11/23/2018 – The tenth game of the 2018 World Championship match in London was a highly tense affair. Fabiano Caruana surprised his opponent in the opening, but in the asymmetrical position that followed Magnus Carlsen seemed to have better chances. The Challenger, however, defended stubbornly and, in the endgame, Carlsen was a little too optimistic, lost a pawn, and nonetheless managed to secure a draw. The game was analysed by current U.S. champion SAM SHANKLAND and by ERWIN L'AMI. | Photos: Nikolai Dunaevsky / World Chess
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Five Sicilians
It has been two weeks since the start of the 2018 World Championship match and all the games have remarkably ended in draws...but we have seen some fighting chess. Magnus Carlsen had a great chance in game one, but Fabiano Caruana also found himself in very favourable positions later in the match.
For the mainstream media the fact that no decisive games have taken place might look like this has been a dull encounter, but for chess grandmasters these two players have shown great technical skills. As Robert Hübner said, "The players are not there to entertain the spectators, but to reach the highest possible sporting result". It is true, nevertheless, that a little more show would certainly help the popularisation of the game, but anyway the interest shown worldwide for this "mind competition" is remarkable.
The match has been portrayed in the biggest media outlets "on page one". And, on Thursday, the players gave everybody much to talk about, as the game was very exciting.
The press has paid a lot of attention to the match
The Challenger received the "advantage" of playing two Whites in the last three games, but this cannot be clearly seen as favourable, given the fact that the player with Black has been getting better positions throughout the match. On the other hand, the trend seems to be changing sides, as the last two games saw White getting better chances.
While Carlsen has played different opening moves (1.d4, 1.c4 and 1.e4), Caruana has remained faithful to moving the king's pawn first — and the World Champion has bravely gone for the Sicilian in all games. Nothing to reproach there, in terms of fighting spirit.
A repertoire of attacking lines against the four major defences to 1.e4 – that is, 1...e5, the Sicilian, the French, and the Caro Kann. These systems will put your opponent under pressure, and when players are under pressure, mistakes occur. This is a practical repertoire – if we study openings we want to be sure to use them in our games.
GM Daniel King provides a 6-minute look at the main events of the day:
Chaos on the board
Game ten saw Caruana launching a move that caught Carlsen by surprise in the previously explored Sveshnikov variation — he used a Bayonet Attack on the queenside with 12.b4. This variation gives Black the chance to expand on the kingside, inviting Magnus to build a direct attack against the king.
Vishy Anand, while giving some commentaries about the game, said about this move:
I think [Carlsen] had checked Bd2 again, but somehow b4 slipped his mind. [...] I feel Black is OK now, but it’s still very sharp.
The former World Champion, who actually faced Carlsen twice under similar circumstances, mentioned that he thought Fabi's white games were fascinating, while Carlsen's preparation with White has not impressed him.
Another Sveshnikov
A critical moment arrived in move 23, when Carlsen gave up a pawn on the queenside:
The Sveshnikov Variation of the Sicilian Defence is considered one of the most promising replies to 1.e4, often giving rise to sharp and complex positions which require precise and inventive play from both sides. Thus, an opening tailor-made for Alexei Shirov (FIDE World Cup finalist in 2007), who has included it into his repertoire with both White and Black and knows the mutual tricks and traps all too well.
Caruana vs. Carlsen - Game 10
Position after 23...Qg5
Caruana did not dare to capture the pawn with 24.Bxb5. Anand said he would have captured "for specific reasons" as, "I would believe I'm not lost here and then I'm a pawn up". Instead of taking, Caruana went for 24.g3 and gave Black the opportunity to permanently threaten an attack against the weakened g2-square, as Carlsen shortly afterwards established a pawn on f3. Anand still preferred Caruana's position:
I like White more, even after g3, I like White…We shouldn’t forget that Black is attacking with one piece right now. Those bishops are very very far away from doing anything.
The queens were exchanged and, right before the time control was reached, the game turned into a double-rook endgame with Black having a strong central pawn chain:
Position after 38...Rc8
The asymmetrical position still offered a lot of play for both sides. Black had activated his king and his position was visually more attractive, but the super-computer Sesse still considered the position to be completely equal.
