FIDE World Cup 2023 | Round 4 | Game 2

The End of an Era? Magnus Carlsen Loses to Vincent Keymar in Fide World Cup!

    Magnus Carlsen is one of the greatest players in Chess History. He holds many achievements, such as being the youngest person ever to become a World Chess Champion, having the highest chess rating ever, and many more.

One of these incredible records is 125 consecutive classical games, without losing a single one of them. This is the longest streak in Classical Chess History. Which is why whenever Magnus loses a game, it’s crazy news!

Recently, during the Fide World Cup, which is one of the most important chess tournaments, Magnus actually lost a game against Vincent Keymar. This game shows just how delicate the professional chess scene is and how a simple pawn can decide whether you win or lose.

THE EARLY GAME

The first part of the game was rather uneventful. Magnus played a Grunfield Defence, one of the most powerful defences for black against D4. The only thing somewhat interesting was by move 20, Magnus has a 45-minute advantage on the clock.

Vincent tried to sacrifice a knight in order to enter a tricky and precise series of trades, to hope for a draw. With most of the pieces traded, Vincent only had 7 minutes and 15 seconds, while Magnus still has over 55 minutes.

THE BLUNDER

The critical mistake that turned the tide happened on move 36. Knight C7 was a huge and critical blunder as it now meant that Magnus will lose a pawn. However, with only 6 minutes left, it was unlikely Vincent will be able to win this game.

However, with a bonus time of 20 minutes, Vincent moved forward and forward. But Magnus has counterplay. With the wild B pawn, being Magnus's last hope, he pushes it! However, just in time (with a great move as well), Vincent comes back, threatening a fork if B2 happens.

With the B pawn being dead weight, the four on two of Vincent Keymar's pawns kept marching, moving forward. Even with a knight, a four-on-two pawn advantage will always be a win at this level.

THE LESSON

This game is proof that even an advantage as small as one pawn can be a game-changer, if you know how to use it right. This one pawn was connected, creating a four-pawn chain, which is a serious threat, if you know how to use it right.

Other ways pawns can be dangerous would be like a single isolated pawn far away, creating a distraction that is also a serious enough threat. No matter what, the main lesson of this game is to be resourceful, and to identify and create threats, no matter how small!

CONCLUSION

So while it’s unlikely that this one simple game is the end of Mangus’s career, it is evident that the GOAT has been less active than ever, in the professional chess scene. But, what do you guys think? Is this really the end for Magnus Carlsen? Please answer in the comments section below!

It’s been great to have you here and we’d hope to see you again!