The Jack Rabbit Chess Report for May 6

[Jack Rabbit]

The Jack Rabbit Chess Report
for the week ending May 6



Image: Strategy
from IFEM.com

Contents

Post 1: News for the week
Post 2: Diagrams and other features
Post 3: Games from Current and Recent Events

[Jack Rabbit]

1. News for the week ending May 6

Four tie for top honors in Dubai



Four players tied for first prize in the ninth annual Dubai Open in the capital city of the United Arab Emirates.

The four were Levan Pantsulaia of Georfia, Amir Bagheri of Iran, and Azerbaijanis Gadir Guesinov and Sarhan Guliev. Each scored 7 points in nine rounds.

Pantsulaia was award the official tournament championship on the tie break points.

There were 126 players from 24 nations participating.


Russian Team Championships begin in Sochi



The Russian Team Championships began Wednesday in the Black Sea resort of Sochi, near Russia's border with Georgia.

Ten teams qualified for the single round robin event.

After four rounds, the defending champions Tomsk-400, led by Alexander Morozevich and Dmitry Jakovenko, have a perfect score of 8 match points, followed by the Ural team from Ekaterinaburg, headed by Teimour Radjabov and Alexander Grischuk, with 7 match points. Two match points are awarded for each match won over six boards and 1 point for a drawn match.


Kramnik meets Aronian in rapid match: Upset in the making



Kramnik and Aronian at the banquet the Thursday evening in Yerevan
Photo: Official site of the http://www.aroniankramnik2007.am/index.php?Page=photos&Lang=1&Gallery=1/&pnum=2">Aronian-Kramnik Rapid Match

World champion Vladimir Kramnik of Russia and Armenia's leading player, Levon Aronian, began a six-game rapid match Friday in Yerevan, the capital city of Armenia.

After four rounds, Aronian is leading 3-1, after winning both games yesterday. Kramnik won the first game Friday and Aronian the second.

Kramnik cannot win the match outright. In order to tie the match, he must win both games today.

Taking nothing away from Aronian, Kramnik is widely regarded as a better player than the Armenian grandmaster in both classical and rapid time controls.

Only last week in Miskolc, Hungary, Kramnik defeated long-time rival Hungarian grandmaster Peter Leko in an eight-game rapid match, 4½-3½. In late March, Kramnik won the annual Melody Amber Blindfold/Rapid Tournament in Monte Carlo, scoring well in both competitions.


FIDE calls Nigel Short on the carpet



Malcolm Pein put this best in the website of the London Chess center (The Week in Chess).

Chess from Malcolm Pein Chess Tuesday May 1st 2007

There have been some laughable episodes in Fide over the years but I thought Nigel Short was joking when he told me that he has been hauled before the Fide Ethics Committee accused of defaming Fide Vice President Zurab Azmaiparashvili and Deputy President Georgios Makropoulos. Given the antics of this pair over the years I cannot see how this is possible.

Read more at the link.

Editorial comment by Jack Rabbit:

Having Azmaiparashvili or Makropoulos change some one with bringing chess into disrepute is like being called ugly by a toad.


Social Page: Alexandra Kosteniuk is expecting



Alexandra Kosteniuk, one of the world's most popular grandmasters, and her husband/manager, Diego Garces, are expecting their first child in June.



Alexandra Kosteniuk at work
Photo: ChessBase.de (Germany)

The photogenic Ms. Kosteniuk, 23, has successfully promoted chess through work as a fashion model. Being a very beautiful young woman has not kept her from having been the Russian ladies' champion and the world's sixth-ranked woman player. She won the Russian ladies' title in December 2005, but was unable to defend it last December due to matters concerning her pregnancy.

Congratulations to the Garces family and our best wishes for the safe delivery of a healthy baby.


Photo: Kosteniuk.com via Chessville


Calendar



May 10-21, MTel Masters' Tournament, Sofia. Participants: Veselin Topalov (Bulgaria), Shakhiyar Maedyarov (Azerbaijan), Mickey Adams (England), Gata Kamsky (United States), Liviu-Dieter Nsispeanu (Romania), Krishnan Sasikiran (India).

May 15-23: US Championships, Stillwater, Oklahoma. Nine-round Swiss system, 36 participants.

May 18-28: Bosna Tournament, Sarajevo. Participants: Alexander Morozevich (Russia), Nigel Short (England), Artyom Timofeev (Russia), Ivan Sokolov (Holland), Sergei Movsesian (Slovakia), Borki Predojevic (Bosnia).

May 26-June 14: Candidates' Matches for the 2007 World Championship Tournament, Elista, Kalmykia (Russia). Pairings are:

• Levon Aronian (Armenia)-Magnus Carlsen (Norway)
• Alexei Shirov (Spain)-Mickey Adams (England)
• Boris Gelfand (Israel)-Rustam Kasidzhanov (Uzbekistan)
• Etienne Bacro (France)-Gata Kamsky (United States)
• Alexander Grischuk (Russia)-Vladimir Malakhov (Russia)
• Ruslan Ponomariov (Ukraine)-Sergey Rublevsky (Russia)
• Judit Polgar (Hungary)-Evgeny Bareev (Russia)
• Peter Leko (Hungary)-Mikhail Gurevich (Turkey)

[Jack Rabbit]

10. Update: Aronian takes match in Yerevan

Aremenian grandmaster Levan Aronian, the fifth-ranked chess player, scored an upset win in a match of six rapid games against world champion Vladimir Kramnik of Russia in the match completed today in the Armenian capital of Yerevan.

Both games today ended in draws. Aronian wins the match by a 4-2 score.

Today's games were the only draws in the match. Kramnik drew first blood on Friday by winning the first of the two opening day games, but Aronian then stunned the entire chess world by winning the next three games in a row against the technically astute world champion, long regarded as a particularly difficult player from whom to win a full point.

[Jack Rabbit]

2. Diagrams and other features of the JR Chess Report

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White to move
This position is a theoretical draw

Does this picture make sense to you? If not, or if it looks like a bunch of Wingdings, please click here.

Diagrams used in the Jack Rabbit Chess Report are made with Chess Merida, a true type font that is available as freeware at the above link.

Also, the JR chess report makes the main variation in annotations more distinct and readable by putting it in red. A secondary variation, is in blue and other colors are used if needed.

[Jack Rabbit]

3. Games from current and recent events

Chess Games
Analysis by JR and Fritz

Michal Krasenkow - Kjetil Lie, Chess Classic, Round 7, Gaudsal
Vladimir Kramnik - Peter Leko, Rapid Match, Round 3, Miskolc
Levan Pantsulaia - Susanto Megaranto, Open Tournament, Round 3, Dubai
Sergey Rublevsky - Alexander Morozevich, Russian Team Championshiops, Round 2, Sochi

Award-Winning Games from Dresden, Part 2 of 3

Stefan Bromberger - Lutz Espig, European Individual Championships, Round 6, Dresden
Meihriban Shukurova - Ketino Kachiani-Gersinkska, European Individual Championships, Round 9, Dresden

[Jack Rabbit]

4. Kransenkow - K. Lie, Round 7, Gausdal

Michal Krasenkow
Photo: ChessBase.com

Michal Krasenkow vs. Kjetil Lie
Chess Classic, Round 7
Gausdal, Oppland (Norway), April 2007

Open Sicilian Game: Royal Dragaon Defense (Maroczy Opening)

1. Nf3 c5 2. c4 g6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nc6 5. e4 Nf6 6. Nc3 d6 7. Be2 Nxd4 8. Qxd4 Bg7 9. Bg5

• If 9. Be3 0-0 10. Qd2 Be6 11. Rc1 Qa5
• 12. 0-0 Rfc8 13. b3 a6 14. f4 b5 15. f5 Bd7 16. fxg6 hxg6 17. e5 b4 18. exf6 bxc3 19. Qd4 Bxf6 20. Rxf6 exf6 21. Qxf6 is equal (Suba-Deze, Novi Sad 1974).
• 12. f3 Rfc8 13. b3 a6 14. Na4 Qxd2+ 15. Kxd2 Nd7 16. g4 is even.

