Chess News for week ending June 25: Special Immigration Issue

[Jack Rabbit]

The Jack Rabbit Chess Report



for the week ending June 25

Contents:

Post 1: News for the week
Post 2: Games from Recent Events
Post 3: Two notable games from Torino


Image from the website of Julia Beyer (Germany)

[Jack Rabbit]

1. News for the week: Foros and Hilversum

Rublevsky leads after eight rounds in Foros

Sergei Rublevsky, the reigning Russian national champion, leads the category 18 international grandmaster tournament in Foros, Ukraine, by a half point after eight rounds.



Sergei Rublevsky

Rublevsky has won five games and drawn two for a total of 6 points. Vassily Ivanchuk of Ukraine is in second place with 5½ points and Moldova's Viktor Bologan in in third with 5 points.

Rublevsky started the tournament inauspiciously by losing his first round game to Shakhriyar Mamedyarov, a young grandmaster from Azerbaijan. Mamedryarov dominated the early rounds before falling back to 50%. Meanwhile, after drawing his second round game, Rublevsky went on a tear by winning four games in a row.

Ivanchuk started the tournament by drawing his first three games, but has quietly climbed into second place by winning three of the next five games without a loss, including the last two in a row.

Rublevsky would no doubt like to win the tournament to redeem his poor showing at the Torino Olympiad, where he scored only two points in five games.

The tournament concludes after the eleventh round Wednesday.

Foros after eight rounds:
(Number of wins in parentheses)

Sergei Rublevsky - 6/8 (5)
Vassily Ivanchuk - 5½/8 (3)
Viktor Bologan - 5/8 (3)
Shakhriyar Mamedyarov 4½/8 (3)
Liviu-Dieter Nisipeanu - 3½/8 (2)
Andrei Volokitin - 3½/8 (2)
Alexander Areshchenko - 3½/8 (1)
Alexander Grischuk - 4/8 (1)
Alexei Shirov - 4/8 (1)
Pentela Harikrishna - 3/8 (1)
Sergey Karjakin - 3/8
Ruslan Ponomariov - 2½/8


Tiviakov, Peng lead Dutch Championships

Sergei Tiviakov, a Russian native, and Peng Zhaoqin, originally from China, lead in the men's and women's division, respectively, of the national championship of their adopted country of Holland in Hilversum.



Sergei Tiviakov and Peng Zhaoqin

Mw. Peng, who has been the Dutch women's champion six years in a row, defeated Bianca Muhren earlier today to take a one-point lead iver Mw. Muhren. Tea Bosboom-Lanchava, a native of the Caucasus nation of Georgia, is in third place.

Mw. Peng has scored 5½ points in six games.

Tiviakov leads the men's division with six points out of eight. He is followed by Loek van Wely, who is seeking his seventh straight Dutch title, and Bosnian native Ivan Sokolov with 5½ points each.

Tiviakov suffered his first defeat on the tournament earlier today at the hands of Jan Smeets. However, van Wely failed to take advantage of Tiviakov's loss by losing himself to Erwin L'Ami. Sokolov, who lost yesterday, bounced back today to defeat Jeroen Bosch, the only master among eleven grandmaster competing in the men's division.

The players in both divisions take a day off tomorrow. The championships conclude Thursday with the eleventh round for the men and the ninth round for the women.

Dutch Championship (Hilversum):
(Number of wins in parenthesis):

Men after eight rounds:

Sergei Tiviakov - 6/8 (5)
Ivan Sokolov - 5½/8 (4)
Loek van Wely - 5½/8 (4)
Daniel Stellwagen - 4½/8 (3)
John Van der Wiel - 4½/8 (3)
Friso Nijboer - 4/8 (3)
Jan Werle - 4/8 (2)
Erwin L'Ami - 4/8 (2)
Jan Timman - 3/8 (1)
Jan Smeets - 3/8 (1)
Jeroen Bosch - 2/8 (1)
Yge Visser - 1½/8 (1)

Women after six rounds:

Peng Zhoaqin - 5½/6 (5)
Bianca Muhren - 4½/6 (4)
Tea Lanchava - 4/5 (3)
Mariska de Mie - 2½/5 (2)
Arlette van Weersel - 3/6 (1)
Linda Jap Tjoen San - 2½/6 (1)
Maartje de Jonge - 2½/6 (1)
Petra Schuurman - 2/6 (1)
Pauline van Nies - 2/6
Biaina Geragousian - ½/6



A note on the Jack Rabbit Chess Report

I have started using CB Light, featuring Fritz 4.01, to enhance the analysis of chosen games. This should make a big difference.

