Magnus Carlsen shows us a simple light-square strategy | 44th Chess Olympiad

Featured is a round 5 game from the 44th Chess Olympiad held in Chennai, India between Zambia's Gillan Bwalya and World Champion Magnus Carlsen. The opening is a Queen's Gambit Declined, Ragozin variation. As early as move 10, white opts for an unusual defense against Carlsen's x-ray along the c-file. White's decision on move 13 to exchange his light-squared bishop for a knight allowed Carlsen to execute a light-square strategy. The primary weakness on e4 was exploited almost effortlessly. Should it come as a surprise for such a game to end by a light-squared bishop strike?
Image of Magnus Carlsen in thumbnail courtesy of Lennart Ootes
lennartootes.com
PGN
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 d5 4. Nf3 Bb4 5. e3 O-O 6. a3 Bxc3+ 7. bxc3 c5 8. Bd3 dxc4 9. Bxc4 Qc7 10. Nd2 Nc6 11. O-O Rd8 12. f4 Nd5 13. Bxd5 exd5 14. Qh5 cxd4 15. cxd4 Ne7 16. Nf3 Bf5 17. Bd2 f6 18. Nh4 Be4 19. f5 Rac8 20. Bb4 a5 21. Bxe7 Qxe7 22. Rf4 Rc3 23. Re1 Qxa3 24. Rg4 Rc1 25. Rxc1 Qxe3+ 26. Kf1 Bd3
I'm a self-taught National Master in chess out of Pennsylvania, USA who was introduced to the game by my father in 1988 at the age of 8. The purpose of this channel is to share my knowledge of chess to help others improve their game. I enjoy continuing to improve my understanding of this great game, albeit slowly. Consider subscribing here on KZbin for frequent content, and/or connecting via any or all of the below social medias. Your support is greatly appreciated. Take care, bye. :)
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[@KakhaBR]

I don't think anyone makes video analyses as good as you do nowdays. Thanks

[@joseraulcapablanca8564]

One often finds instructive and simple strategy in Carlsen splay, he truly is this generations Capablanca. Thanks Jerry and keep up the good work.

[@ChessNetwork]

Thank you Capa. 👍

[@bravenewworld28]

The Raider-teleport was brilliant. Pure class. 09:17

[@secretcrocodile7499]

Honestly the way you explain games is so educational and understandable. Glad you are back making videos.

[@DAS_k1ishEe]

This was such a lovely game, it so nice from Bwalya to play it through to the end.

[@gynandroidhead]

Jerry, I could listen to a 30-minute video of you reading the White Pages! I've avoided learning chess for 50+ years of my whole life, other than how the pieces move, basic terminology, and the notation used to record their movement. Your videos are slowly changing that to obtain a very basic foundation of strategy and psychology of chess. Subscribed.

[@ChessNetwork]

Thank you. Nice to read that you’re becoming more interested in the game. 👍

[@jamesgarrett4653]

Welcome! This is by far the best chess page on the internet, and Jerry has a near infinite amount of chess content to spend hours upon hours watching. Jerry’s KZbin page is a fun rabbit hole to go down lol

[@achillesyoutube8773]

The light squared ninja on e4😂. I love your sense of humor Jerry, never fails to get me!!!

[@ChessNetwork]

That ninja has a name. You know it? 😎

[@daffyd9977]

@@ChessNetwork scorpion

[@daffyd9977]

@@ChessNetwork oh wait nvm it’s actually raiden right?

[@warehousedave7937]

Ninja with attitude

[@ginoginoh]

Someone didn't play Mortal Kombat enough :)

[@Murmur1796]

You do such an amazing job on the strategy, position, long-term ideas, I'm always so glad when I see a new game analysis video of yours. With the volume of great games coming out of Chennai I've watched a lot of vids on other channels, which I also enjoy, but yours are special. The difference between, "wow that was a fun game" versus, "wow, I understand chess better than I did 20 minutes ago." Thank you for consistently providing the latter.

[@mathiashaha]

Best chess commentator strikes again, love it Jerry 😘

[@erer6068]

Gotham and Agadmator has to see how analyze a game

[@joshburk1897]

Wow, incredible analysis on 13 ... exd5, spectacular transformation of the position.

[@esotericman22]

Great video Jerry. Really instructive. Enjoyed that

[@Ogrecrusher]

I remember being like 10 years old, knowing how to play (not at any great level or anything), and seeing chess sections in the newspaper. After working out the notation, I used to enjoy playing through the games, but I used to HATE that the games never actually "ended". Resignation was so unsatisfying to me then! Doesn't bother me these days, but it's nice to see a game end in checkmate!

