Documenti di Didattica
Documenti di Professioni
Documenti di Cultura
In the Spotlight
Middlegame Musings
24
IM Arthur
van de
Oudeweetering
3
GM Alex
Yermolinsky
The Underdog
Bites
Five Hidden
Gems from
2013
29
IM Robert Ris
Topical Theory
A endgame
with an outside
passed
11
GM Danny
Gormally
Bobby
Fischer's 6.h3
Against the
Najdorf
Topical Theory
31
Afeks Corner
32
IM Yochanan
Afek
17
Endgame
Studies
GM Viktor
Moskalenko
Bent Larsens
1.b3
Tasty Tactics
In the News
33
Featured Blogs
34
Leaderboards34
23
1 of 34
January 2014
A Happy New Year to our readers! One thing that became clear in
2013 is how quickly online chess has adapted to new standards.
There's hardly any top tournament left that does not provide
online streaming commentary, to my great delight.
As I am writing this during the first week of the Tata Steel Chess Tournament, I am quite busy myself with making this
service happen in Wijk aan Zee as well. I am assisting Lennart Ootes and together we are doing the work behind the
scenes to provide commentary by e.g. Yasser Seirawan, Erwin l'Ami and Lawrence Trent. Every day we are experiencing
new technical problems, but at the same time we're happy to serve the chess fans with the show, improving it step by
step!
Before we definitely say goodbye to 2013, Alex Yermolinsky provides us with a nice selection of games that he felt
deserved more attention. In his typical style, "Yermo" analyzes five gems that can't be missed!
Again, we have two theoretical articles on openings. GM Danny Gormally, who will also start writing strategical articles
for the Chess.com website from February onward, looks at Bobby Fischer's 6.h3 against the Najdorf Sicilian and deals
with one of Black's main replies, 6...e6. The acclaimed author GM Viktor Moskalenko tells us the current status of Bent
Larsen's 1.b3, and provides ideas for both sides.
The astonishing game Kramnik-Ezat from the recent World Team Championship inspired IM Arthur van de Oudeweetering
to both look at this game in depth, and provide more examples of a queen sacrifice where one only gets two minor pieces
in return (besides, of course, plenty of compensation). Names like Nezhmetdinov and Tal come to mind!
IM Robert Ris looks at the game Najer-Bacrot, played in December in the Bundesliga, that saw an instructive and typical
rook ending where White had one passed pawn on the queenside. And of course we have three new studies selected by
IM Yochanan Afek as well as last month's solutions.
Enjoy!
Peter Doggers,
Director of Content
Peter writes most news reports for Chess.com. He blogs at Chess.com/blog/chessvibes and tweets from @peterdoggers.
2 of 34
January 2014
In the Spotlight
Five Hidden Gems From 2013
GM Alex Yermolinsky
For this first Bulletin of the new year, GM Yermolinsky looked back
at 2013 one more time and selected five interesting games that
didn't get much attention elsewhere. Enjoy these five hidden
gems, annotated below!
In this article I look back at 2013,
6...b8!!
that
attention
rook move.
7.bd2
Carlsen,
3...e6 4.g3
didn't
get
these
much
days
finds
more
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+lwqkvl-tr0
9zppzp-+-zpp0
9-+n+psn-+0
9+-+p+p+-0
9-+-zP-+-+0
9+-+-+NzP-0
9PzPP+PzPLzP0
9tRNvLQ+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
3 of 34
down
Whites
c2c4
is
paramount.
8.e5 xe5 9.dxe5 d7 10.f3 c5
11.b3
After being so cautious early on
January 2014
18...d5
round.
simplifications
XIIIIIIIIY
9-trlwqk+-tr0
9zp-+nvl-zpp0
9-+-+p+-+0
9+-zppzPp+-0
9-+P+-+-+0
9+-+-+NzP-0
9P+-+PzPLzP0
9tR-vLQ+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
13...dxc4!
Absolutely correct. Because of the
obvious weakness on e6 Black must
seek dynamic counterplay. 13...d4
14.e3 dxe3 15.xe3 is too comfy for
White.
14.c2 00 15.d1 c7 16.xc4
b6 17.c2 b7
Suprisingly,
Black
is
already
after
20.f4
and
XIIIIIIIIY
9-tr-+-tr-mk0
9zp-+-vl-zp-0
9Q+-+p+L+0
9+-+nsN-+-0
9-+-+-+-+0
9+-zp-+-zPq0
9PvL-+-zP-zP0
9tR-+R+-mK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
27...xf2?
(28.ab1
h8
XIIIIIIIIY
9-tr-+-tr-mk0
9zpl+-vl-zpL0
9-+-+p+-+0
9+-zpnwq-+-0
9-+-+-+-+0
9+-+-+-zP-0
9P+Q+-zP-zP0
9tR-vLRsN-mK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
and
only
now
comes
cxb2
29.g1
bxa1
30.xa1
Suddenly the game leveled out and
no further effort from Black was
enough to bring that much-needed
XIIIIIIIIY
9-tr-+-trk+0
9zplwq-vl-zpp0
9-sn-+p+-+0
9+-zp-zPp+-0
9-+-+-+-+0
9+-+-+-zP-0
9P+Q+PzPLzP0
9tR-vLRsN-mK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
Andreikin-Karjakin
2013
in March.
26.e5 c3 27.xa6
4 of 34
January 2014
7.c2
7...g6
20.e5.
