The Jack Rabbit Chess Report for June 3: eight advance in Elista

[Jack Rabbit]

The Jack Rabbit Chess Report
for the week ending June 3

Candidates' Final Matches Set for Wednesday
China dominates in Ekaterininburg



Image: Samuel Bak, Luna
from the University of Minnesota

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 June 3

Candidates' Semi-Finals Finish in Elista; Aronian over Magnus in Blitz



The semi-final candidates matches for the 2007 World Championship Tournament finished today in Elista, the capital of the autonomous Russian republic of Kalmykia with playoffs to settle three of the eight matches.

Sixteen-year-old Norwegian grandmaster Magnus Carlsen took Armenian grandmaster Levon Aronian to the blitz phase of the playoffs before finally falling to Aronian, 4 points to 2. Aronian won both blitz games after the four-game rapid phase ended with each player winning one with two draws.

The match between Magnus and Aronian was the most hard fought of the eight semi-final matches held in Elista last week. Only two games were drawn, and even those were battles, while each player won two games. Many observers believe that Magnus and Aronian, 24, will be battling for supremacy in chess for many years.

In the other rapid playoffs today, Belorus-born Israeli grandmaster Boris Gelfand defeated Rustam Kasimdzhanov of Uzbekistan, 2½-½, and Latvian native Alexey Shirov of Spain defeated England's Mickey Adams, also 2½-½.

Five matches were completed in the six games scheduled under classical time controls. Peter Leko of Hungary was the first to qualify when he defeated Russian native Turkish GM Mikhail Gurevich, 3½-½ in a match completed Thursday, and a few minutes later Russo-American GM Gata Kamsky completed his victory over Etienne Bacrot of France, 3½-½. The following day in a match between two Russian grandmansters, Alexander Grischuk finished off Vladimir Malakhov, 3½-1½. Two other players qualified for the finals on Saturday when Evgeny Bareev of Russian beat back a determined effort from Hungarian Judit Polgar, 3½-2½, and Russia's Sergey Rublevsky completed victory over Ruslan Ponomariov of Ukraine, 3½-2½.

Here are the line scores of the emi-final matches, with the groupings corrected from last week.

Candidates' Matches
Semi-Finals
Elista

Group A
Magnus Carlsen . . .0 ½ 1 0 1 ½ 2. - 5. . . . . . Mickey Adams . . . .½ ½ ½ 1 ½ 0 .½ - 3½
Levon Aronian. . . .1 ½ 0 1 0 ½ 4. - 7. . . . . . Alexey Shirov. . . .½ ½ ½ 0 ½ 1 2½ - 5½

Group B
Judit Polgar . . . .½ 0 ½ 0 1 ½ .. - 2½ . . . . . Peter Leko . . . . .½ 1 1 1 - - .. - 3½
Evgeny Bareev. . . .½ 1 ½ 1 0 ½ .. - 3½ . . . . . Mikhail Gurevich . .½ 0 0 0 - - .. - .½

Group c
Alexander Grischuk .1 ½ ½ 1 ½ - .. - 3½ . . . . . Ruslan Ponomariov. .½ ½ 0 ½ ½ ½ .. - 2½
Vladimir Malakhov. .0 ½ ½ 0 ½ - .. - 1½ . . . . . Sergey Rublevsky . .½ ½ 1 ½ ½ ½ .. - 3½

Group D
Gata Kamsky. . . . .½ 1 1 1 - - .. - 3½ . . . . . Boris Gelfand. . . .½ ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ 2½ - 5½
Etienne Bacrot . . .½ 0 0 0 - - .. - .½ . . . . . Rustam Kasimdzhanov.½ ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ .½ - 3½

The six-game final matches between the winners of each group begin Wednesday. Colors for the first round are yet to be determined. The winners of the final matches will join four seeded players, Vladimir Kramnik, Vishy Anand, Alexander Morozevich and Peter Svidler, in the World Championship Tournament in Mexico City beginning September 12.

JR looks into his crystal ball

The four players who will advance to Mexico City will be Aronian, Leko, Kamsky and Grischuk. Of those, I give Aronian the best chances in Mexico City, but overall I pick Anand to win.


China Wins Women's World Team Championship



The team from China won the first World Women's Team Championship in Ekaterininburg, Russia, in an event completed Wednesday.

The Chinese women scored 17 match points out of a possible 18 to finish two points ahead of second-place Russia and three over third-place Ukraine. However, China's real dominance in the event is indicated by the individual scores, where the team scored 30½ out of a possible 36 points: 26 wins, 1 loss and 9 draws. The Chinese women won three matches with perfect 4-0 scores.

In match play, two points are awarded for each match won and one point for a drawn match.

Unofficial Cross Table
World Women's Team Championship
Ekaterininburg

-------------------------- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 T-
.1 China. . . . . . . . . .- 2 2 1 2 2 2 2 2 2 17
.2 Russia . . . . . . . . .0 - 1 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 15
.3 Ukraine. . . . . . . . .0 1 - 2 2 2 1 2 2 2 14
.4 Georgia. . . . . . . . .1 0 0 - 2 2 1 1 2 2 11
.5 Poland . . . . . . . . .0 0 0 0 - 1 2 2 2 2 .9
.6 Vietnam. . . . . . . . .0 0 0 0 1 - 1 2 2 2 .8
.7 Germany. . . . . . . . .0 0 1 1 0 1 - 2 1 2 .8
.8 Armenia. . . . . . . . .0 0 0 1 0 0 0 - 2 2 .5
,9 Czech Republic . . . . .0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 - 2 .3
10 Botswana . . . . . . . .0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 - .0

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


The team was made up of Zhao Xue on the top board, 13-year-old Hou Yifan on board 2, girls' junior champion Shen Yang, Ruan Lufei and reservist Huang Qian. Young Ms. Hou led the team with seven wins in nine games while Ms. Ruan scored 6 points in seven games. Ms. Huang played in four rounds, winning all her games.



The Chinese Team in Ekaterinburg
Reservist Huang Qian, Top board player Zhao Xue, Hou Yifan, Shen Yang and Ruan Lufei
Photo: ChessBase.com

[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]

5. ?

[Jack Rabbit]

3. Games from current and recent events

Chess Games
Analysis by JR and Fritz (4.01 and 6.0)

Judit Polgar - Evgeny Bareev, Candidtes' Semi-Final Match, Round 1, Elista
Vladimir Malakhov - Alexander Grischuk, Candidtes' Semi-Final Match, Round 4, Elista
Olga Sikorova - Lilit Mkrtchian, Women's World Team Championship, Round 3, Ekaterinburg
Katya Lahno - Zhao Xue, Women's World Team Championship, Round 5, Ekaterinburg
Hou Yifan - Tuduetso Sabure, Women's World Team Championship, Round 5, Ekaterinburg
Nigel Short - Ivan Sokolov, SK Bosna Tournament, Round 4, Sarajevo

[Jack Rabbit]

4. J. Polgar- Bareev, Semi-Fianls, Round 1, Elista

Judit Polgar and Evgeny Bareev
Photos: Global Chess

Judit Polgar vs. Evgeny Bareev
Candidates' Semi-Final Match, Round 1
Elista, May 2007

Open German Game: Lee's Defense (Caro-Kann Defense)

1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Bf5 5. Ng3 Bg6 6. h4 h6 7. Nf3 Nd7 8. h5 Bh7 9. Bd3 Bxd3 10. Qxd3 e6

• 10. -- Qc7 11. Bd2 e6 12. 0-0-0 Ngf6 13. Ne4 0-0-0 14. g3 Nxe4 15. Qxe4 Bd6 16. c4 c5 17. Bc3 cxd4 18. Bxd4 Nf6 19. Qe2 Qa5 20. Kb1 gives White the advantage in space(Hubner-Hjartarson, Barcelona 1989).

11. Bf4 Qa5+

• 11. -- Ngf6 12. 0-0-0 Be7 13. Kb1 0-0 14. Ne4 Nxe4 15. Qxe4 Nf6 16. Qe2 Qd5 17. Ne5 Qe4 18. Qxe4 Nxe4 19. Rhe1 Nf6 20. g4 Bd6 21. f3 b5 22. Nd3 Bxf4 23. Nxf4 Rfd8 is equal (Mkrtchian-Chiburdanidze, North Urals Cup, Krasnoturyinsk 2006).

