– It is a historic achievement, says news’s chess expert Torstein Bae. He is one of several who allowed themselves to be amazed by Magnus Carlsen’s demonstration of power against Fabiano Caruana on Tuesday evening. The two star players met in the quarter-finals of the speed chess tournament “Speed Chess Championship”. The Norwegian went undefeated through the 26 games, and took 22 out of 26 possible points against the American. HUMBLE: Fabiano Caruana had no chance against Magnus Carlsen. Photo: PIERRE-PHILIPPE MARCOU / AFP – It has never been done against a player as strong as “Fabi”. In the end, it was all I played for, Carlsen said himself about being undefeated. “Adopted” Caruana Carlsen and Caruana met for a WC match in classical chess in 2018, but now there is another duel the duo will also be remembered for. According to Carlsen’s coach Peter Heine Nielsen, the Norwegian’s performance corresponded to a rating of 3143 – an almost superhuman level. Grandmaster Laurent Fressinet believes that the 32-year-old worked “pure magic” over the board. – It was insanely impressive. It is probably the highest level I have seen with such a short reflection time. Not everything is flawless, but it is quite incredible that he plays so well with so few seconds on the clock hour after hour, says chess expert Atle Grønn about the over three-hour long match. COACH: Danish Peter Heine Nielsen is Magnus Carlsen’s coach. Photo: Jørund Wessel Carlsen / news At one point, Carlsen won ten games in a row. In the chess community, it is called “adopting” the opponent. – Magnus has “adopted” people in the past, but it is often players who are number 50-100 in the world. The fact that he actually “adopts” one of his fiercest competitors is special, Grønn believes. – It is typical that he does it against Caruana. He wants to prove that he is much better than him, says Norwegian chess player Sheila Barth Stanford to news. Called the “Messi of chess” In fact, Caruana (2847) has a higher rating in blitz chess than Carlsen (2830) with the International Chess Federation, but Tuesday’s match left little doubt as to who is actually the stronger of the two. – When Magnus is in top form, it is merciless to face him. He swept over Caruana, who is not used to going on such bangs, says Bae. The match against Caruana was played at the same time as Lionel Messi sent Argentina to the World Cup final. On social media, several have called Carlsen “the Messi of chess” after the humiliation of the American star. FOOTBALL’S CARLSEN?: Lionel Messi is considered by many to be the best footballer of all time. Photo: Ariel Schalit / AP In football, Messi’s ill-fated World Cup is used as an argument in the discussion about who is the best footballer of all time. Some use the crushing of Caruana as an argument for Carlsen in the discussion about who is the best chess player in history. They are supported by Grønn. – I agree. The older generation will think that online chess cannot influence this discussion, but online chess has become more and more important. The vast majority of games are played there, he says. Top of form heading into the WC The victory over Caruna comes a few days after Carlsen crushed Indian Dommaraju Gukesh 23-7. The always equally self-critical Norwegian believed that he had played “terribly”, but there is little doubt that his form has peaked. It happens at a good time. For December 26, the World Championship in blitz and rapid chess starts in Almaty in Kazakhstan, where Nodirbek Abdusattorov and Maxime Vachier-Lagrave are the reigning champions. Carlsen travels there full of self-confidence. – The victory over Caruana is a demonstration of power that is important before the World Cup, says Barth Stanford. EXPERT: Atle Grønn is news’s chess expert. Photo: Fredrik Hagen / NTB – He is always a favorite in the World Cup in rapid and blitz chess, and now the stamp of favorite increases even further, Bae believes. Carlsen travels to Kazakhstan to regain the titles, but only in 2014 has he won in both blitz and rapid chess. Grønn believes that it requires something very special if he is to make it again. – If Magnus has five normal days, they can be absolutely fantastic. One bad day, then one of the gold pieces breaks. Even for Magnus, it is rare that he is able to maintain that calmness, speed and concentration over five days, says news’s chess expert. You can watch the WC in rapid and blitz chess on NRK1 and news TV from 26 December.
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Carlsen “adopted” Caruana – the experts have never seen anything like it
