Chess News for the Week Ending July 9: Special World Cup Soccer Edition

[Jack Rabbit]

The Jack Rabbit Chess Report
for the week ending July 9



Special World Cup Soccer Edition

Contents:

Post 1: News for the week
Post 2: Games from recent events
Post 3: For the soccer fans: How to score a goal in chess


French Grandmaster Almira Skripchenko modeling a poster for the 2004 Bundesliga from ChessBase.com

[Jack Rabbit]

1. News for the Week Ending July 9

Shipov wins Midnight Sun Open in Tromsø

Russian grandmaster Sergei Shipov scored 7½ points out of 12 games to win the Midnight Sun Open Tournament in the Arctic Norwegian town of Tromsø.

Tied for second in the sixty-two player field were Norwegian grandmasters Leif Erland Johannessen and 15-year-old Magnus Carlsen.



Shipov won the nine-round event for all intents and purposes in the seventh round when. playing Black, he defeated Carlsen in a exciting if imperfect 77-move game.

Kamsky wins blitz playoff after nine-way tie in World Open

Russian-born American grandmaster Gata Kamsky a one-game blitz playoff from Russian-born Swiss grandmaster Vadim Milov in Philadelphia to claim the championship of the World Open Tournament which ended on the Fourth of July.



Gata Kamsky

Kamsky and Milov were two of nine players to finish with 7 points out of nine games. The others were: Jaan Elvest, Ildar Ibragimov, Leonid Yudasin, Alexander Ivanov, Giori Kaceishvili, Aleks Wojtkiewicz and Joel Benjamin.

There were almost 240 players in the event.

Emory Tate Earns International Master Title

Emory Tate of Indiana, 47, who as an Air Force sergeant in the 1980s won the chess champion of the US Armed Forces five times, achieved his third International Master norm by scoring 6 points out of 9 games at the World Open in Philadelphia.

The three norms are what is required to earn the title International Master from FIDE. Once FIDE confirms the norm, Mr. Tate will be entitled to be called an International Master; for now, the custom will be to address him as International Master-elect.



Emory Tate

Mr. Tate lost two games in a row in the sixth and seventh rounds on Monday and had to win both his games on the Fourth of July to achieve his norm. This he did against young IM Jake Kleiman of Tennessee and grandmaster Alonzo Zapata of Colombia.

Mr. Tate said in an interview with the website The Chess Drum that after losing two games in a row winning the game against Kleiman was a "test of character" and more satisfying than his earlier vicotry over French grandmaster Laurent Fressinet, the strongest opponent he faced in Philadelphia.

Mr. Tate says his chess hero is Mikhail Tal, the late former world champion from then-Soviet Latvia. Like Tal, Tate is often described as a "swashbuckler" at the chess board.

A taste of Mr. Tate's swashbuckling style is seen in the following game.

Nick deFirmian vs. Emory Tate
New Jersey Open Tournament, Round 6
New Jersey, September 2001

Open Sicilian Game: Kupreichik Defense

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 Bd7!?

This is the Kupreichik Defense, named for a well-regarded and still-living Soviet-era grandmaster from Belarus; it is rarely played in favor of the the Najdorf (5. -- a6), Scheviningen (5. -- e6) or Dragon (5. -- g6) Defenses.

6. Be3

Also playable is 6. Bb5 g6 7. 0-0 Bg7.

6. -- Ng4 7. Bg5 h6

The usual small advantage for White at this stage (an equal game, for all intents and purposes) can also be gained from 7. -- Nc6 8. Ndb5 Qa5 9. Be2 Nge5 10. Bd2.

8. Bh4 g5 9. Bg3 Bg7 10. h3

A level game is the result of 10. Be2 Ne5 11. Nd5 Nbc6 12. Nb5 Qa5+ 13. c3.

10. -- Ne5 11. Be2

11. Bb5 Nbc6 12. Nde2 Rc8 13. 0-0 Qb6 is level.

11. -- Nbc6 12. Nb3 h5

If 12. -- Ng6 13. Qd2 (or 13. 0-0 Bxc3 14. bxc3 Nce5 15. Rb1 Nf4 with an even game) 13. -- Rc8 (or 13. -- 0-0 14. Rd1 Rc8 15. h4 g4 16. f3 Nge5 17. Bf4 Kh7 and equality) 14. Nd1 Nf4 then and even game is achieved by:

• 15. 0-0 Nxe2+ 16. Qxe2 Qb6! 17. c3 (or 17. Qd2 Be6) 17. -- Be5;
• 15. Bxf4 15. -- gxf4 16. c3 Be5

13. f3 h4 14. Bf2 Ng6 15. 0-0

15. Nd4? would be a terrible blunder: 15. -- Nf4! 16. 0-0 Bxh3 then:

• 17. Nxc6 bxc6 18. gxh3 Nxh3+:
  • 19. Kg2? Nxf2 20. Rxf2 h3+ (or 20. -- Qb6 21. Qc1 h3+ 22. Kf1 h2 and Black wins) 21. Kh1 Qb6 and Black has an overwhelming position with an advanced passed Pawn and control of open lines leading to White's King;
  • 19. Kh1 19. -- Nxf2+ 20. Rxf2 Qb6 and, after 21. -- Qxb2, Black will have three Pawns for a piece
• 17. gxh3 17. -- Nxh3+ 18. Kh1 Nxf2+ 19. Rxf2 Bxd4 and Black has a strong initiative.

15. -- Be5 16. Qd2 Qc8

16. -- Nf4 17. Bb5 Rc8 (or 17. -- Bxh3?! 18. gxh3 Nxh3+ 19. Kh1 Nxf2+ 20. Rxf2 Bf4 21. Qd5 +/-) 18. Bxc6 Rxc6 19. Bd4 Bxd4+ 20. Qxd4 +=

17. Be3 Bf4 18. Rfe1 Nce5 19. Nd4?

This is the blunder of the game. White would maintain an even position, perhaps even a small advatage, with 19. Bxf4 Nxf4 20.Nd4 a6 21. Bf1 Qc5 22. Kh1 Rc8.

19. -- Bxh3!!

Playing cautious doesn't work. White ould have a strong position after 19. -- Bxe3+?! 20. Qxe3 Nf4 21. Rad1 Nxe2+ 22. Rxd2 g4 23. fxg4

20. gxh3 Qxh3 21. Bb5+ Kf8 22. Bxf4 Nxf4

22. -- gxf4? is tempting, but it could turn the game around: 23. Qg2 Qg3 24. Qxg3 (24. Nce2? sets things right for Black again after 24. -- Nxf3+! 25. Kf1 Nxe1 26. Rxe1 f3 27. Nxg3 fxg2+) 24. -- fxg3 25. a6 26. Ba4 Rc8 27. Bb3 and Black's attack is slowed considerably.

23. Rf1 a6 24. Bd3 Qg3+ 25. Kh1 h3!

Again, the position calls for bold strokes: 25. -- Nexd3 26. cxd3 Nxd3 27. Nd5 (or 27. Qxd3 Qh3+ 28. Kg1 Qg3+; 27. Nf5 Qh3+ 28. Qh2 with an even game) 27. -- Qh3+ 28. Qh2 Qxh2+ 29. Kxh2 Nxb2 30. Rab1 and White is out of trouble.

26. Rg1 Qg2+!!

Once again, pussyfooting would let White off: 26. -- Qh4? 27. Kh2 Rc8 28. Rg3 e6 29. Rag1 f6 with a good game for White.

27. Rxg2 hxg2+ 28. Kg1 Rh1+ 29. Kf2 Rxa1 30. Nd1 Kg7!

30. -- Rxa2 would throw away much of Black's advatage: 31. Be2 Neg6 32. Bc4 Ra1 and Whit could start think about salvaging a half-point.

31. Ne2 Rc8

31. -- Rh8 32. Ng1 Rh2! (bad would be 32. -- Rh1?! 33. Be2 Rxa2 34. Ne3 Ra1 35. Nd1 with only an insignificant plus for Black) 33. Be2 Nh3+ 34. Nxh3 g1Q+ 35. Kxg1 Nxf3+

32. b3

No better for White is 32. a3 Rh8 33. Ng1 Rh2 34. Be2 Nh3+.

32. -- f6 33. Ng1 Rh8! 34. Bc4 Rh1

Also sufficient for the win is 34. -- Nxc4 35. bxc4 Rh1 36. a4 b6.

35. Be2 Rxa2 36. Ne3 Ra1 37. Nd1 Neg6 38. Bc4 Nh4

There is no hope for White: 38. -- Rxg1 39. Ne3 (or 39. Kxg1 Nh4 40. Kf2 Nh3+) 39. -- Ne5 40. Be2 Rae1 (or 40. -- Rge1 41. Nxg2 Rxe2+ 42. Qxe2 Nxe2) 41. Nf5+ (or 41. b4 Ref1+ 42. Bxf1 gxf1Q+ 43. Nxf1 Rg2+) 41. -- Kf7 42. Ne3 Rxe2+ 43. Qxe2 Nxe2 44. Nxg2 (or 44. Kxe2 Re1+) 44. -- Rxg2+.

39. Be2 Rxg1 40. Kxg1 Nh3+ 41. 0-1

After 41. Kh2, Black mates in two. DeFirmian resigns.


Credits:

Midnight Sun Open logo from the Official Website
Gata Kamsky from ChessBase.com
Emory Tate from New York Masters

[Jack Rabbit]

2. Games from Recent Events

Sergei Shipov

Magnus Carlsen vs. Sergei Shipov
Midnight Sun Open, Round 7
Tromsø, Norway, June 2006

French Defense (Tarrasch Attack)

1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nd2 a6 4. Ngf3 c5 5. exd5 exd5 6. dxc5 Bxc5 7. Nb3 Bb6 8. Qe2+ Ne7

8. -- Be6? would be a mistake: 9. Nbd4 Qd7 (or 9. -- Qc7 10. Nxe6 fxe6 11. Qxe6+ Qe7 12. Ng5 and White would already have an overwhelming position) 10. Ne5 Qc8 11. Be3 Qc7 12. Nxe6 Ba5+ 13. Kd1 Qxe5 14. Bd4 and Black is in serious trouble.

