World Juniors 2018 Round 3+4: Fight until the very end

by Sagar Shah
9/8/2018 – It was a day of double rounds at the World Junior Championships 2018. In the open section we have four leaders with a score of 4.0/4 - Maghsoodloo, Firouzja, Sindarov and Bharathakoti. Each one had their own unique way to reach the 100% score. We look at their games in this report. Special focus also on one of the longest games of the fourth round between Maghsoodloo and Hakobyan. In the girls section Alicja Sliwicka and Nino Khomeriki are in the lead with 4.0/4. Report from Gebze by IM Sagar Shah and Amruta Mokal.
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.

Double rounds are always tiring and from a tournament point of view they speed up things in a big way. Suddenly after four rounds, we are nearing the halfway mark in the tournament. After four rounds we have only four players in the Open section who are on 4.0/4.

In the Girls section, we have two leaders. One of them is Georgian WIM Nino Khomeriki, who is on 4.0/4. The other is Alicja Sliwicka who beat Akshita Gorti in the fourth round on the top board.

Leading the pack after a hard day at work is GM Parham Maghsoodloo | Photo: Amruta Mokal

Parham is joined at the top by his friend and country-mate Alireza Firouzja who is on 4.0/4 | Photo: Amruta Mokal

Indian IM Harsha Bharathakoti is also on 4.0/4. He beat GM Alan Pichot and GM S.L. Narayanan on the same day. | Photo: Amruta Mokal

Don't get misled by his cute face! Uzbek IM Javokhir Sindarov is just 12 years old and beat GM Amin Tabatabaei and Aravindh Chithambaram on the same day! | Photo: Amruta Mokal

WIM Nino Khomeriki, who has 4.0/4 | Photo: Amruta Mokal

Alicja Sliwicka | Photo: Amruta Mokal

Parham Maghsoodloo's fighting attitude

It didn't look like Maghsoodloo would win his game against Lukasz Jarmula. But he kept his calm, and he kept his eyes open for the threats. At the end of it, when things started to spin out of control, the Iranian GM was in his element and converted the position.

Lukasz Jarmula had caught Parham in the net, but the Iranian escaped | Photo: Amruta Mokal

 
Jarmula vs Maghsoodloo
Position after 30.h4

If there was someone better in this position, it has to be White.

 
Position after 41...Kg6
How does White win this position?

White had to ask: what is the weakness that I can attack? He would have realized that it is the f5 square and would have surely found the move Qa5! After...Nd5 White has the powerful Nf8+ and after Qxf8 Qxd5 White is completely dominating.

Lukasz missed this opportunity and went on to make several mistakes which were enough for Parham to win the game.

