The Jack Rabbit Chess Report for December 31: Happy New Year

[Jack Rabbit]

The Jack Rabbit Chess Report
for the week ending December 31



Image: from the Children's Advisory Commission of Indiana County, Pennsylvania

Contents

Post 1: News for the week
Post 2: Diagrams and other features
Post 3: Games from Current and Recent Events

[Jack Rabbit]

1. News for the week ending December 31

Morozevich takes Pamplona like a bull



Russian gandmaster Alexander Morozevich ended the year on a high note by winning the 16th Pamplona Chess Tournament, which was completed Friday in historic town in Navarre province, Spain.

Morozevich won 5 of seven games, drawing his other two for a total of 6 points. Rising Russian star Dmitry Jakovenko finsished second with 5 points and Latvian-born Spanish grandmaster Alexei Shirov turned in a strong performance to come in third with 4½ points.

Magistral
Pamplona, Navarre (Spain)

------------------------- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 T-
1 Alexander Morozevich . .- ½ 1 1 ½ 1 1 1 6.
2 Dmitry Jakovenko . . . .½ - ½ ½ 1 1 ½ 1 5.
3 Alexei Shirov. . . . . .0 ½ - 1 0 1 1 1 4½
4 Christian Bauer. . . . .0 ½ 0 - 1 ½ 1 1 3½
6 Radoslaw Wojtaszek . . .½ 0 1 0 - ½ ½ ½ 3.
5 Miguel Illescas. . . . .0 0 0 ½ ½ - 1 ½ 2½
7 Viktor Laznicka. . . . .0 ½ 0 0 ½ 0 - 1 2.
8 Oleg Korneev . . . . . .0 0 0 0 ½ ½ 0 - 1.

Moro, as he is known to his fans, needed only a draw to assure himself at least a share of first place going into Friday's final round. However, Morozevich won his game against fellow Russian Oleg Kornnev while Jakovenko, who entered the round a half-point behind Morozevich, settled for a draw against Christian Bauer of France.

The event featured some exceptionally high quality and exciting chess and a high percentage decisive games.


Katya Lahno wins Amity Challenge Match

Ukrainian master Katya Lahno, who turned 17 last Wednesday, defeated 13-year-old Indian grandmaster Perimarjan Negi by a score of 11-7 in the Amity Challenge match completed last Monday in New Dehli.



Katya Lahno
Photo: ChessBase.com

The event consisted of three phases of six games each: a standard time control, a rapid game phase and a series of blitz games. Ms. Lahno won all three phases. She showed her greatest strength in the rapid phase which was played over two days; Ms. Lahno swept all three games on the first day and won the first game on the second day.

Young Negi took his defeat stoically, calling it "a great learning experience." He will participate in the C Group at the Corus Chess Tournament in Wijk aan Zee, Holland, beginning January 12.


Kirsan indicates no action agaisnt Topalov



The Times of India reports that FIDE is making no plans to punish former FIDE champion Veselin Topalov for recent remarks he made concerning current world champion Vladimir Kramnik.

FIDE President Kirsan Ilyumzhinov issued a statement last week thanking both Topalov and Kramnik for agreeing to participate in the match that ended thirteen years of a divided world title last September in Elista, the capital of the autonomous Russian republic of Kalmykia, of which Kirsan is also president. Kirsan also said the atmosphere in Elista during the match was "nervous".

In early December, Topalov gave an interview to a Spanish newspaper in which he said that Kramnik received illegal help from the KGB and used illegal electronic communications devices while visiting the rest room during the match. Kramnik's manager, Carsten Hensel, made a complaint to FIDE's ethics committee, charging that Topalov had had a baseless accusation. Were the complaint to go forward and be upheld, it could result in a three-year ban for Topalov.


Major New Year's Events underway world wide

Hastings Chess Congress



The latest edition of the Hastings Chess Congressm world's oldest running chess tournament, began began Thursaday in Hastings, Sussex (England).

For many years, the congress' main event has been a Swiss system masters' tournament. This year's masters' tournamnet features top seed Merab Gagunaschvili of Georgia, defending champion Valerij Neverov of Ukraine, Russians Alexander Cherniaev and Vyacheslav Ikonnikov and England's Mark Hebden and Nicholas Pert.

The first Hastings Chess Congress was held in 1895 and was won by a young American master, Harry Pillsbury of Boston. Pillsbury finished ahead of the many of the major luminaries of the day, including world champion Dr. Emanuel Lasker, former world champion Wilhelm Steinitz, Mikhail Chigorin and Dr. Siegbert Tarrasch.

There was time in the 1930s the one of the events at Hastings was a round tournament featuring some of the world's strongest masters some British players, including British resident and then women's world champion Vera Menchik. The 1934/35 event featured former world champion José Capablanca, future world champions Dr. Max Euwe and Mikhail Botvinnik and up-ans-coming stars Salo Flohr and Andor Lilienthal. That tournamant ended in a three-way tie for first among Euwe, Flohr and British champion Sir George Thomas with 6½ points out of 9. Lilienthal, who finished tied for fifth with Botvinnik, won a famous game against Capablanca with a stunning Queen sacrifice.

After three rounds, Gugunashvili, Cherniaev, Israeli grandmaster Zvulon Gofshtein and British IM Simon Williams share the lead with a perfect 3-0 score. Nine players follow with 2½ points each.

There are 98 players participating in the event. The tournament concludes January 7.

Hastings is the site where Duke William of Normandy landed in 1066 with an invading army which defeated English forces under King Harold II, beginning the Norman conquest of England. Every English monarch since 1066 to this day has been a descendant of King William.

Torneo di Capodanno, Reggio Emilia



The 49th Torneo di Capodanno began in the Italian town of Reggio Emilia, Emilia-Romagna region yesterday.

The main event is a round robin category 10 event. The competitors are grandmasters Igor Khenkin of Germany, Konstantin Landa of Russia, Viorel Iordachescu of Moldavia and Oleg Romanischin of Ukraine, Italian international masters Giulio Borgo, Roberto Mogranzini, Federico Manca. Luca Shytaj and Sabino Brunello, and federation master Denis Rombaldoni of Croatia.

In first round action yesterday, Shytaj defeated Manca and Mogranzini bested Rombaldoni while all other games were drawn.

The goal for the non-grandmasters in the tournament is to score 6½ points in nine rounds in order to achieve a grandmaster norm. Rombaldoni, the lowest titled player, would like to score 4½ point to make an IM norm.

Rilton Cup, Stockholm



The 36th annual Rilton Cup began Wednesday in the Swedish capital Stockholm.

The event is a nine-round Swiss system tournament with 133 paerticipants.

After four rounds, Greek grandmaster Vassilios Kotronias and Mikhail Ulibin of Russia are tied for first with 4 points each with eight players tied for third with 3½ points each, including Spanish grandmaster Juan Bellon and his wife, Swedish grandmaster Pia Cramling.

The Rilton Cup concludes Friday.

[Jack Rabbit]

9. News Update: FEDE releases January 2007 ratings

The official January 2007 ratings list has been released by FIDE.

