The Jack Rabbit Chess Report for February 25

[Jack Rabbit]

The Jack Rabbit Chess Report
for the week ending February 25



Image: Chess Art from the website of Declan McCullagh

Contents

Post 1: News for the week
Post 2: Diagrams and other features
Post 3: Games from Current and Recent Events

[Jack Rabbit]

1. News for the week ending February 25

Alekseev wins Aeroflot Open



Reigning Russian national champion Evgeny Alekseev won the 6th annual Aeroflot Open Thursday by defeating Armenian grandmaster Gabriel Sargissian in the final round in Moscow.

Alekseev enter the final round tied for first place with two other Russians, Dmitry Jakovenko and Evgeny Tomashevsky, with 6 points each. The Swiss system pairing pitted Tomashevsky and Jakovenko against each other in a game that ended in a darw after only 14 moves. Sargissian started the final round tied for fourth with 5½ points.

Alekseev, playing White against Sargissian, showed little ambition in the opening, playing a neo-classical Italian Game commonly called the Guicco Pianissmo, which is Italian for "very quiet game". It is regarded as a tacit invitation to a quiet draw. However, Sargissian had his own chance of finishing tied for first and played for complications, forcing Alekseev to play more agressively. Alekseev got the upper hand late in the game. Sargissian resigned on his 41st move with a snowballing material deficit.

For winning the Aeroflot, Alekseev is invited to participate in this summer's elite Sparkassen Chess Meeting in Dortmund.


Magnus, Anand lead Morelia-Linares as the scene shifts to Spain



Sixteen-year-old Norwegian grandmaster Magnus Carlsen and veteran Indian grandmaster Vishy Anand are tied for the lead in the Morelia-Linares Super GM Tournament the half-way point with 4½ points each in seven rounds as the players concludes the first leg of the double-round robin event in Morelia, Michoacán (Mexico).

Both players have won 3, lost 1 and drawn 3. Magnus' victories are his first in elite grandmaster competition. He competed in the Tal Memorial Tournament in November and Group A of the Corus Tournament last month, both category 19 events, without winning a game in either.

Anand won the individual game between them.

The oldest player in the tournament, grandmaster Vassily Ivanchuk of Ukraine, is in third place with four points.

Unofficial Cross Table
Super GM Tournament
Morelia-Linares

------------------------- 1- 2- 3- 4- 5- 6- 7- 8- T- (W)
1 Vishy Anand. . . . . . .-- 1* ½* 0* ½* ½* 1* 1* 4½ (3)
2 Magnus Carlsen . . . . .0* -- 1* ½* ½* 1* ½* 1* 4½ (3)
3 Vassily Ivanchuk . . . .½* 0* -- 1* ½* 1* ½* ½* 4. (3)
4 Levon Aronian. . . . . .1* ½* 0* -- ½* ½* ½* ½* 3½ (1)
5 Peter Svidler. . . . . .½* ½* ½* ½* -- ½* ½* ½* 3½ (0)
6 Veselin Topalov. . . . .½* 0* 0* ½* ½* -- ½* 1* 3. (1)
7 Peter Leko . . . . . . .0* ½* ½* ½* ½* ½* -- ½* 3. (0)
8 Alexander Morozevich . .0* 0* ½* ½* ½* 0* ½* -- 2. (0)

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

The tournament now adjourns and reconvenes Friday in the Andalusian town of Linares, which was the exclusive tournament site until last year,

The official website for the Linares leg of the tournament is Soloajerez.com.

[Jack Rabbit]

2. Diagrams and other features of the JR Chess Report

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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.

[Jack Rabbit]

3. Games from current and recent events

Chess Games
Analysis by JR and Fritz

Evgeny Tomashevsky - Artashes Minasian, Aeroflot Open, Round 7, Moscow
Evgeny Alekseev - Gabriel Sargissian, Aeroflot Open, Round 9, Moscow
Magnus Carlsen - Vishy Anand, Super GM Tournament, Round 3, Morelia
Camilla Baginskaite - Bill Orton, North American FIDE Open, Round 4, Stillwater, Oklahoma
Endgame: Parimarjan Negi - Wang Hao, Aeroflot Open, Round 2, Moscow
Endgame: Magnus Carlsen - Alexander Morozevich, Super GM Tournament, Round 1, Morelia

[Jack Rabbit]

4. Tomashevsky - Minashian, Aeroflot Open Round 7, Moscow

Evgeny Tomashevsky
Photo: ChessBase.com

Evgeny Tomashevsky vs. Artashes Minasian
Aeroflot Open, Round 7
Moscow, February 2007

West India Game: Tal-Indian Defense (Beefeaters' Variation)

1. Nf3 g6 2. c4 Bg7 3. d4 c5 4. e4 d6 5. Be2 Nc6 6. d5 Nd4 7. Nxd4 cxd4 8. 0-0 Qb6 9. Nd2 Nf6 10. Rb1 a5 11. b3 0-0 12. a3!?

• Most of the theory in this position is years old and favors Black. White therefore deviates from theory, although this move appears unambitious.
• If 12. Bb2 e5 13. Ba3 Bh6 then:
• 14. c5? dxc5 15. Nc4 Qc7 16. d6 Qc6 17. Nxe5 Qxd6 18. Nc4 Qc7 gives Black an extra pawn and more active pieces (Hartoch-Tal, Wijk aan Zee, 1973).
• Correct is 14. Bd3 Re8 15. Rc1 Bf4 16. f3 Bd7 with equality.
• 12. Kh1 Nd7 13. Bb2 Nc5 14. Nf3 Nxe4 15. Nxd4 a4 16. f3 axb3 17. axb3 draw agreed (Alburt-Shamkovich, Soviet Ch, Baku 1972).

12. -- Nd7

• Black simply redeploys his Knight.
• 12. -- Bd7 13. Bd3 Ng4 14. Qe2 Rac8 15. Re1 Rc7 16. Nf3 Rfc8 is balanced.

13. b4 axb4 14. axb4 Ne5 15. c5

• White sacrifices a pawn for leverage in the center.
• 15. Qc2 Nd7 16. Bb2 e5 17. Bg4 Nf6 18. Bxc8 Rfxc8 gives Black some initiative.

