12/24/2024 – ChessBase Magazine offers a window to the world of professional chess. Our columnist Nagesh Havanur takes a look at our recent issue, CBM 222 (CBM 223 is just out!). A total of 7703 games from the FIDE Chess Olympiad, 28 annotated, 11 opening surveys, 3 opening videos, 5 demo lectures and several exercises for training. Annotators include Nordibek Abdusattorov, Levon Aronian, Anish Giri and Wesley So, among others. The icing on the cake is a special feature on Dommaraju Gukesh and Arjun Erigaisi with 4 videos. | Photo: FIDE / Maria Emelianova
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Doesn’t every chess game get decided by mistakes? Absolutely. But most players never truly comprehend that they are making the same kind of mistakes over and over again.
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The Indian teams shine in Budapest
Even as I write these lines, the World Championship Match has drawn to a close in Singapore. Gukesh has set a record by winning the title at the age of eighteen.
The ascent of the young player to the chess Olympus began with his triumph at the Candidates Tournament early this year. He also led the way for the Indian team winning gold in the recent Chess Olympiad. This issue is devoted to the grand event and offers games and their analysis.
The critical moment for the Indian team was the encounter with the USA team in the penultimate, 10th round. While Praggnanandhaa lost to Wesley So, Gukesh beat Fabiano Caruana and Arjun Erigaisi beat Leinier Dominguez. Anish Giri annotates the face-off between Gukesh and Caruana:
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1.e4
1,168,430
54%
2421
---
1.d4
948,593
55%
2434
---
1.Nf3
282,135
56%
2441
---
1.c4
182,404
56%
2442
---
1.g3
19,724
56%
2427
---
1.b3
14,321
54%
2427
---
1.f4
5,913
48%
2377
---
1.Nc3
3,814
51%
2384
---
1.b4
1,759
48%
2379
---
1.a3
1,221
54%
2405
---
1.e3
1,073
49%
2409
---
1.d3
954
50%
2378
---
1.g4
666
46%
2361
---
1.h4
449
53%
2374
---
1.c3
435
51%
2426
---
1.h3
283
56%
2419
---
1.a4
112
59%
2465
---
1.f3
93
46%
2435
---
1.Nh3
89
66%
2508
---
1.Na3
42
62%
2482
---
Please, wait...
1.d4Nf62.c4e63.g3Catalan is one of the many weapons Gukesh
is employing these days. In general, most top players just play everything at
this point!d54.Bg2Nc6!?The first sign that Fabiano is looking to do
something unusual.The line4...dxc45.Nf3Nc6is quite well known and
is pretty reliable, but there is little sense in starting with this move order.
5.Nf3Rb8!?Aha! A very clever idea, played by Rudik Makarian earlier
this year in U20 World Championship. The point is that castling can now be met
with ...dxc4 which transposes into a pawn sacrifice variation that White may
otherwise not be into playing. And other moves, each have some drawbacks to
them, though that being said, if 5...Rb8 doesn't look dubious then I don't
know what does.6.cxd5This is a serious strategic concession, but it
nullifies Rb8, which now turns out to be a loss of a tempo. I also felt this
must be the most principled, but in fact the engine also mentions alternatives
like Nbd2 and Ne5, which do indeed seem tempting as well.6.Nbd2Be77.0-00-08.b3b5!?happened in Anuj-Makarian, Wch U20 2024.6.0-0dxc46.Ne56...Bb4+!?Very cunning, trying to gain half a tempo somehow.7.Nc3exd58.Bg5!?Gukesh plays it simple, intending to get rid of the dark
squared bishop underlining the fact that the c6 knight is out of place in this
pawn structure.h69.Bxf6Qxf610.0-0Bxc3The easiest and the most
standard way of solving the issue with the d5 pawn, when the knight is still
on c6. The pawn structure will now resemble some topical variations of the
Ragozin defense.11.bxc30-012.Nd2Ne7?!The knight on c6 generally has
to solve itself, by either moving to e7 or a5. In this particular case, the
computer prefers to defend the d5 pawn with Rd8 and go for the plan with Na5.
The e4 break is apparently less promising for White after 12...Rd8, which
isn't obvious at first.13.e3
Gukesh keeps his options open.The direct13.e4!?dxe414.Nxe4gave
White some initiative as well, but I can imagine why both players felt that
that initiative could evaporate, leaving White with no structural gains.13...Be614.Qa4a615.e4!?Black is not
properly coordinated and Gukesh decides this is the moment to strike.c5
Very risky, but I guess Fabiano didn't like Nxe4-Nc5 prospects, though that
was a much lesser evil, if evil at all.16.Qa3!Suddenly Black is caught
in some x-rays. The knight on e7 is not feeling comfortable and e4-e5 is on
standby.b617.Rab1More accurate was17.Rfe1Rfe818.Rac1keeping an
eye on the c3 pawn and threatening the c5 pawn.17...Rfe818.dxc5d4!?
Fabiano is trying to muddy the waters. White has many tempting options now,
but nothing too obvious. Gukesh goes for the most ambitious continuation.19.c4?!What Gukesh does is more ambitious, but allows Black to
equalize.for example even after the simple19.cxd4Qxd420.Nb319...Qg5!A strong shot, if not missed, then surely
underestimated by Gukesh.20.Rfd1bxc5I am not sure what made Fabi go for
this one, instead of taking with the queen. The text move is kind of okay too,
but far more complex and risky.20...Qxc5!Black is completely fine here
and there isn't even that much to calculate, as far as I can see.21.Qxa6
Black has plenty of compensation, the most obvious move then beingd321.f4Qh522.f5Rxb123.Rxb1Qe2!The key resource, keeping Black fully in the
game.24.fxe6Qxd225.exf7+Kxf726.Qxc5White is up one, but the d4 pawn
is potentially very powerful. Fabi starts by solving the issue of the king.Kg8!27.Rf1Kh7!Two strong moves, securing the king. Now Ng6-Ne5 is an
idea and the d-pawn is always on stand by to advance.28.Qe5Pinning down
the knight.Qe3+29.Kh1d3But now the d-pawn is going far.30.Bh3d231.Bg4The d-pawn is stopped, but on d2 it is a serious asset.Qd332.Kg2Qxc433.a4?!A somewhat nervy move.The simpler33.a3!would have been
stronger, as the pawn would just not hang.33...Qc6Taking the a4 pawn
also works somehow, but this move is sounds as well. Black is just fine here.34.Qd4Qg6??Having achieved a full equality, Fabiano stumbles. The move
loses on the spot, not to mention that even if not for 35.Rf4, it would be
less accurate than 34...Ng6! or even 34... Ng8!?. Under pressure, though, is
when mistakes come.34...Ng6!Of course allowing35.Bf5not pleasant,
but it works after bothQc2!or35...Rf8Also34...Ng8!?
was okay.and34...Kh8!?as well. White has some tries, but what
happens after some accurate moves is that Black gets the e4 pawn in exchange
for the lost d2 soldier.35.Rf4!A clinical move. Suddenly Black has no
way of defending the d2 pawn, while the e4 pawn remains alive. Black loses his
only asset and the position turns from equal to dead lost.Qg536.h4!
