Carlsen’s Mellow English | 2018 World Chess Championship, Round 4

Magnus Carlsen had the white pieces in round 4 of the 2018 WCC. He should have played it way more aggressively!

Fabiano responded with e5, the most common response, and, funnily enough, they entered a position in which Fabiano could have chosen the main line (the best option for black), or the move he had already played twice before which is sort of his novelty. He played his own move (Bc5). In the two previous games he used it he lost two times, once to Anand and once to Aronian. Both were played in 2017., so the idea is quite recent on the highest levels.

But anyway, Magnus must have prepared for the variation and he met it accordingly. He didn’t make any mistakes, nor did Caruana. Unfortunately, neither of them managed to create any attacking opportunities and the game soon became horribly equal and drawing.

After 4 rounds they played 4 draws! I have to say I never expected that. I hope this championship doesn’t turn out to be as boring as the one in 2016. (in which Carlsen played Karjakin in 12 less than exciting games).

Fabiano has white in round 5 and lets hope he can make something happen (rooting for better games, not for him to win, I still have to decide on who’s my favorite).

Game moves:
1. c4 e5 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. Nf3 Nc6 4. g3 d5
5. cxd5 Nxd5 6. Bg2 Bc5 7. O-O O-O 8. d3 Re8
9. Bd2 Nxc3 10. Bxc3 Nd4 11. b4 Bd6 12. Rb1 Nxf3+
13. Bxf3 a6 14. a4 c6 15. Re1 Bd7 16. e3 Qf6
17. Be4 Bf5 18. Qf3 Bxe4 19. Qxf6 gxf6 20. dxe4 b5
21. Red1 Bf8 22. axb5 axb5 23. Kg2 Red8 24. Rdc1 Kg7
25. Be1 Rdc8 26. Rc2 Ra4 27. Kf3 h5 28. Ke2 Kg6
29. h3 f5 30. exf5+ Kxf5 31. f3 Be7 32. e4+ Ke6
33. Bd2 Bd6 34. Rbc1

#worldchesschampionship #carlsencaruana #wcc2018

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