The JR Chess Report (November 1): Azerbaijan and Russia Win Euro Team Championships

[Jack Rabbit]

Azerbaijan Men and Russian Women Win Euro Team Championships



The team from the tiny chess powerhouse Azerbaijan won the general competition while the strong Russian team consisting of a slough of reining champions won the women's group in the 17th European Team Champion completed Friday in Novi Sad, Serbia.

Azerbaijan took the gold medal with 15 match points. A team is awarded two match points for each match victory and one for each tied match; a match in this tournament was played on four boards. Russia took home the silver medel with 14 points. Both Ukraine and Armenia had 13 points, so the bronze medal was given to Ukraine based on individual points, the designated tie break. Ukrainian players scored 23 points to the Armenians' 21½.

Azerbaijan was able to field each day three current members of the 2700 club, those grandmasters whose Elo scores are 2700 or better. There are currently 34 members of the club. Azerbaijan's 2700 players are Vugar Gashimov, Teimour Radjabov and Shakhiyar Mamedyarov. Gushimov and Mamedyarov both scored 6½ points.



The European General Team Champions from Azerbaijan
Team captain Zurab Azmaiparashvili, Shakhiyar Mamedyarov, Teimour Radjabov,
Rauf Mamedov, Vugar Gashimov and Gadir Guseinov
Photo: Website of the 17th European Team Championship

In the women's group, the Russian team scored 16 point and 26 individual points out of a possible 36 to take the gold by a narrow margine over silver medal-winning Georgia, which scored 16 match points and 24 individual points. Ukraine was a distant third with 12 match points to take the bronze medal.

The Russian women consisted of four reigning chess champions: Alexandra Kosteniuk (world women's champion), Tatiana Kosintseva (European women's champion), Tatiana's sister, Nadezhda Kosintseva (Russian women's champion) and Valentina Gunina (Russian girls under 20 champion).



The Russian Women's Team of Champions
Reigning world women's champion Alexandra Kosteniuk, reigning European women's champion Tatiana Kosintseva,
reigning Russian women's champion Nadezhda Kosintseva and reigning Russian junior ladies' champion Valentina Gunina
Photo: Website of the 17th European Team Championship

The indiviual gold medals for best win percentage were given to Pavel Eljanov of Ukraine, who scored 6 points in eight games in the general group and Nadezhda Kosintseva, who scored 8 out of nine in the women's group.


Zhigalko and Soumya Lead World Junior Championships after 10 Rounds



Grandmaster Seergei Zhigalko of Belarus has 8½ in the boys' (general) group and Indian WGM Swaminathan Soumya has 8 points in the girls' group after ten rounds to lead the 48th annual World Junior Championships in Puerto Madryn, Chubut Province (Argentina).

Zhigalko, 20, the younger brother of grandmaster Andrey Zhigalko, is playing in his last junior event. He leads the ratings favorite, French GM Maxime Vachier Laggrave, by a half point and GM Eduardo Iturrizaga of Veneuela by a full point. Six players are tied for fourth place at 7 points each, including both Americans in Puerto Madryn, Ray Robson of Coral Gables, Florida, who turns 15 this month, and Alex Lenderman, 20, of Brooklyn.

Ms. Soumya, also 20, has an offocial Elo rating of 2297, making her a very dark horse in Puerto Madryn. She is a half-point better than 19-year-old Russian WIM Zoja Severiukhina. Four girls are tied for third with 7 points each: Zhang Xiaowen of China, Turkey's Betul Cemre Yildiz, Romanian WGM Iozefina Poulet, and 16-year-old Katrine Tjolsen of Norway. There are no Americans in the girls group; we can hope for the continued success of Alisa Melekhina so that she might compete next year.

A side story out of Puerto Madryn is the sorry state of live coverage of the tournament. There was no live coverage available for four days. When the website was finally ready, many users (such as your humble hare) were greated with a security warning about the site. According to ChessBase.com:

The event concludes after the 13th round Tuesday.



Calendar

Starting this week:

Tal Memorial Tournament, Moscow 5-14 November. Anand, Aronian, Carlsen, Gelfand, Ivanchuk, Kramnik, Leko, Morozevich, Ponomariov and Svidler.

More future events:

World Youth Chess Championship, Antalya (Turkey) 11-23 November.

World Cup, Khanty Mansiysk 28 November-15 December.

London Chess Classic 7-16 December. Adams, Carlsen, Howell, Kramnik, McShane, Nakamura, Ni Hua and Short.

European Union Championship, Alicante (Spain) 9-20 December.

Hastings Chess Congress 26 December 2009-5 January 2010.

Rilton Cup, Stockholm 27 December 2009-5 January 2010.

Corus Chess Tournament, Wijk aan Zee 15-31 January 2010. Group A: Anand, Carlsen, Caruana, Dominguez, Ivanchuk, Karjakin, Kramnik, Leko, Nakamura, Shirov, Short, Smmets, Tiviakov and van Wely.

Gibraltar Chess Festival 26 January-4 February.

European Individual Championships, Rijeka (Croatia) 5-19 March.

Anand-Topalov Match for the World Title, Sofia Tentatively 5-24 April (will be finalized after consulting players).

[Jack Rabbit]

1. This week's games

Your humble hare acknowledges the assistance of Fritz 6.0 on analysis.

Diagrams on the Jack Rabbit Chess Report are made with Chess Mérida, a true type font that can be downlaoded free here.

BLACK
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$OoOoOoOo%
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/(((((((()
WHITE
White to move
(This position is a theoretical draw)


I would like to thank my impressive and loyal staff: Buccaneer, Spitfire, Swashbuckler, Pancho and Robin Hood

[Jack Rabbit]

2. 17th European Team Champioships, Novi Sad

Novi Sad on the Danube River
Photo by Sroown from Flickr (Creative Commons Copyright]

[Jack Rabbit]

5. Meier - Gashimov, Round 3

Vugar Gashimov
Photo: ChessBase.de (Germany)


Georg Meier (Germany) - Vugar Gashimov (Azerbaijan)
17th European Team Chapionships, Round 3
Novi Sad, 24 October 2009

West India Game: Tal-Indian Defense (Modern Benoni)

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6

• If 2...c5 3.d5 e6 4.Nc3 exd5 5.cxd5 d6 6.e4 g6 then:
• Penrose Opening:7.Bd3 Bg7 8.Nge2 0-0 9.0-0 then:
• If 9...a6 10.a4 Nbd7 11.h3 then:
• If 11...Re8 12.Ng3 Qc7 13.f4 c4 14.Bc2 Nc5 15.Qf3 then:
• 15...Nfd7 16.Be3 b5 17.axb5 Rb8 18.Qf2 axb5 19.e5 then:
• 19...dxe5 20.f5 Bb7 21.Rad1 Ba8 22.Nce4 Na4 23.Bxa4 bxa4 24.fxg6 fxg6 25.Qf7+ Kh8 26.Nc5 Qa7 27.Qxd7 Qxd7 28.Nxd7 Rxb2 29.Nb6 Rb3 30.Nxc4 Rd8 31.d6 Rc3 32.Rc1 Rxc1 33.Rxc1 Bd5 34.Nb6 Bb3 35.Ne4 h6 36.d7 Bf8 37.Rc8 Be7 38.Bc5 Bh4 39.g3 Black resigns.(Penrose-Tal, Ol, Leipzig, 1960).
• 19...b4 20.Nce4 Nxe4 21.Nxe4 dxe5 22.f5 Nf8 23.f6 Bh8 24.Rad1 Bf5 is equal (Gheorghiu-Quinteros, USA, 1980).
• 15...Bd7 16.Be3 Rac8 17.Rae1 Nd3 18.Bxd3 cxd3 19.Bf2 b5 20.axb5 axb5 21.Qxd3 gives White an extra pawn (Chekhov-Henriksen, IT, Gausdal, 1990).
• If 11...Qc7 12.f4 Rb8 13.Be3 Re8 14.Ng3 c4 15.Bc2 then:
• 15...Nc5 16.Qf3 b5 17.axb5 axb5 18.e5 dxe5 19.fxe5 Rxe5 20.Bd4 Rg5 21.Nge4 Ncxe4 22.Bxe4 Ng4 23.d6 Bxd4+ 24.Kh1 Qxd6 25.Qxf7+ Kh8 White resigns (Timman-Ljubojevic, IT, Amsterdam, 1975).
• 15...b5 16.axb5 axb5 17.Ra7 Qd8 18.e5 dxe5 19.f5 e4 gives Black an extra pawn and more space (Matveeva-Sirotkina, Russian ChTW, Sochi, 2004).
• If 9...Na6 10.h3 then:
• If 10...Re8 11.Ng3 Nc7 12.a4 a6 then:
• If 13.Bg5 Rb8 14.f4 b5 15.axb5 axb5 16.Kh1 b4 17.Nce2 h6 18.Bh4 Bd7 is equal (Volker-Michael -Ekebjaerg, Corres, 1994).
• 13.f4 Bd7 14.Qf3 b5 15.e5 then:
• 15...Nh5? 16.Nxh5! gxh5 17.Qxh5 h6 18.Ne4 c4 19.Bb1 Qe7 20.exd6 Black resigns as he must lose a piece (Nixon-Knight, EU ChU20, Groningen, 1973).
• 15...dxe5 16.fxe5 Rxe5 17.Bf4 Re8 18.Bg5 gives White more space and freedom for the pawn.
• 10...Nc7 11.Ng3 Rb8 12.a4 a6 13.a5 b5 14.axb6 Rxb6 15.Ra2 Nb5 16.Nxb5 axb5 17.Bg5 gives White the advantage in space (Yermilinsky-Hummel, IT, Vermont, 1999).
• If 7.f4 Bg7 then:
• Taimanov Opening: If 8.Bb5+ Nfd7 9.a4 then:
• If 9...0-0 10.Nf3 Na6 11.0-0 then:
• If 11...Nc7 12.Bd3 a6 then:
• 13.Nd2 Rb8 14.Nc4 Nf6 15.a5 Bd7 16.Qf3 Bb5 17.Bd2 Bxc4 18.Bxc4 b5 19.axb6 Rxb6 gives White the advantage in space (Morgado-Lecroq, Corres, 1994).
• 13.Re1 Re8 14.Be3 Rb8 15.Bc2 b5 16.axb5 axb5 is equal (Federau-Tringov, Op, West Berlin, 1985).
• 11...Nb4 12.Re1 a6 13.Bf1 Re8 14.h3 b6 15.Be3 Bb7 16.Bf2 Rc8 17.Qd2 c4 is equal (Ree-Hulak, IT, Wijk aan Zeem 1983).
• 9...Qh4+ 10.g3 Qe7 11.Nf3 0-0 12.0-0 Na6 13.Re1 Nb4 14.Bf1 b6 15.Bc4 Bb7 16.Qb3 Rae8 17.Bd2 a6 18.Re2 Qd8 19.Rae1 is equal (Lutikov-Vasiukov, Soviet Ch, Tbilisi, 1959).
• Mikenas Opening: If 8.e5 Nfd7 9.Nb5 dxe5 10.Nd6+ then:
• If 10...Ke7 11.Nxc8+ Qxc8 12.Nf3 Re8 13.fxe5 then:
• If 13...Nxe5 14.Bb5 Nbd7 15.0-0 Kf8 16.Nxe5 Rxe5 17.Bf4 then:
• 17...c4 18.Qd4 Rh5 19.Qxc4 Qxc4 20.Bxc4 Rc8 21.Bb3 Bd4+ 22.Kh1 is equal (Saric-Kanovsky, Mitropa Cup, Brno, 2006).
• 17...a6 18.Bxe5 Nxe5 19.Be2 c4 20.Kh1 gives White the material advantagel (Sosonko-Jakobsen, ZT, Barcelona, 1975).
• 13...Kf8 14.e6 fxe6 15.d6 Kg8 16.Bc4 Nc6 17.0-0 Nb6 gives Black good winning chances (Vukovich-Petrosian, IT, Barcelona, 1980).
• 10...Kf8 11.Nf3 h6 12.Be2 Qc7 13.Nxc8 Qxc8 is equal (Ivanisevic-Kovacevic, Yugoslav Ch, Niksic, 1997).
• King's Indian Defense/Four Pawns' OpeningIf 8.Nf3 0-0 9.Be2 Bg4 10.0-0 Nbd7 then:
• If 11.Re1 Re8 12.h3 Bxf3 13.Bxf3 then:
• If 13...a6 14.a4 c4 15.Be3 Qa5 16.Kh1 then:
• 16...Nc5 17.Bxc5 Qxc5 18.e5 dxe5 19.fxe5 Nd7 20.Ne4 Qb4 21.e6 fxe6 22.Bg4 Nf8 gives Black good winning chances (Verdier-Alvarez, Corres, 1999).
• 16...Re7 17.Qd2 Rae8 18.Qf2 Nxe4 19.Nxe4 Rxe4 20.Bxe4 Rxe4 is equal (Peicheva Juergens-J. Polgar, IT, Novi Sad, 1990).
• 13...Qa5 14.Be3 b5 15.a3 Nb6 16.Bf2 Nc4 17.Qc2 Nd7 18.Be2 Rab8 19.a4 b4 20.Nb5 Nxb2 21.Nxd6 gives White the advantage in space (Cebalo-Rasic, Op, Pula, 2001).
• 7.Nf3 Bg7 transposes to the note after White's seventh move and 8.h3 0-0 9.Bd3 transposes to the text.

3.Nf3 c5 4.d5 d6 5.Nc3 exd5 6.cxd5 g6 7.h3

• If 7.e4 Bg7 8.Be2 0-0 9.0-0 then:
• If 9...Re8 10.Nd2 then:
• If 10...Nbd7 11.a4 a6 12.Qc2 then:
• If 12...Rb8 13.h3 Qc7 then:
• If 14.a5 b5 15.axb6 Nxb6 16.Nb3 then:
• 16...Nfd7 17.Na5 Ra8 18.Ra3 Nf8 19.Bd3 Nfd7 20.Rd1 Ne5 is equal (Olafsson-Rodríguez, Ruy López Mem, Las Palmas, 1975).
• 16...Qe7 17.Na5 Bd7 18.Nc6 Bxc6 19.dxc6 Rec8 20.Rxa6 Rxc6 21.Bf4 gives White the advantage in space and better minor pieces (Bukic-Velimirovic, Yugoslav Ch, Novi Sad, 1975).
• 14.Nc4 b5 15.axb5 axb5 16.Na5 Ba6 17.Nc6 wins the exchange for White (Moyse-Snape, British Ch, Swansea, 2006).
• If 12...Ne5 13.Ra3 g5 then:
• If 14.a5 Rb8 15.Nd1 Ng6 16.Ne3 Nf4 17.Bd1 h5 18.Ndc4 h4 19.Rb3 Qe7 20.Rb6 gives White the advantage in space (Portisch-Suba, IT, Tunisien, 1985).
• 14.Nd1 Ng6 15.Ne3 Nf4 16.Bd1 b6 17.f3 Rb8 18.g3 Ng6 is equal (Spraggett-Barlov, Op, New York, 1987).
• If 10...Na6 then:
• If 11.f3 Nc7 12.a4 b6 13.Nc4 Ba6 14.Bg5 then:
• If 14...h6 15.Be3 Bxc4 16.Bxc4 a6 17.Qd2 Kh7 18.Rab1 then:
• If 18...Rb8 19.b4 b5 20.Be2 c4 21.Bd4 Re7 22.a5 Qh8 23.Rbd1 Nce8 then:
• 24.Rfe1 Nd7 25.Bxg7 Nxg7 26.f4 f5 27.Bf3 Rbe8 28.e5 dxe5 29.d6 gives White excellent winning chances (Ivanchuk-Manor, IT, Groningen, 1986).
• 24.g3!? Nd7 25.Bxg7 Nxg7!? 26.f4 f5 27.Bf3 fxe4 28.Nxe4 Nf5 29.g4 Nh4 30.Qf2 Nxf3+ 31.Qxf3 Nf6 32.Nxd6 Rd8 gives Black a stronger passer in compensation for his pawn minus (Glek-Ivanchuk, IT, Tashkent, 1987).
• 18...Qd7 19.b4 b5 20.Be2 c4 21.a5 Ng8 22.Bd1 f5 23.Bc2 fxe4 24.fxe4 Be5 gives Whit more space (Ogaard-Dr. Nunn, Gjovik, IT, 1983).
• If 14...Qd7 then:
• 15.Kh1 Rab8 16.b3 Nh5 17.Rc1 f6 18.Bd2 f5 19.exf5 gxf5 20.Re1 f4 21.Bd3 Bd4 22.Rxe8+ Rxe8 is equal (Ivanchuk-Wahls, World Jr Ch, Adelaide, 1988).
• 15.Qd2 Bxc4 16.Bxc4 a6 17.Qd3 h6 18.Be3 Qc8 19.Bf4 Bf8 20.Rfb1 Qb7 21.b4 cxb4 22.Rxb4 Nd7 gives White more space (Birbrager-Tal, Soviet Union, 1955).
• If 11.f4 Nc7 12.a4 b6 13.Re1 then:
• If 13...Rb8 14.Bf3 Ba6 15.Ndb1 Nd7 16.Be3 f5 17.Nd2 Nf6 18.exf5 gxf5 is equal (Mikhalchishin-K. Georgiev, EU ChT, Batumi, 1999).
• If 13...Ba6 then:
• 14.Ra3 Bxe2 15.Rxe2 Na6 16.Nc4 draw (Spassky-Marin, IT, Lyon-Belfort, 1991).
• 14.Bxa6 Nxa6 15.Nc4 Nb4 16.h3 Rb8 17.Na3 a6 18.Rb1 Qd7 is equal (Baburin-Suetin, Op, Berlin, 1994).
• If 9...a6 10.a4 Bg4 11.Bf4 then:
• If 11...Bxf3 12.Bxf3 Qe7 13.Re1 Nbd7 then:
• If 14.a5 Rab8 15.Qc2 b5 16.axb6 Rxb6 then:
• If 17.Ra2 Ne8 18.Rea1 Nc7 19.Be2 Rfb8 20.Bc1 gives White a small advantage in space (Gupta-Ravi, Indian Ch, Visakhapatnam, 2006).
• 17.Be2 Rfb8 18.Ra2 Ne5 19.h3 Nfd7 20.Be3 Rb4 21.Rb1 c4 22.Rxa6 wins a pawn for White (Fedorowicz-Gulamali, Op, Minneapolis, 2005).
• 14.Qd2 Rfe8 15.a5 h5 16.h3 Nh7 17.Be2 Rac8 18.Bf1 Qf6 19.Rac1 g5 20.Be3 g4 draw (Tukmakov-Spraggett, IT, Barcelona, 1993).
• If 11...Re8 12.Nd2 Bxe2 13.Qxe2 Nh5 14.Be3 Nd7 then:
• If 15.a5 Bd4 16.g4 Nhf6 17.f3 b5 18.axb6 Nxb6 19.Nd1 Nbxd5 20.exd5 Nxd5 21.Nc4 f5 22.f4 fxg4 is equal (Korchnoi-Dr. Nunn, IT, London, 1980).
• If 15.g4 Nhf6 16.f3 Qc7 then:
• 17.a5 b5 18.axb6 Nxb6 19.Kh1 Qb7 20.Ra3 Nfd7 21.Nb3 Ne5 22.Na5 Qd7 23.Rg1 f5 24.gxf5 gxf5 25.Bh6 gives White more space and activity (W. Schmidt-Z, Franco, IT, Vrnjacka Banja, 1983).
• 17.Kh1 Rab8 18.a5 h6 19.Bf4 Ne5 20.Bg3 Kh7 21.h3 Kg8 22.Ra4 Ra8 23.Ra2 Rab8 is equal (Tukmakov-Vranesic, IT, Toronto, 1990).
• Catalan Opening:If 7.g3 Bg7 8.Bg2 0-0 9.0-0 Re8 10.a4 a6 then:
• If 11.Re1 Nbd7 then:
• If 12.e4 then:
• If 12...Qc7 then:
• 13.Bf4 Ng4 14.Rc1 c4 15.Nd2 Nde5 16.h3 Nxf2 17.Kxf2 Nd3+ 18.Kg1 Nxb2 19.Qf3 Nd3 is equal (E. Atalik-Cmilyte, Baltic Queen, St. Petersburg, 2009).
• 13.Bf1 Ne5 14.Nxe5 Rxe5 15.Bf4 Re8 16.e5 dxe5 17.d6 is equal (Sosonko-Rechlis, IT, Jerusalem, 1986).
• 12...c4 13.Bf1 Nc5 14.Nd2 Nd3 15.Bxd3 cxd3 16.Nc4 Bh3 17.Qxd3 gives White an extra pawn (Ligterink-Lobron, Op, Wijk aan Zee, 1986).
• If 12.h3 Rb8 13.Bf4 Qc7 14.e4 Nh5 then:
• 15.Be3 b5 16.axb5 axb5 17.Bf1 b4 18.Nb5 Qb6 19.Nd2 Ne5 20.Na7 Bd7 21.g4 Nf6 22.f4 Nexg4 23.hxg4 Nxe4 24.Nc6 Bxc6 25.Ra6 Qc7 26.Rxc6 gives White the initiative and a material edge (Razuvaev-Panchenko, Soviet Ch FL, Minsk, 1985).
• 15.Bd2 b5 16.axb5 axb5 17.g4 Nhf6 18.Bf1 c4 19.b4 cxb3 20.Qxb3 Nc5 21.Qb4 Na6 22.Nxb5 Nxb4 23.Nxc7 Rxe4 24.Rab1 gives White a tactical edge (Christiansen-Mestel, Ol, Lucerne, 1982).
• If 11.Nd2 Nbd7 12.h3 Rb8 13.Nc4 then:
• If 13...Ne5 14.Na3 Nh5 15.e4 then:
• 15...Bd7 16.a5 Qxa5 17.g4 Nf6 18.f4 Nexg4 19.hxg4 Nxg4 20.Bf3 h5 21.Nc2 Qd8 22.Kg2 b5 23.Ne3 b4 24.Na4 Qh4 25.Bxg4 hxg4 26.Rh1 Qf6 gives Black the initiative (Vasilevich-Peng, Euro ChW, Plovdov, 2008).
• 15...Rf8 16.Kh2 f5 17.f4 b5 18.axb5 axb5 19.Naxb5 fxe4 20.Na7 Nf3+ 21.Bxf3 exf3 22.Nxc8 Qxc8 23.Rxf3 Bd4 24.Qf1 gives White an extra pawn (Brunner-Marzolo, Op, Nancy, 2007).
• If 13...Nb6 14.Na3 Bd7 15.e4 Qc7 then:
• 16.Be3 Nxa4 17.Nxa4 Nxe4 18.Nc2 b5 19.Nc3 Nxc3 20.bxc3 Bxc3 21.Rxa6 b4 22.Bf4 Rb6 23.Rxb6 Qxb6 24.Bd2 Be5 25.Ne3 Bd4 26.Re1 gives White tha material advantage (Mikhalevski-Cebalo, Euro Ch, Budva, 2009).
• If 16.Re1 Nxa4 17.Nxa4 b5 18.Nxc5 Qxc5 19.Be3 Qc8 20.Rc1 Qb7 21.Bf4 Qb6 22.Be3 Qd8 23.Bf4 Bc8 24.Rc6 gives White the initiative (Olsson-Brynell, Nordic Ch, Bergen, 2001).

