Positional Queen Sac | Magnus Carlsen vs David Navara - 2018 Biel Chess Festival

This is a round 1 game from the 51st Biel International Chess Festival (Accentus Grandmaster Tournament) between the current World Chess Champion Magnus Carlsen, and David Navara. The opening is a Ragozin with play sharpening after Carlsen's 12.Nb5. With Navara facing the loss of material, he counters with 3 successive punches towards Carlsen's minors. Move 15 would be the great decision point in the game. After considering for approximately 25 minutes, Carlsen concluded the best option was to say goodbye to his own queen. Coordination from then on would be king.
PGN
1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 d5 3. c4 e6 4. Bg5 Bb4+ 5. Nc3 h6 6. Bxf6 Qxf6 7. e3 O-O 8. Rc1 dxc4 9. Bxc4 c5 10. dxc5 Nd7 11. O-O Nxc5 12. Nb5 a6 13. Nbd4 b5 14. Be2 e5 15. Nc2 Rd8 16. Nxb4 Rxd1 17. Rfxd1 a5 18. Nd5 Qd6 19. Nxe5 Bb7 20. Bf3 Rc8 21. Ng4 Qf8 22. h4 Nd7 23. Rxc8 Bxc8 24. a3 h5 25. Nh2 g6 26. Be2 Ne5 27. Bxb5 Bb7 28. Nc3 Qe7 29. Rd4 Qe6 30. Nf1 Qb3 31. Rd2 Nc4 32. Rd7 Nxb2 33. Rxb7 Qxc3 34. Be8 Kf8 35. Bxf7 Qc6 36. Rxb2 Kxf7 37. Rd2 Qa4 38. Rd3 Qxh4 39. Rd7+ Kg8 40. Rd4 Qe7 41. a4 Qa3 42. g3 Qa1 43. Kg2 g5 44. Nd2 g4 45. Ne4 Qc1 46. Nf6+ Kf7 47. Nxh5 Qc6+ 48. Kg1 Qc1+ 49. Kh2 Kg6 50. Nf4+ Kf6 51. Ng2 Kg5 52. Rf4 Qd1 53. Nh4 Qc2 54. Nf5 Qd3 55. e4 Qd7 56. e5 Qh7+ 57. Kg1 Qg6 58. Nd6 Qe6 59. Rf5+ Qxf5 60. Nxf5 Kxf5 61. f4 gxf3 62. Kf2 Kxe5 63. Kxf3 Kf5 64. Ke3
Magnus Carlsen picture by Lennart Ootes
2018 Biel International Chess Festival
lennartootes.com
Internet Chess Club (ICC)
Software: Blitzin
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. :D
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[@pastorofmuppets4552]

"Throw punches at the white minors." Sentences such as this show the importance of context.

[@theWebWizrd]

Nah, in this day and age I don't think anyone would have a problem with that, he'd just apoligize and keep his new position in the New York Ti - *cough*.

[@dekonsquad7410]

PastorOfMuppets Ha good one

[@UsiSpiral]

I read this exactly when he said it, feels good

[@looinrims]

I agree, the explicit mention of race and age is irrelevant I’ll punch anyone, I may get arrested, I may get my ass kicked, but no one is immune from getting punched

[@makenziemadison1623]

@@theWebWizrd is this someone specific?

[@ovionot]

*sees Queen sac in title* Me: nice

[@ChristianWijnia]

Noice

[@jaylegend9780]

Showing the clock time was a good touch. Really shows which points players considered critical. Great video as always.

[@TheMarkODonohue]

Hey Jerry, great analysis and presentation as always. I just wanted to give some positive feedback about the ending sequence. I've always enjoyed seeing the move quality graph at the end of the games, and just wanted to say the inclusion of the small analysis board which demonstrated the lines you were referring to while going through the graph really helped conceptualise the mistakes Navara made. Cheers for the video mate!

[@ChessNetwork]

Thanks Mark. I was staring at that end scene and it always felt a little empty on the top half...finally sparked an idea 💡.

[@Elprejuicioso]

great analysis of the analysis!

[@robgabriele4968]

great analysis of the analysis of the analysis!

