Hoogeveen 2016: Short, Sokolov and Gupta are the stars

by Priyadarshan Banjan
10/24/2016 – Abhijeet Gupta won the 2016 Hoogeveen Open after scoring a comfortable 7.5/9. Lalith Babu, who had been leading with Gupta after seven rounds suffered an unfortunate accident to end on the third spot. Sandipan Chanda jumped in with a strong finish to take the runners up position. Lucas van Foreest performed excellently and ended on the fifth spot. The matches saw vistories by both Short and Sokolov respectively. We have pictures, tactics, stories and much more – in our final report from the Hoogeveen Festival 2016.

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Hoogeveen 2016: Short, Sokolov and Gupta are the stars

By Priyadarshan Banjan, photos by Lennart Ootes

Take a world map and draw a straight line from New Delhi to Hoogeveen. That line is about 6200 km long. It makes you wonder when a traditional Open in a quiet chess-loving town in Netherlands has 16 percent of its participants from India.

At the end of six rounds, GM Abhijeet Gupta and GM Lalith Babu were perched comfortably at the top with 5.5/6. Both of them had dominated the field throughout. In their mutual encounter, they had settled for a quick draw. The trend continued in the seventh round as well.

IM S. Nitin was playing Gupta in the seventh round with the white pieces. He played a daring exchange sacrifice after which both the players had to play very accurately to maintain the balance.

Gupta managed to do just that, but Nitin went wrong.

[Event "Hoogeveen Open 2016"] [Site "?"] [Date "2016.10.20"] [Round "7.1"] [White "Nitin, S."] [Black "Gupta, Abhijeet"] [Result "0-1"] [ECO "C11"] [WhiteElo "2410"] [BlackElo "2626"] [PlyCount "74"] [EventDate "2016.??.??"] [TimeControl "5400+30"] [WhiteClock "0:03:41"] [BlackClock "0:26:47"] 1. e4 {[%emt 0:00:04]} e6 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 2. d4 {[%emt 0:00:07]} d5 {[%emt 0: 00:00]} 3. Nc3 {[%emt 0:00:05]} Nf6 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 4. Bg5 {[%emt 0:00:05]} dxe4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 5. Nxe4 {[%emt 0:00:04]} Be7 {[%emt 0:00:05] This line has become quite popular. Many Indians are seen using it, most notably Harikrishna, Vidit and now Abhijeet.} 6. Bxf6 {[%emt 0:00:06]} gxf6 {[%emt 0: 00:03]} 7. Nf3 {[%emt 0:00:06]} f5 {[%emt 0:00:16]} 8. Nc3 {[%emt 0:00:05]} a6 {[%emt 0:00:09]} 9. Qe2 {[%emt 0:00:05]} Qd6 {167} 10. O-O-O {101} Nd7 { [%emt 0:00:18]} 11. g3 {922} b5 {156} 12. d5 {Nitin realizes that he is ahead in development and tries to open up the position.} Bb7 {205} 13. Nd4 {182} O-O-O {541} 14. dxe6 $1 {313 Not afraid of the rook hanging on h1.} (14. Nxe6 $5 Rde8 $1 {Black should be alright.}) 14... Bxh1 {359} 15. exd7+ {126} Rxd7 { [%emt 0:00:27]} 16. Nxf5 {219} Bg5+ {103} (16... Qe6 17. Qxe6 fxe6 18. Nxe7+ Rxe7 19. Bxb5 axb5 20. Rxh1 c6 $11 {Should be around equal.}) (16... Qc5 $2 17. Bh3 $1 Rxd1+ 18. Qxd1 Bg5+ 19. f4 Bxf4+ 20. gxf4 Bb7 21. Nd6+ Kb8 22. Nxb7 Kxb7 23. Bg2+ Kc8 24. Qf3 $18) 17. f4 {99} Bxf4+ {898} 18. Kb1 $1 {706} (18. gxf4 Qxf4+ 19. Ne3 (19. Kb1 Qxf5 $19) 19... Rxd1+ 20. Ncxd1 $11 {is a mess but with all the white pieces clumsily placed it shouldn't be such a huge issue.}) 18... Qe6 {474} 19. Rxd7 {[%emt 0:00:31]} (19. Nd4 $1 Qxe2 20. Bxe2 Rxd4 21. Rxd4 Be5 22. Rd1 Bb7 $11) 19... Qxd7 {[%emt 0:00:20]} 20. Bh3 {[%emt 0:00:56]} Kb8 { [%emt 0:00:35]} 21. gxf4 {736} Re8 {[%emt 0:00:48]} 22. Qd1 $6 {495} (22. Qf2 { keeping the queens was much better.}) 22... Qxd1+ {111} 23. Nxd1 {[%emt 0:00: 04]} Re2 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 24. Nfe3 {782} Rxh2 $17 {Black is clearly better and with his outside "h" passer he went onto win.} 25. Bf1 {[%emt 0:00:15]} Bf3 { [%emt 0:00:46]} 26. a4 {201} bxa4 {149} 27. Bxa6 {90} h5 $19 {[%emt 0:00:24]} 28. Bc4 {104} f6 {240} 29. Bd5 {155} Bxd1 {258} 30. Nxd1 {[%emt 0:00:05]} Rd2 { [%emt 0:00:04]} 31. Bf3 {73} h4 {[%emt 0:00:04]} 32. Kc1 {226} Rd4 {[%emt 0:00: 08]} 33. f5 {[%emt 0:00:32]} Rf4 {213} 34. Bc6 {[%emt 0:00:16]} Rxf5 {90} 35. Ne3 {[%emt 0:00:18]} Rg5 {179} 36. Bd7 {163} h3 {193} 37. Bxa4 {214} Kb7 {119} 0-1

