The JR Chess Report (December 14): Nadya Kosintseva wins Russian ladies' title; Pearl Spring Begins

[Jack Rabbit]

Nadya Kosintseva wins Russian women's championship



Nadezhda Kosinseva, fresh off a medal-winning performance at the 38th chess Olympiad in Dresden, won the Russian women's championship with 6½ points out of nine in a tournament completed earlier today in Moscow.

Nadezhda Alexeyevna finished a full point ahead of her younger sister, the top seeded Tatiana Kosintseva, and 16-year-old Anastasia Bodnaruk, the Russian champion for girls under 20.

Nadezhda Alexeyevna won the gold medal for best performance on board three in Dresden last month. In Moscow, she won 5, lost one and drew three. The tournament was close until the final round, with Nadezhda Alexeyevna leading by only a half-point at the start of today's play. At the end of the seventh round, there was a four-way tie for first among the Kosintseva sisters, Mlle. Bodnaruk and Marina Romanko.

Tatiana Alexeyevna got off to a poor start in Moscow, losing two of her first three games, but came roaring back to finish in a second place tie with 4 wins, 2 kosses and three draws.

Nasta, as Mlle. Bodnaruk is known to her friends and fans, won two games in the first three rounds and drew all of her remaining games. Until now, Nasta would lose almost as many games as she would win in a given tournament with few draws. Her performance in this event marks a significant maturing for the young lady.


Pearl Spring Tournament begins in Nanjing



Top Seed Veselin Topalov Draws Slot Number 6 at the Opening Ceremonies in Nanjing
Photo: ChessBase.com


The first of what is hoped to be a major annual tournament started Wednesday in Nanjing among six grandmasters rating over 2700.

The Pearl Spring Chess Tournament is a double round robin event rated a category 21. The six participants are Veselin Topalov (Bulgaria); Vassily Ivanchuk (Ukraine); Levon Aronian (Armenia); Sergei Movsesian (Slovakia); Peter Svidler (Russia) and Bu Xiangzhi (China).

After four rounds, Aronian and Bu lead with 2½ points each, Movsevian and Topalov are tied for third with 2 point each, and Svidler and Ivanchuk each have a point and a half.


Banden Baden leads Bundesliga after nine rounds



The team from Baden Baden has opened up a three-point lead in the 2008-09 Budesliga race after the competion of the eighth and ninth rounds this weekend.

The team played in Eppingen this weekend with Magnus Carlsen on board one and Alexei Shirov on board 2. Baden Baden crushed Dresden on Saturday, 7½-½. Today, they had a tougher time against Kreuzberg, winning by the relatievely mosdest score of 5-3, with Liviu-Dieter Nisioeanu, Arkadij Naiditsch and Peter Heinz Nielsen providing the necessary vicotries on the lower boards.

In team competition, two points are awarded for each match won and a sigle point for a tied match. Baden Baden has a perfect score for 18 points. Mulheim is in second place with 15 points and Eppingen is third with 14.

The 15-rounds season concludes March 29.


Four-way tie in Israeli Championship

The Israeli national championsip ended in a four-way tie in Haifa Friday.

The four co-champions are Boris Avrukh, Ilia Smirin, Viktor Mikhalevski and Max Rodshtein. Each scored 6½ points in nine rounds.

Avrukh was awarded the overall title with a superior tie break score.


Ivanchuk takes IT in Benidorm

In the wake of controversy over his refusal to provide a urine sample for drug testing after the Dresden Olympiad, Ukrainian grandmaster Vassily Ivanchuk scored a first place finish in Benidorm, Valencia (Spain) in an international tournament completed Monday.

Ivanchuk scored 8 points in 10 reounds. He entered the final round assured of first place and lost to Alexei Shirov, who finished second with 7½ points.


Third leg of FIDE Grand Prix begins in Elista

The third leg of the FIDE Grand Prix, originally scheduled to be played in the Qatar capital of Doha on the Persian Gulf, began instead in Elista, the capital of the Russian autonomous state of Kalmykia, yesterday.

Fourteen players are participating. The event concludes December 29.

The site of the event was moved to Elista after the Doha sponsered pulled out in September. Kalmyia's president, Kirsan Ilyumzhinov, is also the president of FIDE, the world governing body of chess.

The Grand Prix series was downgraded from a preliminary event for the world championship to a qualifier for the preliminary tournament for the world championship during a meeting of FIDE's governing assembly in November. As a result, Magnus Carlsen and Mickey Adams have withdrawn from the series and others are believed to be reconsidering their participation.



Calendar

Asian Club Cup, Al Ain (UAE) 24-31 December.

Hasting Chess Tournament 28 December 2008-5 January 2009.

Rilton Cup, Stockholm 28 December 2008-5 January 2009.

Corus Chess Tournament, Wijk aan Zee 16 January-1 February.

Gibraltar Chess Festival 27 January-5 February.

FIDE Grand Prix, Moscow 30 January-8 February.

Aeroflot Open, Moscow 16-27 February.

Topalov-Kamsky World Championship Semifinal Match, Sofia 16-28 February. Eight Rounds. Winner will challenge Anand for the world championship.

Linares Grandmaaster Tournament 18 February-8 March.

European Individual Championships, Budva (Montenegro) 5-19 March.

[Jack Rabbit]

1. This week's games

Your humble hare acknowledges the assistance of Fritz 6.0 on analysis.

Diagrams on the Jack Rabbit Chess Report are made with Chess Mérida, a true type font that can be downlaoded free here.

BLACK
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WHITE
White to move
(This position is a theoretical draw)

[Jack Rabbit]

2. Svidler - Baramidze, Budesliga, Round 6

Peter Svidler
Photo: ChessBase.com


Peter Svidler (Baden Baden) - David Baramidze (Hamburg)
Bundeslinga 0809, Round 6
Baden Baden, 30 November 2008

Spanish Grand Royal Game: Breyer 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 Nb8 10.d4 Nbd7 11.Nbd2 Bb7 12.Bc2 Re8 13.Nf1 d5

