The Jack Rabbit Chess Report for August 13: Open Tournament Season

[Jack Rabbit]

The Jack Rabbit Chess Report
for the week ending August 13



For a treat, click on "my card"


Contents

Post 1: News for the week
Post 2: Viewing Diagrams on the Jack Rabbit Chess Report

Games from Current and Recent Events

Post 3: Sparkassen Chess Meeting, Dortmund
Post 4: North Urals Cup, Krasnoturyinsk, Sverdlovsk]
Post 5: Radjabov-Bruzón (Biel) and Acs-Harikrishna (Hungary)


Mr. Paladin's card from Thrilling Detective
Wave file from HGWT.com

[Jack Rabbit]

1. News for the week ending August 13

Krasenkow wins Zeeland Open

Polish grandmaster Michal Krasenkow won the Zeeland Open in the Dutch town of Vlissingen yesterday with a remarkable score of 8 points in 9 games.



Michal Krasenkow
Photo: ChessBase.com

Krasnekow won seven games and drew two without a loss. However, he did not clinch the tournament championship until the last round, when he defeated the tournament's top seed, Mikhail Gurevich, originally Soviet but now residing in and playing for Turkey, in only 22 moves.

Three participants, grandmaster Vyacheslav Ikannikov of Russia and Dutch grandmasters Friso Nijboer and Erwin L'Ami, finished tied for second with 7½ points, usually more than enough to win a nine-round Swiss system tournament of this strength.

Dutch national champion Sergei Tiviakov, who has been on a hot streak since late spring, took the week off.

There were over 240 competitors in the event.


Gelfand, Navara draw four-game match in Prague; Jackova defeats Hort

In two short matches held simultaneously in Prague last week, Israeli grandmaster Boris Gelfand and David Navara of the Czech Republic fought to a 2-2 draw while the lead Czech woman player, Jana Jackova, defeated old timer Vlastimil Hort, 2½-1½.



Boris Gelfand and David Navara
Photos: Canal-h.net (Spain), Ajedrez21 (Spain, page no longer available)

Both Gelfand and Navara are among the world's elite grandmasters. Each won a game as Black while two games were drawn.



Jana Jackova and Vlastimil Hort
Photos: ChessBase.com, Ultra Schach (Germany)

Ms. Jackova, an international master, won the first two games of the match and drew the third while Hort won the final game. Hort, 62, was among the world's leading players thirty to forty years ago. In 1977, he played and lost to former world champion Boris Spassky in a quarter-final candidates' match in the world championship cycle. Hort won the Czechoslovakian national championship six times.


Hebden and Pert lead British Championship



Grandmasters Mark Hebden and Nicholas Pert lead the annual British National Championship tournament in Swansea, Wales after six rounds with 5 points each.

Both have chalked up four wins and two draws.

Grandmaster Danny Gormally and international masters Stewart Halsinger and Simon Williams are tied for third place with 4½ points each while several players, including defending champion Jonathan Rowson, trial with 4 points.

Ketevan Arakhamia-Grant, a native of the Caucasus state of Georgia who now resides with in Edinburgh her husband, Scottish champion Jonathan Grant, leads all women participating in the event with 3½ points.

The players have a rest day tomorrow and resume competition Monday. The tournament concludes Friday after the eleventh round.

The top eight games of each day are broadcast live beginning at 14:15 British Standand Time (6:15 am PDT) on the website of the English Chess Federation.


Yury Shulman leads US Open in Chicago: final round today



Yury Shulman, a native of Belarus and now a resident of Chicago, is alone in first place with 7½ points out of 8 rounds in the US Open in Chicago.

The tournament's final round is to be played today.

The eighth round began with Shulman tied with Alex Shabalov of Pennsylvania and New Jersey's Joel Benjamin with 6½ point each. Benjamin lost to New York grandmaster Emilio Cordova while Shulman defeated Shabalov.

Cordova, John Fedorowicz of New York and Californian Michael Aigner are tied for second with 7 points each.

The principal games of the final round will be broadcast today at 3 pm CDT (1 pm PDT) on the MonRoi Chess Bata Bank.


Three share lead in Montreal International Tournament

Young Russian grandmaster Artyom Timofeev, Ukrainian Pavel Eljanov and Emil Sutkovsky of Israel lead a category 15 international tournament in Montreal with 3 points out of five rounds.

All three players have won 2 games and drawn 3.

Some leading American players not participating in the US Open in Chicago are in Montreal, including US national champion Alex Onischuk. Other Yanks in the event are Ildar Ibragimov and former Soviet refusnik Boris Gulko, who has the disction of being the only person ever to be the champion of both the Soviet Union (1977) and the United State (1994 and 1999).

Pascal Charbonneau, who scored a stunning upset vicotry over India's Vishy Anand in the Torino Olympiad in June, is the only Canadian in the event.

A category 9 tournament is taking place simultaneously to the main event. That event is now lead by grandmastersTomas Likavsky of Slovakia (3 wins) and Aleander Huzman of Israel (2 wins) and Canadian IM Tomas Krnan of Onatrio (2 wins), each with 3½ points in five rounds.



Boris Gulko and Irina Krush
Photos: Bidmonfa, Bidmonfa

The category 9 event is designed to give some lower-ranked played players an opportunity to earn norms for higher titles. To only Yank in the category 9 event is international master Irina Krush of New York, who is among America's leading women players. Five Canadians, none of who are grandmasters, are also participating in the event, including Thomas Roussel-Roozmon and Eric Lawson of Quebec and Tomas Krnan of Ontario.

Both events are single round robin among ten competitors and will conclude on Wednesday.

All games of both events are broadcast live by MonRoi beginning at 5:30 pm EDT (2:30 pm PDT) except on Wednesday when the games begin at 2 pm EDT (11 am PDT).

[Jack Rabbit]

6. Update: Shulman wins US open

Just about one minute ago, US national master Michael Aigner and grandmaster John Fedorowicz agreed to a draw after 63 moves in their last round game of the US open in Chicago.

This leaves both Fedorowicz and Aigner with 7½ points out of nine rounds. They tie for second place with a slough of others.

The winner of the tournament is Yury Shulman, originally from Belarus and now a resident of Chicago, who scored an impressive 8 points in nine rounds.

Shulman drew his game earlier against 15-year-old international master Emilio Córdova of Peru in 18 moves. Young Córdova also finishes with 7½ points.

[Jack Rabbit]

2. Features on the JR Chess Report

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White to move
This position is a theoretical draw

Does this picture make sense to you? If not, please click here.

Diagrams used in the Jack Rabbit Chess Report are made with Chess Merida, a true type font that is available as freeware at the above site.



Also, beginning this week, the JR chess report will make the main variation in annotations more distinct by putting it in red. A secondary variation, if be in blue and other colors used if needed.

[Jack Rabbit]

3. Sparkassen Chess Meeting, Dortmund

Peter Svidler

Photo: the website of Peter Svidler

Baadur Jobava vs. Peter Svidler
Sparkassen Chess Meeting, Round 1
Dortmund, July 2006

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

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. Bg5

Other lines of this opening include:

• Exchange Variation: 4. cxd5 Nxd5 5. e4 Nxc3 6. bxc3
• 4. Nf3:
  • 4. -- Bg7
  • Russian Variation: 5. Qb3 dxc4 6. Qxc4 0-0 7. a4
  • Grünfeld Gambit: 5. Bf4 c5 6. dxc5 Qa5 7. cxd5 Nxd5 8. Qxd5 Bxc3+ 9. Bd2 Be6 10. Qxb7 Bxd2+ 11. Nxd2
  • 4. -- c6 tranforms into a well-known line of the Queen's Gambit: Slav Defense after 5. e3 Bg7 6. Bd3; this is sometimes called the Slav-Grünfeld
• 4. Bf4 Bg7 5. e3 c5 6. dxc5 Qa5 then:
  • 7. Rc1 Ne4 8. cxd5 Nxc3 9. Qd2 Qxa2 10. bxc3
  • 7. Qa4+ Qxa4 8. Nxa4 Ne4 9. cxd5 Bd7 10. Bd3 Bxa4 11. Bxe4 Nd7 12. Ne2 Nxc5

