Carlsen's Unusual Double Sacrifice Baffles The Chess Commentators

Magnus Carlsen's GOAT Double Chess Sacrifice Leaves The Chess Commentators Bewildered in this epic game of blitz chess, played by Magnus Carlsen against Yu Yangyi in the World Blitz Chess Championship 2023. Carlsen finds back to back chess moves that swing the chess game in his favour and leave the chess commentators astounded.
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#chess #carlsen #magnuscarlsen #epicchess

[@bbbbbzzzzzzzzzz5431]

Interesting ?

[@epicchess2021]

Haha I definitely said that a few too many times at the beginning. Only realised after when editing. Too many beers last night maybe!

[@Christoff070]

​@@epicchess2021as long as u aren't drinking beers in a closet too

[@RyanHarris77]

People in the future will look back and appreciate how amazing it was to see the best chess player in the history of chess play in his prime. People watching him today might not fully appreciate what a privilege this is.

[@epicchess2021]

💯

[@RyanHarris77]

@@AB-tc8lx This objectively can’t be true.

[@RyanHarris77]

@@AB-tc8lx anyway, what does any of this have to do with us watching a living legend now?

[@sussurus]

@@AB-tc8lx sounds like a really sad life. create something of your own.

[@Deymetrey]

​​@@AB-tc8lxdamn, what a sad life studying for someone not even considered the best in the game anymore huh. Magnus curb stomps him tbh.

[@andreworam2844]

My rule of thumb is that if Magnus sacrifices a piece, you’re about to lose.

[@arthurpewtey]

Hehe, yes, valid point. Funny because there really is something in it. Have a thumbs up.

[@pablolacruz2652]

To see this combination in a blitz time control is just incredible.

[@PauloCarnaxide]

Scary how Magnus calculates all these combinations in seconds 😳

[@DonTrump-sv1si]

But then has 20 years to blunder by thinking Lebron James is the best basketball player ever. Go figure.

[@PauloCarnaxide]

@@DonTrump-sv1si maybe he's not a basketball expert. 🤔

[@bofpwet9500]

I would guess he does not really calculate often and much on the spot during a game, I would say he just got like a inner sense, he can see the positions, he feel the field based on so much prior calculations and experiences more than anything most of the time...

[@natescode]

​@@DonTrump-sv1si😂 who cares

[@michaelmassaro4375]

@@DonTrump-sv1siLebron is pretty much up there Michael Jordan has the title since he has 5 or 6 rings

[@preparedsurvivalist2245]

Do I really have to say it AGAIN. The only reason any of those final lines worked was because of the back rank mate threats. I.E. King vulnerability. So lets ONCE AGAIN look at Magnus' king in comparison. Both kings were castled and protected, but the white king had a breathing hole! And it didn't need it. Black needed a hole to escape the back rank, yet it was white that had it. Now do you understand the significance of that bewildering h pawn move at the opening?

[@elvisp9811]

He always finds the impossible moves make easy and possible, that's why I love watching his games

[@TheREALISTvision]

Man we are so GLAD that we have the one and only MAGNUS! Hes such a genious really pleasure to watch!

[@alcam4226]

I get pleasured watching him use his plow.

[@aqswd6825]

genious indeed

[@samuelhew6625]

Brilliant intuitive moves, clearly once of his best games in rapid problem solving

[@supremespanker]

You are the best, succinct commentary, dry humour, and you don't say "and now" every single move.

[@michaelmassaro4375]

Funny you’re right tho I know there is one gentleman that doesn’t speak English very well or not overly articulate says that ‘and now he moves the Bishop’ and after that ‘and now so and so responds by bringing his knight to … and so on it’s funny because as you say I’ve come across commentators of Chess that use it it’s like saying ‘you know’ after every sentence ‘you know’ 😅

[@ItsDeveloper_]

As I read this he said ‘and now’ in the video lol

[@RafaelSang-tq8ur]

Shades of R. Byrne-Fischer US Championship 1963-1964 where the commentators were baffled by Fischer's combination and were certain that Byrne had won the game. And when they were congratulating Byrne on his win against Fischer, Byrne told them that it was Fischer who had won the game and proceeded to show the commentators the winning combination.

