Clear Leaders

The third round of Tata Steel Chess saw new leaders. Aleksey Dreev won third straight win to seize the lead in the Challenger's section, while Fabiano Caruana was lucky enough (and very stubborn)to flip a worse position into a win:

[Event "Tata Steel Chess- Masters"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2016.01.18"]
[Round "3.5"]
[White "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Black "Adams, Michael"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2787"]
[BlackElo "2744"]
[Annotator "Bojkov, Dejan"]
[PlyCount "127"]
[EventDate "2016.??.??"]
[WhiteClock "0:18:28"]
[BlackClock "0:28:49"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Nf3 b6 5. e3 Bb7 6. Bd3 O-O 7. O-O d5 {
Diagram [#] The Nimtzo-Indian defense had served well the English top GM, but
this particular line had rarely occurred in his games. Here he deviates from
his early predecessor} (7... c5 8. Na4 cxd4 9. a3 Bd6 10. exd4 Bxf3 11. Qxf3
Nc6 12. Be3 e5 13. c5 exd4 14. cxd6 dxe3 15. Qxe3 Re8 {as in Arnaudov,P (2471)
-Adams,M (2720) Eilat 2012}) 8. cxd5 exd5 9. Ne5 Nbd7 10. f4 c5 11. Ne2 c4 ({
Black can also capture on d4} 11... cxd4 12. exd4 Be7 13. Be3 Ne4 14. Rc1 Ndf6
{which leads to slightly passive, but defendable position, Lysyj,I (2684)
-Efimenko,Z (2641) Bilbao 2014}) 12. Bf5 {After seven minutes of thought Adams
came with a strong novelty} g6 $146 {Diagram [#]} ({Prior to this game Black
had only tested} 12... b5 13. b3 (13. a4 $5) 13... Nb6 14. Rb1 Qd6 15. Ng3 Rfe8
{with unclear game, Gschnitzer,O (2475)-Piskov,Y (2520) Germany 1993}) {
Caruana sank into deep thought and came up with} 13. Qa4 {This looks dubious
to me. White's hopes of an advantage will be most likely connected with the
retreat} (13. Bc2) 13... gxf5 14. Qxb4 Ne4 {[%csl Ge4,Ye5][%cal Yf7f6] Diagram
[#] As a result we have a situation similar to the game Bok-L'Ami from
yesterday. The knight on e4 is the king of the board, while the one on e5 will
soon have to step back after f7-f6.} 15. a4 f6 16. Nf3 ({Black's play is very
easy after} 16. Nxd7 Qxd7 {but objectively speaking this might have been
stronger than the text move.}) 16... Nb8 $1 {[%csl Rb3,Rd3][%cal Gb8c6,Gc6a5,
Ga5b3,Rc6b4,Rb4d3] Diagram [#] The second knight is heading towards the d3 or
b3 outposts via b4 or a5 squares. The opening was huge success for Adams who
firmly took command of the game.} 17. Qe1 Nc6 18. Bd2 Kh8 {The only place
where White can show some activity is the king's flank., but Black can also
make good use of the half-open "g" file.} 19. Nh4 Qd7 20. Nc3 Rae8 {Adams
wants to keep the e4 square available for his pieces. Another idea was:} (20...
Nb4 21. Nxe4 Nd3 ({Rather than} 21... Nc2 22. Qd1 Nxa1 23. Ng3 Nb3 24. Bb4 {
when the white light pieces come into life.}) 22. Nxf6 (22. Qe2 fxe4) 22...
Rxf6 23. Qe2 Re8 {when Black will return the pawn with some advantage} 24. Bc3
Qe6) 21. Nxe4 Rxe4 22. Qd1 Rg8 {With the idea Rg8-g4.} 23. Qh5 {Caruana did
great under the circumstances and created his own play on the kingside. Still,
it should not be sufficient for full equality.} Bc8 24. Rf3 Qe8 25. Qh6 {
Places the queen in a very dangerous position.} ({The endgame deprives White
of his attacking chances.} 25. Qxe8 Rgxe8) 25... Qf7 {Adams intends Nc6-e7,
Rg8-g7(g4) and Ne7-g8 to trap the queen.} 26. b4 $1 {[%cal Rd2b4,Rb4f8,Yb4b5,
Gc1c8] Diagram [#] Caruana secures some squares for his dark-squared bishop as
otherwise Black can simply play a7-a5 in a certain moment.} (26. Rg3 Ne7 27.
