Russian Int’l draws 46 GMs
Every year, the Russians organize their national team championship on an “international” basis, i.e., foreign GMs are invited and pitted against local stars and aspiring hopefuls.
Billed the Russian Premier League, the 2017 edition came off the wraps at the resort city of Sochi. The tourney at Sochi had 46 strong GMs representing eight teams registered for the single round robin event.
The top-rated team is Siberian Sirus, led by former world champion Kramnik and teammates Giri, Mamedyarov, Nepomniachtchi and Grischuk. Other big names were Karpov, Shirov, Riazantsev and Rublevsky of team Malakhit, and the defending champion Medni Vsadnik bannered by Svidler and backup Fedoseev, Matlakov and Vitiugov.
After four rounds, Siberian proved its seeding, taking the lead with 8.0 match points. Legacy was in sole second at 6.0.
* * *
In the following game, Black’s pieces looked completely passive, but they quickly exploded.
2017 Russian Premier League
W) I. Nepomniachtchi
B) S. Rublevsky
Sicilian Defense
1. e4 c5
2. Nf3 e6
3. b3!? ...
White declines the offer to enter the regular Paulsen with 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 as his opponent has often shown his skill in that variation. The text is a rare bird which leads to interesting by-paths.
3... d6
4. Bb2 Nd7
5. g3 Ngf6
6. Nc3 b6
7. d4 cxd4
8. Nxd4 Bb7
9. Bg2 Be7
10. Qe2 0-0
Now the opening has transposed into a familiar Hedgehog formation but without the binding pawn on c4. Chances are about even.
11. 0-0-0 Re8
12. g4 ...
This thematic pawn advance, where White based his entire strategy, seems risky. The engine recommends 12. f4 and after 12...Bf8 13. Kb1 Qb8 14. e5 dxe5 15. Nc6 Qc8 16. Nxe5 Rd8 the game is probably in the balance.
12... g6
13. h4 ...
Even now, the standard 13. f4 deserves consideration.
13... e5
14. Ndb5 Nc5
15. h5 a6
16. hxg6 fxg6
17. Na3 b5
18. f4 Ne6!?
An energetic continuation after which the position is fraught with tactical turns, slightly in Black’s favor. The alternative 18...Qc7 leads to equality, according to the engine.
19. fxe5 Nd7
20. Nd5? ...
A weak, time-wasting move. Better is 20. exd6 and after 20...Bg5ch 21. Kb1 b4 22. e5 Bbxg2 23. Qxg2 bxc3 24. Bxc3, White gets three connected passed pawns for the piece.
20... Bg5ch
21. Kb1 Nxe5
22. Bf1 Bxd5
23. Qh2 Ra7
24. exd5 Nc5
25. c4? ...
White becomes impatient. He could have tried 25. Qg2. Now Black breaks the game wide open.
25... Nxg4
26. Qg1 Ne3
27. Re1 ...
After 27. Rd4 b4 28. Nc2 Nxc2 29. Kxc2 Qf6, Black emerges with a superior position.
27... b4!
This sharp pawn stab forces White to lose material. White is in a difficult situation nonetheless.
28. Nc2 Nxc2
29. Rxe8ch Qxe8
30. Qxg5 ...
Played out of necessity. But there’s nothing better. 30. Kxc2? is refuted by 30...Qe4ch.
30... Na3ch
31. Ka1 ...
31. Bxa3? is met by 31...Qe4ch.
31... Nc2ch
32. Kb1 Na3ch
33. Ka1 Qe1ch
34. Bc1 ...
If 34. Qc1 Nc2ch 35. Kb1 Qe4 and Black is winning..
34... Qc3ch
Much more to the point is 34...Rf7! and Black wins easily.
35. Bb2 Qe1ch
36. Bc1 Re7!
There is no better way of activating the Black Rook.
37. Qd2 Qe4
0:1
Solution to last week’s puzzle:
White mates in two moves.
White=Kf2, Qd1, Bc8, Bf4, Pd7
Black=Ke6, Ng7, Pc5, Pe7, Pf7, Pf5
1. Qh1! ...
Threatening 2. Qc6 mate.
Iif 1...f6 2. d8(N) mate, or 1...Kf6 2. Qh6 mate, and 1...Ne8 2. dxe8(N) mate.
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