Sports

Tue Jan 3, 2012, 03:48 PM

Jan 2012

The JR Chess Report theme music: Merrick, [http//

|The Look Sharp, Be Sharp March] (Arthur Fiedler, Boston Pops Orchestra)

Your humble hare acknowledges the assistance of Rybka 4 and Fritz 13 on analysis.

Diagrams on the Jack Rabbit Chess Report are made with Aquarium, a commercially available interface for Rybka.

Diagrams and other images are hosted on http://imgur.com/
[center]
BLACK

WHITE
White to move
(This position is a theoretical draw)
[/center]

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

Jack Rabbit

(45,984 posts)

2. London Chess Classic

Tue Jan 3, 2012, 03:50 PM

Jan 2012

[center]

London
[/center][font size="1"]Photo by http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User iliff Diliff in http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Ben Wikipedia (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.5/deed.en Creative Commons License, Attribution/Share Alike)
[/font]

Jack Rabbit

(45,984 posts)

5. McShane - Kramnik, Round 7

Tue Jan 3, 2012, 03:57 PM

Jan 2012

[center]

Vladimir Kramnik
[/center][font size="1"]Photo by steenslag http://www.flickr.com/photos/steenslag/ from flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/steenslag/3398819/in/photostream/ as resized in Wikimedia Commons http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Vladimir_Kramnik (Creative Commons License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/deed.en , Attribution/Share Alike)
[/font]

Luke McShane - Vladimir Kramnik
http://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1650144
Chess Classic, Round 7
London, 11 December 2011

Petit Spanish Royal Game: Neo-Classical Defense

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 Nf6 4.d3

The usual move here is [font color="red"4.0-0[/font] (the Gothic Defense or the Berlin Defense) to which Black replies either [font color="red"4...Nxe4 5.d4 Nd6 6.Bxc6 dxc6 7.dxe5 Nf5 8.Qxd8+ Kxd8 9.Rd1+[/font] with a slight edge for White, or [font color="darkred"4...Bc5 5.c3 0-0 6.d4 Bb6 7.Bg5[/font] again with a small advantage for White.
Vladimir Borisovich is a recognized expert in these lines, so Mr. McShane no doubt wanted to drive him into somehing less usual.

4...Bc5 5.Bxc6

If [font color="red"]5.c3 0-0[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]6.Bxc6 bxc6 7.Nxe5 d5 8.d4 Bb6 9.0-0[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]9...Nxe4 10.f3 Qf6 11.Be3 Nd6 12.Re1[/font] then:

[font color="red"]12...Nb7 13.b4 a5 14.Nd2[/font] is equal (T. Kosintseva-Stefanova, OlW, Khanty-Mansiysk, 2010).
[font color="burgundy"]12...Re8 13.Nd2 c5 14.dxc5 Rxe5 15.Bd4 Bxc5 16.Bxc5[/font] is equal (Smagin-Fleck, Bundesliga 0001, Germany, 2000).

If [font color="darkred"]9...dxe4[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"10.Nxc6 Qd6 11.Ne5 Ba6 12.Re1 c5 13.Na3 cxd4 14.Nac4 Qe6 15.Nxb6 axb6 16.cxd4 Nd5 17.f3 exf3 18.Nxf3[/font] draw (Anand-Topalov, Amber Raspid, Monte Carlo, 2006).
If [font color="magenta"]10.f4?! c5![/font] then:

If [font color="magenta"11.dxc5 Bxc5+ 12.Kh1 Bb7 13.c4 Re8 14.a3? e3! 15.Qe2 Qd4 16.Nc3[/font] then:

If [font color="magenta"16...Rad8? 17.Nb5![/font] (Black is reduced to a small advantage in space) [font color="magenta"] Qe4[/font] then:

[font color="magenta"18.b4? Nh5!! 19.bxc5 Nxf4 20.Rxf4 Rd1+ 21.Rf1 Qxg2+ 22.Qxg2 Rxf1#[/font] 0-1 (Mayet-Anderssen, Berlin, 1862).
[font color="hotpink"]18.Nc3! Qf5 19.Bxe3 Bxe3 20.Qxe3 Nh5 21.Nd5[/font] leaves Black with a small advantage in space.

[font color="purple"]16...Rxe5! 17.fxe5 Qxe5 18.Bxe3 Bxe3[/font] gives Black two minor pieces for a Rook.

[font color="darkorange"]11.d5 Qxd5 12.Qe2 c4+ 13.Kh1 Re8 14.Na3 Ba6[/font] gives Black an extra pawn.

[font color="darkred"]6.0-0 d6 7.Nbd2[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]7...a6 8.Ba4 Ba7 9.h3 Ne7 10.Re1 Ng6[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]11.Nf1 b5 12.Bb3 Re8[/font] then:

[font color="darkred"13.Ng3 Bb7 14.Be3 Bxe3 15.fxe3 d5 16.exd5 Bxd5 17.e4[/font] draw (Anand-Kramnik, Tal Mem Blitz, Moscow, 2007).
[font color="purple"]13.a4 Bb7 14.Be3 Bxe3 15.Nxe3 h6 16.Nh2 d5[/font] is equal (Leko-Kramnik, Tal Mem Blitz, Moscow, 2007).

[font color="darkorange"]11.d4 b5 12.Bc2 Re8 13.Nf1 h6 14.Ng3 Bd7 15.Be3 c5 16.Qd2[/font] is equal (Kobalia-Malakhov, Russian ChT, Dagomys, 2010).

[font color="magenta"]7...Bb6 8.Nc4 Ne7 9.Ba4 Ng6 10.Bc2 Re8 11.h3[/font] then:

[font color="magenta"11...Be6 12.Nxb6 axb6 13.a3 d5 14.Ng5 Bd7 15.Re1 h6 16.Nf3 Bc6[/font] is equal (Tiviakov-Wang Yue, World Cup, Khanty-Mansiysk, 2007).
[font color="darkorange"]11...c6 12.Nxb6 axb6 13.Re1 h6 14.d4[/font] gives White a better center (J. Polgar-Avrukh, Op, Biel, 2007).

5...dxc6 6.b3

If [font color="red"]6.Be3 Bd6 7.h3 c5 8.Nbd2 0-0[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]9.0-0 Re8[/font] then:

[font color="red"]10.Nc4 Nd7 11.Qd2 Nf8 12.a3 b6 13.b4[/font] gives White a clear advantage in the opening (Erenburg-Z. Almasi, Bundesliga 0506, Germany, 2005).
[font color="burgundy"]10.Bg5 Be6 11.Re1 h6 12.Bh4 g5 13.Bg3[/font] gives White a better center; Black's e-pawn is somewhat vulnerable (Amonatov-Kurnosov, Russian ChT, Sochi, 2005).

If [font color="darkred"]9.Nc4 Nd7 10.a4[/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]10...Re8 11.0-0 Nb8 12.Nfd2 Nc6 13.Nxd6 cxd6[/font] gives Black a slight advantage in space (Fressinet-Cheparinov, IT 0506, Pamplona, 2005).
[font color="magenta"]10...b6 11.0-0 Re8 12.Nfd2 Nf8 13.Nxd6 cxd6 14.f4[/font] is equal (Kosteniuk-Jakovenko, Tal Mem Blitz, Moscow, 2009).

If [font color="blue"]6.h3 Bd6 7.Nbd2[/font] then:

If [font color="blue"]7...c5!? 8.Nc4 Nd7 9.0-0 0-0[/font] then:

If [font color="blue"]10.Bd2 Re8[/font] then:

[font color="blue"]11.a3 Nb8 12.b4 Nc6 13.c3 b5 14.Bg5[/font] gives White a slight tasctical edge while Black has a bind on d4 (Morozevich-Naiditsch, Russian ChT, Sochi, 2006).
[font color="slateblue"]11.Bc3 f6 12.Nh4 Nf8 13.Nf5 Ne6 14.Qg4 g6[/font] is equal (Ivanchuk-Jakovenko, Grand Prix, Jermuk, 2009).

If [font color="darkblue"]10.b3 Re8 11.Bb2 f6 12.Nfd2[/font] then:

If [font color="darkblue"]12...Nf8 13.f4 exf4 14.Nxd6 cxd6 15.Rxf4[/font] then:

[font color="darkblue"]15...Bd7 16.Nc4 Ng6 17.Rf2 Bc6 18.Ne3 d5[/font] is equal (Delorme-Pashijian, Euro Ch, Rijeka,, 2010).
[font color="darkcyan"]15...Be6 16.c4 Qd7 17.Nf1 b5 18.Rf2 Ng6 19.Ne3[/font] is equal (C. Balogh-Buhmann, Bundesliga 0809, Baden-Baden, 2009).

[font color="dodgerblue"]12...Nb8 13.f4 exf4 14.Nxd6 cxd6 15.Rxf4 Nc6 16.Qh5[/font] is equal (Hou Yifan-Li Ruofan, Mindsports Rpd, Beijing, 2008).

[font color="darkorchid"]7...Be6 8.b3 Nd7 9.Nc4 Qe7 10.0-0 Bxc4 11.bxc4[/font] gives White a small advantage in space (Vachier Lagrave-Sargissian, TM, Paris, 2009).

6...Bg4 (N)

[font color="red"]6...Ng4[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]7.d4?! exd4! 8.Ba3 Bb6 9.h3 Nf6 10.0-0[/font] then:

[font color="red"]10...Nxe4?! 11.Qe2 Qd5 12.c4[/font] is equal (Carstensen-Ravok, Schleswig Holstein ChU17, Neumuenster, 1998).
[font color="magenta"]10...Be6! 11.Nbd2 c5 12.e5 Nd7 13.c3 dxc3 14.Ne4 0-0[/font] gives Black an extra pawn, but White has better pawn structure.

[font color="darkred"]7.0-0! 0-0 8.h3 Nf6 9.Bb2 Nd7 10.Nbd2[/font] gives White a small advantage in space.

7.Nbd2 Nd7 8.Bb2

White has stronger pawns; Black leads in development.

8...f6!?

This move unnecessarily weakens the kingside.
Better is [font color="red"]8...Qf6 9.h3 Bh5 10.0-0 0-0 11.g4 Bg6 12.Nc4[/font] with equality.

9.Nf1!?

If [font color="red"]9.h3![/font] then:

If [font color="red"]9...Bh5 10.Nf1 Nf8 11.Ng3 Bf7 12.0-0 Ne6 13.c3[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]13...Bd6 14.Qc2[/font] then:

[font color="red"]14...0-0 15.d4 exd4 16.cxd4 Bxg3 17.fxg3 Qd6 18.g4[/font] is equal.
[font color="burgundy"]14...Qd7 15.d4 exd4 16.cxd4 Bxg3 17.fxg3 0-0-0 18.Rad1[/font] gives White a slight advantage in space.

[font color="darkpink"]13...0-0 14.Qc2 Re8 15.Rad1 Qd7 16.d4 exd4 17.cxd4[/font] gives White a small advantage in space.
If [font color="darkred"]9...Be6 10.d4 exd4 11.Nxd4[/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]11...Qe7 12.Nxe6 Qxe6 13.Qg4 Qxg4 14.hxg4 0-0 15.Rd1[/font] is equal.
[font color="magenta"]11...Bxd4!? 12.Bxd4[/font] (this discourages Black from castling long) [font color="magenta"]12...0-0 13.Qe2 Qe7 14.0-0 Rad8 15.Rfd1[/font] gives White a slight advantage in the center and with better pawns.

9...Nf8 10.h3 Bxf3 11.Qxf3 Ne6 12.Ne3 Qd7

[font color="red"]12...Bxe3 13.fxe3 Qe7 14.Qh5+ g6 15.Qg4 0-0-0 16.0-0[/font] remains equal.

13.h4 a5 14.a4 0-0

[font color="red"]14...0-0-0 15.h5 Rhf8 16.0-0-0 Nd4 17.Qh3 Qxh3 18.Rxh3[/font] remains equal.

15.h5 Bxe3 16.Qxe3
[center]
BLACK: Vladimir Kramnik

WHITE: Luke McShane
Position after 16.Qf3e3:B
[/center]
16...c5!

Black puts a permanent bind on d4, a long term positional plus. White will have difficulty advancing his d-pawn for some time to come.
If [font color="red"]16...h6 17.f3[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]17...c5![/font] then:

If [font color="red"]18.Qd2 b6 19.Qc3[/font] then:

[font color="red"]19...Rfd8 20.Kf2 Nd4 21.Qc4+ Qf7[/font] gives Black a slight advantage in space.
[font color="darkorange"]19...Qf7 20.Qc4 Rfd8 21.Bc3 Nd4[/font] gives Black a slight advantage in space.

[font color="magenta"]18.Kf2 b6 19.Rh4 Nd4 20.Qd2 f5 21.Re1 Rae8[/font] gives Black a slight advantage in space.

[font color="darkred"]17...Nd4 18.Bxd4 exd4 19.Qe2 Qd6 20.Rh4 Qe7 21.Kf2[/font] remains equal.

17.Qh3

[font color="red"]17.h6 Nd4 18.Qd2 g6 19.Kf1 b6 20.Rh4 Rf7[/font] gives Black a slight advantage in space.

17...Qc6 18.0-0 Nf4 19.Qh2

[font color="red"]19.Qf3 g6 20.h6 Rf7 21.Bc3 Ne6 22.Rae1 b6[/font] continues to give Black a slight advantage in space.

19...Qe8

[font color="red"]19...Ne2+ 20.Kh1 Nd4 21.Rac1 f5 22.Bxd4 exd4 23.exf5 Rxf5[/font] continues to give Black a slight advantage in space.

20.h6 g5 21.g3 Ne6

If [font color="red"]21...Ne2+ 22.Kh1 Qd7 23.f3 Nd4[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]24.Bxd4 cxd4 25.Kg2 Ra6 26.Qh5 Qf7[/font] continues to give Black a slight advantage in space.
[font color="darkred"]24.Rae1 Qe6 25.Bxd4 cxd4 26.Re2 Kf7 27.f4 Ke7[/font] continues to give Black a slight advantage in space.
[font color="magenta"]24.Rac1 Ra6 25.Bxd4 cxd4 26.f4 Qg4 27.fxg5 Qxg5[/font] continues to give Black a slight advantage in space.

22.f4 gxf4 23.gxf4 Nxf4

White maintains his positional plus.
If [font color="red"]23...Nd4? 24.Bxd4 exd4[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]25.Kf2! Rf7 26.Rg1+ Kf8 27.Qh4[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]27...Rd8[/font] then White wins after [font color="red"]28.Rg7 Rdd7 29.Rag1! Qe6 30.f5 Qe5 31.Rg8+[/font] when both White Rooks penetrate to the back rank.
[font color="burgundy"]27...Qd8[/font] then White wins after [font color="burgundy"]28.Rg7 Rxg7 29.hxg7+ Kxg7 30.Rh1.[/font]

If [font color="darkred"]25.Rf3!? Kh8 26.Rg3[/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]26...Qe6 27.Kf2 f5 28.e5 Rg8 29.Rg7 Rxg7 30.hxg7+[/font] leaves White greatly superior.
[font color="magenta"]26...Rg8? 27.Rxg8+ Qxg8+ 28.Kf2! f5 29.Re1 fxe4 30.dxe4[/font] gives White a passer duo that should be sufficient for victory.

[center]
BLACK: Vladimir Kramnik

WHITE: Luke McShane
Position after 23...Ne6f4:p
[/center]
24.Rxf4!

After humming and hawing at this move, my wholly remarkable staff and I have come to the conclusion that it equalizes. Fritz and Rybka are both asserting that the game has been equal all along.
If [font color="red"]24.Bc1 Ng6[/font] then:

[font color="red"]25.Rf5 Kf7 26.Qf2 Qe6 27.Qxc5 Rg8 28.Kf1 Nh4![/font] remains equal.

If [font color="darkred"]25.Be3 Qc6[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]26.Rf3 Kf7 27.Qf2 Rad8 28.Rf1[/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]28...Nf4 29.Bxf4 exf4 30.Rxf4 Rg8+[/font] remains equal.

[font color="darkorange"]28...Rd6?! 29.Bxc5 Nf4 30.Bxd6 Rg8+ 31.Kh1 Qxd6 32.Qd2[/font] leaves White an exchange to the good.

[font color="magenta"]26.Qg3!? Kf7 27.Kh2 Ke7 28.Rf3 Rad8 29.Qg4 b6[/font] gives Black an extra pawn in compensation for which Black has stronger pawns.

If [font color="blue"]24.Rf3 Kf7[/font] then:

If [font color="blue"]25.Bc1 Ng6 26.Qf2 Qe7[/font] then:

[font color="blue"]27.Be3 b6 28.Kf1 Ke8 29.Ke2 Rd8 30.Rf1 Rd6[/font] remains equal.

[font color="dodgerblue"]27.Bd2 Ke8 28.Kf1 b6 29.Ke2 Rd8 30.Rf1 Rd6[/font] remains equal.

[font color="darkblue"]25.Kf1?! Ke6 26.Bc1 Qh5! 27.Qxh5 Nxh5[/font] gives Black a small advantage in space.

24...exf4

There is no reason not to accept the gift. White's plan is build pressure on the kingside in compensation for his inability to advance in the center or clear the pawn from c5 in order to use the central pawns as a steam roller. However, before he does that, he must clear Black's pawn off c5.

25.Kf2!?

After this move, White is not able to equalize.
If [font color="red"]25.Qxf4![/font] (White gets a second pawn for the exchange) [font color="red"]25...Ra6[/font] then:

[font color="red"]26.Kf2 f5 27.exf5 Rg6 28.f6 b6 29.Rf1 Qf7[/font] is now equal as White has an advanced passer on the kingside and will be able to exchange pawns on d4 when he desires.
[font color="darkred"]26.Qxc7!? Qf7 27.Qxc5 Rc6 28.Qf5 Qg6+ 29.Qxg6+ hxg6[/font] continues to give Black a slight advantage with pressure on White's queenside weaknesses.

25...Rf7 26.Qh5!?

White eschews winning the pawn at f4.
If [font color="red"]26.Qxf4 Qe6 27.Rg1+ Kf8 28.Rg7 Rc8 29.Rxf7+ Kxf7[/font] leaves Black with only a small advantage, most owing to White's inability to advance his center pawns.

26...Qe6?!

Black fails to take advantage of White's inaccuracy.
If [font color="red"]26...Qc6! 27.Rg1+ Kf8 28.Qf5 Re8[/font] then:

[font color="red"]29.Ke2 Qd6 30.Kd1 Ke7 31.Kc1 b6 32.Rg7 Ref8[/font] leaves all of Black's critical points protected, maintaining a slight advantage.
If [font color="darkred"]29.Qxf4[/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]29...Qd6 30.Qf5 c4 31.dxc4 Qd2+ 32.Kf3 b6[/font] gives Black enough activity to get a comfortably aggressive game in compensation for his pawn.
[font color="magenta"]29...Re5 30.Ke2 Rh5 31.Kd2 b6 32.Kd1 Qd6[/font] will either give Black more freedom after the exchange of Queens or an extra pawn after 33.Qg4 Rxh6.

[center]
BLACK: Vladimir Kramnik

WHITE: Luke McShane
Position after 26...Qe8e6
[/center]
27.Qxc5!

The c-pawn falls and the game is equal.

27...Kh8 28.Qc4 Re8 29.Rh1 Qd7 30.Qb5!?

White threatens a pawn, which Black can save by exchanging Queens.
If [font color="red"]30.Rg1 Re6 31.Qb5 Qc6[/font] then:

[font color="red"]32.Kf3 32...Qxc2 33.Bxf6+ Rexf6 34.Qe8+ Rf8[/font] remains equal.
[font color="darkred"]32.Qc4 Qe8 33.Kf3 Rf8 34.Kxf4 Rc6 35.Qd5 Rg8[/font] remains equal.

30...Re6!?

Black decides to try to keep the Queens on the board.
[font color="red"]30...Qxb5! 31.axb5 Rg8 32.e5 Rg6 33.exf6 Kg8[/font] gives Black a slight advantage, but nothing that's going to put White in a panic.

[center]
BLACK: Vladimir Kramnik

WHITE: Luke McShane
Position after 30...Re8e6
[/center]
31.Qxd7!?

After all that, White would rather just exchange Queens.
If [font color="red"]31.Qxa5 Ra6 32.Qh5 Qc6[/font] then:

[font color="red"]33.Rc1! Rf8 34.Qd5 Rg8 35.Kf3 Qe8 36.Qf5[/font] gives White only a small advantage in space.
[font color="darkred"]33.Qxf7?! Qxc2+ 34.Ke1 Qb1+ 35.Ke2 Qc2+ etc.[/font] draws by repetition.

31...Rxd7

The game remains equal.

32.Rg1 Rc6 33.Kf3 Rd8 34.Rg5 Rf8

[font color="red"]34...b6!? 35.Kxf4 Rg8 36.Rd5 Rg1 37.Rd8+ Rg8 38.Rd7[/font] gives White a small advantage with the attack on the critical f-pawn.

35.Rg2!?

A slight inaccuracy brings the Rook back to cover the c-pawn.
Better is [font color="red"]35.Rxa5 Kg8 36.Ba3 Rd8 37.Rc5 Rxc5 38.Bxc5 Kf7[/font] with equality.

[center]
BLACK: Vladimir Kramnik

WHITE: Luke McShane
Position after 35.Rg5g2
[/center]
35...Rg8!

Black takes a small advantage by wresting control of the g-file from Black.

36.Rh2

White must preserve his Rook.
If [font color="red"]36.Rxg8+?? Kxg8 37.Bd4 Rxc2! 38.Bxf6[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]38...Rd2 39.d4[/font] then after [font color="red"]39...Rd3+ 40.Kxf4 Rxb3 41.d5 Ra3 42.Bd8 Rc3[/font] Black wins by lapping up White's pawns.
If [font color="darkred"]39.Be5[/font] then Black wins after [font color="darkred"]39...Rxd3+ 40.Kxf4 c5! 41.Bg7 Rxb3.[/font]

36...Rg1 37.d4?!

White advanced the d-pawn, but now it interferes with the Bishop's attack on f6.
Better is [font color="red"]37.Kxf4 Kg8 38.d4 Rd6 39.d5 Kf7 40.Ke3 Rg6[/font] when Black continues to enjoy more activity and a slight material advantage.

37...Rf1+ 38.Kg4 f3 39.d5?

White misses Black's rejoinder, which gives White no time to take the Rook.
If [font color="red"]39.Kf5[/font] then Black maintains a small advantage in space after [font color="red"]39...Kg8 40.d5 Rd6 41.Ba3 Rd8 42.Kxf6 Rd7.[/font]

39...Rd6?!

Black misses the rejoinder, too.
The retort to White's last move is [font color="red"]39...f2![/font] when:

If [font color="red"]40.Kf3 Rxc2 41.Bxf6+ Kg8 42.Rg2+ Kf7[/font] then:

[font color="red"]43.Bh4 Rd1 44.Rg7+ Kf8 45.Bxf2 Rd3+ 46.Be3 Rcc3[/font] wins the Bishop.
[font color="magenta"]43.Bd4 Rb1 44.Bxf2 Rxb3+ 45.Kf4 Kf8 46.e5 Ra3[/font] gives White a material advantage.

[font color="darkred"]40.dxc6??[/font] loses to [font color="darkred"]40...Rg1+!!.[/font]

40.c4?!

White still misses the threat of the f-pawn and goes after Black's Rook.
[font color="red"]40.Kf5 Kg8 41.Ba3 Rd7 42.Rh3 Rg1 43.Rxf3 Kf7[/font] gives Black a small material advantage and a more active Rook.

40...Kg8!

Black assumes an irresistable tactical advantage.
Unfortunate would be [font color="red"]40...Rb6?! 41.Kf5! Rxb3 42.Rd2 Kg8 43.d6 cxd6 44.Rxd6 Rxb2 45.Kxf6![/font] when White forces Black to surrender the Rook (45...Rb6 46.Rxb6) in order to prevent the threatened 46.Rd8#.

41.c5?

White still doesn't see the danger the foremost f-pawn poses.
[font color="red"]41.Bd4 Kf7 42.c5 Rd8 43.Rf2 Rg8+ 44.Kxf3 Rb1[/font] continues to give White only a pawn for the exchange, but his strong central pawns give him some chances for counterplay.

[center]
BLACK: Vladimir Kramnik

WHITE: Luke McShane
Position after 41.c4c5
[/center]
41...f5+!

The King must capture on f5, making the foremost f-pawn a dangerous character.

42.Kxf5

If [font color="red"]42.Kg3[/font] then Black wins after [font color="red"]42...Rg6+ 43.Kf4 Rg2 44.Rh3 Rxb2.[/font]

42...Rg6 43.Bd4 Rd1 44.Be3 Rg2!

White must lose a piece or allow the pawn to queen.

45.Rh3

He elects to lose a piece. Were a chance at the tournament championship not on the line, McShane would probably have resigned rather than make this move.
]If [font color="red"]45.Rxg2+[/font] then Black wins after [font color="red"]45...fxg2 46.Ke5 Kf7 47.Kf4 g1Q 48.Bxg1 Rxg1.[/font]

45...f2 46.Bxf2

If [font color="red"]46.Rf3[/font] then Black wins after [font color="red"]46...f1Q 47.Rxf1 Rxf1+ 48.Ke5 Rf3.[/font]

46...Rxf2+ 47.Ke6 Rf7 48.d6 c6 49.Ke5

If [font color="red"]49.b4 axb4 50.Rb3 Rh1[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]51.Rxb4 Rxh6+ 52.Ke5 Rh5+[/font] then:

[font color="red"]53.Ke6 Rg5 54.Rb3 Kf8 55.a5 Rg6+ 56.Ke5 h5[/font] White can neither make progress with his own pawns nor stop Black's without surrending his last Rook.
If [font color="darkred"]53.Kd4 Rh3[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]54.Rb1 Ra3 55.Ke5[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]55...Kf8[/font] then Black wins easily after [font color="darkred"]56.Rb4 Ke8 57.Ke6 h5 58.Rd4 Rh7.[/font]
If [font color="darkorange."]55...Rxa4[/font] then Black wins easily after [font color="darkorange"]56.Rd1 Ra8 57.Rh1 Kf8 58.Kd4 Ra3.[/font]

If [font color="magenta"]54.e5[/font] then [font color="magenta"]54...Rf4#.[/font]

If [font color="darkorchid"]51.d7[/font] then Black wins after [font color="darkorchid"]51...Rxh6+ 52.Ke5 Rxd7 53.Rxb4 Kf7 54.Rb1 Rh5+.[/font]

[center]
BLACK: Vladimir Kramnik

WHITE: Luke McShane
Position after 49.Ke6e5
[/center]
49...Kf8!

Black will not neglect White's center pawns.

50.Rh2 Rg1 51.b4

[font color="red"]51.Kd4 Rg5 52.b4 axb4 53.Rb2 Rf6 54.Re2 Ke8[/font] is an easy win for Black.

51...axb4 52.Rb2 Rg5+ 53.Ke6

[font color="red"]53.Kd4[/font] transposes into the notes to White's 51st move.

53...Rg6+ 54.Ke5 Rxh6

Black has passed pawns on both wings.

55.a5 Rh5+ 56.Ke6 Rh6+ 57.Ke5 Rh5+!?

Black wins faster after [font color="red"]57...Rd7 58.Rxb4 Kf7 59.Rb1 Rh5+ 60.Kd4 Ke6[/font] when the White King is methodically pushed back.

58.Ke6 Ke8 59.a6 Rh6+ 60.Ke5 bxa6 61.Rxb4 Ra7 62.Rb8+

If [font color="red"]62.Ra4 Rh5+ 63.Kd4 a5 64.Kc4 Kf7[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]65.Ra1 Kf6 66.Ra2 a4[/font] then:

[font color="red"]67.Ra3 Ke5 68.Rd3 Ke6 69.Ra3 Ra5 70.d7 Rhxc5+[/font] takes care of White's advanced passer.
If [font color="darkred"]67.Kb4 Ke6[/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]68.Ra3 Rh4 69.Rg3 Rb7+ 70.Ka3 Rb3+[/font] wins the Rook.
[font color="magenta"]68.Rxa4 Rxa4+ 69.Kxa4 Rxc5[/font] is a clear win for Black.

If [font color="darkorchid"]65.d7[/font] then [font color="darkorchid"]65...Rxd7 66.Rxa5 Re5[/font] wins the passed pawn.

[center]
BLACK: Vladimir Kramnik

WHITE: Luke McShane
Position after 62.Rb4b8+
[/center]
62...Kf7!

Black avoids a trap. He falls into it by going to the short side and allowing the White Rook to occupy the long side of the rank the other sdide of the pawn.
If [font color="red"]62...Kd7?? 63.Rf8![/font] then:

If [font color="red"]63...Rh5+ 64.Kf6 Rb7 65.Rf7+ Kc8 66.Rf8+ Kd7 67.Rf7+ etc.[/font] draws.
[font color="darkred"]63...Rb7 64.Rf7+ Kc8 65.Rf8+ Kd7 etc.[/font] draws.

63.Rc8 Re6+ 64.Kf5 a5 65.Rh8

If [font color="red"]65.e5 Re8 66.Rxc6 a4[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]67.Rb6 a3 68.Rb1 a2 69.Ra1[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]69...h5 70.c6 Ra5 71.c7 Raxe5+ 72.Kf4 Re4+[/font] then:

[font color="red"]73.Kg3 Re3+ 74.Kg2 Re2+ 75.Kf3 Rd2[/font] Black wins by caturing first the d-pawn and then the c-pawn.
If [font color="darkorange"]73.Kg5[/font] then [font color="darkorange"]73...Rg4+ 74.Kxh5 Rg6 75.Rxa2 Rh8#.[/font]

[font color="magenta"]69...Ra5 70.e6+ Rxe6 71.d7 Ke7 72.d8Q+ Kxd8 73.Kxe6 Kc7[/font] wins easily

[font color="darkred"]67.Ke4 Ke6 68.d7+ Kxd7 69.Rd6+ Kc7 70.Rh6 Re7[/font] wins easily.

