The Jack Rabbit Chess Report for January 7

[Jack Rabbit]

The Jack Rabbit Chess Report
for the week ending January 7



Image: from Columbia University

Contents

Post 1: News for the week
Post 2: Diagrams and other features
Post 3: Games from Current and Recent Events
Post 4: Bonus Game: Sergey Karjakin - Vishy Anand, Corus Chess Group A, Wijk aan Zee, January 2006

[Jack Rabbit]

1. News for the week ending January 7

Fontaine wins the Rilton Cup



French grandmaster Robert Fontaine finish a clear first in the 36th Rilton Cup competition completed Friday in Stockholm.

M. Fontaine won 6 and drew 3 in the nine round Swiss system event for a total of 7½ points. He did not have a share of the lead until after the sixth round. He entered the final round in a five-way tie for first with 6½ points. In the final round, Fontaine, playing White, defeated 16-year-old Hungarian IM David Berczes in 47 moves and the only co-leader to win his game that day. All others drew.

David Howell of Sussex, England, was one of the second place finishers and earned his third grandmaster norm for his efforts. At the age of 16, Howell becomes the youngest British grandmaster in history.

Swedish grandmaster Pia Cramling, the third-ranked woman in the world and one who makes a habit of impressive showings in mixed gender events, was within sight of first place until round 8 when she lost to fellow Swede Emanuel Berg. Berg finessed second and Pia finished a half point behind with 6½ points.

M. Fontaine had a very good 2006 as he finished third in the French national championships, only a half-point behind Vlad Tkachiev and Laurent Fressinet.


Gagunashvili, Neverov share first at Hastings



Georgian grandmaster Merab Gagunashvili and defending tournament champion Valery Neverov of Ukraine finished tied for first with 7 points out of nine round in the 82nd Hastings Chess Congress completed Friday in Sussex.

Gagunashvili was awarded first place on his superior tie break points.

Hastings is the oldest of the international chess tournaments. It was first held in 1895, when it was won by the young American great, Harry Pillsbury of Boston, who was competing in his first international event. The tournament has been held annually since the 1920s, with the exception of the years during World War II.

Hastings was once one of the elite events on the chess calendar. In 1934 the masters' tournament, then an elite round robin, featured one former world champion, José Capablanca, and two future world champions, Max Euwe and Mikhail Botvinnik.


Iordachescu wins in Reggio Emilia



Grandmaster Viorel Iordachescu of Moldavia easily won the 49th Torneo di Capodanno in Reggio Emilia, Emilia-Romagna region (Italy) completed earlier today.

Iordachescu scored a total of 7 points in 9 rounds. He drew his first round game and then scored five consecutive victories open up a 1½-point lead over his nearest rival with three rounds remaining. He drew his games in rounds 7 and 8 to into the final round only needing to avoid loss to take a clear first. He easily drew that game today.

Finishing tied for second with 6½ point each were Ukrainian grandmaster Konstantin Landa and grandmaster Igor Khenkin of Germany.

Unofficial Cross Table
Torneo di Capodanno
Reggio Emilia

-------------------------- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 T- (W)
.1 Viorel Iordachescu . . .- ½ ½ 1 ½ 1 1 ½ 1 1 7. (5)
.2 Konstantin Landa . . . .½ - ½ 1 ½ 1 1 1 0 1 6½ (5)
.3 Igor Khenkin . . . . . .½ ½ - ½ ½ 1 ½ 1 1 1 6½ (4)
.4 Oleg Romanishin. . . . .0 0 ½ - ½ ½ 1 ½ 1 ½ 4½ (2)
.5 Luca Shytaj. . . . . . .½ ½ ½ ½ - 0 ½ ½ 1 ½ 4½ (1)
.6 Roberto Mogranzini . . .0 0 0 ½ 1 - 0 1 1 ½ 4. (3)
.7 Sabino Brunello. . . . .0 0 ½ 0 ½ 1 - 1 ½ ½ 4. (2)
.8 Denis Rambaldoni . . . .½ 0 0 ½ ½ 0 0 - ½ 1 3. (1)
.9 Federico Manca . . . . .0 1 0 0 0 0 ½ ½ - ½ 2½ (1)
10 Giulio Borgo . . . . . .0 0 0 ½ ½ ½ ½ 0 ½ - 2½ (0)

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


Annual Wijk aan Zee tournament begins Friday



One of the most prestigious events on the annual chess calendar, the Corus Chess Tournament in the Dutch resort of Wijk ann Zee, begins with opening ceremonies on Friday.

The main events in Wijk aan Zee are three invitational tournaments, all of which begin on Saturday. The strongest of these is a category 19 event.

The A Group this year consists of world champion Vladimir Kramnik (Russia), Veselin Topalov (Bulgaria), Viswanathan Anand (India), Peter Svidler (Russia), David Navara (Czech Republic), Levon Aronian (Armenia), Teimour Radjabov (Azerbaijan), Alexei Shirov (Spain), Ruslan Ponomariov (Ukraine), Magnus Carlsen (Norway), Sergey Tiviakov (Holland), Loek van Wely (Holland), Sergey Karjakin (Ukraine) and Alexander Motylev (Russia).

The B Group is rated category 14. Popular Russian grandmaster Alexandra Kosteniuk dropped out due to illness and has been replaced by Modavia's Viorel Bologan. The group's top seed is the rising star from Russia, Dmitry Jakovenko. Others in the B Group are Bu Xiangzhi (China), Gabriel Sargissian (Armenia), Pavel Eljanov (Ukraine), Friso Nijboer (Holland), Erwin L’Ami (Holland), Suat Atalik (Turkey), Maxime Vachier-Lagrave (France), Daniel Stellwagen (Holland), Jan Werle (Holland), Vladimir Georgiev (Macedonia), Jan Smeets (Holland) and Tatiana Kosintseva (Russia). All except Ms. Kostintseva are grandmasters.

Group C is a category 10 lead by Polish grandmaster Michal Krasenkow. Others are grandmasters Emanuel Berg (Sweden), John van der Wiel (Holland), Stellan Brynell (Sweden), Harman Jonkman (Holland), Dutch women's champion Peng Zhaoqin and 13-year-old Indian prodigy Parimarjan Negi; international masters Ian Nepomniachtchi (Russia), Nadezhda Kosintseva (Russia), Wouter Spoelman (Holland), Thomas Willemze (Holland), Edwin van Haastert (Holland) and Manuel Bosboom (Holland); and the 12-year-old Chinese prodigy, women's federation master Hou Yifan, who will no doubt be the sentimental favorite of many.

[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

Alexei Shirov - Miguel Illescas, Magistral, Pamplona, Round 7
Hans Tikkanen - Pia Cramling, Rilton Cup, Stockholm, Round 4
Merab Gagunashvili - Cheng Xiao, Chess Congress, Hastings, Round 7
Viorel Iordachescu - Federico Manca, Torneo di Capodanno, Reggio Emilia, Round 6

[Jack Rabbit]

5. Shirov - Illescas, Magistral, Pamplona

Alexei Shirov
Photo: Rochade Kipperheim (Germany)

Alexei Shirov vs. Miguel Illescas
Magistral, Round 7
Pamplona, Navarre (Spain), December 2006

Open Sicilian Game: Taimanov Defense

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nc6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Be2 Qc7 7. 0-0 Nf6 8. Be3 d6

• If 8. -- Bb4 9. Na4 then:
• 9. -- Be7 10. Nxc6 bxc6 11. Nb6 Rb8 12. Nxc8 Qxc8
• 13. Bd4 c5 14. Be5 Rb6
• 15. Qd3 d6 16. Bc3 0-0 17. b3 d5 18. e5 Nd7 19. f4 c4 20. bxc4 Rc6 21. Qh3 Nb6 22. Bd3 g6 is even.
• 15. b3 Nxe4 16. Bxg7 Rg8 17. Be5 Bd6 18. Bg3 Nxg3 19. fxg3 Be5 20. Bh5 Bxa1 21. Qxa1 Kd8 22. Qf6+ Kc7 23. Qe5+ Kb7 24. Rxf7 gives White an extra pawn and fine piece activity (Szczechowicz-Dobrowolski, Lasker Mem Open, Berlicek 2001).
• 13. e5 Nd5 14. Bc1 Bc5 15. c4 Ne7 16. b3 Qc7 17. Bb2 d6 18. exd6 Bxd6 is even.
• after 9. -- 0-0 10. Nxc6 bxc6 11. Nb6 Rb8 12. Nxc8 Rfxc8 13. Bxa6 Rf8 14. Bd3 Bd6 15. f4 e5 16. f5 Rxb2 17. g4 Qa5 18. g5 Ne8 19. Bc1 Rxa2 20. Bb2 Rxa1 21. Qxa1 Bb4 White's space on the kingside is more than compensated for Black by his activity on the queenside and the overall solidity of his position (Ehlvest-Illescas, French League 1989).

