The Jack Rabbit Chess Report for April 22

[Jack Rabbit]

The Jack Rabbit Chess Report
for the week ending April 22



Image: Alien Chess

Contents

Post 1: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=215&topic_id=47898&mesg_id=47899">News for the week
Post 2: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=215&topic_id=47898&mesg_id=47900">Diagrams and other features
Post 3: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=215&topic_id=47898&mesg_id=47901">Games from Current and Recent Events

[Jack Rabbit]

1. News for the week ending April 22

Cheparinov leads in Malmø



The 15th annual Sigeman & Co. chess tournament began Wednesday in Malmø, Skåne, on the southern coast of Sweden across the Sound from the environs of Copenhagen.

Ivan Cheparinov of Bulgaria, who usually is noted for being Veselin Topalov's second, leads the event after five rounds with four points. He is followed by Swedish grandmasters Emanuel Berg and Tiger Hillarp=Persson with 3½ points each.

Unofficial Cross Table
Sigeman & Co. Tournament
Malmø, Skåne (Sweden)

-------------------------- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 T- (W)
.1 Ivan Cheparinov. . . . .- 1 ½ * ½ * * 1 1 1 4. (3)
.2 Emanuel Berg . . . . . .0 - * * * 1 ½ * 1 1 3½ (3)
.3 Tiger Hillarp-Persson. .½ * - * 1 ½ * * 1 ½ 3½ (2)
.4 Parimarjan Negi. . . . .* * * - 0 ½ 0 1 1 * 2½ (2)
.5 Pontus Carlsson. . . . .½ * 0 1 - 0 ½ * * ½ 2½ (1)
.6 Vasilios Kotronias . . .* 0 ½ ½ * - 1 ½ * * 2½ (1)
.7 Erwin L'Ami. . . . . . .* ½ * 1 ½ 0 - ½ * * 2½ (1)
.8 Jan Timman . . . . . . .* * * 0 * ½ ½ - 0 1 2. (1)
.9 Jonny Hector . . . . . .0 0 0 0 * * * 1 - * 1. (1)
10 Emil Hermansson. . . . .0 0 ½ * ½ * * 0 * - 1. (0)

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



Gaudsal Tournament begins; Magnus leads



An international tournament in the mountain resort of Gausdal, Oppland (Norway) began Wednesday.

Norway's leading grandmaster, 16-year-old Magnus Carlsen, leads after five rounds with 4 points, followed by 70-year-old Hungarian grandmaster Lajos Portisch with 3½ points.

Unofficial Cross Table
Chess Classic
Gausdal, Oppland (Norway)

-------------------------- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 T- (W)
.1 Magnus Carlsen . . . . .- * * * * ½ 1 ½ 1 1 4. (3)
.2 Lajos Portisch . . . . .* - ½ 1 ½ ½ 1 * * * 3½ (2)
.3 Irina Krush. . . . . . .* ½ - * ½ 1 0 * 1 * 3. (2)
.4 Michal Krasenkow . . . .* 0 * - ½ ½ * * 1 1 3. (2)
.5 Eduardas Rozentalis. . .* ½ ½ ½ - * 1 ½ * * 3. (1)
.6 Alexey Dreev . . . . . .½ ½ 0 ½ * - * 1 * * 2½ (1)
.7 Kjetil Lie . . . . . . .0 0 1 * 0 * - * * 1 2. (2)
.8 Kaido Kulaots. . . . . .½ * * * ½ 0 * - ½ 1 2. (1)
.9 Gawain Jones . . . . . .0 * 0 0 * * * ½ - ½ 1. (0)
10 Eric Moskow. . . . . . .0 * * 0 * * 0 0 ½ - .½ (0)

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

Portisch, who was one of the world's elite grandmasters in the sixties and seventies, recently drew a six-game rapid match with another 70-year-old chess legend, former world champion Boris Spassky.

Two Americans are participating in Gausdal: international master Irina Krush is tied for third place with 3 points after losing today to Norwegian grandmaster Kjetil Lie; and Eric Moskow, an untitled player, who has a half point so far.

[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

Andrei Volokitin - T. L. Petrosian, European Individual Championships, Round 3, Dresden
Tatiana Kosintseva - Elina Danielian, European Individual Championships, Round 4, Dresden
Elli Pähtz - Oksana Vozovich, European Individual Championships, Round 6, Dresden
Jonny Hector - Parimarjan Negi, Sigeman & Co Tournament, Round 1, Malmø
Kjetil Lie - Magnus Carlson, Chess Classic, Round 2, Gaudsal

[Jack Rabbit]

4. A. Volokitin - T. L. Petrosian, Round 3, Dresden

Andrei Volokitin
Photo: ChessBase.com

Andrei Volokitin vs. T. L. Petrosian
European Individual Championships, Round 3
Dresden, April 2007

Open Sicilian Game: Najdorf-Scheveningen Defense (Rauzer Opening)

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Bg5 e6 7. f4 Nbd7 8. Qf3 Qc7 9. g4

• If 9. 0-0-0 Be7 then:
• 10. g4 b5 11. Bxf6 Nxf6 12. g5 Nd7 13. f5
• 13. -- Bxg5+ 14. Kb1 Ne5 15. Qh5 Qd8 16. Rg1 Bf6 17. fxe6 0-0 18. Bh3 g6 19. Nd5 Kh8 20. Qe2 fxe6 21. Bxe6 Ra7 22. Rdf1 Bg7 23. h4 Re8 24. Bxc8 Qxc8 is unclear (Efimenko-Steindorsson, Eur Ch U18, Balatonlelle (Hungary) 2000).
• 13. -- Nc5 14. f6 gxf6 15. gxf6 Bf8 16. Rg1 h5 17. a3 Bd7 18. Bh3 Rb8 19. Nd5 exd5 20. exd5 Bxh3 21. Qxh3 Nd7 22. Nc6 Rb6 gives Black an extra piece (Nguyen-Gundavaa, Doha 2006).
• 10. Bd3 h6 11. Bh4 g5 12. fxg5 Ne5 13. Qe2 Nfg4 14. Nf3 Nxf3 15. gxf3 hxg5 16. Bg3 Ne5 17. f4 gxf4 18. Bxf4 Bd7 19. h4 Rxh4 20. Rxh4 Bxh4 21. Qh5 Bf6 22. Qh6 Ng4 23. Qh5 Ne5 24. Qh6 Ng4 25. Qh5 Ne5 draw agreed (Estrin-Sanakoev, corr, 1978).

