This is a round 8 game between Magnus Carlsen and Aryan Tari from the 2020 Altibox Norway Chess tournament. This all Norwegian battle enters a Ruy Lopez with Magnus Carlsen opting for the simple and solid 6.d3. Aryan Tari had many opportunities to change the character of the pawn structure with a capture on a4, but preferred to maintain a solid queenside pawn island. The critical moments mostly occurred before move 20, and it was during this time many different minor pieces battles could have surfaced. Once the position was simplified to one minor piece for each side, it was only a matter of time until the white knight became a powerhorse on the outpost d5. There are plenty of model games highlighting the strategic good knight versus bad bishop in chess literature, and I expect this featured game to be included in future chess books.
PGN:
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. d3 b5 7. Bb3 d6 8. a4 Bd7 9. c3 Na5 10. Ba2 c5 11. Bg5 O-O 12. Nbd2 Rb8 13. axb5 axb5 14. Re1 b4 15. Nc4 Nxc4 16. Bxc4 bxc3 17. bxc3 Qc7 18. Qc2 Bb5 19. Bxb5 Rxb5 20. Bxf6 Bxf6 21. Nd2 Qc6 22. Qa4 Rfb8 23. Nc4 Be7 24. g3 Qc8 25. Qd1 g6 26. Kg2 Bf8 27. Qf3 Rb3 28. Rec1 Qe6 29. Ra7 R8b7 30. Rxb7 Rxb7 31. Ra1 h5 32. Ra8 Kg7 33. Ne3 Rc7 34. Nd5 Rc8 35. Ra7 Rb8 36. h3 Rd8 37. g4 hxg4 38. hxg4 Rd7 39. Ra8 f6 40. g5 f5 41. Qh3 Rf7 42. Re8 Qxe8 43. Qh6+ Kg8 44. Qxg6+ Kh8 45. Nf6
Image of Magnus Carlsen in thumbnail, courtesy of David Llada
David’s excellent visual tribute of the game of chess in his book
“The Thinkers” can be purchased here:
https://www.amazon.com/Thinkers-David-Llada/dp/178483033X
In-video picture courtesy of Lennart Ootes
lennartootes.com
I’m a self-taught National Master in chess out of Pennsylvania, USA who was introduced to the game by my father in 1988 at the age of 8. The purpose of this channel is to share my knowledge of chess to help others improve their game. I enjoy continuing to improve my understanding of this great game, albeit slowly. Consider subscribing here on YouTube for frequent content, and/or connecting via any or all of the below social medias. Your support is greatly appreciated. Take care, bye. 😀
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