The Norwegian finished the championship as a winner and escaped punishment for his self-confidence. However, I had to worry.
Magnus Carlsen arrived in Kazakhstan for the World Rapid and Blitz Championship not only as the guest of honor, but also as the main favorite of the tournament. The grandmaster was absolutely not worried about 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 a Russian athlete was clearly not part of his plans.
“I don’t think anyone’s chances are higher”
Norwegian grandmaster Magnus Carlsen has once again refused to defend his world champion title, but has no plans 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, hosted by Alma-Ata on the eve of the new year. Prior to the start of the tournament, the Norwegian exuded confidence in his abilities, suggesting that he saw no equal rival in these competitions.
Magnus Carlsen / Photo: © Magnus Carlsen personal archive
And, it would seem, why should he be nervous? Carlsen bathed in the rays of glory, flaunted before the camera lenses in the chapan of the Kazakh national dress to the delight of local chess lovers. And I also didn’t think he could have any problems at the chess table.
– If I considered someone other than me as the favorite, I wouldn’t 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, anyone’s chances of winning are any higher than mine,” Carlsen said before the start of the tournament.
Meeting with a surprise
Carlsen was indeed the favorite of the tournament, although he had strong competitors. American Hikaru Nakamura is good at fast chess. And among the Russian participants there were chess players who defeated Magnus. However, in four opening 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 matches, the Norwegian slowed down a little: 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, with the contestants also suffering defeats, the main tournament favorite doesn’t seem to need to worry anyway.
But in the 11th round, the representative of Norway was unexpectedly defeated. Russian Vladislav Artemiev, who had already somehow defeated a formidable opponent in an online tournament, also faced Carlsen himself at the chess table. Magnus had a real tantrum: he shook his head nervously, grimaced, leaned back in his chair. In other words, it was difficult for the champion to admit defeat.
According to the results of the game, both athletes were in the lead, with 8.5 points each. In the 12th round, Carlsen drew with Fabiano Caruana, Artemiev drew with Vladimir Fedoseev. Taking advantage of the defeats of the leaders, 18-year-old German Vincent Kaimer managed to catch up with them – he also scored 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 a major victory in the final round and again became the champion. It can be said that the Norwegian is still the strongest and no one has ever punished him for his self-esteem. However, this victory didn’t come easy.
