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The Vugar Gashimov Memorial, is being held in Shamkir, Azerbaijan, from the 17th to the 26th of April, in memory of the great Vugar Gashimov, who passed away on the 10th of January 2014. The tournament consists of some of the strongest players in the World: reigning World Champion Magnus Carlsen, former World Champions Viswanathan Anand and Vladimir Kramnik, as well as, Fabiano Caruana, Anish Giri, Wesley So, Maxime Vachier-Lagrave, Michael Adams, Shakhriyar Mamedyarov and Rauf Mamedov will compete in this prominent event.
The grandmasters gave simultaneous exhibitions to young locals
Michael Adams showing his skill
Local favorite Shakhriyar Mamedyarov
Hard at work...
Tandem simultaneous are some of the hardest things to coordinate...
Wesley So will surely punish that early queen escapade
The players and young players posing
After that, of course, came the soccer match
They look slightly better than the last time a chess-soccer match was featured
Yup, much better
MVL ready for action
The game even had a strong cheering section!
Name | Rtg | Res. | Name | Rtg |
---|---|---|---|---|
Anand Viswanathan | 2791 |
1-0 |
Adams Michael | 2746 |
Mamedyarov Shakhriyar | 2754 |
½-½ |
Mamedov Rauf | 2651 |
Caruana Fabiano | 2802 |
1-0 |
So Wesley | 2788 |
Carlsen Magnus | 2863 |
1-0 |
Kramnik Vladimir | 2783 |
Vachier-Lagrave Maxime | 2762 |
½-½ |
Giri Anish | 2790 |
Anand, Viswanathan 1-0 Adams, Michael
A nice exchange sacrifice from Anand gave him a pawn and a strong pawn structure in the center. Adams seemed at a loss on what to do with his rooks. Anand kept improving his position, slowly, until it was clear that Black's rooks lacked targets and that Black's king would be a permanent weakness. Anand won a very clean game!
A lovely game from Anand
Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar ½-½ Mamedov, Rauf
Normally games between top Azeris in a tournament end up in theoretical draws or perpetuals, but this was very very far from that. Mamedyarov tried to kill Mamedov down the a1-h8 diagonal, but Black was able to find some important resources to keep himself afloat. Mamedyarov held an advantage, couldn't find all the exact moves and let Mamedov escape.
The Azerbaijani derby was hard fought
Caruana, Fabiano 1-0 So, Wesley
Two in a row for Caruana
After scoring only half a point from his last three games
Wesley So is now tied for third with Caruana
[Event "Vugar Gashimov Mem 2015"] [Site "Shamkir AZE"] [Date "2015.04.24"] [Round "7.4"] [White "Caruana, Fabiano"] [Black "So, Wesley"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "E21"] [WhiteElo "2802"] [BlackElo "2788"] [Annotator "Ramirez Alvarez,Alejandro"] [PlyCount "101"] [EventDate "2015.04.17"] [SourceDate "2015.02.07"] 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Nf3 b6 5. e3 {It's always pleasant to see a Rubinstein Variation.} Ne4 6. Qc2 Bb7 7. Bd3 f5 8. O-O Bxc3 9. bxc3 O-O 10. c5 $5 (10. Nd2 {has been played hundreds of times, and is considered to be the main line.