The Jack Rabbit Chess Report for July 30 (now with diagrams)

Dortmund Sparkassen begins



The Sparkassen, one of the biggest annual super grandmasters tournaments on the calander, began Saturday in Dortmund, Germany.

Eight grandmasters with an average FIDE Elo rating of 2720 are participating: Michael Adams of Britain, Armenia's Levon Aronian, Boris Gelfand of Israel, Armenian Baadur Jobava, classical world champion Vladimir Kramnik of Russia, Hungary's Peter Leko, Arkadij Naiditsch of Germany and Russian Peter Svidler.

All but Naiditsch and Jobava are rated over 2700.

In the first two rounds, Saturday and Sunday, six of the eight games have ended in draws. On Saturday, in the first round, Leko, playing White, defeated Naiditsch and Svidler, playing Black, wn his game Jobava for the only decisive games thus far.

Round three will be played tomorrow. The games are carried live at the official tournament website (once there click on "parten/games" in the red menu on the right).


Stanislav Novikov (who?) scores upset win in Padubice



Stanislav Novikov, a minor Russian grandmaster with a FIDE Elo rating of 2513, won the Czech Open in Pardubice when he defeated the Czech Republic's David Navara, one of the world's elite grandmasters with a FIDE Elo rating of 2719, in the final round Saturday.

Novikov finished alone in first place with 7½ points out of nine games. Seven participants finished for second with 7 points each.

Navara and the other pre-tournament favorite, Russian grandmaster Evgeny Najer, finished with 6½ points.

Novikov is so little known that a Google image seach for him comes up empty.


Nijboer leads Dutch Open after five rounds

Friso Nijboer of Holland leads the Dutch Open in Dieren after five rounds with a perfect score.



Friso Nijboer
Photo: CorusChess

Sergei Tiviakov, the newly crowned Dutch national champion, is one of several competitors tied for second with four points.

Nijboer and Tiviakov will play against each other in round six Monday with Tiviakov playing White.


Rising British star Jessie Gilbert dies in fall

Jessie Gilbert, 19, a rising star British chess, fell eight stories to her death early Thursday morning from her hotel room in Pardubice, Czech Republic, where she was participating in the Czech Open.



Jessie Gilbert
Photo: ChessBase.com

The police report said that Ms. Gilbert was alone at the time of her death. Her friends say that she was susceptible to sleepwalking.

Ms. Gilbert was a member of the English Women's Olympic team in Torino this Spring where she played 11 games and scored 5½ points. When she was 11 years old, she played in and won the Women's World Amateur Championship.

Ms. Gilbert was taking a year off from her studies at Oxford University where she was studying medicine in order to play in international events.

To an Athlete Dying Young
by A. E. Housman

The time you won your town the race
We chaired you through the market-place;
Man and boy stood cheering by,
And home we brought you shoulder-high.

To-day, the road all runners come,
Shoulder-high we bring you home,
And set you at your threshold down,
Townsman of a stiller town.

Smart lad, to slip betimes away
From fields were glory does not stay
And early though the laurel grows
It withers quicker than the rose.

Eyes the shady night has shut
Cannot see the record cut,
And silence sounds no worse than cheers
After earth has stopped the ears:

Now you will not swell the rout
Of lads that wore their honours out,
Runners whom renown outran
And the name died before the man.

So set, before its echoes fade,
The fleet foot on the sill of shade,
And hold to the low lintel up
The still-defended challenge-cup.

And round that early-laurelled head
Will flock to gaze the strengthless dead,
And find unwithered on its curls
The garland briefer than a girl's.

!""""""""#
$tMvWlVmT%
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This position is a theoretical draw

Does this picture make sense to you? If not, please click here.

Diagrams used in the Jack Rabbit Chess Report are made with Chess Merida, a true type font that is available as freeware at the above site.

Participants in the Biel Grandmasters' Tournament
Front, left to right: Teimour Radjabov, Andrei Volokitin, Magnus Carlsen
Rear: Yannick Pelletier, Alexander Morozevich, Lazaro Burzón
Photo: Official website of the 39th Biel Chess Festival


The 39th annual Biel chess festival began last Monday, July 24 in Biel, Bern Canton, Switzerland.

The festival consists of several tournaments, of which the tow that draw the most attention from the public are the grandmasters' tournament and the tournament featuring six of the strongest women players in the world.

The grandmasters' tournament also features six players with an average FIDE Elo rating of 2674: Lazaro Burzón of Cuba, 15-year-old Norwegian prodigy Magnus Carlsen, Russian grandmaster Alexander Morozevich, Biel native and resident Yannick Pelletier, 19-year-old Teimour Radjabov of Azerbaijan and Ukrainian grandmaster Andrei Volokitin.

This is the third time Morozevich has competed in Biel; he took first prize the two other times he participated, in 2003 and 2004.

After six rounds, Morozevich is leading in his bid for a third Biel title with 5 points. The only blemish on his record is a second round loss to Carlsen. Regardless of the loss, five wins in six games at this level of competition is remarkable.

Carlsen, the Norwegian national co-champion, began hot with two wins out of the box, but has failed to win since and lost in the fifth round to Volokitin. He is currently in third place with 3½ points. Second place is occupied by Radjabov with 4 points (3 wins, two draws and a loss to Morozevich).




Magnus Carlsen
Photo: SV Heerhughoward (Holland)


Magnus Carlsen vs. Alexander Morozevich
Internatiional Grandmasters' Tournament, Round 2
Biel, July 2006

West India Game: Kings' Indian Defense

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. Nf3 0-0 6. Be2 e5 7. 0-0 Nc6 8. d5 Ne7 9. a4 a5 10. b3 Nd7 11. Ba3 Bh6 12. b4?!

The move doesn't look unusual, but actually weakens the Queenside. Better is 12. Qc2 b6 13. Bb2 Bb7 then White has an equal game or a small advantage after:

• 14. Rfe1 f5 15. exf5 Nxf5 16. Rad1 Bg7 17. Bd3 +=
• 14. Rae1 Nc5 15. Rd1 Qd7 16. Rfe1 Rad8 17. Nd2

The text gives the initiative to Black.

12. -- axb4 13. Bxb4 f5 14. Nd2 Kh8 15. a5 Rf7 16. Nb5

If 16. Re1 then equality is established by 16. -- Nf6 17. c5 Nxe4 18. Ndxe4 fxe4 19. Nxe4 dxc5 20. Nxc5 Qxd5 21. Bf3.

If 16. Nf3 then:

• 16. -- Nf6 17. exf5 Nxf5 18. Bd3
• 18. -- Ne7 19. c5
• 19. -- Bg4 20. Be2
• 20. -- Rf8 21. Re1 e4 22. cxd6 cxd6 23. Nd4 with an equal game
• 20. -- Qd7 21. Bb5 Qc8 22. Re1 dxc5 23. Nxe5 Bxd1 24. Nxf7+ Kg7 25. Rxe7 with a clear advantage for White in terms of Queenside space and placement of his pieces
• 19. -- Nexd5? 20. Nxd5 Nxd5 21. Bxg6 Ne3 22. fxe3 Bxe3+ 23. Kh1 hxg6 24. cxd6 and White already may be winning
• 18. -- Rf8 19. c5 Nd4 20. cxd6 cxd6 21. Be2 gives White a small advantage in the control of lines
• 16. -- Rf8 17. exf5 gxf5 18. Re1 Rg8 19. Qc2 Nf6 20. Ba3 e4 21. Nd2 and Black has a small plus in space and control of the g-file.

16. -- Nf6 17. c5

If 17. exf5 then:

• 17. -- Bxf5 18. Re1 and now:
• 18. -- Bg7 19. Nb3
• 19. -- Ne4 20. Bf3
• 20. -- Nf6
• 21. c5 Qd7
• 22. Nc3 e4 23. cxd6 cxd6 24. Be2 =
• 22. Nxc7 Qxc7 23. cxd6 Qc4 24. dxe7 Qxb4 25. Rxe5 Ne8 and White's Pawn on the seventh rank assure him of a strong initiative
• 21. Ra2 e4 22. Be2 e3 23. Bc3 exf2+ 24. Kxf2 Ne4+ and everything is going Black's way -- he is poised to attack and White's King is in the open
• 20. -- Ng5 21. Bg4 Nxd5 22. Bxd6 Bxg4 23. Qxg4 cxd6 24. cxd5 and Black has a small plus in piece placement
• 19. -- Nc8 20. Ba3 Qd7 21. c5 Na7 with an equal game
• 18. -- Qd7 19. Nf1 Bf4 20. Bf3 h6 21. Bc3 Bg4 22. Bxg4 Nxg4 and Black has better piece placement, but White's position is solid
• 17. -- Nxf5 18. Nb3 Bf4 19. Re1 e4 20. Qc2 e3 21. Bf3 Qf8 22. g3 and Black has a small advantage in Kingside space

17. -- dxc5 18. Bc3

If 18. Bxc5 Bxd2 then:

• 19. Qxd2
• 19. -- Nxe4 20. Qb2
• 20. -- Nxc5 21. Qxe5+
• 21. -- Kg8 22. Nxc7 Nd7 23. Qf4 with equality
• 21. -- Rg7 22. Nxc7 Rb8 23. d6 Nb3 24. Bb5 and a level game
• 20. -- Nxd5 21. Qxe5+ Ndf6 22. Rfd1 Qe8 23. Bd4 Re7 and a small plus for White
• 19. -- Bd7 20. Qb2 Bxb5 21. Bxb5 fxe4 22. Bc4 Nexd5 (22. -- Nfxd5? 23. Qxe5+!) 23. Qxb7 Rb8 and White has a small plus, but nothing more
• 19. d6? 19. -- Nc6 20. exf5 Ne4 21. fxg6 hxg6 22. dxc7 Qh4 23. Qc2 Nxc5 and White is in serious trouble after either 24. Qxc5 Rxa5 25. Qd5 Rh7 or 24. Qxd2 Rh7 25. h3 Bxh3!

18. -- c6 19. dxc6 bxc6 20. Na3

If 20. Bc4 then:

• 20. -- cxb5 21. Bxb5 Bxd2 22. Bxd2 Nxe4
• 23. Bc3
• 23. -- Qc7 24. Bb2 c4 25. Rc1 c3 26. Qb3 Rf6 27. Bxc3 Nxc3 28. Rxc3 Qxa5 and Black has won a Pawn
• 23. -- Qxd1 24. Bxe5+ Kg8 25. Rfxd1 Ba6 and Black can use his initiative to create threats
• 23. Bc1 Qd4 24. Qb3 c4 25. Qxc4 Nd5 26. Qxd4 exd4 and Black's passed Pawn, although not as remote as White's, is healthier
• 20. -- Rf8 21. Na3 Bxd2 22. Bxd2 Nxe4 23. Bh6 Re8
• 24. f3!
• 24. -- Qxd1 25. Rfxd1 Nc3 26. Rdc1 Ncd5 and Black retains a small plus in intiative
• 24. -- Nc3 25. Qxd8 Rxd8 26. Bg5 and White's piece place give him a strong strong position
• 24. Qxd8 24. -- Rxd8 25. f3 Nf6 and Black is more likely to create threats

20. -- fxe4?!

