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Javier

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  1. I'm often asked which app I use to follow online tournaments. The question does surprise me a little: there is nothing better than "Followchess", a FREE application and available for Android, Iphone (or any other operating system if you access their site directly from a browser: www.followchess.com). Among the great virtues of the program is its ease of use and the speed of transmission of games. In addition, they cover tournaments which nobody else pays any attention to: Open tournaments from all over the world -sometimes even the ones with an average rating of 1800- or Live World Championships, you name it! You can modify the settings, you can select colors, sounds, etc. and of course you can add analysis engine at any time for live evaluation. There is a "pro" version, for less than 5 euros, which also allows you to download all games in .pgn format and a few other extra features, but the free version works fine. There are other online platforms that relay tournaments with commentary, etc. but the truth is that they are very slow, you only see a couple of games, the comments are usually not particularly useful and you do not choose which games to see, etc. With Followchess, everything much faster. You get to choose which tournaments and which games you wanna follow and the touch of a screen. Here are some screenshots of their mobile version and another from their browser version for PC:
  2. A new edition of the Sinquefield Cup has just started, the St. Louis tournament with $ 300,000 in prizes. One of thh tournament highlights will no doubt be the match between Carlsen and Caruana, a pretty significant game considering the these two will meet again in November for the World Championship! In the first round, Mamedyarov (who, by the way, thanks to this victory climbs to second place on the Elo lis) caused some turmoil thanks to his interesting opening choice on move six of his Queen's Gambit (6.Qc2!?) Participants: Magnus Carlsen, Alexander Grischuk, Fabiano Caruana, Hikaru Nakamura, Levon Aronian, Maxime Vachier-Lagrave, Shakhriyar Mamedyarov, Sergey Karjakin , Viswanathan Anand and Wesley So. Please find attached all the games from round 1, including the notes to the Mamedyarov game! [pgn3][Event "Sinquefied Cup (EN)"] [Site "?"] [Date "2018.08.18"] [Round "1.3"] [White "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"] [Black "So, Wesley"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "D30"] [WhiteElo "2801"] [BlackElo "2780"] [Annotator "I.M. Javier,Gil"] [PlyCount "101"] [EventDate "2018.??.??"] 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Bg5 Be7 5. e3 O-O 6. Qc2 {This is a very unusuarl move order in the Queen's Gambit, and hardly ever seen at GM level. There is a game played by Andrikin from 2017, but it transposed into well known variations. And there's another game played by Predke, which is included here. Possible now are ...c5, ...b6, ...Nbd7, or the move played in the game.} h6 (6... Nbd7 7. Nc3 h6 8. Bh4 c5 9. dxc5 Nxc5 10. Rd1 Qa5 11. Nd2 Rd8 12. a3 d4 $2 13. exd4 Rxd4 14. b4 Qxa3 15. Bxf6 Bxf6 16. bxc5 {Black doesn't have enough compensation.} Bd7 17. Be2 Bc6 18. Nb5 Bxb5 19. cxb5 Rad8 20. O-O Qb4 21. Nb3 {1-0 (21) Predke,A (2601)-Vunder,A (2161) St Petersburg RUS 2017}) 7. Bxf6 $5 Bxf6 8. h4 g6 9. Nc3 (9. g4 Bg7) 9... c5 10. dxc5 dxc4 11. h5 $1 g5 12. Bxc4 Qa5 13. Rc1 Nd7 (13... Qxc5 14. Ne4 $5 (14. Qe2 Nc6 15. O-O Bg7 16. Rfd1 $14) 14... Qa5+ 15. Ke2 Bg7 16. Nfxg5 $1 $16) 14. O-O Bxc3 (14... Nxc5 15. Rfd1 (15. Nd4 $5) 15... Bd7 16. Qb1 $5) 15. Qxc3 Qxc3 16. Rxc3 Nxc5 17. Ne5 b6 18. f4 (18. Rd1 Bb7 19. Ra3 $5 $16) 18... Ne4 19. Rd3 Ng3 20. Rf3 Ne4 (20... gxf4 21. exf4 Nxh5 22. Rh3 $1 Nxf4 23. Rdg3+ Kh7 24. Rh4 Ng6 25. Bd3 $18) 21. Rd4 Bb7 22. f5 $1 Nf6 23. Rf1 Rae8 24. fxe6 fxe6 25. Ng6 Rf7 26. Ne5 Rff8 27. Rd6 Bd5 $2 {The resulting endgame after this move is just lost for Black.} (27... Nd5 28. Rxf8+ Kxf8 29. Rd7 $18) (27... Kg7 28. Bxe6 $16) 28. Rxf6 Rxf6 29. Bxd5 exd5 30. Rxf6 Rxe5 31. Rxh6 Rxe3 32. Rg6+ Kh7 33. Rxg5 Re2 34. Rxd5 Rxb2 35. Kh2 Rxa2 36. Kh3 a5 (36... Kh6 37. g4 a5 38. Rd6+ Kg5 39. Rg6+ Kf4 40. Rf6+ ( 40. h6 Ra1 $11) 40... Kg5 41. Rf5+ Kh6 42. Rb5 Ra1 43. Rxb6+ {And White wins.}) 37. g4 a4 38. g5 a3 39. Rd7+ Kg8 40. Rd8+ Kh7 41. Rd7+ Kg8 42. Rd8+ Kh7 43. g6+ Kh6 44. Rh8+ Kg7 45. Rh7+ Kg8 46. Ra7 Ra1 47. Kg2 $1 $18 Rc1 48. h6 Rc8 49. Rxa3 b5 50. Ra7 Rb8 51. Kg3 (51. Kg3 b4 52. Kg4 b3 53. h7+ Kh8 54. Kg5 b2 55. Kh6 $1) 1-0[/pgn3] sinqfield1EN.pgn
  3. The best chess server in the world, Lichess (www.lichess.org), has just broken a new record this week by routinely having over 34,000 live online players, a figure that far surpasses other chess servers: chess.com, ICC and chessbase's playchess.com. Lichess already has a base of more than one million users who regularly connect to their server and the speed of play far exceeds its competitors: speed is such that games at 60, 30 or even 15 seconds without time increments are becoming ever more popular. In addition to its technical virtues, lichess is TOTALLY FREE and already has more than 1 million users who use the site regularly.
  4. I decided to take a look at this game rather accidentally. I think It was one of those days when the big boys were playing in the world blitz championship, and I was curious to see if the quality of the games played by the young minds would be any better (it definitely was!). When I came across this game, my first impression was: oh my god, this was a HUGE swindle! However, the more I studied it, the more I realised how wrong I was: it was not a swindle at all, it was an incredible masterpiece! Lukasz Jarmula is a young (17) International Master from Poland. What I find incredible about this game is his ability to sense (by means of intuition) that he had enough compensation for the pawns he was giving up. I'm not exagerating here: not even the strongest chess engines can come close to guessing the validity of those pawns sacs (!!). [Event "WYCC Open U18 Porto Carras "] [Site "?"] [Date "2015.10.26"] [Round "?"] [White "Jarmula"] [Black "Garriga Cazorla, Pere"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "B94"] [WhiteElo "2321"] [BlackElo "2422"] [Annotator "M.I. Javier Gil"] [PlyCount "41"] [EventDate "2015.??.??"] [SourceDate "2016.02.22"] 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 {An Increasingly unusual move in the third millenium, everyone is afraid of "your opening preparation". Carl sen's 3. Bb5+ or the more modern tries 3.c3, 3.a3, 3.g3 and 3.b3 are gaining ground. but 3.c4 is the future. (lol). Seriously though, "being afraid of your opponent's computer preparation" actually favours strong lazy players who don't like to study opening theory, so the trick is to play some deeply studied book line every now and then so that you earn the reputation of a ruthless theoretician. After that you never study theory again, and people will try all kinds of weird stuff against you. Job done!} cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 {If Najdorf earned a cent each time someone had played this, his Grand Children would be quite well off now. (hey, maybe they are, just trying to be funny!)} 6. Bg5 Nbd7 {This is far more unusual than 6...e6, but Na kamura, Anan d, Navar a and Domingue z, amongst others, have tried it successfully.} (6... e6 7. f4 {And then we have the classic 7...Be7, 7...Qb6 poisoned pawn, Polugayevsky's 7...b5 and also the very interesting but heavily analysed 7... Nc6.}) 7. Qe2 g6 {In most games where this position was reached, black prefers to go 7...h6 first. If then 8. Bh4, then 8...g6 and the move which white played in this game wouldn't be possible. By the way, what is this called, a Najdragon? A Dragorf?} 8. O-O-O Bg7 9. h4 $1 {White feels no need to camouflage his not very peaceful intentions... 9.f4 has also been tried here.} h5 (9... h6 {Unfortunately, it's a little late for this.} 10. Bxf6 $1 Bxf6 (10... Nxf6 11. e5 $1) 11. Nd5 Bg7 12. h5 g5 13. Nf5 $18) 10. Kb1 Qc7 (10... b5 $4 {This would be a blunder.} 11. Nc6 $1 Qb6 {11...Qc7 leads to the same thing.} 12. Nxe7 $1) 11. g4 $5 {Why prepare it when you can play it now?} (11. f4 Nb6 12. f5 Ng4 13. Rh3 Qc5 { This happened in Solak-Nakamura, which eventually ended in a draw. Solak played 14.Nb3.14.Nd5!? was very intersting.} 14. Nd5 Nxd5 $1 (14... Bxd4 $2 15. b4 Qc6 16. Nxe7 {Wins for white.}) 15. exd5 O-O $1 {And black's bishops are beginning to display a certain fury.}) 11... hxg4 (11... Nxg4 $2 12. Nd5 Qc5 13. b4 $18) 12. h5 {Very impressive!} Rxh5 (12... gxh5 13. Nf5 Bf8 14. f4 gxf3 15. Qxf3 Ne5 16. Qf4 $1 $44 {And the threat of Bxf6 is quite annoying.} Neg4 $2 17. Bxf6 Nxf6 18. Nxd6+ exd6 19. Qxf6 $16) 13. Rxh5 gxh5 14. Nf5 Bf8 15. Bg2 $1 {A cold blooded positional move, played as if white hadn't given up anything! it's moves like this that make this game so special. Lukasz sensed the difficulties that black was facing here.} e6 16. e5 $3 {Another pawn sacrifice, freeing the e4 square for his pieces.} dxe5 (16... Nxe5 17. Bxf6 exf5 18. Nd5 $18) 17. Ng3 {White's 3 pawns down(!). What's surprising is that he doesn't seem to have any immediate threats, but if you look closely, black can barely move any of his pieces or pawns!} Be7 (17... Nh7 18. Bh4 f5 19. Nxh5 Bh6 20. Ne4 $3 $16 {And black's pawn mass seems incredibly useless! Taking the N would lead to a devastating attack after 21.Bxe4.} fxe4 $2 21. Bxe4 Nhf8 22. Qxg4 $18 ) 18. Qd2 Nc5 {This seems to lose pretty quickly, but it wasn't easy to find a move for black.} (18... Bb4 19. Bxf6 Nxf6 20. Qh6 Bxc3 (20... Be7 21. Qh8+ Bf8 22. Qxf6 $18) 21. Qxf6 Qb6 (21... Bd4 22. Nxh5) 22. b3 $18 Bb4 (22... Bd4 23. Nxh5 $18) 23. Nxh5 $18) (18... Qb6 19. Nge4 $5 (19. Bxf6 {This is interesting also, but probably not as good.} Nxf6 20. Qh6 Nd7 (20... Bd7 $2 21. Qh8+ $18) ( 20... Ba3 $2 21. Qh8+ Ke7 22. Na4 Qc7 23. bxa3 $18) 21. Qh8+ Nf8 22. Nce4 Bd7 23. Nf6+ Bxf6 24. Qxf6 Nh7 25. Qh8+ (25. Qh4 $2 Qxf2) 25... Nf8 26. Qf6 $11) 19... Nxe4 20. Nxe4 f6 21. Bh4 $1 {And this positions looks really difficult for black.} Ba3 (21... f5 22. Bxe7 fxe4 (22... Kxe7 23. Qg5+ $18) 23. Qg5 Qxf2 24. Bxe4 $18) 22. c3 $1 (22. Qxd7+ {This is a flash queen sacrifice, but I think a draw is the most white can get.} Bxd7 23. Nxf6+ Kf7 $8 24. Rxd7+ Kf8 $8 (24... Kg6 $4 25. Be4+ Kh6 26. Rh7#) 25. Rxb7 Qd4 26. Nh7+ Kg8 27. Nf6+ Kf8 28. bxa3 Qd1+ 29. Kb2 Rc8 {White doesn't have time for the final stab.} 30. Be4 Qd4+ 31. Kb1 Qd1+ 32. Kb2 Qd4+ 33. Kc1 Qa1+ 34. Kd2 Qd4+ 35. Ke2 Qc4+ 36. Ke1 Qc3+ 37. Ke2 Qc4+ 38. Bd3 Qc6 39. Be4 $11) 22... f5 23. b3 f4 (23... fxe4 $2 24. Qg5 $18) 24. Qc2 Kf8 (24... f3 25. Nf6+ $1 Nxf6 26. Qg6+ $18) 25. Ng5 $18 { With a winning attack for white.}) 19. Bxf6 $1 Bxf6 20. Nxh5 Be7 (20... Nd7 21. Qh6 Ke7 22. Nxf6 Nxf6 23. Qg5 $18 {Winning, as 24. Ne4 can't be stopped.}) 21. Ng7+ {Black resigned. He's getting checkmated.} (21. Ng7+ Kf8 22. Qh6 Bd6 23. Qh8+ Ke7 24. Qe8+ Kf6 25. Nh5+ Kg5 26. Qg8+ Kf5 27. Qh7+ Kg5 28. Qg7+ Kf5 29. Qf6#) 1-0 Link to Jarmula's FIDE card: https://ratings.fide.com/card.phtml?event=1160664
  5. Yes, I think that book is definitly too advanced for a beginner... I'd go for "My System" or "Logical chess move by move" or other beginner manuals.
