Volume 142

JANUARY
2022

THE
DUBAI
MATCH:
IS CARLSEN
UNBEATABLE?
WHAT WILL
HAPPEN WITH NEPO?
WHAT IS THE FUTURE
OF CHESS AFTER THIS?
BCM
INTERVIEW:
GM BORIS GELFAND
ON MAGNUS CARLSEN
AND IAN NEPOMNIACHTCHI

THE NEXT GENERATION

Firouzja | Duda | Abdusattorov | Assaubayeva
 IMPRESSUM
Contents

BRITISH CHESS MAGAZINE

Founded 1881

www.britishchessmagazine.co.uk

Chairman Shaun Taulbut

Director Stephen Lowe
Gm Boris Gelfand
Editors
Milan Dinic and Shaun Taulbut

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David Llada
Prepress Specialist
Milica Mitic
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12 monthly issues
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45 These are Carlsen’s best
years. Nepo needs to be
honest with himself
04 The next generation
By Milan Dinic
06 The Dubai Match: Carlsen defends the title
and captures his FIFTH crown!
Is Carlsen unbeatable?
What will happen with Nepo?
What is the future of chess after this?
By GM Alex Colovic
47 “CAMINANTE, NO HAY CAMINO,
SE HACE CAMINO AL ANDAR”
By Peter O'Brien
51 time travel
By Grandmaster Raymond Keene OBE
54 Quotes and Queries
National chess leagues
By Alan Smith
56 Endgame Studies
By Ian Watson
58 PROBLEM WORLd
By Christopher Jones

Printed in the UK: by Lavenham Press Ltd 59 Openings for Amateurs

the book I wish I knew
Cover photography: about 20 years ago
FIDE Official
By Pete Tamburro

2 | BRITISH CHESS MAGAZINE

 January 2022

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BRITISH CHESS MAGAZINE | 3


THE
NEXT
GENERATION
By Milan Dinic; Photo: FIDE Official
Magnus Carlsen’s crushing victory
over Ian Nepomniachtchi in the World
Championship match in Dubai left many
in the world wondering − is the 31−year−
old Norwegian world chess champion
unbeatable? With five world championship
titles in regular chess, five in blitz, three in
rapid (not to mention the silver and bronze
medals), numerous tournament victories
and the highest−ever rating in chess history
- is there anyone who can replace Carlsen
and go higher?
Since the Dubai match, we have had
two developments relevant to the above
questions. The first was Carlsen’s interview
for Norwegian media where he said that he
might give up defending his crown, adding
that he is no longer motivated: “It’s been
clear to me for most of the year that this
world championship should be the last…
It doesn’t mean as much any more as it
once did. I haven’t felt that the positive
outweighs the negative.”
However, this is all contradictory to what
the World Champion noted after the match.
As Alex Colovic mentions in his article −
Kasparov has six victories and Carlsen
himself implied something like ‘five down,
two to go’ indicating his desire to become
the most successful World Champion even
when it comes to title defences.
In the same interview, Carlsen said that the
only one who might motivate him to defend
4 | BRITISH CHESS MAGAZINE
ALIREZA
FIROUZJA
ABD
the crown is the rising chess−star Alireza
Firouzja (18) who has had a stunning run
recently and is now the world’s second
highest−rated player.
As noted by GM Alexandar Colovic in his
detailed analysis of the match in Dubai in
this issue of BCM, this is not the first time
that Carlsen has come out with comments
about not defending his title. Some have
been critical of Carlsen’s decision to name
Firouzja as the only worthy opponent,
suspecting him of playing psychological
games against a player who is seen as a
likely successor to the Norwegian. For
others, this comment about Firouzja looked
like a slap in the face to someone like
Fabiano Caruana who is very much still in
the race for the chess throne.
The second relevant development happened
in Warsaw in December, where the World
Rapid and Blitz Chess Championships took
place. Magnus Carlsen was defending two
world crowns - in rapid and blitz. And - he
lost them both!
In the rapid tournament, on the final day
of that event, Carlsen lost a game to a
17−year−old from Uzbekistan, Nodirbek
Abdusattorov, who went on to win the
event and set the record for the youngest
ever world chess champion in rapid. While
Abdusattorov is little known to those who
don’t follow the chess world closely, this
rising star has already managed to defeat
NODIRBEK JAN-KRZYSZTOF
DUSATTOROV DUDA
many top world players. He has also
previously upset Carlsen in the 2019 edition
of the world rapid championship where the
then 15−year−old Uzbek managed to make a
comeback from a weaker position and get a
draw, visibly upsetting the world champion.
In the women’s world rapid we also had a
new rising star shine - another 17−year−old,
Bibisara Assaubayeva from Kazakhstan
who won the silver medal, with 8.5/11, half
a point behind the seasoned Russian player
Alexandra Kosteniuk. Assaubayeva went
even further in the World Blitz, where she
completely dominated the tournament from
round eight and confidently won the gold
medal (the silver went to Kosteniuk). In the
open section of the World Blitz, the title was
decided in a tiebreak duel between Carlsen’s
peer Maxime Vachier−Lagrave (who won)
and the 23−year−old Jan−Krzysztof Duda.
The third place went to 18−year−old Alireza
Firouzja, while Carlsen finished in 12th place.
So, in a way - Carlsen’s comments to the
Norwegian media came back to bite him: he
lost two of his crowns, one to a youngster
he did not suspect would endanger him and
another to his own peer, suggesting that maybe
there are more players than Alireza Firouzja
who could endanger Carlsen’s dominance,
including some from his own generation.
As for the chess scene as a whole - the
record−setting success of 17−year−old
Nodirbek Abdusattorov in the world rapid,
the stellar performance of 17−year−old
Bibisara Assaubayeva who took silver in
BIBISARA
ASSAUBAYEVA
the rapid and gold in the blitz event, the
amazing performance of 23−year−old Jan−
Krzysztof Duda (finishing 5th in the rapid
and second in the blitz and who earlier
in the year won the World Cup), and the
spectacular rise of 18−year−old Alireza
Firouzja (confidently winning the Grand
Swiss, reaching world No2 and making a
comeback from the lower ranks in the world
blitz to reach third place), 2021 in chess
ended with a new generation announcing it
has joined the race for the top.
As for the world champion − he said he
would like to continue playing and try
to break the 2900 ELO mark in classical
chess, which has never before been broken.
When it comes to this new goal, Carlsen
said that it is achievable. In an interview
for ChessBase India, Carlsen noted: “The
reason why I set myself this goal now is to
have something concrete to aim for. To have
any chance of reaching this goal I have to
be at my best all the time when I’m playing.
I feel like that in the last few years there are
some days that I’m frankly coasting, and I
don’t manage to put my whole soul into the
game. If I am to be anywhere close to this
goal I have to do better.”
With a new chess cycle upon us - with
the three Grand Prix tournaments, the
Candidates and the Chess Olympiad in the
summer, it will be interesting to see what
2022 will bring for the world champion
and chess. However, the signs are there that
Carlsen’s dominance is not so unopposed
as it might seem.
BRITISH CHESS MAGAZINE | 5
01/142

THE DUBAI MATCH: CARLSEN DEFENDS THE TITLE AND

CAPTURES HIS FIFTH CROWN!

IS CARLSEN UNBEATABLE?
WHAT WILL HAPPEN WITH NEPO?
WHAT IS THE FUTURE OF CHESS AFTER THIS?
By GM Alex Colovic / alexcolovic.com
Photo: FIDE Official
In the December issue of BCM we analyzed
the beginning of the match, with the first
two games. Usually, the first two games
give us an idea of what both players and
their teams want to achieve. What we saw
in those two games was the Challenger
trying to exert controlled pressure while
the Champion tried to take more risks by
employing a dangerous (even for himself)
opening idea.
We could also note the players’ strategy
with the black pieces. The Champion
was content with playing slightly weaker
positions, which he and his team had
analysed in great depth, confident in the
knowledge that in these positional battles
he could easily hold the balance because
he knew he was the better player. Another
aspect of this strategy was that Carlsen
probably felt that playing positional
chess was more to his liking than to his
opponent’s, who was known for more
dynamic preferences.
The Challenger, on the other hand, chose a
forcing strategy with Black, aiming to kill
off the game, thanks to deep preparation of
forcing lines in the openings he had planned.
In the next two games, we saw a
continuation of this strategy. In game three
Carlsen successfully neutralised the slight
disadvantage out of the opening.

6 | BRITISH CHESS MAGAZINE


GAME THREE:
WEAKER MOVES
FOR AN EVEN POSITION
Ian Nepomniachtchi - Magnus Carlsen
WCh 2021 Dubai UAE (3), 28.11.2021
1.e4 e5 2.¤f3 ¤c6 3.¥b5 a6 4.¥a4 ¤f6
5.0–0 ¥e7 6.¦e1 b5 7.¥b3 0–0 Carlsen
repeats the choice from the first game.
In his World Championship matches,
Carlsen usually sticks to his main opening
with Black, while with White he likes to
probe around.
8.a4
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+lwq-trk+0
9+-zppvlpzpp0
9p+n+-sn-+0
9+p+-zp-+-0
9P+-+P+-+0
9+L+-+N+-0
9-zPPzP-zPPzP0
9tRNvLQtR-mK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
After the surprise of 8.h3 ¤a5!? from the
first game, Nepomniachtchi here switches
to the other big main move when White
wants to avoid the Marshall Gambit after
8.c3 d5. This switch also signifies that he
had not managed to find anything wrong
with Carlsen’s surprise from the first game,
which is something worth noting, as the
knight move may well be a strong antidote
to the popular move 8.h3.
8...¥b7 Nowadays, the move 8...b4 is
considered the main one, but - as was visible
during the match - Carlsen often preferred
to surprise his opponent with moves that
are not so often used. This became even
more apparent when he switched to 8...¦b8
in his next two games as Black, a move that
is considered weaker to the alternatives 8...
b4 and 8...¥b7.
January 2022
9.d3 d6 10.¤bd2 White has alternatives
here, but, in general, he sends his queen’s
knight along the traditional Spanish route.
In fact, this plan of playing a4 and then
¤bd2 was Efim Geller’s advice to Kasparov
when the latter asked how to approach the
Marshall Attack that he expected in his
World Championship match with Nigel
Short in 1993.
10...¦e8!? Again a rare choice by Carlsen.
The more popular alternatives are 10...¤a5
with the idea of ...c5, 10...¤d7 or 10...£d7.
11.¤f1 h6 Black prepares ...¥f8 so
he prevents ¤g5, which now isn’t
dangerous as Black can simply return to
f8 with the rook.
12.¥d2 White stops ...¤a5. This move was
played by Kasparov in 2001.
12...¥f8 13.¤e3 The immediate 13.c4
was Kasparov’s choice. 13...bxc4 14.¥xc4
¦b8 15.¥c3 ¤e7 16.¤g3 ¤g6 17.d4 was
played in Kasparov,G (2849)-Tkachiev,V
(2672) Cannes 2001, a game won by
White, but now Black had the strong
17...¤xe4! 18.¤xe4 d5 simplifying the
position and equalising.
13...¤e7 14.c4
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-wqrvlk+0
9+lzp-snpzp-0
9p+-zp-sn-zp0
9+p+-zp-+-0
9P+P+P+-+0
9+L+PsNN+-0
9-zP-vL-zPPzP0
9tR-+QtR-mK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
The critical moment of the game.
Nepomniachtchi goes for the solid and
positional approach, keeping a small edge,
but Carlsen confidently defends against
it. Here we can notice the Challenger’s
BRITISH CHESS MAGAZINE | 7
01/142
strategy of keeping it solid with White and
not taking too many risks. The problem
with this strategy was that the "slightly
better" that Nepomniachtchi was getting
tended to dissipate as the games progressed
and eventually all ended in equal positions.
14.g4!? was the most testing move. The position
becomes very complex and as Carlsen’s main
second, GM Peter-Heine Nielsen, said, they
were prepared for this. 14...¤h7 this stops
the immediate g5. 15.h4 and here Black has
the choice between 15...c5 (or 15...£d7 16.g5
c5 17.gxh6 c4 18.hxg7 ¥xg7 19.¥a2 d5
with very sharp play.) 16.g5 g6 17.h5!? hxg5
18.hxg6 ¤xg6 19.¥d5 ¥xd5 20.¤xd5 with
compensation for the pawn thanks to the
control over the light squares.
14...bxc4 15.¤xc4 ¤c6 Controlling the a5-
square and preventing ¤a5. Carlsen plays
the following phase very precisely and
neutralises White’s slight pull.
16.¦c1 16.¥c3 ¦b8 17.¦c1 was agreed
drawn in Kholmov,R (2445)-Geller,E
(2525) Moscow 1991 (played by another
move order). Black is fine after 17...¥a8!
18.a5 ¤b4 with good counterplay as he
now threatens ...¤xd3.;
16.¦e2, with the idea of ¥e1 and ¦c2,
proposed by Kasparov, but Black is fine
after 16...¦b8 because now 17.¥e1?! is
met by 17...¥c8! with the threat of ...¥g4.
16...a5!
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-wqrvlk+0
9+lzp-+pzp-0
9-+nzp-sn-zp0
9zp-+-zp-+-0
9P+N+P+-+0
9+L+P+N+-0
9-zP-vL-zPPzP0
9+-tRQtR-mK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
8 | BRITISH CHESS MAGAZINE
An important move, fixing the dark squares
on the queenside, though the move looks
risky as that pawn can become a target.
To Carlsen’s credit, he foresaw that White
cannot take advantage of it.
17.¥c3 with the idea of £d2, targeting the
pawn on a5.
Kasparov’s idea of 17.¦e2!?, with the
plan of ¥e1 and ¦c2, makes more sense
now. After 17...¥c8, threatening ...¥g4.
18.h3 ¥d7 19.¥e1 £b8 - preventing
¦ec2 as the bishop on b3 hangs in that
case. The position is complex: White
cannot accomplish the doubling on the
c-file and Black has ideas like ...¦a7–b7
or ...¤b4.
17...¥c8! A good defensive move that
takes the sting out of White’s concept
with £d2.
18.d4 With £d2 not giving anything,
White advances in the centre.
Black’s idea is seen after 18.£d2 ¥e6!
when the pinned knight on c4 and the
undefended bishop on b3 make it impossible
for White to win the pawn on a5.
18...exd4 19.¤xd4 ¤xd4 20.£xd4 ¥e6
With the bishop on e6 Black threatens the
liberating push ...d5.
21.h3
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-wqrvlk+0
9+-zp-+pzp-0
9-+-zplsn-zp0
9zp-+-+-+-0
9P+NwQP+-+0
9+LvL-+-+P0
9-zP-+-zPP+0
9+-tR-tR-mK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
Played after considerable thought.
 January 2022

21.£d3 is the engine’s suggestion, but,

after 21...d5! 22.¥xf6 £xf6 23.exd5 ¥f5,
Black has obvious compensation for the
pawn in view of his pair of bishops and the
control over the dark squares.

21.¤d2 was a move Nepomniachtchi

considered for most of the time he spent,
but he saw that after the forcing 21...d5
22.exd5 ¤xd5 23.¥xd5 £xd5 24.£xd5
¥xd5 25.¦xe8 ¦xe8 26.¥xa5 White
wins a pawn, though after 26...¦a8
27.¥xc7 ¦xa4 the position is a draw
as, with the pair of bishops and active
pieces, Black easily holds back the
b-pawn. 26.fxg7 ¥xc3 27.bxc3 ¢xg7 28.¢f1
¦ab8 Threatening ...¦b2. All black pawns
21...c6 Carlsen could have played the are isolated (or doubled) but the bishop
immediate 21...d5, but that move will defends most of them and his piece activity
inevitably come so he makes a preparatory prevents White from consolidating the
move first. position and trying to make use of his extra
pawn on the kingside.
22.¥c2 d5 Liberating Black’s position.
29.¦b1 ¢f6 30.¦xb8 ¦xb8 31.¦b1
23.e5 White cannot avoid simplifications ¦xb1+ 32.¥xb1 ¢e5
even after this move. XIIIIIIIIY
23.exd5 £xd5 24.¤e3 £xd4 25.¥xd4 9-+-+-+-+0
¦ab8 is easily equal for Black as his active 9+-+-+p+-0
pieces compensate for the isolated pawn on
c6. 9-+p+l+-zp0
9zp-+-mk-+-0
23...dxc4 24.£xd8 ¦exd8 25.exf6 ¥b4! 9P+p+-+-+0
XIIIIIIIIY 9+-zP-+-+P0
9r+-tr-+k+0 9-+-+-zPP+0
9+-+-+pzp-0 9+L+-+K+-0
9-+p+lzP-zp0 xiiiiiiiiy
9zp-+-+-+-0 Now Black establishes a fortress in the
9Pvlp+-+-+0 centre.
9+-vL-+-+P0 33.¢e2 f5 34.¥c2 f4 Black’s pieces
9-zPL+-zPP+0 effectively prevent the white king from
moving forward.
9+-tR-tR-mK-0
xiiiiiiiiy 35.¥b1 c5 36.¥c2 ¥d7 37.f3 ¢f6 38.h4
The key move for Black’s defence. He ¢e5 39.¢f2 ¢f6 40.¢e2 ¢e5 41.¢f2
exchanges the dark-squared bishops and
opens the b-file that he can use either for ½–½
counterplay or for the exchange of rooks.

BRITISH CHESS MAGAZINE | 9

01/142
GAME FOUR:
NEUTRALISING NOVELTIES
WITH DEEP PREPARATION
In game four Nepomniachtchi showed
brilliant preparation against Carlsen’s
novelty and drew the game by reproducing
his preparation. This game was an ideal
scenario for his strategy with the black
pieces – deep preparation that draws by force.
This game also gave Team Carlsen important
information that trying to hit the Challenger
with deep and forcing lines was probably not
going to give a result and this conclusion led
to the change of approach in game six.
Magnus Carlsen - Ian Nepomniachtchi
WCh 2021 Dubai UAE (4), 30.11.2021
1.e4 After the interesting idea in the Catalan
Carlsen switches the first move. He likes
to probe his opponents: he did the same in
the match against Caruana when he played
1.c4, 1.d4 and 1.e4.
1...e5 2.¤f3 ¤f6 The Petroff was an
expected choice by the Challenger as he
had played it before, for example against
Wang Hao in the Candidates tournament.
The Petroff is an opening with a lot of long
and forcing lines that aim to make a draw,
thus making it the perfect choice for his
strategy with the black pieces.
3.¤xe5 d6 4.¤f3 ¤xe4 5.d4 d5 6.¥d3 ¥d6
XIIIIIIIIY
9rsnlwqk+-tr0
9zppzp-+pzpp0
9-+-vl-+-+0
9+-+p+-+-0
9-+-zPn+-+0
9+-+L+N+-0
9PzPP+-zPPzP0
9tRNvLQmK-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
10 | BRITISH CHESS MAGAZINE
Black has three main options here: the
game move, 6...¤c6 and 6...¥e7 with
...¥f5 next, a line that has lately become
very popular for Black. Nepomniachtchi
chooses the most concrete of the three,
confident that he has analysed everything
to a draw. This game showed that in this
particular case he was right. It is also worth
noting that this line was Caruana’s choice
when he consistently played the Petroff
in the wake of and during the match with
Carlsen in 2018.
7.0–0 0–0 8.c4 c6 9.¦e1 White has several
alternatives here, 9.£b3, 9.£c2, 9.¤c3
and 9.cxd5, but Carlsen goes for a forcing
line with a novel idea prepared.
9...¥f5 10.£b3 Again White has
alternatives, for example, 10.£c2, 10.cxd5
and 10.¤c3.
10...£d7 Caruana tried the alternative
10...¤a6 against Najer at the World Cup in
2017, but the queen move is considered the
better one.
11.¤c3 ¤xc3 12.¥xf5 £xf5 13.bxc3
XIIIIIIIIY
9rsn-+-trk+0
9zpp+-+pzpp0
9-+pvl-+-+0
9+-+p+q+-0
9-+PzP-+-+0
9+QzP-+N+-0
9P+-+-zPPzP0
9tR-vL-tR-mK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
The endgame after 13.£xb7 £d7 (13...¤e4!?
is the curious engine suggestion, forcing
White to take the rook. After 14.£xa8 £d7
15.cxd5 cxd5 16.¦xe4! ¤c6 17.£xf8+ ¢xf8
18.¦e2 f6 White has two rooks and a pawn
for a queen, but Black’s activity after ...g5 next
gives him good play.) 14.£xd7 White cannot
take on a8 because the queen will never make
it out alive. 14...¤xd7 15.c5 ¥xh2+ 16.¤xh2
 January 2022

¤e4 is balanced, as shown in many games. This is Carlsen’s new idea. Strategically
13...b6 14.cxd5 Continuing along the this is dangerous for White as he leaves
forcing line and ignoring the alternatives Black with a protected passed pawn.
like 14.h3 or 14.¥g5, the latter tried by
Anand against Duda in Wijk aan Zee 2019. Previously it was known that, after
18.bxa6 ¤xa6 19.¦b1, …¦fb8 solves
14...cxd5 15.£b5 15.¥a3 is an old move Black’s problems.
played in the game Svidler-Kramnik from
2007. Needless to say, it brings nothing 18...g6 Black must prevent ¤f5.
after 15...¥xa3 16.£xa3 ¤c6.
19.g4 White intends to reroute the knight
15...£d7 via g2 to e3 or f4, from where it can attack
XIIIIIIIIY the pawn on d5.
9rsn-+-trk+0 19...¤d7 20.¤g2
9zp-+q+pzpp0 XIIIIIIIIY
9-zp-vl-+-+0 9r+-+-trk+0
9+Q+p+-+-0 9+-+n+p+p0
9-+-zP-+-+0 9-zp-vl-+p+0
9+-zP-+N+-0 9zpP+p+-+-0
9P+-+-zPPzP0 9-+-zP-+P+0
9tR-vL-tR-mK-0 9+-zP-+-+-0
xiiiiiiiiy 9-+-+-zPNzP0
15...¤d7?? 16.£c6 loses a piece.
9tR-vL-tR-mK-0
16.a4 White’s idea is to fix Black’s pawn xiiiiiiiiy
on a7 after the exchange of queens, but even 20...¦fc8! A move that shows the depth of
before this game it was known that, after: Nepomniachtchi’s preparation. He chooses a
move that is easier to play, a decision made in
16...£xb5 17.axb5, a5 is the best move the preparation process. Peter-Heine Nielsen
that gives Black equality. It is here that admitted that they were disappointed that
Carlsen came up with an interesting idea. their preparation in this game didn’t catch
Nepomniachtchi unprepared or surprised.
18.¤h4!?
XIIIIIIIIY 20...¤f6 is a natural move to make but
after 21.¥h6 Black has some problems
9rsn-+-trk+0 to solve. For example 21...¥xh2+!? wins
9+-+-+pzpp0 a pawn, but after 22.¢h1 Black should
sacrifice an exchange with 22...¥d6!?
9-zp-vl-+-+0 (22...¦fe8 is also possible though. After
9zpP+p+-+-0 the forcing 23.¦xe8+ ¦xe8 24.¤e3 ¥d6
9-+-zP-+-sN0 25.g5 ¤e4 26.¤xd5 ¤xf2+ 27.¢g2 ¤g4
the position is a mess but always around
9+-zP-+-+-0 equal.) 23.¥xf8 ¢xf8 24.¤e3 ¥f4 with
9-+-+-zPPzP0 good compensation, sufficient for equality.
9tR-vL-tR-mK-0 21.¥f4 ¥xf4 22.¤xf4 ¦xc3 23.¤xd5 ¦d3
xiiiiiiiiy The rook belongs behind the passed d-pawn.

