Champions Showdown: Topalov beats Dominguez in closest match

by Antonio Pereira
2/25/2019 – Fabiano Caruana and Hikaru Nakamura were dominant in their blitz matches against Pentala Harikrishna and Jan-Krzysztof Duda; Richard Rapport got the better of Sam Shankland; David Navara tied with Wesley So in the blitz but lost the match nonetheless; and Leinier Dominguez actually edged Veselin Topalov in the 3+2 games, but could not surmount the lead Veselin had achieved in the rapid section. Two days of quick-paced fun wrapped up this year's Champions Showdown. | Photo: Crystal Fuller / Saint Louis Chess Club

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Blitz heavy hitters

Anybody who has played chess at different time controls knows that the faster the time limits the more likely it is to find oneself in a positive or negative streak. This is a key factor to consider when we replay the games played this weekend at the Saint Louis Chess Club. Notably, Harikrishna and Shankland struggled to find momentum, as their opponents mercilessly took advantage of their good form. Duda also had a hard time in the blitz against Nakamura, probably due to some missed chances from the rapid that might have remained stuck in his mind.

Not everything was one-sided though. After falling 16 to 8 in the rapid (each win was worth two points in the 15+10 encounters), Navara tied with So in the blitz despite losing the final two games. 

It was tense and fun | Photo: Crystal Fuller / Saint Louis Chess Club

However, the match that kept the spectators' attention until the end was...

Topalov 25½:22½ Dominguez

The first twelve blitz games, played on Saturday, favoured Topalov 6½:5½, and it seemed like the trend set in the rapid section was going to continue throughout the weekend. But Dominguez is a former world blitz champion and a player known for his ability to keep it together even under dire circumstances. He won four out of the first seven games on Sunday closing the gap to a mere three points...but there were only five games left.

Game eight of day two, however, saw Veselin taking advantage of Leinier's overtly optimistic play and getting a crucial win with Black. Dominguez needed 4/4 to tie the match and actually won the next game with the black pieces. 

Topalov only needed a draw. Clinching the match with a mate would have been nice though...

 
Dominguez vs. Topalov
Position after 46.Rxd3

The former world champion missed 46...g1# but signed a draw from a superior position four moves later. The last two encounters also finished drawn — in fact, this blitz match was distinctly the one with the biggest number of draws (13), as the rest of the match-ups only counted between three and six ties on the weekend.

