(10) Caruana,Fabiano (2832) - Carlsen,Magnus (2835) [B33]
2018 World Chess Championship London (10), 22.11.2018
[Maxime Vachier-Lagrave]
1.e4
c5
2.Nf3
Nc6
3.d4
cxd4
4.Nxd4
Nf6
5.Nc3
e5
6.Ndb5
d6
7.Nd5
I didn't really expect a repeat of this line, even though Fabiano had achieved a great deal with it, simply because I thought it was mostly chosen because of the surprise value. 7...Nxd5
8.exd5
Nb8
9.a4
Be7
10.Be2
0-0
11.0-0
Nd7
12.b4
We have an early deviation from Fabiano. It is very direct but at the same time it seems a bit strange to me to allow so happily the direct counter with a5. [12.Bd2
was seen in game 8. But no doubt Magnus was this time not only prepared for that move but also remembered the nuances!] 12...a6
[12...a5
is also fairly natural because the Nb5 could end up being misplaced in the long run but I'm guessing Magnus didn't like too much the possible pressure on the d6 pawn after say 13.bxa5
Rxa5
14.Ba3
] 13.Na3
a5
14.bxa5
[I had wrongly assumed that 14.c3
was White's idea but it does look a bit slow. Black can just answer with 14...f5
as 15.Nc4
b6
and Black's queenside is very safe.] 14...Rxa5
15.Nc4
Ra8
16.Be3
f5
17.a5
Fabiano goes for the b6 square, and that idea was undoubtedly part of his preparation. 17...f4
18.Bb6
Qe8
Magnus played the most natural moves and now surprisingly Fabiano thought for a while, although probably not because he was out of preparation but more likely to try and see the position with a fresh eye with so many options available to him. Although from my point of view, it seems like White can run into so much trouble with his king that entering this line without having a very clear idea of what happens next seems very dangerous. 19.Ra3
This relocating of the rook via the 3rd rank is extremely natural but at the same time I realized I didn't see the upside of going into this sort position as it seemed to be neither safe nor objectively better or easier to play. [19.Bc7
would have been the direct approach. But Black can answer with 19...Rf6
20.Re1
Rh6
; 19.Re1
was possibly a more subtle waiting move. If Black goes like in the game 19...Qg6
(19...Rf6
would still be my preferred choice) 20.Bc7
he doesn't have the same resource as in the game! Still his position is reasonable after a move like 20...Nc5
21.Bh5
Qf6
22.Nb6
Ra6
23.Nxc8
Rxc8
24.Bb6
but there at least White got rid of the light-squared bishop. I would even consider something like 24...Bd8
25.Be2
Bxb6!?
26.Bxa6
Bxa5
27.Rxa5
bxa6
with Black and hope to have enough compensations for the exchange thanks to the Nc5.] 19...Qg6
20.Bc7
White has to play this one day or another as he needs to restrain the Nd7. Now Nc5 would be answered by Nb6. [20.Re1
Nf6
21.Bc7
e4!
22.Nb6
Ra7
looks extremely dangerous for White.] 20...e4
[20...b5!
was possible immediately. I didn't initially see it while I was casually watching the game but once you realize the option exists there's basically no other move that you'll consider!] 21.Kh1
b5!
And Magnus goes for it. Not that there was anything wrong with any other attacking move on the kingside but this move seems the most challenging. Carlsen: "I thought for so long and I wasn't sure about it but I thought I just go for it and up the stakes even more. Either you win the game, or you get mated." [Caruana did consider this, but was expecting 21...Kh8
saying "I thought it actually asked White what the next move is. Many of my useful moves have problems." 22.f3
(22.Re1
Nf6
and then f2 hangs in some lines. (Caruana)) 22...e3
23.g3
] 22.Nb6
[22.axb6
doesn't seem to work. 22...Rxa3
23.Nxa3
f3!
(23...Nc5
was my first thought when looking at the position but playing slowly might be too much. White is definitely not resourceless after a move like. 24.Nb5!
) 24.gxf3
Ne5!
and the computer seems really happy about this position, which might not come as a surprise. White's best defence is 25.Rg1
Qh6!
26.Nc4
(26.Qc1
Qh4
) 26...exf3
27.Nxe5
(27.Bf1
Nxc4
28.Bxc4
Rf4
29.Qc1?
(29.b7!
only move but after 29...Bxb7
30.Qc1
Qf6
Black is obviously much better.) 29...Bg5!
threatening both the trivial Rh4 and Qxh2+ after 30.b7
Qxh2+!!
31.Kxh2
Rh4+
32.Kg3
Rh3#
) 27...fxe2
28.Qxe2
dxe5
29.Bxe5
g6!
And while White retains practical chances the pair of bishops manages to contain the passed pawns on the queenside.] 22...Nxb6
23.Bxb6
Qg5!?
