The Jack Rabbit Chess Report for June 10: Leko ½ point from Mexico City

[Jack Rabbit]

The Jack Rabbit Chess Report
for the week ending June 10

Candidates' Final Matches in Elista



Image: Victoria (Veronica Kasatkina), River of Time
from Chess Central
Website of Veronica Kasatkina

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 June 10

Candidates Matches in Elista: Leko ½ point away from Mexico City



Hungarian grandmaster Peter Leko need only avoid loss in his fifth match game agains Evgeny Bareev tomorrow in Elista, Kalmykia (Russia) in order to qualify for September's World Championship Tournament in Mexico City.

One thing upon which Leko's admirers and detractors agree is that Leko knows how to avoid loss.

Leko has a 3-1 lead over Bareev after today's fouth round game ended in a draw. Bareev must win the two remaining games tomorrow and Tuesday in order to force a playoff of four rapid games Wednesday. As if the two-game disadvantage were not enough for Bareev to overcome, he must do this against Leko, perhaps the most difficult grandmaster in the world to defeat.

Leko will play White tomorrow.

Rublevsky, Grischuk knotted

In another game today, former Russian national champion Sergey Rublevsky defeated fellow Russian grandmaster Alexander Grischuk in 66 moves to knot their match at two points apiece.

Grischuk won the first game of the match Wednesday and the second and third games were draws.

Today's game, in which Rublevsky played White, began as an Open Royal Game (more commonly called the Scotch Opening), at which Rublevsky is the world's leading practioner. At the end of the game, White was three pawns up ready to deliver mate on the next move.

Candidates' Matches
Finals
Elista

Levon Aronian. . . .1 ½ ½ ½ * * .. - 2½ . . . . . . Peter Leko . . . . .1 ½ 1 ½ * * .. - 3.
Alexey Shirov. . . .0 ½ ½ ½ * * .. - 1½ . . . . . . Evgeny Bareev. . . .0 ½ 0 ½ * * .. - 1.

Alexander Grischuk .1 ½ ½ 0 * * .. - 2. . . . . . . Gata Kamsky. . . . .½ ½ 0 ½ * * .. - 1½
Sergey Rublevsky . .0 ½ ½ 1 * * .. - 2. . . . . . . Boris Gelfand. . . .½ ½ 1 ½ * * .. - 2½

The other two games today ended in draws. In those matches, Armenian grandmaster Levon Aronian leads Latvian-born Spaniard Alexey Shirov, 2½-1½, and in a battle of two Soviet expatriots, Israeli grandmaster Boris Gelfand is ahead of Gata Kamsky of the United States, 2½-1½.

Each match is scheduled for six games, with the last two rounds to be played tomorrow and Tuesday. Any match that is knotted at 3 points apiece after six games will be decided in a playoff of rapid and, if necessary, blitz games on Wednesday.

The four match winners will play in the World championship Tournament in Mexico City in Spetember with four seeded players, reigning world champion Vladimir Kramnik, Russian grandmaster Alexander Morozevich and Peter Leko and the number one ranked player in the world, India's Vishy Anand.


National Open in Las Vegas concludes this evening



The National Open, part of the Las Vegas International Chess Festival, concludes today with the final two rounds of the six-round Swiss system tournament.

Round 5 will begin at 11 am PDT and Round 6 is scheduled for 6 pm.

After four rounds, two players have perfect scores: Bulgarian grandmaster Atanas Kolev and IM Renier Gonzalez of Florida. Several players are on their heels with 3½ points, including the grand old man of chess, Viktor Korchnoi. US champion Alex Shabalov is at 3 points, as is the leading lady of American chess, Irina Krush.

[Jack Rabbit]

11. Updates: Leko and Gelfand win in Elista; Nakamura hits jackpot in Vegas

Candiates Finals/Round 5: Leko and Gelfand qualify for Mexico City



Israeli grandmaster Boris Gelfand, playing Black, defeated American Gata Kamsky in 53 moves a few minutes ago to win their candidates' final match in Elista, the capital of the autonomous Russian republic of Kalmykia, by a score of 3½-1½.

Kamsky was in a must win situation today and courageously fought on in a lost position for much of the game.

In another game today, Peter Leko of Hungary agreed to a draw with Russian grandmaster Evgeny Bareev to win their match, 3½-1½.

The match victories qualify Leko and Gelfand to play in the World Championship Tournament in Mexico City beginning September 9.

The two other games today, one between Armenian grandmaster Levon Aronian and Latvian-Spanish grandmaster Alexey Shirov and the other between Russians Alexander Grischuk and Sergey Rublevsky, also ended in draws. Aronian leads Shriov 3-2 and need only aboid loss in tomorrow's game to qualify for the tournament in Mexico City. Shirov will play White. The match between Grischuk and Rublevsky is knotted at 2½ points each with both players needing a win tomorrow to qualify for Mexico City. Should that game, in which Rublevsky will play White, end in a draw, a set of four rapid games will be played Wednesday followed by two blitz games, if necessary, to determine the winner of the match.


Nakamura wins National Open in Las Vegas



New York grandmaster Hikaru Nakamura defeated Reiner Gonzales, an international master from Florida, in 84 moves to win a clear first prize in the National Open in Las Vegas last night.

The win gave Nakamura 5½ points in the six-round Swiss system event. Gonzales was leading the tournament with a perfect score after five rounds with Nakamura only a half point behind at the start of the final round.

Six players finished tied for second at 5 points each, including Gonzales and the legendary 76-year-old Russo-Swiss grandmaster Viktor Korchnoi.

[Jack Rabbit]

12. Update 2: Aronian and Grischuk bound for Mexico City

Details Sunday.

[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. oops

[Jack Rabbit]

4. Games from current and recent events

Chess Games
Analysis by JR and Fritz (4.01 and 6.0)

Alexander Grischuk - Sergey Rublevsky, Candidtes' Final Match, Round 1, Elista
Levon Aronian - Magnus Carlsen, Candidtes' Semi-Final Match, Round 4, Elista
Evgeny Bareev - Judit Polgar, Candidtes' Semi-Final Match, Round 4, Elista
Magnus Carlsen - Levon Aronian, Candidtes' Semi-Final Match, Round 5, Elista
Judit Polgar - Evgeny Bareev, Candidtes' Semi-Final Match, Round 5, Elista
Sopio Gvetadze - Shen Yang, Women's World Team Championship, Round 5, Ekaterinburg

[Jack Rabbit]

5. Grischuk - Rublevsky, Finals, Round 1, Elista

Alexander Grischuk
Photo: ChessBase.com

Alexander Grischuk vs. Sergey Rublevsky
Candidates' Final Match, Round 1
Elista, June 2007

Open Sicilian Game: Scheveningen Defense

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nc6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Be2 d6

• 6. -- Qc7 is the Taimanov Defense.

7. 0-0 Nf6 8. Be3 Bd7 9. a4 Be7 10. f4

• 10. Nb3 Na5 11. Nd2 0-0 12. f4 Bc6 13. Bf2 Rc8 14. Bd3 Be8 15. Qf3 Nd7 16. Qh3 Nc5 17. Bxc5 Rxc5 18. e5 g6 19. Nce4 dxe5 20. Nxc5 Bxc5+ 21. Kh1 Nc6 22. Rad1 gives Black compensation for the exchange (Anand-Polugaevsky, Reggio Emilia 1991).

10. -- Nxd4

• 10. -- 0-0 11. Nb3 b6 12. Bf3 Qc7 13. Kh1 Rfe8 14. g4 Bc8 15. g5 Nd7 16. Bg2 Bb7 17. Qh5 Nb4 18. Nd4 g6 19. Qh4 e5 20. fxe5 Nxe5 21. Rf2 Bf8 22. Raf1 Bg7 is unclear (Lobron-van Wely, Antwerp 1996).

11. Qxd4

• 11. Bxd4 Bc6 12. Bd3 0-0 13. Qe2 Nd7 14. Kh1 g6 15. f5 Bf6 16. Bxf6 Nxf6 17. fxe6 fxe6 18. e5 Nd5 19. Nxd5 Bxd5 20. Rxf8+ Qxf8 21. Rf1 Qe7 is equal and flatlining (Heberla-Macieja, Polish Ch, Opole 2007).