12. Bd2 Qc7 13. 0-0-0 0-0-0 14. Ne4 Ngf6 15. g3 Nxe4 16. Qxe4 Nf6

• 16. -- Bd6 17. c4 c5 18. d5 Nf6 19. Qc2 exd5 20. cxd5 Rhe8 21. Bc3 Qd7 22. Bxf6 gxf6 23. Kb1 f5 is level (Sandpipan-Astian, Aeroflot Op, Moscow 2006).

17. Qe2 Rd5 18. Ne5

• 18. Bf4 Bd6 19. Bxd6 Rxd6 20. Ne5 Rhd8 21. c3 c5 22. dxc5 Rxd1+ 23. Rxd1 Rxd1+ 24. Kxd1 Qxc5 draw agreed (Stein-Korchnoi, Onterzonalm Sousse 1967).

18. -- Rxd4 19. Bf4 Re4 20. Qd3 Bc5 21. Ng6 Rxf4 22. Nxf4 Qa5!?

• Black breaks out of the book.
• Objectively better is 22. -- Bxf2 23. Rhf1 Bc5 24. Qf3 Bd6 25. g4 Rd8 26. Nh3 Be5 gives Black a slight edge in space as well as two pawns for the exchange. (Jakovenko-Zelcic, Eur Club Cip, Saint Vincent (Italy) 2005).

23. f3!?

• White already has problems.
• 23. Kb1 Bxf2 24. Rhf1 Bb6 25. Qe2 Qg5 Black has material equality, threatens a loose pawn and enjoys more mobility.

23. -- Qxa2 24. c3 Bb6

• Black has emerged from the opening with two pawns for the exchange, a slight advantage in space and active pieces. In addition, Black has pawn majorities on both wings, which does not bode well for White against an endgame specialist like Bareev.

25. Kc2 Qa5 26. Kb1?!

• This move accomplishes preventing the Black Queen from returning to a2, but it is now headed elsewhere.
• 26. Qc4 Qf5+ 27. Kb3 Bc7 28. Rh2 Re8 29. Ra1 a6 30. Re1 Rd8 gives Black a much more active position.

26. -- Qg5 27. Ne2 Rd8 28. Qc2?

• White drops another pawn.
• 28. f4 Qg4 29. Qc2 Nxh5 30. Rxd8+ Bxd8 31. Qd3 Be7 leaves Black with all his advantages.

28. -- Rxd1+!

• The simple plan is to divert the defender for the h-pawn and capture it.
• If White plays29. Qxd1 then Qf5+ 30. Ka1 Qxf3 still wins a pawn.

Black: Judit Polgar
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White: Evgeny Bareev
Position after 28. -- Rd8d1:R+

29. Rxd1 Qxh5 30. g4 Qc5 31. Qd3

• 31. Nd4 h5 32. gxh5 33. Qg2 g5 34. Nc2 Nd5 35. Rh1 Qg6doesn't put a dent in Black's dominace.

31. -- Qd5 32. Kc2 Qxd3+

• Black had a considerable advantage on the clock. Starting about here, he began trying blitz White into losing on time.
• If 32. -- Bc7 33. Nd4 Kb8 34. Kb1 h5 35. c4 Qc5 36. gxh5 then:
• 36. -- Qxh5 37. Qa3 Qh7+ 38. Ka1 Qh8 39. Nb3 Qe8 000
• Black is still superior after 36. -- Kc8?! 37. Nc2 b6 38. Rh1 Bf4 39. Qa3 Qxa3 40. bxa3 but not as much so as before.

33. Kxd3

• After 33. Rxd3 Nd5 34. b4 c5 35. Kb3 g6 36. b5 h5 37. gxh5 gxh5 in addition to having three pawns for the exchange and more space, Black now has a remote passer.

33. -- h5?!

• Susan Polgar, covering the game live on her blog: I do not like this move at all. White does not have any open file for the Rook. Why create one for White? I prefer the quiet move 33. -- Bc7.
• White indeed has a healthy advantage after 33. -- Bc7 34. c4 c5 35. Nc3 Bf4 36. b3 g6 37. Ne2 Be5 38. Nc3 a6/

34. gxh5 Nxh5 35. b4 a6?!

• Black continues to play carelessly in an attempt to blitz his opponent.
• Better is 35. -- Kc7 when after 36. Rb1 Nf6 37. Ng3 g6 28. Ne4 Nxe4 39. fxe4 Kd7 Black's advantage is still in tact and his kingside pawns look dangerous.

36. c4 Bc7

• Again, Black is simply trying to make White use up clock time thinking.
• If 36. -- c5 37. b5 Bc7 38. Nc3 Nf6 then:
• 39. Ne4 Nxe4 40. Kxe4 g5 41. Rg1 axb5 42. cxb5 f6 Black's advantage is safe for the moment.
• 39. Ke2?! a5 40. Na4 b6 41. Rg1 g6 42. Rd1 Nh5! 43. Nc3 Ng3+ gives Black greater mobility; this is the kind of position he had hoped for when he began blitzing White.

37. Rh1 g6 38. c5 a5

• The text is better than 38. -- Kd7? 39. Kc4 e5 40. Nc3 when:
• After 40. -- f5 41. Rg1 Nf4 42. Rd1+ Ke7 43. Rh1 Ne6 44. Rh7+ Kf6 Black still has a superior position, but he'll have to win the game over again.
• 40. -- Ke6 41. Ne4 f6 42. Rd1 Nf4 42. Rh1 f5 44. Nc3 Kf6 45. Rh7 Ne6 46. Na4 g5 47. Nb6! gives White equality.

39. bxa5 Bxa5 40. Ra1 Bc7 41. Kc4

• Taking stock after the time control, Black did not get what he wanted out of his blitzing strategy. He is still winning or close to winning the game, but his position is not a dominant as it was eight or ten moves back.
• White must still defend tenaciously if she is to have any hopes of avoiding loss.
• After 41. Ra8+ Rb8 42. Nc3 b5 43. Ne4 Nf3+ 44. Kd2 f5 45. Nd6+ Kc7 46. Nf7 Kb7 Black still has a vastly superior position.

41. -- Nf6 42. Rh1 b6 43. cxb6

• One should be mindful of possibilities of a Zwischenzug, both on one's own part as well as one's opponent's.
• White would accompish her mission faster with 43. Rh8+! Kd7 44. cxb6 Bxb6 45. Nc3 e5 46. Rf8 ke6 47. Rc8.

43. -- Bxb6 44. Nc3 Kd7?

• This is but small inaccuracy, but enough to make a big difference.
• Black would have better chances of winning after 44. -- Kc7! 45. Na4 Bf2 46. Nc5 Bxc5 47. Kxv5 e5 48. Ral Nd7+ 49. Kc4 f5.

Black: Judit Polgar
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White: Evgeny Bareev
Position after 44. -- Kc8d7

45. Rh8!

• The Rook will do better work behind Black's position.
• The text is superior to the more direct 45. Rb1? when: 45. -- Kc7! 46. Na4 Be3 47. Nc5 Bxc5 48. Kxc5 e5 49. Kc4 e4! depriving White of her last pawn and winning for Black.

45. -- Kd6 46. Kd3 Ba5?

Ruslan Sherbakov, writing analysis for the officil website, says: The Knight had to be kept. A Bishop has an unfortunate disadvantage -- it cannot control half the squares. 46. -- Nd5!? is more promising. Black needs the Knight to obtain connected passed pawns because the King cannot go far from the weak pawns.
• If 46. -- Nd5 then:
• 47. Rf8 Nf4+ 48. Kc4 f5 49. Na4 Be3 50. Rd8+ Ke7 51. Rc8 Kd7 52. Rh8 e5 53. Rh7+ Ke6 54. Rc7 Kd6 55. Rc8 Ne6 Black's kingside pawns are menacing.
• After 47. Rh7 Ke7 48. Ne4 Be3 49. Nc3 Bf4 50. Kc4 Nb6+ 51. Kd4 Nd7 52. Ne4 e5+ 53. Kc4 Nf8 the White Rook must retreat.

