[Event "FIDE World Championship 2021"] [Site "Dubai"] [Date "2021.12.03"] [Round "6.1"] [White "Carlsen, Magnus"] [Black "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "D02"] [WhiteElo "2855"] [BlackElo "2782"] [PlyCount "271"] [EventDate "2021.11.25"] [EventType "match"] [EventCountry "UAE"] [SourceTitle "europe-echecs.com"] [Source "ChessBase"] [SourceQuality "1"] 1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 (2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. g3 Be7 5. Bg2 O-O 6. O-O {½-½ (58) Carlsen,M (2855)-Nepomniachtchi,I (2782) Dubai 2021}) 2... d5 3. g3 e6 4. Bg2 Be7 5. O-O O-O 6. b3 (6. c4 {= Catalane}) 6... c5 7. dxc5 Bxc5 8. c4 dxc4 (8... Qb6 9. Qc2 Rd8 10. Nc3 Nc6 11. Na4 Qa5 12. Nxc5 Qxc5 13. Bg5 {1/2-1/2 (18) Schuster,U-Steiner,H GER corr 1990}) 9. Qc2 (9. bxc4 Qc7 10. Bf4 Qe7 11. Nbd2 Nc6 12. Nb3 Rd8 13. Qc2 e5 {0-1 (37) Peschke,U-Von Herman,U (2345) Berlin 1995} ) 9... Qe7 (9... Nc6 10. Bb2 Qe7 11. Qxc4 e5 12. Nbd2 Rd8 13. Rad1 Bf5 14. Ng5 Bd4 15. Ba3 Qxa3 16. Qxf7+ Kh8 17. Qxb7 Na5 18. Qa6 h6 19. Nf7+ Kh7 20. Nb1 $11 Qb4 $2 21. e3 $1 $18 Bb6 22. Nxd8 Rxd8 23. Rxd8 Bxd8 24. Qxa7 Bb6 25. Rc1 Bg6 26. Qa6 Nd7 27. Qc8 Nc5 28. Bd5 {1-0 (28) Mueller Using,D-Mollekens,R ICCF corr 1973}) 10. Nbd2 Nc6 11. Nxc4 b5 12. Nce5 (12. Bb2 bxc4 13. Ng5 Bd4 14. Bxc6 Bxb2 15. Qxb2 Bb7 16. Bxb7 Qxb7) 12... Nb4 13. Qb2 Bb7 14. a3 (14. Bg5 h6 15. Bh4 g5 16. a3 gxh4 17. axb4 Bxb4) 14... Nc6 15. Nd3 Bb6 16. Bg5 Rfd8 17. Bxf6 gxf6 (17... Qxf6 18. Qxf6 gxf6 19. Rfc1 Rac8 20. b4 Ne7) 18. Rac1 Nd4 19. Nxd4 Bxd4 20. Qa2 Bxg2 21. Kxg2 Qb7+ 22. Kg1 Qe4 23. Qc2 a5 (23... Rac8 24. Qxc8 Rxc8 25. Rxc8+ Kg7 26. Nf4 e5 27. e3) 24. Rfd1 Kg7 (24... f5 25. e3 Bf6) 25. Rd2 (25. e3 Be5 26. Qe2 $11 (26. Nxe5 $4 Qxc2 $19)) 25... Rac8 $5 (25... b4 26. axb4 axb4 27. Nxb4 Bxf2+ 28. Kxf2 Qxb4 29. Rxd8 Rxd8) 26. Qxc8 Rxc8 27. Rxc8 Qd5 28. b4 a4 29. e3 Be5 (29... Bb2 $5 30. Rxb2 $2 (30. Rc5 $1 Qd6 31. Rxb2 Qxd3 32. Rbc2 Qxa3 33. Rxb5 $11) 30... Qxd3 31. Ra2 $2 Qb1+ $19) 30. h4 h5 31. Kh2 Bb2 $2 32. Rc5 $1 Qd6 33. Rd1 $2 (33. Rcc2 $1 Bxa3 34. Nf4 Qxb4 35. Rd7 $18) 33... Bxa3 34. Rxb5 Qd7 35. Rc5 e5 36. Rc2 $6 Qd5 $6 (36... Bxb4 37. Rcc1 Ba3 $1 38. Ra1 Qg4 39. Rd2 Be7 $17 {[%csl Ga4]}) 37. Rdd2 Qb3 38. Ra2 e4 $6 39. Nc5 Qxb4 40. Nxe4 $2 (40. Rdc2 $1 f5 41. Nxa4 $1 Qxa4 42. Rc3 $18) 40... Qb3 41. Rac2 Bf8 42. Nc5 Qb5 43. Nd3 a3 44. Nf4 Qa5 45. Ra2 Bb4 46. Rd3 Kh6 47. Rd1 Qa4 48. Rda1 Bd6 49. Kg1 Qb3 50. Ne2 Qd3 51. Nd4 Kh7 52. Kh2 Qe4 53. Rxa3 Qxh4+ 54. Kg1 Qe4 55. Ra4 Be5 56. Ne2 Qc2 57. R1a2 $1 Qb3 58. Kg2 Qd5+ 59. f3 Qd1 60. f4 Bc7 61. Kf2 Bb6 62. Ra1 Qb3 63. Re4 Kg7 64. Re8 f5 65. Raa8 Qb4 66. Rac8 Ba5 $1 67. Rc1 Bb6 68. Re5 Qb3 69. Re8 Qd5 70. Rcc8 Qh1 71. Rc1 Qd5 72. Rb1 Ba7 73. Re7 Bc5 74. Re5 Qd3 75. Rb7 Qc2 76. Rb5 Ba7 77. Ra5 Bb6 78. Rab5 Ba7 79. Rxf5 Qd3 80. Rxf7+ Kxf7 81. Rb7+ Kg6 82. Rxa7 Qd5 83. Ra6+ Kh7 84. Ra1 Kg6 85. Nd4 Qb7 86. Ra2 Qh1 87. Ra6+ Kf7 88. Nf3 Qb1 89. Rd6 Kg7 90. Rd5 Qa2+ 91. Rd2 Qb1 92. Re2 Qb6 93. Rc2 Qb1 94. Nd4 Qh1 95. Rc7+ Kf6 96. Rc6+ Kf7 97. Nf3 Qb1 98. Ng5+ Kg7 99. Ne6+ Kf7 100. Nd4 Qh1 101. Rc7+ Kf6 102. Nf3 Qb1 103. Rd7 Qb2+ 104. Rd2 Qb1 105. Ng1 Qb4 106. Rd1 Qb3 107. Rd6+ Kg7 108. Rd4 Qb2+ 109. Ne2 Qb1 110. e4 Qh1 111. Rd7+ Kg8 112. Rd4 Qh2+ 113. Ke3 h4 114. gxh4 Qh3+ 115. Kd2 Qxh4 116. Rd3 Kf8 