The Jack Rabbit Chess Report for May 20: Sofia, Sarajevo and Stillwater

[Jack Rabbit]

The Jack Rabbit Chess Report
for the week ending May 20



Image: Italian Chess Set
from Sculpture Gallery

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 20

Topalov wins MTel Masters' in Sofia



Former FIDE world champion Veselin Topalov of Bulgaria won the third annual MTel Masters' tournament by defeating Indian grandmaster Krishnan Sasikiran in the final round today in Sofia.

The win gave Topalov 5½ points out of a possible 10. He started the tournament badly, losing two of his first three games and never going over 50% until today.

Topalov has won the MTel championship in all three years of its history. He also won last year's MTel after an unpromising start.

Unofficial Cross Table
MTel Masters' Tournament
Sofia

------------------------- 1- 2- 3- 4- 5- 6- T- (W)
3 Veselin Topalov. . . . .-- 11 0½ 01 ½½ ½½ 5½ (3)
1 Krishnan Sasikiran . . .00 -- ½1 ½½ 10 ½1 5. (3)
2 Shakhriyar Mamedyarov. .1½ ½0 -- ½½ 10 ½½ 5. (2)
4 Liviu-Dieter Nisipeanu .10 ½½ ½½ -- ½½ 01 5. (2)
5 Gata Kamsky. . . . . . .½½ 01 01 ½½ -- ½½ 5. (2)
6 Mickey Adams . . . . . .½½ ½0 ½½ 10 ½½ -- 4½ (1)

The Jack Rabbit Unofficial Cross Table uses games won as first tie break

Today's other games were drawn.

The tourament entered the final day with Sasikiran at 5 points leading Topalov and three other players by half a point. Only English grandmaster Mickey Adams, at the foot of the table with 4 points, had no chance of gaining at least a share of first prize.


US Championship in Stillwater: Shabalov perfect after five rounds



Latvian-born US grandmaster Alex Shabalov leads the US Championships in Stillwater, Oklahoma after five rounds with five points.

Shabalov is already a point and a half ahead of his nearest rival with only four rounds remaining in the Swiss system tournament with 36 competitors.

Shabalov broke open the lead in the last two days with successive victories over Hikaru Nakamura and fellow Soviet expatriot Gregory Kaidanov. Today he will play defending champion Alex Onischuk.

Alexander Shabalov was born in Riga, Latvia, then part of the Soviet Union, in 1967. While a youth, he studied at the Mikhail Tal Chess Academy in Riga under the maestro himself. Shabalov, like Tal, is risk-taking attacking player. He is regarded as one of the purest of all mondern chess romantics, a true swashbuckler over the board.


Bosna 2007 begins in Sarajevo



Sarajevo
Photo: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sarajevo">Wikipedia

The Bosna 2007 Tournament began Saturday in Sarajevo.

The tournament is in two parts. The "A" tournament is a double round robin featuring six of the world's leading grandmasters: Alexander Morozevich (Russia), Nigel Short (England), Artyom Timofeev (Russia), Ivan Sokolov (Holland), Sergei Movsesian (Slovakia) and Borki Predojevic (Bosnia).

The "B" tournament is a sigle round robin with three grandmasters and five international masters and two Federation Masters seeking to score a norm for a higher title. The grandmasters are Saut Atalik (Turkey), Milan Drasko (Montenegro) and Milan Vukic (Bosnia); the IMs are Vlado Jakovljevic (Bosnia), Filip Ljubicic (Croatia), Zoran Runic (Bosnia), Dalibor Stojanovic (Bosnia) and the reigning Canadian champion, Igor Zugic; the FMs are Bosnia's Bosko Tomic and Goran Trkulja.

In the first round action yesterday in the main tournament, the two top rated contenders, Morozevich and Short, faced each other in a game that was won by Morozevich. The other two games ended in draws. In the "B" Tournament, Atalik defeated Runic, Tomic was victorius over Jakovljeciv and all other games were drawn.

The tournament ends a week from tomorrow.


Social Page: Polgar-Truong nuptuals announced


Photos: ChessVille.com

Grandmaster Susan Polgar, former women's world champion and the senior member of the famous Polgar sisters, announced on her blog last week that she recently married Paul Truong, her longtime friend and business manager.

It is the second marriage for both. Ms. Polgar has two sons from her previous marriage.

Ms. Polgar and her sisters, Sofia and Judit, were born in Hungary. Susan came to the United Stated several years ago and is an American citizen. She resides in New York.

Mr. Truong is a native of Vietnam who left that country in a boat when in his teens.

The newlyweds are currently running as two members on a slate of four candidates for seats on the US Chess Federation Board of Directors.

Congratulations, Mr. and Mrs. Truong.


Calendar



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 Bacrot (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)

[Lithos]

10. Congrats Mr. and Mrs. Truong

:toast:

[Jack Rabbit]

11. Update (Wednesday): Alex Shabalov is the new US chess champ!!

Alex Shabalov
Photo: ChessBase.com

Details Sunday.

[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

Alexander Morozevich - Vassily Ivanchuk, Russian Team Championshiops, Round 5, Sochi
Katya Lahno - Ekaterina Korbut, Russian Team Championshiops, Round 4, Sochi
Endgame: Nigel Short - Arkadij Naiditsch, President's Cup Open, Round 9, Baku
Krishnan Sasikiran - Veselin Topalov, MTel Masters' Tournament, Round 4, Sofia
Shakriyar Mamedyarov - Krishnan Sasikiran, MTel Masters' Tournament, Round 7, Sofia
Shakhriyar Mamedyarov - Veselin Topalov, MTel Masters' Tournament, Round 3, Sofia

[Jack Rabbit]

4. Morozevich - Ivanchuk, Round 5, Sochi

Moro's only loss in Sochi was at the hands of Vassily Ivankchuk.



Vassily Ivanchuk
Photo: Chess Theory

Alexander Morozevich (Tomsk-400) vs. Vassily Ivanchuk (TPS Saransk)
Russian Team Championships, Round 5
Sochi, May 2007

Open Sicilian Game: Taimanov Defense (King's Fianchetto Opening)

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. Nc3 a6 4. g3

• If White desires to play a King's fianchetto against Black's Sicilian, it is best to delay opening the center. The usual 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 a6 would just lead to a more standard set up against the Kan or Taimanov Defense.

4. -- Nc6 5. Bg2 d6 6. 0-0 Nf6 7. d4 cxd4 8. Nxd4

• We have now arrived at an Open Sicilian by transposition.

8. -- Bd7 9. Nb3 Be7 10. a4 0-0 11. a5 Ne5 12. f4

• If 12. Qe2 Qc7 13. f4 Nc4 14. g4 b5 15. axb6 Qxb6+ 16. Kh1 Bb5 then:
• 17. Nxb5 axb5 18. Rxa8 Rxa8 19. e5 Nd5 20. Bxd5 exd5 21. e6 gives White the edge in piece activity. (Bartel-Brandenburg, EU Ch, Cork (Ireland) 2005).
• After 17. g5 Nd7 18. Nxb5 axb5 19. Rxa8 Rxa8 20. f5 Re8 21. fxe6 fxe6 22. Bh3 White has a spatial edge (Tseshkovsky-Suba, Yerevan 1980).

12. -- Nc4 13. g4!?