15. -- dxc5 16. bxc5 Qxc5 17. Nb3 Qb6 18. Bg5

• White is attacking two seperate pawns.
• 18. Bb2 d3 19. Bxd3 Bg4 20. Be2 Bxe2 21. Qxe2 Ra2 22. Qd1 maintains the equalibrium.

18. -- d3 19. Bxd3 Nxd3

• As implied from the previous note, White has regained the sacrificed pawn.
• If 19. -- Qd6 20. Be2 then:
• 20. -- h6 21. Bh4 g5 22. Bg3 f5 23. f3 fxe4 24. fxe4 Rxf1+ 25. Bxf1 is level.
• 20. -- Nd7 21. f4 Nb6 22. e5 Qd8 23. d6 f6 24. Bh4 Bf5 25. Bd3 Bxd3 26. Qxd3 exd6 27. exd6 yields White an advanced passed pawn.

20. Qxd3 Qd6 21. Be3

• White pulls his Bishop back to defend the a7/g1 diagonal in anticipation of advancing the f-pawn.
• If 21. Qe3 Rd8 22. Nc5 b6 23. Nd3 then:
• 23. -- Ba6 24. Rxb6 Qa3 25. Rd1 Bxd3 26. Rxd3 Qa1+ 27. Qc1 is balanced.
• 23. -- b5 24. Rxb5 Ba6 25. Rb6 Qa3 26. Rd1 Bxd3 27. Rxd3 Qa1+ 28. Qc1 is even.

21. -- b6 22. Rfc1

• This deals with Black's threat to win the exchange after 22. -- Ba6!.
• 22. Nd4 Ba6 23. Nb5 Rfd8 24. Rb3 Qb8 25. Qc4 Rc8 26. Qb4 Bf8 balances Black's Rook activity against White's center.

22. -- f5!?

• 22. -- Ba6 will no longr accomplish much, so he tries weakening White's central pawns.
• 22. -- Ba6 23. Qd2 Rfc8 24. Bf4 e5 25. Rxc8+ Rxc8 26. Be3 Bc4 f5 27. f3 is equal.

Black: Artashes Minasian
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White: Evgeny Tomashevsky
Position after 22. -- f7f5

23. f3!?

• The position is unclear.
• 23. Nd2 e6 24. exf5 Qxd5 25. Qxd5 exd5 26. fxg6 hxg6 27. Rxb6 yields an extra pawn for White.

23. -- fxe4 24. fxe4 Ra2

• Black seeks to stir something up with his heavy pieces.
• If 24. -- Be5 25. h3 Ba6 26. Qd2 then:
• 26. -- Rac8 27. Rxc8 Bxc8 28. Nd4 Bh2+ 29. Kh1 Bd7 30. Nc6 is even.
• 26. -- Bh2+ 27. Kh1 Bf4 28. Rc6 Bxe3 29. Qxe3 Qf4 30. Qxf4 Rxf4 31. Ra1 is balanced.

25. Rc2 Ba6

• Black defends actively.
• If 25. -- Rxc2 26. Qxc2 Be5 27. h3 then:
• 27. -- e6 28. Nd2 exd5 29. Rxb6 Qa3 30. Rb3 Qa1+ 31. Rb1 Qa8 is balanced.
• 27. -- Bb7 28. Nd2 Rc8 29. Qb3 Ba6 30. Qxb6 Bd3 31. Qxd6 exd6 32. Rb3 Rc3 33. Rb8+ gives White better activity to go with an extra pawn.

26. Qd2 Rxc2 27. Qxc2 Be5

• Black provokes a weakness in White's position at g3.
• After 27. -- e6 28. Qc6 Qxc6 29. dxc6 Bd3 30. Rc1 Bb2 31. Rd1 Bxe4 32. c7 Black has more pawns, but White has the most important one.

28. h3 Qf6

• Black conjurs up threats on the f-file.
• If 28. -- Bh2+ 29. Kh1 Qg3 30. d6 exd6 31. Bd4 then:

31. -- Qd3 32. Qa2 Be5 33. Bxe5 dxe5 34. Nc5+ Qc4 is level after an exchnage of Queens.

<[font color="darkred">31. -- Bf1? 32. Ra1 b5 33. Ra7

• After 33. -- Bxg2+ 34. Qxg2 Qxg2+ 35. Kxg2 Whie has a Knight for two pawns and a Rook on the seventh rank.
• Black ,oses a piece after 33. -- Re8 34. Rg7+ Kf8 35. Rxh7 g5 36. Qa2.

29. Nd2 Bd4 30. Qb3!

• White protects the Bishop and sets up the pawn break d5d6 with tempo.
• 30. Bxd4? Qxd4+ 31. Kh1 Bd3 32. Qb2 Qf2 puts White center pawns at risk.

30. -- Rc8 31. d6+ e6?

• Moving into a pin is usually not the best pay to defend. It isn't here, either.
• Correct is 31. -- Kg7 32. dxe7 b5 33. Nf3 Bxe3+ 34. Qxe3 Qxe7 when:
• White has the initiative after 35. Qd4+ Kg8 36. Qd5+ Kh8 37. Ng5 but there is no forced win.
• 35. e5 Re8 36. Nh2 b4 37. Ng4 Kh8 38. Qf2 is starting to look drawish.

32. Nf3 Rc3

• This is perhaps Black's best move.
• 32. Bc5 33. e5 Bxe3+ 34. Qxe3 Qd8 35. Rxb6 is quick and painless.

Black: Artashes Minasian
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White: Evgeny Tomashevsky
Position after 32. -- Rc8c3

33. Bxd4!!

• The Queen sacrifice is not only the best move, it is the only move.
• If 33. Qxc3? Bxc3 34. d7 Qd8 then:
• 35. Rxb6 Qxd7 36. Rxa6 Qd1+ 37. Kh2 Qe2 is curtains for White.
• 35. Rd1 Bf6 36. Rd6 Be7 37. Rxb6 Bd3 is lights out for White.

33. -- Rxb3 34. Rxb3 Qf4

• 34. -- Qd8 35. Rxb6 Qc8 36. d7 Qxd7 37. Rxa6 gives White the material advantage; he threatens 38. Ra8+ Kf7 39. Ne5+ winning the Queen.

35. Rxb6 Qc1+ 36. Kf2 Bc8 37. Rb8 Qc2+ 38. Kg3 Kf7

• 38. -- Qc6 39. Ne5 Qxd6 40. Rxc8+ Kg7 41. Rd8 Qxd8 42. Nc6+ wins the Queen.

