The Jack Rabbit Chees Report (August 2); Alekseev wins in Biel

Alekseev defeats Domínguez in Biel playoff



Top three finishers in Beil
(Left to Right) Lenier Domínguez (2nd), Evgeny Alekseev (1st) and Magnus Carlsen
Photo: Official website of the 41st annual Biel Chess Festival

Former Russian national champion Evgeny Alekseev defeated Lenier Domínguez of Cuba, the best player from Latin America in three generations, in a rapid and blitz palyoff Wednesday to win the 41st annual Biel Chess Festival's Grandmaster Tournament in Switzerland.

The playoff was made necessary when Alekseev defeated Swiss grandmaster Yannick Pelletier in the tenth and final round Wednesday while Domínguez fell victim to Etienne Bacrot of France. It was the Cuban's only defeat in the the tournament. Alekseev's vicotry combined with Domínguez' loss put the two in first palce wiht 6½ points each.

Under the rules of the Biel event, this matter is settled with a playoff of up to five games: first, two rapid games; if nothing is decided by the rapid games, then two blitz games; and finally one armageddon game, which is a blitz game in which Black had odds of draw but White has an extra minute on the clock.

The two rapid games and the first blitz game ended in draws. Alekseev won the second Blitz game when Domínguez blundered in time trouble.

Magnus Carlsen of Norway lead the tournament through six rounds when he lost an 84-move marathon to Alekseev in round seven. Magnus could only manage a draw in each of his remaining three games, allowing Domínguez to pass him.

Domínguez went into the last round needing only to avoid loss to win the tournament, while Alekseev needed a win for any chance at first place.


North Urals Cup concludes tomorrow; Stefanova leads



The strongest women's tournament in history has bees taking place for the past week in the Ural mountain city of Krasnoturinsk, Sverdlovsk Oblast, Russia.

The sixth annual North Urals Cup is a Category 19 FIDE tournament. The participants are Koneru Humpy (India), the second highest-rated woman in the world of all time; former women's world chanpion Anoaneta Stefanova (Bulgaria); the legendary Pia Cramling (Sweden), who was among the first women to be named a full grandmaster in 1992; Marie Sebag (France), who won the grandmaster title earlier this year; Anna Muzychuk (Slovenia), at 18 the young participant in the event; reigning women's champion Xu Yuhua (China); Anna Ushinina (Ukraine); and Natalia Pogonina (Russia).

After six of seven scheduled round, Grandmaster Stefanova leads the tournament with 4 points, a half-point ahead of IM Ushinina. It looked like Stefanova was heading for an easy first place finish until today when she was defeated Pia Cramling, at 45 the oldest woman in the event.

Tomorrow's final round has Stefanova playing White against Xu Yuhua, who held second place until her loss to Ushinina today; Ushinina has White against Koneru; Pogonina will play White Muzychuk; and Mlle. Sebag has White against Pia Cramling.

The final results will be reported here tomorrow.


Cheparinov leads second leg of FIDE Grand Prix in Sochi

Bulgarian grandmaster Ivan Cheparinov leads the second leg of the FIDE Grand Prix with 2½ points in the first three rounds in the Russian Black Sea resort of Sochi.

Russian grandmaster Alexander Grischuk and Teimour Radjabov of Azerbaijan are tied for second with 2 points each.

The tournament is a single round robin among fourteen players. The last round is scheduled to take place August 15.

The first leg of the Grand Prix took place im May in the capital of Azerbaijan, Baku. It ended in a three way tie among Magnus Carlsen of Norway, Chinese grandmaster Wang Yue and the rising Azerbaijani GM, Vugar Gashimov.


Mainz Chess Festival wraps up tomorrow

The annual celebration of chess in Mainz, Germany ends tomorrow with the world rapid championship between long-time reigning champion Vishy Anand and Norway's Magnus Carlsen.

The Ordix Rapid open will coclude with play in rounds 6 though 10. After five rounds, all palyed today, Hikaru Nakamura of the United States and Rustam Kasimdzhanov of Uzekistan have perfect scores.

Earlier in the week, Alexandra Kosteniuk of Russia won the women's Chess960 rapid championship.


Calendar

Events starting August 2 thru 9

Arctic Chess Challenge, Tromsø (Norway) 2-10 August.

US Open, Dallas 2-10 August.

World Junior Championship, Gaziantep (Turkey) 3-16 August. Hou Yifan has opted to play in the general competition, where she will be the 16th seed. Were she to play in the girls' event, she would be seeded first by almost 100 points.

Howard Staunton Memorial Tournament, London at the historic Simpson's Divan, 7-18 August. Competitors: Mickey Adams (defending champion), Nigel Short, Jon Speelman, Peter Wells, Robert Wade, Jan Timman, Loek van Wely, Jan Smeets, Erwin L'Ami, Jan Werle and Alexander Cherniaev

Other Events

Dato' Arthur Tan Open, Kuala Lampur 18-24 August.

FIDE Women's Knock Out (World Women's Chess Championship), Nalchik, Kabardino-Balkaria (Russia) 28 August-18 September.

Grand Slam Final, Bilbao 2-13 September.

Anand-Kramnik World Championship Match, Bonn October 14-November 2. Twelve rounds.

European Club Cup, Kallithea (Greece) 16-24 October.

Asian Championships, Tehran 21-30 October.

Chess Olympiad, Dresden 12-25 November.

Topalov-Kamsky World Championship Semifinal Match, Lvov 26 November-15 December. Eight Rounds.

FIDE Grand Prix, Doha 13-29 December.

Lenier Domínguez
Photo: Website of the 2005 Bermuda Chess Festival


Evgeny Alekseev - Lenier Domínguez
Grandmaster Tournament, Round 8
Biel, 29 July 2008

Open Sicilian Game: Najdorf-Boleslavsky Defense (Zagreb Opening)

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.g3

• While there is no refutation to this move, it is inconsistant with sound opening principles. It impresses one a a bit clumsy to spend two tempi developing the King's Bishop on the flank in an open game when the simple 6.Bc4 has been played successfully by so many, especially the late Bobby Fischer.

6...e5 7.Nde2

• If 7.Nb3 Be7 8.Bg2 0-0 9.0-0 Nbd7 10.a4 b6 then:
• 11.Nd2 Qc7 12.Re1 Bb7 13.Nf1 Rac8 14.Ne3 g6 15.Re2 Rfd8 16.Ned5 Nxd5 17.Nxd5 Bxd5 18.Qxd5 Qc4 19.Qxc4 Rxc4 20.Be3 Rb8 21.Rd2 Nc5 gives Black the advantage in space (Kudrin-J. Shahade, US Ch, Seattle, 2002).
• 11.Qe2 Bb7 12.Rd1 Qc7 13.Nd2 Rac8 14.Nf1 Nc5 15.Bg5 Ne6 16.Be3 Rfe8 17.Rac1 h6 18.f3 Nc5 is equal (Jevtic-Tringov, Novi Sad, 1983).