 
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1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 d5 4.Bg5 Be7 5.e3 h6 6.Bxf6 Bxf6 7.Nf3 0-0 8.Rc1 c6 9.Bd3 Nd7 10.0-0 dxc4 11.Bxc4 e5 12.Bb3 exd4 13.exd4 Nb6 14.h3 Bf5 15.Re1 Re8 16.Qd2 D55: Queen's Gambit Declined: 4 Bg5 Be7: Lines without ...h6 and 6...h6 7 Bxf6 16.g4 Bg6 17.Rxe8+ Qxe8 18.Qd2 Qd7 19.Qf4 Re8 20.Rd1 Qc8 21.Ne5 Bxe5 22.dxe5 Rd8 23.Rd4 Qc7 1-0 (43) Radjabov,T (2751)-Sargissian,G (2691) Batumi 2018 16...a5 17.a3 Qd6 18.Re3 The position is equal. Rxe3 19.Qxe3 Rd8N Predecessor: 19...Nd5 20.Nxd5 cxd5 21.Rc5 Be4 22.Nd2 a4 23.Ba2 Qb6 24.Qc3 Rd8 1-0 (45) Murtazin,B (2425)-Proleiko,J (2226) Moscow 2017 20.Re1 Nd5 21.Bxd5 cxd5 22.Ne5 Be6 23.Qd3 Qb6 24.Na4       Black is under pressure. Qd6 25.Nc5 Bc8 26.Qb5 Qc7 27.Ncd3 Bf5 28.Nf4 Be4 29.f3 Bxe5 29...Bh4= 30.Rf1 30.fxe4 Bxe1 31.Nxd5 Qc1 30...Bh7 30.dxe5± Bf5 31.Nxd5 Qd7 32.Qxd7 Rxd7       Endgame KRB-KRN 33.Nc3 33.Ne3± Be6 34.Rd1 33...Kf8 34.Kf2 g5 34...Rd2+ 35.Re2 Rd3 35.Rd1 Rc7 36.Rd5 b6 37.Ke3 Be6
Threatens to win with ...Rxc3+! 38.Rd6 Rb7 39.Kd4 Ke7 40.b4 axb4 41.axb4 f6?
41...b5 is a better defense. 42.Nd5+ Bxd5 42.Nd5++- Bxd5 42...Kf7 43.Nxf6 b5 43.Kxd5 fxe5 44.Rxh6 KR-KR Rd7+ 45.Kxe5 Rd2 46.g4 Rf2 47.Kf5 Rxf3+ 48.Kxg5 Rb3 49.Rxb6 Rxh3 50.Kg6 Accuracy: White = 62%, Black = 44%.
1–0
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WhiteEloWBlackEloBResYearECOEventRnd
Topalov,V2740Dominguez Perez,L27391–02019D55Champions Showdown Kings Blitz 2019-D1
Dominguez Perez,L2739Topalov,V2740½–½2019C54Champions Showdown Kings Blitz 2019-D2
Topalov,V2740Dominguez Perez,L2739½–½2019E39Champions Showdown Kings Blitz 2019-D3
Dominguez Perez,L2739Topalov,V27400–12019C54Champions Showdown Kings Blitz 2019-D4
Topalov,V2740Dominguez Perez,L27390–12019D28Champions Showdown Kings Blitz 2019-D5
Dominguez Perez,L2739Topalov,V2740½–½2019D37Champions Showdown Kings Blitz 2019-D6
Topalov,V2740Dominguez Perez,L2739½–½2019A20Champions Showdown Kings Blitz 2019-D7
Dominguez Perez,L2739Topalov,V2740½–½2019C54Champions Showdown Kings Blitz 2019-D8
Topalov,V2740Dominguez Perez,L27391–02019A20Champions Showdown Kings Blitz 2019-D9
Dominguez Perez,L2739Topalov,V27401–02019E14Champions Showdown Kings Blitz 2019-D10
Topalov,V2740Dominguez Perez,L2739½–½2019E20Champions Showdown Kings Blitz 2019-D11
Dominguez Perez,L2739Topalov,V2740½–½2019D04Champions Showdown Kings Blitz 2019-D12
Topalov,V2740Dominguez Perez,L2739½–½2019A39Champions Showdown Kings Blitz 2019-D13
Dominguez Perez,L2739Topalov,V27401–02019C65Champions Showdown Kings Blitz 2019-D14
Topalov,V2740Dominguez Perez,L2739½–½2019A38Champions Showdown Kings Blitz 2019-D15
Dominguez Perez,L2739Topalov,V27401–02019C65Champions Showdown Kings Blitz 2019-D16
Topalov,V2740Dominguez Perez,L27390–12019E92Champions Showdown Kings Blitz 2019-D17
Dominguez Perez,L2739Topalov,V2740½–½2019C65Champions Showdown Kings Blitz 2019-D18
Topalov,V2740Dominguez Perez,L27390–12019B07Champions Showdown Kings Blitz 2019-D19
Dominguez Perez,L2739Topalov,V27400–12019C65Champions Showdown Kings Blitz 2019-D20
Topalov,V2740Dominguez Perez,L27390–12019A39Champions Showdown Kings Blitz 2019-D21
Dominguez Perez,L2739Topalov,V2740½–½2019C65Champions Showdown Kings Blitz 2019-D22
Topalov,V2740Dominguez Perez,L2739½–½2019B07Champions Showdown Kings Blitz 2019-D23
Dominguez Perez,L2739Topalov,V2740½–½2019B23Champions Showdown Kings Blitz 2019-D24

Veselin during day four | Photo: Lennart Ootes / Saint Louis Chess Club

Caruana 35½:12½ Harikrishna

It was painful for Hari. Last year's World Championship challenger was ruthless and clinched the match with no less than seventeen rounds remaining. Caruana's commanding performance propelled him to number eight in the live blitz ratings list, as he joined the 2800-club in this category.

The Indian player kept fighting, however, and even managed to score five wins on Sunday — one of them was rather curious, as Pentala faltered and would have found himself in a losing position...had Caruana not resigned immediately after the blunder:

 
Caruana vs. Harikrishna
Position after 61...Qa1

Fabiano had 62.b4+, getting the initiative against a rather loose king stuck in the centre of the board. Instead, the American considered it impossible to defend against the threat of 62...h1# and resigned the game. The moment was recorded by the Club's excellent media team:

 
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1.c4 e5 2.Nc3 Nf6 3.e3 Bb4       4.Nge2 c6 5.a3 Ba5 6.b4 A22: English Opening: 1...e5 2 Nc3 Nf6 Bc7 7.Bb2 0-0 8.d4 The position is equal. d5 9.cxd5 cxd5 10.Nb5 e4 11.Nxc7 Qxc7 12.h3N Predecessor: 12.Rc1 12...Nc6 13.Nf4 Be6 14.g4 14.Be2 14...Rac8 15.g5 Ne8 16.g6 16.Rc1= 16...hxg6 17.Rg1 Qd7 18.h4 Nf6 19.h5 Bg4 20.Rxg4 20.Be2 only move. gxh5 21.Nxh5!       Bxh5 22.Bxh5 20...Qxg4 21.Qxg4 Nxg4 22.hxg6
22.Nxd5 gxh5 23.b5 22...Ne7!-+ And not 22...fxg6 23.Bh3 23.gxf7+ Kxf7 Strongly threatening ...Rc2. 24.Kd2 24.Bh3 was worth a try. Rc2 25.Bxg4 24...g5 25.Nh3? 25.Bh3 gxf4 26.Bxg4 25...Kg6 26.f4 Nf5 27.Be2 Ngxe3 White must now prevent ...Rc2+. 28.Bc3 Rh8 29.Nxg5 Rh2 30.Rg1 Kf6 31.b5 Rxc3 32.Kxc3 Rxe2 33.Nh7+ Ke7 34.Rg6 Rc2+ Black mates. 35.Kb4 Rc4+ 36.Ka5 Nxd4 Precision: White = 21%, Black = 75%.
0–1
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WhiteEloWBlackEloBResYearECOEventRnd
Harikrishna,P2726Caruana,F28280–12019A22Champions Showdown Kings Blitz 2019-A1
Caruana,F2828Harikrishna,P27261–02019B47Champions Showdown Kings Blitz 2019-A2
Harikrishna,P2726Caruana,F28280–12019D03Champions Showdown Kings Blitz 2019-A3
Caruana,F2828Harikrishna,P27261–02019B02Champions Showdown Kings Blitz 2019-A4
Harikrishna,P2726Caruana,F28280–12019D05Champions Showdown Kings Blitz 2019-A5
Caruana,F2828Harikrishna,P2726½–½2019A21Champions Showdown Kings Blitz 2019-A6
Harikrishna,P2726Caruana,F28280–12019B13Champions Showdown Kings Blitz 2019-A7
Caruana,F2828Harikrishna,P27261–02019B00Champions Showdown Kings Blitz 2019-A8
Harikrishna,P2726Caruana,F28281–02019B42Champions Showdown Kings Blitz 2019-A9
Caruana,F2828Harikrishna,P27261–02019D31Champions Showdown Kings Blitz 2019-A10
Harikrishna,P2726Caruana,F28280–12019B66Champions Showdown Kings Blitz 2019-A11
Caruana,F2828Harikrishna,P27261–02019A09Champions Showdown Kings Blitz 2019-A12
Harikrishna,P2726Caruana,F2828½–½2019C01Champions Showdown Kings Blitz 2019-A13
Caruana,F2828Harikrishna,P27261–02019C24Champions Showdown Kings Blitz 2019-A14
Harikrishna,P2726Caruana,F28281–02019C11Champions Showdown Kings Blitz 2019-A15
Caruana,F2828Harikrishna,P27260–12019E46Champions Showdown Kings Blitz 2019-A16
Harikrishna,P2726Caruana,F28280–12019E53Champions Showdown Kings Blitz 2019-A17
Caruana,F2828Harikrishna,P2726½–½2019C42Champions Showdown Kings Blitz 2019-A18
Harikrishna,P2726Caruana,F28280–12019D37Champions Showdown Kings Blitz 2019-A19
Caruana,F2828Harikrishna,P27260–12019C78Champions Showdown Kings Blitz 2019-A20
Harikrishna,P2726Caruana,F28280–12019D37Champions Showdown Kings Blitz 2019-A21
Caruana,F2828Harikrishna,P27261–02019E04Champions Showdown Kings Blitz 2019-A22
Harikrishna,P2726Caruana,F28280–12019B90Champions Showdown Kings Blitz 2019-A23
Caruana,F2828Harikrishna,P27260–12019A05Champions Showdown Kings Blitz 2019-A24

Team Caruana — Rustam Kasidmdzhanov and Cristian Chirila | Austin Fuller / Saint Louis Chess Club

So 28:20 Navara

The blitz section of this match-up saw the players trading blows continuously, mostly in long games that featured interesting struggles. Perhaps a closer score — nonetheless in favour of So — would have illustrated how evenly matched this encounter actually was, but Navara's consecutive losses in the final games widened the gap. Saturday's sixth game ended with a sharp tactical sequence:

 
So vs. Navara
Position after 30.Qf8

With both kings vulnerable, Navara erred by choosing 30...f6 in the diagrammed position — the knight is pinned and cannot force Black to give up his queen after 31.f7. But now the g6-square is weaker. So found the devastating 31.xg6 and White's attack is simply too strong after 31...hxg6 32.xg6. Navara's position was lost, but he actually gave up the full point when his time ran out, as shown in the video:

 
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1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.f3 d5 5.a3 Bxc3+ 6.bxc3 c5 7.cxd5 Nxd5 8.dxc5 Qa5 9.e4 Nf6 10.Be3 0-0 E25: Nimzo-Indian: Sämisch: 5...c5 6 f3 d5 7 cxd5 11.Kf2 Rd8 11...Nfd7 12.Rb1 Rd8 13.Rb5 Qxa3 14.Ne2 a6 15.Rb4 Qa5 16.Rd4 Nc6 17.Rd6 Nxc5 18.Rxd8+ Nxd8 ½-½ (26) Yu,Y (2753)-Ponomariov,R (2699) Danzhou 2017 12.Qb3 Nfd7 White is slightly better. 13.Rd1 Rf8
14.Nh3N Predecessor: 14.Bb5 Qc7 15.Ne2 Nxc5 16.Qc4 b6 17.Bxc5 bxc5 18.Qd3 ½-½ (56) Sandipan,C (2637)-Friedel,J (2527) Chalkis 2010 14...Qc7! 15.Bb5 Nxc5 16.Qc4 b6 17.Bxc5 bxc5 18.Qd3 Qa5 19.e5 h6 20.Bc4 20.Nf4 is interesting. a6 21.Bc4 Ra7 22.Qe3 Rd7 23.Nh5 20...Ba6 21.Bxa6 21.Qe4= 21...Nxa6 22.Qc4 Rad8 22...Nc7 23.Nf4 Nb5 23.Nf4 Nc7 23...Nb8! 24.a4= Nd5 24...Na8 looks sharper. 25.Nh5 Qc7 26.Qf4 Kh8 27.Rd6 c4 25.Nxd5 exd5 26.Rxd5 Rxd5 27.Qxd5 Qxc3       Endgame KQR-KQR 28.Rd1 c4 29.e6 fxe6 30.Qxe6+ Kh8 31.Qe2 Qb4 32.Rd4 Rc8
Threatens to win with ...Qb6. 33.Qe6 Qc5 34.Qd5 Qb6 35.a5 35.Qd7= Qb8 36.Rd1 35...Qb2+ Black should play 35...Qc7 36.Qd7 Qc5 36.Rd2 Qb4       Strongly threatening ...c3. Black has some pressure. 37.Rd4 Qb2+ 38.Kg3 Better is 38.Rd2= Qb4 39.Rd4 38...c3       39.Rc4?      
39.Qe5 39...Qb8+!-+ 40.f4 c2 Hoping for ...Qb3+. 41.Qe6 Accuracy: White = 27%, Black = 34%.
0–1
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WhiteEloWBlackEloBResYearECOEventRnd
Navara,D2738So,W27650–12019E25Champions Showdown Kings Blitz 2019-C1
So,W2765Navara,D27380–12019B13Champions Showdown Kings Blitz 2019-C2
Navara,D2738So,W27651–02019A33Champions Showdown Kings Blitz 2019-C3
So,W2765Navara,D2738½–½2019B19Champions Showdown Kings Blitz 2019-C4
Navara,D2738So,W27651–02019A33Champions Showdown Kings Blitz 2019-C5
So,W2765Navara,D27381–02019E05Champions Showdown Kings Blitz 2019-C6
Navara,D2738So,W27651–02019E20Champions Showdown Kings Blitz 2019-C7
So,W2765Navara,D27381–02019D11Champions Showdown Kings Blitz 2019-C8
Navara,D2738So,W27650–12019D41Champions Showdown Kings Blitz 2019-C9
So,W2765Navara,D2738½–½2019A28Champions Showdown Kings Blitz 2019-C10
Navara,D2738So,W27651–02019D41Champions Showdown Kings Blitz 2019-C11
So,W2765Navara,D2738½–½2019A25Champions Showdown Kings Blitz 2019-C12
Navara,D2738So,W27650–12019D31Champions Showdown Kings Blitz 2019-C13
So,W2765Navara,D27381–02019B12Champions Showdown Kings Blitz 2019-C14
Navara,D2738So,W2765½–½2019D31Champions Showdown Kings Blitz 2019-C15
So,W2765Navara,D27381–02019B12Champions Showdown Kings Blitz 2019-C16
Navara,D2738So,W27651–02019E25Champions Showdown Kings Blitz 2019-C17
So,W2765Navara,D2738½–½2019B19Champions Showdown Kings Blitz 2019-C18
Navara,D2738So,W27651–02019C54Champions Showdown Kings Blitz 2019-C19
So,W2765Navara,D2738½–½2019E49Champions Showdown Kings Blitz 2019-C20
Navara,D2738So,W27651–02019C54Champions Showdown Kings Blitz 2019-C21
So,W2765Navara,D27380–12019A33Champions Showdown Kings Blitz 2019-C22
Navara,D2738So,W27650–12019C54Champions Showdown Kings Blitz 2019-C23
So,W2765Navara,D27381–02019A06Champions Showdown Kings Blitz 2019-C24

A couple of gentlemen | Photo: Crystal Fuller / Saint Louis Chess Club

Nakamura 29½:18½ Duda

Despite having fallen to sixteenth place in the classical ratings list, Nakamura has not lost his touch in rapid and blitz. Last year, he won the Grand Chess Tour mainly due to his great performances in events with faster time controls, while he is currently number two in both rapid and blitz categories — after this tournament, he is only 16 points behind Magnus in the blitz list.