For the first time in many years, no grandmaster is rated over 2800. Veselin Topalov, who has held the top ranking most of the time since the retirment of Garry Kasparov, remains number one in spite of losing 30 points. Vishy Anand remains second, only four points behind Topalov. World champion Vladimir Kramnik continues his climb in his comeback from treatment for spinal arthritis, move up one spot to number 3.

The big winner in ratings is Azerbaijan's Shakhriyar Mamedyarov, who gains 26 points to climb from 12th to fourth. Dmitry Jakovenko, Russia's bright new star, gained 20 points to join Norway's 16-year-old Magnus Carlsen knocking at the door of the 2700 mark with a rating of 2691.

Among women, Judit Polgar remains in a class by herself as not only the top lady but the only woman among the elite grandmasters. Among women, she is followed by 19-year-old Koneru Humpy of India by nearly 160 points. Alexandra Kosteniuk dropped 19 points after a disappointing performance at the Russian National Championship semi-finals in October and illness prevented her from defending her Russian Ladies' title in December. She dropped from third to sixth. The third spot was taken over by Pia Cramling with only a modest gain and Zhu Chen, who changed federations from China to Qatar during the year, leaps from seventh to fourth with a gain of 16 points.

The big advance among women goes to Hou Yifan of Chnia, a young lady who won't turn 13 until the end of February. She topped off a magnificent 2006 by gaining 28 points to move into the ladies' top ten and break through the 2500 barrier.

General Top 30
January 2007

.1 Veselin Topalov, Bulgaria. . . . . 2783
.2 Viswanathan Anand, India. . . . . .2779
.3 Vladimir Kramnik, Russia . . . . . 2766
.4 Shakhriyar Mamedyarov, Azerbaijan. 2754
.5 Vassily Ivanchuk, Ukraine. . . . . 2750
.6 Peter Leko, Hungary. . . . . . . . 2749
.7 Levon Aronian, Armenia . . . . . . 2744
.8 Alexander Morozevich, Russia . . . 2741
.9 Michael Adams, England . . . . . . 2735
10 Boris Gelfand, Israel. . . . . . . 2733
11 Teimour Radjabov, Azerbaijan . . . 2729
12 Peter Svidler, Russia. . . . . . . 2728
13 Judit Polgar, Hungary. . . . . . . 2727
14 Ruslan Ponomariov, Ukraine . . . . 2723
15 David Navara, Czech Republic . . . 2719
16 Alexander Grischuk, Russia . . . . 2717
17 Alexei Shirov, Spain . . . . . . . 2715
18 Etienne Bacrot, France . . . . . . 2705
19 Gata Kamsky, United States . . . . 2705
20 Vladimir Akopian, Armenia. . . . . 2700
21 Krishnan Sasikiran, India. . . . . 2700
22 Dmitry Jakovenko, Russia . . . . . 2691
23 Nigel Short, England . . . . . . . 2691
24 Magnus Carlsen, Norway . . . . . . 2690
25 Liviu-Dieter Nisipeanu, Romania. . 2689
26 Loek Van Wely, Holland . . . . . . 2683
27 Rustam Kasimdzhanov, Uzbekistan. . 2682
28 Paco Vallejo, Spain. . . . . . . . 2679
29 Sergey Karjakin, Ukraine . . . . . 2678
30 Lenier Domínguez, Cuba . . . . . . 2677
31 Sergei Rublevsky, Russia . . . . . 2677


Ladies' Top 30
January 2007

.1 Judit Polgar, Hungary. . . . . . . 2727
.2 Koneru Humpy, India. . . . . . . . 2567
.3 Pia Cramling, Sweden . . . . . . . 2530
.4 Zhu Chen, Qatar. . . . . . . . . . 2518
.5 Xu Yuhua, China. . . . . . . . . . 2517
.6 Alexandra Kosteniuk, Russia. . . . 2515
.7 Maia Chiburdanidze, Georgia. . . . 2510
.8 Hou Yifan, China . . . . . . . . . 2509
.9 Nadezhda Kosintseva, Russia. . . . 2496
10 Antoaneta Stefanova, Bulgaria. . . 2483
11 Monika Socko, Poland . . . . . . . 2481
12 Marie Sebag, France. . . . . . . . 2477
13 Anna Muzychuk, Slovenia. . . . . . 2475
14 Tatiana Kosintseva, Russia . . . . 2474
15 Alisa Galliamova, Russia . . . . . 2470
16 Hoang Thanh Trang, Hungary . . . . 2470
17 Yelena Dembo, Greece . . . . . . . 2469
18 Viktorija Cmilyte, Lithuania . . . 2466
19 Qin Kanying, China . . . . . . . . 2465
20 Zhao Xue, China. . . . . . . . . . 2463
21 Nana Dzagnidze, Georgia. . . . . . 2463
22 Anna Zatonskih, United States. . . 2462
23 Subbaraman Vijayalakshmi, India. . 2459
24 Lilit Mkrtchian, Armenia . . . . . 2458
25 Natalia Zhukova, Ukraine . . . . . 2457
26 Katya Lahno, Ukraine . . . . . . . 2456
27 Ekaterina Korbut, Russia . . . . . 2452
28 Elli Pähtz, Germany. . . . . . . . 2451
29 Nino Khurtsidze,Georgia. . . . . . 2451
30 Dagne Ciuksyte, Lithuania. . . . . 2450
31 Inna Gaponenko, Ukraine. . . . . . 2450

[Jack Rabbit]

10. Also just caught this: Returning to the general top 100 after an absence of over a year . . .

The Grand Old Man of Chess himself . . .


Photo: Four Nations' Chess League

[Jack Rabbit]

2. Diagrams and other features of 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, or if it looks like a bunch of Wingdings, 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 link.

Also, the JR chess report makes the main variation in annotations more distinct and readable by putting it in red. A secondary variation, is in blue and other colors are used if needed.

[Jack Rabbit]

3. Games from current and recent events

Chess Games
Analysis by JR and Fritz

Alexander Morozevich - Alexei Shirov, Magistral, Pamplona, Round 3
Jesús Nogueiras - Luís Ibarra, Torre Memorial Tournament (Magistral Event), Round 2, Mérida, Yucatán
Alex Shabalov - Cheng Xiao, North American Open, Las Vegas, Round 2
John Hickman - Jovanka Houska, Chess Congress, Hastings, Round 1

[Jack Rabbit]

4. Morozevich - Shirov, Magistral, Pamplona

Alexander Morozevich
Photo: ChessBase.com

Alexander Morozevich vs. Alexei Shirov
Group A, Round 3
Pamplona, December 2006

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

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 5. Bd2

• The usual line is 5. e4 Nxc3 6. bxc3 Bg7 7. Bc4

5. -- Nb6

• If 5. -- Bg7 6. e4 Nb6 7. Be3 0-0 then these lines lead to an equal game:
• 8. f4 Nc6 9. d5 Na5 10. Bd4 e5 11. Bxe5 Bxe5 12. fxe5 Qh4+ 13. g3 Qe7
• 8. Be2 Nc6 9. Nf3 Bg4 10. d5 Bxf3 11. gxf3 Ne5 12. Qb3 c6 13. f4 Ned7 is level.
• 8. Nf3 Bg4 9. Be2 Bxf3 10. gxf3 e6 11. Qd2 Nc6 12. 0-0-0 is even.

