Isle of Man Retrospective

by Alina l'Ami
10/10/2017 – 13 o'clock Saturday afternoon in the sweeping bay of Douglas, Isle of Man. The out of sorts wind and nagging rain make sure one hurries indoors, into the snug haven of Villa Marina. Excited in anticipation, the chess crowd keeps on chirping and chatting and glancing at the swinging doors. A chilled Viswanathan Anand walks in, and relaxed Fabiano Caruana, a determined, frowning Hikaru Nakamura, Vladimir Kramnik, intimidating and imposing, and then there's Carlsen...Alina l'Ami retells the story of Isle of Man in pictures.

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Beauty and the Chess Beast

13 o'clock Saturday afternoon in the sweeping bay of Douglas, Isle of Man.

The out of sorts wind and nagging rain make sure one hurries indoors, into the snug haven of Villa Marina. It is spacious, it is quiet and still uninhabited. But it is ready.

Five minutes later, the players, dozens of them, young players, experienced players, amateurs, professionals, parents, coaches, bystanders and journalists are all marching to the tournament hall, and that outside storm relocates inside.

Villa Marina

A short break before the weather multiplied tenfold its force.

Excited in anticipation, the chess crowd keeps on chirping and chatting and glancing at the swinging doors. A chilled Viswanathan Anand walks in, magnetizing 30+ Indian eyes and more. Heads are turning to catch a glimpse of that smiling and relaxed Fabiano Caruana, who's new look brings Afrobeat or Desert Blues thoughts to mind. A determined, frowning Hikaru Nakamura steps in too and the word 'cool' can be read on the lips of many. Two boys are hopping and skipping while leaping to find their boards — they're the twelve year-old wonder kids who inspired more than one generation already. Then Vladimir Kramnik rushes in, intimidating and imposing with his presence, name and stature.

And finally, there he is:

Carlsen

Carlsen

Allow me to spare you the hyperbole: Magnus Carlsen is strong. The strongest. Those who do not understand him, fear him. Those who understand him, fear themselves.

13:30 — The first round starts and the chess community is taken by storm.

Playing hall

Chess.com Isle of Man International is now a milestone in chess history

Journalistically speaking, there is no breaking news to offer you about the chess event on the Isle of Man. It was the strongest Open ever, with a line-up that will make your jaw drop and eyes protrude. It marked the stormy comeback of the Viking after a silent period with no classical tournament wins. It satisfied both the newsworthy headlines and those more fit for tabloid journalism. It was a tournament organized for the love of the game and its players, with a generous time control and substantial prize fund.

It's all there. Feel free to knock your socks off.

Nakamura

“Great event here in the Isle of Man” (Nakamura)

Trent and Caruana

“Lousy weather, good games #iomchess" (Caruana)

This current article is more about a spectator's experience. The random pairings of the first round or the possibility of taking a bye up to and including Round 8 embraced that one main idea: of rocking your world as a viewer. If one was not converted yet, the tongue in cheek tweets “First round of IoM against Kramnik! Well ya can't accuse the pairings of being dull” (Caruana) / “I thank the Lord for not pairing me with Black against @MagnusCarlsen in the first round. #prayerworks #isleofman” (Short) would close the gap.

