The Jack Rabbit Chess Report for May 13: Mother's Day Edition

Morozevich stars as Tomsk-400 wins Russian Team Championship



The Tomsk-400 team successfully defended its Russian team championship last week as they were led to victory with the inspired play the world's fourth ranked grandmaster, Alexander Morozevich, playing top board.

Tomsk scored perfect, winning all nine of the matches scheduled.

Morozevich played in eight of the nine rounds and scored 6 points. He won five games with two draws, falling only to a brilliant effort by Urkrainian GM Vassily Ivanchuk, who played top board for TPS Saransk.

Morozevich was backed by teammates Dmitry Jakovenko, seventeen-year-old Ukrainian GM Sergey Karjakin, Rustam Kasimdzhanov of Uzbekistan, Ernesto Inarkiev, French national champion Vlad Tkachiev, Viorel Bologan of Moldavia and Pavel Smirnov.

Simultaneous to the Premier League play was a "B" tournament, a "C" tournament and a ladies' tournament, none of which were given sufficient coverage. The JRCR will feature some games from the Premier League and the ladies' competition over the next two or three weeks.


Naiditsch comes from behind to take Baku



Latvian-born Arkadij Naidistch, at the age of 21 Germany's leading grandmaster, scored stunning a comeback from the middle of the pack at mid-tournament to win the second annual President's Cup Open in Baku, the capital city of Azerbaijan, Friday.

Herr Naiditsch, playing Black, defeated the legendary English grandmaster Nigel Short in an 88-move marathon in the last round to take a clear first prize in the event with 7½ points out of nine. Short and Naiditsch entered the final round in a four-way tie for first place at 6½ points. Had Short won the game, he would have been assured of at least a share of first prize. The other two first place competitors, Gadir Guenov of Azerbaijan and Vadim Malakhatko of Belgium, drew separate games to finish in a tie for second.

Herr Naiditsch had 2½ points in the first three rounds when he lost his fourth round game to Ukrainian grandmaster Stanislav Savchenko. This put Naiditsch in a tie for 37th place after four rounds, which is a lot of looking up. Naiditsch did what he had to do, which was to win all five of his remaining games.

Mr. Short's drama began a day earlier as he faced Russo-Swiss grandmaster Vadim Milov, who was in first place after seven rounds. Mr. Short. playing Black, won that game in 42 moves to set up the last round showdown.


Third MTel Masters' begins in Sofia



The third annual MTel Masters' Tournament began Thursday in the Bulgarian capital of Sofia.

The tournament is once again an affair between six elite or near-elite grandmaster. The participants this year are Mickey Adams (England), Gata Kamsky (United States), Shakhriyar Mamedyarov (Azerbaijan), Liviu-Dieter Nisipeanu (Romania), Krishnan Sasikiran (India) and Veselin Topalov (Bulgaria).

At the conclusion of yesterday's third-round play, Mamedyarov was leading the tournament with 2½ points followed by Adams and Sisikiran with 2 points each.

Topalov, the former FIDE world champion, is off of a slow start with a draw and two losses in the first three rounds. However, Topalov is traditionally a slow starter who often comes from behind in the send half of tournaments in which he participates. Nevertheless, many of his fans are expressing concern in light of his recent poor showing in the Morelia-Linares Tournament in March.


English Chess Federation defends Short



The English Chess Federation has come out squarely in support of grandmaster and former world champion candidate Nigel Short in his dispute with FIDE over remarks Short made in an interview with an Indian newspaper earlier this year.

The often outspoken Mr. Short charged in the interview that FIDE Vice President Zurab Azmaiparashvili and Deputy President Georgios Makropoulos. who were members of the Appeals Committee during the Kramnik-Topalov reunification match last Autumn in Elista, of "spen(ding) more time at the hotel 16 km away despite being paid 1000s of dollars plus considerable expenses" while mishandling a major crisis that almost brought the match to a halt. He called the pair "dumbheads."

Short has been charged by the FIDE Ethics Committee of defaming Azmaiparashvili and Makropoulos in violation of FIDE's code of ethics.

Last week in a letter signed by ECF Chief Executive Martin Regan and International Director Peter Sowray on behalf of the ECF, the English federation urged the the proceedings against Short be dropped or, should the go forward, that FIDE also "investigate with full vigour the background to GM Short’s remarks and the events at those tournaments which led him to make them, and if justified by the evidence, to charge Vice President GM Zurab Azmaiparashvili and Deputy President Georgios Makropoulos" under the FIDE Code of Ethics for "damaging the reputation of FIDE and its events."

Mr. Short, who was participating in the President's Cup Open in Baku last week (where, as noted elsewhere on this page, he performed very well), was not party to the action by the ECF. Mr. Short has previously stated that he will use the truth as a defense.

It is not known exactly how many people outside of FIDE President Kirsan Ilyumzhinov's inner circle would dispute Mr. Short's characterization of the two FIDE executives as "dumbheads", but it is not believed to be many.


Calendar



May 15-23: US Championships, Stillwater, Oklahoma. Nine-round Swiss system, 36 participants.

May 18-28: Bosna Tournament, Sarajevo. Participants: Alexander Morozevich (Russia), Nigel Short (England), Artyom Timofeev (Russia), Ivan Sokolov (Holland), Sergei Movsesian (Slovakia), Borki Predojevic (Bosnia).

May 26-June 14: Candidates' Matches for the 2007 World Championship Tournament, Elista, Kalmykia (Russia). Pairings are:

• Levon Aronian (Armenia)-Magnus Carlsen (Norway)
• Alexei Shirov (Spain)-Mickey Adams (England)
• Boris Gelfand (Israel)-Rustam Kasidzhanov (Uzbekistan)
• Etienne Bacro (France)-Gata Kamsky (United States)
• Alexander Grischuk (Russia)-Vladimir Malakhov (Russia)
• Ruslan Ponomariov (Ukraine)-Sergey Rublevsky (Russia)
• Judit Polgar (Hungary)-Evgeny Bareev (Russia)
• Peter Leko (Hungary)-Mikhail Gurevich (Turkey)

MONDAY May 14



Azerbaihani grandmaster Shakhriyar Mamedyarov leads the third annual MTel Masters' Tournament in Sofia, Bulgaria with 3½ points after five rounds with five more to play.

Mamedyarov drew his fifth round game with English grandmast Mickey Adams, who is currently in second place with 3 points. The game lasted 63 moves, ending with each player possessing a lone King.

Unofficial Cross Table
MTel Masters' Tournament
Sofia

------------------------- 1- 2- 3- 4- 5- 6- T- (W)
1 Shakhriyar Mamedyarov. .-- ½* ½* ½* 1* 1* 3½ (2)
2 Mickey Adams . . . . . .½* -- ½* 1* ½* ½* 3. (1)
3 Krishnan Sasikiran . . .½* ½* -- ½* 0* 1* 2½ (1)
4 Liviu-Dieter Nisipeanu .½* 0* ½* -- ½* ½* 2½ (1)
5 Veselin Topalov. . . . .0* ½* 1* ½* -- ½* 2. (1)
6 Gata Kamsky. . . . . . .0* ½* 0* ½* ½* -- 1½ (0)

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

Tomorrow is a rest day for the players. The sixth round will be played Wednesday. The last round is scheduled for Sunday.

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White to move
This position is a theoretical draw

Does this picture make sense to you? If not, or if it looks like a bunch of Wingdings, please click here.