 
New ...
Open...
Share...
Layout...
Flip Board
Settings
MoveNResultEloPlayers
Replay and check the LiveBook here
1.d4 30 Nf6 30 2.c4 0 e6 0 3.Nf3 0 a6 3:30 Typical Parham. Always adding some of his own spice to the mix! 4.Nc3 1:30 d5 0 5.cxd5 30 exd5 0 6.Bg5 1:30 Be6 0 7.e3 0 Nbd7 1:30 8.Bd3 0 Bd6 30 9.0-0 1:30 c6 2:30 10.Bf4 10:30 Qc7 30 11.Bxd6 1:30 Qxd6 30 12.Qc2 30 0-0 1:30 13.h3 0 g6 0 14.Rab1 6:30 a5 16:00 15.a3 30 b5 30 A pretty provocative move. It does weaken the c6 pawn and the c5 square but gives Black additional active options. 16.Ne2 15:30 b4 6:30 17.axb4 4:30 axb4 30 18.Nc1 9:30 18.Rfc1 Rfc8 19.Nf4 19.b3 c5 19...c5 20.b3 cxd4 21.Qxc8+ Rxc8 22.Rxc8+ Nf8∞ 18...c5! 0 19.dxc5 30 Nxc5 0 20.Nd4 1:30 Rfc8 0 21.Ncb3 1:30 Na4 4:30 22.Qe2 2:30 White seems to have come out with a small edge. Bd7 0 23.Rfc1 4:30 Ne4 3:30 24.Ra1 5:30 Qf6 2:30 25.Bxe4 30 dxe4 2:30 26.Rxc8+ 12:26 Rxc8 30 27.Qd2 29 Qd6 0 28.Rc1 1:15 Rxc1+ 0 29.Qxc1 0 f5 8:00 30.h4 3:39 When I looked at this position, I felt that only White can play for a win with his strong knight on d4 and the ability to start creating some threats by pushing his h-pawn. But Parham wasn't so pessismistic about his position! Kg7 4:30 31.Qd2 50 Kf6 3:30 32.Nc1 2:07 Be6 0 33.Nce2 47 covering the c3 square and preparing b3. Bf7 2:30 34.b3 1:50 Nb6 30 35.Qb2 0 Ke7 8:15 36.Qa1 1:16 The white queen hopes to penetrate into Black's position. Nd5 1:51 37.Qa8 1:10 Be8 34 38.h5 1:54 Kf7 6:47 39.h6 1:33 The h6 pawn can become quite a big problem for Black in future. At the same time White has to be careful that he doesn't lose the pawn. Nf6 4:43 40.Nf4 0 g5?! 0 This already seems very risky. 41.Nfe6! 15:00 Good move by Jarmula after 15 minutes of thought. Kg6 6:20 42.Ng7?! 13:08 Now Black is back in the game. 42.Qa5! Nd5 42...Qd5 43.Qxb4+- 43.Nf8+ Qxf8 44.Qxd5 White has a better position. 42...Bd7 30 43.Qd8?! 2:52 Qc5 14:51 43...f4! 44.Nge6 1:50 Qc1+ 32 45.Kh2 4 f4 1:02 45...Qe1 was winning as after 46.Nf8+ 46.Qe7 Ng4+-+ 46...Kf7 47.f3 exf3 48.gxf3 Qd2+ 49.Kh1 Qc1+ 50.Kh2 Qc8 51.Qxc8 Bxc8-+ White knight is trapped. 46.f3 1:16 exf3 6 47.exf4 34 Bxe6 1:35 48.Nxe6 20 Qc2 1:40 49.f5+ 30 Kh5 5 50.Ng7+ 1:40 Kh4 0 51.Qd4+ 50 A fine game by Jarmula, but towards the end he was outplayed by his Iranian opponent. 51.Qd4+ Ng4+ 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
Jarmula,L2504Maghsoodloo,P26490–12018D37World Junior U20 Open 20183.1

The battle between Maghsoodloo and Hakobyan in the fourth round was extremely exciting | Photo: Amruta Mokal

Aram Hakobyan has shown an impressive improvement in his play recently. In the last few months, he achieved his two GM norms and also pumped up his rating by nearly 100 Elo points. From December to mid-2018 he had a streak of nearly 50 unbeaten games which included strong events like the Aeroflot Open, European Individual and a few others. In the fourth round, Aram had the black pieces against Parham Maghsoodloo. It was a game to look forward to. 

There were many interesting moments in the game. It lasted for nearly five and a half hours. Let's see the position in the final few minutes of the game:

 
Maghsoodloo vs Hakobyan
What should White play here?

Maghsoodloo went for the move e7 here, which was a mistake. Hakobyan could have just taken the pawn on e7 and after Qg4+ played Kh8 as Qh3+ would be met with Qh7! However, in the above position, Maghsoodloo didn't have to rush with e7. He could have just played Qf7+ Kh6 e7! and now after h1=Q he can go Qe6+ Kg7 Qe5+ followed by making a queen and it's winning for White.