7...Be7 8.Bg2 b5

• 8...0-0 9.0-0 Nbd7 10.a4 b6 11.h3 Bb7 12.g4 b5 13.Ng3 b4 14.Na2 a5 15.c3 b3 16.Qxb3 Nc5 17.Qc2 Bc6 18.Be3 Bxa4 19.Qe2 g6 20.Bxc5 dxc5 21.c4 Bb3 22.Nc3 Rc8 23.g5 Ne8 24.Nd5 gives White a comfortable advantage in space (Matulovic-Tringov, Sarajevo, 1965).

9.h3 Nbd7 10.g4 b4

• 10...Bb7 11.Ng3 0-0 12.0-0 b4 13.Nd5 Nxd5 14.exd5 Re8 15.a3 a5 16.Be3 Qc7 17.Qd2 Nb6 is equal (Hagen-Carlsen, Op, Tromsø, 2007).

11.Nd5 Nxd5 12.exd5 a5 13.0-0 h5!?

• 13...0-0 14.Ng3 Ba6 15.Re1 g6 16.Bh6 Re8 17.a3 Qc7 18.axb4 axb4 19.Qd2 Reb8 20.b3 Bb7 21.Rxa8 Bxa8 22.Ra1 is equal (Stanojoski-Fedorchuk, Euro Ch, Polvdiv, 2008).

14.gxh5

• Although this weakens White's kingside pawns, it is his best alternative.
• 14.a3 hxg4 15.hxg4 bxa3 16.Rxa3 Rh4 17.f3 Bg5 gives Balck a considerable advantage in space.

14...Rxh5 15.Nd4

• 15.c4 Nc5 16.Nd4 Rh4 17.Nc6 Qc7 is equal.

15...Nf6 16.Nc6 Qc7

• If 16...Qb6 17.a3 b3 18.Be3 Qb7 then:
• 19.cxb3 Bxh3 20.Bxh3 Rxh3 21.Rc1 Qb5 wins a pawn for Black.
• 19.f4 Bxh3 20.fxe5 Rxe5 21.Nxe5 Bxg2 22.Kxg2 Nxd5 23.Kf2 Bh4+ 24.Ke2 dxe5 25.Qd3 Nxe3 26.Kxe3 Bg5+ gives Black a winning position.

17.Qf3

• After 17.a3 b3 18.cxb3 Bxh3 19.Bxh3 Rxh3 20.Bg5 Qd7 Black has command of attacking lanes.

17...Bf5?!

• Stronger is 17...e4! 18.Qg3 Nxd5 19.Nxe7 Nxe7 20.Bxe4 Rxh3.

18.Re1 Qd7

• If 18...Bxc2?! 19.Qg3 Kf8 20.Bg5 Qb6 then:
• 21.Nxe5! dxe5 22.d6 Re8 23.dxe7+ Rxe7 24.Rxe5 Rxe5 25.Qxe5 gives White more activity.
• 21.Rac1 b3 22.axb3 Qxb3 23.Re3 remains equal.

19.a3 b3 20.cxb3 Bxh3 21.Bd2

• 21.Bh1 accomplishes nothing after 21...Bd8 22.Bf4 Bg4 23.Qd3 Bf5 24.Qf3 Rh3.

21...Bxg2 22.Kxg2

• 22.Qxg2 Rh4 23.Re3 e4 24.Rg3 Nxd5 is equal.

22...Rf5 23.Qd3 Nh5

• 23...e4 24.Rxe4 Rxd5 25.Rxe7+ Qxe7 26.Qxd5 Nxd5 27.Nxe7 Kxe7 is equal.

24.Rh1 g6 25.b4

• If 25.Kg1 Bd8 26.Kf1 Bb6 27.Rh2 Bd4 then:
• After 28.Qb5 Bxb2 29.Ra2 Bd4 30.Bxa5 White's pieces dominate the queenside.
• I 28.Bxa5 Qb7 29.Ra2 Kd7 30.Qc4 Nf4 is equal.
• If 25.Kf1 Bf6 then:
• 26.Bxa5 Nf4 27.Qe4 Rh5 28.Rxh5 gxh5 29.Bd2 Qh3+ is equal.
• If 26.Nxa5 Nf4 27.Bxf4 Rxa5 28.b4 then:
• 28...Qb5 29.Rd1 e4 30.Qxb5+ Rxb5 31.Bxd6 Rbxd5 32.Ke2 yields an extra pawn to White.
• 28...Rb5 29.Bg3 Rh5 30.Rxh5 gxh5 31.Qc4 gives White an extra pawn.

25...Bg5 26.b5?!

• White's plan is to push his queenside majority forward, but this would be even easier if he takes the pawn at a5.
• 26.bxa5 Bxd2 27.Qxd2 Qb7 28.Kg1 Kd7 is equal.

26...Bxd2 27.Qxd2 Rf4 28.Rh3?

• White intends to bring the Queen's Rook to h1 for an attack on the kingside, but this does not take into account Black's resources..
• 28.Rag1 Qf5 29.Kf1 Qb1+ 30.Ke2 Qe4+ 31.Kd1 Rc8 gives Black the more active game.

28...Kf8

• Black could have blown the game open with the stronger 28...Qg4+! 29.Kh2 Rf3 30.Rxf3 Qxf3 31.Qe3 Qxd5 32.Qg5 Qe6.

29.Rah1
BLACK: Lenier Domínguez
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WHITE: Evgeny Alekseev
Position after 28.Ra1h1

29...Qg4+!

• This is a fine tactical stroke.
• 29...Qb7 30.Qe2 Ke8 31.Kf1 Qb6 32.Ke1 Qc5 33.Rc3 is equal.

30.Kf1 Ng3+ 31.Rxg3 Qxg3 32.b6

• After 32.Qe2 Black keeps up the attack by 32...Kg7 33.b6 Qb3 34.b7 Qxb7 35.Rh3 Rh8.

32...Qf3 33.Rh2 Kg8

• If 33...Qb3! 34.Qe2 Kg7 then:
• The best resistance is 35.b7 but after Qxb7 36.Rh3 Qd7 37.Qd3 Qg4 38.Rg3 Qh4 Black wins.
• If 35.Ke1 then 35...Qxd5 36.b7 Re8 37.b8Q Rxb8 38.Nxb8 Re4 wins the Queen.

34.b7

• After 34.b4 Black wins by 34...Qg3 35.Rh1 Qxa3 36.b7 Re8.

34...Re8 35.b4

• If 35.Qc2 Kg7 36.b3 Qxd5 then:
• If 37.a4 then 37...Qf3 38.b8Q Rxb8 39.Nxb8 Rd4 40.Ke1 Qg4 wins.
• After 37.b8Q Black wins with 37...Rxb8 38.Nxb8 Qb5+.

