Reminiscences
One memorable thing I did in 2018 was to travel to Chihuahua, Mexico. The trip was made possible by my close friend, GM Alex Shabalov, who had played in this event in 2016 and 2017. Alex spoke to the organisers on my behalf, arrangements were made, and on October 9th I boarded a plane bound for El Paso, TX.
This seemingly easy part proved anything but. A huge thunderstorm had covered most of Texas, which caused enormous disruption in air travel. My plane was diverted to Fort Smith, Arkansas, where a lot of my fellow travellers were crammed into a small terminal. Eventually I made it to Dallas-Fort Worth airport, and after a few more delays finally made it to El Paso just after midnight the next day, some 18 hours after I left my house. Shabalov's ordeal was very similar, as his departure from Pittsburgh was also greatly delayed.
When such things happen I fully expect further problems but, fortunately, it wasn't the case this time. When I walked into a terminal at El Paso, I saw Shabalov in the company of IM Roberto Martin Del Campo (pictured) — jester, and a great storyteller, who inspires me to study Spanish. Del Campo was with his friend, who waited for us since about Noon. Such a show of friendliness from the people who hardly knew me was the defining moment. I instantly knew I came to the right place.
So, we got in the car and drove across the border to Ciudad Juarez, a town twice as large as El Paso, which has about 680,000 residents, versus 1.5 million living on the Mexican side of the border. The border crossing going south had an unattended booth, while there was a small line of cars waiting to go the other way. I took notice, but a bit more on the whole USA-Mexico border situation later.
We spent a night in Juarez and took off for Chihuahua the following morning. The landscape of a desert highway with a distant view of the mountains was very much familiar to me. In my time I have crisscrossed the American Southwest in all possible directions, and grown to appreciate its severe beauty. Some three and a half hours later we entered the city of Chihuahua.

San Cristobal de Las Casas
The town, which is inhabited by some 800,000 people, has two distinct parts. The old city has a typical touristy feel with its central plaza, dominated by Cathedral of Chihuahua, where I struck my "Rocky" pose.

Of course, the climb was just a few steps, but who can tell (click or tap to enlarge)
The plaza is dotted with funny looking sculptural works by Rodrigo De la Sierra. Behind is a City Hall building where Shabalov and I attended a small press conference before the tournament. Later we were invited for an interview at a local University radio station.

Sculptures in the plaza by Rodrigo De la Sierra whose motto is, “Life is too serious to take us so seriously” (click or tap to enlarge)
Another big landmark is Angel de la Libertad, raised in honour of Miguel Hidalgo, the hero of the Mexican War of Independence which we viewed from the elevated deck of an adjacent building while enjoying a beer.

The "Angel of Liberty" stands 35 metres tall and was built in 2003, representing the freedom of Mexicans
The most of our time in Chihuahua was, however, spent in a new part of town, located alongside Perifico de la Juventud, an elevated highway heading north. Both sides of the road are littered with the trappings of the U.S. cultural invasion: shopping malls, car dealerships, gas stations and restaurants. I didn't care to take any pictures of that.
We stayed at the Microtel Inn on the side of the highway and were driven everywhere, to the tournament and back, and later in the day to places to eat and drink.
The tournament didn't boast a very strong field, but it was headed by two representatives of Latvian chess, both disciples of the great Mikhail Tal.
1.e4 | 1,170,319 | 54% | 2421 | --- |
1.d4 | 949,867 | 55% | 2434 | --- |
1.Nf3 | 282,628 | 56% | 2440 | --- |
1.c4 | 182,731 | 56% | 2442 | --- |
1.g3 | 19,745 | 56% | 2427 | --- |
1.b3 | 14,347 | 54% | 2427 | --- |
1.f4 | 5,917 | 48% | 2377 | --- |
1.Nc3 | 3,816 | 51% | 2384 | --- |
1.b4 | 1,759 | 48% | 2379 | --- |
1.a3 | 1,222 | 54% | 2404 | --- |
1.e3 | 1,073 | 49% | 2409 | --- |
1.d3 | 955 | 50% | 2378 | --- |
1.g4 | 666 | 46% | 2361 | --- |
1.h4 | 449 | 53% | 2374 | --- |
1.c3 | 435 | 51% | 2426 | --- |
1.h3 | 283 | 56% | 2419 | --- |
1.a4 | 114 | 60% | 2465 | --- |
1.f3 | 93 | 46% | 2435 | --- |
1.Nh3 | 90 | 66% | 2505 | --- |
1.Na3 | 42 | 62% | 2482 | --- |
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1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.e5 c5 5.a3 Ba5 6.Qg4 6.b4 cxd4 7.Qg4 6...Kf8?! 6...Ne7 7.dxc5 Bxc3+ 8.bxc3 0-0 8...Ng6 8...Qa5 7.dxc5! Bxc3+ 8.bxc3 Nd7 9.Nf3 Ne7 10.c4! Qc7 11.cxd5 Nxd5 12.c4 Nxe5 13.Qg3 13...Nxf3+ 14.gxf3 Qxc5?! 14...Qxg3 15.hxg3 Ne7 16.Rb1 f6 17.Bd3 Kf7 15.Bd2 Ne7 16.Bb4 Qc6 17.Rd1 Bd7 18.Rg1 Rg8 19.Bd3 f5? 19...a5 20.Be4 20.Bd6 f5 21.Be2+- 20...Qxc4 21.Bxe7+ Kxe7 22.Qd6+ Kf6 23.Qd2 23.Qxd7 Rad8 23...g5 24.Bxh7 Bc6 25.Bxg8 Rxg8 20.Be4 20.Be4 fxe4 21.Qg5 Re8 22.Qf4# 1–0 - Start an analysis engine:
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Shirov,A | 2636 | Shabalov,A | 2548 | 1–0 | 2018 | C18 | Chiahuahua Bionext | 5 |
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The Winawer Variation in just 60 minutes - that can only work by reducing it to a clear repertoire for Black and, where possible, general recommendations rather than variations. Alexei Shirov was surprised at how quickly he managed to make of the French Winawer an opening he himself could play. And now he will let you share in his conclusions.