And that's it, since 36...Qa5 is met with 37.Rf7!.Qg636...Qa537.Rf7!37.Qxd2The rest was easy, Gukesh was determined.Rb838.Qd7h539.Be6Rb640.Bf7Qd641.Qxd6Rxd642.Bxh5Nc643.Be2a544.Bb5Ne545.Rf5Re646.Kf2With two pawns down Black has no chance and the resignation was not at
all premature here.1–0
Gukesh Dommaraju v. Fabiano Caruana | Photo: FIDE / Michal Walusza
The extraordinary tension of the match is summed up by Wesley So who annotates his game with Praggnanandhaa in this issue:
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This game was played in the 10th round, when we were one match win behind the
leaders, India. We were on the ropes, because even if we beat them, we would
still be behind on tiebreaks. But we were very thrilled to be able to compete
against the leaders of the tournament, who had dominated all throughout the
event. And if a miracle happened and we actually won, we might even have an
outside chance for gold!1.e4e5I also prepared for the French as Pragg
played it the day before against Sindarov and he regularly plays it. It's a
good opening, but I figured, he'd go for the more solid 1...e5.1...e62.Nf3Nc63.Bc4Our team coach, GM Mikhail Antipov is an expert in the Italian,
and has a practically encyclopedic knowledge of it. Normally then, it was a
big topic during our team meetings, and several of our players employed 3.Bc4
during the tournament. I myself also have some understanding of it, playing it
frequently especially online with both colors.Bc5I won a decent game with
White against GM Naiditsch after3...Nf64.d3Be7in Round 3.4.0-0
A month earlier in the Sinquefield Cup I had this against Pragg with opposite
colors, and he played4.c3Nf65.d3d66.Bg5A very sharp line, where he
was very well prepared. He got a winning position, but I survived with a
miracle draw.4...Nf65.d3d66.c3a67.a4Ba7Pragg likes this setup,
but normally I prepare as well for other possibilities, for example ...a5 here
or on the previous move with also large theory.8.Nbd2I thought he'd be
very well prepared against 8.Bg5, considering he'd played it a few times with
White, and also Round 6 against Leko. Mikhail told me to play an early Nbd2,
but I have no understanding of why it's more accurate than 8.Re1.0-09.h3Be6This was unexpected. Normally Black plays ...Re8 first followed by ...Be6.
In the Sinquefield Cup he played9...h610.Re1Qe7against MVL. A rare
move, but he equalized very easily.10.Bxe6fxe611.b4In return for the
doubled pawns Black gets an open file and quick activity. As Grischuk once
said, Black simply has to attack on the kingside in this position!Qe8
Keymer played against me11...h612.Re1Ne7in Dusseldorf last year, in
which he won very easily with Black. Normally I'm more aware now how quickly
the position can become dangerous for White.13.Nf1Ng614.N1h2!was one
of the tips Keymer told me after our game. With the idea of g3+Kg2, to secure
the kingside and limit his knights.12.Ra2This is always a good move, as
Levon Aronian told me. It protects the 2nd rank and now b5 is also possible.12.Re1Nh513.Nf1Qg6is good for Black, as he is very quick on the
kingside.12...Nh512...Qg6!?is a flexible alternative, keeping all
his options open.13.Nc4Nf413...b514.Ne3followed by Ng4 or g3 is
pleasant for White.14.b5My first idea was14.Kh2but...Qh5
threatening ...Nxh3, is fine for Black.14...Nb8!I thought this was a
nice move, as the knight can re-route itself and protect b6 from d7.Against
14...Ne7I was going to play15.b6Bxb616.Nxb6cxb617.g3followed
by Rb2, when Black's doubled pawns give me a slight edge.15.Kh2I spent a
long time here 25 minutes, but finally couldn't find anything convincing.15.b6was my first intention, but I didn't think I had much afterBxb616.Rb216.Nxb6cxb617.g3Ng6=is also nothing for White. Black can always give
back the pawn with ...b5 axb5 a5. Getting a protected passed a-pawn.16...Nd717.a5Ba7Now Rxb7 allows Nc5, so I have to give up my bishop.18.Bxf4Rxf419.Rxb7Qc820.Rb4h6With a strong dark-squared bishop I didn't think
Black had problems here.15...Nd716.g3Ng617.bxa6I didn't want to
play this move, but if I didn't, then I always have to watch out for the
possible opening of the a-file.Maybe I didn't have to trade pawns at the
time being:17.Kg2d517...Nc518.Be3Black cannot take the pawn as after
axb519.axb5Qxb520.Ng5White gets a strong attack.18.Ncd2Bc519.Qc2with a very complex position.17...bxa618.Kg2d519.Ncd219.Na5
was one idea, but I thought my knight was too far from my king.I didn't
want him to exchange minor pieces with19.Ne3Bxe320.Bxe3Nf6followed by
... Qc6, when Black doesn't seem to have any problems at all.19...Nf620.Re120.c4!?is interesting, to clarify the situation on the queenside.20...Rd821.Qe2I didn't really think I was better here, but I was happy to
get a playable position and Black has doubled pawns.After21.Qc2
I was a bit worried aboutNh522.Nf1But the computer shows that Black has
no real attack on the kingside.21...Qc622.c4Rf722...Nh5makes sense,
23.Nf1dxc4!24.dxc4Bc5=with the idea of ...Bb4, Black is totally
good.23.cxd5exd524.Nf1h625.N1h2Now after a long adventurous
journey, I finally achieved the setup I learned from the Keymer game.The
position is just equal of course, but my king is safe, and Pragg started to go
wrong.Rfd7I think the rook was just fine on the f-file.Black has many
good moves here, such as25...Bd4or 25... Qd6 followed by ...c5.26.a5
It's always good to advance your rook's pawn to gain space, and fix the
a6-pawn. Now Pragg started to use a lot of time.dxe4?!This just weakens
his position.Black is just totally fine after26...Qe6followed by ...
c5.27.dxe4Now Black has so many isolated pawns that I can target.Rd328.Rd2Trading his active rook looks normal to me.28.Rc2Qd629.Rc4
followed by Qc2 is the computer's preference.28...Qb5Stronger is28...Rxd229.Bxd2Qb5!since once the queens are traded, Black will have a
perfectly solid and tenable position.29.Rxd3Rxd330.Qc2!Pragg must
have missed this move from afar. Now White's queen suddenly infiltrates the
position.Rd730...c5doesn't look attractive, since at the very least I
can pin his pawn with31.Be3when the a7-bishop looks very ugly.31.Qa2+Kh732.Qe6A good move, but not the best. Actually 32.Ng4! wins on the spot!
