Biel: A bloodbath in first classical round

by Tanmay Srinath
7/23/2019 – With the prestigious title of Biel Champion on the line, the players produced one of the most energetic rounds of classical chess in recent times, and produced a decisive result on all four boards in round one of the Biel GM 2019! Peter Leko and Vidit Gujarathi channelled their inner Karpovs and slowly squeezed the life out of Bogner and Cori respectively, while Shankland and Maghsoodloo beat back their opponents, Georgiadis and Abdusattorov, in contrasting Sicilian victories to maintain their spots in the standings.
When choosing an opening repertoire, there are days when you want to play for a win with Black, when you want to bear down on your opponent’s position with a potentially crushing attack. The Najdorf is perfect for just such occasions. Strategy, combinations, attack and defence, sacrifices and marvellous manoeuvres — exciting chess is all about the Najdorf!

Counter-attacks and boa constrictors

Chess is by nature a drawn game. White has the first move advantage, but due to computers that has more or less been neutralized. It is a game full of hope and possibility. Sometimes the underdogs win, sometimes the favourites. Monday in Biel, the rating favourites won the day, but to say that they were easy wins would severely understate what they had to do on the board. Being an active player myself, I know how difficult it is to win against a charged and motivated opponent. So the four decisive games today are an ode to the fighting spirit of the players, and one hopes that such a trend continues! Without much ado, let us get into the games now:

Georgiadis 0-1 Shankland

The young Swiss talent essayed his usual 1.e4, and Sam replied with the Sicilian. The youngster chose 6.♗e3 against the Najdorf and after 6...e5 went ♘f3, following the trends at the top level. As is typical in the Sicilian, once Black equalizes he usually takes over, and Sam managed to win with a wonderful piece sacrifice! Here are a few of the critical moments from the game:

Sam's book has more often than not led him to sacrifice material for an armada of pawns! | Photo: Simon Bohnenblust / Biel Chess Festival

 
Georgiadis-Shankland
Position after 11.♕e2

11.♕e2!? is the most commonly played move in this position. I don't see how it is that good,  and feel that the move 11.♘h4 is more critical (Sjugirov-Wojtaszek Batumi 2018).

 
Position after 18...♛c4

White did get the d5 square, but his lack of co-ordination means that Sam's counterplay is quick to arrive. Here, after the forced queen exchange, I am starting to like Black more and more, as d6 is not really weak, while c2 is. The rook on c1 is quite passive.

 
Position after 24.c3

They say there are two kinds of sacrifices — correct ones and Tal's! Here Sam went for the interesting ♖xe4! sacrificing the bishop after f4 ♝xf4! gxf4 ♜xf4+. Objectively if White can co-ordinate he should be ever so slightly better, but in a practical game I'd take Black all day. Nico was unable to solve all the problems at the board, and that is proof enough that Sam's idea was practically the best decision to make. As for the sacrifice — it is more Tal-like!

 
Position after 29...f4

Here Nico rejected the natural ♖cd1 in favour of ♘a5. I don't understand this decision, as chess guidelines dictate that one should mobilize the major pieces to the most active squares first and then improve the minor ones, in the endgames at least. While his game move is not really an error, his subsequent play was not the most precise, and soon he had to find some only moves to stay alive.

 
Position after 36...Ra2

The only move to keep dynamic equilibrium for White is ♖c8+! ♚f7 followed by ♖c3 or ♖f1. The point is that the game move f2 or ♜ee2 are bad in lieu of ♖f3+! picking up the pawn soon enough. The active role of the Black king actually hamper Black's chances of counterplay, as White can throw in checks at will, and the kingside pawns are not positioned well enough to support the far advanced f-pawn. Instead, the game was concluded rather quickly after 37.♖h5?? f2! 38.♖f1 Ra1!! and Nico resigned before Sam won the rook after 39.♔g2 ♜g4+ ♔xf2 ♜f4+.

