Moscow GP: Nepomniachtchi reaches the final

by Antonio Pereira
5/26/2019 – An all-Russian final will kick off Monday in Moscow, as Ian Nepomniachtchi will face Alexander Grischuk to decide the champion of the first leg of the Grand Prix. 'Nepo' defeated Radoslaw Wojtaszek on tie-breaks, with a win in the fourth rapid game, after the first three encounters finished drawn. Curiously, Grischuk and Nepomniachtchi have the exact same live rating at the time. | Photo: Niki Riga / World Chess

ChessBase 18 - Mega package ChessBase 18 - Mega package

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.

More...

A tense play-off

Reaching the final was not an easy task for Ian Nepomniachtchi. He had difficult positions in both 25+10 games and in the first 10+10 encounter. Nonetheless, credit should be given to him for having defended effectively under such complicated circumstances. For Wojtaszek, on the other hand, it was a tough loss, as he not only came close to defeating Nepo in the tie-breaks but also surpassed the first two rounds without needing tie-breaks — and against two top-notch rivals, Shakhriyar Mamedyarov and Peter Svidler.

With Nepo in the final, the "Russia vs The World" battle that arose in the quarter-finals was won by the locals, with Grischuk having a pseudo home advantage, as he was actually born in Moscow. In addition, the two players are currently the highest-rated players from the Eurasian country — in fact, their current live ratings are identical, 2775.2! Alexander and Ian will play under the same conditions used in the previous rounds (unlike in the World Cup), with two classical games followed by tie-breaks if necessary.

FIDE Grand Prix Moscow 2019

Chess is popular in Moscow | Photo: Niki Riga / World Chess

Game 1: A clear edge for Radek

With White, the Polish grandmaster got a clear structural advantage out of the opening. A Benoni-like structure without the dark-squared bishops on the board gave White clear targets in the centre. When Wojtaszek opened up the position, it was clear that Black was going to need a good defensive effort to avoid an early defeat:

 
Game 1: Wojtaszek vs. Nepomniachtchi
Position after 23.e5

You can try your own variations on the diagram above!

White's rooks, bishop and queen are well-placed to target Black's weaknesses — the game continued 23...dxe5 24.xe5 xe5 25.fxe5 xe5 26.xc6 b8 27.d5:

 
Position after 27.Rd5

The simplifications left White with the more active pieces, as after 27...xd5 28.xd5 a6 Black is fighting for dear life. Nepomniachtchi, however, was up to the task — with good tactical vision and not much time on the clock, he created enough problems for his opponent as to avoid falling behind on the score board. The draw was signed after 40 moves.

Radoslaw Wojtaszek

How could I have missed that? | Photo: Niki Riga / World Chess

Game 2: A sacrifice that could have gone wrong

Wojtaszek played the Sicilian and Nepomniachtchi decided to test his opponent in the Moscow Variation. Both players castled kingside and went into a strategical battle, fighting for key squares and looking for the best way to simplify into some sort of superior endgame...until, suddenly, Nepo decided to give up his bishop on h6:

 
Game 2: Nepomniachtchi vs. Wojtaszek
Position after 25...Qc7

Apparently, Ian thought this led to a draw by force, but after 26.xh6 gxh6 27.g4+ f8 28.h4 the computers show Black has a way to continue and try to convert his material advantage:

 
Position after 28.Qh4

Instead of 28...f6, Radoslaw could have gone for 28...♛d8 when after 29.♕xh6+ ♚g8 White's 30.h5 would be followed by 30...♝xf5 31.♘xf5 ♞g7 and the attack has been neutralized. It is hard to blame the Polish GM for not finding this alternative, though. After the text, White found a perpetual check rather quickly.

Ian Nepomniachtchi

Sometimes you need to defend | Photo: Niki Riga / World Chess

Game 3: Radek gets another chance

In a Gruenfeld that followed theory until move 12 (one of the predecessors was Wojtaszek-Ragger from 2015, which was won by Black), White got a strong initiative on the queenside, while Black was left with the pair of bishops. A tactical skirmish left White a pawn up:

 
Game 3: Wojtaszek vs. Nepomniachtchi
Position after 28...Nc4

A series of simplifications followed — 29.xc4 dxc4 30.xc7 db8 31.d6 xb6 32.xf7 xf7 33.cxc4 xb2. And now:

 
Position after 33...Rxb2

A technical endgame ensued after 34.c7+ g8 35.c8+ xc8 36.xc8. White was the one with chances, until he erred with a king move:

 
Position after 38...f4

39.g2 allowed Black to force further simplifications with 39...xf2+ 40.xf2 xd4+. At this point, the players agreed to a draw, as there is no way to prevent the disappearance of the pawns. Instead, Wojtaszek could have kept fighting for the win with 39.f5, when Black will need to be precise in defence. 