39. Ne5+ Kg7 1-0

White can now play 40. Nc6+ winning the Bishop.

Minasian resigns without waiting for White's reply.

[Jack Rabbit]

5. Alekseev - Sargissian, Aeroflot Open Round 9, Moscow

Evgeny Alekseev
Photo: ChessBase.com

Evgeny Alekseev vs. Gabriel Sargissian
Aeroflot Open, Round 9
Moscow, February 2007

Italian Royal Game: Neo-Classical Defense (Clam Opening) (Giucco Pianissimo)

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. c3 Nf6 5. d3

• The Clam Opening the main line nowadays, but my heart still belongs to the old, romanitic 5. d4 exd4 6. cxd4 Bb4+.

5. -- a6

• Most freqnently played is 5. -- d6 6. 0-0 0-0 7. Bb3 a6 8. Nbd2 Ba7 9. h3

6. Bb3 0-0 7. h3 Ba7 8. 0-0 d6 9. Re1 Ne7 10. Nbd2 Ng6 11. Nf1 b5

• 11. -- h6 12. Ng3 Be6 13. d4 Re8 14. Bc2 c6 15. Be3 Qc7 16. Qd2 Rad8 17. Nf5
• After 17. --d5? 18. Nxg7! Kxg7 19. Bxh6+ Kg8 20. exd5 Bxd5 21. Nxe5 White has three pawns for a Knight and an edge in space (Areshchenko-Sutovsky, Gibtelecom Masters', Gibralter 2007).
• After 17. -- exd4 18. Bxd4 Bxd4 19. N3xd4 Bxf5 20. Nxf5 Ne7 White has more piece activity, but Black is solid.
• If 11. -- Nh5 12. d4 Nhf4 then:
• After 13. Ng3 Qe7 14. Be3 Qf6 15. Nh5 Qe7 16. Bxf4 Nxf4 17. Nxf4 exf4 18. e5 White has the edge in space and piece activity (Sedina-Subbaraman V., Biel 2005).
• After 13. Bxf4 exf4 14. N1d2 Kh8 15. e5 d5 16. Bc2 Nh4 17. Nb3 Be6 Black has equalized by intruding on White's space (Sayed-Hussain, Dubai Op, 2000).

12. Ng3 Bb7 13. d4!?

• White deviates from the known lines to set up a center pawn duo.
• 13. Nh2 Kh8 14. Ng4 Ng8 15. d4 N6e7 16. Be3 draw agreed (Z. Almasi-Gyimesi, Hungarian Ch, Lillafured 1999).
• 13. a4 draw agreed (Movsesian-Gyimesi, World Jr Ch, Zagen 1997).

13. -- h6 14. Bc2 Re8 15. a4 Bb6?!

• This seems dubious waste of time since White can make the Bishop retreat at will.
• Better is 15. -- exd4 when:
• After 16. cxd4 b4 17. e5 Bxf3 18. Qxf3 Bxd4 Black has opened the center to his own advantage.
• After 16. Nxd4 d5 17. axb5 axb5 18. Be3 Nxe4 Balck control more space.

16. dxe5!?

• The position is a bit murky.
• If 16. d5 c5 17. axb5 axb5 18. Rxa8 Qxa8 19. Nf5 then:
• 19. -- Qd8 20. b4 c4 is unclear.
• 19. -- Qb8 20. b4 Nf4 21. Bxf4 exf4 22. Qd2 gives White the initiative.

16. -- dxe5 17. Qe2 Bc6

• Should White take on b5, Black can recapture with the Bishop and attack White's Queen.
• 17. -- Nf4 18. Qf1 bxa4 19. Rd1 Qe7 20. Rxa4 Rad8 is equal.

18. Rd1 Qb8 19. Nh2!?

• White's plan is to open the the h-file agter playing 20. Ng4.
• 19. axb5 axb5 20. Rxa8 Qxa8 21. b3 Nf4 22. Qe1 Qa2 23. Rd2 Bb7 is level.

19. -- Qc8 20. Ng4 Nxg4 21. hxg4

• Mission accomplished.

21. -- Qe6 22. Nf5 Rad8

• Black would like to exchange White's active Rook.
• 22. -- Qf6 23. Qf3 Nh4 24. Nxh4 Qxh4 25. axb5 axb5 26. Rxa8 Rxa8 is equal.

Black: Gabriel Sargissian
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White: Evgeny Alekseev
Position after 22. -- Rd8

23. a5?!

• As metioned earlier, White is able to force the Bishop to retreat.
• 23. g5 hxg5 24. Bxg5 Rxd1+ 25. Qxd1 bxa4 26. Bxa4 Bxa4 27. Qxa4 is unclear

23. -- Ba7!?

• Instead of this, the Zweisingzug23. -- Rxd1+ 24. Qxd1 followed by 24. -- Ba7 25. g5 hxg5 26. Bxg5 Qc4 27. Qf3 Qe6 has White's pieces attempting to batter a solid position.

24. g3 Nf8 25. Be3

• 25. g5 Rxd1+ 26. Qxd1 hxg5 27. Bxg5 Qg6 28. Qd8 Rxd8 29. Ne7+ wins back the Queen resulting in an equal position.

25. -- Bxe3 26. Qxe3 Nd7

• Black improves his command on queenside dark squares.
• 26. -- Rxd1+ 27. Bxd1 Qf6 28. f3 Ne6 29. Bb3 Ng5 is unclear.

27. Qa7

• But White moves his Queen to one he doesn't control.

27. -- Rc8 28. Rd2 Nf6?!

• Black attacks the pawn at g4, but misses a chance to slow White's progress to a trickle.
• Wetter is 28. -- Nf8 29. Rad1 when:
• 29. -- Nh7 30. f3 Ng5 31. Kg2 Qf6 32. b4 g6 forces the Knight to the rim.
• After 29. -- Qf6 30. Kh1 h5 31. f3 hxg4 32. fxg4 Nh7 the Knight goes to g5 to blockade White's position.

29. f3 h5?

• Again, the correct plan is to maneuver the Knight to g5 via h7 in order to blockade White's kingside.
• 29. -- Nh7 30. Rad1 Ng5 31. Kg2 Qf6 32. b4 g6 33. Nh4 Ne6 34. Bb3 Ra8 is equal.

