The Jack Rabbit Chess Report (February 29): Anand leads Linares

[Jack Rabbit]

Anand leads in Linares



World champion Vishy Anand of India leads the Morelia-Linares International Tournament with 6 points after today�s ninth round.

Seventeen-year-old Norwegian GM Magnus Carlsen is second with 5� points and Armenia�s Levon Aronian is third with 5.

The tournament left Morelia, Minoach�n (Mexico) after last Saturday�s seventh round and yesterday resumed in the event�s original home, the Andalucian mining town of Linares in Spain.

Anand drew his game today against Aronian, who defeated the world champion in the second round in Morelia. Yesterday, Anand defeated the Latvian-Spanish grandmaster, Alexey Shirov, for the second time in the event.

In other action today, Magnus defeated Shirov in an 80-move marathon, former FIDE world champion Veselin Topalov of Bulgaria and 20-year-old Azerbaijani grandmaster Teimour Radjabov drew and Vassily Ivanchuk of Ukraine scored a victory with Black over Hungary�s Peter Leko.

The tenth round takes place tomorrow. Live coverage is available on the event�s official website.


Morozevich will pass on Grand Prix



Alexander Morozevich
Photo:ChessBase.com

Alexander Morozevich of Russia, the fourth-ranked grandmaster in the world and one of the most colorful, announced during the week that he will not play in the FIDE Grand Prix, the cycle designed to choose candidates for the next world championship cycle.

Morozevich, speaking in an interview with the Russian periodical Sport Express. said that it is unfair for FIDE to require that player sign a contract for four tournaments �without having any definite information about where or when they will be held.� However, Morozevich said he will participate in the 2009 World Cup, by which he could also qualify for the world championship cycle.

[Jack Rabbit]

1. Games from Morelia-Linares

Diagrams on the Jack Rabbit Chess Report are made with Chess M�rida, a true type font that can be downlaoded free here.
BLACK
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WHITE
White to move

This position is a theoretical draw

[Jack Rabbit]

3. Topalov - Carlsen, Round 5, Morelia

Magnus Carlsen
Photo: ChessBase.com


Veselin Topalov - Magnus Carlsen
Morelia-Linares International Tournament, Round 5
Morelia, Michoac�n (Mexico), 20 February 2008

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

1.e4 Nf6 2.e5 Nd5 3.d4 d6 4.Nf3 dxe5

• 4...Bg4 5.Be2 e6 6.0-0 Be7 then:
• 7.h3 Bh5 8.c4 Nb6 9.Nc3 0-0 10.Be3 d5 11.c5 Bxf3 12.gxf3 Nc8 13.f4 Nc6 14.b4 a6 15.a3 Bh4 16.Bd3 N8e7 17.Qg4 Ng6 18.Kh2 f5 19.Qh5 Be7 20.Rg1 gives White a huge advantage in space (Benjamin-Men, US Ch, Durango, Colorado, 1992).
• 7.c4 Nb6 8.Nc3 0-0 9.Be3 Nc6 10.exd6 cxd6 11.b3 d5 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 21.Qd2 is unclear: White has more space and Black has an extra pawn (Hoellrigl-Baburin, Op, Oberwart (Austria), 1991).
• If 4...g6 5.Bc4 Nb6 6.Bb3 Bg7 then:
• 7.Ng5 e6 8.Qf3 Qe7 9.Ne4 dxe5 10.Bg5 Qb4+ 11.c3 Qa5 12.Bf6 Bxf6 13.Qxf6 0-0 14.Qxe5 Qxe5 15.dxe5 Bd7 16.Nbd2 Bc6 17.f4 N6d7 18.Bc2 a5 19.0-0-0 gives White much greater freedom (Khalifman-Fedorowicz, IT, Wijk aan Zee, 1991).
• If 7.a4 a5 8.Qe2 Nc6 9.0-0 0-0 10.h3 Bf5 11.Re1 Qc8 12.Nc3 dxe5 13.dxe5 Nd7 14.e6 Bxe6 15.Bxe6 fxe6 16.Qxe6+ Kh8 17.Qe2 Nf6 18.Nb5 Nd5 19.c3 Qf5 20.Qe4 Rad8 is equal (Fedorowicz-Alburt, US Ch, Long Beach, 1989).
• 8.Ng5 e6 9.f4 dxe5 10.fxe5 c5 11.c3 cxd4 12.0-0 0-0 13.cxd4 Nc6 14.Nf3 f6 15.Nc3 fxe5 16.Bg5 Qd7 17.dxe5 Nxe5 18.Nxe5 Rxf1+ 19.Qxf1 Qd4+ 20.Kh1 Qxe5 21.Bd8 Qc5 22.Ne4 Qb4 23.Ng5 Kh8 24.Qf7 Bd7 25.Bxe6 Rxd8 26.Qg8+ Rxg8 27.Nf7# is checkmate (Grischuk-Ponomariov, IT, Torshavn, 2000).

5.Nxe5 c6 6.Bd3

• If 6.Bc4 g6 7.0-0 Bg7 8.Re1 0-0 9.Bb3 Be6 10.Nd2 Nd7 then:
• 11.Nef3 Nc7 12.Ne4 Bxb3 13.axb3 Ne6 14.c3 Nf6 15.Nxf6+ Bxf6 16.b4 Ng7 17.h4 h5 18.g3 Nf5 19.Qe2 a5 20.bxa5 draw agreed (Andreev-Sikula. Golden Autumn, Alushta, 2001).
• 11.Ndf3 Nxe5 12.Nxe5 a5 13.c3 Qc7 14.Nd3 Bf5 15.Bg5 Rfe8 16.Qd2 a4 17.Bxd5 cxd5 18.Nb4 Rad8 19.Bf4 Qc4 is equal (Adams-Agdestein, match, Oslo, 1994).

6...Nd7 7.Nxd7

• 7.Nf3 N7f6 8.h3 Nb4 9.Bc4 Bf5 is equal (Adams-Carlsen, World Blitz Ch, Moscow, 2007).

7...Bxd7 8.0-0 g6 9.Nd2

• 9.Re1 Bg7 10.c3 0-0 11.Bg5 Re8 12.Nd2 Qc7 13.Nc4 c5 14.Qf3 Be6 15.Ne5 cxd4 16.cxd4 Qb6 17.Rad1 Rad8 gives White the advantage in space (A. Muzychuk-Zhao Xue. No Urals Cup, Krasnoturinsk, 2007).

9...Bg7 10.Nf3 0-0 11.Re1!?

• 11.Qd2 looks awkward, but after 11...a5 12.a3 a4 13.Qg5 Rc8 14.Rd1 b5 15.Qh4 e6 16.Bg5 f6 17.Bd2 White has succeeded in provoking weaknesses in Black's pawn structure (Kuloats-Heim, IT, Gausdal, 2003).

11...Bg4

• 11...Rc8 12.c4 Nb6 13.c5 Nd5 14.Ne5 Qc7 15.Qf3 allows White a huge advantage in space.

12.c3

• 12.Be2 e6 13.c3 Qd6 14.h3 Bxf3 15.Bxf3 Rfd8 16.Bg5 Rd7 is equal.

BLACK: Magnus Carlsen
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WHITE: Veselin Topalov
Position after 12.c2c3

12...c5!?

• Black poffers a pawn in a speculative mood.

13.Be4?

• Black fails to handle the situation.
• The correct corse of action is to take the pawn: if 13.dxc5 then:
• If 13...Nxc3 14.bxc3 then:
If
• 14...Bxc3 15.Bh6 Bxe1 16.Bxf8 Kxf8 17.Be4 Qxd1 18.Rxd1 Ba5 19.Bxb7 Rb8 is equal.
• 14...Bxf3? 15.Qxf3 Bxc3 16.Bh6 Bxe1 17.Rxe1 gives White a strong attackl.
• 13...e6? 14.Be4 Rc8 15.c4 Nf6 16.Bxb7 Rxc5 17.Qb3 gives White an extra pawn.

13...cxd4 14.cxd4

• 14.Bxd5 Qxd5 15.Rxe7 Rfe8 16.Rxe8+ Rxe8 17.Be3 Bxf3 18.gxf3 d3 gives Black a considerable advantage in space and a passed pawn that splits White down the middle.

14...e6 15.Qb3

• If 15.Qa4 Bxf3 16.Bxf3 Qb6 17.Be3 Rfd8 then:
• After 18.Rac1 Nxe3 19.fxe3 e5 20.dxe5 Bxe5 21.b4 Rd2 Black has the edge in space.
• After 18.Rab1 Rd6 19.Qc4 Rad8 20.Qc5 Qa6 21.Bg5 b6 22.Qc2 Rc8 gives Black a small advantage in space.

gives Black a comfortable advantage in space.

15...Bxf3 16.Bxf3 Bxd4!

• What else should Black do but take the pawn?
• 16...Qd7 17.Be3 Rac8 18.Rac1 Rfd8 19.a3 is equal.
• 16...b6 17.Be3 Rc8 18.Re2 Re8 19.Rae1 Qd7 is equal.

17.Bxd5 Qxd5 18.Qxd5 exd5 19.Rd1 Bg7 20.Kf1

• If the game were not already lost, this move would merit a query simply for failing to take back the pawn.
• After 20.Rxd5 Rfd8 21.Rxd8+ Rxd8 22.Be3 Bxb2 23.Rb1 b6 the Bishop is safe because of the threat of mate on d1.

BLACK: Magnus Carlsen
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WHITE: Veselin Topalov
Position after 20.Kg1f1

20...Rfd8 21.Bg5

• 21.Be3 d4 22.Bd2 d3 23.Rac1 Rd7 24.b3 f5 25.Re1 Kf7 the passed pawn at d3 is the critical difference in Black's favor.