Sam's energetic play gave him his first win in the classical section | Photo: Simon Bohnenblust / Biel Chess Festival

 
New ...
Open...
Share...
Layout...
Flip Board
Settings
MoveNResultEloPlayers
Replay and check the LiveBook here
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.Be3 e5 7.Nf3 7.Nb3 is far more natural. Play can now go Be6 8.f3 Be7 9.Qd2 0-0 10.0-0-0 Nbd7 11.g4 b5 with complex play: 1/2-1/2 (35) Navara,D (2739)-Wojtaszek,R (2722) Prague 2019 7...Be7 8.Bc4 Qc7 9.Bb3 0-0 10.0-0 Be6 11.Qe2 11.Nh4 seems more critical to me. Perhaps Nico was afraind of an improvement in the following game g6 12.Nf3 Re8 13.Ng5 Bc4 14.Re1 Nbd7 15.a4 Qc6 15...Rac8! is possible, with complex play after 16.a5 Bxb3 17.cxb3 Bf8!∞ 16.Bxc4 Qxc4 17.a5 Qc6 18.Qd3 Sjugirov,S (2652)-Wojtaszek,R (2738) Batumi 2018. White is a bit better here. 11...Rc8 12.Rfd1 b5 13.Rac1?! Why such prophylaxis? The position is one where White should be aiming for an advantage, not passive equality. 13.Rd2! was a better way of overprotecting the pawn. Play can now go b4 14.Nd5 Nxd5 15.exd5 Bg4 16.h3 Bh5 17.g4!? Bg6 18.a3 bxa3 19.Rxa3∞ and c2 is as much a potential weakness as the a-pawn. This seems to be White's best try here. 13...Nbd7 14.Bg5 h6 15.Bxf6 Nxf6 16.Nd5 Nxd5 17.Bxd5 Bxd5 18.Rxd5 Qc4! The problem with White's play is illustrated by this move. At this point the tide has turned - White has to be precise to equalise. 19.Qxc4 Rxc4 20.Nd2 Ra4 21.a3 Rc8 22.Kf1 Bg5!? the start of an interesting idea from Sam. 23.g3 23.c3! was the best way to neutralise Black's activity. Now the best seems to be Rd4 24.Rxd4 exd4 25.Ke2 dxc3 26.Rxc3 Rxc3 27.bxc3= with a probably drawn endgame. 23...Rc6 24.c3 Rxe4! Enterprising. Sam doesn't want to go for just a comfortable draw - he wants to win! 24...a5 25.Ke2 b4 was the safe way to play. Black is more than fine after 26.axb4 axb4 27.c4 Ra2 28.Rc2 Bxd2 29.Rcxd2 Rxc4= but whether he can win this remains to be seen - the answer is most probably no. 25.f4 Bxf4 26.gxf4 Rxf4+ 27.Kg2 f5 28.Nb3 Rg4+ 29.Kh1 f4 30.Na5!? 30.Rcd1! was the only way to gain an objective advantage. Now after Kf7 31.Rxd6 Rxd6 32.Rxd6 f3 33.h3 Rg3 34.Nc5! I don't see enough compensation for the piece. 30...Rb6 31.c4!? This concept is flawed at best. Black's f-pawn starts running now, and White's king is not something to be proud about. f3 32.c5 dxc5 33.Rxe5 Rg2 34.Rexc5 Re6 Black has given up a pawn, but his two rooks start to co-ordinate and White faces some serious problems. 35.b4 Re4 This is an innacuracy. It is heartening to see Sam playing for a win, but one must understand that the position is an equal one, so this move is objectively not the best. 35...Ree2! 36.Rh5 Kh7 37.Rh3 Rb2 38.Rxf3 Rxh2+= is an easy draw, but Sam plays for more. 36.Rg1 36.Rc8+! Kf7 37.Rf1! is how Nico should have played. After the forcing Rf2! 38.Rcc1 Ree2 39.Rxf2 Rxf2 40.Nc6 White gets his knight into play and can claim a slight advantage. 36...Ra2 37.Rh5?? This is rather unfortunate. After conducting the entire game with a relatively high accuracy, Nico stumbles at the end. 37.Rc8+! Kf7 38.Rc3= and the weakness on f3 means that Black can't advance that easily. 37...f2! 38.Rf1 Ra1‼ A spectacular finish to an interesting tussle. 0–1
  • Start an analysis engine:
  • Try maximizing the board:
  • Use the four cursor keys to replay the game. Make moves to analyse yourself.
  • Press Ctrl-B to rotate the board.
  • Drag the split bars between window panes.
  • Download&Clip PGN/GIF/FEN/QR Codes. Share the game.
  • Games viewed here will automatically be stored in your cloud clipboard (if you are logged in). Use the cloud clipboard also in ChessBase.
  • Create an account to access the games cloud.
WhiteEloWBlackEloBResYearECOEventRnd
Georgiadis,N2514Shankland,S27130–12019B9052nd Biel Festival 20191.2

Vidit 1-0 Cori

The fourth Indian to cross 2700 has finally arrived to the party in Biel. Today his smooth positional play was too much for Jorge Cori. Out of a Bogo-Indian, Vidit slowly built up his kingside attack while Cori couldn't do the same on the queenside. A pretty knight sacrifice sealed the deal in favour of the rating favourite soon after. Some highlights now:

A lesson in slow burner attacks was Vidit's objective today! | Photo: Simon Bohnenblust / Biel Chess Festival

 
Vidit-Cori
Position after 7.♕xd2

The Bogo-Indian is a respected opening but against a positional player like Vidit, it is not the best opening to choose.