9. -- b5 10. Bxf6 Nxf6 11. g5 Nd7 12. 0-0-0 Bb7

• 12. -- b4 13. Nd5 exd5 14. exd5 Bb7 15. Qe4+ Be7 16. Nf5 leaves Black to deal with a nasty pin at e7 (Radjabov-Volokitin, IT, Biel 2006).
12. -- Nc5 13. f5 b4 14. Nd5? exd5 15. exd5 Nd7 16. Bg2 Ne5 gives Black a very promising game (Hector-Negi, IT, Malmø 2007).

13. Bh3 Rc8 14. Rhe1

• This move will become important later on. See the notes to Black's 19th move.

14. -- Qc4!?

• Black introduces a novelty. The result of this game is not auspicious for this move.
• 14. -- Be7 15. Bxe6 b4 16. Nd5 Bxd5 17. Bxd5 0-0 18. g6 Bf6 19. Qh5 is very promising for White (Moody-McGary, US Amat Ch, Eastpointe 1994)

15. Bf1

• The Bishop has accompished his task at h3: he cleared the way for the King's Rook to move to e1. He now returns to his original square and attacks the enemy Queen.
• 15. Kb1 Be7 16. Qh5 g6 17. Qh4 b4 18. Na4 h6 is level.

15. -- Qc5 16. a3 b4

• Black tries, unsuccessfully, to dirupt White's queenside.
• 16. -- Be7 17. h4 b4 18. axb4 Qxb4 19. h5 Rb8 20. Nb3 solidifies White's kingside while he aggressively takes up real estate on the other wing.

17. axb4 Qxb4 18. Qh3

• White is focusing on e6.

18. -- g6?!

• Black condemns himself to passivity.
• 18. -- e5 19. fxe5 Nxe5 20. Nd5 Qa4 21. Kb1 Rb8 22. Qh4 is equal and gives Black mush better prospects of developing his kingside.

Black: T. L. Petrosian
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White: Andrei Volokitin
Position after 18. -- g7g6

19. f5

• Again, White hits at e6.

19. -- e5

• A cramped position contains the germ of defeat. -- Tarrasch.
• That may not be as universally true as the good German medic thought a hundred years ago, but Black's position is bad news and it is that because it is cramped. He needs to find some way to free his kingside. The move he just made doesn't do it.
• Unfortunately, with White's Rook at e1 and the Queen at h3, Black cannot exchange on f5 (allowing White to open the e-file with check) or allow an exchange at e6 (when White will play the devastating Qxe6+. The game is hardly far removed from the stage of opening theory, and already Black is running out of options.
• 19. -- Qc5 20. Kb1 e5 21. Nb3 Qc7 22. Bg2 Be7 23. f6 gives Whie a fierce initiative.

20. Nb3 Be7

• Black has no immediate way to free his game and, sad to say, provoking a closing of kingside like this is probably his best option.

21. f6 Bf8 22. Re3 h6!?

• Black doesn't really threaten anything, since the pawn is pinned to the h-file.
• If 22. -- Nc5 23. Nxc5 Rxc5 24. Bg2 then:
After
• 24. -- h6 25. Red3 Rc8 26. gxh6 Rg8 27. h7 Rh8 White has a strong game while Black's kingside is immoble.
• 24. -- Rc4 (the Rook does not really attack the e-pawn because if 25. -- Rxe3 then White mates on c8) 25. Red3 Qa5 26. Kb1 h6 27. gxh6 Rxh6 28. Qg3 White has superior mobility.

Black: T. L. Petrosian
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White: Andrei Volokitin
Position after 22. -- h7h6

23. Nd5!?

White takes a chance with more risky move in an attempt to unbalance Black.
• Objectively better is 23. Bg2! Nc5 24. Nd5 when:
• After 24. -- Qa4 25. Kb1 Nd7 26. Red3 Rb8 27. Qh4 White is better, but Black's position will be a tough nut to crack.
• After 24. -- Nxb3+? 25. Rxb3 Qa4 26. Kb1 Rc5 27. Qe3 White is attacking Black's hanging Bishop.

23. -- Qa4?!

• White is so well protected that it is hard to find a move really thratens anything. Black should try to relieve his camped position by exchanging pieces.
• Better is 23. -- Bxd5 24. Rxd5 Rc6 25. Bg2 when:
• 25. -- Rg8 26. Rd1 hxg5 27. Rf1 Qb6 28. Rg3 d5 yields an equal game as Black is finally able to advance his d-pawn, liberating his kingside.
• 25. -- Rc8 26. Red3 Qe1+ 27. Rd1 Qf2 28. Nd2 White continues use his pieces to keep Black cramped.

24. Be2 Rc6 25. Bg4 Nc5 26. Kb1

• White double guards againt a check on a1, allowing the Knight at b3 to move elsewhere.
• After 26. Rc3 Nxb3+ 27. Rxb3 Qa1+ 28. Kd2 Qa5+ 29. c3 White is threatening to take Black's hanging Bishop or invade Black's back rank on the kingside.

26. -- Kd8

• Black, in turn, guards c8, which White menaces from the diagonal.

27. Nxc5 Rxc5 28. Rc3 Rc6?

• This move restricts the Queen's mobility and will make its escape difficult should it come under attack.
• After 28. -- Qc6 29. gxh6 Rxc3 30. Nxc3 Rxh6 31. Qg3 Kc7 32. Nd5+ White is better, but Black's problems are manageable.

29. Rxc6 Bxc6 30. Qe3 Qb5 31. Rd3 Qc5

• Black seeks to exchange Queens in order to soften White's attack.

Black: T. L. Petrosian
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White: Andrei Volokitin
Position after

32. Qb5c5
32. Rb3!!

• This wins immediately.
• 32. Qxc5 dxc5 33. Nb4+ Kc7 34. Nxc6 Kxc6 35. Rd7 makes the winning process more tedious.

32. -- Bxd5 33. Rb8+ 1-0

• White must win the Queen.
• Petrosian resigns.

[Jack Rabbit]

5. T. Kosintseva - Danielian, Round 4, Dresden

Tanya won nine games in Dresden. This is one of her best.



Tatiana Kosintseva
Photo: ChessBase.de (Germany)

Tatiana Kosintseva vs. Elina Danielian
European Individual Championships, Round 4
Dresden, April 2007

Closed German Game: Tarrasch Opening (Caro-Kann Defense)

1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. e5 Bf5 4. Nd2

• In my view, what is usually called the Caro-Kann Defense is thematically related to the French Defense, hence my insistance on calling it the German Game in order to underscore that point. Recently, somebody came up with the bright idea of replying to the German with 3. Nd2 or, as in the present game, 3. e5 Bf5 4. Nd2. This has been dubbed the Modern Variation or the New Caro-Kann.
  