• If 13...Bf8 14.Ng3 g6 then:
• If 15.a4 then:
• If 15...c5 16.d5 c4 17.Bg5 h6 18.Be3 Nc5 19.Qd2 h5 20.Bg5 Be7 21.Ra3 then:
• If 21...Nfd7 22.Be3 Qc7 then:
• 23.Qe2 Nb6 24.axb5 axb5 25.Rxa8 Rxa8 26.Nh2 Nbd7 27.Qd1 draw (S. Zhigalko-Khairullin, Aeroflot Op, Moscow, 2008).
• 23.Ng5 f6 24.Nf3 Kf7 25.Nh4 Rh8 26.axb5 axb5 27.Rxa8 Bxa8 28.Rf1 is equal (Mamedov-Short, Op, Baku, 2007).
• 21...Rb8 22.Rea1 Bc8 23.axb5 axb5 24.Ra7 Rb7 25.Ra8 Nfd7 26.Be3 Qc7 27.Rf1 Ra7 28.Rxa7 Qxa7 29.Ng5 is equal (Svidler-Piket, IT, Wijk aan Zee, 1999).
• 15...Bg7 16.Bd3 c6 17.Bg5 Nf8 18.Qd2 Ne6 19.Be3 Nd7 20.Bf1 Qc7 21.b4 Nb6 22.a5 Nd7 23.Rac1 d5 24.exd5 cxd5 25.dxe5 Nxe5 26.Nxe5 Bxe5 is equal (And. Volokitin-Sasikiran, Ol, Torino, 2006).
• If 15.b3 then:
• If 15...Bg7 16.d5 then:
• 16...Nb6 17.Rb1 c6 18.c4 Qc7 19.Bd3 Nfd7 20.Be3 Nc5 21.Bf1 bxc4 22.bxc4 Nbd7 23.Qd2 Rab8 24.Bh6 Bxh6 25.Qxh6 is equal (Leko-Beliavsky, Ol, Bled, 2002).
• If 16...Rc8 17.Be3 c6 18.c4 Nb6 19.Rb1 Qc7 20.dxc6 Bxc6 then:
• 21.Bxb6 Qxb6 22.Qxd6 Rcd8 23.Qb4 Bf8 24.Qc3 Bc5 25.Re2 b4 26.Qe1 Kg7 27.Rd1 Rxd1 28.Qxd1 gives White an extra pawn (Hou Yifan-Koneru, FIDE Knock Out W, Nalchik, 2008).
• 21.Bd3 bxc4 22.bxc4 Na4 23.Qc2 Nc5 24.Nd2 Nfd7 25.Bf1 Ne6 26.Ne2 Ndc5 27.Nc3 Nd4 28.Qc1 Qd8 (Kamsky-Pantela, Russian ChT, Sochi, 2008).
• 15...c6 16.Bg5 Bg7 17.Qd2 Qe7 18.a4 Qf8 19.Bd3 d5 20.Nxe5 Nxe5 21.dxe5 Rxe5 22.f4 Ree8 is equal (Domínguez-Bruzón, Capablanca Mem, Havana, 2006).
• 15...d5 16.Bg5 h6 17.Bh4 g5 18.Nxg5 hxg5 19.Bxg5 exd4 20.e5 Rxe5 21.Rxe5 Nxe5 22.cxd4 Nc6 23.Nh5 Be7 24.Bxf6 Bxf6 25.Qd3 Kf8 26.Qh7 Bxd4 27.Qh6+ Ke8 28.Re1+ Ne5 29.Bf5 Qd6 30.Qg5 c5 31.Nf6+ Kd8 32.Nxd5+ Ke8 33.Nf6+ Kd8 34.Nd5+ draws by repetition (Shirov-Mamedyarov, Tal Mem, Moscow, 2006).

14.Nxe5

• If 14.exd5 exd4 15.Nxd4 Nxd5 then:
• If 16.Ne3 Nxe3 17.Bxe3 then:
• 17...g6 18.Nb3 c5 19.Na5 Ra7 20.Nxb7 Rxb7 21.Qd5 Qc8 22.Rad1 Nb6 23.Qf3 Bf8 24.Bg5 Rd7 25.Rxe8 Qxe8 26.Rxd7 draw (Chevelevich-Baramidze, Op, Bad Wörishofen, 2008).
• 17...Bf8 18.Bf4 Rxe1+ 19.Qxe1 Nb6 draw (Tal-Psakhis, Intzonal, Lvov, 1984).
• 16.Nf5 Bf6 17.Rxe8+ Qxe8 18.N1e3 Nxe3 19.Bxe3 Ne5 20.Bd4 Rd8 21.Qf1 g6 22.Ng3 Qf8 is equal (Pavasovic-Baramidze, Euro ChT, Kallithea, 2008).

14...Nxe5 15.dxe5 Nxe4 16.f3 Ng5 17.Ng3 g6!?

• Black introduces a new move.
• If 17...f6 then:
• 18.Bxg5 fxg5 19.Qb1 Bc5+ 20.Kh2 h6 is equal (Chandler-Spassky, Bundesliga, Germany, 1984).
• 18.f4 draw (Hübner-Spassky, Ol, Thessaloniki, 1984).

18.f4

• If 18.Be3 then:
• 18...f5 19.Qd2 Ne6 20.Rad1 c5 is equal.
• 18...Ne6 19.f4 f5 20.exf6 Bxf6 21.Qg4 gives White a small advantage in space.

18...Ne4

• 18...Ne6 19.f5 Bc5+ 20.Kh2 Ng7 21.Qd3 gives White a small advantage in space.

19.Nxe4

• If 19.Nf1 f6 20.Bb3 Kh8 then:
• 21.Be3 fxe5 22.fxe5 Bh4 23.Re2 c5 24.Nd2 Ng3 gives Black the initiative and more space.
• If 21.Ne3? Bc5 22.Kh2 fxe5 23.Bxd5 Nf2 then:
• 24.Bxb7 Nxd1 25.Bxa8 Nxe3 26.Bxe3 Bxe3 27.Rxe3 Qxa8 leaves Black up a queen to a rook.
• 24.Qe2 Bxd5 25.fxe5 Bxe3 26.Bxe3 Ne4 27.Rad1 c6 gives Black an extra piece.

19...dxe4 20.Qe2 f5

• If 20...Bc5+ then:
• 21.Kh2 f5 22.b4 Bf8 23.Be3 Bg7 24.c4 gives White more freedom and space.
• 21.Be3 Bxe3+ 22.Qxe3 f5 23.Rad1 Qe7 24.b4 a5 is equal.

21.Rd1

• The position is stablizing to a balance.21.Be3 c5 22.c4 Qa5 23.a4 b4 24.Rad1 Rad8 remains equal.

21...Qc8 22.a4 Bc6

• 22...c6 23.Bb3+ Kg7 24.Be3 Qc7 25.Rd2 Rad8 26.Rxd8 Rxd8 27.Re1 remains equal.

23.Bb3+ Kf8

• 23...Kg7 24.Be3 Qb7 25.a5 Rad8 26.Rxd8 Rxd8 27.Qf2 remains equal.

24.Be3 Rd8 25.g4

• 25.Rxd8+ Qxd8 26.Rd1 Qe8 27.a5 Rd8 28.Re1 Kg7 remains equal.

25...Rd3?

• Black cannot protect a pawn at d3, therefore he should have taken the Rook at d1.
• If 25...Rxd1+ 26.Qxd1 then:
• 26...bxa4! 27.Bxa4 Bxa4 28.Rxa4 Rb8 29.Bc1 c5 30.gxf5 gxf5 remains equal.
• If 26...Kg7 27.gxf5 Qxf5 28.Qg4 then:
• 28...h5 29.Qxf5 gxf5 30.Be6 bxa4 31.Bxf5 Rb8 remains equal.
• After 28...Qf8?! 29.axb5 axb5 30.Rxa8 Qxa8 31.f5 White's powerful passed pawns give him a strong advantage.

BLACK: David Baramidze
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WHITE: Peter Svidler
Position after 25...Rd8d3

26.Rxd3!

• Black will get no benfit from having a passed pawn at d3.