30. gxh5 Nxh5

Black: Gabriel Sargissian
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White: Evgeny Alekseev
Position after 30. -- Nf6h5:p

31. Qe3!

• White brings his Queen back to where it defends the entire position and is ready to pivot and fight on the kingside.
• If 31. Rad1 g6 32. Rh2 then:
• 32. -- gxf5 33. Rxh5 Qg6 34. Rxf5 Qxg3+ offers no winning chances for either side.
• 32. -- Qf6? 33. Qe3 gxf5 34. Rxh5 f4 35. gxf4 exf4 36. Qc5 gives White an overwhelming attack.

31. -- g6

• If 31. -- Qg6 32. Kf2 Kh7 33. Rh1 Kg8 34. Qc5 Qg5 35. f4 then:
• 35. -- Qg6 36. Kg1 Bb7 37. Rdh2 wins the Knight at h5.
• After 35. -- Qxf5 36. exf5 Bxh1 37. fxe5 Rcd8 38. Rxd8 Rxd8 39. Qe3 Black's uncoordinated pieces are no match for White's Queen.

32. Rh2 Qf6 33. Nh6+ Kf8

• After 33. -- Kh8? 34. Bb3 Rf8 35. Ng4 Qg7 36. Nxe5 Qxe5 37. Qh6+ Kg8 38. Qxg6+ Qg7 39. Qxh5 White triples on the h-file and wins easily.

34. Ng4 Qe6 35. Qh6+ Ke7 36. Qg5+ Kf8 37. Qh6+ Ke7 38. Qg5+ Kf8 39. Rd1 b4 40. Qh6+ Ke7 41. Qg5+ Kf8 42. cxb4 Rb8 43. Qh6+ Ke7 44. Qe3 Red8

• 44. -- Rbd8 45. Qc5+ Rd6 46. Nxe5 Kf6 47. Rxd6 Qxd6 48. Qxd6+ cxd6 49. Nxc6 gives White an extra piece.

45. Qc5+ Ke8 46. Nxe5 Bb5

• If 46. -- Rxd1+ 47. Bxd1 Bd7 48. Nxd7 Qxd7 49. Be2 then:
• After 49. -- Qd6 50. Qxd6 cxd6 51. g4 Nf4 52. Rh8+ White wins the Rook.
• After 49. -- Qe7 50. g4 Nf4 51. Rh8+ White wins the Rook.

47. Rc1 Qd6 48. Bb3 1-0

• White has two extra pawns and a vicious attack that will swallow more.
• Sargissian resigns.

[Jack Rabbit]

6. Carlsen - Anand, Round 3, Morelia-Linares

Vishy Anand
Photo: website of the 2006 Tal Memorial Tournament

Magnus Carlsen vs. Vishy Anand
Morelia-Linares Super GM Tournament, Round 3
Morelia, Minoachán (Mexico), February 2007

Semi-Slav Queen's Gambit: Meran Defense

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. e3 e6 5. Nf3 Nbd7 6. Bd3 dxc4 7. Bxc4 b5 8. Bd3 Bd6

• The main line is 8. -- a6 9. e4 c5 10. e5 cxd4 11. Nxb5 axb5 12. exf6 gxf6 13. 0-0 Qb6 14. Qe2 =

9. 0-0 0-0 10. b3

• If 10. Qc2 Bb7 11. a3 then:
• 11. -- a6 12. b4 a5
• 13. Rb1 axb4 14. axb4 Qe7 15. e4 e5 16. dxe5 Nxe5 17. Nxe5 Bxe5 18. Ne2 Qe6 19. f4 Bc7 20. e5 Ra2 21. Bb2 gives White an edge (Kasparov-Kramnik, Kosmos Blitz, Moscow 1998}
• 13. bxa5 Rxa5 14. Nd2 b4 15. Nce4 Nxe4 16. Nxe4 Be7 17. Rb1 c5 18. Nxc5 Bxc5 19. axb4 Bxb4 20. Rxb4 Qa8 21. e4 White's pawn duo in the center gives him the edge (Shredder-Chiron, World Computer Ch, Torino 2006}
• 11. -- Rc8 12. Rd1 c5 13. Nxb5 Bxf3 14. gxf3 Bb8 15. Qe2 Nd5 16. f4 Qh4 17. Qf3 Kh8 18. Nc3 f5 19. Nxd5 exd5 20. Bd2 cxd4 21. exd4 Rc6 22. Rac1 Rg6+
• 23. Kf1? Qxh2 hands Black a visious attack (Kachiani-Chiburdanidze, FIDE Women's ct, Groningen 1997}
• 23. Kh1 Rg4 24. h3 is level.

10. -- Bb7 11. Bb2 a6 12. Ne4!?

• White deviates from theory, but the move is worth no more than equality.
• 12. a4 bxa4 13. Nxa4 c5 14. dxc5 Bxc5 15. Bxf6 draw agreed (Mamedyarov-Zvjaginsev, Aeroflot Op, Moscow 2003}

12. -- Nxe4 13. Bxe4 Nf6

• Black chases the Bishop out of the center, giving him more freedom to advance his queenside pawns.
• 13. -- f5 14. Bd3 c5 15. a4 bxa4 16. Bc4 Re8 17. Rxa4 is equal.

14. Bc2 c5

• Having made it possible, Black advances the pawn.
• If 14. -- Be7 15. a4 then:
• 15. -- c5 16. dxc5 Qxd1 17. Rfxd1 Bxf3 18. gxf3 Bxc5 19. Bxf6 gxf6
• 20. Rdc1 Bd6 21. Be4 gives White a small edge from commanding the c-file.
• 20. Be4 Rad8 21. Rdc1 balances White's active Rook on c1 with Black's command of the d-file.
• 15. -- b4 16. Rc1 c5 17. dxc5 Rc8 18. Ng5 g6 19. Bxf6 Bxf6 20. Ne4 Be7 21. Nd6 gives White a slight edge.

15. dxc5 Bxc5 16. Ng5 Qxd1

• The exchange of Queens is a far better choice that driving away the Knight.
• After 16. -- h6? 17. Bxf6 Qxf6 18. Nh7 Qe5 19. Nxf8 Bd6 20. g3 White is an exchange up with attacking chances.

17. Raxd1

• The text is better than 17. Rfxd1 Be7 18. Nxh7 Rfc8 19. Bxf6 Rxc2 20. Bxe7 Kxh7 21. a4 giving Black command of the c-file and a Rook on the seventh rank, but White's position is solid.