BRITISH CHESS MAGAZINE | 11

01/142

24.¦e7 ¤f8 25.¤f6+ White is applying 30.¢g2 a2 31.h4 is an attempt to play

some pressure here, but he is also safe as for more, though after 31...¦d2! (but not
he can repeat moves and take the draw at 31...¦b3? 32.¦e8! ¦a4: Black tries to win
any moment. by ...¦b1 and promoting his passed a-pawn,
but 33.d6 - the passed d-pawn decides the
25.¤xb6 ¦b8 26.¤d5 ¦xd4 is easy game as White is faster after 33...¦b1 34.d7
for Black. ¦xa1 35.¦xf8! ¦g1+ 36.¢xg1 a1£+
37.¢g2 and White promotes next or simply
25...¢g7 26.¤e8+ ¢g8 27.d5 a4 Black mates after 37...¦a8 38.d8£ ¦xd8 39.¦xd8
activates his passed pawn. with the inevitable threat of ¦g8 mate.)
32.h5 gxh5 or 32...h6, which is also safe for
28.¤f6+ ¢g7 29.g5 A possible plan for Black. 33.¤xh5+ ¢g6 34.¤f4+ ¢g7:again
White is to advance his pawns on the the maximum White has is a repetition.
kingside so he fixes the dark squares. (34...¢xg5 35.¦xf7 h5 is sharper though
again within the drawing boundaries.)
29...a3 30.¤e8+
XIIIIIIIIY 30...¢g8 31.¤f6+ ¢g7 32.¤e8+ ¢g8
33.¤f6+
9r+-+Nsn-+0
9+-+-tRpmkp0 ½–½
9-zp-+-+p+0
9+P+P+-zP-0 GAME FIVE:
9-+-+-+-+0 THE WINDS OF CHANGE
9zp-+r+-+-0 Up to this point, both sides were equally
9-+-+-zP-zP0 matched. They were pursuing their strategies
and were already fully into the match.
9tR-+-+-mK-0
xiiiiiiiiy In the fifth game the Challenger continued
After spending almost all of his time with his solid press and for the first time in
Carlsen decided to take the draw. the match obtained a more serious chance.

12 | BRITISH CHESS MAGAZINE


Ian Nepomniachtchi - Magnus Carlsen
WCh 2021 Dubai UAE (5), 01.12.2021
1.e4 e5 2.¤f3 ¤c6 3.¥b5 a6 4.¥a4 ¤f6
5.0–0 ¥e7 6.¦e1 b5 7.¥b3 0–0 8.a4 ¦b8
XIIIIIIIIY
9-trlwq-trk+0
9+-zppvlpzpp0
9p+n+-sn-+0
9+p+-zp-+-0
9P+-+P+-+0
9+L+-+N+-0
9-zPPzP-zPPzP0
9tRNvLQtR-mK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
The third Anti-Marshall and, for the third
time, it is Carlsen who changes the line
first. This move is considered inferior to the
alternatives 8...¥b7 and 8...b4 as it simply
gives up the a-file after White takes on b5.
And yet this is what Carlsen and his team
prepared for the match, fully in line with
their strategy of holding slightly inferior
but deeply analysed positional lines.
9.axb5 White opens the a-file immediately.
9.c3 d5 has already been played by Carlsen,
while his second Gustafsson has played 9...
b4. 10.exd5 ¤xd5 11.axb5 axb5 12.¤xe5
¤xe5 13.¦xe5 c6 was played at this year’s
World Cup in Duda, J (2738)-Carlsen, M
(2847) Krasnaya Polyana RUS 2021. This
should be a somewhat better version of the
Marshall Gambit for White as the a-file is
already open, but Carlsen held the game.
9...axb5 10.h3 Again avoiding 10.c3 d5.
10...d6 11.c3 Now we have the standard Ruy
Lopez position with the a-file open and the
black rook on b8, so Black uses the latter
fact to open the b-file with his next move.
11...b4 12.d3 White cannot expand in the
centre just yet.
January 2022
12.d4 leads to simplifications after 12...
bxc3 13.bxc3 exd4 14.cxd4 d5 15.e5 ¤e4,
with easy play for Black.
12...bxc3 13.bxc3 d5 Even with a loss of
tempo Black executes the central push.
14.¤bd2 Accepting the pawn sacrifice after
14.exd5 ¤xd5 15.¤xe5 ¤xe5 16.¦xe5
¥e6 gives nothing to White as now Black
threatens ...¤xc3 (thanks to the open b-file
and the active rook) while after 17.¥xd5
¥xd5 Black has the standard compensation
for the pawn thanks to the strong light-
squared bishop.
14...dxe4 15.dxe4 ¥d6 Black strengthens
the pawn on e5 and prepares either
the knight manoeuvre...¤e7–g6 or the
exchange of the light-squared bishops after
...¦e8 (...£e8) and ...¥e6.
16.£c2 16.¤f1 is the standard knight
transfer. After 16...h6 preventing ¥g5.
17.¤g3 ¦e8 Black will continue with
...¥e6 next.
16...h6 17.¤f1 ¤e7?!
XIIIIIIIIY
9-trlwq-trk+0
9+-zp-snpzp-0
9-+-vl-sn-zp0
9+-+-zp-+-0
9-+-+P+-+0
9+LzP-+N+P0
9-+Q+-zPP+0
9tR-vL-tRNmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
Not the most precise. The knight transfer
is a bit slow and it was more important to
exchange the light-squared bishops.
17...¥d7! 18.¤g3 £c8 with ...¥e6
next would have solved most of Black’s
problems.
18.¤g3 ¤g6 19.¥e3 £e8
BRITISH CHESS MAGAZINE | 13
01/142

XIIIIIIIIY advantages and trying to put some pressure

in safe positions it is a must to take advantage
9-trl+qtrk+0 of the few chances that will appear. Failure
9+-zp-+pzp-0 to do so means that the strategy was
inappropriate as the player couldn’t use the
9-+-vl-snnzp0 chances that this approach offered.
9+-+-zp-+-0
9-+-+P+-+0 20.c4! was the correct way. Now Black
needs to choose whether to allow c5 or to
9+LzP-vLNsNP0 stop it. 20...£e6!?: this seems like Black’s
9-+Q+-zPP+0 best try. First, he pins the pawn on c4 in
view of the undefended bishop on b3 so
9tR-+-tR-mK-0 that he can move the rook from f8 and
xiiiiiiiiy allow for ...¥f8. After (20...c5 stops c5 but
A move that took Carlsen a lot of time. It allows White to transfer the bishop to d5
is a preparation for ...¥e6, but the fact that after 21.¥a4 £e7 22.¥c6 with ¥d5 next.
he thought for a long time and decided this After 22...£c7 23.¥d5 White is certainly
over the more natural 19...¦e8 indicates better with strong pressure thanks to his
that he had serious problems to solve. better pieces.) 21.¥a4 ¦d8 22.c5 ¥f8
Black is passive but very solid. White keeps
19...¦e8 was the more natural way to the edge after 23.¦a3 ¥d7 24.¥b3 £e8
prepare ...¥e6. Here the problem is the 25.¦a7 ¦dc8, though it’s clear that Black’s
same, White plays 20.c4! ¥e6 21.¥a4 position is a very tough one to crack as he
- an unpleasant move, hitting the rook on successfully covers everything. Still, this
e8. Perhaps this was the reason Carlsen was by far Nepomniachtchi’s best chance
didn’t want to put it there in the first place? in the match up to this point.
21...¥d7 22.¦ed1, with c5 to come, puts
Black under pressure, though he can resist 20...¥e6 Everybody on Team Carlsen,
after 22...£c8 23.c5 ¥xa4 24.¦xa4 ¥f8. including the Champion, was relieved now.
Black manages to exchange the active
20.¦ed1? light-squared bishop.
XIIIIIIIIY
21.¥a4 ¥d7 22.¤d2 ¥xa4 23.£xa4
9-trl+qtrk+0 £xa4 24.¦xa4 ¦a8 25.¦da1 ¦xa4
9+-zp-+pzp-0 26.¦xa4 ¦b8 27.¦a6 ¤e8
9-+-vl-snnzp0 XIIIIIIIIY
9+-+-zp-+-0 9-tr-+n+k+0
9-+-+P+-+0 9+-zp-+pzp-0
9+LzP-vLNsNP0 9R+-vl-+nzp0
9-+Q+-zPP+0 9+-+-zp-+-0
9tR-+R+-mK-0 9-+-+P+-+0
xiiiiiiiiy 9+-zP-vL-sNP0
Nepomniachtchi misses his chance. He 9-+-sN-zPP+0
thought this was also good, but now
Carlsen defends precisely. This moment 9+-+-+-mK-0
was perhaps the turning point in the match xiiiiiiiiy
for the Challenger when it comes to his Carlsen demonstrates a deep defensive plan
white strategy. When playing for minuscule that ultimately results in an impregnable

14 | BRITISH CHESS MAGAZINE


fortress: he wants to play ...f6 and transfer
the knight from g6 via f8 to e6. Then all his
pawns will be safely defended and White
won’t be able to use the light squares for
any breakthrough.
28.¢f1 ¤f8 29.¤f5 ¤e6 30.¤c4 ¦d8
Defending the bishop on d6 before
continuing with the plan.
31.f3 f6 32.g4 ¢f7 33.h4 ¥f8 Black
liberates the d6-square so that he can jump
there with his knight from e8.
34.¢e2 ¤d6 35.¤cxd6+ ¥xd6 36.h5
¥f8
XIIIIIIIIY
9-+-tr-vl-+0
9+-zp-+kzp-0
9R+-+nzp-zp0
9+-+-zpN+P0
9-+-+P+P+0
9+-zP-vLP+-0
9-+-+K+-+0
9+-+-+-+-0
xiiiiiiiiy
The fortress is in place. White cannot make
any progress.
37.¦a5 ¢e8 38.¦d5 White takes over the
d−file in order to activate the king, but after
38...¦a8 Black uses the a−file to create
counterplay.
39.¦d1 ¦a2+ 40.¦d2 ¦a1 41.¦d1 ¦a2+
42.¦d2 ¦a1 43.¦d1
½–½
Although immediately after the game some
commentators said that Nepo had very big
chances in this game against Carlsen, it
wasn’t all that clear. All in all, this was a
missed chance for the Challenger − not to
win the game but to put serious pressure on
January 2022
his opponent, thus taking over the initiative
in the match.
Surprisingly enough, the punishment for
Nepomniachtchi came immediately. The
sixth game turned out to be one of the
most epic ones in the history of World
Championship matches. Incidentally, that
was the same day when I arrived in Dubai.
GAME SIX:
THE MAKING OF HISTORY –
THE GAME WHICH BROKE
THE CHALLENGER
Magnus Carlsen - Ian Nepomniachtchi
WCh 2021 Dubai UAE (6), 03.12.2021
1.d4 ¤f6 2.¤f3 d5 3.g3 After realising
that catching his opponent in deep
preparation wasn’t going to work, Team
Carlsen changed the approach and went for
a less explored and innocuous at first sight
line. Black has a wide choice now, but they
correctly guessed that he would stick to the
move order that allows for a transposition
to the Catalan.
3...e6 4.¥g2 ¥e7 5.0–0 0–0 6.b3!?
XIIIIIIIIY
9rsnlwq-trk+0
9zppzp-vlpzpp0
9-+-+psn-+0
9+-+p+-+-0
9-+-zP-+-+0
9+P+-+NzP-0
9P+P+PzPLzP0
9tRNvLQ+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
Here comes the second surprise. White
doesn’t repeat the Catalan from game two
with 6.c4 but he still aims for Catalan−like
positions.
6...c5 Black’s most popular choice and the
engine’s preference.
BRITISH CHESS MAGAZINE | 15
01/142

7.dxc5 ¥xc5 8.c4 dxc4 9.£c2 £e7 opposite rims of the board.) 13...¥f5
10.¤bd2!? 14.¥xf6 gxf6 15.¤e3 (White cannot
XIIIIIIIIY take the pawn immediately as 15.¤xe4?
¤b4 16.£b1 ¦fe8 17.¤cd2 ¥d4 wins
9rsnl+-trk+0 material.) 15...¥xe3 16.fxe3 ¥g6 17.¤xe4
9zpp+-wqpzpp0 ¦fe8 when Black has compensation for
the pawn. In fact the forcing line continues
9-+-+psn-+0 up to an equal endgame after 18.¦f4 f5
9+-vl-+-+-0 19.¤c3 £xe3+ 20.¢f1 ¤d4 21.£d3
9-+p+-+-+0 £xd3 22.exd3 ¤c2 23.¦c1 ¤e3+ 24.¢f2
¤xg2 25.¢xg2 ¦ad8 with equality.
9+P+-+NzP-0
9P+QsNPzPLzP0 B) 12.¥g5 ¥e6 (12...e4 is an alternative:
after 13.¥xf6 gxf6 14.¤h4 ¤d4 15.£b2
9tR-vL-+RmK-0 we have the same line as after 12.¥b2 e4
xiiiiiiiiy 13.¥xf6.) 13.¤e3, targeting the f5–square.
Here comes the third twist. White sacrifices 13...¥xe3 14.¥xe3 ¦fd8 15.¦ac1 h6:
a pawn in typical Catalan style. White’s pair of bishops is compensated
by Black’s smooth development and good
10...¤c6 Nepomniachtchi keeps it sensible. central control.
There was no need to check his opponent’s
preparation and take the pawn when a 12.¤ce5 ¤b4 Moving away with tempo to
normal alternative existed. allow for the development of the bishop on b7.

10...cxb3 11.¤xb3 gives White 13.£b2 ¥b7 14.a3

compensation. For example, 11...¥d6: this XIIIIIIIIY
covers the e5-square. (11...¥b4 12.¤e5
makes it more problematic for Black to 9r+-+-trk+0
finish development.) 12.¤fd2!? intending 9zpl+-wqpzpp0
¤c4. 12...¤c6 13.¤c4 ¦d8 (Black cannot
keep the bishop pair as 13...¥c7? loses to 9-+-+psn-+0
14.¥a3 ¤b4 15.£d2 a5 16.¤bxa5 winning 9+pvl-sN-+-0
the knight on b4.) 14.¤xd6 (or 14.¦d1 ¥b4 9-sn-+-+-+0
15.¥b2 again with compensation in view
of the better development and pressure on 9zPP+-+NzP-0
the queenside.) 14...£xd6 15.¥b2 ¤d5 9-wQ-+PzPLzP0
16.¦ad1 with compensation with the pair
of bishops, but Black is extremely solid. 9tR-vL-+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
11.¤xc4 b5 Black decides to fianchetto his Carlsen chooses the safer move.
light-squared bishop.
14.¥g5!? could have led to some
11...e5 was a major alternative, with the fascinating lines. After 14...h6, 15.¥h4 g5.
idea of developing the bishop on the h3–
c8 diagonal. Now White needs to decide A) 16.¤xg5 is tempting, but, in the end,
where to develop his bishop. Black is better, though he has to fend off
some imaginative tries by White and find no
A) 12.¥b2 e4 13.¤g5 (13.¥xf6 is an less imaginative defences. 16...¥xg2! (16...
alternative. After 13...gxf6 14.¤h4 ¤d4 hxg5? loses to 17.¥xg5 ¥xg2 18.¤g4 and
15.£b2 b5 16.¤a5 ¦d8 the position is the knight on f6 is lost.) 17.¤h7! - a very
messy, with both white knights on the pretty move! 17...¢xh7 18.¤g4 ¤bd5! the

16 | BRITISH CHESS MAGAZINE


only move for Black: he needs to keep the
knight on f6 alive. 19.£d2 ¥e3! - a great
way to defend the pawn on h6. 20.fxe3
¤e4! - another strong move that finally
liquidates the position. 21.£xd5 exd5
22.¥xe7 ¥xf1 23.¦xf1 ¦g8 24.¤f6+
¤xf6 25.¥xf6 ¢g6. Black is better here,
being an exchange for a pawn up, though
after 26.g4! with the idea of ¦f5 and ¥d4
White has decent chances to hold.
B) 16.a3! this is objectively better. Now
after 16...gxh4 (16...¤bd5? is bad as after
17.¤xg5 hxg5 18.¥xg5 the pin on the h4–
d8 diagonal is unpleasant, while White
can slowly build up his attack with ¤d3,
e4–e5 etc.) 17.axb4 ¥xb4 18.¤d3 the
position is unclear - White has a safer king
and the more solid position while Black
has the bishops.
14...¤c6 15.¤d3 ¥b6 16.¥g5 The bishop
doesn’t really have any prospects so White
exchanges it for the knight on f6.
16...¦fd8 17.¥xf6 gxf6!?
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-tr-+k+0
9zpl+-wqp+p0
9-vln+pzp-+0
9+p+-+-+-0
9-+-+-+-+0
9zPP+N+NzP-0
9-wQ-+PzPLzP0
9tR-+-+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
A curious decision. It was perfectly possible
to take with the queen. It is difficult to
say whether Black feared problems in the
endgame or he was ambitious himself and
wanted to keep the queens on the board.
After 17...£xf6 18.£xf6 gxf6 White’s
dream scenario is to exchange everything
and leave one rook and the knight on d3
against a rook and a dark-squared bishop
for Black. There are many famous games
January 2022
with this material that were won by White,
so perhaps Nepomniachtchi feared this
scenario, though it’s difficult to achieve
it. For example, 19.b4 (19.¦ac1 ¦ac8
20.¦fd1 ¢f8 is fine for Black, White
cannot easily exchange all the pieces
he wants; 19.¦fc1 ¦ac8 20.¢f1 ¤e7
with the idea of ...¤d5 is OK for Black.)
19...¦ac8 20.¦fc1!? - keeping the rook on
a1 in order to be able to push a4 at some
point. A sample line when this works is
20...¢f8 21.¤c5 ¥a8 22.e3 ¤e7 23.¤d4
¥xg2 24.¢xg2 ¥xc5 25.bxc5 a6 26.a4
even though Black is perfectly fine after
26...e5 27.¤b3 ¦d3.
18.¦ac1 ¤d4 Black forces exchanges as he
foresees that his strong centralisation will
ensure against any problems.
19.¤xd4 ¥xd4 20.£a2 ¥xg2 21.¢xg2
£b7+ 22.¢g1 £e4 This is the position
Black had in mind when deciding on his
17th move. The active bishop and queen
make it difficult for White to undertake any
more active plans.
23.£c2 White takes over the c-file. He
would be happy to exchange the queen for
two rooks as that would give him something
to play for. This was the general consensus
among the GMs who followed the game in
the VIP rooms at the playing venue.
23...a5 Black improves his position and for
now resists putting a rook on c8.
BRITISH CHESS MAGAZINE | 17
01/142
24.¦fd1 ¢g7 25.¦d2. It is difficult to
make moves for White. Now he wants
to play ¤f4, and hopefully exchange
queens, but Black has good ways to deal
with it.
25.e3 was a possible move, but it takes
away the foundation of the solid knight on
d3. After 25...¥e5 26.£e2 ¥d6 covering
the c5–square and Black is fine.
The immediate 25.¤f4? is bad in view of
25...£xc2 26.¦xc2 ¥xf2+ and Black wins
the unprotected rook on d1.
25...¦ac8?!
XIIIIIIIIY
9-+rtr-+-+0
9+-+-+pmkp0
9-+-+pzp-+0
9zpp+-+-+-0
9-+-vlq+-+0
9zPP+N+-zP-0
9-+QtRPzP-zP0
9+-tR-+-mK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
There is nothing wrong with this move
objectively, but, in practice, it makes it
easier to play with White as with two
rooks he can create various threats. It
is also surprising that Black played
this move now when he hadn’t played
it several moves earlier. This is the first
decision by Nepomniachtchi in this game
that is not practical and is sub-optimal.
25...b4 was good and simple. Black wants
to plant a bishop on c3. After 26.axb4
axb4 After 27.¤f4 (27.¤xb4 leads to
an immediate draw after 27...¥xf2+
28.¢xf2 £xb4 when neither king is safe
and Black easily controls the b-pawn.;
27.£c4 f5 defending the queen on e4.
28.£c7 is the only move for White as
taking on b4 is met by 28.£xb4? ¥xf2!
28...¦db8 defending the pawn on b4.
Black’s activity still prevents White from
18 | BRITISH CHESS MAGAZINE
creating anything serious.) 27...£xc2
28.¦cxc2 ¥c3 29.¦xd8 ¦xd8 30.¤d3.
White has finally achieved his dream
scenario (knight on d3 plus rook against
a bishop and rook) but after 30...¦a8 the
control of the a-file gives Black an easy
draw in view of the threat of ...¦a3.
26.£xc8 ¦xc8 27.¦xc8 £d5 Black
should still be able to make a draw
relatively easily, but, with the balance
disturbed, the decisions both players
have to make are becoming more
difficult.
28.b4 a4 29.e3 29.¦cc2 £b3 was a
line we discussed in the press centre.
White seems awfully tied down. 30.¤c1
£b1 31.¢g2 ¥b2! 32.¦xb2 £xc1: the
weakness of the a3–pawn prevents White
from using the power of his rooks.
29...¥e5 29...¥b2!? was what we
expected. It seemed rather straightforward
as White must take the bishop since there
is no other way to save the pawn on a3.
30.¦c5 is an important intermediate
move as White wants to pick up the pawn
on b5. 30...£d6 31.¦xb2 £xd3 32.¦bc2
£xa3 33.¦xb5 £b3 with a draw in sight
as the passed a-pawn ties down White’s
rooks. Perhaps this didn’t look too clear
to Nepomniachtchi and he feared that
White could double on the a-file and
collect his a-pawn, after which White
wins by simply attacking the pawn on f7