65...Rf6+ 66.Ke5 Kg7

Also good is [font color="red"]66...Rh6 67.Kf5 a4 68.e5 Rh5+ 69.Kg4 Rh1.[/font]

67.Rc8

If [font color="red"]67.Rb8 a4 68.Rb1 a3[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]69.Rd1 Rff7 70.Rg1+ Kf8 71.Ra1 a2[/font] then:

[font color="red"]72.Kd4[/font] then Black wins after [font color="red"]72...Ra3 73.Ke5 Ra4 74.d7 Rxd7 75.Ke6 Rb7[/font] when the threat of 76.Rb1! cannot be parried.
[font color="magenta"]72.Ke6 Ke8 73.e5 Ra8 74.d7+ Rxd7 75.Kf5 Rb7[/font] is an elementary win for Black.

[font color="darkred"]69.Ra1 a2 70.d7 Rxd7 71.Rxa2 Re7+ 72.Kd4 Rf4[/font] wins White's passer.

67...a4 68.Rxc6 a3 69.d7 a2 0-1

White queens first, but Black queens with check and wins.
Mr. McShane resigns.

Jack Rabbit

(45,984 posts)

6. Anand - Nakamura, Round 4

Tue Jan 3, 2012, 04:00 PM

Jan 2012

American grandmaster Hikaru Nakamura won four games in London and finished second behind former world champion Kramnik, the only other player in the event to win four games. Most of Mr. Nakamura's were quite impressive.

Nakamura admitted after the game that this was not the best game of his life, but, since it was his first ever win from the reigning world champion, it was the most satisfying.
[center]

Hikaru Nakamura
[/center][font size="1"]Photo by James F. Perry in Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hikaru_Nakamura (Creative Commons License, http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en , Attribution/Share Alike)
[/font]

Vishy Anand - Hikaru Nakamura
http://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1649582
Chess Classic, Round 4
London, 6 December 2011

West India Game: King's Indian Defense (Main Line/Aronian Variation)

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6 5.Nf3 0-0 6.Be2 e5 7.0-0 Nc6 8.d5 Ne7 9.b4 Ne8 10.c5

For a survey of the Aronin Variation, see Ivanchuk-Grischuk, Grand Prix, Nalchik, 2009.

10...f5 11.Nd2 Nf6 12.a4 g5?! (N)

If [font color="red"]12...f4?! 13.Nc4 g5[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]14.f3 Ng6 15.Ba3 Rf7 16.b5[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]16...Bf8[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]17.b6 dxc5 18.bxc7[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]18...Rxc7 19.Nb5 Rg7 20.d6 Be6 21.Bb2[/font] then:

[font color="red"]21...Ne8 22.Nxe5 a6 23.d7 Nf6 24.Nxg6 hxg6[/font] is equal (Rasmussen-Nielsen, Poitiken Cup, Helsignør, 2007).

[font color="burgundy"]21...a6 22.Nc7 Rxc7 23.dxc7 Qxc7 24.Qb3 Nd7 25.Qc3[/font] gives Black two pawns for the exchange, but White is better with a more active game (Meier-S. Williams, French ChT, Mulhouse, 2011).

[font color="darkpink"]18...Qxc7 19.Rb1 Rg7 20.d6 Qf7 21.Rb5 b6 22.a5 Be6[/font] gives Black a small advantage in space (H. Olafsson-Evans, Op, Lone Pine, 1978).

[font color="darkorchid"]17.a5 b6 18.axb6 axb6 19.cxb6 cxb6 20.Bb4[/font] gives White a comfortable advantage in space (Zagorskis-Gabriel, Op, Pula, 1997).

If [font color="darkred"]16...dxc5 17.Bxc5 h5[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]18.a5 g4 19.b6 g3 20.Kh1 Bf8[/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]21.d6?! axb6 22.Bg1 Nh4 23.Re1 Nxg2 24.dxc7 Nxe1 25.Qxe1 g2+[/font] gives Black command of open lines; he soon wins(Gelfand-Nakamura, World ChT, Bursa, Turkey, 2010).

If [font color="magenta"]21.Bg1?! Nh4[/font] then:

If [font color="magenta"]22.Re1!? Nxg2![/font] then:

[font color="magenta"]23.Kxg2? Rg7! 24.Nxe5 gxh2+ 25.Kh1 Nxe4[/font] White resigns (Roussel Roozmon-Charbonneau, Op, Montreal, 2008).

[font color="purple"]23.bxc7 Qd7 24.Bf1 Nxe1 25.Qxe1 Rg7 26.Nxe5 Qxc7[/font] gives Black a comfortable advantage in space.

[font color="darkorange"]22.hxg3 fxg3 23.Be3 Ne8 24.Qd2 Ng6 25.Bg5[/font] is equal.

If [font color="magenta"]a) 18.h3 Bf8 19.Bf2 g4 20.fxg4 hxg4 21.hxg4[/font] then:

[font color="magenta"]21...Ne8 22.d6 cxd6 23.Nd5[/font] gives White a comfortable advantage in space (Ftacnik-Polzin, Bundesliga 0607, Germany, 2006).

[font color="darkorange"]21...Bd6 22.a5 Rh7 23.Bf3 Kg7 24.Re1?! Nxg4![/font] gives Black access to atacking lanes and more space (Tishin-Golubev, IT, Alushta, 2006).

If [font color="magenta"]b) 18.d6 Bf8[/font] then:

[font color="magenta"]19.Bf2!? cxd6! 20.b6 a6 21.Nd5 Nxd5 22.Qxd5 Qf6[/font] is equal (Bunzmann-Golubev, Op, Bethune, 2002).

[font color="darkorange"]19.b6 axb6 20.Bf2 Be6 21.Nb5 cxd6 22.Nxb6[/font] gives White a small advantage.

[font color="darkorchid"]14.Nb5 Ne8 15.Ba3 Ng6 16.Bg4 Nh4 17.Bxc8 Rxc8[/font] gives White a substantial advantage in space (Werle-Vallejo, IT B, Wijk aan Zee, 2009).

If [font color="blue"]12...Rf7 13.f3 f4 14.Ba3 Ne8 15.Nc4 g5 16.b5[/font] gives White a huge advantage in space (Brovo-Sousa, Ol, Dresden, 2008).

13.Nc4

Black's novelty is no better than what has been tried and found wanting before. White has a tremendous advantage in space.

13...h6 14.f3 f4?

Black tries to balance his queenside disadvantage by grabbing space on the kingside. He should try to strike in the center bere it's too late.
If [font color="red"]14...fxe4 15.fxe4 Ng6 16.Ba3 Nf4 17.b5 Ne8 18.g3[/font] continues to give White a considerable advantage.

15.Ba3

This move is good, but even better is
If [font color="red"]15.cxd6! cxd6 16.Ba3 Bd7 17.b5 Nc8 18.Ra2[/font] when White already holds a near-decisive advantage.

15...Ng6

If [font color="red"]15...Ne8[/font] then:

[font color="red"]16.Qb3 Rf7 17.b5 b6 18.cxd6 Nxd6 19.a5[/font] gives White a winning advantage.
[font color="darkred"]16.Bb2!? a6 17.Qe1 Ng6 18.Ba3 Rf7 19.Qf2[/font] gives White a strong advantage.

[center]
BLACK: Hikaru Nakamura

WHITE: Vishy Anand
Position after 15...Ne7g6
[/center]
16.b5!

White's plan is to take advantage of his space on the queenside. Black must build counterplay on the kingside if he is to get back in the game.
If [font color="red"]16.cxd6?! cxd6 17.b5 Ne8[/font] then:

[font color="red"]18.Rc1 Nh4 19.Qb3 h5 20.h3 Qe7 21.Rc2[/font] continues to give White more activity and space.
[font color="darkred"]18.Ra2 Nh4 19.Qe1 h5 20.Qf2 g4 21.Kh1[/font] gives White more activity and queenside space, but Black is building counterplay on the kingside.

16...dxc5

If [font color="red"]16...Ne8[/font] then White is clearly winning after [font color="red"]17.b6 dxc5 18.bxc7 Qxc7 19.Nb5 Qe7 20.d6.[/font]

17.Bxc5 Rf7 18.a5 h5

[font color="red"]18...Bf8 19.Bf2 Bd7 20.Rb1 b6 21.Rb2[/font] continues to give Black a strong advantage.

19.b6 g4 20.Nb5?!

White should pry the position open.
[font color="red"]20.bxa7 g3 21.d6 Be6 22.dxc7 Qxc7 23.Bb6 Qc6 24.Qb3 h4 25.h3[/font] gives White an extra pawn and he is less threatened now that the kingside is locked.
[font color="darkred"]21...Qe8 22.hxg3 fxg3 23.Rb1 Qc6 24.Be3 Be6 25.Qa4![/font] White has an extra pawn and more freedom.

20...cxb6?!

Black misses an opportunity to open the kingside for his pieces and trade of some pieces on the queenside.
Better is [font color="red"]20...gxf3! 21.Bxf3[/font] then:

[font color="red"]21...a6! 22.Nba3 Bg4 23.Rc1 Bf8 24.Bxf8 Qxf8 25.Qb3[/font] leaves White much better, but Black is now able to fight back.
[font color="darkred"]21...Bg4?! 22.Qc2 Bxf3 23.gxf3 Nxd5 24.bxa7 Qd7 25.Qb3[/font] when White's activity on the queenside still trumps anything in Black's hand.

[center]

BLACK: Hikaru Nakamura

WHITE: Vishy Anand
Position after 20...cb6:p
[/center]
21.axb6

White should still win.

21...g3 22.Kh1

White misses [font color="red"]22.Rxa7![/font] when:

If [font color="red"]22...Rb8 23.Qd2 Bf8 24.Bxf8 Qxf8 25.Qb2[/font] then:

[font color="red"]25...gxh2+ 26.Kxh2 Ng4+ 27.Kh1 Ne3 28.Rfa1[/font] when White threatens to penetrate the back rank on the a-file.
If [font color="magenta"]25...Bd7[/font] then White wins after [font color="magenta"]26.Nbd6 Rg7 27.Rxb7 Rxb7 28.Nxb7.[/font]

If [font color="darkred"]22...Rxa7??[/font] then White wins after [font color="darkred"]23.bxa7 Bh3 24.Nb6! Bf8 25.d6 Nd7 26.a8Q.[/font]

22...Bf8

If [font color="red"]22...a6[/font] in order to prevent the a-pawn from being taken, then White wins after [font color="red"]23.Nc7! Rb8 24.Ne6! Bxe6 25.dxe6 Rf8 26.Nd6.[/font]

23.d6

The passed pawn manifests its lust to expand. It's almost a law of physics.

23...a6 24.Nc7 Rb8
[center]
BLACK: Hikaru Nakamura

WHITE: Vishy Anand
Position after 24...Ra8b8
[/center]
25.Na5

With the pawn at d6, the move 25.Ne6! (see note to Black's 22nd move) doesn't work.

25...Kh8 26.Bc4 Rg7

If [font color="red"]26...Nd7!?[/font] then [font color="red"]27.Bg1 Rf6 28.Qd5 Bxd6 29.Ne6 Qe7 30.Nxf4![/font] threatens mate,

27.Ne6!?

White misses a better move.
If [font color="red"]27.Ra2! Ne8[/font] then:

[font color="red"]28.Nxe8 Qxe8 29.Qd5 Qd8 30.Kg1 Qg5 31.h3[/font] continues White's queenside domination and gives White a deadly advanced passer.
If [font color="darkred"]28.Rd2 Qh4 29.Bg1[/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]29...Qd8[/font] then White wins after [font color="darkred"]30.Nxa6 Ra8 31.d7 gxh2 32.Bf2 Bxd7 33.Nxb7[/font] when the b-pawn triumphs.
If [font color="magenta"]29...gxh2 30.Bf2 Qd8 31.Nxa6[/font] then:

[font color="magenta"]31...Ra8 32.d7 Bxd7 33.Nxb7 Qg5 34.Nbc5 Bc8 35.Kxh2![/font] leaves White a pawn to the good.
If [font color="darkorange"]31...bxa6[/font] then White wins after [font color="darkorange"]32.Nc6 Qg5 33.Nxb8 Bxd6 34.Kxh2.[/font]

27...Bxe6! 28.Bxe6 gxh2!?

There are two problems with this move. First, it allows the g-pawn to advance and break up Black's kingside pawns. The better way to play against White's kingside is to advance the h-pawn. Second, Black should before all else defend against White's advance passer at d6.
The correct play is [font color="red"]28...Nd7 29.Bxd7 Rxd7 30.Qd5 h4 31.Nc4 Qf6 32.h3,[/font] but White still has a huge advantage.

29.Nc4?

White, ready to put the game on ice, misses the best continuation and allows Black to level the game.
If [font color="red"]29.Bh3! Nh7 30.Nc4[/font] then:

[font color="red"]30...Qf6[/font] then White wins after [font color="red"]31.Qd5 Ng5 32.Bf5 Nf7 33.Rad1! Nh4 34.Bh3.[/font]
If [font color="darkred"]30.Ng5[/font] then White wins after [font color="darkred"]31.Bf5 Qf6 32.Bxg6 Qxg6 33.Nxe5 Qe6 34.Qd4.[/font]

[center]
BLACK: Hikaru Nakamura

WHITE: Vishy Anand
Position after 29.Na5c4
[/center]
29...Qe8!

Black consolidates his position. The game is equal.

30.Bd5!?

White apparently miscalculates the strenth of a kingside advance by Black.
[font color="red"]30.Bh3 Qb5 31.d7! Nxd7 32.Bxf8 Rxf8 33.Qd5 Rf6[/font] remains equal.

30...h4!

Black assumes a small advantage in space.

31.Rf2?!

Why not just take the pawn?
[font color="red"]31.Kxh2 h3 32.gxh3 Nh4 33.Rg1 Rxg1 34.Bxg1 Qg6[/font] gives Black a small advantage in space.

31...h3!

This is what White didn't want. Black puts pressure on the g-pawn.

32.gxh3

This is White's best hope. Black commands the kingside.

32...Rc8!

Black's pieces are now beautifully coordinated and able to hit on White's unprotected pieces at will.
If [font color="red"]32...Nh4!?[/font] then:

[font color="red"]33.Qe2! 33...Nxd5 34.exd5 Rc8 35.d7 Qxd7 36.Bxf8 Rxf8[/font] gives Black a good game, but not as good as he has in the text.
[font color="darkred"]33.Qd3? Rc8[/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]34.d7 Nxd7 35.Bxf8 Qxf8 36.Kxh2 Rg3[/font] gives Black a mating attack on the g-file.
[font color="magenta"]34.Bb4 Rg3 35.d7 Nxd7 36.Bxf8 Qxf8 37.Nd2 Qd6[/font] leaves White's King under seige.

33.Ra5 Nh4 34.Kxh2?! Nd7!?

Black misses an impressive piece sacrifice.
If [font color="red"]34...Nxd5!! 35.exd5 Rg3[/font] then:

[font color="red"]36.Qf1 Qh5 37.d7 Rd8 38.d6 Nxf3+ 39.Rxf3 Rxf3[/font] gives Black the exchange, stronger pawns and the initiative; White still has a passer at d7.
[font color="darkred"]36.Qe2 Qg6 37.Qf1 Qh5 38.d7 Rd8 39.Bxf8 Rxd7[/font] gives Black stronger pawns and a powerful kingside attack.

35.Bb4!

This is far and away White best move. Anything else loses.
If [font color="red"]35.Ba3?[/font] then Black wins after [font color="red"]35...Rg3 36.Bb2 Nxf3+ 37.Rxf3 Qh5! 38.Be6 Rxf3.[/font]

35...Rg3 36.Qf1

[font color="red"]36.Qe2 Qg6 37.Qf1 Qh5 38.Be1 Nxb6 39.Nxe5 Qxe5[/font] gives Black an extra piece; each side has two passers.

36...Qh5 37.Ra3

[font color="red"]37.Be1 Nxf3+ 38.Rxf3 Qxf3 39.Qxf3 Rxf3 40.Be6 Rd3[/font] gives Black two passed pawns to White's one, but Black has the only unblocked passer on the board; White has two minor pieces for a Rook.

37...a5?!

Black must be in time trouble; this loses a pawn.
Correct is [font color="red"]37...Nxb6![/font] when:

[font color="red"]38.Rc3 Nxd5 39.exd5 Kg7 40.d7 Rd8 41.Bd6 Kg8[/font] gives Black remote connected passers.
If [font color="darkred"]a) 38.Nxb6?? Rc1![/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]39.Be1[/font] then after [font color="darkred"]39...Rxe1 40.Qxe1 Nxf3+ 41.Kh1 Qxh3+[/font] Black mates on the next move.
If [font color="magenta"]39.Be6[/font] then Black wins after [font color="magenta"]39...Qg6 40.Bg4 Rxf1 41.Rxf1 Bxd6 42.Be1 Bxa3.[/font]

If [font color="darkred"]b) 38.Rb3? Nxc4[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]39.d7[/font] then Black wins after [font color="darkred"]39...Rd8 40.Be6 b5 41.Bxf8 Rxf8 42.Bg4 Qh6.[/font]
If [font color="magenta"]39.Be6[/font] then [font color="magenta"]39...Rc6 40.d7 Qg5 41.Bxc4 Rg6 42.Be6 Rg1[/font] wins easily.

38.Be1?!

White fails to find the move that capitizes on Black's inaccuracy.
If [font color="red"]38.Bd2! Nxb6 39.Nxb6[/font] then:

[font color="red"]39...Bxd6 40.Be6 Bxa3 41.Bg4 Qf7 42.Nxc8[/font] remains equal.
If [font color="darkred"]39...Rd8?! 40.Be6! Rxd6 41.Bg4[/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]41...Qg5 42.Nc4 Rxd2 43.Rxd2 Bxa3 44.Nxa3[/font] gives White a piece for two passed pawns.
[font color="magenta"]41...Nxf3+? 42.Bxf3 Qh4 43.Rxa5! Rxb6 44.Rxe5 Kg8 45.Bg2[/font] gives White an extra piece.

[center]
BLACK: Hikaru Nakamura

WHITE: Vishy Anand
Position after 38.Bb4e1
[/center]
38...Rxc4!!

Black sacrifices the exchange. White must weaken his center.

39.Bxc4

If [font color="red"]39.Qxc4??[/font] then [font color="red"]39...Nxf3+! 40.Rfxf3 Qxh3#.[/font]

39...Bxd6 40.Rxa5?!

This is insufficient to meet Black's gathering kingside attack.
Better is [font color="red"]40.Rd3[/font] when [font color="red"]40...Bc5 41.Be6 Nf6 42.Rc2 Rg1[/font] gives Black a remote passed pawn and two minor pieces for a Rook.

40...Bc5 41.Be2

White is running out of good moves.
[font color="red"]41.Rxc5?[/font] loses to [font color="red"]41...Nxc5! 42.Be2 Kg7 43.Kh1 Nf5[/font] when:

If [font color="red"]44.Rh2 Ne3[/font] then:

[font color="red"]45.Qf2 Qg6 46.Bf1 Qxb6 47.Qb2 Qxb2 48.Rxb2 Rxf3[/font] leaves Black with an extra pawn.
If [font color="burgundy"]45.Bxg3[/font] then [font color="burgundy"]45...Nxf1 46.Bxf1 fxg3 47.Rg2 Qxf3[/font] wins.

If [font color="darkred"]44.exf5 Rxh3+[/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]45.Qxh3 Qxh3+ 46.Kg1 Qxf5[/font] gives Black an extra pawn.
If [font color="magenta"]45.Kg1[/font] then [font color="magenta"]45...Rh1+ 46.Kg2 Qh2#.[/font]

41...Bxb6!?

Why not just take the Rook?
If [font color="red"]41...Bxf2 42.Bxf2 Nxf3+ 43.Bxf3 Qxf3[/font] then:

[font color="red"]44.Ra1 Rg6 45.Rd1 Rg7 46.Re1 Kh7 47.Bh4 Qh5[/font] gives Black a passed mawn and the initiative.
[font color="darkred"]44.Rd5 Rg7 45.Rd1 Qxe4 46.Re1 Qd5[/font] gives Black connected passed pawns.

42.Rb5?

White attacks a protected piece and misses the opportunity to git his Rook behind Black's position.
If [font color="red"]42.Ra8+ Kg7 43.Ra3 Bc5 44.Rc3 b6[/font] then:

[font color="red"]45.Rc1 Ng2 46.Qxg2 Bxf2 47.Bxf2 Rxg2+ 48.Kxg2 Qg6+[/font] leaves Black with a passed pawn, but White has the means to fight against it.
[font color="darkred"]45.Kh1? Ng2! 46.Qxg2 Bxf2 47.Bxf2 Rxg2 48.Kxg2 Nc5[/font] leaves Black with a passed pawn and the threat of 49...Nxe4!! 50.fxe4 Qxd2, winning a piece.

[center]
BLACK: Hikaru Nakamura

WHITE: Vishy Anand
Position after 42.Ra5b5
[/center]
42...Bd4!

Black wins material.
Even better is [font color="red"]42...Bxf2! 43.Bxf2 Nxf3+[/font] when:

If [font color="red"]44.Bxf3[/font] then Black wins after [font color="red"]44...Qxf3 45.Rb1 Rg6 46.Rd1 Rg7 47.Re1 b5.[/font]
If [font color="darkred"]44.Kh1[/font] then [font color="darkred"]44...Rxh3+ 45.Kg2 Rh2#.[/font]

43.Bd1

If [font color="red"]43.Rd5 Nf6 44.Rd8+ Kh7 45.Rd6 Qh6[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]46.Rxd4 exd4 47.Kh1 Ng2 48.Qxg2 Rxg2[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]49.Rxg2[/font] then Black wins after [font color="red"]49...Nd7 50.Bf2 Qb6 51.Bd1 Qb5 52.Bg1 Qd3.[/font]
[font color="magenta"]49.Kxg2 Nd7 50.Kh2 Ne5 51.Rg2 d3 52.Bd1 Qc6[/font] gives Black two passed pawns.

[font color="darkred"]46.Kh1? Bxf2 47.Bxf2 Nf5 48.exf5 Rxh3+[/font] wins the Queen.

43...Bxf2! 44.Bxf2 Nxf3+ 45.Bxf3 Qxf3 46.Rb1 Rg6 47.Rxb7 Nf6 48.Rb8+ Kh7 49.Rb7+ Kh6 0-1

If [font color="red"]50.Rb6 Ng4+ 51.Kg1 Nxf2+ 52.Rxg6+ Kxg6[/font] then:

[font color="red"]53.Qxf2 Qxe4 54.Kf1 Qh1+[/font] gives Black an easy win.
If [font color="darkred"]53.Qe1[/font] then after [font color="darkred"]53...Nxh3+ 54.Kh2 Qe3 55.Qxe3 fxe3 56.Kxh3 e2[/font] the pawn queens.

Sri Anand resigns.

Jack Rabbit

(45,984 posts)

10. Carlsen - Nakamura, Round 3

Tue Jan 3, 2012, 11:33 PM

Jan 2012

[center]

Magnus Carlsen
[/center][font size="1"]Photo by Stefan64 http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Stefan64 from Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnus_Carlsen (Creative Commons License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en , Attribution/Share Alike)
[/font]

Magnus Carlsen - Hikaru Nakamura
http://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1649097
Chess Classic, Round 3
London, 5 December 2011

Italian Royal Game: Clam Opening/Neoclassical Defense (Giuoco Pianissimo)

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.d3 Bc5 5.c3 d6 6.Bb3 a6 7.Nbd2 Ba7 8.Nf1

For a thorough servey of the Italian Neo-Classical, see Ivanchuk-Karjakin, IT, Medias, Romania, 2011 (http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=215x181347).

8...h6 9.Ng3 0-0 10.0-0

[font color="red"]10.h3 d5 11.Qe2 Be6 12.Bc2 b5 13.Nh2[/font] gives White the advantage in space (Klinova-Qin Kanying, FIDE Knock Out W, New Delhi, 2000).

10...Be6 11.h3 Qd7 12.Be3! (N)

[font color="red"]12.Nh2 Ne7 13.d4 Ng6 14.Kh1 Rae8 15.Bc2 d5[/font] gives Black superior development and a small advantage in space (Hamdouchi-Aronian, Rpd Op, Corsica, 2003.)

[center]
BLACK: Hikaru Nakamura

WHITE: Magnus Carlsen
Position after 12.Bc1e3
[/center]
12...Ne7!?

White has a small advantage in space. Magnus' novelty is recommended.
A better idea for Black is [font color="red"]12...Bxe3 13.fxe3 Bxb3 14.axb3 d5 15.Nd2 Qe6[/font] with equality.

13.Nh4!?

White plays the flank rather than the center.
If [font color="red"]13.d4 Bxb3 14.Qxb3 exd4[/font] then:

[font color="red"]15.Bxd4 15...Bxd4 16.cxd4 Qb5 17.Qc2 Rac8 18.a4[/font] gives White a slight advantage in space.
[font color="darkred"]15.cxd4 d5 16.e5 Ne4 17.Rac1 Nxg3 18.fxg3[/font] gives White a slight advantage in space.

13...Ng6!?

Black does not take full advantage of White's inaccuracy.
If [font color="red"]13...Bxe3 14.fxe3[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]14...Bxb3 15.axb3[/font] (Black has stronger pawns) [font color="red"]15...Qe6 16.Qf3[/font] then:

[font color="red"]16...Kh7 17.c4 Nd7 18.d4 Rae8 19.Qh5 exd4 20.exd4[/font] gives White activity in compensation for his pawn weaknesses..
[font color="magenta"]16...Nd7!? 17.d4 Rae8 18.d5 Qf6 19.Nhf5 Nxf5 20.exf5[/font] gives White a small advantage in space.

[font color="darkred"]14...Kh7 15.Rxf6 Bxb3 16.axb3 gxf6 17.Qf3 Qe6 18.Rf1[/font] gives White a small advantage in space.

14.Nhf5!

White has a small advantage in space.
If [font color="red"]14.Nxg6! fxg6 15.d4 Qf7[/font] then:

[font color="red"]16.Qc2 Bb6 17.Bxe6 Qxe6 18.a4[/font] gives White a small advantage with a fortified center duo.
[font color="darkred"]16.dxe5!? dxe5 17.Bxe6 Qxe6[/font] is equal.

14...Ne7 15.Nxe7+ Qxe7 16.Bxa7 Rxa7 17.f4!?

The idea is to sweep aside Black's e-pawn, but this opens the a7/b1 diagonal for Black.
[font color="red"]17.Bxe6 Qxe6 18.Nf5 d5 19.Qf3 dxe4 20.dxe4[/font] continues to give White a small advantage in space.

17...c5!?

Black misses an equalizing line.
If [font color="red"]17...Bd7 18.Nh5[/font] then:

[font color="red"]18...Nxh5 19.Qxh5 a5 20.a4 Be6 21.Bxe6 Qxe6 22.Qf5[/font] is equal.
[font color="darkred"]18...Be6 19.Nxf6+ Qxf6 20.fxe5 Qxe5 21.Bxe6 Qxe6 22.Rf5[/font] gives White a slight advantage in space.

18.Bc2!?

White gives Black another opportunity to equalize.
[font color="red"]18.Bxe6 Qxe6 19.Nf5 b6 20.Qf3 Kh7 21.a4[/font] gives White a small advantage in space.

18...b5!

The game is equal.

19.Qd2 Rb7
[center]
BLACK: Hikaru Nakamura

WHITE: Magnus Carlsen
Position after 19...Rb8b7
[/center]
20.a3!?

The game is equal, but that's not what White wants. This is a waiting move based on the assumption that Black will grab space since he can and won't be able to hold it.
If [font color="red"]20.Bb3 c4 21.f5 cxb3 22.fxe6 Qxe6 23.axb3[/font] remains equal.

20...a5!

Black has a slight advantage in space.

21.Rf2 b4!?

While he has a local advantage in space on the queenside, Black does not have enough force concentrated there to open it now.
[font color="red"]21...Bd7 22.Bd1 Re8 23.Qe3 a4 24.Nh5 Nxh5[/font] continues to give Black a slight edge.

22.axb4 axb4 23.Raf1!

The game is equal,

23...bxc3 24.bxc3 exf4 25.Rxf4 Nh7!?

Black cannot prevent the advance of the d-pawn, but he can do something to take the sting out of it.
If [font color="red"]25...Nd7 26.d4 Qg5[/font] then:

[font color="red"]27.Nf5 Bxf5 28.exf5 Rfb8 29.dxc5 dxc5 30.R4f2 Nf6[/font] remains equal.
If [font color="darkred"]27.Qf2!? Rb2![/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]28.Nf5 cxd4 29.Qxd4 Bxf5 30.Rxf5 Qg3 31.R5f3 Qg6[/font] gives Black stronger pawns and the initiative.
[font color="magenta"]28.h4 Qg6 29.h5 Qg5 30.d5 Bg4 31.e5 Nxe5[/font] gives Black a small advantage in space; White wins the exchange after 32.Bh7+.

[center]
BLACK: Hikaru Nakamura

WHITE: Magnus Carlsen
Position after 25...Nf6h7
[/center]
26.d4!

Out of any kind of Clam Opening, White's d3d4 advance is often of dramatic moment.

