Reply #2: Games from Recent Events

[Jack Rabbit]

Sergei Shipov

Magnus Carlsen vs. Sergei Shipov
Midnight Sun Open, Round 7
Tromsø, Norway, June 2006

French Defense (Tarrasch Attack)

1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nd2 a6 4. Ngf3 c5 5. exd5 exd5 6. dxc5 Bxc5 7. Nb3 Bb6 8. Qe2+ Ne7

8. -- Be6? would be a mistake: 9. Nbd4 Qd7 (or 9. -- Qc7 10. Nxe6 fxe6 11. Qxe6+ Qe7 12. Ng5 and White would already have an overwhelming position) 10. Ne5 Qc8 11. Be3 Qc7 12. Nxe6 Ba5+ 13. Kd1 Qxe5 14. Bd4 and Black is in serious trouble.

9. Be3 Nbc6 10. Bxb6 Qxb6 11. Qd2

Also satisfactory for both players at this stage of the game is 11. g3 Bg4 12. Bg2 a5 13. 0-0-0 (or 13. c3 a4 14. Nc1 d4) 13. -- Bxf3 14. Qxf3 a4 15. Na1.

11. -- 0-0 12. Be2

12. Bd3 Bg4 13. Ng5 h6 give Black just a light edge.

12. -- a5 13. a4 Bf5 14. 0-0 Rac8 15. Bb5 Be4

If 15. -- Na7 16. Nfd4, then:

• 16. -- Be4 17. Nxa5 Qg6 18. f3 Bxc2 (or 18. -- Nxb5 19. axb5 Bxc2 20. Rfe1 Rc7 and White is poised to win material) 19. Rfe1 Nxb5 (or 19. -- Rc7 20. Rac1 Qb6 21. Rxe7 Rxe7 22. Rxc2 and White emerges a Pawn to the good) 20. axb5 Rc7 (20. -- Rfe8 21. Nxb7 Qb6 22. Na5 Nf5 23. Nac6 and White is up a Pawn and ready to exchange pieces) 21. Rxe7 Rxe7 22. Nxc2 and White is up with two minor pieces against a Rook;
• 16. -- Qg6? 17. Rfe1 Rc7 18. Nxf5 Qxf5 19. Bd3 followed by 20. Qxa5 and White has won a Pawn; or
• 16. -- Nxb5 is far and away the best for Black: 17. axb5 Be4 18. Rfe1 Rfe8 19. Re2 Ng6 20. Rxa5 Ne5 with White hold at best a slight advantange

16. Ng5

16. Nbd4?! Nxd4 17. Nxd4 Nc6 (17. -- Rfd8 18. c3 Nc6 19. Rad1 Na7 20. Rfe1 Nxb5 21. axb5 Re8=) 18. Ne2 Ne5 19. c3 Nc4 20. Bxc4 dxc4 21. Rad1 Bc6 =+

16. -- Bg6 17. Rfe1 d4?

Black errs. He should have played 17. -- Rfe8, whiich would hold the balnce after 18. c3 Qc7 19. Nh3 (or 18. Nd4 h6 20. Nh3 Nxd4 21. Qxd4 Red8) Be4 20. Nf4 Red8 21. Re2 Na7 22. Bd3 Nac6.

18. Nf3 Rfd8 19. Nh4 Nf5 20. Nxg6 hxg6 21. Bd3

If 21. Re4, then:

• 21. -- Nd6 22. Bxc6 compounds Black's problems:
  • 22. -- Qxc6 23. Rxd4 Qxc2 24. Qxc2 Rxc2 25. Rad1! (better than 25. Rc1?! Rxb2 26. Nxa5 Ra8 and White's edge is diminshed) 25. -- Rxb2 26. Nd2 Kf8 27. Nc4 and White wins at least the exchange;
  • 22. -- bxc6 23. Rxd4 Nc4 24. Rxd8+ Rxd8 25. Qe1 Nxb2 26. Qxa5 Qxa5 27. Nxa5 gives White a strong extra Pawn;
  • 22. -- Nxe4 23. Bxe4 Qb4 24. Qxb4 axb4 25. a5 Re8 26. Bd3 and White has two minor pieces for a Rook.
• Black's best try is21. -- Nb4!; after 22. Rc1 (or 22. Bd3 Nxd3 23. Qxd3 Qc6 24. Nxd4 Nxd4 25. Rxd4 Rxd4 26. Qxd4 Qxc2) 22. -- Rc7 23. c4 Qa7 24. Rd1 d3 25. c5 b6 26. Qe1 White has only a slight edge.