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

Also, the JR chess report makes the main variation in annotations more distinct and readable by putting it in red. A secondary variation, is in blue and other colors are used if needed.

Arkadij Naiditsch was born in Soviet Latvia on October 25, 1985. He is now a resident of Germany and represents the German Chess Federation in international events. Herr Naiditsch is Germany's top ranked grandmaster. His sister, Irina Naiditsch, 20, is also a talented chess player.

Turkan Mamedyarova, 17, of Azerbaijan, is the younger sister of the world's sixth ranked grandmaster, Shakhriyar Mamedyarov, 22, who is competing in the MTel Masters' in Sofia this week. The older sister, Zeinab Mamedyarova, 24, also competed in Baku, scoring an impressive 6 out of nine.



Arkadij Naiditsch
Photo: ChessBase.de (Germany)

Turkan Mamedyarova vs. Arkadij Naiditsch
President's Cup, Round 5
Baku, May 2007

East India Game: Bogo-Indian Defense

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 Bb4+ 4. Bd2 Qe7 5. g3 Nc6 6. Bg2

• If 6. Nc3 then:
• 6. -- Bxc3 7. Bxc3 Ne4 8. Rc1 0-0 9. Bg2 d6 10. d5 Nd8 11. 0-0 e5 12. Nd2 Nxc3 13. Rxc3 f5 14. c5 Nf7 15. Qb3 f4 draw agreed (Keene-Karlsson, IT, Dortmund 1982)./li]
• 6. -- d5 7. a3 Bxc3 8. Bxc3 0-0 9. Bg2 Ne4 10. Qc2 a5 11. b3 Bd7 12. 0-0 Rfd8 13. Bb2 Be8 14. Nh4 Nf6 15. Rad1 Na7 16. Rfe1 gives White the edge in space (Raxuvaev-Goldin, EU Cup, Eupen 1994).

6. -- Bxd2+ 7. Nbxd2 d6 8. 0-0 a5

• 8. -- 0-0 9. e4 e5 10. d5 Nb8 11. Ne1 a5 12. Nd3 Na6 13. f4 Bd7 14. Qb3 Ng4 15. Rae1 b6 16. h3 Nh6 17. fxe5 dxe5 18. Rf2 f6 19. Rc1 Nf7 20. c5 bxc5 21. Nxc5 Nxc5 22. Qa3 a4 23. Rxc5 draw agreed (Speelman-Seirawan, Brussels 1988)./li]

9. e4 e5 10. d5 Nb8 11. Ne1 0-0 12. Nd3 Na6 13. f4 c6

• 13. -- Nd7 14. f5 Ndc5 15. Qe2 Bd7 16. Nxc5 Nxc5 17. Qe3 f6 18. b3 b5 White has a little more space, but Black gives him nothing to do with it. (Mecking-Seirawan, match, Sao Paulo 1992)./li]

14. f5!?

• White introduces a novlety aimed at sevuring her territorial gains on the kingside.
• The move has one serious drawback in that while the pawns secure space and hold a grip on the light squares, White's Bishop is almost useless especially in light of the fact that dark-bound Bishops have been exchanged.
• After 14. Qb3 Nd7 15. Qa3 Nac5 16. Nxc5 Nxc5 17. b4 Nd7 18. Rac1 as is typical of Indian Defenses, White has more space but Black's position is solid (Su. Polgar-Christiansen, IT, Wellington (New Zealand) 1988).

14. -- cxd5

• Black responds by opening lines that can be used to get his pieces into play on the queenside.
• 14. -- Qc7 15. Qb3 Bd7 16. Rac1 a4 17. Qa3 Rfc8 18. c5 is equal.

15. cxd5 Bd7 16. Nc4 Bb5 17. b3?!

• There are at least a couple of better ways of protecting the Knight.
• 17. Rc1 Rac8 18. Qb3 Bxc4 19. Rxc4 Rxc4 20. Qxc4 Nc5 is level.
• 17. Nxa5? is bad: after 17. -- Qc7 18. Nb3 Qb6+ 19. Kh1 Nc5 20. Ndxc5 Bxf1 21. Bxf1 dxc5 White is down an exchange.

17. -- Bxc4 18. bxc4 Qc7 19. Rc1 Nb4 20. Nxb4?!

• This opens up another line for Black leading to White's queenside treasure.
• After 20. a3 Nxd3 21. Qxd3 Qc5+ 22. Kh1 Rac8 23. Qf3 Rc7 Black has a small edge in space.

Black: Arkadij Naiditsch
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White: Turkan Mamedyarova
Position after 20. Nd3b4:N

20. -- axb4

• As noted, this is more than just a routine recapture.

21. Qe2

• This defense of c4 is on the passive side, but it is doubtful that a more active defense would have worked any better.
• If 21. Qd2 Qc5+ 22. Kh1 Rfc8 23. Rb1 Ra4 then:
• After 24. Rbc1 Qd4 25. Qe2 Ra3 Black has a marked advantage in space and mobility.
• 24. Rfc1 Ng4 25. h3 Ne3 gives Black serious threats against White's position.

21. -- Qc5+ 22. Kh1 Ra3 23. Bf3

• It isn't clear what this move is supposed to accomplish. White's Bishop isn't just a bad Bishop; it's pathetic.
• 23. Qd2 Rc8 24. Rb1 Rc3 25. a3 Qxc4 26. Rxb4 Qa6 Black continues to enoy a clear spatial edge.

Black: Arkadij Naiditsch
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White: Turkan Mamedyarova
Position after 23. Bg2f3

23. -- Rfa8!

• The alternative, which is no worse than the text, is to break through the c-file.
• 23. -- Rc8 24. g4 h6 25. h4 Rca8 26. Rc2 Re3 Black has a clear advantage in space and piece activity.

24. Rc2 Re3 25. Qg2 Qd4 26. Rd1

• White is lost regardless of what she does.
• If 26. Qd2 Qxd2 27. Rxd2 Rc8 then:
• After 28. Re2 28. -- Rxe2 29. Bxe2 Nxe4 30. Bd3 Nd2 31. Rc1 b5Black wins in all variations.
• If 28. Rc2 b5 29. Rb2 Rxc4 30. Rb3 Rec3 31. Re1 Rc2 then:
• After 32. Reb1 R4c3 33. Rxc3 Rxc3 34. Be2 Re3 35. Bxb5 Rxe4 Black threatens to win another pawn.
• 32. Ra1 Nxe4 33. Bxe4 Rxe4 34. Re3 Rxh2+ leaves White hopeless.

Black: Arkadij Naiditsch
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White: Turkan Mamedyarova
Position after 26. Rf1d1

26. -- Qxd1+!!

• The Queen sacrifice is much stronger than 26. -- Qb6 27. Qf2 Raa3 28. Bg2 Qa5 29. Rf1 Nxe4 30. Bxe4 Rxe4 although Black still has a vastly superior position.

27. Bxd1 Re1+ 28. Qg1 Rxg1+ 29. Kxg1 Nxe4

• Black emerges from the combination with an extra pawn.

30. Rb2 Nc5 31. Kf1 Kf8 32. Bc2 Ra3 33. Bd1

• This is as close as the Bishop gets to an active part in the game.
• After 33. f6 h5 34. fxg7+ Kxg7 35. Bb1 b3 36. axb3 Rxb3 37. Rxb3 Nxb3 Black retains his extrra pawn.