26...cxd4 27.cxd4 Qg5 28.Kh2

The game remains equal.
If [font color="red"]28.Qd3[/font] then:

[font color="red"]28...Qb5 29.Nf5 Bxf5 30.Rxf5 Qxd3 31.Bxd3 Ng5[/font] remains equal.
If [font color="darkred"]28...Nf6? 29.e5[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]29...Rc7[/font] then White wins after [font color="darkred"]30.exf6 Rxc2 31.Qxc2 Qxg3 32.fxg7.[/font]
If [font color="magenta"]29...Rb2[/font] then White wins after [font color="magenta"]30.exf6 Rxc2 31.Qxc2 Qxg3 32.fxg7 Qxg7 33.Qd3.[/font]

28...Nf6 29.Bd1 Rfb8!?

Black has nothing to gain by penetrating on the queenside.
If [font color="red"]29...Ra8 30.h4 Qa5 31.Qxa5 Rxa5 32.Rxf6 gxf6 33.d5[/font] remains equal.

[center]
BLACK: Hikaru Nakamura

WHITE: Magnus Carlsen
Position after 29...Rf8b8
[/center]
30.h4!

White has a fair advantage in space thanks to the fortified center duo.

30...Qg6 31.Rxf6

If [font color="red"]31.d5[/font] then:

[font color="red"]31...Ng4+ 32.Rxg4 Bxg4 33.h5 Bxh5 34.Bxh5[/font] gives White a fair advantage in space.
[font color="darkred"]31...Bd7?! 32.Qc3 Ng4+ 33.Kg1 Rc8 34.Qa3 Nf6 35.Nf5[/font] gives White a significant advantage in space.

31...gxf6 32.Qf4!

Also good is [font color="red"]32.d5! Rb2 33.Qd4[/font] when:

[font color="red"]33...Bc8 34.Bh5 Qg7 35.Qxf6 Qxf6 36.Rxf6 R2b7 37.Rxd6[/font] gives White two pawns for the exchange.
[font color="darkred"]33...R2b4?![/font] then White wins a pawn after [font color="darkred"]34.Qc3! Bg4 35.Bxg4 Qxg4 36.Nf5!.[/font]

32...Rb2

If [font color="red"]32...Rb6?[/font] then White wins after [font color="red"]33.Bh5! Qg7 34.Be2 Qf8 35.Nh5 Kh8 36.Rf3 Rb3 37.Bd3.[/font]
No better than the text is [font color="blue"]32...Kh8 33.d5 Bc8 34.Qxf6+ Qxf6 35.Rxf6 Rb6 36.Rxf7 Kg8 37.Rf6.[/font]

33.Bh5! Qg7 34.Bf3!?

White wins quicker if he plays more aggressively.
If [font color="red"]34.d5! Bc8[/font] then:

[font color="red"]35.Qxf6 Qxf6 36.Rxf6 R2b7 37.Rxd6 Kg7 38.Bf3[/font] gives White two pawns for the exchange.
If [font color="darkred"]35.Qxd6[/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]35...R2b6 36.Qf4 Qf8 37.Bg4 Bxg4 38.Qxg4+ Qg7 39.Qf4[/font] gives White a strong attack although with only a pawn for the exchange.
If [font color="magenta"]35...R8b6? 36.Qd8+! Qf8 37.Qc7[/font] then:

[font color="magenta"]37...Rb1 38.Rxb1 Rxb1 39.Bxf7+ Kh8 40.Bg6 Rb7 41.Qf4[/font] gives White two pawns for the exchange and a strong attack.
If [font color="darkorange"]37...Qe8[/font] then White wins after [font color="red"]38.e5 R2b4 39.Bxf7+ Qxf7 40.Qxc8+ Qf8 41.Qh3.[/font]

34...Ra8?

Black gives up the ghost.
If [font color="red"]34...Rd8![/font] then:

[font color="red"]35.Rc1 Rf2 36.Rc7 d5 37.e5 fxe5 38.dxe5[/font] gives White a comfortable advantage with more freedom, but not enough to win quickly.
[font color="darkred"]35.d5!? Bc8! 36.Rc1 Ra2 37.Rc7 f5 38.Bh5[/font] gives White just a small advantage.

[center]
BLACK: Hikaru Nakamura

WHITE: Magnus Carlsen
Position after 34...Rb8a8
[/center]
35.d5!

Black is running low on reserve pawn tempi and will have to activate his Rooks.

35...Bc8 36.Nh5!

On the other hand, White won't let him use the Rooks.

36...Qf8

If [font color="red"]36...Qg6[/font] then after [font color="red"]37.Qxd6 Kh7 38.Nxf6+ Kg7 39.Ne8+ Kg8 40.Qd8![/font] Black is toast.

37.Nxf6+ Kh8 38.Rc1 Kg7

If [font color="red"]38...Rba2[/font] then White wins after [font color="red"]39.e5 R2a4 40.Be4 dxe5 41.Qxe5 Bd7 42.Nxd7+.[/font]

39.e5 dxe5 40.Nh5+ Kh7 41.Be4+ 1-0

[font color="red"]41...Kg8 42.Qg3+ Kh8 43.Qxe5+[/font] wins the Rook.
Mr. Nakamura resigns.

Jack Rabbit

(45,984 posts)

11. Short - McShane, Round 7

Tue Jan 3, 2012, 11:35 PM

Jan 2012

[center]

Luke McShane
[/center][font size="1"]Photo by Stefan64 http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Stefan64 from Wikimedia Commons http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Luke_McShane (Creative Commons License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en , Attribution/Share Alike)
[/font]

Nigel Short - Luke McShane
http://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1650142
Chess Classic, Round 7
London, 10 December 2011

King's Gambit: Becker Defense

1.e4 e5 2.f4 exf4

The King's Gambit was the way to play until the late nineteenth century. The idea is to give Black the f-pawn in return for quicker development and a better center.

3.Nf3 h6

This is the Becker Defense, which is rarely played.
More common are 3...d5 (the Falkbeer or Abbazia Defense), 3...g5 (the Kieseritzky Defense), 3...Be7 (the Cunningham Defense), and 3...d6 (the Fischer Defense).

4.d4 g5 5.Nc3

[font color="red"]5.h4 Bg7 6.Bc4 d6 7.c3 Nc6 8.0-0 Qe7[/font] transposes into the Phildor Defense. See the notes to White's seventh move in Vasilevich-Gileva, Russian ChTW, Olginka, 2011.

5...d6

If [font color="red"]5...Bg7 6.g3 fxg3[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]7.h4 g4 8.Ng1 d6[/font] then:

[font color="red"]9.Be3 Ne7 10.h5 d5 11.Bg2 c6 12.Qd2 Be6[/font] gives Black two extra pawns, but at least one is weak (Jansen-Velker, Corres, 1989).
[font color="magenta"]9.Nge2 Nc6 10.Be3 Bf6 11.Bg2 Bxh4 12.Qd2 Na5[/font] gives White a piece for three pawns (Guo Shizhong-Guo Yu, Chinese ChT, 1987).

[font color="darkred"]7.hxg3 d6 8.Bc4[/font] transpoes into the notes to

6.g3

If [font color="red"]6.Bc4 Bg7 7.0-0 Nc6[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]8.Nd5 Nge7[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]9.c3 Nxd5 10.Bxd5 Ne7 11.Bb3 Ng6 12.g3 g4[/font] gives Black an extra pawn and the initiative (Poloch-Smrkta, Corres, 1980).
[font color="magenta"]9.Re1 0-0 10.e5 dxe5 11.Nxe7+ Qxe7 12.dxe5 Qc5+[/font] should be an easy win for Black, who wins a piece (Farelly-Miles, British Ch, Oxford, 1967).

[font color="darkred"]8.Ne2 Qe7 9.c3 Bd7 10.b4 0-0-0 11.Bd3 Rf8[/font] gives Black a slight advantage eith an extra pawn against White's center and space (B. Lasker-Dr. Tarrasch, IT, Berlin, 1882).

6...fxg3

If [font color="red"]6...Bg7 7.gxf4 g4[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]8.Ng1?! Qh4+ 9.Ke2 Nc6 10.Be3[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]10...Bd7![/font] then:

[font color="red"]11.d5?! Nce7 12.Kd2 f5 13.Bg2 fxe4 14.Bxe4 0-0-0[/font] gives Black stronger pawns and a safer King (F. Larsen-van Leewen, Corres, 1991).
[font color="burgundy"]11.Qe1 Qxe1+ 12.Rxe1 Bxd4 13.Bxd4 Nxd4+ 14.Kd3 Ne6[/font] gives Black an extra pawen and a safer King.().

If [font color="darkred"]10...g3 11.Nf3 Bg4 12.Kd2[/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]12...Bxf3?! 13.Qxf3 Bxd4 14.Bxd4 Nxd4 15.Qxg3 Qxg3 16.hxg3[/font] gives White stronger pawns (Jo. Berry-Velker, Corres, 1978).
[font color="magenta"]12...Qe7 13.Bb5 Nf6 14.e5 dxe5 15.Bxc6+ bxc6 16.fxe5[/font] is equal.

[font color="darkorchid"]8.Be3 gxf3 9.Qxf3 h5 10.Rg1 Bg4 11.Qg2 Nc6[/font] is equal (Furhoff-Hjartarsson, Rilton Cup, Stocklholm, 1997).

7.hxg3

If [font color="red"]7.h4?! g4! 8.Ng1[/font] then:

[font color="red"]8...Be7 9.Bg2 Bxh4 10.Bf4 Bg5[/font] then:

[font color="red"]11.Bxg3 Ne7 12.Nge2 Ng6 13.e5 dxe5 14.dxe5 Nd7[/font] gives Black two extra pawns; he soon wins (Haglund-Korman, Corres, 1981).
[font color="burgundy"]11.Qd2 Bxf4 12.Qxf4 Qf6 13.Nge2 Qxf4 14.Nxf4 c6[/font] gives Black three extra pawns (Haglund-Wikstrom, Corres, 1981).

If [font color="darkred"]8...g2 9.Bxg2 Be7 10.h5 Bh4+[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]11.Ke2 Bg5 12.Bxg5 Qxg5 13.Qd2[/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]13...Qxd2+ 14.Kxd2 Nc6 15.Nb5 Kd8 16.Ne2 Bd7[/font] gives Black a small advantage with an extra pawn but less space and less freedom (Shulman-Notkin, IT, Kakhovka, 1997).
If [font color="darkorange"]13...Nc6 14.Nd5 Kd8 15.c3 Nce7[/font] then:

[font color="darkorange"]16.Rf1?! Nxd5! 17.exd5 f5 18.Kd1 Bd7 19.Ne2 Qxd2+[/font] gives Black an extra pawn and better pawns (Furhoff-Jurgens, Op, Copenhagen, 1994).
[font color="purple"]16.Qxg5 hxg5 17.Nxe7 Nxe7[/font] gives Black a weak extra pawn and more freedom for his pieces.

[font color="magenta"]11.Kf1? Qf6+! 12.Bf3 Be6!! 13.d5 Bd7 14.e5 dxe5[/font] gives Black an easy win.

7...Bg7 8.Be3

[font color="red"]8.Bc4[/font] then:

[font color="red"]8...Bg4 9.Rf1 Qd7 10.Qd3 Nc6 11.Be3 a6[/font] is equal (Shabalov-A. Ivanov, US Ch, Seattle, 2000).
[font color="darkred"]8...Nf6 9.Qd3 Nc6 10.Bb3 Bg4 11.Rf1 Na5[/font] is equal (Morozevich-Leko, Rpd, Frankfurt, 2000).

8...Nf6 (N)

[font color="red"]8...Bg4 9.Be2 Nd7 10.Qd3 c6[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]11.Qc4!? Nb6![/font] (Black takes a slight advantage in space) then:

[font color="red"]12.Qb3 Qe7 13.0-0-0 0-0-0 14.a4 d5 15.Rhf1 Be6[/font] gives Black a slight advantage in space (Shulman-Formanek, Foxwoods Op, Mashantucket, 2007).
[font color="magenta"]12.Qd3 Qe7 13.0-0-0 0-0-0 14.Nd2 Bxe2 15.Qxe2 d5[/font] also gives Black a slight advantage in space.

[font color="darkred"]11.0-0-0 Qe7 12.d5 c5 13.Nb5 Kf8 14.Qa3 a6[/font] is equal.

9.Qd3

The game is equal: White has more space and better develpment in compensation for the gambit pawn.

9...Ng4

[font color="red"]9...0-0 10.0-0-0 Nc6 11.a3 Ng4 12.Bg1 Bd7 13.Kb1[/font] remains equal.

10.0-0-0 c6 11.Re1

[font color="red"]11.Qe2 0-0 12.Bd2 b5 13.Bh3[/font] remains equal.

11...Nd7

If [font color="red"]11...0-0[/font] then:

[font color="red"]12.Bh3 Na6 13.Bg1 b5 14.Kb1 Rb8[/font] remains equal.
[font color="darkred"]12.Bg1 b5 13.a3 a5 14.Bh3 b4 15.Na4 Re8[/font] gives Black a small advantage with pressure on White's center.

12.e5!?

It is wise to keep in mind that an advantage with a material deficit can erode very, very quickly.
If [font color="red"]12.Kb1 0-0[/font] then:

[font color="red"]13.Bh3 Ndf6 14.e5 dxe5 15.Bxg4 Bxg4 16.Nxe5 Re8[/font] gives Black the extra pawn, with development no longer a factor and White holding more space.
[font color="darkred"]13.a3!? Nxe3 14.Qxe3 Nf6 15.Re2 Be6 16.Qd2 a5[/font] gives Black the advantage with the extra pawn; developemnt and space are roughly equal.

[font color="blue"]12.Bg1 0-0 13.Bh3 Ndf6 14.Bg2 Re8 15.Qd1 Qc7[/font] gives Black the gambit pawn and more kingside activity; White's center duo is still his best positional feature.

[center]
BLACK: Luke McShane

WHITE: Nigel Short
Position after 12.e4e5
[/center]
12...dxe5 13.Bh3 Nxe3!

Black takes the advantage of the Bishops in an open center while he still holds an extra pawn; White still has more space.

14.Rxe3 0-0 15.Ne4?!

The Knight looks impressive on e4, but he will not be able to remain long.
If [font color="red"]15.dxe5 Nc5 16.Qc4 Qb6 17.Ree1 Bxh3 18.Rxh3 Rad8[/font] gives Black more pawns and stronger pawns.

15...Nf6?!

Black could have obtained an overwhelming position.
If [font color="red"]15...g4![/font] then Black wins the exchange [font color="red"]16.Bxg4 exd4 17.Bxd7 dxe3[/font] and then:

If [font color="red"]18.Neg5 f5 19.Qb3+ Kh8[/font] then:

[font color="red"]20.Bxc8 Rxc8 21.Nf7+ Rxf7 22.Qxf7 Qe8 23.Qxe8+ Rxe8[/font] gives Black two extra pawns and a passer; Black's best plan from here is to eliminate White's g-pawn.
If [font color="magenta"]20.Be6?[/font] then Black wins after [font color="magenta"]20...Qf6 21.Bxc8 Raxc8 22.Ne6 Rfe8 23.Nxg7 Qxg7.[/font]

If [font color="darkred"]18.Bxc8?[/font] then Black wins after [font color="darkred"]18...Qxd3 19.cxd3 Raxc8 20.Re1 f5.[/font]

16.Bxc8?!

White misses a chance to tighten the game.
If [font color="red"]16.Nxf6+! Qxf6 17.dxe5[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]17...Qd8 18.Bxc8 Qxd3 19.Rxd3 Raxc8 20.Rd7[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]20...Rb8[/font] then:

[font color="red"]21.g4 a6 22.c3 a5 23.Re1 Rfd8 24.Rc7 Re8[/font] gives Black only a small advantage with an extra pawn while having to defend against a Rook on the seventh with less space.
[font color="magenta"]21.Rf1?! Rfd8 22.Re7 Bf8 23.Rc7 Re8 24.g4 Re7[/font] gives Black no choice but to exchange Rooks and fight on minus a pawn with no compensation.

[font color="darkred"]20...g4?! 21.Nh4 Bxe5 22.Nf5 Rc7 23.Rdd1 Bf6[/font] gives Black a small advantage with an extra pawn agaisnt White's spatial plus.

[font color="darkorchid"]17...Qg6 18.Bxc8 Qxd3 19.Rxd3 Raxc8[/font] transposes.

16...exd4!!

Black is in no hurry to take the the Bishop.

17.Bxb7?

White does better to preserve his central Rook.
If [font color="red"]17.Nxd4 Nxe4 18.Rxe4 Rxc8[/font] then:

[font color="red"]19.Nf5 Qxd3 20.cxd3 Kh7 21.Re7 Rb8[/font] still gives Black two extra pawns, but White's kingside activity gives him faint hopes of salvaging the game.
If [font color="darkred"]19.g4 Qa5 20.Kb1 Rcd8[/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]21.c3 c5 22.Nb3 Rxd3 23.Nxa5 Rd7 24.Rf1 Kh7[/font] leaves Black with two extra pawns.
If [font color="magenta"]21.Qe3? Bxd4 22.Rxd4 Qc5 23.c3 Rxd4[/font] then:

[font color="magenta"]24.cxd4 Qd6 25.d5 Qg6+ 26.Ka1 cxd5 27.Qxa7 Qe4[/font] continues to leaves Black with two extra pawns.
If [font color="darkorange"]24.Qxd4[/font] then Black wins after [font color="darkorange"]24...Qxd4 25.cxd4 Rd8 26.Rd1 Rd5.[/font]

[center]
BLACK: Luke McShane

WHITE: Nigel Short
Position after 17.Bc8b7:p
[/center]
17...dxe3!!

Black has a winning advantage, starting with a piece sacrifice.

18.Bxa8 Nxe4 19.Qxe4 Qb6

This may be good enough in practical terms, but Black had a quicker win by attacking the center.
Black wins after [font color="red"]19...Re8!! 20.Qxc6 g4 21.Qd5 Qb6 22.c3 gxf3[/font] giving him two connected advanced passers.

20.Ne5 Rxa8 21.Qxc6

No better is [font color="red"]21.Nc4 Qd4[/font] when:

[font color="red"]22.Qxd4 Bxd4 23.c3 Bb6 24.Kd1 Kg7 25.Ke2 f5[/font] gives Black two extra pawns, one of which is a passer.
If [font color="darkred"]22.Qd3[/font] then Black wins after [font color="darkred"]22...Re8 23.Qxd4 Bxd4 24.Kd1 e2+ 25.Ke1 Re4.[/font]

21...Qxc6 22.Nxc6 Re8! 23.c3 Re6 24.Nxa7

Were White not already lost, he would do better to bring the Knight to d4 in order to stop the dangerous e-pawn.
If [font color="red"]24.Nd4[/font] then Black wins after [font color="red"]24...Bxd4 25.cxd4 Re4 26.d5 Kg7 27.d6 Rd4.[/font]

24...Be5 25.Nb5 e2 26.Kd2 Bxg3

Black is threatening to queen the e-pawn, he has an extra pawn and White's pieces are out of play.

27.Re1

Sacrificing the exchange is the only thing that keeps the pawn the pawn from queening.

27...Bxe1+ 28.Kxe1 28...h5

Now Black's kingside advances.

29.Nd4

If [font color="red"]29.c4[/font] then Black wins the King-and-pawn ending after [font color="red"]29...h4 30.Nc7 h3 31.Nxe6 fxe6.[/font]

29...Ra6 30.a3 h4 31.Kxe2 g4 32.c4 h3 33.Kf2

White could have resigned here, or even sooner.
[If font color="red"]33.Nf5[/font] then Black wins after [font color="red"]33...Re6+ 34.Kd3 h2 35.Ng3 Re1[/font] followed by [i[36...Rg1.

[center]
BLACK: Luke McShane

WHITE: Nigel Short
Position after 33.Ke2f2
[/center]
33...h2!

There is no stopping the kingside pawns.

34.Kg2 Rh6 35.Kh1 g3 36.Nf5 g2+ 0-1

Mr. Short resigns./li]

Jack Rabbit

(45,984 posts)

3. World Women's Team Championship, Mardin, Turkey

Tue Jan 3, 2012, 03:52 PM

Jan 2012

[center]

Mardin, Turkey
[/center][font size="1"]Photo by Florian Koch in Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Mardin_old_town.JPG (Creative Commons License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/deed.en , /Attribution/Share Alike)
[/font]

Jack Rabbit

(45,984 posts)

7. Danielian - Hou Yifan, Round 3

Tue Jan 3, 2012, 04:03 PM

Jan 2012

[center]

Hou Yifan
[/center][font size="1"]Photo by karpidis http://www.flickr.com/photos/karpidis/ modified from flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/8022405@N02/2750069891/ in Wikimedia Commons http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Hou_Yifan (Creative Commons License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/deed.en , Attribution/Share Alike)
[/font]

Elina Danielian (Armenia) - Hou Yifan (China)
http://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1650311
FIDE World Women's Team Championship, Round 3/Board 1
Mardin, 20 December 2011

East India Game: Nimzo-Indian Defense (Sämisch Opening)

1.d4 e6 2.c4 Nf6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.f3 d5 5.a3 Bxc3+ 6.bxc3 c5 7.cxd5 Nxd5 8.dxc5 f5

For moves and variations up to here, see Lilienthal-Capablanca, IT, Hastings, 1935).

9.Nh3 Qa5 10.e3 (N)

If [font color="red"]10.Nf4 Nc6 11.Nxd5 exd5 12.Qd3 0-0[/font] then:

[font color="red"]13.f4 Be6 14.Be3 d4 15.Bxd4 Nxd4 16.Qxd4 Rac8[/font] gives Black better development and fewer but stronger pawns (Cartensen-Grandilius, Op, Reyjavik, 2010).
[font color="darkred"]13.Bf4 Qxc5 14.e3 Re8 15.Be2 Ne5 16.Qd4 Qxd4 17.cxd4[/font] gives White space and initiative (M. Richter-de Verdier, Rilton Cup 0910, Stockholm, 2010).

10...Nc6

The game is equal.

11.Qd2!?

[font color="red"]11.Qb3 Qxc5 12.c4 Qb6 13.Rb1 Qxb3 14.Rxb3 Nf6[/font] remains equal.

[center]
BLACK: Hou Yifan

WHITE: Elina Danielian
Position after 11.Qd1d2
[/center]
11...Qxc5!

Black has better pawn structure and a small advantage in space.

12.c4?!

Ms. Danielian is known to be an aggressive player, but this is a tad too aggressive.
Better is [font color="red"]12.a4! Na5 13.Qd4[/font] when:

[font color="red"]13...Qxd4!? 14.cxd4 Bd7 15.Bd2 b6 16.Ba6[/font] gives White a slight advantage in space.
If [font color="darkred"]13...Qc7! 14.e4 fxe4[/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]15.Bb5+ Bd7 16.Qxg7 0-0-0 17.Bxd7+ Qxd7 18.Qxd7+ Rxd7[/font] is equal.
If [font color="magenta"]15.fxe4?![/font] then:

If [font color="magenta"]15...0-0!! 16.exd5 Nb3[/font] then:

[font color="magenta"]17.d6 Qa5 18.Qb4 Qe5+ 19.Kd1 Nxa1[/font] leaves Black up by the exchange.
If [font color="darkorange"]17.Qd3 Nxa1 18.Be2 Qe5[/font] then:

[font color="darkorange"]19.Ng5 Rf5 20.g4 Rxg5 21.Bxg5 Qxg5 22.0-0 exd5!![/font] gives Black an extra pawn.
If [font color="purple"]19.d6 Nb3 20.Be3 Nc5 21.Qd4 Qxd4 22.Bxd4 Ne4[/font] gives Black a slight material advantage, command of the open f-file and a safer King.

[font color="darkpink"]15...Nb3?! 16.Bb5+ Bd7 17.Qxg7 0-0-0 18.exd5 Nxa1[/font] give Black a slight material edge.

12...Nb6!

Black has stronger pawns, more space and better development.

13.Qc3 e5 14.Rb1 Be6 15.Bd3?!

This is not a good square for the Bishop. It will soon find itself under fire on an open file.
If [font color="red"]15.Ng5[/font] then:

[font color="red"]15...Bd7 16.Be2 Qe7 17.Nh3 0-0 18.0-0 Na4[/font] continues to give Black stronger pawns, more space and the initiative.
[font color="darkred"]15...Bxc4?! 16.Bxc4 Nxc4 17.Ne6! Qa5 18.Nxg7+ Ke7 19.Nxf5+[/font] gives White an extra pawn.

15...Rd8!

White takes control of the open file.

16.Nf2 0-0 17.0-0

If [font color="red"]17.Rb5 Qe7 18.0-0 e4 19.fxe4 fxe4[/font] then:

[font color="red"]20.Be2 Na4 21.Qc2 Nc5 22.Bd2 a6 23.Rbb1 Qg5[/font] gives Black an overwhelming advantage in space.
If [font color="darkred"]20.Bxe4?[/font] then Black wins after [font color="darkred"]20...Bxc4! 21.Rf5 Rxf5 22.Bxf5 Bxf1 23.Kxf1 Nd5.[/font]

17...a6!

Black continues to give Black command of the d-file, stronger pawns, more space and the initiative.

18.a4 Nd5

Also good and perhaps better is [font color="red"]18...Rf7 19.Bc2 Nd5 20.Qe1 Nf6 21.Qc3 g6[/font] when Black still has all his advantages.

19.Qa3 Ndb4 20.a5?!

White is cramped and needs to exchange pieces, but the Bishop should be preserved.
If [font color="red"]20.Be2 Rd7[/font] then:

[font color="red"]21.a5 Rfd8 22.Rd1 Rxd1+ 23.Nxd1[/font] gives Black a small advantage withe command of the d-file, stronger pawns and more space; White is compensated with two Bishops and an effective pin at b4.
If [font color="darkred"]21.Rd1[/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]21...Rxd1+ 22.Nxd1 e4 23.Nf2 exf3 24.Bxf3 a5[/font] gives White a solid advantage on the queenside.
If [font color="magenta"]21...Rfd8?! 22.Rxd7 Rxd7[/font] then:

If [font color="magenta"]23.a5!! Bf7 24.Qb3[/font] then:

[font color="magenta"]24...Qxa5 25.Ba3 Nc2 26.Qxc2 Qxa3 27.Qxf5 Qe7[/font] gives Black a passed pawn, but White's pieces have come to life.
[font color="purple"]24...b6 25.axb6 a5 26.Qc3 Qxb6[/font] is equal.

[font color="darkorange"]23.Qc3? Nd5 24.Qb3 Na5 25.Ba3 Qc7[/font] gives Black stronger pawns and the iitiative.

20...Nxd3!

Black doesn't hesitate to take the Bishop.

21.Nxd3 Qxa3 22.Bxa3

It appears that White has not done too badly; she has alleviated her cramped position and is threatening to win the exchange.

[center]
BLACK: Hou Yifan

WHITE: Elina Danielian
Position after 22.Bc1a3:Q
[/center]
22...Rxd3!!

Black lets White have the exchange. She'll be well compensated.
If [font color="red"]22...Rfe8?! 23.Nc5! Nxa5 24.Nxb7 Rd3 25.Nxa5 Rxa3 26.Ra1[/font] limits Black to a small advantage mostly derived from a more remote passed pawn.

23.Bxf8 Kxf8 24.Rxb7 Nxa5

Black has the more remote passer, two minor pieces for the Rook and the initiative.

25.Rc7

[font color="red"]25.Ra7[/font] is as close as White can come to restraining Black's passed pawn, but Black picks up two extra pawns after [font color="red"]25...Bxc4 26.Rc1 Rxe3 27.Rc7 Bb5 28.Rd1 Rd3.[/font]

25...Bxc4

More aggressive play comes from taking with the Knight.
If [font color="red"]25...Nxc4 26.e4 Nd2 27.Re1 fxe4 28.fxe4 Rd4[/font] gives Black an extra pawn (passed) and two minor pieces for a Rook.

26.e4?!

Black is not forced to take on e5, so the pawn excahnge only weakens White further.
Better is [font color="red"]26.Rc1 Bb5 27.R1c5 Nb3[/font] when:

[font color="red"]28.Rxe5 Bd7 29.e4 fxe4 30.fxe4 a5 31.Kf2 a4[/font] leaves Black with the more remote passer.
If [font color="darkred"]28.Rc8+?[/font] then after [font color="red"]28...Kf7! 29.Rxe5 Bd7 30.Ra8 a5 31.e4 a4[/font] Black's passed a-pawn is still the difference and probably a decisive difference.

26...Bb5 27.exf5 Nc4 28.Re1?

The e-pawn is not important. The a-pawn is.
Black has better survival chances after [font color="red"]28.Rc1 Nd6 29.Ra7 Nxf5 30.Rc8+ Be8 31.Rxa6 Rd1+.[/font]

[center]
BLACK: Hou Yifan

WHITE: Elina Danielian
Position after 28.Rf1e1
[/center]
28...Rd7!

Black challenges White's most effective piece.

29.Rc5

Since it would be more difficult to coordinate a Knight and a Bishop, White should accept the offer to exchange.
If [font color="red"]29.Rxd7 Bxd7 30.Rc1 Bb5 31.Rb1 Ke7 32.Kf2 Bc6[/font] still leaves White with a remote passer.

29...Kf7 30.Re4 Nb2 31.Rcxe5

White shortens her agony.
If [font color="red"]31.h4 Nd3 32.Rc8 Rd5 33.Rg4 Nf4 34.Ra8 Rd7[/font] sidelines one of White's Rooks.

31...Nd3! 32.Re6 Rc7 33.g4

No better is [font color="red"]33.h4 Nc5 34.Re1 Nxe6 35.Rxe6 a5 36.Re5 Rc1+[/font] when White wins in a cakewalk.