  I also have an aversion to calling anything "modern", because it runs the risk of becoming risable in time; for example, modernism, a movement in art and philosophy, is about a hundred years old. Very contemporary, that.
  
  Therefore, I have dubbed this the Tarrasch Opening, which is exactly what one would call the move 3. Nd2 if is made in reply to the French. Fair enough? Good.

4. -- e6 5. Nb3 Nd7

• If 5. -- c5 6. dxc5 Bxc5 7. Nxc5 Qa5+ 8. c3 Qxc5 9. Nf3 Ne7 10. Qa4+ Nbc6 11. Be3 Qa5 12. Qxa5 Nxa5 13. Nd4 a6 14. Nxf5 Nxf5 15. Bf4 then:
• 15. -- Rc8 16. 0-0-0 Ne7 17. h3 Ng6 18. Bh2 Nc4 is an equal game (N. Kosintseva-Chiburdanidze, North Urals Cup, Krasnoturyinsk 2006).
• 15. -- Ne7 16. 0-0-0 Rc8 17. h4 h5 18. Rh3 is equal (Rublevsky-Erenburg, World TCh, Beer Sheva 2005).

6. Nf3 Bg6

• If 6. -- Ne7 7. Be2 h6 8. 0-0 Bh7
• 9. c3 Rc8 10. Bd2 Nf5 11. a4 Be7 12. g4 Nh4 13. Nxh4 Bxh4 14. f4 f5 15. Bd3 0-0 16. h3 Qe7 is unclear (Pavasovic-Macieja, Internet 2006).
• 9. Be3 Rc8 10. Bd2 Ng6 11. c4 dxc4 12. Bxc4 Be7 13. Ba5 b6 14. Bd2 0-0 15. Re1 c5 16. Rc1 Rc7 17. dxc5 Nxc5 18. Nbd4 Nh4 is even (Shabalov-Vallejo, Ol, Calvia 2004).

7. Be2 Ne7

• 7. -- Nh6 transposes into the text after 8. 0-0 Nf5.

8. 0-0 Nf5 9. a4!?

• White introduces an innovation.
• If 9. Bd2 then:
• 9. -- Be7 10. g4 Nh4 11. Nxh4 Bxh4 12. f4
• 12. -- Be4 13. Bd3 Bxd3 14. cxd3 Be7 15. f5 Nf8 16. Qf3 Qd7 17. h3 h5 18. gxh5 gives White an extra pawn, but it doesn't count for much with that pawn structure (Fressinet-Asrian, Ol, Torino 2006).
• 12. -- f6 13. f5 Bf7 14. g5 exf5 15. Bd3 Bxg5 16. Bxg5 fxg5 17. Bxf5 Bg6 18. Qg4 Qe7 19. Rae1 0-0-0 20. Bxd7+ Qxd7 gives Black an extra pawn, but White has the active pieces (Rublevsky-Jobava, FIDE World Cup, Khanty Mansyisk (Russia) 2005).
• 9. -- h5 10. Rc1 Rc8 11. c4 dxc4 12. Bxc4 Be7 13. Ba5 Nb6 14. Nc5 Bxc5 15. dxc5 Qxd1 16. Rfxd1 Nd7 17. Bf1 Ne7 18. Re1 Nd5 19. Nd2 0-0 is equal (Rublevsky-Morozevich, Russian Club Cup, Sochi 2006).

9. -- a6?!

• This reply doesn't do much for Black.
• If 9. -- Be7 10. a5 0-0 11. Bd2 Bh4 then:
• 12. g4 Nh6 13. Bxh6 gxh6 14. Nxh4 Qxh4 15. Ra4 f6 16. exf6 Rxf6 is unclear
• 12. a6 b6 13. g4 Nh6 14. Bxh6 gxh6 15. Qd2 Be7 16. Ne1 f6 opens lines that are more likely to be exploited by Black.

10. a5 c5

• Black undermines White's chain at its base, but is it a good tiem to maneuver against White center pawns? Black should complete her development before undertaking such operations.
• Better is 10. -- Be7 11. Bd2 0-0 12. Rc1 b5 13. axb6 Qxb6 14. Ra1 Rfb8 with equality.

11. c3 Rc8 12. Nxc5

• Exchanging pieces benefits White under the circumstances.
• 12. Bg5 Qc7 13. Qd2 h6 14. Be3 c4 15. Nc1 Be7 16. Re1 0-0 puts White in a cramped position.

12. -- Nxc5 13. dxc5 Bxc5 14. b4 Be7 15. Qa4+

• Now White can breathe.

15. -- Kf8?

• After this move, White emerges with better mobility. Black will not be able to untangle her back rank from here forward.
• Correct is 15. -- Qd7 16. Qxd7+ Kxd7 17. Ra3 Rc7 18. g4 Nh6 19. h3 Rhc8 20. Bd2 is level.
For no smalll reason of the text move, Black's King's Rook remanins unmoved through the entire game.

Black: Elina Danielian
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White: Tatiana Kosintseva
Position after 15. -- Ke8f8

16. b5!

• The liquidation of queenside pawns leaves White stronger. It was not only her best move, it was her only satisfactory move.
• If 16. c4? then:
• 16. -- dxc4! 17. Rd1 Qe8 18. Rd7 Bh5 19. Rxb7 Qxa4 20. Rxa4 Bxf3 21. Bxf3 Nd4 is level.
16. -- Bh5?! 17. cxd5 Qxd5 18. Rd1 Qe4 19. Qd7 Ra8 20. Bd3 Qc6 21. Bxf5 exf5 22. Qxf5 give White better piece activity, but she does not have a sure victory.

16. -- axb5 17. Qxb5 Qc7

• As a result of White's 16th move, her a-pawn is qualitative superior to Black's b-pawn. The a-pawn has two pieces protecting it while the b-pawn is under attack and needs protection.
• If 17. -- Rxc3 18. Qxb7 then:
• 18. -- Rc8 19. a6 Rb8 20. Qc6 Rc8 21. Qa4 Ra8 22. a7 Qb6 23. Bf4094
• 18. -- Rc7 19. Qb6 Qc8 20. Ba3 Bxa3 21. Rxa3 Rb7 22. Rc3 Qa8 23. Qc5+ 113

18. c4 dxc4 19. Rd1 Rd8

• After 19. -- c3 20. Rd7 Qc6 21. Qxb7 Qxb7 22. Rxb7 Bd8 23. a6 Ne7 24. a7 chances are good that the pawn will either promote be the cause of the demise of one or two Black pieces trying to stop it.
• After 19. -- Qc6 20. Qxc6 bxc6 21. Bxc4 Bh4 22. g4 Ne7 23. Nxh4 White is a piece up.

