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Magnus was #1 for 255 months, but was champ for "only" 15 years. Karjakin tied Magnus at classical in the WC, and Ali and Ding Liren are very strong. @Harbour Dog can answer your over the board question better or you could use an engine. @aufheben is the goat.
 
Bogart said:
Magnus was #1 for 255 months, but was champ for "only" 15 years. Karjakin tied Magnus at classical in the WC, and Ali and Ding Liren are very strong. @Harbour Dog can answer your over the board question better or you could use an engine.
Click to expand...
I realize I could run the position thru an engine but I am too lazy :). There must be some method to MVL's madness and why he didn't take c3 with tempo.

I think Fabi gives Magnus a tougher time than Liren or any other challenger - before time controls tighten. Having said that, at the risk of stating the obvious, Magnus is the King. Whether Magnus gets to 2900 like he hopes... well, that's a LOT of points to pick up.
 
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Without cheating and running it thru an engine...

Magnus: “Horror. When You Are There You Feel Pure Horror” - YouTube

MVL didn't take c3 with Check (at 9:45). Why? Off the top of my pea brain, assuming Fabi plays Rd2, Black has pros and cons...

Pros...

1) Qxc3+, Rd2,
Qe3+ removes White's dangerous, well placed Queen from the center of the board.

2) Black must have some perpetual check options - assuming that is what MVL wants.

3) Black's d5 Knight can comes into play.

Cons...

1) Playing Qa1 is nothing but trouble if Fabi plays Kf2 - MVL is left with an awful choice...

MVL's Queen is en prise and if he takes the free Rook on h1, his Queen is a million miles from home, while all of Fabi's pieces are developed and well placed.

2) If Fabi can somehow get MVL's King on a black square, moving the Knight on d4 will win MVL's Queen if it remains on c3.

Anyway, an engine will provide the "Truth". :)
 
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ORRFForever said:
Without cheating and running it thru an engine...

Magnus: “Horror. When You Are There You Feel Pure Horror” - YouTube

MVL didn't take c3 with Check (at 9:45). Assuming Fabi plays Rd2, Black has pros and cons...

Pros...

1) Qxc3+, Rd2,
Qe3+ removes White's dangerous, well placed Queen from the center of the board.

2) Black must have some perpetual check options - assuming that is what MVL wants.

3) Black's d5 Knight can comes into play.

Cons...

1) Playing Qa1 is nothing but trouble if Fabi plays Kf2 - MVL is left with an awful choice...

MVL's Queen is en prise and if he takes the free Rook on h1, his Queen is a million miles from home, while all of Fabi's pieces are developed and well placed.

2) If Fabi can somehow get MVL's King on a black square, moving the Knight on d4 will win MVL's Queen if it remains on c3.

Anyway, an engine will provide the "Truth". :)
Click to expand...

The problem that I can see (and that I would never find in a speed chess game myself) with Qxc3, is that if White runs his King out to g3, Black runs out of checks pretty quickly, and ends up in a position where he still needs to defend White's attack on the kingside, but with the difference that the c-file is open for White to use his Rooks there, and the king has been kind of forced out of the way of White's king-side rook who can now also jump onto the c-file, or just grab the semi-open d- or e-file.

And even if Black just delivers that single check, then he has won a pawn; but at the cost of White being able to grab the now open c-file, and having suddenly connected rooks.

The lesson that this move drives home for me, is that when your rooks are woefully undeveloped compared to your opponent's, opening files is a very bad idea. Even if you are winning a pawn by doing it.

edit- never seen your Rd2 suggestion. I think that if White was going to play Rd2, the move is probably a little more doable for Black; he earns a tempi while White tries to untangle that pin. The problem is that if the White king just moves toward the kingside, there's not really anything that Black can do to stop him from developing even faster now.
 
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According to the Engine...

MVL made the right move :

Rg8 = -1.64 at 30 depth...

Rg8 2.Ndxe6 fxe6 3.Nxe6 Qxc3+ 4.Qxc3 Nxc3 5.Nc7+ Kd7 6.Rd3 Ne4 7.Bf4+ Kc6 8.Nxa8 Nd7 9.Rd4 g5

Qxc3+ is +0.25 at 30 depth...