[@fejfo6559]

I don't mind resignation in for example a winning endgame, where it's clear who will win and playing it out would be a lot of work. But resignation because of forced mate always bothers me, just play it out. Both sides have already calculated everything, takes less then a minute.

[@garykewley9415]

That was one of your best super clear articulate insightful

[@lawdogwales5921]

Thanks Jerry! Another instructive video. Fitting that the light squared bishop delivered checkmate.

[@ChessNetwork]

Thank you. I too thought it was neat it ended with the light-squared bishop.

[@bobbyo111]

this was brilliant, sir...you have a nice way of explaining things to us patzers. Very appreciated.

[@medicine1014]

This channel is extremely good. Starts video with directly opening the game no fancy crap like in other channels. Way of explaining is amazing as well.

[@ChessNetwork]

Thank you Bob. 👍

[@yrtepgold]

Jerry you always do a great job breaking down the game. I've come to appreciate the game differently after finding your channel.

[@ChessNetwork]

Thank you Pete 👍

[@MajorAddiction]

Great explanation. Easily understandable with the visuals and narration

[@ernestkotsos806]

Wonderful study and top tier narration!!! We need more!!!

[@wzdew]

Love the analysis. Raiden was the sprinkles on top.

[@markedwards9247]

Haha. Jerry invents an entirely new piece : The Martial Artist !

[@rawrinmypants176]

Love the editing!

[@carlandrei]

Love the ninja on e4!

[@DealerLoot1]

That Mortal Kombat Raiden icon for teleport was epic! Fantastic Analysis & as usual one of your finest lesson!

[@JohnSmith-iu8cj]

Awesome game! I would want to hear a summary in the end from you, saying why or how the opening was played, how and why the trade of bishop and knight made sense, how it allowed to focus on inhibiting the other bishop and how the center was controlled, in some kind of a recap, to show the strategy and how the tactics were glued to each other. It’s great to see the individual plays, but I would like to get a better feeling for the overall strategy and flow, the bigger picture so to say that is behind the single movements. Anyways thank you so much, awesome content!

[@matthewbell3427]

Man you answer and ask questions that other chesstubers don't in the same positions and I appreciate that. Like going into the line with Be2 vs Nd2

[@FabienPerrot23]

Great comments by Jerry! Thanks a lot for making it so clear and understandable! A real pleasure to watch!

[@ryanhughes1101]

I love your videos. So informative and entertaining at the same time. Thank you.

[@GregoryBreed]

Excellent analysis Jerry, many thanks.

[@aggiejedimaster]

Full marks for the use of Raiden!

[@joev3512]

Yup, Raiden had me loling hard.

[@johnthompson5741]

I’ve seen this game covered already and your in depth analysis of different positions, tactics, ideas, weak points, etc. is so beautifully instructive it was like I was seeing this game for the first time

[@manuelcasares7270]

Great analysis, as always, thank you Jerry

[@robertcooper1952]

Insightful analysis, as always. Thanks, Jerry.

[@ChessNetwork]

Thank you Robert. 👍

[@robertcooper1952]

@@ChessNetwork Hi Jerry! Your analysis is outstanding, and your voice is quite soothing. You must have a high rating. I've been playing the French defense online and like to play the Fort Knox defense against the exchange variation. It sidesteps a lot of complicated theory. I think it was given that name by IM Andrew Martin.

[@graemeweir1948]

Thanks Jerry. Great instruction again

[@charlesrussell6183]

great explanation as always

[@kamerona]

Great analysis again!

[@ginoginoh]

Love your analysis videos Jerry! Hope everything is good in your world :)

[@tkimaginestudio]

Definitely took a thing or two away! Thanks for these wonderfully instructive analyses.

[@ashoksafaya5397]

Well enjoyed as all possibilities explained and a lot gained.Thanks.

[@ashoksafaya5397]

Thanks

[@jonbalbon]

Love your videos man!!!

[@ThazRuler]

I really enjoy your way of understanding and explaining chess. It's much more conceptual and less about 15 moves calculations. You make chess easier to play and to enjoy! Love your content!

[@ChessNetwork]

Thank you David.

[@paulkerrigan9857]

Great video, thanks for posting.

[@crunchy3546]

Loved the snes mortal kombat Raven piece on e4 lol

[@randomstudios3]

Does Jerry make content anywhere else or is this the only place to watch his chess reviews? Very good!

