ODT070814

=**Carlsen shows mettle**=


 * Problem:** Black to play and mate in three.

Norwegian wunderkind Magnus Carlsen confirmed his status as a super-elite grandmaster at the age of 16 in winning the prestigious Biel tournament in Switzerland. Carlsen may have been eliminated from the current World Championship cycle, but the way he won here shows he is sure to be a contender in the next. Carlsen was the early leader until consecutive losses in rounds 7 and 8 allowed GM Alexander Onischuk of the USA and Azerbaijani GM Teimour Radjabov to overtake him. However, Carlsen was able to rally in the final round with a resounding victory over Radjabov to catch Onischuk on 5½/9, ahead of Radjabov, the local entry Yannick Petellier, Hungarian Judit Polgar and Russian Alexander Grischuk tied for third on 5 points. Carlsen then proceeded to win the playoff for first against Onischuk.

Today's game is that final round win over Radjabov by Carlsen playing with the white pieces. media type="custom" key="26802432" The Pirc Defence often leads to vigorous pawn advances by both players on opposite sides of the board – White on the kingside and Black on the queenside. Although here Black has avoided a kingside fianchetto providing a target on g6 and White has castled kingside, this is still the best plan for both sides. So as to weaken White's pawns or play 13 ... d5 with a hit on the rook, but at the same time activating the white piece. The immediate 12 ... d5 opening up the centre to counteract White's kingside advance has been played with success. White has not rushed to recoup his pawn, instead concentrating force along the e-file knowing that e4 must fall. Black in turn makes a passive move handing Carlsen the initiative when 16 ... Bb4 17 c3 exd4 18 Nexd4 Bc5 would have kept his pieces active. The plan to evict the knight does not work out. A stunning breakthrough that seals the win. White leaves the stranded knight to be taken using the e-pawn as a battering ram to force entry into the heart of the Black position. If instead 23 ... Nxe7 24 Rxe7 Bxe7 25 Rxe7 Rae8, then 26 Bxg5+! Kxg5 27 Qg4+ Kf6 28 Rxd7 Qb8 29 h4! and the threat of 30 Qg5+ and 31 Bh3+ can only be met by heavy material losses. Or if 23 ... Re8 24 exd8=Q Rexd8 25 Qd4 N7f6 then again 26 Bxg5+! puts the black king in a noose. Making way for the queen's entry. The end is near. Mate will occur after 28 ... Bxe7 29 Rxe7+ Kg8 30 Qf6 etc.
 * 1. e4 d6**
 * 2. d4 Nf6**
 * 3. Nc3 e5**
 * 4. Nge2 Nbd7**
 * 5. g3 c6**
 * 6. Bg2 b5**
 * 7. a3 Be7**
 * 8. O-O O-O**
 * 9. h3 a5**
 * 10. g4 Ba6**
 * 11. Ng3 b4**
 * 12. Nce2 bxa3**
 * 13. Rxa3! d5**
 * 14. Re3 dxe4**
 * 15. Re1! Qc7**
 * 16. Nf5 Bd8?**
 * 17. g5 Nd5**
 * 18. Rxe4 f6**
 * 19. Neg3 g6**
 * 20. Nh6+ Kg7**
 * 21. dxe5 fxg5**
 * 22. e6! ---**
 * 22. --- Kxh6**
 * 23. e7! Qb6**
 * 24. exf8=Q+ Nxf8**
 * 25. c4 ---**
 * 25. --- Nf4**
 * 26. Qd6 Kg7**
 * 27. Bxf4 gxf4**
 * 28. Re7+! Resigns**


 * 1-0**


 * Solution:** 1 ... Qh1+! 2 Rxh1 (2 Kf2 g3+ 3 Kxg3 Qf3#) Rxh1+ 3 Kf2 Bh4#.