chessgames.com
Members · Prefs · Laboratory · Collections · Openings · Endgames · Sacrifices · History · Search Kibitzing · Kibitzer's Café · Chessforums · Tournament Index · Players · Kibitzing
Alireza Firouzja vs Magnus Carlsen
Aimchess US Rapid (2021) (rapid), chess24.com INT, rd 4, Aug-28
Scandinavian Defense: Classical Variation (B01)  ·  1-0

ANALYSIS [x]

FEN COPIED

Click Here to play Guess-the-Move
Given 8 times; par: 46 [what's this?]

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

explore this opening
find similar games 148 more Firouzja/Carlsen games
sac: 33.Bd7+ PGN: download | view | print Help: general | java-troubleshooting

TIP: You can get computer analysis by clicking the "ENGINE" button below the game.

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
Aug-29-21
Premium Chessgames Member
  MissScarlett: <fredthebear>, is this a totem pole mate?
Aug-29-21
Premium Chessgames Member
  HeMateMe: 33. White to move and win, nice shot!

I sometimes think that MC just plays rapid chess for fun, plays off beat opening variations.

Aug-29-21
Premium Chessgames Member
  fredthebear: Well, sure! It won't be easy to duplicate.

Others might say it's a taller version of a Guéridon Mate (a.k.a. Swallow's Tail Mate), particularly since Firouzja is a Frenchman. See the diagram and photo: https://chessforchildren.com/guerid...

I did not see the game, but I'm willing to bet it was also a deliberate Helpmate of sorts, in lieu of resignation. The champ could have struggled on for some time by playing 34.Ke8 instead. Me thinks MC probably allowed himself to be checkmated to get the game over with.

Carlsen usually does well with the Center Counter 2...Qxd5 on the rare occasion that he uses it: Repertoire Explorer: Magnus Carlsen (black)

I find this defense is solid, but White gets such easy development that Black has difficulty winning.

Aug-29-21  Messiah: Well, well, well...
Aug-29-21  Kurakotsaba: Whaaaackkkk!
Magnus' GOOSE got chased, caught...and crispy-grilled...
Aug-30-21
Premium Chessgames Member
  fredthebear: IM Levy Rozman enjoyed this battle featuring opposite sides castling and dangerous mutual pawn storms. Tactics lurk. At one point, Black has a preferable position: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qz6...
Aug-30-21  siggemannen: Inspired by MissScarlett i suggest the <Tower of Power>
Aug-30-21  diceman: <MissScarlett: <fredthebear>,

is this a totem pole mate?>

It looks like a 3 pole filter mate.

Aug-30-21  faulty: fredthebear> is Firouzja seriously a Frenchman or that was a joke?
Aug-30-21  Z4all: <faulty> Firouzja is originally an Iranian, but has French citizenship since 2020. His FIDE federation is also France, since 2019, I believe.

See his wiki page for links.

Aug-31-21
Premium Chessgames Member
  fredthebear: I agree with <Z4all> regarding Firouzja. The Frenchman is a fine tactician; his games are full of fight.

Guéridon (Mate) is a French word for a small table supported in the center. See photos: https://www.bing.com/images/search?... However, the mate formation in the game above does look like a totem pole. See photos: https://www.bing.com/images/search?...

Levy also thought Magnus played 34...Ke6 in sporting fashion to allow Firouzja to have a showy mate after his double discovered check sacrificing the bishop (my words, not Levy's expression). Magnus surely knew that 34...Ke8 was the better move, but he would drop his queen and be in a worse position. So, 34...Ke6 was MC's way of resigning in kind. After all, it's quite an honor to checkmate the world champ.

Aug-31-21  Kurakotsaba: Deciding to be a FRENCHMAN, rather than maintain his original IRANIAN citizendhip....is a no brainer. A big slap to these theocratic dictators MULLAHS. ayyahttolahs.

He is up to the task of going up with WS... who decided to acquire AMERICAN citizenship.

Dec-11-21  Jambow: <Kurakotsaba: Deciding to be a FRENCHMAN, rather than maintain his original IRANIAN citizendhip....is a no brainer. A big slap to these theocratic dictators MULLAHS. ayyahttolahs.>

He refused to wear the hajib!!! Good for him.

Seriously he is a really impressive player with a creative style and no holds bar attacks.

If you don't barricade every door board every window and a guard is asleep on watch the king is toast.

Dec-12-21
Premium Chessgames Member
  offramp: < I Ran >.
Dec-12-21  Jambow: I stepped right in it didn't I... ;0]
Apr-24-24  mel gibson: That was too easy to require a Stockfish 16 analysis.
Apr-24-24  saturn2: 33.Bd7 Kxd7 (Kb7 34.Qc7 mate soon) 34.Rc7 is Q for R+B and attack
Apr-24-24
Premium Chessgames Member
  perfidious: The forcing line I spotted was 33.Bd7+ Kxd7 34.Rc7+ Ke8 35.Rxe7+ Kxe7 36.Qe5+ Kd7 37.Rxf8, followed by 38.Qxd5+.
Apr-24-24
Premium Chessgames Member
  jffun1958: 33. Bd7+ and now:
1) Black declines the B-sac: 33. ... Kb7 34. Qc7+
1a) 34. ... Ka6 35. Ra5#
1b) 34. ... Ka8 35. Bc6#
or
2) Black accepts the B-sac: 33. ... Kxd7 34. Rc7+
2a) 34. ... Ke8 35. Rxe7+ Bxe7, and W is up a Q for a B+R
2b) 34. ... Ke6 35. Qe5#
Apr-24-24
Premium Chessgames Member
  chrisowen: Lid so its c faker pun its z x way its Bd7+ aao its ko its ajar its ho its boa take boo its aob jab Bd7+ bit
Apr-24-24  TheaN: This was not too difficult but spent a fair amount of time on Ke8 with Bxe7: <33.Bd7+ Kxd7 (Kb7 34.Qc7+ #1) 34.Rc7+ Ke8 (Ke6 35.Qe5#) 35.Rxe7+ Bxe7> and here I wasn't too sure how quick White would end it.

In practice, I'd probably play <36.Rxf8+ +-> simplifying and keeping the pressure with an eventual Qf4 or Qe5 up so I can win Pe3 somewhere. SF plays it a lot more boldly with 36.Qe5 +- straight away, because Bh4 looms. I can understand Magnus resigned with 34....Ke6 but in a rapid I would have tried the RB:Q in a position like this.

Apr-24-24
Premium Chessgames Member
  chrisowen: Hog metro Bd7 right now x
Apr-24-24  Messiah: Ouch! :-)
Apr-24-24
Premium Chessgames Member
  al wazir: The game lasts longer with 34...Ke8 35. Rxe7+ Bxe7, but white has ♕ vs. ♖+♘, and black's ♙s are loose.

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