21...Rd7 22.Rd2 h6 23.Be3 d4 24.Rd3 Rc8 25.Bd2

• 25.Rad1 Rcd8 26.g4 f5 27.gxf5 gxf5 28.b3 Kf7heralds the entry of Black's King into breach.

25...Rc2 26.Rb1 Re7 27.a4 f5 28.b3 Rec7 29.Be1

• If 29.Ke2 Kf7 30.Rd1 Ke6 then:
• 31.Kf3 Kd5 32.Re1 b6 33.Re8 Rc8 34.Rxc8 Rxc8 he exchange of Rooks makes Black's extra pawn loom larger.
• After 31.a5 g5 32.Re1 Kd5 33.Kf3 b5 34.Re8 a6 35.Rd8+ Ke6 the queenside is locked, the extra pawn cannot be taken and Black kingside is advancing.

29...Kf7 30.Rd2 Rc1 31.Rxc1 Rxc1 32.Ke2

• No more promising for White is 32.Rd3 Ke6 33.f3 b6 34.g3 a6 35.h4 b5 36.axb5 axb5.

32...Rb1!

• The loss of the b-pawn would be ruinous for White.

33.Rd3 Ke6 34.h4 Kd5 35.Bd2 Ke4 36.Rg3

• If 36.g3 Rh1 37.f3+ Kd5 38.Kf2 h5 then:
• 39.Be3 Be5 40.Kg2 Re1 41.Bd2 Re2+ 42.Kf1 Rh2 43.Be3 Rc2 Black threatens to win with the strong 44...Rc3!.
• 39.Bg5 Rh2+ 40.Ke1 Be5 41.f4 Bg7 42.Kd1 Rg2 followed by 43...Ke4 gives White an easy win.

36...f4 37.Rd3

• 37.Rxg6 d3#.

37...Be5 38.f3+ Kd5 39.Be1 Bd6

• After 39...Rb2+ 40.Kf1 b6 41.Bf2 a6 42.Ke1 b5 43.axb5 axb5 44.Kf1 Rc2 Black again threatens 45...Rc3!.

40.Bd2 g5 41.hxg5 hxg5 42.Be1
BLACK: Magnus Carlsen
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WHITE: Veselin Topalov
Position after 42.Bd2e1

42...g4!

• Returning the surplus pawn allows Black's King to penetrate with decisive effect. Another Steinitz aphorism reads: The King is a strong piece; use it.

43.fxg4

• No better is 43...gxf3+ 44.gxf3 Rb2+ 45.Ke1 Bb4+ 46.Kf1 Bc3.

43...Ke4 0-1

• The game could continue 44.Rf3 d3+ 45.Rxd3 Rxe1+ 46.Kxe1 Kxd3.
• Topalov resigns.

[Jack Rabbit]

4. Aronian - Leko, Round 6, Morelia

Levon Aronian and Peter Leko
Photo: ChessBase.com (Spanish Language)


Levon Aronian - Peter Leko
Morelia-Linares International Tournament, Round 6
Morelia, Michoac�n (Mexico), 22 February 2008

English Symmetrical Game: Four Knights' Opening

1.c4 c5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Nc3 Nc6 4.d4 cxd4 5.Nxd4 e6 6.g3 Qb6 7.Ndb5

• 7.Nb3 Ne5 8.e4 Bb4 9.Qe2 d6 10.f4 Nc6 11.Be3 Bxc3+ 12.bxc3 Qc7 13.Bg2 0-0 14.c5 dxc5 15.Bxc5 Rd8 16.e5 Na5 17.Bb4 Nxb3 18.axb3 Nd5 19.Qc4 Qxc4 20.bxc4 Ne3 21.Be4 Bd7 22.Kf2 Nxc4 23.Bxb7 Rab8 24.Rxa7 gives White an extra pawn (P. Smirnov-Tomashevsky, Russian ChT, Sochi, 2007).

7...Ne5 8.Bf4

• 8.Bg2 a6 9.Qa4 Rb8 10.Be3 Bc5 11.Bxc5 Qxc5 12.Qa3 Qxa3 13.Nxa3 d6 14.f4 Nc6 15.0-0-0 Ke7 16.Rd2 Nb4 17.Bf3 Bd7 18.Rhd1 d5 19.g4 Bc6 20.g5 Ne4 21.Rd4 Rbc8 22.c5 a5 23.Bxe4 dxe4 24.Nc4 gives White the advantage in space (Mamaev-Staf, corr, 1989).

8...Nfg4 9.Qa4!

• This move has never been played until now, probably because the fact that it poffers a pawn with check is enough for most masters to reject it out of hand. Credit Aronian with doing his homework.
• 9.e3 Qc6 10.h3 Nf3+ 11.Ke2 Nge5 12.b3 g5 13.Bg2 gxf4 14.exf4 a6 15.fxe5 axb5 16.Bxf3 Qc5 17.Nxb5 Qxe5+ 18.Kf1 Bg7 19.Rc1 Rxa2 igives Black the edge in space (Lancheva-Golubenko, Euro ChInd, Dresden, 2007).

BLACK: Peter Leko
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WHITE: Levon Aronian
Position after 9.Qd1a4

9...g5!!

• The score and analysis of this game does not and cannot tell the whole dramatic story here. Aronian's novelty is indeed remarkable. He dares his opponent to take the pawnat f2 with check. However, Leko has been playing top level chess long enough to know that an top ranked grandmaster like Aronian does not lay down that kind of dare on the ninth move unless it has been subjected to thorough home preparation and analysis.
• Leko spent 84 minutes of the allotted two hours to reach the fortieth move on this reply to Aronian's novelty. To commit to that kind of time pressure takes more than iron nerves. Leko had to calculate almost the entire game precisely, through all variations, and remember them when it came his turn to make a move because he would not have the time do complex calculation again that afternoon in Morelia.
• That Leko accomplished feat is a monument to the complexity of the human mind and of Leko's competitiness and courage.
• If 9...Qxf2+? 10.Kd2 then:
• 10...Qc5 11.Ne4 Qc6 12.Bg2 Kd8 13.Rac1 g6 White has more than enough compensation for the pawn.
• 10...Qb6 11.Bh3 g5 12.Bxg5 Rg8 13.Bf4 Qc6 14.Bxe5 Nxe5 15.b3 Bc5 16.Bg2 Qxg2 17.Nc7+ Ke7 18.Nxa8 puts White an exchange to the good.
• 10...Kd8 11.h3 d5 12.hxg4 Nxc4+ 13.Kc2 Be7 14.Ne4 Ne3+ 15.Kd2 dxe4 16.Bxe3 Qf6 gives White a piece for two pawns.

10.Bxe5 Nxe5

• Having found the correct reply to Aronian's brilliant novelty, Leko resumes his usual mode of technical efficiency.

11.0-0-0

• 11.Ne4 a6 12.Rd1 Nxc4 13.Qxc4 Qxb5 14.Qc3 Qb4 15.Nxg5 Qxc3+ 16.bxc3 d5 is equal.

11...a6 12.e3 Rb8 13.Nd4 Qc7 14.Be2

• If 14.h4 g4 15.h5 b6 16.Rh4 Bb7 then:
• 17.Be2 Rc8 18.Kb1 Be7 19.Rh2 Nxc4 is equal.
• 17.Kb1 Rc8 18.Qb3 Be7 19.Rh2 0-0 is equal.

14...Be7 15.Kb1 Nc6

• 15...b5 16.cxb5 Bb7 17.Rhe1 g4 18.bxa6 Bxa6 19.Bxa6 Qxc3 20.Nb5 Qc5 gives Black a little more space, but White has the initiative.

16.Rc1 Qe5 17.Rhd1 h5

• 17...Bc5 18.Nf3 Qf5+ 19.Qc2 Qxc2+ 20.Rxc2 g4 21.Ne1 f5 gives Black a neglegible edge in space.

18.Ka1 g4

• 18...h4?! 19.Bg4 f5 20.Bf3 g4 21.Bh1 Nxd4 22.exd4 Qc7 gives White a small edge in space and better piece activity. Black must work to liberate his Queen's Bishop.

19.Bf1 f5

• If 19...h4 20.Rc2 Nxd4 21.exd4 Qf5 22.c5 b5 23.cxb6 then:
• After 23...Bb7 24.d5 hxg3 25.fxg3 e5 Black is a pawn down, but has more space.
• 23...Rxb6 24.Bd3 Qh5 25.Ne4 Rb8 gives White more space and better piece activity.

20.Bg2
BLACK: Peter Leko
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WHITE: Levon Aronian
Position after 20.Bf1g2

20...Kf7

• The position is still complex. Both players must play accurately.
• 20...h4 21.Qc2 hxg3 22.hxg3 then:
• If 22...Rh2 23.Bh1 then:
• If 23...Bf6 24.Rd2 Qc7 then:
• If 25.Nd5 exd5 26.cxd5 Qa5 27.Nb3 Qxa2+ 28.Kxa2 Nb4+ 29.Ka3 Nxc2+ 30.Rdxc2 is equal.
• 25.Nxf5 exf5 26.Nd5 Qe5 27.f4 Rxd2 28.fxe5 Rxc2 29.Nxf6+ Kf7 30.Bd5+ Ke7 31.Rxc2 Nxe5 gives White the edge in space.
• 23...Qc5 24.Qe2 Ne5 25.Na4 Qb4 26.Qc2 Bg5 27.a3 Qa5 28.b4 Qc7 29.Qe2 is equal.
• 22...Nxd4 23.exd4 Qc7 24.Ne2 b5 25.c5 may be slightly favorable to Black, but there's no win in the position for wither side.

21.h3 Bf6 22.Qc2

• 22.Kb1 Qc7 23.Nce2 gxh3 24.Bxh3 h4 25.gxh4 Bxh4 26.Rf1 is equal.