8.h4
15.a4 a6 16.c4
17.h6 f6 18.a3 c5
See
games
Grischuk-Carlsen,
by
Mamedyarov,
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-+r+k+0
9+lzpnwqpvlp0
9pzp-+-+p+0
9+-+-zp-+P0
9P+LzPP+-+0
9+-zP-+N+-0
9-+-+-zPP+0
9tR-vLQtR-mK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-+r+k+0
9+l+nwqp+p0
9pzp-+-vlpzP0
9+-zp-zp-+-0
9P+LzPP+-+0
9vL-zP-+N+-0
9-+-+-zPP+0
9tR-+QtR-mK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
19.dxc5!
16...c6
Anybody
old-timer,
Polugaevsky-Korchnoi,
19...xc5 20.xc5
1984.
20...xc5 21.b3
could
11...e5
Years ago, Ljubo Ftacnik, a great
expert on all things Grnfeld, played
the
innoculous
move
11...c8
19.d5
d6
Eteri Kublashvili
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-wqk+-tr0
9zplzpn+pvlp0
9-zp-+p+p+0
9+-+-+-+P0
9-+-zP-+-+0
9zP-zPLzPN+-0
9-+-+-zPP+0
9tR-vLQmK-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
play
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-+-+k+0
9+l+-trp+p0
9pzp-+-vlpzP0
9+-wq-zp-+-0
9P+L+P+-+0
9+QzP-+N+-0
9-+-+-zPP+0
9+R+-tR-mK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
January 2014
XIIIIIIIIY
9-tr-+l+k+0
9tr-+-+p+p0
9-zp-+-vlpzP0
9zp-wqLzp-+-0
9P+P+P+-+0
9+R+-+N+-0
9-wQ-+-zPP+0
9tR-+-+-mK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
Or 30...c7 31.d3 d4 32.c5 xb2
33.xb2 but the endgame brings no
XIIIIIIIIY
9-tr-+-mk-+0
9tr-+-+l+p0
9-zpP+-+pzP0
9zp-+L+-vl-0
9P+-wqp+-+0
9+-+-sNR+-0
9Q+-+-zPP+0
9+-+R+-mK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
39...c5
22...c6
recurring.
with
31.a2 e7?
queen
error. 31...c7
32.f3 c5 33.xe5 g5
34.g4 d4
XIIIIIIIIY
9-tr-+l+k+0
9tr-+-+p+p0
9-zp-+-+pzP0
9zp-+L+-vl-0
9P+PwqP+N+0
9+R+-+-+-0
9Q+-+-zPP+0
9tR-+-+-mK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
39...xd1+
40.xd1
maneuver:
40.xe4
xh6
exf3
41.a3+
41.d7
g8
xd7
29...a7
35.c5! f8 36.c6 f5
30.e1
a6 5.c3 c7 6.f3
challenged.
30...d4
39.d1
(diagram)
6 of 34
(diagram)
XIIIIIIIIY
9rsnl+kvlntr0
9+pwqp+pzpp0
9p+-+p+-+0
9+-+-+-+-0
9-+-sNP+-+0
9+-sN-+Q+-0
9PzPP+-zPPzP0
9tR-vL-mKL+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
This odd-looking move was invented
by Ian Nepo (would you rather have
me use CTRL+C instead?) a few
years ago. In a variety of styles
Ian scored four victories in four
games. A bombshell like that was
January 2014
and
screaming
into
an
XIIIIIIIIY
9rsnl+k+-tr0
9+p+p+pzpp0
9p+-+psn-+0
9+-+-wq-+-0
9-+-sNP+-+0
9+-zP-vLQ+-0
9P+P+-zPPzP0
9+-mKR+L+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
XIIIIIIIIY
9rsnl+-trk+0
9+p+p+pzpp0
9p+-+psn-+0
9+-+-+-+-0
9-+-sN-+q+0
9+-zPLvL-wQ-0
9P+P+-zPPzP0
9+-mKR+-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
This looks like a reasonable choice,
but
it's
only
an
illusion.
The
10...xe4
Shadows
Nepomniachtchi-Rublevsky, Russian
13...h5
my students.
6...f6
important here.
11.g3 00?
break through.
16...xg5 17.dh1 f5
9...e5!?.
7.g5 e5
near winning.
12.d3 g4
totally hopeless.
of
Nepomniachtchis
18.xg5 c6 19.g4
(diagram)
7 of 34
January 2014
automatic b1c3.
rapid conclusion.
19...e5?!
xf6 23.xe5 10
Vachier-Lagrave - Papaioannou
European
Team
Championship
(Warsaw), 2013
8...e5
XIIIIIIIIY
9-+ktr-vlntr0
9zppzpq+pzpp0
9-+n+-+-+0
9+-+-zp-+-0
9-+-+-+-+0
9+-zP-+L+P0
9PzP-zP-zPP+0
9tRNvLQ+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
XIIIIIIIIY
9rsnl+kvlntr0
9zppzp-zppzpp0
9-+-+-+-+0
9+-+q+-+-0
9-+-+-+-+0
9+-+-+N+-0
9PzPPzP-zPPzP0
9tRNvLQmKL+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
9.e1 f6
7.xf3 d7 8.c3
13.f3 g5.
10.b4
Now, with a developing move in place
of the useless f7f5 Maxim wanted
no part of 10.xc6 xc6 11.xe5
d6 12.e2 he8 13.d4 a6 where
Whites material advantage is offset
by the activity of the black pieces.
10...d6 11.d3 f5?
The resolute 11...e4!? 12.dxe4 he8
13.g5 e6 14.c1 h6 would have
been an interesting attempt to
exploit Whites lag in development.
12.a4!?
