Prague: Shankland beats Salem

by Carlos Alberto Colodro
6/9/2022 – Defending champion Sam Shankland bounced back from his first-round loss against Le Quang Liem by beating Saleh Salem with the white pieces in the Masters section of the Prague Chess Festival. This was the only decisive game of the day. A more eventful second round in the Challengers saw four players scoring wins with white — one of the winners was Vincent Keymer, who grabbed the sole lead as the only participant who scored back-to-back victories in the first two rounds. | Photos: Petr Vrabec

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.

Three co-leaders

Round-1 winners Le Quang Liem, Pentala Harikrishna and David Navara kept the shared lead at the Masters section of the Prague Chess Festival, as only Sam Shankland — who had lost his game on Wednesday — scored a full point in the second round. The US grandmaster beat Saleh Salem with the white pieces to return to a fifty-percent score.

In a position with opposite-coloured bishops, Shankland kept looking for chances to make the most of a slight structural advantage. His opponent eventually faltered, and the defending champion quickly grabbed his chance.

 
Shankland vs. Salem

Salem left his central pawn en prise by playing 47...Bb6, activating his pieces along the dark squares. Shankland grabbed the loose pawn with 48.Qxe5, and proficiently dealt with his opponent’s threats in the ensuing struggle.

Six moves later, the former US champion was already in the driver’s seat, as he found a nice tactical shot in 54.Rd6

 

Trading rooks with 54...Rxd6 55.Qxd6 is bad for Black, since White is attacking both the bishop and the pawn on b4 — defending the pawn with 55...Ba5 is clearly awkward, while losing the pawn will leave White with two strong connected passers on the queenside.

Salem found a better alternative, albeit insufficient, in 54...Rxf3. Gaining the exchange with 56.Kxf3 was winning, but required White to calculate how to escape Black’s activity starting with 56...Qh1+.

Shankland found a more elegant solution in 55.Rxb6, having foreseen that the scary-looking 55...Qe4 is not an effective defensive recourse for Black.

 

56.Kh2 Qf5 (56...Rd3 is better) 57.Qd4+, and White takes the initiative while also defending the crucial weakness on f2. Shankland continued playing accurately until securing the victory a few moves later.