9. Be3 Nbc6 10. Bxb6 Qxb6 11. Qd2

Also satisfactory for both players at this stage of the game is 11. g3 Bg4 12. Bg2 a5 13. 0-0-0 (or 13. c3 a4 14. Nc1 d4) 13. -- Bxf3 14. Qxf3 a4 15. Na1.

11. -- 0-0 12. Be2

12. Bd3 Bg4 13. Ng5 h6 give Black just a light edge.

12. -- a5 13. a4 Bf5 14. 0-0 Rac8 15. Bb5 Be4

If 15. -- Na7 16. Nfd4, then:

• 16. -- Be4 17. Nxa5 Qg6 18. f3 Bxc2 (or 18. -- Nxb5 19. axb5 Bxc2 20. Rfe1 Rc7 and White is poised to win material) 19. Rfe1 Nxb5 (or 19. -- Rc7 20. Rac1 Qb6 21. Rxe7 Rxe7 22. Rxc2 and White emerges a Pawn to the good) 20. axb5 Rc7 (20. -- Rfe8 21. Nxb7 Qb6 22. Na5 Nf5 23. Nac6 and White is up a Pawn and ready to exchange pieces) 21. Rxe7 Rxe7 22. Nxc2 and White is up with two minor pieces against a Rook;
• 16. -- Qg6? 17. Rfe1 Rc7 18. Nxf5 Qxf5 19. Bd3 followed by 20. Qxa5 and White has won a Pawn; or
• 16. -- Nxb5 is far and away the best for Black: 17. axb5 Be4 18. Rfe1 Rfe8 19. Re2 Ng6 20. Rxa5 Ne5 with White hold at best a slight advantange

16. Ng5

16. Nbd4?! Nxd4 17. Nxd4 Nc6 (17. -- Rfd8 18. c3 Nc6 19. Rad1 Na7 20. Rfe1 Nxb5 21. axb5 Re8=) 18. Ne2 Ne5 19. c3 Nc4 20. Bxc4 dxc4 21. Rad1 Bc6 =+

16. -- Bg6 17. Rfe1 d4?

Black errs. He should have played 17. -- Rfe8, whiich would hold the balnce after 18. c3 Qc7 19. Nh3 (or 18. Nd4 h6 20. Nh3 Nxd4 21. Qxd4 Red8) Be4 20. Nf4 Red8 21. Re2 Na7 22. Bd3 Nac6.

18. Nf3 Rfd8 19. Nh4 Nf5 20. Nxg6 hxg6 21. Bd3

If 21. Re4, then:

• 21. -- Nd6 22. Bxc6 compounds Black's problems:
  • 22. -- Qxc6 23. Rxd4 Qxc2 24. Qxc2 Rxc2 25. Rad1! (better than 25. Rc1?! Rxb2 26. Nxa5 Ra8 and White's edge is diminshed) 25. -- Rxb2 26. Nd2 Kf8 27. Nc4 and White wins at least the exchange;
  • 22. -- bxc6 23. Rxd4 Nc4 24. Rxd8+ Rxd8 25. Qe1 Nxb2 26. Qxa5 Qxa5 27. Nxa5 gives White a strong extra Pawn;
  • 22. -- Nxe4 23. Bxe4 Qb4 24. Qxb4 axb4 25. a5 Re8 26. Bd3 and White has two minor pieces for a Rook.
• Black's best try is21. -- Nb4!; after 22. Rc1 (or 22. Bd3 Nxd3 23. Qxd3 Qc6 24. Nxd4 Nxd4 25. Rxd4 Rxd4 26. Qxd4 Qxc2) 22. -- Rc7 23. c4 Qa7 24. Rd1 d3 25. c5 b6 26. Qe1 White has only a slight edge.

21. -- Nb4 22. Re5 Nxd3 23. Qxd3 Rc6 24. Rae1 Qb4

24. -- Re6? 25. Rxe6 fxe6 26. Re5 Rd5 27. Rxd5 exd5 28. g4 Nh4 29. Kf1 g5 30. h3 +/-

25. Nxa5

White wins a Pawn.

25. -- Rcc8 26. R1e2?!

26. Nb3?! also loses a considerable amount of White's advantage: 26. -- Qxa4 27. Qd1 (or 27. g4?! Nh4 28. Qg3 g5 29. Rxg5 Ng6 30. Ra1 Qb4 31. Rxg6 (or 31. Rd1 d3 32. Rxg6 fxg6 33. Rxd3 Rxd3 34. Qxd3 Qxg4+) 31. -- fxg6 32. Qd3 Qc4 and White's advantage has evaporated) 27. -- Qa2 28. Qa1 Qxa1 29. Nxa1 d3 30. cxd3 Rxd3 and the game is level.

However, if 26. Qb3 Qxb3 27. cxb3 d3 28. Rd1, then:

• 28. -- f6 29. Re4 Rc2:
  • 30. Nxb7? would turn the game around and give it to Black after 30. -- Rd7 31. Rb4 (or 31. Re8+ Kh7 32. Rb8 d2 33. Kf1 Nd4 34. Re8 Rc1) 31. -- Rdc7 (or 31. -- Nd4 32. h3 d2 33. Kf1 Rc1 34. Rxd4 Rxd4) 32. Rc4 R7xc4 33. bxc4 d2 34. Kf1 Nd4 35. f3 Rc1 and SCOOOOORRRRE!! (Black wins);
  • 30. Nc4?! would allow Black to equalize with 30. -- Nd4 31. h3 Nxb3 32. Ne3 Re2 33. Rb4 Nd2 34. Rxb7 Ne4 35. Rf1 Nc5 36. Ra7;
• 28. -- d2 would also get Balck out of difficulty after 29. Nc4 Rd3 30. Kf1 Rxb3 31. Nxd2.

26. -- Qxb2!

This move threatens a snap mate on the back rank and starts to restore the balance.

27. g3 Qa1+ 28. Re1

28. Kg2 Qxa4 29. Nxb7 Re8 30. Rxe8+ Rxe8 31. Rxe8+ Qxe8 32. Nc5 Qc6+ 33. Ne4 +=

28. -- Qxa4 29. Nxb7 Rf8 30. Nc5 Qa7

White's advantage is reduced to a bare minimum. Both sides have four Pawns, a Knight and a full contingent of heavy pieces. White has a little firmer control of some open lines.

If 30. -- Qc6, then:

• 31. R1e4 f6
  • 32. Qc4+?! Kh7 33. Rxf5 Qxe4 34. Rf4 (34. Rd5 Qe1+ 35. Kg2 Rfe8 36. Rxd4 g5 +=) 34. -- Qe1+ 35. Kg2 g5 36. Rxd4 =+;
  • 32. Qb3+ 32. -- Rf7 (32. -- Kh7? 33. Rxf5 gxf5 34. Rh4+ Kg6 35. Ne6 Qc4 36. Nxf8+ Kf7 37. Nd7 Qxb3 38. cxb3+-) 33. Rxf5 gxf5 34. Re7 (34. Rxd4? Qxc5 35. Rd7 Qc4-+) 34. -- Rcf8 35. Nb7 Qc3 36. Qa2=;
• 31. h3 31. -- f6 32. Qb3+ Kh7 33. Rd5 Rfe8 34. Rxe8 Rxe8 35. Nd3= and the game is level.

31. Ne4 Qa2 32. Re2 Qa1+ 33. Kg2 Qa8 34. Qf3?

It's White's turn to blunder. White could have maintained an equal game with 34. h3! Rce8 35. Rxe8 Rxe8 36. Qf3 Ne3+ (or 36. -- d3 37. Qxd3 Rd8 38. Qc3) 37. fxe3 Rxe4 38. Kf2.

34. -- d3 35. Re1

Black also maintains a winning edge with 35. cxd3 Nd4 36. Qe3 Nxe2 or 35. Qxd3 Rfd8 36. Qf3 Nd4 37. Qg4 Nxe2 38. Qxe2.

35. -- dxc2 36. Rc1 Rfd8 37. Kh3 Nd4 38. Qe3 Nf5 39. Qb3 Nd4

Also good for Black is 39. -- Qa7 40. Ng5 Nd4 41. Qe3 f6 42. Re7 Qc5.

40. Qe3 Qb7 41. Ng5 Qd7+

Black is still winning, but even stronger than the text move is41. -- Nf5!, as seen by the following variations:

• 42. Qe1 f6 (42. -- Qd7 43. Kg2 f6 44. Rxf5 Qxf5 45. Nf3 Rd3-+) 43. Rxf5 Qd7 44. Qe6+ Qxe6 45. Nxe6 Rd1 46. Rxc2 Rxc2-+;
• 42. Qf4 f6 43. Ne6 fxe5 44. Nxd8 Qd7 45. Qxe5 Rxd8-+;
• 42. Qa3 42. -- Nd4 (42. -- Nd6 43. Qa2 Rc7 44. Rd5 Ra8 45. Ra5 Rac8 46. Re5 Rc5-+) 43. Qa2 Rc3 44. Re3 Rc5 45. f4 Ra8-+

42. g4 Re8 43. Rxe8+ Rxe8 44. Qd3 Qe7 45. Nf3

If 45. Qxd4, then 45. -- Qa3+ wins.

45. -- Ne2!

This move all but puts the game away. Black will now enoy an advantage of a Rook over a Knight.

As was the case earlier for White, Black must now be wary of pitfalls. If 45. -- Nxf3?!, then Black can gain some ground with 46. Qxf3 Qe2 47. Qxe2 Rxe2 48. Kg3 when Black will have to sacrifice his c-Pawn to mobilize his Rook.

46. Qxc2 Nxc1 47. Qxc1 Qf6 48. Kg3 Qd6+ 49. Kg2

Black also has an overwhelming edge after 49. Qf4 Qxf4+ 50. Kxf4 Re2 51. Kg3 Kf8.

