ChessBase 17 - Mega package - Edition 2024
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The quarterfinals of the open section in the American Cup saw two tense matches drawing the attention of the audience and the commentators. Ray Robson v. Leinier Dominguez was a sharp battle, while Levon Aronian v. Sam Sevian was only decided after an exciting pair of blitz tiebreakers.
In the end, Robson and Aronian prevailed and advanced to the semifinals in the Champions Bracket. Since a double-elimination format is in place, all four players who lost their matches will get a second chance in the Elimination Bracket.
Robson is set to face Wesley So in the next round, after the latter obtained a clean 2½-½ victory over Sam Shankland, winning twice with the black pieces. Aronian, on his part, will play against Fabiano Caruana, the 2021 American Cup champion, who on Wednesday obtained the half point he needed to defeat Grigoriy Oparin.
Navigating the Ruy Lopez Vol.1-3
The Ruy Lopez is one of the oldest openings which continues to enjoy high popularity from club level to the absolute world top. In this video series, American super GM Fabiano Caruana, talking to IM Oliver Reeh, presents a complete repertoire for White.
Robson went for the throat with the white pieces in the classical game against Dominguez. Before pushing his pawn to g4, Robson employed 9 out of the 15 minutes he had left on the clock — with 20 moves left to play before reaching the time control!
In three moves, the g-pawn, standing in front of his king, advanced from the second to the fifth rank: 20.g4 Bd7 21.Bg3 g6 22.g5 Qh8
During all the time he spent thinking before playing g2-g4, Robson surely foresaw that in this line he needs to go 23.f5, the only move that keeps White’s advantage.
By this point, Robson had 1 minute to Dominguez’s 6, and the ensuing tactical struggle could have gone either way. But an inspired Robson was incredibly precise and managed to make the most of his initiative.
Soon after, Black got counterplay on the kingside, but White was able to escape with his king while keeping a protected pawn on g6 and a powerful rook on the seventh rank.
White only needs to survive this onslaught, and his more active pieces will get the work done later on. Robson was fortunate that he could safely hide his king on d2 — 29...Bh2+ 30.Kf2 Rf8+ 31.Ke1 Qf1+ 32.Kd2
The knight on e2 is a magnificent defender.
Since his attack had already petered out, Dominguez was forced to simplify here via 32...Bf4+ 33.Nxf4 Qxf4+ 34.Qxf4 Rxf4 35.Rxe7, and when the dust settled, White emerged a pawn up in a rooks and bishop endgame.
The time control was finally reached — following the stressful tactical sequence — and Robson went on to convert his advantage into a 50-move win.
Ray Robson and Leinier Dominguez — entertainment guaranteed | Photo: Lennart Ootes
Aronian and Sevian, on their part, drew all four games ‘in regulation’, though there was no lack of fighting. Game 3 (a classical game) lasted 108 moves and only ended when Aronian got to play a nice stalemate trick.
Uncovering the Anti-Sicilians! A dynamic grandmaster repertoire against 1.e4 Vol.3
This Fritztrainer offers you the perfect addition to any Sicilian or Najdorf repertoire, and covers all the minor variations that White has tried to avoid the open Sicilian.
107...Qd6+ ends the game at once — 108.Kxd6 is the only legal move in the position, and the black king has nowhere to go. Draw.
Getting the draw in the queen endgame a pawn down apparently helped Aronian to later enter the blitz tiebreaks with confidence, as he got back-to-back wins in double-edged, 3-minute struggles to remain in the Champions Bracket.
Levon Aronian | Photo: Lennart Ootes
In the women’s section, Zoey Tang had impressed on Tuesday by beating rating favourite Irina Krush with the black pieces in their classical encounter. However, Krush bounced right back in the rapid game and grabbed two wins on the second day of action to reach the semifinals in the Champions Bracket.
All three remaining matches had seen one of the contenders getting a 2-0 advantage on day 1, and all three players who entered day 2 with a clear edge grabbed draws to secure 2½-½ overall victories.
In the semifinals, Krush is set to face Nazi Paikidze, while Alice Lee will play against Gulrukhbegim Tokhirjonova.
Making the right decisions in chess - Fundamentals
In a total of 6 chapters, we look at the following aspects: the right decision based on tactical factors, decisions in exchanges and moves, complex and psychological decisions in longer games and in defence.
Krush all but trapped Tang’s queen in their second classical encounter. The 8-time U.S. women’s champion had the black pieces.
Where to go with the queen? Black tried a few tricks, but four moves later, her queen remained unable to escape — 32.Na4 Qd4 33.Rb8+ Kf7 34.Rb7+ Kf6 35.hxg5+ hxg5
There are no more checks in the position, while 32.f3, blocking the rook’s attack, fails to 32...Rd1, with a deadly mating threat on g1. Tang resigned.
Irina Krush | Photo: Lennart Ootes
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