Mouth-watering clash: Short vs Gustafsson in Bangkok

A Short prelude

Before I start my report I would like to share this video with you. To all those who thought a game of chess does not have emotions and excitement showcased by the players, here's a video that has been loved by chess fans all over the world:

Hilarious reaction after getting flagged in a winning position with a Queen

Group stage game in 19th @BangkokChess Open Blitz#BCCOpen2019 pic.twitter.com/4TwpWoSWMq

— ChessBase India (@ChessbaseIndia) April 10, 2019

The Bangkok Blitz event had many such exciting battles. I will come to some of them at the end of the article, but for now, let's focus on the classical event — the Bangkok Open 2019.

Nigel Short was held to an early draw, but recovered nicely. After six rounds at the Bangkok Open 2019, here's how things stand:

Standings after round six (top 15)

...201 players

Black Repertoire against 1.e4 Vol. 1 and 2: Marshall Attack and Open Games

This package contains a whole Black Repertoire against 1.e4. In Volume 1 you'll get to know the Marshall attack and in Volume 2 the Open Games. Learn all the details and fundamental knowledge instructively presented by GM Jan Gustafsson.

Top seed Nigel Short and second seed Jan Gustafsson are leading the tournament and are paired in round seven | Photo: Shahid Ahmed

The clash between Short and Gustafsson might well decide who wins the 19th Bangkok Open 2019. While both of them are on 5½/6, the road that both of them have taken to reach this score has been quite different. While Nigel Short has played shaky, yet brilliant chess in some games, Gustafsson has been super solid. Let's have a look at the interesting moments in their games so far.

Fiery Nigel

Greatest Hits Vol. 1

Nigel Short takes us on an electrifying journey through a very rich chess career, which saw him beat no less than twelve world champions. His experience in tournaments and matches all over the world – Short has visited a total of 89 countries – can be seen in the narratives that precede the games which he annotates with humour and instructive insights.

Short, up against the talented Philippine player Nouri Alekhine, made quite a funny quip, though surely he's not the first to invoke the name of the fourth World Champion upon discovering his pairing.

It is a bit disconcerting, after the debacle of yesterday, to find myself facing Alekhine in the third round. I had been labouring under the misapprehension that he died in Estoril, in 1946. #Bangkok #chess

— Nigel Short (@nigelshortchess) April 8, 2019

Master Class Vol.3: Alexander Alekhine

On this DVD GMs Rogozenco, Marin, Müller, and IM Reeh present outstanding games, stunning combinations and exemplary endgames by Alekhine. And they invite you to improve your knowledge with the help of video lectures, annotated games and interactive tests

Short vs Alekhine | Photo: Shahid Ahmed

In round four, Nigel had the black pieces against John Langreck, and played a fine combination to beat his opponent. Langreck played the Smith-Morra Gambit and this is what Nigel thinks about the opening — "I abandoned the Morra Gambit — which I had the grave misfortune to be inflicted upon me by my coach — after losing to Karpov in a clock simul in 1977. I never comprehended what crime Black was supposed to have committed to justify White gratuitously tossing away a valuable pawn."

The finish of the game was quite pretty. 

Smash the Sicilian with the Smith-Morra Gambit

The Smith-Morra Gambit (1.e4 c5 2.d4!) is a great attacking weapon against the popular Sicilian . On move two White sacrifices a pawn for fast development and good attacking chances, and Black can easily fall into one of the many devious opening traps.

Nigel Short was recently in India where he was the hosted by Abhijit Kunte, the Indian GM known for his solidity — but in round four Nigel was in control | Photo: Shahid Ahmed

Nigel found the most logical move in the position, which seemed tactically flawed. But the British GM had seen farther than his opponent and went on to win the game.

Power Play 24: A repertoire for black against the Catalan

On this DVD Grandmaster Daniel King offers you a repertoire for Black against the Catalan, based around maintaining the rock of a pawn on d5. Keeping central control ultimately gives Black good chances to launch an attack against the enemy king.

In round six, Nigel beat FM from Indonesia Andrean Susilodinata | Photo: Shahid Ahmed

The calm and composed Jan Gustafsson

Jan Gustafsson was the sole leader of the tournament with 5.0/5. He drew his sixth round game against Lalith Babu and allowed Nigel short to join him in the lead.

Gustafsson's only draw in the tournament vs Lalith | Photo: Shahid Ahmed

Here's Jan's win over the talented Indian GM Karthik Venkatraman.

In round four, Jan beat Gerhard Schebler. He played the game with some extra space out of the opening and before his opponent knew it, they were in the endgame and Jan converted it into a win.

Round 7 LIVE

From 7:00 UTC (9:00 CEST / 3 AM EDT)

All available games

GM Rodrigo Vasquez Schroeder wins 19th Bangkok Blitz

GM Rodrigo Vasquez Schroeder of Chile won 19th Bangkok Chess Club Open Blitz by scoring 12.0/15 — a Rolling Trophy and 12000 Baht as prize | Photo: Shahid Ahmed

Former National Blitz Champion of India, IM Prantik Roy scored 11½/15 and was declared as the 1st runner-up | Photo: Shahid Ahmed

"I like to play Blitz too much" —GM Rodrigo Vasquez Schroeder

Chess can often be quite stressful!

Links

• 19th Bangkok Chess Club Open begins with upsets
• Official site
• Full results (Chess-Results)