 
New ...
Open...
Share...
Layout...
Flip Board
Settings
MoveNResultEloPlayers
Replay and check the LiveBook here
1.e4 30 c5 30 2.Nf3 0 d6 0 3.d4 0 cxd4 0 4.Nxd4 0 Nf6 0 5.Nc3 0 a6 0 6.Be3 2 Ng4 0 7.Bg5 19 h6 0 8.Bh4 5 g5 1 9.Bg3 3 Bg7 5 10.h3 0 Ne5 6 11.Nf5! 10 11.Nf5 scores better than 11.f3. Bxf5 1:42 B90: Sicilian Najdorf: Unusual White 6th moves, 6 Be3 Ng4 and 6 Be3 e5. 12.exf5 51 Nbd7 26 13.Be2 1:02 Rc8 1:47 The position is equal. 14.0-0 21 0-0 5 15.Re1 1:18 Nf6 0 16.Bxe5 1:03 dxe5 22 17.Bd3 23
17...Qc7N 13:10 Predecessor: 17...Qb6 18.Rb1 Rfd8 19.Qf3 Rd4 20.Ne4 Rcd8 21.b3 Qc7 22.a4 Kf8 23.Rbc1 R8d7 ½-½ (44) Kireev,S (2422)-Roques,P (2326) LSS email 2017 18.Ne4 14:19 Rfd8 0 19.Qf3 2:12 Rd7 5:34 20.c3 18:21 Qb6 6:08 21.Rab1 3:58 Qa5 7:13 22.a3 2:27 Qb6 6 23.Re2 3:24 Kf8 0 24.Rbe1 12:05 Qb3 4:22 25.Bc2 2:46 Qb5 4:43 25...Qxb2 26.Ba4 Qxa3 27.Bxd7 Nxd7 28.Nxg5!± 26.g3 4:00 Nxe4 4:32 26...Qxb2 27.Ba4 Qxa3 28.Bxd7 Nxd7 29.Nxg5!± 27.Bxe4 1:13 Bf6 1:16 28.Rc2 2:50 Qb3 1:42 29.Rd1 1:31 Rcd8 2:08 30.Rxd7 27 Rxd7 2 31.Kg2 4:22 b5 9:44 32.Qe2 8:20 Qa4 0 33.Bf3 1:23 Rd6 6:42 34.Qe4 4:27 Qb3 2:37 35.Re2 1:01 Kg7 1:44 36.Qc2 1:33 Qc4 4:50 37.Re3 1:37 37.g4 is interesting. Qf4 38.Bb7 Qc4 39.Re3 37...Qa2 1:33 38.Re4 1:05 Qd5 5:34 39.a4 1:05 39.Rd4!? Qc5 40.Rxd6 exd6 41.Qd3 39...Qc5 1:43 40.axb5 0 axb5 0 41.Qe2 5:16 e6 39:08 42.fxe6 4:16 Rxe6 0 43.Re3 2:07 b4 0 44.Be4 55 Bd8 0 45.c4 7:13 Rf6 0 45...Bb6 with more complications. 46.Rf3 Qd6 47.b3 Rf6 46.Bf3 1:02 Bc7 0 47.b3 1:21 Bb6 0 48.Rxe5 42 Qd4 0 49.Rd5 1:19 Qc3 0 50.Rd3 4:22 Qc1 0 50...Qa1 51.Qd2± 8:23 Qb1 0 52.Qd1 2:03 52.Rd6!± Strongly threatening Rxf6. Rxf3 53.Kxf3 Qh1+ 54.Ke2 54.Kg4 Qe4+ 54...Qe4+ 55.Kd1 Qb1+ 56.Ke2 Qe4+ 57.Kd1 Qf3+ 58.Kc2 Bxf2 59.Rd3 52...Qb2 0 53.Qd2 0 53.Rd2 Qc3 54.Bd5 53...Qb1± 0 54.Rd6! 1:35 aiming for Rxf6. Keeping Black busy. Rxf3 0 This move loses the game for Black. 54...Qxb3? 55.Rxf6 Kxf6 56.Qd6+ Kg7 57.Qxb6+- 54...Qa1± keeps fighting. 55.Rxf6 55.Qxb4 Rxd6 56.Qxd6 Qd4± 55...Qxf6 56.Qxb4 Bd4 55.Rxb6 13 Endgame KQR-KQR. Chess con chili. Qe4 48 Inhibits Qd4+. ( -> ... Rd3+) 56.Kh2 24 Not 56.Qb2+ f6 57.Qa1 Kg6= 56...Qf5 3:38 56...Qe5 57.Qd4+!+- 30 f6 0 58.Kg2 16 58.Rxb4 Rxf2+ Worse is 58.Rb7+ Kg6 59.Kg2 Rd3= 58...Rxb3? 37
58...Rd3 59.Rxf6 Rxd4 60.Rxf5 Rd3 59.Rb7+! 56 Kg6 1
60.Qa7! 27 Intending Rg7+ and mate. Qe4+ 1:05 61.Kh2 2 White threatens Rg7+ and mate. Qxc4 29 62.Rg7+ 1:00 Kh5 16 63.Qe7 1:05 Weighted Error Value: White=0.08 (flawless) /Black=0.28 (precise)
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
Shankland,S2718Salem,A26901–02022Prague Festival-Masters 20222.4

Pentala Harikrishna, Sam Shankland

Pentala Harikrishna taking a look at Sam Shankland’s game

Endgame analyses by Karsten Müller

Our in-house endgame expert found two interesting positions to analyse from the first round of the Masters tournament. In the game between Thai Dai Van Nguyen and Parham Maghsoodloo, Black failed to find the right way to break the cage set up by his opponent and convert his superior position with a far-advanced passed pawn on the queenside.ç

 
Nguyen vs. Maghsoodloo - Round 1

After 45...g5, Nguyen managed to salvage a half point after finding the critical 46.h4. As GM Müller proves in his analysis, 45...Bf8 was winning for Black.

Analysis of the instructive endgame seen in David Navara vs David Anton is also included in the replayer below.