22...Ne7 23.Nce2 b5

• Now the Bishop can move.

24.cxb5

• 24.c5 Bb7 25.Bxb7 Rxb7 26.Nf4 Rc7 27.Nb3 is equal.

24...axb5 25.Nf4 d5 26.Qc5

• If 26.Qc7 Qxc7 27.Rxc7 gxh3 then:
• 28.Nxh3 Be5 29.Ng5+ Kf6 30.Rxe7 Bxd4 31.Rf7+ Kxg5 32.exd4 is equal.
• If 28.Bxh3 e5 29.Nc6 exf4 30.Nxb8 then:
• 30...fxe3 31.Nc6 exf2 32.Bg2 Ke6 33.Kb1 is equal.
• 30...fxg3?! 31.fxg3 Be5 32.Rxe7+ Kxe7 33.Nc6+ Kd6 34.Nb4 Be6 gives Black better piece activity and his forward pawns cramp White.

26...Rb7 27.Qb4 Bd7

• If 27...Qb8 28.Rh1 Bd7 29.hxg4 hxg4 then:
• 30.Kb1 Ra7 31.Rxh8 Bxh8 32.Rh1 Bg7 33.Rh7 gives White more space and better piece activity.
• 30.Rxh8 Qxh8 31.Kb1 Qd8 32.Qb3 Rb8 33.Nd3 Ke8 is equal.

28.Nd3 Qb8 29.Nc5 Qd6

• 29...Ra7 30.Nxd7 Rxd7 31.a3 Rc8 32.Rxc8 Nxc8 33.Qxb5 Rb7 34.Qa4 Nd6 is equal.

30.Qa5 Rc7 31.Nxd7 Rxd7 32.hxg4

• 32.Nxb5 Qb8 33.Nd4 Ra7 34.Qc3 Qa8 35.a3 Rb8 36.Rc2 Ke8 37.Rdc1 is equal.

32...hxg4 33.Bf1 b4 34.Nb5 Qe5

• After 34...Qb8 35.Qxb4 Be5 36.Bd3 Rb7 37.Rd2 Rb6 38.Rdc2 Qb7 White has an extra pawn, and it still doesn't help.

35.Qxb4

• Now White really has an extra pawn, and it still doesn't help.

35...Ra8 36.Rd2 Qb8 37.Kb1 Be5 38.Rdc2 Rda7 39.a3 Ra4

• 39...Rb7 40.Bd3 Rb6 41.Rh1 Nc6 42.Qc5 Bg7 43.Be2 Kg6 is equal.

40.Qb3 Qb6 41.Rc5

• After 41.Rc6 Qd8 42.R6c5 R4a5 43.R1c2 Qb6 44.Bd3 Rb8 45.Qb4 the Knight at b5 holds.

41...R4a5 42.Be2 Rb8 43.Qb4

• The Knight holds.

43...Kf6 44.R1c2 Rh8 45.e4 fxe4 46.Bxg4 Rha8

• 46...Rh1+ 47.Ka2 Bd6 48.Qc3+ Be5 49.Qb3 Bd6 50.Nxd6 Ra1+ 51.Kxa1 Qxb3 52.Ne8+ is equal.

47.Rc1

• After 47.Be2 Bd6 48.Qc3+ Kg6 49.b4 Ra4 50.Nxd6 Qxd6 neither side is making progress.

47...Ra4 48.Qd2 Rxa3 49.Nxa3 Rxa3 50.Rc6 �-�

• 50...Nxc6 51.Qh6+ Kf7 52.Qxe6+ Kg7 53.Qd7+ Kf8 54.Qf5+ keeps Black in perpetual check.
• Aronian and Leko agree to a draw.

[Jack Rabbit]

5. Shirov - Radjobov, Round 7, Morelia

Alexey Shirov
Photo: ChessBase.de (Germany)


Alexey Shirov - Teimour Radjabov
Moelia-Linares International Tournament, Round 7
Morelia, Michoac�n (Mexico), 23 February 2008

West India Game: King's Indian Defense

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6 5.Be2 0-0 6.Nf3 e5 7.0-0 Nc6

• If 7...Nbd7 8.Re1 c6 9.Bf1 a5 10.Rb1 Re8 11.d5 Nc5 12.b3 Bd7 then:
• 13.a3 cxd5 14.cxd5 b5 15.b4 axb4 16.Rxb4 Rb8 17.Bd2 Qa5 18.Qa1 Qa7 19.Be3 Rec8 20.h3 Ra8 21.Nxb5 Bxb5 22.Bxb5 Qxa3 23.Qxa3 Rxa3 24.Nd2 Nd3 25.Bxd3 Rxd3 26.Reb1 gives White the intiative on the b-file (Kozma-Vogt, Capablanca Mem, Cienfuegos (Cuba), 1976).
• 13.Nd2 Bh6 14.a3 cxd5 15.cxd5 b5 16.b4 axb4 17.Rxb4 Ra5 gives Black the early edge in space (Lerner-Kovalevskaya, Areoflot Open, Moscow, 2002).

8.d5 Ne7 9.Ne1 Nd7 10.Be3

• 10.Nd3 f5 11.Bd2 Nf6 12.f3 f4 13.c5 g5 14.Rc1 Ng6 15.cxd6 cxd6 16.Nb5 Rf7 17.Qc2 Ne8 18.a4 gives White an early edge in space.

10...f5 11.f3 f4 12.Bf2 g5 13.Nd3

• 13.a4 Ng6 14.a5 Rf7 15.c5 Nxc5 16.Bxc5 dxc5 17.Bc4 Kh8 18.a6 Rf6 19.axb7 Bxb7 20.Nd3 Bf8 21.Rf2 Bd6 22.Na4 Qe7 23.Rc2 Rg8 is equal (Virorito-Fedorowicz, US Ch, San Diego, 2006).

13...h5!?

• 13...Nf6 14.c5 Rf7 15.Rc1 Ng6 16.cxd6 cxd6 17.Nb5 g4 18.Qb3 g3 19.hxg3 fxg3 20.Bxg3 Nh5 21.Bh2 is equal (Alshaali-Timoshenko, Op, Dubai, 2000).

14.c5

• 14.Qa4 c5 15.b4 b6 16.a3 a6 17.Rfb1 Qc7 18.Qb3 gives White an advantage in space.

14...Nf6 15.Rc1 g4?

• If 15...Ne8 16.Qc2 a6 then:
• 17.b4 Nf6 18.cxd6 cxd6 19.Qb3 Bd7 20.Nxe5 dxe5 21.d6+ wins a pawn for White.
• 17.Rfd1 Bd7 18.b4 Ng6 19.cxd6 cxd6 20.Nb2 b5 21.Qb3 is equal.

16.Nb5 Ne8

• This move involves a dubious pawn sacrifice, but Black is already in difficulties.
• 16...gxf3 17.Bxf3 b6 18.cxb6 cxb6 19.Qb3 gives White a huge advantage in space.

BLACK: Teimour Radjabov
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WHITE: Alexey Shirov
Position after 16...Nf6e8

17.fxg4

• Black is already in trouble, as the following variations demonstrate.
• If 17.cxd6 cxd6 then:
• White wins a pawn by 18.fxg4 hxg4 19.Bxg4 Nf6 20.Bf3 b6 21.Nb4.
• After 18.Nxa7 g3 19.hxg3 fxg3 20.Be3 Bd7 21.f4 White has won a pawn.

17...a6 18.Nc3 hxg4 19.Bxg4 Nf6

• If 19...Bd7 20.Bxd7 Qxd7 21.Qb3 Qc8 22.Bh4 then:
• After 22...Rf7 23.Rc2 Ng6 24.Bf2 White is still a pawn to the good while Black's pieces are immobilized.
• If 22...Ng6 23.Bg5 then:
• After 23...Rb8 24.Qd1 Nf6 25.Bxf6 Rxf6 26.cxd6 cxd6 27.Qf3 Black still has trouble getting his pieces to active posts.
• 23...Bh8 24.Qd1 Nf6 25.cxd6 cxd6 26.Nb5 Qd7 27.Nc7 gives White many threats.

20.Bxc8 Rxc8
BLACK: Teimour Radjabov
!""""""""#
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WHITE: Alexey Shirov
Position after 20...Ra8c8:B

21.g3

• Even stronger is 21.Qb3! and now if 21...Rb8 22.cxd6 cxd6 23.Ba7 Rc8 24.Qxb7 then:
• 24...Qd7 25.Qxd7 Nxd7 26.Nb4 a5 27.Nd3 White has won another pawn.
• 24...Rc7 25.Qxa6 Qa8 26.Nb5 Rxc1 27.Rxc1 Nxe4 28.Nxd6 White is three pawns to the good.

21...Qe8 22.Kh1 Qg6 23.Qe2 f3 24.Qxf3 Nfxd5 25.Nxd5 Nxd5

• 25...Rxf3? 26.Nxe7+ Kf7 27.Nxg6 Rxd3 28.Nh4 leaves White a piece up.

26.Qe2 Nf6 27.Rce1

• The text is better than 27.Rc4 b5 28.cxb6 cxb6 29.Rxc8 Rxc8 when Black's show some life.

27...Qf7 28.g4 Qg6

• Black could put up a more stubborn resistance with 28...Qxa2 29.g5 Nd7 30.cxd6 cxd6 31.Qg4 Qf7.

29.h3 Rf7 30.Kg2 Nd7

• If 30...Rcf8 31.cxd6 cxd6 32.Bh4 then:
After
• 32...Nd7 33.Rxf7 Rxf7 34.Nb4 Nc5 35.Nd5 Ne6 36.Rf1 White remains a pawn to the good with more piece activity.
• 32...d5 33.Nxe5 Qxe4+ 34.Qxe4 Nxe4 35.Nxf7 wins the exchange.

