Chess News for the Week Ending July 23

Jack Rabbit

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Sun Jul-23-06 08:58 PM
Original message

Chess News for the Week Ending July 23

Edited on Sun Jul-23-06 09:01 PM by Jack Rabbit

The Jack Rabbit Chess Report

for the week ending July 23

Contents:

Post 1: News of the week
Post 2: Games from Recent Events

Drawing of Alice and the Red Queen by Sir John Tenniel for Lewis Carroll's Through the Looking-Glass from Ebbmunk (Denmark)

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Jack Rabbit

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Sun Jul-23-06 08:59 PM
Response to Original message

1. News

Edited on Sun Jul-23-06 09:52 PM by Jack Rabbit

China defeats the rest of the world

A team tournament in Taiyuan, Shangxi Province, China, between a team of six Chinese grandmasters and six grandmasters representing the rest of the world ended earlier this week in a narrow victory for the Chinese team.

Out of 72 total games, the Chinese team scored 36½ points while the rest of the world scored 35½.

Three Chinese players -- Ni Hua, Bu Xiangzhi and Zhang Penxiang -- each scored 7 points in 12 rounds.

Baadur Jobava of Georgia lead all participants with 8 ponts. Artyom Timofeev of Russia scored 7 points for the rest of the world.

Three way tie finishes the Amesterdam Chess Tournament

The third annual Amsterdam Chess Tournament ended earlier today in a three-way tie between reigning Dutch champion Sergei Tiviakov, Dutch grandmaster Friso Niboer and Israeli grandmaster Sergey Erenburg.

Each of the three scored 7 points in the nine round Swiss system event.

For Tiviakov, it marks the continuation of a recent string of successes. Less than a month ago, the 33-year-old Russian native was crowed the national champion of his adopted county.

Karjakin wins rapid tournament in Tomsk

Young Ukrainian grandmaster Sergey Karjakin, who has experienced some hots and colds as of late, won the strong Peter Izmailov Memorial Rapid Tournament in Tomsk earlier this week.

Karjakin, with 7 points out of ten rounds, was a point and a half ahead of his nearest competitor, Russian champion Sergei Rublevsky. Other participants in the tournament were Rustam Kasimdzhanov of Uzbekistan, Alexander Morozevich of Russia, Ruslan Ponomariov of Ukraine and Viktor Boloban of Moldavia.

Arencibia and Kunte tie at Canadian Open

Cuban grandmaster Walter Arencibia and Abhijut Kunte of India tied for first place at the Canadian Open in Kitchner, Ontario earlier taday.

Both Arencibia and Kunte scored 7 points in nine games.

Arencibia entered the final round alone in the top spot, but drew with 18-year-old international master Tomas Krnan of Ontario, who scored 6½ points. While several players entered the last round with 6 points, only Kunte won his game to take advantage of the opportunity presented by Arencibia's draw.

Biel Chess Festival begins

The Chess fesitival in Biel, Switzerland began earlier this week with two simultaneous tournaments.

The men's tournament includes Alexander Morozevich of Russia, looking for his third Biel title, Teimour Radjabov of Azerbaijan, 15-year-old Norwegian co-champion Magnus Carlsen, Lazro Burzon of Cuba, Ukraine's Andrei Volokitin and Swiss grandmaster Yannick Pelletier.

The women's tournament consists of French grandmaster Almira Skripchenko, Swedish grandmaster Pia Cramling, European individual women's champion Ekataina Atalik of Turkey, Polish master Monika SOcko, Yelana Dembo of Greece and 16-year-old Anna Muzychuk of Slovenia.

Czech Open begins in Pardubice

The annual Czech open began Thursday in Padubice, about seventy miles east of Prague.

The favorites to win the event are Czech grandmaster David Navara, 23, who won a silver medal in Torino for points scored on top board, and Russian grandmaster Egeney Najer.

There are nearly 450 participants in the event.

Dortmund Sparkassen begins Saturday

The Sparkassen in Dortmund, Germany, one of the major annual tournaments on the chess calander, begins Saturday.

This year's roster of eight players consists of Akadij Naiditsch of Germany, Armenia's Levon Aronian, Russian grandmaster Peter Svidler, Peter Leko of Hungary, Israel's Boris Gelfand, British grandmaster Michael Adams, Baadur Joboava of Gerogaa and classical world champion Vladimir Kramnik of Russia.

The entire world will be most interested in Kramnik, who is slated to play a match to reunify the world title in Elista, Kalmykia, in September against FIDE wolrd champion Veselin Topalov of Bulgaria.

Kramnik had taken several months off from chess until the Torino Olympiad in May in order to be treated for spinal arthritis. While his performance in Torino was a success by any standard, the chess world will be watching to see if he is in form for his match against Topalov.

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Jack Rabbit

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Mon Jul-24-06 05:06 PM
Response to Reply #1

4. This just in: Swiss Championship completed (Hail to the senior Viktor)

Edited on Mon Jul-24-06 05:19 PM by Jack Rabbit

Florian Jenni won the Swiss Championship last week in Lenzerheide with 7 points out of nine rounds.

In second place, just half a point back, was the grand old of chess, 75-year-old Viktor Korchnoi.

Viktor Korchnoi
Photo: ChessBase.com

Korchnoi, who was almost world champion twice (or three times, if one counts his narrow loss to Anatoly Karpov in the 1974 Candidates' Final Match prior to Bobby Fischer's default of the title), is considered one of the strongest players of all time never to have been world champion. He is also considered the strongest player over 70 of all time. He dropped out of FIDE's list of top 100 grandmasters only last year.

Korchnoi vs. Karpov
Candidates' final match, Moscow, 1974
Photo: ChessBase.com

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Jack Rabbit

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Tue Jul-25-06 05:34 AM
Response to Reply #4

5. Korchnoi-Pelletier, Lenzerheide, July 2006

Viktor Korchnoi
Photo: ChessBase.com

Viktor Korchnoi vs. Yannick Pelletier
Swiss National Championship, Round 7
Lenzerheide, July 2006

Queen's Gambit: Meran Defense

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. e3 e6 5. Nf3 Nbd7 6. Bd3 dxc4 7. Bxc4 b5 8. Bd3 Bb7

Other lines in this opening are:

8. -- a6 9. e4 c5 10. e5 cxd4 11. Nxb5
8. -- b4 9. Ne4 c5 10. Qa4 Qb6 11. dxc5 Bxc5

9. 0-0 a6 10. a4

Another line leading to an equal game is is10. e4 c5 11. d5 Qc7 12. dxe6 fxe6 13. Bc2.

10. -- b4 11. Ne4 c5

11. -- Nxe4 12. Bxe4 Nf6 13. Bd3 c5 14. b3 cxd4 15. Nxd4 is level.

12. Ned2 Be7 13. Re1 cxd4 14. exd4 0-0

Fritz says the game is equal.

15. Nc4

If 15. Qe2 a5 16. b3 Nd5 then Black gains an insignificant advantage in space from:

17. Qe4 N7f6 18. Qh4 h6

19. Bb2 Nc3
19. Nc4 Nc3 20. Nce5 Bd5

17. Nc4 Nc3 18. Qe3 Nf6 19. Bb2 Bxf3 20. Qxf3
17. Be4 Nc3 18. Qd3 Nxe4 19. Nxe4 Ba6 20. Qe3 Rc8

15. -- a5 16. Bf4 Nd5 17. Bg3

If 17. Bd6 then:

17. -- N7b6 18. Bxe7 Nxe7 19. Nce5 Bxf3

20. Nxf3 Rc8 with a level game
20. Qxf3 Qxd4 and equality

17. -- N7f6 18. Bc5 Rc8

19. Bxe7 Nxe7 20. Nfe5 Nc6 21. Nxc6 Bxc6 and Black has a small advantage in space on the Queen's wing
19. Nfe5 Bxc5 20. dxc5 Rxc5 and Black has a clear plus with his centrally posted pieces

17. -- N7b6 18. Nce5

If 18. Rc1 Nxc4 then:

19. Rxc4 Ba6 20. Rc6 Bxd3 21. Qxd3 Rc8 22. Ne5 =
19. Bxc4 Rc8 20. b3 Nb6 21. Ne5 Nxc4 22. Nxc4 =+

18. -- Nd7

If 18. -- Rc8 then:

19. Rc1 Rxc1 20. Qxc1

20. -- g6 21. b3 Nc3 22. Qe3 and Black has a small plus in space on the Queen's wing
20. -- b3 21. Qd1 Nb4 22. Qxb3 Nxd3 Qxd3 and a balanced position

19. Qe2 b3 20. Rac1 Rxc1 21, Rxc1 Nb4 22. Bb5 with equality

19. Bb5 Nxe5 20. Nxe5 Nf6

20. -- Rc8 21. Nd7 Re8 22. Qe2 Bg5 23. Nc5 is level.

21. Nc6 Bxc6 22. Bxc6 Rc8 23. Bb5

If 23. Bf3 then:

23. -- Nd5 24. Qd3 Bg5

25. Bxd5 Qxd5 26. Re5 Qd8 27. Rae1 Bf6 and Black has a spatial advantage on the Queen's wing
25. Be4 f5 26. Bxd5 exd5 27. f4 Bf6 28. Bf2 Qd6 29. g3 and White had a small advantage in piece acticity

23. -- Qd7 24. Qd3 Rfd8 25. Be5

25. -- Ne8 26. Qb5 Rc2 27. b3 Qa7 28. Rac1 and a balanced game
25. -- Nd5 26. Be4 h6 27. Qb5 Qxb5 28. axb5 b3 and White's central Bishops give him a slight edge

23. -- Qb6 24. Be5 Nd5 25. Bd3

If 25. Qg4 then an even game results from:

25. -- Nf6 26. Qh3 Nd5 27. Rac1 Bg5 28. Rc5
25. -- Bf6 26. Bd3 Qc6 27. Qe4 g6 28. Re2

25. -- Bf6 26. Qg4 Rfd8 27. Rad1

If 27. Rac1 then:

27. -- Rxc1 28. Rxc1 Bxe5 29. dxe5

29. -- h6

30. Be4 b3 31. Bd3 Qb4 32. Qxb4 axb4 and White has a small plus in space and control of the c-file
30. b3 Nc3 31. Bf1 Qd4 32. Qxd4 Rxd4 and Black has more active pieces, but it will be difficult to drive the advantage home to victory

29. -- b3 30. Qe4 g6 31. Qh4 Nb4 and both sides have chances

27. -- b3!

28. Rxc8 Rxc8 29. Qe4 g6

30. Rd1 Bg5 31. Bb5 Rc2 and Black has put a Rook on the seventh rank, but White has defensive resources
30. Bxf6? Nxf6 31. Qe5 Nd5 32. Rd1 Qb4 and has a strong position more active pieces

28. Qe4 g6

29. Rxc8? Rxc8 30. Bxf6 Nxf6 31. Qe5

31, -- Qb4 32. Rd1 Nd5 -/+
31. -- Nd5?! 32. Be4 and Black, with control of the c-file, has a slight edge

29. Bb5 29. -- Bg5 30. Rxc8 Rxc8 31. Qf3 f6 32. Bg3 and the position is balanced

27. -- b3 28. Qh5

If 28. Qe4 g6 then:

29. Re2

29. -- Bxe5 30. dxe5

30. -- Nb4 ]31. Red2 Qd4 32. h3 Rd5 and Black has the c-file and a small plus
30. -- Qc5 31. Ree1 Nb4 32. Bb5 Qc2 33. Qf3 and Black has more active pieces, but White is poised ofr defense

29. -- Bg5 30. Bb5 h6 31. h3 Ne7 32. Rd3 Rc1+ 33. Kh2 and Black's better piece activity counts for little against White's defense

29. Qf3 Bg7 30. Bxg7 Kxg7 31. Bb5 Nb4 and again, Black has active pieces and White is ready to defend

28. -- g6 29. Qh6?

White should get into more diffulty as a result of this move than he actually does.

