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oneniltothearsenal

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Not sure why black brought the pawn up instead of preventing the rook fork

ok this is why I am no grandmaster

although why no Qd5
 
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Grylte

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Yes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Grats Magnus!
 

settembrini

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Well I guess Carlsen has fully vindicated his play in the final two classical games. He dismantled Caruana today, not even close between them in rapid time controls.
 

Mani

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This guy is unstoppable atm and I don't think anyone capable of beating him in the near future, simply fantastic.
 

NM

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Well I guess Carlsen has fully vindicated his play in the final two classical games. He dismantled Caruana today, not even close between them in rapid time controls.
This guy is unstoppable atm and I don't think anyone capable of beating him in the near future, simply fantastic.
What's all the Magnus worship about? His play is declining. 2 years ago he would have dismantled Caruana in 12 games easy.

He seems distracted these days, like Kasparov before he retired
 

Mani

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What's all the Magnus worship about? His play is declining. 2 years ago he would have dismantled Caruana in 12 games easy.

He seems distracted these days, like Kasparov before he retired
Agree with what you said he doesn't look same as he was against Anand, but my point is I don't see anyone capable enough to take his top spot in the near future.
 

Ødegaard

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What's all the Magnus worship about? His play is declining. 2 years ago he would have dismantled Caruana in 12 games easy.

He seems distracted these days, like Kasparov before he retired
I think it's down to recent chess being improved a lot defensively by the help of stockfish and the likes, winning has become harder.
 

Grylte

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What's all the Magnus worship about? His play is declining. 2 years ago he would have dismantled Caruana in 12 games easy.

He seems distracted these days, like Kasparov before he retired
Lots of Norwegians on here, we're not best in much, so when we finally find something (except from winter sports), it's pretty big for us.

And what @Ødegaard said, plus that people also have gotten used to how Magnus plays, and have found ways to make it much tougher for him.
Like Karjakin last time, was so good in defense, that he made the win tougher for Magnus than it has been before.
Caruana is a better player than Karjakin too.
 

donkeyfish

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What's all the Magnus worship about? His play is declining. 2 years ago he would have dismantled Caruana in 12 games easy.

He seems distracted these days, like Kasparov before he retired
When you win 3-0 in the play-off you'll get plaudits, it was utter domination. I'm also not sure whether his play has declined or whether his opponents play has improved.
 

NM

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When you win 3-0 in the play-off you'll get plaudits, it was utter domination. I'm also not sure whether his play has declined or whether his opponents play has improved.
He was expected to crush him in the play-offs, and even one win for either player leads to lop-sided results in rapid due to the pressure.

Anyway, my point was Carlsen isn't playing as well as he used to.

Lots of Norwegians on here, we're not best in much, so when we finally find something (except from winter sports), it's pretty big for us.

And what @Ødegaard said, plus that people also have gotten used to how Magnus plays, and have found ways to make it much tougher for him.
Like Karjakin last time, was so good in defense, that he made the win tougher for Magnus than it has been before.
Caruana is a better player than Karjakin too.
This simply isn't true. Magnus' style is more computer-like (and that's a compliment) than any other player. Computers have neutralized the likes of Topalov and to some extent Anand.. Not the Karjakin and Carlsens of the world.
 

settembrini

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What's all the Magnus worship about? His play is declining. 2 years ago he would have dismantled Caruana in 12 games easy.

He seems distracted these days, like Kasparov before he retired
I don't think what I said is 'Magnus worship'. He DID dismantle Caruana in the rapid games, 3-0 with every game being comfortable for him.

I agree he isn't as good as he used be in classical time controls but given that he's just won another world championship I guess he doesn't need to be that winning machine anymore. Back then he was a super serious chess obsessive, a modern Fischer. Now he's a different person, he's more relaxed and fun in interviews, he plays bullet tournaments while drinking beer and streaming on twitch, he is in a serious relationship for the first time in his life etc. I would love to see the Magnus of old back and pushing for a 2900 elo but I can't begrudge someone who has achieved so much easing back and enjoying life more instead.
 

Ødegaard

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He was expected to crush him in the play-offs, and even one win for either player leads to lop-sided results in rapid due to the pressure.

Anyway, my point was Carlsen isn't playing as well as he used to.



This simply isn't true. Magnus' style is more computer-like (and that's a compliment) than any other player. Computers have neutralized the likes of Topalov and to some extent Anand.. Not the Karjakin and Carlsens of the world.
Caruana played a lot of computer moves from what I remember, especially defensively.
 

donkeyfish

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This simply isn't true. Magnus' style is more computer-like (and that's a compliment) than any other player. Computers have neutralized the likes of Topalov and to some extent Anand.. Not the Karjakin and Carlsens of the world.
That's my impression as well. Incredible geometric vision.

Even AlphaZero plays in a way that reminds me of peak Carlsen, really preferring positions where opponent has no counterplay regardless of material balance. It does it better of course.
 

Raees

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@settembrini @donkeyfish so roughly after 2 weeks, I'm breaking through into 1200 (majority of losses were in the first week and since then have been able to beat guys in the 1300-1500 range). Is that average progress, and what stage is it when you're considered a 'competitive' player at a good level. Managed to play a 'Legal's Mate' today, in an actual match after learning it this morning - couldn't believe it!
 

settembrini

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@settembrini @donkeyfish so roughly after 2 weeks, I'm breaking through into 1200 (majority of losses were in the first week and since then have been able to beat guys in the 1300-1500 range). Is that average progress, and what stage is it when you're considered a 'competitive' player at a good level. Managed to play a 'Legal's Mate' today, in an actual match after learning it this morning - couldn't believe it!
Any progress is good and if you were struggling against 1200s one week and beating 1400s the next then that's great.

Are you playing with an account on lichess? Then you can check how you rank on either your profile or their rating distribution page.

https://lichess.org/stat/rating/distribution/classical
1425 is the average classical rating atm. Get above that and you can consider yourself an above average player in that time control. Above 1800 would put you in the top 10%.
 

Mrs Smoker

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What happened?

Game with Salem? Checked it now, he went from winning position to eventual loss.

Nice tournament, I was checking it often. Carlsen once opened with 1. e4 e5 2. Qh5 :D

Lost that game.
 

altodevil

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Folk should be happy with 1200 classical. You'll likely best any normal person every game. Should be free of most blunders by then.
 

Mrs Smoker

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Anyone knows the best way to follow blitz world championship?

Tried now on chess24, and it's just too *laggy* so to say, 5-6 moves go in one update.
 

Mrs Smoker

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Kid is dominating!

Impressive in rapid as well.


(ok, he's a bit older now, 15, even has moustache)

Also, will play Carlsen in next round.

And lost.

Hype off!
 
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Kasper

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Just heard what happened. He missed the start somehow? And when he finally arrived he just had 1 minute left on the clock but Magnus offered a draw? Didn't really understand what happened.
 

donkeyfish

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Just heard what happened. He missed the start somehow? And when he finally arrived he just had 1 minute left on the clock but Magnus offered a draw? Didn't really understand what happened.
He sat in the lounge chatting shit and forgot the time :lol: Then he offered a draw after ten moves which Carlsen accepted.

Imagine forgetting the start of your game when you're in the World Championships. He's my new hero