17. -- Kh8 18. g3!?

• White creates a weakness on his f3, but he really couldn't avoid it.
• 18. Bxf6 gxf6 19. Nxh7 Rg8 20. g3 (forced) 20. -- Kg7 21. Rd7 Bf3 is equal.

18. -- h6 19. Bxf6 hxg5 20. Bb2?!

• White takes control of the long diagonal, pinning the g-pawn to the Black King.
• Stronger is 20. Bxg5 Rac8 21. Bf4 f6 when:
• 22. e4 g5 Bc1 gives White the edge in mobility.
• 22. Rd7? Bc6 23. Rc7 g5! traps the Bishop.

20. -- Rac8 21. Rc1

• More aggressive is 21. Rd7 Bc6 22. Rd3 Be4 23. Rc3 Bxc2 24. Rxc2 when:
• 24. -- Bd6 25. Rfc1 Rxc2 26. Rxc2 White has a small edge owing the his command of the c-file.
• White retains the advantage after 24. -- Bb6 25. Rfc1 Rxc2 26. Rxc2 Rd8 27. Kf1 because his King is closer to the center for the ending.

21. -- Rfd8

• Black takes command of an open file.
• If 21. -- g4 22. Rfd1 Rfd8 23. a4 Kg8 24. Kf1 Bf3 then:
• 25. Rd3 Be7 26. Rxd8+ Rxd8 27. axb5 axb5 gives Black and edge by blockading White's kingside.
• 25. Rxd8+ Rxd8 26. Bb1 Kf8 ties White's Rook to the back rank because of 27. Rxd5?? Rd1#.

22. Rfd1 Bf3!

• This move both begins the blockade of White's kingside and highlights the peril to White's King.

23. Rxd8+ Rxd8 24. a3

• Fritz says "=", but Rabbit says Black is better. The White Rook is tied to the back rank by a mating threat, the Rook could paralyze White's pieces by playing to d2 and Black is ready to blockade White's kingside.
• The text is an attempt to keep White's queenside mobile.
• 24. h3 Bb4 25. a4 Bd2 26. Rf1 b4 27. Bd1 Be4 28. Bh5 f5 is equal.

24. -- b4 25. a4

• White prefers not to exchange pawns.
• If 25. axb4 Bxb4 26. h3 f5 then:
• 27. Kh2 Rd2 28. g4 f4 29. exf4
• Bb7 30. fxg5 Bc5 31. g6 Rxf2+ 32. Kg3 Rg2+ 33. Kf4 Re2 paralyzes White's pieces.
• 29. -- gxf4? 30. Bg6 Rxf2+ 31. Kg1 gives White equality.
• 27. Kf1 Rd2 28. h4 g4 29. h5 Kg8 give Black an overwhelming initiative.

25. -- f5 26. Kf1?!

• This doesn't solve the problem of White's King safety.
• Better is 26. h3 (forming a luft and stalling Black's kingside advance) <[/i>26. -- Rd2 27. Be5 Bb7 28. Bd1 Bb6 then:
• 29. Bb8 29. -- a5 30. Kf1 Kg8 31. Be5 Rd5 32. Ba1 Rd8 is level.
• 29. Kf1 a5 30. Be2 Kg8 31. Re1 Bd5 32. Rd1 Rc2 33. Rd3 Rc1+ is balanced.

Black: Vishy Anand
!""""""""#
$ + T + L%
$+ + + O %
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/(((((((()
White: Magnus Carlsen
Position after 26. Kg1f1

26. -- f4!

• This is the best try.
• 26. -- g4!? 27. Ke1 Bb6 28. Be5 Kh7 29. Bd1 Bxd1 30. Rxd1 Rxd1+ 31. Kxd1 is equal and drawish.

27. Be4?

• While this looks strong, it loses.
• If 27. gxf4 gxf4 28. exf4 Rd2 29. Bg6 a5 30. Ke1 Re2+ 31. Kf1 Rxf2+ 32. Ke1 Re2+ 33. Kf1 then:
• 33. -- Rf2+ 34. Ke1 draws by repetition.
• 33. -- Bf8 34. Rc8 Kg8 35. Be4 Rg2 36. Rc2 Rxc2 37. Bxc2 should end in a draw.

27. -- Bxe4 28. Rxc5 Rd1+ 29. Ke2 Rb1 30. Bc1 f3+ 31. Kd1 Rxb3 32. Rc4?!

• Black has emerged from the skirmish with an extra pawn and an advanced passer.
• 32. Rxg5 Rc3 33. Rh5+ Kg8 34. Rc5 b3 35. Rc8+ Kh7 36. Rb8 Bc6 37. Kd2 Bxa4 protects Black's advanced passed pawn.

32. -- Bd3 33. Rc8+

• If 33. Rc6 Rc3 then:
• White would last a little longer after 34. Rxc3 bxc3 35. h3 e5 36. a5 c2+ 37. Kd2 e4 38. Ba3 Kg8.
• 34. Rxe6 Bc2+ 35. Ke1 Bxa4 36. Bd2 Rc2 37. Bxb4 Re2+ 38. Kf1 Bd7 39. Rxa6 Bh3+ is lights out.

33. -- Kh7 34. e4

• 34. h3 Rc3 35. Rxc3 bxc3 36. Ba3 g4 37. hxg4 Kg6 38, Bf8 c2+ 39. Kd2 e5 would put up more of a fight.

34. -- Rb1 35. Kd2

• White strangles after 35. e5 Ra1 36. Rc6 Ra2 37. Rd6 Bc4 38. Be3 b3 39. Kc1 Bd5.

35. -- Bxe4 36. Ke3

• 36. Rb8 g4 37. Rb6 b3 38. Ba3 Rf1 39. Ke3 Bd5 40. Bb2 Re1+ 41. Kd3 is hopeless for White.

36. -- Bd5 37. Bd2 Rb3+ 38. Kd4 Rb2 39. Be3


Black: Vishy Anand
!""""""""#
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White: Magnus Carlsen
Position after 39. Bd2e3

39. -- Re2!

• After 39. -- Ra2 40. Rb8 b3 41. Kc3 Rxa4 it will cost White at least the exchange to stop the pawn.

40. Rc1 Ba2 41. 0-1

• Nothing can stop the b-pawn.
• Magnus resigns.