twice, but this is impossible to achieve.
30.h4 h5?!
XIIIIIIIIY
9-+R+-+-+0
9+-+-+pmk-0
9-+-+pzp-+0
9+p+qvl-+p0
9pzP-+-+-zP0
9zP-+NzP-zP-0
9-+-tR-zP-+0
9+-+-+-mK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
The second impractical decision. Why put a
pawn on h5 where it is exposed and can be
attacked either by a rook or knight from f4?
Keeping the status quo with a neutral move
like 30...¥a1 was better.
It is worth noting that becoming active with
30...£b3? was bad. The line demonstrates
the dangers Black faces when the rooks
are unleashed. 31.¤xe5 fxe5 32.¦c7 £xa3
33.¦dd7 A mating attack is coming and
nothing can stop it. 33...£xb4 34.¦xf7+
¢g6 35.¦g7+ ¢h5 36.¦cf7! and Black
will soon be mated.
31.¢h2 ¥b2? If this move was good a
couple of moves ago, now it is bad. Putting
the bishop on a1 with a status quo was
better. The difficulty of the position from
Black’s point of view is demonstrated
by the fact that now the move 32...£b3,
which was bad on the previous move, was
actually good because, with the king on h2,
White doesn’t defend the pawn on f2! The
lines, though, are very complicated and
impossible to calculate.
31...£b3 32.¤xe5 fxe5 33.¦c7 £xa3
34.¦dd7 £b2! is the saving resource for
Black - he uses the fact that the king is on
h2 so he creates counterplay by attacking
the pawn on f2. (Taking the pawn loses
again, with some spectacular lines after
34...£xb4? 35.¦xf7+ ¢g6 36.g4!! the key
idea for White. 36...hxg4 37.¦g7+ ¢h6
January 2022
38.¦h7+ ¢g6 39.h5+ ¢g5 40.¦cg7+
¢f5 41.¦g8 with the idea of ¦f7 and
White wins. 41...£e1 42.¦f7+ ¢e4 43.h6)
35.¦xf7+ ¢g6 36.¦a7 Now the same
idea 36.g4 doesn’t work in view of 36...
hxg4 37.e4 £e2! and White has nothing
more than a perpetual.) 36...a3 37.e4 £d4
- keeping an eye on f2 and attacking e4
and b4, when Black should have enough
activity to draw.
32.¦c5! £d6 33.¦d1?
XIIIIIIIIY
9-+-+-+-+0
9+-+-+pmk-0
9-+-wqpzp-+0
9+ptR-+-+p0
9pzP-+-+-zP0
9zP-+NzP-zP-0
9-vl-+-zP-mK0
9+-+R+-+-0
xiiiiiiiiy
Carlsen’s time trouble started to tell. In
truth, finding the win was next to impossible
and Carlsen admitted that he didn’t even
consider the winning move. Now the tables
are turned and it is Black who has winning
chances.
33.¦cc2! ¥xa3 34.¤f4 £xb4 35.¦d7
wins for White, but it’s a line that is
very risky to consider, especially in time
trouble when there is no time to calculate
everything. And if White doesn’t
calculate everything to make sure it wins
he runs the risk of losing as Black’s
passed pawns just promote. 35...£b3
36.¦cc7 e5 37.¤xh5+ ¢g6 38.¦c6! (38.
g4 is another winning move, intending
¦c6–f6 or ¦c8–g8.) 38...¢xh5 39.¦xf6
White’s rooks weave a pretty mating
net. The threat is ¦d8–h8 mate. 39...£e6
40.¦dxf7 £xf7 41.¦xf7 with a winning
position for White as he can stop Black’s
passers on the queenside.
33...¥xa3 34.¦xb5 £d7 35.¦c5 e5?!
BRITISH CHESS MAGAZINE | 19
01/142
XIIIIIIIIY
9-+-+-+-+0 The decisive moment in the whole match
for the Challenger. He misses his only
9+-+q+pmk-0 chance in the match. Admittedly, it was
9-+-+-zp-+0 incredibly difficult to take it as the moves
9+-tR-zp-+p0 he had to find were almost impossible.
9pzP-+-+-zP0 36...¥xb4 was natural and surely
9vl-+NzP-zP-0 Nepomniachtchi saw it. The difficulty
lay in the next two precise moves he
9-+-+-zP-mK0 had to see. After 37.¦cc1, ¥a3! is the
9+-+R+-+-0 first precise move. After 38.¦a1 he now
xiiiiiiiiy had to see the second precise move:
Black misses his first chance in this game. 38...£g4!! - the point of which is to
latch onto the rook on d1 to prevent
35...¥xb4 was natural and stronger. Still, ¦xa3 and to defend the pawn on a4 at
after 36.¦cc1 ¥e7 37.¤e5! £b5 38.¦d7 the same time. Now after 39.¦d2 ¥f8
£xe5 39.¦xe7 £b2 40.¦f1 a3 41.¦d7 a2 Black would have had an objectively
42.¦dd1 White can hope to create some won position, though it would still have
sort of fortress as he defends the pawn on f2 required a lot of work.
securely and controls the first rank.
37.¦dd2 Now the game is objectively
36.¦c2? Carlsen gives his opponent a equal again.
second chance.
37...£b3 38.¦a2 e4?
36.e4 was safe for White. After 36...£d4
(36...¥xb4 37.¦d5 £e7 38.¤xb4 £xb4 39.f3 XIIIIIIIIY
is a draw as White will take the a-pawn but 9-+-+-+-+0
Black will capture on f3 and will have enough
activity with his queen to threaten perpetual
9+-+-+pmk-0
check and the e4–pawn, thus preventing 9-+-+-zp-+0
White from activating his rooks.) 37.¦a5 9+-+-+-+p0
£c4 (37...£xe4 38.¦xa4 £e2 39.¦a1 ¥xb4
40.¤xb4 £xf2+ 41.¢h3 £f5+ is a perpetual 9pzP-+p+-zP0
check.) 38.¦xa4 £b3 39.¦xa3 £xa3 40.b5 9vlq+NzP-zP-0
£b3 41.¦d2 £xb5 42.¢g2 is a draw as
White, should be able to create a fortress.
9R+-tR-zP-mK0
9+-+-+-+-0
36...£d5?
XIIIIIIIIY xiiiiiiiiy
A mistake that gives White a winning
9-+-+-+-+0 advantage.
9+-+-+pmk-0
38...¥xb4 again was good, if only for
9-+-+-zp-+0 a draw this time. After 39.¦db2 £xd3
9+-+qzp-+p0 40.¦xb4 a3 41.¦a4 f5 42.¦4xa3 £f1
9pzP-+-+-zP0 Black has enough counterplay against
the f2–pawn in addition to the pawn
9vl-+NzP-zP-0 break ...f4. For example: 43.¦d2 £e1
9-+R+-zP-mK0 44.¦aa2 f4!, opening the position of
White’s king. It is this idea of ...f4 that
9+-+R+-+-0 Black won’t have at his disposal after
xiiiiiiiiy the game move.

20 | BRITISH CHESS MAGAZINE


39.¤c5 £xb4 40.¤xe4?
XIIIIIIIIY
9-+-+-+-+0
9+-+-+pmk-0
9-+-+-zp-+0
9+-+-+-+p0
9pwq-+N+-zP0
9vl-+-zP-zP-0
9R+-tR-zP-mK0
9+-+-+-+-0
xiiiiiiiiy
The final move of the time scramble,
played with seconds left (there were no
increments before move 60) and one that
misses the win.
40.¦dc2! was winning, but again it was
anything but easy. The idea is to take
on a4 and then play ¦cc3 and capture
the pinned bishop. To show the damage
Black’s last move did to his position
take a look at the following line: 40...f5
41.¤xa4 £xa4 42.¦c3 £d1 43.¦cxa3
£f1 44.¦d2 £e1 45.¦aa2 £f1
Compared to the previous note Black
doesn’t have the ...f4 idea at his disposal
and is forced to wait. White untangles
after 46.¦d5 ¢g6 47.¦c2 f6 48.¦cd2
with a zugzwang, forcing the queen to
move from f1. After 48...£e1 49.¢g2
the king takes over the defence of the
pawn on f2 and the rooks will create
decisive threats against Black’s doubled
f-pawns or along the seventh rank.
40...£b3 The position is equal again
and the game starts anew. It is still
easier to play with White as he has
a clear objective of dealing with the
passed a-pawn, while Black is more
reactive and needs to deal with White’s
threats.
41.¦ac2 ¥f8 42.¤c5 £b5 43.¤d3 a3
44.¤f4 The knight targets the pawn on
h5, reminding Black of his decision on
move 30.
January 2022
44...£a5 45.¦a2 ¥b4 46.¦d3 ¢h6
47.¦d1 £a4 48.¦da1 ¥d6 49.¢g1
£b3 50.¤e2 White reroutes the knight
to d4 to take away some squares from
the queen. From d4 the knight can also
come to c2 and attack the pawn on a3 for
a third time.
50...£d3 51.¤d4 ¢h7 52.¢h2 £e4?
XIIIIIIIIY
9-+-+-+-+0
9+-+-+p+k0
9-+-vl-zp-+0
9+-+-+-+p0
9-+-sNq+-zP0
9zp-+-zP-zP-0
9R+-+-zP-mK0
9tR-+-+-+-0
xiiiiiiiiy
A very bad practical decision by
Nepomniachtchi, his third one in this game.
Why exchange the potent passer on a3 for
the pawn on h4?
52...¥b4 was one good option,
preventing 53.¤c2? in view of 53...¥c3
54.¦b1 £e2 55.¢g2 £c4, when White’s
pieces are clumsy and he loses material
after 56.¦xa3 £e4+ 57.¢g1 £xc2.
53.¦xa3! Of course, White gladly accepts
the trade.
53...£xh4+ 53...¥xa3? 54.¦xa3 is
hopeless for Black as White can simply
put a knight on f4 and a rook on the fifth
rank and win the pawn on h5.
54.¢g1 54.¢g2 is bad, as it gives
Black a tempo with 54...£e4+ and after
55.¢g1 h4 he has enough counterplay
as he destroys the shelter around
White’s king.
54...£e4?!
BRITISH CHESS MAGAZINE | 21
01/142

XIIIIIIIIY best - he started probing around until

9-+-+-+-+0
9+-+-+p+k0
9-+-vl-zp-+0
9+-+-+-+p0
9-+-sNq+-+0
9tR-+-zP-zP-0
9-+-+-zP-+0
9tR-+-+-mK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
The fourth impractical decision. Why allow
the knight to come to e2 and stabilise the
position?
54...¥xg3? is bad as after 55.fxg3
£xg3+ 56.¢f1 h4 57.¦1a2 White has
too much material and will quickly start
rounding up Black’s pawns. 54...£g4!
was better, keeping an eye on the e2–
square. Now, after 55.¦a4 ¥e5 56.¦1a2
£d1+ 57.¢g2 h4 Black has sufficient
counterplay as after 58.¤f5 hxg3
59.¤xg3 £d5+ 60.e4 £d1 White’s king
is more exposed and the material has
been reduced.
Nepomniachtchi allowed a way forward.
57...£b3 58.¢g2 £d5+ 59.f3 Carlsen
decides to put his pawns on dark squares in
order to limit Black’s bishop.
59...£d1 60.f4 ¥c7 61.¢f2 White’s king
is safe and now he starts to manoeuvre
with the rooks, attacking the pawns on the
kingside and targeting the bishop.
61...¥b6 62.¦a1 £b3 63.¦e4 Defending
the pawn on e3.
63...¢g7 64.¦e8 Threatening ¦aa8.
64...f5 Opening the f6–square for the king.
65.¦aa8 Now this isn’t dangerous as the
king can come to f6, but White doesn’t
mind shuffling around.
65...£b4 66.¦ac8 ¥a5 Threatening
...£e1.
67.¦c1 ¥b6 68.¦e5 £b3 69.¦e8 £d5
Now the queen can come to h1 in case the
rook leaves the first rank.

55.¦a4 ¥e5 56.¤e2! 70.¦cc8 £h1 71.¦c1 £d5 72.¦b1

XIIIIIIIIY XIIIIIIIIY
9-+-+-+-+0 9-+-+R+-+0
9+-+-+p+k0 9+-+-+pmk-0
9-+-+-zp-+0 9-vl-+-+-+0
9+-+-vl-+p0 9+-+q+p+p0
9R+-+q+-+0 9-+-+-zP-+0
9+-+-zP-zP-0 9+-+-zP-zP-0
9-+-+NzP-+0 9-+-+NmK-+0
9tR-+-+-mK-0 9+R+-+-+-0
xiiiiiiiiy xiiiiiiiiy
Now White controls the fourth rank and Up to here Nepomniachtchi defended
prevents ...h4. very well, making it impossible for White
to make any progress in view of the
56...£c2 57.¦1a2 White has stabilised counterplay he created against the pawn
the position as Black has no counterplay. on e3 and the ...£h1 idea. But, as so often
Now Carlsen started doing what he does happens in Carlsen’s games, the critical

22 | BRITISH CHESS MAGAZINE


moment arrived undetected and now Black
must make a precise move, something that
is difficult to understand because it’s hard
to see that after Black’s next natural move
the game becomes very forcing.
72...¥a7? Allowing White a favourable
transformation that allows him to move
forward. It’s natural to keep the bishop on
the g1–a7 diagonal targeting the pawn on
e3, but it would have been better to place
it on c7 or a5, which would have kept the
position as it was.
73.¦e7 Suddenly the bishop is running
short of squares and by attacking it White
successfully rearranges his pieces.
73...¥c5 74.¦e5 £d3 75.¦b7 The bishop
needs to be defended if it is to remain on
the g1–a7 diagonal.
75...£c2 76.¦b5 The attack continues,
forcing the bishop to a7.
76...¥a7 77.¦a5 ¥b6 78.¦ab5 ¥a7
XIIIIIIIIY
9-+-+-+-+0
9vl-+-+pmk-0
9-+-+-+-+0
9+R+-tRp+p0
9-+-+-zP-+0
9+-+-zP-zP-0
9-+q+NmK-+0
9+-+-+-+-0
xiiiiiiiiy
79.¦xf5! The favourable transformation that
White was seeking. He manages to exchange
his rook for the bishop and two pawns,
allowing him to enter a position where he
has a clear plan of moving forward.
79...£d3 80.¦xf7+! Of course, not
80.¦fe5? ¥xe3!
80...¢xf7 81.¦b7+ ¢g6 82.¦xa7
Objectively this is still a draw, but it’s clear
January 2022
that White has made tremendous progress
compared to the position after the first time
control on move 40.
82...£d5 83.¦a6+?!
XIIIIIIIIY
9-+-+-+-+0
9+-+-+-+-0
9R+-+-+k+0
9+-+q+-+p0
9-+-+-zP-+0
9+-+-zP-zP-0
9-+-+NmK-+0
9+-+-+-+-0
xiiiiiiiiy
The only imprecision by Carlsen in this
endgame. He was already playing on
increment time by now.
83.¤d4 £h1 84.¤f3 would have led to
similar positions to the one reached later in
the game.
83...¢h7?! Missing the best chance in this
difficult endgame.
83...¢f5! going forward was best. The king
goes to g4 and h3 creating counterplay
against the pawn on g3. This active defence
would have made it impossible for White to
calmly manoeuvre and prepare the advance
of the pawns, something he managed in the
game.
84.¦a1 Now again Carlsen resorts to
shuffling around, seeking the best way
to arrange his pieces before pushing his
pawns forward.
84...¢g6 85.¤d4 £b7 86.¦a2 £h1 The
queen is annoying so White must keep
his knight in close vicinity of his king to
prevent checks.
87.¦a6+ ¢f7 88.¤f3 £b1 89.¦d6 ¢g7
90.¦d5 £a2+ 91.¦d2 £b1 92.¦e2
Threatening e4.
BRITISH CHESS MAGAZINE | 23
01/142
92...£b6 But Black prevents it.
93.¦c2 £b1 94.¤d4 £h1 95.¦c7+ ¢f6
96.¦c6+ ¢f7 97.¤f3 £b1 98.¤g5+ ¢g7
99.¤e6+ ¢f7 100.¤d4 £h1 101.¦c7+
¢f6 102.¤f3 The knight returns to f3 and
White hasn’t made any progress.
102...£b1 103.¦d7 £b2+ 104.¦d2 £b1
XIIIIIIIIY
9-+-+-+-+0
9+-+-+-+-0
9-+-+-mk-+0
9+-+-+-+p0
9-+-+-zP-+0
9+-+-zPNzP-0
9-+-tR-mK-+0
9+q+-+-+-0
xiiiiiiiiy
105.¤g1! Carlsen finally finds a
constructive idea. He wants to play ¤e2,
¦d4 and eventually e4. At the same time,
he prevents ...£h1.
105...£b4 106.¦d1 £b3 107.¦d6+ ¢g7
108.¦d4 £b2+ 109.¤e2 £b1 110.e4
Finally the pawn moves forward. White
again has made progress in spite of Black’s
stubborn defence.
110...£h1 111.¦d7+ ¢g8 112.¦d4 £h2+
113.¢e3 h4 This gets rid of the h-pawn,
which could have been attacked, but it also
exchanges the pawn on g3, a source of
counterplay for Black.
114.gxh4 £h3+ 115.¢d2 £xh4 The
tablebases were saying this was a draw,
but watching the game in the playing
hall I had no doubt that White would
win - it is impossible to defend with one
piece against four, even if that one piece
is the queen, especially as White can
play on forever.
116.¦d3 ¢f8 117.¦f3 £d8+ 118.¢e3
£a5 118...£b6+ 119.¤d4 ¢f7 would
24 | BRITISH CHESS MAGAZINE
have slowed White down a bit, thanks
to the pin on the knight, though after
120.¦f1 with ¦d1 next White unpins
and the game goes on.
119.¢f2 Now the king escapes to the
kingside from where it is easier to
move forward.
119...£a7+ 120.¦e3 £d7 121.¤g3
£d2+ 122.¢f3 £d1+ 123.¦e2 £b3+
124.¢g2 Carlsen systematically
improves his position: now his king is
safe against checks on the kingside and
the rook can be activated.
124...£b7 125.¦d2 £b3 126.¦d5 ¢e7
127.¦e5+ ¢f7 128.¦f5+ ¢e8 129.
e5 The pawn moves forward and it’s
becoming more and more difficult for
Black to hold.
129...£a2+ 130.¢h3 £e6?
XIIIIIIIIY
9-+-+k+-+0
9+-+-+-+-0
9-+-+q+-+0
9+-+-zPR+-0
9-+-+-zP-+0
9+-+-+-sNK0
9-+-+-+-+0
9+-+-+-+-0
xiiiiiiiiy
The final mistake. The drawing idea
was to keep the queen behind the
pawns, for example by 130...£c2 or
130...£b1 as from there she can harass
White more easily, whether by pinning
the knight or giving checks. After this
mistake, Carlsen is precise in his play
until the end.
131.¢h4 Now all White’s pieces move
forward.
131...£h6+ 132.¤h5 £h7 133.e6! £g6
 January 2022

XIIIIIIIIY This game broke the record for the longest

World Championship game (the previous
9-+-+k+-+0 one being game five from the match
9+-+-+-+-0 Karpov−Korchnoi in Baguio 1978 that
lasted for 124 moves) and, as it transpired,
9-+-+P+q+0 turned the balanced match into a massacre.
9+-+-+R+N0
9-+-+-zP-mK0 Ian Nepomniachtchi:
“Most of the
9+-+-+-+-0 games were quite boring”
9-+-+-+-+0
9+-+-+-+-0
xiiiiiiiiy
134.¦f7! The pawn is indirectly defended
thanks to the fork on g7 and now White
wants to connect the pawns with f5.