}) 10... Rf6 {Black isn't kidding around; he weill try to checkmate White with his rook and bishop and queen. His queenside development will be stalled, but for now that is ok. White might develop them for him, if for example he takes on b6.} 11. Ne1 $1 {using hte fact that the knight on e4 doesn't have many retreat options with the rook on f6.} bxc5 (11... Rh6 12. g3 $1 {keeps the queen away. White won in both Leko-Andreikin and Georgiev, V-Eljanov.}) 12. Rb1 Qc8 13. f3 Ng5 14. Be2 cxd4 15. cxd4 {White's down a pawn, but Black's develompent is awkward. His bishop on b7 is exposed, the g5 knight will have to retreat, the f6 rook doesn't do much but be a potential target. However White does still need to do something concrete.} Nc6 16. Nd3 Ba6 17. Bb2 Ne7 18. d5 Rh6 19. dxe6 Nxe6 20. Nf4 Nxf4 21. exf4 Bxe2 22. Qxe2 {How the game has changed. White has a powerful bishop and still has the better coordination. Black has two passed pawns, but hey are not going to be a factor yet.} Re6 23. Qd3 Ng6 (23... Rb8 {looked stronger. The knight will be useful on e7.}) 24. g3 Rb8 25. Qxf5 Reb6 26. Bd4 Rxb1 27. Rxb1 Rxb1+ 28. Qxb1 {With material equality in the endgame it is time to take stock once agian. White is clearly better: his bishop dominates the open board and coordinates much better than the queen and knight.} c5 29. Qb3+ c4 (29... Kh8 30. Qc3 $18) 30. Qb5 {With little effort White has already blockaded the pawns. Now they are ripe for the taking.} Ne7 31. Qg5 $5 (31. Bc5 Nd5 32. Qxc4 Qc6 33. Qd4 $16) 31... Qf8 32. Bc5 Kf7 33. Qe5 Qe8 34. Kf2 {Black is paralyzed.} Nc6 {losing a pawn, but what else to do?} 35. Qh5+ g6 36. Qxh7+ Ke6 37. Qg7 Qf7 38. Qxf7+ Kxf7 39. Ke3 {White has too many pawns on the kingside.} Ke6 40. g4 d6 41. Ba3 d5 42. Bb2 Nb4 43. a4 Nc2+ 44. Kd2 Nb4 45. h4 Nd3 46. Bd4 a6 (46... Nxf4 47. Bxa7 {leaves Black with too many passed pawns to deal with.}) 47. h5 gxh5 48. f5+ Kd6 49. gxh5 $18 Ne5 50. Ke3 Nf7 51. Bg7 1-0
Carlsen, Magnus 1-0 Kramnik, Vladimir
[Event "Vugar Gashimov Mem 2015"] [Site "Shamkir AZE"] [Date "2015.04.24"] [Round "7.3"] [White "Carlsen, Magnus"] [Black "Kramnik, Vladimir"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "C65"] [WhiteElo "2863"] [BlackElo "2783"] [Annotator "Ramirez Alvarez,Alejandro"] [PlyCount "97"] [EventDate "2015.04.17"] [SourceDate "2015.02.07"] 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. d3 Bc5 5. c3 O-O 6. O-O d6 7. h3 Ne7 8. d4 Bb6 9. Bd3 d5 10. Nbd2 dxe4 11. Nxe4 Nxe4 12. Bxe4 exd4 13. Qc2 (13. cxd4 Bf5 $6 14. Bxb7 Rb8 15. Ba6 Be4 {was better for White in Duda-Vallejo Pons, but of course Black doesn't have to give up that pawn on b7.}) 13... h6 14. a4 $5 { White is in no hurry to regain his pawn. Taking on c3 looks very dangerous.} c6 (14... dxc3 15. Rd1 $1 Qe8 $8 16. Qxc3 {with the idea of a5-a6, with an initiative. Perhaps with best play Black can survive without issues, but it looks scary to not be able to develop.}) 15. Rd1 Nd5 16. Nxd4 {Symmetrical pawn structure, but White's slight lead in development gives him a nice and dangerous edge. Black needs just a couple of tempi to catch up to White's position, but it's a valuable couple of tempi.