49. -- Qd5 50. Kg3 Re4 51. h3

51. Qc8+ fails: 49. -- Kh7 52. Qc2 Rb4 53. Qd2 (or 53. h4 f5 54. gxf5 gxf5 55. Qe2 Rb3) 53. -- Qxd2 54. Nxd2 g5 55. f3 (or 55. Nf1 g6 56. Ne3 f6) 55. -- Kg6.

51. -- f6 52. Qc8+

No better for Black is 52. Qc2 g5 53. Qd2 Qxd2 54. Nxd2 Rd4.

52. -- Kh7 53. Qc2 Rb4

53. -- Rc4 54. Qe2 g5 (54. -- Rc3 55. h4 f5 56. gxf5 Qxf5 57. Kg2 Qg4+-+ 58. Kf1 Qxf3) 55. Qe8 Qd6+! (55. -- Rc3? 56. Qh5+! Kg8 57. Qe8+=) 56. Kg2 Qc6 57. Qxc6 Rxc6

54. Qe2 Rb3 55. Kg2 Qd3! 56. Qxd3 Rxd3 57. Nh4

With the Queens off the board, Black's win will be even easier.

Black wins after 57. h4 Kh6 58. Kg3 Ra3 59. Kf4 Ra4+ 60. Kg3 f5 61. Ne5 fxg4 62. Nxg4+ Kh5 63. f3 Ra1

57. -- g5 58. Nf5 Kg8 59. Ne3

59. Ng3 loses to 59. -- Kf7 60. Ne4 g6 61. f3 Ra3 62. Kf2 Ke6.

Black's winning plan is to bring his King forward to support a Pawn to promotion.

59. -- Kf7 60. Kg3

If 60. Kf3, then 60. -- g4 61. Ke2 Rc3 62. f3 Rb2+ 63. Kf1 Rh2 64. Kg1 Rxh3.

60. -- Ke6 61. Kg2 Ke5 62. Nf1 Kd4 63. Ng3

63. Ne3 doesn't work: 63. -- Rxe3 64. fxe3+ Kxe3 65. Kg3 g6 66. h4 gxh4+ 67. Kxh4 f5 68. Kg5 f4

63. -- Ke5 64. Nf1 Kf4 65. Nh2 Ra3 66. Nf1

66. Kf1 loses even faster: 66. -- Rxh3 67. Kg1 Rxh2! 68. Kxh3 Kxg4 and Black has an easily won King and Pawn ending.

66. -- g6 67. Nh2 Ke468. Nf1 Rd3 69. Ng3+ Ke5 70. Nf1 f5 71. gxf5 gxf5 72. Nh2 Ke4 73. Nf1 f4 74. Nh2 f3+ 75. Kg3

If 75. Nxf3. then 75. -- Rxf3 76. Kh2 Rxf2+ 77. Kg3 Rf4 78. Kg2 Rf3 White is soon mated.

75. -- Rd1 76. h4

If 76. Kg4, then 76. -- Rg1+ 77. Kh5 Rg2 78. Ng4 Kf4 and Black must abandon either the Knight of the f-Pawn.

If 76. Ng4. then 76. -- Rg1+ 77. Kh2 Rxg4 78. hxg4 Kd3 79. Kh3 Kd2 80. Kh2 Ke1 81. Kg3 Ke2 82. Kh2 Kxf2 and SCOOOORRRRRE!!

76. -- Rg1+ 77. 0-1

In the end, Black will deliver checkmate with the Rook rather than promote a Pawn: 76. -- Rg1+ 77. Kh3 gxh4 78. Kxh4 Kf4 79. Kh3 (or 79. Kh5 Rh1) 79. -- Rh1 80. Kh4 Rxh2#. Carlsen resigns.



Gata Kamsky and Joel Benjamin
at the 2005 US Championship, San Diego

Gata Kamsky vs. Joel Benjamin
World Open, Round 8
Philadelphia, July 2006

Open Sicilian Game: Taimanov Defense

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nc6 5. Nc3 Qc7 6. Be2 a6 7. 0-0

More common is 7. Be3 Nf6 8. 0-0 Bb4 9. Na4 (or 9. f3 0-0 10. a3 Bxc3 11. bxc3 d5) 9. -- Be7 10. c4 Nxe4 11. c5 0-0 (or 11. -- Nxc5? 12. Nxc6 Qxc6 13. Nxc5 Bxc5 14. Rc1 b6 15. b4) 12. Rc1.

7. -- b5 8. Re1

A rougly even game results from 8. Be3 Bb7 9. a3 (or 9. Nb3 Nf6 10. Bd3 Rd8 11. Bg5 Be7 12. Re1 0-0 13. Qd2 Ng4 14. Bf4 d6 15. Rad1) 9. -- Nf6 10. Bf3 Ne5 11. Bf4 d6 12. Qe2 Rc8 13. Rfd1.

8. -- Bb7 9. Nxc6

9. a4 Nxd4 10. Qxd4 b4 11. Nd1 Nf6 12. e5 (Shirov-Ivanchuk, Monte Carlo Amber Bx, 2001).

9. -- dxc6

If Black plays9. -- Bxc6, then the equalibirium is maintained by 10. Qd3 Bd6 11. h3 Nf6 (or 11. -- Bh2+ 12. Kh1 Be5 13. a4 b4 14. Nd1) 12. Bf3 Be5 13. Nd5 (or 13. Be3 b4 14. Nd1 d5 15. exd5 Bxd5) 13. -- exd5 (13. -- Qb8 14. c3 d6 15. Nxf6+ gxf6) 14. exd5 Nxd5 15. Bxd5 0-0.

10. e5

10.a4 Rd8 11.Bd3 Bd6 12.g3 Nf6 13.Bg5 h6 14.Bxf6 gxf6 (Balogh-Horvath, Hungarian Team Champ, 2001).

10. -- Rd8

10. -- b4 11. Ne4 Qxe5 12. Bh5 g6 13. Ng5 Qg7 14. Bg4 would give Black an insignificant advantage.

11. Bd3 c5 12. Bg5 Ne7 13. Qh5 c4 14. Be4 b4

If Black plays 14. -- Rd7, then an equal game is mainataned after 15. Bxb7 Qxb7 16. Rad1 Rxd1 17. Rxd1 b4 18. Na4 Nd5 19. Rd4 Qc7 20. Qe2.
If 14. -- Bxe4?!, then White wins a Pawn after 15. Nxe4 h6 16. a4 b4 17. Nd6+ Rxd6 18. exd6 Qxd6 19. Bxe7 Bxe7 20. Qg4.

15. Bxb7 bxc3!

15. -- Qxb7? is a blunder: 16. Ne4 Qc6 17. a3 (or 17. Nd6+ Rxd6 18. exd6 Ng6 19. d7+ Qxd7 20. Qf3 and White has a Rook for a minor piece and a Pawn) 17. -- c3 (or 17. -- bxa3 18. bxa3 h6 19. Rab1 Rg8 20. Nd6+ Kd7 21. Rb7+ and White wins the Queen) 18. Rab1 cxb2 19. Rxb2 bxa3 20. Ra2 h6 21. Nd6+ and White wins a Rook for a Knight.

16. Qf3 Rb8

The balance is maintained by 16. -- cxb2 17. Rab1 c3 18. Bxa6 Rd5 19. a4 h6 20. Bh4 g5 21. Bg3 Bg7 22. Bb5+ Kf8.

17. Be4!?

After 17. Bxe7:

• 17. -- Qxb7! would give Black a small plus: 18. Qxb7 Rxb7 19. Bxf8 cxb2 20. Rab1 Rxf8 21. Re4 and Black Pawn at c2 will keep a Rook tied down;
• 17. -- Qxe7? would give White a huge advantage: 18. Qc6+ Qd7 19. Rad1! Bd6 (or 19. -- Rxb7 20. Rxd7 Rxd7 21. Rd1 and Black's position is actually resignable due to material losses and mating threats) 20. Rxd6 Qxc6 21. Bxc6+ Kf8 22. b3 a5 (or 22. -- cxb3 23. axb3 and White is up by a Bishop) 23. Re3 and here. too, White has an extra piece.

17. -- cxb2 18. Rab1 h6

The position is unclear and will remain so: 18. -- c3?! 19. Re3 Rc8 20. Bxe7 Bxe7 21. Bb7 Rd8 (or 21. -- 0-0 22. Bxc8 Rxc8 23. Qe4 Qa5 24. a4) 22. Rxc3 Qxe5 23. Bc6+ (or 23. Rb3?! 0-0 24. Bxa6 Rd2 25. Bd3 Bc5( 23. -- Kf8 24. Rb3 Bf6.

19. Bd2 g6 20. Qa3?!

White gets a small advatage by 20. Bc3 Bg7 21. Bxb2 0-0 22. Qa3 (Black gains a significant advantage after 22. Qc3?! Rb5 23. Ba3 Bxe5 24. Qh3 Bg7 25. Rxb5 axb5 26. Rb1 Rd8 with better control of open lines and a healtier Pawn structure) 22. -- Rb5 23. Bc3 Rxb1 24. Rxb1 Rb8 25. Rxb8+ Qxb8 26. Qb2 Qxb2 27. Bxb2.

20. -- Bg7 21. Ba5 Qd7 22. Re2?!

White should play 22. Bc3! when after 22. -- Rb6 23. Qc5 Nd5 24. Bxd5 Rb5 25. Bxe6 Qxe6 26. Qa3 Bf8 27. Qa4 Black's entire position is pinned.

22. -- 0-0 23. Rd2 Nd5 24. Rxb2?!

Black has a big plus after 24. Bb4? Rfe8 25. c3 Bxe5 26. Rbxb2.

