Bilbao 2008 Round 5
Round 5 became a bit of an anticlimax after the bloody round 4.
Some of the players mentioned that they needed the rest day coming up and this does make a lot of sense in that the high prestige, the no-draw-without-permission rule and the recurring time trouble puts extra pressure on the players.
With free days both tomorrow and after round 8 we will hopefully see real high level chess throughout the tournament.
The players arrive in two different cars to ensure a relaxed mood without direct opponents sharing the same car. Above we see the "black" players Topalov, Aronian and Magnus on the way into the cube before round 5.
Magnus decided to extend his opening repertoire today and played the Jaenisch variation against Anand's 1.e4. (When Radjabov has started to play Magnus' Dragen, why shouldn't Magnus copy Teimur's Jaenisch? :-)
Anand chose a variation reaching a position that Magnus has had as white earlier (Carlsen-Radjabov, Monte Carlo 2007), and Magnus felt he improved upon black's prospects with 14....Qf7!
Black seems to have reasonable compensation for the pawn due to the strong bishop on b6 and the potential kingside attack.
Henrik Carlsen,
Bilbao, September 6th 2008.
Some of the players mentioned that they needed the rest day coming up and this does make a lot of sense in that the high prestige, the no-draw-without-permission rule and the recurring time trouble puts extra pressure on the players.
With free days both tomorrow and after round 8 we will hopefully see real high level chess throughout the tournament.
The players arrive in two different cars to ensure a relaxed mood without direct opponents sharing the same car. Above we see the "black" players Topalov, Aronian and Magnus on the way into the cube before round 5.
Magnus decided to extend his opening repertoire today and played the Jaenisch variation against Anand's 1.e4. (When Radjabov has started to play Magnus' Dragen, why shouldn't Magnus copy Teimur's Jaenisch? :-)
Anand chose a variation reaching a position that Magnus has had as white earlier (Carlsen-Radjabov, Monte Carlo 2007), and Magnus felt he improved upon black's prospects with 14....Qf7!
Black seems to have reasonable compensation for the pawn due to the strong bishop on b6 and the potential kingside attack.
When Magnus played 17....Rh6 threatening the Qf7-e7-h4 manoeuvre, Anand calmly played Qc3 attacking the pawn on c6 as the black attack may be stopped by Nf5 and h3. Magnus instead moved the rook back to f6 attacking the f2-pawn and Anand decided to protect it with 19.Re2. When Magnus responded Bg4 Anand blundered with Rd2 missing the shot Be3! The bishop cannot be taken due to mate on f1 and white has to give the exchange. Anand played 21.h3 and got some compensation in addition to his pawn for the exchange. The rest of the game Anand defended tenaciously and when Magnus played 25.Re8 instead of Qe7, most of his advantage was gone. Magnus had missed the subtle 29.Nc1!
While feeling very focused early in the game Magnus was at this point starting to lose his concentration and decided to exchange pieces and enter a drawn queen ending.
After the game Magnus was reasonably happy about having survived with black against Anand although he of course would have liked to make better use of the advantageous position he had after winning the exchange.
With all three games drawn, the tournament score situation is the same with Topalov leading half-way one point ahead of Magnus and three points ahead of Aronian.
The live-rating #1 and #2 together with commentator Leonxto Garcia after the game.
Leontxo also asked the players if they would confirm rumours originating from Kramnik that Magnus would serve as Anand's second during the World Championship Match. Magnus refrained from commenting upon this rumour.
Monday Magnus has white against Aronian in round 6 and may enjoy the weekend as live-rating #1 :-)
Henrik Carlsen,
Bilbao, September 6th 2008.
Comments:
Posted by: Deep Rybka
Very enjoyable game, even though it was a pity that Magnus missed Qe7! He almost seized a decisive advantage today. It'd been incredible if he'd won with black against Anand.
Anyway, Magnus's games have been very enjoyable to watch, and I look forward to the second part of the tournament next week. Good luck Magnus!
Anyway, Magnus's games have been very enjoyable to watch, and I look forward to the second part of the tournament next week. Good luck Magnus!
Posted by: Albos
So Magnus indirectly confirmed. But honestly, Magnus assisting as Anand's second isn't that much of a surprise.
Posted by: Zork
Hey Henrik,
I can't figure this out -- where do the players go if they have to use the facilities during the game?
Is there a WC in the cube or do they have to exit it?
Asking the important questions,
Zork
I can't figure this out -- where do the players go if they have to use the facilities during the game?
Is there a WC in the cube or do they have to exit it?
Asking the important questions,
Zork
Posted by: Gegga
Zork: On the live cam earlier on, we have seen that the players have "left the building" through a curtain. I guess the facilities are outside of the cube :-)
Magnus' games have been voted GOTD all 5 rounds on ICC.
Hopefully he can get through the 5 last rounds without losing, and perhaps also win a game or two.
Magnus' games have been voted GOTD all 5 rounds on ICC.
