ONE BRILLIANT MOMENT
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Magnus Carlsen vs Levon Aronian · 2013 · move 23.
Which knight move attacks the bishop on c5?
This drawn 2013 Candidates game is useful for studying active defence without a dramatic final tactic. Aronian challenges the centre as the queens face each other along a diagonal, then keeps the rook active in the ending. The final rook exchange leads to a balanced knight position; the lesson asks which exchanges preserve activity rather than promising a forced win.
Before reaching for a move, identify the opponent’s immediate threat and the piece you most want to improve. Then compare checks, captures and quiet moves. The complete interactive lesson will let you test your answer without revealing the historical continuation first.
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