47. Ne4+ Nxe4 48. Kxe4 Bb4 49. Rb8

• White is now asssured of a draw, as long as she doesn't make a mistake.
• After 49. Rd8+?! Ke7 50. Rb8 c5 51. Rb7+ Kf6 52. Rc7 g5 53. Rc8 Kg7 Black's advantage is safe at least for the moment.

49. -- Ba3 50. Rd8+ Ke7 51. Ra8 Bc5

• 51. -- f5+ 52. Kd3 Bc1 53. Ra4 Bh6 54. Rh4 Bg7 55. Rh7 Kf7 56. Rh4 g5 57. Rc4 Be5 58. Rxc6 g4 59. fxg4 fxg4 60. Ke4 leads to a draw.

52. Rb8 f6 53. Rb7+ Kd8

• 53. -- Kd6 goes nowhere after:
• 54. Rf7 f5+ 55. Kd3 g5 56. Rg7 g4 57. fxg4 fxg4 58. Ke4 Bf2 59. Rxg4 c5 60. Rg8 Ke7 61. Rg7+ Kf6 62. Rc7 Bd4 63. Rb7 Bc3 64. Rc7 which draws.
If
• 54. Rb2 e5 55. Kd3 Kd5 56. Rb7 f5 57. Re7 g5 58. Rg7 then:
• 58. -- e4+ 59. fxe4 fxe4+ 60. Ke2 Bd6 61. Rxg5+ draws.
• 58. -- Bb4 59. Rxg4 draws.

54. f4 Be7 55. Ra7 Ke8 56. Rc7

• If 56. Ra6 Kd7 57. Ra7+ Kd6 then:
• 58. Ra1 g5 59. Rd1+ Kc7 60. fxg5 fxg5 61. Ke5 Bc5 62. Kxe6
• 62. -- Be3 63. Rd3 Bf4 64. Rc3 Kb6 Rc3 Kb6 65. Rc2 c5 66. Kd5 Bg3 67. Rxc5 drawing.
• If 62. -- Bf2 63. Rd2 Be3 64. Rb2 then:
• 64. -- Bf4 65. Rg2 Kb6 66. Rb2+ Kc5 67. Rc2+ Kb5 68. Rb2+ Kc4 69. Rc2+ Kd4 70. Rxc6 draws.
• 64. -- Bc1 65. Rb4 Bf4 66. Rb1 draws.
• 58. Ra2 g5 59. Rd2+ Kc7 60. fxg5 fxg5 61. Ke5 Bb4 62. Rd1 Bc5 transposes to the main variation after 61. -- Bc5

56. -- c5 57. Rb7

• After 57. Ra7 Kf7 58. Rc7 g5 59. fxg5 fxg5 60. Ke5 g4 61. Kf4 e5+ 62. Kxg4 Ke6 63. Kf3 Bd6 64. Rc8 Black can make no progress.

57. -- Kf8

• 57. -- Bd6 58. Rg7 f5+ 59. Ke3 e5 60. fxe5 Bxe5 61. Rxg6 Ke7 62. Kd3 Bf6 63. Rh3 Kf7 64. Kc4 Bg5 65. Rh3 Be7 66. Kd5 draws.

58. Rb8+ Kf7 59. Rb7 Kf8

• 59. -- g5 60f5 g4 61. Rd7 c4 62. Rc7 exf5+ 63. Kxf5 g3 64. Rxc4 Bd6 65. Rd4 Be5 66. Rc4 g2 67. Rg4 Ke7 68. Rxg2 draws.

60. Rb8+ Kg7

• Black avoids a repetition of moves, but it doesn't matter.

61. Rb6 Kf7 62. Rb7 Ke8 63. Rb6 ½-½

• 63. -- g5 64. Rxe6 gxf4 65. Kxf4 Kd7 66. Kf5 Bd8 67. Ra6 Kc7 68. Ra8 c4 69. Ra4 c3 70. Rc4+ draws.

[Jack Rabbit]

7. Malakhov - Grischuk, Semi-Finals, Round 4, Elista

Alexander Grischuk
Photo: ChessBase.com

Vladimir Malakhov vs.Alexander Grischuk
Candidates' Semi-Final Match, Round 4
Elista, May 2007

Open Queen's Gambit: Mannheim Defense

1.c4 Nf6 2.Nf3 e6 3.Nc3 d5 4.d4 dxc4 5.Qa4+

• 5.e3 leads to the garden variety Open Gueen's Gambits.

5...c6

• 5...Nbd7 6.e4 a6 7.Bxc4 Rb8 8.Qc2 b5 9.Bd3 Bb7 10.0-0 c5 11.d5 c4 12.Be2 exd5 13.exd5 Bd6 14.a4 0-0 15.axb5 axb5 16.Nxb5 gives White a healthy advantage in space (Lutikov-Gurgenidze, Soviet TCh, Moscow 1963).

6.Qxc4 b5 7.Qd3 Nbd7 8.e4 b4 9.Na4 Qa5

• If 9...Bb7 10.e5 Nd5
  • then:
  • 11.Bd2 N5b6 12.Nxb6 Qxb6 13.Be3 c5
  • 14.Rc1?! Rc8 15.Be2 Be7 16.Nd2 0-0 17.Nc4 Qc6 18.Bf3 Qa6 19.Bxb7 Qxb7 gives Black more freedom (Tregubov-Yakovich, Muni Ch, Paris 2005).
  • 14.Be2 Rd8 15.Qc4 Be7 16.dxc5 Bxc5 17.Bxc5 Nxc5 18.0-0 0-0 is equal
  • 11.Be2 Be7 12.0-0 Rc8 13.Bd2 c5 14.Rfc1 a6 15.Nxc5 Nxc5 16.dxc5 Bxc5 17.Ng5 Qb6 18.Qg3 Ne7 19.Bd3 Rd8 is unclear (Rogers-Ris, Op, Gibralter 2007).

10.b3 c5 11.Be2

• *
• If 11.e5 Nd5 then:
• 12.Bd2 12...Be7 13.Rc1 cxd4 14.Qxd4 0-0 15.Bd3 Ba6 16.0-0 Bxd3 17.Qxd3 N7b6 18.Nd4 Nxa4 19.Nc6 Nb2 20.Qxd5 exd5 21.Nxa5 Nd3 is equal (Tregubov-Huarchard, French TCh, Paris 2001).
• If 12.Be2?! then:
• 12...cxd4 13.Qxd4 Ba6 14.Bd2 Be7 15.a3 Bxe2 16.Kxe2 Qb5+ 17.Qc4 Qb8 18.Qc6 bxa3 19.Rhc1 a5 20.Kf1 Qa7 21.Nd4 0-0 22.Nb5 Qa6 23.Qxa6 Rxa6 Black has a healty spatial advantage and forced resignation in only a few more moves (Nikolic-Kramnik, Amber Rapid. Monte Carlo 2000).
• 12...Bb7 13.Qb5 Qxb5 14.Bxb5 Rc8 15.0-0 Nc3 16.Nxc5 Bxc5 17.Bxd7+ Kxd7 18.dxc5 Bxf3 19.gxf3 is equal.

11...Bb7 12.e5 Ne4 13.Be3 Rd8 14.0-0!?

• 14.Qb5 Qxb5 15.Bxb5 cxd4 16.Bxd4 a6 17.Bxd7+ Rxd7 18.Rc1 Be7 19.Ke2 Nd2 20.Be3 Nxf3 21.gxf3 a5 22.Nc5 Bc6 23.Nxd7 Black resigns (Nikolic-Ivanchuk, Amber Bf, Monte Carlo 1999).

14...a6

• *
• 14...Be7 15.Qb5 Qxb5 16.Bxb5 a6 17.Bxd7+ Rxd7² 18.dxc5 Rc7 19.Rac1 gives White a nice edge in space.

15.Rac1 Be7 16.Qc2 0-0 17.Bd3

• 17.Rfd1 Rc8 18.Bc4 cxd4 19.Rxd4 Ndc5 20.Nxd5 Nxc5 21.Ng5 g6 maintains balance.