If 24. Bxd5 exd5 25. Bc3 Qe6 26. f4 (or 26. Re2?! f6 27. Qd6 Rfe8 28. Qxe6+ Rxe6 29. f4) then the position remains balanced:

• 26. -- f6 27. Qd6 Rb6 28. Qxd5 (or 28. Qxe6+ Rxe6 29. exf6 Bxf6 30. Bxf6 Rfxf6 31. Rxb2 Rxf4 32. h3 c3) 28. -- fxe5 29. fxe5 Qxd5 30. Rxd5 Rfb8 +=;
• 26. -- Rfe8 27. Rxb2 (27. Bxb2? f6 28. Rdd1 Qb6+ 29. Kh1 fxe5 30. Qc3 Qb7-+) 27. -- Qf5 28. Rf2 Rxb2 (28. -- Qg4 29. Rf1 Rxb2 30. Bxb2 Qe2 31. Qc3=) 29. Qxb2 (29. Bxb2? and Black get the upper hand with an impressive Pawn center and control of open lines by 29. -- Rb8 30. Qc3 Bf8 31. e6 f6) 29. -- Qg4 30. g3 Bh8 31. Qb6.

24. -- Bxe5

Black has better command of open lines after 24. -- Rxb2 25. Qxb2 Qa4 26. Bc3 (or 26. Bxd5 Qxa5 27. c3 exd5) 26. -- Nxc3 27. Qxc3 Qxa2 28. Rd1 (or 28. Bf3 Qb1+ 29. Rd1 Qb5) 28. -- Rb8 29. Qe1 Qa3.

25. Rxb8 Rxb8 26. g3

After 26. Rd1 Nc3 27. Re1 Nxe4 28. Rxe4 c3 29. Re1 Qd4 30. g3 Rb2 Black stands ready to invade White's home ranks.

26. -- Rb5 27. Rd1

If 27. c3 Qd6, then:

• If 28. Bb4? Black is much better after 28. -- Qb6 29. Bxd5 exd5 30. Qc1 (30. Re2 d4 31. cxd4 Qxd4 32. Qa4 c3 and Black is poised to puch his Pawns foreward) 30. -- Bxc3 31. Qxc3 Rxb4 32. Rxd5 Rb1+ 33. Kg2 Qb7 and the pin on the Rook makes White's position uncomfortable;
• If 28. Qa4!, White restores the balance after 28. -- Qc5 29. Bxd5 exd5 30. Bb4 (but 30. Re2? d4 31. cxd4 Bxd4 finds White's pieces disorganized and Black's c-Pawn ready to roll) 30. -- Qb6 31. Rxd5 (31. Qc2 d4 32. a4 d3 33. Qa2 Rxb4 34. cxb4 Qxb4 and White's position is being crushed by the c- and d-Pawns) 31. -- Rxd5 32. Qe8+ Kg7 33. Bf8+ Kf6 34. Qe7+ Kf5 35. Qxf7+ Ke4 36. Kg2.

27. -- Qb7 28. Bd2 Bg7

If 28. -- Kh7 29. Bc1 Bb2 30. Bxb2 Rxb2 then the equalibrium is maintained by:

• 31. Qc5 c3 (31. -- Rb1 32. Rxb1 Qxb1+ 33. Kg2 Qxa2 34. Qf8 f5) 32. a3 Qb6 33. Qc8 Kg7 34. Qc4;
• 31. h3 31. -- f5 32. Bxd5 exd5 33. Re1 Rb1 34. Rxb1 Qxb1+.

29. Qa4 Rb1 30. Rxb1

30. Rf1 Rxf1+ 31. Kxf1 c3 32. Be1 Qb5+ 33. Qxb5 axb5 34. a3 f5 is level.

30. -- Qxb1+ 31. Kg2 Qb5

Black is a little better after 31. -- f5 32. Qxa6 fxe4 33. Qxe6+ Kh7 34. Qxd5 Qxc2 (or 34. -- Qd1 35. Qxe4 Qxd2 36. Qxc4 h5 37. h4 Bc3 38. a4) 35. Bf4 c3 36. Qb7 Qb2 37. Qxe4 Qxa2. However, it will be difficult for him to convert the advantage to victory.

32. Qa3 h5 33. Qd6 Qa4 34. Qd8+

If 34. Bxg6 fxg6 35. Qxe6+ Kh7 36. Qxd5 Qxc2, then the position is equal after:

• 37. a3 c3
  • 38. Be3 Qe2 39. Qb7 (39. a4 c2 40. Qc6 Qd3 41. h3 Bc3 42. Bf4 =+) 39. -- Qb5 40. Qxb5 axb5 41. Kf1 Bf8 42. Bc1 g5=;
  • 38. Bf4 38. -- Qb2 39. Qc5 (39. a4 c2 40. Qc6 Qc3 41. Qxc3 Bxc3=) 39. -- Qb7+ 40. Kf1 (40. f3 Qb2+ 41. Kg1 Qe2 42. Qe3 =+) 40. -- Qe4 41. Be3 Qb1+ 42. Ke2 c2 43. Bd2 a5 44. a4=;
• 37. Bf4 37. -- c3 38. h4 Qb1 39. a4 c2 40. Qc4 a5=

34. -- Kh7 35. Qa5 Qc6 36. Bf3 Qb5 37. Be2

37. Qxb5 axb5 38. a3 Bd4 39. h3 Kg7 40. Be4 Nf6 41. Bc6 c3 42. Be1=

37. -- Bf6 38. Qa3 Bg7 39. Qf3

The game is still even after 39. h4?! Qc6 40. Bf3 c3 41. Bc1 (or 41. Be1 Qb5 42. Qb3 Qxb3 43. axb3 Nb4 44. Bd1 Nd5) 41. -- Qb5 42. Qb3 Bd4 (or 42. -- Qxb3 43. axb3 Bd4 44. Ba3 Kg7 45. Be2 a5) 43. Qxb5 axb5 44. a3 f6.

39. -- Qc6 40. Kg1 c3 41. Bg5 f6

Black misses his last best chance: 41. -- f5! 42. Bd3 (42. Bc1 Qa4 43. Bd3 Qxa2 44. Bg5 a5 45. Qe2 Nb4 46. Bc4 Qb1+ 47. Kg2 Qxc2) 42. -- Qa4 43. Qe2 Nb4 44. Bc4 (or 44. Qxe6 Nxd3 45. cxd3 Qd1+) 44. -- Qxc2 45. Qxe6 (or 45. Qxc2 Nxc2 46. Bc1 a5 47. Bxe6 Nd4 48. Bc4 g5) 45. -- Qb1+ 46. Kg2 Qe4+ 47. Qxe4 fxe4.

42. Bd3 fxg5 43. Qxh5+ Kg8 44. Qxg6 Nf6!

The position is level after 44. -- Kf8 45. Qxg5 Qa4 (or 45. -- Bf6 46. Qg4 Ke7 47. h4 a5 48. Qc4 Qxc4 49. Bxc4) 46. Qg6 Bf6 47. Qe4 Qxe4 48. Bxe4

45. Qxg5 ½-½

After the inevitable exchange of Queens, neither player will have a win in sight.




Sergei Tiviakov

Sergei Tiviakov vs. Jan Timman
Dutch National Championships, General Round 10
Hilversum, June 2006

Closed Sicilian Game: Saragossa Attack (Alapain Attack)

1. e4 c5 2. c3 Nf6

Tiviakov is the leading authority on the Saragossa Sicilian. It is often recommended for amateurs who don't have a lot of time to study the myriad of opening variations associated with the Open Sicilian. Obviously, Tiviakov has all the time in the world to study these variations; he simply likes the positions he gets from playing the Saragossa move.

Other moves for Black:

• 2. -- d5 (This is a move that won't be seen in the Open Sicilian; it is made possible by the fact that White cannot play Nc3 should Black recapture with his Queen in a series of exchanges on d5) 3. Bb5+ Bd7 4. Bxd7+ Qxd7 5. exd5 Qxd5 6. Qf3 Nf6 7. Qxd5 Nxd5;
• 2. -- Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. d3 Qa5 5. Na3 (5. Bxc6 bxc6 6. Nf3 Rb8 7. 0-0) 5. -- d5 6. exd5 Nxd5 7. Nf3

3. e5 Nd5 4. Nf3 Nc6 5. Bc4 Nb6 6. Bb3 c4 7. Bc2 Qc7 8. Qe2 g5

An equal game result from 8. -- e6 9. 0-0 d6 10. exd6 (or 10. d4 cxd3 11. Qxd3 Nxe5 12. Nxe5 dxe5) 10. -- Bxd6 11. Re1 (or 11. d4 cxd3 12. Bxd3 0-0) 11. -- e5 12. d4 Bg4 13. Bf4.

9. h3!?

This, played with the obvious idea of slowing any Kingside Pawn strom, may be the best move. Other possibilities:

• The tempting 9. e6 gets White only a comfortable equality after 9. -- dxe6 10. Nxg5 Qe5 11. Nxh7 Qxe2+ 12. Kxe2 Bg7 13. Ng5;
• Grabbing the Pawn with 9. Nxg5 may backfire: 9. -- Qxe5 10. Qxe5 Nxe5 11. Nxh7 Bh6 12. f4 (or 12. Na3 Nd3+ 13. Bxd3 cxd3 and Black has considerably more freedom) 12. -- Bxf4 13. 0-0 Nd3 and White's position is badly cramped;
• 9. 0-0 g4 10. Nd4 (or 10. Ne1 Nxe5 11. d4 cxd3 12. Bxd3 d6 13. Bc2 Bg7 with no significant advantage to either side) 10. -- Nxe5 11. b3 (or 11. Na3 d6 12. Ndb5 Qb8 13. b3 d5 14. Re1 Bg7 and a balanced position) 11. -- d6 12. bxc4 (12. Na3 Bg7 13. Nab5 Qd7 14. bxc4 Nbxc4 and equality) 12. -- Nbxc4 13. Nb5 Qb6 14. Nd4 with a level game.

9. -- Bg7 10. 0-0 Nxe5 11. Nxg5

After 11. Nxe5, Black will have an extra Pawn and a slight advantage in space by 11. -- Qxe5 12. Qxe5 Bxe5 13. Re1 (or 13. a4 a5 14. d3 Bf6 15. dxc4 Nxc4) 13. -- Bf6 14. d3 h5 Both side are expiencing difficulties with development.