Nf3 Rg4 {is good for Black.}) 26... Ne7 ({Perhaps} 26... cxb3 27. Rh3 (27. Rc1
Bd7) 27... Bd7 28. Rb1 Ne7 29. Rxb3 Rg7 {was simpler and better.}) 27. Rh3 Rg4
{Adams had an interesting idea instead:} (27... c3 $1 {with the tactical point}
28. Bxc3 $2 ({Objectively best according to the computer is} 28. Bc1 {where
the bishop is obviously badly misplaced.}) ({Black is clearly better after} 28.
Be1 Rg4 29. Nf3 Bd7 {Prepares the capture on e3.} ({But not the hasty} 29...
Rxe3 $2 30. Ng5 $1 Rxe1+ 31. Rxe1 fxg5 32. Rxc3 $18 {when all of a sudden
Black can not adequately meet the threats Rc3-c7 and Re1xe8+.}) 30. Rc1 (30.
Bf2 Be8 31. Rg3 Ng8 32. Qh3 Qe7 $17) 30... Rxe3 31. Ng5 Rxe1+ 32. Rxe1 fxg5)
28... Rg4 29. Nf3 Ng8 30. Qh5 Qxh5 31. Rxh5 Rxe3 {[%csl Yc3,Yf3][%cal Re3c3,
Re3f3] Diagram [#] and double attack against the light pieces wins one of them.
}) (27... Rg7 {was not bad neither.}) 28. Nf3 Bd7 29. Kf2 Be8 {Instead Black
was clearly better after} (29... Ng8 $1 30. Qh5 Qg7 31. Rg3 Nh6 {Diagram [#]
With the threat, say} 32. b5 Rxg3 33. hxg3 Ng4+ 34. Ke2 c3 $1 {and wins.}) 30.
Rg3 Ng8 31. Qh3 Bd7 ({Here} 31... Qg7 32. Ng1 Nh6 {is not as effective due to}
33. Ne2) 32. b5 {The idea behind the b2-b4 move is revealed. The bishop can
finally breath.} Re8 33. Ng1 $1 {[%cal Gg1e2,Ge2c3,Rd2b4,Gg3f3] Diagram [#] A
nice regroupment by White. He intends Bd2-b4 as well as Ng1-e2-c3. More
importantly- he opened the f3 square for his rook.} a5 ({If Black tries to
reroute his knight to e4 with} 33... Ne7 34. Ne2 Nc8 {then} 35. Bb4 {comes
just in time.}) ({Similar is} 33... Ra8 34. Ne2 a6) 34. bxa6 Ra8 35. Ne2 Rxa6
36. Bb4 Kg7 ({The black king migth be vulnerable as the following line shows}
36... b5 37. a5 Ne7 38. Rb1 Nc6 39. Be1 b4 40. Bxb4 Nxb4 41. Rxb4 Rxa5 42. Rxg4
fxg4 43. Qh6 $16) (36... h5 37. Nc3) ({Perhaps it was time to secure half a
point with} 36... Rxa4 37. Rxa4 Rxg3 38. Nxg3 Bxa4 39. Qxf5 $11 {Diagram [#]})
37. Nc3 h5 38. Kg1 {Opens the road for the kingside rook.} (38. Rf3 {at one
was more precise.}) 38... Nh6 $6 {After this the white rook gets back into
play and tables are turned into Caruana's favour. There was better idea:} (
38... Ne7 {Diagram [#]} 39. Bxe7 (39. Rf3 Nc6) 39... Qxe7 {When tactics seem
to work for Black} 40. Nxd5 (40. Qxh5 $2 Rxg3 41. hxg3 Qxe3+) 40... Qe4 41. Nc3
Qc2 42. e4 b5 $1 {and it seems as Black is happier thanks to his more active
queen.}) 39. Rf3 $1 {Now that the rook comes out of the prison it becomes
clear that the one on g4 is lost in the translation.} Ra8 40. Rf2 Kh7 41. Qf3 {
[%csl Yb6,Yd5,Yf5,Yh5][%cal Gf3d5,Rf2b2,Ra1b1,Rb1b6] Diagram [#] It was not
only the rook that came into the game...} Bc6 42. Rb2 h4 43. Ba3 {Black has
too many things to worry about- b6, d5, f5 and h4 pawns are too weak.} Rag8 (
43... Bxa4 44. Qxd5 $16) 44. Kh1 Ba8 45. Rg1 Qe6 46. Rb5 R4g7 47. Bc1 $1 {
[%csl Yh4][%cal Gc1d2,Gd2e1,Ge1f2] Diagram [#] The bishop looked active on a3,
but on e1 it will become and effective piece.} Rg6 48. Bd2 R8g7 49. Rb2 Nf7 50.
h3 {The weaknesses can no longer be held.} Rg3 (50... Nh6 51. Be1 $1) (50...
Rh6 51. Rgb1 $1) 51. Qh5+ Nh6 52. Qxh4 Qg8 53. Be1 R3g6 54. Qh5 {[%csl Yb6,Yd5,
Yf5,Rh6,Rh7] Diagram [#]} ({White could have taken the pawn at once, but
Caruana knows it has nowhere to go} 54. Rxb6 Rxg2 55. Rxg2 Rxg2 56. Bf2) 54...
Re7 55. Bf2 Reg7 56. Qf3 Qd8 57. Bh4 Qd6 58. Rgb1 {Diagram [#] It is amazing
how quickly Black's promising position detoriated...} Qa3 59. Be1 Qe7 60. g3
Nf7 61. Rxb6 Rh6 62. Ra6 Qe8 63. Kg2 Qc8 64. Rbb6 1-0

