Improve your Piece

This position comes from the game

Keymer, V (2696) vs Magnus Carlsen (2859)

Wijk aan Zee, 2023

Before reading further, I strongly recommend that you pause for 3–5 minutes and think from Black’s point of view.

How should Black continue here?

Understanding the Position

At first glance, Black’s position looks very healthy:

• Pawn structure is solid
• Pieces are well coordinated
• The only minor issue is that the queen on a5 is temporarily inactive

So the key question becomes:

Is there any weakness in White’s position that Black can exploit?

Spotting the Weakness: d3 Square

Yes—there is one important weakness: the d3 square.
It is:

• Poorly controlled by White
• A perfect outpost in the centre

Now ask the most important positional question:

Which Black piece would be ideal on d3?

The answer is clear — the knight.

Magnus’ Brilliant Plan: 24...Na4!

Magnus immediately identifies this idea and plays:
24...Na4!
This move has a very deep purpose:

• The knight prepares the route Na4–c5–d3
• Once the knight moves, the queen on a5 becomes active again
• Black improves piece coordination without forcing tactics

This is pure positional chess.

Keymer responds actively with:
25\. Nc6
This move:

• Attacks the queen
• Creates pressure
• Also prepares to use the d5 square as an outpost for White’s knight

White is playing very precisely here.
Black replies:
25...Qc7
White continues:
26\. Nb4
Trying to keep control and maintain flexibility.
Now comes the follow-up:
26...Nc5
With this move:

• Black continues the knight maneuver
• After the knight on b4 moves, d3 becomes available
• The original plan remains intact

A Pure Positional Battle

This position is a beautiful example of high-level positional play:

• White tries to occupy d5
• Black focuses on the d3 outpost
• Both sides improve pieces but by understanding

Key Positional Lesson

Weak squares are long-term assets.
Strong players identify them early and slowly build plans around them.

Magnus didn’t rush.
He saw the weakness on d3, found the right piece, and patiently manoeuvred to exploit it.

Final Thoughts

This game teaches us that:

• Even a single weak square can define the entire middlegame
• Good positions become winning positions through piece placement
• Patience and clarity of plan are essential at the highest level

Thank you for reading.

Please share your thoughts in the comments—how would you have continued as Black in this position?