33...Nc5!

Black wins the exchange.

34.Kf2

No better is [font color="red"]34.Rd6 Nxe4 35.fxe4 Rc4 36.Re6 Rc6.[/font]

34...Nxe6 35.fxe6+ Ke7 36.f4 Rc4 37.Rxc4 Bxc4 38.f5 Bxe6! 0-1

After the completion of the exchange on e6, Black wins the King-and-pawn ending.
Ms. Danielian resigns.

Jack Rabbit

(45,984 posts)

16. Ju Wengun - Mkrtchian, Round 3

Thu Jan 12, 2012, 08:08 PM

Jan 2012

[center]

Ju Wenjun
[/center][font size="1"]Photo by Goran Urosevic in http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Ju_Wenjun_2008.jpg Wikimedia Commons (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en Creative Commons License, Attribution/Share Alike)
[/font]

Ju Wenjun (China) - Lilit Mkrtchian (Armenia)
http://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1650318
World Women's Team Championship, Round 3/Board 2
Mardin, 20 December 2011

West India Game: Tal-Indian Defense (Wing Gambit) (Modern Benoni)

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.g3 c5 4.d5 exd5 5.cxd5 b5!?

The Wing Gambit is not very often seen.
[font color="red"]5...d6 6.Nc3 g6 7.Nf3 Bg7[/font] sets up the main line of the Catalan Tal-Indian.

6.Nf3

White replies with a natural developing move.

6...d6!?

This is what is most commonly played, but 6...Bb7 deserves a look.
If [font color="red"]6...Bb7 7.e4 Nxe4[/font] then:

[font color="red"]8.Bg2 Be7 9.0-0 0-0 10.Re1 f5 11.Nc3 Nxc3 12.bxc3[/font] is equal (Grischuk-Moiseenko, Rpd IT, Odessa, 2009).
[font color="darkred"]8.Bxb5 Qa5+ 9.Nfd2 Bxd5 10.0-0 Qxb5 11.Nxe4 Qc6[/font] is equal (Nyback-Andreikin, World Cup, Khanty-Mansiysk, 2009).

7.e4

White has a slight advantage in space and the initiative.
If [font color="red"]7.Bg2[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]7...g6 8.0-0 Bg7 9.e4 0-0[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]10.e5 dxe5 11.Nxe5 Bb7 12.Nc6[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]12...Qb6 13.Ne7+ Kh8[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]14.Nc3 Re8 15.Re1[/font] then:

[font color="red"]15...Qd8?! 16.d6! Bxg2 17.Kxg2 Qb6 18.Qf3 Nbd7 19.Bf4[/font] gives White a passed pawn, a powerful Knight, command of the e-file and more space (Eden-Adair, British Ch, Torquay, 2009).
[font color="burgundy"]15...Nbd7 16.d6 Bxg2 17.Kxg2 b4 18.Na4 Qb5 19.b3[/font] continues to give White a small advantage

[font color="darkpink"]14.a4 Ng8 15.Nxg8 Kxg8 16.axb5 a6 17.Nc3[/font] continues to give White a small advantage in space (Battaglini-Anisimov, Chigorin mMem Op, St. Petersburg, 2009).

If [font color="darkred"]12...Qd7[/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]13.Nc3!? Nxc6 14.dxc6 Bxc6 15.Qxd7 Bxd7 16.Bxa8 Rxa8[/font] gives Black just a pawn for the exchange, but more space and freedom (Kachiani-Zhukova, Euro ChW, Rijeka, 2010).
[font color="magenta"]13.a4 b4[/font] then:

If [font color="magenta"]14.Bg5?![/font] then:

[font color="magenta"]14...Nxc6 15.dxc6 Bxc6 16.Qxd7 Bxd7 17.Bxa8 Rxa8[/font] gives Black a slight advantage with a queenside pawn majority and more space in compensation for having only an extra pawn for the exchange (Tkachiev-Grischuk, Tal Mem Blitz, Moscow, 2009).
[font color="purple"]14...Re8! 15.Bf4 Nxd5 16.Nxb8 Qf5 17.Re1 Rd8 18.Bxd5 Bxd5[/font] gives Black a huge advantage as White's extra piece is doomed.

[font color="darkorange"]14.Re1 Nxc6 15.dxc6 Bxc6 16.Qxd7 Bxd7 17.Bxa8 Rxa8[/font] gives Black compensation for the exchange in an extra pawn and more space.

[font color="darkorchid"]10.Re1 Bg4 11.a4 b4 12.Nbd2 Nbd7 13.h3 Bxf3 14.Bxf3 Ne5 15.Be2 Qc8 16.Kg2 c4 17.f4[/font] draw (Gleizerov-Savon, Op, Minsk, 1997).

If [font color="darkred"]7...Be7 8.0-0 0-0 9.Re1 Re8[/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]10.a4 bxa4 11.Nc3 Nbd7 12.h3 Nb6 13.e4[/font] gives White a small advantage in space (Berkes-P. Carlsson, World Jr Ch, Goa, 2002).
[font color="magenta"]10.e4 Bg4 11.a4 bxa4 12.Qxa4 Nbd7[/font] draw (Akesson-Gulko, Politiken Cup, Copenhagen, 1996).

7...a6 8.Nbd2 (N)

[font color="red"]8.a4 b4[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]9.Bd3[/font] then:

[font color="red"]9...g6?! 10.Nbd2! Bg7 11.Nc4 0-0 12.Bf4 Ne8 13.a5[/font] gives White more activity, a better center and more space; Black is poorly developed (Gelfand-Aronian, World Ch Trmt, Mexico City, 2007).
[font color="magenta"]9...Bh3 10.Nbd2 Nbd7 11.Ng5 Bg4 12.f3 Ne5 13.Be2[/font] gives White a better center, the initiative and more space.

[font color="darkred"]9.Nbd2 Be7 10.Qc2 0-0 11.a5 Bd7 12.Bg2[/font] gives White a better center and more space.

8...Nbd7 9.a4

White has a small advantage in space.

9...b4 10.Bd3!?

Black overprotects her e-pawn.
[font color="red"]10.a5 Be7 11.Bg2 0-0 12.0-0 Rb8 13.Qe2[/font] continues to give White a small advantage in space.

10...Be7

If [font color="red"]10...Ng4 11.Nc4[/font] then:

[font color="red"]11...f6 12.0-0 Be7 13.Bf4 Nde5 14.Nfxe5 fxe5 15.Be2[/font] gives White a small advantage in space and the initiative.
If [font color="darkred"]11...Be7?! 12.Bf4[/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]12...Nf8 13.h3 Nf6 14.Be3 Rb8 15.Kf1 a5 16.Kg2[/font] gives White better King safety, more freedom and more space.
[font color="magenta"]12...Qc7 13.h3 Nge5 14.Bxe5 Nxe5 15.Nfxe5 dxe5 16.Qh5[/font] Gives White a slight initiative against a central pawn and more space.

11.a5 Nf8

If [font color="red"]11...0-0 12.0-0[/font] then:

[font color="red"]12...Qc7 13.Nc4 Bb7 14.b3 Ng4 15.Ra2 f6 16.Nh4[/font] gives White more space and the initiative.
[font color="darkred"]12...Ng4 13.Nc4 Qc7 14.b3 Re8 15.Bf4 f6 16.Be2[/font] gives White a very comfortable advantage in space.

12.Nc4

[font color="red"]12.0-0 Ng4 13.h3 Nf6 14.Kg2 Ng6 15.Nc4[/font] gives White a comfortable advantage in space.

12...Bh3?!

This will keep White from castling on her next move, but little longer than that.
If [font color="red"]12...Ng6 13.0-0[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]13...Ra7 14.Re1 Ng4[/font] then:

[font color="red"]15.h4 h6 16.h5 N6e5 17.Nfxe5 Nxe5 18.Nxe5 dxe5 19.Be3[/font] gives White a passed pawn and more space.
[font color="magenta"]15.h3 N4e5 16.Nfxe5 Nxe5 17.Nxe5 dxe5 18.Be3 0-0 19.h4[/font] gives White a passed pawn and more space.

[font color="darkred"]13...Rb8 14.Nb6 0-0 15.Nxc8 Qxc8 16.Nd2 Ne5 17.Nc4[/font] gives White a copmfortable advantage in space; while the space count is only two squares in White's favor, he has two pawns passed the frontier line, cramping Black's game.

13.Ng5!

White expels the intruding Bishop.

13...Bc8?

Even before this move, Black's chances weren't very good.
Black will last a little longer after [font color="red"]13...Bg4 14.f3[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]14...Bc8 15.e5 dxe5 16.d6 Bxd6 17.Bb1[/font] then:

Black's must allow her King to flounder in the center after [font color="red"]17...Bc7 18.Qxd8+ Bxd8 19.Nd6+ Ke7 20.Ndxf7.[/font]
No better is [font color="magenta"]17...Ke7 18.Nxd6 Qxd6 19.Qxd6+ Kxd6 20.Nxf7+.[/font]

If [font color="darkred"]14...Bh5?[/font] then White wins after [font color="darkred"]15.e5 dxe5 16.d6 Bxd6 17.g4 Bc7 18.Qa4+.[/font]

[center]
BLACK: Lilit Mkrtchian

WHITE: Ju Wenjun
Position after 13...Bh3c8
[/center]
14.f4!?

Not the very best, but it works well enough.
The best move is the pawn sacrifice [font color="red"]14.e5!! dxe5 15.d6 Bxd6[/font] when:

White wins after [font color="red"]16.Qf3! Rb8 17.Qc6+ Ke7 18.Nxf7 Kxf7 19.Nxd6+.[/font]
[font color="darkred"]16.Bc2!? Bc7 17.Qxd8+ Kxd8 18.Nxf7+ Ke7 19.Nxh8[/font] gives White a Rook for a pawn, but the Knight is entombed at h8.

14...Bb7?

Here the Bishop bites granite.
If [font color="red"]14...Ng6! 15.Nb6[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]15...Ra7 16.e5 dxe5 17.f5 Nf8 18.Bc4 Bd6 19.0-0[/font] gives White greater activity for her minor pieces and a comfortable advantage in space.
If [font color="darkred"]15...Rb8? 16.Qa4+ Kf8 17.0-0 Bb7?[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]18.e5! Nxd5[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]19.Nxf7![/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]19...Nxb6 20.Nxd8 Nxa4 21.Nxb7 Rxb7 22.Rxa4 Ke8 23.Bxa6[/font] gives White an extra pawn.
If [font color="burgundy"]19...Kxf7[/font] then White wins after [font color="burgundy"]20.Bc4 Re8 21.Nxd5 Bxd5 22.Bxd5+ Kf8 23.Qd1.[/font]

If [font color="magenta"]19.Nd7+ Kg8 20.e6 fxe6 21.Nxe6[/font] then:

If [font color="magenta"]21...Qe8[/font] then:

[font color="magenta"]22.Re1[/font] then White wins after [font color="magenta"]22...Nf6 23.Nxb8 Qxb8 24.Ng5 Kf8 25.Qb3.[/font]
[font color="purple"]22.Nxb8 Qxb8 23.Re1[/font] transposes into the [font color="darkorange"]orange[/font] line.

[font color="darkorange"]21...Qc8 22.Nxb8 Qxb8 23.Re1[/font] leaves White up by an exchange with Black's Rook at least temporarily out of the game.

[font color="darkorchid"]18.Bd2?! h6 19.Nf3 Kg8 20.b3 h5 21.f5[/font] gives White a significant advantage in space.

If [font color="blue"]14...Bg4? 15.Be2 Bxe2 16.Qxe2[/font] then:

[font color="blue"]16...h6 17.Nf3 Ng6 18.0-0 0-0 19.Rd1[/font] gives White a significant advantage in space and more freedom.
[font color="darkblue"]16...Ng6?[/font] then White wins after [font color="darkblue"]17.e5 dxe5 18.f5 Qxd5 19.0-0 Qd4+ 20.Be3.[/font]

If [font color="#008000"]14...h6? 15.Nf3![/font] then:

If [font color="#008000"]15...Bh3[/font] then White wins after [font color="#008000"]16.Nb6 N8d7 17.e5 Ng4 18.Qa4.[/font]
If [font color="#4CC417"]15...Bg4[/font] then White wins after [font color="#4CC417"]16.h3 Bxf3 17.Qxf3 Ng6 18.b3.[/font]

15.0-0!

No more second chances.
[font color="red"]15.Qa4+!? N8d7 16.0-0 0-0 17.e5 dxe5 18.d6[/font] gives White a great advantage, but she'll have to work a little more before winning.

15...Ng6

If [font color="red"]15...h6[/font] then White wins a pawn after [font color="red"]16.Nf3 Ng6 17.Qa4+ Kf8 18.f5 Ne5 19.Ncxe5.[/font]

16.Nb6 Ra7

[font color="red"]16...0-0 17.Nxa8 Qxa8 18.Qc2 Nd7 19.h4 h6 20.Nf3[/font] maintains White's advantage.

[center]
BLACK: Lilit Mkrtchian

WHITE: Ju Wenjun
Position after 16...Ra8a7
[/center]
17.e5!

Black is in a vise.

17...Nxd5 18.Bxg6

While this is sufficient, [font color="red"]18.Nxf7!! Kxf7 19.Bc4 Ke8 20.Bxd5 Bxd5 21.Qxd5[/font] wins quicker.

18...hxg6 19.Nxd5 Bxg5

If [font color="red"]19...dxe5[/font] then White wins after [font color="red"]20.Nxe7 Qxe7 21.Qa4+ Kf8 22.fxe5 Bd5 23.Rd1.[/font]

20.fxg5 dxe5 21.Nb6 Qc7

No better is [font color="red"]21...Qd4+ 22.Qxd4 cxd4 23.Bd2 0-0 24.Rac1.[/font]

22.Qa4+ Bc6 23.Qc2 Bb5 24.Re1

More accurate is [font color="red"]24.Rd1 0-0 25.Be3 Qc6 26.Rd5 c4 27.Rxe5.[/font]

24...Qd6 25.Be3 Rc7 26.Rad1 Qc6

No better is [font color="red"]26...Qe6 27.Bxc5 f5 28.Nd5 Rc6 29.Nxb4.[/font]

27.Rd5 Qe6 28.Bxc5 f6 29.Qxg6+ Qf7

If [font color="red"]29...Rf7 30.Rdxe5[/font] then:

[font color="red"]30...Kd8 31.Rxe6 Rc7 32.Rd1+[/font] leads to mate.
[font color="darkred"]30...fxe5 31.Qxe6+ Re7 32.Qxe7#.[/font]

[center]
BLACK: Lilit Mkrtchian

WHITE: Ju Wenjun
Position after 29...Qe6f7
[/center]
30.Rdxe5+!!

The sacrifice of the Rook is the quickest way to end the game.

30...fxe5 31.Rxe5+ Kd8 32.Qd6+ Bd7 33.Nd5 Rc6 34.Bb6+ Kc8 35.Ne7+ Qxe7 36.Qxe7 Rc1+ 37.Re1 1-0

Ms. Mkrtchian resigns.

Jack Rabbit

(45,984 posts)

17. Kosteniuk - Xhao Xue, Round 5

Thu Jan 12, 2012, 08:10 PM

Jan 2012

Zhao Xue played in all nine rounds for China, winning seven games. Here is her victory over former world women's champion Alexandra Kosteniuk during China's 4-0 whitewash of Russia in Round 5.
[center]

Zhao Xue
[/center][font size="1"]Photo by Leigh Atkins in http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zhao_Xue Wikipedia (Public Domain)
[/font]

Alexandra Kosteniuk (Russia) - Zhao Xue (China)
http://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1651018
World Women's Team Championship, Round 5/Board 3
Mardin, 22 December 2011

East India Game: Queen's Indian Defense (Petrosian Opening)

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 b6 4.a3 Ba6 5.Qb3

More common is [font color="red"]5.Qc2 Bb7 6.Nc3 c5 7.e4 cxd4 8.Nxd4 Bc5.[/font] See Z. Almasi-I. Sokolov, Euro Ch, Rijeka, 2010.

5...d5!?

Black commits in the center a bit soon.
Better is
If [font color="red"]5...c5 6.d5[/font] when:

If [font color="red"]6...exd5 7.cxd5 d6 8.Nc3[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]8...Nbd7[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]9.e4 Bxf1 10.Kxf1 Be7 11.g3 0-0 12.Kg2[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]12...a6 13.a4[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]13...Re8[/font] then:

[font color="red"]14.Re1!? Bf8 15.Bf4 Nh5 16.Bg5 Be7 17.Be3[/font] leaves White with a small advantage in space (Dobrev-Elbilia, French ChT, Chalons-en-Champagne, 2009).
If [font color="darkred"]14.Qc4 Nh5[/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]15.Re1 Bf6 16.g4 Bxc3 17.bxc3 Nhf6 18.h3[/font] gives White a small advantage in space.
If [font color="magenta"]15.g4 Nhf6[/font] then:

[font color="magenta"]16.h3 Nf8 17.e5 dxe5 18.Nxe5 Bd6 19.Nc6 Qc7[/font] is equal.
If [font color="darkorange"]16.g5 Nh5 17.Ne2 Ne5 18.Nxe5 dxe5 19.h4 g6[/font] is equal.

[font color="burgundy"]13...Ne8?! 14.Nd2! Rb8 15.Nc4 Qc7 16.Bf4 Bf6 17.Rhd1[/font] gives White an impressive advantage in space (Zimmerman-Sendur, 1st Saturday April, Budapest, 2001).

[font color="darkpink"]12...Re8 13.Re1 Bf8 14.h3 a6 15.a4 Qc7 16.Qc4[/font] gives White a small advantage in space (Zimmernan-Cao, 1st Saturday December, Budapest, 1995).

[font color="darkred"]9.g3 Be7[/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]10.Bg2!? 0-0 11.0-0 Re8 12.Re1 Bf8 13.Bf4[/font] gives White a small advantage in space (Dreev-Nisipeanu, Rpd IT, Cap d'Agde, 2000).
[font color="magenta"]10.e4 Bxf1 11.Kxf1 0-0 12.Kg2 h6 13.Qc2[/font] gives White a fair advantage in space.

If [font color="darkred"]8...g6[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]9.Bf4 Bg7 10.Qa4+[/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]10...Qd7 11.Bxd6 Qxa4 12.Nxa4 Nxd5 13.0-0-0[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]13...Ne7 14.e4 Bxf1 15.Rhxf1 Nbc6 16.Nc3 Bxc3 17.bxc3[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]17...Rd8 18.Bc7[/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]18...Rd7 19.Bf4 f6 20.Rxd7 Kxd7 21.Rd1+ Kc8 22.Rd6 Rf8 23.h4[/font] is equal (Browne-Timman, IZT, Las Palmas, 1982).
If [font color="magenta"]18...Rxd1+ 19.Rxd1 f6[/font] then:

[font color="magenta"]20.e5!? fxe5 21.Nxe5 Rf8 22.Nf3 Rf6 23.Bg3[/font] gives Black a small advantage in space (Dreev-Yemelin, Aeroflot Op, Moscow, 2002).
[font color="darkorange"]20.Kb2 Kf7 21.Kb3 Rc8 22.Bg3 Rd8 23.Rxd8 Nxd8[/font] is equal.

[font color="hotpink"]17...f6 18.e5 fxe5 19.Nxe5 Nxe5 20.Bxe5 0-0 21.Rd7[/font] is equal (Almeida Quintana-S. Grover, Op, Paris, 2008).

[font color="purple"]13...Nf6 14.Nc3 Nc6 15.Ne5 Nxe5 16.Bxe5 0-0 17.e4[/font] gives White a slight advantage in space (Tregubov-Yemelin, Russian Ch, Krasnoyarsk, 2003).

[font color="darkorange"]10...b5?! 11.Nxb5 0-0 12.Nc3 Qb6 13.Rb1 Nbd7 14.Nd2[/font] gives White a comfortable advantave with better pawns and more space (Dreev-Bareev, IT, Poikovsky, 2006).

If [font color="magenta"]9.e4 Bxf1 10.Kxf1 Bg7[/font] then:

If [font color="magenta"]11.Bf4 0-0 12.h3[/font] then:

[font color="magenta"]12...Qe7 13.Re1 Nbd7 14.g4 Ne8 15.Kg2 Ne5 16.Bg5[/font] is equal (Sulashvili-Allahverdiev, Op, Baku, 2010).
[font color="purple"]12...Re8?! 13.Re1! a6 14.a4 Ra7 15.g4 Rb7 16.Kg2[/font] gives White a comfortable advantage in space (Mchedlishvili-Efimenko, Ol, Dresden, 2008).

[font color="darkorange"]11.Qa4+ Qd7 12.Qxd7+ Kxd7 13.Bf4 Nh5 14.Bd2 Na6[/font] is equal (Sulashvili-Videnova, Op, Cappelle-la-Grande, 2011).

[font color="darkorchid"]6...Bd6 7.Nc3 0-0 8.Bg5 h6 9.Bh4 Be7 10.e3[/font] limits White to a slight advantage in space (Fritz 13).

6.cxd5 exd5?!

Better is [font color="red"]6...Qxd5![/font] when:

If [font color="red"]7.Qxd5 exd5 8.Nc3 c6 9.Bf4 Nbd7[/font] then:

[font color="red"]10.h3 Be7 11.g4 0-0 12.e3 Bxf1 13.Kxf1[/font] gives White a small advantage in space (I. Sokolov-Adams, IT, Groningen, 1995).
[font color="magenta"]10.e3 Bxf1 11.Kxf1 Be7 12.Ke2 0-0-0 13.Rac1 Kb7[/font] is equal (Sankidze-Lysyj, Euro Ch, Plovidv, 2008).

[font color="darkred"]7.Qc2 c5 8.Nc3 Qd7 9.dxc5 Bxc5 10.g3 Bb7[/font] is equal (Shipov-Karpov, IT, Linares, 1993).

7.Nc3 Be7 8.g3

If [font color="red"]8.Bg5 c6 9.Bxf6 Bxf6[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]10.e4[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]10...Bxf1 11.Rxf1 dxe4 12.Nxe4 0-0 13.0-0-0[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]13...Nd7[/font] then:

[font color="red"]14.Rfe1 Qc7 15.Kb1 Be7 16.Ng3 Rae8 17.Rc1[/font] gives White a small advantage in space (Jujua-Banikas, Euro Ch, Plovdiv, 2008).
[font color="purple"]14.Ne5 Bxe5 15.dxe5 Qh4 16.f4 Nxe5 17.g3[/font] is equal (Noritsyn-Kovalyov, Op, Montreal, 2011).

[font color="darkorange"]13...Be7 14.Ne5 Qd5 15.Qxd5 cxd5 16.Nc3 Rd8 17.Kb1[/font] gives White better development and, as a result, more space (S. Pedersen-Naiditsch, Bundesliga 0405, Germany, 2004).

[font color="magenta"]10...0-0 11.Bxa6 Nxa6 12.exd5 Re8+ 13.Kf1 c5 14.Rd1[/font] is equal (Dreev-Piket, IT, Linares, 1997).

[font color="darkred"]10.e3 Bxf1 11.Kxf1 Qc8 12.e4 dxe4 13.Nxe4[/font] gives White a comfortable advantage in space (Kizov-Feodorchuk, IT, Bar, 2005).

8...0-0 9.Bg2 c5 10.dxc5 (N)

If [font color="red"]10.0-0 Nc6 11.Qa4 Qc8[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]12.Bg5 Rd8 13.Rac1[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]13...Na5?[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]14.dxc5[/font] then:

[font color="red"]14...Bc4 15.Nd2 Rb8 16.cxb6 Rxb6 17.Bxf6 Bxf6 18.Nxd5[/font] Black resigns (Kozul-Steedman, Euro Club Cup, Panormo, 2001).
[font color="hotpink"]15...Qf5 16.Bxf6 Bxf6 17.Nxc4 Nxc4 18.Bxd5 Bxc3 19.Bxa8[/font] wins the exchange.

[font color="purple"]14...h6 15.Bf4 Nc4 16.b3 Nb2 17.Qd4 bxc5 18.Qd2![/font] traps the Knight.

[font color="darkorange"]14.b4 Nc4 15.Ne5 Bb7 16.Nxc4 dxc4 17.Bxb7 Qxb7 18.dxc5[/font] when White has an extra pawn.

[font color="magenta"]13...h6 14.Bxf6 Bxf6 15.b4 Bc4 16.dxc5 b5[/font] is equal

[font color="darkred"]12.Bf4 Rd8 13.dxc5 bxc5 14.Rac1 Bb7 15.Qc2 h6[/font] is equal.

10...Nc6

White has a small advantage in space.

11.0-0 bxc5 12.Rd1 d4 13.Qc2 Rc8 14.e4!?

[font color="red"]14.Bg5 h6 15.Bxf6 Bxf6 16.Ne4 Be7 17.Bh3[/font] continues to give White a small advantage in space.

14...Re8!?

Black misses a chance to take advantage of White's inaccuracy.
If [font color="red"]14...Bd6 15.Nd5 h6 16.Re1 Re8 17.Bf4 Bxf4 18.Nxf4 Qd6[/font] gives Black a small advantage in space.

15.Nd5?!

The text leads to an ill-advised exchange on d5.
Better is [font color="red"]15.Bh3! Rb8 16.e5 Nd5 17.e6[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]17...f6 18.Bf5![/font] then:

[font color="red"]18...Kh8 19.Qe4 g6 20.Nxd5 gxf5 21.Qxf5 Be2 22.Rd2[/font] leaves White with a small advantage in space.
[font color="burgundy"]18...Nxc3?! 19.Bxh7+ Kh8 20.bxc3 Qd5 21.Qe4 Qxe4 22.Bxe4[/font] gives Black a comfortable advantage in space.

If [font color="darkred"]17...Nxc3 18.bxc3[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]18...Qd5 19.Bf4[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]19...fxe6 20.Bxb8 Rxb8 21.Ne1 Qd6 22.Rab1 Rxb1 23.Rxb1[/font] leaves White up by the exchange.
[font color="darkorange"]19...Rbd8?! 20.Re1 Bf6 21.Bg2 Qh5 22.Qa4 Bb7 23.g4[/font] gives White a more fluid game and the initiative.

[font color="magenta"]18...d3?! 19.exf7+! Kxf7 20.Qa4 Bb5 21.Qf4+[/font] gives White a fair advantage in space.

[center]
BLACK: Zhao Xue

WHITE: Alexandra Kosteniuk
Position after 15.Nc3d5
[/center]
15...Nxd5!

Black goes for it.

16.exd5

White's d-pawn is about as isolated as a pawn can be. There seems little point in trying to make an effort to save it.

16...Na5 17.Bd2?!

This move is artificial. The Bishop isn't really threatening the Knight at all and can't do anything else alonge the e1/a5 diagonal. If Black were to move the Bishop, f4 would be the square where it should go, where it could be driven away by 17...g4, a move that would weaken Black's kingside.
Best is [font color="red"]17.Re1 Qb6 18.Bh3 Nb3 19.Bxc8 Nxa1 20.Qf5 g6[/font] with equality.

17...Nc4!

Black assumes a fair advantage in space.

18.Qa4?!

The attack on the Bishop is easily parried.
[font color="red"]18.Bf4 Nb6 19.Ne5 Nxd5 20.Qf5 Nf6 21.b4 g6[/font] continues to give Black a fair advantage in space.

18...Qb6!

Black protects her Bishop an strikes at White's b-pawn.

19.Bc1!?

This will not save the b-pawn.
If [font color="red"]19.Bf1 Bb5[/font] then:

[font color="red"]20.Qc2 Nxd2 21.Rxd2 Bf8 22.Bc4 Bxc4 23.Qxc4 Qb7[/font] gives Black a comfortable advantage in space.
[font color="darkred"]20.Qb3 Nxd2 21.Nxd2 Bxf1 22.Qxb6 axb6 23.Kxf1 Red8[/font] leaves White no way to protect her d-pawn.

19...d3

Even better is [font color="red"]19...Bf6![/font] (commanding the e-file with the Rook and overprotecting the d-pawn) [font color="red"]20.Bf1 Nxb2 21.Bxb2 Bxf1 22.Rxf1 Qxb2[/font] when Black has an extra pawn.

20.Qd7?

White has few good moves and switching the Queen to the kingside is tempting, but better is to look for initiative in the center.
If [font color="red"]20.Re1![/font] then:

If [font color="red"]20...Rcd8 21.Rb1[/font] then:

[font color="red"]21...Qb7 22.Ng5 d2! 23.Bxd2 Nxd2 24.Nxf7 Kxf7[/font] gives Black a strong game and she should win once she resolves the problem of her King's safety.
[font color="burgundy"]21...Qb5!? 22.Qxb5 Bxb5 23.b3 Nb6[/font] gives Black only a fair advantage in space.

If [font color="darkred"]20...Bb5?! 21.Qd1 Na5 22.b3[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]22...c4 23.bxc4 Bxc4 24.Bf4 Bc5 25.Rxe8+ Rxe8 26.Rb1 Bxf2+[/font] is equal.
[font color="magenta"]22...Rcd8 23.a4 Bf6 24.Rb1 Rxe1+ 25.Nxe1 Bxa4 26.Qxd3[/font] is equal.