4. -- Ne4 5. Bh4 Nxc3 6. bxc3 dxc4 7. e3 Qd5

If 7. -- Be6 then:

• 8. Rb1 b6
• 9. Nf3 Bg7 10. Nd2
• 10. -- 0-0 11. Qf3 Bd5 12. e4 Bb7 13. Bxc4
• 13. -- c5 14. d5 Nd7 with equality
• 13. -- Nd7 14. 0-0 c5 and a balanced game
• 10. -- c6 11. Qf3 0-0 12. Bxc4 Bxc4 13. Nxc4 Qd5 14. Nd2 e5 15. Qxd5 cxd5 and a level game
• 9. Bg3 c6 10. Be5 f6 11. Bxb8 Rxb8 12. e4 gives Black a distinct plus in development
• 8. Qb1 Qd5 9. e4 Qa5 10. Ne2 Bc8 11. a3 Nc6 12. Qb2 Bg7 13. Rd1 h6 14. f4 Nd8 gives White a slight advantage in space

8. Be2 Bg7 9. Nf3 Nd7 10. 0-0

The equalibrium is maintained by 10. Qa4 c6 11. Qb4 Qd6 12. Qxc4 Nb6 13. Qb3 Bf5 14. Bg3.

10. -- Nb6 11. a4 a5

As things stand, the position is equal and is likely to remain so for a while.

If 11. -- Qa5 12. Qc1 Bf5 13. Qa3 then:

• 13. -- f6 14. Bg3 e5 15. dxe5 fxe5 and the position is balanced
• 13. -- Bf6 14. Bxf6 exf6 15. Qa2 Be6 16. Rfb1 with an equal game

12. Nd2 Qc6

And now:

• If 12. -- Be6 13. Bg3 Qd7 14. Bf3 then:
  • 14. -- Bd5:
    • if 15. e4?! Bc6 16. Bg4 e6 then:
      • 17. Qe2 Nxa4 18. Qxc4 Bb5! and the tactical stroke give Black a clear advantage
      • 17. Ra3 h5 18. Bf3 h4 19. Bf4 e5 20. Bxe5 Bxe5 21. dxe5 and Black's spatial advantage is clear
    • else if 15. Bxd5 15. -- Nxd5 16. Nxc4 Nxc3 17. Qc2 Nd5 18. Ne5 Bxe5 19. Bxe5 and while Fritz says the position is equal, White's last move provokes a weakness on Black's kingside
  • else if 14. -- Rd8 then 15. Ne4 Nd5 16. Nc5 Qc6 17. Nxe6 Qxe6 18. Qc2 and an equal game
• or if 12. -- e5 then 13. dxe5 Be6 14. f4 Qc5 15. Bf2 Rd8 16. e4 Qc6 17. Bh4 Rd7 and White has a small plus in space

13. Qc2 e5 14. Bf3 Qe6 15. Ne4

After 15. Bg3 0-0 16. Bxe5 Bxe5 17. dxe5 Qxe5 18. Rfd1 Rd8 19. Qb2 Black's well-placed Queen give him a small plus.

15. -- 0-0 16. Nc5 Qe8

If 16. -- Qd6 then:

• 17. Nxb7 Bxb7 18. Bxb7 Rab8 19. Bf3 c5 20. Bg3 cxd4 21. cxd4 f5 22. dxe5 Bxe5 and White has a small plus in piece activity
• 17. Bxb7 transforms into the text after 17. -- Bxb7 18. Nxb7 Qc6

17. Bxb7 Bxb7 18. Nxb7 Qc6 19. Nc5 Rfe8

19. -- f5 20. Rab1 f4 21. Rb5 fxe3 22. fxe3 Rxf1+ 23. Kxf1 Rf8+ 24. Kg1 exd4 25. exd4 is equal.

20. Rab1 Nc8 21. Nb7 Nb6 22. Nc5 Nc8 23. Rfd1

If 23. f4 exd4 24. exd4 Bf8 25. Bf2 Nb6 26. Rb5 then:

• 26. -- Bxc5 27. Rxc5 Qxa4 28. Qxa4 Nxa4 29. Rxc4 Nb6 and an even game
• 26. -- Nd5 27. g3 and White's space advantage is balanced by Black's control of the e-file

23. -- Nd6 24. Bg3 h5

If 24. -- h6 25. Rb2 Rab8 then:

• 26. Rxb8 26. -- Rxb8 27. Bxe5 Bxe5 28. dxe5 Qxc5 29. exd6 cxd6 with an equal game
• 26. Rdb1? is a mistake as it allows Black a strong initiative and an advanced passed pawn: 26. -- Rxb2 27. Rxb2 exd4 28. cxd4 Bxd4 then:
  • 29. Nd3 Qe4 30. Ne1 Bxb2
  • 29. Bxd6 Bxb2 30. Bf4 Bg7 31. Qxc4 eliminates the pawn, but that doesn't help as 31. -- Rd8 32. h3 Rd5 wins a piece

25. Qb2 Bf6 26. h3

The equalibrium continues with 26. Qa3 Rad8 27. d5 Qa8 28. h3 c6 29. e4.

26. -- Re7

26. -- Rad8 27. Re1 Bg7 28. Qc2 Nf5 29. Bh2 Rb8 30. Rxb8 Rxb8 31. Rb1 Rb6 is also level.

27. Qa3 Nf5 28. d5 Qd6 29. Bh2 Ree8 30. e4 Ng7 31. Rd4

The alternative plan to strike in the b-file with 31. Rb5? would be an error: 31. -- c6 32. Rb6 Rac8 33. Rb7 then:

• 33. -- Rcd8 34. Rd4 Rb8 35. Qb2 Qxc5 36. Rxb8 exd4 37. d6 d3 and Black's protected passed pawn gives him a winning game
• 33. -- Be7 34. Qc1 Qxc5 35. Bxe5 Qa3 36. Qxa3 Bxa3 37. f4 cxd5 and Black controls the vital focal points e6, d4 and if White plays 38. exd5, then f5 and d6 as well; for example: 38. exd5 Nf5 39. d6 Nxd6 40. Rxd6 Bxd6 41. Bxd6 Re2

31. -- Rab8 32. Ra1 Be7 33. Rxc4 c6 34. Qa2 cxd5 35. Rd1

If 35. Rd4 Qxc5 36. Rxd5 Qc6 37. Bxe5 Rbc8 38. Rad1 Ne6 then:

• 39. f3 Nc5 40. R1d4 Ne6 gives black a strong initiative to neutralize the Rooks in the d-file
• 39. Qa1 Nc5 40. c4 Qxa4 41. Qxa4 Nxa4 42. Rxa5 Rxc4 43. Ra1 Nb6 and Black is poised to focus on the White King with decisive results

35. -- Qb6 36. Nd7 Qb7 37. Bxe5

If 37. Nxb8 then:

• 37. -- dxc4 38. Bxe5 Qxe4 39. Nd7 Qc6
• 40. Bxg7 Kxg7 41. Ne5 Qf6 and Black has a slight advantage in terms of initiative, but after 42. Nxc4 Qxc3 43. Qe2 Rd8 White has sufficient defensive resources
• 40. Qc2 Nf5 41. Bf4 Nh4 42. f3 Nxf3+ 43. gxf3 Qxf3 44. Qd2 Qxh3 and Black has the initiative, but White's position is solid; White should equalize with correct play
• 37. -- Rxb8? 38. exd5 Bd6 39. Rc6 Qd7 40. c4 and White connected passed pawns give him a tremendous advantage

37. -- dxc4 38. Bxb8 Rxb8

The text is better than 38. -- Rd8 39. Qd2 Rxb8 40. Nxb8 Qxb8 41. Qa2, althoungh neither side has a strong advantage either way.

39. Nxb8 Qxb8 40. Qxc4 Ne6

40. -- Bf6 41. g3 Qb2 42. Rd3 Ne6 43. Kg2 h4 44. Rf3 Kg7 is level.

