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Freestyle Exhibition G1: Carlsen wins a crazy game against Caruana

by Shahid Ahmed - 22/11/2024

Magnus Carlsen (NOR) won the first Freestyle Chess Exhibition game against Fabiano Caruana (USA). It was a wild game where the world no.1 decided not to castle his king. Eventually it turned out to be safer for his king than his opponent who decided to castle on the kingside. Caruana captured the b2-pawn which helped White to gain control of the b-file after few moves and turn things in his favor. The Norwegian's king ended up on h4 which was a really safe place compared to Black's at h8. The game was played at Silentworld Yacht in Singapore. Caruana must win the second game today to force tie-breaks. Game 2 starts today from 8 p.m. local time, 5:30 p.m. IST. Photos: IM Sagar Shah

Caruana in a must-win situation

Magnus Carlsen (NOR) started with 1.f4

Carlsen - Caruana

Starting position of Game 1

Magnus Carlsen started the game 1.f4 Nb6 2.Nc3 f5 3.Nb3 Na6 4.d3 c6 5.Be3 g5 when there is no well-known theory, the games virtually start almost like a middlegame. The world on.1 decided not to castle his king when it was attacked by a queen, a move after his opponent castled on the kingside.

Position after 18...Rxb2

Despite the white king seeming to be more vulnerable, the reality is the opposite. In fact, Black taking the b2-pawn if anything, helped White. 19.Rb1 Qxa2 20.Rxb2 Qxb2 21.Qxd7 now the white queen is ready to attack Qb4+ 22.c3 Qb2+ 23.Ke1 Bg7 24.Qe6+ Kh8 25.Rf3 Qc1+ 26.Kf2 Qh1 27.Rh3 f3 28.exf3 Rb8 29.g5 Rb2+ 30.Kg3 Qg3+ 31.Kh4 Black can maximum get one more check at e1. In that cast white will tuck his king safely at h5. 31...Rb8 32.Nd6 and it's over.

Final position after 32.Nd6

Magnus Carlsen's majestic chess understanding, Magnus Carlsen vs Fabiano Caruana - Commentary by IM Sagar Shah | Video: ChessBase India
"Be4! It's such an unusual idea!" - Magnus Carlsen on his Game 1 win against Caruana | Video: ChessBase India

Photo Gallery

Both players in deep thought during Game 1

Game 1 is about to start

Jan Buettner watching the game closely

For more photos, please click here.

Video Gallery

Final moments - Magnus Carlsen beats Fabiano Caruana, Game 1 | Video: ChessBase India
Interview with Magnus Carlsen's girlfriend - Ella Malone | Video: ChessBase India
Eric Beisel - The man who helps World no.2 Fabiano Caruana to be physically fit | Video: ChessBase India
Venue tour | Video: ChessBase India

Replay live stream

Replay Freestyle Exhibition Game 1: Magnus Carlsen vs Fabiano Caruana, Commentary by IM Tania Sachdev and GM Maurice Ashley | Video: ChessBase India

Schedule

21st November: Exhibition Match #1 between Magnus Carlsen and Fabiano Caruana - 60 minutes + 30 seconds increment

22nd November: Exhibition Match #2 between Magnus Carlsen and Fabiano Caruana - 60 minutes + 30 seconds increment

Tie-breaks (if necessary): Best of two games - 10 minutes + 10 seconds increment, followed by Armageddon (if required) - 5 minutes vs time bidding for the other player.

Prize fund

The total prize fund is US$ 100000.

Freestyle Chess Grand Slam Tour 2025

Weissenhaus, Germany - 7th to 14th February

Paris, France - 8th to 15th April

New York, USA - 17th to 24th July

Delhi, India - 17th to 24th September

Cape Town, South Africa - 5th to 12th December

Links

Official site


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