If [font color="blue"]20.Rxd3?[/font] then Black wins easily after [font color="blue"]20...Nxb2! 21.Bxb2 Bxd3 22.Be5 c4 23.Bh3 f5.[/font]

[center]
BLACK: Zhao Xue

WHITE: Alexandra Kosteniuk
Position after 20.Qa4d7
[/center]
20...Bf6

Although this move isn't the best, it's good enough.
Black wins quicker after [font color="red"]20...Rcd8! 21.Qc6 Qb3 22.Bg5 Bb7 23.Qc7 Bd6.[/font]

21.Rb1

If [font color="red"]21.Ng5 Re7 22.Qg4 Rce8[/font] then:

[font color="red"]23.Ne4 Bd4 24.a4 g6 25.Qh4 f5 26.Ng5 Re1+[/font] gives Black an easy win after the exchange of Rooks by simpy pushing the passed pawn.
If [font color="darkred"]23.Bf1[/font] then Black wins after [font color="darkred"]23...h6 24.Nf3 Re4 25.Qh5 Nxb2.[/font]

21...Red8 22.Qf5 Nxa3 23.Ra1 Nc2 24.Ra4

White could last longer after [font color="red"]24.Rxa6 Qxa6 25.Ng5 g6 26.Qxd3 Qxd3 27.Rxd3 Nb4.[/font]

24...g6 25.Qg4 h5 26.Qe4 Bb5 27.Ra2

White slips deeper into the abyss.
Better is [font color="red"]27.Rc4 Nb4 28.Rxb4 cxb4 29.Be3 Qa6,[/font] but it won't change the result.

27...Nb4 28.Ra3 Re8 29.Qf4
[center]
BLACK: Zhao Xue

WHITE: Alexandra Kosteniuk
Position after 29.Qe4f4
[/center]
29...Nxd5

Black is two pawns to the good and has the initiative.

30.Qh6 Bg7 31.Qg5 Nb4

Even better is [font color="red"]31...c4![/font] when if [font color="red"]32.Rf1[/font] then Black wins in a cakewalk after [font color="red"]32...Rc5 33.Ra1 Bd7 34.h3 a5.[/font]

32.g4 hxg4 33.Qxg4 Nc2!

Black's pieces begin swarming into White's camp.

34.Rc3 Qe6 35.Qh4

If [font color="red"]35.Qxe6 Rxe6[/font] then:

[font color="red"]36.Rcxd3 Bxd3 37.Rxd3 Ne1 38.Rd1 Nxg2 39.Kxg2 Rb6[/font] leaves Black up by an exchange and a pawn.
[font color="darkred"]36.Rb3 Rb6 37.Rxb5 Rxb5 38.Rxd3 Bxb2 39.Bf4 c4.[/font]

[center]
BLACK: Zhao Xue

WHITE: Alexandra Kosteniuk
Position after 35.Qg4h4
[/center]
35...Qe2!

White could have resigned here. Black is two pawns to the good and squeezing White in what seems like a chess equivalent of a forecourt press.

36.Rf1

If [font color="red"]36.Rd2 Bxc3!![/font] then:

[font color="red"]37.bxc3[/font] then Black wins after [font color="red"]37...Qe4 38.Rd1 Qxh4 39.Nxh4 a5.[/font]
If [font color="darkred"]37.Rxe2[/font] then Black wins after [font color="darkred"]37...dxe2 38.Be3 Nd4 39.Bxd4 e1Q+ 40.Nxe1 Rxe1+.[/font]

36...Qe4 37.Qh3

If [font color="red"]37.Bf4[/font] then Black wins after [font color="red"]37...Nd4 38.Nxd4 Qxd4 39.Qg5 Bf6 40.Qh6 d2[/font] when White must lose a piece to stop the pawn.

37...Qf5 38.Qg3 Rcd8 39.Rb3

No better is [font color="red"]39.Bh3 Qh5 40.Bg5 Rd5 41.Bg4 Rxg5 42.Nxg5 Qxg5.[/font]

39...c4 40.Rc3 Nd4 41.Nxd4 Rxd4 42.Bh3

If [font color="red"]42.Qf3[/font] then [font color="red"]42...d2 43.Qxf5 gxf5 44.Bf3 Re1[/font] is crushing.

42...Qh5 43.Be3 Rh4 44.Bg2 Be5 45.f4 Bxc3 46.bxc3 Rg4 47.Qf3

If [font color="red"]47.Bf3 Rxg3+ 48.hxg3 Qh3[/font] then:

[font color="red"]49.Bf2[/font] then Black wins after [font color="red"]49...d2 50.Bb7 Qxf1+!! 51.Kxf1 Re1+ 52.Bxe1 d1Q.[/font]
If [font color="darkred"]49.Bg2[/font] then Black wins after [font color="darkred"]49...Qxg3 50.Bf2 Qg4 51.Kh2 Re2 52.f5 d2.[/font]

[center]
BLACK: Zhao Xue

WHITE: Alexandra Kosteniuk
Position after 47.Qg3f3
[/center]
47...Rxe3!!

The exchange sacrifice caps off the game.

48.Qxe3 Bc6 0-1

If [font color="red"]49.Rf2[/font] then White wins easily after [font color="red"]49...Rxg2+ 50.Rxg2 Qd1+ 51.Kf2 Qc2+ 52.Ke1 Qxg2.[/font]
Alexandra Konstantinovna resigns.

Jack Rabbit

(45,984 posts)

18. Le Thao Nguyen Pham - Koneru, Round 5

Thu Jan 12, 2012, 08:13 PM

Jan 2012

Koneru Humpy, who lost the match for the world women's tile in November to Hou Yifan, recovered and won the first four games she played in Mardin and drew the balance.
[center]

Koneru Humpy
[/center][font size="1"]Photo by http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Stefan64 Stefan64 in http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Humpy_Koneru Wikimedia Commons (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en Creative Commons License, Attribution/Share Alike)
[/font]

Le Thao Nguyen Pham (Vietnam) - Koneru Humpy (India)
http://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1651013
World Women's Team Championship, Round 5/Board 1
Mardin, 22 December 2011

King's English Game: King's Fianchetto Defense

1.Nf3 g6 2.c4

As my staff and I are fond of saying, there is no such thing as a Reti Opening.
Reti's idea was simply to reverse the move order of a variation of the English Game and thus preventing Black from playing 1...e5. It's still an English Game

2...Bg7 3.g3 d6 4.Bg2 e5

The game transposes into a King's English after all.

5.Nc3 Nc6 6.d3 h6

More common is [font color="red"]6...Nf6 7. 0-0 0-0 8.Rb1.[/font] See van Wely-Movsesian, IT A, Wijk aan Zee, 2009.
Also common is [font color="blue"]6...f5 7.0-0 Nf6 8.Rb1.[/font] Also see van Wely-Movsesian.

7.Rb1 f5

If [font color="red"]7...Be6 8.0-0 Nge7 9.b4 Qd7 10.b5 Nd8[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]11.e4 0-0[/font] then:

[font color="red"]12.Nd5 f5 13.Nxe7+ Qxe7 14.Nh4 Qf7 15.f4[/font] gives White activity and space (Zoltek-Gruzmann, World Sr Ch, Rijeka, 2011).
[font color="darlorchid"]12.Kh1 Kh7 13.Ng1!? f5! 14.exf5 Nxf5 15.h3 Rb8[/font] is equal (Tartakover-Walter, IT, Märisch-Ostrau, 1923).

If [font color="darkred"]11.a4 0-0 12.Ba3[/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]12...Bh3 13.c5 Bxg2 14.cxd6 cxd6 15.Kxg2 b6 16.d4[/font] is equal; the backward d-pawn is a problem at the moment (Malakhov-Szenetra, Rpd Op, Mainz, 2009).

[font color="magenta"]12...f5 13.Nd2 Rc8 14.Qc2 f4 15.Rbe1 Bh3 16.e3[/font] gives Black a small advantage because he can reload on h3 (Botvinnik-Liberzon, Soviet ChT, Moscow, 1968).

8.Bd2

If [font color="red"]8.e4!?[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]8...Nf6?![/font] (vary careless) [font color="red"]9.Nh4![/font] (White attacks the unguarded pawn) [font color="red"]9...Ne7 10.exf5 gxf5 11.d4[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]11...0-0 12.0-0 Be6 13.dxe5 dxe5[/font] then:

[font color="red"]14.Qe2!? Qd4 15.Rd1 Qxc4 16.Qxc4 Bxc4 17.b3[/font] gives White a fair advantage in space (Keres-Gufeld, IT, Tallinn, 1969).
[font color="darkorange"]14.Qb3! c6 15.Qxb7 Re8 16.Be3 Bxc4 17.Rfd1[/font] gives White significant power on the queenside and in the center.

[font color="magenta"]11...Nc6 12.dxe5 dxe5 13.0-0 Qxd1 14.Rxd1 0-0 15.Ng6[/font] gives White a comfortable advantage with better pawns and more space.

[font color="darkred"]8...Nge7 9.Nd5 0-0 10.0-0 g5 11.Bd2 f4 12.h3[/font] gives White a slight advantage in space (Fritz 13).

8...Nf6 9.0-0 0-0 10.b4 g5

[font color="red"]10...a6 11.a4 g5 12.b5 axb5 13.cxb5 Ne7 14.Qb3+[/font] gives White initiative and space (Thi Thanh An Nguyen-Mohota, ITW, Chennai, 2001).

11.b5 Ne7 12.Ne1 (N)

White has a small advantage in space.
If [font color="red"]12.e3 Ng6 13.Ne1 f4 14.Nd5 Nxd5 15.Bxd5+ Kh8[/font] gives White more freedom and space (Mendoza Velazquez-Fernández, World Jr ChG, Puerto Madryn, Argentina, 2009).

12...Qe8

Better for Black is to grab space where she can.
If [font color="red"]12...f4 13.Qb3 Qe8 14.Ne4 Nxe4 15.Bxe4 Bh3 16.Ng2[/font] continues to give White a small advantage in space.

13.Nc2

If [font color="red"]13.Qa4 f4 14.Qa5[/font] then:

[font color="red"]14...Qd8 15.Nc2 d5 16.Nxd5 Nexd5 17.cxd5 Nxd5 18.Nb4[/font] continues to give White a small advantage.
If [font color="darkred"]14...c6?![/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]15.bxc6! bxc6 16.Nc2 Bd7 17.Rb7 Rd8 18.Bf3[/font] White's breach of the queenside gives her a strong game.
[font color="magenta"]15.Qa3 Nf5 16.bxc6 bxc6 17.Nc2 Be6 18.e4[/font] gives White command of the open b-file and a small advantage in space.

13...f4 14.Nb4 Qh5

Black has nothing better than to counter attack on the kingside.

15.e3?!

White weakens her kingside. The best thing to do was counterattack in the center.
Better is [font color="red"]15.Ncd5![/font] when:

[font color="red"]15...Nexd5 16.Nxd5 Bg4 17.Nxf6+ Bxf6 18.Bd5+ Kh8 19.f3[/font] repels Black's counterattack.
[font color="darkred"]15...Nf5?! 16.e3! Qxd1 17.Rfxd1 Nxd5 18.Nxd5 Rf7 19.Ba5[/font] gives Black a strong advantage on the queenside.

[center]
BLACK: Koneru Humpy

WHITE: Le Thao Nguyen Pham
Position after 15.e2e3
[/center]
15...f3!!

The game is equal.

16.Bxf3 Ng4 17.Bxg4

If [font color="red"]17.h4? gxh4![/font] then:

If [font color="red"]18.Qe2[/font] then Black wins after [font color="red"]18...Rxf3 19.Qxf3 hxg3 20.Qxg3 Nf5 21.Qg2 Nh4.[/font]
If [font color="darkred"]18.Bxg4??[/font] then Black wins in a cakewalk after [font color="darkred"]18...Bxg4! 19.Qe1 Bf3 20.e4 hxg3 21.fxg3 Qh1+.[/font]

17...Bxg4 18.f3?!

This further weakens White's kingside. If intended as a sacrifice, this move is counterproductive. If intended to drive away the Bishop, it's just bad.
If [font color="red"]18.Qb3 Bh3 19.Qd1[/font] then:

[font color="red"]19...Bg4 20.Qb3 Nf5 21.c5+ Kh7 22.cxd6 Bf3 23.Nc2 Qh3 24.Ne1[/font] remains equal.
[font color="darkred"]19...Rf3 20.Qa4 Bxf1 21.Rxf1 Qf7 22.Ne4 d5 23.cxd5 Nxd5[/font] gives Black a narrow advantage in space.

18...Rxf3!

This is good enough to turn the game is Black's favor.
If [font color="red"]18...Bxf3! 19.Qc2 Qh3 20.Rf2 Rf7 21.e4 Raf8[/font] gives Black a powerful attack on the kingside.

19.Rxf3 Bxf3 20.Qe1 Rf8

Black has three pieces gunning for the White King.
If [font color="red"]20...Qh3[/font] then:

[font color="red"]21.Qf1 Qg4 22.Nd1 Be2 23.Nf2 Qh5 24.Qg2 Bf3[/font] gives Black a fierce kingside attack. She should next play 25...Rf8.
[font color="darkred"]21.Qf2 Rf8 22.Qf1 Qc8 23.Be1 h5 24.Rb2 h4[/font] gives Black command of the f-file and the c8/h3 diagonal. White's position is still defensible.

21.e4 Qh3?!

Black threatens mate, but White's position is still defensible.
If [font color="red"]21...Ng6![/font] then:

[font color="red"]22.Rc1 Qh3 23.Qf1 Qd7 24.Qf2 a6[/font] gives Black a strong advantage on the kingside.
If [font color="darkred"]22.Nbd5?[/font] then after [font color="red"]22...c6! 23.Nb4 Qg4 24.Nd1 Nf4![/font] Black wins (Bring all your toys to the party -- Jeremy Silman).

[center]
BLACK: Koneru Humpy

WHITE: Le Thao Nguyen Pham
Position after 21...Qh5h3
[/center]
22.Qf1!

White will defend by counterattacking on h3.

22...Qg4

Exchanging Queens is clearly not in Black's interest.
[font color="red"]22...Qxf1+ 23.Rxf1 c6 24.Rf2 Bg4 25.bxc6 bxc6[/font] is equal.

23.Nd1 Ng6 24.Qe1?

White withdraws from the defense of h3 This is fatal.
[font color="red"]24.Ne3! Qd7 25.Qe1 Qh3 26.Rb2 Nf4 27.Bc3 Ne6[/font] is equal.

24...Nf4!

Black's kingside attack is now irresistable.

25.Nf2

If [font color="red"]25.Bxf4[/font] then Black wins without effort after [font color="red"]25...exf4 26.Nc2 Qh5 27.gxf4 gxf4 28.Qf2 Bxd1.[/font]

[center]
BLACK: Koneru Humpy

WHITE: Le Thao Nguyen Pham
Position after 25.Nd1f2
[/center]
25...Qh5!!

The piece sacrifice caps off the game in style.

26.gxf4 gxf4 27.Nh1

If [font color="red"]27.h3[/font] then Black wins after [font color="red"]27...Qh4 28.Nh1 Qxh3 29.Qf1 Qxh1+ 30.Kf2 Qh5.[/font]

27...Rf6 28.Nd5 Rg6+ 29.Ng3 Rxg3+ 0-1

If [font color="red"]30.hxg3[/font] then [font color="red"]30...Qh1+ 31.Kf2 Qg2#.[/font]
Ms. Le resigns.

Jack Rabbit

(45,984 posts)

4. Mind Games, Beijing

Tue Jan 3, 2012, 03:54 PM

Jan 2012

[center]

Beijing
[/center][font size="1"]Photo by pmorgan http://www.flickr.com/photos/pmorgan/ in flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/pmorgan/5039957/in/photostream/ (Creative Commons License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/deed.en , Attribution/noncommercial/no deriviative)
[/font]

Jack Rabbit

(45,984 posts)

8. Karjakin - Wang Hao, Men's Group, Rapid Competition

Reply to Jack Rabbit (Reply #4)

Tue Jan 3, 2012, 04:05 PM

Jan 2012

[center]

Wang Hao
[/center][font size="1"]Photo by Datti4 in Wikimedia Commons http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Wang_Hao_%28chess%29.JPG (Public Domain)
[/font]

Sergey Karjakin - Wang Hao
http://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1650192
Mind Games, Men's Group, Rapid Competition, Round 6
Beijing, 11 December 2011

Closed Caro-Kann Game: Short Opening

1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 Bf5 4.Nf3 e6 5.Be2 c5 6.Be3 Nd7 7.0-0

For notes up to here, see Ganguly-Antonio, Asian Ch, Subic Bay, 2009.

7...a6?!

If [font color="red"]7...Ne7 8.c4 dxc4 9.Na3[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]9...c3 10.Nb5 Nd5 11.Nxc3 Nxe3 12.fxe3[/font] then:

[font color="red"]12...Be7 13.Qb3 0-0 14.Qxb7 Rb8 15.Qxa7 cxd4 16.exd4 Ra8[/font] gives Black counterplay (Morozevich-Kamsky, Tal Mem, Moscow, 2008).
[font color="magenta"]12...cxd4 13.exd4 Be7 14.Qb3 Rb8 15.a4 0-0 16.a5 b5 17.axb6 Rxb6 18.Qa2[/font] is equal (Knebel-Johansson, Corres, 1994).

[font color="darkred"]9...Nd5 10.Nxc4 b5 11.Bg5 Qb8 12.Ne3 h6 13.Bh4 Nxe3 14.fxe3 a6 15.a4 b4 16.Nd2 g5 17.Bg3 Qa7 18.Nc4[/font] gives White a tactical edge in the center (Halsinger-Stratling, Op, Hoogeveen, 2008).

8.Nbd2 c4 (N)

[font color="red"]8...Rc8 9.c4 Ne7[/font] then:

[font color="red"]10.dxc5?! Nxc5! 11.Nd4 Bg6 12.b4[/font] givwes White a slight advantage (Movsesian-Karpov, Tal Mem Blitz, Moscow, 2008).
[font color="darkred"]10.Rc1! cxd4 11.Bxd4 Ng6 12.g3[/font] gives White a comfortable advantage in space.

9.Ne1?!

White has a small advantage with space in the center..
[font color="red"]9.Nb1 Nh6 10.Nc3 Be7 11.Qd2 0-0 12.Rfc1[/font] gives White a much better center; Black has chances for counterplay on the queenside.
If [font color="blue"]9.Re1 Bg6[/font] then:

[font color="blue"]10.g3 Be7 11.c3 Nh6 12.Bxh6 gxh6 13.Nf1[/font] gives White a small advantage in space.
[font color="darkblue"]10.Nf1 Ne7 11.b3 Qc7 12.Ng3 cxb3 13.cxb3[/font] gives White a small advantage in space.

9...h6!

White's advantage quickly dissapates to nothing.

10.c3

[font color="red"]10.g4 Bh7 11.b3 c3 12.Ndf3 Be4 13.Nd3 Qc7[/font] is equal.

10...Ne7 11.g4!?

[font color="red"]11.b3 b5 12.a4 Bg6 13.g4 Nc6 14.f4[/font] maintains a small advantage for White.

11...Bh7!

The game is equal.

12.Ng2 b5 13.f4 Nb6 14.Qc1

[font color="red"]14.b3 Qc7 15.Rc1 Nc6 16.f5 Ba3 17.Rb1 0-0[/font] remains equal.

14...Qd7 15.Bd1 Nc6 16.Bc2

[font color="red"]16.Rf3 b4 17.Bc2 h5 18.Rh3 Bd3 19.Ne1[/font] remains equal.

16...Bxc2 17.Qxc2 h5 18.h3

[font color="red"]18.f5 hxg4 19.fxe6 Qxe6 20.Bg5 Be7 21.Nf4 Qc8[/font] remains equal.

18...hxg4 19.hxg4 g6

The game remains equal.
If [font color="red"]19...0-0-0 20.f5 Be7 21.Nf3 exf5 22.Qxf5 Qxf5 23.gxf5 Rh5 24.Bd2 Rxf5[/font] gives Black an extra pawn, but the Rook is poorly placed at f5; White should reply 35.Nfh4! with equality.

20.f5

[font color="red"]20.Bf2 Qc7 21.Bh4 Be7 22.Bxe7 Qxe7 23.Nf3 0-0-0[/font] remains equal.

20...gxf5 21.gxf5
[center]
BLACK: Wang Hao

WHITE: Sergey Karjakin
Position after 21.gf5:p
[/center]
21...0-0-0

If [font color="red"]21...Ne7[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]22.fxe6 [/font] then:

[font color="red"]23.Nf3 0-0-0 24.Nfh4 Bh6 25.Bxh6 Rxh6 26.Rf6 Rhh8[/font] remains equal.
If [font color="darkred"]23.Rae1!? Nf5[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]24.Bg5 Rh5[/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]25.Rxf5 exf5 26.Nf3 Bh6[/font] leaves Black up by the exchange.
[font color="darkorange"]25.Bf4? Qg7 26.Kf2 Be7 27.Rh1 Rxh1 28.Rxh1 0-0-0[/font] gives Black command of the kingside, where White's King is wandering in an open field.

[font color="magenta"]24.Rxf5 exf5 25.Nf3 Rg8 26.Bg5 Qh7 27.Kf2 Be7[/font] gives Black more leverage on the kingside.

If [font color="darkred"]22.f6 Nf5 23.Kf2 0-0-0[/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]24.Bf4 Bh6 25.Rh1 Bxf4 26.Nxf4 Kb7 27.Ng2 Qc6[/font] is equal.
[font color="magenta"]24.Nf3 b4 25.Bf4 Qa4 26.Qd2 bxc3 27.bxc3 Qa3[/font] gives Black a slight advantage.

22.f6 Bh6 23.Kf2!?

The text exposes the King to attack more than the alternative.
If [font color="red"]23.Nf3! Rdg8 24.Bxh6 Rxh6 25.Kf2 Rhg6 26.Rg1[/font] remains equal.

23...Bxe3+!

White assumes a small advantage.
If [font color="red"]23...Rdg8 24.Rh1[/font] then:

[font color="red"]24...Bxe3+ 25.Nxe3 Qe8 26.Nf3 Rg6 27.Rhg1[/font] remains equal.
[font color="darkred"]24...Bf8?! 25.Rh7 Qe8 26.Rah1![/font] makes a desperado of the Bishop at f8.

24.Nxe3 Nxe5 25.dxe5 d4 26.Ng2?!

White has two has two problems: the pawn roller on the queenside and Black's exploitation of the open field on the kingside with his heavy pieces.
Better is [font color="red"]26.cxd4[/font] when:

[font color="red"]26...Qxd4 27.Nf3 Qf4 28.Rh1 Nd7 29.Ng2 Qg4[/font] gives Black a small advantage with his heavy pieces hold more weight on the kingside and a queenside pawn majority.
[font color="darkred"]26...Rh2+?! 27.Kg1 Qxd4 28.Kxh2 Qxe3 29.Nf3 Rh8+[/font] remains equal.

[center]
BLACK: Wang Hao

WHITE: Sergey Karjakin
Position after 26.Ne3g2
[/center]
26...dxc3!

Black has two extra pawns and command of two open files.

27.Nf3 Nd5?!

Black is afflicted by a seizure of overcautious behavior and loses his advantage.
[font color="red"]27...cxb2![/font] sets up a steam roller and if [font color="red"]28.Qxb2 Qa7 29.Ke1 Nd5 30.a4 b4![/font] starts in mothon with deadly effect.

28.bxc3!

Forget about that pawn roller. The game is equal.

28...Qa7+ 29.Ke1 Ne3 30.Nxe3

If [font color="red"]30.Qe2? Rd3![/font] then:

[font color="red"]31.Nxe3 Rxe3 32.Rd1 Qc5 33.Rd2 Rg8 34.Kd1 Rxe2[/font] wins the Queen.
If [font color="darkred"]31.Qc2?[/font] then after [font color="darkred"]31...Nxf1 32.Kxf1 Rxf3+ 33.Ke2 Qf2+ 34.Kd1 Rh1+[/font] Black gives mate on the next move.

30...Qxe3+ 31.Qe2 Qxc3+ 32.Kf2 Rd2

[font color="red"]32...Rh2+ 33.Nxh2 Rd2 34.Nf3 Rxe2+ 35.Kxe2[/font] gives White the Queen for two Rooks and two pawns, including an advanced passer, for the Knight.

33.Qxd2 Rh2+ 34.Nxh2 Qxd2+ 35.Kg3 c3!?

The advance is premature. It takes Black's passer away from the chain where it is protected until ready.
[font color="red"]35...Qd3+! 36.Nf3 Qg6+ 37.Kf2 Qc2+ 38.Ke3 Qd3+[/font] leads to an elaborate draw by repetition.

36.Nf3!

White attacks the Queen and takes a small advantage.

36...Qd5?

Black moves his Queen away from the action, abandoning the pawn and failing to leave White the least bit inconvenienced. Better is to pin the Knight.
[font color="red"]36...Qd3 37.Rac1 b4 38.Rfd1 Qe3 39.Ra1 a5 40.Rd4[/font] leaves White better with the material advantage, but Black's advanced pawns give him counterplay.

37.Rh1!?

White miss a chance to end the game.
If [font color="red"]37.Rfd1![/font] then:

[font color="red"]37...Qe4 38.Rd4 Qg6+ 39.Rg4 Qc2 40.Rg7 Qd3 41.Rc1[/font] wins for White.
[font color="darkred"]37...Qb7 38.Rd3 Qc6 39.Rd6 Qe4 40.Rd4[/font] transposes.

37...b4?

Black should bring his King to safety.
If [font color="red"]37...Kc7 38.Rad1 Qe4 39.a3 Qg6+ 40.Kf4 Qf5+ 41.Ke3[/font] leaves White much better, but Black still has counterplay owing to his queenside majority.

[center]
BLACK: Wang Hao

WHITE: Sergey Karjakin
Position after 37...b5b4
[/center]
38.Rad1!

White seizes the other open file, seizing the initiative against Black's Queen.

38...Qc4

Black is fighting for his life.
If [font color="red"]38...Qc6 39.Rh8+[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]39...Kb7[/font] then White wins after [font color="red"]40.Rhd8 c2 41.Rc1 a5 42.Rd2 Qe4 43.Rdxc2.[/font]
If [font color="darkred"]39...Kc7 40.Rf8 c2 41.Rc1[/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]41...Qd7[/font] then White wins after [font color="darkred"]42.Rxc2+ Kb6 43.Rd2 Qb7 44.Rh2 Ka5 45.Rh7.[/font]
[font color="magenta"]41...a5[/font] loses to [font color="red"]42.Rxf7+ Kb6 43.Re7.[/font]

39.Rh4 Qc5

Black is out of good moves.
If [font color="red"]39...Qxa2[/font] then White wins after [font color="red"]40.Rh8+ Kb7 41.Rh7 b3 42.Rxf7+ Kb6 43.Re7.[/font]

40.Rh8+ Kb7 41.Rd7+ Kb6 42.Rh1?!

White gives Black an opportunity to come back.
If [font color="red"]42.Rd6+![/font] then White wins after [font color="red"]42...Ka5 43.Ra8 Qe3 44.Rdxa6+ Kb5 45.R6a7.[/font]

[center]
BLACK: Wang Hao

WHITE: Sergey Karjakin
Position after 42.Rh8h1
[/center]
42...Qf8!

Black protects his pawns.

43.Kf2?

White has by now blown the victory.
If [font color="red"]43.Rh7![/font] then:

If [font color="red"]43...c2 44.Rh1[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]44...b3[/font] then after [font color="red"]45.axb3 Qa3 46.Rxf7 c1Q 47.Rxc1 Qxc1 48.Re7[/font] the e-pawn falls and White connected passers cannot be stopped.
If [font color="magenta"]44...Qe8[/font] then White wins after [font color="magenta"]45.Rd6+ Ka5 46.Rc1 Qc8 47.Nd4 Qg8+ 48.Kf4.[/font]

[font color="darkred"]43...Qc5 44.Rdxf7 c2 45.Rc7 Qxc7 46.Rxc7 Kxc7 47.f7[/font] keeps White a piece to the good.

43...a5!

Black has room to breath. He's still down in material, but the passed c-pawn looks more dangerous now than it did a moment ago.

44.Ke2!?

The key in thye position are Black kingside pawns. Not only do the block the advanced White pawns from going further, but prevent the White Rook on the kingside from joining his fellow behind Black's queenside chain.
Better is [font color="red"]44.Nd4! Qc5 45.Rfd6+ Kb7 46.Rh7! c2 47.Rxf7+[/font] when the active Rooks still give White a lot to say abot the course of the game.

44...Kb5 45.Rh7

White sinks into equality.
If [font color="red"]45.Rg1 Ka4 46.Rc7 Ka3 47.Rg7 Qa8[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]48.Rcxf7 Kxa2 49.Rc7 Qe4+ 50.Kf2 c2[/font] then:

[font color="red"]51.f7 Qf5 52.Rc8 b3! 53.f8Q Qxf8 54.Rxf8 c1Q[/font] is equal.
[font color="burgundy"]51.Rc5 a4 52.Rgc7 b3 53.f7 Qf5[/font] is equal.

If [font color="darkred"]48.Rgxf7!? Qe4+ 49.Kf2 Qc2+[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]50.Kg3 Qg6+ 51.Kf4 Qh6+ 52.Ke4 c2[/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]53.Rg7 c1Q 54.Rxc1 Qxc1 55.f7 Qc2+ 56.Kd4 Qf5[/font] is equal.
[font color="darkorange"]53.Rxc2!? Qg6+ 54.Kf4 Qxc2 55.Ra7 a4[/font] gives White the advantage.

[font color="magenta"]50.Ke3 Qc1+ 51.Kf2 Qc2+ 52.Kg3 Qg6+[/font] transposes.

[center]
BLACK: Wang Hao

WHITE: Sergey Karjakin
Position after 45.Rh1h7
[/center]
45...Qc8!

The game is equal.

46.Rhxf7

Using the other Rook seems slightly better.
[font color="red"]46.Rdxf7 Qc4+ 47.Kf2 c2 48.Rb7+ Ka4[/font] remains equal.

46...c2!

The pawn must Queen.