9. -- 0-0 10. Qd2 Be6 11. Rd1

• If 11. Rc1 Qa5
• 12. f3 Rfc8 13. b3 a6 14. Na4 Qxd2+ 15. Kxd2 Nd7 16. g4 is balanced.
• 12. 0-0 a6 13. b3 Rfc8 14. f4 Rc5 15. Qe3 Re8 16. Kh1 is unclear (Oleksienko-Spiridonov, Breizh Masters, Guingamp (France) 2007).

11. -- a6 12. 0-0 Qc7

• 12. -- Qa5 13. Bxf6 Bxf6 14. Nd5 Qxd2 15. Nxf6+ exf6 16. Rxd2 b5 17. cxb5 axb5 18. a3 gives White an extra pawn and better pawn structure (Campora-Morovic, Spanish TCh, Memorca 1994).

13. b3 Rfc8

• 13. -- Rac8 14. a4 Rfe8 15. Kh1 Nd7 16. Bh6 Bf6 17. f4 Qa5 is equal (Volokitin-Tiviakov, Rur Ind Ch, Istanbul 2003).

14. f4 b5?!

• Black ventures into uncharted waters. The purpose of the move is to fight for queenside space.
• The text move looks like a bust. White now obtains better piece activity and Black must quickly abandon his queenside designs.
14. -- Re8 15. f5 Bd7 16. Kh1 Bc6 17. Qf4 Qa5 18. Rd3 Qe5 19. fxg6 hxg6 20. Qxe5 dxe5 21. Bxf6 Bxf6 22. Nd5 Rab8 gives White an extra pawn, but the position is unclear (Renet-Petursson, IT, Reykjavik 1992).

15. f5

• White turns his attention to the kingside.
• 15. Bxf6 Bxf6 16. Nd5 Bxd5 17. Qxd5 Qa7+ 18. Kh1 Rc5 19. Qd2 Rb8 gives Black slightly better piece activity.

15. -- b4

• Black still tries to keep the balance on the opposite wing.
• 15. -- gxf5 16. exf5 Bd7 17. Bxf6 Bxf6 18. Nd5 Qc5+ 19. Kh1 bxc4 20. Bxc4 gives White a tremendous edge in space and piece activity.
• 15. -- bxc4 16. fxe6 cxb3 17. Nd5 Nxd5 18. exf7+ Kh8 19. exd5 bxa2 20. Qxa2 is completely won for White.

16. fxe6 bxc3 17. exf7+

• Each side has established a passed pawn withing the other's defensive parimiter. Neither pawn is likely to promote, but each can (and eventually does does) cause some axiety to the opposing side.
• For the moment, White has far the better of it with greater piece activity and better mobility.

17. -- Kf8

• This is better than taking the pawn.
• If 17. -- Kxf7? 18. Qxc3 then:
• 18. -- Rab8 19. Qh3 Qa5 20. Bxf6 exf6 21. Qxh7 gives White an overwhelming position.
• 18. -- a5 19. Bg4 Rcb8 20. e5 Qc5+ 21. Kh1 Qxe5 22. Qd2 gives White considerably more mobility.

18. Qe3 Qc5

• Black's c-pawn is advanced, but within White's defensive parimeter it will take preparation to move it with advantage.
• 18. -- c2 19. Rd2 Kxf7 20. Rxc2 Kg8 21. c5 dxc5 22. Bc4+ gives White command of open lines.

19. Bf3 Rab8 20. Qxc5?!

• It's usually better to let one's opponent initiate the exchange. This move only helps Black activate a Rook.
• Better is 20. Rd3 Kxf7 21. Rxc3 Kg8 22. Rc2 a5 23. Qxc5 Rxc5 24. Be3 giving White an active Bishop, more central space and better mobility.

20. -- Rxc5 21. Be3 Ra5 22. Rf2 Nd7 23. Ba7?!

• White attacks a Rook, only provoking it to attack the Bishop in reply.
• Better is 23. Rd5 Rxd5 24. exd5 Ne5 25. Bd1 Nxf7 26. Kf1 Kg8 27. Ke1 when White has an active defense against the advance of the c-pawn.

23. -- Rb7 24. Bd4?!

• Allowing Black to exchange Bishops only helps him relieve his cramped kingside.
• Better is 24. Be3 Ne5 25. c5 dxc5 26. Bg4 Bf6 27. Be6 Nxf7 28. Bxf7 Kxf7 29. e5 wen Whie continues to enjoy better piece activity on the kingside and in the center.

24. -- Bxd4 25. Rxd4 Ne5 26. h3

• The text move keeps the Knight out of g4, but neglects Black's plan to advance the c-pawn.
• 26. Bd1 h6 27. Kf1 Rd7 28. Rd5 Ra3 29. c5 dxc5 30. Rxd7 Nxd7 keeps the c-pawn under watch.

26. -- Nc6?!

• Black initiates a faulty plan.
• If 26. -- Kxf7 then:
• 27. Rd5 Ra3 28. Rc2 Ke6 29. Kf1 a5 30. Rxc3 Rxa2 31. Bd1 Rb4 is level.
• 27. Bd1+ Ke6 28. Rc2 Ra3 29. Rd5 a5 30. Kh2 Rb4 is equal.
• 26. -- Nxf3+ 27. gxf3 Kxf7 28. Rd3 g5 29. Rxc3 h5 30. Rd3 gives White an extra pawn and better mobility.

27. Rd1

• White retreats to defend against the advance of the c-pawn.
• If 27. Rd5
• 27. -- Ra3 28. e5 Nb4 29. Rd1 Rb8 30. exd6 exd6 31. Be4 Rxa2 32. Rxa2 Nxa2 is level.
• 27. -- Kxf7? 28. e5 Rc7 29. exd6 exd6 30. Rxa5 Nxa5 31. Rc2 Nc6 32. Rxc3 gives White an extra pawn and a promising endgame.

27. -- e5?!

• Black sacrifices a pawn hoping for a foothold in the center, but it only make the rank less navigable for the Rook.
• If 27. -- Rb8 28. Bg4 Nb4 29. a4 then:
• 29. -- Re5! 30. Rdf1 Rxe4 31. Bd1 Re3 makes the c-pawn a greater threat, giving Black a strong initiative.
• 29. -- c2? 30. Rdf1 c1Q 31. Rxc1 Nd3 32. Rc3 gives White two extra pawns.

28. Rxd6

• White takes the pawn and gains time on the Knight.
• Although the text is better, White still has a strong position after 28. Rc1 Nd4 29. Rxc3 h6 30. Rd2 Rc5 31. Kf2 Rcc7 32. Rcd3.