[@aristosachaion_]

What a game. Had fun with the pop quizzes too and felt good about being right on both

[@exuviumisopods]

Great analysis! Thanks!

[@clikyou]

I always like this channel, very intelligent explanation. Thanks a lot and all the best.

[@celebdangdutchannel9325]

I ever meet you in lichess jerry and i am loose...but i am so happy playing with you..

[@joev3512]

Msaterful analysis, Jerry. Thank you!

[@joshstclair5467]

Surely it takes great skill to explain these advanced principles so that they are accessible to beginners. You seem to be constantly imagining how positions look like to beginners, and then addressing any confusions that arise from that perspective. Whereas other teachers would simply cite a principle from their own advanced perspective. I’m not sure whether it is a good or bad thing that such an excellent mind is focused on teaching chess videos. But either way I’m amazed.

[@JcGross93]

I don't hand out likes willy-nilly. But that Raiden teleport inclusion got me good. 😆 You get one just for that.

[@mattterway6487]

Very useful as I study the QGD. Thanks Jerry

[@rickdynes]

Carlsen loves thematic play which *to me* explains a lot about how he was able to utilize Alpha Zero concepts as much as anybody. *I believe* ty for the lessons and for the quietly transcendent aesthetic of your channel, Jerry 😊

[@rumpelRAINS]

Great video!

[@KF1]

Jerry the positional master makes for a highly qualified presenter of this. Had expected GM games require some outlandish tactic or amazing sequence for either side to win.. but this is just nice chess!

[@saudude2174]

I like how Jerry says "okeh" great analysis

[@ChessJournal]

Thanks Jerry. I am always starving to your explanations 😊

[@luisdane9646]

Thank you Jerry!

[@Winkkin]

An instructive discusson

[@xexilidorimee9515]

Cool analysis, like!!

[@SpecsJigglypuff]

Love you Jerry

[@ChessNetwork]

❤️

[@ryanzdral8895]

On black’s cxd4, what would happen on exd4? I mean whites position is still really bad but would it not be a slight improvement, perhaps trying to get activity along the e file and get rid of the weak e pawn? (In exchange for being stuck with a weak c3 pawn)

[@amzfishman1]

You da GOAT of chess analysis videos Jerry. Keep up the awesome work

[@azamat_bagatov69]

best analysis in the game!! I already went through this game in detail on my own but, gotta see what I missed heh

[@TheKawww]

Great content Jerry!

[@ChessNetwork]

Thank you 👍

[@SuperDreamliner787]

Hello Jerry! I always enjoyed your educational stuff, keep it up! :)

[@matthiaszielinski2343]

pretty smooth game by Magnus

[@issamelsayd]

Grand Master Raiden

[@zo5esi4i57]

I know this channel, this guy is cool. I'm happy to see you on lichess bro!

[@tomthecat268]

I enjoy watching your videos. Keep up the great work. ‼️👎🏾🤓👍🏾

[@lifes3ps]

Jerry is my go to to put me to sleep

[@michaelLIPKANlcc]

Thanks Jerry. I usually like your analysis.

[@alexanderdurig4474]

Thanks Jerry~~

[@reneflug4243]

beautiful checkmate

[@pwrOverwhelming]

soothing voice

[@tombjorn4859]

so silky and smooth, like a gentle lullaby... except crazy informative

[@laithovkh8303]

Jerry!!, Where is the analysis at the end of the match? as u usually did in the past .

[@ChessNetwork]

You’re missing the tale of the tape? Ok…ok. I’ll try to remember to include it. 😎 Carlsen had an Average Centipawn Loss of 16ish if I’m recalling correctly.

[@ayyoubbenzahra8896]

thnx

[@ahmeds.mansour1293]

This is beautiful

[@GeggaMojjaaaaaaa]

This channel needs a Noble price. Jerrys voice could sooth a hurricane

[@calebrw]

Nobel Prize, that is.

[@nickburggraaf3977]

Very instructive on how to create and use weak squares! I did wonder why white moved his knight away from d2, the only defender of the weak squares. It's just feels like an invitation for black.

[@dictatoribenevolo8394]

Nice video

[@kingcarisma]

Could white have done something else than take on c1 at the end?

[@samstade5598]

9:17 "this guy cannot simply teleport to e4" ChatGPT: "hold my beer"

[@hellopleychess3190]

in crazyhouse variant you can fulfill all your Rg2 fantasies

[@peterpan-3244]

Why does white not take on d5 on move 8? Would it be good to not have two pawn on a single file?

