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Magnus Carlsen vs Ian Nepomniachtchi
"I'll Take Manhattan" (game of the day Jan-01-2025)
World Blitz Finals KO (2024) (blitz), New York USA, rd 3, Dec-31
French Defense: Classical. Steinitz Variation (C11)  ·  0-1

ANALYSIS [x]

FEN COPIED

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Kibitzer's Corner
Jan-01-25  Twilight of the Idol: Somewhere, Viktor Korchnoi is smiling, assuming he does such things.

Apparently, Carlsen could have played 19. Nxg7. The engine confirms it, though rejects my idea of 19. ... Rg8 20. Nxe6?! Rxg4 21. Nxc5 Bxc5 22. Nf5 h5?! 23. Bg5 Re8 24. Nh6, when black is winning after 24. ... Nxe5. Instead, 20. Bxh6 and white is much better; so, 20. ... Nc6 21. Nf3 Bxg7 22. Qxg7 f6 etc.

Jan-01-25  Shamot: 29.Bf1 instead of 29.Bf4 would have saved it for MC. 29. Bf4 was a mistake. But, hey it was blitz game.
Jan-01-25  fisayo123: 31...Ne3!! is quite difficult to see from afar in blitz chess. Carlsen obviously missed it and I doubt Nepo saw it till he had to play the forced 30...Rxg2+

Very curious that Carlsen decided to play for a fight in a game he only needed a draw in.

Jan-01-25
Premium Chessgames Member
  Check It Out: <Very curious that Carlsen decided to play for a fight in a game he only needed a draw in.>

That's one of the things to like about Carlsen, and why Caissa shines light on him. Today Ashley brought up the story of Carlsen only needing a draw in the final game vs Aronian to outright win the 2013 Sinquefield Cup. In a position where Carlsen had only a small advantage, Aronian offered a draw. Carlsen refused, something almost no one else would do. He went on to win the game, of course.

Jan-01-25  whiteshark:


click for larger view

<31...> ?

Jan-01-25
Premium Chessgames Member
  An Englishman: Good Evening: Black's brilliant 31st would have proven difficult to find over normal time controls--31...d4+? looks so tempting.
Jan-01-25
Premium Chessgames Member
  MissScarlett: <We'll Take Manhattan.>
Jan-01-25  areknames: Not a bad pun. Now if only the game had featured the Berlin defense it would have been perfect.
Jan-01-25
Premium Chessgames Member
  tomKID: Cool game! That pun could be improved as "I'll take take take Manhattan." ... quite obviously, sorry! (still laughing though) ... Wishing everyone a great 2025 btw!
Jan-01-25
Premium Chessgames Member
  MarcusBierce: Great to see the early ..a5 show up in a lot of French positions now. The opening remains alive and well.

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