Arctic Securities Chess Stars, Kristiansund, 28-30 august - Simonsen

Arctic Securities Chess Stars, Kr.sund, Final

Finally an update from Arctic Securities Chess Stars in Kristiansund. I managed to win with white against Anand in the final. It was a tense game in which I attacked his pawn fortress from both sides and in the end his weak kingside became too vulnerable.

As black in the Ruy Lopez Breyer variation in the second game, I think I defended fairly accurately. Anand did not get any advantage, and after simplifications on the queen side he offered a draw on move 28 as he was even slightly worse and without any significant counter-play.

I´m not attaching too much significance to a two-game rapid match, even against the reigning World Champion. 
Anyhow the victory was important for other reasons. After my rusty performance in the group play I was happy to be able to step up a notch and played quite well in the final.

And this is the first high level event that I´ve won in Norway. Jon Ludvig Hammer completed the Norwegian success by winning the bronze final against Judit Polgar. The event was well organized, and I would like to express my gratitude to the main sponsor of the event Arctic Securities and to the organizers headed by Aage Sivertsen. Thank you!

Magnus Carlsen
Haslum, September 1.

Group play, day 2

The good news; are missing today (unless Real Madrid scores in the 2nd half). The bad news; I played at about the same level as yesterday but got only 1/3.

I was quite satisfied with my position against Judit in the first round, but I couldn´t find a way to break through in the endgame. The f5-pawn sacrifice was a bit of a desperate last attempt. I ended up having to defend a worse ending which I managed to draw in the end.

Against Jon L.Hammer  I had a comfortable position, but then spent too much time trying to create an initiative on the kingside, and I became too impatient. He played well and when I blundered (Qd4) in an equal position he immediately punished my mistake as opposed to yesterday Rd2-Rzd2 sequence. 1-0 to Hammer, and Anand who had beaten Judith, had already won the group play ahead of me.

In the last round I had a slight initiative against Anand but after an inaccuracy (Nc4?) in the endgame it was completely equal and a draw was agreed soon after.
I´m told that the games from Arctic Securities Chess Stars are broadcasted live on Web-TV (NRK) which is maybe the first time in Norway.

Tomorrows final starts at 2 pm local time, and I´ll do my best.  

Magnus Carlsen
Kristiansund, August 29.

Group play, day 1

The good news; it was truly exciting to play tournament chess after a 2 month break. The bad news; I was somewhat rusty.
 
Last night there was a press conference and drawing of lots 2 floors up from the Caroline cinema playing venue. No 4 meant black against Polgar and Anand in round 1 and 3 and white against Hammer in between.
Judit somewhat surprisingly entered the Berlin variation of the Roy Lopez and was better after the opening. The Nc3-b5-d6 sacrifice is most likely objectively unsound, but it is tough to defend against as black in rapid chess. I spent most of my time fending off her initiative and won in the end.
Against Hammer I was better after the opening but even two pawns up I gave him sufficient counterplay and even blundered badly with Rd2. Short of time he missed.

Rc1 and captured on d2 after which I managed to win the rook and opposite colour ending.
Anand also won both round 1 and 2. He played 1.e4 and I went for the Sicilian Dragon. He was slightly better but I had enough counterplay and he had to take a perpetual in the end.
2.5/3 and shared first. A good start.

Round 4 tomorrow starts at 2:30 pm local time.

Magnus Carlsen
Kristiansund, August 28.

***

I´ve enjoyed several weeks of vacation this summer, but after Bazna I was quite busy for a week or two. I did a number of interviews related to the cooperation with G-star that was finally made public in Berlin on July 7th.
Frankly I hadn´t thought of the idea of becoming a fashion model when we were approached by G-star this winter, but it certainly has been an exciting experience so far. It was an instant match both with their clothes and the people involved and I´m continuously impressed by their professionalism and creativity. 
The two months break from tournament play this summer is consistent with my 1st half 2010. Maybe I could get used to this, but for now the sedate schedule is over. The program this autumn and winter is quite different with plenty of events throughout the next 5 months.

My next event is the Arctic Securities Chess Stars in Kristiansund on the north west coast.  It is a rapid event and the other participants are reigning World Champion Viswanathan Anand, the best female player for nearly two decades Judith Polgar and my compatriot and fellow Chess school colleague Jon L. Hammer. Saturday and Sunday all play all twice. No 1 and 2 from the group play goes to the final, 3 and 4 the bronzefinal, both take place Monday.
Needless to say this is the first time the top ranked player in the world as well as the reigning World Champion plays in the same tournament on Norwegian soil. I´d like to thank one of my main sponsors Arctic Securities and the Kristiansund organiser for making this possible.
I haven´t played in Kristiansund since participating in U/20 in the Norwegian Championship back in 2001 and look forward to visit Kristiansund again.

Magnus Carlsen, Haslum, Norway