9. f4 Bd7

• If 9. -- Be7 10. Kh1 0-0 11. a4 Re8 then:
• 12. Bf3 Rb8
• 13. Qd2 Bd7
• 14. Nb3 b6 15. g4 Bc8
• 16. g5 d7 17. Bg2 Na5 18. Qf2 Nc4 19. Bc1 Bf8 20. Nd4 Na5 21. f5 Ne5 22. Nce2 Nac6
• 23. c3 exf5 24. exf5 Nxd4 25. Nxd4 Bb7 is an equal game (Jansa-Ftacnik, Prague 1989).
• 23. Ra3 Nxd4 24. Nxd4 exf5 25. Rc3 Qe7 26. exf5 Bb7 give White an edge in space (Morky-Horvath, Prague 1989).
• 16. Qf2 Na5 17. Rad1 Nc4 18. Bc1 b5 19. g5 Nd7 20. axb5 axb5 21. Bg2 b4 22. Ne2 Nc5 is level (Topalov-Anand, Las Palmas 1996).
• 14. Qf2 Nxd4 15. Bxd4 e5 16. Bb6 Qc4 17. a5 exf4 18. Be2 Qe6 19. Qxf4 Bc6 20. Bf3 is equal (van der Wiel-Renet, Cannes 1990).
• 13. g4 Nxd4 14. Bxd4 e5 15. fxe5 dxe5 16. Ba7 Ra8 17. g5 Rd8 18. Qe2 Ne8 19. Be3 Be6 20. Bg4 Qc6 21. Qg2 Nc7 22. Bxe6 Nxe6 23. Rad1 draw agreed (Svidler-Vekshenkov, Russian TCh, Tomsk 2001).
• 12. Bd3 Nb4 13. a5 Bd7 14. Qf3 Rac8 15. Qg3 Nh5 16. Qf3 Nf6 17. Qg3 Nh5 draw agreed (Wang Hao-Khalifman, Aeroflot Open, Moscow 2006).

10. g4 h5!?

• It is very unusual in a Sicilian for Black to attempt to counter White's anticipated kingside attack so violently. Usually, Black seeks counterpaly on the queenside. See the first two notes to this game for concrete examples.
• 10. -- Nxd4 11. Bxd4 Bc6 12. Bf3 e5 13. Be3 Be7 14. f5 h6 15. Qd2 b5 16. Rad1 Rc8 17. a3 Qb7 18. Qd3 gives White a little more space (Barden-Rossolimo, Hastings 1950).

11. g5 Ng4 12. Bxg4 hxg4 13. g6

• White is intent on disrupting Black's kingside.
• 13. Nxc6 bxc6 14. Qxg4 Rb8 15. Rab1 d5 16. Qf3 f6 17. g6 gives White a significant edge in space.

13. -- 0-0-0

• Black seldom castles long in the Open Sicilian. Usually, that is where he hopes to launch a counterattack.
• On the other hand, this game has developed on very unique contours.
• After 13. -- f6 14. Nxc6 bxc6 15. Qxg4 Bc8 16. f5 Rb8 17. Rab1 White has a strong edge in space.

14. gxf7 Rh3!?

• An interesting move that suggests that Black may want to force some action on White's third rank. However, Black's other pieces are cramped and cannot yet join the battle.
If 14. -- Nxd4 15. Bxd4 g3 16. hxg3 Bc6 then:
• 17. Qg4 Qxf7 18. Rad1
• after 18. -- Re8 19. Rf3 Rh7 20. f5 exf5 21. Qxf5+ Qxf5 22. Rxf5 White is up by two pawns.
• after 18. -- Kb8 19. Rf2 Be7 20. f5 e5 21. Bb6 Rc8 22. Nd5 White has an advantage in space and an extra pawn.
• 17. Re1?! Qxf7 18. Qg4 Be7 19. Nd5 Kb8 20. Nxe7 Qxe7 gives White an extra pawn.

15. f5 d5?!

• This opens a diagonal for Black to exploit.
• Better is 15. -- Nxd4 16. Bxd4 g3 when:
• 17. hxg3 Rxg3+ 18. Kf2 d5 19. e5 Rg5 20. Ke1 Be7 give Black actives pieces with White's King stranded in the center.
• 17. Kg2 Rxh2+ 18. Kxg3 Rh6 19. Re1 g6 20. Be3 d5+ gives Black the initiative and the open diagonal after 21. Bf4 Bd6 22. Bxd6 Qxd6+.

16. Bf4 Qb6 17. fxe6 Bxe6 18. Na4

• White now attacks the Queen, which must retreat.
If 18. Nxd5?! Rxd5 19. exd5 Nxd4 20. dxe6 Ne2+ then:
• 21. Kg2 Qc6+ 22. Kf2 Rf3+
• 23. Ke1 Nxf4 gives Black an edge in mobility and King safety.
• after 23. Kxe2? Qe4+ 24. Kd2 Qxf4+ 25. Ke1 Bb4+ 26. c3 Bxc3+ 27. bxc3 Black mates as follows: 27. -- Rxf1+ 28. Ke2 Qf3+ 29. Kd2 Rf2+ 30. Kc1 Qxc3+ with mate on the next move.
• after 21. Kh1? Qc6+ Black mates in two.

18. -- Qa7 19. c3 dxe4 20. Kg2 Rxd4?

• The exchange sacrifice turns out badly for Black.
• Correct is 20. -- Nxd4 21. cxd4 Rxd4 22. Rc1+ Kd8 23. Nc5!
• 23. -- Qxc5 24. Rxc5 Rxd1
• 25. Rxd1+ Rd3 26. Rxd3+ exd3 27. Rc3 Bxa2 28. Rxd3+ gives White the edge in King safety and with the pawn at f7.
• 25. Bg5+ Kd7 26. Rxd1+ Rd3 27. Rxd3+ exd3 28. Rc3 Bxa2 Rd3+ give White an edge in King safety and with the pawn at f7.
• 23. -- Rxd1? 24. Rcxd1+ Kc8 25. Nxe6 assures White of gaining a material edge.

21. cxd4 Rd3

• This is Black's best hope. He was probably expecting White to reply 22. Qe2.
After 21. -- g5 22. Be5 Rf3 23. Qc2 Bd5 24. Nc3 Be7 25. Nxd5 White is threatening to win material.

Black: Miguel Illescas
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White: Alexei Shirov
Position after 21. -- Rh3d3

22. d5!!

If 22. Qe2 Qxd4 23. Rad1 then:
• 23. -- b5 24. Nc3 Kb7 25. Bg3 Bc4 26. Qxg4 gives White a strong edgein piece activity and mobility, but not a winning one.
• 23. -- Rxd1 24. Qxd1 Qd3 25. Nb6+ Kd8 26. Bg3 gives White a huge edge in mobility as well as a small one in material.