134...¢d8 135.f5 £g1 136.¤g7

XIIIIIIIIY
9-+-mk-+-+0
9+-+-+RsN-0
9-+-+P+-+0
9+-+-+P+-0 In an interview with Chess.com following
9-+-+-+-mK0 the match, defeated contender Ian
Nepomniachtchi share his views about
9+-+-+-+-0 the match, where he also said that despite
9-+-+-+-+0 some intense moments, the match was
uneventful:
9+-+-+-wq-0
xiiiiiiiiy “Obviously I like playing chess, and
Against the checks, the king will walk to some of the games, game two I believe
g8 when the pawns will finally promote. A especially was really intense, and also
titanic struggle! despite the result, game six was really
interesting… But yep, somehow most of
1–0 the games (I’m not even speaking about
the second part of the match with such
a bad result) were quite boring. It was
It was amazing to follow this historical like some short opening discussion, and
game from the playing hall and the then one of the sides get some pretty tiny
surrounding venue that comprised of the advantage, but it just leads nowhere but
VIP room, the Play Magnus lounge and a draw”.
the press room. The tension was palpable
and even though we (myself and the He also responded to questions about
fellow GMs, journalists and spectators) feeling pressure to bring the chess crown
could access engines and tablebases, we back to Russia. “There were some huge
tried to get into the players’ shoes and expectations. But they come from inside,
understand the difficult decisions they not from some people who say like: Let’s
had to make. return the crown to Russia.”

BRITISH CHESS MAGAZINE | 25

01/142
THE THREE-DAY MASSACRE
In my pre-match analysis (see the November
issue of BCM) I noted Nepomniachtchi’s
propensity towards losing his composure
when things start to go wrong. There was
no doubt that this psychological problem
was addressed in his preparations, it only
remained to be seen how effective that
work has been.
GAME SEVEN:
GIVE ME A BREAK
Game six finished well after midnight,
lasting over eight hours! It was
understandable that the players’ usual
rhythm was disturbed and this was reflected
in the next game – both were happy to take
it easy and didn’t mind the draw.
Ian Nepomniachtchi – Magnus Carlsen
WCh 2021 Dubai UAE (7), 04.12.2021
1.e4 e5 2.¤f3 ¤c6 3.¥b5 a6 4.¥a4 ¤f6
5.0–0 ¥e7 6.¦e1 b5 7.¥b3 0–0 8.a4 ¦b8
Carlsen doesn’t deviate from the choice
from his last black game.
9.axb5 axb5 10.h3 d6 11.d3
XIIIIIIIIY
9-trlwq-trk+0
9+-zp-vlpzpp0
9-+nzp-sn-+0
9+p+-zp-+-0
9-+-+P+-+0
9+L+P+N+P0
9-zPP+-zPP+0
9tRNvLQtR-mK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
The Challenger is the first to change his
choice from game five. In that game he
played 11.c3, allowing 11...b4 with further
liquidation of the pawns on the queenside.
By keeping the c3–square vacant he intends
to develop his knight there.
26 | BRITISH CHESS MAGAZINE
11...h6 Carlsen stays true to his preferred set-
up in these positions: ...h6, ...¦e8 and ...¥f8.
12.¤c3 There had previously been few
games played in this position so the players
were following their own preparation rather
than previously known examples.
12...¦e8 13.¤d5 ¥f8 Black finished the
planned rearrangement of his forces.
14.¤xf6+ The direct 14.c3 allows Black
to execute another planned manoeuvre,
the transfer of the knight from c6 to g6,
with tempo after 14...¤xd5 15.¥xd5 ¤e7
16.¥b3 ¤g6 - when Black has little to
worry about.
14...£xf6 15.c3 ¤e7 Carlsen plays almost
automatically, first the ...h6, ...¦e8 and
...¥f8 rearrangement and then the knight
transfer to g6.
16.¥e3 White stops the transfer of
the knight.
16...¥e6 Since ...¤g6 is not possible,
Black employs another typical idea, the
exchange of the light-squared bishops.
White’s last move was prophylaxis against
16...¤g6? when White wins exchange after
17.¥a7 ¦b7 18.¥d5, as here we can see
the importance of the knight staying on e7,
from where it covers the d5–square.
17.d4 a natural advance in the centre, but
Black is ready for it.
17.¦a6!? is proposed by the engine, but for
a human it is not very easy to allow the
capture on h3 after 17...¦a8 (17...c6 is a
good alternative, intending ...d5.) 18.£a1
¦xa6 19.£xa6 ¥xh3: the queen left the
d1–square from where she defended the
knight on f3 so now this is possible. White
can take the b5–pawn, but the absence of
the h3–pawn makes the g4–square available
for Black’s bishop after 20.£xb5 (20.¤xe5
wins the pair of bishops but weakens the
king after 20...£xe5 21.gxh3 ¦d8 with the
 January 2022

idea of ...d5.) 20...c6 21.£b4 ¥g4, with White decides to keep the rook on the
rather unclear play with mutual chances. open a-file.

17...exd4 18.cxd4 18.¤xd4 doesn’t prevent 20.¦ac1 is the engine’s suggestion.

simplifications. Black can play 18...¥xb3 After 20...¦xe4 (The difference from
19.£xb3 d5! 20.exd5 ¦ed8 and regain the the game is seen after 20...c5? 21.dxc5
pawn on d5 on the next move. 18.¥xd4 dxc5 22.¥xc5 when the rook on e1
£g6: the queen moves away with tempo defends the e4–pawn so White is a
as now ...¥xh3 is a threat. 19.¥xe6 £xe6 pawn up.) 21.¦xc7 £f5 22.£c2!? is
is problem-free for Black as he plans ...c5, an interesting attempt, threatening ¤d2
...¤g6 etc. to win the pinned rook on e4. Black
can now play the simple 22...¤e7!
18...¥xb3 19.£xb3 ¤g6 The knight has (or the more complicated 22...£d5
finally arrived on g6. With the e-file open for 23.¦xf7! ¥e7! Taking the rook is met
the rook on e8 now the pawn on e4 is hanging. by 23...¢xf7? 24.£c7, winning the
rook on b8. 24.¦xg7+ ¢xg7 25.¥xh6+
20.¦ec1 ¢xh6 26.¦xe4 £f5 with a messy
XIIIIIIIIY position.) 23.¤d2 ¦e6, when he easily
holds the balance.;
9-tr-+rvlk+0
9+-zp-+pzp-0 20.£c2 defends the pawn on e4, but
Black can continue with 20...c5 or
9-+-zp-wqnzp0 20...£e7, attacking the pawn on e4 one
9+p+-+-+-0 more time. 21.e5 £e6 22.dxc5 dxc5
9-+-zPP+-+0 23.¥xc5 ¦bc8 24.b4 ¥xc5 25.bxc5
£d5 when he regains the pawn as
9+Q+-vLN+P0 White cannot defend both e5 and c5.
9-zP-+-zPP+0
20...c5!
9tR-tR-+-mK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
BRITISH CHESS MAGAZINE | 27
01/142

XIIIIIIIIY
Magnus Carlsen - Ian Nepomniachtchi
9-tr-+rvlk+0
9+-+-+pzp-0 WCh 2021 Dubai UAE (8), 05.12.2021
9-+-zp-wqnzp0 1.e4 e5 2.¤f3 ¤f6 The Challenger sticks to
9+pzp-+-+-0 the Petroff. His plan was to hold this game
and then use the rest day to recuperate,
9-+-zPP+-+0 readjust and strike with White in the next
9+Q+-vLN+P0 game.
9-zP-+-zPP+0 3.d4 A rare choice for Carlsen, as he’s
9tR-tR-+-mK-0 usually preferred 3.¤xe5, but he comes
xiiiiiiiiy prepared with a rare idea.
With the pawn on e4 hanging this is the
simplest route to a draw. 3...¤xe4 4.¥d3 d5 5.¤xe5 ¤d7 6.¤xd7
¥xd7 7.¤d2!?
21.e5 £f5! Carlsen is very precise. XIIIIIIIIY
There was no need for 21...dxe5 22.dxc5 9r+-wqkvl-tr0
e4 23.¤d4 ¦ed8 24.¤xb5 ¤e5 when 9zppzpl+pzpp0
Black has compensation for the pawn as 9-+-+-+-+0
...¤d3 is coming.
9+-+p+-+-0
22.dxc5 dxc5 23.¥xc5 ¥xc5 24.¦xc5 9-+-zPn+-+0
¤xe5 25.¤xe5 ¦xe5 26.¦xe5 £xe5
The position completely dried out so the 9+-+L+-+-0
players just made the necessary moves 9PzPPsN-zPPzP0
until move 40 in order to agree to a draw. 9tR-vLQmK-+R0
27.£c3 £xc3 28.bxc3 ¦c8 29.¦a5 xiiiiiiiiy
¦xc3 30.¦xb5 ¦c1+ 31.¢h2 ¦c3 This was Team Carlsen’s idea. The move
32.h4 g6 33.g3 h5 34.¢g2 ¢g7 is very rare and it was intended to catch
35.¦a5 ¢f6 36.¦b5 ¢g7 37.¦a5 ¢f6 Nepomniachtchi unprepared. And they
38.¦b5 ¢g7 39.¦a5 ¢f6 40.¦a6+ succeeded!
¢g7 41.¦a7
7...¤xd2 8.¥xd2 ¥d6?!
½–½ XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-wqk+-tr0
GAME EIGHT: 9zppzpl+pzpp0
IT’S LESS COMPLICATED 9-+-vl-+-+0
WHEN YOU’RE IN THE LEAD
9+-+p+-+-0
With the lead, Carlsen changed his 9-+-zP-+-+0
strategy with the white pieces as he
stopped seeking complications. He 9+-+L+-+-0
switched to a safety-first approach but 9PzPPvL-zPPzP0
always with some ideas to put a bit 9tR-+QmK-+R0
of pressure on the opponent. This was
nicely reflected in the next game. xiiiiiiiiy
28 | BRITISH CHESS MAGAZINE

Here comes the quick reply and an
immediate imprecision. This was the first
signal that the Challenger couldn’t really
shake off the shock of the defeat in game
six. His old habit of playing fast, which
can work to his benefit when in great form
as it puts a lot of pressure on the clock,
works against him here as the quality of
his moves was far from optimal.
8...£e7+! is the solution to Black’s
problems. Now White can try 9.¥e3
(or 9.£e2 £xe2+ 10.¢xe2 ¥e6 which
is easily equal.) 9...£b4+ 10.£d2 (10.
c3 is an interesting pawn sacrifice. It
can end in a quick draw after 10...£xb2
11.0–0 ¥d6 Black needs to speed up his
development as taking on c3 allows ¦c1
with a strong initiative. 12.¥d2 0–0 13.a4
White makes sure he has a perpetual
attack on the queen. 13...¦fe8 14.¦b1
£a2 15.¦a1 £b2 with a repetition.)
10...£xd2+ is the simplest (10...£xb2?!
just give White an unnecessary attack
after 11.0–0 £a3 12.£e2! ¥e7?!
13.¦ae1! and in view of the threat ¥c1
Black is in trouble.) 11.¢xd2 ¥d6 12.h4
0–0 and the game will certainly end in
a draw.
9.0–0 In this strange symmetrical position
Black faces certain problems.
9...h5!? An interesting move that wasn’t
properly analysed by Team Carlsen and
which sent the Champion into a 40–
minute thought.
9...0–0?! is bad as after 10.£h5 f5
11.¥g5 White has a stable positional
advantage in view of Black’s passive
light-squared bishop and potentially
weak dark squares.;
9...£h4 was a move we considered in
the press room. White has more than one
option here. 10.¦e1+ (10.£e2+ ¢f8
11.f4 ¦e8 12.£f3 c6 is approximately
equal. 10.f4?! 0–0–0 is fine for Black.
10.g3 is what the engine likes, going for
an endgame after 10...£g4 as taking on
January 2022
d4 is bad after ¥c3 and White will take
on g7. 11.¦e1+ ¢f8 12.£xg4 ¥xg4
13.h4 with small pull for White in the
endgame.) 10...¢f8 11.h3. Playing 11. g3
£g4 transposes to the lines after 10.g3
£g4. Now White wants to play £f3
next with some advantage as Black’s
king is in the way of the communication
of Black’s rooks. Taking pawns is risky:
11...£xd4 12.£h5 £xb2 13.¦ab1 £f6
14.¦xb7 ¥c6 15.¦b3 gives White
definite compensation, but Black can
try to defend.;
9...£f6 was another move we looked
at. Here the engine likes 10.¦e1+ ¥e6
11.£h5, attacking the pawn on d5.
11...¢d7 12.c3, threatening ¥g5 to trap
the queen. 12...h6 13.£d1!? - a nice
retreat: the queen can come to b3 and
harass Black on the queenside, again with
some nagging initiative.
10.£e1+
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-wqk+-tr0
9zppzpl+pzp-0
9-+-vl-+-+0
9+-+p+-+p0
9-+-zP-+-+0
9+-+L+-+-0
9PzPPvL-zPPzP0
9tR-+-wQRmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
A move that came as a surprise, not only for
the spectators but also for Nepomniachtchi.
The conclusion we reached was that
White should open the centre with
10.c4! but deeper analysis shows that
Black can eventually hold, though the
lines are extremely complex. 10...dxc4
(10...£f6? is bad as 11.c5 ¥f4 12.¥xf4
£xf4 13.¦e1+ ¢f8 14.£b3 is extremely
unpleasant for Black with his bad king
and bishop.) 11.¥xc4 £h4 12.¦e1+ ¢f8
and now White’s only move to get some
BRITISH CHESS MAGAZINE | 29
01/142
advantage is 13.£f3!! - giving up the
pawn on h2 with check, but threatening
mate on f7. Now after the forcing line
13...¥xh2+ 14.¢f1 £f6 15.£xf6
gxf6 16.g3 the bishop on h2 is trapped
but Black can actually save it after
16...¥h3+ 17.¢e2 ¥g4+! 18.f3 ¥xg3
19.¥b4+ (19.fxg4 ¥xe1 20.¥xe1 hxg4 is
approximately equal, with Black having
three pawns to help his rook against
White’s bishops.) 19...c5! - the only move
for Black. The idea is to open the c-file
and lure the bishop to c5, the importance
of which is seen after 20.¥xc5+ ¢g7
21.¦g1 ¦he8+ 22.¢d2 ¥f4+ 23.¢c2
b6! as now Black gains tempo against
that bishop on c5 and uses the open c-file
to regain the piece. 24.fxg4 (24.¥b4?
¦ac8! shows the importance of the open
c-file.) 24...bxc5 25.gxh5+ ¢h8 26.dxc5
¥e3 27.¦gf1 ¥xc5 28.¦xf6 White is a
pawn up but the game should be drawn.
10.£f3!? is a more sensible way to keep
the advantage. The pawn on d5 hangs and
after 10...¥e6 11.g3 prevents the move
...£h4. Black has problems with his
king as it’s not easy to find a safe haven,
primarily because of the move ...h5 since
now castling short is impossible.
10...¢f8?! Another move that shows
Nepomniachtchi’s disturbed state of
mind. He understood that after the natural
10...£e7 the game would end in a draw
rather quickly, but he couldn’t explain
why he played the game move. Indeed,
moving the king unnecessarily creates
problems for Black as the game continues
with a slight advantage for White when
Black can at the maximum hope for a
draw, something he could have achieved
in a problem-free manner if he had
covered the check with the queen.
11.¥b4 White exchanges his bad bishop
for Black’s good one and, in addition to the
awkward position of Black’s king, obtains
a pleasant plus.
11...£e7 12.¥xd6 £xd6 13.£d2 ¦e8
14.¦ae1 ¦h6?!
30 | BRITISH CHESS MAGAZINE
XIIIIIIIIY
9-+-+rmk-+0
9zppzpl+pzp-0
9-+-wq-+-tr0
9+-+p+-+p0
9-+-zP-+-+0
9+-+L+-+-0
9PzPPwQ-zPPzP0
9+-+-tRRmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
One more move that is difficult to explain.
Black wants to draw, so why not make that
draw in the most simple way possible?
The situation is the same as after White’s
10.£e1, when Black avoids a simple
solution and plays a strange move that
keeps the game going when only White can
hope for more. It is hard to understand these
irrational decisions by the Challenger, but
it’s clear that their root is in the lost inner
peace after the loss in game six.
Black had the simple and straightforward
14...¦xe1 15.¦xe1 g6 with ...¢g7 and
....¦e8 next, when he is theoretically
worse because of his somewhat weakened
kingside and limited bishop, but he still
should be able to draw without too many
problems.
15.£g5! White now keeps the pressure on.
15...c6 Defending the pawn on d5 and
intending ...£f6.
16.¦xe8+ ¥xe8 17.¦e1 £f6 18.£e3
White controls the e-file while the rook on
h6 still finds it difficult to get into the game.
Black should still be able to hold but it’s
not trivial any more as it would have been
on the previous two occasions.
18...¥d7 19.h3 h4 If 19...£d6, threatening
...¦e6, White should go back to g5 and
after 20.£g5 £f6 21.£g3 there is a way
to keep the pressure on: 21...£d6 22.¦e5 is
still unpleasant for Black.

20.c4 With uncoordinated black pieces it is
natural to open the centre.
20.¥e2 is a curious engine suggestion,
intending ¥g4 to exchange the bishops
in order to gain access to the e8–square. I
doubt that this idea, exchanging Black’s
passive bishop, crossed the players’ minds.
20...dxc4 21.¥xc4 b5??
XIIIIIIIIY
9-+-+-mk-+0
9zp-+l+pzp-0
9-+p+-wq-tr0
9+p+-+-+-0
9-+LzP-+-zp0
9+-+-wQ-+P0
9PzP-+-zPP+0
9+-+-tR-mK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
Blundering a pawn. Total collapse.
If Black’s previous moves only made the
position more difficult to play, this loses
immediately. While shocking, it can be
observed that Nepomniachtchi’s play in
this game had a snowballing effect - the
inaccuracies accumulated and resulted in a
big mistake.
21...¢g8 was the best defence, with the
idea 22.£e7 ¥e6! when Black is OK,
though after (22...£xe7 23.¦xe7 ¦d6
24.¦xf7 ¢h7 is actually also possible,
though it looks as if Black has just lost a
pawn for nothing, but he has 25.¦f4 g5
26.¦e4 ¢g6 with activity that is enough to
compensate for the pawn.) 23.£e8+ ¢h7
24.¥xe6 fxe6 25.¦e4: the position looks
more pleasant for White, who has the safer
king and some pawn weaknesses on h4 and
e6 to play around. 25...£f5
22.£a3+ ¢g8 22...£d6 23.£xa7 bxc4
24.£a8+ is mate.
23.£xa7 What Nepomniachtchi missed
January 2022
was that the bishop on d7 was hanging. A
puzzling explanation by the Challenger,
missing trivial things.
23...£d8 23...¥xh3 was possible, but here
best is 24.£xf7+! (In the press room we
checked 24.¦e8+ ¢h7 25.¥xf7? and here
I was actually the one who found 25...¦g6!
when Black is no longer worse!) 24...£xf7
25.¦e8+ ¢h7 26.¥xf7 with a technically
winning endgame.
24.¥b3 ¦d6 25.¦e4
XIIIIIIIIY
9-+-wq-+k+0
9wQ-+l+pzp-0
9-+ptr-+-+0
9+p+-+-+-0
9-+-zPR+-zp0
9+L+-+-+P0
9PzP-+-zPP+0
9+-+-+-mK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
White is a clear pawn up and Black is still
tied down as he needs to defend both f7
and h4. The rest of the game was easy for a
player of Carlsen’s technique.
25...¥e6 26.¥xe6 ¦xe6 27.¦xe6 fxe6
28.£c5! Threatening b3 and a4. If Black
wants to prevent that he must give up a
second pawn.
BRITISH CHESS MAGAZINE | 31
01/142
28...£a5 29.£xc6 £e1+ 30.¢h2 £xf2
31.£xe6+ ¢h7 32.£e4+ ¢g8 33.b3
Threatening a4.
33...£xa2 34.£e8+ ¢h7 35.£xb5 £f2
36.£e5
XIIIIIIIIY
9-+-+-+-+0
9+-+-+-zpk0
9-+-+-+-+0
9+-+-wQ-+-0
9-+-zP-+-zp0
9+P+-+-+P0
9-+-+-wqPmK0
9+-+-+-+-0
xiiiiiiiiy
The only thing White needs to do is to
control the checks along the h2–b8 diagonal
and along the first rank.
36...£b2 37.£e4+ ¢g8 38.£d3 £f2
39.£c3 Covering the c1–square, so Black
only gets one check.
39...£f4+ 40.¢g1 Now there are no more
checks and the pawns can advance.
40...¢h7 41.£d3+ g6 42.£d1 Again
controlling the checks from the first rank.
The queen defends both passed pawns and
the d-pawn is ready to advance.
42...£e3+ 43.¢h1 g5 44.d5 g4
Desperation, but the fate of the game is
sealed anyway.
45.hxg4 h3 46.£f3 White is three pawns
up so Black resigned.
1–0
It was surprising how well Carlsen’s safety-first
strategy worked. The impression that persisted
in the playing venue was that Nepomniachtchi
couldn’t really distance himself emotionally
from the loss of the sixth game.
32 | BRITISH CHESS MAGAZINE
Nepo’s old habit of fast play returned and
it led to superficial calculation and terrible
blunders. The second loss in the last three
games, played on three consecutive days,
put him in a desperate situation and with
the rest day ahead I expected him to give it
one last try to get back with a win.
The End
GAME NINE:
THE GREAT EXPECTATION
Game nine was eagerly expected as it was
seen as Nepomniachtchi’s last chance to get
back into the match. Nobody could imagine
we were in for another shock.
Ian Nepomniachtchi - Magnus Carlsen
WCh 2021 Dubai UAE (9), 07.12.2021
1.c4 Trailing by two points and not getting
anywhere in the Anti-Marshall, Team
Nepomniachtchi decided it was time for a
change.
1...e6 Already the first move indicates
that Carlsen had most probably prepared
the QGD for the match as now 2.¤c3 is
usually met by 2...d5 and after 3.d4 we
have the starting position of the QGD.
2.g3 But the Challenger stays within Reti
territory, something he has also played in
the past.
2...d5 3.¥g2 d4!?
XIIIIIIIIY
9rsnlwqkvlntr0
9zppzp-+pzpp0
9-+-+p+-+0
9+-+-+-+-0
9-+Pzp-+-+0
9+-+-+-zP-0
9PzP-zPPzPLzP0
9tRNvLQmK-sNR0
xiiiiiiiiy