Hikaru simply thinks at lighting speed. He is even capable of giving mate with rook and bishop v. rook with a 3+2 time control:

 
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1.c4 Nf6 2.Nf3 e6 3.g3 d5 4.Bg2 Be7 5.0-0 0-0 6.b3 c5 7.Bb2 Nc6 8.cxd5 Nxd5 9.Na3 b6 10.Nc4 A14: English Opening: 1...e6 with b3 by White Ba6 11.Rc1 Rc8 12.a3N The position is equal. Predecessor: 12.d3 Bf6 13.Qd2 Bxb2 14.Qxb2 Qf6 15.Qd2 Rfd8 16.Ng5 Qe7 17.f4 h6 ½-½ (57) Minasian,A (2540)-Krogius,N (2480) Cappelle-la-Grande 1995 12...Bf6 13.Bxf6 Qxf6 14.d3 Rfd8 15.Qd2 Qe7 16.Qb2 Qf6 17.Nce5 Nde7 18.Rc2 Nd4 19.Nxd4 Qxe5 20.Nf3 Qxb2 21.Rxb2 Bb7 22.Rc1 Bd5 23.Kf1 f6 24.Bh3 Kf7 25.Nd2 Bb7 26.Rbc2 h5 27.b4 cxb4! 28.axb4 b5 28...Rxc2 seems wilder. 29.Rxc2 Rd7 30.b5 g5 31.f3 Nd5 29.Nb3 Rxc2 30.Rxc2 Bd5 31.Nc5 Black must now prevent e4. f5! 32.f3 g5 33.e4 Bc6 34.Ra2 g4 35.Bg2 Rd4 36.Rxa7 Rxb4 37.Ra2 Rb1+ 38.Kf2 b4       Hoping for ...b3. 39.exf5 exf5 Strongly threatening ...b3. 40.fxg4 hxg4 40...Bxg2 41.Kxg2 fxg4 42.Rf2+ Kg6 41.Ke3?       41.Bxc6= and White is okay. Nxc6 42.Ra6 41...b3-+ 42.Rf2 Bxg2 43.Rxg2       Endgame KRN-KRN Nc6? Better is 43...b2-+ 44.Kd4
44...f4!      
44.Kf4?       44.Na4 44...b2 ...Rf1+ is the strong threat. 45.Kg5 Nd4 46.Na4 Ne6+ 46...Nf3+ 47.Kf4 Ne1       Double Attack 47.Kh5?
47.Kh6-+ 47...Ra1 Inferior is 47...Ng7+ 48.Kh6= 48.Rxb2 Rxa4 KRN-KR 49.Rb7+ Kf6 50.Rh7 Ra2 50...Ng7+ 51.Kh4 Kg6 52.Rxg7+ Kxg7 53.Kg5 Ra5 54.d4 Kf7 55.Kf4 Ke6 56.Kg5 Ra3 57.Kg6 Rd3 58.d5+ Rxd5 59.Kg5 Ke5 60.Kg6 Rd7 61.Kh5 Rg7 62.Kh6 Kf6 63.h4 gxh3 64.g4 Rxg4 65.Kh5 h2 66.Kh6 h1Q# 51.Rh6+ Kf7 51...Ke5 52.Kg6 Ra8 52.Rh7+ Kf6? 52...Ng7+ 53.Kg5 Ra5 53.Rh6+ Ke5 54.Kg6 Nd4 ( -> ...Ra6+) 55.Rh8 Ra6+ 56.Kf7 Nf3 57.h4 57.Kg7-+ 57...gxh3 Accuracy: White = 45%, Black = 47%.
0–1
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WhiteEloWBlackEloBResYearECOEventRnd
Duda,J2731Nakamura,H27490–12019A14Champions Showdown Kings Blitz 2019-B1
Nakamura,H2749Duda,J2731½–½2019D30Champions Showdown Kings Blitz 2019-B2
Duda,J2731Nakamura,H27490–12019A18Champions Showdown Kings Blitz 2019-B3
Nakamura,H2749Duda,J27311–02019D30Champions Showdown Kings Blitz 2019-B4
Duda,J2731Nakamura,H27491–02019A18Champions Showdown Kings Blitz 2019-B5
Nakamura,H2749Duda,J27311–02019A25Champions Showdown Kings Blitz 2019-B6
Duda,J2731Nakamura,H27490–12019A18Champions Showdown Kings Blitz 2019-B7
Nakamura,H2749Duda,J2731½–½2019D30Champions Showdown Kings Blitz 2019-B8
Duda,J2731Nakamura,H27491–02019A18Champions Showdown Kings Blitz 2019-B9
Nakamura,H2749Duda,J27311–02019D38Champions Showdown Kings Blitz 2019-B10
Duda,J2731Nakamura,H27490–12019A18Champions Showdown Kings Blitz 2019-B11
Nakamura,H2749Duda,J27311–02019A04Champions Showdown Kings Blitz 2019-B12
Duda,J2731Nakamura,H2749½–½2019A14Champions Showdown Kings Blitz 2019-B13
Nakamura,H2749Duda,J2731½–½2019A13Champions Showdown Kings Blitz 2019-B14
Duda,J2731Nakamura,H27490–12019A14Champions Showdown Kings Blitz 2019-B15
Nakamura,H2749Duda,J2731½–½2019E15Champions Showdown Kings Blitz 2019-B16
Duda,J2731Nakamura,H27490–12019A14Champions Showdown Kings Blitz 2019-B17
Nakamura,H2749Duda,J27311–02019D46Champions Showdown Kings Blitz 2019-B18
Duda,J2731Nakamura,H27491–02019C54Champions Showdown Kings Blitz 2019-B19
Nakamura,H2749Duda,J27311–02019D46Champions Showdown Kings Blitz 2019-B20
Duda,J2731Nakamura,H27491–02019C54Champions Showdown Kings Blitz 2019-B21
Nakamura,H2749Duda,J27311–02019D46Champions Showdown Kings Blitz 2019-B22
Duda,J2731Nakamura,H27491–02019A45Champions Showdown Kings Blitz 2019-B23
Nakamura,H2749Duda,J27310–12019E15Champions Showdown Kings Blitz 2019-B24