117. Rf3 Qd8+ 118. Ke3 Qa5 119. Kf2 Qa7+ 120. Re3 Qd7 121. Ng3 Qd2+ 122. Kf3 Qd1+ 123. Re2 Qb3+ 124. Kg2 Qb7 125. Rd2 Qb3 126. Rd5 Ke7 127. Re5+ Kf7 128. Rf5+ Ke8 129. e5 Qa2+ 130. Kh3 Qe6 $2 (130... Qb1 $1 $11) 131. Kh4 Qh6+ 132. Nh5 Qh7 133. e6 Qg6 134. Rf7 Kd8 135. f5 Qg1 136. Ng7 1-0 [Event "FIDE World Chess Championship 2021"] [Site "?"] [Date "2021.12.03"] [Round "6"] [White "Carlsen, Magnus"] [Black "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "D02"] [WhiteElo "2855"] [BlackElo "2782"] [Annotator "samsh"] [PlyCount "271"] [EventDate "2021.??.??"] [SourceVersionDate "2021.12.03"] {At the end of game five, I predicted that we would see a more eventful game six, as Magnus would probably double dip for the first time and play either 1. e4 or 1.d4 with a pretty good idea of what he would be facing. Given Nepo's repertoire, I was not too surprised to see Magnus aim for some kind of Catalan. While the opening and early middlegame certainly looked dull as Magnus wasn't able to apply much pressure, the game did liven up at some point, and my prediction came true as we finally saw a full point scored.} 1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 d5 3. g3 e6 4. Bg2 Be7 5. O-O O-O 6. b3 {This is an interesting move order for White. He clearly is aiming to play c4 at a moment when he is ready to take back with the pawn.} c5 7. dxc5 (7. c4 {This would lead to a more typical position, which I have actually played a bunch of times on the white side in rapid games. It is a little tricky, but generally, I think mostly harmless against a prepared opponent in classical chess. Still, I am somehow not impressed with what Magnus played either.}) 7... Bxc5 8. c4 dxc4 9. Qc2 { Now, White will win back the lost c4-pawn without allowing his structure to become compromised. Then, he can hope to end up a little better if Black can't develop his queenside or find a way to get the c8-bishop into the game. But, I think this is too optimistic. In the time it takes White to grab the pawn back, Black will complete his development.} Qe7 10. Nbd2 $5 {Magnus has showed a remarkable willingness to sacrifice pawns this match. I like this decision! The knight taking back on c4 will look a lot more sensible than the queen.} Nc6 $1 {I like this decision. Black doesn't bother going pawn grabbing and instead makes sure to complete his development before he faces any issues on the long diagonal.} (10... cxb3 {The machine is not scared of grabbing the pawn, but after something like} 11. Nxb3 Bd6 12. Nfd4 {White has clear compensation as now Black was unable to develop his queenside before the pressure on the long diagonal become too problematic. I don't see a great way to get the bishop on c8 into the game. The machine calls it equal, but in human terms, White certainly seems more comfortable, and I find it unsurprising that Nepo did not go for it.}) 11. Nxc4 {Now, Bd7 leaves the bishop on a still less than impressive square, though even there I imagine White can't hope for too much. Black has two ways to solve his problem piece, and Nepo chose the more direct one.