The JR Chess Report (February 21): Le wins Aeroflot; Topa leads Linares

[Jack Rabbit]

Vietnamese GM Le wins Aeroflot Open



Eighteen-year-old Vietnamese grandmaster Le Quang Liem won the ninth annual Aeroflot Open Wednesday when he defeated another teenage grandmaster, Ian Nepomniachtchi of Russia, in the ninth and final round to finsh the event with 7 points.

Grandmaster Anton Korobov of Russia was second with 6½ points. Tied for third with 6 points each were Le's compatriot, Nguyen Ngoc Truongson, Alexander Motylev and Boris Grachev of Russian and China's Zhou Jianchao.

Grandmaster Le had a very productive February in Moscow, where he also finished an equal first in the Moscow Open that ended just prior to the start of this year's Aeroflot. Le came to Moscow with an Elo rating of 2647 and leaves after unofficially breaking into the top 50 with a rating of 2689.

As the winner of the Aeroflot Open, Le will be seeded to the elite Dortmund Sparkassen this summer.



Topalov leads Linares, overtakes Magnus in world rankings



Former FIDE world champion Veselin Topalov of Bulgaria leads the 27th Torneo Internacional de la Ciudad de Linares with 5½ points after eight rounds in capital of the state of Jaén in the Andalusía region of Spain.

Reigning Russian national champion and defending tournament champion Alexander Grischuk is in second place with 4½ points after defeating GM Vugar Gashimov of Azerbaijan moments ago. Grand Prix champion Levon Aronian of Armenia, who was lucky to escape with a draw agaisnt Topalov today, is in third place with 4 points.

Topalov's performance thus far has put him two points ahead of Norwegian GM Magnus Carlsen in the unoffcial world rankings with a score of 2815.

This is Topa's last scheduled tournament before playing in a match for the world championship against the current title holder, Vishy Anand of India, in the Bulgarian capital of Sofia starting April 23. Anand finished his pre-match schedule at the end of last month with a strong finish in Wijk aan Zee.

Tomorrow is a rest day for players. The ninth round will be played Tuesday. The double round robin (ten rounds) tournament will finish Wednesday.



Young Ukrainian Zherebukh takes Capelle la Grande



Sixteen-year-old Ukrainian grandmaster Yaroslav Zherebukh won the 26th annual International Open in Cappelle la Grande, a town near the French coast of the North Sea a short distance southwest of Dunkerque.

Zherebukh scored 7½ points out of nine rounds and was the clear leader going into the final day, Friday. He drew his last game against another teenager, India's Paramarjan Negi, who was one of nine competitors to finish tied for second with 7 points each.

The defending champion, Yuri Vovk of Ukraine, an old man of 22, had an up-and-down-and-up-again torunament. He began by winning his first four games, then lost three in a row before winning his last two.

This year's edition of the Cappelle la Grande Open drew 653 participants.



Calendar

This Week:

Reykjavik Open 24 February-3 March.

Bundesliga 0910, Rounds 10-11, Mülheim, Heidelburg, Solingen, Trier. 27-28 February.

Coming Attractions:

European Individual Championships, Rijeka (Croatia) 5-19 March.

Melody Amber Rapid/Blindfold Tournament, Nice. 12-25 March. Aronian, Carlsen, Domínguez, Gelfand, Gashimov, Ivanchuk, Karjakin, Kramnik, Morozevich, Ponomariov, Smeets and Svidler.

Bundesliga 0910, Rounds 12-13, Emsdetten, Katernberg, Munich, König Tegel (Berlin). 21-22 March.

Philadelphia Open 31 March-4 April. This replaces the Foxwoods Open after the Foxwoods Resort announced expected room rate hikes.

Russian Team Championships, Dagomys 1-12 April.

Bundesliga 0910, Rounds 14-15 (season finale), Erfurt, Eppingen, Bremen, Baden Baden. 10-11 April.

Women's Grand Prix, Nalchik 23 April-6 May.

Anand-Topalov Match for the World Title, Sofia 23 April-10 May.

Grand Prix, Astrakhan (Russia) 9-25 May.

US Championship, St. Louis 13-25 May.

Chicago Open 27-31 May.

Women's Grand Prix, Jermuk 23 June-6 July.

World Open, Valley Forge, Pennsylvania 29 June-5 July.

Women's Grand Prix, Ulan Bator (Mongolia) 29 July-12 August.

World Junior Championships, Chotowa Czarna (Poland) 2-17 August.

Chess Olympiad, Khanty Mansiysk 19 September-4 October.

European Club Cup, Plovdiv 16-24 October.

Women's Grand Prix, Vina del Mar (Chile) 27 October-9 November.

World Youth Championships, Halidiki (Greece) 19-31 October.

FIDE Women's Knock Out (Women's World Championship), Turkey 2-25 December.

[Jack Rabbit]

1. This Week's Games

Your humble hare acknowledges the assistance of Fritz 6.0 on analysis.

Diagrams on the Jack Rabbit Chess Report are made with Chess Mérida, a true type font that can be downloaded free here.

BLACK
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WHITE
White to move
(This position is a theoretical draw)


I would like to thank my impressive and loyal staff: Buccaneer, Spitfire, Swashbuckler, Pancho and Robin Hood.

[Jack Rabbit]

2. Aeroflot Open, Moscow

Red Square, Moscow
Photo by Adam Baker, flickr (Creative Commons Copyright, Attribution/Share Alike)

[Jack Rabbit]

5. Le Quang Liem - Nepomniachtchi, Round 9

Le Quang Liem
Photo: ChessBase.com


Le Quang Liem - Ian Nepomniachtchi
9th Aeroflot Open, Round 9
Moscow, 17 February 2010

Symmetrical English Game: Four Knights' Opening

1.Nf3 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.Nc3 Nc6 4.d4 cxd4 5.Nxd4 Qb6

• If 5...e6 6.a3 Be7 then:
• If 7.e4 0-0 8.Nf3 then:
• If 8...d6 9.Be2 b6 10.0-0 Bb7 then:
• If 11.Bf4 a6 then:
• If 12.Rc1 Rc8 then:
• 13.b4 Ng4 14.Nd2 Nge5 15.Be3 Re8 16.Kh1 Bf8 17.f3 Nd7 18.Qe1 a5 19.b5 is equal (Jakovenko-Alekseev, Russian Ch, Moscow, 2009).
• If 13.Qd3 then:
• 13...Ng4 14.Rfd1 Nge5 15.Nxe5 dxe5 16.Be3 Bc5 17.Qd7 Ba8 18.Qxd8 Rfxd8 is equal (Korchnoi-Stohl, IT, Tilburg, 1993).
• 13...Na5 14.Nd2 Nc6 15.Rfd1 Ne5 16.Qg3 Qc7 17.b4 Rfd8 18.Be3 Ned7 19.f3 Qb8 20.Qf2 Ba8 21.Na4 Rc6 22.Nb3 Rdc8 23.Nd4 R6c7 24.Nb3 draw (Roussel Roozman-Bluvshtein, GMT, Toronto, 2006).
• 12.Re1 Qc7 13.Rc1 Ne5 14.Nd2 Rac8 15.Bf1 Qb8 16.b4 Bd8 17.Qe2 Bc7 18.Bg3 Rfe8 is equal (Rodshtein-Borisek, Euro ChT, Crete, 2007).
• 11.h3 Rc8 12.Bf4 Ne5 13.Nd2 Qc7 14.Re1 Qb8 15.Rc1 Qa8 16.Bf1 Rfd8 17.Bg3 Ng6 18.f4 a6 19.Kh1 Bc6 20.Bd3 Nd7 21.Qf3 Bf6 22.b4 draw (Gheam Maghami-Tomashevsky, Aeroflot Op, Moscow, 2009).
• 8...Qc7 9.Bd3 Ng4 10.Nb5 Qb8 11.Bg5 d5 12.Bxe7 Nxe7 13.exd5 exd5 14.0-0 draw (Radjabov-Domínguez, Corus A, Wijk aan Zee, 2009).
• 7.g3 Qb6 8.e3 d5 9.cxd5 Nxd5 10.Nxd5 exd5 11.Qb3 0-0 12.Qxb6 axb6 13.Bg2 draw (Vallejo-Leko, IT, Linares, 2005).

6.Nb3 e6 7.e4

• If 7.g3 Ne5 8.e4 Bb4 9.Qe2 d6 then:
• If 10.f4 Nc6 11.Be3 Bxc3+ 12.bxc3 Qc7 13.Bg2 0-0 then:
• If 14.c5 dxc5 15.Bxc5 Rd8 16.e5 Na5 then:
• If 17.Bb4 Nxb3 18.axb3 Nd5 19.Qc4 Qxc4 20.bxc4 Ne3 21.Be4 then:
• 21...Bd7 22.Kf2 Nxc4 23.Bxb7 gives White the initiative (P. Smirnov-Tomashevsky, Russian ChT, Sochi, 2007).
• 21...Nxc4 draw (Vaganian-Kramnik, IT, Riga, 1995).
• 17.Qb5 Nxb3 18.axb3 Bd7 19.Qc4 b5 20.Qd4 Bc6 gives Black the initiative (Smejkal-Lau, IT, Porz, 1992).
• 14.0-0 b6 15.Nd4 Nxd4 16.cxd4 Ba6 is equal (Carlsen-And. Volokitin, IT, Biel, 2006).
• 10.Bd2 0-0 11.0-0-0 a5 12.f4 a4 13.fxe5 axb3 14.a3 dxe5 15.axb4 Ra1+ 16.Nb1 Qa6 17.Qd3 Qa2 18.Bg2 Re8 19.Bc3 White is compensated for the Bishop with better piece activity (Marin-Khamrakulov, Op, Andorra, 2001).

7...Bb4 8.Bd3 Ne5

• 8...d6 9.0-0 Bxc3 10.bxc3 0-0 11.Rb1 Qc7 12.Nd4 g6 13.Be3 Rd8 14.Nxc6 bxc6 15.f4 gives White the advantage in space (Azmaiparashvili-Dokhoian, GMT, Lvov, 1990).

9.0-0 Qd6 10.Bf4 Bxc3!?

• 10...0-0 11.Re1 b6 12.Bf1 Bb7 13.Qxd6 Bxd6 14.Bg3 Bb8 15.Rad1 Nh5 16.c5 is equal (Korchnoi-van der Wiel, IT, Amsterdam, 1988).

11.bxc3 Qxd3 12.Bxe5 Qxc4!?

• Black has an extra pawn.
• If 12...Qxe4 then:
• 13.Bxf6 gxf6 14.Nd2 Qc6 15.Re1 f5 16.Qh5 Rg8 gives Black an extra pawn.
• 13.Qd4 Qxd4 14.Bxd4 d6 15.Bxf6 gxf6 16.Rfd1 Ke7 gives Black an extra pawn.

13.Re1!?

• Better is 13.Bxf6 gxf6 14.Qf3 Ke7 15.Rfd1 Rd8, squelching some of the benefit Black derives from his pawn plus by weakening his kingside.

13...b6 14.Qf3 Bb7 15.Nd4!?

• White passes on an opportunity to regain the pawn.
• 15.Bxf6 gxf6 16.Nd2 Qc5 17.Qxf6 Rg8 18.Rad1 levels the material balance with equality.

15...0-0-0!?

• The King might be safer in the center.
• 15...Rg8 16.Qf4 Rc8 17.Rab1 then:
• 17...Ba6 18.Qg3 Qd3 19.f3 Nh5 maintains Black's extra pawn.
• 17...Nxe4!? 18.Rxe4 Bxe4 19.Qxe4 Qxc3 20.h3 f5 21.Qe2 gives White a tactical edge.

16.a4 Qc5

• Less clear is 16...Nxe4 17.Rxe4 Bxe4 18.Qxe4 d5 19.Qg4 Rhg8 20.a5 when Black has more material and White more space.

17.Bg3 e5

• 17...h5 18.Bh4 e5 19.Nf5 Rhg8 20.Bxf6 gxf6 21.a5 gives White fewer pawn weaknesses.

18.a5!?

• White passes on a chance to restore material parity.
• 18.Nf5 g6 19.Nh6 Nxe4 20.Rxe4 then:
• If 20...f5 21.Rxe5 Bxf3 22.Rxc5+ bxc5 23.gxf3 threatens 24.Nf7, winning back the exchange.
• 20...Rhf8 21.Qd3 Bxe4 22.Qxe4 d6 23.Qa8+ wins a pawn and leaves White with the active game.

18...Rhe8!?

• This inaccuracy costs Black the exchange.
• 18...b5 19.Nf5 Ne8 then:
• 20.a6 Bc6 21.Rad1 f6 22.Rd3 leaves Black a pawn to the good and enough initiative to start grabbing space.
• 20.Rab1 f6 21.Red1 a6 22.Rb2 Qa3 23.Rbd2 Qxa5 leaves Black up by two pawns.
• 18...exd4 19.cxd4 Qxd4 20.Rec1+ Bc6 21.Qf4 d6 22.Rxc6+ is equal.

19.axb6 axb6
BLACK: Ian Nepomniachtchi
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WHITE: Le Quang Liem
Position after 19...ab6:p

20.Nf5!

• White doesn't fool around when there are targets to attack.
• 20.Nb3!? Qc6 21.Bh4 d5 22.Bxf6 gxf6 23.Qh3+ Qe6 leaves Black a pawn to the good.

20...g6

• The text is the best way to prevent loss of the g-pawn.
• If 20...Rg8 then:
• 21.c4 Kc7 22.Rab1 d6 23.Nxg7 Rxg7 24.Qxf6 gives White a pierce initiative.
• If 21.Bh4 g5 22.Bg3 g4 23.Qe3 then:
• 23...Nxe4 24.Qxc5+ bxc5 25.Ne7+ Kc7 26.Nxg8 Rxg8 27.Bxe5+ gives White the material advantage.
• 23...Qxe3 24.Rxe3 Nxe4 25.Ne7+ Kc7 26.Nxg8 Rxg8 27.Bxe5+ gives White the material advantage.

21.Ng7 Nxe4 22.Nxe8 Rxe8 23.Qxf7

• White has won the exchange. He will maintain this advantage until late in the game.

23...Rf8 24.Qa2 Qc6 25.f3 Qc5+!?

• Exchanging minor pieces is almost inevitable, but Black could get better terms.
• If 25...Nxg3 26.hxg3 Qc5+ 27.Kh2 e4 28.fxe4 then:
• 28...Qh5+ 29.Kg1 Qc5+ 30.Kh2 etc. draws.
• If 28...Re8 29.g4 then:
• 29...Kd8 30.e5 Rxe5 31.Qg8+ Kc7 32.Qg7 White maintian the material advantage.
• 29...Qe5+ 30.Kh1 Kd8 31.Qc2 Re6 32.Ra7 gives White a material advantage of a whole exchange.

26.Bf2 Nxf2 27.Qxf2 Qxf2+

• Also playable is 27...Rf5 28.Qxc5+ bxc5 29.Reb1 Rf7 30.Rb5 d6 31.Ra7 maintains Black's small material advantage, but the Black Bishop is defended for now.

28.Kxf2 e4 29.Re3 Kc7

• 29...g5 30.Ke2 exf3+ 31.gxf3 Rf4 32.Rg1 h6 maintains the material advantage for White, but Black has more and better pawns.

30.Kg3!

• White will use the King as a fighting piece against Black's kingside pawns.
• If 30.Ra7 d5 31.Ke2 then:
• 31...Re8 32.fxe4 dxe4 33.c4 g5 34.Rb3 Re6 35.Rg3 maintains White's material advantage and adds his attack on the g-pawn, the Rook on the mostly navigable third rank and the pin at b7 to his list of accumulated small advantages.
• If 31...b5 32.fxe4 dxe4 then:
• 33.Rxe4!! Kb6 34.Rxb7+ Kxb7 35.Re7+ gives White an extra pawn and a more active Rook.
• 33.Ra1 g5 34.g4 Rf3 35.h4 h6 36.hxg5 maintains the material advantage for White.

30...exf3 31.gxf3 Bd5 32.Ra4 Be6 33.Rh4 h5!?

• The text move weakens the g-pawn.
• 33...Rf7 34.Rhe4 Kc6 35.h4 b5 36.f4 Kc5 37.Re5+ may be slightly better.

BLACK: Ian Nepomniachtchi
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WHITE: Le Quang Liem
Position after 33...h7h5

34.Rf4!?

