The JR Chess Report (May 9): Koneru Humpy, 3 Others Share First in Mumbai

[Jack Rabbit]

Koneru and Three Others Share Top Honors in Mumbai



Indian grandmaster Koneru Humpy, 22, the second highest rated chess playing woman in the world, completed the Mayor's Cup International Open Tournament in Mumbai today with 9 points out of 11 to share first prize with Ukrainian GMs Alexander Areshchenko and Evgenij Miroshnichenko and her compatriot, Magesh Chandran Panchanathan.

Areshchenko will take home the trophy owing to his superior Buchholtz score, used as a tie break in Mumbai. All four player with the top scores will take home the same amount of money.

Ms. Koneru had the second best Buchholtz score.

Ms. Koneru thus becomes the first woman in quite some time to win or share first prize in a major event against mixed competition in quite some time. In 2006, Hungarian grandmaster Judit Polgar, the highest rated woman ever, shared first place in the Essent Tournament in Hoogeveen, Holland, with grandmaster Shakhriyar Mamedyarov of Azerbaijan. Although she defeated former FIDE world champion Veselin Topalov twice in that event, some would not consider it "major" because it was only six rounds among four palyers. In April 2000, Ms. Polgar won the Japta Classic in Bali over nine other players, including former world champion Anatoly Karpov. Finally, in 1998, Ms. Polgar won the US Open, an event similar to the one completed today in Mumbai.

Three Share First in Dubai Open



Russian grandmaster Dmitry Bocharov and Armenians Tigran Kotanjian and Ashot Anastasian finished the 11th annual Dubai Open ahead of all others with 7 points out of nine rounds after the final round was played Monday.

Kotanjian took home the trophy based on his superior tie-break score.

Among women competing in the event, the best scores were turned in by WGM Zeinab Mamedyarova of Azerbaijan, the older sister of grandmaster Shakhriyar Mamedyarov, WGM Atousa Pourkashyian, who recently won her third Iranian women's championship at the age of 20, and international master Nino Gurieli of Georgia. The trio scored 5½ points each to edge out Russian Irina Turova, who scored 5 points.



US Champioship Begins in St. Louis



The annual US Championship opened yesterday with the strongest field in many, many years in St. Louis at the Chess and Scholastic Center.

Twenty-four players are competing for the title, including

• Yuri Shulman, the defending champion;
• Gata Kamsky, currently the highest rated US player;
• Hikaru Nakamura, America's best hope for the immediate future;
• Past champion Alex Onischuk, who won the Moscow Open in February;
• past four-time US champion Alex Shabalov;
• Boris Gulko, the only man to hold both the Soviet and US championships in a single lifetime;
• reigning US women's champion Anna Zatonskih;
• reigning US junior champion, Tyler Hughes;
• former US women's champion Irina Krush; and
• the newest US grandmaster, GM-elect Robert Hess.

After today's second round, three players -- Kamsky, Shulman and Hess -- have perfect scores.

The third round begins tomorrow (Sunday) at 2 pm CDT (noon PDT) and will be broadcast live on the website of the St. Louis Chess Club with commentary courtesy of Chess-FM by US international master Jennifer Shahade and Israeli GM Emil Sutovsky.


Calendar

US Chess Championship, St. Louis 7-17 May.

Bosna 2009, Sarajevo 8-18 May

MTel Masters, Sofia 12-23 May.

Asian Championships, Subic Freeport (The Philippines) 12-23 May.

Chicago Open 22-25 May.

Sigeman Co Chess Tournament, Malmø 3-7 June.

Aerosvit International Tournament, Foros (Ukraine) 9-20 June.

World Open, Philadelphia 29 June-5 July.

Sparkassen Chess Meeting, Dortmund 2-12 July.

San Sebastian International Tournament 6-16 July. Former world champion Karpov is among the participants.

Canadian Open, Edmonton 11-19 July.

Czech Open, Pardubice 16 July-2 August.

Biel Chess Festival 19-30 July. This year's GM Tournament is a Category 19 that includes Morozevich, Ivanchuk, Gelfand, Alekseev, Vachier Lagrave and Caruana.

Mainz Chess Classic 27 July-2 August.

FIDE Grand Prix, Yerevan 8-24 August.

Howard Staunton Memorial, London 8-17 August. Played at historic Simpson's Divan.

World Junior Championship, Mar del Plata (Argentina) 16-29 October.

World Cup, Khanty Mansiysk 28 November-15 December

[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
!""""""""#
$tMvWlVmT%
$OoOoOoOo%
$ + + + +%
$+ + + + %
$ + + + +%
$+ + + + %
$pPpPpPpP%
$RnBqKbNr%
/(((((((()
WHITE
White to move
(This position is a theoretical draw)

[Jack Rabbit]

2. 11th Open, Dubai

Photo: Holidays in Dubai

[Jack Rabbit]

3. Pantsulaia - Kotanjian, Round 8

Tigran Kotanjian
Photo: 11th Dubai Open


Levan Pantsulaia - Tigran Kotanjian
11th Open, Round 8
Dubai, 3 May 2009

English Game: Catalan Opening

1.Nf3 d5 2.c4 e6 3.g3 Nf6 4.Bg2 dxc4 5.Qa4+ c6 6.Qxc4 b5 7.Qc2 Bb7 8.0-0 Nbd7 9.b3

• If 9.d4 c5 10.a4 then:
• 10...b4 11.Bg5 Rc8 12.Nbd2 Be7 13.Rfc1 0-0 14.Qd3 h6 15.Bxf6 Bxf6 16.e3 Rc7 17.Qe2 Qc8 18.Qb5 a6 19.Qf1 a5 gives Black a small advantage in space (Bruzón-Anand, Corus A, Wijk aan Zee, 2005).
• 10...a6 11.dxc5 Bxc5 12.axb5 axb5 13.Rxa8 Qxa8 14.Na3 b4 15.Nc4 0-0 16.Ne1 Bxg2 17.Nxg2 Rc8 18.Qb3 draw (Ivanov-Szabo, Prcs, 1968).

9...Be7 10.Bb2 0-0 11.d3 c5 12.Nbd2 a6 13.Rac1

• 13.Rfd1 Qb6 14.h3 Rfd8 15.Rac1 Rac8 16.Qb1 Ne8 is equal (Rasmussen-Grahn, Politiken Cup, Copenhagen, 2001).

13...Rc8 14.Qb1 Qb6 15.Qa1

• 15.Rfd1 Rfd8 16.h3 Ne8 reaches the position at the end of the note to White's 13th move.

15...Rfd8 16.Rc2 Bf8!?

• 16...Qa7 17.Rfc1 Qa8 18.a3 h6 draw (Makarov-Szymanski, Op, Pardubice, 2005).

17.Rfc1

• White moves against Black's c-pawn, which for the moment is sufficiently protected.

17...Nd5 18.a3 f6

• 18...N5f6 19.d4 Be7 20.dxc5 Bxc5 21.e3 remains equal.

19.Bh3

• If 19.e4 Nc7 20.d4 cxd4 then:
• 21.Nxd4 Nc5 22.a4 bxa4 23.bxa4 Nd3 24.a5 remains equal.
• 21.Bxd4 Qd6 22.Be3 e5 23.b4 remains equal.

19...Ne7 20.d4 cxd4!?

• Black has no superiority, therefore it is not advisable by any objective standard that he try to open the center now.
• 20...Ng6 21.e4 Be7 22.Rd1 Rc7 23.Bg2 Rdc8 remains equal.

BLACK: Tigran Kotanjian
!""""""""#
$ +tT Vl+%
$+v+mM Oo%
$oW +oO +%
$+o+ + + %
$ + O + +%
$Pp+ +nPb%
$ BrNpP P%
$Q R + K %
/(((((((()
WHITE: Levan Pantsulaia
Position after 20...cd4:p

21.Nxd4!

• White, natuarally, takes up the challenge.
• 21.Rxc8 Rxc8 22.Nxd4 Rxc1+ 23.Qxc1 e5 24.Ne6 f5

21...f5

• Black knows there is a storm brewing -- after all, he invited it -- but he expects to weather it.
• The text move make the Bishop at h3 "bite granite."
• 21...e5!? 22.Ne6 Rxc2 23.Rxc2 Rc8 24.Rxc8 Bxc8 25.b4 gives White the advantage in space.

22.b4 Rxc2 23.Rxc2 Rc8 24.Rxc8 Nxc8 25.e4!

• White has the advantage in space.

25...Nf6 26.exf5 e5

• 26...exf5 27.Bxf5 Nd6 28.Be6+ Kh8 29.Qe1 leaves White a pawn up.

27.N4f3 e4 28.Nd4 a5 29.bxa5 Qxa5 30.N4b3 Qb6

• 30...Qd8 31.Bg2 Qe7 32.Bxf6 gxf6 33.Qc3 maintains White's extra pawn.

31.Bd4 Qd8 32.Be3 Nb6 33.Nd4

• If 33.Bf1 Bc8 34.Bxb5 Bxf5 35.Qe5 then:
• 35...Qd5 36.Qxd5+ Nbxd5 37.a4 gives White an extra pawn.
• 35...Bh3 36.Qd4 Nbd7 37.Nxe4 Nxe4 38.Qxe4 leaves White a pawn to the good.

33...Nbd5 34.Ne6 Qa5 35.Nxf8 Nxe3 36.Nb3

• 36.Qc1 Nxf5 37.Nxh7 Nxh7 38.Bxf5 Ng5 39.Bg4 maintains White's extra pawn.

36...Qa7 37.Ne6 Nc4 38.Nbc5 Bd5 39.Qd4

• If 39.Qd1 Nxa3 40.Bg2 Qe7 41.Qd4 then:
• 41...Nc4 42.Nxe4 Bxe4 43.Bxe4 Nd6 44.Bd3 maintains the extra pawn.
• 41...Bxe6 42.fxe6! e3 43.Qxe3 Nc4 44.Qd4 Nd6 45.f4 maintains the extra pawn.

39...Nxa3 40.Bf1 Nc4 41.g4?

• White lets pass the moment he could gain a winning advantage by seizing Black's prize pawn.
• If 41.Nf4! then:
• If 41...Nd2 (threatening 42...Nf3+!) then 42.Be2 Bc6 43.Nb3! Qxd4 44.Nxd4 wins Black's remote passer.
• If 41...Bc6 then 42.Bxc4+ bxc4 43.Qxc4+ Kh8 wins the pawn.

BLACK: Tigran Kotanjian
!""""""""#
$ + + +l+%
$W + + Oo%
$ + +nM +%
$+pNv+p+ %
$ +mQo+p+%
$+ + + + %
$ + + P P%
$+ + +bK %
/(((((((()
WHITE: Levan Pantsulaia
Position after 41.g3g4

41...h6!

• If 41...Nd6? 42.Nf4! then:
• 42...Nb7 43.Nxd5 Qxc5 44.Nxf6+ gxf6 45.Qxf6 Qd6 46.Qg5+ gives White an extra pawn.
• If 42...Qa2 43.g5 Nxf5 44.Qe5 then:
• 44...Qxf2+ 45.Kxf2 Ng4+ 46.Ke1 Nxe5 47.Nxd5 gives White an extra piece;
• 44...e3 45.fxe3 Qxh2+ 46.Kxh2 Ng4+ 47.Kg1 Nxe5 48.Nxd5 gives White an extra piece.

