11/18/2020 – Grandmaster Chess is a series hosted by IM Sagar Shah on the ChessBase India YouTube channel. The idea of the series is to give you a peek into the mind of a world class grandmaster. Every episode has a GM who shows his immortal game with 10 critical questions. Four famous stand-up comedians of India - Samay Raina, Biswa Kalyan Rath, Vaibhav Sethia and Anirban Dasgupta are the participants. It's a synthesis of great chess education by the GM along with a liveliness of the comedians! The first episode had GM Vidit Gujrathi who showed his immortal win against GM Vladimir Kramnik. We have all the 10 critical moments for you to solve! Try your hand and see how you fare!
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After 100 episodes of "improving chess with the comedians" it was time to take their game to the next level. That is how the idea of Grandmaster Chess was conceived. The plan was to invite a grandmaster, who would show his favourite game that he had played till date - the immortal, as we like to call it. Each game would have 10 critical moments and the stand-up comedians would guess the right move. If it was a good move, the grandmaster trainer would grant them 1 point, if it was not the best, but the move made sense then half a point was given. And if the move was bad, then a zero was awarded. Every episode would have a winner and at the end of the entire series we have a special prize for the overall winner. How many episodes are there in Grandmaster Chess? We will figure that out as time goes by, but 50 is what we would love to reach!
The four stand-up comedians on the show, who are the students, are Samay Raina, Biswa Kalyan Rath, Vaibhav Sethia and Anirban Dasgupta. Each one of them loves chess and desperately wants to get better at it. This is what makes the show fun! It's not just they are lively and entertaining, they are also inquisitive and truly want to pump up their rating. Although none of them is FIDE rated yet, all of them have an online Elo that is between 1200-1600.
The first episode of Grandmaster Chess began with India no.3, world no.24 and one of India's top chess streamers GM Vidit Gujrathi
About Vidit Gujrathi
GM Vidit Gujrathi | Photo: Lennart Ootes
Vidit Gujrathi (born 24 October 1994) is an Indian chess player. He attained the title of Grandmaster in January 2013, becoming the thirtieth player from India to do so. He is currently the third highest rated player in India, and is the fourth Indian player to have crossed the Elo rating threshold of 2700, the youngest ever in India to do so.
Vidit vs Kramnik
Vidit chose his win against Vladimir Kramnik from the Wijk Aan Zee tournament in 2019 as his favourite game!
The Caro Kann is a very tricky opening. Black’s play is based on controlling and fighting for key light squares. It is a line which was very fashionable in late 90s and early 2000s due to the successes of greats like Karpov, Anand, Dreev etc. Recently due to strong engines lot of key developments have been made and some new lines have been introduced, while others have been refuted altogether. I have analyzed the new trends carefully and found some new ideas for Black.
The game was a very intense one. Vidit had lost his previous round to Teimour Radjabov, so he was definitely looking to strike back. On the other hand Vladimir Kramnik retired after the tournament, so definitely thoughts of hanging up his boots would have been crossing his mind! Vidit began aggressively with the 4.f3 variation in the Nimzo Indian and went on to win the game against a legendary chess player. This does remain as one of the most pleasant memories in Vidit's chess career till date.
Instructions on how to gain maximum from these tests:
There are 10 board positions along with 10 questions given below. We urge you to think on your own and write down the move that you think is the right one. Go chronologically from the first position so that you can benefit maximally from this exercise. Below each position we have given the move suggested by each comedian and also the points awarded to them. In this Grandmaster Chess Episode 1 we had only two comedians who were present - Biswa and Vaibhav.
Position 1
What is the move that Vidit played in this position? 23:37
Biswa: h4 - 0 point
Vaibhav: Qc2 - 0.5 point
Right answer: The right move is g4! The idea is to mobilize your kingside majority, gain space and also make a spot for the bishop to develop on g2 and castle. It just fits in perfectly with the entire plan of White's position.
Position 2
Black has already begun with his queenside play. How should White continue? 33:59
Biswa: Rxb3 - 0 point
Vaibhav: Ng3 - 0.5 point
Right answer: The right move is e4! The idea is to sacrifice material in order to gain activity. The move e4 opens up the bishop on c1 and also creates mobile central pawns!
Position 3 (variation in the game)
Black has gone ahead and captured the pawn on g4. What did Vidit have in his mind? 42:18
Biswa: e5 - 0 point
Vaibhav: e5 - 0 point
Right answer: Bg5! was the correct move. The fact that Black did not take the bishop on c1 with ...Nxc1 means that we can use the time to pin his knight with Bg5.
