In a dream final round matchup, tournament leader Carlsen had to face Shirov, who’s only 1/2 point behind. It’s a must win situation for Shirov. And he did. In the mean time, Topalov could not beat Wang and had to settle for a tie for 2nd with Carlsen.
GM Shirov (2745) – GM Carlsen (2770) [B33]
Mtel 2009 (10), 23.05.2009
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 e5 6.Ndb5 d6 7.Bg5 a6 8.Na3 b5 9.Bxf6 gxf6 10.Nd5 Bg7 11.Bd3 Ne7 12.Nxe7 Qxe7 13.c4 f5 14.0–0 0–0 15.Qh5 Rb8 16.exf5 e4 17.Rae1 Bb7 18.Qg4 Rfe8 19.cxb5 d5 20.bxa6 Bc6 21.b3 Kh8 22.Nc2 Be5 23.Be2 d4 24.Bc4 Rg8 25.Qh3 Rg7 26.g3 Rbg8 27.Qh6 Qc7 28.Nb4 Ba8 29.Nd5 Qd8 30.Rxe4 White wins 1–0
Click here to replay the game.
Chess Daily News from Susan Polgar
Congrats shirov !!!
It appears to me that Carlsen was a bit ambitious in this game overall, but his 27th move seemed not the best option to me- it allwowed the knight to penetrate to d5 in two moves, leaving the e-pawn hanging.
Don’t you just love Carlsen too! In a situation where he could have played for the draw – he doesn’t! Chess needs more of these kinds of finishes!!
He’s the man!
wowza
Congratulations Gm Shirov!!
Most surprising final outcome!
Somehow, I only considered Carlsen and Topalov as candidates to win the tournament..And than comes Shirov and takes the first place. Impressive!! Surprising too!
The entire variation is suspect! I’d never play it at the top levels.
Carlsen should play for draw! He’s too ambitious and unexperienced.
Shirov is always Shirov.Carlsen will never manage to be something more than a very good chess player.
It happens again. And again. And again. When Magnus is in the lead, he spoils it all by losing the last game. Therefore he he is the eternal no 2. I thought he had learned, but no. This habit may cost him a WC title one day.
“It happens again. And again. And again. When Magnus is in the lead, he spoils it all by losing the last game. Therefore he he is the eternal no 2. I thought he had learned, but no. This habit may cost him a WC title one day.”
Calm down. The young king is simply allowing his elders one last respite.
Soon, no one will beat him. Just ask Topa about that ass beating he got from this tournament.
Enough!
I do not think that Carlsen is World Champion material!
Of course you do. That’s why you deny it on every occation on the web, for reasons unknown.
😉
“I do not think that Carlsen is World Champion material!”
what a ridiculous thing to say- after all he’s only 18 and already giving the best a very hard time.