Meanwhile, Lalith also put it across Sipke Ernst with accurate calculations.

[Event "Hoogeveen Open 2016"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2016.10.20"]
[Round "7.2"]
[White "Lalith Babu M R"]
[Black "Ernst, Sipke"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E91"]
[WhiteElo "2586"]
[BlackElo "2540"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "r4rk1/3b2bp/1R1p4/p1pP1p1q/2P1p3/2N4P/P2Q1PP1/1R2N1K1 b - - 0 24"]
[PlyCount "22"]
[EventDate "2016.??.??"]
[TimeControl "5400+30"]
[WhiteClock "0:05:53"]
[BlackClock "0:01:25"]

24... f4 $1 {722 Black is opening up lines to attack by investing two pawns.}
25. Nxe4 {211} Rae8 $2 {207 A bit too optimitic.} (25... Bf5 $1 {is a
must-play move.} 26. f3 Bd4+ 27. Kh2 (27. Kf1 $4 Bxe4 28. fxe4 f3 29. Nxf3
Rxf3+ 30. gxf3 Qxf3+ 31. Ke1 Bc3 $19) 27... Rae8 28. Nxd6 $1 Be3 29. Qb2 Bd4
30. Qd2 Be3 $11) 26. Nxd6 $1 $16 {171} Re2 {102 threatening ...Bd4. This was
Black's plan.} 27. Qd3 {[%emt 0:00:06]} Bd4 {73} 28. Qf3 $1 {56 But it turns
out White is just in time to liquidate into a won endgame.} Bxf2+ {376} 29. Kf1
{[%emt 0:00:10]} Qxf3 {110} 30. Nxf3 {[%emt 0:00:04]} Rxa2 {[%emt 0:00:04]} 31.
Rb7 {112} Ba4 {[%emt 0:00:23]} 32. R7b2 {69} Rxb2 {[%emt 0:00:04]} 33. Rxb2 {
[%emt 0:00:03]} Be3 {125} 34. Ra2 {[%emt 0:00:10]} Bb3 {263} 35. Rxa5 $16 {
5 A pawn ahead, with space and d5 passer. White won easily.} 1-0

Lucas Van Foreest (2350) vs. Lalith Babu (2585)

With victories in the seventh round, Lalith and Gupta reached 6.5/7. They had already played each other in the fifth round. Both the players would have been secretly hoping to see each other lose. The one who would last longer would win the tournament.

Lalith was facing the talented 15-year-old Lucas Van Foreest, rated more than 200 points below him. In spite of knowing how lopsided a favorite he was on paper, with experience and rating on his side, there was that nagging reality check: the young Dutchman was clearly playing at a much higher standard.