7...Bg7 8.e4 0-0 9.Bd3 b5!?

• The text move give the game a lite flavoring of the Benko Gambit.
• 9...Re8 10.0-0 then:
• If 10...c4 11.Bc2 b5 then:
• 12.Nxb5 Nxe4 13.Bxe4 Rxe4 14.Nd2 Rh4 15.Re1 Ba6 16.a4 Bxb5 17.axb5 Nd7 18.Ne4 Qb6 is equal (Wu Shaobin-Bu Xiangzhi, IMT, 1999).
• 12.a3 a6 13.Be3 Nbd7 14.Re1 Bb7 15.Bd4 Rc8 16.Qd2 Nc5 is equal (Suetin-Díaz, IT, Havana, 1968).
• 10...a6 11.a4 transposes into the blue variations.
• 9...a6 10.a4 Nbd7 11.0-0 Re8 then:
• If 12.Re1 Nh5 13.Bg5 Bf6 14.Be3 then:
• 14...Ne5 15.Be2 Nxf3+ 16.Bxf3 Ng7 17.Qd2 Bd7 18.Be2 b5 19.axb5 axb5 20.Nxb5 Bxb5 21.Bxb5 Rxe4 22.Rxa8 Qxa8 is equal (Dronavalli-Melia, World Jr Ch, Yerevan, 2007).
• 14...Bg7 15.Rc1 Qe7 16.Qd2 Qf8 17.Re2 Rb8 18.Qe1 draw (Babula-Fercec, Op, Pula, 2001).
• 12.Bf4 Qe7 13.Re1 Nh5 14.Bh2 Qf8 15.Bf1 b6 16.g4 Nhf6 17.Nd2 Rb8 18.f4 Bb7 19.Bg2 Kh8 20.e5 gives White the advantage in space (Chuprikov-Rychagov, Russian Ch HL, Novokuznetsk, 2008).

10.Bxb5

• If 10.Nxb5 then:
• If 10...Re8 11.0-0 Nxe4 12.Re1 a6 then:
• If 13.Na3 Nf6 14.Rxe8+ Nxe8 15.Bg5 then:
• If 15...Nf6 16.Nc4 then:
• 16...h6 17.Bh4 Bb7 18.Ne3 Nbd7 19.Rb1 Nb6 is equal (Divljan-Kaminski, IT, Toronto, 2006).
• 16...Bb7 17.Bc2 Qc7 18.Bxf6 Bxf6 19.Ba4 Nd7 20.Bxd7 Qxd7 21.Nb6 Qf5 22.Nxa8 Bxa8 23.Qe2 Bxd5 is equal; Black has a pawn and the Bishop pair for the exchange (Karjakin-Gashimov, TMatch, Baku, 2009).
• 15...Qc7 16.Qa4 Nd7 17.Re1 Nef6 18.Qc6 Qb8 is equal (Mohota-Muminova, Asian ChW, Subic Bay, 2009).
• 13.Qa4 Bd7 14.Qa3 Qb6 15.Nc3 Nxc3 16.Rxe8+ Bxe8 17.bxc3 Nd7 18.Rb1 Qc7 19.Bf4 gives White the advantage in space (Bacrot-Palkovi, IT, Balatonbereny, 1996).
• If 10...Nxe4 11.Bxe4 Re8 then:
• 12.Ng5 Bf6 13.0-0 a6 14.Ne6 fxe6 15.dxe6 axb5 16.Bxa8 Bxe6 17.Bd5 Kg7 18.Bf4 Bd4 19.Qf3 gives White excellent chances (Lautier-Vaisser, French Ch, Val d'Isere, 2002).
• If 12.Nd2 Ba6 13.a4 Qa5 14.Nxd6 Nd7 15.Qc2 f5 16.Nxe8 Rxe8 17.Kd1 fxe4 18.Ra3 c4 19.Re3 Qxd5 20.Rxe4 gives White a material advantage (van Wely-Topalov, IT, Wijk aan Zee, 1998).

10...Nxe4 11.Nxe4!

• White wins a pawn.

11...Qa5+ 12.Nfd2 Qxb5 13.Nxd6 Qa6 14.N2c4 Nd7 15.0-0 Ne5

• If 15...Nb6 16.Nxb6 Qxb6 17.Nxc8 Raxc8 then:
• If 18.Rb1 Rfd8 19.Bf4 Qb7 20.d6 Bf8 21.Qd3 Bxd6 22.Bxd6 Rc6 then:
• If 23.Rfd1 then:
• If 23...Qd7 24.Qa3 Rxd6 25.Rxd6 Qxd6 26.Qxa7 then:
• If 26...Re8 27.Qa3 Re2 28.Qc3 then:
• 28...Qb6 29.a4 c4 30.Rf1 Qb3 31.Rc1 Qxa4 32.Qd4 Qa6 33.Rxc4 gives WHite an extra pawn (Piket-Topalov, Amber Blind, Monte Carlo, 2000).
• 28...Qd5 29.Ra1 Qf5 30.Rf1 Rc2 31.g4 Rxc3 32.gxf5 Rc2 33.Rb1 Kf8 34.a4 gives White a moble passer (Savchur-Lecroq, Corres, 2000).
• 26...Qd5 27.Rc1 Qg5 28.Rf1 Qd5 29.Qe7 Ra8 30.a3 Qd4 31.Qb7 Re8 32.Qb5 gives White an extra pawn and the initiative (Zatonskih-A.Muzychuk, OlW, Torino, 2006).
• If 23...Rcxd6 24.Qxd6 Rxd6 then:
• If 25.Rxd6 (White has the slight material edge of two Rooks against a Queen) 25...c4 then:
• If 26.Rd2 c3 27.Rc2 Qe4 28.Rbc1 cxb2 29.Rxb2 then:
• If 29...h5 30.g3 a5 31.Rb3 Qd5 32.Rcb1 Qd2 White Rooks are coordinated, giving them the balance in the game (Shipov-Velimirovic, TMatch, Belgrade/Moscow, 1998).
• 29...a5 30.Rbc2 h5 31.Rc4 Qd5 32.a4 the coordination of the Rooks tips the balace in White's favor (Karpov-J. Polgar, Rpd M, Budapest, 1998).
• 26.Rdd1 Qa6 27.a3 Qb5 28.Re1 Qb3 29.Rec1 Qd3 30.a4 a5 31.Ra1 Qb3 32.Ra3 Qb4 (here, the Rooks are less coordinated) 33.g3 Kg7 34.h4 h5 35.Rac3 Qxa4 36.Rxc4 Qb3 is equal (Wilson-Katz, USCL, Cyberspace, 2008).
• 23.b4 cxb4 24.Rxb4 Qd7 25.Rd1 Rxd6 26.Qxd6 Qxd6 27.Rxd6 Rxd6 28.Ra4 draw (Sasikiran-Ivanchuk, IT, Foros, 2007).
• 18.Re1 Rfe8 19.Rxe8+ Rxe8 20.Be3 Bd4 21.Qb3 Qxb3 22.axb3 Bxe3 23.fxe3 Rxe3 is equal.

16.Nxc8

• If 16.Nxe5 then:
• 16...Qxd6 17.Nc4 Qa6 18.Ne3 Bb7 19.Qc2 Bd4 20.Bd2 Rfd8 21.Bc3 Bxd5 22.Nxd5 Rxd5 is equal (Guramishvili-Gaponenko, Euro ChW, St. Petersburg, 2009).
• 16...Bxe5 17.Nxc8 Raxc8 18.Re1 transposes into the text.

16...Raxc8 17.Nxe5 Bxe5 18.Re1 Rfe8!?

• If 18...Qf6 19.Rb1 Rfd8 then:
• If 20.Qg4 h5 21.Qc4 Qf5 22.Qe4 Qxe4 23.Rxe4 Rxd5 24.Be3 c4 25.f4 then:
• 25...Bf6 26.Rc1 Ra5 27.Rexc4 Rxc4 28.Rxc4 Rxa2 is equal (Notkin-Velimirovic, Yugoslav ChT, Vrnjacka Banja, 1998).
• 25...Bg7 26.Rc1 Bxb2 draw (Polak-Chatalbashev, Euro Natl ChT, Crete, 2007).
• 20.b3 Bd4 21.Qc2 Rxd5 22.Bf4 Rcd8 23.Re4 Bc3 is equal (S. Atalik-Velimirovic, GMT, Herceg Novi, 1999).
• 18...Qd6 19.Rb1 draw (Fridman-Alekseev, Euro Club Cup, Ohrid, 2009).

19.Bg5

• The game is equal.

19...Bd4

• If 19...Bxb2 then:
• 20.Rxe8+ Rxe8 21.Rb1 Qxa2 22.d6 f6 23.Be3 gives White a slight edge owning to the advanced d-pawn.
• 20.Rb1 Rxe1+ 21.Qxe1 Bd4 22.Rd1 Qxa2 gives Black an extra pawn.

20.Rc1

• 20.Qb3 Re2 21.Rxe2 Qxe2 22.Rf1 Qe5 23.Qb7 Rb8 remains equal.

20...Qd6 21.Qa4 Re5

• If 21...Rxe1+!? 22.Rxe1 Qxd5 23.Bh6 then:
• 23...Qd8 24.b3 a5 25.Re4 Bg7 26.Be3 Bc3 27.Qc4 gives White the advantage in space.
• 23...Be5!? 24.b3 Ra8 25.Qa6 f5 26.Qa5 a6 27.Be3! will win a pawn for White.

22.Rxe5 Qxe5 23.Qd7 Rb8!?

• Black threatens the b-pawn, but it is an idle threat.
• 23...Ra8 24.Qb7 Rb8 25.Qe7 Re8 26.Qxe5 Rxe5 remains equal.

BLACK: Vugar Gashimov
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WHITE: Georg Meier
Position after 23...Rc8b8

24.Bh6!

• The text move is intended to conjur mating threats.
• 24.Qe7!? Re8 25.Qxe5 Rxe5 is again equal.

24...Qf6 25.Rc2

• 25.Rf1!? Rd8 26.Qa4 Qe7 27.Rd1 Rxd5 is once again equal.

25...Rd8 26.Qc7 Rxd5 27.Re2!

• White threatens mate with the Rook on e8.

27...Rd8 28.Qxa7 g5

• 28...Bxb2?? 29.Qd7 Rf8 30.Re8 wins for White.

29.Qc7 Kh8

• If 29...Ra8 30.Qb7 Rd8 then:
• 31.Qc7 Ra8 32.Qb7 Rd8 33.Qc7 Ra8 34.Qb7 Rd8 draws,
• If 31.Qd7 then:
• If 31...Qxf2+ then:
• 32.Kh2 Be5+ 33.Rxe5 Qf4+ 34.Kg1 Qc1+ 35.Kh2 Qf4+ draws,
• If 32.Rxf2?! then after 32...Rxd7 Black wins the exchange.
• If 31...Rxd7?? then 32.Re8#.

30.h4 gxh4!

• Black finds the only move.
• 30...g4? 31.Bf4 c4 32.Bg3 c3 33.bxc3 Bxc3 34.Re4 gives White a winning position.

31.Bf4 Kg7 32.b3 Rd5 33.Kh1!?

• White has little left to the initiative and should make plans to bring in the defense.
• 33.Qb8 Rf5 34.Re4 h6 35.a4 Qc6 36.Re7 h3 gives Black the initiative.

33...Qf5 34.Qc6?

• White tries to stay aggressive, but the steam is out of the engine.
• 34.Kh2 Qf6 35.f3 Rf5 36.Bd6 Rd5 37.Bf4 Rf5 is equal.

BLACK: Vugar Gashimov
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Position after 34...Qc7c6

34...Bf6!

• Black threatens 35...Re1+ and takes the initiative.

35.Re1 h6 36.a4

• If 36.Kg1 Bg5 then:
• 37.Bc7 Bf6 38.Re2 Rd1+ 39.Kh2 Qb1 40.g3 hxg3+ Black's continuing initiative gives him good winning chance.
• 37.Bd6? h3!! 38.f4 Bf6 39.gxh3 Rd2 wins for Black.
• If 36.Rg1 Bg5 37.Bc7 Rd3 then:
• 38.Bh2 Qxf2 39.Be5+ Kg8 40.Qe8+ Kh7 41.Qf8 Kg6 gives Black the initiative and good winning chances.
• 38.Rf1 h3 39.Kh2 Rd2 40.gxh3 Rxa2 41.Bg3 Kh7 gives Black good winning chances.

36...h3 37.a5 Bg5

• Black has more than one way to win.
• 37...hxg2+ 38.Kxg2 Qg6+ 39.Bg3 Rf5 40.Re3 c4 41.b4 gives White two connect passers on the queenside.

38.Bg3 h5

• Black wins faster after 38...Bd2! 39.Rg1 hxg2+ 40.Kxg2 Bxa5.

39.Rg1

• 39.gxh3 h4 40.Be5+ Rxe5 41.Rxe5 Qxe5 gives Black an extra piece.
• If 39.a6 then:
• If 39...h4! then:
• If 40.a7 then:
• If 40...hxg3!! then:
• 41.a8Q hxg2+!! 42.Kxg2 Qxf2+ forces mate.
• 41.fxg3 hxg2+! 42.Kxg2 Rd2+ 43.Kh1 Qh3+ forces mate.
• 40.Bh2 hxg2+ 41.Kg1 h3 42.Qc7 Bh4 43.Bg3 Rd7 gives Black excellent winning chances.
• 39...Qd7? 40.Qxd7 hxg2+ 41.Kxg2 Rxd7 42.Bb8! wins for White.

39...h4!

• White is hopeless.

40.Bh2

• White may have been in serious time trouble as he makes his final error..
• 40.Bc7 hxg2+ 41.Rxg2 Qh3+ 42.Bh2 Qxb3 gives Black an extra pawn.

BLACK: Vugar Gashimov
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WHITE: Georg Meier
Position after 40.Bg3h2

40...hxg2+!!

• The pawn sacrifice forces mate.

41.Rxg2

• If 41.Kxg2 h3+ then:
• If 42.Kg3 Rd3+ then:
• If 43.f3 Qf4+ then:
• If 44.Kxh3 Qh4+ 45.Kg2 Rd2+ then:
• 46.Kf1 Qf2#.
• 46.Kh1 Rxh2#.
• 44.Kf2 Rd2+ 45.Ke1 Qe3+ 46.Kf1 Qf2#.
• 43.Qf3 Qxf3#.
• 42.Kf1 Rd1+ 43.Ke2 Qd3#.

41...h3 42.Rg3

• If 42.Rg1 then 42...Qe4+ forces mate on g2 with the Queen.

42...Qe4+ 0-1

• If 43.Kg1 then 43...Rd1#.
• Herr Meier resigns.

[Jack Rabbit]

6. A. Gara - N. Kosintseva, Round 4

Nadya Kosintseva, the reigning Russian women's champion, carried home the gold medal for indivual performance among all players in the women's group. She played in all nine games for Russia and scored 8 points.
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Something I wanted to do for a few weeks since I provided a Max Lange Attack survey is to provide a complete survey of gambits arising out of the Italo-Scotch nexus. These openings are not often seen in master play, although they have their adherants, most notably the Muzychuk sisters. On the other hand, they are very popular in chess clubs like the one I frequent now and then. I hope you find it of value.