(diagram)
Vachier-Lagrave: particularly skillful in attacking the enemy king
8 of 34
XIIIIIIIIY
9-+ktr-+-tr0
9zppzp-+pzpp0
9-+nvl-sn-+0
9+-+-zpq+-0
9QzP-+-+-+0
9+-zPP+L+P0
9P+-+-zPP+0
9tRNvL-tR-mK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
January 2014
8.f3
compensation.
3...e6!?
6...dxc4?!
c6)
7.g3
xg3
8.f3
XIIIIIIIIY
9rsnlwqkvl-tr0
9zppzpp+p+p0
9-+-+psnp+0
9+-+-+-+-0
9-+PzP-+-+0
9+-+-+P+-0
9PzP-+P+PzP0
9tRNvLQmKLsNR0
xiiiiiiiiy
8...d7
15.d2 c5
strategy.
4.e4 d5 5.e5
18.xe4 f5 19.d5.
11.f6+ f8 12.h6
Vachier-Lagrave
is
particularly
5...h5 6.e3
XIIIIIIIIY
9rsn-wq-mk-tr0
9zppzp-vlpsnp0
9-+l+psNpvL0
9+-+-zP-+-0
9-+pzP-+P+0
9+-+-+P+-0
9PzP-wQ-+-zP0
9tR-+-mKLsNR0
xiiiiiiiiy
When I saw this position I thought
9 of 34
January 2014
b6 25.b4?
25.xh7+
counterplay!
32...e8
12...d7
33.h4?
the queen.
13.g5! b6
after
xf6 16.g5.
c2 26.b2 d3 27.xh7++.
25...c5!?
30.f4 etc.
26.xa4 cxd4
Not
enough
compensation
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-wq-mk-tr0
9zppzp-+psnp0
9-+l+psNpvL0
9vl-+-zP-zP-0
9n+-zP-wQ-+0
9+-+-+P+-0
9P+-+NmK-zP0
9+-+R+L+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
Up to this point it was hard to find
flaw in Kavutskiy's forceful play.
19.h4
Perhaps too academic. It would be
nice to finish the game with some
artistic
flair:
19.d5
exd5
20.e6
g8
26.f6+
xf6
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-wq-mk-+0
9zpp+-+ptrp0
9-vl-+psNpwQ0
9+-+-zP-zP-0
9R+-zp-+-+0
9+-+-+P+L0
9P+-+NmK-zP0
9+-+-+-+-0
xiiiiiiiiy
33.xe6
fxe6
34.f8+
was
able
to
take
27.g2?
23.xd5+.
b2 22.h3?
25.xh7++.
27...d3!?
10 of 34
January 2014
Topical Theory
Bobby Fischers 6.h3 against the Najdorf
GM Danny Gormally
f6 5.c3 a6 6.h3!?
XIIIIIIIIY
9rsnlwqkvl-tr0
9+p+-zppzpp0
9p+-zp-sn-+0
9+-+-+-+-0
9-+-sNP+-+0
9+-sN-+-+P0
9PzPP+-zPP+0
9tR-vLQmKL+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
White either...
6...e6!
In my opinion this is the best reply.
Or at least the most ambitious.
Why? Well because it keeps as much
tension in the position as possible,
and leads to positions that hang on a
Photo Wikipedia
XIIIIIIIIY
9rsn-wqk+-tr0
9+l+nvlpzpp0
9p+-zpp+-+0
9+p+-+-zP-0
9-+-sNP+-zP0
9zP-sN-vL-+-0
9-zPP+-zP-+0
9tR-+QmKL+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
7.g4 e7 8.g2
powerful
a5
Biel 2012
b) 10.a3 b7 11.e3
f4/g5
chain
11 of 34
17.a3
January 2014
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+lwq-trk+0
9+p+nvlpzpp0
9p+-zpp+-+0
9+-+-+-+-0
9-+-vLP+P+0
9+-sN-+-+P0
9PzPP+QzPL+0
9+-mKR+-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
10.e2
If
12...b5
initiative
Howell-
2012.
8...fd7 9.e3 c6
(The
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+lwqk+-tr0
9+p+nvlpzpp0
9p+nzpp+-+0
9+-+-+-+-0
9-+-sNP+P+0
9+-sN-vL-+P0
9PzPP+-zPL+0
9tR-+QmK-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
in
the
game
12 of 34
White
is
going
immediate
to
20.g6!?
play
is
so
not
was
unclear)
24...c8!
Wikipedia
25.a3
January 2014
16.b1 c7 17.c1
threat of ...b4.
XIIIIIIIIY
9-+r+-trk+0
9+-+n+pzpp0
9lwq-+p+-+0
9zp-vlpzP-+-0
9-zp-vL-zPP+0
9+-zP-wQ-+P0
9PzPR+N+L+0
9+KtR-+-+-0
xiiiiiiiiy
27...f8
This looks rather passive, but in
fact avoids any potential disasters.
The machine at first recommends
27...a6 but rather changes its mind
Black's
arrived
14...b7
22.cxb4
24.xc2 axb4
15.e3
Taking the sting out of ...b4, as now
the knight can be re-routed to e2.
15.f5 b4! 16.a4 (16.b1 is possible
but looks rather horrible, 16...g5+
17.d2 a5 intending ...a4 and ...b3
with a quick squash) 16...c6 17.b3
xa4 18.bxa4 a5 is not a happy
situation for White.
15...c8
xd4
has
counterplay
23.xd4
xc2
XIIIIIIIIY
9-+l+-+k+0
9+-+n+pzpp0
9-wq-+p+-+0
9+-+pzPPzP-0
9-zp-sN-+-+0
9+-+-wQ-+P0
9PzP-+-+L+0
9+K+-+-+-0
xiiiiiiiiy
13 of 34
Anand-Gelfand
Zurich, 2013
1.e4 c5 2.f3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.xd4
f6 5.c3 a6 6.h3 e6 7.g4 d5!?