41. Qb5 Qf4 42. Qe8+

If 42. Qxa5 Qxe4 then:

• 43. Qd5! Qxa4 44. Qd7 Qb3 45. c4 Kf8 46. Qd3 Qxd3 47. Rxd3 and White should be able to hold
li]43. Kh2? Bd6+ 44. Kh1 Nf4 45. f3 Qc2 and Black's mating threat on g2 gives him a strong if not a winning edge

42. -- Bf8 43. Rd7 h4

If 43. -- Ng7 then:

• if 44. Qa8 Qc1+ 45. Kh2 Qxc3 46. Rd5 Qf6 47. f3 with a probable draw as the outcome (if Black desires, he can now force a draw by repitition with checks on f4 and c1)
• else if 44. Qd8? then Black wins with 44. -- Qc1+ and:
  • 45. Rd1 45. -- Qxc3 46. Qd3 Qb4 47. Qc2 Ne6 theatening Nc5 winning a pawn
  • 45. Kh2 Qxc3 46. Rd4 Ne6 winning a piece

44. Ra7 Ng7

Black: Peter Svidler
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White: Baadur Jobava
Position after Black's 44th move

Can't see the diagram? Please click here.

45. Qd8?

This move loses at least a pawn without compensation.

Correct is 45. Qc6; the game is level after 45. -- Qc1+ 46. Kh2 Qf4+ and if Black desires, he can force a draw by perpetual check on f4 and c1. There may be little better.

As it stands now, Black is winning.

45. -- Qxe4 46. Qd1 Qe5

Black also wins with 46. -- Ne6 47. Rxa5 Nf4 48. f3 Qe3+ 49. Kh2 Nd3 then:

• 50. Ra8 Kg7 51. Rxf8 Kxf8 Black's plan to win would involve checking on e5 and, depending on White's response, either sacrificing the Knight for the three kingside pawns or simply eliminating the queenside pawns and remaining a piece up.
• 50. Qb1 Bd6+ 51. Kh1 Nf2+ 53. Kg1 Nd1+ 53. Kf1 Qf2#

47. Qd2 Nf5 48. Kf1

No better is 48. Ra8 Kg7 49. Kf1 Be7 50. Qe1 Qd5 51. Rc8 Qb3 52. c4 Qxa4 53. Rc7 Bf6

48. -- Kg7 49. Qd3

49. Qd7 Nd6 50. Rc7 Qd5 51. Kg1 Qd2 52. g3 Qe1+ 53. Kg2 hxg3 54. fxg3 Qe2+ 55. Kg1 Qf3 and Black have an effective attack by bringing in his minor pieces.

49. -- Qf4 50. Qf3 Qc4+ 51. Ke1

If 51. Qe2 then Black nets another pawn with 51. -- Qxc3 52. Rd7 Bd6 53. Qd1 Qf6 54. Kg1 Qe5 55. Rd8 Qh2+ -+

51. -- Nd4 52. Qd1

Black wins a piece after52. Rxf7+ Qxf7 53. Qxf7+ Kxf7

52. -- Qxc3+ 53. Kf1

53. Qd2 allows Qa1+ 54. Qd1 Bb4+ 55. Kf1 Qxd1#.

53. -- Bc5 54. Rc7

If 54. Ra8 Nb3 55. Kg1 Qf6 56. Qe1 Qf4 57. Rc8 Kh6 58. Re8 Bb6 59. Re7 Nc5 then White last queenside pawn soon falls without compensation.

54. -- Ne6 55. Rb7 Nf4 56. Kg1 Bxf2+ 57. 0-1

57. Kh1 Nh5 58. Rd7 Ng3+ 59. Kh2 Nf5 60. Rd3 Qe5+ 61. Kh1 Ng3+ 62. Rxg3 Bxg3 leaves Black a piece ahead.

57. Kxf2 Qg3+ 58. Kf1 Qxg2+ 59. Ke1 Qg3+ 60. Kf1 Qxh3+ 61. Kf2 Qg3+ 62. Kf1 Qg2+ wins the Rook. Jobava resigns.





Vladimir Kramnik
Photo: the website of Vladimir Kramnik

Vladimir Kramnik vs. Peter Leko
Sparkassen Chess Meeting, Round 7
Dortmund, August 2006

East India Game: Nimzo-Indian Defense

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Qc2 0-0 5. a3 Bxc3+ 6. Qxc3 b6 7. Bg5 Bb7 8. f3 h6 9. Bh4 d5

Also playable is 9. -- c5 10. dxc5 bxc5 11. e3 and now:

• 11. -- Qe7 12. e4 d6 13. Bxf6 gxf6 and a mutually good game
• 11. -- d6 12. Rd1 Qe7 13. Bxf6 gxf6 14. e4 Rd8 with equality
• 11. -- d5 12. cxd5 Nxd5 13. Bxd8 Nxc3 14. Be7 Re8 15. Bxc5 and White has won a pawn

10. e3 Nbd7 11. cxd5 Nxd5

11. -- exd5 12. Bd3 Re8 13. Bf5 c6 14. Bxd7 Qxd7 15. Bg3 Qe6 and Black has superior development.

12. Bxd8 Nxc3 13. Bh4 Nd5 14. Bf2

14. e4 Ne3 15. Kd2 Nxf1+ 16. Rxf1 c5 17. Ne2 f5 18. exf5 Rxf5 19. Rc1 is level.

14. -- c5 15. e4

If 15. Bb5 Rfd8 16. e4 Nf4 17. g3 a6 then the equalibrium is maintained by:

• 18. Bc4 Ng6 19. Rd1 cxd4 20. Bxd4 Rac8
• 18. Bf1 Nh5 19. Rc1 Rac8 20. Ne2 Nhf6

15. -- Ne7 16. Ne2

If 16. Bd3!? Rfd8 then the following results in equality:

• 17. Rd1 cxd4 18. Bxd4 Nc6 19. Bc3 Nc5 20. Bc2 Rxd1+ 21. Bxd1
• 17. Bc2 Rac8 18. Rc1 cxd4 19. Bxd4 Nc5 20. Bc3 a6 21. Ne2

16. -- Rac8 17. Nc3 cxd4 18. Bxd4 Nc5

18. -- a6 19. Rd1 Rfd8 20. Be2 Nc6 21. Bf2 Kf8 22. f4 Ke7 23. Rf1 Na5 is even.

19. Rd1 Rfd8 20. Be3

If 20. Bb5 a6 21. Be2 Nc6 22. Be3 then:

• 22. -- Rxd1+ 23. Kxd1 Rd8+ 24. Kc1 a5 25. Rd1 Nb3+ 26. Kb1 and Black has some initiative, but White's position is solid
• 22. -- Ne5 23. Kf2 a5 24. Rxd8+ Rxd8 25. Bxc5 bxc5 and the position is equal

20. -- Rxd1+ 21. Kxd1 e5 22. b4

22. Bc4 Nxe4 23. Bxf7+ Kxf7 24. fxe4 Ke6 25. Ke2 and there isn't much for either side.

22. -- Ne6 23. Kc2 Nc6

If 23. -- Nd4+ 24. Kd2 then the position is balanced after:

• 24. -- a5 25. b5 Rd8 26. Bd3 Ng6
• 24. -- Nb3+ 25. Kc2 Nd4+ 26. Kd2 Rd8 27. Bd3

24. Kb2 Kf8 25. Bc4

25. b5 Ncd4 26. Bd3 Nf4 27. Bxf4 exf4 28. Rd1 g5 29. Bb1 and White's pawn structure is better, but it is not a big advantage.