[Jack Rabbit]

7. Baginskaite - Orton, North American FIDE Open, Round 4, Stillwater

Camilla Baginskaite was a member of last year's US women's team in Torino. She was born in Soviet Lithuania and is married to another Soviet expatriot, grandmaster Alex Yermolinsky. They live in San Francisco with their two children.



Camille Baginskaite
Photo: ChessBase.com

To view this game:

• Please click here (MonRoi.com)
• Select OCF North American FIDE Open 2007 (second choice from the top)
• On the next page, accept the license terms
• On the following page select Round 4 (February 18)
• On the page after that, select Board 6 (Baginskaite vs. Orton)
• Congratulations, you're there.

Camilla Baginskaite vs. Bill Orton
North American FIDE Open, Round 4
Stillwater, Oklahoma, February 2007

Open Queen's Gambit: Alekhine Opening (Queen's Gambit Accepted)

1. d4 d5 2. c4 dxc4 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. e3 Bg4

• 4. -- e6 is the main line: 5. Bxc4 c5 6. 0-0 a6.

5. Bxc4 e6 6. h3

• If 6. Nc3 then:
• 6. -- Nbd7 7. 0-0 Bd6 8. h3 Bh5 9. e4 e5 10. Be2 0-0 11. dxe5 Nxe5 12. Nd4 Bxe2 13. Qxe2 Ng6 14. Rd1 Qc8 15. Bg5 Be5 16. Qe3 Nh5 17. Qf3 Nhf4 18. Nf5 Re8 is level (Portisch-Miles, IT, Tilburg, 1978).
• 6. -- a6 7. h3 Bh5 8. g4 Bg6 9. Ne5 Nbd7 10. Nxg6 hxg6 11. Bf1 c6 12. Bg2 Qc7 13. 0-0 Rd8 14. g5 Nh5 15. Qg4 Nb6 16. Rd1 Be7 17. Ne4 Nd5 18. Bd2 0-0 19. Rac1 Qb6 gives White a spatial edge (Doettling-Conquest, Fraenkische Grossmeistertage, Pulvermuehle (Germany) 2004).

6. -- Bh5 7. Nc3 a6 8. g4 Bg6 9. Ne5 Nbd7 10. Nxg6 hxg6 11. g5

• 11. Bf1 c6 12. Bg2 Qc7 13. 0-0 Nd5 14. f4 Be7 15. g5 0-0-0 16. Bd2 N7b6 17. Qe2 f6 gives White more kingside space (Doettling-Romanishin, IT, Hockenheim Willingen (Germany), 2006).

11. -- Nd5 12. Nxd5 exd5 13. Bxd5 c6 14. Bc4!?

• This seems like a peculiar place to move the Bishop insofar as it will be chased away.
• If 14. Bb3 Qxg5 15. Qf3 then:
• 15. -- Bb4+ 16. Bd2 Bxd2+ 17. Kxd2 Qf5 18. Qxf5 gxf5 19. Ke2 Nf6 20. Rac1 Rd8 21. Rc5 g6 22. Kf3 Kf8 23. Kg2 Kg7 24. Bd1 is equal and already drawish (Petrosian-Dzindzichasvili, Buenos Aires 1978).
• 15. -- Qf5 16. Qxf5 gxf5 17. Bd2 g6 18. 0-0-0 Rh4 19. f3 Bd6 20. Kb1 Kf8 21. e4 Re8 22. Bc2 Rh5 is unclear (Tal-Romanishin, Soviet Ch, Tbilisi 1978).

14. -- b5?!

• Drawing the pawn forward was perhaps what White wanted. It creates weaknesses at a5 and c5.
• Better is 14. -- Nb6 15. Bf1 Qxg5 16. Qb3 Qd5 17. Qxd5 Nxd5 with equality.

15. Bb3 Qxg5 16. Qf3 Bb4+ 17. Ke2

• White elects to reatin her Bishop pair.
• After 17. Bd2 Bxd2+ 18. Kxd2 Qf6 19. Qxf6 Nxf6 20. Rac1 Rc8 21. Kd3 White's pieces are more active and her King is well-placed for the endgame.

17. -- Qf6 18. a3

• White wants control of the queenside dark squares.
• If 18. Qxf6 Nxf6 19. a4 then:
• 19. -- Ke7 20. Bd2
• 20. -- Bxd2 21. Kxd2 c5 22. axb5 axb5 23. Rxa8 Rxa8 24. dxc5 Ne4+ 25. Ke2 Nxc5 is equal.
• White is more active after 20. -- Bd6 21. Rhc1 bxa4 22. Bxa4 Rab8 23. b4 Bxb4 24. Bxb4+ Rxb4 25. Rxc6 Rxh3 26. Bc2.
• After 19. -- Be7 20. axb5 cxb5 21. Bd2 Rh5 22. Kd3 b4 23. e4 a5 24. Ba4+ White is more active and in firm control of the center.

18. -- Be7 19. Bd2 Qxf3+ 20. Kxf3 c5

• Black theatens to imprison White's light-bound Bishop.
• If 20. -- a5 21. Rac1 a4 then:
• 22. Bd1 c5
• After 23. Kg2 Rd8 24. Rg1 Rh7 25. Bf3 Black's queeside pawns need protection.
• After 23. dxc5 Nxc5 24. Rc2 Rh5 25. Kg2 Rg5+ 26. Bg4 Nb3 Black has equalized.
• After 22. Ba2 c5 23. d5 Nf6 24. e4 Rd8 25. Bf4 c4 the queenside pawns are now a factor in Black's favor.

21. Bd5 Rb8 22. Bc6 cxd4?

• Black volutarily liquidates his queenside majority.
• If 22. -- Rb6 23. d5 Bf6 24. Ba5 then:
• 24. -- Rxc6 25. dxc6 Ne5+ 26. Ke4 Nxc6 27. Bc3 Bxc3 28. bxc3 Rh4+ 29. f4 Black is a pawn up, but White is more than compensated with her active King.
• 24. -- Rb8 25. Bc7 Rc8 26. d6 Bxb2
• 27. Rad1 Bxa3 28. Bb7 Rb8 29. Bxa6 gives White an advanced passed pawn and better piece activity.
• After 27. Rab1 Bxa3 28. Bb7 Rb8 29. Bxa6 Black must lose either the b-pawn or the exchange.