11. -- Bc6 12. b4 0-0 13. b5 Be8

• 13. -- Bd7 14. e5 Ne8 15. Ne4 d5 16. Nc5 Bc8 17. c4 dxc4 18. Qxd8 Bxd8 19. Bxc4 White has a huge advatange in space. (Fishbein-Psakhis, Tel Aviv 1992).

14. e5 Qc7

• The untested 14. -- dexe5 15. fxe5 Nd5 16. Nxd5 Qxd5 17. Qxd5 exd5 has a drawish look.

15. b6 Qc6 16. Bf3!?

• White tosses aside the book and attacks the Black Queen.
• 16. exd6 Qxd6 17. Bf3 Qb8 18. Qe5 Bd6 19. Qd4 Be7 20. Qe5 draw agreed (Svidler-Rublevsky, Russian Ch Superfinal, Moscow 2005).

16. -- d5

• White has emerged with a space advantage. Black must close the gap.

17. Rae1

• The Black Knight is safe for the moment.
• 17. exf6 Bxf6 18. Qc5 Bxc3 19. Ra3 Bb2 20. Ra2 Bf6 21. Qxc6 Bxc6 gives Black an extra pawn.

17. -- Nd7?!

• Black is a pawn to the good, but with a forthcoming tactical stroke White takes the upper hand.
White has the better position anyway:
• If then:
• 21. -- Bc6 22. Bxc6 Rxc6 23. Rd1 Re8 24. Bf2 gives White an extra pawn
• After 21. -- Rxc2 22. Bxb7 a5 23. Be4 Rc4 24. b7! Bxa4 25. Ba7 it will cost Black more material to stop the pawn.
• 17. -- Ne4 18. Nxe4 dxe4 19. Bxe4 Qxa4 20. Qxa4 Bxa4 21. Bxb7 White has an extra pawn and a huge spatial edge.

Black: Sergey Rublevsky
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White: Alexander Grischuk
Position after 17. -- Nf6d7

18. Nxd5!!

• White sacrifices a Knight for two central pawns.
• 18. a5 Rc8 19. Ne2 Qb5 20. g4 Bc5 21. Qc3 Bxe3+ 22. Qxe3 Qxa5 yields an extra pawn to Black.

18. -- exd5 19. Bxd5 Qc5?

• Black initiates the trade of his most active piece.
• 19. -- Qc8 20. a5 Nb8 21. Qd3 Nc6 22. c4 Nxa5 23. Ra1 Nc6 is unclear.
• 19. -- Qxc2 20. Rc1 Qf5 21. Bxb7 Rd8 22. Qe4 Qxe4 23. Bxe4 Nb8 gives White more space and a menacing passed pawn.

20. e6!

• White sends a bone down Black's throat.
• 20. Bxb7 Rd8 21. Qd2 Qa3 22. Ra1 Qxe3+ 23. Qxe3 Bc5 24. Qf2 Bxf2+ 25. Kxf2 leaves White with a comfortable edge in space.

20. -- Qxd4 21. Bxd4 Nf6 22. Bb3 Rd8 23. Bxf6 Bc5+

• This permits a weakening of Black's pawn structure, but he desperately needs piece activity.
• No better is 23. -- Bxf6 24. e7 Bxe7 25. Rxe7 Bc6 26. h3.

24. Kh1 gxf6

• Materially, Black has a piece for two pawns, but has lost the game in every other respect. White controls more space and has better piece activity.

Black: Sergey Rublevsky
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White: Alexander Grischuk
Position after 24. -- gf6:B

25. e7!!

• White drives the bone further down Black's throat. White wins back the piece lent on the 18th move with interest.
• If 25. f5? fxe6 26. fxe6 Be7 then Black gets a focus on g2 with a promising attack in these variations:
• 27. Rd1 Bc6 28. a5 Kh8 29. Rd3 Rxd3 30. cxd3 Rg8.
• 27. Rf3 Bc6 28. Rg3+ Kh8 29. Rge3 Rg8.

25. -- Bxe7 26. Rxe7 Bc6

• If Black plays 26. -- Rd7 then White continues to win comfortably with 27. Rfe1 Rxe7 28. Rxe7 Bc6 29. Kg1 f5 a5.

27. Rc7 Rd2

• This is Black's best shot at gaining some counterplay.

28. Re1 Rf2 29. h3 Rxf4 30. Ree7!

• White didn't lose a pawn, he sacrificed it for an attack on f7.

30. -- Rf1+ 31. Kh2 Rf2

Black: Sergey Rublevsky
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White: Alexander Grischuk
Position after 31. -- Rf1f2

32. Rxc6!!

• With this exchange sacrifice, White puts a stop to Black's counterplay and clears a path for the b-pawn's march to Scone.

32. -- bxc6 33. Rxf7 Rf4 34. c3 1-0

• After 34. -- Rxf7 35. b7 the pawn can't be stopped.
• Rublevsky resigns.

[Jack Rabbit]

6. Aronian - Carlsen, Semi-Fianls, Round 4, Elista

Levon Aronian
Photo: 64 (Russia)

Levon Aronian vs. Magnus Carlsen
Candidates' Semi-Final Match, Round 4
Elista, May 2007

East India Game: Bogo-Indian Defense

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 e6 3. c4 Bb4+ 4. Nbd2

• If 4. Bd2 Qe7 5. g3 Nc6 then:
• 6. Bg2 Bxd2+ 7. Nbxd2 d6 8. 0-0
• 8. -- a5 9. e4 e5 10. d5 Nb8 11. Ne1 0-0 12. Nd3 Na6 13. f4 c6 14. f5 cxd5 15. cxd5 Bd7 16. Nc4 Bb5 is equal (T. Mamedyarova-Naiditsch, President's Cup. Baku 2007).
• 8. -- 0-0 9. e4 e5 10. d5 Nb8 11. Ne1 a5 12. Nd3 Na6 13. f4 Bd7 14. Qb3 Ng4 15. Rae1 b6 16. h3 Nh6 17. fxe5 dxe5 18. Rf2 f6 19. Rc1 Nf7 20. c5 bxc5 21. Nxc5 Nxc5 22. Qa3 a4 23. Rxc5 draw agreed (Speelman-Seirawan, Brussels 1988).
• 6. Nc3 Bxc3 7. Bxc3 Ne4 8. Rc1 0-0 9. Bg2 d6 10. d5 Nd8 11. 0-0 e5 12. Nd2 Nxc3 13. Rxc3 f5 14. c5 Nf7 15. Qb3 f4 draw agreed (Keene-Karlsson, IT, Dortmund 1982).

4. -- b6

• If 4. -- 0-0 5. a3 then:
• 5. -- Be7 6. e4 d5
• 7. Qc2 dxe4 8. Nxe4 Nc6 9. Be3 Ng4 10. Bd3 f5 11. Nc3 Bf6 12. 0-0-0 g6 13. h3 Nxe3 14. fxe3 Bg7 15. Kb1 Rb8 16. h4 h5 17. c5 b6 18. cxb6 cxb6 19. Ne2 is unclear (Bologan-Jakovenko, Karpov Trmt, Poikovsky 2007).
• 7. e5 Nfd7 8. b4 a5 9. b5 c5 10. Bb2 cxd4 11. Be2 Nc5 12. Bxd4 Nbd7 13. a4 Nb6 14. Qc2 Nxc4 15. Bxc4 dxc4 16. Nxc4 b6 17. Rd1 Qc7 18. Nd6 Bb7 19. Bxc5 Bd5 20. Nd4 bxc5 21. N4f5 Bg5 22. 0-0 is unclear (Bareev-Bocharov, Russian Ch SemiF, Kazan 2005).
• 5. -- Bxd2+ 6. Bxd2 Ne4 7. g3 d6 8. Bg2 Nd7 9. 0-0 f5 10. Be3 Qe7 11. Qc2 Ndf6 12. Ne1 h6 13. Nd3 Bd7 14. f3 Ng5 15. Bd2 a5 16. Bc3 b5 is unclear (Sokolov-Bologan, Tan Chin Nam Cup, Shanghai 2001).

