Carlsen tops world’s best
The sixth Norway Chess Classic, the strongest invitational anywhere, is underway with eight of the world’s top 10 competing in the prestigious single round-robin tournament.
Local hero Magnus Carlsen, the reigning world champion, moved into position for his second victory in six starts, after he took the fourth round lead at Norway’s third largest city of Stavanger.
Carlsen, 27, winner of the 2016 edition, had three points, on two wins and two draws, a half-point better than Russia’s Sergey Kariakin, and one point ahead of Armenian defending champion Levon Aronian, Indian Vishy Anand and Americans Wesley So and Hikaru Nakamura.
Chinese star and world No. 4 Ding Liren, was thrown off his bike on Thursday’s rest day, breaking his hip, and had to undergo a surgery the next day.
His fourth round game against American Fabiano Caruana was postponed, casting doubts on his participation.
Liren was in a group of three players at 1.5 points apiece, that included Frenchman Maxime Vacier-Lagrave and Azeri Shakriyar Mamedyarov, while Caruana was in last spot with 1.0.
Kariakin has been a dominant force in Norway over the years, winning three of the six editions, while Aronian captured the title last year, during his surge to world No. 2.
* * * * Carlsen’s strength is his ability to find tremendous squares for his pieces. The following game is another example where the world champion excels in piece play. Norway Chess Classic 2018 W) M. Carlsen (NOR) B) L. Aronian (ARM) Ruy Lopez 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6
This the Berlin Variation against the Ruy Lopez has a good reputation as a solid defense for Black. This was demonstrated by Kramnik in his 2000 world title match against Kasparov.
4. O-O Nxe4 5. Re1 Nd6 6. Nxe5 Be7 7. Bf1 Nxe5 8. Rxe5 O-O 9. d4 ...
In the game Meier-Aronian, 2018 Grenke chess classic, play continued 9. Nc3 Ne8, 10. Nd5 Bd6 11. Re2 c6 12. Ne3 Be7 13. Nf5 Bf6, with probably equal chances. 9 .... Bf6 10. Re1 Nf5 11. d5 Re8 12. Rxe8ch ...
After 12. Bd3 Rxe1ch 13. Qxe1 Qe7 14. Qxe7 Nxe7, Black has equalized, Caruana-Aronian, 2018 Grenke chess classic. 12 .... Qxe8 13. Qd3 d6 14. Nd2 Bg5
Clearly with the idea of trading Bishops, but as we shall see, White will gain an important tempo for development, and strengthens his space advantage as well. Black may do better with either 14... c6 or 14...Bd7. These computer possibilities then arise: 14...c6 15. Ne4 Be5 16. c3 cxd5 17. Qxd5 Ne7 18. Qd1 d5, Black has better chances for equality. 14...Bd7 15. c3 Qe1 16. Nf3 Qe7 17. Bd2 Re8 18. Re1 Qd8 and White only has a thin edge, if any. 15. Nf3 Bxc1 16. Rxc1 Bd7 17. Re1 Qd8 18. Qc4! ... After the text, Black’s major pieces will be tied down. 18 .... g6 19. h3 Ng7 20. Re3! ...
The focal point of the game is White’s ability to exploit his pieces from nothing. 20 .... a5 21. a4 Ne8 22. Qd4 Ng7 23. g4 c6 24. c4 Ne8 24...Rc8 is a much better alternative. 25. Qf4 Kg7 26. Rb3 Rb8 27. Ng5 Nf6?
A dubious move. A more stubborn defense is 27...Qf6, though White clearly has the upper hand after 28. Qd2. 28. Rf3 h6?
This is a fatalistic reply, but after 28...Qe7 29. Re3 Qd8 30. Qxd6 White is also winning. Now comes a crusher. 29. Ne4! Nxe4 30. Qxf7ch Kh8 31. Qxg6 1-0