 
Position after 9.♘c3

Here Cori went 9...♞c6 and was soon under pressure after 10.♘d5.

 
Position after 17.e4

From here it is just a masterclass in attack from Vidit. White's slow burner on the kingside is underestimated by all engines, but as a human I would start to feel really scared for my king. Black is stuck passively on his side of the board without counterplay.

 
Position after 21.Qd4

With such centralized pieces, White's position looks commanding. It was time for Black to stir something up on the queenside with 21...a4!? 22.b4 c6!. Though White is better after 23.♗f1, 23...a3! starts some serious action on the queenside, intending 24...♜a4. It is not clear how the game would have finished had Black decided to play a little more aggressively. Instead, the one move threat after 21...♜b8?! was easily neutralized after 22.♘c3!.

 
Position after 33.gxf6

33...♞xh4? from Black was a serious mistake, caused by hours of passivity. After gxf6! Cori should have tried to limit the damage with g6!?. Instead, gxf6? was asking for it, and Vidit didn't hesitate.

 
Position after 34...♚f8

35.♘e6+! decides the game after Bxe6 36.♕xf6+ ♝f7 37.♕h6+ ♚e7 38.♕xh4+ ♚f8 39.♕h6+ ♚e7 40.♖g7! 1-0.

 
New ...
Open...
Share...
Layout...
Flip Board
Settings
MoveNResultEloPlayers
Replay and check the LiveBook here
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 Bb4+ After this game, I doubt people will repeat this line. It has never enjoyed a great reputation, and I understand why - there are far better options. 3...d5 could have been a solid option. 3...c5 could have been a winning try. 4.Bd2 Qe7 5.g3 0-0 6.Bg2 Bxd2+ 7.Qxd2 d6 8.0-0 e5 This is why I don't like this line - Black wastes tempi despite being behind in development. 9.Nc3 Nc6 9...Nbd7 10.e4 c6 11.Nh4 Nb6 12.b3 a5 is managable, but White is better. 10.Nd5! Qd8 10...Nxd5 11.cxd5 Nxd4 12.Nxd4 exd4 13.Rac1! Bf5 14.Qxd4 Qxe2 15.Rxc7± is a worse version of the game. b5 16.Rfc1 11.Rfd1 Re8 12.dxe5 Nxe5 13.Nxe5 Rxe5 14.Rac1 Bg4 15.Re1!? The start of a really deep plan. Re8 16.Rc3 Rb8 17.e4 The computers are not a fan of Vidit's play, but I am. From here White slowly takes over. Nd7 18.f4 Be6 19.b3 a5 20.Rce3 Ra8 21.Qd4 Rb8 21...a4! 22.b4 c6 23.Bf1!? 23.a3 Rc8 24.Bf1 Bxd5 25.cxd5 cxd5 26.Qxd5 Qb6 23...a3! atleast threatens something on the queenside, and tries to distract White. Since the objective evaluation of the position is bad anyway, Black should have aimed for disturbance, not passivity. 22.Nc3! f6 23.Nb5 Now Black's pawns are fixed on c7 and d6. Ra8 24.Qd2 Qc8 25.Nd4 Bf7 26.Qc3 Qb8 27.h4 Qa7 28.Bh3 Rad8 28...Nf8! would have been a better defensive try. As is with such a complex game like chess, timing is everything. Jorge is too late in realising the optimal defensive setup. 29.Kh2 Qc5 30.g4 Nf8?! 30...Qb4! is what principles dictate should be played. If White exchanges queens, his attack is slowed down, otherwise Black gets superb counterplay on the queenside with a4 and Nc5. Such a method is present in the Maroczy as well. I am surprised that a 2686 player opted for other defensive methods considering he had this at this disposal. Play can now proceed 31.Qxb4 axb4 32.Nb5 Rc8 33.g5 Be6 34.Bg2 Nc5 maintaining a defensive position. 31.g5! Ng6 32.Rf1 Nxh4? Now now, this is too much. Cori had probably given up hopes of saving the game. 32...Qb4!± was still a possibility. White is considerably better after 33.Qxb4 axb4 34.h5! Ne7± but Black has fighting chances. 33.gxf6! gxf6? This is hara-kiri. 33...g6 asks White how he will break through. I suppose Vidit would have gone 34.Qd3! a4 35.Rg3 b5 36.f5!+- throwing pieces forward and winning easily. 34.Rg3+ Kf8 35.Ne6+! A nice shot to end the game. Bxe6 36.Qxf6+ Bf7 37.Qh6+ Ke7 38.Qxh4+ Kf8 39.Qh6+ Ke7 40.Rg7 A nice game by Vidit, but not as one sided as it initially seemed. 1–0
  • Start an analysis engine:
  • Try maximizing the board:
  • Use the four cursor keys to replay the game. Make moves to analyse yourself.
  • Press Ctrl-B to rotate the board.
  • Drag the split bars between window panes.
  • Download&Clip PGN/GIF/FEN/QR Codes. Share the game.
  • Games viewed here will automatically be stored in your cloud clipboard (if you are logged in). Use the cloud clipboard also in ChessBase.
  • Create an account to access the games cloud.
WhiteEloWBlackEloBResYearECOEventRnd
Vidit,S2703Cori,J26861–02019E1152nd Biel Festival 20191.3