5. a3 Bxd2+ 6. Qxd2 Bb7 7. e3 0-0 8. b4

• 8. Be2 d6 9. 0-0 Nbd7 10. b4 Ne4 11. Qc2 f5 12. Bb2 Qe7 13. Rad1 Ndf6 14. d5 c5 15. dxc6 Bxc6 16. Nd4 Bb7 17. f3 Ng5 18. Qb3 Kh8 19. Nb5 Rfd8 is unclear (Vitiugov-Wojtaszek, YWCC U18, Belfort (France) 2005)

8. -- d5!?

• Black introduces a novelty designed to complicate the center.
• 8. -- a5 9. b5 d6 10. Bb2 Nbd7 11. Be2 Ne4 12. Qc2 f5 13. 0-0 Qe8 14. Ne1 Qg6 15. f3 Ng5 16. Kh1 Rae8 is unclear (Cmilyte-Chibudanidze, Eur Club Cup, Fügen (Austria) 2006).

9. Bb2

• White will buttress his center from the flanks and open the c-file.
• An alternate plan is to open the c-file first: if 9. cxd5 then:
• 9. -- Bxd5 10. Be2 a5 11. b5 c6 12. Rb1 cxb5 13. Rxb5 Ne4 14. Qd3 Qc7 gives Black an edge in space.
• 9. Qxd5 10. Bb2 a5 11. b5 c6 12. Qd3 Rc8 13. Rc1 a4 14. Be2 Ra5 gives White a small advantage in space.

9. -- Nbd7 10. Bd3

• White still plans to open the c-file. He could have done so immediately.
• If 10. Rc1 a5 11. b5 Rc8 12. cxd5 Bxd5 13. Bd3 c5 then:
• 14. bxc6 Rxc6 15. Rxc6 Bxc6 16. Be2 Qb8 is level.
• 14. dxc5 Bxf3 15. gxf3 Nxc5 16. Bc2 Qe7 is equal.
• After 10. cxd5 exd5 11. Be2 Ne4 12. Qd3 Qf6 13. 0-0 c5 14. b5 c4 15. Qc2 Black has more space and a passed pawn for White to worry about.

10. -- dxc4 11. Bxc4 c5 12. 0-0!?

• White could prevent the disfiguring of his kingside pawns by delaying castling.
• 12. Be2 Ne4 13. Qd3 Rc8 14. dxc5 bxc5 15. Rd1 Bd5 16. 0-0 Qe7 is equal.

12. -- Rc8

• Black, however, sees no good comes of 12. -- Bxf3.
• After 12. -- Bxf3 13. gxf3 Qe7 14. Rfd1 Rfd8 15. dxc5 bxc5 16. Qc3 Rac8 White has an advantage in space and the two Bishops against two Knights.

13. Qe2 Qe7

• This move is prophylactic in anticipation of the opening of the d-file and the long diagonal.
• If 13. -- cxb4 14. axb4 Bxf3 15. gxf3 Rc7 then:
• 16. Ra4 Qe7 17 Rfa1 Nb8 18. b5 Qd7 19. f4 gives White a marked edge in space.
• 16. Rfc1 Nd5 17. Bxd5 exd5 18. Rxc7 Qxc7 is unclear, but most importantly for Black is that he has a remote pawn majority.
• After 13. -- Qc7 14. Rac1 Rfd8 15. bxc5 bxc5 16. Rfd1 Qb8 17. Ne5 White has the edge in space.

14. Rfc1 cxd4 15. Nxd4

• The game is equal regardless of which pieces White uses to recapture.
• 15. Bxd4 e5 16. Bb2 a5 17. bxa5 bxa5 18. Rc2 Be4 19. Rc3 is level.

15. -- h6?

• This move is a waste of time. The position is so stable that White can make a waiting move.
• 15. -- Ne5 16. Bd3 Nxd3 17. Qxd3 e5 18. Nb5 Rfd8 19. Rxc8 Bxc8 20. Qc2 maintains the balance.

Black: Magnus Carlsen
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White: Levon Aronian
Position after 15. -- h7h6

16. Ba6!!

• White sets off a series of exchanges from which he emerges with a considerable spatial advantage.
• We should note here that in the diagrammed position, White has a modest edge in space of 10-7.

16. -- Bxa6 17. Qxa6 Rxc1+ 18. Rxc1 Nb8 19. Qc4

Black: Magnus Carlsen
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White: Levon Aronian
Position after 19. Qa6c4

• Taking stock after the exchanges, White has a lead in space of 13-3.
• The Knight at b8 finds itself poorly placed. As a result of White's spatial dominance and its restraining effect, it will be confined to that square for most of the rest of the game.
• White wins by simply converting his space advantage into piece activity while restraining any opportunities Black has for counterplay.

19. -- Rd8

• White will try to open the d-file, but the project is time consuming and the Knight is well defended.

20. h3 Ne8

• White now sees there is no satisfactory way to open the file.
• 20. -- Qd7 21. Nf3 Ne8 22. Qh4 f6 23. Qg4 e5 Qc4+ leaves White with a spatial advantage and superior mobility in spite of successful opening the file.
• 20. -- Qb7 21. b5 Ne8 22. Qa4 a5 23. Nc6 Nxc6 24. bxc6 gives White an advanced passer.
• After 20. -- e5 21. Nf5 Qd7 22. Qc7 Qxc7 23. Rxc7 Rd1+ 24. Kh2 White's piece activity, a direct consequence of his spatial dominance, will carry the day.

21. b5 Rd5

• Black must seek activity by lifting the Rook.
• White is winning after 21. -- e5 22. Nf5 Qf6 23. Qe4 Nd7 24. Rc6 Qg5 25. f4.

22. Qe2 Rc5 23. Rd1 Rc8 24. Qf3 Rd8 25. Rc1 Nd6

• No better is 25. -- Qd7 26. e4 a6 27. a4 axb5 28. axb5 Qd6 29. Qe3 Qb4 30. Bc3 Qc5 31. Ba1.

26. a4 e5 27. Nf5 Nxf5 28. Qxf5 f6

• This is the best Black can do.
• If 28. -- Nd7 29. Rc7 Qd6 30. Rxa7 then:
• 30. -- Qd1+ 31. Kh2 Qd2 32. Ba3 Qd5 33. Be7 g6 Qc2 Re8 35. Qc7 will force piece exchanges leaving White a pawn up with the active Rook in a Rook ending.
• After 30. -- Qb4 31. Rxd7 Rxd7 32. Qxd7 Qxb2 33. Qc8+ Kh7 Qc6 another Black pawn falls.

Black: Magnus Carlsen
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White: Levon Aronian
Position after 28. -- f7f6

29. Qe4!

• Seldom does a Queen look so royal.

29. -- Qf7 30. Ba3 Kh8 31. Kh2 Kg8 32. Bd6!

• This is the ideal spot for the Bishop since 32. -- Rxd6 33. Rc8+! is taboo for White.

32. -- Qd7 33. Bc7 Rf8 34. Rc2 Re8

• After 34. -- Kh8 35. Qa8 a6 36. Bxb8 axb5 37. Qa7 Qxa7 38. Bxa7 bxa4 39. Bxb6 White is a Bishop to the good.

35. Rc4 Qf7 36. Bd6 Rd8 37. Rc7

• Black's game is in its last throes.

37. -- Nd7 38. Qc6 Qe6 39. Rxa7 Kf7 40. Qxb6 1-0

• If 40. -- Ra8 41. Bc5 Rc8 42. a5 then:
• After 42. -- e4 43. Qd6 Qxd6+ 44. Bxd6 Ke6 45. Bg3 Rc1 46. b6 one of the pawns will rise as royalty.
• 42. -- h5 43. a6 g6 44. Qb7 Rxc5 45. Qxd7+ Qxd7 46. Rxd7+ ke6 47. Rb7 is a book win for White.
• Magnus resigns.