Nadezhda Kostinseva
Photo: Website of the 17th European Team Championship


Anita Gara (Hungary) - Nadezhda Kosintseva (Russia)
17th European Team Chapionships (Women's Group), Round 4
Novi Sad, 25 October 2009

Italian Royal Game: Classical Defense (Deutz Gambit)

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4

• If 3.d4 exd4 4.Bc4 Bc5 then:
• If Saragossa Gambit (Goring Gambit): If 5.c3 then:
• If 5...dxc3 6.Nxc3 d6 7.0-0 Be6 then:
• 8.Nd5 Qd7 9.a3 Ne5 10.Nxe5 dxe5 11.Qb3 c6 12.Rd1 Bd4 13.Be3 0-0-0 14.Rac1 Kb8 15.Rxd4 exd4 16.Bf4+ Kc8 17.Qa4 Bxd5 18.exd5 Qg4 19.g3 Ne7 20.dxc6 Nxc6 21.Ba6 Black resigns as he cannot escape mate or ruinous loss of material (Martin-Pompei, Rapperswil (Switzerland), 1955).
• 8.Bxe6 fxe6 9.Qb3 Qc8 10.Ng5 Nd4 11.Qa4+ c6 12.Be3 b5 13.Qd1 e5 14.b4 Bxb4 15.Bxd4 exd4 16.Qxd4 Bxc3 17.Qxc3 is equal (Staunton-Jaenisch, Match, London, 1851).
• If 5...Nf6 6.cxd4 Bb4+ then:
• If 7.Nc3 Nxe4 8.0-0 then:
• If 8...Nxc3 9.bxc3 Bxc3 10.Qb3 then:
• If 10...Bxa1 11.Bxf7+ Kf8 12.Bg5 Ne7 then:
• If 13.Ne5 Bxd4 14.Bg6 d5 15.Qf3+ Bf5 16.Bxf5 Bxe5 17.Be6+ Bf6 18.Bxf6 then:
• 18...gxf6 19.Qxf6+ Ke8 20.Qf7# White wins (Greco-NN, c. 1620).
• 18...Ke8 19.Bxg7 Black resigns (Shumiakina -I Litinskaya, Op, Svetlogorsk, 1997).
• 13.Re1 d5 14.Bxd5 Qd7 15.Bxe7+ Qxe7 16.Rxe7 Kxe7 17.Qe3+ Kd8 18.Qg5+ Ke8 19.Qxg7 Rf8 20.Ng5 h5 21.Nh7 Rf5 22.Nf6+ Rxf6 23.Qxf6 Bb2 24.Bf7+ Kf8 25.Bg6+ Kg8 26.Qf7+ Kh8 27.Qh7# White wins (Leo Tolstoy-Kuhler, Yasnaya Polyana (?), 1900).
• 10...d5 11.Bxd5 0-0 12.Bxf7+ Kh8 13.Qxc3 Rxf7 14.Qb3 Rf5 15.Re1 Bd7 16.d5 Ne7 17.Bg5 Black resigns (Dr. Euwe-van der Kar, Holland, 1928).
• If 8...Bxc3 9.d5 then:
• If 9...Ne5 10.bxc3 Nxc4 11.Qd4 0-0 12.Qxe4 Nd6 13.Qd3 b6 14.Ng5 f5 15.Re1 h6 16.Nh3 Qf6 gives Black an extra pawn (Levin-Evans, US Op, Pittsburgh, 1946).
• If 9...Bf6 10.Re1 Ne7 11.Rxe4 d6 12.Bg5 Bxg5 13.Nxg5 then:
• 13...h6 14.Qe2 hxg5 15.Re1 Be6 16.dxe6 f6 17.Re3 then:
• 17...c6 18.Rh3 Rxh3 19.gxh3 g6 20.Bd3 Kf8 21.h4 gxh4 22.Qg4 Qa5 23.Re3 Kg7 24.Qxh4 Qg5+ 25.Qxg5 fxg5 gives Black an extra pawn (Mustafaev-Mamedyarov, Azerbaijan ChU16, Baku, 2001).
• 17...d5 18.Rh3 Rxh3 19.gxh3 g6 20.Qf3 Qd6 21.Qxf6 Qf4 22.Qh8+ Qf8 23.Qd4 draw (Talbi-Goutali, Olympic Team Qual, Algiers, 2000).
• If 13...0-0 14.Nxh7 Kxh7 (Black has an extra piece) 15.Qh5+ Kg8 16.Rh4 f5 then:
• If 17.Re1 Ng6 18.Rh3 Rf6 19.Qh7+ Kf7 20.Re6 c6 21.Rhe3 Bd7 22.Rxf6+ Kxf6 23.Rg3 Be8 24.Qh5 then:
• 24...Ke7? 25.Qxf5! cxd5 26.Bxd5 gives White a small advantage and a mating threat (Keres-Sachsenmaier, Corres, 1934).
• 24...cxd5 25.Bd3 Ne7 26.Qg5+ Ke6 leaves Black with an extra piece.
• 17.Rh3 Bd7 18.Re1 Rf6 19.Qh7+ Kf7 20.Rg3 Ng6 21.Re6 Bxe6 22.dxe6+ Kf8 23.e7+ Kxe7 24.Qxg7+ Ke8 25.Rxg6 faced with Black resigns (Keres-Kunerth, Corres, 1935).
• If 7.Bd2 Bxd2+ 8.Nbxd2 d5 9.exd5 Nxd5 then:
• If 10.Qb3 Nce7 11.0-0 0-0 12.Rfe1 c6 then:
• If 13.a4 Qb6 14.Qa3 Be6 15.a5 Qc7 16.Rac1 Rad8 17.Ne4 Ng6 18.Nc5 Bc8 19.b4 Qd6 gives White the advantage in space (Olland-Leussen, IT, Haarlem, 1901).
• 13.Ne4 Qb6 14.Nc3 Qxb3 15.Bxb3 Be6 16.Ng5 Bd7 17.Re5 h6 18.Nxd5 Nxd5 19.Ne4 gives White the advantage in space (Bogolyubov-Dr. Euwe, Karlsbad, 1941).
• 10.0-0 0-0 then:
• If 11.Re1 Nf4 12.Ne4 Bg4 13.Qd2 Nh3+ 14.gxh3 Bxf3 15.d5 Ne5 16.Qf4 f6 give Black the initiative, but he'll have to use some of it to get his Bishop out of a jam (Dubois-Steinita, Match, London, 1862).
• 11.h3 Nf4 12.Kh2 Nxd4 13.Nxd4 Qxd4 14.Qc2 Qd6 15.Kh1 Qb6 16.Qc3 Bf5 17.Kh2 Rad8 18.Rad1 Bxh3 19.gxh3 Rd3 20.Qxd3 Nxd3 21.Bxd3 Qd6+ 22.f4 Qxd3 White, already down in material, resigns in the face of further losses (Saint Amant-Morphy, Paris, 1858).
• If 5.0-0 then:
• 5...Nf6 6.e5 d5 7.exf6 dxc4 8.Re1+ Be6 9.Ng5 Qd5 10.Nc3 Qf5 11.Nce4 0-0-0 transposes into McAuliffe-Shipman in the notes to Black's fifth move.
• If 5...d6 then:
• 6.Bg5 Nf6 7.Bb5 Bg4 8.h3 Bxf3 9.Qxf3 0-0 10.Bxc6 bxc6 11.Nd2 Re8 12.Rad1 Qe7 13.Rfe1 Bb4 14.c3 dxc3 15.bxc3 Bc5 16.e5 gives White excellent winning chances for the sacrificed pawn (M. Muzychuk-Levushkina, Euro ChW, Plovdiv, 2008).
• If 6.c3 Nf6 7.cxd4 Bb6 then:
• 8.Nc3 Bg4 9.Be3 0-0 10.Bb3 Re8 11.Qd3 Bh5 12.Nd2 Bg6 13.f4 then:
• 13...Bf5 14.Rae1 Ng4 15.Nc4 Qh4 16.h3 Nxe3 17.Nxe3 Bxh3 Black still holds the gambit pawn (Kostic-Muffang, Ol, Warsaw, 1935).
• 13...Bxe4 14.Ncxe4 Nxe4 15.Nxe4 Qe7 16.Bxf7+ Qxf7 17.Ng5 gives White the initiative and a strong center (Leonhardt-Teichmann, Ostend, 1906).
• If 8.h3 then:
• 8...0-0 9.Nc3 h6 transposes into the Mohishunder-Cochrane games.
• If 8...h6 9.Nc3 0-0 then:
• 10.Be3 Ne7 11.Bd3 d5 12.e5 Nh7 13.Nh4 Nc6 14.Qh5 Bxd4 15.Bxh6 Bxe5 16.Bxh7+ Kh8 17.Bg5 Black, down a piece, resigns (Mohishunder-Cochrane, Calcutta, 1856).
• 10.a3 Ne7 11.Bf4 d5 12.exd5 Nfxd5 13.Ba2 Be6 14.Qd2 Nxc3 15.Bxe6 Nb5 16.Bc4 Nxd4 17.Nxd4 Qxd4 18.Qe2 Ng6 Black has an extra pawn (Mohishunder-Cochrane, Calcutta, 1853).

3...Bc5

• Scotch Gambit: If 3...Nf6 4.0-0 then:
• If 4...Nxe4 5.d4 then:
• If 5...d5 6.Bb5 exd4 7.Nxd4 Bd7 8.Bxc6 bxc6 then:
• If 9.c4 Be7 10.Nc3 Nf6 11.Bg5 c5 12.Bxf6 Bxf6 13.Re1+ Kf8 14.Nf3 d4 15.Nd5 Bc6 16.Nxf6 Qxf6 17.Ne5 Qd6 18.Qh5 g6 19.Qh6+ Kg8 20.Nxc6 Qxc6 21.Re7 Re8 22.Rae1 Rxe7 23.Rxe7 Qf6 24.Re8# White wins (Koltanowski-Zeitlin, SBX, New York, 1934).
• 9.f3 Nf6 10.Re1+ Be7 11.Qe2 c5 12.Nb3 Be6 13.f4 c4 14.f5 Bxf5 15.Nd4 Be4 16.b3 cxb3 17.axb3 0-0 gives Black a two pawn advantage (Pollack-Showalter, American Chess Congress, New York, 1889).
• 4...Bc5 5.d4 exd4 6.Nxd4 d5 7.Bb5 Bd7 8.Re1 Bd6 9.Be3 0-0 10.Nc3 Nxd4 11.Bxd7 Nxc2 12.Qxc2 Qxd7 gives Black an extra pawn and superior pawn structure (Pallag-Harti, Slovakian ChT, Brno, 2000).
• 5...exd4 6.Nxd4 d5 7.Re1 Be7 8.Bf4 0-0 9.c3 Nxd4 10.cxd4 Bb4 11.Re3 Nxf2 12.Kxf2 dxc4 13.Nc3 Bf5 14.Qf3 Qxd4 15.Rd1 Bd3 16.Qg3 Rfe8 17.Be5 Rxe5 18.Qxe5 Bc5 19.Qxd4 Bxd4 20.Nb5 Bxe3+ 21.Kxe3 Re8+ 22.Kd4 Re2 White resigns (Ruen-Dr. Euwe, 1923).

4.0-0 Nf6 5.d4 Bxd4

• Taking with the Bishop is the Duetz Gambit; taking with the pawn is the Max Lange Attack.
• The Max Lange Attack: If 5...exd4 then:
• If 6.e5 then:
• If 6...d5 7.exf6 dxc4 then:
• If 8.Re1+ Be6 then:
• 9.Ng5 Qd5 10.Nc3 Qf5 then:
• 11.Nce4 then:
• If 11...0-0-0 12.g4 Qe5 13.Nxe6 fxe6 then:
• If 14.fxg7 then:
• If 14...Rhg8 15.Bh6 d3 16.c3 d2 17.Re2 Rd3 then:
• If 18.Qf1 Qd5 19.Rd1 then:
• 19...Ne5 20.Qg2 Nf3+ 21.Kf1 Nh4 22.Qg1 Nf3 offers a repetition of moves (McAuliffe-Shipman, Corres, 1992).
• 19...Rd8 20.Nxc5 Qxc5 21.Rexd2 Ne5 22.Qg2 gives White an extra pawn and more threats (Balzar-Karaklajic, IT, Dortmund, 1988).
• 18.Nxc5 Qxc5 19.Rxd2 Ne5 20.Rxd3 cxd3 21.Kg2 Qd5+ 22.Kg3 Qd6 23.Bf4 Rxg7 24.h3 Rf7 25.Qa4 Qc6 26.Qxc6 Nxc6 draw (Vatter-Dr. Nunn, Bundesliga 8586, Germany, 1986).
• 14...Bb6 15.gxh8Q Rxh8 16.Qe2 d3 17.cxd3 Nd4 leaves Black up by an exchange with a more aggressive game (Musil-Plsek, Op, Prerov, 1994).
• If 14.Bg5 then after 14...g6 15.f7 Rd7 16.Bf6 Black must lose a piece and resigns (D. Prasad-Kalyanasundaram, Indian Ch, 1965).
• If 11...Bb6 12.fxg7 Rg8 then:
• 13.g4? Qg6 14.Nxe6 fxe6 15.Bg5 Rxg7 16.Nf6+ Kf7 17.Qf3 Qxg5 18.Nxh7+ Qf5 White resigns as he will remain a piece down (Dus-Chotimirsky-Schiffers, Russian Ch, Kiev, 1903).
• 13.Ng3! Qg6 14.Qh5 0-0-0 15.Qxg6 hxg6 is equal.
• If 11.g4 Qg6 12.Nce4 Bb6 then:
• 13.Nxe6 fxe6 14.Bg5 0-0 15.fxg7 Rf7 gives Black excellent winning chances (Juarez-García, Granma, 1987).
• 13.f4 0-0-0 14.f5 Bxf5 15.gxf5 Qxf5 is equal (Blackburne-Teichmann, IT, Nuremberg, 1896).
• 9.fxg7 Rg8 10.Ng5 Qd5 11.Nc3 Qf5 12.Nce4 0-0-0 13.Nxc5 Qxc5 14.Nxe6 fxe6 15.Bh6 Rd6 16.Re4 e5 gives Black the advantage in space (Spielmann-Vidmar, IT, Karlsbad, 1907).
• 8.fxg7 Rg8 9.Bg5 Be7 10.Bxe7 Kxe7 11.Re1+ Be6 12.Re4 then:
• If 12...Rxg7 13.Nxd4 Nxd4 14.Rxd4 Qg8 15.g3 Rg4 16.Nc3 c6 17.Ne2 gives White points for development, King safety and pawn structure (Kosmo-Nyland, Rilton Cup, Stockholm, 2007)
• 12...d3 13.Nbd2 dxc2 14.Qxc2 Qd3 15.Qxc4 Qxc4 16.Nxc4 Rxg7 17.Ne3 gives White more activity (Albano-Scotto, Semilampo, 1995).
• If 6...Ng4 7.Bf4 0-0 8.h3 Nh6 then:
• If 9.Bxh6 gxh6 10.c3 d5 11.Bb3 Bf5 12.cxd4 Bb6 13.Nc3 Be4 14.Re1 Bxf3 15.Qxf3 Nxd4 16.Qg4+ gives White more than enough space and activity to compensate for the pawn minus (Louma-Dobias, Trmt, Prague, 1943).
• 9.c3 d5 10.exd6 Bxd6 11.Bg5 Be7 12.Bxe7 Qxe7 13.Nxd4 Nxd4 14.Qxd4 Qg5 is equal (Serrano-Iruzubieta, Rpd, Mirabal, 2001).
• If 6.Nxd4 d5 7.Bb5 transposes into Pallag-Harti in the notes above.

6.Nxd4 Nxd4 7.f4

• If 7.Bg5 d6 8.f4 Be6 9.Na3 Qe7 then:
• 10.f5 Bxc4 11.Nxc4 0-0-0 12.Ne3 c6 gives Black an extra pawn and more activity (Karpatchev-Grischuk, Russian CH, St. Petersburg, 1998).
• 10.fxe5 transposes into the note after Black's ninth move.

7...d6 8.fxe5 dxe5 9.Bg5 Qe7

• 9...Be6 10.Na3 Qe7 11.c3 Bxc4 12.Bxf6 gxf6 13.Nxc4 Ne6 14.Ne3 Qc5 15.Qe1 0-0-0 gives Black an extra pawn and more space (Morozevich-Leko, Tal Mem Blitz, Moscow, 2008).
• 12.Nxc4 Ne6 13.Bxf6 Qc5+ 14.Rf2 gxf6 15.Qd5 Qxd5 16.exd5 Nf4 Black still has an extra pawn and a more aggressive position (Palermo-Negre, Chanac, 1989).

10.Na3

• 10.c3 Ne6 11.Bxf6 gxf6 12.Na3 Rg8 13.Kh1 Bd7 14.Qf3 gives Black an extra pawn and White the more active game (Charousek-Brody, Blind Trmt, Budapest, 1896).
• 10.Kh1 Be6 11.Bd3 0-0-0 12.Qe1 Nc6 13.a3 h6 14.Bxf6 gxf6 15.Nc3 Rhg8 Black still has an extra pawn and White is not as active as in the Charousek game (Schiffers-Steinitz, Match, Rostov on Don, 1896).

10...Bd7 11.Qe1 Ne6!?

• 11...0-0-0 12.Qf2 Kb8 13.c3 Ne6 14.Bxf6 gxf6 15.Qxf6 Qc5+ 16.Qf2 Qxf2+ 17.Kxf2 is equal (A. Muzychuk-T. Kosintseva, Euro Club Cup W, Ohrid, 2009).

12.Bxe6

BLACK: Nadezhda Kosintseva
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WHITE: Anita Gara
Position after 12...Bc4e6:N

• The purpose of the exchange is to clear c4 for the Knight in addition to maintaining the dark-bound Bishop at g5.
• 12.Bd2 Qd6 13.Bd3 Nc5 14.Nc4 Qd4+ 15.Be3 Nxd3 gives Black a very active game.

12...Qxe6 13.Bxf6 gxf6 14.Qf2

• Black has an extra pawn, but the idea behind this move is to rectify that on f6.

14...Rg8 15.Qxf6 Qxf6 16.Rxf6 Rg6 17.Rf2 Bc6

• 17...Be6 then 18.Nb5 Kd7 19.Rd1+ Kc6 20.Nc3 equalizes.

18.Nc4

• See note to White's 12th move.

18...f6 19.Re1

• If 19.Nd2 then after 19...Rd8 20.Re1 Ke7 21.b4 Rg4 Black coninues to enjoy a slightly more active position.

19...b6 20.g3 h5 21.Rf3
BLACK: Nadezhda Kosintseva
!""""""""#
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WHITE: Anita Gara
Position after 21.Rf2f3

• 21.Kg2 Rd8 22.c3 h4 gives Black the initiative.

21...Rd8

• Since the game is well into an ending, Black does not see the necessity of removing her King from the center.
• 21...0-0-0 22.Rc3 b5 then:
• If 23.Na3! Kb7 24.Rd3 Rxd3 25.cxd3 h4 then:
• 26.Kg2! hxg3 27.hxg3 Bd7 28.Rh1 a6 29.Nc2 equalizes.
• 26.Re3 hxg3 27.Rxg3 Rxg3+ 28.hxg3 Bd7 favors Balck owing to better pawn structure, but it's far from a sure win.
• If 23.Na5!? Ba8 24.Nb3 h4 then:
• 25.Kf2! Rg4 26.Rce3 hxg3+ 27.hxg3 Rh8 28.Nc5 Rh2+ Black still has the more active game and continues to enjoy the initiative.
• If 25.Rf3 then after 25...hxg3 26.Rxg3 Rxg3+ 27.hxg3 a5 Black threatens to dislodge the Knight from b3 and bring her Rook to d2.

22.Rd3

• 22.Rfe3!? Rd4! 23.Na3 h4 24.c3 Rd2 gives Black good winning chances.

22...h4!? 23.Kf2 Rd7 24.gxh4?!