26...exd3 27.Qxd3 fxg4 28.e6!

• White hampers Black's ability to strike back in the center by sticking a bone in his throat.
• If 28.axb5 gxh3 29.f5 axb5 30.Rf1 then:
• If 30...Ke8 31.Be6 Qd8 32.Qxd8+ then:
If
• 32...Kxd8 33.f6 Bf8 34.Rd1+ Bd6 35.Bxh3 Bf3 36.exd6 then:
• 36...cxd6 37.Rf1 Bd5 38.f7 puts White two pieces to the good.
• If 36...Bxd1 then 37.f7 wins immediately.
• 32...Rxd8 33.f6 Bf8 34.f7+ Ke7 35.Bxh3 h6 36.Bc5+ White wins the exchange.
• 30...g5 31.Kh2 Qd7 32.Qxd7 Bxd7 33.f6 h6 34.fxe7+ gives White an extra piece.
• 30...Kg7 31.Be6 Qf8 32.f6+ Kh8 33.fxe7 Qxe7 34.Bxh3 gives White an extra piece.
• Disastrous is 28.hxg4? Qxg4+ 29.Kf1 Qg2+ 30.Ke1 Qxb2 31.Ra2 Bh4+ when Black wins a piece.

28...gxh3

• If 28...bxa4 then after 29.Qd4 Kg8 (else comes 30.Qh8+) 30.Qe5 Qf8 31.Bd4 Qf6 32.Qxc7 White wins a piece.

29.Bd4 bxa4
BLACK: David Baramidze
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WHITE: Peter Svidler
Position after 29...ba4:p

30.Qxh3!!

• This is the quickest and most beautiful way to victory.
• If 30.Qe3? then:
• If 30...Bd6! 31.Bxa4 Bxa4 32.Rxa4 then:
• After 32...Qb7! 33.Qxh3 Qxb2 34.Qxh7 Qc1+ 35.Kg2 Qd2+ 36.Bf2 Qd5+ Black has better chances and in no case does worse than draw.
• 32...Kg8 33.Qxh3 Qb7 34.Qg2 Qxg2+ 35.Kxg2 is equal.
• 30...a3? loses to 31.Qe5 h2+ 32.Kxh2 Ke8 when White forces mate: 33.Qh8+ Bf8 34.Bc5 Qxe6 35.Bxe6 Kd8 36.Qxf8+ Be8 37.Rd1#.

30...axb3

• If 30...Kg8 31.Bc2 Qe8 32.f5 then:
• If 32...Bg5 33.fxg6 h6 34.Qf5 then:
• If 34...Qf8 then White wins after 35.Qf7+ Qxf7 36.exf7+ Kf8 37.Rf1 Ke7 38.g7.
• 34...Qe7 35.Qf7+ transposes to the main line of this variation.
• If 32...h5 then after 33.fxg6 Bf6 34.Bxf6 Qf8 35.Qxh5 Qxf6 36.Qh7+ White wins the Queen.

31.f5 h5 32.fxg6 1-0

• White will soon deliver mate.
• Grandmaster Baramidze resigns.

[Jack Rabbit]

3. Ivanchuk - Tiviakov, Benidorm, Round 4

Vassily Ivanchuk
Photo: ChessBase.com


Vassily Ivanchuk - Sergei Tiviakov
Tournament of the Stars, Round 4
Benidorm, 6 December 2008

Open Sicilian Game: Royal Dragon Defense (Maroczy Opening)

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 g6 5.c4

• This is the Maroczy Opening. 5.Nc3 is more common. See Linares-Partac, OlW, Dresden, 2008.

5...Nf6 6.Nc3 Nxd4

• For 6...d6 7.Nc2 (7.Be2 Nxd4 (7...Bg7 8.Be3 0-0 9.0-0 Bd7 10.Qd2 Nxd4 11.Bxd4) 8.Qxd4 Bg7 9.Be3 0-0) 7...Bg7 8.Be2 Nd7 9.Bd2 see Aronian-Ivanchuk, below.

7.Qxd4 d6 8.Bg5

• 8.Be3 Bg7 9.Qd2 0-0 10.f3 Be6 11.Rc1 Qa5 transposes into Nisipeanu-Khalifman and Nijboer-Tiviakov (see again Aronian-Ivanchuk, below).

8...Bg7 9.Qd2 Be6 10.Rc1 0-0 11.Bd3 Qa5

• 11...a6 12.b3 Nd7 13.0-0 Rb8 14.Rfe1 Re8 15.f4 f6 16.Bh4 Bh6 17.Bf2 Bf7 18.Be3 Qa5 19.Qf2 e5 draw (Olafsson-Hort, IT, Teesside, 1975).

12.0-0 Rfc8 13.b3 a6 14.Rfe1 Rc5!?

• This new move does nothing to equalize.
• 14...Kf8 15.Rc2 b5 16.cxb5 axb5 17.Rec1 b4 18.Nb5 Rxc2 19.Rxc2 Bd7 20.Nc7 Rc8 21.Qc1 Qe5 gives White a very slight initiative (Polugaevsky-Jansa, IT, Sochi, 1974).

15.Be3

• White finds a simple refutation and keeps the initiative.

15...Rc6 16.h3

• White does not want to exchange Queens this early in the game.
• If 16.Nd5 Qxd2 17.Bxd2 Re8 then:
• If 18.Bg5 h6 19.Nxf6+ exf6 20.Be3 gives White better pawn structure, a distant pawn majority and more active pieces.
• 18...Ng4?! 19.Bc2 Bd4 20.Re2 Ne5 21.Bf4 a5 22.Rd2 gives White a strong initiative with an attack on an unprotected piece and a Knight sitting on a splendid outpost.
• If 18.a4 then after 18...Rcc8 19.a5 Ng4 20.Rcd1 Ne5 21.Bg5 Rc5 White stands better, but Black has plenty of fight yet.

16...Nd7 17.Bf1!?

• White unmasks the d-file for his heavy pieces, but other than giving the Knight better protection, it is unclear what his intentions are. The Bishop is removed to a passive position, but as the bad Bishop behind the pawn chain it was condemned to passivity.
• 17.Nd5 Qxd2 18.Bxd2 Re8 19.Bc2 Rcc8 20.Nf4 maintains White's initiative.

17...Bxc3?!

• Exchanging the dark-squared Bishop in the Dragon is a grave decision for Black. As the game progesses, it become evident that he doesn't get enough for it.
• 17...Ne5 18.Be2 Re8 19.Rc2 Nd7 20.Nd5 Qxd2 21.Bxd2 is equal.

18.Rxc3 b5 19.Rec1 Rac8?

• This allows White open the queenside where White is stronger.
• If 19...Nc5! forces White to keep the queenside closed; if now20.f3 b4 21.R3c2 then:
• If 21...Rac8 then after 22.Rb1 f5 23.a3 Rb8 24.Bh6 White is only slightly better.
• 21...Bc8?! 22.Rb1 Bb7 23.a3 Rb6 24.Ra2 gives White more freedom.
• 20.cxb5?! Nxe4 21.Qd4 Rxc3 22.Bh6 Nf6 is equal.