Black: Alexander Grischuk
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White: Vladimir Malakhov
Position after 17.Be2d3

17...cxd4!!

• The sham sacrifice of a minor piece begins a sharp combiniation that takes the game through the 22nd move.
• If 17...Rc8 18.Bxe4 cxd4 19.Bxh7+ Kh8 20.Qd3 Bxf3 then:
• 21.Bxd4 Rxc1 22.Rxc1 Nxe5 23.Bxe5 Qxe5 24.Qxf3 Kxh7 25.Qd3+ Kg8 is equal.
• 21.Rxc8 Rxc8 22.Bxd4 Nxe5 23.Bxe5 23.Bxe5 Qxe5 24.Qxf3 Kxh7 is level.

18.Bxe4 Rc8 19.Bxh7+ Kh8 20.Qd3

• This seems the best place to retreat the Queen, but other moves also work,
• If 20.Qd1 Rxc1 21.Bxc1 Bxf3 22.Qxf3 Kxh7 then:
• 23.Qd3+ Kg8 24.f4 Nc5 25.Nxc5 Bxc5 26.Rf2 is equal.
• 23.Qe4+ Kg8 24.Bf4 Rd8 25.Qxd4 Nc5 26.Qc4 Nxa4 27.bxa4 Qxa4 maintains the balance.

20...Rxc1 21.Bxc1 Bxf3 22.Qxf3 Kxh7

• Taking stock at the end of the combination: White has a little more space; Black has an advanced passed pawn; the material is even; White has a hanging pawn under attack, but since it's his move, this is not very important. The position is still unclear.

23.Re1

• White protects his headpawn.
• Better is 23.Qd3+ Kg8 24.f4 Nc5 25.Nxc5 Bxc5 with neither side having a clear advantage.

23...Kg8 24.Qg3 f6?!

• Black misses the best move.
• Better is 24...Rc8! 25.Bb2 Nc5 26.Nxc5 Bxc5 27.Ra1 Ba7 giving Black command of the c-file and an advanced passed pawn.

25.exf6?!

• White, too, misses an opportunity.
• 25.Bh6 Rf7 26.Bf4 fxe5 27.Bxe5 Nxe5 28.Qxe5 Qxe5 29.Rxe5 equalizes.

25...Rxf6 26.Qd3 Qd5 27.Qe4?

• White would be at a disadvantage in a King-and-pawn ending. It is not wise for him to initiate an exchange of Queens.
• After 27.Rd1 e5 28.Bg5 Rxf2 29.Kxf2 Bxg5 20.Qxa6 Be3+ 31.Kg3 Nf6 32.Qc8+ the game is still unclear.

27...Qxe4 28.Rxe4 e5 29.Nb2

Black: Alexander Grischuk
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White: Vladimir Malaknov
Position after 29.Na4b2

29...Rc6!!

• This move at once attacks the Bishop and gives Black complete dominace of the the dark squares, particularly those on the c1/f6 diagonal.
• Black's dominance of the dark squares is such that the attacked Bishop cannot move without losing the game immediately; for example, 30.Bd2 Rc2

30.Nc4 Nb6 31.Rxe5 Bf6 32.Ra5

• After 32.Re1 Nxc4 33.bxc4 Rxc4 34.Bd2 a5 35.Rc1 Rxc1+ 36.Bxc1 d3 37.f4 Bb2!! White can resign.

32...Nxc4 33.bxc4 Rxc4 34.Bf4 d3 35.g3 Rc2 36.Rd5 Rxa2 37.Rxd3 Ra3 38.0-1

• 38.Rxa3 obviously loses.
• 38.Rd1 b3 39.Bc1 Ra1 40.Rf1 a5 wins for Black.
• Malakhov resigns.
  

[Jack Rabbit]

8. Sikorova - Mkrtchian, Round 3, Ekaterinburg

The romantic style of play favored by the late former wolrd champion Mikhail Tal and his protoge, the newly crowned US champion Alex Shabalov, is sometimes called "macho chess".

Armenian master Lilit Mkrtchian delights in making that phrase a real misnomer. This is one of the most wonerfully complicated tacitcal games we've seen in a while.



Lilit Mkrtchian
Photo: ChessBase.de (Germany)

Olga Sikorova (Czech Republic) vs. Lilit Mkrtchian (Armenia)
Women's World Team Championship, Round 3
Ekaterinburg, May 2007

Closed French Game: Raw Advance Opening

1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. e5 c5 4. c3

• Before any pieces have been developed, it is apparent that White's plan is to cramp Black's kingside and center and launch a kingside attack, while Black will undermine White's hold on the center by attacking d4.

4. -- Qb6 5. Nf3 Bd7 6. a3 a5!?

• More usual and more straightforward is 6. -- Nc6 7. b4 cxd4 8. cxd4 Rc8.

7. Be2 Nc6 8. 0-0 Nh6

• 8. -- a4 9. Bd3 Na5 10. Bc2 Nc4 11. Ra2 Ne7 12. Re1 Nc6 13. Bxa4 N6xe5 14. Bxd7+ Nxd7 15. b3 Nd6 is unclear (Grischuk-M. Gurevich, Rapid World Cup, Cannes 2001).

9. Bxh6 gxh6 10. Qd2 a4 11. dxc5 Bxc5 12. c4 Na5!?

• Black breaks out of the book by attacking a pawn.
• 12. -- dxc4 13. Nc3 Na5 14. Ne4 0-0-0 15. Qf4 Bc6 16. Rac1 Kb8 17. Bxc4 Bxe4 18. Qxe4 Rc8 gives Black more piece activity (Jonkman-Neponiachtchi, Corus C, Wijk aan Zee 2007).

13. Qxh6

• White takes off the loose pawn in exchange for her pawn at c4.
• The text is better than 13. b4 axb3 14. cxd5 exd5 15. Nc3 Nc4 16. Qd1 b2 17. Rb1 giving White less freedom than in the actual game and tying her down to stopping Black's b-pawn.

Black: Lilit Mkrtchian
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White: Olga Sikorova
Position after 13. Qd2h6:p

13. -- dxc4!?

• Ms. Mkrtchian is a fine tactician well able to recognize the dangers in the position.
• If 13. -- Bxf2+!? 14. Rxf2 Qxb2 15. Qf6 Rf8 16. Nfd2 then:
• 16. -- Nc6! 17. Bh5 Nxe5 18. Nb3 Qxb3 19. Qxe5 then:
• 19. -- Qxc4! 20. Nd2 Qd3 21. Qf6 Qe3 22. Bxf7 Rxf7 23. Qh8+ Ke7 24. Qxa8 Rxf2 wins for Black.
• 19. -- 0-0-0? 20. Nd2 Qd3 then:
• 21. Bf3 f6 22. Qb2 Bc6 23. Re1 e5 24. cxd5 Bxd5 25. Qb4 wins for White.
• After 21. cxd5 Qxd5 22. Qe2 Bb5 23. Rc1+ Kb8 24. Rd1 White comes out of the complications with a pieces for two pawns.
• 16. -- Qxa1? 17. cxd5 Qd4 18. d6 giving White an overwhelming position with a threat of mate on the next move.

14. Nbd2?!

• White misses an opportunity to blow the game open.
• 14. Qg7! Rf8 15. Ra2 Qb3 16. Nc3 Qc2 17. Ng5 Qg6 18. Qxg6 hxg6 19. Nh7 White has a vastly superior position.

14. -- 0-0-0 15. Nxc4

• White takes the poffered pawn.
• If 15. Bxc4 Qxb2 16. Rfb1 Qc2 17. Rc1 then:
• 17. -- Qb2 18. Rab1 Qxa3 19. Ne4 Kb8 20. Nxc5 Qxc5 21. Bxe6 Qe7 22. Bxd7 Qxd7 gives White a huge advantage in space and mobility.
• After 17. -- Qg6 18. Qxg6 hxg6 19. Ng5 Bd4 20. Nxf7 Bxa1 21. Ba2+ Nc6 22. Rxa1 Rh5 23. Nxd8 Kxd8 24. f4 White keeps the extra pawn.