If 29. Qf3 then Black's piece activity continues to be thwarted by White's defense:

29. -- Bg5 30. Bb5

30. Rc2 31. Qxb3

31. Rdc8 32. Qg3 Be7 33. Bd3

33. Rxb2 34. Rc1 Rxc1 35. Rxc1
33. -- R2c6 34. Be4 Qxb2 35. Qf3

31. -- Rcc8 32. Re2 f6 33. Bg3 Kg7

30. -- f6? is a bad move: 31. Bg3 Rc2 32. Qxb3 Rdc8 33. Qf3 and Black has some serious threats along the c-file against the c1 point

29. -- Bg7 30. Bxg7 Kxg7 31. Bb5 Nb4 32. Re4 Qb7

29. -- Bxe5 30. dxe5 Qb4?!

Black had an opportunity to get a very strong position and possibly win. He just blew it.

The correct move is 30. -- Nb4! and has no good continuation:

31. Bb5 Rc2

32. Qh4 Rdd2 33. Rxd2 Rxd2 34. h3 Rxb2 and Black centrally posted Knight and control fo the c-file give him a strong advantage
32. Qe3 Rxd1 33. Rxd1 Qxe3 34. fxe3 Rxb2 and Black's threats against f2 give him a winning edge

31. Bb1 Rxd1 32. Rxd1 Rd8 33. Qc1 Na2 34. Rxd8+ Qxd8 35. Qe1 Qd4 and Black radiant Queen and advanced b-Pawn should carry a victory home
31. Be4 Nc2 32. Rf1 Rd4 33. Bf3 Rc5 34. Qg5 Qc7 35. Rxd4 Nxd4 Black has a strong position

31. g3

Black's last move has made the position unclear. White now seems to be able to get equality, but not a win.

If 31. Re4then the game is level after

31. Qb8 32. Rh4 Qxe5 33. Qxh7+ Kf8 34. Qh8+ Qxh8 35. Rxh8+ Ke7
31. -- Qf8 32. Qxf8+ Kxf8 33. Kf1 Nb4 34. Re3 Rd4 35. Be2 Rxd1+ 36. Bxd1

If 31. Bb5 then 31. -- Nf4 32. g3 Rxd1 33. Rxd1 Nd5 34. Qd2 Qxd2 35. Rxd2 and Black has a clear advatage with his control of the c-file.

31. -- Rc2?

Black's 30th move threw away a strong advantage; his 31st move secures his doom.

Correct is 31. -- Qxa4:

32. Re4 Qd7

33. Rh4 f5

34. Bc4?! a4

35. Ra1 Rc7 36. Rd4 and the game is about level
35. Bb5? Qb7 36. Ba6 Nf4! 37. Rxd8+ Rxd8 38. Qxf4 Qxa6 and Black is poised to start a vucious attacj

34. exf6 Nxf6

35. Qg5 Qf7 36. Qxa5 and chances are about even
35. Be2?! Nd5 36. Re4 Qf7 and even chances

33. Bc4 a4

34. Rh4 f5

35. exf6 Qf7 36. Bxd5 exd5 37. Rxa4 and chances are about equal
35. Bb5? Qb7 36. Ba6 as in the other variation; see the line with 35. Bb5? Qb7

34. Ra1 Ra8 35. Rh4 f5 36. Bb5 Qc7 37. Rc1 Qg7 and White has a small plus

32. Be4 Qb4 33. Bd3 Nc7 34. Re2 a4 35. Red2 Rd5 36. Qe3 a3

32. Re4!

32. Bxc2?!

32. -- bxc2 33. Rc1 Qxa4 34. Re2 Nb4

32. -- Qc5

32. -- Qb6

33. Bxc2 bxc2 34. Rf1

34, -- Qxb2 35. Rh4

35. -- Qxe5 36. Qxh7+ Kf8 37. Qh8+
35. -- Rb8 36. Qxh7+ Kf8 37. Qh6+ Ke7 38. Qg5+

34. -- Qb7 35. Rh4 f5 36. exf6 Rc8 37. Re4 Nxf6 38. Rxe6

33. Rf1 Nb4

33. -- Rxb2 34. Rh4

34. -- Qa7 35. Qxh7+ Kf8 36. Qh6+ Ke7 37. Qg5+ Kd7 38. Qc1
34. -- Qa3 35. Bxg6 fxg6 36. Qxh7+ Kf8 37. Qh8+ Ke7 38. Rh7#

34. Bxc2 bxc2 35. Rh4 Nd5

If 35. -- Qxe5 then 36. Qxh7+ Kf8 37. Qh8+ Qxh8 38. Rxh8+ Ke7 39. Rxd8 Kxd8 40. Rc1 and White wins.

36. Qxh7+ Kf8 37. Qh6+ Ke7 38. Qg5+

Also winning is 38. Rc1:

38. Nb4 39. Qg5+ Kd7 40. Qf6 Rf8 41. Qf3

41. -- Qd5 42. Rf4
41. -- g5 42. Rh7

38. -- Rc8 39. Qg7 Rf8 40. b3 Nb6 41. Qf6+ Ke8 42. Qf3 Qxe5 43. Qc6+ Nd7 44. b4

38. -- Kd7 39. b3 Qc3 40. Rc1 Qxb3 41. Qd2 Rc8 42. Qxa5 Nc3

White wins in all variations:

42. -- Qa3 43. Qd2

43. -- Qb2 44. h3

44. -- Rc5 45. Re4

45. -- Kc8 46. a5

46. -- Qc3 47. Re2 +-
46. -- Nc3 47. Rxc2 Qb1+ 48. Re1 Ne2+ 49. Qxe2 Rxc2 50. Qe4 +-

45. -- Ke8 46. Rh4 Rc7 47. Rh8+ Kd7 48. Rf8 +-

44. -- Rc3 45. Rd4 Kc6 46. Rd3 Rc5 47. Rd4 Kb6 +-

43. -- Qc3 44. Qxc3 Rxc3 45. Kf1 Ke7 46. Ke2 f6 47. Kd2 Rf3 48. exf6+ +-

43. Rd4+ Ke8 44. Qa6 Rb8 45. Rd2 1-0

After 45. -- Qxa4 46. Qxa4+ Nxa4 47. Rdxc2 White enters the last phase of the game an exchange and a Pawn to the good. Pelletier resigns.

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Jack Rabbit

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Sun Jul-23-06 09:00 PM
Response to Original message

2. Games from Recent Events

Edited on Sun Jul-23-06 09:22 PM by Jack Rabbit

Magnus Carlsen
Photo: SV Heerhughoward (Holland)

Magnus Carlsen vs. Simen Agdestein
Norwegian Championship, Round 7
Moss, July 2006

French Defense (Winawer Variation)

1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e5 c5 5. a3 Bxc3+ 6. bxc3 Qa5

The most common move is 6. -- Ne7 after which comes:

7. Nf3 Nbc6;
7. Qg4 0-0 8. Bd3 Nbc6 (the "Poisoned Pawn" Winawer); or
7. a4 Nbc6.

7. Bd2 Qa4 8. Qg4

8. Qb1 c4 9. Nh3 Nc6 10. Nf4 g6 11. g3 Bd7 12. Bh3 0-0-0 13. 0-0 Kb8 (Volokitin-Lputian Russian TCh, Sochi, April 2006).

8. -- g6 9. Qd1 b6

The text moves is a specialty of English master Nicholas Pert. Another line is9. -- Nc6 10. Nf3 c4 11. h4 h6 12. Nh2 f6 13. f4 h5 14. g4 Bd7 (Volokitin-Ward, Politiken Cup, Copenhagen, July 2002).

10. h4 h5 11. c4!?

The text appears to be a novalty. 11. Nf3 Ba6 12. Bxa6 Qxa6 13. Bg5 Nd7 14. Qd3 Qxd3 15. cxd3 Rc8 16. Kd2 Ne7 (Gormally-Pert, BCF TCh, Birmingham, September 2000).

11. -- Nc6

Equality follows 11. -- dxc4 12. dxc5 bxc5 13. Qf3 (but not 13. c3?! Qa6 14. Qf3 Bb7 15. Qf4 Bd5 16. Nf3 Nd7 and Black has an extra Pawn, although not one of great value) 13. -- Nc6 14. Bxc4 Bb7 15. Qb3 Qxb3 16. Bxb3= Nxe5 17. Bc3

12. Nf3 Nge7

If 12. -- Ba6 13. c3 Qxd1+ 14. Rxd1then:

if 14. -- dxc4 then White is just a smidge better after 15. dxc5 bxc5 16. Be3 Nge7 17. Bxc5 (or 17. Rd6 Rc8 18. Bxc5 with equality) 17. -- Rc8 18. Bd6;
Black does better in the line (again, by about a smidge) with 14. -- Bxc4 15. Bxc4 dxc4 16. dxc5 Nge7 (or 16. -- bxc5 17. Be3 Rb8 18. Bxc5 and a level game) 17. Be3 Nd5.

13. dxc5 bxc5 14. Be2 dxc4 15. 0-0

Black has won a Pawn, although it is a weak doubled Pawn and not of as much value as a healthy Pawn. The question in evaluating the position form here on is whether White has sufficient compensation for the Pawn. For the most part, he does, although the onus is on him to play very carefully to avoid falling into a more interior postion.

Black also may be a little better after 15. c3 Qb3 (or 15. -- Qxd1+ 16. Bxd1 Rb8 17. Ba4 Bb7 18. Bb5 a6 19. Bxc4 Na5 20. Be2 Bxf3 21. Bxf) 16. Rb1 Qxa3 (or 16. -- Qxd1+ 17. Bxd1 Rb8 18. Rxb8 Nxb8 19. Be3 Nd5 20. Bxc5 Nxc3 21. Bxa7 and a level game) 17. Bxc4 Rb8 18. Ra1 (Black does much better in 18. Bb5?! 0-0 19. Ra1 Qb2 20. Rb1 Qa2 21. Ra1 Qd5 when White's hanging Bishop becomes the focus of a tactical initiative) 18. -- Qb2 19. 0-0 0-0 20. Ra2 Qb6.

15. -- Nd5 16. Bg5

If now 16. c3, then:

16. -- Qa6

if 17. Re1 then Black is slightly better with 17. -- Bb7 18. Qc2 (but 18. Rb1? would be a mistake: 18. -- Rb8 19. Qc2 0-0 20. Red1 Nb6 21. Bc1 Rfd8 22. Rd6 Rxd6 23. exd6 Rd8 and Black, who already has one extra Pawn, and is looking to pick off some more) 18. -- 0-0 19. Bg5 (or 19. Qa2 Na5 20. Rab1 Rab8 21. Red1 Nb3) 19. -- Rab8 20. a4 Qa5 (or 20. -- Nb6 21. Red1 Nd5 22. Ra3) 21. Bxc4 Qxc3 22. Qxc3 Nxc3;
17. Qc2 and now an equal game results from:

17. -- Rb8 18. Qe4 Na5 (or 18. -- Qa5 19. Bxc4 Nde7 20. Bd3 0-0 21. c4 Qc7=) 19. Rab1 Rxb1 (or 19. -- Rb6 20. Qc2 Bb7 21. Rfd1 Rb3=) 20. Rxb1 0-0 21. Qc2 Nc6 22. Qb2 =+;
17. -- Bb7 18. Qa2 Na5 (or 18. -- Qa5 19. Bxc4 Nb6 20. Rfb1 Nxc4 21. Qxc4 Ba6 22. Qe4 +=) 19. Rab1 Rb8 20. a4 (or 20. Rfd1 0-0 21. Ng5 Qc6 22. Bf3 Qc7 =+) 20. -- Qc6 21. Qa3 (or 21. Bxc4 Nxc4 22. Qxc4 Nb6 23. Qf4=) 21. -- a6=;

Black is slightly better with 16. -- Qxd1 17. Bxd1 Rb8 18. Ba4 (or 18. Be2 Ba6 19. Rab1 =+) 18. -- Bb7 19. Rab1 Nb6 20. Bc2 Ne7 (or 20. -- 0-0 21. Rfd1 =+) 21. Ng5 Nf5 =+

16. -- Ba6 17. Re1 c3

If 17. -- Rb8 18. Bf1 (not 18. Bf6? Rg8 19. Ng5 Nxf6 20. exf6 Rd8 21. Qc1 Nd4 22. Bd1 Qa5 and Black is still a Pawn up with superior pieces) 18. -- 0-0

Black has a small advantage after 19. Nd2 Nd4 20. Ne4 Qa5 (or 20. -- Qc6 21. c3 Nf5 22. Qf3 Rb3 =+) 21. Qc1 Qc7 22. Nf6+ (or 22. Bf6 Nf5) 22. -- Nxf6 23. Bxf6 Kh7;
Black has a clear advantage after 19. Qc1 19. -- c3 (or 19. -- Qa5 20. Nd2 c3 21. Nb3 Rxb3 22. cxb3 Bxf1 23. Rxf1 Nxe5 =+) 20. Bxa6 Qxa6 21. Bf6 Nce7 22. Bxe7 Nxe7 with an extra Pawn and more active pieces.