Which I missed.32.Ng4!Nxg433.hxg4I guess White's position
structurally is just dominating. g5 is coming next move, and Black has no real
defense.32...Qxa5!A nice practical try, and it almost worked. He
almost used up all his time here. I knew Pragg was a great calculator so I
kind of trusted him that the tactics worked in his favour after 33.Ng4.33.Qf533.Ng4Nxg434.Qxd7!34.hxg4Rd6is okay for Black.34...Nxf2
Trusting Pragg, I just assumed Black is fine here, but in fact White is
totally winning after 35.Be3, or 35.Re2. The knight on g6 cannot join the
fight and I am simply up the exchange.33...Qa234.Rf1?!Again just
trusting my intuition.If I had been more disciplined in calculating I
might have played34.Nh4!Qf734...Qxf2+35.Qxf2Bxf236.Kxf2Nxh437.gxh4I wasn't sure if this ending was winning, so that's why I went for 34.
Rf1.35.N2f3Re736.Bg5!when Black is pinned multiple ways and he
cannot move. White just activates the rook next.34...Re7?34...Rd6!
was the only way to stay in the game. Which we both underestimated.35.Nxe5Ng8Normally Pragg would spot this easily, but he only had less than 2
minutes left. Black breaks off from the pin with ...Ne7.35.Bxh635.Bg5
was even stronger, but I was happy with this move, since Black has many
weaknesses.gxh636.Qxf6Qe6?The final mistake.36...Rf737.Qc6Qe2!was far more stubborn. White still wins after38.Qe6Kg739.Qg4
but I have to find a lot of accurate moves. aber ich muss eine Menge präziser
Züge finden.37.Ng437.Qf5followed by Ng4 also wins.37...a5
Fortunately for me the ending is easily winning after37...Qxf638.Nxf6+Kg739.Nd5Rd740.Ra138.Qf5Black's king is very weak, and he has four
isolated pawns!Kg739.Qh5Nh840.Nh4Kh741.Nxh6Black reached the time
control, but fortunately the position was easily winning for me. Here Pragg
resigned. But our team was still in big trouble after my game. Erigaisi was
outplaying Leinier from the very beginning, with Leinier unable to equalize
out of the opening. Meanwhile, Fabiano blundered a pawn on board 1, after
desperately trying to trick Gukesh who was having time trouble. Levon had an
equal endgame on board 4. In the end we lost 2.5-1.5. But this did not quench
our spirits. The next day we came back and beat China earning ourselves a last
minute Silver Medal! Big congratulations to India for their dominating
performance, especially Gukesh and Erigaisi who combined for a very impressive
total 19 out of 21 points! Big congratulations also to our own team USA ...
for never giving up!1–0
As such, the USA team did not do badly. However, Caruana and So lost one game each. Dominguez lost two games. Only Aronian was unbeaten.
Five teams tied for second place with 17 match points in the open section, with the United States and Uzbekistan securing silver and bronze, respectively, based on tiebreaks. China, Serbia, and Armenia came close and lost out on Sonneborn-Berger points.
The Uzbekistan team suffered losses on account of the poor form of Sindarov and Yakubboev. The Chinese team went down for more than one reason. Ding Liren was still in a poor state, bogged down by 7 draws and 1 loss. In the end, the Chinese team did not even field him against Gukesh in the crucial India-China Match. Wei Yi, who faced Gukesh, conceded defeat after a marathon game lasting 80 moves:
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69.Ne4+Kd7!Wei Yi rightly understands that the king should not be caught
in the crossfire of knight checks. So he makes this paradoxical king move away
from the dangerous f-pawn and the knights.He cannot stop the pawn
promotion with69...Ke7??70.f6+Kf771.Nfg5+Kf872.Nc5+-70.Ne5+Kd8?This move does not lose. But it makes the draw difficult.70...Ke7
Curiously, this line that lost in the previous line now draws.71.f6+Ke672.f7Rf173.Kd473.Ke3Rf574.Ng6Kxf775.Nxh4Rf1=73...Rf474.Ng6Rxf775.Ng5+Kf676.Nxf7Kxg677.Ne5+Kf5=A better line is the
paradoxical king move, away from knight checks and allowing the rook to manage
it all.70...Kc7!71.f6Rf172.f7h373.Ng5h274.Ngf3Rxf3+75.Nxf3h1Q76.f8QQd1+77.Ke4Qxa4+78.Nd4=71.f6h3??After a heroic
defence Wei Yi commits a tragic blunder in time trouble. It's hard to believe
that this obvious move can be wrong.Subsequently analysts concluded, he
could have drawn with71...Rd1+!72.Kc472.Ke2Rd5!73.Nf7+Kd774.Nfg5Rf5=72.Ke3Re1+73.Kf4h374.Ng3Not74.Ng5??Rxe575.Kxe5h2-+and in a sudden reversal of fortunes, Black wins. A fascinating line
by Evgeny Gleizerov in "64 Chess Review", 11/2024.72...h373.f7Rc1+74.Kb5Rf175.Kxa5h276.Ng3Ke777.Ng4Rf378.Nxh2Rxg3=72.f7Rf173.Ng5h274.Ngf3Ke775.Nxh2Ra176.Nhg4Ra3+77.Kd2!"Gukesh had only
two minutes left here, yet he unerringly zooms in on the only winning king
move."- Anish Giri in "New in Chess" Magazine 7/8, 2024The natural retreat,
77.Ke2?gives the Black rook counterplay on the fourth rank.Rxa478.Nf6Stopping the rook check, a consequence of the king being on e2.Rh479.Nfd7Rf4=The rook would sacrifice itself for the pawn with a draw.77...Rxa478.Nh6Ra2+79.Ke3Ra3+80.Ke480.Ke4If Black tries to stop 81.
Ng6+ withRg3??there follows81.Nf5++-1–0
The Indian team made 21/22 points far ahead of these runner-up teams, with Gukesh and Arjun finishing on a record score of 9/10.
Who could have posed a challenge to the Indian team? Only the Russian team. However, Russia has been banned from official FIDE competitions on account of the invasion of Ukraine.
The Ukraine team was led by Vasyl Ivanchuk, and he had mixed results, beating Wesley So among others. It was his encounter with Richard Rapport that turned out to be entertaining.
In this Fritztrainer: “Attack like a Super GM” with Gukesh we touch upon all aspects of his play, with special emphasis on how you can become a better attacking player.
On seeing this game our first impression is that the Ukrainian maverick went too far with his king march. But matters are not so clear after White plays 20.Bh6! instead of 20.Be5??
I was also surprised to see players from the other war-torn state, Palestine, participating in the Olympiad.
Ms Rasika Ratnaparkhi, reporting for ChessBase India, wrote:
They faced visa and travel issues, and the Palestine team was one of them. After a long battle, they finally made it to the venue to battle on the board. Chess players in Palestine have fewer opportunities, limited access to coaches, and fewer chess clubs. That's why, competing in Olympiad is a very big opportunity for them to get international exposure.