  6. Well, I guess there's some truth in that, but there some new books out there which can be considered "jewels".
  7. That is indeed a typo. Thanks for pointing it out! Quizzes will be upgraded at some point, as flash is slowly dying out.
  8. Hi Franks, thanks for your comments. Unfortunately, Adobe made some decisions which have resulted in a major slow-down of educational books: They gave up on further development of Flash and, more importantly, they never allowed animated gifs on their pdf files, which would have solved may of the problems. Thus, we have a scenario where it is possible to develop an application which will allow what you're requesting BUT: it will only be compatible with *some* operating systems and not others, which is the major issue. So at present I'm leaning towards pdf (without animations) and then have some tutorials (both video + html) on my site. Cheers.
  9. Carlsen has won Zurich 2014 (which was really not the strongest tournament in history, as it wasn't a double round robin and some of the worls's best players were not there. I mean, just 5 rounds of slow chess, it's not serious!). Magnus was 2 points ahead of Aronian before the rapid games began, and most GMs thought he wouldn't have any problems keeping his advantage. But they were wrong! Magnus lost 2 games, against his toughest opponents, Aronian and Caruana, and only managed to score 40% (2 points out of 5, with a rating performance of 2713 compared to a rating performance of +3000 in the slow games). However, Nakamura managed to defeat Aronian in his game and put a stop to the Armenian's hopes. Caruana won the rapid tournament with 4 out of 5 (and a rating performance of +3000 also) It must be said, however, that 15 minutes + 10 seconds increment is not really considered a rapid game (which is 25 minutes + 10). Aronian commented: "it was something kind of in between a blitz game and a rapid game. But I guess it was entertaining" . Meanwhile American GM Nakamura (3.5/5) reflected on a somewhat chilling fact: If only he'd defeated Carlsen in "that game" (which was totally winning for him), he would have ended up on 9.5 instead of 7.5, winning the tournament. (don't forget that the slow games score double) . Perhaps these little details will decide the tournaments of this decade? perhaps! The quality of the rapid games was below what we expected. Combined final standings: Carlsen 10, Caruana , Aronian 9, Nakamura 7.5, Anand 5, Gelfand 4.5 [Event "Zurich CC Rapid 2014"][site "Zurich SUI"][Date "2014.02.04"][Round "1.1"][White "Gelfan d, Boris"][black "Carlse n, Magnus"][Result "0-1"][WhiteTitle "GM"][blackTitle "GM"][WhiteElo "2761"][blackElo "2872"][ECO "A58"][Opening "Benko gambit accepted"][WhiteFideId "2805677"][blackFideId "1503014"][EventDate "2014.02.04"]1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. d5 b5 4. cxb5 a6 5. bxa6 g6 6. Nc3 Bg7 7. e4 O-O 8. Nf3Qa5 9. Bd3 Nxd5 10. exd5 Bxc3+ 11. bxc3 Qxc3+ 12. Qd2 Qxa1 13. O-O Bxa6 14. Bb2Qxa2 15. Ra1 Qb3 16. Be4 d6 17. Rb1 f6 18. Bxf6 Qc4 19. Bb2 Qxe4 20. Re1 Qd3 21.Qxd3 Bxd3 22. Rxe7 Rxf3 23. gxf3 Na6 0-1[Event "Zurich CC Rapid 2014"][site "Zurich SUI"][Date "2014.02.04"][Round "1.2"][White "Anan d, Viswanathan"][black "Aronia n, Levon"][Result "0-1"][WhiteTitle "GM"][blackTitle "GM"][WhiteElo "2773"][blackElo "2826"][ECO "A56"][Opening "Czech Benoni defence"][WhiteFideId "5000017"][blackFideId "13300474"][EventDate "2014.02.04"]1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. d5 e5 4. Nc3 d6 5. e4 Nbd7 6. Nf3 Be7 7. g3 O-O 8. Bd3 Nh59. Qe2 a6 10. Bd2 g6 11. Kd1 Kh8 12. h3 Ndf6 13. Kc2 Bd7 14. a4 Qc8 15. g4 Ng716. Nh2 Ng8 17. f4 exf4 18. Bxf4 f6 19. Nf1 Rf7 20. Ne3 Qf8 21. h4 Bd8 22. Qh2Bc7 23. h5 g5 24. h6 Ne8 25. Bg3 Ne7 26. Nf5 Ng6 27. a5 Ne5 28. Be2 Bxf5 29.exf5 Qe7 30. Be1 Qd8 31. Ne4 Re7 32. Qg2 b6 33. Bc3 b5 34. cxb5 axb5 35. Bxb5Bxa5 36. Bc6 Raa7 37. Bxe5 Rxe5 38. Ra4 Nc7 39. Rha1 Na6 40. Nd2 Nb4+ 41. Rxb4cxb4 42. Nc4 b3+ 43. Kxb3 Ree7 44. Qg3 Qb8+ 0-1[Event "Zurich CC Rapid 2014"][site "Zurich SUI"][Date "2014.02.04"][Round "1.3"][White "Caruan a, Fabiano"][black "Nakamur a, Hikaru"][Result "1-0"][WhiteTitle "GM"][blackTitle "GM"][WhiteElo "2781"][blackElo "2776"][ECO "A62"][Opening "Benoni"][Variation "fianchetto variation"][WhiteFideId "2020009"][blackFideId "2016192"][EventDate "2014.02.04"]1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. d5 g6 4. Nc3 Bg7 5. Nf3 O-O 6. g3 e6 7. Bg2 exd5 8. cxd5d6 9. O-O Re8 10. Bf4 a6 11. a4 h6 12. Qc1 Kh7 13. Re1 Bf5 14. Nh4 Bc8 15. Qc2Nh5 16. Bd2 Nd7 17. Nf5 Bf8 18. Ne3 Rb8 19. a5 b5 20. axb6 Nxb6 21. Na4 Nxa4 22.Rxa4 Ng7 23. Be4 Be7 24. Ba5 Qd7 25. Bc3 Qd8 26. Nc4 Bd7 27. Ra3 Bb5 28. Na5 Qd729. Nc6 Rbc8 30. h4 Bf8 31. Bg2 Nh5 32. Kh2 Bg7 33. Bh3 f5 34. e4 Kh8 35. exf5Rxe1 36. Bxe1 Nf6 37. fxg6 Ng4+ 38. Kg1 Qe8 39. Bc3 Bxc6 40. dxc6 h5 41. Bxg4hxg4 42. Qf5 Bxc3 43. Rxc3 Qe1+ 44. Kh2 1-0[Event "Zurich CC Rapid 2014"][site "Zurich SUI"][Date "2014.02.04"][Round "2.1"][White "Caruan a, Fabiano"][black "Gelfan d, Boris"][Result "1/2-1/2"][WhiteTitle "GM"][blackTitle "GM"][WhiteElo "2781"][blackElo "2761"][ECO "B52"][Opening "Sicilian"][Variation "Canal-Sokolsky attack, 3...Bd7"][WhiteFideId "2020009"][blackFideId "2805677"][EventDate "2014.02.04"]1. Nf3 c5 2. e4 d6 3. Bb5+ Bd7 4. Bxd7+ Qxd7 5. O-O Nc6 6. c4 Nf6 7. Nc3 g6 8.d4 cxd4 9. Nxd4 Bg7 10. Nde2 Qe6 11. Nd5 Qxe4 12. Nc7+ Kd7 13. Nxa8 Qxc4 14.Nb6+ axb6 15. b3 Qd5 16. Be3 Qxd1 17. Raxd1 b5 18. a4 b4 19. f3 e6 20. Nf4 Ke721. Rfe1 g5 22. Ne2 h6 23. Nd4 Kd7 24. Nb5 Nd5 25. Bf2 Be5 26. Bg3 Bf4 27. Bxf4gxf4 28. Re4 f5 29. Rc4 Rg8 30. Rxd5 exd5 31. Rxf4 Ke6 32. Rh4 Rg6 33. Nd4+ Ke534. Nc2 d4 35. Ne1 Kd5 36. Nd3 Rf6 37. Kf2 Ne5 38. Ke2 Nxd3 39. Kxd3 Kc5 40.Rxd4 d5 41. Rf4 Rg6 42. g3 Re6 43. Rxf5 Re1 44. Rf8 Rd1+ 45. Kc2 Rf1 46. Kd3Rd1+ 47. Ke3 Re1+ 48. Kd2 Rb1 49. Kc2 Rf1 50. Kd3 Rd1+ 51. Kc2 Rf1 1/2-1/2[Event "Zurich CC Rapid 2014"][site "Zurich SUI"][Date "2014.02.04"][Round "2.2"][White "Nakamur a, Hikaru"][black "Anan