 
New ...
Open...
Share...
Layout...
Flip Board
Settings
MoveNResultEloPlayers
1.e41,174,61854%2421---
1.d4952,91955%2434---
1.Nf3283,84956%2440---
1.c4183,33456%2442---
1.g319,80456%2427---
1.b314,46454%2427---
1.f45,92648%2377---
1.Nc33,85550%2384---
1.b41,77548%2379---
1.a31,23954%2405---
1.e31,07549%2409---
1.d396150%2378---
1.g466946%2361---
1.h446554%2381---
1.c343651%2426---
1.h328456%2419---
1.a411759%2462---
1.f310047%2427---
1.Nh39267%2511---
1.Na34360%2477---
1.Nf3 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.Nc3 d5 4.cxd5 Nxd5 5.g3 Nc6 6.Bg2 Nc7 7.0-0 e5 8.b3 Be7 9.Bb2 0-0 10.Rc1 f6 11.Nh4 Qd7 12.e3 Rb8 13.Qh5 Rf7 14.Rfd1 g6 15.Qe2 b6 16.Nb5 Ba6 17.a4 Nb4 18.d4 exd4 19.exd4 Nxb5 20.axb5 Qxb5 21.Qd2 Qe2 22.Ra1 cxd4 23.Bxd4 Rd8 24.Qc3 Rc8 25.Qd2 Qxd2 26.Rxd2 Bb5 27.Rdd1 Bf8 28.Rac1 Re8 29.Nf3 Be2 30.Rd2 Bxf3 31.Bxf3 Bh6 32.Re2 Rd8 33.Rc4 Bf8 34.Bc3 a5 35.Rd2 Rfd7 36.Rxd7 Rxd7 37.Bxf6 Rf7 38.Rxb4 Bxb4 39.Bd5 b5 40.Kf1 a4 41.bxa4 bxa4 42.Bg5 a3 43.Bh6 Bf8 44.Bc1 Be7 45.Bh6 The cage. Sometimes it is difficult to break free from a bind: g5? The wrong order of moves. After 45...Bf8! Black can break free from the cage, e.g. 46.Bc1 46.Bxf8 Kxf8 47.Ba2 Rb7-+ 46...Bd6 47.Bh6 g5 48.Ba2 Bf8 49.Bxg5 Kg7 50.Bxf7 Kxf7 51.Bc1 a2 52.Bb2 Bg7-+ 46.h4! This blow opens the cage. gxh4?! 46...Bf6!? is a better try, but White should be able to defend, e.g. 47.hxg5 Bg7 48.g6 hxg6 49.Bc1 Bb2 50.Bh6 g5 51.Ke2 51.Bxg5? Kg7 52.Bxf7 Kxf7-+ 51...Bg7 52.Bxg5 Kf8 53.Bc1 Ra7 54.Ba2 Bb2 55.Bh6+ Ke7 56.Bg5+ Kd6 57.Bf4+ Be5 58.Bc1= 47.Bc1 hxg3 48.Bxa3 Bxa3 49.Kg2 Bd6 50.fxg3 Kg7 51.Bxf7 Kxf7 52.g4 h6 53.Kh1 Kf6 54.Kg2 Kg5 55.Kh1 Kh4 56.Kg1 Kg3 57.Kh1! The king must remain in the safe corner. 57.Kf1? runs into Bc5 58.Ke2 Kxg4 59.Kf1 Kf3-+ 57...Bc5 58.g5 hxg5 stalemate. 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
Nguyen,T2612Maghsoodloo,P2699½–½2022A34Prague Festival-Masters 20221.2
Navara,D2682Anton Guijarro,D26911–02022D31Prague Festival-Masters 20221.1

Thai Dai Van Nguyen

Thai Dai Van Nguyen

Round 2 results - Masters

NameRtg.Nt.Pts.Pts.NameRtgNt.
GM

1
GM
2612
½

2
GM
2709
½

Ø 2661
1/2
2699
½
½-½
1
GM
GM
2709

1
GM
2718
1

2
GM
2699
½

Ø 2709
1.5/2
2709
GM

1
GM
2690
½

2
GM
2705
½

Ø 2698
1/2
2704
½
½-½
1
GM

1
GM
2723
1


Ø 2714
1.5/2
2705
GM
GM
2682


2
GM
2612
½

Ø 2652
1.5/2
2682
1
½-½
½
GM
GM
2612

1
GM
2699
½

2
GM
2682
½

Ø 2691
1/2
2612
GM

1
GM
2709
0

2
GM
2690
1

Ø 2700
1/2
2718
0
1-0
½
GM
GM
2690


2
GM
2718
0

Ø 2711
0.5/2
2690
GM

1
GM
2682
0

2
GM
2723
½

Ø 2703
0.5/2
2691
0
½-½
0
GM
GM
2723


Ø 2698
0.5/2
2723

Standings after round 2

Rk.NameRtg.Nt.Pts.n
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
TBPerf.
1
GM
GM
2709

