10/14/2012 – It wasn't for lack of playing in the final round, at least not for Magnus Carlsen. He may have played simply out of principle, but he was also playing for a place in history if he beat Aronian. No records fell, but he made no mistakes in his blitz tiebreak against the co-leader Fabiano Caruana, and took it 2-0 for yet another feather in his cap. Illustrated report with GM commentary.
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Once again, Magnus Carlsen showed why he is the number one. The final round of the Grand Slam Master Final showed it as he once again came from behind to overtake a runaway locomotive to take it on a photo finish.
Though the last round was all draws, they were of a varied type. The first to end with no attempt made to camouflage their intent, was Vallejo-Caruana, which already began with some repetitions a bit past ten moves, and ended in the real thing at move nineteen. Fabiano Caruana clearly felt safe enough that he could afford to draw with no fight, not believing in Carlsen’s chances in his game.
Paco gets some opening advice before the game's start
Caruana peers at Carlsen's game
Vishy Anand and Sergey Karjakin made a game of it, and the world champion chose to play aggressively in an attempt to not leave the tournament on a minus score, as well as winless. Though he played with gumption, it was not enough, and Karjakin held him to a draw.
Viswanathan Anand struggling with his form
Caruana was nearly proven right as Levon Aronian got an early edge in his game against Carlsen and the question on everyone’s mind was whether he would take it, and give the title to the Italian. It was an impressive effort by both and no complaints by those watching, but in the end, Magnus’s efforts were rewarded and he saved the game.
Carlsen took it to Aronian...
...but it was Aronian who nearly took it.
This took it to the tiebreaks just as last year, and there was certainly a sense of déjà-vu. Last year Vassily Ivanchuk had had a phenomenal start, and looked poised to run away with the tournament. After a slow beginning Magnus Carlsen finally caught up with him and pushed for a thrilling blitz tiebreak which he eventually won. This year, the names changed, but neither the result nor the way he won.
The coin toss to determine who will play White first
The tiebreak was determined by two blitz games, with a possible sudden death if it came to that. The first game was a Berlin and was a high standard tussle between Carlsen and Caruana which the Norwegian eventually won.
The players shake hands for the fans and photographers before starting
If the tournament was all Caruana and all Carlsen, the tiebreak was all Carlsen
The second game was an opening disaster for the Italian as he found himself dead lost after ten moves. Though he stuck it out for a few more, there was nothing in it for him, and he soon congratulated his opponent.
The players pose after a great tournament
Daniel King's Play of the Day: Magnus Carlsen - Fabiano Caruana
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