21. -- Nb4 22. Re5 Nxd3 23. Qxd3 Rc6 24. Rae1 Qb4

24. -- Re6? 25. Rxe6 fxe6 26. Re5 Rd5 27. Rxd5 exd5 28. g4 Nh4 29. Kf1 g5 30. h3 +/-

25. Nxa5

White wins a Pawn.

25. -- Rcc8 26. R1e2?!

26. Nb3?! also loses a considerable amount of White's advantage: 26. -- Qxa4 27. Qd1 (or 27. g4?! Nh4 28. Qg3 g5 29. Rxg5 Ng6 30. Ra1 Qb4 31. Rxg6 (or 31. Rd1 d3 32. Rxg6 fxg6 33. Rxd3 Rxd3 34. Qxd3 Qxg4+) 31. -- fxg6 32. Qd3 Qc4 and White's advantage has evaporated) 27. -- Qa2 28. Qa1 Qxa1 29. Nxa1 d3 30. cxd3 Rxd3 and the game is level.

However, if 26. Qb3 Qxb3 27. cxb3 d3 28. Rd1, then:

• 28. -- f6 29. Re4 Rc2:
  • 30. Nxb7? would turn the game around and give it to Black after 30. -- Rd7 31. Rb4 (or 31. Re8+ Kh7 32. Rb8 d2 33. Kf1 Nd4 34. Re8 Rc1) 31. -- Rdc7 (or 31. -- Nd4 32. h3 d2 33. Kf1 Rc1 34. Rxd4 Rxd4) 32. Rc4 R7xc4 33. bxc4 d2 34. Kf1 Nd4 35. f3 Rc1 and SCOOOOORRRRE!! (Black wins);
  • 30. Nc4?! would allow Black to equalize with 30. -- Nd4 31. h3 Nxb3 32. Ne3 Re2 33. Rb4 Nd2 34. Rxb7 Ne4 35. Rf1 Nc5 36. Ra7;
• 28. -- d2 would also get Balck out of difficulty after 29. Nc4 Rd3 30. Kf1 Rxb3 31. Nxd2.

26. -- Qxb2!

This move threatens a snap mate on the back rank and starts to restore the balance.

27. g3 Qa1+ 28. Re1

28. Kg2 Qxa4 29. Nxb7 Re8 30. Rxe8+ Rxe8 31. Rxe8+ Qxe8 32. Nc5 Qc6+ 33. Ne4 +=

28. -- Qxa4 29. Nxb7 Rf8 30. Nc5 Qa7

White's advantage is reduced to a bare minimum. Both sides have four Pawns, a Knight and a full contingent of heavy pieces. White has a little firmer control of some open lines.

If 30. -- Qc6, then:

• 31. R1e4 f6
  • 32. Qc4+?! Kh7 33. Rxf5 Qxe4 34. Rf4 (34. Rd5 Qe1+ 35. Kg2 Rfe8 36. Rxd4 g5 +=) 34. -- Qe1+ 35. Kg2 g5 36. Rxd4 =+;
  • 32. Qb3+ 32. -- Rf7 (32. -- Kh7? 33. Rxf5 gxf5 34. Rh4+ Kg6 35. Ne6 Qc4 36. Nxf8+ Kf7 37. Nd7 Qxb3 38. cxb3+-) 33. Rxf5 gxf5 34. Re7 (34. Rxd4? Qxc5 35. Rd7 Qc4-+) 34. -- Rcf8 35. Nb7 Qc3 36. Qa2=;
• 31. h3 31. -- f6 32. Qb3+ Kh7 33. Rd5 Rfe8 34. Rxe8 Rxe8 35. Nd3= and the game is level.

31. Ne4 Qa2 32. Re2 Qa1+ 33. Kg2 Qa8 34. Qf3?

It's White's turn to blunder. White could have maintained an equal game with 34. h3! Rce8 35. Rxe8 Rxe8 36. Qf3 Ne3+ (or 36. -- d3 37. Qxd3 Rd8 38. Qc3) 37. fxe3 Rxe4 38. Kf2.

34. -- d3 35. Re1

Black also maintains a winning edge with 35. cxd3 Nd4 36. Qe3 Nxe2 or 35. Qxd3 Rfd8 36. Qf3 Nd4 37. Qg4 Nxe2 38. Qxe2.

35. -- dxc2 36. Rc1 Rfd8 37. Kh3 Nd4 38. Qe3 Nf5 39. Qb3 Nd4

Also good for Black is 39. -- Qa7 40. Ng5 Nd4 41. Qe3 f6 42. Re7 Qc5.