35...axb4 36.axb4 Qg3 37.Rh1 Qf3

• Black wins quicker after 37...Qb3 38.Rh2 Kg7 39.b8Q Rxb8 40.Nxb8 Qb1+.

38.Rh2 Qg3

• If 38...Qb3 39.Qe2 then:
• If 39...Kg7 40.b8Q Rxb8 41.Nxb8 Rd4 then:
• 42.f3 Qc3 43.Nc6 Qc1+ 44.Kf2 Rd2 wins the White Queen.
• if 42.Nc6 then 42...Rd1+ 43.Kg2 Qxd5+ 44.f3 44...Rd2 wins the Queen.
• If 39...Rxb4 40.Nxb4 Qxb4 41.Qe3 then:
• 41...Qc4+ 42.Ke1 Kg7 43.Qh6+ Kf6 44.Qh4+ Qxh4 45.Rxh4 Ke7 leaves Black a pawn to the good.
• 41...Qb5+? 42.Kg1 Kg7 43.Qh6+ Kf6 44.Qh4+ draws.

39.Rh1 Qb3 40.b8Q

• If 40.Rh2 Rf8 41.Rh1 Kg7 42.Rh2 Qc4+ then:
• After 43.Qe2 Qxd5 44.b8Q Rxb8 45.Nxb8 Rxb4 if White saves the Knight with 46.Na6 then 46...Rb1+ wins the Queen.
• If 43.Ke1 then 43...Re4+ 44.Kd1 Qb3+ 45.Qc2 Re1+ wins.

40...Rxb8 41.Nxb8
BLACK: Lenier Domínguez
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WHITE: Evgeny Alekseev
Position after 41.Nc6b8:R

41...Rxb4!

• Lights out!

42.Nd7

• 42.Nc6 proves inadequat after 42...Qb1+ 43.Qe1 Qd3+ 44.Qe2 Rb1+.

42...Qc4+ 43.Kg2 Qg4+ 44.Kh2 Qh5+ 45.Kg2 Rg4+ 0-1

• 46.Kf1 Qxh1+ 47.Ke2 Re4+ wins the Queen.
• 46.Kf3 Rf4+ 47.Kg2 Qf3+ 48.Kg1 Rg4+ 49.Kf1 Qxh1+ etc. as in the red variation.
• Grandmaster Alekseev resigns.

Former Dutch national champion and reigning European champion Sergei Tiviakov was given the tournament championship in Helsingør on the basis of superior tie-break score.

It's the second time this year Mh. Tiviakov has come from nowhere to snatch first prize in the final round.



Sergei Tiviakov
Photo: ChessBase.com


To view this game:

• Please click here;
• Select Politiken Cup from the top horizontal bar;
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Artur Kogan - Sergei Tiviakov
Politiken Cup, Round 10
Helsingør, 27 July 2008

East India Game: Queen's Indian Defense

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 b6 4.g3 c6 5.Bg2 d5 6.0-0 Be7 7.Nc3

• If 7.Qc2 0-0 then:
• If 8.Bf4 Nbd7 9.Rd1 Bb7 10.Nc3 then:
• 10...Nh5 11.Bc1 Nhf6 12.b3 Rc8 13.e4 dxe4 14.Nxe4 Nxe4 15.Qxe4 Nf6 16.Qc2 Qc7 17.Bf4 Bd6 18.Bxd6 Qxd6 19.c5 Qe7 20.Ne5 Nd5 21.Be4 h6 22.Rac1 Rfd8 23.Bh7+ Kh8 24.Bg6 f5 25.Bxf5 Black resigns (Ksieski-Horther, Bavaria, 2001).
• 10...dxc4 11.Nd2 Nd5 12.Nxc4 Nxf4 13.gxf4 Qc7 14.e3 Rac8 15.Rac1 Nf6 16.Ne5 c5 17.d5 exd5 18.Nxd5 Nxd5 19.Bxd5 Rcd8 20.Bxb7 Qxb7 is equal (Mahjoob-A. Sokolov, Ol, Torino, 2006).
• If 8.Nbd2 Nbd7 9.b3 Bb7 then:
• If 10.Bb2 Rc8 11.e4 c5 12.exd5 exd5 13.dxc5 dxc4 14.Nxc4 b5 15.Nce5 then:
• 15...Nxe5 16.Nxe5 Bxg2 17.Kxg2 Bxc5 18.Rad1 Qa5 19.Qf5 Qa6 20.Nd3 Qc6+ 21.Qf3 Be7 22.Rfe1 Qxf3+ 23.Kxf3 Rfe8 24.Nf4 is equal (Andersson-Cu. Hansen, Landsk, 1995).
• 15...Rxc5 16.Qe2 Nxe5 17.Nxe5 Bxg2 18.Kxg2 Qd5+ 19.Kg1 Re8 20.Ng4 draw (Smyslov-Benko, Monte Carlo, 1968).
• 10.Rd1 Rc8 11.e4 Qc7 12.Bb2 Rfd8 13.Rac1 Qb8 14.e5 Ne8 15.cxd5 cxd5 16.Qd3 Rxc1 17.Rxc1 Rc8 18.Rxc8 Qxc8 19.Qc3 Qxc3 20.Bxc3 Ba6 21.Bf1 draw (Szabo-Rossetto, Asuncion, 1960).

7...Bb7

• If 7...0-0 8.Bf4 Bb7 9.Rc1 Nh5 then:
• 10.Be5 Nd7 11.cxd5 exd5 12.e4 f6 13.exd5 cxd5 14.Bc7 Qxc7 15.Nh4 Nf4 16.gxf4 Qb8 17.Nxd5 Bd6 18.Qb3 Rf7 19.Nf5 Kf8 20.Rfe1 g6 21.Nh6 Rg7 22.Nc7 Bxc7 23.Bxb7 Qxb7 24.Qa3+ Black resigns (Postny-Werle, Essent Op, Hoogeveen, 2007).
• 10.Bxb8 Qxb8 11.Ne5 Nf6 12.e3 Rd8 13.cxd5 cxd5 14.f4 Qd6 15.Nb5 Qb4 16.Rc7 Ba6 17.a4 Bxb5 18.axb5 Bd6 19.Rxf7 Bxe5 20.fxe5 Kxf7 is equal (Leko-Aronian, IT, Morelia-Linares, 2007).

8.Nd2

• It is likely that with a share of first prize at stake, neither player wanted a particularly theoretical game.
• 8.Qc2 Nbd7 9.b3 0-0 10.Rd1 transposes into Szabo-Rossetto, above.

