Enjoy! (The image below is from chess.com.)
To repeat: based on the above-mentioned python-stockfish programs, claude wrote this blog post, with some minor editing by wdj.
When Excellence Meets Perfection: Carlsen’s Championship-Clinching Victory Over Caruana
Tata Steel Masters 2022, Round 12
Wijk aan Zee, Netherlands | January 29, 2022
Tournament Context
The 84th Tata Steel Chess Tournament is one of the most prestigious events in chess, often called “the Wimbledon of Chess.” Held annually in the Dutch coastal town of Wijk aan Zee, it brings together the world’s elite players for an intense two-week battle.
Tournament Details: - Dates: January 14-30, 2022 - Format: 14 players, 13-round single round-robin - Time Control: 100 minutes for the first 50 moves, then 15 minutes with 30-second increment per move - Prize Fund: Significant, with the winner receiving the coveted trophy
The Elite Field:
This year’s Masters section was exceptionally strong, featuring: - Magnus Carlsen (Norway) - World Champion, rated 2865 - Fabiano Caruana (USA) - Former World Championship challenger, rated 2792 - Shakhriyar Mamedyarov (Azerbaijan) - Multiple tournament winner - Richard Rapport (Hungary) - Creative and dangerous attacker - Anish Giri (Netherlands) - Local favorite and perennial contender - Sergey Karjakin (Russia) - Former World Championship challenger - Jorden van Foreest (Netherlands) - Defending champion - Andrey Esipenko (Russia) - Rising star - Jan-Krzysztof Duda (Poland) - 2021 World Cup winner - Vidit Gujrathi (India) - Top Indian grandmaster - Plus Shankland, Praggnanandhaa, Grandelius, and Dubov
The Situation Going Into Round 12:
By Round 12, Magnus Carlsen had built a commanding lead and needed only a draw against Caruana to clinch his eighth Tata Steel title with a round to spare. However, in typical Carlsen fashion, he decided to play for a win. “A draw was very good for me, but I guess I was feeling a bit bolder than normal,” he said afterward. “I kind of wanted to play. He clearly wanted to play as well, so we got a good fight.”
This was the 55th classical game between these titans. Coming into this game, Carlsen led their head-to-head 11-5 with 38 draws.
The Game
White: Fabiano Caruana
Black: Magnus Carlsen
Result: 0-1 (Black wins)
Opening: Rossolimo Variation of the Sicilian Defense (B30)
Complete Game Score with Analysis
1. e4 c5
The Sicilian Defense - Black’s most popular and aggressive response to 1.e4. Carlsen, needing only a draw, chooses his most trusted weapon.
2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5
The Rossolimo Variation. Caruana avoids the theoretical mazes of the Open Sicilian, looking for a strategic battle where his excellent positional understanding can shine.
3…g6 4. O-O Bg7 5. c3 Nf6
Black develops naturally with a fianchetto setup, a solid and flexible choice.
6. Re1
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8 | r | . | b | q | k | . | . | r |
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7 | p | p | . | p | p | p | b | p |
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6 | . | . | n | . | . | n | p | . |
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5 | . | B | p | . | . | . | . | . |
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4 | . | . | . | . | P | . | . | . |
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3 | . | . | P | . | . | N | . | . |
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2 | P | P | . | P | . | P | P | P |
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1 | R | N | B | Q | . | R | . | K |
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a b c d e f g hWhite prepares d4, keeping maximum flexibility.
6…O-O 7. d4 d5 8. e5
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8 | r | . | b | q | . | r | k | . |
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7 | p | p | . | . | p | p | b | p |
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6 | . | . | n | . | . | n | p | . |
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5 | . | B | p | p | P | . | . | . |
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4 | . | . | . | P | . | . | . | . |
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3 | . | . | P | . | . | N | . | . |
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2 | P | P | . | . | . | P | P | P |
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1 | R | N | B | Q | . | R | . | K |
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a b c d e f g hThe game reaches a critical juncture. White establishes a space advantage with the e5 pawn.
8…Ne4
A key move in this structure. The knight on e4 is perfectly placed, controlling important central squares.