[@epicchess2021]

Oh cool that’s a great story

[@8964TS]

I’m confused. How did they not know the result when they were speaking to Byrne?

[@RafaelSang-tq8ur]

@@8964TS in this channel's "Bobby Fischer's 21 move brilliancy" , at Fischer's 21-...Qd7 , a very quiet move indeed, the game was over by resignation. The commentators were congratulating Byrne, because they only looked at the material imbalance, they thought that Fischer had resigned. But Byrne told them that it was he that had resigned and not Fischer. Then he proceeded to demonstrate the winning variations after 21-....Qd7. Another game with a deep combination that comes to mind is Larsen-Spassky, USSR vs Rest of the World, 1970. In his book SPASSKY'S 100 BEST GAMES, Bernard Cafferty commented that most people in the audience did not see Spassky's brilliant coup de grace 14-....Rh1

[@weaselsdawg]

i dont know how good the actual clip was, but it mightve been nice to see the moment of realization for the commentators when they began to see what magnus had done

[@epicchess2021]

Sorry yeah you’re right I missed a trick there

[@PtylerBeats]

Absolutely unbelievable. It’s more impressive than watching a bot because there’s an aspect of beauty in these moves that you don’t get from even the best bots.

[@lennyvlaminov9480]

What a game indeed, so great to see you cover this one, I didn't get all the details during the game - it went so fast the last moves! Great choice, kudos 🎉

[@martijnheeroma5492]

Happy new year Epic and thanks for this beautiful endgame

[@basmeisters3]

Truly incredible! Particularly because it all happened in a position that on fist appearence looked quite simple.

[@watteau6646]

Ding might be world champ, but everyone is still watching Magnus

[@paulthesoundguy1]

ONLY BECAUSE Magnus decided not to defend a poor format tournament

[@travelwithme2111]

Magnus is just incredible

[@altonbrek]

Very instructive game. Magnus sees far more than most super GMs!

[@robinsarchiz]

It feels like an anime that there's someone who is just consistently several levels above everyone else. Magnus is just built different.

[@spleeeen4it]

Shame we dont have time travel , would love to see magnus go back in time and play peak fischer for the world crown.

[@epicchess2021]

Magnus would win but then it isn;t an even contest because he was walking on Fischer's shoulders, and Kasparov and Karpov etc. when he learnt chess, so each generation gets steadily stronger ALTHOUGH I think next gen will do well to be better than Magnus

[@blanktrigger8863]

I've always been curious if cloning will be used for that, even if it's underground. Stuff like prime Jordan vs prime Lebron or prime Fischer vs prime Magnus. Perhaps even quantum computing AI being able to replicate their play styles and personalities.

[@blanktrigger8863]

I've always been curious if cloning will be used for that, even if it's underground. Stuff like prime Jordan vs prime Lebron or prime Fischer vs prime Magnus. Perhaps even quantum computing AI being able to replicate their play styles and personalities.

[@blanktrigger8863]

I've always been curious if cloning will be used for that, even if it's underground. Stuff like prime Jordan vs prime Lebron or prime Fischer vs prime Magnus. Perhaps even quantum computing AI being able to replicate their play styles and personalities.

[@inosuke6630]

​@@epicchess2021magnus > next generation

[@RexGalbraith]

Your content is great. I’ve come to love chess as much as I love watching basketball and UFC. My wife thinks it’s weird. 😂

[@epicchess2021]

haha thanks very much Rex, very kind and generous of you, appreciate it! And yeah my wife says similar things to me at times 😆

[@pawnoir]

Quelle partie ! Meilleurs vœux pour 2024, Monsieur Epic Chess👍

[@timirbiswas3834]

Magnus has become some modern Tal , who plays suboptimal moves but still crushes his opponents comfortibily.

[@Planclanman3]

It's not sub optimal , it's simply making his opponents out of their comfort zone. His knowledge of the game is second to none.

[@TomLiberman]

Watched it live and Jan and Peter laughing comments after h3 are hilarious if you know Jan worked with Magnus for the defense against Caruana who is a master of the Petrov.