 
New ...
Open...
Share...
Layout...
Flip Board
Settings
MoveNResultEloPlayers
Replay and check the LiveBook here
1.Nf3 30 Nf6 30 2.g3 30 g6 30 3.b3 5:30 c5 0 4.c4 0 Bg7 0 5.Bb2 30 d6 3:30 6.Bg2 3:30 e5 30 7.0-0 30 0-0 0 8.Nc3 30 Nc6 0 9.d3 0 h6 1:30 10.Nd2 2:00 Be6 30 11.Nde4 30 Ne8 11:30 12.Nd5 30 Ne7 0 13.Nec3 30 Nxd5 0 14.Nxd5 30 Nc7 1:00 15.Nc3 2:30 Rb8 7:30 16.e3 1:30 d5 1:30 17.Qc2 10:30 17.e4!? dxc4 17...d4 18.Nd5 18.dxc4 18.bxc4 b5 18...Bc8 19.Nd5 Ne6 20.Qd2 17...d4 6:30 18.exd4 1:30 exd4 1:30 19.Ne4 0 b6 30 20.Rae1 2:00 f5 10:30 21.Nd2 30 g5 5:30 22.Nf3 0 Qd6 4:30 23.Bc1 30 f4 4:30 24.gxf4 1:30 gxf4 0 25.Kh1 30 Rbe8 1:00 26.Nd2 4:30 Qd7 8:30 27.Rg1!? 2:30 In the commentary Greek GM Ioannis Papaioannou (who is here as a coach of Stavroula Tsolakidou) said that White wants to play Bf3 and Rg1 in this position. But what to choose first? Well, the rook definitely wants to go to g1, but the bishop may go to f3 or to e4 and hence, it is better to first strat with Rg1. Kh8 4:30 28.Bf3 4:30 Bf5 0 29.Ne4 1:30 Ne6 30 30.Qd1 1:30 Bxe4?! 12:11 This was a pretty nervous decision by Hakobyan. He should have kept the bishop and play on. 31.Bxe4± 3:30 Ng5 1:50 32.Rxg5 0 Rxe4 21 33.Rxe4 0 33.dxe4!? hxg5 34.Qh5+ Kg8 35.Qxg5± 33...hxg5 30 34.Qh5+ 0 Kg8 0 35.f3?! 0 35.Qxg5 Qh3 36.Kg1 Qxd3 37.Rxf4 White is a pawn up and has a good position. 35...Bf6 2:26 36.Qg6+ 2:30 Qg7 3 37.Qf5 30 Bd8 5:00 38.Qg4 30 Kh7 2:10 39.Kg2 1:30 Qf7 0 40.b4 0 Re8 0 41.bxc5 6:00 bxc5 6:30 42.Bd2 15:30 Rxe4 3:30 43.fxe4 30 Qb7 2:30 44.Kf2 3:30 Qb2 0 45.Ke2 30 Qxa2 51 46.h4 30 46.Qd7+ Kh6 47.Qxd8 f3+ 48.Kxf3 Qxd2= 46...gxh4 2:05 47.Qxf4 11:30 Kg7 7:01 48.Qg4+ 9:30 Kf7 4 49.Qh5+ 2:30 Kg7 1:15 50.Qg4+ 30 Kf7 51 51.Qf5+ 30 Ke8 0 52.Qxc5 0 Qa6 31 53.Qxd4 7:00 Qg6 2:24 54.Qe5+ 30 White is a pawn up, but the h-pawn is quite fast. Kd7 30 55.Qd5+ 30 Ke8 30 56.Qb5+ 30 Kf7 30 57.Qd7+ 30 Be7 30 58.Bb4 30 Qg2+ 0 59.Kd1 30 Qg5 30 60.Kc2 30 a5 30 61.Bd6 30 Qf6 3:15 62.Bxe7 16:04 Qxe7 30 63.Qd5+ 30 Kg7 0 64.Qxa5 30 h3 30 65.Qh5 30 Qe6 30 66.e5 30 Qh6 30 67.Qg4+ 30 Kf8 30 68.Qd7 30 Qh4 0 68...h2 69.e6+- 69.Qd6+ 30 Kg7 30 70.e6 30 h2 1:55 71.Qe5+ 4:10 Kh7 0 72.Qf5+ 5 72.e7? Qf2+ 73.Kb3 h1Q-+ 72...Kg7 1:01 73.e7? 2:47 This was a mistake by Parham that went unpunished. 73.Qf7+! Kh6 74.e7 h1Q 75.Qe6+ Kg5 76.Qe5+ Kh6 77.e8Q and just like in the game, White wins. 73...h1Q? 1:00 73...Qxe7! 74.Qg4+ Kh8! 75.Qh3+ Qh7!= After 5.30 hours of play it is quite possible to miss this idea. 74.Qe5+ 1 Kh7 0 75.e8Q 2 White is winning because Qf2+ would be met with Qe2. Qxc4+ 52 Aram felt that there was a stalemate in the position, but there was none, as the king has the h6 square. 76.dxc4 31 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
Maghsoodloo,P2649Hakobyan,A25541–02018A38World Junior U20 Open 20184.1