Photo Credits:
Sergei Rublevsky from ChessBase.com
Sergei Tiviakov from British Chess Magazine.de
Peng Zhaoqin from Figo (Germany)

[Jack Rabbit]

4. Update: van Wely's long reign as Dutch champ appears to be at an end

Sergei Tiviakov, playing Black, defeted Dutch national champion Loek van Wely today in the ninth round of the Dutch Championships in Hilversum to maintain a half-point lead over Ivan Sokolov.



Loek van Wely

The loss was van Wely's second in as many rounds. He falls to third place, a point and a half behind Tiviakov. With only two rounds to play, it appears that van Wely's quest for a seventh straight Dutch national title are at an end.

Loek van Wely from Friese Schaakbond (Holland)

[Jack Rabbit]

2. Five Games from Recent Events

Var Akobian, Armenian by birth and American by adoption, met Sergei Tiviakov, Russian by birth and Dutchman by adoption, in the next-to-last round of the San Marino Open earlier this month. Each needed a win for a shot at first prize.



Var Akobian

Var Akobian vs. Sergei Tiviakov
Open Tournament, Round 8
San Marino, June 2006

East India Game: Queen's Indian Defense (Petrosian Variation)

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 b6 4. a3

This is the move promoted in the late fifties by the master of prophylaxis, the late former world champion Tigran Petrosian. White will gain space on the Queen's wing start his fight from there.

4. -- Ba6 5. e3 d5 6. Nbd2 Be7 7. b4 0-0 8. Bb2 dxc4 9. Bxc4 Bxc4 10. Nxc4 a5!?

Both sides are on their way to achieving satisfactory development. Black could complete his more quietly with 10 -- c5 11. bxc5 bxc5 12. o-o Nc6. The move creates some early pyrotechnics on the Queenside to neutralize White's space advantage there. The reader should bear in mind that this game took place in the late rounds of an open Swiss system tournament and a shot at first place was at stake; a draw would not have satisfied neither player.

11. bxa5 b5 12. Nce5 Rxa5 13. a4 bxa4

Black may be a little better after 13. -- Bb4+ 14. Ke2 Qd5 15. axb5 Rxa1 16. Qxa1 Qxb5+ 17. Nd3 Nbd7.

14. Rxa4 c5 15. 0-0

An interesting road to travel would be 15. dxc5!? Bxc5 (or 15. -- Rxc5 16. Bd4 Rc8 17. o-o and an equal game) followed by:

• 16. Qxd8 Rxd8 17. Rxa5 Bb4+ 18. Ke2 Bxa5 19. Ra1 Bc7;
• 16. Rxa5 Bb4+ 17. Nd2 Qxa5; or
• 16. Nd2 Rxa4 17. Qxa4 Qd5 18. Ndf3 Nbd7.

15. -- Rxa4 16. Qxa4 Qb6 17. Ba3 Qa6 18. Qxa6 Nxa6 19. Rc1 Ne4

White comes out a pawn ahead after either 19 -- Nd5 20. Bxc5 Rc8 21. Nd3 Bf6 Kf1 or 19. Rc8 Ng5 Nd5 21. Ne4 f6 22. Nd3.

20. Ne1 Ra8 21. f3 Bg5 22. Nc4

Black is better after 22. fxe4?! Bxe3+ 23. Kf1 Bxc1 24. Bxc1 cxd4.

22. -- Nc7 23. fxe4 Rxa3 24. Rb1 Ra8 25. dxc5

The good news for White is in his passed c-Pawn; the bad news is in his weak doubled e-Pawns.

25. -- Kf8 26. Nf3 Ra4 27. Nfd2 Ke7 28. Kf2 Ra2 29. Kf3

Another line is 29. Ke2 f6 (not 29. -- Ra6? 30. Rb6! Ra1 31. Rb7 Kd7 32. Nf3 Ra2+ 33. Kd3 and White should win after either 33. -- Rxg2 34. Nfe5+ Ke7 35. Rxc7+ or 33. -- Bf6 34. Nd4+ Bxd4 35. exd4) 30. e5 Kd7 31. Rb6 Nd5 32. Rd6+ Kc7 and White would have a better game, but not won.

29. -- Rc2 30. c6 Ra2?

Black would still be able to put up a fight after 30. -- f6 31. e5 f5 32. Ke2 Rc3 33. Rb7 Kd8. White takes full charge from here.

31. Rb7 Kd8 32. Nb3

Also good is 32. Nd6 Rxd2 33. Nxf7+ Kc8 34. Nxg5 Rc2 35. Nxh7 Rxc6 36. Rb1 and White's extra Pawns assure him victory.

32. -- Ra6 33. Ne5 f6 34. Nf7+ Kc8 35. Nd6+ Kd8 36. Nd4 Ra8

Black doesn't do any better sacrificing the exchange for the pesky c-Pawn: 36. Rxc6 37. Nxc6+ Kd7 38. Nd8 Kxd8 39. Ra7 h7 40. Nf7+.