Radoslaw Wojtaszek

It was a tough day for Radek | Photo: Niki Riga / World Chess

Game 4: The blunder

The players repeated line of the Sicilian they had played in game two until move 14, when Wojtaszek had prepared an improvement — he opened up the centre instead of going for a slow strategical battle:

 
Game 4: Nepomniachtchi vs. Wojtaszek
Position after 14.Nf1

In game two, Radek had chosen 14...♝e6, but he now went for the more direct 14...d5. Nepo reacted quickly with 15.exd5 and the game continued 15...e8 16.d6 xd6 17.d5 c6 18.fe3.

And here came the massive blunder:

 
Position after 18.Nfe3

A move like 18...f5 would have been a logical choice for Black, while Radek's 18...c5 simply gives away the game. Ian quickly played the winning 19.b4, which was followed by 19...d6 20.c4 b6 21.a5, nimbly mobilizing the queenside pawns:

 
Position after 21.a5

There followed 21...e4 22.d4 e6 23.axb6 xd5 24.xd5 and now Black cannot capture the already far-advanced b-pawn:

 
Position after 24.Qxd5

Wojtaszek found nothing better than 24...xd5, given the fact that 24...xb6 would have been followed by 25.c5, gaining the bishop. The game only lasted four more moves, as White's advance on the queenside is way too strong — 25.xd5 xb4 26.xa6 d6 27.b7 xb7 28.b6.

 
Position after 28.Rb6

White is about to gain a piece and has a passer on the c-file to boot. Wojtaszek resigned.

Ian Nepomniachtchi

Nepo is the second (Russian) finalist | Photo: Niki Riga / World Chess

The highlight of the post-game interview was the following exchange:

Eteri Kublashvili: So what do you expect from this match [against Grischuk]?

Ian Nepomniachtchi: To be honest, the most thing I expect are the press conferences from Alexander after the games.