11. -- d5 12. a4 h6 13. Nf3 Nbd7

If Black tries to neutralize White's Queenside space with 13.-- a5, then 14. Re1 (or 14. Nxe5 Qxe5 15. Qxe5 Bxe5 16. Re1 Bf6 17. d4 Rg8 18. Kf1 h5 and a balanced poisition) 14. -- Nxf3+ 15. Qxf3 and the following variations are possible:

• 15. -- Bd7 16. d4:
  • 16. -- cxd3? 17. Bxd3 (or 17. Qxd3 Rc8 18. b3 e6 and a slight plus for White) 17. -- e5 18. Qg3 Kf8 19. b3 and White has better command of open lines;
  • 16. -- Qc6 17. Bf5 Bxf5 18. Qxf5 Nxa4 and Black has a sligt edge owing to his ownership of more space on the Queen's wing;
• 15. -- d4 16. cxd4 Bxd4 17. Nc3 Rg8 18. Nb5 Qc5 19. Re4 Bg7 20. d3 and White has more freedom.

14. Re1 Bf6 15. d4 cxd3 16. Bxd3 Nxd3 17. Qxd3 Nc5

17. -- Qc6 18. Nd4 Nc5 19. Qd1 Bxd4 20. cxd4 Ne4 21. Qh5 Qf6 22. Be3 Rg8 is level.

18. Qxd5 Be6 19. Qh5

The equilibrium is also maintained by 19. Qd1 Rg8 20. Kh1 Rd8 21. Qc2 Qd7 22. Qh7 (Black would have better command of open lines after 22. Rg1 Bf5 23. Qd2 Bxh3 24. Qxd7+ Bxd7) 22. -- Rh8 23. Qc2 Bf5 24. Qe2.

19. -- Rd8 20. Nd4 Bxd4 21. cxd4 Nb3

Black wins a Rook for a minor piece. There's nothing much for either player after 21. -- Rxd4 22. Nc3 Qc6 23. Nb5 Rd5 24. Re5 Rxe5 25. Qxe5 Rg8 26. Qb8+ Qc8 27. Qxc8+ Bxc8.

22. Nc3 Nxa1 23. Rxe6 Nb3 24. Be3 Nxd4 25. Re4 Nc6

Although Black has a material advantage, White is compensated in the greater mobility of his pieces.

25. -- Nc2? would open an opportunity for White: 26. Bc5 Rd7 27. Bxe7 Rxe7 28. Nd5 and ensuing exchanges will give White a material advantage.

26. b4 Rd3 27. Nd5

<[i>27. Qg4 Kf8 28. Rc4 Qd8 29. Qe4 Rd6 (29. -- a6 30. Bf4 Rxc3 31. Rxc3 Qd1+ 32. Kh2²) 30. b5 Na5 31. Rd4 b6 32. Qe5=]

27. -- Qd6 28. Nf4

If 28. Nc7+? then Black could win after 28. -- Qxc7 29. Rf4 e6 (but not 29. -- Nd8? 30. Qb5+ Rd7 31. Rc4 Ne6 32. Rxc7 Nxc7 33. Qxb7 Nd5 and it's White wins a Pawn with 34. Qb8+ Rd8 35. Qb5+ Re7 36. Bxa7) 30. b5 Nd8 31. Qg4 h5 32. Qg7 (or 32. Qe2 Qd6 33. a5 Rd1+ 34. Kh2 a6 35. Qc4 Rg8) 32. -- Rd1+ 33. Kh2 Rf8

28. -- Rxe3

Bad for Black would be 28. -- Rd1+?, when White secures a strong advantage by 29. Kh2 Rg8 (or 29. -- Re1 30. b5 Nd8 31. Bc5 Rxe4 32. Bxd6 exd6 33. Qf3) 30. Re6 Qd8 31. b5 Nb4 32. Rxh6 Rd6 33. Ne6 winning at least the exchange.

29. fxe3 Nd8?

This is the fatal blunder. Black would most likely hold on to a half-point with 29. -- Rg8 30. b5 Rg5 31. Qe2 (or 31. Qf3 Ne5 32. Qe2 Qd2) 31. -- Ne5 32. Rd4 Qa3 (better than 32. -- Qc7 33. Nd5 Qc1+ 34. Rd1 Qc5 35. a5) 33. Nd5 Qc5 34. a5 Rg6.

30. Nd5 e6

No better for Black is 30. -- Rg8 31. Rxe7+ (or 31. Nxe7 Rxg2+ 32. Kxg2 Qd2+ 33. Kg3 Qe1+ 34. Kf4 f2+ 35. Ke5 Kxe7 36. Qh4+ Qxh4 37. Rxh4) 31. -- Kf8 32. Rd7 Qxd7 33. Qxh6+ Rg7 34. Qh8+ Rg8 35. Qxg8+ Kxg8 36. Nf6+.

31. Nf6+ Kf8

If 31. -- Ke7, then White wins the Queen by 32. Rd4 Qg3 33. Qc5+ Kxf6 34. Rf4+ Kg7 35. Rg4+.

32. Rd4 Qc7

If 32. -- Qe7, then White wins the Rook by 33. Nd7+ Ke8 34. Qe5 Rh7 35. Nf6+.

33. Rd7 Qc1+ 34. Kh2 Kg7

If 34. -- Qxe3, then White exchanges Queens and starts eating Black's Pawns: 35. Rxd8+ Kg7 36. Qg4+ Qg5 37. Nh5+ Kh7 38. Qe4+ Qf5 39. Qxf5+ exf5 40. Rd7.

35. Qe5 1-0

35. Qe5 Kg6 36. Nh5 Rg8 37. Rxd8 Rxd8 38. Qf6+ Kxh5 39. g4#

Timman resigns.

Tiviakov expressed his view that this is one of the finest games he has ever played.


Photo Credits:

Sergei Shipov from 2001 Ano Liosia Open Tournament
Gata Kamsky and Joel Benjamin from ChessBase.com
Sergei Tiviakov from British Chess Magazine

[Jack Rabbit]

3. How Chess Players Score Soccer Goals

In honor of the World Cup, we who play chess salute those who play soccer by showing how goals are scored in our game.



By the way, how do you checkmate in soccer?




Chimi Tuvshintugs


Batchimeg Tuvshingtugs, a 19-year-old student originally from Mongolia who now lives in the San Francisco Bay Area, made a sensation in the early rounds of the US Championship this spring by defeating three grandmasters. Virtually unknown and with a name most Americans find difficults, she intorduced herself to an analysis session by inviting those present to call her Chimi.

Her most recent outing was at the World Open in Philadelphia, where she scored 5 points out of nine games.

In the following game, Chimi scores a goal with excellent downfield blocking.

Chimi Tuvshintugs vs. Alex Fishbein
US Championship, Round 1
San Diego, March 2006

Open Sicilian Geme: Scheveningen Four Knights' Opening (Rauzer Attack)

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 Nc6 6. Bg5 e6 7. Qd2 Be7 8. 0-0-0 0-0

Another possibility that is satisfactory for both sides is 8. -- a6 9. f4 0-0 10. h4 d5 11. e5 Ng4 12. Bxe7 Qxe7 13. g3 Nxd4 14. Qxd4.

9. f4 h6 10. Bxf6 Bxf6 11. Ndb5 Qa5

Black has an equal game after 11. -- d5 12. exd5 a6 13. Na3 Bxc3 14. Qxc3 exd5 15. Bc4 Be6.

12. Kb1 Rd8?!

White will now win a Pawn. If Black plays 12. -- d5, then:

• 13. e5 Be7 14. g4 a6 15. Nd4 (15. Nd6 f6 16. Nxc8 Raxc8 17. Bh3 d4 is level) 15. -- Bb4 16. Nde2 b5 17. Bg2 Bb7 with an equal game;
• 13. exd5 13. -- a6 14. Nd6 Bxc3 15. Qxc3 Qxc3 16. bxc3 Ne7 17. c4 Rd8 18. Nxc8 Raxc8 19. Re1 is a level game;

Otherwise, 12. -- Be7 13. g4 (13. Nxd6 Bxd6 14. Qxd6 Rd8 15. Qa3 Rxd1+ 16. Nxd1 Qxa3 17. bxa3 e5 18. f5 is a shade better for White) 13. -- a6 14. Nd4 (14. Nxd6 Bxd6 15. Qxd6 Rd8 16. Qa3 Rxd1+ 17. Nxd1 Qxa3 18. bxa3 e5 19. f5 is about even) 14. -- Nxd4 15. Qxd4 b5 (15. -- Bf6 16. Qe3 Bxc3 17. bxc3 Rd8 18. Rg1 b5 19. g5 is a small advatage for White) 16. Rg1 Bb7 17. g5 hxg5 18. fxg5 b4 19. Ne2 Rac8 and Black has an insigificant advantage.

13. Nxd6!

She goes right after the Pawn. After 13. g4?!. White must settle for an even game with 13. -- d5 14. e5 Be7 15. h4 Bb4 16. a3 Bc5 17. g5 h5.

13. -- e5 14. Bc4 Bg4 15. Qd5 Rd7

Black would be wrong to try15. -- Qxd5, after which 16. Rxd5 Rd7 17. Nf5 gives White a strong advantage owing to her better-protected pieces.

16. Qxa5

After 16. fxe5, Black wins a piece for two Pawns with 16. -- Bxd1 17. Qxa5 Nxa5 18. Bxf7+ Rxf7 19. Nxf7 Kxf7 20. exf6 Bh5 21. Rf1.

A level game is also the outcome of 16. Be2 Bxe2 17. Qxa5 Nxa5 18. Nxe2 Rad8 19. Rd5 Rxd6 (not so good for Black would be 19. -- Nc6?, when 20. Rhd1 Nb4 21. Nxb7 is followed by either 21. -- Rxd5 22. Rxd5 Rxd5 23. exd5 Nxd5 24. fxe5 Bxe5 25. h3, winning a Pawn, or 21. -- Nxd5 22. Nxd8 Nb6 23. Rxd7 Nxd7 24. Nc6 exf4 25. Nxf4. winning two Pawns) 20. Rxa5 Rd2 (or 20. -- Rd1+ 21. Rxd1 Rxd1+ 22. Nc1 a6 23. g3 Rh1 24. Rd5).

