Magnus wins by a whisker
Even as I write these lines, Magnus has won the final set of the eponymous Carlsen Tour in an Armageddon tie-break with Nakamura. In fairness to the American, he showed his fighting spirit as never before and proved himself to be as good as the world champion. As for Magnus, he has come ahead of his opponents in each of the online tournaments he has played this year. We have known a few world champions of the past readily accepting challenge from rivals. Magnus has done more — he has invited challenge through his own initiative and in this endeavour he has been well-supported by sponsors and organizers.
Admittedly, he has not had it easy in any of these events, but prevailed over his opponents with sheer will power, not to mention innate chess talent.

Photo: magnuscarlsen.com/en
In the Carlsen Invitational he took some appalling risks and paid the price in quite a few games, to Giri, Nepomniachtchi, Ding Liren and Nakamura. Still, he managed to come first. This issue includes all the games from the event. It is not easy to pick and choose from the lot. Maybe the following game would do.
Replay and check the LiveBook here |
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1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.0-0 b5 6.Bb3 Bc5 7.a4 Rb8 8.Nxe5 Nxe5 9.d4 Bxd4 10.Qxd4 d6 11.f4 Nc6 12.Qc3 Ne7 12...Bb7 13.axb5 axb5 14.e5 Ne4 15.Qe3 Ne7 16.Nd2 Nxd2 17.Bxd2 0-0 18.e6 13.axb5 axb5 14.e5 Ne4 15.Qf3!? 15.Qe1 15...Nc5 15...d5? 16.Nc3 Nxc3 17.Qxc3 0-0 18.Be3± 16.Ba2 0-0 17.Be3 Bb7N 17...Nf5 18.Bf2 Be6 19.Rd1 Qe7 20.Nc3 18.Qh3 Ne4 19.Nc3 Nxc3 20.bxc3 Bd5 20...Nd5!? 21.f5! Bxa2 22.Rxa2 dxe5 23.f6 gxf6 23...Ng6 24.fxg7 24.Bh6 Qd5 25.Raa1 Rfd8 24...Re8 25.Qf5 Nf4! 24.Bh6 Re8 24...Qd6!? 25.Qg4+ Ng6 26.h4 Rfe8 26...Qe6 27.Qxe6 fxe6 28.Bxf8 Rxf8 29.Ra7 Rf7 27.h5 Qe6 28.Qxe6 Rxe6 29.hxg6 hxg6 25.Ra6!? Rb6 25...c6!? 26.Rxc6! Rb6 26...Nxc6?? 27.Qg4+ 27.Qg4+ Ng6 28.Rfxf6 Rxc6 29.Rxc6 26.Rxb6 cxb6 27.Qg3+ Ng6 28.h4 f5 29.h5 f4 29...Qh4 30.Qxh4 Nxh4 31.Bg5 30.hxg6! hxg6 30...fxg3? 31.gxf7+ Kh8 32.fxe8Q+ Qxe8 33.Rf8++- 31.Qg4 Qc8? 31...Qe7 32.Qh4! Qc5+ 32...Qd8 33.Bg5+- 32...Qe6 33.Bg5 Kg7 34.Qh6+ Kg8 35.Rf3+- 33.Kh2 Qd6 34.Bg5! f5 35.Rf3! e4 36.Rh3 f3+ 37.Bf4 Qd7 38.Qh8+ Kf7 39.Rh7+ Ke6 40.Qe5# 1–0
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Nakamura,H | 2736 | Carlsen,M | 2863 | 1–0 | 2020 | C78 | Carlsen Inv Prelim | 1.2 |
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A nice game. Apparently, Magnus wanted both his opponent and the viewers to savour the last moment. So he walked into checkmate.
This DVD offers a complete repertoire for handling this solid opening, often featuring a dynamic approach to pose the opponent more practical problems. Both of the main continuations 3...Nf6 and 3...Be7 are covered in two separate parts.

The Carlsen-Ding Liren encounter in the semi–final was as engrossing. In the third round, Magnus essayed the King’s Gambit and lost, and now he was in danger of elimination. To his credit, he got back to beat Ding Liren in a dramatic game.