18. Bd3 Bxd3 19. Qxd3 Rb8 20. Re4 Qb5 21. Qd1

At this point in the game, Balck has a small advatage, but far from a won game.

If 21. Qxb5 Rxb5 22. Rd1 (Black is clearly better after 22. Bf6?! Rf8 23. Rc4 Kd7 24. Rd1 Rfb8 when Black will invade on the b-file) 22. -- Kd7 23. Rf4 Rb2 (or 23. -- Rhb8 24. Rxf7+ Ke8 25. Rg7 Rb1 26. Rxb1 Rxb1+ 27. Kh2 and Black continue to have a minute plus) 24. Rxf7+ Ke8 25. Rxd5! (wrong would be 25. Rg7? Rxc2 26. Rxg6 Kf7 27. Rh6 and Black is poised to win a Pawn after 27. -- Rxh6 28. Bxh6 Ra2) 25. -- Kxf7 (but not 25. -- exd5? 26. e6 Rb8 27. Rc7 and White is winning with the advanced passed Pawn) 26. Rxc5 Rc8 27. Rxc3 and Black is better, but still not winning.

21. -- Qb6 22. a4

22. Qd3? would be an error: 22. -- Qa5 (or 22. -- 0-0 23. Ree1 Qa5 24. Qe4 Rb7 and Black is yet a Pawn up with firm control of the b-file) 23. Re2 (or 23. Ree1 0-0 24. Qe4 Rb7 and 25. -- Rfb8 allows Black's Rooks to raid White's home turf on the b-file) 23. -- 0-0 24. Qc4 (or 24. Qe4 Rb7 25. Ree1 Rfb8 26. Red1 Qc7 and Black has a strong initiative) 24. -- Rb2 25. Qe4 Rfb8 and now:

26. Qd3 Rb1+ 27. Re1 (or 27. Rxb1 Rxb1+ 28. Kh2 Qxa3 and Black is two Pawns up) 27. -- Rxe1+ 28. Rxe1 Qxa3; and Black is clearly winning;
26. Ree1 26. -- R2b5 27. Bh6 Qa6 and Black control of the open file threatens to net another Pawn after 28. -- Ra5

22. -- Qc7 23. Qe2 Kd7

If 23. -- 0-0 24. Rd1? Rb4 then Black has the better of it with:

25. Rxb4 cxb4 26. Rb1 Rb8 27. Qa6 Qb6 (or 27. -- Nb6 28. Qb5 Nd7 with an advance Pawn majority ready to roll) 28. Qc4 (or 28. Qxb6 axb6 and 29. -- Ra8 and Black's Pawn majority looks imposing as another White Pawn is in jeopardy) 28. -- Na5 and Black's Queenside Pawn majority give him a clear advantage;
25. Bc1 25. -- Rfb8 26. Ba3 (or 26. Rxb4 cxb4 27. Qc4 b3 28. cxb3 Nxe5 29. Nxe5 Qxe5 and Black would stop any Queenside counterplay with -- a5 and -- Rb4) 26. -- Rxe4 27. Qxe4 Ncb4 28. Ng5 and Black has a critical advantage in space which will allow him to set up a Queenside assault.

24. Rd1 Kc8 25. Be3 Na5

If 25. -- Nxe3 then equality follows:

26. Rxe3 Qa5 27. Qc4 Rd8 (byt not 27. -- Rb4 28. Qxc3 Ne7 29. Rdd3 Nd5 30. Qd2 Nxe3 31. Qxe3 Rb1+ and Black, with a Rook on the back rank, has a clear advantage) 28. Rxd8+ (or 28. Rd6 Rxd6 29. exd6 Rb1+ 30. Kh2 Rd1=) 28. -- Nxd8 29. Rxc3 Rb1; or
26. Qxe3 26. -- Rb4 27. Ng5 (or 27. Rxb4 cxb4 28. Qc5 Qb6 29. Qc4 Rd8 30. Rd6 ) 27. -- Nd4 28. Qxc3 Rd8 29. Rd3 Rd7.

26. Ng5 Rd8?

Up to now, in spite of White having ample opportunity to slip into disaster, the game has been equal. Black, who for some time has seemed to be on the verge of being on the verge, is the one who blunders.

Correct is 26. -- Rb2 27. Qa6+ and now:

27. -- Nb7? 28. Bxc5 and White wins after:

28. -- Rxc2 29. Rc4 Rd2 (or 29. -- Rb2 30. Bxa7 c2 31. Rc1 Rb1 32. Rxc7+ Kxc7 33. Qc4+, the passed Pawn falls and White begins menacing Black with his own) 30. Rc1 Kd8 (or 30. -- c2 31. Ba3 Rd1+ 32. Kh2 Rxc1 33. Bxc1 and Black loses his Queen, his c-Pawn and the game) 31. Be3 and Black will lose material;
28. -- Qa5 29. Qxa5 Nxa5 30. Nxf7 Rg8 31. Ng5 and is poised to pick off some Pawns;

however, ifBlack plays 27. -- Kb8, he looks musch better after 28. Nxf7 Re8 (or 28. -- Qxf7 29. Qxa5 Ka8 30. Qxc5 Rhb8 31. a5 Qb7 with only a small advantage for White) 29. Bc1 Rb1 (or 29. -- Qb6 30. Qxb6+ Rxb6 31. Nd6 Rd8 and White has an insignificant edge) 30. Qd6 Ra1 (or 30. -- Nb7 31. Qxc7+ Kxc7 with a more-or-less equual game) 31. Rde1 Nb7 32. Qxc7+ Kxc7 33. Rc4 and equality.

Black also comes out equal after 26. -- Rb6 27. Qf3 (or 27. Bc1 Rd8 28. Ba3 Rd7 29. Nf3 Rd8 30. Ne1 Qe7 31. Red4 Qc7) 27. -- Nxe3 28. Qxe3 (or 28. Rxe3 Nc4 29. Re2 Rf8 30. Qxc3 Nb2 31. Ra1 Rd8) 28. -- Nb7 29. Qxc3 Rd8 30. Rde1 (or 30. Rxd8+ Nxd8 31. Rc4 Nb7) 30. -- Rd5 (but not 30. -- Rb4? 31. Rxb4 cxb4 32. Qxb4 and White has an extra Pawn) 31. Nh3 Qd8.

27. Qa6+ Rb7

27. -- Nb7 28. Bxc5 Qa5 29. Qxa5 Nxa5 30. Nxf7 Rd7 31. Ng5+-

28. Nxf7!

White could give the game back with 28. Bxc5? Qxc5 29. Nxf7 Qb6! 30. Qxb6 (or 30. Rxd5 Rxd5 31. Qxb6 Rxb6 and Black has won a Rook) 30. -- Rxb6 31. Nxd8 Kxd8 32. Re3 Ke7 and Black's Rook and two Knights are superior to Black's Rooks.

Another gift would be 28. g3? Qb6 29. Qb5 Rc7 30. Nf3 Rdd7 31. Ra1 Rc6 32. Qxb6 Nxb6 and Black has an extra Pawn (as he has had for most of the game) and control of the d-file.

28. -- Qxf7

Fuitle for Black is 28. -- Qb6 29. Qxb6 Rxb6 30. Nxd8 Kxd8 31. Bxc5 Rb2 32. Bb4.

29. Bxc5 Kb8

Black also loses after 29. -- Qc7 30. Qxe6+ Qd7 (or 30. -- Rd7 31. Rxd5) 31. Qxg6 Nc6 (or 31. -- Qc6 32. Qf5+ Kb8 33. Qg5 Rc8 34. Red4 Nc7) 32. Bd6 Nce7 (or 32. -- Nc7 33. Qxh5 Rb8 34. Qf) 33. Qg3 Qc6 34. Qh3+.

30. Qxa5 Rc8 31. Rc4 Qe8 32. Qa6 Nb6 33. Rxc3 Ka8 34. Bxb6 1-0

White has a Queen and a Bishop against two Rooks after 34. -- Rxc3 35. Rd8+ Qxd8 36. Bxd8 Rb8 37. Ba5. Agdestein resigns.

Young Magnus Carlsen should be proud of the way he held an inferior position, from which the slightest inaccuracy could havce spelled disaster, and patiently waited for the opportunity to score a victory against the reigning champion.

Wang Hao
Photo: ChessBase.com

Wang Hao (China) vs. Giovanni Vescovi (Brazil)
Scheveningen Tournament: China vs. Rest of the World, Round 2
Taiyuan, Shanxi Province, China, July 2006

Open Sicilian Game: Kan Defense

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 a6 5. Nc3 d6 6. Be3 b5 7. f3 Bb7 8. Qd2 Nd7 9. g4 Ne7 10. 0-0-0 Nc6 11. Nxc6 Bxc6 12. g5 Qa5

If 12. -- Rc8 13. h4 Ne5 14. Qg2 then

14. -- Qa5 15. f4 Nd7 16. Kb1 b4 17. Ne2 is satisfactory for both players at this stage; however
14. -- b4?! 15. Nb1 Qc7 16. f4 Ng4 17. Bd4) gives White a superior game

13. Kb1 Rb8 14. h4 Ne5 15. f4?!

The equalibrium is maintained by

15. Qf2 Nc4 16. Bd4 Qb4 17. Bxc4 bxc4 18. Ne2 d5 19. Bc3 Qb7 20. Nd4; or
15. Bg2 Nc4 16. Qd3 Rc8 17. f4 Qb4 18. Bc1 Be7 19. Ne2 0-0 20. h5.

15. -- b4 16. Nd5!?

16. Ne2? would be an error because of 16. -- Bxe4 17. fxe5 Bxh1 18. exd6 Bd5 19. d7+ Kxd7 20. Nc1 Ke8.

16. -- Ng4

Bad for Black would be 16. -- exd5? 17. exd5 Ba4 18. fxe5 dxe5 19. Qf2 Rd8 20. b3.

An equal game can be had by 16. -- Nd7 17. Ba7 Rb7 18. Qe3 Nc5 19. Bb6 Rxb6 20. Nxb6 Qxb6 21. Bg2.

17. Bh3 h5 18. gxh6 Nxh6 19. Rhe1 Kd8 20. Ba7 Rb7 21. Qe3

Black would get a superior position with 21. Bb6+ Rxb6 22. Nxb6 Qxb6 23. Qg2 Kc8 24. Qg5 Qf2.

21. -- exd5 22. exd5 Bb5?!

Black misses a big opportunity: 22. -- Ba4 23. Bd4 Ng8 24. Rg1 Nf6 25. Bxf6+ gxf6 26. Qd4 Be7 27. f5 Rc7-+

23. Bd4 Qc7?!

Black does better to play 23. -- Ng8:

24. c4 bxc3 25. Bxc3 Qc7 26. Rc1 f5 27. Bf6+ Nxf6 28. Rxc7 Rxc7 29. Bxf5 Nxd5 30. Qd4 and equality; however
24. f5 Nf6 25. Bxf6+ gxf6 26. Qd4 Be7 27. Re4 Ba4 is a strong game for Black

24. c4!