20.cxb5!

• White begins the winning combination, which works because of the pin at c3 resulting from Black's next move.

20...Rxc3

• If 20...Qxc3 then:
• If 21.bxc6!! then:
• 21...Qxd2 22.Bxd2 Nc5 23.Be3 Nxe4 24.Bxa6 either the Rook vacates and the pawn decides or White wins the exchange.
• If 21...Qe5 then 22.Bxa6 Nf6 23.Bxc8 Bxc8 24.f3 wins.
• Also winning, but with more difficulty, is 21.Rxc3 Rxc3 22.bxa6 Rc2 23.Qd1 Rxa2 24.b4.

BLACK: Sergei Tiviakov
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WHITE: Vassily Ivanchuk
Position after 20...Rc6c3:R

21.bxa6!!

• The sacrifice of the Rook is a sham.
• The text is stronger than 21.Bd4 Rxc1 22.Qxa5 axb5 23.Qxb5 R8c2 when White must fight off Black's counterplay before winning.
• The game concludes quickly.

21...Nf6

• After 21...Rxc1 22.Qxa5 Rb8 23.Bxc1 Ne5 24.a7 White wins.

22.f3 R3c5

• If 22...Qc7 then after 23.Rxc3 Qxc3 24.Qxc3 Rxc3 25.a7 Rc8 26.Ba6 White wins.

23.Rxc5 Rxc5 24.b4!

• White forces Black to return the Rook.

24...Qa3

• If 24...Qc7 then 25.bxc5 dxc5 26.Qb2 Bc8 27.Qa3 wins.

25.bxc5 dxc5 26.Bh6 Nd7 27.Bb5 1-0

• If Black moves the Knight, then 28.Qd8+ leads to mate; if Black leaves the Knight where it is, then 28.Bxd7 wins a piece.
• Mh. Tiviakov resigns.

[Jack Rabbit]

4. Pogonina - N. Kosintseva, Russian Women's Championship, Round 2

Nadezhda Kosintseva
Photo: ChessBase.com


Natalia Pogonina - Nadezhda Kosintseva
Russian Women's Championship, Round 2
Moscow, 6 December 2008

Spanish Grand Royal Game: Clam Opening

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.d3

• 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 d6 8.c3 0-0 9.h3 is the main line and for a reason. Deviations are for catching one's opponent unprepared.
• One of the dangers of the Clam Opening is that it can lead to a cramped position for White.

6...b5 7.Bb3 0-0 8.a4 Bb7 9.Nc3

• 9.Re1 d6 10.Nc3 Na5 11.Ba2 b4 12.Ne2 c5 13.Ng3 transposes into the note to White's 11th move..

9...Na5

• 9...b4 10.Nd5 Na5 11.Nxe7+ Qxe7 12.Ba2 d5 13.exd5 Bxd5 14.Re1 draw (Matulovic-Giorgadze, IT, Belgrade, 1992).

10.Ba2 b4 11.Nd5

• If 11.Ne2 d6 12.Re1 c5 13.Ng3 Bc8 then:
• If 14.h3 Rb8 then:
• 15.Nd2 Be6 16.Nc4 Nxc4 17.Bxc4 Bxc4 18.dxc4 Ne8 19.Qg4 Kh8 20.b3 Nc7 21.Be3 Ne6 gives White the advantage in space, but neither side has much freedom (Kissinger-Andresen, Cyberspace, 1998).
• 15.Bd2 Be6 16.Bxe6 fxe6 17.Be3 Nc6 18.c3 bxc3 19.bxc3 d5 20.exd5 exd5 21.Nf5 Nd7 22.Nxe7+ Qxe7 gives Black the advantage in space (Kuprreichik-Psakhis, Soviet Ch, Vilnius, 1980).
• 14.Nd2 Bg4 15.f3 Be6 16.Nc4 Nc6 17.f4 exf4 18.Bxf4 d5 19.Ne5 Nxe5 20.Bxe5 Qd7 21.exd5 Bxd5 22.Bxd5 Nxd5 23.Qf3 f6 24.Nf5 gives White a tactical edge (Haba-Hracek, Czechoslovakian Ch, Karvina, 1985).

11...Nxd5 12.Bxd5

• 12.exd5 b3 13.cxb3 Bxd5 14.Nxe5 Rb8 15.Nc4 Nc6 16.d4 f5 17.Ne3 Bf7 18.Nxf5 Bf6 19.Be3 Kh8 20.Rc1 Bd5 21.Rc5 Bg8 22.Rc3 gives White the advantage in space (Leonhardt-Duras, IT, Gothenborg, 1909).

12...Bxd5 13.exd5 d6 14.Bd2!?

• White introduces a new move good for equality.
• 14.Re1 c5 15.dxc6 Nxc6 16.d4 Qc7 17.c3 bxc3 18.bxc3 Rfe8 19.Ra2 exd4 20.cxd4 d5 21.Rae2 Qd7 draw (Vesely-Geenen, Corres, 2002).

14...c6!?

• Black attempts to make her center pawns mobile by removing White's d-pawn.
• If 14...c5 then:
• 15.c4 Qd7 16.Re1 f5 remains equal.
• 15.dxc6 Nxc6 transposes to the text.
• Best is 14...Rb8 15.Qe1 c5 when:
• 16.dxc6 Nxc6 17.Qe2 Qa5 18.c4 bxc3 19.Bxc3 remains equal.
• 16.Qe4 Qd7 17.Bg5 f6 18.Bd2 f5 gives Black the initiative.

15.dxc6

• 15.Bxb4 cxd5 16.Re1 Re8 17.Qd2 remains equal.

15...Nxc6 16.c3

• Exchanging pawns on c3 or b4 would give White a mobile queenside majority.
• 16.Re1 Bf6 17.c4 bxc3 18.Bxc3 Qb6 19.Rb1 Rfe8 remains equal.

16...Rb8

• Black's advanced b- and e-pawns suggest that she will try to restrict White's queenside and center advances.

17.Re1

• White, on the other hand, will activate her pieces and apply pressure to Black's e-pawn, hoping to play the pawn break d3d4.

17...Bf6

• This will assure Black of keeping the center closed for now.

18.Qc2?!

• Black is now set to take the advantage. The text move detter defends the e-pawn, but does little to alleviate White's slightly cramped position.
• If 18.c4 Re8 19.Rc1 d5 20.Qe2 then:
• 20...b3 21.Qe3 Rc8 22.cxd5 Qxd5 23.Qb6 Nb8 24.Rxc8 Rxc8 remains equal.
• 20...Na5 21.cxd5 Qxd5 22.Qe4 remains equal.
• 18.Rb1?! d5! 19.cxb4 Re8 20.Qb3 Qd6 21.b5 axb5 22.axb5 Na7 returns the pawn under circumstances favorable to Black.

18...Qd7

• 18...Re8 19.Be3 d5 20.Rac1 b3 21.Qd2 Qa5 giving Black the advantage in space and further cramping White's position.