d, Viswanathan"][Result "1-0"][WhiteTitle "GM"][blackTitle "GM"][WhiteElo "2776"][blackElo "2773"][ECO "A01"][Opening "Nimzovich-Larsen attack"][Variation "modern variation"][WhiteFideId "2016192"][blackFideId "5000017"][EventDate "2014.02.04"]1. b3 e5 2. Bb2 d6 3. e3 Nf6 4. d4 exd4 5. Qxd4 Nc6 6. Qd2 Be7 7. Nc3 O-O 8.O-O-O a6 9. f3 b5 10. g4 b4 11. Nce2 a5 12. Ng3 Ne8 13. Qd5 Bb7 14. Bb5 Ne5 15.Qxb7 Rb8 16. Qd5 Nf6 17. Qxe5 dxe5 18. Rxd8 Rfxd8 19. Bd3 Bc5 20. Bxe5 Bxe3+ 21.Kb1 Nd5 22. Nf5 Bd2 23. Bxg7 Nf4 24. Ne2 Nxd3 25. cxd3 Rxd3 26. Kc2 1-0[Event "Zurich CC Rapid 2014"][site "Zurich SUI"][Date "2014.02.04"][Round "2.3"][White "Aronia n, Levon"][black "Carlse n, Magnus"][Result "1-0"][WhiteTitle "GM"][blackTitle "GM"][WhiteElo "2826"][blackElo "2872"][ECO "E06"][Opening "Catalan"][Variation "closed, 5.Nf3"][WhiteFideId "13300474"][blackFideId "1503014"][EventDate "2014.02.04"]1. Nf3 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. g3 d5 4. Bg2 Be7 5. d4 O-O 6. Qc2 c5 7. O-O cxd4 8. Nxd4e5 9. Nf5 d4 10. Nxe7+ Qxe7 11. Bg5 h6 12. Bxf6 Qxf6 13. Nd2 Bf5 14. Qb3 Nd7 15.Qa3 Qb6 16. Rfc1 Rfc8 17. b4 a5 18. c5 Qa6 19. Nc4 Be6 20. Nd6 axb4 21. Qxa6bxa6 22. Nxc8 Rxc8 23. c6 Nb6 24. Rab1 a5 25. a3 b3 26. c7 Bc4 27. Bb7 Rxc7 28.Rxb3 Rxb7 29. Rxc4 Nxc4 30. Rxb7 Nxa3 31. Kg2 Nc4 32. g4 Nd6 33. Ra7 f6 34. Rxa5Ne4 35. h4 h5 36. gxh5 Kh7 37. Ra8 Nd6 38. Kf3 Nf5 39. Kg4 Nh6+ 40. Kh3 Nf5 41.Rd8 Nh6 42. f4 exf4 43. Rxd4 Nf7 44. Rxf4 Kh6 45. Rf5 Nd6 46. Rd5 Nc4 47. Kg3Ne3 48. Rc5 Nf1+ 49. Kf4 Nd2 50. e3 Nb3 51. Rc3 Na5 52. Rc8 Kh7 53. Kf5 1-0[Event "Zurich CC Rapid 2014"][site "Zurich SUI"][Date "2014.02.04"][Round "3.1"][White "Gelfan d, Boris"][black "Aronia n, Levon"][Result "1/2-1/2"][WhiteTitle "GM"][blackTitle "GM"][WhiteElo "2761"][blackElo "2826"][ECO "E06"][Opening "Catalan"][Variation "closed, 5.Nf3"][WhiteFideId "2805677"][blackFideId "13300474"][EventDate "2014.02.04"]1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. g3 Be7 5. Bg2 O-O 6. Nc3 Nbd7 7. b3 Nb6 8. Ne5Bb4 9. Bb2 Ne4 10. Qd3 f6 11. Nf3 e5 12. a3 Bxc3+ 13. Bxc3 Nxf2 14. Kxf2 e4 15.Qc2 Bf5 16. Qa2 exf3 17. exf3 dxc4 18. bxc4 Be6 19. d5 Bf7 20. Rhe1 c6 21. Bb4Re8 22. Rxe8+ Qxe8 23. Re1 Qd8 24. f4 cxd5 25. cxd5 Nxd5 26. Bxd5 Bxd5 27. Qd2Qb6+ 28. Qe3 Qa6 29. g4 Bf7 30. Qd4 h6 31. Re7 Qc6 32. Kg3 Re8 33. Rxe8+ Qxe834. Qxa7 Bd5 35. Qc5 Qe6 36. Qe7 Qb6 37. Qc5 Qe6 38. Qe7 Qb6 39. Qc5 1/2-1/2[Event "Zurich CC Rapid 2014"][site "Zurich SUI"][Date "2014.02.04"][Round "3.2"][White "Carlse n, Magnus"][black "Nakamur a, Hikaru"][Result "1/2-1/2"][WhiteTitle "GM"][blackTitle "GM"][WhiteElo "2872"][blackElo "2776"][ECO "B51"][Opening "Sicilian"][Variation "Canal-Sokolsky (Nimzovich-Rossolimo, Moscow) attack"][WhiteFideId "1503014"][blackFideId "2016192"][EventDate "2014.02.04"]1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. Bb5+ Nd7 4. O-O a6 5. Bd3 Ngf6 6. Re1 b5 7. c4 Ne5 8. Bf1Nxc4 9. a4 Bd7 10. d4 cxd4 11. Nxd4 e5 12. axb5 exd4 13. Bxc4 axb5 14. Rxa8 Qxa815. Bb3 Be7 16. Qxd4 O-O 17. Nc3 b4 18. Qxb4 Rb8 19. Qc4 Be6 20. Nd5 Bd8 21. h3h6 22. Bf4 Qb7 23. Bc2 Ba5 24. Rd1 Bxd5 25. exd5 Rc8 26. Qb3 Qxb3 27. Bxb3 Rb828. Bc4 Rxb2 29. Bxd6 Bb6 30. Be5 Rxf2 31. Kh2 Rf5 32. Bg3 h5 33. d6 Rc5 34. Be2Ne4 35. d7 Bd8 36. Bb8 Nf6 37. Bf3 Kh7 38. Bf4 g5 39. Be3 Rb5 40. Bc6 Ra5 41.Bd4 Kg6 42. Kh1 Ra6 43. Rc1 h4 44. Kg1 Be7 45. Bb5 Rd6 46. Bc5 Rxd7 47. Bxd7Bxc5+ 48. Rxc5 Nxd7 49. Rc6+ f6 50. Kf2 Ne5 51. Rc3 Kf5 52. Ke3 Nd7 53. Rb3 Nf854. Rb5+ Kg6 55. Ke4 Ne6 56. Rb2 Nf4 57. Ra2 Ne6 58. Kd5 Nf4+ 59. Kd6 g4 60.hxg4 Kg5 61. Ke7 Kxg4 62. Kxf6 Kg3 63. Kf5 Nxg2 64. Ra3+ Kf2 65. Kg4 Ne3+ 66.Kxh4 Kf3 67. Ra4 Nf5+ 68. Kg5 Ne3 69. Ra3 Ke4 70. Rxe3+ Kxe3 1/2-1/2[Event "Zurich CC Rapid 2014"][site "Zurich SUI"][Date "2014.02.04"][Round "3.3"][White "Anan d, Viswanathan"][black "Caruan a, Fabiano"][Result "0-1"][WhiteTitle "GM"][blackTitle "GM"][WhiteElo "2773"][blackElo "2781"][ECO "B41"][Opening "Sicilian"][Variation "Kan variation"][WhiteFideId "5000017"][blackFideId "2020009"][EventDate "2014.02.04"]1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 a6 5. Be2 Nf6 6. Nc3 Qc7 7. O-O Bc5 8. Bg5Nc6 9. Nxc6 bxc6 10. Kh1 d5 11. Bd3 Be7 12. f4 Bb7 13. Qe1 h6 14. Bh4 O-O 15. e5Ne8 16. Bxe7 Qxe7 17. Ne2 c5 18. c3 a5 19. Ng1 Ba6 20. Bxa6 Rxa6 21. c4 Nc7 22.b3 a4 23. Nf3 Rfa8 24. Rb1 axb3 25. axb3 Ra2 26. Rf2 Qd7 27. Rxa2 Rxa2 28. h3Na6 29. Ra1 Rxa1 30. Qxa1 Nb4 31. Qa8+ Kh7 32. Qf8 Nd3 33. f5 exf5 34. Qd6 Qa735. Qxd5 Nf4 36. Qd2 Ne6 37. Kh2 Qb7 38. Qd3 g6 39. Kg1 Kg7 40. Kf2 Qa8 41. Qc2Qa1 42. Qd2 Qb1 43. Qc3 Kg8 44. Ne1 Ng5 45. Qc2 Qa1 46. Nd3 Ne4+ 47. Ke3 Qg1+48. Kf3 Qh2 49. Ne1 Qxe5 50. Ke2 Qg3 51. Qd3 Qf2+ 52. Kd1 Qb2 53. Qc2 Qd4+ 54.Ke2 h5 55. Qd3 Qe5 56. Kf1 Qf4+ 57. Ke2 Kg7 58. Qe3 Qe5 59. Nd3 Qh2 60. Nxc5Qxg2+ 61. Ke1 Ng5 62. h4 Nf3+ 63. Kd1 Qg4 64. Kc2 f4 65. Qe7 Qf5+ 66. Kc3 Ne567. Qg5 Qxg5 68. hxg5 h4 69. Ne4 Ng4 70. Kd4 0-1[Event "Zurich CC Rapid 2014"][site "Zurich SUI"][Date "2014.02.04"][Round "4.1"][White "Anan d, Viswanathan"][black "Gelfan d, Boris"][Result "1/2-1/2"][WhiteTitle "GM"][blackTitle "GM"][WhiteElo "2773"][blackElo "2761"][ECO "B92"][Opening "Sicilian"][Variation "Najdorf, Opovcensky variation"][WhiteFideId "5000017"][blackFideId "2805677"][EventDate "2014.02.04"]1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Be2 e5 7. Nb3 Be7 8. Be3Be6 9. Nd5 Nbd7 10. Qd3 Bxd5 11. exd5 O-O 12. O-O Nc5 13. Qd2 Nfe4 14. Qb4 a515. Qc4 Rc8 16. Qb5 b6 17. f3 Nf6 18. Rfd1 Nh5 19. g3 g6 20. Nxc5 bxc5 21. Bd2Ra8 22. f4 Ng7 23. fxe5 dxe5 24. Be3 Rb8 25. Qc4 Nf5 26. Bf2 Rxb2 27. Rab1 Rb428. Rxb4 cxb4 29. Qc6 Bd6 30. c4 bxc3 31. Qxc3 e4 32. Bg4 Bb4 33. Qb3 e3 34.Bxe3 Nxe3 35. Qxe3 Re8 36. Qd4 Bd6 37. Kg2 Qc7 38. Rd2 h5 39. Re2 Rxe2+ 40. Bxe2Qc2 41. Qc4 Qd2 42. a4 Qe3 43. Qd3 Qe5 44. Bf3 Kg7 45. Bd1 h4 46. Qf3 hxg3 47.hxg3 Qd4 48. g4 Qd2+ 49. Kf1 Bc5 50. Bb3 Qc1+ 51. Ke2 Qb2+ 52. Kd1 Bb4 53. Qe3Bd6 54. Bc2 Qa1+ 55. Ke2 Qh1 56. Qc3+ Kg8 57. Qc8+ Kg7 58. Qc3+ Kg8 59. Qc8+ Kg760. Qc3+ Kh7 61. Qf3 Qh2+ 62. Kd3 Kg8 63. Qe4 Bb4 64. Kc4 Qc7+ 65. Kb5 Qb7+ 