• This is positional suicide. White already had a weak e-pawn, but assumes the burden of pawn weakness in the h-file, three files distant. It will be impossible for the King to defend both pawns at once.
• 24.Rxd7 Kxd7 25.Kf3 hxg3 26.hxg3 is equal and much better for White's long-term health.

24...Rg4!

• Black immediately takes advantage of the situation.
• The bright student will take this as an example of the two weaknesses theory. Two weaknesses in the enemy position are better than one. With skillful playing against both weaknesses, one can stretch one's opponent's defense until it snaps. That is what Black is about to do to White, and that is why taking the pawn on h4 was such a huge mistake.

25.Rxd7 Kxd7 26.Nd2 Rxh4

• White could not sace the lead h-pawn, but can she save the remaining one?

27.Kg3 Rh7 28.Rf1 Ke6 29.h3 Rg7+ 30.Kf2?

• The King abandons the h-pawn.
• 30.Kh2 a5 31.a3 Rd7 32.Rf2 is equal.

BLACK: Nadezhda Kosintseva
!""""""""#
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WHITE: Anita Gara
Position after 30.Kg3f2

30...Rd7!

• White strikes at the e-pawn's guard.

31.Ke3 Rh7!

• The King is too far away to aid the h-pawn.

32.Rf3

• 32.Rh1 Rh4 33.Rh2 f5 34.exf5+ Kxf5 gives Black a passed pawn.

32...Rh4 33.Rg3

• 33.b4 Ke7 34.Rg3 Bd7 35.Rg7+ Kd6 36.Nf3 Rxh3 gives Black an extra pawn.

33...Kf7 34.a3

• White will advance on the queenside and make no attempt to save the h-pawn.
• If 34.Nf3? (intending to overprotect the h-pawn) then after 34...Rxe4+! 35.Kd2 Rf4 36.Ng1 Rf2+ 37.Kd1 Be4 Black has an extra pawn and a better position than she would have had otherwise.

34...Bd7 35.Nf3 Rxh3 36.Rxh3 Bxh3

• Black is a pawn to the good.

37.b4 Ke7 38.Nd2 Be6 39.c3 Kd6 40.Kd3 Kc6 41.c4 Kd6

• Black could, if she chose, liquidate White's central pawn immediately.
• 41...f5! 42.exf5 Bxf5+ 43.Ke2 a6 gives Black a nearly won game.

42.Nf1

BLACK: Nadezhda Kosintseva
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WHITE: Anita Gara
Position after 42.Nd2f1

42...c5!

• Black presents White with an unplesant choice of which is the bad way and which is the worse way to proceed.

43.b5

• Actually, one way is just as bad as the other.
• The other way is 43.bxc5+ bxc5 44.Ne3 a6 when:
• If 45.Ke2 then after 45...Bc8 46.Kd3 Bd7 47.Kc3 a5 48.Kc2 Be8 the Bishop comes to g3, paralyzing White's position.
• After 45.Kc2 Bg8 46.Kc3 Bh7 47.Kd3 Bg6 White doesn't have a lot of freedom. If the Knight moves, the e-pawn falls after 48...f5! 49.exf5 Bxf5+; if the King moves, then 48...Bxe5.

43...f5

• Black finally liquidate White's e-pawn.

44.exf5 Bxf5+ 45.Ke3 Ke6 46.Ng3 Kf6 47.Nf1 Kg5

• Better is 47...Bh3 48.Ng3 Be6 when:
• If 49.Ne4+ Ke7 50.Nd2 Bc8 51.Ne4 a6 52.a4 a5 simplifiess the game to a struggle over the passed pawn. Black can tie up White forces and the attack the pawns with her Bishop if it becomes difficult to make progress with the e-pawn.
• 49.Kd3 Kg5 50.Ne2 Kg4 51.Ke4 Bxc4 Black should win.

48.Nd2 Bc2 49.Nf1

• 49.Nf3+ Kf6 50.Nd2 Kf5 51.Nf1 e4 52.Ng3+ Ke5 bouys Black's winning chances. Black has made progress with the e-pawn and the threat of ...Bd3 is ever present.

BLACK: Nadezhda Kosintseva
!""""""""#
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WHITE: Anita Gara
Position after 49.Nd2f1

49...Kf5!?

• Stronger is 49...Kg4 50.Nh2+ Kf5 51.Nf3 e4 52.Nh4+ Kg5, winning for Black.

50.Ng3+ Ke6 51.Nf1 Kd6 52.Nd2

• Black has a much better game, but White's is just good enough to make her wait for the right opportunity. As long a White does not make a serious mistake, Black must be patient.

52...Bf5 53.Kf3 Bc8 54.Ne4+ Ke6 55.Ke3 Bb7 56.Ng3

• White wants nothing to do with a King a pawn ending.
• If 56.a4? Bxe4! 57.Kxe4 Kf6 58.Ke3 Kf5 then:
• 59.Kf3 e4+ 60.Ke3 Ke5 61.Ke2 Kd4 wins for Black.
• If 59.Kd3 then after 59...Kf4 60.Ke2 Ke4 Black wins by the book.

56...a6 57.a4

• 57.bxa6 Bxa6 58.Kd3 Bb7 59.Ke3 Kf6 60.Nh5+ Kg5 it's Black's game to lose.

57...a5 58.Nf1 Ke7 59.Ng3 Kf6 60.Nf1

• Black gets the break she needs.
• After 60.Ne2 Kf5 61.Ng3+ Kg5 62.Ne2 Kg4 63.Nc3 she'll just have to be patient longer.

BLACK: Nadezhda Kosintseva
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WHITE: Anita Gara
Position after 60.Ng3f1

60...Bc8!

• Black picks just the right moment to redeply her Bishop behind the White pawns. It would be pointless for White to approach the pawn with her King, since 61...Bf5+ would just drive it away again.

61.Nd2 Bf5 62.Nf3 Bc2!

• White's a-pawn is doomed.

63.Kd2

• 63.Nd2 Kf5 64.Nf1 Bxa4 65.Ng3+ Ke6 66.Kd3 Bd1 wins for Black.

63...Bxa4 64.Ne1 e4 65.Ng2 Ke5 66.Kc3 Kf5 67.Kd2

• 67.Ne3+ Kf4 68.Nd5+ Kg3 69.Kd2 Kf2 70.Nf4 Bb3 wins for Black.

67...Bb3

• After 67...Kg4 68.Ke3 Bc2 69.Nf4 a4 70.Nd5 Bb1 the a-pawn is in the clear.

68.Ne3+ Kf4 69.Nd5+ Kf3 70.Nxb6

• If 70.Kc1 then after 70...e3 71.Nc3 a4 72.Kb2 Bxc4 winning is a cakewalk for Black.

70...Kf2 71.Nd5 Bxc4 72.Ne3 Bxb5 0-1

• Black's three extra pawns make the game easily won, for example 73.Nd1+ Kf3 74.Nc3 e3+ 75.Kd1 Kf2
• Ms. Gara resigns.

[Jack Rabbit]

7. Morozevich - Akopian, Round 8

Alexander Morozevich
Photo: ChessBase.com


Alexander Morozevich - Vladimir Akopian
17th European Team Championships (General Group), Round 8
Novi Sad, 29 October 2009

West India Game: Tal-Indian Defense (Main Line)

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 c5 4.d5 d6 5.Nc3 exd5 6.cxd5 g6 7.e4 a6

• Akopian plays 7...a6, which is something Gashimov made a point of avoiding in the game presented elsewhere in this thread.
• If 7...Bg7 8.Be2 0-0 9.0-0 then:
• If 9...Re8 10.Nd2 then:
• If 10...Nbd7 11.a4 a6 12.Qc2 then:
• If 12...Rb8 13.h3 Qc7 then:
• If 14.a5 b5 15.axb6 Nxb6 16.Nb3 then:
• 16...Nfd7 17.Na5 Ra8 18.Ra3 Nf8 19.Bd3 Nfd7 20.Rd1 Ne5 is equal (Olafsson-Rodríguez, Ruy López Mem, Las Palmas, 1975).
• 16...Qe7 17.Na5 Bd7 18.Nc6 Bxc6 19.dxc6 Rec8 20.Rxa6 Rxc6 21.Bf4 gives White the advantage in space and better minor pieces (Bukic-Velimirovic, Yugoslav Ch, Novi Sad, 1975).
• 14.Nc4 b5 15.axb5 axb5 16.Na5 Ba6 17.Nc6 wins the exchange for White (Moyse-Snape, British Ch, Swansea, 2006).
• If 12...Ne5 13.Ra3 g5 then:
• If 14.a5 Rb8 15.Nd1 Ng6 16.Ne3 Nf4 17.Bd1 h5 18.Ndc4 h4 19.Rb3 Qe7 20.Rb6 gives White the advantage in space (Portisch-Suba, IT, Tunisien, 1985).
• 14.Nd1 Ng6 15.Ne3 Nf4 16.Bd1 b6 17.f3 Rb8 18.g3 Ng6 is equal (Spraggett-Barlov, Op, New York, 1987).
• If 10...Na6 then:
• If 11.f3 Nc7 12.a4 b6 13.Nc4 Ba6 14.Bg5 then:
• If 14...h6 15.Be3 Bxc4 16.Bxc4 a6 17.Qd2 Kh7 18.Rab1 then:
• If 18...Rb8 19.b4 b5 20.Be2 c4 21.Bd4 Re7 22.a5 Qh8 23.Rbd1 Nce8 then:
• 24.Rfe1 Nd7 25.Bxg7 Nxg7 26.f4 f5 27.Bf3 Rbe8 28.e5 dxe5 29.d6 gives White excellent winning chances (Ivanchuk-Manor, IT, Groningen, 1986).
• 24.g3!? Nd7 25.Bxg7 Nxg7!? 26.f4 f5 27.Bf3 fxe4 28.Nxe4 Nf5 29.g4 Nh4 30.Qf2 Nxf3+ 31.Qxf3 Nf6 32.Nxd6 Rd8 gives Black a stronger passer in compensation for his pawn minus (Glek-Ivanchuk, IT, Tashkent, 1987).
• 18...Qd7 19.b4 b5 20.Be2 c4 21.a5 Ng8 22.Bd1 f5 23.Bc2 fxe4 24.fxe4 Be5 gives Whit more space (Ogaard-Dr. Nunn, Gjovik, IT, 1983).
• If 14...Qd7 then:
• 15.Kh1 Rab8 16.b3 Nh5 17.Rc1 f6 18.Bd2 f5 19.exf5 gxf5 20.Re1 f4 21.Bd3 Bd4 22.Rxe8+ Rxe8 is equal (Ivanchuk-Wahls, World Jr Ch, Adelaide, 1988).
• 15.Qd2 Bxc4 16.Bxc4 a6 17.Qd3 h6 18.Be3 Qc8 19.Bf4 Bf8 20.Rfb1 Qb7 21.b4 cxb4 22.Rxb4 Nd7 gives White more space (Birbrager-Tal, Soviet Union, 1955).
• If 11.f4 Nc7 12.a4 b6 13.Re1 then:
• If 13...Rb8 14.Bf3 Ba6 15.Ndb1 Nd7 16.Be3 f5 17.Nd2 Nf6 18.exf5 gxf5 is equal (Mikhalchishin-K. Georgiev, EU ChT, Batumi, 1999).
• If 13...Ba6 then:
• 14.Ra3 Bxe2 15.Rxe2 Na6 16.Nc4 draw (Spassky-Marin, IT, Lyon-Belfort, 1991).
• 14.Bxa6 Nxa6 15.Nc4 Nb4 16.h3 Rb8 17.Na3 a6 18.Rb1 Qd7 is equal (Baburin-Suetin, Op, Berlin, 1994).
• If 9...a6 10.a4 Bg4 11.Bf4 then:
• If 11...Bxf3 12.Bxf3 Qe7 13.Re1 Nbd7 then:
• If 14.a5 Rab8 15.Qc2 b5 16.axb6 Rxb6 then:
• If 17.Ra2 Ne8 18.Rea1 Nc7 19.Be2 Rfb8 20.Bc1 gives White a small advantage in space (Gupta-Ravi, Indian Ch, Visakhapatnam, 2006).
• 17.Be2 Rfb8 18.Ra2 Ne5 19.h3 Nfd7 20.Be3 Rb4 21.Rb1 c4 22.Rxa6 wins a pawn for White (Fedorowicz-Gulamali, Op, Minneapolis, 2005).
• 14.Qd2 Rfe8 15.a5 h5 16.h3 Nh7 17.Be2 Rac8 18.Bf1 Qf6 19.Rac1 g5 20.Be3 g4 draw (Tukmakov-Spraggett, IT, Barcelona, 1993).
• If 11...Re8 12.Nd2 Bxe2 13.Qxe2 Nh5 14.Be3 Nd7 then:
• If 15.a5 Bd4 16.g4 Nhf6 17.f3 b5 18.axb6 Nxb6 19.Nd1 Nbxd5 20.exd5 Nxd5 21.Nc4 f5 22.f4 fxg4 is equal (Korchnoi-Dr. Nunn, IT, London, 1980).
• If 15.g4 Nhf6 16.f3 Qc7 then:
• 17.a5 b5 18.axb6 Nxb6 19.Kh1 Qb7 20.Ra3 Nfd7 21.Nb3 Ne5 22.Na5 Qd7 23.Rg1 f5 24.gxf5 gxf5 25.Bh6 gives White more space and activity (W. Schmidt-Z, Franco, IT, Vrnjacka Banja, 1983).
• 17.Kh1 Rab8 18.a5 h6 19.Bf4 Ne5 20.Bg3 Kh7 21.h3 Kg8 22.Ra4 Ra8 23.Ra2 Rab8 is equal (Tukmakov-Vranesic, IT, Toronto, 1990).

8.h3 b5 9.Bd3 Bg7 10.0-0 0-0 11.a3 Re8

• If 11...Nbd7 12.Bf4 Qe7 13.Re1 Nh5 then:
• 14.Bg5 Bf6 15.Bh6 Re8 16.Qd2 Bg7 17.Rad1 Bxh6 18.Qxh6 gives White a slight advantage in space (Brodsky-Volokitin, Russian ChT, Sochi, 2006).
• 14.Bh2 Ne5 15.Be2 Nf6 16.Nd2 g5 is equal (Timmoshchenko-Pigusov, Soviet Ch, Sverdlovsk, 1987).

12.Re1 Ra7 13.Bd2!?

• If 13.Bf4 Rae7 then:
• 14.Rc1 Qb6 15.b4 Nbd7 16.Qd2 Bb7 17.Be3 Qd8 18.Rb1 then:
• 18...Nh5!? 19.a4 cxb4 20.Rxb4 gives White the more active game (Karpov-Hamdouchi, Rpd, Bordeaux, 2005).
• 18...Qc7 19.Bg5 h6 20.Be3 g5 gives White a better center.
• 14.Qd2 b4 15.axb4 cxb4 16.Na4 Nxe4 17.Qxb4 Bf5 18.Bxe4 Rxe4 19.Qxd6 Rxe1+ 20.Rxe1 Rxe1+ 21.Nxe1 Qxd6 22.Bxd6 gives White an extra pawn (Moiseenko-Gashimov, Op. Cappelle la Grande, 2006).

13...Rae7

• The game is equal.

14.b4 Nbd7

• 14...Rc7 15.bxc5 dxc5 16.d6 Ra7 17.e5 Nfd7 gives White the advantage in space.

15.Rc1 Bb7 16.Bf4 cxb4

• 16...Qb6 17.Qd2 Rc8 18.Bg5 Ne5 remains equal.

17.axb4 Nb6 18.Re2 Nc4 19.Bxc4

• 19.Bg5 h6 20.Bh4 Rc7 21.Ra2 Qd7 22.Nd2 Ne5 remains equal.

19...bxc4 20.Qc2 h6

• 20...Qd7 21.Rce1 Nh5 22.Bh2 f5 23.Nd2 remains equal.

21.Rce1

• 21.Nd2 Nxd5 22.exd5 Rxe2 23.Nxe2 Rxe2 24.Qxc4 Re7 remains equal.

21...Nh5 22.Be3 Qd7 23.Bd4

• 23.Nd4 Nf6 24.Bd2 Ba8 25.Bf4 Nh5 26.Be3 remains equal.

23...Nf4 24.Re3 Nd3!?

• A Knight on the sixth/third rank is usually very effective, but that is not so much the case here. The pawn supporting the Knight is weak and controls all access to it.

BLACK: Vladimir Akopian
!""""""""#
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WHITE: Alexander Morozevich
Position after 24...Nf4d3

25.Rb1!

• The Knight's journey is at an end. The only way out is through kingside.

25...f5

• 25...Ne5 26.Nxe5 Bxe5 27.Bxe5 Rxe5 gives White teh advantage in space.
• 25...Nf4 26.Bxg7 Kxg7 27.Qd2 Nd3 28.Ne1 Nxe1 29.Rbxe1 also gives White teh advantage in space.

26.Bxg7 Kxg7 27.Nd2 Qc7?

• Black protects the c-pawn, but a better plan is extricate the Knight from d3.
• If 27...Ne5 28.f4 Nd3 29.Nxc4 Nxf4 30.Qf2 then:
• 30...g5 31.exf5 Rxe3 32.Nxe3 Qc7 33.Qd2 gives White an extra pawn, but Black's game is still comfortably playable.
• 30...Qc7?! 31.Qxf4 Qxc4 32.Qxd6 fxe4 33.Rf1 gives White more space and good winning chances.

28.b5 g5

• The pawn is better at g6, where it can recapture if White decides to exchange on f5. Bringing the Rook to c8 to overprotect the c-pawn appears to be the best move.
• If 28...Rc8 29.Qa4 axb5 30.Nxb5 then:
• 30...Qd8 31.Nxc4 Ra8 32.Qb3 fxe4 33.Ncxd6gives White an extra pawn and a fierce attack.
• 30...Qc5? 31.Qa1+! Kh7 32.Qf6 Rd7 33.exf5 wins for White.

29.b6 Qc8 30.Ne2 fxe4 31.Nxc4 Qc5?

• ]If 31...Kg8 32.Nd4 Qc5 33.Nf5 then:
• IIf 33...Bxd5 34.Re2 then:
• 34...Re6 35.Ncxd6 Rb8 36.Qxc5 Nxc5 37.Rc2 Nb7 38.Nc8 gives White good winning chances.
• 34...Qxc4 35.Qxc4 Bxc4 36.Nxe7+ Rxe7 37.b7 Rxb7 38.Rxb7 gives White the material and positional advantage.
• 33...Rd7? 34.Nxh6+ Kg7 35.Nf5+ Kh7 36.Qa4 wins for White.

BLACK: Vladimir Akopian
!""""""""#
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WHITE: Alexander Morozevich
Position after 31...Qc8c5

32.Ng3!

• Black is now walking a tightrope. For most of the next several moves, there is no alternative.

32...Rf8

• 32...Bxd5 33.Nf5+ Kf8 34.Qc3! Re5 35.Nfxd6 Bxc4 36.Nxc4 wins for White.

33.Nxe4 Qxd5 34.Qxd3

• 34.Qc3+ Kg6 35.f3 Nc5 36.Nexd6 Rxe3 37.Qxe3 gives White an extra pawn and a winning position.

34...Qxd3 35.Rxd3 Bxe4 36.Re3

• Black is doomed, but White could hav ended the game quicker.
• 36.Re1 settles everything: if now 36...Bxd3 37.Rxe7+ Kf6 38.Re3 then:
• 38...Bf5 39.Rf3 Ke7 40.b7 Rb8 41.Rxf5 leaves White a piece to the good.
• 38...Bxc4 39.Rf3+ Ke7 40.Rxf8 wins for White.