There was no lack of excitement in game ten
In an attempt to go for active play, Carlsen was a little too optimistic and lost a pawn, but he managed to convince his opponent that there was nothing to play for in the rook endgame with 3 v 2 on one flank. After 54 moves, the draw was signed in the following position:
Final position
It was definitely a chaotic game. Anand was proven right when the game finished, as he had stated, "I don’t think Magnus likes chaos…but he’s such a good calculator that he’ll probably cope. He’ll probably cope better than he thinks". Nonetheless, the Indian also made an important remark when he said that Magnus "is not someone who likes risk for risk's sake".
Only two classical games are left. Will we see the first World Championship match to end with all the classical games drawn? We will find out by Monday...
The continuous stream of new ideas in the Sicilian makes 1..c5 the most popular answer to 1.e4. On this DVD I do give an introduction to the most important Sicilian systems.
Game 10 analysed by Sam Shankland
Current U.S. champion Sam Shankland examined the game and thought both contenders could have taken the first full point of the match:
There were plenty of games where one side did not make the most of their chances, but this has been the only one where I thought both players at some point had very real winning chances.
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The 10th game of the World Championship match was the most back and forth
affair of any game thus far. There were plenty of games where one side did not
make the most of their chances, but this has been the only one where I thought
both players at some point had very real winning chances.1.e4c52.Nf3Nc6Magnus stays true to his Rossolimo/Sveshnikov repertoire for the 5th time in
a row. Starting from game 5, I have expected him to pivot every single game,
and been wrong every single time. Perhaps he will just play this the whole way
through?3.d4Caruana eschews Bb5, which he chose in his first 3 White
games.cxd44.Nxd4Nf65.Nc3e56.Ndb5d67.Nd5I was a bit surprised to
see Caruana enter the same line as game 8. Even though he got an excellent
position in that game, he had to figure Magnus would have come with
improvements, and the line is supposed to be okay for Black.7.Bg5Leads
to the mainline Sveshnikov.7...Nxd58.exd5Nb89.a4Be710.Be20-011.0-0Nd712.b4!?The first major deviation. Caruana chose Bd2 in the
previous game. Still, the move does not look too impressive to me.12.Bd2
Carlsen misplayed the position and quickly ended up worse.12...a613.Na3a5!?A very commital decision, but not a bad one. Magnus forces the
queenside open right away, a fearless decision against a prepared opponent,
but he had other options.13...b6Appeals the most to me. Black tries to
keep the queenside closed and will look for his own counterplay with f7-f5. In
fact, I actually prefer Black in a practical game here.14.bxa5Rxa515.Nc4Ra816.Be3Caruana was still playing very fast. He probably was in his
preparation.f5!Black absolutely needs counterplay, and f5-f4 is coming.
However, unlike game 8, here White cannot comfortabll play f2-f4 himself to
keep his kingside secure.17.a517.f4Black is absolutely fine afterexf418.Bxf4Nb618...g5!?If Black is in a feisty mood17...f4!18.Bb6Qe8The battle lines are drawn. White clearly has an edge on the queenside,
Black's pieces (particularly the c8-bishop and d7-knight) look a little clumsy,
and the b6 square could prove to be a problem. But Black's kingside pawn mass
promises him decent counterplay.19.Ra3A not so mysterious rook move. It
looks pointless now but Black's plan is clearly to launch a kingside attack,
and the rook will be a good defender laterally along the third rank.19.Re1This is the computer's recommendation by a wide margin, but I don't really
understand the move? I guess it just serves as some vague prophylaxis against
e5-e4. It claims white is better but I am unconvinced because afterRf6!
Black is ready to challenge the b6-bishop via Be7-d8.19...Qg620.Bc7e4!Carlsen is in burn the bridges mode. His pawns are vulnerable and could
quickly fall if the center were to open at an inopportune moment, but he is
looking for direct counterplay against White's king, truly in the style of the
Sveshnikov.20...Ra6A quiet defensive move like this one was surely fine,
but I think the World Champion was right to go for it.20...b5!?It was
also possible to play in the same manner as the game, only without committing
to e5-e4. This could make some sense as the central pawns proved weak.21.Nb621.axb6?It's possible this move annoyed Magnus since e5-e4 no longer
works, but it is also insufficient.Rxa322.Nxa3The problem is here Black
needs a new attacking plan since e5-e4 fails to bring its desired returns.Nc5!The b-pawn is well under control, and most importantly, White's pieces are
totally unprepared to defend his king. How will the c7-bishop ever contribute
to a proper defense? Rf6-h6 is coming and Black should win.22...e423.Bh5!Qg524.Qg4!White is doing well. Getting his queen to g4 will really
lesse any attacking chances Black can hope for21...Nxb622.Bxb6This
leads to a similar position to the game, but Black does not need to play e5-e4
if he so desires. For instance, he seems to have a good position afterb423.Rb3Bf5!When it is clear there are reasons the pawn is good on e5 as well.21.Kh1b5!?A very commital move, but not a bad one.21...Qh6The
machines prefer a slower buildup with something like this. Black certainly
will have attacking chances by lifting the f8-rook, but I don't mind Magnus's
decision either.22.Nb6!22.axb6?This would be asking for trouble.