40. Qe3 Qb7 41. Ng5 Qd7+

Black is still winning, but even stronger than the text move is41. -- Nf5!, as seen by the following variations:

• 42. Qe1 f6 (42. -- Qd7 43. Kg2 f6 44. Rxf5 Qxf5 45. Nf3 Rd3-+) 43. Rxf5 Qd7 44. Qe6+ Qxe6 45. Nxe6 Rd1 46. Rxc2 Rxc2-+;
• 42. Qf4 f6 43. Ne6 fxe5 44. Nxd8 Qd7 45. Qxe5 Rxd8-+;
• 42. Qa3 42. -- Nd4 (42. -- Nd6 43. Qa2 Rc7 44. Rd5 Ra8 45. Ra5 Rac8 46. Re5 Rc5-+) 43. Qa2 Rc3 44. Re3 Rc5 45. f4 Ra8-+

42. g4 Re8 43. Rxe8+ Rxe8 44. Qd3 Qe7 45. Nf3

If 45. Qxd4, then 45. -- Qa3+ wins.

45. -- Ne2!

This move all but puts the game away. Black will now enoy an advantage of a Rook over a Knight.

As was the case earlier for White, Black must now be wary of pitfalls. If 45. -- Nxf3?!, then Black can gain some ground with 46. Qxf3 Qe2 47. Qxe2 Rxe2 48. Kg3 when Black will have to sacrifice his c-Pawn to mobilize his Rook.

46. Qxc2 Nxc1 47. Qxc1 Qf6 48. Kg3 Qd6+ 49. Kg2

Black also has an overwhelming edge after 49. Qf4 Qxf4+ 50. Kxf4 Re2 51. Kg3 Kf8.

49. -- Qd5 50. Kg3 Re4 51. h3

51. Qc8+ fails: 49. -- Kh7 52. Qc2 Rb4 53. Qd2 (or 53. h4 f5 54. gxf5 gxf5 55. Qe2 Rb3) 53. -- Qxd2 54. Nxd2 g5 55. f3 (or 55. Nf1 g6 56. Ne3 f6) 55. -- Kg6.

51. -- f6 52. Qc8+

No better for Black is 52. Qc2 g5 53. Qd2 Qxd2 54. Nxd2 Rd4.

52. -- Kh7 53. Qc2 Rb4

53. -- Rc4 54. Qe2 g5 (54. -- Rc3 55. h4 f5 56. gxf5 Qxf5 57. Kg2 Qg4+-+ 58. Kf1 Qxf3) 55. Qe8 Qd6+! (55. -- Rc3? 56. Qh5+! Kg8 57. Qe8+=) 56. Kg2 Qc6 57. Qxc6 Rxc6

54. Qe2 Rb3 55. Kg2 Qd3! 56. Qxd3 Rxd3 57. Nh4

With the Queens off the board, Black's win will be even easier.

Black wins after 57. h4 Kh6 58. Kg3 Ra3 59. Kf4 Ra4+ 60. Kg3 f5 61. Ne5 fxg4 62. Nxg4+ Kh5 63. f3 Ra1

57. -- g5 58. Nf5 Kg8 59. Ne3

59. Ng3 loses to 59. -- Kf7 60. Ne4 g6 61. f3 Ra3 62. Kf2 Ke6.

Black's winning plan is to bring his King forward to support a Pawn to promotion.

59. -- Kf7 60. Kg3

If 60. Kf3, then 60. -- g4 61. Ke2 Rc3 62. f3 Rb2+ 63. Kf1 Rh2 64. Kg1 Rxh3.

60. -- Ke6 61. Kg2 Ke5 62. Nf1 Kd4 63. Ng3

63. Ne3 doesn't work: 63. -- Rxe3 64. fxe3+ Kxe3 65. Kg3 g6 66. h4 gxh4+ 67. Kxh4 f5 68. Kg5 f4

63. -- Ke5 64. Nf1 Kf4 65. Nh2 Ra3 66. Nf1

66. Kf1 loses even faster: 66. -- Rxh3 67. Kg1 Rxh2! 68. Kxh3 Kxg4 and Black has an easily won King and Pawn ending.

66. -- g6 67. Nh2 Ke468. Nf1 Rd3 69. Ng3+ Ke5 70. Nf1 f5 71. gxf5 gxf5 72. Nh2 Ke4 73. Nf1 f4 74. Nh2 f3+ 75. Kg3

If 75. Nxf3. then 75. -- Rxf3 76. Kh2 Rxf2+ 77. Kg3 Rf4 78. Kg2 Rf3 White is soon mated.

75. -- Rd1 76. h4

If 76. Kg4, then 76. -- Rg1+ 77. Kh5 Rg2 78. Ng4 Kf4 and Black must abandon either the Knight of the f-Pawn.