66.Kc4 Qc8+ 67. Kd3 Qc3+ 68. Ke2 Qe1+ 69. Kf3 Qf1+ 70. Ke3 Bd6 71. Kd4 Qf2+ 72. Kd3Bb4 73. Qe3 Qg2 74. Qe4 Qd2+ 75. Kc4 Qc3+ 76. Kb5 Qc5+ 77. Ka6 Qc8+ 78. Kb5 Bd679. Bd1 Qc5+ 80. Ka6 Qc8+ 81. Kb5 Kh7 82. Bc2 Qc5+ 83. Ka6 Bc7 84. Kb7 Qb6+ 85.Kc8 Bd6 86. Qc4 Qb8+ 87. Kd7 Qf8 88. Qe4 Qb8 89. Qc4 Qf8 90. Qe4 Qb8 91. Qc4 1/2-1/2[Event "Zurich CC Rapid 2014"][site "Zurich SUI"][Date "2014.02.04"][Round "4.2"][White "Caruan a, Fabiano"][black "Carlse n, Magnus"][Result "1-0"][WhiteTitle "GM"][blackTitle "GM"][WhiteElo "2781"][blackElo "2872"][ECO "A05"][Opening "Reti opening"][WhiteFideId "2020009"][blackFideId "1503014"][EventDate "2014.02.04"]1. Nf3 Nf6 2. g3 d5 3. Bg2 c6 4. O-O Bf5 5. d3 e6 6. c4 Nbd7 7. cxd5 cxd5 8. Be3Bc5 9. Bxc5 Nxc5 10. Nc3 O-O 11. Qd2 h6 12. Rfc1 Rc8 13. b4 Ncd7 14. a4 Qe7 15.Nb5 a6 16. Nbd4 Bg6 17. Nb3 e5 18. Nh4 Bh7 19. Bh3 d4 20. Nf3 Rxc1+ 21. Rxc1 Nb622. a5 Nbd5 23. Rc5 Rd8 24. Na1 e4 25. Nxd4 exd3 26. exd3 Bxd3 27. Qxd3 Nxb4 28.Qc3 Ne4 29. Nf5 Qf8 30. Qxb4 Nxc5 31. Nc2 Nd3 32. Qc3 g6 33. Nfd4 Nc5 34. Bg2Qd6 35. h4 h5 36. Qe3 Qf6 37. Nf3 Qf5 38. Nfd4 Qf6 39. Kh2 Kg7 40. Qc3 Nd7 41.f4 b5 42. Nb4 Nb8 43. Nd5 b4 44. Nf5+ 1-0[Event "Zurich CC Rapid 2014"][site "Zurich SUI"][Date "2014.02.04"][Round "4.3"][White "Nakamur a, Hikaru"][black "Aronia n, Levon"][Result "1-0"][WhiteTitle "GM"][blackTitle "GM"][WhiteElo "2776"][blackElo "2826"][ECO "A01"][Opening "Nimzovich-Larsen attack"][Variation "classical variation"][WhiteFideId "2016192"][blackFideId "13300474"][EventDate "2014.02.04"]1. b3 d5 2. e3 Nf6 3. Bb2 Bf5 4. h3 h6 5. Nf3 e6 6. c4 Be7 7. g4 Bh7 8. Rg1 Nbd79. cxd5 exd5 10. h4 Ne4 11. g5 hxg5 12. hxg5 O-O 13. d3 Bb4+ 14. Nbd2 Nxd2 15.Nxd2 c5 16. a3 Bxd2+ 17. Qxd2 Re8 18. f4 Qb6 19. Kf2 Qxb3 20. g6 Bxg6 21. f5 d422. e4 Bxf5 23. exf5 Re3 24. Rb1 Qd5 25. Rxg7+ Kf8 26. Rg2 Ne5 27. Qd1 Re8 28.Bc1 b6 29. Qh5 Qf3+ 30. Qxf3 Rxf3+ 31. Kg1 Rxf5 32. Rf2 Rh5 33. Bf4 Re6 34. Be2Rh3 35. Rd1 Ke7 36. Kg2 Rh8 37. Bh2 Rg6+ 38. Kf1 f6 39. Ke1 Ng4 40. Bxg4 Rxg441. Kd2 Rg6 42. a4 Rhg8 43. Re1+ Kd7 44. Ree2 Kc6 45. Kc2 f5 46. Kb3 Rf8 47. Re7f4 48. Rxa7 Re6 49. Kc4 Re1 50. Bxf4 Rc1+ 51. Bxc1 Rxf2 52. Kb3 Rf3 53. Kc2 c454. dxc4 Rc3+ 55. Kb2 Rxc4 56. Bd2 d3 57. Kb3 Rc2 58. Bf4 Rf2 59. Rc7+ Kd5 60.Rd7+ Kc6 61. Rc7+ Kd5 62. Be3 Rf1 63. Rd7+ Ke4 64. Bxb6 Rb1+ 65. Kc4 Rxb6 66.Rxd3 Ra6 67. Ra3 Ra5 68. Kb4 Ra8 69. Kc5 Rc8+ 70. Kb6 Kd5 71. a5 Kd6 72. Rd3+Ke7 73. a6 Rb8+ 74. Kc7 Rb1 75. Re3+ Kf7 76. Ra3 Rc1+ 77. Kb6 Rb1+ 78. Ka5 1-0[Event "Zurich CC Rapid 2014"][site "Zurich SUI"][Date "2014.02.04"][Round "5.1"][White "Gelfan d, Boris"][black "Nakamur a, Hikaru"][Result "0-1"][WhiteTitle "GM"][blackTitle "GM"][WhiteElo "2761"][blackElo "2776"][ECO "A80"][Opening "Dutch"][WhiteFideId "2805677"][blackFideId "2016192"][EventDate "2014.02.04"]1. d4 f5 2. Nc3 d5 3. Bf4 Nf6 4. e3 a6 5. Nf3 e6 6. Bd3 c5 7. dxc5 Bxc5 8. O-ONc6 9. Ne2 O-O 10. c4 Nb4 11. Nc3 Nxd3 12. Qxd3 dxc4 13. Qxc4 Qe7 14. Rac1 Bd715. Ne5 b5 16. Qb3 Rfc8 17. Nxd7 Qxd7 18. Rfd1 Qf7 19. a4 b4 20. Ne2 a5 21. h3h6 22. Be5 Nd7 23. Bg3 Bf8 24. Nd4 e5 25. Qxf7+ Kxf7 26. Rxc8 Rxc8 27. Nxf5 Ke628. e4 Rc2 29. Rd5 Rc5 30. Ne3 Nb6 31. Rd8 Be7 32. Re8 Kf7 33. Rb8 Nxa4 34. Nd5Bf6 35. Rb7+ Kg6 36. f4 exf4 37. Nxf4+ Kh7 38. Ne6 Rc6 39. e5 Bg5 40. Nxg7 Nc541. Ra7 Kg6 42. Ne8 a4 43. h4 Be3+ 44. Kh2 a3 45. bxa3 b3 46. h5+ Kxh5 47. e6Nxe6 48. Rb7 Rb6 49. Rxb6 0-1[Event "Zurich CC Rapid 2014"][site "Zurich SUI"][Date "2014.02.04"][Round "5.2"][White "Aronia n, Levon"][black "Caruan a, Fabiano"][Result "1/2-1/2"][WhiteTitle "GM"][blackTitle "GM"][WhiteElo "2826"][blackElo "2781"][ECO "A04"][Opening "Reti opening"][WhiteFideId "13300474"][blackFideId "2020009"][EventDate "2014.02.04"]1. Nf3 d6 2. d4 f5 3. Bf4 Nf6 4. e3 g6 5. h3 Bg7 6. Be2 O-O 7. O-O e6 8. Bh2 Nc69. Nbd2 Qe7 10. c3 b6 11. b4 a5 12. Qb3 Bb7 13. a3 h6 14. c4 Nd8 15. c5 axb4 16.axb4 Nf7 17. Nh4 Kh7 18. cxd6 cxd6 19. Nc4 Bd5 20. Qb2 Ne4 21. Nf3 Qb7 22. b5Rfc8 23. Rxa8 Rxa8 24. Ra1 Rxa1+ 25. Qxa1 Qc7 26. Nfd2 Nxd2 27. Nxd2 e5 28. Bf3Bxf3 29. Nxf3 Qc4 30. Qf1 Qb4 31. Kh1 Ng5 32. Nxg5+ hxg5 33. dxe5 dxe5 34. f3 e435. fxe4 Qxe4 36. Qc1 Be5 37. Qc6 Qb1+ 38. Bg1 Bg3 39. Qd7+ Kh6 40. Qd4 Kh7 41.Qd7+ Kh6 42. Qd4 Kh7 1/2-1/2[Event "Zurich CC Rapid 2014"][site "Zurich SUI"][Date "2014.02.04"][Round "5.3"][White "Carlse n, Magnus"][black "Anan d, Viswanathan"][Result "1/2-1/2"][WhiteTitle "GM"][blackTitle "GM"][WhiteElo "2872"][blackElo "2773"][ECO "C67"][Opening "Ruy Lopez"][Variation "Berlin defence, open variation"][WhiteFideId "1503014"][blackFideId "5000017"][EventDate "2014.02.04"]1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. Re1 Nd6 6. Nxe5 Be7 7. Bf1 Nxe5 8.Rxe5 O-O 9. d4 Bf6 10. Re1 Re8 11. c3 Rxe1 12. Qxe1 Ne8 13. Bf4 d5 14. Bd3 g615. Nd2 Ng7 16. Nf3 Bf5 17. Bxf5 Nxf5 18. Qe2 c6 19. Re1 Ng7 20. Be5 Ne6 21.Bxf6 Qxf6 22. Ne5 Re8 23. Ng4 Qd8 24. Qe5 Ng7 25. Qxe8+ Nxe8 26. Rxe8+ Qxe8 27.Nf6+ Kf8 28. Nxe8 Kxe8 29. f4 f5 30. Kf2 Kf7 31. b4 b5 32. g3 Kf6 33. Kf3 Ke634. Ke3 Kf6 35. Kf3 Ke6 1/2-1/2
  10. Aronian's defeat against Caruana in the fifth round of the Zurich tournament could have a consequence: less people will be inclined to try something other than the ugly Berlin defence against the Ruy Lopez! Truth be told, however, Levon's defeat had little to do with the opening, as he had equalized. The endgame does seem a little more comfortable for Fabiano... It is a little surprising that Aronian's loss should happen in the last round of the tournament, just like it happened in the recent Tata Steel tournament. Does he tend to relax a little in the last rounds? Carlsen played a Berlin against Anand and Vishy achieved very little. They only played on to avoid having to play a blitz game. This is not Nakamura´s tournament, so his draw offer on move 21 against Gelfand did not come as much of a surprise. 5 rapid games will now follow (with reversed colours), the 5 games being played in one day. It will be hard to catch Magnus, as he's on 8 points, the slow games being worth double points...