31.Bg1 Qe6 32.b3 Rxf1

• After 32...Rcf8 33.Rxf7 Rxf7 34.Rf1 Rxf1 35.Kxf1 � then:
• After 35...Qh6 White, with an extra pawn, can just invite Black to trade Queens: 36.Qe3 Qf6+ 37.Ke2 Bh6 38.Qf3.
• After 35...Qf6+ 36.Kg2 Qg6 37.cxd6 cxd6 38.Nf2 Nc5 39.Kf1 White remains a pawn up.

33.Rxf1 d5

• After 33...Qg6 White presses his advantage with 34.Rf5 c6 35.h4 d5 36.h5 Qe6 37.g5 Rf8 38.Qg4.

BLACK: Teimour Radjabov
!""""""""#
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WHITE: Alexey Shirov
Position after 33...d6d5

34.g5!

• White doesn't need to do anything flamboyant to win. Pushing passed pawns will suffice.

34...a5

• After 34...Rf8 35.Rxf8+ Bxf8 36.b4 b6 37.cxb6 cxb6 38.a3 d4 39.h4 White's connected passers on the kingside decide in his favor.

35.h4 Qc6 36.Re1 Rf8 37.exd5 Qxd5+ 38.Qe4 c6

• After 38...Qxe4+ 39.Rxe4 Nb8 40.Nb2 Nc6 41.Nc4 a4 42.bxa4 Ra8 43.a5 White is two pawns to the good.

39.Bh2 Qe6 40.Bg3

• After 40...Qd5+ 41.Qxd5+ cxd5 42.Nxe5 Re8 43.Nd3 Rxe1 44.Nxe1 Nxc5 45.h5 White is still a pawn to the good and still able to press his kingside advantage.

40...Rf5 41.a3

• If 41.Re2 Qd5 42.Be1 Bf8 43.Kg3 then:
• After 43...Qe6 44.Qc4 Qxc4 45.bxc4 Nxc5 46.Kg4 Rxg5+ 47.hxg5 Nxd3 48.Bxa5 White is better by an exchange.
• 43...Qxe4 44.Rxe4 Nxc5 45.Nxc5 Bxc5 46.Kg4 Rf1 47.Bxa5 Rf2 48.Rxe5 leaves White two pawns up.

41...Rf7 42.b4

• 42.h5 Qxb3 43.h6 Bh8 44.a4 Qa2+ 45.Kg1 Qe6 46.g6 Rf5 47.g7 wins the Bishop for two pawns.

42...Qa2+

• After 42...axb4 43.axb4 Qa2+ 44.Re2 Qa1 Whites cuts Black's line of communication to f1 by 45.Bf2!, winning.

43.Re2 Qxa3 44.g6! 1-0

• 44...Rf8 45.Qc4+ Kh8 46.Ra2 traps the Queen.
Radjobov resigns.
• This game marks the first time in two years that Radjobov, playing Black, has lost a standard time control game employing the King's Indian. The last time was against Aronian in Morelia in February 2006. In the interim, Rajabov won three and drew 14.

[Jack Rabbit]

2. Games from other recent events

Diagrams on the Jack Rabbit Chess Report are made with Chess M�rida, a true type font that can be downlaoded free here.

BLACK
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WHITE
White to move

This position is a theoretical draw

[Jack Rabbit]

6. Nepomniachtchi - Dreev, Areoflot Open, Moscow

Seventeen-year-old rising star Ian Napomniachtchi of Russia is the champion of the 2008 Areoflot Open



Ian Nepomniachtchi
Photo: ChessBase.com


Ian Nepomniachtchi - Alexey Dreev
Aeroflot Open. Round 3
Moscow (3), 16 February 2008

Open Sicilian Game: Italian Opening (Sozin Opening)

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.Bc4 Bd7

• More common and better than the text is 6...e6 when:
• 7.0-0 Be7 8.Be3 0-0 9.Bb3 a6 10.f4 Nxd4 11.Bxd4 b5 12.e5 dxe5 13.fxe5 Nd7 14.Ne4 Bb7 15.Nd6 Bxd6 16.exd6 Qg5 is equal.
• 7.Be3 Be7 8.Qe2 a6 9.0-0-0 Qc7 10.Bb3 0-0 11.g4 Nxd4 12.Rxd4 b5 13.g5 Nd7 14.Rg1 gives White the advantage in space.

7.Bg5

• 7.0-0 g6 8.Nxc6 Bxc6 9.Bg5 Bg7 10.Nd5 Bxd5 11.exd5 0-0 12.Re1 a6 13.Qd2 Re8 14.Re2 Nd7 15.c3 Bf6 16.Bb3 Bxg5 17.Qxg5 e5 18.Qxd8 Rexd8 19.Rd1 Rac8 is equal (Renter-Tal. Vilnius, 1955).
• If 7.Bb3 g6 8.f3 Nxd4 9.Qxd4 Bg7 then:
• 10.Bg5 0-0 then:
• 11.Qe3 b5 12.a4 bxa4 13.Nxa4 Be6 14.Bxe6 fxe6 15.0-0 Qc7 is equal (Areshchenko-Ponomariov, IT, Foros (Ukraine), 2006).
• If 10.Be3 0-0 then:
• 11.Qd2 b5 12.a4 bxa4 13.Nxa4 Bxa4 14.Rxa4 Nd7 15.Ra2 a5 16.0-0 Qc7 17.Rfa1 Nc5 18.Rxa5 Rxa5 19.Qxa5 Qxa5 20.Rxa5 Bxb2 21.Bxc5 dxc5 22.Kf1 Rc8 23.Bc4 Bc3 draw agreed (Minic-Bronstein, IT, Belgrade, 1964).
• 11.0-0-0 h6 12.Bh4 Bc6 13.Qd2 a5 14.a4 Nd7 15.Bf2 Nc5 16.Bxc5 dxc5 17.Qxd8 Raxd8 18.Nd5 is equal (Azarov-Jobava, Euro ChInd, Warsaw, 2005).

7...Qa5 8.Bxf6 gxf6 9.Nb3 Qg5 10.g3

• 10.0-0 Rg8 11.g3 h5 12.Nd5 Rc8 13.f4 Qh6 14.Be2 h4 15.g4 e6 16.Ne3 Ne7 17.h3 Ng6 18.Ng2 Bc6 is equal (I. Zaitsev-Murey, Petrosian Mem, Moscow, 1991).

10...f5 11.e5 Be6!?

• 11...0-0-0 12.exd6 e6 13.f4 Qf6 14.Qd2 Kb8 15.0-0-0 Bc8 16.Qe3 Bxd6 17.Nb5 Qe7 18.Na5 Bc5 19.Nxc6+ bxc6 20.Qe5+ Kb7 21.Nc3 Bb6 gives White a small edge in space and mobility; Black's King position is shakey (Kruppa-Sorokin, Soviet ChU26, Kherson,1991).

12.Bxe6

• If 12.Bb5 dxe5 13.Na5 Bd7 14.Nxb7 then:
• After 14...e6 15.Nd6+ Bxd6 16.Qxd6 Rc8 17.Bxc6 Bxc6 18.Qxe5 0-0 19.0-0 Black's extra space compensates for his pawn minus.
• 14...Nd4 15.Bxd7+ Kxd7 16.Nc5+ Ke8 17.Nb5 Rc8 18.Nxd4 Rxc5 19.c3 e6 20.Qa4+ wins a pawn for White..

12...fxe6 13.Nd4

• If 13.Qe2 Qh6 14.Nb5 Kf7 15.exd6 exd6 then:
• 16.Rd1 d5 17.c3 Rc8 18.f4 a6 19.N5d4 Nxd4 20.Nxd4 is equal.
• 16.f4 a6 17.N5d4 Nxd4 18.Nxd4 Bg7 19.0-0-0 Rac8 20.Nf3 Qf6 is equal.

13...Nxd4

• 13...Qg6 14.Ncb5 Kd7 15.f4 a6 16.Nxc6 bxc6 17.Nd4 gives White a comfortable advantage in space.

14.Qxd4

• After 14.f4 Nxc2+ 15.Qxc2 Qh5 16.Qa4+ Kf7 17.0-0 White's space has been converted to an advantage in mobility.

14...Bg7 15.Qa4+

• If 15.f4?! Qg4 then:
• After 16.Qe3 Black solves his problems with space and mobility with dxe5! 17.fxe5 Rd8 18.Qxa7 Qb4 19.Qa4+ Qxa4 20.Nxa4 Bxe5.
• No better for White is 16.Qd3 dxe5 17.h3 Qh5 18.fxe5 Rd8 19.Qb5+ Kf7 20.Qxb7 Bxe5.

15...Kf7 16.exd6!?

• 16.f4?! Qg4 17.Ne2 dxe5 18.h3 Qf3 19.Rf1 Qe3 is good for Black.

16...Bxc3+ 17.bxc3 exd6 18.0-0

• 18.Rd1 Qe7 19.g4 Rhg8 20.h3 b6 21.Rd3 Rad8 22.gxf5 exf5+ 23.Kd1 is equal.

18...Rhe8 19.Rad1 d5?

• This move results in the loss of a pawn.
• 19...Qe7 20.Qd4 Rac8 21.Qxa7 Ra8 22.Qb6 Rxa2 23.Qxd6 Qxd6 24.Rxd6 is equal.

20.c4 dxc4

• 20...Qg4 21.f4 dxc4 22.Rd7+ is little different from the text.

21.Rd7+ Re7 22.Rfd1 Rae8

• 22...Kg6 23.Qxc4 then:
• 23...Qf6 24.Qc7 Rxd7 25.Rxd7 wins a pawn for White.
• After 23...Rae8 White wins a pawn with 24.Qc7 b5 25.Qxa7.

