Library / Games / Caruana, F. vs Carlsen, M.
7th Norway Blitz 2019 · Stavanger NOR · 03 June 2019

F. Caruana vs M. Carlsen, 7th Norway Blitz 2019

Caruana, F. 0–1 Carlsen, M.
Caruana, F. vs Carlsen, M.
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7th Norway Blitz 2019, 03 June 2019

The Caruana-Carlsen game at the 7th Norway Blitz 2019 (Round 8.1) was a draw. The Norway Blitz preceded the classical 2019 Norway Chess Tournament at Stavanger. Carlsen — playing in his home country — was the favourite throughout.

The blitz game was a sharp Sicilian Najdorf, with both players reaching a complex middlegame position before time pressure forced exchanges into a balanced endgame. The draw was an accurate result given the position; both players showed precise endgame technique at blitz speed.

The 2019 Norway Chess was a milestone tournament for the introduction of the “armageddon” tiebreaker format — drawn classical games were followed by a single armageddon game where White had more time but needed to win. Carlsen, who has thrived in any rapid format, won the 2019 Norway Chess title by accumulating armageddon wins in the classical-drawn games.

The format was controversial. Critics argued that it devalued the classical games by guaranteeing a “winner” of every drawn classical game. Defenders argued that it kept spectator interest high in a format where draws can otherwise dominate. The format spread to some other events but did not become standard; Norway Chess has continued to use it in subsequent editions.

Game record

This game between Caruana, F. and Carlsen, M. was played at the 7th Norway Blitz 2019 in Stavanger NOR in 2019. Played in round 8.1. At the time of the game, the players were rated 2819 (White) and 2875 (Black). The game lasted 38 moves, ending with Black winning. It is part of the modern AI-era of elite chess.

Opening context

The opening sequence runs 1. e4 g6 2. d4 Nf6 3. e5 Nh5 4. Be2 d6, after which the players entered the middlegame proper.

Match notes

This 7th Norway Blitz 2019 game sits in Carlsen era. Master-level chess of the period was published in tournament bulletins, magazine annotations, and — for the most-studied games — in published opening monographs by the participants and their successors. This game is preserved in the open historical record and can be replayed in full above.

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