At the time I wondered if 15...a5 was a mouse slip in Firouza-Carlsen game 1. I know 15...a6 isn't particularly inspired, but 15...a5 just seemed like a very strange move. Do you think that's right?
It's possible, but 15...a6 is just as bad, because of the same amusing idea that comes up in the game: White plays 16.a5 and 17.Ra4, chasing the queen while stepping up the pressure on Black's king. Carlsen's ...a5 is positionally gruesome, but it does stop that idea (and not pushing the a-pawn at all allows a4-5-6, puncturing holes in Black's queenside).
At the time I wondered if 15...a5 was a mouse slip in Firouza-Carlsen game 1. I know 15...a6 isn't particularly inspired, but 15...a5 just seemed like a very strange move. Do you think that's right?
It's possible, but 15...a6 is just as bad, because of the same amusing idea that comes up in the game: White plays 16.a5 and 17.Ra4, chasing the queen while stepping up the pressure on Black's king. Carlsen's ...a5 is positionally gruesome, but it does stop that idea (and not pushing the a-pawn at all allows a4-5-6, puncturing holes in Black's queenside).