Grand Swiss Highlights - Part 2

by Joshua Doknjas
11/12/2021 – The 2021 FIDE Grand Swiss concluded on November 7 with Firouzja and Caruana taking the qualification spots to the 2022 Candidates tournament. Two of the most important games from the second half of the event, Caruana – Firouzja and Firouzja – Howell are analysed by Joshua Doknjas. He also takes a look at the impressive second half performances of David Howell and Grigoriy Oparin. | Photo: Anastasiya Karlovich

Winning starts with what you know
The new version 18 offers completely new possibilities for chess training and analysis: playing style analysis, search for strategic themes, access to 6 billion Lichess games, player preparation by matching Lichess games, download Chess.com games with built-in API, built-in cloud engine and much more.

Highlights – Part 2

The two Candidates

Caruana and Firouzja faced off in Round 9, when Caruana and nine others had 5½/8, a full point behind Firouzja’s 6½/8 points. It was crucial for Caruana to create chances in this game and fight for a Candidates spot. He employed a new idea against the Caro-Kann, leading to a complicated queenless middlegame. Firouzja’s ambitious plan to fight for the initiative was not fully sound, but it completely changed the character of the game and forced both sides to solve many challenging problems.

 
New ...
Open...
Share...
Layout...
Flip Board
Settings
MoveNResultEloPlayers
Replay and check the LiveBook here
1.e4 c6 In the final round, when Firouzja only needed a draw, he successfully switched to the ultra-solid Berlin. 2.d4 d5 3.e5 Bf5 4.h4 h5 5.Bd3 Bxd3 6.Qxd3 Qa5+ 7.Nd2 7.b4!? Qxb4+ 7...Qa6 8.Qb3 e6 9.Nf3 Ne7 10.Nc3 Nf5 11.Ne2 transposes to our main game. 8.Nd2 Qb5?! 8...e6 9.Rb1 Qe7 10.c4 Nh6 11.Ne2 9.c4 dxc4 10.Nxc4 Qd5 11.Ne2± with a lead in development and strong initiative, ½-½ (42) Pichot,A (2628) -Suleymanli,A (2541) Riga LAT 2021 7...e6 8.Ne2 In Round 6, Firouzja defended the Black side of this position against Shirov and didn't experience any opening difficulties. 8.Ngf3 Nh6 9.0-0 Nf5 10.Nb3 Qa6 11.Qd1 Be7 12.Bg5 Bxg5 13.Nc5 Qb6 14.Nxg5 Na6 15.Nxa6 Qxa6 with a roughly balanced middlegame, though the game quickly exploded in ½-½ (43) Shirov,A (2659) -Firouzja,A (2770) Riga LAT 2021 8...Ne7 8...Qa6 9.c4 Nh6 10.Rb1 intending b4-b5 poses some problems for Black on the queenside. 9.b4!? A dangerous new idea by Caruana, although it had been covered in detail by Erwin l'Ami's Chessable course: Lifetime Repertoires: Caro-Kann. Qa6! l'Ami argues that the alternative 9...Qb5!? is stronger, but White develops a powerful initiative after 10.c4 dxc4 11.Nxc4 Nd5 12.a4! Nxb4 13.0-0! Qd5 13...Nxd3 14.axb5 14.Qc3 Qe4! 