  11. No draws today in Zurich. Carlsen played an amazing game and defeating Caruana very convincingly (from a rather insipid opening position, as usual!). See analysis below. Anand played his best game so far and managed to beat Gelfand. Nakamura hasn't fully recovered from yesterday's dramatic loss against Carlsen and it showed in his game against Aronian, who got a very good game out of the opening. [pgn][Event "Zurich Chess Challenge 2014"] [site "Zurich SUI"] [Date "2014.02.02"] [Round "4.2"] [White "Carlse n, Magnus"] [black "Caruan a, Fabiano"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "C65"] [WhiteElo "2872"] [blackElo "2782"] [Annotator "I.M. Javier Gil"] [PlyCount "93"] [EventDate "2014.01.30"] 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. d3 {Javier: Could this be the new weapon against the Berlin defence? It didn't end too well for Anan d against Nakamura in round 2, but white did seem a little better out of the opening in that game, a detail that probably didn't scape Carlse n's attention!} Bc5 5. Bxc6 dxc6 { Javier: White's basically playing an delayed exchange variation of a Ruy Lopez where black's pieces are not ideally posted as the N on f6 isn't doing much and, as the above mentioned game between Anan d and Nakamura showed, neither is the c5 B doing that much.} 6. h3 Nd7 {Javier: Nakamura chose 6...Be6 followed by Qd6.} 7. Be3 Bd6 (7... Bxe3 8. fxe3 {Javier: With some play along the f-file later on. White's pawns control important central squares also.}) 8. Nc3 c5 9. O-O Nf8 10. Nd2 {Heading for c4 and preparing f4 later.} Ng6 11. Nc4 Be6 12. Ne2 {Javier: White isn't worried about black taking on c4 because that would leave black with an awful B.} Qd7 {Javier: Both Caruan a and Carlse n were critical of this move in analysis room, but I pretty much doubt that this move would make much difference in a position like this, which is basically equal. Carlse n mentioned that 12...0-0 seemed more natural.} 13. Nxd6+ cxd6 (13... Qxd6 $5 14. f4 exf4 15. Nxf4 Nxf4 16. Bxf4 Qd7 (16... Qe7 17. Qf3 O-O-O { Javier: This is possible also.}) 17. Qh5 b6 18. Be5 O-O-O (18... O-O 19. Qg5 $1 ) 19. Bxg7 Rhg8 {Javier: Black gets play along the g-file.} 20. Bf6 (20. Qxh7 $4 f6 $19) (20. Qh6 $2 f5 $1 $17) 20... Bxh3 21. Rf2 Rde8 22. Kh1 Bg4 (22... Be6 {Javier: Perhaps this is a better square for the B, as f7 might need protection later.}) 23. Qxh7 Rg6 $44 {Javier: Black has compensation.}) 14. f4 exf4 15. Nxf4 Nxf4 16. Rxf4 b6 (16... O-O $11 {Javier: This seems like a most reasonable alternative.} 17. Qh5 f5) 17. Qh5 d5 (17... O-O-O 18. a4 $14 {Would be slightly uncomfortable for black.}) 18. d4 c4 (18... cxd4 19. Bxd4 O-O-O 20. Bxg7 Rhg8 21. Bf6 Bxh3 22. Bxd8 {Javier: And black doesn't have enough.}) 19. b3 Qc6 (19... cxb3 $2 20. axb3 $16 {Javier: This would be just bad for black as now exd followed by c4 will be hard to stop.}) (19... Rc8 {Javier: This was a reasonable alternative. Black will castle short.}) 20. Raf1 O-O-O 21. bxc4 Qxc4 22. Rxf7 $3 {Javier: A powerful exchange sacrifice. In Carlse n's words, "it was always going to be quite difficult for the black K"} Bxf7 23. Rxf7 Rd7 24. Rxd7 Kxd7 25. exd5 $16 {Javier: Black's K is vulnerable indeed. Qf7 is the immediate threat.} g6 26. Qg4+ Kc7 27. Qe6 Kb7 28. Qe7+ (28. Qf6 $5 {Javier: This was, perhaps, stronger.} Qe2 $5 (28... Rc8 29. d6 Qc6 30. Qe7+ $18) 29. Bf2 Rc8 30. d6 Rxc2 31. Qf7+ $1 (31. d7 Qd1+ 32. Kh2 Rxf2 33. Qxf2 Kc7 34. Qh4 $16) 31... Ka6 32. d7 $18) 28... Qc7 29. Qe4 Qd7 30. d6+ Ka6 31. Bf4 Rc8 32. Kh2 {Javier: The basic problem for black is that his pieces can never become active, as they have to keep an eye on the d-pawn. This gives white enough time to maneuver.} Rc4 33. Bg3 (33. Qe7 $6 Qxe7 34. dxe7 Rc8 35. d5 Kb7 $1 { Javier: And the ending is not so clear now as white can't advance his PP.} ( 35... Kb5 $4 36. Be3 $1 $18 {Javier: And c4! is next no matter what black does. })) 33... Rc8 34. Qd3+ Kb7 35. c4 {Javier: Black can only wait.} Qc6 36. Qb3 Ka8 (36... Qxc4 $2 37. d7 $18) 37. a4 Re8 38. a5 Kb7 (38... bxa5 39. c5 h5 40. Qc4 Rc8 41. Qe6 a4 42. d5 $1 Qxc5 43. d7 Rd8 44. Qc6+ Qxc6 45. dxc6 $18) 39. c5 Kc8 40. axb6 axb6 41. d5 $1 Qxc5 42. Qa4 Re3 (42... Rd8 43. Qa8+ Kd7 44. Qb7+ Ke8 45. Qe7#) 43. Qa8+ Kd7 44. Qb7+ Ke8 45. d7+ Kd8 46. Bh4+ Re7 47. Qc8+ { Javier: Black resigned. A truly impressive victory by Carlse n.} 1-0 [Event "Zurich Chess Challenge 2014"] [site "Zurich SUI"] [Date "2014.02.02"] [Round "4.1"] [White "Gelfand, Boris"] [black "Anan d, Viswanathan"] [Result "0-1"] [WhiteTitle "GM"] [blackTitle "GM"] [WhiteElo "2777"] [blackElo "2773"] [ECO "D11"] [Opening "QGD Slav"] [Variation "4.e3"] [WhiteFideId "2805677"] [blackFideId "5000017"] [EventDate "2014.01.30"] 1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. e3 Bg4 5. Nc3 e6 6. h3 Bh5 7. g4 Bg6 8. Nh4 Bb4 9. Qb3 Qe7 10. Bd2 a5 11. Nxg6 hxg6 12. cxd5 exd5 13. f3 a4 14. Qc2 a3 15. b3 Nbd7 16. O-O-O O-O 17. Kb1 Rfc8 18. h4 Nb6 19. g5 Nh5 20. Bh3 Re8 21. Rhe1 Rad8 22. Bg4 Qd6 23. Ne2 Bxd2 24. Qxd2 Nd7 25. Nf4 Nxf4 26. exf4 f5 27. gxf6 Nxf6 28. Re5 Nxg4 29. fxg4 Rxe5 30. fxe5 Qe7 31. Rh1 Rf8 32. h5 Qf7 33. h6 Qf3 34. Re1 gxh6 35. e6 Re8 36. g5 Qf5+ 0-1 [Event "Zurich Chess Challenge 2014"] [site "Zurich SUI"] [Date "2014.02.02"] [Round "4.3"] [White "Aronian, Levon"] [black "Nakamura, Hikaru"] [Result "1-0"] [WhiteTitle "GM"] [blackTitle "GM"] [WhiteElo "2812"] [blackElo "2789"] [ECO "E63"] [Opening "King's Indian"] [Variation "fianchetto, Panno variation"] [WhiteFideId "13300474"] [blackFideId "2016192"] [EventDate "2014.01.30"] 1. Nf3 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. g3 d6 5. Bg2 O-O 6. O-O Nc6 7. d4 a6 8. h3 Rb8 9. e4 b5 10. d5 b4 11. Ne2 Na5 12. Qc2 c6 13. Nfd4 cxd5 14. exd5 Qc7 15. b3 e5 16. dxe6 fxe6 17. a3 bxa3 18. Bd2 Nb7 19. Rxa3 e5 20. Nc6 Ra8 21. Nb4 a5 22. Qa2 Bf5 23. Nd5 Nxd5 24. Bxd5+ Kh8 25. b4 Bxh3 26. Rb1 Bf5 27. Rb2 Bd7 28. bxa5 Bc6 29. Nc3 Nc5 30. Be3 e4 31. a6 Nd3 32. Rb7 Qc8 33. Nxe4 Bxd5 34. cxd5 Qg4 35. Rxd3 Qxe4 36. Rdb3 Qxd5 37. Qe2 Qc6 38. a7 d5 39. Rxg7 Kxg7 40. Bd4+ Kh6 41. Qe3+ Kh5 42. g4+ Kh4 43. Qh6+ Kxg4 44. Qh3+ Kf4 45. Rf3+ 1-0[/pgn]