Replay and check the LiveBook here |
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1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 e6 5.e3 Nbd7 6.Be2 6.Bd3 dxc4 7.Bxc4 b5 8.Bd3 6.Qc2 6...Bd6 6...dxc4 7.a4 7.0-0 0-0 8.b3 b6 9.Bb2 Bb7 10.a4 10.Rc1 10.Qc2 10...a5 11.Bd3 Rc8 12.Qe2 c5 12...Qc7 13.Rfc1 Qb8 13.Nb5 Bb8 14.Ne5 Qe7 15.f4 dxc4 16.bxc4 Ne4 17.Rad1 Rcd8 18.Ba3? 18.Nc3 18...Nxe5 19.fxe5 f5 20.Rb1? 20.Bxe4 Bxe4 21.Nc3 Ba8 20.Bb2! 20...Qg5 21.Rb2? 21.Rf4! 21...Rf7 21...f4 22.Rxf4 Rxf4 23.exf4 Qxf4 22.Qe1 Rfd7 23.Re2 h6 24.Bb2 Bc6 25.Bc2 Kh8 26.Rf3!? 26.Kh1 26...Qg6 26...Nc3 27.d5 27.Rg3? Nxe2+ 28.Qxe2 Qh4-+ 27...Nxe2+ 28.Qxe2 Bxb5 29.axb5 Rf8 30.d6 Ra7∞ 27.Rh3 27.Bxe4 Bxe4 28.Rg3 Qf7 29.Nd6 Bxd6 30.exd6 Rxd6 31.d5 Rg8 32.Be5 Rd7 33.d6 Kh7 27...Qg5 28.Rf3!? Nc3 29.d5 Nxe2+ 30.Qxe2 Bb7? 30...Bxb5! 31.axb5 Rf8 32.d6 Ra7∞ 31.Rg3 Qh4 32.d6± 32.dxe6?? Rd2-+ 32.e4! 32.Nd6! Bxd6 33.dxe6 Re7 34.exd6 Rxd6 35.Bxf5+- 32...Be4 33.Bd1 33.Bxe4 Qxe4= 33...Bc6 34.Rh3 Qg5 35.Rg3 Qh4 36.Rh3 Qg5 37.Nc3? 37.Rg3! Qh4 38.Rh3 Qg5= 37...Rf8? 37...Bxd6! 38.exd6 Rxd6 39.Rg3 Rd2 40.Rxg5 Rxe2 41.Bxe2 hxg5 38.Qf2 Qd8 38...f4 39.e4! Qxe5 40.Rxh6+! Kg8 41.Nd5! Qxd6 42.e5! Qxd5 43.cxd5 gxh6 44.d6 Rg7 38...Bxd6 39.exd6 Rxd6 40.Rg3 Qh4 41.Nd5 Rd7∞ 39.Ne2 Kh7? 39...Bxd6! 40.exd6 Rxd6 41.Bc2 Kh7∞ 40.Nf4 Bxd6! 40...Re8? 41.Nxe6! Rxe6 42.Qxf5++- 41.Nxe6? 41.exd6 Rxd6 42.Be2± Bxa4?? 43.Bxg7!+- 41...Qe8? 41...Be7‼ 42.Nxf8+ Bxf8 43.Be2 Be4 42.Nxf8+ Bxf8 43.Qxf5+ 43.Bc2 Be4 43...g6 44.Qf1? 44.Qc2 Be4 45.Qb3 Bxg2! 46.Kxg2? 46.Rg3 Be4 46...Rd2+ 47.Kg1 47.Kg3 Qf7 48.Bf3 Qf5-+ 47...Qd7-+ 44.Qb1! Be4 44...Rd2 45.Bf3= 45.Bc2= 44...Bg7? 44...Rd2! 45.Bc2?? 45.Bc3 Bxe5 46.Bxe5 Qxe5 47.Rg3 Rd2 48.Bh5!? Be8 49.Bd1 h5-+ 45.Rg3! Be4! 45...Rd2!? 46.Bc3! 46.Bc1 Ra2 47.Bb3 Ra1 48.Bc2 Qf8 49.Bxg6+ Kh8 50.Bf7 Rxc1 51.Qxc1 Qxf7 46...Ra2 47.Bb3 Ra3 48.Bc2 Rxc3 49.Bxg6+ Qxg6 50.Rxg6 Kxg6 51.Qb1++- 46.Qe1 Bxe5 47.Bxe5 Qxe5 45...Rd2!-+ 46.Bxg6+ Qxg6 47.Rg3 Qh5 48.Rxg7+ Kxg7 49.Qf6+ Kh7 50.Qe7+ Kh8 51.Qf8+ Kh7 52.Qe7+ Kg8 53.Qe6+ Qf7 54.Qc8+ Kh7 55.Qh8+ Kxh8 56.e6+ Rxb2 57.exf7 Rxg2+ 58.Kf1 Kg7 0–1
- 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.