[Event "Hoogeveen Open 2016"] [Site "?"] [Date "2016.10.21"] [Round "8.2"] [White "Van Foreest, Lucas"] [Black "Lalith Babu M R"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "C78"] [WhiteElo "2350"] [BlackElo "2586"] [PlyCount "53"] [EventDate "2016.??.??"] [TimeControl "5400+30"] [WhiteClock "0:29:27"] [BlackClock "0:11:47"] 1. e4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} e5 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 2. Nf3 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Nc6 { [%emt 0:00:00]} 3. Bb5 {[%emt 0:00:03]} a6 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 4. Ba4 {[%emt 0:00: 03]} Nf6 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 5. O-O {[%emt 0:00:06]} b5 {409} 6. Bb3 {[%emt 0:00: 07]} Bb7 {[%emt 0:00:27]} 7. d3 {141} Be7 {180} 8. Re1 {80} O-O {[%emt 0:00:55] } 9. h3 {146} d5 {237} 10. exd5 {[%emt 0:00:11]} Nxd5 {[%emt 0:00:03]} 11. a4 { 102} Nd4 {437} 12. Nxd4 {[%emt 0:00:43]} exd4 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 13. axb5 {88} axb5 {129} 14. Rxa8 {[%emt 0:00:56]} Bxa8 {[%emt 0:00:04]} 15. Na3 {117} Bb4 { 132} 16. Bd2 {254} Bxd2 {86} 17. Qxd2 {[%emt 0:00:10]} Qf6 $5 {831} (17... Qd7 18. Qg5 h6 (18... b4 19. Nc4 Qd8 20. Qg4 c5) 19. Qe5 $16 c5 20. Nxb5 $16) ( 17... b4 18. Nc4 c5 $11) 18. Nxb5 {1191} Nf4 {[%emt 0:00:53]} 19. f3 {[%emt 0: 00:17]} Qh4 {940} (19... Qh6 $1 {or} 20. Kh2 (20. Qf2 $2 Qg5 {Double attack.} ( 20... Qg6 21. Kh2) 21. h4 Qxb5 22. Qxd4 Nd5 23. Re5 c6) ({White has to take a draw with} 20. Kf1 Bxf3 21. gxf3 Qxh3+ 22. Kg1 Qg3+ 23. Kh1 Qh3+ 24. Kg1 $11) 20... Bxf3 21. gxf3 Qxh3+ 22. Kg1 Qg3+ 23. Kh1 $11) (19... Qg5 $2 20. Kf1 Nxh3 21. Qxg5 Nxg5 22. Nxc7 $18) 20. Nxd4 {773} Qg3 $2 {1093} (20... Nxh3+ 21. gxh3 Qxd4+ 22. Kg2 Qf6 $1 $11 (22... Qxb2 $2 23. Qf4 {and now a blunder like} c5 $4 24. Qxf7+ $1 Rxf7 25. Re8#)) 21. Kf1 $18 {596 Black is busted now. Lucas finishes off the game with perfection.} (21. Kh1 $2 Nxg2 $1 $19 (21... Nxh3 22. Re2 Nf4 23. Nf5 Qg5 24. Re5 $16)) 21... c5 {155} (21... Qh2 22. Qf2 $18) 22. Nf5 {168} Qh2 {[%emt 0:00:32]} 23. Qf2 {[%emt 0:00:38]} Nh5 {112} 24. Qxc5 {329 } Bxf3 {466} 25. gxf3 {232} Qxh3+ {[%emt 0:00:35]} 26. Kg1 {[%emt 0:00:08]} g6 {[%emt 0:00:51]} 27. Bxf7+ $1 {[%emt 0:00:24]} 1-0

While Lalith lost, Gupta settled for a draw with GM Sandipan Chanda.

 

In the final round, Chanda handed Lalith his second straight loss!

