[Event "FIDE World Championship"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2021.09.27"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D02"]
[WhiteElo "2855"]
[BlackElo "2782"]
[Annotator "So,Wesley"]
[PlyCount "271"]
[EventDate "2021.09.27"]

1. d4 {After five fighting draws, everyone was very excited to see what would
happen. Would they continue to play solidly or would we see a good fight and
possibly some mistakes by one of the players?} Nf6 2. Nf3 {Ian has usually
played the Grunfeld his entire career, but for the World Championship match
he's clearly prepared new openings for his Black repertoire.} d5 {The Queen's
Gambit Declined variations with 3.c4 e6 are very solid and at the same time
dynamic for Black. But we can assume that Magnus has something up his sleeve.}
3. g3 {A big surprise. I would expect the London or the Torre Attack more than
3.g3. This move seems quite a desperate attempt to lead Ian away from his
opening preparation. I played this 3.g3 move myself a couple of years ago, but
it was basically a last ditch attempt to get a playable position out of the
opening. The idea is to go for the Catalan, while avoiding lines with an early
...dxc4.} ({In the 2018 World Championship match, Magnus tried} 3. c4 e6 4. Nc3
{against Fabiano, but wasn't able to convert any games after 4...Be7. In
addition here on move 4, Black has several good choices, and I think Ian was
planning to play} Bb4 {as he did a few times this year.}) 3... e6 {Black has
many moves here. Ian decides to avoid any adventures. He sticks to his
preparation and invites Magnus to transpose back to the regular Catalan main
line.} (3... c5 {is clearly the critical continuation here} 4. Bg2 cxd4 5. O-O
{And here not 5...Nc6 6.Nxd4, when White gets a Grunfeld position a tempo up.
The main line instead is} e6 {just continuing the development. This seems to
be the simplest for Black.} (5... h6 {is another possibility, waiting for
White to take on d4. But this is a bit weird, as it does not force White to
take. Black has some problems after} 6. b3 (6. Bf4 e6 7. Nxd4 g5 8. Be5 Nbd7 9.
Bxf6 Nxf6 $11 {is completely fine for Black, thanks to the bishop pair.}) (6.
Nxd4 e5 7. Nb3 Nc6 8. c4 d4 {this can only be better for Black.}) 6... e6 7.
Bb2 Bc5 8. Nxd4 {I slightly prefer White, for example after} e5 (8... O-O 9. c4
) 9. Nf3 e4 10. Nd4 O-O 11. c4 Re8 12. cxd5 Nxd5 13. e3 Nd7 14. Nc3 {the
knight on d4 is very well placed, and there is pressure on the long diagonal
from White's two bishops.}) 6. Nxd4 e5 $1 7. Nb3 (7. Nf3 Nc6 8. c4 d4 9. e3 Be7
10. exd4 exd4 {Black's activity and passed d-pawn compensates for the isolani.
I played this with White before, but Black is completely fine. He just have to
remember} 11. Bf4 O-O 12. Ne5 Qb6 13. Qb3 Na5 14. Qxb6 axb6 15. Nd2 {and now
the important move} Nh5 $11 {grabbing the bishop pair, with equality.}) 7...
Be6 {Black has lost a tempo moving the e-pawn twice, but the knight on b3 is
poorly placed. After hundreds of games in this position, according to theory
the position is just equal. One of the critical lines is} 8. Nc3 Be7 9. f4 (9.
Bg5 Nbd7) 9... exf4 10. gxf4 {and now the simple} g6 {to prevent f5 solves the
problems.} 11. Nd4 Nc6 12. Nxe6 fxe6 13. Kh1 O-O {White has the bishop pair,
and in return Black finished his development very quickly.}) ({Besides 3...c5,
there are other logical moves.} 3... g6 {is a move here, transposing to the
Neo Grunfeld after} 4. Bg2 Bg7 5. c4 c6) (3... Bf5 4. c4 e6 5. Nc3 {This is
one of the critical setups against 3.g3. Black has developed his light-squared
bishop outside the pawn chain and has a solid position. Now} h6 {is a nice
move, preventing him from playing Nh4, grabbing the bishop pair.} (5... c6 {
is recommended by Sam Shankland I think, and he played this in our game.} 6.
