Killegar Chess presents: Alexei Shirov Vs. Magnus Carlsen, 2009

[thegambitking]

Why didn't Magnus at least try to play a bishop sacrifice ...Bxg3 after Nb4 at 9:25? Wouldn't it have been a better try than what happened? Also, I probably agree that Shirov is better when resignation occurred, but help me understand exactly where Shirov's 'attack' is coming from--the passed pawns on the queenside? Because if Magnus took the hanging bishop at the end, then after Bxe5 Bxe5 Qxe5 he would have a piece for four pawns, unless there is some tactic I'm missing--great win for Shirov!

[antaris31415]

You say h5 could be played by black to counter if white defends the e-pawn by playing f3 at 3:28. I fail to see what prevents white from taking the h-pawn if pressed. Could someone explain?

[fiachmubh]

at 7:20 isnt pawn to e3 a better move for black? correct me if im wrong.....

[bassieeee7]

It´s really brave from Magnus to chose to play such a sharp game, where he only needed a draw. That kind of courage should be rewarded with a first place in the tournament ;). Great games Sean, i´m enjoying them daily, cheers!

[KAUSHIKAKALI]

why did black did not take the Night with his Queen??

[akshaj18]

@KAUSHIKAKALI Because of f6 winning the piece back

[13rAdJa13]

The reason why Carlsen didn't eat the Bishop with the Pawn at the Beginning is because he doenst really care much for Castling.

[seanthedonconsidine]

I'm just curious Sean, why use Fritz over Rybka? Isn't Rybka supposed to be a stronger engine? Is it because an older version of Fritz is free, or does Fritz have better analysis?

[stormvejr87]

Love your videos Sean. Keep them coming

[Taobert]

You ought to read Wittgenstein. I'm pretty sure any linguist will stress the importance of spelling and punctuation, for it reflects not just your thought, but how you feel about something you say. Why would you want to waste someone's time trying to decipher what you typed? Feel free to debate.

[SeanGGodley]

I have removed underdog's comments and blocked him as a user. He's clearly not one of us.

All the best,

Sean

[SeanGGodley]

And tell me, how long did it take Rybka to come to this conclusion? Are you leaving it to analyse for several hours, or simply going through one variation - a continuation of the game position, a move at a time, the strongest Rybka recommends each time? Because the latter method is not sound at all, and in any case, I'm still not convinced it's 100% a draw, there are just too many possibilities. At best it is unclear, but ostensibly equal.

[horatio83]

Nice manners. If you have anything to contribute besides insults and critisizing Sean's choice of engine, feel fre to do so.

By the way, you should really work on your English. It will help you to finish school and to get a job. ;)

[horatio83]

If you are a halfwit who cannot spell correctly, don't write anything.

And stop complaining about Sean's choice of engine, feel free to provide us YOUR analysis with the assistance of Rybka.

Obviously you won't as you can't express yourself in a polite and organized way.

[UnderDog988]

at 7:29 ( this is why i reccomend rybka) white can simply play Qe2 then game follows Qe5 then white Bd5 then black

Bd5 then white Kd5 then black Rg2 then white Qg2 then black Rg2 ( the other rook ) then white Kg2 then black Qd5 ( eating the knight ).

It end up black whit a queen and white whit two roock ( but still white has does have double pawn and the ther equal but engine wise white as a small advantage) But whit perfect play it a draw.

[SeanGGodley]

Yes white can play Qe2 and it is a better defence, you're right. Fritz found this but maybe I did not give him enough time to think the first time. However, the resulting position you gave with two rooks against queen I do not think would be a draw with perfect play. Black has connected passed pawns on the fourth rank. White has three passed pawns but they are further from queening. There are so many possibilities in the position that it's impossible to say with certainty. Thanks!

Sean

[UnderDog988]

It a draw whit perfect play for 1 reason repeatative check you see 2 rook is better then a queen in a close position but in an open the king is to much of easy target and doesnt have refuge for the queen witch can move to so many diffrent place so anywere the king move it check. And am talking about rybka playing rybak... and alot position are draws whit rybak vs rybak simple because if you dont have more then .20 advantage on your open then you dont have inuff to checkmate him.

[SeanGGodley]

Can you give this line with the repetitive check and show me a forced position where it's possible? Because I've done a lot of analysis now and there is nothing concrete in the variation you gave me! Thanks,

Sean

[UnderDog988]

Rybka is rank number 1 in all tournament also it aways has more then 50 point then any other and deep frizt is like 200 point under. It to be able to actuly lead by 200 point that is crazy and that the other top engine in the world rybka is nothing like fritz i use to use the demo version and i found that whit just 2 sec of anasly and no data base rybka found better move then any other chess engine.