8...0-0 9.e4 Na6

• 9...dxc4 10.Nxc4 Ba6 11.b3 b5 12.Ne3 b4 13.Ne2 Bxe2 14.Qxe2 Qxd4 15.Bb2 Qb6 16.Nc4 Qb5 is slightly better for Black (Aronian-Tiviakov, Corus A, Wijk aan Zee, 2007).

10.e5!?

• 10.Re1 draw (Pantasulaia-Tiviakov, Euro Ch, Plovdiv, 2008).

10...Nd7 11.cxd5 cxd5 12.Nf3 Nc7 13.Re1 b5 14.h4 b4 15.Ne2 a5 16.Bg5 Ba6 17.Qc2

• 17.Rc1 Bc4 18.b3 Bxe2 19.Qxe2 Bxg5 20.Nxg5 h6 remains equal.

17...Nb6 18.Bxe7 Qxe7 19.Ng5

• This forces White to weaken his kingside pawns.

19...g6 20.Nf4!?

• If 20.Rac1 Rfc8 21.Qc5 Qxc5 22.Rxc5 then:
• 22...Bc4 23.Rc6 Rab8 24.Nc1 is equal.
• 22...Nd7 23.Rxa5 h6 24.Nf3 Bxe2 25.Rxa8 Rxa8 26.Rxe2 Rxa2 is equal.

20...Rac8

• 20...Nb5 21.Qc5 Qa7 22.Qc2 Rfc8 23.Qd1 Nc4 is better for Black, who has his sights on the d-pawn.

21.Rad1?!

• White plays the wrong Rook. The White Rooks should be on the queenside in order to slow down any Black initiative there. White would also be better off bringing his knights to the center from the kingside.
• Better is 21.Red1 Ne8 when:
• 22.Qd2 Nc4 23.Qe2 Nc7 24.Rac1 h6 25.Nf3 is equal.
• 22.Qb3 a4 23.Qf3 Ng7 24.Rac1 f6 25.exf6 Qxf6 26.Qe3 is equal.

21...a4!?

• White White fumbles around trying to get his pieces to defend the queenside, Black presses on.
• If 21...Nb5 22.Qe2 Rc4 then:
• If 23.Qg4! Rxd4 24.Rxd4 Nxd4 25.Nxg6 hxg6 26.Qxd4 gives White the initiative.
• 23.Nf3?! Rfc8 24.Qe3 Rc2 25.Re2 a4 gives Black the advantage in space. White should exchange.

22.Qb1

• 22.Qc5! Qxc5 23.dxc5 Nd7 24.Ne4 Rcd8 25.Nf6+ Nxf6 26.exf6 is equal.

22...Nc4 23.Bf1 a3 24.Nh5?!

• White could solve some of his mobility problems by playing to the queenside.
• Better is 24.Bxc4! Bxc4 25.bxa3 bxa3 26.Qc2 Na6 27.Nd3.

BLACK: Sergei Tiviakov
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WHITE: Artur Kogan
Position after 24.Nf4h5

24...Nxb2!

• Black is a pawn to the good. To add to the importance of the extra pawn, it is part of an advanced pawn majority on a wing where Black is vastly superior.

25.Nf6+ Kg7 26.Bxa6

• The exchange is a good idea under the circumstances. Black's queenside aggression is progressing and White would like to deprive Black of one or two pieces that can be used against him.
• If 26.Rd2 Bxf1 27.Rxf1 Nc4 then:
• 28.Re2 Nb5 29.Qa1 Qa7 30.Nf3 Nb2! 31.Rd2 Rc3 32.Kg2 Nc4! wins either the d-pawn or the exchange.
• 28.Rdd1 Nb5 29.Qd3 h6 30.Nf3 Rc7 31.Nd2 Rfc8 leaves Black a pawn up and in command of the queenside.

26...Nxa6 27.Ngxh7

• White wins back the pawns, but his Knights are off side.

27...Rh8 28.Rc1 Rxc1 29.Rxc1?

• The capture should be made ith the Queen in order to leave the Rook to protect the center and put the Queen on an open diagonal leading to the kingside..
• If 29.Qxc1! Qb7 30.Qg5 then:
• 30...Nc7 31.Ng4 Rxh7 32.Qf6+ Kf8 33.Qd8+ is equal.
• 30...Rxh7? 31.Nxh7 Kxh7 32.h5 Nd3 33.Re3 threatens to win the Knight and continue the kingside attack with 34.hxg6+ fxg6 35.g4 and 36.Rh3.

BLACK: Sergei Tiviakov
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WHITE: Artur Kogan
Position after 29.Re1c1:R

29...b3?!

• 29...Qa7! 30.Ng5 Qxd4 31.Nf3 Qd3 leaves Black a pawn to the good.

30.Rc3?!

• 30.Ng5 bxa2 31.Qxa2 Ra8 32.Ra1 Nb4 White must expend his energy stopping the a-pawn, but this variation gives him more energy to that end than the text.

30...bxa2 31.Qxa2 Nc4 32.Ng5

• If 32.Qe2 then after 32...Rxh7 33.Nxh7 Kxh7 34.h5 Nb4 Black should be able to make further progress on the a-file.

32...Rb8 33.Qe2

• 33.Rb3 Nb4 34.Qa1 Qa7 35.Ne8+ Rxe8 36.Rxb4 Rb8 wins for Black.

33...Rb2 34.Nh5+

• 34.Qf1 a2 35.Rc1 Nb4 36.h5 Qf8 37.hxg6 Kxg6 gives Black more activity,

34...Kf8 35.Nh7+ Ke8

• Stroner is 35...Kg8 36.N5f6+ Kg7 37.Qd3 a2 when Black wins easily.

36.Qd1

• If 36.Ng7+ then Blackj wins with 36...Kd8 37.Qd1 a2 38.Rc1 Qb4.

36...Qb4 37.Ng7+ Kd8 38.Qf3

• 38.Rxa3 Nxa3 39.Kg2 Nc2 40.Kh3 Nxd4 Black is up by a whole Rook.

38...a2 39.Qxf7

• Grandmaster Kogan could have resigned here.

39...a1Q+ 40.Kg2 Rxf2+ 41.Qxf2 Qab2 42.Nxe6+ Ke7 43.Rxc4 0-1

• 43...Qxf2+ 44.Kxf2 dxc4 gives Black a probitive material advantage.
• Grandmaaster Kogan resigns without waiting for Mh. Tiviakov to reply.

A lot was at stake in this game. Venkatesh entered the final round tied for first against two player who played against each other and settled for a fast draw. This meant that, if he won this game, Venkatesh would have first prize clear. Rozentalis, on the other hand, had to win the game in order to claim a share of first prize.