• White breaks away from "theory" and initiates a plan to expand on the kingside.
• 13. Qe2 Qc7 14. g4 Bb5 15. g5 Nd7 16. Nxb5 axb5 17. Bd2 Rfe8 18. Bc3 Bf8 19. Kh1 d5 20. Rae1 b4 is equal (Kupreichik-Podzielny, Op, Eupen 1993)./li]

13. -- h6

• This is partly a waiting move, but it is also made because Black wants to slow White expansion on the kingside.
• 13. -- Qc7 14. g5 Ne8 15. f5 Rc8 16. Qh5 b5 17. axb6 Qxb6+ 18. Kh1 gives White an edge in space.

14. Rf2?!

• White can make a waiting move, too. With b6 unailable to the Black Queen, the Rook is not in danger of being pinned.
• After 14. Qe2 Qc7 15. g5 hxg5 16. fxg5 Ne8 17. Qh5 Ne5 18. Rf4 White is building a strong attack.

14. -- Rc8

Black: Vassily Ivanchuk
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White: Alexander Morozevich
Position after 14. -- Ra8c8

15. g5!

• White surmises that he will get an advantage in space and piece activity on the kingside after opening it.
• If 15. e5 dxe5 16. Bxb7 exf4 17. Bxc8 Qxc8 18. Bxf4 e5 19. Bc1 Nxg4 gives Black a slight edge in space.
• 15. -- Nd5 16. Nxd5 exd5 17. Bxd5 dxe5 18. Bxb7 Bb5 19. Qxd8 Rcxd8 20. fxe5 Nxe5 21. h3 is equal.

15. -- hxg5!

• This is the best way to slow White's progress.
• After 15. -- Ne8 16. gxh6 gxh6 17. Qh5 Kh7 18. e5 f5 White has achieved his edge in space and avtivity.

16. fxg5 Ne8

• White maintains an edge in space after 16. -- Nh7 17. h4 Be8 18. Kf1 Qc7 19. Ke1 Ne5 20. Nd4 but he doesn't have all the piece activity he might have hoped.

17. h4

• Black has defended very accurately. The position is equal.
• 17. -- Ne5 18. Be3 Nc7 19. Na4 Na8 20. Nb6 Nxb6 21. Bxb6 Qe8 22. Rd1 is equal.

17. -- g6!?

• This fixes White's kingside pawns.
• Black could have directed his energy to the queenside: 17. -- Qc7 18. Ne2 Ne5 19. Nf4 Nc4 20. Qf1 Bb5 21. Nd4 Bd7 22. Qe1 is equal.

18. Bh3?!

• White could have rebuked Black for his adventurism.
• If 18. Kf1 f6 19. e5 fxg5 20. Bxb7 Rxf2+ 21. Kxf2 gxh4 then:
• 22. Bxa6! Rc6 23. Bxc4 Rxc4 24. a6 gives White a spatial advantage and an advanced passer.
• 22. Bxc8 Qxc8 23. exd6 Nexd6 is equal.

18. -- Ng7 19. Rg2

• White is not ready to exchange Rook in the event of a pawn exchange.
• 19. Bf1 f6 20. Bxc4 Rxc4 21. gxf6 Rxf6 22. Rg2 Be8 is equal.

19. -- Re8 20. Bg4 d5!?

• Black plays loose. This move will liverate the center.
• 20. -- f6 21. Be2 Rf8 22. Qd4 Qc7 23. Rf2 f5 is equal.

21. h5

• This is the beginning of a faulty plan by White to ignore Black's thrust in the center and attack the kigside.
• Better is 21. exd5 exd5 22. Qxd5 Bxg4 then:
• 23. Rxg4 Qxd5 24. Nxd5 gives White a small edge in space and activity.
• 23. Qxd8 Bxd8 24. Rxg4 Nxa5 is unclear.

21. -- gxh5 22. Bxh5

Black: Vassily Ivanchuk
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White: Alexander Morozevich
Position after 25. Bg4h5:p

22. -- d4!?

• Black crams the pawn down White's thorat.
• More accurate is 22. -- dxe4 23. Nxe4 Bc6 24. Qxd8 Rexd8 25. Bf3 Nf5 when Balck has an advantage in space and piece activity.

23. Bxf7+?

• This is the point of the aforementioned faulty plan. White sacrifices a Bishop and gets nothing.
• Better is 23. Rf2 Rf8 24. Nxd4 Bxg5 when:
• 25. Bf3 25. -- Nxa5 26. Rg2 Bf6 27. Kf1 Bc6 28. Nxc6 Qxd1+ 29. Nxd1 Nxc6 30. Nf2 Ne5 gives Black more activity.
• 25. Be2 Nxa5 26. Bxg5 Qxg5+ then:
• 27. Kf1 Rfd8 28. Nf3 Qh5 29. Rh2 Qc5 30. Qd2 gives White a strong initiative.
• 27. Rg2 Qe3+ 28. Kh1 Nc6 29. Ndb5 axb5 30. Qxd7 b4 31. Rag1 Qh6+ 32. Rh2 Qf4 33. Qd3 Rfd8 is unclear.

23. -- Kxf7 24. g6+ Kg8 25. Qf3

• After 25. Qxd4 Rf8 26. Qd3 Ne5 27. Qh3 Nf5 28. Kh1 Nh4 Black wins.

25. -- Ne5?

• This just "forces" the Queen to a better square. Black has now thrown away his advantage.
• If 25. -- Bf6 26. Na4 Bc6 27. Nac5 Nd6 then:
• After 28. Bd2 Qe7 29. Qh3 Ngf5 30. Qh7+ Qxh7 31. gxh7+ Kh8 32. exf5 Bxg2 Black reamins an exchange to the good.
• 28. Rf2 Bh4 29. Rh2 Qf6 30. Qf4 e5 31. Rxh4 exf4 Black retains his extra piece.

26. Qh3 Bf6

• Black's advantage is much deminished.
26. -- Bh4 27. Nxd4 Qf6 28. Be3 Rf8 29. Bg5 Bf2+ 30. Kh2 Qxg6 White has gained equality.

27. Qh7+ Kf8 28. Nxd4 Ke7 29. Bg5?!

• White misses an opportunity to win quickly.
• If 29. Bh6! Rg8 30. Rf1 Kd6 31. Rd2 then:
• 31. -- Kc7 32. Bxg7 Bxg7 33. Nxe6+ Bxe6 34. Rxd8 Rcxd8 35. Nd5+ gives White a huge spatial advantage.
• After 31. -- Rh8? 32. Ndb5+ Ke7 33. Qxg7+ Bxg7 34. Bg5+ Bf6 35. Bxf6+ White wins the house.

29. -- Kd6 30. Bxf6 Qxf6 31. Rf1 Qe7 32. Rd1 Kc7

• White has built his advantage to a winning position.
• 32. -- Kc5 33. Qh2 Nc4 34. Na2 Nxa5 35. b4+ Kb6 36. bxa5+ gives White greater mobility.

33. Qh2 Qd6 34. Rg5

Black: Vassily Ivanchuk
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White: Alexander Morozevich
Position after 34.Rg2g5

34. -- Nf5!!

• White must give back a Knight, so he forces Black to take the less useful one.
• White wins easily after 34. Rh8 35. Qxe5 Qxe5 36. Rxe5 Rh6 37. Rg5 Rf8 38. Rd3 Be8 39.Rdg3.

35. exf5 exf5 36. Qf4

• Stronger is 36. Qg3 Kb8 37. Nxf5 Qc7 38. Nd6 Qc5+ 39. Kf1 Rf8+ 40. Nf7 Be6 41. Rxe5 when White wins in a cakewalk.

