Tata Steel 2019, round 4

Carlsen-Kramnik was the big clash of the day in the Tata Steel Masters, and although it ended in a draw it didn’t disappoint. Vlad said afterwards, “I’m an old man – I just want to enjoy chess!” and for once he could, as he showed some real touches of class to hold Magnus to what was his 21st draw in a row.

Elsewhere Anish Giri moved to +1 after beating Richard Rapport, while Vidit defeated Jorden van Foreest after the Dutch youngster blitzed out one move too many when he had a draw in his grasp. It was a bad day for the Foreest family, as Lucas also lost the only decisive game of the Challengers, to Vladislav Kovalev.

Round 5 is the last before the long-awaited first rest day, and Van Foreest-Carlsen looks like the ideal game for Magnus finally to draw blood again. If he didn’t have enough motivation already there’s the fact that a draw will cost him around 2 rating points and leave his world no. 1 spot hanging by a thread. Of course going all-out for a win with Black against a dangerous youngster isn’t without risks, which is good news for us fans! Among the other games, Kramnik-Mamedyarov is one where action is almost guaranteed.

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