Qxc3+ 2.Kf2 Nf6 3.Qe2 Nc6 4.Nf5 Rg8 5.Rhe1 g6 6.Nxh6 Rh8 7.Ng4 Rh4 8.Nxf6+ Qxf6+ 9.Kg1 Qh8

Kudos to MVL.
 
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Harbour Dog said:
The problem that I can see (and that I would never find in a speed chess game myself) with Qxc3, is that if White runs his King out to g3, Black runs out of checks pretty quickly, and ends up in a position where he still needs to defend White's attack on the kingside, but with the difference that the c-file is open for White to use his Rooks there, and the king has been kind of forced out of the way of White's king-side rook who can now also jump onto the c-file, or just grab the semi-open d- or e-file.

And even if Black just delivers that single check, then he has won a pawn; but at the cost of White being able to grab the now open c-file, and having suddenly connected rooks.

The lesson that this move drives home for me, is that when your rooks are woefully undeveloped compared to your opponent's, opening files is a very bad idea. Even if you are winning a pawn by doing it.

edit- never seen your Rd2 suggestion. I think that if White was going to play Rd2, the move is probably a little more doable for Black; he earns a tempi while White tries to untangle that pin. The problem is that if the White king just moves toward the kingside, there's not really anything that Black can do to stop him from developing even faster now.
Click to expand...
I ran it thru an engine and you are right. Kf2 and Black quickly runs out of options. Well done. :)
 
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ORRFForever said:
According to the Engine...

MVL made the right move :

Rg8 = -1.64 at 30 depth,
Qxc3+ is +0.25 at 30 depth.

Kudos to MVL.
Click to expand...

Is White supposed to just run to the king-side with the king?

In a Blitz game, I would have taken c3 in a heartbeat, and probably not realized my mistake for a half dozen moves.

edit - n/m seen your response!
 
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Bogart said:
I'm inspired. I'm gonna start watching agadmator, taking AI lessons if they're free, and playing AI and people tomorrow.
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Agadmator does a wonderful job. Not only is his analysis spot on (I assume he uses Stockfish) but his voice has a rhythm that makes his videos very watchable.

His videos have also gotten longer over the years.

My guess : He's noticed viewers will stay even if the video is 20+ minutes - so his analysis has gotten deeper.

I just wish he'd get that damn mole removed...

60rdw8.jpg
 
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The opening I HATE to play against (it is not played in top chess circles so its legitimacy is iffy) is the French. I ALWAYS struggle against it.

Openings I LOVE to play against :

Scandinavian : It's garbage as Black - there is a reason it made Fischer laugh.

Sicilian Dragon : I can't remember the last time I lost against it. Someone plays g6 shortly after playing c5 and I start to drool. h4, h5 and it cracks open like an egg.
 
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100620.jpeg

Cool Hand Luke (The man with no eyes). I hope Ali wears mirrors in the Candidates. Match in neon limelight.
Karpov beat Korchnoi 31 to 14, with 63 draws.​
=====================================================================
ORRFForever said:
The opening I HATE to play against (it is not played in top chess circles, so its legitimacy is iffy) is the French. I ALWAYS struggle against it. Openings I LOVE to play against: Scandinavian: It's garbage as Black - there is a reason it made Fischer laugh. Sicilian Dragon: I can't remember the last time I lost against it. Someone plays g6 shortly after playing c5 and I start to drool. h4, h5 and it cracks open like an egg.
Click to expand...
The romantic side of me loves Fischer's "e4 - Best by test". People are so familiar with the Najdorf or the Scheveningen and are prepared to play them. The practical side of me loves Kasparov's 1. d4. His 69.7% winning % is unbelievable.