22. -- Rxd1 23. Raxd1 e3

• If 23. -- Bxf7 24. dxc6 Be6 25. Be5 then:
• 25. -- Bb4 26. c7
• 26. -- Bd7 27. Rf7 Qe3 28. Nb6+ Qxb6 29. Rfxd7 is lights out for Black.
• after 26. -- b5 27. Rf7 Bd6 28. Rxd6 Black must lose material or submit to mate.
• after 25. -- Be7 26. Bd4 Qb8 27. Nb6+ Kc7 28. Be5+ White skewers the Queen.

24. Rfe1 b5

• 24. -- e2 25. Rxe2 Bxf7 26. Be3 Nd4 27. Bxd4 Qb8 28. Nb6+ Kd8 29. Rc1 give White a clear attack on the King/

25. dxe6 bxa4 26. Rd7 Qb6 27. Rxe3 Qxb2+

• After 27. -- g5 28. Rc7+ Qxc7 29. Bxc7 Kxc7 30. Rd3 Ne5 31. Rd5 Black's kingside pawns will fall,

28. Kg3 g5

• If 28. -- Qb6 29. e7 then:
• 29. -- Qxe3+ 30. Bxe3 Nxe7 31. Ra7 gives Black a threat aganinst Black's queenside pawns and threat against the Bishop (32. Ra8+).
• after 29. -- Bxe7 30. Rdxe7 Nxe7 31. f8Q+ Black must lose material or submit to mate.

29. Bxg5 Nd4

• After 29. -- Qa1 30. Bf4 Qg1+ 31. Kh4 Qf2+ 32. Kg5 Qf1 33. Kxg4 Qg1+ 34. Rg3 the Queen moves and White continues to hammer Black with 35. Rc7+ winning the Knight.

30. Rd8+ Kb7 31. Rxd4 Qxd4

Black: Miguel Illescas
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White: Alexei Shirov
Position after 31. -- Qb2xd4

32. e7!

• The pawn must promote.

32. -- Qh8

After 32. -- Qxe3+ 33. Bxe3 Bxe7 34. Bh6 Kc6 35. Kxg4 Kd7 36. h4 Ke6 37. f8Q it's lights out.

33. e8Q Qh3+ 34. Kf4 Bd6+ 35. Kf5 1-0

• After 35. Kf5 Qf1+ 36. Kg6 Qb1+ 37. Kh5 Qh7+ 38. Kxg4 Qxh2 Black is out of checks; there follows 39. Qd7+ Kb6 40. Bd8+ Kc5 41. Qc8+ Kd4 42. Bb6+ Kd5 43. Rd3+ Ke4 44. Qf5#
• El señor Illescas resigns.

[Jack Rabbit]

6. Tikkanen - Pia Cramling, Rilton Cup, Stockholm

Pia Cramling
Photo: Evry Grand Roque (France)

To view this game: Please click here and select the last game on the list.

Hans Tikkanen vs. Pia Cramling
Rilton Cup, Round 4
Stockholm, December 2006

Slav Queen's Gambit: Czech Opening

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. a4 Bf5 6. Ne5 Nbd7

• One of the other main lines of the Slav runs 6. -- e6 7. f3 Bb4 8. e4 Bxe4 9. fxe4 Nxe4 10. Bd2 Qxd4 11. Nxe4 Qxe4+ 12. Qe2 Bxd2+ 13. Kxd2 Qd5+ 14. Kc2 Na6 15. Nxc4 with an equal game.

7. Nxc4 Qc7 8. g3 e5 9. dxe5 Nxe5 10. Bf4 Nfd7

• 10. -- Rd8 11. Qc1 Bd6 12. Nxd6+ Qxd6 13. Bg2 Qe7 14. 0-0 a5 15. Nd1 0-0 16. Qc3 Ng6 17. Bg5 Qe5 18. Qxe5 Nxe5 19. e4 Bc8 20. f4 Ng6 21. e5 h6 22. Bxf6 gxf6 23. exf6 Rfe8 24. Rb1 draw agreed (Anikaev-Bagirov, Minsk 1983).

11. Bg2 Be7

• 11. -- g5 12. Ne3 gxf4 13. Nxf5 0-0-0 14. Qc2 Nc5 15. 0-0 Ne6 16. Rad1 Bc5 17. Ne4 Bb4 18. Qc1 fxg3 19. hxg3 Rxd1 20. Rxd1 Rd8 21. Bh3 Kb8 22. Kg2 a5 23. b3 draw agreed (Kramnik-Morozevich, IT, Astana (Kazakhstan) 2001).

12. Ne4!?

• White introduces a new move. With some work, it might be worthwhile.
• 12. Qc1 0-0 13. 0-0 Be6 14. Nxe5 Nxe5 15. Nb5 Qb8 16. Nd4 Bd7 17. Rd1 Bf6 18. b4 draw agreed (D. Morovic-Spassky, Dortmund 1973).

12. -- 0-0

• 12. -- Bxc4 13. Bxe4 Bb4+ 14. Kf1 0-0-0 15. Kf2 f6 16. Qb3 appears to slightly favor White

13. Ned6?!

• The exchanges consequent to this move relaxes White's central presence.
• Better is either 13. 0-0 Be6 14. Nxe5 Nxe5 15. Qd4 f6 16. Ng5 fxg5 17. Bxe5 Rad8 18. Qc3 Bd6 with equality; or
• 13. Qd4 Bxe4 14. Bxe4 Bf6 15. 0-0 g5 16. Bxe5 Nxe5 17. Nxe5 Qxe5 18. Qxe5 Bxe5 19. Rad1 which contains the embryo of a drawn game.

13. -- Be6

• Balck gets the upper hand as a rsult of White's inaccuracy.
• Also good for Black is 13. -- Nxc4 14. Nxc4 Bb4+ 15. Kf1 Qd8 16. Bd6 Bxd6 17. Nxd6 Qf6 18. Nxb7 Rab8.

14. Nxe5 Nxe5 15. Bxe5 Rfd8 16. Qc2

• White tries to find some activity for his pieces. Black has an advantage in activity and mobility, although exchanges at d6 may be necessary to maintain it.
• 16. 0-0 Bxd6 17. Bxd6 Rxd6 18. Qc2 Qb6 19. Be4 h6 20. a5 Qb3 gives Black a small edge with control of the d-file.

16. -- Bxd6 17. Bc3

• After 17. Bxd6 Qxd6 18. 0-0 Qd2 19. Rfc1 Rd7 20. e3 Qxc2 21. Rxc2 Rad8 Black has firm command of the d-file.

17. -- a5

• Black does not want White to expand on the queenside, where she has a pawn majority of which she would like to take advantage.
• If 17. -- Bd5 then:
• 18. Bxd5 cxd5 then:
• 19. Qd3 Be5 20. 0-0 Bxc3 21. Rfc1 Qe5 22. Rxc3 give White an edge with his command of the c-file.
• 19. Rc1? Rac8 20. Qd2 Bxg3! 21. hxg3 d4! 22. Qg5 dxc3 gives Black command of impratant files and a greater ability to exploit them.
• 18. e4 18. -- Be6 19. 0-0 Qb6 20. a5 Qb5 21. f4 Rd7 22. Kh1 Rad8 give Black better command of open lines.

18. Be4 h6 19. 0-0 Bb4?!

• This inaccuracy allows White to equalize.
• Better is 19. -- Rd7 20. Rae1 Rad8 21. Rfd1 b6 22. Bh7+ Kh8 23. Be4 c5 24. b3 Be5 when Black emerges from the ensuing exchanges with command of open lines.

20. Rfd1 Bxc3 21. Qxc3 Qb6 22. Bc2

• The position is equal.
• White protects the a-pawn.
• If 22. e3 then:
• 22. -- Rxd1+ 23. Rxd1 Bb3 24. Rd4 is equal.
• after 22. -- Qb4 23. Qxb4 axb4 24. Bc2 both sides hold their ground.