An important move to consider. This
is the most forcing response that
usually leads to Black freeing his
position. Although this should appeal
to those sort of players who like
active piece play, in general I feel
January 2014
enough compensation.
13.00
11.00
XIIIIIIIIY
9rsnlwq-trk+0
9+p+-+pzpp0
9p+-+p+-+0
9+-+n+-+-0
9-vl-+-+P+0
9+-sN-+-+P0
9PzPP+NzPL+0
9tR-vLQ+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
18.d4!? g6 19.d2
Petersburg 2013.
00!?
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-+r+k+0
9+p+-+pzp-0
9p+-+-+-+0
9+-+q+-zPQ0
9-sn-+-+-+0
9+-zP-vL-+P0
9P+P+-zPK+0
9+-tR-tR-+-0
xiiiiiiiiy
XIIIIIIIIY
9rsnlwq-trk+0
9+p+-+pzp-0
9p+-vl-+-+0
9+-+p+-zPp0
9-+-+-+-+0
9+-+-+-+P0
9PzPP+NzPL+0
9tR-vLQmK-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
13.xd8
14 of 34
23.g1?
23.f3! xf3+ 24.xf3 xa2 25.b1
xc3 26.xb7 would have given
serious chances.
23...c6 24.ed1 xa2 25.g6 fxg6
26.xg6 f7 27.xf7+ xf7 28.b1
b5 29.c4 b4 30.c3 bxc3 31.bc1
ed8 32.xd8 xd8 33.xc3 a5
34.f1 e6 35.e2 h8 36.b6
h4 37.e3+
January 2014
Carlsen-Gelfand
f6 5.c3 a6 6.h3 e6
The immediate
6...b5!? is also
b6 20.d1 a7 21.d6!+ d8
...e6. 7.d5!?
1962.
7.g4 b5!?
9...h6
play.
8.g2 b7
XIIIIIIIIY
9rsnlwqkvl-tr0
9+-+-zppzpp0
9p+-zp-sn-+0
9+p+N+-+-0
9-+-sNP+-+0
9+-+-+-+P0
9PzPP+-zPP+0
9tR-vLQmKL+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
because Black hasn't played ...e6
yet, White immediately takes the
opportunity
to
sharpen
up
the
XIIIIIIIIY
9rsn-wqkvl-tr0
9+l+-+pzpp0
9p+-zppsn-+0
9+p+-+-+-0
9-+-sNP+P+0
9+-sN-+-+P0
9PzPP+-zPL+0
9tR-vLQmK-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
9.00
10.e5
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-wqkvl-tr0
9+-+n+pzpp0
9p+lzpp+-+0
9+p+-+-+-0
9-+-+P+P+0
9+-sN-+-+P0
9PzPP+-zPL+0
9tR-vLQtR-mK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
January 2014
with
consequences.
pointless.
XIIIIIIIIY
9rsn-wqkvl-tr0
9+l+-+pzpp0
9p+-zppsn-+0
9+-+N+-+-0
9-zp-sNP+P+0
9+-+-+-+P0
9PzPP+-zPL+0
9tR-vLQ+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
disadvantage.
23.f3 f6 24.b7!
devastating
XIIIIIIIIY
9rsn-wqkvl-tr0
9+l+-+pzp-0
9p+-zppsn-zp0
9+p+-+-+-0
9-+-sNP+P+0
9+-sN-+-+P0
9PzPP+-zPL+0
9tR-vLQtR-mK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
10...e5?!
16 of 34
Black
should
have
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-wqk+-tr0
9+R+-+p+-0
9-+-zp-snp+0
9zp-+Nzp-+-0
9P+-+P+Pvl0
9+-zP-+Q+-0
9-+-+-zP-+0
9+-vL-tR-mK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
The point - Black can't now take on
d5 because of the mate.
24...c8 25.g5! xd5 26.xf7+
d8 27.exd5 g4+ 28.f1
White easily sidesteps the checks.
28...h3+ 29.e2 g4+ 30.d3
f5+ 31.xf5 gxf5 32.h1 c8
33.f7 10
January 2014
Bent Larsen's 1.b3 is another move that has become popular quite
recently. Players like Hikaru Nakamura and Baadur Jobava, active
at the Tata Steel tournament as we speak, have tried it and so this
is a good moment for GM Viktor Moskalenko to dive into it!
Jobava-Nakamura
World
(Beijing), 2012
1.b3!?
1...e5
Mind
Games
Blindfold
Larsen Opening).
development.
2.b2
his pawns.
XIIIIIIIIY
9rsnlwqkvlntr0
9zppzpp+pzpp0
9-+-+-+-+0
9+-+-zp-+-0
9-+-+-+-+0
9+P+-+-+-0
9PvLPzPPzPPzP0
9tRN+QmKLsNR0
xiiiiiiiiy
2.b2 c6 3.e3 d5
2.b2 c6 3.e3 f6
2.e3 e5!
2...c6
2.b2!?
Jobava.
17 of 34
January 2014
7...f6
City
5...h4+
a)
3.e3!?
initiative.
preparing b5.
3...d5
idea,
c)
immediately
2012)
5.bc3
4.d4!?
(4.e2
Jobava-Bologan,
f6
Beijing
5...e7?!
6.f3
Blatny-Blazkova,
Litomysl
lead to a complex
4.b5!
8.c3!
cannot be recommended.
4...d6
e4!
5.f4!?
The funny, popular line. With this
move White raises his direct attack
via
diagonal
a1h8.
