The Jack Rabbit Chess Report for January 14: Wijk aan Zee 2007 begins

[Jack Rabbit]

The Jack Rabbit Chess Report
for the week ending January 14



Image: from University of Alberta (Canada)

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 January 14

Corus Tournament begins in Wijk aan Zee



The annual Corus International Tournament in the Dutch seaside resort of Wijk aan Zee began yesterday after opening ceremonies Friday evening.

The tournament's three main events are all invitational round robins among 14 players each. The three strongest grandmasters in the world -- world champion Vladimir Kramnik, Veselin Topalov of Bulgaria and Indian grandmaster Vishy Anand -- are among the participants in Group A, a category 19 event.

After two rounds in Group A, seven players share the lead with 1½ points apiece. They are Kramnik, Topalov, Anand, 19-year-old Teimour Radjabov of Azerbaijan, who was the only competitor to win a game in the opening round, Czech GM David Navara, Levon Aronian of Armenia and Russia's Peter Svidler. Sergey Karjakin, the 17-year-old grandmaster from Ukraine, has 1 point after fighting Radjabov to a 72-move draw today.

There is a four-way tie for the lead in Group B, a category 14 tournament, with Ukraine's Pavel Eljanov, Bu Xiangzhi of China, Moldavian GM Viorel Bologan and Dutch grandmaster Jan Smeets at 1½ points each.

In Group C, a category 10 event, 16-year-old Russian IM Ian Napomniachtchi has won his first two games to take the early lead.

Yesterday in Group C was children's day, when in addition to Napomniachtchi, games were won in fine style by the world's youngest grandmaster, 13-year-old Parimarjan Negi of India, and Hou Yifan of China, the 12-year-old who, as a women's federation master, is the lowest titled but far from the weakest player in Wijk aan Zee.

The event runs through Sunday, January 28. The progress in Wijk aan Zee may be followed on the tournament's official website.


Leko wins ACP rapids in Odessa



Hungarian grandmaster Peter Leko won the Association of Chess Professionals rapid tournament in the Ukrainian port city of Odessa last week.

Leko won the final match of the knock out event over Ukraine's Vasily Ivanchuk, 2½-1½. Ivankchuk won the right to play in the final by defeating the 19-year-old Azerbaijani grandmaster, Teimour Radjabov, 2-0. Israeli grandmaster Boris Gelfand gave Leko a fight in his semi-final match before Leko won, 3-2.

There was one American grandmaster participating, 19-year-old Hikaru Nakamura. Nakamura was eliminated by Gelfand in the opening match, 2-0.



Ganguly crowned Indian champion



News sometimes travels a bit slow in chess publications.

Surya Ganguly won the Indian National Championship in Atul, Gujarat last month.

This was the second Indian Championship held in 2006. The first was in April in Visakhapatnam. It ended in a three-way tie among Ganguly, Chandra Sandipan and D. P. Singh.

Heretofore, the format of the event had been a mammoth round robin of 22 players. This time, then event was a 13-round Swiss system among 45 players.

Mr. Ganguly won this event outright with a score of 9 out of 13. Chakkravarthy Deepan and 19-year-old Arun Pressad tied for second with 8½ points each.

Most of the event was shadowed by whispers of scandal with all eyes on one of the other co-winners of April's championship, D. P. Singh, who is under suspicion of cheating. Singh scored 6½ out of 13 in Atul.

[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

Robert Fontaine - David Berczes, Rilton Cup, Round 9, Stockholm
Dibyenda Barua - Surya Ganguly, Indian National Championship, Round 9, Atul, Gujarit
Valery Neverov - Simon Ansell, Chess Congress, Round 9, Hastings
David Howell - Anders Janssen, Rilton Cup, Round 4, Stockholm
Nadya Kosintseva - Hou Yifan, Corus International Tournament, Group C, Round 1, Wijk aan Zee

[Jack Rabbit]

4. Fontaine - Breczes, Rilton Cup, Stockholm

Robert Fontaine finished a clear first in the Rilton Cup by winning this game in the last round against 16-year-old Hungarian master David Berczes.

http://www.chessbase.de/Nachrichten/bilder2004/2004dresden3/immer%20gut%20gelaunt%20und%20vorne%20dabei,%20GM%20Robert%20Fontaine.JPG
Robert Fontaine
Photo: ChessBase.de (Germany)

Robert Fontaine vs. David Berczes
Rilton Cup, Round 9
Stockholm, January 2007

East India Game: Nimzo-Indian Defense (Rubinstein Variation)

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Nf3 c5 5. g3 cxd4 6. Nxd4 0-0 7. Bg2 d5

• The is line is one of the opening innovations of the great polish master of the last century, Akiba Rubinstein.
• 7. -- 0-0 8. 0-0 a6 9. Bf4 Re8 10. Nxc6 bxc6 11. Bd6 Bxd6 12. Qxd6 Qe7 13. Qxe7 Rxe7 14. e4 Rb8 15. b3 e5 16. Rfd1 is equal (Kasparov-Ricardi, Buenos Aires 1992).

8. cxd5

• 8. Qb3 Bxc3+ 9. Qxc3 e5 10. Nb3 d4 11. Qa5 then:
• 11. -- Qe8 12. Bg5 Nc6 13. Qc7 Qd7 14. Qxd7 Nxd7 15. Rc1 a5 16. 0-0 a4 17. Na1 h6 18. Bd2 Nf6 19. Nc2 Bg4 yields an equal game (Kamsky-Christiansen, US Ch, Long Beach 1993).
• 11. -- Qe7 12. 0-0 Nc6 13. Qc5 Qc7 14. f4 Re8 15. f5 Bd7 16. Bg5 b6 17. Qa3 Ng4 is level (Moiseenko-Virovlansky, Chigorin Mem, St. Petersburg 2000).

8. -- Nxd5 9. Qb3 Qb6

• If 9. -- Nc6 10. Nxc6 bxc6 11. 0-0 Qa5 12. Bd2 Bxc3 13. bxc3 Ba6 14. Rfd1 Qc5 15. e4 then:
• 15. -- Nb6 16. Be3 Qh5 then:
• 17. Rd6? Nc4 18. Rxc6 Nxe3 19. Rxa6 Rab8 20. Qa4 Rb2 21. Re1 Qe2 White resigned (Bacrot-Anand, Corsica Rapid, Bastia 2001).
• 17. Bxb6 Rab8 18. Qa4 Rxb6 19. Rd7 give White an edge with his Rook on the seventh.
• 15. -- Bc4 16. Qa4 Nb6 17. Qb4 Qh5 18. Be3 Be2 19. Rd2 Rab8 20. Bxb6 axb6 21. Qd6 Rfc8 22. Rb1 h6 23. e5 Bf3 24. a4 Ra8 25. Qd4 b5 26. Bxf3 Qxf3 27. Rd3 draw agreed (Bacrot-Leko, Team Match, Moscow 2004).