 
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A proper tournament overview cannot neglect this very first game. In a 'normal' Open, such an encounter can be seen only in the final rounds but the chess.com Isle of Man International is not just one of the many. Besides being the strongest open tournament ever where tough games is the everyday feature, it also introduced the new random pairings of which the reader is surely aware. Therefore... The opening and middlegame phases we can leave that to the technicians. What I find very interesting is how the endgame went and how precisely could have Kramnik clinched a draw. 38...hxg5 The game continuation proved that 38...Kh7 was more precise 39.Qxd5 Rxd5 keeping the h-pawns on the board. The h4 white pawn becomes a clear target and will give Black later on the needed counterplay. 39.hxg5 Kh7 40.Qxd5 Rxd5 41.f4 Kg6 Everyone knows that bringing your king to the center, using it as a very strong piece, is one of the ABC of endgame theory. However, in this particular case 41...Rd3! would have most probably secured Black half a point. The rook is now active, keeps an eye on the e3-weakness and prevents the white king from stepping easily into play. 42.Kb1 If 42.Re5 then Kg6 43.Kb1 a4 44.Kc2 Rb3 45.Re4 Kf5 where I don't see what White could try here. 42...Kg6 43.Kc2 Rd7 44.Rd4 compared to the game, Black now has Re7 45.Kd3 Rb7 with sufficient counterplay for a draw. 42.Rd4! In the line given above, not only had White lost a lot of tempi to bring the king to a less favourable position, but also the black rook could attack the e3 pawn. Not anymore. Rb5 43.Ka3 Kf5 44.b3 f6? The commentators believe a draw could still have been achieved later on but I have serious doubts. I believe this was the final error. An understandable move, as theory suggests to exchange your weaknesses, thus minimizing your opponent's advantage. But here it backfired. A tough and effective defense can be achieved with 44...Rb7 45.Ka4 If 45.Ra4 Rb5 45...Kg4 and it is actually those pawns that are still left on the board which bring Black the hopes back. 45.Ka4 Rb7 46.Rc4 Ra7 47.Rc5+ Ke4 48.Rxa5 Re7 Other sources give 48...Rf7 as the drawing alternative but after 49.gxf6 Not 49.g6 as analyzed before, where Black does indeed hold. Rb7 50.f5 Kxe3 51.Rc5 Kd4 52.b4 Rb8 53.Kb3 Rb7 54.Rc1 Ke5 55.Rf1 Rb8= 49...gxf6 50.f5 Kxe3 51.b4 Kd4 52.Kb5 Rb7+ 53.Kc6 Rxb4 54.Kd6 White is winning. It is already too late. 49.gxf6 gxf6 50.Ra6 Kf5 51.Rd6 Ra7+ 52.Kb5 Rb7+ 53.Kc4 Rc7+ 54.Kd4 Rb7 55.e4+ Kxf4 56.Rxf6+ White won after a couple of moves. I should perhaps re-emphasize how important the first round and its consequences are for someone's tournament route. Rhythm and entering the 'zone' should not be underestimated, not even by Gods like Kramnik and Caruana. After losing in the first round, Kramnik had to win at all costs and against lower rated players, had to take risks and load the dice at times...he did come back in the tournament, but at a price. 1–0
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WhiteEloWBlackEloBResYearECOEventRnd
Caruana,F2799Kramnik,V28031–02017D36chess.com IoM Masters1.2
Caruana,F2799Carlsen,M28270–12017C78chess.com IoM Masters8.1
Perelshteyn,E2524Carlsen,M28270–12017B06chess.com IoM Masters2.1

Master Class Vol.8: Magnus Carlsen

Scarcely any world champion has managed to captivate chess lovers to the extent Carlsen has. The enormously talented Norwegian hasn't been systematically trained within the structures of a major chess-playing nation such as Russia, the Ukraine or China.

While other sports are making sustained efforts to eliminate hazards (video arbitrage is introduced in football), chess seems to take a reversed path. The random pairings are fun and it offers a chance to no-names for facing the likes of Carlsen. But at the same time it can also change the course of the tournament for those who were less fortunate with their drawing of lots. And Kramnik is a good example of that.

Vladimir Kramnik

Working hard to overcome the first round loss, the four points in the final four rounds brought Kramnik a shared fourth place

Taking a bye until very deep into the tournament may seem odd too. The point behind it, as I see it, is to watch and learn not only the strategies on the chess board but also those outside of it. This rule introduces a new tactical component, which, if used wisely, can propel the player to a prize card.

Hou Yifan

Or change the streak of female opponents as was the case for Hou Yifan

Although much has been written and debated about the subject matter, the players welcomed the new elements (the ones against were outvoted by a large margin in the closing ceremony), while the public was given room for further speculations and prognostics.

Vidit - Carlsen

Is Vidit Gujrathi giving Magnus Carlsen a rough time?

Three illustrative examples to prove an obvious thesis: no opponent will offer you easy times in this tournament (dropping pieces like your author did in one game is out of discussion).

