Viswanathan Anand vs Magnus Carlsen (2009) Frozen in Amber

Members · Prefs · Laboratory · Collections · Openings · Endgames · Sacrifices · History · Search Kibitzing · Kibitzer's Café · Chessforums · Tournament Index · Players ·

Kibitzing

Viswanathan Anand vs Magnus Carlsen
"Frozen in Amber" (game of the day Mar-17-2009)
Amber Tournament (Blindfold) (2009) (blindfold), Nice FRA, rd 3, Mar-16
Sicilian Defense: Nezhmetdinov-Rossolimo Attack (B30) · 0-1

ANALYSIS [x]

FEN COPIED

Given 28 times; par: 48 [what's this?]

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

explore this opening	find similar games	141 more Anand/Carlsen games
	PGN: download \| view \| print	Help: general \| java-troubleshooting

TIP: If you find a mistake in the database, use the correction form. There is a link at the bottom that reads "Spot an error? Please suggest your correction..." Avoid posting corrections in the kibitzing area.

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.

< Earlier Kibitzing · PAGE 1 OF 2 · Later Kibitzing>
Mar-16-09		percyblakeney: It's blindfold and doesn't really mean anything, still surprising to see Anand (four time winner of the blindfold section in Amber) lose in this way with white against Carlsen.

Mar-16-09		notyetagm: Wow, what a horrible game by Anand. Like some kibitzer said, Anand seemed to completely overlook that Black could just castle queenside (16 ... 0-0-0!).

Mar-16-09		allison123: Nice game by carlsen

Mar-16-09		notyetagm: 25 ... ? click for larger view 25 ... ♗e7xg5! <pin: h2> click for larger view Carlsen's 25 ... ♗e7xg5! is an excellent example of the <PIN AGAINST A SQUARE> tactic. Here Carlsen's Black c7-queen <PINS> the White f4-pawn to the empty h2-square next to the White g1-king.

Mar-16-09		euripides: <notyet> <Here Carlsen's Black c7-queen <PINS> the White f4-pawn to the empty h2-square next to the White g1-king.> Not only that: it pins the knight against the h1 square as well. A wonderfully pretty tactic: not at all easy to spot both pins blindfold.

Mar-16-09		ex0duz: <@notyetagm>: It's really a double pin, or a <PIN AGAINST TWO SQUARES> tactic or in other words, <DOUBLE BISHOP DEVASTATION VS KING> tactics, arguably the most deadly branch of all different tactics. The black Bd5 is pinning the white Nf3 as well. It's checkmate on h1 if black tries to take with knight(example 25.Nxg5 Rh1#)

Mar-16-09		cracknik: All these players are the best in the world but I wonder if these guys are the best blindfold players. I mean a lot of the games so far have been lost with moves of an under 2000 player.

Mar-16-09		zarg: Kramnik and Carlsen have played some awesome blindfold games so far.

Mar-16-09		shintaro go: Great start, <champ>!

Mar-17-09		notyetagm: <ex0duz: <@notyetagm>: It's really a double pin, or a <PIN AGAINST TWO SQUARES> tactic or in other words, <DOUBLE BISHOP DEVASTATION VS KING> tactics, arguably the most deadly branch of all different tactics. The black Bd5 is pinning the white Nf3 as well. It's checkmate on h1 if black tries to take with knight(example 25.Nxg5 Rh1#)> Game Collection: Double pin, double pin

Mar-17-09		notyetagm: <ex0duz: <@notyetagm>: It's really a double pin, or a <PIN AGAINST TWO SQUARES> tactic or in other words, <DOUBLE BISHOP DEVASTATION VS KING> tactics, arguably the most deadly branch of all different tactics. The black Bd5 is pinning the white Nf3 as well. It's checkmate on h1 if black tries to take with knight(example 25.Nxg5 Rh1#)> 30 ... ? click for larger view 30 ... ♘h5-g3+! <pins: f1,h1> click for larger view Another great example of a <DOUBLE PIN>, this time by Aronian (Black) in Gelfand vs Aronian, 2006 from Amber Rapid (2006).

Mar-17-09		patzer2: Carlsen's amusing 25...Bxg5! takes advantage of two simultaneous pins to win a pawn with near decisive advantage.

Mar-17-09		notyetagm: <patzer2: Carlsen's amusing 25...Bxg5! takes advantage of two simultaneous pins to win a pawn with near decisive advantage.> Yes, I just started a new game collection in this game's honor: Game Collection: Double pin, double pin. NIMZOWITSCH: The defensive power of a <PINNED> piece is merely illusory.