} b5 $1 {This looks like a scary move as Black seems like he is asking for trouble on the long diagonal, but the tempo he wins by hitting the c4-knight gives him enough time to get his bishop to b7. Structurally, White is surely not better. His only edge was hoping that the g2-bishop would be active, and the c8-bishop passive. This will no longer be the case, and we end up in a dry, symmetrical position where Black has no major issues.} (11... Bd7) (11... e5 $5 {This was fine too. Black's bishop will find a nice square on g4, or even f5 if he pushes e5-e4 first.}) 12. Nce5 {Now, Black should be careful. He clearly wants to get the bishop to b7, but he needs to do it the right way.} (12. Nfe5 $2 {This might look tempting, but it only creates problems for White. After} Nd4 $1 13. Qd1 Bb7 $1 {Black is taking over the initiative.}) 12... Nb4 $1 { Black clears the knight off of the hanging square with a gain of tempo and is ready for Bc8-b7 next, equalizing.} (12... Bb7 $2 {This tempting move would lose material after} 13. Nxc6 Bxc6 14. b4 $1 Bxf3 15. Bxf3 {when Black has hanging pieces on both a8 and c5.}) 13. Qb2 Bb7 14. a3 Nc6 $1 {Since the queen is no longer on c2, this move is safe as there is no b3-b4 thrust to skewer the bishops on the c-file. The position looks very equal, though soon enough some imbalance was found.} 15. Nd3 Bb6 16. Bg5 Rfd8 17. Bxf6 gxf6 $5 {This is not a bad move, but its a bit surprising to me. Given that the pawn structure will become crippled either way, why would we keep queens on? I suppose Black's king is not feeling any particular pressure.} (17... Qxf6 {This would have been my choice. I might even prefer Black.}) 18. Rac1 Nd4 (18... e5 { The machine flashed this move briefly, but it seems super inhuman to me. Black is just begging for an invasion on f5.} 19. Nh4 Nd4 20. e3 Bxg2 21. Kxg2 Qb7+ 22. Kg1 Ne6 {Apparently, Black is a little better here with Ne6-g5 coming next. It looks super scary for a human though. Some Qb2-e2 and Nh4-f5 does not look like fun.}) 19. Nxd4 Bxd4 20. Qa2 Bxg2 21. Kxg2 Qb7+ 22. Kg1 Qe4 23. Qc2 a5 24. Rfd1 Kg7 25. Rd2 {This was the first position I saw of the game, as inflight WiFi had not been working to that point. I just assumed it would end in a draw pretty promptly, but I did not expect Nepo to immediately change the character of the game.} Rac8 $5 {This is surely not a bad move, and it does liven things up, but it strikes me as very risky. The computer insists that the position remains equal, but it looks much more double edged after the queen is traded for the two rooks. Black's position can become risky as his kingside pawns being split means that neither f7 nor h7 can be defended by another pawn. This being the case, having a greater number of pieces can be a really big deal, and two rooks have some potential to overpower the queen. Black is definitely still fine, but he should be looking for direct active counterplay on the queenside. Still, given how the game played out, I suspect Nepo may have found himself regretting this decision, even if it was not the one that objectively landed him in a bad position.} (25... f5 {Some simple move like this one, making room for the bishop on f6 and putting more pawns on light squares, was what I was expecting. It looks very equal and very drawn.