22. -- Qb4 23. Qe5

• White tries to centralize his Queen.
• If 23.Qxb4 axb4 24.Rxd8+ Rxd8 25.Bd3 c5 then:
• 26.Rc1 b6 27.Kg2 Ra8 28.Bb5 Rd8 is level.
• after 26.Rd1 Kf8 27.Bc2 Rxd1+ 28.Bxd1 c4 29.Bc2 b6 Black's advanced pawns give her a small plus.
• else if 23. Rac1 Qxc3 24. Vxc3 b5 25. h4 Rxd1+ 26. Rxd1 Kf8 27. Rd6 Rc8 leaves Black with better pawn structure, but White has the more active Rook.

23. -- Re8 24. Qd4 Bc4

• Black is not ready to exchange Queens. If she can win a pawn, then it will be a different matter.
• 24. -- Qxd4 25. Rxd4 Rad8 26. Rad1 Rxd4 27. Rxd4 Bh3 28. f3 Kf8 is balanced.

25. e3 c5 26. Qh4 Be6

• Black makes his Queen mobile while attacking holes in White's position. White's response is almost forced.
• 26. -- Be2 27. Qxb4 axb4 28. Rd7 b6 29. Rb7 Reb8 gives Black a slight edge in piece activity.

27. Qxb4 axb4 28. a5 Ra7 29. Rd6

• White prepares to attack a pawn with 30. Rb6 and 31. Be4.
• If 29. f4 b3 30. Bd3 Bg4 31. Rdc1 Rxe3 32. Bf1 Ra8 33. Rxc5 then:
• 33. -- Rd8 34. Rc7 Rd2 35. Rd7 Rxb2 36. Rxb7 Ra2 is equal.
• 33. -- b6 34. Rb5 bxa5 35. Raxa5 Rxa5 36. Rxa5 allows White to amneuver more gracefully.

29. -- Kf8 30. Be4

• More accurate is 30. Rb6 Rd8 31. Be4 Rd7 32. Rb5 when:
• 32. -- b3 33. Rxc5 b6 34. Rc8+ Ke7 35. a6 Rxa6 36. Rxa6 Rd1+ 37. Kg2 Bxc8 38. Rxb6 Be6 is equal.
• 32. -- Ke7? 33. h4 f5 34. Bh1 Bd5 35. Rc1 give White a significant advantage in piece activity.

30. -- Rea8 31. Rc1?

• This is a waste of time since Black will capture on a5, protecting the pawn at c5.
• The Rook is put to better use by 31. Rad1 and then 31. -- Rxa5 32. Bxb7 R8a7 33. Bd5 Bxd5 34. R6xd5 c4 35. Rxa5 Rxa5 gives Black only the slightest edge in a Rook and pawn ending with her King closer to the center and her pawn duo more advnaced, but it's not enough to win.

31. -- Rxa5 32. Bxb7 Ra1 33. Rdd1

• Black is getting the upper hand. White must regroup his forces for defense.
• 33. Rxa1 Rxa1+ 34. Kg2 Ra2 35. Bd5 Rxb2 36. Bxe6 fxe6 37. Rc6 Rc2 gives Black an extra pawn and a strong, advancing duo.

33. -- Rxc1 34. Rxc1 Ra7?

• Black lets an opportunity slip.
• Correct is 34. -- Ra2 35. Rxc5 b3 36. Rc7 Rxb2 37. Be4 Bh3 38. Rb7 f5 and Black has a mating threat and a passed pawn.

35. Bf3 c4!

• Black sets up a breathtaking pawn sacrifice.
• Also good for Black is 35. -- Ra2 36. Rxc5 Rxb2 37. Kg2 Ke7 38. Rc7+ when:
• 38. -- Kd6?! 39. Rc6+ Ke7 40. Rb6 b3 41. Bd1
• 41. -- Rd2 42. Bxb3 Rb2 43. Bxe6 Rxb6 gives Black the material advantage, but with all the pawns on one side it will be difficult to exploit.
• 41. -- Rb1 42. Bf3 Rb2 43. Bd1 Rb1 give Black the initiative built around her c-pawn.
• after 38. -- Kf6 39. h4 b3 40. Rb7 Rd2 Black has the edge as her pawn become more dangerous.

36. Be2 c3 37. bxc3

Black: Pia Cramling
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White: Hans Tikkanen
Position after 37. b2xc3

37. -- b3!!

• This is the point of Black's 35th move. Taking the c-pawn simply won't work as it would leave Black a pawn down without compensation after 38. Rxc3. With the test move, she is down a pawn, but has one very lethel advanced passer as a result.
• After 37. -- bxc3? 38. Rxc3 Ra2 39. Kf1 Ke7 40. Bd3 g5 41. Rc2 Bh3+ 42. Ke2 Black has an extra pawn and Black's attack is kaput.
• Black has created a sharp position in which, if both sides play accurately, assures her of at least a draw.

38. Bd3?

• White does not play as accurately as he ought. This is too slow and clumsy a way to stop the b-pawn.
• Correct is 38. Rb1! Ra2 39. Kf1 Rc2 40. Bd3 Rd2 41. Be4 Bc4+ 42. Kg2 b2 with equality.
• Black will quietly drive her advantage home for the rest of the game.

38. -- Rd7 39. Bb1

• After 39. Be4 b2 40. Rb1 Rd2 41. Kf1 Ba2 42. Re1 Ke7 Black will activate her King by playing it to d6-c5-c4xd3.

39. -- Rd2 40. Kf1

• If 40. Re1 b2 41. Kg2 Ke7 then:
• 42. Kf3 Bc4 43. g4 then:
• after 43. -- Kd6 44. h4 Kc5 45. e4 Rd3+! 46. Bxd3 Bxd3 47. Ke3 b1Q 48. Rxb1 Bxb1 Black will be able to pick off White's pawns and advance her own.
• after 43. -- Ke6 44. h4 Kd6 45. Kg3 Bb3 46. f3 Kd5 47. g5 hxg5 48. hxg5 Kc4 the c-pawn falls and the b-pawn promotes.
• 42. e4 Bc4 43. Kf3 Rd3+ 44. Bxd3 Bxd3 45. Ke3 b1Q 46. Rxb1 Bxb1 Black's King moves up, the Bishop and King pick off pawns and Black will begin to advance her kingside.

40. -- Bc4+ 41. Kg2

• 41. Kg1 b2 42. Re1 Rd3! 43. Bxd3 Bxd3 44. f3 Ke7 then:
45. h4 45. -- Kd6 46. Kf2 Kc5 47. g4 Kc4 48. Kg3 b1Q 49. Rxb1 Bxb1 leaves the White King further from the center, making his position more dire than in any of the similar positions analyzed in the previous note.
• after 45. Kf2 Kd6 46. e4 b1Q 47. Rxb1 Bxb1 48. Ke3 Kc5 the c-pawn is doomed and Bishop should carry the day over White's extra pawn.

41. -- Be2!

• Black makes the best move. Her plan is to tie down White's piece to the b-pawn and bring the King into the attack in White's queenside quadrant.
• Other moves are less effecitve:
• 41. -- Bd3?! 42. Bxd3 Rxd3 43. c4 allows White to develop some counterplay while Black takes time to stop the c-pawn.
• 41. -- b2 42. Re1 Bd5+ 43. e4 Bc4 44. g4 Ke7 45. h4 g6 leads to an advantageous position for Black with a Rook against two pawns, but White will have time to bring his King to the center giving him drawing chances; for example: 46. Kf3 Rd3+ 47. Bxd3 Bxd3 48. Ke3 b1Q 49. Rxb1 Bxb1.

42. Re1

• If 42. Rg1 Ke7 43. h4 b2 then:
• after 44. Kh3 Kd6 45. Re1 Kc5 46. Kg2 Kc4 47. Ba2+ Kxc3 Black wins by queening the pawn either by 48. Bxf7 Bd3 49. g4 b1Q 50. Rxb1 Bxb1 or 48. e4 Rc2 threatening 49. -- Rc1.
• after 45. Ba2 Bf3 46. g4 Bd5 47. c4 Be6 48. Kg3 Kc5 49. f3 Black wins by 49. -- Rc2! 50. Rg2 Rxg2 51. Kxg2 Bxc4!
• after 44. Ba2 f6 45. Re1 Kd6 46. Rg1 Kc5 47. Re1 Rc2! Black wins by 48. Bb1 Rc1 49. Rxe2 Rxb1.