It
weakens
This
the
alternative
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+lwqk+ntr0
9zppzp-+pzpp0
9-+nvl-+-+0
9+L+pzp-+-0
9-+-+-+-+0
9+P+-zP-+-0
9PvLPzP-zPPzP0
9tRN+QmK-sNR0
xiiiiiiiiy
5...f6!?
keeps
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+l+k+ntr0
9zppzp-wqpzpp0
9-+nvl-+-+0
9+L+pzp-+-0
9-+-+-zP-+0
9+P+-zPNzP-0
9PvLPzP-+-zP0
9tRN+QmK-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
18 of 34
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+l+k+ntr0
9zppzp-wq-zpp0
9-+nvl-zp-+0
9+L+pzp-+-0
9-+-+-zP-+0
9+PsN-zPNzP-0
9PvLPzP-+-zP0
9tR-+QmK-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
The old attempt 8.fxe5 fxe5 9.xe5?
(9.xc6+ bxc6 10.xe5 f6! with
counterplay) 9...xe5 10.xc6+ fails
to 10...d8! and Black is better now
(avoiding 10...bxc6? 11.h5+).
8...d4N
Peter Doggers
January 2014
Jobava
continuing
in
the
same
adventurist style.
15...xd2
An important deviation for Black
here was to include first 15...g4!
16.h4 c8 17.xg7 and only now
17...xd2!
16.af1
Objectively preferable was 16.xg7
xe3+ 17.g2! d2+ 18.g1! with
a probable draw.
16...xe3+ 17.g2
Georgian GM Baadur Jobava is one of the main experts on 1.b3 these days
A curious idea, even if Black is
somewhat worse objectively after
this move.
a) Normal is 8...e6 where White
has a choice between a number of
options: 9.00!? (Or, 9.fxe5 fxe5
10.d4!? e4 11.e5 xe5 12.h5+!)
9...h6 10.fxe5 fxe5 11.e4! with the
initiative for White.
b) In some games Black has opted
for 8...f7!? 9.00 (9.e4! see line
on move 10) 9...e4? (9...exf4)
10.e5!
was
winning
Gonzalez
Vericat-Perpinya
blow,
10...fxe5
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+l+k+ntr0
9zppzp-+qzpp0
9-+nvl-+-+0
9+L+Nzp-+-0
9-+-zp-+-+0
9+P+-zPNzP-0
9PvLPzP-+-zP0
9tR-+QmK-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+lmk-+-tr0
9zppzp-+Rzpp0
9-+nvl-+-sn0
9+-+-zp-sNQ0
9-+Lzp-+-+0
9+P+-wq-zP-0
9PvLP+-+KzP0
9+-+-+R+-0
xiiiiiiiiy
17...g4!? 18.h4 c8 19.xg7 f8
20.c1?!
Again White could have played for a
draw: 20.xh6! d2+ 21.g1=
20...c3 21.f7 xc2+ 22.g1!
11.00?
xf7?!
Badalona 2013.
9.d5!?
11.c4!?
11...xd5! 12.c4 a5
23.xg4+ b8 24.gxf7
advantage.
rook.
9...f7 10.fxe5
in classical chess.
24...e8?
13.g5 h6
25.e6!?
14.h5+ d8 15.f7!?
25...d8!
Also
playable
is
10.e4!?
Rofes,
ge7
19 of 34
January 2014
Petrosian-Vishnu
4...d6!?
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+lwqk+-tr0
9zppzpp+pzpp0
9-+nvl-sn-+0
9+L+-zp-+-0
9-+-+-+-+0
9+P+-zP-+-0
9PvLPzP-zPPzP0
9tRN+QmK-sNR0
xiiiiiiiiy
1.b3
b5 41.df7 d8 42.f3?!
Larsen Opening.
by his opponent.
42...b4 43.c4 xc4 44.bxc4
xc4 45.g4?! d5!? 46.xd5 xd5
47.g5
The final mistake. But, White is
clearly in trouble after 47.xc7 e4
48.ff7 a5! 49.xb7+ a6 is winning.
47...d3 48.f1 e4 49.g6?! e3+
XIIIIIIIIY
9-+-+-+-+0
9mkpzp-+R+-0
9p+-+-+P+0
9+-+r+-+-0
9-vl-+-+-zP0
9+-+pzp-+K0
9-+-+-+-+0
9+-+-+R+-0
xiiiiiiiiy
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+lwqkvl-tr0
9zppzpp+pzpp0
9-+n+-sn-+0
9+-+-zp-+-0
9-+-+-+-+0
9+P+-zP-+-0
9PvLPzP-zPPzP0
9tRN+QmKLsNR0
xiiiiiiiiy
4.b5!
Jobava-Jakovenko,
50.g7 d8
Moskalenko,
2012)
titanic
fight,
despite
important
5.a3!?
truly
this
preparing ...d7d5.
alternative
With
Catalonia
tt
Rhodes
(diagram)
2013)
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+l+k+-tr0
9zppzp-wqpzpp0
9-+p+-sn-+0
9+-+-vl-+-0
9-+-+p+-+0
9sNP+-zP-+-0
9PvLPzPNzPPzP0
9tR-wQ-mK-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
January 2014
8.c2 c6 9.g4!?
he went astray:
20...g6?? 21.xc6! 10
Jobava-Ma Qun
unbalanced.
1.b3 f6
may be variable.
