Young Liverpool defender Trent Alexander Arnold took on world champion Magnus Carlsen in a game of chess today (October 8, 2018). TAA, who was not in the starting lineup in Liverpool’s draw against Man City yesterday, was beaten in 17 moves by Norwegian star Carlsen, who used a knight to effect the final checkmate move (Nce4). TAA played with black pieces in this game. Billionaire Bill Gates had been beaten by 9 moves by Carlsen in a previous exhibition game.
Edit- updated with the full list of moves in Trent vs Magnus Carlsen 2018 (Carlsen white pieces, Trent black pieces).
TAA appeared to use the Pirc defence opening, choosing to respond to Carlsen’s e4 with a d6.
Here’s how the 17 moves game went.
1) e4 d6
2) d4 nf6
3) Nc3 Bd7
4) e5 Ng8
5) f4 Be6
6) Nf3 g6
7) d5 b6
8) dxe6 fxe6
9) Ng5 dxe5
10) Qxd8+ Kxd8
11) Nf7+ Kd7
12) Nxh8 Bg7
13) Nf7 Kc8
14) Bc4 Kd7
15) Ng5 Nc6
16) Bxe6+ Kd6
17) Nce4# check mate
Check out some pics from the game, and the final end move that saw Carlsen beat Alexander-Arnold.
By the look of this, Carlsen ended up taking a rook and a bishop off TAA.
Brainy football players (or football players liking chess) are a bit of a rarity in the world, so good on ya Trent!
Does anyone have all the moves? Would really appreciate it
@Agadmator, looks like Trent starts his opening move as d6? (from the third pic here)
We’ve just updated this post with the list of moves.