42. -- Ke7 43. g4

• If 43. Be4 then:
• 43. -- b2 44. h3 Kd6 45. Bb1 Kc5 46. h4 Kc4 47. Ba2+ Kxc3 is the same position as the red variation in the note to White's 42nd move.
• ]font color="darkred"44. h4 Kd6 45. Rb1 Ke5 46. Bh7 g6 47. Bg8 Kf6 imprisons White's Bishop, allowing Black to drive the Rook out of the queening square.
• 43. -- Bd1 44. h4 Kd6 45. g4 Kc5 46. Kg3 Kc4 allows Black to bring her King in to escort the pawn.

43. -- Bxg4 44. Be4

• After 44. Rg1 b2 45. Kg3 Be2 46. h4 g6 47. Kf4 Kd6 48. f3 Kc5 49. Ba2 Rc2 Black wins.

44. -- Bd1 45. Kg3 Kd6 46. f3

• After 46. h4 Bc2 47. Bxc2 Rxc2 48. Rb1 b2 49. f4 Kd5 50. f5 Kc4 Black wins.

46. -- Kc5 47. Kf4 Bc2 48. 0-1

• After 48. Bxc2 Rxc2 49. Rb1 Kc4 50. Ke5 Kxc3 followed by 51. -- b2 is lights out.
• Hans Tikkanen resigns.
• Pia has given us in the game a first rate object lesson in exploiting a pawn majority.

[Jack Rabbit]

7. Gagunashvili - Gofshtein, Chess Congress, Hastings

Merab Gagunashvili
Photo: ChessBase.de (Germany)

Merab Gagunashvili vs. Zvulon Gofshtein
Chess Congress, Round 7
Hastings, January 2007

West India Game: Indian Queen's Gambit (Russian Opening)

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nf3 Bg7 4. Nc3 d5 5. Qb3 dxc4 6. Qxc4 c6

• If 6. -- 0-0 7. e4 then:
• 7. -- Bg4 8. Be3 Nfd7 9. Qb3 Nb6 10. Rd1 then:
• 10. -- Nc6 11. d5 Ne5 12. Be2 Nxf3+ 13. gxf3 Bh5 14. Rg1 Qc8 15. Rg3 yields equality.
• 10. -- e6 11. Be2 Nc6 12. Ng1 Bxe2 13. Ngxe2 Qe7 14. 0-0 Rfd8 is level.
• 7. -- Na6 8. Be2 c5 9. d5 e6 10. 0-0 exd5 11. exd5 Bf5 12. Be3 Qb6 13. b3 Rfe8 14. Rad1 Rad8 is equal.

7. e4 0-0 8. Be2 a5

• If 8. -- b5 9. Qb3 Qa5 then:
• 10. Bd2 b4 11. Na4 Nxe4 12. Bxb4 Qc7 13. 0-0 Na6 then:
• 14. Ba3 Rb8 15. Qc2 Nd6 then:
• 16. Nc3 Qa5 17. Ne5 Nf5 18. Nxc6 Nxd4 19. Nxd4 Bxd4 20. Bxe7 Re8 21. Bh4 is level (Simagin-Honfi, Toth Memorial, Kecskemet 1966).
• 16. Rac1 Bh6 17. Rcd1 Bf5 18. Bd3 Bxd3 19. Rxd3 Nb4 20. Bxb4 Rxb4 21. a3 Rc4 22. Nc3 +/- (Frontos-Larsen, Monte Carlo 1967).
• 14. Bxa6 14. -- Bxa6 15. Rfe1 Nd6 16. Rac1 Rab8 then:
• 17. Qc3
• 17. Ne5 Bb5 18. Nc5 Nf5 19. Bc3 Qd6 20. a4 Ba6 = (Portisch-Hort, Toth Memorial, Kecskemet 1966).
**17. -- Nf5 18. Nc5 = (Petrosian-L. Bronstein, Interzonal Trmt, Rio de Janeiro 1979).
• 10. 0-0 b4 11. e5 bxc3 12. exf6 Bxf6 13. bxc3 Be6 14. Bc4 Bxc4 15. Qxc4 Qd5 16. Qe2 c5 17. Bh6 Rc8 is equal (Ståhlberg-Bronstein, Interzonal Trmt, Saltsjobaden 1948).

9. 0-0 a4!?

• Black plays the game's novelty. His expands his space on the queenside. This could be followed by -- b5, -- Bb7, -- Nd7, posting the c7/b5 diafonal and -- Rd8.
• 9. -- Na6 10. Qd3 Qc7 11. h3 Rd8 12. Be3 b5 13. Rac1 Qb7 14. Qb1 Bd7 15. Ne5 Be8 16. b3 Rac8 17. f4 Nc7 18. g4 gives White more space in the center and kingside, but Black has compensation on the queen's wing (Sajtar-Barcza, Karlovy Vary 1948).

10. Qd3

• White, in turn, decides to work in the center. A typical opening strategy to the Indian Queen's Gambit is for White to build a center and Black to attempt to undermine it.
• If 10. Bg5 b6 11. Rfc1 Ra5 12. Qb4 Na6 then:
• 13. Qa3 b5 14. b4 axb3 15. Qxb3 gives White a spatial edge in the center and at least marginally better piece activity.
• 13. Bxa6 c5 14. Qxa5 bxa5 15. Bxc8 Qxc8 16. e5 gives White a tentaive edge in space; Black could easily equalize.

10. -- Qa5 11. h3

• White keeps Black's pieces out of g4.
• After 11. Bg5 h6 12. Bxf6 Bxf6 13. Rac1 b6 14. Qe3 Bg7 White's central space is balanced by Black's activity and mobility.

11. -- Rd8 12. Qc2 b5 13. Be3

• White keeps his central pawns protected, especially the d-pawn which sits on an open file.
• If 13. a3 Be6 14. Bg5 Ra7 15. Qd2 Rad7 16. Bh6 then:
• 16. -- Bh8 17. Ne5 Nxe4 18. Nxe4 Qxd2 19. Nxd2 White has the better center, but Black's activity and mobility could undermine it.
• 16. -- Na6 17. Bxg7 Kxg7 18. Qf4 Nc7 has the same characteristics as the red line.

13. -- Na6

• Instead of the setup outlined in the notes to Black's ninth move, Black opts for this move with the idea of perhaps posting the Knight at c7.

14. Ne5!?

• White threatens to akes the pawn at c6, forking the Queen and Rook. It is an idle threat, easily dealt with.
• If 14. Rfd1 (contiuing to protect his central pawns) 14. --Nb4 15. Qd2 then:
• 15. -- a3 16. bxa3 Qxa3 17. Bg5 Bb7 18. Re1 is level.
• 15. -- Bb7 16. a3 Na6 17. Qc2 Rd7 18. b4 axb3 19. Qxb3 gives White the edge in central and piece activity.

14. -- Bb7 15. Rac1 Rac8

• Black, too, must protect weak pawns on open files
• 15. -- c5? would be a mistake: if 16. dxc5 Nb4 17. Qb1 Nxe4 then:
• 18. Nxf7!
• 18. -- Nxc3 19. bxc3 Nxa2 20. Nxd8 Nxc1 21. Rxc1 Rxd8 22. Qxb5 Qa8 23. Bf1 gives White an extra pawn, which is passed and advanced.
• 18. -- Nd2 19. Nxd8 Nxb1 20. Nxb7 Qc7 21. Rxb1 Qxb7 22. Bxb5 gives White a material edge (a Rook, Bishop and two pawns against a Queen) and his pieces can easily be mobilized.
• 18. Nxe4? Bxe5 19. Bf3 Qc7 20. Rfd1 Rac8 21. Rxd8+ Rxd8 gives Black the egde in active pieces.