I find it unlikely White will survive after the energeticRxa323.Nxa3f3!24.gxf3Ne5!Black's attack looks devastating.22...Nxb623.Bxb6Qg5?!Technically, this move loses the game against best play, but it comes with a
very nasty idea of playing Rf6-h6 and delivering mate on the h-file. A machine
with its nerves of steel would have no trouble grabbing h5, but for a human,
it looks absurdly dangerous.24.g3Caruana's move makes a lot of sense.
Taking on f4 and bringing the rook to g3 should dispel any mating dreams.24.Bxb5!White could have gotten away with this.Rf6Extreme precision is
needed to beat back the attack, but it is possible.25.Re1!An important
move. White hits the e4-pawn while simultaneously clearing f1 for the bishop.Bf525...Rh626.Rxe425...Rg626.Bf1Bf526...Ba627.Rxe4!+-27.a6Rh628.a7Qh429.h3f3This loks absolutely terrifying for a human, but
apparently White wins with another only move:30.Qd4!+-The point is to
defend against the threat of Bxh3 followed by Qg4.Bxh331.gxh3Qg432.Rxf3!No more exf3 thanks to the pin exerted by the queen being on d4. AfterQxf3+33.Bg2The a-pawn will carry the day. One certainly cannot fault
Caruana for not seeing all of this.26.f3!e327.a6Rh628.Re2‼
An incredibly difficult only move that would have to have been prepared in
advance. White is ready to play Qg1 and hold the position together. Even then,
the variation continues.Qh529.Qg1Bh430.g4!fxg331.Raxe3!White
wins. But this is really just a machine line, and outside of human capability.24...b425.Rb325.gxf4I would have been tempted to clear the 3rd rank
for defensive purposes, and this probably is an easier route to equality.
Still, while Caruana's choice gives him some only moves to find, he did find
the moves and he objectively was not worse.25...Bh326.Rg1!The rook
is needed for defensive purposes.26.Re1Bf6!Moves like Bc3 or Be5
could come next. White is in trouble.26...f3White is under a lot of
pressure. Around here I thought Caruana might crack and give Magnus the first
decisive result, but he defended very well.27.Bf1!This is a tough move.
I would have been tempted to just let the bishop stay on h3, since White can
always sacrifice an exchange on g2 very happily and otherwise it's not clear
what active role the bishop plays. But it was absolutely critical to play Bf1.27.Bb5?A move like this looks sensible...Rf6!Until you realize
White will simply be mated on the h-file! Rh6 and Qh5 is coming, and there is
nothing to be done.27...Bxf1!27...Qh5Caveman play does not work
here since White is in better shape to keep the h-file under control. The
queen coming to f1 is very important, for instance after28.Rxb4Rf629.Bxh3Qxh330.Be3!Black will not get Rh6 very easily, and e4 is hanging to boot.
