Norway Chess R7: Giri Blunders, Loses to Karjakin

The seventh round of the Norway Chess tournament saw just one decisive game: Anish Giri was an Exchange up for a long time against Sergey Karjakin but blundered terribly on move 131 (!) and had to resign immediately. Karjakin has joined Magnus Carlsen, Fabiano Caruana and Vladimir Kramnik in first place, with two rounds to go which will be played on Thursday and Friday.
Nigel Short playing the guitar before starting his commentary
It's arguably the worst way of losing: trying hard for hours and hours to win a better, possibly winning position but then blundering the game away. This is what happened to Anish Giri on Tuesday in Norway; if anyone would never lose this game it was the Dutchman, but it happened anyway, after many hours of play, and after the official commentary had already finished.

In a Symmetrical English not much was going on for a long time, but Giri was better and eventually won an Exchange on move 75. Lots of shuffling followed, but he did make progress and finally he reached a winning position. Update: as Henk Jonker emailed us, it's not so clear actually. See the game annotations. But then he didn't see the right queen maneuver that would have allowed him to activate his rook, and it must have been tiredness what happened at the end. Such a shame!

This was in fact one of four games that took longer than five and a half hours!
Carlsen gave Grischuk an unpleasant afternoon in a Grünfeld, where the ending is supposed to be theoretically OK for Black, but not in this game. After 26 moves Grischuk had all his pieces on the first rank and a bad pawn structure. He said: “If I had Instagram I would put this position from Black's point of view and hashtag #excitingchess.”
Even when he gets quite far in a quiet ending like that, Carlsen can be critical of himself: “I'm not sure there was a win but I could have done better.” About the tournament situation he said: “Everything has been going the right way for me the last couple of rounds, not necessarily in terms of my play but in terms of other results so. Normally with plus one it would have been, now it was not. Certainly I hoped to win because I had a very pleasant position.”

Kramnik came close to a win, but Aronian found a miraculous escape: just when the Russian felt he was going to score a full point, his opponent played a combination that led to perpetual check, and it was correct in every line. Splended defense!

Caruana got into trouble against Topalov in a very theoretical line of the Sicilian, English Attack. Caruana: “I was probably completely lost. I couldn't remember anything.” Topalov: “Actually I'm not sure it's possible to remember.”
Amazingly, Agdestein keeps on drawing his games after getting excellent positions. Svidler had looked at his French Defense the night before, starting at 11pm and thinking, at 3 am, “I really should get some sleep!” By then, and also the next morning, the Russian grandmaster hadn't succeeded in finding anything against it. “It started as fun but it was an incredibly depressing experience.” Agdestein: “It's a bit like the Berlin Defense.”
And so Svidler went for a Réti, but that didn't go according to plan either. Agdestein was simply better after the opening, but was happy to repeat moves when Svidler did so. “An easy day at the office,” the Norwegian said.

And so, with two rounds to go, there is a four-way tie for first place. Topalov commented: “I am dreaming of sharing the first to the last place.”