Position 4
A critical moment of the game. One move suggests itself here for White, but as we know Vidit is a master in stopping his opponent's ideas. White to play. 48:20
Biswa: Kh1 - 0.5 point
Vaibhav: h3 - 1 point
Right answer: h3! The reasoning behind this move is that White would like to play e5, but it is met with ...Nh5. So Vidit kicks away this bishop and prepares the move e5.
Right answer: The move is e5, kicking away the knight and gaining more space! After h3 on the previous move, this was very natural.
Position 6
The knight is pushed back to e8. With such a dominating position, players often go wrong because they do not know how to continue their initiative. How should White continue here? 58:32
Biswa: Qc2 - 0 point
Vaibhav: Bd5 - 0 point
Right answer: Qe3! White's position is good, but not good enough to cash in. It would be greatly useful if you connect all your pieces and get them into the game before going for the final onslaught. Harmony is the word.
Biswa: e6 - 0 point (gets half point for subsequent calculation)
Vaibhav: e6 - 0 point
Right answer: d6! Vidit was inspired by the game Kasparov vs Pribyl (game attached below) where Kasparov plays the move d7 to cut Black's position into two. Here with d6, Vidit would like to alienate the rook on b6 and never let him join in for the defence on the kingside.
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Position 8
Perhaps the most critical moment of the game. Hint: Turn your prophylactic thinking on! 1:21:34
Biswa: Qg3 - 0 point
Vaibhav: Nf6 - 0 point
Right answer: Rf5!! Black's only active counterplay is to put his queen on g5 to activate it. Rf5! stops the idea and also builds up on the idea of doubling the rooks on the f-file.
Right answer: Ne7+ is correct because after Kh8, you can pick up the f7 pawn.
Bonus: Position 11
Vidit finishes off the game in style. Can you do it as well? 1:39:30
Biswa: Rf4 - 1 point
Vaibhav: Rf5 - 0.5 point
Right answer: There are many ways to win here, but Qf4 is the prettiest. It also has a point that after Ra1+ Kh2, it defends the e5 pawn. After Qf4! Kramnik resigned the game!
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Move
N
Result
Elo
Players
1.e4
1,185,960
54%
2421
---
1.d4
960,101
55%
2434
---
1.Nf3
286,728
56%
2440
---
1.c4
184,987
56%
2443
---
1.g3
19,897
56%
2427
---
1.b3
14,604
54%
2428
---
1.f4
5,958
48%
2376
---
1.Nc3
3,917
50%
2383
---
1.b4
1,791
48%
2379
---
1.a3
1,250
54%
2406
---
1.e3
1,081
49%
2409
---
1.d3
969
50%
2378
---
1.g4
670
46%
2361
---
1.h4
466
54%
2382
---
1.c3
439
51%
2425
---
1.h3
289
56%
2420
---
1.a4
118
60%
2461
---
1.f3
100
47%
2427
---
1.Nh3
93
66%
2506
---
1.Na3
47
62%
2476
---
Please, wait...
After the end of Tata Steel Chess Tournament, Kramnik soon announced his
decision of retiring from chess. Although he was far from his best form, I am
lucky that I got a chance to play against the legend himself. In fact, he was
the only player from the participants who I hadn't faced previously. Kurz nach
dem Ende des Tata-Steel-Turniers verkündete Kramnik seine Entscheidung, sich
vom Schach zurückzuziehen. Obwohl er dort bei weitem nicht in Bestform war,
hatte ich das Glück, die Chance zu haben, gegen die Legende selbst zu spielen.
Tatsächlich war er nämlich der einzige von den Teilnehmern, dem ich zuvor
noch nicht am Brett gegenüber gesessen hatte.1.d4Nf62.c4e63.Nc3Bb44.f3After a successful first half, I had scored only half a point in the
next three games. (Yes, ironically that half point was against Anish Giri!) So
I very much wanted to get back in the event, and with this move, I was aiming
for an open fight with three results in mind. Nach erfolgreicher erster
Hälfte hatte ich in den nächsten drei Partien nur einen halben Punkt erzielt
(ja, ironischerweise war dieser gegen Anish Giri!). Daher wollte ich unbedingt
ins Turnier zurückkommen, und mit diesem Zug strebte ich einen offenen Kampf
an, mit drei Resultaten im Sinn.d55.a3Bxc3+6.bxc3c57.cxd5exd5
I was a bit surprised by this choice. Although this line was used by Carlsen
to defeat Vishy in their world championship match, it never really caught on.