• This is the kind of move that invites the weaker side to improve his position. Of course it would be to White's advantage to exchange Rooks, magnifying his material advantage. That's exactly why Black won't bite at the bait.
• Better is to attack a less mobile target; if 34.Rb4 Kc6 35.Re5 Ra8 36.Kf4 then:
• 36...Ra3 37.Re3 Kc5 38.Rbe4 Bf5 39.Re8 d5 40.Rd8 leaves White with the material advantage, but Black's Rook gives him more potential counterplay.
• 36...Bd5!? 37.Rd4! Rf8+ 38.Kg5 Bxf3 39.Kxg6 Rg8+ 40.Kh6 maintains White's material advantage and adds to it more active Rooks; Black's pawns are weakened to the point that they are now of little concern,

34...Ra8 35.h4 Ra5

• 35...Bf5 (closing the f-file as the Bishop cannot be dislodged) 36.Rc4+ Kd6 37.Kf4 b5 38.Rb4 Kc6 39.Re5 gives White a clear initiative against Black's b-pawn.

36.Rf6 Bf5 37.Kf4 Rc5!?

• Black would improve his chances by defending actively.
• Better is 37...Ra1 when:
• If 38.Rf8 Rh1 39.Kg5 then:
• If 39...Rg1+ 40.Kh6 Rh1 41.Rxf5 gxf5 42.Kxh5 gives White a passed pawn, but as it is a Rook's pawn he will have more difficulty advancing and promoting it.
• 39...Ra1 40.Rf7 Rg1+ 41.Kh6 Rh1 42.Rxf5 transposes.
• 38.Rf7 Rh1 39.Kg5 Rg1+ 40.Kh6 b5 41.Re5 leaves White better, but Black's Rook is behind White's pawns giving him more potential counterplay.

38.Kg5!

• Black's strength is in his kingside pawns, but now White puts pressure on them. White is threatening to sacrifice the exchange to pick up one or both. This tactical theme will color the rest of the game.

38...Bc2+ 39.Kh6 Rc4 40.f4 b5

• 40...Bf5 41.Rxf5 gxf5 42.Rf3 d5 43.Kxh5 gives Black a passed pawn with Black's Rook and King out of position to do anything about it for at least a short time.

41.Re5 Rc6

• Black must lose one of his pawns, but he will eliminate White's c-pawn leaving him with a passeer and potential counterplay.
• Another try is 41...Rxc3 42.Rxb5 Rc6 43.Kg5 Be4 44.Rf7.

42.Rf7

• White forces an exchange of pawns.
• Also playable is 42.Rxc6+ dxc6 43.Kg5 Kd6 44.Re2 when:
• If 44...Bb1 45.Rd2+ then:
• 45...Ke6 46.Rd8 Bc2 47.Rg8 c5 48.Rb8 Bd3 49.f5+ White is much better, but still hasn't won.
• 45...Kc5 46.Rd4 Bc2 47.Kf6 Bf5 48.Kf7 Bb1 49.Ke6 gives White the edge, but Black's game is still defensable.
• If 44...Bf5 45.Rd2+ then:
• 45...Kc5 46.Rd4 Kb6 47.Rd6 Kc7 48.Rxg6!! gives White a won King-and-pawn ending.
• If 45...Ke6 46.Rd8 then:
• 46...Ke7 47.Rd4 Ke6 48.Rd1 Ke7 49.Kh6 Bc2 50.Re1+ retains White's material edge, but Black's defense will be a tough nut to crack.
• 46...Bc2 transposes into the main variation of this note by 47.Rg8 c5 48.Rb8 Bd3 49.f5+.

42...Kb6?

• Although Black must lose a pawn, he should have elected to lose the b-pawn. The text move posits the possibility that Black will lose both the d- and b-pawns.
• 42...Rxc3 43.Rxb5 Kc6 44.Rb4 Bf5 45.Rf6+ Kc5 46.Rb8 allows Black to fight on by attacking White's pawns from behind.

BLACK: Ian Nepomniachtchi
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WHITE: Le Quang Liem
Position after 42...Kc7b6

43.Rxd7! Rxc3 44.Rd8?!

• White fails to go after the b-pawn and lets Black back into the game.
• 44.Rdd5! Rb3 45.Re6+ Ka5 46.Rxg6 Bxg6 47.Kxg6 gives White a winning position.

44...Ka5 45.Rb8 Rb3 46.Rc8

• If 46.Rg5 Be4 47.Rxg6 Bxg6 48.Kxg6 then:
• If 48...Rb4 then after 49.Ra8+ Kb6 50.Rf8 Kc7 51.Kxh5 White is clearly winning.
• If 48...b4 then White wins after 49.f5 Rd3 50.Kxh5.

46...Bb1?

• Black makes a passive move where overprotection would have been better.
• If 46...Bd3! then:
• 47.Rc1 Rb4 48.Rd1 Bf5 49.Rdd5 Rxf4 equalizes.
• 47.Re3 Kb4 48.Rd8 Bf5 49.Re5 Kc4 50.Rdd5 b4 is equal.

47.Rb8

• White puts himself on the winning path.
• 47.Rc1 Bd3 48.Kg5 Kb4 49.Rc6 Rb1 50.Re3 Rg1+ is equal.

47...Ka4

• If 47...Rb4 48.Ra8+ Kb6 49.Rf8 then:
• If 49...Ka5 50.Re6 Rd4 then:
• 51.Rxg6!! Bxg6 52.Kxg6 b4 53.Ra8+ Kb6 54.f5 gives White a passed pawn that will be difficult to stop.
• 51.Re1?! Bd3 52.Rd1 b4 53.Rf6 b3 54.Rd2 is equal.
• 49...Kc7 50.Kg5 Rb2 51.Rf6 Kd7 52.Rb6 gives White the material advantage and the initiative.

No better than the text is 47...Bc2 48.Rg5 Ka4 49.Rxg6!! Bxg6 50.Ra8+ Kb4 51.Kxg6 when White wins.

48.Rb6 Rb4

• The analyst for ChessBase.com marks this move with a querry, but the staff of the JRCR and I believe the game is alreasdy lost.
• If 48...Rb2 then after 49.Ra6+ Kb4 50.Rxg6 Bxg6 51.Kxg6 Kc4 52.f5 White wins with the f-pawn.

49.Ra6+ Kb3
BLACK: Ian Nepomniachtchi
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WHITE: Le Quang Liem
Position after 49...Ka4b3

50.Rxg6!!

• White returns the exchange in order to obtain a won ending.

50...Bxg6 51.Kxg6 Rxf4 52.Rxb5+ Kc4 53.Rxh5

• It's a book win for White, in spite of the fact that his remaining pawn is in the h-fille. Black's King is out of play while White's King is already positioned to escort the pawn home.

53...Rg4+ 54.Kf5 Rg8 55.Rg5 Rh8

• Black would do as well to resigns immediately than exchange Rooks.

BLACK: Ian Nepomniachtchi
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WHITE: Le Quang Liem
Position after 55...Rg8h8

56.h5!

• It is better to advance the pawn to a protected square than to move the Rook prtotecting the pawn and giving check. The check would be useless and just allow Black's time to move to a better square; the pawn advance, on the other hand, runs down the clock.

56...Kd5

• 56...Rh6 57.Kg4 Kd4 58.Rg6 Rh7 59.h6 Ke4 60.Kg5 wins for White.

57.Kg6+ Ke6 58.Kg7 Re8 59.h6 Re7+ 60.Kg6 1-0

• It will cost Black his Rook to prevent the pawn from promoting.
• Ian Alexandrovich resigns.

[Jack Rabbit]

6. Naiditsch - Korobov, Round 8

Anton Korobov
Photo: ChessBase.com


Arkadij Naiditsch - Anton Korobov
9th Aeroflot Open, Round 8
Moscow, 16 February 2010

Open Sicilian Game: Najdorf-Scheveningen Defense (Rauzer Opening)

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.Bg5 Nbd7

• For lines following 6...e6 7.f4 Qc7, see T. Kosintseva-Zdebskaja, Russian ChTW, Sochi, 2009.

7.Qe2 e6 8.f4 Qc7 9.0-0-0 Be7

• If 9...b5 10.f5 then:
• If 10...b4 11.fxe6 bxc3 12.exd7+ then:
• 12...Nxd7 13.Qc4 cxb2+ 14.Kb1 Qxc4 15.Bxc4 Ne5 16.Bd5 Rb8 17.Nc6 Nxc6 18.Bxc6+ Bd7 19.Bd5 Be7 (Tayar-Arun Prasad, Op, Philadelphia, 2008).
• 12...Bxd7 13.Bxf6 Qb6 14.Nb3 gxf6 15.Qf3 Rc8 16.Qxf6 Rg8 is equal (Sjugirov-Sandipan, Chigorin Mem, St. Petersburg, 2009).
• 10...e5 11.Nd5 Nxd5 12.exd5 Nb6 13.g4 h6 14.Bd2 draw (R. Mamedov-Huzman, Ol, Torino, 2006).

10.g3

• If 10.g4 h6 11.Bh4 g5 12.fxg5 Nh7 then:
• If 13.Nf5 exf5 14.Nd5 Qd8 15.exf5 Ne5 16.Bg3 Bxg5+ 17.Kb1 then:
• If 17...Bf6 18.Nxf6+ Qxf6 19.Rxd6 Qxd6 20.Bxe5 Qe7 21.Bxh8 f6 22.Bg7 h5 23.Bh6 hxg4 24.Qxg4 Black resigns (Setherman-Kaaber, Politiken Cup, Helsingør, 2009).
• 17...0-0 18.h4 Bf6 19.g5 hxg5 20.hxg5 Bxg5 21.Bxe5 dxe5 22.Qg4 Kg7 23.f6+! Kg8 24.Qe4 Black resigns (Calvo-Kavalek, IT, Las Palmas, 1973).
• 13.Bg3 hxg5 14.Nf5 Ne5 15.Nxe7 Kxe7 16.h4 Bd7 17.Qd2 Rhg8 18.Be2 b5 19.a3 gives White the active game (J. Howell-Timoshchenko, IT, Hastings, 1991-92).

10...h6 11.Bh4

• Obviously, the Bishop is in danger here. The game hinges partly on whether White can play g3g4 before Black gets in ...g7g5!.

11...b5 12.Bg2 b4!?

• If 12...Rb8 13.Rhe1 b4 14.Nd5 exd5 then:
• 15.Nf5? Nb6 16.Nxe7 Qxe7 17.e5 dxe5 18.fxe5 g5! gives Black the material advantage (Shabalov-Paragua, Mindsports Rpd, Beijing, 2008).
• 15.exd5! 0-0 16.Qxe7 Re8 17.Qxe8+ Nxe8 18.Rxe8+ gives White an extreamely promising game.

13.e5

• White has the advantage in space.

13...dxe5

• If 13...bxc3 then:
• 14.exf6 Bxf6 15.Bxf6 Qb8 16.b3 Nxf6 17.Bxa8 wins the exchange for White.
• 14.exd6? Qxd6 15.Nc6 cxb2+ 16.Kb1 Qc7 leaves Black up by a piece.

14.Bxa8!?

• White wins the exchange, but Black makes good use of the time it takes.
• If 14.fxe5! Qxe5 15.Qxe5 Nxe5 16.Bxa8 bxc3 then:
• 17.Bxf6 cxb2+ 18.Kxb2 Bxf6 19.Rhe1 gives White a small advantage in space.
• 17.Nc6 Nc4 18.Bxf6 Bxf6 19.bxc3 e5 is equal.

14...bxc3!

• Black puts pressure on b2.

14...exd4!? 15.Nb1 Qa5 16.Qc4 0-0 17.Bxf6 Bxf6 is equal.
15.fxe5 Nxe5 16.Rhe1?

• The Rauzer against the Najdorf is often used to illustrate the kind of sharp position where one small misstep by either side costs that side dearly. This is just such an error. White piles up on the Knight at e5, but neglects the gathering storm at b2.
• 16.g4 cxb2+ 17.Kxb2 Qb6+ 18.Ka1 Bb4 19.Be1 is equal.

BLACK: Anton Korobov
!""""""""#
$b+v+l+ R%
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/(((((((()
WHITE: Arkadij Naiditsch
Position after 16.Rh1e1

16...Qb8!

• Black focuses on the pawn at b2 as a target.
• If 16...cxb2+ 17.Kb1 Ned7 then:
• 18.g4 0-0 19.Bg3 Qb6 20.c3 Ba3 remains equal.
• 18.Bxf6? Bxf6 19.Qe4 0-0 20.Nf3 Nb6! 21.Bc6 Bc3 wins for Black.

17.bxc3

• White opens the d-file for Black and the deluge must follow.
• If 17.b3 then 17...Qb4 18.Rd3 Nxd3+ 19.Qxd3 g5! 20.Kb1 gxh4 wins a piece.

17...Ba3+!

• By virtue of his control of the b2 square, Black forces the White King to the open center.
• 17...Ned7 18.Nxe6 Ba3+ 19.Kd2 fxe6 20.Qxe6+ remains equal.

18.Kd2 Nfd7 19.Bc6 Nxc6 20.Nxc6 Qd6+ 21.Nd4

• 21.Qd3 Qxc6 22.Qd4 f6 23.g4 0-0 24.Bg3 Nb6 Black's pieces are well coordindinated and flexible; White's queenside weaknesses wail in pain.

21...g5!

• See the note to White's eleventh move.

22.Qh5 Nf6 23.Qf3

• 23.Qe2 gxh4 24.Rf1 Nd5 25.Rf3 hxg3 26.hxg3 Qc7 puts pressure on the weak doubled pawn.

23...Nd5 24.Nf5 Qc5 25.c4 Qb4+

• If Black chooses, he could win back the exchange by 25...Bb4+ 26.Kc1 Bxe1 27.cxd5 exf5 28.Rxe1+ Kd8.

26.Ke2

• 26.c3 then Black wins after 26...Qb2+! 27.Kd3 Qxc3+ 28.Ke2 Qxc4+ 29.Kf2 Bc5+.

26...Qxc4+ 27.Kf2 Bc5+ 28.Kg2 Kf8

• The text wins faster than 28...Qxc2+ 29.Kh1 Kf8 30.Rc1 Qxf5 31.Qxf5 exf5.

29.Kh3 Bb7 30.Re4 Qxc2 31.Rxe6

• If 31.Nd4 then after 31...Bxd4 32.Rdxd4 gxh4 White goes out with a whimper rather than a bang.

BLACK: Anton Korobov
!""""""""#
$ + + L T%
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WHITE: Arkadij Naiditsch
Position after 31.Re4e6:p

31...Nf4+!!

• A fiery sacrifice puts the game on ice.

32.gxf4

• 32.Kg4 loses to 32...Bxf3+ 33.Kxf3 Qxd1+ 34.Ke4 Qd5#.

32...Qxf5+ 0-1

• If 33.Qg4 then after 33...Bg2+! White must either lose his Queen or submit to mate.
• 33.Kg3 gxf4+ 34.Kg2 Bxf3+ gives White at a minimum a material advantage equivalent to a Queen.
• Herr Naiditsch resings.

[Jack Rabbit]

7. Grachev - Sjugirov, Round 5

Boris Grachev
Photo: ChessBase.com


Boris Grachev - Sanan Sjugirov
9th Aeroflot Open, Round 5
Moscow, 13 February 2010

Semi-Slav Queen's Gambit: Stoltz Opening

1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.e3 Nf6 4.Nc3 e6 5.Nf3 Nbd7 6.Qc2 Bd6 7.Bd3 dxc4 8.Bxc4

• For moves up to here, see Gelfand-Karjakin, World Cup, Khanty Mansiysk, 2009.

