Norway Chess 31 May to 11 June 2022

[Matt Mackenzie]

Anand on the verge of another fantastic result, Carlsen is IIRC unbeaten in over 30 classical games until now.

[LawrenceCooper]

Anand on the verge of another fantastic result, Carlsen is IIRC unbeaten in over 30 classical games until now.

Still unbeaten.

[Matt Mackenzie]

Yes, and he will be mightily relieved about that. Sorry for cursing Vishy in that way

[LawrenceCooper]

Poor Vishy: https://chess24.com/en/watch/live-tourn ... 022/15/1/4

[Matt Mackenzie]

That is a rather unusual mating pattern, so easier to miss than some.

[Christopher Kreuzer]

Definitely the worse move on the board! Vishy must have seen the mate instantly after playing Qb5 and resigned without waiting for Shak to see it (or maybe Shak gave him a puzzled look?). Is there video footage?

[JustinHorton]

Definitely the worse move on the board!

No, there are several ways of permitting the mate

[Nick Burrows]

Qa6 is a worse move, because black may not see the mate.

[LawrenceCooper]

Definitely the worse move on the board! Vishy must have seen the mate instantly after playing Qb5 and resigned without waiting for Shak to see it (or maybe Shak gave him a puzzled look?). Is there video footage?

I heard that Shak was away from the board and was greeted by a resignation when he returned.

[Angus French]

Definitely the worse move on the board! Vishy must have seen the mate instantly after playing Qb5 and resigned without waiting for Shak to see it (or maybe Shak gave him a puzzled look?). Is there video footage?

I heard that Shak was away from the board and was greeted by a resignation when he returned.

Video footage.

[Christopher Kreuzer]

Brilliant footage. That muttered something and the little shake of the head from Vishy, the moment taken to recover his equilibrium, write down the move, and then glance upwards to his left (looking for some sort of salvation), the emotions playing across Vishy's face, and the slight bemusement from Shak at the proffered resignation. Thanks.

[It does make you wonder what the emotions would have been displayed by other chess greats in the past who similarly blundered in games where no live feed was available? Probably very similar.]

[Roger de Coverly]

the slight bemusement from Shak at the proffered resignation.

Does that suggest Shak hadn't prepared the Qxf3 trick? Otherwide he might have expected the resignation even if surprised the trick hadn't been spotted.

[Christopher Kreuzer]

the slight bemusement from Shak at the proffered resignation.

Does that suggest Shak hadn't prepared the Qxf3 trick? Otherwide he might have expected the resignation even if surprised the trick hadn't been spotted.

It is difficult to tell, unless Shak or Vishy have written about it or have been reported saying anything about this. Shak does look a bit puzzled, but it might well be the sort of "I am surprised you missed that" puzzlement, rather than "why are you resigning" puzzlement. Both Shak and Vishy are strong enough players(!) that I think it more likely that both players would not be puzzled at the resignation, more at the initial blunder. I suspect Shak could see as he approached the board that Qb5 had been played and that he was therefore winning.

[Ian Thompson]

Does that suggest Shak hadn't prepared the Qxf3 trick?

He hadn't seen it according to the post-game interview.

[Christopher Kreuzer]

I stand corrected. It is fascinating hearing them talk about that. Vishy gave an interview as well:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F8xjEjZNDic

Legendary comment: "I try not to remember all my bad experiences on same day"

Danny King has done a video piece on this (a couple of minutes in is the relevant bit):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ubYgCPz4Qqs