If 76. Ng4. then 76. -- Rg1+ 77. Kh2 Rxg4 78. hxg4 Kd3 79. Kh3 Kd2 80. Kh2 Ke1 81. Kg3 Ke2 82. Kh2 Kxf2 and SCOOOORRRRRE!!

76. -- Rg1+ 77. 0-1

In the end, Black will deliver checkmate with the Rook rather than promote a Pawn: 76. -- Rg1+ 77. Kh3 gxh4 78. Kxh4 Kf4 79. Kh3 (or 79. Kh5 Rh1) 79. -- Rh1 80. Kh4 Rxh2#. Carlsen resigns.



Gata Kamsky and Joel Benjamin
at the 2005 US Championship, San Diego

Gata Kamsky vs. Joel Benjamin
World Open, Round 8
Philadelphia, July 2006

Open Sicilian Game: Taimanov Defense

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nc6 5. Nc3 Qc7 6. Be2 a6 7. 0-0

More common is 7. Be3 Nf6 8. 0-0 Bb4 9. Na4 (or 9. f3 0-0 10. a3 Bxc3 11. bxc3 d5) 9. -- Be7 10. c4 Nxe4 11. c5 0-0 (or 11. -- Nxc5? 12. Nxc6 Qxc6 13. Nxc5 Bxc5 14. Rc1 b6 15. b4) 12. Rc1.

7. -- b5 8. Re1

A rougly even game results from 8. Be3 Bb7 9. a3 (or 9. Nb3 Nf6 10. Bd3 Rd8 11. Bg5 Be7 12. Re1 0-0 13. Qd2 Ng4 14. Bf4 d6 15. Rad1) 9. -- Nf6 10. Bf3 Ne5 11. Bf4 d6 12. Qe2 Rc8 13. Rfd1.

8. -- Bb7 9. Nxc6

9. a4 Nxd4 10. Qxd4 b4 11. Nd1 Nf6 12. e5 (Shirov-Ivanchuk, Monte Carlo Amber Bx, 2001).

9. -- dxc6

If Black plays9. -- Bxc6, then the equalibirium is maintained by 10. Qd3 Bd6 11. h3 Nf6 (or 11. -- Bh2+ 12. Kh1 Be5 13. a4 b4 14. Nd1) 12. Bf3 Be5 13. Nd5 (or 13. Be3 b4 14. Nd1 d5 15. exd5 Bxd5) 13. -- exd5 (13. -- Qb8 14. c3 d6 15. Nxf6+ gxf6) 14. exd5 Nxd5 15. Bxd5 0-0.

10. e5

10.a4 Rd8 11.Bd3 Bd6 12.g3 Nf6 13.Bg5 h6 14.Bxf6 gxf6 (Balogh-Horvath, Hungarian Team Champ, 2001).

10. -- Rd8

10. -- b4 11. Ne4 Qxe5 12. Bh5 g6 13. Ng5 Qg7 14. Bg4 would give Black an insignificant advantage.

11. Bd3 c5 12. Bg5 Ne7 13. Qh5 c4 14. Be4 b4

If Black plays 14. -- Rd7, then an equal game is mainataned after 15. Bxb7 Qxb7 16. Rad1 Rxd1 17. Rxd1 b4 18. Na4 Nd5 19. Rd4 Qc7 20. Qe2.
If 14. -- Bxe4?!, then White wins a Pawn after 15. Nxe4 h6 16. a4 b4 17. Nd6+ Rxd6 18. exd6 Qxd6 19. Bxe7 Bxe7 20. Qg4.

15. Bxb7 bxc3!

15. -- Qxb7? is a blunder: 16. Ne4 Qc6 17. a3 (or 17. Nd6+ Rxd6 18. exd6 Ng6 19. d7+ Qxd7 20. Qf3 and White has a Rook for a minor piece and a Pawn) 17. -- c3 (or 17. -- bxa3 18. bxa3 h6 19. Rab1 Rg8 20. Nd6+ Kd7 21. Rb7+ and White wins the Queen) 18. Rab1 cxb2 19. Rxb2 bxa3 20. Ra2 h6 21. Nd6+ and White wins a Rook for a Knight.

16. Qf3 Rb8

The balance is maintained by 16. -- cxb2 17. Rab1 c3 18. Bxa6 Rd5 19. a4 h6 20. Bh4 g5 21. Bg3 Bg7 22. Bb5+ Kf8.