A very interesting practical decision by Magnus. Basically every sensible move was possible in this position so it doesn't make sense to try and analyse them in depth but this approach of going straight at White's king is not only the most direct but also the most frightening in practice. 24.g3
I have to admit this move didn't cross my mind at all. My guess on why Fabiano went for this is that the advantage of this approach is that now Black cannot really choose how to proceed on the kingside and has only one setup available. So if he decided he could hold everything together he decided to go for it. [24.Bxb5
Of course the computer would play that. I can only assume Magnus intended 24...Rf6
25.Re1
(At the press conference Carlsen suggested 25.f3
e3
26.g3
Rh6
27.g4
Bd8
) 25...Rg6
26.Bf1
Bf5
And while objectively this should be better for White it is also quite scary.; 24.f3
with an idea similar to the game, could have led to a very cute end 24...e3
25.g3!
Rf6
(25...fxg3
26.Rg1
and there's no real attack anymore.) 26.gxf4
Qh5!
27.Bxe3
Qxh2+!!
28.Kxh2
Rh6+
29.Kg1
Rg6+
and White is better advised to agree to the perpetual as 30.Kf2??
Bh4#
is an immediate mate.] 24...b4
25.Rb3
[25.gxf4
Qxf4
26.Rg3
was also an option but Black is certainly pressing after 26...Bh4
] 25...Bh3
[25...f3
26.Bb5
Bh3?
(26...Rf6
27.Re1
Qg4
28.Bf1
and among others White has the idea of Rxe4 followed by Re3 (which could have been available on this move), and also in some moment e3 is available for his bishop to defend the h file. (28.Rxe4
might be even more practical although it's hard to say what this is after 28...Qxe4
29.Re3
Qg4
30.Rxe7
Bf5
) ) 27.Re1
is the reason why Magnus started with Bh3.] 26.Rg1
[26.Re1
Bf6!
(26...e3
looks scary enough and might be the main reason Fabiano rejected this move, but White has the cold-blooded 27.Rg1!
available. 27...f3
28.Bxf3
exf2
29.Bxf2
Rxa5
30.Be3
would just be equal now.) 27.Rxb4
Bc3
28.Rxe4
fxg3!
29.hxg3
Bxa5!
30.Bxa5
Rxf2
and here White barely saves a raw after 31.Bg4
Bxg4
32.Rxg4
Qh5+
33.Rh4
Qxd1
34.Rxd1
Rxa5
] 26...f3
27.Bf1
Bxf1
28.Qxf1
Any direct approach with the rook would fail as White's bishop can get to e3 and cover the crucial h6 square. 28...Qxd5
[28...Rf6
29.Rxb4
Qh5
30.Be3!
and Black's attempt at an attack is easily repelled. (30.Rxe4??
Rh6
31.h4
Bxh4
32.Rxh4
Qxh4+
33.gxh4
Rxh4+
would mate) ] 29.Rxb4
The dust settled and while White's king is clearly no longer in danger - there's an argument that he never was really in danger other than psychological, but even then it felt serious - Black has a beautiful pawn center and could be aiming at pushing his central pawns at the appropriate moment. Also even if the position is less complicated to navigate now both players were getting short on time around here. 29...Qe6
30.Rb5!
An excellent move, even if rather obvious. 30...Bd8
[30...d5
would be strongly met by 31.Qd1
Rf5
32.g4!
Rg5
33.Be3
and White is the side pressing.] 31.Qe1
Bxb6
32.axb6
Rab8
The position is around equal but there is still room for a big fight. White's obvious trump is his pawn on b6, while Black can count on his center and the weakened White king, which while not in immediate danger, can never easily join the center in case of an endgame. 33.Qe3
Qc4
34.Rb2
Rb7
35.Rd1
A bit of an inaccuracy due to Magnus' strong answer. But not even sure we can call it that as Fabiano kept things well under his control afterwards. 35...Qe2!
36.Re1!
[36.Qxe2
fxe2
37.Re1
Rxf2
38.Kg1
Rbf7!
while still being within drawing margin, would be ostensibly unpleasant to fac as White has no easy way to regain the pawn. 39.Rbb1
(39.b7
Rf1+
40.Kg2
Rxb7
41.Rxe2
Rxb2
42.Kxf1
Kf7
) 39...d5!
40.c3
h6
and b7 is always met by Rf1+; 36.Qb3+??
Kh8
37.c4
would trap the queen if not for 37...Rxb6!
38.Rxe2
fxe2
and Black wins; 36.Qd4??
would also be a serious attempt if not for the beautiful and winning 36...e3!
37.c4
exf2!