Nh4 dxc4 7. Nxf5 exf5 8. e3 Nbd7 9. Bxc4 Nb6 10. Bb3 Qd7 {and Black equalized,
but some people don't want to just give up the bishop pair right away.}) 6. Bg2
(6. Qb3 Nc6 7. Bd2 Bb4 $11) 6... c6 7. O-O Be7 {Black has achieved an ideal
setup, and now just wants to finish his development.} 8. Qb3 (8. Nd2 Nbd7 9. e4
dxe4 10. Ndxe4 Nxe4 11. Nxe4 Nf6 $11) 8... Qb6 9. c5 Qa6 {followed by ...b6
next move, with about equality.}) (3... c6 4. c4 {leads to some Slav with a g3
setup.}) (3... Bg4 4. Bg2 e6 5. O-O c6 6. h3 Bh5 7. c4 Be7 8. Nc3 {here White
gets a favorable Reti setup with the pawns on d4 and c4. White is supposed to
be slightly better because he can grab the bishop pair after} O-O 9. Qb3 Qb6
10. Ne5 {followed by g4.}) 4. Bg2 Be7 5. O-O O-O {This is actually a nice
move-order by Magnus, as he avoided ...dxc4 or an early ...Bb4+ lines. Now he
can play 6.c4, which is what everyone expects. But instead he comes up with
something else!} 6. b3 {Ian is very well prepared after 6.c4 dxc4, and Magnus
wants to play something more offbeat. This 6.b3 move can be quite venomous,
although Black should be okay. But it's easy to relax and think you're
equalizing comfortably, only to find that it's not the case. White has hidden
potential in the position partly in part thanks to his well placed bishops on
the long diagonals.} (6. c4 dxc4 7. Qc2 b5 {was how the second game of this
match went. I assume Magnus does not want a theoretical discussion in a line
both players would be well prepared.}) 6... c5 {The principled reply,
immediately fighting for control of the center.} ({After} 6... b6 7. c4 Bb7 8.
Nc3 {White has better chances for an advantage, with more space.}) 7. dxc5 (7.
c4 {was all the rage a few years ago, as after} dxc4 8. bxc4 cxd4 9. Nxd4 {
this position could get quite tricky thanks to the passive bishop on c8. Then
Dominguez Perez came up with the new move} Qb6 {which solves the problems. ...
Rd8 is a serious threat, softening the outpost of the knight on d4.} 10. Ba3
Bxa3 11. Nxa3 e5 12. Ndc2 Rd8 13. Qc1 Nc6 {Black finishes up his development,
and should have enough activity in this position.}) 7... Bxc5 8. c4 {White has
to break up the enemy central pawn chain.} dxc4 ({Ian's move is more accurate
than} 8... Nc6 9. cxd5 Nxd5 {as the knight on d5 sometimes gets in the way of
Black's coordination.} 10. a3 a5 11. Bb2 Qe7 12. Qc2 Rd8 13. Rc1 $14) 9. Qc2
Qe7 10. Nbd2 $1 {White does not want to waste time developing the rest of his
pieces. This is clearly targeted preparation from Magnus, as you usually don't
just sacrifice a pawn in the opening. It raises the question, at a minimum, of
whether Black should take on b3. Most commentators were full of praise for
this move. It is a relatively unknown idea, even though it's quite harmless it
poses the opponent with some practical problems to solve over the board.} ({
He did not want to take with} 10. Qxc4 b6 {as then White will have to waste
time moving the queen once again.} (10... Bd7 {followed by ...Rc8 is
completely fine too.}) 11. Bb2 Ba6 (11... Bb7 $11) 12. Qh4 Nc6 13. Ng5 h6 14.