Norway Chess 2014 | Pairings & Results
Round 1 | 03.06.14 | 15:30 CET | Round 2 | 04.06.14 | 15:30 CET | |
Aronian | ½-½ | Agdestein | Aronian | 1-0 | Karjakin | |
Karjakin | ½-½ | Topalov | Kramnik | ½-½ | Carlsen | |
Grischuk | 0-1 | Caruana | Caruana | 1-0 | Svidler | |
Carlsen | ½-½ | Giri | Topalov | 0-1 | Grischuk | |
Svidler | ½-½ | Kramnik | Agdestein | ½-½ | Giri | |
Round 3 | 05.06.14 | 15:30 CET | Round 4 | 07.06.14 | 15:30 CET | |
Karjakin | ½-½ | Agdestein | Aronian | ½-½ | Svidler | |
Grischuk | 1-0 | Aronian | Karjakin | 1-0 | Grischuk | |
Svidler | ½-½ | Topalov | Caruana | ½-½ | Giri | |
Carlsen | ½-½ | Caruana | Topalov | ½-½ | Carlsen | |
Giri | 0-1 | Kramnik | Agdestein | ½-½ | Kramnik | |
Round 5 | 08.06.14 | 15:30 CET | Round 6 | 09.06.14 | 15:30 CET | |
Grischuk | ½-½ | Agdestein | Aronian | ½-½ | Giri | |
Svidler | ½-½ | Karjakin | Karjakin | ½-½ | Carlsen | |
Carlsen | 1-0 | Aronian | Grischuk | ½-½ | Svidler | |
Giri | 1-0 | Topalov | Topalov | 1-0 | Kramnik | |
Kramnik | 1-0 | Caruana | Agdestein | ½-½ | Caruana | |
Round 7 | 10.06.14 | 15:30 CET | Round 8 | 12.06.14 | 15:30 CET | |
Svidler | ½-½ | Agdestein | Aronian | - | Caruana | |
Carlsen | ½-½ | Grischuk | Karjakin | - | Kramnik | |
Giri | 0-1 | Karjakin | Grischuk | - | Giri | |
Kramnik | ½-½ | Aronian | Svidler | - | Carlsen | |
Caruana | ½-½ | Topalov | Agdestein | - | Topalov | |
Round 9 | 13.06.14 | 14:30 CET | ||||
Carlsen | - | Agdestein | ||||
Giri | - | Svidler | ||||
Kramnik | - | Grischuk | ||||
Caruana | - | Karjakin | ||||
Topalov | - | Aronian |
Norway Chess 2014 | Round 7 Standings
# | Name | Rtg | Perf | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 0 | Pts | SB |
1 | Carlsen,Magnus | 2881 | 2833 | ![]() |
½ | ½ | ½ | ½ | ½ | 1 | ½ | 4.0/7 | 13.75 | ||
2 | Kramnik,Vladimir | 2783 | 2820 | ½ | ![]() |
1 | ½ | 0 | ½ | ½ | 1 | 4.0/7 | 13.75 | ||
3 | Caruana,Fabiano | 2791 | 2815 | ½ | 0 | ![]() |
½ | 1 | ½ | 1 | ½ | 4.0/7 | 13.25 | ||
4 | Karjakin,Sergey | 2771 | 2820 | ½ | ![]() |
½ | 1 | ½ | 0 | ½ | 1 | 4.0/7 | 13.25 | ||
5 | Agdestein,Simen | 2628 | 2779 | ½ | ½ | ½ | ![]() |
½ | ½ | ½ | ½ | 3.5/7 | 12.25 | ||
6 | Grischuk,Alexander | 2792 | 2773 | ½ | 0 | 0 | ½ | ![]() |
1 | 1 | ½ | 3.5/7 | 11.25 | ||
7 | Topalov,Veselin | 2772 | 2740 | ½ | 1 | ½ | ½ | 0 | ![]() |
½ | 0 | 3.0/7 | 11.50 | ||
8 | Aronian,Levon | 2815 | 2716 | 0 | ½ | 1 | ½ | 0 | ![]() |
½ | ½ | 3.0/7 | 10.75 | ||
9 | Svidler,Peter | 2753 | 2715 | ½ | 0 | ½ | ½ | ½ | ½ | ½ | ![]() |
3.0/7 | 10.50 | ||
10 | Giri,Anish | 2752 | 2728 | ½ | 0 | ½ | 0 | ½ | 1 | ½ | ![]() |
3.0/7 | 10.25 |
The Norway Chess tournament runs 2-13 June in the Stavanger region. All photos courtesy of the official website | Games via TWIC
Earlier reports
- Round 6: Norway R6: Three-Way Tie For First as Topalov Beats Kramnik
- Round 5: Norway Chess R5: Kramnik Beats & Overtakes Caruana
- Round 4: Karjakin Beats Grischuk in 4th Round Norway Chess
- Round 3: Norway Chess: Carlsen Escapes Against Caruana Who Maintains Lead
- Round 2: Aronian, Caruana & Grischuk Winners in Round 2 Norway Chess
- Round 1: Norway Chess R1: Grischuk Blunders, Loses to Caruana
- Blitz: Norway Blitz: Carlsen Shines on Home Soil
- Preview: Star-studded Norway Chess Starts Today
- Log in to post comments
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Comments
Top Theoretician
4 years 8 months ago
Permalink
And nother boring draw from... Drawlsen. With play like that they should stripe him of the champ's title and give it to someone who plays real chess, like say, Gelfand, Kramnik or the french guy. But hey, nothing is lost, don't worry! Drawlsen plays Adgestein in the last round, so they're gonna plunder the tournament at the very end. That's why I don't like to go up there.
