Nigel Short's Philippines win

by Srinath Narayanan
11/12/2017 – It’s never an easy thing to be the rating favourite in a field where the 2nd seed is a 100 points below and the 4th seed, almost 200 points. Nigel Short was in such a scenario where there was a lot to lose and little to gain, in terms of Elo and reputation. However, he is no stranger to being in such a position. Having steamrolled through Bunratty Masters and Bangkok Open earlier this year, he just cruised through the field at the Negros International Open in Bacolod last month, to win the event one point clear. Srinath Narayanan reports. | Photo: Piaya Network Facebook page

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.

City of Smiles

I was invited to the Piaya Network Negros International Open just a few weeks before the event. While I didn’t feel so impressed initially, it took a few seconds with Google to make me curious. A city named as the "city of smiles"? A tournament during the Masskara festival?

Short with Masskara dancers

Nigel Short with the Masskara dancers | Photo: Cliburn Anthony’s facebook page

I entered the event as the fourth seed, which reminded me of the Faroes Open I won a few months ago. Like Nigel in Negros, Julio Granda Zuniga was the first seed and rating favourite in that event. While I can fancy my chances in a one on one encounter, it’s usually not easy to keep up with these behemoths when they play the other lower rated players. Players of that stature are much more intimidating to others than your standard 2500 GM. There’s the obvious difference in playing strength as well.

It was quite clear that I had to beat Nigel to have any chances of winning the event. In the end, it came down to that, with me trailing Nigel by one point and facing a must-win encounter. I had the option to take a safe draw and net $1500, or go full tilt. I set out as courageously as brave Sir Robin