37. Nxe6+ Ke7 38. Nf5+ Kxe6 39. Rxc7 1-0

White threatens checkmate with 40. Re7. If 39. -- Re8, then 40. Rd7 Ke5 41. c7. Tiviakov resigns.


Akobian would tie for the best record in San Marino, but first prize eluded him. It was awarded on a complicated tie break formula to Vadim Milov, Russian by birth and Swiss by adoption.



Vadim Milov

Bartolomiej Heberla vs. Vadim Milov
Open Tournament/Round 3
San Marino, June 2006

Open Sicilian Game: Kan Defense

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 a6

In contrast to the Sveshnikov Defense, the Kan Defense is among the most relaxed of the Open Sicilians. Both sides have a variety of continuations.

5. Be2?!

The main line is 5. Bd3 Nbd7 6. o-o Qc7 7. Qc2 d6 8. c4. The course of the game will show that 5. Bd3 is better than the text.

5. -- Nf6 6. Nc3 Bb4 7. Qd3

Had White played 5. Bd3, he simply would have played here 7. Bd2 to break the pin; as if stands, he must first protect the e-Pawn before breaking the pin. If 7. Bd2?, then then Black would have much the better of it after 7. -- Bxc3 8. Bxc3 Nxe4.

7. -- d6 8. Bd2 Nbd7 9. Nb3

It would be a waste of time to play 9. f4 in order to keep out Black's Knight: 9. f4?! Bxc3 10. Bxc3 e5 11. fxe5 dxe5 12. Nb3 b5.

9. -- Ne5 10. Qe3 b6

Black chooses a hedgehog formation, a frequent occurance in the Kan Defense as opposed to thrusting forward with -- b4.

11. f4 Ng6 12. a3 Bc5 13. Nxc5

It is not usually a good idea to give Black the opportunity to recapture a piece on the c-file with the b-Pawn in the Open Sicilianbut here it is almost forced. This trade justifies Black's choice of a hedgehog pawn structure.

13. -- bxc5 14. e5 dxe5 15. fxe5 Nd7!

It is better for now to protect the c-Pawn than trade it for the e-Pawn.

16. Ne4 0-0 17. 0-0-0 Bb7 18. Nxc5 Nxc5 19. Bb4

White must give up two minor pieces for a Rook. Otherwise, 19. Qxc5 Rc8! 20. Qe3 Qc7 leaves White staring down the barrel of a shotgun.

19. -- Nd7 20. Bxf8 Ngxf8 21. Bf3 Qc7 22. Rd6 Rc8

Black threatens mate on c2 anyway (see previous note).

23. c3 h6

Black, with the upper hand, moves to shorten the White Queen's control of the diagonal and thus limit the possibility of counterplay.

24. Rhd1 Nc5 25. Kb1 a5 26. R1d4 Bxf3

Again with the idea of eliminating counterplay, Black simplifies. The Bishop can no longer be used in defense.

27. gxf3 Nb3 28. Rd1 Rb8

Black shifts the attack to b2. White's advance of the f-Pawn is too little, too late.

29. f4 a4 30. Qe4 Qa7 31. f5 Qf2

Black threatens to win immediately with 32. -- Nc5.

32. fxe6 Nxe6

Black may have been short on time and didn't want to calculate any complications arising from 32. -- Nc5 33. exf7+. The text wins easily and more eligantly.

33. Qxa4 Nbd4 34. b4 Nc5 35. 0-1

The only safe move for the Queen is 35. Qa7, after which follows 35. -- Qc2+ 36. Ka1 Nb3#. Heberla resigns.


The following game is from the first round in the Foros International Tournament. Mamedyarov dominated the early rounds and then fell back. First place is currently held by Rublevsky, who lost to Mamedyarov in the first round.



Shakhriyar Mamedyarov

Sergei Rublevsky vs. Shakhriyar Mamedyarov
International Grandmasters' Tournament, Round 1
Foros, Ukraine, June 2006

Spanish Petit Four Knights' Game

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bb5 Nd4 5. Ba4 c6 6. Nxe5 d5!?

Black deviates from the usual 6. -- d6 7. Nf3 Bg4 8. d3.

7. d3 Bd6 8. f4 Bc5

White would have the advantage after either 8. -- 0-0 9. exd5 cxd5 10. 0-0 Qa5 11. Re1 Bb4± or 8. -- b5 9. Nxc6 Nxc6 10. Bxb5 Bd7 11. e5 d4.