One Grandmaster whose games are more often than not under control! | Photo: Simon Bohnenblust / Biel Chess Festival

Leko 1-0 Bogner

After a bad rapid tournament, Bogner's Biel sojourn took a further turn south. After overextending his Slav Defense, he made a superlative comeback, only to throw away the game with one move, just after the time control. Here are some critical moments:

Leko's dream run continues, while Bogner will be hoping to halt his free fall as soon as possible. | Photo: Simon Bohnenblust / Biel Chess Festival

 
Leko-Bogner
Position after 4.e3

The 4.e3 Slav is the perfect territory for Leko to play to his strengths. In reply, Bogner chose the fianchetto system.

 
Position after 10...Nbd7

This position has seen the likes of Kasparov and Kamsky on the Black side. However, I really don't like the fact that Black's queenside lacks flexibility. Only further tests will show how sound the position actually is.

 
Position after 15.e4

Was Bogner in his preparation here? He played dxe4 and gave up an exchange soon after. I admit that the advantage isn't as big as the engines think it is, but here Black had a very fascinating option in f5!, creating a sort of symmetry in the kingside. I'm not sure whether it is better than the game continuation, but it is definitely not worse.

 
Position after 19.Qxe4

Bogner sacrificed an exchange on a8 and doesn't seem to have enough compensation for it.

 
Position after 31...gxf5

Here it was imperative to start queenside operations with a4!. I doubt Black can survive for long after that, as he is in a weird form of zugzwang! Instead, Leko allowed Black to consolidate after ♕d3?! ♛d5! and had to begin converting from scratch.

 
Position after 40.Re2

Bogner is strong enough to see ♛f7! but he must have not realized that the time control was up. 40...h5?? was a sad way to lose after the pretty 41.♕xg7+!

