Weak Pawn Structure
CCT Final RR 2024 Oslo NOR 2024.12.17 2024.12.17 1-0 (White) Magnus Carlsen vs (Black) Vincent Keymer (WhiteElo) 2831 (BlackElo) 2733 Magnus Carlsen wins after 65 moves. 1. Nf3 d5 2. e3 Nf6 3. b3 c5 4. Bb2 g6 5. Bb5+ Bd7 6. Bxf6 White, by taking the knight on f6 was able to destroy Black’s pawn structure. Black was left with no choice but to take the Bishop on f6. exf6 7. Bxd7+ Qxd7 8. c3 Nc6 9. d4 cxd4 10. cxd4 Bb4+ 11. Nfd2 Rc8 12. O-O O-O 13. a3 Bd6 14. Nc3 Ne7 15. Ne2 The resulting position shows that White has the advantage. Black’s pawn on f6 is weak. The pawn on d5 is isolated. While Black temporarily controls the c file, this is easily challenged by White. If you are playing the white pieces in this position, what will be your strategy? As what Carlsen has done, he simplified the game by exchanging pieces. Rc6 16. b4 Rfc8 17. Rc1 Rxc1 18. Nxc1 Qc7 19. g3 Qc2 20. Ncb3 Qd3 21. Qb1 Qa6 22. Qb2 b6 23. Rc1 Rxc1+ 24. Nxc1 h5 25. Qb3 Qc8 26. Ne2 h4 2...
