Biel 2008 Round 1
After nearly a month in Norway, Magnus left for the Biel Chess Festival on Friday. He is accompanied by several of his chess school class mates like last year. The tournament started today following the opening ceremony yesterday.
During his summer vacation he did spend some days with friends in Toensberg during the Norwegian Championship.
He participated in two of the minor events but as he wanted to keep a low profile in Toensberg I decided against blogging from the events.
(His team won the Lahlum-invented "Team-talking-chess" where a team of 2, 3 or 4 players execute 6 games simultaneously against a similar team and all team members may talk freely and cooperate on all boards.
In the the other team event (rating based time-handicap Blitz), the handicap proved sufficient and his team ended 3rd having had 30 seconds against their opponents 9min 30 seconds in most games.
His football team, featuring the Lie stars as well as many other prominent players, duely won the annual football competition as last year.
He enjoyed the time in Toensberg and really looked forward to the Biel tournament when leaving Norway on Friday.
In the category 18 double round robin tournament in Biel Magnus is by far the rating favourite this year. There are two more 2700+ players (Dominguez and Alekseev) in the field. The other players are Bacrot, Onischuk and home favourite Pelletier (2569) against whom Magnus had white in Round 1.
They played a fashionable Queen Indian line in which Magnus lately was black against Svidler in Foros round 2.(After following Cheparinov-Kamsky most of the game a draw was agreed fairly early in that game.)
Pelletier chose 10...Nc6 (instead of Qc8) and after exchanging queens white was considerably better according to the computers. Magnus found an interesting exchange sack with 18.Bg5 Nc2 19.Re7, but the chess engines suggest that Bxe7 would give black an advantage.
Pelletier chose Bxf3 which forced a fairly even but slightly better ending for white.
Again most commentators expected a draw, and Magnus was not too optimistic either.
When Pelletier played 42...Ng4 to force a seemingly drawn ending, Magnus had plenty of time left and spent a long while analysing the position. He concluded that his best winning chance was indeed to exchange knights and go for the opposite coloured bishop endgame a pawn up.
It did look drawish but Magnus kept on posing challenges for black who went astray before the 2nd time control. Magnus played precisely to force a winning endgame and Pelletier resigned facing the loss of the h-pawn and threats on both sides of the board.
1-0 and an excellent start, especially bearing in mind that Magnus drew his last 4 games in the Foros tournament.
Alekseev won against Bacrot while Dominguez-Onischuk ended in a perpetual after black had put pressure on white for a while.
Tomorrow Magnus plays black against co-leader Alekseev, Russia.
Next week I'll only have a slow mobile internet connection so please don't expect regular updates.
Henrik Carlsen,
Lommedalen, July 20, 2008
During his summer vacation he did spend some days with friends in Toensberg during the Norwegian Championship.
He participated in two of the minor events but as he wanted to keep a low profile in Toensberg I decided against blogging from the events.
(His team won the Lahlum-invented "Team-talking-chess" where a team of 2, 3 or 4 players execute 6 games simultaneously against a similar team and all team members may talk freely and cooperate on all boards.
In the the other team event (rating based time-handicap Blitz), the handicap proved sufficient and his team ended 3rd having had 30 seconds against their opponents 9min 30 seconds in most games.
His football team, featuring the Lie stars as well as many other prominent players, duely won the annual football competition as last year.
He enjoyed the time in Toensberg and really looked forward to the Biel tournament when leaving Norway on Friday.
In the category 18 double round robin tournament in Biel Magnus is by far the rating favourite this year. There are two more 2700+ players (Dominguez and Alekseev) in the field. The other players are Bacrot, Onischuk and home favourite Pelletier (2569) against whom Magnus had white in Round 1.
They played a fashionable Queen Indian line in which Magnus lately was black against Svidler in Foros round 2.(After following Cheparinov-Kamsky most of the game a draw was agreed fairly early in that game.)
Pelletier chose 10...Nc6 (instead of Qc8) and after exchanging queens white was considerably better according to the computers. Magnus found an interesting exchange sack with 18.Bg5 Nc2 19.Re7, but the chess engines suggest that Bxe7 would give black an advantage.
