Sinquefield Cup: Caruana’s brilliant win

by Carlos Alberto Colodro
8/18/2021 – Exciting chess continues to be the norm in Saint Louis, as the Sinquefield Cup kicked off with a number of thrilling games on Tuesday. Fabiano Caruana, Leinier Dominguez and Maxime Vachier-Lagrave won their first-round games and are the early leaders of the event. Caruana’s victory over Sam Shankland was particularly attractive. | Photo: Crystal Fuller

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.

Dominguez and Vachier-Lagrave also win

The Sinquefield Cup sees four of the participants not only fighting to win the tournament but also keeping an eye on the overall standings of the Grand Chess Tour, which grants an extra $175,000 prize fund for the three players who get the most points throughout the series. Wesley So is the clear leader in that competition; Shakhriyar Mamedyarov and Maxime Vachier-Lagrave are almost tied in second and third places; while Fabiano Caruana has an outside chance of finishing second or third (see the full standings table in our preview).

Out of these four ‘tour regulars’, Caruana and Vachier-Lagrave had the best starts at the Sinquefield Cup, beating Sam Shankland and Peter Svidler respectively. They are joined in the early lead by Leinier Dominguez, who got the better of Dariusz Swiercz.

Sinquefield Cup 2021

Classical (elite) chess has returned to Saint Louis! | Photo: Crystal Fuller

The first result of the event was a draw, with Jeffery Xiong failing to get anything with white against Richard Rapport.

Not long after, Svidler resigned against MVL. Two of the strongest practitioners of the Grünfeld Defence, they entered a variation with 4.h4. Theory was followed until move 15, with Black giving up a pawn to get open lines on the queenside — à la Benko Gambit. Svidler eventually recovered the pawn, but by then White’s h-pawn had made it to the sixth rank.

 
Vachier-Lagrave vs. Svidler

After MVL’s 25.b4 came Svidler’s decisive mistake — 25...Ne8 (25...cxb4 or 25...Ke8 would have kept the game going). There followed 26.bxc5 dxc5 27.Bg7+ Kg8 28.Qa8

 

Black is completely stuck. Note that in the first diagrammed position the knight was protecting the a8-square. 28...c4 29.Qd8 Qa4 30.Kg2 Qb5 31.Bb2 and Svidler resigned. (You can try your own variations on our interactive diagrams).

 
New ...
Open...
Share...
Layout...
Flip Board
Settings
MoveNResultEloPlayers
Replay and check the LiveBook here
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.h4 Bg7 4.Nc3 0-0 5.e4 d6 6.Be2 c5 7.d5 b5 8.cxb5 E73: King's Indian: Averbakh Variation without 6...c5. a6 9.a4 axb5 10.Bxb5 The position is equal. Ba6 11.Bd2 Bxb5 12.axb5 Nbd7 13.Nf3 Rxa1 14.Qxa1 Qb6 15.0-0
15...Rb8N Predecessor: 15...Ne8 16.Bg5 Nc7 17.Bxe7 Ra8 18.Qd1 Nxb5 19.Nxb5 Qxb5 20.Bxd6 Bxb2 21.Qc2 c4 1/2-1/2 (41) Maatman,N (2400)-Kokje,J (2222) Groningen 2019 16.Qa6 Ne8 17.Ra1 Kf8 18.h5 Nc7 19.Qa4 Ra8 20.Qd1 And now Rxa8+ would win. Rxa1 21.Qxa1 Ne5 22.h6 Nxf3+ 23.gxf3 Bxc3 24.Bxc3 Strongly threatening Ba5. Qxb5 25.b4 Ne8? 25...cxb4= and Black stays safe. 26.Bxb4 Ke8 26.bxc5+- dxc5 27.Bg7+ Kg8
28.Qa8! Qd8! is the strong threat. c4? 28...Qd7+- 29.e5 e6 29.Qd8 White mates. Qa4 30.Kg2 Qb5
31.Bb2! Back Rank. Weighted Error Value: White=0.03/Black=0.45
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,M2751Svidler,P27141–02021GCT Sinquefield Cup 20211.2

Maxime Vachier-Lagrave, Peter Svidler

Grünfeld specialists — Maxime Vachier-Lagrave and Peter Svidler | Photo: Lennart Ootes

While MVL and Svidler opted for a deep theoretical variation, Caruana chose the more positionally oriented London System with white against Shankland. The world number 2 outmanoeuvred his opponent in the middlegame, focusing on improving his pieces on the kingside. The following position was reached after 27 moves.

