Dortmund Round 7 & Closing Cermony.
Up against the World ranked #1.
Magnus again faced the Slav against a top level opponent. (It may be worth while reflecting a bit why...)
Magnus played 6.Nh4 to exchange the bishop, after Anand played 9...Be7 Magnus thought for a while before deciding on 10.Qc2. They entered a typical Slav variation with open c- and d-files. Magnus had problems activating his black-squared bishop on d2 and was a bit surprised when Anand exchanged all the heavy pieces leaving Magnus with the pair of bishops. Magnus got his hopes up until he saw the black fortress with Ne4 to d6 and pawns on g7, g5, f6 and e5 and although he tried for 15 moves he did not manage to make any progress. In the end he exchanged his black-squared bishop against the knight on d6 to enter a opposite-coloured ending and a draw was agreed on move 39.
Alekseev put pressure on Kramnik in a Russian line with the manoeuvre Ra2, Rb2 etc but had to accept a draw in the end. Similarly Gelfand pressed for a while against Naiditsch and Leko for a long time against Mamedyarov but all games ended in a draw.
At the prize giving, from the right winner Kramnik (5 points) Alekseev 2nd (4), Leko 3rd (4), Anand 4th (4), Mamedyarov 5th (3,5), Magnus 6th (3), Gelfand 7th (2,5) and Naiditsch 8th place with 2 points.
Congratulations to Kramnik for great play and a very impressive win!
Magnus receiving flowers and a nice tie.
Magnus' score is about as expected. (Losing 1 Elo point).
He was not happy at all about going through the tournament without winning, but quite satisfied about not being in any trouble in any other game then against Kramnik.
Magnus' next tournament is in Biel, Switzerland, starting July 23rd. He is ranked third after Radjabov and Grischuk in the category 18 tournament.
Henrik Carlsen
Dortumund, July 1st
Comments:
Posted by: Maia
CONGRATULATIONS!!! to Magnus and for Mr. Carlen of course!!! i'm, beside happy, really proud of him!! mmm... want to say that losing one point of Elo even that he increas it of course it's nothing pleasant but it means that for being such a good chess player and the champion of the world he need to work harder than now, and it will not be easy, but everyone of us trust in him!! and... congratulations!!!! je suis trés heureux!!! estoy super feliz!!! i'm so happy!!! ich bin
glücklich!!! jejeje regrets from Mexico, and good luck for the next tournament!!! C'me on Magnus continue being like that and keep working!! REGRETS!!!
glücklich!!! jejeje regrets from Mexico, and good luck for the next tournament!!! C'me on Magnus continue being like that and keep working!! REGRETS!!!
Posted by: jr
why does magnus play 1. d4 so much, 1. e4!!!!!
Posted by: Vidar
Magnus er en så sterk kreativ spiller at de aller færreste av toppspillerne egentlig tør spille for annet enn remis. Trur eg.
I hvertfall Magnus: God Ferie !
Så følger jeg nok med igjen mot slutten av måneden.
I hvertfall Magnus: God Ferie !
Så følger jeg nok med igjen mot slutten av måneden.
Posted by: Maia
jeje i'm apology
congratulations to Magnus and Mr. Carlsen***
congratulations to Magnus and Mr. Carlsen***
Posted by: osen
Ville bare takke for oppdateringene her.
For oss som følger med live, er det en fin dessert å få vite hvordan Magnus selv oppfattet partiene underveis.
Ellers takk for de mange korte partiene i Dortmund, som gjorde at man fikk mer av dagen fri til inntektsbringende arbeid :)
For oss som følger med live, er det en fin dessert å få vite hvordan Magnus selv oppfattet partiene underveis.
Ellers takk for de mange korte partiene i Dortmund, som gjorde at man fikk mer av dagen fri til inntektsbringende arbeid :)
Posted by: Jon
Very solid result by Carlsen, although I think he's making too many draws. Previously he showed an impressive fighting spirit, but playing the top guns, he seems to have lost it. And by the way, that opening against Kramnik was awful, one should always play with attentive care in a Catalan as black versus Kramnik
Posted by: Simen S
Jon, that was a pretty ridculous statement. Magnus only agreed to draws in the Dortmund when the winning chances were gone (i.e. parallell pawn structure and few pieces left).
Not that I'm a particularly gifted player, but at the very best level all you can really do is play the best move. When your opponent is really good too he'll also play almost flawlessly.
The players start with a material equilibrium. They play a series of equally strong moves and end up in an equilibrium. Thus you have a lot of draws.