Pelletier chose Bxf3 which forced a fairly even but slightly better ending for white.
Again most commentators expected a draw, and Magnus was not too optimistic either.
When Pelletier played 42...Ng4 to force a seemingly drawn ending, Magnus had plenty of time left and spent a long while analysing the position. He concluded that his best winning chance was indeed to exchange knights and go for the opposite coloured bishop endgame a pawn up.
It did look drawish but Magnus kept on posing challenges for black who went astray before the 2nd time control. Magnus played precisely to force a winning endgame and Pelletier resigned facing the loss of the h-pawn and threats on both sides of the board.
1-0 and an excellent start, especially bearing in mind that Magnus drew his last 4 games in the Foros tournament.
Alekseev won against Bacrot while Dominguez-Onischuk ended in a perpetual after black had put pressure on white for a while.
Tomorrow Magnus plays black against co-leader Alekseev, Russia.
Next week I'll only have a slow mobile internet connection so please don't expect regular updates.
Henrik Carlsen,
Lommedalen, July 20, 2008
Comments:
Posted by: Rybka
Congrats on your win today against Pelletier! That endgame looked very drawish for a while, but Magnus managed yet again to win a seemingly drawn endgame.
Posted by: Nina
Lykke til med turneringen Magnus!
Og gratulerer med seier i første runde!
Og gratulerer med seier i første runde!
Posted by: hairulov
Please Henrik.... i do expect your regular update :)...tq
Posted by: Robert Fischer
Posted by: chessfriend
It was nice to see that this world star was free to mingle between chessfriends and have a good time during the Norwegian Championship without beeing constantly asked for autographs etc. Low profile it really was.
One great moment for us amateur players was when GM Carlsen played against
an 11 year old boy
with 30 sec versus 9 min 30sec.
"You played very well" was the GM's message to the boy after having checkmated him with only a couple of seconds left on the clock.
The real winner was of course the young boy who forever will remember when he played against the formidable GM Carlsen.
Good luck in Biel!
One great moment for us amateur players was when GM Carlsen played against
an 11 year old boy
with 30 sec versus 9 min 30sec.
"You played very well" was the GM's message to the boy after having checkmated him with only a couple of seconds left on the clock.
The real winner was of course the young boy who forever will remember when he played against the formidable GM Carlsen.
Good luck in Biel!
Posted by: Tassilo
If I may express a rather subjective impression ..
I think sometimes that Magnus is inclined to open up too early a position with pawn moves.
Maybe this impression is not justified at all but I believe that a more "covered" way of play could sometimes lead to even more success.
I think sometimes that Magnus is inclined to open up too early a position with pawn moves.
Maybe this impression is not justified at all but I believe that a more "covered" way of play could sometimes lead to even more success.
Posted by: Robert Fischer
lol a patzer is going to give some advice to a super GM!
Posted by: Tassilo
@ "Robert Fischer"
A "patzer" is not giving "advice" but only speaking out an impression. Who should, in your not so humble opinion, be allowed to speak about the games of a top GM?
A "patzer" is not giving "advice" but only speaking out an impression. Who should, in your not so humble opinion, be allowed to speak about the games of a top GM?
Posted by: Jeremy
Would be so nice to go to the netherlands, what with the cannabis and all! Nice results, another win in round three also!
Posted by: Tony
I agree with Tassilo.
Naturally most of us have opinions about GM (and world candidate) players. And, of course, this includes Magnus.
In my own opinion (I am a 2150 'patzer'), I think Magnus has some way to go before his game matures. Put another way, in ten years when he is 27, I am confident that his play will look a little different .
I predict a smoother, less risky style with a deeper appreciation of dynamic-positional play and a more spohisticated approach to opening play (maybe individually tailored to each opponent).
At present he takes risks too often but he is so strong he usually gets away with it. It is an important time in his chess formation. For example, I think we can see that he is seeking to more deeply understand the nature of positional pawn and/or exchange sacrifices. But does he sacrifice like Tal or Petrosian, or somewhere in between? In time we will have our answer. Every month he is learning more (and getting stronger!) and this allows him to more accurately assess risk factors.
I invite Mr Fischer to change his mind and make some judgements ...