 
New ...
Open...
Share...
Layout...
Flip Board
Settings
MoveNResultEloPlayers
Replay and check the LiveBook here
1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.e3 a6 5.Qc2 g6 6.Bd3 Bg7 7.Nf3 0-0 8.0-0 Bg4 9.Ne5 D10: Slav Defence: 3 cxd5 (without early Nf3) and 3 Nc3 Be6 10.c5 Nbd7 11.Nxd7 White is slightly better. Bxd7 12.h3 Ne8 13.f4 f6
14.Na4N Predecessor: 14.Qb3 Nc7 15.e4 Kh8 16.exd5 cxd5 1/2-1/2 (108) Anand,V (2775)-McShane,L (2713) London 2012 14...e5 15.e4       Overworked Piece dxe4 15...Nc7 16.Bc4+± Kh8 17.Nb6 exd4 Strongly threatening ...d3. 18.Nxa8 Qxa8 19.Qxe4 f5 20.Qd3 Nc7 21.b4 Be6 22.Bxe6 Nxe6 23.Qc4 Qc8 24.Re1       Keeping Black busy. Re8 25.a3 Bf6 26.Ra2 And now Rae2 would win. Kg7 27.Rae2 Kf7 28.g4 Qd7 29.Kh2 Re7 29...d3± 30.Rd1 Qd5 31.Qxd5 31.Qxd3 Qxd3 32.Rxd3 Nxc5± 31...dxe2 30.Bd2 30.g5+- Bg7 31.Kg3 30...Re8 31.gxf5 gxf5 32.Qd3 White should try 32.a4± 32...Qd5 33.Re5 Bxe5 34.Rxe5       Double Attack Qa2 35.Qxf5+ Kg8 36.Qd3 Rf8
36...Re7= remains equal. 37.f5!± Ng7
38.Qxd4 38.Re2!± Rxf5 39.Qg3 39.Qxd4 Qd5= 38...Nxf5 39.Qg4+ Ng7! Don't go for 39...Kh8? 40.Re2+- 40.Re2 Black must now prevent Qxg7+! h5?      
40...Qf7! 41.Qxg7+!       Accuracy: White = 72%, Black = 46%. 1–0
  • Start an analysis engine:
  • Try maximizing the board:
  • Use the four cursor keys to replay the game. Make moves to analyse yourself.
  • Press Ctrl-B to rotate the board.
  • Drag the split bars between window panes.
  • Download&Clip PGN/GIF/FEN/QR Codes. Share the game.
  • Games viewed here will automatically be stored in your cloud clipboard (if you are logged in). Use the cloud clipboard also in ChessBase.
  • Create an account to access the games cloud.
WhiteEloWBlackEloBResYearECOEventRnd
Leko,P2674Bogner,S25841–02019D1052nd Biel Festival 20191.1

​

Leko

Focused, determined, and scarily strong - that's Peter Leko for you! | Photo: Simon Bohnenblust / Biel Chess Festival

Abdusattorov 0-1 Maghsoodloo

Yet another Sicilian going against the underdog. This one was a Rauzer, and after a novelty on move 16 by Maghsoodloo, the game appeared to be in dynamic balance. But as is the case in such encounters, Black had a psychological advantage of coming 'back' from a slightly worse position, and being the stronger player he soon started to press. Not long after, Abdusattorov committed a grave error, and Maghsoodloo brought the point home, though not in the cleanest fashion. Here are the interesting moments in the game:

A future World Championship match? | Photo: Simon Bohnenblust / Biel Chess Festival

 
Abdusattorov-Maghsoodloo
Position after 10...Be7

The Richter-Rauzer isn't as common as it once was, but remains a serious option for Black to fight for a win.

 
Position after 12...0-0

Here Abdusattorov went g5!? and Black was soon fine. Instead, h4! looks like a better option to me, bringing in all the artillery. It has been surprisingly underused. Perhaps not any more after this game...

 
Position after 18...b4

19.♞e2!? looks to be a better option than 19.♗h6 (the game move) for White, bringing in the last piece into the attack and retaining hopes of an advantage. The idea is to meet the natural ♛a5 not with ♔b1 (which leads to a forced draw after ♝a4! [♘d4 ♝xd4 ♖xd4 ♝xc2+ ♔a1 g6 hxg6 hxg6 ♖xd7 ♝b3! and White has to force the draw with ♕xg6!]) but with ♗g5! and the threats to the Black king start to turn real.

 
Position after 21.e5

21.e5? was a gross miscalculation from the young phenom. Now, instead of taking on e5 (which is what Parham did), the strong 21...♝h4! wins two pieces for the rook. The idea is to start a ferocious counter-attack after 22.♛g4 bxc3 23.♗xf8 ♚xf8! 24.♕b4+ ♚g8 25.♕xc3 ♝d5! — with a decisive advantage.

 
Position after 23...♚xg7

It was time to apply the emergency breaks with 24.♗xa6! bxc3 25.♕xc3+ ♛f6 26.♕xf6+ ♚xf6 27.♗xc8 ♜xc8 28.♖d4. Black has an advantage, but the three connected passed pawns on the queenside means that conversion will not be easy. Instead, after 24.♘e2? Parham began his counter-attack with ♛f6!

 
Position after 27.♔b1

Instead of the natural 27...♜fd8?! that Parham played in the game, Black had the super strong ♞a4!, threatening to take on b2 and then on c2 with the rook. White is forced to play ♕b3, but now ♜fd8! wins a full piece and soon the game will be decided. After the game move, Nodirbek only resigned on move 41. 