25. -- Ncd4 26. Bxe6 Nxe6 27. Nb5 Ra8 28. a4

If 28. Nd6 Rb8 29. Nxb7 Rxb7 then:

• 30. Rd1
• 30. -- f6 31. g3 Ng5 32. Bxg5 hxg5 and White has a slightly better pawn structure for the ending, but a draw is the likely result
• 30. -- Rc7 31. h4 Nf4 32. Rd2 and the position offer little to either side
• 30. Rc1 Rd7 31. Rc8+ Ke7 32. Kc3 Nf4 33. Bxf4 exf4 and the Rook and pawn ending doesn's promise much

28. -- Ba6 29. Na3 Rc8

If 29. -- Rd8 30. b5 then:

• 30. -- Bc8 31. Rc1:
  • if 31. -- f6? 32. Kb3:
  • if 32. -- h5 33. Kb4 then:
    • 33. -- Bb7 34. a5 bxa5+ 35. Kxa5 and any advantage is insignificant
    • 33. -- g5? 34. a5 bxa5+ 35. Kxa5 and White will soon take the a-pawn and begin marching the e-pawn up
  • else if 32. -- Bb7 then 33. Nc4 Nd4+ 34. Kb4 Ba8 and the position is level
  • else if 31. -- f5 then 32. exf5 Nf4 33. Bxf4 exf4 34. f6 gxf6 35. Rc4 snf White is in a good position to exploit Black's pawn weaknesses on the kingside
• else if 30. -- Bb7 then 31. Nc4 Nf4 32. g3 Nd3+ 33. Kc3 f5 34. Rd1 fxe4 35. fxe4 Bxe4 36. Nxe5 and White ejoys a slight initiative

30. b5 Bb7 31. Rc1 Rxc1 32. Kxc1

Black: Peter Leko
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White: Vladimir Kramnik
Position after White's 32nd move

32. -- Ke7?

This is the kind of passive play that loses chess games.

Correct is to attack White's kingside pawns with 32. -- Nf4 and now:

• 33. g3 Ng2 34. Bf2
• 34. -- f5! 35. Nc4 fxe4 36. fxe4 Bxe4 37. Nxe5 Ke7 and a position that offer little to either side
• 34. -- f6? would be bad: 35. Nc4 Bc8 36. a5 and now:
  • 36. -- bxa5 37. Bxa7 Ne1 and White's b-pawn will be escorted to Scone by the Bishop and Knight
  • 36. -- Bd7 37. axb6 axb6 38. Na3 g5 38. Kd2 and the Black Knight is imprisoned
• 33. Bxf4 exf4 34. Nc4 Ke7 and the game it level; the probable result from this position is a draw

33. a5 bxa5 34. Bxa7 f5

If 34. -- f6 35. Kb2 then:

• 35. -- Nf4 36. Nc4 Kd7
• 37. g3 Nd3+ 38. Kb3 Ne1 39. Nd2 g6 40. Ka4 and the a-pawn will fall; Black will be unlikely to get any counterplay on the kingside
• 37. g4 Nd3+ 38. Kb3 Ne1 39. Nd2 g6 40. Ka4 and the position is exactly like the main variation, except that White's g-pawn is at g3 instead of g4
• 37. Nxa5?! Kc8 38. g3 Nd3+ 39. Kc3 Ne1 40. Nxb7 Kxb7 41. Be3 Nxf3 and White's b-pawn gives him an edge, but it is far less likely to be converted to a victory than the other lines in this note
• 35. -- Nd4 36. Bxd4 exd4 37. Nc4 and White's plan will be to use his Knight to stop the d-pawn while the King eliminates the a-pawn and escorts the b-pawn to investiture

35. exf5 Nf4 36. g3 Nh3 37. Nc4 Ng5

If 37. -- Kf6 38. Nxa5 Bxf3 then:

• if 39. Bb6 Ng5 40. Bd8+ Kxf5 then:
  • if 41. b6 41. -- Ne6 42. b7 Bxb7 43. Nxb7 and White is a piece up
  • else if 41. Bxg5? is wrong; it is usually not a good idea to exchange Bishops in minor piece endings with pawns on both wings. If now 41. -- Kxg5 then:
    • 42. b6 Kg4 43. Kd2 Kh3 44. Ke3 Bd5 45. b7 Bxb7 46. Nxb7 Kxh2 47. Kf2 e4 and a likely draw
    • 42. Kd2 Kg4 43. Ke3 Bd5 44. Kf2 Kh3 45. Kg1 e4 and White has only a slight edge with his b-pawn
• else if 39. b6 39. -- Kxf5 40. Kd2 then:
  • 40. -- Ke6 41. Ke3 Bd5 42. b7 Bxb7 43. Nxb7 Kd5
  • 44. Bb8 Ng5 45. Nd6 and White has an extra piece
  • 44. Nc5 Nf4 45. gxf4 exf4+ 46. Kxf4 g6 47. Nd3 Kd6 48. Ne5 g5+ 49. Kf5 and White's pieces guraantee a win
  • 40. -- Bd5 41. b7 Bxb7 42. Nxb7 Ke6 43. Nc5+ Kd5 44. Ke3 Ng5 45. h4 and White has a huge plus with the extra Bishop

38. Nxa5 Bd5 39. b6 Nxf3

39. -- Kf6 40. f4 exf4 41. gxf4 Nf3 42. b7 Bxb7 43. Nxb7 Kxf5 44. Bb8 and White has an extra Bishop.

40. h3 Ng5 41. b7 Bxb7 42. Nxb7 Nxh3 43. Bb6

43. Bc5+ Kf6 44. Nd6 g6 45. fxg6 Kxg6 46. Kd2 Kf6 47. Ke3 Ke6 48. Ne8 Ng5 49. Bb4 Kf5 50. Nd6+ and the extra piece will be enough.

43. -- Kd7 44. Be3 Ke7

44. -- Kc6 45. Nd8+ Kd5 46. Kd2 Ke4 47. Ne6 Kxf5 48. Nxg7+ and another Black pawn in in jeopardy.

45. Nc5 g6 46. fxg6 Kf6 47. Bxh6 Kxg6 48. Be3 1-0

Both of these two men know the other could force checkmate against a lone King with a Bishop and a Knight in his sleep. Leko resigns.

[Jack Rabbit]

4. North Urals Cup, Krasnoturyinsk

Lilit Mkrtchian
Photo: ChessBase.de (Germany)

Lilit Mkrtchian vs. Tatiana Kostintseva
North Urals Cup, Round 8
Krasnoturyinsk, Sverdlovsk Oblask, Russia July 2006

Spanish Grand Royal Game: Clam Opening

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. d3

This move is deceptively quiet. It was ofen played by Steinitz in the late nineteenth century.

The usual move is 5. 0-0 and:

• 5. -- Be7
• 6. Re1
• 6. -- b5 7. Bb3
• 7. -- d6 8. c3 0-0
• Main Line: 9. h3
• Chigorin Defense: 9. -- Na5 10. Bc2 c5 11. d4
• Breyer Defense: 9. -- Nb8 10. d4 Nbd7
• Zaitsev Defense: 9. Bb7 10. d4 Re8 11. Nbd2 Bf8
• Karpov Defense: 9. -- Nd7 10. d4
• Smyslov Defense9. -- h6 10. d4
• Yates Opening: 9. d4 Bg4
• Marshall and anti-Marshall lines: 7. -- 0-0
• Marshall Gambit: 8. c3 d5 9. exd5 Nxd5 10. Nxe5 Nxe5 11. Rxe5
• Kasparov Variation: 8. a4 Bb7 9. d3 d6 10. Nc3
• Sofia Variation: 8. h3 Bb7 9. d3 f6
• 8. d4 transposes into the Yates Opening and 8. d3 into something akin to the present game
• Archangel Defense: 6. -- Bb7 7. c3 Nce4 8. d4
• Neo-Classical Defense (Møller Defense): 6. -- Bc5
• 7. c3 d6
• Neo-Classical/Archangel Hibred: 7. Re1 Bb7 8. c3 Hello
• Spanish Grand Royal Open Game (MacDonnell Variation): 6. d4 exd4
• Four Knights' Opening (Tarrasch Variation): 6. Nc3 b5 7. Bb3 d6 8. d3
• Gothic Raider Defense (Open Defense):5. -- Nxe4 6. d4 b5 7. Bb3 d5 8. dxe5 Be6

5. -- b5 6. Bb3 Bc5 7. Nc3 d6 8. Nd5 h6 9. c3?!