White should win.28.Qxf1!Another important decision. White cannot
allow a disaster on the h-file. His position looks awful with the queen and
the rook so passively placed and the d5-pawn falling, but he remains solid and
can rely on the a5-pawn for counterplay.28.Rxf1?Keeping active pieces
comes at a heavy price. AfterQg4!29.Rxb4Rf5!White will promptly be
mated by Rh5 and Qh3.28...Qxd529.Rxb4Qe630.Rb5=The position is
dynamically balanced, but White has to be more careful than Black. He managed
without a ton of trouble.Bd831.Qe1!The queen returns to life.Bxb632.axb6Rab833.Qe3Qc434.Rb2Rb735.Rd1Qe2!Setting a devilish trap,
though it is not enough to claim an advantage.36.Re1!Far from the only
holding move, but I am awarding an exclamation point for not falling for
Black's idea.36.Qb3+?Kh837.c4Looks like it traps Black's queen. But
the nasty responseRxb6!-+Would promptly turn the tables!36...Qxe337.Rxe3d5The position is balanced as neither side can easily mobilize
their pawn majority. Black's center looks impressive, but he can't do anything
with it so long as he is left with a passive rook on b7.38.h4Rc839.Ra3Kf740.Kh2Ke641.g4Rc642.Ra6Ke543.Kg3h644.h5The position is some
kind of mutual stalemate where neither side can do anything. Magnus tried to
make something happen withKd4?But only made trouble for himself after
the strong response45.Rb5!When Black has to be somewhat accurate to not
get into trouble. Still, he has more than one route to a draw, and Magnus
found a very easy one.Rd6!Overprotecting the d5-pawn White was planning
to harass with Raa5.46.Ra4+Ke547.Rab4Ke6Nice and easy. White has no
good way to challenge Black's central pawn mass without allowing liquidation.48.c4dxc449.Rxc4Rdxb650.Rxe4+Kf751.Rf5+Rf6Black loses a pawn but
simplifies into an easily drawn 3 vs 2 on the kingside. Caruana did not even
bother trying. His winning chances are approximately zero.52.Rxf6+Kxf653.Kxf3Kf754.Kg3With only 2 games to go, each player has only one game to
try with White. Carlsen gets to go first, and I'll be interested to see what
first move he chooses, as well as if we will see a 6th 2.Nf3 Nc6 Sicilian in
the final game.
33.e5!Kb734.Nf6Qh4+35.Ke233...Qg5!-+34.Nh234.Qf2war nötig.34...h535.Rf2Qg136.Nf1h436...Qg7-+37.Nd2Kb737.Kd2?37.e5!37...Kb738.c3Be5Droht ...Tg3! und aus.39.Kc2Qg739...b5-+zielt auf ...Tg3! ab.40.Qe2b441.cxb4Bd440.Nh2!Bxc341.Qxf4Bd442.Qf7+Ka6!43.Qxg7Rxg7 Endspiel KTL-KTSDoch nicht43...Bxg7?!44.Rf5=44.Re2Rg345.Ng4e5 ist eine echte Drohung.Rxh3Weiss muss nun ...Tg3 beachten.46.e5Rf347.e6Rf848.e7Re849.Nh6!h350.Nf5
Und weiter mit Th2 wäre nett.50...Bf6!51.a3b5Günstiger ist51...Ka552.b4=cxb453.axb4
53...Bxe7!54.Nxe754.Rxe7Rxe754...h255.Rxh2Und Th7 würde nun gewinnen.Rxe7KT-KT56.Rh6Kb657.Kc3Rd758.Rg6Kc759.Rh6Rd660.Rh8!Rg661.Ra8!Kb762.Rh8Rg563.Rh7+Kb664.Rh6Rg1Weiss sollte ...a5 verhindern.65.Kc2Rf166.Rg6Rh167.Rf6Rh868.Kc3Ra8Mit der Idee ...a5.69.d4Rd870.Rh6Rd771.Rg6Kc772.Rg5Rd673.Rg8Rh674.Ra8Rh3+75.Kc2Ra376.Kb2Ra477.Kc3!a678.Rh8Ra3+79.Kb2Rg379...Rd3feels hotter.80.Rh7+Kd681.Ra7Rxd482.Ka3Rd3+80.Kc2Rg581.Rh6Rd582.Kc3Rd683.Rh8!Rg684.Kc2Kb785.Kc3Rg3+86.Kc2Rg187.Rh5Rg2+88.Kc3!Rg3+89.Kc2Rg490.Kc3Kb691.Rh6Rg592.Rf6Rh593.Rg6Rh3+94.Kc2Rh595.Kc3!Rd596.Rh6Kc797.Rh7+Rd798.Rh5Rd699.Rh8!Rg6100.Rf8Rg3+101.Kc2Ra3102.Rf7+Kd6103.Ra7!Kd5Droht stark ...Kc4.104.Kb2Rd3105.Rxa6Rxd4106.Kb3Re4107.Kc3Rc4+108.Kb3Kd4109.Rb6!Die Stellung ist ausgeglichen.Kd3110.Ra6Rc2111.Rb6!Rc3+112.Kb2Rc4113.Kb3Kd4114.Ra6Kd5115.Ra8Precision: Weiß = 71%, Schwarz = 67%.½–½
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