Bxc6 hxg5 15. Qxg5 Bxe2 16. Bxa8 Bxf1 $11 {this is given by the machine as a
pretty clear cut way to equality. But is no means forced.}) 10... Nc6 {Black
wants no nonsense and just finishes up his queenside development.} (10... cxb3
11. Nxb3 {can get quite tricky, as first of all Black's bishop does not have a
safe place for itself.} Bd6 (11... Bb6 12. a4 {with the threat of Ba3 or a5
looks very good.}) 12. Nfd2 $1 {I'm sure this is part of Magnus' preparation
plan.} Nc6 13. Nc4 Rd8 14. Rd1 {White has compensation; at the very least he
can grab the bishop pair.}) 11. Nxc4 b5 {I like this move, as it's the most
logical and simple continuation.} ({The machine likes} 11... e5 {gaining space,
and making the play very concrete.} 12. Bb2 e4 13. Ng5 Bf5 14. Rad1 Rad8 $132 {
and Black's active pieces compensate for his weak pawn on e4.}) (11... Bd7 {
leaves Black slightly worse after} 12. Bb2 Rfd8 13. e3) 12. Nce5 Nb4 $1 ({
Black has to be careful not to blunder with} 12... Bb7 $2 13. Nxc6 Bxc6 14. b4
{winning material thanks to the pin on the c-file.}) 13. Qb2 Bb7 {White has to
act quickly, as now all of Black's pieces are well developed.} 14. a3 ({
Maybe more interesting is} 14. Bg5 {putting Black on an unpleasant pin, but he
is not really risking anything as long as he finds} h6 15. Bh4 {and now the
important} g5 $1 (15... Bxf3 16. Bxf3 g5 {could be enough for equality too.})
16. a3 gxh4 17. axb4 Bxb4 18. Nxh4 Rfc8 $11 {and Black is okay as ...Nd5 is
coming and the bishop is well placed on b4.}) 14... Nc6 15. Nd3 {Magnus tries
to keep the pieces on the board for the time being.} (15. Bg5 Nxe5 16. Qxe5 a5
$11 {equalizes completely, but objectively White has nothing better than
equality.}) 15... Bb6 {The bishop is very well placed on this diagonal, and it
also facilitates ...Nd4 for later.} 16. Bg5 Rfd8 {Threatening ...Nd4,
therefore Magnus takes on f6 right away.} 17. Bxf6 gxf6 $5 {This is slightly
confusing to me, and also to the commentators. Was Ian already getting
ambitious for more? In principle it's recommended to remove the queens on the
board if your king's position is weakened but in this game Ian did not seem to
care. He is probably aiming for a dynamic position where anything can happen.}
({Black's king is still very safe even with the queens on the board, but most
people would simply play} 17... Qxf6 18. Qxf6 gxf6 {with a completely equal
endgame.} 19. Rfc1 Rac8 20. b4 Kg7 $11 {it's very hard to see how White can
make progress - he cannot underestimate the bishop pair. 17...Qxf6 is
definitely a much safer option.}) 18. Rac1 Nd4 ({In the interview Ian suggested
} 18... e5 {as an improvement. It is very double edged.} 19. Nh4 Nd4 {The
knight is very well placed here in the center.} 20. b4 Rac8 {with very good
activity, in return the light-squares on the kingside becomes permanently a
bit vulnerable.}) 19. Nxd4 Bxd4 20. Qa2 Bxg2 21. Kxg2 {White gets a good
knight versus bishop position. In addition Black's f-pawns are doubled.
Normally White can be happy with this in the Catalan but after the next two
moves it's clear that Black has no problems whatsoever.} Qb7+ 22. Kg1 (22. f3
Be3 {from this position the bishop is boss, controlling a lot of squares.} 23.
Rc3 Rac8 $11) 22... Qe4 $1 {A very strong move. Ian does not give his opponent
time to consolidate. The queen and the bishop are well placed in the center,
controlling a lot of squares. It is hard to dislodge the active queen on e4.
Of course White can trade queens, but that kind of acquiesce to a draw.} 23.
Qc2 a5 ({Black can go for} 23... Rac8 24. Qxc8 Rxc8 25. Rxc8+ Kg7 26. Nf4 e5
27. e3 $11) 24. Rfd1 ({Of course if White wants he can go for} 24. Nf4 f5 25.
e3 Qxc2 26. Rxc2 Be5 $11 {with a most likely quick draw.}) 24... Kg7 {The king
is safe here on g7. The f6 and f7-pawns defend him well, and he can always
play ...h5 to gain space.} 25. Rd2 (25. Qd2 Bb6 $11 {here White has simply no
way to make progress.}) 25... Rac8 $5 {A very brave and fighting decision.
Ultimately this is partly the reason why Ian loses in the end, but you can
applaud him for his fighting spirit. As they say, "to win without risk is to
triumph without glory."} ({The simplest way to equality is} 25... b4 26. axb4
axb4 27. Qc4 (27. Nxb4 Bxf2+ 28. Kxf2 Qxb4 {and Black has no risk whatsoever.
In fact White has to be slightly careful, as his king's position is open and
after} 29. Rxd8 Rxd8 30. Qc3 Qb6+ {if Black is allowed to bring his rook over
to b4, blocking the b-pawn things could get tricky.}) 27... Qf5 28. Rdc2 {
and almost any move leads to equality, for example} Bc3 29. Nxb4 Bd2 $11) 26.