Team Palestine | Photo: FIDE / Maria Emelianova
Women's teams battle for gold
I would have liked to see here a more detailed coverage of the Women’s Olympiad in this issue. Here are a few observations on the performance of leading teams.
The Ukrainian women's team suffered due to the absence of the Muzychuk sisters.
The Polish team did beat India by a narrow score. However, they did not do so well in other matches.
The USA women's team had mixed results. Carissa Yip and Alice Lee were both unbeaten and won individual medals for their performance. The experienced Irina Krush and young Gulrukhbegim Tokhirzhnova suffered as many as three defeats each in their matches. In the end, the USA women's team was lucky to win the bronze medal.
The Kazakh team had mixed results. On the top boards, Kamalidenova suffered three defeats. Nurmanova lost two games. Assaubuyeva and Balabayeva remained unbeaten.
The performance of the Indian women's team was not without adventures. They did win the first seven matches and then lost to Poland in the 8th round. In the 9th round, they were second behind Kazakhstan after a 2-2 draw with the USA. However, in the 10th round, they beat China (2½-1½). In the 11th and final round they beat Azerbaijan, even as the Kazakhs were held to a draw (2-2) by the USA.
Final result:
India, Gold
Kazakhstan, Silver
The USA, Bronze
This bland summary does little justice to what was happening over the board in the Women's Olympiad. Before the second round the Indian women players were held up on account of transport issues. Their opponents, the Czech players, refused to start the clock till the Indian women players turned up. They did happen to lose the match, but won the hearts and minds of their rivals, not to mention spectators all over the world. Where else can one find such sportsmanship?
Agony and Ecstasy in Budapest
In the 4th round the Indian team beat the French team and the tense match between Divya Deshmukh and Mitra Hejazipour held spectators in thrall. I didn't find annotations to the game in this issue. For now, readers have to be content with my commentary:
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1.e4c52.Nf3d63.d4Nf64.Nc3cxd45.Nxd4a6The sharp Sicilian
Najdorf Variation, a favourite of Bobby Fischer.6.Be2e56...e6leads to
the Scheveningen, a favourite of Garry Kasparov.7.Nb3Be78.Be3Calm
development. Importantly White keeps the option of castling on either side.8.0-0is otherwise standard.8...Be69.f49.0-0is still possible.9...Qc710.f5Bd7?The first new move in this position. Among other
things Black prepares ...b7-b5. However, subsequently Black has a bad bishop
with little scope for activity.10...Bc4is more often played. Black can
exchange bishops or prepare...d6-d5.11.0-00-012.a4White has prevented
the freeing move, ...b7-b5.Nc613.Nd513.a5Nb414.Bb6Qc815.g4±
is also good. However, the move in the game appears to be better.13...Nxd514.exd5Na515.Nd215.Qd2preventing...b7-b5 is met byNc416.Bxc4Qxc417.Na5Qc7=15...b516.b3Rfc8?This is an oversight that could lose.
16...f617.axb5axb518.Bd3±is the lesser evil.17.Bd3?
Returning the compliment.There was a win with17.f6!Bxf6Or17...Bf818.fxg7Bxg719.Bd3f520.Bxf5Bxf521.Rxf5+-18.Bd3Qd819.Qh5g620.Qf3+-17...f6Closing the shutters on the diagonal.18.Qh5Be819.Qh4Bf720.Rf3Kh821.Rh3Bg8!Very good defence in a bad position. Now
it is not easy for White to have a breakthrough.22.Nf3Apparently
overlooking Black's next move.Nxb3!A brilliant idea and an unwelcome
surprise for the opponent.23.cxb3A natural reaction.The engine
suggests the far from obvious line23.Qh5!Nxa124.Nh4The point.Bxd525.Ng6+Kg826.Qxh7+Kf727.Qh5Rg828.Be4!Bc429.Bxa8+-23...Qc324.Rd1Qxb325.Qe1?Panic.Divya was still winning with25.Rd2!Rc1+26.Kf2Rc327.Qh5Rxd328.Rxd3Qxd329.Nh4+-25...Bxd5Black has
three pawns for the piece and dynamic counterplay.26.Nh4Kg8Of course not
allowing Ng6+ winning the bishop first and then the rook.27.Rg3?A
plausible plan. She hopes to play Bh6 and after ...g6, force open the g-file.The engine commends27.Qe2!e428.Bb1Rc329.Qd2Bf730.Ba2!Qxa231.Qxc3+-Not easy to see with the human eye in a tense tournament game.27...Qxa4Now Black has four pawns for piece and two of them can race to
queening.28.Be2Bf7Not allowing surprises on g6.29.Rg4Not just
attacking the Black queen. This move also prepares Qg3 with pressure on the
g-file. In retrospect this elaborate preparation was not necessary at all.
Divya could have won by the direct line29.Bh6!Bf830.Rxg7+Bxg731.Qg3Bg632.Bxg7Kxg733.fxg6+-29...Qc230.Bh6Bf831.Qg3??A terrible
blunder based on an oversight.31.Rxg7+!Bxg732.Qg3Bg633.fxg6Bxh6!34.gxh7+Kh835.Ng6+Kxh736.Ne7Kh837.Qh4Kg738.Qg4+Kh839.Ng6+Kh7=31...Qxe2!Of course.32.Re1After the planned32.Rxg7+??
the Black monarch merely moves away.Kh833.Rf1d5-+White is lost.32...Qa233.Bxg7On33.Rxg7+??Kh8White finds that the Black bishop
on f7 is guarded and his own rook and bishop are in danger.33...Bxg734.Rxg7+Kh835.Rg4White has regained the piece. However, it is still three
pawns down.Qb336.Nf336.Qxb3Bxb3-+is out of question.36...Rg8!37.Rxg8+Rxg8-+38.Qh4Kg7??Mitra missed38...Qxf3!39.Qxf6+Rg740.Qd8+Bg8-+White has no more checks.39.Nd2Qc2?Looks obvious
and unfortunately, it is wrong.She had only a draw with39...Qd5!40.Ne4Qd4+41.Kh1Kh842.Qxf6+Rg743.Qd8+Rg8=39...Qb2!transposes
to the same drawing line outlined above.40.Ne4Kf8?A blunder even as
Mitra reaches time control. Instinctively, she wants to get away from Qf6+ and
moves the king in the oppposite direction. Unfortunately, the monarch is more
exposed to checks here.Mitra did not see40...Kh8!41.Qxf6+Rg742.g3Qc443.Qd8+Rg8=White has no more than perpetual check.41.g3d542.Nxf6?Divya rushes to attack at all costs.42.Qh6+!Rg743.Nxf6Qc5+44.Kh1Qf245.Nxh7+Kg846.Nf6+Kf847.Rc1Qxf548.Kg1!Bg649.Rf1+-42...Qc5+43.Kg2White is winning. But this move makes it a little longer.43.Kh1!avoids the spite check...Qc2+.43...Qc2+44.Kg1Qc5+45.Kh1Qf246.Nd7+Ke847.Nf6+Kf848.Nxh7+?Who can resist a check capturing a
pawn? Yet this is a serious mistake that turns a win into a draw.Divya
misses a win again.48.Qh6+!Rg749.Nxh7+Ke750.Qf6+Kd751.Nf8+Kc852.Rc1++-48...Kg749.Qf6+Kxh750.Qxf7+Rg7??A tragic blunder after
a heroic struggle.Sadly, Mitra overlooked50...Kh6!51.Qxg8Qxe1+52.Kg2Qe2+=51.Qh5+Kg852.Qe8+Divya didn't see the immediate win with52.Rc1!+-52...Kh753.Qh5+Kg854.Rc1!Now she does!Rc7?