47.Rc7

White must lose a Rook.

47...c1Q 48.Rxc8!?

White should take the other Queen, forcing Black to expend time returning the remaining Queen to defend against White's passed f-pawn.
Better is [font color="red"]48.Rxc1 Qxc1 49.Rb7+ Ka4 50.f7 Qc2+ 51.Ke3 Qf5[/font] with equality.

48...Qxc8 49.Re7 Ka4 50.Nd4?!

White must lose the a-pawn, giving Black two connected passers.
If [font color="red"]50.Nd2! Qg8 51.f7 Qg2+[/font] then:

[font color="red"]52.Ke1 Qg3+ 53.Kd1 Qg4+ 54.Kc2 Qg6+ 55.Kb2 Qh6[/font] is equal.
[font color="darkred"]52.Kd3??[/font] drops the Rook to [font color="darkred"]52...Qd5+! 53.Kc2 Qc5+.[/font]

[center]
BLACK: Wang Hao

WHITE: Sergey Karjakin
Position after 50.Nf3d4
[/center]
50...Qc5!

Black gets a tactical advantage.
Also good is [font color="red"]50...Qc4+! 51.Ke3 Qc3+ 52.Ke4 Qe1+ 53.Kd3 Qxe5[/font] winning the passed pawn.

51.Nf3

If [font color="red"]51.Kd3 Qc3+ 52.Ke4 Qe1+[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]53.Kd3 Qxe5![/font] then:

[font color="red"]54.f7 Qg3+ 55.Ke2 Qg4+ 56.Kd3 Qh3+[/font] wins the a-pawn, giving Black connected passers (if 57.Kc4?? then 57...Qc3#).
[font color="magenta"]54.Rxe6 Qf4 55.Rc6 Qf2 56.Re6 Qxa2[/font] wins the a-pawn.

[font color="darkred"]53.Kf4?! Qd2+ 54.Ke4 Qxa2[/font] wins the a-pawn.

51...Ka3!

The a-pawn is toast.

52.Rd7 Kxa2 53.f7 b3!

If [font color="red"]53...Qf8?[/font] then [font color="red"]54.Nh4! Qh6 55.Ng6!![/font] (the Queen cannot return to f8; Black can only save himself now by pertetual check) [font color="red"]55...Qh2+ 56.Ke1 Qg1+ 57.Ke2 Qg2+ etc.[/font] draws.

54.Rd8?

This inaccuracy is fatal.
White might survive after [font color="red"]54.Rd4! b2 55.Ra4+ Kb3 56.Rf4[/font] when:

Black hasn't quite yet won after [font color="red"]56...Qb5+ 57.Ke3 Kc3 58.f8Q Qd3+ 59.Kf2 b1Q 60.Qa3+[/font] when White wins the a-pawn.
If [font color="darkred"]56...b1Q?[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]57.Nd2+! Kc2 58.Nxb1[/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]58...Qxe5+!! 59.Kf3 Qd5+ 60.Kg3 Qg5+ 61.Kf3 Qd5+ etc.[/font] ends the game in perpetual check.
[font color="darkorange"](58...Kxb1?[/font] loses to [font color="darkorange"]59.f8Q!.[/font]

If [font color="magenta"]57.f8Q[/font] then Black wins after [font color="magenta"]57...Qxf8 58.Rxf8 Qe4+.[/font]

[center]
BLACK: Wang Hao

WHITE: Sergey Karjakin
Position after 54.Rd7
[/center]
54...b2!!

Both sides will Queen.

55.f8Q

This isn't just a sporting way to allow Black to play the most brilliant winning variation; it really is the best move available to White.
If [font color="red"]55.Nd2[/font] then Black wins the pawn after [font color="red"]55...Qxe5+ 56.Kd1 Qh5+.[/font]

55...Qxf8 56.Rxf8 b1Q 57.Rf6 Qe4+

Also good is [font color="red"]57...Qb5+ 58.Kf2 Qb6+ 59.Ke2 a4 60.Nd2 Qd4.[/font]

58.Kf2 Qd5 59.Rf4 Kb2 60.Rd4 Qc5 61.Kg3 Kc3

Black also wins after [font color="red"]61...Qb5 62.Rd2+ Kc1 63.Rc2+ Kb1 64.Rh2 a4.[/font]

62.Rd6

If [font color="red"]62.Re4[/font] then Black wins after [font color="red"]62...Qb5 63.Re3+ Kb4 64.Re4+ Kc5 65.Re1 Qb3.[/font]

62...Qc4

Black wins after [font color="red"]62...a4 63.Rxe6 a3 64.Ra6 Kb2 65.Ra8 Qb4.[/font]

63.Ng5

If [font color="red"]63.Nd2[/font] then Black wins after [font color="red"]63...Qb5 64.Kf4 a4 65.Ne4+ Kb2 66.Rd2+ Kb3.[/font]

63...a4 64.Nxe6

[font color="red"]64.Rxe6 a3 65.Re7 Qb5 66.Nf3 a2 67.Rc7+ Kb2[/font] is an easy win for Black.

64...a3 65.Nf4 a2 66.Rd1 Kb2 67.Kg4 Qc2 68.Nd3+

If [font color="red"]68.Re1[/font] then Black wins after [font color="red"]68...Qb1 69.Kg5 Qxe1 70.Nd3+ Kb3 71.Nxe1 a1Q.[/font]

68...Ka3 69.Re1 Qxd3 70.e6 Qd2 0-1

If [font color="red"]71.Ra1[/font] then Black wins after [font color="red"]71...Qd4+ 72.Kf5 Qxa1 73.e7 Qf1+ 74.Ke6 a1Q.[/font]
Sergey Alexandrovich resigns.

Jack Rabbit

(45,984 posts)

9. Kosteniuk - Zatonskih, Round 1

Reply to Jack Rabbit (Reply #4)

Tue Jan 3, 2012, 04:07 PM

Jan 2012

Former world women's champion Alexandra Kosteniuk won the rapid competition in the women's group.
[center]

Alexandra Kosteniuk
[/center][font size="1"]Photo by Stefan64 http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Stefan64 in Wikimedia Commons http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Alexandra_Kosteniuk (Creative Commons License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en , Attribution/Share Alike)
[/font]

Alexandra Kosteniuk - Anna Zatonskih
http://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1650215
Mind Games, Women's Group, Rapid Competition, Round 1
Beijing, 9 December 2011

Orthodox Queen's Gambit: London Opening

1.d4 e6 2.c4 d5 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 Be7 5.Bf4 0-0 6.a3

More typical is [font color="red"]6.e3 c5 7.dxc5 Bxc5.[/font] See Kramnik-Carlsen, IT, Dortmund, 2009.

6...c5 7.dxc5 Bxc5 8.e3

[font color="red"]8.cxd5 Nxd5 9.Nxd5 exd5 10.Rc1 Bb6 11.e3 Nc6 12.Bd3 Bg4 13.h3 Bh5 14.0-0[/font] is equal (T. L. Petrosian-Rodgaard, Ol, Dresden 2008).

8...Nc6 9.Qc2 dxc4?!

[font color="red"]9...Qa5 10.Rd1 Be7 11.Be2 dxc4 12.Bxc4[/font] gives White the advantage in space. See Kramnik-Carlsen, cited above.

10.Bxc4 a6 (N)

If [font color="red"]10...Qe7 11.Bg5 h6 12.Bh4[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]12...a6 13.Ba2 Rd8 14.Ne4 g5 15.Nxc5 gxh4[/font] then:

[font color="red"]16.Rc1 b6 17.Na4 Bb7 18.Nxb6[/font] gives White an extra pawn, stronger pawns and more space (Suba-Mirkovic, IT, Belgrade, 1984).
[font color="burgundy"]16.0-0 h3 17.Rfd1 b6 18.Na4 Rxd1+ 19.Rxd1[/font] gives White stronger pawns and more space.

If [font color="darkred"]12...Bb6 13.Ne4 Ba5+ 14.b4[/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]14...g5 15.Nfxg5 Nxe4 16.Nxe4 Bxb4+ 17.axb4 Qxh4 18.b5[/font] gives White more activity for his pieces, stronger pawns and more space (Zhao Xue-Thao Nguyen Pham Le, Mindsports Rpd, Beijing, 2008).
[font color="magenta"]14...Bc7?! 15.Nxf6+ gxf6 16.0-0 Rd8 17.Qe4 Rd7 18.Rad1[/font] gives White stronger pawns and more space.

[font color="blue"]10...Bd7 11.Rd1 Rc8 12.Bd3 h6 13.h3 Qe7 14.0-0[/font] gives White the advantage in space (Rolland-Teichmann, SX, London, 1896).

11.0-0

White has a comfortable advantage in space.

11...Bd7 12.Ba2

[font color="red"]12.Rfd1 Be7 13.e4 b5 14.Bd3 Nh5 15.Be3[/font] gives White a comfortable advantage in space and better development.

12...Rc8 13.Rad1 Be7 14.Bb1!?

White sets up an idle mating theat that is easily parried. Better is to grab space in the center.
[font color="red"]14.e4 Nh5 15.Bd6 Na7 16.Bxe7 Qxe7 17.g4[/font] continues to give White a good advantage in space.

14...b5?!

At her peril, Black ignores the threat to her kingside.
[font color="red"]14...g6! 15.e4 Qb6 16.h3 Rfd8 17.Rd2 Be8 18.Rfd1[/font] gives White only a small advantage in space.

[center]
BLACK: Anna Zatonskih

WHITE: Alexandra Kosteniuk
Position after 14...b7b5
[/center]
15.e4!

Grabbing space in the center is usually a good idea.
While the text is a good move, even better is [font color="red"]15.Rd2! g6 16.Rfd1 b4 17.axb4[/font] when:

If [font color="red"]17...Nd5 18.Bh6 Re8[/font] then:

[font color="red"]19.e4 Ndxb4 20.Rxd7 Nxc2 21.Rxd8 Rexd8 22.Bxc2[/font] gives White two minor pieces for a Rook, the Bishop pair and more space.
[font color="burgundy"]19.Qc1 Bxb4 20.e4 Nxc3 21.bxc3 Nb8[/font] (any other move loses a piece) [font color="burgundy"]22.Rd3[/font] gives White a comfortable advantage in space.

If [font color="darkred"]17...Nxb4 18.Qb3 Nbd5[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]19.Ne5![/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]19...Rb8 20.Qa2 Rb7 21.Nxd5 exd5 22.Qxa6 Rb6 23.Qa1[/font] gives White an extra pawn, a remote passer.
[font color="darkorange"]19...Bb5?[/font] loses to [font color="darkorange"]20.Nxb5! axb5 21.e4!! Nxf4 22.Rxd8 Rcxd8 23.Nc6!.[/font]

[font color="magenta"]19.Nxd5?! exd5 20.Ne5 Bb5! 21.Bd3 Qb6 22.Bxb5 axb5 23.Bg5[/font] leaves White with only a small advantage in space.

15...g6

This weakening move is practically forced.
If [font color="red"]15...Nh5?![/font] then White takes a powerful initiative with [font color="red"]16.e5![/font] (threatening mate) [font color="red"]16...g6 17.Bh6 Ng7 18.Qd2[/font] (threatening to win a piece) [font color="red"]18...Be8 19.Qc1[/font] when White's initiative continues.

16.Qd2 Qb6

Black is in a terrible pickle.
Slightly better may be [font color="red"]16...b4 17.axb4 Qb6 18.e5! Nd5 19.Bg5 Qxb4 20.Ba2[/font]

17.e5!

White heralds the attack by opening the center.

17...Nh5?

This move wastes time as the Bishop is going to e3 anyway. Better is to deal with that.
If [font color="red"]17...Nd5 18.Bg5 Nxc3 19.bxc3 Bxg5 20.Qxg5 Qd8 21.Qh6[/font] gives White more freedom and a tremenous advantage in space; Black has stronger pawns.

18.Be3!

White's command of the center allows her to quickly shift the attack from one side of the board to the other.

18...Qb8

[font color="red"]18...Qc7[/font] drops a piece to [font color="red"]19.Qxd7 Qxd7 20.Rxd7.[/font]

19.g4 Ng7 20.Ne4 Rfd8

[font color="red"]20...Be8[/font] then White wins after [font color="red"]21.Bg5 Nxe5 22.Nxe5 f6 23.Nd7 Bxd7 24.Bf4.[/font]

[center]
BLACK: Anna Zatonskih

WHITE: Alexandra Kosteniuk
Position after 20...Rf8d8
[/center]
21.Nd6?

White opens the door slightly.
If [font color="red"]21.Bc5 Be8 22.Qh6[/font] then:

[font color="red"]22...Nxe5 23.Bxe7 Nxf3+ 24.Kg2 Qxh2+ 25.Qxh2 Nxh2 26.Kxh2[/font] leaves White better with a piece against two pawns.
If [font color="darkred"]22...Rxd1 23.Nf6+[/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]23...Kf8 24.Nxh7+ Kg8 25.Nf6+ Kf8 26.Qh8#.[/font]

23...Bxf6 24.exf6 Qg3+ 25.hxg3 Rxf1+ 26.Kxf1 Nf5 27.Qf8#.

21...Be8!

Black plays it for what it's worth.
If [font color="red"]21...Rc7?[/font] then [font color="red"]22.Bg5! Bxg5 23.Qxg5 Ne8 24.Qh6[/font] restores White to a winning position.

22.Bf4 Rc7 23.Qe3

If [font color="red"]23.Be4 h5 24.h3 Qb6 25.Qc3[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]25...b4 26.Qb3[/font] then:

[font color="red"]26...Nxe5 27.Nxe8 Nxf3+ 28.Bxf3 Rxe8 29.Bxc7 Qxc7 30.axb4[/font] gives White more fredom, but Black has better pawns.
[font color="magenta"]26...a5 27.Kg2 Qa6 28.Qd3 Qxd3 29.Rxd3 Nb8 30.Be3[/font] gives White more freedom and space.

[font color="darkred"]25...hxg4 26.hxg4 b4 27.Be3 Qb8 28.axb4 Nxb4 29.Bc5[/font] gives White more activity and a comfortable advantage in space.

23...Na5 24.b3!?

The pawn move only weakens White's command of the b3 square.
Much better is [font color="red"]24.Ba2![/font] when:

[font color="red"]24...Rc2 25.Bg5 Rxd6 26.exd6 Bxd6 27.Bf6 Bc6 28.Bc3[/font] traps Black's Rook where it is and still attacks an undefended Bishop.
[font color="darkred"]24...b4?[/font] loses to [font color="darkred"]25.Bg5! b3 26.Bxe7! Rxe7 27.Qh6 Red7 28.Ng5.[/font]

24...Nb7?

Black has the opportunity to significantly improve her position, but can't find the right move.
If [font color="red"]24...b4! 25.axb4 Qxb4 26.Rc1[/font] then:

[font color="red"]26...Rxc1! 27.Rxc1 h5 28.h3 hxg4 29.hxg4 Bc6 30.Nd4[/font] limits White to a small advantage in space.
If [font color="darkred"]26...Bc6!?[/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]27.Nd4 Ne8 28.Qd2 Rb8 29.Nxe8 Rxe8 30.Qxb4 Bxb4 31.Be4[/font] gives White only a small advantage in space with a slight initiative.
If [font color="magenta"]27.Be4[/font] then:

[font color="magenta"]27...Ne8! 28.Nxe8 Rxe8 29.Nd4 Rec8 30.Nxc6 Nxc6 31.Rc4[/font] gives White only a small advantage in space.
If [font color="darkorange"]27...f5?! 28.exf6 Bxd6 29.Bxd6 Rxd6[/font] then:

[font color="darkorange"]30.Ne5 Ne8 31.Bxc6 Nxc6 32.f7+ Rxf7 33.Nxf7[/font] wins the exchange.
If [font color="purple"]30.Ng5 Ne8 31.f7+ Rxf7 32.Nxf7[/font] then:

If [font color="purple"]32...Qxe4 33.Qxe4 Bxe4[/font] then:

[font color="purple"]34.Nxd6 Nxd6 35.Rfd1[/font] gives White a slight material advantage.
[font color="darkpink"]34.f3?! Kxf7! 35.fxe4+ Ke7[/font] gives Black two minor pieces for a Rook.

If [font color="hotpink"]32...Bxe4 33.f3 Bd5 34.Nxd6 Nxd6 35.Rc3[/font] then:

[font color="hotpink"]35...Nc6 36.Rfc1 Nd8 37.Ra1 Qb7 38.Kg2[/font] gives White slightly stronger pawns and more space.
[font color="burgundy"]35...Nxb3?? 36.Rb1 Qa4 37.Rcxb3 Bxb3 38.Rxb3.[/font]

If [font color="blue"]24...h5? 25.h3! b4 26.Ne4[/font] then:

If [font color="blue"]26...hxg4 27.hxg4 bxa3 28.Nf6+ Bxf6 29.exf6[/font] then:

[font color="blue"]29...Rxd1 30.Rxd1 Qb4 31.Bxc7 Qxg4+ 32.Bg3 a2 33.Bxa2[/font] leaves White up by a Rook.
If [font color="dodgerblue"]29...a2[/font] then White wins after [font color="dodgerblue"]30.Bxc7!! a1Q 31.Bxb8 Rxd1 32.Rxd1 Qxf6 33.Be5.[/font]

[font color="darkblue"]26...bxa3 27.Nf6+ Bxf6 28.exf6 e5 29.Bxe5[/font] wins at least the exchange.

[center]
BLACK: Anna Zatonskih

WHITE: Alexandra Kosteniuk
Position after 24...Na5b7
[/center]
25.Ne4!

White finds the winning move, avoiding a real bummer.
[font color="red"]25.Nd4?[/font] allows Black to turn the game around after [font color="red"]25...Nxd6 26.exd6 Bxd6 27.Bxd6 Rxd6 28.Qf4 Qb6 29.Nf3 Rxd1 30.Rxd1 Rc3 31.Ne5 f5[/font] gives Black an extra pawn and a more aggressive Rook.
[font color="darkred"]28.f4 Bc6 29.Rf2 Qd8 30.Rfd2 Bd5 31.Nf3 Qc8[/font] gives Black command of the c-file.

25...Rcd7

If [font color="red"]25...Bc5[/font] then White wins after [font color="red"]26.Nd4 Rxd4 27.Nf6+ Kh8 28.Rxd4 Bxd4 29.Qxd4.[/font]

26.Rxd7 Bxd7 27.Nf6+

Also good is [font color="red"]27.Bg5 Bxg5 28.Qxg5 Kf8 29.Qh6 Bc6 30.Qxh7.[/font]

27...Kh8

If [font color="red"]27...Bxf6[/font] then after [font color="red"]28.exf6 Nd6 29.Be5 Re8 30.Qh6[/font] White soon delivers mate.

28.Bg3 Ne8 29.Qh6 Bxf6

Black plays the harikari move.
Pointless is to continue [font color="red"]29...Nxf6 30.exf6 Bf8 31.Qh4 Qxg3+ 32.hxg3 h6 33.g5[/font] when Black can no longer keep White from breaking though on the kingside.

30.Qf8# 1-0

Jack Rabbit

(45,984 posts)

15. Wang Hao - Gashimov, Round 5

Reply to Jack Rabbit (Reply #4)

Thu Jan 12, 2012, 06:57 PM

Jan 2012

Azerbaijani GM Vugar Gashimov has a fine tournament in Beijing, finishing a half point behind Wang Hao and winning their individual encounter.
[center]

Vugar Gashimov
[/center][font size="1"]Photo by http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Stefan64 Stefan64 from http:commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Vugar_Gashimov Wikimedia Commons (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en Creative Commons License, Attribution/Share Alike)
[/font]

Wang Hao - Vugar Gashimov
Mind Games, Men's Group, Rapid Competition, Round 5
Beijing, 10 December 2011

East India Game: Queen's Indian Defense (Double Fianchetto Variation)

1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 e6 3.c4 c5 4.g3 b6 5.Bg2 Bb7 6.0-0

For [font color="red"]6.Nc3[/font] see the notes Black's to fourth move in Grischuk-Topalov, IT, Linares, 2010

6...cxd4 7.Qxd4

If [font color="red"]7.Nxd4 Bxg2 8.Kxg2[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]8...Qc8 9.b3[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]9...Be7 10.Bb2 0-0 11.Nc3 Qb7+ 12.f3[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]12...Rd8 13.e4 Nc6[/font] then:

[font color="red"]14.Re1 Nxd4 15.Qxd4 Bc5 16.Qd3 Be7 17.Rad1 d6[/font] gives White the advantage in space (Capablanca-Vidmar, IT, New York, 1927).
If [font color="darkred"]14.Nc2 Rac8 15.Qe2 a6 16.Rad1[/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]16...Na7?! 17.Nd4 Bb4 18.a3 Bf8 19.Rd2 Rb8 20.Rfd1[/font] gives White a comfortable advantage in space and superior development (Pirc-Lisitsin, TT, Moscow, 1935).
[font color="magenta"]16...h5 17.e5 Ne8 18.Nd4 d6 19.Qe4[/font] is equal.

[font color="burgundy"]12...d5 13.cxd5 Nxd5 14.Nxd5 Qxd5 15.e4 Qb7 16.Rc1[/font] gives White command of the c-file and more space (Rubinstein-Glass, IT, Vienna, 1936).

[font color="darkrpink"]9...Qb7+ 10.f3 a6 11.Nc3 Be7 12.e4 d6 13.Qe2[/font] gives White a small advantage in space (Tal-Nei, Keres Mem, Tallinn, 1981).

[font color="darkorchid"]8...Be7 9.Nc3 0-0 10.e4 Nc6 11.b3 Qc7 12.Bb2[/font] is equal (Vidmar-Spielmann, IT, Karlsbad, 1929).

7...d6 8.Nc3 Be7 9.Rd1 a6 10.Bg5

If [font color="red"]10.b3 Nbd7 11.e4[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]11...Qc8 12.Bb2 0-0[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]13.Qe3 Re8 14.Nd4[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]14...Qc7 15.Rac1 Rac8 16.h3 Bf8 17.Re1[/font] then:

[font color="red"]17...g6 18.Rcd1 Qb8 19.Qd2[/font] draw (Bischoff-Lutz, German Ch, Altenkirchen, 2001).
[font color="burgundy"]17...Qb8 18.Qd2 Nc5 19.Re2 Qa8 20.Rce1[/font] gives White a slight advantage in space (Xu Jun-Suba, Op, Timisoara, 1987).

[font color="darkpink"]14...Bf8 15.h3 Qc7 16.Re1 Rad8 17.Re2 Qb8 18.Rae1 g6 19.Qd2[/font] gives White a slight advantage in space (Uhlmann-Adorjan, Eliskases Mem, Budapest, 1982).

If [font color="darkred"]13.Rac1 Rd8 14.Qe3 Qc7[/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]15.Nd4 Re8 16.h3 Bf8 17.g4 h6 18.Qe2 Ne5[/font] is equal (Vul-Kritz, Masters, Gibraltar, 2008).
[font color="magenta"]15.h3 Rac8 16.Nd4 Bf8 17.Qe2 Qb8 18.f4[/font] is equal (Sulkis-Handke, Op, Groningen, 1998).

If [font color="darkred"]11...Qb8[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]12.Ba3 Nc5 13.e5 dxe5 14.Qxe5[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]14...Ncd7 15.Qxb8+ Rxb8 16.Bb2[/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]16...0-0 17.Nd4 Rfc8 18.Rac1 Kf8 19.h3[/font] gives White a small advantage in space (Stohl-Greenfeld, World Youth, Belfort, 1983).
[font color="purple"]16...b5 17.cxb5 axb5 18.Nxb5 Bxf3 19.Bxf3 Rxb5 20.Bxf6 Bxf6[/font] is equal (Lechtynsky-Simacek, Op, Klotovy, 1999).

[font color="darkorange"]14...Qa7 15.Bb2 Rc8 16.Qe2 Qa8 17.Ne1 Bxg2 18.Nxg2 0-0 19.Nf4[/font] is equal (Tukmakov-Psakhis, Soviet Ch, Moscow, 1983).

[font color="magenta"]12.Bb2 0-0 13.Ne1 Rc8 14.Qe3 Ra7 15.Nf3 Ng4 16.Qe2[/font] gives White a small advantage in space (Korchnoi-García Martínez, IT, Moscow, 1975).

10...Nbd7 11.Rac1

If [font color="red"]11.Qd2 0-0 12.Bf4 Ne8 13.Rac1[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]13...Qc7 14.b3 Rd8[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]15.e4[/font] then:

[font color="red"]15...Nc5 16.Qe2 Nf6 17.e5 dxe5 18.Qxe5 Qc8 19.Qc7[/font] gives White the advantage in space and more activity (W. Schmidt-Kruszynski, Op, Katowice, 1992).
[font color="burgundy"]15...Qb8 16.Qe2 Nef6 17.Rd2[/font] draw (Donaldson-Paschall, US Ch, Seattle, 2002).

If [font color="darkred"]15.Ne1 Bxg2 16.Nxg2 Qb7[/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]17.Qe3 Ndf6 18.Qf3 Rd7 19.Qxb7 Rxb7 20.a4[/font] gives White activity and more space (Romanishin-Brodsky, Soviet Ch ½-final, Kherson, 1989).
[font color="magenta"]17.a4 Nc5 18.Qc2 a5 19.Be3 f5 20.Bxc5 bxc5 21.e4!? Bg5[/font] is equal (Ftacnik-Adianto, IT, San Francisco, 1991).

If [font color="darkred"]13...Rc8 14.b3[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]14...Nc5 15.Ng5 Bxg2 16.Kxg2[/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]16...Qc7 17.f3 Rd8 18.Nge4 Qb7 19.Bg5 f6 20.Bf4[/font] gives White a slight advantage with the attack on the backward pawn (Jakovenko-Gashimov, IT, Poikovsky, 2008).
If [font color="magenta"]16...h6 17.Nge4 Nb7[/font] then:

[font color="magenta"]18.Qd3?! f5 19.Nd2 g5[/font] is equal (Ivanchuk-Nisipeanu, Euro Ch, Warsaw, 2005).
[font color="darkorange"]18.Na4! Rc6 19.Qd3 Nc5 20.Naxc5 bxc5 21.Qf3[/font] continues to give White the advantage with a better center and greater mobility.

If [font color="darkorchid"]14...Qc7?! 15.Qe3 Qb8 16.Nd5! Bd8 17.Bh3 Kh8? 18.Ng5 b5 19.Nxf7+[/font] Black resigns as 19...Rxf7 20.Qxe6 Rf8 21.Qxd7 Rc5 22.Be3 Rc6 23.Bd4 wins for White (Gustafsson-Prusikin, IT, Pulvermuehle, 2004).

11...0-0

[font color="red"]11...Rc8 12.b3 Qc7 13.Bxf6 Nxf6 14.Qd3 0-0 15.Nd4[/font] gives White the advantage in space and Black the little center (Alibaev-Thibaut, Op, Dubai, 2001).

12.Qd2 (N)

[font color="red"]12.b3 Qc7[/font] then:

[font color="red"]13.Qe3 Rfe8 14.Bxf6 Nxf6 15.Nd4 Bxg2 16.Kxg2[/font] gives White the advantage in space and Black the little center (Damljanovic-Suba, Op, Lorca, Spain, 2001).
[font color="darkred"]13.h3 Rfd8 14.Ne1 h6 15.Bxf6 Nxf6 16.e4 Nd7[/font] is equal (Briffel Sobrinho-Mascarinas, Ol, Novi Sad, 1990).

12...Rc8

White has a small advantage in space.

13.b3 Rc7!?

This move accomplishes nothing.
Better is [font color="red"]13...Nc5! 14.Bf4 Nce4 15.Nxe4 Nxe4 16.Qc2 Qc7 17.Nd2[/font] leaving White with a slight advantage in space.

[center]
BLACK: Vugar Gashimov

WHITE: Wang Hao
Position after 13...Rc8c7
[/center]
14.Bf4!

White has a good advantage in space.

14...Ne8!?

This move appears to be deliberately provokative.
Objectively better is [font color="red"]14...e5 15.Bg5[/font] when:

If [font color="red"]15...h6 16.Bxf6 Nxf6 17.Nh4[/font] then:

[font color="red"]17...Qd7 18.Bxb7 Rxb7 19.e4 Kh7 20.Ng2 h5 21.Ne3[/font] saddles Black with a backward pawn and gives White more space.
If [font color="darkred"]17...Bxg2!?[/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]18.Nxg2! Qc8 19.Ne3 Re8 20.Ncd5 Nxd5 21.Nxd5![/font] gives Black a central pawn weakens of which White takes advantage.
[font color="magenta"]18.Kxg2?! Qa8+! 19.f3 g6 20.Qd3 h5 21.a4[/font] gives White a small advantage in space.

[font color="darkorchid"]15...Qa8?! 16.Nh4! g6 17.Bxb7 Qxb7 18.Ng2 b5 19.Ne3[/font] gives White more freedom and a powerful advantage in space.

15.e4!

This is the response provoked by Black's previous move.

15...Qa8

Very interesting. Black will use the pawn at a4 as a target.

16.Qe2 h6

White has a fair advantage in space.
Somewhat better is [font color="red"]16...e5 17.Nd5 Bxd5 18.exd5 exf4 19.Qxe7 fxg3 20.hxg3[/font] when White has more activity in the center.

17.h4!?

White opens an opportunity for his opponent.
[font color="red"]17.Rc2 Qc8 18.a4 Qa8 19.Rcd2[/font] continues to give White a fair advantage in space.

17...Rc8!?

Black misses the opportunity.
[font color="red"]17...Qc8 18.Na4 b5 19.cxb5 axb5 20.Qxb5 Bxe4 21.Rxc7[/font] is equal.