[Jack Rabbit]

7. Bareev - J. Polgar, Semi-Fianls, Round 4, Elista

Evgeny Bareev
Photo: ChessBase.com

Evgeny Bareev vs. Judit Polgar
Candidates' Semi-Final Match, Round 4
Elista, May 2007

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

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 b6 4. g3 Bb7 5. Bg2 Be7 6. 0-0 0-0 7. Nc3 Ne4

• This is the old main line of the Queen's Indian.
• The main alternative is 7. -- d5 8. Ne5 c6 9. cxd5 cxd5 10. Bg5 Nc6 11. Rc1 Nxe5 12. dxe5 Nd7 13. Bxe7 Qxe7 14. Qd4 Rfc8 15. Rfd1 Rab8 16. e4 Qc5 17. exd5 Qxd4 18. Rxd4 Nxe5 19. dxe6 fxe6 20. Re1 Nf3+ 21. Bxf3 Bxf3 22. Re3 Bb7 23. Rxe6 Re8 24. Re2 Rbd8 25. Rxe8+ Rxe8 is lifeless (Fayvinov-Paschall, NCC, Philadelphia 2001).
• 9. e4 dxc4 10. Nxc4 Ba6 11. b3 b5 12. Ne3 b4 13. Ne2 Bxe2 14. Qxe2 Qxd4 15. Bb2 Qb6 16. Nc4 Qb5 17. Bxf6 Bxf6 18. e5 Be7 19. Rad1 gives White a healthy edge in space (Aronian-Tiviakov, Corus A, Wijk aan Zee 2007).

8. Qc2 Nxc3 9. Qxc3 c5 10. Rd1 d6 11. b3 Nd7

• 11. -- Bf6 12. Bb2 Qe7 13. Qc2 Nc6 14. e4 e5 15. d5 Nd4 16. Bxd4 exd4 17. Rab1 Rae8 18. Ne1 g6 19. Nd3 Bc8 20. Re1 Bg7 21. f4 Qc7 22. Nf2 f5 is unclear (Jelen-Timman, Bled/Portoroz 1979).

12. Bb2 Nf6

• If 12. -- Bf6 13. Qc2 Qc7 then:
• 14. Rd2 Rfd8 15. Rad1 Rac8 16. dxc5 dxc5 17. Ne1 Bxg2 18. Nxg2 Bxb2 19. Qxb2 Nb8 20. Qc2 Nc6 21. Qe4 h6 22. Nf4 Rxd2 23. Rxd2 Rd8 24. Rxd8+ Nxd8 25. Qa8 g6 draw agreed (Karpov-Balashov, Hannover 1983).
• 14. e4 cxd4 15. Nxd4 a6 16. Rd2 Rac8 17. Qd1 Rfe8 18. h4 Qb8 19. Qg4 Ba8 20. Rad1 b5 21. cxb5 axb5 22. Qe2 is unclear (Karpov-Ivanchuk, Amber Rapid, Monte Carlo 1995).

13. d5 exd5 14. cxd5 Re8 15. e4 Bf8 16. Nd2 b5 17. a4 b4!?

• White breaks from the book to take up more queenside space.
• The test may be an improvement over 17. -- Ba6 18. axb5 Bxb5 19. Re1 a5 20. Qc2 Qd7 21. Nc4 Ra6 22. e5 dxe5 23. Nxe5 giving White a slight advatage in space (Tukmakov-Kuzmin, Soviet Ch, Leningrad 1977).

18. Qc2

• White wants to keep the line of communication open between the Queen and the e-pawn.
• Another way of accomplishing this is 18. Qf3 Nd7 19. Nc4 Ba6 20. a5 Bxc4 21. bxc4 Rb8 Rdb1 balancing White's space against a protected passed pawn for Black.

18. -- g6 19. a5 Ba6 20. Bf1!

• White smartly invites Black to exchange her most active piece. She has little choice but to accept.
• If 20. f4? Bg7 21. Re1 then:
• 21. -- Rb8!! 22. e5 dxe5 23. Qxc5 exf4 Rxe8+ Qxe8 25. Qxa7 Ra8
• After 26. Qc5 Black get a viscious attack with 26. -- Nd7 27. Qc2 Bxb2 28. Qxb2 Qe3+.
• After 26. Qf2 Black drives her initiative homeward with 26. -- Ng4 27,Qxf4 Bxb2 28. Rb1 Qc8.
• After ]21. -- Rc8?! 22. Nc4 Bxc4 23. Qxc4 Nd7 24. Bxg7 Kxg7 25. Qa6 White has a considerable edge in space.

20. -- Bxf1 21. Rxf1 Bh6?!

• This is not a good use of time. Better is the immediate 21. -- Bg7.
• After 21. -- Bg7 22. f3 Nd7 23. Bxg7 Kxg7 24. Kg2 Rc8 25. f4 White's spatial edge is insignificant.

22. f4 Bg7 23. Rfe1 Qd7?

• Black should keep pressure on the e-pawn to tie down White to its defense.
• If 23. -- Qe7 then:
• 24. Rad1 Rad8 25. Nf3 Nxe4 26. Bxg7 Kxg7 25. Ng5 f5 is unclear.
• 24. Nc4 Nxe4 25. Bxg7 Kxg7 26. Re3 f5 27. Rae1 Qf6 is unclear after 28. Ne6+ Kg8 29. Nxd8 Rxd8.

Black: Judit Polgar
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White: Evgeny Bareev
Position after 23. -- Qd8d7

24. Nc4!

• This is as good an outpost as the Knight is goint to find.

24. -- Nh5 25. Rad1 Bxb2 26. Qxb2 Ng7

• Black has no winning optins here, just some moves that don't make her position any worse.
• 26. -- f6 27. e5 fxe5 28. fxe5 dxe5 29. Qf2 e4 30. Qxc5 Nf6 31. Qxb4 gives White an extra pawn.

27. Qg2?!

• The strongest move is the pawn break 27. e5.
• If 27. e5!! Nf5 28. Nd2 Qd8 29. Ne4 then:
• 29. -- Re7 30. exd6 Rxe4 31. Rxe4 Nxd6 32. Re2 Qxa5 Qf6 gives White a strong initiative.
• 29. -- Rf8 30. Nf6+ Kg7 31. Nd7 Rh8 32. exd6+ White should win soon.

27. Rad8 28. g4 f6 29. h3 g5

• If 29. -- Qe7 30. Qf2 then:
• 30. -- Rf8 31. Qh4 Qf7 32. Rd3 Rfe8 33. Rde3 a6 34. f5 g5 35. Qh6 White continues to enjoy a considerable advantage in space.
• 30. -- Qf7 31. e5 fxe5 32. fxe5 dxe5 33. Nxe5 Qxf2+ 34. Kxf2 is unclear.

30. fxg5

• This is good enough, but not the very best.
• If 30. Qf2! then:
• After 30. -- Rf8 31. Qe3 h6 32. fxg5 hxg5 33. Rd2 Qe7 34. Rf2 Black's pieces have nowhere to move.
• After 30. -- gxf4 31. Qxf4 h5 32. Rf1 hxg4 33. hxg4 Qe7 34. Rde1 Black's position is under complete restraint while White has a tremendous spatial plus.

30. -- fxg5 31. e5 dxe5 32. d6

• Just as good, if not slightly better, is 32. Nxe5 Qc7 33. Qh2 a6 34. Nc6 Qxh2+ 35. Kxh2 Rxe1 36. Rxe1 Re8 37. Rc1 giving White a slight edge in space.

32. -- Qf7

• If 32. -- e4 33. Qd2 then:
• After 33. -- h6 34. Qd5+ Qf7 35. Rxe4 Rxe4 36. Qxe4 Ne6 37. Ne5 White has a big space advatage and a healthy passed pawn.
• 33. -- Ne6 34. Qd5 Kf8 35. Rf1+ Kg8 36. Rf6 Kg7 37. Ne5 and now:
After 37. -- Qxd6 38. Rf7+ Kg8 39. Qxd6 Rxd6 40. Rxd6 Nd4 41. Rb7 Ne6 Rdd7 White has an easy win.
• After 37. -- Kxf6 38. Nxd7+ Rxd7 39. Qxe4 h6 40. Qf5+ Kg7 41. Re1 Rf7 42. d7 it will cost Black a piece to stop the pawn.