The final gamble that deserved a better fate.55.Qe8+!55.Rxc7??Qf1#
was the point.55...Kg756.Rxc7+Now it's all over.1–0
The final phase of the game is marked by a tragicomedy of errors. Otherwise both players showed great fighting spirit. Mitra Hejazipour's sacrifice of a piece nearly turned tables on her unsuspecting opponent, and she missed a stunning combination that would have allowed her to share the honours in the end.
A few words on this remarkable player here would not be out of place: Mitra Hejazipour is a quintessential rebel who refused to wear hijab in an international tournament following the diktat of the rulers in Iran and settled in France.
The turning point for the Indian team was the loss to the Polish team in the 8th round. Harika lost to Alina Kashlinskaya. R Vaishali lost to Monika Socko. Divya Deshmukh outplayed Aleksandra Maltevskaya. So everything depended on Vantika Agrawal to win the game with Alicja Sliwicka and level the score in the match with Poland. Sadly, this was not to be. Here is what happened.
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55...Qa8!?Resourceful play in a lost position. This move threatens both ...
Qxa5 and ...c6-c5+.56.Qe4??Vantika falls for it, thinking she can't
allow ...c6-c5+ giving counterchances to her opponent.The engine gives56.Bc4!threatening to push the pawn to a6c5+57.Kh2Rf158.Qe4Rf2+!
A nice trick.59.Kh3Qc8+60.Qe6+-A simpler line is56.Re7c5+57.Qe4Qxe4+58.Rxe4+-56...Qxa557.Qe8+Rf858.Qg6Qf559.Qxf5Rxf5
and the game was drawn in 79 moves in spite of valiant efforts by Vantika to
win till the end.½–½
The aim of this course is to help you understand how to make tactical opportunities arise as well as to sharpen your tactical vision - these selected lectures will help to foster your overall tactical understanding.
Vantika reproached herself for the terrible oversight.
Sadly, matters did not improve much in the next round as the Indian team scored 2-2 in the match with the USA and fell behind Kazakhstan in the tournament standings. The morale of the players was low, and their spirits were lifted by the sympathy and friendly words of team captain Abhijit Kunte. Days later Vaishali recalled:
We had this huge setback after seven good rounds. We lost to Poland and drew with the USA to concede the lead. The night was not looking great. We had a team meeting. Our captain Abhijit Sir said, 'We have to change something'. So we went for a walk. We had a good time discussing things, chess and non-chess. That really helped.
An emotional Harika Dronavali with team captain Abhijit Kunte | Photo: FIDE / Michal Walusza
Among female players Eman Sawan had a remarkable result in the Olympiad. This Palestinian player along with other members of her team missed the first round on account of visa issues. She went on to score 7 wins and 2 draws in the event. Admittedly, she did not encounter great resistance in her games. Here is a striking finish from her play.
In terms of human interest the participation of children made a great impact on the chess Olympiad. It's hard to believe that these tiny tots had come to represent their lands and play. In the near future we shall see and hear more of them.
An Indian special
This issue has a special feature on Dommaraju Gukesh and Arjun Erigaisi with 4 videos, one each on their opening play and style
Opening videos
There are 3 opening videos in this issue. In the first video, young Felix Blohberger offers analysis of a line in the Spanish Anti-Berlin (C65):
It's interesting to note that the line is from a game that he lost as Black to Benjamin Gledura in the Olympiad.
In the second video, Jan Werle offers a discussion of a long line in the Sicilian Sveshnikov (B33):
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1.e4c52.Nf3Nc63.d4cxd44.Nxd4Nf65.Nc3e5The Sicilian Sveshnikov.6.Ndb5d67.Bg5a68.Na3b59.Nd5Be710.Bxf6Bxf611.c411.c3
is the standard line.11...b412.Nc20-013.Ncxb4Nxb414.Nxb4Qb615.Nd5Qxb216.Be2Bd817.0-0Be618.c5!?A Jan Werle Recommendation.
In the third video, Nico Zwirs introduces an opening novelty in the Symmetrical English Opening with which he recently won a game against Christian Gloeckler at the Sparkassen Chess Trophy, Dortmund (an event that he also won).
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1.Nf3Nf62.c4c53.g3Nc64.Bg2d55.cxd5Nxd56.Nc3Nc77.a3!?
An idea of Nico Zwirs7.0-0is standard.
Top trainers strongly recommend regular study of well-explained classical games to improve your understanding of chess in the long term. 33 modern classics are explained in details on this video course.
There are as many as 11 opening surveys ranging from the Evans Gambit to the English Opening in this issue. Among them I would single out the analysis of the Evans Gambit by Tanmay Srinath. The following game was seen in a tournament with an unusual theme. Players were offered positions from great games in chess history and they had to make their own moves. Tanmay Srinath has chosen the following game with a detailed view of the opening that was once a battleground of ideas between Steinitz and Chigorin.
Wilhelm Steinitz facing Mikhail Chigorin
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1.e4 In this All
in One, I would like to take a closer look at the Evans Gambit. It's a line
that has always existed in the repertoires of aggressive players. I
particularly remember a wonderful game Kasparov-Anand 1995 that Suba explained
so beautifully in his book Positional Chess Sacrifices. It's poetic perhaps
that one of Kasparov's successors managed to inflict the same brutal
punishment against Anand.e52.Nf3Nc63.Bc4Bc54.b4The starting
position of the Evans. White sacrifices a wing pawn in order to build a
powerful center. While I don't claim that this opening is good enough to get
an advantage, I do feel that the resulting positions are massively unclear and
suitable for players who prefer playing with an initiative.Bxb4The only
serious move.4...Nxb4is not the best way to take the pawn. After5.c3Nc66.d4exd47.cxd4Black has given up the center and doesn't have much to
show for it.Bb67...Bb4+The most played move, but not that accurate.8.Nbd2!White retains an enduring advantage as Black is not in time with ...
d5.Nf69.d5Ne710.Qb3Bxd2+11.Nxd28.0-0d6Perhaps best.8...Nge79.Ng5!±illustrates the perils of one inaccurate move.8...Nf6?A natural move that loses on the spot.9.e5Ng410.Nc30-011.Bg5Qe812.Nd5+-Black is getting thrashed here.9.h3!A nice subtlety. Now
the black bishop on c8 doesn't have much of a purpose.Na510.Bd3Ne711.Nc30-012.Rb1 This is exactly the type
of position that is so dangerous for Black. Yes, he's a pawn up, but the
pieces aren't functioning at all. White has very easy play here with Bg5 to
come, and there are some cases when the rook can swing in via b3 or b5. I see
a few CC games here with 3 wins for White - not encouraging signs at all for
the 2nd player.4...Be7Grishchuk has tried this move a bit in blitz
recently. It's certainly a decent attempt to refuse the pawn.5.a3!?