17. Be4!?

After 17. Bxe7:

• 17. -- Qxb7! would give Black a small plus: 18. Qxb7 Rxb7 19. Bxf8 cxb2 20. Rab1 Rxf8 21. Re4 and Black Pawn at c2 will keep a Rook tied down;
• 17. -- Qxe7? would give White a huge advantage: 18. Qc6+ Qd7 19. Rad1! Bd6 (or 19. -- Rxb7 20. Rxd7 Rxd7 21. Rd1 and Black's position is actually resignable due to material losses and mating threats) 20. Rxd6 Qxc6 21. Bxc6+ Kf8 22. b3 a5 (or 22. -- cxb3 23. axb3 and White is up by a Bishop) 23. Re3 and here. too, White has an extra piece.

17. -- cxb2 18. Rab1 h6

The position is unclear and will remain so: 18. -- c3?! 19. Re3 Rc8 20. Bxe7 Bxe7 21. Bb7 Rd8 (or 21. -- 0-0 22. Bxc8 Rxc8 23. Qe4 Qa5 24. a4) 22. Rxc3 Qxe5 23. Bc6+ (or 23. Rb3?! 0-0 24. Bxa6 Rd2 25. Bd3 Bc5( 23. -- Kf8 24. Rb3 Bf6.

19. Bd2 g6 20. Qa3?!

White gets a small advatage by 20. Bc3 Bg7 21. Bxb2 0-0 22. Qa3 (Black gains a significant advantage after 22. Qc3?! Rb5 23. Ba3 Bxe5 24. Qh3 Bg7 25. Rxb5 axb5 26. Rb1 Rd8 with better control of open lines and a healtier Pawn structure) 22. -- Rb5 23. Bc3 Rxb1 24. Rxb1 Rb8 25. Rxb8+ Qxb8 26. Qb2 Qxb2 27. Bxb2.

20. -- Bg7 21. Ba5 Qd7 22. Re2?!

White should play 22. Bc3! when after 22. -- Rb6 23. Qc5 Nd5 24. Bxd5 Rb5 25. Bxe6 Qxe6 26. Qa3 Bf8 27. Qa4 Black's entire position is pinned.

22. -- 0-0 23. Rd2 Nd5 24. Rxb2?!

Black has a big plus after 24. Bb4? Rfe8 25. c3 Bxe5 26. Rbxb2.

If 24. Bxd5 exd5 25. Bc3 Qe6 26. f4 (or 26. Re2?! f6 27. Qd6 Rfe8 28. Qxe6+ Rxe6 29. f4) then the position remains balanced:

• 26. -- f6 27. Qd6 Rb6 28. Qxd5 (or 28. Qxe6+ Rxe6 29. exf6 Bxf6 30. Bxf6 Rfxf6 31. Rxb2 Rxf4 32. h3 c3) 28. -- fxe5 29. fxe5 Qxd5 30. Rxd5 Rfb8 +=;
• 26. -- Rfe8 27. Rxb2 (27. Bxb2? f6 28. Rdd1 Qb6+ 29. Kh1 fxe5 30. Qc3 Qb7-+) 27. -- Qf5 28. Rf2 Rxb2 (28. -- Qg4 29. Rf1 Rxb2 30. Bxb2 Qe2 31. Qc3=) 29. Qxb2 (29. Bxb2? and Black get the upper hand with an impressive Pawn center and control of open lines by 29. -- Rb8 30. Qc3 Bf8 31. e6 f6) 29. -- Qg4 30. g3 Bh8 31. Qb6.

24. -- Bxe5

Black has better command of open lines after 24. -- Rxb2 25. Qxb2 Qa4 26. Bc3 (or 26. Bxd5 Qxa5 27. c3 exd5) 26. -- Nxc3 27. Qxc3 Qxa2 28. Rd1 (or 28. Bf3 Qb1+ 29. Rd1 Qb5) 28. -- Rb8 29. Qe1 Qa3.

25. Rxb8 Rxb8 26. g3

After 26. Rd1 Nc3 27. Re1 Nxe4 28. Rxe4 c3 29. Re1 Qd4 30. g3 Rb2 Black stands ready to invade White's home ranks.

26. -- Rb5 27. Rd1

If 27. c3 Qd6, then:

• If 28. Bb4? Black is much better after 28. -- Qb6 29. Bxd5 exd5 30. Qc1 (30. Re2 d4 31. cxd4 Qxd4 32. Qa4 c3 and Black is poised to puch his Pawns foreward) 30. -- Bxc3 31. Qxc3 Rxb4 32. Rxd5 Rb1+ 33. Kg2 Qb7 and the pin on the Rook makes White's position uncomfortable;
• If 28. Qa4!, White restores the balance after 28. -- Qc5 29. Bxd5 exd5 30. Bb4 (but 30. Re2? d4 31. cxd4 Bxd4 finds White's pieces disorganized and Black's c-Pawn ready to roll) 30. -- Qb6 31. Rxd5 (31. Qc2 d4 32. a4 d3 33. Qa2 Rxb4 34. cxb4 Qxb4 and White's position is being crushed by the c- and d-Pawns) 31. -- Rxd5 32. Qe8+ Kg7 33. Bf8+ Kf6 34. Qe7+ Kf5 35. Qxf7+ Ke4 36. Kg2.

