The British Chess Magazine 519
23 �c7 looks threatening but after 23 … �f8 it is not clear what his follow up is e . g . 24 �fc1 �c6 !
The toughest defence was 23 b3 ! making it difficult to capture the pawn directly . This was the sort of fiddly move which was not my opponent ’ s forte . Black is still doing well after 23 … �b4 ( but not 23 � × b3 ? 24 �c7 ±).
23 … � × b2 24 �g3 �f8
XIIIIIIIIY 9- + - + rmk- + 0 9 + p + - + pzp-0 9p + - + p + -zp0 9 + - + lzP- + Q0 9- + - + - + - + 0 9 + - + - + -tR-0 9-wq- + -zPPzP0 9 + - + - + RmK-0 xiiiiiiiiy
The kingside is easily protected .
25 f4
Defending the e-pawn , but exposing his own king to serious danger , which is swiftly exploited .
25 … �c8 26 �g4 �c1 !
I knew that 26 … g6 was also good , but I had already calculated the win .
27 � × g7 + �e8 28 �gf3
The checks run out after either 28 �g8 + �e7 or 28 �h8 + �d7 .
28 … �d4 +!
28 … � × f3 also wins , of course , but the text is even stronger .
29 �h1 29 �3f2 � × f1 + 30 � × f1 �d1 # 29 … �a1 30 �h8 + �d7
If 31 �g1 � × f3 . 0 – 1
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Endings for Experts
GM Nick Pert nickpert @ hotmail . com
This position arose in last year ’ s Classic . Carlsen had been having a good tournament whilst Anand was performing averagely , at best . Here Carlsen had a small edge in the endgame as he was a pawn up , although the a- and c-pawns were weak , and he was surely hoping to convert this advantage into to a win .
G M Carlsen O V Anand 4th London Classic , 2012 [ Pert ]
XIIIIIIIIY 9- + - + - + k + 0 9 + - + - + -zp-0 9rzpr + nzp-zp0 9 + -snRzp- + P0 9- + P + P + - + 0 9zP- + -vLPzP-0 9- + R + K + - + 0 9 + N + - + - + -0 xiiiiiiiiy