This entire final part was captured by us on the camera and put together in a six-minute youtube video:

Chess can be quite unforgiving at times!

The awesome Alireza Firouzja

Alireza Firouzja is just 15 years old and already has a rating of 2582. The boy is a huge talent and you can see it from his games. They are not the ones where he is playing technically correct chess. He takes risks, he sacrifices his pawns and then out-calculates his opponents. This happened in both the games in rounds three and four.

 
New ...
Open...
Share...
Layout...
Flip Board
Settings
MoveNResultEloPlayers
Replay and check the LiveBook here
1.e4 4:30 e6 30 2.d4 1:30 d5 0 3.Nd2 0 c5 0 4.Ngf3 0 cxd4 1:30 5.Nxd4 30 Nc6 0 6.Bb5 0 Bd7 1:00 7.Nxc6 0 bxc6 0 8.Bd3 30 Bd6 30 9.Qe2 2:30 Ne7 12:30 10.0-0 6:30 Qc7 30 11.Nf3 0 Ng6 1:30 12.Re1 6:30 Nf4 30 13.Bxf4 30 Bxf4 0 14.e5 30 0-0 9:00 15.c4 1:30 The first new move of the game. 15.g3 Bh6 16.h4 c5 17.b3 Qd8 18.Nh2 g6 19.Ng4 Bg7 20.Qf3 f5 21.exf6 Bxf6 22.Nxf6+ Rxf6 23.Qe3 1-0 (44) Gopal,G (2580)-Nihal,S (2471) Pardubice 2017 15...c5 3:30 16.h4 2:30 g6 9:30 17.h5 6:30 dxc4 2:30 18.Bc2 5:30 Rab8 0 19.Qxc4 1:30 Rb4 1:30 20.Qc3 30 Rfb8 10:30 21.g3 0 Bh6 30 22.b3 4:00 c4?! 3:30 22...Bc6 23.Qxc5 Qb7 24.Nh2 Rd8 25.Rad1 Bd2 26.Re2 Rd5-+ The queen is trapped! 23.Nh2 4:30 Bg7 2:30 24.Ng4 30 R8b7 8:30 25.Re4 9:30 Bc6 2:30 26.Rxc4 1:30 Rxc4 0 27.bxc4 0 White is a pawn up now and clearly better. Qb6 30 28.Rd1 2:00 Rb8 30 29.Nf6+ 7:30 Kh8 1:30 30.hxg6 1:30 hxg6 0 31.c5 4:30 Qb7 30 32.Qd4 1:30 Bxf6 30 33.exf6 0 Qb2 30 34.Qf4 8:00 Kh7 30 35.g4 2:12 Re8 0 35...Qxc2 36.Qh2+ Kg8 37.Qxb8++- 36.Ba4 5:29 Qe2 30 37.Rf1 3:39 Bxa4 3:30 38.Qxa4 39 Qf3 0 39.g5 3:32 Rd8 0 40.Qh4+ 43 Kg8 0 41.c6 2:16 Rc8 2:00 42.Rc1 2:30 e5 1:30 42...Rd8 43.Qg3 Rd1+ 44.Rxd1 Qxd1+ 45.Kh2+- 43.Qh6 30 43.Qh6 Qg4+ 44.Kf1+- 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
Firouzja,A2582Asadli,V24921–02018C07World Junior U20 Open 20183.5

In the fourth round, Firouzja played the risky Dutch Defense and was worse out of the opening. But he posed enough threats for his opponent to go wrong and then converted the position with some strong calculations.