16. Nd3!?

• This deprives the e-pawn of protction from the Queen at least momentarily.
• If 16. Rfd1 Nb4 17. Qb1 a3 18. bxa3 Qxa3 19. Rd2 then:
• 19. -- Na6 20. Qb2 Qa5 21. Qb3 e6 22. a3 offers equal chances.
• 19. -- Nd7 20. Nxd7 Rxd7 21. Qb2 Ra8 22. Rb1 givew Whitew a slight edge in piece activity after the exchange of Queens.

16. -- b4?!

• This ingnites some pyrotechnics that turn out slightly better for White.
• Better is 16. -- Rd7 17. a3 when:
• 17. -- Ne8 18. Ne5 Bxe5 19. dxe5 Ng7 giving White an edge in space.
• 17. -- Rcd8 18. Ne5 Rd6 19. b4 axb3 20. Qxb3 leaving Black to deal with White's threat of 21. Qxf7+.
• Also better is 16. -- Ne8 17. Bg4 e6 18. Ne2 c5 19. Nxc5 Nxc5 20. dxc5 giving White an extra pawn, but Black has some piece activity as compensation.

17. Qxa4 Qxa4 18. Nxa4 Nxe4 19. Nb6 Rc7

• White now has a Knight planted on b6 that is a bone in Black's queenside. It will not be easy to dislodge.
• 19. -- Rb8 20. Bf4 Bxd4 21. Bxb8 Nxb8 22. Nc4 Ng3 23. Rfe1 give White an edge in piece activity.

20. Bf3 c5?

• Perhaps this was played with the idea of driving away the Knight with a Rook on rank 6, but it merely allows White to put another bone in Black's throat.
• Correct is 20. -- Nd6 21. d5 cxd5 22. Nxd5 Bxd5 23. Bxd5 Nf5 24. Rxc7 Nxc7 25. Bc4 with equality.

Black: Zvulon Gofshtein
!""""""""#
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White: Merab Gagunashvili
Position after 20. -- c6c5
21. d5!

• Now Black is really choaking on White's advance. This move is decisive.
• If 21. Bf4? lets Black off the hook:
• 21. -- Rxd4 22. Bxc7 Rxd3 23. Bxe4 Bxe4 24. Rce1 f5 25. f3 Nxc7 is equal.
• 21. -- Rc6? would set things right again for White after 22. Bxe4 Rxb6 23. Nxc5 Bxe4 24. Nxe4 Bxd4 25. Rfd1 Rbd6 26. Bxd6 Bxb3 27. Bxe7.

21. -- f5

• Black's has to deal with the immediate danger to his Knight.
• 21. -- Nd6 22. Nxc5 Bxb2 23. Nxa6 Rxc1 24. Bxc1 Bd4 25. Nxb4 Bxb6 26. Nc6 gives White an extra pawn and a strong initiative.

22. Bxe4 fxe4 23. Nxc5 Nxc5 24. Rxc5 Be5

• After 24. -- Rxc5 25. Bxc5 Kf7 26. Rd1 Bxb2 27. Bxb4 White begins to advance his a-pawn.

25. Rfc1 Rxc5 26. Bxc5 Bxb2 27. Rd1 e6

• Black might last a little longer after 27. -- b3 28. axb3 Kf7 when:
• 29. b4 29. -- Be5 30. b5 Bc7 31. Nc4 Rxd5 32. Rxd5 Bxd5 33. b6 makes White's b-pawn extremely dangerous.
• after 29. d6 Bf6 30. d7 Bc6 31. Be3 Be5 32. b4 Ke6 33. Rc1 Bxd7 34. Nxd7 the b-pawn rolls.

28. Be7 Rb8 29. dxe6 Bc6 30. Bd8 Be5 31. Nc4

• 31. e7 Kf7 32. Nc4 Rb5 33. Nxe5+ Rxe5 34. Rc1 Bd5 35. Rb1 Bxa2 36. Rxb4 gives White the advantage of the pawn ready to promote.

31. -- Rb5

• After 31. -- Bc3 32. Rd6 Be8 33. Nb6 Bb5 34. Bg5 Re8 35. Nd5 Ra8 36. Rd8+ Rxd8 37. Bxd8 Black's b-pawn is doomed after White plays 38. Be7.

32. Bh4 Bc7 33. e7 b3 34. axb3 Rxb3 35. Rd8+ Kg7

• After 35. -- Kf7 36. Rf8+ Kg7 37. Nd2 Rb8 38. Bf6+ Kh6 39. Rxb8 Bxb8 40. Nxe4 White's passed pawn at the gate keeps Black's Bishop tied down.

36. Bg3 e3

• After 36. -- Rb4 37. Bxc7 Rxc4 38. Rf8 Ba4 39. Be5+ Kh6 40. e8Q Bxe8 41. Rxe8 White is a piece to the good.

37. Bxc7 Rb1+ 38. Kh2 exf2 39. Be5+

• The text move is better than promoting immediately:
• If 39. e8Q then:
• 39. -- Bxe8 40. Be5+ Kf7 41. Nd6+ Ke6 42. Rxe8+ Kd5 43. Rf8 f1Q 44. Rxf1 Rxf1 45. Bg3 White has some work to do.
• 39. -- f1N+ 40. Kg1 Ng3+ 41. Kf2 is lights out for Black.
39. -- Kh6 40. Bf4+ Kg7 41. Be5+ Kh6 42. Ne3 Re1


• After 42. -- f1Q 43. Nxf1 Rxf1 White wins a piece with 44. Rc8 Bd7 45. Kg3 Kh5 46. Rf8.
43. Rf8 1-0

[Jack Rabbit]

8. Iordachescu - Manca, Torneo di Capodanno, Reggio Emilia

Viorel Iordachescu
Photo: ChessBase.de (Germany)

Viorel Iordachescu vs. Federico Manca
Torneo di Capodanno, Round 6
Reggio Emilia, January 2007

Moorish Rat Game: Dragon Defense (Pirc Defense)

1. e4 d6 2. d4 Nf6 3. Nc3 g6 4. Bg5 c6

• Once one has built a dragon's lair, one should not waste time populating it with a dragon. The usual and best move here is 4. -- Bg7.
• If 4. -- Bg7 5. Qd2 h6 6. Bh4 then:
• 6. -- Nbd7 7. 0-0-0 g5 8. Bg3 c5 9. Nge2 Nh5
• 10. f3 Nxg3 11. hxg3 Qa5 12. Kb1 Nb6
• 13. Nd5 Qxd2 14. Rxd2 Nxd5 15. exd5 Bd7 16. dxc5 dxc5 gives Black stronger command of open lines (Rublevsky-Smirin, Bastia 1999).
• 13. Nc1 cxd4 14. Nb5 Qxd2 15. Rxd2 0-0 16. Nxd4 d5 17. Nf5 Bxf5 18. exf5 e6 19. g4 Rac8 gives Black better piece activity and pawn structure (Gwaze-Marin, Olymp, Istanbul 2000).
• 10. Nd5 cxd4 11. Nxd4 Ndf6 12. Bb5+ Kf8 13. Nxf6 Bxf6 14. Be2 Nxg3 15. hxg3 Qb6 is equal (Bellon-Marin, Excelsior Cup, Gothenburg 2004).
• 6. -- g5 7. Bg3 Nh5 8. 0-0-0 Nc6 9. Bb5 Bd7 10. Nge2 e6 11. d5 Ne5 12. Nd4 Bxb5 13. Ncxb5 a6 14. Nc3 Qf6 15. Bxe5 Qxe5 16. Qe2 Nf4 17. Qf3 gives White a spatial edge (van der Wiel-Roodol, Lost Boys Open, Amsterdam 2001).

