Sinquefield Cup Highlights

by Joshua Doknjas
8/29/2021 – The Sinquefield Cup concluded on August 26 with Maxime Vachier-Lagrave scoring 6/9 points and winning clear first ahead of three Americans: Fabiano Caruana, Leinier Dominguez, and Wesley So. So scored 2½/3 in the early rounds and played a very solid tournament, which brought him the 2021 Grand Chess Tour title. Joshua Doknjas takes a look at 4 interesting games from the event. | Photo: Lennart Ootes
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.

Highlights

MVL’s Italian

MVL scored a remarkable 4½/5 points in his White games, taking advantage of an error by Peter Svidler in the first round and then scoring wins in his favorite opening systems: the Italian and Berlin Endgame. His game in Round 3 was a very interesting one because of the double-edged opening variation employed by Sam Shankland. Despite the opening success, Shankland didn’t find the strongest middlegame plan and fell under some pressure. After the exchange of queens, MVL displayed some deep calculation to convincingly win the arising pawn endgame.

 
New ...
Open...
Share...
Layout...
Flip Board
Settings
MoveNResultEloPlayers
Replay and check the LiveBook here
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.c3 Nf6 5.d3 d6 MVL's round 5 game against Swiercz saw 5...0-0 6.0-0 d5 7.exd5 Nxd5 8.Re1 Bg4 9.Nbd2 Nb6 10.h3 Bh5 11.Bb3 Kh8!? 12.Ne4 Nd7! 13.Bd5 Bb6 14.Ng3 Bxf3 15.Qxf3 f5 16.d4 f4 17.Ne4 Qh4 was some detailed preparation by Swiercz, but MVL quickly obtained a clear advantage after one small slip from his opponent: 18.Nd2 exd4 19.Nc4 Rad8?! 19...dxc3! 20.bxc3 20.Nxb6 axb6 21.Qxc3 Rad8 20...Bc5 should be perfectly fine for Black. 20.Bxc6 bxc6 21.Bd2 Nf6 22.Nxb6 cxb6 23.cxd4± 1-0 (47) Vachier-Lagrave,M (2751)-Swiercz,D (2655) Saint Louis USA 2021 6.0-0 a6 7.a4 h6 8.Re1 Ba7 9.Nbd2 Be6!? A fresh idea by Shankland. Delaying kingside castling provides Black with some additional options. 10.Bxe6 fxe6 11.Nf1 It would be interesting to see what Shankland had prepared after 11.b4 when 0-0 12.h3 transposes back into standard Italian lines. 11...a5! Taking advantage of MVL's slightly inaccurate move order (11.Nf1). Castling queenside now becomes an idea for Black because White cannot easily play b4-b5. 12.Ng3 Qd7 13.Be3 Bxe3 14.Rxe3 g5! 15.d4 0-0-0 16.d5 exd5 17.exd5 Ne7 The surprising retreat 17...Nb8!? intending to occupy the c5-square for the knight deserves attention. Following 18.Qd2 Na6 19.b4 Qf7 20.Rd1 Rhf8 it is not clear how White will continue attacking on the queenside. 18.c4 Ng4?! A direct approach, preparing to create play on the f-file. However, it was stronger to focus on playing in the centre. 18...c6! was suggested by MVL, fighting for counterplay in the centre. 19.dxc6 Nxc6 19.Rb3?! 19.Rd3! keeps the rook as a defender on the 3rd rank and doesn't get in the way of the b-pawn. White's idea of playing Qe1 (or Qd2) and b4 next is difficult to counter. Rhf8 20.Qe1 Kb8 21.b4 19...Rdf8 20.Qe1 b6 21.Rb5 Continuing with the plan set out with 19.Rb3. The computer insists on keeping the rook on the 3rd rank and playing for b4: 21.Rba3!? Nxf2 is met by 22.Qxf2 g4 23.Nxe5 dxe5 24.Qe2 with an unclear position but one where White should have better attacking chances. 21...Nxf2 22.Qxf2 g4 23.Nxe5 MVL also considered the complications after 23.c5!? bxc5 24.Ra3∞ with very double-edged play. 23...Qxb5 24.axb5 Rxf2 25.Kxf2 dxe5 26.Ke3 Rf8 27.Rf1 Rxf1 28.Nxf1 The game has transitioned from a sharp middlegame with opposite-sided castling to a knight endgame where Black must defend precisely. Nf5+ 29.Kd3 Kd7 30.Nd2 Nd6? The exchange of knights cannot be allowed by Black. The correct defence was pointed out by MVL: 30...Kd6! 31.Ne4+ 31.Ke4 Nd4 31...Ke7 and White doesn't have a clear way of making progress. 32.Nf2 h5 33.Ke4 Kf6 31.Ne4 Ke7 The last mistake, allowing White to reach a winning pawn endgame. 31...Ne8! would still have kept Black in the game, but the defence is not nearly as clear as it was after 30...Kd6! 32.Nxd6 cxd6 The winning line after 32...Kxd6 was provided by MVL after the game: 33.b3 Kc5 34.Ke4 Kb4 35.Kf5 Kxb3 36.c5 a4 37.d6 cxd6 38.cxb6 a3 39.b7 a2 40.b8Q a1Q 41.Qxd6 Qf1+ 42.Ke6 33.Ke4 Kf6 34.b3 Kg6 35.c5 dxc5 36.d6 Kf7 37.Kd5 37.Kxe5 also wins. c4 37...Ke8 38.Ke6 Kd8 39.d7 38.bxc4 a4 39.Kd5 a3 40.Kc6 a2 41.d7 37...e4 38.Kc6 e3 39.d7 e2 40.d8Q e1Q 41.Kxb6 Qe6+ 42.Ka7 c4 43.bxc4 a4 44.b6 a3 45.b7 a2 46.Qc7+ Kg6 47.Qa5 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
Vachier-Lagrave,M2751Shankland,S27091–02021C548th Sinquefield Cup 20213.3