[@youubexhannel9571]

hi everyone, its Jerry, This time, we kinda altready know where this game is going, a perpetual ! so ... great analysis of the analysis of the analysis of the analysis hand shake.

[@ExhaustedPenguin]

carlsen is scary

[@vishalkrishna6344]

Frøken Glattbarbert Stillas-sikkerhetsinspektør sooooo BOLD

[@user-np8le4iz8r]

I have made that very queen sacrifice in a game before. Except it was a bullet game and I didn't see my queen would be trapped and I ended up resigning. Cool to see I could've played on for up to a win!

[@kevinm1317]

Aradair Krawl *Drops queen* Mmmm oh yeah that was a sac 100% planned

[@adip8]

Aradair Krawl Bullet games don't let you think positionally.

[@diegeigergarnele7975]

Well as Finegold use to say, if you lose it's a blunder, if you win it's a sacrifice

[@kirkstable]

@@diegeigergarnele7975 terrible

[@losingstreak12]

Jerry, I really loved the inclusion of the mock board at the end alongside the tale of the tape and you going over potential lines where either player could have gone wrong. Thanks for all the work you put into these videos

[@bobsquaredme]

Great analysis, Jerry. Thanks for sharing!

[@unesmk3811]

Every move explained, Thank you jerry for the amazing analysis

[@loveless8241]

Amazing game. This is why Magnus is world champion. Amazing.

[@sherlock6848]

Thanks for sharing these amazing games to the world

[@THEBOYDALEK]

Another great video thanks Jerry, and magnificent to see Magnus in this sort of form,

[@ravenlord4]

Always a pleasure watching Carlsen squeeze water from a rock.

[@youtubehandle58375]

from a rook*

[@eduardovasquez2689]

nice stealing agadmators quote

[@ravenlord4]

+Eduardo Vasquez Blood from a rock and water from a rock are common expressions. No one owns a copyright on them.

[@eduardovasquez2689]

a likely story

[@ravenlord4]

+Eduardo Vasquez Are you seriously implying that agadmators coined the term "water from a rock"? Google is your friend. Try it some time. Exodus 17:1-3, 5-6 circa 4000 BCE. That kind of predates anything on KZbin.

[@andreialexandruparfeni7129]

I can't wait for your commentary about the WCC.

[@newpgaston6891]

Damn right! I feel like the Carlsen/Karjakin commentary was not so long ago hah. Time flies by!

[@ventsislavstefanov9590]

Carlsen wins. Here's your commentary :D.

[@chessanalysis64]

Thanks Jerry, as always excellent understanding and mentoring, Keep up the great work !!!

[@ChessNetwork]

😎👍

[@armanisayan7934]

Fantastic clear presentation man. Thank you for your explanations

[@MatteoGariglio]

Amazing analyze Jerry! Keep going ;) This tournament in Biel seems fantastic!

[@ImaginaryHuman072889]

magnus carlsen is an endgame monster

[@x78340]

indeed

[@yamok77]

I just love your analysis !

[@thelordananas1741]

Very interesting and exiting game! Thanks for charing your thoughts Jerry! :D

[@karenmccutcheon3045]

dude, you've made my favorite chess channel :)

[@joden3]

Amazing as usual!

[@crazymudman123]

Absolutely loved that end game analysis! Any other great end game studies of yours?!

[@darioscumburdis2568]

Very nice! Thanks Jerry!

[@pantsik2]

Fantastic game by Carlsen! I would have lost it for a thousand of reasons.

[@ChessNetwork]

I think many can relate. 😎

[@all88keyskennyingram31]

HI Jerry. Thanks so much. I'm new to your commentary, only about two weeks now. Really enjoying your show!

[@ChessNetwork]

Thank you Kenny.

[@famous2too]

i saw this game review commented by agamator. But I learnt more from your commets. Great analysis!!!

[@padraiglooby]

Brilliant analysis

[@antoniocastala]

Excellent explanation

[@Noelll]

Excited for the video Jerry, always love your commentary, will you be doing three WCC 2018? Though and though?

[@andreialexandruparfeni7129]

Rez He better do it. Or else...

[@italotrivisan9767]

God, I love your videos. So, so instructive. Great, great job, Jerry.