42.h4

• Having thrown away his winning chances, White stubbornly clings to illusions of a kingside attack.
• 42.Nf4 is no longer dangerous because White's g-pawn is hanging, but's still the best move.
• If 42.Nf4 Nd2 43.Be2 Bc6 then:
• 44.Nb3 Qxd4 45.Nxd4 Be8 46.Bxb5 Bxb5 47.Nxb5 Nxg4 is equal.
• 44.Qxd2 Qxc5 45.Ne6 Qe7 46.Qf4 Bd7 is equal.
• If 42.Bxc4?! then:
• 42...bxc4 43.Nf4 Bf7 44.Nfe6 Qb8 45.Qxc4 Nxg4 threatens mate and give Black greater activity.
• 42...Bxc4?? loses to 43.Qd8+! Kh7 44.Nf8+ Kg8 45.Ng6+ Kh7 46.Qh8#.

42...e3 43.fxe3 Qb8 44.Nf4

• If 44.Qf4 then:
• 44...Qxf4 45.Nxf4 Nxe3 46.Bxb5 Nexg4 47.Nxd5 Nxd5 48.Bc4 Nge3 is equal.
• 44...Ne5? 45.Be2! Bxe6 46.Nxe6 b4 47.g5 Nd5 48.Qg3 gives White a winning position.

44...Ne5 45.Be2 Bf3 46.Qd1

• 46.Na6 Qe8 47.Ne6 Bxe2 48.Qxe5 Bxg4 49.Nac5 checks the advance Black's passer for now.

46...Bxe2 47.Qxe2 Nfxg4 48.Nce6?

• The Knight does nothing at this post and has nowhere to go from it where it will be of any better use.
• 48.Nd7! Nxd7 49.Qxg4 Qe5 50.Kf2 Nc5 remains equal.

BLACK: Tigran Kotanjian
!""""""""#
$ W + +l+%
$+ + + O %
$ + +n+ O%
$+o+ Mp+ %
$ + + NmP%
$+ + P + %
$ + +q+ +%
$+ + + K %
/(((((((()
WHITE: Levan Pantsulaia
Position after 48.Nc5e6

48...Qa8!

• White deploys the Queen to its optimal post.

49.Qxb5

• If 49.e4 then 49...Qa3 50.Kg2 b4 51.Ng6 Qe3 52.Qxe3 Nxe3+ wins for Black.

49...Qa1+ 50.Qf1 Nf3+ 51.Kg2 Nxe3+ 0-1

• Black wins the Queen.
• Pantsulaia resigns.

[Jack Rabbit]

5. Adhiban - Bocharov, Round 7

Dmitry Bocharov
Photo: 11th Dubai Open


Baskaran Adhiban - Dmitry Bocharov
11th Open. Round 7
Dubai, 2 May 2009

Moorish Game: Horseman Defense (Pirc Defense)

1.e4 d6 2.d4 Nf6 3.Nc3 c6

• This seems to be a pet line of Bocharov's; for notes, see Isgandarova-Bocharov, Op Rd 1, Dubai, 2009).

4.f4 Qa5 5.e5 Ne4 6.Bd2 Nxd2 7.Qxd2 d5!?

• If 7...Bf5 then:
• After 8.Nf3 e6 9.Bd3 Bxd3 10.Qxd3 Nd7 11.0-0 Be7 12.f5 White, with the advantage in space, shows aggression on the kingside (Isgandarova-Bocharov, Op Rd 1, Dubai, 2009).
• 8.exd6 e6 9.Nf3 Bxd6 10.Ne5 Qc7 11.Bd3 Bxd3 12.Nxd3 Nd7 13.Ne4 Be7 14.0-0 Nf6 15.Ng5 0-0 16.c3 is equal (Gunnarsson-Stockstad, Nordic Ch, Bergen, 2001).
• 7...e6 8.0-0-0 d5 9.Kb1 c5 10.Nf3 c4 11.Qf2 b5 12.Ne2 b4 13.g4 Nc6 14.Bg2 b3 is equal (Kr. Georgiev-Panajotov, Georgiev-Kesarovski Mem, Sunny Beach (Bulgaria), 2006).

8.Bd3!?

• If 8.0-0-0 then:
• 8...Bg4 9.Be2 Bxe2 10.Ngxe2 e6 11.Rhf1 b5 12.a3 is equal.
• 8...g6 9.Nf3 Bg7 10.h3 Nd7 11.g4 Nb6 12.Bd3 gives White the advantage in space.

8...e6

• Black could go for a poisoned pawn variation here.
• 8...Qb6 9.Nf3 Qxb2 10.Rb1 Qa3 then:
• 11.Ng5 h6 12.Nh7 b6 13.Nxf8 Rxf8 14.0-0 Ba6 is equal.
• 11.Rb3 Qa5 12.Ng5 h6 13.Nh7 b6 14.Nxf8 Rxf8 gives Black an extra pawn and White more space.

9.Nf3 c5 10.f5!?

• 10.Nb5 Qb6 11.dxc5 Bxc5 12.b4 Be7 13.c4 dxc4 remains equal.

10...Nc6 11.Nb5 Qd8!?

• If 11...Nb4! 12.Nc3 c4 then:
• 13.Be2 exf5 14.0-0 Be7 15.h3 0-0 gives Black the advantage in space.
• 13.Bf1 exf5 14.a3 Nc6 15.g3 Bb4 16.Bg2 Bxc3 gives Black the advantage in space.

12.fxe6?!

• White gives Black an assist in freeing the Queen's Bishop.
• 12.dxc5 Bxc5 13.Qf4 exf5 14.Nd6+ Bxd6 15.exd6 Qa5+ is equal.

12...Bxe6!

• And the Bishop comes out roaring.

13.Ng5 a6 14.Nd6+ Bxd6 15.exd6 c4

• The text is better than 15...Qxd6?! 16.0-0 Nxd4 17.Rae1 0-0-0 18.c3 Nc6 with equality.

16.Qe3 Qxd6

• 16...cxd3 17.Nxe6 Qa5+ 18.c3 fxe6 19.Qxe6+ Kd8 20.0-0 gives White the more active game.

17.Bf5

• The game is equal.
• 17.Bxh7 0-0-0 18.0-0-0 Rdf8 19.Qf2 is equal.

17...Nxd4

• Black is two pawns up, but he knows he will be forced to return them.
• If 17...Qe7 18.Bxe6 0-0 19.0-0 fxe6 then:
• 20.Qxe6+ Qxe6 21.Rxf8+ Rxf8 22.Nxe6 Rf6 23.Re1 Nb4 is slightly better for Black
• 20.Rxf8+ Rxf8 21.Qxe6+ Qxe6 22.Nxe6 Rf6 transposes.

18.Qxd4 Bxf5 19.0-0

• 19.Qxg7?? 0-0-0! 20.Nxf7 Rhe8+ 21.Kd1 Qf4 22.Qg5 Bg4+ wins for Black.

19...Be6

• This is not to protect the f-pawn, but merely to save the Bishop.

BLACK: Dmitry Bocharov
!""""""""#
$t+ +l+ T%
$+o+ +oOo%
$o+ Wv+ +%
$+ +o+ N %
$ +oQ + +%
$+ + + + %
$pPp+ +pP%
$R + +rK %
/(((((((()
WHITE: Baskaran Adhiban
Position after 19...Bf5e6

20.Rxf7!

• White seizes the initiative.

20...0-0-0

• If 20...Bxf7? 21.Re1+ Kf8 22.Rf1 Qd7 23.Rxf7+ Qxf7 24.Nxf7 Kxf7 25.Qxd5+ wins for White.
• If 21...Kd7 then White wins after 22.Nxf7 Qb4 23.c3.

21.Rxg7

• White has regained his pawns and has the initiative.

21...Rhg8 22.Nxe6 Qxe6 23.Qc5+ Qc6 24.Qxc6+

• White finds the only move to keep the advantage.
• If 24.Qd4?! then Black turns the game around after 24...Rxg7 25.Qxg7 Qg6 26.Qc3 Rg8.

24...bxc6 25.Rxh7

• White has won a pawn and has two connected passers on the Kingside.

25...Rde8 26.Rf7 Re2 27.Rf2 Re4 28.Rd1

• 28.c3! Kd7 29.Rd1 Rge8 30.g3 R8e6 31.h4 White's passers are on the march.

28...Kd7 29.g3 Kd6 30.Kg2 a5

• 30...d4! 31.b3 c3 32.h3 c5 33.Rdf1 Rg6 34.Rf8 White remains up by a pawn, but he is haveing a harder time getting his kingside pawns rolling than he had in the previous note.

31.b3 Kc5 32.bxc4 Kxc4 33.Rd3 a4?!

• If 33...d4 34.Rdf3 Re3 35.h4 then:
• 35...c5 36.Rxe3 dxe3 37.Re2 Kd4 is equal.
• 35...Rh8 36.a3 c5 37.Rxe3 dxe3 38.Rf5

BLACK: Dmitry Bocharov
!""""""""#
$ + + +t+%
$+ + + + %
$ +o+ + +%
$+ +o+ + %
$o+l+t+ +%
$+ +r+ P %
$p+p+ RkP%
$+ + + + %
/(((((((()
WHITE: Baskaran Adhiban
Position after 33...a5a4

34.Rf6!?

• White misses an opportunity to improve his chances in this game.
• 34.Ra3 Kb4 35.Raf3 c5 36.a3+ Kc4 37.Kf1 gives White the advantage by having a safe King and two unopposaed pawns.

34...c5 35.Kf3

• 35.Ra3 Kb5 36.Raf3 d4 37.a3 Kc4 38.Ra6 remains equal.

35...Re1 36.Ra6 Rf8+ 37.Kg4 Kb5 38.Ra7 d4

• 38...Re4+ 39.Kg5 Re2 40.Rxd5 Rxh2 41.Rd1 Rg8+ remains equal.

39.Rd2 Kb4 40.Rc7 Kc3 41.Rd3+ Kc4 42.Rd2

• White avoids stepping in a pit.
• 42.Ra7 Kb5 43.h4 Rg8+ 44.Kh5 Re2 wins the pawn at c2.

42...Re4+ 43.Kg5 Kc3 44.Rg2 c4 45.h4

• More accurate is 45.g4 Rfe8 46.h4 Re2 when:
• 47.Rg3+! R8e3 48.Rxe3+ dxe3 remains equal.
• If 47.Rxe2? then 47...Rxe2 48.h5 Rxc2 49.h6 Rh2 50.Kg6 d3 51.h7 d2 wins easily for Black as both his pawns will queen.

45...Rg8+ 46.Kf5 Rxh4 47.g4 Rh5+!?

