Not anticipating Rook and Queen sacrifices

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Avatar of Mickdonedee

The point is if it happens at the top level imagine how often it happens at lower levels. My advice should be applied by players at any level and you'll either prevent sacs against you with good defence (prophylactic moves) or you'll allow it because you've prepared the right followup.

Avatar of amede0000

indeed, for carbonara never overcook the eggs

Avatar of Mickdonedee

Game 4 of the 2024 World Blitz Championship final shows Ian Nepomniachtchi, on move #28, setting up for a Rook sacrifice which Magnus Carlsen ignored and lost the game.

Avatar of Mickdonedee

I understand that Magnus was low on time and was probably only concerned with executing his own plan which he thought he had time for. But his plan was too slow against the Rook sac by Ian.

Avatar of magipi

In the same tournament, Magnus blundered mate-in-1 against Hans Niemann. It's blitz chess, weird blunders do happen.

I still think that your idea about missing queen and rook sacrifices doesn't hold up.

Avatar of Mickdonedee

Magnus was trying to execute an attacking plan. The computer wanted him to switch from thoughts of attack to thoughts of defending the g2 pawn. Do players get tunnel vision when in attack mode that prevents them recognizing a situation where their priority should switch from attack to defense?

Avatar of borovicka75

It is allmost impossible so see this countersttack with only few seconds on the clock. Cinsider that Carlsen still managed to become (shared) world champion.

Avatar of Mickdonedee
borovicka75 wrote:

It is allmost impossible so see this countersttack with only few seconds on the clock. Cinsider that Carlsen still managed to become (shared) world champion.

So, would Magnus have properly evaluated Ian's counterattack if it happened in a Rapid game with 3 mins on the clock instead of 30 secs in the Blitz format?

Avatar of Mickdonedee

Here is a game by Magnus in 2002 at age 12 playing Rxg2. He's obviously aware of this tactic but failed to see Ian setting up to use it against him in the World Blitz game #4.

Avatar of borovicka75

#28: yes, i think with 3 minutes most super GMs would find it.

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