19.Bg5

• If 19.c4 b3 20.Qd1 d5 then:
• 21.Ra3 dxc4 22.dxc4 e4 23.Rxe4 Qd3 gives Black an inpressive advantage in space.
• 21.Rc1 Rfd8 22.Bc3 Qf5 23.Qe2 d4 24.Bd2 Rbc8 gives Black the advantage in space.

19...Bxg5 20.Nxg5 h6?!

• Black throws away her advantage.
• After 20...d5! 21.Qe2 bxc3 22.bxc3 f6 23.Nf3 d4 holds the center and breaks open the queenside for Black,

21.Nf3!

• White restores the balance.

21...bxc3 22.bxc3 Qa7 23.d4 exd4 24.Qe4 Rfc8

• 24...Ne5 25.Nxd4 Rfc8 26.Qe3 Qd7 27.Qe2 Nc4 remains equal.

25.cxd4 Nb4

• 25...Rb4 26.Rec1 Qd7 27.Qd5 Qe6 28.Qxe6 fxe6 remains equal.

26.Rac1?

• If 26.Rab1 Qd7 27.Nh4 d5 28.Qf4 then:
• 28...Kh7 29.Red1 g5 30.Qf5+ Qxf5 31.Nxf5 Na2 remains equal.
• 28...Nd3 29.Qxb8 Rxb8 30.Rxb8+ Kh7 remains equal.

26...Qd7

• If 26...Rxc1 27.Rxc1 Qd7 28.Ra1 a5 29.Qe2 Qc6 30.h3 remains equal.

27.Rxc8+

• If 27.Qe7? Qxe7! 28.Rxe7 Rxc1+!! wins a piece for Black.

27...Rxc8 28.d5

• If 28.a5 d5 29.Ne5 dxe4 30.Nxd7 Rd8 wins a pawn for Black.

28...Qxa4!

• White wins an important pawn, but to win she needs to shut down White's counterplay.

29.Nh4 Qa3 30.Nf5?

• White overreaches, apparently believing her chances are better than they are.
• 30.Ng6 Rb8 31.Qe8+ Rxe8 32.Rxe8+ Kh7 33.Nf8+ Kh8 34.Ne6+ Kh7 35.Nf8+ draws.

BLACK: Nadezhda Kosintseva
!""""""""#
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WHITE: Natalia Pogonina
Position after 30.Nh4f5

30...Rc1!

• Suddenly, White is staring defeat in the face.
• Black's plan is simple: exchange pieces and march the a-pawn forward.

31.g3 Nxd5 32.Qe8+

• Black has won a second pawn.
• If 32.Qxd5 then after 32...Rxe1+ 33.Kg2 Qc5 34.Qa8+ Kh7 Black wins.

32...Kh7 33.Rxc1

• With Rooks exchange, Black's task is that much easier.
• After 33.Kg2? Rxe1 34.Qxe1 Qc5 35.g4 Qc6 36.f3 g6 Black wins.

33...Qxc1+ 34.Kg2 Qc4

• After 34...Qc7 35.Qe4 g6 36.Qxd5 gxf5 37.Qxf5+ Kg7 38.Qg4+ Kf8 Black is still a pawn to the good.

35.Nxd6 Nf6 36.Qe7 Qd5+ 37.Kg1

• If 37.Kf1 then after 37...Ng8 38.Qc7 Kg6 39.Nc4 Qb5 40.Ke1 Qb1+ Black still has a lot of work to do before winning.

37...Qc5!

• This single move completely immobilizes White.

38.h3

• This is a characteristic waiting move. White apparently believes she's no worse than equal.
• If 38.Qd8 Ng4 39.Ne4 Qc4 then:
• 40.Nd2 Qe2 41.Qd4 Ne5 42.Qd5 Kg6 43.Ne4 Nf3+ 44.Kg2 Ne1+ 45.Kg1 Qf3 Black threatens mate on the move and soon wins.
• 43...Qb5 44.Nc5 Kf6 45.Qd4 is equal.
• If 40.Qa8 f5 41.Nd2 Qc1+ 42.Nf1 Nxh2 43.Qxa6 then:
• 43...Nxf1 44.Qxf1 Qxf1+ 45.Kxf1 Kg6 Black's extra pawn triumphs.
• 43...Nf3+!? 44.Kg2 Ne1+ 45.Kg1 Qb1 46.Qa5 Nf3+ 47.Kg2 Qe4 Black has excellent winning chances.

BLACK: Nadezhda Kosintseva
!""""""""#
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WHITE: Natalia Pogonina
Position after 38.h2h3

38...a5!!

• White cannot move her Queen to a place where it can intercept the a-pawn and moving the Knight loses a piece.

39.Qd8 a4 40.Nxf7 Ne4 41.Qd3 Qxf2+ 42.Kh1 Qe1+ 43.Kg2 Qd2+ 0-1

• Once the Queens are exchanged, the a-pawn moves forward unhindered.
• Natalia Andreevna resigns.

[Jack Rabbit]

5. Stepovaia- Bodnaruk, Russian Women's Championship, Round 3

Anastasia Bodnaruk
Photo: ChessBase.de (Germany)


Tatiana Stepovaia - Anastasia Bodnaruk
Russian Women's Championship, Round 3
Moscow, 7 December 2008

Open Sicilian Game: Najdorf-Boleslavsky Defense (Chandler-Nunn Opening)

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.Be3 e5 7.Nf3

• If 7.Nb3 is more common. See Domínguez-Wojtaszek, Capablanca Mem, Havana, 2008.

7...Qc7

• If 7...Be7 8.Bc4 0-0 9.0-0 then:
• 9...Be6 10.Bb3 Nc6 then:
• 11.Bg5 Nd7 12.Bxe7 Qxe7 13.Nd5 Qd8 14.c3 Na5 15.Re1 Rc8 16.h3 b5 17.Re2 Nc5 18.Nd2 Kh8 19.Bc2 Nd7 20.a4 Bxd5 21.exd5 f5 22.axb5 axb5 23.b4 Nc4 24.Nxc4 Rxc4 Black has the edge in space Asrian-Wang Hao, Taiyuan, 2007).
• 11.Qe2 Na5 12.Rfd1 Nxb3 13.axb3 Qc7 14.Bg5 Rac8 15.Bxf6 Bxf6 16.Rac1 Qb6 17.Nd5 Bxd5 18.Rxd5 Rc6 19.Rcd1 Rfc8 is even (I. Smirnov-Zakhartsov, Op, Moscow, 2006).
• 9...Nc6 10.Re1 b5 11.Bf1 Rb8 12.Bg5 Ng4 13.Bc1 Qb6 14.Qd2 Nf6 15.Nd5 Nxd5 16.exd5 Na5 17.a4 is equal (Timofeev-Efimenko, Op, Moscow, 2008).

8.a4 Be7 9.a5 0-0 10.Be2 Nbd7

• 10...Nc6 11.Bb6 Qd7 12.Nd2 d5 13.Nxd5 Nxd5 14.exd5 Qxd5 15.0-0 Bf5 16.Nc4 Nd4 17.Bd3 Bxd3 18.Qxd3 Bc5 19.Rfe1 Rae8 20.Ne3 Qd6 21.Bxc5 Qxc5 22.c3 gives White more space (Pentala-And. Volokitin, Young Masters, Lausanne, 2005).