  12. Round 3 at Zurich. Nakamura had Carlsen against the ropes today, but Magnus still managed to scape with the full point. A game worthy of study, no doubt! See full annotations below. Aronian-Gelfand was a draw where not very much happened. Although longer, not much happened in Caruana-Anand either. You can view all games by clicking on the menu above the little board. [pgn][Event "Zurich Chess Challenge 2014"] [site "Zurich SUI"] [Date "2014.02.01"] [Round "3.2"] [White "Nakamur a, Hikaru"] [black "Carlse n, Magnus"] [Result "0-1"] [ECO "E20"] [WhiteElo "2789"] [blackElo "2872"] [Annotator "I.M. Javier Gil"] [PlyCount "122"] [EventDate "2014.01.30"] 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. f3 {Javier: This is still one of the sharpest systems against the Nimzo-Indian defence. Unfortunately 4.Qc2 has become so popular that people have just given up on finding anything else!} d5 5. a3 Be7 6. e4 dxe4 7. fxe4 e5 8. d5 Bc5 9. Bg5 {Javier: This is probably a better move than 9.Nf3, as it avoids the tricky line with 9.Nf3 Ng4.} (9. Nf3 Ng4 $1 10. b4 Bf2+ 11. Ke2 {Javier: And now 11...c5!? 12.h3 Bd4 is one interesting idea, although 11...Bh4!? has also been tried.}) 9... O-O $6 {Javier: This and Carlse n's next few moves seem a little mechanical, as though he wasn't really aware of the danger.} (9... h6 $1 {Javier: I think this is a better move in this position.} 10. Bh4 Bd4 11. Nb5 $6 {Javier: This is what GM Malaniuk chose when he first played this position. It's interesting because he also plays the Nimzo-Indian defence as black, and he too took up this move a couple of years later.} (11. Nce2 Nxe4 12. Qxd4 Qxh4+ 13. g3 exd4 14. gxh4 c5 $1 15. dxc6 Nxc6 16. Rd1 Bg4 (16... d3 $1 17. Rxd3 O-O {Javier: With a extremely difficult position for white.}) 17. Bg2 f5 {And later white was able to draw, but he's struggling here. 1/2-1/2 Kutuzovic,B (2375)-Malaniuk,V (2505) Pula 1990.}) (11. Nge2 Nxe4 $1 12. Qa4+ Bd7 13. Bxd8 Bf2+ 14. Kd1 Bxa4+ 15. Nxa4 Kxd8 $17) 11... Bxb2 12. Rb1 a6 13. Bxf6 {Javier: Exploiting the fact that c7 is hanging.} (13. Rxb2 axb5 $17 {Javier: And the P on a3 is hanging and white's position is full of weaknesses.}) 13... gxf6 14. Qa4 (14. Nxc7+ Qxc7 15. Rxb2 Qa5+ 16. Qd2 Qxa3 17. Bd3 $13) 14... axb5 $1 15. Qxa8 Bc3+ 16. Kd1 Na6 17. Kc2 O-O $3 (17... Bd4 {Javier: Nothing wrong with this move, black has excellent compensation for the exchange.}) 18. Kxc3 Qd6 19. Rxb5 c6 20. Ra5 cxd5 21. Rxa6 (21. exd5 Qb6 $17) (21. cxd5 Qc7+ $19) 21... bxa6 22. Qxd5 Qb6 23. Qd3 Rd8 24. Qg3+ Kh7 25. Bd3 Qa5+ 26. Kc2 Bd7 27. Ne2 Ba4+ 28. Kc1 Bb3 29. Rf1 Qxa3+ 30. Kd2 Bxc4 $19 31. Nc1 Qb2+ 32. Kd1 Bxd3 {0-1 Malaniuk,V (2515)-Kveinys,A (2345)/Minsk 1988/ EXT 1998}) 10. Nf3 Bg4 11. h3 Bxf3 12. Qxf3 {Javier: I think white has a clear advantage here. White's not only got the 2 BB, those PP in the center are very powerful. White has more space.} Nbd7 13. O-O-O {Javier: As the game goes on, it becomes clear that white's attacking chances on the Kside are much better than black's ones on the Qside.} Bd4 14. Ne2 c5 15. g4 a5 16. Kb1 Ra6 17. Ng3 g6 18. h4 {Javier: White hasn't done anything out of the ordinary and yet, his attack progesses smoothly.} a4 19. Rh2 Qa5 20. Bd2 Qc7 21. g5 Ne8 22. h5 Rb6 { Javier: The first threat, but a very easy one to stop.} 23. Bc1 Rb3 24. Qg4 ( 24. Rd3 {There was nothing wrong with this, but Hiraku wants to use this R to double up along the h-file.}) 24... Nb6 25. Be2 Nd6 26. Rdh1 $6 (26. hxg6 $1 { Javier: This simple move seems to give white a winning advantage.} fxg6 27. Qe6+ Qf7 (27... Rf7 28. Nf5 $3 gxf5 29. g6 hxg6 30. Rdh1 $18) 28. Rdh1 $1 h5 ( 28... Rxg3 29. Rxh7 Qxe6 30. dxe6 $18) 29. Nxh5 $1 gxh5 30. Rxh5 $18) 26... Bxb2 {Javier: Carlse n senses that this is his only chance to stay alive.} ( 26... Nbxc4 27. Bxc4 Nxc4 28. hxg6 Bxb2 (28... fxg6 29. Qe6+ $18) 29. Bxb2 { Javier: Transposing into the game.}) 27. Bxb2 Nbxc4 28. Bxc4 Nxc4 29. hxg6 Qb6 (29... fxg6 30. Qe6+ $1 Kh8 31. Qxg6 $18) (29... Nxb2 30. g7 $1 (30. gxh7+ Kh8 31. Rxb2 Qb6 32. Rhh2 c4 {Javier: And no matter what the computers say, this position is not clear at all!}) 30... Nd3+ 31. Kc2 $1 (31. Ka2 Nb4+ 32. axb4 cxb4 33. gxf8=Q+ Kxf8 {Javier: And black seems to have enough to draw here as those pawns support the R checks on a3 and b3.}) 31... Rxa3 32. Qh5 $1 $18) 30. g7 $6 {Javier: Probably not the best, but it shouldn't spoil the win.} (30. gxf7+ $1 Rxf7 31. Nh5 $3 Rxb2+ 32. Ka1 $18 {Javier: And black's counterattack has run out of steam, but white's one is unstoppable.}) 30... Rd8 31. Qh4 Rxb2+ 32. Ka1 Rxh2 33. Rxh2 Qg6 34. Nf5 Re8 (34... Rd7 $2 35. Qg4 $1 $18) 35. Qg4 Qb6 36. Qh3 Qg6 37. d6 $4 (37. Qf1 $3 $18 {Javier: This was incredibly strong. Not only is the N threatened, white's preparing Rxh7!! next.} b5 38. Rxh7 $3 Qxh7 ( 38... Kxh7 39. Qh3+ $18) 39. Nh6+ Qxh6 40. gxh6 $18) 37... Nxd6 $1 38. Nxd6 Rd8 $1 {Javier: Although white shouldn't lose here, putting oneself together after having been so close is incredibly difficult.} 39. Nc4 (39. Nf5 $4 Rd1+ 40. Ka2 (40. Kb2 Qb6+ $19) 40... Qe6+ 41. Kb2 Qb6+ $19) (39. Nc8 $1 {Javier: This has the virtue of not only threaten Ne7, but also cover the b6 square to prevent the Q check in some variations.} Kxg7 40. Ne7 Rd1+ 41. Ka2 Qe6+ 42. Qxe6 fxe6 43. Rh6 {Javier: And white should definitely not lose this position. In fact, he might have winning chances...}) 39... Qxe4 {Javier: With white's K so exposed and with so many PP for the piece, Carlse n has turned the tables.} 40. Qh5 Rd3 $1 41. Rh4 Qf5 $1 $19 42. Qe2 b5 43. Nd2 Qxg5 $2 (43... Rxa3+ $1 { Javier: This was stronger.} 44. Kb2 Rg3 45. Ne4 a3+ 46. Ka2 Qe6+ $19) 44. Qxd3 Qxh4 45. Ne4 Kxg7 46. Qf3 Qf4 {"All your ending belong to us". } 47. Qg2+ Kf8 48. Kb2 h5 49. Nd2 h4 50. Kc2 b4 51. axb4 cxb4 52. Qa8+ Kg7 53. Qxa4 h3 54. Qb3 h2 55. Qd5 e4 $1 56. Qh5 e3 57. Nf3 e2 58. Kb3 f6 59. Ne1 Qg3+ 60. Ka4 Qg1 61. Qxe2 Qa7+ {Javier: A most disappointing game for Nakamur a, but he's getting closer and closer. He deserved better! This was a terrific fighting gae though. ..} 0-1 [Event "Zurich Chess Challenge 2014"] [site "Zurich SUI"] [Date "2014.02.01"] [Round "3.1"] [White "Aronia n, Levon"] [black "Gelfan d, Boris"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [WhiteTitle "GM"] [blackTitle "GM"] [WhiteElo "2812"] [blackElo "2777"] [ECO "E60"] [Opening "King's Indian"] [Variation "3.g3"] [WhiteFideId "13300474"] [blackFideId "2805677"] [EventDate "2014.01.30"] 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. g3 c6 4. Bg2 d5 5. cxd5 cxd5 6. Nf3 Bg7 7. Ne5 Ne4 8. Nd2 Nxd2 9. Bxd2 O-O 10. O-O Nd7 11. Bc3 Nf6 12. Qb3 Ne4 13. Bxe4 dxe4 14. Rfd1 Qb6 15. Qxb6 axb6 16. Nc4 Be6 17. d5 Bg4 18. Bxg7 Kxg7 19. Kf1 b5 20. Ne3 Bd7 21. a3 Rfc8 22. Rac1 Kf6 23. Rxc8 Rxc8 24. d6 e6 25. Ng4+ Kf5 26. Ne3+ Kf6 27. Ng4+ Kf5 1/2-1/2 [Event "Zurich Chess Challenge 2014"] [site "Zurich SUI"] [Date "2014.02.01"] [Round "3.3"] [White "Caruan a, Fabiano"] [black "Anan d, Viswanathan"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [WhiteTitle "GM"] [blackTitle "GM"] [WhiteElo "2782"] [blackElo "2773"] [ECO "D11"] [Opening "QGD Slav"] [Variation "4.e3"] [WhiteFideId "2020009"] [blackFideId "5000017"] [EventDate "2014.01.30"] 1. Nf3 d5 2. c4 c6 3. d4 Nf6 4. e3 Bg4 5. Nc3 e6 6. h3 Bh5 7. g4 Bg6 8. cxd5 Nxd5 9. Ne5 Bb4 10. Bd2 Nd7 11. Nxg6 hxg6 12. a3 Ba5 13. Bg2 g5 14. Qc2 Rc8 15. Rd1 Bc7 16. Ne2 Nf8 17. Qb3 Rb8 18. e4 Nf4 19. Bxf4 Bxf4 20. h4 e5 21. d5 Ng6 22. dxc6 Qa5+ 23. Nc3 O-O 24. cxb7 Qc7 25. Nd5 Qxb7 26. Qxb7 Rxb7 27. b4 gxh4 28. Bf1 Bg5 29. Rh3 Rd8 30. Bc4 Rbb8 31. Rhd3 Rdc8 32. Bb3 Rb7 33. a4 a6 34. Rb1 Nf8 35. Nc3 Ng6 36. Nd5 Nf8 37. Nc3 Ng6 38. Nd5 Nf8 39. Nc3 Ng6 40. Nd5 Nf8 1/2-1/2[/pgn]