8...a6

• If 8...0-0 9.0-0 then:
• If 9...b5 10.Be2 Bb7 11.Rd1 then:
• If 11...Qc7 then:
• If 12.Bd2 e5 13.Rac1 a6 14.b4 Rfe8 then:
• If 15.Bd3 Bxb4 16.Ng5 then:
• 16...h6? 17.Nxb5!! axb5 18.Bh7+ Kf8 19.Bxb4+ gives White the advantage in space and the initiative (Gelfand-Karjakin, World Cup, Khanty Mansiysk, 2009).
• 16...Nf8 17.Nxb5 axb5 18.Bxb4 exd4 19.exd4 Qf4 20.Nf3 Ne6 is equal (Soltau-van Kempen, Corres, 2003).
• 15.h3 h6 16.a3 exd4 17.exd4 Nb6 18.Re1 Nbd5 19.Nxd5 Nxd5 20.Bd3 a5 21.Bh7+ Kh8 22.Be4 gives White the advantage in space (Beliavsky-Pavasovic, Vidmar mem, Terme Zrece, 2003).
• 15.a3 h6 16.Bd3 exd4 17.exd4 Nb6 18.Re1 Rad8 19.Ne2 Nbd5 20.Ng3 Rxe1+ 21.Rxe1 Ng4 22.Bh7+ Kh8 23.Bf5 gives White the advantage in space (Soltau-Benejam, cyberspace, 2003).
• If 12.e4 e5 then:
• If 13.g3 Rfe8 14.dxe5 Nxe5 15.Bg5 then:
• 15...b4 16.Bxf6 gxf6 17.Nxe5 Rxe5 18.Nb1 c5 19.Nd2 Bf8 20.Bg4 Rae8 21.f3 Rg5 22.Bf5 Bd6 23.Nf1 c4 gives Black the advantage in space (Szeberenyi-Pavasovic, Hungarian ChT, Hungary, 2003).
• 15...Nxf3+ 16.Bxf3 Qe7 17.Bg2 Be5 18.Ne2 Qb4 19.Rd2 Rad8 20.Rad1 Rxd2 21.Rxd2 Qa5 22.b3 c5 23.Rd1 h6 24.Bd2 Qa6 25.Bc3 Bxc3 26.Nxc3 b4 27.Nd5 Nxd5 28.exd5 Qd6 is equal (Ibragimov-Asrian, Op, Dubai, 2000).
• 13.dxe5 Nxe5 14.Nd4 Bc5 15.h3 Qb6 16.Be3 Rad8 17.Nf5 Bxe3 18.Nxe3 Ng6 19.Rxd8 Rxd8 draw (Parker-Thorhallsson, Euro ChT, Saint Vincent, 2005).
• If 11...Qb8 12.e4 e5 then:
• If 13.dxe5 Nxe5 14.Nd4 then:
• 14...Neg4 15.g3 g6 16.Bf3 is equal (Koneru-Pérez, IT Merida, 2008).
• If 14...Ng6 15.g3 Re8 16.Nf5 then:
• 16...Bf8 17.Bf3 b4 18.Nb1 c5 favors Black since White's queenside is cramped.(Evdokimov-Asrian, Euro Ch, Dresden, 2007).
• 16...Bc5 17.a3 a5 18.Bg5 Qe5 19.Bf3 Rac8 20.Bxf6 Qxf6 21.Na4 Bf8 22.Nc5 Ne5 23.Be2 Rc7 24.Nxb7 Rxb7 is equal (Alverez-Scheffner, cyberspace, 2000).
• 13.g3 Re8 14.dxe5 Nxe5 15.Bg5 Nxf3+ 16.Bxf3 Be5 17.Rd2 h6 draw (Morovic-Fridman, Ol, Calvia, 2004).
• If 9...a6 10.Rd1 b5 11.Be2 Qc7 then:
• 12.Ne4 Nxe4 13.Qxe4 e5 14.Qh4 Re8 15.Bd3 h6 16.Bd2 Be7 17.Qg3 Bd6 18.Qh4 Be7 draw (Burmakin-Dreev, Op, Novgorod, 1999; several games since have ended here or after one or two more moves in an agreed draw).
• 12.e4 e5 13.g3 Re8 14.a3 exd4 15.Nxd4 Be5 16.Bf3 c5 17.Nde2 c4 18.Nd5 Nxd5 19.exd5 Bd6 20.Bf4 Ne5 21.Bxe5 Rxe5 22.Nd4 g6 is equal (Bologan-Karjakin, IT, Dortmund, 2001).

9.a4 0-0 10.0-0 c5 11.Rd1

• 11.dxc5 Bxc5 12.b3 b6 13.Ne4 Be7 14.Rd1 Bb7 15.Nxf6+ Bxf6 16.Nd4 is equal (Goloshchapov-Maksimenko, Bundesliga 0809, Dresden, 2008).

11...cxd4

• 11...Qc7 12.Ne4 Nxe4 13.Qxe4 Nf6 14.Qh4 cxd4 15.Bd3 h6 16.e4 Nd7 17.Bxh6 gxh6 18.Rac1 Qd8 19.Qxh6 Qf6 gives White the initiative for a piece, but Black's last move took the wind out of it (van Wely-Kasparov, Cyberspace, 2000).

12.exd4 Qc7 13.Qe2 e5!?

• 13...Re8 14.Bg5 h6 15.Bh4 b6 16.Rac1 Bb7 is equal (Anand-Leko, Rpd Match, Miskolc, 2009).

14.h3

• The game is equal.

14...exd4 15.Nxd4 Be5!?

• 15...Re8 16.Nd5 Qd8 17.Be3 remains equal.

BLACK: Sanan Sjugirov
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WHITE: Boris Grachev
Position after 15...Bd6e5

16.Be3!

• White commits to holding on to his center
• 16.a5 b5 17.axb6 Nxb6 18.Bb3 Re8 remains equal.

16...Bf4 17.Nd5 Nxd5 18.Bxd5 Bxe3 19.Qxe3

• White has a clear advantage in space, but no obvious targets.

19...Nf6 20.Bf3

• 20.Rac1 Qa5 21.Bb3 Bd7 22.Qe1 Qh5 23.Qb4 gives White the advantage in space and targets the b-pawn and the e7 square.

20...Bd7 21.Rdc1 Qd6 22.Nb3 Rae8!?

• This may be a case of the wrong Rook. Black could make better use of his open files by moving the King's Rook to e8.
• If 22...Rfe8 23.Qc5 then:
• 23...Qxc5 24.Nxc5 Bc6 25.Bxc6 bxc6 26.Rc2 weakens Black's queenside, but Black's game is still playable.
• If 23...Qb8 24.Qb6 then:
• 24...Be6 25.Rd1 Nd7 26.Qxb7 wins a pawn for White.
• If 24...Bc6 then 25.Bxc6 bxc6 26.Rxc6 wins a pawn.
• If 23...Qf4 24.Qd4 Qxd4 25.Nxd4 Rab8 then:
• 26.b4 Red8 27.Rd1 b5 28.a5 Rdc8 29.Rab1 Rc4 is equal.
• 26.Rc7 b6 27.b3 Rbd8 28.Rd1 Bc8 29.Bc6 Bd7 equalizes

BLACK: Sanan Sjugirov
!""""""""#
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WHITE: Boris Grachev
Position after 22...Ra8e8

23.Qd4!

• Since Black's most efective piece is his Queen, White trades.

23...Qxd4!

• Black chooses the defense.
• 23...Qb8 24.Qb6 Be6 25.Nc5 wins the b-pawn.

24.Nxd4 b6!?

• Black weakens his grip on a6.
• If 24...Rb8 25.Rc7 b6 26.b3 Rfe8 27.Rd1 then:
• If 27...a5 28.Kf1 Rbc8 29.Ra7 Rcd8 30.Ra6 Rb8 31.h4 leaves White only slightly better, if at all.
• 27...Rbd8!? 28.Nc6 Bxc6 29.Rxd8 Rxd8 30.Bxc6 gives White the active game.

25.b4 h6 26.a5 bxa5 27.bxa5 Rc8

• 27...Rb8 28.Be2 Rfc8 29.Rcb1 Rxb1+ 30.Rxb1 Ra8 31.Bc4 maintains White's spatial plus.

28.Nc6!?

• White commits an inaccuracy that eases Black's task considerably.
• Better is 28.Bb7! Rxc1+ 29.Rxc1 Re8 30.g4 h5 31.g5 gives White the advantage in space, an attack on a weak pawn and the initiative against the Knight.

28...Bxc6!

• The game is equal.

29.Bxc6 Rc7 30.Bf3 Rfc8

• 30...Ra7 31.Rc6 Re8 32.Kf1 Ne4 33.Rd1 restores White to the more active game with command of two files.

31.Rcb1

• 31.Rxc7 Rxc7 32.Be2 Rc6 33.Rb1 Nd5 34.Bf3 Rc5 remains equal.

31...Re8 32.Rb6 Ra7!?

• This move is too passive. Protecting the pawn laterally also attacks White's Rook.
• 32...Re6 33.Kf1 Nd7 34.Rxe6 fxe6 35.Rd1 remains equal.

33.Bc6!

• This is the most aggressive reply.
• If 33.Kf1 Ne4 34.Rd1 Kf8 35.g4 then:
• 35...Nc5 36.Be2 Re5 37.f4 Re6 38.Rd8+ gives White the initiative and the advantage in space.
• 35...Ng5!? 36.Be2 Nxh3 37.Bxa6 Nf4 38.Bb5 gives White a passed pawn.

33...Re6 34.f4 g5 35.f5 Rd6?

• This doesn't solve any problems for Black. If the Bishop moves and the Rooks are exchanged, the a-pawn sill moves forward.
• 35...Ree7 36.g4 h5 37.Bg2 Nd7 38.Rd6 hxg4 39.hxg4 gives White the active game.

BLACK: Sanan Sjugirov
!""""""""#
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WHITE: Boris Grachev
Position after 35...Re6d6

36.Bb5!

• Also good is 36.Bf3! Rad7 37.Be2 Kg7 38.Bxa6 when:
• 38...Rd1+ 39.Rxd1 Rxd1+ 40.Kh2 Ra1 41.Rb5 Ne4 42.Re5 Nc3 43.Bd3 leaves White ready to advance the a-pawn.
• If 38...Ne4 39.Rxd6 then:
• 39...Nxd6 40.g4 Kf6 41.Kf2 Ra7 42.Bd3 gives White an extra pawn, which is running up the a-file.
• If 39...Rxd6 then after 40.Bb7 Nc5 41.a6 it will be costly for Black to stop the a-pawn.

36...Ne4 37.Be2 Rd2

• The ship is sinking and Black doesn't have a life preserver.
• If 37...Rd5 38.Rxa6 Rxa6 39.Bxa6 then:
• 39...Rd7 40.g4 Ra7 41.Bc4 h5 42.gxh5 gives White a passed pawn on each wing.
• If 39...Rxf5 40.Bd3 Re5 41.a6 is an easy wins for White.

38.Rxa6

• White wins a pawn.
• If 38.Bxa6 Kg7 39.Ra3 Nf6 40.Bd3 then:
• 40...Nd7 41.Rb5 Kf6 42.a6 Ke7 43.Rb7 assures the further advance of the a-pawn.
• If 40...Rxd3 41.Rxd3 Rxa5 42.g4 leaves White an exchange to the good and wins a little faster.

38...Rad7 39.Bf3 Nc5 40.Rxh6

• White wins another pawn.

40...Nb3

• 40...Ra7 41.f6 Ra6 42.Rh5 Nd7 43.Rxg5+ leaves White with two extra pawns.

41.Ra3 Nd4 42.a6 Nxf3+ 43.Rxf3 Ra2

• If 43...Kg7 then White wins after 44.Rb6 R2d4 45.Rg3 f6 46.Ra3.

44.Rg3 Kg7 45.Rb6 f6 46.h4 Ra7

• If 46...Rd1+ then White wins easily after 47.Kh2 Raa1 48.Rb7+ Kf8 49.Rc3.

47.hxg5 R2xa6 48.gxf6+ Kf8

• If 48...Kf7 then 49.Rg7+ Kf8 50.Rb8#.

49.Rxa6 Rxa6
BLACK: Sanan Sjugirov
!""""""""#
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WHITE: Boris Grachev
Position after 49...Ra7a6:R

50.Rg6!

• Winning from here is child's play.

50...Ra5

• If 50...Ra3 then White wins after 51.Kf2 Ke8 52.g4 Kf7 53.Ke2 Ra5 54.Kf3.

51.g4 Ra2 52.Rg7 Rb2 53.g5 1-0

• There is no way for Black to stop the pawn mass.
• Young grandmaster Sjugirov resigns.

[Jack Rabbit]

8. Pashikian - Nepomniachtchi, Round 7

Ian Nepomniachtchi
Photo by Stefan64, Wikipedia (Creative Commons License, Attribution/Share Alike)


Aman Pashikian - Ian Nepomniachtchi
9th Aeroflot Open, Round 7
Moscow, 15 February 2010

West India Game: Indian Queen's Gambit (Exchange Opening) (Grünfeld Defense)

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 d5 4.cxd5

• For 4.Nf3 Bg7 5.cxd5 Nxd5 6.e4 Nxc3 7.bxc3 c5 see Shulman-Kudrin, US Ch, Tulsa, 2008.

4...Nxd5 5.e4 Nxc3 6.bxc3 Bg7 7.Be3

• If 7.Bc4 c5 8.Ne2 Nc6 9.Be3 0-0 10.0-0 then:
• If 10...Bd7 11.Rb1 then:
• If 11...Qc7 then:
• If 12.Bd3 Rad8 then:
• If 13.Qc1 Bc8 14.Rd1 then:
• If 14...b6 15.h3 then:
• If 15...Bb7?! then:
• If 16.dxe5 bxc5 17.Qa3 Na5 18.f3! wins a pawn for White (Ponomariov-Vachier Lagrave, IT, San Sebastián, 2009).
• 16.f4!? cxd4 17.cxd4 e6 18.Rb3 Qd6 19.Bb1 Ba6 20.e5 Qd7 21.Ng3 Ne7 22.Ne4 Nd5 23.Bf2 Rc8 gives Black the initiative (Aronian-Vachier Lagrave, TMatch, Paris, 2009).
• 15...cxd4 16.cxd4 Qb7 17.d5 Ne5 18.Nd4 gives White an advantage in space, but little else.
• 14...e5 15.d5 Na5 16.c4 b6 17.Nc3 f5 18.exf5 gxf5 19.Bg5 gives White the advantage in space (Tarnopolsky-Mikhalevski, Op, Ashdod, 2006).
• 13.Qc2 b6 14.Rfd1 Na5 15.Qb2 c4 16.Bc2 e5 17.h3 Rfe8 18.Rd2 Bc6 19.Rbd1 Nb7 20.Qb1 Qe7 is equal (Sargissian-Vachier Lagrave, IT, Paks, 2008).
• 12.Bf4 Qc8 13.d5 Na5 14.Bd3 e5 15.Bg3 c4 16.Bc2 b6 17.f4 exf4 18.Bxf4 Qc5+ 19.Kh1 Bg4 20.h3 Bxe2 21.Qxe2 Bxc3 22.Qf3 Bg7 23.e5 c3 gives Black an extra pawn (Krush-Ushenina, ITW, Istanbul, 2008).
• 11...a6 12.dxc5 Qc7 13.Nd4 Na5 14.Bd3 Rfd8 15.Qe2 e6 16.f4 Bf8 17.f5 Bxc5 18.Qf2 exf5 19.exf5 gives White the advantage in space (Hillarp Persson-Hermansson, Swedish Ch, Gothenborg, 2006).
• If 10...Bg4 11.f3 Na5 then:
• 12.Bd3 cxd4 13.cxd4 Be6 14.d5 Bxa1 15.Qxa1 f6 then:
• 16.Qd4 Bf7 17.Bh6 Re8 18.Bb5 e5 19.Qf2 Re7 20.Bd3 Rc8 21.f4 Nc4 is equal (Topalov-Shirov, IT, Morelia-Linares, 2008).
• If 16.Bh6 then:
• 16...Qb6+ 17.Nd4 Bd7 18.Rb1 Qc5 19.Rc1 Qb6 20.Bxf8 Rxf8 21.h4 4 gives the advantage in space to White (Bronstein-Boleslavsky, Candidates' Trmt, Budapest, 1950).
• 16...Re8 17.Kh1 Rc8 18.Nf4 Bd7 19.e5 Nc4 20.e6 Ba4 21.Nxg6 hxg6 22.Bxg6 Ne5 23.Be4 Bc2 24.Bxc2 Rxc2 25.Qd1 Kh7 26.f4 Kxh6 27.fxe5 Qc8 28.exf6 Rg8 29.f7 is balanced and, after some more moves, the players agreed to a draw (Korotylev-Timofeev, Russian Ch Qual, Tomsk, 2004).
• 16.Rb1 Bd7 17.Bh6 Rf7 18.e5 fxe5 19.Qxe5 b5 20.Be3 Qb8 21.Qc3 Qd8 22.Qe5 Qb8 23.Qc3 Qd8 draws by repetition (Kavalek-Timman, IT, Wijk aan Zee, 1978).
• If 12.Bxf7+ Rxf7 13.fxg4 Rxf1+ 14.Kxf1 cxd4 15.cxd4 e5 then:
• 16.Kg1 Rc8 17.d5 Nc4 18.Bf2 Nd6 19.Ng3 Bh6 20.h4 Bf4 21.g5 Qd7 22.Qf3 White still has the extra pawn.(Jussupow-Sutovsky, IT, Essen, 2001).
• 16.d5 Nc4 17.Bf2 Qf6 18.Kg1 Rf8 19.Qe1 Bh6 20.Ng3 Qa6 21.Kh1 Qa4 22.Qe2 b6 23.h4 Bf4 24.Nf1 Nd6 25.Re1 Rc8 26.g3 Rc2 27.Qf3 Qxa2 gives Black a huge advatage in space (K.Georgiev-Ivanchuk, IT, Reggio Emilia, 1989).
• If 10...Qc7 11.Rc1 Rd8 then:
• 12.Bf4 Qd7 13.d5 Na5 14.Bd3 then:
• 14...e5 then:
• 15.Bg5 Re8 16.c4 b6 17.Qd2 Nb7 18.Bh6 f6 19.Bxg7 Qxg7 20.f4 Nd6 21.Kh1 Bd7 22.Ng1 Qh6 23.Rce1 f5 24.Qc3 fxe4 25.fxe5 exd3 26.exd6 Rxe1 27.Rxe1 d2 28.Rd1 Qf4 29.Rxd2 draw (Balashov-Ftacnik, Trnava, 1988).
• If 15.Be3 Qe7 16.Qd2 b6 17.f4 c4 18.Bc2 exf4 19.Bxf4 Nc6 20.Nd4 Nxd4 21.cxd4 Ba6 22.Rf3 gives White the advantage in space (Jussupow-Kamsky, Tilburg, 1992).
• If 12.Qd2 Qa5 13.Rfd1 then:
• 13...Bd7 14.Bh6 cxd4 15.Bxg7 Kxg7 16.Qf4 Be8 17.cxd4 e5 18.dxe5 Rxd1+ 19.Rxd1 Qxe5 20.Qxe5+ draw (Polugaevsky-Vaganian, IT, Linares, 1985).
• If 13...Bg4 14.f3 Ne5 15.Bd5 Rxd5 16.exd5 Nc4 17.Qd3 Nb2 18.Qb1 Nxd1 19.Qxb7 Rd8 20.Rxd1 Bc8 21.Qxe7 Bf8 22.Qf6 gives White the advantage in space (Ftacnik-Stohl, IT, Trnava, 1984).