Sharp Najdorf Battles

MVL defended the Black side of a sharp and highly theoretical Najdorf in two games against Dominguez and Caruana. The game between MVL and Dominguez was one of the best in the tournament, where Dominguez unleashed an impressive piece of preparation and finished it off with a crushing attack.

Two rounds later, Caruana challenged MVL’s Najdorf with the same setup, but this time MVL precisely navigated the problems posed by his opponent and made a draw.

 
New ...
Open...
Share...
Layout...
Flip Board
Settings
MoveNResultEloPlayers
Replay and check the LiveBook here
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 MVL used to meet the English with 6.Be3 Ng4, and if White tried the other move order with 6.f3 then 6...e6 would follow. He deviated from this approach twice in the 2021 Sinquefield Cup, preferring one of the most theoretical main lines after 6.Be3 e5. 6.Be3 e5 7.Nb3 Be6 8.f3 Be7 9.Qd2 0-0 10.0-0-0 Nbd7 11.g4 b5 12.g5 Nh5! A very robust line but one that requires a strong memory and good calculation skills. In that sense, it is comparable to other very sharp lines of the Najdorf, such as the Poisoned Pawn variation after 6.Bg5. 13.Kb1 This 12...Nh5 line was already tried by MVL a month prior in Sochi. That game continued 13.Nd5 Bxd5 14.exd5 f6 15.gxf6 Bxf6 16.Na5 Qe8 ½-½ (32) Paravyan,D (2625)-Vachier-Lagrave,M (2749) Sochi 2021 13...Nb6 14.Na5 Rc8 15.Nd5!? Sacrificing a pawn in return for the bishop pair and control over the light squares. Two rounds later, Caruana tried 15.a3 g6 16.h4 Ng3 17.Rg1 Nxf1 18.Rgxf1 Na4 19.Nxa4 bxa4 20.h5 Qc7 21.Rh1 Rfe8! 22.Qh2 Bf8 23.c4 Re7! (this ideal setup of the Black pieces has been seen in a number of correspondence games) 24.Bd2 Bxc4 25.Bb4 Rd7 26.f4!? led to an extremely complicated battle with deep preparation by both sides in ½-½ (46) Caruana,F (2806)-Vachier-Lagrave,M (2751) Saint Louis USA 2021 15...Nxd5 16.exd5 Bxd5 17.Qxd5 Qxa5 18.c4 Nf4 Although it compromises Black's pawn structure, forcing the trade of minor pieces is a good choice. 19.Bxf4 exf4 20.h4 One previous game saw the less challenging 20.cxb5 axb5 21.h4 Rc5 22.Qb3 d5 ½-½ (31) Leko,P (2679)-Giri,A (2762) Heraklion 2017 20...Qa4 21.Bd3! A very dangerous piece of preparation by Dominguez, forcing his opponent to play with extreme precision. bxc4 22.Qe4 g6 23.Bc2 Qd7? MVL didn't manage to recall his analysis and ends up in a very difficult situation right out of the opening. The correct defence was extremely difficult to calculate over the board: 23...Qe8! 