Close run

Although world champion Magnus Carlsen clearly secured first place in the Gashimov Memorial tournament, he did not have things all his own way. Indeed, just before the halfway point he lost two consecutive games and appeared to be in a state of collapse. However, in the style of his hero Emanuel Lasker, Carlsen struck back to score a magnificent 4 out of 5 points in the second half. This included his razor-edge win against his chief rival Fabiano Caruana.
 
This week, a selection of critical positions from this important event.
 
Caruana-Carlsen: Gashimov Memorial 2014
 
The first impediment to Carlsen’s victory parade came in the following position when Caruana uncorked a devastating pseudo-sacrifice. 25 Nxc7 Rd8 After 25 … Kxc7 26 e6+ Kc6 27 Rxd7 threatens mate and Black is destroyed. 26 Nd5 Re8 27 Be1 Bd8 28 Bc3 g6 29 Kg3 b5 30 cxb5 Bxb5 31 Ne3 Re6 32 f4 Ra6 33 Rd2 h5 34 gxh5 gxh5 35 Nf5 Rg6+ 36 Kh2 Bc6 37 Nd6+ Kb8 38 f5 White’s pawn roller on the kingside guarantees victory.