Magnus Wins With Black

Zenon Franco Magnus Wins With Black Author: Zenon Franco Ocampos

Typesetting by Andrei Elkov (www.elkov.ru) Cover photo © Eteri Kublashvili, taken at Shamkir 2019 © LLC Elk and Ruby Publishing House, 2020 Follow us on Twitter: @ilan_ruby www.elkandruby.com ISBN 978-5-6044692-5-5 Contents

Index of Games 4

Introduction 5

30 Black Wins 7

Index of Openings 223 4

Index of Games

No. 1: – , Biel 2006. No. 2: – Magnus Carlsen, , 2007. No. 3: – Magnus Carlsen, Corus Wijk aan Zee 2008. No. 4: – Magnus Carlsen, Biel 2008. No. 5: – Magnus Carlsen, Classic 2009. No. 6: – Magnus Carlsen, Biel 2011. No. 7: – Magnus Carlsen, Tal Memorial, Moscow 2012. No. 8: Luke McShane – Magnus Carlsen, Tal Memorial, Moscow 2012. No. 9: – Magnus Carlsen, World Championship, 2013. No. 10: – Magnus Carlsen, Gashimov Memorial, Shamkir 2014. No. 11: – Magnus Carlsen, Tata Steel Wijk aan Zee 2015. No. 12: Viswanathan Anand – Magnus Carlsen, Baden-Baden 2015. No. 13: Fabiano Caruana – Magnus Carlsen, Gashimov Memorial, Shamkir 2015. No. 14: Shakhriyar Mamedyarov – Magnus Carlsen, Qatar Masters, 2015. No. 15: – Magnus Carlsen, Tata Steel Wijk aan Zee 2016. No. 16: Dragan Solak – Magnus Carlsen, Olympiad 2016. No. 17: Pavel Eljanov – Magnus Carlsen, Tata Steel Wijk aan Zee 2017. No. 18: Eugene Perelshteyn – Magnus Carlsen, IoM Masters, Douglas 2017. No. 19: Pavel Eljanov – Magnus Carlsen, IoM Masters, Douglas 2017. No. 20: Fabiano Caruana – Magnus Carlsen. IoM Masters, Douglas 2017. No. 21: – Magnus Carlsen, London Classic 2017. No. 22: – Magnus Carlsen, Gashimov Memorial, Shamkir 2018. No. 23: Maxime Vachier-Lagrave – Magnus Carlsen, Biel 2018. No. 24: – Magnus Carlsen, Gashimov Memorial, Shamkir 2019. No. 25: – Magnus Carlsen, /Baden-Baden 2019. No. 26: Anish Giri – Magnus Carlsen, 2019. No. 27: – Magnus Carlsen, Zagreb 2019. No. 28: – Magnus Carlsen, Zagreb 2019. No. 29: Maxime Vachier-Lagrave – Magnus Carlsen, , Saint Louis 2019. No. 30: – Magnus Carlsen, Tata Steel Wijk aan Zee 2020. 5

