Berlin GP Final: Following theory

by Carlos Alberto Colodro
4/2/2022 – The final match of the FIDE Grand Prix in Berlin kicked off with a quick draw. Wesley So had the white pieces, but was content with keeping things under control in a game that only left theory on move 27. Hikaru Nakamura happily followed suit, as he will get a chance to get ahead on the scoreboard when he gets white on Sunday. | Photos: World Chess

ChessBase 18 - Mega package ChessBase 18 - Mega package

Winning starts with what you know
The new version 18 offers completely new possibilities for chess training and analysis: playing style analysis, search for strategic themes, access to 6 billion Lichess games, player preparation by matching Lichess games, download Chess.com games with built-in API, built-in cloud engine and much more.

More...

“Life is nice at the top, but also quite sad”

Last year’s US Championships returned to the Saint Louis Chess Club after going online amid the pandemic in 2020. Wesley So clinched his third national title by dominating the final tiebreakers against Fabiano Caruana and Sam Sevian.

Hikaru Nakamura did not participate, but apparently followed the games closely, as the line he and So explored on Saturday repeated no fewer than 27 moves from the first-round encounter between Jeffery Xiong and the eventual champion. 

 
So vs. Nakamura

While Xiong had played 27.Rf2 against him, So opted for 27.Qxb7, when Nakamura quickly forced a draw via 27...Rc2 28.Rf2 Rxf2 29.Kxf2 Qxh2+ 30.Qg2 Qh5

 

With major pieces still on the board and his king somewhat weaker than its counterpart, there is no hope for So to create anything from this position without taking unjustifiable risks. In the predecessor game, Xiong got a slight pressure and the game lasted 48 moves, but the position was never away from the realm of equality.

Wesley So, Hikaru Nakamura

Talking to Anastasiya Karlovich after the game, the US grandmasters agreed that it feels somewhat lonely in the playing hall with everybody gone but them. Nakamura pointed out that the only scenario in which they could have found themselves in a similar situation is the World Cup, and none of them ever reached the semifinals of finals in the biannual event. So added:

Life is nice at the top, but also quite sad.

The Filipino-born star wondered how Magnus Carlsen must feel after having played  five 12 or 14-game matches in the last nine years. Perhaps the glory of victory makes up for the sadness, especially for someone as competitive as the world champion. We can only wonder.

 
Loading...
New ...
Open...
Share...
Layout...
Flip Board
Settings
MoveNResultEloPlayers
Replay and check the LiveBook here
  • Start an analysis engine:
  • Try maximizing the board:
  • Use the four cursor keys to replay the game. Make moves to analyse yourself.
  • Press Ctrl-B to rotate the board.
  • Drag the split bars between window panes.
  • Download&Clip PGN/GIF/FEN/QR Codes. Share the game.
  • Games viewed here will automatically be stored in your cloud clipboard (if you are logged in). Use the cloud clipboard also in ChessBase.
  • Create an account to access the games cloud.

Links


Carlos Colodro is a Hispanic Philologist from Bolivia. He works as a freelance translator and writer since 2012. A lot of his work is done in chess-related texts, as the game is one of his biggest interests, along with literature and music.

Discuss

Rules for reader comments

 
 

Not registered yet? Register

We use cookies and comparable technologies to provide certain functions, to improve the user experience and to offer interest-oriented content. Depending on their intended use, analysis cookies and marketing cookies may be used in addition to technically required cookies. Here you can make detailed settings or revoke your consent (if necessary partially) with effect for the future. Further information can be found in our data protection declaration.