An interesting choice by Carlsen. He spent
some time here, deciding whether to go for
the lines prepared for the match with the move
he eventually played, or to go for something
simpler, as dictated by the match situation.
The move 3...d4 leads to more complex
positions compared to 3...dxc4 for example.
4.¤f3 ¤c6 The reversed Benoni with 4...
c5 is the more popular option, but Carlsen
aims for a reversed Schmidt Benoni (the
Schmidt Benoni arises after 1.d4 ¤f6
2.¤f3 c5 3.d5 g6 4.¤c3 ¥g7 5.e4) two
tempi down - he wants to push ...e5 and
develop in the centre with ...¤f6, ...¥c5,
...0–0 and aim for the ...e4 push.
5.0–0 ¥c5 A small subtlety. The natural
move would be 5...¤f6, but Black intends
to develop the knight to e7 in case White
challenges the centre with e3.
6.d3 After 6.e3 Black has 6...¤ge7! and
the knight can come to f5 for better control
of the d4–square. This was the point behind
Black’s postponement of the development
of the king’s knight.
6...¤f6 Now White has a choice where to
develop the queen’s knight - to d2 or to c2
via a3.
7.¤bd2 From here the knight wants to
go to b3 to attack the bishop on c5 and
put pressure on the d4–pawn, especially
as White wants to continue with e3 and
undermine Black’s central control.
7.¤a3 is the alternative, but in a recent
game between two strong players Black was
fine after 7...0–0 8.¤c2 a5 9.b3 e5 10.¥b2
¥f5= with comfortable play for Black in
the online game Rapport,R (2763)-Wei,Y
(2732) Chess.com INT 2021.
7...a5 The pawn is ready to harass the
knight on b3.
8.¤b3 ¥e7 9.e3 dxe3 Black cannot
maintain the pawn on d4 so he is forced to
allow White to speed up his development.
January 2022
10.¥xe3 ¤g4!
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+lwqk+-tr0
9+pzp-vlpzpp0
9-+n+p+-+0
9zp-+-+-+-0
9-+P+-+n+0
9+N+PvLNzP-0
9PzP-+-zPLzP0
9tR-+Q+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
The key move that Carlsen remembered. Black
must challenge White’s bishop and not allow a
comfortable development with h3 and d4.
11.¥c5 In spite of all this being completely
new, Nepomniachtchi continued playing fast,
thus showing Carlsen that he wasn’t surprised
and that he was still in his preparation.
11...0–0 12.d4 a4 13.¥xe7 £xe7 14.¤c5
a3 The human move that we also considered
in the press room.
The engine prefers 14...e5 15.¦e1 ¦d8 but
this looks rather loose, and since he couldn’t
remember his preparation Carlsen went for
the simpler solution. Here after 16.¤xa4 £b4
is simpler (rather than 16...e4 17.d5 f5 when
Black should have compensation for the pawn
according to the engine.) 17.b3 exd4 with an
approximately balanced middlegame.
BRITISH CHESS MAGAZINE | 33
01/142
15.bxa3
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+l+-trk+0
9+pzp-wqpzpp0
9-+n+p+-+0
9+-sN-+-+-0
9-+PzP-+n+0
9zP-+-+NzP-0
9P+-+-zPLzP0
9tR-+Q+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
White had a choice here.
15.b4!? was an ambitious try. Carlsen
intended to meet it with 15...¤xb4 16.¦b1
(16.£b3 ¤c6 17.¤d3 was something we
considered as a way to obtain a bind in
the centre. But Black is solid after 17...¦d8
18.h3 ¤f6 19.¤de5 ¤xe5 20.¤xe5 ¤d7 and
White has some compensation, but it won’t
give him more than equality.) 16...b6! when,
after 17.¦xb4 bxc5, 18.¦b5: this is the move
Nepomniachtchi missed. 18...¦a6 19.¦xc5
¥b7: Black has returned the pawn but solved
the problem of the bad bishop. White keeps
some pressure but Black should be able to
hold, a typical scenario in the games when
Carlsen was playing black. 15.b3 was another
possibility, but after 15...¦d8 the pressure
on d4 prevents White from comfortably
developing with £e2 and ¦d1.
15...¦d8 It was possible to take on a3 but
Carlsen wants to keep the possibility to take
there with a queen, after White removes the
knight from c5.
16.¤b3 ¤f6 17.¦e1 This looked strange to
us as we thought that the most natural way to
develop was £e2 and ¦fd1. The queen must
leave the d-file in view of the presence of
the black rook on d8, and there is no better
square than e2, so why not move the queen
first and then decide where to put the rook?
17.£e2!? with ¦fd1 next will threaten d5.
17...¥d7: this is the most straightforward,
34 | BRITISH CHESS MAGAZINE
though alternatives like 17...h6 are possible.
(17...£xa3 is also possible. While Black
has a solid position, after 18.¦fd1 ¥d7
19.¤e5 ¥e8 and 20.¥xc6 ¥xc6 21.¤c5
is nicely met with 21...£c3, attacking the
pawn on d4 and 22.¦ac1 £a3 attacks the
pawn on a2 now.) 18.¦fd1 ¥e8 with a very
solid position for Black that one gets the
impression Carlsen would never lose.
17...£xa3 Black immediately gets away
from the pin on the e-file.
18.£e2 There was no better square for the
queen.
18...h6 An interesting semi-waiting move,
especially as the bishop transfer ...¥d7–e8
was possible. But Carlsen shows patience
and his move also shows that White has no
easy ways to improve his position.
19.h4 White also plays a semi-useful move,
passing the ball back into Black’s court.
19...¥d7 Now Carlsen executes the bishop
transfer to e8, finally connecting the rooks.
20.¤e5 ¥e8 21.£e3
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-trl+k+0
9+pzp-+pzp-0
9-+n+psn-zp0
9+-+-sN-+-0
9-+PzP-+-zP0
9wqN+-wQ-zP-0
9P+-+-zPL+0
9tR-+-tR-mK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
The exchanges on c6 21.¤xc6 ¥xc6
22.¥xc6 bxc6 don’t bring much to White -
even though he now has a passed pawn on the
a-file, Black’s pressure down that file doesn’t
allow White to push that pawn forward. After
23.¦ed1 ¦db8 24.¦d3 ¦b4 it’s difficult to
see how White can get rid of Black’s pieces
on the queenside. 21.¦ed1 admits that White

lost a tempo by playing ¦e1 first, but it’s a
possible move with the idea to take on c6 and
play ¤c5 when the pawn on d4 is protected
by the rook. 21...£b4 Black has alternatives
here, but this is a typical move in the position.
22.¥xc6 ¥xc6 23.¤c5 £c3 again is a
good move, targeting the pawn on d4, and in
case of 24.¦ac1 £a3 now the pawn on a2
is attacked. After 25.¦c2 £a7 Black wants
to retreat ...¥e8 and play ...b6, with a solid
position.
21...£b4 Black immediately takes
advantage of the fact that White’s queen
has left the e2–square so the pawn on c4
is not protected. He also liberates the a3–
square for the rook, from where it will pin
the knight on b3.
22.¦eb1 Threatening ¤c5.
22...¤xe5 23.dxe5 ¤g4 24.£e1 Carlsen
admitted that he missed this retreat, but his
playing strength usually implies that even
if he misses something it doesn’t affect
the evaluation of the position because the
moves he makes are fundamentally solid.
24...£xe1+ 24...£xc4? 25.f3 is the trick he
missed: Black loses the knight on g4.
25.¦xe1 h5 Liberating the h6–square for
the knight.
26.¥xb7 ¦a4 Attacking the pawn on c4.
27.c5??
XIIIIIIIIY
9-+-trl+k+0
9+Lzp-+pzp-0
9-+-+p+-+0
9+-zP-zP-+p0
9r+-+-+nzP0
9+N+-+-zP-0
9P+-+-zP-+0
9tR-+-tR-mK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
January 2022
The most puzzling thing about this
blunder is that Nepomniachtchi missed
Black’s reply until Carlsen played it! I
cannot recall such blindness in a World
Championship match. Carlsen could
hardly believe his eyes when he saw this
played on the board.
27.f3 ¤h6 28.¥e4 is what
Nepomniachtchi proposed as better. Still,
after 28...¤f5 29.¢f2 (or 29.¥xf5 exf5
30.¦ec1 ¦a3 when again White cannot
hope to advance the a-pawn.) 29...¦xc4
30.¦ec1 ¥b5 is an equal endgame: for
example, the forcing line 31.¦xc4 ¥xc4
32.¦c1 ¥xb3 33.axb3 ¦d2+ 34.¢e1
¦b2 leads to a complete liquidation of
the queenside pawns.
27...c6 The trap closes and the bishop
cannot escape b7. When asked to
comment on this blunder for the
Norwegian studio in Oslo and live
broadcast on chess24, I gave my opinion
that perhaps the reason the Challenger
missed this was because the move ...c6
is an ugly positional move, making the
bishop on e8 a dead one. Strong players
subconsciously filter out moves that
are positionally bad and often don’t
consider them as their positional feeling
saves them the effort of checking such
moves. If that was indeed the case here
apparently we have an exception: the
“ugly” move wins a piece!
28.f3 Nepomniachtchi didn’t return to the
board for almost 20 minutes after Carlsen
played 27...c6, spending his time in his rest
room. When he eventually did he decided
not to resign immediately, but this had no
effect on the final outcome.
28...¤h6 29.¦e4 ¦a7 30.¦b4 ¦b8 The
bishop is lost.
31.a4 ¦axb7 32.¦b6 White sacrifices a
pawn to get the c5–square for his knight.
32...¦xb6 33.cxb6 ¦xb6 34.¤c5 ¤f5
35.a5 ¦b8 36.a6 ¤xg3!
BRITISH CHESS MAGAZINE | 35
01/142
XIIIIIIIIY
9-tr-+l+k+0
9+-+-+pzp-0
9P+p+p+-+0
9+-sN-zP-+p0
9-+-+-+-zP0
9+-+-+Psn-0
9-+-+-+-+0
9tR-+-+-mK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
A move that shows Carlsen’s confidence.
He calculated that even though White can
now regain the piece the ensuing endgame
is hopeless for him. The alternative was
36...¤d4 with the idea of having...¤b5 at
his disposal, controlling the passed pawn.
37.¤a4 White threatens a7 and ¤b6, but
everything is under control.
37.a7 ¦a8 38.¦a6, with the idea ¤a4–b6,
is too slow because Black is just in time
after 38...¤e2+ 39.¢f2 ¤d4 40.¤a4 ¤b5,
winning the pawn on a7.
37...c5! 38.a7 ¦d8 39.¤xc5 39.¤b6
regains the piece, but 39...¥c6 40.a8£
¥xa8 41.¤xa8 ¤f5 will leave Black
several pawns up.
39...¦a8 With ...¥c6 next White has
nothing to hope for.
0–1
One-move blunders in World Championship
matches are not that rare, but to make them
in almost every game is unheard of.
As Nepomniachtchi said in one press
conference, his level of play was not even
worthy of the Grandmaster title. The only
plausible explanation why a Challenger for
the title dropped his level so low and made
inexplicable blunders is that he couldn’t
control his impulses. For Nepo this meant
36 | BRITISH CHESS MAGAZINE
The final result shows that
Nepomniachtchi wasn’t
worthy to become a new
World Champion because he
didn’t manage to overcome
and conquer his own
weaknessesat these matches
playing fast and superficially, not seeing
things through properly. Perhaps it’s
unfortunate for the match that he couldn’t
offer stiffer resistance, but ultimately the
final result shows that Nepomniachtchi
wasn’t worthy of becoming a new World
Champion because he failed to overcome
and conquer his own weaknesses.
GAME TEN:
THE OMINOUS CALM
Game ten was played on the next day and
Carlsen again played in the same manner as in
his previous white game – not allowing even
the possibility that he might be in danger.
Magnus Carlsen - Ian Nepomniachtchi
WCh 2021 Dubai UAE (10), 08.12.2021
1.e4 e5 2.¤f3 ¤f6 It was hotly debated
whether the Challenger would start playing
sharper openings with Black as the match was
nearing its end. He didn’t, and the rationale was
that with the loss of the previous day he would
want a draw in this game with the chance to
use the rest day to prepare for the final try.
3.¤xe5 This time Carlsen returns to the
choice from game four, only to deviate
soon enough.
3...d6 4.¤d3 Here’s the deviation.
Generally speaking, Carlsen was always
the first one to spring a surprise in the
opening and this must have felt somewhat
unpleasant for Nepomniachtchi. In this
game, though, the surprise wasn’t very
great as Carlsen had played like this in his
match with Caruana.

4...¤xe4 5.£e2 £e7 6.¤f4 ¤f6
XIIIIIIIIY
9rsnl+kvl-tr0
9zppzp-wqpzpp0
9-+-zp-sn-+0
9+-+-+-+-0
9-+-+-sN-+0
9+-+-+-+-0
9PzPPzPQzPPzP0
9tRNvL-mKL+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
Caruana’s coach GM Ramirez, who was
present in Dubai and with whom I discussed
all the games while I was there, was the coach
responsible for Caruana’s Petroff preparation
for the match in London in 2018. He was
pretty convinced that this was not the most
precise way to react to White’s 4.¤d3, but
Nepomniachtchi comes up with a novelty.
6...¤c6 was what Caruana played in the
sixth game of the match. After the curious
sequence 7.¤d5 ¤d4 8.¤xe7 ¤xe2
9.¤d5 ¤d4 10.¤a3 ¤e6 the endgame was
balanced, but Caruana actually managed
to outplay Carlsen and obtained good
winning chances. ½–½ (80) Carlsen,M
(2835)-Caruana,F (2832) London 2018.
7.d4 ¤c6 Here comes the novelty.
Previously Black had usually taken on e2
7...£xe2+ 8.¥xe2 but this endgame is
somewhat more pleasant for White: the
knight on f4 allows for f3, to cover the e4–
square and advance on the kingside with
h4, g4 etc.
8.c3 Carlsen took this decision after some
thought. He decided to stick to the plan of
eliminating any possibility of a loss.
Otherwise, he had the choice to keep
the queens on the board with 8.¥e3
and then a sample line is 8...¥f5 9.¤c3
0–0–0 10.d5 ¤e5 11.0–0–0 with a complex
middlegame ahead.
January 2022
8...d5 The engine suggests 8...g5, but, in
view of the fact that the queens will be
exchanged soon, the symmetrical character
of the position implies that the game will be
calm and will end in a draw.
9.¤d2 ¤d8 Black transfers the knight to
e6 in order to force the exchange of the
active knight on f4.
10.¤f3 £xe2+ 11.¥xe2 ¥d6 Black
finishes development before playing ...¤e6.
12.0–0 0–0 12...¥f5 was possible, intending
to exchange the light-squared bishops, an
exchange that favours Black in view of the
fact that he has more pawns on light squares.
After 13.¤e5 (Even 13.¥d3 ¥xd3 14.¤xd3
0–0 15.¦e1 with ¥f4 next keeps a minuscule
pull for White.) 13...¤e6 14.¤xe6 ¥xe6
15.¥d3 we have a position with a similar
character to the one from the game.
13.¥d3 Preventing ...¥f5.
13...¦e8 14.¦e1 ¦xe1+ 15.¤xe1 ¤e6
16.¤xe6 ¥xe6 17.g3
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-+-+k+0
9zppzp-+pzpp0
9-+-vllsn-+0
9+-+p+-+-0
9-+-zP-+-+0
9+-zPL+-zP-0
9PzP-+-zP-zP0
9tR-vL-sN-mK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
The position is equal and no other result
than a draw is expected. Still, it is worth
noting how the players play purposefully
even in such dull positions. With his last
move White wants to play ¤g2 and ¥f4,
to exchange his worse bishop for Black’s
better one.
17...g6 Black prepares the same idea with
...¤h5–g7 and ...¥f5.
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18.¤g2 ¦e8 Black can start with 18...¤h5 23...g5 Black starts his counterplay on
19.f3 ¤g7 but he is one tempo short of the kingside.
exchanging the light-squared bishops after
20.¥f4 ¥xf4 21.¤xf4 because his pawn on 24.¤e2 f5 25.h3 ¢f7 26.¦h1 Preparing
d5 hangs if he moves the bishop. After 21... for a possible opening of the h-file in case
c6 22.g4, preventing ...¥f5 22...h5 23.h3, we of ...fxg4, hxg4.
have a similar confrontation on the kingside
which should lead to similar liquidation. 26...h6 27.f4
XIIIIIIIIY
19.f3 White’s plan is to exchange the dark- 9-+-+r+-+0
squared bishops and expand with g4. 9zpp+-+ksn-0
19...¤h5 20.¢f2 c6 21.g4 ¤g7 22.¥f4 9-+p+l+-zp0
¥xf4 23.¤xf4 9+-+p+pzp-0
XIIIIIIIIY 9-+-zP-zPP+0
9-+-+r+k+0 9+-zPL+-+P0
9zpp+-+psnp0 9PzP-+NmK-+0
9-+p+l+p+0 9+-+-+-+R0
9+-+p+-+-0 xiiiiiiiiy
9-+-zP-sNP+0 Forcing further simplifications and a draw.
9+-zPL+P+-0 27...fxg4 28.hxg4 ¥xg4 29.¦xh6 The
9PzP-+-mK-zP0 threat is ¥g6, so Black’s next is logical,
seeking further exchanges.
9tR-+-+-+-0
xiiiiiiiiy 29...¥f5 30.¥xf5 ¤xf5 31.¦h7+ ¤g7
White achieved his aim but that only gives 32.fxg5 ¢g6 33.¦h3 ¢xg5 34.¦g3+ ¢f6
him a theoretical advantage that Black can 35.¦f3+ ¢e7 36.¤f4 The knight goes to
easily neutralise. e5, but it’s clear that it can bring very little.

38 | BRITISH CHESS MAGAZINE


36...¢d6 37.¤g6 ¦e6 38.¤e5 ¤e8 39.¦f7
¦f6+ 40.¦xf6+ ¤xf6 41.¢e3
½–½
The calmest game of the match perfectly
suited Carlsen as every draw brought him
closer to a win in the match.
GAME ELEVEN:
HARA-KIRI
The next game was played after the rest
day and with four games left and three
points behind Nepomniachtchi had no other
choice but to win.
Ian Nepomniachtchi – Magnus Carlsen
WCh 2021 Dubai UAE (11), 10.12.2021
1.e4 e5 2.¤f3 ¤c6 3.¥c4 The Italian
Giuoco Piano is as popular as the Ruy
Lopez nowadays. It is heavily analysed
but the myriad of various move-orders
make it tricky to navigate even for the
best players (Kramnik himself confessed
that he often got confused). After failing
to produce anything after 3.¥b5 Team
Nepomniachtchi thought that moving
the bishop one square closer may give
better chances. Unfortunately for them,
it was again Carlsen who sprung the
first surprise.
3...¤f6
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+lwqkvl-tr0
9zppzpp+pzpp0
9-+n+-sn-+0
9+-+-zp-+-0
9-+L+P+-+0
9+-+-+N+-0
9PzPPzP-zPPzP0
9tRNvLQmK-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
January 2022
An indicative moment. Black allows the
Two Knights Defence after 4.¤g5.
3...¥c5 is the main alternative, but this
allows 4.c3 ¤f6 5.d4 - otherwise after
5.d3 we have a transposition to the Giuoco
Piano. 5...exd4 6.e5 d5 7.¥b5 ¤e4 8.cxd4
¥b6 9.¤c3 which is strategically complex.
This line featured in the penultimate game
the players played before the match: 9...0–0
10.¥e3 ¥g4 11.h3 ¥h5 12.£c2 ¤xc3
13.bxc3 f6 when the theory continues.
Carlsen didn’t have any difficulty
drawing the game Nepomniachtchi,I
(2792)-Carlsen,M (2855) Stavanger 2021.
4.d3 White doesn’t go for the complications
in the Two Knights Defence.
After 4.¤g5 the main line today is the hair-
raising 4...d5 5.exd5 ¤a5 6.¥b5+ c6 7.dxc6
bxc6 8.¥d3 ¤d5 9.¤f3 ¥d6 10.0–0 0–0
11.¦e1 f5! 12.¤xe5 £f6 13.¤f3 g5 where
Black has strong activity for the two pawns. In
fact, White soon is forced to sacrifice a piece
as the theory continues with 14.c4 ¤f4 15.¥f1
g4 16.d4 gxf3 17.£xf3 ¤e6 with unclear play
as in the online game So,W (2770)-Carlsen,M
(2862) chess24.com INT 2021 that Carlsen
won. It is notable that Carlsen was inviting
these complications as he thought that playing
with the initiative would favour him against
a player like Nepomniachtchi who prefers to
play with the initiative himself.
4...¥c5 Now we transpose to the
Giuoco Piano.
5.c3 d6 6.0–0 a5 Black has three approaches
here: to play ...a5, to play ...a6 or to leave
the pawn on a7 for the time being. The first
option was heavily used by Nakamura in
his online matches while the third plan was
recently employed by Caruana who tried to
play ...¥b6, ...¤e7 and c6, saving on the
move of the a-pawn. Naturally, Carlsen has
tried all three options.
7.¦e1 White has a wide variety of
alternatives here, for example 7.h3, 7.a4,
7.¤bd2 and 7.¥g5.
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7...¥a7!? follow, putting pressure on the e4–pawn