Hopefully he can get through the 5 last rounds without losing, and perhaps also win a game or two.
Posted by:
Hi Magnus - congratulations on making it to 'live' No 1.
Posted by: firebyrd
Henrik: Magnus refrained from commenting upon this rumour [serving as Anand's second]
Albos: So Magnus indirectly confirmed
Not so, not commenting a direct question just means that this is the kind of question you would prefer not to answer. Saying "no" when you mean "no", and "no comment" when you mean "yes" is a strategy that doesn't really work in these cases.
However, Henrik citing the question about the rumour, and the "no comment" answer - when he could as well have chosen not to - is a better indication that there is something to the rumour.
And agree that it wouldn't be surprising, they have been on the same team, expressed a lot of mutual respect, and seem to be getting along together.
Albos: So Magnus indirectly confirmed
Not so, not commenting a direct question just means that this is the kind of question you would prefer not to answer. Saying "no" when you mean "no", and "no comment" when you mean "yes" is a strategy that doesn't really work in these cases.
However, Henrik citing the question about the rumour, and the "no comment" answer - when he could as well have chosen not to - is a better indication that there is something to the rumour.
And agree that it wouldn't be surprising, they have been on the same team, expressed a lot of mutual respect, and seem to be getting along together.
Posted by: z
.. same outcome if Henrik had _not_ cited the question. :)
Anyway, it should be considered an achievement, that Kramnik now see the need to include Magnus in his mind games!
Anyway, it should be considered an achievement, that Kramnik now see the need to include Magnus in his mind games!
Posted by: Rauan Sagit
To make such a comfortable draw against Anand, Magnus keeps on impressing me with his play!
Posted by: Nina
Lykke til med siste halvdel av turneringen Magnus!
Posted by: Helge Sundar
Løkke
Fantastic, I am a Norwegian, and is of course very proud of Magnus, have followed his career and game from he was a kid. I do not think most Norwegians understand how great this is, once I sent a note a tip
to TV News (NRK). They did not
mention an important tournament, where Magnus excelled.
Hilsen til Magnus, dette er fantastisk, du er min store helt. Jeg er født i 1946. Du er vår største idrettsmann noen gang, dette er bare så enormt. Hilsen også til hele familien, som støtter deg, og din lærer Simen Agdestein. Helt fantastisk.
Mvh
Helge Sundar Løkke
to TV News (NRK). They did not
mention an important tournament, where Magnus excelled.
Hilsen til Magnus, dette er fantastisk, du er min store helt. Jeg er født i 1946. Du er vår største idrettsmann noen gang, dette er bare så enormt. Hilsen også til hele familien, som støtter deg, og din lærer Simen Agdestein. Helt fantastisk.
Mvh
Helge Sundar Løkke
Posted by: Dark Angel
Fyrebyrd wrote:
"Not so, not commenting a direct question just means that this is the kind of question you would prefer not to answer. "
And then the question is: Why would he prefer not to answer? Most likely because it's true. If it wasn't true, he'd be more likely to simply say "no, it isn't true" (and get rid of this false rumour).
"Saying "no" when you mean "no", and "no comment" when you mean "yes" is a strategy that doesn't really work in these cases.""
And what's so special about this case?
"Not so, not commenting a direct question just means that this is the kind of question you would prefer not to answer. "
And then the question is: Why would he prefer not to answer? Most likely because it's true. If it wasn't true, he'd be more likely to simply say "no, it isn't true" (and get rid of this false rumour).
"Saying "no" when you mean "no", and "no comment" when you mean "yes" is a strategy that doesn't really work in these cases.""
And what's so special about this case?
Posted by: Jagadish
Great things - the live world No. 1 and also the rumour about Magnus seconding Anand for the World Championship match. Very exciting for us indeed.
Good luck to Carlsen and if can hold it until the month end, he may well end up the actual World no. 1 We all know Magnus can do it.
Good luck to Carlsen and if can hold it until the month end, he may well end up the actual World no. 1 We all know Magnus can do it.
Posted by:
I found it so cool how Magnus reacted, and I think it's also cool that Henrik just documents this reaction - without spoiling Magnus' reaction and therefore without spoiling the excitement that this really could be true... or rather, by simply not denying, but merely mentioning this reaction even raising probability and anticipation. What else could one expect Henrik to do, of course he wouldn't say anything Magnus wouldn't want him to say, and Henrik's way is quite a subtle and ironic way to deal with it, it's more or less like shrugging the shoulders in a meaningful way to a matter to which it's evidently impossible to merely shrug shoulders...
Posted by: Martin (Freiburg)
Forgot to post my name to the entry above...:)
Posted by: knumpe
congrats for this nice victory against levon, really interesting game. i also would like to recommend an article on leading german news magazine "der spiegel": http://www.spiegel.de/sport/sonst/0,1518,576939,00.html
its in german, but the content is not important. its just nice that they put an article about magnus on their online-platform.
go on, magnus. as i said, you're the man.
its in german, but the content is not important. its just nice that they put an article about magnus on their online-platform.
go on, magnus. as i said, you're the man.