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Ding,L | 2791 | Carlsen,M | 2863 | 0–1 | 2020 | D45 | Carlsen Inv Final 4 | |
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The dragon has the last word
The other major event was the FIDE Online Nations World Cup. In the end, it turned out to be a contest between China and the USA. In this issue Simon Williams offers commentary on the critical duel, Yu Yangyi versus Wesley So. It may be of interest to note that Yu Yangyi himself annotated the whole game in a recent issue of the New in Chess Magazine (#4, 2020). His commentary does offer an insight into the mind of the winner. But what about the loser? Surely, Wesley So too must have something to say about his painful defeat. As of now I have not been able to find any. Maybe he would reveal his thoughts in the next encounter with Yu Yangyi.
To return to Simon Williams’ commentary in this issue, it is fairly instructive. However, I would have liked to see greater emphasis on the main flaw in Black’s opening play.
Replay and check the LiveBook here |
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1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.Nf3 d5 5.Qb3 c5 6.dxc5 Na6 7.cxd5 Nxd5 8.c6 Qa5 9.Bd2 bxc6 10.g3 Nxc3 11.bxc3 Be7 12.Bg2 0-0 13.0-0 e5 14.Qc2 Qc7 15.Qe4 f6 16.Qc4+ Kh8 17.Be3 Nb8 18.Rfd1 Ba6 19.Qe6 Bxe2 20.Rd2 Ba6 21.Nh4 Bc8 22.Qc4 f5 23.Nf3 h6 24.Rad1 Kh7 25.h4 Rf6 26.Ng5+ hxg5 27.hxg5 Rg6 28.Bd5 f4 29.Be4 Bxg5 30.Rd6 Bf6 31.Kg2 f3+ 32.Kxf3 Bg4+ 33.Kg2 Bxd1 34.Rxd1 1–0
- 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.
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Yu,Y | 2709 | So,W | 2770 | 1–0 | 2020 | D38 | Nations Cup Online Final | 1.3 |
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The final display has a magic touch appreciated by one and all. But how did Wesley So land up in such a terrible position? In all probability he was surprised by the theoretical novelty, 8.c6, and thought he could reduce White’s firepower with an exchange of knights. That was the flaw. The knight on d5 had neutralized the g2-bishop’s pressure on the diagonal and also retained the option of returning and defending the kingside. Once the knight was exchanged, the whole h1-a8 diagonal became vulnerable to pressure by the bishop. It also cost Black precious tempi, and he remained behind in development.
One game that has received relatively less attention is the following encounter between the same Yu Yangyi and the talented Jan Duda.
Replay and check the LiveBook here |
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1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.e3 0-0 5.Nge2 Re8 5...d5 6.a3 Be7 6.a3 Bf8 7.Ng3 7.e4 d5! 8.e5 Nfd7 9.cxd5 9.c5 b6 10.b4 a5 11.Be3 axb4 12.axb4 Rxa1 13.Qxa1 Nc6 14.Qa4 Bb7 15.b5 Ncxe5! 16.dxe5 bxc5 9...exd5 10.f4 10.Nxd5 c5! 10...c5 11.Be3 Nc6 7...d5 8.Be2 b6 9.0-0 Bb7 9...Ba6 10.b3 Nc6 10...Nbd7 10...c5 10.cxd5 exd5 11.b4 11.f3 c5 11...Nbd7 12.Qb3 c6 12...c5 13.bxc5 13.f3 a5 14.Rb1 b5 15.e4 Nb6? 15...dxe4 16.fxe4 axb4 17.axb4 Nb6 18.Rd1 Bc8= 16.e5 Nfd7 17.f4 Nc4 18.Kh1 Qb6 19.Qd1 Nb8 19...axb4 20.axb4 Na3 21.Rb3 Nc4 22.Bd3 20.f5 Na6 21.Bxc4 dxc4 22.Qg4 22.Nce4 h6 23.e6 fxe6 24.f6+- 22...Red8 23.Be3 axb4 24.axb4 Nxb4 25.Rxb4! Ra3 25...Bxb4 26.Nce4 Bf8 27.Nh5+- 26.Nge4 Rxc3 27.Nxc3 Bxb4 28.Bh6! g6 29.fxg6 hxg6 30.e6 Qxd4 31.Ne4 31.exf7+ Kh7 32.Bf4+- 31...Qd3 32.exf7+ Kh7 33.Ng5+ Kh8 33...Kxh6?? 34.Qh4+ Kg7 35.Ne6# 34.Bg7+! Kxg7 35.Ne6+ Kh7 36.Qh4# 1–0
- 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.