11.0-0 Nc5

• 11...b5 12.axb6 Nxb6 13.Nd2 Bb7 14.Bxb6 Qxb6 15.Nc4 Qc7 16.Ne3 Rfc8 17.Ra4 a5 18.Qa1 Bc6 19.Bb5 Bxb5 20.Nxb5 Qb7 21.Nc3 (Zhong Zhang-Lin Weiguo, Torch Cup, Wuxi, 2005).

12.Nd2

• 12.Nd5 Nxd5 13.exd5 f5 14.Nd2 Nd7 15.f3 b6 16.c4 bxa5 17.Nb3 Rb8 18.Ra2 Nc5 19.Nxa5 Bd7 is equal (Leko-Vallejo, Amber Blind, Monte Carlo, 2007).

12...Be6 13.Bg5 Ncd7 14.Ra4!?

• 14.Re1 h6 15.Bxf6 Nxf6 16.Nf1 b5 17.Ne3 Rac8 18.Bd3 g6 19.Qd2 Kg7 20.Na2 Qb7 21.Nb4 Rfd8 is equal (Ramesh-Sadvakasov, Op, Dubai, 2006).

14...Rad8!?

• If 14...Rfd8 15.Bxf6 Bxf6 16.Nc4 then:
• 16...b5 17.axb6 Nxb6 18.Nxb6 Qxb6 19.b3 gives White the initiative.
• If 16...Bg5 17.Nd5 Bxd5 18.exd5 then:
• 18...Rab8 19.Ra3 Re8 20.Re1 e4 is equal.
• 18...b5 19.axb6 Nxb6 20.Nxb6 Qxb6 21.Qa1 gives White the active game.

15.Bxf6?!

• The exchange is not forced and should be delayed.
• 15.Bf3 Nc5 16.Ra3 h6 17.Bxf6 Bxf6 18.Nd5 Bxd5 19.exd5 is equal.

15...Nxf6 16.Bc4 d5 17.exd5

• If 17.Bxd5 Nxd5 18.exd5 Bxd5 then:
• If 19.Qe1 Qc6 20.Nxd5 Rxd5 21.Rc4 Qb5 then:
• 22.Re4 Qxa5 23.c4 Rxd2 24.Rxe5 b5 25.Rxe7 bxc4 nets Black an extra pawn.
• If 22.b3 Bb4 23.c3 Bxa5 then:
• 24.b4 24...Rxd2 25.Rc5 Qd3 26.bxa5 f6 Black has an extra pawn.
• 24.Nf3 Qxb3 25.Nxe5 Rfd8 gives Black an extra pawn.
• 19.Nxd5 Rxd5 20.c4 Rxa5 21.Rxa5 Qxa5 22.Qe2 Re8 gives Black an extra pawn.

17...Nxd5 18.Qf3?

• If 18.Bxd5 Bxd5 19.Qe1 Bc6 20.Ra2 Bb4 21.Nb3 Qd6 then:
• 22.Qe2 Bxc3 23.bxc3 Qd5 24.Qg4 f5 forces White's Queen to defend against mate on g2 for the moment.
• 22.g3 Bxc3 23.Qxc3 Qd5 24.f3 e4 gives Black firm command of the center.

18...Nxc3!

• This is the beginning of a combination that will give Black a material advantage.

19.Qxc3
BLACK: Anastasia Bodnaruk
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WHITE: Tatiana Stepovaia
Position after 19.Qf3c3:N

19...Rxd2!!

• This is the key move of the combination. Black nets two Bishops for the Rook.

20.Qxd2 Bxc4 21.Re1

• 21.Qc3 Rc8 22.Rc1 Bf6 23.b3 Bb5 24.Qxc7 Rxc7 Black still enjoys the advantage of two active Bishops to a passive Rook.

21...Be6 22.Qe2

• 22.c3 Rd8 23.Qe2 Bd6 24.Qe3 Bb3 sends White's Queen's Rook to a passive post.

22...Rd8 23.b3

• Both sides have a focus on the c4 square; White would get a more stubborn defense if she were to occupy it with a pawn.
• If 23.c4 then Black refocuses on d2 after 23...Rd4 24.b3 Bc5 25.Kh1 Qd6 26.Raa1 Bb4.

23...Qc3

• Black occupies the hole White has dug.

24.Rd1 Rc8

• If 24...Rxd1+ 25.Qxd1 Bf5 then:
• 26.Ra2 Bb4 27.Qd8+ Bf8 28.Qd1 h6 29.h3 Bc5 leaves Black with the more active position.
• 26.Ra1 Bxc2 27.Rc1 Bxb3 28.Rxc3 Bxd1 29.Rc7 Ba3 leaves Black with a material advantage.

25.Ra2 Bf5 26.h3

• White would be able to put up more resistance after 26.g4 Be6 27.Rd3 Qc7 28.Qe4 Bd7 29.c3 Bc6.

BLACK: Anastasia Bodnaruk
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WHITE: Tatiana Stepovaia
Position after 26.h2h3

26...Bb4!

• Black wins a pawn. From here, White's game deterriorates quickly.

27.Kh2

• White also wins a pawn after 27.Rda1 Rd8 28.Qe3 Qxe3 29.fxe3 Bc5.

27...Bxa5 28.Rd5 Bc7

• 28...Bb4 29.Rd1 a5 30.Kg1 Bg6 31.Rd5 Bxc2 32.Rxe5 Bxb3 transposes to the previous note.

29.g3

• No better is 29.Kg1 Qc6 30.Rd2 Qg6 31.Kf1 b5 32.Qf3 e4.

29...g6 30.Rd2 Bb6 31.Rd1 Bd4 32.Rd2

• If 32.g4 Bd7 33.Rd3 Qc7 34.Kg1 b5 then:
• 35.Rd1 Be6 36.Kh2 Bd5 37.Kg1 Bb7 38.Kf1 Qc6 is an easy win for Black.
• If 35.Rxa6 then Black wins after 35...Qxc2 36.Qxc2 Rxc2.

32...Qc6 33.c4

• If 33.Qd1 Be6 34.f3 Bc3 then:
• 35.Rd3 Bf5 36.Rd8+ Rxd8 37.Qxd8+ Kg7 38.Qd1 b5 gives Black more freedom and a theoretical material advantage.
• If 35.Rd8+ Rxd8 36.Qxd8+ Kg7 then:
• 37.Qd3 a5 38.Ra4 b5 39.Ra2 Bd5 40.Qe2 Bxf3 gives Black a theoretical material advantage of three pawns.
• 37.Qd1 b5 38.Qe2 a5 39.Qe3 a4 40.Kg2 Bd5 Black wins more material.

33...Bb1 34.Ra4

• If 34.Ra5 Be4 35.b4 Bf3 then:
• After 36.Qd3 Qe4 37.Qxe4 Bxe4 38.c5 Bc3 39.Re2 Bc6 Black threatens another pawn.
• 36.Qf1 Qxc4 37.Qxc4 Rxc4 38.Ra3 Bc6 gives Black a theoretical material advantage of three pawns.