Posted by: joco
What a lovely game today: 2 Pawn sacrifices no less. A bit of luck at the end, but a very deserved win.
Looking good.....
Looking good.....
Posted by: Tassilo
considering the time Magnus spent on his moves today, d5 was NOT a home preparation. Can this be confirmed?
What else? No comment :)
What else? No comment :)
Posted by: Hugo
Congratulations Magnus with the live #1 ! And congratulations Henrik with your son - his play and his results are truly amazing!
I am a Norwegian!
(Well, I am really a Dane, but I feel Norwegian when Magnus plays :-)
I am a Norwegian!
(Well, I am really a Dane, but I feel Norwegian when Magnus plays :-)
Posted by: USAfan
Go, Magnus!
Posted by: MG fan
Fantastic game today.
Early out of known theory,
sacrifiing 2 pawns and bomd Aronion dawn like this.
Impressing. Magnus plays astonishing chess theese
days, sacrifing pawns in nearly all games. He will be
the world no 1 for many years to come.
Early out of known theory,
sacrifiing 2 pawns and bomd Aronion dawn like this.
Impressing. Magnus plays astonishing chess theese
days, sacrifing pawns in nearly all games. He will be
the world no 1 for many years to come.
Posted by: Khondakar Nazre Mowla
New Fischer!!
Congratulations Magnus Carlsen.
Thanks.
Congratulations Magnus Carlsen.
Thanks.
Posted by: Simen S
knumpe: Thanks for the link!
I guess the piece didn't contain any major news elements for someone who is a fan of Magnus. Still, it's cool to be recognized by Der Spiegel.
I guess the piece didn't contain any major news elements for someone who is a fan of Magnus. Still, it's cool to be recognized by Der Spiegel.
Posted by: knumpe
@simen:
exactly my opinion.
greetings to norway and bilbao.
exactly my opinion.
greetings to norway and bilbao.
Posted by: Martin (Freiburg)
What - a - game...!
Someone once said about Fisher, he played something else than chess. I have the impression this more and more also goes for Magnus... He really seems to be able to play in other spheres already.
@knumpe: Yes, thank you, although indeed there's nothing new for us in this article :)
Btw loads of major German newspapers like today the "Süddeutsche Zeitung" brought and bring articles about the "Wunderkind", "the 17year-old new no.1" etc. Good job that through this blog we keep in touch with Magnus rather as a person than with his deindividualized status and image as a mere prodigy that the media often onesided convey of him...
Someone once said about Fisher, he played something else than chess. I have the impression this more and more also goes for Magnus... He really seems to be able to play in other spheres already.
@knumpe: Yes, thank you, although indeed there's nothing new for us in this article :)
Btw loads of major German newspapers like today the "Süddeutsche Zeitung" brought and bring articles about the "Wunderkind", "the 17year-old new no.1" etc. Good job that through this blog we keep in touch with Magnus rather as a person than with his deindividualized status and image as a mere prodigy that the media often onesided convey of him...
Posted by: Henrik C
All,
your involvement and support is much appreciated!
Zork,
I guess Gegga answered your question.
Helge,
thanks. Fortunately for chess Norwegian media seems to have discovered the Bilbao tournament.
knumpe,
thank you for the link!
Tassilo,
Magnus did spent considerable time before playing d5 and during the press conference he said that he had problems calculating the continuations properly due to malfunctioning aircondition in the cube. (We had 34 oC in Bilbao yesterday afternoon. Hopefully it'll be slightly colder today.)
Henrik C.
your involvement and support is much appreciated!
Zork,
I guess Gegga answered your question.
Helge,
thanks. Fortunately for chess Norwegian media seems to have discovered the Bilbao tournament.
knumpe,
thank you for the link!
Tassilo,
Magnus did spent considerable time before playing d5 and during the press conference he said that he had problems calculating the continuations properly due to malfunctioning aircondition in the cube. (We had 34 oC in Bilbao yesterday afternoon. Hopefully it'll be slightly colder today.)
Henrik C.
Posted by: Zarathustra
Heia
Gratulerer så meget med fremragende spill og resultat mot Levon Aronian, også kalt verdens mest gudebenådede kafésjakkspiller.
Mvh
Zarathustra
Gratulerer så meget med fremragende spill og resultat mot Levon Aronian, også kalt verdens mest gudebenådede kafésjakkspiller.
Mvh
Zarathustra
Posted by: Pedro
¡Bravo Carlsen! Que bonito es verte jugar.
Posted by: Simen S
Wow, so the evaluation of d5 was made OTB. I am amazed
Posted by: Rajesh P
Hi Henrik
Is it true that Magnus has agreed to become Anand's second? If not agreed, has such a talk in place?
Regards
Rajesh
Is it true that Magnus has agreed to become Anand's second? If not agreed, has such a talk in place?
Regards
Rajesh
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