Carlsen, M.. – Dubov, Daniil

2862 2021 · White wins (resignation, time or agreement) · View this game on Lichess

Daniil Dubov, the Russian grandmaster celebrated for his unorthodox and deeply creative approach to chess, holds a unique place in this matchup: he actually served as one of Magnus Carlsen’s seconds, helping to prepare the World Champion for his 2018 title defence. In 2021, the two former collaborators meet across the board in a Scandinavian Defence — a game with a deliciously ironic twist, as each player knows the other’s habits and preparation better than almost anyone else.