If 20. -- Bxd2 then:

• 21. Bxd2 Nxe4
• 22. Bc3
• 22. -- Qxd1 23. Bxe5+ Kg8 24. Re1 Qd5 and Black's pieces are ready come down from the hills and overwhelm White's camp
• 22. -- Qc7 23. Bb2 Nd5 24. Bf3 Nef6 25. Nc4 e4 and Black is ready to launch an attack by taking control of the a-file or the a6f1 diagonal
• 22. Nc4 Be6 23. a6 Bxc4 24. Bxc4 Nxd2 25. Bxf7 Nxf1 26. Qxd8+ Rxd8 27. Kxf1 and Black's two extra Pawns give him a strong advantage
• 21. Nc4
• 21. -- Nxe4 22. Bxe5+ Kg8 23. f3 Ng5 24. Bc3 Be3+ 25. Nxe3 Nd5 26. Qd2 Rd7 and Black has only a slight plus
• 21. -- Ba6 22. Nxd2 fxe4 23. Bxa6 Rxa6 24. Bxe5 Qd5 25. Bxf6+ Rxf6 and White has a slight plus

21. Nac4 Ned5

If 21. -- e3 then:

• 22. Nxe5? Rf8
• 23. Ne4 Ned5 24. Bb2 exf2+ 25. Rxf2 Be3 amd Black, already a Pawn up, should win the exchange
• 23. Ndc4 Qxd1 24. Rfxd1 exf2+ 25. Kxf2 Ne4+ 26. Kg1 Nxc3 and Black should win, for example, 27. Re1 (therwise Black wins the exchange) 27. -- Nxe2+ 28. Rxe2 Ba6
• 22. Nxe3
• 22. -- Ned5 23. Ndc4with a level game after:
• 23. -- Rd7 24. Nxd5
• 24. -- Rxd5 25. Qa4 Qc7 26. f4
• 24. -- cxd5 25. Nb6 d4 26. Bd2 Bxd2 27. Qxd2 and White wins the exchange
• 23. -- Rf8 24. Bxe5 Ba6 25. Ra3 Nxe3 26. fxe3 Qxd1 27. Rxd1
• 23. -- Re7 24. Bxe5 Bg7 25. Bf3 Be6
• 22. -- Bxe3 23. fxe3 Ned5 24. Nc4 Qe7 25. Bb2 e4

22. Bxe5 Bg7

If 22. -- Bf5 23. Nb3 then:

• 23. -- Bf8 24. Qd2
• 24. -- Kg8 25. Rfd1
• 25. -- Ng4 26. Bxg4 Bxg4 27. Re1 Bf5 and the e-Pawn give Black a small advantage in central space
• 25. -- Rd7 26. a6 Bg4 27. Rdc1 Rda7 with a level game
• 24. -- Kg7? is a blunder: 25. g4 Rb7 26. Ra3 Be6 27. g5 and White wins a piece
• 23. -- Qf8 24. Bd6 Qg7 25. Nxc5 Nc3 26. Qe1 Nxe2+ 27. Qxe2 with equal chances

23. Nd6 Re7 24. N2c4 Be6

If 24. -- Ba6 then:

• 25. Nb6 25. -- Raa7 26. Ndc4
• 26. -- Re6 27. Rc1 Qe7
• 28. Bb8 Rb7 29. Bg3 Bh6 30. Rc2 e3 31. Nc8 with equal chances
• 28. Bb2 e3 29. fxe3 Nxe3 30. Nxe3 Bxe2 31. Qxe2 Rxe3 32. Qf2 and Balck has control of the e-file and an extra Pawn
• 26. -- Qe8 27. Bd6
• 27. -- Nc3 28. Qc2 Nxe2+ 29. Qxe2 and Black has an extra Pawn, but a very weak one
• 27. -- Reb7 28. Bxc5 Nc3 29. Qe1 Nfd5 30. Bg4 +=
• 25. Qd2? Qc7 26. Nf7+ Rxf7 27. Bxc7 Rxc7 28. Nb6 Raa7 29. Bxa6 Rxa6 +-

25. a6 Nb4 26. Qc1

If 26. Qd2 Rea7 then the balance continues in these variations:

• 27. Rfd1 Bd5
• 28. Nb7 Qe8 29. Qb2 Qf8 30. Nb6 Re8 31. Bd6
• 28. Qc3 h6 29. Ra3 Kh7 30. Nb7 Qf8 31. Nb6 e3 32. Qxe3 Nc2
• 27. Rad1 Rd7 28. Qe3 Nxa6 29. Nxe4 Nxe4 30. Rxd7 Bxd7 31. Qxe4

26. -- Nd3 27. Bxd3 exd3 28. Qc3

If 28. Rd1 then:

• 28. -- Nd5 29. Bxg7+
• 29. -- Rxg7 30. Rxd3
• 30. -- Rga7 31. Rda3
• ]31. -- Qf8 32. Qb2+ Qg7 33. Qxg7+ Kxg7 and a balanced game
• 31. -- Nc7 32. Nb7 Qe7 33. Nb6 Rb8 with equality
• 30. -- Qh4 31. g3 Qh5 32. Rda3 Nf6 33. Qb2 Ne4 and White should win after offering the Queen with 34. Qb7!!, for example 34. -- Rxb7 35. axb7 Rg8 36. Ra8 Bxc4 37. Nxc4! Qf3 38. Rf8+ Kxg8 39. b8Q+ (and the Queen sac, I might add, is my idea, not Fritz')
• 29. -- Kxg7 30. Rxd3 Rea7 31. Nb7 Qf8 32. Rf3 Qe7 33. Ra5 and White has Black tied down to stopping the a-Pawn
• 28. -- Ng4 29. Bxg7+ Rxg7 30. h3 Nf6 31. Rxd3 Nd5 32. Rda3 and the advanced Pawn give Black a strong advantage

28. -- Bxc4 29. Qxc4 Qg8 30. Qxc5 d2

If 30. -- Qd5 then:

• 31. Qc3
• 31. -- Rxe5? 32. Qxe5
• 32. -- Ne8 33. Qxd5 cxd5 34. Nxe8
• 34. -- Bxa1 35. Nc7 Ra7 36. Rxa1 d2 37. Nxd5 and White wins after 37. -- Rxa6 38. Rd1 Ra2 39. Kf1
• 34. -- Rxe8 35. Ra5 Ra8 36. Rd1, the Black Pawns fall and the White Pawn keeps going
• 32. -- d2 33. Qxd5 cxd5 34. a7 Bf8 35. Ra6 and White wins, for example 35. -- Bxd6 36. Rxd6 Ne4 37. Rxd5 Rxa7 38. f3
• 31. -- Nh5 32. Bxg7+ Rxg7
• 33. Qb4 Rd7 34. Nb7 d2 35. Rfd1 and the position is balanced
• 33. Qa3?! Nf4 34. f3 Qd4+ 35. Kh1 Rga7 and Black has a small advatage owing to his advancing Pawns
• 31. Qxd5 Nxd5 32. Bxg7+ Kxg7 33. Ra4 h6 34. Ne4 Nb6 35. Rb4 and Black c- and d-Pawns give him an edge

31. Rad1

If 31. f4 then:

• 31. -- Qd5 32. Qxd5 Nxd5 33. Nc4
• 33. -- h6
• 34. Nxd2 Rea7
• 35. Rfb1 Bxe5 36. fxe5 and Black gains a small advantage after taking the pesky Pawn
• 35. Rab1 Rxa6 36. Rb7 Bxe5 37. fxe5 Ra2 and the game is level
• 34. Kf2 Nxf4 35. Bxg7+ Kxg7 36. Kf3 g5 and Black d-Pawn gives him a strong advantage
• 33. -- Rea7 34. Nxd2 Rxa6 35. Rxa6 Rxa6 36. Kf2 with a probable draw
• 31. -- Ng4 32. Bd4 Re2 33. f5 Bxd4+ 34. Qxd4+ Ne5 35. f6 h6 36. f7 Qg7 37. Qf4 Qf8 38. Rad1 and White's two advanced passed Pawns give him an advantage over White's one

31. -- Rxa6 32. Rxd2 Nd5?!

If 32. -- Nd7 33. Bxg7+ Qxg7 34. Qc1 then:

• 34. -- h6 35. Rfd1
• 35. -- Nb8 36. Rb2 Nd7 37. Rb7 c5 38. Rc7 Ra2 39. Ne4
• 39. -- Re2 40. f3 and, after the c-Pawn falls, White will have a winning game
• 39. -- Rxe4? 40. Rcxd7 Re7 41. Rxe7 Qxe7 42. Qxh6+ Kg8 43. Qxg6+ Kf8 44. h3 Re2 45. Qf5+ Qf7 46. Rd8+ and White wins
• 35. -- Ne5 36. Ne4 Re8 37. Nc5 and White has a small advantage in control of open lines, but a draw is the likely result
• 34. -- Qf6 35. Nc8 Rf7 36. Rd6 Qh4 37. Qb2+ and White's control of open lines leading to the Black King give him a strong advantage

33. Bxg7+ Rxg7 34. h3?!

If 34. f4 then:

• 34. -- Qa8 35. Re2 Qa7 36. Qxa7 Rgxa7
• 37. Re6 c5
• 38. f5 gxf5 39. Re8+ Kg7 40. Nxf5+ and the c-Pawn only gives Black a small edge, until it is stopped or taken
• 38. Re8+ Kg7 39. Re6 Nc7 40. Re7+ Kh6 41. Nf7+ Kg7 42. Ng5+ Kg8 43. Rxh7 and White has an extra Pawn, but Black's c-Pawn that is more dangerous
• 37. f5 gxf5 38. Rxf5 h6 39. Kf2 Kg7 40. g4 Ra4 41. g5 hxg5 42. Rxg5+ Kh6 43. Rf5 and the palyers would not be blamed if they agreed to a draw in this position
• 34. -- Qb8 35. f5 Qa7 36. Qxa7 Rgxa7 37. f6 Ra8 38. Nf7+ Kg8 39. Ng5 Ra1 40. f7+ and the f-Pawn will carry the day

34. -- Qe6 35. Rb1 h6 36. Qc4

If 36. Rdd1 then:

• 36. -- Rd7? 37. Ne4
• 37. -- Re7 38. Nc3 Kh7 39. Nxd5 cxd5 40. Rxd5 and White is a Pawn to the good
• 37. -- Qxe4 38. Qf8+ Kh7 39. Rb8 Nf4 and 40. Qh8 is checkmate
• 36. -- Rga7
• 37. Rb8+ Kh7
• 38. Re8 Re7
• 39. Rxe7+ Nxe7
• 40. Ne8 Ra8 41. Nc7 Qe2 42. Rd7 and the c-Pawn will fall
• 40. Qc4 Qxc4 41. Nxc4 Kg7 42. Kf1 Ra2 43. Ne3 Kf7 44. Ke1 and the game is headed for a draw
• 39. Rf8 Qe5 40. Rc8 Qf6 41. Rb1 Re2 42. Re8 Ra1 43. Rxe2 Rxb1+ 44. Kh2 with equality
• 38. Nb5 Rf7 39. Nd6 Rd7 40. Ne4 Qf7 41. Rdb1 Rda7 42. Qd4 Qg7 43. Qxg7+ Kxg7 44. Kh2 and a balanced position
• 37. Qd4+ Kh7 38. Ne4 Ra4 39. Qxa4 Rxa4 40. Nc5 Qf7 41. Nxa4 and the position is even

!""""""""#
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Position after White's 36th move

36. -- Rb6?