23.Qxa7 Qg4
BLACK: Alexey Dreev
!""""""""#
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WHITE: Ian Nepomniachtchi
Position after 23...Qg5g4

24.Qe3

• The pawn won't run away. White forstalls several opportunites to seize the little critter until its taking has maximum effect.
• After 24.R1d4 Qf3 25.Qa5 Rxd7 26.Rxd7+ Re7 27.Rxe7+ Kxe7 28.Qc5+ Kf6 29.Qxc4 White has an extra pawn.

24...Rxd7 25.Rxd7+ Re7 26.Rd4

• After 26.Rxe7+ Kxe7 27.f3 Qg7 28.Qc5+ Kf6 29.Qxc4 e5 30.Qh4+ White has won a pawn.

26...Qg7 27.a4

• If 27.Rxc4 Qa1+ 28.Kg2 Qxa2 29.Rh4 then:
• 29...Kf8 30.c4 Qa1 31.Rd4 Qa8 32.Qh6+ puts the Black King in a deadly box: after 32...Kg8 33.Qg5+ Kf8 34.Qf6+ White wins a piece.
• 29...Qd5+ 30.f3 Kf8 31.c4 Qd7 32.Rd4 Qc6 33.Qh6+ puts the Black King in the same box.

27...Rc7 28.Qf4

• 28.c3 e5 29.Rd6 Re7 30.Qc5 Qg5 31.Qxc4+ wins the pawn.

28...Kg6 29.c3 Qe7
BLACK: Alexey Dreev
!""""""""#
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WHITE: Ian Nepomniachtchi
Position after 29...Qg7e7

30.Rxc4!

• The time is right for taking the pawn.
• Further delay nets diminshing returns: after 30.Rd6 Kf7 31.a5 h5 32.Qe5 Rd7 33.Rb6 h4 34.Kg2 hxg3 35.hxg3 White is winning, but the process will be slower.

30...e5

• After 30...Rxc4 31.Qxc4 e5 32.a5 e4 33.Qd4 Qc7 34.Qb6+ Qxb6 35.axb6 White has a won King-and-pawn ending.

31.Rxc7 Qxc7 32.Qd2 Qc6

• If 32...e4 33.Qd4 h6 34.c4 b6 35.Qd5 Kf6 36.f3 then:
• 36...exf3 37.Kf2 Kg7 38.Kxf3 restores White's extra pawn.
• 36...e3 37.Qd4+ Kf7 38.Kf1 dooms the e-pawn while White's pawn are protected.

33.a5 Qc5 34.c4 e4

• 34...Qc7 35.Qd5 Kg7 36.Kf1 Kf6 37.Ke2 e4 38.f3 leaves Black hopeless.

35.Qd8 Qe5

• 35...Qxc4 36.Qb6+ Kh5 37.Qxb7 Kg6 38.Qb6+ Kg7 39.a6 ithe pawn cannot be stopped.

36.Qb6+ Kh5 37.Qxb7 Kg6

• 37...Qa1+ 38.Kg2 Kg6 transposes into the text.

38.a6 Qa1+ 39.Kg2 Qa3 40.Qb6+ Kf7 41.h4 1-0

• 41...Qf3+ 42.Kh2 e3 43.Qxe3 Qc6 44.a7 Qa8 45.Qd4 Kg6 46.Qd6+ forces the exchange of Queens followed by the promotion of the a-pawn.
• Alexey Sergeyevich resigns.

[Jack Rabbit]

7. Gharamian - Gashimov, Open, Cappelle la Grande

Vugar Gashimov of Azerbaijan was one of eight players to tie for the lead in Cappelle la Grand. He was awarded the tournament championship based on his tie-break score.



Vugar Gashimov
Photo: ChessBase.de (Germany)


To view this game with a PGN viewer:

• Please click here;
• Click on Games in PGN;
• Select game number 734 (Gharamian-Gashimov);
• Enjoy.

Tigran Gharamian - Vugar Gashimov
24th Open, Round 9
Cappelle la Grande, 23 February 2008

Closed Sicilian Game: Saragossa Opening (Alapin Variation)

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 g6 3.c3

• If White were intent on playing an Open Sicilian, play could run 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nc6 5.c4 Bg7 6.Be3 Nf6. This line is called the Accerated Dragon or, in the nomenclature devised by your humble servant, the Gothic Dragon.

3...Bg7

• 3...d5 4.exd5 Qxd5 5.d4 Bg7 6.Na3 Nf6 7.Bc4 Qe4+ 8.Be3 0-0 9.0-0 cxd4 10.Bxd4 Nc6 11.Re1 Qf5 12.Be5 Rd8 13.Qb3 Ne4 14.Bxg7 Kxg7 is equal (Pavasovic-Bukic, Solenian ChT, Ljubljana, 1997).

4.d4 cxd4 5.cxd4 d5 6.e5 Nh6

• 6...Bg4 7.Nc3 Nc6 8.Be2 Bxf3 9.Bxf3 e6 10.Be3 Nge7 11.g4 f6 12.exf6 Bxf6 13.Qa4 gives White the spatial edge (Wojkiewicz-O'Hara, Op, Rochester, New York, 2001).
• 6...Nc6 7.h3 f6 8.Bb5 Bd7 9.Bxc6 Bxc6 10.0-0 Nh6 11.exf6 exf6 12.Re1+ Kf7 13.Nc3 Qd7 14.Bf4 Rhe8 15.Qb3 Kg8 16.Rxe8+ draw agreed (Beim-Muse, Berlin, 1997).

7.h3!?

• If 7.Nc3 0-0 8.h3 Nc6 9.Be2 f6 10.exf6 exf6 11.0-0 then:
• If 11...Nf7 12.Qb3 then:
• If 12...Ne7 13.Re1 a6 14.Bf1 g5 15.Bd2 then:
• If 15...Kh8 16.Na4 b5 17.Nc5 Nc6 18.a4 then:
• 18...Qd6? 19.axb5! Nxd4 20.Nxd4 Qxc5 21.Qb4 Black resigns as after 21...Qxb4 33.Bxb4 Rd8 23.Nc6 Rg8 24.bxa6 he faces heavy material loss (Savon-Bachmann, Dortmund, 1975).
• 18...b4 19.Rac1 Qd6 20.Qc2 Nfd8 21.Nd3 a5 22.Qc5 Black has quite a bit of fight left.
• 15...b5 16.Qa3 Nd6 17.Rxe7 Qxe7 18.Nxd5 gives White an extra pawn.
• 12...f5 13.Rd1 Re8 14.Be3 g5 15.Ne5 Be6 16.Nxf7 Bxf7 17.Qxb7 f4 18.Qxc6 fxe3 19.fxe3 Rxe3 20.Rd2 leaves White a oawn up.
• 11...Re8 12.Re1 Be6 13.Bf4 Nf5 14.Nb5 Bh6 15.Bxh6 Nxh6 16.Rc1 gives White the advantage in space.

7...0-0

• Another line of development is 7...Nc6 8.Nc3 e6 9.Bg5 Qb6 10.Qd2 Nf5 11.Bb5 Bd7 with equality.

8.Be2

• If 8.Bf4 then:
• 8...Nc6 9.Qd2 Qb6 10.Nc3 Nf5 11.Nxd5 Qd8 12.Ne3 Nfxd4 13.Nxd4 Qxd4 14.Qxd4 Nxd4 is equal.
• 8...e6 9.Bg5 Qb6 10.Qd2 Nf5 11.g4 f6 12.exf6 Nd6 13.fxg7 Rxf3 14.Nc3 gives White an extra pawn.

8...Nc6 9.0-0

• If 9.Nc3 then:
• 9...Bf5 10.Qb3 Qd7 11.Qxd5 Qxd5 12.Nxd5 Be4 13.Nc3 Bxf3 14.Bxf3 Nxd4 is equal.
• If 9...Nf5 10.g4 then:
• 10...Nh6 11.Qb3 a6 12.Qxd5 Bd7 13.Bf4 Rc8 looks like a promising start for White.
• 10...Nfxd4 11.Nxd4 Nxe5 12.f4 Nc6 13.Be3 gives White a piece for two pawns.

9...Bf5 10.Nc3 Be4 11.Ng5

• If 11.Bxh6 Bxh6 12.Qb3 then:
• 12...Qd7 13.Rad1 Rfd8 14.Ne1 Bg7 15.Nxe4 dxe4 16.Nc2 Rdc8 17.Bb5 is equal.
• 12...Rb8 13.Rad1 Bxf3 14.Bxf3 e6 15.Rfe1 b5 16.Nxd5 exd5 17.Qxd5 Na5 18.b3 Qxd5 19.Bxd5 Rfd8 is equal.

11...Qb6

• If 11...Rc8 12.Ngxe4 dxe4 13.Be3 Nf5 14.Bg4 then:
• 14...e6 15.Bxf5 exf5 16.f4 exf3 17.Rxf3 Qd7 is equal.
• After 14...Rc7 15.Qa4 Nfxd4 16.Rad1 h5 17.Bxd4 hxg4 18.Bb6 axb6 19.Rxd8 Rxd8 space is equal, but White has more activity..

12.e6?!

• 12.Be3 Nf5 13.Na4 Qc7 14.Rc1 Nxe3 15.fxe3 Bf5 16.Qb3 gives White a comfortable advantage in space.

12...Nxd4 13.Ngxe4 dxe4 14.Bxh6 Bxh6 15.exf7+ Rxf7

• Black has the advantage in space, but his center pawns are weak.

16.Bc4

• 16.Nxe4 Rd8 17.Bc4 e6 18.Qa4 Bg7 19.Rfe1 Rf4 20.Rab1 is equal.

16...e6 17.Ne2?

• 17.Nxe4 Rc8 18.Qa4 Rf4 19.Rae1 a6 20.a3 Bg7 is equal.

