Letter #26 -  2011

Sub:    Kings tournament game question
Date:   06/18/11  8:15:14 PM EDT
From:  Andro_23
To:      service@chess-poster.com

Hi,

I've been following the latest Kings Chess Tournament in Medias, Romania. In the game played today between Magnus Carlsen and Vassily Ivanchuk, after moves 63. Ne2 Ka5, the white Knight on b4 is vulnerable to capture, see graphic attached:

I admit that my level in Chess is still below average but, why is it that Carlsen did not protect his b4 Knight and instead moved 64. Nc3? And what is worst, instead of taking the white Knight at b4, black moved his Knight from b5 to c7.

Am I missing something?

Thank you.

Dear visitor,

After 64. Nc3, if Vassily Ivanchuk captures the white Knight on b4 (64. ... Kxb4) then Carlsen could win the game with 65. Nxb5 Kxb5 66. a7 and Carlsen will Queen his Pawn on his next move.

Carlsen won the game in 9 more moves after move 63, as follows:

63. Ne2 Ka5
64. Nc3 Nc7
65. Nbxd5 Nexd5
66. Nxd5 Nxd5
67. a7 Nc7
68. Kd4 Kb6
69. Ke5 Kxa7
70. Kxf5 Nd5
71. Kg6 Nxe3
72. Kxh6 1-0

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