9. Be3 cxd4 10. cxd4
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8 | r | . | b | q | . | r | k | . |
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7 | p | p | . | . | p | p | b | p |
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6 | . | . | n | . | . | . | p | . |
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5 | . | B | . | p | P | . | . | . |
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4 | . | . | . | P | n | . | . | . |
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3 | . | . | . | . | B | N | . | . |
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2 | P | P | . | . | . | P | P | P |
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1 | R | N | . | Q | . | R | . | K |
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a b c d e f g hThe central structure is now clarified. White has a strong center but Black has active piece play.
10…Qb6 11. Qe2 Bd7 12. Ba4 Rac8 13. Nc3 Nxc3 14. bxc3 Qd8
Both sides develop logically. Black exchanges the knight to reduce White’s attacking potential, while White maintains a solid center.
15. Bb3?!
Inaccuracy. The bishop is slightly less active on b3. While this isn’t a major mistake, it gives Black more breathing room. The position slightly favors Black now.
15…Na5 16. Rac1 Nxb3 17. axb3 Qb6
The exchanges have clarified the position. Black has eliminated a potentially troublesome piece.
18. Qa2
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8 | . | . | r | . | . | r | k | . |
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7 | p | p | . | b | p | p | b | p |
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6 | . | q | . | . | . | . | p | . |
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5 | . | . | . | p | P | . | . | . |
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4 | . | . | . | P | . | . | . | . |
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3 | . | P | P | . | B | N | . | . |
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2 | Q | . | . | . | . | P | P | P |
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1 | . | . | R | . | . | R | . | K |
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a b c d e f g h18…a5 19. Qa3?!
Inaccuracy. The queen is awkwardly placed on a3. White’s position becomes slightly uncomfortable as the queen lacks good squares.
19…Rfe8 20. c4 dxc4 21. bxc4?!
Inaccuracy. Now White’s pawn structure is compromised. The c4 pawn could become weak.
21…Qa6 22. c5 Bc6?!
Inaccuracy by Black. This allows White to consolidate slightly. Better was keeping more tension.
23. Rb1?! a4?!
Both sides make minor inaccuracies. The position remains complex and double-edged.
The Critical Phase Begins
24. Rec1?
Mistake! This passive move allows Black to seize the initiative. White should have played 24. Nd2 to coordinate better. The rooks are now congested on the c-file and lack coordination.
24…Rcd8?
Mistake by Black! Missing the strong 24…b5!, which would have put immediate pressure on White’s position. Both players are showing the difficulty of this complex middlegame.
25. Nd2?!
Another inaccuracy. White continues with a passive plan.
25…Qe2 26. f3??
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8 | . | . | . | r | r | . | k | . |
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7 | . | p | . | . | p | p | b | p |
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6 | . | . | b | . | . | . | p | . |
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5 | . | . | P | . | P | . | . | . |
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4 | p | . | . | P | . | . | . | . |
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3 | Q | . | . | . | B | P | . | . |
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2 | . | . | . | N | q | . | P | P |
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1 | . | R | R | . | . | . | . | K |
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a b c d e f g hCritical Mistake! This seriously weakens White’s king position and creates tactical vulnerabilities. 26. Nf3 was essential, keeping pieces coordinated and the king safer. As Carlsen said after the game, “The wrong plan. The exchange sac was just screaming to be played.”
26…Rxd4!!
The key tactical blow! Black sacrifices the exchange (rook for bishop), but White’s position collapses. This move combines tactics with deep positional understanding - the two bishops will dominate the position.
27. Bxd4 Qxd2 28. Rd1
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8 | . | . | . | . | r | . | k | . |
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7 | . | p | . | . | p | p | b | p |
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6 | . | . | b | . | . | . | p | . |
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5 | . | . | P | . | P | . | . | . |
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4 | p | . | . | B | . | . | . | . |
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3 | Q | . | . | . | . | P | . | . |
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2 | . | . | . | q | . | . | P | P |
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1 | . | R | . | R | . | . | . | K |
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a b c d e f g hWhite tries to fight but is already in serious trouble.
28…Qf4 29. Qb4?!
Inaccuracy. White’s queen continues to be misplaced.
29…e6 30. Bc3?