Anonymous
4 years 8 months ago
Permalink
I'm sure the Norwegians miss you
Top Theoritician
4 years 8 months ago
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Just ask the ladies around Oslo, but nothing farthest than Tromso. BTW many up there prefer to watch paint dry than enduring a boring Carlsen game.
Anonymous
4 years 8 months ago
Permalink
That must be why newspapers and TV channels have live coverage of every tourno he's in.
Anonymous
4 years 8 months ago
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Yeah sure, a lot of coverage, so does Kim Kardashian and also that dog that can paint with its paws, pfff as if live coverage would instantly mean chess understanding and chess correctness.
Anonymous
4 years 8 months ago
Permalink
Goalposts moved much? First the complaint was about entertainment value, now it's suddenly about chess understanding and "chess correctness" (SIC!)
"Chess correctness", LOL. Don't ever change, S3.
raze
4 years 8 months ago
Permalink
@ Top Theoritician:
Oh! you look very high at yourself! Where are you at chess now? You seems like you are better than everyone else and have better understanding in chess. Really? You knows? Beauty is in the eye of the beholder when it comes to chess. There is only good or bad move in chess. Style of play is unique in every GM's. There's no boring or dull chess. Chess is a move it's either good or bad. You if love chess every game is a unique understanding. of a player. If you talk about MC his medals, crowns, titles, money he makes in chess speaks fr himself. unlike everybody else trying to win. But they are always losing tourneys. MCs games are the best from youngster up to now. And his continue to dominate chess. unlike others. Who have only big mouth Just like you.
blade
4 years 8 months ago
Permalink
you've seen nothing yet of carlsen. he is kinda like the modern version of karpov but in a slightly new way. carlsen will try to win, but if draw is likely to be, then draw it is..no problem. he'll use the 'shotgun' at critical times only fellas.
raze
4 years 8 months ago
Permalink
@ Top Theoritician:
Oh! you look very high at yourself! Where are you at chess now? You seems like you are better than everyone else and have better understanding in chess. Really? You knows? Beauty is in the eye of the beholder when it comes to chess. There is only good or bad move in chess. Style of play is unique in every GM's. There's no boring or dull chess. Chess is a move it's either good or bad. You if love chess every game is a unique understanding. of a player. If you talk about MC his medals, crowns, titles, money he makes in chess speaks for himself, unlike everybody else trying to win. But they are always losing tourneys. MCs games are the best from youngster up to now. And his continue to dominate chess. Unlike others. Who have only big mouth Just like you.
Ted Summers
4 years 8 months ago
Permalink
If Kramnik had the Title again, I sure he would take ill again every time he had to play Carlsen. Deja Vu
observer
4 years 8 months ago
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And use every conceivable trick in the book to dodge playing a rematch.
Grandma
4 years 8 months ago
Permalink
Simen has been amazing so far in Norway Chess with his seven "boooooooooring" draws.
If he manages to hold against Magnus, it would be no less than a sensation, but anything can happen.
And I promise you: A draw or a win against Magnus will be the ultimate triumph for Simen, and with his well known fighting spirit he will NEVER deliberately "give" Magnus a draw or a win!
Thomas Richter
4 years 8 months ago
Permalink
By no means I want to suggest that Agdestein will throw his game against Carlsen in the final round, but given special regulations for the candidates event (players from the same federation have to meet as early as possible) this schedule is quite amusing: Carlsen and Agdestein meet in the final round, while Kramnik faces Karjakin and Grischuk in the last two rounds (only Karjakin and Grischuk already met).