Naka had a blast on and off the board | Photo: Lennart Ootes / Saint Louis Chess Club

Rapport 31½:16½ Shankland

These two players are not known for their blitz skills — none of them are part of the Top 100 in February's FIDE list — but they offered a great show nonetheless. Richard mainly handled the clock better than his opponent, the highly studious Shankland. 

The final score in the 3+2 section favoured the Hungarian 13½:10½, after Shankland got the better of his opponent on Saturday. Sam started the blitz section with a win, but could not avoid flagging the next game, despite being a queen up!

 
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1.d4 Nf6 2.Bg5 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 3...h6 4.Bxf6 Qxf6 5.Qd2 d6 6.0-0-0 a6 7.g4 Nd7 8.f4 g5 9.e3 Qe7 10.h4 Bg7 11.hxg5 hxg5 12.Rxh8+ Bxh8 1-0 (28) Rapport,R (2707)-Ponomariov,R (2694) Riadh 2017 4.e4 h6 5.Bd2 d5 6.exd5N A45: Trompowsky Attack Predecessor: 6.e5 Bxc3 7.Bxc3 Ne4 8.Bb4 c5 9.Bxc5 Nxc5 10.dxc5 Qa5+ 11.Qd2 Qxd2+ 12.Kxd2 Nd7 13.Bb5 a6 14.Bxd7+ Bxd7 15.b4 Ke7 16.Ne2 f6 17.f4 fxe5 18.fxe5 Rhf8 1-0 (33) Fletcher,A-Woodhouse,S (1644) ICCF email 2014 6...exd5 7.Bd3 0-0 8.Nge2 The position is equal. c5 9.dxc5 Bxc5 Strongly threatening ...Ng4. 10.0-0 Nc6 11.a3 Ne5 12.Nf4 Re8 13.Bb5 Bg4 14.Be2 d4 15.Na2
15.Na4 Bd6 16.Bxg4 Nexg4 17.h3 15...Rc8? 15...d3!-+       16.cxd3 Nxd3!       16.Nc1 Bd6 17.f3? White should try 17.Bxg4 Nexg4 18.h3 17...Bf5 18.Ncd3 18.Bd3 Nxd3 19.Ncxd3 18...Nxd3? 18...Nc4-+ has better winning chances. 19.Rc1 Qb6 19.Bxd3 Qd7 20.a4 20.Rc1 20...Bxd3 21.Nxd3 Nd5 22.Re1 Qf5 23.Rxe8+ Rxe8 24.Qf1 Qh5 25.g3 Ne3 26.Bxe3 Rxe3 27.Kg2 27.Re1!= 27...Qa5 Threatens to win with ...Qd2+. 28.Re1 Qxa4 29.Rxe3 dxe3 30.Qe2 Qd4 30...Bc7 31.Qxe3 Qxc2+ 32.Kh3 Qc6 31.c3= Qb6 32.b4 32.f4! 32...a6 32...Qc6 33.Qxe3 Qxc3 34.Qe8+ Bf8 33.Nb2 Bf8       White is under pressure. 34.Nd1 a5 35.bxa5 Qb3 36.Nxe3 Qxc3 37.Nc4 g6 38.h4 h5 39.Qe4 Bc5 40.Qe8+ 40.f4 40...Kg7 41.Ne5?      
41.Qe2 is more resistant. 41...Qc2+? 41...Qd2+!-+ is more deadly. 42.Kh3 Qd5 42.Kh3 Qf5+ 43.Kg2 Bd6 44.f4 Qe4+ 45.Kh2 Qe2+ 45...Qc2+ 46.Kh3 Qb3 46.Kh3= Bxe5 47.fxe5??       47.Qxe5+= and White has nothing to worry. Qxe5 48.fxe5 47...Qf1+ 48.Kh2
48...Qf2+! 49.Kh3 49.Kh1-+ Qxg3 50.Qa4 49...Qg1 Precision: White = 24%, Black = 45%.
0–1
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WhiteEloWBlackEloBResYearECOEventRnd
Rapport,R2735Shankland,S27310–12019A45Champions Showdown Kings Blitz 2019-E1
Shankland,S2731Rapport,R27350–12019E94Champions Showdown Kings Blitz 2019-E2
Rapport,R2735Shankland,S2731½–½2019D00Champions Showdown Kings Blitz 2019-E3
Shankland,S2731Rapport,R27351–02019C44Champions Showdown Kings Blitz 2019-E4
Rapport,R2735Shankland,S27311–02019D00Champions Showdown Kings Blitz 2019-E5
Shankland,S2731Rapport,R27351–02019E18Champions Showdown Kings Blitz 2019-E6
Rapport,R2735Shankland,S27310–12019D03Champions Showdown Kings Blitz 2019-E7
Shankland,S2731Rapport,R2735½–½2019E81Champions Showdown Kings Blitz 2019-E8
Rapport,R2735Shankland,S2731½–½2019D05Champions Showdown Kings Blitz 2019-E9
Shankland,S2731Rapport,R27350–12019A28Champions Showdown Kings Blitz 2019-E10
Rapport,R2735Shankland,S27311–02019A46Champions Showdown Kings Blitz 2019-E11
Shankland,S2731Rapport,R27351–02019A41Champions Showdown Kings Blitz 2019-E12
Rapport,R2735Shankland,S27311–02019A45Champions Showdown Kings Blitz 2019-E13
Shankland,S2731Rapport,R27350–12019A84Champions Showdown Kings Blitz 2019-E14
Rapport,R2735Shankland,S27311–02019D00Champions Showdown Kings Blitz 2019-E15
Shankland,S2731Rapport,R27351–02019A95Champions Showdown Kings Blitz 2019-E16
Rapport,R2735Shankland,S27311–02019D01Champions Showdown Kings Blitz 2019-E17
Shankland,S2731Rapport,R27350–12019A37Champions Showdown Kings Blitz 2019-E18
Rapport,R2735Shankland,S27310–12019D01Champions Showdown Kings Blitz 2019-E19
Shankland,S2731Rapport,R27350–12019A26Champions Showdown Kings Blitz 2019-E20
Rapport,R2735Shankland,S27311–02019C10Champions Showdown Kings Blitz 2019-E21
Shankland,S2731Rapport,R2735½–½2019A15Champions Showdown Kings Blitz 2019-E22
Rapport,R2735Shankland,S27310–12019B20Champions Showdown Kings Blitz 2019-E23
Shankland,S2731Rapport,R2735½–½2019A15Champions Showdown Kings Blitz 2019-E24