BLACK: Vugar Gashimov
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WHITE: Tigran Gharamian
Position after 17.Nc3e2

17...Bg7!

• This is a move made in the spirit of Nimzovichian overprotection of strong points. The key to Black's superior position is the Knight at d4. It can't be protected enough.

18.Nxd4 Bxd4 19.Qe2

• If 19.Qg4 Rxf2 20.Qxe6+ Kg7 then:
• If 21.Qxb6 Rxf1+ 22.Kxf1 Bxb6 then:
• After 23.Rd1 Rf8+ 24.Ke1 Rf2 25.Rd2 e3, even without queening, the pawn has a remarkable ability to disrupt White's position.
• After 23.Bd5 Rf8+ 24.Ke1 Kf6 25.Bxb7 Ke5 Black has the active Rook.
• After 21.Rxf2 Bxf2+ 22.Kh2 Qxe6 23.Bxe6 e3 24.Bg4 h5 25.Be2 Rc8 Black's extra pawn demonstrably triumphs.

19...Qc6

• After 19...Rc8 20.Bb3 Rcf8 21.Qxe4 Rxf2 22.Qxe6+ Qxe6 23.Bxe6+ Kg7 24.Rxf2 Rxf2 Black wins a pawn.

20.Rad1 Rd8 21.b3 Kg7 22.Qg4

• 22.Kh1 Rf4 23.b4 e5 24.b5 Qc5 25.g3 Rf6 26.Rc1 Qc8 give Black a huge advantage in space.

22...Rf5

• After 22...b5 23.Be2 Qc2 24.Qxe6 Bxf2+ 25.Kh2 Rxd1 26.Qe5+ Kh6 27.Bxd1 Qd3 Black wins.

23.a4 a6 24.Kh1 e5 25.f4

• After25.Rc1 Rxf2 26.Qh4 Rxf1+ 27.Rxf1 Rd7 Black is two pawns to the good.

25...h5 26.Qh4 Qf6 27.Qxf6+ Kxf6 28.g3

• After 28.Rde1 e3 29.fxe5+ Kxe5 30.g4 hxg4 31.hxg4 Rxf1+ 32.Rxf1 Ke4 the e-pawn is grinding down like a vise on White's position.

28...exf4 29.gxf4 Rc5 30.Rd2

• If 30.Rg1 Rd6 31.Rd2 b5 32.axb5 axb5 33.Be2 Rcd5 34.Rg3 b4 White is running out of moves.
• 31...e3 32.Rdg2 Ke7 33.Bd3 Rb6 34.Rb1 Rf6 Black's active Rooks should carry the day.

30...b5 31.axb5 axb5 32.Be2 Kf5 33.Kg2

• After the text move, White has an extra pawn, a centralized and active King and a well-placed Bishop.
• After 33.b4 Rcd5 34.Rc2 Rb8 35.Rc7 Rb6 36.Rd1 Kxf4 Black has two extra pawns, a centralized and active King and a well-placed Bishop.
• 33.Rfd1 Rcd5 34.Rf1 Be3 35.Ra2 Rb8 36.Ra5 Rb6 leaves Black's advantages in tact.

BLACK: Vugar Gashimov
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WHITE: Tigran Gharamian
Position after 33.Kh1g2

33...Bf6!

• Black eliminates White's most active piece and with it most of Black's hopes for counterplay.

34.Rxd8 Bxd8 35.b4!

• White will make of the situation what he can.
• 35.Rd1 Ba5 36.Rd6 Bc7 37.Rd1 Kxf4 would be dispirited.

35...Rc7

• 35...Rd5 36.Rd1 Rxd1 37.Bxd1 Be7 38.Be2 Bxb4 39.Bxb5 Kxf4 leaves White's only chance exploiting the Bishops of opposite colors.

36.Bxb5 Bh4 37.Ba4

• 37.Rb1 Rc2+ 38.Kg1 Kxf4 39.Be8 Kg5 40.Kh1 Bf2 41.Kg2 Bg3+! forces the King back on account of 42.Kxg3 h4#and allows the e-pawn to advance.

37...Rc3 38.Rb1 Rg3+ 39.Kh2

• After 39.Kf1 Kxf4 40.Bd7 Rf3+ 41.Kg1 Rd3 42.Be8 Rxh3 43.b5 e3 the e-pawn will be difficult to stop.

39...Ra3 40.Bd7+ Kxf4 41.b5

• White's only hopes are the b-pawn and Lady Luck.

41...Ra2+ 42.Kh1 e3 43.Be6 Rd2

• It looks like Lady Luck has left the building.

44.Bc4 e2 45.Bxe2

• Gharamian could have resigned here.
• White's alternative is 45.b6 Rd1+ 46.Kg2 e1Q with mate to follow soon.

45...Rxe2 46.b6 Re8 47.b7 Rb8 48.Rb4+ Kg3 49.Rb3+ Kf2

• As long as the White Rook checks Black's King, the King will tavel the path along the second and third ranks to the queenside and force the Rook to abandon the b-pawn

50.Rb2+ Ke3 51.Kg2 g5 0-1

• White's pawns are immobile. Black's are connected, healthy and rolling.
• Gharamian resigns.

[Jack Rabbit]

8. Kotronias - Dervishi, Open, Capelle la Grande

Greek grandmaster Vasilios Kotranias was also one of those tied for first in Cappelle la Grande.



Vasilios Kotronias
Photo: ChessBase.de (Germany)


To view this game with a PGN viewer:

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Vasilios Kotronias - Erald Dervishi
24th Open, Round 8
Cappelle la Grande, 22 February 2008

Sardinian Epine Dorsal: Rat Defense (Philidor's Defense)

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 Nd7

• 3...Nf6 4.Nc3 Nbd7 5.Bc4 Be7 6.0-0 0-0 7.Re1 c6 8.a4 then:
• 8...b6 9.d5 cxd5 10.Nxd5 Bb7 11.b3 Rc8 12.Re2 Nxd5 13.Bxd5 Bxd5 14.Qxd5 Nf6 15.Qd1 d5 16.exd5 Qxd5 17.Qxd5 Nxd5 18.Nxe5 Rfe8 19.c4 Bd6 20.Bb2 Nf4 21.Ree1 gives White an extra pawn (Kasparov-Azmaiparashvili, Rapid M, Crete, 2003).
• 8...a5 9.h3 exd4 10.Nxd4 Nc5 11.Bf4 Be6 12.Bf1 Qb6 13.Qf3 d5 14.exd5 Nxd5 15.Be5 Nd7 16.Nf5 Nxe5 17.Nxe7+ Nxe7 18.Rxe5 gives White the lead in space (Dervishi-V. Georgiev, IT, Durres (Albania), 2001).
• 9.b3 exd4 10.Nxd4 Nb6 11.Bf1 d5 12.e5 Ne8 13.Qf3 Nc7 14.Nce2 f6 15.exf6 Bxf6 16.Qc3 is equal (Ramesh-Doostkam, Op, Dubai, 2004).

3...exd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Be7 then:

• 6.Be2 0-0 7.0-0 Re8 8.f4 Bf8 9.Bf3 c5 10.Nb3 Nc6 11.Kh1 a5 12.a4 Nb4 13.Be3 Qb6 14.Nd2 d5 15.exd5 Bf5 16.Rc1 Nxc2 17.Rxc2 Bxc2 18.Qxc2 Rxe3 19.Nc4 Rxf3 20.Rxf3 Qb4 21.Qd3 Rd8 is equal (Arakhamia-Fridman, Op, Philadelphia, 2004).
• 6.Bc4 0-0 7.0-0 Nc6 8.h3 Ne5 9.Bb3 c6 10.Qe2 Qc7 11.a4 a6 12.Bg5 h6 13.Be3 c5 14.Nf3 Be6 15.Nxe5 Bxb3 16.Nc4 Bxa4 17.Nxa4 b5 18.Nc3 bxc4 19.Qxc4 Qc6 20.Ra4 Nd7 21.Nd5 gives White a substanial advantage in space (Groberman-Maciel, PanAM-chJ U18, Guaymallen, 2001).

4.Bc4 h6!?

• After 4...c6 5.0-0 Be7 6.dxe5 dxe5 7.Ng5 Bxg5 8.Qh5 Qe7 9.Qxg5 Qxg5 10.Bxg5 Ngf6 11.f3 b5 12.Be2 Nb6 13.Nd2 Be6 14.Rfc1 Nfd7 15.c4 b4 16.a3 bxa3 17.Rxa3 f6 18.Be3 Ke7 19.Rca1 Nc8 White wins the pawn at a7 (Tiviakov-Murshed, Op, Dhaka (Bangladesh), 2003).

5.0-0

• If 5.dxe5 dxe5 6.Bxf7+ Kxf7 7.Nxe5+ Kf6 8.Qd4 then:
• 8...c5 9.Nxd7+ Ke7 10.Qxc5+ Kxd7 11.Qb5+ Ke7 12.Nc3 Kf7 13.0-0 Qb6 14.Qc4+ Be6 15.Nd5 Qc6 16.Qd3 Nf6 is equal (Radoicic-Tomovic, Yugoslav Ch, Ljubljana, 1947).
• After 8...Qe8? 9.Nxd7+ Kg6 White is already up by two pawns and wins quickly (Solaroli-Gonz�lez, Op, Gibraltar, 2007).

5...Ngf6!?

• After 5...Be7? 6.dxe5 Nxe5 7.Nxe5 dxe5 8.Qh5 White wins the e-pawn.(Belokopyt-Nopp, World Sr Ch, Lignano, 2005).

6.Nc3

• Also playable is 6.Re1 Be7 7.Qd3 0-0 8.Nc3 c6 9.Be3 Qc7 with equality.

6...c6 7.a4

• White does not want Black expanding on the Queen's wing, so he prevents a move like ...b7b5 before Black even has much time to comtemplate it.