Mig Greengard on Chess Ninja said that this move is deserving of attention. This Rabbit agrees, although it is not the winning move.

First of all, if 24. f5!? then:

24. -- f6

25. Qf2? Ng8 26. Be3 Ne7 27. Rd4 Bc4-+
25. Qe6

25. -- Ng8? 26. Rg1 Be7 27. Rxg7 Be8 28. Rxg8 Rxg8 29. Qxg8 and White should go on to win
25. -- Nf7 26. Bf1 Qa5! 27. Bxb5 Re7 and Black wins;

24. -- Ng8? 25. Qg5+ f6 26. Qg4 Be7 27. Qxg7 Rh6 28. Qxg8+ and White should win.

Thus, we will conclude that 24. c4 is the best move White can make.

24. -- Bd7

Second, Black's other possible moves in response to 24. c4 are:

24. -- bxc3?
- 25. Bxc3 f5 26. Rc1 Ng4 27. Bxg4 fxg4
- 25. Rc1
24. -- Ba4 25. b3 Bd7

26. Bxd7 Qxd7 27. Bb6+ Kc8

28. c5 dxc5 29. Qe8+ Qxe8 30. Rxe8+ Kd7 31. Rd8+ Ke7 32. d6+ Kf6 33. Bxc5
28. Qe8+ Qxe8 29. Rxe8+ Kd7 30. Rd8+ Ke7 31. Re1+ Kf6 32. Bd4+ Kg6 33. Ree8 with an equal game

26. Rd3? Kc8 27. Qe8+ Qd8 28. Bxd7+ Rxd7 29. Qxd8+ Kxd8 30. Bb6+ Kc8 31. Re8+ Kb7 32. Bd8-+

25. Bxd7?!

This move gives Black a slight edge. Better is 25. Rd3 b3 26. Rxb3 f5

27. Rxb7 Qxb7 28. Bxg7 Bxg7 29. Qe7+ Kc8 30. Qxg7+-
not 27. Bb6?! Rxb6 28. Rxb6 Qa7 29. Rxd6 Qxe3 30. Rxd7+ Kxd7 31. Rxe3 -/+)

25. -- Qxd7 26. Bb6+ Kc8

Bad for Black is 26. -- Rxb6?:

27. Qxb6+ Kc8 28. Qxa6+

28. --Kb8 29. Rd3 Be7 30. Rb3
28. -- Kc7 29. Qa7+ Kc8 30. Qa8+ Kc7 31. Re8

27. -- Qc7 28. Qxa6 Be7 29. Qa8+ Qc8 30. Qxc8+ Kxc8 31. Rxe7

27. c5

Black has a slight edge after 27. Qe8+ Qxe8 28. Rxe8+ Kd7 29. Rd8+ Ke7 30. Re1+ Kf6 31. Bd4+ Kf5 32. Ree8 Kxf4 33. Rxf8 Rxf8 34. Rxf8.

27. -- dxc5

Black loses after 27. -- Rxb6? 28. cxb6

28. -- Kb7 29. Rc1

29. -- Ng4 30. Qd3 Nf2 31. Qd4

29. -- Nf5 30. Qd3 Kxb6 31. Rc6+

28. -- Ng4 29. Rc1+ Kb8 30. Qd3 Nf6 31. Qxa6)

28. Qe8+ Qxe8 29. Rxe8+ Kd7 30. Rd8+ Ke7 31. d6+

Bad for White would be 31. Re1+? Kf6 32. Bxc5 Bxc5 33. Rxh8 Bf2

34. Re5

34. -- Bg3 35. Ra8 Rb6 and Black is overwhelming
34. -- Bxh4 35. Rc8 g6 36. Rc6+ Kg7 37. Rxa6 Rd7 and Black has a clear advantage

34. Rf1 Bxh4 35. Ra8 Rb6 36. Rc8 Rd6 and Black wins

31. -- Ke6?

Black had not lost the game until now.

Correct is 31. -- Kf6 and now:

32. d7 Rxb6 33. Re8 Be7 34. Rxh8 Kf5
- 35. d8Q Bxd8 36. Rhxd8 Kxf4 37. R8d5 and a level game
- 35. Re8? give Black a clear advantage after 35. -- Bxh4 36. Rd5+ Kxf4 37. Rxc5 Rd6
32. Bxc5 32. -- Ke6

33. Re1+ Kd5

34. Re5+ Kc6 35. Rc8+ Kd7 36. Ree8 Rb5 37. Red8+ Ke6=
34. Re8+? would be a terrible mistake: 34. -- Be7 35. Rxh8 Rxd1+ 36. Kc2 Rf1 and Black should win

33. d7 Rxd7 34. Re1+ Kf6 35. Rxf8 Rxf8 36. Bxf8 and equality.

White now wins quickly.

32. d7 Be7 33. Rxh8 Rxd7 34. Rxh6+! 1-0

34. -- gxh6 35. f5+ wins the Black Rook. Senhor Vescovi resigns.

Susan PolgarPhoto: ChessBase.com

Susan Polgar vs. Jana Jackova
Women's World Cup, Preliminary Rounds
Dresden, July 2006

East India Game: Queen's Indian Defense

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 b6 3. e3 Bb7 4. Bd3 e6 5. c4 d5 6. 0-0 Bd6 7. b4 dxc4 8. Bxc4 0-0 9. b5 a6 10. Nc3 Ne4 11. Nxe4 Bxe4 12. Bb2

Two alternatives also give each side a satisfactory game:

12. a4

12. -- axb5 13. Bxb5 c6 14. Bd3 Bxd3 15. Qxd3

15. -- Bc7 16. Bb2 Qd5 17. Rfc1
15. -- f6 16. Bb2 Bc7 17. Rfb1

12. -- c5 13. dxc5 bxc5 14. Ba3 axb5 15. Bxb5 Qc7 16. Qe2 Nd7 17. h3

12. bxa6 Nxa6

13. Qe2 Nb4

14. Bb2 c6 15. Bc3 Nd5 16. Bb2 Qc7 17. h3
14. Nd2 Bg6 15. Bb2 c6 16. e4 Qc7 17. Nf3

13. Nd2 Bg6 14. Bb2 c6 15. Qb3 Qc7 16. f4 Rfd8 17. Rfc1

12. -- axb5 13. Bxb5 Nd7

If 13. -- c6 then:

14. Ba4?! Qc7

15. Bc2 Bxf3 16. Qxf3 Bxh2+ 17. Kh1 Bd6 and Black has a strong advantage with superior piece activity
15. h3? Bxf3 16. Qxf3 Rxa4 and Black has won a piece

14. Bd3

14. -- Bxd3 15. Qxd3

15. -- Bc7 16. a3 Qf6

17. Rab1 Rd8 18. Rfc1 Qh6 and a balanced position
17. Qc2 Rd8 18. Rab1 Ra7 19. Rfd1 and a balanced position

15. -- Re8 16. Rfc1 Bc7 17. Qc2 Qd6 18. Qc3 Qd5 and a balanced position in which Black will not be able to exploit her centrally posted Queen

14. -- Bxf3 15. Qxf3 Qh4 16. h3 Ra7 17. Rfc1 Rd8 and an equal game, but White's has better potential owing to her piece activity

14. Bd3 Bxd3

If 14. -- Bd5 then 15. e4 Bxa2 16. Qc2

16. -- e5 17. dxe5

17. -- Bc5 18. Bb5 Be6 19. Rxa8 Qxa8 with a level game; White should be able to seize the a-file with a timely Ra1 (Queens are so ticklish)
17. -- Bb4 18. Bc4 Bxc4 19. Qxc4 Rxa1 20. Rxa1 Bc5 and White has control of the a-file

16. -- c5 17. e5 Bc7 18. Bxh7+ Kh8 19. Be4 Bd5 and White should be able to take control of the a-file

15. Qxd3 Qe7 16. e4

The text is better than either of the following:

16. Rfc1 Rfd8 17. Qc4 c5

18. e4 Bf4 19. Rc2

19. -- Ra5 20. a4 Rda8 21. Qb3 e5 and a level game
19. -- cxd4 20. Nxd4 Qc5 21. Qe2 Qg5 22. Nb5 Nc5 with a balanced position

18. Rab1 Ra7 19. e4 Bf4 20. Rc2 e5 21. d5 Qd6 and a sterile equality

16. Qb3 Rfd8 17. Rfc1 e5 18. Rab1 e4 19. Nd2 Qh4 20. h3 c5 21. d5 Qe7 and White has a very slight advantage in piece activity

The balance in the above position offer few prospects for either side, but the same may be said of the actual position at this point.

16. -- e5 17. Rfe1 c5

If 17. -- Ra4 18. Qb5 then:

18. -- Rb4 19. Qe2

19. -- exd4 20. Bxd4

20. -- Ra8 21. e5 Bc5 22. Bxc5 Nxc5 23. Red1 and Black has a small advantage
20. -- Rd8 21. Bc3 Ra4 22. e5 Bb4 with a level game

19. -- Ra8 20. Bc3 Rba4 21. d5 Bb4

22. Bxb4 Qxb4 23. Qc2 and Black's pieces are more active, giving her a small plus
22. Rec1 Bxc3 23. Rxc3 Nc5 24. Qc2 f5 and White has a small advantage in space

18. -- Ra5 19. Qc6 exd4 20. Bxd4 Rd8 21. Red1 Bf4 with a level game.

18. d5 Ra4 19. Nd2 Rfa8 20. a3

If 20. Qb3 Rb4 21. Qc2 Rba4 22. a3 b5

23. Rac1 23. -- c4

24. Nb1 Nc5 25. Re3 Nd3 and Black will have a small plus after White sacrifices the exchange for a Pawn on d3
24. Rb1 Nc5 25. Re3 Nd3 26. Rxd3 cxd3 27. Qxd3

23. Rec1?! would be bad: 23. -- c4 24. Rcb1 Qe8 25. Bc1 Nc5 with a stong position for Black
however, 23. Reb1 Nf6 24. Bc3 Qe8 25. Qb3 Rb8 is equal

20. -- Rb8 21. Qb5 Ra5 22. Qc6 b5 23. a4 Rb6

An equal game comes from 23. -- Rxa4 24. Rxa4 bxa4 25. Ba3

25. -- Qd8

26. Qxa4 26. -- Ra8 27. Qb3 Qa5 28. Bc1 Qb4 29. Qc2
26. Nc4 Be7 27. Qxa4 Nb6 28. Nxb6 Qxb6

25. -- Nb6 26. Rb1 Qc7

27. Qxc7 Bxc7 28. Bxc5 Nd7
27. Rb2?! Qxc6 28. dxc6 f6 29. Kf1 Kf7

24. Qc8+ Nf8 25. axb5 Raxb5

The game remains level with 25. -- Rb8:

26. Qxb8 Rxa1 27. Qxf8+ Kxf8 28. Bxa1 Qb7 29. Nc4 Ke7
26. Qf5 Raxb5 27. Ba3 Bc7 28. Rec1 Ng6 29. Rab1

26. Bc3 Rb8 27. Qg4 h6

If 27. -- Ng6:

28. Ra6

28. -- Rd8 29. Nc4 Bb8

30. Ba5 Rd7 31. Rc6 Qe8 with a small advantage to White owing to piece activity and the d-Pawn
30. Rc1 Qd7 31. Qf3 Qb7 32. Raa1 and Black must watch the d-Pawn

28. -- Bc7? 29. Ra7 Nf4 30. Rd1 f6 31. g3 Ng6 32. Nc4 Qd8 33. d6 and the advanced passed Pawn has become a weapon giving White a winning edge

28. Nc4 Rb3 29. Rec1 Bc7 30. Qd1 Bd8 31. Qc2 f6 32. d6 and the advanced passed Pawn gives White an edge

If 27. -- R5b7 28. Nc4 then:

28. -- Bc7?

