chessgames.com
Members · Prefs · Laboratory · Collections · Openings · Endgames · Sacrifices · History · Search Kibitzing · Kibitzer's Café · Chessforums · Tournament Index · Players · Kibitzing
Magnus Carlsen vs Hikaru Nakamura
Aker Chess Challenge (2009) (rapid), Gjovik NOR, rd 3, Jan-03
King's Indian Defense: Orthodox Variation. Gligoric-Taimanov System (E92)  ·  0-1

ANALYSIS [x]

FEN COPIED

Annotations by Stockfish (Computer).      [35437 more games annotated by Stockfish]

explore this opening
find similar games 318 more Carlsen/Nakamura games
PGN: download | view | print Help: general | java-troubleshooting

TIP: You can make these tips go away by registering a free account then visiting your preferences page. Simply check the option "Don't show random tips on game pages." and click the Update Profile button at the bottom.

PGN Viewer:  What is this?
For help with this chess viewer, please see the Olga Chess Viewer Quickstart Guide.
PREMIUM MEMBERS CAN REQUEST COMPUTER ANALYSIS [more info]

THIS IS A COMPUTER ANNOTATED SCORE.   [CLICK HERE] FOR ORIGINAL.

Kibitzer's Corner
Jan-03-09  achieve: What a disastrous endgame by Magnus.

Not just 43. Nd5

Jan-03-09  percyblakeney: This looks like a finish that was blitzed out, for example 41. Rxg6+ followed by f5 should make it hard for black to draw.
Jan-03-09  notyetagm: Naka! Naka! Naka!

Woohoo!

Jan-03-09  champsylove: Great to see how Carlsen handles the Kings Indian, he has a very good record against it. This makes this game for Nakamura all the sweeter. A slight lapse for a d4 specialist!
Jan-03-09  notyetagm: 43 ?


click for larger view

43 ♘c3x♗d5??


click for larger view

<frogbert: good games by naka today, even if carlsen made an own-goal with <<<43. nxd5?? which just downright loses>>>, while the seemingly natural 43. re3 looked ok and a probable draw. instead he had to resign only three moves later, <<<since after the exchanges on d5, black's passers decide the game (how could carlsen miss that?)>>>>

43 ... ♖d4x♘d5 44 ♖d6x♖d5 c6x♖d5 <passed pawns>


click for larger view

An incredible oversight by Carlsen, 43 ♘c3x♗d5??, as pointed out by <frogbert>. With 43 ♘c3x♗d5?? Carlsen *voluntarily(!)* removes the <BLOCKADING> White c3-knight of the Black c4-passer. Moreover, after the further exchanges on d5, White is left in a position where he simply cannot stop the connected Black c4-,d5-passers.

<<<<Unbelievable that Carlsen would fail to visualize this losing position reached just 3(!!!) ply after 43 ♘c3x♗d5??.> Time trouble, perhaps?>>>

NIMZOWITSCH: Passed pawns must be blockaded!

Jan-03-09  messachess: The white N capture at 43. looks like the losing move. 43.Na4 holds the position.
Jan-03-09  maelith: Aron_Nimzowitsch will be mad at carlsen in this game, hehehe
Jan-03-09  notyetagm: <maelith: Aron_Nimzowitsch will be mad at carlsen in this game, hehehe>

Why would Nimzowitsch be mad? Carlsen failed to do as Nimzo instructed and lost as a result. Nimzo would be saying "See, I told you so." :-)

Jan-04-09  UnsoundHero: Interesting is 41 Rxg6+ Kf7 42 f5 Rh8!. If then 43 Nc3 Rd4 44 Nxd5 cxd5 45 Rxa6 Rxg4.
Jan-04-09  percyblakeney: <Interesting is 41 Rxg6+ Kf7 42 f5 Rh8!. If then 43 Nc3 Rd4 44 Nxd5 cxd5 45 Rxa6 Rxg4>

45. Rxa6 isn't the best though, engines give Ra3 keeping the g-pawn with what seems to be a winning position.

Jan-05-09  kellmano: <<maelith: Aron_Nimzowitsch will be mad at carlsen in this game, hehehe> Why would Nimzowitsch be mad? Carlsen failed to do as Nimzo instructed and lost as a result. Nimzo would be saying "See, I told you so." :-)>

You're entirely correct. From nimzo's writing style I imagine he enjoyed little more than a good gloating session.