If 36. -- Rga7 then:

• 37. Ne4 Qe5
• 38. Rxd5 cxd5 39. Qc8+ Kh7 40. Rb7+ Rxb7 41. Qxb7+
• 41. -- Kh8 42. Qxa6 Qxe4 and a level game
• 41. -- Kg8 42. Qc8+ Kf7 43. Qb7+ Kg8 and a balanced position
• 38. Rbd1 Ra8 39. Qc2 Kh7 40. Kh1 R8a7 41. Nc5 Ra1 with equality
• 37. Qd4+ Kh7 38. Ne4 Ra4 39. Qxa4 Rxa4 40. Nc5 Qf5 41. Rb7+ Kg8 42. Nxa4 with equality

37. Rxb6!

Other moves don't work for White:

• 37. Nb5 Rxb5 38. Rxb5 Qe1+ 39. Kh2 Qxd2 40. Qxc6 Qf4+ 41. Kg1 Re7 42. Rb1 Nf6 and Black is a Knight ahead
• 37. Nf7+ Rxf7 38. Rxb6 Qe1+ 39. Qf1 Qxd2 40. Rxc6 Re7 41. Rc1 Nc3 and White can resign
• 37. Rc1 Qxd6 38. Re2 Qf6 39. Qg4 Re7 40. Qc8+ Kg7 41. Rec2 Nf4 and Black is a piece up and poised to attack

37. -- Qe1+

White now wins in all variations: 37. -- Qe5 38. Rb8+ Kh7 39. Qxc6 and now:

• 39. -- Rc7 40. Rb7
• 40. -- Qe1+ 41. Kh2 Qe5+ 42. g3
• 40. -- Rxb7 41. Qxb7+ Ne7 42. Nc4 Qe1+ 43. Kh2 +-
• 39. -- Qe1+ 40. Kh2 Qe5+ 41. g3 Ne7 42. Qc4

38. Kh2 Nxb6

After 38. -- Qxd2 39. Rxc6, White has a strong or winning position in these variations:

• 39. -- Re7
• 40. Nc8
• 40. -- Rg7
• 41. Nd6 Ne7 42. Ne4 Qf4+ 43. g3 Qe5 and White wins
• 41. Rd6 Qf4+ 42. Qxf4 Nxf4 43. g3 Ne2 44. Rd2 Nc3 45. f4 Rc7 46. Rd8+ and White is a Pawn to the good; he will now activate his King
• 40. -- Re2 41. Rxg6 Rxf2 42. Nd6 Qf4+ 43. Qxf4 Nxf4 44. Rxh6+ and White wins, for example 44. -- Kg7 Nf5+ Kf7 45. Kg3
• 40. Qh4 Kh7 41. Rc8 Qb2 42. Qg3 Qf6 43. Re8 Rxe8 44. Nxe8 Qe7 45. Qd6 Qxd6+ 46. Nxd6 and White's extra Pawn gives him the advantage
• 39. -- Ne7 40. Ne4 Qf4+ 41. g3 Qe5 42. Re6 Qf5 43. f4 +-

39. Qf4 Nd5

If 39. -- Kg8 40. Nc4 then White wins:

• Nd5 41. Qxh6
• 41. -- Qe6 42. Rb2
• 42. -- Qe7 43. Rb8+ Kf7 44. Rc8 Qf6 45. Rxc6
• 42. -- Re7 43. Rb3 Re8 44. Rb7 Qf6 45. Qh7+ Kf8
• 41. -- Qe7 42. Ra2 Nc7 43. Rb2 Ne6 44. Ne5 Qc7 45. Re2
• 40. -- Rd7 41. Qg4 Qe8 42. Re2 Qb8+ 43. g3 Rg7 44. Rb2

40. Rxd5!

White concludes the game with a nifty exchange sacrifice.

40. -- cxd5

40. -- Qe7 is no better. After 41. Qxh6+ Kg8 42. Rd2 then White wins:

• 42. -- Qe5+ 43. g3 Qh5 44. Qe3 followed by 45. Qe8+
• 42. -- Qc7 43. g3 Qe7 44. Nb7 Rf7 45. Qxg6+

41. Qf8+ Kh7 42. Ne8 1-0

Black cannot prevent checkmate at g7. Morozevich resigns.




Alexander Morozevich
Photo: ChessBase.de (Germany)

Yannick Pelletier vs. Alexander Morozovich
Internatiional Grandmasters' Tournament, Round 5
Biel, July 2006

Queen's Gambit: Slav Defense (Chameleon Variation)

1. d4 d5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. c4 c6 4. Nc3 a6 5. Qb3!?

This is an unusal treatment of the Chameleon. More common is 5. e3 and if 5. -- dxc4 then 6. Bxc4

5. -- e6 6. Bg5 dxc4 7. Qxc4 b5 8. Qb3 Nbd7 9. Rd1 Qa5!?

Another unusual move, this time from Black. He is taking advantage of White's undeveloped King's Bishop. The text is better than the stereotypical 9. -- Be7 10. e3 0-0 11. Bd3 Bb7 12. Qc2 h6 13. Bxf6 Bxf6 14. 0-0.

10. Bd2 Qb6 11. e4 c5 12. e5 Ng4

If 12. -- Nh5 then:

• 13. d5 c4
• 14. Bxc4 bxc4
• 15. Qxc4 Bb7 16. 0-0 Qb4 17. Qe2 with a small advantage for Black due mostly to the control of the a8h1 diagonal
• 15. Qxb6 Nxb6 16. g4 Nxd5 17. gxh5 Nb4 and Black has a superior Pawn structiure, but nothing else
• 14. Qc2
• 14. -- Bc5 15. dxe6 Qxe6 16. Be2 Bb7 17. 0-0 Qg4 and White's position is solid enough to withstand such aggression
• 14. -- Bb7 15. Be3 Qa5 16. dxe6 fxe6 17. Be2 with eqality
• 13. g4!? cxd4 14. Nxb5 axb5 15. Bxb5 Qb7 with chances for both sides

13. h3 cxd4 14. Nd5?

If White thought he was sacrificing a Pawn, then he miscalculated.

It would be better to play in a way to maintain material equality: 14. hxg4 dxc3 15. Bxc3 and now:

• 15. -- Bb7 16. Ng5
• 16. -- Nc5 17. Qc2
• 17. -- h6 18. Bd4 Qa5+ 19. Qd2 Qxd2+ 20. Rxd2 Bd5 and Black has at most a small advantage
• 17. -- b4 18. Bd4 h6 19. f4 Rd8 20. Bxc5 Rxd1+ 21. Kxd1 Bxc5 with equality
• 16. -- Qc6 17. f3 Nc5 18. Qc2 h6 19. Nh7 Na4 20. Nxf8 Rxf8 the position only slightly favors Black
• 15. -- Nc5 16. Qc2 b4 17. Bd4 Bb7 18. Nd2 Qa5 19. Rxh7 and the game is level

Morozeivh, having won a Pawn, plays the rest of the game as Rubinstein or Capablanca would have decades ago: he simply wears his opponent down to an endgame where the Pawn looms larger and larger.

14. -- exd5 15. hxg4

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Position after White's 15th move

15. -- Qe6!

The text is better than 15. -- Bb7?! when:

• 16. Rc1! Nc5 17. Qc2 Ne4 18. Qc7 Qxc7 19. Rxc7 Bc8 20. g5 Be7
• 21. g6! fxg6 22. Nxd4 Kd8 23. Rc2 and Black has only a small advantage
• 21. Nxd4? Nxd2 22. Kxd2 Kd8 23. Rc2 and Black has a strong game owing to his Bishops ready to move in a open position; after taking the hanging g-Pawn, he will do well to develop the Queen's Bishop, then play -- Rc8 in order to trade off White's active Rook
• 16. Qd3?! is inferior for White:
• 16. -- Qe6
• 17. Bf4
• 17. -- Rc8 18. Rxh7 Rxh7 19. Qxh7 Bb4+ 20. Ke2 Qxg4 21. Bg3 Nf8 and White's attack is spent while Black is ready with his own threats
• 17. -- Bb4+ 18. Ke2 Qe7 19. Rxh7 Rxh7 20. Qxh7 d3+ 21. Kxd3 Nc5+ 22. Kc2 Rc8 and Black has threats ready against the White King
• 17. Qf5 Qe7 18. Bf4 g6 19. Qd3 Bg7 20. Rd2 and White can give back his extra pawn to take control of the c-file: 20. -- Rc8 21. Qxd4
• 16. -- g6?! 17. Nxd4 Bc5 18. Bf4 Qa5+ 19. Bd2 Qa4 20. Bc3 b4 and Black has only a small edge

From this point on, Black plays with at least a strong advantage.

16. Be2

If 16. Bf4 then Black has a strong position after 16. -- Nc5 17. Qc2 d3 18. Bxd3 Qxg4 19. Bg3 Nxd3+ 20. Qxd3 Qe4+ 21. Qxe4 dxe4.

16. -- Nc5 17. Nxd4 Qxe5 18. Qe3 Qxe3

18. -- Qe4?! would give White some hope of survival: 19. Qc3 Be6 20. Be3 Rc8 21. Bf3 Qe5 22. Rh5 Qf6 23. g5 Qd8

19. Bxe3 Na4 20. Nf5 Nxb2 21. Rxd5 Be6 22. Rd2

If 22. Rd4 then:

• 22. -- Bxa2?! gives White some counterplay:
• 23. Bf3 Rc8
• 24. Bb7 Rc2
• 25. Bd2 a5 26. Rh3 g6 27. Rc3 Rxc3 28. Bxc3 gxf5 29. Bc6+ and Black has only a small advatage
• 25. Re4+? Kd7 26. Rd4+ Kc7 27. Be4 Rc4 28. Bf4+ Kb6 and Black's two extra Pawns assure him a victory
• 24. Nd6+ Bxd6 25. Rxd6 a5 26. Ra6 Nd3+ 27. Ke2 Bc4 28. Rxa5 Ne5+ 29. Kd2 Nxf3+ 30. gxf3 b4 and Black's passed Pawn looms, but he will need to solve the problem of activating his King's Rook
• 23. Rd2 Bb4 24. Nxg7+ Kf8 25. Bc5+ Bxc5 26. Rxb2 Bd5 27. Nf5 Bxg2 and Black has three extra Pawns

22. -- Nc4 23. Bxc4

If 23. Bf3 Rc8 then:

• 24. Rc2 Nxe3 25. Rxc8+ Bxc8 26. fxe3 Be6
• 27. Kf2 f6 28. Rc1 Kf7 and Black has an extra Pawn and two Bishops with an open center
• 27. Bb7 Bxa2 28. Bxa6 b4 and the b-Pawn will now be very hard to stop
• 24. Bb7 Nxd2 25. Bxc8 Nf3+ 26. gxf3 Bxc8 27. Nd4 Bb7 28. Ke2 Bd5 Black Bishops command the board, but he is still to solve the problem of his King's Rook

23. -- Bxc4 24. Bd4

If 24. Rc2 Rd8 then:

• 25. Bd2 f6
• 26. f4 g6
• 27. Ne3 Rd4
• 28. g5 Bg7
• 29. gxf6 Bxf6 30. f5 gxf5 and Black has Pawn majorities on both wings
• 29. Bc3 Re4 30. Kf2 0-0 31. gxf6 Bxf6 and Black's position is solid; if the Bishops are exchanged, it will augment the value of his Pawn plus
• 28. Nxc4 bxc4 29. Ke2 h5 30. Be3 Re4 31. Kf3 f5 32. gxf5 gxf5 and Black's advantage remains strong, but his Pawns are now weak
• 27. Ng3 Kf7 28. Be3 Rd3 29. Kf2 Ra3 30. f5 Bg7 and Black is about to play 31. Rxa2, which not only wins a second Pawn but, by forcing the exchange of Rooks, makes those Pawns that much more powerful
• 26. Ba5 Rc8 27. f4 Kf7 28. Kd1 g6 29. Ne3 h5 30. Rh4 Bd6 and Black now has his King's Rook ready to rumble
• 25. f4 g6 26. Ng3 Bg7 27. Kf2 Rd5 28. a4 h6 29. axb5 axb5 30. Bc1 Bd4+ and Black's Bishop sweep the board

24. -- 0-0-0 25. Bc3

If 25. Rc2 Rxd4 26. Nxd4 Bb4+ 27. Kd1 Rd8 then:

• 28. Kc1 Rxd4
• 29. Kb2 Kd7
• 30. Rxh7 Bd3 31. Rxg7 Bxc2 and White would probably have resigned before this position was reached
• 30. g5 Be6 31. Rcc1 a5 32. Rcd1 Bc5 Black now has two active Bishops to a Rook
• 29. Kb1 Kd7 30. Kb2 h6 and, after White defends the Pawn at g4, Black will move the dark-bound Bishop and advance the Pawns
• 28. f3 Rxd4+ 29. Kc1 Ba3+ 30. Kb1 a5 31. Ka1 b4 32. g3 a4 33. Re1 b3 34. axb3 axb3 35. Rh2 Rd3 and as Black's Pawn step closer to the coronation point, White's Kingside Pawns are in trouble

25. -- Bc5 26. Nxg7

If 26. Rxd8+ Rxd8 then:

• 27. Rxh7 g6
• 28. Nh6 b4
• 29. Ba1 b3 30. f4 bxa2 and the Pawn is almost there
• 29. Bd2 Bxf2+ 30. Kxf2 Rxd2+ 31. Ke3 Rd3+ 32. Ke4 Rd7 33. Rh8+ Kc7 and 33. -- Bxa2 and White can resign
• 28. Ne3 Bxa2 29. Ke2 Kb7 30. g5 Kb6 31. Rh1 Be6 and there is nothingto stop the Queenside Pawns
• 27. Nxg7 Rd3 28. Rh5 Bxf2+ 29. Kxf2 Rxc3 30. Rxh7 Kd7 31. Nf5 Rc2+ and anoter White Pawn goes into the box

26. -- Rxd2 27. Kxd2 Rd8+ 28. Kc2 b4 29. Bf6 Rd7 30. Rc1

White is hopeless. If 30. f3 Bxa2 then:

• 31. Kb2 Rd2+
• 32. Ka1 Kd7
• 33. Rxh7 Rxg2
• 34. Rh5 Kc6 35. Rh6 Kb5
• 34. Nf5 Bc4 35. Rh8 b3 36. Rd8+ Kc7 37. Re8 Ba3 38. Be5+ Kc6 39. Nd4+ Kd7
• 33. Nf5 Rxg2 34. Rxh7 Bc4 35. Rh8 b3 36. Rd8+ Kc6 37. Nh4 Rh2 38. Nf5
• 32. Kc1 Rxg2 33. Re1 b3 34. Re8+ Kb7 35. Kd1 b2 36. Bxb2 Rxb2 37. Re2 Bb3+ 38. Ke1 Bc2 39. Nf5 Rb1+
• 31. Rxh7 b3+ 32. Kc3 Ba3 33. Rh8+ Kc7 34. Be5+ Kb6 35. Rb8+ Rb7 36. Rxb7+ Kxb7

30. -- Kb7 31. Kb1 Bd3+ 32. Kb2 Bxf2 33. Kb3

Black wins in all variations. If 33. g5 a5 then:

• 34. a3 Kb6
• 35. axb4 axb4
• 36. g4 Bd4+ 37. Bxd4+ Rxd4
• 36. Rc8 Kb5 37. Rb8+ Kc4 38. Rc8+ Bc5 39. Bd8 Kb5 40. Rb8+ Ka4 41. Ra8+ Ra7 42. Rxa7+ Bxa7
• 35. Rc8 bxa3+ 36. Kxa3 Bc5+ 37. Kb2 a4 38. Rb8+ Kc6
• 34. Nh5 Bg6 35. g4 a4 36. Rc4 Be1 37. Rc1 Bd2 38. Rd1 Bc3+ 39. Bxc3 Rxd1 40. Bxb4 Rd4

33. -- a5 34. a3 bxa3 35. Kxa3 Be4 36. Nf5

36. Rc4 Rd3+ is also futile:

• 37. Kb2 Bxg
• 38. Rc2 Rf3 39. Ne8 a4
• 40. Ka2 Rf4
• 41. g5 Bd5+ 42. Ka3 Rf3+ 43. Kb4 a3
• 41. Ka3 Bd5 42. Be5 Rf3+ 43. Kb4 a3 44. Nf6 Be6 45. Nxh7 Bg3
• 40. g5 a3+ 41. Kb1 Ka6 42. Ka2 Bh3 43. Rc4 Bd7 44. Nc7+ Kb7 45. Be5 Bg3 46. Rb4+ Kc8 47. Bxg3 Rxg3
• 38. Nf5 Bd5 39. Rf4 Be1 40. Kc2 Rf3 41. Rxf3 Bxf3 42. Nh6 a4
• 37. Rc3 Rxc3+ 38. Bxc3 Ka6 39. Nh5 Bxg2 40. Nf6 Bc5+ 41. Kb2 a4 42. Nxh7 a3+ 43. Ka1 Kb5 44. Nf6 Kc4

36. -- Rd3+ 37. Kb2 a4 38. Rc3

If 38. Ra1 Bc6 then Black wins as follows:

• 39. Kc2 Rd7
• 40. Rh1 Bxg2 41. Rxh7
• 41. Rh2 Be4+ 42. Kb2 Bc5 43. Rxh7 a3+ 44. Kc3 a2 45. Kb3 Rd2 46. Kc4 Kc6
• 41. --Bf3 42. Bc3
• 42. -- Bc5 43. Rh4 a3 44. g5
• 44. -- Kb6 45. Nd4 Bd5
• 44. Kb3 Bd5+ 45. Kc2 a2 46. g5
• 42. Rg7 Kc6 43. Ne7+ Kd6 44. Ng8 Be4+ 45. Kb2 Ra7 46. Bc3 a3+
• 40. Kc3 Kb6 41. Rf1 Bc5 42. Rb1+ Ka5 43. Kc4 Bf8 44. Rb8 Bd5+
• 39. Be5 Bc5 40. Kc2 Be4 41. Re1 Re3+ 42. Kd2 Rxe1 43. Kxe1 Kc6 44. Nh6 Bg6 45. Kd2 Bb4+ 46. Kc1 a3

38. -- Rxc3 39. Bxc3 Bc5 40. Nh4

If 40. Bd4 a3+ then Black could finish it off in one of these lines:

• 41. Kb3 Bd5+
• 42. Kc3 Kc6
• 43. Bxc5 Kxc5
• 44. g5 Be6 45. Ne3 a2 46. Kb2 Bb3
• 44. Ne3 a2 45. Kb2 Bb3 46. g5 Be6 47. Nc2 Kc4
• 43. g3 Bxd4+ 44. Kxd4 a2 45. Ne7+ Kd7
• 42. Kc2 Bxd4 43. Nxd4 Kb6 44. Kc3 Kc5 45. Nb3+ Kb5 46. Nd4+ Ka4
• 41. Kc3 Bf8 42. Ne3 Kc6 43. Kb3 h6 44. g3 Kb5 45. Bf6 Bc5

40. -- Kc6 41. 0-1

Pelletier put up a stubborn resistance, but the time had come to resign. This is a fine effort by Morozevich.

Participants in the Biel Ladies' Tournament
Front, left to right: Almira Skripchenko, Yelena Dembo, Anna Muzychuk, Pia Cramling
Rear: Ekaterina Atalik, Monika Socko
Photo: Official website of the 39th Biel Chess Festival


The Biel Ladies' Tournament is also taking place in Switzerland.

The participants include two international grandmasters, Pia Cramling of Sweden and Almira Skripchenko of France. Ms. Cramling, at 43 the oldest player in the field, became a grandmaster in 1992 when FIDE began granting women the title.

The other participants are Turkey's Ekaterina Atalik, Yelena Dembo of Greece, 16-year-old Slovenian Anna Muzychuk and Monika Socko of Poland.

After six rounds, Ms. Cramling leads with 4½ points over Ms. Dembo, who has scored four points. Ms. Cramling drew her first three games and as of this morning, when she defeated Mlle. Skripchenko, she has won three in a row. Similarly, Ms. Dembo started with four straight draws and has won her last two.




Pia Cramling

Photo: ChessBase.com (Spanish language)

Ekaterina Atalik vs. Pia Cramling
International Ladies' Tournament, Round 4
Biel, July 2006

East India Game: Nimzo-Indian Defense

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e3

For many years, this was the almost automatic response to the Nimzo-Indian. Nowadays, the older 4. Qc2 is back in vogue.

4. -- 0-0 5. Bd3 d5 6. Nf3 c5 7. 0-0 dxc4 8. Bxc4 Nbd7 9. a3 cxd4 10. Ne2

After 10. axb4 dxc3 11. bxc3 both sides would be satisfied with either of these variations:

• 11. -- Qc7 12. Qb3 Rd8 13. Rd1
• 11. -- b6 12. Qe2 Qc7 13. Bb2 Bb7 14. Bb5

10. -- Bd6 11. Nexd4 Nb6

If 11. -- Ne5 then:

• 12. Nxe5 Bxe5 13. Nf3 Bc7 14. Qb3 e5 15. Rd1 Qe8 with an equal game
• 12. Ba2 Nxf3+ 13. Nxf3 e5 14. e4 Nxe4 15. Qe2 Nf6 16. Nxe5 Bxe5 17. Qxe5 with an equal game

12. Ba2 Bd7 13. Bb1

If 13. b4 e5 14. Ne2 then:

• 14. Ba4
• 15. Bb3 Bxb3 16. Qxb3 e4 17. Nfd4 Qc7 18. Nf4 and a slight advantage for Black in central space
• 15. Qd2? e4 16. Nfd4 Rc8 17. Nf4 Be5 and Black's piece placement gives her a clear plus
• 14. -- Bc6 15. Ng3 Ba4 16. Bb3 Bxb3 17. Qxb3 =

13. -- Qc7 14. e4 e5 15. Ne2 Bb5

If 15. -- Bc6 then he equalibrium is maintained:

• 16. Nc3
• 16. -- Rfd8 17. Qb3 Nbd7 18. Re1 Nc5 19. Qa2
• 16. -- Rac8 17. Bg5 Be7 18. Qb3 Ng4 19. Bxe7 Qxe7 20. Nd5 Bxd5 21. exd5
• 16. Ng3 Rfd8 17. Qe2 a6 18. Bd3 Rac8 19. b4 h6

16. Bd3 Bxd3 17. Qxd3 Nbd7

If 17. -- Qc6 then:

• 18. Ng3 Rad8 19. Bg5
• 19. -- Bb8 20. Qb3
• 20. -- Rfe8 21. Rac1 Qe6 22. Qxe6 and White has a slight initiative
• 20. -- Qe6 21. Qxe6 fxe6 22. Rac1 h6 23. Be3 and White's pieces are slightly better coordinated
• 19. -- Be7 20. Nf5 Qe6 21. Nxe7+ Qxe7 22. Qb5 White, threatening the e-Pawn, has a strong position
• 18. Nc3 Rfd8 19. Bg5 Be7 20. Qe2 Qe6 21. Nb5 Ne8 22. Bxe7 Qxe7 23. Rac1 with equality

18. Be3 Nc5 19. Bxc5 Bxc5 20. Rac1 Qe7 21. Ng3

If 21. b4 Rfd8 then the game remains level:

• 22. Qb5 Bd6
• 23. Nc3 a6 24. Qa4 b5 25. Qb3 Qb7 26. Rfd1 Rac8
• 23. Ng3 Qd7 24. Qxd7 Rxd7 25. Nf5 Bc7 26. Rfd1 Rxd1+ 27. Rxd1 Nxe4 28. Rd7 Rd8
• 22. Qb1 Bb6 23. Ng3 Qe6 24. Nf5 Nh5 25. Qb2 f6 26. Rfd1 Nf4

21. -- Rfd8 22. Qb5 Rac8

If 22. -- b6 then:

• 23. b4
• 23. -- a6 24. Qc6
• 24. -- Bd4 25. Nxd4 exd4 26. Qxb6 Nxe4 27. Rfe1 Qf6 28. Qxf6 Nxf6 and White's pieces are a little better placed, but Black's d-Pawn could become dangerous
• 24. -- Qd6? 25. Qb7 Bd4 26. Nf5 Qf8 27. N3xd4 exd4 and the White Queen wants to party on the seventh rank
• 23. -- Bd4 24. Nf5 Qb7 25. N3xd4 exd4 26. f3 Qd7 27. Qd3 with no great advantage for either side
• 23. Nf5 Qe6 24. Ng5 Qd7 25. Qxd7 Rxd7 26. b4 Bd4 27. Nxd4 exd4 28. Rfd1 with equality

23. Nf5 Qf8 24. Qxb7

If 24. b4 then:

• 24. -- Bb6
• 25. Rxc8 Rxc8 26. Qxe5 Re8 27. Nh6+ gxh6 28. Qxf6 Rxe4 and an equal game
• 25. Nxe5 Rxc1 26. Rxc1 Nxe4 27. Ne3 Bxe3 28. fxe3 Qe7 29. Ng4 and Black's pieces are better coorindated, but White presents them few targets
• 24. -- Bxf2+? 25. Kxf2 Nxe4+ 26. Kg1 Nc3 27. Qxe5 Re8 28. Qxc3 Rxc3 29. Rxc3 g6 30. Ne3 and White has a Rook and two minor pieces for the Queen

24. -- Rb8 25. Qa6

If 25. Qc7 then:

• 25. -- Rdc8 26. Qxe5
• 26. -- Nd7 27. Qd5 Nf6 28. Qa2 Nxe4
• 29. Qb1 Re8 30. b4 g6 31. Ng3 +=
• 29. Rce1 Nxf2 30. b4 Nd3+ 31. bxc5 Nxe1 32. Rxe1 with an equal game
• 26. -- Ng4 27. Qf4 Nxf2 28. Rxf2 Bxf2+ 29. Kxf2 Rxb2+ 30. Kg1 Rxc1+ 31. Qxc1 Ra2 32. Ne5 and White's two Knights will serve as the forward positions in an attack on Black's King; for example, 32. -- h6 33. Nd7 Qd8 34. Qc3
• 25. -- Nxe4
• 26. Nxe5 Rdc8 27. Rxc5 Rxc7 28. Rxc7 Nd6 29. Rfc1 Nxf5 30. Nd7 Qd8 31. Nxb8 Nd6 and White has an extra Pawn and the initiative
• 26. Rc2? g6 27. b4 Bxf2+ 28. Rfxf2 gxf5 29. Qxe5 Nxf2 30. Kxf2 Rd3 and Black has a strong initiative

25. -- Rxb2 26. Nh6+ gxh6 27. Qxf6 Qd6 28. Qh4

If 28. Qxd6 Bxd6 then the equalibrium is maintained in these variations:

• 29. Rfd1 f6 30. Nh4
• 30. -- Be7 31. Rxd8+ Bxd8 32. f3
• 29. Rc6 f6 30. h4 Kf7 31. Rd1 Be7 32. Rxd8 Bxd8
• 30. -- Bc7 31. Nf5 Rxd1+ 32. Rxd1 Bb6 33. Nxh6+ Kf8 34. Ng4 Ke7 35. h3

28. -- Bb6 29. Qg3+ Kf8

If 29. -- Qg6 30. Qxe5 then:

• 30. -- Re2
• 31. Nh4 Qxe4 32. Qxe4 Rxe4 33. Nf5
• 33. -- Rf4 34. Ne7+ Kf8 35. Nc8 Bd4 and Black's chances are slightly better
• 33. -- Re5 34. Nxh6+ Kg7 35. Ng4 Re4 36. h3 and a level game
• 31. Rce1 31. -- Rc2 32. Qe7 Qd6 33. Qxd6 Rxd6 with equality
• 30. -- Qg7 31. Qe7 Qf8 32. Qxf8+ Kxf8 33. h4 h5 34. Rc3 Re2 35. e5 and White is a little better, but far from winning

30. Kh1 Rb3 31. a4 Ra3 32. Qg4

If 32. Qxe5 Qxe5 33. Nxe5 Rxa4 then:

• 34. f3 Ra2
• 35. Rfd1 Rxd1+ 36. Rxd1
• 36. -- Ke7 37. Nc6+ Ke6 and a level position
• 36. -- Bc7 37. Ng4 Kg7 and neither side has threats that can't be easily rebuffed
• 35. Nc4 Bf2 36. Rb1 Bd4 37. Rfd1 Bf6 and equality
• 34. Nc4 Rb4 35. f4 Rd4 36. Nxb6 axb6 37. Rc8+ Ke7 38. Rc7+ Rd7 and a probable draw

32. -- Qg6 33. Qh4

If 33. Nxe5 Qxg4 34. Nxg4 then the the game remains level in these variations:

• 34. -- Rxa4 35. f3
• 35. -- Ra2
• 36. Rfd1
• 36. -- Rxd1+ 37. Rxd1 a5 38. g3 a4
• 36. -- Kg7 37. Rxd8 Bxd8 38. Ne3 a5
• 36. Nxh6 Rdd2 37. Nf5 Ke8 38. Ng7+ Ke7 39. Nf5+ Ke8
• 35. -- h5 36. Nf6 Rad4 37. Nxh5 Rd2 38. Nf6 Be3 39. Rb1
• 34. -- h5 35. Nf6 h6 36. Rc4 Bxf2 37. Nxh5

33. -- Rxa4 34. Nxe5 Qg5 35. Qg3?

White makes the fatal mistake.

Correct is 35. Qxg5! hxg5:

• 36. f3
• 36. -- Ra2
  • 37. Ra1 Rc2 38. Rac1 Re2 39. Rfe1 Rxe1+ 40. Rxe1 h5 and Black is only slightly better
  • 37. f4? is a blunder: 37. --Be3 38. Rc7 Bxf4 39. Rxf7+ Ke8 40. Nc6 Rd7 and Black has a strong position after the exchange of Rooks when the remote passed Pawn give her the best chances
• 36. -- h5 37. Rfd1 Rxd1+ 38. Rxd1 Rd4 39. Rxd4 Bxd4 40. Nc6 and, with Pawns on opposite wings, Black's Bishop is better than White's Knight
• 36. Nc4 h5
• 37. Nxb6 axb6 38. f3 Ra2
• 39. Rcd1 Ke8 40. Kg1 h4 41. h3 f6 and a drawish-looking position
• 39. Rfd1 Ke7 40. h3 Rxd1+ 41. Rxd1 Rb2 and a likely draw
• 37. Rc2 Bd4 38. Rfc1 Rc8 39. f3 a5 40. g3 Ra1 41. Rxa1 Bxa1 42. Ra2 Rxc4 43. Rxa1 a4 and Black's a-Pawn give her better chances, but it isn't a decisive advantage
The text move leaves the e-Pawn unprotected.

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Position after White's 35th move

35. -- Rxe4!

This is an example of the occupation of the center being hollow and vulnerable. White had her pieces there, but the center was not fortified.

The text move is like knocking the keystone out of a decaying arch.

36. Qa3+

36. Rfe1 is also futile for White after Black replies 36. -- Qxg3:
• 37. hxg3 Rxe1+ 38. Rxe1 Bxf2
• 39. Rf1 Rd2
• 39. Ra1 Rd5 40. Rf1 Bxg3
• 37. fxg3 Be3 38. Nf3 Bxc1 39. Rxe4 Rd1+ 40. Re1 Rxe1+ 41. Nxe1 a5
36. -- Kg8 37. Nc6

37. Nf3 Qf5 may be a little better for White, but Black has a strong or winning advantage in all variations:
• 38. Qb2 Rde8
• 39. Rc2 Qe6
• 40. Qc1 Qf6
• 41. Rc6 R4e6 42. Rxe6 Rxe6 43. Qc8+ Kg7 and White's slender hopes of saving a half-point depend on stopping the a-Pawn
• 41. Qd2 Qf4 42. Qc3 Re2 43. Rxe2 Rxe2 44. Re1 Rxe1+ 45. Qxe1 a5 and the a-Pawn will decide the game in White's favor
• 40. Qa1 a5 41. Rfc1 Qf5 42. Rb2 Qf6 and the a-Pawn will assure Black the initiative
• 39. Qd2 Qf4 40. Rfd1 Qxd2 41. Rxd2 Re2 and Black, already a Pawn up, is poised to win the f-Pawn
• 38. Rc2 a5 39. Ra1 a4 40. Qc3 Rde8 41. Rca2 Qf4 and White's a-Pawn gives her a strong position
37. -- Rde8 38. Nxa7 Bxa7

Retaking is out of the question: 39. Qxa7 Qxc1 40. Rxc1 Re1+ and Black delivers checkmate on the next move.

39. f4 Qe7 40. Qg3+ Kh8 41. f5 Qg5 42. 0-1

White is a whole piece down and under attack. Mrs. Atalik resigns.

Ms. Cramling took the lead at the half-way point in the tournament by defeating Monika Socko of Poland, who had held the lead since the second round.

Pia Cramling vs. Monika Socko
International Ladies' Tournament, Round 5
Biel, July 2006


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Position after Black's 63rd move

Black has just played 63. -- Rf8-h8? This took a cramped position and made it unplayable.

Better was 63. -- Ra8.

64. h6+!

Believe it or not, this virtually wins one of the Knights on the other wing.

63. Kf8 65. Bf1 Ke8

The King attempt to run to the other side in order to free the imprisoned Rook, but there is no time. Black is lost.

If 65. --Ne8 then 66. Ra7 Nac7 67. Nf3 Rg8 68. Kc3 Rh8 69. b4 and now Black can do nothing but make passive waiting moves while White tightens the noose: 69. --cxb4+ 70. Kxb4 Rg8 71. Nd4 Rh8 72. Nb5 Nxb5 73. cxb5 Rg8 74. Ra8 Rh8 75. b6 Rg8 76. Bb5 Rh8 77. Rxe8#.

66. b4 cxb4 67. c5 Kd8 68. Bxa6 Nxa6 69. Rb6!

And the Knight is gone. 69. -- Nc7 70. Rb8 is checkmate.

69. -- dxc5 70. Rxa6

Rather than resign here, as she could have done, Black waits for her passed Pawns to be taken. There is no way to save them.

70. -- Kc7 71. Rc6+ Kb7 72. Rxc5 Ra8 73. Rb5+ Kc7 74. Rxb4 Ra3 75. Ke2 1-0





Ekaterina Atalik at her wedding
palying chess with the groom, Turkish grandmaster Saut Atalik
(Istanbul, November 2005)
Photo: The Right Move

Ekaterina Atalik vs. Almira Skripchenko
International Ladies' Tournament, Round 3
Biel, July 2006

This position shall be used to illustrate the cardinal rule of the Jack Rabbit theory of chess: In order for one to win a chess game, one's opponent must first lose it. This isn't sush a brilliant observation. It is merely the correllary of the idea that from the initial position a perfect game of chess (that is, one in which neither player makes a mistake) will end in a draw.

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Position after White's 24th move

24. -- Nh7?

If 24. -- Rc8 then:
• 25. Rxc8 Rxc8 26. Qg3
  • 26. -- Kh7? would lose after 27. Nc2 when White's command of the c1h6 diagonal and her ability to play a timely f4 give her an overwhelming attack in these variations:
  • 27. --- Ne8 28. Nexd4 exd4 29. f4
  • 27. -- Rh8 28. Nexd4 exd4 29. f4
  • 27. -- Ba8 28. f3 Bb7 29. Nexd4 exd4 30. f4
  • 26. -- Kh8 is much better; if now 27. f4 then the position is unclear in these variations:
  • 27. --- exf4 28. Qxf4 Be5 29. Qg5 Qd8
  • 27. -- Bb2 28. fxe5 Bxe5 29. Qg5 Qd8
• 25. Qg3
• 25. -- Rxc1 26. Rxc1
• 26. --- Kh7 27. Nd1 Rc8 28. Nxd4 Qxd4 29. Rxc8 Bxc8 gives White an insignificant plus
• 26. -- h4 27. Qf3 Rc8 28. Nd1 Rxc1 29. Bxc1 Qd8 30. Bg5 and White's control of open line give her a strong advantage
• 25. -- Kh7 26. Rc2 Rhe8 27. Rfc1 Rxc2 28. Rxc2 Rc8 29. Rxc8 Bxc8 with an unclear position


Analysis Diagram
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Hypothetical position after 24 -- Rc8

Let us now look at a variation that closely resmebles what was played in the actual game, only with the Black Rook on c8 and the Black Knight on f6.

25. Nxd4 exd4 26. Nf5+?

This sacrfice is a blunder. We should conclude that the move is so bad, it would probably not have been played by a master as strong as Mrs. Atalik. Nevertheless, it illustrates an important point.

26. -- gxf5 and the most likely continuation is 27. Qxf5 Ne5 28. Qg5+ Ng6 and the Black King is safe with Black poised for a counterattack with her Pawns and Pieces well defended; Black should win.