Richard and Sam | Photo: Lennart Ootes / Saint Louis Chess Club


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MoveNResultEloPlayers
Position not in LiveBook
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Nxe5 d6 4.Nf3 Nxe4 5.d4 d5 6.Bd3 Bf5 7.0-0 Be7 8.c4 dxc4 9.Bxc4 0-0 10.Re1 Nc6 11.d5 Nb8 12.Nd4 Bg6 13.Nc3 Nd6 14.Bd3 Nd7 15.Bf4 a6 16.Bxg6 hxg6 17.h3 Bf6 18.Rc1 Nb6 19.Nf3 Rc8 20.Qb3 Qd7 21.Ne5 Bxe5 22.Bxe5 Rfe8 23.Qb4 Nb5 24.Nxb5 Qxb5 25.Qd4 Qxd5 26.Bxg7 Qxd4 27.Bxd4 Nd5 28.g3 f6 29.Kg2 Kf7 30.h4 Rxe1 31.Rxe1 c5 32.Be3 b5 33.Kf3 c4 34.Bd2 b4 35.Rc1 f5 36.g4 fxg4+ 37.Kxg4 c3 38.bxc3 bxc3 39.Be1 Rc4+ 40.Kf3 Rxh4 41.Ke2 Rh3 42.f3 Rh2+ 43.Kd3 Nb4+ 44.Kc4 Nxa2 45.Bg3 Rg2 46.Ra1 Rxg3 47.Rxa2 Rxf3 48.Kd4 g5 49.Rxa6 g4 50.Ke4 c2 51.Ra1 Kf6 52.Rc1 Rf2 0–1
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  • Use the four cursor keys to replay the game. Make moves to analyse yourself.
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  • Games viewed here will automatically be stored in your cloud clipboard (if you are logged in). Use the cloud clipboard also in ChessBase.
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WhiteEloWBlackEloBResYearECOEventRnd
Harikrishna,P2726Caruana,F28280–12019Champions Showdown - The Kings1
Caruana,F2828Harikrishna,P2726½–½2019Champions Showdown - The Kings2
Harikrishna,P2726Caruana,F28280–12019Champions Showdown - The Kings3
Caruana,F2828Harikrishna,P27261–02019Champions Showdown - The Kings4
Harikrishna,P2726Caruana,F28280–12019Champions Showdown - The Kings5
Caruana,F2828Harikrishna,P2726½–½2019Champions Showdown - The Kings6
Harikrishna,P2726Caruana,F28280–12019Champions Showdown - The Kings7
Caruana,F2828Harikrishna,P27261–02019Champions Showdown - The Kings8
Harikrishna,P2726Caruana,F28281–02019Champions Showdown - The Kings9
Caruana,F2828Harikrishna,P27261–02019Champions Showdown - The Kings10
Harikrishna,P2726Caruana,F2828½–½2019Champions Showdown - The Kings11
Caruana,F2828Harikrishna,P2726½–½2019Champions Showdown - The Kings12
Duda,J2731Nakamura,H2749½–½2019Champions Showdown - The Kings1
Nakamura,H2749Duda,J27311–02019Champions Showdown - The Kings2
Duda,J2731Nakamura,H27491–02019Champions Showdown - The Kings3
Nakamura,H2749Duda,J2731½–½2019Champions Showdown - The Kings4
Duda,J2731Nakamura,H2749½–½2019Champions Showdown - The Kings5
Nakamura,H2749Duda,J2731½–½2019Champions Showdown - The Kings6
Duda,J2731Nakamura,H27490–12019Champions Showdown - The Kings7
Nakamura,H2749Duda,J2731½–½2019Champions Showdown - The Kings8
Duda,J2731Nakamura,H27491–02019Champions Showdown - The Kings9
Nakamura,H2749Duda,J27311–02019Champions Showdown - The Kings10
Duda,J2731Nakamura,H2749½–½2019Champions Showdown - The Kings11