Thie weakens the d3 point and gives Black a some initiative over the next several moves. Better is 9. 0-0 Na5 10. Bd2 Nxb3 11. axb3 0-0 12. Re1 with an equal game.

9. -- Rb8 10. 0-0 0-0 11. Re1 Ba7 12. h3 Be6 13. d4 exd4 14. cxd4 Bxd5 15. exd5 Ne7 16. Nh4 Qd7?!

This move premits White's exchange sacrifice.

Better is 16. -- Re8 and now:

• 17. Qd3 Nexd5
• 18. Bd2 c6
• 19. Rxe8+ Qxe8 20. Re1 Qd7 and a position that offers chances to both sides
• 19. Rac1 Ne7 20. Qg3 Bxd4 21. Bxh6 Nfd5 and the position is unclear
• 18. Rxe8+ Qxe8 19. Bd2 Qe4 20. Qxe4 Nxe4 21. Bxd5 Nxd2 22. Rc1 Bb6 and Black is slightly better
• The exchange sacrifice fails: 17. Rxe7? Qxe7 18. Nf3 Qe4 and Black has a pawn in addition to the exchange.

17. Rxe7!

This move does more to create complications than opportunities. Nevertheless, White succeeds in taking the initiative.

17. -- Qxe7 18. Nf5 Qd7

If 18. -- Qd8 then:

• 19. Qf3 Kh8 20. Bc2 Rc8 21. Nxg7 Kxg7 22. Bxh6+ Kxh6 23. Qf4+ Kg7 24. Qg5+ Kh8 25. Qh6+ and a level game
• 19. Qd3? is bad because of 19. -- Kh8 20. Qg3 Rg8 21. Be3 Nh7 22. Re1 Qf6 23. Bc2 Rge8 give Black advantages in piece palcememt and pawn structure.

19. Bc2

If 19. Qf3 Kh8 20. Be3 then:

• 20. -- Qd8 21. Re1 Nh7 22. Bc2 Re8 23. b4 Ng5 24. Qg4 Qf6 and Black has an advantage in pawn structure as well as the exchange
• 20. -- Qe8? 21. Nxh6 Bxd4 22. Bxd4 Qe423. Qxe4 Nxe4 24. Nf5 and White now has two minor pieces against a Rook
• 20. -- Nh7? 21. Qg4 Ng5 22. Bxg5 hxg5 23. Bc2 g6 24. Qxg5 f6 25. Qxg6 and White's attack is menacing.

19. -- g6 20. Bxh6 Rfe8

If 20. -- gxf5 21. Qd2 Nh7 22. Qf4 Kh8 23. Bxf5

• 23. -- Qe7 24. Nxf8 25. b4 and White has only a pawn for a Knight
• 23. -- f6? 24. Bxd7 Rf7 25. Bf5 and White's threats will most likely convert to a win.

As a result of her exchange sacrifice on move 17, White has succeeded in bringing about an equal position.

21. Qf3 Rbc8 22. Qf4 Nh7

22. -- Nxd5? loses to 23. Qh4 f6 24. Qg3 Qh7 25. Bb3 c6 26. Rc1 Bc5 27. dxc5 give White a strong attack against Black's weakened King poistion.

23. Rd1?

It seems a waste of labor to give the rear member of isolated doubled pawns extra protection.

Better is 23. Rc1! Bb6 24. Bd3 Ra8 25. Ng7:

• 25. -- Re7 26. Ne5
• 26. -- Rae8 27. Nxe7+ and White has regained the exchange with a powerful attack
• 26. -- gxf5? 27. Qg3+ and mate at g7 cannot be prevented
• 25. -- Reb8 25. Re1 Kh8 27. Qh4 and White's assault on the King gives her a clear advantage.

23. -- Re2 24. Bd3 Rxb2 25. Qg4 Re8?

Black misses 25. -- Rd8! 26. Ra1 Bb6 27. Bc1 Rb4 28. Bf4 Bxd4 29. Re1 Bf6 and her material advantage may be converted to a win.

26. Bc1 Nf6

If 26. -- Rd2 27. Nh6+ then:

• 27. -- Kg7 28. Qxd7 Rxd1+ 29. Bf1
• 29. -- Rf8 30. Qxc7
• 30. -- Nf6 31. Ng4 Nxg4 32. hxg4 Bxd4 33. Qc2 and White wins the exchange after 33. -- Re1 34. Bxh6+! Kxh6 35. Qd2+.
• 30. -- Bxd4 31. Ng4 Re8 32. Bh6+ and wherever Black moves the King, White nets another pawn.
• 29. -- Rxc1 30. Qxe8 Rxf1+ 31. Kxf1 Kxh6 32. Qxf7 and Black haas probably resigned by now.
• 27. -- Kf8 28. Qxd7 Rxd1+ 29. Kh2 Re7 30. Qd8+ Re8 31. Qxc7 Re7 32. Qc8+ Re8 33. Qb7 Re7 34. Qa8+ Re8 35. Qxa7 and White has won

Black: Tatiana Kosintseva
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White: Lilit Mkrtchian
Position after Black's 26th move

27. Qh4!

Of course, White had to move the Queen. This particular move creates a double attack and nails down the victory.

27. -- Nxd5 28. Bxb2 gxf5 29. Qg5+ Kf8

If 29. -- Kh8 30. Bxf5 Re6 31. Rd3 then:

• 31. -- Qe7 32. Qh5+ Kg8 33. Qh7+ Kf8 34. Qh8#
• 31. -- Qe8 32. Rg3 Rg6 33. Bxg6 fxg6 34. Qh6+ Kg8 35. Rxg6+ wins the Black Queen.]/li]

30. Bxf5 Qc6

If 30. -- Re6 31. Bxe6 Qxe6 32. Qd8+ Qe8 33. Qh4 Qe2 34. Rb1 Bb6 35. Qd8+ Qe8 36. Qxe8+ then White is an exchange to the good.

31. Rc1 Qb7

If 31. -- Qxc1+ 32. Bxc1 Bxd4 33. Kf1 Bf6 34. Qg4 Bg7 35. Qf3 Bc3 36. Bh6+ Kg8 37. Be4 c6 38. Qf5 then Black must give up the exchange to prevent mate at h7.

32. Qh6+ Ke7 33. Qh4+ f6 34. Qh7+ Kf8 35. Bg6 1-0

35. Bg6 c6 36. Qh8+ Ke7 37. Qxe8#. Ms. Kostintseva resigns.




Nadezhda Kosintseva
Photo: website of the ChessBase.de (Germany)

Zhu Chen vs. Nadezhda Kosintseva
North Urals Cup, Round 8
Krasnoturyinsk, Sverdlovsk Oblask, Russia July 2006

Queen's Gambit: Ragozin Defense

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 Bb4

The Ragozin defeanse is something of a hybrid between the Orthodox Quneen's Gambit and the Nimzo-Indian. 5. -- Be7 establishes the Orthodox Defense, while 5. -- Nbd7 6. Bg5 transposes to the Orthodox after 6. -- Be7 and allows the option of playing the Cambridge Springs Defense, 6. -- c6 7. e3 Qa5.

5. Bg5 0-0 6. a3 Bxc3+ 7. bxc3 Nbd7 8. e3 c5 9. cxd5 exd5 10. Qa4

10. Bxf6 Nxf6 11. dxc5 Qc7 12. Qd4 Bf5 13. Rd1 gives Black a slight plus in development.

The text is an even game.

10. -- Qb6 11. Bd3

11. Bb5 a6 12. Rb1 Ne4 13. Bd3 Nxc3 14. Rxb6 Nxa4 15. Rb1 c4 give Black a small advatage in space.

11. -- c4 12. Rb1 Qe6 13. Bc2 Ne4 14. Qb4?!

The text is inferior to 14. Bxe4 dxe4 15. Nd2 Qg4 16. Be7 Re8 17. Bd6 Qxg2 18. Rf1 Nf6 19. Be5, which strands the White King in the center and gives Black the initiative.

14. -- Qg4 15. Bh4?