15.Ba3 N8a6 16.Rab1 Qxe2 17.Bxb4 Bxb4 18.Rxb4 Nxb4 19.Qxb4 Entering such complications as Black against Caruana would have been extremely challenging. 10.Qb3 10.Qf3!? may have led to a sharper middlegame. 10...Nf5 11.Nf3 Nd7 12.a4 Qc4 13.Bd2 13.Qxc4 dxc4 14.Bd2 Nb6 15.a5 Nd5 16.c3 Be7 leads to a closed and fine queenless middlegame for Black. 13...Qxb3 14.cxb3 f6 15.0-0 Be7 16.g3 Kf7 17.Rfe1 fxe5?! A slower plan, such as 17...Bd8 followed by ...a6 and ...Bb6 would maintain the balance. 18.dxe5 The exchange of pawns severely weakens the g5-square, but Black obtains counterplay in the centre with his passed d-pawn. Unfortunately for Firouzja, this tradeoff turns out to be largely in White's favour. Rac8 19.Nf4 d4 20.Rac1 The computer proposes a space-gaining approach on the queenside with 20.a5! c5 21.b5 c4 22.bxc4 Rxc4 23.a6 and Black is stuck with weaknesses on both sides of the board. 20...c5 21.Nd5! cxb4 21...exd5? 22.e6+ Ke8 23.exd7+ Kxd7 24.Ne5+ 22.Nxe7 Nxe7 23.Ng5+? Underestimating the strength of Black's active king in the resulting complications. 23.Bxb4 Nd5 23...Nc6 24.Bd6 Rhe8 25.Rcd1 24.Bd6 d3 25.Rcd1 Rc3 26.Ng5+ Kg6 27.Nxe6 Rxb3 28.Nd4 Rc3 29.Nf3 intending e6 next. 23...Kg6 24.Rxc8 Rxc8 25.Nxe6 Nc6 26.f4 26.Nf4+ Kf5 27.e6 Nde5 28.Kg2 g6 also provides good counterplay for Black because of the passed d-pawn. 26...Kf5! 27.Nxg7+ Kg6 28.Ne6 Kf5 29.Ng5 Nc5 30.Nf7 Ke6 31.Nd6 Rg8 32.Kg2 Kd5 The flow of the game has changed dramatically. Despite the extra pawn, it is not clear how White will activate his pieces and create play. Meanwhile, Black's centralized king, passed d-pawn, and active pieces look very intimidating. 33.Rb1 Ne4 33...b6 improving the situation on the queenside before fighting for play in the centre. 34.Nxe4 Kxe4 35.Rc1 Kd3? Under severe time pressure, Firouzja takes the most ambitious approach, but Caruana's passed e and f-pawns become too powerful. 35...Re8! 36.Be1 d3 followed by ... Nd4 should lead to a satisfactory endgame for Black. 36.Be1 Ke2 37.e6 d3 38.f5 Nd4 39.Bxb4 d2 40.Bxd2 Kxd2 41.Rc5 Black's king has suddenly become misplaced on d2. Re8 42.Re5 Kd3 43.Kf2 Re7 44.g4! Clearing a path for the king. hxg4 45.Kg3 Re8 46.Kxg4 Nc6 47.Kf4 Ne7 48.f6 Ng6+ 49.Kf5 Nxh4+ 50.Kg5 Nf3+ 51.Kf4 Nd4 51...Nxe5 52.Kxe5 52.e7 Nc6 53.f7 Rxe7 54.Rd5+ 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
Caruana,F2800Firouzja,A27701–02021B12FIDE Grand Swiss 20219.1

Howell’s winning streak

After a loss to Caruana in Round 5, Howell scored four wins in a row and was tied for first with 6½/9. The following game is from Round 9, where he outplayed Anton Korobov and smoothly converted his advantage in an endgame.