15. -- Nxc4 16. Bxc4 Bc6 17. Qf4

• White attacks a pawn weakness.
• 17. Qf6 Qxb2 18. Qxf7 Kb8 19. Ra2 Qc3 20. Be2 Rhg8 21. Kh1 levels the game.

17. -- Rhg8 18. g3!?

• This is a fine defensive move, but the spirit of the game is aggressive tactics.
• 18. b4 then:
• After 18. -- axb3 19. Rab1 Bxf3 20. Qxf3 Qc6 21. Qxc6+ bxc6 22. Rxb3 Rg5 23. Rfb1 Kd7 24. Rf3 Ke8 White retains his extra pawn, but it is not dangerous at this time.
• White continues to dominate after 18. -- Bd4?! 19. Rac1 Kb8 20. Be2 Rg7 21. Rc2 Bd5 22. g3 Bb3 23. Rd2 Bc3 24. Rxb8+ Qxd8 25. Bc4.

18. -- h5 19. Rac1

Black: Lilit Mkrtchian
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White: Olga Sikorova
Position after 19.Ra1c1

19. -- Kb8!

• Black puts her King is safer place before starting a counteratttack.
• If 19. -- Qxb2 20. Ng5 h4 then:
• 21. Bxe6+! fxe6 22. Rxc5 hxg3 23. hxg3 Qxa3 24. Rxc6+ bxc6 25. Qc4 Qb2 26. Qxc6+ Kb8 27. Nxe6 leaves White with two pawns for the exchange and active pieces; Black's hopes rest on her a-pawn.
• If 21. Nxf7? Rd4 then:
• 22. Qf6 hxg3 23. hxg3 Rxg3+ 24. Kh2 Rf3 25. Bxe6+ Kc7 26. Qxf3 Bxf3 27. Rxc5+ Bc6 gives Black a solid advatage ins space and mobility.
• 22. Nd6+ Kb8 23. Qf7 Rdg4 then:
• If 24. Nb5 Black forces mate as follows: 24. -- R4g7 25. Qxe6 Bxf2+ 26. Rxf2 Rxg3+ 27. hxg3 Rxg3+ 28. Kf1 Qxc1+ 29. Ke2 Re3#.
• After 24. Bb5 Black mates with 24. -- hxg3 25. Bxc6 gxf2+ 26. Kh1 Rg1+ 27. Rxg1 fxg1Q+ 28. Rxg1 Rxg1#

20. Rc2 Rg4 21. Qf6 Rdg8 22. Be2

• Black retreats to guard the Knight in prefefence to moving it.
• 22. Nh4 Qc7 23. Be2 Be7 24. Qxf7 R8g7 25. Qxe6 Rxh4 26. Bf3 Bxf3 27. Rxc7 Kxc7 28. Rc1+ 000

22. -- Be4 23. Rd2 Ka7 24. Nh4 Qb3 25. Nf3?

• White misses the opportunity to take the wind out the sails of Black's counterplay by taking the exchange.
• After 25. Bxg4 hxg4 26. Qxf7 Rf8 27. Qc7 Qb5 28. Rc1 White's piece activity carries the day.

25. -- h4?!

• Black attacks on the King's wing, but this only draws.
• Black wins after 25. -- Qb6 26. h4 Rxg3+ 27. Kh2 Rg2+ 28. Kh1 Rxf2 29. Rxf2 Bxf2 30. Rd6 Qe3.

26. Kg2 hxg3 27. fxg3?

• White retakes with the wrong pawn and loses.
• 27. hxg3 Bd4 28. Bd1 Qb5 29. Re1 Bxb2 is equal.

27. -- Qe3!

• Also strong is 27. -- Be3 29. Bd1 Qb5 29. Re2 Bd3 30. Rxe3 Bxf1 31. Kf2 Qb6 32. Nd2 Rd8/

28. Rfd1 Qf2+ 29. Kh1

Black: Lilit Mkrtchian
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White: Olga Sikorova
Position after 29. Kg2h1

29. -- Rxg3!!

• The sacrifice at g3 is the quickest way.

30. hxg3 Rxg3 31. Bf1 Rg1# 0-1

[Jack Rabbit]

9. Lahno - Zhao Xue, Round 5, Ekaterinburg

Zhao Xue
Photo: website of the 2006 Cap d'Agde Masters' Rapid Tournament

Katya Lahno (Ukraine) vs. Zhao Xue (China)
Women's World Team Championship, Round 5
Ekaterinburg, May 2007

Spanish Grand Royal Game: Zaitsev Defense

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. 0-0 Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 d6 8. c3 0-0 9. h3 Bb7

• Black has a half dozen good moves here. This, the Zaitsev Defense, is one of the sharprst and, in grandmaster play, one of the most popular.

10. d4 Re8 11. Nbd2 Bf8 12. a3

• 12. a4 h6 13. Bc2 exd4 14. cxd4 Nb4 15. Bb1 c5 16. d5 Nd7 17. Ra3 f5 18. Nh2 Nf6 19. Rf3 Re5 20. Rxf5 Rxf5 21. exf5 Bxd5 22. Ng4 Bf7 23. Ne4 Nxg4 24. Qxg4 d5 25. f6 dxe4 26. fxg7 Bxg7 27. Bxh6 is unclear (Morozevich-Grischuk, FIDE Grand Prix, Dubai 2002).

12. -- g6

• 12. -- h6 13. Bc2 Nb8 14. b4 Nbd7 15. Bb2 g6 is unclear.

13. Bc2

• 13. Ba2 Bg7 14. b4 a5 15. d5 Ne7 16. Bb2 Nh5 17. Nb3 axb4 18. axb4 Bc8 19. Na5 Nf4 20. c4 g5 21. cxb5 g4 22. Nh2 gxh3 23. g3 gives White an advantage in space (Adams-Grischuk, Corus A, Wijk aan Zee 2002).

13. -- Nb8

• 13. -- Bg7 14. Nf1 d5 15. Bg5 dxe4 16. Bxe4 exd4 17. Nxd4 Rxe4!? 18. Rxe4 Qd5 19. Bxf6 Qxe4 is equal (Berg-Ibragimov, Ol, Torino 2006){/i]

14. b3!?

• White breaks out of the book with a move desinged to slow Black's queenside expansion.
• If 14. b4 Nbd7 15. Bb2 Bg7 16. d5 Nb6 then:
• 17. a4 Nxa4 18. Bxa4 bxa4 19. Nc4 c6 20. Na5 Qc7 gives White an edge in space and piece activity (Smejkal-Unzicker, Team Match, Bamberg 1972).
• 17. c4 bxc4 18. a4 c6 19. dxc6 Bxc6 20. a5 Nc8 is unclear (Ciric-Kuijpers, Beverwijk 1967).

14. -- Nbd7!?

• Black develops her queenside. In the Zaitsev, the Knight is often headed for c4, but that square is unavailable to Black at the moment.
• 14. -- Bg7 15. dxe5 dxe5 16. Qe2 Nh5 17. Qe3 Nf4 18. Rd1 is level.

15. d5 c6

• Black tries knocking off a piece of White's center.
• 15. -- Bh6?! 16. c4 c6 17. dxc6 Bxc6 18. Bb2 Qc7 19. Qe2 bxc4 20. Nxc4 is unclear.

16. c4 Qc7 17. Rb1

• The position on the board is unclear.
• White anticipates that the b-file will soon be open for her Rook.
• After 17. dxc6 Qxc6 18. Bb2 Rac8 19. Rc1 Bg7 20. Qe2 White has better mobility.

17. -- Rec8 18. Bd3

• White's Bishop supports the pawn at c4 and could become active if the diagonal is opened.
• If 18. dxc6 then:
• 18. -- Bxc6 19. Bb2 Bh6 20. Qe2 bxc4 21. Nxc4 Bb5 is unclear.
• 18. -- Qxc6 18. Bb2 Bh5 20. g4 Bg7 21. Rc1 h6 is cloudy.

18. -- Nc5 19. Bf1?!