Naturally most of us have opinions about GM (and world candidate) players. And, of course, this includes Magnus.
In my own opinion (I am a 2150 'patzer'), I think Magnus has some way to go before his game matures. Put another way, in ten years when he is 27, I am confident that his play will look a little different .
I predict a smoother, less risky style with a deeper appreciation of dynamic-positional play and a more spohisticated approach to opening play (maybe individually tailored to each opponent).
At present he takes risks too often but he is so strong he usually gets away with it. It is an important time in his chess formation. For example, I think we can see that he is seeking to more deeply understand the nature of positional pawn and/or exchange sacrifices. But does he sacrifice like Tal or Petrosian, or somewhere in between? In time we will have our answer. Every month he is learning more (and getting stronger!) and this allows him to more accurately assess risk factors.
I invite Mr Fischer to change his mind and make some judgements ...
Posted by: Blog_reader
"I think sometimes that Magnus is inclined to open up too early a position with pawn moves."
Perhaps this has something to do with the fact that Carlsen's chess 'hero' is Bobby Fischer (not the poster), a player who preferred open positions or semi-open positions to closed ones.
It has been said that Magnus's current weakness is his opening preparation - however, I am certain that this aspect of his play will improve over time.
Perhaps this has something to do with the fact that Carlsen's chess 'hero' is Bobby Fischer (not the poster), a player who preferred open positions or semi-open positions to closed ones.
It has been said that Magnus's current weakness is his opening preparation - however, I am certain that this aspect of his play will improve over time.
Posted by: Rolfo
Isn't it strange that Magnus is getting these strong results time and again despite those many "weaknesses" some people's mind is occupied with? :)
Posted by: Tassilo
I'm a big of Magnus, no doubt about that.
I once even wrote that Magnus could be the very last rightful contender in a man vs machine match in the history of chess. I don't think this is a disrepectful assessment :-D
What I don't like however is servile adulation and as a fan I want to express sometimes that Magnus did not play perfectly ;-)
For instance I think Magnus was happy with the result yesterday against Bacrot but not always happy with his play; not to think about if his opponent yesterday hadn't been Bacrot but Anand or the retired Kasparov. For expample, I shuddered yesterday when watching moves like f3.
I once even wrote that Magnus could be the very last rightful contender in a man vs machine match in the history of chess. I don't think this is a disrepectful assessment :-D
What I don't like however is servile adulation and as a fan I want to express sometimes that Magnus did not play perfectly ;-)
For instance I think Magnus was happy with the result yesterday against Bacrot but not always happy with his play; not to think about if his opponent yesterday hadn't been Bacrot but Anand or the retired Kasparov. For expample, I shuddered yesterday when watching moves like f3.
Posted by: Mr. Magoo
Det har i det siste hersket en del tvil omkring hvem som er eieren av ICC-kontoen AndrinoGiardino, som på fabelaktig vis sidelinja Nakamura. Agdestein antydet i en NRK-sending at det er Magnus. Kan Magnus selv bekrefte dette? Eventuelt føye til en linje i finger notes.
Posted by: Rolfo
Tassilo, I wasn't thinking particularly on your comment a day or two ago. Generally
some ordinary observers (may be you are one of them?) are more occupied with his assumed "weaknesses" than his strengths, quite funny :)
I think the other super GM's and many expert commentators are more occupied with his strengths or should we say rapid development in playing strength
some ordinary observers (may be you are one of them?) are more occupied with his assumed "weaknesses" than his strengths, quite funny :)
I think the other super GM's and many expert commentators are more occupied with his strengths or should we say rapid development in playing strength
Posted by: Tassilo
Rolfo, when you don't seem to get the meaning of the phrase "Magnus could be the very last rightful contender in man vs machine match." then you really did not understand me.
Btw: Could you please define the expression "ordinary observer", i have no idea of its meaning.
Btw: Could you please define the expression "ordinary observer", i have no idea of its meaning.
Posted by: Jagadish
Congrats Magnus. You are now on clear 2nd on the live ratings, which I have made an effort to update on my site.
Just one win more and you are past Anand. I hope you do not see this message :-) for obvious reasons.
Just one win more and you are past Anand. I hope you do not see this message :-) for obvious reasons.