Black: Judit Polgar
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White: Evgeny Bareev
Position after 32. -- Qd7f7

33. Qd5!

• A radiant, centralized Queen is a fine way to augment a spatial advantage.

33. -- e4 34. Qxg5 Qf3 35. Qd5+

• Also good and perhaps stringer is 35. Qe3 Qxe3+ 36. Rxe3 Re6 37. Rd5 when:
• After 27. -- Ne8 38. Rxc5 Nxd6 39. Nxd6 Rdxd6 40. Rc8+ White leads in space and has a strong initiative.
• White wins after 37. -- Rd7 38. Rxc5 Ne8 39. Rg5+ Kf8 40. Ne5 Rdxd6 41. Rxe4.

35. . Re6 36. Re3 Rdxd6 37. Rxf3 Rxd5 38. Rxd5 exf3 39. Kf2 Re2+

• Black must lose a pawn no matter how she plays.

40. Kxf3 Rc2

• After 40. -- Ne6 41. Rd7 Rh2 42. Kg3 Rc2 43. Rxa7 Rc3+ 44. Kf2 Rxh3 45. a6 White has a dangerous passed pawn.

41. Rd8+ Kf7 42. Rd7+ Kg6

• If 42. -- Kf8 43. Rxa7 then:
• 43. -- Rc3+ 44. Ke4 Rxb3 45. a6 Rc3 46. Rxg7 Kxg7 47. a7 the pawn will promote.
43. -- Ne6 44. Ke4 Nd4 45. Kd5 Nxb3 46. a6 Ra3 47. Nd6 Nc1 48. Ra8+ is a forced win for White.

43. Rxa7 Ne6 44. Ke4 Nd4 45. h4 Rh2

• If 45. -- Re2+ 46. Kd5 Nxb3 47. Ne5+ then:
• 47. -- Rxe5+ 48. Kxe5 c4 49. a6 Nc5 50. h5+ Kg5 51. Rg7+!! Kh6 52. a7 is lights out for Black.
• If Black prefers a quick and painless coup de grace, then 47. -- Kh6 48. g5+ Kh5 49. Rxh7# will do nicely.

Black: Judit Polgar
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White: Evgeny Bareev
Position after 45. -- Rc2h2

46. a6!

• White returns the extra pawn, but now Black's remaining pawn disappear like the faint stars at sunrise.

46. -- Nxb3 47. Kd5 Kf6 48. Rxh7 Ra2

• It's way too late, but what else could she do?

49. a7 Nc1

• No better is 49. -- Ra1 50. Ne5 Rd1+ 51. Kc4 Nd2+ 52. Kxc5.

50. Ne5 Rd2+ 51. Kxc5 Ra2

• If 51. -- Rc2+ 52. Kxb4 Ra2 then White wins by:
• 53. Nc4 Nd3+ 54. Kb5 Kg6 55. Rc7.
• Transposing into the text, only with a move in hand: 53. Nd7+ Kg6 54. Nf8+ Kf6 55. g5+
.

52. Nd7+ Kg6 53. Nf8+ Kf6 54. Kxb4 1-0

• Since she cannot stop all of White's extra pawns, Ms. Polgar resigns.

[Jack Rabbit]

8. Carlsen - Aronian Semi-Fianls, Round 5, Elista

Magnus Carlsen
Photo: ChessBase.com

Magnus Carlsen vs. Levon Aronian
Candidates' Semi-Final Match, Round 5
Elista, June 2007

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

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 b6 4. a3 Bb7 5. Nc3 d5 6. cxd5 Nxd5 7. Qc2 Be7 8. e4 Nxc3 9. bxc3 0-0 10. Bd3 c5 11. 0-0 Qc7

• 11. -- Qc8 12. Qe2 Ba6 13. Rd1 Bxd3 14. Rxd3 Nd7 15. e5 Qc6 16. Bg5 Bxg5 17. Nxg5 cxd4 18. cxd4 Rac8 is equal (Agrest-Akesson, Swedish Ch, Goteborg 2005).

12. Qe2 Nd7 13. Bb2 c4

• 13. -- Rac8 14. Rad1 Rfd8 15. Nd2 Qf4 16. e5 f5 17. exf6 Qxf6 18. Ne4 Qf7 19. Rfe1 cxd4 20. cxd4 Nf8 21. Qg4 Rd5 22. Rc1 Rxc1 draw agreed (Cmilyte-Kunte, Op, Gibralter 2006).

14. Bc2 b5 15. Bc1 a5!?

• Aronian needed a win to put the match away. Magnus needed a win to knot the score.
• Aronian (Black) breaks away from theory expanding on the queenside.
• 15. -- Nb6 16. h4 Rae8 17. h5 f5 18. Re1 Bf6 19. h6 g6 20. Bg5 fxe4 21. Bxe4 Bxe4 22. Qxe4 Nd5 is equal (Eljanov-Sandipan, Ol, Torino 2006).

16. Rb1!

• White's opening play has saddled Black with a strategic weakness: a backward pawn on an open file. Natuarally, White exploits this target.
• The Rook will continue attacking the b-pawn for the next 11 moves. That's being patient.
• If 16. Bg5 f6 17. Bh4 then:
• 17. -- Nb6 18. Rfb1 Qd7 19. Nd2 Rfd8 20. e5 Nd5 21. Qh5White has a small edge in space.
• 17. -- Bd6 18. Rfb1 Ba6 19. e5! fxe5 20. Bg3! Rfd8 21. dxe5 Bc5 gives White an advantage in mobility.

16. -- Ba6 17. e5 b4 18. axb4 axb4 19. Bg5 Nb6

• Black makes the best move.
• 24. -- Nf4? loses the Knihgt to 25. Ne5! Nh5 26. g4.

Black: Levon Aronian
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White: Magnus Carlsen
Position after 19. -- Nd7b6

20. Qe4!

• The Queen is splendid here. This assure White an advantage in space.
• If 20. Bxe7 Qxe7 21. cxb4 then:
• 21. -- Bb5 22. Qe4 g6 23. Rfc1 Nd5 24. Qe1 Ra2 25. Be4 Rfa8 gives Black the edge in space.
• 21. -- Bb7 22. Nd2 Ra2 23. Rfc1 Qg5 24. Ne4 Bxe4 25. Qxe4 gives Black the advantage in space, but White has the initiative owing to his attack on h7.

20. -- g6 21. Qh4 Ra7

• White still has the initiative; Black responds to the attack on the Bishop because he must.
• Better is 21. -- Nd5 22. Be4 Rfe8 23. Bxe7 Qxe7 24. Qxe7 Rxe7 when:
• After 25. Rxb4 Nxb4 26. Bxa8 Ra7 27. cxb4 Rxa8 28. Ra1 White has better piece activity, but Black has the more advanced passed pawn.
• 25. Bxd5 exd5 26. Rxb4 Bc8 27. Rfb1 is unclear.

22. Bf6!

• This forces Black to with the weakness on f6 immediately.
• Also good for White is 22. Bxe7 Qxe7 23. Qxe7 Rxe7 24. Rxb4 Nd5 25. Ra4 Bb7 26. Re1 Rc7 27. Ra3.

22. -- Bxf6?

• There was still a better way to deal with it.
• 22. -- Nd5! 23. Be4 Rb8 24. Bxe7 Qxe7 Nxe7 26. Rxb4 Rxb4 27. cxb4 Nd5! remains unclear.

23. exf6 Nd5

• Black ties the Queen to the defense of the f6-pawn momentarily.
• 23. -- Qd8 24. Ne5 Rc7 25. Be4 Na4 26. cxb4 Bb5 27. Rfc1 c3 28. Ra1 is a winning position for White.

24. Be4 Qf4

Black: Levon Aronian
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White: Magnus Carlsen
Position after 24. -- Qc7f4

25. Bxd5!

• White forces open the e-file at a moment when he is much better prepared to exploit it.
• If 25. Qxf4 Nxf4 26. cxb4 Ne2+ 27. Kh1 Nc3 28. Rbe1 then:
• 28. -- Nxe4 29. Rxe4 Bb7 20. Re5 Bxf3 31. gxf3 Ra2 is unclear.
• 28. -- Rb8 29. Ne5 Nxe4 30. Rxe4 Bb7 31. Ree1 Bd5 leaves the posiotn murkey.