27. -- Qb7 28. Bd2 Bg7

If 28. -- Kh7 29. Bc1 Bb2 30. Bxb2 Rxb2 then the equalibrium is maintained by:

• 31. Qc5 c3 (31. -- Rb1 32. Rxb1 Qxb1+ 33. Kg2 Qxa2 34. Qf8 f5) 32. a3 Qb6 33. Qc8 Kg7 34. Qc4;
• 31. h3 31. -- f5 32. Bxd5 exd5 33. Re1 Rb1 34. Rxb1 Qxb1+.

29. Qa4 Rb1 30. Rxb1

30. Rf1 Rxf1+ 31. Kxf1 c3 32. Be1 Qb5+ 33. Qxb5 axb5 34. a3 f5 is level.

30. -- Qxb1+ 31. Kg2 Qb5

Black is a little better after 31. -- f5 32. Qxa6 fxe4 33. Qxe6+ Kh7 34. Qxd5 Qxc2 (or 34. -- Qd1 35. Qxe4 Qxd2 36. Qxc4 h5 37. h4 Bc3 38. a4) 35. Bf4 c3 36. Qb7 Qb2 37. Qxe4 Qxa2. However, it will be difficult for him to convert the advantage to victory.

32. Qa3 h5 33. Qd6 Qa4 34. Qd8+

If 34. Bxg6 fxg6 35. Qxe6+ Kh7 36. Qxd5 Qxc2, then the position is equal after:

• 37. a3 c3
  • 38. Be3 Qe2 39. Qb7 (39. a4 c2 40. Qc6 Qd3 41. h3 Bc3 42. Bf4 =+) 39. -- Qb5 40. Qxb5 axb5 41. Kf1 Bf8 42. Bc1 g5=;
  • 38. Bf4 38. -- Qb2 39. Qc5 (39. a4 c2 40. Qc6 Qc3 41. Qxc3 Bxc3=) 39. -- Qb7+ 40. Kf1 (40. f3 Qb2+ 41. Kg1 Qe2 42. Qe3 =+) 40. -- Qe4 41. Be3 Qb1+ 42. Ke2 c2 43. Bd2 a5 44. a4=;
• 37. Bf4 37. -- c3 38. h4 Qb1 39. a4 c2 40. Qc4 a5=

34. -- Kh7 35. Qa5 Qc6 36. Bf3 Qb5 37. Be2

37. Qxb5 axb5 38. a3 Bd4 39. h3 Kg7 40. Be4 Nf6 41. Bc6 c3 42. Be1=

37. -- Bf6 38. Qa3 Bg7 39. Qf3

The game is still even after 39. h4?! Qc6 40. Bf3 c3 41. Bc1 (or 41. Be1 Qb5 42. Qb3 Qxb3 43. axb3 Nb4 44. Bd1 Nd5) 41. -- Qb5 42. Qb3 Bd4 (or 42. -- Qxb3 43. axb3 Bd4 44. Ba3 Kg7 45. Be2 a5) 43. Qxb5 axb5 44. a3 f6.

39. -- Qc6 40. Kg1 c3 41. Bg5 f6

Black misses his last best chance: 41. -- f5! 42. Bd3 (42. Bc1 Qa4 43. Bd3 Qxa2 44. Bg5 a5 45. Qe2 Nb4 46. Bc4 Qb1+ 47. Kg2 Qxc2) 42. -- Qa4 43. Qe2 Nb4 44. Bc4 (or 44. Qxe6 Nxd3 45. cxd3 Qd1+) 44. -- Qxc2 45. Qxe6 (or 45. Qxc2 Nxc2 46. Bc1 a5 47. Bxe6 Nd4 48. Bc4 g5) 45. -- Qb1+ 46. Kg2 Qe4+ 47. Qxe4 fxe4.

42. Bd3 fxg5 43. Qxh5+ Kg8 44. Qxg6 Nf6!

The position is level after 44. -- Kf8 45. Qxg5 Qa4 (or 45. -- Bf6 46. Qg4 Ke7 47. h4 a5 48. Qc4 Qxc4 49. Bxc4) 46. Qg6 Bf6 47. Qe4 Qxe4 48. Bxe4

45. Qxg5 ½-½

After the inevitable exchange of Queens, neither player will have a win in sight.




