Sports

Wesley So ahead in London Classic

LET’S PLAY CHESS - Edgar De Castro - The Philippine Star

December 18, 2016 | 12:00am

American Wesley So maintained a half point lead after the seventh round at the London Chess Classic, while three others stayed in contention in the year-end super GM tournament.

The Filipino-born So had 5.0 points on three wins, and four draws and will take on countryman Fabiano Caruana in the penultimate round. Caruana, 24, was alone in second after scoring 4.5, while Russian Vladimir Kramnik and Hikaru Nakamura (USA), were sitting next, another point back of the leader.

They were followed by Levon Aronian of Armenia, Indian Vishy Anand and Anish Giri of the Netherlands at 3.5 apiece. Next were Frenchman Maxime Vachier-Lagrave and Michael Adams of Great Britain at 3.0 each and Bulgarian Vaselin Topalov with 1.0.

Barring a calamitous collapse, the 23-year-old So is heavy favorite to clinch the four-event grand chess tour, the winner of which will receive $100,000. So’s achievements got a praise from former world champion Kramnik, who said, “This year, Wesley So is playing the best chess, actually in the world – even better than Carlsen.” “So is a very serious challenger to Carlsen in the years to come,” he added.

* * *

The struggle for supremacy in the following game is all on the Queenside. When the decision comes through, it is on the Kingside, with three sharp moves – sudden and unexpected.

2016 London Chess Classic

W) W. So (USA)

B) M. Adams (ENG)

Catalan System

1. d4 Nf6

2. c4 e6

3. g3 ...

The Catalan, a hypermodern variation in which White avoids the classical Nimzo-Indian Defense.

3... d5

4. Bg2 Be7

5. Nf3 0-0

6. 0-0 dxc4

7. Qc2 a6

So far, the opening has run in well-known paths.

8. a4 Bd7

9. Qxc4 Bc6

10. Bg5 ...

After 10. Bf4 a5 11. Nc3 Nc6 12. Be2 Nd5, Black probably obtains equal chances.

10... a5

10...Bd5 11. Qd3 Be4 12. Qe3 Bd5 13. Nc3 Nc6 14. Nxd5 exd5 15. Qb3 h6 16. Bxf6 Bxf6 17. Rfd1 Qb6 leads to a balanced middle game, according to the engine.

11. Nc3 Ra6

One of the ideas behind Black’s 10th move. 11...Na6 is usually played here, but the Rook will be put into play early. After 11...Nbd7 12. Rfd1 h6 13. Bxf6 Nxf6 14. Qd3 Bb4 15. Ne5 Bxg2 16. Kxg2 c6 17. e4 Nd7 18. Nc4, White has a slight edge.

12. Qd3 Rb6

13. Qc2 h6

14. Bd2 Bb4

15. Rfe1 Bxf3

15...Bxc3 16. bxc3 Be4 17. Qa2 Nc6, is probably equal.

16. Bxf3 Nc6

17. e3 e5

17...Nd5 seems better.

18. Bxc6 exd4

19. Bf3 dxc3

20. bxc3 Bc5

21. Rab1 Rd6

22. Red1 b6

23. c4 Qe7

24. Bc3 Rfd8

25. Bb2 Qe6

26. Rxd6 Rxd6

27. Rd1 Rxd1ch

28. Qxd1 Bd6

29. Qd4 Qe8

30. Bd1 Qc6

It would be safer to play 30...Qe4, according to the computer.

31. Bc2 Kf8

32. e4 Bc5

33. Qd8ch Ne8

34. Qd5 Qg6

Acquiescing to a slightly inferior ending with 34...Qd6, as the engine suggests, is correct, for after 35. Kg2 Nf6 36. Qxd6ch cxd6, Black has a fair chance to hold. Leaving Queens on the board seems risky.

35. Kg2 Ke7

36. f4 c6?!

After 36...Nf6 37. Qe4ch Kd7 38. Bd4 Bxd4 39. Qxd4ch Ke7, the outcome is still unclear.

37. Qd3! Nc7?

This loses material. 37...Qd6 seems the only move to prolong the game, though White is clearly better.

38. f5! Qg5?

Another error and fatal, but other moves cannot hold as well. For instance 38...Qd6 39. Qxd6ch Kxd6 40. Bxg7 h5 41. Bd1 is hopeless for Black.

39. Be5! ...

Simple and elegant.

39... Ne6

After 39...Ne8 40. Bf4! traps the Queen, as 40...Qf6 is met by 41. e5, while 40...Qh5 loses to 41. Bd1.

40. fxe6 1:0