Introduction

This second volume of the games but I think when looking at the of world champion Magnus Carlsen games with computers it’s hard to contains 30 of his most instructive understand what’s actually going on wins from 2006 to 2020 as Black. in the minds of the players. When I It also follows the “move by move” look at I try to look as little as format with exercises and questions, possible with the computer, because which is a good way to train. I know that once we get past the The main difference between preparation phase then it’s not these games and those in the previous really relevant what the computer book is that fewer of them are says and it’s more about psychology attacking games than when Carlsen and everything.” plays White. This should not come He talked later specifically about as a surprise, because White has the Sveshnikov Variation of the more chances to dictate the game Sicilian, but these comments are valid scenario. Nevertheless, there are still for lots of structures and positions: some examples in this volume where “This particular opening is a special Carlsen wins by attack. Another case. If you turn on the computer early important difference is that there are on it will say that White is better, but more endings in this volume, which is it doesn’t say whether the position is also understandable. easier to play for White or Black. Once What remains unchanged is that the he got out of the opening then it feels fights are always intense. Carlsen never like, yeah, he’s a pawn up, but it feels stops trying to win the game, no matter like the stakes are kind of higher for if, objectively, his chances are small. him. I’m going for mate, and he has There are several examples where, at to survive. Yeah, I think psychology is some point, his opponents collapse, definitely a huge part of the game. It’s unable to withstand the tension that one of the reasons why this particular Carlsen maintains in the game. line is doing well.” As always, I have I also try to emphasise the practical, tried to include the opinion of the “human” side of the battle. That is main protagonists, above all Carlsen very important for understanding the and then his opponents, as well as of game, sometimes more relevant than . the opinion of the computer. Regarding your task, I think that It is interesting what Carlsen says there is no reason to be upset if you about this: don’t manage to “guess” a large “Obviously you have to play number of moves. It is really more well, you have to play good moves, important to think about them as 6 Introduction deeply as possible, and then compare rather unpleasant for White, but it’s your thoughts with the explanations still unclear. given. This will become very useful for White has weak pawns on h5 your chess skills. and f5, but as long as Black’s bishop Magnus Carlsen continued to try remains inactive White’s position new openings and defences during the should be tenable. However, that 2020 pandemic. He played the Philidor would only have held true with a Defence for the second time in his life longer ... at the St. Louis Rapid and Blitz 2020, 37.Ie4? after playing it against Guseinov in a White wants to play 38.Gd3, with blitz tournament in 2017. his queen very well situated on e4, but the absence of a blockader will be Leinier Dominguez Perez punished. Magnus Carlsen 37...Gxb2+! St. Louis Rapid and Blitz chess24. The bishop enters the game, and, com (5), 16.09.2020 combined with the d-pawn, makes XIIIIIIIIY the queen attack irresistible. 9-t-+-+-+0 38.Kxb2 d3+ 39.Kc1 Ic5+ 40.Kd2 Ic2+ 41.Ke1 Eh4+! 9+-+-+pzk0 0–1 9-+-+-v-z0 I enjoyed writing this book: looking 9+-+q+P+P0 deeper into the games of Magnus 9p+-z-+-+0 Carlsen is always a great pleasure. I 9Z-+Q+-+-0 hope you like it too, and it will make me happy if it helps you to understand 9-Z-+R+-+0 better our mutual passion, chess, from 9+K+R+-+-0 the games of one of the greatest chess players in history. xiiiiiiiiyWhite to play

Carlsen has sacrificed an exchange Dedicated to Yudania. for a pawn and obtained the better chances. A lot of things have GM Zenon Franco Ocampos happened and now the position is Ponteareas, September 2020 Game No. 30 215

Winning , because 14.Ch4! 22.Cf3? 22.exf5! 32...Ee6!). after 45.G1f2 Ie1+ 46.Gf1 Black has 2.) “What’s important is the 46...Ce2+! and mate. pieces that remain on the board, 0–1 not the pieces that are exchanged.” This victory gave Magnus what just (Tarrasch). (22...Exc3!). two days earlier seemed a completely 3.) General considerations are not improbable result: he shared first as important as concrete analysis at place in the tournament with Ding critical points. (24...exf4!). Liren. 4.) Once more, “Chess is a state of “I made my own luck in the last mind.” (22.Cf3?). two rounds...I have to say I didn’t * Italics refer to variations, as believe it one bit before today and opposed to moves actually played. especially before yesterday,” said Carlsen. “Today I knew I had a Game 30 chance. Obviously when we got this very complicated strategic position Alireza Firouzja from the opening then I’m starting Magnus Carlsen to think: well, I have some hope but Variation [C65] still it’s a bit surreal. Now I have to get Tata Steel Wijk aan Zee (9), back to earth because there’s more 21.01.2020 chess to play tomorrow.” (Ding Liren won the playoff). 1.e4 e5 2.Cf3 Cc6 3.Eb5 Cf6 Carlsen got a good position after 4.d3 the opening. The best French player XIIIIIIIIY played aggressively, but Carlsen defended very well. 9r+lwkv-t0 MVL lost faith in his position too 9zpzp+pzp0 early. He played his moves very quickly, 9-+n+-s-+0 applying pressure on the clock, but at 9+L+-z-+-0 some moment cracked when he took 9-+-+P+-+0 less than two minutes to commit a 9+-+P+N+-0 positional ; after that, Carlsen didn’t give him the slightest chance to 9PZP+-ZPZ0 save the game. 9TNVQM-+R0 xiiiiiiiiy Some lessons from this game: * Carlsen is more frequently seen playing White in this position. 1.) Always ask yourself “What is Anyway, he was happy to see 4.d3, my opponent planning?” or “what getting a position where not much defence does he have?” (14.h4? would be decided in the early phase. 216 30 Black Wins