33. -- Ke7 34. g4 Kf6 35. h4 e4 36. g5+ Ke5 37. h5

• Black shows a little humor in a lost position. The breakthrough trick only works without pieces on board and evne then only when the enemy King is more remote than he is here.

37. -- Rg3 38. g6 hxg6 39. 0-1

• 39. f6 Kxf6 and good night.
• Ms. Mamedyarova resigns.

Not sure what exactly happened, but do you trace it to the use of the novelty move at 14, or a consistent failure of tactics later? Naiditsch, is obviously the stronger player here.

Black
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White
Position after 3. -- Bb4+

Can't see the diagram? Please click here.

The Bogo-Indian Defense (1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 Bb4+) is named for Efim Bogolyubov, the Russo-German grandmaster and two-time world championship contender of the period between the two world wars. Bogolyubov seems to have first used the defense as Black in 1920 during a match against Akiba Rubinstein in Sweden. The game ended in a draw. Earlier in the year, Bogolyubov had the move played against him in a tournament in Goteborg by a Russian player named Alexey Seleznev. Bogolyubov won the game. The following year, Bogolyubov tried the defense against his fellow Russian expatriot, Alexander Alekhine, and lost.

The earliest use of the move in a major tournament seems to be by the eccentric master Josef Noa in a game against George Mackenzie in London 1883. The first uses of many of the lines later associated with the hypermodern movement were by Dr. Noa.

The sequence of moves looks like a schoolyard fight. With his second move Black says "We're going to play a Nimzo-Indian." White plays the other Knight as if to say, "Oh, no, we're not." Then Black retorts, "Well, I'm going to play the Bishop just like a Nimzo-Indian. Check." Of course, instead of the Bogo-Indian, Black can play a Queen's Indian (3. -- b6), a Tal-Indian (Modern Benoni, 3. -- c5) or transpose into an Orthodox Queen's Gambit (3. -- d5). White, in resonse to Black's third move, can block the check by 4. Nc3, transposing into an Nimzo-Indian Defense after all ("Okay, you can have your stupid Nimzo-Indian").

White's main lines against the Bogo-Indian are 4. Bd2 (as in this game) and 4. Nbd2. After 4. Bd2, in addition to Naiditsch's 4. -- Qe7 played here, which is the most common reply, Black can exchange at d2 or reinforce the Bishop with 4. -- a5/ with a common continuation of 5. g3 b6 6. Bg2 Bb7 7. 0-0 0-0 8. Bf4 Be7. 4. Nbd2 is a different animal altogether, but the most common continuaton also involves an exchange at d2: 4. -- b6 5. a3 Bxd2 with 5. Bxd2 and 5. Qxe2 having about equal preference with very similar win/draw/loss figures.

Here's a good place to start looking at the Bogo-Indian Defense.



* * *

The Bozo move in this game is 20. Nxb4?, which should have been punctuated with ? not ?!. White had made some inferior moves prior to that, but this voluntarily opened the a-file for Black's Rook. It's already aiming at a loose pawn. After that, Black's heavy pieces use queenside lanes, the a- and c-files, to penetrate White's position.

The novelty is interesting. It has the drawbacks I noted, but at the same time it scoops up space on the kingside. Personally, I would reserve judgment on the move until taking a look at how White could redeploy the King's Bishop outside the pawn chain.

Levon Aronian
Photo: 64 (Russia)

Levon Aronian vs. Vladimir Kramnik
Rapid Match, Round 4
Yerevan, May 2007

Semi-Slav Queen's Gambit: Shabalov Opening

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 e6 5. e3 Nbd7 6. Qc2 Bd6 7. g4 dxc4 8. Bxc4 Nd5

• 8. -- e5 9. g5 Nd5 10. Bd2 exd4 11. Qe4+ Qe7 12. Qxd4 Ne5 13. Nxe5 Bxe5 14. Nxd5 cxd5 15. Bb5+ Kf8 16. Qxd5 Bxb2 17. Qb3 Ba3 18. Bc4 Bc5 19. Bd5 Be6 is equal (Perelshtyn-Lugo, US Ch, San Diego 2006)./li]

9. Ne4 Be7 10. Bd2 b6 11. Ng3!?

• This was the second of the two scheduled games of the day. Aronian won the first game, moving a game ahead in the match. He did not need to win this game, and this novelty is a move designed to give White a spatial advantage without being concerned about how solid Black's position may become. In other words, Aronian strategy in this game is simply designed to avoid loss.
• If 11. 0-0-0 Bb7 then:
• 12. Ne5 a5 13. h4 f6 14. Nd3 b5 15. Bb3 a4 16. Bxd5 cxd5 17. Nec5 Nxc5 18. Nxc5 Bxc5 19. dxc5 d4 20. e4 draw agreed (Sargissian-Korneev, Eur Ind Ch, Warsaw 2005).
• 12. Kb1 Rc8 13. Ne5 0-0 14. h4 c5 15. Nxd7 Qxd7 16. dxc5 Qc6 17. Ng5 g6 18. Nxh7 Rfd8 19. Ng5 Qxc5 20. b3 Nb4 21. Bxb4 Qxb4 22. Nxf7 Rxd1+ 23. Rxd1 Kxf7 is even (Krasenkow-Buturin, Czech Op, Pardubice 1994).

Black: Vladimir Kramnik
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White: Levon Aronian
Position after 11. Ne4g3

11. -- 0-0

• Black puts his King into safety before contemplating any counteraggression.
• 11. -- Nb4 12. Qb3 a5 13. e4 0-0 14. a3 Na6 15. Bf4 Nc7 is equal.

12. e4 Nb4 13. Qb3 c5!?

• Although playing Black, Kramnik made the decision to go for the win in order to even the score before going to the final day. That was a brave but not terribly wise decision.
• The text move is provokative, probably deliberately so. More sound is to keep the queenside closed.
• 13. -- a5 14. a3 Na6 15. Bf4 Nc7 is even.

14. Bxb4 cxb4 15. 0-0 a6?!

• This seems a little too timid.
• Better is 15. -- a5 16. Qe3 Bb7 17. Rac1 Bd6 18. Bd3 Bc7 19. Rc2 Rc8 20. Rfc1 Nf6 gives White more space, but neither side has much mobility.

16. Qe3

• White is seeking superiority on the kingside, while keeping options open to stop any counterplay Black conjurs on the opposite wing.
• After 16. Rac1 Bb7 17. Rfe1 Nf6 18. h3 Rc8 19. Qe3 Qd7 20. Ne5 White continues to enjoy a solid advantage in space.

16. -- b5 17. Bd3 Bb7 18. g5

• White, who doesn't need a win, is playing defensively and depriving Black of counterplay. The Bishop at e7 controls no space in White's territory.
• If 18. Rfc1 Qa5 19. Bc2 Rac8 20. Bb3 Bd6 21. Ng5 then:
• 21. -- Bxg3 22. Qxg3 Nf6 23. f3 Qb6 24. Qf2 White has the space, but the position is level because Black's position is solid provides no opportunities.
• 21. -- Rxc1+ 22. Rxc1 Re8 23. f4 Qb6 24. h3 is level.

18. -- Rc8 19. Rad1 Qb6

• 19. -- Nb6 20. b3 Qd6 21. Rc1 Rfd8 22. Rxc8 Rxc8 23. Ne2 Nd7 24. Nh4 is balanced.