9. exd5 0-0 10. Ne4 Nxe4 11. dxe4 Qh4+

Either 11. -- cxd5 12. c3 b5 13. cxd4 Bb4+ or 11. -- b5 12. Bb3 Nxb3 13. axb3 cxd5 14. Qxd5 would be good for White.

12. g3 Qh3 13. Be3?

The only move that keeps White's position adequately defended is 13. Qd2!; for example, 13 -- Qh4 14. Rf1 Bh3 15. Rf2 cxd5 16. c3 Nc6 17. Nxc6 Bxf2+ 18. Qxf2 bxc6 19. Bxc6.

13. -- Qg2!

Of course, if White had played 13. Qd2. this would not have been possible. White would have a decided advatage after 13. -- Nxc2+? 14. Qxc2 Bxe3 15. dxc6.

14. Rg1 Qxe4 15. Kf2 Re8 16. Qd3

White would do no better to try 16. dxc6 Rxe5 17. fxe5 Qf5+ 18. Kg2 Qe4+ 19. Kf2 because of 19. -- Bg4!.

16. -- Rxe5!!

Black finds his only good move, but it's a crusher. Other moves lose:

• 16. -- Qf3+?? 17. Ke1! Bb4+ 18. c3 and Black loses a piece;
• 16. -- Qxd3? 17. Nxd3 Nxc2 18. Bxc5 Nxa1 19. Rxa1 Bf5 20. Ne5; and
• 16. -- Bf5? 17. Qxe4 Bxe4 18. Rad1 Nf3 19. Bxc5 Nxg1 20. Kxg1

17. fxe5 Qf3+ 18. Ke1 Bf5 19. Rf1

Black has a decisive advantage after 19. Qd2 (19. Qxf5?? Qe2#) Nxc2+ 20. Bxc2 Bb4 21. Qxb4 Qxe3+ 22. Kf1 Bh3+ 23. Rg2 Qf3+ 24. Ke1 Qxg2-+.

19. -- Bb4+ 20. c3 Bxd3 21. Rxf3 Nxf3+ 22. Kf2

No better for White is 22. Kd1 Ba5 23. dxc6 b5 24. b4 Bc7 25. Bc2 Bxc2+ 26. Kxc2 a5.

22. -- Nxh2 23. cxb4 Ng4+ 24. Kf3

Black still stands better after 24. Kg1 Nxe3 25. dxc6 bxc6 26. Rc1 Nc4.

24. -- Nxe5+ 25. Kf4

Black wins after 25. Kf2 cxd5 26. Bd4 Nc6 27. Bxc6 bxc6.

25. -- Ng6+ 26. Kf3

If 26. Kg4, then Black wins after 26. -- Re8 27. Bc5 h5+ 28. Kf3 (28. Kxh5?? {28. Kg5?? Re5#} Be2+ 29. Kg5 Re5#) 28. -- Be4+ 29. Kf2.

26. -- cxd5 27. Rc1 Ne5+ 28. Kf4

Also hopeless for White is 28. Kg2 b5 29. Bd1 Be4+ 30. Kf1 Nd3.

28. -- Ng6+ 29. Kf3

Running away toward the center is definitely no solution for the White King: 29. Kg4 b5 30. Bd1 Ne5+ 31. Kf4 Re8.

29. -- b5 30. Bb3 Bc4 31. Bc2 Ne5+ 32. Kf4

If White plays32. Kg2, he loses after 32. -- Bxa2 33. Ra1 (33. b3 Nc6 34. Bxa7 Rxa7 35. Bd1 Ne7 36. Rc5 Rb7 37. Kf3 g6-+) 33. -- Bc4 34. Rxa7 Rxa7 35. Bxa7 h5.

32. -- f6 33. Rd1 Bxa2 34. b3 Rc8 35. Bc5 a5 36. Bf5

White wins after 36. Rd2 axb4 37. Rxd5 Rc7

36. -- Bxb3 37. Rb1 Bc2 38. Be6+

It won't do Black any good to play 38. Bxc2 axb4 39. Bxh7+ Kxh7 40. Bxb4 Kg6.

38. -- Kh8 39. Ra1 Re8 40. bxa5

If 40. Bxd5, the White loses another Pawn after 40. -- axb4 41. Be4 b3 42. Bd4 b4 43. Ra4 h5 44. Bxe5 g5+ 45. Kf3 Rxe5-+

40. -- Nd3+ 41. Kf3 Nxc5 42. Bxd5 b4 43. a6 Nxa6! 44. 0-1

If 44. Rxa6 then 44. -- b3 and it will cost White a piece to stop the b-Pawn from promoting. Rublevsky resigns.