7...c5 8.Rc1 Qa5 9.Qd2 0-0 10.Nf3 Nd7

• 10...cxd4 11.cxd4 Qxd2+ then:
• If 12.Kxd2 Nc6 then:
• If 13.d5 Rd8 14.Ke1 Na5 15.Bg5 Bd7 16.Bd3 Rdc8 17.Ke2 e6 18.Be3 exd5 19.exd5 then:
• 19...b5 20.Nd2 a6 21.Ne4 Nc4 22.Bxc4 bxc4 23.Nc5 Rd8 24.Nxd7 Rxd7 25.Rxc4 Rxd5 26.Rhc1 h5 27.Ra4 Rd6 28.Rc7 draw (Lautier-Svidler, IT, Poikovsky, 2003).
• 19...b6 20.Ba6 Rd8 21.Rhd1 Bc8 22.Bxc8 Raxc8 23.Rxc8 Rxc8 24.Nd4 ties Black down to a defense against a passed pawn (Kramnik-van Wely, Corus A, 2001).
• 13.Bb5 f5 14.exf5 Bxf5 15.Bxc6 bxc6 16.Rxc6 Rab8 17.Kc3 Be4 18.Rc7 Rf6 19.Ra1 Ra6 20.a4 Bf6 21.Ne5 Rab6 22.Nd7 Rb3+ 23.Kd2 Rb2+ 24.Ke1 Rb1+ 25.Rxb1 Rxb1+ 26.Kd2 Rb2+ 27.Kc1 Rb1+ 28.Kd2 draw (Browne-Vaganian, Ol, Thessaloniki, 1984).
• 12.Nxd2 e6 13.Nb3 Rd8 14.Bg5 f6 15.Be3 Bf8 16.Bc4 Nc6 17.Ke2 Kg7 18.f4 Bd7 19.h3 Nb4 20.Nc5 Bxc5 21.dxc5 Bc6 22.Bd2 Na6 23.Bxa6 bxa6 24.Ke3 Bb5 25.Rc3 Rd7 26.c6 draw (Kempinski-Ruck, IT, Griesheim, 2002).

11.Bd3!?

• If 11.d5 Nf6 then:
• 12.Bd3 c4 13.Bb1 Ng4 14.Bd4 e5 is equal (Sakaev-Morozevich, Russian Ch, Moscow, 2008).
• 12.c4 Qc7 13.Bd3 e5 14.Bh6 Bxh6 15.Qxh6 Ng4 16.Qd2 f5 17.0-0 Nf6 18.Qc2 f4 19.Qb2 Re8 20.Rb1 Rb8 21.Bc2 Bd7 22.Rfe1 h6 23.Qa3 a6 24.Red1 Qd6 25.Qa5 b5 26.Nd2 Rec8 draw (Kachiani-Baramidze, German Ch, Koenigshofen, 2007).

11...e5 12.d5 b5

• 12...f5 13.Bh6 f4 14.Bxg7 Kxg7 15.Rb1 Qc7 16.0-0 gives White the advantage in space (Mikanovic-M. Turov, IT, Montreal, 2001).

13.0-0

• The game is equal.

13...c4 14.Bc2 Qa3!?

• This move is somewhat risky in that the Queen cannot stray from the a3/f8 diagonal else it cannot find a way out should trouble find it.
• Safer is 14...Rb8 15.Rfd1 Qa3 16.Rb1 a5 then:
• 17.Bg5 f6 18.Be3 Qd6 remains equal.
• 17.Qc1 Qd6 18.Bh6 Bxh6 19.Qxh6 Qa3 remains equal.

15.Rb1!

• White assumes the advantage in space.

15...Rb8

• 15...a6 16.Qc1 Qd6 17.a4 Rb8 18.axb5 axb5 19.Qb2 also gives White the advantage in space.

16.Qc1 Qxc1 17.Rfxc1

• The Rook on f1 is doing the least work at the moment, therefore it is tasked with the recapture.

17...a5 18.a4!?

• This is too aggressive as it allows Black a queenside majority.
• Better is 18.Rd1 f5 19.Ng5 f4 20.Bc1 Nf6 21.Ba3 when White converts his space advantage into initiative.

BLACK: Ian Nepomniachtchi
!""""""""#
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WHITE: Aman Pashikian
Position after 18.a2a4

18...b4!

• Black equalizes.

19.cxb4!?

• White needn't hurry to exchange pawns, since that just give Black two connected passers beyond the frontier line.
• 19.Bd1! Ba6 20.Nd2 bxc3 21.Rxb8 Rxb8 22.Rxc3 remains equal.

19...axb4 20.Bd1 c3

• For the moment, this is as far as White can get with his pawns.

21.Be2 f5

• Being that he is stalled on the queenside, Black turns his attention to the opposite wing.

22.g3

• White stops the advance of the kingside pawns. The game is equal.

22...Rf6

• Black has little better than a waiting move.
• If 22...fxe4?! White's position comes to life after 23.Ng5! Nf6 24.Bc4 Rb7 25.d6+.

23.Bb5 Bf8 24.Bc6 Bd6 25.a5!?

• White seems to think his position is at least equal. In fact, there are still many ways for Black to go wrong.
• 25.Ba7 Rb7 26.Bxb7 Bxb7 27.Ng5 h6 28.Ne6 remains equal.

25...Rf8

• While it doesn't look it, Black is better poised to assume the advantage now.
• 25...h6 26.exf5 e4 27.Nh4 g5 28.Ng6 Rxf5 is equal.
• 25...fxe4? drops a piece to 26.Ng5! Rf8 27.Nxe4 Bc7 28.a6 Bxa6 29.Bxd7.

26.exf5?!

• White assists Black by opening the game for him.
• Correct is 26.Ba7 Rb7 27.Bxb7 Bxb7 28.Rxc3 bxc3 29.Rxb7 with equality.

BLACK: Ian Nepomniachtchi
!""""""""#
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WHITE: Aman Pashikian
Position after 26.ef5:p

26...Nc5!

• Black's position springs to life.

27.Nxe5?

• White is a pawn to the good, but Black ready to deliver the knock out punch.
• If 27.Rxc3 bxc3 then:
• 28.Rxb8 Bxb8 29.Bxc5 c2 30.Be3 Bxf5 31.Ne1 Rf7 leaves White with a tough fight to salvage the game, but for the moment he is holding on.
• 28.Rc1? Nb3 29.Rxc3 Nxa5 30.Bc5 Bxc5 31.Rxc5 Rxf5 leaves Black up by a Rook.

27...Bxf5!

• This sends White to canvass.

28.Nc4

• If 28.Bxc5 Bxc5 29.Rb3 Rbd8 then:
• If 30.a6 Be4 31.a7 Bxf2+ 32.Kf1 Bxa7+ 33.Ke1 Bxd5 leaves Black two pawns to the good with the initiative.
• If 30.Kf1 Bh3+ 31.Ke1 then:
• 31...Rxf2 32.Nd3 Rxh2! 33.Nxc5 Rf8 White is toast.
• 31...Bxf2+ 32.Kd1 Bd4 33.Nd3 Rf3 White has a strong initiative.

28...Bxb1 29.Nxd6

• 29.Rxb1 c2 30.Rb2 b3 31.Nxd6 Nd3 wins the exchange for Black.

29...Bd3 30.Bd4 Nb3 31.Rxc3 bxc3 32.Bxc3 0-1

• After 32...Nxa5 White is down by a the equivalent of a Rook.
• Grandmaster Pashikian resigns without waithing for Ian Alexandrovich to reply.

[Jack Rabbit]

9. Hou Yifan - Salem, Round 6

The young lady will be 16 at the end of the month.



Hou Yifan
Photo: ChessBase.com


Hou Yifan - Saleh Salem
9th Aeroflot Open, Round 6
Moscow, 14 February 2010

Sardinian Game: King's Bishop Opening

1.e4 e5 2.Bc4 Nf6 3.d3

• 3.Nc3 transposes into the Vienna Game.

3...c6

• 3...Bc5 4.Nf3 Nc6 transposes into the Giucco Pianissimo.

4.Qe2!?

• If 4.Nf3 d5 5.Bb3 Bd6 then:
• If 6.Nc3 dxe4 then:
• If 7.Ng5 0-0 8.Ncxe4 Nxe4 9.Nxe4 Bf5 10.Qf3 Bxe4 11.dxe4 Nd7 12.c3 a5 then:
• 13.a4 Nc5 14.Bc2 b5 15.0-0 Qc7 16.Rd1 is equal (Adams-Kramnik, IT, Tilburg, 1998).
• 13.0-0 a4 14.Bc2 Qe7 15.Rd1 Rfd8 16.h4 h6 is equal (Movsesian-Bu Xiangzhi, IT, Nanjing, 2008).
• If 7.Nxe4 Nxe4 8.dxe4 then:
• 8...Bb4+ 9.c3 Qxd1+ 10.Kxd1 Bd6 11.Ke2 f6 12.Rd1 Ke7 13.Nd2 Na6 14.a4 Nc5 15.Bc4 a5 16.b3 Rd8 17.f3 draw (Short-Westerinen, IT, Brighton, 1982).
• 8...Bg4 9.h3 Bh5 10.Bg5 f6 11.Be3 Na6 12.Qe2 Qe7 13.0-0-0 Nc5 is equal (Rogers-Tseshkovsky, IT, Vrsac, 1987).
• If 6.exd5 then:
• If 6...cxd5 7.Bg5 Be6 then:
• If 8.Nc3 Qa5 9.0-0 Nbd7 then:
• 10.Qe1 Qc5 11.Bxf6 Nxf6 12.Nxe5 0-0 13.Nf3 Rfe8 14.d4 gives White an extra pawn (Taulbut-Scheeren, Politiken Cup, Copenhagen, 1981).
• 10.Re1 0-0 11.Qd2 b6 12.Bxf6 Nxf6 13.Nxe5 d4 14.Nb1 Bb4 15.c3 Bxb3 16.cxb4 gives White an extra pawn and the initiative (Dr. Nunn, Luzern, 1982).
• 8.0-0 Nc6 9.Nc3 Bc7 10.Re1 a6 11.Bh4 0-0 12.Bg3 d4 13.Bxe6 dxc3 14.Bb3 cxb2 15.Rb1 e4 is equal (Howell-Bacrot, IT, Antwerp, 2009).
• If 6...Nxd5 7.0-0 0-0 8.Re1 then:
• 8...Re8 9.Nbd2 Nd7 10.Nc4 Bc7 11.c3 b5 12.Ne3 N7f6 is equal (Vachier Lagrave-Gelfand, World Cup, Khanty Mansiysk, 2009).
• If 8...Nd7 9.Nbd2 Bc7 10.Ne4 h6 11.Bd2 then:
• 11...Re8 12.a3 N5f6 13.Bb4 Nxe4 14.dxe4 Qf6 is equal (Bauer-Zatonskih, Op, Paris, 2006).
• 11...Kh8 12.Ng3 a5 13.a3 f5 14.Qc1 is equal (Kobalia-Motylev, Russian ChT, Sochi, 2007).

4...d5 5.exd5

• If 5.Bb3 dxe4 6.dxe4 then:
• 6...Bc5 7.Nf3 0-0 8.Nxe5 Qa5+ 9.Bd2 Bxf2+ 10.Qxf2 Qxe5 11.0-0 Nxe4 12.Qe2 Bg4 gives Black a fine game with an extra pawn (Spielmann-Duras, IT, Vienna, 1908).
• 6...Na6 7.Nf3 Nc5 8.Nxe5 Nxb3 9.axb3 Qd4 10.Nc4 Qxe4 11.Qxe4+ Nxe4 12.Nb6 gives White a tactical initiative (Mamedov-Hammer, World Jr Ch, Gaziantep, 2008).

5...cxd5 6.Bb5+

• 6.Bb3 Bb4+ 7.Bd2 Bxd2+ 8.Nxd2 0-0 9.Ngf3 Nc6 10.0-0 Re8 11.Rfe1 Bg4 12.Qe3 Qd6 gives Black a clear advantage in space (Kapfer-Taube, Masters' Trmt, Hamburg-Altona, 1932).

6...Nc6

• 6...Bd7 7.Qxe5+ Be7 8.Bxd7+ Nbxd7 9.Qg3 0-0 10.Ne2 Rc8 11.c3 Nc5 12.0-0 gives White an extra pawn (Koch-Makarczyk, Sopot, 1951).

7.Qxe5+ Be7!?

• 7...Kd7 8.Be3 Bd6 9.Qg5 h6 10.Qh4 Kc7 11.Ne2 Bg4 12.f3 Qe7 gives White an extra pawn and Black more space (Bartsch-Charousek, Corres, 1893).

8.Nf3

• White has an advantage in space to go with her extra pawn.

8...0-0 9.Bxc6 bxc6 10.0-0 Bd6

• White maintains her extra pawn and spatial advantage.
• 10...Re8 11.Nc3 Bg4 12.Nd4 Bd6 13.Qg5 Qb6 14.Nf5 is also equal.

11.Qe2 Re8 12.Qd1 Rb8 13.b3 h6 14.Bb2 Nh5

• 14...Bg4 15.Nbd2 Bf4 16.Re1 Qd6 17.Rxe8+ Rxe8 18.Qf1 remains equal.

15.Re1 Bg4

• 15...Nf4 16.Rxe8+ Qxe8 17.Qf1 Rb7 18.Nbd2 remains equal.

16.Nbd2 Nf4

• 16...Qc7 then after 17.Rxe8+ Rxe8 18.Qf1 Qa5 19.a3 Black continues to have an extra pawn while White has more space.

17.Re3

• The limited advanced is better than the outright exchange.
• 17.Rxe8+!? Qxe8 18.Qf1 Ne2+ 19.Kh1 Rb7 20.h3 is less clear as Black takes over the spatial advantage.