20. Bb1 Rfd8!?

• This is uncharacteristically risky for Kramnik. He seeks some superiority on the queenside, but he neglects his kingside where White is building an attack.
• 20. -- f6 21. gxf6 Bxf6 22. Rc1 Rc4 23. Ne2 then:
• 23. -- a5 24. Bc2 Rc6 25. Bd3 Rxc1 26. Rxc1 a4 27. e5 is equal.
• 23. -- Rfc8 24. Bd3 Rxc1 25. Rxc1 Rxc1+ 26. Qxc1 e5 27. d5 is even.

Black: Vladimir Kramnik
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White: Levon Aronian
Position after 20. -- Rf8d8]

21. h4!

• White responds by fortifying his kingside space.

21. -- Nf8 22. h5!

• White gives the kingside vise another turn.

22. -- Rc7 23. Qf4 Bd6

• 23. -- Rdc8 24. Rc1 Bd6 25. Qe3 a5 26. Rxc7 Rxc7 27. Bd3 a4 28. Nd2 maintains equality.

24. e5 Be7 25. Be4

• After 25. Ne4 Rcc8 26. Rc1 Bd5 27. Qg3 White's space is balanced by Black's mobility.

25. -- Bc8

• After 25. -- Bxe4 26. Nxe4 Rc2 27. Rd2 Rxd2 28. Qxd2 Qb7 29. Qf4 Nd7 White has a significant spatial edge, but Black's kingside is solid for now.

26. Bb1

• After 26. Rc1 Rxc1 27. Rxc1 Bb7 28. Bxb7 Qxb7 29. Qe4 Qd7 White has a solid lead in space but must await an opportunity to exploit it.

26. -- Bb7 27. Be4 Bc8 28. Kh2

• White varies from the pattern of repeating the position from move 24 through 26.

28. -- Rcd7 29. Bb1 Bb7 30. Ne4 Bxe4

• Black is willing to part with one of the two Bishops to keeps White's Knight out of the center.
• 30. -- Qc6 31. Bd3 Qd5 32. b3 Rc8 33. Rc1 Rdd8 34. Rxc8 Rxc8 35. Rc1 Rxc1 36. Qxc1 Black's position is solid, but that doesn't bother White at all since he doesn't need to win.

31. Bxe4 g6?!

• This only helps White pry open the the kingside.
• Better is 31. -- Rc7 32. Rc1 Rc4 33. Bc2 a5 34. Bb3 Rxc1 35. Rxc1 Qb7 36. Bc2 when White has a spatial edge, but it's still a fight.

32. hxg6

• And White pries it open.

32. -- Nxg6

• Black chooses the best way to retake the pawn.
• After 32. -- fxg6 33. Rd2 Qc7 34. Rh1 Qb6 35. Rc1 a5 36. Rdc2 White has a significant spatial edge.
• After 32. -- hxg6 33. Rh1 b3 34. Kg2 bxa2 35. Rh8+ Kxh8 36. Qxf7 Bxg5 37. Rh1+ White mates in two.

33. Qe3 Bf8?

• Black misses his last chance to salvage a half point.
• 33. -- Rc7 34. Rc1 Rc4 35. b3 Rcc8 36. Rh1 a5 37. Rc2 Rxc2 38. Bxc2 is equal.

Black: Vladimir Kramnik
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White: Levon Aronian
Position after 33. -- Be7f8

34. Kg2!

• White clears the h-file for his Rooks.
• If 34. Rh1 Bg7 35. Rc1 then:
• After 35. -- Qa5 36. b3 Qa3 37. Kg2 Qa5 38. Rc2 White has a healthy advantage in space.
• 35. -- Rc7 36. Rxc7 Qxc7 37. Bd3 Qd7 38. Rc1 gives White a sizable edge in space and command of the c-file.

34. -- Bg7 35. Rh1 Qb8

• After 35. -- Qa5 36. Bb1 Qa4 37. Rc1 Nf8 38. Rh5 a5 39. Rch1 White has a strong attack.

36. Rc1 Qa7

• After 36. -- Rc7 37. Rxc7 Qxc7 38. Rc1 Qa5 39. Bb1 Kf8 40. Rh1 White continues to enjoy an advantage in space while building a kingside attack.

37. Rh3 Rxd4

• If 37. -- Qb6 38. Rch1 Qa5 39. Bb1 then:
• 39. -- Nf8 40. Qe1 Qa4 41. b3 Qa3 42. Qd2 Rc7 43. Bxh7+ Nxh7 44. Rxh7 is lights out.
• After 39. -- Rc7 40. Rxh7 Rf8 41. Nd2 Qb6 42. Ne4 Rd8 43. Nf6+ Kf8 44. Be4 Black is toast.

38. Rd1 Nf4+ 39. Kh2 Ne2

• This loses the Knight, but there are no good continuations.
• Black still loses the Knight with 39. -- Nxh3 40. Kxh3 b3 41. a4 bxa4 42. Nxd4.
• 39. -- Ng6 40. Rxd4 Rxd4 41. Bxg6 fxg6 42. Nxd4 loses a Rook.

40. Rd2!

• Winning the Knight immediately.

40. -- Bxe5+

• Scheer desparation.

41. Nxe5 Qc7 42. Bxh7+ Kf8 43. Rxe2 1-0

• Two pieces down and with a mating net cast about his King, Kramnik resigns.

Indian grandmaster Koneru Humpy, 20, is with a few Elo points of becoming the second strongest woman player of all time behind Judit Polgar.



Koneru Humpy
Photo: Echecs.com (France)

To view this game:

• Please click here.
• Select the Koneru-Taleb game (fifth from the bottom).
• Enjoy!

Koneru Humpy vs. Moussa Taleb
Open Tournament, Round 3
Dubai, April 2007

Semi-Slav Queen's Gambit: Bisguier Defense

1. d4 d5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. c4 c6 4. e3 e6 5. Nc3 Nbd7 6. Bd3 Bd6 7. 0-0 0-0 8. e4

• If 8. Qc2 dxc4 9. Bxc4 b5 10. Be2 Bb7 11. Rd1 Qc7 then:
• 12. e4 e5 13. g3 Rfe8 14. dxe5 Nxe5 15. Bg5 b4 16. Bxf6 gxf6 17. Nxe5 Rxe5 18. Nb1 c5 19. Nd2 gives White a small edge in activity (Szeberenyi-Pavasovic, Hungarian TCh 2003)./li]
• 12. Bd2 Rfe8 13. Rac1 a6 14. b4 e5 15. h3 h6 16. a3 exd4 17. exd4 Nb6 18. Re1 Nbd5 19. Nxd5 Nxd5 20. Bd3 is level (Beliavsky=Pavasovic, Vidmar Mem, Terme Zrece 2003).

8. -- dxc4 9. Bxc4 e5 10. Bg5 Qe7 11. d5 Nb6

• 11. -- h6 12. Bxf6 Qxf6 13. Nd2 Rd8 14. Qe2 Nf8 15. dxc6 bxc6 16. Ba6 Bd7 17. Nc4 Bc5 give Black better mobility (Inkiov-Granda, Interzonal, Zagreb 1987)./li]

12. Bb3 h6 13. Bh4 Bg4 14. dxc6 bxc6 15. h3 Bc8 16. Qc1!?

• White is the one to get out of the books as the book up to now favors Black.
• 16. Nd2 Ba6 17. Re1 Rad8 18. a4 Bb4 19. Qc1 g5 20. Bg3 Nh5 gives Black an appreciable lead in space (Cruz=Pizzi, IT, Mar del Plata 1947)./li]
• 16. Qc2 is worth a look: 16. -- Rd8 17. Rfd1 Rb8 18. Rd2 Be6 19. Ne2 Bxb3 20. axb3 Nc8 21. Ng3 gives White a solid advantage in space.