10. Bxd5 exd5 11. Be3 Nc6

• If 11. -- Bh3 12. g4 Na6 then:
• 13. a3 Qa5 14. Rc1 Bxc3+ 15. Rxc3 Nc5 16. Qb4 Qxb4 17. axb4
• 17. -- Na4 18. Ra3 Nxb2 19. Bc1 Bg2 20. Rg1 gives White the edge in piece mobility (Aronian-Naiditsch, Sparkassen, Dortmund 2006).
• 17. -- Ne4 18. Ra3 Nf6! 19. g5 Nd7 20. Nb5 gives White slightly better mobility and superior pawn structure.
• 13. Nf5 Qa5 14. Bd4 Nc5 15. Qxd5 Rfd8 16. Qf3 Rxd4 17. Qxh3 Bxc3+ 18. bxc3 Nd3+ 19. Kf1 Qxc3 20. Rd1 Nf4 21. Qxc3 Rxd1+ 22. Qe1 Rxe1+ 23. Kxe1 Ne6 is level (L'Ami-Naiditsch, B Group, Wijk aan Zee 2006).

12. Nxc6 Qxc6 13. Qxb4 d4 14. f3 dxe3

• 14. -- dxc3 15. Qxc3 Qxc3+ 16. bxc3 Bd7 17. Bd4 Rfc8 18. Kf2 Rc4 19. h4 Ra4 20. g4 gives White an extra pawn and more space on the kingside (Ribli-Nielsen, Bundesliga, Germany 1999).

15. 0-0-0!?

• White is the first to intoroduce a never-before-played move. By no means is it a bad one. He takes command of the d-file and brings his King to safety away from Black's e-pawn, which could restrict White's maneuverability on the kingside.
• If 15. 0-0 Be6 16. Qd4 Qb6 17. Qxb6 axb6 18. Rfd1 Rfd8 19. Kf1 then:
• after 19. -- Rd2? 20. Rxd2 exd2 21. Rd1 White soon won (Nilssen-Laursen, Politiken). Cup, Copenhagen 2001
• Black does better with19. -- Kf8 20. Ke1 Rdc8 21. a3 Ra5 22. h4 g5 23. Rac1 gxh4 24. gxh4 Rc4 and an qual game.

15. -- Be6 16. Qd6 Rac8 17. Qxc6!?

• White feels he can gain the upper hand positionally and win an ending. Thus, he exchanges Queens.
• If 17. Kb1 then:
• 17. -- Rfe8 18. g4 a6 19. h4 b5 20. Rhe1 Qxd6 21. Rxd6 f5 is even.
• after 17. -- Bf5+ 18. Ka1 Qxd6 19. Rxd6 Rfd8 20. Rd5 Be6 21. Re5 Kf8 22. Rxe3 White has an extra pawn.

17. -- Rxc6 18. Kb1

• White moves his King to safety in the castle keep.
• 18. Rd3 Bxa2 19. Rxe3 Rc7 20. Rd1 Bc4 21. Rd4 Rfc8 22. Kd2 maintains the equalibrium.

18. -- Bc4!?

• Black takes aime at White's weak pawn, but White has it covered.
• If 18. -- Rfc8 19. Nd5 then:
• 19. -- Bf5+ 20. Ka1 Re6 21. Rc1 Re5 22. Rxc8+ Bxc8 23. Rd1 gives White the edge in space, both with his centralized Knight and his potential to play f3f4at a ripe moment.
• 19. -- Bxd5 20. Rxd5 R6c7 21. Re5 Rc2 22. Rxe3 gives White an extra pawn.

19. Rd4 b5 20. Rc1 Rfc8 21. b3 Be6 22. Kb2

• White strengthens his sooport for the Knight. This is the best prophylactic move.
• If 22. Rcd1 Bf5+ 23. Kb2 then:
• 23. -- Kf8 24. Rd8+ Rxd8 25. Rxd8+ Ke7 26. Ra8 a6 27. Nd5+ gives White an edge in piece activity which will soon be converted to an extra pawn.
• 23. -- h5? 24. Rd8+ Kh7 25. Rxc8 Rxc8 26. a3 a5 27. Rd4 leaves Black's pawns vulnerable.

22. -- Kf8 23. a3 a5 24. Na2 Bf5?

• After this, Black's pawns become vulnerable.
• Correct is 24. -- Rxc1 25. Nxc1 a4 26. bxa4 bxa4 27. Rxa4 Bf5 28. Ra5 Rc2+ 29. Kb3 Bg6 holding the equalibrium.

25. Rxc6 Rxc6 26. Nc3 Bg6

• This Bishop has no good place.
• 26. -- a4 27. Rb4 axb3 28. Rxb3 Be6 29. Rxb5 Rc8 30. a4 creates a situation similar to the actual game, with White holding an outside passed pawn.

Black: David Berczes
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White: Robert Fontaine
Position after 26. -- Bf5g6

27. b4!

• White's winning plan is simple.
1. He wins a pawn on the queenside, leaving him with the outside passed pawn:
1. he exchanges pieces when possible, magnifying the value of his pawn plus;
2. he advances the passed pawn when possible.
2. He advances either the f- or h-pawn, giving him a spacial edge on the kingside:
   1. captures the e-pawn, Black's only real stategic plus, probably at the cost of his own e-pawn, which will accentuate the spatial advantage;
   2. he uses his spatial advantage to weaken Black's kingside pawns and gain a majority on the opposite wing.

27. -- axb4 28. Rxb4 Rd6 29. Rxb5

• The outside passed pawn is created (point 1 in the previous note).

29. -- Rd2+ 30. Kb3 f6 31. a4!

• The outside passed pawn is pushed (point 1b in the note to white's 27th move).
• If 31. Kc4 Bf7+ 32. Kc5 Ke7 33. a4! then:
• 32. -- Rd7 34. a5 Kd8 35. Rb6 Rc7+ 36. Rc6 Ra7 37. a6 leaves Black with a noose around his neck.
• after 33. -- Be8 34. Rb7+ Bd7 35. a5 Rc2 36. Kd4 Kd6 37. a6 White will soon net a pawn either by 37. -- Rd2+ 38. Kxe3 or 38. Rc1 38. a7 Ra1 39. Ne4+ Kc6 40. Nc5 Bf5 41. Rxg7.

31. -- Bf7+ 32. Ka3

• After 32. Kb4 Rd4+ 33. Ka3 Rc4 34. Kb2 White holds his outside passed pawn, and it continues to be dangerous.

32. -- Bc4 33. Rb2 Ke7 34. f4!

• White has gained a spatial advantage on the kingside (see 2 in the note to White's 27th move).

34. -- Rxb2

• This move plays directly into White's plans by exchanging pieces for him (see 1a the note to White's 27th move).
Black would put up sterner resistance after
• If 34. -- g5 when:
• after 35. Rb4 Bxe2 36. Re4+ Kd6 37. Rxe3 Bd3 38. h4 gxf4 39. gxf4 White is within reach of his objectives.
• 35. Rxd2 exd2 36. Kb2 Bxe2 37. Kc2 Bf3 38. Kxd2 is only slightly more difficult for White to win than the final few moves of the actual game.

35. Kxb2 Kd6 36. Nd1!

• Black cannot save his e-pawn (see 2a in the note to White's 27th move).

36. -- Bxe2 37. Nxe3 Kc5

• If 37. -- g6 38. Kc3 Kc5 then:
• 39. f5 gxf5 40. h3 Bf3 41. Nxf5 Bd1 42. a5 Kb5 43. Nd6+ Kxa5 44. Ne4 f5 45. Nd6 leaves the Black King too distant from the kingside to stop White's pawns there.
• 39. g4 g5 40. f5 h5 41. Kd2 Bf3 42. gxh5 Bxh5 43. Kd3 Bf3 44. a5 Kb5 45. Kd4 Bc6 46. a6 Kxa6 47. Kc5 leaves Black unable to defend his pawns.

