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This is why I like faster time controls (for top 10 players and their RR tournaments) than classical. There's too much theory influenced by massive amounts of computational analysis. To those who wish to disagree with me, I'd point out that the main reason Magnus doesn't defend his WC title is opening theory. Here, he plays a simple move and because there is limited time it throws off Wesley leading to a relatively simple strategic mistake. If he tried this in a classical time control, Wesley would probably not have had any issues. Magnus brilliance is not diminished or hidden by faster time controls. Rather the opposite, opening analysis allows weaker players to close the gap. It's ridiculous that the greatest player of all time doesn't want to defend his title, because he doesn't want to set aside half the year to study theory. He'd rather just play chess. I can't blame him a bit.
This was a new concept for me: if ...h6 and ...f6 have been played, the light squares on the kingside are weak (that part's obvious), but putting a bishop on e2 makes the pawn push f4-f5 a strong threat (since Black doesn't want to play ...g6). And it gets stronger if there's a bishop on e6 (as we saw) since there are tactical ideas of f4-f5 hitting the bishop and g6-pawn. Lovely game by Magnus, and nice analysis by GM King.
That first Champions chess tour event. I remember vividly. Was a masterclass of Wesley and likely he doesn't win without this line. I think his results in the line in general are superb Winning final against Magnus. Hard to ever let go of the line that helped you get that
@PowerPlayChess Thanks for another fantastic analysis of an interesting game. Now I might be the only one feeling this way, or it might be "beyond the possibilities", but I for one would really appreciate to see the "clock" in the graphic, specifically for "rapid games". As being aware of the "time" (imho) would give an even better understanding of "balance" between the players as well as motivations behind their moves. Just a thought. Best regards.
I find it very puzzling that Wesley So should play h6 when he must have known Bc3 was coming, making an f6 response just about mandatory. With both moves played, Black has chronic white square weaknesses which were efficiently exploited by Carlsen. This all appears pretty obvious to me, I would have rejected h6 with almost no thought and I'm only a mediocre club player; so why did the hugely strong So not do the same?
@carcass09 I have to disaggree. He won the first world chess360 tournament, clearly a great talent. Looks like lack of preparation was his undoing here.
"So is overrated" However he got his rating, it usually works, but not here. "Looks like lack of preparation was his undoing here." Perhaps, as Carlsen probably surprised him here, but is lack of prep really enough to explain h6? I'm still puzzled.
@markjordan8919 Right, h6 was probably all nerves and/or fatigue. He's usually better than that, like in the first part of the tournament where he demolished everyone, including Carlsen.
I love games like this. Magnus Carlsen plays them just like going for a morning walk. It's really his gift to the chess world that we have this seemingly endless flow of masterpieces that look easy but just try to do that yourself and you'll see it isn't easy.
This game just shows how much of a good grinder Carlsen is. It doesn't even have to be classical time controls, even in rapidplay he is very much precise. Speaking of grinding, I highly recommend the Howell-Carlsen book ''Grind like a Grandmaster''.
Does that mean I can stop worrying my club-level opponents starting to play this new Tarrasch line? So far nobody tried it, but I am aware since some time that I wouldn't know how to deal with it. To me, Carlsen's Bd2 and the normal Nxe6 look both fine for White.
Curious as years ago was told that d4 was no longer good after Ducht f5. Now the Tarrash IS the Queen of anti Queen opening. All this has been surpassed as the game has been taking by computers, cheaters and Mr Carlsen that make the game kind a "reliquia"...or not. Have good holidays and New Year full of health and money ... Thanks Mr King for your very much elocuent and superb commentaries. Cheers
I'd guess he had a different set-up in mind than what actually happened. Bd3-e2 in combination with the rook staying on f1 is different to anticipate when you are concerned about the rook coming to the open e line and catching your king in the middle.
On the contrary what you state in the commentary, it doesn't look that So understand very well the endings coming from this sub-variation of Tarrasch Defence, otherwise he would not play a rubbish move like h6 instead of the natural f6 followed by Ke8-f7. Even play h6-h5 to stop the lethal Bh5+ was not hard to see for a top GM, also in a rapid game. Thus, Wesley So played really badly in this game, and in general his understanding of chess is pretty inferior to Magnus Carlsen.
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There’s a special place in hell for people that don’t love their pair of bishops.
This is why I like faster time controls (for top 10 players and their RR tournaments) than classical. There's too much theory influenced by massive amounts of computational analysis. To those who wish to disagree with me, I'd point out that the main reason Magnus doesn't defend his WC title is opening theory. Here, he plays a simple move and because there is limited time it throws off Wesley leading to a relatively simple strategic mistake. If he tried this in a classical time control, Wesley would probably not have had any issues.
Magnus brilliance is not diminished or hidden by faster time controls. Rather the opposite, opening analysis allows weaker players to close the gap.
It's ridiculous that the greatest player of all time doesn't want to defend his title, because he doesn't want to set aside half the year to study theory. He'd rather just play chess. I can't blame him a bit.
Very Correct
Very well said
Take my like and get out.
