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19... b7b6 | 1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8e7 This is the Cozio Variation of the Ruy Lopez, and it has appeared in other \"Games of the Day.\" Nakamura has used it a few times with Black but not often. He played a game with White against Caruana in 2024 that may have sparked his idea to play it with the other color. 4. b1c3 White has three other major moves. 4... e7g6 5. d2d4 5... e5d4 6. f3d4 6... c6d4 7. d1d4 7... c7c6 8. b5e2 8... d8b6 9. d4d3 All of White's moves are very natural, and this is a critical line for Black's system. 9... f8e7 10. a2a4 10... a7a5 11. e1g1 11... e8g8 12. c1e3 Now White can play this move without having to sacrifice a pawn, since with the inclusion of a4-a5, the queen is left without a square. 12... e7c5 13. e3c5 13... b6c5 14. a1d1 14... g6e5 A bad move, since the knight will soon be attacked by f4 and White remains with a firm grip on the dark squares. 15. d3d6 15... c5d6 16. d1d6 The endgame is nearly winning for White with a development advantage and better pawn structure. Black has trouble getting the bishop into play, and the backward d-pawn is a long-term weakness. 16... f7f6 17. f2f4 17... e5f7 18. e2c4 18... g8h8 19. d6d4 Carlsen decides to keep the bishop to advance the pawn to e5 to create problems quickly for Black. |
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20. e4e5 | 1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8e7 This is the Cozio Variation of the Ruy Lopez, and it has appeared in other \"Games of the Day.\" Nakamura has used it a few times with Black but not often. He played a game with White against Caruana in 2024 that may have sparked his idea to play it with the other color. 4. b1c3 White has three other major moves. 4... e7g6 5. d2d4 5... e5d4 6. f3d4 6... c6d4 7. d1d4 7... c7c6 8. b5e2 8... d8b6 9. d4d3 All of White's moves are very natural, and this is a critical line for Black's system. 9... f8e7 10. a2a4 10... a7a5 11. e1g1 11... e8g8 12. c1e3 Now White can play this move without having to sacrifice a pawn, since with the inclusion of a4-a5, the queen is left without a square. 12... e7c5 13. e3c5 13... b6c5 14. a1d1 14... g6e5 A bad move, since the knight will soon be attacked by f4 and White remains with a firm grip on the dark squares. 15. d3d6 15... c5d6 16. d1d6 The endgame is nearly winning for White with a development advantage and better pawn structure. Black has trouble getting the bishop into play, and the backward d-pawn is a long-term weakness. 16... f7f6 17. f2f4 17... e5f7 18. e2c4 18... g8h8 19. d6d4 Carlsen decides to keep the bishop to advance the pawn to e5 to create problems quickly for Black. 19... b7b6 |
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20... f7h6 | 1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8e7 This is the Cozio Variation of the Ruy Lopez, and it has appeared in other \"Games of the Day.\" Nakamura has used it a few times with Black but not often. He played a game with White against Caruana in 2024 that may have sparked his idea to play it with the other color. 4. b1c3 White has three other major moves. 4... e7g6 5. d2d4 5... e5d4 6. f3d4 6... c6d4 7. d1d4 7... c7c6 8. b5e2 8... d8b6 9. d4d3 All of White's moves are very natural, and this is a critical line for Black's system. 9... f8e7 10. a2a4 10... a7a5 11. e1g1 11... e8g8 12. c1e3 Now White can play this move without having to sacrifice a pawn, since with the inclusion of a4-a5, the queen is left without a square. 12... e7c5 13. e3c5 13... b6c5 14. a1d1 14... g6e5 A bad move, since the knight will soon be attacked by f4 and White remains with a firm grip on the dark squares. 15. d3d6 15... c5d6 16. d1d6 The endgame is nearly winning for White with a development advantage and better pawn structure. Black has trouble getting the bishop into play, and the backward d-pawn is a long-term weakness. 16... f7f6 17. f2f4 17... e5f7 18. e2c4 18... g8h8 19. d6d4 Carlsen decides to keep the bishop to advance the pawn to e5 to create problems quickly for Black. 19... b7b6 20. e4e5 |
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21. c3e4 | 1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8e7 This is the Cozio Variation of the Ruy Lopez, and it has appeared in other \"Games of the Day.\" Nakamura has used it a few times with Black but not often. He played a game with White against Caruana in 2024 that may have sparked his idea to play it with the other color. 4. b1c3 White has three other major moves. 4... e7g6 5. d2d4 5... e5d4 6. f3d4 6... c6d4 7. d1d4 7... c7c6 8. b5e2 8... d8b6 9. d4d3 All of White's moves are very natural, and this is a critical line for Black's system. 9... f8e7 10. a2a4 10... a7a5 11. e1g1 11... e8g8 12. c1e3 Now White can play this move without having to sacrifice a pawn, since with the inclusion of a4-a5, the queen is left without a square. 12... e7c5 13. e3c5 13... b6c5 14. a1d1 14... g6e5 A bad move, since the knight will soon be attacked by f4 and White remains with a firm grip on the dark squares. 15. d3d6 15... c5d6 16. d1d6 The endgame is nearly winning for White with a development advantage and better pawn structure. Black has trouble getting the bishop into play, and the backward d-pawn is a long-term weakness. 16... f7f6 17. f2f4 17... e5f7 18. e2c4 18... g8h8 19. d6d4 Carlsen decides to keep the bishop to advance the pawn to e5 to create problems quickly for Black. 19... b7b6 20. e4e5 20... f7h6 |
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21... h6f5 | 1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8e7 This is the Cozio Variation of the Ruy Lopez, and it has appeared in other \"Games of the Day.\" Nakamura has used it a few times with Black but not often. He played a game with White against Caruana in 2024 that may have sparked his idea to play it with the other color. 4. b1c3 White has three other major moves. 4... e7g6 5. d2d4 5... e5d4 6. f3d4 6... c6d4 7. d1d4 7... c7c6 8. b5e2 8... d8b6 9. d4d3 All of White's moves are very natural, and this is a critical line for Black's system. 9... f8e7 10. a2a4 10... a7a5 11. e1g1 11... e8g8 12. c1e3 Now White can play this move without having to sacrifice a pawn, since with the inclusion of a4-a5, the queen is left without a square. 12... e7c5 13. e3c5 13... b6c5 14. a1d1 14... g6e5 A bad move, since the knight will soon be attacked by f4 and White remains with a firm grip on the dark squares. 15. d3d6 15... c5d6 16. d1d6 The endgame is nearly winning for White with a development advantage and better pawn structure. Black has trouble getting the bishop into play, and the backward d-pawn is a long-term weakness. 16... f7f6 17. f2f4 17... e5f7 18. e2c4 18... g8h8 19. d6d4 Carlsen decides to keep the bishop to advance the pawn to e5 to create problems quickly for Black. 19... b7b6 20. e4e5 20... f7h6 21. c3e4 |
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22. d4d3 | 1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8e7 This is the Cozio Variation of the Ruy Lopez, and it has appeared in other \"Games of the Day.\" Nakamura has used it a few times with Black but not often. He played a game with White against Caruana in 2024 that may have sparked his idea to play it with the other color. 4. b1c3 White has three other major moves. 4... e7g6 5. d2d4 5... e5d4 6. f3d4 6... c6d4 7. d1d4 7... c7c6 8. b5e2 8... d8b6 9. d4d3 All of White's moves are very natural, and this is a critical line for Black's system. 9... f8e7 10. a2a4 10... a7a5 11. e1g1 11... e8g8 12. c1e3 Now White can play this move without having to sacrifice a pawn, since with the inclusion of a4-a5, the queen is left without a square. 12... e7c5 13. e3c5 13... b6c5 14. a1d1 14... g6e5 A bad move, since the knight will soon be attacked by f4 and White remains with a firm grip on the dark squares. 15. d3d6 15... c5d6 16. d1d6 The endgame is nearly winning for White with a development advantage and better pawn structure. Black has trouble getting the bishop into play, and the backward d-pawn is a long-term weakness. 16... f7f6 17. f2f4 17... e5f7 18. e2c4 18... g8h8 19. d6d4 Carlsen decides to keep the bishop to advance the pawn to e5 to create problems quickly for Black. 19... b7b6 20. e4e5 20... f7h6 21. c3e4 21... h6f5 |
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22... d7d5 | A good practical chance, otherwise Black is in a melancholic position with no counterplay. | 1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8e7 This is the Cozio Variation of the Ruy Lopez, and it has appeared in other \"Games of the Day.\" Nakamura has used it a few times with Black but not often. He played a game with White against Caruana in 2024 that may have sparked his idea to play it with the other color. 4. b1c3 White has three other major moves. 4... e7g6 5. d2d4 5... e5d4 6. f3d4 6... c6d4 7. d1d4 7... c7c6 8. b5e2 8... d8b6 9. d4d3 All of White's moves are very natural, and this is a critical line for Black's system. 9... f8e7 10. a2a4 10... a7a5 11. e1g1 11... e8g8 12. c1e3 Now White can play this move without having to sacrifice a pawn, since with the inclusion of a4-a5, the queen is left without a square. 12... e7c5 13. e3c5 13... b6c5 14. a1d1 14... g6e5 A bad move, since the knight will soon be attacked by f4 and White remains with a firm grip on the dark squares. 15. d3d6 15... c5d6 16. d1d6 The endgame is nearly winning for White with a development advantage and better pawn structure. Black has trouble getting the bishop into play, and the backward d-pawn is a long-term weakness. 16... f7f6 17. f2f4 17... e5f7 18. e2c4 18... g8h8 19. d6d4 Carlsen decides to keep the bishop to advance the pawn to e5 to create problems quickly for Black. 19... b7b6 20. e4e5 20... f7h6 21. c3e4 21... h6f5 22. d4d3 |
23. e5d6 | 1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8e7 This is the Cozio Variation of the Ruy Lopez, and it has appeared in other \"Games of the Day.\" Nakamura has used it a few times with Black but not often. He played a game with White against Caruana in 2024 that may have sparked his idea to play it with the other color. 4. b1c3 White has three other major moves. 4... e7g6 5. d2d4 5... e5d4 6. f3d4 6... c6d4 7. d1d4 7... c7c6 8. b5e2 8... d8b6 9. d4d3 All of White's moves are very natural, and this is a critical line for Black's system. 9... f8e7 10. a2a4 10... a7a5 11. e1g1 11... e8g8 12. c1e3 Now White can play this move without having to sacrifice a pawn, since with the inclusion of a4-a5, the queen is left without a square. 12... e7c5 13. e3c5 13... b6c5 14. a1d1 14... g6e5 A bad move, since the knight will soon be attacked by f4 and White remains with a firm grip on the dark squares. 15. d3d6 15... c5d6 16. d1d6 The endgame is nearly winning for White with a development advantage and better pawn structure. Black has trouble getting the bishop into play, and the backward d-pawn is a long-term weakness. 16... f7f6 17. f2f4 17... e5f7 18. e2c4 18... g8h8 19. d6d4 Carlsen decides to keep the bishop to advance the pawn to e5 to create problems quickly for Black. 19... b7b6 20. e4e5 20... f7h6 21. c3e4 21... h6f5 22. d4d3 22... d7d5 A good practical chance, otherwise Black is in a melancholic position with no counterplay. |
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23... c8d7 | 1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8e7 This is the Cozio Variation of the Ruy Lopez, and it has appeared in other \"Games of the Day.\" Nakamura has used it a few times with Black but not often. He played a game with White against Caruana in 2024 that may have sparked his idea to play it with the other color. 4. b1c3 White has three other major moves. 4... e7g6 5. d2d4 5... e5d4 6. f3d4 6... c6d4 7. d1d4 7... c7c6 8. b5e2 8... d8b6 9. d4d3 All of White's moves are very natural, and this is a critical line for Black's system. 9... f8e7 10. a2a4 10... a7a5 11. e1g1 11... e8g8 12. c1e3 Now White can play this move without having to sacrifice a pawn, since with the inclusion of a4-a5, the queen is left without a square. 12... e7c5 13. e3c5 13... b6c5 14. a1d1 14... g6e5 A bad move, since the knight will soon be attacked by f4 and White remains with a firm grip on the dark squares. 15. d3d6 15... c5d6 16. d1d6 The endgame is nearly winning for White with a development advantage and better pawn structure. Black has trouble getting the bishop into play, and the backward d-pawn is a long-term weakness. 16... f7f6 17. f2f4 17... e5f7 18. e2c4 18... g8h8 19. d6d4 Carlsen decides to keep the bishop to advance the pawn to e5 to create problems quickly for Black. 19... b7b6 20. e4e5 20... f7h6 21. c3e4 21... h6f5 22. d4d3 22... d7d5 A good practical chance, otherwise Black is in a melancholic position with no counterplay. 23. e5d6 |
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24. f1e1 | 1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8e7 This is the Cozio Variation of the Ruy Lopez, and it has appeared in other \"Games of the Day.\" Nakamura has used it a few times with Black but not often. He played a game with White against Caruana in 2024 that may have sparked his idea to play it with the other color. 4. b1c3 White has three other major moves. 4... e7g6 5. d2d4 5... e5d4 6. f3d4 6... c6d4 7. d1d4 7... c7c6 8. b5e2 8... d8b6 9. d4d3 All of White's moves are very natural, and this is a critical line for Black's system. 9... f8e7 10. a2a4 10... a7a5 11. e1g1 11... e8g8 12. c1e3 Now White can play this move without having to sacrifice a pawn, since with the inclusion of a4-a5, the queen is left without a square. 12... e7c5 13. e3c5 13... b6c5 14. a1d1 14... g6e5 A bad move, since the knight will soon be attacked by f4 and White remains with a firm grip on the dark squares. 15. d3d6 15... c5d6 16. d1d6 The endgame is nearly winning for White with a development advantage and better pawn structure. Black has trouble getting the bishop into play, and the backward d-pawn is a long-term weakness. 16... f7f6 17. f2f4 17... e5f7 18. e2c4 18... g8h8 19. d6d4 Carlsen decides to keep the bishop to advance the pawn to e5 to create problems quickly for Black. 19... b7b6 20. e4e5 20... f7h6 21. c3e4 21... h6f5 22. d4d3 22... d7d5 A good practical chance, otherwise Black is in a melancholic position with no counterplay. 23. e5d6 23... c8d7 |
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24... a8e8 | 1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8e7 This is the Cozio Variation of the Ruy Lopez, and it has appeared in other \"Games of the Day.\" Nakamura has used it a few times with Black but not often. He played a game with White against Caruana in 2024 that may have sparked his idea to play it with the other color. 4. b1c3 White has three other major moves. 4... e7g6 5. d2d4 5... e5d4 6. f3d4 6... c6d4 7. d1d4 7... c7c6 8. b5e2 8... d8b6 9. d4d3 All of White's moves are very natural, and this is a critical line for Black's system. 9... f8e7 10. a2a4 10... a7a5 11. e1g1 11... e8g8 12. c1e3 Now White can play this move without having to sacrifice a pawn, since with the inclusion of a4-a5, the queen is left without a square. 12... e7c5 13. e3c5 13... b6c5 14. a1d1 14... g6e5 A bad move, since the knight will soon be attacked by f4 and White remains with a firm grip on the dark squares. 15. d3d6 15... c5d6 16. d1d6 The endgame is nearly winning for White with a development advantage and better pawn structure. Black has trouble getting the bishop into play, and the backward d-pawn is a long-term weakness. 16... f7f6 17. f2f4 17... e5f7 18. e2c4 18... g8h8 19. d6d4 Carlsen decides to keep the bishop to advance the pawn to e5 to create problems quickly for Black. 19... b7b6 20. e4e5 20... f7h6 21. c3e4 21... h6f5 22. d4d3 22... d7d5 A good practical chance, otherwise Black is in a melancholic position with no counterplay. 23. e5d6 23... c8d7 24. f1e1 |
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25. g1f2 | White is a clear pawn up, but surprisingly the game will have some adventures. | 1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8e7 This is the Cozio Variation of the Ruy Lopez, and it has appeared in other \"Games of the Day.\" Nakamura has used it a few times with Black but not often. He played a game with White against Caruana in 2024 that may have sparked his idea to play it with the other color. 4. b1c3 White has three other major moves. 4... e7g6 5. d2d4 5... e5d4 6. f3d4 6... c6d4 7. d1d4 7... c7c6 8. b5e2 8... d8b6 9. d4d3 All of White's moves are very natural, and this is a critical line for Black's system. 9... f8e7 10. a2a4 10... a7a5 11. e1g1 11... e8g8 12. c1e3 Now White can play this move without having to sacrifice a pawn, since with the inclusion of a4-a5, the queen is left without a square. 12... e7c5 13. e3c5 13... b6c5 14. a1d1 14... g6e5 A bad move, since the knight will soon be attacked by f4 and White remains with a firm grip on the dark squares. 15. d3d6 15... c5d6 16. d1d6 The endgame is nearly winning for White with a development advantage and better pawn structure. Black has trouble getting the bishop into play, and the backward d-pawn is a long-term weakness. 16... f7f6 17. f2f4 17... e5f7 18. e2c4 18... g8h8 19. d6d4 Carlsen decides to keep the bishop to advance the pawn to e5 to create problems quickly for Black. 19... b7b6 20. e4e5 20... f7h6 21. c3e4 21... h6f5 22. d4d3 22... d7d5 A good practical chance, otherwise Black is in a melancholic position with no counterplay. 23. e5d6 23... c8d7 24. f1e1 24... a8e8 |
25... g7g5 | 1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8e7 This is the Cozio Variation of the Ruy Lopez, and it has appeared in other \"Games of the Day.\" Nakamura has used it a few times with Black but not often. He played a game with White against Caruana in 2024 that may have sparked his idea to play it with the other color. 4. b1c3 White has three other major moves. 4... e7g6 5. d2d4 5... e5d4 6. f3d4 6... c6d4 7. d1d4 7... c7c6 8. b5e2 8... d8b6 9. d4d3 All of White's moves are very natural, and this is a critical line for Black's system. 9... f8e7 10. a2a4 10... a7a5 11. e1g1 11... e8g8 12. c1e3 Now White can play this move without having to sacrifice a pawn, since with the inclusion of a4-a5, the queen is left without a square. 12... e7c5 13. e3c5 13... b6c5 14. a1d1 14... g6e5 A bad move, since the knight will soon be attacked by f4 and White remains with a firm grip on the dark squares. 15. d3d6 15... c5d6 16. d1d6 The endgame is nearly winning for White with a development advantage and better pawn structure. Black has trouble getting the bishop into play, and the backward d-pawn is a long-term weakness. 16... f7f6 17. f2f4 17... e5f7 18. e2c4 18... g8h8 19. d6d4 Carlsen decides to keep the bishop to advance the pawn to e5 to create problems quickly for Black. 19... b7b6 20. e4e5 20... f7h6 21. c3e4 21... h6f5 22. d4d3 22... d7d5 A good practical chance, otherwise Black is in a melancholic position with no counterplay. 23. e5d6 23... c8d7 24. f1e1 24... a8e8 25. g1f2 White is a clear pawn up, but surprisingly the game will have some adventures. |
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26. d3b3 | An uncharacteristic mistake by Carlsen, who is normally surgical when converting winning positions. | 1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8e7 This is the Cozio Variation of the Ruy Lopez, and it has appeared in other \"Games of the Day.\" Nakamura has used it a few times with Black but not often. He played a game with White against Caruana in 2024 that may have sparked his idea to play it with the other color. 4. b1c3 White has three other major moves. 4... e7g6 5. d2d4 5... e5d4 6. f3d4 6... c6d4 7. d1d4 7... c7c6 8. b5e2 8... d8b6 9. d4d3 All of White's moves are very natural, and this is a critical line for Black's system. 9... f8e7 10. a2a4 10... a7a5 11. e1g1 11... e8g8 12. c1e3 Now White can play this move without having to sacrifice a pawn, since with the inclusion of a4-a5, the queen is left without a square. 12... e7c5 13. e3c5 13... b6c5 14. a1d1 14... g6e5 A bad move, since the knight will soon be attacked by f4 and White remains with a firm grip on the dark squares. 15. d3d6 15... c5d6 16. d1d6 The endgame is nearly winning for White with a development advantage and better pawn structure. Black has trouble getting the bishop into play, and the backward d-pawn is a long-term weakness. 16... f7f6 17. f2f4 17... e5f7 18. e2c4 18... g8h8 19. d6d4 Carlsen decides to keep the bishop to advance the pawn to e5 to create problems quickly for Black. 19... b7b6 20. e4e5 20... f7h6 21. c3e4 21... h6f5 22. d4d3 22... d7d5 A good practical chance, otherwise Black is in a melancholic position with no counterplay. 23. e5d6 23... c8d7 24. f1e1 24... a8e8 25. g1f2 White is a clear pawn up, but surprisingly the game will have some adventures. 25... g7g5 |
26... g5f4 | 1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8e7 This is the Cozio Variation of the Ruy Lopez, and it has appeared in other \"Games of the Day.\" Nakamura has used it a few times with Black but not often. He played a game with White against Caruana in 2024 that may have sparked his idea to play it with the other color. 4. b1c3 White has three other major moves. 4... e7g6 5. d2d4 5... e5d4 6. f3d4 6... c6d4 7. d1d4 7... c7c6 8. b5e2 8... d8b6 9. d4d3 All of White's moves are very natural, and this is a critical line for Black's system. 9... f8e7 10. a2a4 10... a7a5 11. e1g1 11... e8g8 12. c1e3 Now White can play this move without having to sacrifice a pawn, since with the inclusion of a4-a5, the queen is left without a square. 12... e7c5 13. e3c5 13... b6c5 14. a1d1 14... g6e5 A bad move, since the knight will soon be attacked by f4 and White remains with a firm grip on the dark squares. 15. d3d6 15... c5d6 16. d1d6 The endgame is nearly winning for White with a development advantage and better pawn structure. Black has trouble getting the bishop into play, and the backward d-pawn is a long-term weakness. 16... f7f6 17. f2f4 17... e5f7 18. e2c4 18... g8h8 19. d6d4 Carlsen decides to keep the bishop to advance the pawn to e5 to create problems quickly for Black. 19... b7b6 20. e4e5 20... f7h6 21. c3e4 21... h6f5 22. d4d3 22... d7d5 A good practical chance, otherwise Black is in a melancholic position with no counterplay. 23. e5d6 23... c8d7 24. f1e1 24... a8e8 25. g1f2 White is a clear pawn up, but surprisingly the game will have some adventures. 25... g7g5 26. d3b3 An uncharacteristic mistake by Carlsen, who is normally surgical when converting winning positions. |