38. Kc3 g6 39. h4!

• White gains more space on the kingside by advancing his h-pawn (see 2 in the note to White's 27th move).

39. -- h5 40. Kd2 Ba6 41. f5!

• The text acomplishes the weakening of Black's kingside (see 2b of the note to White's 27th move) more efficiently than 41. g4 hxg4 42. Nxg4 Kb4 43. Nxf6 when:
• 43. -- Bc4 44. Ke3 Kxa4 45. Nd7
• after 45. -- Bb5 46. Ne5 Be8 47. Kf3 Kb4 48. Kg4 Kc5 49. Kg5 Kd5 50. Nxg6 one of White's pawns will promote.
• 45. -- Bf7 46. Ne5 Be8 47. Kf3 isn't appreciably different from the red line.
• after 43. -- Kxa4 44. f5 g5 45. h5 Bc8 46. Nd7 Bxd7 47. f6 Be8 48. h6 if Black plays 48. -- Bg6 then one pawn sacrifices itself to the Bishop in order to allow the other to coronate.

41. -- gxf5 42. Nxf5 Bc8

• If 42. -- Bb7 then:
• White wins after 43. Ng7! Bf3 44. Ke3 Bg4 45. Ne8 f5 46. Kf4 Be2 47. Nf6! Bf1 48. Kxf5.
• 43. Ke3?! Bf3 44. Nd4 Bg4 45. Nb3+ Kd5 gives Black some chances at counterplay.
43. Ng7 Bg4 44. Ne8 Kd4


• White wins after 44. -- f5 45. Nf6 Bf3 46. Ke3 Bd1 47. Kf4 Kd4 48. Kxf5 Kc4 49. Kg5 Bxa4 50. Kxh5.
45. Nxf6!

Black: David Berczes
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White: Robert Fontaine
Position after 45. Ne8xf6


• White has now accomplished all of the objectives outlined in the note to his 27th move.
45. Nxf6 Bf3 46. a5 Ke5 47. Ke3 1-0


• If Black elects to exchange pieces (47. -- Kxf6 48. Kxf3), his King will be too distant to stop the a-pawn.
• After 47. -- Bb7 48. Nxh5 White can use the a-pawn as a decoy while advancing the kingside pawns.
• Young Mr. Berczes resigns.
• The reader will take note of M. Fontaine's deft execution of his winning plan.

[Jack Rabbit]

5. Barua - Ganguly, Indian National Championship, Atul

Surya Ganguly
National Champion of India
Photo: ChessBase.com


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Select game number 176.

Dibyendu Barua vs. Surya Ganguly
Indian National Championship, Round 9
Atul, Gujarat (India) December 2006

French Advance Game: Tarrasch Opening

1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nd2 Nf6 4. e5 Nfd7 5. Bd3 c5 6. c3 Nc6 7. Ne2

• If 7. Ngf3 Be7 8. 0-0 a5 then:
• 9. Re1 9. -- cxd4 10. cxd4 Qb6 11. Nb1 Nxd4 12. Nxd4 Qxd4 13. Nc3 Qb6
• 14. Qg4 14. -- 0-0 15. Bh6 g6 16. Nb5 Nc5 17. Qd4 Bd7 18. Bxf8 Rxf8 19. a4 gives Black an extra pawn (Rublevsky-Lputian, FIDE World Ch, New Delhi 2000).
• 14. Qc2 Nc5 15. Be3 Qd8 16. Bxc5 Bxc5 17. Rad1 b6 also gives Black an extra pawn, but here White is markedly better developed (Dembo-Bhat, First Sat, Budapet Aug 2001).
• 9. a4 cxd4 10. cxd4 Nb4 11. Bb1 b6 12. Re1 Ba6 13. Nf1 Rc8 14. Ng3 Qc7 15. Bd2 Nc2 16. Bxc2 Qxc2 17. Qxc2 Rxc2 18. Bc3 Bb4 is equal (Zatonskih-Aginian, Eur Ch, Warsaw 2001).

7. -- cxd4 8. cxd4 f6 9. exf6 Nxf6 10. Nf3 Qc7

• If 10. -- Bd6 11. 0-0 0-0 12. Bf4 Bxf4 13. Nxf4 Ne4 then:
  • 14. Ne2 Rxf3 15. gxf3 Ng5 16. Kh1 e5 17. dxe5 Nxf3 18. Bxh7+ Kh8 19. Ng1 Ncd4 then:
  • 20. Re1 Bg4 produces an uneasy balance.
  • 20. e6 Bxe6 21. Nxf3 Bg4 gives Black a significant edge in mobility; if White play 22. Nxd4 then 22. -- Bxd1 23. Raxd1 Kxh7 give Black the advantage of a Queen against a Rook and a minor piece.
  • 14. Qc1 14. -- Ng5 15. Nxg5 Qxg5 16. Ne2 Qf6 17. Qe3 Bd7 18. Bb5 is level.

11. 0-0 Bd6 12. Bg5 0-0 13. Rc1

• If 13. Bh4 Nh5 14. Qc2 h6 15. Bg6 Rxf3 16. gxf3 Bxh2+ 17. Kh1 Nf4 18. Ng3 Qb6 then:
• 19. Rac1 Bd7 20. Kxh2 Nxd4 21. Qc7 Nxf3+ 22. Kh1 Nxg6 23. Qxd7 Ngxh4 is unclear; the balance of force is asymmetrical (Naiditsch-Kalinitschew, German Ch, Altenkirchen 2001).
• 19. Rad1 Nxd4 20. Qa4 Nxg6 21. Qxd4 Qxd4 22. Rxd4 Bxg3 23. Bxg3 Bd7 24. Bd6 e5 is unclear with both sides having difficult positions (Suran-Chytilek, Czech League 2001).

13. -- Bd7

• If 13. -- Ng4 then:
• 14. Ng3 g6 15. Nh4 Nf6 16. Qd2 Qb6 17. Bh6 Qxd4 18. Nf3 Qb6 19. Qg5 gives White all the chances with a vicious attack (Geller-Ravi, Coimbatore 1987).
• 14. h3 Nh6 15. Qd2 Nf5 16. Bf4 Bd7 17. Bxd6 Qxd6 18. Bb5 Nce7 19. Bxd7 Qxd7 20. Ne5 Qd6 21. Rfe1 give White a better center (Jansa-Short, Biel 1985).
• else 13. -- h6 14. Bh4 Nh5 15. Bg6 Nf4 16. Nxf4 Bxf4 17. Bg3 Qb6 18. Rc2 Bd7 19. Ne5 Nxe5 20. dxe5 Bxg3 21. hxg3 Be8 gives Black a better center and greater freedom (G. Jones-Thomspon, EU Ch, Cork (Ireland) 2005).

14. Bh4

• 14. Ng3 Bf4 15. Bxf4 Qxf4 16. Bb5 Ng4 17. Rc3 Rac8 18. Qc1 Qf6 19. h3 gives White the advantage in piece placemwent and mobility (A. Sokolov-Piacnetini, Op Trmt, Metz 2001).