Ivan Sokolov, Bosnian by birth and Dutchman by adoption, is currently in third place in the Men's Division of the Dutch Championship. Here is one of his victories,



Ivan Sokolov

Ivan Sokolov vs. Jan Smeets
Dutch Championships, Round 1
Hilversum, June 2006

Queen's Gambit: Slav Defense

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. e3

If Black wishes to defer the acceptance of the Queen's Gambit, the Slav is a better platform from which to operate than the Orthodox Defense and its relatives (1 d4 d5 2 c4 e6 3 Nc3 Nf6). The quiet move 4. e3 is one of several methods at White's disposal to meet the Slav. White simply prepares to retake on c4 with the Bishop in the event that Black take the "gambit" Pawn. A noisier approach is 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. a4, which prevents Black from attempting to keep the Pawn by way of 5. -- b5.

5. -- a6

This unlikely move has become very popular in recent years. It prepares for Black to grab space on the Queen's wing.

5. Nf3 Bf5

This is seldom played, but Smeets has ventured it in the past.

6. Bd3

Another move for White here is 6. Qb3 with play continuing 6. -- b5 7. c5 Nbd7 8. a4 or 6. -- b5 7. cxd5 cxd5 8. a4 b4 9. Qxb4 Nc6 10. Qc5.

6. -- Bxd3 7. Qxd3 e6 8. O-O Be7 9. e4 b5

Bacrot-Svidler (Linares, March 2006) continued 9. -- O-O 10. Be3 dxe4 11. Nxe4 Nxe4 12. Qxe4 Nd7 13. Rad1 Qa5 14. a3 Rad8 15. Rfe1 Rfe8; the game ended drawn in 42 moves.

10. cxd5 cxd5 11. e5 Nfd7 12. a4 bxa4 13. Nxa4 Nc6 14. Bd2 Qb8

Black would do just as well to play the more natural-looking 14. -- Qc7, which would lead to lines similar to the game. Dubious would be 14. -- f6?!, which would be followed with 15. Rfc1 fxe5 16. Rxc6 e4 17. Qe3 exf3 18. Rxe6 Ra7 19. Re1 Nf8 20. Ba5 and Black would have some real trouble.

15. Rfc1 Qb7

White has a slight advantage at this point. Black could equalize with 15. -- Nb4 16. Bxb4 Bxb4 17. Qc2 o-o 18. Ng5 g6.

16. Rc3 Nb4 17. Qb1 Rc8

White would also have a minute plus, but far from decisive, after 17. o-o 18. Bg5 f6 (but not 18. -- Bd8? 19. Bfxd8 20. Ng5 g6 21. Rh3 with a menacing attack for White) 19. exf6 Nxf6 20. Qc1 Rac8 21. Bxf6 gxf6 22. Nc5.

18. Raa3 Rc4?!

It would be better to get the King into safety: 18. -- o-o 19.Ng5 (19. Bg5 f6 20. exf6 gxf6 21. Bh6 Rfd8 gives Black a level game) 19. -- Bxg5 20. Bxg5 f6 21. exf6 22. Bh6 Rf7 and it will be difficult for White to take advantage of the breach in the castle walls.

19. Rxc4 dxc4 20. Rc3 Qb5 21. b3

Black's position is defensible after 21. Qa1? Nd5 22. Rc2 o-o.

21. -- cxb3 22. Rc8+!

This is better than taking the Pawn with 22. Rxb3 a5 23. Nc3 Qc4 24. Na2 Nc6 25. Rc3 Qd5.

22. -- Bd8 23. Nc3 Qb7 24. Ne4 O-O

Of course, if 24. -- Qxc8??, White wins immediately with 25. Nd6+. At this point, the position is fairly level. White has to take time to deal with the advanced passed b-Pawn, which give Black time to set up a defense.

25. Nd6 Qb6 26. Qxb3 Nd5 27. Qc2

White is making the best moves, but Black does not slip. 27. Qa4 Nb8 28. Qc2 f6 is no better for White than level.

27. -- h6

Black would open the door for White with 27. -- f6? 28. Rc6 Qa7 29. exf7 N7xf6 30. Ne4 Nxe4 31. Qxe4.

28. Rc6 Qa7 29. Qe4

Black equalizes easily after 29. Nc8 Qa8.

29. -- Nb8 30. Rc1 Qd7 31. Qg4 f5

Another route to an equal game is 31. -- Kh7 32. Qh5 Nc6 33. Nc4 Bc7 34. Ra1 Rb8.

32. Qg6 Ne7 33. Qg3 Kh7 34. h4

The game is still equal with 34. Ral Nd5 35. Nh4 g5.

34. -- Nbc6 35. h5 Bc7 36. Bf4

Not as good would be 36. Nb7?!, after which White would have a small plus with 36. -- Qd5 37. Be3 BB6 38. Nc5 Rc8.

