Caught in his own trap | Giri vs Nepomniachtchi | FIDE Candidates 2020

[@PowerPlayChess]

One additional comment. The position after 46 Re5+ Kf6 47 Rxe4 Qd5! 48 f3 Qxa2+ is a theoretical win. White's position is not a fortress as Black's queen can get round the back and force a Zugzwang. Both players obviously understood this during the game.

[@Andha1]

Thanks :)

[@eyalsegal5003]

Still, from a practical viewpoint this variation might have been a better choice for Giri, since it requires a *lot* of maneuvering - even more subtle than in the actual game - to break down White's position. I mean, it's a tablebase win but not exactly "theoretical" in the sense of being part of established/conventional theory (it is without the h-pawn, but the presence of this pawn adds complexity). There was a live illustration of this on the chess.com broadcast where Anand (quite an expert on fortresses...), who was doing commentary, had a very hard time deciding whether White can hold this configuration or not without checking a tablebase.

[@postnubilaphoebus96]

02:46 "There is a problem with your Microsoft account."

[@Laarrshh]

Been looking forward to your analysis all day mr. King! Great stuff as always

[@TessaTestarossa]

I mean, it's a rook and a bishop... Is he gonna say they're split? Is he... There we go! :D I must say, I'm rather surprised by Giri's approach. The master of grinding and technique plays the madman and chooses madness instead of playing something perfectly boring and solid and having Nepo delve into some theoretically inferior sideline. I can't help myself, I feel like Giri defeated himself a little here. Thanks for the video, Mr King. Looking forward to your coverage of the tournament. ♥

[@tkokesh]

Coming back over a year later after round 13. Amazing how a round 1 game affected the result of the entire tournament!!

[@ViSylVs]

I'm really impressed by your analysis, clear and objective. Made me understand the finesses of this endgame very well. Thank you!

[@chessbrilliance8783]

This nepo sometimes shows some deep understanding on chess. Hope he will be consistant throughout the the tournament because he really has a chance to qualifie

[@PuzzleQodec]

Dvoretsky has this endgame covered in one of his books. I'm pretty sure that both players know about it: a) Kf1-e2 is a draw. b) The endgame is technically winning because the king is never allowed to go to f1. c) Re5+ Kf6 Rxe4 Qd5 f3 Qxa2+ is a win, because white's pawn needed to stay on f2 for the fortress to work. d) Qxh4 is a draw because of Kf1.

[@johnnybrew1]

It's a great start, I enjoyed that game and your analysis, GM King. Glad you're still here in the UK.

[@robocop6444]

Fast forward a week, Nepo has a clear point lead and Ding is rummaging around the basement. Really interesting tournament so far, looking forward to MVL and Nepo tomorrow. Great video as always.

[@mofalaufkultur46]

Brillant game - brillant analysis! Great and entertaining as usual, thank you Sir!

[@irradiatedbadger]

Stuck at home in Montreal for a couple weeks, thankful for your excellent content Dan

[@mexiejew]

@Powerplaychess Been subbed for a long time now; and while I can only wish to play at such a level your breakdowns are always strengthening my knowledge of the game. Much appreciated for your videos, as well as your legendary commentary, and looking forward to the rest of the candidates and championship.

[@sachinpaul2111]

Brilliant analysis IM King. Unlike a certain glorified PGN reader with clickbaity headlines, your channel provides absolutely brilliant level of analysis. C24 can get a bit dense when Peter Svidler analyses stuff for 45 mins. You have the perfect balance between analysis and PGN-reading. Loved the ending. Russian school of chess is no joke (though Giri is technically from there as well). Giri is letting criticism of idiots get into his head...he should have stayed true to his solid style instead of playing into Nepo's hands.

[@tome57a]

All on board with your comments, except for one small detail: Daniel King is a GM, not an IM. And that is why we watch him instead of certain glorified PGN readers with clickbaity headlines.

[@tatsuyasigh1906]

@@tome57a You do realize it's ok to enjoy Daniel without insulting others right. You're basically saying if you're not a GM either don't make analysis video abt chess, or make sure people don't subscribe to your channel -.-

[@PowerPlayChess]

If you ❤️ my videos do *subscribe* bit.ly/powerplaysubscription and do checkout the *supporting* *options* through Patreon: bit.ly/patreondanielking or through *PayPal* (links in the description)

[@kenspencer9895]

A very intricate and delicate endgame -- thanks for the commentary!

[@twitterking1]

Thank you so much. I didnt understand why he didnt take the h pawn with the queen and you explained it so clearly.

[@myopenmind527]

What a game. That has to be one of the most instructive endgames ever. Superb.

[@seand8534]

Loving your videos mate! I look forward to them every day, it makes these tournaments so much more enjoyable so I appreciate the time you take out of each day to entertain us

[@doncar9]

Looking forward to more from you GM King.

[@BaksteenUitMaassluis]

Good to hear you are save at home. Stay save and thanks for the video!

[@shauntaylor6040]

A brilliant game by Nepo.