} Re8 17. a5 $1 {What a move! White sacrifices a pawn simply to discoordinate the Black pieces.} (17. Nf3 Qe7 18. Bxd5 cxd5 19. Rxd5 Be6 $132) 17... Bxa5 18. Nf3 {the point is that now c4 is a hard move to parry.} b5 (18... Qc7 19. Bxd5 cxd5 20. Qa4 {is a nasty double attack.}) 19. Nd4 {returning to d4 and regaining the pawn. The rules of chess say Kramnik can't put his pawn from b5 on b7, with a repetition.} Bc7 $6 {A tactical mistake.} (19... Bb7 $1) 20. Nxc6 Qd6 21. g3 Bb7 22. Bf4 Qxc6 23. Bxd5 {Black is in very serious problems} Re1+ (23... Qb6 24. Bxb7 Qxb7 25. Rd7 Rec8 (25... Rac8 26. Qf5 Rf8 27. Be3 {isn't much better ,with the dual threat of Bc5 and Rxa7.}) 26. Qf5 {leaves Black helpless against Qf7.}) 24. Kh2 $1 { A very important move.} (24. Rxe1 Qxd5 {leaves White nothing better than} 25. Qe4 Qxe4 26. Rxe4 Bxe4 27. Bxc7 $11) 24... Qxd5 25. Rxd5 Rxa1 26. Rd1 $1 Rxd1 27. Qxd1 Rd8 28. Qe2 {White's queen here will dominate the bishop and rook. There are too many targets, and White just needs a couple of moves to safeguard his king against the combined action of Black's pieces.} Bb6 29. Be3 Bxe3 30. Qxe3 Rd1 31. g4 Bc6 (31... Rh1+ 32. Kg3 Rg1+ 33. Kf4 {isn't really that scary. The king chills on f4.}) 32. Qc5 Bd7 33. Qxa7 Rd2 34. Kg3 Rd3+ 35. Kf4 Kh7 36. Qb7 Rd2 37. Ke3 Rd6 38. f4 g6 39. Qb8 Rd5 40. Ke4 Be6 41. Qb7 Rc5 42. Kd4 Rc4+ 43. Ke5 b4 44. cxb4 Rc2 45. Kf6 Rxb2 46. Qb8 {The king is an aggressive piece!} Rf2 47. f5 gxf5 48. Qg3 $1 Rf1 49. g5 {Black cannot escape checkmate.} 1-0
Vladimir Kramnik losing his third (!) game in a row
Vachier-Lagrave,Maxime ½-½ Giri, Anish
A sharp Ragozin, but even though Giri was always in a bit of pressure his position held enough resources for him to maintain equilibrium until the end.
MVL couldn't break Giri's defenses
Select from the dropdown menu to replay the games
Photos taken from the official website
Round 1
Name | Rtg | Res. | Name | Rtg |
---|---|---|---|---|
Kramnik Vladimir | 2783 |
1-0 |
Adams Michael | 2746 |
So Wesley | 2788 |
1-0 |
Giri Anish | 2790 |
Mamedov Rauf | 2651 |
½-½ |
Vachier-Lagrave Maxime | 2762 |
Anand Viswanathan | 2791 |
½-½ |
Carlsen Magnus | 2863 |
Mamedyarov Shakhriyar | 2754 |
½-½ |
Caruana Fabiano | 2802 |
Round 2
Name | Rtg | Res. | Name | Rtg |
---|---|---|---|---|
Adams Michael | 2746 |
½-½ |
Caruana Fabiano | 2802 |
Carlsen Magnus | 2863 |
1-0 |
Mamedyarov Shakhriyar | 2754 |
Vachier-Lagrave Maxime | 2762 |
½-½ |
Anand Viswanathan | 2791 |
Giri Anish | 2790 |
½-½ |
Mamedov Rauf | 2651 |
Kramnik Vladimir | 2783 |
½-½ |
So Wesley | 2788 |
Round 3
Name | Rtg | Res. | Name | Rtg |
---|---|---|---|---|
So Wesley | 2788 |
1-0 |
Adams Michael | 2746 |
Mamedov Rauf | 2651 |
½-½ |
Kramnik Vladimir | 2783 |
Anand Viswanathan | 2791 |
½-½ |
Giri Anish | 2790 |
Mamedyarov Shakhriyar | 2754 |
½-½ |
Vachier-Lagrave Maxime | 2762 |
Caruana Fabiano | 2802 |
0-1 |
Carlsen Magnus | 2863 |
Round 4
Name | Rtg | Res. | Name | Rtg |
---|---|---|---|---|
Adams Michael | 2746 |
½-½ |
Carlsen Magnus | 2863 |