16. -- Nxa5 17. Rd5!?

Nothing significant is had by either17. Bb5 Rdd8 18. Be2 Bxe2 19. Nxe2 exf4 20. Rd5 b6 21. Rhd1 g5 22. Nd4 Bxd4 23. R1xd4 or 17. Bxf7+ Rxf7 18. Rd5 Rd7 19. Rxa5 exf4 20. e5 Bxe5 21. Rxe5 Rxd6 22. h3 Bd7 23. Rd5.

White has made a very interesting decision to continue the battle with two knights against two Bishops. In 99 out of a hundred cases of two Knights vs. two Bishops, the Bishops are better. In addition to having an extra Pawn, White perhaps believes her advanced central Pawns will provide good outposts for her Knights while hindering the mobility of the Bishops.

In spite of White's material superiority, the game is even at this point. Nevertheless, the operative goal in endgames such as this is for the side behind in material (Black in this case) to work to exchange Pawns and for the side with the material advantage (White) to exchange pieces. The fewer pieces on the board, the better chance a Pawn will SCOOOOOORRRRRRRRE!! White, of course, will work to convert her Queenside Pawn majority into a passed Pawn.

17. -- Nxc4

Black also could have maintained the equalibriun with 17. -- Rxd6 18. Rxa5 (but not 18. Rxd6?, when Black wins with 18. -- Nxc4 19. Rd3 exf4 20. Nd5 Bxb2) 18. -- exf4 19. e5 Rd4 20. Bd5 Bd8 (or 20. -- Bxe5 21. Bxb7 Rb8 22. Rxe5 Rxb7) 21. Rb5 Bb6 22. Bxb7 Rb8 23. Be4. White now comes in the door.

18. Nxc4 exf4 19. Rxd7 Bxd7 20. Nd5 Bh4

Equality is also had by 20. -- Bc6 21. Rd1 Bg5 22. Nd6 Rd8 23. Nf5 Re8.

21. Nxf4

Nothing significant is gained by 21. Nd6 Bc6 22. Nf5 Bg5 23. h4 Bxd5 24. exd5 Bf6 25. Rf1.

21. -- Bc6 22. g3 Bg5 23. Re1 Rd8 24. Kc1 b6

The more aggressive 24. -- b5 is a little better, giving Black more space on the Queen's wing in spite of his Pawn minority: 25. Nd2 a5 (or 25. -- Re8 26. e5 a5 27. Nb3 Bd5 28. h4 Bxb3 29. axb3)i] 26. h4 (or 26. e5 Re8 27. Nb3) 26. -- Bf6 27. Nb3 (or 27. e5 Re8 28. Nd3 Bd8 29. c4 Bc7) 27. -- a4 28. Na5 Ba8 29. e5 Re8. However, neither side has a win in sight.

25. c3 Be7 26. Kc2 Bf8

Black doesn't gain anything by 26. -- Kf8 27. h3 (or 27. h4 Bb7 28. e5 g5 29. hxg5 hxg5 30. Nd3 Ba6 31. b3 Bxc4 32. bxc4 Kg7) 27. -- Ba4+ 28. b3 Bb5 29. Ne5 Bd6 30. a4 (or 30. Rd1 g5 31. Ng2 Ke8 32. Rd5 Ba6) 30. -- Bxe5 31. axb5 g5 (or 31. -- Ke7 32. Re3 g6 33. Nd5+) 32. Ne2 h5.

27. Nd2 Bc5 28. Nb3 Bf8

Also not presenting any opportunities for either player is 28. -- Bf2 29. Re2 Bg1 30. Nh3 Bc5 31. Nxc5 bxc5.

29. Nd4 Bb7 30. Nd3

More promising is 30. Kd3! g5 31. Nh3 Bg7 32. Nf2! (if 32. Rd1 a5 33. Ke3 g4 34. Nf2 h5 35. Nf5 Rxd1 36. Nxd1 then the equalibrium is maintained) 32. -- h5 33. Ke3 a6 34. Rd1 g4 35. Nf5 Rxd1 36. Nxd1 b5 37. Nxg7 when White will have, in addition to her extra Pawn and a reduced number of pieces, a better King position.

White doesn't gain any significant advantage from either 30. e5 Re8 31. h4 a5 32. e6 Bd6 33. b3 Bc8 34. exf7+ Kxf7 35. Rxe8 Kxe8 36. a4.

30. -- Re8 31. e5 g6 32. Nb5 Ra8

The position remains even after 32. -- a6 33. Nd4 Bg7 34. h4 h5 35. Kd2 Kf8 (both sides seek to activate their respective Kings) 36. a4 Bh6+ 37. Kd1 Bg7 38. b3.

33. e6 fxe6 34. Rxe6 g5 35. c4 Rc8 36. b3 Kf7 37. Nd4 Rc7 38. Ne5+ Kg8 39. Rg6+ Rg7 40. Re6 Re7

40. -- Rc7? would be a blunder:

• 41. Nb5 (or 41. a4 Re7 42. Kd3 Rxe6 43. Nxe6 Be7 44. Nd4 Bf6 45. Nd7 Be7 46. Ne5 Bf6 47. Ng4 and White's centralized King stands ready to assist in creating a passed Pawn) 41. -- Rc8 42. Nxa7 Ra8 (or 42. -- Be4+ 43. Nd3 Bxd3+ 44. Kxd3 Rd8+ 45. Ke4 Ra8 46. Nb5 Rxa2 47. Rxb6 Rxh2 48. Nd4 and White, with two conncted passed Pawns and a centralized King prepared to escort them, is winning) 43. Nb5 Rxa2+ 44. Kd3 Bg7 45. Ng4 h5 46. Rxb6 hxg4 47. Rxb7; or
  
• 40. -- Be4+ 41. Kd2 Bc5 42. Ng4 Bb1 (or 42. -- Bxd4 43. Nxh6+ Kh7 44. Rxe4 Rd7 45. Ng4 Kg6 46. Ne3 Be5+ 47. Ke2 Bb2 48. a4) 43. Nxh6+ Kh7 44. Nhf5 Rg6 45. g4 Bxa2 46. Rxg6 (or 46. Kc2 Bxd4 47. Rxg6 Kxg6 48. Nxd4) 46. -- Kxg6 47. Kc2 a6 48. Kb2

In all of these variations White ends up with either a strong advantage or a won position.

41. Rxe7 Bxe7 42. Nec6 Bc5?

Black finally makes a fatal mistake. This move allows White to kick the Bishop around for a vital gain of time to create a passed Pawn.

Better was 42. -- Bf6 43. b4 Kf7 44. c5 bxc5 45. bxc5 a6 (but not 45. -- Bxd4 46. Nxd4 Ke7 47. Nf5+ Ke6 48. Nxh6, when White would have a strong advantage) 46. Kd3 Bxd4 47. Nxd4 (but 47. Kxd4? Bxc6 48. Ke5 Ke7 would turn the game around and give it to Black on a silver platter) 47. -- Bd5 48. a4.

43. b4!

She immediately punishes Black for his inaccuracey.

43. -- Bf8

White has a strong position. If 43. -- Bd6 44. Kd3 a6 45. a4, then White is much better after:

• 45. -- h5 46. a5 bxa5 47. Nxa5 Bc8 (or 47. -- Bg2 48. c5 Be7 49. Nac6 Kf7 50. Nxe7 Kxe7 51. h4 gxh4 52. gxh4 Kf6 53. Ke3 and Black will have direct all his energy to stopping the c-Pawn) 48. c5 Bc7 49. Nc4; or
• 45. -- Ba8 46. a5 bxa5 47. c5 Be7 48. Nxe7+ Kf7 49. bxa5 Kxe7 50. Nc2 h5 51. Nb4

It's now White's game to lose.

44. Kc3 a6 45. Nd8 Bc8 46. N8e6 Be7 47. Nc7!

White is winning after 47. a3 Kf7 48. Nc7 Bd8 49. Nd5 Bb7 (or 49. -- Be6 50. Nxe6 Kxe6 51. Kd4) 50. g4 b5 51. h3 Bf6 52. Nxf6 Kxf6 53. cxb5 (much better than 53. c5 Bg2 Nf5 Bxh3) 53. -- axb5 54. Nxb5 Bg2 55. Nd6 Bxh3 56. b5 and the b-Pawn will SCOOOOOORRRE!!

47. -- a5

If 47. -- Bb7, then 48. Nd5 Bxd5 49. cxd5 Kf7 50. g4 Bd6 51. h3 and White should win.

48. bxa5 bxa5 49. Nc6 Bc5 50. Nd5

50. Nxa5?! would be an error if only because of 50. -- Bg1.

50. -- Bh3 51. Nd4 Kf7 52. Ne3 Bc8

If 52. -- a4, then 53. Kd3 h5 54. Ke4 Bb4 55. Ke5 Ba3 56. Kd5 Bc1 (or 56. -- Be7 57. c5 Bd8 58. c6 Kf6 59. a3 Bb6 60. Ke4 Bc5 61. Nd5+ Kg6 62. c7 and White is clearly better) 57. Nef5 Bg2+ 58. Ke5 and now:

• 58. -- h4 59. c5 hxg3 60. hxg3 Bb2 (60. -- Ke8 61. c6 Bb2 62. Kd6 Bf1 63. c7+-) 61. Kd6 Kf6 62. c6 and White wins; or
• 58. -- g4 59. c5 Bb2 60. Kd6 Be4 61. c6 Kf6 62. Kc5 Ke5 63. c7 and White's Pawn will SCOOOOORRRRE!!

