[Event "Legends of Chess Prelim"] [Site "chess24.com INT"] [Date "2020.07.26"] [Round "6.2"] [White "Carlsen, Magnus"] [Black "Ding, Liren"] [Result "1-0"] [WhiteElo "2863"] [BlackElo "2791"] [PlyCount "51"] [EventDate "2020.??.??"] 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 c6 5. Bg5 {The sharpest line 5. Bg5 versus the Semi-Slav.} h6 {Black is forcing white to decide either to take the knight at f6 or retreat at h4 square.} 6. Bh4 dxc4 {As I explained in chess blog 1, this is part of white's strategy to sacrifice a pawn at c4 square in exchange of controlling the center having two center pawns (e and d pawns).} 7. e4 g5 { Black harassed the bishop at h4 but in doing that it weakens black's kingside.} 8. Bg3 b5 {Yes, black gained a pawn, although, delayed development of pieces.} 9. Be2 Bb7 {GM Ding Liren may have expanded his opening repertoire in using this 9...Bb7 line. Let see if what is the plan of black here.} ({Other move is: } 9... b4 {Check the chess blog 1 about this line 9...b4}) 10. O-O Nbd7 { Obviously, blacks plan is to develop major pieces and to control the e5 square and/or to maneuver knight at d7 to b6.} 11. Nd2 {Yes, black wants to push b5 to b4 leaving the e4 hanging that is the use of Nfd2 to protect the e4 pawn. Let us find out how GM Carlsen breaks black's fortress.} Qb6 {Critical position here, the d4 pawn is under attack also a way for the black king to castle queenside.} 12. a4 {Black cannot capture the d4 pawn yet due to b5 pawn is under attack.} a6 13. e5 {The game is getting more intense, both GMs are looking for breakthroughs to outwit each other.} Nd5 14. Nde4 c5 {Yes, this is timely. White needs to calculate accurately because the queenside seems getting overwhelmed by black's pressure.} 15. Nxd5 Bxd5 16. Nc3 cxd4 {WE STOP HERE. DO YOU THINK THIS MOVE (cxd4) IS ADVANTAGEOUS FOR BLACK?} 17. Nxd5 { Of course, taking the bishop at d5 is best for white. Now, there is an ideal strong move such as pushing e5 to e6 is worth analyzing.} exd5 18. Bh5 { Wow, this move is much better...} Nc5 {Black is aware of the e5 to e6 pawn push, that is why knight jumped to c5 to control e6 square but gives up the pawn at d4. Pretty much white has better chances here.} 19. Qxd4 {The d5 pawn is hanging plus there is upcoming e5 to e6 push.} Qe6 20. Bg4 {LET US STOP AGAIN HERE: IF YOU PLAY WHITE, HOW DO YOU THINK LIKE GM CARLSEN? THINK 4 MOVES AHEAD.} Nb3 21. Qd1 {There is also pressure on the b5 pawn, so black is struggling.} Qc6 22. axb5 Qxb5 ({Other move is:} 22... axb5 23. Rxa8+ Qxa8 24. e6 f6 25. Bh5+ Ke7 26. Qb1) 23. e6 fxe6 24. Bxe6 Ra7 25. Bxd5 Nxa1 {Taking the rook at a1 is not going to help black. The king at the center is weak...too much threats.} 26. Qf3 {Black Resigned: There is a threat of 27. Bc6+ and many threats to the exposed king Very nice tactical and strategical play by the World Champion GM Magnus Carlsen. He can play any white opening and still excels. I hope you learned from this game and Thanks GM Carlsen.} 1-0