[UnderDog988]

Well ther is alot of move but in the end so that white keep the intiative he need to expose his king to reptetive echec

Ok at the move were you do Bf4 attacking the queen that good and it follow like this

White Qh5 Bg3 fxg3 Rxg3 Kh1 Rg5 Qe2 Qe5 Bd5 Bxd5 Nxd5 Rg2 Qxg2 Rxg2 Kxg2 Qxd5 Kg3 Qxb3 Kf4 Qa4 Kxe4 Qxa6 Ra3

And then black push the pawn down and whit king has no were to run and both his rook are in the back rank and ther nothing white can do the king is just to exposed.

[SeanGGodley]

So what are you saying? That this results in a draw by perpetual check, or a win for black?

[gotaids]

@SeanGGodley I think "what are you saying?" sums up my response to Under'Dawg'

[UnderDog988]

you souldnt use fritz use rybak the whole the game was alot closer then you could of told and alot of the move that you told were not as strong were actuly the best move in the position. It was less the a peon up.

[SeanGGodley]

The difference between Fritz and Rykba for middlegame positions really isn't that much despite the difference in elo. In which parts of my video was it closer than I was saying? Could you please tell me the lines the Rybka was suggesting instead? Thanks!

[horatio83]

And you should not write anything unless you can spell it correctly ...

[francast404]

juega bien el chico

[bajen3]

Like your vid Sean. Tnx a lot

[RandyHooHa]

Thanks for another fine video. I hadn't realized how close Carlsen was to a decisive attack. It's a pity he didn't pull it off, but that's chess! Full marks to Shirov.

What a cracking tournament it's been! Our heroes gave us a handful of classic games, and even Ivanchuk played spectacular chess at times. Sometimes I wonder why Super-GM chess isn't more popular with the masses....

[trixapete]

ah no, spoiler! :(

[davepangburn]

Magnus Carlsen is magnificent, but I would hold off on the claims of certainty that he will become World Champion someday. Didn't the same used to be said of Ivanchuk? Didn't quite happen, did it? Granted, it didn't happen for Ivanchuck because he turned out to kinda of a flake (and maybe a love of strong drink was a problem too). Carlsen is no flake in temperment. But he is 18, a young man. Don't underestimate how a young man can get easily distracted, especially if he hits burnout.

[SeanGGodley]

I think Carlsen is a strong contender for future World Champion. He has publicaly stated that he intends to spend at least the next few years concentrating solely on chess. Seeing as he has had school and other engagements up until now, I think it is safe to say that he will improve even more once chess is is his occupation. He has a very solid temperament, as you say, and he's very disciplined. Ivanchuk too is a great player but he is erratic; not so with Carlsen. Anyway, time will tell! =0)

[l3xrun]

It's a shame Carlsen didn't win, he's definitely got a future ahead of him though. Very exciting and interesting game. At 4:28, what would have happened if black had played Rg8, was white threatening something that meant moving the bishop right away was better?

[SeanGGodley]

I don't think there was a concrete threat from white at that stage. The main benefits of the bishop move is that it is moved to a very strong central square, especially considering white doesn't have a dark squared bishop to counter it. Carlsen had probably seen that Shirov would play g3 at some point to defend, and the bishop it well placed for attack at e5. Also, it opens the g-file, meaning that Rg8 can be (or at least threaten to be) played with tempo as the white queen is on the g file too.

[dan112358]

I've been waiting for your vid. After it didn't come on the night of the match, I went and watched the game on the Mtel site, and I had to watch it a few times to see why Carlsen actually resigned. I worked out that he was 4 points down with nothing to show, but all the way up the end he looked so strong, it was a real shock to see how it ended. Disappointing, but he's got many years ahead of him; I'm sure he'll dominate very soon. Cheers.

[momokill1]

Loved it. I was waiting so long for the video even tho i found out the outcome. Its a shame. In a few years Magnus will be way ahead of the competition. He the most natural chess player playing right now IMO

[roaddog481]

Thanks Sean - If Magnus had retreated the Bishop in lieu of protecting with the Queen......... Many "ifs" in the wonderful game of Chess!  Thanks again. dp

[Pellucidity]

Such a shame. I was really hoping Carlsen would win. But lets give credit where credits due, Shirov played an excellent tournament. Thanks for the video Sean!

[KittyGotSued]

and as you promised.. as new vid :) I already saw a video about this game, but I like your style, so I'll watch this one too :)

[SeanGGodley]

Hi Buddy, thanks very much. Is there another video of this game on youtube? Where did you see it?

[chrysos101]

This is the first video on youtube. I think that the person saw a video of the first game against Shirov that ended in a draw.

Magnus is a world future champion. He did not have that much success in the sicilian as black in this tournament. I might be correct if i saw that the crazy sicilian does not suit his style. He is a solid player and not as spectacular as Ivanchuk or Topalov. But he has a good head on his young shoulders.