It comes without saying that after Carlsen’s withdrawal from the Sinquefield Cup 2022, and the accusations of Niemann cheating, the chess world was glued to their screens for their rematch at the Julius Baer Generation Cup. But the Norwegian GM didn’t hold the anticipation for long. He resigned with black after move 2 (1. d4 Nf6 2. c4) and shook the chess world one more time!
Magnus Carlsen gave the interview after the Prelims stage of the Julius Baer Generation Cup. Carlsen qualified for the Knockout phase of the event and he might meet with Hans Niemann again in the Grand finale! Julius Baer Generation Cup Knockout phase – Pairings & timetable can be found here.
Asked about his withdrawal from the Sinquefield Cup 2022 and resignation after two moves against Hans Niemann, Carlsen said: “Unfortunately I cannot particularly speak on that but people can draw their own conclusion & they certainly have. I have to say I am very impressed by Niemann’s play & I think his mentor Maxim Dlugy must have been doing a great job“. When asked if he suspects Niemann was cheating, he answered he cannot speak about that and that he might speak about the subject “a little bit more after the end of the tournament“. He added that cheaters in the future should not be taken lightly either online or over the board.
Asked about his withdrawal from the Sinquefield Cup 2022 and resignation after two moves against Hans Niemann, Carlsen said: “Unfortunately I cannot particularly speak on that but people can draw their own conclusion & they certainly have. I have to say I am very impressed by Niemann’s play & I think his mentor Maxim Dlugy must have been doing a great job“. When asked if he suspects Niemann was cheating, he answered he cannot speak about that and that he might speak about the subject “a little bit more after the end of the tournament“. He added that cheaters in the future should not be taken lightly either online or over the board.
Black is playing for stalemate. In order to gain time for the king to approach, White must prevent the g-pawn from advancing two squares. That is why 1 Kb6? g5!= is inaccurate.
1...Kh2 2 Kb6 h3 3 Kc5 Kh1 4 Kd4 h2 5 Ke3 g6 6 Rg3 g5 7 Kf2 g4 8 Ra3 g3+ 9 Kxg3 Kg1 10 Ra1#
1...Kh2 2 Kb6 h3 3 Kc5 Kh1 4 Kd4 h2 5 Ke3 g6 6 Rg3 g5 7 Kf2 g4 8 Ra3 g3+ 9 Kxg3 Kg1 10 Ra1#
Unity Chess Club
Diagram 2 Black to move How should Black play?
Nunn - Smejkal, Lucerne Olympiad 1982
Black only draws with 111...Ke4? 112 Kf6(f7) Rf1+ 113.Ke6 Ra1 (113...Rg1 114 Kf6 Kd5 115 g6 Kd6 116 g7=)
114 g6 Ra6+ 115 Kf7 Kf5 116 g7 Ra7+ 117 Kf8 (117 Kg8! Kg6 118 Kh8=) 117...Kf6 118 g8N+.
114 g6 Ra6+ 115 Kf7 Kf5 116 g7 Ra7+ 117 Kf8 (117 Kg8! Kg6 118 Kh8=) 117...Kf6 118 g8N+.
Now White’s king is unable to “shoulder-block” its Black colleague. For this purpose, even a tempo is not too great a sacrifice!
112 Kh7 Ke4 113 g6 Kf5 114 g7 Rh1+ 115 Kg8 Kg6 116 Kf8 Rf1+ 117 Kg8 Ra1 118 Kh8 Rh1+ White resigned.