28. -- Nd4 29. Rd8+ Kxf7

• Any other move results in checkmate.

Black: Kjetil Lie
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White: Michal Krasenkow
Position after 29. -- Kf8f7:p

30. Bd1+!

• The retreat is defensive, necessary and effective. White must overprotect the c2 square.
• 30. Rd5 Rxd5 31. exd5 Ke8 32. Kh1 c2 33. Rf1 Rf7 34. Rc1 is equal.

30. -- Kg7 31. Rc8

• The best way to keep the pressure up is to push the passed pawn. The preferable method of protecting the pawn with a Rook standing behind it is not possible. White therefore does the next best thing.
• 31. g3 Rf7 32. Rg2 c2 33. Bxc2 Rxa2 34. Bb1 Rxg2+ 35. Kxg2 Nxb3 is a level game.
• 31. g4 Rf7 32. Rg2 c2 33. Bxc2 Rxa2 34. Bb1 Ra3 35. Ba2 is equal.

31. -- Rf7 32. a4 c2 33. Rxc2!

• Obviously, this is the right way to capture the nasty little pawn.
• 33. Bxc2? drops a piece to 33. -- Rxf2 34. Kxf2 Nxc2 35. Rc7+ Kh6 36. g4 Nd4.

33. -- Nxb3 34. c5 Rxa4 35. c6 Ra1

• Cleary, this is Black's best shot.
• After 35. -- Kh6 36. c7 Ra1 37. Re8 Rxd1+ 38. Kh2 Black must give up a Rook to stop the pawn.

Black: Kjetil Lie
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White: Michal Krasenkow
Position after 35. Ra3a1

36. c7!

• The worst White can do now is draw, but that is the most likely outcome.
• 36. Kh2 Rxd1 37. c7 Nd2 38. Rd8 Nf1+ 39. Kg1 Nd2+ 40. Kh2 etc. draws by repetition.
• After 36. Rd8 Rc7 37. Kf2 Kh6 38. Bf3 Na5 39. Rd6 Rb1 the c-pawn is doomed.

36. -- Rxd1+ 37. Kh2 Kh6

• As in the red variation n the note to White's 36th move, 37. -- Nd2 38. Rd8 Nf1+ 39. Kg1 Nd2+ draws by repetition.

38. Rh8

• The move is satisfactory, but not the strongest.
• The fastest road to victory is38. Re8 Rxc7 39. Rxc7 Re1 40. Rxe5 Nd2 41. Ra5leaving Black an exchange up for the ending.

38. -- Rxc7 39. Rxc7 Kg5 40. Rhxh7 Nd2 41. Rcd7 Kf4?

• Black misses his final chance to draw.
• 41. -- Nf1+ 42. Kg1 Nd2+ etc. would still salvage a half point.

Black: Kjetil Lie
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White: Michal Krasenkow
Position after 41. -- Kg5f4

42. Rhf7+!!

• White gains time to escape escape the repetiton of moves.

42. -- Kxe4

• After 42. -- Kg5 43. g3 Nf1+ 44. Kg2 Rxd7 45. Rxd7 Ne3+ 46. Kf3 the Rook trumps the Bishop.

43. h4! Ke3

• 43. -- a5 44. Kg3 Nf1+ 45. Kf2 Ne3 46. Rxd1 Nxd1+ 47. Kg3 Nc3 48. Rf6 cleary gives White the upper hand.

44. Ra7 Nf1+ 45. Kh3 e4

• After 45. -- Ke2 46. Rxa6 Rd3+ 47. Rf3 e4 48. Re6 White wins.

46. Rxa6 Ke2 47. Rxg6 e3 48. h5 Rd3 49. h6 Kd2 50. Rf3 1-0

• After 50. Rf3 Rd5 51. Rxf1 e2 52. Rf2 Ke3 53. Rf8 e1Q 54. Re6+ White's pawns ride home to victory.
• Kjetil resigns.

[Jack Rabbit]

5. Kramnik - Leko, Round 3, Miskolc

Vladimir Kramnik
Photo: From the website of Vladimir Kramnik

Vladimir Kramnik vs. Peter Leko
Rapid Match, Round 3
Miskolc (Hungary), April 2007

East India Game: Queen's Indian Defense (Yoga Opening)

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 b6 4. g3 Ba6

• Once upon a time, 4. -- Bb7 was obligatory here, but the text move is now the most frequently played.
• 4. -- Bb7 5. Bg2 Be7 6. Nc3 0-0 7. 0-0 d5 8. Ne5 c6 is typical of the way Nimzovich handled this defense in the 1920s.
• The text move became better established in the late 1970s.

5. b3 Bb4+ 6. Bd2 Be7 7. Bg2

• 7. Nc3 d5 8. cxd5 exd5 9. Bg2 0-0 10. 0-0 Nbd7 11. Ne5 Bb7 12. Bf4 Re8 13. Rc1 Nf8 14. Bg5 Ne6 15. Bxf6 Bxf6 16. e3 c6 17. Nd3 Qd6 is unclear (Petrosian-Korchnoi, Candidates' Match qf, Ciocco (Italy) 1977).

7. -- c6 8. Bc3

• If 8. 0-0 d5 9. Qc2 Nbd7 10. Rd1 0-0 11. Bf4 Rc8 12. Nc3 then:
• 12. -- Qe8 13. e4 dxc4 14. Nd2 e5 15. dxe5 Ng4 16. Nxc4 Bxc4 17. bxc4 Bc5 18. Rd2 Ndxe5 19. h3 Nf6 20. Na4 Bb4 21. Rdd1 gives White the two Bishops and solid command ot the d-file (Nyback-San Segundo, Eur TCh, Warsaw 2005).
• 12. -- Nh5 13. Bc1 f5 14. e3 g5 15. Ne2 Bd6 16. a4 h6 17. Ba3 Bxa3 18. Rxa3 Qe7 19. Raa1 Nhf6 is unclear (Cyborowski-Chiburdanidze, Lippstadt 2003).

8. -- d5 9. Ne5 Nfd7 10. Nxd7 Nxd7 11. Nd2 0-0 12. 0-0 Rc8

• 12. -- Rb8 13. Bb2 Nf6 14. Rc1 c5 15. cxd5 exd5 16. Re1 Re8 17. e3 Rc8 18. dxc5 bxc5 19. Qc2 gives White an edge in pawn struture (Black has hanging pawns and the mobility of his Queen and Queen's Bishop (Chernin-Sax, Hungarian Ch, Lillafured 1999).

13. e4 c5

• 13. -- b5 14. Re1 dxe4 15. Bxe4 bxc4 16. bxc4 c5 17. d5 exd5 18. Bxd5 Bf6 19. Ne4 Bxc3 20. Nxc3 Nb6 is equal (Bacrot-Leko, Morella-Linares 2006).

14. exd5 exd5 15. dxc5 dxc4 16. c6

• 16. Nxc4 Rxc5 draw agreed (Chernin-Adorjan, Ol, Lucerne 1985).

16. -- cxb3 17. Re1 b2 18. Bxb2 Nc5 19. Nc4 Bxc4 20. Qg4 Bg5

• Leko varies against his victory over Karpov from the year before.
• 20. -- Bf6 21. Bxf6 Qxf6 22. Qxc4 Rfd8 23. Rad1 Rxd1 24. Rxd1 gives White the embryo of threats against Black's back rank (Leko-Karpov, Rapid Match, Miskolc 2006).
• After 20. -- g6? 21. Qxc4 a6 22. Rad1 Qc7 23. Qc3 White has a dominating position.