29. Ra6!

29. -- Rd8 30. Rc6

30. -- f6 31. Ne3 Qd7 32. Nf5 and White's passed Pawn and well-placed Rook give her a strong plus
30. -- Bb8 31. Ba5 Rdd7 32. Nb6 Rd8 33. Nc8! and Black will have to either exchange Queens, which is adventageous to White with her advanced passed Pawn, or lose the exchange

29. -- Qd7 30. Qxd7 Nxd7 31. d6 Bd8 32. Nxe5 will leave White and her advanced passed Pawn to call the tune

29. Red1?! 29. -- Rd8 30. Ra6 f6 31. d6 Qd7 32. Qxd7 Rxd7 33. f3 Bb8 and Black must expend her energy on White's d-Pawn

28. -- f6 29. Ra6 Rd7 30. Ne3 Ng6 31. Nf5 Qd8 32. Rc1 Bf8 and White's piece activity gives her an edge

28. g3 Nd7 29. Ra7 R5b7

White gains a small advatage from 29. -- R8b7 30. Rea1 Bb8 31. Rxb7 Rxb7 and:

32. Nc4

32. -- Qd8 33. f3 Nf6 34. Qh4 Qe8.
32. -- Ra7 33. Rxa7 Bxa7 34. f4 Nf6)

32. Rc1 Ra7 33. Rc2 Ra4 34. f3 Bc7 35. Bb2

30. Rea1

White gets an insignificant plus from 30. Rxb7 Rxb7

31. Nc4

31. -- Ra7

32. Rb1 32. -- Bc7 33. f3 Kh7 34. Ra1 Rxa1+ 35. Bxa1.
32. Ra1 Rxa1+ 33. Bxa1 g6 34. Nxd6 Qxd6 35. f4 exf4 36. gxf4 and White's central Pawn mass gives her a small advatage

31. -- Rb8? would be good for White: 32. Ra1 Nf6 33. Qf5 g6 34. Qf3 Kg7 35. Ra6 and advantages in space and piece activity

31. Rc1 Ra7 32. Rc2 Ra4 33. f3 c4 34. Kg2 Nb6 35. Qf5

30. -- Nb6 31. Rxb7 Rxb7 32. Rb1 Kh7

White is better but far from winning if Black plays 32. -- Rb8:

33. Ra1

33. -- Rd8 34. Rc1 Bc7

35. Bb2 35. -- Na4 36. Ba3 Ba5 37. Nc4.
35. Ra1 Bd6 36. Qh5 f6 37. Qf5

33. -- Qc7 34. Nf3 Nc4 35. Nh4 Bf8 36. Nf5 g6

33. Qe2 Bc7 34. f3 Rd8 35. Ra1 Rb8 36. Qd3 Bd6 37. Qc2

33. Qe2 Na4

If 33. -- Rb8 then:

34. Rb5

34. -- Bc7

35. Ba5

35. -- Nc8 36. Rxb8 Bxb8 37. Bc3 +=;
35. -- Bd8 36. Nb3 c4 37. Nd2 Qd7 38. Rb1 Qa4 39. Bc3 and White has a slight plus in piece activity, but Black has no good targets

34. -- Nd7 35. Rxb8 Bxb8 36. f3 g6 37. Kf2 Kg7 38. Qa6 and White's Queen on the sixth rank gives her an advantage

*35. Qe3 Bd6 36. Ra5 Rd8 37. f3 and the position is level

34. Qh5 34. -- g6 35. Qg4 f6 36. Qh4 Na4 37. Rxb8 Bxb8 and a position that offers few opportunities to either side

34. Rxb7 Qxb7 35. Qc4 Qd7?

Correct is 35. -- Nxc3 36. Qxc3 and now:

36. -- Kg8 37. h4 Qb4 38. Qc2 f6 39. h5

39. -- Qd4 40. Kf1 Qa1+ 41. Kg2 and a level game
39. -- Kf7 40. Kf1 Bc7 and an equal game

36. -- Qb4 37. Qc2 Qd4 38. Kf1 f6 and:

39. f3

39. -- Qe3 40. Qd1 Qd4 41. Qc2 and an equal game;

39. Ke2 39. -- Kg8 40. Nb3 Qb4 41. Kd3 Kf7 and an equal game; or

Equality also results form 36. -- f6 37. f3 Qb4 38. Qc2 Qd4+ 39. Kf1

30. --Qe3 40. Qd1 Qd4
39. -- Qa1+ 40. Kg2 Qd4

White now drags Black into an endgame in which White has all the winning chances.

36. Kg2 f5

Unless White makes a misstep, Black has little hope:

36. -- Nxc3 37. Qxc3 Kg6 38. f3

38. Nb3?! is such a misstep: 38. -- Qb5 39. Nd2 f6 40. Nc4 Bb8 41. f3 Kf7 would disspate White's advantage
38. -- f6 39. h4 Kf7 40. Nc4 (or 40. h5 Ke7 41. Kf2 Qa4 40. -- g6 41. Qb3 Ke7 42. Nxd6 Qxd6 43. Qb7+

36. -- g6
- 37. Ba5 f6 (or 37. -- Nb2 38. Qa6 Qa4 39. Qxd6 Qxa5 40. Qe7) 38. Qa6 Kg7 39. Qc6 (or 39. Nc4 Bb8 40. Qc6 Qxc6 41. dxc6) 39. -- Qxc6 40. dxc6 Nb2 41. c7
- 37. Ba1 37. -- f6 38. Qb3 Kg7 39. Nc4 Be7 40. f3 Bd8 41. h4
36. -- f6? 37. Ba5 Kg6 (or 37. -- g6 38. Qa6 Nb2 39. Qc6 Qxc6 40. dxc6) 38. f3 Kf7 39. h4 Nb2 (or 39. -- g6 40. Qb3 h5 41. Nc4) 40. Qb3 Qa4 41. Qxa4 Nxa4 42. Nc4

37. exf5 Nxc3

No good for Black is 37. -- Bc7 38. Ba1 (or 38. Ne4 Nb6 39. Qxc5 Nxd5 40. Bb2 Bb8 41. h4)

38. -- Ba5 39. Nb3 Bb6 (or 39. -- Bb4 40. Qe4 Nb6 41. f6+ g6 42. f4 Nxd5 43. fxe5) 40. d6 Qxf5 41. Qxa4 c4 (or 41. -- Qd3 42. Na5 Qd5+ 43. Kg1 Bxa5 44. Qxa5 Qd1+ 45. Kg2 Qxd6 46. Qe1 g5 47. Qe4+ Kg8 48. Bxe5) 42. Nd4 Bxd4 43. Bxd4 exd4 44. Qxc4
38. -- Nb6 39. Qxc5 Nxd5 (or 39. -- Qxd5+ 40. Qxd5 Nxd5 41. Kf3 g6 42. g4 gxf5 43. gxf5 Nf6 44. Nc4) 40. Nc4 e4 41. Ne5 Qd6

38. Qxc3 Qxf5

If 38. -- Qf7 then:

39. Qf3 Kg8 40. Ne4 Bf8 (or 40. -- Qf8 41. Qb3 Kh7 42. Qb6 Be7 43. Qg6+ Kh8 44. d6) 41. d6 c4 42. Qd1 Kh7 43. d7 Be7 (or 43. -- Qxf5 44. d8Q Qxe4+ 45. Qf3) 44. d8Q Bxd8 45. Qxd8
39. Qd3 39. -- Kg8 (or 39. -- Kh8 40. f3 Kg8 41. Ne4 Qxf5 42. Qb5 Bf8 43. Qc6 g6 44. d6 Qe6 45. Qxc5) 40. Nc4 Qe7 41. f3 Kf7 42. Kf2 Qc7 43. Ke3 Kf6 (or 43. -- Qe7 44. Qb3 Qc7 45. Ke4 Kf8 46. Qa2 Be7 47. Qa8+ Qd8 48. Qxd8+ Bxd8 49. d6) 44. Ke4 Ke7 45. Qc3 Kd7 46. f4

39. Qf3 Kg6 40. Ne4 Qxf3+

40. -- Bf8? gives White a strong game after 41. d6 c4 and:

42. h4

42. -- Qxf3+ 43. Kxf3 Kf7 44. d7 Be7 45. Nd6+ Ke6 46. Nxc4
42. -- h5 43. Qe3 Qe6 44. Qd2 c3 45. Qd3

42. g4 Qf7 43. h3 Qf4 44. Qxf4 exf4 45. Kf3

41. Kxf3 Bf8 42. Nd2

White can also play 42. Ke2 Kf5 43. f3 and:

43. -- c4 44. g4+ Kg6 45. Nd2 c3 46. Nc4 Kg5 47. Nxe5

43. -- h5 44. h4 c4 45. Nd2 e4

46. fxe4+ Ke5

Bad would be 47. Nxc4+? Kxe4 48. d6 Kd5 49. d7 Be7 50. Ne3+ Ke6 and Black could hope for a draw
47. d6 47. -- Kxd6 48. Nxc4+ Kc5 49. Ne3

46. Nxc4 46. -- exf3+ 47. Kxf3

42. -- Kf6 43. Ke4 Bd6

No better is 43. -- g5 44. Nc4 and:

44. -- Bg7 45. Nxe5

45. -- Ke7 46. f3 Kd6 47. Nc4+ +-
45. -- h5 46. Nd7+ +-

44. -- Ke7 45. Nxe5 Bg7 46. f4 gxf4 47. gxf4 h5 48. Nc4 Kd7 49. d6 Kc6 50. Kf5+-

44. Nc4 Bb8

Black has no hope: 44. -- Ke7 45. Nxe5 and now:

45. -- Bxe5 46. Kxe5 c4 47. Kd4 Kd6 48. Kxc4 Kd7 49. Kc5 Kc7 50. h4 Kd7 (or 50. -- g6 51. f3 Kd8 52. Kd6 h5 53. f4) 51. d6 g5 52. hxg5 hxg5 53. g4 Ke6 54. Kc6;
45. -- g5 46. h4 gxh4 47. gxh4 h5 48. Kf5 Bc7 49. Nc4 Bh2 50. Kg6.

45. f3 g6 46. Nb6

Also winning is 46. h4 g5 (or 46. -- h5 47. g4 hxg4 48. fxg4 Bc7 49. g5+ Kf7 50. d6) 47. hxg5+ hxg5 48. g4 Ba7 49. Nxe5.

46. -- Ke7 47. Nc4 Kf6

Black can also loose as follows: 47. -- Bc7 48. h4 h5

49. g4

49. -- Kf7 50. g5 Bb8 51. Nxe5+

51. -- Bxe5 52. Kxe5 Ke7 53. f4 Kd7 54. f5 c4 55. fxg6

55. Kd4 gxf5 56. g6 c3 57. Kxc3 Kd8 58. g7+-
55. -- c3 56. g7 c2 57. g8Q c1Q 58. Qe6+ Kc7 59. Qc6+ Qxc6 60. dxc6 Kxc6 61. g6;

51. -- Kg7 52. f4;

49. -- hxg4 50. fxg4 Kf7 51. g5 Ke7 52. Nxe5 Ke8 53. Nxg6.

49. Nxe5 Kf6 50. f4 Bd6 51. Nd7+ Ke7 52. Nb6

48. h3 h5 49. h4 Bc7 50. d6 Bb8 51. Kd5 1-0

Ms. Polgar has succeeded in pushing White's Pawn forward and the White King is poised to escort it to its coronation. Ms. Jackova resigns.

Elli Pähtz
Photo: ChessBase.de (Germany)

Martha Fierro vs. Elli Pähtz
Women's World Cup, Preliminary Rounds
Dresden, July 2006

Closed Sicilian Game: King's Indian Attack

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d3 g6 4. g3 Bg7 5. Bg2 Nc6 6. 0-0 e5 7. c3 Nge7

The lines from the King's Indian Attack generally give White less of an advantage from the opening than the Open Sicilian or the Spanish Sicilian.

