Carlsen stretches record
Top-seeded Magnus Carlsen held off erstwhile leader Fabiano Caruana at the 8th Altibox Norway Tournament, winning in 51 moves, to take a one-point lead following fourth-round play in the city of Stavanger.
In beating his American rival, Carlsen had increased his undefeated record to 125 classical games.
After four rounds, the Norwegian world champion had 9.0 points in the category 21 double-round robin event in which a win is scored 3.0 points and draws are decided by Armageddon playoff, where a win is worth 1.5 and loss 1.0.
Other scores on the table read Levon Aronian (ARM), 8.0, Caruana and Alireza Firouzja (FIDE), 7.0 each, Aryan Tari (NOR), 1.5 and Jan-Kryzstof Duda (POL), 1.0.
Round five is underway as we go to press, and can be followed live at the various chess websites.
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This game is another fine example of Carlsen’s virtuosity in the endgame, squeezing out a win from a balanced Rook and Knight ending. A well executed and sparkling performance by the world champion.
Altibox Norway Chess 2020 round 04
W) M. Carlsen (NOR)
B) F. Caruana (USA)
Nimzo-Indian Defense
1. d4 Nf6
2. c4 e6
3. Nc3 Bb4
The Nimzo-Indian Defense, named after Danish pioneer and leader Aron Nimzowitsch (1886-1935),
4. Qc2 ....
The modest classical variation, in which White forces the exchange of Black’s b4 Bishop without having the drawback of a doubled c Pawn.
4.... O-O
5. a3 Bxc3ch
6. Qxc3 d5
7. Bg5 dxc4
8. Qxc4 b6
9. Rd1 Ba6
10. Qa4 h6
11. Bh4 Qd7
The usual 11....Qe7, played many times before, had a good reputation as a solid equalizing line for Black.
12. Qc2 Qc6
12....Nc6 is considered best by the engine.
13. Qxc6 Nxc6
14. Bxf6 gxf6
15. e3 Bxf1
16. Kxf1 Na5
17. Nf3 Nc4
17....c5 is the engine’s choice, e.g., 18. dxc5 bxc5 19. Rc1 Rab8 20. Rc2 Nb3 21. Ke2 Rfc8 22. Rd1 c4 is fairly even.
18. Rb1 c5
19. Ke2 Rfc8
20. Rhc1 Nd6?!
Not a good idea as Black’s isolated Pawns will be disturbing.. Correct is 20....cxd4 which leads to equality after 21.Nxd4 Kf8 22. Rc2 Nd6 23. Rbc1 Rxc2ch 24. Rxc2 e5 25. Nf3 Ke7, etc.
21. dxc5 bxc5
22. Rc2 Kf8
23. Nd2 c4
24. Rbc1 Rab8
25. Kf3 c3
After 25....Rc5 26. b4 Rc6 27. Nb3 Rbc8 28. Na5, White has strong pressure.
26. bxc3 Rc5
27. c4 f5
28. Ke2 Ke7
29. Kd3 Kd7
29....Kf6 is best, according to the engine.
30. Rc3 Rc6?
A costly mistake which allows White to obtain a dangerous initiative,. Better is 30....Ke8, with chances.to hold.
31. c5! Ne8
32. Nf3 Ra6
33. Ne5ch Ke7
34. Ke2 Nf6
35. R1c2 Nd5
36. Rd3 Rc8
37. Rb3 Rc7
38. Rc4 Ra5
39. Nd3 e5?
This only facilitate white’s task. But after 39....h5 40. a4 Ra6 41. f3 Kf6 42. e4 fxe4 43. fxe4 Ne7 44. e5ch Ke7 45. Rb8ch, White clearly enjoys maximum prospects.
40. Nxe5 Raxc5
41. Rxc5 Rxc5
42. Rb7ch Ke6
43. Nxf7 ....
White picks up two pawns, and should win without much fuss. It is time for Black to bring down the curtains.
43.... Ra5
44. Nd8ch Kd6
45. Rb3 Ra6
46. Nf7ch Kc5
47. Ne5 h5
48. Kd2 h4
49. Nd3ch Kc4
50. Kc2 Rd6
51. Nf4 1-0
Solution to last week’s puzzle:
White to move and draw
White=Kh1, Ra6, Bb3, Ph2
Black=Kg5, Rf3, Bb5, Pf4
1. h4ch ....
1. Ra3? Kh4 and Black wins.
1.... Kxh4
2. Rh6ch Kg5
3. Rh5ch! Kxh5
4. Bd1 Kg4
5. Kg2 Bf1ch
6. Kh2 draw
If 6....Bh3 7. Be2 Bf1 8. Bd1 Bc4 9. Kg2 Bd5 10. Be2 Bc6 11. Bd1, etc.
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