6. Nf3

• If 6. Bg5 Bg7 7. e3 0-0 8. Nf3 c5 9. dxc5 N6d7 10. Rc1 Nc6 then:
• 11. Bb5 Nxc5 12. 0-0 h6 13. Bh4 g5 14. Bg3 Bf5 15. Qd5 Qxd5 16. Nxd5 e6 17. Bxc6 exd5 18. Bxd5 gives White a strong edge with active pieces (Timoshchenko-Rogulj, Jesolo (Italy). Open, 1999).
• 11. Nd4 h6 12. Bh4 g5 13. Bg3 Nxc5 14. Nxc6 bxc6 15. Qc2 Qa5 16. Be2 draw agreed (Shipov-Svidler, St. Petersburg Open, 1993).
• however, the game could continue 16. -- Na4 17. 0-0 Nxc3 18. bxc3 Bf5 19. Qb3 Rad8 with equality (Markus-Navara, Olymp, Turino 2006) in a game eventually won by Black.

6. -- Bg7 7. Rc1 0-0 8. Bg5 h6 9. Bh4 g5 10. Bg3 c5 11. d5!?

• This appears to be a novelty.
• 11. e3 Nc6 12. dxc5 Bxc3+ 13. bxc3 Qxd1+ 14. Rxd1 Na4
• 15. Rc1?! Nxc5 16. Nd4 Ne4 17. Nxc6 bxc6 18. Bc4 Nxg3 19. hxg3 Kg7 20. 0-0 Rb8 gives Black clear control of the b-file (Schmidt-Ribli, B Group, Wijk ann Zee 1972).
• Better is 15. c4 Nc3 16. Rd2 Ne4 17. Rd5 Be6 18. Rd1 with equality.

11. -- e6!?

• Black would like White to declare his intentions with his center pawn.
• If 11. -- f5 12. e3 f4 13. exf4 gxf4 14. Bh4 Rf5 then:
• 15. Bd3 Bxc3+ 16. Rxc3 Rxd5 offers equal chances with neither King being very safe at the moment.
• 15. Qb3 Bxc3+ 16. Rxc3 Qd6 17. Bd3 Rh5 gives Black the initiative which will be used to develop his queenside pieces.

12. d6 Nd5 13. h4?!

• With the pawn at d6 acting as a bone in Black's throat, White turns his attention to the kingside. However, he really should do more in the center.
• If 13. Nxd5! exd5 14. Qxd5 then:
• 14. -- Qa5+! 15. Qd2 Qxa2 16. h4 g4 17. Ne5 b6 18. e4 Be6 and as he begins to develop his queenside, Black's active pieces and grip on the g8/a2 diagonal give him an advatatage; White is compensted by his presence in the center.
14. -- Bxb2? 15. Rxc5 Na6 16. Rb5 Bc3+ 17. Kd1 yields an extra pawn to White.
13. -- g4 14. Ne5 Qxd6?


• Black is a little too anxious to be rid of the pawn.
• Correct is 14. -- Nxc3! 15. bxc3 Nd7 16. Nxd7 Bxd7 17. e4 f5 18. exf5 exf5 19. Qb3+ Kh8 giving Black an opportunity to punish White for leaving his King in the center.
15. e4 f5 16. exf5


• White again misses an opportunity to gain the upper hand.
• 16. Ng6 f4 17. Nxf4 Rxf4 18. exd5 is evaluated as winning for White by ; however, while 18. -- Bxc3+ 19. Rxc3 Re4+ 20. Be2 e5 21. Rc4 Rxc4 22. Bxc4 gives White an active Bishop against Black's passive Queen and undeloped queenside, there is still much work to do done before the position can be called won.
16. -- Bxe5 17. Nb5!?


• The position now becomes unclear.
• If 17. Qxg4+ Kh8 18. Nb5 then:
• 18. -- Bxg3 19. Nxd6 Bxd6 20. Qh5 Rf6 21. Rd1 Nc6 is balanced.
• 18. -- Nf6 19. Qe2 wins Black's Bishop (Susan Polgar).
17. -- Qc6 18. Bxe5 exf5 19. Nd6 Nb6 20. f3 Be6?


• At first sight, there doesn't seem to be anything wrong with this move; however, Black is taking a more time-comsuming way to develop his queenside. In chess, wasting time can be fatal.
• Better is 20. -- N8d7! (developing a piece with a tempo against White's Bishop) 21. Bb5 Qc7 22. Bh2 Nf6 23. Nxc8 Qxc8 24. 0-0 Qe6 25. Qd2 giving White better piece activity, but Black's development problems are solved and he has adequate defensive resources.
21. Bb5!


• Now it is White who developes with tempo.
• If 21. fxg4 N8d7 22. Bf4 Bxa2 then:
• 23. Ra1! Bd5 24. Bb5 Qc7 25. Rf1 Bxg2 26. Rf2 gives White an active Bishop and Rook.
• 23. Bxh6? Rf6 then:
• 24. Nxf5 Re8+ 25. Kf2 Rxh6 26. Ra1 Bd5 gives Black a superior postion with active pieces.
• 24. Bf4 Nd5 25. Bg5 Re6+ 26. Kf2 Rxd6 27. gxf5 Qb6 activates the Black Queen and gives Black a tremendous edge; he should win from here.
21. -- Qd5

Black: Alexei Shirov
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White: Alexander Morozevich
Position after 21. -- Qc6d5

22. Qe2?


• White had Black on the ropes, but he misses the winning line.
• If 22. Qxd5! Bxd5 23. Rxc5 "+-" (Susan Polgar) 23. -- Nc6 24. Bc3 Rab8 25. Kf2 h5 26. Rd1 then:
• 26. -- Bxa2 27. Nxf5 a6 28. Bxc6 bxc6 29. Ne7+ Kf7 30. Nxc6 Rbe8 31. Rf5+ White is a pawn up with an aggressive Rooks.
• 26. -- a6 27. Rcxd5 Nxd5 28. Bc4 Nce7 29. Bxd5+ Nxd5 30. Rxd5 White has two minor pieces clear for a Rook and is threatening Black's kingside pawn mass.
• 26. -- Ne7 27. Rc7 Rfd8 28. Rxe7 g3+ 29. Ke3 Rxd6 30. Be5 Rdd8 31. Bxb8 White wins a piece.
22. -- N8d7


• The position is "unclear" (Susan Polgar).
23. Bf4 gxf3!


• This leads to s samll advatage for Black based on his active Queen and his grip on the g8/a2 diagonal.
• If 23. -- Rf6 24. Nc4 Bf7 25. fxg4 fxg4 26. 0-0 Be6 then:
• 27. Nxb6 Nxb6 28. Be3 Rxf1+ 29. Qxf1 Rf8 30. Qe2 is equal.
• 27. Rfd1 Qh5 28. Nxb6 Nxb6 29. Be5 Rf7 30. Bg3 Bd7 is level.
24. gxf3 Kh7 25. Rd1?