21. Qxc4 Nd3

Black: Peter Leko
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White: Vladimir Kramnik
Position after 21. -- Nc5d3

22. Be5!

• White sacrifices the exchange; the observant reader will see that he gets it back using his advanced c-pawn.
• 22. Ba3 Nxe1 23. Rxe1 Re8 24. Rxe8+ Qxe8 25. Bd5 h5 26. Kg2 Be7 gives White only one pawn for the exchange while Black has the defensive resources to refute any attack arising out of White's present initiative (Topalov-Anand, FIDE World Ch Trmt, San Luis (Argentina) 2005).

22. -- Nxe1 23. Rxe1 Bf6 24. Bxf6 Qxf6 25. c7 Qd6 26. Rc1 b5 27. Qc2 b4!?

• Black breaks from prior game with a move that has little to recommend it.
• If 27. -- g6 28. Bb7 then:
• 28. -- a5 29. Qc5 Qxc5 30. Rxc5 b4 31. Kf1 forces Black to return the exchange, after which White has the edge with the advanced c-pawn (Radjabov-Aronian, Amber Blf, Monaco 2007).

28. Bb7

• The new move had no effect on White's ability to collect for the loan of the exchange on the 22nd move.
• After 28. Be4 Rfe8 29. Bf5 g6 30. Bxc8 Rxc8 31. h3 a5 32. Qc4 White will have a hard time making progress.

28. -- g6 29. h4 Rfe8?

• Hungarian GM Ferenc Berkes calls this a "blunder." Most others agree.
• 29. -- h5 30. Kf1 a5 31. Qc5 Qxc5 32. Rxc5 again makes White's c-pawn the dominant characteristic of the game (Ivanchuk-Aronian, Amber Rapid, Monaco 2007).
• 29. -- a5 30. Qc6 Qxc6 31. Rxc6 a4 32. Bxc8 Rxc8 33. Rb6 Rxc7 34. Rxb4 gives White the active Rook.
• If 29. -- h5? 30. Bxc8 Rxc8 then:
• 31. Qc4! a5 32. Qb5 Qd2 33. Rc4 gives White the flexibility to either attack Black's back rank or liquidates Black's queenside pawns, depending on how Black chooses to play.
• 31. Qc5? Qxc5 32. Rxc5 Kf8 33. Rb5 Rxc7 34. Rxb4 is drawish.

Black: Peter Leko
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White: Vladimir Kramnik
Position after 29. -- Rf8e8

30. Qa4!

• An individual attack on each Rook is the way to fly.
• 30. Qc5 Qxc5 31. Rxc5 a5 32. Bxc8 Rxc8 levels the game.
• 30. Bxc8 Rxc8 31. Qc5 Qxc5 32. Rxc5 Kf8 33. Rb5 Rxc7 34. Rxb4 is equal.

30. -- Qd2 31. Qc6 a5

• Black's best hope lays in creating a passed pawn on the queenside.
• After 31. -- Re6 32. Qc4 Rce8 33. Rc2 Qe1+ 34. Qf1 a5 35. c8Q Rxc8 36. Rxc8+ White is a piece to the good.

32. Bxc8 Rxc8 33. Kg2

• After 33. Rc2 Qd1+ 34. Kg2 Kg7 35. Rc5 a4 36. Rb5 b3 37. Rb8 White either gans material or liquidates Black's queenside pawns.

33. -- Kg7

• 33. -- Qe2 34. Qd5 Qa6 35. Kg1 Kg7 36. Rc6 Qa7 37. h5 is lights out.

Black: Peter Leko
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White: Vladimir Kramnik
Position after 33. -- Kg8g7

34. Rc2!

• White protects everything and tickles the Queens all at once.
• Also good, but not as strong, is 34. Rc4 h6 35. Re4 Qc3 36. Qxc3+ bxc3 37. Rc4.

34. -- Qd3

• 34. -- Qd4 35. Rc5 a4 36. Rb5 Qa7 37. Rxb4 Qxc7 38. Qxc7 Rxc7 39. Rxa4 gives White the extra pawn in the endgame.

35. Rc5

• After 35. Rc4 Qe2 36. Rd4 Qe5 37. Rd7 Qf6 38. Qb7 Rd8 39. cxd8Q White soon delvers mate.

35. -- a4 36. Qxa4

• This puts an end to Black's hopes of creating counterplay around a passed pawn on the queenside.

36. -- Qe4+ 37. Kh2 Qd4 38. Qc2 h5

• 38. -- h6 39. Rc6 Kh7 40. Kg2 Qd5+ 41. f3 Qe5 42. Qe4 Qxe4 43. fxe4 allows White to activate his King.

39. Kg2 Qd6 40. Qb2+ f6 41. Qc2 Kf7 42. Qc4+ Kg7 43. Rc6 Qd7 44. Qc5 Kf7 1-0

• 45. Rd6 Qe7 46. Qd5+ Kg7 47. Rd7 Rxc7 48. Rxe7+ Rxe7 49. Qb5 is devastating.
• Leko resigns without waiting for Kramnik to reply.

[Jack Rabbit]

6. Pantsulsaia - Megaranto, Round 3, Dubai

Levan Pantsulaia
Photo: Website of the 2007 Dubai Open

To view this game:

• Please click here.
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Levan Pantsulaia vs. Susanto Megaranto
Open Tournament, Round 3
Dubai, April 2007

Queen's English Game: Slav Defense

1. c4 Nf6 2. Nf3 c6 3. g3 d5 4. Bg2 Bg4 5. Ne5 Bf5 6. cxd5 cxd5 7. Nc3 Nc6 8. Nxc6

• 8. Qa4 Bd7 9. Nxd7 Qxd7 10. d3 e6 11. 0-0 Be7 12. e4 0-0 13. Bg5 Nxe4 14. dxe4 Bxg5 15. exd5 exd5 16. Nxd5 Qd6 17. Rad1 Rad8 18. Qb5 Qb8 gives White an edge in mobility (Gonzales-Cuartas, Ol, Cavia 2004)./li]

8. -- bxc6 9. d3 e6

• 9. -- Qd7 10. Qa4 g6 11. e4 Be6 12. 0-0 Bg7 13. Bf4 0-0 14. Be5 Rfd8 15. Rac1 Bh6 16. Rcd1 d4 is unclear (Christiansen-A. Ivanov, Northeast Op, Chelmsford 2001)./li]

10. 0-0 Be7

Black: Susanto Megaranto
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White: Levan Pantsulaia
Position after 10. -- Bf8e7

11. e4!?

• White introduces a new move with center pawn thrust. It's a good move, but probably not btter than what has been played here before.
• If 11. Qa4! Qd7 12. e4 Bg6 13. f4 then:
• 13. -- Bc5+ 14. Kh1 Ng4 15. d4 Bb6 16. f5 exf5 17. exf5 Bh5 18. h3 Nf6 19. Bg5 Ne4 gives White the advantage in space and mobility (Schebler-Stupak, Czech Op, Pardubice 2006).
17. -- Bxf5? 18. Rxf5 Qxf5 19. Qxc6+ White wins.
• 13. -- Rb8 14. f5 Rb4 15. Qa5 exf5 16. exd5 cxd5 17. Bg5 White has a edge in activity.