• White holds the tension hoping for something better than she can get from opening the game now.
• If 19. Qc2 bxc4 20. bxc4 then:
• 20. -- Bg7!
• 21. a4! Qd7 22. a5 cxd5 23. exd5 Rab8 24. Ba3 Qc7 25. Bxc5 Qxc5 is unclear.
• 21. Nb3?! Ncxe4 22. dxc6 Bxc6 23. Bxe4 Nxe4 24. Rxe4 Bxe4 25. Qxe4 Qxc4 gives Black a Rook and two pawns for two minor pieces.
• After 20. -- Rab8?! 21. dxc6 Qxc6 22. Qc3 Bh6 the crystal ball is murkey.

Black: Zhao Xue
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White: Katya Lahno
Position after 19. Bd3f1

19. -- bxc4

• On the other hand, Black thinks the tide is up for her fortunes.
• 19. -- b4 20. axb4 Ncd7 21. dxc6 Bxc6 22. Ba3 Qb6 23. Ra1 Bb7 24. Qe2 Rab8 25. Qd3 gives White a slight advantage in space.

20. bxc4 Rcb8!?

• 20. -- Rab8 is more correct. The text move could have cost Black a tempo (see notes to the next move).
• If 20. -- Rab8! 21. Qc2 then:
• 21. -- Bg7 22. Bb2 a5 23. Ba1 Bh8 24. Qc3 is winding down to an equal position.
21. -- Bh6 22. Bd3 Qd7 23. g4 cxd5 24. cxd5 Qe7 25. Qc3 is cloudy.

21. Nh2?!

• White misses an opportunity to better her position.
• After 21. Bb2 Bg7 22. Qe2 Nfd7 23. Qe3 Rc8 (had Black played the other Rook, she already would have the Rooks at b8 and c8) 24. Qg5 Rab8 White has an advantage in space.
• 21. Qc2 Bg7 22. Bb2 Rc8 (there's that tempo again) 23. Bc3 Rab8 24. Bb4 Nfd7 25. Qd3 gives White more space.

21. -- Bc8 22. Rxb8 Rxb8

• As it works out, this position, which is somewhat favorable to Black, would not have arisen had Black palyed 20. -- Rab8. With one set of opposing Rooks exchanged, it inaccuracey is no longer important.

23. Ng4?

• White would have done better to have saved this Knight and manipulated it over to d3 in an attempt to rid herself of Black's more powerful Knight at c5.
• 23. Qf3 Bg7 24. Rd1 Rb6 25. Qe3 Bb7 26. Nhf3 a5 27. Ne1 Nfd7 still leaves Black with better mobility.

23. -- Nxg4 24. hxg4 a5

• After the complcations, Black has emerged with a better position. She has command of the b-file and a secure outpost at c5 occupied by a Knight.

25. g5 Be7 26. Nf3 Bg4 27. Qc2

• Black's command of space is showing. White is cramped even after exchanging pieces.
• After 27. dxc6 Ne6 28. Be2 Bxf3 29. Bxf3 Bxg5 30. BXg5 Nxg5 31. Qd5 Rb6 Black is stronger than before.

Black: Zhao Xue
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White: Katya Lahno
Position after 27. Qc1d2

27. -- Bxf3!

• Black takes the opportnity to weaken White's kingside pawns.
• 27. -- f6? throws away everything for which Black has worrked: 28. gxf6 Bxf6 29. Be2 Qb6 30. Be3 and the game is level.

28. gxf3 cxd5 29. cxd5 Qd8 30. f4

• This pawn sacrifice is made in the hope of being able to advance a passed pawn in the center later. All it accomplishes for White is the loss of a pawn.
• 30. Bb2 Bxg5 31. Bxe5 dxe5 32. Qxc5 Bf4 33. Bb5 Bh6 34. Rb1 Bf8 gives Black better mobility.

30. -- exf4 31. Bxf4 Bxg5 32. Bh2

• 32. Bg3 Bh4 33. Rb1 Bxg3 34. fxg3 Rxb1 35. Qxb1 Qg5 puts Black in a winning position.

32. -- Qb6 33. Bg2 Bh4 34. Rf1

• White elects to defend the f-pawn, which is coming under mounting pressure.
• White would last longer after 34. Rc1 a4 35. Bxd6 Qxd6 36. Qxc5 Qx5 37. Rxc5 Rb3 but all variations lead to a superior endgame for Black.

34. -- Nd7 35. Qc6

• 35. Bf4 Bf6 36. Rc1 Bd4 37. Bg3 Be5 38. Bh2 Bxh2+ 39. Kxh2 Qd4 leaves Black a pawn up in a superior position.

35. -- Ne5 36. Qxb6 Rxb6 37. Bxe5 dxe5 38. f4

• White poffers another pawn in hopes of advancing her center pawns.
• 38. Rd1 getting the Rook immediately behind the passed pawn, fails to 38. -- Rb2 39. f3 a4 40. d6 Bd8 41. Rd5 Kf8 32. Rxe5 Rd2.

Black: Zhao Xue
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White: Katya Lahno
Position after 38. f2f4

38. -- Bf6!

• This is simplist, but the sacrifice may also be refuted by accepting it.
• After 38. -- exf4! 39. e5! g5 40. d6 h5 41. d7 Rb8!! 42. Rc1 Kg7 43. Rc8 Rb1+ Bf1 g4 the pawn shall not promote while Black's three connected kingside passers trump the Bishop.

39. fxe5 Bxe5 40. Rd1 Kf8 41. Bf1 Ke7 42. Rc1 h5 43. a4 Rb4 44. Rc4

• 44. Bb5 Rxe4 45. Rc4 Re1+ 46. Kf2 Rd1 47. Bc6 f5 leaves Black with three extra pawns, connected passers at that.

44. -- Rxc4 45. Bxc4 g5 46. Kg2 g4 47. Bb5

• No better is 47. Be2 Kf6 48. Kf2 Kg5 49. Bb5 h4 50. Kg1 h3.

47. -- Kf6 48. Be8 h4 49. 0-1

• Black has two connected passers on the highyway to Scone.
• Ms. Lahno resigns.

[Jack Rabbit]

10. Hou Yifan - T. Sabure, Round 8, Ekaterinburg

Hou Yifan
Photo: ChessBase.de (Germany)

Hou Yifan (China) vs. Tuduetso Sabure (Botswana)
Women's World Team Championship, Round 8
Ekaterinburg, May 2007

Moorish Game: Dragon Defense (Pirc Defense)

1. e4 d6 2. d4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. Be3 Nf6 5. Nf3 0-0

• 5. -- c6 6. Qd2 0-0 7. h3 b5 8. Bd3 Nbd7 9. 0-0 Qc7 10. Ne2 c5 11. c3 e5 12. Ng3 a6 13. a4 exd4 14. cxd4 Bb7 15. Bh6 bxa4 16. Rxa4 Qc6 17. Ra3 d5 18. Bxg7 Kxg7 19. e5 Ne4 is equal (J. Geller-Akopian, Russian TCh, Sochi 2004).

6. Qd2

• If 6. h3 c6 7. a4 Nbd7 8. a5 then:
• 8. -- Qc7 9. Be2 e5 10. dxe5 dxe5 11. 0-0 Rd8 12. Qb1 Nf8 13. Qa2 Be6 14. Qa3 Nh5 15. Rfd1 Nf4 16. Bf1 Bf6 17. Rxd8 Qxd8 18. Rd1 Nd7 19. a6 Be7 20. Qa1 Qc7 21. axb7 Qxb7 is unclear (Loginov-Azmaiparashvili, Ol, Manila 1992).
• 8. -- e5 9. dxe5 dxe5 10. Qd6 Ne8 11. Qd2 Qe7 12. Bc4 Nc5 13. b4 Ne6 14. Bxe6 Bxe6 15. Bc5 Qc7 16. 0-0 Rd8 17. Qe3 Nd6 18. Bxa7 gives White more space (Tal-Quinteros, IT, Rio de Janiero 1987).

6. -- Re8!?

• Black breaks from the book.
• 6. -- c6 7. h3 b5 8. Bd3 Nbd7 9. 0-0 Qc7 10. Rfe1 e5 11. dxe5 dxe5 12. Ne2 Bb7 13. Ng3 Rfe8 14. c4 a6 15. a4 bxc4 16. Bxc4 c5 17. Rac1 Bc6 18. b4 gives White a significant lead in space (Akopian-Nikolic, Eur Club Cup, Halkidiki (Greece) 2002).

