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New York (World Championship, Game 10) · 2016

Technique And Persistence

Magnus Carlsen vs. Sergey Karjakin — Seventy-five moves of patient pressure: Carlsen improves every piece until the position simply falls apart.

LevelStrong JuniorElo1300–1600ThemeTechnique and persistenceMoves75
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Moves · tap to jump

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Starting position

Ready

Press Auto-play to watch the game, or step move by move.

Main lesson

Winning endgames is about never rushing: improve your worst piece, keep both wings under pressure, and let your opponent run out of good moves.

What your student should learn

  • Keep playing; small advantages become big ones.
  • Convert with technique, not tricks.
  • Make your opponent defend for a long time.
  • Never offer a draw out of tiredness.

Mini tournament checklist

  • ✓ Can I improve my position without risk?
  • ✓ Is my opponent forced to keep defending?
  • ✓ Am I avoiding unnecessary exchanges?
  • ✓ Have I checked the simplest winning plan?

Run through this list before you start an attack in a real game. Mostly yes means look for tactics; otherwise improve one more piece first.

Full move list

A Slow Spanish

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Trading Into A Better Structure

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Improving Every Piece

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Squeezing Both Wings

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Technique And Persistence

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Note: Long game on purpose — ask after every ten moves which white piece is worst, then watch Carlsen improve exactly that one.

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