 
New ...
Open...
Share...
Layout...
Flip Board
Settings
MoveNResultEloPlayers
Replay and check the LiveBook here
1.Nf3 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.g3 b6 4.Bg2 Bb7 5.d4 Be7 6.0-0 0-0 7.Re1 Na6 In Round 2, Howell had a game that continued 7...d5 8.cxd5 exd5 9.Nc3 Na6 10.Bf4 c5 11.Rc1 Ne4 12.dxc5 Naxc5 13.Be5 1/2-1/2 (142) Howell,D (2658) -Neiksans,A (2570) Riga LAT 2021 8.Nc3 The modern 8.h4!? The main idea is seen after c5 8...d5 9.cxd5 exd5 10.Nc3 c5 11.Bf4 and the h4-pawn is actually quite useful to fight for the g5-square. 9.d5 exd5 10.Nh2! (the h2-square was opened for the knight to safely retreat there) Nc7 11.Nc3 Rb8 12.cxd5± 1-0 (26) Cheparinov,I (2667)-Nikolov,M (2542) Europe Echecs INT 2021 8...Ne4 9.Bd2 f5 10.Ne5 d6 Kicking away the knight from e5 may be slightly inaccurate. Instead, 10...Qe8!? followed by ...Bf6 was a good alternative. 11.Nd3 Bf6 12.Nxe4 fxe4 13.e3 The pin along the g2-b7 diagonal is an important theme of this game, and Howell expertly uses it to his advantage. e5?! 13...Qc8! is playable, based on the following sequence: 14.Nf4 e5 15.Bh3 Qe8 16.Ne6 Bc8 17.d5 Nc5! 18.Nxc7 Qf7 13...Qe8 14.Nf4 Qf7 15.Bc3 followed by Qc2 with an advantage. 14.Qg4 Qc8 15.Qxc8 Raxc8 16.dxe5 dxe5 17.Bc3 The endgame is very unpleasant for Black to play, especially due to the misplaced minor pieces on the queenside. Rfe8?! 17...Rfd8! 18.Red1 Rb8 19.Nb4 Nxb4 20.Bxb4 c5 promised much better defensive chances. 18.b4 Rcd8 19.Rad1 Ba8 20.Nc1 c5 21.b5 Gaining space with b4-b5 is very useful to cramp Black's pieces and fix the queenside pawns. Nc7 22.h4 Ne6 23.Rxd8 Rxd8 24.Nb3 Preparing Nd2 to pick up the e4-pawn, so it is necessary for Black to fight for counterplay. Rd3 25.Rc1 g5 26.Nd2 Nd4 27.Bf1! The most convincing way to win the game. Rxd2 28.Bxd2 Nf3+ 29.Kg2 Nxd2 30.Rd1 Nxf1 31.Rd7 All of Black's minor pieces lack squares. Nd2 32.Rxd2 Bb7 33.Rd6 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
Howell,D2658Korobov,A26901–02021E18FIDE Grand Swiss 20219.4

David Howell

David Howell | Photo: Anastasiya Karlovich

Firouzja - Howell

The round 10 matchup between Firouzja (who had just lost to Caruana) and Howell (who had won his previous 4 games) was extremely important for the tournament’s outcome. Out of a tense Italian opening, Firouzja seized the initiative after the centre opened up and seemed to be winning with a kingside attack. Then, Howell found a brilliant tactical resource which was completely missed by Firouzja. But it wasn’t enough to solve Black’s problems, and Firouzja entered the final round in clear first.