Playing the Berlin endgame after Answer: In a similar position, in 4.0-0 Cxe4 5.d4 Cd6 6.Exc6 dxc6 the Steinitz Defence Deferred, White 7.dxe5 Cf5 or 5.Ge1 Cd6 6.Cxe5 can play Exc6 after 1.e4 e5 2.Cf3 would have been very different. Cc6 3.Eb5 a6 4.Ea4 d6 5.Exc6+. 4...d6 Here it appears that White has gained a tempo. However, as Peter Question: Why not 4...Ec5? It is Svidler explained: “It’s very important more popular, isn’t it? for White in the structure to develop his knight to c3 before playing d4. So Answer: Yes, it is the main line Exc6 is not really an option.” these days, and Carlsen plays it more 6...Ee7 7.0-0 0-0 8.Ge1 frequently, but it is simply a matter of 8.Cbd2 is one alternative. taste. Both sides have several options on “The ‘Steinitz-lovers’ (like me) each move, and transpositions are prefer the more solid text-move. frequent; in fact, after a Berlin we According to my taste, the dark- have transposed to a Ruy Lopez early squared bishop belongs on either e7 d3 variation. or g7 in the Ruy Lopez,” wrote Lajos 8...Ge8 Portisch in My Secrets in the Ruy Carlsen plays this flexible move Lopez. these days. Ivanchuk – Carlsen, 5.c3 Medias 2011, continued 8...b5 9.Ec2 Firouzja played 5.c4 against d5 10.Cbd2 dxe4 11.dxe4 Ee6 Fedoseev in Moscow 2019 at the 12.Eb3 Exb3 13.axb3 Id3, and World Blitz, but here he plays the Black was fine. main line. 9.Cbd2 Ef8 10.h3 5...a6 6.Ea4 Both players played the same XIIIIIIIIY position in an online tournament later in 2020, Firouzja – Carlsen, 9r+lwkv-t0 chess24.com INT 2020, continued 9+pz-+pzp0 10.Cf1 h6 (varying from the typical 9p+nz-s-+0 continuation 10...b5 11.Eb3 Ca5 9+-+-z-+-0 12.Ec2 c5, played in Anand – 9L+-+P+-+0 Carlsen, Moscow 2013) 11.Cg3 9+-ZP+N+-0 b5 12.Eb3 (12.Ec2 is met by 12... d5), and now, instead of 12...Ca5, 9PZ-+-ZPZ0 Carlsen chose 12...Ee6 13.Ec2 d5 9TNVQM-+R0 14.exd5 Exd5 15.Ie2 g6 16.h3 Eg7, xiiiiiiiiy with a good position. Question: I guess 6.Exc6+ was an During those months Carlsen also option, right? faced 10.d4, and after 10...b5 11.Ec2, Game No. 30 217 instead of 11...exd4 12.cxd4 Eg4 White played d4 in 2 moves, but 13.h3 Eh5 14.g4 Cxg4 (or 14...Eg6), Ec2 was played in one move instead he preferred 11...Eb7 in Svidler – of Eb3–c2. Carlsen, chess24.com INT 2020. As we mentioned, in “normal 10...b5 11.Ec2 positions” (with the bishop on b3) the The bishop moves immediately to move ...h6 is necessary, because there c2. 11.Eb3 would allow the typical is the threat of Cg5, but here, with the manoeuvre 11...Ca5 followed by 12... bishop on c2, there is no such threat, c5. so Carlsen makes a more useful move. However, we cannot say that White has “won” a tempo. It is just Question: But isn’t it more useful a different position, because Black to play the immediate 12...Cb8 will not play ...Ca5, and will try to followed by ...Cbd7? Carlsen plays take advantage of the fact that the this Breyer manoeuvre quite often. bishop is not on the a2-g8 diagonal hitting f7. Answer: Carlsen delayed his 11...Eb7 12.d4 favourite manoeuvre so as to stop XIIIIIIIIY 13.Cf1?!, because 13...exd4 14.cxd4 Cb4 would follow. 9r+-wrvk+0 13.a3 9+lz-+pzp0 This move is frequently played by 9p+nz-s-+0 Firouzja in similar positions. It not 9+p+-z-+-0 only stops the mentioned line based 9-+-ZP+-+0 on ...Cb4, but also prepares b4 and 9+-Z-+N+P0 then Eb2. The most popular continuation is 9PZLS-ZP+0 13.d5 Cb8, and White supports his 9T-VQT-M-0 d5-pawn playing 14.b3 c6 15.c4. xiiiiiiiiy 13...Cb8 12...g6 Carlsen transposes immediately to a Breyer/Zaitsev variation, avoiding Question: This position looks 14.Cf1, because 14...exd4 would familiar to me, but I recall that follow, winning a pawn. He could also Black usually plays 12...h6 in these play 13...Eg7. positions, right? 14.d5?! A strange with 13.a3. Answer: Yes and no. After 12... 14.b4 would be more consistent with h6 13.a4, a famous position from the 13.a3, when after 14...Cbd7 15.Eb2 Kasparov – Karpov matches would we have a normal Breyer/Zaitsev arise by transposition. position. 218 30 Black Wins