11. -- Bg6

• The immediate retreat is best.
• If 11. -- dxe4 12. dxe4 Bg6 13. Qa4 then:
• After 13. -- Qc7 14. e5 Nd7 15. Bxc6 Rc8 16. Bxd7+ Qxd7 17. Qxd7+ Kxd7 18. Be3 White has an extra pawn.
• After 13. -- 0-0 14. Qxc6 Rc8 15. Qa4 Qb6 16. e5 Ne8 17. Qb5 White has an extra pawn and superior piece mobility.

12. h3?!

• White seems determined to show he can win this game with Qa4. which is still the best move here.
• If 12. Qa4! then:
• 12. -- 0-0 13. Qxc6 Rc8 14. Qa4 Qb6 15. Qb3 dxe4 16. dxe4 gives White an extra pawn.
• 12. -- Qc7 13. exd5 exd5 14. Nxd5 Nxd5 15. Bxd5 Rc8 16. Re1 gives White an extra pawn and and a dominating activity.

12. -- 0-0 13. Qe2!?

• This inaccuracy is probably a deliberate attempt to coax Black into a faulty plan.
• 13. Qc2 Qb6 14. Bg5 dxe4 15. dxe4 Rfd8 16. Rad1 Rab8 17. Na4 Qb5 18. f4 is unclear.

13. -- Qb6?!

• A move by which Black attacks a couple of well-guarded pawns.
• Better is 13. -- d4 14. Nd1 Rb8 15. Bf4 Rb5 16. Rc1 Qb6 with equality.

14. Kh2 Qa6 15. Qc2 Nd7 16. f4 f5?

• Black already has sufficient pressure on f5 to prent the apwn advance. He should turn his attention elsewhere.
• Correct is 16. -- Bd6 17. Be3 Rab8 18. Rac1 when:
• 18. -- c5 19. d4 dxe4 20. Bxe4 Bxe4 21. Nxe4 Qxa2 gives Black an extra pawn.
• 18. -- e5 19. Na4 exf4 20. Bxf4 Bxf4 21. gxf4 Rfc8 is balanced.

17. exd5 exd5 18. Re1 Bf6

• There us no way back now.
• Black would still have some fight left after 18. -- Bd6!? 19. Nxd5 cxd5 20. Bxd5+ Bf7 21. Bxa8 Rxa8 22. d4 although White is an exchange up and has three pawns for a minor piece.

19. Re6!

• The Rook explodes like a bomb in the middle of Black's position.
• 19. Nxd5 cxd5 20. Bxd5+ Bf7 21. Bxa8 Rxa8 22. d4 Be6 is equal.

19. -- Bf7

Black: Susanto Megaranto
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White: Levan Pantsulaia
Position after 19. -- Bg6f7

20. Bxd5!!

• The exchange sacrifice will pay dividends.
• If 20. Rd6?! Qb7 then:
• 21. Nd1 Rac8 22. Ne3 Qc7 23. Nxf5 Rfe8 24. Rxf6 Nxf6 25. Qc5 Rb8 gives Black the edge in mobility.
$$
• After 21. Qa4 Nb8 22. Rxf6 gxf6 23. d4 Re8 24. a3 Qa6 25. Qd1 Nd7 Black is focusing on e2.

20. -- Bxe6 21. Bxe6+ Kh8 22. Bxd7

• White has a pawn and two minor pieces for the Rook.

22. -- Rad8 23. Be6 Rfe8

• This just loses another pawn.
• If 23. -- Rde8 24. Bc4 Qb6 25. Qd2 Re7 26. d4 then:
• 26. -- Bxd4 27. Na4 Bg1+ 28. Kg2 Qd4 29. Qxd4 Bxd4 30. Bd2White continues to enjoy the advantage of two active minor pieces against a Rook.
• 26. -- Qxd4 27. Qxd4 Bxd4 28. Bd2 Rb8 29. Bb3 g6 30. Re1 White has two minor pieces for a Rook and threatend the hanging Rook at e7.

24. Bxf5 Re1

• This move is not as bold as it looks. It causes White little discomfort.

25. Qd2 Bxc3 26. bxc3 Rde8 27. Bg4 Qb6 28. Qg2 Rb8 29. h4 a5

• After 29. -- Qc5 30. Ba3 Qxc3 31. Rxe1 Qxe1 32. Qc2 Qb1 33. Qe2 White maintains his material esge.

30. a4 Qb3 31. Qd2 Rbe8 32. Bb2 Rxa1 33. Bxa1 Qxa4

• Black finally gets a pawn back . . .

34. Bb2 Qa2 35. c4 Kg8 36. Bd7 Re7 37. Bxc6

• . . . only to lose another.

37. -- h6 38. Bd5+ Kh7 39. Be4+ Kg8 40. Qc3 a4 41. Qa3 Qxa3 42. Bxa3 1-0

• White's material superiority makes further resistance futile.
• Susanto resigns.

[Jack Rabbit]

7. Rublevsky - Morozevich, Round 2, Sochi

Here is an exciting game of chess from two of the world's most exciting players.



Alexander Morozevich
Photo: ChessBase.com

Sergei Rublevsky (Ladya) vs. Alexander Morozevich (Tomsk-400)
Russian Team Championships, Round 2
Sochi, May 2007

Closed German Game: Tarrasch Opening (Caro-Kann Defense)

1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. e5 Bf5 4. Nd2

• The Short and Tal of the Closed German:
• If 4. Nf3 (the Short Opening) 4. -- e6 5. Be2 then:
• 5. -- c5 6. Be3 cxd4 7. Nxd4 Ne7 8. Bg5 Qa5+ 9. Nc3 gives White a small but tangible edge in space.
• After 5. -- Nd7 6. 0-0 Ne7 7. Nh4 Bg6 8. Nd2 c5 9. c3 Nc6 10. Nxg6 hxg6 11. Nf3 White has an edge in space.
• If 4. h4 (the Tal Opening) then:
• 4. -- h5 5. c4 e6 6. Nc3
• 6. -- Be7 7. Qb3 Qb6 8. c5 Qc7 9. Qa4 Nd7 10. Nf3 Bg4 11. Nh2 Bf5 12. Bg5 f6 13. exf6 gxf6 14. Be3 Nh6 is equal
(Akopian-Sargissian, Aeroflot Op, Moscow 2002).
• 6. -- Nd7 7. cxd5 cxd5 8. Bg5 Be7 9. Qd2 f6 10. exf6 Ngxf6 11. Nge2 Rc8 12. Ng3 Nb6 13. Bb5+ Kf7 14. 0-0 a6 15. Bd3 eliminates White's most active piece (Mokry-Szilagyi, Olomouc 1982).
• 4. -- h6 5. g4 Bd7 6. Nd2 c5 7. dxc5 e6 8. Nb3 Bxc5 9. Nxc5 Qa5+ 10. c3 Qxc5 11. Nf3 Ne7 12. Bd3 Nbc6 13. Be3 Qa5 14. Qd2 gives White an edge in space (Kramnik-Leko, World Ch, Brissago 2004).