Report.

Ivanchuk Goes Home

Dmitry Jakovenko's first classical win at round 3 of the World Cup came in the best possible moment. The Russian GM managed to defeat the legend of the Ukrainian chess- Vassily Ivanchuk.

[Event "FIDE World Chess Cup"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2015.09.18"]
[Round "20.10"]
[White "Jakovenko, Dmitry"]
[Black "Ivanchuk, Vassily"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2748"]
[BlackElo "2726"]
[Annotator "Bojkov, Dejan"]
[PlyCount "69"]
[EventDate "2015.??.??"]
[WhiteClock "0:19:12"]
[BlackClock "0:31:05"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. h3 O-O 6. Nf3 a6 {Diagram [#]
Ivanchuk chose a rare line which Jakovenko had analyzed long time ago, but
could not remember his preparation.} 7. Bd3 c6 8. O-O b5 ({Another way for
Black to play is} 8... Nfd7 9. Bg5 h6 10. Be3 b5 11. Qd2 Kh7 12. Rac1 e5 {as
in Khairullin,I (2642)-Onischuk,V (2563) Khanty-Mansiysk 2012}) 9. Re1 {Solid
play.} Nbd7 ({The only thing Jakovenko remembered about his prep was that the
line} 9... bxc4 10. Bxc4 d5 11. Bd3 {is considered slightly better for White.})
10. Bg5 h6 {Jakovenko was a bit afraid of the line} (10... bxc4 11. Bxc4 c5 {
but the brief after-game analyzes revealed that White is better after} 12. e5
cxd4 13. exf6 exf6 14. Nxd4 fxg5 15. Bd5 ({Or} 15. Nc6)) 11. Be3 bxc4 $146 {
Diagram [#] A novelty.} ({A predecessor saw} 11... Nb6 12. b3 Nfd7 13. Rc1 b4
14. Ne2 {when White is very stable and enjoys extra space and stronger center,
Grivas,E (2499)-Sigalas,F (2069) Chania 2000}) 12. Bxc4 d5 13. Bd3 dxe4 14.
Nxe4 {[%csl Rc5,Yc6] Diagram [#] Black freed himself a bit, but the problems
with the weak pawn on c6 and the weak c5 square remain. This is probably the
great difficulty of the whole line,White does not even have to do anything to
get better position.} Nd5 ({On} 14... Bb7 {White was planning} 15. Rc1 {
followed by Ne4-c5 with an edge.}) 15. Bd2 Qb6 16. b4 ({On} 16. Qa4 {Jakovenko
was afraid that Ivanchuk may free himself with} c5 (16... a5 {might be better.}
) {but the analyzes show that White has} 17. Qc4 Bb7 18. Nxc5 Nxc5 19. dxc5 {
just winning a pawn.}) 16... Nxb4 {Jakovenko did not analyze this move
seriously as he had explain after the game that he has a special feelings for
the queens.} 17. Rb1 a5 ({Better than} 17... Nxd3 18. Rxb6 Nxb6 19. Re3 Nf4 20.
Nc5 {when White can use the a5 square later.}) 18. a3 Nxd3 19. Rxb6 Nxb6 {[%csl
Ya8,Yb6,Yc6,Gd1] Diagram [#]} 20. Re3 ({At first White wanted to play} 20. Re2
{but he did not like} Nd5 (20... Nc4 21. Bxh6 Bxh6 22. Qxd3 Ba6) (20... Ba6 $5
{was dismissed by White but might not be bad at all after} 21. Bxa5 Nd5 {with
counterplay.} (21... Nc4 22. Bb4)) 21. Nc3 Nxc3 22. Bxc3 Nf4 {and the black
knight lands on d5.}) 20... Nb2 21. Qc1 N2c4 22. Rc3 Nxd2 23. Qxd2 {For the
queen Ivanchuk has enough material- a rook, a bishop and a pawn. However, his
pieces are not yet co-ordinated and he has problems.} Rd8 24. Qe1 ({Better than
} 24. Rxc6 Bb7 25. Rxb6 Bxe4 $11) 24... Nd5 25. Rxc6 Bb7 26. Rc5 Nf4 ({
Jakovenko believed Black's best chance is} 26... a4 {Diagram [#]} 27. Qb1 Ba6
28. Ne5 Rab8 29. Qc1 $16 {alhtough White dominates with his central pieces.})
27. Rc7 Rab8 {A crtical moment of the battle. Now Ivanchuk had the very nice
tactical idea} (27... Rac8 $1 {Diagram [#] and if} 28. Rxb7 ({White can also
be tricky with} 28. Rxe7 Rc1 29. Nf6+ $1 {Now the rook covers the e2 square,
but Black has decent chances to survive after} Bxf6 30. Qxc1 Nxh3+ 31. gxh3
Bxe7) 28... Rc1 29. Qxc1 Ne2+ {leads to a draw.}) 28. Rxe7 Nd5 29. Rxb7 $1 ({
The forced line} 29. Rxf7 Kxf7 30. Neg5+ hxg5 31. Nxg5+ {Diagram [#] leads
only to draw after} Kg8 $1 (31... Kf8 $2 32. Qe6 {is mate}) 32. Qe6+ Kh8 33.
Qxg6 Nf6 34. Nf7+ Kg8 35. Nh6+ $11 {Jakovenko.}) 29... Rxb7 30. Qxa5 Rbb8 {One
advantage was transformed into another. The queen and the pawn are superior as
they have the strong support of the white knights. This allows White a chance
to attack on the kingside.} ({Perhaps Black needed to defend the seventh rank
with} 30... Rc7 31. Ne5 $16) 31. Ne5 Ra8 32. Qc5 Rac8 ({Or} 32... Bf8 33. Qc4
Bxa3 (33... Rac8 34. Nc5) 34. Nf6+ Nxf6 35. Qxf7+ {and White wins (Jakovenko).}
) (32... Nf6 {to relief the pressure from the white knights was another try.})
33. Qa7 Rc1+ {Once that the rooks get separated, the game is over.} 34. Kh2 Nc7
35. Nc5 {Diagram [#]} ({Ivanchuk resigned due to the line} 35. Nc5 Bxe5+ 36.
dxe5 Rd5 37. Ne4 $1 Rxe5 38. Qb8+ ({Even better than} 38. Qd4 {(Sutovsky)
which also wins.}) 38... Kg7 (38... Kh7 39. Nf6+ Kg7 40. Nd7 $18) 39. Qb2 $18 {
with decisive attack.}) 1-0

Report.

Gamble

Pavel Eljanov made a decisive step towards qualification in the next round at his game against Alexander Grischuk at round three of the World Cup in Baku. The Ukrainian Grandmaster was the only player to win his game with the black pieces and remains the only player with perfect score in the classical chess 5/5! Both players gambled, but Eljanov got luckier.

[Event "FIDE World Chess Cup"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2015.09.17"]
[Round "19.7"]
[White "Grischuk, Alexander"]
[Black "Eljanov, Pavel"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2771"]
[BlackElo "2723"]
[Annotator "Bojkov, Dejan"]
[PlyCount "112"]
[EventDate "2015.??.??"]
[WhiteClock "0:00:33"]
[BlackClock "0:05:54"]

