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Magnus Carlsen vs Levon Aronian
World Championship Candidates (2007), Elista RUS, rd 1, Jun-01
Queen's Indian Defense: Kasparov-Petrosian Variation. Kasparov Attack (E12)  ·  1-0

ANALYSIS [x]

FEN COPIED

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Given 36 times; par: 75 [what's this?]

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Kibitzer's Corner
< Earlier Kibitzing  · PAGE 3 OF 3 ·  Later Kibitzing>
Jun-01-07  Pulse: <Ulhumbrus: 6...Nxd5 concedes an advantage in space to White , while 8...Nxc3 not only loses time but strengthens White's centre.>

This is a popular opening system, though. For example:

Ponomariov vs Karjakin, 2006

Zappa vs Rybka, 2005

Radjabov vs Leko, 2003

Jun-01-07  LivBlockade: I expected 35. Nxg6, but White found a better plan, keeping the Knight, activating the Rook, and creating a strong passed pawn on f7, all of which combined to attack Black's King.
Jun-01-07  sheaf: <The rest of the game is a masterclass of technique from Carlsen.> its hard to tell whether the game after 29.Be6 was played by leko or carlsen. he showed lekovian precision in grinding aronian after winning the pawn. I think even carlsen would be surprised with his technique.
Jun-01-07  sheaf: this is easily the best game of carlsen i have seen so far. even better than his previous win over aronian. Carlsen exposes the weaknesses in aronians repretoire.
Jun-01-07  percyblakeney: This was Carlsen's sixth win against 2740+ opposition since February this year.
Jun-01-07  zapzowie: Pretty amazing stuff from a 16 year old!
Jun-01-07  MaxxLange: 36 f4!! He must have seen the clear win even before he played that.

And I thought he had seen a forced draw - look at that c-pawn after this brilliant sacrifice. I was terrified of it, but Magnus showed that Black's threats were useless.

Jun-02-07  Ulhumbrus: <Pulse: <Ulhumbrus: 6...Nxd5 concedes an advantage in space to White , while 8...Nxc3 not only loses time but strengthens White's centre.> This is a popular opening system, though. For example:>

Ponomariov vs Karjakin, 2006

Zappa vs Rybka, 2005

Radjabov vs Leko, 2003

I have not looked attentively and completely at the three games above, however they all have one thing in common: In all of the three games above, Black played the exchange ...cxd4, thereby opening the c file and removing the c3 pawn supporting White's centre. As I said in my preceding note, every opened file is unwelcome to a player trying to attack the opposing King side.

Jun-02-07  Philidor: Carlsen seems to have found Aronian's weak spot: the Kingside corner! Go young Carlsen! Go!
Jun-02-07  notyetagm: 37 h4-h5! attacks the Black g6-pawn defender (<REMOVE THE GUARD>) of the f5-square in order to play 39 f4-f5! and attack the Black e6-bishop defender (<REMOVE THE GUARD>) of the f7-pawn . So, in effect, Carlsen <REMOVES THE GUARD> with 37 h4-h5! in order to be able to <REMOVE THE GUARD> with 39 f4-f5!. Very ingenius.

Position after 37 h4-h5! attacking Black g6-pawn defender of f5-square


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Position after 39 f4-f5! attacking Black e6-bishop defender of f7-pawn


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Jun-02-07  notyetagm: <KamikazeAttack: Just played this end game again, what a beauty. This kid is dangerous with white. That endgame is a 2770+ stuff. Aro probably didn't realise he was gonna lose . >

No, this endgame is like 3000-level stuff. This is the most imaginative endgame I think I have ever seen. Giving Black that dangerous-looking passed c4-pawn just so he can get in 37 h5! and 39 f5! is just brilliant beyond words.

Carlsen's wins in this game and Game 3 of the match lead me to the conclusion that the others are right when they say that Magnus is going to be the World Champion someday. Maybe sooner rather than later.

I am just awestruck by this game.

Jun-02-07  notyetagm: 37 h4-h5! together with 39 f4-f5! form an incredible double <REMOVAL OF THE GUARD> combination.
Jun-02-07  Pulse: <Ulhumbrus> I suppose that's a good general rule of thumb, but I was just pointing out that it was wrong in criticizing black's 6th and 8th. Still, even with Aronian's mistakes, one had to be attentive and alert, which Carlsen passed without a doubt. :)
Jun-04-07  charms: Speelman claims that 24. Ne5! was an immediate win for White, as Black has nothing to defend against f4, Rf3-h3. He also remarks that 17...b4 is a blunder, as White can simpy take the pawn: 18 axb4 axb4 19. Rxb4! Black can't take as 18... Bxb4 permits Bxh7+. Nevertheless, a great game by Carlsen.
Oct-12-07  computer chess guy: I don't see how 24. ♘e5 is winning. 24 .. bxc3, then if White tries 25. f4, play might go 25 .. ♖b7 26. ♖xb7 ♗xb7 27. ♖f3 ♕d6 28. ♖h3 ♘xf6. If White takes the Knight, then 29 .. ♕xd4+, after which a couple engines I have tried indicate Black can force a draw. Granted, this is a narrow path for Black to escape on, but does White have anything better?
Nov-30-07  spirit: Nice win by Carlsen...but definitely not a candidate for "Game of the Decade"!
Nov-30-07  Xaurus: <spirit>

I believe they referred to this game:

Carlsen vs Aronian, 2007

(Game of the Day May 30th 2007 - Magnus Opus)

Not the one you see on this page.

Dec-13-15  scholes: <notyetagm> highly prescient words.
May-28-16  cormier:


click for larger view

Analysis by Houdini d 30

1. (0.52): 31...Rb3 32.Rxb3 cxb3 33.Rb1 Rb8 34.g4 Bc8 35.Ne5 Rb6 36.f4 h6 37.Rb2 Ba6 38.Nd7 Rd6 39.Nc5 Bc4 40.g5 Rb6 41.Kf2 Rb8 42.Rb1 Kh7 43.Ke3 Re8+ 44.Kf3 Rb8 45.Rb2 Ra8 46.Rb1 Ra3 47.Kg4 Be2+ 48.Kg3 Bc4

2. (0.76): 31...h6 32.Ne5 Ra1 33.Rb8+ Kh7 34.Rbb1 Rxb1 35.Rxb1

May-29-16  cormier:


click for larger view

Analysis by Houdini d 28

1. (0.46): 29...Be6

2. (0.55): 29...g5 30.Nf3 g4 31.Ne5 Be6

Sep-02-17  Dave12: Question: was this a classic time game?
Letting users know these important details in all the games in Chessgames.com may improve this amazing website.
Sep-02-17
Premium Chessgames Member
  keypusher: <dave12> Yes, this was a classical game. Agree that CG should break down the match games between classical, rapid, and blitz.

Candidates Match: Aronian - Carlsen (2007)

It was because of this match that I realized Carlsen was really special. I'm kind of slow on the uptake -- lots of people had figured that out already.

Sep-02-17  Arconax: When you see a 16-year old play such a game, and look at the endgame, then you know there is something special.
Mar-06-18  SpiritedReposte: What a perfect final position for white.
Nov-16-23
Premium Chessgames Member
  kingscrusher: I keep seeing "thorn pawn" installations in Magnus Carlsen wins vs Aronian. Magnus must have gone through the games of Alphazero.
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