4. -- e6 5. Nb3 Nd7 6. Nf3 Qc7

• 6. -- Ne7 7. Be2 h6 8. 0-0 Bh7 9. c3 Nf5 10. Bd3 Bg6 11. a4 Be7 12. a5 a6 13. c4 Nh4 14. Nxh4 Bxd3 15. Qxd3 Bxh4 16. cxd5 cxd5 17. f4 0-0 18. f5 gives White a solid advatnage is space (Sitnikov-Kadimova, Muni Op, Moscow 2007)./li]

7. Bd3!?

• White breaks out and heads for unfamiliar lands. The offers an exchange of Blacks's most active piece.
• 7. Be2 c5 8. dxc5 Nxe5 9. Nfd4 Bg6 10. h4 h5 11. Bf4 Nf3+ 12. Bxf3 Qxf4 13. Qe2 a6 14. Bxd5 Bxc5 15. Bxb7 Bxd4 16. Nxd4 gives White a quick victory after a few more moves (Tseshkovsky-Sagatelov, Sarkisov Mem Op, Krasnodar 2003)./li]

7. -- Bg4

• Black wisely declines the invitation to exchange Bishops.
• 7. -- Bxd3 8. Qxd3 h6 9. Bd2 0-0-0 10. 0-0 f6 11. Qg6 gives White more space, but Black's position is solid and defensable.

8. h3 Bxf3 9. Qxf3 c5 10. dxc5?!

• If this is a calculated risk, than it appears to be more risk than calculation.
• 10. Bb5 c4 11. Nd2 Rd8 12. 0-0 Qa5 13. Bxd7+ Rxd7 14. c3 gives White a little more freedom.

10. -- Bxc5?

• Black misses a golden opportunity and buys himself a peck of trouble.
• If 10. -- Qxe5+ 11. Qe3 Qc7 then:
• After 12. Bb5 Ngf6 13. 0-0 0-0-0 14. c6 bxc6 15. Ba6+ Kb8 White's spatial edge is temporary, for example: 16. Bd2 Bd6 17. Rad1 Ne4 leaves Black better.
12. Qf4 Qxf4 13. Bxf4 Nxc5 14. Nxc5 Bxc5 yields an extra pawn to Black.

11. Nxc5 Nxc5 12. Bb5+ Nd7 13. 0-0

• Black readies for operation in the center by getting his King out it.
• 13. Bxd7+ Qxd7 14. Qg4 f5 15. Qh5+ g6 16. Qe2 White has more freedom. but Black is better now than after the text move.

13. -- Ne7 14. Bg5 Nf5 15. c4!

• White is ready to open the center for his Rooks even before thaty are there.
• 15. Rad1 h6 16. Be3 0-0 17. Bxd7 Qxd7 18. c4 d4 19. Rd3 is equal.

15. -- h6

• Black's needs to limit White's occupation of his territory.
• 15. -- d4 16. Rad1 0-0 17. Bxd7 Qxd7 18. g4 Ne7 19. Bxe7 Qxe7 20. Rxd4 nets an extra pawn for White.

Black: Alexander Morozevich
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White: Sergei Rublevsky
Position after 15. -- h7h6

16. cxd5!!

• White plays brilliantly. He ignores the attack on the Bishop and demolishes Black's center pawns.
• 16. Bf4 dxc4 17. Qc3 0-0 18. Qxc4 Qxc4 19. Bxc4 Nb6 is even.

16. -- Nd4

• Having failed to drive out the Bishop, Black ties to drive the Queen away from the attack.
• If 16. -- hxg5 17. dxe6 fxe6 18. Rfd1 then:
• 18. -- 0-0 19. Bxd7 Nd4 20. Qg4 Qxd7 21. Rxd4 Qb5 22. Qxe6+ Kh8 23. Rd2 White has an extra pawn, which is passed and advanced.
• After 18. -- 0-0-0 19. Rac1 Nc5 20. b4 g4 21. hxg4 Nh4 22. Rxd8+ Rxd8 23. Qg3 White wins a Knight.

17. Qd3??

• This is a horrible blunder that loses a piece.
• Correct is 17. Bxd7+ Qxd7 18. Qg4 when:
• 18. -- hxg5 19. Qxd4 Qxd5
• 20. Rad1! Qb5 21. b3 Rh4 22. Qe3 Rf4 23. f3 gives White better mobility.
• 20. Qxd5? exd5 21. Rfd1 Rd8 22. Rac1 Rh4 23. Rc7 Rd7 is equal.
• 18. -- Qxd5 19. Bf4 0-0 20. Bxh6 Qxe5 21. Rfe1 f5 22. Qg5 Qf6 23. Rad1gives White a solid advantage is piece mobility.

Black: Alexander Morozevich
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White: Sergei Rublevsky
Position after 17. Qf3d3

17. -- Nxb5!

• Black finds the only move that turns the game around.
• 17. -- Qxe5 18. Bxd7+ Kxd7 19. dxe6+ Ke8 20. Rfe1 Qd6 21. exf7+ Kxf7 22. Be7 gains time to put Black's King in a mating attack.
• After 17. -- hxg5 18. Qxd4 Rh4 19. Qe3 Rb4 20. a4 a6 21. Rac1 Qd8 22. Bxd7+ Qxd7 23. d6 the White Rooks palys to c7.

18. dxe6

• Black still gains and holds an extra piece after 18. Qxb5 hxg5 19. dxe6 fxe6 20. Rfd1 Qc6.

18. -- hxg5 19. exf7+

• Whate has managed to gain three pawns for the piece and it appears that he has chances in an unclear position.

Black: Alexander Morozevich
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White: Sergei Rublevsky
Position after 19. ef7+:p

19. -- Kf8!!

• Black again finds the only winning continuation.
• After 19. -- Kxf7? 20. Rac1 Qb6 21. Qxd7+ Kg8 22. Rfd1 Rf8 23. a4 Qxf2+ 24. Kh1 Qxb2 25. Qd5+ White wins.

20. e6 Nc5 21. Qxb5 Nxe6 22. Rfd1 a6 23. Qa4 Rh4 24. Qa3+

• 24. Qd7 Qxd7 25. Rxd7 Rb8 26. g4 Rh6 27. Re1 Rf6 28. Re5 Rxf7 liquidates White's queenside pawns.

24. -- Kxf7 25. Rac1 Qe7 26. Qb3

• With White a piece in the hole, 26. Qxe7+ Kxe7 27. f3 Rd8 28. Rxd8 Kxd8 would simply be to Black's advantage.

26. -- Rb4 27. Qf3+ Kg8 28. Re1 Qf7 29. Qd5 Re8 30. Rc3 Rb5 31. Qd6

• 31. Qe4 Nc7 32. Qb1 Rbe5 33. Rxe5 Rxe5 34. Qc1 Qe6 35. Kf1 Ne8 is won for Black.

31. -- Nf4 32. Rce3 Rxe3 33. fxe3 Nh5 34. Rf1

• 34. b3 Rd5 35. Qb4 Re5 36. Rf1 Nf6 37. Qc3 Re8 is no better for White.

34. -- Nf6 35. e4 Qe8 36. Qc7 Qxe4 37. 0-1

[Jack Rabbit]

8. Bromberger - Espig, Round 6, Dresden

Stefan Bromberger, your name is in lights!

Stefan Bromberger is a 25-year-old international master from Germany with a rating just under 2500. He's obviously a good player, but not a likely candidate to play one of the immortal games in chess annals.

However, he was awarded recognition for the best-played game in the open competition in the 6th round.

Hail to the unknown champion!