 
Caruana vs. Shankland

Caruana found the stunning 28.Ng4, not only taking advantage of the fact that 28...Nxh4 runs into 29.Nh6#, but also planning to give up a piece for the attack after 28...h529.Qg5 hxg4 30.hxg4 Ng7. Notice how strong the unopposed dark-squared bishop is along the e5-h8 diagonal.

 

Black is doomed. After 31.Qh6, Shankland found nothing better than 31...Nef5, returning the material, but there was no defence already. Resignation came seven moves later.

The tournament offers an extra $5,000 brilliancy prize, and Caruana’s win will certainly be among the contenders.

 
New ...
Open...
Share...
Layout...
Flip Board
Settings
MoveNResultEloPlayers
Replay and check the LiveBook here
1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 g6 3.Bf4 Bg7 4.e3 d6 5.h3 c5 6.Nbd2 cxd4 7.exd4 0-0 8.Be2 Qb6 A48: 1 d4 Nf6 2 Nf3 g6: Torre, London and Colle Systems. 8...Nc6= 9.Nc4 Qc7
10.Ne3N Predecessor: 10.0-0 Bf5 11.c3 Nbd7 12.Ne3 e6 13.Nc4 Ne8 14.a4 e5 15.dxe5 dxe5 16.Bg3 1-0 (45) Starke,R (1931)-Kamari,I (1562) Berlin 2017 10...Nc6 The position is equal. 11.c3 e5 12.Bh2 Qe7 12...exd4! 13.Nxd4 Nxd4 14.Qxd4 Ng4! 13.0-0 Black is under pressure. e4 14.Ne1 d5 15.N1c2 Be6 16.Qe1 Nd7 16...Rad8= 17.f3! f5 Threatening ...f4. 18.fxe4! fxe4 19.Bf4 Rf7 20.Qg3 Nf6 21.Rf2 Qd7 22.Raf1 Raf8 23.Qh4 Ne8 24.Ng4 Nd6 25.Nce3 Ne7 26.Ne5 Bxe5 27.Bxe5 Ndf5?
This costs Black the game. 27...Rxf2± 28.Rxf2 Rxf2 29.Kxf2 29.Qxf2 Nc6 29...Nc6 28.Ng4!+- Rxf5! is the strong threat. h5 Worse is 28...Nxh4 29.Nh6# 29.Qg5 hxg4 30.hxg4 Ng7 30...e3 31.Rf3 Rh7 31.Qh6 Threatening mate with Bxg7.White is clearly winning. Nef5 32.gxf5 Rxf5 33.Rxf5 Rxf5 34.Rxf5 Bxf5 35.g4 Be6 35...Bxg4 36.Bxg7 Overworked Piece Qxg7 37.Qxg7+ Kxg7 38.Bxg4 Kf7 36.Qxg6 Qf7 37.Qh6 e3
38.Bf3! Weighted Error Value: White=0.07/ Black=0.37
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
Caruana,F2806Shankland,S27091–02021GCT Sinquefield Cup 20211.4

Sam Shankland

Dealing with a tough position — Sam Shankland | Photo: Lennart Ootes

In a crucial game for the overall standings of the Grand Chess Tour, So failed to make the most of an advantageous queenless position against Mamedyarov. A common pandemic-related confusion occurred at the start of the game — handshake or fist bump?

In the last game to finish on Tuesday, Dominguez showed his class to defeat Swiercz with the black pieces. The Cuban-born grandmaster will play white against Caruana in Wednesday’s second round. 