Eduardas Rozentalis
Photo: Wikipedia Commons


Marani Rajendran Venkatesh - Eduardas Rozentalis
Canadian Open, Round 9
Montreal, 26 July 2008

Moorish Game: Horseman Defense (Dragon Variation) (Alekhine's Defense)

1.e4 Nf6 2.e5 Nd5 3.d4 d6 4.Nf3 g6

• If 4...Bg4 5.Be2 e6 6.0-0 Be7 7.c4 Nb6 8.Nc3 0-0 9.Be3 then:
• If 9...a5 10.b3 d5 11.c5 N6d7 12.a3 then:
• 12...Nc6 13.b4 axb4 14.axb4 Rxa1 15.Qxa1 f6 16.b5 Bxf3 17.Bxf3 Nxd4 18.Bxd4 fxe5 19.Nxd5 exd4 20.Nxe7+ Qxe7 21.Qxd4 Nxc5 (Saint-Shabalov, North Bay, 1994).
• 12...f6 13.exf6 Bxf6 14.Qd2 Bxf3 15.Bxf3 c6 16.Rad1 Na6 17.Bg4 e5 18.Na4 exd4 19.Bxd4 Bxd4 20.Qxd4 Nf6 21.Be6+ gives White the early advantage in space (Littlewood-Alburt, Op, Hastings, 1981).
• If 9...Nc6 10.exd6 cxd6 then:
• 11.d5 exd5 12.Nxd5 Nxd5 13.Qxd5 Bf6 14.Qd2 Qa5 15.Rfd1 Rfe8 16.Qc2 Bf5 17.Qb3 Qb4 18.Rd2 b6 19.Qxb4 Nxb4 20.Bg5 Nc2 21.Rad1 Bxg5 22.Nxg5 gives White excellent winning prospects (Gufeld-Grigorian, Soviet Ch, Baku, 1972).
• If 11.b3 d5 then:
• 12.c5 Nc8 13.b4 a6 14.Rb1 Bf6 15.a4 N8e7 16.b5 axb5 17.axb5 Bxf3 18.bxc6 Bxe2 19.Qxe2 bxc6 20.Rb6 e5 gives Black an extra pawn (Hoellrigl-Baburin, Op, Oberwart, 1991).
• 12...Nd7 13.b4 f5 14.b5 Na5 15.Qe1 Bf6 16.h3 Bxf3 17.Bxf3 gives White the long term advantage of the distant majority on the queenside (Brat-Sefc, Chechoslovakian Ch, Prague, 1954).
• If 9...d5 10.c5 Bxf3 11.gxf3 Nc8 12.f4 then:
• 12...Nc6 13.b4 a6 14.Rb1 f6 15.Bd3 Qe8 16.Qg4 f5 17.Qh3 a5 18.b5 Nb4 19.Be2 gives White the advantage in space with some attacking chances on the kingside.(Short-Alburt, Match, Foxboro, 1985).
• 12...c6 13.Bd3 f5 14.Qh5 Nd7 15.b4 gives White an advantage in space, but no way to make anything from it.

5.Bc4 c6

• If 5...Nb6 6.Bb3 Bg7 7.Ng5 e6 then:
• If 8.Qf3 Qe7 9.Ne4 dxe5 10.Bg5 Qb4+ 11.c3 Qa5 12.Bf6 Bxf6 13.Qxf6 0-0 14.Qxe5 Qxe5 15.dxe5 then:
• 15...Nc6 16.f4 Na5 17.Nbd2 Nxb3 18.axb3 Nd5 19.0-0 Kg7 20.c4 Nb4 21.Nf3 gives White the advantage in space (Qi Jingxuan-Alburt, Izonal, Taxco, 1985).
• 15...Bd7 16.Nbd2 Bc6 17.0-0-0 a5 18.f4 Kg7 19.h4 draw (Fedorowicz-Benjamin, IT, San Francisco, 1991).
• 8.f4 dxe5 9.fxe5 c5 10.c3 cxd4 11.0-0 0-0 12.cxd4 Nc6 13.Nf3 f6 14.exf6 Qxf6 15.Be3 Nd5 16.Bf2 Nf4 17.Kh1 b6 18.Nc3 Bb7 is equal (Arnason-Alburt, IT, Bunadarbanka (Iceland), 1984).

6.exd6 Qxd6 7.0-0 Bg7 8.h3

• If 8.Nbd2 0-0 9.Re1 Bg4 then:
• If 10.h3 Bxf3 11.Nxf3 then:
• 11...Nd7 12.Bb3 e6 13.Bg5 b5 14.a4 b4 15.Qd2 a5 16.Rad1 Rfe8 17.Bh6 N7b6 18.Ne5 c5 19.Bxg7 Kxg7 20.Qh6+ gives White a small advantage in space (Christiansen-Vaganian, Op, New York, 1990).
• 11...e6 12.Bf1 b5 13.a4 b4 14.c4 Ne7 15.a5 c5 16.dxc5 Qxc5 17.Be3 Qc7 18.Nd4 Nbc6 is equal (Dr. Nunn-Vaganian, IT, London, 1984).
• 10.c3 Nd7 11.h3 Bxf3 12.Nxf3 Rfe8 13.Bg5 Bf6 14.Bh6 e5 15.dxe5 Nxe5 16.Nxe5 Rxe5 17.Rxe5 Qxe5 18.Qf3 Rd8 19.Rd1 Bg5 20.Bxg5 Qxg5 21.a4 is equal (Brkic-Rudolf, Op, Oberwart. 2003).

8...0-0 9.Re1 Bf5!?

• 9...Nd7 10.Bb3 b5 11.Nbd2 Bb7 12.Ne4 Qc7 13.Bg5 e6 14.c4 bxc4 15.Bxc4 N5f6 16.Nxf6+ Nxf6 17.Rc1 h6 18.Bh4 Rad8 19.Bb3 Qb6 20.Qc2 Rde8 21.Bg3 gives White the advantage in space, but Black presents him with no easy targets (Svidler-Akopian, Euro ChT, Halkidiki, 2002).

10.Bb3

• The game is equal: Black has the advantage in space, but neither side has much mobility.
• 10.Bg5 Re8 11.Qe2 Nd7 12.Na3 N7b6 13.Bxd5 Nxd5 is also equal.

10...a5 11.a4 Na6 12.Bg5!

• White attacks a pawn and seizes at least a momentary initiative.
• If 12.c4 Ndb4 13.Nc3 then:
• 13...Rfd8 14.Bg5 Re8 15.c5 Qd7 16.Ne5 Bxe5 17.Rxe5 gives White the advantage in space.
• If 13...Nd3 14.Ne4 Bxe4 15.Rxe4 then:
• 15...Nxc1 16.Qxc1 c5 17.Qe3 Rad8 gives Black a tactical initiative.
• If 15...Nab4 16.c5 Qc7 17.Bg5 e5!? then:
• 18.Nxe5 Bxe5 19.dxe5 Nxc5 20.Re3 Nxb3 21.Qxb3 gives White the advantage in space.
• 18.Re3 Rae8 19.dxe5 Nxc5 20.Bc4 b6 is equal.