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Yu,Y | 2709 | Duda,J | 2753 | 1–0 | 2020 | E46 | FIDE Nations Online Cup Prelim | |
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A fine game that shows both the depth of Yu Yangyi’s opening preparation and superb attacking play.
For reasons of space I have not done justice to several other games in this issue.
Do not miss Magnus Carlsen-Anish Giri (a rare victory over the world champion that Anish Giri annotates himself), Fabiano Caruana-Hikaru Nakamura, Alireza Firoujza-Ian Nepomniachtchi and Vladislav Artemiev-Levon Aronian, to mention only a few.
When two lions fight
All this is serious stuff. How about some thrills and spills? Check out the games from the Silkway Cup in this issue. This was an online blitz tournament dedicated to the Republic Day of Azerbaijan (28th May), and Independence Day of Georgia (26th May). The 15-round competition brought together the best Azerbaijani and Georgian chess players including 25 grandmasters.
The mammoth event was won by Rauf Mamedov with a score of 11½/ 15 points ahead of Baadur Jobava (11/15 points) and Nijat Abasov (10½/15 points). But what happened to Shakhriyar Mamedyarov, our warlord? He finished with “only” 10/15, sharing 4th to 6th places with other players. In the following game he was at the receiving end:
Replay and check the LiveBook here |
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1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nf3 Bg7 4.Nc3 0-0 5.Bg5 h6 6.Bd2 c5 7.d5 e6 8.Qc1 Kh7 9.h4 h5 10.e4 exd5 11.cxd5 d6 12.Qc2 a6 13.a4 Re8 14.Bd3 Kg8 15.Ng5 Nbd7 16.0-0 Ne5 17.Be2 Bd7 18.Rae1 Rb8 19.Nd1 b6 20.Ne3 b5 21.axb5 axb5 22.b3 Rc8 23.Bc3 c4 24.bxc4 Nxc4 25.Bxc4 bxc4 26.Rb1 Nh7 27.Bxg7 Nxg5 28.hxg5 Kxg7 29.Rb7 c3 30.f4 Rc7 31.Rb6 Qe7 32.e5 Qd8 33.Rxd6 Qb8 34.Rb1 Qa7 35.Rbb6 Ba4 36.Rxg6+ fxg6 37.Qxg6+ Kf8 38.Kh2 Rg7 39.Qd6+ Kg8 40.Nf5 Qd7 41.Qf6 Rf8 42.Nh6+ Kh7 43.Qxf8 c2 44.e6 Qc7 45.e7 c1Q 46.Qf5+ Kh8 47.Qf8+ Kh7 48.g6+ Rxg6 49.Qf7+ Rg7 50.Qf5+ Kh8 51.Rf6 Qxe7 52.Rf8+ Qxf8 53.Qxf8+ Kh7 54.Qf6 Qd2 55.Ng4 Rxg4 56.Qf7+ Kh6 57.Qf8+ Rg7 58.Qh8+ Kg6 59.f5+ Kf7 60.Qf8+ Kxf8 0–1
- 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.
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Mamedyarov,S | 2764 | Mamedov,R | 2654 | 0–1 | 2020 | E61 | Silkway Cup Online | 3 |
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A rousing battle in which the loser deserves as much credit as the winner! Later Mamedov was to say that this victory gave a real boost to his confidence.
Bologan: "If you study this DVD carefully and solve the interactive exercises you will also enrich your chess vocabulary, your King's Indian vocabulary, build up confidence in the King's Indian and your chess and win more games."

Photo: EuropeChess.org
Back in the old days it was much more exciting to face each other and go into battle!

Photo: Chess Room, Mechanics Institute / milibrary.org/chess
“We are buddies, off the board!”
Not all games from this event are of the same standard and quite a few have incomplete scores. However, if you see the games of those warriors, Mamedov, Jobava and Mamedyarov from this event, you won’t be disappointed.
In the second part of the review I shall deal with the rest of the magazine.
Watch this space.
To be continued
Analyses from the Magnus Carlsen Invitational and FIDE Nations Cup by Giri, Duda, Firouzja, Adhiban and others. CBM Special: Boobby Fischer! 11 articles with new repertoire ideas. Videos by Werle, King and Marin. Training: tactics, strategy and endgame!
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