36. -- a5 37. d5 exd5 38. Nh4 Nd4 39. Qd3 Bxd6?

Finally, Black makes a fatal mistake. He should have held on after 39. -- Ne6 40. Bh2 Bb6 41. Rc1 Qc7 42. Ng6 Nxg6 43. hxg6+ Kxg6.

40. exd6 Nec6 41. Be3 Ne6 42. Ng6 Rf6 43. Qxd5 Nb4 44. Qa8!!

White also wins after 44. Qxa5 Qxd6 45. Qb5 Na2 46. Qe8 Nf8 47. Bf4 Qb5 (47. -- Qd5 48. Nf8+ Rxf8 49. Qxg6+) 48. Rc8. However, the text move is simply stunning.

44. -- Rxg6 45. Rc8 1-0

If Black plays 45. -- Nd8 (45. -- Rxg2+ 46. Kxg2 leaves White a piece ahead after 46. -- Qc6+ 47. f3 Nd8 (47. Qxd6 48. Rh8#) 48. Rxd8 Qxa8 49. Rxa8), then White wins the Black Queen with 46. Rxd8 Qxd8 (46. -- Qc6 47. Rh8#) 47. hxg6+. Smeets resigns.


Bianca Muhren is currently in second place in the Women's Division of the Dutch Championships after losing earlier today to Peng Zhaoqin, who is Chinese by birth and a Dutchwoman by adoption.



Bianca Muhren

Petra Schuurman vs. Bianca Muhren
Dutch Championships, Round 2
Hilversum, June 2006

Queen's Pawn Game: Barcza Opening

1. Nf3 d5 2. g3 Nf6 3. Bg2 c6 4. 0-0

This kind of opening is usually employed to get one's opponent on her own rescources quickly.

4. -- Bg4 5. h3 Bh5 6. d4 e6 7. b3 Nbd7 8. Bb2 Bxf3 9. Bxf3 Bd6 10. Nd2 0-0 11. e4

An equal game results from 11. c4 Qa5 12. a3 b5 13. c5 Bc7 14. e4 dxe4 15. Nxe4 Nd5.

11. --e5 12. exd5 cxd5 13. c4 e4 14. Bg2 Re8 15. Re1 dxc4 16. Nxe4 Nxe4 17. Rxe4 Rxe4 18. Bxe4 Qb6

White would have a small advantage owing to the passed d-Pawn after 18. --cxb3 19. axb3 Qb6 20. Qf3 Nf6 21. Bxb7 Rb8 22. Ra6 Qxb7 23. Qxb7 Rxb7 24. Rxd6.

19. Rc1 cxb3 20. Qxb3 Qxb3

Again, the d-Pawn would give White an edge with 20. --Rb8 21. Bg2 Qxb3 22. axb3 a5 23. f4 b5 24. Rc6. However, Black would have chances on the Queenside owing to her advanced Pawn majority.

21. axb3 Rb8 22. h4?!

White has only a small plus after the text and would do no better with 22. Ra1?! a6 23. Kf1 Nf6 24. Bg2. The line 22. f4! a5 23. Kf2 b5 24. Bc6 Nf6 25. Bc3 b4 26. Bb2 looks more promising for White.

22. --h5 23. Bf3

White still has a small advantage with 23. Ra1 a6 24. Ba3 Bxa3 25. Rxa3 Nf8 26. Ra5.

23. --g6 24. Kf1 Kf8 25. Ke2 f5 26. Kd3 Nf6

The Kight will go to d5 when it is safe. Inferior to the text is 26. --b6 27. Rc6 Ke7 28. Bc1 Rd8 29. Bg5+ Nf6 30. Bd5, which would give White a more distinct advantage than she has had in the game.

27. Re1 Kf7 28. Bg2 b6 29. f4?

The text move weakens the Kingside Pawns. White's best try is 29. d5 Rd8 30. Bd4 Nd7 31. Re3 a5 32. Kc4.

29. --Rc8 30. Bc3

30. d5 Nd7 31. Bd4 Bb4 32. Re3 a5

30. --a5 31. Rc1 Bb4 32. Bd2

If 32. Rc2, then Black gets comfortable equality with 32. -- Ne4! 33. Bxe4 Rxc2 34. Kxc2 axb3 35. Kd3 Nxg3. This variation demonstrates the problems with White's 29th move.

32. -- Rxc1 33. Bxc1 Be1!

Black shows with an actual move the weakness wrought by White's 29th move. Inferior tries were 33. --Ke6 34. Kc4 Ne4 35. Be3 Nd2+ 36. Kb5 and 33. --Ke7 34. Bd2 Bxd2 35. Kxd2 Kd6 36. Kd3, both of which maintain equality. With the text move, Black obtains a strong advantage.

