The Other Side

Magnus Carlsen – Vincent Keymer
10th Chess World Cup; round of 16 match game 2; Baku, August 9, 2023
Spanish Game C77

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. d3 Bc5 6. Bg5 h6 7. Bh4 d6 8. d4 exd4 9. Nxd4 Bd7 10. Bxc6 bxc6 11. Nc3 0-0 12. Qd3 Bb4 13. Nde2 Qe7 14. 0-0-0 Rfe8 15. f3 Qe5

16. a3? This is an oversight that could cost Carlsen dearly. White should have played something like 16. Bg3 Qc5 17. a3 with stuff similar to the game.
16. ... Bxc3 17. Qxc3 Qxc3? In his caution, Keymer did not even notice the small tactic 17. ... Nxe4! winning at least a Pawn.
18. Nxc3 Nh7 19. g4 f6 20. h3 Nf8 21. Bg3 Ne6 22. h4 Kf7 23. h5 Rad8 24. Rhe1 Bc8 25. Rd3 Bb7 26. Nb1 c5 27. c4 Bc6 28. b3 Rb8 29. Bf2 Rb7 30. Nd2 Reb8 31. Be3 Kg8 32. Kc2 Nd8 33. f4 a5

34. e5 fxe5 35. fxe5 Nf7 36. Bf4 dxe5 37. Bxe5 a4 38. Bc3 axb3+ 39. Kb2 Re8 40. Rxe8+ Bxe8 41. Rd5 Bc6 42. Rxc5 Bd7 43. Bd4 Bxg4 44. a4 Ng5 45. Be3 Nf3 46. Nxf3 Bxf3 47. a5 Rb4 48. Bd2 Ra4 49. Kxb3 Bd1+ 50. Kc3 c6 51. Kd4 Bf3 52. Bc3

52. ... Bg2? With only 5 minutes left, German Grandmster could not duly appreciate the consequences of the study-like 52. ... Be2!! 53. Rxc6 Kf7 which seems to guarantee a draw in all lines. His chance gone, Keymer cannot help but admire Carlsen for his sublime technique.
53. Rf5! Bh3 54. Rf4! Be6 55. Kc5! Ra3 56. Kb4 Ra2 57. Kb3 Re2 58. a6 Bh3 59. a7 Re8 60. Re4! Ra8 61. Re7 c5 62. Rb7 1 : 0.

Teetering on the edge of the abyss, Carlsen jumped and made it to the other side just in time. Photo: Stev Bonhage/FIDE.