Will Magnus Carlsen lose his crown?
NORMALLY I would be writing about the local chess scene, but this week there is something so momentous going on that it will overshadow any North East chess news – and probably make it onto the national and international TV news.
From today, for the next three weeks, the eyes of chess fans everywhere will be fixed on the start of the World Championship match in Dubai between Norway’s Magnus Carlsen (the reigning champ) and his Russian challenger, the unpronouncable Ian Nepomniachtchi (thankfully, we can call him “Nepo”
for short). Carlsen is one of the game’s true stars, with his fame and ability often compared to the greatest players of all time, including America’s Bobby Fischer and Russia’s Garry Kasparov. He’s also a regular guy to boot, enjoying playing football and shooting basketball hoops on his days off from studying the chessboard.
He and Nepo are known to be good friends, and Nepo has worked with Carlsen, helping him to prepare for previous world championships. But at their joint pre-match press conference this week, Nepo quipped: “Once you’re at the board, you have no friends.”
And, indeed, Magnus is a formidable opponent, often only agreeing to a draw once all the pieces are swapped off and it’s just king versus
king. This “mano a mano,” take no prisoners approach is what makes Carlsen adored among chess fans, while Nepo is known for his swashbuckling play – he is a natural risk-taker.
The last time that Carlsen defended his title was in London in 2018, and that match was decided in a rapid play play-off after 12 draws at standard play (slow time controls). This time, Magnus will be hoping it doesn’t go that far, not because he isn’t the odds-on favourite, but because Nepo’s record against him at rapid and blitz is pretty good. This may mean both Carlsen and Nepo go for it from Game 1, so we could see sparks fly at an early stage.
The match games kick off at 12.30pm UK time, and you can follow them live on all the main chess websites. If the match is tied after
14 games, they go into an exciting rapid play and blitz playoff, where even a single Armageddon decider (White has four minutes, Black has minute, but a draw would win Black the match) could decide the championship.
At Gosforth Empire Club & Institute on Monday evenings and Forest Hall Social Club on Fridays, they will be showing highlights of the day’s play on a big screen TV so regulars and newcomers can follow and discuss the games. Whether you’re watching online or giving it a go yourself, there’s no better time to get involved. Who knows? Maybe your chess club could be the place where the next Magnus Carlsen is discovered.
To whet your appetite, this week’s puzzles are all queen sacrifices by Magnus Carlsen.