17...Qd7

• Black now has the advantage in space, making the position unclear.
• 17...c5 18.Rxe8+ Qxe8 19.Qf1 then:
• 19...Rb7 20.Re1 Re7 21.Rxe7 Qxe7 22.h3 Bf5 23.Qa1 maintains White's extra pawn, with White having the initiative.
• 19...Ne2+ 20.Kh1 Rb7 21.c4 Bf5 22.Ne4 dxe4 23.Qxe2 maintains White's extra pawn, but Black has a slight initiative.

18.Qf1 f6

• 18...Bf5 19.Rae1 c5 20.a3 f6 21.Nh4 Bh7 22.Rxe8+ White still has the extra pawn.

19.Rxe8+ Qxe8 20.h3 Bd7

• 20...Bf5 21.Re1 Qh5 22.Kh1 c5 23.Qg1 White still has the extra pawn and Black more space.

21.Kh1 c5

• 21...Qg6 22.Re1 Re8 23.Rxe8+ Bxe8 24.g3 Ne6 25.c4 leaves White yet with the extra pawn as she begins to grab space in the center.

BLACK: Saleh Salem
!""""""""#
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WHITE: Hou Yifan
Position after 21...c6c5

22.Ng1!?

• White is wary of the potential of a boilerplate (but often deadly) Bishop sacrifice at h3.
• Better is 22.Re1 Qg6 23.Re3 Re8 24.a3 a6 25.d4 when:
• 25...Rxe3 26.fxe3 Bb5 27.c4 Nh5 28.Qe1 Ng3+ 29.Kg1 leaves the situation unclear with White's pawn pitted against Black's space.
• 25...Qxc2 26.Qxa6 Bf8 27.Qa7 Rxe3 28.fxe3 Be6 29.exf4 maintains White's pawn plus; Black has the two Bishops, but they are contrained by the pawn duo at c5 and d5.

22...Qh5 23.Re1 a5 24.Ndf3

• 24.Ba3 Qf5 25.Ne2 Re8 26.Nxf4 Qxf4 27.Nf3 remains unclear.

24...d4 25.Bc1 Nd5!?

• This retreat does nothing for Black.
• Better is 25...Bc6! 26.Bxf4 Bxf4 27.a4 Re8 28.Re2 Kh7 when White still has an extra pawn, but Black's two Bishops look better than White's Knights.

26.a4

• 26.Nd2 Nb4 27.Ne4 Bc7 28.a3 Na6 29.Nd2 gives White an extra pawn, but Black has more space.

26...Nb4 27.Re2 g5?!

• Black misses his best line, which would improve his situation tremendously.
• 27...Re8 28.Bb2 Bc6 29.Qd1 Rxe2 30.Qxe2 Qf5 equalizes.

28.Nd2 Qg6

• 28...Re8 29.Ne4 Be7 30.Qe1 f5 31.Ng3 Qg6 32.Rxe7 wins a piece foir White.
• A better try is 28...Bf8 29.Nc4 Re8 30.f3 Rxe2 31.Qxe2 Qe8 32.Qd2 but White has fewer pawn weaknesses.

29.Nc4 Bc7 30.Ba3 Nd5?

• Black drops a pawn.
• 30...Re8 31.Qd1 Qh5 32.Rxe8+ Bxe8 33.Ne2 Bc6 34.Kg1 Black is down, but not out. He has reasonable hopes of obtaining counterplay.

BLACK: Saleh Salem
!""""""""#
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WHITE: Hou Yifan
Position after 30...Nb4d5

31.Bxc5!

• White is up by two pawns.

31...Nf4 32.Re7

• The squeamish may whish to avert their eyes beyond here.

32...Qf5 33.Bxd4 Kf8

• 33...Ng6 34.Re3! Bc6 35.Ne2 Rd8 36.Bb2 Nf4 37.f3 also wins for White.

34.Ne3

• Black could have resigned here.

34...Kxe7 35.Nxf5+ Bxf5 36.Qe1+

• Also good is 36.Qa1 Nd5 37.c4 Nf4 38.Bxf6+.

36...Kf7 37.Qc3 Rc8 38.Nf3 Bd6

• If 38...Be6 ‚ then after 39.Be3 Nd5 40.Qe1 Re8 41.Nd4 Bd7 42.c4 White wins.

BLACK: Saleh Salem
!""""""""#
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WHITE: Hou Yifan
Position after 38...Bc7d6

39.Qxa5!

• The text is strongest, but White wins if she makes any reasonable move.
• 39.Qd2 Be6 40.Be3 then:
• 40...Bd5 41.Qxa5 Bxf3 42.gxf3 Rxc2 43.Qd8 Be7 44.Qd7 White wins easily.
• 40...Bb4 41.Qd1 Bd6 42.Nd4 Bd5 43.Bxf4 Bxf4 44.c4 White still wins.

39...Be6 40.Qa7+ Kg6 41.Qa6 1-0

• Black has a material deficit equivalent to a Rook and it appears he'll have to surrender even more wood.
• Salem Sahib resigns.

[Jack Rabbit]

3. 27th Torneo de la Ciudad de Linares

Linares native Andrés Segovia
(click on the photo for more)
Photo: Guitarrería de Buenos Aires (Argentina)

[Jack Rabbit]

10. Topalov - Gashimov, Round 2

Veselin Topalov
Photo: ChessBase.com (Spanish Language)


Veselin Topalov - Vugar Gashimov
27th Torneo de la Ciudad de Linares, Round 2
Linares, 15 February 2010

Slav Queen's Gambit: Tikhi Opening

1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.e3 a6

• For 4...Bf5 and 4...Bg4, see Jakovenko-Vitiugov, Russian Ch, Moscow, 2009.

5.Qc2 g6

• 5...Bg4 6.Ne5 Bh5 7.Qb3 Qc7 8.Nc3 e6 9.Bd2 Nbd7 10.cxd5 Nxd5 11.Nxd7 Qxd7 12.Rc1 Nxc3 13.Bxc3 Be7 14.Bd3 Bg6 15.Be2 a5 16.a4 0-0 is equal (Tkachiev-Bacrot, French ChT, Port Barcares, 2005).

6.Bd3 Bg7 7.0-0

• If 7.Nc3 0-0 8.0-0 Bg4 9.Ne5 Be6 then:
• 10.c5 Nbd7 11.Nxd7 Qxd7 12.Bd2 Bf5 13.Bxf5 Qxf5 14.Qxf5 gxf5 15.f3 Nd7 16.Ne2 Rfe8 17.Bc3 e6 18.Kf2 Kf8 is equal (Moiseenko-Dolmatov, FIDE Knock Out, Tripoli, 2004).
• 10.b3 c5 11.Ne2 cxd4 12.exd4 Nc6 13.Nxc6 bxc6 14.Bf4 Nh5 15.Be5 dxc4 16.Bxc4 Bf5 17.Qc3 Nf6 18.Ng3 gives White the advantage in space (M. Gurevich-I. Sokolov, IT, Dos Hermanas, 2001).

7...0-0 8.Nbd2 Nbd7 9.cxd5!?

• 9.b3 c5 10.Bb2 b6 11.Rfd1 Bb7 12.Rac1 e6 13.Be2 Qe7 14.dxc5 bxc5 15.Ne5 Rac8 16.Bf3 Rfd8 is equal (Goldin-Mulyar, US Ch, Seattle, 2003).

9...cxd5

• The game is equal.

10.b3 Nb8 11.Ba3 Nc6 12.Rac1 Be6!?

• A move such this, that blocks the advance of a central pawn, should be considered very carefully.
• 12...Bg4 13.Qb2 Rc8 14.Rc3 Qd7 15.Qc2 Bf5 remains equal.

13.Qb2!

• White overprotects his head pawn.
• 13.Rfd1 Rc8 14.Qb2 Qd7 15.Ne5 Nxe5 16.dxe5 Ng4 remains equal.

13...Re8

• 13...Qd7 14.Ne5 Nxe5 15.dxe5 Ng4 16.Nf3 Rac8 17.Rfd1 gives White the advantage in space.

14.h3

• 14.Rc3 Qd7 15.Qc1 Bf5 16.Bxf5 Qxf5 remains equal.

14...Rc8 15.Rc2 Bf5 16.Bxf5!

• The exchange on f5 weakens Black's kingside.
• If 16.Ne5!? then Black restores equality after 16...Bxd3 17.Nxd3 Nd7 18.Rfc1 e5!.

16...gxf5 17.Ne1

• 17.Rfc1 Qd7 18.Bc5 f4 19.Ne5 Qf5 remains equal.

17...Ne4 18.Nd3 e5 19.Nxe4

• White's text move is best.
• If 19.Nxe5 then 19...Nxe5 20.dxe5 Bxe5 21.Qc1 Nc3 22.Kh1 Nxa2 wins a pawn for Black.

19...dxe4

• 19...fxe4 20.Nxe5 Nxe5 21.dxe5 Rxc2 22.Qxc2 Bxe5 remains equal.

20.Nxe5 Nxe5 21.dxe5 Rxc2 22.Qxc2 Qa5

• 22...Bxe5 23.Rd1 Qf6 24.Qd2 b5 25.Qd7 remains equal.

23.Bd6 Bxe5 24.b4!?

• This would be a good time for White to activate the Rook.
• 24.Rd1! Bc3 25.a3 Rd8 26.a4 b5 27.Rd5 gives White the initiative.

24...Qd8 25.Bxe5 Rxe5 26.Rc1

• 26.Qd1! Qxd1 27.Rxd1 a5 28.a3 Kg7 29.Rd4 gives White the more active game.
• 26.Rd1 Rd5 27.Rxd5 Qxd5 28.a3 Kg7 29.Kf1 b5 remains equal.
• 26.a4 Rd5 27.a5 b6 28.axb6 Qxb6 29.Ra1 remains equal.

26...Rd5 27.a4

• It also serves White well to fortify the b-pawn.
• 27.a3 b5 28.Qc8 Rd1+ 29.Kh2 Qxc8 30.Rxc8+ gives White the initiative.

27...b5 28.axb5 Rxb5!?

• Blacl releases the tension in the d-file.
• 28...axb5 29.Ra1 Kg7 30.Ra6 Rd6 31.Qc3+ remains equal.

BLACK: Vugar Gashimov
!""""""""#
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WHITE: Veselin Topalov
Position after 28...Rd5b5:p

29.Qa4!

• White undermines the Rook by attacking the pawn at a6.

29...Qd6 30.Qa1 Qe5

• 30...Qe6 31.Qd4 Rd5 32.Qc3 Qb6 33.Qa1 Qe6 34.Rc7 gives White more space.

31.Qxa6 Rxb4 32.Qh6 Rb8 33.g3

• The text weakens the f3 square, but there's no way for Black to exploit it.
• If 33.Qg5+ Kh8 34.Rd1 Rg8 35.Qh4 Rg6 then:
• If 36.Qd8+ Kg7 37.Rc1 is equal.
• 36.Rd8+ Kg7 37.Ra8 Qd6 38.g3 is equal.

33...Qe6

• 33...Qe7 34.Kg2 Qe6 35.Qf4 Rc8 36.Ra1 h6 37.Ra5 puts pressure on the pawn at f5.

34.Qf4

• 34.Qxe6 fxe6 35.Rc7 h5 36.Re7 Rb6 37.Kg2 is equal.

34...Rc8 35.Rd1!

• Any move that keeps the Rook on a safe, open file is a good move.
• 35.Ra1! Qd5 36.Qg5+ Kf8 37.g4 Qe5 38.Rd1 serves White just as well if not somewhat better.

35...Rc6?!

• White misses an opportunity to put some life back into his game.
• 35...f6 36.Rd6 Qe5 37.Qxe5 fxe5 38.Rf6 Rf8 39.Re6 wins a pawn.

36.Rd8+ Kg7 37.Kg2

• The palyers are now in a time scramble with neither side having the time to consider the most accurate move.
• Better here is 37.Qg5+ Qg6 38.Qe7 Kh6 39.Kh2 Qf6 40.Qe8 with White's pieces attacking from the rear.

37...h6?

• The pawn should remain at h7 in order to provide a sanctuary for the King if he is attacked from the rear.
• Correct is 37...f6 38.Qb8 Kh6 39.Qb4 Qf7 40.Qb5 when Black, having made it more difficult for White to get at the King, can fight on.

BLACK: Vugar Gashimov
!""""""""#
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WHITE: Veselin Topalov
Position after 37...h7h6

38.Qb8!

• White puts his pieces in the rear of Black's position.

38...Qf6

• If 38...Rb6 then 39.Rg8+ Kh7 40.Rh8+ Kg6 41.Qf8 Kh5 42.Rh7 wins for White.

39.Rd5?!

• Still scrambling to reach the time check on the 40th move, White puts his victory in jeopardy.
• If 39.Rh8! Kg6 then:
• 40.Qf8! Kh5 41.Rg8 Rd6 42.Qc8 Qe5 43.Qc7 wins for White.
• If 40.Qg8+ Qg7 41.Qe8 Qf6 42.g4 Rc2 then:
• If 43.Qg8+! Qg7 44.Qa8 Qb2 45.gxf5+ then:
• If 45...Kh5 46.Qg8 Rxf2+ 47.Kg1 Qc1+ 48.Kxf2 then:
• 48...Qd2+ 49.Kf1 Qd1+ 50.Kg2 Qf3+ 51.Kh2 Qxf5 52.Qg3 is an easy win for White.
• 48...Qd1 49.Qxf7+ Kg5 50.Qg6+ Kh4 51.Rxh6+ White delivers mate on the next move.
• 45...Kxf5 46.Qd5+ Kg6 47.Rg8+ Kf6 48.Qd6+ Kf5 49.Qf4+ wins easily.
• If 43.Qf8? Rxf2+ 44.Kxf2 fxg4+ then:
• 45.Kg1 Qa1+ 46.Kh2 Qb2+ 47.Kg3 Qe5+ 48.Kg2 Qb2+ etc. draws.
• 45.Ke2 Qb2+ 46.Kf1 Qc1+ 47.Ke2 Qc2+ 48.Ke1 etc. draws.

39...Re6?

• The Rook lands on a closed file and doesn't add anything to the protection of Black's pawns.
• If 39...Qe6 40.Qb5 Rb6 then:
• 41.Qc5 Rc6 42.Qd4+ Kg6 43.Re5 gives White the advantage with more active pieces, but Black still has defensive resources and a White victory is hardly inevitable.
• 41.Qa5 Ra6 42.Qc5 Rc6 43.Qd4+ gives White the more active game.

40.h4 h5

• After the text move, White wins by putting both heavy pieces on Black's bank rank and attacking the King from the rear.
• Black puts up more stubborn resistance after 40...Re7 41.Qf4 Qg6 42.Qxf5 Qxf5 43.Rxf5.

BLACK: Vugar Gashimov
!""""""""#
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$+ + +o+ %
$ + +tW +%
$+ +r+o+p%
$ + +o+ P%
$+ + P P %
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/(((((((()
WHITE: Veselin Topalov
Position after 40...h6h5

41.Rd8!

• White now has an easy win.

41...Kh7

• If 41...Qe7 then 42.Rh8 Rg6 43.Rxh5 Kf6 44.Qc8 wins for White.

42.Rg8 f4

• 42...Qe7 loses to 43.Rh8+ Kg7 44.Qg8+ Kf6 45.Rxh5 Ke5 46.Qb8+.

43.gxf4

• The rest is silence.

43...Qxh4 44.Rh8+ Kg6 45.Qg8+ Kf6 46.Qd8+ Re7 47.Rh6+ Kf5 48.Qd5+ 1-0

• If 48...Kg4 then after 49.f3+ exf3+ 50.Qxf3+ Kf5 51.Qd5+ Black is soon mated.
• Grandmaster Gashimov resigns.

[Jack Rabbit]

11. Grischuk - Gelfand, Round 2

Alexander Grischuk
Photo: ChessBase.com


Alexander Grischuk - Boris Gelfand
27th Torneo de la Ciudad de Linares, Round 2
Linares, 15 February 2010

East India Game: Nimzo-Indian Defense (Rubinstein Opening/Main Line)

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.e3

• The Rubinstein Opening was once the standard way to meet the Nimzo-Indian Defense. Nowadays, most masters prefer the Capablanca Opening (4.Qc2).