36. -- Kb8 37. g7?!

• White does not have the ability to push the pawn over.
• Better is the simple 37. Nxf5 Qc7 38. Nd6 Nxg6 39. Rxg6 Qc5+ 40. Qd4 when White wins.

37. -- Ka8 38. Rg3 Qc5

• 38. -- Rg8 39. Nxf5 Qc5+ 40. Ne3 Rce8 41. Ncd5 Re6 42. b4 Qc8 43. Rg5 is an easy win for White.

39. Kf1 Ng4 40. Rdd3?

• The relieves the threat of the pawn advance, allowing the Knight to move elsewhere and Black to equalize.
• After 40. Rgd3 Qxa5 41. Qd6 Qd8 42. Nd5 Ka7 43. Ra1 keeps White in the driver's seat.

40. -- Qe7 41. Kg2

• The game is now equal.
• 41. Nxf5? Qe1+ 42. Kg2 Bc6+ 43. Rdf3 Ne5 44. Nd4 Bxf3+ 45. Nxf3 Nxf3 46. Rxf3 Rg8 Black is in an extremely strong position: White's pawn is stopped and Black's King is safer.
• 43. Rgf3 Ne5 44. Nd4 Nxd3 45. cxd3 Bxf3+ 46. Qxf3 Qd2+ Wins for Black.

41. -- Rc5 42. b4?

• In an equal position, White is a little too straightforward and loses.
• A better try is 42. Rde3!? when:
• 42. -- Qxg7 43. Rxe8+ Bxe8 44. Qd6 Rxa5 45. Qd8+ is equal.
• If 42. -- Nxe3+ 43. Qxe3 then:
• 43. -- Qxe3 44. Rxe3 Rg8 45. Re7 Bc8 46. Na4 Rxa5 47. Nb6+ gives White a dominating position.
• After 43. -- Re5 44. Nd5 Rxe3 45. Nxe7 R3xe7 46. g8Q Rxg8 47. Rxg8+ White has active pieces.

Black: Vassily Ivanchuk
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White: Alexander Morozevich
Position after 42. b2b4

42. -- Re5!

• Black find the strongest move and wins.
• 42. -- Bc6+? fails to 43. Nxc6 Rxc6 44. Qxf5 Nh6 45. Qg5 Qxg5 46. Rxg5 Rg8 47. Rf3 when White wins.

43. b5 axb5 44. Qf3

• If 44. Nf3 Bc6 45. Kg1 Bxf3 then:
• 46. Rgxf3 Qxg7 47. Rg3 Re1+ has all of Black's pieces aimed at the exposed King.
• After 46. Qxf3 Qxg7 47. a6 Kb8 48. Qxb7+ Qxb7 49. axb7 Re1+ Black wins.

44. -- Rc5 45. Nd5

• If 45. a6 Bc6 46. Nxc6 bxc6 47. Qd1 Qxg7 48. Ne2 Rc4 49. Nd4 Qh6 puts the White King in a mating attack.
• After 47. Rxg4 fxg4 48. Qe4 Qf7 49. Qd4 Rg5 the g-pawn falls.

45. -- Rxd5 46. a6 Qc5 47. c3 Bc6 48. Nxc6 bxc6 49. Rxg4

• 49. Rxd5 Qxd5 50. Qxd5 cxd5 leaves Black a piece to the good.

49. -- fxg4 50. Qf7 Re2+ 51. Kf1 Rf5+ 52. Kxe2 Qf2+ 53. Kd1 Qf1+ 54. Kd2 Rxf7

• 54. -- Rf2+ 55. Qxf2 Qxf2+ 56. Kd1 Qf1+ 57. Kc2 Qe2+ is clearly hopeless for White.

55. g8Q+ Ka7 56. Qxg4 Rf2+ 57. Ke3 Qe1+ 58. Kd4 Qe7 59. c4 Rc2 60. 0-1

• Black wins the Rook no matter how White plays:
• 60. Rc3 Rd2+ 61. Rd3 Qd6+.
• 60. Qg8 Qd6+ 61. Ke4 Re2+ 62. Re3 Qe7+ .
• Morozevich resigns.

[Jack Rabbit]

5. Lahno - Korbut, Round 4, Sochi

Katya Lahno
Photo: ChessBase.com

Katya Lahno (Southern Ural) vs. Ekaterina Korbut (Finek-1)
Russian Team Championships, Round 4
Sochi, May 2007

Spanish Sicilian Game: Royal Defense

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. e5 Nd5 5. Nc3

• It is more common for White to castle here.
• If 5. 0-0 then:

5. -- g6 6. c3 Bg7 7. d4 cxd4 8. cxd4 0-0 9. Nc3 Nc7 10. Ba4 d6 11. Bf4 Bg4 then:

• 12. Bxc6 12. -- bxc6 13. h3 Ne6 14. hxg4 Nxf4 15. g3 Ne6 White's edge is space is temporary as Black has superior mobility (Myagmarsuren-Korchnoi, Interzonal, Sousse 1967).
• If 12. exd6 exd6 then:
• 13. h3 Bxf3 14. Qxf3 Nxd4 15. Qxb7 Rb8 16. Qe4 Nce6 17. Bh2 Rxb2 gives Black a dominating position and an extra pawn (Cetkovic-Velimirovic, Yugoslav Ch, Vrnjacka Banja 1962).
• 13. Be3 d5 14. Re1 Re8 Black has an edge in peice activity, but Whit'e chances are better than in the main main line.

5. -- Nc7 6. Bxc6 dxc6 7. Nc3 Bg4 8. h3 Bxf3 9. Qxf3 then:

• 9. -- Ne6 10. d3 g6 11. Bf4 Nd4 12. Qd1 Bg7 13. Re1 0-0 14. Qd2 Qd7 15. Re4 f5 16. exf6 exf6 17. Ree1 Rae8 18. Kf1 g5 Black has the advantage in space (Horvath-Shariyazdanov, Eur Club Cup, Saint Vincent (Italy) 2005).
• 9. -- g6 10. d3 Bg7 11. Qe4 Qd4 12. Re1 Qxe4 13. Rxe4 0-0-0 14. f4 f5 15. Re1 Ne6 16. Be3 draw agreed (Kasimdzhanov-Vladimirov, Commonwealth Ch, Mumbai 2003).

5. -- Nc7 6. Bxc6 dxc6 7. h3 h6

• 7. -- Bf5 8. d3 h6 9. Qe2 Ne6 10. Ne4 Nd4 11. Nxd4 Qxd4 12. Ng3 Be6 13. 0-0 c4 14. dxc4 Qxc4 15. Qxc4 Bxc4 16. Rd1 draw agreed (Yu Shaoteng-Zhao Jun, Chinese Ch, Wuxi 2006)./li]

8. d3!?

• White introduces a new line.
• 8. Ne4 b6 9. 0-0 g5 10. Re1 Bf5 11. a4 Ne6 12. Ra3 Bg7 13. g4 Bxe4 14. Rxe4 Qd5 15. d3 0-0 16. c4 Qd7 17. Nh2 f6 18. exf6 exf6 19. a5 Rad8 20. axb6 axb6 21. Be3 f5 22. gxf5 Rxf5 gives Black a slight edge in piece activity (Martonelli-Ivanovic, Lido Op, Venice 1980).
• 8. d4 cxd4 9. Nxd4 g6 10. 0-0 Bg7 11. f4 0-0 12. Be3 Nd5is unclear.