1
GM
2718
1

2
GM
2699
½

Ø 2709
1.5/2
2709
1.5
2
1.50
2902
2
GM

1
GM
2723
1


Ø 2714
1.5/2
2705
1.5
2
1.00
2907
3
GM
GM
2682


2
GM
2612
½

Ø 2652
1.5/2
2682
1.5
2
1.00
2845
4
GM

1
GM
2612
½

2
GM
2709
½

Ø 2661
1/2
2699
1.0
2
1.25
2661
5
GM
GM
2612

1
GM
2699
½

2
GM
2682
½

Ø 2691
1/2
2612
1.0
2
1.25
2691
6
GM

1
GM
2690
½

2
GM
2705
½

Ø 2698
1/2
2704
1.0
2
1.00
2698
7
GM

1
GM
2709
0

2
GM
2690
1

Ø 2700
1/2
2718
1.0
2
0.50
2700
8
GM
GM
2690


2
GM
2718
0

Ø 2711
0.5/2
2690
0.5
2
0.50
2518
9
GM
GM
2723


Ø 2698
0.5/2
2723
0.5
2
0.25
2505
10
GM

1
GM
2682
0

2
GM
2723
½

Ø 2703
0.5/2
2691
0.5
2
0.25
2510
TBs: Sonneborn-Berger

All games

 
New ...
Open...
Share...
Layout...
Flip Board
Settings
MoveNResultEloPlayers
Replay and check the LiveBook here
1.d4 1 d5 17 2.c4 5 e6 13 3.Nc3 9 c6 34 4.e4 7:36 dxe4 38 5.Nxe4 4 Bb4+ 13 6.Bd2 7 Qxd4 17 7.Bxb4 7 Qxe4+ 7 8.Be2 21 Na6 1:25 9.Bd6 5:02 And now Nf3 would win. Qxg2 4:40 D31: Queen's Gambit Declined: Semi-Slav without ...Nf6 (+ Marshall Gambit and Noteboom) and Exchange Variation lines without ...Nf6. 10.Qd2 27
10...Qe4N 1:12 10...Qxh1? 11.0-0-0 Qe4 12.Be7!+-       Predecessor: 10...e5 11.Bxe5 Bf5 12.Bf3 Qg6 13.0-0-0 Nf6 14.Ne2 Bb1 15.Bxf6 gxf6 16.Qd7+ Kf8 17.Qd6+ Ke8 18.Nd4 f5 19.Rhe1+ Be4 20.Qe5+ 1-0 (20) Perez Ponsa,F (2554)-Fier,A (2564) Chess.com INT 2021 11.Nf3 7:45 Inhibits e5. e5! 2:02 The position is equal. 12.Rg1 8:28       g6 32:30 12...Bg4!= 13.Bxe5 13.Nxe5 Qxe2+ 14.Qxe2 Bxe2 13...f6 13.Ng5 14:24 Don't play 13.Bxe5 f6 14.Bc3 Bg4 13.Nxe5± Black must now prevent Rg3. f6 14.0-0-0 fxe5 15.Rg3 15.Ba3? Bf5-+ 13...Qf4 5:05 13...Qd4 14.Qxf4± 1:31 exf4 6 15.Bxf4 16:49 White is much more active. 15.0-0-0!± Strongly threatening Rge1. h6 16.Ne4 15...Bf5= 9:38 16.Rg3 3:30 h6 11:12 16...Ne7= remains equal. 17.Re3+± 1:31       White has strong compensation. Kf8 11 18.Bd6+ 1:30 18.Nf3± 18...Kg7= 7 19.Nf3 1:48 Hoping for Nh4. Nf6 3:36 20.Nd4 7:37 Ne4 3:57 21.Nxf5+ 1:02 gxf5 6 22.Be5+ 2:04 This bishop pair is nice. f6 38 23.Bf4 7 Rad8 5:28 24.f3 2:53 Ng5 45 24...Nec5 25.Kf1 Kf7 25.Re7+ 2:35 Kg6 8 26.h4 13:06 Rh7 8:49 Black should play 26...Nh3 27.Bh2 Nb4 27.Rxh7 31 Nxh7 5 28.Kf2 16 Rg1+ is the strong threat. Nf8 53 29.Rg1+ 2:55 Kh7 46 30.Be3 7 Ne6 2:34 31.Bxa7 47 Nb4 3:04 Don't do 31...Rd2 32.Ke3 Rxb2 33.Bd3± 32.a3 40 Nd3+ 2:29 33.Bxd3 5 Rxd3 4       Endgame KRB-KRN 34.Re1 7 Ng7 2:56 35.Re7 1:12 35.Ke2!? Rd7 36.Be3= 35...Rd2+! 17 36.Re2 14 Rd1 37 37.Re7 43 Rd2+ 10 38.Re2 6 Rd1 6 39.b4 17 Kg6 42 40.Re7 0 Rd2+ 0 41.Ke1 3:38 Ra2 2:27 41...Rd3± was worth a try. 42.Rxb7 3:15 42.b5!+- is more deadly. 42...Rxa3± 1:35 43.b5 46 cxb5 1:02 44.cxb5 1:19       f4? 18:06       This move loses the game for Black. 44...Ne6± 45.h5++- 12:27 White is clearly winning. Nxh5 48 46.b6! 1:58 Ra1+ 7:50
47.Kd2! 1:38 Ng3 1:13
48.Rc7! 43 Nf1+ 37 49.Kd3 1:04 Threatens to win with b7. Ne3 1:11 50.b7 34 Weighted Error Value: White=0.16 (very precise) /Black=0.42
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
Navara,D2682Anton Guijarro,D26911–02022D31Prague Festival-Masters 20221.1