Standings after round 1

Rk.NameRtg.Nt.Pts.n
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
TBPerf.
1
2806
1.0
1
0.00
3509
2
2758
1.0
1
0.00
3455
3
2751
1.0
1
0.00
3514
4
2782
0.5
1
0.25
2772
5
2772
0.5
1
0.25
2782
6
2763
0.5
1
0.25
2710
7
2710
0.5
1
0.25
2763
8
2714
0.0
1
0.00
1951
9
2709
0.0
1
0.00
2006
10
2655
0.0
1
0.00
1958
TBs: Sonneborn-Berger

All games

 
New ...
Open...
Share...
Layout...
Flip Board
Settings
MoveNResultEloPlayers
Replay and check the LiveBook here
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.0-0 Nf6 5.d3 0-0 6.h3 d6 7.c3 Ne7 C54: Giuoco Piano: 4 c3 Nf6, main lines with 5 d4 and 5 d3. 8.Re1 Ng6 9.d4 Bb6 10.Bd3
10...d5N Predecessor: 10...h6 11.Be3 Nh5 12.Nbd2 Nhf4 13.Bf1 Qf6 14.Kh2 Re8 15.a4 a6 16.g3 exd4 17.cxd4 1-0 (116) Ter Sahakyan,S (2640)-Quesada Perez,Y (2598) Lichess.org INT 2020 11.exd5 exd4 12.c4 c6 13.Qc2 cxd5 14.c5 Bc7 15.Nxd4 Re8 16.Rxe8+ Qxe8 17.Nc3 Qe1+ 18.Bf1 Bd7 19.Qe2 Qxe2 20.Ndxe2 Rc8 21.Be3 Ne7 22.Rd1 a6 23.g4 Bc6 24.f3 h6 25.b4 Re8 26.Kf2 Bd7 27.Bf4 Bxf4 28.Nxf4 d4 28...Be6 29.Rxd4+- Nc6 30.Rd6 Nxb4 31.Rb6 a5 32.Rxb7 Bc6 33.Ra7 g5
34.Nd3 Rd8 35.Ne5 Rd2+ 36.Kg3 Rc2
37.a3! Nbd5 38.Nxd5 Don't take 38.Nxc6?! Rxc3 39.Ne5 39.Rxa5 Ne4+       Double Attack 40.Kh2 Nd2= 39...Ne4+ 40.Kh2 Nd2 38...Nxd5 39.Bd3 39.Rxf7
gets mated. 39...Ne3! 40.Rf8+ Kxf8 41.Ng6+ Kg7 42.Be2 Rxe2 43.h4 Nf1+ 44.Kh3 Rh2#
39.h4+- Be8 40.Rxa5 39...Rxc5± 40.Nxf7 40.Nxc6± Rxc6 41.Rxa5 40...Nf4!= The position is equal. 41.Bf5 Bd5 42.Ne5 aiming for Nd7. 42.Nxh6+ feels hotter. Kf8 43.Be4 Bxe4 44.fxe4 Rc3+ 45.Kf2 42...Rc3 43.Rxa5 Re3 ( -> ...Re2) 44.Nd3 Rxf3+ 45.Kh2 Rxh3+ 46.Kg1 Hoping for Nxf4. Rg3+ 47.Kf2 Rf3+ 48.Kg1 Nxf4 is the strong threat. Rg3+ 49.Kf2 Rf3+ 50.Kg1 Black must now prevent Nxf4. Rg3+ Blacks defense is rewarded with a draw. Weighted Error Value: White=0.10/Black=0.07
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
So,W2772Mamedyarov,S2782½–½2021C54GCT Sinquefield Cup 20211.1
Vachier-Lagrave,M2751Svidler,P27141–02021E73GCT Sinquefield Cup 20211.2
Xiong,J2710Rapport,R2763½–½2021E38GCT Sinquefield Cup 20211.3
Caruana,F2806Shankland,S27091–02021A48GCT Sinquefield Cup 20211.4
Swiercz,D2655Dominguez Perez,L27580–12021C42GCT Sinquefield Cup 20211.5
Dominguez Perez,L2758Caruana,F2806½–½2021C54GCT Sinquefield Cup 20212.1
Shankland,S2709Xiong,J2710½–½2021B38GCT Sinquefield Cup 20212.2
Swiercz,D2655So,W27720–12021C67GCT Sinquefield Cup 20212.3
Rapport,R2763Vachier-Lagrave,M2751½–½2021E60GCT Sinquefield Cup 20212.4