24.Rde1 24.h5? Bxg5 24...Rc7 25.h5 d5! 26.Qe5 26.Qxd5?! Qb5 26...Qc6 27.hxg6 fxg6 28.Rxh7 28.Rh6 Qd6 and Black had reached a relatively safe position in the correspondence game ½-½ (32) Anokhin,Y (2427)-Schreiber, E (2367) ICCF 2020 28...Kxh7 29.Rh1+ Kg8 30.Rh6 Bf6! saves the game: 31.gxf6 Rxf6 32.Bxg6 Rxg6 33.Rh8+ Kf7 34.Rh7+ Kf8= 24.h5 Qe6 24...Bxg5? loses to 25.hxg6 hxg6 25...fxg6 26.Qd5+ 26.Qd4 f6 27.Bxg6 25.hxg6 hxg6? In view of Dominguez's crushing attack, entering the endgame with 25...Qxe4 promised better defensive chances, although White's g5-pawn becomes a major annoyance in the following lines: 26.gxf7+ Kxf7 26...Rxf7?! 27.Bxe4 Rg7 28.g6! hxg6 29.Bd5+ 27.Bxe4 Rc5 27...Rh8? 28.Rxh7+ Rxh7 29.g6+! Kg7 30.gxh7 28.Rxh7+ Ke6 29.Rh6+ Kd7 30.g6± 26.Qxf4 Avoiding the queen exchange and playing for mate on the h-file. Qe5 27.Qh4 Qg7 White wants to place all 3 major pieces on the h-file, but should this be done with 28.Rh2 or 28.Rd2? 28.Rd2! Dominguez pointed out the following resource for Black after the game: 28.Rh2? Rc5 29.f4 Rb8 30.b3 cxb3 31.Bxb3 Rxb3+! 32.axb3 Ra5 33.Rb2 33.Ra2 Qc3 33...Qc3 provides Black with significantly better fighting chances compared to the game. 28...Rc5 29.f4 f6 The critical line is 29...Rb8 30.b3 cxb3 31.Bxb3 Rxb3+ 31...Ra5 32.Rh3 and White keeps everything under control of the queenside. 33.Rdh2 is coming next. 32.axb3 Ra5 33.Rb2 and compared to the 28.Rh2? variation, White gets to keep his rook on the h-file. 30.Rdh2 fxg5 31.Qe1 Also winning is 31.Qg4 Rf6 32.Rh6 31...Bf6 32.Rh6 Qb7 33.Qe6+ 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
Dominguez Perez,L2758Vachier-Lagrave,M27511–02021B908th Sinquefield Cup 20214.5

Leinier Dominguez

Leinier Dominguez during his round-4 game against Maxime Vachier-Lagrave (with MVL’s portrait in the background) | Photo: Lennart Ootes

Fighting for First

In Round 7, Caruana scored an important win with the Black pieces against Mamedyarov. This win allowed him to bounce back from an upset against Jeffery Xiong and put himself in striking distance of first place. Interestingly, the line that Mamedyarov chose was one that Caruana had introduced last year, which leads to very unbalanced and original play right out of the opening.  