Ich war ein bisschen überrascht von seiner Wahl. Obwohl bei ihrem
Weltmeisterschaftskampf Carlsen mit dieser Variante Vishy besiegt hatte,
setzte sie sich nie wirklich durch.8.e3c49.Ne2Nc610.g4Na5Carlsen
went for castles first and then the same plan with Na5-b3. Carlsen wählte
zunächst die kurze Rochade und dann den gleichen Plan mit Sa5-b3.10...0-011.Bg2Na512.0-0Nb313.Ra2b514.Ng3a515.g5Ne816.e4Nxc117.Qxc1Ra618.e5Nc719.f4b420.axb4axb421.Rxa6Nxa622.f5b323.Qf4Nc724.f6g625.Qh4Ne826.Qh6b227.Rf4b1Q+28.Nf1??Qe10-1 (28) Anand,V
(2775) -Carlsen,M (2870) Chennai IND 2013 0-1 (28) Anand,V (2775) -Carlsen,M
(2870) Chennai IND 201311.Bg2Nb312.Rb1A novelty for over the board
games. As this game was played on one of the chess on tour days, we had to
leave earlier than usual, and while walking towards the bus, my coach informed
me that the rook on b1 is better placed for a quick e2-e4. That's all I knew
about this line. Eine Neuerung in praktischen Partien. Da diese Partie an
einem der "Chess on Tour"-Tage gespielt wurde, mussten wir früher los als
sonst, und auf dem Weg zum Bus informierte mich mein Coach, dass der Turm auf
b1 besser steht für ein schnelles e2-e4. Das war alles, was ich über diese
Variante wusste.0-013.0-0b5?!This opens the h1-a8 diagonal. Starting
with the counter-intuitive a5 seems better. One advantage is that Black can
play Ra6 and bring the rook in the game. Dies öffnet die Diagonale h1-a8. Mit
dem kontraintuitiven a5 zu beginnen, sieht besser aus. Ein Vorteil ist, dass
Schwarz Ta6 ziehen und den Turm ins Spiel bringen kann.13...a514.e4dxe415.fxe4Bxg414.e4!I played this pawn sacrifice after thinking for 5
minutes. For one pawn White gets a lot of initiative, so it was not hard for
me to convince myself. Peter Leko also remarked in the live commentary that it
doesn't even feel like White is a pawn down! Dieses Bauernopfer spielte ich
nach 5 Minuten Überlegen. Für einen Bauern bekommt Weiß eine Menge
Initiative, daher fiel es nicht schwer, mich dazu durchzuringen. Peter Leko
merkte im Livekommentar auch an, dass es sich nicht mal so anfühlt, als ob
Weiß einen Bauern weniger hat!dxe415.fxe4Nxc1Played instantly. I was a
little surprised by the speed of his play. If it was his preparation, I didn't
understand what I was missing. Sofort gespielt. Ich war ein wenig überrascht
von seinem Tempo. Wenn es seine Vorbereitung war, verstand ich nicht, was mir
entging.15...Bxg4This felt more natural, but the resulting position
looks ugly. Dies fühlte sich natürlicher an, aber die entstehende Stellung
sieht hässlich aus.16.Bg5Qb617.Bxf6gxf618.Qe1Getting out of the
pin. Geht aus der Fesselung.Bxe219.Qxe2Kh820.Kh1Now I just double
rooks on the f-file and sooner or later play e5. What can Black do? Jetzt
verdopple ich einfach die Türme in der f-Linie und spiele früher oder
später e5. Was kann Schwarz tun?16.Qxc1Bxg417.Nf4Rb818.h3!