 
New ...
Open...
Share...
Layout...
Flip Board
Settings
MoveNResultEloPlayers
Replay and check the LiveBook here
1.d4 30 f5 2:30 The Dutch is being essayed by quite a few Iranian players in this tournament. Either in the form of Dutch or with 1.f4 as White. 2.Nf3 30 Nf6 0 3.g3 0 g6 1:00 4.Bg2 30 Bg7 30 5.0-0 0 0-0 30 6.b3 1:00 d6 1:30 7.Bb2 30 c6 6:30 8.Nbd2 1:30 Na6 1:30 9.e3 6:30 Ne4 5:30 10.Qe2 0 Qc7 2:30 11.Rad1 6:30 Bd7 2:30 12.Ne1 4:30 Ng5 12:30 13.Nd3 5:30 Rae8 7:30 14.h4 9:30 Nf7 30 15.e4 0 e5 8:30 16.dxe5 30 dxe5 1:30 17.Rfe1 7:30 f4 7:30 18.gxf4 7:05 exf4 30 19.e5 55 Bf5 2:30 20.Nf3 0 Qe7 7:30 21.Nxf4 3:09 White has won a pawn, but Black has compensation because of the weaknesses down the f-file. Bg4 30 22.Nd3 1:21 Nh6 3:30 23.Qe4 0 Nc7 1:30 24.Bc1 53 Ne6 2:30 25.Bxh6 3:35 Bxf3 0 26.Bxf3 41 Bxh6 0 27.Bg4?! 1:12 27.Qg4 27...Nf4! 2:30 28.Qc4+ 5 Kh8 30 29.Nxf4 1:40 Rxf4 2:55 30.Re4 27 Ref8 0 31.Rxf4 6 Bxf4 22 The weaknesses in White's position come to light here. 32.e6 2:25 Qxh4 0 33.Qc3+ 30 Kg8 0 34.Bh3? 37 34.Qh3= 34...Bc7 3:44 35.Rd2 41 Bb6 0 36.e7 57 Qxe7 1:43 36...Rxf2!? 37.e8Q+ Rf8+ 38.Kh1 Rxe8-+ 37.Qc4+ 2:03 Rf7 30 38.Kf1 30 38.Be6 Qg5+ 39.Kh1 Qxd2-+ 38...Kf8 2:07 39.Qc3 37 Rf6 1:56 40.Re2 0 Qd6 0 41.Rd2 11:36 Qf4 4:08 42.Re2 0 Qh4 3:30 A complex but well played game by Alireza. 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
Tang,A2489Firouzja,A25820–12018A81World Junior U20 Open 20184.3

In the fifth round, Firouzja will be pitted against the 12-year-old Uzbek Javokhir Sindarov | Photo: Amruta Mokal

12-year-old Sindarov

Javokhir Sindarov was in a tough situation in his third round game against Amin Tabatabaei. He sacrificed his exchange and made sure that there was no easy way for the Iranian to breakthrough. Amin, who is a highly ambitious player, got restless and blundered. The young boy took this opportunity and converted the extra pawns into a win. After the round ended we met Javokhir and asked him to show his game. The boy instantly agreed and showed us the entire game in the video below. Great confidence. 

Check out young Sindarov in this video as he shows the moves and at the same time makes sure that he doesn't miss the variations!

After beating Amin Tabataei in the morning, Javokhir was hungry for more. He beat the strong Indian GM Aravindh Chithambaram in the fourth round | Photo: Amruta Mokal