8. -- Bf5

• Black opts for simple development over early adventures.
• 8. -- Nd5 9. Ne4 Bf5 10. Ng3 Qd7 11. Nxf5 Qxf5 12. 0-0 is equal.

9. 0-0 Qd7 10. Be3 Ne6 11. a4

• The prophylactic text move is intended to slow down any Black expansion on the Queen's wing.
• If 11. Ne4 then:
• 11. -- b6 12. a4 a5 13. b3 Rd8 14. Re1 White has a lead in development.
• 11. -- g6 12. Nxc5 Nxc5 13. Bxc5 Bg7 14. Qe2 White has an advantage in space and development.

11. -- a5 12. Ne2?!

• Passive moves are often signs of missed opportunities.
• A better try is the more active 12. Nh4!? Bh7 13. f4 when:
• 13. -- 0-0-0 14. Nf3 Nd4 15. Ne2 Nxf3+ 16. Rxf3 is even.
• 13. -- b6 14. f5 Nd4 15. e6 fxe6 16. Ng6 Rg8 17. Ne5 giving White an advantage in space.

12. -- g5 13. Nd2

• The attck on the hanging Bishop has now lost its punch.
• 13. Ng3 Bg6 14. Qe1 Bg7 15. Qc3 b6 16. Rfe1 Qd5 17. Rad1 0-0-0is level.

13. -- Bg7 14. Nc4 Qc7 15. f4 gxf4 16. Nxf4 Nxf4!?

• This is not the objectively best move. Black may be trying to test her opponent.
• 16. -- Bxe5 17. Qh5 Bxf4 18. Qxf5 Bxe3+ 19. Nxe3 Rf8 20. Qh5 is equal.

Black: Ekaterina Korbut
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White: Katya Lahno
Position after 16. -- Ne6f4:N

17. Bxf4!

• White makes the best move in reply, leading to equality.
• If 17. Rxf4? drops an important pawn after 17. -- Be6
• 18. Qh5 b5! 19. axb5 cxb5 forcing the Knight to abandon the defense of the e-pawn.
• 18. Bxc5 doesn't solve White's problem: after 18. -- b5! 19. Nb6 Rb8 20. d4 Rxb6 21. Bxb6 Qxb6 22. axb5 Bxe5 wins the d-pawn.

17. -- Be6 18. Qe1!?

• Now it's White's turn to test her opponent.
• If 18. Qh5 0-0-0 19. b3 b6 20. Rf3 Rdg8 21. Re1 Rd8 22. c3 Rhg8 23. Rg3 gives White the advantage in space, but Black has more piece activity.
• 18. -- Rd8 19. b3 b6 20. Rae1 Rf8 21. Ne3 Qd7 22. Bh2 Qd4 is unclear.

18. -- b6 19. Qg3 0-0-0!

• As long as it looks like a good idea for Black to put the Rook on the open d-file, she gets the King out of the center at the same time.
• 19. -- Rh7 20. Qe1 0-0-0 21. Qc3 Rd4 22. Qb3 Bxc4 23. dxc4 e6 24. Rad1 Rh8 is equal.
• 19. -- Kf8 20. Rae1 Rg8 21. b3 Qd8 22. Qf3 Bd5 23. Qg4 Be6 24. Qh5 Ke8 gives White a significant spatial edge.

20. Ra3!?

• The Rook lift is aimed at playing Rb3 in order to forstall thr pawn break at b5.
• 20. Rael Rhg8 21. Qe3 h5 22. Qe2 h4 23. Qf2 Bxc4 24. dxc4 Rdf8 25. Qxh4 wins a pawn.
• If 20. Nd6+ exd6 21. Qxg7 Rdg8 then:
• 22. exd6 Qd7 23. Qf6 Bxh3 24. Rf2 Be6 25. Qe7 h5 is unclear.
• 22. Qf6 Bxh3 23. Rf2 dxe5 24. Bxe5 Qd7 25. Qxh8 Rxh8 26. Bxh8 is also cloudy.

20. -- Rdg8 21. Qe3 Rd8!

• Black reassumes command of the d-file.
• If 21. -- Qb7 22. Rb3 Bxc4 23. dxc4 then:
• 23. -- e6 24. Bg3 h5 25. Qf3 Rf8 26. Rd3 gives White the edge in space and activity.
• 23. -- Rd8 24. Qf3 h5 Bh2 Rhf8 Qxh5 White has won a pawn.

22. Rb3

• White is riding a storm. Although White has more space, Black has command of the d-file and a good Bishop at e6.
• 22. c3 is a less clear way of dealing with the problem of d-file:
• After 22. -- Qa7 23. b4 Bxc4 24. dxc4 axb4 25. cxb4 cxb4 26. Rb3 c5 Black has a stong passed pawn on the queenside.
• White wins a pawn after 22. -- Rhg8 23. Ra2 h5 24. b3 Kb7 25. Rd2 Qd7 26. Qe2 h4 27. Bg5 f6 28. Bxh4.

22. -- Bxc4 23. dxc4 e6 24. Qe2 Rhg8!?

• Black is planning a direct attack on the king, but she's not quite there yet. She can do little else.
• 24. -- Kb7? 25. Rg3 Rdg8 26. Qh5 Rh7 27. Rd1 Kc8 28. Rg3 gives White all the space she needs to win.

Black: Ekaterina Korbut
!""""""""#
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White: Katya Lahno
Position after 24. -- Rh8g8

25. Rg3!!

• White has not yet won the game, but she has grasped a winning idea. By putting the Rook on the open file, she plans to dominate the open lines into Black's camp. All she needs is a little hep from Black.

25. -- Qd7

• It is important for Black to get the Queen away from the masked attack from White's Bishop.
• If 25. -- Bxe5? drops the Queen to 26. Bxe5!
• 26. -- Qxe5 27. Qxe5.
• 26. -- Rxg3 27. Bxc7.

26. Kh2 f5?

• This allows for a motif similar to the one in the previous note. Black's Queen is in no immediate danger, but the text move permits White to open lines for attack.
• 26. -- Bh8 27. Rxg8 Rxg8 28. Rd1 Qc7 29. Rd6 Rd8 30. Qh5 is equal.

27. exf6!

• This is the clearest route to a victory.
• The pedestrian 27. c3 yields equality after 27. -- Qc7 28. Rb1 Kb7 Qe3 Qe7 30. Qe1 Ke8.

27. -- Bxf6 28. Rxg8 Rxg8 29. Rd1 Qe8

Black: Ekaterina Korbut
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White: Katya Lahno
Position after 29. -- Qd7e8

30. Rd6!

• The b-pawn is unimportant.

30. -- Bxb2 31. Rxe6 Qf8 32. Qe4 1-0

• White's last move sets up a devastating mating attack.
• After 32. -- Kd8 33. Rxc6 Rg7 34. Rxb6 Black cannot avoid greater loss of material.
• Ms. Korbut resigns.

[Jack Rabbit]

6. Endgame: Short - Naiditsch, Round 9, Baku

This game decided the tournament championship in Baku. It is a very instructive winning process.