16. -- Be6!?

• Theoretically, it isn't a good idea to propose trading one's good bishop for one's opponent's bad one. However, this position shows that the concepts of good and bad Bishops can be overrated, especially when a center file is completely open, as the d-file is here. The fact that speaks in favor of this move is that White's "bad" Bishop is her most active piece, and exchanging is a goode idea on principle.
• 16. -- Ba6 17. Rd1 Rfd8 18. Qc2 Rab8 19. Rac1 Bb7 20. Bg3 give White a small edge in space.

Black: Moussa Taleb
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White: Koneru Humpy
Position after 16. -- Bc8e6

17. Nd1!?

• White has no good way to save the Bishop, so she passes on the opportunity to exchange and uses her time to reploy her other pieces.
• It should be noted that a big drawback to declining to play 17. Bxe6 is that White will be saddled with an isolated doubled pawn on an open file.
• 17. Bxe6 Qxe6 18. Qc2 Rfd8 19. Rfd1 Rab8 20. Rac1 Be7 21. Bg3 Nfd7 is equal.

17. -- Bxb3 18. axb3 Rfc8

• Black can take his him attacking the b-pawn complex. This prepares for the advance of the c-pawn.
• If 18. -- Qe6 19. Bxf6 Qxf6 20. Qxc6 then:
• 20. -- Rfc8 21. Qb5 Rc5 22. Qd3 Rc7 23. Nc3 Rd7 24. Qb5 Qe7 25. Rac1 gives White a stronger initiative; she could play Rfd1 and Nd5 with some effect.
• 20. -- Rac8 21. Qb5 Rc5 22. Qe2 Rc7 23. Ne3 Rd8 24. Ra5 gives White more space and better mobility.

19. Ne3 Qe6 20. Bxf6 Qxf6 21. Qc3 Qe6 22. Ra5 f6

Black: Moussa Taleb
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White: Koneru Humpy
Position after 22. -- f7f6

• The position is level, but White has some initiative.

23. Rfa1 Qf7

• It would make more sense defensively if White jeot the Queen where it is in order to overprotect the headpawn.
• After 23. -- Rc7 24. Ra6 Rb8 25. Nh4 Qf7 26. Nhf5 Bf8 27. Nc4 g6 28. Nfe3 Qd7 Black has defended against White's initiative.

24. Ra6 Bf8 25. Nd2 Qb7 26. Qa5 Nd7?!

• Black tries a dubious pawn sacrifice in an admirable attempt to keep the game alive.
• If 26. -- Rd8 27. Nef1 then:
• 27. -- Qb8 28. Rxa7 Bb4 29. Rxa8 Nxa8 30. Qa6 Bxd2 31. Nxd2 Rxd2 is equal with a draw in sight.
• 27. -- Qd7 28. Rxa7 Rxa7 29. Qxa7 Bc5 30. Qxd7 Nxd7 31. Ra6 is slightly better for White, but only because of Black's haning c-pawn being under attack.

27. Rxa7 Rxa7 28. Qxa7 Qxa7 29. Rxa7

• White's extra pawn is so weak as to amount to almost nothing.

29. -- Nc5 30. Nec4 Ne6

• The position is even in spite of White's extra pawn.
• The more aggressive 30. -- Nd3 31. Kf1 Bb4 32. f3 Rd8 33. Rc7 Nf4 34. g3 Nxh3 gives Black the initiative nd should be preferred.

31. Rb7 Nc5 32. Ra7 Ne6 33. g3 Bb4 34. Nf3 Nc5 35. Nd6 Rd8!

• Black makes a fine move to attack the Knight, seize the open file and maitain the balance.
• After 35. -- Rb8 36. Nf5 Ne6 37. Rd7 Bf8 38. Nd2 Nc5 39. Rc7 Rd8 Black succeeds in picking off one of the e-pawn with 40 -- Nxe4 and then attcks the b-pawn complex with 41. -- Rb8.
• 35. -- Rf8 36. Rc7 Na6 37. Ra7 Bxd6 38. Rxa6 gives White the edge in activity.

36. Nf5 Rd7?

• This facilitates an exchange of Rooks; being hehind in material, this is disasterous for Black.
• 36. -- Ne6 37. Kg2 Rb8 38. Ra6 Nd8 39. Ra7 Ne6 40. Ra6 Nd8 is even.

Black: Moussa Taleb
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White: Koneru Humpy
Position after 36. -- Rd8d7

37. Ne7+!

• White forces the exchange of Rooks, magnifying her pawn advantages. The game is now for all intents and purposes won.
• 37. Rxd7 Nxd7 38. Kf1 Kf7 39. Ne3 g6 40. Ke2 Ke6 41. Nh4 gives White an attack on each wing.

37. -- Kf7 38. Rxd7 Nxd7 39. Nxc6 Bf8 40. Kf1 Nc5 41. Nd2 Ke6

• To combat a possible menacing advance by White's b-pawns, the Black King starts lumbering toward the queenside. This has the drawback of leaving the kingside pawns exposed.
• If 41. -- Nd3 42. Nc4 then:
• After 42. -- Bc5 43. f3 Ke6 44. Ke2 Nc1+ 45. Kd2 Nxb3+ 46. Kc2 Nd4+ 47. Nxd4+ Bxd4 48. b4 the b-pawn becomes a menaace and Black will probably have to give up something to stop it.
• After 42. -- Ke6 43. f3 Kd7 44. N6a5 Bb4 45. Nb6+ Kd6 46. Nac4+ Kc5 47. Nd5 the Knight at d5 could take the pathNe3-c5xg7.

42. Ke2 Kd6

• White's plan will now be aimed at using her queenside pawns as decoys to lure the Black king to the queenside, then using her Knights and King to demolish Black's queenside pawns while the Black King is offsided, and finally advancing her kingside pawns to the eighth rank.
• If Black palys 42. -- Nxe4 then 43. Nxe4 Kd5 44. Nd8 Kxe4 45. Ne6 Bb4 46. Nxg7 Bf8 47. f3+! (forcing the King toward the queenside) 47. -- Kd5 48. Nf5 also fits into this general plan.

43. Nb4 Ne6 44. Nc4+ Kc5 45. Nd3+ Kb5 46. Ke3 Nd4 47. f4

• If 47. Nd2 Nc2+ 48. Ke2 Nd4+ 49. Kd1 then:
• 49. -- g6 50. f4 exf4 51. Nxf4 Bd6 52. Nxg6 Bxg3 53. Ne7 White plays 54. Ng8 winning another pawn.
• 49. -- Bd6 50. h4 g6 51. f3 h5 52. g4 Bb4 53. gxh5 gxh5 54. f4 if Black plays 54. -- exf4 then White plays 55. Nxf4 and 56. Nxh5; if White plays 54. -- Be7 then White plays 55. fxe5 fxe5 56. Nxe5 Bxh4 57. Nef3 Bf6 58. e5!! winning; and if Black play 54. -- Bd6 then White replies 55. f5 followed by the maneuver Nc1-e2-g3Xh5.