Nguyen,T2612Maghsoodloo,P2699½–½2022A34Prague Festival-Masters 20221.2
Le,Q2709Shankland,S27181–02022D30Prague Festival-Masters 20221.3
Salem,A2690Vallejo Pons,F2704½–½2022B12Prague Festival-Masters 20221.4
Harikrishna,P2705Vidit,S27231–02022E48Prague Festival-Masters 20221.5
Navara,D2682Nguyen,T2612½–½2022C00Prague Festival-Masters 20222.1
Maghsoodloo,P2699Le,Q2709½–½2022E11Prague Festival-Masters 20222.2
Vallejo Pons,F2704Harikrishna,P2705½–½2022C54Prague Festival-Masters 20222.3
Shankland,S2718Salem,A26901–02022B90Prague Festival-Masters 20222.4
Anton Guijarro,D2691Vidit,S2723½–½2022C43Prague Festival-Masters 20222.5
Le,Q2709Navara,D26821–02022D38Prague Festival-Masters 20223.1
Harikrishna,P2705Shankland,S2718½–½2022D85Prague Festival-Masters 20223.2
Nguyen,T2612Anton Guijarro,D26911–02022D45Prague Festival-Masters 20223.3
Vidit,S2723Vallejo Pons,F2704½–½2022B46Prague Festival-Masters 20223.4
Salem,A2690Maghsoodloo,P2699½–½2022C88Prague Festival-Masters 20223.5
Nguyen,T2612Le,Q2709½–½2022E11Prague Festival-Masters 20224.1
Navara,D2682Salem,A26901–02022D85Prague Festival-Masters 20224.2
Maghsoodloo,P2699Harikrishna,P27050–12022D12Prague Festival-Masters 20224.3
Anton Guijarro,D2691Vallejo Pons,F27040–12022C02Prague Festival-Masters 20224.4
Shankland,S2718Vidit,S2723½–½2022B22Prague Festival-Masters 20224.5
Harikrishna,P2705Navara,D2682½–½2022D85Prague Festival-Masters 20225.1
Salem,A2690Nguyen,T2612½–½2022C54Prague Festival-Masters 20225.2
Le,Q2709Anton Guijarro,D2691½–½2022D43Prague Festival-Masters 20225.3
Vidit,S2723Maghsoodloo,P2699½–½2022A31Prague Festival-Masters 20225.4
Vallejo Pons,F2704Shankland,S2718½–½2022C47Prague Festival-Masters 20225.5
Le,Q2709Salem,A26901–02022E92Prague Festival-Masters 20226.1
Navara,D2682Vidit,S2723½–½2022C42Prague Festival-Masters 20226.2
Nguyen,T2612Harikrishna,P2705½–½2022C93Prague Festival-Masters 20226.3
Anton Guijarro,D2691Shankland,S2718½–½2022B53Prague Festival-Masters 20226.4
Maghsoodloo,P2699Vallejo Pons,F27041–02022C02Prague Festival-Masters 20226.5
Harikrishna,P2705Le,Q2709½–½2022E48Prague Festival-Masters 20227.1
Vidit,S2723Nguyen,T2612½–½2022D20Prague Festival-Masters 20227.2
Vallejo Pons,F2704Navara,D2682½–½2022C65Prague Festival-Masters 20227.3
Salem,A2690Anton Guijarro,D26911–02022D43Prague Festival-Masters 20227.4
Shankland,S2718Maghsoodloo,P26991–02022B90Prague Festival-Masters 20227.5
Le,Q2709Vidit,S2723½–½2022D50Prague Festival-Masters 20228.1
Navara,D2682Shankland,S2718½–½2022D41Prague Festival-Masters 20228.2
Salem,A2690Harikrishna,P27050–12022D11Prague Festival-Masters 20228.3
Anton Guijarro,D2691Maghsoodloo,P2699½–½2022E21Prague Festival-Masters 20228.4
Nguyen,T2612Vallejo Pons,F2704½–½2022D02Prague Festival-Masters 20228.5
Harikrishna,P2705Anton Guijarro,D26911–02022A29Prague Festival-Masters 20229.1
Shankland,S2718Nguyen,T2612½–½2022D33Prague Festival-Masters 20229.2
Vallejo Pons,F2704Le,Q2709½–½2022C77Prague Festival-Masters 20229.3
Vidit,S2723Salem,A2690½–½2022E11Prague Festival-Masters 20229.4
Maghsoodloo,P2699Navara,D2682½–½2022C67Prague Festival-Masters 20229.5