• White leaves his a-pawn undefended.
• Correct is 25. a3 Qd4 26. Bg3 Bb3 27. Rc3 c4 28. Nxc4 Rfe8 29. Ne3 Rac8 giving Black a small advatage with better piece activity.
25. -- Qxa2 26. Kf2


• White elects to remove his King from the same file as the Queen.
• Black has the upper hand and there is little White can do but wait for an inaccuracy on Black's part.
• 26. Bd3 Rf6 27. Nxb7 Qb3 28. Nd6 Qb4+ 29. Qd2 Na4 30. Bb5 Ndb6 31. Be5 Rg6 gives Black a tense advantage with an extra pawn.
26. -- Rf627. Rhg1 Raf8?!


• Black loosens his grip and lets his superiority slip away.
• Better is 27. -- Qb3 28. Nxb7 a6 29. Bxd7 Nxd7 30. Nd6 Qb4 31. Bg3 Rg8 32. h5 a5 maintains Black's edge in piece activity.
28. Be5 Nxe5 29. Qxe5 Nd7?


• With this, White open the floodgates.
• Correct is 29. -- Bg8! 30. Ne8 Qe6 31. Qc3 Rxe8 32. Bxe8 when:
• 32. -- Qe7 33. Rde1 Qd6 34. Rg2 Nd5 35. Reg1 Be6 36. Qb3 b6 is unclear with the material balance being a White Rook against a Knight and two pawns.
• 32. -- Qxe8? 33. Qxf6! is lights out.
30. Bxd7 Bxd7

Black: Alexei Shirov
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White: Alexander Morozevich
Position after 30. -- Be6xd7

31. Ne4!


• White finally puts the game away.
• If 31. Qe7+ R6f7 32. Nxf7 Rxf7 then:
• 33. Qd6 Qxb2+ 34. Rd2 Qb6 35. Qxd7 then:
• 35. -- c4+ 36. Qd4 White has a Rook for three pawns and should win.
• 35. -- Rxd7 36. Rxd7+ Kh8 37. Re1 c4+ 38. Kf1 Qg6 39. Rd8+ wins the Queen.
• 33. Qxd7? Rxd7 34. Rxd7+ Kh8 35. Re1 Qg8 36. Ree7 f4 37. Rd6 Qf8 38. Rde6 Qf5 is level.
31. -- fxe4


• After31. -- R6f7 32. Ng5+ hxg5 33. hxg5 Kg8 34. Rh1 Rg7 35. Rxd7 White threatens mate on g7 and Black can only postpone it by giving up material.
32. Rxd7+ Kh8 33. Rg6 1-0


• After 33. Rg6 e3+ 34. Kg2 Qg8 35. h5 e2 36. Rxg8+ Rxg8+ 37. Kf2 Black will die an ugly death.
• El señor Shirov resigns.

[Jack Rabbit]

5. Nogueiras - Ibarra, Torre Memorial, Mérida, Yucatán

Jesús Nogueiras
Photo: ChessBase.com

Jesús Nogueiras vs. Luís Ibarra
Torre Memorial Tournament (Magistral Event), Round 2
Mérida, Yucatán (Mexico), December 2006

Queen's Gambit: Chigorin Defense

1. Nf3 d5 2. d4 Nc6

• This is one of the opening innovations of the great 19th century Russian master, Mikhail Chigorin (1850-1908), who is also responible for what is, over a hundred years later, the main line of the Spanish Game.

3. c4 e5 4. e3 exd4 5. exd4 Bg4

• This pin is a feature of most variations of the Chigorin Defense, but not all.
• 5. -- Nf6 6. Nc3 Bb4 7. Be2 Ne4 8. Bd2 Nxd2 9. Qxd2 Be6 10. cxd5 Bxd5 11. 0-0-0 Ne7 is equal (Boyarkov-Lebedev, Russian Ch, Moscow 1901).

6. Be3 Nf6 7. Nc3 dxc4 8. Bxc4 Bd6

• If 8. -- Be7 9. Qb3 0-0 10. Ne5 then:
• 10. -- Na5? 11. Bxf7+ Kh8 12. Qa4 c6 13. b4 Nc4 14. Bxc4 b5 15. Nxb5 cxb5 16. Bxb5 gives White a winning advantage with three extra pawns (Negraru-Dinet, French TCh, 2003).
• 10. -- Nxd4 11. Bxd4 Qxd4 12. Nxf7 c6 13. 0-0 b5 14. Nh6+ Kh8 draws by repetition.

9. 0-0 0-0 10. h3

• If 10. Re1 Re8 11. h3 Bh5 12. Bb5 then:
• after 12. -- a6 13. Bxc6 bxc6 14. g4 Nxg4 15. hxg4 Bxg4 Black is compensated for having only two pawns for a minor piece with superior piece activity and King safety.
• 12. -- Re7 13. g4 Bg6 14. Bxc6 bxc6 15. Nh4 gives White an edge in space and pawn structure.

10. -- Bh5

• 10. -- Bd7 11. a3 a6 12. b4 b5 13. Bb3 a5 14. Nxb5 axb4 15. Nxd6 cxd6 16. d5 gives White a small edge in space owing to his advanced cental pawn (Kuznetsov-Shalynykh, Perm Open, Sverdlovsk Oblast (Russia) 2006).

11. g4 Nxg4?!

• This sacrifice is purely speculative. Black gives up his Knight in order to wipe away White's kingside pawns in hopes of later launching a kingside attack. It is not advisable make such a sacrifice unless more concrete plans for the attack are more in evidence than they are here.
• 11. -- Na5 12. Be2 Bg6 13. Ne5 c6 14. Rc1 Re8 15. Nxg6 hxg6 16. Re1 Bc7 gives Black better piece activity.
• color="blue"]11. -- Bg6 12. Nh4 Kh8 13. Nxg6+ then:
• 13. -- fxg6 14. f4 Na5 15. Bd3 Nc6 16. Re1 Ng8 is equal
• after 13. -- hxg6 14. Qf3 Qd7 15. Rfe1 Rfe8 16. Rac1 White has more freedom.

12. hxg4 Bxg4 13. Ne4 Kh8

• Black clearly intends to advance his f-pawn.
• 13. -- Be7 14. d5 Na5 15. b3 f5 16. Nc5 Bxc5 17. Bxc5 Re8 18. Qd3 is level.

14. Kg2 f5 15. Nxd6 Qxd6?!

• This move is inconsistant with Black's basic plan of attacking on the kingside. It is best to play -- f4 as a harbinger of the attack. As will be seen, this move actually makes -- f4 more difficult.
• Better is 15. -- cxd6 16. Rh1 f4! when:
• after 17. Bd2 Nxd4 18. Rxh7+ Kxh7 19. Qh1+ Kg6 20. Nxd4 give White a slight plus in mobility.
• 17. Bc1 Qf6 18. Be2 d5 19. b3 Nxd4 20. Qd3 Nf5 is equal.