• If 47...Rf8+ 48.Kg6 Rd8 49.g5 then:
• 49...d3 50.cxd3 Rxd3 51.Kf6 Rf3+ 52.Kg7 Kd3 is equal.
• If 49...Kb4 50.Kf6 then:
• 50...d3 51.cxd3 cxd3 52.Rb2+ Ka3 53.Rd2 is equal.
• 50...Rf4+!? 51.Ke5! Rff8 52.g6 d3 53.cxd3 cxd3 54.Rb2+ gives White the advantage.

48.Kf4?

• 48.g5! a3 49.Kf6 Rf8+ 50.Kg7 Rd8 51.g6 Rhh8 is equal.

48...Rf8+ 49.Ke4 Re8+ 50.Kf4

• 50.Kf3 loses to 50...Rhe5! 51.Ra7 Re3+ 52.Kf4 Re2.

BLACK: Dmitry Bocharov
!""""""""#
$ + +t+ +%
$+ R + + %
$ + + + +%
$+ + + +t%
$o+oO Kp+%
$+ L + + %
$p+p+ +r+%
$+ + + + %
/(((((((()
WHITE: Baskaran Adhiban
Position after 50.Ke4f4

50...Rhe5!

• The Rooks doubled in the e-file split White's position in half.
• The text is stronger than 50...Rh1 51.g5 Rf1+ 52.Kg4 Ra1 when:
• 53.g6 Rxa2 54.Rg3+ Kb4 55.Rb7+ Kc5 56.Rc7+ Kb5 Black is up by a pawn.
• If 53.a3 Rxa3 54.g6 Ra2 55.Rg3+ Kb4 Black is a pawn to the good.
• 54.Rg3+ Re3 55.g6 Rxg3+ 56.Kxg3 Ra1 57.Kf2 Rb1 the Rook arrives on the back rank just in time to stop the pawn; Black has an extra pawn.

51.g5 Re2 52.Rg3+ R2e3 53.Rg2

• If 53.Rc5 then 53...a3 54.Rg1 Re2 55.Rg3+ Kb4 56.Rc7 Rf2+ wins a pawn.

53...R8e4+ 54.Kf5 Re2 55.Rg1 Re8 56.g6

• If 56.Ra7 then after 56...Rf2+! 57.Kg6 Kxc2 58.Rxa4 Rc8 59.Rb4 d3! Black wins.

56...Rxc2 57.Rg3+

• White shortens the agony.
• If 57.g7 a3 58.Kg6 Rd8 then:
• If 59.Rf7 Rg8 60.Kh7 Rxg7+!! 61.Kxg7 then:
• 61...Kb2 62.Rc7 c3 63.Rd7 Rd2 64.Kf6 d3 65.Ke5 c2 one of Black's pawn will promote.
• If 61...d3 62.Ra1 Rg2+ then:
• If 63.Kh6 then after 63...Kb2 64.Rb1+ Kc2 65.Rff1 d2 66.Kh5 c3 Black wins.
• If 63.Kf8 then after 63...d2 64.Rb1 Kd3 65.Rf3+ Kc2 66.Rff1 c3 Black wins.
• 59.Rd7 Rc8 60.Rc7 Rb8 61.Rf7 Rg8 etc.

57...d3!

• The pawn inches closer to the palace gate.

58.g7 Kb2 59.Kg6 d2 60.Rd7 c3 61.Kf7 Ra8 62.Rgd3 Rc1

• White could have resigned here.

63.Rxd2+ cxd2 64.Rxd2+ Rc2 65.Rd4 Rf2+ 0-1

• If 66.Ke6 then after 66...Rg2 67.Rd7 Rg8 68.Ra7 a3 69.Rb7+ Kxa2 Black has an easy win.
• Adhiban Sahib resigns.

[Jack Rabbit]

6. Anastasian - Aleksandrov, Round 7

[Jack Rabbit]

12. Oops. It's hiding here

Ashot Anastasian
Photo: 11th Dubai Open


Ashot Anastasian - Aleksej Aleksandrov
11th Open, Round 7
Dubai, 2 May 2009

East India Game: Nimzo-Indian Defense (Capablanca Opening/Keres Variation)

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.Qc2 0-0 5.a3 Bxc3+ 6.Qxc3 b6 7.Bg5 Bb7 8.e3 d6 9.Ne2

• For notes on this opening, see , Op, Gibraltar, 2009.

9...Nbd7 10.Qc2 c5 11.Rd1 Qc7 12.Nc3 a6

• 12...cxd4 13.Rxd4 d5 14.cxd5 Bxd5 is equal (Beliavsky-Dzagnidze, Op, Gibraltar, 2009).

13.Bh4!?

• 13.Qd2 h6 14.Bh4 d5 15.dxc5 bxc5 16.Be2 Rad8 17.0-0 Qc6 18.f3 Ne5 19.Bxf6 gxf6 20.cxd5 exd5 21.e4 gives White more activity (Dreev-Z. Almasi, IT, Reggio Emilia, 2008-09).
• 13.Be2 cxd4 14.Rxd4 d5 15.cxd5 Nxd5 16.Bd3 N5f6 17.0-0 h6 18.Bh4 Rad8 19.Rd1 Ne5 20.Bxf6 gxf6 21.Be4 Rxd4 22.Rxd4 gives White a formidable center and better kingside pawns (L'Ami-Short, Staunton Mem, London, 2008).

13...Rfe8

• After the novelty, the game is equal.
• 13...Rac8 14.dxc5 dxc5 15.e4 Rcd8 16.Bd3 Ne5 is also equal.

14.f3

• 14.dxc5 dxc5 15.Bg3 e5 16.e4 Rad8 remains equal.

14...Rac8 15.Qd2 d5

• Blacks wants to put an end to the threat of 16.Bxf6 gxf6 17.e4 Rcd8 18.Qf4 when White's game is free.

16.cxd5 Nxd5 17.Be2

• The game remains equal.
• 17.e4 cxd4 18.Qxd4 Nxc3 19.Qxc3 b5 20.Qxc7 Rxc7 is also equal.

17...cxd4 18.Nxd5 exd5

BLACK: Aleksej Aleksandrov
!""""""""#
$ +t+t+l+%
$+vWm+oOo%
$oO + + +%
$+ +o+ + %
$ + O + V%
$P + Pp+ %
$ P Qb+pP%
$+ +rK +r%
/(((((((()
WHITE: Ashot Anastasian
Position after 18...ed5:N

19.exd4!?

• Is this an attempt to throw Black off balance or just an inaccuracy? Only Anastasian knows for sure.
• 19.Qxd4 Qe5 20.Kf2 Rc7 21.Qxe5 Nxe5 22.Rc1 Rec8 remains equal.

19...Qc2

• 19...Qc4 20.Kf2 Qa4 21.Rc1 Nc5 22.Bd1 Nb3 remains equal with best play, but White has plenty of opportunities to falter..

20.Kf2

• 20.Qxc2 Rxc2 21.Rd2 Rc1+ 22.Rd1 Rc4 remains equal.

20...Nf8 21.Bd3 Qa4 22.Bb1

• 22.Bf5!? Rc6 23.Rc1 Ne6! 24.Rxc6 Bxc6 25.Rd1 gives Black more activity.

22...a5 23.Qd3 Bc6 24.Rd2 Bb5 25.Bc2

• If 25.Qf5!? Qb3 then:
• 26.Qf4 a4 27.Bf5 Bd7 28.Bd3 Ng6 29.Bxg6 fxg6 gives Black the advantage in space.
• 26.Kg3? h6 27.Bc2 Qe3 28.Qf4 Qxf4+! 29.Kxf4 g5+ wins for Black.

25...Bxd3

• If 25...Qc4 26.Qxc4 then:
• 26...Bxc4! 27.b3 Ba6 28.Re1 Rxe1 29.Kxe1 Re8+ 30.Kd1 is equal.
• 26...dxc4?! 27.d5 Ng6 28.Bxg6 hxg6 29.Re1 White's passed d-pawn trumps Black's queenside majority.

26.Bxa4 b5 27.Bd1 Bf5 28.g4 Be6

• The immediate 28...Bd7 saves a tempo.

29.Be2 Bd7 30.Re1 Re6

• 30...h6 31.Bg3 a4 32.h4 g5 33.h5 f6 34.Bd3 gives White a little bit more activity.

31.h3 Ng6 32.Bg3 Ne7 33.Bd3 Rxe1

• Black feels he has less to fear from the disappearance of Rooks from the board.

34.Kxe1 Rc1+

• Black takes off the other Rook least White's should become active.
• If 34...b4 then after 35.axb4 axb4 36.Rc2 Nc6 37.Bf2 g5 38.Rc5 White's Rook is active and making threats.

BLACK: Aleksej Aleksandrov
!""""""""#
$ + + +l+%
$+ +vMoOo%
$ + + + +%
$Oo+o+ + %
$ + P +p+%
$P +b+pBp%
$ P R + +%
$+ T K + %
/(((((((()
WHITE: Ashot Anastasian
Position after 34...Rc8c1+

35.Rd1

• If 35.Kf2 f5 36.Re2 Kf7 37.Bd6 then:
• 37...Nc8 38.Bc5 Rd1 39.Bc2 Rh1 40.Kg2 imprisons Black's Rook on White's back rank.
• 37...Nc6 38.Bxb5 Rh1 39.Bxc6 Bxc6 40.Re7+ Kf6 41.Rc7 wins material for White.

35...Rxd1+ 36.Kxd1 h5 37.Bc7 a4

• 37...b4 38.Bxa5 Nc6 39.Bb6 hxg4 40.hxg4 bxa3 41.bxa3 gives White a remote passer.

38.Kd2 hxg4

• If 38...g6 39.Kc3 then:
• 39...hxg4 40.hxg4 f5 41.Kb4! fxg4 42.fxg4 Bxg4 43.Bxb5 gives White two passers on the queenside against one from Black on the opposite wing.
• 39...Kf8?! 40.Kb4! Ke8 41.Bxb5 Nc6+ 42.Kc5 Nxd4 43.Bxd7+ brings about a won King and pawn ending for White.

39.hxg4 g5 40.Kc3 f5 41.Bd8 Kf7?

• By now, the game is won for White.
• If 41...Nc8 42.Bxb5 Bxb5 43.gxf5 then:
• 43...Nd6 44.Bxg5 Nxf5 45.Kb4 Be2 46.f4 gives White three pawns for the piece.
• 43...Bc4 44.Kb4 Bb3 45.Kc5 Kf7 46.Bxg5 gives White three pawns for the piece

42.Bxe7 Kxe7 43.gxf5 Kf6

• Black has little choice but to take White's kingside pawns.

44.Kb4

• Likewise, White attacks Black's queenside pawns.

44...Be8

• Black needs the kingside pawns in order to draw.
• If 44...Bxf5 45.Bxb5 Ke6 then:
• 46.Bxa4! Kd6 47.Bd1 Kc6 48.a4 Bh3 49.Be2 wins for White.
• 46.Kc5?! Bc2 47.Bc6 Bb3 48.Bb7 Bc4 49.Bc8+ continues to give White the advantage, but the winning process will take longer.