20. Rxd8+ Bxd8 21. Ba3+ Be7 22. g4 Nh6

• No better is 22. -- Bxa3 23. Rxa3 Ne7 24. a6 bxa6 25. Qxa6 h5 26. Qd6 then:
• After 26. -- Qc8 27. Ra7 Qe8 28. Bxc4 hxg4 29. Bb5 Qc8 30. Rc7 Qa8 31. Rd7 Black can resign.
• 26. -- Qxd6 27. Ra8+ Nc8 28. exd6 Ke8 29. Rxc8+ Kd7 30. Rxh8 leaves White two pieces to the good.

Black: Elina Danielian
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White: Tatiana Kosintseva
Position after 22. -- Nf5h6

23. Bd6!

• White puts the icing on the cakes.
• If 23. Bxe7+ Kxe7 24. Qb4+ Ke8 25. Bxc4 Qe7 26. Bb5+ Kf8 27. Qd6 then:
• 27. -- Qxd6 28. exd6 Be4 29. Rc1 g6 30. Rc8+ Kg7 31. d7 wins for White.
• 27. -- f6 28. Qb8+ Kf7 29. Qxh8 is lights out.

23. -- Qc8 24. a6 bxa6 25. Rxa6 Bxd6 26. exd6 f6

• For White, winning is now just a matter of putting one foot in front of the other.
• Ms. Danielian could have resigned here.

27. d7 Qd8 28. Nd4 Bf7 29. Qc5+ Kg8 30. Qc8 1-0

[Jack Rabbit]

6. E. Pähtz - Vozovich, Round 6, Dresden

Elli Pähtz can always be depended upon to turn in some fine games whenever she plays.



Elli Pähtz
Photo: Rochade Kuppenheim (Germany)

Elli Pähtz vs. Oksana Vozovich
European Individual Championships, Round 6
Dresden, April 2007

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

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

• 4. -- Qe7 5. d4 Bb6 6. 0-0 Nf6 was at one time Alekhine's favorite way to meet the Italian.

5. Qe2

• If 5. d3 d6 6. 0-0 then:
• 6. -- 0-0 7. Bb3 a6 8. Nbd2 Ba7 9. h3 h6 10. Re1 is even, almost lifeless.
• 6. -- Bb6 7. b4 0-0 8. a4 a6 9. Nbd2 Ne7 10. Bb3 Ng6 gives White a smidge more space on the Queen's wing.
• 5. d4 exd4 6. cxd4 Bb4+ isn't seen too often nowadays, darn it.

5. -- d6 6. d3 a6

• 6. -- Bb6 7. Be3 Ne7 8. Nbd2 Ng6 9. h3 c6 10. Bb3 0-0 is equal (Taubenhaus-Burn, Nottingham 1886).
• 6. -- 0-0 7. Bg5 h6 8. Bh4 Qe7 9. Nbd2 Be6 also establishes a balanced position (Delmar-Baird, US Chess Cong, New York 1889).

7. Bb3 Be6

• If 7. -- 0-0 then:
• 8. Bg5 b5 9. Nbd2 Bb6 10. Bd5 Bd7 11. Nf1 then:
• After 11. -- Nxd5? 12. Bxd8 Nf4 13. Qd1 Nxg2+ 14. Kd2 Raxd8 15. Rg1 Nf4 16. Ne3 Ne7 Black has only two Bishops for the Queen (Thorhallsson-Barus, Ol, Bled 2002).
• After 11. -- h6 12. Bh4 Rb8 13. 0-0-0 b4 14. c4 Nd4 15. Nxd4 Bxd4 Black threatens 16. -- c6 winning the Bishop; White must sacrifice a pawn to extricate her Bishop from the center.
• 8. Nbd2 Ba7 9. Nf1 Ne7 10. h3 Ng6 11. g4 Be6 12. Bc2 Re8 13. Ng3 d5 14. Bg5 h6 15. Bd2 Nh7 16. 0-0-0 c5 17. Kb1 b5 is even; Black has more space, but at the cost of maintaining weak pawns (Zepeda-Milligan, Ol, Torino 2006).

8. Bc2 Ba7 9. h3 h6 10. Nbd2 0-0 11. Nf1!

• White breaks out of the book. The Knight is headed for g3 and then, after proper preparations, to the the outpost at f5.
• 11. g4 Nh7 12. Nf1 d5 13. Ng3 dxe4 14. dxe4 b5 gives Black better Bishops (Zepeda-Piarnpuu, Ol, Torino 2006).

11. -- Ne7 12. g4 Ng6

• Black may want to take advantage of the outpost at f4.
• If 12. -- Nh7 then:
• 13. d4! exd4 14. Nxd4 Bxd4 15. cxd4 d5 16. e5 maintains equality.
• 13. g5? hxg5 14. Bxg5 Re8 15. Bb3 Bxb3 16. axb3 Nxg5 17. Nxg5 Ng6 18. Qh5 Qf6 leaves both sides having to defend against attacks.

13. Ng3!?

• White attempts to trip up Black.
• Objectively better is 13. d4 exd4 then:
• 14. cxd4 d5 15. e5 Nh7 16. Rg1 Qd7 17. Ng3 with an uneasy balance.
• 14. Nxd4?! Nd7 15. Be3 Nde5 16. Nd2 Qf6 gives Black better command of open lines.

13. -- d5?

• Black trips and throws away the better position.
• Correct is 13. -- Nf4! 14. Bxf4 exf4 15. Nf5 c6 16. d4 Re8 when Black stands slightly better with a masked attack on White's royal couple.
• Also better than the text is 13. -- Nh7 14. d4 exd4 15. Nxd4 Bxd4 16. cxd4 d5 when Black's pieces have slightly better mobility.

14. Nf5!

• As mentioned in the note to White's eleventh move, she moves the Knight to the outpost at f4.
• If 14. g5 Nf4 15. Qf1 hxg5 16. Nxg5 Nxe4 17. N3xe4 dxe4 then:
• 18. Bxf4 exd3 19. 0-0-0 006
• 18. Nxe4? f5 19. Ng3 Qh4 -075

14. -- dxe4 15. dxe4 Nf4 16. Bxf4 exf4 17. e5?