}) 26. Qxc8 Rxc8 27. Rxc8 Qd5 28. b4 a4 29. e3 Be5 $6 {The machine still claims the position is equal, but I believe this was a big step in the wrong direction. Black could have immediately gone for a line where White needs to find two only moves before a draw is agreed, and instead he sort of lazily brings the bishop back as if his position is not under any pressure and he has all the time in the world.} (29... Bb2 {This might have been a little more challenging, forcing White to find a couple good moves, but it can't be too tough.} 30. Rc5 $1 Qd6 31. Rxb2 Qxd3 {Now, White's position actually looks really dangerous since a3 is falling. He needs to find one only move, but then he is fine.} 32. Rbc2 $1 { Not too difficult. White moves his rook away so it will not be hanging when a3 is taken, and now he is ready to meet Qxa3 with Rxb5. It should be quite drawish. Still, Magnus was low enough on time that there was some non-zero chance he would not find his way with a couple only moves. But... non-zero, but not high either.}) 30. h4 h5 $2 {Now White has real weaknesses to play against. The h5-pawn can certainly become a target, and once more Black missed his chance to directly equalize.} (30... Bb2 {This was still fine, but it is basically an admission that Be5 was a bad decision. This is not an easy thing for a human to do, especially if he still thinks the position is fine.}) 31. Kh2 {Sesse claims Black is still fine here. In human terms, I think he has a lot of problems to solve. He is missing counterplay and will have to be very wary of the rooks suddenly invading the position. My onboard WiFi cut out here as well, and I knew it would be some time before we were over a land mass again. At this moment, despite being short on time, I thought Magnus would have a really good position by the time I got to see it again.} Bb2 $2 { Now it is too late for this. White should be winning, but with the clock ticking down, Magnus did not find the way.} 32. Rc5 Qd6 33. Rd1 $2 {This let a big chance slip.} (33. Rcc2 $1 {[ Carlsen: \"That was not on my radar. As a matter of fact, when I went for this Rd1 I just missed ...Qd7. I thought I would be in time to go Rb4 and eliminate those pawns, so that was more an oversight than anything else.\"]} Bxa3 34. Nf4 $1 {White has a decisive attack, as his rooks will soon penetrate to the 7th or 8th rank, and h5 is a goner. I suspect Magnus saw this, but missed that after} Qe7 35. Rc8 $1 {Would win. In fact, every other move loses!}) 33... Bxa3 34. Rxb5 Qd7 35. Rc5 e5 (35... Bxb4 {I'm not sure why Nepo did not play this move, though I am not as optimistic as the machine about his winning chances.}) 36. Rc2 Qd5 $6 (36... Bxb4 $1 { Again, this looked tempting.}) 37. Rdd2 $1 {Now White has everything under control, and the a3-bishop is in some trouble.} Qb3 38. Ra2 e4 $2 {With time control rapidly approaching, both sides missed an important idea.} (38... f5 { So says the machine, and apparently Black is fine. This is super tough for a human to play, particularly with no time.}) 39. Nc5 Qxb4 {Now, Magnus had a move clear winner. It is super bad luck for him that the chance happened to present itself on move 40 rather than 41!