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27. b3b6 | 1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8e7 This is the Cozio Variation of the Ruy Lopez, and it has appeared in other \"Games of the Day.\" Nakamura has used it a few times with Black but not often. He played a game with White against Caruana in 2024 that may have sparked his idea to play it with the other color. 4. b1c3 White has three other major moves. 4... e7g6 5. d2d4 5... e5d4 6. f3d4 6... c6d4 7. d1d4 7... c7c6 8. b5e2 8... d8b6 9. d4d3 All of White's moves are very natural, and this is a critical line for Black's system. 9... f8e7 10. a2a4 10... a7a5 11. e1g1 11... e8g8 12. c1e3 Now White can play this move without having to sacrifice a pawn, since with the inclusion of a4-a5, the queen is left without a square. 12... e7c5 13. e3c5 13... b6c5 14. a1d1 14... g6e5 A bad move, since the knight will soon be attacked by f4 and White remains with a firm grip on the dark squares. 15. d3d6 15... c5d6 16. d1d6 The endgame is nearly winning for White with a development advantage and better pawn structure. Black has trouble getting the bishop into play, and the backward d-pawn is a long-term weakness. 16... f7f6 17. f2f4 17... e5f7 18. e2c4 18... g8h8 19. d6d4 Carlsen decides to keep the bishop to advance the pawn to e5 to create problems quickly for Black. 19... b7b6 20. e4e5 20... f7h6 21. c3e4 21... h6f5 22. d4d3 22... d7d5 A good practical chance, otherwise Black is in a melancholic position with no counterplay. 23. e5d6 23... c8d7 24. f1e1 24... a8e8 25. g1f2 White is a clear pawn up, but surprisingly the game will have some adventures. 25... g7g5 26. d3b3 An uncharacteristic mistake by Carlsen, who is normally surgical when converting winning positions. 26... g5f4 |
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27... f5e3 | Suddenly Black has gained counterplay. | 1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8e7 This is the Cozio Variation of the Ruy Lopez, and it has appeared in other \"Games of the Day.\" Nakamura has used it a few times with Black but not often. He played a game with White against Caruana in 2024 that may have sparked his idea to play it with the other color. 4. b1c3 White has three other major moves. 4... e7g6 5. d2d4 5... e5d4 6. f3d4 6... c6d4 7. d1d4 7... c7c6 8. b5e2 8... d8b6 9. d4d3 All of White's moves are very natural, and this is a critical line for Black's system. 9... f8e7 10. a2a4 10... a7a5 11. e1g1 11... e8g8 12. c1e3 Now White can play this move without having to sacrifice a pawn, since with the inclusion of a4-a5, the queen is left without a square. 12... e7c5 13. e3c5 13... b6c5 14. a1d1 14... g6e5 A bad move, since the knight will soon be attacked by f4 and White remains with a firm grip on the dark squares. 15. d3d6 15... c5d6 16. d1d6 The endgame is nearly winning for White with a development advantage and better pawn structure. Black has trouble getting the bishop into play, and the backward d-pawn is a long-term weakness. 16... f7f6 17. f2f4 17... e5f7 18. e2c4 18... g8h8 19. d6d4 Carlsen decides to keep the bishop to advance the pawn to e5 to create problems quickly for Black. 19... b7b6 20. e4e5 20... f7h6 21. c3e4 21... h6f5 22. d4d3 22... d7d5 A good practical chance, otherwise Black is in a melancholic position with no counterplay. 23. e5d6 23... c8d7 24. f1e1 24... a8e8 25. g1f2 White is a clear pawn up, but surprisingly the game will have some adventures. 25... g7g5 26. d3b3 An uncharacteristic mistake by Carlsen, who is normally surgical when converting winning positions. 26... g5f4 27. b3b6 |
28. c4d3 | 1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8e7 This is the Cozio Variation of the Ruy Lopez, and it has appeared in other \"Games of the Day.\" Nakamura has used it a few times with Black but not often. He played a game with White against Caruana in 2024 that may have sparked his idea to play it with the other color. 4. b1c3 White has three other major moves. 4... e7g6 5. d2d4 5... e5d4 6. f3d4 6... c6d4 7. d1d4 7... c7c6 8. b5e2 8... d8b6 9. d4d3 All of White's moves are very natural, and this is a critical line for Black's system. 9... f8e7 10. a2a4 10... a7a5 11. e1g1 11... e8g8 12. c1e3 Now White can play this move without having to sacrifice a pawn, since with the inclusion of a4-a5, the queen is left without a square. 12... e7c5 13. e3c5 13... b6c5 14. a1d1 14... g6e5 A bad move, since the knight will soon be attacked by f4 and White remains with a firm grip on the dark squares. 15. d3d6 15... c5d6 16. d1d6 The endgame is nearly winning for White with a development advantage and better pawn structure. Black has trouble getting the bishop into play, and the backward d-pawn is a long-term weakness. 16... f7f6 17. f2f4 17... e5f7 18. e2c4 18... g8h8 19. d6d4 Carlsen decides to keep the bishop to advance the pawn to e5 to create problems quickly for Black. 19... b7b6 20. e4e5 20... f7h6 21. c3e4 21... h6f5 22. d4d3 22... d7d5 A good practical chance, otherwise Black is in a melancholic position with no counterplay. 23. e5d6 23... c8d7 24. f1e1 24... a8e8 25. g1f2 White is a clear pawn up, but surprisingly the game will have some adventures. 25... g7g5 26. d3b3 An uncharacteristic mistake by Carlsen, who is normally surgical when converting winning positions. 26... g5f4 27. b3b6 27... f5e3 Suddenly Black has gained counterplay. |
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28... e3g4 | 1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8e7 This is the Cozio Variation of the Ruy Lopez, and it has appeared in other \"Games of the Day.\" Nakamura has used it a few times with Black but not often. He played a game with White against Caruana in 2024 that may have sparked his idea to play it with the other color. 4. b1c3 White has three other major moves. 4... e7g6 5. d2d4 5... e5d4 6. f3d4 6... c6d4 7. d1d4 7... c7c6 8. b5e2 8... d8b6 9. d4d3 All of White's moves are very natural, and this is a critical line for Black's system. 9... f8e7 10. a2a4 10... a7a5 11. e1g1 11... e8g8 12. c1e3 Now White can play this move without having to sacrifice a pawn, since with the inclusion of a4-a5, the queen is left without a square. 12... e7c5 13. e3c5 13... b6c5 14. a1d1 14... g6e5 A bad move, since the knight will soon be attacked by f4 and White remains with a firm grip on the dark squares. 15. d3d6 15... c5d6 16. d1d6 The endgame is nearly winning for White with a development advantage and better pawn structure. Black has trouble getting the bishop into play, and the backward d-pawn is a long-term weakness. 16... f7f6 17. f2f4 17... e5f7 18. e2c4 18... g8h8 19. d6d4 Carlsen decides to keep the bishop to advance the pawn to e5 to create problems quickly for Black. 19... b7b6 20. e4e5 20... f7h6 21. c3e4 21... h6f5 22. d4d3 22... d7d5 A good practical chance, otherwise Black is in a melancholic position with no counterplay. 23. e5d6 23... c8d7 24. f1e1 24... a8e8 25. g1f2 White is a clear pawn up, but surprisingly the game will have some adventures. 25... g7g5 26. d3b3 An uncharacteristic mistake by Carlsen, who is normally surgical when converting winning positions. 26... g5f4 27. b3b6 27... f5e3 Suddenly Black has gained counterplay. 28. c4d3 |
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29. f2f3 | The other moves don't change much. | 1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8e7 This is the Cozio Variation of the Ruy Lopez, and it has appeared in other \"Games of the Day.\" Nakamura has used it a few times with Black but not often. He played a game with White against Caruana in 2024 that may have sparked his idea to play it with the other color. 4. b1c3 White has three other major moves. 4... e7g6 5. d2d4 5... e5d4 6. f3d4 6... c6d4 7. d1d4 7... c7c6 8. b5e2 8... d8b6 9. d4d3 All of White's moves are very natural, and this is a critical line for Black's system. 9... f8e7 10. a2a4 10... a7a5 11. e1g1 11... e8g8 12. c1e3 Now White can play this move without having to sacrifice a pawn, since with the inclusion of a4-a5, the queen is left without a square. 12... e7c5 13. e3c5 13... b6c5 14. a1d1 14... g6e5 A bad move, since the knight will soon be attacked by f4 and White remains with a firm grip on the dark squares. 15. d3d6 15... c5d6 16. d1d6 The endgame is nearly winning for White with a development advantage and better pawn structure. Black has trouble getting the bishop into play, and the backward d-pawn is a long-term weakness. 16... f7f6 17. f2f4 17... e5f7 18. e2c4 18... g8h8 19. d6d4 Carlsen decides to keep the bishop to advance the pawn to e5 to create problems quickly for Black. 19... b7b6 20. e4e5 20... f7h6 21. c3e4 21... h6f5 22. d4d3 22... d7d5 A good practical chance, otherwise Black is in a melancholic position with no counterplay. 23. e5d6 23... c8d7 24. f1e1 24... a8e8 25. g1f2 White is a clear pawn up, but surprisingly the game will have some adventures. 25... g7g5 26. d3b3 An uncharacteristic mistake by Carlsen, who is normally surgical when converting winning positions. 26... g5f4 27. b3b6 27... f5e3 Suddenly Black has gained counterplay. 28. c4d3 28... e3g4 |
29... f6f5 | 1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8e7 This is the Cozio Variation of the Ruy Lopez, and it has appeared in other \"Games of the Day.\" Nakamura has used it a few times with Black but not often. He played a game with White against Caruana in 2024 that may have sparked his idea to play it with the other color. 4. b1c3 White has three other major moves. 4... e7g6 5. d2d4 5... e5d4 6. f3d4 6... c6d4 7. d1d4 7... c7c6 8. b5e2 8... d8b6 9. d4d3 All of White's moves are very natural, and this is a critical line for Black's system. 9... f8e7 10. a2a4 10... a7a5 11. e1g1 11... e8g8 12. c1e3 Now White can play this move without having to sacrifice a pawn, since with the inclusion of a4-a5, the queen is left without a square. 12... e7c5 13. e3c5 13... b6c5 14. a1d1 14... g6e5 A bad move, since the knight will soon be attacked by f4 and White remains with a firm grip on the dark squares. 15. d3d6 15... c5d6 16. d1d6 The endgame is nearly winning for White with a development advantage and better pawn structure. Black has trouble getting the bishop into play, and the backward d-pawn is a long-term weakness. 16... f7f6 17. f2f4 17... e5f7 18. e2c4 18... g8h8 19. d6d4 Carlsen decides to keep the bishop to advance the pawn to e5 to create problems quickly for Black. 19... b7b6 20. e4e5 20... f7h6 21. c3e4 21... h6f5 22. d4d3 22... d7d5 A good practical chance, otherwise Black is in a melancholic position with no counterplay. 23. e5d6 23... c8d7 24. f1e1 24... a8e8 25. g1f2 White is a clear pawn up, but surprisingly the game will have some adventures. 25... g7g5 26. d3b3 An uncharacteristic mistake by Carlsen, who is normally surgical when converting winning positions. 26... g5f4 27. b3b6 27... f5e3 Suddenly Black has gained counterplay. 28. c4d3 28... e3g4 29. f2f3 The other moves don't change much. |
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30. e4c5 | This is the winning idea. | 1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8e7 This is the Cozio Variation of the Ruy Lopez, and it has appeared in other \"Games of the Day.\" Nakamura has used it a few times with Black but not often. He played a game with White against Caruana in 2024 that may have sparked his idea to play it with the other color. 4. b1c3 White has three other major moves. 4... e7g6 5. d2d4 5... e5d4 6. f3d4 6... c6d4 7. d1d4 7... c7c6 8. b5e2 8... d8b6 9. d4d3 All of White's moves are very natural, and this is a critical line for Black's system. 9... f8e7 10. a2a4 10... a7a5 11. e1g1 11... e8g8 12. c1e3 Now White can play this move without having to sacrifice a pawn, since with the inclusion of a4-a5, the queen is left without a square. 12... e7c5 13. e3c5 13... b6c5 14. a1d1 14... g6e5 A bad move, since the knight will soon be attacked by f4 and White remains with a firm grip on the dark squares. 15. d3d6 15... c5d6 16. d1d6 The endgame is nearly winning for White with a development advantage and better pawn structure. Black has trouble getting the bishop into play, and the backward d-pawn is a long-term weakness. 16... f7f6 17. f2f4 17... e5f7 18. e2c4 18... g8h8 19. d6d4 Carlsen decides to keep the bishop to advance the pawn to e5 to create problems quickly for Black. 19... b7b6 20. e4e5 20... f7h6 21. c3e4 21... h6f5 22. d4d3 22... d7d5 A good practical chance, otherwise Black is in a melancholic position with no counterplay. 23. e5d6 23... c8d7 24. f1e1 24... a8e8 25. g1f2 White is a clear pawn up, but surprisingly the game will have some adventures. 25... g7g5 26. d3b3 An uncharacteristic mistake by Carlsen, who is normally surgical when converting winning positions. 26... g5f4 27. b3b6 27... f5e3 Suddenly Black has gained counterplay. 28. c4d3 28... e3g4 29. f2f3 The other moves don't change much. 29... f6f5 |
30... e8e1 | 1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8e7 This is the Cozio Variation of the Ruy Lopez, and it has appeared in other \"Games of the Day.\" Nakamura has used it a few times with Black but not often. He played a game with White against Caruana in 2024 that may have sparked his idea to play it with the other color. 4. b1c3 White has three other major moves. 4... e7g6 5. d2d4 5... e5d4 6. f3d4 6... c6d4 7. d1d4 7... c7c6 8. b5e2 8... d8b6 9. d4d3 All of White's moves are very natural, and this is a critical line for Black's system. 9... f8e7 10. a2a4 10... a7a5 11. e1g1 11... e8g8 12. c1e3 Now White can play this move without having to sacrifice a pawn, since with the inclusion of a4-a5, the queen is left without a square. 12... e7c5 13. e3c5 13... b6c5 14. a1d1 14... g6e5 A bad move, since the knight will soon be attacked by f4 and White remains with a firm grip on the dark squares. 15. d3d6 15... c5d6 16. d1d6 The endgame is nearly winning for White with a development advantage and better pawn structure. Black has trouble getting the bishop into play, and the backward d-pawn is a long-term weakness. 16... f7f6 17. f2f4 17... e5f7 18. e2c4 18... g8h8 19. d6d4 Carlsen decides to keep the bishop to advance the pawn to e5 to create problems quickly for Black. 19... b7b6 20. e4e5 20... f7h6 21. c3e4 21... h6f5 22. d4d3 22... d7d5 A good practical chance, otherwise Black is in a melancholic position with no counterplay. 23. e5d6 23... c8d7 24. f1e1 24... a8e8 25. g1f2 White is a clear pawn up, but surprisingly the game will have some adventures. 25... g7g5 26. d3b3 An uncharacteristic mistake by Carlsen, who is normally surgical when converting winning positions. 26... g5f4 27. b3b6 27... f5e3 Suddenly Black has gained counterplay. 28. c4d3 28... e3g4 29. f2f3 The other moves don't change much. 29... f6f5 30. e4c5 This is the winning idea. |
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31. c5d7 | 1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8e7 This is the Cozio Variation of the Ruy Lopez, and it has appeared in other \"Games of the Day.\" Nakamura has used it a few times with Black but not often. He played a game with White against Caruana in 2024 that may have sparked his idea to play it with the other color. 4. b1c3 White has three other major moves. 4... e7g6 5. d2d4 5... e5d4 6. f3d4 6... c6d4 7. d1d4 7... c7c6 8. b5e2 8... d8b6 9. d4d3 All of White's moves are very natural, and this is a critical line for Black's system. 9... f8e7 10. a2a4 10... a7a5 11. e1g1 11... e8g8 12. c1e3 Now White can play this move without having to sacrifice a pawn, since with the inclusion of a4-a5, the queen is left without a square. 12... e7c5 13. e3c5 13... b6c5 14. a1d1 14... g6e5 A bad move, since the knight will soon be attacked by f4 and White remains with a firm grip on the dark squares. 15. d3d6 15... c5d6 16. d1d6 The endgame is nearly winning for White with a development advantage and better pawn structure. Black has trouble getting the bishop into play, and the backward d-pawn is a long-term weakness. 16... f7f6 17. f2f4 17... e5f7 18. e2c4 18... g8h8 19. d6d4 Carlsen decides to keep the bishop to advance the pawn to e5 to create problems quickly for Black. 19... b7b6 20. e4e5 20... f7h6 21. c3e4 21... h6f5 22. d4d3 22... d7d5 A good practical chance, otherwise Black is in a melancholic position with no counterplay. 23. e5d6 23... c8d7 24. f1e1 24... a8e8 25. g1f2 White is a clear pawn up, but surprisingly the game will have some adventures. 25... g7g5 26. d3b3 An uncharacteristic mistake by Carlsen, who is normally surgical when converting winning positions. 26... g5f4 27. b3b6 27... f5e3 Suddenly Black has gained counterplay. 28. c4d3 28... e3g4 29. f2f3 The other moves don't change much. 29... f6f5 30. e4c5 This is the winning idea. 30... e8e1 |
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31... f8d8 | 1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8e7 This is the Cozio Variation of the Ruy Lopez, and it has appeared in other \"Games of the Day.\" Nakamura has used it a few times with Black but not often. He played a game with White against Caruana in 2024 that may have sparked his idea to play it with the other color. 4. b1c3 White has three other major moves. 4... e7g6 5. d2d4 5... e5d4 6. f3d4 6... c6d4 7. d1d4 7... c7c6 8. b5e2 8... d8b6 9. d4d3 All of White's moves are very natural, and this is a critical line for Black's system. 9... f8e7 10. a2a4 10... a7a5 11. e1g1 11... e8g8 12. c1e3 Now White can play this move without having to sacrifice a pawn, since with the inclusion of a4-a5, the queen is left without a square. 12... e7c5 13. e3c5 13... b6c5 14. a1d1 14... g6e5 A bad move, since the knight will soon be attacked by f4 and White remains with a firm grip on the dark squares. 15. d3d6 15... c5d6 16. d1d6 The endgame is nearly winning for White with a development advantage and better pawn structure. Black has trouble getting the bishop into play, and the backward d-pawn is a long-term weakness. 16... f7f6 17. f2f4 17... e5f7 18. e2c4 18... g8h8 19. d6d4 Carlsen decides to keep the bishop to advance the pawn to e5 to create problems quickly for Black. 19... b7b6 20. e4e5 20... f7h6 21. c3e4 21... h6f5 22. d4d3 22... d7d5 A good practical chance, otherwise Black is in a melancholic position with no counterplay. 23. e5d6 23... c8d7 24. f1e1 24... a8e8 25. g1f2 White is a clear pawn up, but surprisingly the game will have some adventures. 25... g7g5 26. d3b3 An uncharacteristic mistake by Carlsen, who is normally surgical when converting winning positions. 26... g5f4 27. b3b6 27... f5e3 Suddenly Black has gained counterplay. 28. c4d3 28... e3g4 29. f2f3 The other moves don't change much. 29... f6f5 30. e4c5 This is the winning idea. 30... e8e1 31. c5d7 |
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32. b6b8 | This move gives Black a chance to save the game. | 1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8e7 This is the Cozio Variation of the Ruy Lopez, and it has appeared in other \"Games of the Day.\" Nakamura has used it a few times with Black but not often. He played a game with White against Caruana in 2024 that may have sparked his idea to play it with the other color. 4. b1c3 White has three other major moves. 4... e7g6 5. d2d4 5... e5d4 6. f3d4 6... c6d4 7. d1d4 7... c7c6 8. b5e2 8... d8b6 9. d4d3 All of White's moves are very natural, and this is a critical line for Black's system. 9... f8e7 10. a2a4 10... a7a5 11. e1g1 11... e8g8 12. c1e3 Now White can play this move without having to sacrifice a pawn, since with the inclusion of a4-a5, the queen is left without a square. 12... e7c5 13. e3c5 13... b6c5 14. a1d1 14... g6e5 A bad move, since the knight will soon be attacked by f4 and White remains with a firm grip on the dark squares. 15. d3d6 15... c5d6 16. d1d6 The endgame is nearly winning for White with a development advantage and better pawn structure. Black has trouble getting the bishop into play, and the backward d-pawn is a long-term weakness. 16... f7f6 17. f2f4 17... e5f7 18. e2c4 18... g8h8 19. d6d4 Carlsen decides to keep the bishop to advance the pawn to e5 to create problems quickly for Black. 19... b7b6 20. e4e5 20... f7h6 21. c3e4 21... h6f5 22. d4d3 22... d7d5 A good practical chance, otherwise Black is in a melancholic position with no counterplay. 23. e5d6 23... c8d7 24. f1e1 24... a8e8 25. g1f2 White is a clear pawn up, but surprisingly the game will have some adventures. 25... g7g5 26. d3b3 An uncharacteristic mistake by Carlsen, who is normally surgical when converting winning positions. 26... g5f4 27. b3b6 27... f5e3 Suddenly Black has gained counterplay. 28. c4d3 28... e3g4 29. f2f3 The other moves don't change much. 29... f6f5 30. e4c5 This is the winning idea. 30... e8e1 31. c5d7 31... f8d8 |
32... e1e8 | 1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8e7 This is the Cozio Variation of the Ruy Lopez, and it has appeared in other \"Games of the Day.\" Nakamura has used it a few times with Black but not often. He played a game with White against Caruana in 2024 that may have sparked his idea to play it with the other color. 4. b1c3 White has three other major moves. 4... e7g6 5. d2d4 5... e5d4 6. f3d4 6... c6d4 7. d1d4 7... c7c6 8. b5e2 8... d8b6 9. d4d3 All of White's moves are very natural, and this is a critical line for Black's system. 9... f8e7 10. a2a4 10... a7a5 11. e1g1 11... e8g8 12. c1e3 Now White can play this move without having to sacrifice a pawn, since with the inclusion of a4-a5, the queen is left without a square. 12... e7c5 13. e3c5 13... b6c5 14. a1d1 14... g6e5 A bad move, since the knight will soon be attacked by f4 and White remains with a firm grip on the dark squares. 15. d3d6 15... c5d6 16. d1d6 The endgame is nearly winning for White with a development advantage and better pawn structure. Black has trouble getting the bishop into play, and the backward d-pawn is a long-term weakness. 16... f7f6 17. f2f4 17... e5f7 18. e2c4 18... g8h8 19. d6d4 Carlsen decides to keep the bishop to advance the pawn to e5 to create problems quickly for Black. 19... b7b6 20. e4e5 20... f7h6 21. c3e4 21... h6f5 22. d4d3 22... d7d5 A good practical chance, otherwise Black is in a melancholic position with no counterplay. 23. e5d6 23... c8d7 24. f1e1 24... a8e8 25. g1f2 White is a clear pawn up, but surprisingly the game will have some adventures. 25... g7g5 26. d3b3 An uncharacteristic mistake by Carlsen, who is normally surgical when converting winning positions. 26... g5f4 27. b3b6 27... f5e3 Suddenly Black has gained counterplay. 28. c4d3 28... e3g4 29. f2f3 The other moves don't change much. 29... f6f5 30. e4c5 This is the winning idea. 30... e8e1 31. c5d7 31... f8d8 32. b6b8 This move gives Black a chance to save the game. |