Arkadij Naiditsch
Photo: ChessBase.de (Germany)

Nigel Short vs. Arkadij Naiditsch
President's Cup Open, Round 9
Baku, May 2007


Black: Arkadij Naiditsch
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White: Nigel Short
Position after 42. -- Kf7g6

43. Bf4?

• This is the losing move.
• 43. Kc1 Ra6 44. Nb5 Rd7 45. e5 fxe5 46. Bxe5 Rb6 keeps the game equal.

43. -- Bxd4!

• Black finds the right move to march toward victory, although it is likely to be a long march.
• After 43. -- e5 44. Bxg5 Bxd4 45. Bc1 Rxh2 46. a4 Ra6 47. Bb2 Bxb2 48. Kxb2 Kf7 49. Re3 Rxg2 Black, with two extra pawns, has an easy win.

44. Bxg5 Kxg5 45. Rxd4 Rxh2

• Black has won a pawn.

46. Kb2 Rb5 47. Rxd6 Re5 48. c4

Black: Arkadij Naiditsch
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White: Nigel Short
Position after 48. c2c4

48. -- f5!

• Black aggressively pushes his pawn forward. Of course, White cannot respons 49. exf5?.
• 48. -- bxc3+ 49. Kxc3 f5 50. Kd4 Rxe4+ 51. Rxe4 fxe4 52. Rxe6 Rxg2 53. Re5+ equalizes.

49. Rd4

• The Rook is in a passive position here. Active pieces are a boon at any stage of the game, but especially in the endgame and even more than that in an endgame where on is short a pawn or two.
• 49. c5 Rxc5 50. Rxe6 f4 51. Re8 f3 52. Rg8+ Kf6 53. Re1 Rxg2+ 54. Kb1 Kf7 wins for Black.

49. -- f4 50. Rc2 f3 51. gxf3 g3 52. Rd8

• If White does nothing else, he should get his Rook behind Black's pawns.
• 52. Rdd2 Rxd2 53. Rxd2 Kf4 54. Rd1 Rh5 55. Kc2 g2 56. Rg1 Kxf3 the pawn must promote.

52. -- Rxc2+ 53. Kxc2 Kf4 54. Kd3

• After 54. Rf8+ Ke3 55. Rg8 Kf2 56. Kd3 g2 57. f4 Rh5 58. Kd4 Rh3 it will cost Black the Rook to stop the pawn.

54. -- g2 55. Rf8+ Kg3 56. f4

Black: Arkadij Naiditsch
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White: Nigel Short
Position after 56. f3f4

56. -- Rg5!!

• Very clever. Black sacrifices the Rook in order to use the White pawn as a shelter, assuring the promotion of the g-pawn.

57. fxg5 g1Q

• Black has accomplished the pawn promotion; now he must stop White's passers.

58. g6 Qd1+ 59. Ke3 Qg4 60. Rf1 Kg2 61. Rf2+ Kg1 62. Rc2 e5!

• Even at this stage of the game, Black is keen to deprive White of space that could be used to maneuver. The move will make it difficult for the White King to assist in any plan to captue Black's e-pawn.

63. c5 Qxg6

• That's one passer down and one to go.

64. c6 Qg5+ 65. Kd3 Qd8+ 66. Ke2 Qc7 67. Kf3 a4 68. bxa4 b3 69. axb3 Qf7+ 70. Ke2 Qxb3 71. Kd2 Qb4+

• The more Black can make moves that deliver check or otherwise threaten to win material, the more time Black gains on his maneuvers to capture the pawn.

72. Kc1 Qa3+ 73. Kb1 Qb3+ 74. Kc1 Qe3+!!

• The Queen is perfectly positioned to kareem about snapping up White's pawns as it goes.

75. Kb1 Qxe4 76. c7 Qb7+ 77. Kc1 Qc8 78. Rc4 Kf2 79. Kd2 e4

• If the pawn is allowed to advance further, it will not be stopped. White is forced to divert his rook from the defense os the c-pawn.

80. Rxe4 Qxc7 81. Kd3 Kf3 82. Rc4 Qd6+

• Black forces the White King to move behind the Rook.

83. Kc2 Qb6 84. Kc3 Ke3 85. Rb4 Qa5 86. Kc4 Kd2 87. Kb3 Kd3 88. Rh4 Qb6+ 89. 0-1

• If 89. Rb4 Qa5 90. Rb5 Qc3+ 91. Ka2 Kc2 then:
• 92. Rb8 Qc4+ 93. Ka3 Qc5+ 94. Ka2 Qd5+ 95. Ka3 Qd6+ 96. Rb4 Kc3 the King must abandon the Rook.
• 92. Rb7 Qc4+ 93. Ka3 Qc5+ 94. Ka2 Qd5+ is the same idea.
• Mr. Short resigns.

[Jack Rabbit]

7. Sasikiran - Topalov, Round 4, Sofia

Veselin Topalov
Photo: ChessBase.de (Germany)

Krishnan Sasikiran vs. Veselin Topalov
MTel Masters' Tournment, Round 4
Sofia, May 2007

West India Game: King's Indian Defense (Imperial opening)

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 g6 3. c4 Bg7 4. Nc3 0-0 5. e4 d6 6. Be2 e5 7. Be3

• If 7. 0-0 Nc6 8. d5 Ne7 then:
• 9. Ne1 Nd7 10. Nd3 f5 11. Bd2 Nf6 12. f3 f4 13. c5 is foggy.
• 9. b4 Nh5 10. Re1 f5 11. Ng5 Nf6 12. Bf3 c6 13. Be3 h6 14. Ne6 Bxe6 15. dxe6 fxe4 16. Nxe4 Nxe4 17. Bxe4 is unclear.
• 9. Nd2 a5 10. a3 Nd7 11. Rb1 f5 12. b4 Kh8 13. f3 axb4 14. axb4 c6 15. Kh1 Nf6 is cloudy.

7. -- Ng4 8. Bg5 f6 9. Bh4 g5

• 9. -- Nc6 10. d5 Ne7 11. Nd2 Nh6 12. f3 c5 13. dxc6 bxc6 14. b4 Kh8 15. Nb3 g5 16. Bf2 f5 17. 0-0 Nf7 18. Qc2 h5 19. Rad1 g4 20. c5 gives White the edge in space. (Shukman-Zuegler, Gothenborg 1996).

10. Bg3 Nh6 11. d5

• If 11. h3 then:
• 11. -- Nc6 12. d5 Ne7 13. Qd2 Nf7 14. Nh2 f5 15. exf5 Nxf5 16. 0-0 Nh8 17. Bh5 Nd4 18. Ne4 h6 19. Rfe1 Bf5 20. Rac1 is unclear (Boensch-Gelfand, A Group, Dortmund 1990).
• 11. -- exd4 12. Nxd4 Nc6 13. 0-0 Nxd4 14. Qxd4 f5 15. Qd5+ Kh8 16. f4 fxe4 17. fxg5 Nf5 18. Nxe4 Bxb2 19. Bf2 Bxa1 20. Rxa1 Qe7 21. g4 Ng7 22. Re1 Bd7 23. Nf6 Bc6 24. Qd4 Rae8 draw agreed (Halkias-Smirin, Eur Ind Ch, Istanbul 2003).

11. -- Nd7 12. h3

• If 12. Nd2 f5 then:
• 13. exf5 Nf6 14. Nde4 Nxe4 15. Nxe4 Bxf5 16. Bd3 g4 17. 0-0 Kh8 18. Qe2 Bd7 19. f3 Qe7 20. fxg4 draw agreed (Gelfand-Radjabov, Russian Club Cup, Sochi 2006).
• 13. f3 Nf6 14. h3 c5 15. Bf2 f4 16. a3 b6 17. b4 Nf7 18. Qb3 h5 is unclear (Bacrot-Radjabov, Rapid Tnmt, Cap D'Agde 2006).

