Magnus Carlsen vs Tor Gulbrandsen (2002)

Magnus Carlsen vs Tor Gulbrandsen
Astlandserien 01/02 div. 1, Asker - Nordstrand 2002 · French Defense: Tarrasch. Closed Variation (C05) · 1-0

To move:

Last move:

Given 39 times; par: 53 [what's this?]

explore this opening	find similar games	1,493 more games of Carlsen
sac: 21.Qxb8	PGN: download \| view	Help: general \| java-troubleshooting

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Jul-19-06		notyetagm: Masterful use of the threatened knight fork g5-xf7 xh8 by Magnus. This Korchnoi Gambit line against the French fits GM Carlsen's tactical style to a tee.

Jul-28-06		midknightblue: man, he really worked this guy.

Jul-28-06		DCP23: I like 20.Qxa7 very much.

Oct-09-07		notyetagm: <DCP23: I like 20.Qxa7 very much.> 31 h8-d8! is also very nice. Position after 31 h8-d8!: click for larger view I love moves like this, tactics in the service of strategy: Magnus uses a <KNIGHT FORK> threat (31 ... c7xd8?? <deflection from c6> 32 e5xc6+) to place his White h8-rook behind the dangerous passed Black d4-pawn.

Mar-02-08		syracrophy: What the...!?! 20.xa7!! and I felt from my chair!

Mar-03-08		MrMelad: Yes, if 20...Rxa7 then 21.Rxc8+ Qd8 22.Rxd8 Kxd8 23.Nxf7+ winning. There could be a 1000 rating points difference between those players someday...

Dec-11-08		Furansowakun: 20.Qxa7 What a fantastic move !

Oct-09-09		panzerkampf: magnus' play was way ahead of 2148 in this match.

Aug-13-10		patzer3844: come on guys moves like Qa7 can be found even from 1800 players.It is not a big deal,admit it

Aug-13-10		Eric Schiller: Even a beginner can spot it after looking at Rxc8+ Rxc8. Just a matter of removing the defender. Nothing special at all.

Aug-20-12		torrete64: I'm an 1800 player and I did not see 20.Qxa7 while playing the Guess-A-Move. The Queen sacrifice might be "obvious" for some but the fact that Carlsen was able to set up the said queen sacrifice before move 20. is what makes it fantastic

Aug-20-12		tolengoy: don't make torrete64 angry...you wouldn't like him when his angry...

Jan-04-13		Beancounter: Qxa7 is not 'obvious' at all. Gulbrandsen is 2125 and he didn't spot it.

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