This was neither done on purpose, nor is it a coincidental result of a random drawing of lots - but the (coincidental/funny) consequence of the outcome of the blitz event.
Krokodil
4 years 8 months ago
Permalink
Both Carlsen and Kramnik are dry players but at least Kramnik has personality. He is past his prime but clearly loves chess and knows how to be interesting. Carlsen just loves crushing spirits and is somehow even more boring than anand. He needs to get laid.
Anonymous
4 years 8 months ago
Permalink
kramnik is low personality
Andreas
4 years 8 months ago
Permalink
Well, if VK knows how to be interesting, why doesn't he tell us? Kramnik = big ego, that's it. And, again, he was 'unfortunate' not to win the game against Lev as he lamented at the press conference. Not to mention his 'high personality' behavior when facing Topalov. Really an ideal, isn't he?
Chris
4 years 8 months ago
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kramnik did not show at next conference sore-looser and big mouth
Anonymous
4 years 8 months ago
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Hahaha, Vlad beats his own record in refusing to participate in press conferences :) Sorest loser ever?
Botvinnik's heir
4 years 8 months ago
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You can't really compare Kramnik and Carlsen, VK has made astounding contributions to chess theory, played innumerable superb games, and has won in style the championship arguably against the greatest player of all time, i.e. Kasparov, who in spite of his questionable behavior at least knew how to play real chess and never was a dupe to chess as Magnus Carlsen. You can never compare a dull player who has nothing but inflate rating to an artistic player like Kramnik who plays correct chess and not whatever the Norwegian stooge does.
Anonymous
4 years 8 months ago
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"correct chess" ROFL.
Common Fan
4 years 8 months ago
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+1 Botvinnik's heir
Anonymous
4 years 8 months ago
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Kramnik won match vs Kasparov but was not WCh.
It was private match.
RG13
4 years 8 months ago
Permalink
There was a time before FIDE when beating the best in the world in a match got you recognized as the World Champion. There might also come a time in the future where there will be a competing world chess federation. What is important is who most of the elite players recognize as the champ.
Billy
4 years 8 months ago
Permalink
I'm a Magnus Carlsen fan and it's hard for me to accept it, but I'm starting to think that the guys who know about chess are right, I mean I've never seen a Carlsen game that compares with other player's , a thrilling game or a well planned theoretical battle. I'm starting to think that Magnus is overrated.
Anonymous
4 years 8 months ago
Permalink
"I'm a Magnus Carlsen fan"
No, you're the concern troll manifestation of the S3, the bitter fool.
Anonymous
4 years 8 months ago
Permalink
What are you talking about? Carlsen has played a lot of great games.
Do a search on these: Carlsen-Kramnik London 2009, Carlsen-Nakamura corus 2011, Carlsen-Gelfand Candidates 2013, Nakamura-Carlsen Tal Memorial 2011, Carlsen-Topalov Pearl Springs 2010...
And that is just a very few.
CarlsenIsBoring
4 years 8 months ago
Permalink
It's Nakamura who makes those games interesting , not Carlsen. Nakamura isn't the player Carlsen is but he is infinitely more enjoyable to watch and listen to in interviews than Carlsen. Carlsen is lines. He is black and white. He is cyborg. Nakamura is COLOR. Nakamura is a HUMAN.
Anonymous
4 years 8 months ago
Permalink
Who are these mysterious "guys who know about chess"? Some of his opponents, especially Kramnik and other Russians, downplay his skill, but you can read in 100 different places how highly regarded he by almost all the other top players.
Informer
4 years 8 months ago
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I think he's referring to Top theoretician. I heard he defeated top GM's.
AdamOrEve
4 years 8 months ago
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Absurd comment. Have a look at his games from Zurich this year, particularly against Gelfand which was a strategic and tactical masterpiece
AdamOrEve
4 years 8 months ago
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mFwKASfSozQ&sns=em
very weak grandmaster
4 years 8 months ago
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don't worry, no one on the chessvibes comments page knows anything about chess!!