[@yggdrasil9039]

phenomenal calculation speed by Magnus

[@Anna-dg9kp]

Hi Epic, all the best for 2024 and keep growing this fantastic channel!

[@epicchess2021]

thanks a lot and to you!

[@barnabasastrofengia5345]

agreed 👍 this is an excellent channel ♥️

[@uniktbrukernavn]

1:03 Out of prep on move 5 😁

[@zelandakhniteblade5436]

5. h3 has in fact been seen before, for example in the English National League game Houska-Giblin. Similarly 6...Nf6 transposes to a known side-line of the French Attack that usually in turn transposes to a very well-known line of the French Exchange Variation: 1. e4 e6; 2. d4 d5; 3. ed ed; 4. Nf3 Nf6; 5. h3, a favourite of Mariya Muzychuk that has also been played by Hikaru a few times.

[@epicchess2021]

Oh thanks not in chesscom database tho!

[@zelandakhniteblade5436]

@@epicchess2021 Try Chess Tempo - best free online chess database.

[@looki4561]

Who can criticize not taking with the queen? After all, who wants to play an endgame against Magnus Carlsen when you are worse?

[@JohnDuthie]

I was watching Nepo's old KZbin video of him beating up on Alireza earlier today. He was saying Alireza is out of form, but Nepo has this board vision where he sees every mistake many moves ahead. I don't know how he keeps losing the title.

[@mrdooman]

Nerves probably.

[@inosuke6630]

Always runner up

[@ryans9094]

Playing that in blitz is insane calculation or intuition or both. Magnus actually understands computer lines. On his best day I feel like he would actually have a chance against the computers.

[@mikek3459]

Best wishes for 2024 Epic Chess

[@epicchess2021]

thanks and you! and yeah what a game I thought

[@michaelmassaro4375]

That was pretty ‘Epic’ of Carlsen to realize his opponent had back rank issues with his king taking advantage of that situation Magnus out clevers all his opponents thanks for the game James Happy New Year have a Blessed New Year 2024

[@epicchess2021]

thanks as always, Michael!

[@Maxim.Teleguz]

Now I have no idea the ending magnus had Thank you.

[@codegeass7162]

I wouldnt consider sacking pawns like that in an endgame even with time. Sick!

[@AlexRochette]

Thank you! Happy new year!

[@Hustwick]

Magnus never skips Chessday.

[@scashion8013]

Great breakdown, a treat to see how these upper level games are played

[@epicchess2021]

Thanks a lot!

[@RS-np2bk]

Happy New Year. Look forward to another year of your commentary.

[@epicchess2021]

Thanks a lot! And to you too

[@bryannacaldwellsoccer]

I really like your style of commentary, thank you for the video!

[@epicchess2021]

Thanks a lot! Glad you're enjoying

[@aarondcmedia9585]

The more I watch chess, the more it seems Magnus is starting the middle game so much earlier than people expect, by going off theory asap? Great recaps here, good job.

[@epicchess2021]

yeah! Thanks a lot! Glad you enjoyed

[@gabeellis2265]

Ya same here for me, may or may not be because I don't know theory but that's beside the point.

[@aarondcmedia9585]

​@@gabeellis2265I think the "disrespect" video titles are indicative of this "off theory" strategy - they are not known theory but if Carlsen wins - and reliably he does - it's Carlsen theory that appears to be working even if it's misunderstood.

[@plafayette]

Master class of an endgame by the 🐐

[@hudsoncaceres6820]

Maybe the best moves I’ve ever seen? Like really think about it. Completely invisible double sacrifice leading into an absolute prison cell of a situation with no escape. How many different continuations did he make? 10? Every single one was hopeless. Insane.

[@lyndalexfactor6282]

Every time I see Magnus play these days, he wins me over a little more in the argument to be the GOAT. I genuinely used to feel like he wasn't as creative as Kasparov at his best was - but games like this demonstrate he's added a whole new dimension to his play in recent years and it's phenomenal to watch.

[@QuantumHistorian]

Don't thank us, we're the lazy ones here. Thank *you* for creating this interesting, fun, and educational content, and doing so without resorting to juvenile silliness and painful click bait.