53. Kd3 Bb7 54. Nb3 Bb6 55. c5 Bd8

55. -- Bc7 doesn't work any better for Black: 56. Nd4 Bh1 (or 56. Ba6+ 57. Ker ar 58. Nd5 Bd8 59. c6 and White should win) 57. c6 Ke8 58. Kc4 Bd8 59. Nd5 Be4 (59. -- Bxd5+ drops another Pawn after 60. Kxd5 Ke7 61. Nf5+) 60. Ne6 Bxd5+ 61. Kxd5 and White wins.

56. Kc4 Ke6 57. Kb5 Be4 58. Nxa5 Bf6

Black doesn't get anywhere with 58. -- Bxa5 59. Kxa5 Ke5 (or 59. -- Kd7 60. Kb6 h5 61. Nc4 Ke7 62. c6 Bf5 63. c7 and GOOOOOAAAAALLLL!!) 60. Ng4+ Kd5 61. Nf6+ Kxc5 62. Nxe4+.

59. Nac4 Bd4

Also futile is 59. -- Bd3 60. c6 Be4 61. c7 Bb7 62. Nf5 Kd7 (or 62. -- Kxf5 63. Ke6 Bc8 64. Ne6+ and the Bishop is taken and then SCOOOOORRRRRE!!) 63. Ncd6 Kxc7 64. Ne8+ Kd7 65. Nxf6++-

60. a4 Bd3 61. Kb6 Kd7 62. a5 Kc8

White still wins after 62. -- Be4 63. a6 h5 (or 63. -- Bf6 64. a7 h5 65. Ka6 Kc7 66. Nd6 Ba8 67. Ne8+ Kc6 68. Nxf6) 64. Nd6 Ba8 65. Nec4 h4 (or 65. -- Bg1 66. h3 Bf2 67. Nb7 g4 68. hxg4 hxg4 69. Ka7 Bxg3 70. Kxa8) 66. gxh4 gxh4 67. Nb7 h3 (or 67. -- Bg1 68. h3 Ke8 69. Kc6 Bh2 70. a7) 68. Ka7 Bg1 69. Kxa8.

63. Nd6+ Kb8 64. Nd5 Bg1 65. Nb4 Bf1 66. a6 Ka8

If Black tries 66. -- Bxh2, then 67. a7+ Ka8 68. Nd5 Bxg3 and 69. Nc7 is checkmate.

67. Ne8 Bg2

No better is either 67. -- Kb8 68. a7+ Kc8 (or 68. -- Ka8 69. Nc7#) 69. a8Q+ or 67. -- Bxh2 68. Nc7+ Kb8 69. a7+.

68. Nc7+ Kb8 69. a7+ Kc8 70. Nc6 1-0

Did you see that downfield blocking for that Pawn headed for the net? Wow! Those Knights did a great job! And the way they diverted the goalkeeper? GOOOOOOAAAAAALLLLLL!!!!





Alexander Grischuk


Alexander Grischuk of Russia, 22, is one of the world's elite grandmasters.

This is one of the classic ways to score a goal in chess with the always tricky Rook Pawn.

Alexander Grischuk vs. Andrei Volokitin
International Grandmasters' Tournament, Round 9
Foros, Ukraine, June 2006

Epine Dorsal: Vandal Defense (Russian Defense)

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nxe5 d6 4. Nf3 Nxe4 5. d4 d5

This opening is considered drawish. It is symmetrical and leads to an open e-file in which heavy pieces are often exchanged early. It has had in its time been championed by players such as Pillsbury, Marshall and, in our time, Kramnik.

6. Bd3 Nc6

More common is 6. -- Be7 7. 0-0 0-0 8. Re1 Bf5 (or 8. -- f5 9. c4 Be6 10. Qb3 Nc6 11. Qxb7 Nb4) 9. c4 (or 9. Nc3 Nxc3 10. bxc3 Bxd3 11. cxd3 Re8) 9. -- Re8 (or 9. -- Bb4?! 10. Re3 and White should be very happy) 10. Qb3. Also playable is 6. -- Bd6 7. 0-0 0-0 8. Re1 Re8 9. c4.

7. 0-0 Be7 8. c4

Black is attempting to maintian his Knight on e4, while White's last move is aimed at undermining it. The game, for the moment, is even.

The usual measure of opening equalibrium is also maintained by 8. Re1 0-0 9. Bxe4 (or 9. c3 Bf5 10. Qb3 Rb8) 9. -- dxe4 10. Rxe4 Bf5 11. Re1 Nb4.

8. -- Nb4 9. Be2 0-0 10. Nc3 Bf5 11. a3 Nxc3 12. bxc3 Nc6 13. Re1 Re8 14. cxd5 Qxd5 15. Bf4 Rac8

The game reamins even. Each side has gained a concession from the other. Black has a better Pawn structure and Black has been forced to defend the c-Pawn with a Rook, something Rooks are not happy doing.

16. h3 Be4 17. Qa4 Qf5 18. Bg3 Bc2

The position would also be balanced after 18. -- Bd6 19. Ne5 Bxe5 20. Bg4 Qg6 21. dxe5 Bf5 22. Bxf5 Qxf5.

19. Qb5 Qxb5 20. Bxb5 a6 21. Bxc6

Black must compromise his Pawn structure. Black, however, has the two Bishops and, in an open game such as this one, that is an advantage.

21. -- bxc6 22. Ra2 Ba4 23. c4 Bb3

Black could straighten out his Pawns and get rid of some pieces with 23. -- Bd6 24. Rxe8+ Rxe8 25. Rb2 f6 26. Bxd6 cxd6 27. Rb4 Bd1 28. Rb6.

24. Rae2 Kf8 25. c5 Bd5 26. Ne5 Rcd8 27. Re3 a5

27. -- f5 wouldn't leave much for either side after 28. a4 a5 29. h4 g5 30. hxg5 Bxg5 31. R3e2 Kg7.

28. h4 f6 29. Nd3 Bf7 30. Bxc7 Rxd4 31. Nf4 a4

31. -- Ra4? would give White a material advantage after 32. Rxe7 Rxe7 33. Bd6 Rxf4 34. Rxe7 Rc4 35. Ra7+ Ke8 36. Rxa5 +/-

32. Ne6+ Bxe6 33. Rxe6 f5?

Black would have done a lot better with 33. -- Rd7 34. Bf4 f5 35. h5 Rc8 36. R6e5 g6 37. Kf1 Red8.

34. Bd6!

Black's intention was an attack on the h-Pawn. This put a stop to that. White now wins a Pawn by force.

34. -- Re4 35. R1xe4 fxe4 36. Bxe7+ Rxe7 37. Rxc6 e3

White has the advantage for the remainder of the game owing to and extra Pawn and the more active Rook. If Black tried to activate his Rook with 37. -- Re5, White would keep a winning advantage with 38. Kf1 Rd5 39. Rc8+ Kf7 40. c6 Rc5 41. Ke1 Ke6 42. Kd2 Kd6 43. Ra8 Rc4 44. Ra7 Kxc6 45. Rxg7 and more Black Pawns will disappear.

38. Rc8+ Kf7 39. Kf1 exf2 40. c6 Ke6 41. Kxf2 Kd6 42. c7 g6

The Pawn is at the GOOOOAAAALLLLLL and Black must put all his energy into defense. He restores the material balance after 42. -- Rxc7 43. Rxc7 Kxc7 44. Ke3 Kc6 45. Kd4 Kd6, but White, with the more active King, has an easily won King and pawn ending.

43. g3 Kc6 44. Kf3

44. Ra8?! would throw away much of White's advantage after 44. -- Rxc7 45. Rxa4 Kb5 46. Rb4+ Ka5 47. Rb8 Rc2+ 48. Ke1 Rg2 49. Rh8.

44. -- Rf7+ 45. Ke4 Re7+ 46. Kd4 Rf7

46. -- Rd7+ still loses to 47. Kc4 Kb6 48. Rb8+ Kxc7 49. Ra8 Kd6 50. Rxa4 Ke5 51. Rb4 Rc7+ 52. Kd3 Rc1 53. a4 Rg1 54. Rg4 +/-

47. Ra8 Rxc7 48. Rxa4 Kd6 49. Rc4 Rf7 50. Rc3 Rf1

50. -- Ra7 fails: 51. Kc4 Ra8 52. Rd3+ Kc6 53. Re3 h5 54. Re6+ Kd7 55. Rxg6 Rxa3 56. Rg5

51. Kc4 g5

A better try for Black is 51. -- Kc6 52. Kb4+ Kb6 53. a4 Rb1+ 54. Rb3 Rg1 55. Ka3+ Ka5 56. Rb5+ Ka6 57. Rg5, but White would ramin in command.

52. hxg5 Rf5 53. Kb4 Rxg5 54. a4 h5 55. a5 Rg4+ 56. Kb5 h4

If 56. -- Rg5+ 57. Kb6, then the a-Pawn just keeps going. SCOOOOORRRRE!! If 56. -- Rg8 57. a6 Rb8+ 58. Ka5 Rb2 59. Rc4 Kd5 60. Rb4 Ra2+ 61. Kb6 Black must either give up the Rook or allow the Pawn reach the GOOOOAAAALLL!!

57. gxh4 Rxh4 58. a6 Rh1

If 58. -- Rh8 59. a7, then:

• 59. -- Ra8 60. Ka6 Kd5 (or 60. -- Rf8 61. Kb7 Rf7+ 62. Kb8 Rf8+ 63. Rc8) 61. Kb7;
• 59. -- Rf8 60. Ka6 Rh8; or
• 59. -- Kd5 60. Rb3 Kd6 61. Ka6 Rf8 62. Rb8

In all variations Black must either the Rook or allow the a-Pawn to SCOOOOORRRRE!!

59. a7 Rb1+ 60. Ka4 Ra1+ 61. Ra3 1-0

There little left except 61. -- Rxa3+ 62. Kxa3 and 63. a8Q GOOOOOAAAAALLLL!!.

Volokitin resigns.



Stephen Muhammad


Stephen Muhammad was born in Texas. He he earned the title of Internatioanl Master earlier this year. Last week in Philadelphia, he scored 6 out of nine.

