Carlsen's elimination afterthoughts

[Javier]

"Magnus losing the semi-final against Kamsky is old news of course. I'm sorry about late update of the blog. This is partly priorities, but mainly due to lack of internet connection at the hotel in Khanty-Mansiysk early this week, and the fact that I was out travelling when Magnus returned to Norway on Wednesday.

 

The purpose of this late review of round 6 is to present Magnus own comments and to put his World Cup performance in perspective.

 

Magnus again got white in the first game in his 6th round encounter with Kamsky, and he tried to surprise his opponent by playing the Scotch. He had not expected the unusual bxc6 but knew about the line with Qh4. He thought he had seen a game where Glek scored a convincing win but could not remember the variations.

Choosing the not very ambitious Qe2 and Be3, he spent a lot of time on the clock but could not think clearly.

It seems that both players assumed black was slightly better in the endgame. Magnus was satisfied to find b4! which forces a draw after cxb4 Rc7 Rc8 Rxc8 Bxc8 Rb1 Rc2 Rb4 with a complete extortion of both sides remaining forces.

 

As black Magnus chose the Petroff as Kamsky seemed to have avoided this opening after his comeback. Magnus made a mistake in the opening, when playing 8...Nc6 instantly, he soon discovered that 9.Nc3 immediately led to position that he had tried to avoid all along (by playing Be7 and Bg4). Neither Bxf3 gxf3 nor Bb4 Nxe4! with a strong initiative for the exchange appealed to Magnus. After a very unusual 40 minutes think he decided to play Bg6 knowing that after Bd2 white would have a long term advantage. Kamsky later went on to develop his initiative efficiently and after some further inaccuracies from Magnus it turned out that the position was nearly hopeless. Pity for Magnus but it must be said that Kamsky with his powerful play no doubt deserved to advance to the final. (Where he is now leading 1,5-0,5 after an impressive demolition of Shirov today.)"

Read the full article HERE.