[@Electroman682]

Magnus is playing chess while everyone else is playing checkers

[@raylopez99]

Magnus is playing N-dimensional chess when everybody else is playing (N-1)-dimensional chess. Magnus can just see one move ahead of everybody else.

[@rainerwahnsinn9585]

What a nightmare for every player...from move 5 it was a new game

[@gamelovergold]

Nothing seems impossible to MAGNUS. Any slip by opponent and magnus is all over him

[@Wargasm54]

Magnus is so far ahead of everyone they are just baffled by his moves because it’s a calculation they would have never seen. Ever

[@alexbrunel5417]

Happy New Year to you too.

[@joseraulcapablanca8564]

Funnily enough the IM commentator on Norwegian TV Torstein Bae saw the plan right away. Thanks James.

[@StuartHollingsead]

That pawn rook threat is nasty.

[@samqueso4761]

Its crazy to think that all these cutaways showing what could happen if certain moves are played is something that happens automatically in their head and they’ve memories thousands of games

[@epicchess2021]

yeah true!

[@Prometheus7272]

It was definitely a mostly intuitive move. I spotted it too but not sure if i would of played it in a real game. Magnus is the master of endgames he must of seen it lead to a favourable endgame structure.

[@stargazer7644]

English! Would have must have

[@Johnny_RB]

Magnus Carlson is revolutionizing the game of chess. And I absolutely love it, it's about time.

[@michaelwhinnery164]

I'm gonna start watching these recaps because they are concise and brief, you don't have to prove to the people watching that you are a good chess player by going down every possible sideline. you mostly stick to the game that was played and give analysis when needed. Don't change what you are doing because I've stopped watching the other 2 channels because there egos won't let them just stick to the game that was played without all the possibilities that weren't.

[@epicchess2021]

Thanks a lot for the feedback and glad you're enjoying! Yeah I try and get a balance but more on the side of sticking with the main game for sure. Cheers for watching

[@milithdheerasekara6957]

its not an ego thing, its just the depth of analysis - 95% of the commentary on this video is pretty straightforward for a lot of people

[@cougar2013]

Happy New Year!! Wish you all the best!!

[@dash_r_media]

There are two types of opening theory - chess and Carlsen's.

[@Dkizzle16]

first time dropping into your channel. great vid man! love the content

[@epicchess2021]

Thanks a lot appreciate it!

[@sakalava47]

It's 1 AM, I'm watching without the sound and I'm probably just tired, but I didn't see the double sacrifice. He just won.

[@epicchess2021]

Oh well double pawn sacrifice I meant

[@LizardManFromTheEarthCore]

What strikes me is that Magnus looks like he really understands the board, while the other memorize positions and theories.

[@trucid2]

5:57 C4 is explosive.

[@davisuehara3528]

Seems like Magnus is at his best when playing blitz vs long games

[@JosephLachh]

I want to watch more of the GM reactions from the commentators. What do they say after the second pawn did they get it? When did they get it?

[@epicchess2021]

Ah apologies yeah they did soon after when c4 was played

[@JosephLachh]

@@epicchess2021 thanks

[@BlindHatchet]

Excellent game review and commentary!

[@epicchess2021]

Thanks a lot! Glad you're enjoying

[@modolief]

This was indeed Epic Chess

[@PriZ0nM1ke]

Doesnt Qf6 defend both pawns? I understand from the evaluation bar that it doesn’t work, but I’d appreciate an explanation why. 3:52

[@olin409]

Qf6 walks into a pin via Bb2, the Knight on c3 is now attacked twice, cannot be defended and cannot move else the queen will drop, also note that ne2+ is ineffective as the Queen simply takes, maintaining its defense of the b2 Bishop, furthermore it may create the potential for further overloading tactics/ pins in the future eg. ...qf6 bb2 (Black moves) Bxc3 and now only qe6 or qg6 can both be met with bg4 or be4 respectively. TLDR the Knight will get pinned and be captured probably with tempo, as well as just overall discoordianting Black's pieces. Hope this helps.

[@muckerwood]

On the final standings board, in game 11 for Dubov and Nepo, what does the chessboard mean? Did they miss the game or forfeit the game or what?

