Despite the worsening Covid-19 statistics, otb tournaments continue to be held. The Norwegian ‘Altibox ‘ and the Russian ‘Higher League ‘ are both getting a lot of attention this week.
Carlsen loses to Duda
This traditional tournament has attracted Carlsen’s participation and is the 1st truly elite post-coronavirus event since the Candidates Tournament was suspended in March.
The format is one of these hybrid-systems that are becoming increasingly popular. There is one ‘classical’ game, and if necessary, an armageddon game. Three points for a victory in the classic game, and some impossible to understand fraction of this if it gets to the armageddon.
Definitely the center of attention in the 5th round was Carlsen’s defeat at the hands of the 22-year old Polish grandmaster, Duda. A noteworthy game in some respects.
First, apparently this was Carlsen’s first defeat in quite a while. Next, both players did not shy away from a complex and messy game.
Thirdly, for some reason Carlsen — at the critical point on move 21 — deliberately did not play the best move (which would have probably lead to a drawish game) and was soon totally lost.
And finally, Carlsen played on for way too long . Perhaps he forgot that he was not playing blitz chess…
gm Duda,J — gm Carlsen,M Rd.5 10.10.2020 (1-0)
1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 dxe4 4.Nxe4 Nf6 5.Nxf6+ exf6{[#] <strong style="color:red;">This old line has become very popular in recent years. I have also done a lot of theoretical work on it, and have included it in my repetoire. Carlsen has recently taken it up.</strong>} 6.c3 Bd6 7.Bd3
O-O 8.Qc2 Re8+ 9.Ne2 ( 9.Be3$5 h6 {Svidler,P – Carlsen,M , Porto Carras GRE 18/10/2018 34th ECC Open 2018}
) h5$5{[#] <strong style="color:red;">The latest idea. When I first saw this move (one of my students showed it to me) I tried to refute it, but the more I tried the more I like the move! The usual (and good) moves are g6 or h6. The idea of h5 is to be able to advance the pawn further when the opportunity to annoy White avails itself. I am not entirely convinced by Black’s optimism, but the recent results have been quite satisfactory from Black’s point of view.</strong>} 10.Be3 Nd7 11.O-O-O$5{[#] <strong style="color:red;">The most common move, but I don’t think the White King is so safe on the Queenside. I am of the opinion that castling Kingside is the best chance for an opening advantage. Now the game is just unclear and both sides play creatively.</strong>} b5$5{[#] <strong style="color:red;">Logical. Carlsen intends Nb6 and Be6 getting a bind on the Queenside</strong>}
({<strong style="color:black;">Most often played is the immediate </strong> } 11...Nf8$5 {<strong style="color:black;"> but Carlsen’s move is not unknown.</strong> } )
12.d5$5 {<strong style="color:black;">To prevent Carlsen’s plan mentioned in the previous note </strong> } c5!{[#] <strong style="color:red;"></strong>}
({<strong style="color:black;"> Of course not</strong> } 12...cxd5?
13.Bh7+! Kh8 14.Rxd5{<strong style="color:black;">when Black’s pieces are very exposed </strong> } )
({<strong style="color:black;"> The exchange sacrifice </strong> } 12...Rxe3$5 13.fxe3 c5 {<strong style="color:black;"> has been suggested, and is certainly possible, but does not change the evaluation of the position.</strong> })
13.Bxb5 Rb8{[#] <strong style="color:red;">Black has dynamic compensation along the b-file. In some ways the position resembles positions that often arise in the King’s Indian Defence.</strong>}
( 13...a6$5 14.Bc6$6 Rb8 {<strong style="color:black;">When a coming Ne5 will hit the Bishop </strong> } )
14.c4 a6 15.Ba4 Re7{[#]}
({<strong style="color:black;">Previously played was </strong> } 15...Re5$5 {<strong style="color:black;">also leading to complex and unclear play </strong> })
16.Ng3 ( 16.Nc3$5 ) Ne5 17.Ne4 {[#] <strong style="color:red;"></strong>}
({<strong style="color:black;">It is possible that </strong> } 17.Bd2$5 {<strong style="color:black;"> is more precise.</strong> } )