47. -- Nxb3 48. Na3+ Bxa3 49. bxa3 Na5

• If 49. -- exf4+ 50. Nxf4 Nc5 51. Kd4 Nd7 52. Kd5 then:
• After 52. -- Ka4 53. Nh5 g6 54. Ke6 Nc5+ 55. Kd5 Nd7 56. Kd6 Nb6 57. Nxf6 it will cost Black the Knight to stop the e-pawn.
• 52. -- Nb6+ 53. Ke6 Nc4 54. Nh5 Nd2 55. Kf5 Nc4 56. Nxg7 White picks off Black's remaining pawns and wins.

50. fxe5 Nc4+ 51. Kd4 fxe5+ 52. Nxe5 Nxa3

• Exchanging Knights would be tantamount to resignation.

Black: Moussa Taleb
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White: Koneru Humpy
Position after 52. -- Nc4a3:p

53. Kd5!

• This technique is called "shouldering". White makes the King go the long way around to block the pawn's progress.

53. -- Nb1 54. Kd4 Nd2 55. g4 Nb3+ 56. Kd5 Nd2 57. Nd7 Ka6

• If 57. -- Nb1 58. e5 Nc3+ 59. Kd6 then:
• After 59. -- Kc4 60. e6 Nb5+ 61. Ke5 Nc7 62. e7 Kb5 63. Kd6 Ne8+ 64. Ke6 Nc7+ 65. Kf7 Black cannot stop the e-pawn..
• 59. -- Ne4+ 60. Kc7 Kc4 61. Nb6+ Kb5 62. e6 Nf6 63. Nd7 Ng8 64. Kd6 g5 65. e7 Black must allow the pawn to promote or lose a Knight..

58. Nc5+ Kb6 59. e5 Nf1 60. Kd6 Ne3 61. Nd7+ Kb7 62. e6 Nc4+ 63. Kc5 Nd2 64. e7 1-0

• The pawn reaches Scone on the next move.
• Taleb resigns.

David Howell
Photo: ChessBase.com

David Howell vs. Maximilian Meinhardt
European Individual Championships, Round 8
Dresden, April 2007

Best Game of Round 8, Open Competition

Closed French Game: Tarrasch Opening (Guimard Defense)

1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nd2 Nc6 4. Ngf3 Nf6 5. e5 Nd7 6. Nb3 a5

• More common is 6. -- Be7.
• 6. -- Be7 7. Bb5 0-0 8. 0-0 Ncb8 9. c3 b6 10. Ne1 c6 11. Be2 Ba6 12. Bxa6 Nxa6 13. Qg4 Re8 14. Bh6 Bf8 15. Bg5 Be7 16. Bh6 Bf8 17. Bg5 Be7 18. Bxe7 Qxe7 19. f4 gives a a little more space, but with Bishops off the board that counts for less than usual. (Yanofsky-Portisch, Ol, Munich 1958).

7. a4 b6 8. h4

• The text move is good, but less familiar than other.
• If 8. Bb5 then:
• 8. -- Ncb8 9. Bg5 Be7 10. Bxe7 Qxe7 11. 0-0 0-0 12. Re1 c6 13. Bd3 Ba6 14. Nc1 Rc8 15. Ne2 Bxd3 16. Qxd3 c5 17. c3 Nc6 18. Qe3 Rab8 is balanced (Suetin-Naumkin, IT, Moscow 1992).
• 8. -- Na7 9. Be2 Bb7 10. 0-0 Qc8 11. Ng5 h6 12. Nh3 Ba6 13. f4 g6 14. g4 Bxe2 15. Qxe2 Nc6 is equal (Howell-Contin, Gibralter 2004).
• 8. Bf4 Be7 9. h4 Bb7 10. c3 Qc8 11. Bb5 Nd8 12. Bg5 Bf8 13. h5 h6 14. Bh4 c6 15. Be2 Ba6 16. 0-0 Bxe2 17. Qxe2 is equal (Spassky-Drasko, Sarajevo 1986).
• If 8. c3 Be7 9. Bd3 Ba6 10. Bxa6 Rxa6 11. 0-0 then:
• 11. -- 0-0 12. Bd2 Ncb8 13. Nc1 c5 14. Nd3 Nc6 15. Qe2 Ra7 16. Rfb1 Qa8is level (Koskinen-Thorbergsson, Ol, Munich 1958).
• 11. -- Ra8 12. Re1 Nf8 13. Nbd2 Ng6 14. Nf1 Qd7 15. Qe2 0-0 16. Ng3 Rae8 gives White a minute edge in mobility (Hübner-Larsen, Montreal 1979).

8. -- Ba6 9. Bxa6 Rxa6 10. Bf4!?

• White gets out of the book in a position that doesn't offer much.
• 10. h5 h6 11. Rh3 Ne7 12. Qe2 Ra7 13. Bd2 Qc8 makes it difficult for either side to move forward (Ivanovic-Prie, Op, Meudon 1984).
• Worth consideration is 10. Qd3 Ra8 11. c3 Be7 12. Bg5 0-0 when Black's advantage is neglegable

10. -- h6

• This is to keep White's pieces, especially the Bishop, out of g5.

11. h5 Ra7

• Black may intend to play f7f6 in which case the c-pawn needs more protection from the masked attack from the Bishop at f4.

12. Kf1!?

• A curious-looking move that might be a hope to catch Black off balance.
• Objectively better is 12. c3 Be7 13. Rh3 Rb7 14. Qd2 Ncb8 15. Nc1 c5 16. Rg3 with an even position in which neither side has much maneuverability.

Black: Maximilian Meinhardt
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White: David Howell
Position after 12. Ke1f1

12. -- Qc8

• This isn't by any means the best move.
• Better is to prepare and execute the pawn break on f6: 12. -- Be7! 13. c3 0-0 14. Qd2 f6! 15. exf6 Nxf6 16. Qe3 Qd7 gives Black a fine game.

13. Rh3 Ne7?!

• White want to advance his c-pawn, but this is the wrong place for the Knight.
• Better is 13. -- Nd8 14. c3 c5 15. Be3 Nc6 16. Qe2 c4 17. Nbd2 Rc7 when the Bishop may develop to e7.

14. Nh4 c5 15. c3 Qc6?!

• This move is dubious in that it take a squre away from the Knight, which should vacate e7 for the Bishop.
• Better for Black is 15. -- Nc6 16. Nf3 Rc7 17. Rg3 Ne7 18. Qe2 Nf5 with more harmonious piece placement.

16. Kg1 Kd8 17. Nd2 Rc7

• Black fortifies the c-pawn, perhaps in anticipation of 18. dxc5.
• 17. -- c4 18. Bh2 Rg8 19. Qf3 Ke8 20. Qe3 g5 21. hxg6 fxg6 is even.

Black: Maximilian Meinhardt
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White: David Howell
Position after 17. -- Ra7c7

18. Nb1!?

• White decides not to play 18. dxc5, if he was contemplating it at all, seeing it gets him nothing.
• 18. dxc5 bxc5 19. b3 g5 20. hxg6 fxg6 21. Nhf3 Bg7 is level.

18. -- g5 19. hxg6 fxg6 20. Nf3 Bg7

• The position is level.
• 20. -- c4? 21. Na3 Nb8 22. Nb5 Rd7 23. Bg5 pinning the Knight and making it difficult for Balck to bring pieces to effective posts.

21. Na3!

• The Knight is heaed for b5. Black can do nothing to stop it.