Chanda - Lalith (annotated by IM Sagar Shah)

[Event "Hoogeveen Open 2016"] [Site "?"] [Date "2016.10.22"] [Round "9.2"] [White "Sandipan, Chanda"] [Black "Lalith Babu M R"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "A46"] [WhiteElo "2593"] [BlackElo "2586"] [PlyCount "81"] [EventDate "2016.??.??"] [TimeControl "5400+30"] [WhiteClock "0:06:56"] [BlackClock "0:08:12"] 1. d4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Nf6 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 2. Nf3 {[%emt 0:00:00]} e6 { [%emt 0:00:00]} 3. Bf4 {[%emt 0:00:05] Sandipan has been playing the London system quite regularly recently.} c5 {[%emt 0:00:54]} 4. e3 {[%emt 0:00:09]} d5 {[%emt 0:00:10]} 5. c3 {[%emt 0:00:22]} Nc6 {[%emt 0:00:30]} 6. Nbd2 {[%emt 0: 00:09]} Bd6 {[%emt 0:00:07] This is the recommended way for Black to play. Simple and sound development. However, it seems as if White is coming out on top in many of the games. Let's see how Chanda plays here.} 7. Bg3 {[%emt 0:00: 09]} O-O {[%emt 0:00:09]} 8. Bd3 {[%emt 0:00:20]} b6 {[%emt 0:00:23]} 9. Qe2 { [%emt 0:00:34]} Bb7 {[%emt 0:01:12]} 10. O-O {[%emt 0:00:17]} Rc8 {[%emt 0:09: 50]} 11. a3 {[%emt 0:01:52]} Ne7 {[%emt 0:11:42]} 12. Bxd6 {[%emt 0:00:20]} Qxd6 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 13. Ne5 {[%emt 0:00:08] The position is round about equal. The bishop on d3 seems better than the bishop on b7, but, soon we will soon see something quite paradoxical.} Ne4 {[%emt 0:16:33]} 14. Nxe4 {[%emt 0: 15:55]} dxe4 {[%emt 0:00:08]} 15. Ba6 {[%emt 0:00:08] With the bishop exchange White hopes to exploit Black's queenside weaknesses.} Bxa6 {[%emt 0:04:32]} 16. Qxa6 {[%emt 0:00:10]} Qc7 {[%emt 0:11:53]} 17. f3 {[%emt 0:06:11]} f6 {[%emt 0: 03:59]} 18. Ng4 {[%emt 0:00:07]} h5 $1 {[%emt 0:00:31]} 19. Nf2 {[%emt 0:00:07] } exf3 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 20. gxf3 {[%emt 0:00:15]} Nd5 {[%emt 0:00:54] With powerful moves Black has taken over the initiative.} (20... c4 $5 {was also pretty strong.}) 21. Qe2 {[%emt 0:07:44]} e5 $6 {[%emt 0:02:03]} (21... cxd4 $1 22. exd4 (22. cxd4 Qc2 $17) 22... Nf4 $15) 22. c4 $1 {[%emt 0:02:30]} Ne7 { [%emt 0:01:14]} 23. d5 {[%emt 0:00:32] White is now better because of the passer.} Nf5 {[%emt 0:00:28]} 24. Ne4 {[%emt 0:02:12]} Nd6 {[%emt 0:01:49]} 25. Kh1 {[%emt 0:04:41]} Nxe4 {[%emt 0:13:42]} 26. fxe4 {[%emt 0:01:53] Suddenly the move h5 which was excellent when it was played, turns into a weakness.} g6 {[%emt 0:02:03]} 27. Rf3 {[%emt 0:10:12]} Qh7 28. Raf1 Kg7 {[%emt 0:01:50]} 29. h4 {[%emt 0:13:26]} Rc7 {[%emt 0:00:37]} 30. Qf2 {[%emt 0:01:31]} Rcf7 { [%emt 0:00:53]} 31. Qg3 Kh8 {[%emt 0:02:01]} 32. Kh2 {[%emt 0:04:35]} Qh6 { [%emt 0:00:21]} 33. Qh3 {[%emt 0:03:18]} Qg7 {[%emt 0:02:12]} 34. Qe6 {[%emt 0: 00:49]} Kh7 {[%emt 0:00:15]} 35. d6 {[%emt 0:01:09]} a5 {[%emt 0:02:15]} 36. R1f2 {[%emt 0:07:23]} Kh6 {[%emt 0:01:20]} 37. Kg1 {[%emt 0:03:31]} g5 $2 { [%emt 0:01:43] completely impatient. Black was worse but this just hastens the end.} 38. hxg5+ {[%emt 0:06:14]} Qxg5+ {[%emt 0:00:10]} 39. Rg2 {[%emt 0:00:25] } Qh4 {[%emt 0:00:10]} 40. d7 {[%emt 0:01:43]} Qxe4 {[%emt 0:03:04]} 41. Qxf7 { [%emt 0:02:28] The London system didn't give White any advantage. In fact Lalith showed the best way for Black to play against it, but in the middlegame he went wrong and Chanda was pretty much ruthless.} 1-0

Chanda thus leapfrogged Lalith and took the second spot with 7.0/9. Lalith had to content himself with third place for his 6.5/9.