Also satisfactory for both sides is 7. -- Nf6:

8. Ne1 Be6 9. f4 0-0 10. fxe5 Nxe5 11. d4 Ned7 12. d5 Bg4 13. Qc2.
8. Be3 0-0 9. Nbd2 b5 10. d4 exd4 11. cxd4 Ng4 12. Bg5 Qd7

8. Be3

Equality can be gained aslo from 8. Nbd2 f5 9. Re1 h6 10. Qb3 fxe4 11. dxe4 Rf8 12. Rd1 Na5 13. Qa3 Bg4.

*10. a3 Be6 11. b4 0-0 12. Qc2 cxb4 13. axb4 Qc7

8. -- 0-0

A level game still results from 8. -- f5 9. Nfd2 Be6:

10. f4 0-0 11. Qa4

11 -- Qc7 12. Nc4 a6 13. Ncd2 b5.
11. -- b5 12. Qc2 a5 13. Na3 Qb6

10. Qa4 Qb6 11. Na3 0-0 12. Nac4 Qc7 13. Bg5 a6

9. Nfd2?!

If 9. Re1 f5 10. Qb3+ Kh8 then an equal game comes in any of the following:

11. Ng5 Qe8 12. Na3

12. -- Na5

13. Qb5 Nac6 14. Nc4 Qd8
13. Qc2 h6 14. Nf3 fxe4

12. -- f4 13. gxf4 exf4 14. Bc1 h6 15. Nf3 with equality

11. Na3 fxe4 12. dxe4 Bd7 13. Nd2 Na5 14. Qc2 Be6

On the other hand, Black can go wrong with 9. d4? exd4 10. cxd4:

10. -- Bg4

11. Qe2 cxd4

12. Bc1 Ne5 13. Rd1 d3 14. Rxd3 Nxd3 15. Qxd3 and Black's prospects are looking excellent.
12. Bf4 Ne5 13. Nbd2 Qb6 14. h3 Bd7 15. Bxe5 dxe5 16. Nc4 Bb5

11. Qd2 Bxf3 12. Bxf3 cxd4 13. Bh6 Bxh6 14. Qxh6 d5 15. Nd2 Ne5 and Black has a strong position

10. -- Qb6 11. Nc3 Qxb2 12. Na4 Qa3 13. Bc1 Qb4 14. a3 Qa5 and Black has a strong game
10. -- cxd4?! 11. Nxd4 f5 12. exf5 Bxf5 is equal

9. -- b6 10. Qe2 d5!?

The following lines lead to equality:

10. -- f5

11. f4 Bb7 12. Nf3 a6 13. Na3

13. -- Qc7 14. Ng5 Rf6 15. exf5

15. -- gxf5 16. fxe5 dxe5.
15. -- Nxf5 16. Bd5+ Kh8 17. Ne6 Qe7 18. Nxg7 Kxg7

13. -- b5 14. fxe5 Nxe5 15. Nxe5 Bxe5 16. Rae1 Bg7

11. Bg5 fxe4 12. dxe4 h6 13. Bxe7!? Qxe7 14. Qd3 Be6 15. f4 exf4 16. gxf4

10. -- Ba6!

11. c4 b5 12. cxb5 Bxb5 13. Na3 Ba6

14. Nac4 Rb8 15. Rfe1 Nb4 =+
14. Ndc4 Nd4 15. Qd1

11. f4 d5 12. fxe5 d4 13. cxd4 cxd4 14. Bg5 Nxe5 15. Nc4 Bxc4 16. dxc4 f6

11. f4?!

This move gives the initiative to Black.

Correct is to break up Black's central Pawn mass with 11. exd5!. White maintains the equlibrium after 11. -- Nxd5 12. Na3

12. -- f5 13. Bg5 Bf6 14. Bxf6 Rxf6 15. Rae1 Re6 16. Ndc4
12. -- Ba6 13. Nac4 Rc8 14. Rad1 Nxe3 15. Qxe3 b5 16. Na3 Ne7

11. -- d4 12. Bf2

Bad would be 12. cxd4? exf4 13. gxf4 Nxd4 14. Qd1 (or 14. Bxd4 Bxd4+ 15. Kh1 Bxb2) 14. -- Bg4 15. Qxg4 Nc2 and Black would have winning chances.

12. -- dxc3!?

An alternate line is 12. -- exf4 13. gaf4 Nxd4

14. Bh4 Ba6

15. Rf3 Qd7 16. Bf6 dxc3 17. bxc3 Rfd8 and Black has better piece activity, but White's central Pawn mass will slow her down
15. Nc4 Qc7 16. e5 Nf5 17. Be4 Nxh4 18. Qg4 and Black emerges with somewhat better piece activity

14. Qf3?! is dubious because of 14. -- Bb7 15. Nb3 f5 16. cxd4 Nxd4 17. Nxd4 cxd4 and Black's superior pieces give her a strong game

13. bxc3

The road is trecherous. White must tread carefully: 13. Nxc3 exf4 14. gxf4 Nb4

15. Bh4 Re8

16. Nc4 Qd4+ 17. Bf2 Qxd3 18. e5 Ba6 19. Bxa8 Rxa8 20. Qxd3 Nxd3 with a slight plus for Black

18. e5 Ba6 19. Bxa8 Rxa8 20. Qxd3 Nxd3 with an approximately level game
18. Qxd3?! Nxd3 19. Nd6 Rd8 20. e5 Rb8 and Black has a strong position; an exchange sacrifice on d6 will give her initiative

16. Nf3? Qxd3 17. Qf2 Bxc3 18. Rad1 Qc4 19. bxc3 Qxc3 and Black has a winning position with two extra Pawns

15. e5? Rb8 16. d4 Nc2 17. Rad1 Nxd4 18. Bxd4 Qxd4+ -/+ and Black's domination of open lines assure her a strong game

13. -- exf4 14. gxf4 Ba6!

If 14. -- f5 then:

15. Bh4

15. -- Re8 16. e5 Bb7 17. Nc4 Na5 18. Nd6 Bxg2 19. Qxg2 Rf8 and White has a slight advantage in piece activity
15. -- Nd4 16. cxd4 Bxd4+ 17. Rf2 Qd7 18. exf5 Nd5 19. fxg6 Bb7 and White's central Pawn mass balances Black's better piece activity

15. e5 Bh6 16. Bh4 Bb7 17. d4 Na5 18. d5 Qd7 19. Bxe7 Qxe7 and Black's piece activity is ample compensation for White's extra Pawn

15. Nc4!

15. Rd1? loses a Pawn to 15. -- Bxd3:

16. Qe3 Bc2 17. Rc1 Qd3 18. Bf1 Qxe3 19. Bxe3 Bxb1 20. Raxb1
16. Qf3 Bc2 17. Re1 Re8 18. Nc4 Qd3

15. -- b5!

If 15. -- Qd7, then a dynamic equality results in which White's central Pawn mass balances Black's piece activity after 16. Rd1 Rad8 17. Nb2 Rfe8:

18. Qd2 Bb7 19. Na3

19. -- Nc8 20. Rab1
19. -- f5 20. Qc2 Qc7

18. Qf3 h6 19. a4 Qc7 20. Ra3 Nc8

16. Nb2 b4 17. Rc1

17. e5 Rc8 18. Nc4

18. -- f6

19. Bh3 19. -- Rc7

20. e6 f5 21. Bxc5 bxc3 22. Nba3 Qd5 and Black's piece activity give her a winning game
20. Bxc5?! bxc3 21. Bd6 Nd4 22. Qe4 Nc2 23. Nxc3 Nxa1 24. Rxa1 fxe5 and a balanced position

19. exf6 Bxf6 20. Rc1 bxc3 21. Nxc3 Bd4 22. Rab1 Rxf4 and White will have diffculty exchanging pieces in such a way to dissoate Black's activity

18. -- bxc3 19. Nxc3 Nd4 20. Qd1 Bxc4 21. dxc4 f6 22. Nd5 Nef5 23. exf6 Bxf6 and a balanced position

17. -- Rb8 18. Nc4?

White loses.

Correct to maintain equality is 18. Bxc5 Re8:

18. -- bxc3! 19. Nxc3 Bd4+ 20. Bxd4 Qxd4+ 21. Kh1 Nb4 22. Rab1 f5 23. Qd1.
Black can go wrong with 18. -- f5?:

if White returns the favor with 19. e5? Re8 20. Qf2 Rc8 21. d4 Qd7 22. c4 Bb7 23. d5 Nxe5 24. fxe5 Bxe6 then Black has an extra Pawn and her winning prospects are as good or better than the actual game;
But if White plays 19. Qd2! then 19. -- Rb7 20. e5 bxc3 21. Nxc3 Rd7 22. Ne4 Qa5 23. Qxa5 Nxa5 24. Bxe7 Rdxe7 25. d4 gives White a strong position and an extra Pawn.

18. -- bxc3

Also good for Black is 18. -- Bxc4 19. dxc4 and now:

19. -- bxc3 20. Nxc3 Nd4 21. Qe3 followed by:

21. -- Qa5!

22. Nd5 Rfe8 23. Rab1 Nxd5 24. cxd5 Qxa2 25. Rxb8 Rxb8 and Black will soon have a Queen and a Rook on White's second rank
22. Be1 Nc2 23. Rxc2 Bd4 wins White's Queen

21. -- Re8?! 22. Rab1 Rxb1 23. Rxb1 and the game is level

19. -- Qa5 20. e5 Rfe8 21. cxb4 Nxb4 22. Nc3 f6 23. e6 f5 and Black has a strong position: the White's Rook on c1 can't abandon the Knight at c3; White's e-Pawn can make no further progress; and the b-file cannot be exploited for counterplay

19. Nxc3 Nd4!

The text is stronger than 19. -- Bd4?!:

20. Bxd4 Qxd4+
- 21. Kh1
- 21. Qf2 21. -- Nb4 22. Bf1
20. Nb2 f5 21. e5 g5 22. fxg5 Nxe5 23. Rab1 Bxc3 24. Rxc3 Bxd3 and the game is level

20. Qd1

If 20. Qe3 Re8 then Balck should win:

21. Qg3 h6 22. Kh1 Rb4 23. Ne5 Qd6

24. a3Rb3 25. Be3 Reb8 26. Ra2 Ne6;
24. Rab1? g5 25. Nc4 Bxc4 26. dxc4 gxf4 27. Qg4 Rxc4

21. Ne5

21. -- Qd6?! could give White some hope: 22. Nc4 Qf6 23. e5 Qe6 24. Nd6 Nef5 25. Nxf5 Qxf5
21. -- f6?! is another pitfall Black must avoid: 22. Nc4 Nef5

23. Qh3 Nd6 24. Nd2 Rb7 25. Nb3 N6b5 26. Kf1 Nxb3 27. axb3 and White is out of serious trouble
23. Qe1? get White right back into serioous trouble:23. -- Nd6 24. Ne2 Nxe2+ 25. Qxe2 Nxc4 26. dxc4 Bh6 and White's central Pawn mass has been reduced to rubble

21. -- Qa5! 22. Nc4 Bxc4 23. dxc4 Rb2 24. e5 Nef5 25. Qe4 Qb4 26. Bxd4 Nxd4

20. -- Qc7 21. Bg3 f5 22. e5

22. Rab1 Rxb1 23. Rxb1 fxe4 24. Nxe4 Nef5 25. Qa4 Bc8 26. Re1 Bd7 27. Qa5 Qxa5 28. Nxa5 Nc2.

22. -- Bb7 23. Qf1 g5 24. Nd6

24. Rab1is no better, although Black must be careful not to fall into snares:

24. -- Bxg2 25. Qxg2 h6 (but if 25. -- gxf4? 26. Bxf4 Ng6 27. Nd5 Nxf4 28. Nxf4 then the game is level) 26. Ne3 Qd7 27. Rxb8 Rxb8 28. Ncd5 Nxd5 29. Nxd5 g4 -/+;
24. -- gxf4 25. Bxf4 Bxg2 (vut 25. -- Ng6? throws away much of her advantage: 26. Bxb7 Rxb7 27. Nd5 Qd7 28. Rxb7 Qxb7) 26. Qxg2 Qc6 (but 26. -- Rxb1?! 27. Rxb1 Ng6 28. Nd5 Qd7 White again has hopes of surviving; and 26. -- Ng6? 27. Nd5 Nxf4 28. Nxf4 gives White good reason to hope for a draw) 27. Qxc6 Nexc6 28. Rxb8 Rxb8 and has a clear advantage with command of open lines