12. -- f5 13. exf5 Nc5 14. Nd2 Bxf5 15. 0-0 e4 16. Nb3 b6!?

• Since what is mapped after this is rough sailing for Black, he heads to uncharted waters.
• The text is sure to be an improvement over 16. -- Nxb3? 17. Qxb3 Bg6 18. Rae1 Re8 19. Qxb7 giving White a huge advantage in space and an extra pawn. (Onischuk-Smirin, Russian TCh, Togliatti 2003).

17. Nd4?!

• Black's novelty is good enough to equalize.
• After 17. Nxc5 bxc5 18. Qd2 Rb8 19. b3 then:
• 19. -- Qf6 20. Rac1 Qg6 21. Nb5 g4 22. hxg4 Bxg4 23. Rce1 is equal.
• 19. -- Bd4 20. Rae1 Qf6 21. Nb5 a6 22. Nxd4 cxd4 23. Bh5 is unclear.

17. -- Qf6 18. Nc6

• The best thing for a chess master to do when he sees a hole is fill it; when the hole is on the sixth rank, fill it with a Knight.
• 18. Nxf5 Nxf5 19. Bh2 a5 20. Bg4 a4 21. Rc1 Nd4 22. Qe2 Nd3 23. Rc2 is equal.
• 18. Nc2 Rae8 19. Ne3 Bg6 20. Qd2 Nf5 21. Nxf5 Bxf5 22. Rfe1 a6 is level.

18. -- a5 19. f4?!

• White digs himself a hole with this move.
• 19. Qd2 a4 20. Rad1 a3 21. b4 Qxc3 22. Qxc3 Bxc3 23. bxc5 bxc5 038

19. -- Bd7 20. Nb5?

• White drops a pawn and lets Black into his camp.
• After 20. Kh2 Rae8 21. Bh5 Bxc6 22. dxc6 Nf7 23. Qc2 Qh6 24. Bxf7+ Rxf7 25. fxg5 Qg6 Black has a lead in space, but White can still fight.
• 20. Qc1 g4 21. hxg4 Nxg4 22. Bxg4 Bxg4 23. Qe3 Rae8 gives Black more freedom.

20. -- Bxc6!?

• Black exchanges White most effective piece.
• Even tronger is 20. -- Nf5 21. Be1 Qxb2 22. Rb1 Qxa2 23. Bf2 e3 when Black owns the board.

21. dxc6 Qxb2 22. Rb1

• This is futile, but objectively speaking, White has no good moves.
• With nothing to lose, White would might try in this position 22. Nxc7!? when:
• 22. -- Rac8! 23. Nd5 then:
• Nf5 24. Rb1 Qxa2 25. Bf2 gxf4 26. Rxb6 e3 gives Black an advantage in just about every department.
• If 23. -- Qxa1? 24. Qxa1 Bxa1 then:
• If 25. Ne7+! Kg7 then:
• After 26. Rxa1! Kg7 26. fxg5 Nf5 27. Bf2 Rxc6 28. g4 e3 29. Be1 Nd4 30. Bc3 White has equalized.
• After 26. Nxc8? Bd4+ 27. Kh2 gxf4 28. Nxd6 fxg3+ 29. Kh1 Black has an easy win.
• 25. Rxa1? Kg7 26. fxg5 Nf5 27. Bf2 Rxc6 Black is up by an exchange for the ending.


• After 22. -- Nf5?! 23. Rb1 Qxa2 24. Bf2 Rac8 25. Qxd5+ Kh8 26. Bg4 Rxc7 27. Bd4 Rcf7 Black's win is more problematic.

22. -- Qxa2 23. Nxc7

Black: Veselin Topalov
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White: Krishnan Sasikiran
Position after 23. Nb5c7:p

23. -- Nf5!

• Now in just a few short moves Black completely annihilates White. The Rook at a8 is expendible.
• Black's victory is less certain after 23. -- Rac8?! 24. Nd5 Nf5 25. Bf2 Rxc6 26. Bg4 e3 27. Bxe3 Nxe3.

Analysis Diagram
Black: Veselin Topalov
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White: Krishnan Sasikiran
Position after 27. -- Nf5e3:B (Analysis)


24. Bf2 e3 25. Be1 Nd4!!

Black: Veselin Topalov
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White: Krishnan Sasikiran
Position after 25. -- Nf5d4

• Note the difference between this and the last variation where Black took the time to save the Rook at a8.

26. Nxa8

• If 26. Kh1 Rab8 then:
• 27. Nd5 Qxe2 28. Qxe2 Nxe2 29. c7 Rbc8 30. Ne7+ Kf7 31. Nxc8 Rxc8 32. fxg5+ Ke6 Black has two minor pieces for a Rook. Black also has a strong passed pawn while White's is deadwood.
• 27. Bd3 e2 28. Bxe2 Nxe2 29. Rf2 Ng3+ 30. Kh2 Qxc4 leaves Black up by two pieces.

26. -- Nxe2+ 27. Kh2 Nxf4 28. Rxf4 gxf4 29. Rxb6 f3 30. Qd5+

Black: Veselin Topalov
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White: Krishnan Sasikiran
Position after 30. Qd1d5+

30. -- Ne6!

• The Knight sacrifice wins faster than 30. -- Kh8 31. Qxf3 Be5+ 32. Bg3 Rxf3 33. Bxe5+ dxe5 34. c7 Rf8.

31. Qxe6+ Kh8 32. Qg4 Be5+ 33. Kh1 f2 34. 0-1

• If White saves the Bishop, the pawn queens with mate.
• Sasikiran-ji resigns.

[Jack Rabbit]

8. Mamedyarov - Sasikiran, Round 7, Sofia

Krishnan Sasikiran
Photo: ChessBase.com

Shakhriyar Mamedyarov vs. Krishnan Sasikiran
MTel Masters' Tournment, Round 7
Sofia, May 2007

King's English Game: Anglo-Dutch Defense

1.c4 e5 2.g3 d6 3.Bg2 g6 4.Nc3 Bg7 5.d3 f5

• 5...Nc6 6.e4 Nge7 7.Nge2 0-0 8.0-0 Be6 9.Nd5 Qd7 10.Be3 f5 11.Qd2 Rf7 12.Rac1 Raf8 13.b4 f4 14.gxf4 gives White the edge in space, but Balck has a solid position (Psakhis-Jansa, Op, Andorra 1993).

6.e4

• 6.Nf3 Nf6 7.0-0 0-0 8.Rb1 Nc6 9.b4 a6 10.a4 h6 11.b5 axb5 12.axb5 Ne7 13.Nd2 g5 14.Qb3 Kh8 15.Bb2 Rb8 16.Ra1 b6 17.Ra7 Be6 18.Rfa1 gives White the advantage in space and piece activity (Danielian-N.Kosintseva, Women's World Ch, Warsaw 2001).

6...Nf6 7.Nge2 a5

• The idea is to slow any ideas White has about expanding on the queenside.
• 7...Nc6 8.0-0 0-0 9.Nd5 Ne7 10.Nxf6+ Bxf6 11.Bh6 Bg7 12.Bxg7 Kxg7 13.exf5 Nxf5 14.d4 exd4 15.Nxd4 Qf6 16.Nxf5+ Bxf5 17.Qd2 is equal (Psakhis-Collutiis, Ol, Bled 2002).