 
New ...
Open...
Share...
Layout...
Flip Board
Settings
MoveNResultEloPlayers
Replay and check the LiveBook here
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.f3 c5 5.d5 d6 6.e4 b5 7.Bd2 Bxc3 8.Bxc3 b4 9.Bd2 0-0 10.Ne2 A relatively fresh idea, which was introduced by Caruana with the White pieces against Aronian last year. Unbalanced play also arises after 10.Be3 exd5 11.cxd5 Nfd7! 12.Ne2 f5 1/2-1/2 (34) Aronian,L (2758)-Carlsen,M (2876) Douglas 2019 10...exd5 Caruana's previous game in this line continued 10...Nh5!? 11.Be3 f5 12.dxe6 Bxe6 13.exf5 Rxf5 14.Qd2 Nd7 15.0-0-0 15.Ng3! Qh4 16.Bf2 is a possible improvement. 15...Qa5 0-1 (52) Caruana,F (2828)-Aronian,L (2767) Stavanger 2020 11.exd5!? Recapturing with the e-pawn is quite unusual for these lines. Caruana expected 11.cxd5 when Nh5 with ideas of ...Qh4+ and ...f5 leads to a very unbalanced middlegame. 11...Nh5 12.Kf2 White intends to play g4 and Ng3, so Caruana's next move prevents this. f5! 12...Nd7 13.g4 Qh4+ 14.Kg2 Ne5 looks extremely dangerous for White on the kingside, but 15.h3! should keep things under control. 15.Ng3? f5! leads to a crushing attack 16.gxh5 f4 13.Nf4 The most logical way of preventing 13.. .f4, but 13.a3 could also be considered. 13.a3!? a5 14.g3 Nd7 15.Kg2∞ leads to a very complicated middlegame. 13...Nxf4 Picking up the exchange with 13...Qh4+ 14.g3 Nxg3 15.hxg3 Qxh1 was mentioned by Caruana, leading to a complete mess which is impossible to evaluate precisely. For example, 16.Qe2 g5 17.Ne6 f4!?∞ 14.Bxf4 g5 15.Bc1 Nd7 Cramping White's kingside with 15...f4! may have been even stronger, but Caruana prefers to develop his knight and launch an attack. 16.g4 Nd7 16.f4 Nf6 17.Kg1 Ne4 The most aggressive approach, playing for an attack on the kingside. 18.fxg5 f4 19.Bd3 Qe7 20.Qe2 Bf5 21.Bxf4 Qg7 22.Rf1 Eliminating the knight before Black has the chance to activate his rook with ...Rae8 deserved attention. 22.Bxe4 Bxe4 23.Bg3 but not 23.Qxe4? Rae8 24.Qf3 Qd4+ 25.Qf2 Qxc4 23...Qd4+ 24.Bf2 22...Bg6 22...Rae8 23.Be3 Qe5! would not give White the chance to play h3 and Kh2. 23.h3 Rae8 24.Qc2 Qd4+ 25.Kh2 Rf7 26.Qe2? Perhaps missing Caruana's powerful next move. 26.Bxe4! Rxe4 Stronger is 26...Bxe4 27.Qe2 Qd3 but the exchange of queens leads to a better endgame for White. 27.Bg3 Re1 28.Qxg6+! A very important point. hxg6 29.Rxe1 is winning for White due to the differences in king safety. After Qxc4 30.Bxd6 White intends to activate his rooks and create threats around Black's king (e.g., Re8+ and Be5). 26...Nf6! 27.Qd1? Caruana thought that Mamedyarov intended to sacrifice his queen with 27.Bxg6! Rxe2 28.Bxf7+ Kxf7 28...Kg7!? 29.Bxd6 Ne4 29.Bxd6 Qxc4 30.Rxf6+ Ke8∞ 27...Bxd3 28.gxf6 Bxf1 29.Qg4+ Kh8 30.Rxf1 Rxf6 The complications have settled down and Black is left with an extra exchange. 31.Rf3 Rg8 32.Qh4 Qxb2 33.Rg3 Rxg3 34.Bxg3 Qd4 35.Qh5 Qe4 36.Qg5 Qg6 37.Qe3 Qf7 38.Qb3 Rg6 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
Mamedyarov,S2782Caruana,F28060–12021E208th Sinquefield Cup 20217.3

Going into the final round, MVL was in clear first with 5½/8 points, while Caruana, So, and Dominguez were close behind with 5/8. MVL’s game ended in a quick draw, putting the three Americans in a must-win situation if they wanted to fight for tournament victory. So and Dominguez faced each other, but the game never strayed far from equality, as So was content with a draw having already secured first place in the Grand Chess Tour. 

Meanwhile, Caruana created chances of winning the event by entering an unbalanced Taimanov Sicilian against Richard Rapport.