36...d5

• White's last move was good enough to win. Black is out of moves and must quit the tightrope.
• 36...Kf6 37.Ra1 Bd5 38.Rc3 Rb8 39.Rxa6 Re1+ 40.Kh2 gives White an extra pawn.

37.Na5

• 37.Nd6 Re6 38.Nxe4 Rxe4 39.Ra3 Rb8 40.Rxa6 gives White an extra pawn.

37...d4

• 37...Re6 38.Rb4 Rb8 39.f3 Rexb6 40.Rxb6 Rxb6 41.fxe4 leaves White a piece to the good.

BLACK: Vladimir Akopian
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WHITE: Alexander Morozevich
Position after 37...d5d4

38.Ree1!

• 38.Rxe4? Rxe4 39.b7 d3 40.Rd1 Re5 41.Nc6, while Black is an exchange to the good, White recovers the material by queening.

38...Bxb1 39.Rxe7+ Kf6 40.Nc6 Rc8 41.b7 Rxc6 42.b8Q Rc1+ 43.Kh2 Kxe7 44.Qb2 1-0

• Black wins a piece.
• Grandmaster Akopian resigns.

[Jack Rabbit]

8. Kosteniuk - Lahno, Round 6

Alexandra Kosteniuk
Photo: Website of the 2008 Women's World Chess Championship


Alexandra Kosteniuk (Russia) - Katya Lahno (Ukraine)
17th European Team Championships (Women's Group), Round 6
Novi Sad, 27 October 2009

Spanish Grand Royal Game: Breyer Defense

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 d6 8.c3 0-0 9.h3 Nb8 10.d4 Nbd7 11.Nbd2 Bb7 12.Bc2 Re8

• If 12...c5 13.d5 g6 14.Nf1 then:
• If 14...Nh5 15.Bh6 Re8 16.b3 then:
• 16...Bf8 17.Be3 Nb6 18.a4 bxa4 19.bxa4 Nc4 20.a5 Bc8 21.N3d2 Nxa5 22.Ra3 is equal (Hou Yifan-Koneru, FIDE Knock Out W, Nalchik, 2008).
• 16...Bf6 17.a4 Bg7 18.Bg5 Qc7 19.g3 Nhf6 20.Qd2 Nb6 21.Ne3 h5 22.a5 Nbd7 23.Ng2 Nh7 24.Be3 Ndf6 25.c4 Bc8 26.Kh2 bxc4 27.bxc4 Bd7 28.Ng1 Rab8 29.Reb1 Kh8 30.f3 Ng8 31.Ne2 draw (Hartston-Gligoric, Euro ChT, Bath, 1973).
• 14...Qc7 15.Bh6 Rfb8 16.g4 Bf8 17.Qd2 Bxh6 18.Qxh6 Qd8 19.Ng3 Qf8 20.Qe3 c4 21.Nd2 Nc5 22.b4 cxb3 23.axb3 gives White a small advantage in space (Kosteniuk-I. Sokolov, Rapid Op, Mainz, 2005).

13.Nf1

• If 13.b4 Bf8 14.a4 then:
• If 14...Nb6 15.a5 Nbd7 16.Bb2 then:
• If 16...Qb8 then:
• 17.Rb1 c5 18.bxc5 dxc5 19.dxe5 Nxe5 20.Nxe5 Qxe5 21.c4 Qf4 22.Bxf6 Qxf6 23.cxb5 Red8 24.Qc1 Qc3 25.Nf3 Qxa5 26.Bb3 axb5 27.Qf4 gives Black an extra pawn and White a fierce initiative (Fischer-Spassky, World Ch, Reykjavik, 1972).
• 17.c4 bxc4 18.Ba4 c6 19.Nxc4 Qc7 20.Rc1 Rac8 21.dxe5 dxe5 22.Qb3 is equal (Savon-Mukhin, Soviet Ch, Moscow 1972).
• 16...Rb8 17.Rb1 Ba8 18.Ba1 g6 19.c4 exd4 20.cxb5 axb5 is equal (Planinc-Spassky, IT, Amsterdam, 1973).
• 14...a5 15.axb5 axb4 16.Bb2 bxc3 17.Bxc3 c6 draw (Kavalek-Portisch, IT, Wijk aan Zee 1969).
• 13.a4 Bf8 14.Bd3 c6 then:
• 15.b3 g6 16.Qc2 Rc8 17.Ba3 Qb6 18.Bf1 is equal (Svidler-Pentala, Op, Gibraltar, 2009).
• If 15.Nf1 then:
• 15...d5 16.Bg5 dxe4 17.Rxe4 Be7 18.Re2 exd4 19.Nxd4 Bf8 20.Rd2 Qc7 21.Bf5 c5 22.Nf3 Ne5 23.Nxe5 Rxe5 24.Ne3 is equal (Anand-Beliavsky, IT, Linares, 1992).
• If 15...g6 16.Ng3 Bg7 17.Bg5 then:
• 17...Nf8 18.Qd2 Ne6 19.Be3 Nd7 20.Bf1 Qc7 21.b4 Nb6 22.a5 exd4 23.cxd4 Nc4 24.Bxc4 bxc4 25.Bh6 Bh8 26.d5 Nf8 is equal (Bologan-Pentala, Aeroflot Op, Moscow, 2006).
• 17...h6 18.Bd2 Qc7 19.Qc1 h5 20.Bh6 Nh7 21.Bxg7 Kxg7 22.Qd2 Ndf8 23.Bc2 Rad8 24.b4 Ne6 gives White the advantage in space (Cheparinov-B. Socko, Anabal Op, Linares, 2003).

13...Bf8

• If 13...d5 then:
• If 14.Nxe5 Nxe5 15.dxe5 Nxe4 16.f3 Ng5 17.Ng3 then:
• 17...g6 18.f4 Ne4 19.Nxe4 dxe4 20.Qe2 f5 21.Rd1 Qc8 22.a4 Bc6 23.Bb3+ gives White the advantage in space (Svidler-Baramidze, Bundesliga 0809, Baden Baden, 2008).
• 17...f6 18.Bxg5 fxg5 19.Qb1 Bc5+ 20.Kh2 h6 is equal (Chandler-Spassky, Bundesliga, Germany, 1984).
• If 14.exd5 exd4 15.Nxd4 Nxd5 then:
• 16.Ne3 Nxe3 17.Bxe3 then:
• 17...g6 18.Nb3 c5 19.Na5 Ra7 20.Nxb7 Rxb7 21.Qd5 Qc8 22.Rad1 Nb6 23.Qf3 Bf8 24.Bg5 Rd7 25.Rxe8 Qxe8 26.Rxd7 draw (Chevelevich-Baramidze, Op, Bad Wörishofen, 2008).
• 17...Bf8 18.Bf4 Rxe1+ 19.Qxe1 Nb6 draw (Tal-Psakhis, IZ, Lvov, 1984).
• 16.Nf5 Bf6 17.Rxe8+ Qxe8 18.N1e3 Nxe3 19.Bxe3 Ne5 20.Bd4 Rd8 21.Qf1 g6 22.Ng3 Qf8 is equal (Pavasovic-Baramidze, Euro ChT, Kallithea, 2008).

14.Ng3 g6 15.a4

• If 15.b3 c6 16.Bg5 Bg7 17.Qd2 Qe7 18.a4 Qf8 19.Rad1 then:
• 19...Rac8 20.Bd3 h6 21.Be3 Rcd8 22.Qa2 Ra8 23.Bc1 Re6 24.Qd2 Qb8 25.c4 bxa4 26.bxa4 Re8 27.Bb2 draw (Motylev-Grigoriants, Russian Ch semif, Tomsk, 2006).
• 19...Rad8 20.Be3 h6 21.Qc1 Kh7 22.b4 Re6 23.Qb1 d5 24.dxe5 Nxe4 25.Bxe4 dxe4 26.Nxe4 Nxe5 27.Nfg5+ hxg5 28.Nxg5+ Kg8 29.Nxe6 Rxd1 30.Qxd1 fxe6 31.Bd4 gives Whitee a slight advantage in space; the material is balanced but asymmetrical (Carlsen-Pruijssers, Euro Club Cip, Antalya, 2007).

15...c5 16.d5 c4 17.Bg5 h6 18.Be3 Nc5 19.Qd2 h5

• 19...Bc8 20.b3 Re7 21.Bg5 Bg7 22.Qe3 Qf8 23.Qd3 Nh7 24.bxc4 Rb7 draw (Balashov-Smejkal, IT, Leningrad, 1977).

20.Ra3

• 20.Bg5 Be7 21.Ra3 Rb8 22.Kh1 Nh7 23.Be3 Bf6 24.Rea1 Bg7 25.Qe2 Bc8 26.Nf1 gives White a fine game (Inarkiev-Kamsky, Grand Prix, Baku, 2008).

20...Nfd7 21.Rea1 Rb8!?

• Katya varies from one of Sasha's old games that ended in a draw but one ought to suspect that Ms. Kosteniuk found an improvement.
• If 21...Qc7 then:
• If 22.Bh6!? Be7 23.Rf1 Nb6 24.axb5 axb5 25.Rxa8 Rxa8 is equal (Kosteniuk-T. Kosintseva, FIDE Knock Out W, Nalchick, 2008).
• If 22.axb5! axb5 23.Bh6 Be7 24.Bg5 Nf6 gives White a small advantage in space.

22.axb5 axb5 23.Qd1

• White has the advantage in space.

23...Bc8!?

• The Bishop should remain at b7 to keep the White Rooks out of a8.
• 23...Ra8 24.Rxa8 Bxa8 25.Ra2 Bg7 26.Ra7 Bb7 27.Qa1 leaves White with the advantage in space and an initiative in the a-file.

BLACK: Katya Lahno
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WHITE: Alexandra Kosteniuk
Position after 23...Bb7c8

24.Ra7!

• White extends her reach into the seventh rank.

24...Rb7 25.Nd2

• The move is prophylactic against ...h4.
• After 25.Ra8 Black has time to push back and grab space on the kingside in a bid for equality: 25...h4! 26.Ne2 Nb6 27.R8a3 f5!.

25...Be7!?

• White has firm command of the a-file. Black's move seek to find a balance on the opposite wing, although it's hard to see exactly where she will find it there.
• 25...Rxa7 26.Rxa7 h4 27.Ngf1 Bg7 28.Qe2 Qb6 29.Ra3 gives White the advantage in space. White may be contemplating invading Black's camp via the a-file, although she would like to do this without trading her good Bishop for a Knight.

26.Qc1 Nb6 27.R1a5 Bd7!?

• Black removes her Bishop from the back rank, both weakening the rank itself should White's heavy pieces penetrate on the a-file and weakening the Rook at b7 protecting Black's second rank.
• 27...Rxa7 28.Rxa7 h4 29.Ngf1 f5 gives Black the initiative.

BLACK: Katya Lahno
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WHITE: Alexandra Kosteniuk
Position after 27...Bc8d7

28.Qa1!

• If there were any doubtsd that White's plan is to make use of the a-file for her heavy pieces, they should no be dispelled.

28...Rxa7 29.Rxa7 Bg5 30.Bxc5!

• White creates a complex of weak pawns on the queenside.

30...dxc5 31.Nf3 Bh6 32.Qa6 Bf8 33.Qb7 Bd6

• If 33...b4 then:
• If 34.Ra6 then after 34...b3 35.Bb1 Na4 36.Ra7 Nb6 Black has succeded in balancing the queenside against White's initiative.
• 34.cxb4!? cxb4 35.Nd2 Bc5 is equal.

34.h4!? Re7 35.Ra6 Nc8 36.Ra8

• White's initiative is about out of steam.

36...Kg7

• Black can equalize with 36...Qc7 37.Qxc7 Bxc7 38.Kf1 Kg7 39.Ke2.

37.Ng5 Qb6!?

• The best move Black can make here is 37...Bc7, putting a granite wall up against White's incusion into Black's camp.
• 37...Bc7! 38.Kh1 Nd6 39.Qa6 Bc8 40.Qc6 remains equal.

BLACK: Katya Lahno
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WHITE: Alexandra Kosteniuk
Position after 37...Qd8b6

38.Qxb6!

• The exchange of Queens gives White a burst of initiative.

38...Nxb6 39.Ra6 Nc8 40.Bd1

• White cannot do much more with her Rook on the queenside, so she makes plans to dine on Black's kingside pawns.
• 40.Nf3 Bc7 41.Kf1 Nd6 42.Ra7 Bb6 43.Ra8 is equal.

40...Re8 41.Be2 Kf6

• 41...Bc7 42.Nf3 Rd8 43.Kf1 Kf8 44.Bd1 Ke7 remains equal.

42.Nf1

• 42.Nxh5+?! gxh5 43.Bxh5 Rh8! gets only two pawns for the piece.

42...Ke7 43.Ne3 Bc7?

• Black dithers. This move is the difference between an equal game and the loss of a pawn.
• If 43...Bb8 44.g4 then:
• 44...Nd6 45.gxh5 gxh5 46.Bxh5 Rh8 47.Bg4 remains equal.
• 44...hxg4? 45.Bxg4 Bxg4 46.Nxg4 Bd6 47.Ra5 b4 48.Rb5 White pivots a Knight through the center and starts feasting on pawns.

BLACK: Katya Lahno
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WHITE: Alexandra Kosteniuk
Position after 43...Bd6c7

44.g4!

• In the variation after Black's 43rd move, this is a futile attempt to gain the advantage. Here, it wins a pawn. With the Black Bishop at c7 rather than b8, the White Rook comes to a8 and completely takes over Black's back rank. See the variation after Black's 44th move.

44...Nd6

• 44...hxg4 45.Bxg4 Bxg4 46.Nxg4 Rd8 47.Nf3 Rd6 48.Ra8! White can make threats with her Rook from the back rank; Black cannot save the e-pawn.

45.gxh5 gxh5 46.Bxh5!

• White is a pawn to the good.

46...Rg8

• If 46...Rh8? 47.Bxf7 Rxh4 48.Bg6 then:
• 48...Rf4 49.Ne6 Bxe6 50.dxe6 Kxe6 51.Bf5+ Rxf5 52.Nxf5 leaves White an exchange to the good.
• 48...Rh8 49.Nf5+ Bxf5 50.exf5 Rg8 51.Kf1 Rb8 52.Rc6 gives White an extra pawn and a serious attack on the Black King.

47.Kf1 Rh8

• 47...Bb8 48.Bg4 Bxg4 49.Nxg4 f6 50.Nh6 Re8 51.Ne6 leaves White a pawn up and in position to win more material faster.

48.Bxf7 Rxh4 49.Be6 Rh1+ 50.Ke2 Rb1

• If 50...Rh5 51.Ra7 then:
• If 51...Kd8 52.f4 exf4 53.e5 then:
• 53...Rxg5 54.exd6 Bxd6 55.Rxd7+ Ke8 56.Ng4 White is a piece to the good and wins easily.
• 53...Ne8 54.Ra8+ Bb8 55.Rxb8+ Kc7 56.Nf3 Kxb8 57.Bxd7 White wins by pushing her center pawns.
• 51...Rxg5 52.Rxc7 Nxe4 53.Rxd7+ Kf6 54.Rf7+ Kg6 55.Rb7 White, a piece up, wins easily.

51.Nf5+ Nxf5 52.exf5

• 52.Bxf5 Rxb2+ 53.Kf3 b4 54.d6+ Bxd6 55.Ra7 Black wins more material; Black cannot save the Bishop at d7.

52...Rxb2+ 53.Ke3 Be8

BLACK: Katya Lahno
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WHITE: Alexandra Kosteniuk
Position after 53...Bd7e8

54.Ra7!

• Black has no escape.

54...b4

• If 54...Kd8 then after 55.Ra8+ Ke7 56.Ne4 White will advance the f-pawn and wins effortlessly.

55.Rxc7+ Kd6 56.Rb7 1-0

• Were it White's move, Ms. Kosteniuk would deliver mate by 57.Ne5#.
• If 56...e4 then 57.Nxe4+ Ke5 58.f4#.
• Mlle. Lahno resigns.

[Jack Rabbit]

9. Sutkovsky Svidler, Round 5

Peter Svidler
Photo: ChessBase.com


Emil Sutovsky (Israel) - Peter Svidler (Russia)
17th European Team Championship, Round 5
Novi Sad, 26 October 2009

Open German Game: Steinitz Defense (Caro-Kann Defense)

1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.Nd2 dxe4 4.Nxe4 Nd7 5.Ng5 Ngf6 6.Bd3