5. Qd2 b5

• 5. -- Bg7 6. Bh6 Bxh6 7. Qxh6 Qa5 8. Bd3 Na6 9. Nge2 Nb4 10. 0-0 Qh5 11. Qd2 Nxd3 12. cxd3 0-0 13. f4 Qh6 14. h3 e5 15. Rad1 exf4 16. Nxf4 give White an advantage in space (Adams-McNab, Zonal Trmt, Blackpool 1990).

6. Bd3 Nbd7

• 6. -- Bg7 7. f4 0-0 8. Nf3 Bg4 9. 0-0 Qb6 10. Ne2 Nbd7 11. Kh1 d5 12. Bxf6 Nxf6 13. e5 Ne4 14. Qe3 Bf5 is level (Tiviakov-Hendriks, Dutch Open, Dieren 2001).

7. Nf3

• 7. f4 Bg7 8. Nf3 0-0 9. 0-0 Nb6 10. Rae1 b4 11. Nd1 c5 12. c3 bxc3 13. bxc3 cxd4 14. cxd4 Bb7 15. f5 d5 16. Bxf6 exf6 17. e5 Nc4 18. Qf4 Rc8 is equal (R. Byrne-Gipslis, Interzonal Trmt, Sousse (Tunisia), 1967).

7. -- Qc7 8. 0-0

• 8. a4 b4 9. Ne2 a5 10. c3 c5 11. e5 Nd5 12. Be4 Bb7 13. 0-0 bxc3 14. bxc3 dxe5 15. dxe5 e6 16. c4 Nb4 17. Nc3 give White a strong advantage with more space and better piece activity (Itkin-Polovnikov, Novosibirsk 2001).

8. -- Bg7 9. Rfe1 e5!?

• Black embarks into unknown territory by challenging White in the center.
• 9. -- 0-0 10. h3 Bb7 11. e5 b4 12. Na4 Nd5 13. Bh6 c5 14. e6 c4 15. Bxg7 Kxg7 is even with Black's queenside space compensating for White's space in the center (Leko-Conquest, Yopal 1997).

10. a4!?

White responds by challenging Black on the queenside.
• If 10. d5 Rb8 11. Be3 a6 12. dxc6 Qxc6 13. Rad1 Bb7 then:
• 14. Bh6 0-0 15. Bxg7 Kxg7 is level.
• 14. Bf1 Rc8 15. a3 Bf8 16. Bh6 Bxh6 17. Qxh6 Gives White the edge in piece activity and King safety.

10. -- exd4 11. Nxd4 b4 12. Nce2 a5

• The game is level. White is still better in the center and Black is compesated on the queenside.
• 12. -- Rb8 13. Bh6 0-0 14. Bxg7 Kxg7 15. f3 Re8 16. Nb3 a6 17. Nf4 c5 Black has space on the queenside to balance White's cneter.

13. Ng3!?

• This leaves the Knight at d4 unprotected, but since Black needs to castle, it will take two moves to open the unmask the attack from the "dragon" Bishop.
• 13. Bh6 0-0 14. Bxg7 Kxg7 15. f3 Re8 16. Nb3 Ne5 17. Rad1 Qb6+ Kh1 Bb7 is even.

13. -- 0-0 14. Rad1 Nc5 15. b3 Re8 16. Bh6

• White attempts to slay the dragon.
• 16. f3 Ng4 17. Nge2 Ne5 18. Be3 Bb7 19. Nf4 Re7 20. Bf1 Rae8 gives Black a small spatial edge, especially on the queenside.

16. -- Bh8

• Black is not yet ready to part with his pet. It would be a minor victory for White to allow the exchange.

17. h3?!

• White wants to keep Black's piece out of g4. However, becaue his Knight is unprotected, this strategic advance is refuted tactically.
• If 17. Bf4 then:
• 17. -- Bg7
• 18. Bg5 Ng4 19. Be2 h6 20. Bf4 g5 21. Be3 Nxe3 22. Qxe3 Rb8 secures the queen's wing for Black.
• 18. Nf3 Nfd7 19. Ne2 Bf6 20. Bg3 Bg7 gives Black piece pressure in the center.
• 17. -- Bb7? 18. Nf3 Ng4 19. Bc4 Bc3 20. Qxd6 gives White a strong initiative.

17. -- Ng4 18. hxg4 Bxd4 19. e5?

• White's position was difficult before this move; now the floodgates can open. White had one unguarded pawn at g4, but now has just given Black a second target at e5.
• Correct is 19. Ne2 Be5 20. f3 Bb7 21. Be3 Nd7 when:
• 22. Bg5 Rab8 23. Rf1 Nb6 24. Bh6 d5 gives Black a little bit better center.
• 22. Bc4 Nb6 23. f4 Nxc4 24. bxc4 Bg7 gives Black better command of open lines.

19. -- Bxg4?

• Black misses an opportunity to blow White out of the water.
• If font color="red"]19. -- Bxe5! 20. Qg5 Qe7 21. Qxe7 Rxe7 then:
• 22. g5 Be6 23. Ne4 Nxd3 24. Rxd3 Bf5 Black has an extra pawn, pressure on White's Knight at e4 and White is saddled with an imprisoned Bishop.
• 22. f3 Nxd3 23. Rxd3 Ba6 24. Rdd1 Rae8 White must lose at least the exchange.

Black: Federico Manca
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White: Viorel Iordachescu
Position after 19. -- Bc8xg4

20. Qf4!!

• White has dodged a bullet. This move forks the two Bishops, but involves an exchange sacrifice.
• The text move works, but 20. Be2! Bxe2 21. exd6 Qxd6 22. Qxd4 Qxd4 23. Rxd4 Ba6 is an even better way out.

20. -- Bxd1 21. Qxd4 Ne6

• Black's initiative is spent.
• After 21. -- Bf3 22. gxf3 Nxd3 23. Qxd3 Rxe5 24. Rxe5 dxe5 25. Bg5 Rf8 White is compensated for the pawn deficit with superior piece activity.
• After 21. -- Nxd3? 22. exd6!! Rxe1+ 23. Nf1 f6 24. dxc7 25. Qd7+ Re7 26. Qxd3 White's Queen trumps Black's uncoordinated pieces.

22. Qa1 dxe5 23. Rxd1

• The text is stronger than 23. Ne4 Kh8 24. Nf6 Red8 25. Rxd1 Rd4 26. Be3 Rdd8 with an equal game.

23. -- Nf4?

• This move pointlessly removes the defender of g7, making it impossible for Black to play -- e4.
• Correct is 23. -- Rad8 24. Ne4 Kh8 25. Nf6 Re7 26. c3 Nc5 27. Bc4 Rxd1+ 28. Qxd1 bxc3 giving White only a marginally better position.

24. Ne4

• White's continues with his plan of playing the Knight to e4 and then f6. This turns out to be sufficient.
• White could win faster by 24. Bxf4! exf4 25. Ne4 Qe5 26. Nf6+ Kg7 27. Nxe8+ Rxe8 28. Qxe5+ leaving him a piece to the good.

24. -- Nd5 25. Bc4!

• White plays to win material.
• 25. Bg5 f5 26. Nf6+ Nxf6 27. Bxf6 h6 28. Bc4+ Kh7 29. Rd3 e4 30. Rh3 Whate has only a small advantage in piece activity.

25. -- Kh8

• After 25. -- Re6 26. Bg5 Rae8 27. Bxd5 cxd5 28. Rxd5 Qc6 29. Qd1 White is threatening to penetrate Black's back rank.

26. Re1 Nb6 27. Nf6 Re7

• If 27. -- Nxc4 28. Nxe8 Rxe8 29. bxc4 then:
• after 39. -- f6 30. Rd1 Rd8 31. Be3 Rb8 32. Rd2 Rd8 33. Qd1 White has a piece for two pawns and command of the d-file.
• after 29. -- Qe7 30. Qd1 Rd8 31. Qf3 Rc8 32. c3 c5 33. cxb4 axb4 34. a5 the a-pawn is dangerous.