The pyrotechnic display in the game doesn't work now: if 27. Qg3+ then 27. -- Kh7 28. Rc6 Bxc6 29. Qd6 and White does not accomplish the gain of tempo as in the actual game.

20. -- Rh8 (preventing the White Queen from returning to g3) 30. Qf4 Kh8! 31. Qh6+ and now 31. -- Nh7 can be played (it is, in fact, Black's only legal move) and White's attack is spent. The only thing she accomplished in this variation is to give away a Rook; Black wins easily.

25. Nxd4 exd4

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Position after Black's 25th move

26. Nf5+!!

If 26. Nc2?! Rc8 then then the game is level in these variations:
• 27. Qf4
• 27. -- Ne5 28. Qh6+ Kg8 29. Ne1 Nc4
• 30. Nf3 Nxa3 31. Rxc8+ Bxc8
• 30. Bxc4 bxc4 31. f3
• 27. -- Nhf6 28. Ne1 Ne5 29. Rxc8 Rxc8
• 27. Rfe1 Ne5 28. Qe2 Rhe8 29. f4 Nc4 30. Qf2 Nxd2 31. Qxd2 Rc3
26. -- gxf5 27. Qg3+ Kf6 28. Rc6!

The text move leads to a quicker end than 28. Qh4+ Kg7 29. Qg3+ Kf6 30. Rc6 Bxc6 31. Qxd6+.

Note that White now has the King's wing of the sixth rank enitrely at her disposal; this would not have been the case with the Knight on f6, which explains why the same maneuvers failed in the analysis of Black's 24th move.

28. --- Bxc6 29. Qxd6+ Kg7 30. Bh6+ Kg8 31. Qg3+ 1-0

Black's fate is sealed: if 31. --- Ng5 then 32. Qxg5+ Kh7 33. Qg7 is checkmate. Mlle. Skripchenko resigns.

The North Urals Cup, an even stronger supertournament for ladies than the one in Biel, is taking place now in the town of Krasnoturyinsk in Sverdlovsk Oblast, Russia.

The tournament is a single round robin event with ten participants: Maia Chibudanidze of Georgia, Lithuania's Viktorija Cmilyte, 12-year-old Chinese prodigy Hou Yifan, Nadezhda Kosintsev of Russia and her sister, Tatiana Kosintseva, 16-year-old Ukrainian Katya Lahno, Svetlana Matveeva of Russia, Armenian Lilit Mkrtchian, Antoaneta Stefanova of Bulgaria and Zhu Chen, formally of China who began this year playing under the flag of her husband's country, Qatar.

Ms. Chiburdanidze, Ms. Stefanova and Ms. Zhu are all full international grandamsters and each has held the title of women's world champion at one time. Ms. Chiburdanidze, the senior participant in the field, won the title when she was 17 years old and held it for 12 years.




Three former women's world champions competing in Krasnoturinsk
Zhu Chen (top), Maia Chiburdanidze and Antoaneta Stefanova
Photos: Chiburdanidze and Stefanova from ChessBase.com, Zhu from ChessBase.de (Germany)

The other participants hold the title of woman grandmaster (WGM) except for young Ms. Hou, who is a FIDE master (FM) who is expected to achieve higher titles rapidly. Given the strength of this tournament, she may score a norm just for coming.

After seven rounds, Ms. Zhu and Ms. Lahno are tied for the tournament lead with 5½ points each. Ms. Mkrtchian is in third place with 4 points.




Katya Lahno
Photo:ChessBase.de (Germany)

Katya Lahno vs. Maia Chiburdanidze
North Urals Cup, Round 5
Krasnoturyinsk, Sverdlovsk Oblast, Russia, July 2006

German Defense (Caro-Kann Defense)

1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Bf5 5. Ng3 Bg6 6. Bc4 e6 7. N1e2 Bb4+ 8. Bd2 Bxd2+ 9. Qxd2 Nf6 10. Nf4 Qd6 11. 0-0-0 0-0?

This is the losing move. Black would do better to develop the Queen's Knight and castle long. White is too well poised to attack against the King's wing to put the King there.

Better is 11. -- Nbd7 when a satisfactory game for both sides is achieved in these lines:

• 12. Rhe1 0-0-0
• 13. Bb3 Nd5 14. Nxd5 exd5 15. Re3 Rhe8 16. Rde1 Rxe3 17. Rxe3
• 13. h4 Nb6 14. Bb3 Nbd5 15. Nxd5 exd5 16. Re5 Ne4
• 12. c3 12. -- Nb6 13. Be2 0-0-0 14. Nxg6 hxg6 15. Bf3 Rd7 16. h3

12. Nxg6 hxg6

12. -- fxg6 is too risky. After 13. h4:

• 13. -- b5 14. Bb3 a5 15. Rde1 Nd5 16. Ne4 Qf4 and White has a strong initiative after 17. Qxf4 Nxf4 18. Ng5 and if 18. -- a4 then 19. Bxe6+
• 13. -- h5 14. Qg5 b5 15. Bb3 and White's position is powerful after Rhe1

13. h4 b5

If 13. -- Nh5 14. Nxh5 gxh5 15. Qg5 then:

• 15. -- b5 16. Be2 Qd5 17. Kb1
• 17. -- Na6 18. Bf3 Qc4 and has gained a strong advantage by attacking Pawn weaknesses
• 17. -- Qxg5 18. hxg5 g6 19. c3 and White, with superior development, is ready to attack with Bf3 and g4
• 15. -- Rd8 16. g3 b5 17. Be2 Nd7 18. Qxh5 and White has a strong attack against the Black's King

14. Be2 Nd5

If 14. -- Qd5 15. c4 bxc4 16. Bf3 then:

• 16. -- Qb5
• 17. h5
• 17. -- Qa4
• 18. h6 c3 19. bxc3 Qa3+ 20. Kb1 Nd5 and White's attack in the h-file is menacing
• 18. hxg6? Qxa2 19. Rh3 gives Black equality on a silver platter
• 17. -- gxh5 18. Nxh5 Ne8 19. Rh2 and White has a tremendous attack on the Black King
• 17. Rde1? Na6 18. h5 Nb4 and Black has an equal game
• 16. -- c3 17. bxc3 Qa5 18. h5 Nbd7 19. hxg6 fxg6 and White has an advantage in space and control of the a8h1 diagonal

15. h5 Qf4

If 15. -- Nf4 16. Ne4 then:

• 16. -- Qc7 17. Bf3
• 17. -- gxh5 18. g3
• 18. -- Ng6 19. Rxh5
• 19. -- Rd8 20. Rdh1 Qd6 and Black has big trouble on the h-file
• 19. -- Ne7? 20. Rdh1 Ng6 21. Nf6+ gxf6 22. Rh8+ Nxh8 23. Qh6 and 24. Qxh8#
• 18. -- Nd5? 19. Rxh5 Ne7 20. Nf6+ gxf6 21. Qh6 and 22. Qh8#
• 17. -- Rd8 18. h6 e5 19. Qe3 f5 20. Qb3+ Nd5 21. Nc5 and White's well-placed pieces give her a winning game
• 16. -- Nxe2+ 17. Qxe2 Qd5 18. Kb1 Na6 19. h6 Nb4 20. b3 Qf5 21. h7+ Kh8 22. g4 and White's control of the h-file gives her a stron initiative

16. hxg6 fxg6 17. Bf3 Nd7

If 17. -- Qxd2+ 18. Rxd2

• 18. -- Na6 19. Re2
• 19. -- Nac7 20. Re5
• 20. -- Rad8 21. c3 a5 22. Kc2 and White's better placed pieces give her a clear advantage
• 20. -- a5 21. Ne4 Rf5 22. Nd6 Rxe5 23. dxe5 and White control the open lines and the well-placed Knight at d6 will be hard to displace
• 19. -- Kf7 20. Ne4 Nac7 21. Nc5 Rad8 22. c3 and White, with a solid Pawn chain control of the open lines is in command
• 18. -- a5 19. c3 a4 20. Re1 Nf4 21. Ne4 Na6 22. Ng5 and Black's King is extremely vulnerable

18. Ne4 e5

If 18. -- Rad8 19. Qxf4 then:

• 19. -- Rxf4 20. Rh3
• 20. -- Kf8 21. Rdh1
• 21. -- a5 22. Rh8+ Ke7 23. R8h7 Kf8 24. c3 and the Rook are ready to raid Black's camp
• 21. -- e5 22. Re1 Ke7 23. Rg3 and White has strong position owing to her control of open lines
• 20. -- N7f6 21. Nc5 Re8 22. c3 g5 23. Rdh1 g4 24. Rh8+ and White's advantages are beginning to come to fruition
• 19. -- Nxf4 20. Rh4 Nd5 21. Ng5 Rf6 22. Rdh1 Kf8 23. Nh7+ Ke7 24. Nxf6 gxf6 and the Rooks will invade Black's camp on the h-file

19. Ng5 Rae8

If 19. -- N7b6 20. Be4 then:

• 20. -- Ne7 21. Qxf4 Rxf4 22. f3 exd4 23. Rh3
• 23. -- Rf6 24. Rdh1 Kf8 25. Rh8+ Ng8 26. Nh7+ and White wins the exchange
• 23. -- Rf5 24. Bxf5 gxf5 25. Rdh1 Ng6 26. Ne6 and White, an exchange ahead and with the initiative, has a clear advantage
• 20. -- Qxd2+ 21. Rxd2
• 21. -- exd4 22. Bxg6
• 22. -- Rf6 23. Bh7+ Kf8 and White has a strong initiative
• 22. -- Ne7 23. Bh7+ Kh8 24. Bf5+ Kg8 25. Be6+ Rf7 26. Bxf7+ Kf8 27. Rh8+ Ng8 28. Re2 and mate on g8 cannot be prevented
• 21. -- Nc4 22. Bxd5+ cxd5 23. Rd3 Rf5 24. Rdh3 Rxg5 25. Rh8+ and White wins a Rook

20. Qxf4 Rxf4 21. Rhe1 Re7

If 21. -- Kf8 22. g3 then:

• 22. -- Rf5 23. Bg4 Rxg5 24. Bxd7 Rd8 25. Bxc6 Nb4 26. Bb7
• 26. -- Rd7 27. a3 Rxb7 28. axb4 and White has an extra Pawn
• 26. -- exd4 27. a3 Rd7 28. Bg2 and White will soon threaten Black's weak Pawns
• 22. -- Rxd4 23. Ne6+ Rxe6 24. Rxd4 Rf6 25. Rd3 Nc5 26. Ra3 b4 27. Ra5 and White is poised to win material

22. dxe5 Nxe5

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Position after Black's 22nd move

23. Rxd5!

Black would get back in the game after the pedestrian 23. Bxd5+?! cxd5:

• 24. Nf3 Nc6
• 25. Rxe7 Nxe7
• 26. Rd4 Rxd4 27. Nxd4+ and there is no longer a clear advantage
• 26. Re1 Kf7 27. Ne5+ Kf6 28. f3 Rh4 29. Nd3 and White has no clear win
• 25. Re3 Rxe3 26. fxe3 Rf5 27. c3 a5 and White's advantage has been greatly cut
• 24. Nh3 Rc4 25. Re3 d4 26. Re4 d3 27. Rxc4 bxc4 28. f4 and White will have to contend with some counterplay

In what follows, not only does White regain the exchange, but emerges from the skirmish a Pawn to the good.