16. Rh1 h5

• This is not an attacking move or even the simple advance of a passed pawn. This is a necessary, almost reflexive defensive move.
• If 16. -- Qg6 17. Nh4! Qd6 18. Bf4! then:
• after 18. -- Qf6 19. Be5 Qg5 20. f4 Qh5 21. Qd3 Nxe5 22. dxe5 White continues to enjoy a material advantage and superior piece mobility.
• 18. -- Qxf4 19. Ng6#
• 16. -- f4? now would be a catastrophic error (see previous note): if 17. Rxh7+ Kxh7 18. Ng5+ Kh8 19. Qxg4 then:
• 19. -- Qh6 20. Bxf4 +-
• 19. -- fxe3 20. Rh1+ Qh6 21. Qe4 b5 22. Qh7+ Qxh7 23. Rxh7#

17. d5 Rad8

• The text is better than 17. -- f4 18. Bd4 Qg6 19. Rg1 Rad8 20. Kh2 Nxd4 21. Qxd4 giving White better mobility and a pin on the g-file.

18. dxc6 Qxc6 19. Qe2 Rd6?

• Now 19. -- f4 might have salvaged the game. After this, there is no salvation for Black.
• 19. -- f4 20. Bb5 Qg6 21. Kh2 Bxf3 22. Qxf3 fxe3 23. Qxe3 Rf5 24. Bf1 gives White only a small edge in material as Black's pieces spring to life.

Black: Luís Ibarra
!""""""""#
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$+ + +o+o%
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White: Jesús Nogueiras
Position after 19. -- Rd8d6
20. Rxh5+!!

• White nails down the game with a Rook sacrifice.

20. -- Bxh5 21. Rh1 g6 22. Bd4+?!

White jeopardizes much of his advantage with this inaccuracy.
• Correct is 22. Bf4 Re8 23. Be5+ Kh7 24. Kg1 Re7 25. Ng5+ Kh6 26. Nf7+ when:
• after 26. -- Rxf7 27. Rxh5+ gxh5 28. Bxf7 White is threatening a mating net around Black.
• 26. -- Kh7 27. Rxh5+ gxh5 28. Qxh5+ Kg8 29. Qh8#

22. -- Rxd4 23. Qe5+ Rf6

• If 23. -- Qf6 24. Qxf6+ Rxf6 25. Nxd4 then:
• 25. -- Kg7 26. Ne6+ Kh6 27. Kg3 a5 28. Nf4 Rb6 29. b3 gives White a winning edge with his pressure on Black's King position.
• 25. -- Kh7 26. Re1 Kh6 27. Re7 Rb6 28. b3 c6 29. f4 gives White a winning advantage.

24. Rxh5+ gxh5 25. Qxd4 Kh7 26. Qf4 Rg6+ 27. Kh2 Qc5?!

• Black restores the balance to White's favor.
• If 27. -- Qe4 28. Qxe4 fxe4 29. Nd2 Rb6 30. b3 then:
• after 30. -- e3 31. fxe3 Kh6 32. Ne4 Rg6 33. Be2 White has a strong edge, but the victory is now problematic.
• after 30. -- Rf6 31. Nxe4 Rf4 32. Kg3 Rg4+ 33. Kf3 Kg6 34. a3 White will need to work hard for the full point.

28. Ne5 Rg5

• after 28. -- Rf6 29. Nd7 Qd6 30. Nxf6+ Qxf6 31. Qxc7+ Kh6 32. Qf4+ White will pick off Black's kingside pawns and advance the f-pawn.
• after 28. -- Qe7 29. Nxg6 Kxg6 30. Bd3 Qf6 31. Kh3 c6 32. b4 b6 33. Qe3 White will attack Black's weak pawns.

29. Qxg5 Qxe5+ 30. Kh3 1-0

• If 30. Kh3 Qxb2 31. Bg8+ Kh8 32. Be6 then:
• after 32. -- Qc3+ 33. Kh4 Qd4+ 34. Kxh5 Qg4+ 35. Qxg4 fxg4 36. Kxg4 White will prepare to advance his f-pawn.
• the less painful way out is 32. -- Qxa2 33. Qh6#
• El señor Ibarra resigns.

[Jack Rabbit]

6. Shabalov - Cheng, North American Open, Las Vegas

Alex Shabalov
Photo: New York Masters

Alex Shabalov vs. Xiao Cheng
North American Open, Round 2
Las Vegas, Nevada, December 2006

Open Sicilian Game: Najdorf Defense (Fischer Attack)

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Bc4

• This was Bobby Fischer's pet move. It's a perfectly good one and it is surprising that that it has not become more popular.

6. -- e6 7. Bb3 b5 8. Qf3

• 8. 0-0 Be7 9. Qf3 Qc7 10. Qg3 Nc6 11. Nxc6 Qxc6 12. Re1 Bb7 13. a3 Rd8 14. Bg5 0-0 15. Rad1 Nh5 16. Qh4 Bxg5 17. Qxg5 Nf6 18. Rd3 h6 19. Qh4 Qc5 yieds an even game (Kudrin-Browne, US Ch, Modesto, California 1995).

8. -- Qc7

• If 8. -- Bb7 9. 0-0 then:
• 9. -- Nbd7 10. Re1 Nc5
• 11. Bd5 Qc7 12. Bxb7 Qxb7 13. Bg5
• after 13. -- Be7?! 14. a3 0-0 15. Rad1 Rfd8 16. e5 Qxf3 17. Nxf3 dxe5 18. Nxe5 Rxd1 19. Rxd1 Rc8 White's pieces are more active (Gregor-Schmidt, B Group, Dortmund 1988).
• 13. -- b4 14. Nce2 Nfxe4 15. Bf4 Be7 16. Ng3 d5 yields Black a spatial edge.
• 11. Bg5 Be7 12. a3 Qc7 13. Ba2 0-0 14. Bd2 Nfd7 is an equal game.
• 9. -- b4 10. Nce2 Bxe4 11. Qg3 e5 12. Nf3 Nbd7 13. Rd1 Qc7 14. Bg5 Nc5 gives Black a very minute plus in space and piece activity.

9. Bg5 Be7 10. Bxf6

• If 10. e5 Bb7 11. exd6 Bxd6 then:
• 12. Qe3? then:
• 12. -- Be5? 13. 0-0-0 0-0 14. Rhe1 Nbd7 15. Kb1 Rfe8 16. a3 Rac8 17. Bxf6 gxf6 is equal (Shabalov-García, Torneo Continental Americano, Buenos Aires 2003).
• 12. -- 0-0 13. Bxe6 Re8 14. Bxf6 gxf6 15. Ne4 Bxe4 16. Qxe4 Ra7 17. 0-0-0 fxe6 gives Black a solid advantage activity and mobility.
• 12. Qh3 Bb4 13. Bxf6 Bxc3+ 14. bxc3 gxf6 15. a4 Rg8 16. Rg1 Rg7 17. axb5 axb5 18. Rxa8 Bxa8 give Black a small edge owing to his active pieces.