24. -- Bxg2 25. Qxg2 gxf4 26. Bxf4 Ng6 27. Nd5

Black wins after 27. Rf1 Kh8:

28. Nd5 Qd7

29. Rae1 Nxf4

30. Nxf4 Bxe5 31. Rxe5 Rg8
30. Rxf4 Bxe5 31. Rxd4 Bxd4+ 32. Kh1 Qxd6

29. Nc4 Nh4 30. Qh1 Ne2+ 31. Kf2 Nxf4 32. Nxf4 Qd4+

28. Qd5 Nxf4 29. Rxf4 Qa5 30. Re1 Qxc3 31. Rff1 Rb2

27. -- Qd7 28. Rxc5

If 28. Rab1 Rxb1 29. Rxb1 Ne6 then:

30. Rb7 Qa4 31. Be3 Qd1+ 32. Qf1

32. -- Qxf1+ 33. Kxf1 Bxe5 34. Rd7 f4
32. -- Qg4+? 33. Kh1 f4 34. Bg1 Qh4=

30. Bg3 f4 31. Rb7 Qa4 32. Bf2 Nxe5

33. Qe4 Qd1+
33. Ne7+ Kh8 34. Ndf5 f3

28. -- Ne6 29. Rc4

Black is hopeless: 29. d4 Nexf4

30. Nxf4 Nxf4

31. Qd2 Ne6

32. Rc4 Rb6

33. Re1 f4 34. Kh1 f3
33. Rd1 f4 34. Kh1 Nc7 35. a4 Ne8 36. Ne4 f3-+

32. Ra5 Qd8 33. Ra4 Qb6 34. Qf2 Nxd4 35. Rxd4 Bxe5

31. Qf3 Ne6 32. Rc4 Rb2 33. Qc3 Re2 34. Re1 Rxe1+ 35. Qxe1 f4 36. Qf2 f3 37. Kh1

30. Qc2 Ne6 31. Qc4 Nxe5 32. dxe5 Bxe5 33. Nc7 Bd4+ 34. Kh1 Bxa1

29. -- Kh8 30. Kh1

If 30. d4 Ngxf4 then:

31. Nxf4 Nxf4

32. Qd2 Rg8 33. Kh1 Bf8 34. Qxf4 Bxd6

35. Rc3 Rg4-+;
35. exd6 Qb7+-+

32. Qf3 32. -- Bh6 33. Kh1 Rb2 34. a3 Qe7 35. Rb4 Rg2-+

31. Qf3 Nxd4 32. Rxd4 Ne6 33. Rd2 Bxe5 34. Rad1 Qxd6-+

30. -- Ngxf4 31. Nxf4 Nxf4 32. Rxf4 Bxe5 33. 0-1

After 33. Raf1, Black wins a piece by 33. -- Bxf4 34. Rxf4 Qxd6. La señorita Fierro resigns.

Sebastian Siebrecht and Jan Timman
Sebastian Siebrecht photo: http://www.chess-international.de/ticker/forts103.html">Chess International (Germany)
Jan Timman photo: Website no longer available

Sebastian Siebrecht vs. Jan Timman
International Open, Round 3
Amsterdam, July 2006

Queen's Pawn Game: Queen's Indian Defense

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 e6 3. e3 b6 4. Bd3 Bb7 5. 0-0 c5 6. b3

6. c4 cxd4 7. exd4 d5 would give a more common Queen's Indian.

6. -- Be7 7. Bb2 0-0 8. Nbd2 Nc6 9. a3

The equilibrium would also be established by 9. c4 and

9. -- d5 10. a3 a6 11. Qc2 cxd4 12. Nxd4 Nxd4 13. Bxd4 h6 14. Rfc1; or
9. -- Nb4 10. Bb1 d5 11. a3 Nc6 12. Qc2 g6)

9. -- Rc8 10. Qe2 Qc7 11. Rae1 Rfe8

Equality results from 11. -- cxd4 12. exd4 Nd5 (or 12. -- d5 13. Ne5 Nxe5 14. dxe5 Nd7) 13. c4 Nf4 14. Qe3 Nxd3 15. Qxd3 d5 16. cxd5 exd5.

12. Ne5 cxd4 13. exd4 Bf8

If 13. -- d6 then:

14. Nxc6 Qxc6

15. f4 a6 16. c3

16. -- b5 17. c4 bxc4 18. Nxc4 is a level game
16. -- Nd5 17. Rf3 b5 18. c4 bxc4 19. bxc4 Nb6

15. f3 Qc7 16. Nc4 Nd7 17. c3 Bh4 18. Rd1

14. Ng4 Nxg4 15. Qxg4 d5 16. Re3 Bf6 17. Rfe1 h6 18. c3

14. f4 d6

14. -- d5 may give White a minute plus after 15. Ndf3 Bd6 16. c4

16. -- dxc4 17. bxc4 a6 18. Ng5 Nd8 19. Ng4 Nxg4 20. Qxg4.

16. -- Ne4 17. Bxe4 dxe4 18. Nd2 Bxe5 19. fxe5 Na5 20. Qf2.

15. Ng4 Nxg4 16. Qxg4 Ne7

16. -- d5 is an even game after:

17. Nf3 g6

18. f5 exf5 19. Bxf5 Rxe1 20. Rxe1

20. -- h5 21. Qg5 Be7 22. Rxe7 Qxe7 23. Qxe7 Nxe7
20. -- Rd8 21. Bd3 Be7

18. c3 Bg7 19. Rf2 Na5 20. Nd2 Nc6 21. Rfe2)

17. c4 Rcd8 18. cxd5 Rxd5 19. Nf3 g6 20. Bc4 Rdd8 21. d5.

17. Rxe6!!

The text is better than either of these two alternatives:

17. Nf3 g6 then:
- 18. Re2 Bg7 19. Rfe1 Nd5
- 18. c4 18. -- Bg7 19. Rf2 Nf5
  - 20. Be4 Bxe4 21. Rxe4 b5 22. cxb5 Qb7 23. Re1 =+
  - 20. Bxf5 exf5 21. Qg3 Rxe1+ 22. Nxe1 Re8 -/+
17. c4 d5

18. Nf3 g6:

19. Ne5:

19. -- Bg7?

20. Rf2?!

20. -- Rf8 21. Rfe2 h6 22. Qh4 =;
20. -- Red8? (giving White a second chance) 21. Nxf7 Kxf7 22. Qxe6+ Ke8 23. Qg8+ +-

20. Nxf7! Nf5 21. Ne5 Bh6 22. cxd5 Bxd5 23. Nxg6 Ng7+-

19. -- dxc4 20. bxc4 Bg7 21. Nxf7 Nf5 22. Ne5 Red8 +=;

19. Re2 19. -- Bg7 20. Ne5 dxc4 21. bxc4 Nf5 (or 21. -- Nc6 22. Rfe1 Nxe5 23. fxe5) 22. Qh3 Rcd8

18. Rf2 Ng6 19. Rc1 dxc4 20. f5 exf5 21. Bxf5 Bd6 22. Rxc4 Bxh2+ 23. Kh1 =)

17. -- fxe6 18. Qxe6+ Kh8 19. Bxh7

19. Qh3? would be a blunder: 19. -- g6 and now:

20. c4 d5

21. f5 Nxf5 22. Bxf5 gxf5 23. Rxf5 Re1+ 24. Kf2 Qe7-+
21. Nf3 dxc4 22. Ng5 h6 23. bxc4 Nf5 24. Bxf5 gxf5 25. Ne6 Qh7 26. Nxf8 Rxf8-+

20. Nf3 Nf5 21. Ng5 d5 22. g4 Nh6 23. c3 Qe7 24. Bb5 Bc6-+

19. -- Qc6

19. -- Kxh7 20. Qh3+ Kg8 21. Qe6+ is level.

20. Rf3 d5 21. Qf7 Qf6 22. Rh3

22. Qxf6? is a mistake because of 22. -- gxf6 23. Rh3 Kg7 24. Bd3 Kf7 when Black has a firm advantage.

22. -- Qxf7 23. Bg6+ Kg8 ½-½

Since he is a piece down, White forces a draw by perpetual check: 23. -- Kg8 24. Bh7+ Kh8 25. Bg6+ etc. A fine game by both players.

Sergei Tiviakov
Photo: British Chess Magazine

Mohamad al-Modiakhi vs. Sergei Tiviakov
International Open, Round 5
Amsterdam, July 2006

Scandanavian Defense (Pytel-Wade Variation)

1. e4 d5

The newly crowned Dutch champion is noted for his eccentric opening repitroire. The Scandanavian Defense is one of Tiviakov's specialties. Says he, "The reputation of the Scandanavian Defense is much worse than the positions arising from it."

Don't mess with success. Tiviakov is one of the hottest players around right now.

2. exd5 Qxd5 3. Nc3 Qd6 4. d4 Nf6 5. Nf3 a6!?

More common in this opening is 5. -- Bg4 6. h3 Bh5 7. Bc4 Nbd7 8. 0-0 0-0-0 9. Nb5 Qb6 10. Be3.

6. g3?!

The players seem intent on taking each other out of the Book. More common (and better than the text) is:

6. a4 Nc6 7. Ne2 e5 8. Bg5 Ne4 9. c3 Nxg5 10. Nxg5 Qd5
6. Be2 Bf5 7. 0-0 Nc6 8. Bd3 Bxd3 9. Qxd3 Nb4 10. Qe2 e6 11. Bg5
6. Bd3 Nc6 7. Ne4 Nxe4 8. Bxe4 e5 9. Bxc6+ Qxc6 10. 0-0 e4 11. Ne5

6. -- Bg4 7. Bg2 c6

If 7. -- Nc6 8. d5 Nb4 then:

9. Bf4 Qd7 10. d6 cxd6 11. 0-0

11. -- Qf5

12. a3 Nbd5 13. Nxd5 Nxd5 14. Bc1 and Black has an extra Pawn at the cost of retarded development
12. Nd4?! Bxd1 13. Nxf5 Bxc2 and Black, although lagging in development, has two extra Pawns

11. -- Rc8 12. a3 Nc6 13. Re1 e5 14. Bg5 gives Black a central Pawn mass supported by his pieces, but little else

9. 0-0 Nbxd5 10. Nxd5 Nxd5 11. h3 Bh5 12. c4 Nb4 13. Bf4 and Black has an extra Pawn, but would do well to give it back in order to develop his Bishop and castle his King

8. Bf4 Qd8

If 8. -- Qb4:

9. Qd3 Bxf3 10. Bxf3 e6 11. 0-0-0

11. -- Qa5 12. h3 Nbd7 13. Rhe1 0-0-0 =+
11. -- Nbd7 12. Bc7 Rc8 13. a3 Qe7 14. Bf4 +=

9. Rb1 Nbd7 10. a3 Qa5 11. h3 Bh5 12. 0-0 0-0-0 13. b4 Qf5 =+

9. h3 Bxf3 10. Qxf3?!

Black wins a Pawn, a factor that will weigh heavily on the game.