4...0-0

• The text is the main line of the Rubinstein Opening. There are two other important variations, the Bronstein, which is a nexus between the Nimzo-Indian and the Queen's Indian, and the Hübner Variation, which was very popular for many years.
• (Bronstein Variation)If 4...b6 then:
• If 5.Bd3 Bb7 6.Nf3 then:
• If 6...0-0 7.0-0 d5 8.cxd5 exd5 then:
• If 9.Ne5 then:
• If 9...Nbd7 10.f4 c5 11.Bd2 Ne4 then:
• If 12.Nxe4 dxe4 13.Bc4 Bxd2 14.Qxd2 Nxe5 15.fxe5 Bd5 16.Ba6 then:
• 16...Qe7 17.dxc5 Qxe5 18.Rfd1 Bc6 is equal (Sadler-Polugaevsky, IT, Hastings, 1992-93).
• 16...Qg5 17.dxc5 Rfd8 18.Qc3 bxc5 19.Rfd1 Qg6 is equal (Donner-Tarjan, Ol, Haifa, 1976).
• 12.Be1 Nxe5 13.dxe5 Bxc3 14.bxc3 d4 15.Qc2 c4 16.Bxc4 dxe3 17.Rd1 Qc7 draw (Konstaninopolsky-Sokolsky, Soviet Corres Ch, 1952).
• If 9...c5 10.Bd2 Nc6 11.a3 Bxc3 12.Bxc3 then:
• 12...Re8 13.Nxc6 Bxc6 14.dxc5 bxc5 15.b4 d4 16.exd4 cxd4 17.Bb2 Qd5 18.f3 Ng4 19.Qd2 Ne3 is equal (Gligoric-Ljubojevic, Match, Belgrade, 1979).
• 12...Nxe5 13.dxe5 Ne4 14.Bxe4 dxe4 15.Qg4 Qe7 16.Rfd1 Qe6 17.Qh4 Bd5 18.Rd2 a5 19.a4 Rab8 20.h3 Rb7 draw (Donner-Petrosian, IT, Hamburg, 1965).
• If 9...Bd6 10.f4 c5 11.Qf3 Nc6 12.Qh3 g6 then:
• If 13.Kh1 a6 14.Bd2 then:
• 14...cxd4 15.Nxc6 Bxc6 16.exd4 b5 17.f5 b4 is equal (Estremera-Romanov, Euro Ch, Dresden, 2007).
• 14...b5 15.Rad1 cxd4 16.Nxc6 Bxc6 17.exd4 b4 18.Ne2 Bb5 19.f5 Bxd3 20.Qxd3 Ne4 21.Bf4 draw (Sadler-Korchnoi, IT, Tilburg, 1988).
• 13.Bd2 cxd4 14.Nxc6 Bxc6 15.exd4 Ne4 16.Bxe4 dxe4 17.f5 Bc5 is equal (Cherepkov-Korchnoi, IT, Leningrad, 1963).
• If 9.a3 Bd6 10.b4 a6 11.Qb3 then:
• If 11...Nbd7 12.a4 Qe7 13.Rb1 then:
• 13...Ne4 14.Bb2 Ndf6 15.b5 a5 16.Rbd1 Nxc3 17.Bxc3 Ne4 18.Bb2 Rad8 is equal (Petrosian-Browne, IT, Tilburg, 1982).
• 13...Rfe8 14.b5 axb5 15.axb5 Ne4 16.Nxd5 Bxd5 17.Qxd5 Nc3 18.Qb3 Nxb1 wins the exchange for Black. (Onischuk-Kasimdzhanov, Grand Prix, Moscow, 2002).
• 11...Qe7 12.b5 axb5 13.Nxb5 Nbd7 14.Bb2 c5 15.Nxd6 Qxd6 16.Bf5 c4 17.Qc2 g6 18.Bh3 Ne4 19.a4 Rfe8 20.Ba3 Qc7 is equal (Gligoric-H. Olafsson, Op, Reykjavik, 1995).
• If 6...Ne4 7.0-0 then:
• If 7...f5 8.Qc2 Bxc3 9.bxc3 0-0 10.Nd2 Qh4 11.f3 Nxd2 12.Bxd2 Nc6 then:
• If 13.Rab1 d6 14.e4 fxe4 15.Bxe4 Na5 16.Bxb7 Nxb7 17.Rbe1 Rae8 then:
• If 18.Re4 Qh5 19.Rfe1 Qg6 is equal (Banikas-Whippermann, Op, Gibraltar, 2008).
• If 18.Qa4 Na5 19.f4 Qh5 20.Rf3 e5 21.dxe5 dxe5 22.f5 Rd8 gives Black the initiative (I. Sokolov-C. Hansen, Ol, Novi Sad, 1990).
• If 13.e4 fxe4 14.Bxe4 Na5 then:
• 15.Bd3 Ba6 16.Be1 Qh6 17.Qe2 c6 18.Bd2 Qf6 is equal (Portisch-Nikolic, IT, Nis\ksic, 1983).
• 15.Rae1 Bxe4 16.Rxe4 Qh5 17.Qa4 Nxc4 18.Re2 b5 gives Black an extra pawn and a fierce initiative (Rabinovich-Alekhine, Russian Ch, Moscow, 1920).
• If 7...Bxc3 8.bxc3 0-0 9.Ne1 f5 10.f3 Nf6 then:
• 11.Qe2 d6 12.e4 fxe4 13.fxe4 e5 14.Nf3 Nc6 15.Bg5 Qe7 16.d5 Na5 is equal (Johansson-Ptacnikova, Euro Club Cup W, Rethymnon, 2003).
• 11.Nc2 Qe8 12.Ba3 d6 13.c5 dxc5 14.dxc5 Rf7 15.Nd4 bxc5 16.Bxc5 Ba6 17.Rb1 Bxd3 18.Qxd3 Nbd7 19.Qc4 Nd5 20.Ne2 N7b6 draw (Gligoric-Lehmann, Zonal Trmt, Madrid, 1960).
• If 5.Nge2 Ba6 6.a3 Bxc3+ 7.Nxc3 d5 transposes into Aleksandrov-Akopian and games branched therefrom in the notes to White's fifth move
• (Hübner Variation)If 4...c5 then:
• If 5.Nge2 cxd4 6.exd4 then:
• If 6...0-0 7.a3 Be7 8.d5 exd5 9.cxd5 then:
• If 9...Re8 10.d6 Bf8 11.g3 then:
• If 11...b6 12.Bg2 Nc6 then:
• 13.b4 Bb7 14.0-0 Rb8 15.Nb5 Ba6 16.Nec3 Re5 17.a4 Re6 18.Bg5 h6 is equal (M. Gurevich-Kengis, Soviet Ch ½-final, Lvov, 1984).
• 13.0-0 Ba6 14.a4 Rc8 15.Nb5 Bxb5 16.axb5 Na5 17.Nc3 g6 18.b4 Rxc3 19.bxa5 gives White a small advantage in space (Shulman-Tunik, Op, Pardubice, 1996).
• 11...Re6 12.Bf4 Nh5 13.Be3 Rxd6 14.Qc2 Re6 15.Bg2 Nc6 16.0-0 Nf6 17.Rad1 d6 18.Nd4 Nxd4 19.Bxd4 a6 20.Rc1 Rb8 draw (Brodsky-Kiriakov, Russian ChT, Sochi, 2005).
• If 9...Bc5 then:
• If 10.Na4 b6 11.b4 Bd6 12.Nec3 Be5 then:
• 13.Be2 Ba6 14.Ra2 Qc7 15.Rc2 Bxc3+ 16.Nxc3 Bxe2 17.Nxe2 Qe5 18.0-0 Qxd5 19.Rd2 Qf5 is equal (Shulman-Khalifman, WOrld Cup, Khanty Mansiysk, 2005).
• 13.Be3 Re8 14.Be2 Ba6 15.Rc1 Bxe2 16.Qxe2 d6 is equal (Shulman-Ulibin, Op, Goteborg, 1999).
• 10.b4 Bd6 11.g3 Re8 12.Bg2 a5 13.bxa5 Be5 14.0-0 Qxa5 is equal (Muir-Rowson, Op, Gibraltar, 2004).
• If 6...d5 then:
• If 7.c5 Ne4 8.Bd2 Nxd2 9.Qxd2 then:
• If 9...a5 10.a3 Bxc3 11.Nxc3 a4 12.Bd3 then:
• 12...b6 13.cxb6 Qxb6 14.Bc2 Bd7 15.0-0 0-0 16.Rfe1 g6 17.Re3 Nc6 18.Rd1 Na5 19.Rh3 f5 20.Bxa4 wins a pawn for White (M. Socko-Mkrtchian, FIDE Knock Out W, Elista, 2004).
• 12...Bd7 13.0-0 Nc6 14.Bc2 Ne7 15.Rae1 0-0 16.Qd1 gives White the advantage in space (Knaak-Hall, Bundesliga 9899, Germany, 1999).
• 9...b6 10.a3 Bxc3 11.Nxc3 bxc5 12.dxc5 a5 13.Bb5+ Bd7 14.0-0 a4 15.Bxd7+ Qxd7 16.f4 Qe7 17.f5 0-0 is equal (Bu Xiangzhi-Shaposhnikov, World Jr Ch, Athens, 2001).
• If 7.a3 Be7 then:
• If 8.Nf4 0-0 9.cxd5 Nxd5 10.Ncxd5 exd5 11.Bd3 Nc6 12.0-0 then:
• 12...Bf6 13.Be3 g6 14.Rc1 Qd6 15.Rc5 Be6 16.Nxe6 fxe6 17.Qg4 Rad8 18.Rfc1 Bg7 19.g3 draw (Arutinian-Gelashvili, Georgian Ch, Tbilisi, 2006).
• 12...Bg5 13.Re1 Qd6 14.g3 Bd7 15.h4 Bf6 16.Be3 g6 17.Rc1 Ne7 18.Qb3 is equal (S. Ivanov-S. Ionov, City Ch, St. Petersburg, 2001).
• 8.c5 b6 9.b4 0-0 10.g3 then:
• If 10...bxc5 11.dxc5 a5 12.Rb1 Nc6 13.Bg2 Rb8 then:
• 14.Bf4!? axb4!! 15.Bxb8 bxc3 16.Qa4 Nxb8 17.Rxb8 Nd7 18.Ra8 Nxc5 gives Black the initiative (Salov-M. Gurevich, Soviet Ch, Leningrad, 1987).
• 14.Nd4 Nxd4 15.Qxd4 Nd7 16.0-0 Ba6 17.Rd1 Bf6 is equal (Marin-Portisch, IT, Szirak, 1987).
• 10...a5 11.Rb1 axb4 12.axb4 bxc5 13.dxc5 Nc6 14.Bg2 Rb8 15.Ba3 Ba6 16.0-0 Bc4 17.Re1 Qc7 18.Nd4 Rfd8 19.Nxc6 Qxc6 is equal (M. Gurevich-Lerner, GMT, Tallinn, 1987).
• 5.Bd3 0-0 6.Nf3 d5 7.0-0 transposes into the text.

5.Bd3

• If 5.Nge2 d5 6.a3 then:
• If 6...Be7 7.cxd5 then:
• If 7...Nxd5 8.Qc2 Nd7 then:
• If 9.Bd2 N5f6 10.g3 e5 11.Bg2 exd4 then:
• If 12.Nxd4 Ne5 13.0-0 c5 then:
• 14.Nf5 Bxf5 15.Qxf5 Qxd2 16.Qxe5 Bd6 is equal (Aronian-Gelfand, Spanish ChT, Mérida, 2005).
• If 14.Nde2 Qd3 15.Qxd3 Nxd3 16.Nf4 Nxb2 then:
• 17.Rfc1 Rd8 18.Ncd5 Nxd5 19.Nxd5 Bf8 gives Black an extra pawn.
• 17.Rab1 Nc4 gives Black an extra pawn.
• 12.exd4 Nb6 13.0-0 c6 14.Rfe1 Nbd5 15.Nf4 Nxf4 16.Bxf4 Be6 17.Rad1 draw (Shulman-Yermolinsky, Koning Mem, San Francisco, 2002).
• If 9.g3 Nxc3 then:
• If 10.bxc3 c5 11.Bg2 Qc7 12.0-0 then:
• 12...Rb8 13.c4 cxd4 14.exd4 b6 15.Bf4 Bd6 16.Bxd6 Qxd6 17.Rfc1 Ba6 18.c5 bxc5 19.dxc5 Nxc5 20.Qxc5 Qxc5 21.Rxc5 Bxe2 gives Black an extra pawn (Rustemov-P. H. Nielsen, Politiken Cup, Copenhagen, 2001).
• 12...Nb6 13.a4 cxd4 14.exd4 Nc4 15.Bf4 Bd6 16.Rfb1 Rb8 is equal (Evans-Ojanen, Ol, Helsinki, 1952).
• 10.Nxc3 c5 11.dxc5 Nxc5 12.b4 Nd7 13.Bb2 a5 14.b5 Nc5 15.Rd1 Qc7 16.Bg2 a4 17.0-0 Ra5 is equal (Bronstein-A. Ivanov, Soviet Ch ½-final, Yaroslav, 1982).
• If 7...exd5 8.g3 c6 9.Bg2 then:
• If 9...a5 10.0-0 then:
• If 10...Re8 11.f3 c5 then:
• 12.Kh1 Nc6 13.Re1 h6 14.b3 cxd4 15.Nxd4 Bc5 16.Nxc6 bxc6 17.Na4 Ba7 18.Qc2 Qd6 19.Bd2 Ba6 is equal (Zdebskaya-Zatonskih, Ukranian ChW, Kramatorsk, 2001).
• 12.Nf4 cxd4 13.exd4 Nc6 14.Re1 b6 15.Be3 Ba6 16.Qa4 Na7 17.Bf1 Bxf1 18.Kxf1 Bd6 19.Qb3 draw (Golz-Ivkov, IT, Dresden, 1959).
• 10...Na6 11.Bd2 Re8 12.Qc2 Bf8 13.Rad1 b5 14.Bc1 g6 15.Nf4 Bf5 16.Qe2 Qb8 is equal (Narcisco-Z. Almasi, IT, Pamplona, 2001).
• If 9...Na6 10.0-0 Nc7 11.h3 a5 12.g4 then:
• 12...Nce8 13.Ng3 Nd6 14.e4 dxe4 15.Ncxe4 Ndxe4 16.Bxe4 Nd5 17.Re1 Be6 18.b3 Nf6 is equal (Gormally-Pavlovic, Op, Caerleon, 2006).
• 12...Nfe8 13.b3 f5 14.Nf4 Bd6 draw (Beliavsky-Sax, Euro ChT, Plovdiv, 1983).
• If 6...Bxc3+ 7.Nxc3 b6 8.Be2 then:
• If 8...Ba6 then:
• If 9.b3 Nc6 then:
• If 10.a4 dxc4 11.bxc4 then:
• 11...Qd7 12.Nb5 Na5 13.0-0 c6 14.Na3 c5 15.Bb2 Rfd8 16.dxc5 Qe7 17.Qc2 Qxc5 18.Rfd1 Bb7 is equal (Aleksandrov-Akopian, FIDE Knock Out, New Delhi, 2000).
• 11...Na5 12.Nb5 c6 13.Na3 c5 14.Nb5 Bb7 15.0-0 a6 16.Na3 Bc6 is equal (M. Gurevich-Vladimirov, Rpd TMatch, Batumi, 2001).
• 10.0-0 dxc4 11.Rb1 Qd7 12.Qd2 Rfd8 13.Rd1 Rac8 14.b4 Bb7 15.Bxc4gives White the advantage in space (Ivkov-Andersson, IT, Stockholm, 1971).
• 9.cxd5 Bxe2 10.Qxe2 exd5 11.0-0 c5 12.dxc5 bxc5 13.Rd1 Nc6 14.Qf3 Qa5 15.Bd2 is equal (Bu Xiangzhi-Sutkovsky, IT, Shenyang, 1999).
• 8...Bb7 9.0-0 Nbd7 10.b4 dxc4 11.Bxc4 c5 12.Bb2 Qc7 13.Be2 Rfd8 14.Rc1 Rac8 15.f3 Qb8 16.dxc5 bxc5 17.Qb3 cxb4 18.axb4 h5 19.Na4 Bc6 20.b5 a6 21.Qd1 Kf8 draw (Korobov-Rozentalis, Op, Cappelle la Grande, 2004).

