Carlsen wins the battle of young phenoms

GM Carlsen (2775) - GM Radjabov (2744) [B78]
Bilbao Grand Slam, 05.09.2008

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 g6 6.Be3 Bg7 7.f3 0–0 8.Qd2 Nc6 9.Bc4 Bd7 10.0–0–0 Rb8 11.Bb3 Na5 12.Kb1 b5 13.h4 Nc4 14.Bxc4 bxc4 15.Ka1 h5 16.Rb1 Qa5 17.Bh6 Bxh6 18.Qxh6 Rb6 19.g4 hxg4 20.Qe3 Rfb8 21.h5 g5 22.fxg4 Nxg4 23.Qd2 f6 24.Nf3 Ra6 25.Rhg1 Rb4 26.a3 Be6 27.e5 dxe5 28.Nxg5 Bf5 29.Nge4 Kh7 30.Qe2 Nh6 31.Rg3 Be6 32.Rg6 Nf5 33.Qg4 Nh4 34.Ng5+ fxg5 35.Qxg5 Nxg6 36.Qxg6+ Kh8 37.Rg1 White wins 1–0

Magnus said that he did not expect Radjabov to play the Chinese Dragon. He tried to avoid the most dangerous lines. The position was fairly normal until he played g4 which was basically a blunder. He missed the response by his opponent.

He didn't know if Black was better or if he had compensation. But Nf3 Rg1 and f5, it was not so easy for Radjabov.

He didn't like Rb4 by Teimour.

Later even with little time he was quite confident with his position.

When asked how he was feeling, he said he was just trying to be in the game. He could not afford to be nervous.

When asked about how he feels about the scoring system, he said he had a few decisive games so it is good for him.

When asked what he would do if he was Black, he jokingly said would probably lose. He said: "But all kidding aside, I would probably do fine as I play the Dragon myself."

He also thought that the White King was safe so he would probably consolidate if he was Black. After all he believes that Black does not need to win by attacking. It would be better to play safe.