45.Kc5! Bh5 46.Be2

• This move is very flexible. Depending on Black's next two or three moves, the Bishop van either defend the pawn at f3 or take on b5.

46...Kxf5 47.Kxd5 Kf4

• Black clearly intends to win the pawn at f3.

BLACK: Aleksej Aleksandrov
!""""""""#
$ + + + +%
$+ + + + %
$ + + + +%
$+o+k+ Ov%
$o+ P L +%
$P + +p+ %
$ P +b+ +%
$+ + + + %
/(((((((()
WHITE: Ashot Anastasian
Position after 47...Kf5f4

48.Kc5!

• Black's queenside pawns cannot be saved. Thus White allows the exchange of Bishops, leaving nothing in the way of his own queenside pawns.
• Both players have calculated the next seven or eight moves. It's not very difficult.
• Also good is 48.Bxb5! Kxf3 49.Bxa4 g4 50.Bd1+ Kf4 51.Bxg4 Bxg4 52.b4 when White's pawns trump the Bishop.

48...Bxf3 49.Bxf3 Kxf3 50.d5 g4 51.d6 g3 52.d7 g2 53.d8Q g1Q+

BLACK: Aleksej Aleksandrov
!""""""""#
$ + Q + +%
$+ + + + %
$ + + + +%
$+oK + + %
$o+ + + +%
$P + +l+ %
$ P + + +%
$+ + + W %
/(((((((()
WHITE: Ashot Anastasian
Position after 53...g2g1Q

54.Qd4!

• Black's pawns are doomed. He must therefore keep the Queens on the board in order to have any chance of saving the game.

54...Qg6 55.Qd5+ Ke2 56.Kxb5 Qe8+

• The Black pawn is a goner no matter how Black plays.
• If 56...Qc2 then after 57.Qg2+ Kd3 58.Qxc2+ Kxc2 59.Kxa4 Kxb2 60.Kb4 White's pawn has nothing but daylight and promotion square in front of it.
• If 56...Ke3 then after 57.Qc5+ Kd3 58.Qc3+ Ke2 59.Kxa4 it's a done deal.

BLACK: Aleksej Aleksandrov
!""""""""#
$ + +w+ +%
$+ + + + %
$ + + + +%
$+k+q+ + %
$o+ + + +%
$P + + + %
$ P +l+ +%
$+ + + + %
/(((((((()
WHITE: Ashot Anastasian
Position after 56...Qg6e8+

57.Qc6!

• The a-pawn must fall. Any square to which the Black Queen can move to cover the pawn is attacked by the White Queen.

57...Qb8+

• 57...Qxc6+ 58.Kxc6 Kd2 59.Kb5 Kc2 60.Kxa4 Kxb2 61.Kb4 wins for White.

58.Kxa4 Kd1

• 58...Qxb2 59.Qb5+ Qxb5+ 60.Kxb5 wins for White.

59.Qb5 Qd8 60.Kb3 Kd2 61.Qb4+ Ke3 62.Qc4

• If 62.a4 Qd1+ 63.Ka2 Qd8 64.a5 then:
• If 64...Qd7 then after 65.a6 Qa7 66.Qc4 Qd7 67.b4 Qd2+ 68.Ka3 the pawn cannot be stopped.
• If 64...Qa8 then after 65.Qd6 Ke4 66.b4 Qg8+ 67.Ka3 Qc4 68.a6 the pawn keeps on going.

62...Qb6+ 63.Ka2 Qa7 64.a4 Qa8 65.Ka3 Qf8+ 66.b4 Qf6

• 66...Qd8 then 67.a5 Qd2 68.a6 Qd8 69.b5 wins for White.

67.Kb3 Qd8 68.Qc3+ Kf4 69.a5 Qd1+ 70.Kc4 Qe2+ 71.Qd3 Qe6+ 72.Qd5 Qa6+ 73.Kc3 Ke3 1-0

• 74.Qd4+ then:
• 74...Kf3 75.Qd3+ focrces the exchange of Queens, winning for White.
• 74...Ke2 75.Qc4+ is equaivalent.
• Aleksandrov resigns.

[Jack Rabbit]

7. Pourkashyian - Abdulov, Round 8

Atousa Pourkahiyan turns 21 this week. She won her third Iranian women's title last month. She, Zeinab Mamedyarova and Nino Gurieli tied for the best score by a woman in Dubai.



Atousa Pourkashyian
Photo: ChessBase.com


Atousa Pourkashiyan - Orkhan Abdulov
11th Open, Round 8
Dubai, 3 May 2009

Open Sicilian Game: Taimanov Defense

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Nc3 e6 4.d4 cxd4 5.Nxd4 Nf6 6.Nxc6

• For a discussion of opening theory around the Taimanov Defense, see Smith-Stellwagen, IT, Malmø, 2008.

6...bxc6 7.Bd3

• If 7.e5 Nd5 8.Ne4 then:
• If 8...Qc7 9.f4 Qb6 10.c4 then:
• If 10...Bb4+ 11.Ke2 f5 then:
• If 12.Nf2 Ba6 13.Kf3 Ne7 14.Be3 Bc5 15.Bxc5 Qxc5 16.Qd6 then:
• If 16...Qb6 17.b3 c5 18.Rd1 Bb7+ 19.Kg3 Kf7 20.Be2 Rhd8 then:
• 21.Nd3 Rac8 22.Qxb6 axb6 23.Nb2 Bc6 24.Rd2 gives White the advantage in space (Negi-Pileckis, World Jr Ch, Istanbul, 2005).
• 21.Bh5+ g6 22.Bf3 Bxf3 23.gxf3 is equal (Adams-Dr. Nunn, Op, Kilkenny, 1996).
• 16...Qa5 17.h4 c5 18.Kg3 Rc8 19.Be2 Nc6 20.Bh5+ g6 21.Bf3 Nd4 22.b4 Qa3 23.bxc5 Nxf3 24.gxf3 Bxc4 25.Rhd1 is equal (Pirisi-Krasenkow, IT, Balatonbereny, 1988).
• 12.exf6 Nxf6 13.Be3 Qa5 14.Nxf6+ gxf6 15.Kf2 0-0 16.Bd3 Rf7 17.a3 Bf8 18.Rf1 d5 19.Kg1 Bc5 20.Bf2 Bd6 21.Kh1 Qc7 22.Bg3 a5 23.Rc1 Qb8 24.Rc2 gives White the advantage in space (Antonov-Hamarat, Corres, 1984).
• 10...Ne3 11.Qd3 Bb4+ 12.Bd2 Ba6 13.b3 0-0 14.Bxb4 Qxb4+ 15.Kf2 Nd5 16.g3 f6 17.Qc2 Nxf4 18.gxf4 fxe5 19.Kg2 Rxf4 20.Bd3 d5 21.Ng3 e4 22.Be2 Qc5 is equal (Fedorchuk-Sprenger, Bundesliga 0708, Germany, 2008).
• If 8...f5 9.exf6 Nxf6 10.Nd6+ Bxd6 11.Qxd6 then:
• 11...Ba6 12.Bxa6 Qa5+ 13.Bd2 Qxa6 14.Bb4 0-0-0 15.0-0-0 Qxa2 16.Rhe1 Nd5 17.Rd3 Qc4 18.Bd2 Rhf8 is equal (Khalifman-Yakovich, Russian Ch HL, Novokuznetsk, 2008).
• 11...Qb6 12.Bd3 c5 13.Bf4 Bb7 14.0-0 Rc8 15.c4 Rc6 16.Qe5 Bc8 17.Rae1 0-0 18.Qg5 d6 19.Bc1 is equal (Berrscu-Meinhardt, Euro Ch, Dresden, 2007).

7...e5

• If 7...d5 8.0-0 Be7 then:
• If 9.Qe2 0-0 10.b3 Nd7 11.Bb2 Nc5 12.Rfd1 then:
• 12...a5 13.Ba3 Re8 14.Bxc5 Bxc5 15.Na4 Ba7 16.c4 Bd4 17.Rac1 e5 18.cxd5 cxd5 19.Bb5 Bd7 20.exd5 Bxb5 21.Qxb5 gives White an extra pawn (Kholmov-Dolmatov, Soviet Ch ½-final, Daugavpils, 1978).
• 12...Nxd3 13.cxd3 d4 14.Nb1 e5 15.Nd2 Bd6 16.Rac1 Bb7 17.f4 f5 18.Nc4 exf4 19.Bxd4 f3 20.gxf3 Bxh2+ 21.Qxh2 Qxd4+ 22.Qf2 Qd7 23.e5 gives White a passer in the center, which he shoul fortify (Rosselli-Mieses, IT, Baden-Baden, 1925).
• 9.Re1 0-0 10.Bf4 Nd7 11.exd5 cxd5 12.Nb5 Nc5 13.Nc7 Nxd3 14.Qxd3 Bg5 15.Be5 Rb8 16.Nxd5 Rb7 17.Nc3 Qxd3 draw (Kruppa-Chekhov, Soviet Army Ch, Frunze, 1988).

8.0-0 Be7 9.Kh1 d6!?

• 9...0-0 10.f4 d6 then:
• 11.fxe5 dxe5 12.Be3 Be6 13.Na4!? Qa5 14.b3 c5 is equal (Gaprindashvili-Mosionzhik, Soviet ChTW, Riga, 1968).
• 11.Qf3 Nd7 12.Ne2 Bf6 draw (Padevsky-Vukcevich, Sofia, 1958).

10.f4

• The game is equal. White signals her intention to develop the Queen's Bishop by recaturing on f4.

10...h5!?

• Black decides to see what would happen if he doesn't play along with White's plan.
• 10...Rb8 11.Rb1 Qc7 12.Qf3 0-0 13.a3 exf4 14.Bxf4 is equal.

11.Bc4 Qb6 12.fxe5

• White can also continue with her plan to protect the b-pawn and develop the Queen's Bishop.
• If 12.Rb1 Rb8 13.Qe1 then:
• 13...Ng4 14.b3 Bf6 15.Ba3 Be7 16.Rd1 gives White pressure on Black's backward d-pawn.
• 13...h4 14.Be3 Qc7 15.fxe5 dxe5 gives White a small advantage in space and a little bit more activity.

12...dxe5 13.Bg5 Bg4 14.Qe1 Rd8 15.Qg3

• 15.Bb3 Qc7 16.Qg3 a5 17.h3 Be6 18.Bxe6 gives White fewer pawn weaknesses.

15...Qc5

• Taking the poisoned pawn gets Black nowhere.
• If 15...Qxb2 16.Rab1 then:
• 16...Qa3 17.Qxe5 0-0 18.Rb3 gives White the advantage in space.
• 16...Qxc2? 17.Qxe5 Rg8 18.Rb7! wins for White.

16.Bb3 Rd6 17.h3 h4 18.Qe3 Qxe3 19.Bxe3 Be6 20.Bxe6

• The game is equal.
• 20.Bxa7 Bxb3 21.axb3 Rd2 22.Rf2 Rxf2 23.Bxf2 gives White more freedom.

20...Rxe6 21.Bxa7

• White's a-pawn is now unopposed.

21...c5?!