 
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We start with Leko's game which is an interesting example of the positional sacrifice theme. 20.Kh2 was played, refraining from a strategic pawn sacrifice, which would have emerged after 20.Nf1!? Nxf1 21.Rxf1 Rxa2 22.Qc2 Rxa1 23.Rxa1 Qd8 24.f4± The extra pawn which Black has is invisible and White keeps a firm grip on the c5-square as well. 20...Nh5 21.Qc2 Declining to give material away, but 21.Nc5 Rxa2 22.Rxa2 Qxa2 23.Qc1± would have had a similar evaluation as the line above. 21...Qd8 22.Nc5 suboptimal due to a tactical reason which will be revealed further on. Instead, 22.g3 Qg5 23.Nf1 would have kept a margin for White but I agree, it doesn't look pretty... 22...Qh4! 23.Ndb3 forced to sacrifice the pawn but in a much worse version. This is probably what Leko missed ∆23.Nxa6 Bxh3 Small test for you: can White save the game? 24.Ne4! only move 24.gxh3 Qf2+ 25.Kh1 Ng3# 24...Bxg2+ 25.Kxg2 dxe4 23...Rxa2 24.Qd2 Rxa1 probably too much excitement for a young soul...I subscribe to that:) 24...Rfa8 25.Rxa1 Bxh3 forcing matters 25...Qg3+ was stronger 26.Kh1 Nf4 26.gxh3 refusing to give away material but after 26.Qe1! Qxe1 27.Rxe1 Be6 28.Ra1 White is holding the trumps despite the two pawns deficit. 26...Nf4 27.Rf1 Qxh3+ A draw against Leko is a good result. However, 27...Ra8!? is more aggressive, more ambitious and stronger too. 28.Kg1 Qg3+ 29.Kh1 Qh3+ 29...Ra8 now is not as effective due to 30.Qh2 Qg5 31.Rg1 Qf5 32.Qxh6∞ 30.Kg1 Qg3+ 31.Kh1 Qh3+ 32.Kg1 Qg3+ ½–½
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WhiteEloWBlackEloBResYearECOEventRnd
Leko,P2679Christiansen,J2457½–½2017C50chess.com IoM Masters2.11
Gelfand,B2737Zatonskih,A24240–12017D35chess.com IoM Masters6.19
Wagner,D2564Sokolov,I26031–02017D35chess.com IoM Masters9.19

Improve your Tactics

The aim of this course is to help you understand how to make tactical opportunities arise as well as to sharpen your tactical vision - these selected lectures will help to foster your overall tactical understanding.

But the main reason why I love this tournament is a straightforward one. It brings the giants among us. Witnessing firsthand the chess beauty and genius of top players is next to impossible to describe directly. Or to evoke.

Nihal Sarin

And when brilliant moves are played by twelve year old hands (Nihal Sarin)...

Praggnanandhaa

...one can only wonder how is it possible for these young shoulders to sustain such mature heads? (Praggnanandhaa)

The next three examples exhibit the powers that youth offers, particularly in the case of the two talented, and very strong already, Indian boys.

 
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31.h4 Provocative. gxh4 Falling in the trap. 31...Ra2 would have kept the equality. 32.Rg4+ The intermediate move which was missed by Black. Kh7 33.Bxf5+ exf5 34.Rxh4 Re8 35.Rc7 Kg7 36.Rxb7 Rxe5 37.Rxb6 Rxa3 38.Rbxh6 Re4 38...Rb5 is more technical. 39.Rh7+ Kg8 40.R7h5 Rb3= 39.Rh7+ Kg8 40.Rh8+ Kg7 41.R8h7+ Kf8 42.Rh8+ Ke7?! For mysterious reasons, Black refuses repetition and is playing for a...win? 43.Rc8 Rb3 44.Rc4 Even stronger is 44.Rc7+ Kd6 45.Rb7 with a big advantage. 44...Re5 45.Rh7 Rb5 46.Rc7+ Ke6 47.Rh6+ f6 48.Rc6+ Ke5 49.Rhxf6 R3xb4 50.Rfe6+ 50.Rcd6 Threatening mate on e6, wins on the spot. Rd5 51.f4+ Ke4 52.Rxd5 Kxd5 53.Rxf5++- 50...Kd4 51.Rcd6+ Rd5 52.Rxd5+ Kxd5 53.Re2 f4? Errare humanum est. 53...Rb8 secures a draw. There is nothing White can do to win this. 54.Kf3 54.Kh3 Rh8+ 54...Rb4 54.g4 Rb3 55.f3 Rb8 56.Re4 Rf8 57.Kf2 Rf7 58.Ke2 Rf6 59.Kd3 Rf8 60.Ra4 Rb8 61.Rxf4 Rb3+ 62.Ke2 Ke5 63.Rf5+ Kd4 64.Kf2 1–0
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WhiteEloWBlackEloBResYearECOEventRnd
Praggnanandhaa,R2500Howell,D27011–02017B12chess.com IoM Masters5.19
Grandelius,N2653Praggnanandhaa,R2500½–½2017C78chess.com IoM Masters6.15
Nihal,S2483Rudolf,A22861–02017D10chess.com IoM Masters8.32