25. -- Qxh4 26. Nxh4 exd5 27. Rxb4

• White wins the b-pawn at last. There is nothing Black can do for now to get it back.

27. -- Bc8 28. Rb6 Ra3 29. Rc1 Be6 30. Nf3 Rfa8

• This move is futile. As long as the pawn at f6 is like a knife held to the Black King's throat, the Rook cannot leave the back rank.
• Better is 30. -- Rb3 31. Ra6 when:
• 31. -- Rfb8 32. h3 h6 33. Ne5 Rb1 34. Ra1 Rxa1 35. Rxa1 Rb3 36. Rc1 holds the Rook to the defense of the c-pawn.
• Less accurate is to give White an extra tempo by 34. -- Rxc1+?! 35. Rxc1 g5 36. Re1 Rb3 37. Re3.

31. h4 h6 32. Ne5 Ra1 33. Rxa1 Rxa1+ 34. Kh2 Ra3

• Finally, Black can get his pawn back, but it wont save the game.
• If 34. -- Ra2 35. Rb8+ Kh7 36. Rb7 then:
• 36. -- g5 37. Nxf7 Kg6 38. Nd8 Kxf6 39. hxg5+ hxg5 40. Rb6 Re2 White prunes down to an easily won King and pawn ending by 41. Nxe6 Rxe6 42. Rxe6+ Kxe6 43. Kg3.
• After 36. -- Rxf2 37. Nxf7 Bxf7 38. Rxf7+ Kh8 39. Kg3 the f-pawn carries the day.

35. Rb8+ Kh7 36. f4

• 36. Rf8 could have been played here or the next move (it is played on the move after).
• However, after 36. Rf8 g5 37. Nxf7 Bxf7 38. Rxf7+ Kg6 39. Rd7 Kxf6 40. Rxd5 gxh4 41. Rh5 White has only a minimum edge in piece activity.

36. -- Rxc3 37. h5 gxh5

Black: Levon Aronian
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White: Magnus Carlsen
Position after 37. -- gh5:p

38. Rf8!

• White has delayed this move until it could a maximum impact. In order to protect his position, Black must bring his Rook back to Black's side of the board, abandoning counterplay.

38. -- Ra3

• If 38. -- Re3 f5 39. f5 Bxf5 40. Rxf7+ Kg8 41. Ra7 then:
• 41. -- Re5 42. dxe5 d4 43. Rg7+ Kf8 44. Rc7 White is up by an exchange with connected passed pawns.
• If that isn't bad enough for Black, then 41. -- Be6 42. Rg7+ Kf8 43. Ng6+ Ke8 44. Re7+ Kd8 45. Nf4 Re1 46. Ne6+ Kc8 47. f7 is lights out.

39. f5 Bxf5 40. Rxf7+ Kg8

• Black could simply fall on his sword by 40. -- Kh8 41. Rg7 Ra1 Nf7#.

41. Rg7+ Kf8 42. Rb7 Ra8

• If 42. -- Rb3 43. Ra7 Rb8 44. Kg3 then:
• 44. -- Rd8 45. Kf4 Be4 46. g3
• 46. -- c3 47. Rf7+
• 47. -- Kg8 48. Rg7+ Kf8 49. Nd7+ Rxd7 50. Rxd7 c2 51. Rc7 White is an exchange to the good and the pawn is under arrest.
• 47. -- Ke8 48. Rg7 Kf8 49. Nd7+ etc. again as in the red line.
• 46. -- Kg8 47. Rg7+ Kf8 48. Nd7+ etc. as in the red line.
• After 44. -- c3 45. Kf4 Be6 46. Re7 Kg8 47. Rxe6 c2 48. Rc6 the passed pawn is arrested.

43. Kg3 Rd8 44. Kf4 Be4 45. g3 c3 46. Rf7+ Kg8

• 46. -- Ke8 47. Re7+ Kf8 48. Rf7+ Kg8 49. Rg7+ Kf8 50. Nd7+ etc.

47. Rg7+ Kf8 48. Nd7+

• Etc.

48. -- Rxd7 49. Rxd7 1-0

• After 49. -- c2 50. Rc7 Bg6 51. Ke5 Ke8 52. Ke6 Bf7+ 53. Kf5 Black is in Zungswang.
• Aronian resigns.

[Jack Rabbit]

9. J. Polgar - Bareev, Semi-Fianls, Round 5, Elista

Judit Polgar
Photo: ChessBase.com

Judit Polgar vs. Evgeny Bareev
Candidates' Semi-Final Match, Round 5
Elista, June 2007

German Game: Two Knights' Clam Opening (Caro-Kann Defense)

1. e4 c6 2. Nc3 d5 3. Nf3

• This opening is book, but often played by those seeking to escape stereotypical line quickly.
• At this point in the match, Ms. Polgar needed a win in this game just to stay alive. In the other two games where Bareev had White, Bareev also responded to Ms. Polgar's 1. e4 with the German and got the better position on both occasions in more standard lines.

3. -- Bg4

• This is best, according to British master Jovanka Houska (Play the Caro-Kann, London 2007). Ms. Houska points out that Black's Queen's Bishop is destined to be bad and the Knight at f3 can become very strong if allowed to remain in the game.

4. h3 Bxf3 5. Qxf3 e6 6. Be2

• 6. d4 Nf6 7. Bd3 dxe4 8. Nxe4 Nxe4 9. Qxe4 Nd7 10. 0-0 Nf6 11. Qh4 Qc7 12. Bf4 Bd6 13. Bxd6 Qxd6 14. c3 h6 15. Rae1 0-0-0 16. Bc2 Nd5 17. Qe4 Qf4 18. g3 Qxe4 19. Rxe4 Nf6 20. Re2 gives White a small advantage in mobility (Balashov-Sigfusson, Reykjavik 1989).

6. -- Nd7 7. d3 g6 8. 0-0 Bg7 9. Bf4!?

• White has accomplished her mission to leave theory behind early.
• If 9. Qg3 Ne7 then:
• 10. Bg5 0-0 11. h4 h6 12. Bd2 h5 13. Rae1 Nf6 14. Bg5 Nh7 15. Bc1 b5 16. f4 b4 17. Nd1 Qd7 is level (J. Polgar-Seirawan, Amber Bf, Monte Carlo 1994).
• 10. f4 f5 11. Bf3 Qb6+ 12. Kh1 d4 13. Ne2 e5 14. fxe5 Bxe5 15. Bf4 Bxf4 16. Nxf4 0-0 17. Rae1 Nc5 18. Qg5 fxe4 19. Bh5 Rae8 is equal (Leko-Czebe, Op, Balatonbereny 1992).

9. -- Qb6

• Black responds with an aggressive attempt to control space on the queenside and in the center.
• 9. -- d4 would emphasize the strategy of restraint: 10. Nd1 Ne7 11. c3 Qxa5 12. cxd4 Bxd4 13. Be3 e5 is equal, but the White Knight will have to dig his way out of the back rank.

10. Nd1

• This retreat is best, but it has drawback as could be seen in the last note. If Black shoul play . -- d4, the the Knight will have a hard time getting out.
• 10. exd5 cxd5 11. a4 Ne7 12. Nb5 0-0 13. c3 Qc6 is equal.

10. -- Ngf6 11. a4 a5 12. g4 e5

• A consequnece of playing the Clam Opening, regardless of whether the game is German, Spanish, Italian or Sicilian, is that Black has the opportunity to build a broad pawn center.
• After 12. -- h6 13. c3 e5 14. Bg3 0-0 15. Re1 Rfe8 16. Bf1 Nc5 17. Bg2 Black has an advantage in s-

13. Bd2 Nc5

Black: Evgeny Bareev
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White: Judit Polgar
Position after 13. -- Nd7c5

14. g5?

• White would rather go down losing a complicated game than drawing an easy one.
• The objectively best line, 14. Qg3 0-0 15. g5 Nfd7 16. exd5 cxd5 is equal.

14. -- dxe4 15. dxe4 Nfd7?

