The story behind the game
Kramnik’s active pieces and queenside gains do not make this 2013 Candidates game a simple conversion. Carlsen challenges the centre, invades with a rook and later offers a queen exchange. The drawn ending illustrates how a rook and bishop can maintain counterplay against a side with useful pawns and active squares.
Take these ideas to your next game
- Central counterplay can matter more than preserving a pawn formation.
- Calculate a rook raid together with its escape route.
- A queen exchange can reduce danger while retaining an active rook.
- Keep the bishop connected to useful attacking diagonals.
Read the complete annotated game
Full game transcript, including the result and the answers. Original explanations by chessgames.info; game score from the sources below.
e5 challenges White’s centre before the rooks become fully active. White develops a rook to d1 and Black uses the b-file. The pawn break gives Black practical central play while White’s pieces are still developing. Compare it with the other saved candidates; it is a supported defensive choice rather than the only possible move.
Rxb2 takes the pawn and activates the rook on the second rank. White captures the c4-pawn, after which the rook returns to b7. Keep that retreat in the calculation: an invading rook can become a target if its escape is overlooked. The remaining queenside exchanges lead to a new material balance rather than ending the struggle.
Qc4 offers a supported queen exchange. White first advances the a-pawn, then exchanges queens after Black’s f-pawn move. Black’s bishop recaptures on c4 and the rook later takes e2. Follow the whole transition: the active rook supplies counterplay after the queens leave.
Bc6 prepares an active bishop route toward f3. The bishop reaches f3 in the recorded continuation while the rook keeps access to the second rank. White’s rook and queenside pawn remain dangerous, so Black must keep making concrete threats. The score ends in a draw after further rook checks rather than an attempted passive blockade.
Result: 1/2-1/2. The recorded score ends here; it does not imply checkmate.
Think through the turning points
Move 11: Challenge the centre
Which e-pawn advance attacks White’s pawn on d4? In the game: e5. e5 challenges White’s centre before the rooks become fully active. White develops a rook to d1 and Black uses the b-file. The pawn break gives Black practical central play while White’s pieces are still developing. Compare it with the other saved candidates; it is a supported defensive choice rather than the only possible move.
Engine-supported alternatives
c5 b3 Rd8 dxc5 Qxc5 Na3 c3 Nc4 Qh5 Ba3 Ba6 Qxc3 · -0.01 · depth 18
e5 Rd1 Bb7 Bg5 Rad8 d5 Bxd5 Nc3 Ba8 Rxd8 Rxd8 Bxf6 · +0.15 · depth 18
a5 Na3 c5 dxc5 Qxc5 Nxc4 e5 Rd1 Bh3 Ne3 Qxc2 Nxc2 · +0.40 · depth 18
Move 20: Take the pawn with an escape ready
Which rook capture removes White’s pawn on b2? In the game: Rxb2. Rxb2 takes the pawn and activates the rook on the second rank. White captures the c4-pawn, after which the rook returns to b7. Keep that retreat in the calculation: an invading rook can become a target if its escape is overlooked. The remaining queenside exchanges lead to a new material balance rather than ending the struggle.
Engine-supported alternatives
Rxb2 · +0.88 · depth 18
Ng8 Qe4+ Kh8 Bc1 f5 Qe5 Re8 Na4 Rb4 Qa5 Nf6 Nc3 · +1.08 · depth 18
Re8 Qc1 Reb8 R1d2 Nh5 Be3 Nf6 Rh4 R6b7 Rc2 Qf8 g4 · +1.15 · depth 18
Move 27: Offer the queen exchange
Which queen move offers an exchange on the c-file, supported by the d5-bishop? In the game: Qc4. Qc4 offers a supported queen exchange. White first advances the a-pawn, then exchanges queens after Black’s f-pawn move. Black’s bishop recaptures on c4 and the rook later takes e2. Follow the whole transition: the active rook supplies counterplay after the queens leave.
Engine-supported alternatives
Bxa2 Qc2+ Kg8 Rd2 Qb3 Bd4 Qxc2 Rxc2 Bb3 Rb2 Bd1 Kf2 · +0.11 · depth 19
Qc4 e4 Qxc7 Bxc7 Bxa2 Rd2 Bb3 Bf4 Rc8 g4 Rc2 Rd3 · +0.12 · depth 19
Bc4 Kf2 Qb5 Rc1 Bxe2 Rc5 Qb4 Kxe2 f6 Qc6 Qb2+ Kd1 · +0.36 · depth 19
Move 37: Find the bishop’s active route
Which bishop move begins a route from b5 toward f3? In the game: Bc6. Bc6 prepares an active bishop route toward f3. The bishop reaches f3 in the recorded continuation while the rook keeps access to the second rank. White’s rook and queenside pawn remain dangerous, so Black must keep making concrete threats. The score ends in a draw after further rook checks rather than an attempted passive blockade.
Engine-supported alternatives
Ba4 Rd3 Rc4 Bd2 Rc2 Bb4 · +0.00 · depth 22
Bc6 h3 h5 Rd2 Rc1+ Kf2 h4 Rd6 Rc2+ Rd2 · +0.00 · depth 21
Be8 h3 Bc6 f5 h5 gxh5 Be4 Rd2 Rc1+ Kf2 Bxf5 Kg3 · +0.01 · depth 21
Every piece has a part to play.
Kramnik’s active pieces and queenside gains do not make this 2013 Candidates game a simple conversion. Carlsen challenges the centre, invades with a rook and later offers a queen exchange. The drawn ending illustrates how a rook and bishop can maintain counterplay against a side with useful pawns and active squares.
Look a little deeper
Play on the board or type your move. Strong engine-supported alternatives receive credit.
Future moves stay hidden until you continue.
Try a different path.
Select a key moment to explore legal continuations supported by saved Stockfish analysis.
Accessible evaluation values & provenance
Stockfish 17.1 · 75,000 nodes per position; 1,000,000 at key moments. Actual depth 12–22. Positive centipawns favour White; mate scores remain separate. Selective search is evidence, not proof.
Download complete engine evidence