• White misses a win and comes close to allowing Black to reassert superiority.
• Correct is 17. Rd1! Nd7 18. Qd2 Re8 19. a3 b5 20. Qxf4 when Black is completely hampered.

17. -- Bxf5

• Black misses the best reply.
• Much better is 17. -- Re8! 18. Rd1 Nd7 19. a3 when:
• 19. -- Qc8 20. Qe4 Bxf5 21. Qxf5 Nxe5
• After 22. Qh7+ Kf8 23. Nxe5 Rxe5+ 24. Kf1 Qe8 25. Qh8+ Ke7 26. Qxg7 Re6 Black takes over the initiative, but White should maintain equality.
• After 22. Nxe5? Qxf5 23. Bxf5 Rxe5+ 24. Kf1 f3 Black has White in a mating attack.
• 19. -- f6? sets the world right again for White: after 20. Qe4 Qc8 21. Nxh6+!! (a neat sacrifice) 21. -- gxh6 22. Qh7+ Kf8 23. Qxh6+ Ke7 24. Qg7+ Bf7 25. Bb3 Black is toast.

18. gxf5 Re8 19. Rg1 Qd5

Black: Oksana Vozovic
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White: Elli Pähtz
Position after 19. -- Qd8d5

20. Kf1!

• With Black's light-bound Bishop gone and castling out of the question, now is a good time to remove the King from the same file as the Queen.
• 20. Bb3 Qe4 21. e6 fxe6 22. Bxe6+ Kh7 23. Rd1 Rad8 promises Black a clear advantage after the exchange of Queens.

20. -- Kh8?

• Losing the game again, this time for good.
• Correct is 20. -- Qa5!? 21. Bb3 Rad8 22. e6 Kh7 23. Ne5 Qb5 24. Bc4 Qc5 Wite is slightly better, but must play accurately.

21. Bb3!

• White has the freedom and initiative to blow Black off the board.

21. -- Qd7 22. Qc4 b5 23. Qxf7 Qd3+

• 23. -- Re7 24. Qg6 Qd3+ 25. Kg2 then:
• After 25. -- Qe2 26. Raf1 Rf8 27. exf6 Rxf6 28. Qxd3 Nxd3 29. Rd1 White threatens to invade Black's back rank.
• 25. -- Ne4 26. f6 Nxf2 27. Qxd3 Nxd3 28. fxe7 wins a heavy piece.
• 23. -- Qxf7 24. Bxf7 Rf8 25. Be6 Ne4 26. Bd5 131

24. Kg2 Rf8 25. Qg6 Qe2

• 25. -- Bxf2 26. Rgd1 Qe3 27. exf6 Rxf6 28. Qg4 Bg3 29. Rd7 is lights out.

Black: Oksana Vozovic
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White: Elli Pähtz
Position after 25. -- Qd3e2

26. Kh2!! 1-0

• What a beautiful winning move by Frln. Pähtz!
• Black can only postpone mate by giving away material:
• 26. -- Qxf2+ 27. Rg2 Ng4+ 28. Qxg4
• 26. Kh2 Ne8 27. f6 Qxf2+ 28. Rg2 Qxg2+ 29. Kxg2
• Ms. Vozovich resigns.

[Jack Rabbit]

7. Hector - Negi, Round 1, Malmø

Here is a beutifully played endgame from the world's youngest grandmaster, 14-year-old Parimarjan Negi.



Parimarjan Negi
Photo: ChessBase.com

Jonny Hector vs. Parimarjan Negi
Sigeman & Co Tournament, Round 1
Malmø, Skåne (Sweden), April 2007

Open Sicilian Game: Najdorf-Scheveningen Defense (Rauzer Opening)

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Bg5 e6 7. f4 Nbd7 8. Qf3 Qc7 9. g4

• If 9. 0-0-0 Be7 then:
• 10. g4 b5 11. Bxf6 Nxf6 12. g5 Nd7 13. f5
• 13. -- Bxg5+ 14. Kb1 Ne5 15. Qh5 Qd8 16. Rg1 Bf6 17. fxe6 0-0 18. Bh3 g6 19. Nd5 Kh8 20. Qe2 fxe6 21. Bxe6 Ra7 22. Rdf1 Bg7 23. h4 Re8 24. Bxc8 Qxc8 is unclear (Efimenko-Steindorsson, Eur Ch U18, Balatonlelle (Hungary) 2000).
• 13. -- Nc5 14. f6 gxf6 15. gxf6 Bf8 16. Rg1 h5 17. a3 Bd7 18. Bh3 Rb8 19. Nd5 exd5 20. exd5 Bxh3 21. Qxh3 Nd7 22. Nc6 Rb6 gives Black an extra piece (Nguyen-Gundavaa, Doha 2006).
• 10. Bd3 h6 11. Bh4 g5 12. fxg5 Ne5 13. Qe2 Nfg4 14. Nf3 Nxf3 15. gxf3 hxg5 16. Bg3 Ne5 17. f4 gxf4 18. Bxf4 Bd7 19. h4 Rxh4 20. Rxh4 Bxh4 21. Qh5 Bf6 22. Qh6 Ng4 23. Qh5 Ne5 24. Qh6 Ng4 25. Qh5 Ne5 draw agreed (Estrin-Sanakoev, corr, 1978).

9. -- b5 10. Bxf6 Nxf6 11. g5 Nd7 12. 0-0-0 Nc5

• 12. -- Bb7 13. Bh3 Rc8 14. Rhe1 Qc4 15. Bf1 Qc5 16. a3gives Black more space on the queenside (Volokitin-T. L. Petrosian, Eur Ind Ch, Dresden 2007).
• 12. -- b4 13. Nd5 exd5 14. exd5 Bb7 15. Qe4+ Be7 16. Nf5 leaves Black to deal with a nasty pin at e7 (Radjabov-Volokitin, IT, Biel 2006).

13. f5!?

• White chooses to vary from the known precenet.
• 13. Bd3 b4 14. Nd5 exd5 15. exd5 Nxd3+ 16. Rxd3 Be7 17. h4 Bb7 18. Nf5 0-0-0 gives Black a very good initiative (Novotny-Boleslav, Op, Klatovy 2001).