14. -- Nh5

• 14. -- Rae8 15. Bg3 Nh5 16. Nc3 Bf4 17. Rc2 g6 18. Re1 Qd8 19. a3 a6 20. Ne2 Nxg3 21. hxg3 Bb8 is level (Harborne-Dahr, British Ch, Torquay 2002).

15. Bg3 Nxg3 16. hxg3!?

• This is a new move. As a result, the position is equal.
• 16. Nxg3 Bf4 17. Rc3 Be8 18. Re1 Qd6 19. Qb1 h6 20. Bg6 e5 also yields an equal game (Muhren-Dedijer, Ol, Torino 2006).

16. -- Rf6 17. Qd2 Qb6 18. a3

• White wants to keep Black's pesky minor pieces out of b4.
• If 18. Ng5 then:
• 18. -- h6
• 19. Nf3 e5 20. Nc3 Be6 21. dxe5 Nxe5 22. Be2 Nf7 is level.
• 19. Nh7? would be bad because of 19. -- Rf7 20. Bg6 Re7 21. Rfd1 Be8 when White must withdraw his Bishop and his Knight has nowhere to move without be captured without compensation.
• 18. -- g6 19. Nf3 Rc8 20. Bb1 Rf7 21. Rfd1 e5 is equal.

18. -- a5 19. Bb1 Raf8 20. Rc3?!

• White seems to be worried about an exchange sacrifice at f3. Such a sacrifice would not be in Black's interest.
• Better us 20. Ng5 g6 21. Nf3 Kg7 22. Rfe1 h6 23. Ba2 Ne7 24. Nc3 a4 wuth equality.

20. -- Qd8 21. Ng5

Black: Surya Ganguly
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White: Dibyendu Barua
Position after 21. Nf3g5

21. -- Rh6!

• This is a very interesting and most effective way of guarding the h-pawn. Its defensive utility can be seen in subsequent variations below. In addition to protecting the pawn, the Rook also looks right down the h-file like a cannon.
• 21. -- g6 22. Nf3 Kg7 23. Qe3 Ne7 24. Rfc1 Bb5 25. Nf4 is level.

22. Rf3?!

• White voluntary exchanges his most active piece. This is not a good idea.
• 22. f4 Qe8 23. g4 Qe7 24. Bxh7+ Rxh7 25. Nxh7 Kxh7 is level.

22. -- Rxf3 23. gxf3 Qe8

• The Queen comes to life. It is headed for h5 for a direct attack on White's King.
23. -- Be7? relaxes Black's grip: after 24. f4 Qe8 25. Bxh7+ Rxh7 26. Nxh7 Kxh7 27. Kg2 Qg6 28. Rh1+ Kg8 Black will have to work a little harder for his bread.

24. g4

• White attempts to shorten the c8/h3 diagonal in anticipation of Black advancing the e-pawn. However, Black now has immediate and complete command of the b8/h2 diagonal, which is even more valuable.
• If 24. Bxh7+ Kh8 25. g4 Rxh7 26. Nxh7 Kxh7 then:
• after 27. f4 Kg8 28. Rc1 Qg6 29. f3 b5 30. Qe3 Nd8 Black still has more freedom.
• after 27. Qd3+ Kg8 28. f4 Qf7 29. Qd2 b6 30. Rc1 Ne7 Black has more freedom and White has more pawn weaknesses.

24. -- Qb8 25. Rc1?

• After 25. f4 Rh4 26. f3 h6 27. Nh7 Qd8 28. Qe1 Be8 Black is still stronger, but his win is problematic.

Black: Surya Ganguly
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White: Dibyendu Barua
Position after 25. Rf1c1

25. -- Be7!

• The attack on the Knight is of little importance. The move opens the diagonal for the Queen to go to h2 for the final assault.

26. Ng3

• More firerworks would be provided by 26. Bxh7+! Kf8! 27. Bd3 Qh2+ 28. Kf1 e5 when:
• after 29. Nh7+ Kg8 30. Ng1 exd4 31. Ng5 Bd6 the end is near.
• 29. Ng1 Nxd4 30. Rc7 Bxg5 31. Qxg5 Ne6 32. Qc1 Ke8 33. Rxd7 Kxd7 leaves Black up by an exchange.

26. -- Nxd4 27. Qxd4 Bxg5 28. Re1

• After 28. Rd1 Bf4 29. Ne2 Be5 30. Qb6 Bc6 31. Bc2 Bc7 32. Qe3 Bb5 33. g5 Bb6 White's attack will continue after the ensuing exchange of Queens (e.g, 34. Qf4 Qxf4 35. Nxf4 Rh4).

28. -- Rf6 29. Kg2 g6 30. Re5

• If 30. Ne4 dxe4 31. Qxd7 exf3+ 32. Kg1 Qf4 then:
• after 33. Qc8+ Kg7 34. Qxb7+ Rf7 35. Qe4 Qd2 Black is up by a pawn and is poised to win more material.
• after 33. Kh1 Qxg4 34. Qc8+ Kg7 35. Qc7+ Rf7 36. Qh2 Rd7 Black is three pawns to the good.

30. -- Rf4 31. Ne4 dxe4 32. 0-1

• Black has won a piece and keeps it in all variations:
  • 32. Qxd7 Qxe5
  • 32. Bxe4 Bf6 33. Qxd7 Qxe5
  • 32. Rxe4 Bc6 33. Rxf4 Qxf4 34. Qxf4 Bxf4
• Mr. Barua resigns.

[Jack Rabbit]

6. Neverov - Ansell, Chess Congress, Hastings

Valery Neverov, the defending Hastings champion, had to win this game in order to have any chance of taking first prize.

With this win, Neverov was able to tie Merab Gagunashvili for first place. However, Gagunashvili was awarded the tournament title based on tie break points.



Valery Neverov
Photo: ChessBase.com

Valery Neverov vs. Simon Ansell
Chess Congress, Round 9
Hastings, January 2007

Slav Queen's Gambit: Czech Opening

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. a4 Bf5 6. e3

• 6. Ne5 See Tikkanen-Pia Cramling, Rilton Cup, Stockholm 2006-07

6. -- e6 7. Bxc4 Bb4 8. 0-0 0-0

• If 8. -- Nbd7 9. Nh4 0-0 then:
• 10. Nxf5 exf5
• 11. Qc2 g6 12. f3 Rc8 13. Kh1 c5 14. Ba2
• 14. -- Qb6 15. dxc5 Nxc5 16. e4
• 16. -- Ne6 17. Bh6
• after 17. -- fxe4 18. Bxf8 Bxf8 19. fxe4 Bg7 20. Qf2 Qxf2 21. Rxf2 Ng4 White is an exchange up (Peralta-Bu Xiangzhi, Ol, Torino 2006).
• 17. -- Nd4 18. Qf2 Rfd8 19. e5 Bc5 20. Qh4 Nh5 21. Nd5 gives White better piece mobility.
• 16. -- fxe4 17. Bg5 exf3 18. Bxf6 Qxf6 19. Rxf3 Qe5 20. Raf1 Ne6 give Black more freedom (Bocharov-Rublevsky, Russian Ch Qual, Tomsk 2004).
• ]14. -- Nb6 15. dxc5 Rxc5 16. e4 Qe7 17. Qb3 Ra5 18. Bh6 Rc8 19. exf5 Bxc3 20. bxc3 Rxf5 21. Rad1 is equal (Moiseenko-Swathi, Quebec Op, Montreal 2006).
• after 11. Bd2 Qa5 12. Qc2 Rac8 13. Rad1 c5 14. Bb5 cxd4 15. exd4 a6 16. Bxd7 Nxd7 17. d5 g6 Black has an edge in kingside space (Zaja-Haba, Austrian Team Match, Austria 2003).
• after 10. f3 Bg6 11. Nxg6 hxg6 12. e4 e5 13. Be3 Qe7 14. Qe2 White has the better center and an edge in space.