The Bishop would be better protected and have more good squares at f4 than at h4. In addition, the Bishop occupies a flight square that could be used by the Knight. Now Black drives away the Knight, depriving the Bishop any protecttion.

Better is 15. Bf4 Qxg2 16. Bxe4 dxe4 17. Nh4 Qxh1+ 18. Kd2 Qxb1 19. Qxb1 with an equal game.

Black: Nadezhda Kosintseva
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White: Zhu Chen
Position after White's 15th move

Can't see the diagram? Please click here.

15. -- Qxg2!

Notice the diffrence between playing 16. Bxe4 with White's Queen's Bishop on h4 rather than f4 (see previous note).

If 16. Bxe4 dxe4 then:

• <[font color="red">17. 17. Rg1 Qxf3 18. Qxc4 Nb6
• 19. Qb5 f6 20. c4 Bd7 and Black has won a piece
• 19. Qc7 Bg4 and Black must give up her Queen or White mates on the next move
• 17. Rg1 Qxf3 18. Qxc4 Nb6 19. Qb5 f6 20. c4 Bd7 and Black has an overwhelming attack

16. Ke2 a5 17. Qb2 Ra6 18. Rbg1

18. Rhg1 Qh3 19. Ba4 Rb6 20. Qc2 Rxb1 21. Rxb1 Ndf6 22. Rg1 Bg4 and White's pieces are tied in knots.

18. -- Qh3 19. Bd1 Rb6 20. Qc2

If 20. Qc1 then 20. -- Rb1 21. Qc2 Ra1 22. Rg3 Qe6 23. Ng5 Nxg3+ 24. hxg3 Qg6 and after White's a-pawn falls, in addition to being two paws up, Black will have an advanced passer to occupy White's time and energy.

20. -- Rb3 21. Ke1

If 21. Be7 then 21. -- Rxc3 22. Qb2 Rd3 23. Bxf8 Nxf8 24. Ke1 Bg4 25. Qe2 Rxd1+ 26. Qxd1 Qxf3 and Black threatens mate at f2.

21. -- Rxc3 22. Qb2 Rd3 23. Bg3

23. Be2 Rb3 24. Qa1 Ndf6 25. Bxf6 Nxf6 26. Rg3 Qh6 27. Rhg1 g6 28. Nd2 Rb6 and White's command of open lines gives his a winning edge.

23. -- Rxd1+ 24. Kxd1 Qh5 25. Ke2

If 25. Re1 Qxf3+ 26. Kc1 Ndf6 then Black wins in all variations:

• 27. Bh4 Bf5
• 28. Qe2 Bg4 29. Qb2 b5 30. Qxb5 Nxf2 31. Bxf2 Qxf2
• 32. Qb2 32. -- Qxb2+ 33. Kxb2 Rb8+
• 32. Rhf1 Qxh2 33. Rh1 Qa2 34. Qb2 Qxb2+ 35. Kxb2 Rb8+
• 28. Rhg1 Ng4 29. Qe2 Qxe2 30. Rxe2 Nxh2 31. Rh1 Nf3 32. Rb2 Re8 33. Rb5 Nxh4 34. Rxh4 Nxf2 35. Rxd5 g6
• 27. Rhg1 27. -- Nh5
• 28. Qe2 Bg4
• 29. Qxf3 Bxf3 30. Bh4 b5 31. Kb2
• 29. Qb2 Nhxg3 30. hxg3 Nxf2 31. Kb1 Nd3
• 28. Qb5 Nhxg3 29. fxg3 Nf2 30. Kb1 Qe4+ 31. Ka1 Nd3 32. Ref1 Bh3 33. Rd1 Qxe3

25. -- Ng5 26. Bd6 Qxf3+ 27. 0-1

Black has a material plus and a strong attack on White's King.

[Jack Rabbit]

5. Other games from recent events

Teimour Radjabov
Photo: ChessBase.de (Germany)

Teimour Radjabov vs. Lazaro Bruzón
International Grandmasters' Tournament, Round 5
Biel, July 2006

Queen's Gambit: Reshevsky Variation

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 c6 5. Bg5 Nbd7 6. e3 Be7 7. cxd5

7. Rc1 0-0 8. Bd3 leads to a standard Orthodox Defense.

7. -- exd5 8. Bd3 0-0 9. Qc2 Re8 10. 0-0 Nf8 11. h3 g6 12. Bf4

12. Rac1 Ne6 13. Bh4 c5 14. Rfd1 cxd4 15. Nxd4 Nxd4 16. exd4 gives Black a small edge in mobility.

12. -- Ne6 13. Be5 Ng7 14. Rab1 Bf5 15. b4

If 15. Rfd1 then:

• 15. -- Qd7
• 16. Bxf5 Nxf5 17. Rbc1 b6 18. b3 h6 19. a3 Rad8 =
• 16. b4 Bxd3 17. Rxd3 a6 18. Rc1 Qf5 19. a3 and a balanced game
• 15. -- Bxd3 16. Rxd3 Ne6 17. Rc1 b6 18. Ne2 Rc8 19. Qa4 Qd7
• 20. Bxf6 Bxf6
• 21. b3 h6 22. a3 Qb7and a level game
• 21. b4 Rc7 22. Rd2 =
• 20. Nf4 with equality

15. -- a6 16. a4 Bxd3 17. Qxd3 b5

If 17. -- Ne6 18. b5 then:

• 18. -- axb5 19. axb5 c5
• 20. Ra1 20. -- Qd7 21. Rxa8 Rxa8 22. dxc5 Nxc5 23. Qd4 and an equal game
• 20. Rfc1 c4 21. Qc2 Qd7 22. b6 Ra5 and a balanced game
• 18. -- Qc8? 19. Rfc1 Qd7 20. bxc6 bxc6 21. a5 Bd8 22. Na4 and White is poised for a queenside attack

18. Rfc1 Nf5 19. e4

If 19. Nd2 then

• 19. -- Nd7 20. Bf4 Bf6
• 21. Nb3 Bg7 22. g4
• 22. -- Nh4 23. Bd6 Qf6 24. Bc5 Nf3+ 25. Kg2 Nh4+ and Black's active pieces give him a small edge
• 22. -- bxa4? 23. Nxa4 Ne7 24. Nbc5 Nxc5 25. Nxc5 Qb6 26. Be5 and White's centrally posted minor piece3s give him a clear advantage
• 21. Ne2 Re6 22. Ra1 bxa4 23. Rxa4 Qb6 24. Ng3 and the position is balanced
• 19. -- Rc8
• 20. axb5 axb5 21. Ne2 Nd7 22. Bf4 and a level game
• 20. Nf3 Nd7 21. Bf4 Nb6 22. a5 Nc4 and a balanced position

19. -- dxe4 20. Nxe4 Nxe4 21. Qxe4 Qd5

If 21. -- Rc8 then:

• 22. axb5 axb5 23. Rxc6 Qd7 24. d5 Rcd8 25. Rd1 +/-
• 22. Rxc6
• 22. -- bxa4


• 23. d5 23. -- Bd6 24. Rxc8 Qxc8 25. Qf4 Rxe5 26. Nxe5 Qc3 27. Rc1 Bxe5 and the position is equal
• 23. Rxc8 23. -- Qxc8 24. Ra1
• 24. -- a3
• 25. Qe1 f6 26. Bh2 and a level position
• 25. d5? is a blunder: 25. -- Bf6 26. d6 Bxe5 27. d7 Qxd7 28. Nxe5 Qe6 and Black wins a piece
• 24. -- Bxb4 25. Rxa4 Qc1+ 26. Kh2 Qc4 27. Qb7 a5 28. Ng5 and White has a strong postion with threats against Black's kingside pawns
• 22. -- Rxc6 23. Qxc6 Qc8 24. axb5 axb5 25. Qxb5 Rd8 26. Qb6 and White threatens to get serious with the b-pawn
22. Qxd5 cxd5 23. axb5 axb5 24. Rc6 Ra2?!

This move is dubious. It does nothing to protect Black's weak pawns, which White is poised to harrass.