21. -- Nf8 22. Nb5 Rd7 23. Be3

• White defends d4 so as not to open a file for Black's heavy pieces.
• Also practical is 23. Nd6 Nf5 24. Rh1 g5 25. Bh2 Ng6 26. Rc1 g4 27. Ne1 giving White a Knight on a sixth rank outpost and a masked attack on the Queen preventing Black from playing -- cxd4.

23. -- g5 24. Nh2

• The Knight is headed for f1 to give piece protection to the Bishop at e3.
• Slightly better may be 24. Nd2 Nf5 25. Qh5 Re7 26. b3 Nd7 27. Re1 Rf8 28. Rf3 when White threatens both 29. g2g4 and 29. Nd6.

24. -- Nf5 25. Nf1 Ng6?

• This is a waste of time.
• Correct is 25. -- Re7 26. b4 when:
• 26. -- Nd7 27. bxc5! bxc5 28. Nd2 Rf8 29. Qh5 cxd4 30. cxd4 Qc2 is equal: Black kingside is protected and the pawns on the queenside are balanced.
• After 26. -- Ng6? 27. dxc5 Nxe3 28. Nd4 Qa8 29. Rxe3 White shoul be able to create a passed pawn on the queenside and take command of the open file that results.

26. Qh5 Nge7

• The Knight goes right back to where he was.
• If 26. -- Nxe3 27. Qxg6 then:
• After 27. -- Nf5 28. Ne3 Nh4 29. Rxh4 gxh4 30. c4 Qb7 31. Qxe6 White's piece activity more than compensates for the exchange.
• After 27. -- Nxf1 28. Nd6 Rf8 29. Rxh6 Bxh6 30. Qxh6 Rg8 31. Qxe6 Black has the material advantage, butr White is doing a lot more with his material.

27. Bxg5! hxg5

• No better is 27. -- Rg8 28. Bh4 Nxh4 29. Qxh4 when all the mobile pieces on the board are White ones.

Black: Maximilian Meinhardt
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White: David Howell
Position after 27. -- hg5:B

28. Qxh8+!!

• The Queen sacrifice is the most efficient and beuatiful winning method.
• If 28. Qxg5? Rxh3 29. gxh3 Kc8 then:
• After 30. b4 axb4 31. cxb4 Bh6 32. Qf6 Bg7 33. Qf7 cxd4 34. Qe8+ Rd8 Black's extra Bishop will prevail.
• After 30. Re1 c4 31. Rb1 Kb8 32. Ng3 Bh6 33. Qh5 Rd8 Black is a piece up.

28. -- Bxh8 29. Rxh8+ Ng8 30. Rxg8+ Ke7 31. Ne3

• The material is theoretically even, but White has the active Rook.

31. -- Nh6 32. Rg6 Nf7 33. Nf5+ Kf8 34. g4 Nh8 35. Rh6 Kg8

• After 35. -- Nf7 36. Rf6 Kg8 37. Kg2 Rb7 38. Rh1 Rd7 39. Rg6+ Kf8 40. Rh7 Black continues to strangle.

36. Kg2 Nf7 37. Rg6+ Kf8 38. Rh1 Rd8 39. Rf6 1-0

• 39. Rf6 Ke8 40. Rh7 Rd7 41. Nbd6+ is lights out.
• Herr Meinhardt resigns.

We honor mother-to-be Alexandra Kosteniuk. She and her husband/manager, Diego Garces, are expecting their first child in June.



Alexandra Kosteniuk
Photo: ChessBase.de (Germany)

Alexandra Kosteniuk vs. Robert Kempinski
Aeroflot Open, Round 8
Moscow, February 2006

Sicilian Game: O'Kelly Defense (Saragossa Opening)

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 a6 3. c3 d5 4. exd5 Qxd5 5. d4 e6 6. Be2 Nf6 7. 0-0 Nc6 8. Be3 cxd4 9. cxd4

• 9. Nxd4 Nxd4 10. Bxd4 Bc5 11. Bf3 Qd6 12. Bxc5 Qxc5 13. Qd4 Qxd4 14. cxd4 Ra7 15. Rc1 0-0 16. Nd2 Rd8 17. Nc4 b5 18. Nd6 Bd7 is a sterile balance (Vasiukov-Csom, New Delhi 1987)./li]

9. -- Be7 10. Nc3 Qd8?!

• Black varies from known texts.
• 10. -- Qd6 11. Nd2 Nb4 12. Nc4 Qd8 13. Bf3 Nbd5 14. Bg5 0-0 15. Qb3 Rb8 16. Rad1 b5 17. Ne5 Bb7 18. Bxf6 Bxf6 19. Nxd5 exd5 is equal (Gufeld-Taimanov, Leningrad 1968)./li]

11. Ne5

• White's move is aimed at getting space for herself and depriving Bkack of the oppornity to expand in the center.
• 11. Rc1 0-0 12. Re1 b5 13. Ne5 Bd7 14. Bf3 Rc8 is equal.

11. -- Bd7

• Black would like to preserve his Queen should he elect to exchange Knight, opeing the d-file.
• 11. -- 0-0 12. Rc1 Qc7 13. Re1 Rd8 14. Bd3 Qa5 15. Nxc6 bxc6 16. Qc2 is equal.

12. a3

• White would like to nip in the bud any ideas Black has of exchange minor pieces on c3 saddling her with a backeard pawn on an open file. This move suggest that White her pieces free for actionon the opposite wing and not tied down to weak pawns on the queenside.
• If 12. Qb3 Na5 13. Qc2 Rc8 theneach of the following lines are equal:
• 14. Rac1 0-0 then:
• 15. Rfd1 Bc6 16. Nxc6 Nxc6 17. Bf3 Bd6.
• 15. Rfe1 b5 16. Qd1 b4 17. Na4.
• 14. Rfe1 Bc6 15. Nxc6 Nxc6 16. Rad1 0-0 17. Bf3 Qc7.

12. -- 0-0 13. Rc1 Rc8 14. Bd3!?

• A move that tends to confirm that White's plan is to attack on the kingside.
• If 14. Bf3 Bd6 15. Bf4 Qc7 16. Re1 Rfd8 17. Qd2 then:
• 17. -- Qb6 18. Red1 Bc7 19. Na4 Qb5 20. Nc5 gives White a distinct edge in space and initiative.
• After 17. -- Be8 18. Qe3 Qb6 19. Nc4 Bxf4 20. Nxb6 Bxe3 21. fxe3 Rc7 22. Red1 White still has a healthy edge in space, but less initiative than in the main line and Black has superior pawn structure.

14. -- Bd6 15. f4 Ne7 16. Ne4 Ned5

• Black gains time by attacking the hanging Bishop.
• If 16. -- Rxc1 17. Qxc1 Nxe4 18. Bxe4 Bb5 19. Rd1 Nd5 then:
• 20. Re1 f6 21. Nf3 Bc6 22. Qc2 f5 23. Bxd5 Bxd5 is level.
20. Bxd5 exd5 21. Re1 Re8 22. Qc2 f6 23. Nf3 gives Black the advantage in space and piece activity.

17. Nxf6+ Nxf6

Black: Robert Kempinski
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White: Alexandra Kosteniuk
Position after 17. -- Nd5f6:N

18. Rf3!?

• White is obviously aiming for a kingside attack.
• More flexible is 18. Qf3 Rxc1 19. Rxc1 Bc7 20. Qh3 h6 with equality.