• The text move initiates the Karpov Opening.
• Seirawan Opening:If 6.h4 h6 7.Nf3 Nd7 then:
• If 8.h5 Bh7 9.Bd3 Bxd3 10.Qxd3 e6 11.Bf4 then:
• If 11...Qa5+ 12.Bd2 then:
• If 12...Bb4 13.c3 Be7 14.c4 then:
• If 14...Qc7 15.0-0-0 Ngf6 16.Kb1 0-0 17.Rhe1 then:
• 17...a5 18.Bc1 Rfd8 19.Qc2 a4 20.Ne5 Nxe5 21.dxe5 Rxd1 22.Qxd1 Nd7 23.f4 Nc5 24.Ne4 Rd8 is equal (Leko-Ivanchuk, IT, Morelia-Linares, 2008).
• 17...Rfd8 18.Qc2 a5 19.a3 gives White the advantage in space (Hou Yifan-Iordachescu, Aeroflot Op, Moscow, 2008).
• If 14...Bb4 then:
• 15.Ne4 Bxd2+ 16.Nfxd2 Ngf6 17.Nd6+ Ke7 18.Nxb7 Qb4 19.Qa3 Qxa3 20.bxa3 c5 21.dxc5 Rhc8 22.Rb1 Nxc5 23.Ke2 gives White an extra pawn (Brandenburg-Pantsulaia, World Jr Ch, Yerevan, 2006).
• 15.a3 Bxd2+ 16.Qxd2 Qxd2+ 17.Kxd2 Ngf6 18.Kc3 c5 19.dxc5 Nxc5 20.Rhe1 0-0 21.Ne5 Rfc8 22.b4 Ncd7 23.Nxd7 Nxd7 24.Ne4 gives White more space, but with so few pieces on the board the queenside majority may be more important (Mulyar-Figler, Op, Foxwoods, 2007).
• 12...Qc7 13.0-0-0 Ngf6 14.Ne4 0-0-0 15.g3 Nxe4 16.Qxe4 Bd6 17.c4 c5 18.Bc3 gives White the advantage in space.
• 11...Ngf6 12.0-0-0 Be7 13.Kb1 0-0 14.Ne4 Nxe4 15.Qxe4 Nf6 16.Qe2 Qd5 17.Ne5 Qe4 18.Qxe4 Nxe4 19.Rhe1 Nf6 20.g4 a5 21.c3 Rfc8 22.f3 b5 23.Nd3 Nd5 24.Bg3 a4 25.a3 c5 gives White a slight advantage in space (Bologan-Dreev, IT, Poikovsky, 2005).
• If 8.Bd3 Bxd3 9.Qxd3 then:
• If 9...Qc7 10.Bd2 Ngf6 11.0-0-0 e6 then:
• If 12.Ne4 0-0-0 then:
• If 13.g3 Nxe4 14.Qxe4 then:
• If 14...Nf6 15.Qe2 Bd6 then:
• If 16.c4 then:
• 16...c5 17.Bc3 cxd4 18.Nxd4 a6 19.Kb1 Rd7 20.Nb3 Qc6 21.Bxf6 gxf6 22.c5 Bc7 23.Rxd7 Qxh1+ is equal (Pogonina-Solovjova, City OpW, Moscow, 2009).
• 16.Ne5 c5 17.Nc4 cxd4 18.Nxd6+ Qxd6 19.Bf4 Qd5 20.Rhe1 Rd7 21.Rd3 b5 is equal (Calzetta-Benaddi, Op, Gibraltar, 2005).
• 16...Qe7 17.Kb1 Bc7 18.Bc3 draw (Palac-Zelcic, Premier League, Neum, 2005).
• 14...Bd6 15.Rhe1 Nf6 16.Qe2 c5 17.c4 cxd4 18.Nxd4 a6 19.Nb3 Qc6 is equal (Skripchenko-Solovjova, Russian ChTW, Sochi, 2005).
• 13.Kb1 Nc5 14.Nxc5 Bxc5 15.Rhe1 Rhe8 16.c4 Kb8 17.Bc3 Bd6 18.Qe2 is equal (Spoelman-Doettling, GM Trmt, Hockenheim/Willingen, 2006).
• If 12.Kb1 0-0-0 13.c4 c5 then:
• If 14.Bc3 cxd4 15.Nxd4 a6 16.Nf3 then:
• 16...Be7 17.Qe2 Rhe8 18.Rhe1 Qb6 19.Ne5 Nxe5 20.Bxe5 Rxd1+ 21.Rxd1 Rd8 22.Rxd8+ Kxd8 draw (Kavalek-Filip, IT, Marianske Lazne, 1965).
• With 16...Bc5 17.Qe2 Bd6 18.Ne4 Be7 then:
• 19.Rhe1 Nxe4 20.Qxe4 Bf6 21.Qe3 Bxc3 22.Qxc3 Nf6 is equal (Spassky-Matulovic, IT, Belgrade, 1964).
• 19.Nxf6 Bxf6 20.Bxf6 Nxf6 21.Ne5 Rxd1+ 22.Rxd1 Rd8 23.Rxd8+ Kxd8 24.Qd3+ Ke7 is equal (Spassky-Petrosian, World Ch, Moscow, 1966).
• If 9...Ngf6 10.Bf4 e6 11.0-0-0 Be7 12.Kb1 0-0 13.Ng5 then:
• If 13...Re8 14.Nh5 Nf8 15.Nxf6+ Bxf6 16.Ne4 Ng6 17.Bg3 Bxh4 18.Bxh4 Nxh4 19.Qh3 Ng6 20.g4 Qd5 is equal (Matu-Bets. Local Trmt, Kishnev (Macedonia), 2001).
• With 13...hxg5 Black falls into a well-known opening trap; White wins after 14.hxg5 g6 (14...Ne8 15.Qh7#) 15.gxf6.
• 13...Qa5 then:
• 14.Bd2 Qd5 15.c4 Ne5 16.Qc2 Nxc4 gives Black an extra pawn and a strong initiative (J. Polgar-Vallejo, IT, Benidorm, 2003),
• 14.N5e4 Rad8 15.Qf3 Nd5 is equal.
• Flohr Opening:If 6. Nh3 then:
• If 6...Nf6 7.Nf4 then:
• If 7...Nbd7 8.Bc4 then:
• 8...Nb61? 9.Bb3 Qd7 10.0-0 Rd8!? 11.c3 Nbd5 12.Nd3 Bxd3 13.Qxd3 g6 14.Bg5 Bg7 15.Rfe1 h6 16.Bd2 0-0 17.Rad1 gives White the advantage in space.
• 8...e5 9.Nxg6 hxg6 10.Qe2 Qe7 11.dxe5 Qxe5 12.Be3 Bc5 13.Bxc5 Qxe2+ 14.Nxe2 Nxc5 15.0-0 0-0 16.Nf4 g5 17.Nh3 b5 draw (Tiviakov-Asrian, IT, Groningen, 1998).
• If 7...e5 8.Nxg6 hxg6 9.dxe5 then:
• If 9...Qa5+ 10.Bd2 Qxe5+ 11.Qe2 Qxe2+ 12.Bxe2 Nbd7 then:
• 13.0-0 0-0-0 14.Rad1 Nb6 15.Bc1 Rd6 16.Rfe1 Kc7 17.h3 draw (Radjabov-Anand, IT, Morelia-Linares, 2008).
• 13.0-0-0 Bc5 14.f4 Kf8 15.Bf3 Re8 16.Kb1 Nb6 is equal (Kasparian-Makogonov, Soviet Ch ½-final, Leningrad, 1938).
• If 9...Qxd1+ 10.Kxd1 Ng4 then:
• 11.Ne4 Nxe5 12.Be2 Be7 13.c3 0-0 14.Kc2 Nbd7 15.Bf4 Nf6 16.Nxf6+ Bxf6 17.h4 gives White better pawnstructure, a slight advantage for the endgame (Yemelin-Burmakin, Russian Ch, St. Petersburg, 1998).
• 11.Ke1 Nxe5 12.Be2 Be7 13.Bd2 a5 14.a3 Ned7 15.Bc3 Bf6 16.Ne4 Bxc3+ 17.bxc3 0-0 draw (Susterman-Baltag, ULIM Cup, Kishnev, 2001).
• If 6...e6 7.Nf4 Bd6 8.Bc4 Nf6 then:
• If 9.Bb3 Qc7 10.Qf3 then:
• If 10...Nbd7 11.0-0 0-0-0 12.c3 Kb8 13.Re1 e5 14.Nxg6 fxg6 15.Be3 Rhf8 16.Qe2 exd4 17.Bxd4 c5 18.Bxf6 Nxf6 19.Nf1 h5 20.Be6 g5 21.Rad1 Rfe8 is equal (Tiviakov-Navara, IT, Reggio Emilia, 2008).
• 10...a5 11.a4 Na6 12.c3 c5 13.0-0 cxd4 14.cxd4 0-0 15.Nxg6 hxg6 16.Bg5 Bxg3 17.hxg3 Qb6 18.Rad1 Rfd8 is equal (Stellwagen-Guliev, Op, Hoogeveen, 2001).
• 9.c3 Nbd7 10.Qf3 Nb6 11.Bb3 Nbd5 12.Nxg6 hxg6 13.Bg5 Be7 14.0-0-0 b5 15.h4 Nd7 16.Ne4 N5f6 17.Bd2 Nxe4 18.Qxe4 a5 19.Qg4 a4 20.Bc2 Nf6 21.Qf3 Qd5 22.Qxd5 exd5 is equal (Rublevsky-Dreev, IT, Elista, 1998).

6...e6 7.N1f3 Bd6 8.Qe2 h6 9.Ne4 Nxe4 10.Qxe4 Qc7

• If 10...Nf6 11.Qe2 Qc7 12.Bd2 b6 13.0-0-0 Bb7 14.Ne5 then:
• If 14...0-0-0 15.f4 then:
• If 15...Kb8 16.Kb1 Rhe8 17.Rhf1 then:
• 17...Nd5 18.c4 Nb4 19.Be4 is equal (Carlsen-Agdestein, Norwegian Ch Rpd Playoff, Oslo, 2005).
• If 17...c5 18.dxc5 Bxc5 19.g4 then:
• 19...Nd5 20.Bb5 Rg8 21.g5 f6 22.Nd3 hxg5 23.fxg5 e5 24.Nxc5 Qxc5 25.Bd3 Nb4 26.Bc3 Nxd3 draw (Stern-Eriksson, Corres, 2002).
• 19...Rc8 20.a3 Red8 21.g5 Ne8 22.gxh6 gxh6 23.f5 f6 24.Nc4 e5 25.Bxh6 gives White an extra pawn (Pogonina-Chernova, Rudenko Mem, St. Petersburg, 2006).
• If 15...c5 16.dxc5 Bxc5 17.Kb1 then:
• 17...Kb8 18.Rhe1 Ka8 19.g4 Bd6 20.h4 Rhf8 21.Bc1 Nd5 is equal (Andriasian-Hoang Thi Bao Tram, World Jr ChW, Yerevan, 2006).
• 17...Nd5 18.Rhf1 Kb8 19.a3 Rhf8 20.h4 Rd6 21.g4 f6 22.Ng6 Rfd8 is equal (Zawadzka-Houska, Euro Ch, Kusadasi, 2006).
• 14...c5 15.Bb5+ Ke7 16.dxc5 Qxc5 17.a3 Qc7 18.Bf4 Nd5 19.Bg3 Rhd8 20.Rd4 Kf8 is equal (Kamsky-Karpov, FIDE Candidates' Match, Elista, 1996).

11.0-0

• If 11.Qg4 Kf8 12.0-0 c5 then:
• If 13.b3 e5 then:
• 14.dxc5 Nxc5 15.Bf5 then:
• 15...h5 16.Qh3 Ne6 17.Rd1 Be7 18.Qg3 Nf4 19.Bxf4 exf4 20.Qh3 gives White more space and freedom (Topalov-Karpov, IT, Cannes, 2002).
• 15...Ba6 16.dxc5 bxc5 17.b3 f5 18.Bd3 Bxd3 19.Rxd3 gives White the advantage in space (Jakovenko-Sasikiran, IT, Foros, 2007).
• 14.c3 b6 15.Re1 Bb7 16.Qh3 Bxf3 17.Qxf3 Rd8 18.Qh3 Kg8 19.Bb2 gives White an impressive advantage in space (Leko-Karpov, TMatch, Moscow, 2002).
• If 13.Qh4 b6 14.Be4 Rb8 15.Rd1 c4 16.Ne5 Nf6 17.Bf3 Bb7 18.Bxb7 Rxb7 19.b3 cxb3 20.cxb3 Nd5 21.Bf4 Qe7 22.Qg3 Nxf4 23.Qxf4 Kg8 gives White the advantage in space (Timman-Serawain, IT, Bali, 2000).

11...b6 12.Qg4 Kf8 13.b3

• If 13.Re1 c5 14.c3 Bb7 then:
• 15.Qh3 c4 16.Be4 Bxe4 17.Rxe4 Qc6 18.Re1 Re8 19.b3 gives White more freedom (Asrian-Sasikiran, World Jr Ch, Yerevan, 2000).
• 15.h4 Rd8 16.Bd2 Nf6 17.Qh3 Bxf3 18.Qxf3 cxd4 19.cxd4 Qd7 20.a4 Be7 21.Bc3 Qd5 is equal (Shirov-Karpov, IT, Monte Carlo, 1998).

13...Bb7 14.Bb2 Nf6 15.Qh3

• If 15.Qh4 then:
• If 15...Nd5 16.Ne5 g5 17.Qg4 then:
• 17...Nf4 18.Rfe1 Rg8 19.Qf3 Rd8 20.Be4 f5 21.Bxc6 Bxe5 22.Bxb7 g4 23.Qc6! gives White good prospects (Hou Yifan-Sasikiran, Corus B, Wijk aan Zee, 2009).
• 17...f5 18.Qd1 Bxe5 19.dxe5 Rd8 20.Qe1 c5 21.Rd1 Nf4 22.f3 is equal (Alsina-Andreikin, Euro Ch, Dresden, 2007).
• If 15...c5 16.dxc5 Qxc5 then:
• If 17.Bd4 Qa5 18.Bxf6 gxf6 19.Be4 Bxe4 20.Qxe4 Kg7 21.Rfd1 Rad8 22.Rd3 Bc7 23.Qg4+ Kh7 24.Qe4+ Kg7 25.Qg4+ Kh7 26.Qe4+ Kg7 draw (Hou Yifan-Berkes, IT, Paks, 2007).
• 17.Bxf6 gxf6 18.Qxf6 Qh5 19.Be2 Bxf3 20.h3 Qe5 21.Qxe5 Bxe5 22.Bxf3 Bxa1 23.Bxa8 Bc3 24.Be4 gives White better pawn structure and an remote pawn majority (Karjakin-Bologan, IT, Tomsk, 2006).

15...Nd5 16.g3 c5 17.dxc5 Bxc5 18.Ne5

• 18.Rae1 Rd8 19.Ng5 Nf6 20.Qh4 Qc6 21.Ne4 Be7 22.Qh3 Nh7 23.f3 f5 24.Nd2 Bb4 is equal (Ni Hua-Sundararajan, Op, Kolkata, 2009).

18...Nf6!?

• The Knight was in no danger at e5; Black should have used the time for development.
• 18...Rd8 19.a3 Kg8 20.Rfe1 h5 21.c4 Nf6 remains equal.

19.Rae1!

• White fortifies a small advantage in space.

19...Rd8?!
BLACK: Peter Svidler
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WHITE: Emil Sutovsky
Position after 19...Ra8d8

• The Rook can't do anything at d8 for the moment. Black should look to the safety of his King in view of the coming assault on f7.
• 19...Kg8 20.Re2 Rd8 21.Qh4 Ba8 still leaves White slightly better.

20.Bg6!

• White threatens to win a pawn or two.

20...Ba8

• If 20...fxg6?? then after 21.Qxe6! Black must sacrifice his Queen in order to avoid mate.

21.Bh5!?

• As demonstrated in the last note, it would still be a mistake for Black to take the Bishop. The retreat was unnecessary and makes it possible for Black to drive the Bishop away.
• 21.Rd1 fxg6 22.Qxe6 Bxf2+ 23.Kxf2 Qxc2+ 24.Ke3 Qe4+ 25.Kf2 Qc2+ 26.Ke3 Qe4+ draws.

21...Nxh5!

• Black exchanges minor pieces, snuffing out White's attack.

22.Qxh5 Qb7!

• Black threatens mate on the long diagonal. Note that in order to leave rank 7, the Queen must give mate or White will mate on f7.

23.Re4 Kg8 24.Rfe1 Rd2!

• Black builds pressure on the weak pawn, which is pinned to the King.

25.Nd3 f5 26.Nf4?

• Now the game goes from bad to worse for White.
• If 26.Ne5 then after 26...Bxf2+ 27.Kf1 Qe7 28.Rc4 Bc5 29.Re2 Black is still in the game, even if it's an uphill battle.

26...fxe4!

• White is doomed.

27.Qe8+ Bf8 28.Ng6

• White expects to win back lost material with this move.

BLACK: Peter Svidler
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WHITE: Emil Sutovsky
Position after 28.Nf4g6

28...e3!!

• Black just creates a mating threat. Sutovsky may have underestimated this move.

29.Qxf8+ Kh7 30.Qxh8+ Kxg6

• White has won back the lost material, but now must deal with the threat of mat on the long diagonal.

31.f3

• Unfortunately for White, there is no escape.
• If 31.Qxg7+ Qxg7 32.Bxg7 then Black forces mate thus: 32...exf2+ 33.Kf1 Bg2+ 34.Kxg2 fxe1Q+ 35.Kh3 Qf1+ 36.Kg4 Qf5+ 37.Kh4 Rxh2#.

31...Rg2+!

• Black proffers the Rook; White dare not accept.

32.Kh1

• If 32.Kxg2 then 32...Qxf3+ 33.Kh3 Qh5#.
• If 32.Kf1 then 32...Qxf3#.

32...Re2 33.Rf1 Qxf3+!! 0-1

• If 34.Rxf3 then 34...Bxf3+ 35.Kg1 Re1#.
• Mr. Sutovsky resigns.

[Jack Rabbit]

10. Papaioannou - Eljanov, Round 5

Pavel Eljanov
Photo: ChessBase.com


Ioannis Papaioannou (Greece) - Pavel Eljanov (Ukraine)
17th European Team Championships (General Group), Round 5
Novi Sad, 26 October 2009

East India Game: Bogo-Indian Defense (Catalan Opening)

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.g3

• To examine this opening from the more usual 3.Nf3, see Araz-Ghaderpour, Asian Cities TT, Beirut, 2009.

3...Bb4+ 4.Nd2

• If 4.Bd2 Qe7 5.Bg2 0-0 6.Nc3 Nc6 then:
• If 7.a3 Bxc3 8.Bxc3 then:
• If 8...d5 9.Nf3 Ne4 10.Qd3 then:
• 10...Bd7 11.0-0 Nxc3 12.Qxc3 a5 13.b3 Rfd8 14.Rfe1 Be8 15.e4 dxe4 16.Rxe4 gives White the advantage in space (Lahno-Peptan, Euro Club Cup, Ohrid, 2009).
• 10...Rd8 11.Rc1 a5 12.0-0 a4 13.Qc2 Nd6 14.c5 Ne4 15.Rfd1 is equal (Shneider-Lukov, Op, Cappelle la Grande, 1994).
• If 8...d6 9.e4 e5 10.d5 Nd8 11.Ne2 then:
• 11...g6!? 12.0-0 b6 13.f4! Ng4 14.Qd2 exf4 15.gxf4 f6 16.e5 gives White the advantage in space and excellent winnng chances (ukmakov-Wege, Op, Biel, 1998).
• 11...Bg4 12.0-0 c6 13.Qd3 Rc8 14.Rfe1 leaves Black no worse than before.
• If 7.Nf3 Bxc3 8.Bxc3 Ne4 9.Rc1 d6 10.d5 then:
• If 10...Nxc3 11.Rxc3 Nb8 12.dxe6 fxe6 13.Nd4 then:
• 13...e5 14.Nc2 Nd7 15.b4 a5 16.a3 axb4 17.axb4 Nf6 18.e4 Bg4 19.Qb1 Qf7 20.0-0 Be2 gives Black the initiative (Benjamin-Adams, Donner Mem, Amsterdam, 1994).
• 13...c6 14.0-0 e5 15.Nc2 Na6 16.b4 Be6 17.Qd2 Nc7 18.Ne3 Rad8 19.Rd3 Rf6 is equal (N. Pert-Kobese, Op, Gibraltar, 2005).
• If 10...Nd8 11.0-0 e5 12.Nd2 Nxc3 13.Rxc3 f5 14.c5 Nf7 15.Qb3 b6 16.cxd6 cxd6 then:
• 17.Qa3 a5 18.Rfc1 Ba6 19.Rc7 Qf6 20.e3 e4 21.Nb3 Qe5 22.Nd4 Qxd5 23.Nc6 gives Black an extra pawn and White the advantage in space (Tkachiev-Korchnoi, IT, Biel, 2002).
• 17.Rfc1 Bd7 18.Rc7 Rfc8 19.Qa3 Qd8 20.Rxc8 Bxc8 is equal (Vyzmanavin-Lugovoi, Russian Ch, Elista, 1995).

4...c5 5.dxc5 Bxc5 6.Bg2 0-0 7.Ngf3 Nc6 8.0-0 d5 9.a3 a5 10.Qc2

• If 10.cxd5 exd5 11.Nb3 Bb6 12.Nbd4 Re8 then:
• If 13.Be3 then:
• 13...Bg4 14.Nc2 Rc8 15.Qd3 Bxf3 16.Bxf3 d4 17.Bf4 Nd5 18.Qd2 Nxf4 19.Qxf4 d3 20.Rad1 dxc2 21.Rxd8 Rexd8 22.e3 leaves White standing better after depriving Black of the opportunity to queen the pawn (Alburt-Rhode, Op, Los Angeles, 1991).
• 13...Rxe3 14.fxe3 Ng4 15.Qd3 Qe7 16.Nc2 g6 17.Nh4 Bxe3+ 18.Nxe3 Nxe3 19.Rf3 d4 is equal (Raetsky-Tukmakov, Op, Biel, 1994).
• If 13.b3 Bg4 14.Bb2 Ne4 15.Rc1 Qd6 16.Qd3 Rad8 17.e3 h6 18.Rc2 then:
• 18...Bc5!? 19.Nxc6 bxc6 20.Nd4 Bd7 21.Rd1 Bxa3 22.Bxa3 Qxa3 23.Nxc6 Bxc6 24.Rxc6 leaves White's Rook in command of the queenside (M. Petursson-Jelen, IT, Ljubljana, 1981).
• 18...Bxf3! 19.Nxf3 Nxf2 20.Rfxf2 Bxe3 21.Kf1 Bxf2 22.Rxf2 is equal.

