bd6 25. c4 a6 26. Ba4 Bxe4 $2 {The final mistake.} (26... f5 $1 {was the best try to muddy the waters.} 27. c5 $1 fxe4 (27... Bxc5 28. Rxc5 $18) 28. cxd6 cxd6 29. fxe4 Bxe4 30. Rd1 $16 {and Black will soon find himself under a lot of fire, but his position still has hope.}) 27. Qxe4 $1 Qxe4 28. fxe4 f6 29. Ra5 Rb8 30. g3 { and Mamedyarov saw no point in going on. A great game by Yu Yangyi!} 1-0 [Event "Stavanger"] [Site "Stavanger"] [Date "2019.06.14"] [Round "9.1"] [White "Caruana, Fabiano"] [Black "Carlsen, Magnus"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "B30"] [WhiteElo "2819"] [BlackElo "2875"] [Annotator "Tanmay Srinath"] [PlyCount "104"] [EventDate "2019.??.??"] {Fabiano Caruana lost the World Championship match last year in the rapid section. Since then, it seems that he has been working on his speed chess skills, and that has culminated in beating Magnus Carlsen!} 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 {Caruana is probably tired of facing the Sveshnikov day in and day out.} Nf6 $5 {Did Carlsen slip up? This is not the Berlin!} (3... g6 {The World Champion has favoured this move, and has used it almost exclusively in this variation till now.}) 4. Nc3 (4. e5 $1 {Seems most critical to me. After} Nd5 5. Nc3 Nc7 6. Bxc6 dxc6 7. O-O g6 $13 {with a complex position.}) 4... Nd4 { this is probably experimental from Carlsen. It seems playable, but risky.} 5. e5 $1 Nxb5 6. Nxb5 Nd5 7. Ng5 (7. O-O a6 8. Nc3 Nxc3 9. dxc3 $14 {was perhaps what White should have gone for. Black has no easy way to unravel.}) 7... f6 $1 {Magnus is not dogmatic, and finds the most critical continuation.} 8. Ne4 (8. Qf3 $1 Nc7 9. exf6 exf6 10. Qe4+ $1 {This is White's best try for an opening advantage. Black has to find} Ne6 11. Nxh7 d5 $1 12. Qg6+ Kd7 13. Nxf8+ Qxf8 $44 {and Black's central control give him enough compensation for the pawn.}) 8... f5 9. Nbc3 Nxc3 10. Nxc3 d6 11. O-O dxe5 12. Qe2 e6 13. Qxe5 {I think what Fabiano has done in the game is excellent practically. Black has a static weakness on e5, and his two bishops don't seem to give him enough compensation for it as the position is relatively closed. It is from here that Caruana plays exemplary chess.} Qd6 14. Qe2 Be7 15. b3 ({Fabiano missed a great chance to gain the initiative with} 15. d4 $1 {and Black has to go} O-O $1 ({I'm sure Magnus would not have missed the fact that} 15... cxd4 $6 16. Nb5 Qd7 17. Rd1 $16 {throws him from a hot water bowl into a steamer!}) 16. dxc5 Qxc5 17. Bf4 $14 {and Black struggles to activate his light squared bishop.}) 15... O-O 16. Bb2 Bd7 17. Rae1 Rae8 18. Nd1 (18. Nb1 $1 {is more accurate for the reasons we'll soon see.} Bf6 19. Be5 $1 Qd5 20. f3 Bc6 21. Na3 $1 {and the knight goes to c4. If Black tries to prevent this plan with} a6 (21... Bxe5 22. Qxe5 Qxd2 23. Qxc5 $14 {is also slightly better for White. Compare this with the variation after Nd1.}) 22. Nc4 b5 {then the very strong idea} 23. Nb2 $1 { gives White a pleasant advantage.}) 18... Bf6 19. Bxf6 (19. Be5 {would have worked had the knight been on b1! Here Black is just equal following} Bxe5 20. Qxe5 Qxd2 21. Qxc5 f4 $13 {and White's knight has become a major problem source.}) 19... Rxf6 $2 {perhaps Magnus' first major mistake. The computers seem to think of it as an innacuracy, but as a human I find this positional mistake rather costly in the long run.} (19... gxf6 $1 {is much better. In the endgame White's pawn structure will be stronger, but it is still the middlegame, and here dynamics matter more than anything else. Black takes firm control of the e5 square and his bishop starts to look more purposeful now. After} 20. f4 $5 (20. f3 Bc6 21. Ne3 f4 $1 {and suddenly Black's pawns start rolling forwards!