XIIIIIIIIY after a possible ...exd4.
9r+lwqk+-tr0 9...0–0 10.¥e3 ¥xe3 11.¤xe3 ¦e8
9vlpzp-+pzpp0 XIIIIIIIIY
9-+nzp-sn-+0 9r+lwqr+k+0
9zp-+-zp-+-0 9+pzp-+pzp-0
9-+L+P+-+0 9-+nzp-sn-zp0
9+-zPP+N+-0 9zp-+-zp-+-0
9PzP-+-zPPzP0 9-+L+P+-+0
9tRNvLQtR-mK-0 9+-zPPsNN+-0
xiiiiiiiiy 9PzP-+-zPPzP0
This is rare before castling and here
again we see Carlsen going for a sideline, 9tR-+QtR-mK-0
which he had prepared heavily. While xiiiiiiiiy
definitely a surprise, it must be noted that Even in the Giuoco Piano Carlsen employs
Nepomniachtchi himself had played the his favourite piece arrangement from
same idea, only after castling. the Ruy Lopez: first ...h6, then ...¦e8
and ...¥e6, exchanging the light-squared
7...0–0 8.h3 ¥a7 was played in the game bishops.
Firouzja, A (2754)-Nepomniachtchi, I
(2792) Stavanger 2021, analysed in the 12.a4 ¥e6 13.¥xe6
October issue of BCM. XIIIIIIIIY
8.¤a3 White tries to give the game an 9r+-wqr+k+0
independent flavour by introducing the 9+pzp-+pzp-0
idea of ¤b5. From a3 the knight can
also go to c2 from where it supports the 9-+nzpLsn-zp0
d4 push and the exchange ¥e3 as when 9zp-+-zp-+-0
Black captures on e3 the knight will be 9P+-+P+-+0
well-placed on e3. The alternatives like
8.¤bd2, 8.h3 and 8.a4 would be likely 9+-zPPsNN+-0
to have transposed to the more common 9-zP-+-zPPzP0
theoretical lines after Black castles.
9tR-+QtR-mK-0
8...h6 Black prevents ¥g5. xiiiiiiiiy
Nepomniachtchi again chooses a move
9.¤c2 While following the plan of ¥e3 that does not make the maximum of the
and recapturing with the knight, Black has position. This was notable on more than
no problems now. one occasion in the match: his level of
precision was simply not on the same
9.¤b5!? is the engine’s preference. After level as Carlsen’s. Perhaps he wasn’t
9...¥b6 (as strange as it may seem, but feeling entirely at home in these slower,
9...¥b8 is entirely possible!) 10.¥e3 strategical positions where he couldn’t
¥xe3 11.¦xe3 0–0 12.d4 (or 12.h3 ¦e8 show his best.
with ideas like ...¥e6 or ...¤b8 with ...c6
to chase away the knight on b5.) 12...¥g4 13.¥b5 was more precise and put a bit
13.h3 ¥h5 14.£e1 ¥g6 with ...¦e8 to more pressure as it kept more pieces on

40 | BRITISH CHESS MAGAZINE


the board. Here are a few lines that show
how the game can develop. 13...¥d7
14.£b3 ¥e6: with this move Black tries
to avoid the creation of a battery on
the a2–g8 diagonal as in the line after
14...¤e7. (14...¤e7 15.¥c4 ¦f8 16.£c2
covering e4 and threatening d4. 16...¤g6
17.d4 ¦e8 Black is very solid but White
has a pleasant space advantage.) 15.£c2
¥d7 16.¤d2 White defends the e4–pawn
as preparation for d4. 16...¤g4!? seeking
simplifications. 17.¤df1 ¤xe3 18.¤xe3
¤e7 19.¥c4, with a tiny plus for White
as his pieces are more active and he wants
to expand with d4, though it’s difficult
to imagine Carlsen losing a position like
this one. 19...b6
13...¦xe6 14.£b3 b6 Black has no
problems here. White’s opening has
again brought him nothing and for a
while the game naturally moves towards
the likely outcome of simplification
and draw.
15.¦ad1 15.¤d5 is met by 15...¤e7,
forcing the exchange of the centralised
knight.
15...¤e7 Covering both d5 and f5.
16.h3 £d7 17.¤h2 ¦d8 Developing the
last piece and preparing ...d5. Already
here Carlsen has seen what happened in
the game and that White’s 23rd move
doesn’t work.
18.¤hg4 ¤xg4 19.hxg4 d5 Black has
comfortably equalised and White has many
ways to simplify and draw.
20.d4 White initiates central confrontation.
One way is to chop off everything on d5:
20.exd5 ¤xd5 21.¤xd5 £xd5 22.£xd5
¦xd5 23.f3 ¦ed6 24.¢f2, with ¢e2 next,
as taking on d3 leads to the loss of the pawn
on e5.
20...exd4 21.exd5 21.¦xd4 was another
way to force the draw. 21...¦xe4
January 2022
22.¦xe4 dxe4 23.¦d1 £e8 24.¦xd8
£xd8 25.£c4 and Black cannot defend
the pawn on e4.
21...¦e4 The only move, but it suffices.
22.£c2 The queen endgame after the
forcing 22.¦xd4 ¦xd4 23.cxd4 ¤xd5
24.¤xd5 £xd5 25.¦e8+ ¢h7 26.£c2+
g6 27.¦xd8 £xd8 28.£e4 is easily
drawn in view of the active white queen.
22...¦f4 Again the only move. The rook
is safe here, which was something that
Carlsen saw.
23.g3??
XIIIIIIIIY
9-+-tr-+k+0
9+-zpqsnpzp-0
9-zp-+-+-zp0
9zp-+P+-+-0
9P+-zp-trP+0
9+-zP-sN-zP-0
9-zPQ+-zP-+0
9+-+RtR-mK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
White spent more than nine minutes
on this move, so this time fast play
cannot be blamed for this blunder.
What Nepomniachtchi missed, though,
is still perplexing.
23.¦xd4 was simple and would have
meant at least one more game in the
match. After 23...¦xd4 24.cxd4 ¤xd5
25.¤xd5 £xd5 26.£xc7 £xd4 27.b3
the players would have shaken hands
soon enough.
23...dxe3 24.gxf4 £xg4+ This was the
move the Challenger missed, considering
only 24...exf2. As he often repeated in post-
match interviews, it was still impossible for
him to explain these moves and misses.
25.¢f1 £h3+ 26.¢g1 ¤f5
BRITISH CHESS MAGAZINE | 41
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XIIIIIIIIY
9-+-tr-+k+0 The endgame is an easy win for Black - he
controls the open file and is a passed pawn up.
9+-zp-+pzp-0
9-zp-+-+-zp0 34.¢f3 ¦d2 35.¦b1 g6 36.b4 White tries
to get rid of the b2–pawn in order to activate
9zp-+P+n+-0 the rook.
9P+-+-zP-+0
9+-zP-zp-+q0 36...axb4 37.¦xb4 ¦a2! A precise move,
preventing the white rook from roaming
9-zPQ+-zP-+0 around by tying it down to the defence of
9+-+RtR-mK-0 the pawn on a4.
xiiiiiiiiy
This is good enough to win. 38.¢e4 38.¦c4 c5 limits the rook’s
movement.
26...exf2+ 27.£xf2 ¦d6 is the engine’s
maximalist way. But for a human to calculate 38...h5 39.¢d5 ¦c2! Black’s active rook
the king march and make sure he is winning controls the activation of White’s king.
is not that trivial, especially after seeing the
safe and technically winning rook endgame 40.¦b3 After 40.¦c4 h4 the passed
after the game continuation. 28.£f1 ¦g6+ h-pawn runs fast - White’s problem is that
29.¢f2 £h2+ 30.¢e3 ¤f5+ 31.¢d3 ¦g3+ his rook cannot both hold the h-pawn and
32.¢c4 £xb2 when the white king still goes defend the pawns.
forward after 33.¦d3 £a2+ 34.¢b5 ¤d6+
35.¢a6 £c4+ 36.¢a7 though Black here 40...h4 41.¢c6 White goes for desperate
wins the rook after 36...¦xd3. counterplay. He is lost anyway, so why not
give it a try?
27.d6 This prevents ...¦d6 ideas.
41...h3 42.¢xc7 h2 43.¦b1 ¦xc3+ Carlsen
27...¤h4 Carlsen goes for the rook decides to play with a queen.
endgame he envisioned.
43...f6 was another option, with the
27...cxd6 28.£e4 d5! is the engine’s way, unstoppable ...g5–g4–g3–g2.
liberating d6 again. 29.£g2 exf2+ 30.¢xf2
£h4+ 31.¢f1 ¦d6 and the rook joins the attack. 44.¢xb6 ¦b3+ Black gets a queen now
and easily deals with White’s idea to create
28.fxe3 £g3+ 29.¢f1 ¤f3 30.£f2 £h3+ something with the a-pawn.
31.£g2 £xg2+ 32.¢xg2 ¤xe1+ 33.¦xe1 ¦xd6
XIIIIIIIIY 45.¦xb3 h1£ 46.a5 £e4 Threatening
...£e6, winning the rook.
9-+-+-+k+0
9+-zp-+pzp-0 47.¢a7 47.¦b5 was perhaps a better
try as White has some tricks at his
9-zp-tr-+-zp0 disposal. 47...£xe3+ 48.¢b7 £e4+
9zp-+-+-+-0 (48...g5 is given by the engine, but the
9P+-+-zP-+0 line is strange: 49.fxg5 £e8 50.¦b6
£d7+ 51.¢b8 and now Black wins by
9+-zP-zP-+-0 getting closer with the king: 51...¢f8
9-zP-+-+K+0 52.a6 ¢e8 53.a7 ¢d8 54.a8¤ £c8+
55.¢a7 £c5 winning the pawn on g5.
9+-+-tR-+-0 48...£xf4?? 49.a6 is suddenly a draw as
xiiiiiiiiy White’s pieces are close and the a-pawn

42 | BRITISH CHESS MAGAZINE


is dangerous so Black can get a perpetual
at best.) 49.¢b6 £xf4 50.a6 £b8+ the
only move to win for Black - the queen
must stop the advance of the pawn. All
the other moves allow a7, when White
draws. 51.¢a5 £c7+ 52.¢b4 f5 the
a-pawn is stopped and Black’s pawns are
marching forward.
47...£e7+ 48.¢a8 ¢g7 White is in a
sort of zugzwang: any move he makes
loses something.
49.¦b6 49.a6 loses to 49...£e6, hitting the
rook and the pawn on a6 since 50.¦a3 drops
the rook to 50...£c8+ 51.¢a7 £c5+.
49...£c5
XIIIIIIIIY
9K+-+-+-+0
9+-+-+pmk-0
9-tR-+-+p+0
9zP-wq-+-+-0
9-+-+-zP-+0
9+-+-zP-+-0
9-+-+-+-+0
9+-+-+-+-0
xiiiiiiiiy
Forcing the rook to a6 before picking up
the pawn on e3. Having seen enough,
Nepomniachtchi resigned and the match
was over.
0–1
The match finished with yet another
horrible blunder by the Challenger. Many
pundits, including Kasparov, were of
the opinion that he did it on purpose,
committing hara-kiri once he saw that a
draw was inevitable, thus preferring to end
the match immediately rather than playing
one more game.
I cannot say I agree with this idea, I
don’t know of a chess player who chose
January 2022
willingly to lose a game only in order to
avoid playing one more. To do so in a
World Championship match is even more
absurd, no matter what the hopelessness of
the situation.
Conclusions:
Nepo’s instability and
Carlsen’s consistency
The match was decided by
Nepomniachtchi’s instability and
Carlsen’s consistency.
The Champion was very precise in
neutralising his opponent’s slight
opening advantages, thus feeling safe
with the black pieces, and he often
managed to obtain positions with White
where he could just play, trying to prove
what he said before the match, that
he was the better player. The critical
game six was a win of sheer will and
determination where Carlsen kept on
trying until he broke through. A match
is a battle of wills and the better fighter
always wins. It is also a zero-sum
encounter: as one player weakens the
other becomes stronger. Nepomniachtchi
collapsed while Carlsen remained
constant and collected everything that
was given to him.
This was by far Carlsen’s easiest match,
his fifth victory in World Championship
matches.
What now?
Kasparov has six victories and Carlsen
himself implied something like ‘five down,
two to go’ indicating his desire to become
the most successful World Champion even
when it comes to title defences.
This leads us to the puzzling interview
Carlsen gave to Norwegian media after the
match. There he declared that his motivation
in these matches is waning and that unless
his next opponent is Firouzja he won’t play
another match.
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“It’s been clear to me for most of the year
that this world championship should be the
last,” he said.
“It doesn’t mean as much any more as it
once did. I haven’t felt that the positive
outweighs the negative. For those who
expect me to play the world championship
next time, the chance that they will be
disappointed is very great.”
“I will continue to play chess, it gives me a
lot of joy. But the world championship has
not been so pleasurable”, Carlsen said.
This is not the first time that Carlsen
has said similar things immediately after
the match is over. He has been vocal
about his preferred way for how a World
Champion should be determined and
he tested his idea in his online Tour -
rapid matches of four games played on
a single day, with several sets like this
played between the players. On the other
hand, he has also said that he respects
the classical tradition and doesn’t want
to change it.
The fact that he singled out Firouzja is
interesting, because he also said that
Firouzja’s sudden rise has served as
strong motivation for the match. On the
other hand, putting additional pressure
on the impressionable teenager may be
considered in more than one way - does
he want to encourage him or psych him?
I don’t think we should pay too
much attention to Carlsen’s
words in his interview
suggesting he might not
defend the title. Apart from
repeating the same sentiments
as before, a lot of time will
pass until the next match
(scheduled for early 2023) and
a lot of things will happen
before then
44 | BRITISH CHESS MAGAZINE
I don’t think we should pay too much
attention to Carlsen’s words in this
interview. Apart from repeating the same
sentiments as before, a lot of time will
pass until the next match (scheduled for
early 2023) and a lot of things will happen
until then. By then Carlsen may well
achieve his new goal of reaching 2900
on the rating list and then will feel even
more motivated to overcome Kasparov in
title defences.
After the 12 draws in the match with
Caruana in London three years ago the
four decisive results in Dubai are a
stark difference. But three of them came
as a result of horrendous blunders by
the Challenger.
Initially, the public was content to
witness wins and losses, but then
it started to be disappointed by the
continuous blunders by Nepomniachtchi.
After all, we do want to see chess of the
highest quality in these matches and that
was not the case in the second part of the
match in Dubai.
No time to rest
The pandemic condensed the chess
calendar so next year we will have
another Candidates tournament, which
is scheduled for the summer of 2022.
Six players are already known: Firouzja,
Caruana, Nepomniachtchi, Karjakin,
Duda and Radjabov. The remaining two
players will be known after the Grand
Prix series ends in April. As preparations
for the match begin the moment the
name of the new challenger is known,
Carlsen doesn’t have too much time to
rest on his laurels.
This was a perfect match for Carlsen,
but my feeling is that the next one will
look more like London than Dubai. After
crushing Janowski, Lasker barely drew
the match against Schlechter. But let’s
not get ahead of ourselves too much and
see what the next summer brings.

Source: FIDE Official
BCM met up in London with GM Boris
Gelfand following his appearance at the
London Classic. We discussed the match in
Dubai and the challenges someone playing in
a world championship match has to deal with.
BCM: What is your general impression of
the match in Dubai?
Boris Gelfand: My general impression is that
the match was undecided by game six. That
was a game with mistakes on both sides,
but it broke the match. After this there was
basically no match. Ian never managed to
return to a balanced state.
BCM: Why not?
B.G: Only he knows. However, it was clear
that he wasn’t emotionally balanced and that
he lost his focus. In each game after the loss
in the sixth game, his quality continued to
drop, making unprecedented blunders.
BCM: We can only guess now, but – what do
you think was the most difficult thing for Nepo to
come to terms with when it comes to game six?
B.G: It was a tough game, more than 100
moves. Players get exhausted and there are so
many elements where one can feel drained.
BCM Interview
GRANDMASTER
BORIS GELFAND, former
contender for the title of World
Champion, on the match in
Dubai and on Carlsen’s and
Nepo’s future
These are
Carlsen’s best
years.
Nepo needs to be
honest with himself
At all times a player must demonstrate a
balanced state of mind when it comes to their
play, and Nepo failed to do so.
BCM: What does the outcome of the match
mean for the future of Ian Nepomniachtchi? He
is relatively young and has a lot more to show.
B.G: I hope that he will do a proper
assessment, improve his weaknesses and
get ready to fight again in the Candidates.
However, Ian first needs to be honest with
himself – to find the real problems and
address them, and not go for the excuses. It
may even take him years to recover.
BCM: You have been down that road – you
played a match for the title and lost. How
does one come back once they start losing?
B.G: I wasn’t exactly in the same situation – I
lost only one game in the tiebreak and in the two
remaining games of the tiebreak I was pressing,
but it wasn’t my day. [In the 2012 match
between Gelfand and Anand the result was
6.5:6.5 in the regular part, and the four-rapid-
game tiebreak ended with three draws and one
victory for Anand – BCM note.] So, I played an
equal match but destiny was not on my side. But,
overall, once you start losing it is important to
step back, take a deep breath and stay on course.
BRITISH CHESS MAGAZINE | 45
BCM Interview
BCM: Which is more difficult to manage:
when you played well and lost or, when you
play bad and lose?
B.G: When you play well and lose it’s better.
Statistically – if you’re playing well, sooner
or later you will win. Jürgen Klopp said it
well: “I prefer to lose a match and understand
why than win a match but not understand
why I won”.
BCM: You know Daniil Dubov very well. It
has emerged that he worked with Carlsen
ahead of the match and because of that,
some people in Russia have criticised
him, even accusing him of betraying their
compatriot Nepomniachtchi.
B.G: I think it’s totally rubbish. He was
working for Magnus for many years and I
see no problem whatsoever. However, some
people are obsessed with their views and
political agenda and then push this rubbish
onto everyone. Here – and not just here but
in many cases in chess and life in general,
we have the example of the Dunning-
Kruger rule: the less people know, the more
confident they are.
BCM: In general, does preparation for a
match also involve some – to put it bluntly –
espionage work?
B.G: I don’t think so. Maybe this was
the case in some matches before but
nowadays I don’t think that takes place. I
think that everyone tries to deduct what
their opponent will do. But, basically, it’s
just a guess based on logic, understanding
and track record. Previously it was more
important who is in the team helping
your opponent, but nowadays you have an
engine that analyses everything.
When I played my candidates matches, the
toughest match was against Gata Kamsky
in the semi-final, and his assistant was
Emil Sutovsky who is also my friend
from the Israeli national team and a good
personal friend. I didn’t even think for a
second that he would in any way abuse our
46 | BRITISH CHESS MAGAZINE
relationship. After the match which I won, he
congratulated me and that was it.
BCM: What does the Dubai match mean for
Carlsen?
B.G: He is happy he kept his title and he’ll
keep on playing. These are his best years.
The appearance of Alireza Firouzja changed
things a bit but before him, the average age
of top players in the world was higher than
ten years ago. If one is incredibly talented as
Alireza they can jump fast early, but for most
– it is both talent and experience.
BCM: Do you think that anyone from
Carlsen’s generation can take the crown
from his hands, or will it be someone from
the younger generation?
B.G: That’s a very good question and I don’t
know the answer. Every match is tough and
this one wasn’t easy for Magnus. The next
Candidates tournament will be very exciting to
watch and see who comes out as the challenger.
BCM: In the Grand Swiss in Riga we have
seen 49-year-old Alexei Shirov – who is a
member of your generation – have a great
tournament and qualify for the Grand
Prix. What do you think about the fact
that he managed to qualify in a field of so
many exceptionally strong young players?
B.G: It was a big surprise. He is capable of
playing very well and recently he seems to be
very motivated, especially when playing such
a strong tournament.
BCM: Do you think there is a realistic
chance for Shirov or someone from your
generation to make a big comeback and
become world champion? Do you think that
will ever happen?
B.G: It’s very difficult that they will become
world champion. There are three stages on
that journey – to qualify for the candidates,
to win the candidates and then to win the
match. However, for anyone who qualifies
for the Candidates anything is possible.
 January 2022

“CAMINANTE,
NO HAY CAMINO,
SE HACE CAMINO AL ANDAR”
A Review of “Kingwalks”
by Yasser Seirawan and Bruce Harper,
Russell Enterprises, 2021