Stefan Bromberger
Photo: ChessBase.de (Germany)

Stefan Bromberger vs. Lutz Espig
Ruropean Individual Championships, Round 6
Dresden, April 2007

Best Game of Round 6, Open Competition

Open Sicilian Game: Taimanov Defense

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 a6 5. Nc3 Qc7 6. Bd3 Nc6 7. Be3 Nf6 8. 0-0 Ne5

• 8. -- b5 9. Nxc6 Qxc6 10. a3 Bb7 11. Qe2 Be7 12. f4 0-0 13. e5 Nd5 14. Nxd5 Qxd5 15. c4 bxc4 16. Bxc4 Qc6 17. Rac1 Bc5 18. Bxc5 Qxc5+ 19. Qf2 gives White advantages in space and piece activity (Colovic-Sjoberg, Eur Club Cup, Panormo (Greece) 2001).

9. h3 Bc5 10. Kh1

• 10. Qe2 d6 11. f4 Ng6 12. Nb3 Bxe3+ 13. Qxe3 0-0 14. Rae1 b5 15. e5 dxe5 16. Bxg6 hxg6 17. Qxe5 Qa7+ 18. Kh2 Bb7 is equal (Hennings-Hort, Havana 1971).

10. -- d6 11. f4 Nxd3

• If 11. -- Ng6 12. Qe1 0-0 13. f5 Ne5 14. Qh4 b5 then:
• 15. Rf3? Nxf3 16. gxf3 Ne8 17. Rg1 gives White a huge advantage in space (Garcia-Vescovi, American Continental, Cali (Colombia) 2001).
• After 15. fxe6 fxe6 16. Rad1 Nxd3 17. Rxd3 b4 18. Nd1 Bxd4 19. Rxd4 Black's queenside space is more effective than White's space overall.

12. cxd3 b5 13. Rc1

• 13. Qd2 0-0 14. Rac1 Qb6 15. Nce2 b4 16. Nc2 Bxe3 17. Nxe3 Qb8 18. f5 Bd7 19. Ng4 gives White the edge in space (Gagunashvili-Shaposhnikov. World Jr Ch, Athens 2001).
• After 13. Nc2 Bb7 14. Rg1 0-0 15. f5 Bxe3 16. Nxe3 Qb6 17. Ng4 Nxg4 18. Qxg4 White has a little more space, but Black has better mobility (Dembo-Fogarasi, First Saturday, Budapest 10. 2001).

13. -- Qb6 14. Nce2 e5?

• This novelty is a bust. White refutes it convinvingly.
• 14. -- 0-0 15. b4 Bxb4 16. Nc2 Qa5 17. Nxb4 Qxb4 18. Bd2 Qa3 19. Bc3 Nd7 is unclear (Stocek-Sakovich, Czech Op, Pardubice 1999).

15. fxe5 dxe5

Black: Lutz Espig
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White: Stefan Bromberger
Position after 15. -- de5:p

16. Rxc5!

• 16. Nxb5 Qxb5 17. Rxc5 Qxb2 18. Qc1 Qxc1 19. Rxe5+ Be6 20. Rxc1 gives White an extra pawn, much better King safety and more active Rooks.

16. -- Qxc5 17. Nf5 Qc6

• If 17. -- Qf8 18. Qc2 then:
• 18. -- Bd7 19. Qc7 Rc8 20. Nd6+ Ke7 21. Nxc8+ Qxc8 22. Qxe5+ White is a pawn up with an attack on an exposed Black King.
• After 18. -- Nd7 19. Qc6 Rb8 20. Ba7 Bb7 21. Nd6+ Ke7 22. Nxb7 Rxb7 23. Qxb7 White is a Bishop to the good.

18. Nxg7+ Kf8

Black: Lutz Espig
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White: Stefan Bromberger
Position after 18. -- Ke8f8

19. Nd4!!

• White sacrifices a second piece.
• If 19. Qb3 Kxg7 20. Bg5 Re8 21. Bxf6+ Kg8 22. Qd1 h6 23. Nd4 then:
• 23. -- Qd6 24. Qh5 Qf8 25. Bxe5 Bd7 26. Rf6 238
• After 23. -- exd4 24. Qh5 Bf5 25. Qxh6 Black must surrender his Queen to avert mate.

19. -- exd4 20. Bxd4 Kxg7

• White is now playing a whole Rook down and winning.

21. Qh5?

• White jeopardizes his victory with a serious inaccuracy
• Correct is 21. Qd2 (defending all vulnerable points in White's camp) 21. -- Bf5 22. Rxf5 h6 23. Qf4 Kg8 24. Rxf6 when Black can resign.
Black should now be able to fins sufficient counterplay to equalize or, more likely with White a piece down, better.

21. -- h6 22. Qe5 Re8?

• Black misses his only opportunity.
• After 22. -- Qe6 23. Qxf6+ Qxf6 24. Bxf6+ Kh7 25. Bxh8 Kxh8 26. Rxf7 White has three pawns for a piece, but the pawns are too distant to count for much.

23. Qg3+!

• White finds the right continuation to set things straight.
• After 23. Qxf6+? Qxf6 24. Rxf6 Kf8 25. Rxh6 Ke7 26. Bc5+ Kd8 Black is a Rook up and his position is safe.

23. -- Kh7

• After 23. -- Kf8 24. Bxf6 White threatens mate on g7.

Black: Lutz Espig
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White: Stefan Bromberger
Position after 23. -- Kg7h7

24. Rxf6!!

• Only thus! Other moves turn the table against White.
• If 24. Bxf6? Rg8 25. Qf3 Qc2 then:
• 26. a3 Ra7 27. b4 a5 28. bxa5 Rxa5 29. Be7 Ra7 30. Bd6 Rd7 wins for Black.
• After 26. Bc3 Be6 27. a3 Rad8 28. d4 f5 29. Re1 Rg5 30. Re2 Qd1+ 31. Kh2 Rdg8 Black is a Rook to the good and closing for the kill.

24. -- Qxf6 25. Bxf6

• Instead of carrying out an attack down a piece, White now has the material advantage of a Queen and two pawns for a pair of Rooks.
• The rest requires no comment.

25. -- Rg8 26. Qf4 Be6 27. d4 Bxa2 28. d5 Rg6 29. h4 h5 30. Qf5 Kh6 31. Bd4 Rf8 32. Bc5 1-0

• After 32. -- Kg7 33. Bxf8+ Kxf8 34. Qxh5 White has a Queen and two pawn for a Rook and a minor piece.
Herr Espig resigns.

[Jack Rabbit]

9. Shukurova - Kachiani-Gersinkska, Round 9, Dresden

Ketino Kachiani-Gerinska was born in Soviet Georgia. She now lives in Germany and represents the German Chess Federation in international events.



Ketino Kachiani-Gersinska
Photo: ChessBase.de (Germany)

Meihriban Shukurova vs. Ketino Kachiani-Gersinska
European Individual Championships, Round 9
Dresden, April 2007

Best Game of Round 9, Ladies' Competition

Spanish Grand Royal Game: Worrell Opening (Marshall Gambit)

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. Qe2

• 5. 0-0 Be7 6. Qe2 b5 7. Bb3 0-0 8. c3 is the same as the text by transposition.

5. -- b5 6. Bb3 Be7 7. c3 0-0 8. 0-0

Black: Ketino Kachiani-Gersinska
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White: Meihriban Shukurova
Position after 8. 0=0

8. -- d5!