9. Qe2 Nbd7 10. e4 Bg6 11. Bd3 Bh5 12. e5

• White decides to grab some space and disrupt Black's development.
• If 12. Bf4 Re8 13. e5 Nd5 14. Nxd5 cxd5 15. h3 a6 16. Rfc1 then:
• 16. -- Bxf3 17. Qxf3 Qa5 18. Qh5 g6 19. Qe2 Rac8 20. Rf1 Nb6 White's edge in central space is balanced by Black command of open lines (Geller-Smyslov, Zagreb 1955).
• 16. -- Qb6 17. Nd2 Bg6 18. Bxg6 hxg6 19. Nf3 Rac8 20. Rxc8 Rxc8 21. Rc1 gives White an edge in space; Black's command of open lines in the red variation is lacking here (Polugaevsky-Portisch, Tilburg 1983).

12. -- Nd5 13. Nxd5

• If 13. Ne4 Be7 14. Ng3 Bg6 15. Bxg6 fxg6 16. Ne4 h6 then:
• 17. a5 a6 18. Ne1 Qe8 19. Nd3 g5 20. b4 Qg6 is equal (Oll-Wojtkiewicz, Open Trmt, New York 1994).
• 17. Ne1 Rf7 18. Nd3 g5 19. a5 Nf8 20. Ndc5 Nf4 21. Bxf4 Rxf4 22. Rfd1 Rb8 draw agreed (Richardson-Miles, 4NCL, Birmingham 2001).
• 13. Bd2 c5 14. Rfd1 cxd4 15. Nxd5 Bxd2 then:
• 16. Qe4 g6 17. g4 exd5 18. Qxd4 Bxg4 19. Qxg4 Bh6 20. Bb5
• 20. -- Nc5 21. Bc4 Qc8 22. Qxc8 Raxc8 23. Rxd5 Rfd8 24. Rad1 Rxd5 25. Bxd5 Kf8 26. Rd4 Rd8 27. b4 Na6 draw agreed (Geller-Smyslov, Moscow 1955).
• 20. -- Nb6 21. a5 a6 22. axb6 axb5 23. Rxa8 Qxa8 24. Qd7 Rd8 25. Qxb5 Qc8 =/+
• 16. Rxd2 exd5 17. Bf5 Re8 18. g4 Bg6 19. Bxg6 hxg6 20. Rxd4 Nxe5 21. Nxe5 f6 22. Rad1 Rxe5 23. Qf3 draw agreed (Gligoric-Smyslov, Team Match, Belgrade 1956).

13. -- cxd5 14. Qe3 Be7

• Black has succeeded in equalizing. White's spatial plus is balanced by Black's mobility.
• If 14. -- h6 15. Ne1 Bxe1 16. Rxe1 Bg6 17. Be2 Rc8 18. Bd2 Nb8 then:
• 19. a5 Qe7 20. Rec1 Qd7 21. Bb4 Rxc1+ 22. Rxc1 Rc8 23. Bd6 Rxc1+ 24. Qxc1 Nc6 25. Qc5 a6 26. b4 draw agreed (Kramnik-Bareev, EU Cup, Bogojno 1999).
• 19. b4 Qh4 20. Rac1 Nc6 21. Bc3 Rc7 22. b5 Ne7 is level.

15. Ng5

• The is White's most aggressive option. With the best play. it should yield an equal game.
• If 15. Bd2 Nb8 16. Ne1 Bg6 17. f4 Nc6 18. g4 f5 19. exf6 Bxf6 20. Bc3 Qe8 21. h3 Kh8 22. Rd1 then:
• 33. -- Rc8 23. Rd2 Bd8 24. Re2 White has a slight edge in space; both sides have some active pieces (Beliavsky-Ribli, Slovenia TCh, Bled 2001).
• after 22. -- Bd8 23. Rd2 Bb6 24. Kg2 White's kingside space is balanced by Black's piece activity (Baganian-Chernin, Sochi 1986).

15. -- Bxg5 16. Qxg5 Qxg5!?

• Black breaks from previous games.
• After 16. -- Bg6 17. Bxg6 fxg6 18. Qg4 Rf5 19. Be3 Nb8 20. a5 a6 21. Rfc1 Nc6 22. Rc5 Na7 23. Rac1 White's command of c-file gives him an edge (Bacrot-Akopian, Euro TCh, Gothenburg 2005).

17. Bxg5 Nb8 18. Bd2 Nc6 19. Bc3 Bg6

• Black maintians the equalibrium by forcing White to move his Bishop to a less desirable diagonal or exchanging it.
• 19. -- f6 20. exf6 gxf6 21. f4 Rac8 22. Rae1 Rfe8 23. Re3 gives White the edge in piece mobility.

20. Be2 Rfc8 21. g4!

• White goes for space on the kingside.
• 21. h4 h5 22. Rac1 Rc7 23. Bb4 Rcc8 24. Bc3 a5 25. Bb5 yields an equal position.

21. -- a6?!

• Black thinks he can take his time responding to White's kingside aggression.
• Better is 21. -- f6@22. f4 Be4 23/ Rac1 Rc7 24. Bb4 Rac8 25. Bd6with equality.
• 22. h4? is not so good now: after 22. -- fxe5 23. dxe5 d4 24. Bd2 Nxe5 Black wins a pawn.

22. h4 h6 23. h5

• White is now virtually a piece ahead. He activates his King as a fighting unit.
• The King is a strong piece; use it! (Steinitz).
• 23. Rac1 Rc7 24. h5 Bh7 25. Ba5 Rcc8 26. Bc3 Nd8 27. f4 gives White the edge in space; Black's Bishop is in danger of being imprisoned.

23. -- Bh7 24. f3 Rab8 25. Kf2

• If 25. Rfc1 Rc7 26. Ba5 b6 27. Bb4 then:
• after 27. -- Rbc8 28. Bd6 Nxd4 29. Rxc7 Rxc7 30. Bxc7 Nxe2+ 31. Kf2 White is an exchange to the good.
• 27. -- Rbb7 28. Bd6 Nxd4 29. Rxc7 Rxc7 30. Bxc7 Nxe2+ 31. Kf2 also gives White the material edge of the exchange.

25. -- b5?

• Black falters. The text move simply allows White to open the a-file to his own advantage.
• Correct is 25. -- Rc7 26. Ke3 Rbc8 27. f4 Be4 when:
• after 28. Bd2 g6 29. hxg6 fxg6 30. b4 White has the advantage in space.
• 28. f5 exf5 29. gxf5 Bc2 30. Rf2 Be4 31. Rg1 White has a spactial edge.

26. axb5 axb5

Black: Simon Ansell
!""""""""#
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White: Valery Neverov
Position after 26. -- a6xb5

27. Ke3!

• White makes his position rock-solid with this move. He may now attack without too much concern about any counterplay.
• 27. Rfd1? b4 28. Be1 Bc2 29. Rd2 b3 30. Ra6 Ra8 31. f4 Na5 32. Rxa8 Rxa8 is equal.