5...d5 6.Nf3 c5 7.0-0 dxc4 8.Bxc4 Nbd7

• If 8...Nc6 9.a3 Ba5 then:
• If 10.Qd3 a6 then:
• If 11.Rd1 b5 12.Ba2 then:
• If 12...Bb6 then:
• 13.h3 c4 14.Qe2 Qc7 15.e4 e5 16.Be3 exd4 17.Nxd4 Nxd4 18.Bxd4 Bxd4 19.Rxd4 Be6 20.Rad1 Rad8 21.Qd2 is equal (Portisch-Smyslov, IT, Amsterdam, 1971).
• 13.Qc2 c4 14.Ne2 Qc7 15.Ng3 Bb7 16.Bd2 Rad8 17.Rac1 e5 18.dxe5 Nxe5 19.Nxe5 Qxe5 20.Bc3 Qe6 gives Black the advantage in space (Portisch-Olafsson, IT, Wijk aan Zee, 1969).
• 12...c4 13.Qe2 Qe8 14.e4 e5 15.d5 Nd4 16.Nxd4 exd4 17.Rxd4 Qe5 18.Be3 leaves White with an extra pawn (Gligoric-Gheorghiu, IT, Skopje, 1968).
• 11.Ne4 b5 12.Nxf6+ Qxf6 13.Qe4 Bb7 14.Bd3 g6 15.dxc5 Nb4 16.Qe5 Qxe5 17.Nxe5 Nxd3 18.Nxd3 Rfd8 19.Ne5 Bc7 20.Nf3 a5 21.Nd4 Be5 22.c6 Bc8 23.Rd1 Rd6 draw (Donner-Parma, IT, West Berlin, 1971).
• 10.Bd3 cxd4 11.exd4 Bb6 12.Be3 Nd5 13.Nxd5 exd5 14.h3 Qd6 15.Re1 Bc7 16.Rc1 Be6 17.Bb1 Rac8 18.Rc3 Bd7 19.Bd3 draw (Gligoric-Polugaevsky, ITZ, Palma de Mallorca, 1970).

9.Qe2

• If 9.a3 cxd4 then:
• If 10.axb4 dxc3 11.bxc3 Qc7 then:
• If 12.Qb3 Nb6 13.Be2 e5 14.Ra5 Be6 15.Qc2 Nbd7 16.c4 b6 17.Ra6 then:
• If 17...Rfc8 18.Nd2 Qb7 19.b5 Nc5 then:
• 20.Ra1 a6 21.bxa6 Rxa6 22.Bb2 Rxa1 draw (Johannesson-Chandler, Jonsson Mem, Reykjavik, 2001).
• 20.Ra3 a6 21.bxa6 Rxa6 22.Rxa6 Qxa6 23.Bb2 Nfd7 24.Ra1 Qb7 25.Bf3 Qc7 26.h3 h6 was soon agreed drawn (Anand, Rapid Trmt, Cap d'Agde, 2003).
• 17...Qb7 18.Ra3 a5 19.Ng5 axb4 20.Rxa8 Qxa8 21.Nxe6 fxe6 22.Bd2 assures that White will recover the pawn with the more active game (Lautier-Chabanon, French Ch, Marseilles, 2001).
• If 12.Be2 Nd5 then:
• If 13.c4 Nc3 14.Qc2 Nxe2+ 15.Qxe2 b6 16.Bb2 Bb7 then:
• 17.Rfd1 Rfd8 18.Nh4 Nf8 19.Rxd8 Qxd8 20.Qg4 gives White the advantage in space (M. Gurevich-P. H. Nielsen, Ol, Torino, 2006).
• 17.Nd4 Rfc8 18.Rfc1 Nf6 19.c5 bxc5 20.bxc5 gives White an advanced passer (Jakovenko-Grischuk, World Cup, Khanty Mansiysk, 2009).
• 13.Bb2 Nxc3 14.Bxc3 Qxc3 15.Qd6 Nf6 16.Nd4 Ne8 is equal (Berkes-Efimenko, Marx Mem, Paks, 2006).
• If 10.exd4 then:
• If 10...Bxc3 11.bxc3 Qc7 then:
• 12.Qe2 b6 13.Bd2 Bb7 14.Bd3 Rfe8 15.Rfe1 Rac8 16.Rac1 Qd6 is equal (Kottahachchy -Nguyen Van Thanh, World Youth, Vang Tau, 2008).
• 12.Qd3 e5 13.Nxe5 Nxe5 14.dxe5 Qxe5 15.Qd4 Qxd4 16.cxd4 Be6 17.Bd3 Rac8 18.Bg5 is equal (Mileika-Tal, Riga, 1965).
• If 10...Be7 then:
• If 11.Re1 Nb6 12.Ba2 then:
• I12...Bd7 13.Bg5 Bc6 14.Ne5 Nbd5 15.Qd3 Rc8 16.Rad1 Re8 17.Bb1 g6 18.Ba2 Nd7 19.Bxe7 Nxe5 20.dxe5 Nxe7 21.Qh3 Qb6 22.Bxe6 fxe6 23.Qxe6+ Kg7 24.Qf6+ Kg8 25.Qe6+ Kg7 26.Qf6+ draws by repetition (Hoang Thi Bao Tram-Kosteniuk, Mindsports Rpd, Beijing, 2008).
• 12...Nbd5 13.Qe2 b6 14.Bb1 Bb7 15.Qd3 Rc8 16.Bd2 Re8 17.Ne5 g6 18.Qh3 Bf8 19.Bg5 Qc7 20.Ba2 Nxc3 21.Bxf6 Nxa2 22.Ng4 Qc6 draw (Bronstein-Kholmov, Soviet Ch, Moscow, 1948).
• 11.Bf4 Nb6 12.Ba2 Nbd5 13.Bg3 b6 14.Ne5 Bb7 15.Re1 Rc8 16.Qd3 is equal (Ponomariov-Karpov, Rapid, Odessa, 2008).

9...a6

• If 9...b6 then:
• If 10.d5 Bxc3 11.dxe6 then:
• If 11...Ne5 12.exf7+ Kh8 13.bxc3 Bg4 14.e4 Qe7 15.Re1 b5 16.Bxb5 Nh5 then:
• If 17.Bg5 Qe6 18.Qe3 Bxf3 19.gxf3 then:
• If 19...Qxf7 20.Be2 h6 21.f4 Nxf4 22.Bxf4 Qxf4 23.Rad1 Rae8 24.Rd5 then:
• 24...c4 25.Rf1 Nf3+ 26.Bxf3 Qxf3 27.Rd4 Qg4+ 28.Qg3 gives White an extra pawn, but Black's pieces are more active in compensation (Gligoric-Jelen, IT, Bled, 1979).
• If 24...Qh4!? 25.Rf1 then:
• 25...Rf4? 26.f3 Re6 27.Kh1 Rg6 28.Qf2 Qf6 29.Qxc5! Qh4 30.Qc8+ Black must lose the Knight and resigns (Gligoric-H. Olafsson, Op, Lone Pine, 1979).
• 25...Ng6! 26.f3 Nf4 27.Rxc5 Qf6 28.Kh1 Qb6 gives Black sufficient compensation for the pawns as he will win the exchange.
• 19...Nxf7 20.Kh1 h6 21.Bh4 Ne5 22.Be2 Nf4 23.Bg3 gives White two extra pawns (Portisch-Kholmov, IT, Budapest, 1970).
• 17.Bc4 Qf6 18.Bg5 Bxf3 19.Bxf6 Bxe2 20.Bd5 gxf6 21.Bxa8 Rxa8 22.Rxe2 Rf8 23.g3 Rxf7 24.Rb1 Kg7 25.Reb2 Black resigns (Davies-Shchebenyuk, Corres, 1990).
• 11...Ba5 12.exd7 Qxd7 13.e4 Bb7 14.e5 Rae8 15.Ng5 Bd5 16.Bxd5 Qxd5 is equal (Kozma-Bertholdt, TT, Reykjavik, 1957).
• If 10.Rd1 cxd4 11.exd4 Bb7 then:
• If 12.d5 Bxc3 13.dxe6 Bxf3 14.gxf3 fxe6 15.bxc3 then:
• 15...Qc7 16.Bxe6+ Kh8 17.Be3 Nc5 18.Bd5 Nxd5 19.Rxd5 Ne6 20.Qd3 Rad8 is equal (Gligoric-Unzicker, Ol, Leipzig, 1960).
• 15...Kh8 16.Ba3 Re8 17.Bb5 a6 18.Bc6 Rc8 is equal (Sasikiran-Aleksandrov, Najdorf Mem, Warsaw, 2009).
• 12.Bd3 Rc8 13.Bd2 Be7 14.Rac1 Nd5 15.Ba6 Nxc3 16.Bxc3 Bxa6 17.Qxa6 Rc7 18.d5 exd5 19.Rxd5 is equal (Smyslov-Darga, Capablanca Mem, Havana, 1964).

10.a4

• If 10.a3 Ba5 11.Bd3 b5 then:
• 12.b4 cxb4 13.axb4 Bxb4 14.Nxb5 Bb7 15.Rb1 Be7 16.Nc3 Bxf3 17.Qxf3 gives White the advantage in space (Schreen-Korchnoi, IT, Wijk aan Zee, 1983).
• 12.Rd1 Bb7 13.e4 cxd4 14.Nxd4 Qc7 15.Bg5 Bb6 16.Bc2 Rac8 is equal (A. Rodríguez-Polugaevsky, Capablanca Mem, Havana, 1967).

10...cxd4

• 10...Qc7 11.Na2 b5 12.Bd3 Ba5 13.axb5 axb5 14.Bxb5 Bb7 15.Rd1 Rab8 16.dxc5 Bxf3 17.gxf3 Nxc5 18.b4 Nb3 19.Rb1 gives White an extra pawn (Portisch-Balashov, ITZ, Rio de Janeiro, 1979).

11.exd4 Nb6 12.Bd3

• 12.Bb3 Nbd5 13.Bd2 Re8 14.Qd3 Be7 15.Nxd5 exd5 16.Ne5 g6 17.Qf3 Be6 draw (O'Kelly-Smyslov, Argentine Ch, Buenos Aires, 1970).

12...Nbd5 13.Nxd5

• 13.Bg5 Be7 14.Rfe1 Nb4 15.Bc4 Nfd5 16.Bxe7 Nxe7 17.Ne5 Nf5 18.Rad1 gives White the advantage in space (Korchnoi-Shamkovich, IT, Leningrad, 1967).

13...Nxd5

• 13...exd5 14.Bg5 Qd6 15.Ne5 Ne4 16.Bf4 is equal (Ivanchuk-Speelman, World Cup, Reykjavik, 1991).

14.Qe4

• The game is equal.

14...g6!?

• 14...Nf6 15.Qh4 h6 16.Ne5 Nd5 remains equal.

15.Bh6 Re8 16.Ne5!

• White has the advantage in space.

16...Bd7 17.Qf3 Qe7 18.Be4 Bc6 19.Bxd5

• If 19.Rfc1 Rec8 20.Rc4 then:
• 20...f5 21.Nxc6 bxc6 22.Bd3 Qh4 23.Be3 gives White the initiative.
• 20...Rc7!? 21.Bxd5 Bxd5 22.Rxc7 Qxc7 23.Qf6 gives White the winitiative with a mating threat.

19...Bxd5 20.Qf4 f5

• If 20...Bd6 21.Bg5 Qf8 then:
• 22.Qh4 Bxe5 23.dxe5 Rec8 24.Rfc1 gives White the initiative.
• If 22.Rac1!? then:
• 22...Rec8 23.a5 Qe8 24.Qf6 Bf8 is equal.
• 22...Rac8 23.Bh6 Qe7 24.Bg5 Qf8 25.Bh6 etc. draws.

21.h4 Rac8 22.Rac1 Bd6

• 22...b5 23.axb5 axb5 24.Qg3 Kh8 25.Bf4 Kg8 26.h5 gives White the initiative.

23.Rfe1!?

• White has an embryonic kingside attack in the process, very similar to the one in Zherebukh-Kovalyov, elsewhere on this thread..
• 23.Qg3! Bxe5 24.dxe5 b5 25.h5 gives White the initiative.

23...Qf6

• 23...Bb4 24.Rxc8 Rxc8 25.Rc1 Rxc1+ 26.Qxc1 is equal.

24.Rc3

• The game is equal.
• 24.Bg5 Qg7 25.a5 Bb4 26.Bh6 Qe7 27.Bg5 Qd6 is equal.

24...Rxc3

• If 24...Bb4 25.Rxc8 Rxc8 26.Re2 then:
• 26...b5 27.Bg5 Qg7 28.axb5 axb5 29.Kh2 remains equal.
• 26...Bd6!? 27.h5! Be7 28.Nd7 Qf7 29.Qg3! Bf6 30.Nxf6+ gives White the initiative on the kingside.

25.bxc3 Rc8 26.Qg3 Be4?

• This defends nothing. White is building a kingside attack and Black can't figure out a way to stop it.
• 26...Bc6 27.a5 Bc7 28.h5 then:
• 28...Bd5 29.Ra1 Bxe5 30.dxe5 Qf7 31.Rc1 gives White some initiative on the kingside.
• 28...Bxa5 29.hxg6 hxg6 30.Nxg6 leaves White attacking Black's King in the open.

BLACK: Boris Gelfand
!""""""""#
$ +t+ +l+%
$+o+ + +o%
$o+ VoWoB%
$+ + No+ %
$p+ Pv+ P%
$+ P + Q %
$ + + P +%
$+ + R K %
/(((((((()
WHITE: Alexander Grischuk
Position after 26...Bd5e4

27.h5!

• White intends to destroy the pawn-chain.

27...Bxe5

• Black is compelled to exchage White's attacking pieces.

28.dxe5 Qf7 29.Re3!

• The Rook is in a most flexible position here, ready to move either to the d-file or to the g-file in order to support the building kingsidng attack.
• 29.Rd1 Qe8 30.Rd6 a5 31.hxg6 hxg6 32.Qh4 Bd5 33.Qf6 gives White three pieces looking the Black King right in the face.

29...Kh8

• 29...Rd8 30.a5 Rd5 31.Qh4 Qc7 32.Rg3 White is threatenng the kingside, again in a manner similar to Zherebukh-Kovalyov.

30.Qh4!

• White will bring the Rook to g3.

30...gxh5

• 30...Rg8 loses quickly to 31.Qf6+! Rg7 32.hxg6 Qxf6 33.exf6.

31.Rg3 Bd5 32.a5 f4

• No better is
• 32...Bc4 33.Rg7 Qxg7 34.Bxg7+ Kxg7 35.Qe7+ Kh8 36.Qxb7.

BLACK: Boris Gelfand
!""""""""#
$ +r+ + +%
$+o+ +w+o%
$o+ +o+ B%
$P +vP +o%
$ + + O Q%
$+ P + R %
$ + + Pp+%
$+ + + K %
/(((((((()
WHITE: Alexander Grischuk
Position after 32...f5f4

33.Rg7!

• There is no way out for Black.
• The text is stronger than 33.Bxf4 when:
• 33...Rg8 34.c4 Rxg3 35.Bxg3 Bc6 36.Bf4 Qg6 37.Qd8+ the Black King has an escape route.
• 33...Be4 34.Bg5 Bg6 35.Be7 Kg8 36.Bd6 Kg7 37.c4 should win for White, but he still must break down Black's defenses.

33...Qf5 34.Qe7 Qe4 35.Qf6 1-0

• If 35...Qe1+ then after 36.Kh2 Qxe5 37.Rc7+!! Qxf6 38.Rxc8+ White delivers mate on the next move.
• Mr. Gelfand resigns.

[Jack Rabbit]

4. 26th International Open, Cappelle la Grande

Windmill near Cappelle la Grande, France
Photo: auCampingDesPins.fr (France)

[Jack Rabbit]

12. Zherebukh - Kovalyov, Round 6

This game should be viewed with Grischuk-Gelfand, Linares, above, as an example of a well-executed Kingside attack.

Yaroslav Zherebukh, the clear winner of the 26th Cappelle la Grande Open, is a sixteen-year-old GM from Ukraine.



Yaroslav Zherebukh
Photo by chessfootball, Wikipedia (Public Domain)


Yaroslav Zherebukh - Anton Kovalyov
26th International Open, Round 6
Cappelle la Grande, 17 February 2010

Open Sicilian Game: Taimanov Defense

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nc6

• For a detailed survey of the main lines of the Taimanov Defense up to here, see Smith-Stellwagan, IT, Malmø, 2008.

5.Nc3 a6 6.Bf4

• The text is unusual, but not bad.