1. c4 Nf6 2. Nf3 e6 3. g3 d5 4. Bg2 dxc4 5. Qa4+ Nbd7 6. Qxc4 c5 7. O-O b6 8.
Nc3 Bb7 9. d4 {Diagram [#] From the Reti the game transposes into the Catalan.}
Rc8 {Eljanov had played this line back in 2004. At the Olympiad he chose
instead} (9... a6 10. dxc5 Bxc5 11. Bg5 O-O 12. Rad1 Qc8 13. Qf4 h6 14. Bxf6
Nxf6 {with approximate equality in Harikrishna,P (2612)-Eljanov,P (2629)
Mallorca 2004}) 10. Qd3 $146 {A novelty. White is usually fighting for the
advantage with} ({Relevant:} 10. Bg5 cxd4 11. Qxd4 Bc5 12. Qh4 O-O 13. Rad1 Qe8
14. e4 {as in Andreikin,D (2580)-Vitiugov,N (2617) Plovdiv 2008}) 10... cxd4 {
Simple and good. Black trades a pair of light pieces and finishes the
development.} 11. Nxd4 Bxg2 12. Kxg2 Bb4 $5 {Diagram [#] An interesting idea.
Instead} (12... Bc5 13. Ndb5 a6 14. Nd6+ Bxd6 15. Qxd6 {would have transposed
to the game.}) 13. Ndb5 (13. Bd2 O-O {promises nothing at all for White.})
13... a6 {After some hesitation Eljanov decided to go to passive defense. He
could have gone for complications instead, seemingly favorable for him:} (13...
O-O $5 {with the idea} 14. Nxa7 (14. Bf4 a6 15. Nd6 Rc6 $11) (14. Rd1 a6 15.
Nd6 Rc6 (15... Bxc3 16. bxc3) 16. Nde4 Qa8 $11) 14... Bxc3 15. Nxc8 (15. bxc3
Rc5 16. Nb5 Qa8+ 17. f3 Ne5 18. Qb1 Qa4 19. Nd6 Qc6 {is great for Black.})
15... Be5 {when the white night is trapped. True, the position after} 16. f4
Bb8 17. Nd6 Nc5 18. Nxf7 Qxd3 19. exd3 Kxf7 20. Be3 {is not clear at all.}) 14.
Nd6+ Bxd6 15. Qxd6 Qe7 {Now White is a bit better, but the symmetrical
character of the positions should not allow much to him.} 16. Qd3 b5 17. Bf4 e5
18. Bg5 h6 19. Nd5 Qe6 20. Bxf6 Nxf6 21. Nxf6+ Qxf6 22. Qa3 {[%cal Ra3f8]
Diagram [#] Grischuk squeezed the maximum of the position and kept the black
king in the middle for the time being. But Black's defensive resources are
good enough to keep the balance.} Rc2 23. b3 {White would be happy to try and
win the open file, but} (23. Rac1 {is strongly met with} Qc6+ {when} 24. Qf3
Rxc1 25. Rxc1 Qxc1 26. Qa8+ Ke7 27. Qxh8 Qxb2 28. Qxg7 {Diagram [#] is equal.})
({Perhaps} 23. Rad1 $5 {was more interesting with the tactical idea} Rxe2 $2 (
{However Black can defend with} 23... Qc6+ $1 24. Kg1 Rc5 {[%cal Gc4c5,Ra3c5,
Ye8g8] Diagram [#] followed by 0-0.}) 24. Qd3 {and White wins a rook.}) 23...
Qc6+ 24. Kg1 Qc5 $1 {Nicely played! With all the heavy pieces on board king's
safety is top priority. Eljanov will compensate the pawn with activity.} 25.
Qxa6 O-O 26. a4 {Grischuk gives back the pawn but creates a passer immediately
as} (26. e3 b4 {blocks the white pawns.}) 26... Rxe2 27. a5 e4 {[%csl Ra5,Yg1]
[%cal Ge4e3,Ra4a5] Diagram [#] King's safety, remember? The threat is e4-e3,
White is forced to trade rooks.} 28. Rae1 Rxe1 29. Rxe1 f5 {The same policy,
f5-f4 is coming, the white king will be opened and Black can count on
perpetual check (at least).} 30. Qe6+ Kh7 31. Rd1 Rf6 32. Qd5 Qc2 (32... Qb4 $5
{might have been more subtle, with the idea} 33. Ra1 Qc3 34. Ra2 e3 35. a6 Qe1+
36. Kg2 e2 37. Rxe2 Qxe2 38. a7 Rf8 39. a8=Q Rxa8 40. Qxa8 $11 {Diagram [#]})
33. Rd2 Qc3 34. Ra2 Qe1+ {Eljanov is confident in his heavy pieces and
believes that the attack should be more important than a new white queen
coming on a8.} (34... e3 {would transpose to the above-mentioned line.}) 35. Kg2
f4 36. a6 {The culmination of the battle. One can be certain that time
trouble was involved when it comes to Grischuk.} f3+ 37. Kh3 Rg6 $2 {A blunder!
} ({It was time to force a draw with} 37... e3 $1 38. Qe4+ ({Or} 38. a7 exf2
39. Rxf2 Qxf2 40. a8=Q Qg2+ 41. Kg4 Rg6+ 42. Kf4 Rf6+ $11 {Diagram [#] as if}
43. Ke3 $2 Qe2+ 44. Kd4 f2 {wins for Black.}) 38... Rg6 39. Qxf3 exf2 40. Rxf2
Rxa6 41. Qf5+ Rg6) ({On the other hand bad was} 37... Qf1+ 38. Kh4 {when the
king escapes and White wins after} g5+ (38... Rg6 39. a7 Qg2 40. h3 $18) 39.
Kg4 h5+ 40. Kxg5) 38. Kh4 $2 {Grischuk returns the favor!} ({It seemd as Black
ia mating after} 38. a7 Qh1 {but White has} 39. Qf5 {[%cal Rf5h3] Diagram [#]}
Qg2+ 40. Kh4 Qxh2+ 41. Qh3 {and wins!}) 38... Qb4 {Once more Black was OK after
} (38... Rg5 39. Qd4 Qb1 {(Go find this move even without the time trouble...)}
) ({Or} 38... e3 {with similar line as above.} 39. Qxf3 exf2 40. Rxf2 Rxa6) 39.
Kh3 {With seconds on the clock Grischuk errs last.} (39. Qf5 $1 {[%csl Yg6]
[%cal Rh4h5,Rf5h7] Diagram [#] would have won instead. For example} Qxb3 (39...
e3+ 40. Kh5 $1) 40. Ra1 $1 {Better than} (40. Kh5 Qxa2 41. Qxg6+ Kh8 42. Qe8+
Kh7 43. Qxe4+ Kg8) 40... Qc3 41. Kh5 Qxa1 42. Qxg6+ Kh8 43. Qe8+ Kh7 44. Qxe4+
Kh8 45. Qb7 {when the white king will escape the checks.}) 39... Rg5 $1 40. Qf7
Qc5 {Move fourty missed a clear-cut win.} (40... Qe1 {with the threat
Qe1-h1-g2+ and mate on h2.} 41. Kh4 (41. a7 {does not help due to} Qh1 42. Qg8+
$1 {The last chance} Kxg8 43. a8=Q+ Kh7 44. Qxe4+ Rg6 45. Qf5 h5 $1) 41... Qb1
$3 {[%csl Rh4][%cal Rb3b4,Gc1c4] Diagram [#] What is the idea of this move? To.
..lure the white pawn to b4!!!} (41... Qc1 42. Qe8 Rg6 43. Qe5 {is defendable
for White.}) 42. b4 ({If the rook moves from the second rank} 42. Ra5 Qg1 {
lead to mate} 43. h3 Qxf2) 42... Qc1 43. Qe8 Qc4 {with the deadly threat
e4-e3+!}) 41. g4 Qc1 42. a7 h5 $1 {Eljanov's threats are still huge and
Grischuk has to part with his queen.} 43. Qxh5+ $1 {The best chance. Or else
Black wins after} (43. a8=Q Qf1+ 44. Kh4 Rxg4+ 45. Kxh5 Qh3# {Diagram [#]}) (
43. Qg8+ Kxg8 44. a8=Q+ Kh7 45. Qxe4+ Kh6 $1) 43... Rxh5+ 44. gxh5 Qc8+ 45. Kg3
Qa8 46. Ra6 {Both the black queen and king are arrested and this looks like a
fortress.} Kg8 47. b4 Kf8 48. Kf4 Ke7 (48... Ke8 49. h6 $1) 49. Ke3 {The last
mistake. Now the black king comes out and Black wins. Correct was} (49. h6 $1 {
Diagram [#]} gxh6 50. Rxh6 e3 ({The plan from the game would not work here}
50... Kd7 51. Ra6 Kc7 52. Ke3 Kb7 53. Ra5 Kc6 54. h4 Kd6 55. h5 $11) 51. Rh7+
Kf6 52. Kxe3 {and this seems like a draw, although Black can definitely try to
win further.}) 49... Kd7 50. Kd4 Kc7 51. Ke3 Kb7 52. Ra5 Kb6 53. Ra3 Kc6 54.
Ra5 Kd6 55. Kd4 {Leads to mate but otherwise White will sooner or later get
into zugzwang and allow the black king in} (55. h4 Ke6 56. Kf4 Kd5 57. Rxb5+
Kd4 58. Ra5 Kc3) 55... Qd5+ 56. Ke3 Ke5 {[%csl Ye3][%cal Rd5d3] Diagram [#]
Mate on d3 is coming. Caissa smiled to the brave Eljanov today!} 0-1

