Multitasking
With everyone locked down at home and a number of online chess tournaments going on, a unique opportunity has come up for some members of the elite: to play more than one tournament at a time! Both Hikaru Nakamura and Wesley So signed up to participate both at the Lindores Abbey Rapid Challenge and the Clutch Chess Champions Showdown, which have some of their dates overlapping.
So was knocked out from the Lindores Abbey event on Tuesday, some hours prior to the start of the Clutch Chess tournament, while Nakamura secured his spot in the semifinals of Lindores Abbey on Monday, a day before the all-American event kicked off. ‘Naka’ was then eliminated by So, a day before his much-anticipated match-up against Magnus Carlsen begins — in fact, had he beaten So, he would have faced world numbers one and two, Carlsen and Fabiano Caruana, one after another, for two days in a row!
As it happened, So and Caruana won the semifinals of the Clutch Chess event.
So 9½:8½ Nakamura
Nakamura had a one-point lead after day one, when the players drew four times and won a game apiece — Nakamura had, however, won one of the "clutch games", getting two points for that victory.
The tables turned starting on Wednesday, as So kicked off the day with three straight wins. He finished off his opponent in style in game 7:
On this DVD Grandmaster Daniel King:
● demonstrates typical tactical patterns
● shows how strong players use their tactical awareness
● puts your tactical abilities to the test — but this is a test with a difference. Although the emphasis is on tactics, there are also positions that require a strategic solution. You don’t know what’s coming next...
21.Rd7 is a good-looking tactical shot. Black cannot capture with 21...Bxd7 due to 22.h7+ with mate-in-two. Nakamura played three more moves before conceding defeat.
After So's streak of victories, Nakamura bounced back with a 21-move win in game 10. Going into the final two clutch games — which granted three points and $3,000 each — So had merely a one-point lead. However, the Filipino-born grandmaster showed great nerves and obtained his pass to the finals by drawing both of the deciding encounters.
|
Total |
G1 |
G2 |
G3 |
G4 |
G5* |
G6* |
G7 |
G8 |
G9 |
G10 |
G11** |
G12** |
Hikaru Nakamura |
8½ |
½ |
½ |
½ |
0 |
½ |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
½ |
½ |
Wesley So |
9½ |
½ |
½ |
½ |
1 |
½ |
0 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
½ |
½ |
*Games 5 and 6 are worth two points each
** Games 11 and 12 are worth three points each
Replay and check the LiveBook here |
Please, wait...
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 d5 4.Nc3 Be7 5.Bf4 0-0 6.e3 Nbd7 7.c5 Nh5 8.Be2 8.Bd3 Nxf4 9.exf4 b6 10.b4 a5 11.a3 c6 12.0-0 Ba6 13.Bxa6 Rxa6 14.Qe2 Ra7 15.g3 Bf6 16.Ne5 Bxe5 17.fxe5 Qa8 18.Rab1 axb4 19.axb4 Rb8 20.Qc2 Nf8 21.f4 Ng6 22.f5 exf5 23.Qxf5 bxc5 24.bxc5 Rxb1 25.Rxb1 8...Nxf4 9.exf4 b6 10.b4 a5 11.a3 c6 12.0-0 Qc7 13.g3 axb4 14.axb4 Rxa1 15.Qxa1 f6 16.Re1 bxc5 17.bxc5 e5 18.Bf1N 18.Bd3 g5 19.Qb1 Rf7 20.fxe5 fxe5 21.Nxe5 Nxe5 22.Rxe5 Bd7 23.Ne2 Bf6 24.Re3 18...e4 19.Nd2 f5 20.Nb3 Bf6 21.Rb1 Re8 22.Nd1 22.Qa4 22...g5 22...Nf8! 23.Qc3 Bd7 23.fxg5 Bxg5 24.Qa5! Bd8 24...Qb7 25.Nc3 Nf6 26.Qa2 Qf7 27.Na5 Bd7 25.Qxc7 Bxc7 26.Ra1 Nf8 27.Bh3 f4 27...Be6= 28.Ra8! Bd7 29.Bxd7! Rxa8 29...Nxd7 30.Rxe8+ 30.Bxc6 Rb8 31.Nc3 Kg7 32.Bxd5 e3 33.fxe3 fxe3 34.Kf1 h5 35.Nd1 Re8 36.Ke2 Ng6 37.Bf3 h4 38.Nxe3 hxg3 39.hxg3 Bxg3 40.Na5 Nf4+ 40...Bf4!? 41.Nac4 Bxe3 42.Nxe3 Nf4+ 43.Kd2 Ne6= 41.Kd2 Be1+ 42.Kxe1 Rxe3+= 43.Kf2 Rd3 44.c6 Nh3+ 45.Ke2 Nf4+ 46.Kf2 Nh3+ 47.Ke2 Nf4+ 48.Kf2 ½–½ - 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.
