Final position
GM Carlsen (2765) – GM Alekseev (2711) [E17]
Foros – Round 6, 13.06.2008
Foros – Round 6, 13.06.2008
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 b6 4.g3 Bb7 5.Bg2 Be7 6.Nc3 Ne4 7.Bd2 d5 8.cxd5 exd5 9.0–0 0–0 10.Rc1 Nd7 11.Bf4 Nxc3 12.Rxc3 c5 13.dxc5 bxc5 14.b4 cxb4 15.Rc7 Nc5 16.Nd4 Rc8 17.Rxc8 Qxc8 18.Qb1 a5 Game drawn ½–½
I am not sure why Alekseev offered a draw here. Black is slightly better in this position.
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Chess Daily News from Susan Polgar
He is still virtual number 2 with 2791.4 after this draw. The fear factor helped him out again.
“I am not sure why Alekseev offered a draw here” Scared out of his wits by the kid, maybe?
19. Nf5
Who wouldn’t be happy to escape with a draw against GM Carlsen the way he’s playing in this tournament…
White has some compensation after NF5 (I guess) but still a pawn is a pawn. Maybe Alekseev really was afraid he would blunder it away like Shirov or so. Anyway, though it was a short game it was pretty lively (though I suspect b4 will not attract much of a following).
Misplaced fear which you shouldn’t expect at the top level. Magnus lost some quick games in the past like the ones against Kramnik and Anand, so he’s vulnerable too at moments.