KazChess Masters: Murzin leads – two top clashes in Round 8

by ChessBase
11/28/2025 – The KazChess Masters in Almaty is coming to a close. In a strong field, reigning rapid chess world champion Volodar Murzin has the best prospects of winning the tournament: after 7 of 9 rounds, he leads with 5 points. But he faces a difficult remaining schedule. Today, he has Black against a direct rival. | Photo: Murzin at his World Championship triumph in 2024 (Michal Walusza)
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Half a point separates Volodar Murzin, competing under the FIDE flag, from a group of three pursuers in the highly competitive round-robin tournament in Almaty (Kazakhstan). This group includes Kazybek Nogerbek (Uzbekistan), against whom Murzin has already drawn, Maksim Chigaev (Spain), whom Murzin will face in the final round, and his opponent today, Alexey Sarana (Serbia). Another top duel is also on the cards, as Chigaev and Nogerbek will also face each other.

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Time control: 90 minutes for 40 moves + 30 minutes + 30 seconds increment

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Video

60m English Anti-Bayonet

King’s Indian fans who choose the Mar del Plata attack (7...Nc6) against White’s classical system (1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6 5.Nf3 0-0 6.Be2 e5 7.0-0) usually aim for a complex position with mutual attacks on open wings, requiring long-term strategic planning and tactical sharpness in critical moments. Computers often do not know how to handle the arising complex strategic positions, which suits players who like to think on their own instead of memorizing long variations. However, the fashionable Bayonet Attack (9.b4) interferes with Black’s ideas. After Black’s main move 9...Nh5 the positions opens, the lines get forced and computer analysis is important again. But this DVD offers an antidote against White’s Bayonet Attack, namely 9...a5! This move leads to sound positions with very few concrete lines, in which the focus is on strategy not on tactics. Objectively chances are equal but if Black knows what to do things might quickly become dangerous for White.