Qxc8 $1 {White can play 26.Qd1, but as Magnus correctly assumed, Black is
risking more in this material imbalance.} (26. Qd1 Bc3 27. Rdc2 b4 $11) 26...
Rxc8 27. Rxc8 Qd5 {White has to be a bit careful with his queenside pawns at
the moment.} 28. b4 (28. e3 Be5) 28... a4 ({I think} 28... axb4 29. axb4 Qb3
$11 {could be a bit safer for Black, as he only has to worry about less pawns
on the queenside.}) 29. e3 (29. Nf4 $2 {has to be avoided because of} Bxf2+) ({
The alternative is} 29. Rcc2 {defending the rook and threatening to move the
knight to f4. Black still equalizes after} Qb3 30. Nc1 Qb1 {a nice move,
neutralizing White's rooks at the moment.} 31. Kg2 Bb2 32. Rxb2 Qxc1 $11 {
and Black easily holds the draw thanks to his queen activity.}) 29... Be5 ({
I think the simplest way for Black to hold the draw is} 29... Bb2 $1 {which in
hindsight is what he really should go for, considering that things became far
more difficult later on.} 30. Rc5 Qd6 {Black forces the trade of minor pieces
as ...Bxa3 is an annoying threat.} 31. Rxb2 Qxd3 32. Rbc2 Qxa3 33. Rxb5 {
and here Black has multiple ways to make the draw, for example} Qa1+ 34. Kg2
Qb1 35. Rc3 Qe4+ 36. Kg1 Qb1+ $11 {and Black gives perpetual check. White's
king does not have a safe place to avoid these checks.}) 30. h4 {A good useful
move, and very typical Magnus. White gains some space on the kingside and gets
h2 as a hiding square for his king.} (30. Rc5 Qb3) 30... h5 $6 {This later
gives White a target on h5.} (30... Bb2 {I believe is still the simplest way
to look for the draw.}) 31. Kh2 Bb2 $2 {A blunder, it seems Ian hesitated for
a moment. Both players were getting low on time here, and a lot of things can
happen before the extra time (both players get an extra hour on move 40).} (
31... Qb3 32. Nxe5 fxe5 33. Rc7 Qxa3 34. Rdd7 Kg6 35. Rxf7 {and now} Qb2 $1 {
is important, attacking the f2-pawn. Black threatens to quickly push his
a-pawn and White has no more than perpetual check here.}) 32. Rc5 Qd6 33. Rd1
$6 {Missing the win, but admittedly this move is very ambitious too, as Magnus
keeps the minor pieces on the board.} ({White actually starts a winning attack
after} 33. Rcc2 $1 Bxa3 34. Nf4 Qxb4 {and now very strong is} 35. Rd7 $1 (35.
Nxh5+ Kh6 $1 {is far from clear} 36. Nxf6 Qb1 $132 {and things get very messy.}
) 35... e5 36. Nxh5+ Kg6 {and now the move which both players missed} 37. Rc6
$3 {White sacrifices a knight, but in return Black has no defense after} Kxh5
38. Rxf7 {followed by Rc5xf6. Black's bishop cannot join the defense of his
king and he is just lost. Of course, I think it's fair to say that without an
engine, 37.Rc6 is probably almost impossible to find from afar.}) (33. Rxb2
Qxd3 34. Rbc2 {again this two rooks versus queen is just a draw.} f5 $11) 33...
Bxa3 34. Rxb5 Qd7 $1 35. Rc5 $8 {This is the only move.} (35. Rb6 $2 {loses to}
Qc7 {followed by ...Qc2!}) 35... e5 $5 ({It's not clear why Ian did not go for
the obvious} 35... Bxb4 36. Rcc1 Be7 {when Black is not risking anything, his
pawns are compact and his king is safe. White should have little problem
holding the draw with 37.Ne5 followed by Rd7, but still it would keep the
match score tied.}) 36. Rc2 Qd5 $2 {With little time on the clock, Ian missed
his last chance to play for a win.} ({Here again} 36... Bxb4 {looks simplest,
just grabbing the pawn.} 37. Rcc1 {and here if Ian wants he can just force a
draw by playing 37...Qf5 38.Nxb4 Qxf2+ with a perpetual. Even stronger is} Ba3
38. Ra1 {and now} Qg4 $1 {which you can't blame anyone for missing. Black
attacks the rook on d1 and is able to play ...Be7 next and keep his extra
a-pawn. Black has good winning chances here.} 39. Rd2 Be7 $17) 37. Rdd2 Qb3 38.