7. Bd3

• White responds by overprotecting her d-pawn.
• If 7. 0-0-0 c6 8. Bh6 then:
• After 8. -- d5 9. Bxg7 Kxg7 10. e5 Ng8 11. Qf4 b6 12. h4 White has a clear advantage in space.
• 8. -- Bxh6 9. Qxh6 d5 10. Ng5 dxe4 11. Ncxe4 e6 12. h4 gives White a strong attack on the Black King.

7. -- Nbd7 8. Bh6 Nf8?

• Black is cramped and should exchange to relieve the lack of space.
• 8. -- Bxh6 9. Qxh6 e5 10. d5 a6 11. h3 c5 12. 0-0 b5 is level. /li]

9. e5 dxe5 10. dxe5 Nd5

• Now even exchange may not help.
• 10. -- Bxh6 11. Qxh6 Nd5 12. Bb5 Bd7 13. Nxd5 Bxb5 14. 0-0-0 White's edge in space is crippling Black.

11. Bxg7 Kxg7 12. 0-0-0 Be6

• Black is busted. She can't move her pieces without having them trip over each other.
• After ]12. -- c6 13. Bc4 Be6 14. Nxd5 cxd5 15. Bxd5 Qc7 16. Bxe6 Nxe6 17. Qd7 White has an extra pawn.

Black: Tuduestso Sabure
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White: Hou Yifan
Position after 12. -- Bc8e6

13. h4!

• The formula push-sac-mate works against the Sicilian Dragon, why not the Moorish Dragon as well?

13. -- Nb4

• Black can do nothing to disrupt White's position.
• 13. -- Nxc3 14. Qxc3 Qc8 15. h5 Bxa2 16. e6+ f6 17. hxg6 hxg6 18. Qd2 finds White focusing on the complex of squares around the enemy King.

14. h5 Nxd3+

• After 14. -- Qc8 15. Hxg6 Nxd3+ 16. Qxd3 fxg6 17. Qd4 c5 18. Qf4 Bg4 19. Rd3 White continues to enjoy an overwhelming spatial advantage.
• 14. -- Bf5 15. h6+ Kg8 16. Bxf5 Qxd2+ 17. Rxd2 gxf5 18. a3 Nc6 19. Nd5 leaves White with a distinct spacial edge.

15. cxd3 Bg4 16. hxg6 fxg6

• Black must keep the h-file closed; 16. -- hxg6 loses immediately to 17. Qh6+!.

Black: Tuduestso Sabure
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White: Hou Yifan
Position after 16. -- fg6:p

17. Rh6!

• White's winning plan is to open the h-file and force mate.

17. -- Bxf3 18. gxf3 e6 19. Rdh1

• Black can no longer keep the file closed.

19. -- Re7 20. Ne4 Qd5 21. Qg5 Rf7

• 21. -- Qc6+ allows 22. Kd2 Rf7 23. Nf6 Rxf6 and now White forces mate: 24. Qxf6+ Kg8 25. Rxh7 Nxh7 26. Qxg6+ Kf8 27. Rxh7 Qxf3 28. Qg7+ Ke8 29. Qe7#.

22. Nf6 Kh8 23. Nxd5 1-0

• This is good enough, but prettier is 23. Qxg6!! Rg7 24. Rxh7+ Nxh7 25. Rxh7+ Rxh7 26. Qxh7#
• Ms. Sabure resigns.

[Jack Rabbit]

11. Short - I. Sokolov, Round 4, Sarajevo

Nigel Short
Photo: ChessBase.de (Germany)

Nigel Short vs. Ivan Sokolov
Bosna Tournament, Round 4
Sarajevo, May 2007

Italian Royal Game: Classical Defense (Evans Gambit)

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. b4

• Hang on to your hats, boys and girls. We are going to have some real fun.
• The Evans Gambit was first played by a Welsh sea captain in London in 1829. Using this opening, Captain Evans defeated Alexander MacDonnell, one of the world's finsest players at that time. For the rest of the 19th Century, it was one of the most popular openings after the King's Gambit. By the late 19th and early 20th Centuries, the King's Gambit and the Italian Game were supplanted in popularity by the Queen's Gambit and the Spanish Game.

4. -- Bxb4 5. c3 Be7

• The text move was first played by LaBourdannais in 1834 against MacDonnell. Nevertheless, it did not become a popular response to the Evans Gambit until the later years of the Cold War, long after the Evans Gambit ceased to be a frequently played opening.
• More common responses in the 19th Century were:
• 5. -- Ba5 6. d4 exd4 7. 0-0 when:
• 7. -- dxc3 8. Qb3 Qf6 9. e5 Qg6 10. Nxc3 Nge7 11. Ba3 0-0 12. Rad1 b5 13. Nxb5 Rb8 14. Bxe7 Nxe7 15. Qa3 Nc6 16. Nbd4 Bb4 17. Qc1 Bb7 18. Bd3 Nxd4 with a very strong game for Black (W. Paulsen-Zukertort, Leipzig 1877).
• 7. -- d6 8. cxd4 Bb6 9. Nc3 Na5 10. Bd3 Ne7 11. e5 d5 12. Ba3 Nac6 13. Ng5 Bf5 14. e6 Bxe6 15. Bxe7 Qxe7 16. Nxe6 fxe6 17. Nxd5 Qf7 18. Nxb6 axb6 19. d5 exd5 20. Re1+ Ne7 gives Black two extra pawns. (Bergell-Cordel, Berlin 1866).
• 5. -- Bc5 then:
• 6. d4 exd4 then:
• 7. 0-0 d6 8. cxd4 Bb6 9. d5 Na5 10. Bb2 Ne7 11. Bd3 0-0 12. Nc3 Ng6 13. Ne2 c5 14. Qd2 f6 15. Kh1 Bc7 16. Rac1 Rb8 17. Ng3 b5 18. Nf5 c4 19. Be2 b4 20. Bd4 c3 21. Qe3 Bb6 22. g4 Ne5 23. Rg1 Nxf3 24. Bxf3 Nc4 is very strong for Black (Anderssen-Zukertort, Barmen 1869).
• 7. cxd4 Bb4+ 8. Kf1 Qe7 9. e5 f6 10. exf6 Nxf6 11. Bg5 b6 12. a3 Bd6 13. Ra2 Qf8 14. Re2+ Be7 15. Nc3 Bb7 16. Ne5 0-0-0 17. Nf7 d5 18. Nxd8 Qxd8 19. Bxf6 Bxf6 20. Bxd5 Bxd4 21. Rd2 Bxc3 22. Be6+ Kb8 23. Rxd8+ Rxd8 24. Qa4 Rd4 25. Qc2 Ba6+ punishes White for doing nothing to liberate his Rook (Minchin-Steinitz, London 1866).
• 6. 0-0 then:
• 6. -- Bb6 7. d4 Qe7 8. Ba3 Qf6 9. dxe5 Nxe5 10. Nxe5 Qxe5 11. Qb3 Nh6 12. Nd2 Bc5 13. Nf3 Qe7 14. Bc1 0-0 15. e5 Re8 16. Bg5 Qf8 17. Bxh6 gxh6 18. Rae1 c6 19. a4 Rb8 20. Nd4 d5 21. Bd3 Qg7 gives Black an extra pawn and some threats against White's King (Ragozin-Levenfish, Soviet Ch, Moscow 1949).
• The inaugural game of the Evans Gambit continued 6. -- Nf6 7. d4 exd4 8. cxd4 Bb6 9. e5 d5 10. exf6 dxc4 11. Re1+ Kf8 12. Ba3+ Kg8 13. d5 Na5 14. Be7 Qd7 15. fxg7 Kxg7 16. Qd2 Qg4 17. Qc3+ Kg8 18. Qxh8+ Kxh8 19. Bf6+ Qg7 20. Re8# checkmate
(Evans-MacDonnell, London 1829).

6. d4 Na5 7. Be2

• Other variations branch from 7. Nxe5 Nxc4 8. Nxc4 d5 9. exd5 Qxd5 10. Ne3 with equality.

