[Event "Magnus Carlsen Invitational"] [Site "chess24.com INT"] [Date "2021.03.17"] [Round "1.22"] [White "Wesley So"] [Black "Alireza Firouzja"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "B12"] [WhiteElo "2770"] [BlackElo "2759"] [PlyCount "51"] [EventDate "2021.03.13"] 1. e4 c6 {The Caro-Kann Defense: Favorite opening of World Champ Anatoly Karpov.} 2. d4 d5 3. e5 {The Advanced variation.} Bf5 {Bringing out the bishop is a standard Caro-Kann move sequence but if black decides to play 3...e6, transposes to the French Defense setup.} ({If} 3... e6 4. Nf3 c5 5. c3 Nc6 { Switches to French line.}) 4. Nf3 e6 5. Be2 {The idea behind keeping the light bishop and not exchanging it via d3, there is an option to divert play at queenside with the help of bishop at e2.} Ne7 6. O-O h6 {The idea behind keeping the light bishop and not exchanging it via d3, due to there is another option to divert play at queenside with the help of bishop at e2.} 7. Nbd2 Nd7 8. Nb3 {Yes, this is a standard set-up for this type of variation. GM Wesley So is 150% prepared about this line as shown confidence in his games.} g5 { That is black's major plan to expand at kingside but not really a potential danger for the white king.} 9. Bd2 {Obviously, the direction of white's pieces towards the queenside.} a5 10. a4 Qc7 11. c3 {It's a wait and see move, checking black's response.} f6 {Now, the intent is established, white is prepared for this.} 12. exf6 Ng6 13. c4 {Since the intention is revealed, Wesley So must find ways to open the queenside just in case black castles.} Bd6 14. cxd5 exd5 15. Bd3 {WHOA!!! I did not expect this. It is deep, well calculated move by the Filipino/American genius GM Wesley So.} Bxd3 16. Bxa5 { Another of GM So's imaginative play...Fantastic!!!} Rxa5 17. Qxd3 Kf7 ({If} 17... Nf4 18. Rfe1+ Kf7 19. Qf5 Raa8 20. g3) 18. Nxa5 Qxa5 19. Qf5 Qd8 20. Rae1 Ngf8 21. Re7+ {Wow!!!} Bxe7 22. fxe7+ Kxe7 23. Re1+ Kd6 24. Ne5 {Yes...the threat is Nc7...} Rh7 25. Nxd7 Qxd7 (25... Nxd7 26. Qxh7) 26. Qe5# {Very entertaining game by GM Wesley So...It comes from nowhere with those unexpected tactics. His game is too mysterious..so calm yet so deep...Thank you GM Wesley So for this wonderful game.} 1-0