Robert Ris: Abdusattorov attacks from all sides

by Robert Ris
2/26/2024 – The German Bundesliga is a traditional team tournament featuring some of the best players in the world. After 11 rounds in the 2023/24 season, Viernheim have a clear 3-point lead over the perennial favourites from Baden-Baden. In round 9, Viernheim’s Nodirbek Abdusattorov obtained a memorable attacking victory over Gata Kamsky. The game was expertly analysed by IM Robert Ris!
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Abdusattorov v. Kamsky

Nodirbek Abdusattorov helped Viernheim to take the sole lead in the very competitive Bundesliga by scoring 2½ out of 3 points during last weekend. The Uzbek grandmaster defeated two strong 2600+ GMs, Gata Kamsky and Eduardo Iturrizaga, and drew Richard Rapport, a member of the elite.

At 19, Abdusattorov is now the highest-rated junior player in the world, though Gukesh, Praggnanandhaa and Vincent Keymer stand closely behind.

In his game against Kamsky, the youngster did not shy away from tactical complications out of a Sicilian Defence, creating play on both sides of the board while his opponent’s king remained in the centre.

White just played 19.Rh3, creatively bringing the rook to an active spot along the third rank. Amid such complexity, a single mistake is always costly, and it was Kamsky who miscalculated a few moves later.

It is Black to move here, as his knight has just been attacked by 24.f4, and there is only one manoeuvre that keeps the precarious balance. Kamsky’s 24...Bxd4 was not the way to go, though. Can you find the winning combination played by Abdusattorov?

Full analysis of the game

Abdusattorov v. Kamsky

Mastering these tactical motifs is essential to deepen your understanding of the game and become a better player. After all, you neither want to overlook the given chances by your opponent, nor blunder yourself!

Links

Robert is an International Master who mostly spends his time training and coaching talented youngsters. On the PlayChess server The Fast and the Furious is a popular show where he explains sharp opening lines for a wider audience. He is also a well-known ChessBase author who produced numerous DVDs and regularly contributes to ChessBase Magazine as well. Since 2015 he is the organizer of the Dutch Rapid Championships in his home town Amstelveen. He has started a YouTube channel with chess analysis as well.