Vladimir Kramnik vs Wesley So, D31, Queen’s Gambit Declined, Charousek (Petrosian) Variation
2018 Chess Candidates Tournament, Round 12, Berlin, GER, 03/24/18
Vladimir Kramnik and Wesley So played a relatively risk-free game, as they both no longer stood a practical chance to win the Candidates Tournament. And whether you come in 2nd, 5th or 8th Is almost completely irrelevant since only the winner gets to challenge Magnus Carlsen for the title of the world chess champion.
Perhaps that’s why both players played a bit ore relaxed and less defensive than in previous rounds. Kramnik had especially pushed very aggressively for the win, but unfortunately, after his very nice piece sacrifice, Wesley was able to give material back and to achieve an equal position.
They played a very interesting theoretical line in the Queen’s Gambit Declined, the Charousek variation, also called the Petrosian Variation, after the great Tigran Petrosian. The variation occurs after:
1. d4 d5
2. c4 e6
3. Nc3 Be7 (this move signifies the Charousek variation)
Most common continuations for white are:
4. Nf3 (with more than 5000 games played)
4. cxd5 (2000 games played)
Standings after round 12:
Sergey Karjakin 7/12
Fabiano Caruana 7/12
Alexander Grischuk 6.5/12
Shakhriyar Mamedyarov 6.5/12
Ding Liren 6.5/12
Vladimir Kramnik 5.5/12
Wesley So 5/12
Levon Aronian 4/12