18.g4?!

White gives Black another chance to equalize.
[font color="red"]18.Nh2 Qb8 19.Ng4[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]19...h5 20.Ne3 Nef6 21.Bf3[/font] then:

[font color="red"]21...g6 22.Bg2 Qc7 23.Bg5 Nc5 24.f3[/font] maintains a fair advantage for White.
[font color="burgundy"]21...Rcd8?![/font] drops a pawn to [font color="burgundy"]22.Bxh5 Nxh5 23.Qxh5 Nf6 24.Qe2.[/font]

If [font color="darkred"]19...Qc7 20.e5 Bxg2 21.Kxg2[/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]21...h5! 22.exd6 Bxd6 23.Bxd6 Nxd6 24.Ne5 Nxe5 25.Qxe5[/font] gives White a small advantage in space.
[font color="magenta"]21...Rd8!? 22.h5! dxe5 23.Nxe5 Nef6 24.Nxd7 Qb7+ 25.Qf3[/font] gives White a fair advantage in space.

18...Nc5!

The game is equal.

19.Re1 Nf6!?

Black adds to his pressure on the center, but the way to maintain the equalibrium is to begin to occupy it.
Better is [font color="red"]19...e5! 20.Be3[/font] when:

If [font color="red"]20...Nxe4[/font] then:

[font color="red"]21.Na4 Bd8 22.Nxb6 Bxb6 23.Bxb6[/font] remains equal.
[font color="magenta"]21.Nxe4 Bxe4 22.Bxh6 gxh6 23.Qxe4 Qxe4 24.Rxe4 Nf6[/font] remains equal.

[font color="darkred"]20...Nf6 21.Nd2 a5 22.f3 Bc6 23.Nf1[/font] remains equal.

20.Nd4!

White has a slight advantage in space.

20...Nh7?!

Black removes pressure from the center in a faulty plan to regroup his pieces.
Better is [font color="red"]20...Rfe8 21.Bg3 g6 22.h5 e5 23.Nc2 Qa7 24.Nd5[/font] still giving White a slight advantage in space.

[center]
BLACK: Vugar Gashimov

WHITE: Wang Hao
Position after 20...Nf6h7
[/center]
21.Bg3!

White defends against any possible pawn fork on e5 and takes a fair advantage in space.
If [font color="#FF0000"]21.Rcd1?! Nd7 22.Qd2 Rfe8[/font] then:

[font color="#FF0000"]23.Bg3[/font] (else 23...e5 is devastating) [font color="#FF0000"]23...Ne5 24.Na4 Qa7 25.Qb4 Bd8 26.Qxd6 Nxg4[/font] is equal.
[font color="#800000"]23.Nc2!? b5 24.cxb5 axb5 25.Ne3 Bc6 26.Bg3 Ne5[/font] gives Black a small advantage in space.

If [font color="#0000FF"]21.h5?![/font] then:

[font color="#0000FF"]21...Bf6! 22.Be3 Nxe4 23.Na4 Qa7 24.b4 Bd8[/font] gives Black an extra pawn.
[font color="#000080"]21...e5?![/font] (premature, as indicated in the [font color="#FF0000"]red[/font] variation) [font color="#000080"]22.Nf5! Rfe8 23.Bd2[/font] gives White a comfortable advantage in space.

21...Rfe8 22.f4 Bf8?!

Black should bring the Knight back into play,
If [font color="red"]22...Nf8![/font] then:

[font color="red"]23.g5 hxg5 24.fxg5 Ng6 25.b4 Nd7 26.Bh3[/font] gives White a small advantage i space.
[font color="darkred"]23.h5!? Bf6 24.Rcd1 Nh7 25.Qc2 Be7 26.Bf3[/font] gives White a slight advantage in space.

23.g5!

White has a comfortable advantage in space.

23...e5?!

Black lossens his grip on the light squares in the center.
[font color="red"]23...g6 24.b4 Bg7 25.Qd2 Nd7 26.Na4 hxg5 27.fxg5[/font] gives White a static advantage in space while Black has stronger pawns and will be able to close the space gap.

24.fxe5!?

While this move isn't at all bad, better is to bring the Knight to the kingside.
If [font color="red"]24.Nf5! Ne6[/font] when:

[font color="red"]25.Qg4 exf4 26.Bxf4 hxg5 27.hxg5[/font] gives White more freedom and space.
[font color="darkred"]25.Qf2 exf4 26.Bxf4 Nxf4 27.Qxf4 hxg5 28.hxg5[/font] gives White more freedom and space.

24...hxg5?!

Black should fight back in the center.
[font color="red"]24...dxe5 25.Nf3 hxg5 26.hxg5 f5 27.gxf6 Nxf6 28.Ng5[/font] White threatens to close the center with 29.Nd5!.

25.hxg5?!

White should respond in the center.
[font color="red"]25.exd6! gxh4 26.Bxh4 Bxd6 27.Nf5 Bf8 28.Nd5 Bxd5 29.cxd5[/font] gives White a comfortable advantage in space and a more advanced passed pawn.

25...dxe5?!

Black misses his opportunity to tighten the game.
If [font color="red"]25...Nxg5! 26.exd6 Rcd8 27.Qg4[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]27...Ngxe4 28.Nxe4[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]28...Nxe4 29.d7 Re7 30.Bh4 Rexd7 31.Nf5[/font] then:

[font color="red"]31...Bc5+ 32.Kh2 g6 33.Bxe4 Rd2+ 34.Kh3 R8d3+ 35.Bg3[/font] is equal.
[font color="burgundy"]31...Nd2 32.Bxd8 Qxd8 33.Bxb7 Rxb7 34.Re2 g6 35.Rce1[/font] gives White a pin at g6 and the advantage in space.

[font color="darkpink"]28...Bxe4 29.Nf5 Bxg2 30.Nh6+ Kh7 31.Nxf7[/font] gives White a fair advantage in space.

If [font color="darkred"]27...Bxd6[/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]28.Nf5 Bxg3 29.Qxg5 Be5 30.Nd5 Nd3 31.Re3[/font] gives White a comfortable advantage in space.
[font color="magenta"]28.Qxg5 Bxg3 29.Nf5 Be5 30.Nd5 Bxd5 31.exd5[/font] gives White more active pieces and a pin at e5; Black has well placed minor pieces.

[center]
BLACK: Vugar Gashimov

WHITE: Wang Hao
Position after 25...de5:p
[/center]
26.Nf3!

White has a fair advantage in space.

26...Ne6 27.g6 fxg6 28.Nxe5 Qb8?!

The Queen's lines up on the same diagonal as White's Bishop.
If [font color="red"]28...Bc5+ 29.Kh2[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]29...Bd6 30.Nxg6 Bxg3+ 31.Kxg3 Nhf8[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]32.Nh4 Qb8+[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]33.e5 Bxg2 34.Qxg2 Ng5[/font] then:

[font color="red"]35.Kf2 Rxe5 36.Rxe5 Qxe5 37.Qd5+ Nf7 38.Nf3[/font] gives White a fair advatage in space.
[font color="burgundy"]35.Kg4 Rxe5 36.Rxe5 Qxe5 37.Qd5+ Nf7 38.Rf1[/font] gives White a small advatage in space.

[font color="darkorange"]33.Kf2?! Qf4+! 34.Nf3 Qg4 35.Qe3 Nf4 36.Rg1 N8e6[/font] is equal.

[font color="magenta"]32.Nxf8 Rxf8 33.Qg4 Rce8 34.Nd5 Qb8+ 35.e5[/font] gives White a small advatage in space.

[font color="darkred"]29...Nf6?! 30.Nd5 Rcd8 31.b4 Bd6 32.Nxg6 Bg3+ 33.Kxg3[/font] gives White an extra pawn and more space.

29.Qg4!

White has a comfortable game. He can attack the Black Queen just by moving the Knight from e5.

29...Bd6 30.Nd7 Qc7 31.Bxd6

[font color="red"]31.e5?! Ba3! 32.Rcd1 Bb4 33.Re3 Bxg2 34.Kxg2[/font] is equal.

31...Qxd6 32.Rcd1 Qe7

[font color="red"]32...Qc7 33.Qxg6 Nef8 34.Qd6 Nxd7 35.Qxd7 Qc5+ 36.Qd4[/font] gives White an extra pawn and more space.

33.Qg3 b5 34.Ne5?!

The Knight on e5 is vulnerable to attack.
[font color="red"]34.Nb6 Rcd8 35.Ncd5 Qc5+ 36.Qf2 bxc4 37.Nxc4[/font] continues to give White a healthy advantage in space.

[center]
BLACK: Vugar Gashimov

WHITE: Wang Hao
Position after 34.Nd7e5
[/center]
34...Nef8!

Black has equalized.

35.Ng4 bxc4 36.bxc4 Rxc4 37.Nd5

If [font color="red"]37.Nf2?! Nf6! 38.e5 Qc7 39.Bxb7[/font] then:

[font color="red"]39...Rxc3 40.Bf3 N8d7 41.Nd3 Nxe5 42.Nxe5 Rc5[/font] gives Black a better center after 43.Qxg6 Rcxe5.
If [font color="darkred"]39...Qxb7??[/font] then White wins after [font color="darkred"]40.exf6! Rxe1+ 41.Rxe1 gxf6 42.Qd3 Rc5 43.Nce4.[/font]

37...Qc5+

[font color="red"]37...Bxd5 38.exd5 Qc5+ 39.Qf2 Rxe1+ 40.Rxe1 Qxf2+ 41.Nxf2[/font] remains equal.

38.Kh1!?

The King might be safer off the back rank.
If [font color="red"]38.Kh2 Bxd5 39.Rxd5 Qe7[/font] then:

[font color="red"]40.Rf1 Ne6 41.Ne5 Rc2 42.Nxg6 Qc7 43.Qxc7 Rxc7[/font] remains equal.
[font color="darkred"]40.Re5 Ne6 41.Ne3 Rc6 42.Nd5 Qd8 43.a3 Nhg5[/font] gives Black an extra pawn.

38...Kh8!?

However much there is is to gain, Black fails to capitalize.
[font color="red"]38...Bxd5 39.Rxd5 Qc8 40.Rf1 Rc1 41.e5 Rxf1+ 42.Bxf1 Ne6[/font] gives Black a weak extra pawn.

39.Ne5!

White has a slight advantage in space.

39...Bxd5 40.exd5 Rc3 41.Qf4

[font color="red"]41.Bf3 Nf6 42.d6 Kg8 43.d7 Rd8 44.Qg2 Re3[/font] continues to give White a slight advantage.

41...Nf6 42.d6 Kg8 43.Bd5+??

Simply put, this is a blunder that leads to the loss of a piece.
If [font color="red"]43.d7! N8xd7 44.Rxd7 Rc4 45.Rd5 Qc7 46.Rd4 Rc5[/font] is equal.

[center]
BLACK: Vugar Gashimov

WHITE: Wang Hao
Position after 43.Bg2d5+
[/center]
43...Nxd5 44.Qf7+

[font color="red"]44.Qd4 Nf6 45.Qxc5 Rxc5 46.Nf3 Rxe1+ 47.Rxe1 Rd5[/font] leaves Black a piece to the good.

44...Kh7 45.Rxd5

This doesn't help, in fact it leads to the loss of the Queen.
If [font color="red"]45.Qxd5 Qf2 46.Nd3 Rxe1+ 47.Rxe1 Qg3 48.Qe4 Rxd3[/font] leaves Black a piece to the good.

45...Qb4 46.Qf2

The only way for White to prevent loss of his Queen is to submit to mate.
If [font color="red"]46.Qxe8[/font] then [font color="red"]46...Qh4+ 47.Kg2 Rg3+ 48.Kf1 Qh2 49.Qxf8 Qg2#.[/font]
If [font color="blue"]46.Kg1 Qh4 47.Qf2 Rg3+ 48.Kf1 Nd7[/font] then:

[font color="blue"]49.Qxg3 Qxg3[/font] wins the Queen.
If [font color="darkblue"]49.Nxd7[/font] then [font color="darkblue"]49...Qh3+ 50.Qg2 Qxg2#.[/font]

46...Rh3+ 47.Kg1
[center]
BLACK: Vugar Gashimov

WHITE: Wang Hao
Position after 47.Kh1g1
[/center]
47...Rxe5!!

The exchange sacrifice caps off the winning attack.

48.Rdxe5

If [font color="red"]48.Rexe5[/font] then [font color="red"]48...Qg4+ 49.Qg2 Rg3 50.Rg5 Rxg2+ 51.Kf1 Qe2#.[/font]

48...Qg4+ 49.Qg2 Rg3 50.Qxg3 Qxg3+ 51.Kh1 Nd7 52.Re6 Nc5 0-1

If [font color="red"]53.R6e2 Qxd6 54.Rh2+ Kg8[/font] then:

[font color="red"]55.Rg2 Nd3 56.Re8+ Kf7 57.Re3 Qd5 58.Kh2 Qh5+[/font] is crushing.
[font color="darkred"]55.Re8+ Kf7 56.Rhh8 Qd5+ 57.Kg1 g5 58.Rhf8+ Kg6[/font] wins easily.

Wang Hao resigns.

Jack Rabbit

(45,984 posts)

12. Akobian - The World, Cyberspace (chessgames.com)

Sun Jan 8, 2012, 02:07 AM

Jan 2012

From August through December, Armeian-born American grandmaster Varuzhan Akobian played a game of chess against the members of the website Chessgames.com, including your most humble hare.
[center]

Varuzhan Akobian and The World
[/center][font size="1"]Photo of Varuzhan Akobian by http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Stefan64 Stefan64 from http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:VAkobian10.jpg Wikimedia Commons] (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en Creative Commons License, Attribution/Share Alike)
Photo of The World by NASA from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:The_Earth_seen_from_Apollo_17.jpg Wikimedia Commons (Public Domain)
[/font]

Varuzhan Akobian - The World
http://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1628855
Chessgames Challenge (Consultation Game)
Cyberspace (www.chessgames.com), 10 August - 8 December 2011

East India Game: Nimzo-Indian Defense (Capablanca Opening/Keres Variation)

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

The first real discussion Team Black had was whether to play the Nimzo-Indian or the Benoni (we called the Tal-Indian here). Although there were a few Benoni die hards, a check of available databases revealed that Mr. Akobian has an excellent record againstthe Benoni, which is not fashionable at the moment any way. The Nimzo-Indian was the overwhealming choice.

4.Qc2 0-0 5.a3 Bxc3+ 6.Qxc3 b6 7.Bg5 Bb7

For alternate moves and variations up to here, see Bacrot-David, French ChT, Mulhouse, 2011.

8.f3

If [font color="red"]8.e3 d6 9.f3 Nbd7[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]10.Bd3 c5 11.Ne2 Rc8[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]12.0-0[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]12...cxd4 13.Qxd4 h6 14.Bh4 Ne5[/font] then:

[font color="red"]15.b4 Qc7 16.Rac1 Nfd7 17.Be7 Nc6 18.Qxd6 Nxe7 19.Qxe7 Ne5 20.Qxc7 Rxc7 21.Rfd1 Rfc8[/font] is equal (Krush-Chandran, USCL, Cyberspace, 2005).
[font color="hotpink"]15.Rac1 Nxd3 16.Qxd3 d5 17.cxd5 Qxd5 18.Qxd5 Nxd5[/font] is equal (Bareev-Karpov, Rpd IT, Cap d'Agde, 2002).

[font color="magenta"]12...h6 13.Bh4 d5 14.cxd5 Nxd5 15.Qe1 Qe8 16.Qd2 f5 17.Bg3 Qe7 18.Nf4 Nxf4 19.Bxf4 Rfd8[/font] is equal (Moradiabadi-Sadvakasov, City Ch, Paris, 2005).

[font color="darkorange"]12.Qd2 h6 13.Bh4 cxd4 14.exd4 Ba6 15.Rc1 d5 16.cxd5 Bxd3 17.Rxc8 Qxc8 18.Qxd3 Nxd5 19.0-0 Qb7 20.Rc1 Rc8 21.Rxc8+ Qxc8[/font] is equal (Kelly-Ong, Euro ChT, Saint Vincent, 2005).
[font color=purple"]12.Qb3 h6 13.Bh4 d5 14.cxd5 Bxd5 15.Qd1 cxd4 16.Nxd4 Ne5 17.Ba6 Rc5[/font] draw (Kholmov-Chepukaitis, Botvinnik Mem, Tula, 2003).

[font color="darkred"]10.Qd3 Ba6 11.d5 Bxc4 12.Qxc4 Nc5 13.Bxf6 Qxf6 14.Ke2 Rfc8 15.Rd1 Nb3[/font] gives White the active game (Vigorito-Browne, US Ch, San Diego, 2006).

8...h6 9.Bh4 d5

If [font color="red"]9...c5 10.dxc5 bxc5 11.e3[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]11...Nc6 12.Nh3 Qa5[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]13.Qxa5 Nxa5 14.b4[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]14...cxb4 15.axb4 Nc6 16.b5 Ne7 17.Bd3 Rfc8[/font] then:

[font color="red"]18.e4 Ng6 19.Bg3 d5 20.cxd5 exd5 21.e5[/font] gives Black a small advantage in space and the initiative (M. Gurevich-U. Andersson, IT 8990, Reggio Emilia, 1989).
[font color="burgundy"]18.Ke2 d5 19.Rhc1 dxc4 20.Rxc4 Rxc4 21.Bxc4[/font] gives White a fair advantage in space (Dokhoian-Khalifman, Bundesliga 9394, Germany, 1994).

[font color="darkpink"]14...Nc6 15.bxc5 Rfc8 16.Be2[/font] draw (Kiriakov-Mokry, IT, Olomouc, Czechia, 1999).

[font color="darkorchid"]13.Rc1 Ba6 14.Kd1 Qxc3 15.Rxc3 Rab8 16.Kc2 Rb6[/font] is equal (van Wely-Aleksandrov, Euro Ch, Istanbul, 2003).

If [font color="darkred"]11...d5[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]12.Bxf6 Qxf6 13.Qxf6 gxf6 14.Ne2 Nd7 15.cxd5 Bxd5 16.0-0-0[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]16...Rfd8 17.Nc3 Bb3 18.Rd2[/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]18...Nb6 19.Rxd8+ Rxd8 20.Be2 f5 21.Bd1 Bd5[/font] draw (Drasko-Gligoric, Yugoslav Ch, Podgorica, 1996).
[font color="burgundy"]18...f5 19.e4 fxe4 20.Nxe4 f5 21.Nc3 Ne5[/font] is equal (Ilincic-Gligoric, Yugoslav Ch,Podgorica, 1996).

[font color="darkpink"]16...Ne5 17.Nc3 Bb3 18.Rd2 Rfd8 19.Rxd8+ Rxd8 20.Be2[/font] is equal (I. Sokolov-Kamsky, IT, Groningen, 1995).

If [font color="magenta"]12.cxd5 g5 13.Bf2 Nxd5 14.Qd2[/font] then:

[font color="magenta"]14...Nc6 15.Ne2 Ne5 16.Nc3 c4 17.Nxd5 Qxd5 18.e4[/font] gives White stronger pawns and the initiative (Topalov-Lautier, Amber Rapid, Monte Carlo, 1999).
[font color="darkorange"]14...f5 15.Ne2 Qf6 16.Nc3 Nxc3 17.Qxc3 Qxc3+ 18.bxc3[/font] gives White more freedom (Granda Zuñiga-Huzman, IT, Amsterdam, 1995).

10.e3 Re8

If [font color="red"]10...Nbd7 11.cxd5 Nxd5 12.Bxd8 Nxc3 13.Bh4 Nd5 14.Bf2[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]14...c5[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]15.e4[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]15...Ne7[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]16.Ne2[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]16...Rac8 17.Nc3 cxd4 18.Bxd4[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]18...Nc5 19.Rd1 Rfd8 20.Be3 Rxd1+ 21.Kxd1 e5[/font] then:

[font color="red"]22.b4 Ne6 23.Kc2 Nc6 24.Kb2 Kf8 25.Bc4[/font] gives White a small advantage in space thanks to his active Bishop pair (Kramnik-Leko, IT, Dortmund, 2006).
[font color="burgundy"]22.Kc2 Na4 23.Bb5 Nxc3 24.bxc3 Bc6 25.a4 f5[/font] is equal (Giymesi-Z. Almasi, Hungarian Ch, Szekesfehervar, 2006).

[font color="darkpink"]18...Rfd8 19.Rd1 Nc5[/font] draw (Sakaev-Lautier, World Cup, Khanty-Mansiysk, 2005).

If [font color="darkred"]16...f5 17.exf5[/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]17...exf5?! 18.dxc5 Nxc5 19.Bxc5 bxc5 20.Nf4[/font] gives White stronger pawns, a more active Knight and a small advantage in space (E. L'Ami-Lutz, Bundesliga 0708, Germany, 2008).
[font color="magenta"]17...Nxf5 18.dxc5 Nxc5 19.Bxc5 bxc5 20.Rc1[/font] is equal.

If [font color="darkred"]16.Bb5[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]16...Bc6 17.Bxc6 Nxc6 18.Ne2[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]18...cxd4 19.Nxd4 Nxd4 20.Bxd4 Rac8[/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]21.Kd2 Nc5 22.Bxc5 Rxc5 23.Rac1 Rd8+ 24.Ke3 Rdc8[/font] is equal (Topalov-Leko, IT, Cannes, 2002).
[font color="purple"]21.0-0 Nc5 22.Rac1 Nb3 23.Rxc8 Rxc8 24.Bc3 Rd8[/font] is equal (Timoshchenko-Jaworski, TT, Ostava-Trinec, 2004).

[font color="darkorange"]18...Rfd8 19.0-0-0 cxd4 20.Nxd4 Nde5 21.Kb1 Nxd4 22.Rxd4[/font] is equal (Gelfand-Leko, IT A, Wijk aan Zee, 2002).

[font color="magenta"]16...Nc6 17.Ne2 Rfc8 18.0-0 cxd4 19.Nxd4[/font] gives White a pin at c6 and more space (M. Gurevich-Polugaevsky, Op, New York, 1989).

If [font color="darkred"]15...Nf4 16.Bb5[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]16...Rad8 17.Ne2 Nxg2+ 18.Kf1 f5 19.d5[/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]19...exd5 20.exd5 Bxd5 21.Kxg2 Ne5 22.Ng1 g5 23.Re1[/font] give White a piece for two pawns and the initiative (I. Sokolov-C. Hansen, IT, Malmö, 2001).
[font color="darkorange"]19...fxe4 20.dxe6 Rxf3 21.Kxg2 e3 22.Bg3 Ne5 23.Kh3[/font] gives White a piece for two pawns and an advanced, unblockaded passed pawn; Black has active Rooks while White's haven't yet moved off their starting blocks (B. Kelly-Kulaots, Euro ChT, Plovdiv, 2003).

[font color="magenta"]16...Rfd8 17.Ne2 Nxe2 18.Kxe2 cxd4 19.Bxd4 Rac8 20.Rac1[/font] gives White a fair advantage in space thanks to his Bishop pair (Timoshchenko-Butnorius, Euro Sr Ch, Courmayeur, Italy, 2011).

If [font color="darkred"]15.Bb5 Rfd8[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]16.e4 Nc7 17.Bxd7 Rxd7 18.dxc5 f5[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]19.e5 19...bxc5 20.Rc1 Nd5 21.Nh3[/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]21...a5 22.Bxc5 Rc8 23.Kd2 Nf4+ 24.Bd6 Rxc1 25.Rxc1 Nxg2 26.f4 Nh4[/font] is equal (Schrancz-Teichmeister, Corres, 2001).
[font color="burgundy"]21...g5 22.Bxc5 g4 23.fxg4 fxg4 24.Nf2 Nf4[/font] gives White an extra pawn and Black more space (Golod-Pilgaard, Op, Ubeda, Spain, 2001).

[font color="darkpink"]19.cxb6 axb6 20.Ne2 fxe4 21.fxe4 Bxe4 22.0-0 Rd2 23.Nc3 Bb7[/font] gives Black a slim edge (Kramnik-Kasparov, World Ch Match, London, 2000).

If [font color="magenta"]16.Ne2 cxd4 17.Nxd4[/font] then:

If [font color="magenta"]17...a6 18.Be2 Rac8 19.Rd1 Ne5 20.0-0 b5[/font] then:

[font color="magenta"]21.Rfe1 Nc4 22.Bxc4 bxc4 23.Ne2 f5 24.Nd4[/font] draw (Onischuk-Lautier, IT, Poikovsky, 2003).
[font color="purple"]21.Rd2 Nc4 22.Bxc4 bxc4 23.Rc2 a5 24.Ne2[/font] gives White stronger pawns; Black cannot advance any further on the queeside (Shipov-Ionov, Russian Ch, Elista, 2001).

[font color="darkorange"]17...Nc5 18.0-0 Nc7 19.Bc4 e5 20.Nf5[/font] is equal (Topalov-Kramnik. Amber Rapid, Monte Carlo, 1998).

If [font color="darkred"]14...f5 15.Bb5 c6 16.Bd3[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]16...e5 17.Ne2 Rae8 18.0-0[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]18...exd4 19.exd4[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]19...Nb8 20.Nc3 Ba6 21.Bxa6 Nxa6 22.Nxd5 cxd5[/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]23.Rac1 f4 24.Rfe1 Kf7 25.Rc6 Rc8 26.Rec1 Rxc6 27.Rxc6 Ke7[/font] is equal (Feller-And. Volokitin, Euro Ch, Aix-les-Bains, 2011).
[font color="burgundy"]23.Rfe1 Nc7 24.Kf1 Kf7 25.Bg3 Rxe1+ 26.Rxe1 Ne6[/font] is equal (Díaz Rubi-Menghi, Corres, 2000).

[font color="darkpink"]19...Re6 20.Nc3 f4 21.Nxd5 cxd5 22.Rfc1 Rc6 23.Rxc6 Bxc6 24.Rc1[/font] gives White the Bishop pair, the initiative and more space (Markus-Polak, IT, Paks, Hungary, 2001).

If [font color="magenta"]18...e4 19.fxe4 fxe4 20.Bc4[/font] then:

[font color="magenta"]20...N7f6 21.h3 Bc8 22.Nf4 Kh7 23.Nxd5 Nxd5 24.Rfe1[/font] is equal (Alterman-Psakhis, Israeli Ch, Tel Aviv, 1994).
[font color="darkorange"]20...Kh7 21.Rac1 N7f6 22.h3 a5 23.Nc3 Rc8 24.Rfe1[/font] gives White a small advantage in space (Taylor-Bericat, Corres, 2000).

[font color="darkorchid"]16...c5 17.Ne2 Rac8 18.0-0 cxd4 19.Nxd4 Ne5 20.Be2[/font] is equal (Kasparov-Kramnik, Blitz IT, Moscow, 1998).

11.Bd3

If [font color="red"]11.Nh3 Nbd7 12.cxd5 exd5[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]13.Be2 Qe7 14.Bf2 c5 15.0-0[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]15...Rac8 16.Rfe1[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]16...cxd4 17.Qxd4 Nc5 18.Rad1[/font] then:

[font color="red"]18...Bc6 19.b4 Ne6 20.Qb2 Ba4 21.Rc1 Qb7 22.Bd3[/font] gives White a fair advantage with stronger pawns, the Bishop pair and slightly more space (Dreev-Balashov, ZT, Lvov, 1990).
If [font color="burgundy"]18...Ne6 19.Qd2 g5 20.Bd3 Nd7 21.Bb1 Ne5 22.Ba2 Red8 23.Bg3[/font] draw (Lazarev-Babula, Bundesliga 0304, Germany, 2003).

If [font color="darkpink"]16...Nf8 17.Bf1 Ne6 18.Qd2 Nh7 19.Nf4 Red8 20.Rad1[/font] is equal (Beliavsky-Rodriguez, World ChT, Lucerne, 1989).

If [font color="darkred"]15...c4 16.b3 b5 17.bxc4 bxc4 18.Bd1 Nb6 19.Bc2 Bc6[/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]20.a4 Qd7 21.a5 Nc8 22.Bh4 Nh7 23.Nf2 Nd6 24.Ng4[/font] gives White a fair advantage in space (Kramnik-Tiviakov, FIDE Knock Out, Las Vegas, 1999).
[font color="magenta"]20.Qa5 Qd7 21.a4 Nc8 22.Nf4 Nd6 23.Ne2 Reb8[/font] gives White a small advantage in space (Kramnik-Khalifman, TM, Cyberspace, 2003).

If [font color="darkred"]13.Bf2 c5[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]14.Bd3?! cxd4![/font] (Black has a fair advantage in space) [font color="darkred"]15.Qxd4 Nc5[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]16.Bc2 Ne6 17.Qd2 Ba6 18.0-0-0[/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]18...Qe7 19.Kb1 Rac8 20.Rhe1 Bc4 21.Nf4 Rc6[/font] is equal (Shen Yang-Zhao Xue, Grand Prix W, Ulaan Baator, 2010).
If [font color="magenta"]18...Bc4[/font] then:

[font color="magenta"]19.Rhe1 Qd6 20.Nf4 Ba2 21.Nxe6 Rxe6 22.Bg3 Qc6 23.Qd3 a5[/font] gives Black a small advantage in space.
If [font color="darkorange"]19.b3?! Bb5 20.Kb2[/font] then:

[font color="darkorange"]20...a5! 21.a4 Bc6 22.Rc1 b5 23.Bd3 Bd7[/font] gives Black a comfortable advantage in space.
[font color="purple"]20...Rc8 21.Rhe1! a5 22.Nf4 Qc7 23.Bg3 Qe5+ 24.Kb1[/font] is equal.