10. -- Bxf6 11. 0-0-0 0-0

• If 11. -- Bb7? 12. Ndxb5 axb5 13. Nxb5 Qc6 14. Nxd6+ then:
• after 14. -- Ke7 15. Qg3 Nd7 16. f4 Nc5 17. e5 Nxb3+ 18. Qxb3 Rhb8 19. exf6+ gxf6 20. Qb4 Ba6 21. Nf5+ Black resigns (Volokitin-Harikrishna, Rapid Tournament, Knock Out Round 1/Game 5 (Blitz), Cap d'Agne 2006).
• after 14. -- Kf8 15. Qh5 g6 16. Qh6+ Bg7 17. Qf4 f6 18. e5 White's well-posted pieces look like victory.

12. e5!?

• This is by no means a novelty, but after this move with best play the game should be equal; otherwise, White could derive a small edge from an alternative move.
• If 12. Qg3 Qc5 then:
• 13. Nde2 a5 14. a4 then:
• 14. -- Ba6 15. Qxd6 Qxd6 16. Rxd6 b4 17. Nb5 Bxb5 18. axb5 a4 19. Ba2 gives White a slight edge in piece activity.
• 14. -- Bd7 15. Qxd6 Qxd6 16. Rxd6 b4 17. Nd1 Rd8 18. Ne3 Na6 19. Rhd1 again gives White better piece activity.
• 13. Qd3 Qg5+ 14. Kb1 Qxg2 15. f4 Nd7 16. Rhg1 Qf2 17. Nxe6 fxe6 18. Bxe6+ Kh8 19. Qxd6 is balanced.

12. -- dxe5?

• In the database at Chessgames.com, this position is reached in four games; White won them all.
• The essential move for Black is 12. -- Bb7; if then 13. exd6 Qb6 then:
• 14. Qe3 Rd8 15. Ne4 Bxe4 16. Qxe4 Ra7 17. Nxe6 fxe6 18. Bxe6+ Kh8 is balanced.
• 14. Qd3 Qxd6 15. Nf3 Qxd3 16. Rxd3 b4 17. Na4 Bxf3 18. Rxf3 Rd8 is even.

Black: Xiao Cheng
!""""""""#
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/(((((((()
White: Alex Shabalov
Position after 12. -- d6xe5

13. Nxe6!!

• The sacrifice of the Bishop is far and away the best move.
• If 13. Ncxb5 axb5 14. Nxe6 Bxe6 then:
• 15. Bxe6 e4 16. Qxe4 Ra4 17. Qf5 fxe6 18. Qxe6+ Kh8 sends White to an early shower.
• 15. Qxa8? Nc6 traps White's Queen.
• else if 13. Qxa8? exd4 then:
• 14. Ne4 Be7 15. Bd5 exd5 16. Qxd5 Rd8 17. Qb4 !f4+ 18. Nd2 d3 gives Black serious threats aimed at the center of White's camp.
• 14. Ne2 Nc6 15. g3 Bb7 traps White's Queen.
• after 14. Nxb5 axb5 15. Qf3 Na6 16. Qg3 Qxg3 17. hxg3 Nc5 18. Rh5 e5 Black's mobile pawn center is ready to advance.

13. -- fxe6

• Other moves are no better.
• If 13. -- Bxe6 14. Qxa8 then:
• 14. -- Bxb3 15. axb3 then:
• 15. -- Nc6 16. Nd5 Bg5+ 17. Kb1 Qd6 18. Qxa6 Qc5 19. Qb6 Black resigns (Volokitin-Harikrishna, Rapid Tournament, Knock Out Round 1/Game 7 (Blitz), Cap d'Agne 2006).
• 15. -- Rc8 16. Qe4 Nd7 17. Nd5 Bg5+ 18. Kb1 Nf6 19. Qf5 Nxd5 20. Rxd5 give White a material edge and active pieces.
• after 14. -- Bg5+ 15. Kb1 Qb6 16. Qf3 Bxb3 17. axb3 f5 18. Qd5+ White is an exchange up with an active Queen.
• 14. -- Nc6 15. Qxa6 Bxb3 16. cxb3 Nb4 17. Qxb5 Nxa2+ 18. Kc2 e4 19. Qc4 leaves White an excahnge up, an advatage that will be magified if Balck elects to exchange Queens.
• else if 13. -- Bb7 14. Qxf6 gxf6 15. Nxc7 Ra7 16. N7d5 then:
• 16. -- Kg7 17. Rd3 f5 18. Re1 Nc6 19. Rg3+gives White a decisive edge in piece activity, King safety and pawn structure.
• after 16. -- Bxd5 17. Nxd5 Kg7 18. Rd3 a5 19. Rg3+ Kh8 20. Nxf6 White is a piece to the good.

14. Qxa8!

• White is permanently a full exchange to the good.
• If 14. Bxe6+? Bxe6 15. Qxa8 Bg5+ 16. Kb1 b4 then:
• 17. Nd5 Qc4 18. h4 Nc6 19. b3 Qc5 20. Qxa6 Bxd5 21. hxg5 Be4 gives Black a huge benefit of two active minor pieces for the Rook.
• 17. Ne4 Bh6 18. Nd6 Rxf2 19. Qe4 Nd7 20. b3 Kh8 give Black a decisive edge in piece activity.

14. -- a5

• The reason White's 14th move works now is that there is no longer any way to trap the Queen on a8:
14. -- Nc6 15. Ne4
• 15. -- Bb7 Bxe6+ wins a Rook for White.
• 15. -- Bd7 Qxa6.
• after 14. -- Bd7 the Queen escapes by i]15. Bxe6+ Kh8 16. Qa7 Bg5+ 17. Kb1 Bh6 18. Ne4 Nc6 19. Qc5.
• If 14. -- Bg5+ 15. Kb1 Rxf2 16. Ne4 then:
• after 16. -- Rxg2 17. Rhf1 Be7 18. Nf6+ Bxf6 19. Qxg2 White should win comfortably.
• after 16. -- Nc6 17. Bxe6+ Kh8 18. Qxc8+ Qxc8 19. Bxc8 White is a whole Rook to the good.

15. Nxb5 Qb6 16. Nd6 Bd7 17. Nc4 Qxf2 18. Qxa5

• Also good is 18. Nxa5 Nc6 19. Qa6 Nxa5 20. Qxa5 Qxg2 21. Qb6 Bc8 22. Bxe6+ when White remains an exchange up with active pieces.

18. -- Qxg2 19. Kb1 e4

• If 19. -- Nc6 20. Qc7 Bd8 21. Qxd7 Bf6 22. Rhg1 then:
• after 22. -- Qxh2 23. Qxc6 Kh8 24. Nd6 g6 25. Rh1 White's material edge will drive home the victory.
• after 22. -- Qh3 23. Qxc6 Kh8 24. Qd6 Re8 25. Nxe5 Bxe5 26. Qe7 Black must either lose more material or submit to mate.

20. Qb6 Bc6 21. a4 Qe2

• If 21. -- Qg5 22. Rd6 e3 23. Re1 Qh4 24. Qxe3 then:
• 24. -- Bd5 25. Ne5 Bxb3 26. cxb3 Qxh2 27. Rxe6 Nd7 28. Nd3 magnifies White's material advantage.
• 24. -- Kh8 25. Rxe6 Bd5 26. Qc5 Nd7 27. Qxd5 gives White the material advantage of a Rook and two pawns.