Report.

Out of Shape

Round three of the Norway Chess proved two things:
1) Being a host is not definitely not an advantage at chess. Actually, it is most certainly disadvantage in our sport.
2) Carlsen is not at his greatest chess form ever.
The world champion achieved completely won position but spoiled everything by missing a spectacular. On the other hand, one of the spectators in the tournament hall saw it at once. His name- Garry Kasparov.

[Event "Norway Chess"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2015.06.18"]
[Round "3.3"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Giri, Anish"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2876"]
[BlackElo "2773"]
[Annotator "Bojkov, Dejan"]
[PlyCount "152"]
[EventDate "2015.??.??"]
[WhiteClock "0:29:13"]
[BlackClock "0:19:31"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 {A small surprise. Giri usually opts for 2...e6 of lately.}
3. Bb5+ {Diagram [#] The Moscow line has been used by the world champion
before, but it is curious to know what did the Dutchman prepare against the
main lines?} Nd7 4. c3 Ngf6 5. Qe2 a6 6. Ba4 b5 7. Bc2 e6 8. d4 Bb7 9. O-O Be7
10. Re1 ({Another option is} 10. a4 O-O 11. e5 $5 dxe5 12. dxe5 Bxf3 13. gxf3
Nd5 14. f4 {Svidler,P (2732)-Grischuk,A (2797) Baku 2014}) 10... O-O 11. Nbd2
cxd4 12. cxd4 Rc8 $146 {Diagram [#] A novelty. Giri decided to occupy the open
file with his "a" rook. Previously Black had done this only with his f rook-} (
12... Qc7 13. Nf1 Rfc8 14. Bd3 b4 15. Ng3 a5 {Indeed, the rook is useful on
the a file, enabling Black a chance to trade the light-squared bishop via the
a6 square, Rasik,V (2437)-Laznicka,V (2667) Czechia 2015}) 13. Nf1 {White
finishes the development and looks for a good moment to advance his central
pawns. This will open the road of his pieces towards the black king.} Re8 14.
Ng3 Bf8 15. Be3 (15. a4 $5 {is interesting in order to weaken the black
queenside pawns and make use of the fact that the rook is not on a8.}) 15...
Rc7 $6 {[%csl Ra8,Re4][%cal Gd8a8,Ye8c8,Rb7e4,Ra1a8] Diagram [#] Giri decided
to regroup in a hedgehog way (Qd8-a8, followed by Re8-c8) but later realized
that this is simply not good.} (15... Nb6 {instead would be about equal.}) 16.
Bd3 {A typical Ruy Lopez idea, which prepares the a2-a4 advance.} (16. Rad1 Qa8
17. Bc1 Rec8 18. Bd3 {was suggested by Black at the press-conference as good
for his opponent. But there is no reason to move the rook away from the "a"
file.}) (16. a4 {at once was again makes sense} b4 17. a5 Qa8 18. Rec1 Rec8 ({
The point is that the e4 pawn is untouchable} 18... Nxe4 $2 19. Bxe4 Rxc1+ 20.
Bxc1 $18) 19. Bd3 Rxc1+ 20. Bxc1 $14) 16... e5 {Now the pawn structure
transforms into a Ruy Lopez one, in a very favourable version for White. The
black bishop is misplaced on b7.} ({Giri disliked} 16... Qa8 17. Bd2 {and
indeed, what is the queen doing on a8 after} Rec8 18. a4 $1) 17. d5 $14 Nc5 18.
Bc2 b4 $6 {[%csl Ya5,Yb4,Yb5,Yc4] Diagram [#] This makes things worse. Giri
wanted to open up the bishop with a6-a5 and Bb7-a6 but gave too many squares
in the process.} 19. a3 ({White also had} 19. Nd2 {with the deep idea} a5 20.
Bxc5 $5 {a move that a GM will easily miss as we do not like spending a bishop
for a knight. However it works concretely as the a5 pawn hangs after} Rxc5 21.
Ba4 Re7 22. Nb3 Rc8 23. Nf5 Rec7 24. Nxa5 $16) 19... b3 {Now this pawn is
doomed. However} (19... bxa3 {is even worse due to} 20. b4 $1 Ncd7 21. Bd3 {
and next White will win both the pawns along the "a" file.}) 20. Bxc5 Rxc5 21.
Bxb3 Qb6 {Instead Giri suggested as an improved version the line} (21... Qc7 {
in order to prevent the bishop from getting on a better position and to
control the c4 pawn. After} 22. Nd2 g6 23. Ngf1 Bh6 24. Ne3 Rc8 {"Black is
simply much worse, which means that I am completely lost in the game."(Giri)})
22. Bc4 Rec8 23. Bd3 {Diagram [#] Carlsen won a pawn and the rest should be "a
matter of technique". At first everything goes smoothly for him.} g6 24. Nf1 $1
{Since the knight is limited by the pawn it finds a better working place.} Bh6
25. Ne3 a5 26. b4 $1 {Naturally White does not want to get blocked after} (26.
Nd2 a4) 26... axb4 27. axb4 R5c7 {Giri thought it was better to sacrifice the