 
New ...
Open...
Share...
Layout...
Flip Board
Settings
MoveNResultEloPlayers
Replay and check the LiveBook here
1.e4 The first small surprise because Rapport had played 1.Nf3, 1.g3, and 1. d4 thus far in the tournament. c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nc6 5.Bf4!? A very rare and unexplored idea by Rapport which will likely become fashionable in the near future. d6 5...Qf6?! can simply be met by 6.Be3 Bc5 7.c3 and the queen is misplaced on f6. 6.Nxc6 bxc6 7.c4 Rb8 8.Qc2 e5 In future games, an alternative developing scheme may be tried. For example, 8...c5 9.Nc3 Ne7 10.0-0-0 Nc6 11.e5!∞ leading to very sharp and unclear positions. 8...Ne7 is fine too, but gives White the extra option of 9.c5!? 8...Qf6?! 9.Bc1 Once against sees the queen misplaced on f6 and Black has difficulties developing his kingside. 9.Be3 Nf6 10.Nc3 Qc7 11.Be2 Be7 12.0-0 0-0 13.Rac1 Be6 14.b3 The opening has not gone too well for Caruana. White has a small, stable advantage and it is not clear yet how Black can try to unbalance the game and play for a win. h6 15.h3 a5 16.Rfd1 Rfd8 17.Bf3 Nh7 Preparing to trade a pair of minor pieces with ...Bg5. 18.Qe2 Bg5 19.Rd3 Qe7 20.Rcd1 Rd7 21.Bd2 A slightly more challenging setup is 21.Na4! Bxe3 22.Qxe3 Ng5 23.Be2 which is very similar to the game, but White also has ideas with c5 and Nb6. 21...Bxd2 22.Qxd2 Ng5 23.Be2 Rbd8 24.Qe3 24.h4!? Nh7 25.Qe3 makes it more difficult for Black to get active counterplay in the centre. Qxh4 is met by 26.Qb6 picking up one of the queenside pawns. 24...f5! 25.c5 d5 Suddenly the game has opened up and Caruana develops serious winning chances. 26.exd5 Bxd5 27.f4 Ne4 28.Nxd5 cxd5 29.c6?! 29.fxe5 Qxe5 30.Rd4 Qc7 31.Bf3 maintains the balance. 29...d4 30.Qc1 Rc7 31.fxe5 Qxe5 Caruana believed that his position was nearly winning at some point around here due to the exposed White king. 32.Qc4+ Kh7 33.Bf3 It appears that 33.Rxd4 Rxc6 34.Qxc6 Rxd4 35.Rxd4 Qxd4+ is far too dangerous for White because of the strong queen and knight pair. However, White should hang on after 36.Kh2 Qf2 37.Bc4 Qf4+ 38.Kg1 33...Ng5 33...Rd6! would have given better winning chances. White's queen is forced to the queenside after 34.Bxe4 fxe4 35.Rxd4 Rcxc6 36.Qa4 Rg6 37.R4d2 e3 38.Re2 and White faces a difficult defensive task in view of Black's stronger major pieces. 34.h4 Nxf3+ 35.Rxf3 Rd5 36.h5!? Perhaps trying to create some chances of winning the game, but this seems to be overambitious. Caruana thought that the natural 36.Rfd3 would simply lead to equality. For example, Rd6 37.Rxd4 Rdxc6 38.Qd5= 36...Qe4 37.Rdf1 d3 38.Rf4 Qe6 39.Rxf5 Qe3+ 40.Kh2 Rd4 41.Re1! An important resource, leading to an unpleasant but holdable rook endgame. 41.R1f3? Qe4 41...Rxc4 42.Rxe3 Rd4 43.Rf1 d2 44.Rd1 Rxc6 45.Re2 Rc2 46.a3 Rd5 47.Kg3 Rc3+ 48.Kh4 Rd4+ 49.g4 Rdd3 50.Rh2 Rc2 50...Rxb3 may have been a better try, but I'm sure Caruana had a reason for rejecting this line: 51.Rdxd2 Rxa3 51...Rxd2 52.Rxd2 Rxa3 53.Rd8= 52.Rde2 52.Rxd3 Rxd3 53.Ra2 Rd5 52...a4 53.Re4 Ra1 54.Re8 a3 55.Ra8 51.b4 a4 52.b5 Rb2 53.Rh3 Rd6 54.Rh2 White just waits and Black cannot make progress. Ra2 55.Rg2 Kg8 56.Rh2 Kf7 57.Re2 Rb2 58.Rf1+ Rf6 59.Rd1 Rd6 60.Rf1+ Rf6 61.Rd1 Rd6 62.Rf1+ 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
Rapport,R2763Caruana,F2806½–½2021B448th Sinquefield Cup 20219

As a result of this game, MVL took clear first and won his second Sinquefield Cup title.

Fabiano Caruana, Richard Rapport

Fabiano Caruana and Richard Rapport | Photo: Crystal Fuller

The Ruy Lopez is one of the oldest openings which continues to enjoy high popularity from club level to the absolute world top. In this video series, American super GM Fabiano Caruana, talking to IM Oliver Reeh, presents a complete repertoire for White.

Links

Joshua Doknjas is a FIDE Master from Canada and the author of two books on the Sicilian Najdorf and Ruy Lopez. He enjoys teaching, following, and writing about chess. Joshua is especially interested in the role of engines during opening preparation and understanding how AI has influenced modern chess.

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.