23. -- cxd5 24. Bxd5+ Kf8 25. Ne6+ Rxe6 26. Bxe6 Nc4

If 26. -- Nf7 27. Bd7 then White wins the following variations:

• 27. -- Nd6 28. Re6
• 28. -- Rf6 29. Re2
• 29. -- a5 30. Kd2 Rf7 31. Be6 Rf4
• 29. -- Rf7 30. Be6 Re7 31. Kd2 a5 32. f4 Ke8 33. g4
• 28. -- Nf5 29. Re2 a6 30. c3 Nd6 31. Bc6 a5 32. b3
• 27. -- Nh6 28. f3 a6 29. Re8+ Kf7 30. Ra8 Ra4 31. b3 Ra5 32. Be8+

27. Bxc4 Rxc4 28. c3 Kf7 29. Kc2 Ra4

29. -- Rh4 doesn't work any better; 30. g3 and now White wins:

• 30. -- Rh2 31. Re2
• 31. -- g5 32. Kd3
• 32. -- Kf6 33. Kd4
• 33. -- a6 34. c4 bxc4 35. Kxc4
• 33. -- g4 34. Kc5 Rh5+ 35. Kb4 g6 36. Ka5
• 32. -- a6 33. c4 bxc4+ 34. Kxc4 Rh1 35. Kd5 Rd1+ 36. Ke5 g6 37. f3
• 31. -- a5 32. Kb3 Rh5 33. a4 bxa4+ 34. Kxa4 Kf6 35. f4
• 30. -- Rh5 31. Kb3 Rd5 32. f4 Rd2 33. Re3 Rg2 34. Re5 a6 35. Re3 Kf6 36. Rd3

30. a3 Rh4

If 30. -- Rf4 31. f3 then White wins:

• 31. -- Rh4 32. Kd3
• 32. -- Kf6 33. b3
• 33. -- g5 34. c4 bxc4+ 35. bxc4
• 35. -- Rh2 36. Re2
• 36. -- Rh1 37. Ke4 g4 38. fxg4 Kg5 39. c5
• 36. -- Rh4 37. g4 Rh1 38. Re3
• 35. -- a5 36. g4 Rh3 37. Re3
• 33. -- Rh2 34. Re2 Rh1 35. Re4 Rb1 36. Rb4
• 32. -- Rh2 33. Re2 a5 34. c4 bxc4+ 35. Kxc4 Rh1 36. b3 Kf6 37. Kb5
• 31. -- Kf6 32. Re4 Rf5 33. Kd3 Rh5 34. g4 Rh1 35. Rb4 a6 36. a4 +-

31. f3 Rh2 32. Re2 Kf6 33. b3 g5

White is ready to advance her Queenside Pawn majority. If 33. -- Rh1 34. Rd2 then:

• 34. -- Ke6 35. Re2+
• 35. -- Kf6 36. c4
• 36. -- bxc4 37. bxc4 a5 38. Kc3
• 38. -- Ra1 39. Kb2 Rd1 40. c5 +-
• 38. -- Rc1+ 39. Kd4 Rd1+ 40. Kc5 a4 41. Kb4 +-
• 36. -- Rh5 37. Kc3 a6 38. g4 Rh1 39. cxb5 axb5 40. Kb4 Ra1 41. Rc2 +-
• 35. -- Kd6 36. Re4 Rh2 37. Rg4 Rh6 38. Kd3 Kc6 39. g3 Kc5 40. a4 a6 41. Rh4 Rh5 42. Rxh5+ gxh5 43. axb5 axb5 44. Ke4 +-
• 34. -- Rg1 35. c4 bxc4 36. bxc4 Re1 37. Kc3 Ke5 38. Rd5+ Kf4 39. Rd4+ Kf5 40. g4+ Kg5 41. Rd3 Kf4 42. c5 +-

34. c4 bxc4 35. bxc4 g4 36. fxg4 Kg5 37. c5 Kxg4 38. Kc3 g5 39. Kd4 1-0

White has an advanced passed Pawn, a Rook that can easily be put behind it and an active, centralized King; Black's Rook is temporarily offsided. The rest of the game is a matter of technique. Ms. Chiburdanidze resigns.


Of all the games fetured this week, the following is my favorite. I'm a sucker for a piece sacrifice.



Lilit Mkrtchian
Photo:ChessBase.de (Germany)

Antoaneta Stefanova vs. Lilit Mkrtchian
North Urals Cup, Round 5
Krasnoturyinsk, Sverdlovsk Oblast, Russia, July 2006

Barcza Opening

1. Nf3 d5 2. g3 c6 3. d3 Bg4 4. Nbd2 Nd7

4. -- Nf6 5. Bg2 Nbd7 6. 0-0 e5 is level.

5. h3 Bh5 6. Bg2 Ngf6 7. 0-0 e5 8. e4 dxe4

8. -- Qc7 9. exd5 Nxd5 10. d4 0-0-0 11. Qe2 Bd6 is satisfactory for both sides.

9. dxe4 Bc5 10. Qe1 0-0 11. Nc4 Re8 12. a4 Nb6 13. Qe2 a5 14. Bg5 h6 15. Rfd1 Qe7 16. Bd2?

This move invites a tactical stroke that gives a clear advantage to Black. When the dust settles, Black will have won three Pawns for a Bishop.

Correct is 16. Nxb6 and if 16. -- Bxb6 17. Bxf6 Qxf6 18. Rd7 then Black maintains the equalibrium with:

• 18. -- Rab8 19. g4 Bg6 20. Rad1 and White's control of the d-file is balanced by Black's Black's control of the a7g1 diagonal and her defensive resources
• 18. -- Re7 19. Rad1 Bc5 20. R7d3 Rae8 and the position promises little to either side

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Position after White's 16th move

16. -- Bxf2+!!

If 16. -- Nxc4 17. Qxc4 then:

• 17. -- Bxf3 18. Bxf3 b6
• 19. Bc3
• 19. -- Rad8 20. Kg2 Nh7 21. Be2 Qf6 22. f4 and White has a small advantage in space
• 19. -- Ra7 20. Rd2 Rd7 21. Rxd7 Qxd7 22. Kg2 with both sides well defended from any coming attacks
• 19. b3 Rad8 20. Bc3 Qa7 21. Kg2 Bxf2 22. Rxd8 Rxd8 23. Bxe5 and the position promises little
• 17. -- b6 18. Be3
• 18. -- Bxe3
• 19. fxe3
• 19. -- Qb4 20. Qxb4 axb4 and Black has a small advantage, but not a promising one
• 19. -- Qe6 20. Qxe6 Rxe6 21. g4 Bg6 and the position promises little
• 18. -- Rac8 19. Bxc5 Qxc5 20. Qxc5 bxc5 21. g4 Bg6 22. Nd2 Rb8 23. b3 and now White, rather than Black, has a good game

17. Kxf2 Qc5+ 18. Be3 Nxe4+ 19. Ke1

If 19. Kg1 Qxc4

• 20. Qe1 Nd5
• 21. Nd2 Nxd2 22. Rxd2 Rad8 23. Bf2 and Black's center is strong and fortified
• 21. g4 Bg6 22. Nh4 Bh7 23. Nf5 Bxf5 24. gxf5 Nf4 and Black has a strong initiative
• 20. Qxc4 Nxc4 21. Re1 Nxg3 22. Bf2 Nf5 23. b3 e4 24. Nd4 Nxd4 25. Bxd4 Nd2 and Black's e-Pawn is ready to cause a panic in White's position

19. -- Qxc4 20. Bxb6 Qb4+ 21. c3 Qxb6 22. Qxe4 f5

If 22. -- Qxb2 then:

• 23. Kf1 Qxc3
• 24. Rdc1 Bxf3 25. Bxf3 Qd2 26. Re1 Rad8 27. Rad1 Qc3 and Black is thraening the center
• 24. Rac1 Qa3 25. Re1 Bg6 26. Qg4 Rad8 27. Kg1 e4 28. Nh4 Bh7 and Black's e-Pawn could give White some headaches
• 23. Bh1 Qxc3+ 24. Kf2 Qc5+ 25. Kf1 Bg6 26. Qg4 e4 27. Rac1 Qb4 28. Nh4 e3 and in this variation, Black's e-Pawn is giving White some headaches

23. Qc4+

If 23. Qxf5 then:

• 23. -- Qe3+ 24. Kf1 Bf7
• 25. Bh1 Bc4+ 26. Kg2 Rf8
• 27. Qxe5 Qxf3+ 28. Kh2 Qf2+ 29. Bg2 Rae8 and Black should win
• 27. Re1 Be2 28. Qe6+ Kh8 29. Kh2 Qf2+ 30. Bg2 Bxf3 and Black has a strong initiative
• 25. b3 Bxb3 26. Qd3 Qxd3+ 27. Rxd3 Bc4 28. Ne1 e4 and the e-Pawn is causing White some problems
• 23. -- e4?! 24. Nd4 Bxd1 25. Rxd1 Qxb2 26. Bxe4 Qxc3+ 27. Ke2 Qc4+ 28. Rd3 and Black has wasted much of her advantage

23. -- Kh8 24. Rd2

If 24. g4 e4 25. Nh2 Qg1+ then:

• 26. Qf1 Qxh2 27. gxh5 f4
• 28. Bh1 Qxb2 and Black's advancing connected passed Pawn combined with the Queen at b2 give her a strong advantage
• 28. Rd6 f3 29. Rad1 b5 30. Rg6 Rad8 31. axb5 cxb5 and Black has Pawns marching on both wings
• 26. Nf1 fxg4 27. hxg4 e3 and the e-Pawn looks deadly

24. -- Bxf3 25. Bxf3 Qg1+ 26. Qf1 Qxg3+ 27. Qf2

If 27. Kd1 e4 28. Bg2 then:

• 28. -- f4
• 29. Qf2 29. -- Qg5
• 30. Rd4 30. -- Rad8
• 31. Kc2 31. -- Rxd4 32. cxd4 Qf5 33. Kc3 b5 and Black's Pawns look imposing
• 31. Ke1 Rxd4 32. cxd4 f3 33. Bf1 Qf4 and Black's fortified Pawns should guarantee her a win
• 30. Rd7 Rad8 31. Rd4 c5 32. Rxd8 Rxd8+ and the Paws will continue to advance
• 29. Rf2 f3 30. Kc2 fxg2 31. Rxg2 Qxh3 32. Re1 Qd3+ 33. Kc1 Qxf1 34. Rxf1 e3 and the e-Pawn is bone in White throat
• 28. -- Rad8?! 29. Rxd8 Rxd8+ 30. Kc2 e3 31. Bh1 Rd2+ 32. Kb3 Qe5 and Black's e-Pawn comes closer and closer

27. -- Qxh3 28. Rd7

If 28. Bg2 Qg4 then:

• 29. Rd7 e4 30. Rxb7 Rad8
• 31. Qe2 Qh4+
• 32. Kf1 Qf4+ 33. Qf2 Qxf2+ 34. Kxf2 Rd2+ 35. Kg1 Re6 and Black's Kingside Pawn give her a strong position
• 32. Qf2 Qg5 33. Bf1 e3 34. Qh2 e2 35. Bxe2 Rd2 and Black is ready to crush the Bishop under the pressure she is putting on the e2 point
• 31. Kf1 g6 32. Re1 e3 33. Qe2 Qxa4 and Black has a strong position thanks to the e-Pawn
• 29. Rad1 e4 30. Rd7 e3 31. Qe2 Qxa4 32. R7d4 Qb3 33. Rd7 and Black keep pushing his Pawns through White's attempts at counterpaly

28. -- e4 29. Bg2 Qg4 30. Rad1 f4 31. Rf7

If 31. R1d6 f3 32. Bh1 Rf8 33. Qh2 Qg5 34. Rd1 Rae8 35. R7d4 e3 then:

• 36. Ra1 f2+ 37. Ke2 Qf5 and White can resign
• 36. Bxf3 Rxf3 37. Ke2 Qf5 38. Rh1 Rf2+ and White is doomed

31. -- f3 32. Bf1 e3 33. Qxf3 Qh4+ 34. Ke2 Qc4+?

Black almost throws away her victory.