Nakamura,H | 2829 | So,W | 2741 | ½–½ | 2020 | | Clutch Chess 2020 | 1 |
So,W | 2741 | Nakamura,H | 2829 | ½–½ | 2020 | | Clutch Chess 2020 | 2 |
Nakamura,H | 2829 | So,W | 2741 | ½–½ | 2020 | | Clutch Chess 2020 | 3 |
So,W | 2741 | Nakamura,H | 2829 | 1–0 | 2020 | | Clutch Chess 2020 | 4 |
Nakamura,H | 2829 | So,W | 2741 | ½–½ | 2020 | | Clutch Chess 2020 | 5 |
So,W | 2741 | Nakamura,H | 2829 | 0–1 | 2020 | | Clutch Chess 2020 | 6 |
So,W | 2741 | Nakamura,H | 2829 | 1–0 | 2020 | | Clutch Chess 2020 | 7 |
Nakamura,H | 2829 | So,W | 2741 | 0–1 | 2020 | | Clutch Chess 2020 | 8 |
So,W | 2741 | Nakamura,H | 2829 | 1–0 | 2020 | | Clutch Chess 2020 | 9 |
Nakamura,H | 2829 | So,W | 2741 | 1–0 | 2020 | | Clutch Chess 2020 | 10 |
So,W | 2741 | Nakamura,H | 2829 | ½–½ | 2020 | | Clutch Chess 2020 | 11 |
Nakamura,H | 2829 | So,W | 2741 | ½–½ | 2020 | | Clutch Chess 2020 | 12 |
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The Ruy Lopez is one of the oldest openings which continues to enjoy high popularity from club level to the absolute world top. In this video series, American super GM Fabiano Caruana, talking to IM Oliver Reeh, presents a complete repertoire for White.
Meanwhile, Caruana got a massive overall victory over Leinier Dominguez. Just by looking at the scoreboard, however, we do not get a full picture of how the match developed. In fact, Caruana's domination was markedly clearer on day, as Dominguez got plenty of good positions in games 7 to 12.
It was the time management what did Dominguez in, as all first five games of the day lasted more than 60 moves, and almost always it was Caruana who had more time on his clock when things got complicated in the endgame. This is, after all, rapid chess (10 minutes for the game plus 5-second increments), and handling the clock skilfully is key.
|
Total |
G1 |
G2 |
G3 |
G4 |
G5* |
G6* |
G7 |
G8 |
G9 |
G10 |
G11** |
G12** |
Fabiano Caruana |
15 |
½ |
1 |
1 |
1 |
½ |
1 |
½ |
1 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
Leinier Domínguez |
3 |
½ |
0 |
0 |
0 |
½ |
0 |
½ |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
*Games 5 and 6 are worth two points each
** Games 11 and 12 are worth three points each
Replay and check the LiveBook here |
Please, wait...