• The Marshall Gambit seems to be the best way to handle the Worrell Opening.
• The mainline is 8. -- d6 9. d4 Bg4 10. Rd1 then:
• 10. -- exd4 11. cxd4 d5 12. e5 Ne4 13. Nc3 Nxc3 14. bxc3 Qd7 15. h3 Bh5 16. g4 Bg6 17. Ne1 Na5 is satisfactory for both sides (Spassky-Szab0, Goteborg 1955).
• 10. -- Qe8 11. h3 Bh5 12. a4 Rb8 13. axb5 axb5 14. d5 Nd8 15. c4 Nb7 16. cxb5 Nc5 17. Bc2 Qxb5 18. Qe3 Ra8 is even (Matikozian-S. Atalik, Western Pacific Op, Burbank, California 2005).

9. exd5

• Unlike the mainline Marshall Gambit, White is not compelled to accept the pawn here.
• If 9. d3 Re8 10. Nbd2 Bf8 then:
• 11. Re1 Bb7 12. a3 h6 13. Ba2 a5 14. exd5 Nxd5 15. d4 Na7 16. dxe5 Nf4 17. Qf1 Qd7 18. e6 Nxe6 19. Ne5 gives White a negligable edge (Poluljahov-Geller, Moscow 1992).
• 11. a3 h6 12. Ba2 Be6 13. Rd1 Qd7 14. exd5 Nxd5 15. Ne4 Nf4 16. Bxf4 exf4 17. Bxe6 Rxe6 18. Qc2 Rae8 is unclear (J. Polgar-Adams, Las Palmas 1994).

9. -- e4?!

• This move is risky, to say the least.
• Safer is9. -- Nxd5 10. Nxe5 Nf4 11. Qe4 Nxe5 12. d4 when:
• 12. -- Bb7!? 13. Qxb7?! Ne2+ 14. Kh1 Nxc1 15. dxe5 Nxb3 16. axb3 Qd3 17. Kg1 is level (Dimitrijevic-Fr. Lombardy, Op IT, New York 1987).
• 12. -- Ne2+? 13. Qxe2 Ng6 14. Nd2 Bb7 15. Nf3 Bd6 16. Ne5 Qh4 17. f4 Rae8 18. Bd2 c5 19. Qf2 White is up by a pawn and Black should decline the offer to trade Queens (Brinkmann-Schlage, Berlin 1928).

10. Ng5 Na5 11. Bc2 Nxd5!?

• The game is complicated and White is better. Black tries to remedy this by making it more complicated.
• 11. -- Bd6 12. Nxe4 Bxh2+ 13. Kxh2 Ng4+ 14. Kg3 f5 15. f4 fxe4 16. Bxe4 Qd6 17. d4 gives White two extra pawns, but lagging development and King safety are factors against her (Jacobs-Hebden, Britain 1989).
• 11. -- Bg4 12. Qe1 Qxd5 13. Nxe4 Rfe8 14. f3 Bf5 15. d3 c5 16. Nbd2 Nc6 17. Nxf6+ Bxf6 18. Ne4 Be7 19. Bf4 gives White a solid position; Black does not have sufficient compensation for the pawn (Kurniawan-Morrison, St. John's U, New York 2001).

12. Nxe4?!

• Whites misses a golden opportunity.
• 12. Nxh7 Re8 13. Bxe4 Bb7 14. d4 g6 15. Qf3 Bh4 16. g3 gives White two extra pawns and a better center; the Knight is safe because of 16. -- Kxh7 17. Qxf7+ Kh8 18. Qxg6 Rxe4 19. Qxe4.

12. -- f5 13. Ng3 f4!?

• Again, Black presents White with a choice.
• After 13. -- c5 14. d3 f4 15. Ne4 f3 16. gxf3 Bd6 17. Nxd6 Qxd6 18. Re1 White has two extra pawns and solid command of the e-file.

14. Ne4?!

• Again, White does not chose widely.
• After 14. Qd3 g6 15. Ne4 f3 16. gxf3 Nc6 17. Bb3 both King positions are weakened, but White has better positioned pieces and should exploits Black's weakness first.

Black: Ketino Kachiani-Gersinska
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White: Meihriban Shukurova
Position after 14. Ng3e4

14. -- f3!!

• Black sacrifices a second pawn to disrupt White's kingside. This sacrifice is possible because of Black's superior development.
• After 14. -- c5 15. d3 Bb7 16. Nbd2 Qd7 17. Re1 Rae8 18. Nf3 White still has her extra pawn and her pieces are coming to life.

15. gxf3 Nf4 16. Qe3 Nc4 17. Bb3 Kh8

• Black plays a prophylactic move to get her King out of the line of fire of White's Bishop.
• If 17. -- Be6 18. Bxc4 Bxc4 then:
• 19. Re1 Bg5 20. Qd4 Ne2+ 21. Rxe2 Bxe2 22. Qxd8 Bxd8 gives Black the exchange for her two pawns.
• 19. d3 Bxd3 20. Rd1 Qd7 21. Kh1 Rad8 22. Nbd2 Bxe4 gives Black an overwhelming edge in piece activity.

18. Bxc4 bxc4 19. d4?

• White could not have thought that Black would have allowed the pawn to advance, and she doesn't.
• White still had a move: 19. Kh1 Rb8 20. b4 cxb3 21. axb3 then:
• 21. -- Qd3 22. Rg1 Rxb3 23. Ba3 Bxa3 24. Nxa3 Bb7 maintains equality.
• After 21. -- Rxb3? 22. d4 Nd5 23. Qd3 Be6 24. Qxa6 White has winning chances.

19. -- cxd3 20. Nbd2

• If 20. Kh1 Bb7 21. Rg1 Qd5
  • 22. Nbd2 22. -- Rae8 23. b4 then:
  • 23. -- Qe5 24. Bb2 Ne2 25. Rg2 Bc8 26. Ng5 Bxg5 27. Rxg5 Qf6 Black will soon collapse from the pounding on her weak pawns.
  • 23. -- Ne2? is a mistake allowing Black to equalize by 24. Rg2 Nf4 25. Rg4 Ng6.
  • 22. Rg4 Ne2 23. Nbd2 then:
  • After 23. -- Bc8 24. c4 Qc6 25. Qxd3 Nxc1 26. Rxc1 Bxg4 27. fxg4 Rad8 28. Qe2 Black wins two Knights for the Rook starting with 28. -- Rxd2/
  • After 25. Rg3 Rd8 26. Ng5 Nxg3+ 27. fxg3 Bxg5 28. Qxg5 Re8 Black's Rook come shooting down into the back rank heralding the final assault.

Black: Ketino Kachiani-Gersinska
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White: Meihriban Shukurova
Position after 20. Nb1d2

20. -- Bh3!

• Black now reaps the harvest of the seeds sown on her 14th move.

21. Rd1 Bg2

• Also good is 21. -- Bd6 22. b3 Qh4 23. Ng3 Bg2 24. Nde4 Nh3+ 25. Kxg2 Nf4+ 26. Kg1 Qh3 when White must either lose the Queen or submit to mate.

22. Ng3 Qd7 23. Nc4 Qh3 24. 0-1

• 24. Qxe7 Bxf3 25. Ne3 Rfe8 26. Qxc7 Rxe3 is lights out.
• Ms. Shukurova resigns.