14...c6 17.b3 Black immediately undermines White is, naturally, still trying to White’s centre. Now 15.dxc6?! would get the most from his position, and he admit that there was something doesn’t think about heading so early erroneous in White’s plan. for safer but more passive solutions. 15.c4 Cbd7 16.a4 Svidler mentioned the This is also an admission that continuation 17.axb5 axb5 18.Gxa8 something has gone slightly wrong, as Gxa8 19.dxc6 Exc6 20.cxb5 Exb5 he could have arrived at this position 21.Cb1, where White is solid but playing a4 with just one move, not two. Black is slightly better after ...Ec6 Anyway, playing with White, this and ...Ib7. tempo loss is not so terrible. It means, 17...Gec8 18.Ga2 however, that to gain an advantage White played this unnatural move will be more difficult. because 18.Ed3?! cxd5 19.exd5 (19. XIIIIIIIIY cxd5? Ic3) 19...Exd5! was worse. 9r+-wrvk+0 18...bxc4 19.bxc4 9+l+n+p+p0 XIIIIIIIIY 9p+pz-sp+0 9r+r+-vk+0 9+p+Pz-+-0 9+lwn+p+p0 9P+P+P+-+0 9p+pz-sp+0 9+-+-+N+P0 9+-+Pz-+-0 9-ZLS-ZP+0 9P+P+P+-+0 9T-VQT-M-0 9+-+-+N+P0 xiiiiiiiiy 9R+LS-ZP+0 Exercise: How did Carlsen 9+-VQT-M-0 continue? xiiiiiiiiy Exercise: Carlsen has obtained Answer: a favourable version of the Breyer 16...Ic7! Variation. How did he improve his Preparing ...Gec8, with X-rays on position? c2. Black could also play 16...bxc4, exploiting the fact that White cannot Answer: maintain a pawn on d5. After e.g. 19...a5! 17.dxc6 Exc6 18.Cxc4 Ic7 19.Ed2 With two purposes: it stops a5 and Gac8 Black is fine, but the world with the idea of playing ...Ea6 later. champion preferred to maintain the 20.Cf1? tension before taking more critical White plays a logical and typical decisions. move, but it is a mistake. The young Game No. 30 219 XIIIIIIIIY Iranian didn’t sense the danger. His 9-trw-vk+0 knight heads for e3 to reinforce the defence of the c4-pawn but it will 9+-+-+p+p0 obstruct the activity of the remaining 9l+-z-sp+0 pieces. 9z-sPz-+-0 This was a good moment to 9P+-+P+-+0 reconsider the situation for White, 9V-+-SQ+P0 and accept that he was no longer in a normal position with a slight 9R+LS-ZP+0 advantage. 9+-+-T-M-0 The “strange” move 20.Cb1! was xiiiiiiiiy a much better attempt. After 20...Ea6 Exercise: How did Carlsen he would play 21.Ca3, trying to get increase the pressure? the knight to b5 from where it would put up resistance to Black’s progress Answer: on the queenside. 25...h5! 20...Ea6! 21.Ce3 Cc5 This prepares the activation of his Black continues with the same only passive piece, the bishop, to its manoeuvring approach. It was also best place, preventing a possible Cg4. possible to play 21...cxd5, but Black 26.Gaa1 Eh6 doesn’t fear 22.dxc6. Both Black’s bishops are now very 22.Cd2 active and dominate White’s centre. White’s position is also unpleasant 27.Gab1 Gxb1 28.Gxb1 Kg7! after 22.dxc6 Ixc6 23.Cd5 Ccd7 A good preparatory move. The 24.Cd2 Gab8!, increasing the king gives more protection to the f6- pressure, rather than 24...Exc4? knight, freeing up the queen. 25.Cxc4 Ixc4 26.Eb3, with decent 29.Cef1 compensation for the pawn. XIIIIIIIIY 22...cxd5 9-+rw-+-+0 Black has no more preparatory or 9+-+-+pm-0 simply useful moves. 9l+-z-spv0 23.cxd5 Gab8 24.Ea3 Id8 9z-sPz-+p0 “A good move, also for illustrative purposes, as Magnus retreats his 9P+-+P+-+0 queen to the back rank but clears the 9V-+-+Q+P0 c-file for his rook.” (Nielsen). 9-+LS-ZP+0 25.If3 9+R+-+NM-0 Black is progressing. Almost all his xiiiiiiiiy pieces are in ideal positions, but he Exercise: And now, how did needs more. Carlsen gain more terrain? 220 30 Black Wins