• It would seem White's psychological gambit has worked.
• After 15. -- Nfxe4! 16. Be3 f5 17. gxf6 Nxf6 18. Nc3 0-0-0 19. Rfb1 Rhe8 Black has a comfortable spatial edge.

16. Bc4?!

• White misses an opportunity to get the upper hand.
• If 16. Re1 f6 17. Bc4 Rf8 18. Qg3 then:
• After 18. -- fxg5 19. Qxg5 Rd8 20. b4 axb4 21. a5 Qa7 22. Bxb4 White has more space and piece activity.
• 18. -- Qc7 19. Nc3 0-0-0 20. Rad1 fxg5 21. Bxg5 Nf6 22. Be3 Qe7 White has an edge in space.

16. -- 0-0 17. h4 Ne6

• Black may have thought of redlpying the Knight to d4 or f4.
• 17. -- Qc7 18. Qe2 Nb6 19. Be3 Qe7 20. Nc3 Rad8 21. b3 Rd7 is unclear.

18. Bxe6 fxe6

Black: Evgeny Bareev
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White: Judit Polgar
Position after 18. -- fe6:B

19. Qh3!

• White takes aim at a weak pawn. This will be important later.

19. -- Qd4 20. Nc3 Qxd2

• Black finds the best way to keep White from gaining the upper hand.
• After 20. -- Rae8 21. Rad1 Qb4 22. b3 Qe7 23. Be3 Rf7 24. h5 White has the advantage in space and mobility.

21. Rad1 Qxc2 22. Rxd7 Qxb2?

• Correct is 22. -- Qb3, which keep the pawn at e6 protected.
• Black is comfortable after 22. -- Qb3 23. h5 gxh5 24. Rd2 Rad8 25. Rfd1 Rd4 26. Qxh5 b5 27. axb5 cxb5 and it would be unlikely that he would lose the game.

23. h5!

• White weakens Black's kingside pawns before storming the position with her pieces.
• If 23. Qe3 Rad8 24. Rxd8 Rxd8 25. Rb1 Qc2 26. Rxb7 Rd3 27. Qc5 then:
• 27. -- Rf3! 28. Rb8+ Bf8 Black has the edge in space, an attack on White's Queen and other pieces forcused on f2.
• Good enough for Black under the circumstances is 27. -- Qc1+ 28. Kg2 Qf4 29. Qe7 Qf3+ 30. Kg1 Qg4+ 31. Kf1 Qh3+ 32. Kg1 Qg4+ drawing by repetition.
• 23. Qe6+ is premature: if 23. -- Kh8 24. Qe7 Rg8 25. Qc5 b6 then:
• After 26. Qc4 Qc2 27. Qxc6 Rac8 28. Rc7 Rxc7 Qxc7 Rf8 White's attack is spent while Black is focused on f2.
• After 26. Qxc6 Rac8 27. Rc7 Rxc7 28. Qxc7 Qc2 Black has survived White's onslaught and should do no worse than a draw.

23. -- gxh5 24. Qxe6+!

• Now we see why 23. -- Qb3 was right and 23. -- Qxb2 was not as well as why 19. Qh3 was a notwworthy move.

24. -- Kh8

Black: Evgeny Bareev
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White: Judit Polgar
Position after 24. -- Kg8h8

25. Rxg7!!

• The only move! After the sacrifice, it's all over for Black.
• 25. Qe7? Rg8 26. Rd3 Raf8 27. Qc7 Bf6 28. Kh1 Rxg5 wins for Black.

25. -- Kxg7 26. Qh6+ Kg8

• A stiffer resistance can be put up with 26. -- Kf7 27. Rb1 then:
• 27. . Qb4 28. Rxb4 axb4 29. Qxh7+ Ke6 30. Ne2
• After 30. -- Kd6 31. Qxh5 b3 32. Qh6+ Ke7 33. Qh2 Kd6 34. f4 Rg8 35. Nc1 b2 36. Qxb2 White's material advantage carries the day.
• After 30. -- Rxa4 31. Qh6+ Ke7 32. Qg7+ Ke8 33. Qxe5+ Kd7 34. Qg7+ Ke8 35. Qxb7 White wins.
• 27. -- Qxc3 28. Rxb7+ Ke8 29. Qe6+ Kd8 30. Qd7#.

27. g6 hxg6 28. Qxg6+ Kh8 29. Kh1 Rf4

• After 29. -- Qb3 30. Qxh5+ Kg7 31. Rg1+ Kf6 32. Nd5+ cxd5 White forces mate by 33. Rg6+ Ke7 34. Qxe5+ Kd8 35. Qd6+ Ke8 36. Re6+ Kf7 37. Re7+ Kg8 38. Qg6+ Kh8 39. Qg7#.

30. Qxh5+ Kg8 31. Rg1+ Kf8 32. Qh8+ Kf7 33. Qg7+ 1-0

• 33. -- Ke8 34. Qxe5+ Kf8 35. Qxf4+ Ke8 36. Rg8+ Ke7 37. Rg7+ Ke6 38. Qf5+ Kd6 39. Rd7#.
• 33. -- Ke6 34. Rg6+ Rf6 35. Rxf6#.
• Bareev resigns.

[Jack Rabbit]

10. Gvetadze - Shen Yang, Round 4, Ekaterinburg

Shen Yang
Photo: ChessBase.com

Sopio Gvetadze (Georgia) vs. Shen Yang (China)
Women's World Team Championship, Round 4
Ekaterinburg, May 2007

Spanish Grand Royal Game: Clam Opening

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

• The Clam is less enterprising for both sides that the main line 5. 0-0.

5. -- d6 6. c3 g6 7. Bg5

• If 7. Nbd2 Bg7 8. Nf1 0-0 9. Ng3 then:
• 9. -- Bd7 10. 0-0 Re8 11. Re1 b5 12. Bc2 Na5 13. b4 Nc6 14. a4 Ne7 15. h3 Qb8 16. a5 c5 17. Be3 cxb4 18. cxb4 Nc6 19. Rb1 d5 20. Bc5 is equal (de la Riva-Ponomariov, match, Andorra 2003).
• 9. -- b5 10. Bc2 d5 11. 0-0 dxe4 12. dxe4 Qxd1 13. Rxd1 Re8 14. a4 Rb8 15. axb5 axb5 16. Be3 Bf8 17. h3 Bd6 18. Nd2 Nd7 19. b4 Nf8 20. Nb3 Ne6 and, after similar fruitless maneuvering, the game was agreed drawn (Boleslavsky-Flohr, Soviet Ch, Leningrad 1947).

7. -- Bg7 8. Nbd2 0-0 9. Nf1 d5!?

• Black breaks out of the book with what looks like an energetic move.
• 9. -- h6 10. Bh4 Ne7 11. Bb3 c6 12. Ne3 Qc7 13. h3 b5 14. g4 Bb7 15. Bxf6 Bxf6 16. g5 hxg5 17. Ng4 Kg7 18. Qd2 Ng8 19. h4 Qd7 20. Rg1 gxh4 21. Nxf6 Nxf6 22. Nxh4 Rh8 23. Qg5 is unclear (Morozevich-Khalifman, Tussian Ch Superfinal, Moscow 2005).

10. exd5

• White makes the most energetic reply.

10. -- Qxd5 11. Ne3 Qe6 12. 0-0

• White tucks her King into safety, but it might have been better to exchange on c6, weakening Black's queenside pawns, while she had the chance.
• If 12. Bxc6 bxc6 13. 0-0 Nd5 14. Re1 then:
• 14. -- Rb8 15. Qc2 Re8 16. Nc4 Qf5 17. Re4 is unclear.
• 14. -- h6 15. Bh4 f5 16. c4 Nxe3 17. fxe3 e4 is also cloudy.

12. -- b5 13. Bb3 Qd7

• 13. -- Qd6 is more accurate, as it overprotects the e-pawn, but it makes little difference here.
• Black doesn't gain from13. -- Qd6 15. d4 exd4 15. Nxd4 Bb7 16. Nxc7 Qxc6 with equality.