This win pretty much cleared the path for Alexei, who picked up a quick win in the previous round as well. According to the poster in the tournament hall, his next opponent represented Russia.
Replay and check the LiveBook here |
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1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.0-0 b5 6.Bb3 Bc5 7.d3 7.a4 Rb8 8.c3 d6 9.d4 Bb6 10.axb5 axb5 11.Na3 0-0 12.Nxb5 Bg4 13.Bc2 exd4 14.cxd4 d5 15.e5 Ne4 7...d6 8.Be3 8.c3 h6 9.a4 Rb8 8...Bxe3 9.fxe3 Na5 10.Nc3 0-0 11.Qe1 Nxb3 11...c6 12.axb3 b4 13.Nd5 Nxd5 14.exd5 a5 15.c3?! 15.c4 f5 16.e4 f4 17.d4∞ 15...Bb7 16.c4 c6 17.e4 f5 18.Qh4 Rf6 19.exf5 19.dxc6 Qb6+ 20.d4 Bxc6 21.c5 19...cxd5 20.Ng5 20.d4 20...h6 21.Ne6 Qe7 22.d4?? 22.Qg4 dxc4 23.bxc4 Bc8 24.Qe4 Ra7 25.Qd5 Bxe6 25...Kh7!? 26.Rxa5 Rxa5 27.Qxa5 Qf7 28.Nd8 Qh5 29.Qxb4 Qe2 26.fxe6 Qxe6 27.Rxa5 Rxa5 28.Qxa5 Rxf1+ 29.Kxf1 Qf5+ 30.Ke2 Qg4+ 31.Ke1 Qxg2 32.Qxb4 Qg1+ 33.Kd2 Qxh2+ 34.Kc3 e4 35.Qb8+ Kh7 36.Qe8= 22...Rxe6 0–1
- Start an analysis engine:
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- Drag the split bars between window panes.
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Yermolinsky,A | 2510 | Shirov,A | 2636 | 0–1 | 2018 | C77 | Chiahuahua Bionext | 4 |
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Starting with Black's alternatives on move 3 and working through until the main lines of the Closed Lopez and the Marshall and Anti-Marshall, the viewer will find his knowledge of the opening developing in tandem with an improvement in his tactical ability.

Shabalov's quip: Yermo changed his federation back to Russia in protest against Kavanaugh's nomination to SCOTUS.
What happened to me in his game can be described as a senior moment. Fortunately, I didn't have any more of those in Chihuahua. Meanwhile, Shirov concluded the event with two more wins, finishing with a perfect 7/7 score.
Replay and check the LiveBook here |
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1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 e6 5.Bg5 h6 6.Bh4 dxc4 7.e4 b5 8.e5 g5 9.Nxg5 hxg5 10.Bxg5 Nbd7 11.g3 Bb7 12.Bg2 Qb6 13.exf6 0-0-0 14.0-0 c5 15.d5 b4 16.Rb1 Qa6 17.dxe6 Bxg2 18.e7 Bxf1 19.Qd5 Re8 19...Bh6 20.Bxh6 Bd3 21.Qa8+ Nb8 22.exd8Q+ Rxd8 23.Re1 bxc3 24.Bf4 19...Bxe7 20.fxe7 Rdg8 21.Ne4 Rg6 22.Qa8+ Nb8 23.Rxf1 Qc6 24.Rd1 20.Ne4 Bh6 21.Nd6+ 21.Rd1 Bxg5 22.Qxd7+ Kb8 23.Nxc5 Qb6 24.Qd5 Bh3 25.Qe5+ Kc8 26.Qxg5 Qc6 27.Rd5 21.Bxh6 Rxh6 22.Nd6+ 22.Qxf7 Rhh8 23.Rxf1 Qc6 22...Qxd6 23.Qxd6 Rxf6 24.Qd5 Bd3 24...Be2! 25.Re1 Kc7 21...Kc7 22.Bxh6? 22.Nxe8+ Rxe8 23.Bxh6 Bh3! 23...Qc6 24.Qxc6+ Kxc6 25.Kxf1 Nxf6 26.Re1 Nd5 27.h4± 24.Bf4+ Kb6 22...Qxd6! 23.Bf4 Qxf4 24.gxf4 Bh3! 25.f3 Reg8+ 26.Kf2 Be6 27.Qe4 27...Rh5! 27...Rxh2+ 28.Ke3 Rh5 29.Qxe6! fxe6 30.f7 Rhh8 31.Rh1 28.f5 28.Qxe6 fxe6 29.f7 Rxh2+ 30.Ke3 30.Kf1 Rf8 31.e8Q Rh1+ 32.Kf2 Rxb1-+ 30...Rgg2! 31.Re1 Nb6 28...Rxf5 29.Qh4 Ne5 30.Rg1 Rxf3+ 31.Ke2 Rxg1 0–1 - Start an analysis engine:
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Martinez,C | 2166 | Shirov,A | 2636 | 0–1 | 2018 | D44 | Chiahuahua Bionext | 6 |
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The Semi-Slav (1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 e6) can arise via various move orders, has decided World Championships, and is one of Black's most fascinating replies to 1 d4. Magnus Carlsen's second, Grandmaster Peter Heine Nielsen explains in detail what this opening is all about.