13. -- b4

• This is probably Black's best reply.
• If 13. -- Bb7 14. fxe6 fxe6 15. Bd3 e5 16. Nf5 then:
• After 16. -- b4 17. Nd5 Bxd5 18. exd5 Nxd3+ 19. Qxd3 White has a healthy advantage in space.
• After 16. -- g6 17. Bxb5+ axb5 18. Nxb5 Bxe4 19. Nxc7+ Kd7 20. Qxe4 Nxe4 21. Nxa8 White has an extra Rook.

14. Nd5?

• Whatever White thought he saw isn't there. The sacrifice is worse than unsound.
• If 14. Nce2! then Whites stands better after:
• 14. -- Bb7 15. Nb3 Bb7 16. Nxc5 Rc8 17. Bg2 Qxc5 18. Rd2 White will bring his other Rook to bear down on Black's backward d-pawn.
• 14. -- e5 15. fxe6 fxe6 16. Ng3 Rc8 17. Bc4 e5 18. Ndf5 ensuing exchanges will leave Black's pawn weak and scattered.

14. -- exd5 15. exd5 Nd7 16. Bg2

• This move does more to connect the Rooks than to do anything useful with ths Bishop.

16. -- Ne5 17. Rhe1 Bb7 18. Qb3 Be7 19. h4 h6 20. Qxb4

• White is still looking for compensation for his minor pirce. He now has two extra pawns for it.

20. -- hxg5 21. hxg5 Bxg5+ 22. Kb1

Black: Parimarjan Negi
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White: Jonny Hector
Position after 22. Kc1b1

22. -- 0-0!

• This will make it incredibly difficult for White to to compensated for his piece. White will soon be activating his Rooks.

23. Rh1 Rab8 24. Qb3 Qe7

• Black should win easily from here.
• Stronger than the text is 24. -- Nc4 25. Qg3 Bc8 26. b3 when:
• 26. -- f6! 27. Rde1 Qc5 28. Nc6 Rb7 Black is putting pressure on White's queenside and has an escape rout prepared for the King in case White threatens mate on the h-file.
• 26. -- Na3+? 27. Kb2 Bf6 28. Qh3! Qxc2+ White gets his piece baxk and White must deliver a long series of carefully calculated checks in order to avoid mate on h8.

25. f6 Qxf6 26. Rdf1 Nf3?

• With no good reason to do so, Black gives away his extra piece.
• After 26. -- Ba8 27. Qh3 Qh6 28. Qa3 Nc4 29. Qxa6 Nd2+ Black remains a piece ahead.

27. Qd3?

• This sets Black's world right back in order.
• After 27. Nxf3! Bxd5 28. Nxg5 Rxb3 29. Rxf6 Bxg2 30. Rxd6 Rxb2+ 31. Kxb2 Bxh1 Black is still better, but no longer on the virge of winning.

27. -- Nd2+ 28. Ka1 Qg6 29. Nf5 Bc8?

• Black throws away his advantage.
• After 29. -- Rfe8! 30. Qh3! (threatening mate is the best way out of this jam) 30. -- Bh6 (forced) 31. Rfg1 Kf8 32. Nxh6 gxh6 33. Qc3 Rbc8 34. Qb4 Nc4 Black is focused on White's queenside.

30. Qh3!

• This time White finds the right continuation and threatens mate.
• Missing the opportunity is 30. Be4? Nxe4 31. Qxe4 Bxf5 32. Qxf5 Bc1 33. b3 Qxf5 34. Rxf5 Bh6 when Black is a piece to the good.

30. -- Bh6 31. Ne7+ Kh7 32. Nxg6 Bxh3 33. Nxf8+ Rxf8 34. Bxh3?!

• White might have done better recapturing with the Rook.
• If 34. Rxh3 Nxf1 35. Bxf1 a5 36. c4 then:
• 36. -- Re8 37. Bd3+ g6 38. a3 Kg7 39. b4 Bd2 40. b5 f5 offers equal chances. Each side will try to advance his pawns on opposite wings.
• 36. -- f5 37. Kb1 g5 38. Ra3 Ra8 39. Bd3 Kg6 40. b4 a4 is anybody's game.

34. -- Nxf1 35. Bxf1

• White chooses the better option.
• After 35. Rxf1? Re8 36. c4 Kg8 37. b4 Re4 Black has the active Rook.

35. -- a5 36. a3 f5 37. b4 axb4 38. axb4

Black: Parimarjan Negi
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White: Jonny Hector
Position after 38. ab4:p

38. -- g5!

• If 38. -- Rb8 39. b5 Kg6 40. Kb2
• Black is better after 40. -- Kf6 41. c4 Ra8 42. Kc3 Be3 43. Rh3 f4 when anything White can get at is adequately protected.
• After 40. -- Be3 41. c4 f4 42. Kc3 Kf6 43. Kd3 Re8 44. Rh4 the chances are approximately equal.

39. c4 Kg6 40. c5 Bg7+?!

• This isn't the worse move Balck could have made, but he missed what was clearly the best.
• 40. -- Ra8+! 41. Kb2 dxc5 42. bxc5 Ra5 43. c6 Rxd5 Black's position is again powerful; White will have difficulty saving his last pawn.

41. Ka2 dxc5 42. bxc5 g4 43. Kb3

• White would have done better pushing his passed pawns.
• If 43. d6 Rd8 44. Kb3 f4 then:
• 45. Rg1 g3 46. Kc4
• 46. -- Ra8 47. Kd5 Ra5 48. d7 Bf6 49. Kd6 Kg5 50. Bg2 White's pawns are a big concer for Black.
• 46. -- Bb2 47. Bh3 Kf6 48. Re1 Be5 49. Kd5 gives White the initiative and the advanced pawns.
• 45. Kc4 f3 46. Kd5 Bf8 47. Kc6 Kf5 48. Bd3+ Kf4 49. Kc7 Ra8 50. d7 Bxc5 is balanced and should end in a draw.

43. -- Rc8 44. Kc4 Bf8 45. c6 Bd6 46. Bd3 Re8 47. Rf1 Re5!

• The Rook is not needed to watch over the advance of the c-pawn at the moment, so he goes on temporary duty protecting teh f-pawn.
• 47. -- Rf8 48. Rh1 g3 49. Kd4 Rb8 50. Rf1 Rb4+ 51. Kc3 Rf4 52. Rxf4 Bxf4 53. Bf1 Bc7 is a likely draw with opposite-colored Bishops.