Out of all the options here I like this one the best. We simply consolidate
the extra space on the queenside and play normally.Nf66.d3d5!Black
has to strike now.6...0-0This move order gives us additional options.7.0-0The simplest.7.Nc3!?An alternative idea. Now Black is going to
struggle to break in the center. The engine suggestsa58.b5Nd4as the
best option for Black. Here I feel the simplest is to ignore the sacrifice with
9.Be3!Nxf3+10.Qxf3d611.0-0with a wonderful version of the
Italian game.7...d58.exd5Nxd59.Bb2transposes to the mainline.7.exd5Nxd58.0-00-09.Bb2Nb610.Bb3a5so far we've followed the game -
Gavrilov,I - Kirkov,T ICCF email 2019. Here I propose an interesting direction
for White.11.Nxe5!Grabbing the pawn.Nd412.Nxf7The key idea - we
get an imbalance to play with.Rxf713.Bxf7+Kxf714.Nd2with a slight
initiative thanks to the favourable material balance of rook + 2 pawns against
2 pieces.4...Bb6I see quite a few players have tried it with Black, but
Mamedyarov has essayed it in quite a few games. I don't like this concept
though - Black agrees to play a worse version of the typical Italian games.5.a4a66.c3Nf67.d3d6This seems to be a pretty major branch of the Quiet
Italian game. Not my biggest area of expertise, so I won't go into all the
intricacies. I will say though that after8.Nbd20-09.0-0we arrive
at a position that seems to be slightly better for White. Slightly more space
on the queenside, harmonious development with Re1, Nf1 and Be3. I would
suggest taking a look at the recent OTB and CC praxis here to decide how you
want to proceed from here.5.c3Ba5One of the plausible retreats.5...Be7!I believe this is the biggest test of the Evans Gambit concept. Black
tries to liquidate by giving the pawn back to secure a safe and playable
position.6.d4!Strictly the only move.6.Qb3!?I tried to make this
work, but unfortunately modern engines are great at counterattacking. You have
to be ok with a small objective minus to try this.Nh67.d4Na5This is
what I don't like - Black wins the bishop pair while having the extra pawn.8.Qb5Nxc49.Bxh6gxh610.Qxc4exd411.0-0!Perhaps the best try.11.cxd4d5!The point. At the cost of a pawn Black opens up the position for
the two bishops.12.exd5Rg8Black has quite the initiative here.11...dxc312.Nxc3d613.Rfe1c614.Rab1I don't think we have full
compensation for the two pawns, but the longer I run the engine the closer it
gets to equality. It might be worth a shot as a surprise weapon.6...Na5!Black also has to be concrete.7.Bd37.Be2I would love to make such
moves work, but unfortunately Black has a simple route to equality.exd47...d68.Qa4+c69.dxe5dxe510.Nxe5Nf611.0-0at least gave White a
playable position in - Lei,T - Goryachkina,A Toronto 20248.Qxd4!8.cxd4d59.exd5c6!It's not even clear who's fighting for the initiative
here!8...d6!Giving back the pawn to help with development.8...Nf6
Anand's choice in 1995 against Kasparov. It's decent, but now White gets
exactly what he wants!9.e5Nc610.Qh4Nd511.Qg3g6Not optimal. Now
Kasparov gets to demonstrate his powerful preparation.11...Kf8!12.0-0h5!13.h4d6was strictly the only way to play for a balanced position.12.0-0Nb613.c4d614.Rd114.Nc3was perhaps better, but I don't want
to critique Kasparov's play too much.14...Nd7?To this day I don't
undestand this move. Anand wasn't very comfortable playing against Kasparov
and this sort of move demonstrates it.14...Na4!was the only way to
keep some semblance of equality.15.Bh6Ncxe516.Nxe5Nxe517.Nc3f618.c5!What follows is a demolition.Nf719.cxd6cxd620.Qe3Nxh621.Qxh6Bf822.Qe3+Kf723.Nd5Be624.Nf4Qe725.Re11-0 (25) Garry
Kasparov-Viswanathan Anand Riga, Tal's Memorial (4) 19959.Qxg7Bf610.Qg3Ne711.Bg511.0-0was tried by Nigel Short once, but it doesn't hold up
anymore.Rg812.Qf4Bh313.g3Ng614.Qe3Bxf115.Bxf1h5!With an
exchange and an attack.11...Ng612.Nbd2!?NThis might be White's
last chance to make something of this game, but once again the positions after12.h4is for the more adventurous folks, but I don't like White's position
enough to play this OTB.12...Bxg513.Qxg5Qxg514.Nxg5Nf4=Should
be balanced.7...d6!Black is happy to give back material if it means
stabilising the position a bit.8.dxe5dxe59.Nxe5Nf6The critial
position. Here my plan is to offer you all a number of playable lines and
allow you to pick a direction you like. There is still some potential to catch
people if they are unprepared. In the end I was quite happy with what I
discovered.10.0-010.Qa4+!?Might be an interesting idea just to throw
a wrench in the works. The best line for both sides seems to bec611.0-011.Qc2Avoids the mainline, but afterQc712.Nf3c513.0-0c4!14.Be20-0Black looks to be on the better side of equality.11...Ng4!N
The move that potentially breaks this line.11...0-012.Qc2!?NQc713.Nf3c514.c4 I think we should be happy here. We can
potentially get the e5 advance going and open up more diagonals.12.Nxg4Qxd313.Ne3Qb5!Now we lose most of the fun since queens come off the
board.14.Qxb5cxb515.Nd5Bd816.Na3a617.Be3∞This is an equal but
unclear ending. Playable from time to time, but should end in a draw with best
play.10...0-011.Qc2After a lot of research I decided that this is our
best option.11.Nd2Ng4!The problem move. Black has these sorts of
'little tricks' in lines like the Evans.11...c512.Qe2Qc713.f4
1/2-1/2 (34) Starke,H (2379)-De Jong,P (2407) ICCF 201212.Ndf3Nxe513.Nxe5Qd614.Bf4Rd8!The best move. Black tries to force the exchange of
queens.14...Qf615.Bg3At least White can play for a bit here.Bd616.Nf3Nc617.Qc2Bxg318.hxg3∞1/2-1/2 (32) Johansen,A (2205)-Haugen,A
(2440) corr ICCF 201615.Qa4!Delaying the inevitable for now.Qc5!