22. Nd6 Bd7 23. Rhe1 Qg4

• If 23. -- Qxh2 24. Nxe4 Kh8 25. Rf1 then:
• 25. -- Qe5 26. Nxf6 gxf6 27. Rde1 Qg5 28. Bxe6 Bxa4 29. Bf5 Nc6 30. Qa6 forces Black into exchanges that only magnify White's material edge.
• 25. -- h6 26. Qb4 Rf7 27. Nxf6 gxf6 28. Rh1 Black must lose more material or submit to mate.

24. Nxe4 Bh4 25. Rf1 1-0

• Material continues to disappear from the board, magnifying White's material advantage.
• Cheng resigns.

[Jack Rabbit]

7. Hickman - Houska, Chess Congress, Hastings

Jovanka Houska
Photo: Rochade Kuppenheim (Germany)

John Hickman vs. Jovanka Houska
Chess Congress, Round 1
Hastings, December 2006

Open German Game: Spassky Opening (Caro-Kann Defense)

1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Bf5 5. Ng3 Bg6 6. h4 h6 7. Nf3 Nd7 8. h5 Bh7 9. Bd3 Bxd3 10. Qxd3 e6 11. Bf4 Qa5+

• Thus have begun hundreds of master games.
• 11. -- Ngf6 12. 0-0-0 Be7 13. Kb1 0-0 14. Ne5 Qa5 15. Ne4 Rad8 16. Nxf6+ Nxf6 17. Qg3 Kh8 18. Rd3 c5 19. Qf3 Rxd4 20. Rxd4 cxd4 21. Qxb7 Nd5 22. Bg3 Qa4 is equal (Adams-Bareev, Dortmund 2002).

12. Bd2 Bb4

• If 12. -- Qc7 13. 0-0-0 Ngf6 14. Ne4 0-0-0 then:
• 15. g3 Nxe4 16. Qxe4 Bd6 17. c4
• 17. -- c5 18. d5 Nf6 19. Qc2 exd5 20. cxd5 Rhe8 21. Bc3 Qd7 22. Bxf6 gxf6 23. Kb1 f5 24. Nh4 Re4 is equal (Sandeepan-Arisian, Aeroflot Open, Moscow 2006).
• 17. -- Nf6 18. Qe2 c5 19. Bc3 cxd4 20. Nxd4 a6 21. Kb1 Rhe8 22. Rc1 Bc5 23. Rh4 Bxd4 24. Rxd4 Rxd4 25. Bxd4 Rd8 26. Bxf6 gxf6 gives White a small edge in pawn structure, but nothing that can be called a decisive advantage (Luther-Johannessen, Olymp, Torino 2006).
• 15. Kb1 c5 16. Nxf6 Nxf6 17. Qa3 Kb8 18. Qa4 c4 19. Ne5 Rc8 20. Bf4 Bd6 21. Nxf7 Bxf4 22. Nxh8 Rxh8 23. Rde1 Qc8 gives Black small advantages in space and mobility (van der Wiel-Portisch, Budapest 1985).

13. c3 Be7 14. c4 Qc7 15. 0-0-0 Ngf6 16. Kb1

• This move does not have to be made right away.
• White's time would be better invested in 16. Qe2 b5 17. c5 Nd5 18. Ne4 N7f6 19. Ne5 Nxe4 20. Qxe4 Bf6 21. f4 Bxe5 22. fxe5 gives White a spatial edge (Apicella-Fontaine, French League, Port Barcares 2005).

16. -- 0-0 17. Ne4

• If 17. Rhe1 then:
  • 17. -- b5 18. Rc1 a6 then:
  • 19. Ne5? Nxe5
  • 20. dxe5 Rfd8 21. Qc2 Nd7 Black is threatening to win a pawn; if White defends with 22. f4 then Black replies 22. -- Bh4 (Calistri-Landa, Paris Ch, 2006).
  • after 20. Rxe5 c5 21. Bf4 Qd7 22. Ree1 Rfd8 Black is again threatening to win a pawn.
  • 19. Nf5 Bd8 20. Nxh6+ gxh6 21. Bxh6 Re8 give Black a piece for two pawns.
  • 17. -- Rfe8 18. Ne5 Bd6 19. f4 Rad8 20. Qf3 c5 21. Nxd7 Rxd7 22. d5 exd5 23. Rxe8+ Nxe8 24. cxd5 is level (Karjakin-Mchedlishvili, World TCh, Beer Sheva 2005).

17. -- b5 18. Nxf6+!?

• The exchange at f6 is favorable to Black.
• If 18. Rc1 bxc4 19. Rxc4 then:
• 19. -- Rfb8? 20. Nxf6+ Nxf6 21. Qc2 Ba3 22. Bc1 Rb6 23. Ne5 Rc8 24. g4 is level (Cuijpers-van Delft, Amsterdam Chess Trmt, 2006).
• after 19. -- Rab8! 20. Rhc1 Rfc8 21. Nxf6+ Nxf6 22. Ne5 Qb7 23. Qc2 c5! Black has a strong edge in mobility as White's pieces are tied down tactically.

18. -- Nxf6 19. c5 Rfd8 20. Qe2 Ng4

• Black is countering White's hold on e5 in case she decides to advance her e-pawn.
• If 20. -- Rd5?! 21. g4 then:
• 21. -- Nh7 22. Rdg1 Ng5 23. Bxg5 Bxg5 24. Nxg5 Rxg5 gives Black a slight edge with her active pieces and command of the open b8/h2 diagonal.
• after 21. -- Nxg4? 22. Rhg1 f5 23. Qxe6+ Kh8 24. Qg6 Bf6 25. Rde1 White's pieces come to life.

21. g3 Rd5 22. Bf4?

• By attacking the Queen, White simply compels Black to move her Queen to a better square.
• The question is whether White's weak d-pawn will hold. White should muster all his forces to its defense.
• Better is 22. Ne1 Nf6 23. Nf3 when:
• after 23. -- Rad8 24. Bf4 Qd7 the struggle will be over fate of White's pawn at d4.
• again, after 23. -- Nxh5 24. g4 Nf4 25. Qe4 Ng6 26. Rdg1 the game hinges on whether White can hold his d-pawn.

Black: Jovanka Houska
!""""""""#
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$+oPt+ +p%
$ + P +m+%
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/(((((((()
White: John Hickman
Position after 22. Bd2c4

22. -- Qd7!

• This is a quiet move that makes all the difference. Black's plan is to bust trough White's center on the d-file.
• If 22. -- Qd8 23. Ne5 Nxe5 24. Bxe5 Qd7 then:
• 25. Rhe1 Rd8 26. Rc1 Bg5
• after 27. Rc2 a5 28. f4 Be7 White is out of serious trouble.
• after 27. Rcd1? Bf6 28. Bxf6 gxf6 29. Qg4+ Kh7 Black will break through as planned.
• in spite of Black's inaccuracy, there are still plenty of opportunities for White to go worng: after 25. Qg4? f6 26. Bf4 f5 27. Qe2 Rd8 28. Rd2 e5 Black will break through on the d-file after all.