27. -- b4

• This is clearly Black's best move, but his position deteriorates from here on.
• If 27. -- f6 28. f4 b4 29. Bd2 Rc7 30. Rfc1 then:
• after 30. -- Rb6 31. Ra6 Rxa6 32. Bxa6 fxe5 33. fxe5 Black is hampered by the pin in the c-file.
• after 30. -- Rbc8 31. Ra6 b3 32. Bd1 f5 33. Rc3 White should win at least a pawn.

28. Bd2 f6 29. exf6

• Stronger is 29. f4 fxe5 30. fxe5 when:
• 30. -- b3 31. Ra6 Rc7 32. Rc1 Bc2 33. Bd3 Nb4 34. Bxb4 Bxd3 35. Rxc7 Bxa6 36. Ba3 gives White the active Rook in the ending.
• 30. -- Bc2 31. Ra6 b3 32. Rfa1 Kf7 33. Be1 Rb7 34. R6a3 Rf8 35. Bg3 gives White superior piece mobility.

29. -- gxf6 30. Rfc1 e5 31. dxe5 fxe5

• No better is 31. -- Nxe5 32. Rxc8+ Rxc8 33. Bxb4 when:
• after 33. -- f5 34. gxf5 Nc6 35. Bc5 Bxf5 36. Rd1 Be6 37. b4 Kf7 38. f4 White has an extra pawn and the two Bishops.
• after 33. -- Nc6 34. Bc5 f5 35. b4 fxg4 36. fxg4 Be4 37. b5 the b-pawn will be very hard to stop.

32. Kf2 Nd4 33. Bxh6 Bc2

• After 33. -- b3 34. g5 Bf5 35. Rxc8+ Rxc8 36. Bd1 Bc2 37. g6 Black's center duo will not save his from White's advanced passers on the kingside.

34. Ra7 Nb3 35. Rh1 d4 36. Bg7 d3

Black: Simon Ansell
!""""""""#
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White: Valery Neverov
Position after 35. -- d4d3

37. Bxe5!

• White sacrifices a piece to expidite the victory.

37. -- dxe2 38. Rg7+

• If 38. h6 Re8 39. Bxb8 then:
• 39. -- Nc5 40. h7+ Bxh7 41. Raxh7 then:
• after 41. -- Nd3+ 42. Kg3 e1Q+ 43. Rxe1 Rxe1 44. Rb7 White will soon mobilize his passed pawns.
• 41. -- e1Q+ 42. Rxe1 Nd3+ 43. Kg3 arrives at the red line after 43. -- Rxe1 44.Rb7.
• 39. -- Rxb8 40. h7+ Kh8 41. Kxe2
• 41. -- Re8+ 42. Kf2 Nd4 43. Rh4 Ne6 44. Rh6 b3 45. Rb7 White advances his kingside pawns.
• 41. -- Rc8 42. Rh6 Nd4+ 43. Ke3 Nc6 44. Rb7 b3 45. Kf2 White will advance his pawns.

38. -- Kf8 39. h6 1-0

• After 39. -- e1Q+ 40. Rxe1 Rb6 41. h7 White threatens to promote the pawn with checkmate; if 41. -- Rh6 then 42. Rg8+ wins a Rook.
• Mr. Ansell resigns.

[Jack Rabbit]

7. Howell - Jansson, Rilton Cup, Stockholm

By scoring 7 out of 9 in Stockholm, 16-year-old David Howell became the youngest British grandmaster in history.



Grandmaster-elect David Howell
Photo: ChessBase.com

David Howell vs. Anders Jansson
Rilton Cup, Round 4
Stockholm, December 2006

Closed Sicilian Game: Saragossa Opening (Alapin Variation)

1. e4 c5 2. c3 Nf6 3. e5 Nd5 4. Nf3

• If 4. d4 cxd4 5. Nf3 Nc6 6. cxd4 d6 7. Bc4 e6 8. 0-0 Be7 9. Qe2 0-0 then:
• 10. Qe4 Bd7 11. Bd3 f5 12. exf6 Nxf6 13. Qe2 Qa5 14. Bc4 d5 15. Bd3 Bd6 16. Nc3 Rae8 17. Bg5 e5 18. dxe5 Nxe5 19. Nxe5 Bxe5 is level (Pavasovic-Kozul, Open Trmt, Ljubljana 1996)
• 10. Nc3 Nxc3 11. bxc3 dxe5 12. dxe5 Qa5 13. Qe4 Qa4 14. Bg5 h6 15. Bxe7 Nxe7 16. Rab1 Bd7 17. Bd3 Qxe4 18. Bxe4 Bc6 19. Bxc6 bxc6 20. c4 Rab8 21. Rfd1 Rfd8 22. Rxd8+ Rxd8 yields an equal position (Mademyarov-Ramirez, B Group, Wijk aan Zee 2005)

4. -- Nc6 5. Bc4

• If 5. d4 cxd4 6. cxd4 d6 7. Bc4 then:
• 7. -- e6 8. 0-0 Be7 9. Qe2 0-0 then:
• 10. Qe4 Qc7 then:
• 11. Re1 Bd7 12. Bg5 Ncb4 13. Na3 Bc6 14. Bb5 a6 15. Bxc6 Nxc6 16. Nc4 dxe5 17. dxe5 h6 18. Bxe7 Qxe7 is even (Potkin-Franco, W Jr Ch, Ahtens 2001)
• 11. Be3 g6 12. Bh6 Rd8 13. Nbd2 dxe5 14. dxe5 Nb6 15. Rac1 Nd7 16. Bb5 Ndxe5 17. Nxe5 Qxe5 18. Bxc6 Qh5 19. Bxb7 Bxb7 20. Qxb7 Qxh6 is equal (Sermek-Kozul, Pirc Mem, Maribor 1999)
• 10. Rd1 Na5 11. Bxd5 exd5 12. Nc3 Be6 13. Bf4 a6 14. Rac1 Re8 15. h3 Rc8 16. exd6 Bxd6 17. Bxd6 Qxd6 18. Re1 Nc6 draw agreed (Ragger-G. Jones, Belfort 2005)
• 7. -- Nb6 8. Bb5 dxe5 9. Nxe5 Bd7 10. Nxd7 Qxd7 11. Nc3 Rd8 12. 0-0 e6 13. Bg5 Be7 14. Bxe7 Qxe7 15. Bxc6+ bxc6 16. Qf3 0-0 17. Qxc6 Rxd4 18. Rad1 Rc4 19. Qd6 Qf6 20. Rd3 Na4 21. Nxa4 Rxa4 22. Ra3 Rd4 23. Qc7 Rd2 24. b4 Qd4 25. Rxa7 Qxb4 26. a4 Qb8 27. Rc1 Qxc7 draw agreed (Roiz-Sutovsky, Israeli Ch, Ramat Aviv 2000)

5. -- Nb6 6. Bb3 c4 7. Bc2 Qc7

• This is a very typical developin move for the Black Queen in many Sicilian lines.
• 7. -- g6 8. 0-0 Bg7 9. Re1 0-0 10. Na3 f6 11. e6 dxe6 12. Qe2 Qd5 is level.