7...Qc7

• If 7...Qa5 8.Re1 b5 9.Bd3 b4 then:
• 10.Ne2 Be7 11.Bd2 0-0 12.c3 bxc3 13.Bxc3 Qb6 gives White a small advantage in space.
• 10.Na2 Rb8 11.Bd2 c5 12.c3 Qc7 gives White a lead in development, but otherwise the game is equal.

8.a5 g6

• If 8...Be7 9.d5 0-0 10.Qe2 then:
• 10...Bd8 11.Rd1 Re8 gives Black a cramped game.
• 10...cxd5 11.Bxd5 Nc5 12.Be3 gives White an advantage in space.

9.h3

• White has more freedom after 9.d5 Bg7 10.b4 0-0 11.Qd3 Nh5 12.Bb3 Nf4.

9...Bg7 10.dxe5

• If 10.Qd3 then:
• After 10...g5 11.Rd1 g4 White opens the center to his advantage with 12.dxe5 Nxe5 13.Nxe5 dxe5.
• 10...exd4 11.Qxd4 Ne5 12.Nxe5 dxe5 13.Qd3
• 10...0-0 11.d5 Nc5 12.Qe3 cxd5 13.Bxd5 Be6 14.b4 Na6 15.Bxe6 fxe6

10...Nxe5 11.Ba2 0-0 12.Nh4

• 12.Be3 Rd8 13.Nd4 g5 14.f4 gxf4 15.Rxf4 gives White the advantage in space.

12...Kh7 13.f4 Ned7 14.Be3 Qd8 15.Qf3 Nxe4 16.Nxe4 d5

• 16...Qxh4 17.Nxd6 Qf6 18.Rad1 Qxb2 19.Bb3 Nb8 20.f5 gives White enough extra space to compensate for the pawn.

17.Bf2

• 17.g3 Bxb2 18.Rab1 dxe4 19.Qxe4 f5 20.Qb4 Bf6 21.Nf3 is unclear: Black has an extra pawn while White has a considerable advantage in space.

17...dxe4 18.Qxe4 f5 19.Qd3 Bxb2 20.Rad1 Qf6

• If 20...Qxa5 21.Bb3 then:
• 21...Bf6 22.Qg3 g5 23.fxg5 hxg5 24.Nf3 g4 25.hxg4 fxg4 26.Nd4 is equal.
• After 21...Qa3? White makes use of his space and wins with 22.Rfe1! a5 23.Rb1 a4 24.Rxb2 Qxb2 25.Re7+, when Black must either submit to immediate mate or lose material.

21.Rfe1 Qg7

• After 21...c5? White uncorks the flashy 22.Qxd7+!! Bxd7 23.Rxd7+ Kh8 24.Ree7 Qxe7 25.Nxg6+, netting two minor pieces for a Rook.

22.Qg3 g5?!

• Black gains some kingside space, depriving White of the use of h4, but at the same time allows White to open the h2/b8 diagonal for his Queen.
• 22...Bf6 23.Re6 Nb8 24.Red6 b6 25.Nf3, when White threatens with his Rooks but the White Queen remains immoble.

23.fxg5 hxg5 24.Nf3 Bf6

• If 24...g4? 25.Qh4+! Qh6 26.Re7+ Kg6 27.Be3 then:
• 27...Qxe3+ 28.Rxe3 wins the Queen.
• 27...Qxh4 28.Rd6+!! Nf6 29.Nxh4+ Kh5 30.Rh7+ Nxh7 31.Rh6#.

BLACK: Erald Dervishi
!""""""""#
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WHITE: Vasilios Kotronias
Position after 24...Bb2f6

25.Be6!

• White regains the pawn.

25...Ne5

• It may be cold comfort, but Black finds the best way to return the pawn.
• 25...Nb8? 26.Bd4 Bxd4+ 27.Nxd4 c5 28.Nxf5 Rxf5 not only takes back the pawn, but collects a piece in interest.

26.Bxc8 Nxf3+ 27.Qxf3 Raxc8 28.Qxf5+

• Mission accomplished (for real).

28...Qg6 29.Rd7+!

• White assures himself of winning a second pawn.

29...Bg7 30.Qxg6+

• Even better is 30.Qg4! Kg8 31.Qc4+ when:
• After 31...Kh8 32.Rxb7 Rf4 33.Qe6 Qxe6 34.Rxe6 a6 35.Rg6 Bc3 36.Rxg5 White is two pawns to the good.
• 31...Rf7 32.Ree7 Rcf8 33.Rxb7 Qf6 34.Rxf7 Rxf7 35.Rxf7 Qxf7 36.Qxc6 leaves White up by two pawns.

30...Kxg6 31.Rxb7 Rf7 32.a6 Rcc7

• If 32...c5 33.Re6+ then:
• 33...Rf6 34.Rxf6+ Bxf6 35.Rxa7 Bd4 36.Rb7 Rf8 37.Bxd4 cxd4 38.a7 Ra8 39.Kh2 White is two pawns up with the active Rook and a pawn knocking at the castle gates.
• 33...Bf6 34.Bg3 Kg7 35.Be5 Bxe5 36.Rxe5 Rxb7 37.Rxg5+ Kf7 38.axb7 Rb8 39.Rxc5 Rxb7 leaves White two pawns to the good, but the game is still not won.



• 32...Bf6 33.Rd1 Rcc7 34.Rdb1 c5 35.Rxc7 Rxc7 36.Rb7 Re7 37.Bxc5 also wins anothter pawn for Whitel

33.Reb1 c5!

• Black's chances to hold on for a draw depend on maintaining the pawn at a7.

34.Bg3

• Stronger is 34.Rxc7 Rxc7 35.Rb7 Be5 36.Rxc7 Bxc7 37.Bxc5.

34...Bd4+ 35.Kh2 Rce7 36.Bb8 c4

• 36...Re2 37.Rxf7 Kxf7 38.c4 Ra2 39.Rb7+ Ke6 40.Rxa7 eliminates Black's a-pawn, but White will have difficulties pushes his pawn forward.

37.R1b4 Re1 38.Rxf7 Kxf7 39.Rxc4

• White is two pawns to the good.

39...Bg1+ 40.Kg3 Kg6

• If 40...Kf6 41.h4 Re6 42.hxg5+ Kxg5 43.Rg4+ then:
• 43...Kf5 44.Rf4+ Kg6 45.Rf1 Bc5 46.Ra1 White continues to work on Black's a-pawn with his more active pieces.
• After 43...Kf6 Black can add the element of a cliffhanger with 44.Rh4 Kf5 45.Rh1 Re3+ 46.Kh4 Bf2+ 47.Kh5 Re8 48.g4+ ,. but in the end White remains better.

41.Kg4 Re6 42.Ra4

• If 42.g3 Rxa6 43.h4 gxh4 44.gxh4 then:
• After 44...Be3 45.h5+ Kf7 46.Re4 Bc5 47.Rf4+ Kg8 48.Be5 Bd6 49.Bxd6 Rxd6 50.Ra4 Rc6 51.Rxa7 Rxc2 the game will likely end in a draw.
• After 44...Re6 45.h5+ Kf6 46.Bf4 Be3 47.Bxe3 Rxe3 48.Rc6+ Kg7 49.h6+ Kh7 50.c4 the c-pawn begins its march. If Black did not have the a-pawn, he could resign here. As it is, Black's plan force an indirect exchange of the a=pawn for the c-pawn bringing about a probable draw.

42...Re2 43.g3 Rxc2 44.h4 gxh4 45.gxh4 Be3 46.h5+ Kf7?

• If 46...Kh6! 47.Re4 Rg2+ 48.Kf3 Rb2 49.Rxe3 Rxb8 then:
• Black has some chances to hold the half point after 50.Re7 Kxh5 51.Rxa7 Rb3+ 52.Ke4 Ra3.
• 50.Re5 Rb3+ 51.Kg4 Rb4+ 52.Kf5 Ra4 is even more likely drawn.

One must remember that it is always more difficult for the attacker (White in this case) to win a Rook-and-pawn or King-and-pawn ending when the last remaining pawn is a Rook's pawn.

BLACK: Erald Dervishi
!""""""""#
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/(((((((()
WHITE: Vasilios Kotronias
Position after 46...Kg6f7

47.Rb4!

• White assures that the last Black pawn will be captured, giving him passed pawns on both sides of the board.

47...Ra2

• No better is 47...Kf6 48.Rb7 Ra2 49.Bxa7 Bxa7 50.Rxa7.

48.Bxa7 Bxa7 49.Rb7+ Kf6 50.Rxa7 Ra4+

• After 50...Ra5 51.h6 Kg6 52.h7 Rh5 53.Rb7 one of the pawns will queen.

51.Kf3 Kg5 52.Ra8 Rf4+

• If 52...Kxh5 53.a7 Ra3+ 54.Ke4 Ra4+ 55.Kd5 Ra5+ then:
• The pawn promotes after 56.Kc4 Ra4+ 57.Kb5 Ra1 58.Rh8+.
• Also good is 56.Kc6 Ra1 57.Rh8+ forcing the promotion of the pawn.

53.Ke3 Rf7 54.Rb8 Ra7 55.Rb5+ 1-0


• White's plan is to march his King to b7, forcing the Black Rook to abandon the queening square while Black's King is tied to defending against the advance of the h-pawn.
• As Black is powerless to stop this plan from bearing fruit, Mr. Dervishi resigns.

[Jack Rabbit]

9. Lombart - Hoolt, Open, Cappelle la Grande

German WFM Sarah Hoolt, 19, scored 5 out of 9 at Cappelle la Grande and recieved norms for both a WIM and WGM title.



