“The worst possible starting position”
As reported by Jonathan Tisdall, the participants of the Fischer Random Championship in Reykjavik daily reach the playing hall in “a visibly relaxed mood”. Relieved from the burden of preparing long theoretical lines, they prioritize keeping a fresh outlook going into each round.
A surprise awaits for them after each mini-match. On Wednesday, once the first position was announced, Magnus Carlsen could not but remark, “This is probably the worst possible starting position”. With knights on the corners, ‘normal’ piece-developing schemes are not likely to be effective.
Starting position - Round 3
While some of the players are accompanied by seconds to investigate the positions before each mini-match, others chose to go at it solo in Reykjavik: i.e. Wesley So, Hikaru Nakamura, Nodirbek Abdusattorov and Matthias Bluebaum.

Pre-game analysis — Peter Heine Nielsen and Magnus Carlsen | Photo: Lennart Ootes
Group A: Abdusattorov still perfect, So confuses castling rules
After beating the strongest contenders of the group on opening day — Wesley So and Ian Nepomniachtchi — Nodirbek Abdusattorov twice faced underdog Hjorvar Steinn Gretarsson on Wednesday (two mini-matches, four games). The youngster continued his excellent run by scoring a perfect 4/4 against the Icelandic representative, thus securing a spot in the semifinals with two rounds to go.
Since the Uzbek ace has already secured a spot in the knockout, either Nepo or So will not be able to fight for the championship come Saturday. Coincidentally, the two elite GMs were paired up against each other in day 2’s double round, when each pair of contenders played four games from two different starting positions.
Nepo prevailed in the matchup against the defending champion, as he won three and lost one to go into the final two mini-matches in sole second place, two points ahead of So.
A curious situation, typical of the variant in use, was seen in the third confrontation between Nepo and So.
Nepomniachtchi vs. So - Round 4, Game 1
So had played 17...Qe6 in the previous move, allowing 18.Qa8+, which is winning for White — after 17...Qd8, for example, the position would have remained more or less balanced.
When So placed his queen on e6, he counted on responding to the check from a8 with short castle, transferring the kingside rook from h8 to f8 and keeping things under control. The US grandmaster forgot that castling is forbidden while in check. After the arbiters explained this to him, the defending champion simply resigned.
In this first part, the emphasis is on themes and ideas whereas Part 2 and 3 focus on theoretical knowledge!
It should be noted that the aforementioned rule is not absolutely obvious in this case, as the king does not need to be moved in the castling manoeuvre. In fact, Anish Giri confessed on Twitter that he would have appealed this decision, while Carlsen told So that he also thought it was legal to castle while in check if the king does not need to move.