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33. b8d8 | 1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8e7 This is the Cozio Variation of the Ruy Lopez, and it has appeared in other \"Games of the Day.\" Nakamura has used it a few times with Black but not often. He played a game with White against Caruana in 2024 that may have sparked his idea to play it with the other color. 4. b1c3 White has three other major moves. 4... e7g6 5. d2d4 5... e5d4 6. f3d4 6... c6d4 7. d1d4 7... c7c6 8. b5e2 8... d8b6 9. d4d3 All of White's moves are very natural, and this is a critical line for Black's system. 9... f8e7 10. a2a4 10... a7a5 11. e1g1 11... e8g8 12. c1e3 Now White can play this move without having to sacrifice a pawn, since with the inclusion of a4-a5, the queen is left without a square. 12... e7c5 13. e3c5 13... b6c5 14. a1d1 14... g6e5 A bad move, since the knight will soon be attacked by f4 and White remains with a firm grip on the dark squares. 15. d3d6 15... c5d6 16. d1d6 The endgame is nearly winning for White with a development advantage and better pawn structure. Black has trouble getting the bishop into play, and the backward d-pawn is a long-term weakness. 16... f7f6 17. f2f4 17... e5f7 18. e2c4 18... g8h8 19. d6d4 Carlsen decides to keep the bishop to advance the pawn to e5 to create problems quickly for Black. 19... b7b6 20. e4e5 20... f7h6 21. c3e4 21... h6f5 22. d4d3 22... d7d5 A good practical chance, otherwise Black is in a melancholic position with no counterplay. 23. e5d6 23... c8d7 24. f1e1 24... a8e8 25. g1f2 White is a clear pawn up, but surprisingly the game will have some adventures. 25... g7g5 26. d3b3 An uncharacteristic mistake by Carlsen, who is normally surgical when converting winning positions. 26... g5f4 27. b3b6 27... f5e3 Suddenly Black has gained counterplay. 28. c4d3 28... e3g4 29. f2f3 The other moves don't change much. 29... f6f5 30. e4c5 This is the winning idea. 30... e8e1 31. c5d7 31... f8d8 32. b6b8 This move gives Black a chance to save the game. 32... e1e8 |
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33... e8d8 | 1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8e7 This is the Cozio Variation of the Ruy Lopez, and it has appeared in other \"Games of the Day.\" Nakamura has used it a few times with Black but not often. He played a game with White against Caruana in 2024 that may have sparked his idea to play it with the other color. 4. b1c3 White has three other major moves. 4... e7g6 5. d2d4 5... e5d4 6. f3d4 6... c6d4 7. d1d4 7... c7c6 8. b5e2 8... d8b6 9. d4d3 All of White's moves are very natural, and this is a critical line for Black's system. 9... f8e7 10. a2a4 10... a7a5 11. e1g1 11... e8g8 12. c1e3 Now White can play this move without having to sacrifice a pawn, since with the inclusion of a4-a5, the queen is left without a square. 12... e7c5 13. e3c5 13... b6c5 14. a1d1 14... g6e5 A bad move, since the knight will soon be attacked by f4 and White remains with a firm grip on the dark squares. 15. d3d6 15... c5d6 16. d1d6 The endgame is nearly winning for White with a development advantage and better pawn structure. Black has trouble getting the bishop into play, and the backward d-pawn is a long-term weakness. 16... f7f6 17. f2f4 17... e5f7 18. e2c4 18... g8h8 19. d6d4 Carlsen decides to keep the bishop to advance the pawn to e5 to create problems quickly for Black. 19... b7b6 20. e4e5 20... f7h6 21. c3e4 21... h6f5 22. d4d3 22... d7d5 A good practical chance, otherwise Black is in a melancholic position with no counterplay. 23. e5d6 23... c8d7 24. f1e1 24... a8e8 25. g1f2 White is a clear pawn up, but surprisingly the game will have some adventures. 25... g7g5 26. d3b3 An uncharacteristic mistake by Carlsen, who is normally surgical when converting winning positions. 26... g5f4 27. b3b6 27... f5e3 Suddenly Black has gained counterplay. 28. c4d3 28... e3g4 29. f2f3 The other moves don't change much. 29... f6f5 30. e4c5 This is the winning idea. 30... e8e1 31. c5d7 31... f8d8 32. b6b8 This move gives Black a chance to save the game. 32... e1e8 33. b8d8 |
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34. d3f5 | 1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8e7 This is the Cozio Variation of the Ruy Lopez, and it has appeared in other \"Games of the Day.\" Nakamura has used it a few times with Black but not often. He played a game with White against Caruana in 2024 that may have sparked his idea to play it with the other color. 4. b1c3 White has three other major moves. 4... e7g6 5. d2d4 5... e5d4 6. f3d4 6... c6d4 7. d1d4 7... c7c6 8. b5e2 8... d8b6 9. d4d3 All of White's moves are very natural, and this is a critical line for Black's system. 9... f8e7 10. a2a4 10... a7a5 11. e1g1 11... e8g8 12. c1e3 Now White can play this move without having to sacrifice a pawn, since with the inclusion of a4-a5, the queen is left without a square. 12... e7c5 13. e3c5 13... b6c5 14. a1d1 14... g6e5 A bad move, since the knight will soon be attacked by f4 and White remains with a firm grip on the dark squares. 15. d3d6 15... c5d6 16. d1d6 The endgame is nearly winning for White with a development advantage and better pawn structure. Black has trouble getting the bishop into play, and the backward d-pawn is a long-term weakness. 16... f7f6 17. f2f4 17... e5f7 18. e2c4 18... g8h8 19. d6d4 Carlsen decides to keep the bishop to advance the pawn to e5 to create problems quickly for Black. 19... b7b6 20. e4e5 20... f7h6 21. c3e4 21... h6f5 22. d4d3 22... d7d5 A good practical chance, otherwise Black is in a melancholic position with no counterplay. 23. e5d6 23... c8d7 24. f1e1 24... a8e8 25. g1f2 White is a clear pawn up, but surprisingly the game will have some adventures. 25... g7g5 26. d3b3 An uncharacteristic mistake by Carlsen, who is normally surgical when converting winning positions. 26... g5f4 27. b3b6 27... f5e3 Suddenly Black has gained counterplay. 28. c4d3 28... e3g4 29. f2f3 The other moves don't change much. 29... f6f5 30. e4c5 This is the winning idea. 30... e8e1 31. c5d7 31... f8d8 32. b6b8 This move gives Black a chance to save the game. 32... e1e8 33. b8d8 33... e8d8 |
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34... g4h6 | 1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8e7 This is the Cozio Variation of the Ruy Lopez, and it has appeared in other \"Games of the Day.\" Nakamura has used it a few times with Black but not often. He played a game with White against Caruana in 2024 that may have sparked his idea to play it with the other color. 4. b1c3 White has three other major moves. 4... e7g6 5. d2d4 5... e5d4 6. f3d4 6... c6d4 7. d1d4 7... c7c6 8. b5e2 8... d8b6 9. d4d3 All of White's moves are very natural, and this is a critical line for Black's system. 9... f8e7 10. a2a4 10... a7a5 11. e1g1 11... e8g8 12. c1e3 Now White can play this move without having to sacrifice a pawn, since with the inclusion of a4-a5, the queen is left without a square. 12... e7c5 13. e3c5 13... b6c5 14. a1d1 14... g6e5 A bad move, since the knight will soon be attacked by f4 and White remains with a firm grip on the dark squares. 15. d3d6 15... c5d6 16. d1d6 The endgame is nearly winning for White with a development advantage and better pawn structure. Black has trouble getting the bishop into play, and the backward d-pawn is a long-term weakness. 16... f7f6 17. f2f4 17... e5f7 18. e2c4 18... g8h8 19. d6d4 Carlsen decides to keep the bishop to advance the pawn to e5 to create problems quickly for Black. 19... b7b6 20. e4e5 20... f7h6 21. c3e4 21... h6f5 22. d4d3 22... d7d5 A good practical chance, otherwise Black is in a melancholic position with no counterplay. 23. e5d6 23... c8d7 24. f1e1 24... a8e8 25. g1f2 White is a clear pawn up, but surprisingly the game will have some adventures. 25... g7g5 26. d3b3 An uncharacteristic mistake by Carlsen, who is normally surgical when converting winning positions. 26... g5f4 27. b3b6 27... f5e3 Suddenly Black has gained counterplay. 28. c4d3 28... e3g4 29. f2f3 The other moves don't change much. 29... f6f5 30. e4c5 This is the winning idea. 30... e8e1 31. c5d7 31... f8d8 32. b6b8 This move gives Black a chance to save the game. 32... e1e8 33. b8d8 33... e8d8 34. d3f5 |
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35. f3f4 | This looks like a pretty nice move, but it actually isn't very accurate. | 1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8e7 This is the Cozio Variation of the Ruy Lopez, and it has appeared in other \"Games of the Day.\" Nakamura has used it a few times with Black but not often. He played a game with White against Caruana in 2024 that may have sparked his idea to play it with the other color. 4. b1c3 White has three other major moves. 4... e7g6 5. d2d4 5... e5d4 6. f3d4 6... c6d4 7. d1d4 7... c7c6 8. b5e2 8... d8b6 9. d4d3 All of White's moves are very natural, and this is a critical line for Black's system. 9... f8e7 10. a2a4 10... a7a5 11. e1g1 11... e8g8 12. c1e3 Now White can play this move without having to sacrifice a pawn, since with the inclusion of a4-a5, the queen is left without a square. 12... e7c5 13. e3c5 13... b6c5 14. a1d1 14... g6e5 A bad move, since the knight will soon be attacked by f4 and White remains with a firm grip on the dark squares. 15. d3d6 15... c5d6 16. d1d6 The endgame is nearly winning for White with a development advantage and better pawn structure. Black has trouble getting the bishop into play, and the backward d-pawn is a long-term weakness. 16... f7f6 17. f2f4 17... e5f7 18. e2c4 18... g8h8 19. d6d4 Carlsen decides to keep the bishop to advance the pawn to e5 to create problems quickly for Black. 19... b7b6 20. e4e5 20... f7h6 21. c3e4 21... h6f5 22. d4d3 22... d7d5 A good practical chance, otherwise Black is in a melancholic position with no counterplay. 23. e5d6 23... c8d7 24. f1e1 24... a8e8 25. g1f2 White is a clear pawn up, but surprisingly the game will have some adventures. 25... g7g5 26. d3b3 An uncharacteristic mistake by Carlsen, who is normally surgical when converting winning positions. 26... g5f4 27. b3b6 27... f5e3 Suddenly Black has gained counterplay. 28. c4d3 28... e3g4 29. f2f3 The other moves don't change much. 29... f6f5 30. e4c5 This is the winning idea. 30... e8e1 31. c5d7 31... f8d8 32. b6b8 This move gives Black a chance to save the game. 32... e1e8 33. b8d8 33... e8d8 34. d3f5 34... g4h6 |
35... h6f7 | 1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8e7 This is the Cozio Variation of the Ruy Lopez, and it has appeared in other \"Games of the Day.\" Nakamura has used it a few times with Black but not often. He played a game with White against Caruana in 2024 that may have sparked his idea to play it with the other color. 4. b1c3 White has three other major moves. 4... e7g6 5. d2d4 5... e5d4 6. f3d4 6... c6d4 7. d1d4 7... c7c6 8. b5e2 8... d8b6 9. d4d3 All of White's moves are very natural, and this is a critical line for Black's system. 9... f8e7 10. a2a4 10... a7a5 11. e1g1 11... e8g8 12. c1e3 Now White can play this move without having to sacrifice a pawn, since with the inclusion of a4-a5, the queen is left without a square. 12... e7c5 13. e3c5 13... b6c5 14. a1d1 14... g6e5 A bad move, since the knight will soon be attacked by f4 and White remains with a firm grip on the dark squares. 15. d3d6 15... c5d6 16. d1d6 The endgame is nearly winning for White with a development advantage and better pawn structure. Black has trouble getting the bishop into play, and the backward d-pawn is a long-term weakness. 16... f7f6 17. f2f4 17... e5f7 18. e2c4 18... g8h8 19. d6d4 Carlsen decides to keep the bishop to advance the pawn to e5 to create problems quickly for Black. 19... b7b6 20. e4e5 20... f7h6 21. c3e4 21... h6f5 22. d4d3 22... d7d5 A good practical chance, otherwise Black is in a melancholic position with no counterplay. 23. e5d6 23... c8d7 24. f1e1 24... a8e8 25. g1f2 White is a clear pawn up, but surprisingly the game will have some adventures. 25... g7g5 26. d3b3 An uncharacteristic mistake by Carlsen, who is normally surgical when converting winning positions. 26... g5f4 27. b3b6 27... f5e3 Suddenly Black has gained counterplay. 28. c4d3 28... e3g4 29. f2f3 The other moves don't change much. 29... f6f5 30. e4c5 This is the winning idea. 30... e8e1 31. c5d7 31... f8d8 32. b6b8 This move gives Black a chance to save the game. 32... e1e8 33. b8d8 33... e8d8 34. d3f5 34... g4h6 35. f3f4 This looks like a pretty nice move, but it actually isn't very accurate. |
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36. d7e5 | 1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8e7 This is the Cozio Variation of the Ruy Lopez, and it has appeared in other \"Games of the Day.\" Nakamura has used it a few times with Black but not often. He played a game with White against Caruana in 2024 that may have sparked his idea to play it with the other color. 4. b1c3 White has three other major moves. 4... e7g6 5. d2d4 5... e5d4 6. f3d4 6... c6d4 7. d1d4 7... c7c6 8. b5e2 8... d8b6 9. d4d3 All of White's moves are very natural, and this is a critical line for Black's system. 9... f8e7 10. a2a4 10... a7a5 11. e1g1 11... e8g8 12. c1e3 Now White can play this move without having to sacrifice a pawn, since with the inclusion of a4-a5, the queen is left without a square. 12... e7c5 13. e3c5 13... b6c5 14. a1d1 14... g6e5 A bad move, since the knight will soon be attacked by f4 and White remains with a firm grip on the dark squares. 15. d3d6 15... c5d6 16. d1d6 The endgame is nearly winning for White with a development advantage and better pawn structure. Black has trouble getting the bishop into play, and the backward d-pawn is a long-term weakness. 16... f7f6 17. f2f4 17... e5f7 18. e2c4 18... g8h8 19. d6d4 Carlsen decides to keep the bishop to advance the pawn to e5 to create problems quickly for Black. 19... b7b6 20. e4e5 20... f7h6 21. c3e4 21... h6f5 22. d4d3 22... d7d5 A good practical chance, otherwise Black is in a melancholic position with no counterplay. 23. e5d6 23... c8d7 24. f1e1 24... a8e8 25. g1f2 White is a clear pawn up, but surprisingly the game will have some adventures. 25... g7g5 26. d3b3 An uncharacteristic mistake by Carlsen, who is normally surgical when converting winning positions. 26... g5f4 27. b3b6 27... f5e3 Suddenly Black has gained counterplay. 28. c4d3 28... e3g4 29. f2f3 The other moves don't change much. 29... f6f5 30. e4c5 This is the winning idea. 30... e8e1 31. c5d7 31... f8d8 32. b6b8 This move gives Black a chance to save the game. 32... e1e8 33. b8d8 33... e8d8 34. d3f5 34... g4h6 35. f3f4 This looks like a pretty nice move, but it actually isn't very accurate. 35... h6f7 |
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36... f7d6 | 1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8e7 This is the Cozio Variation of the Ruy Lopez, and it has appeared in other \"Games of the Day.\" Nakamura has used it a few times with Black but not often. He played a game with White against Caruana in 2024 that may have sparked his idea to play it with the other color. 4. b1c3 White has three other major moves. 4... e7g6 5. d2d4 5... e5d4 6. f3d4 6... c6d4 7. d1d4 7... c7c6 8. b5e2 8... d8b6 9. d4d3 All of White's moves are very natural, and this is a critical line for Black's system. 9... f8e7 10. a2a4 10... a7a5 11. e1g1 11... e8g8 12. c1e3 Now White can play this move without having to sacrifice a pawn, since with the inclusion of a4-a5, the queen is left without a square. 12... e7c5 13. e3c5 13... b6c5 14. a1d1 14... g6e5 A bad move, since the knight will soon be attacked by f4 and White remains with a firm grip on the dark squares. 15. d3d6 15... c5d6 16. d1d6 The endgame is nearly winning for White with a development advantage and better pawn structure. Black has trouble getting the bishop into play, and the backward d-pawn is a long-term weakness. 16... f7f6 17. f2f4 17... e5f7 18. e2c4 18... g8h8 19. d6d4 Carlsen decides to keep the bishop to advance the pawn to e5 to create problems quickly for Black. 19... b7b6 20. e4e5 20... f7h6 21. c3e4 21... h6f5 22. d4d3 22... d7d5 A good practical chance, otherwise Black is in a melancholic position with no counterplay. 23. e5d6 23... c8d7 24. f1e1 24... a8e8 25. g1f2 White is a clear pawn up, but surprisingly the game will have some adventures. 25... g7g5 26. d3b3 An uncharacteristic mistake by Carlsen, who is normally surgical when converting winning positions. 26... g5f4 27. b3b6 27... f5e3 Suddenly Black has gained counterplay. 28. c4d3 28... e3g4 29. f2f3 The other moves don't change much. 29... f6f5 30. e4c5 This is the winning idea. 30... e8e1 31. c5d7 31... f8d8 32. b6b8 This move gives Black a chance to save the game. 32... e1e8 33. b8d8 33... e8d8 34. d3f5 34... g4h6 35. f3f4 This looks like a pretty nice move, but it actually isn't very accurate. 35... h6f7 36. d7e5 |
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37. e5c6 | 1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8e7 This is the Cozio Variation of the Ruy Lopez, and it has appeared in other \"Games of the Day.\" Nakamura has used it a few times with Black but not often. He played a game with White against Caruana in 2024 that may have sparked his idea to play it with the other color. 4. b1c3 White has three other major moves. 4... e7g6 5. d2d4 5... e5d4 6. f3d4 6... c6d4 7. d1d4 7... c7c6 8. b5e2 8... d8b6 9. d4d3 All of White's moves are very natural, and this is a critical line for Black's system. 9... f8e7 10. a2a4 10... a7a5 11. e1g1 11... e8g8 12. c1e3 Now White can play this move without having to sacrifice a pawn, since with the inclusion of a4-a5, the queen is left without a square. 12... e7c5 13. e3c5 13... b6c5 14. a1d1 14... g6e5 A bad move, since the knight will soon be attacked by f4 and White remains with a firm grip on the dark squares. 15. d3d6 15... c5d6 16. d1d6 The endgame is nearly winning for White with a development advantage and better pawn structure. Black has trouble getting the bishop into play, and the backward d-pawn is a long-term weakness. 16... f7f6 17. f2f4 17... e5f7 18. e2c4 18... g8h8 19. d6d4 Carlsen decides to keep the bishop to advance the pawn to e5 to create problems quickly for Black. 19... b7b6 20. e4e5 20... f7h6 21. c3e4 21... h6f5 22. d4d3 22... d7d5 A good practical chance, otherwise Black is in a melancholic position with no counterplay. 23. e5d6 23... c8d7 24. f1e1 24... a8e8 25. g1f2 White is a clear pawn up, but surprisingly the game will have some adventures. 25... g7g5 26. d3b3 An uncharacteristic mistake by Carlsen, who is normally surgical when converting winning positions. 26... g5f4 27. b3b6 27... f5e3 Suddenly Black has gained counterplay. 28. c4d3 28... e3g4 29. f2f3 The other moves don't change much. 29... f6f5 30. e4c5 This is the winning idea. 30... e8e1 31. c5d7 31... f8d8 32. b6b8 This move gives Black a chance to save the game. 32... e1e8 33. b8d8 33... e8d8 34. d3f5 34... g4h6 35. f3f4 This looks like a pretty nice move, but it actually isn't very accurate. 35... h6f7 36. d7e5 36... f7d6 |
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37... d8f8 | 1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8e7 This is the Cozio Variation of the Ruy Lopez, and it has appeared in other \"Games of the Day.\" Nakamura has used it a few times with Black but not often. He played a game with White against Caruana in 2024 that may have sparked his idea to play it with the other color. 4. b1c3 White has three other major moves. 4... e7g6 5. d2d4 5... e5d4 6. f3d4 6... c6d4 7. d1d4 7... c7c6 8. b5e2 8... d8b6 9. d4d3 All of White's moves are very natural, and this is a critical line for Black's system. 9... f8e7 10. a2a4 10... a7a5 11. e1g1 11... e8g8 12. c1e3 Now White can play this move without having to sacrifice a pawn, since with the inclusion of a4-a5, the queen is left without a square. 12... e7c5 13. e3c5 13... b6c5 14. a1d1 14... g6e5 A bad move, since the knight will soon be attacked by f4 and White remains with a firm grip on the dark squares. 15. d3d6 15... c5d6 16. d1d6 The endgame is nearly winning for White with a development advantage and better pawn structure. Black has trouble getting the bishop into play, and the backward d-pawn is a long-term weakness. 16... f7f6 17. f2f4 17... e5f7 18. e2c4 18... g8h8 19. d6d4 Carlsen decides to keep the bishop to advance the pawn to e5 to create problems quickly for Black. 19... b7b6 20. e4e5 20... f7h6 21. c3e4 21... h6f5 22. d4d3 22... d7d5 A good practical chance, otherwise Black is in a melancholic position with no counterplay. 23. e5d6 23... c8d7 24. f1e1 24... a8e8 25. g1f2 White is a clear pawn up, but surprisingly the game will have some adventures. 25... g7g5 26. d3b3 An uncharacteristic mistake by Carlsen, who is normally surgical when converting winning positions. 26... g5f4 27. b3b6 27... f5e3 Suddenly Black has gained counterplay. 28. c4d3 28... e3g4 29. f2f3 The other moves don't change much. 29... f6f5 30. e4c5 This is the winning idea. 30... e8e1 31. c5d7 31... f8d8 32. b6b8 This move gives Black a chance to save the game. 32... e1e8 33. b8d8 33... e8d8 34. d3f5 34... g4h6 35. f3f4 This looks like a pretty nice move, but it actually isn't very accurate. 35... h6f7 36. d7e5 36... f7d6 37. e5c6 |
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38. c6d4 | White has three pawns for the exchange, and at first I thought this was a clear win, but the computer shows that Black can still defend. | 1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8e7 This is the Cozio Variation of the Ruy Lopez, and it has appeared in other \"Games of the Day.\" Nakamura has used it a few times with Black but not often. He played a game with White against Caruana in 2024 that may have sparked his idea to play it with the other color. 4. b1c3 White has three other major moves. 4... e7g6 5. d2d4 5... e5d4 6. f3d4 6... c6d4 7. d1d4 7... c7c6 8. b5e2 8... d8b6 9. d4d3 All of White's moves are very natural, and this is a critical line for Black's system. 9... f8e7 10. a2a4 10... a7a5 11. e1g1 11... e8g8 12. c1e3 Now White can play this move without having to sacrifice a pawn, since with the inclusion of a4-a5, the queen is left without a square. 12... e7c5 13. e3c5 13... b6c5 14. a1d1 14... g6e5 A bad move, since the knight will soon be attacked by f4 and White remains with a firm grip on the dark squares. 15. d3d6 15... c5d6 16. d1d6 The endgame is nearly winning for White with a development advantage and better pawn structure. Black has trouble getting the bishop into play, and the backward d-pawn is a long-term weakness. 16... f7f6 17. f2f4 17... e5f7 18. e2c4 18... g8h8 19. d6d4 Carlsen decides to keep the bishop to advance the pawn to e5 to create problems quickly for Black. 19... b7b6 20. e4e5 20... f7h6 21. c3e4 21... h6f5 22. d4d3 22... d7d5 A good practical chance, otherwise Black is in a melancholic position with no counterplay. 23. e5d6 23... c8d7 24. f1e1 24... a8e8 25. g1f2 White is a clear pawn up, but surprisingly the game will have some adventures. 25... g7g5 26. d3b3 An uncharacteristic mistake by Carlsen, who is normally surgical when converting winning positions. 26... g5f4 27. b3b6 27... f5e3 Suddenly Black has gained counterplay. 28. c4d3 28... e3g4 29. f2f3 The other moves don't change much. 29... f6f5 30. e4c5 This is the winning idea. 30... e8e1 31. c5d7 31... f8d8 32. b6b8 This move gives Black a chance to save the game. 32... e1e8 33. b8d8 33... e8d8 34. d3f5 34... g4h6 35. f3f4 This looks like a pretty nice move, but it actually isn't very accurate. 35... h6f7 36. d7e5 36... f7d6 37. e5c6 37... d8f8 |