By Peter O'Brien

BRITISH CHESS MAGAZINE | 47

01/142
THIS IS A
BOOK AT ONCE
WITTY AND PROFOUND,
RICH IN MESSAGES FOR
CHESS PLAYERS AND IDEAS FOR
MANY OTHER ASPECTS OF LIFE
Sierawan’s lessons on chess available on
YouTube give you the flavour this work
conveys – his remarks there are delivered
almost lightheartedly, inviting us to savoujr
the fun of the struggle. But the depth of effort
by the contestants is never underestimated.
Paradoxically, while listening, the unheard
melodies of the board resonate. What seems
on the surface straightforward never is. The
Lebanese-American grandmaster has always
managed to create that air of, how shall we
call it, “transparent mystery” which I guess is
the essence of the game.
Seirawan and Harper have selected an often
neglected aspect of the game. Common sense
might seem to suggest that if the aim of the
game is to checkmate His Majesty, then you
had better protect your king at all costs while
chasing your opponent’s monarch. Yet there
are many wonderful games, woven together
by the finest artists of the board, where, to
use that robust Australian phrase, the king
voluntarily goes on walkabout. Thus we are
not looking at forced marches under extreme
duress, sufferings which are at the heart of
some of the great games (think of Kasparov’s
“immortal” against Topalov, or of Kotov’s
magnificent win against Avrebakh close on 70
years ago where the exposed king is tortured
endlessly before his demise). No, this book is
about manifold situations in which the king
does what self -preservation would seem to
condemn. A little reflection, though, makes
us realise that a thousand things can happen
before we ever get to checkmate (and of course
few games at high level ever do – resignation
comes first). The King, after all, can move not
only in his own defence but also to provoke,
distract, deceive, the opposite army dedicated
to protecting its own monarch.
First and foremost the King is a piece. It's all
very well looking after his own skin, but he can
48 | BRITISH CHESS MAGAZINE
also make a weighty contribution to the demise
of his opposite number. At the most basic level,
as the authors state at the beginning, we already
forget the King when we talk about mating
a lone king on a board when we ourselves
have, say, “just” a Rook or a Queen. Neither
of them can deliver mate without His Majesty
patrolling a key square or two. Ditto where a
couple of bishops, or a bishop and knight, are
all we possess. Moving up from simple mating
patterns, we think of combinations. Certainly,
many combinations do not need the king. Yet
there are quite a few where he is critical. In fact,
some of the most beautiful combinations show
the monarch in a central role, as examples in
this book demonstrate.
Let’s move still further up the chain. Games
very often proceed through a series of
transformations. Maybe a tiny positional edge
is obtained early on. This is then turned into a
more tangible advantage, which might take the
form of a small material plus, or a pronounced
and potentially durable strategic grip, or
some mix of these and other things. As the
metamorphoses evolve, as Ovid shows us what
can be done, the King has to engage in a bit of
self-analysis. Now the question is not “how to
remain safe?” but rather “how do I make myself
really useful?” That usefulness can reveal itself
in numerous ways. What the authors offer us
is a terrific collection of those ways, classified
in a valuable manner and with a sharp eye to
how different elements of the classification
can switch into others - transformation in most
instances becomes an ongoing thing.
The chapters of the book illustrate the
classification, the continuous transformation
process, really well. Schematically, the book
provides two sorts of kingwalks. Chapters 1
to11 put the perambulations of His Majesty
into a range of practical types. Thus, things start
with the journeys made to prepare an attack,
move on to steps taken to defend key points or
attack them, through “runs for cover” where
the King might travel either north/south or east/
west to find shelter. This rich set of experiences
culminates in two exciting chapters. Chapter
10, where the fascinating subject of “double
kingwalks” is examined. What happens when

both Kings, Black and White, decide to go
‘travelling’? And inevitably chapter 11 looks
at what happens when all this movement
comes to no avail – namely, the kingwalks fail
to produce the desired results and might even
culminate in disaster.
The second sort of Kingwalks illustrate the
gems produced by players who must be
regarded as masters of the art of walking.
The first of them is none other than the first
world champion, Wilhelm Steinitz. His
productions tell us that walking was in vogue
at least 150 years ago, even in an epoch when
Steinitz himself, and others, were preaching
basic doctrines that more than hinted that this
was the last activity that the ruler should be
engaged in. The next pedagogue of pedology
is, lo and behold, the creator who did perhaps
more than anyone else to indicate that Steinitz
and his followers had lost the thread. Aaron
Nimzovitch opened our minds to all kinds
of ideas about space, time, occupation of
territory and sundry other (then) revolutionary
concepts. His refinement of Zugzwang is
nowhere better pictured than in games where
his kIng just does the soft shoe shuffle,
swaying from side to side, to signal to the
adversary that any move he makes spells
doom. Yet he found numerous other situations,
some of them perhaps of doubtful accuracy (as
evaluated with the latest computer analysis),
where the king’s activity decided matters.
Then comes the name which I am sure is
on the lips of all readers – the extraordinary
Armenian, Tigran Petrosian. Here I must
confess to a bias. I grew up chess-wise trying
to figure out what that marvellous player was
actually up to in most of his games. Quite often
I reached the erroneous conclusion – he is not
doing anything. I was wrong because I just did
not understand enough. My comprehension
was eventually much improved thanks to a
game I saw in the famous French newspaper,
Le Monde. That excellent French grandmaster
Joel Lautier used to run a Saturday column in
the paper. One week the column carried the
title “Le Python ne dort qu’avec un oeil” (“the
python is half awake”). Lautier treated us to
a game of Petrosian’s where his opponent
January 2022
made my mistake (namely, imagining nothing
is happening, so no worries) and was duly
suffocated. The king’s toying with the victim
is excruciating to see. The book dedicates over
30 pages to king’s journeys “à la Petrosian”.
To my astonishment (or as another indicator of
my ignorance), it turns out that, even for Iron
Tigran, not all walking was on safe ground.
When such a clairvoyant can sometimes get
it wrong, what hope is there for the rest of us?
The lesson, I think, has to be that danger and
risk are ever present. Just because a number of
kingwalks succeed, we should not underrate
the perils of the journey.
The final two “player dedicated” chapters are
focused on the efforts of that fine Canadian
Grandmaster, Duncan Suttles, and then 30
pages to the experiences of Yasser Seirawan
himself. Among other things, what’s most
instructive about these chapters (though there
are also examples in the earlier sections of the
book) is that we are shown not just decisive
phases of games (meaning when the king
sets off), but also whole games. In his brief
yet highly revealing annotations to his own
games, Yasser describes the germination
phase of majestic voyages. Why did the idea
come to him? Was it sometimes only a hunch?
Or did the king march respond to the essence
of the position, of the route which would
best rise to the demands of the board? Here
as elsewhere, we are of course in the realm
of positional assessment of the highest order,
not to mention the critical requirement for
that assessment to be backed by exceptionally
accurate tactical analysis. This is chess
instruction and chess entertainment wrapped
into a splendid package.
There is a final chapter, 17, which brings
together some recent examples of the theme.
I am sure readers can add examples of their
own. Indeed, the more you recollect on the
theme, the more you find that it plays a bigger
role than you perhaps thought. My own high
profile memory is a game from the best part of a
decade ago. Peter Svidler and Sergei Karjakin
had reached the final of the world knockout
championship. With the classical time control
games finishing even, the players moved into
BRITISH CHESS MAGAZINE | 49
01/142
a rapid time control phase. In one of these
games, an opposite-coloured bishop ending
was reached. The pawn structure was pretty
fixed. I was following the game online and felt
proud of myself in conceiving of a kingwalk
by White (Karjakin) to cover the whole length
of the board, get in behind Svidler’s pawns by
racing along the back row, and finally force
the St Petersburg master’s resistance to break.
The renowned “Minister of Defence” did
indeed carry out the manoeuvre and win the
game. Quite some time later, maybe as long as
a couple of years, computer analysis showed
that this splendid kingwalk was not necessarily
decisive – in other words, a successful defence
would still have been possible. It goes to show
what a complicated business this is. It's not
only the best-laid plans of mice and men that
can go astray – royalty too can be frustrated.
At the start of this article, I indicated that
the subject treated by the authors casts light
on other aspects of life itself. I will start to
demonstrate this by referring to the title of the
essay. It is a quote from a famous poem by the
Spanish writer, Antonio Machado. Somewhat
different translations are possible, depending
50 | BRITISH CHESS MAGAZINE
on what you want to emphasise. Let’s put it
this way: “Traveller, there’s no set path, you
make it as you go”. Now Machado probably
had in mind not just an individual message,
but one also for the vast numbers condemned
to exile as the Spanish Civil war came to a
savage end. These people would have to create
a fresh path on the rubble of broken dreams. In
a world where this kind of horrible dilemma is
occurring with terrible frequency, the message
is sadly all too clear. You probably never ever
wanted to move, now there’s no choice. Along
the undefined route, you may meet much
hostility and the risks will be considerable.
But that’s what there is.
The poetic phrase can be viewed from a
different, almost opposite, angle. If you take
it stand-alone, you can see it as saying –
everything is open, you are free to travel any
way you choose. Life will provide you with
all the ups and downs. Rich experience is
guaranteed, in whatever direction you move.
That sounds very optimistic and encouraging.
It is a way of expressing freedom. So one
interpretation of Machado is that he is talking
of “haunting uncertainty”, the type stemming
from being hurled into an escapade you did not
want. The other is that the theme is “exciting
uncertainty”, the type that, for all its risks, is
really what you are after. Life can thrust both
kinds of uncertainty upon us.
Two of England’s greatest writers had wise
words on our theme. Close to the very end of
his supreme tragedy “King Lear”, Shakespeare
puts this reflection into the mouth of Edgar
“Men must endure their going hence Even as
their coming hither” (act V. scene 2). The king
is dead. His reliance on the supposed love and
kindness of his offspring has led to a disaster.
Yet somehow there are lessons to be learnt
for another time, another place, another king.
John Bunyan, in “The Pilgrim’s Progress”,
underlines the unclear nature of so much
of what we do. “It is always hard to see the
purpose in wilderness wanderings until they
are over”. On the chessboard, there may be
more control when the king goes on a walk.
But don’t be too sure – the king’s exertions
might backfire.

Source:Shutterstock
TIME TRAVEL
By Grandmaster Raymond Keene OBE
As the new year dawns I have resolved to
discuss one of my two pet hates: “extra
time”, inspired by the Japanese term
Bayomi, developed in their games of Go
and Shogi, aka Japanese chess. It is now
customary to grant players extra time after
each move, once the game reaches a certain
stage. This makes it almost impossible for
anyone to lose on time.
Back in the Cretaceous period, when I
was actively participating in tournaments,
time for thinking was finite, and if you did
not make all your moves by the deadline,
you simply lost the game. There was no
protective cushion against slow thinking
and this, in my opinion, added a frisson and
excitement to chess as a mental sport. For
spectators it was particularly enthralling
to see if the contestants could make it to a
fixed and inexorable time control.
Extra time was, in my opinion, introduced
as a crutch to support those who could
January 2022
not handle their clock properly, a shield
for the less nimble-witted. I believe it
detracts from the attractiveness of chess as
a competitive spectacle.
This month’s game shows the contrast.
Having been thoroughly outplayed, I was
able to survive only by forcing my opponent
through a series of time controls, during
the course of which he went seriously and
serially astray. Had extra time rules been in
force then, I would undoubtedly have lost.
And my second pet hate: Fischerrandom,
shuffle chess, varied baseline chess or chess
960, and any of its alternative heretical
abominations, upon which I would, if I
could, pronounce eternal anathema. These
deviations are, in my view, as with Bayomi,
crutches for those who have become
too feeble to submit to the discipline of
mastering modern openings theory. If you
don’t like chess as it is, don’t mess with it,
and take up Go or Shogi instead!
BRITISH CHESS MAGAZINE | 51
01/142

A B Bracher - Raymond Keene [B07]

Cambridge Club Cambridge (ENG), 1967

1.d4 Notes by international grandmaster 17.¦b3 d5 18.¤b5!!

Raymond Keene. XIIIIIIIIY
1...¤f6 2.¤c3 g6 3.e4 d6 4.¥g5 h6 5.¥xf6 9-+ktr-+-tr0
exf6 The doubled pawn isn’t a problem: it 9zppwqn+pvl-0
can advance later. Then the bishop pair will
be useful for Black. 9-+p+-zp-zp0
9+N+p+Pzp-0
6.f4 ¥g7 7.¤f3 c6?! 7...f5 would have 9-+-zP-zP-+0
been stronger.
9+R+L+-+P0
8.¥d3 £b6 ? 9P+PwQ-+P+0
9.0–0! 9+-+-+R+K0
XIIIIIIIIY xiiiiiiiiy
9rsnl+k+-tr0 A brilliant move which convinced me
9zpp+-+pvl-0 that it was time to offer a draw. Bracher,
not unnaturally, refused. I was hoping for
9-wqpzp-zppzp0 18.¤xd5 £d6! 19.¤c3 ¤b6 when Black
9+-+-+-+-0 has freed his position and is in no danger of
9-+-zPPzP-+0 being mated immediately.
9+-sNL+N+-0 18...cxb5 18...£b8? 19.£a5! a6 20.¤d6+
9PzPP+-+PzP0 £xd6 21.¦xb7 and mates.
9tR-+Q+RmK-0 19.¦c3 a6 20.¦xc7+ ¢xc7 21.£c3+ ¢b8
xiiiiiiiiy 22.a4!
Refusing to be bluffed into protecting
b2. I must now take the pawn; declining 22...¦c8
the pawn would only have been an open XIIIIIIIIY
admission of my idiocy on moves 7 and 8.
9-mkr+-+-tr0
9...£xb2 10.£d2 £b6 11.¢h1 ¥g4 9+p+n+pvl-0
12.¦ab1 £c7 13.¤h4 ! A fine conception,
stranding the bishop at g4. Black has 9p+-+-zp-zp0
no time to retreat and must plunge into 9+p+p+Pzp-0
complications. 9P+-zP-zP-+0
13...¤d7!? 9+-wQL+-+P0
9-+P+-+P+0
14.h3 g5!
9+-+-+R+K0
15.¤f5 15.hxg4 gxh4 is better for Black. xiiiiiiiiy
23.£b3? 23.£a5 wins at once! bxa4
15...¥xf5 16.exf5 0–0–0 To castle short 24.¦b1 ¢a7 25.£xd5 ¦c7 26.£xf7 ¥f8
would be even more rapidly fatal. 27.c4

52 | BRITISH CHESS MAGAZINE

 January 2022

23...¤b6 24.axb5 a5 Setting up a a few more errors sufficed to lose.

temporary defence. I had to play quickly,
as games in this event were subject to 37.£b1 h5!
adjudication, and I judged with some 38.¦e1 He should try 38.£d1
justification that a premature adjudication
would have been fatal to my cause. 38...¥g3!

25.£a3 a4 26.£d6+ ¢a7 27.£b4 ¢b8! 39.¦f1 39.¦c1!

28.£d6+ ¢a7 29.£b4 ¢b8 30.£a5 ¢c7 39...¦e7 40.£d1 h4 41.£f3 ¢d6
XIIIIIIIIY XIIIIIIIIY
9-+r+-+-tr0 9-+r+-+-+0
9+pmk-+pvl-0 9+p+-trp+-0
9-sn-+-zp-zp0 9-sn-mk-zp-+0
9wQP+p+Pzp-0 9+P+p+Pzp-0
9p+-zP-zP-+0 9-+-zP-+-zp0
9+-+L+-+P0 9+-+L+QvlP0
9-+P+-+P+0 9-+P+-+P+0
9+-+-+R+K0 9+-+-+R+K0
xiiiiiiiiy xiiiiiiiiy
31.¦a1 ? 31.c4! followed by ¦c1 would
have forced instant capitulation. 42.¢g1 ¦ce8 43.¦d1 ¦e1+ 44.¦xe1
¦xe1+ 45.¥f1 ¤c4 46.b6 ¤e3
31...¥f8 32.¦xa4 ¥d6 33.¦a1 ¥xf4
34.£b4 ¥d6 35.£b3 ¦he8 36.¦f1 ¢d7 White resigned.
XIIIIIIIIY 0–1
9-+r+r+-+0
9+p+k+p+-0
9-sn-vl-zp-zp0
9+P+p+Pzp-0
9-+-zP-+-+0
9+Q+L+-+P0
9-+P+-+P+0
9+-+-+R+K0
xiiiiiiiiy
Suddenly Black is back in the game.
The ’ex−pawn’ on d3 controls 32 dark
squares and White’s king is in trouble.
I am sure that Black is no longer losing
and may even be winning, a curious
reversal of fortune. White now found
himself in continuous time pressure with
the time controls at move 36 and 48, and

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QUOTES AND QUERIES
NATIONAL
CHESS LEAGUES
6209 National chess leagues are older
than you might think. Much older.
Back in 1906 the  Scottish Chess
Association  changed the format of  the
Richardson Cup and the first national chess
league was born, at the same time they
increased the number of boards per team
from five to seven.
The first season of the new league saw seven
teams vying for top honours. Four from
Glasgow - Athenaeum , Burns , Central
and Glasgow, plus three others Edinburgh,
Edinburgh Working Men and Stirling.
Glasgow CC played their first fixture on 20th
October and defeated Stirling 5-2 without
losing a game. Their second fixture was a
tighter affair and despite the presence of two
Scottish champions on boards 3 and 4, they
were held to a draw by Burns CC. Glasgow
won again in the third round edging out
Athenaeum by a solitary point and that only
after an adjudication on board 4.
The round four fixture saw Glasgow score
a 6-1 win over Edinburgh Working Men,
whose solitary point came on board 4 where
H.K.Handasyde defeated John Crum. The
Glasgow team had a bye in round 5 , then
on 9th February 1907 they won every game
against Central. This set up the decisive
round 7 meeting at Edinburgh CC on 9th
March. Glasgow’s heavy wins gave them a
better tie break, so they knew that a drawn
54 | BRITISH CHESS MAGAZINE
By Alan Smith
match would be enough to secure the title.
On the day Glasgow won 4-3 , but their
success was mainly due to wins on boards
6 and 7.
Glasgow employed nine players in their
winning season James M’kee scored +3=3
on top board. William Gibson scored +4=2
on board 2, while A.J.Neilson scored an
impressive +5=1. Here are some games
from the first national chess league.
John Crum - John Macdonald
Glasgow - Athenaeum 1906
1.d4 d5  2.¤f3 ¤f6  3.c4 e6  4.¥g5 ¤bd7 
5.e3 ¥e7  6.¤c3 0-0  7.¥d3 dxc4  8.¥xc4
b6  9.0-0 ¥b7  10.£e2 ¤d5  11.¥xe7
£xe7  12.¦ac1 ¦ac8  13.¤b5 c6  14.¥xd5
exd5  15.¤c3 f5  16.¦fe1 ¤f6  17.¤e5
¤e4  18.f3 ¤f6  19.£d2 ¤d7  20.e4 fxe4 
21.fxe4 ¤xe5  22.dxe5 £xe5  23.exd5
£d6  24.¢h1 a6  25.¦e6 £c5  26.d6
¦f2  27.£e3    The critical juncture of the
game, and white goes astray. The endgame
with a passed pawn may seem seductive,
but black has defensive resources.  Frank
Lee’s suggestion 27.¦e2 is probably best
. He also analysed 27.£e1 ¦af8  28.¦e8
£xd6  29.£xf2 ¦xe8  30.£xb6 £d2 
31.¦d1 c5 as winning for black. 27...£xe3 
28.¦xe3 ¦cf8  29.h3 c5  30.¤e4 ¦xb2 
31.¦d1 ¦d8  32.d7 ¥c6  33.¤d6 ¥xd7 
34.¤b7 ¦e8  35.¦xe8+ ¥xe8  36.¦d8
¦e2  37.¤d6 ¢f8  38.¦b8 b5  39.¦a8 ¦e6 
 January 2022

40.¦xa6 ¢e7  41.¤f5+ ¢f6  42.¦xe6+ gave black a small edge von Gottschall -
¢xe6  43.¤xg7+ ¢e5!  44. 0-1 Gunsberg Hanover 1902. 6.0-0 ¥xc3 
7.¥xc6+? 7.bxc3 7...bxc6  8.bxc3 h6 
Musselburgh News, 11th January 1907 9.d4 ¤xe4  10.dxe5 0-0  11.exd6 £xd6 
12.£xd6 cxd6  13.¥f4 g5  14.¦fe1 f5 
15.¥d2 ¥d7 15...g4 16.¦e2 ¦fe8  17.¤d4
F. Cruickshanks - William Gibson c5  18.¤b3 ¥b5  19.¦ee1 ¥c4!  20.f3
Edinburgh Working Men - Glasgow 1906 ¥xb3  21.fxe4 ¥xc2  22.exf5 ¥xf5 An
extra pawn is often enough to win rook
1.e4 e5  2.¤f3 ¤c6  3.¥b5 a6  4.¥a4 ¤f6  and opposite coloured bishops endgames.
5.d3 d6  6.h3 ¥e7  7.0-0 0-0  8.¤c3 ¥e6  23.¦f1 23.¦xe8+ ¦xe8  24.¦e1 ¦b8
9.¥b3 £d7  10.¤h2 ¤d4  11.f4 exf4  23..¥d3  24.¦f6 ¦e2  25.¥e1 ¦f8! 
12.¥xf4 ¤xb3  13.axb3 c6  14.£e2 ¦ae8  26.¦xd6 ¦xa2!  27.¦xd3 ¦xa1  28.¦e3
15.¤d1 ¥d8  16.¥e3 h6  17.¥d4 ¤h7  ¦d8  29.h3 ¦dd1  30.¢f2 ¦xe1  31.¦xe1
18.¤f3 f5!  19.e5? This is too ambitious,  ¦xe1  32.¢xe1 ¢f7  33. 0-1 the outside
19.exf5 is correct. 19...¥d5  20.¦e1 ¥c7  passed pawn decides.
21.¤d2 dxe5  22.¥c5 ¦f6  23.c4 ¥f7 
24.¤f2 ¤g5  25.£d1 ¤e6  26.¥b4 ¤f4  Falkirk Herald, 27th February 1907
27.£c2 ¦g6  28.¢h1 ¦xg2  29.¤f3 c5 
30. 0-1 30.¥c3 £c6
George Owen - Archibald Murray
Falkirk Herald, 19th December 1906
Stirling - Burns 1907

Archibald Neilson - E.E. Parker
Glasgow - Edinburgh Working Men 1906
1.e4 e6  2.d4 d5  3.¤c3 ¤f6  4.¥g5
¥e7  5.e5 ¤fd7  6.¥xe7 £xe7  7.f4 c5?
A howler, and one that has appeared in
master chess, Alapin and Stahlberg made
the same slip and  both lost.  8.¤b5 ¢d8  17.¦xf8+ ¦xf8  18.¥xh5?? ¦f1 #
9.¤f3 h6  10.£d2 b6  11.¤d6 f6  12.¥b5
fxe5  13.fxe5 ¦f8  14.0-0 ¥a6  15.¥xa6
¤xa6  16.c3 ¦b8  17.£c2 b5  18.£g6
b4  19.£h5 ¤c7  20.¦ab1 ¤b5  21.dxc5
¤xc5  22.¤d4 ¤xd4  23.cxd4 ¤d7 
24.¦xf8+ ¤xf8  25.¦f1 ¤h7  26.¦f7 £g5  Falkirk Herald, 20th February 1907
27.¦f8+! ¤xf8  28.¤f7+
...1-0
Falkirk Herald, 26th December 1906
J.R. Draper - James Borthwick
Central - Glasgow 1907
1.e4 e5  2.¤f3 ¤f6  3.¤c3 ¤c6  4.¥b5
¥b4  5.d3 5.0-0 is correct. 5...d6 5...¤d4
1.d4 d5  2.c4 e5  3.e3 e4  3...exd4  4.exd4
d5 transposes to an exchange French. 4.¤c3
c6  5.cxd5 cxd5  6.¥b5+ ¤c6  7.¤ge2
¤f6  8.0-0 ¥e6  9.¤f4 ¥d6  10.¤xe6
fxe6  11.£a4? An empty threat.
11...0-0  12.¥e2 a6  13.f4 exf3  14.¦xf3
£c7!  15.h3 ¥h2+  16.¢h1 ¤h5  17.g4
17...¦xf3  18.¥xf3 ¦f8  19.£d1 £g3 
20.¤e2 £xf3+  21.¢xh2 ¤g3  22.£e1
¤xe2  23.¥d2 £f2+  24.£xf2 ¦xf2+ 
25.¢h1 ¤g3  26.¢g1 ¦xd2  27. 0-1
6211 Shortly after the Richardson Cup
was completed four of the Glasgow
players returned to Edinburgh for the
Scottish Championship. William Gibson
lost to his clubmate James M’kee in round
1, but shrugged off that defeat, survived
a dubious position versus Edmund
Macdonald and  won six  games to secure
his first title, a point ahead of the 1884
champion John Crum.

