I had the opportunity to face off against one of the greatest chess players of all time. This thrilling encounter provided insights into the strategies and tactics employed by Magnus Carlsen, even in the midst of a casual and fast-paced bullet game. Today, I want to share some highlights of the game and reflect on the unique challenges I faced.

Another interesting fact about this game is that I actually did not realize that I was playing against Magnus Carlsen for quite a long time. I was just chilling, playing some bullet games one after the other, and then I noticed his nickname “DrDrunkenstein”. Rumour has it that Magnus Carlsen plays under that nickname when he is drunk. Of course, I’m not sure if that’s true or not, but maybe I was facing Magnus Carlsen himself. 🙂

Below, you can find the complete game:

As the game began, I found myself playing as Black and pre-moved the first move 1…b6. Although not a completely sound opening, it can be effective in blitz games. Carlsen was lucky that he played the first move 1.g3, which is the only move that refutes Black’s idea of playing 1…b6.

He quickly gained control of the diagonal with 2.Bg2, preventing me from developing my bishop to b7. Despite this setback, I continued with 2…Nc6, knowing that against the world’s best player, even a small disadvantage in the opening can be challenging to overcome.As the game progressed, both Carlsen and I made some tactical oversights, partially due to the fast-paced nature of the bullet game.

At this point, I made a move that I deeply regretted: 10…dxe3. This move contradicted a principle I had taught and emphasized in my previous video lessons. Releasing the tension between pieces by taking (exchanging) is generally disadvantageous, as it allows the opponent to gain activity. Unfortunately, in the heat of the moment, I overlooked this concept. Carlsen continued with his own plan, and the game took an unfavorable turn for me.

Carlsen missed an opportunity to win with 14.Nf6+ in this position, which would have disrupted my king’s position and secured a decisive advantage. For instance, 14.Nf6+ gxf6 15.Qxh6 is winning for White. Nevertheless, he played 14.Bd2, and the game continued with 14…Qd7 15.Nf6+ gxf6 16.Qxh6 f5.

Carlsen demonstrated his exceptional tactical awareness when he played 17.Rxf5, revealing an unexpected resource. This move showcased his ability to find unusual tactics within seconds, even in a fast-paced bullet game. White’s idea is to win the queen after 17…Qxf5 18.Be4, which X-rays the diagonal and forces Black to give up the queen.

As the game progressed, Carlsen capitalized on his material advantage, trading off pieces to neutralize any counterplay I might attempt. Despite the outcome of the game, it was a remarkable experience to play against Magnus Carlsen. His ability to navigate the complexities of the game and find creative solutions in challenging positions is truly awe-inspiring. I invite you to watch the full video lesson for a more detailed analysis of the game.