10...d4

• 10...Qe7 11.Nb3 Bb6 12.cxd5 exd5 (Black's isolated d-pawn and White's fianchettoed Bishop give the game the look of the Tarrasch Defense) 13.e3 Bg4 14.Nbd4 Rfc8 15.Qd3 Nxd4 16.Nxd4 a4 gives Black more space and White better pawn structure, just like a Tarrasch Defense (Gusev-Simagin, Soviet Ch ½-final, Gorky, 1965).

11.Nb3 Be7!?

• 11...Bb6 12.c5 Bc7 13.Bg5 h6 14.Bxf6 Qxf6 15.e3 e5 16.Nbd2 Bf5 17.Ne4 Qe6 18.exd4 Nxd4 19.Nxd4 exd4 20.Rfe1 a4 21.Rad1 Rfe8 draw (Smyslov-Parma, IT, Rovinj/Zagreb, 1970).

12.Bg5

• The game is equal.

12...e5 13.Bxf6 Bxf6 14.e4 dxe3 15.fxe3 a4 16.Nbd2 Be7

• 16...Qc7 17.Ne4 Be7 18.Nc3 Qa5 19.Nd5 Qc5 20.Rad1 reamins equal.

17.Ne4 f5 18.Rad1 Qa5 19.Nc3 e4

• 19...f4 20.gxf4 exf4 21.Nd5 Bc5 reamins equal.

20.Nd4 Nxd4 21.exd4 Be6 22.d5

• If 22.g4!? Bxc4 23.Rxf5 Rxf5 24.gxf5 then:
• If 24...Bb3 25.Qxe4 Bxd1 then:
• 26.Qxe7! Bb3 27.Qxb7 Rd8 give Black the initiative and good winning chances.
• 26.Qe6+!? Kh8 27.Qxe7 Bc2 28.f6 Qg5! is equal.
• 24...Bd3!? 25.Qf2 Rf8 26.Nxe4 Bc4 27.Nc5 Qb5 28.Re1 gives White the initiative.

22...Bd7 23.Kh1 Qc5 24.d6 Bg5 25.Nd5

• 25.g4 Qxc4 26.gxf5 Bxf5 27.Rxf5 Rxf5 28.Qxe4 Qxe4 reamins equal.

25...Rae8 26.h4!?

• White should have moved his Knight; instead, he challenges the Bishop to move to a square where it hamppers the Knight.
• 26.Nc7 Re5 27.b4 axb3 28.Qxb3 Rc8 reamins equal.

BLACK: Pavel Eljanov
!""""""""#
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WHITE: Ioannis Papaioannou
Position after 26.h2h4

26...Bd8!

• The Knight at d5 cannot move forward.

27.Nf4 Re5 28.b4 axb3 29.Qxb3 b6 30.Rfe1

• If 30.Kh2 Bc8 31.Qa4 Rf7 32.d7 Bb7 33.Nd3 exd3 34.Bxb7 Qd4 reamins equal.
• 32.h5!? Rd7 33.Qb5 Qxb5 34.cxb5 Rxb5 gives Black an extra pawn and good winning chances.

30...Rf6 31.Qc3 Qa5 32.Qb2 Rc5 33.Nd5

• If 33.Nh5 then 33...Rf7 34.Bf1 Ba4 gives Black the initiative.

33...Re6

• If 33...Rxd6 34.Qb4 Qa7 then:
• If 35.Rf1 Qb7 36.Nxb6 then:
• If 36...Rxd1 37.Rxd1 Bxb6 38.Rb1 Bc8 then:
• 39.Qxb6 Qxb6 40.Rxb6 Rxc4 gives Black an extra pawn
• 39.Bf1 Rc6 40.c5 Bxc5 41.Qxb7 Bxb7 42.Bc4+ Kh8 leaves White a pawn to the good.
• 36...Qxb6?! 37.Qxb6 Rxb6 38.Rxd7 Bf6 is equal.
• 35.Re3 Kh8 36.Kh2 h6 37.Ree1 Ba4 White is a pawn up with the initiative.

34.Rf1 Re8!?

• As Steinitz said, "When in doubt, take the pawn."
• 34...Rxc4! 35.Bh3 g6 36.h5 Qb5 37.Qa2 Qc6 gives Black an extra pawn.

35.Bh3 e3 36.Qe2 g6 37.g4 Qa4 38.gxf5?

• 38.Rd4 Bc6 39.Bg2 fxg4 40.Rxg4 Bd7 41.Rgf4 reamins equal.

BLACK: Pavel Eljanov
!""""""""#
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WHITE: Ioannis Papaioannou
Position after 38.gh5:p

38...Qxc4?

• Black fails to capitalize on the opportunity.
• If 38...Rxc4! then:
• 39.f6 Re5!! 40.Bg2 Rc2 41.Qe1 Qg4 wins for Black.
• 39.Ne7+ Bxe7 40.dxe7 Rxh4 41.Qa2+ Kg7 42.Kg1 Rxh3 wins for Black.

39.Qxc4!

• The game is again equal.

39...Rxc4 40.f6 e2 41.Ne7+?

• If 41.f7+ Kg7 42.fxe8Q Bxe8 43.Kg1 Rxh4 then:
• 44.d7 Bf7 45.Bg2 exf1Q+ 46.Kxf1 leaves Black a pawn to the good.
• 44.Be6 drops a pawn to 44...exd1Q 45.Rxd1 Bc6.

41...Bxe7!?

• If 41...Kf7! 42.Bxd7 Rxh4+ 43.Kg2 Rf8 then:
• 44.Rg1 exd1Q 45.Rxd1 Kxf6 gives Black a commanding material advantage.
• 44.Rfe1 exd1Q 45.Rxd1 transposes.

42.Bxd7

BLACK: Pavel Eljanov
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WHITE: Ioannis Papaioannou
Position after 42.Bh3d7:B

42...Bxf6!

• 42...Rf4 43.Rfe1 exd1Q 44.Rxd1 Bxf6 45.Bxe8 Rxh4+ 46.Kg2 is equal.

43.Bxe8 Rxh4+?

• Black again fails to capitalize.
• 43...Rd4! 44.Rc1 exf1Q+ 45.Rxf1 Rxd6 46.h5 Kf8 gives Black good winning chances

44.Kg2!

• The game is again equal.

44...Rd4! 45.Rxd4 exf1Q+ 46.Kxf1 Bxd4 47.Kg2!?

• White's play is too passive.
• 47.d7! Bf6 48.a4 Kg7 49.Kf2 h5 50.Kf3 Be7 leaves Black an extra pawn, but in Bishops-of-opposite-color endings that is seldom enough.

47...Be5 48.a4?

• Black should move the d-pawn. The a-pawn has no future.
• If 48.d7 Bf6 49.a4 Kg7 50.Kg1 Bd8 is equal.

48...Bxd6!

Any other move would have been criminal.

49.Kf3 Kg7

• The text is better than 49...Kf8 50.Bb5 h5 51.Ke4 g5 52.Kf5 g4 53.Kg5 when White can make things difficult for Black.

50.Ke4 Kf6 51.Kf3 Kg5

• 51...Ke7 52.Bb5 h5 53.Ke4 g5 54.Be2 g4 wins for Black.

52.Bb5 Kh5 53.Bd3

• 53.Ke4 g5 54.Kd4 Bc5+ is hopeless for White.

BLACK: Pavel Eljanov
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WHITE: Ioannis Papaioannou
Position after 53.Bb5d3

53...h6!

• The pawn advance is critical. The Black King will escort the pawns forward assisted by the Bishop from a safe distance. White will be unable to capture both pawns.

54.Ke4 g5 55.Kf5 Kh4 56.Kg6 h5 0-1

• Two connected passers win in opposite-colored Bishop endings.
• If 57.Be2 then after 57...g4 58.Bf1 Kg3 Black wins.
• Grandmaster Papaioannou resigns.

[Jack Rabbit]

3. 48th World Junior Championships, Puerto Madryn

Puerto Madryn, Chubut Provinve, Argentina
Photo: LaunchPhotography.com

[Jack Rabbit]

11. Robson - Vachier Lagrave, Round 4

Maxime Vachier Lagrave
Photo: ChessBase.com


Ray Robson - Maxime Vachier Lagrave
48th World Junior Championships (Boys' Group), Round 4
Puerto Madryn, 24 October 2009

Open Sicilian Game: Najdorf-Scheveningen Defense (Rauzer Opening)

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.Bg5 e6 7.f4 Qc7

• For a survey of theory concerning the Rauzer Opening, see T. Kosintseva-Zdebskaja, Euro ChTW, St. Petersburg, 2009.[/i>

8.Qf3 b5 9.Bxf6

• If 9.0-0-0 Nbd7 10.Bd3 Bb7 11.Rhe1 then:
• 11...Be7 12.Qg3 b4 13.Nd5 exd5 14.exd5 Kd8 15.Nc6+ Bxc6 16.dxc6 Nc5 17.Bh4 Rg8 18.Bxh7 Rh8 19.Qxg7 Rxh7 20.Qxf6 Rxh4 21.Qxf7 Rh8 22.Re5 Na4 23.Re3 Ra7 24.Rde1 is equal (Kotronias-Shneider, Op, Corinth, 2004).
• 11...Qb6 12.Nb3 b4 13.Na4 Qc7 14.Qh3 Be7 15.Nd4 0-0-0 16.f5 Qa5 17.e5 Nxe5 18.fxe6 Qxa4 19.Nf5 Kb8 20.Nxe7 Qxa2 21.exf7 Ne4 22.Rxe4 Bxe4 23.Qe3 Nc4 24.Nc6+ Bxc6 25.Bxc4 Qxc4 26.Bxd8 Qxf7 is equal (Kotronias-Kr. Georgiev, Op, Ano Liosia, 1995).

9...gxf6 10.a3

• If 10.e5 then:
• 10...d5 11.exf6 b4 12.Nxd5 exd5 13.Qxd5 Bb7 14.Bb5+ axb5 15.Nxb5 Bxd5 16.Nxc7+ Kd7 17.Nxd5 Kc6 18.0-0-0 Rxa2 19.Kb1 Ra5 20.Ne7+ Bxe7 21.fxe7 Nd7 22.Rd4 Rha8 23.Rc4+ Kd5 24.Rd1+ Kxc4 White resigns as he has no chance of making up the material deficet before Black delivers mate (Rabin-Klein, EU ChU16, Herceg Novi, 2008).
• 10...Bb7 11.Qh5 dxe5 12.Nxe6 Qb6 13.Nxf8 Qe3+ 14.Qe2 Qxf4 15.Nxh7 Rxh7 16.g3 Qf3 17.Qxf3 Bxf3 18.Bd3 Rh6 19.0-0 gives White the initiative (Geenen-Kuligowski, IT, Brussels, 1986).

10...Nc6

• If 10...Bb7 then:
• 11.0-0-0 Nd7 12.f5 e5 13.Nb3 Rc8 14.Bd3 Qb6 15.Be2 Qc7 16.Kb1 gives White the advantage in space (Stellwagen-Vachier Lagrave, IT, Paks, 2008).
• 11.Be2 h5 12.0-0-0 Nd7 13.Qh3 0-0-0 14.Bxh5 Kb8 15.Qg4 f5 16.Qe2 Nf6 gives White the advantage in space (Unzicker-Balashov, IT, Munich, 1979).

11.Nxc6 Qxc6 12.f5 Qc5

• 12...Ra7 13.Be2 Qc5 14.0-0-0 Rc7 15.Rhf1 Rg8 16.fxe6 fxe6 17.Qxf6 Qg5+ 18.Kb1 Qxf6 19.Rxf6 Bg7 20.Bh5+ Kd8 21.Rf7 Be5 22.Rxc7 Kxc7 23.Bf3 Bxc3 24.bxc3 e5 25.Rd3 Kc6 26.h3 draw (van der Wiel-Tukmakov, IT, Wijk aan Zee, 1984).

13.0-0-0 Bb7!?

• 13...Rb8 14.fxe6 fxe6 15.Qxf6 Rg8 16.Qd4 Qxd4 17.Rxd4 Ke7 18.Rd3 Bb7 19.Rh3 h6 20.Rg1 Bg7 21.Bd3 Bd4 gives Black more space and White an extra pawn (Kotronias-Lie, IT, Gausdal, 2008).

14.Be2

• The game is equal.

14...h5 15.Kb1 Ke7 16.Rhf1 Qe5

• 16...Bg7 17.Qg3 h4 18.Qe1 remains equal.

17.fxe6

• 17.Qf2 Qc5 18.Qh4 Bg7 19.Rd3 Bh6 20.Rfd1 gives White the advantage in space.

17...fxe6 18.Qf2 Rd8 19.Qb6

• If 19.Rd3 then:
• 19...Bg7 20.g3 Qc5 21.Qe1 a5 22.Bf3 Qe5 remains equal.
• 19...Rh6 20.h3 Bg7 21.Qb6 Rd7 22.Rfd1 remains equal.

19...Rd7 20.Nxb5 Bxe4 21.Nd4 Rb7?

• The attack on the Queen accomplishes nothing except the loss of the a-pawn.
• 21...Qc5 22.Qb3 d5 23.Qe3 Rc7 24.Bd3 Bh6 25.Qf2 gives White the more active game.

BLACK: Maxime Vachier Lagrave
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WHITE: Ray Robson
Position after 21...Rd7b7

22.Qxa6!

• White has good winning chances. He has an extra pawn, more harmonious development (Black needs to get his kingside pieces into the action and fast), an attack on an unprotect Rook and command of open lines.

22...Bg7 23.Rfe1!?

• If 23.Bf3 Rhb8 24.b4 Rb6 25.Qc4 then:
• 25...d5 26.Qc5+ Kd7 27.Bxe4 Bf8 28.Qa5 gives White an extra pawn.
• 25...Bxf3 26.Qc7+ Kf8 27.gxf3 f5 28.Rfe1 gives White an extra pawn.

23...Rhb8 24.Bb5?

• White has the right idea (block the b-file), but goes about it the wrong way.
• 24.b4 Qxh2 25.Bc4 Rb6 26.Qa4 Ra8 27.Qb3 White wins the e-pawn.

24...Rxb5!!

• The exchange sac demonstrates the ineffectiveness of White's last move.

25.Nc6+

• 25.Nxb5 Rxb5 (Black threatens mate on the next move) 26.Qa7+ Ke8 27.Qd4 f5 28.Qxe5 Bxe5 gives Black the initiative against White's King.

BLACK: Maxime Vachier Lagrave
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WHITE: Ray Robson
Position after 25.Nd4c6+

25...Bxc6!!

• Black sacrifies the Queen.

26.Rxe5 Rxb2+ 27.Ka1 R2b6 28.Qd3

• 28.Rxe6+ Kxe6 29.Qc4+ d5 30.Qc3 Kf7 31.Qf3 f5+ wins for Black.

28...dxe5

• White has his Queen; Black has the material advantage equivalent to two pawns.

29.Qd6+

• 29.Qg3 Kf8 30.Qf2 f5 31.Qc5+ Kf7 32.c3 Rb3 gives Black an easy victory.

29...Kf7 30.g4 hxg4 31.Qc7+ Kg6 32.h4

• 32.a4 Bxa4 33.Rd8 Rb1+ 34.Ka2 R8b2+ 35.Ka3 Rxc2 White is crushed to a pulp.

32...gxh3

• Black's material advantage is four theoretical pawns.

33.Rg1+ Bg2 0-1

• Young Mr. Robson resigns.

[Jack Rabbit]

4. Chigorin Memorial Open, St. Petersburg

Palace Square, St Petersburg
Photo by by yasmapaz & ace_heart from Flickr by way of Wikipedia (Creative Commons Copyright]

[Jack Rabbit]

12. Kazhgaleyev - Volkov, Round 7

Sergey Volkov
Photo: ChessBase.com


Murtas Kazhgaleyev - Sergey Volkov
Chigorin Memorial Open, Round 7
St Petersburg, 22 October 2009