Giri later quipped (making a nod to NC-chess?):

Wesley So and Ian Nepomniachtchi | Photo: Lennart Ootes
Standings after round 4 - Group A
Player |
MP |
Pts |
Nodirbek Abdusattorov |
8 |
7½ |
Ian Nepomniachtchi |
5 |
5 |
Wesley So |
3 |
3 |
Hjorvar Steinn Gretarsson |
0 |
½ |
All games
Replay and check the LiveBook here |
Please, wait...
1.e4 e5 2.f4 d6 3.d3 c6 4.Qf2 Bb6 5.Be3 Bxe3 6.Qxe3 exf4 7.Qxf4 Ng6 8.Qg3 d5 9.c3 dxe4 10.dxe4 Qc5 11.Nf2 Be6 12.Nd2 Nd7 13.Bb3 Bxb3 14.Nxb3 Qe5 15.Qxe5+ Ngxe5 16.0-0-0 Ke7 17.Rd4 a5 18.a4 c5 19.Rd5 Rgc8 20.Rgd1 Rc7 21.Nh3 f6 22.Nf4 Rc6 23.h4 g6 24.Kb1 b6 25.Nd2 Ra7 26.Nf3 Nc4 27.b3 Ne3 28.Re1 Ng4 29.c4 Nde5 30.Rd2 30.h5!? 30...Nf7 31.h5 g5! 32.Nd5+ Ke6 32...Kf8= 33.Ne3 33.Rf1 33...Nxe3= 34.Rxe3 Rd6 35.Rd5 Re7 36.Kc2 Kd7 37.Kd2 Rxd5+ 38.exd5 f5 39.Nh2 Ne5 40.Nf3 Nf7 41.Nh2 Rxe3 42.Kxe3 Ne5 43.g4 43.Nf3 Ng4+ 44.Ke2 h6 43...fxg4 44.Nf1 Nf3 45.Ng3 Ke7 46.Ne4 h6 47.d6+ Ke6 48.d7! Ke7 48...Kxd7!? 49.Nf6+ Ke7 50.Ng8+ 50.Nxg4 Nd4= 50...Kf7 51.Nxh6+ Kg7 52.Nxg4 Nd4= 49.d8Q+?? 49.Nf6!= 49...Kxd8-+ 50.Nf6 Ne5 51.Ng8 Nf7 52.Kf2 Kd7 53.Kg3 Ke6 54.Kxg4 Ke5 54...Ne5+ 55.Kg3 Nd7 55.Ne7? 55.Kf3 55...Ke4-+ 56.Nc8 Ne5+ 57.Kg3 Kd4 57...Kd3 58.Nxb6 Kc3 59.Kf2 Kxb3 60.Ke2 Nxc4 61.Nd7 Kxa4 62.Nxc5+ Kb5 63.Ne4 a4 64.Kd1 g4 65.Kc2 Kb4 66.Kc1 Kb3 67.Nc5+ Kb4 68.Ne4 a3 69.Kb1 Nd6! 70.Ng3 Kb3 71.Nf1 Nc4 72.Ka1 g3 73.Nd2+ Kc2 74.Nf3 Nd2 75.Nd4+ Kd3 76.Ne6 Kc4 77.Nf4 Kb3 78.Ne2 g2 79.Nc1+ Kb4 80.Ne2 Nb3+ 81.Kb1 a2+ 82.Kxa2 Nc1+! 83.Ka1 Nxe2 84.Kb2 g1Q 85.Kc2 Nf4 86.Kb2 Qh2+ 87.Ka1 Nd3 88.Kb1 Qb2# 58.Ne7 Kc3 59.Nf5 Nf7 59...Kxb3 60.Kf2 Kxa4 61.Ke3 Kb3 62.Ke2 a4 63.Kd1 a3 64.Ne3 a2 65.Nc2 Kb2 66.Kd2 g4 67.Nb4 cxb4 68.Ke3 g3 69.Ke4 g2! 70.Kxe5 a1Q 71.Ke6 g1Q 72.Kd5 Qa8+ 73.Ke5 Qe8+ 74.Kf4 Qge3+ 75.Kg4 Q8e4# 60.Kg4-+ Ne5+ 60...Nh8 61.Nxh6 Kxb3 61.Kg3-+ Nf7 61...Kxb3 62.Nxh6 Kxa4 62.Kg4-+ Kxb3 63.Nxh6 Nxh6+ 64.Kxg5 Ng8 65.Kg6 Kxc4 66.Kg7 Ne7 67.Kf6 Ng8+ 68.Kg7 68...Kd5? 68...Kb4! 69.Kxg8 c4 69.Kxg8-+ c4 70.h6 c3 71.h7 c2 72.h8Q c1Q 73.Qh5+ Kd6 74.Qh2+ Kd7 75.Qh3+ Kc7 76.Qb3 Qf4 77.Qc2+ Kb7 78.Qb3 Qf6 79.Qd5+ Qc6 80.Qb3 Qd7 81.Qf3+ Kc7 82.Qc3+ 82...Qc6? 82...Kb8!-+ 83.Qe5+ Kb7 84.Qe4+ Qc6 85.Qh7+ Kb8 86.Qh2+ Ka8 83.Qe5+? 83.Qg7+!= Qd7 84.Qe5+ Kb7 85.Qe4+ Qc6 86.Qe7+ Ka6 87.Qf8 83...Kb7 84.Qe7+ Kb8 85.Qe5+ Kc8 86.Qf5+ Kd8? 86...Kb7-+ 87.Qh7+ Ka6 87.Qg5+= Kc7 88.Qf4+? 88.Qe5+= Kb7 89.Qe7+ Ka6 90.Qa3 88...Qd6-+ 89.Qc4+ Kb7 90.Qb3 Qd7 91.Qf3+! Ka7 92.Qb3 Qg4+ 93.Kf7 Qb4 94.Qc2 Qf4+ 94...Qc5-+ 95.Qb3 b5 96.axb5 Kb6 97.Qe6+ Kxb5 98.Qb3+ Kc6 99.Qa4+ Qb5 100.Qc2+ Kb7 101.Qg2+ Qc6 102.Qb2+ Ka6 103.Qe2+ Qb5 104.Qe6+ Ka7 105.Qe3+ Ka8 95.Ke6 Qg4+ 96.Ke5 Qd7 97.Qb3 Kb7 98.Qd5+ Qc6 99.Qxc6+! Kxc6 100.Kd4 ½–½ - 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.
Gretarsson,H | 2533 | So,W | 2774 | ½–½ | 2022 | | World FRC Championship Group-A 2022 | 1.1 |
Nepomniachtchi,I | 2793 | Abdusattorov,N | 2713 | 0–1 | 2022 | | World FRC Championship Group-A 2022 | 1.2 |
So,W | 2774 | Gretarsson,H | 2533 | 1–0 | 2022 | | World FRC Championship Group-A 2022 | 1.2 |
Abdusattorov,N | 2713 | Nepomniachtchi,I | 2793 | 1–0 | 2022 | | World FRC Championship Group-A 2022 | 1.2 |
Nepomniachtchi,I | 2793 | Gretarsson,H | 2533 | 1–0 | 2022 | | World FRC Championship Group-A 2022 | 2.1 |
So,W | 2774 | Abdusattorov,N | 2713 | ½–½ | 2022 | | World FRC Championship Group-A 2022 | 2.1 |
Abdusattorov,N | 2713 | So,W | 2774 | 1–0 | 2022 | | World FRC Championship Group-A 2022 | 2.2 |
Gretarsson,H | 2533 | Nepomniachtchi,I | 2793 | 0–1 | 2022 | | World FRC Championship Group-A 2022 | 2.2 |
So,W | 2774 | Nepomniachtchi,I | 2793 | 1–0 | 2022 | | World FRC Championship Group-A 2022 | 3.1 |
Gretarsson,H | 2533 | Abdusattorov,N | 2713 | 0–1 | 2022 | | World FRC Championship Group-A 2022 | 3.1 |
Nepomniachtchi,I | 2793 | So,W | 2774 | 1–0 | 2022 | | World FRC Championship Group-A 2022 | 3.2 |
Abdusattorov,N | 2713 | Gretarsson,H | 2533 | 1–0 | 2022 | | World FRC Championship Group-A 2022 | 3.2 |
Nepomniachtchi,I | 2793 | So,W | 2774 | 1–0 | 2022 | | World FRC Championship Group-A 2022 | 4.1 |
Abdusattorov,N | 2713 | Gretarsson,H | 2533 | 1–0 | 2022 | | World FRC Championship Group-A 2022 | 4.1 |
So,W | 2774 | Nepomniachtchi,I | 2793 | 0–1 | 2022 | | World FRC Championship Group-A 2022 | 4.2 |
Gretarsson,H | 2533 | Abdusattorov,N | 2713 | 0–1 | 2022 | | World FRC Championship Group-A 2022 | 4.2 |
Nepomniachtchi,I | 2793 | Abdusattorov,N | 2713 | 0–1 | 2022 | | World FRC Championship Group-A 2022 | 5.1 |
So,W | 2774 | Gretarsson,H | 2533 | 0–1 | 2022 | | World FRC Championship Group-A 2022 | 5.1 |
Abdusattorov,N | 2713 | Nepomniachtchi,I | 2793 | 1–0 | 2022 | | World FRC Championship Group-A 2022 | 5.2 |
Gretarsson,H | 2533 | So,W | 2774 | 0–1 | 2022 | | World FRC Championship Group-A 2022 | 5.2 |
Abdusattorov,N | 2713 | So,W | 2774 | 0–1 | 2022 | | World FRC Championship Group-A 2022 | 6.1 |
Gretarsson,H | 2533 | Nepomniachtchi,I | 2793 | 0–1 | 2022 | | World FRC Championship Group-A 2022 | 6.1 |
Nepomniachtchi,I | 2793 | Gretarsson,H | 2533 | 1–0 | 2022 | | World FRC Championship Group-A 2022 | 6.2 |
So,W | 2774 | Abdusattorov,N | 2713 | ½–½ | 2022 | | World FRC Championship Group-A 2022 | 6.2 |
Please, wait...
Group B: Naka and Carlsen share the lead
While So will need a good performance and some luck to catch Nepo in group A, Vladimir Fedoseev similarly has outside chances of reaching the semifinals in group B. The Russian stands two points behind co-leaders Hikaru Nakamura and Magnus Carlsen, but has proven to be capable of fighting toe-to-toe with the two big favourites in this variant.
On Wednesday, Carlsen scored 3½/4 individual points against underdog Matthias Bluebaum, while Fedoseev and Nakamura drew all four of their encounters.
Despite all four games ending in draws, there was no lack of excitement in the confrontation between Naka and Fedoseev. The third encounter was a total slugfest.
Fedoseev vs. Nakamura - Round 3, Game 1
Naka’s 21...Nxd2 was a brilliant way to open lines against the white king.
The engines show that 22.Nxd2 is the best reply, but in this case White needs to figure out that he is not in deep trouble after 22...Bxc5 23.Rc4 (forced, as rook and queen were forked by the bishop) b6 24.b4 f3. Fire on board! (See diagram below).
A great calculator, Fedoseev surely found this line, but evaluating such a wild position from afar is not easy at all! Thus, he opted for 22.Kxd2 in response to Black’s capture.
Indeed, exposing the king to attacks in the middle of the board was the easier-to-calculate variation here.
Naturally, mistakes were made by both players in the 25-minute game. The result was a remarkable 60-move draw.

Top grandmasters enjoying themselves | Photo: Lennart Ootes
Standings after round 4 - Group B
Player |
MP |
Pts |
Magnus Carlsen |
6 |
5½ |
Hikaru Nakamura |
6 |
5 |
Vladimir Fedoseev |
4 |
4 |
Matthias Bluebaum |
0 |
1½ |
All games
Replay and check the LiveBook here |
Please, wait...
1.e4 f5 2.exf5 Qxf5 3.Ng3 Qf7 4.d4 0-0 5.Be3 Ng6 6.Nd2 Nc6 7.c3 d5 8.Bb3 e5 9.Qb5 Nce7 10.Nf3 c6 11.Qe2 exd4 12.Nxd4 Nf4 13.Qd2 Neg6 14.Nge2 Nxe2 15.Nxe2 Ne5 16.Bd4 Bc7 17.Bc2 17.0-0= 17...Qh5 17...Nc4! 18.Ng3 Qh4 19.0-0-0 Nc4 20.Qd3 Bd7 20...Qxh2? 21.Rh1 Bxg3 22.Rxh2 Bf4+ 23.Kb1+- 21.Kb1 b6 22.Rde1 Rf7 23.f3 Rd8 24.Bf2 Qh6 25.Re2 g6 25...Qxh2? 26.Rh1 Bf5 27.Rxh2+- 26.Rge1 26.Rh1= 26...Qxh2 27.Nf1 Qh6 27...Qxg2 28.Bxb6 Qxe2! 29.Qxe2 axb6 28.Ne3 Nxe3 29.Bxe3 Qf8 30.Bg5 Re8 31.Rxe8 Bxe8 32.c4 Rd7 32...Bg3= 33.Bh6 Qxh6 34.Rxe8+ Rf8 35.Rxf8+ Qxf8 33.cxd5 33.Ba4! Bg3 34.Re2 33...Bf7= 34.Qe3 Rxd5 35.Bf6 35.f4= 35...Bg3! 36.Rh1 Qd6 37.Bc3 Bf4 38.Qe4 38.Qf2! 38...Be5 39.Qh4 h5 40.Bb3 40.Bxe5 Qxe5 41.Qf2 40...Bxc3-+ 41.Bxd5 Qxd5 42.bxc3 Qd3+ 43.Kc1 Qxc3+ 44.Kd1 Qa1+! 45.Ke2 Qxa2+ 46.Kf1 46.Ke3 46...Qd2 47.Kg1 c5? 47...Qd6-+ 48.g4 Qd4+ 49.Qf2 Qxf2+ 50.Kxf2 a5 51.gxh5 gxh5 48.Qe7? 48.Qg3!= 48...c4! 49.Qxa7 c3? 49...Qd1+-+ 50.Kh2 Qd6+ 51.g3 c3 50.Qb8+= Kh7 51.Qc7 Kg7 52.Qe5+ Kf8 53.Rh4? 53.Kh2= g5 54.Ra1 54.Qh8+ Ke7= 54...Qf4+ 55.Qxf4 gxf4 56.Rc1 53...Qd1+? 53...c2!-+ 54.Qh8+ Ke7 55.Re4+ Kd7 56.Rd4+ Bd5 57.Qh7+ Kc6 58.Qxg6+ Kc5 59.Rxd2 c1Q+ 60.Rd1 Qxd1+ 61.Kh2 Qd2 54.Kh2 Kg8 54...c2= 55.Ra4 Qd5 56.Qh8+ Ke7 57.Ra7+ Ke6 58.Qc8+ Kf6 59.Qxc2 Qe5+ 60.f4 Qxf4+ 61.g3 Qd4 55.Rd4? 55.Rb4+- Qd8 56.Qxc3 55...c2 56.Qb8+? 56.Ra4!= Qd8 57.Qc3 56...Kg7? 56...Kh7!-+ 57.Qxb6 c1Q 58.Rxd1 Qxd1 57.Qe5+ Kh7! 58.Rf4 Qd7 59.Qc3! Qd6 59...Bb3!? 60.Qxb3 Qd6 61.Qxc2 Qxf4+ 62.g3 Qxf3 63.Qc7+ Kg8 64.Qxb6 Qe2+ 65.Kh3 Qe4 66.Qd8+ Kh7 60.g3 60...Bb3 61.Re4! Qc5 62.Qxb3 62.Qxc5= bxc5 63.Re1 62...c1Q! 62...Qf2+ 63.Kh3 Qf1+ 64.Kh2 Qf2+ 65.Kh3 Qf1+ 66.Kh2 Qf2+= 63.Qf7+ Kh6 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.