Ra2 {now White is able to consolidate his position and coordinate the rooks.
He is not risking anything anymore.} e4 $2 (38... Bxb4 39. Rdb2 Qxd3 40. Rxb4
a3 41. Ra4 f5 42. R4xa3 Qf1 {this should be enough for a draw, but it's not
that fun for the queen.}) 39. Nc5 Qxb4 40. Nxe4 $2 {A typical move 40 mistake.
Just when you get extra time, you relax and play the most obvious move.} ({
Magnus probably did not think he had a better option or consider} 40. Rdc2 $1 {
if he had I'm sure he'd know it wins right away.} f5 {And now} 41. Nxa4 $1 Qxa4
42. Rc3 {White wins the a-pawn and this position is easily winning. Compared
to the variation on move 38... Bxb4, here Black's pawn is fixed on e4, and he
no longer has counterplay associated with ...f4.}) 40... Qb3 41. Rac2 {Here
White is not risking anything anymore, and it's a two result position. Black
has to defend accurately in order to avoid any trouble. From this position
it's difficult to imagine that the game would continue on for 90 more moves!
It's clear to be best in chess you need to have the best physical shape and
stamina as well. Just preparing and sitting in the board for anywhere between
3-8 hours a game is very difficult even for strong competitors as Ian or
Magnus.} Bf8 42. Nc5 {Bringing the knight over to f4 to attack Black's weak
pawn.} Qb5 43. Nd3 a3 44. Nf4 Qa5 45. Ra2 {the machine insists that Black
should have no problems holding here, but over the board it's very difficult
to defend as h5 is falling and the Black king is vulnerable. If the f6-pawn
were on g6 things would be much more different.} Bb4 46. Rd3 (46. Rd5 Qa4 {
does not give White time to win the h-pawn since} 47. Nxh5+ Kh6 {allows Qb3,
with counterplay.}) 46... Kh6 47. Rd1 Qa4 {For the time being, and in most of
the game, Ian defends very well. He is doing his best to prevent White from
consolidating by always having ...Qb3 as an option.} 48. Rda1 Bd6 49. Kg1 Qb3
50. Ne2 {White wasn't able to grab the h-pawn and now his knight hurries back
to the queenside in order to help deal with the a-pawn.} Qd3 51. Nd4 {The good
thing about White's case is that all two rooks versus queen positions are
winning for him, thanks to the doubled f-pawns. So if he can trade off the
minor pieces or win a3, the game is over. At the moment it's not clear how to
achieve that though.} Kh7 52. Kh2 (52. Nc2 {is always met by} Be5 {White can
go for} 53. Ne1 Qb5 54. Rxa3 Bxa1 55. Rxa1 {but I think Black holds after} Qb2
56. Ra7 Qe2 57. Ng2 Qd1+ 58. Kh2 Qd2 59. Rxf7+ Kg6 $11) 52... Qe4 $2 {This
looks fine, but in the game this gave Magnus definite chances. Probably Ian
got a little impatient and decided to look for quick counterplay.} ({Black can
just move his king back or to g6} 52... Kh6 $11 {and it's not clear what
Magnus idea is to make progress. In fact I don't see how, because Black can
play ...f5 next, and sometimes get counterplay with ...f4.}) 53. Rxa3 $1 {
Magnus takes up his chance. From here on the game is still within the
boundaries of the draw, but it's clear Black made it much more difficult for
himself to defend.} (53. Kg1 Bxg3 54. fxg3 Qxe3+ {leads to an immediate draw.})
53... Qxh4+ (53... Bxa3 54. Rxa3 {is completely lost for Black as Ra5 is
coming.}) 54. Kg1 Qe4 (54... Qg4 55. Ra4 {and White controls the 4th rank and
prevents ...h4. Black should now play} Be5 $1 {preparing ...h4 again.} 56. R1a2
Qd1+ 57. Kg2 h4 58. Nf5 hxg3 59. Nxg3 Qd5+ {I don't think White can win this
position, but defending this is not pleasant for Black.}) 55. Ra4 {Now Magnus
gets in his typical squeeze. One of his main strengths which he got so many
wins from.} Be5 56. Ne2 Qc2 57. R1a2 $1 Qb3 58. Kg2 Qd5+ 59. f3 {White
consolidates his position on the kingside and now Black has to do some passive
defending. The position now plays to Magnus' style.} (59. Kh2 {followed by Nf4
is also worthy of attention.}) 59... Qd1 ({Black can just wait with} 59... Kg7
60. Kf2 (60. Nf4 Bxf4 61. exf4 h4 $11) 60... Qb3 {and just sit at the moment.})
60. f4 Bc7 61. Kf2 Bb6 62. Ra1 {For the moment Black is still holding very
well. Now ...Qd7 may be an option, with the idea to invade on h3.} Qb3 63. Re4
Kg7 64. Re8 {Magnus probes for a weakness. Now Black has to watch out for 65.