BRITISH CHESS MAGAZINE | 55

01/142

Endgame Studies
by Ian Watson
ian@irwatson.uk

1 XIIIIIIIIY
9-+-+-+-+0
9mk-+-+-vLr0
9-+-+-+-zP0
9+-+-+-+-0
9-+-sn-+K+0
9+-+-+-+-0
2
XIIIIIIIIY
9-+-+-+-+0
9+-zp-+-+-0
9-+p+-+-+0
9+nzP-+-+-0
9-+-+-+-vL0
9+-+-+-+-0
9-vl-+-+-+0 9p+-mK-+-+0
9+-+-+-+-0 9mk-+-+-+-0
xiiiiiiiiy xiiiiiiiiy
J de Villeneuve - Esclapon H. Weenink
1922 1922

3 4
draw WIN
XIIIIIIIIY XIIIIIIIIY
9-tR-+-+-+0 9-+N+-+-+0
9+-+-+-+-0 9+nzP-+-+-0
9-+-+-+k+0 9-+-+-+-+0
9+-zPq+-+-0 9+K+-+-+-0
9-+-+-+-+0 9-+-+-mklvL0
9+-+-+-+-0 9+-+-+-+-0
9-+-+-+P+0 9-+-sN-+-zp0
9+-+-+K+-0 9+-+-+-+-0
xiiiiiiiiy xiiiiiiiiy
P. Byway P. Michelet
Original composition 2022 Original composition 2022
DRAW DRAW

56 | BRITISH CHESS MAGAZINE

 January 2022

A New Golden Age

Our first two studies in the New Year are from the endgame study’s ‘Golden Age’- those
years a century or so ago when the early greats of the genre were at their most active. They
were both published in 1922, which was a memorable year even by the high standards of
the era. 1922 saw some of the most famous of all studies: a Réti classic with one of the
shortest study solutions (1.¤d4+ ¢c5 2.¢h1 zugzwang), Kubbel’s 1.¤c6 ¢xc6 2.¥f6
¢d5 3.d3 with a wonderfully unexpected mate to follow, our first study above by de
Villeneuve−Esclapon, and arguably the most famous of all studies, Reti’s pawn endgame
where White’s king catches an apparently−unstoppable black pawn. The latter study’s first
publication is sometimes given as 1921 and sometimes as 1922, but either way there was
a proliferation of masterpieces by the great composers of that time. Perhaps it was their
rebound from both the dreadful years of the World War and the appalling pandemic, the
Spanish Flu, but it has left us a lasting legacy.

Now, a century on, we have a new Golden Age - this age when the computer enables
studies of extraordinary complexity and ingenuity to be composed and thoroughly proven.
The compositions of a century ago were often, sadly, incorrect. That was the case with
our first study. It appeared in 1922, but was found unsound and the composer corrected
it, winning a first prize for the new version the following year. That too was eventually
found to be unsound. A correction, by Paul Byway, was published in the BCM in 1993. It’s
pleasing to find ways to repair such classics, but in this case I’m not sure it was necessary;
the fault was in the introductory play and to my mind that introduction only served to
lengthen the solution, not to enhance it. So the position above is after the first two moves
but retains the composer’s wonderful tactical battle.

The second study exists in two versions in the archives, both dated 1922. If you remove
the black pawn on c7, you have the other version, but that position has several white fifth
moves that win. In those years, corrections often appeared in the magazine shortly after the
original version, and I guess that is was happened with this one. So you might like both to
solve the corrected position and find the cooks in the other version.

A century on, and we can largely avoid such issues. In positions with seven men or fewer,
we can reliably avoid them by consulting the tablebases, so your third study is secure.
It’s by the same composer who found the correction to the de V−E study, Paul Byway. It
amends, and improves on, an unsound position by Kubbel. Paul Michelet’s study has too
many men for tablebase certainty, but my software likes the composer’s solution. This
composition develops an idea in a study by Alexei Troitsky published early in the first
Golden Age, in 1894. So both our studies from this new Golden Age also recall the first.
As we, very cautiously, emerge from our self−sheltering, just as they did in the previous
year ’22, perhaps we will see the proliferation of masterpieces that they saw, the fruits of
so many months of isolation.

The solutions are given on page 63.

BRITISH CHESS MAGAZINE | 57

01/142

Problem
World
by Christopher Jones
cjajones1@yahoo.co.uk
Grandmaster of Chess Composition
Solutions are given on page 62

1
XIIIIIIIIY
9k+-+-+-+0
9zP-+R+-+-0
9Lzp-+p+-+0
9+-zp-+-zpK0
9-+-+-+-+0
9+-+-+-+-0
9rwq-+p+-+0
2 XIIIIIIIIY
9K+-+-+-+0
9+-+-+-+-0
9-+-+-+-+0
9+-+-+-zp-0
9-+-zPnsn-+0
9+-zp-mk-+r0
9-+P+-tR-+0
9wQr+-+-+-0 9+-+l+-+L0
xiiiiiiiiy xiiiiiiiiy
Michael Lipton (Brighton) Christopher Jones (Bristol)

3 4
Mate in 2 Helpmate in 3 (b) Pg5>f5
Original ORIGINAL
XIIIIIIIIY XIIIIIIIIY
9-+-+-+-mK0 9-+-+-+-+0
9+-+-+L+-0 9+-mk-+-+-0
9N+-+-+-+0 9-+p+-zp-+0
9+p+-+-+-0 9+-+-+p+-0
9-+-+-+-+0 9-+-+-wq-+0
9+-+p+-+-0 9+L+-+-+-0
9-+-zP-+k+0 9-+-+-+-+0
9+-+-+-+-0 9+-+-+-mK-0
xiiiiiiiiy xiiiiiiiiy
Brian Cook (Chippenham) Ljubomir Ugren (Slovenia)
Helpmate in 4 Helpmate in 9.5
Original Original

58 | BRITISH CHESS MAGAZINE

 January 2022

Openings
for Amateurs
The book I wish I knew
about 20 years ago
By Pete Tamburro
ptamburro@aol.com
For years in American chess articles,
I have complained about the paucity of
material for amateurs on what to do once
you survive the opening and what your
opening has to do with your middle game
and endgame. Too many excellent books
on that topic were either too pedantic or
oriented for the more advanced player.
I wrote two books which were well−
received because the average player
liked the explanations and ideas, which
last longer in the memory than reams
of variations. I did like Michael Stean’s
Simple Chess from 1978 and was pleased
to see it in algebraic.

Quite by accident, I ran across ANOTHER

Simple Chess, this one by GM John Emms,
and he did exactly what I was hoping
some grandmaster would do − explain
key positional concepts like the Isolated
Queen Pawn, Strong and Weak Pawns, The
Bishop Pair, Pieces: The Good, the Bad
and the Ugly, Majorities and Minorities
and Other Positional Features.

I’m 20 years late! It’s been out there
since 2001! How foolish I felt to have
missed this book. Really great books
can get lost in the avalanche of printing
that has taken place in our computer
era. This book should be recognized as
a classic and every club player should
study the living daylights out of it. My
apologies to Grandmaster Emms. The
book must have done very well because
he followed it up with More Simple
Chess, which gives the club player,
now armed with further positional
understanding, the opportunity to take
another big step in development.
The two books are even combined now.
Any chess teachers not aware of this book,
go buy some copies for your students, as
I did.

BRITISH CHESS MAGAZINE | 59

01/142
For those of you who have followed this
column, you know there has been much
discussion on the IQP and 1.e4 c6 2.c4.
Emms does a fabulous job with explaining
the IQP-plusses and minuses. He gives
one game that I wish I had included as
an example in my book where the IQP
is converted to a c3/d4 pawn structure as
one with potential. I had made a point of
showing how you can make that structure
a weakness. In the following game, its
potential strength is demonstrated.
Poluljahov - Baillo Gomez [D41]
Buenos Aires Moscow, 1998
1.c4 As often happens, the Caro-Kann can
show up through the English.
1...c6 2.e4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.cxd5 ¤f6
5.¤c3 ¤xd5 6.¤f3 There are other
alternatives to encourage Black to take on
c3: 6.d4; 6.¥c4
6...e6 Black can wait a move before
blocking the bishop with e6 and develop a
piece at the same time. Black can wait to
see if White has £b3 in mind, where ¥e6
would then be an option.
7.¥c4 Although I get nervous when White
delays 7.d4, here you can wait since Black
has played e6.
7...¥e7 8.0–0 0–0 9.d4 ¤xc3 There’s no
hurry to take on c3.
XIIIIIIIIY
10.bxc3 ¤c6?
9r+lwq-trk+0
9zpp+-vlpzpp0
9-+n+p+-+0
9+-+-+-+-0
9-+LzP-+-+0
9+-zP-+N+-0
9P+-+-zPPzP0
9tR-vLQ+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
60 | BRITISH CHESS MAGAZINE
Black needed to be more precise here. He
needs to hit that "isolated pawn couplet"
(an Emms term), encouraging White to
sac the c3 pawn for active play, but Black
gets play as well and might even get
that knight over to f6: 10...£c7 11.£e2
¤d7 With an idea of heading to f6 for
defence. 12.¥d3 £xc3 13.¦b1 £a5 and
Black is challenging White to show his
compensation for the pawn, especially
when the knight settles at f6.
11.¦e1 b6 12.¥d3 ¥b7
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-wq-trk+0
9zpl+-vlpzpp0
9-zpn+p+-+0
9+-+-+-+-0
9-+-zP-+-+0
9+-zPL+N+-0
9P+-+-zPPzP0
9tR-vLQtR-mK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
This is where Emms really spends time on
this middle game position, praising White’s
The book Simple Chess by
GM John Emms should be
recognized as a classic and
every club player should
study the living daylights
out of it. My apologies to
Grandmaster Emms. The
book must have done very
well because he followed it
up with More Simple Chess,
which gives the club player,
now armed with further
positional understanding,
the opportunity to take
another big step in
development

piece placement and Black’s lack of a
knight on f6. Then - and what I love about
this game - he explains White’s next move.
You learn that you don’t necessarily need
a rook on h1 to attack with h4. Nice idea!
It will stay with you longer than whatever
moves got you there. The important thing to
remember for White is not that Black could
have played better, but what you are able
to do if you should get a position like this.
13.h4! ¥f6 He gives a game by Kasparov,
among others, as White where Black played
13...¥xh4 14.¤xh4 £xh4 15.¦e3 g6 16.¦h3
£f6 17.¥h6 ¦fe8 18.£g4 and Black’s weak
dark squares are worth the pawn.
14.¤g5 g6 14...h6 He also points out the
plan for 15.£h5. This is what average
players need to see - how these attacks are
implemented out of the formation created
by the opening.
15.£g4 ¤e7 Emms points out the best
defence with 15...h5 which he notes still
has serious problems with 16.£g3. Indeed,
as after 16...¤e7 17.¥a3 is suffocating.
16.h5 What Larry Evans used to call "the
can opener".
16...¤f5 17.hxg6 hxg6
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-wq-trk+0
9zpl+-+p+-0
9-zp-+pvlp+0
9+-+-+nsN-0
9-+-zP-+Q+0
9+-zPL+-+-0
9P+-+-zPP+0
9tR-vL-tR-mK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
Now, this game highlights one of the
sacrificial themes in these kinds of attacks.
So often, it’s either ¤xe6 or ¤xf7 or ¤ or
¥xg6. You have to get students in that spirit
of attack with some good technical examples.
January 2022
18.¤xe6 fxe6 19.£xg6+ ¥g7 20.¦xe6
Black could have resigned here.
20...£h4 21.¥xf5 ¦xf5 22.£xf5 ¦f8
23.¥g5 £h5 24.£g6 £xg6 25.¦xg6
1–0
This is a worthy teaching game: key ideas
explained about both offence and defence.
Black learns about the knight heading to f6
and not being too eager to exchange on c3
as well as how to generate activity to create
a dynamic imbalance with chances for both
sides. White learns how to hit a kingside
where no defenders are in front of the three
black castled position pawns and how to
exploit square weaknesses.
Another nice feature for a teaching game
is that it is under 30 moves. There will be
time for longer lessons later on in chess
development. Then, Emms follows it up
with a really fine Karpov game that hits the
light square weaknesses against that very
d4/c3 pawn structure in a Nimzo-Indian.
Showing both sides of the coin helps the
student to better evaluate positions they
find themselves in.
I wish I had known about this book twenty
years ago!
CORRECTION
Sir,
As always your article in the December
edition of the BCM was excellent. However
surely the 32nd. move of white should be
Q-f6 as Q-f4 blunders away the queen.
The move 32. Q-f4 also appears in the
1972 Batsford edition of the best games of
Botvinnik 1947-1970 game 16 on page 44.
David Sharp
BCM would like to thank Mr Sharp for
noticing this error and letting us know!
BRITISH CHESS MAGAZINE | 61
01/142

Solutions to Problems
This month’s originals

The first three problems should be found quite solver-friendly; the fourth one, in
Ljubomir’s typical style, will be a challenge, but rewarding, even if you choose to
claim the reward simply by reading on rather than racking your brains! Remember
that in general the collaborative sequences of moves in helpmate solutions are
initiated by Black (e.g. in the 2nd problem you’re looking for a BWBWBW
sequence in each part); in Ljubomir’s, however, we start with a white move (there
are nineteen ‘half-moves’ in all).

A spectacular two-mover

Composers don’t like to have ‘unprovided
checks’ in their diagrams – that is, moves
that Black, if it were his move, could
play that would, simply by their nuisance
value, prevent White from mating in the
stipulated number of moves. Unprovided
checks both make things easier for the
solver (he needs only to look for moves
that provide for these checks) and also are
regarded as detracting from the aesthetic
value of the problem. It is important,
therefore, to note that in Michael’s two-
mover 1…¦h1+ and 1…£h8+ are
not unprovided, since they can be met
respectively by 2.£xh1# and 2.£xh8#.
These spectacular cross-checking mates
may give us an idea of what the problem
is about. The key is 1.¥b5, threatening
2.¥c6. As well as the two cross-checking
variations we’ve already seen, we now
have a defence 1…¦xa7 (‘unguarding’
b8) that fails to 2.£xa7. Three sweeping
long-distance mates by the white queen;
a memorable problem featuring all four
corners of the board.
A typical three-move helpmate
Our second problem is indeed typical
of the kind of play that helpmate
composers like to show in problems
of this length. In three moves you can
generally achieve computer-soundness
with a white rook and a white bishop
on the board (but soundness with greater
white force may be elusive); and using
a white rook and a white bishop often
predisposes the composer to show
matching orthogonal/diagonal effects
over the course of the two solutions.
My problem, with the need to engineer
mates by both white officers from f3,
aided by reciprocal play in which the
black knights disarm the guarding of
that square by the black bishop and
black took, is indeed typical; indeed, I’m
hoping that there won’t be readers who
find serious ‘anticipations’ (predecessor
problems showing substantially the
same play)! In (a), the solution is 1.¤e2
¥f3 2.¢f4 ¥h5+ 3.¦f3 ¦xf3 and in (b)
1.¤g3 ¦f3+ 2.¢e4 ¦d3+ 3.¥f3 ¥xf3.
A typical four-move helpmate
Once helpmates go beyond three moves
the strength of the white force that can
be used drops off, and it is more likely
that instead of having two complementary
solutions we’ll have just one, albeit one
that can show more protracted effects.
Brian’s problem illustrates this, as
there is scope for both kings to make
long journeys (note that their routes are
precisely determined) in order to achieve
an aesthetically pleasing checkmate that
utilises the pieces on the left-hand side
of the diagram (indeed, every piece in the
diagram plays its part; the composer has
commendably avoided ‘technical’ pieces,
added only for soundness’ sake) – 1.¢f3
¢g7 2.¢e4 ¢f6 3.¢d4 ¢e6 4.¢c4 ¢e5.

62 | BRITISH CHESS MAGAZINE


A typical
Ljubomir Ugren helpmate
Regular readers will know what I mean
by a “typical Ljubomir” problem. He
specialises in very long helpmates, in
which all the (interesting) twists and turns
are micro-managed so as to comply with
the requirement of computer soundness.
Probably a good starting point in trying
to solve very long helpmates is to find a
Solutions to Endgames
de V-E
1.¢h5 ¤f5 2.¥xb2 ¦xh6+ 3.¢g5 ¦h2
4.¥e5 ¦f2 5.¥f4 ¤d4 6.¥e3 ¦f5+
7.¢g4 ¦d5 8.¢f4 ¢b6 9.¢e4 ¢c5
10.¢d3 positional draw.
Crystal clear – I scarcely need to give the,
very few, sidelines: 1.¢g5? ¤e6+ 2.¢g6
¦xg7+; 2…¤xh6 3.¢g6 ¦b7 4.¥d4+:
and 3…¦b6 4.¥e5.
Weenink
1.¢c1 ¤d4 2.¥f2 ¤c2 3.¥g1 ¤e3 4.¥h2
¤c4 5.¥xc7 ¤b2 6.¢c2 ¤d3 7.¢xd3
¢b1 8.¥e5 a1£ 9.¥xa1 ¢xa1 and for
example 10.¢c3 ¢a2 11.¢b4 etc.
7…¢b2 8.¥e5+ ¢b3 9.¥a1 ¢a4 10.¢e4
¢b5 11.¢d4 ¢b4 12.¥b2 ¢b3 13.¥c3
¢c2 14.¢c4 ¢b1 15.¢b4.
Without the pawn on c7, there are also
5.¥f4 and 5.¥g3. The addition of the c7
pawn forces White to capture it, otherwise
the eventual pawn ending is not winning.
Byway
1.¦f8 aiming for the fortress position with
the rook on f3, and met by Black with
either of two lines:
January 2022
(See page 58)
mating position that will be achievable (it is
likely that there will be only one) and work
backwards from there, but the alternative
in this instance is simply to read and enjoy
the following sequence: 1…¢g2 2.¢c8
¢h3 3.£b8 ¢h4 4.c5 ¢h5 5.c4 ¢g6 6.c3
¢xf6 7.c2 ¢e6 8.c1=¥ ¢d5 9.¥g5 ¢c6
10.¥d8 ¥c6#.
(See page 56)
1…£c4+ 2.¢g1 £xc5+ 3.¦f2 ¢g5
4.g3 ¢g4 5.¢g2 £d5+ 6.¢h2 £h5+
7.¢g2 £h3+ 8.¢g1 ¢xg3 9.¦f3+ ¢xf3
stalemate.
1…£d1+ 2.¢f2 £d2+ 3.¢g3 £g5+
4.¢f3 £xc5 5.¦f4 ¢h5 6.¢g3 £e5
7.¢f3 ¢g5 8.¦g4+ ¢f5 9.¦h4 £c3+
10.¢f2 and e.g. 10...£d2+ 11.¢f1 and
White will play g3 or ¦h3 with a draw.
The fortress with the pawn on the second
rank and the rook on f3/h3 is well-known
to OTB players, but the draw with the pawn
on g3 is far less familiar.
In the first line, 3…£e3 4.g3 draws; as do
8…£h7 9.¢g2 and 8…£xg3+ 9.¦g2 and
8…¢g5 9.¦h2 £g4 10.¦f2.
In the second line, 3.¢f3 £d5+ 4.¢g3
£g5+ simply delays by one move.
Michelet
1. ¥g3+ ¢xg3 2.¤f1+ ¢g2 3.¤xh2
¥xc8 4.¤g4 ¥xg4 5.c8¤ ¥xc8 6.¢b6
and 7.¢c7 draws.
White surrenders all his diagram pieces, and
indeed another one - the ‘Phoenix’ knight
on c8. Survival after many sacrifices.
BRITISH CHESS MAGAZINE | 63
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(including top UK grandmasters), outstanding photography and design, and the regular
features which have long been part of BCM’s tradition.
Now in partnership, American Chess Magazine and BCM have combined to re-launch BCM
which now offers more high class, authoritative and in-depth coverage of major British chess
events and leading players, a brand new look, and of course our much loved regular articles.

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£55 £85
12 issues per year
postage included

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Purchase or renew your subscription and have BCM delivered to your door:
On-line: visit our website www.britishchessmagazine.co.uk
Email: contact support@britishchessmagazine.co.uk, we’ll get back to you right away
By post: write to BCM at Albany House, 14 Shute End, Wokingham, Berkshire, England
RG40 1BJ with a cheque payable to British Chess Magazine Limited, your post and email
addresses (and if possible a contact phone number)
Save time, go on-line. It’s more convenient and better for the environment, why not do it
on-line. Enjoy priority support. No waiting for your turn, we are here for you 24/7. Anytime,
anywhere. If you’re on the move, read digital BCM from your handheld or other device.
Thank you for your continuing support!
BRITISH CHESS MAGAZINE, the World’s Oldest Chess Journal