18. -- Rxc1

• The exchange of Rooks temporarily unbalances White's equilibrium. She cannot retake with the Queen and thus must leave the d-pawn momentarily in the lurch.
• 18. -- b5 19. Bc2 g6 20. Rh3 Nd5 21. Qg4 is equal.

19. Bxc1 Qb6 20. Be3

• The Bishop returns to his duty guarding the d-pawn.

20. -- Rc8 21. Qb1

• White continues to aim for the kingside.
• If 21. Nxd7 Nxd7 22. Bxh7+ then:
• 22. -- Kf8! 23. b4 Nf6 24. Bb1 Nd5 25. g3 Nxe3 26. Rxe3 Rc4 equalizes.
• 22. -- Kh8? 23. Rh3 Nf6 24. Bd3+ Kg8 25. f5 exf5 26. Bxf5 wins for White.

21. -- Bb5 22. Bc2 Qc7

• The game position is unclear.
• If 22. -- Qa5 then:
• 23. h3 Bc6 24. b4 Qc7
• 25. Nxc6 Qxc6 26. Bd3 Qa4 27. Bc1 g6 28. Bb2 is equal.
• 24. -- Qxa3 25. Nxc6 Rxc6 26. Bd2 Rxc2 27. Rxa3 Rxd2 28. Qc1 Rxd4 29. Qc8+ leaves White with a Queen for two minor pieces.
• 23. b4 Qc7 24. Bb3 Qc3 25. Rh3 h6 26. f5 Bxe5 27. dxe5 Ng4 28. Bc5 Qxe5 wins a pawn.

23. Bb3?!

• The first of two interior moves that buy White a peck of trouble.
• Better is 23. Rf2 a5 24. Bb3 Nd5 25. Rc2 Qd8 26. Rxc8 Qxc8 27. Bd2 with equality.

23. -- Nd5 24. Rh3?

• The attack is premature. Black has ample resources to deal with it.
• If Correct is 24. Bxd5 exd5 25. Qf5 g6 when:
• 26. Rg3 Bxe5 27. Qxe5 Qc4 28. h3 Re8 29. Qg5 Qe2 30. f5 is equal.
• 26. Qf6? Qe7 27. Qxe7 Bxe7 28. f5 f6 29. Ng4 g5 gives Black a little more space and command of the c-file.

24. -- g6 25. Bxd5

• As of now, Black has a considerable space advantage. This is an attempt to chip away at, but the Queen at c7 and the Bishop at b5 are also a problem for White.
• 25. Qe4 Nxe3 26. Rxe3 Qc1+ 27. Re1 Qxb2 28. Bd1 Bxa3 nets Black a pawn.

25. -- exd5 26. Qe1

• White's best chance is to bring to Queen to the kingside for an attack.
• After 26. Qa1 Qc2 27. Rf3 f6 28. Rf2 Qf5 29. h3 h5 Black forces the Knight to an offside square.

26. -- Qc2 27. Ng4

• White sets up her combination. It's her best chance.
• If 27. b4 Rc3 28. Bd2 Rxh3 29. gxh3 Kg7 then:
• 30. Bc1 Qf5 31. Qe3 f6 32. Ng4 g5 wins the f-pawn.
• 30. Qc1 Qf5 31. Ng4 Qe4 32. Nf2 Qf3 gives Black advantages in space and initiative.

27. -- Qxb2?

• The tempo was more valuable than the pawn.
• Correct is 27. -- h5! reducing the scope of the Rook at h3: after 28. Nf6+ Kg7 29. Nxh5+ gxh5 30. Rxh5 Rg8 White has only two pawns for the piece.
• The text move throws away the win, although Black still has drawing chances.

28. Nf6+!

• White comes roaring back with a timely check taht assures the fall of the pawn at h7.

28. -- Kg7!

• Black picks the right move to hang on for the draw.
• If 28. -- Kf8? 29. f5 g5 30. Nxh7+ then:
• After 30. -- Kg7 31. Nxg5 Rc2 just when in looks like White in in a real pickle, she forces mate: 32. Ne6+ fxe6 33. Bh6+ Kh7 34. Bf8+ Kg8 35. Qxe6+ Kxf8 36. Qxd6+ Kg7 37. Rg3+ Kh7 38. Qe7+ Kh8 39. Qh4#.
• 30. -- Kg8 31. Nxg5 Rc7 32. Nh7 Qe2 33. Nf6+ Kg7 34. Ne8+ wins the Rook.

Black: Robert Kempinski
!""""""""#
$ +t+ + +%
$+o+ +oLo%
$o+ V No+%
$+v+o+ + %
$ + P P +%
$P + B +r%
$ W + +pP%
$+ + Q K %
/(((((((()
White: Alexandra Kosteniuk
Position after 28. -- Kg8g7

29. Rxh7+!!

• White fnds another way to sacrifice her Knight and win.

29. -- Kxf6 30. Qh4+ Ke6 31. Qg4+ Ke7?

• This loses, while the alternative, 31. -- Kf6, assures Black of at least a draw.
• If 31. -- Kf6 then:
• 32. Qg5+ 32. -- Ke6 33. Qg4+ Kf6 34. Qh4+ Ke6 draws by repetition as White cannot play Qxc8 with the Black King on f6.
• 32. Qxc8? would throw all that hard work away: after 32. -- Qe2!
  
  Analysis Diagram
  Black: Robert Kempinski
  !""""""""#
  $ +q+ + +%
  $+o+ +o+r%
  $o+ V Lo+%
  $+v+o+ + %
  $ + P P +%
  $P + B + %
  $ + +w+pP%
  $+ + + K %
  /(((((((()
  White: Alexandra Kosteniuk
  Position after 32. -- Qb2e2 (Analysis)
  
  33. Qd8+ Kf5
• 34. Rxf7+ Ke4 35. Re7+ Bxe7 36. Qxe7+ Kd3 Black wins.
• 34. Qc8+ Ke4 35. Kh1 Qxe3 36. Qc2+ Qd3 is curtains for White.
• 33. Qc1 Bxa3 34. Qb1 Qxe3+ 35. Kh1 Bc1 36. Qb4 Qxf4 37. Qe1 Bd2 gives Black two Bishops and two extra pawns for the Rook.

32. Qxc8! Qe2

Black: Robert Kempinski
!""""""""#
$ +q+ + +%
$+o+ Lo+r%
$o+ V +o+%
$+v+o+ + %
$ + P P +%
$P + B + %
$ + +w+pP%
$+ + + K %
/(((((((()
White: Alexandra Kosteniuk
Position after 32. -- Qb2e2 (Actual game)

• Compre this to the sub-variation in the note to Black's 31st move. In this position, there's no Rook to support the attack, the King is too distant to come into the fray and White's Queeen is not cut from the defense of the back rank.

33. Qc1 Bd3 34. f5 Bxf5 35. Bg5+ Kf8 36. Bf6 1-0

• If 36. -- Ke8 37. Rh8+ then:
• 37. -- Bf8 38. Bg7 Qc2 39. Rxf8+ Kd7 40. Qxc2 Bxc2 41. Rxf7+is simply devastating.
• 37. -- Kd7 38. Qc8#.
• Kempinski resigns.

Happy Mother's Day
Photo: ChessPics.com

But wanted to say good job on selecting very appropriate games and pictures for this, the Mother's Day, edition of your newsletter.