28. Ng4 Nxc4 29. bxc4 Re6

• After 29. -- Rae8 30. Bg5 Re6 31. Rxe5 Rxe5 32. Bf6+ White wins a Rook

30. Rxe5 Rxe5 31. Nxe5 f6 32. Ng4 Rd8

• 32. -- Qf7 33. Nxf6 Rf8 34. Ng4+ Kg8 35. Be3 h5 36. Nh6+ wins the Black Queen.

33. Nxf6 Qf7 34. g3 1-0

• After 34. -- c5 35. Nd5+ Kg8 36. Qe5 Re8 37. Nf6+ Kh8 38. Nxe8+ Kg8 39. Nf6+ Qxf6 40. Qe8+ White mates on the next move.
• Il Signore Manco resigns.

[Jack Rabbit]

4. Bonus Game: Karjakin - Anand, Wijk ann Zee 2006

A few weeks ago, Susan Polgar posed the question on her blog about readers' opinion on the best game of 2006. This one received several mentions.



Vishy Anand
Photo: website of the 2006 Tal Memorial Tournament

Sergey Karjakin vs. Vishy Anand
Corus International Tournament, Round 1
Wijk aan Zee, Holland, January 2006

Open Sicilian Game: Najdorf Defense

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Be3 e5 7. Nb3 Be6 8. f3 Be7 9. Qd2 0-0

• A very common line, giving White the edge in space, is9. -- Nbd7 10. g4 h6 11. 0-0-0 b5 12. h4. Black is cramped and should seek to exchange pieces.

10. 0-0-0 Nbd7 11. g4 b5 12. g5 b4 13. Ne2 Ne8

• 13. -- Nh5 14. Ng3 Nf4 15. h4 a5 16. Kb1 a4 gives White sufficient resources to withstand Black's queenside pawns (Topalov-de Firmian, Rubinstein Mem, Polanica Zdroj 1995).

14. f4 a5 15. f5

• White expands on the Kingside. It is common in the Open Sicilian for White to gain space and the kingside and Black to find compensation on the opposite wing, as is the case here.
• If 15.Kb1 a4 16.Nbc1 exf4 then:
• 17.Nxf4 Bxg5 18.Nxe6 Bxe3 19.Nxd8 Bxd2 20.Rxd2 Rxd8 is equal (Z. Almasi-Vallejo, FIDE WCh, Tripoli 2004).
• 17.Bxf4 Nc5 18.Bg2 b3 19.cxb3 axb3 20.a3 d5 gives White a small spatial plus (Svidler-Vallejo, Amber Rapid, Monte Carlo 2004).

15. -- a4 16. Nbd4

• This intering move is based on the fact that Black's Bishop at e6 has no place to move.
• 16. fxe6 axb3 17. exf7+ Rxf7 18. Kb1 bxc2+ 19. Kxc2 is level (Topalov-Vallejo, Linares 2005).

16. -- exd4 17. Nxd4 b3 18. Kb1 bxc2+ 19. Nxc2 Bb3

• The difference between this and taking at a2 is minimal.
• 19. -- Bxa2+ 20. Kxa2 Ne5 21. f6 gxf6 22. h4 is equal.

20. axb3 axb3 21. Na3 Ne5!

• Black needs to find squares for his pieces before his position suffocates.
• If 21. -- d5? 22. Qxd5! Bxa3 then:
• 23. Qxd7?! Qa5 24. Qb5
• 24. -- Qc7 25. Qc4 Qa5
• 26. Qb5? Qc7 27. Qc4 Qa5 28. Qb5 draw agreed (Harikrishna-Karjakin, Foros 2006), but Fritz calls it a superior position for White.
• 26. Qxb3 Qe5 27. Bc1 Qxe4+ 28. Bd3 gives White superior command of open lines.
• 24. -- Qxb5 25. Bxb5 Nd6 26. Bc6 Ra6 27. Bd4 Rxc6 is equal.
• 23. bxa3! Qc7 24. Rc1 Qa5 25. Qxa5 Rxa5 26. Kb2 gives White advantages in space, mobiltiy,command of open lines and two Bishops over two Knights.

22. h4 Ra5 23. Qc3!?

• White breaks new ground. It's not a bad move at all and give White a focus on d4.
• 23. Qe2 d5 24. Rxd5 Rxd5 25. exd5 Bxa3 26. bxa3 gives White a clear edge in space on the kingside and two Bishops against two Knights (Leko-Vallejo, Amber Rapid, Monte Carlo 2005).
• 23. Qb4 Qa8 24. Bb6 Ra4 25. Qxb3 Qxe4+ 26. Nc2 Ra8 balances White's spatial edge on the kingside with Black's presence in the center (Najer-Popov Aeroflot Open, Moscow 2006).

23. -- Qa8 24. Bg2?

• White needed to guard his a-pawn, but this isn't the most solid way to do it.
• Correct is 24. Rd4 when:
• 24. -- Nf3 25. Rc4 Ne5 26. Rb4 d5 27. Rxb3 Nc4 is equal.
• after 24. -- Nc7? 25. Qxc7 Rc8 26. Qxe7 Nc4 27. Bxc4 Rxc4 28. Rxc4 White wins easily.

Black: Vishy Anand
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White: Sergewy Karjakin
Position after 24. Bf1g2

24. -- Nc7!!

• What a move!
• The combination is based on the inadequate protection of White's Knight at a3, which is blacking access to the mating point a1.
• If 24. -- Ra4 25. Qxb3 Nc7 26. Rd4 then:
• 26. -- Ra6 27. Qc3 Rb8 28. Rb4 White gains the initiative.
• 26. -- Rxd4?! 27. Bxd4 Rb8 28. Qc3 gives White the upper hand in space and mobility.
• Else24. -- Rxa3? turns the tables in White's favor: if 25. bxa3 Qxa3 26. Rd2 then:
• 26. -- Qa4 27. Rb2 Nc4 28. Rxb3 Nxe3 29. Qxe3 gives White far greater piece mobility and musch more space.
• after 26. -- Ng4 27. Bf4 d5 28. Rb2 Nd6 29. Rxb3 Black's Queen must vacate, turning the initiative over ot White.

25. Qxc7 Rc8!

• This is a second necessary move in Black's combination.
• 25. -- Rxa3? 26. bxa3 Qxa3 27. Rd2 b2 28. f6 gxf6 29. gxf6 is equal.

26. Qxe7 Nc4 27. g6

• In the subvariation following White's 24th move, the Bishop took the Knight here. That can't happen with the Bishop on g2.
• Obviously, 27. Nxc4 Ra1# is out of the question.
• 27. Bd4 Rxa3 28. bxa3 Nxa3+ 29. Kb2 Nc4+ 30. Kc3 Qa2 puts White in a mating net.

27. -- hxg6 28. fxg6 Nxa3+ 29. bxa3 Rxa3 30. gxf7+ Kh7 31. f8Q

• If 31. f8N+ Rxf8 32. Qxf8 then:
• after 32. -- Ra1+! 33. Kb2 Ra2+ 34. Kb1 Qxf8 35. Bh3 Qa8 White is ready to assault White's unprotected King.
• 32. -- Qxf8? 33. Rd2 Qa8 34. Bd4 Qa5 35. Rhd1 hands White equality on a silver platter.

31. -- Rxf8?!

• Black misses 31. -- Ra1+ 32. Kb2 Qa3#

32. Qxf8 Ra1+

• This begins a forced mate that White doesn't miss.

33. Kb2 Ra2+ 34. Kc3

• 34. Kb1 Qxf8 35. Bh3 Qa8 36. Rd4 Qa3 37. -- Ra1#

34. -- Qa5+ 35. Kd3 Qb5+ 36. Kd4 Ra4+ 37. Kc3 Qc4+ 38. 0-1

• 37. -- Qc4+ 38. Kd2 Ra2+ 39. Ke1 Qe2#
• Karjakin resigns.