38.Rxe2
fxe2
and as Magnus pointed it out afterwards, the pawn on c4 prevents White from capturing the pawn with the fork Qc4+] 36...Qxe3
37.Rxe3
d5
38.h4
This is the most practical approach to get White's king more active. He aims to reach g3 via g4. 38...Rc8
[38...Rf6
39.c4!
dxc4
40.Rxe4
Rbxb6
41.Rxb6
Rxb6
42.Rxc4
would liquidate into a draw.] 39.Ra3!
[The attempt to liquidate everything fails: 39.Rb5?
Rxc2
40.Rxd5
Rxb6
41.Rxe4
Rxf2
would lose on the spot] 39...Kf7
[39...Rc6??
would be a huge blunder because of 40.Ra8+
Kf7
41.Ra7
Rxa7
42.bxa7
Ra6
43.Rb7+
and now the king has no good square 43...Kf6
(43...Kf8
44.Rb8+
) 44.Rb6+
wins] 40.Kh2
[40.Ra7
Rcb8
41.c4!
dxc4
42.Rc2
would have drawn immediately.] 40...Ke6
41.g4
Rc6
42.Ra6!
A very important decision and the correct one. Fabiano correctly judged that with both rooks on the b file he wouldn't be able to obtain the necessary counterplay with his rooks. [42.Rab3
would still objectively hold but White is reduced to passivity after say 42...h6
43.Kg3
(43.h5
Ke5
44.Rb5
g5
45.hxg6
Rxg6
46.c4!
Rxg4
47.Rxd5+
Kf4
48.Rh5
also looks scary but is holding.) 43...g5
44.hxg5
hxg5
45.Rb1
Kd6
46.Rb5
Rc5
47.R5b2
Kc6
and even if the computer claims 48.c3!
Rxc3
49.Rh1
is a draw, you definitely don't want to get to that point if you can avoid it.] 42...Ke5
43.Kg3
h6
44.h5
Kd4
Maybe underestimating Fabiano's next move, Magnus gets into a bit of a scare. [Here I expected 44...g5
but both 45.hxg6
(or the immediate 45.Rb5
Rxc2
46.Raa5
Rd2
47.Rb1
and Black makes no progress.) 45...Rxg6
46.Rb5
h5
47.Raa5
Rxg4+
48.Kh3
are easily holding as the rooks create more than enough counterplay.; Carlsen mentioned 44...Rb8
when 45.Rb5
is interesting (Caurana).] 45.Rb5!
White is more than in time to create counterplay and the king is now misplaced. Hard to figure what Magnus missed on that one, but he took his time and found the arguably best practical decision. 45...Rd6!
[45...Kc4
was the move recommended as best by the now famous Sesse although 46.Raa5
d4
(46...Rbxb6
47.Rxd5
Rb1
48.Re5
Rg1+
49.Kf4
even if this is a draw it looks downright scary. 49...Rf6+
50.Rf5
Rxf5+
51.Rxf5
Rg2
52.Kxe4
Rxg4+
53.Kxf3
Rg1
and Black holds as the king will eventually manage to come back to the kingside.) 47.Re5
definitely looks scary as the king is so far away from the kingside. If Black loses his central pawns he might be lost in any rook endgame with his king cut. I also can't see an immediate way to draw even if I'm confident in the fact that it still exists. 47...Rcxb6
48.Rxe4
Rb2
49.Ra4+
R7b4
is possibly still holding but looks far too scary.] 46.Ra4+
Ke5
47.Rab4
Ke6!
Here Fabiano saw no point to torture Magnus even though with colors reversed the game might still be going on at the time I'm typing those words. 48.c4
There is no real point in delaying that move as Black is aiming at Rc6 anyway. 48...dxc4
49.Rxc4
Rdxb6
50.Rxe4+
Kf7
51.Rf5+
[51.Rf4+
Kg8
52.Rc5
was arguably a try at keeping both pairs of rooks on the board. But in general Black always manages to eventually exchange them either by harassing the rooks (with two rooks on the same file like here, just moving endlessly the rooks) or arguably by staying passive on the last two ranks as White will have a hard time making progress anyway. Let's note though that 52...Rf6?!
53.Rxf6
gxf6
54.Kxf3
would be a downright draw with the pawn on f7, but with the pawn on f6 the additional weakness on the seventh rank makes it a tad more difficult to defend in practice.] 51...Rf6
52.Rxf6+
Kxf6
53.Kxf3
Kf7
54.Kg3
Fabiano doesn't see the point in keeping on playing, and I can't argue with that decision as White can't make any progress without exchanging pawns on the kingside, but then there's really not enough pawns remaining as it is well known for a few centuries! In any case we got a very interesting game today in spite of a peaceful result once again, and I felt like both players took some risky or principled decisions on purpose, which means they're not waiting for what looks like a probable tiebreak. So I wouldn't dismiss the possibility of a decisive result kicking in in the last two games. Also, the quality of the games seems very high to me in general especially considering they've been at it for almost three weeks now. 1/2-1/2