In other words it's not Magnus that has changed his style, but his opponents that are making it more difficult for him.
Sure he lost to the Kramnik, and - sure - Magnus could perhaps have taken the bishop on move 15, but hey.. it's Kramnik. The guy is world champion and signficantly better rated than Magnus. And .. as have been mentioned elsewhere ... Mangus was struggeling with a cold that day.
Not that I'm a particularly gifted player, but at the very best level all you can really do is play the best move. When your opponent is really good too he'll also play almost flawlessly.
The players start with a material equilibrium. They play a series of equally strong moves and end up in an equilibrium. Thus you have a lot of draws.
In other words it's not Magnus that has changed his style, but his opponents that are making it more difficult for him.
Sure he lost to the Kramnik, and - sure - Magnus could perhaps have taken the bishop on move 15, but hey.. it's Kramnik. The guy is world champion and signficantly better rated than Magnus. And .. as have been mentioned elsewhere ... Mangus was struggeling with a cold that day.
Posted by: Jon
"Magnus only agreed to draws in the Dortmund when the winning chances were gone (i.e. parallell pawn structure and few pieces left)."
One word: Naiditsch
Anyway, he went in for exchanges to make the draw, rejecting more aggressive opportunities. My best example is c5! against Mamedyarov. Although c5 is a good move which equalizes instantly, I would've prefered to see Magnus playing Bd6 with chances for both sides.
One word: Naiditsch
Anyway, he went in for exchanges to make the draw, rejecting more aggressive opportunities. My best example is c5! against Mamedyarov. Although c5 is a good move which equalizes instantly, I would've prefered to see Magnus playing Bd6 with chances for both sides.
Posted by: NWA
Well done Magnus!
Best of luck in Biel, i'm rooting for you!
Best of luck in Biel, i'm rooting for you!
Posted by: Gegga
Strange thing you're not rated no 17 in the world, Jon...
Posted by: Maia
Hi Mr. Carlsen i just want to know if there's some e-mail, were i can talk with Magnus or something like that, or if Magnus has an e-mail will be awsome!! thanks!!
Posted by: chessplayer
i'm tired of fightless draws! and i'm not talking about Magnus only, but chess in general.
top players are only interesting in mantain his ranking, just take a look to most of
top tournaments games.
both players knows perfectly what they are playing, and choose dull and fightless
lines to archieve a draw in few moves. i ask myself
what would happen if draws would count 1
point and wins 3 points, like soccer.
"When your opponent is really good too he'll also play almost flawlessly.The players start with a material equilibrium. They play a series of equally strong moves and end up in an equilibrium. Thus you have a lot of draws. (Simen S.)"
ok, no doubt about it, but the players this guy means are REALLY playing to win?? dont lie ourselves!
good look for Magnus and everyone
top players are only interesting in mantain his ranking, just take a look to most of
top tournaments games.
both players knows perfectly what they are playing, and choose dull and fightless
lines to archieve a draw in few moves. i ask myself
what would happen if draws would count 1
point and wins 3 points, like soccer.
"When your opponent is really good too he'll also play almost flawlessly.The players start with a material equilibrium. They play a series of equally strong moves and end up in an equilibrium. Thus you have a lot of draws. (Simen S.)"
ok, no doubt about it, but the players this guy means are REALLY playing to win?? dont lie ourselves!
good look for Magnus and everyone
Posted by: Jimmy
Jon gave me a good laugh.
haha.
Congratulations to Magnus on #17 well above 2700 on the official Fide list.
He is doing just fine.
I believe this has to be a new world record as the youngest person to break 2700.
Kramnik passes out chess lessons.
He is world champ and that is his job.
Magnus now has to learn and then when he is champ he will have to teach others by beating them.
I have always played 1 e4 snd love the openings I get.
I struggle terrible against 1 d4 as I have never learned those openings.
It seems to me at the very top level all the players can defend both.
Winning is difficult and one needs to find what fits his style.
Of course since I play 1 e4 from both white and black,
I can relate to the opening much more.
although I do not play the Ruy Lopez and the complex Sicilians so the games are usually not what I understand anyway.
For reasons unknown I enjoy playing the 2 knights from both sides.
It might be nice to see someone play that once in a while,
but I can not really recommend it at the top level.
I continue to watch all of Magnus games.
I really enjoy them.
I am learning from them also.
I really would like to give Magnus a year or two years at this level to just play chess and find a nice style that fits him.
I hope people will keep the pressure off him and simply allow him to develop.
He needs some freedom to learn who he is as a chess player.