Nakamura,H2749Duda,J27311–02019Champions Showdown - The Kings12
Navara,D2738So,W27651–02019Champions Showdown - The Kings1
So,W2765Navara,D27381–02019Champions Showdown - The Kings2
Navara,D2738So,W2765½–½2019Champions Showdown - The Kings3
So,W2765Navara,D27381–02019Champions Showdown - The Kings4
Navara,D2738So,W27651–02019Champions Showdown - The Kings5
So,W2765Navara,D27381–02019Champions Showdown - The Kings6
Navara,D2738So,W27650–12019Champions Showdown - The Kings7
So,W2765Navara,D27381–02019Champions Showdown - The Kings8
Navara,D2738So,W27650–12019Champions Showdown - The Kings9
So,W2765Navara,D2738½–½2019Champions Showdown - The Kings10
Navara,D2738So,W27651–02019Champions Showdown - The Kings11
So,W2765Navara,D27381–02019Champions Showdown - The Kings12
Topalov,V2740Dominguez Perez,L2739½–½2019Champions Showdown - The Kings1
Dominguez Perez,L2739Topalov,V27400–12019Champions Showdown - The Kings2
Topalov,V2740Dominguez Perez,L2739½–½2019Champions Showdown - The Kings3
Dominguez Perez,L2739Topalov,V2740½–½2019Champions Showdown - The Kings4
Topalov,V2740Dominguez Perez,L2739½–½2019Champions Showdown - The Kings5
Dominguez Perez,L2739Topalov,V2740½–½2019Champions Showdown - The Kings6
Topalov,V2740Dominguez Perez,L2739½–½2019Champions Showdown - The Kings7
Dominguez Perez,L2739Topalov,V27401–02019Champions Showdown - The Kings8
Topalov,V2740Dominguez Perez,L27391–02019Champions Showdown - The Kings9
Dominguez Perez,L2739Topalov,V2740½–½2019Champions Showdown - The Kings10
Topalov,V2740Dominguez Perez,L27391–02019Champions Showdown - The Kings11
Dominguez Perez,L2739Topalov,V27400–12019Champions Showdown - The Kings12
Rapport,R2735Shankland,S27311–02019Champions Showdown - The Kings1
Shankland,S2731Rapport,R27350–12019Champions Showdown - The Kings2
Rapport,R2735Shankland,S27311–02019Champions Showdown - The Kings3
Shankland,S2731Rapport,R2735½–½2019Champions Showdown - The Kings4
Rapport,R2735Shankland,S2731½–½2019Champions Showdown - The Kings5
Shankland,S2731Rapport,R2735½–½2019Champions Showdown - The Kings6
Rapport,R2735Shankland,S2731½–½2019Champions Showdown - The Kings7
Shankland,S2731Rapport,R27350–12019Champions Showdown - The Kings8
Rapport,R2735Shankland,S27310–12019Champions Showdown - The Kings9
Shankland,S2731Rapport,R27350–12019Champions Showdown - The Kings10
Rapport,R2735Shankland,S27311–02019Champions Showdown - The Kings11
Shankland,S2731Rapport,R27350–12019Champions Showdown - The Kings12

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Antonio is a freelance writer and a philologist. He is mainly interested in the links between chess and culture, primarily literature. In chess games, he skews towards endgames and positional play.

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