 
New ...
Open...
Share...
Layout...
Flip Board
Settings
MoveNResultEloPlayers
Replay and check the LiveBook here
I was quite excited to play against Nigel in an encounter with the first prize at stake. Nigel is a player with vast experience, a legend I've looked up to since my childhood. A year before I was born, Nigel was already competing for the World Chess Championship title. 1.e4 e5 In recent times, Nigel has largely been alternating between the French and 1...e5. e5 is probably a more solid choice considering the situation, with less concrete lines. However, it could well have been a choice at random. 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 I thought this was an innocuous opening choice. However, the Italian has been the opening in fashion in recent times, and the vast amount of games at the top level and the time spent here has led to the revealing of a lot of intricacies. It's amazing how rich chess can be. Bc5 4.0-0 Nf6 5.d3 This is already an interesting position. Black has to make a choice about the precise setup he wants to go to. a6 About 12 years ago GM Maxim Sorokin, explained to me how this was the best setup for Black against the Italian. Back then, almost no one went for the setup directly with ...d5 after early 0-0. Back then, it was also very uncommon for either side to play a4 or a5. In the present situation, this is not so clear. The drawback of playing a6 so quickly is that, Black already commits and doesn't have the option of ...a5 anymore. Having said that, it's not really clear to me what's the 'best' setup. The position is extremely rich and fascinating, and the jury is still out. 5...0-0 is probably more fashionable, trying to keep the option open for a direct d5. 6.a4 trying to be non commital as long as possible. d6 7.c3 I wanted to refrain from this move to keep the option open for Nc3 related setups in case I go Bg5. However, Black still hasn't castled and I had to make an useful move. 7.h3 h6 is a mistake I've commited more than once. Usually it's safe to play h3 only after Black has castled. 7...Ba7 8.Na3!? I played this after a 12 minute thought. White has a choice between numerous setups here. 0-0 8...Ne7 was the system preferred by Giri, who is probably among the foremost opening experts in the world. 9.Bg5 c6 10.Nc2 0-0 11.Nh4 11.Bxf6!? gxf6 12.d4∞ 11...d5 12.exd5 Nexd5 13.Nf3 Qd6 14.Re1 Bg4 1/2-1/2 (52) Anand,V (2762)-Giri,A (2793) Moscow 2016 CBM 172 [Stohl,I] 8...h6 is probably more accurate here. 9.Nc2 0-0 10.Be3 is another way the game can go. 9.Bg5 h6 10.Bh4 White probably has a pull here. Black is forced to play g5 at some point to disentangle from this pin. Qe7 10...g5 11.Nxg5 hxg5 12.Bxg5 Kg7 13.Qf3 can be quite unpleasant to face. 11.Bb3 Kh8 to meet 11...Be6 with 12.Nc4 12.Re1?! An useful move in general, but not quite consistent with White's Nc4-Ne3 plan. 12.Nc4 g5 13.Bg3 Be6 14.Ne3 12...g5?! 12...Bg4 13.h3 13.Nc4 g5 14.Bg3 Nh5 15.Ne3 Bxe3 16.Rxe3 Ng7= 13...Be6 14.Nc4 g5 15.Bg3 Nh5 16.Bh2 g4 17.hxg4 Bxg4 18.Ne3 Rg8 13.Bg3 Bg4 14.Nc4?! 14.h3 Be6 14...Bh5 15.Nc4 15.d4! 14...b5?! 14...Nh5 this is the point, the typical way to play in such positions with g5. The point is that, Black should aim to get f5. 15.Ne3 Bxe3 16.Rxe3 Ng7 17.Bd5 f5 18.exf5 Nxf5 19.Re1 Qg7= 15.Ne3 Bxe3 16.fxe3 Na5 17.Bc2 Now, White is better. While most GM's I discussed this position with thought that the g3 bishop was bad, the nuances in this position go much deeper than that. c5 17...Nh5 18.Bf2 f5 would just fail tactically here. For example 19.h3 Bxf3 20.Qxf3 Ng7 21.axb5+- 18.Rf1 Nd7 19.h3 f5 is the place square to control. Black can't quite mitigate this with f5, as opening the position only favours White's bishops. Be6 20.Be1 The starting of a manouvere, aiming to shift the f3 knight to g3. c4 20...f5 21.exf5 Bxf5 22.axb5 axb5 23.Nd2± Once White opens up the position with d4, White's dark square bishop will be transformed. 21.d4 f6 22.Nh2 Nb6 As Black cannot play f5 anymore, the kingside is White's for the taking. Black has to try to get counter-play on the queenside. A tense period of battle ensued with both players having limited time. Therefore, I am not going to be too critical on the subtle mistakes. 23.Rf2 Nb3 24.Rb1 bxa4 My opponent followed this move with a draw offer. 24...Nxa4 25.Nf1 g4 26.hxg4 Rg8 was possible 25.Nf1 a5 26.Ng3 Rad8 27.Bd2 Qf7 28.Qe2 Qg6 29.Rbf1 I had achieved the setup I intended. But now what? With just 8 minutes remaining, I wasn't really sure how to proceed, which way to play. Rd7 30.Bd1 30.Nh5 Rdf7 31.g4 is Stockfish's top chouice. I was tempted by this as well, but I was also scared at the same time, as this closes everything. How will White make progress? White has the h4 break, but I couldn't see a clear way. In hindsight, this makes more sense, especially with the time situation. White improves his position easily with Rf3,R1f2,Kf1-e1-d1. After this he can play h4 at an opportune movement. Black cannot show the same flexibility with limited space. Black of course has counter-play Na8 32.Rf3 Nc7 33.R1f2 Bd7 30.Qh5 Qxh5 31.Nxh5 Rdf7 seems like a dead end. 30...Rh7 31.Qe1 It was hard to make a decision with the limited time, but this seemed like the continuation that gave the most scope to win. g4! 32.hxg4 32.h4 h5 32...Bxg4 33.Bxg4 Qxg4 34.Rxf6 The tables have turned now. Rxf6 34...Rg8! 35.Rxf6 Nd7 36.Rf3? 36.Rf2 36...Rg7 37.Qf2 Rg6 38.Be1 Nc1 39.Kf1? 39.Rf7 Nd3 40.Qf1 Nxe1 41.Qxe1 Qxg3 42.Qxg3 Rxg3 43.Rxd7 Rxe3 44.Rxd6 seems to hold. 39...Nd3 40.Qc2 d5 Now the end comes swiftly and surely. 41.Qxa4 dxe4 42.Rf5 Nf6 43.dxe5 Ng8 44.Qc2 It's already time to resign, but I just made some moves anyway. Nxe1 45.Kxe1 Qxg3+ 46.Qf2 Qxg2 47.Qxg2 Rxg2 48.e6 Rg5 49.Rf8 Re5 50.Rc8 Kg7 51.Rxc4 Ne7 52.Rc7 Kf6 53.Ra7 h5 0–1
  • 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
Srinath,N2511Short,N26980–12017C50Negros Open9