I also hope that he gets help from the best coaches to help him continue to improve in the best way for him.
I will continue ot watch all his games.
He is doing just fine.
haha.
Congratulations to Magnus on #17 well above 2700 on the official Fide list.
He is doing just fine.
I believe this has to be a new world record as the youngest person to break 2700.
Kramnik passes out chess lessons.
He is world champ and that is his job.
Magnus now has to learn and then when he is champ he will have to teach others by beating them.
I have always played 1 e4 snd love the openings I get.
I struggle terrible against 1 d4 as I have never learned those openings.
It seems to me at the very top level all the players can defend both.
Winning is difficult and one needs to find what fits his style.
Of course since I play 1 e4 from both white and black,
I can relate to the opening much more.
although I do not play the Ruy Lopez and the complex Sicilians so the games are usually not what I understand anyway.
For reasons unknown I enjoy playing the 2 knights from both sides.
It might be nice to see someone play that once in a while,
but I can not really recommend it at the top level.
I continue to watch all of Magnus games.
I really enjoy them.
I am learning from them also.
I really would like to give Magnus a year or two years at this level to just play chess and find a nice style that fits him.
I hope people will keep the pressure off him and simply allow him to develop.
He needs some freedom to learn who he is as a chess player.
I also hope that he gets help from the best coaches to help him continue to improve in the best way for him.
I will continue ot watch all his games.
He is doing just fine.
Posted by: Vidar
Strange thing you're not rated no 17 in the world, Jon...
:-)
:-)
Posted by: Piotr
I think that it's high time for Magnus to study to Marshall and Najdorf with white. It seems like he's just to lazy!
Posted by: Henrik C.
All,
thank you for your enthusiasm and you support.
Margines are small in chess and a lot of factors determine the quality of a tournament for an individual player. Therefore we do see varying performances not only by Magnus but by most top players.
Magnus would have loved to win a game in Dortmund and frankly he has spent quite some time thinking about the missed opportunity in the Naiditsch game. (He simply missed Qa2.)
Jimmy,
thank you.
Yes, Magnus is (by far) the youngest above 2700 ever. (But it is difficult to compare as for instance Kramnik) has to reach top 5 to reach the 2700-level as an 18-year old.)
Maia,
you may send an e-mail to me at hen-c@online.no and I will forward to Magnus.
Piotr,
you may well be right!
On the other hand Magnus is learning all the time, and so far his own choices and preferances has resulted in a remarkable progress. We don't know how imposed changes to his preferred chess activities may hurt his general continues progress.
I guess there is a time for everything.
Henrik
thank you for your enthusiasm and you support.
Margines are small in chess and a lot of factors determine the quality of a tournament for an individual player. Therefore we do see varying performances not only by Magnus but by most top players.
Magnus would have loved to win a game in Dortmund and frankly he has spent quite some time thinking about the missed opportunity in the Naiditsch game. (He simply missed Qa2.)
Jimmy,
thank you.
Yes, Magnus is (by far) the youngest above 2700 ever. (But it is difficult to compare as for instance Kramnik) has to reach top 5 to reach the 2700-level as an 18-year old.)
Maia,
you may send an e-mail to me at hen-c@online.no and I will forward to Magnus.
Piotr,
you may well be right!
On the other hand Magnus is learning all the time, and so far his own choices and preferances has resulted in a remarkable progress. We don't know how imposed changes to his preferred chess activities may hurt his general continues progress.
I guess there is a time for everything.
Henrik
Posted by: Ole Morten Persen
I would just like to comment on a few statements here. Piotr, The Najdorf is such a dynamic opening, and is apparently perfect for Magnus creative and dynamic style. But I wouldn't limit his studies on the Najdorf (or other sicilian systems) just to the white side of it. He should happily play the sicilian with both colors in my view. But because of the sharp nature of the opening, it requires an enormous amount of work if he wants to be successful at the top (and Magnus belongs at the top as he has proven). As Magnus himself acknowledged this in Norsk Sjakkblad (the official magazine from the norwegian chess federation), I don't doubt that he indeed will study these openings, and I don't doubt that he'll be successful. Regarding the Marshall: The Marshall seems like a drawing weapon at the top. I'm not sure he'll win more games playing the Marshall from either side, but it could be a sure-fire drawing system if ever he needs one (and at some point most chessplayers are in this situation).