 
New ...
Open...
Share...
Layout...
Flip Board
Settings
MoveNResultEloPlayers
Replay and check the LiveBook here
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.0-0 In Round 8, Firouzja also played the Italian. That game saw a very fashionable and concrete line: 4.c3 Nf6 5.d3 0-0 6.0-0 d5 7.exd5 Nxd5 8.Re1 Bg4 9.Nbd2 Nb6 10.h3 Bh5 11.Bb3 Kh8!? 1-0 (43) Firouzja,A (2770)-Sasikiran,K (2640) Riga LAT 2021 4...Nf6 5.d3 h6 6.c3 d6 7.Re1 0-0 8.h3 a5 9.Nbd2 Be6 10.Bb5 Ba7 10...Qb8 is the main line. However, the game can quickly become very sharp, for example, 11.Bxc6 bxc6 12.d4 exd4 13.cxd4 Bb6 14.a4 Re8 15.Ra3 Qb7 16.Rae3 soon led to a crushing win for White in 1-0 (28) Giri,A (2780)-Anton Guijarro,D (2674) Batumi 2019 11.Nf1 Ne7 12.Ng3 12.d4 exd4 13.Nxd4 13.cxd4 d5 14.e5 Ne4 13...Bd7 14.Bxd7 Qxd7 is fairly solid for Black. 12...c6 13.Ba4 b5 14.Bc2 a4! Aggressively seizing space by advancing the b- and a-pawns is an excellent idea. After White plays d4, Black will always have counterplay ideas on the queenside. 15.d4 Ng6 16.Be3 Re8 17.Bd3 17.b3 takes away some of Black's space, but opens the a-file after axb3 18.axb3 Qc7 and some simplifications may occur. 17...Bb6 18.a3 Qc7 19.Rc1 Ba5 19...Rad8 centralizing the pieces was a safer alternative. Black has a very solid and healthy setup. 20.Re2 Qb7 21.c4 bxc4 22.Bxc4 d5 23.Bd3 exd4 Firouzja takes control of the game after this. Lighting up the centre with 23...c5! was an excellent try for counterplay. 24.dxc5 24.Rxc5 dxe4 24...d4 25.c6 Qc7 26.Bd2 Bxd2 27.Qxd2 Nf4 and Black obtains great compensation for the pawn. 24.Nxd4 Bd7 25.Ndf5 Bc7 26.exd5 cxd5 26...Nxd5 27.Bd4 Ndf4 28.Rxe8+ Rxe8 29.Bf1± 27.Bd4 All of White's minor pieces are perfectly positioned for a kingside attack. Be5 28.Nxh6+! Opening up the diagonal for the d3-bishop in order to remove the important defender on g6. gxh6 29.Bxg6 Bxg3 30.Rxe8+ Rxe8 31.Qf3? Overlooking Howell's tactical shot. The simple 31.fxg3 fxg6 32.Bxf6 should be winning for White, but Firouzja was trying to extract the maximum out of his position. Qb3 33.Qxb3 axb3 34.Rc7 and the passed a-pawn will be very useful later in the endgame. 31...Qc6! This idea, exploiting White's back rank situation, was completely missed by Firouzja. 32.Bc2 Bb8? 32...Qxc2 33.Qxg3+ Qg6 34.Qxg6+ fxg6 35.Bxf6 Compared to the 31.fxg3 variation, Black has far better drawing chances because of White's restrained queenside. Also, Black has time to play Kf7 36.Bd4 Rc8 with a holdable (but unpleasant) endgame. 32...Be5!? would also have given better defensive chances than the game continuation, but the arising complications were impossible to evaluate with such little time: 33.Bh7+ Nxh7 34.Rxc6 Bxc6 35.Bxe5 Rxe5 36.Qg4+ Kh8 37.Qf4 33.Qxf6 Qxf6 34.Bxf6 Rc8 35.Bc3 d4 35...Bd6! 36.Bd3 Be5 was the last chance. 36.Bd2 Kg7 37.Bd3 Rxc1+ 38.Bxc1 h5 39.h4 The ending is winning for White. Firouzja activates his king and Black is unable to protect all of his weak pawns. Bc6 40.g3 Bd7 41.Kf1 Be5 42.Ke2 Bg4+ 43.Kd2 Bd7 44.Kc2 Be6 45.Bb5 Bb3+ 46.Kd3 Kg6 47.Bd7 Bd1 48.Bd2 f5 49.Bf4 Bg7 50.Bd6 Bf6 51.Be8+ Kh6 52.Bc5 f4 53.Bxd4 Bd8 54.Kd2 Bb3 55.Be5 fxg3 56.fxg3 Ba5+ 57.Kc1 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
Firouzja,A2770Howell,D26581–02021C50FIDE Grand Swiss 202110.1

Vitiugov - Oparin

On his way to tying for second place, Grigoriy Oparin scored two crucial wins with the black pieces (against Dubov and Vitiugov) in the second half of the event. His game against the 2021 Russian Champion displayed several remarkable strategic concepts.