48. Kd4 g3 49. Rc1 Re7

• The Rook returns to sentry duty to stop the pawn advance.
• If 49. -- Re8 50. Rf1 Rf8 51. Rb1 Rb8 52. Re1 then:
• 52. -- Kg5 53. Bf1 Rb2 54. Re6 Rd2+ 55. Kc4 Bc7
• 56. Re7
• 56. -- Bd6 57. Re6 Bc7 58. Re7 draws.
• 56. -- Bf4 57. Re8 Bc7 58. Re7 etc.
• White will reget trying for anything better; Black wins after 56. Re8 Kf4 57. Rc8 Be5 58. Bd3 g2.
• 52. -- Rh8 53. Re6+ Kf7 54. Bf1 (otherwse, Black plays 55. -- g2 and wins) 54. -- Rh4+ 55. Kd3 Bc7 56. Bg2 Rh2 57. Re2 offers no winning hopes for either side.

50. Rf1 Re5 51. Rc1 Re7 52. Bf1

• 52. Rf1 leads to a draw by repetition.

52. -- Kf6 53. Bg2 Re2 54. Bf3 Rf2 55. Ke3 Ke5 56. Re1

Black: Parimarjan Negi
!""""""""#
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White: Jonny Hector
Position after 56. Rc1e1

56. -- Bc5+!

• This move enables Black to win, even if Black has't yet lost.
• If 56. -- f4+ 57. Kd3+ Kf5 58. Be4+ then:
• 58. -- Kg5 59. Rc1 Bc7 60. d6 Bxd6 61. c7 Bxc7 62. Rxc7 puts White in the driver's seat.
• 58. -- Kg4 59. Rh1 Ra2 60. Rh6 Ra3+ 61. Kd2 Bb4+ 62. Kd1 Ba5 63. Rg6+ Kh5 64. d6 is followed by 65. c7 and Black will not be able to stop the pawn from promoting without sacrificing his Bishop.

57. Kd3+ Kd6 58. Re6+?

• This is just inaccurate enough to cost White the game.
• Correct is 58. Kc4 when:
• 58. -- Rc2+ 59. Kd3 Rf2 60. Kc4 Rc2+ draws.
• 58. -- Rxf3 59. Re6+ Kc7 60. Kxc5 Rc3+ 61. Kd4 then:
• 61. -- Rc1 62. Re7+ Kb6 63. Rg7 f4 64. Ke4 Kc5 65. Rg8 Rc4+ 66. Ke5 Kb6 and the struggle continues with no sresolution.
• 61. -- Rc2 62. Re7+ Kc8 63. Rg7 f4 64. Ke5 f3 65. Kd6! (threatening mate) 65. -- Kb8 66. Rxg3 f2 67. Rb3+ Ka8 68. Rb1and White wins.

58. -- Kc7 59. Bh5 g2!

• Well, what else?

60. Rg6 Kb6 61. Rg7 Ra2 62. c7

• 62. Rb7+ Ka6 63. Rb1 g1Q 64. Rxg1 Bxg1 65. d6 Bh2 66. d7 Bc7 stops White's pawns just in time and leaves Black with a Rook for a pawn.

62. -- Kb7 63. d6

Black: Parimarjan Negi
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White: Jonny Hector
Position after 63. d5d6

63. -- Ra3+!

• It is very important that the Rook be on the third rank when the pawn Queens.
• If 63. -- g1Q?! then:
• After 64. Bf3+ Kc8 65. Rxg1 Ra3+ 66. Kd2
• 66. -- Bxd6 67. Ke2 Kxc7 Black is in danger of letting the full point slip away.
• If 66. -- Rxf3? then White wins with 67. Rg8+!!
• After 64. Rxg1? Ra3+ 65. Kc4 Bxg1 66. Bf7 Re3 67. Bd5+ Kc8 68. Kb5 Re1 69. Ka6 Ra1+ Black should win easily.

64. Kc4 g1Q 65. Rxg1 Bxg1 66. Bf7

• 66. Be8 Ra5 67. Bb5 Kc8 68. Kb4 Rxb5+ 69. Kxb5 Bh2 70. Kc5 Bxd6+ wins for Black much as in the actual game.

66. -- Re3 67. Bd5+ Kc8 68. Kb5 Re1

• 68. -- f4?! is too hasty: after 69. Ka6 Re8 70. Bf3 Kd7 71. Kb7 Kxd6 72. c8Q Rxc8 73. Kxc8 Black is have difficulty converting the pawn in the opposite-colored Bishops ending.

69. Ka6 Ra1+ 70. Kb5 Rb1+ 71. Ka4 Re1

• This is a very flexible move that gives Black the option of maneuvering the Rook behind the the f-pawn.

72. Bc4 Re4 73. Kb3

Black: Parimarjan Negi
!""""""""#
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White: Jonny Hector
Position after 73. Ka4b3

73. -- Rxc4!!

• 73. -- Re8 74. Ba6+ Kd7 75. Bb5+ Kxd6 76. Bxe8 Kxc7 leaves Black's win less certain.

74. Kxc4 Bh2 75. Kd5 Bxd6 76. 0-1

• If 76. Kxd6 f4 then the Black pawn in outside the White King's reach.
• Otherwise, after 76. Kd4 f4 77. Ke4 Bxc7 78. Kd3 Kd7 the Black King comes up and escorts the pawn to Scone.
• Jonny resigns.

[Jack Rabbit]

8. K. Lie - Carlsen, Round 2, Gausdal

Magnus Carlsen
Photo: ChessBase.com

Kjetil Lie vs. Magnus Carlsen
Chess Classic, Round 2
Gausdal, Oppland (Norway), April 2007

Sicilian Clam Game: Grand Prix Opening

1. f4 c5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. d3 Nc6 4. e4 d5

• This is rarely played, but it suits Magnus' aggressive style.
• 4. -- d6 5. c3 g6 6. Na3 Bg7 7. Be2 0-0 8. 0-0 a6 9. Qe1 b5 10. Bd2 Rb8 11. Kh1 c4 12. dxc4 Nxe4 13. cxb5 Na7 14. Be3 gives White a pair of active Bishops (Babionyshev-Vas, Muni Ch, Kiev 1999).

5. e5 Ng8 6. Be2 Nh6 7. 0-0 Bg4!?

• Black intoduces a new move.
• 7. -- e6 8. c3 Qb6 9. Kh1 Be7 10. Na3 Bd7 11. Nc2 yields more space to White (Larsen-DeFotis, US Op, Aspen, Colorado 1968).