Raa8.} f5 65. Raa8 Qb4 (65... Qd3 {to keep an eye on e3 might be slightly more
accurate.} 66. Rac8 Ba5 67. Rg8+ Kf6 {followed by ...Bd2, is maybe enough to
hold.}) 66. Rac8 Ba5 67. Rc1 {White had to watch out for the tricky ...Qe1
threat!} Bb6 68. Re5 Qb3 69. Re8 Qd5 70. Rcc8 Qh1 71. Rc1 Qd5 {For the moment
it seems like Magnus is going around in circles, but he is actually making Ian
lose a lot of time on the clock! When Ian gets really low, then I bet Magnus
will finally strike. In addition he is waiting for Ian to make some small
inaccuracies.} 72. Rb1 (72. Re5 Qd3 73. Rc3 Qb1 $11) 72... Ba7 $6 {Finally an
inaccuracy comes. This allows White to infiltrate with his rooks.} (72... Bc7 {
is better, preventing Re5 and the plan that happened in the game.} 73. Re7 {
here is met by} Qd8 74. Nd4 Kg6 $11 {when Black defends all of his weaknesses.}
) 73. Re7 Bc5 74. Re5 $1 {Now Magnus is making real progress.} Qd3 75. Rb7 {
Black has some very weak squares on his camp.} Qc2 76. Rb5 $1 {White is able
to win some material by force, thanks to the weak f5-pawn.} Ba7 77. Ra5 Bb6 78.
Rab5 Ba7 79. Rxf5 Qd3 $1 {Very good defending by Black! This forces White to
give up his rook in return for the bishop and pawns.} 80. Rxf7+ ({White cannot
hang on to the two rooks, since after} 80. Rg5+ Kf8 81. Rbe5 f6 {Black wins
some material back.}) 80... Kxf7 81. Rb7+ Kg6 82. Rxa7 {This endgame is a
theoretical draw, but even though the objective evaluation is a draw, things
could get tricky in a practical game with the pressure and limited time on the
clock. Magnus could keep playing without any risk whatsoever and slowly make
progress.} Qd5 {Watching this game live, I assumed that Ian would hold this
draw, but looking at it again, things are far from clear. Sooner or later
White is going to be able to advance his pawns. The machine with its
tablebases says it's a draw, but in practical terms I think White's chances of
converting this is close to 50-50. The problem is Black's king is quite
vulnerable, and meanwhile, White's king can hide from the checks with accurate
play.} 83. Ra6+ $5 {Maybe 83.Nd4 is more accurate, as this allows Black to
activate his king.} Kh7 ({Maybe Ian should just go on with} 83... Kf5 $5 {
activating his king. Things are still tricky For example} 84. g4+ $1 (84. Nd4+
Kg4 85. Rg6+ Kh3 86. Rg5 Qg2+ 87. Ke1 Qh1+ 88. Kd2 Kg2 $11 {this should be a
trivial draw since Black's king is very active, attacking the enemy pawns..})
84... Kxg4 85. Rg6+ Kh4 86. Rg3 {Trapping the king on h4. Here Black has some
ways to make a draw thanks to the stalemate trick. Like for example} Qh1 (86...
Qf7 87. Nd4 Qa2+ 88. Kf3 Qf2+ $1 $11) 87. Nd4 (87. Ng1 Qg2+) 87... Qh2+ 88. Rg2
{and now} Qg3+ 89. Kf1 Qh3 {with a draw.}) 84. Ra1 Kg6 85. Nd4 Qb7 86. Ra2 Qh1
87. Ra6+ Kf7 88. Nf3 {Defending the king and threatening to advance the f-pawn.
The knight is a very good defender in preventing enemy checks.} Qb1 89. Rd6 Kg7
90. Rd5 Qa2+ 91. Rd2 Qb1 92. Re2 {I like this setup by White. He puts his rook
and knight behind the pawns, with the idea to support their advance.} Qb6 {
Pinning the e-pawn at the moment, so Magnus decides to activate his rook again.