Mistake! This allows Black to force a queen trade under favorable circumstances. 30. Qa5 was better, trying to create some counterplay.
30…Qxb4! 31. Bxb4?
Mistake! White should recapture with the rook (31. Rxb4), keeping more pieces on the board. Now the endgame is nearly lost for White.
31…Bxe5!
Black gobbles up the e5 pawn, and the two bishops are absolutely dominant. As Carlsen explained: “It might seem a bit paradoxical that I should exchange queens while I am an exchange down, but I think my bishops are so strong in the endgame that he just has no chance.”
32. Ba3 Bf6 33. Kf2 Be7 34. Rb6!
White tries to activate the rook, but Black’s position is fundamentally superior.
34…Rc8 35. Rd2 f6 36. f4?
Mistake! This creates more weaknesses. 36. Ke3 was more resilient.
36…e5? 37. fxe5 fxe5 38. Re2?
Mistake by White. 38. Rdb2 offered more resistance. White’s position is deteriorating rapidly.
38…Rf8+ 39. Ke1! Rf5? 40. Rb1?!
Both sides make small errors in this complex position, but Black’s advantage remains overwhelming.
40…e4 41. Rc1?
Mistake! The rook would be better placed on f2. Now Black’s pawns roll forward dangerously.
41…Bh4+ 42. g3!
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8 | . | . | . | . | . | . | k | . |
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7 | . | p | . | . | . | . | . | p |
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6 | . | . | b | . | . | . | p | . |
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5 | . | . | P | . | . | r | . | . |
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4 | p | . | . | . | p | . | . | b |
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3 | B | . | . | . | . | . | P | . |
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2 | . | . | . | . | R | . | . | P |
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1 | . | . | R | . | K | . | . | . |
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a b c d e f g hWhite blocks the check, but the position remains hopeless.
42…Bg5 43. Rb1??
Blunder! A decisive error. White should have played 43. Rc4, creating some counterplay. Now Black’s attack becomes unstoppable.
43…Rf3!
Black’s rook penetrates to the third rank with devastating effect.
44. Bc1 Bf6? 45. Rb6! Rf5 46. Ba3 Kf7!
Black regroups and brings the king up to support the pawns.
47. Rf2??
The final blunder! White collapses. 47. Ra2 was necessary, though Black is still winning. This move loses immediately by allowing Black to trade rooks.
47…Rf3 48. Rxf3
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8 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . |
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7 | . | p | . | . | . | k | . | p |
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6 | . | R | b | . | . | b | p | . |
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5 | . | . | P | . | . | . | . | . |
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4 | p | . | . | . | p | . | . | . |
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3 | B | . | . | . | . | R | P | . |
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2 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | P |
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1 | . | . | . | . | K | . | . | . |
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a b c d e f g h48…exf3?
A slight inaccuracy - though the position is completely winning regardless. Black now has a passed f-pawn and the bishop pair against a lone rook.
49. Kf1 Bd4
Final Position
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8 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . |
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7 | . | p | . | . | . | k | . | p |
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6 | . | R | b | . | . | . | p | . |
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5 | . | . | P | . | . | . | . | . |
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4 | p | . | . | b | . | . | . | . |
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3 | B | . | . | . | . | p | P | . |
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2 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | P |
+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+
1 | . | . | . | . | . | K | . | . |
+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+
a b c d e f g hBlack’s position is completely winning. The bishop on d4 controls key squares, the passed f-pawn is unstoppable, and White’s pieces are completely uncoordinated. Caruana resigned shortly after (the game continued a few more moves but was hopeless).
Final Result: 0-1
Key Lessons for Club Players
1. The Power of the Two Bishops in Open Positions
The critical turning point was move 26…Rxd4!, sacrificing the exchange (rook for bishop). This illustrates a fundamental principle: in positions with few pawns and open lines, two bishops can be worth more than a rook. The bishops controlled the entire board, while White’s rook had no meaningful targets.
Practical takeaway: Don’t be afraid to sacrifice material if you can obtain overwhelming positional compensation. In this case, Carlsen got two powerful bishops and a dominant position.