Keymer wins again in the Challengers

German talent Vincent Keymer is the second seed in the Challengers tournament. The youngster got two whites in his first games and made the most of his chances, as he is now leading the standings table with a perfect score.

Keymer‘s opponent in round 2, Krishnan Sasikiran, faltered in a rather tricky position.

 
Keymer vs. Sasikiran

Sasikiran either misjudged the evaluation or failed to calculate precisely here, as his 34...Re8 only created problems for him in the ensuing complications, when simplifying with 34...Qxf3+ would have kept the balance in the position — 35.Kxf3 Re8 36.Rc1 fxg3 37.fxg3 Bb4 38.Rd1 is one of the potential lines in which Black has enough counterplay for the pawn.

 
Analysis diagram

Instead, after the text, Keymer got the upper hand, as he gained another pawn and decisively activated his pieces. This is how the position looked six moves later.

 

Black played 40...Kh8, and resigned.

 
New ...
Open...
Share...
Layout...
Flip Board
Settings
MoveNResultEloPlayers
Replay and check the LiveBook here
1.Nf3 6 d5 14 2.e3 4 Nf6 48 3.c4 5 e6 23 4.b3 0 b6 4:51 5.Bb2 2:37 Bb7 3:55 6.g3 6:06 A13: English Opening: 1...e6. Nbd7 8:01 7.Bg2 1:50 Be7 8:45 8.cxd5 8:45 The position is equal. exd5 2:19 9.0-0 48 0-0 22 10.Nc3 2:27 Re8 3:53 11.Rc1 7:16 a6 0 12.Re1 5:29
12...Bf8N 8:30 Predecessor: 12...Nc5 13.d3 Ne6 14.Re2 Rc8 15.Rec2 c5 16.d4 Rc7 17.Ne2 Ne4 18.Ne5 f5 1-0 (47) Keymer,V (2602)-Liang,A (2587) chess24.com INT 2021 13.Re2 7:23 Rc8 4:13 14.d3 12:24 c5 5:16 15.d4 0 c4 2:05 16.a4 14 Prevents b5. Ne4 0 17.Nd2 10:38 Nxc3 2:34 18.Bxc3 3 b5 34 19.bxc4 1:32 bxc4 0 20.e4 2:06 dxe4 6:18 21.Nxe4 6 Ba8 1:28 21...Bd5!= 22.h4 6:36 22.d5 22...f5= 13:23 23.Ng5 6 Bxg2 53 24.Kxg2 1:15 Nf6 2:31 24...Nb6 25.Re5! 2:03 h6 3:41 25...f4= 26.Ba5? 5:44 26.Rxf5± is necessary to keep the advantage. d5! is the strong threat. hxg5 27.hxg5 26...Qd7 1:12 27.Nf3 8 Bd6 1:23 27...Ba3 28.Rxe8+ Qxe8 28.Rxe8+= 1:28 Qxe8 3 29.Nd2 3:20 Qe6 31 Hoping for ...Qd5+. 30.Qf3 1:00 Ne4 0 31.Nf1 2:19 Qd5 2:03 32.Be1 1:44 f4 51 Inhibits Ne3. 33.Nd2 1:28 Nf6 26 aiming for ...c3. 34.Rxc4 5:10 Re8 4
34...Qxf3+!= 35.Kxf3 Re8 35.Rc6!± 0 Threatens to win with Qxd5+. Qe6 1:02 35...Bb8 36.Qxd5+ 36.Nc4 53 Qxe1 30 36...fxg3 37.Nxd6 Rf8 37.Nxd6+- 5 Dancing on a razor blade. Rf8 19 38.Qxf4 1:24 Active counter play! Qe6 42 39.Qf5 47 And not 39.Rxa6 Ng4 40.d5 40.Qe4 Qa2= 40...Qxd5+ 41.Qe4 Qd2 42.Qe6+ 42.Qxg4? Rxf2+ 43.Kh3 Rh2# 42...Kh7 43.Qe4+ 43.Qxg4? Rxf2+ 44.Kh3 Rh2# 43...Kg8= 39...Qe7 4 39...Qa2 40.Rc8 40.Rxa6? Ng4-+ 40...Rxc8 41.Qxc8+ Kh7 40.d5 0 Kh8 0 Weighted Error Value: White=0.14 (very precise) / Black=0.30
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
Keymer,V2667Sasikiran,K26511–02022Prague Festival-Challengers 20222.1

Vincent Keymer

Relaxed in the opening phase — sole leader Vincent Keymer

Round 2 results - Challengers

NameRtg.Nt.Pts.Pts.NameRtgNt.
GM
GM
2667

1
GM
2570
1

2
GM
2651
1

Ø 2611
2/2
2667
1
1-0
½
GM

1
GM
2614
½

2
GM
2667
0

Ø 2641
0.5/2
2651
GM

1
GM
2656
½

2
GM
2579
1

Ø 2618
1.5/2
2661
½
1-0
1
GM


Ø 2598
1/2
2579
GM

1
GM
2651
½

2
GM
2597
½

Ø 2624
1/2
2614
½
½-½
1
GM
GM
2597

1
GM
2533
1

2
GM
2614
½

Ø 2574
1.5/2
2597
GM
GM
2533

1
GM
2597
0

2
GM
2656
1

Ø 2627
1/2
2533
0
1-0
½
GM
GM
2656


2
GM
2533
0

Ø 2597
0.5/2
2656
GM
GM
2570

1
GM
2667
0


Ø 2601
1/2
2570
0
1-0
0
GM

1
GM
2579
0

2
GM
2570
0

Ø 2575
0/2
2535

Standings after round 2

Rk.NameRtg.Nt.Pts.n
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
TBPerf.
1
GM
GM
2667

