Carlsen stays unshaken in lofty FIDE pedestal
The FIDE has released its Oct. world rating lists and Norwegian world champion Magnus Carlsen was again No. 1 for the fourth year running. Carlsen surged to the top of the world rankings in Nov. 2011. He then held on to No. 1 for a total of 48 months, maintaining a perch atop of the world rankings from 2011 to-date.
The rest of the top 10 underwent a major reshuffling with familiar names dropping out of that select group.
Armenian superstar Levon Aronian rose four slots from No. 11 to No. 7 after winning the 2015 Sinquefield Cup, while American Wesley So fell to 12th place from No. 9. Another American, Hikaru Nakamura, moved up to No. 2 from No. 4, replacing Vaselin Topalov of Bulgaria and Vishy Anand of India who fell to No. 3 and No. 4, respectively.
The world’s greatest: 1. Carlsen 2850, 2. Nakamura 2816, 3. Topalov 2813, 4. Anand 2803, 5. Giri (NED) 2798, 6. Caruana (USA) 2796, 7. Aronian 2784, 8. Liren (CHN) 2782, 9. Kramnik (RUS) 2777 and 10. Grischuk (RUS) 2774.
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Meanwhile, the city of Las Vegas played host to world-class players participating in this year’s Millionaire Tournament. The event is now the world’s richest Swiss Open with a whopping $1-Million total cash prize. American top players Nakamura, Caruana and So, Chinese young star Yu Yangi and Vietnamese champion Le Quang Liem are competing in the seven-round Swiss System event.
The top four after seven rounds shall advance to the knockout finals. The leaders after four rounds were Yu Yangi, Le Quang Liem, Russian Evgeny Bareev and Azeri GM Vasif Durarbayli, with 4.0 points apiece.
Here’s a fine attacking game demonstrated by the former world junior champion with light analysis.
Las Vegas 2015 Round 4
W) Y. Yangi g (China)
B) R. Ortiz Suarez g (Cuba)
Sicilian Defense
1. e4 c5
2. Nf3 d6
3. d4 cxd4
4. Nxd4 Nf6
5. Nc3 a6
6. Be3 e6
This passive defensive formation against the English Attack has not been popular among top GMs in recent years owing to the strong attack White obtains by castling long and advancing the g-pawn. 6...e5, sticking to Najdorf’s set-up is probably safer.
7. Be2 Qc7
8. Qd2 b5
9. f3 Be7
10. a3 0-0
11. g4 Nc6
11...Nfd7 is the computer’s choice.
12. g5 Nd7
13. h4 Nxd4
14. Bxd4 Ne5
15. Rg1 Nc6?!
A dubious move which allows White’s next reply. 15...Rb8, intending ...b4 is perhaps better.
16. Bf6! ...
After the text, White’s K-side attack has become dangerous.
16... Rd8
17. 0-0-0 Bb7
18. Kb1 Rd7?!
Another passive move. 18...b4 as the engine suggestS, should have been tried. E.g. 19. axb4 Nxb4 20. h5 d5 with unclear consequences.
19. h5 Bf8
20. h6! ...
Maximizing his prospects.
20... g6
21. f4 b4
22. axb4 d5
23. f5 d4
24. fxe6 fxe6
25. Na2 Re8
26. Rgf1 Qb6?
26...Ne5 seems forced.
27. Bc4 Bc8
28. Qf2 Qb7?
28...Rf7 is the only move to prevent immediate disaster.
29. Bxd4 ...
29. Bxe6ch! Rxe6 30. Be7 is curtains.
29... Nxd4
30. Rxd4 Rf7
31. Qxf7ch Qxf7
32. Rxf7 Kxf7
33. e5 Be7
We draw the line here as White’s material advantage is overwhelming.
34. Rg4 Rc8
35. Nc3 Bxb4
36. Ne4 Rd1ch
37. Ka2 Re1
38. Rf4ch Ke7
39. c3 Bb7
40. Nf6 Bc5
41. Nxh7 1:0
Solution to last week’s puzzle:
White to play and win.
White=Kg1, Qh5, Re1, Re4, Pa4, Pd4, Pf2, Pf3
Black=Kg7, Qc3, Rc8, Rd8, Pa7, Pb6, Pe6, Pf7, Ph7
1. Qg5ch Kf8
1...Kh8 2. Qf6ch Kg8 3. Rg4ch Kf8 4. Rxe6 and win.
2. Qh6ch Ke8 3. Rxe6ch! fxe6 4. Qxe6ch Kf8 5. Qf6ch Kg8 6. Re7 Qa1ch 7. Kh2 Qxd4 8. Qf7ch Kh8 9. Qh7 mate.
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