Forcing the matter.16.Be2Qxc317.Rac1Qa318.Qxa3Bxa319.Rxc7Be6=
The rook on the 7th looks great, but Black can exchange it, and the queenside
majority can potentially tell. Not something I want with White.11...Bd6!This is the most precise move.11...c512.Nd2Qc713.f4This leads to a
playable position for White. For example -c4!The best move.13...Be614.Ndf3c415.Be2Nc616.Nxc4I feel White has a slight initiative here.14.Ndxc4Nxc415.Nxc4Nxe4The point.16.Bxe4Qxc417.Bxh7+Kh818.Bd3Qc5+19.Kh1∞There is some potential for a kingside attack with Rf3.12.Nf3Bg4!The most testing idea.12...Re813.Bg5!is one example
where we can potentially get something.13.Nbd2!The best move in my
opinion. We should go for a fighting game.13.e5Bxf314.exf6Qxf615.gxf3Qh416.f4Qg4+=is a forced draw if we want it. But I think we should not
go for this each time.13...Re814.h3Bh5So far we've followed
Zhigalko-Praggnanandhaa Lichess 2021. Here I feel we can improve on White's
play.15.Re1!Preparing to advance with e5. Black's answer is forced.Nd716.e5!When we say A, we must say B.Nxe517.Nxe5Bxe518.Bxh7+Kh819.Ne4!with a crazy position. In a high-level CC game this is a draw in the
next few moves, but over the board I'm not sure how accurately a human can
play when posed with such fresh problems. I like this for White a bit more
since our king is safer.5...Bd6This is not an optimal retreat. The
bishop looks stupid on d6.6.d4Nf67.0-00-08.Re1White has a
slight but enduring edge here.6.0-0Not the best idea, but given that
Casablanca chess starts from a given point, it's normal that the sequence to
get there is not the greatest.6.d4!This is the modern main line and
one of the biggest tests for Black. I would recommend that all White players
familarise themselves with the resulting variations here. It's incredibly
complex and fun to play. I will provide some basic notes to illustrate typical
directions.d6The main move.6...exd47.Qb3Qf6This is almost
equivalent to Qe7 though White needs to check a lot more moves.7...Qe7
One of the two places Black can put the queen.8.0-0Bb69.cxd4White
sacrifices a 2nd pawn but soon wins the bishop pair.Nxd410.Nxd4Bxd411.Nc3Nf612.Rd1!?A relatively rare option. Nisipeanu has tried it once
before but I don't see any other known players give it a shot.12.Ba3d613.Rad1Bxc314.Qxc3Qe515.Qc1is the main line - lots of CC games here. It's
also worth a shot.12...Be513.f4Bxc313...Qc5+14.Kh1Black gets
a worse version of the mainline since Ba3 comes with tempo.14.Qxc30-015.e5Ne416.Qe3Nc517.Bb2½-½ Viver Ruiz,J (2281)-Andres,C (2042)
Champion's League 2021/C4 email ICCF email with a playable position. Black's
two extra pawns don't mean much for now and our bishops are ready to start
attacking the kingside.8.0-0Bb6The main move.8...d3!?Kasparov
used this to beat Short back in 2011 and the idea still stands the test of
time, though with best play White gets some initiative.9.e5!Only way
forward.Qg6This or Qf5 are equivalent.10.Rd1Nge711.Bxd3Qh512.Ba30-013.Nbd2White definitely has an enduring initiative here. Black is
going to struggle to develop the queenside.9.e5Qg6The best retreat.10.cxd4Nxd4!?The computer prefers this greedy option.10...Na5The human
way to play.11.Qc3Nxc412.Qxc4Qc6!The most testing idea. Black wants
to go Ne7 and d6/d5.13.Qe2Ne714.Ba3The resulting variation is forced.d514...Nd515.Nbd2!±15.exd6cxd616.d5Qd717.Re1Bd8
Ivanov-Voetter ICCF 2014.18.Nbd2! The d6 pawn
is a big problem for Black. We have a tangible pull.11.Nxd4Bxd412.Nc3Ne713.Ba313.Nb5!?This can also lead to some crazy complications.Bxa114.Nxc7+Kd815.Bxf7!Very important to insert this move.Qf516.Nxa8Bd417.e6dxe618.Rd113...b6!Black needs to walk quite the
tightrope.14.Nb5‼This is for the maverick.14.Bxe7The normal
option, seen before in a CC game.Kxe715.Rad1Bxc316.Qxc3Bb717.Qh3!Rhd818.Rd4Rashitov-Jensen ICCF 2017. White has a furious initiative
for the 2 pawns. I don't know how Black can survive this in a practical game.14...Bxa115.Rxa115.Nxc7+Kd816.Rxa1forces Black to findBb7!
but after17.f3White has enough compensation in an insane position.15...Bb716.f3Rc817.Re1With a furious attack. For example -a618.e6‼fxe619.Bxe6axb520.Bxd7+Kd821.Rxe7With full compensation for
the exchange and two pawns.6...Bb6Vishy tried this successfully back in
2005, but it's not a great move. White regains the pawn while retaining few
plusses.7.Nxe5Nxe58.dxe5Ne79.Ba30-010.0-01-0 Pap,M (2399)
-Cornette,M (2418) Srajber Memorial 09th Subotica 2005 (3)6...b5!?