Full interview with Nepomniachtchi and Wojtaszek



All match results


Commentary webcast

Commentary by GMs Evgeny Miroshnichenko and Daniil Yuffa


All games

 
New ...
Open...
Share...
Layout...
Flip Board
Settings
MoveNResultEloPlayers
Replay and check the LiveBook here
1.Nf3 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 e5 5.Nxe5 0-0 6.Nf3 A16: English Opening: 1...Nf6 with ...d5 Re8! 7.d3 d5! 8.cxd5 White is slightly better. Nxd5 9.Bd2N Predecessor: 9.Nxd5 Qxd5 10.Be2 Qd6 11.0-0 c5 12.Qc2 Nc6 1-0 (49) Aronian,L (2784)-Grischuk,A (2752) chess.com INT 2016 9...Bg4 10.Qb3 Nxc3 11.bxc3 Na6 12.Be2 Don't play 12.Qxb7 Nc5 12...Nc5 13.Qc2 Bxf3 14.gxf3 Qh4 15.d4 Ne6 16.Qc1 c6 17.a4 Qh3 18.Rb1 b6 19.Be3 Rac8       Black has compensation. 20.Qd2 20.Rg1= 20...f5! 21.Qd3
21.Rf1 21...Kh8 21...c5! 22.e5 f4 22.e5 c5 23.d5 Better is 23.f4 23...f4 Black should try 23...c4 24.Qc2 f4 25.dxe6 fxe3 24.dxe6 Rcd8 25.Qe4! Don't go for 25.Bd4? cxd4 26.cxd4 Bxe5-+ 25...fxe3 26.fxe3 Rxe6 White must now prevent ...Qg2. 27.Rd1 Rde8 28.Bf1 White should play 28.Qg4 Qxg4 29.fxg4 28...Qh6 29.Qf4
29...g5 But not 29...Rxe5?! 30.Qxh6 Bxh6 31.e4= 29...Qh5! 30.Bb5 Rf8 30.Qg4! Bxe5 ...Bf4 is the strong threat. 31.Bb5 Rf8 32.Rd7 Bf4 32...Bxc3+ 33.Kf2 Rd6 34.Rxd6 Qxd6 33.Bd3= The position is equal. Rxe3+ 34.Kf2 Rfe8 aiming for ...Re1! 35.h4 R3e7! 36.Rxe7 Rxe7 Accuracy: White = 56%, Black = 65%.
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
Giri,A2787Dubov,D2690½–½2019A05Grand Prix Moscow 20191.1
Mamedyarov,S2781Wojtaszek,R2724½–½2019A28Grand Prix Moscow 20191.2
Grischuk,A2772Karjakin,S27521–02019D38Grand Prix Moscow 20191.2
Aronian,L2762Nepomniachtchi,I2773½–½2019A20Grand Prix Moscow 20191.2
Nakamura,H2761Radjabov,T2759½–½2019D37Grand Prix Moscow 20191.2
Radjabov,T2759Nakamura,H2761½–½2019A14Grand Prix Moscow 20191.2
So,W2754Duda,J27281–02019B78Grand Prix Moscow 20191.2
Svidler,P2739Vitiugov,N27341–02019C80Grand Prix Moscow 20191.2
Jakovenko,D2708Wei,Y27360–12019C77Grand Prix Moscow 20191.2
Dubov,D2690Giri,A27871–02019D30Grand Prix Moscow 20191.2
Nakamura,H2761Radjabov,T27591–02019D37Grand Prix Moscow 20191.3
So,W2754Duda,J27281–02019C54Grand Prix Moscow 20191.3
Duda,J2728So,W27541–02019C54Grand Prix Moscow 20191.3
Radjabov,T2759Nakamura,H2761½–½2019D37Grand Prix Moscow 20191.4
Karjakin,S2752Grischuk,A2772½–½2019D45Grand Prix Moscow 20191.4
Duda,J2728So,W2754½–½2019C54Grand Prix Moscow 20191.4
Nepomniachtchi,I2773Aronian,L27621–02019C88Grand Prix Moscow 20191.5
Wei,Y2736Jakovenko,D2708½–½2019A05Grand Prix Moscow 20191.6
Vitiugov,N2734Svidler,P2739½–½2019A36Grand Prix Moscow 20191.7
Wojtaszek,R2724Mamedyarov,S27811–02019D82Grand Prix Moscow 20191.8
Grischuk,A2772So,W2754½–½2019D37Grand Prix Moscow 20192.1
Nakamura,H2761Dubov,D2690½–½2019D33Grand Prix Moscow 20192.1
Svidler,P2739Wojtaszek,R2724½–½2019B51Grand Prix Moscow 20192.1
Wei,Y2736Nepomniachtchi,I2773½–½2019B51Grand Prix Moscow 20192.1
Nepomniachtchi,I2773Wei,Y2736½–½2019C80Grand Prix Moscow 20192.2
So,W2754Grischuk,A2772½–½2019B33Grand Prix Moscow 20192.2
Wojtaszek,R2724Svidler,P27391–02019A50Grand Prix Moscow 20192.2
Dubov,D2690Nakamura,H2761½–½2019E06Grand Prix Moscow 20192.2
So,W2754Grischuk,A2772½–½2019B33Grand Prix Moscow 20192.3
Wei,Y2736Nepomniachtchi,I2773½–½2019B97Grand Prix Moscow 20192.3
Dubov,D2690Nakamura,H27610–12019A29Grand Prix Moscow 20192.3
Nepomniachtchi,I2773Wei,Y27361–02019B10Grand Prix Moscow 20192.4
Grischuk,A2772So,W27541–02019D41Grand Prix Moscow 20192.4
Nakamura,H2761Dubov,D2690½–½2019A22Grand Prix Moscow 20192.4
Nepomniachtchi,I2773Wojtaszek,R2724½–½2019B90Grand Prix Moscow 20193.1
Nakamura,H2761Grischuk,A2772½–½2019C50Grand Prix Moscow 20193.1
Grischuk,A2772Nakamura,H27611–02019E06Grand Prix Moscow 20193.2
Wojtaszek,R2724Nepomniachtchi,I2773½–½2019D70Grand Prix Moscow 20193.2
Wojtaszek,R2724Nepomniachtchi,I2773½–½2019A48Grand Prix Moscow 20193.3
Nepomniachtchi,I2773Wojtaszek,R2724½–½2019B51Grand Prix Moscow 20193.4
Wojtaszek,R2724Nepomniachtchi,I2773½–½2019D70Grand Prix Moscow 20193.5
Nepomniachtchi,I2773Wojtaszek,R27241–02019B51Grand Prix Moscow 20193.6
Grischuk,A2772Nepomniachtchi,I2773½–½2019D85Grand Prix Moscow 20194.1
Nepomniachtchi,I2773Grischuk,A2772½–½2019C67Grand Prix Moscow 20194.2
Grischuk,A2772Nepomniachtchi,I2773½–½2019C42Grand Prix Moscow 20194.3
Nepomniachtchi,I2773Grischuk,A27721–02019C50Grand Prix Moscow 20194.4

Links


Antonio is a freelance writer and a philologist. He is mainly interested in the links between chess and culture, primarily literature. In chess games, he skews towards endgames and positional play.

Discuss

Rules for reader comments

 
 

Not registered yet? Register

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.