Caruana vs Carlsen FIDE Blitz Semifinals Game 3

source: fide.com

Hello to all chess fans! I replayed games that I watched in the FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Championships. This game was the third in the semifinal match between Magnus Carlsen and Fabiano Caruana. Their first two games ended in a draw. This game is crucial since whoever wins will have the lead and need only to draw the last game to win the match.

Caruana have the white pieces and will have a small advantage for moving first. The game started with 1. e4 e5 2. d3 Nc6

A surprise from Caruana who is known for his solid opening preparation. 2. d3 is not a usual move and made to surprise Carlsen in a blitz game. The game continued 3. Nc3 Bc5 4. Nf3 d6 5. Na4 a5 6. Nxc5 dxc5

Magnus allowed to exchange his Bishop for Knight but in return he has control on the d4 square. 7. c3 Nge7 8. Be2 O-O 9. O-O b6 10. Be3 f5

Magnus forces Fabi to take the f5 pawn or else f4 will follow. But in doing so, white loses control of the d5 square. 11. exf5 Nxf5 12. Nd2 Be6 13. Bf3 Qd7 14. Qe2 Bd5

White's Bishop on f3 is stronger than Black's on e6 so it's a good idea to exchange them. 15. Be4 h6

A useful waiting move that saves time. It prevents Bg5 and provides a escape square for his king. 16. f3 Rad8 17. Rfd1 a4 18. Bf2 Nce7

Planning to reposition the Knight to the king side for a possible attack. 19. Nc4 Ng6 20. g3 Qf7

Fabi stops Nf4 idea but weakens the f3 square. Magnus quickly repositions his Queen on the file. 21. Rf1 Nd6 22. Bxg6 Qxg6 23. Nxe5 Qe6

A crucial moment. Magnus gave up a pawn but engine analysis says he has a slight advantage. 24. Rae1 Bxf3 25. Nxf3 Qxe2 26. Rxe2 Rxf3

Magnus regains his pawn but the position is back to equal. Maybe instead of Bxf3, Rde8 pressuring the e-file is better. 27. Be3 Rxf1+ 28. Kxf1 Kf7 29. g4 a3

A temporary pawn sacrifice that weakens White's structure. 30. bxa3 Nb5 31. c4 Nxa3 32. Rd2 Nb1 33. Rd1 Nc3 34. Rd2 Ke6 35. Ke1 Ra8

The position is still equal according to engine analysis but Black is more active while White's pieces are on the defensive. 36. Bf4 c6 37. Rb2 b5 38. cxb5 cxb5 39. Bd2 b4 40. Bxc3 bxc3 41. Rb3 Rxa2 42. Rxc3 Kd5

Material is equal but Black has the more active King. Magnus converts this position to a win. 43. h3 Rh2 44. Ra3 Kd4 45. Ra7 g5 46. Rd7+ Ke3 47. Kf1 Rxh3 48. Kg2 Rh4 49. Kg3 Rh1 50. Rd5 Rg1+ 51. Kh3 Rc1 52. Kg3 Rc3 53. Rd6 Rxd3 54. Rxh6 c4 55. Re6+ Kd2+ 56. Kf2 c3 57. Re2+ Kc1 58. Re5 c2 59. Ke2 Rc3 60. Rb5 Rc4 61. Kf3 Kd2 62. Rd5+ Kc3 { Black wins. } 0-1

Game link: https://lichess.org/GuLYeX3D#0

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