Carlsen sizzles online
Top-seeded Magnus Carlsen of Norway enjoyed a successful start by whitewashing American Fabiano Caruana, 2.5-0.5, to take a one-set lead at the $150,000 Chessable Masters online best-ofthree quarterfinal match play.
Russian world No. 4 Ian Nepomniachtchi won the other first-round quarterfinal encounter, beating compatriot Vladislav Artemiev, 2.5-0.5.
In other matches, Chinese world No.3 Ding Liren defeated Hikaru Nakamura (USA), 2.5-1.5, and Dutchman Anish Giri edged Russian Alexander Grischuk, 3.0-2.0, after an Armageddon tiebreak play-off.
The Chessable Masters is the third leg of the 12-player, fiveevent $1 million online chess tour series, culminating in the tour’s grand finals in August.
Quarterfinal second-round matches (made up of four mini games), are being played at press time, and can be followed live at chess24 and various chess websites.
* * * In the following game, Carlsen skillfully exploited his opponent’s dark square weaknesses, and avenged himself against the same player who ousted him in the Lindores Abby semifinals. Chessable Masters 2020 preliminary round W) M. Carlsen (Norway) B) H. Nakamura (USA) Queen’s Gambit Declined 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 Be7 5. Bf4 .... This system of development, aimed at controlling the e5 square and exerting immediate pressure on c7, has become popular in recent years, and a favorite of Carlsen. 5 ..... O-O 6. a3 Nbd7 How Black proceeds is a matter of personal taste. Of the alternatives, 6 .... dxc4 is considered best by the engine. For example, 7. e3 Nd5 8. Bxc4 Nxf4 9. exf4 Nc6, and the ensuing middlegame probably hangs in the balance. 7. Nb5 Ne8 8. e3 dxc4 9. Bxc4 c5 Not without a point, but it slightly weakens Black’s dark squares. though there’s no immediate effect. A more natural continuation which offers chances for equality is 9 .... a6, e.g., 10. Nc3 Nef6 11. 0-0 b5 12. Ba2 Bb7 13. Rc1, with only a slight edge for White, if any. 10. dxc5 a6 11. Nbd4 Bxc5 12. O-O Qe7 13. Rc1 Bd6 14. Ba2 Ndf6 15. Ne5 .... Here Black’s game looks playable and solid, that he does not even dream of being in danger. 15 .... Nd7? And this is a fatalistic reply which concedes White a huge advantage. 15 .... g5 should have been tried. 16. Ndc6!! .... Now comes an astonishing move, combining power and elegance. 16 .... Qh4 After 16 .... bxc6 17. Nxc6 Qf6 18. Bxd6 Nxd6 19. Qxd6 Qxb2 20. Ne7ch Kh8 21. Nxc8 Qxa2 22. Qxd7, White simply wins material. 17. Bg3 Qg5 18. h4 Qf6 19. Ng4 Qxb2 20. Bxd6 bxc6 Neither 20 .... Nxd6 21. Ne7ch Kh8 22. Qxd6 Qxa2 23. Nxc8 Raxc8 24. Rxc8 Rxc8 25. Qxd7, nor 20 .... Qxa2 21. Ne7ch Kh8 22. Nxc8 Nxd6 23. Nxd6, could save Black’s game. 21. Rc2 Qb5 22. Bxf8 Nxf8 When the dust cleared, White emerged exchange ahead, and should win without much fuss. 23. h5 h6 24. Qf3 Qxh5 24 .... Bd7 is necessary to prolong the game, but Black is lost anyway. 25. Qxc6 Nc7 26. Qf3 Nd5 27. e4 e5 28. Nxh6ch! 1-0 This simple finishing touch forces resignation, as the doublethreat on a8 and f7 will be difficult ro parry. SOLUTION TO LAST WEEK PUZZLE Black to play and win. White=Kd3, Rd6, Pd5, Pf4, Pg3, Ph3 Black=Kb7, Ra2, Pa3, Pc5, Pf5 1 .... Rd2ch! 2. Kxd2 a2 3. Rd7ch Kb6 4. Rd6ch Kb5 5. Rd8 a1Q 6. Rb8ch Kc4 0-1