In this game, Mr. Muhammad shows how goals are scored in a simple and effective manner.

Stephen Muhammad vs. John Rouleau
World Open, Round 4
Philadelphia, July 2006

West India Game: King's Indian Defense

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. f3 0-0 6. Be3 e5 7. Nge2 c6 8. d5 Ne8 9. Ng3 f5 10. exf5 gxf5 11. Bf2 c5 12. Bd3 Na6?!

Black's last move is played with the intention of playing -- Nac7 (which he dies ont the next move) and enforcing a Pawn advance -- b7b5 (which is never accomplished in this game). Another system aimed at the advance of the b-Pawn is 12. -- a6, but White gets an excellent position wiht 13. Qc2 Qg5 (the f-Pawn needs immdiate protection) 14. Na4 (or 14. h4 Qf6 15. Na4 e4 16. fxe4 Bd7 17. Nxf5 Bxf5 18. exf5 b5 19. Nc3 giving White a strong advantage) 14. -- Nd7 15. Bxf5 Ndf6 16. Be6+ Bxe6 17. dxe6 b5 18. Nc3 and White stands much better.

Best for Black is the modest and simple 12. -- b6 13. Qc2 Qg5.

13. 0-0 Nac7

Black maintains equality with 13. -- b6 14. Re1 Nb4 (not so good 14. -- Nac7 15. Qc2 Qd7 16. a3 a6 17. b4 Rb8 with a strong position for White) 15. a4 Nxd3 16. Qxd3 Qg5.

14. Qc2 Qf6

If 14. -- Qg5 15. b3, then:

• 15. -- b6 16. Rae1 (or 16. a3 a6 17. Rae1 b5 18. Be3 Qg6 19. Rf2 bxc4 20. bxc4 Rb8) 16. -- a6 17. Re2 Rb8 18. a4; or
• 15. -- Rb8 16. Rae1 a6 17. a4 b6 18. Re2 Ra8 19. Rfe1 e4

Either way, the equalibrium is preserved.

15. a3

If White operates on the King's wing, the equalibrium is maintained by 15. Nh5 Qg6 16. Nxg7 Nxg7 17. h3 b6 (or 17. -- a6 18. Rfe1 Rb8 19. Rac1 and Black, finally, plays 19. -- b5) 18. Rae1 a6 19. b4 Nh5; if White looks to the center, then he gets no more than an insigificant plus by 15. Rae1 b6 16. Nh5 Qg6 17. Nxg7 Nxg7 (or 17. -- Kxg7 18. a3 Kh8 19. Be3 Rg8 20. b4) 18. Re2 a6 19. Rfe1 b5.

15. -- Kh8?!

The King was in no immediate danger and did not need to be moved. Black would have used his time more wisely with 15. -- b6 16. Nh5 Qg5 17. Nxg7 Nxg7 18. Rae1 (or 18. h4 Qg6 19. Rfe1 Nh5) 18. -- Bb7 (not 18. -- Nh5 19. Be3 Qh4 20. b4 a6 21. bxc5 bxc5 22. Rb1 and White, with control of the open b-file, has a significant edge) 19. b4 Qg6 20. Re2 cxb4 21. axb4 b5 and the game is equal.

16. Nh5!

The Knight raid is very timely. White would only gain a small plus after 16. Rfe1 b6 17. Re2 a6 18. Rae1 Rf7 19. Be3 Rb8 20. Nh5 Qg6 21. Nxg7 Rxg7.

16. -- Qg5 17. Nxg7 Nxg7 18. b4 b6 19. f4!

This temporary Pawn sacrifice blasts open the position.

19. -- Qxf4

Making the sacrifice short and sweet. The greater of the two evils is 19. -- exf4 20. Be1 Re8 21. Ne2 b5 (or 21. -- Nh5 22. Bd2 cxb4 23. axb4 b5 24. Nxf4 with a strong plus for White) 22. bxc5 dxc5 23. Nxf4 bxc4 24. Qxc4, leaving Black's Pawn scattered and giving White an ominous-looking passed Pawn at d5.

20. Bxc5

White immediately regains the Pawn with a small sparkle of tactical flair.

20. -- Qh6 21. Bf2 Nce8 22. c5!?

White should first take control of the e-file: 22. Rae1! Rg8 23. c5 e4 24. Bb5 bxc5 25. bxc5 Nc7 (no better is 25. -- dxe5 26. Bc6 Rb8 27. Bxc5 and White has an extra Pawn to drive home to victory) 26. Bc4 dxc5 27. Bxc5 and White's extra Pawn should win.

22. -- bxc5 23. bxc5 dxc5 24. Bxc5 Rg8 25. Qe2

Again, control of the e-file would get White a winning edge: 25. Rae1! e4 26. Bb5 Bb7 27. Bxe8 Raxe8 28. Bxa7, giving Black two passed Pawns about which to worry.

25. -- e4 26. Bb5 Nf6?

This was Black's last chance to get back in the game without any help from White. His best chance at salvaging anything was 26. -- Bb7!, as in these variations in which White's advantage is only minimal:

• 27. Rab1 Nd6 28. Bc4 Rac8 29. Bxd6 Qxd6 30. Rxb7 Qc5+ 31. Kh1 Qxc4 32. Qxc4 Rxc4
• 27. Rfb1 Rc8 28. Bd4 Rc7 29. Bxe8 Rxe8 30. Qf2 Qg5 31. Rf1 Rf7 32. Rfe1

.From this point on, White has a winning advantage.

27. Be3 Qg6 28. Bc6!

28. d6? would let Black back in the game. The balance would be restored by 28. Ng4 29. Bf4 Ne6 30. Qb2 Nxf4 31. Rxf4 (or 31. Nd5+ Qg7 32. Qxg7+ Rxg7 33. Nxf4) 31. -- Rg7.

28. -- Ngh5

White is winning after 28. -- Rb8 (not 29. Bf4? and White loses his advantage after 29. -- Rb6 30. a4 Ne6 31. Be3 Rb3) 29. -- Rb3 30. Qc2 Ngh5 31. Ra2 Qxg2+ 32. Qxg2 Rxg2+ 33. Rxg2 Rxc3 34. Bd4 with the material advantage of a Rook over a minor piece.

29. Bxa8 Ba6 30. Qf2 Bxf1 31. Rxf1 f4

White emerges a Pawn ahead after 31. -- Rxa8 32. Qxf5 Qxf5 33. Rxf5 Rc8 34. Bd4.

32. Bd4 Rxa8 33. Bxf6+ Qxf6 34. Nxe4

White has now won a Pawn.

34. -- Qe5 35. Qc2 Qxd5 36. Qb2+ Kg8 37. Rxf4 Qe6

The Rook is safe: 37. -- Nxf4 38. Nf6+ and White wins.

38. Nf6+ Nxf6 39. Qxf6 Qb6+ 40. Kf1 Qxf6

Of course, Black doesn't try 40. -- Qb3 41. Rg4#.

41. Rxf6 a5

Better is 41. -- Rc8, but White would still have a winning advantage after 42. a4 a5 43. Rf4! (better than 43. g3 Rc1+ 44. Kg2 Ra1 45. Rf4 Ra2+ 46. Kf3 Rxh2 47. Rf5 Ra2 48. Rxa5 Kf7 49. Ra6 Ke7 50. a5)43. -- Rc1+ 44. Ke2 Rc2+ 45. Kf3 Rc3+ 46. Kg4 Rc2 47. Kh3 h5 49. Kh4 Rxg2 50. h3 Ra2 51. Kxh5.

42. Rf5 Kg7 43. g4 Ra6 44. Kf2 Ra7

44. -- a4 would still lose to 45. Rf4 Rf6 46. Kg3 Ra6 47. g5 h6 48. h4.

45. a4 Ra6 46. Kg3 Ra7 47. h4 h6 48. Rc5 Ra8

Even bringing the King into the action wouldn't work: 48. -- Kf6 49. Rf5+ Ke7 50. g5 hxg5 51. hxg5 Ra8 52. Kf4 Ra6 53. Re5+ Kf8 54. Kf5.

49. Kf4 Rf8+ 50. Ke4 Re8+

In this kind of ending, it's easier to calculate long variations. White wins after 50. -- Rf1 51. Rxa5 (or 51. --Ra1 52. Ra7+ Kg6 53. Ra6+ Kg7 54. h5 Re1+ 55. Kf3 Rf1+ 56. Ke2 Ra1 57. a5 Ra2+ 58. Kf3 Ra4 59. Rg6+ Kh7 60. a6) 52. Kf3 Rf1+ 53. Kg2 Ra1 54. Ra6 Ra2+ 55. Kf3 Ra3+ 56. Kf4 Rh3 57. Ra7+ Kf6 58. g5+ hxg5 59. hxg5+ Ke6 60. g6 Rh4+ 61. Kg5 and White has a textbook win.

51. Re5 Ra8

51. -- Rxe5+ 52. Kxe5 Kf7 53. Kf5 and White wins.

52. h5 Kf6 53. Kf4 Ra7 54. Rc5 Ra6 55. Rc7 Rb6 56. Rh7

White threatens to skewer the Rook with 57. Rh6+, winning immediately.

56. -- Rb4+ 57. Kg3 Rxa4

The a-Pawn is no longer of any great moment, especially with the Black Rook in front of the Pawn.

57. -- 58. Rxh6+ Kf7 59. Ra6 Ra1 60. Kf4

The King prepares to escort the Pawns to the GOOOOOOOAAAAALLLLL!!

60. -- a4 61. Ra7+ Kf8 62. Kg5 a3 63. Kg6 a2 64. g5 1-0

Since the Rook must vacate the goal and cannot do so with check (the White King is sheltered by his Pawns), the a-Pawn's shot on the goal is blocked. This leaves the two White Pawns free to advance and SCOOOOOORRRRRRRE!!

Rouleau resigns.


Photo Credits:

Almira Skripchenko from ChessBase.com
Chimi Tuvshintugs from ChessBase.com
Alexander Grischuk from ChessBase.com
Stephen Muhammad from ChessBase.de