But the battle for the top position was not over yet!

Lucas Van Foreest faced Gupta on the top board. The tiebreak rule meant that the result of the mutual game would decide the winner. If Lucas managed to beat Gupta, he would even become the champion, and also earn a GM norm. 

Now, that would have been something. But Lucas drew, and had to 'settle' for an IM norm, and a fifth place finish.

Thus, Gupta became the Hoogeveen Champion for 2016 with 7.5/9. He also won the event in 2015, making it twice in a row — for the first time in the tournament's 19-year-history.

GM Shyam Sundar M. scored 6.5/9 and was fourth on the tiebreak. 

64-year-old GM Oleg Romanishin had a slow start to the tournament but finished sixth with 6.5/9.

He showed his skills to the youngsters, never mind his age. Take, for example, his game against GM Jan Werle (2555) in the final round:

White to play

White is weaker than a broken heart on the a8-h1 diagonal. So you must be careful. There is only one continuation that wins.

[Event "Hoogeveen Open 2016"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2016.10.22"]
[Round "9.3"]
[White "Romanishin, Oleg M"]
[Black "Werle, Jan"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A46"]
[WhiteElo "2456"]
[BlackElo "2555"]
[PlyCount "77"]
[EventDate "2016.??.??"]
[TimeControl "5400+30"]
[WhiteClock "0:03:04"]
[BlackClock "0:03:34"]

1. d4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Nf6 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 2. Nf3 {[%emt 0:00:00]} e6 {
[%emt 0:00:00]} 3. g3 {[%emt 0:00:00]} c5 {[%emt 0:00:20]} 4. Bg2 {[%emt 0:00:
02]} cxd4 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 5. Nxd4 {[%emt 0:00:30]} d5 {[%emt 0:00:11]} 6. O-O
{[%emt 0:00:13]} e5 {[%emt 0:00:23]} 7. Nb3 {[%emt 0:03:27]} Be6 {[%emt 0:01:
05]} 8. Nc3 {[%emt 0:07:47]} Be7 {[%emt 0:01:08]} 9. f4 {[%emt 0:05:05]} exf4 {
[%emt 0:00:53]} 10. gxf4 {[%emt 0:01:50]} g6 {[%emt 0:00:41]} 11. Kh1 {[%emt 0:
06:59]} Nc6 {[%emt 0:00:50]} 12. Be3 {[%emt 0:00:23]} O-O {[%emt 0:01:40]} 13.
Nd4 {[%emt 0:07:30]} Qd7 {[%emt 0:02:48]} 14. Nxe6 {[%emt 0:00:55]} fxe6 {
[%emt 0:00:15]} 15. Bg1 {[%emt 0:00:07]} Rad8 {[%emt 0:01:33]} 16. e3 {[%emt 0:
00:11]} Nh5 {[%emt 0:07:37]} 17. Qe2 {[%emt 0:20:25]} Bf6 {[%emt 0:03:30]} 18.
Rad1 {[%emt 0:09:01]} Qe7 {[%emt 0:16:23]} 19. Na4 {[%emt 0:01:11]} Bg7 {
[%emt 0:06:42]} 20. Bf3 {[%emt 0:08:51]} Nf6 {[%emt 0:04:27]} 21. c4 {[%emt 0:
01:58]} Kh8 {[%emt 0:12:54]} 22. Nc3 {[%emt 0:04:06]} Qf7 {[%emt 0:04:52]} 23.
cxd5 {[%emt 0:04:20]} Nxd5 {[%emt 0:01:27]} 24. Ne4 {[%emt 0:00:24]} Qe7 {
[%emt 0:03:14]} 25. Rd2 {[%emt 0:02:12]} Nb6 {[%emt 0:04:10]} 26. Rfd1 {
[%emt 0:01:58]} Rxd2 {[%emt 0:00:39]} 27. Rxd2 {[%emt 0:00:08]} e5 {[%emt 0:01:
03]} 28. Nd6 {[%emt 0:02:39]} Nc8 {[%emt 0:02:36]} 29. Nxc8 {[%emt 0:01:19]}
Rxc8 {[%emt 0:00:41]} 30. Qc4 {[%emt 0:01:16]} Rf8 {[%emt 0:01:25]} 31. Bxc6 {
[%emt 0:02:58]} bxc6 {[%emt 0:00:22]} 32. Qxc6 {[%emt 0:00:14]} Qb4 {[%emt 0:
03:37]} 33. Rd7 {[%emt 0:02:12]} Qxb2 {[%emt 0:02:19]} 34. Rxa7 {[%emt 0:01:43]
} exf4 {[%emt 0:05:28]} 35. exf4 {[%emt 0:00:07]} Rxf4 {[%emt 0:00:56]} {
[%tqu "En","White is weaker than a broken heart on the a8-h1 diagonal. So you
must be careful. There is only one continuation that wins. Can you find it?",
"","","c6d6","",10]} 36. Qd6 $3 {[%emt 0:02:36] Deadly move. You attack the
rook, and also control d4 from where you can skewer black using the white
bishop.} Qb5 {[%emt 0:09:04]} (36... Rf8 37. Rxg7 $18) 37. Ra8+ {[%emt 0:00:34]
} (37. Qxf4 $4 Qd5+ 38. Qf3 Qxf3#) 37... Bf8 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 38. Rxf8+ {
[%emt 0:00:45]} Kg7 {[%emt 0:00:02]} 39. Qxf4 {[%emt 0:00:30]} 1-0