Better is 24. -- f6 and now:
• 25. Bxf6 Bxf6 26. Rxf6 Re4 27. Rb6 Nxd4 28. Nxd4 Rxd4 29. Rxb5 and White has an advantage with the b-pawn
• 25. Bh2 Ra3 26. Rb6 Rxf3 27. gxf3 Nxd4 28. Kg2 Rc8 29. Rb7 Kf8 30. Rd1 Rc4 31. Rd7 Bxb4 32. Rxd5 Bc3 33. Rd3 Nc2 34. Rd8+ and Whate has a clear advantage because of his active Rooks
25. Rb6!

This is the right move. White immediately goes for the undefended Pawns.

Less convincing is 25. Rbc1 Bxb4 26. Rb1 Ra4 27. g4 Ne7 28. Rb6 Bc3 or 25. Rb3 f6 26. Bxf6 Bxf6 27. Rxf6 Ree2 28. g4 Ng7 29. Rd6 Rxf2 30. Rd3 Rfe2, either of which allow Black equality.

25. -- f6 26. Bh2

26. Bb8 Rc8 27. g4 Rc3 28. gxf5 Rxf3 29. fxg6 hxg6 30. Rxb5 Rfxf2 31. Rxd5 is equal.

26. -- Bxb4 27. g4

After 27. Rxb5 Ba3 28. Rxd5 Ree2 29. Rd7 Rxf2 30. Rb8+ Bf8 31. Rdd8 Rxg2+ 32. Kh1 the position is balanced.

27. -- Ba5?

This allows the pin executed by White on the next move.

The correct move is 27. -- Nxd4 and if 28. Nxd4 Bc5 then:
• 29. R6xb5 29. -- Bxd4 and an unclear position
• 29. Rd6? allows 29. -- Bxd4! with the threat of and Black has a clear advantage to say the least.


Black: Lazaro Bruzón
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White: Teimour Radjabov
Position after Black's 27th move

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28. Ra6!

Of course, the pin. What else?

28. -- Ng7 29. Rxb5 Ra3

No good is 29. -- Ra1+ 30. Kg2 Bc3 31. Rxf6 Ra5 32. Rfb6 Rxb5 33. Rxb5 Rd8 34. Bc7.

30. Kg2 Bb4 31. Rxa3 Bxa3 32. Rxd5 Be7

Also futile is 32. -- Kf7 33. Ra5 Bb4 34. Rb5 Bc3 35. d5 h5 36. gxh5 Nxh5 37. Rc5 Bb4 38. Rc7+.

33. Ra5 Rd8

If 33. -- Kf7 34. d5 Rd8 35. Nd4 then:
• 35. -- h5 36. Ra7
• 36. -- Ke8 37. d6 Bf8 38. Nc6 Rd7 39. Rxd7 Kxd7 40. Nb8+ and White's passed pawn gives him a promising endgame
• 36. -- Rxd5 37. Nc6 hxg4 38. hxg4 Rd2 39. Rxe7+ and 40. Bf4 gives White a winning edge
• 35. -- Rd7 36. Kf3 h5 37. gxh5 Nxh5 38. Nc6 Ng7 39. Nxe7 and White's passed pawn gives him all the chances
34. d5 Bb4 35. Rb5 Bc3 36. Kf1 h5 37. Ke2 hxg4 38. hxg4 Ra8

Black loses a piece after 38. -- Ne8 39. Kd3 Rc8 40. d6 Ba1 41. Rb1 Rc3+ 42. Kd2 Nxd6 43. Bxd6 Rxf3 44. Ke2.

39. Rb3 Ba5

If 39. -- Ba1 40. Rb7 Ra4 41. d6 Ra2+ 42. Kf1 Bc3 43. d7 Ne6 44. g5 Ra1+ 45. Ke2 Ra2+ 46. Ke3 Ra3 47. Rb8+ then it will cost Black a piece to stop the pawn.

40. Nd4 Re8+ 41. Kd3 Be1

If 41. -- Rd8 then 42. Nc6 Rd7 43. Ke2 Bc7 44. Rb7 Ne8 45. Bxc7 Rxc7 46. Rxc7 Nxc7 47. d6 and it will cost Black the Knight to stop the pawn.

42. d6 Rd8 43. Rb7 1-0

If 43. -- Bxf2 then 44. Rxg7+ wins a piece; or if 43. -- Ba5 then 44. d7 Kf7 45. Nc6 either wins at least the exchange or forces the Queening of the Pawn. El señor Bruzón resigns.





Pentela Harikrishna
Photo: Official website of the György Marx Memorial Tournament (Hungary)

Peter Acs vs. Pentela Harikrishna
György Marx Memorial Tournament, Round 1
Paks, Hungary, July 2006

Spanish Grand Royal Game: Marshall Gambit

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. 0-0 Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 0-0 8. c3 d5

We've seen so many anti-Marshall variations this year that it is a pleasure to see the Marshall Gambit in all its slendor.

This is the sort of opening that drives a mediocre club player who analyses with a table search engine nuts. Fritz consistantly evaluates the positions in this game though about the first twenty moves as a clear advantage for White. One should be aware that Fritz is a crass materialist and says that only because White has an extra pawn. The fact is that Black knew exactly what he was doing when he sacked the pawn and got exactly what he wanted: a strong initiative and a fierce attack.

I am therefore inclined to call unclear those positions of the Marshall Gambit which Fritz calls a clear advantage for White, unless there is good reason to call it a clear advantage for White.

9. exd5 Nxd5 10. Nxe5 Nxe5 11. Rxe5 c6 12. d4

12. d3 initiates another playable line: 12. -- Bd6 13. Re1 Qh4 14. g3 Qh3 15. Re4 Qf5 16. Nd2 Qg6 (MCO-14).

12. -- Bd6 13. Re1 Qh4 14. g3 Qh3 15. Be3

If 15. Re4 Rd8 16. Bg5 then:
• 16. -- f6 17. Rh4 Qe6 18. Be3 b4 19. Qh5 Qf5 20. Qxf5 Bxf5 and an unclear position
• 16. -- Qf5 17. Bxd8 Qxe4 18. Bc2 Qg4 19. Nd2 Qxd1+ 20. Rxd1 and the position is equal offering chances for both
15. -- Bg4 16. Qd3 f5

If 16. -- Rae8 17. Nd2 then:
• 17. -- Bf5 18. Qf1
• 18. -- Qxf1+ 19. Nxf1 a5
• 20. f3 a4 21. Bxd5 cxd5 22. Bf4 Bxf4 23. gxf4 Bd3 24. Ne3 Bc4 and the position is unclear
• 20. a4 b4 21. c4 Nf6 22. h4 h6 23. Bd1 yields an unclear position
• 18. -- Qg4 19. Qg2 Be6 20. Ne4 Be7and White may be able to take back some initiative
• 17. -- Bc7 18. a4 Nxe3 19. Rxe3 Bf5 20. Ne4 bxa4 21. Rxa4 a5 and the position is unclear with White holding an extra pawn but Black with a strong initiative

17. f4 Kh8 18. Bxd5 cxd5 19. Nd2 Qh5 20. Qf1 Rae8 21. Qg2 Re4!?

After 21. -- Rd8 22. Qxd5 Bxf4 23. Qc5 Bd6 24. Qb6 Bh3 the position is equal, but offers both sides hope.

22. Nxe4 fxe4 23. h4 h6 24. Qh2 Rf6 25. a4 Rg6 26. axb5 axb5 27. Kf1 Bd7 28. Qe2?

If 28. Ra7 Qf3+ 29. Bf2 Qd3+ then:

• 30. Kg1:
• 30. -- Bxf4 31. Kh1 Bxg3 32. Bxg3 Rxg3 and the best White can do is exchange his Queen for a Rook and a Bishop, but the Black Queen will be in White's camp eating pawns
• 30. -- Bg4
• 31. Ra8+ Kh7 32. h5 Rf6 33. Qh1 and White has a strong advantage after 33. -- Rf5 34. Qh4
• 31. Be3? Qd2 32. Rb7 Qxe1+ 33. Kg2 Bf3+ 34. Kh3 Qf1+ 35. Qg2 Qxg2#
• 30. Re2 Bg4 31. Be3 Bxe2+ 32. Qxe2 Rxg3 33. Qxd3 exd3 34. Kf2 with a level position offering chances to both sides
• 30. Kg2 Qf3+ 31. Kf1 Qd3+ 32. Kg1 and a level position with chances for both sides

28. -- Qf5?