Better is 10. Bxf3 e6 11. 0-0 and:

11 -- Nbd7 12. Re1 Bb4 13. a3 Be7 14. Ne2 Qb6 15. b4 Qb5 and White has a slightly better center
11. -- Be7?! is dubious: 12. Ne2 Nd5 13. Be5 Qb6 14. Bxg7 Rg8 15. Be5 Nd7 16. c4 and White is very strong in the center

10. -- Qxd4 11. 0-0 e6 12. Rad1 Qb6 13. Na4

If 13. Bd6 then 13. -- Bxd6 14. Rxd6 Nbd7

15. b3 0-0-0 16. Rfd1 Ne5 17. Rxd8+ Rxd8 18. Rxd8+ Qxd8 and Black has an extra Pawn and command of the center and the d-fiel
15. Rfd1 0-0-0 16. a3 Ne5 17. Qe2 Rxd6 18. Rxd6 Qc5 19. Rd1 and Black has an extra Pawn and more centralized pieces
15. Na4 Qc7 16. Rdd1 Rd8 17. Rfe1 0-0 and Black has an extra Pawn and superior Knights

13. -- Qb5 14. b3 Nbd7 15. c4 Qa5

If 15. -- Qf5 then:

16. Rd3? is a blunder: 16. -- Be7 17. Rfd1 e5 18. Bf1

18. -- e4 19. Qe2 exd3 20. Rxd3 and Black's active pieces will be well posted for attack after 20. -- Kf8 21. Bg2 Re8
18. -- exf4 (winning a piece) 19. gxf4 0-0-0 20. Bg2 Nc5 21. Nxc5 Bxc5 and after the exchange of Rooks, White can resign with a clear conscience

16. Qe3 (a much better move) 16. -- Bb4 17. Rd3 Nc5 18. Nxc5 Bxc5 19. Qd2 Bb4 20. Qxb4 Qxd3 and White has two minor pieces for a Pawn and a Rook

16. g4 h6

If 16. -- Bb4 then:

17. Rd3 e5 18. Bc1 0-0-0

19. Rdd1 h6 20. a3 Be7 21. Rfe1 g5 and the game is level; Black badly needs to reactivate his Queen in this position
19. Qe3 e4 20. Rd4 Ne5 21. Bxe4 Nxe4 22. Rxe4 Nd3 and White is slightly better for his control of the e-file

17. Bc1 0-0-0 18. g5 Ne5 19. Qe2 Nfd7 and both side have chances, but Black is a better in the center

17. Qg3

If 17. Rd3 0-0-0 then:

18. Be3

18. -- Be7

19. Qe2 19. -- Nc5 20. Nxc5 Bxc5 21. Bxc5 Qxc5 22. Rfd1 and Black's advatage will increase as heavy pieces are exchanged in the d-file
19. Qg3 Nc5 20. Bxc5 Bxc5 21. Nxc5 Qxc5 22. Rfd1 and the Rooks will be exchanged in the open file, augmenting the value of Black's extra Pawn

18. -- h5?! 19. g5 Ne5 20. Rxd8+ Qxd8 21. Qe2 Nfd7 22. f4 and a level position

18. Rfd1? Bb4 19. Qe2 g5 20. Be3 e5 21. Qb2 h5 22. a3 Be7 and Black has more mobile pieces and should look even better after playing -- Qc7

17. -- Rc8

If 17. -- 0-0-0 then:

18. Bc1 Be7

19. Bd2 Bb4 20. Bxb4 Qxb4 21. f4 g5 22. fxg5 hxg5 and Black has a slight advantage in that he can now operate on the h-file
19. Bb2 g5 20. Bc3 Bb4 21. Bxb4 Qxb4 22. f4 and the value of Black's extra Pawn incrases as pieces disappear

18. Be3 Bb4 19. Ba7 e5 20. Qe3 Rhe8 21. Nb6+ Kc7 22. Na4 and Black's Queen and Bishop menace White's Queenside Pawns

18. Qe3 Ra8

If 18. -- g5 then:

19. Bg3 h5 20. Qa7 Qb4 21. Rd3 hxg4 22. hxg4

22. -- Bc5 23. Nxc5 Nxc5 24. Bd6 and White's Queenside attack is not as impressive as it looks since his peices aren't well coordinated
22. -- e5 23. Ra1 Bg7 and White begins to challenge Black for control of open lines

19. Bd6 Bxd6 20. Rxd6 h5 21. Rfd1 hxg4 22. hxg4 Rh4 23. f3 and White's pressure in the d-file gives him some compensation for the Pawn

19. Qg3

If 19. Bd6 Bxd6 20. Rxd6 then:

20. -- Qc7 21. Rfd1 Rc8

22. Qd2 h5 23. g5 Nd5 24. Rxd7 Kxd7 25. cxd5 exd5 and White has real chances
22. Qd4 c5 23. Qd2 Rb8 24. Qd3 and White's pressure is crippling Black's chances of exploiting his Pawn plus

20. -- Rd8 21. Rfd1 Qc7 22. Nc5 Rg8 23. a3 Ke7 and White's d-file pressure has leveld the game

These variations shpw the danger to Black of allowing White to put pressure on the d-file.

19. -- Be7 20. Bc7

The game is effectively level after 20. Rd3 e5 21. Bd2 Qc7 22. Bc3 0-0 23. Nb2 Rad8 24. Rfd1 Nh7 25. b4 Ng5.

20. -- Qb4

If 20. -- Qg5 21. f4 Qg6 22. Rfe1 Qc2 23. f5 then

23. -- Qxa2 24. Qe3

23. -- 0-0 25. fxe6 fxe6 and Black maintains his Pawn plus and his Queen will be able to leave White's second rank when necessary
24. -- Rf8? 25. Rd2 and the embarrassing position of Black's Queen give White some winning chances

23. -- 0-0 24. fxe6 fxe6 25. Qe3 Bb4 and the game is level in every respect and likely headed for a draw

21. Rd4 0-0 22. Rfd1

If 22. Rdd1 Rac8 23. Rfe1 then:

23. Ne8

24. Bf4 Rd8

25. Re2 Ndf6

26. Rxd8 Bxd8 27. Nb2 Qe7 and Black's pieces will unfold toward the center and give him a strong advantage
26. Red2 Rxd2 27. Bxd2 and Black will take some initiative by attacking the White Queen with the Bishop on the open diagonal

25. Bd2 Qa3 26. Ba5 Bd6 27. Qc3 Rb8 =+

24. Be5? Nxe5 25. Qxe5 Nf6 26. g5 hxg5 27. Qxg5 -+

23. -- Ne823. -- Rfe8 24. Re2 e5 25. Bxe5 Nxe5 26. Rxe5 Rcd8 27. Rde1 Bd6 =

22. -- Nc5

If 22. -- Rae8 23. Rxd7! Nxd7 24. Rxd7 Qe1+ 25. Kh2

25. -- b5 26. Nc3 Bb4 27. Rd3 Rc8 28. Bd6 and White now has some possibilities of operating with effect in Black's camp
25. -- Ba3 26. Bf3 Qb1 27. g5 hxg5 28. Qxg5 and White may be able to exchange Queens and pick up a Pawn after 28. -- Qg6 29. Qxg6 fxg6

23. Nb6 Rae8 24. f4?

After thes, Black's advantage inceases.

If 24. Qe5 then:

24. -- Nh7

25. Nd7 Nxd7 26. Rxd7 Nf6

27. R7d2 Rc8 28. Bd6 Bxd6 29. Rxd6 and White's pressure on the d-file continues to be his saving grace
27. R7d4 Qa3 28. Qe2 b5 29. R4d2 and White's pieces begin to pressure points in Black's camp

25. R4d2 Bg5 26. f4 Bf6 27. Qe3 Be7 28. Kh1 and White's control of the d-file give him a playable game

24. -- Qc3 25. Qe2 Qb4 26. Qd2 Qxd2 27. R1xd2 e5 28. Bxe5 Bd8 29. Na4 Nxa4 30. bxa4 and it is difficult to find an aggressive continuation for Black

In these variations, Black is no better than he has been for many moves, unable to exploit his material plus or to give it back for any other advantage.

24. -- Nce4 25. Bxe4

If 25. Rxe4 then:

25. -- Bc5+

26. Re3 Bxb6

27. Bxb6 27. -- Qxb6 28. Rde1 Rd8

27. Bd6 Bxe3+ 28. Qxe3 Nd5

29. Qe4 Qxd6 30. cxd5 f5
29. cxd5 Qxd6
29. Bxb4 Nxe3 30. Rb1 Nxg2 31. Kxg2

26. Kh1 Nxe4 27. Bxe4 Bxb6 28. Bd6 Qa5 29. Bxf8 Rxf8 30. Bb1 Rd8

25. -- Nxe4?! 26. Bxe4 Bc5+ 27. Kh1 Bxb6 28. Bd6 Qa5 29. a4 e5 30. Bxf8 Rxf8 31. fxe5 Rd8

25. -- Bc5!

If 25. -- c5 26. g5 then:

26. -- Nh5 27. Qf3

27. -- cxd4 28. Nd7

28. -- g6 29. gxh6

29. -- Bd6 30. Bxd6 Qxd6 31. Nxf8 Rxf8
29. -- Qc3 30. Nxf8 Bxf8 31. h7+ Kg7 32. Bd3 Be7 33. Be5

28. -- Rc8 29. Nxf8 Rxc7 30. Nxe6 fxe6 31. Qxh5

27. -- Nxf4 28. Rd7 hxg5 29. Bxf4 gxf4 30. Rxb7 Qa5 31. Nd7

26. -- cxd4 27. gxf6 Bxf6 28. Nd7

26. a3

This move further deteriorates White's game, but it was almost lost any way. Two variations show that White only would have lost more slowly:

26. Qe3

26. -- Bxb6 27. Bxb6 Qxb6

28. a4 Qc5

29. Bf3 e5

30. fxe5 Rxe5 31. Qc3 Ne4 and Black has better piece activity

30. R4d3 Qxe3+ 31. Rxe3 exf4 and Balck is up by two Pawns

29. Re1 Nxe4 30. Rxe4 Qxe3+ 31. R4xe3 Rd8 and Black's Pawn plus will dominate the endgame

28. Bg2 e5 29. fxe5 Qc5 30. Re1 Re7 31. Rd6 Qxe3+ 32. Rxe3 Rfe8 and the pin on the e-file has White tied up

26. -- Qa5 27. a3 Bxb6 28. Bxb6 Qxb6 29. Bg2 e5 30. fxe5 Qc5 31. b4 Qxe5 -/+

26. Bf3 Rd8 27. Bxd8 Rxd8 28. Nd5 exd5 29. Qf2 Qc3 30. R1d3 Bxd4 31. Qxd4 Qe1+ -/+

26. -- Qxa3 27. Bc2

These variations show how hopeless the situation is for White:

27. Bf3 Qxb3

28. Kh1 Bxb6 29. R1d3 Qb4

30. Bd6 Bc5 31. Bxf8 Kxf8 32. Rd8 Qxc4 -+
30. Bxb6 Qxb6 31. g5 hxg5 32. fxg5 Nh7 -+

28. Kg2 Bxb6 29. R4d3 Qb4 30. Bxb6 Qxb6 31. g5 hxg5 32. fxg5 Nh7 -+

27. Kh1 Bxd4 28. Rxd4

28. -- c5

29. Bh7+ Kxh7 30. Rd1 Ne4 31. Qf3 f5 32. Nd7 Rf7 -+
29. Bd6 Qa1+ 30. Qg1 Qxg1+ 31. Kxg1 cxd4-+) 29. --

28. -- Qc1+ 29. Qg1 Qxg1+ 30. Kxg1 c5 31. Rd3 Nxe4 -+

27. -- Rd8 28. Bxd8 Rxd8 29. Kg2 Rxd4 30. 0-1

After 30. Rxd4 Bxd4 31. Nc8 g5 32. fxg5 Qc1 33. Bd3 hxg5 34. Bf1 Qd2+, White must surrender material or submit to checkmate. Modiakhi resigns.

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MaryBear

(1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore

Mon Jul-24-06 07:46 AM
Response to Original message

3. Nice image choice, Jack.

Alice, the red queen, and, somewhere... the rabbit!

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DU AdBot (1000+ posts)

Tue May 07th 2024, 01:37 PM
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