After his slow star in the 2015 Qatar Masters, Magnus Carlsen has gone full 'beast mode' and now leads the event after 5 rounds. After playing a few opponents who could be described as 'unfamiliar' he came up against his first 2700+ player in round 5, in the shape of Li Chao (a former Doeberl Cup winner btw). As there was only an 84 rating point difference between the two players, it might have been plausible for Chao to draw the game, or even cause an upset. However Carlsen seemed quite determined to not let that happen, and basically tore him apart on the kingside. As with games that involve opposite side castling, pawns and pieces tend to rush up the board, but Carlsen's attack carried a lot more force. He was clearly better by move 20, and totally winning a few moves later.
The win moved him into a half point lead over a group of 8 players. Tonight there is no play, but in tomorrows round he will be up against Wesley So.
Carlsen,Magnus (2834) - Li,Chao b (2750) [D70]
Qatar Masters Open 2015 Doha QAT (5.1), 24.12.2015
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. f3 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 5. e4 Nb6 6. Nc3 Bg7 7. Be3 O-O 8. Qd2 Nc6 9. O-O-O f5 10. e5 Nb4 11. Nh3 Qe8 12. Kb1 a5 13. Be2 c6 14. Rc1 Kh8 15. Ka1 Be6 16. Nf4 Qf7 17. h4 Bxa2 18. h5 Kg8 19. hxg6 hxg6 20. g4 Bb3 21. Bd1 a4 22. Qh2 Rfd8 23. Qh7+ Kf8 24. d5 Nc4 25. Nxg6+ Ke8 26. e6 a3 27. exf7+ Kd7 28. Ne5+ Bxe5 29. Qxf5+ Kc7 30. Qxe5+ Nxe5 31. Bxb3 axb2+ 32. Kxb2 Nbd3+ 33. Kb1 Nxc1 34. Rxc1 Kc8 35. dxc6 bxc6 36. f4 1-0
2 comments:
What does the "b" in Li Chao b mean? Is it like "Jr" or something?
Nice win by Moulthun over Dubov in round 7.
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