} 40. Nxe4 $2 (40. Rdc2 $1 {This should win routinely. Black's queen and bishop are both completely stuck, and White is ready for Nxa4 next. After something like} f5 41. Nxa4 Qxa4 42. Rc3 $18 {White should be technically winning. He will get his rooks to the seventh rank and take on f7. This is exactly the kind of position I was talking about earlier where Black's weak pawns means simply having a greater number of total pieces is a huge advantage, and the two rooks should easily beat the queen.}) 40... Qb3 {Time control is reached, and Black is more or less okay.} 41. Rac2 Bf8 42. Nc5 Qb5 43. Nd3 a3 {Black's a-pawn is annoying enough though it is really hard for White to break through.} 44. Nf4 Qa5 45. Ra2 Bb4 46. Rd3 Kh6 47. Rd1 Qa4 48. Rda1 {Magnus is trying to reorganize his pieces to target the a3-pawn, but it will be really hard to get the knight to join as well.} Bd6 49. Kg1 Qb3 50. Ne2 Qd3 51. Nd4 Kh7 {Case in point, it looks like Nc2 should pick up a3 and promptly win the game, but things are not so simple.} 52. Kh2 (52. Nc2 Qb3 $1 {White struggles to take on a3 thanks to Bd6-e5 hanging over his head. I don't see a great plan for him.} 53. Nxa3 $2 Be5 $1) 52... Qe4 $6 { This strikes me as a bit careless. Now, Magnus took the chance to change the position and get rid of the a-pawn, but it became a bit too simplified to seriously hope to play for a win against good defense.} 53. Rxa3 Qxh4+ $1 ( 53... Bxa3 $2 54. Rxa3 {White should be totally winning here despite the relative material balance. The queen's main strength is being able to attack multiple things at once, and here, Black has nothing to attack. White will maneuvre Ra3-a5-f5-f4, then knight around to e4 to force f6-f5, then knight comes to d4, and Black collapses.}) 54. Kg1 Qe4 55. Ra4 Be5 $1 56. Ne2 Qc2 57. R1a2 Qb3 {The bishop on e5 is incredibly well placed. White somehow does not quite have the coordination he needs to finish the game off.} 58. Kg2 Qd5+ 59. f3 {The machine hates this move, but I don't see another great way to make progress.} Qd1 60. f4 Bc7 {The pawn being forced off of f2 really weakens White's pawn chain, and his king's cover. It will be very hard for him to do something like double on the seventh and take on f7 as long as his kingside needs defenders.} 61. Kf2 Bb6 $1 {Targeting the weak e3-pawn.} 62. Ra1 Qb3 63. Re4 {White has coordinated his position about as well as possible, but it will still be a nightmare to break through. This was the first position I saw once my internet came back, and I was unsurprised that there were some missed chances along the way. The rook on e4 holds everything together but is also tethered to the defense of the e3-pawn. The knight on e2 is not wildly mobile either. Still, Magnus is head and shoulders above every player in history at grinding out positions like this one, and it showed.} Kg7 64. Re8 f5 65. Raa8 { Even with the rooks invading like this, what is White's next move?} Qb4 66. Rac8 Ba5 67. Rc1 Bb6 68. Re5 Qb3 69. Re8 Qd5 70. Rcc8 {White is not making any progress on the board, but progress on the clock is more important. The position is surely a draw objectively, but Black will have to defend it for 50 moves, and if anything ever drops, he will surely lose. White's best chance is to pressure Black on the clock, and here Nepo was down to 5 minutes.} Qh1 ( 70... Qb3 {This was also fine.}) 71. Rc1 Qd5 72. Rb1 Ba7 $2 {Case in point. This is a bad move, and the product of not having much time.