• This does little about the threat to advance a-pawn. 24...Bb4 is the way to put pressure on White's center and obtain counterplay.
• If 21...Bb4! then:
• If 22.Rfe1 Kd7 then:
• 23.a4 Rd6 24.Re2 Ra8 25.Bf2 g5 remains equal.
• 23.a3!? Bxc3 24.bxc3 Ra8! 25.Rad1+ Kc7 gives Black the initiatives; he will win back the pawn.
• 22.a4? Bxc3! 23.bxc3 Nxe4 24.Rfb1 0-0 gives Black a clear advantage.

BLACK: Orkhan Abdulov
!""""""""#
$ + +l+ T%
$B + VoO %
$ + +tM +%
$+ O O + %
$ + +p+ O%
$+ N + +p%
$pPp+ +p+%
$R + +r+k%
/(((((((()
WHITE: Atousa Pourkashyian
Position after 21...c6c5

22.a4!

• Once again, the passed pawn shows a lust to expand.

22...Kd7 23.a5 Kc6

• 23...Ra8 24.Rfd1+ Kc6 25.Bb6 retains the extra pawn for White, although the advance of the a-pawn is slowed for now.

24.Bb6 Ra8 25.Rad1 Rd6

BLACK: Orkhan Abdulov
!""""""""#
$t+ + + +%
$+ + VoO %
$ BlT M +%
$P O O + %
$ + +p+ O%
$+ N + +p%
$ Pp+ +p+%
$+ +r+r+k%
/(((((((()
WHITE: Atousa Pourkashyian
Position after 25...Re6d6

26.Nd5!!

• A timely pawn sacrifice solves White's problems.
• If 26.Kh2?! Rd4 27.g4 hxg3+ 28.Kxg3 Rh8 then:
• 29.Rd3 Bd8 30.Bxd8 Rxd3+ 31.cxd3 Rxd8 32.Rf3 puts the future of the a-pawn in doubt.
• 29.Kg2?! Bd8 30.Bxd8 Rhxd8 31.Rde1 Rd2+ is equal.

26...Nxd5 27.exd5+ Rxd5 28.Rxd5 Kxd5 29.Rxf7 Bd6?

• Black's position just went from difficult to hopeless.
• If 29...Bf8 30.Kg1 g6 31.Kf2 then:
• 31...c4 32.Rd7+ Kc6 33.Rd8 Rxd8 34.Bxd8 White starts picking off weak pawns.
• 31...Ke6? 32.Rc7 Bd6 33.Rg7 Kf5 34.Ke3 c4 35.Ra7 wins for White.

30.Kg1 e4 31.Kf2 Be5 32.Ke2

• 32.Rd7+ Ke6 33.Rd8 is a quicker win.

32...Ke6 33.Ra7 Rc8

• No better is 33...Rxa7 34.Bxa7 Kd5 35.a6 c4 36.Bf2.

34.c3 Kd5

• Black shortens his agony.
• 34...c4 35.Ke3 Kf5 36.Rf7+ Bf6 37.Rc7 , but the outcome is no longer in doubt.

35.Rd7+ Kc6 36.Rd8 Rxd8 37.Bxd8 Bf4 38.Bxh4 1-0

• White has pawn majorities on both wings.
• Abdulov resigns.

[Jack Rabbit]

4. 2nd Mayor's Cup Open, Mumbai

Mumbai
Photo: Azhar Chougle on Fun on the Net

[Jack Rabbit]

8. Areshchenko - Gupta, Round 6

Alexander Areshchenko
Photo: ChessBase.de (Germany)


Alexander Areshchenko - Abhijeet Gupta
2nd Mayor's Cup Open, Round 6
Mumbai, 5 May 2009

Spanish Grand Royal Game: Neo-Classical Defense (Møller Defense)

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.0-0 Bc5

• The Neo-Classical Defense is a popular alternative to the main line in which Black's King's Bishop is posted on the less active e7.

6.c3 b5 7.Bc2 d5

• 7...d6 8.d4 Bb6 9.h3 Bb7 10.a3 0-0 11.Be3 Nd7 12.Nbd2 Ne7 13.b4 d5 14.Re1 dxe4 15.Nxe4 Nd5 16.Bg5 f6 17.Bh4 gives White a slight advantage in space (Wedberg-Timman, IT, Malmø, 2001).

8.d4 dxe4 9.dxe5

• If 9.Nxe5 Nxe5 10.dxe5 Qxd1 11.Rxd1 Ng4 12.Bxe4 Nxf2 13.Bc6+ Ke7 14.Rd5 Bb6!? then:
• If 15.Bg5+ f6 16.exf6+ gxf6 17.Bh4 Ng4+ 18.Kh1 Rb8 19.Nd2 Be6 20.Rh5 Nf2+ 21.Bxf2 Bxf2 22.Rf1 Be3 then:
• 23.Ne4 f5 24.Re1 Rbd8 gives Black a tactical edge (T. Ernst-Hector, Swedish Ch, Gothenburg, 2006).
• 23.Nb3 Rbd8 draw (Lautier-Onischuk, IT, Poikovsky, 2004).
• 15.Bxa8 Nd3+ 16.Kf1 Nxc1 17.Na3 Be6 18.Rxc1 Rxa8 19.Rd3 Bf5 20.Rdd1 Bg4 21.Re1 Rd8 22.h3 Bf5 23.g4 Be6 24.Rcd1 Rxd1 25.Rxd1 Bxa2 26.Nc2 Sebag-Smeets, IT, Hoogeveen, 2008().

9...Qxd1!?

• The first instance of the text was in a rapid game, where early simplification is a commonly employed expedient.
• 9...exf3 10.Qxd8+ Nxd8 11.exf6 fxg2 12.Re1+ Kf8 13.Be4 Bb7 14.Bxb7 Nxb7 15.Kxg2 Rg8 16.a4 b4 is equal (Madl-T. Kosintseva, OlW, Torino, 2006)

10.Rxd1 Bxf2+ 11.Kf1 Ng4!?

• This novelty cannot help but to be an improvement over its predecessor.
• 11...exf3? 12.exf6 Bh4 13.fxg7 fxg2+ 14.Kxg2 Rg8 15.Bh6 Bg5 (this loses quickly, but other moves are little better) 16.Re1+! Be6 17.Bxg5 Rxg7 18.h4 h6 19.Be4 Kd7 20.Rd1+ Black resigns realizing he will not recover the piece (Topalov-Shirov, Amber Rapid, Monte Carlo, 2001).

12.Bxe4

• White recovers the pawn; White has a minute advantage in space.

12...Bb7 13.h3 Ne3+ 14.Bxe3 Bxe3 15.a4

• 15.Na3 Bc5 16.b4 Ba7 17.c4 bxc4 18.Nxc4 gives White a healthy advantage in space.

15...Ke7 16.Na3 Rhb8?

• The text move percipitates a series of exchanges in which Black loses two pawns.
• If 16...bxa4 17.Nc4 Bb6 18.Rxa4 then:
• 18...Rab8 19.Nxb6 cxb6 20.Kf2 a5 21.Ke3 gives White the advantage in space.
• 18...Ra7 19.Nxb6 cxb6 20.Rc4 Rd8 21.Rxd8 Nxd8 22.Rc7+ wins a pawn fo rWhite.

17.axb5! axb5 18.Nxb5 Rxa1 19.Rxa1 Nxe5 20.Bxb7 Rxb7 21.Nxc7 Nxf3

• White is a pawn up in a strong position.
• 21...Rxc7 22.Nxe5 Bh6 23.Ke2 g6 24.Kd3 Bg7 25.Nf3 White's two connected passers spell deep trouble for Black in the ending.

BLACK: Abhijeet Gupta
!""""""""#
$ + + + +%
$+tN LoOo%
$ + + + +%
$+ + + + %
$ + + + +%
$+ P Vm+p%
$ P + +p+%
$R + +k+ %
/(((((((()
WHITE: Alexander Areshchenko
Position after 21...Ne5f3:N

22.Nd5+!

• The text move removes the better of Black's two minor pieces.
• The text is better than 22.gxf3 then:
• 22...Kd6 23.Ne8+ Kd7 24.Nxg7 Rxb2 25.Rd1+ White is better, but Black's Bishop at the advanced post allows for hopes of counterplay.
• 22...Rxc7 23.Re1 Kd6 24.Rxe3.

22...Ke6 23.Nxe3 Nd2+ 24.Ke2 Ne4 25.Ra6+ Ke5

• After 25...Kd7 26.Ra2 g6 27.Kd3 Nc5+ 28.Kc4 Nb3 29.Ra3 Black is barely able to save his Knight.

26.Ra5+ Kf4

• If 26...Ke6 27.Kd3 Nf2+ 28.Kc2 Rd7 29.Nf5 then:
• 29...g6 30.Nd4+ Kd6 31.b4 Ne4 32.c4 Kc7 33.Ra7+ the Rooks are exchanged and White brings his pawns foreward.
• After 29...Kf6 30.Nd4 Ne4 31.Kd3 Nf2+ 32.Kd2 Ne4+ 33.Ke3 White is ready to roll his pawns.

27.Rf5+ Kg3 28.Kd3 Re7

• 28...Nf2+ 29.Kc4 Ne4 30.Kd4 Nd2 31.b4 Rd7+ 32.Rd5 Black cannot stop the march of the passers after the exchange of Rooks.

29.b4 g6 30.Rf3+ Kh2

• After 30...Kh4 31.Rf4+ Kg5 32.Rxe4 Black can lay down his arms.

BLACK: Abhijeet Gupta
!""""""""#
$ + + + +%
$+ + To+o%
$ + + +o+%
$+ + + + %
$ P +m+ +%
$+ PkNr+p%
$ + + +pL%
$+ + + + %
/(((((((()
WHITE: Alexander Areshchenko
Position after 30...Kg3h2

31.Nd5!

• White wins more material.

31...Re8

• If 31...Re5 32.Kd4 Kxg2 33.Re3 then:
• 33...Rxd5+ 34.Kxd5 Nf6+ 35.Kd6 Nh5 36.b5 the pawn is off to the races.
• 33...Re8 34.Rxe4 Rxe4+ 35.Kxe4 leaves White a piece to the good.

32.Rxf7 Kxg2 33.Rxh7 Nf2+ 34.Kd4 Nxh3

• Black now has a passed pawn, but it provides little hope of saving the game.

35.b5 g5 36.Rg7 Kf3 37.Rf7+

• 37.b6 Nf4 38.Rf7 Kg3 39.b7 Ne6+ 40.Kc4 wins for White.

37...Kg2 38.b6 g4 39.Ne3+ Kg3 40.Nf5+

• Also good is 40.Nxg4!! Kxg4 41.b7 Ng5 42.Re7.

40...Kh2 41.b7 g3

• No better is 41...Ng5 42.Re7 Rb8 43.c4 Kh3 44.c5.

BLACK: Abhijeet Gupta
!""""""""#
$ + +t+ +%
$+p+ +r+ %
$ + + + +%
$+ + +n+ %
$ + K + M%
$+ P + O %
$ + + + L%
$+ + + + %
/(((((((()
WHITE: Alexander Areshchenko
Position after 41...g4g3

42.Nxg3!!