Jan-06-09  Jafar219: Radjabov style!
Jan-14-09  Brown: <percyblakeney: <Interesting is 41 Rxg6+ Kf7 42 f5 Rh8!. If then 43 Nc3 Rd4 44 Nxd5 cxd5 45 Rxa6 Rxg4>

45. Rxa6 isn't the best though, engines give Ra3 keeping the g-pawn with what seems to be a winning position.>

To be considered as well is the line 41.Rxg6+ Kf7 42.f5 Rd4 43.Rh3 Rg8 where black may be just hanging on.

Another line, where there must be some improvements for white, is 41.Rx6+ Kf7 42.f5 Rd4 43.Rh3 Rxd1! 44.Rh7+ Ke8 45.Rh8+ Kd7 where 46.Rg7+ Kd6 47.Rxc8 c3 seems to be pretty sharp and unclear.

Jan-15-09  dhotts: Am I missing something obvious? What is wrong with 42.Nxd5 instead of 42.Kg3?

It seems to me that if 42...Rxd5 43.Rxg6+ Kf7 44.f5, it seems that Black has adequate defenses to stop the doubled pawn?

Or if 42...cxd5 then 43.Rxg6+ Kg7 44.Rxa6 and again White appears to have adequate defenses?

Apr-15-09  freeman8201: What was Carlsen thinking on last few moves? He gave Black two passed pawns!
Sep-13-09  TheMacMan: nakamura owns carlsen
Sep-13-09  chillowack: <TheMacMan: nakamura owns carlsen>

Really? What's their score so far?

This is a major scalp for Nakamura--is this the highest-rated player he's defeated so far?

Dec-09-09  lzromeu: What a blunder, 45kf2 seem to be a disaster.
Jan-25-13
Premium Chessgames Member
  FSR: A very un-Carlsen-like loss. Was this a rapid tournament?
Feb-08-14  tranquilsimplicity: Yes FSR. It seems to have been either Blitz or Rapid. In classical games the record is 8-0 to Carlsen as you may by now be aware.

However, I would give Nakamura his credit. #

Jan-05-18  ramanaji dhulipati: http//nakamura played endgame well.
Jul-25-21  Messiah: <ramanaji dhulipati: http//nakamura played endgame well.>

Why http? Is Nakamura a webserver? An URL? Does he support HTTP/2?

NOTE: Create an account today to post replies and access other powerful features which are available only to registered users. Becoming a member is free, anonymous, and takes less than 1 minute! If you already have a username, then simply login login under your username now to join the discussion.

Please observe our posting guidelines:

  1. No obscene, racist, sexist, or profane language.
  2. No spamming, advertising, duplicate, or gibberish posts.
  3. No vitriolic or systematic personal attacks against other members.
  4. Nothing in violation of United States law.
  5. No cyberstalking or malicious posting of negative or private information (doxing/doxxing) of members.
  6. No trolling.
  7. The use of "sock puppet" accounts to circumvent disciplinary action taken by moderators, create a false impression of consensus or support, or stage conversations, is prohibited.
  8. Do not degrade Chessgames or any of it's staff/volunteers.

Please try to maintain a semblance of civility at all times.

Blow the Whistle

See something that violates our rules? Blow the whistle and inform a moderator.


NOTE: Please keep all discussion on-topic. This forum is for this specific game only. To discuss chess or this site in general, visit the Kibitzer's Café.

Messages posted by Chessgames members do not necessarily represent the views of Chessgames.com, its employees, or sponsors.
All moderator actions taken are ultimately at the sole discretion of the administration.

This game is type: RAPID. Please report incorrect or missing information by submitting a correction slip to help us improve the quality of our content.

Home | About | Login | Logout | F.A.Q. | Profile | Preferences | Premium Membership | Kibitzer's Café | Biographer's Bistro | New Kibitzing | Chessforums | Tournament Index | Player Directory | Notable Games | World Chess Championships | Opening Explorer | Guess the Move | Game Collections | ChessBookie Game | Chessgames Challenge | Store | Privacy Notice | Contact Us

Copyright 2001-2025, Chessgames Services LLC