This is one of Carlsen’s earliest memorable games. It features two remarkable attacking combinations worthy of Tal or Fischer. This tournament is also where he got his first GM norm (winning in clear first).
Magnus Carlsen vs Sipke Ernst, Caro-Kann Defense, Classical Variation (B18)
2004 Corus, Group C, Round 12, Wijk aan Zee, The Netherlands
Introduction to the Caro-Kann (basic ideas in the opening and common plans and variations): https://youtu.be/Jiz7KLKjLas
Main Line (Classical) Caro-Kann in depth: https://youtu.be/3KvEdj_TcM4
This is one of the games I always seem to come back to when studying the Caro-Kann. Black made several small errors which weakened his position, and Magnus exploited each and every one of them. That’s why I believe this game is extremely valuable for c6 players. Avoiding mistakes such as the ones Ernst did is crucial to entering the middlegame equal. How a 2400+ rated player played them is a mystery, though.
Regardless of his opponent’s mistakes, Magnus wouldn’t be remembered for this game had he not played two absolutely brilliant sacrifices. The combinations were irrefutable and his opponent had nothing to do but to wait and resign!
The 2004 Corus is also where Magnus won his first Gm norm. He would win the other two by the Spring of the same year and become a GM at the 6th Dubai Open, in April.
Game moves:
1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Bf5 5. Ng3 Bg6 6. h4 h6
7. Nf3 Nd7 8. h5 Bh7 9. Bd3 Bxd3 10. Qxd3 e6 11. Bf4 Ngf6
12. O-O-O Be7 13. Ne4 Qa5 14. Kb1 O-O 15. Nxf6+ Nxf6 16. Ne5
Rad8 17. Qe2 c5 18. Ng6 fxg6 19. Qxe6+ Kh8 20. hxg6 Ng8
21. Bxh6 gxh6 22. Rxh6+ Nxh6 23. Qxe7 Nf7 24. gxf7 Kg7 25. Rd3
Rd6 26. Rg3+ Rg6 27. Qe5+ Kxf7 28. Qf5+ Rf6 29. Qd7# 1-0