[@epicchess2021]

See my chess drama climax video as quite long to explain, yeah they were docked a half point for match fixing

[@realplonk]

i think magnus is studying the AI programs because he isn't playing the classical openings nor is he bothered by anything his opponents open with, he also doesn't seem to be castling as much, it doesn't matter if he isn't world champion because everybody knows he's the best chess player of all time

[@littleme-dt8ij]

LOL mate never noticed you were filming in a cupboard. I always enjoy the channel, straight to the chess.

[@epicchess2021]

yeah lol I took the doors off haha, the worst thing is the echo in here. And thanks a lot yeah don't dawdle! Cheers for watching

[@paullee1521]

When did it happen? Can someone give a timestamp so I don't need to see the whole thing?

[@edwardp7725]

Magnus knew what Bobby Fischer knew - chess is 95% prep. Get people out of their prep and then you can see who is better at raw chess.

[@Kevinrothwell1959]

Even knowing there was something to look for (which usually makes it easier to work out) I couldn't see this one.

[@heyitsfridayyy]

Love your commentary, I for once understood a high level chess game lol

[@epicchess2021]

haha Thanks a lot glad you enjoyed!

[@cunjoz]

well, when the whole game is based on memorization of moves any little thing becomes revolutionary

[@brunomaltaferreira]

Wow what an epic move that pawn sac😎

[@exmonarcagoodbye3296]

Outstanding

[@rustybrooks8916]

Being able to interject a bit of oddness/chaos into the game and then being able to quickly strategize around the conditions and uncertainty that may create in your opponent is a very unappreciated skill. Sometimes you just have to play from intuition and adapt.

[@kylebroussard5952]

*I bet if you left Magnus in a cave with a chess board for 5 years, he'd come out able to beat Stockfish on depth = 40*

[@tomarintomarin9520]

Ignorance

[@danielsmith5032]

Wow what a play

[@aaronjohn6586]

This is what happens when you have the intuitive ability to know your opponent. Plus the courage in your skill set to dance on a knife edge and dare your rival to join you. Magnus took his opponent out of their prep and made him doubt himself. Game was over when H3 was played.

[@raylopez99]

I would not go that far, as James said, not capturing with the queen was suboptimal. But Yu Yangyi seemed to be shaking his head when Magnus made one move so definitely he seemed taken aback.

[@bipolarminddroppings]

Magnus plays endgames like no one in history. You basically have to beat him in the opening and middle game, if you are equal or worse he will eventually beat you in the endgame 99/100 times.

[@chalimubanga4696]

Bro your commentary is legendary for chess.

[@epicchess2021]

Thanks a lot! Glad you enjoyed

[@mcronrn]

“Branked” 🤣👏

[@epicchess2021]

especially referenced in latest video !

[@franekwrobel1449]

Absolute beast

[@davidhockley1082]

That was very impressive.

[@grospipo20]

Never played chess a day in my life! But this was entertaining

[@papat7435]

I am convinced that Magnus is an alien.

[@thomasgrams9715]

Imagine playing against this knowing 100% you're gonna get styled on.

[@carnivaltym]

Lovely, great vision.

[@MartinPedersen-wf6qg]

h3 .. we're in the end game, now ...

[@paradoxxgaming]

Just perfection

[@paulsearles]

I love your videos, thank you! I'm resigned to the fact I'm a dreadful player but at least I can enjoy the game like this :)

[@epicchess2021]

Thanks Paul really appreciate it and the channel support, very kind. Sorry for the delay replying!

[@FullMoonHatch]

what a fricken visionary

[@diskgrinder]

He’s playing chess960 but if the random distribution happened to be actual chess

[@brenocostateixeira]

I'm from Brazil and I'm impressed with your English. The diction is perfect

[@epicchess2021]

Thanks a lot! Glad you enjoyed

[@DonTrump-sv1si]

3rd is the one with the hairy chest

[@dauphindauphin6607]

so never keep your king behind 3 pawns on a row.

[@epicchess2021]

Giving a bit of ‘luft’ (air) often held yeah!

[@Jingram3976]

I would give my soul to see Magnus face off against a prison chess savant.