8. Ng5!?

• White plays an aggessive move of his own.
• If 8. h3 then:
• After 8. -- Bd7 9. c4 dxc4 10. dxc4 Nf5 11. Re1 Ncd4 12. Nxd4 cxd4 13. Qd3 White has more space and the initiative to expand on the kingside.
• 8. -- Bf5 9. g4 Nxg4 10. hxg4 Bxg4 11. Rf2 e6 12. Rg2 Bf5 White has more space, but needs to develop his queenside pieces.
• 8. Re1 e6 9. c3 Qb6 10. Nbd2 Nf5 11. Qb3 Qxb3 12. Nxb3 is equal.

8. -- Bxe2 9. Qxe2 e6 10. Qh5?!

• White is taking a risk on a kingside attack before completing his development. Morphy must be turning over in his grave.
• After 10. Nf3 Be7 11. b3 0-0 12. Bb2 Nf5 13. c4 d4 Black has equalized.

10. -- Qe7

• Black must protect f7.
• 10. -- g6 11. Qd1 Bg7 12. c3 0-0 13. Na3 Qd7 14. Nc2 f6 15. exf6 Bxf6 gives Black a small edge in space.

11. Nc3

• White develops the Knight to its natural square.
• 11. Nf3 g6 12. Qg5 Qxg5 13. fxg5 Ng4 14. Re1 Bg7 15. Bf4 gives Black an advantaged based on the activity of his Knights.

Black: Magnus Carlsen
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White: Kjetil Lie
Position after 11. Nb1c3

11. -- 0-0-0!

• By castling long, Black puts his Rook behind the headpawn.
• 11. -- g6 12. Qh3 Nf5 13. Ne2 h6 14. c3 Bg7 15. Nf3 is level.

12. Bd2?!

• This move is weak. The Knight cannot be maintained at c3. A more aggessive move is indicated.
• Better is 12. Nb5 f6 13. Nf3 Nf7 when:
• After 14. Be3 g6 15. exf6 Qxf6 16. Qh3 Qxb2 17. Qxe6+ Rd7 18. Rfb1 Qg7 is equal.
• After 14. Bd2 a6 15. Na3 fxe5 16. Nxe5 Ncxe5 17. fxe5 g6 18. Qe2 Bg7 Black's spatial advantage is palpable.

12. -- f6 13. exf6

• White should try to maintain a pawn at e5.
• If 13. Nf3 Nf5 14. Rae1 g6 15. exf6 Qxf6 16. Qh3 then:
• 16. -- Bg7 17. Be3 b6 gives Black a distinct advantage in space.
• 16. -- h6 17. Ne2 Bg7 18. c3 gives Black the edge in space, but White's active Queen and the position of his Rooks compensate.

13. -- gxf6 14. Rae1?

• White loses a piece. He'll get no compensation for it.
• After 14. Nf3 Rg8 15. Rae1 Nf5 16. Nd1 Qe8 17. Qxe8 Rxe8 18. g3 b5 White's piece activity compensates Black's edge in space.

14. -- fxg5 15. fxg5 Ng8 16. Rf7

• White may have overestimated the strength of this move when he played his 14th.
• If 16. Nb5 e5 17. Rf7 Qe6 then:
• After 18. Nc7 Qd6 19. Qh3+ Kb8 20. Ne6 Re8 21. Nxf8 Rxf8 22. Rxf8+ Qxf8 White is not nearly compenated for the Knight.
• After 18. Be3 Be7 19. Rxh7 Rxh7 20. Qxh7 d4 21. Bc1 Qxa2 22. Qf5+ Rd7 Black still has an extra piece.

Black: Magnus Carlsen
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White: Kjetil Lie
Position after 16. Rf1f7

16. -- Qe8!!

• This may have been the move White overlooked or underestimated.
• Black establishes a pin that destroys White's attack.
• 16. -- Qd6? 17. Nb5 Qb8 18. Bf4 Nf6 19. Qh4 Bd6 20. Nxd6+ Rxd6 21. Rxf6 White has overwhelming piece activity. The focus of White's attack is e6; once the Rook at d6 amkes a recapture, White wins the Black Queen.

17. Nxd5 Bd6

• Probably winning faster is 17. -- Rd7 18. Rxf8 Qxf8 19. Rxe6 Rf7 20. Ne3 Nge7 21. Rf6 Rxf6 22. gxf6 Qxf6 yielding to White a Rook for three pawns.

18. Bc3 Rd7 19. Ref1

• No better for White is 19. Bxh8 Rxf7 20. Qh3 Nd8 21. Nc3 Be7 22. Re5 Qf8 23. Re1 Bxg5.

19. -- Nd8 20. Rxd7

• If 20. Bxh8 Rxf7 21. Rxf7 Qxf7 then:
• After 22. Qg4 Ne7 23. Nxe7+ Bxe7 24. h4 b5 Black is a piece up.
• 22. Qxf7 Nxf7 wins another piece for Black.

20. -- Qxh5

• Black harvests the fruit of his 16th move.

21. Rxd6 Qe8 22. Bxh8 exd5 23. Rxd5 Ne7 24. Rxc5+

• White actually has a slight material advantage on paper, but his uncoordinated pieces are no match for Black's Queen.

24. -- Nec6 25. Bd4 Ne6 26. Re1

• 26. Rxc6+ Qxc6 27. Be3 Qc7 28. a4 Qa5 29. h4 Qxa4 30. Rf6 Nd8 Black threatens 31. Qxh4 followed by 32. Qe1+ winning the Bishop.

Black: Magnus Carlsen
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White: Kjetil Lie
Position after 26. Rf1e1

26. -- Qd7!

• Black attacks the Bishop twice and the Rook at c5 once. He must win yet more material.
• 26. -- Qg8 27. Rxc6+ bxc6 28. Be3 Nxg5 29. Rf1 Qg7 Black's Queen continues to meaces White's pawns.

27. Rxc6+ Qxc6 28. Be3 Kd7

• Also winning is 28. -- Qa4 29. a3 Kd7 30. c3 Qc2 31. Bxa7 Qxb2 32. Be3 Qxc3.

29. c4

• This is the first pawn move made by White since the sacrifice of his Queen on move 20.
• If 29. Re2 Qa4 30. b3 Qxa2 then:
• After 31. Kf2 Qa1 32. h4 Nd4 33. Re1 Qc3 34. Bxd4 Qxd4+ White can resign.
• After 31. h4 Qa1+ 32. Kf2 Nd4 33. Bxd4 Qxd4+ 34. Kg3 b5 Black has a clear win.

29. -- Qa4 30. a3 Qc2 31. Bxa7 Nf4 32. 0-1

• After 32. Bf2 Nxd3 Black wins more material.
• Kjetil resigns.