And, Henrik,
to elaborate a little bit on your comment about varying performances. Not only is it true for every top player, but especially so for young players like Magnus. So if some think Dortmund was a setback, I think they demand too much. True, he didn't win a game, but lets not forget that the opposition is so strong that nobody can expect to beat anybody on a regular basis. And to Jon, who points out the Naiditsch game. Seems to me that you forget that Naiditsch chose a variation that leads to a position where it is very difficult for anyone to play for a win without taking unjustified risks. The fact that the opportunity arose (with Qa2) just shows what Magnus is capable of, but nobody will ever play perfect chess not missing any opportunity...not even Magnus! And because of the course of the game, I guess Magnus (as most would be) was mentally preparing for a draw, so when he found one he happily went for it.
Finally I would just thank Henrik for this blog as it is very interesting to get first hand information about Magnus' thoughts on his games. Good luck in Biel and in the future, and thanks to Magnus for entertaining all of us Chessaholics with his games!
And, Henrik,
to elaborate a little bit on your comment about varying performances. Not only is it true for every top player, but especially so for young players like Magnus. So if some think Dortmund was a setback, I think they demand too much. True, he didn't win a game, but lets not forget that the opposition is so strong that nobody can expect to beat anybody on a regular basis. And to Jon, who points out the Naiditsch game. Seems to me that you forget that Naiditsch chose a variation that leads to a position where it is very difficult for anyone to play for a win without taking unjustified risks. The fact that the opportunity arose (with Qa2) just shows what Magnus is capable of, but nobody will ever play perfect chess not missing any opportunity...not even Magnus! And because of the course of the game, I guess Magnus (as most would be) was mentally preparing for a draw, so when he found one he happily went for it.
Finally I would just thank Henrik for this blog as it is very interesting to get first hand information about Magnus' thoughts on his games. Good luck in Biel and in the future, and thanks to Magnus for entertaining all of us Chessaholics with his games!
Posted by: Sam
Very well said Ole Morten!!!
We also need to remember Magnus is only 16 years old. I think that is forgotten or overlooked sometimes, especially if you take into account the fact that most of his opponents are much older and much more experienced. Therefore I think his results in recent tournaments have been a huge success regardless of whether he has won a game.
He has many many years yet for learning more of his trade, and I'm sure he will improve each and every year; and good luck to him. I truly believe that he will be World number 1 one day if he keeps playing chess. His style of play is a joy to watch.
Oh, and thanks Henrik for maintaining this blog and answering questions and giving your input. I'm sure this first hand info is appreciated by alot of people. Well done.
Sam.
We also need to remember Magnus is only 16 years old. I think that is forgotten or overlooked sometimes, especially if you take into account the fact that most of his opponents are much older and much more experienced. Therefore I think his results in recent tournaments have been a huge success regardless of whether he has won a game.
He has many many years yet for learning more of his trade, and I'm sure he will improve each and every year; and good luck to him. I truly believe that he will be World number 1 one day if he keeps playing chess. His style of play is a joy to watch.
Oh, and thanks Henrik for maintaining this blog and answering questions and giving your input. I'm sure this first hand info is appreciated by alot of people. Well done.
Sam.
Posted by: ?
nice site, my first time here, greetings from poland:)
Posted by: ?
nice site, my first time here, greetings from poland:)
Posted by: Nina
Hei!
Takk for den hyggelige praten på landsturneringa Henrik. Det satte jeg stor pris på.
Håper Magnus koser seg i ferien og er opplagt til Biel turneringa den 23
:-)
God ferie!
Takk for den hyggelige praten på landsturneringa Henrik. Det satte jeg stor pris på.
Håper Magnus koser seg i ferien og er opplagt til Biel turneringa den 23
:-)
God ferie!
Posted by: aurelio haber
hi, greetings from the Philippines!
Mabuhay! Magnus is exceptional gifted right?, hope he will win the Biel tourney. I'm an avid fans of your's Magnus from the Asia's Far East.
Godblest! Father and Son by Cat Steven?!
Now in Chess we have a 'father n son' by Norway... this my own comparison. Yes Magnus has a great potential to become world champion someday... Let him just do his way in the chessboard and every tournament! Those who sourround his team is very important father Henrik...
Shalom! - Aurel
Mabuhay! Magnus is exceptional gifted right?, hope he will win the Biel tourney. I'm an avid fans of your's Magnus from the Asia's Far East.
Godblest! Father and Son by Cat Steven?!
Now in Chess we have a 'father n son' by Norway... this my own comparison. Yes Magnus has a great potential to become world champion someday... Let him just do his way in the chessboard and every tournament! Those who sourround his team is very important father Henrik...
Shalom! - Aurel
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