1
GM
2570
1

2
GM
2651
1

Ø 2611
2/2
2667
2.0
2
1.50
3411
2
GM
GM
2597

1
GM
2533
1

2
GM
2614
½

Ø 2574
1.5/2
2597
1.5
2
1.50
2767
3
GM

1
GM
2656
½

2
GM
2579
1

Ø 2618
1.5/2
2661
1.5
2
1.25
2811
4
GM

1
GM
2651
½

2
GM
2597
½

Ø 2624
1/2
2614
1.0
2
1.00
2624
5
GM
GM
2533

1
GM
2597
0

2
GM
2656
1

Ø 2627
1/2
2533
1.0
2
0.50
2627
6
GM


Ø 2598
1/2
2579
1.0
2
0.00
2598
7
GM
GM
2570

1
GM
2667
0


Ø 2601
1/2
2570
1.0
2
0.00
2601
8
GM
GM
2656


2
GM
2533
0

Ø 2597
0.5/2
2656
0.5
2
0.75
2404
9
GM

1
GM
2614
½

2
GM
2667
0

Ø 2641
0.5/2
2651
0.5
2
0.50
2448
10
GM

1
GM
2579
0

2
GM
2570
0

Ø 2575
0/2
2535
0.0
2
0.00
1775
TBs: Sonneborn-Berger

All games

 
New ...
Open...
Share...
Layout...
Flip Board
Settings
MoveNResultEloPlayers
Replay and check the LiveBook here
1.Nf3 5 d5 14 2.g3 16 Nd7 2:52 3.d4 50 Ngf6 19 4.Bg2 2:44 e6 38 5.a4 13:37      
5...c5N 12:00 Predecessor: 5...Be7 6.0-0 0-0 7.c4 a5 8.Qc2 c6 9.Nbd2 Nb8 10.e4 Na6 11.Re1 Nb4 1-0 (47) Vajda,L (2547)-Shengelia,D (2522) Hungary 2019 6.0-0 4:44 D02: 1 d4 d5 2 Nf3 sidelines, including 2...Nf6 3 g3 and 2...Nf6 3 Bf4. b6 2:13 7.c4 5:51 Bb7 4:10 8.cxd5! 3:15 White is slightly better. exd5 3:58 9.a5 5:53 Be7 3:22 10.a6 3:19 Bc6 31 11.Ne5 58 Nxe5 5:28 12.dxe5 4 Nd7 3 13.Nc3 16:14 Nxe5 16 14.Nxd5 10 Rc8 4:23 15.Bf4 3:31 Ng6 3:32 16.Ra3 9:10       Bxd5 21:14 16...0-0!? 17.Rd3 3:58 Nxf4 1:32 18.gxf4 1:45 0-0 3:50
Strongly threatening ...Bxg2! 19.Rxd5 49 Qe8 36 20.Bh3 4:19 Bd7 is the strong threat. Rc7 7:27 21.Bd7 30       White fights for an advantage. Qb8 1:35 22.Qa4 3:10 c4 2:30 23.e3 24 c3 1:14 23...Rd8= 24.bxc3 10 Rxc3 5 25.Rfd1 1:44 Rc5 6:53 26.Qe4 4:50 Rxd5! 37 27.Qxd5 1:25 27.Rxd5!? Bd6 28.Rd4 27...Rd8 1:33 28.Qb7 3:12 b5 5:34 White stays focused until the end. Black should play 28...Kf8 29.Kg2± 49 0x0.0017620c08f0dp-1022s more active pieces. b4 3:53
29...Bd6± might work better. 30.Bxb5 Qc7 30.Ba4!+- 19 Qxb7+ 2:15 30...Kf8 was worth a try. 31.Rxd8+ Qxd8 31.axb7 26       Endgame Rxd8+ would kill now. KRB-KRB Rb8 4 32.Rd7 12 Kf8 2 33.e4 1:17       g6 52 34.Kf3 3:21 Ke8 1:08 35.Ke2 30 b3 35 36.Kd3 44 Less strong is 36.Rd3+ Kf8 37.Rxb3 Bd8+- 36...a5 24 37.e5 1:08 Bb4 31 38.f3 1:54       h5 25 39.Rc7+ 1:34 Kd8 5 40.Rd7+ 0 Ke8 0 41.h3 3:56 White is clearly winning. h4 6:38 42.f5 10:25 gxf5 9 43.f4 6 Weighted Error Value: White=0.20 (precise) /Black=0.26 (precise)
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
Keymer,V2667Hracek,Z25701–02022D02Prague Festival-Challengers 20221.1
Sasikiran,K2651Warmerdam,M2614½–½2022B97Prague Festival-Challengers 20221.2
Pechac,J2597Stocek,J25331–02022E59Prague Festival-Challengers 20221.3
Niemann,H2656Abdusattorov,N2661½–½2022E49Prague Festival-Challengers 20221.4
Michalik,P2579Krzyzanowski,M25351–02022D38Prague Festival-Challengers 20221.5
Keymer,V2667Sasikiran,K26511–02022A13Prague Festival-Challengers 20222.1
Warmerdam,M2614Pechac,J2597½–½2022D78Prague Festival-Challengers 20222.2
Abdusattorov,N2661Michalik,P25791–02022C42Prague Festival-Challengers 20222.3