For Black I rank them in this order:

1. French (C00): White wins 40.3% - Robert Fontaine vs Magnus Carlsen
Black wins 33.9%
Draws 25.8%

2. Sicilian Dragon (B70): White wins 39.8% - Michael Adams vs Magnus Carlsen Even Magnus can't win with it. ;) j/k
Black wins 31.6%
Draws 28.6%

3. Scandinavian (B01): White wins 45.0% - Parham Maghsoodloo vs Magnus Carlsen
Black wins 27.5%
Draws 27.5%
==========================================================================
Indian Grandmaster Lalith Babu wins Vergani Cup

What’s next: top tournaments in January and February

Nakamura Supports Giri, Vidit In Clash With Grand Prix Organizer Over Sponsorship
 
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Bogart said:
100620.jpeg

Cool Hand Luke (The man with no eyes). I hope Ali wears mirrors in the Candidates. Match in neon limelight.
Karpov beat Korchnoi 31 to 14, with 63 draws.​
=====================================================================

The romantic side of me loves Fischer's "e4 - Best by test". People are so familiar with the Najdorf or the Scheveningen and are prepared to play them. The practical side of me loves Kasparov's 1. d4. His 69.7% winning % is unbelievable.

For Black I rank them in this order:

1. French (C00): White wins 40.3% - Robert Fontaine vs Magnus Carlsen
Black wins 33.9%
Draws 25.8%

2. Sicilian Dragon (B70): White wins 39.8% - Michael Adams vs Magnus Carlsen Even Magnus can't win with it. ;) j/k
Black wins 31.6%
Draws 28.6%

3. Scandinavian (B01): White wins 45.0% - Parham Maghsoodloo vs Magnus Carlsen
Black wins 27.5%
Draws 27.5%
==========================================================================
Indian Grandmaster Lalith Babu wins Vergani Cup

What’s next: top tournaments in January and February

Nakamura Supports Giri, Vidit In Clash With Grand Prix Organizer Over Sponsorship
Click to expand...
Yes, but in what order? Best to worst or worst to best (smile)?
 
ecemleafs said:
how did u guys learn and remember all these different openings 10+ moves in?
Click to expand...

I have a very narrow repertoire, which makes it much easier. I'd definitely recommend for you to kind of figure out what exact lines that you like playing, and then focus on those.

Like, I exclusively play 1.c4 as White, exclusively answer 1.c4 and 1.d4 symmetrically as Black, and exclusively answer 1.e4 with the Sicilian. I've learned a lot about other lines just by watching chess, but I never play them. I could spend a lifetime playing the same lines and never come remotely close to mastering them.

It goes a long way in your games when you are able to steer the middlegames into familiar territory, and already have an understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of the position.

It doesn't get repetitive, because every game is unique anyway!

And every now and then, a pro will adopt my setup in the English, with an early e4, for a tournament, and I get an inside look at how they play it. Magnus occasionally plays it at any time control, and Abdusattorov was playing it even more closely in the World Rapid, and won the tourney!
 
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ecemleafs said:
how did u guys learn and remember all these different openings 10+ moves in?
Click to expand...
Unless you are a top GM, you can't - I never could.

While studying openings is fun, it is mostly a waste of time. That's why most chess coaches will teach a young player to play something conservative with limited variations.

If you want to improve your chess game, study End Games. They are dull as dirt but your game will improve in leaps and bounds.

As for middle games : You either have that gift or you don't.
 
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Harbour Dog said:
I have a very narrow repertoire, which makes it much easier. I'd definitely recommend for you to kind of figure out what exact lines that you like playing, and then focus on those. Like, I exclusively play 1.c4 as White, exclusively answer 1.c4 and 1.d4 symmetrically as Black, and exclusively answer 1.e4 with the Sicilian. ...
Click to expand...

Agreed. I play one white opening and one Black opening each against c4, d4, and e4.

ORRFForever said:
Unless you are a top GM, you can't - I never could. While studying openings is fun, it is mostly a waste of time. That's why most chess coaches will teach a young player to play something conservative with limited variations. If you want to improve your chess game, study End Games. They are dull as dirt, but your game will improve in leaps and bounds. As for middle games: You either have that gift or you don't.
Click to expand...
Agreed with all that. Don't study openings until you become decent, at least 1400. I watched a free lesson on Chess.com and agadmator on youtube today and they were very helpful. I also play against AI and people on Chess.com.
 
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