[@ChessNetwork]

Thank you Guito

[@italotrivisan9767]

And just so that you can have an idea, I'm brazilian, by the way. You got some fans down here.

[@Kahitar]

Awesome video, like always.

[@ChessNetwork]

Thank you Kahitar

[@chagantisubhash]

Great analysis!!

[@sanitary103]

great analysis as always Jerry. you're top dog in the chess community by far.

[@panevrophia9423]

Brilliant analysis.

[@shockedface]

Great vid thanks

[@2011alextube]

I love your explanation cheers

[@ryanjavierortega8513]

Qg2# would ave been gorgeous. Thank you pointing that possibility out for us to admire.

[@FT029]

Well explained, interesting analysis!

[@ChessNetwork]

Thank you 😊

[@videowithdamir]

awesome game! Thank you :)

[@ashoksafaya5397]

Nice game and the lesson is about coordination of pieces and it's importance in my opinion.

[@Galdring]

I really enjoy your videos. Is there any chance you could do some quick analyses of the world championship next month?

[@albaniz]

I looked at a game that I played on lichess last year and it was clear to me that I had made significant progress since then. I was seeing that I had traded my good bishop for a bad one, that I wasn't bringing my king to the center in the endgame, etc. All these things that now I see, I see them thanks to you. Your videos are highly instructives for a lot of people. Thank you very much!

[@ChessNetwork]

All those details add up! You’re welcome!

[@MrCooldude4172]

What's your rating?

[@AlexZorach]

This game fascinated me in that the queen sacrifice happened pretty early, and then a fair amount of simplification happened and the material difference was only made up quite a bit later. I'm always fascinated by these games that show the importance of efficiency, mobility, and positioning of pieces, to where they overcome material differences. What white lost in material he made up for in utilization. I especially appreciate how you drew attention to how white consistently kept his pieces defended in the late-game, and how you showed how that made a difference. Some of these grandmaster games are WAAAY over my head because the combinations run too deep for me to follow them, but you managed to make this game accessible in a way that I felt like I was able to get a lot out of watching it, and I really appreciate that. Even though I never will reach the level of these players, I can still take something out of this game and its commentary and apply it to my own playing. One open question I had here was: how far ahead did he see when he made this sacrifice? He couldn't have possibly seen all the combinations out to the full depth that they played out, but rather, looked at the position and gambled that it was worth the sacrifice for the better mobility. It's pretty easy to see how well-utilized his pieces are after he makes that sacrifice. What makes a truly top-notch player though is one who correctly estimates whether or not the gain is worth the loss. That's always what I struggle with. I can see what I'm giving up, see what I'm gaining, but can't do a great job of balancing one against the other.

[@christopherjohnson1873]

Magnus Carlsen is good at chess.

[@yashgaikwad7516]

He should try competing at the world chess championship

[@deepdive1338]

Christopher Johnson perhaps he should think about advancing his chess career to challenge the big boys.

[@RodelIturalde]

Indeed, pretty decent. It is just that he have a habit of taking so long to finish the opponent off.

[@drone_better7757]

You don't say?

[@drone_better7757]

He has competed at the championship, he's the World Champion, and he is the biggest boy.

[@tonyrigatoni766]

Carlsen truly is a force to be reckoned with. To be able to see that you could still have an aggressive attack after sacking the queen that early in the game demonstrates a deep understanding of the game. Truly mystifying to an amateur player like me. Thanks for the great commentary, Jerry!

[@marfeddewrwz]

I knew you were going to make a video about this game. I knew it! I saw it and thought "no point to analyze this, Jerry will do a better job than me". Thanks!

[@benkhouchasamy3926]

Very intresting content! Clean game by Carlsen

[@svenkraattz7725]

very instructive game

[@ACherimoya]

"Queen B6 hitting everything" made me chuckle. Fantastic game overall.

[@sharadkale5245]

I get excited when Jerry says pop quiz to you!

[@leorgoldberg3189]

Got yourself a new subscriber with this vid

[@vittoriomarano8230]

There are several chess analyst in the web...but you're the finest by far.

[@MrFrak0207]

Thank you Jerry!

[@bluekeybo]

Thanks Jerry!