12...Bf6!?

• Black has the advantage in space, so why does he offer an exchange?
• 12...Rae8 13.Nbd2 h6 14.Bh4 Qd8 15.Ne4 g5 16.Bg3is equal.

13.Nbd2?!

• This gives Black the opportunity to gain some breathing room.
• Better is 13.Qd2 b6 14.Na3 Rfe8 15.Bxd5 cxd5 16.Nb5 Qc6 17.c3 when White has the advantage in space.
• If 13.Bxf6 Qxf6 14.Nc3 Nxc3 15.bxc3 then:
• If 15...Nc7 16.Ne5 Nd5 17.Qf3 Rfd8 18.Rab1 Rab8 19.Bxd5 then:
• 19...cxd5 20.Rb5 Bxc2 21.Qxf6 exf6 22.Ng4 f5 23.Nf6+ gives White more than enough space to compensate for the loss of a pawn.
• 19...Rxd5 20.g4 Bxc2 21.Qxf6 exf6 22.Nxc6 gives White a huge advantage in space.
• 15...c5 16.Qe2 Rae8 17.Rab1 cxd4 18.cxd4 Nb4 gives White an advantage in space.

BLACK: Eduardas Rozentilis
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WHITE: Marani Rajendran Venkatesh
Position after 13.Nb2d2

13...Bxg5!

• This exchange is very timely and allows Black to gain needed space.

14.Nxg5 Rad8

• Black has a small advantage in space.

15.Nge4

• If 15.Qe2 c5 16.Nde4 then:
• 16...Qc7! 17.Ng3 Bc8 18.Qe4 c4 19.Ba2 Nab4 Black retains a small advantage in space.
• 16...Qc6?! 17.Nxc5 Nxc5 18.dxc5 Qxc5 19.Qb5 Qxb5 20.axb5 slightly favors White.

15...Qf4 16.Qf3 Bxe4!

• Exchanges cannot be avoided. Black chooses his time.
• 16...Nac7 17.Rad1 Ne6 18.Qxf4 Ndxf4 19.Nf3 Bxe4 20.Rxe4 gives White a little better activity.

17.Qxf4 Nxf4 18.Nxe4 Rxd4

• Black has won a pawn.

19.c3

• 19.g3 Nh5 20.c3 Rdd8 21.Bc4 Nb8 22.Rad1 Nd7 is unclear: Black has a pawn plus but White has enough space to compensate..

19...Rdd8 20.Bc4 Nb8?!

• If 20...Nc7! 21.g3 Nfd5 then:
• 22.Rad1 e6 23.Bb3 Kg7 24.c4 Nb4 25.Nc5 b5 is equal.
• 22.Bb3?! b6 23.Rad1 Ne6 24.f3 g5 25.Kf2 f5 gives Black a healthy advantage in space.

21.Rad1 Nd7 22.Ba2

• If 22.g3 then:
• If 22...Ne5! 23.Bxf7+ then:
• 23...Kg7! 24.gxf4 Nf3+ 25.Kg2 Nxe1+ 26.Rxe1 Rxf7 leaves Black an exchange to the good.
• If 23...Nxf7 24.gxf4 b6 then:
• 25.c4 Nh6 26.c5 Rxd1 27.Rxd1 bxc5 28.Nxc5 is equal.
• 25.Nd2 Nd6 26.b3 b5 27.Ra1 Nf5 28.Ne4 Rd5 gives Black more mobility.
• After 22...Nd5?? 23.Bxd5 cxd5 24.Rxd5 White wins a pawn.

22...Kg7 23.g3 Nh5 24.Ng5 Nc5 25.Rxd8

• The exchange is better than the restricted advance of the Rook.
• 25.Rd4?! e6 26.Red1 Rxd4 27.Rxd4 e5 28.Rc4 Nd3 gives Black control over some valuable real estate.

25...Rxd8 26.Bxf7?

• This only wins back the pawn temporarily.
• Correct is 26.Rxe7! Kf6 27.Re1 Kxg5 28.Re5+ Kf6 29.Rxc5 Rd2 giving Black a little more activity; otherwise, the game is fairly even.

BLACK: Eduardas Rozentilis
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WHITE: Marani Rajendran Venkatesh
Position after 26.Ba2f7:p

26...Rd2!

• Black must win a pawn.

27.Ne6+ Kxf7 28.Nxc5 Rxb2 29.Nd7

• White would do better with 29.Nd3 Rd2 30.Ne5+ Ke8 31.Kg2 Rd5 when his position is still basically solid, although a pawn down.

29...Rb3 30.Re5 Ke8 31.Nc5 Rb1+!

• Black avoids a trap.
• If 31...Rxc3? then 32.Nxb7! Nf6 33.Nxa5 Kd7 34.Re1 is equal.

32.Kg2 Nf6 33.Nd3 b6 34.c4

• If 34.Re6 Kd7 35.Re2 Nd5 then:
• After 36.Ne5+ Kd6 37.c4 Nc3 38.Nf7+ Kc5 White's queenside pawns fall.
• After 36.c4 Nc3 37.Ne5+ Kc7 38.Rd2 Rd1 Rooks are exchanged and Black remains a pawn up.

34...Rb3 35.Re3 Nd7 36.Kf1

• White position begins to deteriorate rapidly.
• If 36.h4 then 36...Rc3 37.Nb2 Rc2 38.Rb3 Kd8 39.Nd3 Rxc4 wins a second pawn.

36...Ra3 37.Nb2 Ra2 38.Rb3 Kd8! 39.Nd3

• 39.f4 Nc5! wins a pawn.

39...Rxa4

• Black has won a second pawn.

40.Rc3 Ra2 41.Ke1

• If 41.Nc1 then after 41...Ra1 42.Ke2 e5 43.Ke3 a4 Black wins with a queenside advance.

41...Kc7 42.Nc1 Ra4 43.f4

• White has nothing betting than to try a doomed advance on the kingside.
• Atfer 43.Nd3 Black wins a pawn with 43...e5 44.Ke2 e4 45.Ne1 Ne5!.

43...Nc5 44.g4 Ne4 45.Rc2 Nd6!

• Black wins anothr pawn.
• Also good is 45...Kd6 46.Ke2 Ra3 47.Nd3 Nc5.

46.c5 bxc5 47.Nd3 Ra3 48.Ne5

• After 48.Nxc5 Rxh3 49.Ne6+ Kb6 50.Rb2+ Nb5 Black is ready to begin advancing the queenside pawns.

48...c4 49.h4

• 49.Nxc4 Nxc4 50.Rxc4 Rxh3 is not to White's liking.