 
New ...
Open...
Share...
Layout...
Flip Board
Settings
MoveNResultEloPlayers
Replay and check the LiveBook here
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 d6 6.Bg5 e6 7.Qd2 a6 8.0-0-0 Bd7 9.f3 Nxd4 10.Qxd4 Be7 B67: Sicilian: Richter-Rauzer: 7.. .a6 8 0-0-0 Bd7, lines without 9 f4 Be7 10...h6 11.Bh4 Rc8 12.Kb1 Be7 13.g4 b5 14.Bg3 e5 15.Qe3 Qc7 16.Bd3 Be6 17.h4 Qa5 18.g5 1-0 (60) Robson,R (2667)-Caruana,F (2828) chess.com INT 2019 11.g4 Bc6 12.Be3 0-0 White has an edge. 13.g5 Nd7 14.h4 b5       15.h5 Bxg5 16.Rg1
16.h6!? Bxe3+ 17.Qxe3= 16...Bf6N Predecessor: 16...Bxe3+ 17.Qxe3 Qe7 18.Rd2 f6 19.Ne2 0-1 (27) Luther,T (2581)-Kozul,Z (2632) Austria 2014 17.Qxd6 Rc8! 18.Qg3 b4       Black is not keeping still 19.Bh6 g6! 19...bxc3? 20.Bxg7 cxb2+ 21.Kb1!+-       20.hxg6 hxg6 21.e5?
White should play 21.Bc4 Re8 22.Nb1 21...Bxe5 Less strong is 21...bxc3 22.exf6 cxb2+ 23.Kb1 21...Bh4!-+ 22.Qg4 bxc3 23.Bxf8 Kxf8 24.Qb4+ Kg8 25.Qxc3 Bd5 22.f4 Strongly threatening Bd3. Bg7 Better is 22...Bh8 23.Nb1 Re8 24.Bxa6 Rc7 23.Bxg7 Kxg7 24.Ne2 24.Bxa6 bxc3 25.Qxc3+ Qf6 26.Qxf6+ Kxf6 27.Bxc8 Rxc8 28.Rd4 24...Qf6 25.Nd4 White should try 25.Qe3 25...Nc5 26.Bh3 26.Nxc6 was worth a try. Rxc6 27.Rh1 26...Be4-+ 27.Kb1? 27.Qe3 27...Rfd8 27...Na4 28.Qb3 Rfd8 29.Bxe6 Nc5       Double Attack 30.Qxb4 Nxe6 31.Nxe6+ Qxe6 32.Rxd8 Rxd8 28.Qe3 Rd5 Hoping for ...Rcd8. 29.f5? 29.Rg5 is more resistant. 29...exf5 30.Nxf5+ Rxf5 30...Bxf5? 31.Rxd5 Na4 32.Qd4-+ 31.Bxf5 Qxf5 Not 31...Bxf5 32.Rh1-+ 32.Rd2 Qe5 ( -> ...Bxc2+!) 33.Ka1 Re8 34.Re1 a5 35.Qh3 Qf5 Don't take 35...Rh8 36.Qe3-+ 36.Qg3 Re6 37.Rh2 intending Qb8. Bd5 ...Qf4! is the strong threat. 38.Rg1 With the idea Qb8. Qe4 White must now prevent ...Qc4. 39.Rd1
If only White now had time for Qh3.... 39...Qf3! Black is clearly winning. 40.Qg1 Qe3 41.Qg4 Re5 Played: Bd5-f3 0–1
  • Start an analysis engine:
  • Try maximizing the board:
  • Use the four cursor keys to replay the game. Make moves to analyse yourself.
  • Press Ctrl-B to rotate the board.
  • Drag the split bars between window panes.
  • Download&Clip PGN/GIF/FEN/QR Codes. Share the game.
  • Games viewed here will automatically be stored in your cloud clipboard (if you are logged in). Use the cloud clipboard also in ChessBase.
  • Create an account to access the games cloud.
WhiteEloWBlackEloBResYearECOEventRnd
Abdusattorov,N2598Maghsoodloo,P26560–12019B6752nd Biel Festival 20191.4

This young super talent has played admirably so far. How far can he go in his biggest challenge yet? | Photo: Simon Bohnenblust / Biel Chess Festival

The trends are now clearly set, and it remains to be seen whether they continue.