The correct move is 34. -- Qxa4!:

• 35. Qf5 Qb3 36. Ke1 e2 37. Bxe2 Rxe2+ 38. Kxe2 Re8+ 39. Kf2 Qxd1 with a strong position
• 35. Rd3 Qc2+ 36. Ke1 Rad8 37. Qd1 Qxb2 38. Qg4 Qa1+ 39. Qd1 Qxd1+ 40. Kxd1 b5 41. Rxd8 Rxd8+ followed by the placing of the Rook behind the e-Pawn

35. Rd3 Rad8 36. Ke1?

However, White also errs. The move to avoid loss is 36. Qf5:

• 36. -- Qb3 37. Kf3 Qxb2 38. Kg4 Qh2 39. Rxd8 Qg1+ 40. Kh3 Qh1+ 41. Kg3 Qg1+ 42. Bg2 Rxd8 43. Qe5 with a strong game for White
• 36. -- Rd5 37. Rf8+ Rxf8 38. Qxf8+ Kh7 39. Kxe3 Re5+ 40. Kf2 Qe4 41. Rf3 Qc2+ 42. Kg1 and a likely draw

Black proceeds to nail the game down, giving her opponent no more chances.

36. -- e2 37. Bxe2 Qxd3 38. Qg4 Qd1+ 39. Kf2 Rxe2+ 0-1

White must either surrender her Queen or submit to checkmate. Ms. Stefanova resigns.

Stanislav Novikov, the 2006 Czech Open champion, is a 21-year-old student and resident of Moscow. He says he plays chess infrequently. If this game is any indication of what he can do, let's hope that changes.

In an interview published yesterday on the official tournament website, Novikov seems to almost disbelieve both that he won the whole thing or that he defeated an elite grandmaster to do it.



The action in Pardubice
Photo: website of the 2006 Czech Open

David Navara vs. Stanislav Novikov
Czech Open, Round 9
Pardubice, July 2006

West India Game: King's Indian Defnese

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 d6 3. Nf3 g6 4. Nc3 Bg7 5. e4 0-0 6. Be2 Na6 7. 0-0 e5 8. Be3 Ng4 9. Bg5 f6 10. Bd2 Nh6 11. dxe5

The King's Indian Defense has many variations; any of the following lines and many more are popssible here, all giving both sides a satisfactory game:

• 11. d5 c6 then:
  • 12. Re1 f5 13. Bg5
  • 13. -- Qd7 14. Bxh6 Bxh6 15. exf5 gxf5
  • 13. -- Qc7 14. dxc6 bxc6 15. Bxh6 Bxh6
  • 12. a3 12. -- f5 13. b4 fxe4 14. Nxe4
• 11. b3 Nf7 12. Be3 f5 13. exf5 Bxf5
• 11. a3 Nf7 12. Be3 c6 13. b4
• 13. -- Nc7 14. d5 f5 15. dxc6 bxc6 16. exf5 Bxf5
• 13. -- f5 14. exf5 Bxf5 15. Re1 Qf6 16. Bd3 Bg4

11. -- dxe5 12. Qc1

If 12. Qc2 Nf7 then the following lines establish an equalibrium:

• 13. Rad1
• 13. -- c6 14. a3 Qe7 15. Be3 f5
• 13. -- Be6 14. Be3 Qe8 15. a3 f5 16. exf5 Bxf5 17. Bd3
• 13. a3 c6 14. b4 Qe7 15. Be3 f5

12. -- Nf7 13. Rd1 c6 14. Be3 Qe7 15. c5 f5 16. Na4 Nc7 17. b4?!

The text move is risky and leads to trouble. White may not appreciate the potential strength of Black's possible Kingside Pawn advance.

Safer is 17. exf5:

• 17. -- Bxf5 18. Nc3
• If 18. -- Ne6 19. h3 the balance is maintained by:
• 19. -- e4 20. Ne1 Qh4 21. Bf1 Ne5 22. g3
• 19. -- Nf4 20. Bxf4 exf4 21. Bc4 Qxc5 22. Qxf4
• However, 18. -- Rad8? is bad because of 19. Rxd8 Rxd8 20. Ng5 Ne6 21. Bc4 when White has a clear advantage and is pressing on Black's King
• 17. -- gxf5 18. Bg5 then the equalibrium continues with:
• 18. -- Qe8 19. Bh4
• 19. -- Be6 20. Nc3 Bd5 21. Qc2
• 19. -- Nd5 20. Nc3 Be6 21. Qd2 =
• 18. -- Nxg5 19. Nxg5
• 19. -- Nd5 20. Bc4
• 20. -- h6 21. Nf3 Be6 22. a3 Rfd8 23. b4
• 20. -- Bh6 21. h4
• 19. -- Rd8 20. Rxd8+ Qxd8 21. Bc4+ Nd5 22. Nc3

17. -- f4 18. Bd2 g5 19. Ne1 g4 20. f3

White must be very cafeful not to get a lost position.

If 20. g3 Ng5 then:

• 21. Bc4+ Be6:
• 22. Bxe6+ Qxe6
• 23. Qc2 23. -- Nh3+ 24. Kg2 fxg3 25. hxg3 Nxf2 26. Rdc1 Qf7 and Black's extra Pawn and control to the f-file give him a winning advantage
• 23. Nc3 Nh3+ and Black wins the exchange after 24. Khi Nxf2+ or 24. Kg2 f3+ 25. Kh1 Nxf2+
• 22. Qc2 22. -- Nh3+ 23. Kg2 fxg3 24. hxg3 Rxf2+ 25. Kh1 Qf7 and Black has a strong mating attack
• 21. Kh1 21. -- Nh3 22. Nd3 Be6
• 23. Be1 23. -- Rad8 24. Nc3 Ng5 25. Rb1 fxg3 26. fxg3 Rd4 27. Nf2
• 23. Bf1 Rad8 24. Bxh3 gxh3 25. Nab2 Qf7 and Black has an overwhelming initiative owing to his control fo the d- and -f-files

20. -- g3 21. h3?!

Again, White lives dangerously. Dr. Tarrasch warned us a hundred years ago about making the KR3 point (h3 for White, h6 for Black) a target by advancing the h-Pawn when the King's position is inadequately defended.

Less risky is 21. Bc4:

• 21. -- Be6
• 22. Bxe6 Nxe6 23. Nb2
• 23. -- Rad8 24. a4 Qh4 25. h3 Nd4 26. Qc4 and White is slightly better
• 23. -- Qh4 24. h3 Nd4 with a level game
• 22. Nb2? would lose to Qh4 23. h3 Bxh3 24. gxh3 Qxh3 25. Nbd3 Qh2+ 26. Kf1 Rad8 27. Be3 fxe3 28. Qxe3 when White's resources are tied down to stopping the g-Pawn and at the same time preventing checkmate
• 21. -- Qh4? 22. hxg3 fxg3 23. Be3 Kh8 24. Nc3 Qh2+ 25. Kf1 Qh1+ 26. Bg1 with equality
• 21. -- Ne6 22. a3 Neg5 23. hxg3 Bh3 24. gxh3 Nxh3+ 25. Kf1 fxg3 26. Nd3 Qh4 27. Ke2 Rad8 28. Ra2 Rxd3 29. Kxd3 Nf2+ 30. Kc3 Nxd1+ 31. Qxd1 and Black is poised to shift his attack to the other wing where the White King has fled

21. -- Ng5 22. Bf1?

After this, White is completely lost.

If 22. Bc4+ Kh8 then:

• 23. Bc3 Bxh3 24. gxh3 Nxh3+ 25. Kf1 Nf2
• 26. Qc2 Nxd1 27. Rxd1 Rad8 28. Nd3 Qh4 And Black has at most a small advatage
• 26. Rd2 Qh4 27. Nb2 Nxe4 28. Rg2 Rad8 and Black's attasck on the King gives hims a clear advantage
• 23. Qc2? Bxh3! 24. gxh3 Nxh3+ 25. Kf1 Nf2 26. Rdc1 Qh4 and White has an irresistable attack

22. -- Rf6 23. Nb2

If 23. Bc3 then:

• 23. -- Rh6 24. Bc4+ Kh8 25. a3 Bxh3 26. gxh3 Nxh3+! 27. Kg2 Nf2 and White's attack on the King will net him the full point
• 23. -- Nf7? lets White off the hook: 24. Bc4 Ne6 25. Kh1 Qc7 26. Nb2 b6 27. Nbd3 Rh6 28. a4 and White stands slightly better

23. -- Rh6 24. Bc3

There is nothing more White can do to prevent the sacrifice of the Bishop at h3.

If White attempts to gain space on the other wing with 24. a4 then:

• 24. -- Bxh3! 25. gxh3 Nxh3+ 26. Bxh3 Rxh3
• 27. Qc4+ 27. -- Kh8 28. Ng2 Rh2 29. Nd3
• 27. Ng2 Qe8 28. Qc4+ Kh8 29. Kf1 Qh5 30. Ke2 Rh2 and White's position crumbles
• 24. -- Be6? is the attack in self-destruct: 25. Ra3 Rd8 26. Qc2 b6 27. Rc3 b5 28. axb5 cxb5 and White survives

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Position after White's 24th move


24. -- Bxh3!!

White has taken too many risks and Black now punishes him for it. The sacrifice is beautiful.

25. gxh3

If White refuses the offering with 25. Nc4 then Black continues to get a strong advantage from his Kingside attack with 25. -- Bc8 26. Nd6 Rh2 27. Bc4+ Kh8 28. a4 b6 29. cxb6 axb6 30. Nxc8 Rxc8

25. -- Nxh3+ 26. Bxh3 Rxh3 27. Ng2

If 27. Rd2 then 27. -- Qh4 28. Kf1 Rh2 29. Qc2 Qh3+ 30. Rg2 Nb5 31. Nd1 Rh1+ 32. Ke2 Rxe1+ 33. Kxe1 Qh1+ 34. Kd2 Qxg2+ 35. Kc1 Qf1 36. Kb2 g2 and Black wins.

27. -- Qf7 28. Kf1

28. Nxf4 is futile: Black replies 28. -- exf4 and now Black wins in all variations:

• 29. Kf1 29. -- Qh5
• 30. Qxf4 Bxc3
• 31. Qg4+ Qxg4 32. fxg4 Rh2 33. Rd3 Bxb4
• 31. Qf5 Rh1+ 32. Ke2 Rh2+ 33. Kd3 Qxf5 34. exf5 Bxb2 35. Rab1 Rd8+
• 30. Ke2 Rh2+ 31. Kd3 Rd8+ 32. Kc4 Qf7+
• 29. Qc2 Qh5 30. Qg2 Rh2 31. Rd2 Rxg2+ 32. Rxg2 Bxc3

28. -- Rh2 29. Nd3

If 29. Qc2 Qh5 then:

• 30. Nd3 Qxf3+ 31. Kg1 Qh5 32. Qb3+ Kh8 33. Nh4 and 33. -- f3 forces checkmate no matter what White palys:
• 34. Bxe5 Rh1+ 35. Kxh1 Qxh4+ 36. Kg1 Qh2+ 37. Kf1 Qh1#
• 34. Nf4 Rh1+ 35. Kxh1 Qxh4+ 36. Kg1 Qh2+ 37. Kf1 Qh1#
• 34. Nf2 gxf2+ 35. Kf1 Qxh4 36. Bxe5 Rh1#
• 30. Rd3 Qh3 31. Re1 Nb5 32. Qb3+ Kh8 33. Ke2 Qxg2+ 34. Kd1 Nxc3+ and White wins more material while White simply tries to avoid mate

29. -- Qh5 30. Nde1

If 30. Qb2 Qxf3+ 31. Kg1 then:

• 31. -- Ne6 32. Rd2 Ng5 33. Qb3+ Kh8 34. Qe6 Nh3+ and the only way out of check is to surrender the Queen;
• otherwise, Black is mated atfter 31. -- Rd2:
• 32. Re1 Ng5 33. Qb3+ Kh8 34. Re2 Nh3#
• 32. Nxg4 Rh1#

30. -- Rxg2 31. Nxg2 Qh1+ 32. Ke2 Qxg2+ 33. Kd3 Qxf3+ 34. Kc4 Qxe4+ 35. Kb3 Nd5 36. 0-1

Navara resigns. A fine game by Novikov. Hail to the unknown.