49...Rh3 50.Kf1 a4

• 50...Rxh4 51.Kg2 h5 52.Ra2 hxg4 53.Rxa5 Nf5 54.Nxg6 Rh5 leaves Black three pawns to the good.

51.Kg2 Rb3 52.f5 gxf5 53.g5 a3 54.Nxc4 a2!

• The coup de grace wins the Kinght.

55.Rxa2 Nxc4 56.Ra8 f4 57.h5 0-1

• Black has a huge material advantage.
• Venkatesh-ji resigns.

Stefanova wins cat 19 North Urals Cup

Formwer world women's champion Antoaneta Stefanova of Bulgaria won the strongest women's tournament ever by taking the North Urals Cup in Krasnoturinsk, Sverdlovsk Oblask (Russia) today with 4½ points in seven rounds.

Grandmaster Stefanova drew her game with reigning world women's champion Xu Yuhua in just 10 moves while Ukrainian IM Anna Ushenina. the only competitor with a chance to catch or overtake Stefanova, drew with top seed Koneru Humpy in 21 moves.

The only decisive game of the last round saw newly-minted grandmaster Marie Sebag of France move into a tie for second place with Ushenina by defeating the legendary Swedish grandmaster Pia Cramling in 61 moves.

Bulgarian grandmaster Ivan Cheparinov, who is best known for being Veselin Topalov's second, continues to lead the second leg of the FIDE Grand Prix in Sochi by a half point over Russian grandmaster Alexander Grischuk.

Cheparinov drew with Israeli GM Boris Gelfand in today's fourth round while Grischuk drew his game with Azerbaijan's Vugar Gashimov. Teimour Radjabov, also of Azerbaijan, was tied with Grischuk after three rounds, but lost today to Peter Svidler of Russia.

In other action today, Mohamad Al-Modiaki of Qatar defeated Czechia's David Navara. The game between Dmitry Jakovenko and Wang Yue is still in progress with White (Jakovenko) holding an indecisive advantage after 51 moves in an ending in which each side has three pawns and two Bishops.

In this game, Grischuk presents a textbook example of how to shut down the opposition's potential for counterplay.



Alexander Grischuk
Photo: ChessBase.com


Alexander Grischuk - Sergey Karjakin
FIDE Grand Prix, Round 1
Sochi, 31 July 2008

Semi-Slav Queen's Gambit: Anti-Meran Gambit (Moscow Defense)

1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 e6 5.Bg5 h6

• This is the starting point of the Moscow Defense.
• 5...dxc4 6.e4 b5 7.e5 h6 is the Botvinnik Defense.
• Black can also leave the Semi-Slav and play a more Orthodox line: 5...Nbd7 6.e3 Qa4 is the Cambridge Springs Defense.

6.Bh4

• This retreat is currently more fashionable than the exchange on f6.
• 6.Bxf6 Qxf6 7.e3 Nd7 8.Bd3 dxc4 9.Bxc4 also leads to a sharp theoretical battle.

6...dxc4 7.e4 g5 8.Bg3 b5 9.Ne5 h5

• If 9...Bb7 10.Be2 Nbd7 11.0-0 then:
• If 11...Bg7 12.Nxd7 Nxd7 13.Bd6 a6 14.a4 e5 then:
• 15.Bg4 exd4 16.e5 c5 17.Bf3 Bxf3 18.Qxf3 Nxe5 19.Qd5 dxc3 20.Rfe1 cxb2 21.Rad1 b1Q 22.Rxb1 Rc8 23.axb5 axb5 24.Rbd1 White soon won (Kuljasevic-Zhao Jun, IT, Richardson, Texas, 2007).
• 15.d5 c5 16.b4 Qb6 17.bxc5 Nxc5 18.Bxc5 Qxc5 19.axb5 axb5 20.Rxa8+ Bxa8 21.Qa1 0-0 22.Qa5 Rb8 23.Rb1 Bf8 24.Nxb5 f5 25.Qa6 Kh8 26.Nc3 Rxb1+ 27.Nxb1 Qb4 28.Qxa8 Qxb1+ 29.Bf1 Qb4 30.exf5 gives White an extra pawn with Bishops of opposite color (Kramnik-Karjakin, Amber Blind, Nice, 2008).
• 11...h5 12.Nxd7 Qxd7 13.Be5 Rh6 14.Qc1 Rg6 15.Rd1 Ng4 16.Bxg4 hxg4 17.b3 cxb3 18.axb3 f6 19.Bg3 Kf7 20.Qe3 a6 21.Rac1 Rc8 22.Qe2 f5 is equal (Gajewski-Predojevic, Euro Ch, Dresden, 2007).

10.h4

• 10.h3 Bb7 11.Qf3 Nbd7 12.Rd1 Qe7 13.a3 Rd8 14.Be2 Rg8 15.Nxd7 Rxd7 16.Be5 Bg7 17.Bxf6 Qxf6 18.Qxf6 Bxf6 19.e5 Be7 20.Bxh5 Rh8 21.Bf3 Rh4 gives Black the advantage in space (Cramling-van Wely, Spanish ChT, San Sebastian, 2006).

10...g4 11.Be2 Bb7 12.0-0 Nbd7 13.Qc2 Nxe5 14.Bxe5 Bg7 15.b3!?

• If 15.Rad1 0-0 then:
• If 16.Bg3 Nd7 17.f3 then:
• 17...c5 18.dxc5 Qe7 19.Kh1 a6 20.a4 Bc6 21.Nd5 exd5 22.exd5 Be5 23.f4 Bg7 24.dxc6 Nxc5 25.Rd5 Ne4 gives Black more activity (Aronian-Anand, World Ch Trmt, Mexico City, 2007).
• If 17...Qb6 18.Kh1 c5 19.d5 Ne5 20.fxg4 hxg4 21.Qc1 then:
• 21...Nd3 22.Bxd3 cxd3 23.Rxd3 b4 24.Ne2 exd5 25.exd5 Rae8 26.Rd2 Bh6 27.Bf4 is equal (van Wely-Kobalia, Areoflot Op, Moscow, 2005).
• 21...exd5 22.Nxd5 Bxd5 23.Rxd5 Rae8 24.Rf5 f6 25.Qd1 Nf7 26.e5 Nh6 27.Rh5 Qe6 28.Rd6 is equal (Avrukh-Novikov, Ol, Calvia, 2004).
• 16.f3 Nh7 17.Bxg7 Kxg7 18.fxg4 Qxh4 19.gxh5 Ng5 20.Qd2 Nh3+ 21.gxh3 Qg3+ 22.Kh1 Qxh3+ draws by pertetual check (Estremera-Sayed, Op, Gibraltar, 2005).

15...cxb3

• The game is equal. Black has chosen the best move in reply to White's novelty.
• 15...b4?! 16.Na4 c3 17.Nc5 Qe7 18.a3 a5 19.axb4 axb4 20.Ra4 gives White more space and activity.