Slav Queen's Gambit: Chameleon Defense

• If 5.e3 b5 then:
• If 6.b3 then:
• If 6...Bg4 then:
• If 7.Be2 e6 8.0-0 Nbd7 9.h3 then:
• If 9...Bh5 10.Bb2 Bd6 11.Ne5 Bxe2 12.Nxe2 Qc7 13.cxd5 cxd5 14.Rc1 Qb8 15.Nxd7 then:
• 15...Kxd7 16.f3 Qb7 17.Qd3 Ke7 18.Nc3 b4 19.Na4 Qb5 20.Qd2 Rac8 21.Nc5 Rhd8 22.Rfd1 h6 23.Rc2 Rc6 24.Rdc1 Rdc8 25.a4 bxa3 26.Bxa3 Nd7 27.Nxd7 Bxa3 28.Rxc6 draw (Zhaou Weiqi-Rodshtein, Aeroflot Op, Moscow, 2009).
• 15...Nxd7 16.e4 dxe4 17.d5 0-0 18.dxe6 Nc5 19.Nf4 Ra7 20.Bd4 Bxf4 21.Bxc5 Bxc1 22.Bxf8 Qxf8 23.Qxc1 fxe6 24.Qc6 gives White ample compensation for the pawn (Epishin-Kulaots, Aeroflot Op, Moscow, 2005).
• If 9...Bf5 10.Bd3 Bb4 11.Bb2 then:
• 11...Bxd3 12.Qxd3 0-0 13.Rfc1 bxc4 14.bxc4 Qe7 15.Rc2 dxc4 16.Qxc4 c5 17.Rac1 cxd4 18.Nxd4 Ne5 19.Qe2 Ba3 20.f4 Ng6 21.Nc6 Qd6 22.Rd2 Qxc6 23.Bxa3 Rfc8 is equal (Aronian-P. Smirnov, FIDE Knock Out, Tripoli, 2004).
• 11...0-0 12.Bxf5 exf5 13.cxd5 cxd5 14.Qd3 g6 15.Ne5 Qc7 16.a4 bxa4 17.Nxa4 Rfc8 18.Rfc1 Qd6 19.Rc2 Rxc2 20.Qxc2 a5 21.Qc6 Rb8 22.Rc1 Qxc6 23.Nxc6 Rb5 24.Nxb4 Rxb4 25.Nc5 draw (I. Sokolov-Movsesian, IT, Sarajevo, 2003).
• If 7.Bd2 Nbd7 8.h3 Bxf3 9.Qxf3 then:
• If 9...b4 10.Na4 then:
• 10...e5 11.Rc1 Bd6 12.cxd5 cxd5 13.dxe5 Nxe5 14.Qd1 0-0 15.Be2 a5 16.Rc2 Qe7 17.Bc1 Rad8 18.Bb2 Ng6 19.0-0 Ne4 20.Bd4 Nh4 21.Bd3 Nf5 22.Bb6 Rb8 23.Bxe4 Qxe4 is equal (Carlsen-Wang Yue, IT, Linares, 2009).
• 10...Ne4 11.Bc1 e6 12.Bd3 f5 13.g4 g6 14.gxf5 exf5 15.h4 Bg7 16.Bb2 0-0 17.0-0-0 Ndf6 is equal (Bauer-Fontaine, French Ch, Chartres, 2005).
• If 9...e6 10.Bd3 then:
• 10...Ba3 11.0-0 0-0 12.Rfd1 Re8 13.Be1 e5 14.cxd5 cxd5 15.dxe5 Nxe5 16.Qf4 Qe7 is equal (Bauer-Dorfman, French Ch, Val d'Isere, 2002).
• 10...Be7 11.0-0 0-0 12.Rac1 Rc8 13.Rfd1 b4 14.Na4 a5 15.Qe2 Ne4 16.Be1 is equal (M. Socko-E. Atalik, ITW, Biel, 2006).
• If 6...Bf5 then:
• 7.Ne5 e6 8.g4 Bg6 9.h4 Ne4 10.Nxe4 Bxe4 11.f3 f6 12.Nxc6 Nxc6 13.fxe4 dxe4 14.Bd2 Qb8 15.Rh3 f5 16.cxb5 axb5 17.gxf5 exf5 18.a4 bxa4 19.bxa4 Kd8 20.Bb5 Na5 21.Rc1 Bd6 is equal (Aronian-Kindermann, Bundesliga 0304, Germany, 2003).
• 7.Bd3 e6 8.Bxf5 exf5 9.0-0 Bd6 10.Qc2 g6 11.Bd2 0-0 12.Rfc1 Nbd7 13.cxd5 cxd5 14.a4 b4 15.Ne2 Rc8 16.Qd3 Qb6 17.Rc2 Qb7 18.Rac1 Nb6 19.Ne5 Rxc2 20.Rxc2 Rc8 21.f3 Nbd7 22.Nxd7 draw (Radjabov-Ivanchuk, Corus A, Wijk aan Zee, 2003).
• If 6.c5 g6 then:
• If 7.Ne5 Bg7 8.Be2 then:
• If 8...Nfd7 9.f4 Nxe5 10.fxe5 f6 11.exf6 exf6 12.e4 then:
• 12...b4 13.Na4 dxe4 14.Nb6 Ra7 15.Qb3 Re7 16.Nxc8 Qxc8 17.Bf4 gives Black an extra pawn and White more space (Eljanov-I. Sokolov, IT, Sarajevo, 2009).
• 12...f5 13.exd5 Qh4+ 14.g3 Qxd4 15.Qxd4 Bxd4 16.Bf4 cxd5 17.Nxd5 Bb7 gives White a slight advantage in space (Cmilyte-Houska, OlW, Dresden, 2008).
• If 8...0-0 9.0-0 then:
• If 9...Nfd7 10.f4 then:
• 10...f5 11.Nd3 a5 12.Bd2 Nf6 13.Be1 Nbd7 14.Bh4 Kh8 is equal (Moiseenko-Ni Hua, World ChT, Beer Shiva, 2005).
• 10...a5 11.Bf3 Nxe5 12.fxe5 f5 13.exf6 Bxf6 14.Ne2 Bg7 15.Bd2 Bf5 16.Ng3 e6 is equal (Kempinski-Rustemov, Bundesliga 0809, Berlin, 2009).
• 9...Be6 10.f4 Qc7 11.g4 Ne4 12.Bf3 f5 13.Bd2 Nd7 is equal (Gelfand-Bareev, World Cup, Khanty Mansyisk, 2005).
• If 7.Bd3 Bg7 then:
• 8.h3 0-0 9.0-0 Nbd7 10.a3 a5 11.e4 dxe4 12.Nxe4 Nd5 13.Nc3 N7f6 14.Re1 Qc7 15.Bd2 Rd8 16.Re5 Ra6 17.Qe2 Bb7 18.Ng5 h6 is equal (Bellaiche-Benitah, Op, Guingamp, 2007).
• 8.b4 a5 9.bxa5 Nfd7 10.Bd2 e5 11.Be2 e4 12.Ng1 b4 13.Nb1 Na6 14.a3 Qxa5 15.Ra2 is equal (San Segundo-Pilaj, Euro ChT, Saint Vincent, 2005).

5...e6 6.Bg5 Be7 7.e3 0-0

• If 7...Nbd7 8.cxd5 exd5 9.Bd3 0-0 10.0-0 then:
• If 10...Re8 11.Rac1 Nf8 then:
• 12.Na4 Ne4 13.Bf4 Bd6 14.Nb6 Rb8 is equal (K. Georgiev-Lobzhanidze, Bundesliga 9900, Germany, 2000).
• 12.Ne5 Ng4 13.Bxe7 Qxe7 14.Nxg4 Bxg4 15.Rfe1 Rad8 is equal (Lilienthal-Bogatyrchuk, IT, Moscow, 1935).
• 10...Ne4 11.Bf4 Ndf6 12.Rac1 Bd6 13.Bxd6 Qxd6 14.Bxe4 Nxe4 15.Nxe4 dxe4 16.Ne5 Qe7 is equal (Bogolyubov-Rubinstein, Match, Goteborg/Stockholm, 1920 ).

8.Rd1 b5 9.c5!?

• If 9.cxd5 cxd5 10.Ne5 Bb7 11.Be2 draw (Kavalek-Ribli, Ol, Dubai, 1986).

9...Nbd7

• The game is equal.
• 9...a5 10.Bd3 b4 11.Ne2 Ba6 12.0-0 Bxd3 13.Rxd3 is also level.

10.Be2 a5 11.a3 Re8 12.Bf4

• If 12.0-0 e5 13.Bxf6 Bxf6 14.Nxd5 cxd5 15.Qxd5 then:
• 15...Ba6 16.c6 Nb6 17.Qxd8 Raxd8 18.dxe5 Rxd1 19.Rxd1 gives White the active game.
• 15...Ra7!? 16.dxe5! Nxe5 17.Qxe5 Bxe5 18.Rxd8 Rxd8 19.Nxe5 gives White the active game.

12...Ba6

• 12...Nh5 13.Be5 Nhf6 14.Qc2 Nxe5 15.Nxe5 Bb7 16.0-0 remains equal.

13.h3 Qc8 14.0-0 Bd8

• If 14...Qb7 15.Ra1 a4 16.Qb4 then:
• 16...e5 17.Nxe5 Bxc5 18.dxc5 Nxe5 19.Rad1 Qe7 remains equal.
• 16...Ne4 17.Nxe4 dxe4 18.Ne5 Nf6 remains equal.

15.Bd3 Bc7 16.Rfe1 Bxf4

• 16...e5 17.Bxe5 Bxe5 18.Nxe5 Nxe5 19.dxe5 Rxe5 20.Ne2 remains equal.

17.exf4 b4 18.axb4 Bxd3 19.Rxd3 axb4 20.Na2

• 20.Ne2 Qb8 21.Re3 Ra5 22.Ne5 Qb5 remains equal.

20...Qc7 21.Ne5 Reb8 22.Nc1

• 22.Rdd1 Qb7 23.Ra1 Nxe5 24.fxe5 remains equal.

22...Ne4 23.Rdd1 Nxe5 24.fxe5 Qa5?!

• Black commits to the queenside while White remains flexible in the center. This is generally not a good sign for Black.
• 24...Qe7 25.Nd3 Ra5 26.Ra1 Qa7 27.Rxa5 Qxa5 28.Rd1 remains equal.

BLACK: Sergey Volkov
!""""""""#
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WHITE: Murtas Kazhgaleyev
Position after 24...Qc7a5

25.Nd3!?

• 25.Ne2 Qa2 26.Qxa2 Rxa2 27.f3 Ng5 28.h4 gives White the initiative.

25...h6 26.h4

• Black must now play very carefully. As long as he does, White must be patient.
• 26.Kh2 Qa2 27.Qxa2 Rxa2 28.h4 then:
• 28...Nxf2 29.Nxf2 Rxb2 30.Kg3 gives White a piece for two pawns.
• 28...b3 29.f3 Nf2 30.Nxf2 Rxb2 31.Kg3 Rc2 32.Rb1 gives White good chances after he eliminates the pawn.

26...Qd8 27.g3 g5

• If 27...Qa5 28.Kg2 Qa2 29.Qc2 then:
• 29...b3 30.Qe2 Qa4 31.Qe3 Qa2 32.Rc1 Qa5 33.Re2 leaves White ready to pivot to the kingside for a direct attack, while White must take time to regroup his pieces for defense.
• 29...Rb5 30.f3 b3 31.Qe2! gives the Knight nowhere to fly.

28.hxg5 Qxg5 29.Kg2?

• If 29.Re3 then:
• 29...Ra5 30.Kg2 Kg7 31.Rh1 Qf5!? 32.Qd1 leaves half of Black's pieces out of communication with the other half.
• If 29...Rb5 30.Kg2 Ra7 31.Nf4 Rba5 then:
• 32.Ne2 Qg7 33.f3 Ng5 34.Qxb4 Rb5 35.Qc3 leaves White a pawn to the good.
• If 32.Ree1 then:
• 32...Kh7 33.Rh1 Ra4 34.Rh5! Qg4 35.Rdh1 Qg7 36.Qe3 Kg8 37.Rxh6 Ra8 38.Nh5 Qg5 39.Nf6+ wns for White.
• 36.R5h4 Ra1 37.Rxh6+ Qxh6 38.Rxh6+ Kxh6 39.Qe3 gives White a much more aggressive game.
• 32...Ra4 33.Rh1 Qg7 34.Rh2 Kh7 35.Rdh1 Ra1 36.Qxb4 gives White an extra pawn.
• 29.Nf4 h5 30.Kg2 h4 31.Rh1 hxg3 32.fxg3 Kf8 is equal.

29...Kh7 30.Rh1 Rg8

• Black leaves his precious b-pawn unguarded.
• 30...Nd2 31.Qc2 Ne4 32.Qe2 Qg6 33.Rh5 gives White excellent chances of whipping up a kingside attack before Black can set up an adequate defense.

BLACK: Sergey Volkov
!""""""""#
$t+ + +t+%
$+ + +o+l%
$ +o+o+ O%
$+ PoP W %
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/(((((((()
WHITE: Murtas Kazhgaleyev
Position after 30...Rb8g8

31.Rh3!

• White prepares to double the Rooks on h-file. He has excellent winning chances.
• If 31.Qxb4? Nxg3! 32.Rhe1 Rab8 33.Qa4 Rxb2 34.Nxb2 then
• 34...Ne4+! leads to mate:35.Kf1 Qg2+ 36.Ke2 Qxf2+ 37.Kd3 Rg3+ 38.Re3 Rxe3#.
• If 31.Nxb4 Rab8 32.Rhf1 Rxb4 then:
• 33.Qa3 Rgb8 34.Qf3 Kg8 35.b3 Nd2 36.Rxd2 Qxd2 leaves Black a Rook to the good.
• 33.Qxb4 Nxg3 34.Qd2 Qg6 35.Rg1 Ne4+ 36.Kf3 Nxd2+ 37.Ke2 Qc2 gives Black a prohibitive material advantage.

31...Rg6

• 31...Qf5 32.Qc2 Ng5 33.Rh4 Qf3+ 34.Kg1 b3 35.Qxb3 leaves White a pawn to the good.

32.Qc2

• If 32.Qxb4 Qf5 33.Qb3 Ng5 34.Rh4 Rb8 then:
• 35.Qa4 Qf3+ 36.Kh2 Ne4 37.Rf4 Qe2 38.Nc1 Qh5+ gives Black excellent winning chances.
• 35.Qxb8? Qf3+ 36.Kf1 Qxd1+ 37.Ne1 Nf3 38.Rf4 Qxe1+ gives Black an extra piece.

32...b3 33.Qe2?!

• The b-pawn is not poisoned.
• If 33.Qxb3 Qf5 34.Rh4 Rag8 35.Nf4 then:
• 35...Rg4 36.Rxg4 Qxg4 37.Qf3 Qxf3+ 38.Kxf3 gives White an extra pawn.
• 35...Nxg3 36.Nxg6 Ne4 37.Qe3 Rxg6+ 38.Kf1 gives Black the exchange and good winning chances.

33...Ra4!

• White leaves his weakest pawn open. Black attacks laterally with the Rook.
• If 33...Ra2? 34.Rdh1 f6 35.Qd1 Ra4 then:
• 36.Rh5 Nxf2 37.Rxg5 Nxd1 38.Rxg6 Kxg6 39.Rxd1 gives White an extra piece.
• If 36.Qxb3? then:
• 36...Rxd4! 37.Qb7+ Rg7 38.Rxh6+ Qxh6 39.Rxh6+ Kxh6 40.Qa6 is equal.
• 36...Ra7? 37.Qd1 Qf5 38.Rh5 Rg5 39.Rxg5 Qxg5 gives White an extra pawn.

34.Qf3

• The game is equal.

34...Rxd4 35.Rh5

• 35.Qxf7+ Rg7 36.Qf8 Rg8 37.Qf3 Nd2 38.Qe2 Nc4 remains equal.

35...Qe7 36.Qe3

• If 36.Rdh1 Rxd3 37.Qxd3 Qxc5 then:
• 38.Qe2 f6 39.exf6 Nxf6 40.Re5 is equal.
• 38.Qf3 Kg7 39.Qe2 Qb6 40.Rd1 c5 gives the edge to Black and his mobile pawns.

36...Rc4

• If 36...Ra4? 37.Rdh1! then:
• 37...Qf8 38.Nf4 Qxc5 39.Nxg6 Qxe3 40.fxe3 fxg6 41.Rxh6+ leads to mate: 41...Kg7 42.Rh7+ Kf8 43.Rh8+ Kf7 44.R1h7#.
• 37...Kg7 38.Rxh6 Nf6 39.Rxg6+ fxg6 40.Qh6+ Kf7 41.Nf4 wins the exchange for White, otherwise White takes with the check on g6.
• 36...Rxd3 37.Rxd3 Qxc5 38.Qxc5 Nxc5 39.Rc3 Nd7 40.Rxc6 gives White the material advantage.

37.Rdh1 Qf8 38.Nf4 Qxc5

• If 38...Rg5? then after 39.Rxh6+! Qxh6 40.Rxh6+ Kxh6 41.Nh3 the tables are tunrned and White has good winning chances.

39.Qxc5 Rxc5!?

• The Rook has more freedom at c4; the Knight, on the other hand, is equally free at c5 or e4.
• 39...Nxc5 40.Nxg6 Kxg6 then:
• If 41.f4! Rc2+ 42.Kf3 Rxb2 43.Rxh6+ Kg7 44.Rh8 Nd3 is equal.
• If 41.Rxh6+? Kf5! 42.f4 Ke4 43.Re1+ Kd4 then:
• If 44.Kf3 Rc2 45.Re2 Nd3 then:
• 46.Rhh2 c5 47.Rd2 c4 48.f5 Rxd2 49.Rxd2 c3!! wins for Black.
• If 46.Rf6 Nxb2 47.Rxf7 c5 48.f5 Nd3 49.fxe6 b2 Black wins the race and the game.
• 44.Re2 Rc2 45.Kf3 transposes.

BLACK: Sergey Volkov
!""""""""#
$ + + + +%
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$ +o+o+tO%
$+ ToP +r%
$ + +mN +%
$+ + + P %
$ + + Pk+%
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/(((((((()
WHITE: Murtas Kazhgaleyev
Position after 39...Rc4c5:Q

40.Nxg6!

• The obvious move is the right one. White gets the material advantage.

40...Kxg6 41.Rxh6+ Kg7 42.Rh7+ Kg8 43.Rh8+ Kg7 44.R1h7+ Kg6 45.Rh4

• 45.Rh6+ Kg7 46.f3 Rc2+ 47.Kh3 Nf2+ 48.Kh4 Re2 assures Black of regaining the pawn with equality.

45...Kg7 46.Rb8 Rc2 47.Rg4+ Kh7 48.Rh4+

• If 48.Rf4 Rxb2 49.Rxf7+ Kg6 50.Rf3 then:
• 50...Nc5 51.Rc8 Rc2 52.Rf6+ Kg7 53.Rc7+ Kg8 leaves White with a material advantage.
• 50...c5 51.Rbxb3 Rxb3 52.Rxb3 c4 53.Rb8 c3 54.Rg8+ leaves White an exchange to the good.

48...Kg7 49.Rg4+ Kh7

BLACK: Sergey Volkov
!""""""""#
$ R + + +%
$+ + +o+l%
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$+ +oP + %
$ + +m+e+%
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/(((((((()
WHITE: Murtas Kazhgaleyev
Position after 49...Kg7h7

50.Rf4

• As of this moment, White is justified in eschewing the draw by repetition. He stands a little better than Black.

50...Rxb2 51.Rxf7+ Kg6 52.Rf3 c5 53.Rb6 Kg5 54.Rxe6

• White is up by a full exchange.

54...Re2 55.Rb6 c4 56.e6 Nc5 57.Rb5

• If 57.Rd6? b2! then:
• If 58.Rxd5+ Kg6 59.Rd1 then:
• If 59...Na4! 60.e7 Rxe7 61.Rf4 then:
• 61...Rc7! 62.Rb1 c3 63.Rg4+ Kf6 64.Rf4+ Kg5 wins for Black, for if 65.Rxa4 c2 a pawn will queen.
• 61...Nc3!? 62.Rd6+ Kg5 63.Rxc4 b1Q 64.Rc5+ Qf5 65.Rxf5+ Kxf5 Black will from here attempt to capture the two pawns for the Knight, which draws if he is successful.
• If 59...Rxe6 60.Rh1 Nd3 61.Rb1 Ne1+ then:
• 62.Kh3 Nxf3 63.Rxb2 Ne1 64.Rb8 Rc6 65.Re8 Nd3 wins for Black.
• 62.Kf1 Nxf3 63.Rxb2 c3 64.Rc2 Rc6 65.Ke2 Nd4+ wins for Black.
• 58.Rb6? Nxe6! 59.Ra3 Kf5 60.Rf3+ Ke5 61.Kf1 Nd4 wins for Black.

57...Nxe6 58.Rxd5+ Kg6 59.Rb5?

• White rolls off the log.
• 59.Rd6 Kg7 60.Rc3 Rc2 61.Re3 b2 62.Rb6 Nf8 leaves White up by the exchange.

BLACK: Sergey Volkov
!""""""""#
$ + + + +%
$+ + + + %
$ + +m+l+%
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$ +o+ + +%
$+o+ +rP %
$ + +tPk+%
$+ + + + %
/(((((((()
WHITE: Murtas Kazhgaleyev
Position after 59.Rd5b5

59...Nd4!

• Black wins back the exchange.

60.Rb6+

• 60.Rf4 Nxb5 61.Rg4+ Kf6 62.Rxc4 b2 63.Rb4 Nc3 wins for Black.

60...Re6 61.Rfxb3

• If 61.Rb8 Nxf3 62.Kxf3 Rc6 then:
• If 63.Ke2 c3 64.Kd1 c2+ 65.Kc1 Rc3 then:
• 66.Rb5 Rd3 67.Kb2 Rd1 wins for Black.
• 66.Rb6+ Kf5 67.Rb4 Rd3 68.Kb2 Rd1 wins for Black.
• 63.Rg8+ Kf7 64.Rb8 c3 65.Rxb3 c2 wins for Black.

61...cxb3 62.Rb4 Re1 63.g4

• If 63.Rxd4 then after 63...b2 there is nothing White can do to prevent the Black pawn form queening.

63...Kg5 64.f3 Kh4 65.Rxd4 b2 66.Rd5 Re2+ 67.Kf1 Rc2 0-1

• If 68.Rb5 then:
• 68...Kg3! 69.Rb3 Rc1+ 70.Ke2 b1Q is time to say, "Good night."
• Carfully, now. What Dvoretsky calls a "tragicomedy" would be 68...Rc1+? 69.Kf2 b1Q?? 70.Rh5#.

69.Rb3 Rc1+ 70.Ke2 b1Q is time to say, "Good night."

Grandmaster Kazhgaleyev resigns.

[madinmaryland]

13. Dude! You're spamming the board! It's going to take me a week to read

this and decifer everything!

Thanks!

:hi: