León: Anand knocks out Santos, loses miniature

by ChessBase
7/9/2022 – Vishy Anand won the last game of the semifinal to knock out Jaime Santos. Anand will face the winner of the semifinal between Boris Gelfand, another living legend who has already won the Magistral twice, and the young Russian GM Andrey Esipenko in Sunday’s final. | Photos: Official site

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.

A hard-fought match

Magistral de LeónPress release

Vishy Anand won the last game of the semifinal match against Jaime Santos, and will face the winner of the semifinal between Boris Gelfand, a legend of the chessboard who has already won the Magistral twice, and the young Russian GM Andrey Esipenko in Sunday’s final.

[Follow the games live on Live.ChessBase.com]

Suspense was kept until the end in the match between Anand and Santos, both of whom showed a very high level. Only the very refined technique shown by the Indian champion in the last game finally decided the result in his favour.

The chess day started very early, with the presence of Rey Enigma throughout the morning in the streets of León.

In the afternoon, the focus moved to the Ciudad de León Auditorium, where the first semifinal was held. Avelino Crespo, technical secretary in the Junta de Castilla y León, was responsible for the ceremonial first move.

Magistral de León

Before the start of the Santos-Anand clash, magic burst onto the stage of the Magistral at the hands of the international magician Xulio Merino, who has given the tournament a playful touch with brief and impressive magic shows at the start of the clash and during the breaks.

The chess show continues on Saturday with new appearances of Rey Enigma in the city, with the VII Chess Open ‘Ciudad de León’, which will bring together more than a hundred players in the Auditorium and with the second semifinal of the main event, which will pit Boris Gelfand and Andrey Esipenko against each other.

Viswanathan Anand

Find below game comments from the first semifinal by International Master Sergio Estremera.

Game 1

A brilliant victory for Jaime Santos in the first game of the match. Facing the Spanish opening put forth by the player from León, Anand went for the open system, but the chosen variation had a flow which Jaime Santos, showing great preparation, was able to punish, and with a very precise and direct played he scored the victory in just 25 moves.

A miniature against a world Champion!

 
New ...
Open...
Share...
Layout...
Flip Board
Settings
MoveNResultEloPlayers
1.e41,173,50054%2421---
1.d4952,12655%2434---
1.Nf3283,50356%2440---
1.c4183,15556%2442---
1.g319,79656%2427---
1.b314,44254%2427---
1.f45,92148%2377---
1.Nc33,85150%2384---
1.b41,77148%2379---
1.a31,23454%2405---
1.e31,07549%2409---
1.d396150%2378---
1.g466846%2360---
1.h446554%2381---
1.c343651%2426---
1.h328356%2419---
1.a411660%2462---
1.f39947%2428---
1.Nh39267%2511---
1.Na34262%2482---
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.0-0 Nxe4 6.d4 b5 7.Bb3 d5 8.dxe5 Be6 9.c3 Be7 10.Nbd2 Nc5 11.Bc2 d4 12.Nb3 dxc3 Hoping for ...Qxd1. 13.Nxc5 Bxc5 14.Be4 White is slightly better. Qd7 15.bxc3 15.Bg5!? cxb2 16.Qxd7+ Bxd7 17.Rad1= 15...Rd8 16.Qc2 Bd5 17.Bg5 Strongly threatening Rad1. Bxe4! 18.Qxe4 Qd5
18...Ne7!= 19.Qg4! White is really pushing. Rd7 20.Bh4 Kf8
21.a4! h5 21...b4 22.Qf5 Threatens to win with axb5. b4 23.cxb4 Nxb4 23...Bxb4± 24.Rac1 a5 24.Rad1 Weighted Error Value: White=0.03 (flawless) /Black=0.66
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
Santos Latasa,J2675Anand,V27561–02022XXXV Magistral de Leon 20221.1

Game 2

Vishy Anand hit back and drew the match. Once again a Spanish Opening, this time played by Anand, one of the greatest experts in history. After the first 15 moves, a difficult positional problem arose as to whether or not to exchange Black’s apparently strong bishop for White's knight. The position required Black to make this difficult decision in order to keep the balance. In the end, it was Anand who successfully dealt with this complex positional issue, and with his move 26.Nf5 he definitively avoided the exchange (...Bxe3) which Santos could have played on at least three occasions.

From then on, the game definitely swung to the side of the five-time world champion, who thus levelled the score in the first semifinal.

 
New ...
Open...
Share...
Layout...
Flip Board
Settings
MoveNResultEloPlayers
Replay and check the LiveBook here
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.0-0 b5 6.Bb3 Bc5 7.c3 d6 8.d4 Bb6 9.Be3 0-0 C78: Ruy Lopez: Archangelsk and Möller Defences. 10.Nbd2 Re8 11.Re1 Na5 The position is equal. 11...Bg4 looks sharper. 12.Qb1 exd4 13.cxd4 h6 12.Bc2 c5 13.d5
13...Ng4N Predecessor: 13...c4 14.b4 cxb3 15.axb3 Bd7 16.b4 Nb7 17.Qe2 Bxe3 18.Qxe3 Ng4 19.Qe2 Qb6 20.h3 Nf6 21.Ra3 Rec8 ½-½ (21) Mamyrbay,A (2195)-Kantor,G (2403) Porto Carras 2015 14.Nf1 14.Bg5!? f6 15.Bh4 14...Nxe3 15.Nxe3 c4 16.b4 cxb3 17.axb3 Qc7 18.Qd2 Bd7 19.Rec1 Rec8 20.Bd1 Qa7 21.Ra3! Nb7 22.b4 a5 22...f6= 23.Rca1 23.Nf5! 23...Rc7 Better is 23...f6= 24.Be2 24.Nf5! 24...Rac8 25.bxa5 Bxa5
This costs Black the game. Black should play 25...Nxa5 26.c4 Nb3 27.Rxa7 27.Qb4 Nxa1 28.Rxa7 Bxa7± 27...Nxd2 28.Rxc7 Nxf3+ 29.Bxf3 29.gxf3 Rxc7 30.cxb5 Bd4 29...Rxc7 26.Nf5!+- aiming for Nxg7! Bxf5 27.exf5 Strongly threatening f6. f6 28.Bxb5 And now Bc6 would win. Rc5? 28...Qc5 29.Bc6 Nd8 30.Qa2 Rb8 30...Qc7 was called for. 31.Rxa5 Rxa5 32.Qxa5 Nxc6 33.Qxc7 Rxc7 34.dxc6 Rxc6 31.Nd2 Weighted Error Value: White=0. 14 (very precise) /Black=0.40 Don't blunder 31.Rxa5? Rxa5 32.Qxa5 Qxa5-+
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
Anand,V2756Santos Latasa,J26751–02022XXXV Magistral de Leon 20221.2

Game 3

The solid Catalan Opening was Jaime Santos’ choice in his last white game of the match. Anand defended with one of the most solid options which, although it left White with a slight advantage, offered Black many possibilities to neutralise it. Jaime Santos, however, almost managed to increase the advantage with a brilliant manoeuvre with his bishop which gave him a pawn advantage, forcing Black into a difficult defence.

In time trouble, Santos played an inaccuracy that allowed his experienced opponent to simplify, and the game ended in a draw. Both opponents played a game of the highest technical level, keeping the score balanced with one game to go.

 
New ...
Open...
Share...
Layout...
Flip Board
Settings
MoveNResultEloPlayers
Replay and check the LiveBook here
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 d5 4.g3 dxc4 5.Bg2 c5 6.0-0 Nc6 7.dxc5 Qxd1 8.Rxd1 Bxc5 9.Nbd2 c3 10.bxc3 0-0 11.Nb3 Be7 12.c4 Bd7 13.Bb2 E04: Open Catalan: 5 Nf3. Rfc8 14.c5 Be8 15.Nfd2 b6 16.cxb6 axb6 17.Nc4 Rab8 18.Nd6 Bxd6 19.Rxd6 Na5 20.Nxa5 bxa5 21.Be5
21...Rb5N Predecessor: 21...Rb4 22.Rad1 h6 23.Bf3 Kh7 24.Rd8 Rxd8 25.Rxd8 Bb5 26.Ra8 Ra4 27.Bc3 Rxa2 28.Rxa5 Rxa5 29.Bxa5 ½-½ (44) Vidit,S (2723)-Praggnanandhaa,R (2619) chess24.com INT 2022 22.f4 h6 23.Rad1 Kh7 24.h3 Rbc5 25.Bb7 A strong pair of Bishops. R8c7 26.Ba6 Bb5 27.Bxb5 Rxb5
28.Rxe6! fxe6 29.Bxc7 Endgame KRB-KRN Rb2 30.a4 Rxe2 31.Bxa5 Black must now prevent Ra1. 31.Ra1!? 31...Ra2 Against Ra1 32.Rd4 h5 33.Be1 Kg6! 34.a5 Kf5! 35.Kf1 Nd5 35...g6= 36.Bd2 Ra3 37.Kf2 Nf6
38.Ke2! Nd5 39.Rd3 39.Rc4 39...Ra1!= The position is equal. 40.Rb3 h4 41.gxh4 Nxf4+ 42.Bxf4 Weighted Error Value: White=0.08 (flawless) /Black=0.07 (flawless)
½–½
  • 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
Santos Latasa,J2675Anand,V2756½–½2022XXXV Magistral de Leon 20221.3

Game 4

In this fourth game, in which the open system of the Spanish Opening was again played, Jaime Santos managed to overcome the opening problems and soon reached an endgame in which his slightly inferior structure was compensated by the greater activity of his pieces.

However, the somewhat hesitant play of Black allowed Anand to neutralise this activity and finally impose his structural superiority in what was a masterclass in chess technique.

 
New ...
Open...
Share...
Layout...
Flip Board
Settings
MoveNResultEloPlayers
Replay and check the LiveBook here
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.0-0 Nxe4 6.d4 b5 7.Bb3 d5 8.dxe5 Be6 9.c3 Be7 10.Bc2 Bg4 11.Qe1 Nc5 12.Nbd2 Ne6
Inhibits Nd4. C83: Open Ruy Lopez: 9 c3 Be7. 13.Qe2!N A top novelty. Predecessor: 13.h3 Bh5 14.Nh2 Bg6 15.Bxg6 fxg6 16.Nb3 g5 17.Qe2 0-0 18.Qg4 Qd7 19.Nf3 Rae8 20.Re1 ½-½ (35) Rios,C (2466)-Erdogdu,M (2396) Sharjah 2021 13...Qd7 14.Re1 Nf4 The position is equal. 15.Qe3 Ng6 16.h3 Bf5 17.Bxf5 Qxf5 18.Nd4 Nxd4 19.cxd4 0-0 20.Nf3 Rac8 21.Qb3 c5 22.dxc5 Bxc5 23.Be3 Bxe3 24.Qxe3 Rfe8 25.Rad1 Rcd8 26.Qd3 Qxd3 27.Rxd3 Nf4 28.Rd2 f6 29.exf6 Rxe1+ 30.Nxe1 gxf6 Endgame KRN-KRN 31.Kf1 Kf7 32.h4 Ke7 32...a5= 33.g3 33.Nc2!? 33...Ne6 34.Nc2 d4 35.Nb4
aiming for Nc6+. 35...Rd6 Prevents Nc6+. 36.Ke2 f5 36...a5= 37.Nd3 Rd8 37.Nd3 Rc6 38.Ne5 Rd6 39.Rd1 Kf6
39...Nc5= keeps the balance. 40.Nd3!± Rc6 41.Kd2 Against Rc2+ Nd8 42.Nf4 Rd6 43.Rc1 Rc6 44.Re1 Rd6 Inhibits Nd5+. 45.Re8 White is more active. Nc6 45...Ne6± was worth a try. 46.Rf8++- Ke5 47.Nd3+ Ke6 48.Nc5+ Ke5? 48...Ke7 49.Rxf5 Nb8 49.f4+ Kd5 50.Rxf5+ Kc4 51.Nd3 Weighted Error Value: White=0.07 (flawless) /Black=0.32
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
Anand,V2756Santos Latasa,J26751–02022XXXV Magistral de Leon 20221.4

Links


Reports about chess: tournaments, championships, portraits, interviews, World Championships, product launches and more.

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.