queen with} (27... Rc3 $5 28. Nc4 Qxb4 29. Reb1 ({Also possible is} 29. Rab1
R8xc4 30. Bxc4 Qxc4 31. Rxb7) 29... R3xc4 {Most likely the worl champion would
have declined the sacrifice and taken the exchange with} 30. Bxc4 $1 ({Black
has serious drawing chances after} 30. Rxb4 Rxb4) 30... Qxc4 31. Qxc4 Rxc4 32.
Rxb7 Nxe4 33. g3 Rc1+ 34. Rxc1 Bxc1 {and White should win later.}) 28. b5 Qc5
29. h3 {There is no need to hurry. Black was hoping for a trick} (29. Nc4 $2 {
[%csl Yc4] Diagram [#]} Bxd5 $1 30. exd5 e4 31. Bxe4 Qxc4 32. Qxc4 Rxc4 33. Bd3
Rb4 {with serious drawing chances.}) 29... Nh5 30. Qb2 Qb6 31. Qb4 Bxe3 ({
Black also calculated the desperate} 31... Rc3 32. Nc4 R8xc4 $5 33. Bxc4 Rxf3
34. gxf3 Qd8 {but abandoned it on the account of} 35. f4 $1 ({Instead} 35. Bf1
Bf4 {keeps a lot of tricks in the position.})) 32. Rxe3 Rc3 33. Rae1 {[%cal
Yd3f1,Re1e3] Diagram [#] Overprotecs the rook on e3 and prepares Bd3-f1.} f5 {
The last desperate try.} 34. exf5 Nf4 35. Be4 R3c5 36. fxg6 hxg6 {Carlsen won
another pawn and weakened the enemy king. The end is close and...miracles
start to happen.} 37. Bxg6 {Was this needed? If Carlsen had won, we would have
praised him for the stylish finish. Now we can criticise him for the
inpractical approach.} (37. Nh4 {wins prosaically after} Rxb5 38. Qa4 Rb4 39.
Qd7 Qd8 40. Qg4) 37... Rxb5 38. Qe4 $2 {Misses the brilliancy. Instead} (38.
Bf7+ $3 {would have made the Norwegians happy} Kxf7 ({Or else the checkmate
will be for free after} 38... Kf8 39. Qe4) 39. Qe4 {[%csl Yf7][%cal Ge4h7,
Gf3g5] Diagram [#] The threat is Qe4-h7 followed by Nf3-g5 and checkmate.
There is no escape of it as the lines prove:} Kg7 (39... Rh8 40. Qf5+ Kg7 (
40... Ke7 41. Nxe5 $1 {is mate} ({although} 41. Qxf4 {wins easily as well.}))
41. Ng5 Qc7 42. Ne6+ Nxe6 43. Rg3+ Kh6 44. Qg6#) (39... Nxd5 40. Qh7+ Kf6 41.
Nxe5 $1 dxe5 42. Rxe5 {with the unstoppable threat Re5-f5.}) (39... Bxd5 40.
Qf5+ Ke7 41. Qxc8 {wins tons of material.}) (39... Ng6 40. Qf5+ Kg7 41. Nh4 $1
Nxh4 42. Rg3+ Kh6 43. Qf6+ Kh7 44. Qxh4#) 40. Ng5 Kh6 41. Qh7+ Kxg5 42. Rg3+
Kf6 43. Qg7+ Kf5 44. Rg5#) 38... Rf8 39. Nxe5 $6 {And this misses the
remaining advantage.} ({White is at least up a pawn after} 39. Nh4 Bxd5 40. Qa4
{as} Bxg2 $2 {is bad due to} 41. Bd3 $1 ({Or even} 41. Rg3 $1)) 39... dxe5 40.
Rg3 Rxd5 {[%csl Yg8] Diagram [#] White has plenty of discovered checks, the
black kingside is a wreck and it is a draw...} 41. Qb1 {Carlsen uses his last
chance. Two forced lines lead to instant draw} (41. Rb1 Rd1+ 42. Kh2 Rxb1 43.
Bf5+ Kh8 44. Qxe5+ Qf6 45. Qc7 Rf7 46. Qb8+ Rf8 $11) (41. Kh2 Kh8 42. Rb1 Rb5
43. Qxe5+ Rxe5 44. Rxb6 $11) 41... Qxb1 42. Bxb1+ Kh8 43. Be4 Rd7 ({Worse is}
43... Rd2 44. Bxb7 Ne2+ 45. Rxe2 Rxe2 46. f3 Rg8 47. Rxg8+ Kxg8 {followed by
h3-h4, Kg1-h2-h3 and g3-g4 (Giri)}) ({And} 43... Rd1 44. Rxd1 Bxe4 45. Kh2 Bxg2
46. Rxg2 Nxg2 47. Kxg2 {(Giri) albeit drawish leaves Black suffering.}) 44.
Bxb7 Rxb7 45. Rxe5 {Diagram [#] Objectively, the position is equal but it is
much easier to play it as White. He risks nothing while Black has to be
careful what to trade and how to arrange his forces.} Rh7 46. Re4 Rhf7 47. Kh2
Kh7 48. Rf3 Kg6 49. h4 Nh5 50. Rxf7 Rxf7 51. Re2 Nf4 52. Rd2 Nh5 53. g3 Nf6 54.
Kg2 Rd7 55. Ra2 Rd5 56. Ra4 Re5 57. g4 Re4 58. Rxe4 Nxe4 {[%cal Ra5h5] Diagram
[#] Giri was happy to swap off the rooks as he felt that this should be a draw.
Indeed, the theory of this engame states that it is a draw as long as the
passers do not cross the equator of the board. If they (all of them!) reach
the fifth rank, then it is a win.} 59. Kf3 Nd6 60. Kf4 Nf7 61. Ke4 Kf6 62. f4
Nd6+ 63. Kd5 Nb5 64. h5 Nc3+ ({An easier fortress is} 64... Nc7+ 65. Ke4 Ne6 {
Since none of the white pawns can move} 66. Ke3 (66. f5 Ng5+ $11 {is a nice
blockade.}) (66. g5+ Nxg5+ {is an instant draw.}) 66... Nf8 {and White can
make no progress.}) 65. Kd4 Nb5+ 66. Kc4 Nd6+ 67. Kc5 Ke6 {[%csl Yg4,Yh5][%cal
Gd6f7,Gf7h6] Diagram [#] Giri found a good defensive set up.} (67... Nf7 68.
Kd5 Nd8 $11) 68. Kc6 Nf7 69. Kc7 Nh6 $1 {Now the pawns are blocked and Anish
Giri can keep his positive score against the world champion.} 70. g5 Nf7 71. g6
Nh6 72. Kd8 Kf5 73. Ke7 Kxf4 74. Kf8 Kg5 75. g7 Kxh5 76. g8=Q Nxg8 {Diagram [#]
} 1/2-1/2