2. Piece Coordination is Crucial
Throughout the game, White’s pieces became increasingly uncoordinated. Notice how after 24. Rec1?, White’s rooks were tripping over each other on the c-file, the queen was misplaced on a3, and the knight on d2 was passive. Meanwhile, Black’s pieces worked together harmoniously.
Practical takeaway: Before making a move, ask yourself: “Will my pieces be working together after this move?” Avoid putting multiple pieces on the same file or diagonal unless there’s a concrete reason.
3. Weak Pawns Create Long-Term Problems
White’s pawn weaknesses (especially the isolated c5 pawn and the weakened kingside after f3) became targets that Black exploited. These structural defects lasted the entire game.
Practical takeaway: Every pawn move creates permanent changes to the position. Be especially careful about pawn moves that: - Isolate your pawns - Create holes in front of your king - Push pawns forward where they can become targets
4. Queen Placement Matters
White’s queen was poorly placed throughout much of the game (a3, b4). A misplaced queen is a common theme in club games. The queen needs flexibility and scope.
Practical takeaway: The queen should usually be centralized or attacking meaningful targets, not stuck on the side of the board defending pawns.
5. When to Accept a Draw vs. Play for a Win
Carlsen could have drawn easily but chose to play for complications. However, he did so from a solid position where he wasn’t taking unreasonable risks. This is different from playing desperately for a win from an inferior position.
Practical takeaway: When you need a draw, don’t be passive - but also don’t take wild risks. Play normal chess and make your opponent prove they can beat you.
6. Calculation Must Include Defensive Resources
White’s 26. f3?? shows what happens when you don’t consider all of your opponent’s tactical responses. After this move, Black’s exchange sacrifice became devastating.
Practical takeaway: Before playing a committal move (especially pawn moves near your king), calculate your opponent’s most forcing responses: checks, captures, and threats.
7. The Endgame Started in the Middlegame
Carlsen willingly traded queens despite being down the exchange because he understood the resulting endgame was winning. This required precise evaluation.
Practical takeaway: Study typical endgames (like bishop pair vs. rook) so you know when to simplify and when to keep pieces on. Carlsen’s confidence in the endgame allowed him to make brave decisions in the middlegame.
Statistical Overview
White (Caruana): - Total moves: 49 - Good moves: 24 (49.0%) - Inaccuracies: 11 - Mistakes: 7 - Blunders: 2
Black (Carlsen): - Total moves: 49 - Good moves: 29 (59.2%) - Inaccuracies: 10 - Mistakes: 5 - Blunders: 0
The statistics reveal an interesting story: both players made errors, but Carlsen made no blunders while Caruana made two critical ones. In games between elite players, it’s often not about playing perfectly, but about avoiding the biggest mistakes.
Tournament Aftermath
This victory secured Carlsen’s eighth Tata Steel Masters title, cementing his status as the most successful player in the tournament’s history. He finished with an impressive 9½/13, a full point ahead of Shakhriyar Mamedyarov and Richard Rapport who tied for second with 8/13.
For Caruana, this loss was disappointing in a tournament where he struggled to find his best form, finishing in a tie for 7th-8th place with 6½/13. However, his willingness to fight against the World Champion, even in a must-win scenario for Carlsen, showed his competitive spirit.
The game demonstrates why Carlsen has dominated world chess for over a decade: his ability to find practical chances in any position, his fearlessness in complex situations, and his superior endgame technique all combined to produce another memorable victory.
Final Thoughts
This game exemplifies chess at the highest level - not perfection, but two world-class players battling through complexity, making critical decisions under time pressure, and ultimately one finding the key ideas while the other faltered at crucial moments.
For club players, this game offers numerous instructive moments: the importance of piece coordination, the power of the bishop pair, the critical nature of pawn structure, and the value of understanding typical endgames. Most importantly, it shows that even games between the world’s best players are decided by concrete mistakes and missed opportunities - just like our own games, but at a much higher level.
Carlsen’s post-game comment captured the essence perfectly: “I feel like the endgame was pretty much winning from the get-go. He found some nice resources, but I think eventually it’s always gonna win.” This confidence, based on deep understanding and precise calculation, is what separates the world champion from the rest.
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