8. Qe2 h6?!

• Black introduces a new move, but it is no improvement over 8. -- g5 most often played here. Perhaps he has in mind using the h-pawn to bolster 9. -- g5, but his slow maneuvering will not give him time for this.
• If 8. -- g5 9. h3 Bg7 10. 0-0 Nxe5 11. Nxg5 d5 12. a4 Bd7 then:
• 13. a5 Nc8 14. Nf3 Ng6 15. d4 cxd3 16. Qxd3 e6 17. Re1 Nce7 18. a6 e5 19. axb7 Qxb7 20. Qa6 Qc7 21. Qa5 Qb7 draw agreed (Tiviakov-Radjabov, Euro Ind Ch, Warsaw 2005)
• 13. Re1 e6 14. a5 Nc8 15. d4 cxd3 16. Bxd3 h6 17. Nf3 Nxd3 18. Qxd3 Ne7 19. a6 b6 20. Na3 0-0 21. Nb5 Qb8 gives Black an advantage in space and a much less cramped position than he gets in the actual game (Maljush-Fedorov, Byelorus Ch, Minsk 2005)

9. Na3 Qb8?

• The is a pedestrian way to develop pieces. Black is badly cramed and should be getting some space somewhere for his pieces to come out.
• If 9. -- Na5 10. d4 cxd3 11. Bxd3 then:
• 11. -- a6 12. 0-0 e6 13. b4 Nc6 14. b5 Na7 15. bxa6 bxa6 gives Black a little breathing space.
• 11. -- Nc6 12. Nb5 Qb8 13. 0-0 a6 14. Qe3 continues to give White more mobility.

10. 0-0 g5 11. h3

• White develops normally and quietly.
• Another approach is 11. Nxc4 Nxc4 12. Qxc4 Nxe5 13. Nxe5 Qxe5 14. f4 allowing White to develop with a gain of time.

11. -- Bg7 12. Re1

• White makes his advanced central pawn a focal point. It's advance could be explosive.
• 12. e6 d5 13. exf7+ Kxf7 14. d3 cxd3 15. Qxd3 e5 16. Qg6+ Kf8 17. Be3 gives White a significant edge in piece activity.

12. -- h5 13. Nxc4

• White sees that he will emerge from the general liquidation better.

13. -- Nxc4 14. Qxc4 Nxe5 15. Nxe5 Bxe5 16. d4 Bf6 17. d5

• After the liquidation, Whites pieces are active and mobile, whereas the Bishop on f6 is Black's only piece with anything approaching activity. White is better in the center and commands the e-file.
• Also good for White is 17. Qd5 g4 18. Bg5 Bxg5 19. Qxg5 Qd6 20. h4.

17. -- b6 18. a4 d6

• 18. -- Bb7 19. Qb4 Bxd5 20. Bxg5 Bxg5 21. Qd4 Rg8 22. Qxd5 Qc8 23. Re5 threatens Black's only developed piece.

19. Be3 Bd7 20. Bd4 Kf8

Black: Anders Janssen
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White: David Howell
Position after 20. -- Ke8f8

21. Rxe7!!

• A remarkable sacrifice clears Black's kingside defense. Black's position is hopeless.

21. -- Bxe7

• 21. -- Kxe7 22. Bxf6+ Kxf6 23. Qd4+ Ke7 24. Re1+ Be6 25. dxe6 f6 26. Be4 wins the exchange.

22. Bxh8 f6 23. Qe4 Qe8

• If 23. -- f5 24. Qd4 Ke8 25. Re1 Kd8 26. Rxe7 then:
• after 26. -- Qc7 27. Qg7 Kc8 28. Bxf5 Kb7 29. Bxd7 mate soon follows.
• 26. -- Kxe7 27. Qf6+ Ke8 28. Bg7 Bc8 29. Qf8+ Kd7 30. Qf7+ Kd8 31. Bf6#

24. Qh7 Qf7 25. Qh6+ Kg8 26. Bg6 1-0

• Anders Janssen resigns.
• Help your pieces so they can help you (Paul Morphy).

[Jack Rabbit]

8. N. Kosintseva - Hou, Corus C, Round 1 Wijk aan Zee

Hou Yifan
Photo: ChessBase.com (Spanish Language)


To view this game: Please click here and select game 17.

Nadya Kosintseva vs. Hou Yifan
Corus International Tournament, Group C, Round 1
Wijk aan Zee, January 2007

French Advance Game: Steinitz Opening

1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. e5 Nfd7 5. f4 c5 6. Nf3 Nc6 7. Be3 cxd4

• If 7. -- a6 8. Qd2 b5 9. dxc5 Bxc5 10. Bxc5 Nxc5 11. Qf2 Qb6 12. Bd3 then:
• 12. -- b4 13. Ne2 a5 14. 0-0 Ba6 15. Kh1 Ne7 16. Rad1 Na4 is equal.
• 12. -- Rb8 13. 0-0 Nb4 14. Rfd1 0-0 15. Ne2 Bd7 16. Ned4 Nbxd3 17. cxd3 Na4 18. b4 a5 19. a3 Rfc8 is equal (Anand-Bareev, Spakassen, Dortmund 1993).

8. Nxd4 Bc5 9. Qd2

• 9. Be2 a6 10. Qd2 0-0 11. 0-0 Nxd4 12. Bxd4 Qb6 13. Bxc5 Qxc5+ 14. Kh1 b5 15. Bd3 Bb7 16. Rae1 draw agreed (Apicella-Kovacevic, Vinkovci 1989).

9. -- 0-0 10. 0-0-0 a6 11. Kb1

• White tucks her king in a safer place.
• If 11. h4 Nxd4 12. Bxd4 b5 13. Rh3 b4 14. Na4 Bxd4 15. Qxd4 a5 16. Bb5 then:
• 16. -- Rb8 17. Bd3 Qc7 18. h5 Bb7 19. Re3 Bc6 20. Nc5 Nxc5 21. Qxc5 Rfc8 22. f5 Bb5 23. Qxc7 Rxc7 is level (Fedorov-Akopian, Aeroflot Op, Moscow 2002).
16. -- Qc7 17. h5 Rb8 18. Bd3 Qc6 19. b3 Ba6 20. g4 Rfc8 yields an equal game (Marechal-Kosic, Ol, Torino 2006).
• If 11. Qf2 Bxd4 12. Bxd4 b5 13. Be3 b4 14. Na4 a5 15. h4 Ba6 then:
• 16. h5 Bxf1 17. Rhxf1 f6 18. h6 g6 19. exf6 Nxf6 20. Qe2 give White a slight edge in mobility (Cheparinov-Stellwagen, Corus B, Wijk ann Zee 2006).
• after 16. Bxa6 Rxa6 17. Qe2 Ra8 18. h5 Qc7 19. h6 g6 Black's queenside space is balanced by White's space on the kingside and neither side can do very much (Jakovenko-Ni Hua, Team Match, Taiyuan 2006).

11. -- Nxd4 12. Bxd4 b5 13. Qe3

• More than a threat against the Bishop, White wants to see what Black does to protect it.
• If 13. h4 Qc7 14. Rh3 Bb7 15. h5 then:
• 15. -- Rac8 16. h6 g6 17. Re3 b4 18. Ne2 a5 19. Bxc5 Nxc5 is slightly advantageous to Black owing to her command of the c-file and her restraint against White's c-pawn (Rudolf-Schaefer, Bundesliga, Neukoelln 2001).
• 15. -- Rfc8 16. g4 b4 17. Ne2 Bf8 18. g5 a5 19. g6 fxg6 20. hxg6 h6 21. Re3 Nc5 once again balances advantages on opposite wings (Lau-Barsov, Ostend Open 1993).