 
New ...
Open...
Share...
Layout...
Flip Board
Settings
MoveNResultEloPlayers
Replay and check the LiveBook here
1.e4 2:30 c5 1:30 2.Nc3 30 Nc6 30 3.Nf3 30 g6 2:30 4.d4 0 cxd4 30 5.Nxd4 0 Bg7 30 The Accelerated Dragon is not part of Aravindh's usual repertoire. 6.Be3 0 Nf6 30 7.Nxc6 0 bxc6 0 8.e5 0 This line is always dangerous if you are unprepared. Nd5 30 8...Ng8 9.f4 Nh6 is another way to play this position. 9.Nxd5 30 cxd5 30 10.Qxd5 0 Rb8 0 This pawn sacrifice is well known. 11.0-0-0 0 Bb7 10:00 12.Qc5 1:30 0-0 0 13.c3 4:30 Rc8 28:30 14.Qb4 30 Qc7 6:30 15.f4 0 d6 3:30 16.exd6 0 exd6 30 Black is a pawn down and also has a bad structure, but he hopes to compensate for it with his two active bishops. 17.Bd4 0 Bh6 8:30 17...a5!? 18.Kb1 0 Rb8 4:30 Perhaps this was just too slow. 18...Be4+ 19.Bd3 Bxd3+ 20.Rxd3 Qc6 Black has very good compensation here. 18...a5 also looks pretty good. 18...Bxf4 19.Bg7 Kxg7 20.Qxf4 19.Bxa7 3:30 Ra8 3:52 20.Bb6 30 Qe7 10:12 21.a4 11:30 Be4+ 4:18 22.Bd3 30 Bxg2 0 23.Rhe1 1:30 Qh4 4 Once Aravindh had to start taking pawns on g2 and h2 in order to get counterplay, you can imagine that things had started to go wrong for him. 24.Be4 30 Bxe4+ 28 25.Rxe4 30 Qxh2 4 26.a5 30 Rfb8 3:50 27.Qb5 1:30 Bxf4 0 28.Re2 1:30 Rxa5? 1:30 A big oversight. 28...Qh3 and there is everything to play for. 29.Re8+! 30 Kg7 33 29...Rxe8 30.Qxe8+ Kg7 31.Bxa5+- 30.Bd4+ 0 Be5 10 31.Bxe5+ 1:00 dxe5 34 32.Qxb8+- 30 White has just won an entire rook! Qe2 0 33.Rg8+ 30 Kh6 24 34.Rh1+ 0 Kg5 11 35.Qd8+ 0 Kf5 42 36.Qxa5 30 Qe4+ 5 37.Ka2 30 Qxh1 0 38.Rf8 0 f6 28 39.Qd8 0 Ke4 35 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
Sindarov,J2484Aravindh,C25781–02018B34World Junior U20 Open 20184.4

Almost a GM Harsha Bharathakoti

Harsha Bhatathakoti is an International Master from India. He already has his three GM norms and a live rating of 2490. A few more good games and he would well become India's 56th GM. In the third round Harsha was able to outplay his strong Argentian opponent GM Alan Pichot and in the fourth round, he put it across his compatriot GM S.L. Narayanan. Here is Harsha's fine win over Alan Pichot where he was able to outplay in his opponent in time pressure.

 
New ...
Open...
Share...
Layout...
Flip Board
Settings
MoveNResultEloPlayers
Replay and check the LiveBook here
1.c4 30 Nf6 30 2.Nc3 30 g6 30 3.e4 30 d6 30 4.d4 0 Bg7 0 5.f3 2:30 0-0 0 6.Be3 30 c6 3:30 7.Nge2 3:30 a6 1:30 8.c5 1:30 b5 3:30 9.cxb6 1:30 Nbd7 3:30 10.Nf4 2:30 Nxb6 3:30 11.Be2 5:30 d5 6:30 12.0-0 12:30 Rb8 0 13.Rc1 10:30 Nfd7 18:30 14.e5 10:30 Nc4 3:30 15.Bxc4 30 dxc4 0 16.Na4 5:30 Nb6 0 17.Nc5 30 Nd7 0 18.Nxd7 19:57 Bxd7 3:30 19.Rxc4 12:00 Rxb2 30 20.Qa1 1:45 Qb6 6:30 21.Re1 3:43 Bf5 4:32 22.g4 1:44 Bb1 0 23.Rxc6 1:35 Qb4 1:56 24.Rcc1 1:11 Bc2? 4:53 The critical mistake of the game. 24...Rb8∞ 25.Re2! 30 A strong move. Suddenly Black is in all sorts of pins. Qa3 5:18 26.Nd5 4 Rxa2 4:15 27.Qc3! 4 e6 5 28.Qxa3 42 Rxa3 0 29.Ne7+ 0 Black loses a piece and hence resigned the game. 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
Harsha Bharathakoti2474Pichot,A25621–02018E81World Junior U20 Open 20183.8

