Carlsen paces Online Invitational
Norwegian Magnus Carlsen registered his fourth straight victory to take a three-point lead at the Carlsen Online Invitational, putting himself in position to secure a semifinal spot heading into the fifth round of the $250,000 first super-chess tournament online.
Carlsen, the reigning world champion, defeated Maxime Vachier-Lagrave of France, 3-1, for a four-round total of 11 points.
Fabiano Caruana (USA) was in second spot with 8.0 points after beating 16-year-old Iranian exile Alireza Firoujza, 3-1. He was a point ahead of countryman Hikaru Nakamura, who had seven points in three games.
Other scores read: Ding Liren (China), 6.0 (3.0 games), Ian Nepomniachtchi (Russia), 5.0 (3.0 games), Anish Giri (Netherlands), 0.0 (3.0 games) and Firoujza (Fide), 0-0 (4.0 games).
The top four players in the all-play-all quarterfinals will advance to the semifinals, a knockout match play.
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It is well-known that Carlsen’s strength is his ability to find tremendous squares for his pieces. The following game is another example where the world champion excels in piece play.
Magnus Carlsen Invitational 2020
W) F. Caruana (USA)
B) M. Carlsen (Norway)
Alekhine Defense
1. e4 Nf6
The hypermodern Alekhine Defense was named after Russian-born Alexander Alekhine (1892-1946), the fourth world champion and the only one to die holding the world title. The opening was first introduced into practice in the 1921 Budapest International Tournament.
2. e5 Nd5
3. d4 d6
4. c4 Nb6
5. f4 ....
The Four Pawns Attack, an old-fashioned sharp line which offers White only moderate chances, mainly of the tactical kind. But times change, and so do opening opinions. After 5. exd6 cxd6 6. Nf3 g6 7. Be2 Bg7 8. 0-0 0-0 9. Be3 Nc6 10. Nc3 Bg4 11. b3 d5 12. c5 Nc8 13. b4, White has a slight edge.....
5.... g6
The alternatives are (a) 5....dxe5 6. fxe5 Bf5 7. Nc3 e6 8. Nf3 Bb4 9. Bd3 Bg4 10. 0-0 Nc6 11. c5 Bxc3 12. bxc3 Nd5 13. Qe1, White has a good game.. (b) 5....Bf5 6. Nc3 e6 7. Be3 Be7 8. Nf3 0-0 9. Bd3 Bxd3 10. Qxd3, White stands better.
6. Nc3 Bg7
7. Be3 Be6
8. Nf3 O-O
9. b3 ....
9. Qb3 a5!? 10. Ng5 (10. a3 a4) a4! 11. Nxe6 axb3 12. Nxd8 Rxd8 13. a3 Nc6 14. 0-0-0, leads to a fairly even game.
9.... dxe5
10. dxe5 Nc6
11. Ne4 f6
12. Nc5 Qc8
13. exf6 Bxf6
14. Be2 ....
After 14 Rc1 Bg4 15. Be2 Rd8, Black wrests the initiative..
14.... Rd8
15. Qc1 Bf5
16. O-O Nd7
17. Nd3 Bxa1
18. Qxa1 Nf6
White is Exchange down, but his control of the dark squares, plus the Bishop pair, compensates for his material deficit.
19. Nde5 Nxe5
20. Nxe5 Qe6
21. Bd4 Nd7
22. h3?! ....
The text spoils White’s chances for counter play.. 22. g4!, is considered best by the engine, e.g., Be4 23. f5! gxf5 24. gxf5 Bxf5 25. Rf2, and White has strong pressure along the open g file.
22.... Nxe5
23. Bxe5 c6
24. Qc3 h5
25. Re1 ....
25.c5, intending 26. Bc4, is probably stronger.
25.... Kf7
26. Qg3 Rd2
27. Bf3 Rd3
28. Qg5? ....
In a difficult position, a slip comes easily. 28. Qf2 Instead, offers White chances to hold, e.g., 28....Qd7 29. g4 hxg4 30. hxg4 Rxf3 31. Qxf3 Bxg4 32. Qe3 Bh3 33. Kh2 Bf5, the game hangs in the balance.
28.... Rad8
29. Kf2 Rd2ch
30. Kg3? ....
30. Kg1 probably offers a longer resistance, though Black has a clear advantage.
30.... R8d3
31. Qh6 ....
31. Kh4 is met by 31....Ke8, and the Black King will move safely to the other side.
31.... Bxh3!
This ends the story, as capturing the Bishop leads to mate after 32. gxh3 Rxf3ch 33. Kxf3 Qxh3ch 34. Ke4 Qd3 mate.
32. Kh4 Rxg2
0-1
Solution to last week puzzle
White to play and win.
White=Kg1, Rc1, Bb6, Be4, Nf3, Pb2, Pf2, Pg2, Ph2
Black=Kf8, Rd6, Ba8, Be7, Nc6, Pb5, Pf7, Pg7, Ph7
1. Ne5! Nxe5
If 1....Nd8 2. Bxa8 Rxb6 3. Nd7ch.
2. Rc8ch Bd8
Or 2....Rd8 3. Bxd8 Bxe4 4. Bb6ch.
3. Bc5 1-0
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Black to play and win.
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