[@alframseysporndungeon8]

Thanks, Danny. Nepo is such a creative and super strong player! I think he'll win this candidates. Carlsen won't wanna play him :)

[@paulmeyer1756]

Fantastic game by Nepo. Thanks for the analysis, Daniel.

[@ChessMasteryOfficial]

Chess is the struggle against the error..

[@nilsp9426]

Or the search for brilliance...

[@gregtechno506]

That's a nice way too look at it. Well said :)

[@skakdosmer]

Yes, as Tartakower put it: “Chess is the tales of 1001 mistakes”, and also: “The winner is the player who makes the next to last error”.

[@bradroberts6241]

Not an original thought...it's a quote from Johannes Zukertort.

[@luqjas87]

That end-game technique of Nepo, was simply World-Class!

[@strong8705]

Nepo played against the engine thoroughout decisive part of the game. And won. Congratulations.

[@WilliamJonesChess]

02:24 After 1...a6 2. Qa4 Ra7!! is one incredible move in opening theory. I think it is the weirdest move in opening theory I have ever seen. If u know of another one, let me know. The idea is you cannot play Nb5xa7, because Qxb2 attacking the Nc3 and Ra1 Play then goes 3. h3 axb5 4. Qxb5...

[@tamboresdomundo8156]

Thank you so much mr. King, always the highlight of the day seeing your videos!

[@homanraoofnia8809]

You are the best 👌

[@ardabayram5121]

perfect commentorry as always DK best

[@beschess]

Why in 18:15 not playing re5 check and picking the A4 pawn ????

[@HerrMichaelKohlhaas]

Wonderful analysis. Thank you!

[@Glider324]

Nepo has a lot of experience in unusual positions thanks to his excellent performance last year in the Fischer Random world championship candidates

[@northshores7319]

Planned moves meet destruction against thinking over the board, just like the Old Masters used to do. It seems that Thinking, analysis and calculation after 40 moves is still the most important tool in Chess.

[@meathead919]

Giri sacs his Queen to play for a draw. You couldn't make this stuff up!

[@skakdosmer]

Thanks! I was hoping you'd analyse the other win and explain how Hao's split rooks could defeat Ding's connected rooks. ;-)

[@ElKartoffelbreii]

Side note: After 48. ... Qxa2 it's a theoretical win for black (according to Lichess tablebase) (18:20)

[@mar4640]

On 18:16 why he didnt play Re5+? It does win the pawn doesnt it?

[@nabin6976]

Then Qd5 forcing f3 and black loses his chance of a fortress since the pawn advanced to the third rank.

[@osamasabasoub4886]

10:10 GM's joke

[@chrisiver8506]

lol

[@buk1733]

I don’t get it. Can someone explain?

[@ipudisciple]

@@buk1733 If black castles kingside, white has mate in 1, Qxh7#, as shown by the arrows. "Discourages" is an understatement. A litotes, in fact (I had to look that up to confirm it meant what I thought).

[@chessbrilliance8783]

An understatement...

[@muk817]

I hope you will cover the other decisive game 1 game

[@iconicon5642]

Bees back for brilliant battle

[@MaxFurey]

After 14.55 surely continuation Rg8+ Ke7(forced), Rg7 Kxe6, RxQc7 ??? White comes out on top with a tempo?

[@csakennyitakartam]

this game demonstrates very well why I like Nepo and why I'm not fascinated by Giri.

[@Narrowcros]

No one like Giri for no reason when he draws you idiots complain, when he loses you dont like him and when he wins he is ignored lmao anyone with a three digit IQ knows you idiots are biased

[@syedhosneyjahab1941]

18:05 why not rook to e5 check and then take the pawn on e4??

[@chessking29]

I do not understand why Giri played Rg5 instead of Re5+ & taking the e4 pawn.

[@bokyy02]

Because black then plays Qdt forcing f3 and you dont have a fortress anymore since the pawn was advanced to the third rank... nepo would easily win that position

[@JohnSmithEx]

Neither do I. It is move 46 at 18:10.

[@themingxhe5330]

at 18:15 why not Re5+ and take the e4 pawn straightaway?

[@nabin6976]

Then Qd5 forcing f3 and black loses his chance of a fortress since the pawn advanced to the third rank.

[@themingxhe5330]

Nabin Kalauni his king can stay on g3 and swap his rook between e4 and g4?

[@arvraghu]

Hello Danny, are you commentating for this Candidates? If yes, could you pls let us know on which channel can we catch you? Thanks very much again for this great stuff.

[@PowerPlayChess]

I am not commentating live: I was due to go to Yekaterinburg as one of the official commentators but due to the current global epidemiological crisis, I stood down.

[@arvraghu]

@@PowerPlayChess Thank you, Danny. Stay safe and very much looking forward to all the lovely stuff, as usual.

[@Andha1]

Daniel, you say that when white wins black’s last pawn, it’s a draw. But white can just play 46.Re5+ and take the pawn the move after. Why is that not a draw?

