SPOT ON CHESS PUZZLES: Sudden OTB Impact!

Sudden OTB Impact!! Can never get enough time to enjoy all of the quality games being played. But today we take time to enjoy one of Carlsen's "standard" wins!

Today’s London System opening is a rather well worked out weapon and no longer just an attempt to dodge opening theory. Magnus used the element of surprise upon his venerable opponent GM Kaidanov to great effect during round 8 of the Qatar Masters Chess Open. A well played game and very instructive. Puzzles to challenge as well!

THE GAME:

[Event "Qatar Masters Open 2023"][Site "Doha QAT"]
[Date "2023.10.19"]
[EventDate "2022.10.11"][Round "8."][Result "1-0"]
[White "GM Magnus Carlsen"][Black "GM Gregory Kaidanov"]
[ECO "D00"][Opening "London System"]
[WhiteElo "2839"][BlackElo "2554"]

1. d4 d5 2. Bf4 c5 3. e3 Nc6 4. c3 Nf6 5. Nd2 e6 6. Ngf3 cxd4 7. exd4 Nh5
8. Be3 Bd6 9. Bd3 Nf4 10. Bxf4 Bxf4 11. O-O O-O 12. Re1 Bd7 13. Nb3 b6 14.
Qe2 g6 15. a4 f6 16. Bb5 Qc7 17. a5 Rae8 18. g3 Bh6 19. axb6 axb6 20. c4
dxc4 21. Qxc4 Qd6 22. Ra6 Rb8 23. Nc5 Nxd4 24. Nxd4 Qxc5 25. Ra7 Rbd8 26.
b4 Qxc4 27. Bxc4 Rfe8 28. b5 Bc8 29. Nc6 Rd6 30. Rc7 Bd7 31. Ra1 Bf8 32.
Raa7 Bxc6 33. bxc6 Rd1+ 34. Kg2 Rc1 35. Ra4 b5 36. Bxb5 Rc5 37. Bc4 Bd6 38.
Rb7 Kh8 39. Bxe6 Re7 40. Rxe7 Bxe7 41. Ra8+ Kg7 42. Ra7 Rxc6 43. Rxe7+ Kf8
44. Rf7+ 1-0

Thanks for joining me as we appreciate this excellent GM Carlsen OTB (Over The Board) win! See you next time ~ S.