Sarah Hoolt
Photo: ChessBase.com


To view this game with a PGN viewer:

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Philippe Lombart - Sarah Hoolt
24th Open, Round 1
Cappelle la Grande, 16 February 2008

West India Game: King's Indian Defense

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.g3 0-0 5.Bg2 d6 6.Nf3 Nbd7 7.h3 e5 8.Be3

• If 8.0-0 c6 9.e4 then:
• 9...Qb6 10.Re1 exd4 11.Nxd4 then:
• 11...Ne8 12.Nb3 a5 13.Be3 Qb4 14.a3 Qxc4 15.Nd4 f6 16.Nd5 cxd5 17.Rc1 Qa2 18.b3 Nc5 19.e5 fxe5 20.Bxd5+ Kh8 21.Nb5 Nf6 22.Bc4 Bxh3 23.b4 Qb2 24.bxc5 e4 25.Rb1 Black should have continued 25...Qe5 with two extra pawns (Greenfeld-Candela, Euro Club Cup, Izmir (Turkey), 2004).
• 11...Re8 12.Re2 Ng4 13.Rd2 Nge5 14.b3 Nc5 15.Rc2 a5 16.Be3 Qc7 17.Rd2 Qe7 18.f4 gives White a small edge in space (Leotard-Fademrecht, corr, 2001).
• 9...Re8 10.Re1 Qb6 11.d5 Nc5 12.Rb1 a5 13.Be3 Qc7 14.Nd2 Bd7 15.Qe2 Rf8 16.b3 Ne8 17.dxc6 Bxc6 18.Nd5 Qd8 19.Rbd1 Nf6 20.Bxc5 dxc5 21.Nb1 draw agreed (Ju. Bobolch�n-Najdorf, Buenos Aires, 1964).

8...a6!?

• If 8...Re8 9.0-0 exd4 10.Bxd4 then:
• 10...c6 11.Rb1 Qe7 12.Nd2 Nc5 13.e4 Ne6 14.Be3 Nd7 15.f4 f5 16.Re1 Ndc5 17.exf5 gxf5 18.Nb3 is equal (Ljubojevic-Plannic, Wijk aan Zee, 1973).
• 10...c5 11.Bxf6 Nxf6 12.Rc1 Qe7 13.Qd2 Be6 14.b3 Rad8 15.e4 Nxe4 16.Nxe4 d5 17.Neg5 Bh6 18.Rce1 dxc4 19.Qf4 Rd4 20.Qc1 Rd3 21.h4 cxb3 22.axb3 Rxb3 23.Qc2 Rb6 24.Bh3 Rf8 25.Bxe6 fxe6 yields an asymmetrical material balance and more space for White (Jussapow-Knaak, Baden-Baden, 1992).

9.0-0 exd4 10.Bxd4 Re8 11.Qc2 Qe7 12.Rfe1

• If 12.e4 c5 13.Bxf6 Nxf6 14.Rfe1 b6 then:
• 15.Re2 Bb7 16.Rae1 b5 17.e5 dxe5 18.Rxe5 is equal.
• 15.Qb3 Qc7 16.Re2 Rb8 17.Rae1 Bb7 18.Nd2 is equal.

12...Ne5 13.Bxe5

• 13.Nd2 Nc6 14.Bxf6 Qxf6 15.Nd5 Qd8 16.Nf3 Be6 17.Rad1 is equal.

13...dxe5 14.e4 c6!

• Black smartly deprives White's Knights of the outpost at e5.
• 14...Qc5 15.Qb3 b6 16.Nd5 Bb7 17.Rad1 Rad8 is equal.

15.Rad1 Nd7

• 15...b5 16.Re2 b4 17.Na4 Bb7 18.Red2 c5 19.Nh2 Rab8 20.Nf1 is equal.

16.a3 b5 17.cxb5

• 17.Re3 Bb7 18.cxb5 axb5 19.Red3 Nb6 20.Qb3 Red8 21.Rxd8+ Rxd8 22.Rxd8+ Qxd8 is equal and lifeless.

17...axb5 18.Na2 Bb7 19.Nb4 Rac8

• If 19...c5 20.Nd5 then:
• 20...Qd8 21.Re2 Bh6 22.Qc3 is equal.
• 20...Bxd5 21.Rxd5 Rec8 is equal.

20.Qd2

• 20.Re2 Nf6 21.Nd3 c5 22.Ndxe5 Bxe4 23.Qb3 Qb7 24.Nxf7 c4 then:
• 25.Qb4 Kxf7 26.Ng5+ Kg8 27.Nxe4 Rxe4 28.Rd4 then:
• 28...Bf8 29.Qc3 Nd5 30.Rxd5 Rxe2 31.Re5 is equal.
• 28...Rce8?! 29.Rdxe4 Rxe4 30.Qd6 Kf7 31.Qd1 leaves Black to deal with an uncomfortable pin at e4.
• 25.Nd6? cxb3 26.Nxb7 Bxb7 then:
• 27.Nd4 Rxe2 28.Nxe2 Bxg2 29.Kxg2 Rc2 Black wins with at least one extra piece.
• 27.Red2 Rc2 28.Rxc2 bxc2 29.Rc1 Bxf3 30.Bxf3 Rc8 gives Black an extra piece and a pawn at the castle gate.

20...Nb6 21.Qd6?!

• 21.Nd3 Nc4 22.Qb4 Qxb4 23.axb4 Rcd8 24.b3 Na3 25.Nc5 is equal.

21...Qxd6 22.Rxd6 Bf8

• 22...Rcd8 23.Red1 Rxd6 24.Rxd6 Bf8 25.Rd1 then:
• Black retains her advantage in space after 25...f6 26.Ne1 Nc4 27.Nbd3 Rd8 28.Kf1 c5.
• 25...c5?! 26.Nd5 Nxd5 27.exd5 is equal.

23.Rdd1 Nc4 24.Rd7

• 24.Re2 Red8 25.Nd3 f6 26.Nfe1 Rd4 27.Rc1 Rcd8 28.Rc3 Kf7 gives Black a huge advantage in space.

24...Ba8

If 24...Re7 25.Rxe7 Bxe7 26.Rd1 then:
• 26...Rc7! 27.Bf1 Nxb2 28.Rd2 Na4 wins a pawn for Black.
• If 26...Nxb2?! 27.Rd7! then:
• 27...c5 28.Rxb7 cxb4 29.axb4 Rc1+ 30.Kh2 Bd6 31.Rxb5 wins a pawn for White.
• 27...Bxb4 28.axb4 Ba8 29.Nxe5 also wins a pawn for White.

25.Ng5?

• With this, White drops a pawn.
• 25.Nd3 f6 26.Rc1 Red8 27.Rxd8 Rxd8 28.Nfe1 Bh6 maintains Black's advantage.

BLACK: Sarah Hoolt
!""""""""#
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WHITE: Philippe Lombart
Position after 25.Nf3g5

25...Be7!

• Black immediately goes after material. More important, this move saves Black's pawn at f7 and gives her time to collect the pawn at b2 free and clear.

26.h4 Nxb2

• Black takes the pawn and says thank you.

27.Bh3 Rcd8 28.Rc1 Nc4

• 28...h6 29.Nf3 c5 30.Nd5 Bxd5 31.Rxd5 Rxd5 32.exd5 e4 33.Nd2 f5Black's extra pawn is the difference.

29.Rc7

• 29.Rxd8 Rxd8 30.Bf1 h6 31.Bxc4 hxg5 32.Bb3 c5 33.Nd5 Bf8 Black is better because of her extra pawn.

29...h6 30.Nf3 c5 31.Nd5 Bxd5 32.exd5 e4

• 32...Bd6 33.Ra7 e4 34.Ne1 Ra8 35.Rd7 Bf8 36.h5 Nb6 37.Rb7 Nxd5 Black maintain her extra pawn.
• 35.Rxa8 Rxa8 36.Bg2 f5 37.a4 Rxa4 gives Black a second extra pawn.

33.Ne1

• 33.Bd7 Rxd7 34.Rxd7 exf3 35.Ra7 Ne5 36.Re1 Bf8 37.Rb7 c4 38.Rxb5 Bxa3 leaves Black up by a pawn.

33...Bd6 34.Ra7
BLACK: Sarah Hoolt
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WHITE: Philippe Lombart
Position after 34.Rc7a7

34...Ra8!

• Black is assured of gaining another pawn.

35.Rd7 Bf8 36.Rb7 Nxa3 37.Nc2 Nxc2 38.Rxc2 b4 39.Bf1

• After 39.h5 gxh5 40.Kg2 Re5 41.Rd7 b3 42.Rb2 Rb8 Black is three pawns up.

39...Reb8 40.Rxb8 Rxb8 41.Rb2

• 41.Rc1 b3 42.f3 b2 43.Rb1 exf3 44.Bd3 Bg7 45.Kf2 Rb3 leaves Black three pawns to the good.

41...Bg7

• If 41...b3 42.f3 e3 43.Bd3 Rb4 then:
• 44.Kf1 c4 45.Bxc4 Rxc4 46.Rxb3 Black is a piece to the good.
• 44.Re2 Rd4 45.Be4 c4 46.Kf1 f5 47.Bb1 Bb4 48.Rxe3 Rd1+ wins a piece.

42.Rb3 Bd4 43.Kg2

• After 43.Bc4 Ra8 44.Rb1 Kf8 45.Kf1 Ke7 46.Re1 f5 47.f3 Be5 White is running out of moves.

43...Ra8 44.Be2 Kf8 45.g4 Ke7 46.f3

• 46.Bc4 Kd6 47.Rb1 h5 48.Re1 f5 49.gxh5 gxh5 is an easy win for White.

46...Ra2 47.Kf1 Ra1+ 48.Kg2 Rg1+ 49.Kh2 Re1 50.Bc4 e3 0-1

• It will cost White a piece to stop the pawn.
• M. Lombart resigns.