Report.

The Black Cat Naiditsch

Arkadij Naiditsch turns into a very serious trouble to the reigning world champion Magnus Carlsen. At least for the last two games. However, while at the last Olympiad Arkadij won from a suspect (to say at least) position yesterday he managed to convincingly outplay his rival at the the Grenke Classics.

[Event "GRENKE Chess Classic 2015"]
[Site "Baden-Baden"]
[Date "2015.02.04"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Naiditsch, Arkadij"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B06"]
[WhiteElo "2706"]
[BlackElo "2865"]
[Annotator "Bojkov, Dejan"]
[PlyCount "121"]
[EventDate "2015.??.??"]

{A couple of years ago Arkadij revealed that his favourite player ever was
Magnus Carlsen. "I do not see how to beat him", added he with a smile. The
last two games between these two proved that things have changed. At least for
the second statement.} 1. e4 g6 {Carlsen did not use the Pirc since 2012 and
with a good reason as his results are not great here. It seems as he was ready
to risk more than usual in this game.} 2. d4 Bg7 ({The exotic} 2... Nf6 3. e5
Nh5 4. Be2 {did not anywhere in Adams,M (2728)-Carlsen,M (2826)
Khanty-Mansiysk 2010}) 3. Nc3 d6 4. Be3 a6 5. a4 Nf6 6. h3 O-O 7. g4 ({A
quiter plan is} 7. Nf3 e5 8. dxe5 dxe5 9. Qxd8 Rxd8 10. Bc4 Nc6 11. O-O {
although this did not provide anything significant to White, Jakovenko,D (2729)
-Kempinski,R (2610) Plovdiv 2012}) 7... e5 ({The great Pirc specialist Zurab
Azmaiparashvili prefers the move} 7... c5 {here and this might be the better
choice.}) 8. d5 c6 9. Nge2 $146 {A logical novelty. White wants to bring the
knight on g3 as quick as possible to kill any counterplay related with the
f7-f5 advance.} ({Previously only} 9. Bg2 Qa5 10. Nge2 cxd5 11. exd5 Nbd7 {was
seen in Nikolova,A (2341)-Tonel,G (2036) Rijeka 2014}) 9... cxd5 10. exd5 Bxg4
{Diagram [#] An unexpected move to say at least... "I was of course quite
shocked when he played this but maybe it is not such a bad practical chnce as
I was already threatening Ne2-g3". (Naiditsch)} ({After} 10... Nbd7 11. Ng3 {
[%csl Ge4][%cal Gg4g5,Gg3e4] "followed by g4-g5 and Ng3-e4 White has clear
positional advantage. Of course, one should be desperate to sacrifice on g4".
(Naiditsch)}) 11. hxg4 Nxg4 12. Qd2 {Not the best move according to the winner.
} ({Arkadij spend a lot of time calculating the following line} 12. Bd2 Qb6 13.
Ne4 f5 14. N2c3 h5 15. a5 Qa7 16. Bh3 (16. Qe2 {might be more subtle with the
idea} fxe4 17. Nxe4 Qd4 18. f3 Nf6 19. Bc3 Qxd5 20. Rd1 Qc6 21. Rxd6 Qc7 22.
Qc4+ Qxc4 23. Bxc4+ Kh8 24. Bd3 {where White is completely dominating.}) 16...
fxe4 17. Nxe4 Qd4 (17... Nxf2 $4 18. Be6+ Kh7 19. Rxh5+ gxh5 20. Qxh5+ Bh6 21.
Qxh6#) 18. Qe2 {"White's advantage is massive as he is checkmating" (Naiditsch)
.}) 12... Nd7 13. Ne4 {White is slowing dow the opponent's pawns in the center.
} (13. O-O-O {is also possible but for understandable reasons White does not
feel like doing it anytime soon.}) 13... f5 14. Bg5 Qb6 15. Bh3 Ndf6 16. Nxf6+
Nxf6 17. Nc3 {With the idea to castle long.} ({Naiditsch considered less
promising the continuation} 17. Bxf6 Bxf6 18. c3 Rac8) (17. O-O-O {at once is
not clear after} Ne4 18. Be3 Nxd2 19. Bxb6 Nc4 20. Be3 b5 {whe the black pawns
look scary.}) ({I have the feeling though that the white king is best placed
on the kingside} 17. Bg2 $5 Qxb2 18. O-O Rac8 19. Rfc1 Rc7 20. Rab1 Qa3 21. Qa5
{should be better for White.}) 17... Qxb2 18. Rb1 Qa3 19. Rxb7 ({Objectively
better was} 19. Rb3 Qc5 20. O-O {with slight advantage for White.}) 19... Rf7 {
Magnus was afraid of the line} (19... Rab8 20. Rxg7+ $5 ({Instead} 20. Rxb8
Rxb8 21. Bg2 Rc8 {should be still little better for White.}) 20... Kxg7 21.
Bxf5 gxf5 22. Bxf6+ Kxf6 {Diagram [#] which looks indeed horrifying for a
human being. The poor king lacks any defence and is attacked by both teh queen
and the rook. Still, the cold-blooded machine finds no more than a draw after
both} 23. Rxh7 ({Or} 23. Qh6+ Ke7 24. Qe6+ Kd8 25. Rxh7 Qxc3+ 26. Kf1 Qc4+ 27.