Harsha speaks about his win over GM Alan Pichot | Video: ChessBase India

Harsha is the reigning national under-19 champion of India and in the fifth round will face a big test against the top seed Parham Maghsoodloo

Alicja Sliwicka and Nino Khomeriki on 4.0/4

Alicja Sliwicka from Poland showed some excellent home preparation and also over the board technique to beat Akshita Gorti in the fourth round. 

 
New ...
Open...
Share...
Layout...
Flip Board
Settings
MoveNResultEloPlayers
Replay and check the LiveBook here
1.e4 30 e6 30 2.d4 0 d5 0 3.Nc3 0 Bb4 30 4.e5 0 c5 0 5.Bd2 0 Nh6 0 6.a3 0 Bxc3 1:30 7.Bxc3 0 b6 30 8.Bb5+! 0 Alicja was moving quickly and had everything prepared. Bd7 30 9.Bd3 0 cxd4 5:30 10.Bxd4 5:00 Nc6 30 11.Nf3 0 Nxd4 0 12.Nxd4 0 White of course has an edge because of her better placed minor pieces. 0-0 30 13.0-0 30 f6 30 14.Qe2 8:30 14.Nf3 14...fxe5 0 15.Qxe5 30 Ng4 5:30 15...Nf7! 16.Qh5 g6 17.Bxg6 hxg6 18.Qxg6+ Kh8∞ This is an interesting sacrifice, but it doesn't seem that Black is worse here. 16.Qd6 7:30 16.Qh5!? Nf6 17.Qe2± 16...Qb8 9:30 17.Qxb8 30 Raxb8 0 18.f4 1:30 Ne3 7:00 19.Rfe1 0 Nc4 5:30 20.b3 2:30 Na5 3:30 21.Nxe6 3:30 Bxe6 1:30 22.Rxe6 30 Rxf4 30 23.Rd6 2:30 Rd4 5:30 24.b4 0 Nb7 3:30 24...Nc4 25.Rxd5+- 25.Rd7 5:30 Nd8 3:03 26.Rxd5 5:30 Rxd5 1:48 27.Bc4 30 White has won a pawn and with good technique Alicja went on to win the game. Kf8 11 28.Bxd5 0 Ke7 0 29.Kf2 2:00 Rc8 5:02 30.c4 30 Nc6 41 31.Re1+ 1:30 Kf8 51 32.Re3 7:30 Ne7 1:12 33.Be6 30 Rc6 0 34.Ke2 30 Rd6 2:10 35.Bh3 2:30 Nc6 5:00 36.Rd3 3:30 Rf6 4:24 37.Kd2 4:29 Ne5 38 38.Rd4 1:02 Rf2+ 0 39.Kc3 1:53 Ke7 36 40.c5 0 bxc5 1:02 41.bxc5 8:06 g5 8:46 42.Re4 7:30 Kf6 1:30 43.c6 3:30 Rf1 0 44.Kc2 2:30 Rf2+ 3:26 45.Kb3 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
Sliwicka,A2272Gorti,A23151–02018C17World Junior U20 Girls 20184

For Nino Khomeriki, it was quite an easy win as she played some excellent positional chess in the centre of the board, while her opponent made many positional errors. She won the game with quite some ease.

