Exploring Historical Chess Positions with Today’s Grandmasters: Casablanca Chess Tournament 2024

The Casablanca Chess Tournament, part of Morocco Chess Week 2024, brought together some of the top grandmasters in the world to play out famous positions from historical games. With GM Magnus Carlsen taking clear first with an undefeated 4½/6 score, it was evident that even when faced with positions from the past, today’s players still showcase their superior skills.

The tournament featured a unique format where viewers or commentators chose one of three pre-selected positions for each round, and the players continued the game from there. With six games of rapid chess played over two days, Carlsen was joined by other top grandmasters like Hikaru Nakamura, Vishwanathan Anand, and Bassem Amin, each representing their respective continents.

One of the highlights of the tournament was the game between Nakamura and Carlsen, where they both played the white side of an Evans Gambit game from 1889. The players took different paths right from the start, showcasing their creativity and understanding of the game.

Another exciting moment was Nakamura’s Keres Attack against Carlsen in the last game of the first day. Carlsen demonstrated his excellent understanding of the Sicilian defense, leaving fans wondering if we will see more of the Scheveningen variation in the future.

While the tournament focused on playing out historical positions, the players also faced the challenges of rapid chess, with time trouble leading to missed opportunities and complex variations. Overall, the Casablanca Chess Tournament provided a unique and engaging experience for both players and fans alike.

For a full report on the games played in each round, you can visit FIDE’s coverage on their website.