Grenke: Black strikes back

Black strikes back

Facing the lowest rated player of the field, Magnus Carlsen certainly had to feel this would be a good chance to start racking up some points, especially as that lowest-rated player was also the least experienced. Nevertheless, Matthias Bluebaum had already shown excellent resilience and nerves in the previous round, protecting the fort against Fabiano Caruana’s insistent attempts to storm it.

Magnus Carlsen completed Matthias Bluebaum's test of fire as the German was now faced with a long hard defence in the endgame. | Photo: Georgios Souleidis

Here his mettle was tested differently as the opponent was the world champion, who tried his very best to apply that famous boa constrictor death grip he is so famous for. At the very least one would feel nervous just by the situation, but Bluebaum never wilted and played precisely to the very end.

Matthias Bluebaum ½-½ Magnus Carlsen

Georg Meier faced a strange situation on the surface. Fabiano Caruana has been playing strong and hard as shown in his efforts to overcome Bluebaum in round two, so he decided to keep it simple and opted for the Exchange variation of the Ruy Lopez. There was no peace and love to be had, and Caruana was not shy about his intentions as he shoved 10…g5 and 11…Rg8 early on.

After the very trying Candidates that ended shortly before Grenke, one might expect Caruana to seek to rest or take it easy, but if anything, he is showing some bloodthirsty chess | Photo: Georgios Souleidis

Though Black achieved a winning advantage after 20 odd moves, he had trouble delivering that mercy blow to put White out of his misery. Time was short for both though, and eventually, Meier slipped once more and this time Caruana did not miss him.

Georg Meier 0-1 Fabiano Caruana

Spanish Exchange Variation

A simple idea underpins the Exchange Variation of the Ruy Lopez. Take all the pieces off and White wins the ending. Naturally, the execution of this plan is anything but simple because Black obtains the Bishop pair and free piece play to compensate him for his doubled pawns on c6. Nevertheless, it is useful to have something to aim for! Many World Champions have employed 4.Bxc6

The next and last win of the day was between Hou Yifan and Maxime Vachier Lagrave. MVL played a fairly classic English Hedgehog with Black, a line he favors and has played before, so Hou Yifan could hardly have been surprised. Black’s official novelty wasn’t much of one, but his plan of not placing any rooks on the half-open c-file was not usual.

It was an interesting battle with opening ideas by MVL in the hedgehog | Photo: Georgios Souleidis

Whatever his plan, it quickly led to nothing and the game was well balanced, with some minor swinging, for much of the game. Time trouble reared its ugly head once more, and Hou Yifan made a fatal mistake before the time control which cost her the game.

Hou Yifan 0-1 Maxime Vachier-Lagrave

The Hedgehog - a universal system against 1.c4 and 1.Nf3

At first glance, the Hedgehog setup might appear somewhat passive but in fact Black is always waiting to launch a counterattack. Let Yannick Pelletier provide you with a complete repertoire against the English and the Reti!

Maxime Vachier-Lagrave is intent on redeeming himself after failing to qualify for the Candidates, and is doing an excellent job so far | Photo: Georgios Souleidis

The two other draws of the day were fairly uneventful, and though played out, never showed any real ‘danger’ of turning into a decisive result.

MVL and Vitiugov lead with 2½/3, and the tournament will now move to Baden-Baden after the rest day.

Standings after three rounds

All games

Links

• Official tournament site
• An exciting start as Carlsen and Caruana face off
• Grenke: The power of white
• Magnus' next moves