 
New ...
Open...
Share...
Layout...
Flip Board
Settings
MoveNResultEloPlayers
Position not in LiveBook
1.d4 30 Nf6 30 2.c4 1:30 e6 0 3.Nf3 30 d5 30 4.Nc3 30 Be7 30 5.Bg5 30 h6 30 6.Bh4 0 0-0 30 7.e3 0 b6 30 8.Bd3 1:00 Bb7 1:30 9.0-0 30 Nbd7 0 10.Bg3 0 c5 4:00 11.cxd5 0 exd5 30 11...Nxd5!? was perhaps a better decision. 12.e4 12.Nxd5 Bxd5 13.e4 Bb7= 12...Nxc3 13.bxc3 cxd4 14.cxd4 Nf6 15.Qe2 12.Ne5 4:30 a6 3:30 13.Qf3 5:30 Re8 4:30 14.Rad1 3:30 Ra7?! 5:30 As GM Papagiannis Ioannis said in the commentary, such moves are almost always bad when the centre is fluid. 15.Rfe1 24:30 Nf8 7:30 16.e4 18:30 Ne6 22:30 17.dxc5 3:30 Nd4 1:30 18.Qf4 4:30 Ne6 8:30 19.Qc1 0 Nxc5 8:30 20.Nxd5 5:30 Nxd5 1:30 21.exd5 30 Bd6 5:30 22.Bb1 2:30 Bxe5 5:19 23.Rxe5 1:19 Rxe5 1:00 24.Bxe5 8 White is a clean pawn up. f6 2:29 25.Bd4 0 Qxd5 1:39 26.f3 1 Ra8 3:32 27.Bxf6 6:11 Qe6 44 28.Bc3 25 Bd5 3:19 29.Qc2 42 Qe3+ 2:09 30.Kh1 12 Qg5 1:25 31.f4 2:20 Qxf4 0 32.Qh7+ 5 32.Qh7+ Kf8 33.Qxg7++- 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
Khomeriki,N2313Nurgali,N20801–02018D58World Junior U20 Girls 20184

After a loss in round one, WGM Aydan Hojjatova has made a strong comeback with three wins and is now on 3.0/4 | Photo: Amruta Mokal

Akshita Gorti from the USA lost her fourth round and is now on 3.0/4 | Photo: Amruta Mokal

Top Russian girl in the fray Dinara Dordzhieva is on 3.0/4  | Photo: Amruta Mokal

Siranush Ghukasyan lost her fourth-round game to top seed Stavroula Tsolakidou and is on 2½/4 | Photo: Amruta Mokal

German Grandmaster Dmitrij Kollars, who is on 3.0/4 | Photo: Amruta Mokal

The players are treated well with a huge spread of snacks to choose from | Photo: Amruta Mokal

The view from the Ramada Plaza, the official hotel of the tournament | Photo: Amruta Mokal

Having a nice time with each other before the start of the game! | Photo: Amruta Mokal

Distant relatives?! Solakoglu, the tournament director and Tsolakidou, the top seed in the Girls section! | Photo: Amruta Mokal

The last men standing! | Photo: Amruta Mokal

How about some Turkish desserts! | Photo: Amruta Mokal

Standings after Round 4 (Open - top 20)

Loading Table...

All games from Round 3

 
Loading...
New ...
Open...
Share...
Layout...
Flip Board
Settings
MoveNResultEloPlayers
Replay and check the LiveBook here
  • 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.

All games from Round 4

 
Loading...
New ...
Open...
Share...
Layout...
Flip Board
Settings
MoveNResultEloPlayers
Replay and check the LiveBook here
  • 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.

Standings after Round 4 (Girls - top 20)

Loading Table...

All games from Round 3

 
Loading...
New ...
Open...
Share...
Layout...
Flip Board
Settings
MoveNResultEloPlayers
Replay and check the LiveBook here
  • 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.

All games from Round 4

 
Loading...
New ...
Open...
Share...
Layout...
Flip Board
Settings
MoveNResultEloPlayers
Replay and check the LiveBook here
  • 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.

Links

Sagar is an International Master from India with two GM norms. He loves to cover chess tournaments, as that helps him understand and improve at the game he loves so much. He is the co-founder and CEO of ChessBase India, the biggest chess news portal in the country. His YouTube channel has over a million subscribers, and to date close to a billion views. ChessBase India is the sole distributor of ChessBase products in India and seven adjoining countries, where the software is available at a 60% discount. compared to International prices.

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.