Hikaru Resigns in a Winning Position

Hikaru Nakamura and Magnus Carlsen were paired up for the latest edition of their rivalry in the Winner’s Final of the Champions Chess Tour’s Chess.com Classic. The winner of the best-of-four match would advance to the Grand Finals, and Magnus was up 2-1 as they played the fourth game, where they reached the following position.

Magnus, as Black, had made a mistake a few moves earlier by sacrificing an exchange on g2, and was doing his best to prolong the game. Now he has just played 32. …Bc8-g4 … and Hikaru resigned! Can you spot White’s winning move?

White figures he’s busted, since the queen is hit, and for example 33. Rxg4 Qxf3+ and the position collapses.

However, 33. Rfg3! saves the rook on f3 and, by doubling on the g-file, pins the bishop so that 33. …Bxh5 34. Rxg8# is possible. Many observers have cited this as a case of “the Magnus Effect”, to which even Hikaru is not immune — thinking that because it is Magnus, he must be correct.

Magnus gets some time off ahead of the grand Finals, while Hikaru awaits a challenger in the Loser’s Bracket.

Image via chess.com