Svidler,P2714Mamedyarov,S2782½–½2021C54GCT Sinquefield Cup 20212.5
So,W2772Svidler,P27141–02021A37GCT Sinquefield Cup 20213.1
Mamedyarov,S2782Rapport,R27631–02021D49GCT Sinquefield Cup 20213.2
Vachier-Lagrave,M2751Shankland,S27091–02021C54GCT Sinquefield Cup 20213.3
Xiong,J2710Dominguez Perez,L2758½–½2021C47GCT Sinquefield Cup 20213.4
Caruana,F2806Swiercz,D26551–02021B30GCT Sinquefield Cup 20213.5
Swiercz,D2655Xiong,J27101–02021B96GCT Sinquefield Cup 20214.1
Caruana,F2806So,W2772½–½2021A33GCT Sinquefield Cup 20214.2
Rapport,R2763Svidler,P27141–02021D02GCT Sinquefield Cup 20214.3
Shankland,S2709Mamedyarov,S27821–02021C65GCT Sinquefield Cup 20214.4
Dominguez Perez,L2758Vachier-Lagrave,M27511–02021B90GCT Sinquefield Cup 20214.5
Svidler,P2714Shankland,S2709½–½2021B90GCT Sinquefield Cup 20215.1
Vachier-Lagrave,M2751Swiercz,D26551–02021C54GCT Sinquefield Cup 20215.2
Mamedyarov,S2782Dominguez Perez,L2758½–½2021D27GCT Sinquefield Cup 20215.3
Xiong,J2710Caruana,F28061–02021D02GCT Sinquefield Cup 20215.4
So,W2772Rapport,R2763½–½2021C67GCT Sinquefield Cup 20215.5
Caruana,F2806Vachier-Lagrave,M2751½–½2021B90GCT Sinquefield Cup 20216.1
Dominguez Perez,L2758Svidler,P2714½–½2021C54GCT Sinquefield Cup 20216.2
Xiong,J2710So,W2772½–½2021D02GCT Sinquefield Cup 20216.3
Shankland,S2709Rapport,R2763½–½2021C45GCT Sinquefield Cup 20216.4
Swiercz,D2655Mamedyarov,S2782½–½2021C67GCT Sinquefield Cup 20216.5
Rapport,R2763Dominguez Perez,L2758½–½2021D23GCT Sinquefield Cup 20217.1
So,W2772Shankland,S2709½–½2021A20GCT Sinquefield Cup 20217.2
Mamedyarov,S2782Caruana,F28060–12021E20GCT Sinquefield Cup 20217.3
Svidler,P2714Swiercz,D26551–02021C88GCT Sinquefield Cup 20217.4
Vachier-Lagrave,M2751Xiong,J27101–02021C67GCT Sinquefield Cup 20217.5
Xiong,J2710Mamedyarov,S2782½–½2021D32GCT Sinquefield Cup 20218.1
Caruana,F2806Svidler,P2714½–½2021C54GCT Sinquefield Cup 20218.2
Swiercz,D2655Rapport,R2763½–½2021D02GCT Sinquefield Cup 20218.3
Vachier-Lagrave,M2751So,W2772½–½2021C67GCT Sinquefield Cup 20218.4
Dominguez Perez,L2758Shankland,S2709½–½2021B90GCT Sinquefield Cup 20218.5
Shankland,S2709Swiercz,D2655½–½2021A11GCT Sinquefield Cup 20219.1
Mamedyarov,S2782Vachier-Lagrave,M2751½–½2021D85GCT Sinquefield Cup 20219.2
So,W2772Dominguez Perez,L2758½–½2021D27GCT Sinquefield Cup 20219.3
Svidler,P2714Xiong,J2710½–½2021C55GCT Sinquefield Cup 20219.4
Rapport,R2763Caruana,F2806½–½2021B44GCT Sinquefield Cup 20219.5

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.

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.