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.0-0 Bc5 6.c3 b5 7.Bc2 d5 8.exd5 8.a4 dxe4 9.axb5 exf3 10.Qxf3 e4 11.Bxe4 Ne5 12.Qe2 0-0 13.d4 Bg4 14.Qc2 Nxe4 15.Qxe4 Nf3+ 16.gxf3 Bh3 17.dxc5 Bxf1 18.Kxf1 Qd1+ 8...Qxd5 9.d4! exd4 10.Bb3 Qd6 11.Re1+ Be6 12.Ng5 12...0-0-0N 12...Nd8 13.Qf3 0-0 14.Bf4 Qb6 15.Be5 Bxb3 16.axb3 dxc3 17.Nxc3 Bxf2+ 18.Qxf2 Qxf2+ 19.Kxf2 13.Bxe6+ 13.Nxe6 fxe6 14.Rxe6 Qd7 13...fxe6 14.Nf7 Qe7 15.Nxd8 Rxd8 16.Qf3 Nd5 17.Qe4 Rf8 18.Rf1 Rf5 19.a4 Qf6 20.Nd2 20.axb5= axb5 21.Ra2 20...dxc3 21.Nf3 Nd4 21...cxb2 22.Bxb2! Qe7 23.axb5± 22.bxc3? 22.axb5 Nxf3+ 23.gxf3 Rxf3 24.Kh1 axb5 25.bxc3 22...Nxf3+-+ 23.gxf3 Nxc3 23...Rxf3? 24.Kh1 24.Qa8+ Kd7 25.Be3 25.axb5 Ne2+ 26.Kh1 25...Bd6 25...Bxe3 26.fxe3 Rd5 27.axb5 26.f4 Nd5 27.axb5 Qg6+? 27...Rxf4-+ 28.Qc6+ Ke7 29.Bxf4 Qxf4 28.Kh1= Rh5 29.Qc6+ Ke7 30.Rg1! Qe4+ 31.Rg2 axb5 32.Ra8 Kf6 33.Qd7 Be7 34.Qe8 34.Bc5!= Bxc5 35.Qxg7+ Kf5 36.Qg4+ Kf6 37.Qg7+ Kf5 38.Qg4+ Kf6 39.Qg7+ 34...Nxe3 35.fxe3 Rc5 35...Rd5!? 36.Ra1 Rd2 36.Ra1 Rc2 37.Rag1 Rxg2 38.Rxg2 Qxe3 39.Qxb5 Bc5 39...Qxf4? 40.Qb2+ Kf7 41.Rf2+- 40.Qf1 g6 41.Rg3 Qe4+ 42.Qf3! Qxf3+ 42...Qa4 43.Kg2 Bd6 44.Qc3+ Kf7 45.Rf3 Qa2+ 43.Rxf3 Bd4 44.Kg2 Kf5 45.Rh3 Kxf4 46.Rxh7 c5 47.Re7? 47.Rh6= 47...e5 48.h4 c4 49.Re6 c3 50.Rxg6 Ke3 51.Rc6 e4 52.h5 Kd2? 52...Kd3-+ 53.h6 e3 53.Rd6 Ke3 54.Rxd4 Kxd4 55.h6 c2 56.h7 c1Q 57.h8Q+ Kd3 58.Qd8+ Ke2 59.Qf6 Qd2 59...e3!? 60.Qa6+ Kd1= 60.Qf5 Ke1+ 61.Kg1 Qd4+ 62.Kg2 Qd3 63.Qf2+ Kd1 64.Qf5 Qe2+ 65.Kg3 Qd3+ 66.Kg4 Qd4 67.Kf4 e3+ 68.Kf3 Kd2 68...e2!? 69.Qb1+ Kd2 70.Qa2+ Kd3 71.Qxe2+ Kc3= 69.Qa5+ Kc2 70.Qa2+ Kc3 71.Qa1+ Kc4 72.Qxd4+ Kxd4 73.Ke2 Ke4 74.Ke1 Kd3 75.Kd1 e2+ 76.Ke1 Ke3 ½–½ - 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.
Dominguez Perez,L | 2786 | Caruana,F | 2773 | ½–½ | 2020 | | Clutch Chess 2020 | 1 |
Caruana,F | 2773 | Dominguez Perez,L | 2786 | 1–0 | 2020 | | Clutch Chess 2020 | 2 |
Dominguez Perez,L | 2786 | Caruana,F | 2773 | 0–1 | 2020 | | Clutch Chess 2020 | 3 |
Caruana,F | 2773 | Dominguez Perez,L | 2786 | 1–0 | 2020 | | Clutch Chess 2020 | 4 |
Dominguez Perez,L | 2786 | Caruana,F | 2773 | ½–½ | 2020 | | Clutch Chess 2020 | 5 |
Caruana,F | 2773 | Dominguez Perez,L | 2786 | 1–0 | 2020 | | Clutch Chess 2020 | 6 |
Caruana,F | 2773 | Dominguez Perez,L | 2786 | ½–½ | 2020 | | Clutch Chess 2020 | 7 |
Dominguez Perez,L | 2786 | Caruana,F | 2773 | 0–1 | 2020 | | Clutch Chess 2020 | 8 |
Caruana,F | 2773 | Dominguez Perez,L | 2786 | 0–1 | 2020 | | Clutch Chess 2020 | 9 |
Dominguez Perez,L | 2786 | Caruana,F | 2773 | 0–1 | 2020 | | Clutch Chess 2020 | 10 |
Caruana,F | 2773 | Dominguez Perez,L | 2786 | 1–0 | 2020 | | Clutch Chess 2020 | 11 |
Dominguez Perez,L | 2786 | Caruana,F | 2773 | 0–1 | 2020 | | Clutch Chess 2020 | 12 |
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