  13. It's sad to see Anand losing 2 games in a row. His next tournament will be the candidates and if he scores badly for the rest of the tournament (he still has to play against Carlsen!), I doubt he'll be able to recover psychologically for that event. Vishy had doubts about taking part in it to begin with, although he did confirm that he'd be taking part. Truth be told, Nakamura played a formidable game against him... Meanwhile Carlsen didn't get much out of the opening against Aronian and had to fight for the draw. Gelfand-Nakamura was a very interesting draw. Gelfand seemed a little worse at several points, but ended up a pawn up, although Fabiano was never in serious danger or losing. First game is annotated. You can view the other games by clicking on the menu above the little board. [pgn][Event "Zurich Chess Challenge 2014"] [site "Zurich SUI"] [Date "2014.01.31"] [Round "2.2"] [White "Anan d, Viswanathan"] [black "Nakamur a, Hikaru"] [Result "0-1"] [ECO "C65"] [WhiteElo "2773"] [blackElo "2789"] [Annotator "I.M. Javier Gil"] [PlyCount "72"] [EventDate "2014.01.30"] 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. d3 {Javier: I guess Anan d is keeping his anti-Berlin preparation for the candidates...} Bc5 5. Bxc6 dxc6 6. h3 (6. Nxe5 $4 Qd4 7. Be3 Qxe5 8. d4 Qxe4 9. dxc5 Qxg2 10. Rf1 Bh3 11. Nd2 O-O-O $19) 6... Be6 7. Nc3 {Javier: A new move in this position, but it's unlikely to catch on given the result this game...} Qd6 8. O-O O-O-O 9. a3 Nh5 10. Na4 Bb6 11. Nxb6+ axb6 12. a4 {Javier: White's position looks a little bit more comfortable to play.} f6 13. Be3 (13. Ng5 fxg5 (13... g6 14. Nxe6 Qxe6 15. Be3 Nf4 16. a5 b5 17. a6 b6 18. Bxf4 exf4 {Javier: And although the chess engines give white the advantage here (+0.89), I very much doubt this will amount to anything serious. }) 14. Qxh5 h6 $11) 13... Nf4 {Javier: If white keeps still, black will play .. .g5 and things could get nasty for white on the Kside.} 14. a5 b5 15. d4 $2 { Javier: Missing an excellent opportunity with 15.a6!.} (15. a6 $1 b6 (15... bxa6 16. Rxa6 g5 17. Qd2 Rhg8 18. Rfa1 g4 19. hxg4 Rxg4 20. g3 $16 {Javier: And white's attack is far more dangerous than black's.}) (15... g5 $2 16. a7 Kd7 17. d4 $1 $18) 16. Bxf4 exf4 17. Re1 {Javier: White's got better chances here.} Kb8 18. e5 fxe5 19. Nxe5 $16) 15... Nxh3+ $1 16. gxh3 Bxh3 17. dxe5 (17. Re1 Qd7 $1 18. Nd2 exd4 19. Bf4 g5 20. Bh2) 17... Qe6 (17... Qb4 18. Nd2 Bxf1 19. Kxf1 fxe5 20. a6 b6 $13) 18. Nd2 Bxf1 19. Qxf1 Qxe5 {Javier: Objectively, white's still doing ok here, but the position is unbalanced and black's not without chances on the Kside.} 20. c3 Kb8 21. a6 b6 22. Qg2 Rd6 23. Nf1 $2 { Javier: Too passive.} (23. Qxg7 {Javier: This daring move is perhaps not as risky as it seems, as white's King will be pretty safe on f1.} Rdd8 24. Kf1 Rhg8 25. Qh6 Rxd2 $5 {Javier: Makes sense, as white's N is what's keeping white's position together.} (25... Qd6 26. f3 Qd3+ 27. Kf2 Qc2 28. Rg1 Rxd2+ 29. Bxd2 Rd8 30. Ke1 Qb1+ 31. Bc1 Qc2 32. Bd2 Qb1+ 33. Bc1 $11) 26. Bxd2 Qxe4 27. a7+ Ka8 28. Re1 Qd3+ 29. Re2 Re8 30. Be3 Rg8 {Javier: And black will have no trouble getting a draw here, as Qb1+ and Qd3+ is basically unstoppable.} 31. Qxf6 Qb1+ 32. Re1 Qd3+ $11) 23... f5 $1 {[%cal Gd6g6] Javier: Threatening Rg6. Yes, white will block on g3 with his N later, but then black will advance his h P and white's going to need to start defending, which is not a good sign...} 24. exf5 Qxf5 25. Ng3 Qd7 26. Qe4 Ka7 27. Kg2 h5 $1 28. Qf5 Qe8 {Javier: Black avoids the exchange of QQ, as white's K is vulnerable and he'll need all his pieces to attack.} 29. Qe4 Qf7 30. Kh1 h4 31. Ne2 Re8 32. Qg4 Rg6 33. Qh3 $2 ( 33. Qf4 Qd5+ 34. f3 Qd7 {Javier: Protecting c7 and threatening ...Qh3.} 35. Ng1 {Javier: This was white's best chance, but I doubt he can survive here.}) 33... Qd5+ 34. Kh2 Rxe3 $1 35. fxe3 Qd2 36. Qf1 Rf6 {Javier: And Anan d resigned. A mighty exhibition of strength by Nakamura...} (36... Rf6 37. Qg2 Qxe3 38. Rf1 h3 $1 $19) 0-1 [Event "Zurich Chess Challenge 2014"] [site "Zurich SUI"] [Date "2014.01.31"] [Round "2.1"] [White "Gelfan d, Boris"] [black "Caruan a, Fabiano"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [WhiteTitle "GM"] [blackTitle "GM"] [WhiteElo "2777"] [blackElo "2782"] [ECO "A88"] [Opening "Dutch"] [Variation "Leningrad, main variation with c6"] [WhiteFideId "2805677"] [blackFideId "2020009"] [EventDate "2014.01.30"] 1. d4 d6 2. Nf3 g6 3. c4 f5 4. Nc3 Nf6 5. g3 Bg7 6. Bg2 O-O 7. O-O c6 8. b4 e5 9. dxe5 dxe5 10. e4 Be6 11. exf5 gxf5 12. Nxe5 Qxd1 13. Rxd1 Nfd7 14. Nxd7 Nxd7 15. Bb2 Nb6 16. Rac1 Bxc4 17. Ba1 Rad8 18. Rxd8 Rxd8 19. Bh3 Bd3 20. Nd1 Nc4 21. Bxg7 Kxg7 22. Bf1 Bxf1 23. Kxf1 Rd4 24. Ke2 Kf6 25. f3 Na3 26. Rc3 Nb5 27. Rb3 Rc4 28. Kd3 Rc1 29. Nc3 Rf1 30. Ke3 Re1+ 31. Kd3 Rf1 32. Ke3 Re1+ 33. Kd3 a6 34. a4 Nd6 35. Rb1 Rxb1 36. Nxb1 b5 37. axb5 axb5 38. Kd4 Nc4 39. Kc5 Ne5 40. Nd2 h5 41. f4 Nd3+ 42. Kxc6 Nxb4+ 43. Kxb5 Nd3 44. Nf3 Nf2 45. Kc6 Ng4 46. Kd6 h4 47. gxh4 Ne3 48. Ne5 Ng2 49. Nd7+ Kg7 50. Ke5 Nxh4 51. h3 Kf7 52. Nb8 Kg6 53. Nc6 Nf3+ 54. Ke6 Ng1 55. Ne5+ Kh5 56. Kxf5 1/2-1/2 [Event "Zurich Chess Challenge 2014"] [site "Zurich SUI"] [Date "2014.01.31"] [Round "2.3"] [White "Carlse n, Magnus"] [black "Aronia n, Levon"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [WhiteTitle "GM"] [blackTitle "GM"] [WhiteElo "2872"] [blackElo "2812"] [ECO "A29"] [Opening "English"] [Variation "four knights, kingside fianchetto"] [WhiteFideId "1503014"] [blackFideId "13300474"] [EventDate "2014.01.30"] 1. c4 Nf6 2. Nc3 e5 3. Nf3 Nc6 4. g3 d5 5. cxd5 Nxd5 6. Bg2 Nb6 7. O-O Be7 8. a3 O-O 9. d3 Re8 10. b4 Bf8 11. Rb1 a5 12. b5 Nd4 13. e3 Nxf3+ 14. Bxf3 a4 15. Qe2 Ra7 16. Bb2 Be6 17. Rfc1 Qd7 18. Ne4 Ba2 19. Ra1 Bd5 20. Bg4 Qd8 21. Bc3 Nd7 22. Bf3 b6 23. Bb4 Bxb4 24. axb4 Qe7 25. Nc3 Bxf3 26. Qxf3 Nf6 27. Rxa4 Rxa4 28. Nxa4 Qxb4 29. Nc3 Qb2 30. Qd1 Rd8 31. Kg2 h6 32. h3 Rxd3 33. Qxd3 Qxc1 34. Qd8+ Kh7 35. Qxc7 Ne4 36. Qxe5 Nxc3 37. Qf5+ Kg8 38. Qc8+ Kh7 39. Qf5+ Kh8 40. Qc8+ Kh7 1/2-1/2[/pgn]
  14. Carlsen beat Gelfand (convincingly), Aronian won against Anand (convincingly also) and Nakamura-Caruana was a draw. First game is annotated. The other two can be viewed clicking on the board viewer menu, above the board. [pgn][Event "Zurich Chess Challenge 2014"] [site "Zurich SUI"] [Date "2014.01.30"] [Round "1.1"] [White "Carlse n, Magnus"] [black "Gelfan d, Boris"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "E60"] [WhiteElo "2872"] [blackElo "2777"] [Annotator "I.M. Javier Gil"] [PlyCount "73"] [EventDate "2014.01.30"] 1. c4 g6 2. d4 Nf6 3. Nf3 Bg7 4. g3 c6 {Javier: It's a pity that we didn't get to see a King's Indian Defence with ...0-0, ...d6, etc.} 5. Bg2 d5 6. Qa4 (6. O-O dxc4 {Javier: And now the logical} 7. Ne5 {can be met by} (7. Qc2 b5 $1) 7... Ng4 $1) 6... O-O 7. O-O Nfd7 8. Qc2 Nf6 {Javier: Although black has virtually wasted a tempo, the position doesn't really change very much.} (8... dxc4 {Javier: This is probably a more dynamic choice here.} 9. Qxc4 Na6 $5 { Javier: This was tried by Seirawan once. He played ...e5 next.}) 9. Bf4 Bf5 10. Qb3 Qb6 11. Nbd2 Ne4 12. e3 Qxb3 13. axb3 Na6 14. cxd5 cxd5 {Javier: If white doesn't play energetically now, he could easily fall into a rather difficult position. So he does!