IM Eesha Karavade (2421) played an interesting game against Romanishin.

Romanishin excitedly plonked his bishop on d5 assuming that he will now win the piece. Luckily for Eesha, there is one move that saves the game!

Romanishin could have sacrificed his queen, but instead chose 23.Bd5. Now, Black can save the position with...

[Event "Hoogeveen Open 2016"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2016.10.20"]
[Round "7.4"]
[White "Romanishin, Oleg M"]
[Black "Karavade, Eesha"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A05"]
[WhiteElo "2456"]
[BlackElo "2421"]
[PlyCount "63"]
[EventDate "2016.??.??"]
[TimeControl "5400+30"]
[WhiteClock "0:00:51"]
[BlackClock "0:38:18"]

1. Nf3 {[%emt 0:00:52]} Nf6 {[%emt 0:00:17]} 2. g3 {[%emt 0:00:28]} g6 {
[%emt 0:00:32]} 3. Bg2 {[%emt 0:00:07]} Bg7 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 4. c4 {[%emt 0:01:
42]} c6 {[%emt 0:01:17]} 5. d4 {[%emt 0:01:06]} d5 {[%emt 0:02:36]} 6. cxd5 {
[%emt 0:05:43]} cxd5 {[%emt 0:00:08]} 7. Ne5 {[%emt 0:00:27]} Ne4 {[%emt 0:02:
13]} 8. Nd2 {[%emt 0:02:52]} Nd7 {[%emt 0:03:19]} 9. O-O {[%emt 0:42:36]} Nxd2
{[%emt 0:04:16]} 10. Bxd2 {[%emt 0:03:37]} Nxe5 {[%emt 0:06:49]} 11. dxe5 {
[%emt 0:00:04]} Bxe5 {[%emt 0:00:43]} 12. Bh6 {[%emt 0:00:09]} Be6 {[%emt 0:00:
05]} 13. e4 {[%emt 0:03:16]} Qb6 {[%emt 0:10:01]} 14. exd5 {[%emt 0:03:25]} Bd7
{[%emt 0:00:05]} 15. Re1 {[%emt 0:04:34]} f6 {[%emt 0:00:17]} 16. d6 {[%emt 0:
04:19]} Be6 {[%emt 0:07:55]} 17. dxe7 {[%emt 0:06:30]} Kxe7 {[%emt 0:02:37]}
18. Be3 {[%emt 0:00:24]} Qb5 {[%emt 0:04:51]} 19. a4 {[%emt 0:00:45]} Qb4 {
[%emt 0:00:40]} 20. f4 {[%emt 0:04:03]} Rhd8 {[%emt 0:03:23]} 21. Qe2 {[%emt 0:
01:28]} Bc7 {[%emt 0:02:25]} 22. Bf2 {[%emt 0:01:30]} Rd6 {[%emt 0:01:33]} 23.
Bd5 $6 {[%emt 0:01:55][%csl Ge6][%cal Re1e6]} (23. f5 $1 gxf5 24. Qh5 $16 {
would have been the best way for White to play.}) {[%tqu "En","Romanishin
excitedly plonked his bishop on d5 assuming that he will now win the piece.
Luckily, Eesha has one move that saves the game for her! Can you find it?","",
"","c7b6","",10]} 23... Bb6 $3 {[%emt 0:00:05] Calm defence!} 24. Bxe6 {
[%emt 0:07:13]} Bxf2+ {[%emt 0:00:21]} 25. Qxf2 {[%emt 0:00:20]} (25. Kxf2 Rd2
$17) 25... Rxe6 {[%emt 0:00:17]} 26. Rxe6+ {[%emt 0:01:40]} Kxe6 {[%emt 0:00:
08] The position is now around equal.} 27. f5+ {[%emt 0:00:16]} Kf7 {[%emt 0:
01:29]} 28. Rd1 {[%emt 0:00:07]} Re8 {[%emt 0:00:41]} 29. Rd4 {[%emt 0:01:57]}
Re1+ {[%emt 0:07:04]} 30. Kg2 {[%emt 0:00:02]} Qe7 {[%emt 0:00:11]} 31. Kh3 {
[%emt 0:01:09]} Re4 {[%emt 0:00:49]} 32. fxg6+ {[%emt 0:00:33]} 1/2-1/2