38... h8g8 | 1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8e7 This is the Cozio Variation of the Ruy Lopez, and it has appeared in other \"Games of the Day.\" Nakamura has used it a few times with Black but not often. He played a game with White against Caruana in 2024 that may have sparked his idea to play it with the other color. 4. b1c3 White has three other major moves. 4... e7g6 5. d2d4 5... e5d4 6. f3d4 6... c6d4 7. d1d4 7... c7c6 8. b5e2 8... d8b6 9. d4d3 All of White's moves are very natural, and this is a critical line for Black's system. 9... f8e7 10. a2a4 10... a7a5 11. e1g1 11... e8g8 12. c1e3 Now White can play this move without having to sacrifice a pawn, since with the inclusion of a4-a5, the queen is left without a square. 12... e7c5 13. e3c5 13... b6c5 14. a1d1 14... g6e5 A bad move, since the knight will soon be attacked by f4 and White remains with a firm grip on the dark squares. 15. d3d6 15... c5d6 16. d1d6 The endgame is nearly winning for White with a development advantage and better pawn structure. Black has trouble getting the bishop into play, and the backward d-pawn is a long-term weakness. 16... f7f6 17. f2f4 17... e5f7 18. e2c4 18... g8h8 19. d6d4 Carlsen decides to keep the bishop to advance the pawn to e5 to create problems quickly for Black. 19... b7b6 20. e4e5 20... f7h6 21. c3e4 21... h6f5 22. d4d3 22... d7d5 A good practical chance, otherwise Black is in a melancholic position with no counterplay. 23. e5d6 23... c8d7 24. f1e1 24... a8e8 25. g1f2 White is a clear pawn up, but surprisingly the game will have some adventures. 25... g7g5 26. d3b3 An uncharacteristic mistake by Carlsen, who is normally surgical when converting winning positions. 26... g5f4 27. b3b6 27... f5e3 Suddenly Black has gained counterplay. 28. c4d3 28... e3g4 29. f2f3 The other moves don't change much. 29... f6f5 30. e4c5 This is the winning idea. 30... e8e1 31. c5d7 31... f8d8 32. b6b8 This move gives Black a chance to save the game. 32... e1e8 33. b8d8 33... e8d8 34. d3f5 34... g4h6 35. f3f4 This looks like a pretty nice move, but it actually isn't very accurate. 35... h6f7 36. d7e5 36... f7d6 37. e5c6 37... d8f8 38. c6d4 White has three pawns for the exchange, and at first I thought this was a clear win, but the computer shows that Black can still defend. |
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39. b2b3 | 1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8e7 This is the Cozio Variation of the Ruy Lopez, and it has appeared in other \"Games of the Day.\" Nakamura has used it a few times with Black but not often. He played a game with White against Caruana in 2024 that may have sparked his idea to play it with the other color. 4. b1c3 White has three other major moves. 4... e7g6 5. d2d4 5... e5d4 6. f3d4 6... c6d4 7. d1d4 7... c7c6 8. b5e2 8... d8b6 9. d4d3 All of White's moves are very natural, and this is a critical line for Black's system. 9... f8e7 10. a2a4 10... a7a5 11. e1g1 11... e8g8 12. c1e3 Now White can play this move without having to sacrifice a pawn, since with the inclusion of a4-a5, the queen is left without a square. 12... e7c5 13. e3c5 13... b6c5 14. a1d1 14... g6e5 A bad move, since the knight will soon be attacked by f4 and White remains with a firm grip on the dark squares. 15. d3d6 15... c5d6 16. d1d6 The endgame is nearly winning for White with a development advantage and better pawn structure. Black has trouble getting the bishop into play, and the backward d-pawn is a long-term weakness. 16... f7f6 17. f2f4 17... e5f7 18. e2c4 18... g8h8 19. d6d4 Carlsen decides to keep the bishop to advance the pawn to e5 to create problems quickly for Black. 19... b7b6 20. e4e5 20... f7h6 21. c3e4 21... h6f5 22. d4d3 22... d7d5 A good practical chance, otherwise Black is in a melancholic position with no counterplay. 23. e5d6 23... c8d7 24. f1e1 24... a8e8 25. g1f2 White is a clear pawn up, but surprisingly the game will have some adventures. 25... g7g5 26. d3b3 An uncharacteristic mistake by Carlsen, who is normally surgical when converting winning positions. 26... g5f4 27. b3b6 27... f5e3 Suddenly Black has gained counterplay. 28. c4d3 28... e3g4 29. f2f3 The other moves don't change much. 29... f6f5 30. e4c5 This is the winning idea. 30... e8e1 31. c5d7 31... f8d8 32. b6b8 This move gives Black a chance to save the game. 32... e1e8 33. b8d8 33... e8d8 34. d3f5 34... g4h6 35. f3f4 This looks like a pretty nice move, but it actually isn't very accurate. 35... h6f7 36. d7e5 36... f7d6 37. e5c6 37... d8f8 38. c6d4 White has three pawns for the exchange, and at first I thought this was a clear win, but the computer shows that Black can still defend. 38... h8g8 |
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39... g8f7 | Now White is again winning. | 1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8e7 This is the Cozio Variation of the Ruy Lopez, and it has appeared in other \"Games of the Day.\" Nakamura has used it a few times with Black but not often. He played a game with White against Caruana in 2024 that may have sparked his idea to play it with the other color. 4. b1c3 White has three other major moves. 4... e7g6 5. d2d4 5... e5d4 6. f3d4 6... c6d4 7. d1d4 7... c7c6 8. b5e2 8... d8b6 9. d4d3 All of White's moves are very natural, and this is a critical line for Black's system. 9... f8e7 10. a2a4 10... a7a5 11. e1g1 11... e8g8 12. c1e3 Now White can play this move without having to sacrifice a pawn, since with the inclusion of a4-a5, the queen is left without a square. 12... e7c5 13. e3c5 13... b6c5 14. a1d1 14... g6e5 A bad move, since the knight will soon be attacked by f4 and White remains with a firm grip on the dark squares. 15. d3d6 15... c5d6 16. d1d6 The endgame is nearly winning for White with a development advantage and better pawn structure. Black has trouble getting the bishop into play, and the backward d-pawn is a long-term weakness. 16... f7f6 17. f2f4 17... e5f7 18. e2c4 18... g8h8 19. d6d4 Carlsen decides to keep the bishop to advance the pawn to e5 to create problems quickly for Black. 19... b7b6 20. e4e5 20... f7h6 21. c3e4 21... h6f5 22. d4d3 22... d7d5 A good practical chance, otherwise Black is in a melancholic position with no counterplay. 23. e5d6 23... c8d7 24. f1e1 24... a8e8 25. g1f2 White is a clear pawn up, but surprisingly the game will have some adventures. 25... g7g5 26. d3b3 An uncharacteristic mistake by Carlsen, who is normally surgical when converting winning positions. 26... g5f4 27. b3b6 27... f5e3 Suddenly Black has gained counterplay. 28. c4d3 28... e3g4 29. f2f3 The other moves don't change much. 29... f6f5 30. e4c5 This is the winning idea. 30... e8e1 31. c5d7 31... f8d8 32. b6b8 This move gives Black a chance to save the game. 32... e1e8 33. b8d8 33... e8d8 34. d3f5 34... g4h6 35. f3f4 This looks like a pretty nice move, but it actually isn't very accurate. 35... h6f7 36. d7e5 36... f7d6 37. e5c6 37... d8f8 38. c6d4 White has three pawns for the exchange, and at first I thought this was a clear win, but the computer shows that Black can still defend. 38... h8g8 39. b2b3 |
40. f5h7 | 1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8e7 This is the Cozio Variation of the Ruy Lopez, and it has appeared in other \"Games of the Day.\" Nakamura has used it a few times with Black but not often. He played a game with White against Caruana in 2024 that may have sparked his idea to play it with the other color. 4. b1c3 White has three other major moves. 4... e7g6 5. d2d4 5... e5d4 6. f3d4 6... c6d4 7. d1d4 7... c7c6 8. b5e2 8... d8b6 9. d4d3 All of White's moves are very natural, and this is a critical line for Black's system. 9... f8e7 10. a2a4 10... a7a5 11. e1g1 11... e8g8 12. c1e3 Now White can play this move without having to sacrifice a pawn, since with the inclusion of a4-a5, the queen is left without a square. 12... e7c5 13. e3c5 13... b6c5 14. a1d1 14... g6e5 A bad move, since the knight will soon be attacked by f4 and White remains with a firm grip on the dark squares. 15. d3d6 15... c5d6 16. d1d6 The endgame is nearly winning for White with a development advantage and better pawn structure. Black has trouble getting the bishop into play, and the backward d-pawn is a long-term weakness. 16... f7f6 17. f2f4 17... e5f7 18. e2c4 18... g8h8 19. d6d4 Carlsen decides to keep the bishop to advance the pawn to e5 to create problems quickly for Black. 19... b7b6 20. e4e5 20... f7h6 21. c3e4 21... h6f5 22. d4d3 22... d7d5 A good practical chance, otherwise Black is in a melancholic position with no counterplay. 23. e5d6 23... c8d7 24. f1e1 24... a8e8 25. g1f2 White is a clear pawn up, but surprisingly the game will have some adventures. 25... g7g5 26. d3b3 An uncharacteristic mistake by Carlsen, who is normally surgical when converting winning positions. 26... g5f4 27. b3b6 27... f5e3 Suddenly Black has gained counterplay. 28. c4d3 28... e3g4 29. f2f3 The other moves don't change much. 29... f6f5 30. e4c5 This is the winning idea. 30... e8e1 31. c5d7 31... f8d8 32. b6b8 This move gives Black a chance to save the game. 32... e1e8 33. b8d8 33... e8d8 34. d3f5 34... g4h6 35. f3f4 This looks like a pretty nice move, but it actually isn't very accurate. 35... h6f7 36. d7e5 36... f7d6 37. e5c6 37... d8f8 38. c6d4 White has three pawns for the exchange, and at first I thought this was a clear win, but the computer shows that Black can still defend. 38... h8g8 39. b2b3 39... g8f7 Now White is again winning. |
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40... f8h8 | 1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8e7 This is the Cozio Variation of the Ruy Lopez, and it has appeared in other \"Games of the Day.\" Nakamura has used it a few times with Black but not often. He played a game with White against Caruana in 2024 that may have sparked his idea to play it with the other color. 4. b1c3 White has three other major moves. 4... e7g6 5. d2d4 5... e5d4 6. f3d4 6... c6d4 7. d1d4 7... c7c6 8. b5e2 8... d8b6 9. d4d3 All of White's moves are very natural, and this is a critical line for Black's system. 9... f8e7 10. a2a4 10... a7a5 11. e1g1 11... e8g8 12. c1e3 Now White can play this move without having to sacrifice a pawn, since with the inclusion of a4-a5, the queen is left without a square. 12... e7c5 13. e3c5 13... b6c5 14. a1d1 14... g6e5 A bad move, since the knight will soon be attacked by f4 and White remains with a firm grip on the dark squares. 15. d3d6 15... c5d6 16. d1d6 The endgame is nearly winning for White with a development advantage and better pawn structure. Black has trouble getting the bishop into play, and the backward d-pawn is a long-term weakness. 16... f7f6 17. f2f4 17... e5f7 18. e2c4 18... g8h8 19. d6d4 Carlsen decides to keep the bishop to advance the pawn to e5 to create problems quickly for Black. 19... b7b6 20. e4e5 20... f7h6 21. c3e4 21... h6f5 22. d4d3 22... d7d5 A good practical chance, otherwise Black is in a melancholic position with no counterplay. 23. e5d6 23... c8d7 24. f1e1 24... a8e8 25. g1f2 White is a clear pawn up, but surprisingly the game will have some adventures. 25... g7g5 26. d3b3 An uncharacteristic mistake by Carlsen, who is normally surgical when converting winning positions. 26... g5f4 27. b3b6 27... f5e3 Suddenly Black has gained counterplay. 28. c4d3 28... e3g4 29. f2f3 The other moves don't change much. 29... f6f5 30. e4c5 This is the winning idea. 30... e8e1 31. c5d7 31... f8d8 32. b6b8 This move gives Black a chance to save the game. 32... e1e8 33. b8d8 33... e8d8 34. d3f5 34... g4h6 35. f3f4 This looks like a pretty nice move, but it actually isn't very accurate. 35... h6f7 36. d7e5 36... f7d6 37. e5c6 37... d8f8 38. c6d4 White has three pawns for the exchange, and at first I thought this was a clear win, but the computer shows that Black can still defend. 38... h8g8 39. b2b3 39... g8f7 Now White is again winning. 40. f5h7 |
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41. f4e5 | 1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8e7 This is the Cozio Variation of the Ruy Lopez, and it has appeared in other \"Games of the Day.\" Nakamura has used it a few times with Black but not often. He played a game with White against Caruana in 2024 that may have sparked his idea to play it with the other color. 4. b1c3 White has three other major moves. 4... e7g6 5. d2d4 5... e5d4 6. f3d4 6... c6d4 7. d1d4 7... c7c6 8. b5e2 8... d8b6 9. d4d3 All of White's moves are very natural, and this is a critical line for Black's system. 9... f8e7 10. a2a4 10... a7a5 11. e1g1 11... e8g8 12. c1e3 Now White can play this move without having to sacrifice a pawn, since with the inclusion of a4-a5, the queen is left without a square. 12... e7c5 13. e3c5 13... b6c5 14. a1d1 14... g6e5 A bad move, since the knight will soon be attacked by f4 and White remains with a firm grip on the dark squares. 15. d3d6 15... c5d6 16. d1d6 The endgame is nearly winning for White with a development advantage and better pawn structure. Black has trouble getting the bishop into play, and the backward d-pawn is a long-term weakness. 16... f7f6 17. f2f4 17... e5f7 18. e2c4 18... g8h8 19. d6d4 Carlsen decides to keep the bishop to advance the pawn to e5 to create problems quickly for Black. 19... b7b6 20. e4e5 20... f7h6 21. c3e4 21... h6f5 22. d4d3 22... d7d5 A good practical chance, otherwise Black is in a melancholic position with no counterplay. 23. e5d6 23... c8d7 24. f1e1 24... a8e8 25. g1f2 White is a clear pawn up, but surprisingly the game will have some adventures. 25... g7g5 26. d3b3 An uncharacteristic mistake by Carlsen, who is normally surgical when converting winning positions. 26... g5f4 27. b3b6 27... f5e3 Suddenly Black has gained counterplay. 28. c4d3 28... e3g4 29. f2f3 The other moves don't change much. 29... f6f5 30. e4c5 This is the winning idea. 30... e8e1 31. c5d7 31... f8d8 32. b6b8 This move gives Black a chance to save the game. 32... e1e8 33. b8d8 33... e8d8 34. d3f5 34... g4h6 35. f3f4 This looks like a pretty nice move, but it actually isn't very accurate. 35... h6f7 36. d7e5 36... f7d6 37. e5c6 37... d8f8 38. c6d4 White has three pawns for the exchange, and at first I thought this was a clear win, but the computer shows that Black can still defend. 38... h8g8 39. b2b3 39... g8f7 Now White is again winning. 40. f5h7 40... f8h8 |
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41... d6b7 | 1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8e7 This is the Cozio Variation of the Ruy Lopez, and it has appeared in other \"Games of the Day.\" Nakamura has used it a few times with Black but not often. He played a game with White against Caruana in 2024 that may have sparked his idea to play it with the other color. 4. b1c3 White has three other major moves. 4... e7g6 5. d2d4 5... e5d4 6. f3d4 6... c6d4 7. d1d4 7... c7c6 8. b5e2 8... d8b6 9. d4d3 All of White's moves are very natural, and this is a critical line for Black's system. 9... f8e7 10. a2a4 10... a7a5 11. e1g1 11... e8g8 12. c1e3 Now White can play this move without having to sacrifice a pawn, since with the inclusion of a4-a5, the queen is left without a square. 12... e7c5 13. e3c5 13... b6c5 14. a1d1 14... g6e5 A bad move, since the knight will soon be attacked by f4 and White remains with a firm grip on the dark squares. 15. d3d6 15... c5d6 16. d1d6 The endgame is nearly winning for White with a development advantage and better pawn structure. Black has trouble getting the bishop into play, and the backward d-pawn is a long-term weakness. 16... f7f6 17. f2f4 17... e5f7 18. e2c4 18... g8h8 19. d6d4 Carlsen decides to keep the bishop to advance the pawn to e5 to create problems quickly for Black. 19... b7b6 20. e4e5 20... f7h6 21. c3e4 21... h6f5 22. d4d3 22... d7d5 A good practical chance, otherwise Black is in a melancholic position with no counterplay. 23. e5d6 23... c8d7 24. f1e1 24... a8e8 25. g1f2 White is a clear pawn up, but surprisingly the game will have some adventures. 25... g7g5 26. d3b3 An uncharacteristic mistake by Carlsen, who is normally surgical when converting winning positions. 26... g5f4 27. b3b6 27... f5e3 Suddenly Black has gained counterplay. 28. c4d3 28... e3g4 29. f2f3 The other moves don't change much. 29... f6f5 30. e4c5 This is the winning idea. 30... e8e1 31. c5d7 31... f8d8 32. b6b8 This move gives Black a chance to save the game. 32... e1e8 33. b8d8 33... e8d8 34. d3f5 34... g4h6 35. f3f4 This looks like a pretty nice move, but it actually isn't very accurate. 35... h6f7 36. d7e5 36... f7d6 37. e5c6 37... d8f8 38. c6d4 White has three pawns for the exchange, and at first I thought this was a clear win, but the computer shows that Black can still defend. 38... h8g8 39. b2b3 39... g8f7 Now White is again winning. 40. f5h7 40... f8h8 41. f4e5 |
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42. h7e4 | 1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8e7 This is the Cozio Variation of the Ruy Lopez, and it has appeared in other \"Games of the Day.\" Nakamura has used it a few times with Black but not often. He played a game with White against Caruana in 2024 that may have sparked his idea to play it with the other color. 4. b1c3 White has three other major moves. 4... e7g6 5. d2d4 5... e5d4 6. f3d4 6... c6d4 7. d1d4 7... c7c6 8. b5e2 8... d8b6 9. d4d3 All of White's moves are very natural, and this is a critical line for Black's system. 9... f8e7 10. a2a4 10... a7a5 11. e1g1 11... e8g8 12. c1e3 Now White can play this move without having to sacrifice a pawn, since with the inclusion of a4-a5, the queen is left without a square. 12... e7c5 13. e3c5 13... b6c5 14. a1d1 14... g6e5 A bad move, since the knight will soon be attacked by f4 and White remains with a firm grip on the dark squares. 15. d3d6 15... c5d6 16. d1d6 The endgame is nearly winning for White with a development advantage and better pawn structure. Black has trouble getting the bishop into play, and the backward d-pawn is a long-term weakness. 16... f7f6 17. f2f4 17... e5f7 18. e2c4 18... g8h8 19. d6d4 Carlsen decides to keep the bishop to advance the pawn to e5 to create problems quickly for Black. 19... b7b6 20. e4e5 20... f7h6 21. c3e4 21... h6f5 22. d4d3 22... d7d5 A good practical chance, otherwise Black is in a melancholic position with no counterplay. 23. e5d6 23... c8d7 24. f1e1 24... a8e8 25. g1f2 White is a clear pawn up, but surprisingly the game will have some adventures. 25... g7g5 26. d3b3 An uncharacteristic mistake by Carlsen, who is normally surgical when converting winning positions. 26... g5f4 27. b3b6 27... f5e3 Suddenly Black has gained counterplay. 28. c4d3 28... e3g4 29. f2f3 The other moves don't change much. 29... f6f5 30. e4c5 This is the winning idea. 30... e8e1 31. c5d7 31... f8d8 32. b6b8 This move gives Black a chance to save the game. 32... e1e8 33. b8d8 33... e8d8 34. d3f5 34... g4h6 35. f3f4 This looks like a pretty nice move, but it actually isn't very accurate. 35... h6f7 36. d7e5 36... f7d6 37. e5c6 37... d8f8 38. c6d4 White has three pawns for the exchange, and at first I thought this was a clear win, but the computer shows that Black can still defend. 38... h8g8 39. b2b3 39... g8f7 Now White is again winning. 40. f5h7 40... f8h8 41. f4e5 41... d6b7 |
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42... h8e8 | 1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8e7 This is the Cozio Variation of the Ruy Lopez, and it has appeared in other \"Games of the Day.\" Nakamura has used it a few times with Black but not often. He played a game with White against Caruana in 2024 that may have sparked his idea to play it with the other color. 4. b1c3 White has three other major moves. 4... e7g6 5. d2d4 5... e5d4 6. f3d4 6... c6d4 7. d1d4 7... c7c6 8. b5e2 8... d8b6 9. d4d3 All of White's moves are very natural, and this is a critical line for Black's system. 9... f8e7 10. a2a4 10... a7a5 11. e1g1 11... e8g8 12. c1e3 Now White can play this move without having to sacrifice a pawn, since with the inclusion of a4-a5, the queen is left without a square. 12... e7c5 13. e3c5 13... b6c5 14. a1d1 14... g6e5 A bad move, since the knight will soon be attacked by f4 and White remains with a firm grip on the dark squares. 15. d3d6 15... c5d6 16. d1d6 The endgame is nearly winning for White with a development advantage and better pawn structure. Black has trouble getting the bishop into play, and the backward d-pawn is a long-term weakness. 16... f7f6 17. f2f4 17... e5f7 18. e2c4 18... g8h8 19. d6d4 Carlsen decides to keep the bishop to advance the pawn to e5 to create problems quickly for Black. 19... b7b6 20. e4e5 20... f7h6 21. c3e4 21... h6f5 22. d4d3 22... d7d5 A good practical chance, otherwise Black is in a melancholic position with no counterplay. 23. e5d6 23... c8d7 24. f1e1 24... a8e8 25. g1f2 White is a clear pawn up, but surprisingly the game will have some adventures. 25... g7g5 26. d3b3 An uncharacteristic mistake by Carlsen, who is normally surgical when converting winning positions. 26... g5f4 27. b3b6 27... f5e3 Suddenly Black has gained counterplay. 28. c4d3 28... e3g4 29. f2f3 The other moves don't change much. 29... f6f5 30. e4c5 This is the winning idea. 30... e8e1 31. c5d7 31... f8d8 32. b6b8 This move gives Black a chance to save the game. 32... e1e8 33. b8d8 33... e8d8 34. d3f5 34... g4h6 35. f3f4 This looks like a pretty nice move, but it actually isn't very accurate. 35... h6f7 36. d7e5 36... f7d6 37. e5c6 37... d8f8 38. c6d4 White has three pawns for the exchange, and at first I thought this was a clear win, but the computer shows that Black can still defend. 38... h8g8 39. b2b3 39... g8f7 Now White is again winning. 40. f5h7 40... f8h8 41. f4e5 41... d6b7 42. h7e4 |