In recent years the Italian Game has undergone a renaissance, transforming it from the Cinderella of 1.e4 openings into a major system which offers excellent chances for White to gain the advantage.


In the end, Nigel took home $3000, while I had to be content with $900 — sharing the 4th to 9th place prize money. It seems to me that the Hort system of sharing prizes is the fairest system for Swiss Opens, as opposed to sharing equally or not sharing at all. However, I felt that the prize structure itself was quite equitable and high for an event of this strength.

Karen Grigoryan, the second seed in the event had a rather slow start. After being held to a draw in the first round, he went on to lose the third round to the unfancied local Edsel Montoya in a fantastic Sicilian Dragon game. However, this didn’t dampen his spirit in the slightest. Rejuvenated by the local atmosphere, the nightlife of the city and his Philippine friend Mara, the smile never disappeared from Karen’s face in the City of Smiles. He had a great time overall, and the cheerful demeanor obviously helped as he rose to the occasion in the important moments and won all his games except for a short draw with yours truly.

Armenia and Philippines friends

Armenia and Philippines continue to have friendly relations | Photo: Tran Tuan Minh

Grigoryan beat longtime leader GM Antonio Regelio Jr. in the last round to finish the second place with 7 / 9. Antonio played very effectively in the first half, and had better position against Short and was completely winning against me. After seven rounds, he was on par with Nigel at 6 / 7, but lost the last two games to finish an unfortunate fifth.

 
New ...
Open...
Share...
Layout...
Flip Board
Settings
MoveNResultEloPlayers
Replay and check the LiveBook here
1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 Bf5 4.h4 h5 5.c4 e6 6.Nc3 Be7 7.Qb3 Qd7? An uncharacteristic square for Black's queen in this line. Where does the b8 knight develop if the queen is on d7? 7...Qb6 8.Be2 dxc4 9.Bxc4 Bd8? 9...b5 10.Be2 Qxd4 11.Nf3 Qb4 12.Qd1 Nd7 13.a4 Rd8 10.Nf3 Ne7 11.Bg5 0-0 12.0-0 Nd5 13.Rfe1 Black has played too cautiously and superficially in the opening, and now White is just slightly better. Nxc3 14.bxc3 Na6 The effect of Qd7. 15.Bxd8 Raxd8 16.Ng5 c5 17.Rad1 cxd4 18.cxd4 Nc7 19.Bd3 19.Qxb7 Nd5 20.Qb3 is just better for White of course. But Karen chooses to set his opponent with practical problems. 19...Bxd3 20.Qxd3 g6 21.Ne4 Qa4 22.Rd2 Nd5 23.Qf3 Kg7 24.Nd6 Qc6 25.Qa3 Qc3 Black with not so much time remaining, chooses to exchange queens. But the subsequent position is just pawn up. 26.Qxc3 Nxc3 27.Rc1 Nd5 28.Nxb7 Rb8 29.Nd6 Rb4 30.g3 Rfb8 31.Rd3 Rb1 32.Rxb1 Rxb1+ 33.Kg2 Ne7 34.Ra3 Nc6 35.Rf3 Nd8 36.Rc3 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
GRIGORYAN,K2586ANTONIO,R23651–02017B12Piaya Network 2017 Negros Int'l Open Che9.2

The Caro-Kann Defence, which arises after the moves 1.e4 c6 followed by d7-d5, is considered to be one of the most reliable defences to White’s 1.e4. Black fights for his share of the centre and patiently awaits his chance. Shirov’s preferred weapon against this solid setup by Black has always been the Advance Variation 3.e5 - with chances and risks for both sides.