 

Casper Schoppen (2304) scored 6.5/9 for his IM norm and also finished seventh in the prize list.

15-year-old Rakesh Kumar Jena (2247) scored his third IM norm and finished eighth with 6.0/9.

Final Standings

Rank Name Score Fed. Rating TPR
1 GM Gupta, Abhijeet 7.5 IND 2626 2697
2 GM Sandipan, Chanda 7.0 IND 2593 2600
3 GM Lalith Babu M R 6.5 IND 2586 2609
4 GM Shyam, Sundar M. 6.5 IND 2552 2540
5 Van Foreest, Lucas 6.5 NED 2350 2534
6 GM Romanishin, Oleg M 6.5 UKR 2456 2449
7 Schoppen, Casper 6.5 NED 2304 2461
8 FM Rakesh Kumar Jena 6.0 IND 2247 2531
9 GM Ernst, Sipke 6.0 NED 2540 2467
10 IM Nitin, S. 6.0 IND 2410 2445

Full standings here.


 

There was a chess art exhibition at the tournament by the artist Yvon Drummen, who also produced the prizes for the winners.

Short holds his prize — a sculpture that signifies that chess can get under your skin. Short beat Hou Yifan in their match.

Nigel managed to win 3.5-2.5 after losing the final round. But he did not lose any rating for his loss — according to the FIDE regulations, any games in a match played after a player has already won/taken an unsurmountable lead will not be rated.

To which Short replied...

 And thus he rests his case.

Ivan Sokolov beat Jorden Van Foreest 3.5-2.5 as well.

This funny exchange took place between Tournament Director Loek Van Wely and Sokolov at the prize-distribution:

‘For our PR it would have been better if Jorden had won,’ Van Wely joked. ‘But alas, my old comrade in battle beat him. Ivan, I’m still glad that you have kept the youth under your thumb for a little longer.’

‘I did my best to lose, especially with Black, but my opponent didn’t cooperate.’ Sokolov quipped.

The open winners with their prizes. 

Related:

  1. Hoogeveen Round 01-06 Report
  2. Chess Art Exhibit by Artist Yvon Drummen


Links

The games are being broadcast live on the official web site and on the chess server Playchess.com. If you are not a member you can download a free Playchess client there and get immediate access. You can also use ChessBase 13 or any of our Fritz compatible chess programs.


Priyadarshan Banjan is a 23-year-old club player from India. He works as an editor for ChessBase News and ChessBase India. He is a chess fanatic and an avid fan of Vishy Anand. He also maintains a blog on a variety of topics.

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