Vachier-Lagrave Maxime | 2762 |
½-½ |
Caruana Fabiano | 2802 |
Giri Anish | 2790 |
½-½ |
Mamedyarov Shakhriyar | 2754 |
Kramnik Vladimir | 2783 |
½-½ |
Anand Viswanathan | 2791 |
So Wesley | 2788 |
1-0 |
Mamedov Rauf | 2651 |
Round 5
Name | Rtg | Res. | Name | Rtg |
---|---|---|---|---|
Mamedov Rauf | 2651 |
½-½ |
Adams Michael | 2746 |
Anand Viswanathan | 2791 |
1-0 |
So Wesley | 2788 |
Mamedyarov Shakhriyar | 2754 |
1-0 |
Kramnik Vladimir | 2783 |
Caruana Fabiano | 2802 |
½-½ |
Giri Anish | 2790 |
Carlsen Magnus | 2863 |
1-0 |
Vachier-Lagrave Maxime | 2762 |
Round 6
Name | Rtg | Res. | Name | Rtg |
---|---|---|---|---|
Adams Michael | 2746 |
½-½ |
Vachier-Lagrave Maxime | 2762 |
Giri Anish | 2790 |
½-½ |
Carlsen Magnus | 2863 |
Kramnik Vladimir | 2783 |
0-1 |
Caruana Fabiano | 2802 |
So Wesley | 2788 |
½-½ |
Mamedyarov Shakhriyar | 2754 |
Mamedov Rauf | 2651 |
½-½ |
Anand Viswanathan | 2791 |
Round 7
Name | Rtg | Res. | Name | Rtg |
---|---|---|---|---|
Anand Viswanathan | 2791 |
1-0 |
Adams Michael | 2746 |
Mamedyarov Shakhriyar | 2754 |
½-½ |
Mamedov Rauf | 2651 |
Caruana Fabiano | 2802 |
1-0 |
So Wesley | 2788 |
Carlsen Magnus | 2863 |
1-0 |
Kramnik Vladimir | 2783 |
Vachier-Lagrave Maxime | 2762 |
½-½ |
Giri Anish | 2790 |
Round 8
Name | Rtg | Res. | Name | Rtg |
---|---|---|---|---|
Adams Michael | 2746 | - | Giri Anish | 2790 |
Kramnik Vladimir | 2783 | - | Vachier-Lagrave Maxime | 2762 |
So Wesley | 2788 | - | Carlsen Magnus | 2863 |
Mamedov Rauf | 2651 | - | Caruana Fabiano | 2802 |
Anand Viswanathan | 2791 | - | Mamedyarov Shakhriyar | 2754 |
Round 9
Name | Rtg | Res. | Name | Rtg |
---|---|---|---|---|
Mamedyarov Shakhriyar | 2754 | - | Adams Michael | 2746 |
Caruana Fabiano | 2802 | - | Anand Viswanathan | 2791 |
Carlsen Magnus | 2863 | - | Mamedov Rauf | 2651 |
Vachier-Lagrave Maxime | 2762 | - | So Wesley | 2788 |
Giri Anish | 2790 | - | Kramnik Vladimir | 2783 |
One of the major tournaments of the year, you can count on www.playchess.com to deliver quality commentary every round!
Day | Date | Round | English | German |
Friday | April 17 | Round 1 | GM Daniel King | GMs Oliver Reeh/Dorian Rogozenco |
Saturday | April 18 | Round 2 | GM Simon Williams | GM Klaus Bischoff |
Sunday | April 19 | Round 3 | GM Simon Williams | GM Klaus Bischoff |
Monday | April 20 | Round 4 | GM Daniel King | GM Klaus Bischoff |
Tuesday | April 21 | Round 5 | GM Rustam Kasimdzhanov | GM Klaus Bischoff |
Wednesday | April 22 | Free | ||
Thursday | April 23 | Round 6 | GM Daniel King | GM Klaus Bischoff |
Friday | April 24 | Round 7 | GM Simon Williams | GM Klaus Bischoff |
Saturday | April 25 | Round 8 | GM Rustam Kasimdzhanov | GMs Oliver Reeh/Karsten Müller |
Sunday | April 26 | Round 9 | GM Daniel King | GM Klaus Bischoff |
English Commentators
LinksThe games are being broadcast live on the official web site and on the chess server Playchess.com. If you are not a member you can download a free Playchess client there and get immediate access. You can also use ChessBase 13 or any of our Fritz compatible chess programs. |