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43. e5f4 | 1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8e7 This is the Cozio Variation of the Ruy Lopez, and it has appeared in other \"Games of the Day.\" Nakamura has used it a few times with Black but not often. He played a game with White against Caruana in 2024 that may have sparked his idea to play it with the other color. 4. b1c3 White has three other major moves. 4... e7g6 5. d2d4 5... e5d4 6. f3d4 6... c6d4 7. d1d4 7... c7c6 8. b5e2 8... d8b6 9. d4d3 All of White's moves are very natural, and this is a critical line for Black's system. 9... f8e7 10. a2a4 10... a7a5 11. e1g1 11... e8g8 12. c1e3 Now White can play this move without having to sacrifice a pawn, since with the inclusion of a4-a5, the queen is left without a square. 12... e7c5 13. e3c5 13... b6c5 14. a1d1 14... g6e5 A bad move, since the knight will soon be attacked by f4 and White remains with a firm grip on the dark squares. 15. d3d6 15... c5d6 16. d1d6 The endgame is nearly winning for White with a development advantage and better pawn structure. Black has trouble getting the bishop into play, and the backward d-pawn is a long-term weakness. 16... f7f6 17. f2f4 17... e5f7 18. e2c4 18... g8h8 19. d6d4 Carlsen decides to keep the bishop to advance the pawn to e5 to create problems quickly for Black. 19... b7b6 20. e4e5 20... f7h6 21. c3e4 21... h6f5 22. d4d3 22... d7d5 A good practical chance, otherwise Black is in a melancholic position with no counterplay. 23. e5d6 23... c8d7 24. f1e1 24... a8e8 25. g1f2 White is a clear pawn up, but surprisingly the game will have some adventures. 25... g7g5 26. d3b3 An uncharacteristic mistake by Carlsen, who is normally surgical when converting winning positions. 26... g5f4 27. b3b6 27... f5e3 Suddenly Black has gained counterplay. 28. c4d3 28... e3g4 29. f2f3 The other moves don't change much. 29... f6f5 30. e4c5 This is the winning idea. 30... e8e1 31. c5d7 31... f8d8 32. b6b8 This move gives Black a chance to save the game. 32... e1e8 33. b8d8 33... e8d8 34. d3f5 34... g4h6 35. f3f4 This looks like a pretty nice move, but it actually isn't very accurate. 35... h6f7 36. d7e5 36... f7d6 37. e5c6 37... d8f8 38. c6d4 White has three pawns for the exchange, and at first I thought this was a clear win, but the computer shows that Black can still defend. 38... h8g8 39. b2b3 39... g8f7 Now White is again winning. 40. f5h7 40... f8h8 41. f4e5 41... d6b7 42. h7e4 42... h8e8 |
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43... b7c5 | 1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8e7 This is the Cozio Variation of the Ruy Lopez, and it has appeared in other \"Games of the Day.\" Nakamura has used it a few times with Black but not often. He played a game with White against Caruana in 2024 that may have sparked his idea to play it with the other color. 4. b1c3 White has three other major moves. 4... e7g6 5. d2d4 5... e5d4 6. f3d4 6... c6d4 7. d1d4 7... c7c6 8. b5e2 8... d8b6 9. d4d3 All of White's moves are very natural, and this is a critical line for Black's system. 9... f8e7 10. a2a4 10... a7a5 11. e1g1 11... e8g8 12. c1e3 Now White can play this move without having to sacrifice a pawn, since with the inclusion of a4-a5, the queen is left without a square. 12... e7c5 13. e3c5 13... b6c5 14. a1d1 14... g6e5 A bad move, since the knight will soon be attacked by f4 and White remains with a firm grip on the dark squares. 15. d3d6 15... c5d6 16. d1d6 The endgame is nearly winning for White with a development advantage and better pawn structure. Black has trouble getting the bishop into play, and the backward d-pawn is a long-term weakness. 16... f7f6 17. f2f4 17... e5f7 18. e2c4 18... g8h8 19. d6d4 Carlsen decides to keep the bishop to advance the pawn to e5 to create problems quickly for Black. 19... b7b6 20. e4e5 20... f7h6 21. c3e4 21... h6f5 22. d4d3 22... d7d5 A good practical chance, otherwise Black is in a melancholic position with no counterplay. 23. e5d6 23... c8d7 24. f1e1 24... a8e8 25. g1f2 White is a clear pawn up, but surprisingly the game will have some adventures. 25... g7g5 26. d3b3 An uncharacteristic mistake by Carlsen, who is normally surgical when converting winning positions. 26... g5f4 27. b3b6 27... f5e3 Suddenly Black has gained counterplay. 28. c4d3 28... e3g4 29. f2f3 The other moves don't change much. 29... f6f5 30. e4c5 This is the winning idea. 30... e8e1 31. c5d7 31... f8d8 32. b6b8 This move gives Black a chance to save the game. 32... e1e8 33. b8d8 33... e8d8 34. d3f5 34... g4h6 35. f3f4 This looks like a pretty nice move, but it actually isn't very accurate. 35... h6f7 36. d7e5 36... f7d6 37. e5c6 37... d8f8 38. c6d4 White has three pawns for the exchange, and at first I thought this was a clear win, but the computer shows that Black can still defend. 38... h8g8 39. b2b3 39... g8f7 Now White is again winning. 40. f5h7 40... f8h8 41. f4e5 41... d6b7 42. h7e4 42... h8e8 43. e5f4 |
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44. e4f3 | With four pawns for the exchange, the win is certain. | 1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8e7 This is the Cozio Variation of the Ruy Lopez, and it has appeared in other \"Games of the Day.\" Nakamura has used it a few times with Black but not often. He played a game with White against Caruana in 2024 that may have sparked his idea to play it with the other color. 4. b1c3 White has three other major moves. 4... e7g6 5. d2d4 5... e5d4 6. f3d4 6... c6d4 7. d1d4 7... c7c6 8. b5e2 8... d8b6 9. d4d3 All of White's moves are very natural, and this is a critical line for Black's system. 9... f8e7 10. a2a4 10... a7a5 11. e1g1 11... e8g8 12. c1e3 Now White can play this move without having to sacrifice a pawn, since with the inclusion of a4-a5, the queen is left without a square. 12... e7c5 13. e3c5 13... b6c5 14. a1d1 14... g6e5 A bad move, since the knight will soon be attacked by f4 and White remains with a firm grip on the dark squares. 15. d3d6 15... c5d6 16. d1d6 The endgame is nearly winning for White with a development advantage and better pawn structure. Black has trouble getting the bishop into play, and the backward d-pawn is a long-term weakness. 16... f7f6 17. f2f4 17... e5f7 18. e2c4 18... g8h8 19. d6d4 Carlsen decides to keep the bishop to advance the pawn to e5 to create problems quickly for Black. 19... b7b6 20. e4e5 20... f7h6 21. c3e4 21... h6f5 22. d4d3 22... d7d5 A good practical chance, otherwise Black is in a melancholic position with no counterplay. 23. e5d6 23... c8d7 24. f1e1 24... a8e8 25. g1f2 White is a clear pawn up, but surprisingly the game will have some adventures. 25... g7g5 26. d3b3 An uncharacteristic mistake by Carlsen, who is normally surgical when converting winning positions. 26... g5f4 27. b3b6 27... f5e3 Suddenly Black has gained counterplay. 28. c4d3 28... e3g4 29. f2f3 The other moves don't change much. 29... f6f5 30. e4c5 This is the winning idea. 30... e8e1 31. c5d7 31... f8d8 32. b6b8 This move gives Black a chance to save the game. 32... e1e8 33. b8d8 33... e8d8 34. d3f5 34... g4h6 35. f3f4 This looks like a pretty nice move, but it actually isn't very accurate. 35... h6f7 36. d7e5 36... f7d6 37. e5c6 37... d8f8 38. c6d4 White has three pawns for the exchange, and at first I thought this was a clear win, but the computer shows that Black can still defend. 38... h8g8 39. b2b3 39... g8f7 Now White is again winning. 40. f5h7 40... f8h8 41. f4e5 41... d6b7 42. h7e4 42... h8e8 43. e5f4 43... b7c5 |
44... e8d8 | 1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8e7 This is the Cozio Variation of the Ruy Lopez, and it has appeared in other \"Games of the Day.\" Nakamura has used it a few times with Black but not often. He played a game with White against Caruana in 2024 that may have sparked his idea to play it with the other color. 4. b1c3 White has three other major moves. 4... e7g6 5. d2d4 5... e5d4 6. f3d4 6... c6d4 7. d1d4 7... c7c6 8. b5e2 8... d8b6 9. d4d3 All of White's moves are very natural, and this is a critical line for Black's system. 9... f8e7 10. a2a4 10... a7a5 11. e1g1 11... e8g8 12. c1e3 Now White can play this move without having to sacrifice a pawn, since with the inclusion of a4-a5, the queen is left without a square. 12... e7c5 13. e3c5 13... b6c5 14. a1d1 14... g6e5 A bad move, since the knight will soon be attacked by f4 and White remains with a firm grip on the dark squares. 15. d3d6 15... c5d6 16. d1d6 The endgame is nearly winning for White with a development advantage and better pawn structure. Black has trouble getting the bishop into play, and the backward d-pawn is a long-term weakness. 16... f7f6 17. f2f4 17... e5f7 18. e2c4 18... g8h8 19. d6d4 Carlsen decides to keep the bishop to advance the pawn to e5 to create problems quickly for Black. 19... b7b6 20. e4e5 20... f7h6 21. c3e4 21... h6f5 22. d4d3 22... d7d5 A good practical chance, otherwise Black is in a melancholic position with no counterplay. 23. e5d6 23... c8d7 24. f1e1 24... a8e8 25. g1f2 White is a clear pawn up, but surprisingly the game will have some adventures. 25... g7g5 26. d3b3 An uncharacteristic mistake by Carlsen, who is normally surgical when converting winning positions. 26... g5f4 27. b3b6 27... f5e3 Suddenly Black has gained counterplay. 28. c4d3 28... e3g4 29. f2f3 The other moves don't change much. 29... f6f5 30. e4c5 This is the winning idea. 30... e8e1 31. c5d7 31... f8d8 32. b6b8 This move gives Black a chance to save the game. 32... e1e8 33. b8d8 33... e8d8 34. d3f5 34... g4h6 35. f3f4 This looks like a pretty nice move, but it actually isn't very accurate. 35... h6f7 36. d7e5 36... f7d6 37. e5c6 37... d8f8 38. c6d4 White has three pawns for the exchange, and at first I thought this was a clear win, but the computer shows that Black can still defend. 38... h8g8 39. b2b3 39... g8f7 Now White is again winning. 40. f5h7 40... f8h8 41. f4e5 41... d6b7 42. h7e4 42... h8e8 43. e5f4 43... b7c5 44. e4f3 With four pawns for the exchange, the win is certain. |
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45. f4e3 | 1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8e7 This is the Cozio Variation of the Ruy Lopez, and it has appeared in other \"Games of the Day.\" Nakamura has used it a few times with Black but not often. He played a game with White against Caruana in 2024 that may have sparked his idea to play it with the other color. 4. b1c3 White has three other major moves. 4... e7g6 5. d2d4 5... e5d4 6. f3d4 6... c6d4 7. d1d4 7... c7c6 8. b5e2 8... d8b6 9. d4d3 All of White's moves are very natural, and this is a critical line for Black's system. 9... f8e7 10. a2a4 10... a7a5 11. e1g1 11... e8g8 12. c1e3 Now White can play this move without having to sacrifice a pawn, since with the inclusion of a4-a5, the queen is left without a square. 12... e7c5 13. e3c5 13... b6c5 14. a1d1 14... g6e5 A bad move, since the knight will soon be attacked by f4 and White remains with a firm grip on the dark squares. 15. d3d6 15... c5d6 16. d1d6 The endgame is nearly winning for White with a development advantage and better pawn structure. Black has trouble getting the bishop into play, and the backward d-pawn is a long-term weakness. 16... f7f6 17. f2f4 17... e5f7 18. e2c4 18... g8h8 19. d6d4 Carlsen decides to keep the bishop to advance the pawn to e5 to create problems quickly for Black. 19... b7b6 20. e4e5 20... f7h6 21. c3e4 21... h6f5 22. d4d3 22... d7d5 A good practical chance, otherwise Black is in a melancholic position with no counterplay. 23. e5d6 23... c8d7 24. f1e1 24... a8e8 25. g1f2 White is a clear pawn up, but surprisingly the game will have some adventures. 25... g7g5 26. d3b3 An uncharacteristic mistake by Carlsen, who is normally surgical when converting winning positions. 26... g5f4 27. b3b6 27... f5e3 Suddenly Black has gained counterplay. 28. c4d3 28... e3g4 29. f2f3 The other moves don't change much. 29... f6f5 30. e4c5 This is the winning idea. 30... e8e1 31. c5d7 31... f8d8 32. b6b8 This move gives Black a chance to save the game. 32... e1e8 33. b8d8 33... e8d8 34. d3f5 34... g4h6 35. f3f4 This looks like a pretty nice move, but it actually isn't very accurate. 35... h6f7 36. d7e5 36... f7d6 37. e5c6 37... d8f8 38. c6d4 White has three pawns for the exchange, and at first I thought this was a clear win, but the computer shows that Black can still defend. 38... h8g8 39. b2b3 39... g8f7 Now White is again winning. 40. f5h7 40... f8h8 41. f4e5 41... d6b7 42. h7e4 42... h8e8 43. e5f4 43... b7c5 44. e4f3 With four pawns for the exchange, the win is certain. 44... e8d8 |
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45... d8e8 | 1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8e7 This is the Cozio Variation of the Ruy Lopez, and it has appeared in other \"Games of the Day.\" Nakamura has used it a few times with Black but not often. He played a game with White against Caruana in 2024 that may have sparked his idea to play it with the other color. 4. b1c3 White has three other major moves. 4... e7g6 5. d2d4 5... e5d4 6. f3d4 6... c6d4 7. d1d4 7... c7c6 8. b5e2 8... d8b6 9. d4d3 All of White's moves are very natural, and this is a critical line for Black's system. 9... f8e7 10. a2a4 10... a7a5 11. e1g1 11... e8g8 12. c1e3 Now White can play this move without having to sacrifice a pawn, since with the inclusion of a4-a5, the queen is left without a square. 12... e7c5 13. e3c5 13... b6c5 14. a1d1 14... g6e5 A bad move, since the knight will soon be attacked by f4 and White remains with a firm grip on the dark squares. 15. d3d6 15... c5d6 16. d1d6 The endgame is nearly winning for White with a development advantage and better pawn structure. Black has trouble getting the bishop into play, and the backward d-pawn is a long-term weakness. 16... f7f6 17. f2f4 17... e5f7 18. e2c4 18... g8h8 19. d6d4 Carlsen decides to keep the bishop to advance the pawn to e5 to create problems quickly for Black. 19... b7b6 20. e4e5 20... f7h6 21. c3e4 21... h6f5 22. d4d3 22... d7d5 A good practical chance, otherwise Black is in a melancholic position with no counterplay. 23. e5d6 23... c8d7 24. f1e1 24... a8e8 25. g1f2 White is a clear pawn up, but surprisingly the game will have some adventures. 25... g7g5 26. d3b3 An uncharacteristic mistake by Carlsen, who is normally surgical when converting winning positions. 26... g5f4 27. b3b6 27... f5e3 Suddenly Black has gained counterplay. 28. c4d3 28... e3g4 29. f2f3 The other moves don't change much. 29... f6f5 30. e4c5 This is the winning idea. 30... e8e1 31. c5d7 31... f8d8 32. b6b8 This move gives Black a chance to save the game. 32... e1e8 33. b8d8 33... e8d8 34. d3f5 34... g4h6 35. f3f4 This looks like a pretty nice move, but it actually isn't very accurate. 35... h6f7 36. d7e5 36... f7d6 37. e5c6 37... d8f8 38. c6d4 White has three pawns for the exchange, and at first I thought this was a clear win, but the computer shows that Black can still defend. 38... h8g8 39. b2b3 39... g8f7 Now White is again winning. 40. f5h7 40... f8h8 41. f4e5 41... d6b7 42. h7e4 42... h8e8 43. e5f4 43... b7c5 44. e4f3 With four pawns for the exchange, the win is certain. 44... e8d8 45. f4e3 |
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46. e3d2 | 1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8e7 This is the Cozio Variation of the Ruy Lopez, and it has appeared in other \"Games of the Day.\" Nakamura has used it a few times with Black but not often. He played a game with White against Caruana in 2024 that may have sparked his idea to play it with the other color. 4. b1c3 White has three other major moves. 4... e7g6 5. d2d4 5... e5d4 6. f3d4 6... c6d4 7. d1d4 7... c7c6 8. b5e2 8... d8b6 9. d4d3 All of White's moves are very natural, and this is a critical line for Black's system. 9... f8e7 10. a2a4 10... a7a5 11. e1g1 11... e8g8 12. c1e3 Now White can play this move without having to sacrifice a pawn, since with the inclusion of a4-a5, the queen is left without a square. 12... e7c5 13. e3c5 13... b6c5 14. a1d1 14... g6e5 A bad move, since the knight will soon be attacked by f4 and White remains with a firm grip on the dark squares. 15. d3d6 15... c5d6 16. d1d6 The endgame is nearly winning for White with a development advantage and better pawn structure. Black has trouble getting the bishop into play, and the backward d-pawn is a long-term weakness. 16... f7f6 17. f2f4 17... e5f7 18. e2c4 18... g8h8 19. d6d4 Carlsen decides to keep the bishop to advance the pawn to e5 to create problems quickly for Black. 19... b7b6 20. e4e5 20... f7h6 21. c3e4 21... h6f5 22. d4d3 22... d7d5 A good practical chance, otherwise Black is in a melancholic position with no counterplay. 23. e5d6 23... c8d7 24. f1e1 24... a8e8 25. g1f2 White is a clear pawn up, but surprisingly the game will have some adventures. 25... g7g5 26. d3b3 An uncharacteristic mistake by Carlsen, who is normally surgical when converting winning positions. 26... g5f4 27. b3b6 27... f5e3 Suddenly Black has gained counterplay. 28. c4d3 28... e3g4 29. f2f3 The other moves don't change much. 29... f6f5 30. e4c5 This is the winning idea. 30... e8e1 31. c5d7 31... f8d8 32. b6b8 This move gives Black a chance to save the game. 32... e1e8 33. b8d8 33... e8d8 34. d3f5 34... g4h6 35. f3f4 This looks like a pretty nice move, but it actually isn't very accurate. 35... h6f7 36. d7e5 36... f7d6 37. e5c6 37... d8f8 38. c6d4 White has three pawns for the exchange, and at first I thought this was a clear win, but the computer shows that Black can still defend. 38... h8g8 39. b2b3 39... g8f7 Now White is again winning. 40. f5h7 40... f8h8 41. f4e5 41... d6b7 42. h7e4 42... h8e8 43. e5f4 43... b7c5 44. e4f3 With four pawns for the exchange, the win is certain. 44... e8d8 45. f4e3 45... d8e8 |
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46... e8d8 | 1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8e7 This is the Cozio Variation of the Ruy Lopez, and it has appeared in other \"Games of the Day.\" Nakamura has used it a few times with Black but not often. He played a game with White against Caruana in 2024 that may have sparked his idea to play it with the other color. 4. b1c3 White has three other major moves. 4... e7g6 5. d2d4 5... e5d4 6. f3d4 6... c6d4 7. d1d4 7... c7c6 8. b5e2 8... d8b6 9. d4d3 All of White's moves are very natural, and this is a critical line for Black's system. 9... f8e7 10. a2a4 10... a7a5 11. e1g1 11... e8g8 12. c1e3 Now White can play this move without having to sacrifice a pawn, since with the inclusion of a4-a5, the queen is left without a square. 12... e7c5 13. e3c5 13... b6c5 14. a1d1 14... g6e5 A bad move, since the knight will soon be attacked by f4 and White remains with a firm grip on the dark squares. 15. d3d6 15... c5d6 16. d1d6 The endgame is nearly winning for White with a development advantage and better pawn structure. Black has trouble getting the bishop into play, and the backward d-pawn is a long-term weakness. 16... f7f6 17. f2f4 17... e5f7 18. e2c4 18... g8h8 19. d6d4 Carlsen decides to keep the bishop to advance the pawn to e5 to create problems quickly for Black. 19... b7b6 20. e4e5 20... f7h6 21. c3e4 21... h6f5 22. d4d3 22... d7d5 A good practical chance, otherwise Black is in a melancholic position with no counterplay. 23. e5d6 23... c8d7 24. f1e1 24... a8e8 25. g1f2 White is a clear pawn up, but surprisingly the game will have some adventures. 25... g7g5 26. d3b3 An uncharacteristic mistake by Carlsen, who is normally surgical when converting winning positions. 26... g5f4 27. b3b6 27... f5e3 Suddenly Black has gained counterplay. 28. c4d3 28... e3g4 29. f2f3 The other moves don't change much. 29... f6f5 30. e4c5 This is the winning idea. 30... e8e1 31. c5d7 31... f8d8 32. b6b8 This move gives Black a chance to save the game. 32... e1e8 33. b8d8 33... e8d8 34. d3f5 34... g4h6 35. f3f4 This looks like a pretty nice move, but it actually isn't very accurate. 35... h6f7 36. d7e5 36... f7d6 37. e5c6 37... d8f8 38. c6d4 White has three pawns for the exchange, and at first I thought this was a clear win, but the computer shows that Black can still defend. 38... h8g8 39. b2b3 39... g8f7 Now White is again winning. 40. f5h7 40... f8h8 41. f4e5 41... d6b7 42. h7e4 42... h8e8 43. e5f4 43... b7c5 44. e4f3 With four pawns for the exchange, the win is certain. 44... e8d8 45. f4e3 45... d8e8 46. e3d2 |
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47. d2c3 | 1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8e7 This is the Cozio Variation of the Ruy Lopez, and it has appeared in other \"Games of the Day.\" Nakamura has used it a few times with Black but not often. He played a game with White against Caruana in 2024 that may have sparked his idea to play it with the other color. 4. b1c3 White has three other major moves. 4... e7g6 5. d2d4 5... e5d4 6. f3d4 6... c6d4 7. d1d4 7... c7c6 8. b5e2 8... d8b6 9. d4d3 All of White's moves are very natural, and this is a critical line for Black's system. 9... f8e7 10. a2a4 10... a7a5 11. e1g1 11... e8g8 12. c1e3 Now White can play this move without having to sacrifice a pawn, since with the inclusion of a4-a5, the queen is left without a square. 12... e7c5 13. e3c5 13... b6c5 14. a1d1 14... g6e5 A bad move, since the knight will soon be attacked by f4 and White remains with a firm grip on the dark squares. 15. d3d6 15... c5d6 16. d1d6 The endgame is nearly winning for White with a development advantage and better pawn structure. Black has trouble getting the bishop into play, and the backward d-pawn is a long-term weakness. 16... f7f6 17. f2f4 17... e5f7 18. e2c4 18... g8h8 19. d6d4 Carlsen decides to keep the bishop to advance the pawn to e5 to create problems quickly for Black. 19... b7b6 20. e4e5 20... f7h6 21. c3e4 21... h6f5 22. d4d3 22... d7d5 A good practical chance, otherwise Black is in a melancholic position with no counterplay. 23. e5d6 23... c8d7 24. f1e1 24... a8e8 25. g1f2 White is a clear pawn up, but surprisingly the game will have some adventures. 25... g7g5 26. d3b3 An uncharacteristic mistake by Carlsen, who is normally surgical when converting winning positions. 26... g5f4 27. b3b6 27... f5e3 Suddenly Black has gained counterplay. 28. c4d3 28... e3g4 29. f2f3 The other moves don't change much. 29... f6f5 30. e4c5 This is the winning idea. 30... e8e1 31. c5d7 31... f8d8 32. b6b8 This move gives Black a chance to save the game. 32... e1e8 33. b8d8 33... e8d8 34. d3f5 34... g4h6 35. f3f4 This looks like a pretty nice move, but it actually isn't very accurate. 35... h6f7 36. d7e5 36... f7d6 37. e5c6 37... d8f8 38. c6d4 White has three pawns for the exchange, and at first I thought this was a clear win, but the computer shows that Black can still defend. 38... h8g8 39. b2b3 39... g8f7 Now White is again winning. 40. f5h7 40... f8h8 41. f4e5 41... d6b7 42. h7e4 42... h8e8 43. e5f4 43... b7c5 44. e4f3 With four pawns for the exchange, the win is certain. 44... e8d8 45. f4e3 45... d8e8 46. e3d2 46... e8d8 |
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47... d8c8 | 1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8e7 This is the Cozio Variation of the Ruy Lopez, and it has appeared in other \"Games of the Day.\" Nakamura has used it a few times with Black but not often. He played a game with White against Caruana in 2024 that may have sparked his idea to play it with the other color. 4. b1c3 White has three other major moves. 4... e7g6 5. d2d4 5... e5d4 6. f3d4 6... c6d4 7. d1d4 7... c7c6 8. b5e2 8... d8b6 9. d4d3 All of White's moves are very natural, and this is a critical line for Black's system. 9... f8e7 10. a2a4 10... a7a5 11. e1g1 11... e8g8 12. c1e3 Now White can play this move without having to sacrifice a pawn, since with the inclusion of a4-a5, the queen is left without a square. 12... e7c5 13. e3c5 13... b6c5 14. a1d1 14... g6e5 A bad move, since the knight will soon be attacked by f4 and White remains with a firm grip on the dark squares. 15. d3d6 15... c5d6 16. d1d6 The endgame is nearly winning for White with a development advantage and better pawn structure. Black has trouble getting the bishop into play, and the backward d-pawn is a long-term weakness. 16... f7f6 17. f2f4 17... e5f7 18. e2c4 18... g8h8 19. d6d4 Carlsen decides to keep the bishop to advance the pawn to e5 to create problems quickly for Black. 19... b7b6 20. e4e5 20... f7h6 21. c3e4 21... h6f5 22. d4d3 22... d7d5 A good practical chance, otherwise Black is in a melancholic position with no counterplay. 23. e5d6 23... c8d7 24. f1e1 24... a8e8 25. g1f2 White is a clear pawn up, but surprisingly the game will have some adventures. 25... g7g5 26. d3b3 An uncharacteristic mistake by Carlsen, who is normally surgical when converting winning positions. 26... g5f4 27. b3b6 27... f5e3 Suddenly Black has gained counterplay. 28. c4d3 28... e3g4 29. f2f3 The other moves don't change much. 29... f6f5 30. e4c5 This is the winning idea. 30... e8e1 31. c5d7 31... f8d8 32. b6b8 This move gives Black a chance to save the game. 32... e1e8 33. b8d8 33... e8d8 34. d3f5 34... g4h6 35. f3f4 This looks like a pretty nice move, but it actually isn't very accurate. 35... h6f7 36. d7e5 36... f7d6 37. e5c6 37... d8f8 38. c6d4 White has three pawns for the exchange, and at first I thought this was a clear win, but the computer shows that Black can still defend. 38... h8g8 39. b2b3 39... g8f7 Now White is again winning. 40. f5h7 40... f8h8 41. f4e5 41... d6b7 42. h7e4 42... h8e8 43. e5f4 43... b7c5 44. e4f3 With four pawns for the exchange, the win is certain. 44... e8d8 45. f4e3 45... d8e8 46. e3d2 46... e8d8 47. d2c3 |
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48. d4c6 | 1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8e7 This is the Cozio Variation of the Ruy Lopez, and it has appeared in other \"Games of the Day.\" Nakamura has used it a few times with Black but not often. He played a game with White against Caruana in 2024 that may have sparked his idea to play it with the other color. 4. b1c3 White has three other major moves. 4... e7g6 5. d2d4 5... e5d4 6. f3d4 6... c6d4 7. d1d4 7... c7c6 8. b5e2 8... d8b6 9. d4d3 All of White's moves are very natural, and this is a critical line for Black's system. 9... f8e7 10. a2a4 10... a7a5 11. e1g1 11... e8g8 12. c1e3 Now White can play this move without having to sacrifice a pawn, since with the inclusion of a4-a5, the queen is left without a square. 12... e7c5 13. e3c5 13... b6c5 14. a1d1 14... g6e5 A bad move, since the knight will soon be attacked by f4 and White remains with a firm grip on the dark squares. 15. d3d6 15... c5d6 16. d1d6 The endgame is nearly winning for White with a development advantage and better pawn structure. Black has trouble getting the bishop into play, and the backward d-pawn is a long-term weakness. 16... f7f6 17. f2f4 17... e5f7 18. e2c4 18... g8h8 19. d6d4 Carlsen decides to keep the bishop to advance the pawn to e5 to create problems quickly for Black. 19... b7b6 20. e4e5 20... f7h6 21. c3e4 21... h6f5 22. d4d3 22... d7d5 A good practical chance, otherwise Black is in a melancholic position with no counterplay. 23. e5d6 23... c8d7 24. f1e1 24... a8e8 25. g1f2 White is a clear pawn up, but surprisingly the game will have some adventures. 25... g7g5 26. d3b3 An uncharacteristic mistake by Carlsen, who is normally surgical when converting winning positions. 26... g5f4 27. b3b6 27... f5e3 Suddenly Black has gained counterplay. 28. c4d3 28... e3g4 29. f2f3 The other moves don't change much. 29... f6f5 30. e4c5 This is the winning idea. 30... e8e1 31. c5d7 31... f8d8 32. b6b8 This move gives Black a chance to save the game. 32... e1e8 33. b8d8 33... e8d8 34. d3f5 34... g4h6 35. f3f4 This looks like a pretty nice move, but it actually isn't very accurate. 35... h6f7 36. d7e5 36... f7d6 37. e5c6 37... d8f8 38. c6d4 White has three pawns for the exchange, and at first I thought this was a clear win, but the computer shows that Black can still defend. 38... h8g8 39. b2b3 39... g8f7 Now White is again winning. 40. f5h7 40... f8h8 41. f4e5 41... d6b7 42. h7e4 42... h8e8 43. e5f4 43... b7c5 44. e4f3 With four pawns for the exchange, the win is certain. 44... e8d8 45. f4e3 45... d8e8 46. e3d2 46... e8d8 47. d2c3 47... d8c8 |
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48... f7f6 | 1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8e7 This is the Cozio Variation of the Ruy Lopez, and it has appeared in other \"Games of the Day.\" Nakamura has used it a few times with Black but not often. He played a game with White against Caruana in 2024 that may have sparked his idea to play it with the other color. 4. b1c3 White has three other major moves. 4... e7g6 5. d2d4 5... e5d4 6. f3d4 6... c6d4 7. d1d4 7... c7c6 8. b5e2 8... d8b6 9. d4d3 All of White's moves are very natural, and this is a critical line for Black's system. 9... f8e7 10. a2a4 10... a7a5 11. e1g1 11... e8g8 12. c1e3 Now White can play this move without having to sacrifice a pawn, since with the inclusion of a4-a5, the queen is left without a square. 12... e7c5 13. e3c5 13... b6c5 14. a1d1 14... g6e5 A bad move, since the knight will soon be attacked by f4 and White remains with a firm grip on the dark squares. 15. d3d6 15... c5d6 16. d1d6 The endgame is nearly winning for White with a development advantage and better pawn structure. Black has trouble getting the bishop into play, and the backward d-pawn is a long-term weakness. 16... f7f6 17. f2f4 17... e5f7 18. e2c4 18... g8h8 19. d6d4 Carlsen decides to keep the bishop to advance the pawn to e5 to create problems quickly for Black. 19... b7b6 20. e4e5 20... f7h6 21. c3e4 21... h6f5 22. d4d3 22... d7d5 A good practical chance, otherwise Black is in a melancholic position with no counterplay. 23. e5d6 23... c8d7 24. f1e1 24... a8e8 25. g1f2 White is a clear pawn up, but surprisingly the game will have some adventures. 25... g7g5 26. d3b3 An uncharacteristic mistake by Carlsen, who is normally surgical when converting winning positions. 26... g5f4 27. b3b6 27... f5e3 Suddenly Black has gained counterplay. 28. c4d3 28... e3g4 29. f2f3 The other moves don't change much. 29... f6f5 30. e4c5 This is the winning idea. 30... e8e1 31. c5d7 31... f8d8 32. b6b8 This move gives Black a chance to save the game. 32... e1e8 33. b8d8 33... e8d8 34. d3f5 34... g4h6 35. f3f4 This looks like a pretty nice move, but it actually isn't very accurate. 35... h6f7 36. d7e5 36... f7d6 37. e5c6 37... d8f8 38. c6d4 White has three pawns for the exchange, and at first I thought this was a clear win, but the computer shows that Black can still defend. 38... h8g8 39. b2b3 39... g8f7 Now White is again winning. 40. f5h7 40... f8h8 41. f4e5 41... d6b7 42. h7e4 42... h8e8 43. e5f4 43... b7c5 44. e4f3 With four pawns for the exchange, the win is certain. 44... e8d8 45. f4e3 45... d8e8 46. e3d2 46... e8d8 47. d2c3 47... d8c8 48. d4c6 |
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49. c3c4 | 1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8e7 This is the Cozio Variation of the Ruy Lopez, and it has appeared in other \"Games of the Day.\" Nakamura has used it a few times with Black but not often. He played a game with White against Caruana in 2024 that may have sparked his idea to play it with the other color. 4. b1c3 White has three other major moves. 4... e7g6 5. d2d4 5... e5d4 6. f3d4 6... c6d4 7. d1d4 7... c7c6 8. b5e2 8... d8b6 9. d4d3 All of White's moves are very natural, and this is a critical line for Black's system. 9... f8e7 10. a2a4 10... a7a5 11. e1g1 11... e8g8 12. c1e3 Now White can play this move without having to sacrifice a pawn, since with the inclusion of a4-a5, the queen is left without a square. 12... e7c5 13. e3c5 13... b6c5 14. a1d1 14... g6e5 A bad move, since the knight will soon be attacked by f4 and White remains with a firm grip on the dark squares. 15. d3d6 15... c5d6 16. d1d6 The endgame is nearly winning for White with a development advantage and better pawn structure. Black has trouble getting the bishop into play, and the backward d-pawn is a long-term weakness. 16... f7f6 17. f2f4 17... e5f7 18. e2c4 18... g8h8 19. d6d4 Carlsen decides to keep the bishop to advance the pawn to e5 to create problems quickly for Black. 19... b7b6 20. e4e5 20... f7h6 21. c3e4 21... h6f5 22. d4d3 22... d7d5 A good practical chance, otherwise Black is in a melancholic position with no counterplay. 23. e5d6 23... c8d7 24. f1e1 24... a8e8 25. g1f2 White is a clear pawn up, but surprisingly the game will have some adventures. 25... g7g5 26. d3b3 An uncharacteristic mistake by Carlsen, who is normally surgical when converting winning positions. 26... g5f4 27. b3b6 27... f5e3 Suddenly Black has gained counterplay. 28. c4d3 28... e3g4 29. f2f3 The other moves don't change much. 29... f6f5 30. e4c5 This is the winning idea. 30... e8e1 31. c5d7 31... f8d8 32. b6b8 This move gives Black a chance to save the game. 32... e1e8 33. b8d8 33... e8d8 34. d3f5 34... g4h6 35. f3f4 This looks like a pretty nice move, but it actually isn't very accurate. 35... h6f7 36. d7e5 36... f7d6 37. e5c6 37... d8f8 38. c6d4 White has three pawns for the exchange, and at first I thought this was a clear win, but the computer shows that Black can still defend. 38... h8g8 39. b2b3 39... g8f7 Now White is again winning. 40. f5h7 40... f8h8 41. f4e5 41... d6b7 42. h7e4 42... h8e8 43. e5f4 43... b7c5 44. e4f3 With four pawns for the exchange, the win is certain. 44... e8d8 45. f4e3 45... d8e8 46. e3d2 46... e8d8 47. d2c3 47... d8c8 48. d4c6 48... f7f6 |
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49... c5b7 | 1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8e7 This is the Cozio Variation of the Ruy Lopez, and it has appeared in other \"Games of the Day.\" Nakamura has used it a few times with Black but not often. He played a game with White against Caruana in 2024 that may have sparked his idea to play it with the other color. 4. b1c3 White has three other major moves. 4... e7g6 5. d2d4 5... e5d4 6. f3d4 6... c6d4 7. d1d4 7... c7c6 8. b5e2 8... d8b6 9. d4d3 All of White's moves are very natural, and this is a critical line for Black's system. 9... f8e7 10. a2a4 10... a7a5 11. e1g1 11... e8g8 12. c1e3 Now White can play this move without having to sacrifice a pawn, since with the inclusion of a4-a5, the queen is left without a square. 12... e7c5 13. e3c5 13... b6c5 14. a1d1 14... g6e5 A bad move, since the knight will soon be attacked by f4 and White remains with a firm grip on the dark squares. 15. d3d6 15... c5d6 16. d1d6 The endgame is nearly winning for White with a development advantage and better pawn structure. Black has trouble getting the bishop into play, and the backward d-pawn is a long-term weakness. 16... f7f6 17. f2f4 17... e5f7 18. e2c4 18... g8h8 19. d6d4 Carlsen decides to keep the bishop to advance the pawn to e5 to create problems quickly for Black. 19... b7b6 20. e4e5 20... f7h6 21. c3e4 21... h6f5 22. d4d3 22... d7d5 A good practical chance, otherwise Black is in a melancholic position with no counterplay. 23. e5d6 23... c8d7 24. f1e1 24... a8e8 25. g1f2 White is a clear pawn up, but surprisingly the game will have some adventures. 25... g7g5 26. d3b3 An uncharacteristic mistake by Carlsen, who is normally surgical when converting winning positions. 26... g5f4 27. b3b6 27... f5e3 Suddenly Black has gained counterplay. 28. c4d3 28... e3g4 29. f2f3 The other moves don't change much. 29... f6f5 30. e4c5 This is the winning idea. 30... e8e1 31. c5d7 31... f8d8 32. b6b8 This move gives Black a chance to save the game. 32... e1e8 33. b8d8 33... e8d8 34. d3f5 34... g4h6 35. f3f4 This looks like a pretty nice move, but it actually isn't very accurate. 35... h6f7 36. d7e5 36... f7d6 37. e5c6 37... d8f8 38. c6d4 White has three pawns for the exchange, and at first I thought this was a clear win, but the computer shows that Black can still defend. 38... h8g8 39. b2b3 39... g8f7 Now White is again winning. 40. f5h7 40... f8h8 41. f4e5 41... d6b7 42. h7e4 42... h8e8 43. e5f4 43... b7c5 44. e4f3 With four pawns for the exchange, the win is certain. 44... e8d8 45. f4e3 45... d8e8 46. e3d2 46... e8d8 47. d2c3 47... d8c8 48. d4c6 48... f7f6 49. c3c4 |
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50. c4b5 | 1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8e7 This is the Cozio Variation of the Ruy Lopez, and it has appeared in other \"Games of the Day.\" Nakamura has used it a few times with Black but not often. He played a game with White against Caruana in 2024 that may have sparked his idea to play it with the other color. 4. b1c3 White has three other major moves. 4... e7g6 5. d2d4 5... e5d4 6. f3d4 6... c6d4 7. d1d4 7... c7c6 8. b5e2 8... d8b6 9. d4d3 All of White's moves are very natural, and this is a critical line for Black's system. 9... f8e7 10. a2a4 10... a7a5 11. e1g1 11... e8g8 12. c1e3 Now White can play this move without having to sacrifice a pawn, since with the inclusion of a4-a5, the queen is left without a square. 12... e7c5 13. e3c5 13... b6c5 14. a1d1 14... g6e5 A bad move, since the knight will soon be attacked by f4 and White remains with a firm grip on the dark squares. 15. d3d6 15... c5d6 16. d1d6 The endgame is nearly winning for White with a development advantage and better pawn structure. Black has trouble getting the bishop into play, and the backward d-pawn is a long-term weakness. 16... f7f6 17. f2f4 17... e5f7 18. e2c4 18... g8h8 19. d6d4 Carlsen decides to keep the bishop to advance the pawn to e5 to create problems quickly for Black. 19... b7b6 20. e4e5 20... f7h6 21. c3e4 21... h6f5 22. d4d3 22... d7d5 A good practical chance, otherwise Black is in a melancholic position with no counterplay. 23. e5d6 23... c8d7 24. f1e1 24... a8e8 25. g1f2 White is a clear pawn up, but surprisingly the game will have some adventures. 25... g7g5 26. d3b3 An uncharacteristic mistake by Carlsen, who is normally surgical when converting winning positions. 26... g5f4 27. b3b6 27... f5e3 Suddenly Black has gained counterplay. 28. c4d3 28... e3g4 29. f2f3 The other moves don't change much. 29... f6f5 30. e4c5 This is the winning idea. 30... e8e1 31. c5d7 31... f8d8 32. b6b8 This move gives Black a chance to save the game. 32... e1e8 33. b8d8 33... e8d8 34. d3f5 34... g4h6 35. f3f4 This looks like a pretty nice move, but it actually isn't very accurate. 35... h6f7 36. d7e5 36... f7d6 37. e5c6 37... d8f8 38. c6d4 White has three pawns for the exchange, and at first I thought this was a clear win, but the computer shows that Black can still defend. 38... h8g8 39. b2b3 39... g8f7 Now White is again winning. 40. f5h7 40... f8h8 41. f4e5 41... d6b7 42. h7e4 42... h8e8 43. e5f4 43... b7c5 44. e4f3 With four pawns for the exchange, the win is certain. 44... e8d8 45. f4e3 45... d8e8 46. e3d2 46... e8d8 47. d2c3 47... d8c8 48. d4c6 48... f7f6 49. c3c4 49... c5b7 |
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50... c8g8 | 1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8e7 This is the Cozio Variation of the Ruy Lopez, and it has appeared in other \"Games of the Day.\" Nakamura has used it a few times with Black but not often. He played a game with White against Caruana in 2024 that may have sparked his idea to play it with the other color. 4. b1c3 White has three other major moves. 4... e7g6 5. d2d4 5... e5d4 6. f3d4 6... c6d4 7. d1d4 7... c7c6 8. b5e2 8... d8b6 9. d4d3 All of White's moves are very natural, and this is a critical line for Black's system. 9... f8e7 10. a2a4 10... a7a5 11. e1g1 11... e8g8 12. c1e3 Now White can play this move without having to sacrifice a pawn, since with the inclusion of a4-a5, the queen is left without a square. 12... e7c5 13. e3c5 13... b6c5 14. a1d1 14... g6e5 A bad move, since the knight will soon be attacked by f4 and White remains with a firm grip on the dark squares. 15. d3d6 15... c5d6 16. d1d6 The endgame is nearly winning for White with a development advantage and better pawn structure. Black has trouble getting the bishop into play, and the backward d-pawn is a long-term weakness. 16... f7f6 17. f2f4 17... e5f7 18. e2c4 18... g8h8 19. d6d4 Carlsen decides to keep the bishop to advance the pawn to e5 to create problems quickly for Black. 19... b7b6 20. e4e5 20... f7h6 21. c3e4 21... h6f5 22. d4d3 22... d7d5 A good practical chance, otherwise Black is in a melancholic position with no counterplay. 23. e5d6 23... c8d7 24. f1e1 24... a8e8 25. g1f2 White is a clear pawn up, but surprisingly the game will have some adventures. 25... g7g5 26. d3b3 An uncharacteristic mistake by Carlsen, who is normally surgical when converting winning positions. 26... g5f4 27. b3b6 27... f5e3 Suddenly Black has gained counterplay. 28. c4d3 28... e3g4 29. f2f3 The other moves don't change much. 29... f6f5 30. e4c5 This is the winning idea. 30... e8e1 31. c5d7 31... f8d8 32. b6b8 This move gives Black a chance to save the game. 32... e1e8 33. b8d8 33... e8d8 34. d3f5 34... g4h6 35. f3f4 This looks like a pretty nice move, but it actually isn't very accurate. 35... h6f7 36. d7e5 36... f7d6 37. e5c6 37... d8f8 38. c6d4 White has three pawns for the exchange, and at first I thought this was a clear win, but the computer shows that Black can still defend. 38... h8g8 39. b2b3 39... g8f7 Now White is again winning. 40. f5h7 40... f8h8 41. f4e5 41... d6b7 42. h7e4 42... h8e8 43. e5f4 43... b7c5 44. e4f3 With four pawns for the exchange, the win is certain. 44... e8d8 45. f4e3 45... d8e8 46. e3d2 46... e8d8 47. d2c3 47... d8c8 48. d4c6 48... f7f6 49. c3c4 49... c5b7 50. c4b5 |
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51. c6a5 | A bit surprising. White is still winning, but there's no need to sac the knight. | 1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8e7 This is the Cozio Variation of the Ruy Lopez, and it has appeared in other \"Games of the Day.\" Nakamura has used it a few times with Black but not often. He played a game with White against Caruana in 2024 that may have sparked his idea to play it with the other color. 4. b1c3 White has three other major moves. 4... e7g6 5. d2d4 5... e5d4 6. f3d4 6... c6d4 7. d1d4 7... c7c6 8. b5e2 8... d8b6 9. d4d3 All of White's moves are very natural, and this is a critical line for Black's system. 9... f8e7 10. a2a4 10... a7a5 11. e1g1 11... e8g8 12. c1e3 Now White can play this move without having to sacrifice a pawn, since with the inclusion of a4-a5, the queen is left without a square. 12... e7c5 13. e3c5 13... b6c5 14. a1d1 14... g6e5 A bad move, since the knight will soon be attacked by f4 and White remains with a firm grip on the dark squares. 15. d3d6 15... c5d6 16. d1d6 The endgame is nearly winning for White with a development advantage and better pawn structure. Black has trouble getting the bishop into play, and the backward d-pawn is a long-term weakness. 16... f7f6 17. f2f4 17... e5f7 18. e2c4 18... g8h8 19. d6d4 Carlsen decides to keep the bishop to advance the pawn to e5 to create problems quickly for Black. 19... b7b6 20. e4e5 20... f7h6 21. c3e4 21... h6f5 22. d4d3 22... d7d5 A good practical chance, otherwise Black is in a melancholic position with no counterplay. 23. e5d6 23... c8d7 24. f1e1 24... a8e8 25. g1f2 White is a clear pawn up, but surprisingly the game will have some adventures. 25... g7g5 26. d3b3 An uncharacteristic mistake by Carlsen, who is normally surgical when converting winning positions. 26... g5f4 27. b3b6 27... f5e3 Suddenly Black has gained counterplay. 28. c4d3 28... e3g4 29. f2f3 The other moves don't change much. 29... f6f5 30. e4c5 This is the winning idea. 30... e8e1 31. c5d7 31... f8d8 32. b6b8 This move gives Black a chance to save the game. 32... e1e8 33. b8d8 33... e8d8 34. d3f5 34... g4h6 35. f3f4 This looks like a pretty nice move, but it actually isn't very accurate. 35... h6f7 36. d7e5 36... f7d6 37. e5c6 37... d8f8 38. c6d4 White has three pawns for the exchange, and at first I thought this was a clear win, but the computer shows that Black can still defend. 38... h8g8 39. b2b3 39... g8f7 Now White is again winning. 40. f5h7 40... f8h8 41. f4e5 41... d6b7 42. h7e4 42... h8e8 43. e5f4 43... b7c5 44. e4f3 With four pawns for the exchange, the win is certain. 44... e8d8 45. f4e3 45... d8e8 46. e3d2 46... e8d8 47. d2c3 47... d8c8 48. d4c6 48... f7f6 49. c3c4 49... c5b7 50. c4b5 50... c8g8 |