Sergei Tiviakov

Sergei Tiviakov vs. Jan Timman
Dutch National Championships, General Round 10
Hilversum, June 2006

Closed Sicilian Game: Saragossa Attack (Alapain Attack)

1. e4 c5 2. c3 Nf6

Tiviakov is the leading authority on the Saragossa Sicilian. It is often recommended for amateurs who don't have a lot of time to study the myriad of opening variations associated with the Open Sicilian. Obviously, Tiviakov has all the time in the world to study these variations; he simply likes the positions he gets from playing the Saragossa move.

Other moves for Black:

• 2. -- d5 (This is a move that won't be seen in the Open Sicilian; it is made possible by the fact that White cannot play Nc3 should Black recapture with his Queen in a series of exchanges on d5) 3. Bb5+ Bd7 4. Bxd7+ Qxd7 5. exd5 Qxd5 6. Qf3 Nf6 7. Qxd5 Nxd5;
• 2. -- Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. d3 Qa5 5. Na3 (5. Bxc6 bxc6 6. Nf3 Rb8 7. 0-0) 5. -- d5 6. exd5 Nxd5 7. Nf3

3. e5 Nd5 4. Nf3 Nc6 5. Bc4 Nb6 6. Bb3 c4 7. Bc2 Qc7 8. Qe2 g5

An equal game result from 8. -- e6 9. 0-0 d6 10. exd6 (or 10. d4 cxd3 11. Qxd3 Nxe5 12. Nxe5 dxe5) 10. -- Bxd6 11. Re1 (or 11. d4 cxd3 12. Bxd3 0-0) 11. -- e5 12. d4 Bg4 13. Bf4.

9. h3!?

This, played with the obvious idea of slowing any Kingside Pawn strom, may be the best move. Other possibilities:

• The tempting 9. e6 gets White only a comfortable equality after 9. -- dxe6 10. Nxg5 Qe5 11. Nxh7 Qxe2+ 12. Kxe2 Bg7 13. Ng5;
• Grabbing the Pawn with 9. Nxg5 may backfire: 9. -- Qxe5 10. Qxe5 Nxe5 11. Nxh7 Bh6 12. f4 (or 12. Na3 Nd3+ 13. Bxd3 cxd3 and Black has considerably more freedom) 12. -- Bxf4 13. 0-0 Nd3 and White's position is badly cramped;
• 9. 0-0 g4 10. Nd4 (or 10. Ne1 Nxe5 11. d4 cxd3 12. Bxd3 d6 13. Bc2 Bg7 with no significant advantage to either side) 10. -- Nxe5 11. b3 (or 11. Na3 d6 12. Ndb5 Qb8 13. b3 d5 14. Re1 Bg7 and a balanced position) 11. -- d6 12. bxc4 (12. Na3 Bg7 13. Nab5 Qd7 14. bxc4 Nbxc4 and equality) 12. -- Nbxc4 13. Nb5 Qb6 14. Nd4 with a level game.

9. -- Bg7 10. 0-0 Nxe5 11. Nxg5

After 11. Nxe5, Black will have an extra Pawn and a slight advantage in space by 11. -- Qxe5 12. Qxe5 Bxe5 13. Re1 (or 13. a4 a5 14. d3 Bf6 15. dxc4 Nxc4) 13. -- Bf6 14. d3 h5 Both side are expiencing difficulties with development.

11. -- d5 12. a4 h6 13. Nf3 Nbd7

If Black tries to neutralize White's Queenside space with 13.-- a5, then 14. Re1 (or 14. Nxe5 Qxe5 15. Qxe5 Bxe5 16. Re1 Bf6 17. d4 Rg8 18. Kf1 h5 and a balanced poisition) 14. -- Nxf3+ 15. Qxf3 and the following variations are possible:

• 15. -- Bd7 16. d4:
  • 16. -- cxd3? 17. Bxd3 (or 17. Qxd3 Rc8 18. b3 e6 and a slight plus for White) 17. -- e5 18. Qg3 Kf8 19. b3 and White has better command of open lines;
  • 16. -- Qc6 17. Bf5 Bxf5 18. Qxf5 Nxa4 and Black has a sligt edge owing to his ownership of more space on the Queen's wing;
• 15. -- d4 16. cxd4 Bxd4 17. Nc3 Rg8 18. Nb5 Qc5 19. Re4 Bg7 20. d3 and White has more freedom.

14. Re1 Bf6 15. d4 cxd3 16. Bxd3 Nxd3 17. Qxd3 Nc5

17. -- Qc6 18. Nd4 Nc5 19. Qd1 Bxd4 20. cxd4 Ne4 21. Qh5 Qf6 22. Be3 Rg8 is level.