My Career Vol. 1

The first DVD with videos from Anand's chess career reflects the very beginning of that career and goes as far as 1999. It starts with his memories of how he first learned chess and shows his first great games (including those from the 1984 WCh for juniors). The high point of his early developmental phase was the winning of the 1987 WCh for juniors. After that, things continue in quick succession: the first victories over Kasparov, WCh candidate in both the FIDE and PCA cycles and the high point of the WCh match against Kasparov in 1995.
Running time: 3:48 hours

unknown girl

Genius can hardly be replicated, inspiration though is contagious

Almost anyone who loves chess and follows the game online has surely had what might be called moments of inspiring contamination. That “Aha!” second when it all becomes clear (or not) and glues you further to the monitors, making your spouse wonder if chess should actually be forbidden... Those moments are much more intense when one is undressed of any computerized prejudices and watches the moves 'hands-on' as they unfold in the tournament hall. And the truth is...broadcast chess is sometimes to live chess pretty much as a Valentine Day's tv show is to the reality of love.

Carlsen and Synne Cristian Larsen

No man is an island (Magnus Carlsen and Synne Cristian Larsen)

Seeing in the Isle of Man what this Man can do with his 16 pieces is an experience which defies description. Carlsen's anticipation and board sense are otherwordly and his moves so simple yet effective. It is pure harmony on 64 squares.

Perhaps an elucidative thesis for his strength is...metaphysics. The Norwegian is not human but a descendant from Star Trek, a maven, exempt from certain neuroscientific laws. He is never hasty or off-balance — a boa constrictor which went out hunting. Scary. But that power and onslaught becomes vulnerable to beauty at the fingertips of Magnus.

Anand watching Magnus

We've got our eyes on you

In case your dream is to follow in Carlsen's footsteps, here you have more material for a gray matter workout:

 
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How would you continue with White? 23.Bxg7 Incorrect. But the solution is far from easy. 23.Be7! Yes yes, once seen it seems not too difficult. But to me, when my husband showed me in awe what his laptop was shouting...it did look like a brain-breaker. Who is able to see such backwards silent moves in the middle of the attack? Not many. Kf7 ∆23...Qxd2 24.Bxf6 Bxf6 25.Qd5+ Kf8 26.Qxd7+- 24.Bxf6 Bxf6 25.Qd5+ Be6 26.Qb7+ Be7 27.d4 Qxd2 28.d5± Black will keep on fighting but White is obviously having very good chances to win. 23...Kxg7 24.h4 Qxd2 25.Qe7+ Kg6 26.h5+ Nxh5 27.Qxd7 Nf6 28.Qe6 At first glance, a scholar mistake. But White was actually playing for a win and missed a nice trick which will be revealed in the following. Better was 28.Qd8 with a draw as the most likely outcome. 28...Qe1+ 29.Kh2 White was counting on 29.Bf1 exd3 30.Kg2 30.g4 d2 31.gxf5+ Kh5 32.Qxf6 d1Q-+ 30...d2 31.Bd3 where Black has the sneaky Qh1+! Obviously 31...Qg1+ doesn't work in view of 32.Kxg1 d1Q+ 33.Bf1 32.Kxh1 d1Q+ and the bishop is lost. 29...exd3 30.Bd5 Qxf2+ 31.Kh1 Kh5 32.Qxf6 d2 33.Qd4 Qf1+ 34.Kh2 Qe2+ 35.Bg2 d1Q 36.Qe5 Qf2 37.Qe8+ Kg4 0–1
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WhiteEloWBlackEloBResYearECOEventRnd
Eggleston,D2400L'Ami,E26110–12017A10chess.com IoM Masters3.32
Kramnik,V2803Kavutskiy,K23901–02017A05chess.com IoM Masters6.31
Batsiashvili,N2472Hou,Y26701–02017E21chess.com IoM Masters3.22

My Path to the Top

On this DVD Vladimir Kramnik retraces his career from talented schoolboy to World Champion in 2006. With humour and charm he describes his first successes, what it meant to be part of the Russian Gold Medal team at the Olympiad, and how he undertook the Herculean task of beating his former mentor and teacher Garry Kasparov.

Older man thinking

Winning is not always possible but wanting to is

Players after tournament party

Masters, Major, Minor — more chess and more fun in the traditional after party

If that's what Alan Ormsby and his organizing team did this year with Scheinberg family's financial support we can only speculate how the 2018 edition will look like.

We do have high expectations.

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Alina is an International Master and a very enthusiastic person in everything she does. She loves travelling to the world's most remote places in order to play chess tournaments and report about them here on ChessBase! As chance would have it Alina is also an excellent photographer.

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