34. Kc4 Bxg3 35. Kb5 Bxh4 36. Kc6

Black would also have a distinct advantage after 36. Kxb6 Bf2 37. Kxa5 Bxd4.

36. --Ne4 37. d5 Be7

Also good is 37. --Bd8 38. Be3 Ke7 39. Bg1 h4

38. Kxb6 Bb4 39. Be3 Ke7 40. Kc7 h4

40. --Bd6+ 41. Kc6 h4-+

41. Kc6 Bd6 42. Kb5 Nc3+ 43. Kxa5 Nd1 44. Bd4

Black should win after 44. Bd2 Nf2 45. b4 h3 46. Bf3 h2.

44. --Bxf4 45. b4 g5 46. b5 g4 47. b6 h3 48. Bc5+

No better is 48. Bh1 g3 49. Bf3 Nf2 50. b7 Bb8.

48. --Kd7 49. Bf1 Nc3

Also winning is 49. --h2 50. Bg2 Bb8 51. Bh1 f4 52. Kb5 f3.

50. d6 Bxd6 51. b7

51. Bxd6 Kxd6 52. b7 Kc7 53. Ka6 Kb8 54. Ka5 Nd1 55. Kb4 Nf2 is just a futile.

51. --Bc7+ 52. Ka6 h2 53. Bg2 Ne4 54. Bb6 Bb8

Black wins with 54. --Bd6 55. Ba7 Ng3 56. Bc5 (or 56. b8Q Bxb8 57. Bxb8 h1Q 58. Bxh1 Nxh1 59. Kb5 g3) 56. --Bb8 57. Ba7 Kc7.

55. Ba7 Kc7 56. Bb6+ Kd6 57. Kb5

No better is 57. Ba7 Nc5+ 58. Kb6 Nd7+ 59. Ka6 Bxa7 60. Kxa7 Kc7.

57. --f4!!

Black sacrifices her Knight on the alter of victory. The line 57. --g3 58. Ka6 Nc5+ 59. Kb5 Nd3 60. Be3 f4 also wins, but the text move does it much faster.

58. Bxe4

White has nothing better than to accept the offer of the Knight. Black was threatening 58. -- f3 59. Bh1 Ng3

58. --f3 59. Bf2 Ke6 60. 0-1

A Black Queen must rise from the depths on h1. Mw. Schuurman resigns.

Photo credits:
Var Akobian from the website of the 2005 US Chess Championship
Vadim Milov from the website of the Carlos Torre Memorial Tournament (Mexico)
Shakhriyar Mamedyarov from ChessBase.de (German)
Ivan Sokolov from World Chess Trophy (Czech)
Bianca Muhren from Jeugdschaak (Dutch)

[Jack Rabbit]

3. From Torino: Kramnik-Aronian and Charbonneau-Anand

Classical World Champion Vladimir Kramnik had taken several months off to be treated from spinal arthritis; before his break, he performance was noticibly off. Most people thought FIDE World Champion Topalov would be a shoe in when the two world champions meet for to reunify the title in September.

Kramnik's performance in Torino should make us think again. He's back and he looks as good as new.



Vladimir Kramnik

Vladimir Kramnik (Russia) vs. Levon Aronian (Armenia)
Chess Olympiad, Round 5/Board 1
Torino, May 2006

English Game: Queen's Indian Defense

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. c4 b6 3. g3 c5 4. Bg2 Bb7 5. O-O g6 6. d4?!

White opens up the cneter with this move, but in so doing he chooses between recapturing with his Queen, which could cost time, or with his Knight, which could result in the liquidation of the light-bound Bishops.

6. -- cxd4 7. Qxd4 Bg7 8. Nc3 d6?!

Here, Black could have gained a tempo with 8. -- Nc6.

9. Rd1 Nbd7 10. Be3 Rc8 11. Rac1 a6 12. b3 O-O 13. Qh4 Rc7 14. Bh3!

This is a very subtle attacking move.

14. -- Qb8?

This move looks almost natural, but it removes protection from Black's center, especailly the e-Pawn. A better try might be 14. -- Re8.

15. Bg5!

This quiet move further to undermine Black's center.

15. -- Bxf3 16. exf3 b5 17. Bxd7!

White pulls the string and unties Black's central weaknesses. By exploiting the weaknesses, White takes control of the open file and creates a passed c-Pawn.

17. -- Rxd7 18. Nd5!

Black must take the Knight since 18. -- Rc8 drops the e-Pawn to 19. Bxf6 exf6 20. Nxf6+ Bxf6 21. Qxf6.

18. -- Nxd5 19. cxd5 Rc7 20. Rc6!