51... g8g5 | 1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8e7 This is the Cozio Variation of the Ruy Lopez, and it has appeared in other \"Games of the Day.\" Nakamura has used it a few times with Black but not often. He played a game with White against Caruana in 2024 that may have sparked his idea to play it with the other color. 4. b1c3 White has three other major moves. 4... e7g6 5. d2d4 5... e5d4 6. f3d4 6... c6d4 7. d1d4 7... c7c6 8. b5e2 8... d8b6 9. d4d3 All of White's moves are very natural, and this is a critical line for Black's system. 9... f8e7 10. a2a4 10... a7a5 11. e1g1 11... e8g8 12. c1e3 Now White can play this move without having to sacrifice a pawn, since with the inclusion of a4-a5, the queen is left without a square. 12... e7c5 13. e3c5 13... b6c5 14. a1d1 14... g6e5 A bad move, since the knight will soon be attacked by f4 and White remains with a firm grip on the dark squares. 15. d3d6 15... c5d6 16. d1d6 The endgame is nearly winning for White with a development advantage and better pawn structure. Black has trouble getting the bishop into play, and the backward d-pawn is a long-term weakness. 16... f7f6 17. f2f4 17... e5f7 18. e2c4 18... g8h8 19. d6d4 Carlsen decides to keep the bishop to advance the pawn to e5 to create problems quickly for Black. 19... b7b6 20. e4e5 20... f7h6 21. c3e4 21... h6f5 22. d4d3 22... d7d5 A good practical chance, otherwise Black is in a melancholic position with no counterplay. 23. e5d6 23... c8d7 24. f1e1 24... a8e8 25. g1f2 White is a clear pawn up, but surprisingly the game will have some adventures. 25... g7g5 26. d3b3 An uncharacteristic mistake by Carlsen, who is normally surgical when converting winning positions. 26... g5f4 27. b3b6 27... f5e3 Suddenly Black has gained counterplay. 28. c4d3 28... e3g4 29. f2f3 The other moves don't change much. 29... f6f5 30. e4c5 This is the winning idea. 30... e8e1 31. c5d7 31... f8d8 32. b6b8 This move gives Black a chance to save the game. 32... e1e8 33. b8d8 33... e8d8 34. d3f5 34... g4h6 35. f3f4 This looks like a pretty nice move, but it actually isn't very accurate. 35... h6f7 36. d7e5 36... f7d6 37. e5c6 37... d8f8 38. c6d4 White has three pawns for the exchange, and at first I thought this was a clear win, but the computer shows that Black can still defend. 38... h8g8 39. b2b3 39... g8f7 Now White is again winning. 40. f5h7 40... f8h8 41. f4e5 41... d6b7 42. h7e4 42... h8e8 43. e5f4 43... b7c5 44. e4f3 With four pawns for the exchange, the win is certain. 44... e8d8 45. f4e3 45... d8e8 46. e3d2 46... e8d8 47. d2c3 47... d8c8 48. d4c6 48... f7f6 49. c3c4 49... c5b7 50. c4b5 50... c8g8 51. c6a5 A bit surprising. White is still winning, but there's no need to sac the knight. |
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52. b5b6 | 1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8e7 This is the Cozio Variation of the Ruy Lopez, and it has appeared in other \"Games of the Day.\" Nakamura has used it a few times with Black but not often. He played a game with White against Caruana in 2024 that may have sparked his idea to play it with the other color. 4. b1c3 White has three other major moves. 4... e7g6 5. d2d4 5... e5d4 6. f3d4 6... c6d4 7. d1d4 7... c7c6 8. b5e2 8... d8b6 9. d4d3 All of White's moves are very natural, and this is a critical line for Black's system. 9... f8e7 10. a2a4 10... a7a5 11. e1g1 11... e8g8 12. c1e3 Now White can play this move without having to sacrifice a pawn, since with the inclusion of a4-a5, the queen is left without a square. 12... e7c5 13. e3c5 13... b6c5 14. a1d1 14... g6e5 A bad move, since the knight will soon be attacked by f4 and White remains with a firm grip on the dark squares. 15. d3d6 15... c5d6 16. d1d6 The endgame is nearly winning for White with a development advantage and better pawn structure. Black has trouble getting the bishop into play, and the backward d-pawn is a long-term weakness. 16... f7f6 17. f2f4 17... e5f7 18. e2c4 18... g8h8 19. d6d4 Carlsen decides to keep the bishop to advance the pawn to e5 to create problems quickly for Black. 19... b7b6 20. e4e5 20... f7h6 21. c3e4 21... h6f5 22. d4d3 22... d7d5 A good practical chance, otherwise Black is in a melancholic position with no counterplay. 23. e5d6 23... c8d7 24. f1e1 24... a8e8 25. g1f2 White is a clear pawn up, but surprisingly the game will have some adventures. 25... g7g5 26. d3b3 An uncharacteristic mistake by Carlsen, who is normally surgical when converting winning positions. 26... g5f4 27. b3b6 27... f5e3 Suddenly Black has gained counterplay. 28. c4d3 28... e3g4 29. f2f3 The other moves don't change much. 29... f6f5 30. e4c5 This is the winning idea. 30... e8e1 31. c5d7 31... f8d8 32. b6b8 This move gives Black a chance to save the game. 32... e1e8 33. b8d8 33... e8d8 34. d3f5 34... g4h6 35. f3f4 This looks like a pretty nice move, but it actually isn't very accurate. 35... h6f7 36. d7e5 36... f7d6 37. e5c6 37... d8f8 38. c6d4 White has three pawns for the exchange, and at first I thought this was a clear win, but the computer shows that Black can still defend. 38... h8g8 39. b2b3 39... g8f7 Now White is again winning. 40. f5h7 40... f8h8 41. f4e5 41... d6b7 42. h7e4 42... h8e8 43. e5f4 43... b7c5 44. e4f3 With four pawns for the exchange, the win is certain. 44... e8d8 45. f4e3 45... d8e8 46. e3d2 46... e8d8 47. d2c3 47... d8c8 48. d4c6 48... f7f6 49. c3c4 49... c5b7 50. c4b5 50... c8g8 51. c6a5 A bit surprising. White is still winning, but there's no need to sac the knight. 51... g8g5 |
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52... b7a5 | 1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8e7 This is the Cozio Variation of the Ruy Lopez, and it has appeared in other \"Games of the Day.\" Nakamura has used it a few times with Black but not often. He played a game with White against Caruana in 2024 that may have sparked his idea to play it with the other color. 4. b1c3 White has three other major moves. 4... e7g6 5. d2d4 5... e5d4 6. f3d4 6... c6d4 7. d1d4 7... c7c6 8. b5e2 8... d8b6 9. d4d3 All of White's moves are very natural, and this is a critical line for Black's system. 9... f8e7 10. a2a4 10... a7a5 11. e1g1 11... e8g8 12. c1e3 Now White can play this move without having to sacrifice a pawn, since with the inclusion of a4-a5, the queen is left without a square. 12... e7c5 13. e3c5 13... b6c5 14. a1d1 14... g6e5 A bad move, since the knight will soon be attacked by f4 and White remains with a firm grip on the dark squares. 15. d3d6 15... c5d6 16. d1d6 The endgame is nearly winning for White with a development advantage and better pawn structure. Black has trouble getting the bishop into play, and the backward d-pawn is a long-term weakness. 16... f7f6 17. f2f4 17... e5f7 18. e2c4 18... g8h8 19. d6d4 Carlsen decides to keep the bishop to advance the pawn to e5 to create problems quickly for Black. 19... b7b6 20. e4e5 20... f7h6 21. c3e4 21... h6f5 22. d4d3 22... d7d5 A good practical chance, otherwise Black is in a melancholic position with no counterplay. 23. e5d6 23... c8d7 24. f1e1 24... a8e8 25. g1f2 White is a clear pawn up, but surprisingly the game will have some adventures. 25... g7g5 26. d3b3 An uncharacteristic mistake by Carlsen, who is normally surgical when converting winning positions. 26... g5f4 27. b3b6 27... f5e3 Suddenly Black has gained counterplay. 28. c4d3 28... e3g4 29. f2f3 The other moves don't change much. 29... f6f5 30. e4c5 This is the winning idea. 30... e8e1 31. c5d7 31... f8d8 32. b6b8 This move gives Black a chance to save the game. 32... e1e8 33. b8d8 33... e8d8 34. d3f5 34... g4h6 35. f3f4 This looks like a pretty nice move, but it actually isn't very accurate. 35... h6f7 36. d7e5 36... f7d6 37. e5c6 37... d8f8 38. c6d4 White has three pawns for the exchange, and at first I thought this was a clear win, but the computer shows that Black can still defend. 38... h8g8 39. b2b3 39... g8f7 Now White is again winning. 40. f5h7 40... f8h8 41. f4e5 41... d6b7 42. h7e4 42... h8e8 43. e5f4 43... b7c5 44. e4f3 With four pawns for the exchange, the win is certain. 44... e8d8 45. f4e3 45... d8e8 46. e3d2 46... e8d8 47. d2c3 47... d8c8 48. d4c6 48... f7f6 49. c3c4 49... c5b7 50. c4b5 50... c8g8 51. c6a5 A bit surprising. White is still winning, but there's no need to sac the knight. 51... g8g5 52. b5b6 |
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53. g2g4 | 1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8e7 This is the Cozio Variation of the Ruy Lopez, and it has appeared in other \"Games of the Day.\" Nakamura has used it a few times with Black but not often. He played a game with White against Caruana in 2024 that may have sparked his idea to play it with the other color. 4. b1c3 White has three other major moves. 4... e7g6 5. d2d4 5... e5d4 6. f3d4 6... c6d4 7. d1d4 7... c7c6 8. b5e2 8... d8b6 9. d4d3 All of White's moves are very natural, and this is a critical line for Black's system. 9... f8e7 10. a2a4 10... a7a5 11. e1g1 11... e8g8 12. c1e3 Now White can play this move without having to sacrifice a pawn, since with the inclusion of a4-a5, the queen is left without a square. 12... e7c5 13. e3c5 13... b6c5 14. a1d1 14... g6e5 A bad move, since the knight will soon be attacked by f4 and White remains with a firm grip on the dark squares. 15. d3d6 15... c5d6 16. d1d6 The endgame is nearly winning for White with a development advantage and better pawn structure. Black has trouble getting the bishop into play, and the backward d-pawn is a long-term weakness. 16... f7f6 17. f2f4 17... e5f7 18. e2c4 18... g8h8 19. d6d4 Carlsen decides to keep the bishop to advance the pawn to e5 to create problems quickly for Black. 19... b7b6 20. e4e5 20... f7h6 21. c3e4 21... h6f5 22. d4d3 22... d7d5 A good practical chance, otherwise Black is in a melancholic position with no counterplay. 23. e5d6 23... c8d7 24. f1e1 24... a8e8 25. g1f2 White is a clear pawn up, but surprisingly the game will have some adventures. 25... g7g5 26. d3b3 An uncharacteristic mistake by Carlsen, who is normally surgical when converting winning positions. 26... g5f4 27. b3b6 27... f5e3 Suddenly Black has gained counterplay. 28. c4d3 28... e3g4 29. f2f3 The other moves don't change much. 29... f6f5 30. e4c5 This is the winning idea. 30... e8e1 31. c5d7 31... f8d8 32. b6b8 This move gives Black a chance to save the game. 32... e1e8 33. b8d8 33... e8d8 34. d3f5 34... g4h6 35. f3f4 This looks like a pretty nice move, but it actually isn't very accurate. 35... h6f7 36. d7e5 36... f7d6 37. e5c6 37... d8f8 38. c6d4 White has three pawns for the exchange, and at first I thought this was a clear win, but the computer shows that Black can still defend. 38... h8g8 39. b2b3 39... g8f7 Now White is again winning. 40. f5h7 40... f8h8 41. f4e5 41... d6b7 42. h7e4 42... h8e8 43. e5f4 43... b7c5 44. e4f3 With four pawns for the exchange, the win is certain. 44... e8d8 45. f4e3 45... d8e8 46. e3d2 46... e8d8 47. d2c3 47... d8c8 48. d4c6 48... f7f6 49. c3c4 49... c5b7 50. c4b5 50... c8g8 51. c6a5 A bit surprising. White is still winning, but there's no need to sac the knight. 51... g8g5 52. b5b6 52... b7a5 |
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53... g5e5 | 1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8e7 This is the Cozio Variation of the Ruy Lopez, and it has appeared in other \"Games of the Day.\" Nakamura has used it a few times with Black but not often. He played a game with White against Caruana in 2024 that may have sparked his idea to play it with the other color. 4. b1c3 White has three other major moves. 4... e7g6 5. d2d4 5... e5d4 6. f3d4 6... c6d4 7. d1d4 7... c7c6 8. b5e2 8... d8b6 9. d4d3 All of White's moves are very natural, and this is a critical line for Black's system. 9... f8e7 10. a2a4 10... a7a5 11. e1g1 11... e8g8 12. c1e3 Now White can play this move without having to sacrifice a pawn, since with the inclusion of a4-a5, the queen is left without a square. 12... e7c5 13. e3c5 13... b6c5 14. a1d1 14... g6e5 A bad move, since the knight will soon be attacked by f4 and White remains with a firm grip on the dark squares. 15. d3d6 15... c5d6 16. d1d6 The endgame is nearly winning for White with a development advantage and better pawn structure. Black has trouble getting the bishop into play, and the backward d-pawn is a long-term weakness. 16... f7f6 17. f2f4 17... e5f7 18. e2c4 18... g8h8 19. d6d4 Carlsen decides to keep the bishop to advance the pawn to e5 to create problems quickly for Black. 19... b7b6 20. e4e5 20... f7h6 21. c3e4 21... h6f5 22. d4d3 22... d7d5 A good practical chance, otherwise Black is in a melancholic position with no counterplay. 23. e5d6 23... c8d7 24. f1e1 24... a8e8 25. g1f2 White is a clear pawn up, but surprisingly the game will have some adventures. 25... g7g5 26. d3b3 An uncharacteristic mistake by Carlsen, who is normally surgical when converting winning positions. 26... g5f4 27. b3b6 27... f5e3 Suddenly Black has gained counterplay. 28. c4d3 28... e3g4 29. f2f3 The other moves don't change much. 29... f6f5 30. e4c5 This is the winning idea. 30... e8e1 31. c5d7 31... f8d8 32. b6b8 This move gives Black a chance to save the game. 32... e1e8 33. b8d8 33... e8d8 34. d3f5 34... g4h6 35. f3f4 This looks like a pretty nice move, but it actually isn't very accurate. 35... h6f7 36. d7e5 36... f7d6 37. e5c6 37... d8f8 38. c6d4 White has three pawns for the exchange, and at first I thought this was a clear win, but the computer shows that Black can still defend. 38... h8g8 39. b2b3 39... g8f7 Now White is again winning. 40. f5h7 40... f8h8 41. f4e5 41... d6b7 42. h7e4 42... h8e8 43. e5f4 43... b7c5 44. e4f3 With four pawns for the exchange, the win is certain. 44... e8d8 45. f4e3 45... d8e8 46. e3d2 46... e8d8 47. d2c3 47... d8c8 48. d4c6 48... f7f6 49. c3c4 49... c5b7 50. c4b5 50... c8g8 51. c6a5 A bit surprising. White is still winning, but there's no need to sac the knight. 51... g8g5 52. b5b6 52... b7a5 53. g2g4 |
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54. h2h4 | 1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8e7 This is the Cozio Variation of the Ruy Lopez, and it has appeared in other \"Games of the Day.\" Nakamura has used it a few times with Black but not often. He played a game with White against Caruana in 2024 that may have sparked his idea to play it with the other color. 4. b1c3 White has three other major moves. 4... e7g6 5. d2d4 5... e5d4 6. f3d4 6... c6d4 7. d1d4 7... c7c6 8. b5e2 8... d8b6 9. d4d3 All of White's moves are very natural, and this is a critical line for Black's system. 9... f8e7 10. a2a4 10... a7a5 11. e1g1 11... e8g8 12. c1e3 Now White can play this move without having to sacrifice a pawn, since with the inclusion of a4-a5, the queen is left without a square. 12... e7c5 13. e3c5 13... b6c5 14. a1d1 14... g6e5 A bad move, since the knight will soon be attacked by f4 and White remains with a firm grip on the dark squares. 15. d3d6 15... c5d6 16. d1d6 The endgame is nearly winning for White with a development advantage and better pawn structure. Black has trouble getting the bishop into play, and the backward d-pawn is a long-term weakness. 16... f7f6 17. f2f4 17... e5f7 18. e2c4 18... g8h8 19. d6d4 Carlsen decides to keep the bishop to advance the pawn to e5 to create problems quickly for Black. 19... b7b6 20. e4e5 20... f7h6 21. c3e4 21... h6f5 22. d4d3 22... d7d5 A good practical chance, otherwise Black is in a melancholic position with no counterplay. 23. e5d6 23... c8d7 24. f1e1 24... a8e8 25. g1f2 White is a clear pawn up, but surprisingly the game will have some adventures. 25... g7g5 26. d3b3 An uncharacteristic mistake by Carlsen, who is normally surgical when converting winning positions. 26... g5f4 27. b3b6 27... f5e3 Suddenly Black has gained counterplay. 28. c4d3 28... e3g4 29. f2f3 The other moves don't change much. 29... f6f5 30. e4c5 This is the winning idea. 30... e8e1 31. c5d7 31... f8d8 32. b6b8 This move gives Black a chance to save the game. 32... e1e8 33. b8d8 33... e8d8 34. d3f5 34... g4h6 35. f3f4 This looks like a pretty nice move, but it actually isn't very accurate. 35... h6f7 36. d7e5 36... f7d6 37. e5c6 37... d8f8 38. c6d4 White has three pawns for the exchange, and at first I thought this was a clear win, but the computer shows that Black can still defend. 38... h8g8 39. b2b3 39... g8f7 Now White is again winning. 40. f5h7 40... f8h8 41. f4e5 41... d6b7 42. h7e4 42... h8e8 43. e5f4 43... b7c5 44. e4f3 With four pawns for the exchange, the win is certain. 44... e8d8 45. f4e3 45... d8e8 46. e3d2 46... e8d8 47. d2c3 47... d8c8 48. d4c6 48... f7f6 49. c3c4 49... c5b7 50. c4b5 50... c8g8 51. c6a5 A bit surprising. White is still winning, but there's no need to sac the knight. 51... g8g5 52. b5b6 52... b7a5 53. g2g4 53... g5e5 |
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54... f6g7 | 1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8e7 This is the Cozio Variation of the Ruy Lopez, and it has appeared in other \"Games of the Day.\" Nakamura has used it a few times with Black but not often. He played a game with White against Caruana in 2024 that may have sparked his idea to play it with the other color. 4. b1c3 White has three other major moves. 4... e7g6 5. d2d4 5... e5d4 6. f3d4 6... c6d4 7. d1d4 7... c7c6 8. b5e2 8... d8b6 9. d4d3 All of White's moves are very natural, and this is a critical line for Black's system. 9... f8e7 10. a2a4 10... a7a5 11. e1g1 11... e8g8 12. c1e3 Now White can play this move without having to sacrifice a pawn, since with the inclusion of a4-a5, the queen is left without a square. 12... e7c5 13. e3c5 13... b6c5 14. a1d1 14... g6e5 A bad move, since the knight will soon be attacked by f4 and White remains with a firm grip on the dark squares. 15. d3d6 15... c5d6 16. d1d6 The endgame is nearly winning for White with a development advantage and better pawn structure. Black has trouble getting the bishop into play, and the backward d-pawn is a long-term weakness. 16... f7f6 17. f2f4 17... e5f7 18. e2c4 18... g8h8 19. d6d4 Carlsen decides to keep the bishop to advance the pawn to e5 to create problems quickly for Black. 19... b7b6 20. e4e5 20... f7h6 21. c3e4 21... h6f5 22. d4d3 22... d7d5 A good practical chance, otherwise Black is in a melancholic position with no counterplay. 23. e5d6 23... c8d7 24. f1e1 24... a8e8 25. g1f2 White is a clear pawn up, but surprisingly the game will have some adventures. 25... g7g5 26. d3b3 An uncharacteristic mistake by Carlsen, who is normally surgical when converting winning positions. 26... g5f4 27. b3b6 27... f5e3 Suddenly Black has gained counterplay. 28. c4d3 28... e3g4 29. f2f3 The other moves don't change much. 29... f6f5 30. e4c5 This is the winning idea. 30... e8e1 31. c5d7 31... f8d8 32. b6b8 This move gives Black a chance to save the game. 32... e1e8 33. b8d8 33... e8d8 34. d3f5 34... g4h6 35. f3f4 This looks like a pretty nice move, but it actually isn't very accurate. 35... h6f7 36. d7e5 36... f7d6 37. e5c6 37... d8f8 38. c6d4 White has three pawns for the exchange, and at first I thought this was a clear win, but the computer shows that Black can still defend. 38... h8g8 39. b2b3 39... g8f7 Now White is again winning. 40. f5h7 40... f8h8 41. f4e5 41... d6b7 42. h7e4 42... h8e8 43. e5f4 43... b7c5 44. e4f3 With four pawns for the exchange, the win is certain. 44... e8d8 45. f4e3 45... d8e8 46. e3d2 46... e8d8 47. d2c3 47... d8c8 48. d4c6 48... f7f6 49. c3c4 49... c5b7 50. c4b5 50... c8g8 51. c6a5 A bit surprising. White is still winning, but there's no need to sac the knight. 51... g8g5 52. b5b6 52... b7a5 53. g2g4 53... g5e5 54. h2h4 |
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55. f3g2 | 1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8e7 This is the Cozio Variation of the Ruy Lopez, and it has appeared in other \"Games of the Day.\" Nakamura has used it a few times with Black but not often. He played a game with White against Caruana in 2024 that may have sparked his idea to play it with the other color. 4. b1c3 White has three other major moves. 4... e7g6 5. d2d4 5... e5d4 6. f3d4 6... c6d4 7. d1d4 7... c7c6 8. b5e2 8... d8b6 9. d4d3 All of White's moves are very natural, and this is a critical line for Black's system. 9... f8e7 10. a2a4 10... a7a5 11. e1g1 11... e8g8 12. c1e3 Now White can play this move without having to sacrifice a pawn, since with the inclusion of a4-a5, the queen is left without a square. 12... e7c5 13. e3c5 13... b6c5 14. a1d1 14... g6e5 A bad move, since the knight will soon be attacked by f4 and White remains with a firm grip on the dark squares. 15. d3d6 15... c5d6 16. d1d6 The endgame is nearly winning for White with a development advantage and better pawn structure. Black has trouble getting the bishop into play, and the backward d-pawn is a long-term weakness. 16... f7f6 17. f2f4 17... e5f7 18. e2c4 18... g8h8 19. d6d4 Carlsen decides to keep the bishop to advance the pawn to e5 to create problems quickly for Black. 19... b7b6 20. e4e5 20... f7h6 21. c3e4 21... h6f5 22. d4d3 22... d7d5 A good practical chance, otherwise Black is in a melancholic position with no counterplay. 23. e5d6 23... c8d7 24. f1e1 24... a8e8 25. g1f2 White is a clear pawn up, but surprisingly the game will have some adventures. 25... g7g5 26. d3b3 An uncharacteristic mistake by Carlsen, who is normally surgical when converting winning positions. 26... g5f4 27. b3b6 27... f5e3 Suddenly Black has gained counterplay. 28. c4d3 28... e3g4 29. f2f3 The other moves don't change much. 29... f6f5 30. e4c5 This is the winning idea. 30... e8e1 31. c5d7 31... f8d8 32. b6b8 This move gives Black a chance to save the game. 32... e1e8 33. b8d8 33... e8d8 34. d3f5 34... g4h6 35. f3f4 This looks like a pretty nice move, but it actually isn't very accurate. 35... h6f7 36. d7e5 36... f7d6 37. e5c6 37... d8f8 38. c6d4 White has three pawns for the exchange, and at first I thought this was a clear win, but the computer shows that Black can still defend. 38... h8g8 39. b2b3 39... g8f7 Now White is again winning. 40. f5h7 40... f8h8 41. f4e5 41... d6b7 42. h7e4 42... h8e8 43. e5f4 43... b7c5 44. e4f3 With four pawns for the exchange, the win is certain. 44... e8d8 45. f4e3 45... d8e8 46. e3d2 46... e8d8 47. d2c3 47... d8c8 48. d4c6 48... f7f6 49. c3c4 49... c5b7 50. c4b5 50... c8g8 51. c6a5 A bit surprising. White is still winning, but there's no need to sac the knight. 51... g8g5 52. b5b6 52... b7a5 53. g2g4 53... g5e5 54. h2h4 54... f6g7 |