[@JimmyGr90]

Wonderful game

[@tensor131]

I am in awe of how Carlsen played that endgame. With those big pieces still around, there is always the possibility of big mistakes .. which is what happened. In the finale, my small chess mind missed the beautiful f4, exchanging the e-passer for the more remote g-passer, which Carlsen probably saw as being decisive right back on move 55. These guys play like gods!

[@salbazaz7261]

Jerry: here’s the tale of the tape Me: naw I’m good Jerry: tough, you’re gonna see it anyway!

[@kashyapaddepalli3120]

That was an awesome game 👍👍 Can I have more please

[@vivekmudgil7736]

Thanks Men

[@joSchmo197]

this is a fantastic game

[@jheiskan87]

So a little late to this and I'm definitely showing my ignorance of chess, but on move 23 why would Navara recapturing with the Queen (Qxc7) be game over with Carlsen move 24 being Ke7? Like what's the sequence after that mates? Or it's basically game over since Carlsen would be up a Minor piece having forked the Navara's Queen and King?

[@adventuresofdavid]

Qh1 idea to stalemate is awesome

[@dfhfdgfgdfshdfhe8257]

The quality of analysis and everything else is so much better than agadmater.

[@CraigPendlebury]

Great game!!

[@richardmangoro2285]

Wow!! What a game... Definition of a True Champion..

[@W4rfire]

Simply awesome. Well, technically not simple at all, but still awesome.

[@scrumpymanjack]

I would love to know your (or anyone else who is qualified) thoughts on the likely point to which Magnus saw ahead when he decided to sac the queen. I'm sure even he wouldn't have seen up to the "fortress" point with rook and knight against queen. But up to where would he have calculated to conclude that the queen sac was viable? Thanks for a great video as always.

[@Sancsentity]

That is some foresight

[@asgersrensen9303]

Hi Jerry, Quick little question. Yet very important! Are you planning on covering the world championship in november on live stream? I believe we're quite a few people hoping you will ;)

[@ChessNetwork]

I anticipate covering the match as I have for past championships.

[@uneducatedboy]

In your videos, could you include the pieces that each player is up. For example, early in the opening Lichess would record Carlsen being up a knight and Navara up a bishop. Its not necessary but would be helpful when you're delirious early in the morning.

[@keval761]

Navara played well, improving consistently lately

[@AWWYEEAAAA]

sorry if this has been asked already, but at 1:00 after qf6 doesn't qa4 win the bishop? why does white go for pawn e3?

[@lukamarkac6706]

What a quality difference between yours and Agadmator's game analysis. For example for dropping the H and B pawns as black Agad said something like: "I'm not sure why he did that.". I like that guy and I hold nothing against him or his channel but CN is by far the best chess channel on YT. Facts. Absolutely love the uploads, Jerry. Keep it up - I'm sharing you to all my friends!

[@Cowtymsmiesznego]

Luka Markač John Bartholomew also has great educational value, in my opinion. He explains his thought process really well, while playing on a very high level. But he doesn't really do pure game-analysis videos.

[@quantumhorizon7514]

John's is my second best chess channel. Let me point out that John might be a better chess player but imho Jerry's commentary is unrivalled.

[@Cowtymsmiesznego]

Quantum Horizon Yeah, John is most definitely better, he's a strong IM, fighting for GM, after all. But you're right, Jerry's sense of humour is amazing, and his commentary hilarious and engaging, as well as instructive.

[@bengregor2276]

One of the sharpest Q sacs I can remember

[@79wouter]

pure gold

[@JohnDoe-vz7ff]

15:48 : Qc2 was a blunder. The best move was Kh6 according to Stockfish. That's why it evaluated this position so poorly given the outcome; it was assuming that black would make that Kh6 move and not Qc2. Before this move evaluation was 0.00. After Qc2 it was +0.52 for white at a 45 depth. Black's next move, Qd3 was also a mistake. Best move was Qd1 apparently. Before this move we sit at a +0.52 evaluation, after we sit at a +1.2 evaluation. Edit: at 16:07 you actually recognize this. By staying trained on the a4 pawn a draw is pretty much inevitable. Kh6 would be the move of choice since it's pretty much the only available move for black.