23. exd4 Bd6

Black: Bill Orton
!""""""""#
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White: Camille Baginskaite
Position after 23. -- Be7d6

24. Ba5!

• White brings the Bishop to open lines in Black's queenside.
• White is still better after 24. Rae1+?! Kd8 25. Bg5+ f6 26. Re6 Bc7 27. Bf4 Bxf4 28. Kxf4 but there is no clear win.

24. -- Rc8

This is Black's best move. It does him little good.
• If 24. -- Be7 25. Rac1 Rh4 26. Bc7 then:
• After 26. -- Rc8 27. Bb7 Rxc7 28. Rxc7 White is an exchange up with an attack in progress.
• After 26. -- Rd8 27. Bxd8 Kxd8 28. Bb7 Nb6 29. Bxa6 White will soon invade and pillage Black's camp.

25. Rae1+ Be7 26. d5 1-0

• After 26. -- Rxc6 27. dxc6 Nc5 28. Bb4 Ne6 29. c7 Kd7 30. Rd1+ Kxc7 31. Bxe7 White is a Rook up.
• Mr. Orton resigns.

[Jack Rabbit]

8. Endgame: Negi - Wang Hao, Aeroflot Open Round 2, Moscow

This endgame demonstrates the advantage of having an extra pawn.



Wang Hao
Photo: ChessBase.com

Parimarjan Negi vs. Wang Hao
Aeroflot Open, Round 2
Moscow, February 2007

Black: Wang Hao
!""""""""#
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White: Parimarjan Negi
Position after Black's 38th move

39. Rb8 h4 40. Rg8+ Kh7 41. Rg2 h3

• Nimzovich spoke of the passed pawn's lust to expand. The h-pawn is very dangerous.
• The pawn is defended after 41. -- Ra8 42. Rh2 Kg6 43. Rxh4 Rd8 44. Rh1 Rd2 45. Rh8 Rxa2 46. Rg8+ Kf7.

42. Rh2 Rh6

• Black cannot protect both passed pawns on the kingside, so he wisely chooses to save the more advanced pawn.
• After 42. -- Kg6 43. Rxh3 Re6 44. Rh8 Re4+ 45. Kf3 Rd4 46. Rg8+ Kf6 47. Ra8 Rd5 Black hold his extra pawn, but there is no clear win.

43. Kxf5 Kg7 44. Kg5 Rh8 45. Kf5

• White faints toward attacking the pawns on the queenside.
• After 45. Kg4 Kf6 46. Rxh3 Rxh3 47. Kxh3 Ke5 Black easily wins the King and pawn ending.

45. -- Kf7!

• Since the Rook and pawn keep White's Rook occupied, Black smartly makes the logical choice and follows White's King to the queenside.

46. Kg5 Ke6

• However, as White's King must return to the kingside in order to eliminate Balck's passer, there is no reason for Black to follow suit. Black's King is free to go pawn hunting on the queenside.

47. Kf4 Kd5

• Black's King inches closer to the queenside pawns. To take the h-pawn would require White to exchange Rooks; given the relative positions of the Kings, Black would win easily a King-and-pawn ending.
• After 47. -- Rh7 48. Kg4 Ke5 49. Kg3 Ke4 50. Re2+ Kd4 51. Rh2 Kc3 White's defense is a tough nut to crack.

48. Rd2+ Kc5 49. Rc2+

• The Rook tries to drive away Black's King from White's pawns, but this is ineffective since the Rook must return to blockade duty.
• 49. Kg3 h2 50. Rxh2 Rxh2 51. Kxh2 Kd4 is easily won for Black.

49. -- Kd4 50. Rh2 Kd3 51. Kf3

• Sooner or later, White must take the pawn.
• After 51. Kg4 Ke3 52. Kf5 Kf3 53. Ke5 Kg3 54. Rh1 h2 Black wins by palying the King to g2.

51. -- Re8

• Black cuts the King off from the queenside.
• If White now plays 52. Rxh3 then 52. -- Re3+ 53. Kg4 Rxh3 54. Kxh3 Kc2 and Black wins.

52. Kf4

Black: Wang Hao
!""""""""#
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White: Parimarjan Negi
Position after 52. Kf3f4

52. -- Re3

• Black protects his pawn.
• After 52. -- Rh8 53. Kg4 Ke3 54. Kg5 Kf3 the Rook must give way or surrender.

53. Rh1

• The alternative is worse.
• After 53. Kg4 Re2 54. Rxh3+ Ke4 55. Rh1 Rxa2 White need only take White's last pawn to win.

53. -- Kd4 54. Rh2

• White must do whatever he can to stop Black's h-pawn, protect his own a-pawn and keep his Rook on the board.
• After 54. Kg4 Re2 55. Rxh3 Rxa2 56. Kf4 Rf2+ 57. Kg5 Re2 White's b-pawn is toast.

54. -- Rd3

• Black is threatening to move the King to b2 using the Rook as a shield.
• After 54. -- Re7 55. Rd2+ Kc3 56. Rh2 Rh7 57. Kg5 Rh8 58. Kf4 Rh5 the active position of the Black King decides.

55. Rc2 Rd1 56. Rc8 Rf1+ 57. Kg3

• Problem: How to surrender the pawn on favorable terms?

Black: Wang Hao
!""""""""#
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White: Parimarjan Negi
Position after 57. Kf4g3

57. -- h2!!

White must take the pawn on h2, allowing Black to fork check the pawn at a2.

58. Kxh2 Rf2+ 59. Kg3 Rxa2 60. Rc4+ Kd5 61. Rh4

• After 61. Rf4 Ke5 62. Rf8 Ra3 63. Kg4 Kd4 64. Rf6 Rxb3 65. Ra6 Ra3 66. Kf4 a4 wins for Black.

61. -- Ra3 62. Kf2 Rxb3 63. Rh5+ Kc4 64. Rxa5 Rd3 65. Ke2

• After 65. Ra8 b3 66. Rb8 Kc3 67. Ke2 Kc2 68. Rc8+ Rc3 White cannot stop the pawn from reaching its goal.

65. -- Rd8 66. Ra7 b3 67. Rb7

• 67. Rc7+ Kb4 68. Rb7+ Kc3 69. Rc7+ Kb2 70. Rb7 Kc2 71. Rc7+ Kb1 72. Ra7 b2 73. Ra6 Rd5 reaches the Lucena position.