18. Qxd5 Be6 19. Qh5

The equilibrium is also maintained by 19. Qd1 Rg8 20. Kh1 Rd8 21. Qc2 Qd7 22. Qh7 (Black would have better command of open lines after 22. Rg1 Bf5 23. Qd2 Bxh3 24. Qxd7+ Bxd7) 22. -- Rh8 23. Qc2 Bf5 24. Qe2.

19. -- Rd8 20. Nd4 Bxd4 21. cxd4 Nb3

Black wins a Rook for a minor piece. There's nothing much for either player after 21. -- Rxd4 22. Nc3 Qc6 23. Nb5 Rd5 24. Re5 Rxe5 25. Qxe5 Rg8 26. Qb8+ Qc8 27. Qxc8+ Bxc8.

22. Nc3 Nxa1 23. Rxe6 Nb3 24. Be3 Nxd4 25. Re4 Nc6

Although Black has a material advantage, White is compensated in the greater mobility of his pieces.

25. -- Nc2? would open an opportunity for White: 26. Bc5 Rd7 27. Bxe7 Rxe7 28. Nd5 and ensuing exchanges will give White a material advantage.

26. b4 Rd3 27. Nd5

<[i>27. Qg4 Kf8 28. Rc4 Qd8 29. Qe4 Rd6 (29. -- a6 30. Bf4 Rxc3 31. Rxc3 Qd1+ 32. Kh2²) 30. b5 Na5 31. Rd4 b6 32. Qe5=]

27. -- Qd6 28. Nf4

If 28. Nc7+? then Black could win after 28. -- Qxc7 29. Rf4 e6 (but not 29. -- Nd8? 30. Qb5+ Rd7 31. Rc4 Ne6 32. Rxc7 Nxc7 33. Qxb7 Nd5 and it's White wins a Pawn with 34. Qb8+ Rd8 35. Qb5+ Re7 36. Bxa7) 30. b5 Nd8 31. Qg4 h5 32. Qg7 (or 32. Qe2 Qd6 33. a5 Rd1+ 34. Kh2 a6 35. Qc4 Rg8) 32. -- Rd1+ 33. Kh2 Rf8

28. -- Rxe3

Bad for Black would be 28. -- Rd1+?, when White secures a strong advantage by 29. Kh2 Rg8 (or 29. -- Re1 30. b5 Nd8 31. Bc5 Rxe4 32. Bxd6 exd6 33. Qf3) 30. Re6 Qd8 31. b5 Nb4 32. Rxh6 Rd6 33. Ne6 winning at least the exchange.

29. fxe3 Nd8?

This is the fatal blunder. Black would most likely hold on to a half-point with 29. -- Rg8 30. b5 Rg5 31. Qe2 (or 31. Qf3 Ne5 32. Qe2 Qd2) 31. -- Ne5 32. Rd4 Qa3 (better than 32. -- Qc7 33. Nd5 Qc1+ 34. Rd1 Qc5 35. a5) 33. Nd5 Qc5 34. a5 Rg6.

30. Nd5 e6

No better for Black is 30. -- Rg8 31. Rxe7+ (or 31. Nxe7 Rxg2+ 32. Kxg2 Qd2+ 33. Kg3 Qe1+ 34. Kf4 f2+ 35. Ke5 Kxe7 36. Qh4+ Qxh4 37. Rxh4) 31. -- Kf8 32. Rd7 Qxd7 33. Qxh6+ Rg7 34. Qh8+ Rg8 35. Qxg8+ Kxg8 36. Nf6+.

31. Nf6+ Kf8

If 31. -- Ke7, then White wins the Queen by 32. Rd4 Qg3 33. Qc5+ Kxf6 34. Rf4+ Kg7 35. Rg4+.

32. Rd4 Qc7

If 32. -- Qe7, then White wins the Rook by 33. Nd7+ Ke8 34. Qe5 Rh7 35. Nf6+.

33. Rd7 Qc1+ 34. Kh2 Kg7

If 34. -- Qxe3, then White exchanges Queens and starts eating Black's Pawns: 35. Rxd8+ Kg7 36. Qg4+ Qg5 37. Nh5+ Kh7 38. Qe4+ Qf5 39. Qxf5+ exf5 40. Rd7.

35. Qe5 1-0

35. Qe5 Kg6 36. Nh5 Rg8 37. Rxd8 Rxd8 38. Qf6+ Kxh5 39. g4#

Timman resigns.

Tiviakov expressed his view that this is one of the finest games he has ever played.


Photo Credits:

Sergei Shipov from 2001 Ano Liosia Open Tournament
Gata Kamsky and Joel Benjamin from ChessBase.com
Sergei Tiviakov from British Chess Magazine