23. Ne5

• White might survive longer after 23. Rhe1 Rd8 24. Bd2 Qb7 25. Ba5 R8d7 26. Nd2 Nf6 27. Nf3 Bd8 28. Bxd8 Rxd8, but his game is still lost.

23. -- Nxe5 24. Bxe5 Rd8 25. g4

• After 25. Kc1 Kh8 26. f3 f6 27. Bf4 Rxd4 28. Rxd4 Qxd4 29. Qxe6 Bxc5 Black has succcessfully broken through.

25. -- f6 26. Bg3 e5 27. f4

• After 27. g5 hxg5 28. Rc1 Rxd4 29. Qf3 Rd2 30. h6 gxh6 31. Rxh6 Qd4 32. Qb3+ Rd5 it's lights out.

27. -- exf4 28. Bxf4 Bxc5 29. Bxh6

• 29. dxc5 Rxd1+ 30. Rxd1 Qxd1+ 31. Qxd1 Rxd1+ 32. Kc2 Rf1 gives Black a prohibitive material advantage.

29. -- gxh6 30. Qe4 Qh7 31. 0-1

• After the exchange of Queens, Black is permantly a piece up.
• Mr. Hickman resigns.

[Jack Rabbit]

8. Jonathan Speelman (London Observer): The year of the computer

From the London Observer (Sunday supplement of The Guardian Unlimited)
Dated Sunday December 31

The year of the computer
By Jonathan Speelman

2006 has in chess terms been above all the 'Year of the Computer': the computer both as fearsome adversary and more importantly a powerful tool which can potentially be used to cheat.

Whereas other sports fret about drugs, this is a complete non-issue in chess and players have to undergo testing in some official competitions merely as a sop to the Olympic Committee and WADA. However the use of computers is not only technically quite possible but has also been detected in isolated cases in Open tournaments. It's therefore perfectly reasonable that players should have to pass through a metal detector in the most serious of competitions. Moreover, the various allegations about cheating at the highest level, while I believe them to be utterly baseless, have certainly not come out of thin air.

The imbroglio during the Kramnik v Topalov match this October was fuelled initially by a whispering campaign against Topalov himself, following his sterling victory at the world championship tournament in San Luis in Argentina, last October.
It was suggested that Topalov had improved 'too much' and must therefore have been receiving help. Some of this emanated from Russian sources and while Kramnik himself was certainly not involved, it surely provided some motivation for the campaign that Topalov's manager Silvio Danailov unleashed in Elista as he alleged quite openly that Kramnik was going to the toilet in order to receive help from 'Fritz'.

Read more.

Jonathan Speelman is a British grandmaster.

[Lithos]

11. Given the politics of chess

This is nothing new. Competition chess will survive this.

L-

[Jack Rabbit]

12. The real problem is not at the top level

It is unfortunate that Danailov and Topalov get all the publicity just for making noise. The charges they make against Kramnik have no basis in fact.

There is little or no cheating at the top levels of chess. Kramnik showed he can play almost as well as Fritz 10, so why should he consult Fritz during a game? Grandmasters have worked hard to get to where they are. There aren't too many of them willing to throw it away by illegally consulting a computer that plays only a little bit better than they do.

The real problem comes in open tournaments among people who play at the lower levels (like you and me). The guys who get caught aren't particularly smart. The American player rated under 2000 who was expelled from the World Open in Philadelphia last summer had won a phenomenal string of consecutive games and had reached the point where he was defeating grandmasters. The problem was that his moves matched the first preference of Fritz 9 almost 100% of the time. That's something you don't even see from Kramnik or Topalov or Anand. Had he won the event -- and needless to say, he was leading when expelled -- he would have received something like $18K.

Then we have the case of Umakant Sharma, the Indian player who was banned from organized chess for ten years last week after being caught with a Bluetooth device during a tournament game. He had gained 500 ratings points in six months. Talk about ridiculous.

The American player, whom I shall not name because nothing was actually proved in his case, and Sharma, who was caught red handed, deserve a dumb crook award. They didn't just send warning signals about something amiss, they sent up fireworks. We might suppose that for for those with the stomach to do this sort of thing the trick is to get enough out of cheating to make the risk worth the effort while not drawing attention to one's self.

[Lithos]

13. I was actually thinking of other controversies

Botvinnik's win in 1948 supposedly done as part of collusion by the Soviet Government.

http://www.worldchessnetwork.com/English/chessNews/evans/230902.php

Then there was 1962's Curacao where the Soviets again were charged with fixing the game. This resulted in a change in how title tournaments were scheduled.

Kasparov talks about some others here: http://www.sptimes.ru/index.php?action_id=2&story_id=19067 though he only alludes to problems between Fischer and Spasky. What he didn't mention were the claims of a "brain disruption device.". Course Ilyumzhinov is a whole story unto himself.

Let's not forget 1978 where Korchnoi accused Karpov variously of having a parapsychologist in the room trying to disrupt his thinking. Plus there were the claims of color coded yogurt cups being given to Karpov as a way of communicating instructions.

Outside of third parties who are trying to control things, one most recent example being how Judith Polgar lost her title, I agree with you that most of the upper tier players have too much to lose by cheating and that the middle tier is where problems are likely to occur. . Chief among the problems here are complaints that an automated scoring tool called the MonRoi is proving useful to cheats.

[Jack Rabbit]

14. How is MonRoi useful to cheats?

As far as I know, the device transmits moves directly to a computer. MonRoi usues it to rely "real time" coverage over the net. But they dodn't broadcast all games in an event. Otherwise, it would be easy for a confederate to get instant information and transmit a computer recommendation to a player.

While we're on the subject of MonRoi, click here to accept the terms of agreement; then select the second round and then the first game in the round to view the Shabalov game given above from MonRoi's site.

There may have been some collusion in the 1948 tournament. However, most of the suspicion rests on Botvinnik's game the last round against Keres. Did he allow Keres to win? Keres' win allowed the Soviets to finish 1-2-3 in the event.

I don't know if it's an urban legend, but supposedly the game between Petrosian and Korchnoi in Curacao was worked out beforehand by Geller because the Ministry of Sport decided there should be a clear winner. What's more, according to some source I came across (I'm still skeptical) the game was played in 35 minutes. If true, it must have been because both players, especially Korchnoi, found the whole exercise distasteful. Imagine Korchnoi, Mr. Time Trouble himself, playing a game like that.

I doubt a parapsychologist could disrupt anyone's thinking, but to call me a skeptic on such matters is an understatement. There is evidence that Korchnoi believes in such things and supposedly a few years ago played a friendly game against Geza Maroczy (1870-1951) through a medium.

Kirsan's a piece of work, isn't he? He's the Dick Cheney of chess, only without the rough edges.

[Lithos]

15. Will look at the MonRoi game later (about to crash for the night)

There are a few claims (bordering on libel) that MonRoi allows for research into previous games which would theoretically allow for a "preferred" move to be revealed. Not sure how it would happen, I personally doubt it, but we were talking about scandals, even if not fully based in substantial fact.

Kirsan is definitely a piece of work. I hope that when he has left the scene, that someone writes a tell all book, there have to be an extremely interesting backstory full of some rather interesting personalities.

L-