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-wqrvl-mk0
9+lzp-+-zpp0
9p+nzp-+-+0
9+pzPL+pzP-0
9-+-zPnsN-zP0
9+P+-+-+-0
9PvLN+-zP-+0
9tR-+Q+K+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
000
12.a3!?
xa3
move
84,
Nakamura-Jones,
a) An important line is
is 1...d5
XIIIIIIIIY
9rsn-wqkvlntr0
9zppzp-zppzpp0
9-+-+-+-+0
9+-+p+-+-0
9-+-+-+l+0
9+P+-+-+-0
9PvLPzPPzPPzP0
9tRN+QmKLsNR0
xiiiiiiiiy
Peter Doggers
Jobava-Karjakin,
Beijing
Hikaru Nakamura played 1.b3 three times at the 2013 London Chess Classic
21 of 34
3.f3
(3.f3
reversed
xf3
4.gxf3!?
Trompowsky
with
motives)
Rhodes
2013.)
January 2014
XIIIIIIIIY
9rsnlwqkvl-tr0
9zppzpp+p+p0
9-+-+-zpp+0
9+-+-+-+-0
9-+-+-+-+0
9+P+-+-+-0
9P+PzPPzPPzP0
9tRN+QmKLsNR0
xiiiiiiiiy
position
is
to
the
XIIIIIIIIY
9rsnlwqkvl-tr0
9zpp+-zppzpp0
9-+p+-sn-+0
9+-+p+-+-0
9-+-+-zP-+0
9+P+-zP-+-0
9PvLPzP-+PzP0
9tRN+QmKLsNR0
xiiiiiiiiy
The
4...f5
Moskalenko-Velikov,
XIIIIIIIIY
9rsn-wqkvlntr0
9zplzpp+pzpp0
9-zp-+p+-+0
9+-+-+-+-0
9-+-+-+-+0
9+P+-zP-+-0
9PvLPzP-zPPzP0
9tRN+QmKLsNR0
xiiiiiiiiy
25.d1
e5! 12.000 d4
10
similar
4.f4!?
Jobava-Mamedyarov,
This
with counterplay.
h5 16.xh7 f3 17.xf3 f4
The
expected.
5.c3
Rodriguez-Moskalenko,
c7 23.a6 d7 24.c4
Moscow,
Montcada
sacrifice
leads
1998.
Jobava-Yilmaz,
tactically
Varna
of
the
to
some
queen
is
fortress!
24...b6
2.b2 d5
pressure,
game
34.f5! 10
but
the
22 of 34
tense
25.xf4
xf4
26.b1
January 2014
Tasty Tactics
Selected by IM Robert Ris (solutions on page 39)
Cmilyte-Zhao Xue
Karpov-Timman
Bok-Romanov
XIIIIIIIIY
9-+rtr-+k+0
9+-vl-+pzp-0
9-+P+psn-zp0
9+-+-+-+-0
9-+-+Pwq-+0
9+-+L+-+-0
9-+-+-wQPzP0
9+-tRR+-vLK0
xiiiiiiiiy
o
XIIIIIIIIY
9-+-tR-+-+0
9+-+-+-zpk0
9-+p+-+q+0
9+-zPp+-+-0
9-+-+rzP-zp0
9+-+-zP-+-0
9-+Q+-zP-+0
9+-+-+K+-0
xiiiiiiiiy
O
XIIIIIIIIY
9-+-+-+-+0
9+-+k+-tr-0
9p+-zp-+-+0
9zP-+-+psn-0
9-+-+l+-wQ0
9+-+-tRP+-0
9-zPq+-+PzP0
9+-+RmK-+-0
xiiiiiiiiy
o
Sebag-Lagno
l'Ami-Cernousek
Wojtaszek-Tkachiev
XIIIIIIIIY
9-+-+rvlk+0
9+r+-+pzp-0
9-+q+p+-zp0
9+-+l+-+-0
9-zp-vL-+Q+0
9+-zPL+-+P0
9-zP-+-zPP+0
9+-+RtR-mK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
O
XIIIIIIIIY
9-+r+r+-+0
9+-+-+R+-0
9p+-+-+p+0
9+-wqL+-mk-0
9-zp-+-vl-+0
9+-+-+-+-0
9PzP-+-zP-+0
9+Q+R+-mK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
O
XIIIIIIIIY
9-+-+-+k+0
9zp-+-+p+-0
9-+PwQp+p+0
9+-+-+-wq-0
9-+-sn-+-+0
9+-+-sNP+-0
9P+-+PmK-+0
9+-+-+-+-0
xiiiiiiiiy
o
A.Muzychuk-Cmilyte
Jobava-Oleksienko
Dreev-B.Socko
XIIIIIIIIY
9-wq-+-+-tr0
9+-+-mkpzp-0
9Q+-zp-sn-zp0
9+r+-zp-+-0
9-+-+-+-+0
9+-+-vL-+-0
9-zP-+-zPPzP0
9tR-+R+-mK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
O
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+r+-sn-+0
9+p+-+pzpp0
9p+-+-sn-+0
9+-+-+-+-0
9-+-+-+k+0
9+-zP-vL-sN-0
9PzPL+-+pzP0
9+-mKR+-+-0
xiiiiiiiiy
O
XIIIIIIIIY
9-+-tr-+-mk0
9zpl+-wq-zp-0
9-zp-+-+-zp0
9+-+-zpN+-0
9-zP-+-sn-sn0
9zP-+-+P+-0
9-+-+-vLPzP0
9+Q+-tRLmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
o
23 of 34
January 2014
Middlegame Musings
The Underdog Bites
IM Arthur van de Oudeweetering
Preparation,
Tukmakov
the
composure,
European
in
with their
Club
Championship
the
Vladimir
importance
of
24 of 34
January 2014
10...xd5
an
14.dxc5 xc5
XIIIIIIIIY
9-+-tr-trk+0
9zpl+-vlpzpp0
9-zpn+p+-+0
9+-zpqsN-+-0
9-+-zP-+-+0
9+P+-zP-zP-0
9PvL-+-zPLzP0
9tR-+Q+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
amazing
win.