Answer: After the change of structure on 29...h4! the kingside White’s king is also more The bishop gets a good post on f4. vulnerable. It’s amazing how Black, without making direct threats, keeps Exercise: How did Carlsen improving his position, while White continue? cannot create counterplay, because his pieces are not well coordinated. Answer: Active moves will lead to material loss 34...Id7! and he can only wait. Continuing with quiet but lethal 30.Ce3 Ef4 31.Cef1 Ic7 advances. This strong move targets It’s time to reintegrate the queen a4. The opening of the position will into the offensive, with ideas like favour Black as he has more active ...Ccd7 and penetrating with the pieces. queen down the c-file, or in some Black could also take advantage of lines with ...Ia7. the weakening of White’s position, not 32.g3?! only the kingside but also in the centre, Alireza had a difficult position and playing the strong sequence 34...Ia7! was also in time trouble. This move 35.Kh1 Ccd7!, and the black queen only weakens his position. It is easy to penetrates decisively on d4 after 36.Eb3 criticize it, but it is almost impossible or 36.Ed1, or on f2 after 36.Id1, while to give good advice now. if 36.Ed3 then 36...Gc3. “32.Ce3 staying loyal to the back 35.Kg2 Cxa4 36.Exa4 and forth concept could have led to Not surprisingly, the complications this beautiful line: 32...Ccd7 33.Gc1 after 36.Exd6 favour Black. It is Ic3 34.Cb1 Ia1! when White is possible to take on c2, but the simple completely dominated and loses 36...Ixd6 37.Exa4 Exf1+ 38.Cxf1 material!” (Nielsen). If 35.Exd6 Gc4 is also strong, and White’s Black replies 35...Ed3. position collapses. E I E XIIIIIIIIY32...hxg3 33.fxg3 h6 34.h4 XIIIIIIIIY36... xa4 37. xd6 9-+r+-+-+0 9-+r+-+-+0 9+-w-+pm-0 9+-+-+pm-0 9l+-z-spv0 9l+-V-spv0 9z-sPz-+-0 9z-+Pz-+-0 9P+-+P+-Z0 9q+-+P+-Z0 9V-+-+QZ-0 9+-+-+QZ-0 9-+LS-+-+0 9-+-S-+K+0 9+R+-+NM-0 9+R+-+N+-0 xiiiiiiiiy xiiiiiiiiy Game No. 30 221