8.exf5!?

• White improves on known play.
• 8.a3 c6 9.Rb1 0-0 10.0-0 Bd7 11.h3 Na6 12.Be3 Nc7 13.Na4 Is level (Laco-Srebrnic, Op, Nova Gorica 1999).

8...gxf5 9.d4 0-0 10.Bg5 Qe8?!

• The Queen is favored for duty on e8 so as to have heavy pieces behind both of Black's headpawns. Nevertheless, Black neglects his queenside development with this move.
• If 10...Nbd7 11.0-0 c6 12.Qc2 then:
• After 12...Qe8 13.d5 Nc5 14.Rad1 cxd5 15.cxd5 is level.
• 12...Qb6?! 13.Rad1 Qb4 14.Na4 Nb6 15.Nxb6 Qxb6 White has more space and better piece activity.

11.0-0 h6 12.Bxf6 Bxf6 13.c5 Nc6 14.Nb5!

• This is a good post for the Knight. It will be a while before Black can expel it from b5.
• If 14.Nd5 Qd8 15.Nxf6+ Qxf6 then:
• 16.cxd6 cxd6 17.Rc1 Nxd4 18.Nxd4 exd4 19.Rc4 Re8 20.Rxd4 gives White more piece activity.
• 16.dxe5 dxe5 17.Qb3+ Kh8 18.Rad1 f4 19.Bxc6 Qxc6 20.Qd5 is level.

14...Qe7 15.Nec3 Qg7

• Black is locking on the d-pawn.
• If 15...Nxd4? 16.Nd5 then:
• After 16...Qd8 17.Ndxc7 Bd7 18.Bxb7 Bxb5 19.Nxb5 dxc5 20.Bxa8 Qxa8 21.Nxd4 cxd4 22.Rc1 White has more activity.
• After 16...Qd7 17.Nxd4 exd4 18.Nxf6+ Rxf6 19.Qxd4 Rg6 20.Rfe1 dxc5 21.Qxc5 Rd6 22.Re5 White has an advantage in just about every way.

16.cxd6 cxd6 17.d5?!

• White is a little hasty.
• Better is 17.Qb3+ Kh8 18.d5 when:
• 18...Nd4 19.Nxd4 exd4 20.Nb5 Ra6 21.f4 a4 22.Qd3 Re8 23.Rac1 Bd7 24.Nc7 Re3 25.Qd2 gives White better mobility.
• 18...Nb4 19.Nxd6 e4 20.Rad1 rd8 21.Ndb5 Nd3 22.d6 Bd7 23.f3 Bxc3 24.bxc3 Bxb5 25.Qxb5 Qxc3 26.Qb6 White has the defensive resources to rebuff Black's queenside incursion.

17...Nd4 18.Nxd4 exd4 19.Nb5 f4!?

• Dr. Lasker was once asked why he made a particular move. It was one of those many times that Lasker snatched victory from the jaws of defeat. "I had looked at all the other moves," said Dr. Lasker, "and they were bad."
• 19...Ra6? 20.Qd2 a4 21.Rac1 f4 22.Rc4 fxg3 fxg3 23.Rb6 24.Rc7 wins for White.

20.Nxd6?

• With this move, White stakes the game on advancing the d-pawn. However, Black has two pawns across the frontier line that need watching as they can hurt White.
• If 20.Qd3! Be5 21.Rac1 then:
• 21...Bf5 22.Qd2 Rf7 23.Rfe1 d3 is unclear.
• After 21...Bg4!? 22.Rc7 Rf7 23.Rxf7 Qxf7 24.Nxd4 White has more piece activityl.

20...Bg4 21.Qd3 Be7

• 21...Rfd8? allows White's d-pawn to become a menace: 22.Nb5! 23.Qg5 23.Rfe1 Bf5 24.Be4 Bxe4 25.Rxe4 fxg3 fxg3 Rac8 27.d6

22.Nb5

Black: Krishnan Sasikiran
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White: Shakhriyar Mamedyarov
Position after 22.Nd6b5

22...f3!!

• This is the move that White should have prevented and didn't.
• My silicon sidekick is still telling me that White is winning. The computer has no concept of "White is effectively playing a piece down." Black is better.

23.Bh1 Bc5

• Black makes certain that his forward pawns are protected.
• After 23...Rad8 24.Qc4 Bf6 25.d6+ Qf7+ 26.Qxf7+ Kxf7 27.Rfd1 Kg6 28.Rac1 Be5Fritz still says White has a huge advatange but the fact is that Black has more space and more freedom for his pieces. Furthermore, White can't do diddly about his imprisoned Bishop.

24.d6

• Thie advance is not nearly as effective now as it is in the note to Black's 21st move.
• After 24.Rac1 b6 25.Rfd1 Rad8 36.d6 Rf6 27.Qf1 Qf7 28.b3 Rg6 the d-pawn is stopped.

24...Kh8 25.Rad1 Rad8 26.a3

• White seeks control over his queenside darksquares.
• After 26.Qc4 b6 27.Rd3 Rf6 28.Rfd1 Be6 29.Qa4 Qf7 Black keeps White's Bishop under lock and key.

26...Bb6

• Black's plan is to maintain his pawn at f3, which imprisons the Bishop, and the pawn at d4, Which makes the maneuver necessary to liberate the captive extremely difficult.

27.Rfe1 Bf5 28.Qd2 Qf6 29.Re7

• The Bishop must remain in his cell.
• After 29...Bxf3? Bd7 30.Nxd4 Bxd4 31.Qxd4 Qxd4 32.Rxd4 Rxf2 the Bishop is gone and White is in fact a piece to the good.

29...Bd7 30.Rde1 Qg5

• The next phase might be called the death dance of the Queens. It would be to Black's advantage to exchange Queens if he can keep White's Bishop under lock and key.

31.Qd3 Qf5 32.Qd2 Qg5 33.Qc2 Qf5 34.Qxf5

• White acquiesces to the exchange of Queens.
• After 34.Qc1 Rf6 35.R1e5 Qg6 36.Nc7 Rxd6 37.Nd5 Rc6 38. Qd1 Rdc8 39.Qxf3 000

34...Rxf5 35.Nc7 d3

• 35...Bc5 36.Ne6 Bxe6 37.R1xe6 Rxd6 Bxd6 29.Rxb7 Kg8 000

36.Rd1 Rc5 37.Bxf3

• It must be nice to breathe fresh air again. Unfortunately, he's just in time for the debachle.

37...Rc2 38.Rf1

Black: Krishnan Sasikiran
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White: Shakhriyar Mamedyarov
Position after 38.Rd1f1

38...Bh3!

• The champagne is on ice.

39.Ne6

• 39.Bg2 Bxf2+ 40.Rxf2 Rc1+ 41.Rf1 d2 42.Ref7 d1Q is lights out.

39...Bxf2+ 40.Kh1

• 40.Rxf2 Rc1+ 41.Rf1 Rxf1# doesn't get any more final.

40...Bxf1 41.d7 Rg8 42.0-1

• 42.d8Q 42...Rxd8 43.Be4 Bg2+ 44.Kxg2 Bc5+ wins the Rook.
• If 42.Re8 Bb6 then:
• 43.d8Q Bxd8 44.Rxd8 Rxd8 45.Nxd8 Bg2+ leaves Black an exchange up with an unstoppable pawn.
• 43.Rxg8+ Kxg8 44.d8Q+ Bxd8 45.Nxd8 Bg2+ is not appreciably different.
• Mamedyarov resigns.