Reb7 18.b3!{[#] <strong style="color:red;"></strong>}
( 18.Bb3 Bf5 19.f3 a5 ) Rb4!{[#] <strong style="color:red;">The only good way to play! Black committs himself to an exchange sacrifice but rips open the position around the White King, ensuring compensation.</strong>}
({<strong style="color:black;">Simply wrong would be </strong> } 18...Bf5 19.Bd2 Ng4 20.Rhf1 Nxh2
21.Rh1{<strong style="color:black;">and White takes control of the initiative from now on. </strong> } )
19.Bd2 Rxa4! 20.bxa4 Bf5{[#] <strong style="color:red;"></strong>} 21.Rde1!{[#] <strong style="color:red;">It is wise to make an escape square on d1 for the White King should it become necessary</strong>}
( 21.f3 Qb6 22.Rhe1?? Nd3+! )
h4?{[#] <strong style="color:red;">Perhaps Carlsen has played too many non-classic games this year! I am certain that a Carlsen would have seen the stronger move recommended below, but he lost objectivity: he wanted more than just an approximately even game.</strong>}
({<strong style="color:black;">It was indicated to play </strong> } 21...Ng4! 22.f3 Bxe4! ( 22...Nf2 23.Rhf1 ) 23.Rxe4
( 23.fxe4 Be5 ) Nf2 24.Rhe1 Nxe4 25.Qxe4{<strong style="color:black;"> with approximately equality. Carlsen wanted a more complicated game where he might be able to outplay his younger opponent.</strong> } )
22.h3{[#] <strong style="color:red;">This move is very useful for White for a number of reasons, not less preventing any further Ng4 excursions!</strong>}
( 22.f3$5 h3 23.Rhg1 )
Ng6 ( 22...Qb6 23.Re3 ) 23.Re3! Nf4{[#] <strong style="color:red;">Not the kind of play that Carlsen wanted, but there is little better. Notice that the White King is relatively safe.</strong>} 24.g4{[#] <strong style="color:red;"></strong>} ( 24.g3$5 ) Bg6{[#] <strong style="color:red;"></strong>}
( 24...hxg3 25.fxg3 Nxh3? ( 25...Nh5! ) 26.g4 )
25.Kd1!{[#] <strong style="color:red;">I like this move. The White King’s defences are improved; now Bc1 becomes possible if necessary.</strong>} f5{[#] <strong style="color:red;">Carlsen has to mix things up</strong>} 26.Nxd6
Qxd6 27.gxf5 Bh5+ {[#] <strong style="color:red;"></strong>}
( 27...Bh7 28.Rhe1 Rf8 29.Qe4! )
28.f3 Qf6{[#] <strong style="color:red;"></strong>} 29.Bc3{[#] <strong style="color:red;">Natural, and good, but missing an opportunity to end the game immediately.</strong>}
({<strong style="color:black;">Decisive is </strong> } 29.Qe4!{<strong style="color:black;">exploiting the unfortunate position of the Knight </strong> } Qa1+ (29...Ng2 30.Rb3!) 30.Bc1 Rb1 31.Kd2!{<strong style="color:black;">Neat! </strong> } Qxa2+ 32.Qc2 Qa1 33.Bb2 {<strong style="color:black;">And Black can resign with confidence </strong> } )
Qg5
30.Qe4{[#] <strong style="color:red;">Better late than never!</strong>} ( 30.Rhe1$5 ) Qg2$6{[#] <strong style="color:red;">Missing his one chance to keep the game alive</strong>}
({<strong style="color:black;"> The paradoxical </strong> } 30...Kh7! {<strong style="color:black;"> would still leave White with the advantage, but not yet winning. In the game it is soon all over for Black </strong> } )
31.Rhe1! Qxa2 32.Qc2!{[#] <strong style="color:red;">The strong move kills the Black attack. Carlsen could now resign, but prefers to play on ‘for the audience’. Duda has no problem mopping up, even with second best moves. I don’t give any more comments since it is quite easy to understand.</strong>} Qxc4 33.Re8+ Kh7
( 33...Rxe8 34.Rxe8+ Kh7 35.Rh8+ Kxh8 36.Bxg7+ ) 34.Rxb8 Qxd5+
( 34...Bxf3+ 35.Kc1 ) 35.Qd2 Bxf3+ 36.Kc1 Qxf5 37.Re3
( 37.Qd8 ) Ne2+ 38.Kb2 ( 38.Rxe2 Bxe2 39.Qd8 ) Nxc3 39.Qxc3{[#] <strong style="color:red;"></strong>} Qf4
40.Qd3+ f5 41.Rf8 Qb4+ 42.Kc1 Be4 43.Qb3 Qd4 44.Qc3 Qd6 45.Rf7
Qg6 46.Rd7 Qg1+ 47.Kb2 c4 48.Rxe4 fxe4 49.Rd4 Qf2+ 50.Qd2 c3+
51.Kxc3 Qg3+ 52.Kb2 Qxh3 53.Rxe4 Qg3 54.Qd4{[#] <strong style="color:red;"></strong>} Qg2+ 55.Kc3 Qf3+
56.Kb4 Qf8+ 57.Ka5 Qf5+ 58.Kxa6 g5 59.a5 h3 60.Re7+ Kg6 61.Qg7+
Kh5 62.Qh7+ Kg4 63.Re4+{[#] <strong style="color:red;"></strong>} 1-0
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