An important point, the immediate e5 would allow ...Nh5 when White loses some
momentum. Eine wichtige Pointe, sofortiges e5 würde ...Sh5 erlauben, wonach
Weiß einigen Schwung verliert.18.e5Nh518...Bd7Kramnik after the
game told me that he mixed up his preparation and that he had ...Bc8 in his
notes. Either I don't understand the position, or he mixed up some different
line. White's play is still very very easy. Kramnik erzählte mir nach der
Partie, er hätte seine Vorbereitung durcheinander gebracht und in seinen
Notizen ...Lc8 stehen. Entweder verstehe ich die Stellung nicht oder er meinte
irgendeine andere Variante. Das Spiel von Weiß ist so oder so superleicht.18...Be6Dieser Zug ergibt mehr Sinn. Der sofortige Bauernvormarsch lässt
das Zentrum fragil werden. Weiß muss zuerst ein paar Vorbereitungszüge wie
De3-Tbe1 machen und erst dann d5-e5 spielen. This move makes more sense. The
immediate pushing of pawns leaves the centre fragile. White has to first make
some preparatory moves like Qe3-Rbe1 and then play d5-e519.Qe3!19.d5?!Bc820.e5Nd721.Qe3Qb6is the point. ist die Pointe.19...a520.Kh2±followed by d5-e5. nebst d5-e5.18...Bc819.e5Nd720.Qe3±19.e5!I played this intuitively. Apparently move order is important. If I had
played Qe3 first Black has extra defensive possibilities. Dies spielte ich
intuitiv. Offenbar ist die Zugfolge wichtig. Bei zuerst De3 hat Schwarz
zusätzliche Verteidigungsmöglichkeiten.19.Qe3Kh8!20.e5Ng8Too
cheeky for me to see it. Zu frech, als dass ich es gesehen hätte.19...Ne820.Qe3Finally, after this move, Kramnik thought for a long time. I feel the
position is already very difficult for Black. I once read an interesting
comment about Fischer's play. " His plans are simple and straightforward but
at the same time very hard to stop" The current position gives a very similar
vibe. I am just going to push my central pawns, and I don't see how Black can
prevent it. Nach diesem Zug verfiel Kramnik endlich in langes Nachdenken.
Meines Erachtens ist die Stellung bereits sehr schwierig für Schwarz. Ich las
einmal einen interessanten Kommentar über das Spiel von Fischer: "Seine
Pläne sind einfach und geradlinig, aber gleichzeitig sehr schwer zu stoppen."
Die aktuelle Stellung verbreitet ein ganz ähnliches Gefühl. Ich rücke
einfach meine Zentrumsbauern vor, und ich sehe nicht, wie Schwarz es
verhindern kann.Rb621.d5Nc722.d6Kasparov,G (2595)-Pribyl,J (2390) EU
Team-ch07 Final 1980 (5.8) 1-0 I was aware of the classic, Kasparov-Pribyl
where Kasparov played d7! cutting the board in half. So, the decision to allow
...Ne6 at the cost of dividing the defenses was an easy one to make. Ich
kannte sehr wohl den Klassiker Kasparov-Pribyl, wo Kasparov d7! spielte und
damit das Brett zerteilte. Daher fiel die Entscheidung, ...Se6 zuzulassen, um
dafür die Verteidiger zu entzweien, nicht schwer.Ne623.Nd5Ra624.Rf5!It was important to stop Qg5. Now I have threats like Rh5-Ne7 Be4. The attack
just plays by itself. Es war wichtig, ...Dg5 zu verhindern. Jetzt habe ich
Drohungen wieTh5-Se7-Le4. Der Angriff spielt sich einfach von selbst.Qh425.Rbf1+-Rxa326.Ne7+Kh827.Rxf7Rxf728.Rxf7I have threats like Qf3 and
Rf8. Black is not in time to create any counterplay with the rook. Ich habe
Drohungen wie Df3 und Tf8. Schwarz schafft es nicht rechtzeitig, irgendwelches
Gegenspiel mit dem Turm aufzuziehen.Qh529.Qf4!A cute finish! After the
game, my coach Alon Greenfeld and I were walking down the vibrant streets of
Leiden where suddenly a stranger walked up to us and asked if I am Vidit. Upon
confirmation, he congratulated me on the game and the final move. That's what
makes Tata steel chess such a special event! :) Ein schönes Finale! Nach der
Partie spazierten mein Trainer Alon Greenfeld und ich durch die pulsierenden
Straßen von Leiden, als plötzlich ein Fremder auf uns zukam und fragte, ob
ich Vidit sei. Als ich bejahte, gratulierte er mir zu der Partie und dem
letzten Zug. Das macht Tata Steel Chess zu einem so besonderen Event! :)1–0
Sagar ShahSagar is an International Master from India with two GM norms. He loves to cover chess tournaments, as that helps him understand and improve at the game he loves so much. He is the co-founder and CEO of ChessBase India, the biggest chess news portal in the country. His YouTube channel has over a million subscribers, and to date close to a billion views. ChessBase India is the sole distributor of ChessBase products in India and seven adjoining countries, where the software is available at a 60% discount. compared to International prices.
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