14. Re1 Bb7 15. h3!?

• This move is provocative; it isn't the objectively best move and White probably knew that when she played it.
• If then:
• 15. d4 exd4 then:
• 16. Nxd4 Nxd4 17. Qxd4 Qxd4 18. cxd4 Ne4 19. Bh4 Bxd4 20. Nd5
• 20. -- Nd2 21. Ne7+ Kg7 22. KBd5 Bxd5 23. Nxd5 c5 24. Rad1 is level.
20. -- Rad8 21. Rxe4 c5 22. Bxd8 Rxd8 23. Bxd8 Rxd8 23. Rae1 gives White serious threats against Black's center.
• 16. cxd4 Ne4 17. d5 Nxg5 18. dxc6 Nxf3+ 19. Wxf3 Bxc6 20. Rad1 Bxf3 21. Rxd7 gives White the initiative.

15. -- Rae8

• It doesn't make too much difference which Rook Balck uses.
• 15. -- Rfe8 16. Bh4 h6 17. a4 Nh5 18. Ng4 Nf4 19. Re3 g5 20. Bg3 is unclear.

16. a4 Kh8 17. axb5 axb5 18. Bh4

• The plan may be redeply the Bishop on g3 in order to harrass the e-pawn.
• If 18. Bxf6 Bxf6 19. Nd5 Bg7 then:
• 20. Qe2 Nd8 21. c4 Nc6 22. Qe4 Qd6 23. Qh4 Nd4 24. Nxd4 exd4 is unclear.
• 20. Ne3 f5 21. Qe2 Nd4 22. cxd4 exd4 23. Ra7 Bd3 24. Qxf3 dxe3 25. Rxd3 Bd4 gives Black a significant initiative.

18. -- Nh5 19. Bc2 f5 20. Nd2?!

• White initiates a plan to attack on the queenside, but Black's kingside is better organized. Putting Black under restraint would be a better plan for the moment.
• If 20. g5 Ra8 then:
• 21. Rxa8 Rxa8 22. b3 h6 23. Bh4 Nf5 24. Bg3 Nxh3+ 25. gxh3 f4 26. Bh2 fxe3 27. Rxe3 Rf8 is unclear.
• 21. Nf1 Rxa1 22. Qxa1 Qd6 23/Qc1 Ra8 24. Bh6 Bf6 25. N1d2 Ng7 26. Bg5 Bxg5 27. Nxg5 gives Black a significant edge in space and mobility.

20. -- Nd8

• This opens the line for the Rook, but puts the Knight out of action.
• If 20. -- Nf4 then:
• 21. Nf3 Re6 22. Bg5 h6 23. Bxf4 exf4 24. Nf1 Rxe1 25. Nxe1 b4 gives Black a momentary edge in space.
• After 21. Nb3 Qd6 22. Qd2 h6 23. Nc1 Nxh3+!! 24. gxh3 g5 25. Bg3 f4 Black wins back the piece with interest.

Black: Sopio Gvetadze
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White: Shen Yang
Position after 20. -- Nf6d8

21. f3?!

• There is no need to weaken White's kingside pawns with this move.
• 21. Nb3 Qd6 22. Na5 Bc8 23. Nb3 Nf4 24. Ra5 Bb7 is drawish.

21. -- Ne6 22. Ra7

• White's superiority is on the queenside. She seeks activity there.
• If 22. Nb3 c5 then:
• 23. Ra5 Ra8 24. c4 Rxa5
• After 25. Nxa5 Ba6 26. cxb5 Bxb5 27. Nb3 Nhf4 28. Nc4 Qc7 gives Black an edge in space.
• After 23. Qd2 Ra8 24. Na5 Bc8 25. Nb3 Rza1 26. Rxa1 Nhf4 27. Ra8 Bb7 28. Rxf8+ Bxf8 Black's spatial edge is significant.
22. -- Ba8 23. Nb3


• White continues to maneuver on the queenside.
• If 23. b4 then:
• 23. -- Qc6 24. Qa1 Nhf4 25. Nb3 Nxg2 26. Nxg2 Qxf3 27. Rxa8 Rxa8 28. Qd1 Qxh3 29. Re3 Qg4 30. Qxg4 fxg4 Black has a Rook and three pawns for two minor pieces.
• After 25. Kh2 Bb7 26. Qb2 e4 37. d4 exf3 28. gxf3 Ra8 29. Ra5 Qd7 30. Raa1 Rxa1 31. Qxa1 Ra8 Black retains a sizable edge in space.
• 23. -- Bc6 24. Nb3 Nhf4 25. !Qd2 Ra8 26. Ba5 Rxa5 27. bxa5 Bb7 28. Nd1 Ra8 29. Bg3 Qd6 30. Nb2 Qa3 Black is winning.

23. -- Nhf4 24. Kh2 Qd6 25. Kh1?!

• This is a slight inaccuracey that makes a big difference in the game. White has placed her King in the line of fire of Black's Bishop.
• Better is 25. Kg1 Rb8 26. Qd2 Bc6 27. Ra3 Bb7 28. Ra5 c6 29. Ra7 Rf7 30. Rea1 c5 with an unclear position.

Black: Sopio Gvetadze
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White: Shen Yang
Position after 25. Kh2h1

25. -- Bh6?!

• Black misses the best line.
• 25. -- Kg8 26. Qd2 Bc6 27. Ra3 Bb7 28. Ra5 c6 29. Ra7 Rf7 30. Rea1 c5 maintains Black's advantage.

26. Bf2

• This is better than the alernative, although the text move seems less aggressive.
• After 26. d4 exd4 27. Nxd4 Nxd4 28. Qxd4+ Qxd4 29. cxd4 Bg7 White must extricate herself from the mating net.

26. -- Rd8 27. d4 Bg7 28. dxe5 Qxe5 29. Qb1

• Black's control of space has the effect of giving White few options. This move does little else than mark time.
• 29. Qa1 Qf6 30. Qa6 Qg5 31. Qxb5 Nxg2 32. Nxg2 Bxf3 33. Rg1 Nf4 gives Black an extra piece.

29. -- Qf6 30. Rg1?

• The Rook is offsided here.
• 30. Bg3 Qg5 31. Nf1 Bd5 32. Qc1 Nxh3 33. Rxe6 Bxe6 34. Bxc7 Qxc1 35. Nxc1 Rd1 is even.

Black: Sopio Gvetadze
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White: Shen Yang
Position after 30.Re1g1

30. -- Nxh3!!

• After this sacrifice, Black wins quickly and spectacularly.
• 30. -- Qg5 31. Qf1 Qh6 32. Nd1 Bxf3!! 33. gxf3 Nxh3 works, but slowly.

31. gxh3 Bxf3+ 32. Ng2

• If 32. Kh2 Qe5+ 33. Rg3 f4 34. Rxf3 Ng5 35. Kg2 Nxf3 then:
• After 36. Ng4 Qe2 37. Nd4 Nxd4 38. cxd4 Rxd4 Black has a Rook and three pawn for two minor pieces.
• After 36. Nf5 Nd2 37. Nxd2 Rxd2 38. Qf1 Qd5+ 39. Kh2 gxf5 Black has a Rook and two pawns for a minor piece.

32. -- Nf4 33. Kh2 Ne2 34. Nd4 Qe5+ 35. Kh1 Rxd4! 36. Qe1

After
• 36. cxd4 Ng3+ 37. Bxg3 Qxg3 mate at h3 or h2 cannot be stopped.
• 36. Bxd4 Ng3+ 37. Kh2 Nf1+ 38. Kh1 Qh2#.

36. -- Rdd8 37. Bh4 g5 38. Qf2

• 38. Bxg5 Ng3+ 39. Kh2 Nf1+ 40. Kh1 Qh2#.

38. -- gxh4 39. Re1 Qg3 40. Rxe2

• If 40. Qxg3 Nxg3+ then:
• 41. Kg1 Bxg2 42. Kxg2 Rd2+ 43. Kf3 Rxc2 leaves Black up by two minor pieces.
• 41. Kh2 Rd2 42. Rg1 Be5 43. Bb1 Ne4+ 44. Kh1 Nf2#.

40. -- Bxe2 41. Qxe2 Rfe8 42. Qf1 Rd2 43. 0-1

• After 43. Be4 Be5 44. Qg1 Qxh3+ Black mates on the next move.
• Ms. Gvetadze resigns.