6...d6 7.Bg3 Nf6

• Except for the Bishop being at an unusual post at g3, this looks like a position from a run-of-the-mill Najdorf-Scheveningen Defense.
• If 7...Be7 8.Be2 e5 9.Nb3 Nf6 then:
• 10.0-0 0-0 11.Qd3 Be6 12.a3 d5 13.exd5 Nxd5 14.Rad1 Nxc3 15.Qxc3 is equal (Watson-Portisch, Op, New York, 1987).
• 10.Bh4 0-0 11.Bxf6 Bxf6 12.Bg4 Be6 13.Nd5 Nd4 14.Nxd4 Bxd5 15.exd5 exd4 16.0-0 Qa5 is equal (Ivanosovic-Romanishin, Op, Lone Pine, 1981).

8.Be2 Be7 9.Nxc6

• 9.Qd2 0-0 10.0-0-0 e5 11.Nb3 b5 12.Qe3 Be6 is equal (Suetin-Vilela, IT, Leipzig, 1980).

9...bxc6 10.e5 Nd5 11.exd6 Bxd6 12.Ne4 Bxg3

• 12...Bc7 13.c4 Nf4 14.Qxd8+ Kxd8 15.0-0-0+ Ke7 16.Bf3 gives White the advantage in space (Watson-Benjamin, Op, New York, 1987).

13.hxg3 f5!?

• 13...0-0 14.f4 f5 15.Nd2 Nf6 16.Nf3 Qb6 17.Qd4 c5 18.Qe5 gives Black the initiative (Mariotti-Karpov, IT, Leningrad, 1977).

14.Bh5+

• The game is equal.
• 14.Nd2 0-0 15.Nc4 Rb8 16.Qd3 Nf6 17.Qf3 is also level.

14...Kf8!?

• This move was probably played in a provocative mood.
• Objectively better is 14...g6 15.Bxg6+ Ke7 16.Qd4 fxe4 17.Bxe4 Kf7 18.0-0-0 with equality.

BLACK: Anton Kolvalyov
!""""""""#
$t+bW L T%
$+ + + Oo%
$o+o+o+ +%
$+ +m+o+b%
$ + +n+ +%
$+ + + P %
$pPp+ Pp+%
$R +qK +r%
/(((((((()
WHITE: Yaroslav Zherebukh
Position after 14...Ke8f8

15.Qf3!?

• White foreshadows the Bishop sacrifice on move 24.
• 15.Nd2 Qb6 16.Rb1 Rb8 17.a3 Qd4 18.c4 Nf6 19.b4 c5 20.Rh4 Qe5+ 21.Qe2 then:
• If 21...Qxe2+ 22.Kxe2 e5 remains equal.
• 21...Qd6!? 22.b5 Bb7 23.Bf3! Bxf3 24.gxf3 Kf7 25.a4 gives White stronger pawns on the queens which should yield a passer.

15...Qa5+

• 15...Kg8 16.c4 g6 17.cxd5 fxe4 18.Qc3 gxh5 19.dxc6 gives White compensation in pawn strength for the sacrificed piece.

16.c3 Rb8 17.Nd6

• 17.b4 Qa3 18.Nd6 Qxc3+ 19.Qxc3 Nxc3 20.a3 Ke7 remains equal.

17...Qc5

• Black finds the best move. He must not allow the Knight to become entrenched at d6.
• If 17...Rxb2 18.Nxc8 then:
• 18...Qc7 19.c4 Qe5+ 20.Kf1 Rxf2+ 21.Qxf2 Qxa1+ 22.Qe1 gives White a piece for two pawns and a slight initiative.
• If 18...g6? 19.0-0! then:
• 19...e5 20.c4 Nf6 21.Qxc6 Nxh5 22.Qd7 White is threatening mate in two.
• If 19...gxh5 then White wins after 20.c4 Nc7 21.Rad1 Ne8 22.Qxc6.

18.Nxc8!

• White removes the defender of the weakling at e6.
• 18.Nf7!? Rg8 19.0-0-0 Qa5 20.c4 Qxa2 21.Qa3+ restores the balance.

18...Rxc8 19.Qe2 Nc7

• Black finds the move that covers several weak points at once without overloading the Knight.
• 19...Ke7!? 20.Qe5 then:
• If 20...Rhg8 21.Rd1 Qc4 22.Be2 Qxa2 23.Rxh7 then:
• 23...Nf6 24.Rh4 Rgd8 25.Qc5+ Kf7 26.Qa7+ Kg8 27.Qb7 is equal.
• I23...Qxb2!? 24.Rxg7+! Rxg7 25.Qxg7+ Kd6 26.g4 gives White a slight initiative.
• 20...Rcg8?! 21.0-0-0 g6 22.Bf3 then:
• 22...Kf7 23.Rhe1 Re8 24.Rd4 White is all over the center.
• If 22...Qxf2? then White breaks through the center after 23.Rhe1!.

20.0-0-0 Ke7

• If 20...Qe7 then after 21.Bf3 c5 22.Qe5 Kf7 23.g4 White is squeezing Black to death.

21.Qd2 Kf6 22.b4 Qe7 23.g4!

• This looks like a blunder, but in fact is a well-calculated sacrifice.

23...g6

• Black takes the bait.

BLACK: Anton Kolvalyov
!""""""""#
$ +t+ + T%
$+ M W +o%
$o+o+oLo+%
$+ + +o+b%
$ P + +p+%
$+ P + + %
$p+ Q Pp+%
$+ Kr+ +r%
/(((((((()
WHITE: Yaroslav Zherebukh
Position after 23...g7g6

24.gxf5!!

• Even with Black's best play (see the next note), White gets the better game by proffering the Bishop. He still gets a good position playing less boldly.
• If 24.g5+ Kg7 25.Qd7 Rhe8 26.Bf3 then:
• 26...c5 27.bxc5 e5 28.Qxe7+ Rxe7 29.Bb7 Rh8 30.Rd6 leaves White a pawn to the good.
• 26...Nd5 27.Qxe7+ Rxe7 28.Kb2 c5 29.Bxd5 exd5 30.Rxd5 gives White an extra pawn.

24...gxh5?

• Black's chances are a lot better if he declines the Bishop.
• 24...exf5 25.Bf3 Nb5 26.a4 Rhd8 27.Qc2 Nd6 28.Rhe1 leaves Black with an uphill struggle, but one that is playable.

25.Qh6+!

• Black's King is hung out to dry in the open and White jumps all over it. White wins.

25...Kf7 26.f6 Qf8 27.Rd7+

• If 27.Qxh5+ Kxf6 28.Rh3 then:
• 28...Nd5 29.Rf3+ wins the Queen.
• 28...Ke7 29.Qc5+ Kf7 30.Rd7+ Ke8 31.Qxc6 is an easy wins for Black.

27...Ke8 28.Re7+ Kd8 29.Qf4 Qxe7

• This move is forced. White was threatening 30.Qd6#.

30.fxe7+ Kxe7 31.Qg5+ Kf7 32.Qxh5+ Kf6 33.Qh6+

• 33.Rh3 wins even faster after 33...Ke7 34.Rf3 Rcf8 35.Qc5+ Kd7 36.Rxf8 when White wins a Rook.

33...Kf7 34.Rh3 Rhf8

• If 34...Nd5 then after 35.c4 Ne7 36.Rf3+ Ke8 37.Qg7 Black is kaput.

35.Rf3+ Kg8 36.Rg3+ Kf7 37.Rg7+ Ke8 38.Qh5+ 1-0

If 38...Kd8 39.Qh4+ Ke8 40.Qe7#.
• Grandmaster Kovalyov resigns.

[Jack Rabbit]

13. Abergel - Negi, Round 8

Parimarjan Negi
Photo: ChessBase.com


Thal Abergel - Parimarjan Negi
26th International Open, Round 8
Cappelle la Grande, 19 February 2010

Open Sicilian Game: Najdorf-Dragon Defense

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.Qf3

• If 6.h3 g6 7.g4 Bg7 8.Bg2 0-0 then:
• If 9.Be3 Nc6 10.0-0 then:
• 10...Nd7 11.a4 Nde5 12.b3 Bd7 13.Nde2 f5 14.exf5 gxf5 15.g5 Ng6 16.f4 is equal (So-León Hoyos, Corus C, Wijk aan Zee, 2009).
• 10...Bd7 11.Nde2 b5 12.f4 b4 13.Nd5 Nxd5 14.exd5 Na5 15.b3 Bxa1 16.Qxa1 Rc8 17.Nd4 Nb7 18.f5 f6 19.fxg6 hxg6 20.Qe1 gives Black the exchange and White the advantage in space (Carlsen-Ponomariov, Tal Mem Blitz, Moscow, 2008).
• 9.0-0 Nc6 10.Nde2 Be6 11.f4 Qb6+ 12.Kh1 Rac8 is equal (Ponkratov-Costantini, Op, Biel, 2001).

6...g6 7.h3

• 7.Be2 Nbd7 8.Be3 Bg7 9.h3 Ne5 10.Qg3 b5 11.f4 Nc4 12.Bxc4 is equal (Short-Grandelius, IT, Malmø, 2009).

7...Bg7 8.Be3 Bd7 9.g4 Nc6 10.0-0-0 0-0

• If 10...Rc8 11.Nxc6 Rxc6 12.Nd5 then:
• If 12...Qa5 13.Bd4 Nxd5 then:
• 14.exd5 Bxd4 15.Rxd4 Rc7 is equal (Howell-Yilmaz, World Jr Ch, Puerto Madryn, 2009).
• 14.Bxg7?! Nb4! 15.c3 Rg8 16.a3 Rxg7 17.Kb1 Qa4 gives Black the initiative.
• 12...Nxd5 13.exd5 Rc8 14.Kb1 is equal.

11.Qg2!?

• 11.Qg3 Rc8 12.f4 Nxd4 13.Bxd4 Bc6 14.Qe3 b5 15.g5 gives White the advantage in space, especially in the center (White-Bonafont, British Ch, Torquay, 2009).

11...Rc8

• The game is equal.

12.Be2 Nxd4 13.Bxd4 e5!?

• This move creates a pawn weakness, although one well know to devotees of the Sicilian.
• 13...Qc7 14.g5 Ne8 15.Bxg7 Nxg7 16.Bd3 Bc6 remains equal.

14.Be3!

• This simple retreat gives White the advantage in space and makes a target of Black's backward d-pawn.

14...Rxc3 15.bxc3 Qa5 16.g5 Nh5

• 16...Qa3+ 17.Kd2 Rc8 18.c4 Ne8 19.Bd3 Qa5+ 20.Ke2 White remains an exchange to the good.

17.Bxh5 gxh5 18.Qf1?

• White has many weak pawns. He just removes protection from the e-pawn.
• 18.Rd5 Qa4 19.Kd1 Bc6 20.Rxd6 Bxe4 21.f3 Qa3 is equal.

BLACK: Thel Abergel
!""""""""#
$ + + Tl+%
$+o+v+oVo%
$o+ O + +%
$W + O Po%
$ + +p+ +%
$+ P B +p%
$p+p+ P +%
$+ Kr+q+r%
/(((((((()
WHITE: Parimarjan Negi
Position after 18.Qg2f1

18...Rc8!

• Black takes aim at White's weak doubled pawn.

19.c4 Be6!

• Showing the futility of White's last move.
• If 19...Qxa2!? 20.Kd2 then:
• 20...Rxc4 21.Qd3 Qa4 22.f3 Qb5 23.Rb1 is equal.
• If 20...Qa5+ 21.c3 Qa2+ 22.Ke1 Ba4 23.Rc1 Qxc4 then:
• 24.Qxc4 Rxc4 25.f3 Kf8 26.Rh2 Bd7 27.Kd2 a5 gives Black the advantage in space.
• 24.f3 b5 25.Qxc4 Rxc4 26.Kd2 f6 is equal.

20.Qd3

• If 20.c5 dxc5 21.Rd6 Qxa2 then:
• If 22.Qg2 Bf8 23.Rb6 Rd8 then:
• 24.Rb2 Qa1+ 25.Rb1 Qa3+ 26.Rb2 c4 27.c3 Qxc3+ wins for Black.
• 24.g6 hxg6 25.Qg5 Qa3+ 26.Rb2 Rd6 threatens 27...Rb6, winning the Rook at b2; White must lose a Bishop to parry the threat.
• 22.Qe1 Qa1+ 23.Kd2 Qa4 24.f3 Bf8 25.Rd3 c4 forces White to return the exchange, leaving Black two pawns to the good.

20...Bxc4

• 20...Qxa2 21.Qb3 Qa1+ 22.Kd2 Qa5+ 23.Qc3 Qa4 gives Black the initiative.

21.Qxd6 Qxa2 22.Qd7 Qa3+?!

• Black doesn't need to be in any hurry to move the Queen.
• If 22...Be6Bxc8 24.Rd8+ Bf8 25.Rxc8 Qa1+ then:
• 23.Qxc8+ Bxc8 24.Rd8+ Bf8 25.Rxc8 Qa1+ wins a Rook.
• 23.Qd8+ Rxd8 24.Rxd8+ Bf8 leaves Black with a material advantage equivalent to a minor piece.

23.Kd2 Qa5+?

• This shouldn't cost Black any thing more than the win.
• 23...Qb4+ 24.Kc1 Be6 25.Qd3 Ba2 26.h4 Bf8 wins for Black.

24.Kc1!

• White has equalized.

24...Be6

• This move allows the game to continue, but if Black is disgusted enough with himself, he can force a draw.
• If 24...Qa1+ 25.Kd2 then:
• 25...Qa5+ 26.Kc1 Qa1+ 27.Kd2 Qa5+ 28.Kc1 draws.
• If 26.c3? then White forces mate: 26...Qa2+ 27.Kc1 Qa3+ 28.Kc2 Qb3+ 29.Kc1 Qxc3+ 30.Kb1 Qb3+ 31.Kc1 Qa3+ 32.Kb1 Ba2+ 33.Ka1 Bd5+ 34.Kb1 Qa2#.

25.Qxb7 Bf8 26.Rhe1??

• White is caught napping.
• 26.Rd3 Qa4 27.Qb2 Qxe4 28.Rhd1 Bxh3 29.Rd8 remains equal.

BLACK: Thel Abergel
!""""""""#
$ +t+ Vl+%
$+q+ +o+o%
$o+ +v+ +%
$W + O Po%
$ + +p+ +%
$+ + B +p%
$ +p+ P +%
$+ KrR + %
/(((((((()
WHITE: Parimarjan Negi
Position after 26.Rh1e1

26...Bb4! 0-1

• White cannot escape mate on a1.
• M. Abergel resigns.

[Jack Rabbit]

14. Update from Linares (Tuesday): Topa and Gris go to last round tied for 1st

Reigning Russian national chmpion Alexander Grischuk defeated former FIDE world champion Veselin Topalov moments ago in 56 moves to catch Topalov in first place with only one round left to play in the 27th Torneo Internacional de la Ciudad de Linares in Andalucía.

Both players have won 3, lost 1 and drawn 5 for 5½ points out of a possible 9. Levon Aronian, the only player with any chance of catching the pair, is in third place with 4½ ponts.

Topalov defeated Grischuk in round 5 on Thursday to take a point and a half lead at that time.

Tomorrow, the tournament concludes with Topalov playing White against Boris Gelfand and Grischuk facing Paco Vallejo from the Black side of the board.

[Jack Rabbit]

15. Update (Wednesday): Topalov wins Linares; Reykjavik Open begins

Topalov victorious in Linares



Former FIDE world champion Veselin Topalov took advantage of a blunder in the endgame to defeat World Cup winner Boris Gelfand and claim first prize clear today in the 27th Torneo Internacional de Ajedrez held in Linares, the capital of Jaén in the Andalucía region of Spain.

Topalov began the day tied for first place with defending tournament champion Alexander Grischuk, who is also the reigning Russian national champion. Grischuk got into trouble in his game against Spanish national champion Paco Vallejo and had to settle for a draw. When Gelfand resinged to Topalov, Grischuk found himself a half-point short of first place.


Reykjavik Open begins



The annual international open tournament in the Icelandic capital of Reykjavik began today with 104 players participating.

There were few surprises in the first round, with top seeds Vladimir Baklan (Ukraine), Alexey Dreev (Russia), Ivan Sokolov (Bosnia), Yuriy Kuzubov (Ukraine) and Yury Shulman (United States) all winning.