An interesting way to liquidate a bit.7.Bxb5Nxd48.Nxd4exd4This
position is one of the critical ones in the entire Evans Gambit. I'm happy to
say that I've found a very fresh direction that offers White great attacking
chances.9.0-0‼Feels like the coffeehouse days!9.Qxd4The old
mainline.Qf610.0-0Bb6!10...Qxd411.cxd4This endgame is quite
pleasant for White tanks to our better pawn structure.11.Qd3Ne712.Nd20-013.Nf3I feel this is a better place to put the knight.13.Nc4c614.Nxb6axb615.Bc4½-½ Pichot,A (2638)-Harikrishna,P (2704) ChessKid Cup Div
3 W Chess.com INT rapid 2023 (6.1)Ng6!16.f4d517.exd5cxd518.Bb5Bf513...h6Senzacqua-Keber ICCF 2016.13...Ng614.a4Ba5
Ottesen-Hablizel ICCF 2017.15.Bg5!Qxc316.Qe2with great
compensation.14.a4!?Na615.Bc4d5!Practically forced, thought
not a decision that Black can make lightly if he's unprepared.16.Bxd5Nxd517.Qxd5Bg418.Qe5Qc619.a5Ba720.Bf4We have an extra pawn and Black
has the bishop pair. It's balanced according to Stockfish, but Black's margin
of error is smaller. I would take White here.9...c69...dxc3?10.Bc4±9...Ne710.Qxd4!A nice improvement, with the idea that after0-011.c4!We get a clamp in the center.10.Bd3!dxc3Poulos-Ackley
ICCF 2020.11.Ba3!A powerful improvement.Ne712.Qc20-013.Nxc36...Nge7!?This is actually a fairly interesting idea. Since Black
threatens to play d5, we are forced to make that move ourselves.7.d5Nb88.Nxe50-0Black has given back the pawn but rescued his development. Now I
believe that the best place to put the bishop is on d3.9.Bd3!?N9.Bb3is also playable.9...d610.Nc4Bb611.0-0with a certain pull.7.Qb3Qd7!This awkward square is the best spot for the Black queen.7...Qe7This is not a great move. White gets a plus by force.8.d5Nd49.Nxd4exd410.0-0Bb611.Bb28.0-0Bb69.Nbd29.Bb5!?Might be worth
investigating. I think White can get enough compensation for the pawn here,
but there needs to be some very deep analysis done.9...Na510.Qc2
The first critical positon for the line.Qe7Perhaps the most decent idea.10...Nxc4A very forcing line.11.Nxc4Qc612.Nxb6axb613.dxe5dxe514.Nxe5Qa415.Qd3!Declining the queen trade.Nf616.Re10-017.Bg5∞
With a complex position.10...f611.a4with the idea of Ba2.Nh611...Ne712.Ba2Nec613.Re1Qe714.Ba3Black's pieces are tied up.12.Ba2Nf713.Nc4Nxc414.Bxc4a5NAn improvement over existing theory. Black
must not allow the pawn to a5 as it will further clamp his queenside.15.Qb3Qe716.Be3with the typical Evans initiative for the pawn. Black's
position is very cramped.11.Ba3f612.Bb5+A very annoying check to meet.
Bd7!12...c613.Bd3Nh614.c4This gives White a great game.13.Rfb1a6Martin-Kazimierski LSS email 2022.14.Bxd7+!Keeping the game
going.Qxd715.d5Bc516.Bxc5dxc517.Nb3Nxb318.Qxb3b619.a4
with ample compensation for the pawn and an interesting position.6...Qf6Not the best move.6...Nf6!Leaves White searching for
compensation.7.d4!One of the main ideas of the Evans. White gets a
powerful pawn center and free piece play.Nge78.Bg5Qd69.Qb39.Nbd2
is stronger with insane complications afterBxc310.Bxf7+Kxf711.Nc4Qb412.Ncxe5+Ke813.Rb19...0-010.Rd1This natural move is an
inaccuracy.10.d5is superior.10...Bb6The players started
playing from here. Honestly, the current position seems so much easier to play
for White than for Black, as the 2nd player's queenside is paralysed.11.Na3An interesting choice by Magnus, keeping the tension.11.Bf1Hikaru's
choice. I don't see it being repeated though.exd412.cxd4Ng6?Amin goes
wrong almost immediately.12...Qg6!Ensuring that Black can open the
queenside.13.Bxe7Nxe714.Nbd2d6White has insufficient compensation.
13.Nc3Nxd4?From the frying pan into the fire.13...h614.Bc1Qe7limits the damage.14.Rxd4‼Bxd415.Nb5Bxa116.Nxd6cxd617.h4+-1-0 Nakamura,H (2795)-Amin,B (2683) Casablanca rapid 2024 (1) Hikaru mops
up in short order.11.dxe5was a more prudent choice.Qg6This was the
stem game for this position Chigorin-Steinitz Wch 1889. Here White's play
could have been improved with12.Nbd2Qh513.Bxe7Nxe714.Bf1!with a
complex position where White's no worse and keeps asking Black some questions.11...Na5Not the wisest of moves from Anand. He has to rush with his
queenside development instead of wasting time.Black should play11...exd412.cxd4Qg6 with the idea of ...d6 after which he should be
fine.12.Qa4!White has good play.Nec6?Another questionable
decision. I don't understand what the knights are doing.12...exd4!
limits some of the damage. After13.Nb5Qc514.Bd3dxc315.Rac1d5!
Black is just in time with developing the queenside.16.Rxc3Qxf2+17.Kh1Bh3‼Black holds on, though only just.13.dxe5?The wrong way of
releasing the tension.White should try13.d5Nd814.Rab1±13...Qc5?The losing mistake.13...Qg6!=and Black has nothing to worry. I
am surprised that Anand kept missing this idea. Perhaps a lack of regular
tournament practice was hindering his immense tactical abilities?14.Rd5!Qxf2+15.Kh1 The queen is nearly trapped - White threatens Rf1.Qb216.Rb1White is clearly winning. The queen disappears and there is not
enough compensation.Qxa317.Qxa3Nxc418.Qa4Ne319.Rxb6!Black loses
the house.Nxd520.Rxc6Anand resigned. Quite the powerplay from Carlsen,
demonstrating a superb understanding of the resultant complexities. This game
also demonstrates the latent power of gambits in chess. While the Evans might
not rate as highly as the Quiet Italian, at least as far as engines are
concerned, it has a lot of destructive potential if used correctly thanks to
the hidden power in White's pieces.1–0
Besides opening surveys, this issue has standard features on tactics, strategy and the endgame.
In the Modern Classics series, Dorian Rogozenco's video commentary on the 10th game of the Kasparov-Anand World Championship Match 1995 deserves special mention. As is known, Anand was leading the match after winning the 9th Game. However, in this 10th game, Kasparov prevailed with his superior opening preparation and sharp middlegame tactics.
Endgame play
In the regular column 'Fundamental Endgame Knowledge', Karsten Müller offers a demo lecture on opposite-coloured bishops. The icing on the cake is his analysis of selected rook endgames from the Olympiad.
This section also offers a column, 'Readers write', in which we find contributions by well-known experts like Zoran Petronijevic, Frits Fritschy and newcomers Stefan Gottuk and Markus Hochgraefe.
Summing up
The main database of the issue has 7703 games, of which 28 are deeply annotated. There is much else in this DVD that deserves to be explored. Apart from the players I have already mentioned, the commentators include Nordibek Abdusattorov, Levon Aronian, Anish Giri and Wesley So, among others. It may be noted that there are more annotated games in the opening and training sections of this issue. Well, practice makes perfect.
Notes
1) The official site of the FIDE Chess Olympiad offers a visual and aural feast, capturing the great team tournament:
2024 Chess Olympiad with analyses by Abdusattorov, Aronian, Giri, So, et al. Blohberger, Werle and Zwirs show new opening ideas in the video. 10 repertoire articles from English to King's Indian and much more!
Nagesh HavanurProf. Nagesh Havanur (otherwise known as "chessbibliophile") is a senior academic and research scholar. He taught English in Mumbai for three decades and has now settled in Bangalore, India. His interests include chess history, biography and opening theory. He has been writing on the Royal Game for more than three decades. His articles and reviews have appeared on several web sites and magazines.
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