Mar-17-09		notyetagm: MONOKROUSSOS: http://chessmind.powerblogs.com/fil... "Finally, Carlsen impressively crushed Anand with Black, outplaying him positionally and then knocking him out tactically." 25 ... ? click for larger view 25 ... ♗e7xg5! <pins: h2,h1> click for larger view <25.Be3? Bxg5! Pow. Despite the blindfold aspect, Carlsen sees the tactics. With the kingside opening up, White's king is about to walk the plank. 26.Qg3 [26.fxg5 Bxf3 27.Qxf3? Qh2# ; 26.Nxg5? Rh1# ]> (VARIATIONS) 26.fxg5 Bxf3 27.Qxf3? Qh2# click for larger view click for larger view 26.Nxg5? Rh1# click for larger view

Mar-17-09		notyetagm: GM Joel Benjamin analyzing this game in an ICC video: https://webcast.chessclub.com/icc/i....

Mar-17-09		Andrijadj: I play this variation often,and from my experience,plan with kingside expansion for white seldom works...This game just prooves...

Mar-17-09		UnsoundHero: The losing move appears to be 18 Nf4. Black simply captures this Knight, then plays ...Pf5, which frees the Bg6, and opens up lines against white's kingside. White had to try 18 f5 burying the Bg6 for a while. White then has time to formulate a plan, perhaps involving a defense of his half-bare king.

Mar-17-09		whiteshark: Nice game!

Mar-17-09		volvak: A masterpiece by the Carlsen -- he made it look so easy.

Mar-17-09		notyetagm: <volvak: A masterpiece by the Carlsen -- he made it look so easy.> Yes. Carlsen completely outplays World Champion Anand and then zaps him with 25 ... ♗e7xg5!. After losing the critical White g5-pawn the White position just falls apart. Tactical and strategic domination by Carlsen this game.

Mar-17-09		znprdx: With our 'untrammeled' vision we might imagine the following: 25.c4 Be4 26.Bg2 Nb4 (the real threat) 27.Ne5(best counter)Nc2 28.Nxg6 R[h]e8 29.Bd2 Nx[R]a1 30.Rx[N]a1 Qd6 31.Nx[B]e7+Rxe7 32.Bx[B]e4 f5x[B]e4 33.Be3 b6 < click for larger view > looks interesting, although White's exposed King limits what otherwise would be a clear win. <percyblakeney: It's blindfold and doesn't really mean anything> I generally enjoy your commentary - but this is a rather silly thing to say as is < cracknik: ...I wonder if these guys are the best blindfold players... a lot of the games so far have been lost with moves of an under 2000 player.> For a game to be won - the loser had to err. All of Chess reduces to a beginner's mate....the last move of the sequence. . The idea that Blindfold play is frivolous is absurd. Alekhine once acknowledged he saw a combination he wouldn't have 'seen' if was actually looking at the board! The Amber tournament is the best thing that has ever happened in Chess. I think it establishes the true standard of excellence. Classical time controls are continuing to cripple the game -especially as a spectator sport. Most of the 'deep thinking occurs in home preparation these days. I mean let us face it Carlsen at Linares outplays Karjakin and then throws it all away with one move. They could have played at least twice as many Rapid games in the same time. Kamsky sat and wasted invaluable time vs. Topalov - whereas moving we might have seen some action.

Mar-17-09		kevin86: The kill will come very soon. Even champs have their off days:Just think the Pirates lost three games:12-0,10-0,16-3 in the 1960 World Series----and WON the series.

Mar-17-09		Phony Benoni: Looks like Anand never saw it coming.

Mar-17-09		playground player: Does anybody here actually play blindfolded? I've tried it a few times... ugh!

Mar-17-09		tivrfoa: what is blindfold? the players don't see the pieces, only mentalize? who move the pieces?

search thread:
< Earlier Kibitzing · PAGE 1 OF 2 · Later Kibitzing>

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:

No obscene, racist, sexist, or profane language.
No spamming, advertising, duplicate, or gibberish posts.
No vitriolic or systematic personal attacks against other members.
Nothing in violation of United States law.
No cyberstalking or malicious posting of negative or private information (doxing/doxxing) of members.
No trolling.
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.
Do not degrade Chessgames or any of it's staff/volunteers.

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

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: BLINDFOLD. Please report incorrect or missing information by submitting a correction slip to help us improve the quality of our content.