Here are the standings, where each player retains their position in lieu of results going as planned for some (and not so for others):

Overall Ranking

Rank Name Games Classic Rapid Blitz Total
1 GM Peter Leko 8 3 10 0 13
2 GM Sam Shankland 8 3 9 0 12
3 GM Parham Maghsoodloo 8 3 8 0 11
  GM Santosh Vidit 8 3 8 0 11
5 GM Jorge Cori 8 0 7 0 7
6 GM Nico Georgiadis 8 0 6 0 6
7 GM Nodirbek Abdusattorov 8 0 5 0 5
8 GM Sebastian Bogner 8 0 3 0 3

All classical games

 
Live: European Womens-ch 2025
New ...
Open...
Share...
Layout...
Flip Board
Settings
Result:
0–1
Urh-Javakhishvili
MoveNResultEloPlayers
Replay and check the LiveBook here
1.d4 0.9 Nf6 11 2.c4 5 e6 17 3.Nc3 12 Bb4 10 4.e3 32 0-0 10 5.Bd3 26 d5 39 6.a3 1:37 Be7 35 7.cxd5 3:23 exd5 49 8.Nge2 15 b6 2:12 9.b4 4:40 c6 3:43 10.0-0 2:28 Re8 4:02 11.Kh1 15:35 Bd6 12:55 12.f3 11:21 a5 3:01 13.b5 16:13 c5 1:52 14.Qe1 42 Nbd7 3:13 15.g4 5:24 Bb7 6:50 16.Qf2 7:40 Nf8 3:45 17.Ng3 1:11 Ne6 4:47 18.Nce2 28 a4 3:38 19.Bd2 2:28 g6 6:47 20.h3 11:26 Qe7 5:36 21.Rae1 6:29 cxd4 6:53 22.exd4 1:47 Bxa3 55 23.g5 1:13 Nd7 1:27 24.f4 24 Bb4 11:20 25.Bxb4 4:47 Qxb4 3 26.h4 2:00 f5 4:32 27.gxf6 4 Nxf6 18 28.f5 32 Ne4 52 29.Bxe4 58 dxe4 4 30.Qe3 26 Nf8 3:23 31.f6 30 Bd5 2 32.Qh6 30 Ra7 9 33.Nf4 37 Qd6 3:10 34.Nf5 31 e3+ 10 35.Kh2 30 gxf5 31 36.Rg1+ 9 Ng6 1:32 37.Kh3 29 Qxf6 2:04 38.Nxd5 33 Qxd4 1:53 39.h5 50 Qh4+ 1:02 40.Kg2 0 Rg7 0 41.Nxe3 3:56 Nf4+ 4:15 42.Kf3 20 Qh3+ 1:03 43.Kf2 9 Nd3+ 1:01 44.Ke2 14 Qxe3+ 51 45.Qxe3 8 Rxe3+ 3 46.Kxe3 6 Nxe1 4 0–1
  • Start an analysis engine:
  • Try maximizing the board:
  • Use the four cursor keys to replay the game. Make moves to analyse yourself.
  • Press Ctrl-B to rotate the board.
  • Drag the split bars between window panes.
  • Download&Clip PGN/GIF/FEN/QR Codes. Share the game.
  • Games viewed here will automatically be stored in your cloud clipboard (if you are logged in). Use the cloud clipboard also in ChessBase.
  • Create an account to access the games cloud.
StWhiteEloWBlackEloBResRndid
Zeidler,S2143Laszewicz,P20113.11451439
Abrahamyan,T2310Lee,A23863.21279479
Sieber,F2276Heinatz,G21117.361447268
Bischoff,K2425Buckley,G22683.51451443
Boensch,U2465Duncan,C21783.71451447
Lalic,S2227Rogowski,J20503.91451450
Khotenashvili,B2418Danielian,E23987.31447217
Ushenina,A2428Gevorgyan,M22347.101447227
Smietanska,W2254Wagner,D24407.181447236
Schneider,J2251Kulon,K24017.191447237
Lach,A2208Donghvani,N20257.401447274
Dwilewicz,K2203Rida,R20657.441447279
Kosma,M1826Ter-Avetisjana,A21007.501447290
Berke,A2119Kiousi,P19987.551447300
Golsta,M1979Paasikangas,J21067.561447301
Kalyva,K1885Tsetskhladze,M21057.571447303
Medovoy,Y2129Milikow,E23904.21451669
Westerinen,H2209Sandner,G22433.11451381
Vinke,D2078Jahnel,G21483.31451385
Szydelko,K1798Hughes,A19113.41451442
Dickenson,N2250Holzke,F24123.61451446
Reynolds,D1926Van Herck,M19623.81451393
Ograbek,G2068Regan,N20563.101451452
Jackson,S2031Czyz,A19853.111451453
Wielosz,J1939Fink-Nunn,P19973.121451454
Emms,J2411Szmyd,M19003.141451457
Kosten,A2366Woestmann,H20293.141451402
Dishman,S2279Kilanski,J16703.161451460
Kirtadze,A2180Milliet,S23717.11447215