} (72... Bd8 { Black keeps all unwanted guests off of the 7th rank and is ready for h4 next.}) 73. Re7 $1 Bc5 74. Re5 {Now Black is in only-move territory.} Qd3 75. Rb7 Qc2 76. Rb5 $1 Ba7 77. Ra5 (77. Rxf5 {Already this was possible.} Qd3 78. Rxf7+ $1 Kxf7 79. Rb7+ {The computer still thinks this is a draw, but a human would almost certainly lose with Black.}) (77. Re7) 77... Bb6 78. Rab5 Ba7 79. Rxf5 $1 {Magnus plays it the second time around.} Qd3 80. Rxf7+ Kxf7 81. Rb7+ Kg6 82. Rxa7 Qd5 83. Ra6+ Kh7 84. Ra1 $1 {I like this move. No need to rush, start by preventing Qh1.} Kg6 85. Nd4 Qb7 86. Ra2 Qh1 87. Ra6+ Kf7 88. Nf3 $1 { White's king is totally safe for the moment. The machine still claims Black is making a draw here, but for a human with no time... this feels impossible. There are no direct perpetuals, Black will have to sit and defend perfectly for 50 moves until a pawn moves, then for another 50 moves... even with time on the clock, I would expect a human to crack. Without it, no chance.} Qb1 89. Rd6 Kg7 90. Rd5 Qb2+ 91. Rd2 Qb1 92. Re2 {Not subtle. The e-pawn is coming.} Qb6 93. Rc2 Qb1 94. Nd4 Qh1 95. Rc7+ Kf6 96. Rc6+ Kf7 97. Nf3 Qb1 98. Ng5+ Kg7 99. Ne6+ Kf7 100. Nd4 Qh1 {White has made no progress for the last several moves, but the clocks just keep getting lower. Black cannot hold this forever.} 101. Rc7+ Kf6 102. Nf3 Qb1 103. Rd7 Qc2+ 104. Rd2 Qb1 105. Ng1 $5 {Finally, White sets up a different coordination.} Qb4 106. Rd1 Qb3 107. Rd6+ Kg7 108. Rd4 Qb2+ 109. Ne2 Qb1 110. e4 $1 {Finally. Machine still says draw, but go play 50 more moves... and then e5 or f5 comes, and then 50 more...} Qh1 111. Rd7+ Kg8 112. Rd4 Qh2+ 113. Ke3 h4 {Black trades off his last pawn, but this doesn't change much. He still has a practically impossible task.} 114. gxh4 Qh3+ 115. Kd2 Qxh4 116. Rd3 Kf8 117. Rf3 Qd8+ 118. Ke3 Qa5 119. Kf2 Qa7+ 120. Re3 Qd7 121. Ng3 {White has set up a very good coordination and the pawns are ready to go.} Qd2+ 122. Kf3 Qd1+ 123. Re2 Qb3+ 124. Kg2 {No more checks. Black is done for.} Qb7 125. Rd2 Qb3 126. Rd5 Ke7 127. Re5+ Kf7 128. Rf5+ Ke8 129. e5 $1 {Machine still says draw, even here. And again, go play 50 more moves! It just can't be done.} Qa2+ 130. Kh3 Qe6 $2 {[Editor's note: 130...Qe6 was the losing mistake according to the tablebases. With engine-perfect play, ...Qb1 and ...Qc2 would be drawn.]} (130... Qb1) (130... Qc2) 131. Kh4 {Finally, at long last, the machine confirms what all the humans knew for awhile. Magnus is winning this game.} Qh6+ 132. Nh5 Qh7 133. e6 $1 {A nice final touch. The rook cannot be captured.} Qg6 134. Rf7 Kd8 135. f5 Qg1 136. Ng7 {Nepo had seen enough, and finally, the impasse was broken! Magnus won in his trademark style, not taking a ton of risks, but taking his chance to imbalance the game when it came, and then gradually grinding out a win from what was a defensible but unpleasant position for Black. I like that it came in phases, and that one phase was, \"This position is technically still a draw, but there is no chance a human will hold it.\" Surely Nepo could have defended better before allowing Rxf5 and Rxf7 to transform the position, but after that, I doubt there was much he could do. Now that a point is on the scoreboard, we could see a very different looking match in the games to come!} 1-0