• The piece sacrifice caps off a well-played game.

42...Kxg3 43.c4 Nf4 44.c5 Rd8+ 45.Kc4 Ne6 46.c6 1-0

• The two pawns triumph over the Knight.
• Gupta Sahib resigns.

[Jack Rabbit]

9. Koneru - Himanshu, Round 6

Koneru Humpy
Photo: ChessBase.com


Koneru Humpy - Sharma Himanshu
2nd Mayor's Cup Open, Round 6
Mumbai, 5 May 2009

Slav Queen's Gambit: Chameleon Defense

1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.e3 a6 5.Bd3 Bg4 6.cxd5

• If 6.Nbd2 e6 then:
• 7.Qc2 7...Nbd7 8.b3 Bh5 9.Bb2 Bd6 10.0-0 Qb8 11.h3 0-0 12.Ng5 Bg6 13.Bxg6 hxg6 14.e4 Bf4 15.Ndf3 Bxg5 16.Nxg5 dxe4 17.Nxe4 Qf4 18.Rfe1 gives White the advantage in space (Roos-Drozdovskij, Euro Ch, Dresden, 2007).
• 7.0-0 Nbd7 8.b3 Bf5 9.Qc2 Bxd3 10.Qxd3 Be7 11.Bb2 0-0 12.Rfd1 a5 13.a3 Qb6 14.Rac1 draw (Radjabov-P. Smirnov, FIDE Knock Out, Tripoli, 2007).
• If 6.Qb3 Bxf3 7.gxf3 Qc7 8.Nc3 e6 then:
• 9.Bd2 dxc4 10.Bxc4 Be7 11.Rc1 Nbd7 12.Be2 Rd8 13.f4 0-0 14.0-0 b5 15.Rfd1 c5 16.dxc5 Nxc5 opens the queenside to Black's advantage (van Wely-Bareev, World Cup, Khanty-Mansiysk, 2007).
• 9.cxd5 cxd5 10.e4 Nc6 11.Be3 Rd8 transposes into Koneru-Zhukova, below.

6...cxd5

• 6...Bxf3 7.Qxf3 cxd5 8.Nc3 Nc6 9.0-0 e6 10.Bd2 Bd6 11.Rac1 0-0 12.Qh3 g6 13.f4 Ne8 14.g4 f5 15.gxf5 gxf5 16.Kh1 Rc8 17.Rg1+ Kh8 18.Rg2 Nf6 19.Rcg1 Qe7 20.Be2 Rg8 is equal (Beaumont-Kartthunen, Euro ChT, Halkidiki. 2002).

7.Qb3 Qc7 8.Nc3 Bxf3 9.gxf3 e6 10.e4

• 10.Bd2 Nc6 11.Rc1 Bd6 12.f4 g6 13.Na4 0-0 14.Qb6 Qe7 15.Nc5 Rab8 16.Qb3 Rfc8 17.Qd1 Qd8 18.0-0 Ne7 19.b4 Nf5 20.f3 Nh5 21.Qe2 Qe7 22.Qf2 Kh8 23.Kh1 Rg8 draw (Koneru-Ni Hua, Op, Dubai, 2005).

10...Nc6 11.Be3 Be7

• If 11...Rd8 12.0-0-0 Be7 13.Kb1 0-0 14.Rc1 Kh8 15.Ne2 Rc8 16.Nf4 Rfd8 17.Rhg1 b5 18.e5 Nd7 19.Bxh7 Nf8 20.Bd3 Qb6 21.Rg4 Na5 22.Qd1 g6 23.Qf1 Kg7 24.Qh3 Rxc1+ 25.Bxc1 Rc8 26.Be3 Nc4 27.Nxg6 Black resigns in a mating net (Eljanov-van Wely, Russian ChT, Crete, 2008).
• 12.e5 Nd7 13.f4 Qb6 14.Qxb6 Nxb6 15.f5 Nb4 16.Bb1 Nc4 17.Bc1 Nc6 18.Ne2 Bb4+ 19.Kd1 exf5 20.Bxf5 0-0 21.Rg1 gives White more space and activity (Koneru-Zhukova, Euro ChTW, Antalya, 2007).

12.0-0-0 0-0

• 12...Nb4 13.Kb1 0-0 14.Be2 Rfc8 15.Rc1 Qd8 is equal (Tomashevsky-Romanov, Euro Ch, Budva, 2009).

13.Kb1 b5!?

• 13...Nb4 transposes into Tomashevesky-Romanov, above.

14.Rc1

• The game is equal.
• 14.exd5 Na5 15.Qc2 b4 16.d6 Bxd6 is also equal.

14...Qb7 15.e5 Ne8

• If 15...Nd7 16.Rhg1 Rfc8 17.Bh6 g6 18.Nxd5 then:
• 18...exd5 19.Qxd5 Nb6 20.Bxg6 Nxd5 21.Be4+ Kh8 22.Bg7+ darws.
• 18...Bf8 19.Bxf8 Nxd4 20.Ne7+ Kxf8 21.Qb4 gives White a tactical edge.

16.Rhg1 Kh8 17.Ne2

• 17.h3 Rc8 18.f4 f6 19.Qd1 Nb4 remains equal.

17...Nb4 18.Nf4 Nxd3 19.Nxd3

• 19.Qxd3 Rc8 20.Rxc8 Qxc8 21.Rc1 Qd8 22.Qc2 remains equal.

19...Nc7!?

• A better plan starts by nibbling away at White's center.
• 19...f6 20.Qc3 fxe5 21.dxe5 Rxf3 22.Rg3 Rxg3 23.hxg3 remains equal.

BLACK: Sharma Himanshu
!""""""""#
$t+ + T L%
$+wM VoOo%
$o+ +o+ +%
$+o+oP + %
$ + P + +%
$+q+nBo+ %
$pP + O O%
$+kR + R %
/(((((((()
WHITE: Koneru Humpy
Position after 19...Ne8c7

20.Qc2!

• White takes the initiative by attacking Black's Knight.

20...Rfc8

• 20...Rac8 21.Qc6 Qb8 22.Qd7 Rfe8 23.Bg5 Bxg5 24.Rxg5 gives White the advantage in space.

21.Qc6 Qxc6 22.Rxc6 Ne8

• 22...a5 23.Rgc1 Bd8 24.a3 Kg8 25.b3 a4 26.b4 gives White the advantage in space.

23.Rgc1 Rcb8 24.Bd2 a5 25.a3 Kg8 26.Nc5

• 26.Ka2 Kf8 27.R1c2 h5 28.h3 Bd8 29.f4 gives White more activity.

26...Bxc5 27.dxc5 Kf8 28.Rb6 a4

• 28...b4 29.Rxb8 Rxb8 30.axb4 axb4 31.Ka2 b3+ 32.Ka3 gives White more freedom.

29.Bb4 Ke7?!

• This careless move has long term consequences fior Black.
• 29...Kg8 (defending the kingside pawns, which after the text are defenseless) 30.f4 h6 31.h4 g6 is equal.

30.Rd6!?

• White poffers the exchange, but she could wins faster by advancing the c-pawn.
• If 30.c6+! Kd8 31.c7+!! Nxc7 32.Bd6! Rc8 33.Rb7 Na6 34.Rg1 g6 35.Rxf7 wins for White.
• If 32...Na6 then 33.Rxa6 Rxa6 34.Bxb8 wins.

30...f6?

• Better is to take the exchange. It's downhill for Black from here.
• 30...Nxd6! 31.exd6+ Kd8 32.c6 Rc8 33.d7 Rc7 34.Bd6 offers equal chances.

31.f4 Kf7 32.c6 Rc8

• Black's moves are virtually forced.

BLACK: Sharma Himanshu
!""""""""#
$t+t+m+ +%
$+ + +lOo%
$ +pRoO +%
$+o+oP + %
$oB + P +%
$P + + + %
$ P + P P%
$+kR + + %
/(((((((()
WHITE: Koneru Humpy
Position after 32...Rb8c8

33.f5!!

• White again poffers the exchange.

33...fxe5

• Accepting the Rook would shorten Black's agony.
• 33...Nxd6 34.exd6! then:
• 34...exf5 35.d7 Rd8 36.Rd1 Ra7 37.Rxd5 Ke6 38.Rxb5 The connected advanced passers decide.
• If 34...e5 then 35.d7 Rd8 36.Rc5 wins.

34.fxe6+ Kf6 35.Rxd5 Nc7 36.Rd6 Nxe6 37.c7!

• White must play carefully to win.
• If 37.Rd7?! Rc7 then:
• 38.Be7+ Kf5 39.Rxc7 Nxc7 40.Bd6 Ne6 41.Re1 e4 is equal.
• 38.Bd6 Rxd7 39.cxd7 Rd8 40.Rd1 Rxd7 is equal.

37...Kf5 38.Rd7 Ra7

BLACK: Sharma Himanshu
!""""""""#
$ +t+ + +%
$T Pr+ Oo%
$ + +m+ +%
$+o+ Ol+ %
$oB + + +%
$P + + + %
$ P + P P%
$+kR + + %
/(((((((()
WHITE: Koneru Humpy
Position after 38...Ra8a7

39.Bd6!

• White will fight for her prize pawn.

39...Ra6

• Black seems to be entertining thoughts of sacrificing the exchange for the pawn at c7.

40.Re1

• If 40.Rc3 then then the sacrifice 40...Rxd6 fails against 41.Rxd6 when:
• 41...Rxc7 42.Rxc7 Nxc7 43.Rb6.
• 41...g5 42.Rcc6 Nxc7 43.Rd7 wins the Knight.

40...e4 41.Rc1

• If 41.Bg3 Rb6 42.Rd5+ Kg6 43.Rxe4 then:
• 43...h5 44.Rh4 Rb7 45.Rhxh5 wins for White.
• 43...Nxc7 44.Rg4+ Kf6 45.Bh4+ Ke6 46.Rd8 Rxd8 47.Bxd8 puts White on a winning track.

41...h5 42.Bg3 Rb6 43.Rd5+ Kg6

• If 43...Kf6 then after 44.Rxh5 g5 45.Rh7 Kg6 46.Rd7 White wins.

44.h4!

• Black has very little pawn tempi in reserve.

44...b4 45.axb4 Rxb4 46.Rc6 Kf7 47.Rf5+ 1-0

• 47...Ke7 48.Re5 wins the Knight.
• Himanshu Sahib resigns.

[Jack Rabbit]

10. Forminyh - Miroshnichenko, Round 8

Evgenij Miroshnichenko
Photo: Kreuzberg Chess Club (Germany)


Alexander Fominyh - Evgenij Miroshnichenko
2nd Mayor's Cup Open, Round 8
Mumbai, 6 May 2009

East India Game: Queen's Indian Defense (Catalan Opening)

1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 e6 3.c4 b6 4.g3 Ba6 5.Qc2 Bb7 6.Bg2 c5 7.d5!?