[@ChessHoodie]

Well, black can then force white to move his f pawn up and there is no fortress in that case (because black gets an extra row to operate on---> the first rank) 46...Kf6 47.Rxe4, Qd5! 48.f3, Qd2+ followed by 49...Qxa2 and there is no fortress, it seems

[@Andha1]

Chess Hoodie Thanks for your reply. I put those positions in my tablebase. I mean the positions after black has taken the e4 pawn with the rook. And it is true that with the white pawn on f2 it’s a draw. But with the white pawn on f3 it’s a win for black. But it’s certainly not obvious. :) At least not to me. Maybe it is when you’re a grandmaster. :)

[@beschess]

Why in 14:56 not playing rg8 check then rg7 check and picking the queen and we get rook with 3 pawn each side and a draw

[@jackkrom]

IF you're talking about 33 Rg8ch, it doesn't work. 33. Rg8+ Ke7 34. Rg7+ Kd6 35. Rxc7 Rb1+! wins.

[@kimtaewoo3274]

18:05 what if Re5+ and Rxe4?

[@nabin6976]

Then Qd5 forcing f3 and black loses his chance of a fortress since the pawn advanced to the third rank.

[@mcpartridgeboy]

ding lost ? I bet magnus is happy

[@ChromaticTempest]

I think a deep prep like that is more double edged than it seems. The prepared player gets so much time on the clock and they know all the moves and ideas for the position BUT, somethimg must be said for the other player calculating the whole time and is in that fighter mode while the prepared player is almost waking from a dream when he/she reaches the end of their prep. Just something I noticed from personal experience...

[@arnehessenbruch]

Sorry to never comment when everything is hunky dory but doing so now only to complain. 10:00 You don't comment at all on 23.Qb1. Nakamura was saying that after 23.Rh4 he doesn't see a move for black. I was looking forward to some thorough explanation.

[@Wolfinator234]

The position after 45...Qxd1 is forced loss (stockfish + local 7man TB)

[@gregtechno506]

Nepo showing Giri who the boss is. Even though Giri was lost immediately when he was out of his preparation, Nepo still had to work for it and he played extremely well. Giri is gonna have a hard time in this tournament if he intends to only rely on his preparation and not on his calculation. Congratulations Nepo, well played.

[@TheAdithya1991]

What a game!

[@narrative675]

On 46th move couldn't GIri played 46. Re5+ Kf6 47. Rxe4 Qd5 48.f3......... and hold the draw?

[@talstory]

at 18.13 why not re5ch and pick up the pawn? isn't that what he wants?

[@ShamaiOfer]

19:08 52...Qxh4 53.Kf1 (only move) is indeed a draw (by tablebase)

[@abhishekgote1016]

Yes. Qxh4 would be a blunder.

[@SBelaya]

Modern chess has a very strange time control. What's so magical about moves 40 and 60? For me it's a relic from the days when time increment was not technically possible. Why not let players play something like 25m+125s? There would be far fewer mistakes around move 39. At this time control Grischuk would probably have won today.

[@sachinpaul2111]

After 46. Rg5, Magnus on c24 commentary was like "Okay I am off. This is a boring draw now. Wow! Anish has managed to draw this. Well done I guess" and left. If it was that elementary to him (and to Jan and Peter), I wonder why it wasn't to Giri. Is it candidates pressure?

[@levanthasis]

Thank You for explaining why White resigns after Black's 73. - Qd3. Queen gives a "shield" for Black King on the third rank for it to "detour" her penetrating with deciding effect. Queen cannot be captured by White Rook because with - exd3 Black Queens. It's important to show in critical moments afterwards, why?

[@scrat0chy]

14:53 Rook to g8+ will win the queen by forcing King e7 then following up with Rook to g7+. Missed by the commentator I think.

[@rossgeller422]

Giri lose in first round with white ..this is best thing could happen today

[@AlonsoRules]

surely 2 pieces and an outside passed pawn vs queen is enough to draw

[@jolly_roger2]

Danny you're right Giri's prep continued with 19.bxc4 but you missed his real idea after...20.g5 O-O 21.Kg2 Ra3 22.Rxh7!! Beatiful line!

[@gordonwhalley2461]

If White's Queen had gone to b4 instead of b3, then after Black's Rb8 and White's Bb5, Black would be obliged to take White's pawn on a2 with his bishop or White would support his bishop on b5 by playing his pawn to a4. But then White could play Qd2 to attack Black's bishop on a2 offering to let Black capture the bishop on b5 while he would take Black's bishop on a2. White would still be down a pawn but the game should end in a draw even if Black elects to move his bishop to, say, f7 instead. This was a line by my Stockfish engine.

[@pawn4129]

Maybe Giri should grow a bun to win games?!

[@massibotta]

6 month later maybe you've reconsidered your choice not to leave for Russia😂

[@456death654]

Giri disliked the video

[@exponentmantissa5598]

The position at 18:26 is a forced win for black.

[@jonathandasilva5749]

Brentford mug FTW

[@jonathanbotek2077]

This is nasty, very nasty

[@dakikarpow855]

Idiots is Nepomucen

[@jackkrom]

Fantastic analysis. Thanks.