This was a new concept for me: if ...h6 and ...f6 have been played, the light squares on the kingside are weak (that part's obvious), but putting a bishop on e2 makes the pawn push f4-f5 a strong threat (since Black doesn't want to play ...g6). And it gets stronger if there's a bishop on e6 (as we saw) since there are tactical ideas of f4-f5 hitting the bishop and g6-pawn. Lovely game by Magnus, and nice analysis by GM King.
It's incomprehensible to me how you can aim for a slightly worse endgame, especially against Carlsen.
If it's the best that you can hope for, and hoping for some time trouble?
That first Champions chess tour event. I remember vividly. Was a masterclass of Wesley and likely he doesn't win without this line. I think his results in the line in general are superb
Winning final against Magnus. Hard to ever let go of the line that helped you get that
@PowerPlayChess
Thanks for another fantastic analysis of an interesting game.
Now I might be the only one feeling this way, or it might be "beyond the possibilities", but I for one would really appreciate to see the "clock" in the graphic, specifically for "rapid games". As being aware of the "time" (imho) would give an even better understanding of "balance" between the players as well as motivations behind their moves. Just a thought.
Best regards.
A fine thought but that's beyond my tech capabilities.
Wonderful analysis, thank you!
I find it very puzzling that Wesley So should play h6 when he must have known Bc3 was coming, making an f6 response just about mandatory. With both moves played, Black has chronic white square weaknesses which were efficiently exploited by Carlsen. This all appears pretty obvious to me, I would have rejected h6 with almost no thought and I'm only a mediocre club player; so why did the hugely strong So not do the same?
So is overrated. Been saying for a long time he depends on theory too much. No creativity. Outclassed again on this occasion.
@carcass09 I have to disaggree. He won the first world chess360 tournament, clearly a great talent. Looks like lack of preparation was his undoing here.
"So is overrated"
However he got his rating, it usually works, but not here.
"Looks like lack of preparation was his undoing here."
Perhaps, as Carlsen probably surprised him here, but is lack of prep really enough to explain h6? I'm still puzzled.
@markjordan8919 Right, h6 was probably all nerves and/or fatigue. He's usually better than that, like in the first part of the tournament where he demolished everyone, including Carlsen.
@@manicdataminer Yes I agree lack of preparation but also disillusion and confusion.
Maybe chess hell isn’t that bad as we all imagine?
I love games like this. Magnus Carlsen plays them just like going for a morning walk. It's really his gift to the chess world that we have this seemingly endless flow of masterpieces that look easy but just try to do that yourself and you'll see it isn't easy.
This game just shows how much of a good grinder Carlsen is. It doesn't even have to be classical time controls, even in rapidplay he is very much precise.
Speaking of grinding, I highly recommend the Howell-Carlsen book ''Grind like a Grandmaster''.
Thanks Daniel
I was going to criticize "speciality" but googled it and learned that that's correct British English. Over here we say "specialty."
Specialty (without the 'i') is indeed American. Is that where you are?
Oops, missed this until now...yes, American Midwest.
Does that mean I can stop worrying my club-level opponents starting to play this new Tarrasch line? So far nobody tried it, but I am aware since some time that I wouldn't know how to deal with it. To me, Carlsen's Bd2 and the normal Nxe6 look both fine for White.
Of course, they are both ‘fine’ for White. It’s only at elite levels that players are able to hold these positions with Black.
Ty DK!
Actually it's a $100.000 game, both players had already secured $100.000!
Did I hear the sound of splitting hair?
GOAT was in great form, while So was just a bit off. Or maybe GOAT just makes mortals like So look like they're off 😅
Curious as years ago was told that d4 was no longer good after Ducht f5. Now the Tarrash IS the Queen of anti Queen opening. All this has been surpassed as the game has been taking by computers, cheaters and Mr Carlsen that make the game kind a "reliquia"...or not. Have good holidays and New Year full of health and money ... Thanks Mr King for your very much elocuent and superb commentaries. Cheers
H6 is a strange move, since it's clear that the king has to go to f7. Really ugly holes on the kingside, which was rightly penalised.
I'd guess he had a different set-up in mind than what actually happened. Bd3-e2 in combination with the rook staying on f1 is different to anticipate when you are concerned about the rook coming to the open e line and catching your king in the middle.
The King is Crowned. 👍👍👏👏
It appears that once these pretenders have to think for themselves they flounder and their true strength manifests .
As usual Carlsen keeps posing awkward questions. Very tough to find the answers with limited time. Thanks Daniel.
On the contrary what you state in the commentary, it doesn't look that So understand very well the endings coming from this sub-variation of Tarrasch Defence, otherwise he would not play a rubbish move like h6 instead of the natural f6 followed by Ke8-f7. Even play h6-h5 to stop the lethal Bh5+ was not hard to see for a top GM, also in a rapid game.
Thus, Wesley So played really badly in this game, and in general his understanding of chess is pretty inferior to Magnus Carlsen.
Strange choice from Wesley
I agree.
Sorry, but black was losing this opening by move seven.
Masacre. Not very good to see these days…or not
When is Magnus going to be crowned the GOAT? Bobby, Garry and Paul quiet at the back please!. Class dismissed!