[@johnmcdonough955]

At 3:12 Black plays e5 threatening the white Knight on d4. Can White take the pawn with Knight Nxe5 because if the Queen recaptures Qxe5 the white Knight on d4 can fork bishop and Queen and with g3 and Bf3 white can force the Black Queen from defense of the Bishop and win both the strong bishop back and a pawn also?

[@levinies2187]

At 13:46 after g5 isnt it maybe an idea to play Rd5 to grab the two kingside pawns, then sac the rook for the a-pawn and try to push the 3 connected passers with a knight?

[@gaiusthejurist8445]

@5:14 Black moved bishop to B7, why not F7 pawn to F6 to pressure the Knight and help out the Queen?

[@Cris-qg5fk]

Where did u get the picture of Magnus in the thumbnail?

[@XMetaIndia]

at 01:03 why didnt white go for Queen D4 check and capture the bishop?

[@Zelda1990s]

Very good!

[@Flo-vc9wu]

At Move 11 for white you say that white places an emphasis von development - if white plays c6 though (an option you mentioned Jerry), doesn't that come with a tempo and if black recaptures you are not worse off when castling on the 12th move?

[@Flo-vc9wu]

Is it mainly due to the fact that a black pawn on c6 restricts the white knight, that c6 isn't played by white?

[@onemileperhour]

the bluntness of your intros always makes me laugh

[@peterkrammer8968]

I am very sad, that David lost this game. But I must say that It was really interesting fight. Magnus is a chess monster ;)

[@sstarky97]

So was there no better move for black then queen e6 losing the queen? You say that there was just too many threats but it seems like its such an abrupt ending after a drawn out battle.

[@sCraNDoMxD]

Hey Jerry, I've been watching a lot of GM Ben Finegold's lectures and he heavily presses that the queen and bishop is far superior to the queen and knight. Obviously position is unique, but in general this is his stance and I've found in your previous videos that you seem to favor the queen and knight pair, would you mind going further into detail? The only difference I can think of is the bishop generally has more squares to observe and can attack from a distance, making it easier to safely coordinate with the queen. However, I also see how the knights unique movement can help secure squares with the queen that a bishop and queen would have trouble controlling. I suspect my thought process is entirely wrong, so any advice would help. Thanks for the videos, you help a lot of people.

[@maxwelljann5462]

3:16 what about knight takes e5 with the idea of a3 b4?

[@mohd1nagyyyyy]

Im a simple man. I see jerry and carlsen in the same video I like

[@VinnyG_Music]

you're definitely simple.

[@ricardomontalvo1145]

I am a beginner and thanks the analysis

[@ZlatanSinanovic]

the balls on carlsen... amazing game

[@ezekiel7467]

@5:20 Why Bb2? Why not QxNe5?

[@gregholland5278]

at 1:04 in the video...just after the knight and bishop exchange...doesn't Qa4 win the bishop or am i missing something?? or was the position realy bad enough to not want a free piece??? please someone answer...i can't sleep!!!

[@gregholland5278]

nevermind.. Nc6....i'm going to bed

[@randombanana640]

@@gregholland5278 good night! from 2 years later

[@gaborkoranyi3723]

Jerry, you are so insightful. How come you are not GM?

[@TheMiningProbe]

Gabor Koranyi because chess is rigged

[@TheMiningProbe]

But seriously at a guess it is probably because he is great at analysis but not as good under time pressure

[@eduardovasquez2689]

its not easy. chess is stupendously difficult.

[@oskarito2001]

what about Queen d2 in 19:17?

[@jackmuller5478]

i looked at this game with the engine and on move 39. Rd7+ it also wants to play that rook move. in the video u said its to make the opponent think a bit or something similar, but if the engine recommends it, there must be more to it, no? why is this move good?

[@hiothezebra]

demotes the king to back rank intermezzo?

[@mikecantreed]

@@hiothezebra Why cant black play kf6?

[@eduardovasquez2689]

calm down danny

[@TheWitness1001]

2:24 why didn't Navara take the pawn with Qxb2?

[@NotElusivePanda]

4:40 material point wise it’s kind of a pawn sacrifice for faster and more coordinated development

[@reyjusuf]

is queen for rook and bishop really a sacrifice?