Kg2 Qg4+ 28. Kh2 Qf4+ $11) 23... f4 24. Qd3 Qc1+ 25. Ke2 Rf7 26. Rxf7+ Kxf7 27.
Qf5+ Kg8 28. Qg6+) 20. Rb3 Qc5 21. Qe3 $1 {The king will be safe without the
queens on the board.} Qc7 22. Qb6 e4 23. Qc6 $5 {Naiditsch lures the rook on
c8.} Rc8 {The only move as after} (23... Qxc6 24. dxc6 Rc8 25. Bxf6 Bxf6 26.
Nd5 Rxc6 {White has the nice trick} 27. Bxf5 $1 gxf5 28. Rg1+ Kf8 (28... Rg7
29. Nxf6+) 29. Rb8+ Bd8 30. Rxd8#) 24. O-O {Arkadij calculated that he wins
the pawn back. The trick} (24. Bxf6 Bxf6 25. Nxe4 $4 {fails to} Qa5+) 24...
Qxc6 25. dxc6 Rxc6 {"Endgame should be close to winning for White" (Naiditsch)}
26. Rfb1 h6 27. Bxf6 $1 {White is happy to have the rook on f7. Another
tempting continuation was} (27. Rb8+ Kh7 28. Bxf6 Bxf6 29. Nd5 {with the idea}
Rxc2 $4 ({But Black can defend after} 29... Be5) 30. Nxf6+ Rxf6 31. R1b7+ Rf7
32. Rxf7#) 27... Bxf6 {Diagram [#]} 28. Nxe4 $1 {[%csl Yf7,Yg8][%cal Gh3e6]
The point behind White's previous play! White regains the pawn and destroys
the black pawn chain.} Be5 (28... fxe4 {is hopeless after} 29. Be6 Kg7 30. Bxf7
Kxf7 31. Rb6 {as White wins both d6 and a6 pawns.}) 29. Nd2 Rxc2 30. Nf3 Ra2
31. Bg2 {A slip for which Arkadij was furous about. He could have won with} (
31. Nxe5 $1 dxe5 32. Rb4 $1 ({Rather than the sugegsted by many commentators}
32. Rb6 {which he also calculated but felt correctly should be a clear win
after} Rxa4 33. Rxg6+ Kh7 34. Rbb6 Rh4 35. Kg2 Rh5 $1 {White has only one gold
pawn left and is anything but sure of winning} 36. Rbf6 Rxf6 37. Rxf6 Kg7 38.
Rxf5 (38. Rxa6 {gives some practical chances but hardly a win.}) 38... Rxf5 39.
Bxf5 Kf6 {followed by Kf6-g5-f4 (Naiditsch)}) 32... a5 33. Rc4 {Next the
bishop comes to f1, White slowly improves and takes the a pawn and the game
home.}) 31... Bf6 32. Nh2 Kg7 {Now the game starts again. White is still
better but has to maneuver a lot to prove that.} 33. Bd5 Re7 34. Rb4 Rd2 35.
Bc4 a5 36. Rb7 Rd4 37. Rxe7+ Bxe7 38. Bb5 h5 39. Nf3 Rf4 40. Kg2 h4 ({Perhaps}
40... Bf6 41. Rd1 Rg4+ 42. Kf1 Rf4 43. Rd3 g5 {was a better defense.}) 41. Rd1
{Intending to swap off the rooks after Rd1-d4.} Rg4+ 42. Kf1 h3 43. Rd3 $1 {
[%csl Gf1,Yf3][%cal Gf1g1,Gg1h1,Yh2f1,Yf1e3,Ye3c4,Ye3d5,Yf3h2] A nice
regroupment. The white king goes to the h file to deal with the Black's
complex of a dangerous passer and rook behind it. The knight is set free for
greater deeds.} Bf6 44. Nh2 Rh4 45. Kg1 Bd4 46. Rf3 Kf6 47. Nf1 Be5 $6 ({A
much more resilent defense is} 47... Ke5 48. Nd2 d5 {trying to keep the knight
blocked. For example} ({Not} 48... g5 $2 49. Bd7) 49. Rg3 Kf6 50. Nf3 $2 Bxf2+
$1 51. Kxf2 h2 52. Nxh2 (52. Nxh4 h1=Q 53. Rxg6+ Kf7 54. Rh6 Qh2+ $11) 52...
Rxh2+ 53. Ke3 Rh4 {with a draw. Naturally, White can improve his play in this
line, but he will still have to work very hard to win (if this is even
possible).}) 48. Ne3 Kg5 49. Kh1 Kf6 $6 {The last chance for teh World
Champion was the line} (49... Rf4 50. Rxf4 (50. Rg3+ Kh4 51. Rxg6 Rxf2 52. Rh6+
Kg3 53. Nf1+ Kg4 $11) 50... Kxf4 51. Nc4 Bc3 52. Nxd6 Kf3 53. Be8 Bb4 {when it
is not yer certain if this is a win for White.}) 50. Nc4 g5 51. Nxa5 g4 52. Rd3
f4 53. Nc4 Rh7 54. Nxe5 $1 {[%cal Ra4a5,Ra5a6,Ra6a7,Ra7a8,Rb5c6,Rd3a3] Diagram
[#] Without the bishop on the board Black cannot stop the white passer. The
game is essentially over although some accuracy is still needed.} dxe5 55. a5
Rc7 56. Ra3 $1 {The last subtle move. Rook behind the pawnpromotes it
authomatically. It also kills the black counter-chances related with his
strong pawns. Worse is} (56. Rd1 Rc5 57. Rb1 g3 58. fxg3 fxg3 59. a6 Rc2 60.
Ra1 Rh2+ 61. Kg1 Rg2+ 62. Kf1 Rf2+ 63. Ke1 $4 (63. Kg1 $11) 63... e4 $1 {
(Gustafsson) when it is Black who wins!} 64. Bc6 e3 65. a7 g2) 56... Rc1+ 57.
Kh2 Rc2 58. a6 Rxf2+ 59. Kh1 g3 60. a7 Rd2 61. Ra1 {Arkadij Naiditsch won his
second game in a row against the World Champion Magnus Carlsen and can be
proud with the game that he had played!} 1-0

Report by Kostya Kavutskiy.