- Create an account to access the games cloud.
Bluebaum,M | 2647 | Nakamura,H | 2768 | 0–1 | 2022 | | World FRC Championship Group-B 2022 | 1.1 |
Carlsen,M | 2856 | Fedoseev,V | 2688 | 1–0 | 2022 | | World FRC Championship Group-B 2022 | 1.2 |
Nakamura,H | 2768 | Bluebaum,M | 2647 | ½–½ | 2022 | | World FRC Championship Group-B 2022 | 1.2 |
Fedoseev,V | 2688 | Carlsen,M | 2856 | ½–½ | 2022 | | World FRC Championship Group-B 2022 | 1.2 |
Nakamura,H | 2768 | Carlsen,M | 2856 | ½–½ | 2022 | | World FRC Championship Group-B 2022 | 2.1 |
Fedoseev,V | 2688 | Bluebaum,M | 2647 | 1–0 | 2022 | | World FRC Championship Group-B 2022 | 2.1 |
Carlsen,M | 2856 | Nakamura,H | 2768 | 0–1 | 2022 | | World FRC Championship Group-B 2022 | 2.2 |
Bluebaum,M | 2647 | Fedoseev,V | 2688 | ½–½ | 2022 | | World FRC Championship Group-B 2022 | 2.2 |
Nakamura,H | 2768 | Fedoseev,V | 2688 | ½–½ | 2022 | | World FRC Championship Group-B 2022 | 3.1 |
Bluebaum,M | 2647 | Carlsen,M | 2856 | 0–1 | 2022 | | World FRC Championship Group-B 2022 | 3.1 |
Carlsen,M | 2856 | Bluebaum,M | 2647 | 1–0 | 2022 | | World FRC Championship Group-B 2022 | 3.2 |
Fedoseev,V | 2688 | Nakamura,H | 2768 | ½–½ | 2022 | | World FRC Championship Group-B 2022 | 3.2 |
Carlsen,M | 2856 | Bluebaum,M | 2647 | ½–½ | 2022 | | World FRC Championship Group-B 2022 | 4.1 |
Fedoseev,V | 2688 | Nakamura,H | 2768 | ½–½ | 2022 | | World FRC Championship Group-B 2022 | 4.1 |
Nakamura,H | 2768 | Fedoseev,V | 2688 | ½–½ | 2022 | | World FRC Championship Group-B 2022 | 4.2 |
Bluebaum,M | 2647 | Carlsen,M | 2856 | 0–1 | 2022 | | World FRC Championship Group-B 2022 | 4.2 |
Nakamura,H | 2768 | Bluebaum,M | 2647 | 1–0 | 2022 | | World FRC Championship Group-B 2022 | 5.1 |
Fedoseev,V | 2688 | Carlsen,M | 2856 | ½–½ | 2022 | | World FRC Championship Group-B 2022 | 5.1 |
Carlsen,M | 2856 | Fedoseev,V | 2688 | 1–0 | 2022 | | World FRC Championship Group-B 2022 | 5.2 |
Bluebaum,M | 2647 | Nakamura,H | 2768 | ½–½ | 2022 | | World FRC Championship Group-B 2022 | 5.2 |
Carlsen,M | 2856 | Nakamura,H | 2768 | ½–½ | 2022 | | World FRC Championship Group-B 2022 | 6.1 |
Bluebaum,M | 2647 | Fedoseev,V | 2688 | 0–1 | 2022 | | World FRC Championship Group-B 2022 | 6.1 |
Nakamura,H | 2768 | Carlsen,M | 2856 | ½–½ | 2022 | | World FRC Championship Group-B 2022 | 6.2 |
Fedoseev,V | 2688 | Bluebaum,M | 2647 | 0–1 | 2022 | | World FRC Championship Group-B 2022 | 6.2 |
Please, wait...
On this DVD Dorian Rogozenco, Mihail Marin, Oliver Reeh and Karsten Müller present the 8. World Chess Champion in video lessons: his openings, his understanding of chess strategy, his artful endgame play, and finally his immortal combinations.
Links