13. -- Qc7

• With this move, Black declares her intention to take her stand on the queenside.
• 13. -- Qb6 might indicate a fight in the center as a means of breaking through to White's kingside; if 14. Bxc5 Nxc5 then:
• 15. Ne2 b4 16. Ng3 Rb8 17. Nh5 Ne4 18. Rd4 is unclear (Pavlovic-Kovacevic, SerbMonten Ch, Kopaonik 2005).
• 15. Bd3 b4 16. Ne2 a5 17. Nd4 Ba6 18. f5 Nxd3 19. f6 gxf6 20. cxd3 Qc7 21. exf6 Kh8 is level (G. Timoshenko-Korchnoi, Eur Ch, Panormo (Greece) 2001).

14. Bd3 Bxd4 15. Qxd4 Rb8

• Black reinforces her b-pawn in order to push it.
• If 15. -- Bb7 then:
• 16. Rhe1 Nc5 17. Ne2 Rac8 18. Qe3 Ne4 19. Nd4 Qe7 20. Nf3 gives White a slight edge in space and she could get more as her kingside pawns may advance (J. Polgar-Luther, Eur Ind Ch, Ohrid 2001).
• 16. Ne2 f6 17. exf6 Rxf6 18. Qe3 b4 19. Rhe1 Nc5 20. Nd4 Ne4 21. g3 gives Black a solid edge in piece mobility (Alekseev-Zhukova, Corus C, Wijk ann Zee 2005).

16. Ne2 b4 17. Qe3 Nc5 18. Ng3!?

• White deviates from previously played lines. The text move appears good enough for equality.
• 18. h4 Bd7 19. h5 a5 20. h6 g6 21. Nd4 a4 22. Qg3 a3 23. Qg5 Qd8 24. Qxd8 Rfxd8 25. b3 Rb6 26. Kc1 Bc8 27. Kd2 draw agreed (Smeets-Stellwagen, Corus B, Wijk ann Zee 2005).

18. -- Nxd3!?

• Black, too, may be trying to provoke her opponent with what may not be objectively the best move.
• 18. -- Bb7 19. Rhe1 Rbe8 20. Rd2 a5 is equal.

19. Rxd3 a5

• Black seeks expanstion on the queenside.
• 19. -- Bd7 activates the Bishop for use on the queenside: if 20. Rhd1 Rfc8 21. R3d2 Ba4 22. b3 Qc3 then:
• after 23. Qxc3 bxc3 24. Rd4 Bd7 25. Kc1 neither side has much to go for.
after 23. Qe2 Bb5 24. Qg4 Kh8 25. Nh5 Rg8 everybody is safe.

20. Nh5 Ba6

• The text disrupts any ideas White has about manuevering the Rook on the third rank. The game is about level.
• If 20. -- Kh8 21. f5 Rg8 22. Nf4 a4 then:
• 23. Rc1 Re8 24. fxe6 fxe6 25. Qd4 Rf8 26. Rf3 is equal.
23. Rhd1 Ba6 24. R3d2 Rge8 25. f6 gxf6 26. exf6 Rg8 gives Black the edge in queenside space and command of the g-file.

21. Rd4 Rb6?!

• The text neither enhances Black's potential queenside attack nor protects her kingside from White's intermediate thereats.
• Much better is21. -- Kh8 22. Rhd1 a4 23. R4d2 a3 24. Qg3 Rg8 completely stopping White's kingside attack.

22. Qg3?

• White misses an opportunity to secure a strong advantage.
• After 22. Rc1! Kh8 23. f5! Rg8 24. Rh4 b3 25. cxb3 Rc6 26. Rc3 White has the resources to repel Black's attack an the queenside and to launch an assault on Black's King.

22. -- f5

• White's opportunity has completely vanished.
• In addition to the text move, 22. -- g6 leads to equality after 23. Nf6+ Kg7 24. Qh4 h6 25. Ng4 Rh8 26. Qf6+ Kh7.

23. exf6 g6 24. Qg5 Rc6

• Black is setting up a queenside assault.
• Even stronger is 24. -- a4! when:
• 25. g4 Rc8 26. Rc1 b3 27. axb3 axb3! 28. c3 Qa7 mating threats are in the air with Black's command of the a- and c-files and the pawn at b3 hindering the escape of the White King.
after 25. Ng7 b3 26. axb3 axb3 27. c3 Qa7 28. Nxe6 Rxe6 29. f7+ Kh8 White must give up material to avoid a quick mate.

25. Rc1 Qf7 26. g4

• This would be a poor move if the game weren't already lost.
• White would last longer after 26. Re1 h6 27. Qg4 Kh8 28. Ng3 Qxf6 29. Rdd1 Rfc8 30. Rd2 a4.

Black: Hou Yifan
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White: Nadya Kosintseva
Position after 26. g2g4

26. -- h6!

• Black wins a piece with this modest-looking move.

27. Qe5

• White doesn't save the Knight by 27. Qxh6 gxh5 28. gxh5 Qxf6! 29. Rg1+ Kf7 30. Qxf6+ Kxf6 31. Rg6+ Ke7.

27. -- gxh5 28. g5 hxg5 29. fxg5

• After 29. Rg1 Qxf6 30. Rxg5+ Kf7 31. Rxd5 Qxe5 32. Rdxe5 Rfc8 33. f5 Rxc2 34. fxe6+ Ke7 Black threatens 35. -- Bd3 and 36. -- Rc1+.

29. -- Rfc8 30. Rd2 Qg6 31. Rf2

• If 31. Qd4 Bc4 32. b3 Bb5 then:
• after 33. a3 bxa3 34. Rf2 a2+ 35. Kb2 Kf7 36. h4 Bd3 Black's mating threats and theats to promote the pawn will net more material.
• after 33. Rf2 Kf7 34. Qa7+ R8c7 35. Qxa5 Bd3 White's pressure on the pawn at c2 is decisive.

31. -- Kf7 32. Qd4 Bd3 33. Ka1

• If 33. h4 Bxc2+ 34. Ka1 Qe4 then:
• 35. Qa7+ R6c7 36. Qb6 a4 37. Rff1 Rc6 38. Qa7+ R8c7 39. Qf2 a3 gives Black several focal points for a mating attack.
• after 35. Qxe4 Bxe4 36. Rxc6 Rxc6 37. Rf1 d4 Black will push the d-pawn as part of a mating attack.

33. -- Qxg5 34. Re1 Rxc2

• After 34. -- Bxc2 35. Rff1 Bf5 36. Qa7+ R6c7 37. Qg1 Qxg1 38. Rxg1 Rc2 White cannot move her Rooks off the back rank.

35. Rxc2 Rxc2 36. Qa7+ Kxf6 37. Qd4+ e5 38. Qb6+

• 38. Qxd3 Rc1+ 39. Qb1 Rxb1+ needs no comment.

38. -- Kf5 39. Rb1 Qc1 40. 0-1

• Black has a probitive material advantage after 39. -- Qc1 40. Qg1 Qxg1 41. Rxg1 Rxh2.
• Ms. Kosintseva resigns