The winner in concentration mode
I had a fun last round game that featured an incredible rook move from my opponent.
Replay and check the LiveBook here |
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1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.Bg5 e6 7.Qd2 a6 8.0-0-0 Bd7 9.Bc4 b5 9...h6 10.Bxf6 Qxf6 11.Nxc6 Bxc6 12.f4 12.Rhe1 Be7 12...b5 13.Bb3 Be7 14.h4 h5!? 10.Nxc6 10.Bb3 b4 11.Nxc6 11.Nd5 exd5 11...Nxe4!? 12.Bxd8 Nxd2 13.Nc7+ Kxd8 14.Nxa8 Nxd4 15.Rxd2 Nxb3+ 16.axb3 Bc6 17.Nb6 Bxg2 12.Nxc6 Bxc6 13.exd5 Bb5 14.Rhe1+ Be7 15.Bxf6 gxf6 16.Qxb4 0-0 17.Qf4 11...Bxc6 11...bxc3 12.Qxc3 Qc7 13.Bxf6 gxf6 14.Qxf6 Rg8 15.Nd4± 12.Bxf6 12.Nd5?! Nxe4 12...Qxf6 13.Ba4 Rc8 14.Bxc6+ Rxc6 15.Na4 Be7 10...Bxc6 11.Bd5?! 11.Bd3 11...exd5 12.exd5 Bb7 13.Rhe1+ Kd7! 14.Qd4 14.Ne4 Nxe4 15.Rxe4 f6 16.Be3 Qc7 14...h6 15.Bxf6 Qxf6 16.Qb6 Rb8 17.Re8?! 17.Nxb5 Qd8 17.a4 b4 18.Qxb4 Be7 19.Qg4+ Kc7 20.Qc4+ Kb6 17...Kxe8 18.Qc7 Rd8 18...Qd8? 19.Re1+ Be7 20.Rxe7+ Qxe7 21.Qxb8+ Qd8 22.Qxb7 Kf8 23.Qxa6∞ 19.Re1+ Be7 20.Qxb7 Kf8-+ 21.Re3 h5 22.Ne4 Qf5 23.Qc7 Qd7 24.Qc3 h4 25.Qd3 Rh5 26.Rf3 Qg4 27.g3 hxg3 28.Rxg3 Qf5 29.Qd4 Qe5 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.
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Encinas Varela,D | 1879 | Yermolinsky,A | 2510 | 0–1 | 2018 | B67 | Chiahuahua Bionext | 7 |
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Alexei Shirov can look back on an extraordinary chess career. The genius from Riga presents and explains his most brilliant games in the Sicilian Najdorf.

David Encinas Varela
During our lively post-mortem, we became friends with David Encinas, who certainly is a way stronger player than his modest rating indicates.
As the final results were counted I was shocked to learn that the tie-breaks saw me finishing second (!), even though I didn't face any titled players aside from Shirov. The 10,000 pesos prize [about USD $515] felt like a lottery win, and promptly spent it all during our last day in Chihuahua.

Yermo's shopping spree
In the evening, David drove us back across the border. We came through at a different crossing, manned by just one sleepy guard who wore a ski mask. It seems he could barely understand David's Spanish and didn't even bother to open our passports. No signs of the wall being built any time soon.
At the risk of injecting politics into a chess article, I'd like to offer the following. There's no threat of invasion from Mexico. All Mexicans who ever wanted to move to the United States have already done so; and the rest, such as my friend David, are quite happy where they are.

David Encines
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