7. -- exd4 8. Qxd4 d6 9. Qxg7 Bf6 10. Qg3 Ne7 11. 0-0!?

• White breaks away from scripture by putting his King into safety.
• Probably better is 11. Bg5 Ng6 12. h4 h6 13. Be3 Qe7 14. Nbd2 Bd7 15. h5 Ne5 16. Nxe5 Qxe5 17. Qxe5+ Bxe5 18. Rc1 with equality (Abergal-Parmentier, French TCh, Clichy 2006).

11. -- Ng6!?

• Black preserves his right to castle short.
• Better is 11. -- Rg8! tickling the Queen 12. Qf4 Bh3 13. Ne1 Bg5 14. Qxg5 Rxg5 15. Bxg5 Be6 giving Black a lead in development.

12. Nd4 Qe7 13. Nd2 Bd7

• This move suggests that Black wants to castle long.
• 13. -- Bh4 14. Qe3 Bf6 15. f4 Rg8 16. Ba3 gives White a small edge in space.

Black: Ivan Sokolov
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White: Nigel Short
Position after 13. -- Bc8d7

14. N2b3!?

• White had a slight edge in space prior to this move, which accentuates that advantage.
• The text is better than 14. Rb1 Rg8 15. Rd1 Be5 16. Qe3 Nf4 17. g3 Nxe2+ 18. Qxe2 a6 with and equal game.

14. -- Nxb3?

• This is the lesser of two possible moves.
• 14. -- Nc6 15. Qe3 Rg8 16. f4 Nxd4 17. cxd4 Nh4 18.Rf2 is even.

15. axb3

• White now has a robust advantage in space. Moreover, the opening of the a-file forces Black to abandon any plans of castling on the queenside.

15. -- 0-0 16. Bg4 Kh8

• Black moves his King from the open file, freeing his Knight for action.
• After 16. -- Bxg4 17. Qxg4 Kh8 18. f3 Rg8 19. Qh5 a6 20. Be3 Rae8 21. Qa5 White continues to enjoy a significant advantage in space.

17. Bxd7

• Black doesn't have much going in the way of piece activity, but the Bishop just taken was his most active piece.
• The text is better than 17. Bh6 Rg8 18. Bxd7 Ne5 19. Qf4 Nxd7 20. Qe3 Rg6 21. f3 Rag8 with equality.

17. -- Qxd7 18. Ra5 Rae8

• Black desparately needs to control more space.
• If 18. -- Be5 19. f4 Bxd4 20. cxd4 f5 21. Qh3 then:
• 21. -- Ne7 22. e5 Nc6 23. e6 Qg7 24. Rxf5 Rxf5 25. Qxf5 Nxd4 26. Qd5 c6 27. Qxd6 White's e-pawn is a threat to promote.
• After 21. -- Rf7 22. Rxf5 Rxf5 23. exf5 Ne7 24. Re1 Nd5 25. Qd3 Rf8 26. Re6 Qg7 27. Kf1 White has more space and better mobility.

19. Rh5?

• White misses an opportunity to break the game open.
• Stronger is 19. Rxa7 Rxe4 20. Rxb7 Nh4 21. Bg5 Bxg5 22. Qxg5 Qg4 23. Qxg4 Rxg4 24. g3 giving White an extra pawn with a powerful position.

19. -- Bxd4 20. cxd4 Rxe4 21. Bh6 Rfe8 22. Qf3

• Black has dodged a bullet and the game is level.
• If 22. d5? f6 then:
• 23. Be3 Qf7 24. Qh3 a6 25. Kh1 Rb4 26. Rb1 Rb5 gives Black an extra pawn.
• After 23. Rh3 R4e5 24. Qd3 Qf7 25. Re3 Rd8 26. Rxe5 dxe5 Black is a pawn to the good.
22. -- f6 23. Qxf6+ Kg8 24. d5 Qf7


• Black's position is cramped. Exchanging Queens is to his benefit.
• If 24. -- Re1 25. Qc3 R1e2 then:
• 26. f4! 26. R8e3 27. Qa1
• 27. -- Re7 28. f5 Ne5 29. Rg5+ gives White a strong attack.
• 27. -- Rxb3 28. Rg5 Rbb2 29. f5 Qe7 30. fxg6 leaves Black with only two pawns for the piece, but they are strong pawns.
• 26. Rg5 a6 27. h4 R8e5 28. Qg3 Rxg5 29. Bxg5 Qf5 30. h5 h6 31. Bd8 is unclear.
25. Qxf7+


• White accepts the exchange.
• 25. Qf3 Qxf3 26. gxf3 Rh4 27. Rxh4 Nxh4 28. Ra1 Nxf3+ 29. Kg2 Nh4+ leaves Black with an extra pawn for the moment.

25. -- Kxf7 26. Rf5+ Kg8 27. f4

• This is the consistant follow up to White's previous move. White is better on the kingside and must press his advantage there.
• 27. Be3 Ne7 28. Rg5+ Kf7 29. Rc1 Kf6 30. Rh5 Kg6 31. Rg5+ Kf6 32. Rh5 Kg6 draws.

27. -- Re1 28. g3!

• White is right to be cautious in pressing his advantage.
• After 28. Rxe1 Rxe1+ 29. Kf2 Rb1 30. h4 Rb2+ 31. Kf1 Rxb3 32. h5 Black must play actively to avoid losing the Knight.

28. -- Rxf1+ 29. Kxf1 a5

• Black gained a tempo in the exchange and uses it to press his own advantage on the queenside.
• If 29. -- Ne7 30. Rh5 a5 then:
• 31. h4 b5 32. Rg5+ Kf7 33. Rg7+ Kf6 34. Rxh7 Nxd5 35. h5 Kf5 gives Black the edge in space and mobility.
• After 31. g4 b5 32. h4 Kh8 33. Kf2 a4 34. bxa4 bxa4 35. Rg5 Rg8 White will have to spend a great amount of energy stopping the a-pawn.

30. Rg5 Kf7

Black: Ivan Sokolov
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White: Nigel Short
Final position after 42. Rh7h8

31. f5!

• The pawn advance completely disrupts Black's piece coordination.
• If 31. Rf5+ Kg8 32. Rg5 then:
• 32. -- Kf7
• 33. Rf5+ Kg8 34. Rg5 draws.
• 33. f5 transposes into the text.
• 32. -- Re3? 33. f5! Rxb3 34. fxg6 wins for White.

31. -- Ne7 32. Rg7+ Kf6 33. g4 Nxd5 34. Rxh7 b5

• Black's chances lay with advancing his queenside pawns.
• After 34. -- Re4? 35. h3 Ke5 36. Bg7+ Kf4 37. Kf2 Rb4 38. f6 White wins.

35. Kf2 a4 36. bxa4 bxa4 37. h4 Ke5?

• Black misses his last opportunity to hold the game.
• If 37. -- Rg8! 38. Bg5+ Ke5 39. Rh6 then:
• 39. -- Re8 40. Kf3 a3 41. Bc1 Nf6 42. Rxf6 Kxf6 43. Bxa3 Ke5 44. Bb2+ Kd5 is equal.
• 39. -- a3 40. Re6+ Kd4 41. Re2 Ra8 42. Ra2 Nb4 43. Rd2+ Ke5 44. Re2+ Kd5 45. Bf6 c5 is equal.

38. Kf3 Kd4

• 38. -- Ne7 39. h5 a3 40. Rf7 Kd5 41. Bg7 a2 42. h6 wins for White.

39. f6 Nxf6 40. Bg7 Rf8 41. g5 a3 42. Rh8! 1-0

Black: Ivan Sokolov
!""""""""#
$ + + T R%
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White: Nigel Short
Final position after 42. Rh7h8

• 42. -- Rxh8 43. Bxf6+ Kd5 44. Bxh8 leaves White with a piece to fight the pawns while Black's King is too distant.
• 42. -- Rf7 43. Bxf6+ Kc4 44. Ra8 Kb3 45. Ke4 Black can sacrfice his Bishop for the a-pawn if necessary and still push the kingside pawns toward Scone.
• Mh. Sokolov resigns.

[Jack Rabbit]

6. ?