This is an example of the restricted advance in the file. If now 20. -- Qa8, White simply doubles the Rooks with 21. Rdc1 and achieves his objective after 21. -- Rxc6 (Rfc8 22. Rxc7 Rxc7 23. Rxc7 wins for White) 22. dxc6.

20. -- Rxc6 21. dxc6

As a result of his exploitation of almost imperceivable weaknesses in Black's center, White has an advanced passed c-Pawn that will ultimately decide the game.

21. -- Rc8 22. Rc1 e6 23. Bd2 Qc7 24. a4

White simply creates new weaknesses on Black's Queen's wing . . .

24. -- d5 25. axb5 axb5 26. Qb4

. . . and exploits them.

26. -- Rb8 27. Qa3 Bd4 28. Qa6 Be5 29. f4 Bd6 30. Ba5

White's manuvuering is aimed at advancing the Pawn.

30. -- Qc8 31. Qa7 Ra8 32. Qb6 Rb8 33. Qd4 b4 34. c7

A Pawn in the seventh rank is considerable advantage at any stage of the game.

33. --Ra8 35. Qb6 Bf8 36. Bxb4 Bxb4 37. Qxb4 Qe8/1-0

White can play 38. Qe6 and then start advancing the b-Pawn, which Black would be helpless to stop. Aronian resigned without waiting for Kramnik to reply.


The following game was regarded as the biggest single upset at Torino. A mere mortal isn't supposed to beat a super grandmater who outrates him by 300 points -- especially one who once played Kasparov for the world title.



Pascal Charbonneau

Pascal Charbonneau (Canada) vs Viswanathan Anand (India)
Chess Olympiad, Round 12/Board 1
Torino, June 2006

Open Sicilian Game: Scheveningen Defense (Maroczy Bind Variation)

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nc6 5. Nb5!?

Preventing Black from steering into the Taimanov Defense (5. Nc3 Qc7) and setting up a Maroczy bind.

5. -- d6 6. c4 Nf6 7. N1c3 a6!

The drawback to White's opening plan is exposed by forcing his Knight to a3 with a move normally seen in many Open Sicilian lines, including the Taimanov.

8. Na3 Be7 9. Be2 O-O 10. O-O b6

Black will content himself with a hedgehog formation in the face of the Maroczy bind.

11. Bf4 Bb7 12. Qd2 Ne5 13. f3

This is the most flexible way to reinforce the e-Pawn and keep the option of a later f4 open.

13. -- Qc7 14. Rac1 Rac8 15. Rfd1 Qb8 16. Kh1 Rfe8 17. Bf1 Kh8

Black signals that he will seek some sort of action on the Kingside.

18. Be3 Ba8 19. Bg1 Rg8

See note to Black's seventeenth move. This prepares the advance -- g5.

20. Qe3 Ned7 21. Nab1 g5 22. Nd2 Bd8 23. b4 Bc7 24. Qe1 Rg6 25. Bd3?!

This move costs White a tempo. Nevertheless, it would have been better to play 25. Be2 immediately.

25. -- Ne5 26. Be2 Rcg8 27. Be3 Rh6?!

One should always look suspiciously when one moves into a pin like this. Black has now given back the tempo White lost on his 25th move on a silver platter. The Pawn break 27. -- g4 was a move to be considered here.

28. Nf1

White uses the regained tempo to set up his defense of the coming attack.

28. -- Rgg6 29. Qd2 Qg8 30. a4 Bb7?!

Black's Kingside attack is held up and he may seek something on the other wing, but this move isn't it. Better is 30. -- a5 and if 31. bxa5 bxa5 then the Bishop at a8 is safe from any frontal attacks from White's Rooks.

31. c5 dxc5 32. bxc5 bxc5 33. Rb1 Bc6 34. Bxc5 g4?

This allows White to attack the central Knight.

35. f4! g3?

Black compounds the error on his previous move by sacrificing the Knight for an attack which is doomed to failure.

36. fxe5 Nxe4 37. Nxe4 Bxe4 38. Bd3 Bxg2+

If 38. -- Bxd3, then 39. Qxd3 gxh2 40. Ng3! (not 40. Qd2 Rxg2 41. Qxg2 Qxg2+ 42. Kxg2 h1=Q+) and White holds.

39. Qxg2 gxh2 40. Bxg6 Rxg6 41. Ng3!

White's King's saftey holds by a thread, but that's more than Black has.

41. -- Rxg3 42. Qe4 Rg4 43. Be7!! 1-0

If 43. -- Rxe4, then White wraps it up with 44. Bf6+ Qg7 45. Rb8+ Bxb8 46. Rd8#. Anand resigns.

Photo Credits:
Vladimir Kramnik from his website
Pascal Charbonneau from ChessCenter.com (The Week in Chess)