Injac,T2454Narva,M23807.21447216
Beydullayeva,G2400Mkrtchian,L23887.41447218
Bulmaga,I2362Maltsevskaya,A23767.51447221
Urh,Z2244Javakhishvili,L24297.61447222
Batsiashvili,N2473Toncheva,N23297.71447223
Arabidze,M2447Zimina,O22937.81447224
Kochavi,D2301Tsolakidou,S24457.91447226
Daulyte-Cornette,D2389Gaboyan,S22007.111447228
Vega Gutierrez,S2380Krasteva,B22577.121447229
Socko,M2369Karacsonyi,K21987.131447230
Zherebtsova,A2229Roebers,E23677.141447232
Velikic,A2214Kiolbasa,O23607.151447233
Mgeladze,K2200Mammadova,G23427.161447234
Khachatryan,A2091Savina,A23317.171447235
Guichard,P2355Ibrahimova,S21997.201447239
Jarocka,L2231Gaponenko,I23497.211447241
Sandu,M2230Zhukova,N23067.221447243
Rudzinska,M2223Unuk,L23017.231447244
Heinemann,J2297Terbe,Z21797.241447245
Prado Acebo,I2199Radeva,V22977.251447251
Doluhanova,E2287Calzetta Ruiz,M22307.261447252
Rodshtein,T2171Mkrtchyan,M22827.271447253
Tirpan,C1996Avramidou,A22757.281447256
Fataliyeva,U2387Pavlidou,E21607.291447257
Atalik,E2375Yildiz,E21607.301447258
Zaksaite,S2137Sliwicka,A23427.311447259
Cornileau,J2130Brunello,M23307.321447260
Koridze,L2115Zawadzka,J23267.331447262
Antolak,J2314Eric,J21477.341447264
Yao,L2294Chelushkina,I21347.351447265
Deak-Sala,E2112Allahverdiyeva,A22667.371447269
Wikar,M2239Vidic,T21007.381447270
Hapala,E2092Lehaci,M22127.391447271
Abdinova,N2165Nenova,A19037.411447276
Krkyasharyan,S1989Khurtsilava,I22147.421447277
Bochnickova,A2051Mamedjarova,T22067.431447278
Huseynova,L2065Schloffer,J21887.451447280
Piddubna,B2145Mihaljevic,E20397.461447281
Golsta,R1943Dicen,E21297.471447282
Nadzamova,V2122Bhatia,K20127.481447285
Zagorac,L2106Chasouraki,C18437.491447289
Sivanandan,B2073Alexandri,D19957.511447292
Zvereva,M2033Stefanova,A24267.521447294
Valkova,A2001Bochnickova,S21677.531447296
Ciolacu,A2136Subramanian,A20267.541447298
Grapsa,G2065Nahapetyan,A18877.581447304
Alexandri,V1927Shuqja,K20497.591447305
Korenova,M2045Mitraka,C18207.601447306
Caku,K2036Harutyunyan,G17937.611447307
Hariharan,S2024Recica,J17167.621447311
Bania,E1809Acarbay,A20527.631447312
Load selected games
Clear
Click here to login with your free ChessBase Account and type chat below.

Links

Tanmay Srinath has been writing for ChessBase India since quite some time now. His tournament reports and depth of analysis have been widely appreciated. Pursuing a full-fledged career in engineering Tanmay doesn't get enough time to pursue chess, but he loves to follow top-level encounters and analyzes those games with his Fat Fritz engine. We hope you find his analysis useful in your games.

Discuss

Rules for reader comments

 
 

Not registered yet? Register

We use cookies and comparable technologies to provide certain functions, to improve the user experience and to offer interest-oriented content. Depending on their intended use, analysis cookies and marketing cookies may be used in addition to technically required cookies. Here you can make detailed settings or revoke your consent (if necessary partially) with effect for the future. Further information can be found in our data protection declaration.