34...Be4 35.f4 Bc3 36.Rda2 Bb1 0-1

• Black wins at least the exchange.
• Mlle. Stepovaia resigns.

[Jack Rabbit]

6. Aronian - Ivanchuk, Pearl Spring, Nanjing, Round 2

Levon Aronian
Photo: ChessBase.com


Levon Aronian - Vassily Ivanchuk
Pearl Spring Tournament, Round 2
Nanjing, 11 December 2008

Open Sicilian Game: Royal Dragon Defense (Maroczy Opening)

1.Nf3 c5 2.c4 Nc6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 g6 5.e4 Nf6 6.Nc3 d6 7.Nc2

• If 7.Be2 then:
• If 7...Nxd4 8.Qxd4 Bg7 9.Be3 0-0 10.Qd2 Be6 11.Rc1 Qa5 12.f3 Rfc8 13.b3 a6 14.Na4 Qxd2+ 15.Kxd2 Nd7 16.g4 f5 17.exf5 gxf5 18.h3 Rf8 19.f4 Rad8 20.g5 then:
• 20...d5 21.cxd5 Bxd5 22.Rhd1 b5 23.Ke1 Bg2 24.Rc7 bxa4 25.Rdxd7 Rxd7 26.Rxd7 axb3 27.axb3 e5 28.Bxa6 exf4 29.Bxf4 gives White an extra pawn (Nisipeanu-Khalifman, FIDE Knock Out, Las Vegas, 1999).
• 20...Nc5 21.Nc3 Ne4+ 22.Nxe4 fxe4 23.Bg4 Bf5 24.Bb6 Rde8 is equal (Nijboer-Tiviakov, Dutch Ch, Leeuwarden, 2003).
• 7...Bg7 8.Be3 0-0 9.0-0 Bd7 10.Qd2 Nxd4 11.Bxd4 Bc6 12.f3 a5 13.b3 Nd7 14.Be3 Nc5 15.Rab1 Qb6 16.Rfc1 Rfc8 17.Rc2 Qd8 18.Bf1 h5 19.a3 Kh7 20.b4 axb4 21.axb4 Ne6 22.Nd5 Ra3 23.Kh1 Rca8 24.f4 Ra1 25.Rxa1 Rxa1 26.Rc1 Qa8 27.Bd3 Nd4 28.Rxa1 Qxa1+ 29.Qc1 is equal (Zawadzka-Sikorova, World ChTW, Ekaterininburg, 2007).

7...Bg7 8.Be2 Nd7 9.Bd2 a5

• 9...Nc5 10.0-0 0-0 11.b4 Ne6 12.Rc1 a5 13.a3 axb4 14.axb4 Ned4 15.Nxd4 Nxd4 16.Be3 Nxe2+ 17.Qxe2 Be6 18.Rfd1 Bxc3 19.Rxc3 Qc7 20.c5 Rfc8 21.Rcc1 dxc5 22.Rxc5 Qb8 23.h3 Rxc5 24.Bxc5 gives White the advantage in space (Domínguez-Malakhov, FIDE Knock Out, Tripoli, 2004).

10.0-0 Nc5

• 10...0-0 11.Na3 Nc5 12.Nab5 Na7 13.Qc2 Be6 14.Rad1 Nxb5 15.Nxb5 Rc8 16.Bc3 Bxc3 17.Nxc3 Qb6 18.b3 Qb4 19.Rb1 Na6 20.Rfe1 b5 21.Nd5 Bxd5 22.exd5 Rc7 23.Qb2 bxc4 24.Bxc4 Nc5 25.a3 Qb6 26.h4 Rb8 is equal (Rasmussen-León Hoyos, Mindsports, Beijing, 2008).

11.Qc1

• 11.f3 0-0 12.Kh1 f5 13.exf5 Bxf5 14.Ne3 Nd4 15.Nxf5 Nxf5 16.Rb1 e6 17.Nb5 Qd7 18.b3 b6 19.Re1 is equal (Stubberud-A. Gibbons, Euro ChT, Kallithea, 2008).

11...h5!?

• Black introduces a new move; it's good for equality.
• 11...0-0 12.Bh6 Be6 13.Bxg7 Kxg7 14.Qd2 f6 15.Kh1 Bf7 16.Rab1 Qb6 17.f3 a4 18.b4 axb3 19.axb3 Rfc8 20.b4 Na4 21.Nd5 Qd8 22.f4 Nb6 23.Nde3 Ra2 24.Ra1 Rca8 25.Rxa2 Rxa2 26.Qc3 Qa8 27.h4 Na4 28.Qb3 Nb6 29.Qc3 draw (Predojevic-Perlshteyn, Op, Philadelphia, 2007).

12.Rd1

• The game remains equal. Black's new move strikes at the kingside, so White responds by maneuvering in the center.
• 12.Ne3 0-0 13.Qb1 h4 14.Rd1 h3 15.Bf1 also remains equal.

12...Bd7

• Black does not follow up his novelty by trying to expand further on the kingside, but now plays to the center.
• 12...Bg4 13.f3 Bd7 14.Nd5 Rc8 15.Be3 gives White an advantage in space.

13.Ne1!?

• Apparently, the Knight is headed for f3 from where it can both strike at the center or defend against a kingside advantce by Black.
• 13.Be3 Bxc3 14.Bxc5 dxc5 15.bxc3 e5 16.Rb1 gives White a small advantage in space and more freedom.

13...Nd4

• Black plays to the center and at least for the time being prevents Ne1f3.

14.Bf1 0-0

• 14...Bc6 15.Be3 Nde6 16.f3 Na4 17.Nxa4 Bxa4 18.Nc2 remains equal.

15.Bg5

• White pins the e-pawn, making difficult for Black the development of the Queen.
• If 15.Be3 then:
• If 15...Nce6 16.Bh6 f5 17.Bxg7 Kxg7 18.Nd5 then:
• 18...b5 19.cxb5 Nxb5 20.Bxb5 Bxb5 21.Qc3+ gives White more activity.
• 18...Nc6 19.exf5 Rxf5 20.Qc3+ Kh7 21.Bd3 gives White a strong initiative.
• 15...e5 16.Nc2 Nce6 17.Nd5 f5 18.Bxd4 Nxd4 19.Nxd4 exd4 20.Bd3 Gives White more freedom.

15...Bc6 16.Nd5

• White occupies the center with a Knight, which has a splendid outpst at d5. In addition, the e-pawn is attacked a second time.
• 16...Bxh6 17.Qxh6 e5 18.Qe3 remains equal.

16...Re8 17.f3

• if 17.Be3 Nde6 18.Bd3 a4 19.Rb1 Qa5 20.Bh6 Bd4 21.Bc2 White has more activity.
• 19...Nd4 20.Bxd4 Bxd4 21.Nf3 Bg7 22.Qe3 Qa5 23.Nd4 gives White more activity.