Exercise: What did Carlsen play Cxe4+ loses, but he could still fight here? after 40.Kxf1 Exd2 41.Exe5 Ec3 42.Gc1! Exe5 43.Gxc8; here both Answer: 43...Cxe4 and 43...Exg3 are winning, 37...Id4! but the game would continue. This strong centralization defends 0–1 e5 and attacks the hanging knight on d2, so 38...Gc2 and 38...Gc3 are also Carlsen positionally outplayed his threats. young opponent, who had recorded 38.If2 an excellent start to the tournament. XIIIIIIIIY Carlsen was satisfied with the opening played. In his words, he liked 9-+r+-+-+0 “...to get some position with a bunch 9+-+-+pm-0 of pieces on the board.” 9l+-V-spv0 “I got a nice, playable position 9z-+Pz-+-0 early on and it felt like it was easier for 9-+-wP+-Z0 me to play,” said Carlsen. “It felt like 9+-+-+-Z-0 he was drifting, sort of. He couldn’t really find a plan there.” 9-+-S-WK+0 Nielsen pointed out that there 9+R+-+N+-0 were no tactical complications during xiiiiiiiiy the entire game. Black gradually Exercise: Black has a winning strengthened his position, raising the advantage. How did Carlsen pressure until his opponent collapsed. continue? “A great strategical game by Magnus,” he summarized. Answer: 38...Ixf2+ Some lessons from this game: * This move wins, so it is a good practical decision. 1.) Always ask yourself “What is Nonetheless, 38...Ic3! was my opponent planning?” or “what quicker, threatening 39...Ed3, defence does he have?” (19...a5! 39...Cg4, etc.. White is almost 20.Cf1?). in zugzwang. If 39.Kh3 the most 2.) Be careful with seemingly beautiful response is 39...Ge8!, “automatic” moves. (20.Cf1? defending e5, with the idea of playing 20.Cb1!). 40...Cg4! 41.Kxg4 Ec8+. 3.) “How can I improve the 39.Kxf2 Exf1 position of my pieces?” A question And here Alireza, being lost and that, posed at the right moment, can very short of time, resigned. 40.Cxf1 give us clues to finding the best moves. 222 30 Black Wins

Carlsen did this admirably almost Ic7! 20...Ea6! 24...Id8! 26...Eh6! throughout the game. (19...a5! 25... 29...h4! 31...Ic7!). h5! 28...Kg7!). * Italics refer to variations, as 4.) “Chess is a team game,” i.e. all opposed to moves actually played. the pieces should work together. (16...