True,
things
XIIIIIIIIY
9-+-tr-trk+0
9zpl+-vlpzpp0
9-zpn+p+-+0
9+-wq-sN-+-0
9-+-+-+-+0
9+P+-zP-zP-0
9PvL-+-zPLzP0
9tR-+Q+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
15.d7
forum of chesspro.ru).
Self-pinning
the
knight!
imaginative games
15.f3
though:
13...xg2+!?
when
is
with
for
18.xf8
21.d8 winning.
14.xg2 xe5+
did
not
take
seriously
Having searched
instance
17....b8
25 of 34
for
instance
Zamikhovsky-
January 2014
examples!
15...cxd4 16.exd4 c6
Vanusz-Kluger
(after
17...xd4
another
17.c1
recounts,
beaten
17...d7
queen
Dvoretsky
after
(leaving
had
premature
material
This
is
imbalance,
he
sac
he
the
game.
XIIIIIIIIY
9-+-tr-+k+0
9zpl+r+pzpp0
9-zpn+pvl-+0
9+-+-+-+-0
9-+-zP-+-+0
9zPP+-+PzP-0
9-vL-+Q+KzP0
9+-tR-+R+-0
xiiiiiiiiy
January 2014
20.b4
next
Anyway,
24.c7 c8
White
(or
much.
20...e5
game
27.a4
25.xa7
the
loosen
willing)
bxa5 31.bxa5
natural
23.xd4 exd4
31.xd3.
move
impossible.
upcoming
f3f4
will
XIIIIIIIIY
9-+-tr-+k+0
9zpl+-+pzpp0
9-zp-+-vl-+0
9+-+r+-+-0
9-zP-zp-+-+0
9zP-+-+PzP-0
9-+-+Q+KzP0
9+-tRR+-+-0
xiiiiiiiiy
wins
after
enabling
to
go
enough,
25...a8
27.a8)
for
but
26.xa7
technical
apparently
25...d3 26.e4
It seems that with this natural move
XIIIIIIIIY
9-+-tr-+k+0
9tR-+-+pzp-0
9-+-+lvl-zp0
9zP-+-+-+-0
9-+-tr-+-+0
9+-+-wQPzP-0
9-+-zp-+KzP0
9+-+R+-+-0
xiiiiiiiiy
31...d3
26...e6
Already
26...e5!? seems to be
27 of 34
January 2014
xa8 35.xd2 d8
question.
unlikely) continuation
37.a6 c6 38.a7 a8
d7 62.b5 e7 63.d5+ d6
36.xa5
the
35...xa5
peculiar
ending
from
Polugaesvky-Geller,
Skopje
b7 67.b5+ c7 68.a5+ c6
1968
would
Polugaevsky
f8
f5 87.h3+ f6 88.h4+ f5
42.h4
89.h3+ f6 90.h4+ e5
36.e3 a4
by Ezat!
arise!
72.g6
a8
73.f6
Would you like to write us about the Bulletin? Please do! We always welcome
feedback so please send your comments to bulletin@chess.com!
28 of 34
f8+
January 2014
XIIIIIIIIY
9-+-+-+k+0
9+-+-+-+-0
9-+-+-+p+0
9+P+-tR-+p0
9-+-+p+-+0
9+-+-+-zP-0
9-tr-+-zP-zP0
9+-+-+K+-0
xiiiiiiiiy
38.xe5 b3 39.f1!
the
the
for White.
39...b2
Najer-Bacrot
bitter end.
Nowadays
37...f3!
there
are
numerous
XIIIIIIIIY
9-+-+-+k+0
9+-+-+-+-0
9-+-+-trp+0
9+PtR-zp-+p0
9-+-+p+-+0
9+-+-+-zP-0
9-+-+-zPKzP0
9+-+-+-+-0
xiiiiiiiiy
Thanks to the outside passed b-pawn
Black's
(diagram)
vulnerable
Generally
opponents
speaking
task
of
the
picking
40.e1?
29 of 34
January 2014
is met by 46.c5+!
42.c1!
46.b5
XIIIIIIIIY
9-+-+-+-+0
9+-+-+k+-0
9-+-+-+p+0
9+P+-tR-+p0
9-+-+p+-+0
9+-+-+-zP-0
9-+-+-tr-zP0
9+-mK-+-+-0
xiiiiiiiiy
40...f7?
It seems to me that Bacrot misses
a great opportunity to save this
difficult ending. After 40...e3! either
the position will be simplified or
Black obtains counterplay on the
kingside with the potential passed ,
e.g. 41.fxe3 (41.xe3 xb5 should
be drawn.) 41...xh2 42.d1 (The
alternative 42.b6 can strongly be
XIIIIIIIIY
9-+-+-+-+0
9+-+-+k+-0
9-+-+-+p+0
9+P+-tR-+p0
9-+-+-+-+0
9+-+-zP-zP-0
9-+-+-+-tr0
9+-mK-+-+-0
xiiiiiiiiy
XIIIIIIIIY
9-+r+-+-+0
9+-+-+k+-0
9-zP-+-+p+0
9+R+-+-+p0
9-+-+K+-+0
9+-+-+-zP-0
9-+-+-+-+0
9+-+-+-+-0
xiiiiiiiiy
48...f6
42...xh2?!
careless
49.b7 b8 50.b4
43.b6!
Simple
is
41.d1?
Black is in time.
43...h1+ 44.c2!
51.b4 g5 52.c6 e8
41...xf2?
44...h2+ 45.c3 h1
43...h4!