17...b5

• The Black Knight at d4 needs more protection.
• 17...a4 18.Be3 then:
• 18...Nde6 19.Rb1 Qa5 20.Nc2 Rac8 21.Ncb4 gives White the initiative.
• 18...e5?! 19.Nc2 Nce6 20.Bd3 Nxc2 21.Qxc2 Nd4 22.Qf2 gives White more activity.

BLACK: Vassily Ivanchuk
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WHITE: Levon Aronian
Position after 17...b7b5

18.Be3!

• White gooses Black's underprotected central Knight.

18...Nce6 19.Qd2

• 19.cxb5 Bxb5 20.Bxb5 Nxb5 21.Qc4 Na7 22.Qa4 White's Queen is the most active piece on the board.

19...bxc4

• If 19...Rb8 20.Rac1 Qd7 21.Qf2 then:
• After 21...bxc4 22.Bxd4 Nxd4 23.Rxd4 Bxd4 24.Qxd4 Bxd5 25.exd5 White stands slightly better.
• 21...Qb7 22.Bxd4 Nxd4 23.Rxd4 Bxd4 24.Qxd4 bxc4 25.Rc2gives White the initiative.

20.Bxc4

• 20.Qf2 Rb8 21.Rab1 Nb5 22.Bxc4 Qc8 23.f4 gives White more freedom.

20...Rb8 21.Kh1

• 21.Rab1 Rc8 22.Rbc1 Bb7 23.b3 Nc6 24.Nb6 gives White the active game.

21...Nb5?!

• On principle, Black should seek counterplay in the center rather than try to directly counter White's initiative on the queenside. White is stronger on the wing and Black's dallying contains the embryo of defeat.
• 21...Qd7 22.Rac1 Qb7 23.Nd3 a4 24.N5f4 Nxf4 25.Nxf4 gives White more activity.

22.Rac1 Nc5?

• This drops a pawn and breaks the back of the beast. See the previous note.
• 22...Bxd5 23.exd5 Nc5 24.Nd3 Nd4 25.b3 at least doesn't make things any worse for Black.

BLACK: Vassily Ivanchuk
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WHITE: Levon Aronian
Position after 22...Ne6c5

23.b4!!

• White's plan is to capture Black's last queenside pawn; weaken Black's central pawns; shut down Black's counterplay on the queenside and in the center; finally, shift the attack to the enemy King.
• The text move accomplishes the first step.
• The text is more efficient than 23.Bxc5 dxc5 24.Bxb5 Bxb5 25.Rxc5 Qd6 26.Qc2 weakens Black's central pawns and even captures one, but White is no closer to acheiving his task of winning the a-pawn

23...axb4

• Also suiting White's plan is 23...Na4 24.Bb3 Bxd5 25.Bxa4 Be6 26.bxa5.

24.Nxb4 Qb6

• If 24...Qc8 25.Ned3 Ba8 26.Nxc5 dxc5 27.Bxc5 then:
• If 27...e6 28.Bxb5 Rxb5 29.Bf8! then:
• 29...Qb8 30.Bxg7 Kxg7 31.Na6 Qe5 32.Nc7 wins at least the exchange.
• If 29...Qb7 30.a4 Ra5 31.Bxg7 Kxg7 32.Qc3+ gives White a won position.
• If 27...Qxc5?? then 28.Bxf7+! wins immediately.

25.Ned3 Na3 26.Bb3

• If 26.Nxc6 Qxc6 27.Bd5 then:
• If 27...Qa6 28.Nxc5 dxc5 29.Rxc5 then:
• After 29...Rb2 30.Qd3 Qxd3 31.Rxd3 Nc2 32.Bc1 Nb4 33.Rd1 White is a pawn up.
• If 29...Rb1 30.Rxb1 Nxb1 31.Qc1 then:
• 31...Qd3 32.Bc4 Qa3 33.Qxa3 Nxa3 34.Bb3 gives White an extra pawn.
• 31...Qa3 32.e5 Qxc1+ 33.Bxc1 Bxe5 34.Bxf7+ Kxf7 35.Rxe5 leaves White a pawn to the good.
• 27...Qb6 28.Nxc5 dxc5 29.Bxc5 Qb2 30.Qd3 yields an extra pawn to White.

26...Ba8

• If 26...Bb7 then after 27.Nxc5 dxc5 28.Bxc5 Qb5 29.Nd3 Ra8 30.Qf4 White has an extra pawn and is building pressure on Black's King position.

27.Nxc5!

• This leads to White's complete domination of the queenside with an extra pawn in the bargain.
• The text is stronger than 27.Bd5 Qa5 28.Bxc5 dxc5 29.Rxc5 Rb5 when:
• If 30.Rcc1 e6 then:
• 31.Bc6 Bxc6 32.Nxc6 Qxd2 33.Rxd2 Bh6 34.f4 gives White an extra pawn and more space.
• 31.Bxa8 Rxa8 32.f4 Qa4 33.Rc5 Bf8 34.Rxb5 Qxb5 35.Rc1 gives White an extra pawn but little else.
• 30.Rxb5 Nxb5 31.Qg5 e6 32.Bc4 gives White an extra pawn and more space.

27...dxc5 28.Bxc5 Qa5

• 28...Qb5 29.Nd3 Qa6 30.Qf4! e6 31.Ne5 gives White an extra pawn and an embryonic attack on Black's King position.

BLACK: Vassily Ivanchuk
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WHITE: Levon Aronian
Position after 28...Qb6a5

29.Qf4!!

• With total command of the queenside, White shifts to an attack on the enemy King.
• The text is much stronger than 29.Nd5 Qxd2 30.Rxd2 Bh6 31.f4 Nb5 32.g3, although White should still win.

29...e6 30.Rd7 Rf8

• If 30...f6 31.Bxe6+ then:
• If 31...Kh8 then after 32.Bd4 Rb7 33.Bxf6 Kh7 34.Bxg7 with mate soon to follow.
• After 31...Rxe6 32.Qxb8+ Kh7 33.Qf8 White soon delivers mate.

31.Rxf7 Rxf7 32.Qxb8+ Kh7 33.Bxe6! 1-0

• Black must lose a piece.
• Vassily Mikhailevich resigns.

[Jack Rabbit]

7. Update (Moday): Half-time in Nanjing sees three tied for first

After five rounds of the scheduled ten-round event, three players are tied for the top spot with 3 points each in the first ever Pearl Spring Chess Tournament in Nanjing, the old "southern capital" of China.

Bu Xiangzhi, the only Chinese player in the event, defeated Slovakian grandmast Sergei Movsesian in the first round and Levon Aronian won his second round game over the strong Ukrainian GM, Vassily Ivanchuk, fresh off his impressive first place finish in Benidorm the week before. Rounds 3 and 4 saw all games drawn. Today, former FIDE world champion Veselin Topalov defeated reigning Russian national champion Peter Svidler in 29 moves claim a third share of first place with Bu and Aronian.

Tomorrow is a rest day. The sixth round will be played on Wednesday. The final round is scheduled for Sunday.

Games are broadcast live on the official tournament website beginning at 15:00 hrs Nanjing time (11 pm the previous day PST).