Black: Wang Hao
!""""""""#
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White: Parimarjan Negi
Position after 67. Ra7b7

67. -- Kc3

• Black plays for the Lucena position.

68. Rc7+ Kb2 69. Rb7 Kc2 70. Rc7+ Kb1 71. Rb7 b2 72. Ra7 Rd5

Black: Wang Hao
!""""""""#
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White: Parimarjan Negi
Position after 72. -- Rd5

• The Lucena position is reached. Young Negi makes one futile move and resigns without waiting for Black's reply.

73. Ra6 0-1

[Jack Rabbit]

9. Endgame: Carlsen - Morozevich, Round 1, Morelia-Linares

This is an example of the endgame advantage of having pawn majorities on both wings.



Magnus Carlsen
Photo: ChessBase.com

Magnus Carlsen vs. Alexander Morozevich
Morelia-Linares Super GM Tournament, Round 1
Morelia, Minoachán (Mexico), February 2007


Black: Alexander Morozevich
!""""""""#
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White: Magnus Carlsen
Position after Black's 45th move

46. Kg3!

• The text move is stronger than 46. h4 h6 47. Kf3 Bb4 48. h5 g5 49. Ke2 Ke5 50. Kd3 Bd6 51. f3 when Black has chances to liquidate one of White's majorities.

46. -- Be1?!

• This is a ham handed attack on the f-pawn.
• Better is 46. -- Ke5 47. Kf3 Bg5 48. Bc2 Bh4 when White has been set more difficult problems defending the f-pawn.

47. Kf3 Bb4 48. h4 h6 49. Ke2 Bd6?

• This move allows White to maneuver on both wings. Black is reluctant to advance his kingside pawns, but it is his best hope.
• Correct is 49. -- g5 when:
• After 50. hxg5+ hxg5 51. Kd3 Ke5 52. f3 Bc5 53. Kc4 Ba3 54. Bd5 Bc1 55. Bc6 Ba3 White has no clear win.
• If 50. h5 Ke5 51. Kd3 Bd6 52. f3 Be7 53. Kc4 Bb4 then:
• After 54. Bf5 Ba3 55. Bc2 Bb4 Black has successfully blockaded White's pawns.
• After 54. a4 Bd2 55. Ba8 Bb4 56. Be4 White's pawns are immoble.

50. Kd3 Bc5

• Again, Black tries to hold his position on the kingside, but it is of less matter now.
• After 50. -- g5 51. hxg5+ Kxg5 52. f3 Bb8 53. Kd4 Bc7 54. Kd5 h5 55. gxh5 Kxh5 56. Bf5 Bh2 57. Ke4 White's centralized King is a huge advantage; White can tie Black up to caputuring the f-pawn while the King moves to the queenside and wins there.

Black: Alexander Morozevich
!""""""""#
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White: Magnus Carlsen
Position after 50. -- Bd6c5

51. f4!

• If the Black King strays to the center, White will create a passed pawn.
• The text is stronger than 51. f3 Bf2 52. h5 gxh5 53. gxh5 Ke5 when Black can blockade the f-pawn with the King and the b-pawn with the Bishop, which also protects the a-pawn.

51. -- h5

• Black must concede to White a passed pawn on the kingside.
• After 51. -- Bf2 52. h5 gxh5 53. gxh5 Ke6 54. Bh7 Bh4 55. Ke4 White has his passer.

52. g5+

• White has a choice of two ways to create the passer.
• After 52. gxh5 gxh5 53. Bf3 Kf5 54. Bxh5 Be7 55. Ke3 Bxh4 56. Kf3 if Black spends too much energy blocking the f-pawn, White will create a passer on the queenside.

52. -- Kg7

Black: Alexander Morozevich
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White: Magnus Carlsen
Position after 52. -- Kf6g7

53. Kc4!!

• On the virge of creating the passer, White shifts to the queenside.
• If 53. Ke2 Bd6 54. Kf3 Bb4 55. Kf2 Bc5+ 56. Ke2 Bd6 then:
• After 57. f5 gxf5 58. Bxf5 Bg3 Black holds.
• 57. Kf3 Bb4 58. Kg3 Be1+ 59. Kh3 Bd2 60. f5 gxf5 61. Bxf5 it will be difficult for White to make progress.

53. -- Bd6 54. Kb5 Bxf4

• Black chooses to liquidate the kingside pawns.
• After 54. -- Bb4 55. f5 gxf5 56. Bxf5 Be1 57. g6 Bxh4 58. Kxa5 Black will not be able to stop the two connect passed pawns.

55. Kxa5 Bg3 56. Kb5 Bxh4 57. a4 Bxg5 58. a5 Kf6 59. a6 Be3 60. Kc6 g5

• Black is able to mobilize his pawns, but it is too late.

61. b4

• White will bring the pawn to b6, effectively ending the struggle.

61. -- Ke5 62. b5!

• The game is won; the Bishop is not needed.

62. -- Kxe4 63. b6

• Morozevich could have resigned here.

63. -- g4 64. a7 g3 65. a8Q Kf3 66. b7

• White finds it simpler to go for a second Queen than to prevent Black from promoting his g-pawn.
• After 66. Qf8+ Bf4 67. b7 Ke4 68. Qe8+ Kf3 69. Qxh5+ Kg2 70. Qe2+ Kh3 71. Kd5 the White King moves to the f-file to support an elementary mate.

66. -- Bf4

• Black shields the King from check on f8, but it makes no difference.
• If 66. -- g2 then:
• After 67. b8Q g1Q 68. Kd7+ Kf2 69. Qa2+ Kf3 70. Qd5+ Kf2 71. Qf5+ Ke2 72. Qbb5+ Ke1 73. Qbb1+ Ke2 74. Qbc2+ Ke1 75. Qa5+ White mates in two.
• 67. Qf8+ Ke4 68. Qe8+ Kf3 69. Qxh5+ Kf2 70. Qf5+ Ke1 71. b8Q g1Q 72. Qbb1+ Ke2 73. Qbc2+ wins Black's Queen.

67. Qf8 Ke4 68. Qe8+ 1-0

[Jack Rabbit]

10. Happy birthday to Hou Yifan

The young lady is 13 years old today. In January, Yifan was awarded the title women's grandmaster (WGM) by FIDE. Well earned and many happy returns.


Photo: ChessBase.de (Germany)