If [font color="magenta"]16.Rd1 Nxd3+ 17.Qxd3 Qc8[/font] then:

[font color="magenta"]18.b4?! d4 19.Qxd4 Bxf3!! 20.gxf3 Qxh3[/font] gives Black more active pieces and fewer pawn weaknesses (Kushch-Labensky, IT, Rovno, Ukraine, 2000).
[font color="darkorange"]18.Qd4 Ba6 19.Nf4 Qf5 20.Nd3 Nd7 21.b3 Ne5[/font] continues to give Black a fair advantage.

If [font color="magenta"]14.Be2! Rc8 15.0-0[/font] then:

[font color="magenta"]15...Nf8!? 16.Rfd1! Ne6 17.Qd2 cxd4[/font] gives White a small advantage in space (Beliavsky-Navara, IT B, Wijk aan Zee, 2006).
[font color="darkorange"]15...cxd4 16.Qxd4 Qe7 17.Rfc1 Nc5 18.Bd1[/font] is equal.

11...Nbd7 12.Ne2

If [font color="red"]12.cxd5[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]12...Nxd5 13.Bxd8 Nxc3[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]14.Bh4 Nd5 15.Kf2[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]15...e5 16.Ne2 exd4 17.exd4 Nf8[/font] then:

[font color="red"]18.Rhe1 Ne6 19.Bg3 Rad8 20.Rac1 c6 21.Bc4[/font] gives White a small advantage in space; Black has stronger pawns (Harikrishna-Bakre, Commonwealth Ch, Mumbai, 2004).
[font color="purple"]18.Rac1 a6 19.Rhe1 Ne6 20.Be4 c6 21.Red1[/font] gives White a small advantage in space (Sapunov-Tunik, Russian Ch ½-final, Krasnodar, 1999).

[font color="darkorange"]15...a5 16.Rc1 Rec8 17.Ne2 c5 18.e4 Nc7 19.Bg3[/font] gives White a fair advantage in space (S. Ivanov-Razunaev, Op, St. Petersburg, 1992).

[font color="magenta"]14.Bxc7 Nd5 15.Bd6 Nxe3 16.Kf2 Nd5 17.Ne2[/font] gives Black a small advantage in space (Savchenko-Ionov, IT, St. Petersburg, 1992).

[font color="darkred"]12...exd5 13.Ne2 c5[/font] transposes into the notes for Black's twelfth move.

12...e5

If [font color="red"]12...c5 13.cxd5[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]13...exd5 14.0-0 Qe7 15.Bf2[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]15...a5[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]16.Rfe1 c4 17.Bc2 b5 18.b4 Nb8 19.bxa5 Nc6 20.Ng3[/font] then:

[font color="red"]20...Rxa5 21.Nf5 Qe6 22.e4 Rea8 23.e5 Ne8 24.Reb1[/font] gives White a good advantage in space (Savchenko-Firman, Ukrainian Ch, Altusha, 2001).
[font color="burgundy"]20...Qd8 21.Nf5 Bc8 22.Qb2 Rxa5 23.Reb1 Bxf5[/font] gives Black a small advantage in space (Blokh-Lerner, IT, Rishon le Zion, 2004).

[font color="darkpink"]16.b4 axb4 17.axb4 c4 18.Bc2 b5 19.Qb2 Bc6[/font] is equal (Piket-Karpov, Match, Monte Carlo, 1999).

If [font color="darkred"]15...Rac8 16.Qd2[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]16...Nf8 17.Ng3[/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]17...g6 18.Rae1 Ne6 19.dxc5 Nxc5 20.Bb5 Red8 21.b4[/font] gives Black a slight advantage in space and the initiative (Wang Lei-Als. Maric, Rpd IT, Shanghai, 2001).
[font color="darkorange"]17...Ne6 18.Nf5 Qf8 19.Bg3 Red8 20.Be5 Ne8 21.Qf2[/font] gives White a promising attack(Bjerke-Kveinys, Op, Oslo, 2005).

[font color="magenta"]16...Nb8 17.b4 Ba6 18.b5 Bb7 19.g4 Nbd7[/font] is equal (Touzane-Kholmov. Op, Legnica, 1994).

If [font color="darkred"]13...cxd4[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]14.Nxd4 Nxd5 15.Bxd8 Nxc3 16.Bh4 Ne5 17.Bf1[/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]17...Nd5 18.Bg3 Nxe3 19.Bxe5 f6 20.Bg3[/font] gives White an extra piece while Black has the initiative and a safer King (M. Gurevich-Kosten, French ChT, 2003).
[font color="darkorange"]17...Nb5?[/font] drops a piece to [font color="darkorange"]18.Nxb5! g5 19.Bg3 Nd3+ 20.Kd2 Red8 21.Kc2[/font](Medic-Hagarova, OlW, Torino, 2006).

[font color="magenta"]14.exd4 Nxd5 15.Bxd8 Nxc3 16.bxc3 Rexd8 17.Kd2[/font] gives White a slight advantage with the advatage in space, but she also has moree pawn weaknesses (Medic-Jackova, Euro ChTW, Goteborg, 2005).

13.0-0 c5 (N)

On this move, for the only time I recall during the game, I parted from the majority and voted for 13...e4!? rather than 13...c5, which was an overwhelming favorite. My point throughout the discussions during opening this period was to stop White from advancing the e-pawn. While the move played is objectively better, I thought the move I suggested would have been more interesting and instructive, even if it resulted in a loss.
[font color="red"]13...e4!? 14.fxe4 dxc4[/font] then:

[font color="red"]15.Bxc4!? Rxe4 16.Bxf6 Nxf6 17.Ng3 Rg4 18.Rac1 Qe7[/font] is equal (Hoang Thanh Trang-Ooi Chern Ee, 1st Saturday April, Budapest, 1997).
[font color="darkred"]15.Qxc4! Bxe4 16.Nc3 Bxd3 17.Qxd3 Ne5 18.Qe2[/font] gives White more space and the intiative while Black has stronger pawns.

[center]
BLACK: The World

WHITE: Varuzhan Akobian
Position after 13...c7c5
[/center]
14.Rae1

The game is equal.
[font color="red"]14.Rac1 cxd4 15.exd4 Rc8 16.Qb4 a5[/font] gives Black a better center and the initiative, but he also faces the possibility of being saddled with an isolated d-pawn.

14...Rc8 15.Bf5

If [font color="red"]15.Bc2[/font] then:

[font color="red"]15...cxd4 16.exd4 Rxc4 17.Qd2 e4 18.Nc3 Qe7[/font] is equal.
If [font color="darkred"]15...dxc4 16.Bf5[/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]16...cxd4 17.exd4 g5 18.Bf2 e4[/font] is equal.
[font color="magenta"]16...g5 17.Bf2 Rc7 18.Bg3 Nd5 19.Qd2[/font] gives White a slight advantage in space.

If [font color="blue"]15.dxe5 Nxe5 16.Bf5[/font] then:

If [font color="blue"]16...Rc6 17.cxd5[/font] then:

[font color="blue"]17...Nxd5 18.Bxd8 Nxc3 19.Nxc3 Rxd8 20.Rd1 Rcd6[/font] gives Black a slight advantage in space.
If [font color="darkblue"]17...Qxd5?! 18.e4[/font] then:

[font color="darkblue"]18...Qd3 19.f4 Qxc3 20.Nxc3 Ng6 21.Bxf6 Rxf6 22.Rd1[/font] gives White a fair advantage in space.
[font color="dodgerblue"]18...Qd8 19.Bg3 Qe7 20.Nf4 c4 21.Nd5 Qd6 22.Rf2[/font] leaves White with a comfortable advantage in space.

[font color="darkcyan"]16...Ra8 17.Ng3 g5 18.f4 Nf3+ 19.gxf3 gxh4 20.Ne2[/font] is equal.

15...cxd4 16.exd4 Rxc4 17.Qd2

[font color="red"]17.Qd3 Ba6 18.Qd1 Rc7 19.Bf2 e4 20.Be3 Qe7[/font] gives Black an extra pawn, a better center and more space.

17...Ba6

This game was between a grandmaster and a group of amateurs of varying skills using engines. Mine was Rybka.
If [font color="red"]17...e4?! 18.Bxd7![/font] then:

[font color="red"]18...e3 19.Qd3 Qxd7 20.Bxf6 gxf6 21.Ng3[/font] gives Black an extra pawn, but White is more than compensated with fewer pawn weaknesses; Black's passer is going nowhere.
[font color="darkred"]18...Qxd7 19.Bxf6 gxf6 20.Qxh6 Rc6 21.Nf4 f5 22.Qg5+[/font] gives White an open attack on the Black King and a fair advantage in space.

18.Bd3

The game remains equal.
[font color="red"]18.Bxf6 Nxf6 19.dxe5 Rxe5 20.Bd3 Ra4[/font] gives Black a small advantage in space.

18...Ra4

[font color="red"]18...e4!? 19.fxe4! dxe4 20.Bxc4 Bxc4 21.Qc3 Bd3 22.Rf5[/font] gives White more active pieces.

[center]
BLACK: The World

WHITE: Varuzhan Akobian
Position after 18...Rc4a4
[/center]
19.Bxa6

If [font color="red"]19.Qd1 Bxd3[/font] then:

[font color="red"]20.Qxa4 exd4 21.Qd1 Ba6 22.Bxf6 Nxf6[/font] remains equal.
If [font color="darkred"]20.Qxd3?! Qc7! 21.Rc1 Rc4 22.b3 e4[/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]23.Qe3 exf3 24.Qxf3 Rxc1 25.Rxc1 Qd6[/font] gives White an extra pawn.
[font color="magenta"]23.fxe4 Rxc1 24.Rxc1 dxe4 25.Qa6 Qb8[/font] gives White an extra pawn.

19...Rxa6 20.dxe5

[font color="red"]20.Nc3 b5 21.dxe5 Nxe5 22.Bxf6 Rxf6[/font] remains equal.

20...Nxe5

If [font color="red"]20...Rxe5 21.Bg3 Re8 22.Nc3[/font] then:

[font color="red"]22...Nc5 23.Rxe8+ Qxe8 24.Nxd5 Nxd5 25.Qxd5[/font] gives White a slight advantage in space.
[font color="darkred"]a) 22...Rxe1 23.Rxe1 Qa8 24.Rd1 Qb7[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]25.Nxd5 Nxd5 26.Qxd5 Qxd5 27.Rxd5[/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]27...Nc5 28.Bd6 Na4 29.Be5 Ra5 30.Rxa5 bxa5 31.Kf1[/font] gives White a better ending with stronger pawns on the queenside and a Bishop over a Knight in an ending with pawns on opposite wings.
[font color="darkorange"]27...Nf6 28.Rd8+ Kh7 29.Rb8 Kg6 30.Rb7 Nd5 31.Bb8[/font] wins the pawn at a7.

[font color="magenta"]25.h3 b5 26.Nxd5 Re6 27.Ne3 a6 28.b4[/font] gives White a slight advantage in space.

If [font color="darkred"]b) 22...b5[/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]23.Rxe8+ 23...Qxe8 24.Nxb5 Qc8 25.Rc1 Qb7 26.Nd4[/font] leaves White blockading the isolated (but passed) d-pawn and in possession of a queenside pawn majority, better minor pieces and more space.
If [font color="magenta"]23.Nxb5 Nc5 24.Rxe8+ Nxe8 25.Rd1[/font] then:

[font color="magenta"]25...Qb6 26.Qxd5 Qxb5 27.b4 Rxa3 28.bxc5 Ra6 29.Bf2[/font] favors White with the more advanced passer.
[font color="darkorange"]25...Nf6 26.Nc7 Rc6 27.Nxd5 Nxd5 28.Qxd5 Qxd5 29.Rxd5[/font] gives White an extra pawn.

21.Bxf6 Qxf6 22.Nc3

The game remains equal, but there are ways to go wrong.
If [font color="red"]22.Qxd5?! Rd8[/font] then:

[font color="red"]23.Qb3 b5 24.Rd1 Rad6 25.Nc3 Nd3 26.Rd2 Qd4+[/font] gives Black domination of the center.
[font color="darkred"]23.Qb7[/font] is shear desperation and after [font color="darkred"]23...Ra5! 24.Rd1 Nd3! 25.h3 Rb5 26.b4 Rbd5[/font] Black has something close to a winning position.

22...d4

[font color="red"]22...Rd8 23.Nxd5 Qd6 24.Rd1 Nc4 25.Ne7+ Kf8[/font] remains equal.

23.Nd5

If [font color="red"]23.Ne4 Qd8[/font] then:

[font color="red"]24.Rd1 b5 25.Qxd4 Qb8[/font] remains equal.
[font color="darkred"]24.f4 Ng4 25.Qe2 Ra5 26.Qxg4 Rxe4 27.Rxe4 f5[/font] remains equal.

23...Qd8 24.Qxd4 Ra5 25.Rd1
[center]
BLACK: The World

WHITE: Varuzhan Akobian
Position after 25.Re1d1
[/center]
25...Rc5

At this point, most members of Team Black realized the game was dead in the water.
If [font color="red"]25...Nc6[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]26.Qd3 Ne5[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]27.Qe4 f5[/font] then:

[font color="red"]28.Qe3 Rxd5 29.Qb3 Nc4 30.Qxc4 Ree5[/font] is equal.
If [font color="darkred"]28.Qd4 Kh7 29.b4 Rxa3 30.f4[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]30...Ng6 31.Qb2 Ra6[/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]32.Qc1 Qh4 33.Rd2 b5[/font] is equal.
If [font color="magenta"]32.b5 Ra4[/font] then:

[font color="magenta"]33.Qc2 Rae4 34.g3 Qc8 35.Rc1 Qxc2 36.Rxc2 Rd8[/font] gives Black more space and the initiative.
[font color="darkorange"]33.g3 Qc8 34.Rf2 Ree4 35.Qb3 Rac4 36.Kg2 Ne7[/font] gives Black a healthy advantage in space.

[font color="darkorchid"]30...Ng4 31.Qb2 Ra6 32.Qb1 Kg6 33.h3 Nf6 34.g4[/font] gives White a budding attack on the Black King.

[font color="darkpink"]27.Qd4 Nc6 28.Qc4 Rc5 29.Qd3 b5[/font] is equal.

[font color="darkorchid"]26.Qd2 Rc5 27.Nc3 Qxd2 28.Rxd2 Ne5 29.Ne4 Rc6[/font] is equal.

[font color="blue"]25...Re6 26.f4 Ng4 27.Nc3 Qxd4+ 28.Rxd4 Ne3 29.Rf2 Kf8 30.Rd8+[/font] gives White a slight advantage with more active Rooks.
[font color="#008000"]25...Qd6 26.Nc3 Qxd4+ 27.Rxd4 Rc5 28.Rc1 a6 29.Kf2[/font] remains equal.
[font color="#D4A017"]25...Kf8 26.b4 Rxa3 27.f4 Ng4 28.Qb2 Qh4 29.h3[/font] remains equal.

26.h3

If [font color="red"]26.f4 Ng4 27.Rd2 Rc6[/font] then:

[font color="red"]28.h3 Ne3 29.Nxe3 Qxd4 30.Rxd4 Rxe3 31.Rfd1 Re2[/font] is drawish.
If [font color="darkred"]28.f5 Qg5 29.h3 Nf6[/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]30.Nxf6+ Rxf6 31.Qf4 Qxf4 32.Rxf4 g6[/font] remains equal.
[font color="magenta"]30.Qa4 Qxd2 31.Nxf6+ Rxf6 32.Qxe8+ Kh7 33.Qe5 a5[/font] remains equal.

26...Rc4 27.Qd2

If [font color="red"]27.Qf2[/font] then:

[font color="red"]27...Rc6 28.f4 Nc4 29.Rfe1 Ree6 30.Rd4 b5 31.b3[/font] remains equal.
[font color="darkred"]27...Rc5 28.Qd4 Qd6 29.Ne3 Qg6 30.b4 Nc6[/font] remains equal.

If [font color="blue"]27.Qe3[/font] then:

[font color="blue"]27...Rc6 28.f4 Nd7 29.Qb3 Rd6 30.Qd3 Kf8 31.Qh7 Nf6[/font] remains equal.
[font color="darkblue"]27...Rc5 28.Qd4[/font] transposes into the [font color="darkred"]secondary line[/font] above.

27...Qc8!

It was now that the active members of team Black saw the possibility of forcing perpetual check with a Queen sacrifice. That is how we wanted to end this game. For a chess palyer, there is nothing more satisfying than getting a good result from a Queen sacrifice.

28.Rfe1 Rc2 29.Qd4

The doesn't seem any way to avoid the desired perpetual check.
If [font color="red"]29.Qb4 Qxh3!![/font] then:

[font color="red"]30.Nf6+ gxf6 31.gxh3 Nxf3+ 32.Kf1 Rxe1+ 33.Rxe1 Nh2+ etc.[/font] draws by pertetual chack.
[font color="darkred"]30.gxh3 Nxf3+ 31.Kf1 Rxe1+ 32.Rxe1 Nh2+ etc.[/font] draws by pertetual chack.

[center]
BLACK: The World

WHITE: Varuzhan Akobian
Position after 29.Qd2d4
[/center]
29...Qxh3!!

There it is. The piece is dubbed the "Drawma Queen." Barring an unexpected mistake, a draw is inevitable.
If [font color="red"]29...Rc4 30.Qe3 Re6 31.b4 Qc6 32.Qb3 b5 33.f4[/font] is equal.

30.Ne7+

[font color="red"]30.gxh3?![/font] proves premature after [font color="red"]30...Nxf3+![/font] when:

If [font color="red"]31.Kf1 Rxe1+ 32.Rxe1 Nxd4[/font] then:

[font color="red"]33.Re8+ Kh7 34.Re7 Rxb2 35.Rxa7 Rb5[/font] leaves Black with two extra pawns.
[font color="magenta"]33.b4 Ne6 34.Rd1 g6 35.Rd3 Kg7 36.Kg1 g5[/font] leaves Black with two extra pawns and opportunities for more.

If [font color="darkred"]31.Kh1??[/font] then [font color="darkred"]31...Rh2#.[/font]

30...Rxe7

If [font color="red"]30...Kf8[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]31.gxh3 Nxf3+ 32.Kf1[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]32...Nh2+ 33.Kg1 Nf3+ 34.Kf1[/font] then:

[font color="red"]34...Nh2+ 35.Kg1 Nf3+ etc.[/font] draws.
[font color="burgundy"]34...Nxd4?! 35.Rxd4 etc.[/font] transposes to the [font color="magenta"]pink line[/font] in this variation.

If [font color="darkred"]32...Nxd4?! 33.Rxd4![/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]33...Ra8 34.Rd7 Rxb2 35.Nf5 Rb3 36.Kf2[/font] gives White a Rook on the seventhy and a Knight for three pawns.
[font color="magenta"]33...Rc7 34.Nf5 g6 35.Rxe8+ Kxe8 36.Ne3 Rc1+ 37.Kf2[/font] gives White a Knight for two pawns.

If [font color="darkorchid"]31.Qd8?![/font] then [font color="darkorchid"]31...Qxg2#.[/font]

31.Qd8+

White probably didn't even consider [font color="red"]31.gxh3??[/font] when Black wins after [font color="red"]31...Nxf3+! 32.Kf1 Rxe1+ 33.Rxe1 Nxd4.[/font]

31...Kh7

[font color="red"]31...Re8 32.Qxe8+ Kh7 33.gxh3 Nxf3+ 34.Kf1 Nh2+ etc.[/font] draws.

32.gxh3 Nxf3+ ½-½

All that remains is
[font color="red"]33.Kf1 Nh2+ 34.Kg1 Nf3+ etc.[/font]
Although it is better form to allow the higher rated player to offer the draw, there seems little point in that when you are allowed to use a chess engine during the game, your opponent knows you're using one and perpetual check is forced.

Jack Rabbit

(45,984 posts)

13. Update: New Year's Tournament Results

Sun Jan 8, 2012, 04:59 PM

Jan 2012

Reggio Emilia: Giri scores come-from-behind Tournament Victory

[font size="1"]Photo by http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Stefan64 Stefan64 from http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Anish_Giri Wikimedia Commons (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en Creative Commons License, Attribution/Share Alike)
[/font]
Dutch national champion Anish Giri, 17, who was born in St. Petersburg to a Russian mother and a Nepalese father and spent his early childhood in Japan before tha family moved to Holland, scored a come-from-behind victory to win the 54th Torneo di Capodanno in Reggio Emilia, northern Italy, which ended Friday.

In a 3-1-0 scoring system, Mh. Giri scored 16 points to overtake American GM Hikaru Nakamura, Russian GM Alexander Morozevich and Italian national champion Fabiano Caruana, who tied for second with 15 points each. Nakamura and Morozevich, one or the other of whom had led or shared the lead since the first round, each lost in the tenth and final round to give Giri an opportunity, which he seized by drawing his game against Caruana.

Mh. Giri had only two draws in his first four games in Reggio Emilia. He won four and drew one in his next five game. By contrast, Mr. Nakamura was comfortably in the lead after seven rounds with 15 points, but then lost his last three games.

The first ever women's tournament as part of the Toreo di Capodanno was won by Sopiko Guramishvili, a WGM from Georgia.

Stockholm: Shimanov coasts to win the Rilton Cup

Aleksandr Shimanov (right) playing Black in a blitz game against Alexander Grischuk, February 2011

Russian grandmaster Aleksandr Shimanov scored 7½ points out of a possible 9 to win the 41st annual Rilton Cup in Stockholm Thursday.

Shimanov entered the final round with a full point lead and needed only to avoid loss to finish a clear first in the tournament. He won his first four game in a row and won a total of six games with three draws and no losses.

Slavko Cicak (Sweden), Bartosz Socko (Poland), Dragan Solak (Turkey) and Eduardas Rozentalis (Lithuania) tied for second with 6½ points each.

Wang Yue wins Hasting Chess Congress

[font size="1"]Photo by http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Samson1964 Frank Hoppe in http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Wang_yue_20081119_olympiade_dresden.jpg Wikimedia Commons (Public Domian)
[/font]
Chinese grandmaster Wang Yue scored a clear first place finish in the Masters' Tournament of the 87th Hastings International Chess Congress Thursday with 7½ points in nine rounds.

Grandmaster Andrei Istratescu, who recently switched from the Romanian to the French federation, and Indian international master Babu Lalith and Sundar Shayam finished tied for second with 7 points each.

Grandmaster Wang entered the event as the top seed with an Elo score of 2697. As a result of his victory in Hastings, Wang unofficially rejoins the 2700 club with a rating of 2702.

Jack Rabbit

(45,984 posts)

14. Wijk aan Zee begins Saturday

Mon Jan 9, 2012, 03:06 PM

Jan 2012

The annual Tata Steel Tournament will begin Saturday in the Dutch sea resort of Wijk aan Zee.

For the details, wee turn to ChessBase.com for its fine article on the upcoming edition and the highlights of the past tournaments in Wijk aan Zee and Beverwijk.

Jack Rabbit

(45,984 posts)

19. Update (Sunday, January 15): Wijk aan Zee Begins; untitled player wins Chennai Open

Sun Jan 15, 2012, 04:41 PM

Jan 2012

Tata Steel Chess Festival begins in Wijk aan Zee

The 74th annual chess three-fold chess tournament in the Dutch sea resort of Wijk aan Zee began yesterday.

This is the torunament's second year under the sponsorship of the Indian manufacturer Tata Steel, which in 2010 bought out the former sponsor, the Corus Group, which formed in 1999 when the origninal sponsor, Koninklijke Hoogovens, merged with British Steel. The tournament was first played in Beverwijk in 1938 and moved to Wijk aan Zee in 1968.

After two rounds, only player in each of the three tournaments has a perfect score. Levon Aronian of Armenia, the second-highest rated player in the world, leads in the elite A Group, Indian GM Pentala Harikrishna leads in the B Group, and Russian GM Maxim Turov leads in the C Group.

The last round is scheduled to be played on January 29, two weeks from today. The action may be followed on the official tournament website with live games beginning at 1:30 pm in Wijk aan Zee (4:30 am PST).

Yu Ruiyuan wins Chennai Open

Yu Ruiyuan, an untitled player from China, won the 11-round open tournament Friday in Chennai (formerly Madras), India, with 9 points.

Yu picked up a GM norm for his efforts. Aleksej Aleksandrov (Belarus), Martyn Kravtsiv (Ukraine), Kore Akshayraj (India), Marat Dzhumaev (Uzbekistan) and John Paul Gomez (Philippines) tied for second place with 8½ points each.

Jack Rabbit

(45,984 posts)

20. Update (Monday, January 16): Magnus defeats Aronian, takes lead in Wijk ann Zee

Mon Jan 16, 2012, 03:16 PM

Jan 2012

Magnus Calsen, the number one ranked player in the world, defeated Levon Aronian, the number two ranked player in the world, and took over first placed after today's third round of Group A in the 74th Tata Steel Chess Festival currently underway in the Dutch sea resort of Wijk aan Zee.

Magnus played White. The game lasted 68 moves.

Magnus has 2½ points out of a possible 3 while Aronian has 2 points, good for a tie for second in the early stages of the ever. Italian national champion Fabiano Caruana and Azerbaijani GM Teimour Radjabov also have 2 points each.

In the other Groups, Pentala Harikrishna of India continues to lead Group B with a perfect score after downing his compatriot, Dronvalli Harika, with Black in 33 moves and Russia's Maxim Turov, playing White, took down Lisa Schut of Holland in 67 moves to remain atop Group C with 3 points in as many games.

Jack Rabbit

(45,984 posts)

21. Updates (Monday, Januarty 23)

Mon Jan 23, 2012, 10:21 PM

Jan 2012

What's new in Wijk

Today (Monday) was a rest day for the players. The tournament resumes tomorrow when the ninth will be played and is scheduled to finish Saturday with Round 13.

In Group A, Norway's Magnus Carlsen and Armenia's Levon Aronian, the number one and number two players in the world, are tied for first place at 5½ points each. Teimour Radjabov of Azerbaijan is third with 5 points.

In Group B, Pentala Harikrishna of India is alone in first place with 6 points out of 8. He is followed by Russia's Alexander Motylev in second place with 5½ points and Lázaro Bruzón of Cuba the the Dutch GM Erwin L'Ami tied for third at 5 points each.

In Group C, Russian veteran GM Maxim Turov and reigning Swedish national champion Hans Tikkanen, who has play impressively since winning the grandmaster's title in 2010, are tied for first place with 6½ points each. India's Baskaran Adhiban is in third place with 5½ points.

Three tie for first in Queentown Open

Chinese grandmasters Li Chao and Zhao Jun and veteran Australian GM Darryl Johansen tied for first place in the Queenstown Chess Classic in New Zealand today with 7½ each after nine rounds.

A total of 148 chess players competed.

Barbosa takes top prize in New Delhi

Filipino GM Oliver Barbosa won the 10th annual Parsvnath Chess Tournament in the Indian capital of New Delhi with 9½ points out of 11 rounds in the event completed today. Mr. Barbosa's compatriot, GM John Paul Gomez, and Indian IM Babu Lalith, who recently finshed third at the 87th Hastings Chess Congress, tied for third with 9 points each.

Over 300 players participated in the tournament.

Jack Rabbit

(45,984 posts)

22. Updates (Tuesday, January 24): Aronian leads Tata Steel A; Gibraltar begins

Tue Jan 24, 2012, 08:22 PM

Jan 2012

Aronian leads in Wijk aan Zee

[font size="1"]Frank Hoppe in http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Levon_Aronian Wikimedia Commons (Public Doamin)
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Armenian grandmaster Levon Aronian took over sole possession of first place today in Group of the Tata Steel Chess Tournament when he defeated Italian national champion Fabiano Caruana in their ninth round game in the Dutch sea resort of Wijk aan Zee.

Paron Aronian's victory, combined with Norwegian grandmaster Magnus Carlsen's loss to Russian GM Sergey Karjakin, put him one full point ahead of Magnus with four rounds remaining.

GM Teimour Radjabov of Azerbaijan is now tied for second with Magnus after drawing his game with American GM Gata Kamsky.

There were no significant changes in the standings from today's results in Groups B and C.

Gibraltar begins

[font size="1"]Barbary macaques on Gibraltar by http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Oltau Olaf Tausch (Oltau) in http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Gibraltar_Barbary_Macaques Wikimedia Commons (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en Creative Commons License, Attribution/Share Alike)
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The tenth annual Tradewise Gibraltar Chess Festival got underway today on the Rock.

There are 256 participants in this year's Masters' Open, eleven of them rated over 2700. The top ranked master is Peter Svidler of Russia, who played White and defeated British women's champion Jovanka Houska in 41 moves on board 1.

There were few surprises in the opening round. Israeli grandmaster Emil Sutovsky lost to British international master Craig Hanley in a crisp 33 moves; and Alexey Shirov, once again playing for his native Latvia after playing for Spain for 17 years, settled for a draw against Swedish IM Patrik Lyberg in a game that lasted 68 moves.

Jack Rabbit

(45,984 posts)

23. Update (Sunday, January 29): Wijk aan Zee finishes for 2012

Sun Jan 29, 2012, 09:05 PM

Jan 2012

From ChessBase.com
Dated Sunday, January 29

Wijk aan Zee Rd13: Aronian is sole winner!

It was a deserving finish to a magnificent tournament by Levon Aronian. He takes sole first and his seven wins is the highest since Kasparov in 1999. Carlsen treid hard to crack Van Wely to no avail and shared second with Radjabov. Joining them is Fabiano Caruana who beat Boris Gelfand in the last round. Pentala Harikirshna won Group B, and Maxim Turov took Group C. Express report.

Jack Rabbit

(45,984 posts)

24. Update (Monday, January 30) from Gibraltar: Hou Yifan defeats Judit Polgar in historic match up