Billy
4 years 8 months ago
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I'm sorry mister, I just wanted to express my point of view. May the peace be with you forever.
Extra Pawn
4 years 8 months ago
Permalink
I WAS a MC fan, but after seeing his dull play tournament after tournament I had enough, now I prefer to root for Aronian, Naka or Vladimir Kramnik who by the way is a very interesting player, probably the most valuable player nowadays. Just my two cents.
Anonymous
4 years 8 months ago
Permalink
Agree, it's much better to watch 50 moves of home preparation than chess the way Morphy, Capablanca and Fischer did it.
Top Theoritician
4 years 8 months ago
Permalink
Very well my friend, you can correct your ways following the proper chess as played by the great masters of our time, which sadly hasn't the rightful champion. Because my friend, in this era of exaggerated rating chess, there are still chess players that follow the CLEAN and CORRECT RULES of Caisa's game. Because our beloved game can be so perfect when played by the beautiful hands of say Kramnik, Topalov, Aronian, Svidler etc.
Anonymous
4 years 8 months ago
Permalink
You had me for a while, I actually thought you were being serious. Good show!
Extra Pawn
4 years 8 months ago
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Thank you Sir! I think I'm learning a lot about correct chess. It is because of people like you in this forum who know a lot about chess that humble players like me and others can learn how to differentiate good chess from boring chess. What is your rating if I may ask?
Top Theoritician
4 years 8 months ago
Permalink
@Extra Pawn My rating is around 2600. I'm very much pleased that you can learn from my discrete knowledge. I just wrote 2 books about avant-garde chess openings and the importance of the b pawn on the queen side.
Curious Anonymous
4 years 8 months ago
Permalink
Oh yeah? then who are you?
Top Theoritician
4 years 8 months ago
Permalink
Oh well, for reasons of privacy you'll understand I prefer to maintain my privacy. But this I can tell you, I've managed to beat Kramnik and Yusupov some times.
Curious Non Perversus Anonymous
4 years 8 months ago
Permalink
Cool, is good to have people like you in the forum!
Top Theoritician
4 years 8 months ago
Permalink
You're welcome. And remember read Botvinnik and don't play e4!
Anonymous
4 years 8 months ago
Permalink
Top THeo..you won yusupov and kramnik ? in what discipline? bowling, curling...
Anonymous
4 years 8 months ago
Permalink
only 2600 Elo. Here everyone has > 2700 :)
raze
4 years 8 months ago
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@Top Theoritician
Yeah, Beautiful in losing games and not winning a tournament. they always fight for 3rd, 4th, 5thor maybe last? That is really beautiful for you. Carlsen almost always wins the tournament. that's it. No arguments. The medals and crowns speaks. and his move.
zera
4 years 8 months ago
Permalink
Carlsen is boring dude, what's your rating? You seem to know zero chess. I bet you're about 1400 lool
raze
4 years 8 months ago
Permalink
@zera
Boring is a state of mind. There is no boring chess. If you're a real Chess Player There is no Boring chess there only good moves and bad moves. Carlsen have better move than his opponent regardless who it is. I bet your rating is lower than mine. You don't have Idea about chess move and tactics. Everyone has it's own style of play. Understand that.
Anonymous
4 years 8 months ago
Permalink
Top Donkey?
raze
4 years 8 months ago
Permalink
@ Top Theoritician:
Oh! you look very high at yourself! Where are you at chess now? You seems like you are better than everyone else and have better understanding in chess. Really? You knows? Beauty is in the eye of the beholder when it comes to chess. There is only good or bad move in chess. Style of play is unique in every GM's. There's no boring or dull chess. Chess is a move it's either good or bad. You if love chess every game is a unique understanding. of a player. If you talk about MC his medals, crowns, titles, money he makes in chess speaks fr himself. unlike everybody else trying to win. But they are always losing tourneys. MCs games are the best from youngster up to now. And his continue to dominate chess. unlike others. Who have only big mouth Just like you.
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