• This pawn sacrifice (which we last saw about two months ago in a game won by White will color the rest of the game.
• 7.dxc5 Bxc5 8.Nc3 Be7 9.0-0 0-0 10.e4 d6 11.b3 a6 12.Bb2 Qc7 13.Qe2 Nc6 14.Rfd1 Rfd8 15.Rd2 Rab8 16.Rc1 Ba8 17.Nd5 gives White the advantage in space (Dubini-Belavenets, Soviet Ch, Leningrad, 1934).
• In spite of the outcome of the present game, it would be way too harsh to judge this pawn sacrifice unsound. Nevertheless, it is speculative.

BLACK: Evgenij Miroshnichenko
!""""""""#
$tM WlV T%
$Ob+o+oOo%
$ O +o+ +%
$+ Op+ + %
$ +p+ + +%
$+ + +nP %
$pPq+pPvP%
$RnB K +r%
/(((((((()
WHITE: Alexander Fominyh
Position after 7.d4d5

7...exd5 8.cxd5 Nxd5

• 8...Bxd5 9.Nc3 Bc6 10.e4 d6 11.Bf4 Nh5 12.Be3 Be7 13.0-0-0 Nd7 14.e5 Nxe5 15.Nxe5 Bxg2 gives Black two extra pawns (Gormally-Devereaux, EU Ch, Liverpool, 2006).

9.0-0 Be7 10.Rd1 Nc6

• If 10...Qc8 then:
• If 11.Qf5 Nf6 12.Nc3 then:
• 12...0-0 13.Bg5 d6 14.Qxc8 Rxc8 15.Nb5 Nbd7 16.Nxd6 Bxd6 17.Rxd6 h6 18.Be3 Nf8 is equal (Khalifman-H. Olafsson, Areoflot Op, Moscow, 2008).
• 12...Nc6 13.Bg5 d5 14.Qf4 d4 15.Bxf6 Bxf6 16.Nd5 Bd8 17.e3 Ne7 18.Nxe7 Bxe7 19.exd4 0-0 20.dxc5 bxc5 21.Rac1 a5 22.b3 Ra6 23.Re1 Bf6 is equal (Cheparinov-Kamsky, Grand Prix, Baku, 2008).
• If 11.Bg5 h6 12.Bxe7 Nxe7 13.e4 0-0 14.Nc3 Nbc6 15.Rd2 then:
• 15...Ba6 16.Bh3 Ng6 17.Bxd7 Qb7 18.Rad1 Nge5 19.Nxe5 Nxe5 is equal (Sakaev-Zakhartsov, Russian Ch HL, Krasnoyarsk, 2007).
• 15...Rd8 16.Bh3 Qb8 17.Rad1 Ng6 18.Nb5 Nge5 draw (Ushenina-Javakhishvili, World ChTW, Ekaterininburg, 2007).

11.a3!?

• If 11.Qf5 Nf6 12.e4 g6 13.Qf4 0-0 14.e5 Nh5 then:
• If 15.Qh6 Nd4 16.Nxd4 Bxg2 17.Kxg2 cxd4 18.g4 Rc8 19.Rxd4 Ng7 20.Nc3 f5 21.Qd2 Bc5 22.Rxd7 Qh4 23.Nd5 Qxg4+ 24.Kf1 Qh3+ 25.Kg1 Qg4+ 26.Kf1 Qh3+ 27.Kg1 Qg4+ draw (Aronian-Leko, Tal Mem, Moscow, 2006).
• 15.Qg4 d5 16.exd6 Bxd6 17.Nc3 Qb8 18.Bh6 Re8 19.Qa4 a6 20.Nd5 b5 21.Qh4 Ne7 22.Ne3 Ra7 23.Rd2 Nc6 24.Nf5 Nd4 25.N3xd4 cxd4 26.Nxd6 Qxd6 27.Rxd4 Qe6 28.Bxb7 Rxb7 29.Rad1 is equal (Wang Yue-Rowson, TMatch, Liverpool, 2007).
• 11.Qa4 Nf6 12.Nh4 g6 13.Bh6 Bf8 14.Bxf8 Kxf8 15.Nc3 Kg7 16.Rd6 Na5 17.Qf4 Bxg2 18.Kxg2 h6 19.Ne4 Nxe4 20.Qxe4 Re8 21.Rxg6+ fxg6 22.Qxg6+ Kf8 23.Qxh6+ Ke7 24.Nf5+ Kf7 25.Nd6+ Ke7 26.Rd1 Rf8 27.Rd5 Rf6 28.Qh7+ Kf8 29.Rg5 Black resigns (Aronian-Leko, Amber Rapid, Nice, 2008).

11...Nc7

• White is still looking for compensation for the pawn.
• 11...Nf6 12.e4 0-0 13.Nc3 d6 14.e5 Ne8 15.Bf4 gives White the advantage in space, but Black still has an extra pawn.

12.Nc3 0-0 13.Qf5 Ne6

• If 13...d6 14.e4 Ne6 15.Be3 then:
• If 15...g6 then after 16.Qh3 Bf6 17.Nb5 Qe7 18.Nxd6 Bxb2 Black maintains his extra pawn.
• If 15...Bf6 then 16.Rd2 Ne7 17.Qg4 Qc7 18.Nb5 White at long last wins back the pawn sacrificed on the seventh move.

14.Nd5

• If 14.Qd3 Qb8 then:
• 15.Nd5 then:
• 15...Re8 16.b3 Bd6 17.Bb2 Bc7 18.Nxc7 Qxc7 19.e4 Rad8 Black maintains the pawn plus.
• If 16...Qd8 then:
• 17.Bb2 a5 18.Rac1 a4 19.bxa4 Rxa4 20.Qb3 Ra6 Black still has the pawn.
• 17.Ra2 Rc8 18.Rad2 Na5 19.Rc2 Bxd5 20.Qxd5 Rc6 Black keeps the extra pawn.
• 15...Bd8!? 16.e4 f5 17.exf5 Ned4 18.Nxd4 Nxd4 is equal.

14...d6 15.Be3

• If 15.e4?! Ned4 16.Nxd4 Nxd4 then:
• If 17.Qg4 Bxd5 18.Bh6 Bf6 19.exd5 Qc8 20.Qxc8 Raxc8 Black is better is just about every respect.
• If 17.Qh5 f5 18.Be3 Nc2 19.Rac1 Nxe3 20.fxe3 Bg5 Black maintains his pawn plus, is threatening yet another pawn and has better pawn structure.

15...g6!?

• Weakening the dark squares in fornt of the King wasn't really necessary, but under the circumstances it isn't really harmful.
• If 15...Qe8 16.Qc2 Rd8 then:
• If 17.Qe4 Rd7 18.b4 Bd8 19.Qd3 Ne7 forces White to either exchange or retreat his Knight.
• 17.h3 Ne5 18.Rac1 Bxd5 19.Rxd5 Nd7 Black has an extra pawn and White no good way to get it back.

16.Qb1

• Black's Queen is forced back.
• If 16.Qc2 then after 16...Re8 17.Rd2 Bf8 18.Rad1 Rc8 19.Qd3 Ne5 Black enjoys an extra pawn (still), the advantage in space and more freedom.

16...Re8 17.b4 Bf8 18.Ra2 Bg7 19.Rad2

BLACK: Evgenij Miroshnichenko
!""""""""#
$t+ Wt+l+%
$Ov+ +oVo%
$ OmOm+o+%
$+ On+ + %
$ P + + +%
$P + BnP %
$ + RpPbP%
$+q+r+ K %
/(((((((()
WHITE: Alexander Fominyh
Position after 19.Ra2d2

19...Ncd4!

• White has more space and freedom, so he finds this a good time to open the center.

20.Bxd4 cxd4 21.Ne1 Qd7

• If 21...Rc8 22.Qa2 Ng5 23.Nc2 d3 then:
• If 24.Nce3 dxe2 25.Rxe2 Ne6 then:
• 26.Nf6+ Bxf6 27.Bxb7 Rc7 28.Bg2 Be5 29.Nc4 Nd4 gives White no good way to break Black's grip on the center.
• If 26.Nc4 Bxd5 27.Rxd5 Nd4 28.Rxe8+ Qxe8 then:
• 29.Bf1 Qe7 30.Qb1 b5 31.Ne3 Rc3 maintains the extra pawn.
• 29.Rxd6 Qe7 30.Rxd4 Bxd4 gives Black the exchange.
• 24.Rxd3 Rxe2 25.R3d2 Rxd2 26.Rxd2 Qd7 27.Re2 Ne6 Black has more freedom and yet an extra pawn.

22.Rc2

• 22.Nd3 Rac8 23.Rc2 Bxd5 24.Bxd5 Rc3 25.Bb3 Rec8 Black puts more pressure on Black's queenside.

22...Rac8 23.Rdc1 Bxd5

• If 23...Rxc2 24.Qxc2 Rc8 25.Qd2 then:
• 25...Bxd5 26.Bxd5 Rc3 27.Nc2 Qb5 28.Be4 gives Black more freedom and space -- and that extra pawn.
• If 25...Rxc1?! 26.Qxc1 Bxd5 27.Bxd5 Nc7 then:
• 28.Bc6 Qe6 29.Bf3 Nb5 30.Qc6 Nxa3 31.Qa8+ is equal.
• 28.Bg2?! Nb5 29.Bc6 Qc7 puts a very uncomfortable pin on White.

24.Bxd5 Rc3 25.b5 Rec8 26.Nd3

BLACK: Evgenij Miroshnichenko
!""""""""#
$ +t+ +l+%
$O +w+oVo%
$ O Om+o+%
$+p+b+ + %
$ + O + +%
$P Tn+ P %
$ +r+pP P%
$+qR + K %
/(((((((()
WHITE: Alexander Fominyh
Position after 26.Ne1d3

26...h5!

• Black has an extra pawn, more space and freedom, and a firm grip on the center and queenside. There is nothing more to do than attack the kingside.

27.a4 h4 28.Nb4 R8c5

• Another plan is 28...hxg3 29.hxg3 R8c5 30.Bc6 Qd8 31.Nd3 Rh5 when the attack shifts to the King's wing.

29.Bc6 Qd8 30.Nd5 Rxc2!?

• Better is 30...Ra3 31.Qb4 Rxc2 32.Rxc2 Ra1+ 33.Kg2 h3+ when Black has White caught in a mating net.

31.Rxc2 Qg5 32.Qb3 h3

• If 32...Kf8 33.Nb4 Rc3 34.Rxc3 dxc3 then:
• 35.e3 Qg4 36.h3 Qe2 37.gxh4 Nc5 38.Qd5 c2 is time to turn out the lights.
• If 35.Kg2 then after 35...hxg3 36.hxg3 Qd2 37.e3 Bh6 Black batters away at White's King position.

33.f4 Qd8 34.Kf1

• 34.Nb4 Rc3 35.Qa2 Nc7 36.Bf3 Qe7 37.Qb1 Qe6 gives Black more freedom and he still has an extra pawn.