 
New ...
Open...
Share...
Layout...
Flip Board
Settings
MoveNResultEloPlayers
Replay and check the LiveBook here
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.a3!? To create chances of fighting for the top two places, a sharp and unbalanced opening was expected. Bxc3+ 5.bxc3 c5 6.f3 Nc6 7.e4 d6 8.Be3 b6 9.Bd3 e5 One of the most popular continuations, but White scores quite well in practice here. Staying more flexible with 9...Na5 10.Ne2 Ba6 is a good alternative. 10.d5?! In view of the concept shown by Oparin, it is a mistake to immediately close the centre. 10.Ne2! Na5 10...0-0 11.d5 Ne7 12.h4 Kh8 13.g4 1-0 (55) Moskalenko,V (2500)-Harutyunian,T (2539) Barbera del Valles 2019 11.Ng3 Ba6 12.Nf5 g6 13.Nh6 Nd7 14.0-0 Qe7 15.f4 1-0 (27) Aleksandrov,A (2601)-Podolchenko,E (2429) Minsk 2007 10...Na5 11.Ne2 Kd7! The most efficient way of bringing the king to safety on the queenside. This idea suggests that it was stronger for White to maintain the central tension for a bit longer with 10. Ne2. 12.0-0 Kc7 13.f4 Ng4 14.Bd2 exf4 15.Bxf4 f6 16.Nd4! Activating the knight and trying to pose some problems to the Black king. Ne5 16...cxd4?? 17.c5 bxc5 18.Qa4 17.Nb5+ Kb7 18.Bxe5 dxe5 19.d6 Rb8! Prophylactics against Nc7. The exchange sacrifice 19...Be6!? 20.Nc7 Qxd6 21.Nxa8 Rxa8 also looks strong. 20.Be2 Be6 21.Nc7 Bf7 22.Rb1 The computer points out a hilarious draw after 22.Rf3!? Nxc4 23.Rd3 Nb2 24.Rd2! Nxd1 25.Ba6+ Kc6 26.Bb5+ Kb7 27.Ba6+= 22...Qd7! Targeting White's main source of activity: the d6-pawn. 22...Nxc4 23.Bxc4 Bxc4∞ could lead to unclear complications. Oparin's choice keeps the game under control and asks White some questions about the d6-pawn. 23.Bg4 Qc6 24.Be6 Bxe6 25.Nxe6 Nxc4 26.Qg4 Rhg8 27.d7? 27.Rfd1 Nxd6 28.Rd5 had to be tried, with reasonable compensation. 27...Ne3 28.Qh3 Nxf1 29.Rxf1 Qxe4 White has kept his passed d-pawn, but Black easily has enough resources to defend. 30.Qh5 Rgd8 31.Rd1 g6 32.Qxh7 Qe2 33.Rb1 Qc2 34.Rf1 Qd3 35.Nxd8+ Rxd8 Black has given back some material to defend against White's threats. After ...Rxd7, he still maintains a clear material advantage. 36.Qe7 Rxd7 37.Qxf6 Qxc3 38.Qxg6 Qe3+ 39.Kh1 c4 40.Qe6 Qd3 41.Kg1 c3 42.Qxe5 c2 43.Rc1 Qd1+ 44.Kf2 Qd2+ 45.Kg3 Rd3+ 46.Kh4 Qxg2 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
Vitiugov,N2727Oparin,G26540–12021E24FIDE Grand Swiss 202110.3

The final round of the tournament saw the top two boards Oparin - Firouzja and Caruana – Predke end in relatively uneventful draws. Firouzja retained clear first and Caruana edged out Oparin on tiebreaks to take second place.

Grigoriy Oparin

Grigoriy Oparin | Photo: Anastasiya Karlovich


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.


Links


Joshua Doknjas is a FIDE Master from Canada and the author of two books on the Sicilian Najdorf and Ruy Lopez. He enjoys teaching, following, and writing about chess. Joshua is especially interested in the role of engines during opening preparation and understanding how AI has influenced modern chess.

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.