He has all the time in the world to make progress. He only has to push one
pawn every 50 moves to avoid this draw rule.} 93. Rc2 (93. Kg2 Qb5 {annoys the
White rook for the moment.}) 93... 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 {
It seems we've seen this position before? Fortunately Magnus knows and does
not fall for any threefold rule.} Qb1 103. Rd7 Qb2+ 104. Rd2 Qb1 105. Ng1 Qb4
106. Rd1 Qb3 107. Rd6+ {Giving a check to avoid any threefold.} Kg7 108. Rd4
Qb2+ 109. Ne2 {Finally Magnus rerouts his knight to e2, shielding the king and
preparing the advance of his e-pawn.} Qb1 110. e4 Qh1 111. Rd7+ Kg8 112. Rd4
Qh2+ 113. Ke3 {The White knight again is very good at shielding the king from
the enemy queen checks.} h4 ({Maybe} 113... Qh3 $5 {is an option here,
although White can play} 114. Rd5 {with the idea to meet ...h4 with Rh5.}) 114.
gxh4 Qh3+ 115. Kd2 Qxh4 116. Rd3 $1 {Magnus is very careful and does not
carelessly advance his pawns right away. Instead he first and foremost
improves the position of his pieces and makes sure that there is no perpetual
check.} Kf8 117. Rf3 $1 Qd8+ 118. Ke3 Qa5 119. Kf2 $1 {I like this rerouting
of the king it's very strong, as he belongs over to the short side where there
are less checks.} Qa7+ 120. Re3 {White sets up a barricade to protect his king
and is now ready to advance his pawns.} Qd7 121. Ng3 Qd2+ 122. Kf3 Qd1+ 123.
Re2 Qb3+ 124. Kg2 {White's king is shielded from the checks. His rook is well
protected and the pawns are supported from behind. Here it seems White has
excellent practical chances now.} Qb7 125. Rd2 Qb3 126. Rd5 Ke7 127. Re5+ Kf7
128. Rf5+ Ke8 129. e5 {Slowly but surely White is pushing his pawns closer to
the promotion square.} Qa2+ 130. Kh3 Qe6 $2 {This is the losing mistake.} ({
According to the endgame tablebase} 130... Qb1 {holds the draw. Apparently the
holding plan is to put the queen behind the White pawns. The idea is to pin
the enemy knight from the back.} 131. Kh4 Qe1 132. Rf6 Ke7 133. Kg4 Qg1 $1 {
the queen just waits from behind, pinning the White forces.} 134. Rg6 Kf7 {
and Black should hold the draw, but it's still quite tricky} 135. Kf5 Qh2 $1
136. e6+ Kf8 137. Rf6+ Ke8 138. Ne4 Qh3+ 139. Ke5 Qh5+ 140. Ng5 Qe2+ {Black
holds, but the endgame is harder to draw than it looks at the beginning.}) ({
Also holding is} 130... Qc2 131. Kh4 Qf2 $11 {, using the queen to defend from
behind. I'm sure the tablebase holds the draw easily, but in a real game
things are far different. Just one mistake and that's it, Black's fortress can
fall apart.}) 131. Kh4 $18 Qh6+ ({Apparently it's too late for the Black queen
to go back, as after} 131... Qa2 132. Nh5 $1 Ke7 133. Kg5 Qg2+ 134. Kh6 {
White's king infiltrates the enemy position, and after Rf6 Black has no more
checks.}) 132. Nh5 $1 {The knight prevents any checks, and meanwhile Rf6
followed by the king invasion is crushing.} Qh7 ({Black no longer has any
defense. After} 132... Ke7 133. Rf6 Qh8 134. Kg5 {the White king invades to h6,
after which the pawns advance. For example} Qg8+ 135. Kh6 Qh8+ 136. Kg6 Qg8+
137. Ng7 $18 {and White controls too many important squares.}) 133. e6 Qg6 134.
Rf7 Kd8 135. f5 Qg1 136. Ng7 {A great game, interesting to watch and well
played by both sides!} 1-0