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55... g7f6 | 1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8e7 This is the Cozio Variation of the Ruy Lopez, and it has appeared in other \"Games of the Day.\" Nakamura has used it a few times with Black but not often. He played a game with White against Caruana in 2024 that may have sparked his idea to play it with the other color. 4. b1c3 White has three other major moves. 4... e7g6 5. d2d4 5... e5d4 6. f3d4 6... c6d4 7. d1d4 7... c7c6 8. b5e2 8... d8b6 9. d4d3 All of White's moves are very natural, and this is a critical line for Black's system. 9... f8e7 10. a2a4 10... a7a5 11. e1g1 11... e8g8 12. c1e3 Now White can play this move without having to sacrifice a pawn, since with the inclusion of a4-a5, the queen is left without a square. 12... e7c5 13. e3c5 13... b6c5 14. a1d1 14... g6e5 A bad move, since the knight will soon be attacked by f4 and White remains with a firm grip on the dark squares. 15. d3d6 15... c5d6 16. d1d6 The endgame is nearly winning for White with a development advantage and better pawn structure. Black has trouble getting the bishop into play, and the backward d-pawn is a long-term weakness. 16... f7f6 17. f2f4 17... e5f7 18. e2c4 18... g8h8 19. d6d4 Carlsen decides to keep the bishop to advance the pawn to e5 to create problems quickly for Black. 19... b7b6 20. e4e5 20... f7h6 21. c3e4 21... h6f5 22. d4d3 22... d7d5 A good practical chance, otherwise Black is in a melancholic position with no counterplay. 23. e5d6 23... c8d7 24. f1e1 24... a8e8 25. g1f2 White is a clear pawn up, but surprisingly the game will have some adventures. 25... g7g5 26. d3b3 An uncharacteristic mistake by Carlsen, who is normally surgical when converting winning positions. 26... g5f4 27. b3b6 27... f5e3 Suddenly Black has gained counterplay. 28. c4d3 28... e3g4 29. f2f3 The other moves don't change much. 29... f6f5 30. e4c5 This is the winning idea. 30... e8e1 31. c5d7 31... f8d8 32. b6b8 This move gives Black a chance to save the game. 32... e1e8 33. b8d8 33... e8d8 34. d3f5 34... g4h6 35. f3f4 This looks like a pretty nice move, but it actually isn't very accurate. 35... h6f7 36. d7e5 36... f7d6 37. e5c6 37... d8f8 38. c6d4 White has three pawns for the exchange, and at first I thought this was a clear win, but the computer shows that Black can still defend. 38... h8g8 39. b2b3 39... g8f7 Now White is again winning. 40. f5h7 40... f8h8 41. f4e5 41... d6b7 42. h7e4 42... h8e8 43. e5f4 43... b7c5 44. e4f3 With four pawns for the exchange, the win is certain. 44... e8d8 45. f4e3 45... d8e8 46. e3d2 46... e8d8 47. d2c3 47... d8c8 48. d4c6 48... f7f6 49. c3c4 49... c5b7 50. c4b5 50... c8g8 51. c6a5 A bit surprising. White is still winning, but there's no need to sac the knight. 51... g8g5 52. b5b6 52... b7a5 53. g2g4 53... g5e5 54. h2h4 54... f6g7 55. f3g2 |
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56. g2f1 | Preparing Bb5. | 1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8e7 This is the Cozio Variation of the Ruy Lopez, and it has appeared in other \"Games of the Day.\" Nakamura has used it a few times with Black but not often. He played a game with White against Caruana in 2024 that may have sparked his idea to play it with the other color. 4. b1c3 White has three other major moves. 4... e7g6 5. d2d4 5... e5d4 6. f3d4 6... c6d4 7. d1d4 7... c7c6 8. b5e2 8... d8b6 9. d4d3 All of White's moves are very natural, and this is a critical line for Black's system. 9... f8e7 10. a2a4 10... a7a5 11. e1g1 11... e8g8 12. c1e3 Now White can play this move without having to sacrifice a pawn, since with the inclusion of a4-a5, the queen is left without a square. 12... e7c5 13. e3c5 13... b6c5 14. a1d1 14... g6e5 A bad move, since the knight will soon be attacked by f4 and White remains with a firm grip on the dark squares. 15. d3d6 15... c5d6 16. d1d6 The endgame is nearly winning for White with a development advantage and better pawn structure. Black has trouble getting the bishop into play, and the backward d-pawn is a long-term weakness. 16... f7f6 17. f2f4 17... e5f7 18. e2c4 18... g8h8 19. d6d4 Carlsen decides to keep the bishop to advance the pawn to e5 to create problems quickly for Black. 19... b7b6 20. e4e5 20... f7h6 21. c3e4 21... h6f5 22. d4d3 22... d7d5 A good practical chance, otherwise Black is in a melancholic position with no counterplay. 23. e5d6 23... c8d7 24. f1e1 24... a8e8 25. g1f2 White is a clear pawn up, but surprisingly the game will have some adventures. 25... g7g5 26. d3b3 An uncharacteristic mistake by Carlsen, who is normally surgical when converting winning positions. 26... g5f4 27. b3b6 27... f5e3 Suddenly Black has gained counterplay. 28. c4d3 28... e3g4 29. f2f3 The other moves don't change much. 29... f6f5 30. e4c5 This is the winning idea. 30... e8e1 31. c5d7 31... f8d8 32. b6b8 This move gives Black a chance to save the game. 32... e1e8 33. b8d8 33... e8d8 34. d3f5 34... g4h6 35. f3f4 This looks like a pretty nice move, but it actually isn't very accurate. 35... h6f7 36. d7e5 36... f7d6 37. e5c6 37... d8f8 38. c6d4 White has three pawns for the exchange, and at first I thought this was a clear win, but the computer shows that Black can still defend. 38... h8g8 39. b2b3 39... g8f7 Now White is again winning. 40. f5h7 40... f8h8 41. f4e5 41... d6b7 42. h7e4 42... h8e8 43. e5f4 43... b7c5 44. e4f3 With four pawns for the exchange, the win is certain. 44... e8d8 45. f4e3 45... d8e8 46. e3d2 46... e8d8 47. d2c3 47... d8c8 48. d4c6 48... f7f6 49. c3c4 49... c5b7 50. c4b5 50... c8g8 51. c6a5 A bit surprising. White is still winning, but there's no need to sac the knight. 51... g8g5 52. b5b6 52... b7a5 53. g2g4 53... g5e5 54. h2h4 54... f6g7 55. f3g2 55... g7f6 |
56... a5b3 | 1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8e7 This is the Cozio Variation of the Ruy Lopez, and it has appeared in other \"Games of the Day.\" Nakamura has used it a few times with Black but not often. He played a game with White against Caruana in 2024 that may have sparked his idea to play it with the other color. 4. b1c3 White has three other major moves. 4... e7g6 5. d2d4 5... e5d4 6. f3d4 6... c6d4 7. d1d4 7... c7c6 8. b5e2 8... d8b6 9. d4d3 All of White's moves are very natural, and this is a critical line for Black's system. 9... f8e7 10. a2a4 10... a7a5 11. e1g1 11... e8g8 12. c1e3 Now White can play this move without having to sacrifice a pawn, since with the inclusion of a4-a5, the queen is left without a square. 12... e7c5 13. e3c5 13... b6c5 14. a1d1 14... g6e5 A bad move, since the knight will soon be attacked by f4 and White remains with a firm grip on the dark squares. 15. d3d6 15... c5d6 16. d1d6 The endgame is nearly winning for White with a development advantage and better pawn structure. Black has trouble getting the bishop into play, and the backward d-pawn is a long-term weakness. 16... f7f6 17. f2f4 17... e5f7 18. e2c4 18... g8h8 19. d6d4 Carlsen decides to keep the bishop to advance the pawn to e5 to create problems quickly for Black. 19... b7b6 20. e4e5 20... f7h6 21. c3e4 21... h6f5 22. d4d3 22... d7d5 A good practical chance, otherwise Black is in a melancholic position with no counterplay. 23. e5d6 23... c8d7 24. f1e1 24... a8e8 25. g1f2 White is a clear pawn up, but surprisingly the game will have some adventures. 25... g7g5 26. d3b3 An uncharacteristic mistake by Carlsen, who is normally surgical when converting winning positions. 26... g5f4 27. b3b6 27... f5e3 Suddenly Black has gained counterplay. 28. c4d3 28... e3g4 29. f2f3 The other moves don't change much. 29... f6f5 30. e4c5 This is the winning idea. 30... e8e1 31. c5d7 31... f8d8 32. b6b8 This move gives Black a chance to save the game. 32... e1e8 33. b8d8 33... e8d8 34. d3f5 34... g4h6 35. f3f4 This looks like a pretty nice move, but it actually isn't very accurate. 35... h6f7 36. d7e5 36... f7d6 37. e5c6 37... d8f8 38. c6d4 White has three pawns for the exchange, and at first I thought this was a clear win, but the computer shows that Black can still defend. 38... h8g8 39. b2b3 39... g8f7 Now White is again winning. 40. f5h7 40... f8h8 41. f4e5 41... d6b7 42. h7e4 42... h8e8 43. e5f4 43... b7c5 44. e4f3 With four pawns for the exchange, the win is certain. 44... e8d8 45. f4e3 45... d8e8 46. e3d2 46... e8d8 47. d2c3 47... d8c8 48. d4c6 48... f7f6 49. c3c4 49... c5b7 50. c4b5 50... c8g8 51. c6a5 A bit surprising. White is still winning, but there's no need to sac the knight. 51... g8g5 52. b5b6 52... b7a5 53. g2g4 53... g5e5 54. h2h4 54... f6g7 55. f3g2 55... g7f6 56. g2f1 Preparing Bb5. |
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57. c2b3 | 1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8e7 This is the Cozio Variation of the Ruy Lopez, and it has appeared in other \"Games of the Day.\" Nakamura has used it a few times with Black but not often. He played a game with White against Caruana in 2024 that may have sparked his idea to play it with the other color. 4. b1c3 White has three other major moves. 4... e7g6 5. d2d4 5... e5d4 6. f3d4 6... c6d4 7. d1d4 7... c7c6 8. b5e2 8... d8b6 9. d4d3 All of White's moves are very natural, and this is a critical line for Black's system. 9... f8e7 10. a2a4 10... a7a5 11. e1g1 11... e8g8 12. c1e3 Now White can play this move without having to sacrifice a pawn, since with the inclusion of a4-a5, the queen is left without a square. 12... e7c5 13. e3c5 13... b6c5 14. a1d1 14... g6e5 A bad move, since the knight will soon be attacked by f4 and White remains with a firm grip on the dark squares. 15. d3d6 15... c5d6 16. d1d6 The endgame is nearly winning for White with a development advantage and better pawn structure. Black has trouble getting the bishop into play, and the backward d-pawn is a long-term weakness. 16... f7f6 17. f2f4 17... e5f7 18. e2c4 18... g8h8 19. d6d4 Carlsen decides to keep the bishop to advance the pawn to e5 to create problems quickly for Black. 19... b7b6 20. e4e5 20... f7h6 21. c3e4 21... h6f5 22. d4d3 22... d7d5 A good practical chance, otherwise Black is in a melancholic position with no counterplay. 23. e5d6 23... c8d7 24. f1e1 24... a8e8 25. g1f2 White is a clear pawn up, but surprisingly the game will have some adventures. 25... g7g5 26. d3b3 An uncharacteristic mistake by Carlsen, who is normally surgical when converting winning positions. 26... g5f4 27. b3b6 27... f5e3 Suddenly Black has gained counterplay. 28. c4d3 28... e3g4 29. f2f3 The other moves don't change much. 29... f6f5 30. e4c5 This is the winning idea. 30... e8e1 31. c5d7 31... f8d8 32. b6b8 This move gives Black a chance to save the game. 32... e1e8 33. b8d8 33... e8d8 34. d3f5 34... g4h6 35. f3f4 This looks like a pretty nice move, but it actually isn't very accurate. 35... h6f7 36. d7e5 36... f7d6 37. e5c6 37... d8f8 38. c6d4 White has three pawns for the exchange, and at first I thought this was a clear win, but the computer shows that Black can still defend. 38... h8g8 39. b2b3 39... g8f7 Now White is again winning. 40. f5h7 40... f8h8 41. f4e5 41... d6b7 42. h7e4 42... h8e8 43. e5f4 43... b7c5 44. e4f3 With four pawns for the exchange, the win is certain. 44... e8d8 45. f4e3 45... d8e8 46. e3d2 46... e8d8 47. d2c3 47... d8c8 48. d4c6 48... f7f6 49. c3c4 49... c5b7 50. c4b5 50... c8g8 51. c6a5 A bit surprising. White is still winning, but there's no need to sac the knight. 51... g8g5 52. b5b6 52... b7a5 53. g2g4 53... g5e5 54. h2h4 54... f6g7 55. f3g2 55... g7f6 56. g2f1 Preparing Bb5. 56... a5b3 |
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57... e5e4 | White can simply start pushing the queenside pawns. | 1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... g8e7 This is the Cozio Variation of the Ruy Lopez, and it has appeared in other \"Games of the Day.\" Nakamura has used it a few times with Black but not often. He played a game with White against Caruana in 2024 that may have sparked his idea to play it with the other color. 4. b1c3 White has three other major moves. 4... e7g6 5. d2d4 5... e5d4 6. f3d4 6... c6d4 7. d1d4 7... c7c6 8. b5e2 8... d8b6 9. d4d3 All of White's moves are very natural, and this is a critical line for Black's system. 9... f8e7 10. a2a4 10... a7a5 11. e1g1 11... e8g8 12. c1e3 Now White can play this move without having to sacrifice a pawn, since with the inclusion of a4-a5, the queen is left without a square. 12... e7c5 13. e3c5 13... b6c5 14. a1d1 14... g6e5 A bad move, since the knight will soon be attacked by f4 and White remains with a firm grip on the dark squares. 15. d3d6 15... c5d6 16. d1d6 The endgame is nearly winning for White with a development advantage and better pawn structure. Black has trouble getting the bishop into play, and the backward d-pawn is a long-term weakness. 16... f7f6 17. f2f4 17... e5f7 18. e2c4 18... g8h8 19. d6d4 Carlsen decides to keep the bishop to advance the pawn to e5 to create problems quickly for Black. 19... b7b6 20. e4e5 20... f7h6 21. c3e4 21... h6f5 22. d4d3 22... d7d5 A good practical chance, otherwise Black is in a melancholic position with no counterplay. 23. e5d6 23... c8d7 24. f1e1 24... a8e8 25. g1f2 White is a clear pawn up, but surprisingly the game will have some adventures. 25... g7g5 26. d3b3 An uncharacteristic mistake by Carlsen, who is normally surgical when converting winning positions. 26... g5f4 27. b3b6 27... f5e3 Suddenly Black has gained counterplay. 28. c4d3 28... e3g4 29. f2f3 The other moves don't change much. 29... f6f5 30. e4c5 This is the winning idea. 30... e8e1 31. c5d7 31... f8d8 32. b6b8 This move gives Black a chance to save the game. 32... e1e8 33. b8d8 33... e8d8 34. d3f5 34... g4h6 35. f3f4 This looks like a pretty nice move, but it actually isn't very accurate. 35... h6f7 36. d7e5 36... f7d6 37. e5c6 37... d8f8 38. c6d4 White has three pawns for the exchange, and at first I thought this was a clear win, but the computer shows that Black can still defend. 38... h8g8 39. b2b3 39... g8f7 Now White is again winning. 40. f5h7 40... f8h8 41. f4e5 41... d6b7 42. h7e4 42... h8e8 43. e5f4 43... b7c5 44. e4f3 With four pawns for the exchange, the win is certain. 44... e8d8 45. f4e3 45... d8e8 46. e3d2 46... e8d8 47. d2c3 47... d8c8 48. d4c6 48... f7f6 49. c3c4 49... c5b7 50. c4b5 50... c8g8 51. c6a5 A bit surprising. White is still winning, but there's no need to sac the knight. 51... g8g5 52. b5b6 52... b7a5 53. g2g4 53... g5e5 54. h2h4 54... f6g7 55. f3g2 55... g7f6 56. g2f1 Preparing Bb5. 56... a5b3 57. c2b3 |
1. e2e4 | ||
1... e7e5 | 1. e2e4 |
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2. g1f3 | 1. e2e4 1... e7e5 |
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2... b8c6 | 1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 |
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3. f1c4 | 1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 |
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3... g8f6 | 1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1c4 |
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4. d2d3 | 1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1c4 3... g8f6 |
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4... h7h6 | A flexible move that keeps several plans open: he can play g7-g5 and Bg7, a bold idea that became popular a few years ago; or play g6-Bg7; or simply develop the bishop on its natural square, c5, without White being able to play Bc1-g5. | 1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1c4 3... g8f6 4. d2d3 |
5. c2c3 | 1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1c4 3... g8f6 4. d2d3 4... h7h6 A flexible move that keeps several plans open: he can play g7-g5 and Bg7, a bold idea that became popular a few years ago; or play g6-Bg7; or simply develop the bishop on its natural square, c5, without White being able to play Bc1-g5. |
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5... f8c5 | 1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1c4 3... g8f6 4. d2d3 4... h7h6 A flexible move that keeps several plans open: he can play g7-g5 and Bg7, a bold idea that became popular a few years ago; or play g6-Bg7; or simply develop the bishop on its natural square, c5, without White being able to play Bc1-g5. 5. c2c3 |
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6. b2b4 | 1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1c4 3... g8f6 4. d2d3 4... h7h6 A flexible move that keeps several plans open: he can play g7-g5 and Bg7, a bold idea that became popular a few years ago; or play g6-Bg7; or simply develop the bishop on its natural square, c5, without White being able to play Bc1-g5. 5. c2c3 5... f8c5 |
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6... c5e7 | 1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1c4 3... g8f6 4. d2d3 4... h7h6 A flexible move that keeps several plans open: he can play g7-g5 and Bg7, a bold idea that became popular a few years ago; or play g6-Bg7; or simply develop the bishop on its natural square, c5, without White being able to play Bc1-g5. 5. c2c3 5... f8c5 6. b2b4 |
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7. a2a4 | 1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1c4 3... g8f6 4. d2d3 4... h7h6 A flexible move that keeps several plans open: he can play g7-g5 and Bg7, a bold idea that became popular a few years ago; or play g6-Bg7; or simply develop the bishop on its natural square, c5, without White being able to play Bc1-g5. 5. c2c3 5... f8c5 6. b2b4 6... c5e7 |
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7... d7d6 | 1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1c4 3... g8f6 4. d2d3 4... h7h6 A flexible move that keeps several plans open: he can play g7-g5 and Bg7, a bold idea that became popular a few years ago; or play g6-Bg7; or simply develop the bishop on its natural square, c5, without White being able to play Bc1-g5. 5. c2c3 5... f8c5 6. b2b4 6... c5e7 7. a2a4 |
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8. d1b3 | 1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1c4 3... g8f6 4. d2d3 4... h7h6 A flexible move that keeps several plans open: he can play g7-g5 and Bg7, a bold idea that became popular a few years ago; or play g6-Bg7; or simply develop the bishop on its natural square, c5, without White being able to play Bc1-g5. 5. c2c3 5... f8c5 6. b2b4 6... c5e7 7. a2a4 7... d7d6 |
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8... e8g8 | 1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1c4 3... g8f6 4. d2d3 4... h7h6 A flexible move that keeps several plans open: he can play g7-g5 and Bg7, a bold idea that became popular a few years ago; or play g6-Bg7; or simply develop the bishop on its natural square, c5, without White being able to play Bc1-g5. 5. c2c3 5... f8c5 6. b2b4 6... c5e7 7. a2a4 7... d7d6 8. d1b3 |
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9. e1g1 | 1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1c4 3... g8f6 4. d2d3 4... h7h6 A flexible move that keeps several plans open: he can play g7-g5 and Bg7, a bold idea that became popular a few years ago; or play g6-Bg7; or simply develop the bishop on its natural square, c5, without White being able to play Bc1-g5. 5. c2c3 5... f8c5 6. b2b4 6... c5e7 7. a2a4 7... d7d6 8. d1b3 8... e8g8 |
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9... c6b8 | The knight returns so that Black can prepare c6-d5. A very difficult move for someone not familiar with this opening, but Nakamura has this very well studied. | 1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1c4 3... g8f6 4. d2d3 4... h7h6 A flexible move that keeps several plans open: he can play g7-g5 and Bg7, a bold idea that became popular a few years ago; or play g6-Bg7; or simply develop the bishop on its natural square, c5, without White being able to play Bc1-g5. 5. c2c3 5... f8c5 6. b2b4 6... c5e7 7. a2a4 7... d7d6 8. d1b3 8... e8g8 9. e1g1 |
10. a4a5 | 1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1c4 3... g8f6 4. d2d3 4... h7h6 A flexible move that keeps several plans open: he can play g7-g5 and Bg7, a bold idea that became popular a few years ago; or play g6-Bg7; or simply develop the bishop on its natural square, c5, without White being able to play Bc1-g5. 5. c2c3 5... f8c5 6. b2b4 6... c5e7 7. a2a4 7... d7d6 8. d1b3 8... e8g8 9. e1g1 9... c6b8 The knight returns so that Black can prepare c6-d5. A very difficult move for someone not familiar with this opening, but Nakamura has this very well studied. |
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10... c7c6 | 1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1c4 3... g8f6 4. d2d3 4... h7h6 A flexible move that keeps several plans open: he can play g7-g5 and Bg7, a bold idea that became popular a few years ago; or play g6-Bg7; or simply develop the bishop on its natural square, c5, without White being able to play Bc1-g5. 5. c2c3 5... f8c5 6. b2b4 6... c5e7 7. a2a4 7... d7d6 8. d1b3 8... e8g8 9. e1g1 9... c6b8 The knight returns so that Black can prepare c6-d5. A very difficult move for someone not familiar with this opening, but Nakamura has this very well studied. 10. a4a5 |
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11. b3a2 | 1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1c4 3... g8f6 4. d2d3 4... h7h6 A flexible move that keeps several plans open: he can play g7-g5 and Bg7, a bold idea that became popular a few years ago; or play g6-Bg7; or simply develop the bishop on its natural square, c5, without White being able to play Bc1-g5. 5. c2c3 5... f8c5 6. b2b4 6... c5e7 7. a2a4 7... d7d6 8. d1b3 8... e8g8 9. e1g1 9... c6b8 The knight returns so that Black can prepare c6-d5. A very difficult move for someone not familiar with this opening, but Nakamura has this very well studied. 10. a4a5 10... c7c6 |
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11... d6d5 | 1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1c4 3... g8f6 4. d2d3 4... h7h6 A flexible move that keeps several plans open: he can play g7-g5 and Bg7, a bold idea that became popular a few years ago; or play g6-Bg7; or simply develop the bishop on its natural square, c5, without White being able to play Bc1-g5. 5. c2c3 5... f8c5 6. b2b4 6... c5e7 7. a2a4 7... d7d6 8. d1b3 8... e8g8 9. e1g1 9... c6b8 The knight returns so that Black can prepare c6-d5. A very difficult move for someone not familiar with this opening, but Nakamura has this very well studied. 10. a4a5 10... c7c6 11. b3a2 |
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12. c4b3 | 1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1c4 3... g8f6 4. d2d3 4... h7h6 A flexible move that keeps several plans open: he can play g7-g5 and Bg7, a bold idea that became popular a few years ago; or play g6-Bg7; or simply develop the bishop on its natural square, c5, without White being able to play Bc1-g5. 5. c2c3 5... f8c5 6. b2b4 6... c5e7 7. a2a4 7... d7d6 8. d1b3 8... e8g8 9. e1g1 9... c6b8 The knight returns so that Black can prepare c6-d5. A very difficult move for someone not familiar with this opening, but Nakamura has this very well studied. 10. a4a5 10... c7c6 11. b3a2 11... d6d5 |
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