} 15. g4 $3 {Javier: Changing gears. This surprising pawn sacrifice actually works!} Bxg4 (15... Nxd2 16. Nxd2 Bd3 $2 (16... Be6 {This is slightly better, but white stands better after} 17. Ra5 $14) 17. Bxd5 $1 Bxf1 18. Kxf1 $1 $16 {Javier: With a rather difficult position for black.}) 16. Nxe4 dxe4 17. Nd2 f5 18. f3 $1 e5 {Javier: Gelfand tries to play actively rather than defend a difficult position.} (18... exf3 19. Nxf3 {Javier: And white's two BB, particularly the one on g2, give white plenty compensation for the sacrificed P.}) 19. dxe5 exf3 20. Nxf3 Rae8 21. Ra5 $1 Nb4 22. Nd4 (22. Rxa7 $5) 22... b6 23. Rxa7 Bxe5 24. Bh6 Rf6 (24... Rf7 25. Ra4 {Javier: Black can't move his N now, as that would allow Bd5.} Bd6 26. Nc6 Nxc6 27. Bxc6 { Javier: Hitting the R and threatening Bd5 again.} Rfe7 $5 {Javier: Perhaps the best chance.} (27... Re5 28. Ra8+ Bf8 29. e4 $1 {Javier: And Gelfand would probably be lost here. Bd5 is a new threat and black doesn't have too many waiting moves.}) 28. Bxe8 Rxe8 {Javier: And black's 2 BB give him some saving chances.}) 25. h3 Bh5 26. Nc2 $1 g5 (26... Nxc2 27. Bd5+ Rfe6 28. Rc1 Bf3 ( 28... Nb4 $2 29. Bxe6+ Kh8 30. Rcc7 $18) 29. Bxe6+ Rxe6 30. Rxc2 Re8 31. Bf4 Be4 32. Rd2 Bf6 33. Rd6 Bxb2 34. Rxb6 $16) 27. Bxg5 Rg6 (27... Nxc2 28. Bxf6 Nxe3 (28... Bxf6 29. Rxf5 $18) 29. Bxe5 Rxe5 30. Rc1 $18) 28. Rxf5 h6 (28... Nxc2 29. Bd5+ Kh8 30. Rxe5 $1 $18) 29. Bxh6 Rxh6 30. Nxb4 $16 Bxb2 31. Nd5 { Javier: White's pieces are just too active. The white R on a7 is the killer.} Kh8 32. Rb7 Bd1 33. b4 Rg8 34. Ne7 Rd8 35. Be4 Bf6 36. Rxb6 Kg7 37. Rf2 $18 { Javier: The R is coming to g2. Gelfand resigned.} 1-0 [Event "Zurich Chess Challenge 2014"] [site "Zurich SUI"] [Date "2014.01.30"] [Round "1.2"] [White "Aronia n, Levon"] [black "Anan d, Viswanathan"] [Result "1-0"] [WhiteTitle "GM"] [blackTitle "GM"] [WhiteElo "2812"] [blackElo "2773"] [ECO "A13"] [Opening "English"] [Variation "Neo-Catalan accepted"] [WhiteFideId "13300474"] [blackFideId "5000017"] [EventDate "2014.01.30"] 1. c4 e6 2. g3 d5 3. Bg2 Nf6 4. Nf3 dxc4 5. Qa4+ Nbd7 6. Qxc4 a6 7. Qb3 Rb8 8. O-O b5 9. a4 Bb7 10. axb5 axb5 11. d3 Be7 12. Bf4 Nd5 13. Bd2 O-O 14. Rc1 c5 15. Ba5 Qe8 16. Nbd2 N5f6 17. Rab1 Bd5 18. Qd1 Ra8 19. b4 Ra6 20. e4 Bc6 21. Nb3 cxb4 22. Qd2 Bxe4 23. dxe4 Nxe4 24. Qc2 Nc3 25. Ra1 Nf6 26. Ne5 Nfd5 27. Nd3 Rc6 28. Bxd5 exd5 29. Re1 Rc4 30. f3 Qd7 31. Qf2 Bd6 32. Bb6 Qf5 33. Qe3 h5 34. Bd4 Rc7 35. Ra7 Rxa7 36. Bxa7 Ra8 37. Bc5 d4 38. Nxd4 Bxc5 39. Nxf5 Bxe3+ 40. Nxe3 b3 41. Nd1 Rc8 42. Nxc3 Rxc3 43. Rd1 b2 44. Nxb2 Rxf3 45. Rd8+ Kh7 46. Rd5 Rb3 47. Nd3 g6 48. Rd7 Kg7 49. Kf2 Ra3 50. Ke3 Ra2 51. h4 Kf6 52. Rb7 Ra5 53. Nc5 Ra3+ 54. Kf4 Ra1 55. Ne4+ Kg7 56. Nd6 Rf1+ 57. Ke3 Kf8 58. Rxb5 Ke7 59. Ne4 Re1+ 60. Kf4 Kf8 61. Rb8+ Kg7 62. Rb7 Rf1+ 63. Ke3 Kf8 64. Nd6 Rf6 65. Rb8+ Ke7 66. Ne4 Rf1 67. Ke2 Rf5 68. Rc8 Re5 69. Kf3 Rf5+ 70. Kg2 Re5 71. Ng5 Re2+ 72. Kh3 Rf2 73. Rc4 1-0 [Event "Zurich Chess Challenge 2014"] [site "Zurich SUI"] [Date "2014.01.30"] [Round "1.3"] [White "Nakamur a, Hikaru"] [black "Caruan a, Fabiano"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [WhiteTitle "GM"] [blackTitle "GM"] [WhiteElo "2789"] [blackElo "2782"] [ECO "D90"] [Opening "Gruenfeld"] [Variation "Flohr variation"] [WhiteFideId "2016192"] [blackFideId "2020009"] [EventDate "2014.01.30"] 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nf3 Bg7 4. Nc3 d5 5. Qa4+ Bd7 6. Qb3 dxc4 7. Qxc4 O-O 8. Bf4 c6 9. e4 b5 10. Qd3 c5 11. dxc5 Na6 12. e5 Nxc5 13. Qe3 Nh5 14. Bg5 Ne6 15. Rd1 Qe8 16. Bh6 Bxh6 17. Qxh6 Bc6 18. Qe3 a6 19. Bd3 Nhf4 20. O-O Nxd3 21. Rxd3 Rd8 22. Nd4 Nxd4 23. Rxd4 Rxd4 24. Qxd4 Qa8 25. f3 Rd8 26. Qc5 Qb7 27. Rd1 Rxd1+ 28. Nxd1 Qd7 29. Ne3 Qd2 30. Qc3 Qxc3 31. bxc3 f6 32. exf6 exf6 33. Kf2 Kf7 34. Ke2 Ke6 35. Kd3 h5 36. Kd4 h4 37. Kc5 Ba8 38. f4 g5 39. g3 hxg3 40. hxg3 gxf4 41. gxf4 Be4 42. Kb6 Kd6 43. Kxa6 Kc5 44. a3 Bf3 45. Ka7 Kc6 46. Kb8 Kb6 47. Nf5 Bg4 48. Nd6 Be6 49. Ne4 f5 50. Nd2 Bd5 51. Kc8 Ka5 52. Kc7 Ka4 53. Kb6 Bg2 54. c4 bxc4 55. Nxc4 Bd5 56. Kc5 Bg8 57. Kd4 Kb3 58. Nd6 Kxa3 59. Ke5 Kb4 60. Kf6 Kc5 61. Nxf5 Bh7 62. Ne7 Bb1 63. Ke5 Bh7 64. Nd5 Kc6 65. Nf6 Bb1 66. f5 Bxf5 67. Kxf5 1/2-1/2[/pgn]
  15. The Zurich 2014 Super Chess Tournament has just begun ( January 29 to February 4 ) with an average ELO of 2801. (BTW , I've looked it up and to get an IM norm in this tournament, you'd only need 0.35 points (!!), which is like showing up for the games! XD ) Is this the strongest tournament ever . In my opinion, no, not even close!. The reason is that only 5 slow games will be played . The other 5 will semi-rapid , and the remaining 5, a blitz tournament. But not just that, there are big names missing: Kramnik or Topalov are much tougher than Gelfand (and they have a higher rating). Still, a pretty tough tournament! The preliminary blitz tournament was won by Carlsen (equal first with Aronian). Magnus began like legendary Tal used to, with a loss in the first round (Later Carlsen said: , quote: "I have almost never played as badly as I did in the beginning here. It was so bad that I could not even get mad" ) , but then he got a couple of draws and ended up with two wins against Anand and Nakamura, the one against Anand in just 21 moves ( ! ). I don't think Anand has ever been beaten up like this, not even in a blitz game... here are my notes to the game: [pgn][Event "Zurich CC Blitz 2014"] [site "Zurich SUI"] [Date "2014.01.29"] [Round "4.2"] [White "Carlse n, Magnus"] [black "Anan d, Viswanathan"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "A06"] [WhiteElo "2872"] [blackElo "2773"] [Annotator "I.M. Javier Gil"] [PlyCount "41"] [EventDate "2014.01.29"] 1. Nf3 d5 2. b3 c5 3. e4 {Javier: This is a reversed Budapest Gambit with the extra tempo b3, which is a rather useful move in these positions.} dxe4 4. Ng5 Nf6 5. Nc3 Nc6 6. Bc4 e6 7. Bb2 Be7 8. O-O O-O 9. Ncxe4 Nxe4 10. Nxe4 e5 $6 { Javier: Yes, this cuts off the long diagonal, but reopens the other one, c4-g8, and makes f4 possible.} (10... b6 $1 {Javier: This seemed like the correct choice here.} 11. Qg4 Nd4) 11. f4 $1 exf4 12. Qh5 $6 (12. Rxf4 $1) 12... Nd4 $2 (12... Be6 $1 13. Rxf4 (13. Bxe6 fxe6 14. Qg4 Nd4 {Javier: And black is doing just fine.}) 13... Bxc4 14. bxc4 Nd4 15. Ng3 $11) 13. Rxf4 $16 g6 14. Qe5 $1 b6 15. Raf1 Bf5 16. g4 (16. Rxf5 {Javier: This would have been very strong also.} gxf5 17. Rxf5 $18 {Javier: White has 2 basic ideas in this position, either to attack f7 by means of Ng5 or Rf4-g4.} b5 (17... Rc8 18. Ng5 Qe8 (18... Rc6 19. Nxf7 $18) 19. Nxf7 Rxf7 20. Bxf7+ Qxf7 21. Rxf7 Kxf7 22. Bxd4 cxd4 23. Qf5+ $18 ) (17... h6 18. Rh5 Kh7 19. Qf4 $18) 18. Rf4 $1 Qb6 19. Rg4+ Qg6 20. Rxg6+ hxg6 21. Bxb5 $18) 16... Be6 17. Bxe6 fxe6 18. Rxf8+ Bxf8 19. Nf6+ Kh8 (19... Kf7 20. Nxh7+ $18) 20. c3 (20. Ne8+ $1 {Javier: Not that it matters much, but this was more accurate.} Kg8 21. Qh8+ $3 Kxh8 22. Rxf8#) 20... Nc6 21. Ne8+ 1-0[/pgn] Tournament's official website: http://zurich-cc.com/
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