GM Nguyen Duc Hoa also finished with 7 points, but lost his direct encounter with Grigoryan to place third.

Nguyen Duc Hoa

GM Nguyen Duc Hoa (2499) shared 2nd place and a prize of $2250 | Photo: Shin Azwan)

IM Tran Minh Thang came sixth but moreover he also took back fond memories from Bacolod and is sure to return next year.

GM Tran Minh Thang

3rd seeded GM Tran Tuan Minh (2558) scored only 5½ / 9 but had fun every single moment during his stay in Bacolod | Photo: Tran Tuan Minh

top five winners

The top five winners with the sponsor Tony Aguirre (center), and Tournament Director Leah Aguirre | Photo: Piaya Network Facebook page

Final standings (top 15)

Shin Azwan

Rk. Name Pts.  TB1 
1 SHORT Nigel D 8,0 0,0
2 GRIGORYAN Karen H. 7,0 1,0
3 NGUYEN Duc Hoa 7,0 0,0
4 NARAYANAN Srinath 6,0 0,0
5 ANTONIO Rogelio Jr 6,0 0,0
6 TRAN Minh Thang 6,0 0,0
7 YAP Kim Steven 6,0 0,0
8 DIMAKILING Oliver 6,0 0,0
9 MONTOYA Edsel 5,5 0,0
10 DABLEO Ronald 5,5 0,0
11 SALUBRE Jayson 5,5 0,0
12 TRAN Tuan Minh 5,5 0,0
13 MONTOYO Ted Ian 5,5 0,0
14 LAYLO Darwin 5,5 0,0
15 VERDUN Xavier John 5,5 0,0

...51 players (Right: Shin Azwan did a fabulous job with the live broadcast and the pictures)

Spectators

For a nominal fee, about 50 spectators thronged everyday to watch the live games, discuss and take pictures with the stars | Photo: Shin Azwan

Rest day fun

It wasn’t all chess in Bacolod. The rest day trip to Lakawon | Photo: Piaya Network facebook

More rest day fun

Missing is me and IM Tran Marc Thang. We overslept courtesy a wild night the previous day | Photo: Piaya Network facebook

Although each player had varied results, no one left the City of Smiles without a smile. The ones who played here are sure to return the next year. The 2nd Piaya Network Negros International Open will take place at the same time, coinciding the end of the tournament with the beginning of the Masskara Festival.

Tony Aguirre and Hugo Villaneuva

The next year’s edition will be grander with an increased budget and better prizes. It would be wise for the title contenders to write for the conditions as early as they can. For those looking to combine holiday with a world class open, Negros Open is one of the few on offer.

The tournament took place primarily due to Tony Aguirre (right). Tony is an auditor for the United Nations, and an avid chess lover. He co-owns Piaya Network Broadcasting Corporation, along with Hugo Villanueva who also played a pivotal role in the tournament happening.

Tony has a vision in place and dreams to develop chess in the Bacolod and Negros region. Like all chess patrons, he is a boon to the people of Bacolod, Negros, Philippines and the chess fraternity itself.

sponsor logos

Links


Srinath is a 23-year-old Indian Grandmaster. A former World Under 12 champion, at the age of fourteen he became an IM and had shown surprising and unswerving loyalty to the title ever since, until March 2017, when he crossed the 2500 mark and completed the requirements to become a grandmaster. He loves chess and likes to play in tournaments all around the globe.

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.