34...Kf8

• If 34...Nc7 35.Nxc7 Qxc7 then:
• 36.Be4 Qe7 37.Bxg6 Qb7 38.Ke1 Qh1+ 39.Kd2 d5 is equal.
• 36.Qd3 Qe7 37.Qe4 Qe6 38.Qxe6 fxe6 39.Be4 Kf7 Black retains the pawn; White should not exchange Rooks because that would give Black a mobile pawn mass that would become dangerous quickly.

35.Ke1 Qc8 36.Nb4 g5 37.Nd3 Rc3

• If 37...Rxc2 38.Qxc2 gxf4 39.gxf4 Kg8 then:
• If 40.f5 then after 40...Nc5 41.Nxc5 dxc5 42.Qd3 Qc7 43.Qxh3 c4 White gets the pawn back but Black is mobilizing his advanced pawns.
• If 40.Kf1?! then after 40...Bh6 41.Qd2 Nc5 42.Nf2 Qf5 Black still has an extra pawn.

38.Rxc3 dxc3 39.Qd5 gxf4 40.gxf4

• If 40.Nxf4 Be5 41.Nd3 Nc7 42.Qf3 then:
• If 42...Bg7 43.g4 Qe6 44.Qg3 Ke7 45.Qh4+ Qf6 46.Qxh3 Qd4! White wins a pawn.
• If 42...Qe6 43.Qe4 Bg7 44.Nf4 Qxe4 45.Bxe4 then:
• 45...Ke7 46.Kd1 Bh6 47.Nxh3 d5 48.Bc2 Be3 leeps Black's postion strong; the Knight is retrained by the Bishop, the King must make four moves to reach f3 and the d-pawn is free to advance one square.
• 45...Bh6 46.e3 Bxf4 47.gxf4 is equal.

40...Qd8 41.Kd1

• By putting the King closer to the advancing pawn, White improves his chances.
• If 41.e3 then after 41...Qh4+ 42.Nf2 Ke7 43.Qe4 Kd8 44.Qf3 Qe7 the pawn remains a serious threat and nothing is moving against it.

41...Kg8!

• 41...Qe7?! 42.Qf5 Qf6 43.Qxf6 Bxf6 44.e3 Bg7 45.Be4 is equal; the c-pawn can make no further progress for now.

42.Qh5?

• White loses quickly after this.
• 42.e3 Qh4 43.Qf5 Kf8 44.Bf3 Qf6 45.Qxf6 Bxf6 remains equal.

42...Qf6!

• The quickest route to a win for Black is to return the pawn.
• If 42...Nc5 then after 43.Qxh3 Nxa4 44.e4 Nc5 45.Nc1 a6 46.Ne2 White can fight on.

43.Qxh3

• At long last, White has the pawn back. Big deal.

BLACK: Evgenij Miroshnichenko
!""""""""#
$ + + +l+%
$O + +oV %
$ ObOmW +%
$+p+ + + %
$p+ + P +%
$+ On+ +q%
$ + +p+ P%
$+ +k+ + %
/(((((((()
WHITE: Alexander Fominyh
Position after 43.Qh5h3:p

43...Qd4!!

• The Queen sets fire to White's position around her.
• If 43...Nxf4 44.Qc8+ Kh7 45.Be4+ Kh6 then:
• 46.Qg4! Ng6 47.Bxg6 Qxg6 48.Qh4+ equalizes; Black's pawn is stopped.
• If 46.e3? Ne6 47.Ke2 Qg5 48.Nf2 d5 49.h4 Qe7 strengthens Black position.

44.Ke1 Qg1+ 45.Qf1 Qxf1+ 46.Kxf1 0-1

• After 46...c2 47.f5 Nc5 48.Nc1 Bh6 the Knight gives way.
• Fominyh resigns.

[Jack Rabbit]

11. Panchanathan - Anup, Round 6

Magesh Chandran Panchanathan
Photo: ChessBase.com


Magesh Chandran Panchanathan - Deshmukh Anup
2nd Mayor's Cup Open, Round 6
Mumbai, 5 May 2009

Symmetrical English Game: Catalan Four Knights' Opening

1.Nf3 Nf6 2.g3 c5 3.Bg2 h5!?

• That's a quick way to get out of the book.
• This move is not recommended. It makes no pretense of doing anything for development or to fortify the center.

4.c4 Nc6 5.Nc3 Nd4?!

• Black is obviously intending to exchange pieces here, which could be seen as a poor reflection on his third move. Is he really so hard up for space already that he needs to exchange minor pieces?
• 5...e6 6.0-0 d5 7.d3 d4 8.Ne4 Be7 gives Black better prostects at quick, normal development.

6.e3 Nxf3+ 7.Bxf3 h4 8.g4!

• This is far and away the best choice. White keeps the kingside closed and will castle there.

8...g6 9.d4 Bg7

• 9...cxd4 10.exd4 d6 11.g5 Nd7 12.0-0 Bg7 13.Be3 gives White the advantage in space (Black has almost no space at all).

10.dxc5 Qa5

• This is Black's best bid to get into the game, but he is badly lagging in development.

11.Qd4!

• White makes good use of the Queen, defending everything.

11...0-0

• Black's position is already serious and moving toward critical.
• 11...Nh5 12.Qd2 Bxc3 13.Qxc3 Qxc3+ 14.bxc3 Ng7 15.Rb1 gives White an extra pawn and superior development.

12.Bd2 Nh7 13.Qd5 e6?

• Until the text move, Black still had time to advance the d-pawn and develop teh Queen's Bishop. Now, all is lost.
• If 13...Qa6 14.Rd1 Rd8 15.Bg2 then:
• If 15...d6 16.cxd6 Rxd6 17.Qb5 Bxc3 then:
• 18.Bxc3 Rxd1+ 19.Kxd1 Bxg4+ 20.Kc1 Qxa2 21.Qe5 f6 is equal.
• If 18.Qe8+?! Nf8 then:
• 19.bxc3 Rd7 is equal.
• 19.Bxc3? Rxd1+ 20.Kxd1 Bxg4+!! wins the Queen.
• 15...Nf6 16.Qe5 Qe6 17.Qxe6 fxe6 18.g5 Nh7 19.f4 gives White more freedom.

BLACK: Deshmukh Anup
!""""""""#
$t+v+ Tl+%
$Oo+o+oVm%
$ + +o+ +%
$W Pq+ + %
$ +p+ +pO%
$+ N Pb+ %
$pP B P P%
$R + K +r%
/(((((((()
WHITE: Magesh Chandran Panchanathan
Position after 13...e7e6

14.Qd6!

• The Bishop and Rook will take no part in the game. White is effectively two pieces to the good.

14...Qb4 15.0-0 Qxb2

• The Queen seals its own doom, but any other move loses, too.
• If 15...Ng5 16.Bg2 h3 17.Bh1 then:
• If 17...Qxc4 18.f4 Bxc3 19.Bxc3 then:
• 19...Ne4 20.Bxe4 Qxe4 21.Rf2 b6 22.Qe5 forces Black to exchange his only developed piece.
• 19...Nh7? 20.Rf3 Qd5 21.Qe7 Qd3 22.Rxh3 Black is crushed.
• 17...Qxb2 18.Rab1 Qa3 19.Rb3 Qa5 20.f4 Nh7 21.e4 Black is badly cramped.

16.Rab1 Qa3 17.Rb3 Qa5 18.Nb5 Qxa2

• 18...Qd8 19.Nc7 Rb8 20.Ne8 Ra8 21.Nxg7 Qf6 22.Bg2 gives White a won game.

19.Qd3 a6

• If 19...Ng5 then:
• If 20.Bg2 h3 21.Bh1 then:
• 21...a6 22.Nd4 e5 23.Ra3 Qb2 24.Rb1 wins the Queen.
• 21...f5 22.Ra3 Qb2 23.gxf5 Rxf5 24.Nd4 Rxc5 25.Rb1 wins the Queen.
• If 20.Bh1 f5 21.gxf5 Rxf5 22.Ra3 Qb2 then:
• 23.f4 Nf7 24.Nd4 Bxd4 25.exd4 e5 26.dxe5 Black's pieces are badly uncoordinated.
• 23.Rb1! Qf6 24.f4 Rxc5 25.Bb4 Rxb5 26.cxb5 opens the center while White enjoys far better development.

20.Ra3! Qb2

BLACK: Deshmukh Anup
!""""""""#
$t+v+ Tl+%
$+o+o+oVm%
$o+ +o+o+%
$+nP + + %
$ +p+ +pO%
$R +qPb+ %
$ W + P P%
$+ + +rK %
/(((((((()
WHITE: Magesh Chandran Panchanathan
Position after 20...Qa2b2

21.Nd4!!

• The gatehouse has been erected on the Queen's escape route.

21...Bxd4 22.exd4 e5 23.Be3!

• The guard rail is lowered. There is no escape.

23...exd4 24.Bxd4 Qb4 25.Rb1 1-0

• The Black Queen is trapped.
• Anup Sahib resigns.

[Jack Rabbit]

13. Updates (Wednesday)

Akobian, Shulman lead US Championship; Illness Forces Out Zatonskih



Defending champion Yury Shulman, who is originally from Belarus, and grandmaster Var Akobian, who is originally from Armenia, are tied for first place with 4½ points each after six rounds of the 2009 US Championship in St. Louis.

Akobian and Shulman faced off on the top board today and drew each other in 33 moves.

Six players are tied for third place with 4 points: Gata Kamsky, the highest rated player in the US; Hikaru Nakamura; Josh Friedel; former two-time champion Alex Onischuk; veteran Joel Benjamin; and 17-year-old high school football player Robert Hess.

Reigning US women's champion Anna Zatonskih had to withdraw from the tounament after two rounds when she became ill Saturday night and was hospitalized. She is in good health and has been released from the hospital. The USCF got FM Doug Eckhardt to replace her by Monday.


Annual IT in Sarajevo Begins; Eljanov Leads at half-way point



Sarajevo
Photo: MARRI-rc.org

The 39th annual international tournament in Sarajevo, a double round robin among six players sponsored by the Bosna Chess Club, began Friday and has now completed five of the scheduled ten rounds with Ukrainian grandmaster Pavel Eljanov holding a one-point lead over Bosian GM Borki Predojevic.

Eljanov has won three of his five games and drawn the other two for a total of four points.

Sergei Movsesian of Slovenia is in third place with 2½ points.


MTel Masters Underway in Sofia



The fourth annual MTel Masters Tournament, a double round robin among six elite players, began today in Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria, with defending champion Vassily Ivanchuk and local favorite Veselin Topalov getting off to a bad start.

Ivanchuk, playing White, dropped his game against Spanish/Latvian grandmaster Alexei Shirov in just 24 moves while 18-year-old Magnus Carlsen of Norway neatly defeated Topalov in 36 moves. Today's only other game, between China's Wang Yue and Leinier Domínguez of Cuba, ended in a draw.


Asian Continental Championships Begin in the Philippines



The Eighth annual Asian Continental Championships began today in Subic Freeport in the Philippines.

The tournament consists of two competitions. The general competion is an open Swiss system tournament featuring 85 men and boys and 15-year-old grandmaster Hou Yifan of China, the world's third ranked woman player. Forty-five other women are competing in the women's competition, also a Swiss system event.