} 22. Nc4 Qd8 23. a4 b6 24. Qf2 Re7 $15 {and Black has a very comfortable position and an assortment of plans available.}) 20... Kh8 21. Ne3 Bc6 22. Rf2 Rg8 23. Nc4 Qd4 24. Qe3 Qd5 $15 {Black has managed to turn the tables.}) 20. Nb2 $1 {Fabiano locks on, and the rest of the game is a wonderful example of exploitation of weaknesses.} Rh6 21. Qe5 $14 Qxe5 (21... Qxd2 $4 {loses a piece after} 22. Rd1 $18) (21... Qd4 {is something I would have played, aiming for an active defense, but it falls short after} 22. Nc4 Bc6 23. Qxd4 cxd4 24. c3 $1 $36 {and the position opens to White's favour.}) 22. Rxe5 b6 23. a4 $1 {restricting the light squared bishop.} Bc6 24. a5 Rd8 25. axb6 axb6 26. d3 $16 {Now it is in plain sight-Black needs a miracle to stay alive. White has so many ways to improve his position and he has successfully created two weaknesses - on e6 and b6.} Rd5 27. Nc4 Bb5 28. Rxd5 $1 {This is great flexiblity shown by Caruana. He trades an outpost on e5 for an extra pawn.} exd5 29. Ne3 d4 30. Nxf5 Re6 {if Black can get into the second rank, he will have some chances to defend, but Fabiano remains very precise even in a rapid game.} 31. Ra1 $1 {tactics prevent Black from going to the second now.} Kf7 (31... Re2 $2 {loses outright to} 32. Kf1 Re6 (32... Rxc2 33. Ra8+ Kf7 34. Nd6+ $18 {wins a piece.}) 33. Ra7 $18 {and Black is busted.}) 32. f3 Kf6 33. Ng3 $1 {Tactics had prevented Magnus from getting counterplay. Now the Knight physically controls the invasion square. Black is pushed to the wall.} Re7 34. Ne4+ Ke6 35. Ra8 (35. Kf2 $1 $18 {is the best move, and the most natural one in the position. But Fabi's choice isn't fully incorrect.}) 35... Bc6 $6 {He probably wanted to shove Black into making this move!} (35... Kd7 36. Kf2 Bc6 37. Ra7+ Kd8 38. Rxe7 Kxe7 39. g4 $16 {is horrible for Black, but nothing is decided as of yet. Magnus decides to rely on the axiom that most rook endgames are drawn, but it doesn't help him this time.}) 36. Ra6 $1 Bxe4 37. Rxb6+ $6 {this natural move is surprisingly a mistake!} (37. dxe4 $1 Rb7 38. Kf2 Kd6 39. Ke2 Kc6 40. Kd3 {was so much stronger, the point being that Black can't prevent the pawn roller in the center after} Rf7 41. Ra8 Rf6 42. e5 $1 {Sometimes one needs to trust intuition! It seems as if Black gets counterplay, but White is just in time with} Rg6 43. g3 Rh6 44. Rd8 $1 Kc7 45. Rg8 Rxh2 46. Rxg7+ $18 {and the connected passed pawns decide the outcome. I can understand why Fabiano didn't go for this though, as 10 mins for a whole game without increment doesn't allow White to calculate much!}) 37... Bc6 38. Rxc6+ Kd5 39. Ra6 $6 (39. Rc8 $1 {was better, keeping the king tied up. After} Re1+ 40. Kf2 Rc1 41. Kg3 Rxc2 42. b4 $1 {gives White a nearly decisive advantage.}) 39... Re2 $1 40. Ra2 Kc6 $2 {Wrong side Magnus! The World Champion is human after all!} (40... Ke5 $1 {was better, preventing White's plan that occured in the game. After the best} 41. b4 (41. h4 Kf4 42. Kh2 g6 $1 $11 {is the point - White can't win this.}) 41... cxb4 42. Kf1 Rd2 43. Ra5+ Kd6 $1 {Black's king is in touch with all his pawns and the game is definitely holdable for him.}) 41. h4 $1 h5 42. Kh2 $18 {Fabi unravels, and now the position is easily winning for White.} Kb6 43. Kg3 Rd2 44. f4 g6 45. Kf3 Kb7 46. b4 $1 c4 47. dxc4 d3 48. Ke3 Rxg2 49. Kxd3 Rg4 50. Ra5 Rxf4 51. Rg5 Rxh4 52. Rxg6 Rh1 {what a game from the recent Challenger! If he plays like this, and wins the Candidates, then Magnus will find it hard defending his title in 2020.} 1-0