The Norwegian finished the championship as a winner and escaped punishment for self-confidence. But still, I had to worry.
Magnus Carlsen arrived in Kazakhstan for the World Rapid and Blitz Championship not only as a star guest, but also as the main favorite of the tournament. The grandmaster was absolutely not worried regarding the result and even allowed himself a self-confident statement before the start. However, when things went wrong, the Norwegian literally threw a tantrum.
Losing to an athlete from Russia was clearly not part of his plans.
“I don’t think that anyone’s chances are higher”
Norwegian grandmaster Magnus Carlsen has refused to defend his world champion title yet once more, but he is not going to end his professional career. The 32-year-old chess player actively participates in various tournaments, probably trying to prove to himself and others that he is still the leader of world chess.
Magnus did not leave without attention the World Rapid and Blitz Championship, which was hosted by Alma-Ata on the eve of the New Year. Before the start of the tournament, the Norwegian exuded confidence in his abilities, hinting that he did not see equal rivals in these competitions.
And, it would seem, why should he be nervous? Carlsen bathed in the rays of glory, flaunted in front of the camera lenses in the national Kazakh outfit chapan to the delight of local chess lovers. And I didn’t even think that he might have any problems at the chess table.
– If I considered someone other than myself to be the favorite, I would not even participate. Yes, these are open tournaments, and a large number of chess players have the opportunity to win, but I don’t think that when I’m in good shape, someone’s chances of winning are higher than mine,” Carlsen said before the start of the tournament.
Encounter with a surprise
Carlsen was indeed the favorite of the tournament, although he had strong competitors. American Hikaru Nakamura is good at rapid chess. And among the Russian participants there were chess players who had victories over Magnus. Nevertheless, in four starting rounds the champion managed without losses.
Only in the fifth game did Carlsen draw for the first time with black, failing to defeat the Indian Arjun Erigaisi. After five rounds, the leader has not yet been determined: Carlsen, Russian Vladimir Fedoseev, Arjun Erigaisi and Jorden van Forest each had 4.5 points.
In the next five games, the Norwegian slowed down a bit: he won three times, agreed to a draw twice. In both cases, Carlsen was forced to make peace with the Russians – Vladimir Fedoseev and Daniil Dubov. Against the first, Magnus played with black, with the second – with white. However, since the competitors also had losses, the main favorite of the tournament still did not seem to have to worry.
But in the 11th round, the representative of Norway was unexpectedly defeated. The Russian Vladislav Artemiev, who had already somehow defeated a formidable opponent in an online tournament, dealt with Carlsen in person at the chess table as well. Magnus had a real tantrum: he nervously shook his head, grimaced, leaned back in his chair. In other words, it was hard for the champion to admit defeat.
According to the results of the game, both athletes were in the lead, having 8.5 points each. In the 12th round, Carlsen played a draw with Fabiano Caruana, Artemiev made a draw with Vladimir Fedoseev. Taking advantage of the losses of the leaders, 18-year-old German Vincent Kaimer managed to catch up with them – he also got 9 points. Thus, the outcome of the entire tournament was decided in the final round.
In the decisive 13th round, Artemiev had to play black with Fabiano Caruana, Carlsen – white with Iranian Magsoudloo Parham, Kaimer – black with Frenchman Maxime Vachier-Lagrave. The Russian, unfortunately, lost to an opponent from the United States, the German shared points with the representative of France. And Carlsen won an important victory in the final round and once more became the champion. It can be stated that the Norwegian is still the strongest, and no one has ever punished him for his self-confidence. However, this victory did not become easy.
