Chess with Sam Collins

Magnus Carlsen vs Radoslaw Wojtaszek

Vugar Gashimov Memorial 2018

World champion Magnus Carlsen won the Vugar Gashimov Memorial, a supertournament held in Shamkir in Azerbaijan.

1.e4 c5 2.Nc3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Qxd4

This line was often played by the late Vugar Gashimov, and Carlsen’s choice could be viewed as something of a tribute.

4 . . . Nc6 5.Qd2 Nf6 6.b3!?

A novel way to treat the position, intending to put the bishop ...