Fabiano Caruana has won the elite Altibox tournament ahead of world champion Magnus Carlsen. This result might appear to give a promising boost to Caruana’s prospects for his world title challenge to Carlsen, which is due to take place in London in November. Alas, that is not the case. It is true that Caruana triumphed by a narrow margin over the champion in the main event, but in their individual clash it was the Norwegian who once again gained the laurels.
This outcome further extends Carlsen’s already impressive lead over Caruana in their individual tussles. Carlsen therefore remains firm favourite to retain his title at the chess summit.
Carlsen-Caruana: Norway Chess, Stavanger 2018 (see diagram 1)
Carlsen has sacrificed a pawn to gain control over the central dark squares. He has full compensation and chances are balanced. 25 … Rc7 Caruana unwisely decides to return the pawn in the hope of gaining activity. This proves to be a misjudgement and he should have preferred a waiting game. 26 Rxc7 Qxc7 27 Qxb4 Qc1+ 28 Bd1 Ba6 29 Qd4 Be2 30 Kh2 Bxd1 31 Nxd1 Carlsen has retained the central clamp but now also has two strong passed pawns on the queenside. 31 … Qc7+ 32 Kg1 Qc1 33 b4 e3 A desperate attempt to gain counterplay. 34 fxe3 Ne4 35 Qxd5 Nd2 36 Qf5+ Kh8 37 Qg4 f5 38 Qe2 Ne4 39 Qe1 Qa1 40 a5 Nd6 41 Qd2 Carlsen is now two clear pawns ahead and eventually won on move 77.
Anand-Caruana: Norway Chess, Stavanger 2018 (see diagram 2)
Here Anand had been relying on the move 36 g3 which would maintain equality by keeping the black queen out of f4. 36 Ra8 Anand suddenly realised that Caruana had prepared a cunning trap.
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