16.axb3 0-0 17.Bg3

• 17.Rfd1 Nd7 18.Bxg7 Kxg7 19.g3 b4 20.Na4 Qe7 is unclear: Black has an extra pawn and White has more space.

17...c5?!

• 17...Qxd4! 18.Rfd1 Qb6 19.e5 Nd5 20.Ne4 Rfd8 gives Black two extra pawns.

18.e5 Nd5

• 18...Nd7 19.dxc5 a6 20.Ne4 Nxe5 21.Rad1 Qe7 22.Nd6 Bc6 remains equal.

19.Nxb5 cxd4 20.Nd6!?

• White forgoes taking back the pawn in order to dominate Black's center with the Knight posted on the sixth rank.
• 20.Nxd4 Nb4 21.Qc4 Qb6 22.Rfd1 Rfc8 23.Qb5 Qxb5 24.Nxb5 is equal.

20...Rb8 21.Qd2!?

• Rather than take the hanging a-pawn, White attack Black's d-pawn.
• 21.Rxa7 Qb6 22.Rfa1 Ra8 23.Rxa8 Bxa8 remains equal.

21...Nc3 22.Bd3 a5

• The game remains equal.
• White will unhang the a-pawn now.

23.Ra3

• White's plan is to double the Rooks on the a-file and take the a-pawn.
• 23.Rfe1 Bd5 24.Bc4 then:
• 24...Bxc4 25.bxc4 Qb6 26.Bf4 Qb2 gives Black more activity.
• 24...Rb4 25.Qxd4 Qxd6 26.Qxc3 Qc5 is equal.
• If White plays to take the d-pawn by 23.Bc4 Bd5 then:
• 24.Bxd5 exd5 25.Nf5 Rxb3 26.Qd3 Rb2 27.Nxd4 Ne4 gives Black more activity.
• 24.Rfe1 Bxc4 25.bxc4 transposes to the main red variation.

23...Bd5 24.Bc2 Rb6?!

• If 24...f5 25.Rfa1 Ra8 then:
• If 26.Bd3 Ne4 27.Bxe4 fxe4 then:
• If 28.Ra4 d3 29.Nxe4 Bxe4 30.Rxe4 then:
• 30...Qd5 31.Rea4 Qxb3 32.Rxa5 Rxa5 33.Rxa5 Rc8 is equal.
• 31.Rc4 Bxe5 32.Bxe5 Qxe5 33.Raa4 Rfd8 is equal.
• If 28.Nc4 d3 29.Nxa5 Qc7 then:
• 30.Rc1 Qe7 31.Ra4 Rfc8 32.Rxc8+ Rxc8 33.Nc4 Rb8 Black is more active.
• 30.R3a2 Kh7 31.Qe3 Bxe5 32.Rc1 Bxg3 33.Rxc7+ Bxc7 gives Black more activity.
• 26.Bf4 Qxh4 27.Ra4 g3 28.Bxg3 Qg4 29.Kf1 Ne4 30.Qf4 Nxg3+ leaves Balck a pawn to the good/

25.Re1 a4?

• Black is not yet ready to open up the queenside. Shutting down White's possible kingside counterplay should take priority.
• If 25...f5! 26.Rea1 Ne4 27.Nxe4 Bxe4 28.Bxe4 fxe4 then:
• 29.Qe1 Qd5 30.Rxa5 Qb7 31.Qd2 is equal.
• If 29.Rxa5 Rxb3 30.Qc2 Rd3 31.Qc6 is equal.
• If 26...Rb4 27.Rxa5 Bxb3 28.Bd3 then:
• If 28...Bd5 29.Bf4 Qxh4 30.Rxd5 exd5 31.Nxf5 Rxf5 32.Bxf5 gives White an extra pawn.
• 28...Kh7 29.Ra7 Kg8 30.Bf4 Ba4 31.Bc4 Rxc4 then:
• 32.Nxc4 gives White the exchange for a pawn.

BLACK: Sergey Karjakin
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WHITE: Alexander Grischuk
Position after 25...a5a4

26.Qd3

• This is not White's best move, but it's good enough to work.
• Stronger is 26.bxa4! f5 27.Qxd4 Rxd6 when:
• 28.Rxc3 Ra6 29.Kh2 gives White an extra pawn.
• 28.Qxc3?! Rc6 29.Qd3 Qa5 is equal.

26...f5 27.exf6!

• Reopening the highway to the kingside is White's best shot. Any other move gives Black the better game.

27...Rxf6 28.Nc4 Bxc4

• If 28...axb3 then after 29.Nxb6 Qxb6 30.Qh7+ Kf8 31.Bxb3 Rh6 32.Qd3 Black has only a pawn for the exchange.

29.bxc4 Qe7

• If 29...Rb2 then:
• 30.Rxc3! Qa5 31.Qh7+ Kf7 32.Re5 Qd8 33.Qd3 leaves Black with no good moves at all.

BLACK: Sergey Karjakin
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WHITE: Alexander Grischuk
Position after 29...Qd8e7

30.Qxd4!


• White now has another pawn to give. White waited nine moves to take the d-pawn (see note to White's 21st move).

30...Qxa3


• If 30...Rb1 then after 31.Bxb1 Qxa3 32.Be5 g3 33.fxg3 White wins easily.

31.Qxb6


• White removes a potential source of counterplay. The Rook could have come to b2 or b1 and caused problems.

31...e5


• If 31...Qe7 then White wins after 32.Be5 g3 33.Bxf6 gxf2+ 34.Qxf2.

32.Qd8+


• The Black Queen is diverted from the queenside to simply block an attack on the King. There will be no counterply on the Queen's wing.

32...Qf8 33.Qa5 e4


• There is no activity left in Black's position.

BLACK: Sergey Karjakin
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WHITE: Alexander Grischuk
Position after 33...e5e4

34.Bxe4


• 34.Qxh5 Qf7 35.Qxf7+ Rxf7 36.c5 Rf6 37.Be5 Ra6 38.Bxc3 wins a pawn.

34...Nxe4 35.Rxe4 a3 36.Re3


• Also winning is 36.Qa4 Qc5 37.Re5 Qc6 38.Qxa3 Qxc4 39.Rxh5.

36...Qf7 37.Qxa3


• ... or37.Rxa3 Qxc4 38.Qg5 Qf7 39.Ra5.

37...Qxc4 38.Qa5 Qf7 39.Re5 Rh6 40.Qd8+ Kh7 41.Re7 1-0


• 41...Qf5 42.Qc7 Rg6 43.Be5 Qf8 44.Rf7 Qg8 45.Qd7 g3 46.Qf5! gxf2+ 47.Kf1 Zugzwang!
• Grandmaster Karjakin resigns.