[Event "Division I"] [Site "Chess.com"] [Date "2024.07.20"] [Round "2.2"] [White "Vachier-Lagrave, Maxime"] [Black "Carlsen, Magnus"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "C88"] [WhiteElo "2855"] [BlackElo "2915"] [PlyCount "103"] [GameId "2071848351254716"] [EventDate "2024.??.??"] [TimeControl "600+2"] {Facing the "GOAT" World Champion Magnus Carlsen in every match is akin to playing the lottery. Defeating him is comparable to clinching the jackpot. Indeed, this is the experience when competing against one of the greatest chess players of all time.} 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 {The Ruy Lopez: One of the most solid yet flexible black chess opening.} a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. h3 {This is SOP avoiding the thematic black's Bg4 pinning the knight at f3. Also, future fire exit for the lazy king.} Bb7 9. d3 d6 10. a4 Na5 11. Ba2 c5 {If I am the one playing the World Champ Carlsen, in my mind, may be singing the song "Heart Attack or Killing me Softly"...} 12. Nbd2 Qc7 {Imagine that Black's c5 pawn is absent; we might then say that Black is employing the Sicilian Najdorf. This setup is undoubtedly solid. However, one should never underestimate Super GM Vachier-Lagrave's analytical prowess, nor should one provide him with chaotic positions, as he thrives in them.} 13. Nf1 {Pivoting the forces at kingside is best to create pressure later.} b4 {Black cannot wait and must initiate pressure too.} 14. Bd2 Bc8 15. Ne3 Be6 16. Nf5 {This cunning move tempts Black to capture the knight at f5. However, there's a twist: the bishop on a2 emerges as a dominant force, controlling the a2-g8 diagonal. In the endgame, this piece proves to be far more valuable.} Nc6 17. c3 {Preventing black's Nd4 move} Bxa2 18. Rxa2 bxc3 19. bxc3 {Now that Black's light-squared bishop has been captured, it's quite clear that the knight on f5 is well-placed, poised for tactical opportunities with support from other pieces.} Rfb8 20. d4 {Yes, this is a sign that white is slowly achieving a better position when soon black's king will be needing full protection. But we never know when Super GM Vachier-Lagrave's genius tactical execution and explosion.} Bf8 21. dxc5 dxc5 22. Bg5 {Here we go...} Ne8 23. Ne3 {Pivoting to d5 square...} Nd6 24. Nd5 Qb7 25. Nd2 Na5 26. Qg4 {Hmmm... this is what I mean...} Qc8 27. Qxc8 Nxc8 28. Bd8 Nc6 29. Bc7 {Super GM Vachier-Lagrave would not likely position himself at a disadvantage, particularly in the endgame. It is widely recognized that endgames are World Champion Carlsen's forte.} Rb7 30. Nc4 f6 31. a5 N8a7 32. Bb6 Nb5 33. Rd2 {White binds the queenside structure; let's see how it unfolds.} Kf7 34. Red1 Rc8 35. g3 Ne7 36. Nde3 {Black's bishop on f8 is quite passive, while the pawn on c3 cannot be captured.} Rc6 37. Rd3 Nc8 38. Kg2 Ncd6 39. f3 Ke6 40. Kf2 h5 41. Ke2 Rd7 42. f4 {White sees an opportunity for tactical play and aims to exert pressure on the center and the king at e6.} exf4 43. gxf4 Rb7 44. f5+ Kf7 45. e5 {Nice...} Nxc4 46. Nxc4 Kg8 47. e6 g6 48. Rd7 Rb8 ({IF} 48... Nxc3+ 49. Kf3 Rb8 50. Rg1 g5 51. Bd8 Rb3 52. Bxf6 Nd5+ 53. Ke2 Nxf6 54. Rxg5+ Kh8 55. Rd8) 49. Rg1 g5 50. Kd3 Nd6 51. Nxd6 Rxd6+ 52. Kc4 {Super GM Vachier-Lagrave played an elegant game, maintaining control from beginning to end and dictating the outcome as black struggled to find a counter to white's relentless pressure. A commendable performance.} 1-0