[Jack Rabbit]

9. Mamedyarov - Topalov, Round 3, Sofia

Shakhriyar Mamedyarov
Photo: ChessBase.de (Germany)

Shakhriyar Mamedyarov vs. Veselin Topalov
MTel Masters' Tournment, Round 3
Sofia, May 2007

Semi-Slav Queen's Bambit: Hastings Opening (Moscow Defense) (Anti-Meran Gambit)

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 c6 5. Bg5 h6

• 5. -- dxc4 is the Botvinnik Defense.

6. Bxf6

• 6. Bh4 dxc4 7. e4 g5 8. Bg3 b5 9. Be2 Bb7 10. h4 g4 11. Ne5 h5 12. 0-0 Nbd7 13. Qc2 Nxe5 14. Bxe5 Bg7 15. Rad1 0-0 16. Bg3 Nh7 17. e5 f5 18. exf6 Qxf6 is unclear (Kramnik-Akopian, Sparkassen, Dortmund 2000).

6. -- Qxf6 7. Qb3

• 7. e3 Nd7 8. Bd3 dxc4 9. Bxc4 g6 10. 0-0 Bg7 11. b4 0-0 12. a4 Qe7 13. Qb3 Rd8 14. a5 Nf6 15. e4 Rb8 16. b5 Bd7 17. Rfe1 cxb5 18. Bxb5 Rbc8 White has the lead in space and Black in piece activity (Campos-M. Gurevich, Rapid B, Cap d'Agde 2000).

7. -- Nd7 8. e4 dxe4 9. Nxe4 Qf4 10. Bd3 e5?!

• The lines off this move are not promising for Black.
• 10. -- Be7 11. 0-0 0-0 12. Rfe1 Rd8 13. Rad1 Qc7 14. Bb1 Nf8 15. c5 b5 16. Ng3 Bd7 is equal (Smyslov-Petrosian, Moscow 1971).
• 10. -- Nf6 11. Nxf6+ gxf6 12. 0-0 Rg8 13. Be2 b6 14. Rfe1 Bb7 15. c5 Qc7 16. Bc4 Be7 is equal (Euwe-Bisguier, IT, New York 1948).
• The adventurous may want to try the untested plan of pressuring the center from the queenside: 10. -- b6 11. Bc2 Bb7 12. 0-0 0-0-0 13. Rad1 Be7 with equality.

11. 0-0

• 11. dxe5 Nxe5 12. Nxe5 Qxe5 13. 0-0 Be7 14. Rae1 0-0 15. Re3 Qa5 16. Bb1 Rd8 17. a3 Rb8 18. Qc2 Bf5 is unclear: Black has more space, but White has more tactical opportunities (Keres-Mikenas, Soviet Ch, Tallinn 1965)

]11. -- exd4

• Better is 11. -- Be7 12. Rfe1 exd4 13. Ng3 Nc5 14. Qa3 Qd6 15. Bf5 Ne6 16. Qxd6 Bxd6 17. Nxd4 Bxg3 18. hxg3 Ke7 with equality (Timman-Gelfand, Hoogovens Tnmt, Wijk aan Zee 1996).

12. Nxd4 Nc5?!

• Black departs from the book since it does not have a happy ending.
• If 12. -- Ne5 13. Bc2 then:
• 13. -- Be7 14. g3 Qg4 15. f4 Ng6 16. f5 Bc5 17. Qe3 Bxd4 18. Qxd4 Black resigns (Tartakover-Cunillera, Barcelona 1934).
• 13. -- Ng4 14. Rad1 Be7 15. Ne2 Qc7 16. c5 gives White a spatial edge, but Black's game is playable.

13. Nxc5

• As far as achieving an advantage in space is concerned, White has better ways; on the other hand, this move will lead to the loss of the castling privilege for Black.
• 13. Qc2 Nxd3 14. Qxd3 Bg4 15. f3 Bd7 16. Ne2 Qe5 17. f4 Qa5 is equal.

13. -- Bxc5

• Black chooses wisely, but already White has an advantage in space.
• If 13. -- Qxd4? 14. Rfe1+ Be7 15. Rxe7+ Kxe7 16. Re1+ then:
• 16. -- Kd6 17. Nxb7+ Bxb7 18. c5+ Qxc5 19. Qxf7 leads to exchanges on e8 that leave White a pawn up.
• 16. -- Be6 17. Qxb7+ Kf6 18. Qxc6 sends Black to an early shower.

14. Rae1+ Kf8

• When in doubt, the King should head for shelter, as he does here.
• After 14. Kd8 15. Ne2 Qg5 16. Ng3 Bd4 17. Re4 Qf6 18. Nh5 Qd6 19. Rfe1 c5 White has better mobility and the initiative.

15. Re4 Qf6 16. Qc3?!

The Knight needed refortified, but this move has the added benfit of keeping the Queen in contact with the center.
• 16. Rfe1 g5 17. Qc3 Kg7 18. b4 Bxd4 19. Qxd4 Rd8 equalizes.

16. -- a5!?

• Black makes a bid for space on the queenside.
• 16. -- Bxd4 17. Qxd4 Qxd4 18. Rxd4 Be6 19. Re1 c5 20. Rde4 is equal.

17. Rfe1 Bd7 18. R1e3?!

• White's life would be easier if he keeps the Bishop out of b4. Fortunately, White still has better mobility.
• Correct is 18. a3 a4 19. Bc2 Kg8 20. R1e2 g6 21. R2e3 Kh7 22. Rf3 Qg7 with equality.

18. -- Bb4!

• Please refer to the previous note.

19. Qc2 Qd6

• Black is looking for a way to keep White's Rooks from pentrating his position.
• After19. -- Bc5 White continues to build pressure in the center with 20. Rf3 Qg5 21. Nb3 Be7 22. Rfe3 a4 23. Nd4.

20. Rf3 h5

• White has reassumed command of the game after his small inaccuracy on move 18.
• No better is 20. -- b6 21. a3 Bc5 22. Nb3 Rd8 23. Bf1 f5 24. Nxc5 Qxc5 25. Qd2 000

Black:
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/(((((((()
White:
Position after 20. -- h6h5

21. c5!!

• White sacrifices a pawn to clear c4 for the Bishop, allowing him to commence fire on the Black King.
• White also wins with21. Ref4 Kg8 22. c5 Bxc5 23. Rxf7 Bxd4 24. Rxd7 Qxd7 25. Bc4+ wins the Black Queen.

21. -- Bxc5 22. Bc4 f6 23. Ne6+ Bxe6 24. Rxe6 Qd7 25. Qf5

• After 25. Rd3 Bd4 26. Rd2 c5 27. Qg6 Rc8 28. Rde2 Rh6 29. Rd6 Rxg6 30. Rxd7 White will soon have two hogs running on the seventh with an easy game.

25. -- Qd4

• The text is strong than 25. -- Qd1+ 26. Bf1 Be7 27. Rb3 Rb8 28. Rxc6 which still doesn't leave too much doubt about the outcome.

26. Re4 Qd1+ 27. Bf1 Bd6 28. Rd3! Bxh2+ 29. Kxh2 Qxf1 30. Rd7

• Black can oly give away material to forstall mate.
• Topalov resigns.