Stocek,J2533Niemann,H26561–02022E21Prague Festival-Challengers 20222.4
Hracek,Z2570Krzyzanowski,M25351–02022B31Prague Festival-Challengers 20222.5
Pechac,J2597Keymer,V2667½–½2022E08Prague Festival-Challengers 20223.1
Michalik,P2579Stocek,J2533½–½2022B92Prague Festival-Challengers 20223.2
Krzyzanowski,M2535Abdusattorov,N2661½–½2022E67Prague Festival-Challengers 20223.3
Sasikiran,K2651Hracek,Z25701–02022B30Prague Festival-Challengers 20223.4
Niemann,H2656Warmerdam,M26141–02022D32Prague Festival-Challengers 20223.5
Keymer,V2667Niemann,H2656½–½2022D38Prague Festival-Challengers 20224.1
Hracek,Z2570Abdusattorov,N2661½–½2022B41Prague Festival-Challengers 20224.2
Sasikiran,K2651Pechac,J2597½–½2022C60Prague Festival-Challengers 20224.3
Warmerdam,M2614Michalik,P25791–02022D35Prague Festival-Challengers 20224.4
Stocek,J2533Krzyzanowski,M25350–12022E10Prague Festival-Challengers 20224.5
Michalik,P2579Keymer,V26670–12022B51Prague Festival-Challengers 20225.1
Niemann,H2656Sasikiran,K26511–02022A20Prague Festival-Challengers 20225.2
Abdusattorov,N2661Stocek,J25331–02022B55Prague Festival-Challengers 20225.3
Krzyzanowski,M2535Warmerdam,M26140–12022E68Prague Festival-Challengers 20225.4
Pechac,J2597Hracek,Z2570½–½2022D02Prague Festival-Challengers 20225.5
Keymer,V2667Krzyzanowski,M2535½–½2022D73Prague Festival-Challengers 20226.1
Pechac,J2597Niemann,H2656½–½2022E56Prague Festival-Challengers 20226.2
Warmerdam,M2614Abdusattorov,N26610–12022E04Prague Festival-Challengers 20226.3
Sasikiran,K2651Michalik,P25791–02022E04Prague Festival-Challengers 20226.4
Hracek,Z2570Stocek,J2533½–½2022B66Prague Festival-Challengers 20226.5
Abdusattorov,N2661Keymer,V2667½–½2022C50Prague Festival-Challengers 20227.1
Michalik,P2579Pechac,J25971–02022C67Prague Festival-Challengers 20227.2
Niemann,H2656Hracek,Z25701–02022B98Prague Festival-Challengers 20227.3
Stocek,J2533Warmerdam,M26141–02022E92Prague Festival-Challengers 20227.4
Krzyzanowski,M2535Sasikiran,K2651½–½2022C01Prague Festival-Challengers 20227.5
Sasikiran,K2651Abdusattorov,N2661½–½2022E20Prague Festival-Challengers 20228.1
Hracek,Z2570Warmerdam,M26140–12022B90Prague Festival-Challengers 20228.2
Keymer,V2667Stocek,J2533½–½2022A30Prague Festival-Challengers 20228.3
Pechac,J2597Krzyzanowski,M25350–12022E47Prague Festival-Challengers 20228.4
Niemann,H2656Michalik,P25791–02022D36Prague Festival-Challengers 20228.5
Krzyzanowski,M2535Niemann,H26560–12022B11Prague Festival-Challengers 20229.1
Stocek,J2533Sasikiran,K26510–12022D47Prague Festival-Challengers 20229.2
Warmerdam,M2614Keymer,V26670–12022D02Prague Festival-Challengers 20229.3
Michalik,P2579Hracek,Z2570½–½2022C11Prague Festival-Challengers 20229.4
Abdusattorov,N2661Pechac,J2597½–½2022C50Prague Festival-Challengers 20229.5

Links


Carlos Colodro is a Hispanic Philologist from Bolivia. He works as a freelance translator and writer since 2012. A lot of his work is done in chess-related texts, as the game is one of his biggest interests, along with literature and music.

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.