Posted by: Rolfo
Tassilo, ordinary observer is easy to explain, it's someone like me . May be interested observer is a better term cause I didn't mean it as
any negative
remark :)
About your comment on the
man vs machine in future I think I understand you :) No worry
any negative
remark :)
About your comment on the
man vs machine in future I think I understand you :) No worry
Posted by: piet
Thank you for sharing these facts with us.
Forgive me for suggesting an improvement to your English.
The past tense is not normally
formed with did.
So instead of "he did play"
I'd suggest " he played ".
I noticed this
same construction in another sentence as well
Hope to have helped,
Sincerely yours,
Forgive me for suggesting an improvement to your English.
The past tense is not normally
formed with did.
So instead of "he did play"
I'd suggest " he played ".
I noticed this
same construction in another sentence as well
Hope to have helped,
Sincerely yours,
Posted by: Tony
I'm trying NOT to repeatedly visit the 'Live Top List' (maintained by
Leo Hans Arild Runde) about every half hour.
But I am being miserably unsuccessful ;)
chess.liverating.org
Leo Hans Arild Runde) about every half hour.
But I am being miserably unsuccessful ;)
chess.liverating.org
Posted by: Tony
Er, no 'Leo' (a corruption of Elo). Sorry!
Posted by:
Salut Magnus,déjà en tête,continu,tu es le meilleur...!
P.S Dommage que le blog soit écrit tout en anglais,je n'y comprends rien de chez rien...!
lol
Bon vent de la bise...!
Reynaldo.
P.S Dommage que le blog soit écrit tout en anglais,je n'y comprends rien de chez rien...!
lol
Bon vent de la bise...!
Reynaldo.
Posted by: Nelson Castelo Branco
Congratulations to Magnus by the brilliant career and success at the Festival of Biel, a big fan of Brazilian
Posted by: Tassilo
wow, the queen stood in today's game from move 17 on until move 34 beside the king.
Var det kjærlighet? :)
Var det kjærlighet? :)
Posted by: Roflo
would be nice to have some up date on this internet site!
Posted by: Rolfo
Roflo, you are not me ! :)
Posted by: Tassilo
Og jeg trodde å Magnus var allerede oøvervinnelig :-D
No, seriously, Magnus will attack again tomorrow :)
No, seriously, Magnus will attack again tomorrow :)
Posted by: Roflo
Thx for regular update of this internet site Heinrik!
It seems that when you are not with Magnus things do not go as well for him...
He tried hard to flag Alekseev but time is not everything in chess! and instead of trying to win like that, he should concentrate more on his play...I find his play was very disrespectful
in that game as he knew the position was drawn.
It's time for him now to have a professional team that will help him to be the incontested number 1 in the world. Make sure Magnus wins the Grand Prix tournaments as this will be his chance to become WCH quickly. Prepare new opening as now everybody has extensive knowledge of the Dragon Magnus plays. Why doesn't Magnus try the Philidor or the Pirc? I'm sure there is room for lots of fun
in these openings.
It seems that when you are not with Magnus things do not go as well for him...
He tried hard to flag Alekseev but time is not everything in chess! and instead of trying to win like that, he should concentrate more on his play...I find his play was very disrespectful
in that game as he knew the position was drawn.
It's time for him now to have a professional team that will help him to be the incontested number 1 in the world. Make sure Magnus wins the Grand Prix tournaments as this will be his chance to become WCH quickly. Prepare new opening as now everybody has extensive knowledge of the Dragon Magnus plays. Why doesn't Magnus try the Philidor or the Pirc? I'm sure there is room for lots of fun
in these openings.
Posted by: erjifo
lol, another patzer giving advice to a super GM!
Posted by: Gegga
I second that lol. Magnus is not like most other chess players. He doesn't want a team of 10 super trainers that can teach him day and night how to win chess games. He wants to have fun with chess. He plays because it's fun, not for any other reason. One cannot take that away from him. He is only 17. If he wants to become a future World Champion, he might have to play less tournaments, have a second, and a coach. But for the time beeing, Magnus' approach to chess seems to fit him just right.
At least this is my humble opinion...
At least this is my humble opinion...
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