(but
not
the
and
strong.
30 of 34
Inferior
(diagram)
White should refrain from 53.b8?
XIIIIIIIIY
9-+-+r+-+0
9+P+-+-+-0
9-+K+-+-+0
9+-+-+kzpp0
9-tR-+-+-+0
9+-+-+-zP-0
9-+-+-+-+0
9+-+-+-+-0
xiiiiiiiiy
which leads inevitably to a draw after
53...xb8 54.xb8 h4 55.gxh4 gxh4
56.d5 h3 57.d4 f4 58.h8 g3
January 2014
51.b6+ e7
XIIIIIIIIY
9-tr-+-+-+0
9+P+-mk-+-0
9-tR-+-+-+0
9+-+-+-zpp0
9-+-+K+-+0
9+-+-+-zP-0
9-+-+-+-+0
9+-+-+-+-0
xiiiiiiiiy
52.h6!
intention
grabbing
the
56.c6 h3 57.b3 h8
be eliminated soon.
with the .
52...f7
50...g5
with
+] 35...xc1+
Bok-Romanov,
35...g1# 01
Wojtaszek-Tkachiev,
xd6++ 01
31 of 34
Groningen
Open,
European
2013:
Blitz
34...xf3+!
Championship
January 2014
Afeks Corner
Endgame Studies
Selected by IM Yochanan Afek
G. Josten, 2011
A. Pallier, 2010
XIIIIIIIIY
9-vL-+-+-+0
9+p+L+-+-0
9p+-+-+-+0
9vl-+-+-+-0
9P+P+-+p+0
9+-+-mk-+-0
9K+-+-+p+0
9+-+-+-+-0
xiiiiiiiiy
XIIIIIIIIY
9n+-+N+-+0
9+-+-+-mK-0
9-+-+-+-+0
9zpp+-+-+-0
9-mk-+-zP-+0
9+-+-+-+-0
9-+-+-+-+0
9+-+-+-+-0
xiiiiiiiiy
XIIIIIIIIY
9-+-+-+-+0
9+-zp-+p+-0
9-+-+-+-+0
9+-+-+-+-0
9p+-+-zPL+0
9+-+-zP-+-0
9-+K+-mk-+0
9+-+-+-+-0
xiiiiiiiiy
M. Zinar, 2012
1.a8!! 1.xa7? c7 2.a8 h6! 3.a7
(3.a7 g6 4.a8 h5+; 3.g5 h5 4.a7
h4 5.g6 e4+) 3...c8 4.g5 h5 5.g6
e4+ 1...d7 2.b7! d6 3.a8!
c6 4.b8! h6 5.xa7! c7 6.a8
g6 6...b6 7.b8 xa6 8.c7 g6
9.d6! h5 10.gxh5=; 6...c8! 7.a7!
g6 8.b6! b8 9.c5 h5 10.gxh5
gxh5 11.d5 h4 12.e4 a7
13.f3 xa6 14.g4 b6 15.xh4
c5 16.g5 d5 17.f5= 7.a7 e4
8.dxe4 h5 9.gxh5! gxh5 10.e5 h4
11.e6 h3 12.e7 h2 13.e8+! c8
32 of 34
V. Aberman, 2012
1.g4! 1.xf7+? g8 2.f4 c3+
3.d7 d2+ 4.e6 xh2 5.g4+
h7!+ 1...g7 2.h6+! 2.f4?
f5+ 2...g8 3.f6+ f8 4.g4!!
4.d7+? e7 5.c6 xg3+ 6.c8
g8+ 7.c7 d8++ 4...xh6
5.g5 h8 6.d7! g7 7.e8+
h7 8.f6+ g7 9.e8+ g8
10.f6+ f8 11.h6! xh6 12.gxh6=
January 2014
In the News
Hikaru Nakamura Wins 5th London Chess Classic
The London Chess Classic's Super Sixteen Rapid tournament was won by Hikaru Nakamura. On
Sunday, December 15th, 2013 the American grandmaster beat Boris Gelfand in the final, after
he had eliminated Vladimir Kramnik. For the first time, the London tournament saw rapid
chess instead of classical. Jon Ludvig Hammer won the FIDE Open with 7.5/9, which was half a
point more than Boris Grachev, Tigran Gharamian, Mateusz Bartel, Viorel Iordachescu and Neil
McDonald. Read John Saunders final report here.
January 2014
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Blitz Death Match: New Qualifier
2013
9, 2013
Blitz
Name
Rating
Daily Chess/Correspondence
Name
Rating
Name
Rating
01
IM brute4ever
3004
01
GM JuditPolgar
2718
01 IM elobispo
2795
02
IM TigerLilov
2903
02
GM Daniel_Fridman
2704
02 GM Julio_Becerra
2736
03
GM Phoenix
2850
03
FM Kulinarist
2701
03 GM Kalif88
2623
04
GM Hikaru
2802
04
FM Eilyisum
2623
04 NM RWHaines
2595
05
GM SultanOfKings
2777
05
GM Janosik
2609
05 NM KingWhacker85
2571
06
GM 2Vladimirovich90
2764
06
GM GeorgMeier
2598
06 FM VPA
2569
07
GM GeorgMeier
2739
07
GM lorcho
2595
07 NM BMcC333
2561
08
GM LittlePeasant
2734
08
GM NigelShort
2585
08 FM ImmortalTechnique
2549
09
IM Molton
2709
09
GM FabianoCaruana
2577
09 NM mrbill
2542
10
FM Kulinarist
2704
2571
10 FM The_Evil_Ducklings
2538
10
NM TheTruth
(Standings reflect the top titled players, active within the last month on Chess.com)
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