If 28. -- Qxh4 29. gxh4 Bh3+ 30. Qg2 Rxg2 then:

• 31. Ra8+ Kh7 32. Re2
• 32. -- Rg4+ 33. Ke1 Rxh4 and the position is complex in that White has a material advantage but Black has space in the center and better kingside pawns
• 32. -- Rh2+ 33. Ke1 Rh1+ 34. Kd2 Be7 and White's advantage is more firm than in the main line due to the presence of the h-pawn
• 31. Bf2?! Bxf4 32. Ra8+ Kh7 33. Re8 Bg3 34. Bxg3 Rxb2+ 35. Kg1 Rg2+ 36. Kh1 Rxg3 and the position offers equal chances

29. Qg2 b4 30. Ke2

If 30. Ra7 Qg4 31. c4 dxc4 then:

• 32. Qxe4 Bf5 33. Qa8+ Kh7 34. Qg2 Qxg3 35. Qxg3 Rxg3 36. Kf2 Rg4 37. Rg1 and, after the exchange of Rooks, White still has a Rook against a Bishop
• 32. d5 c3 33. bxc3 Bb5+ 34. Kf2 Bd3 35. Raa1 bxc3 and the position is equal

30. -- Be7 31. Qf2

If 31. Rh1 bxc3 32. bxc3 Qg4+ 33. Kf2 Bb5 34. Ra2 Bd3 35. Rb2 then White retains his material plus, but the light squares around his King are weak.

31. -- Bb5+ 32. Kd2 Bd3 33. g4

If 33. Ra8+? Kh7 then Black wins:

• 34. Re8 bxc3+ 35. bxc3 Bxh4
• 36. gxh4 36. -- Rb6
• 37. Re5 Qc8 38. Qg1 Rb2+ 39. Kd1 Qxc3 and 40. -- Qc2#
• 37. Ra1 Rb2+ 38. Ke1 Rxf2 39. Kxf2 Qh3 and White will soon be mated
• 36. Ra1 Bxg3
• 37. Raa8 Rg4 38. Rh8+ Kg6 39. Rxh6+ Kxh6 40. Qg1 Be1+ 41. Qxe1 Rg2+ and White cannot avoid material loss
• 37. Re5 Qh3 38. f5 Rg4 39. Rh1 Qxh1 and Black has an easy win
• 34. Rg1 bxc3+ 35. bxc3 Rb6 36. g4 Qg6 37. f5 Qc6 38. Ra2 Qc4 and Black will win material no matter how White protects his Rook

33. -- Rxg4 34. Rg1?

White overlooks the inadequate protection of his h-pawn.

Correct is 34. Rh1 and now:

• 34. -- bxc3+ 35. bxc3 Qh5 36. f5
• 36. -- Rxh4 37. Rxh4 Qxh4 38. Qxh4 Bxh4 39. Ra5 and, although White hasn't won this position, he is unlikelyt to lose
• 36. -- Kh7 37. Rag1 Rxg1 38. Rxg1 Bf6 39. Kc1 Qe8 and White should be able to hold the position
• 34. -- Qc8 35. h5 Bd6 36. Rhg1 Rxg1 37. Qxg1 bxc3+ 38. bxc3 and the position is balanced.

34. -- bxc3+ 35. bxc3

Black: Pentela Harikrishna
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White: Peter Acs
Position after White's 35th move

35. -- Bxh4!

Coolly played.

35. -- Rxg1 is a good way for Black to endanger his victory: after 36. Qxg1 Bxh4 37. Ra7 Bf6 38. Qh2 Bb5 39. Kc1 Black's advantage is severly dissapated.

36. Qh2

36. Ra8+! may be White's best shot, but he should still lose after 36. -- Kh7 37. Qh2 Rxg1 38. Qxg1.

36. -- Rxg1 37. Rxg1 Bf6 38. Qg3

Black is on his way to victory, as long as he remains alert to danger:

• 38. Rh1 Qc8
• 39. Bf2 Bd8
• 40. Qh5 Ba5
• 41. Ke3
• 41. -- Bb5! 42. Be1 Qc4
• 43. Kf2 Bxc3 44. Bxc3 Qxc3
• 45. Qh3 Qxd4+ and it will probably cost White a piec to stop the pawn
• 45. Qe5 Qf3+ 46. Ke1 Qe2#
• 43. f5 Bxc3 44. Bxc3 Qxc3+ 45. Kf4 Qc7+ 46. Ke3 Qg3+ 47. Kd2 Qd3+ 48. Kc1 Qa3+ 49. Kd1 e3 and White will have to pay a price to stop the pawn


• However, 41. -- Qxc3? throws away the vicotry after 42. Qe8+ Kh7 43. Rxh6+ Kxh6 44. Qh8+ Kg6 45. Qe8+ Kf6 46. Bh4+ g5 47. Bxg5+ Kf5 48. Qd7+ Kg6 49. Qe6+ Kh5 50. Qh3+ Kg6 51. Qe6+
• 51. -- Kh5 52. Qh3+ Kg6 53. Qe6+ Kh5 with a probable draw
• 51. -- Kg7? loses in short order: 52. Bf6+ Kh6 53. Be7+ Kg7 54. Qf6+ Kh7 55. Qf7+ Kh6 56. Bf8#
• 41. Rc1 Qb8 42. Rg1 Qb2+ and the Black Queen will eat White's central White pawns
• 40. Ra1 Qb7 41. Kc1 Qb3 42. Be1 Bc7 43. Qb2 Bxf4+ 44. Bd2 Qxb2+ 45. Kxb2 Bxd2 46. Ra5 e3 and there will be no stopping the e-pawn
• 39. f5 Qxf5 40. Bxh6 gxh6 41. Qxh6+ Kg8 42. Rg1+ Kf7 43. Qe3 Qh5 and Black has multiple threats
• 38. Rg2 Bb5 39. Qh1 Qc8
• 40. f5 Qc4 41. Bxh6 Qd3+ 42. Ke1 Kg8 43. Kf2 e3+ 44. Bxe3 Qe2+ 45. Kg1 Qxe3+ 46. Rf2 Qe1+ 47. Kg2 Qxc3 and Black's Queen and Bishop will swarm over White's exposed King
• 40. Qe1 Qa6 41. Qg1 Qa2+ 42. Kd1 Qb1+ 43. Kd2 Qb2+ 44. Kd1 Ba4+ 45. Ke1 Qb1+ 46. Ke2 Qc2+ 47. Ke1 Qd1+ 48. Kf2 Bh4+ and Black wins the Rook

38. -- Qc8 39. f5

39. Qe1 Qb8 40. Qa1 Qb3 41. Rc1 Be7 42. Ke1 Ba3 43. Bd2 Kh7 44. Rd1 Bb2 45. Rb1 Bxb1 -+

39. -- Qb7 40. Bxh6

If 40. Rg2 Bh4 then:

• 41. Qxh4 Qb2+ 42. Ke1 Qxg2 43. Qf2 Qh1+ 44. Kd2 Qb1 45. f6 g5 46. f7 Qc2+ 47. Ke1 Qxf2+ 48. Kxf2 Kg7 ending any of White's feeble hopes; Black's extra pawns will carry the day
• 41. Qg6 Qb2+ 42. Kd1 Qb3+ 43. Kd2 Qc2#

40. -- Qb2+ 41. Ke3 Qe2+ 42. Kf4 Qd2+ 43. 0-1

43. Kg4 Be2+ 44. Kh3 Qxh6+ 45. Kg2 Bf3+ 46. Kf1 Qc1+ and the Black Queen starts eating pawns. Acs resigns.