This position is from last week’s Opera Euro Rapid event

The featured game is between Carlsen (White) v Vachier-Lagrave (Black)

Carlsen has his opponent trapped in the corner, he played Bd4+ and eventually won,

Can you find the best move missed by the World Champion?

 

After an exciting week of chess we have reached the Final of the Opera Euro Rapid competition. World Champion Magnus Carlsen defeated MVL in a very thrilling and topsy turvy semi-final. Magnus showed both extremes of live rapid chess by playing brilliantly one game and dropping pieces in the next.

In the position below it is Magnus (White) to move, most of us would play Re1 or Rf3 protecting the Bishop on e3. Magnus actually played Qd3?? and resigned on the spot. At least we can be assured that no engines are being used in this competition!

His opponent in the Final is Wesley So, who played excellent chess to beat Teimour Radjabov. Wesley’s play is well suited to rapid chess as he can switch between ultra solid and very aggressive, a perfect combination when playing Carlsen.

Interestingly in the very first game of the Opera Tournament a week ago, Wesley So defeated Magnus Carlsen. Will history repeat itself in the final?

After 2 very exciting days at the Opera Euro Rapids we now know the players through to the semi-finals. World Champion Magnus Carlsen rode his luck to scrape through, where he will face MVL

The other semi will see Wesley So play Teimour Radjabov.

I think the most interesting final would be Radjabov v MVL, especially considering what happened at the 2020 Candidates!

Yet again, there have been many exciting games played this week, from Super GMs in the Opera Euro Rapid to us, the mere wood pushers playing in the Thanet All Play All.

In the Thanet competition the following position was reached in the all Broadstairs clash between Andy Flood and Trefor Owens

I think that Black is slightly better, mainly because the White King is badly placed and the pawn on g2 is weak. After the obvious Queen trade there would be chances to save the game. However Andy went ALL IN in with Rxg6+ and duly lost as he doesn’t get enough compensation for a whole Rook. Still another strong game from Andy against a higher rated opponent. He is certainly the most genuinely improved player in the online event, boding well for the next over the board season.

However my choice of game of the week comes from the University of Salamanca Masters event played in Spain. Amongst the eight participants were two of the greatest attacking players of all time; Alexei Shirov and Veselin Topalov

The tournament was won, convincingly by Shirov but my favourite game was played by Topalov against the young French WGM Almira Skripchenko. The game is fascinating and very educational for club players – watch how Topalov takes control of the entire board before igniting the tactics.

If, like me, you are a fan of his style of play I can thoroughly recommend the following book. My Magic Years with Topalov by Romain Edouard an exciting and interesting read.

Naturally a great place to purchase chess books and equipment from is Chess & Bridge, their store can be found by simply clicking on the logo to the right.

Here is the game for your enjoyment, the notes, and therefore any mistakes, are all mine and not the fault of either player

 White:  GM Veselin Topalov       Black:  WGM Almira Skripchenko

University of Salamanca Masters