[@DragonLover_LessThanThree]

The pawn on e6 is a bit of an annoyance for black, as it blocks their light square bishop. Capturing on d5 would allow black to recapture with their pawn, freeing said bishop. Further, it might be preferable to have black capture on c4. One of the reasons is that the pawn on e6 is weaker than the one that would be on d5 -- it is not as advanced and (again) blocks the light squared bishop. That said, it isn't a cardinal sin to capture on d5. It won't lose you the game or anything -- in fact, there are some reasons you may want to in some positions. For example, it may be less tempting for black to play c5 at a later stage, as they would end up with an isolated d-pawn. These ideas are fairly common in the queen's gambit, so it may be worth having a look at if you're going to play this opening (with white or black). I would also recommend the "Beginner to Chess Master" series on ChessNetwork's channel. The most recent video is called "STOP before you chop". It regards when and why it might be a good idea to await trades (like capturing on d5 in this video) and why you may want your opponent to make the trade instead.

[@MoonBurn13]

I didn’t see that final move -> mate. I imagine White did, and I wonder if delaying the loss helped him in any way? Time trouble? Anyway thanks again Jerry.

[@ggerardsainsbury7522]

Nice!

[@ytube777]

Flawless Victory!

[@reisanibal1]

I was also looking for Fatality!

[@moesheri9385]

Raiden wins.

[@apeschell]

Wow, that LS bishop that sends the mate. Think I would be material greedy and take the rook, what a great master move by Carlsen!

[@davidking5104]

To teleport your Bishop to e4 just press: DOWN, UP

[@warehousedave7937]

The bishop on E4 is what grand masters refer to as a "wooden shield"

[@risaias]

Mortal kombat fan. Very nice reference.

[@katfajro274]

Well this is an odd hour for an analysis. Thanks Jerry

[@keeno86]

I'm not complaining!

[@pianissimo7121]

Perfect hour for India😅

[@sprcow]

I feel smarter after watching this

[@hellopleychess3190]

I feel smarter after reading this

[@Dragon-Slay3r]

Light square now with a tiny square missing in. The middle at the bottom to make it into thick legs on the square without it being a Lego square

[@johnedmackenzie1419]

Jerry, around the 9 minute mark, you talk about E4 being a weakness for white. Can you explain to me why that square is a weakness. I always here great players say that “this square is now a weakness” or “that square has been weakened so let’s like up in it”. Sometimes I understand why it’s a weakness but sometimes I don’t. Will you please explain why E4 is considered a weak square for white? Thank you!

[@KF1]

Check his playlist "Beginner to Chess Master #13 - What Are Chess Holes?"

[@russaldinho1]

Because E4 can no longer be controlled by any of whites pawns.

[@hellopleychess3190]

because none of his pawns can guard that square? don't ask "why is this a weakness" ask "what is a weakness?" obviously it's a weakness because it meets the conditions for being a weakness, so what is a weakness? a "hole" or "pawn weakness" is usually said to be a square that can not be guarded by any pawn. he pushed pawns to f4 and d4. those guard e5 but not e4. they can not move back to f3 or d3 to guard e4. pawns only move forwards and EN PASSANT

[@thomasjohansson5748]

The mention is at 5:50. It's a weak square because Black can now put a piece there, such as a knight or bishop, in a menacing position that is attractive for Black (a central square on White's side of the board), without White being able to kick it away with a pawn.

[@KF1]

​@@hellopleychess3190 Sir Pley, the "Why" is actually a fine question because the same information is present in the answer. _Why is this a weakness?_ _Because pawns can no longer guard that square. Why? They are unable to move backwards_ The exact words aren't important, it's the concept that counts.

[@live1xbet869]

It funny how when the queen gambit is not declined it's accepted

[@chazzabh]

But imagine the board was only white squares. The moves would be exactly the same but you’d need a quite different and probably much subtler way to analyse what’s happening!

[@marc149]

best

[@tripletth]

Why can't white, at any point, play e4 himself? Doesn't that force an exchange of black's d pawn? Even after Rxd4, white gains an open diagonal for the bishop to compensate.

[@michaeldunagan8268]

@1:00 I don't like losing my dark square Bishop as black when I got pawns on East 6th and D5. I want my dark square Bishop to help control the dark squares. But I guess my 700 rating against Carlson's 2700 rating speaks for itself.....🤷

[@Tinil0]

To be fair, I'm pretty sure Carlsen can choose a line randomly and win from there. Especially in matches like these where his opponent is overmatched, anything short of a massive blunder is a viable strategy.