Mamedyarov chokes foe to death

In Moscow, Russia, Shakriyar Mamedyarov (AZE) and Ding Liren (CHN) shared the seventh-round lead in the FIDE Grand Prix, the second tournament in the Grand Prix’s four-event world swing.

With 4.5 apiece and two  rounds remaining at Moscow,     the tourney remains wide open, even for Alexander Grischuk (RUS)  and  Maxime Vachier-Lagrave (FRA) and four other players tied at second with 4.0 each, including Azeri Teimour Radjabov, Russian Peter Svidler, Israeli Boris Gelfand and American Hikaru Nakamura.

Mamedyarov, Grischuk and Vachier-Lagrave wound up tied for first in the first leg held in Sharjah, UAE. The top two players after four legs shall advance to the Candidates tournament.

In the following game, White strangled Black’s pieces in highly respectable way.     

2nd FIDE Grand Prix

W) S. Mamedyarov (AZE)

B)  M. Adams (ENG)

Nimzo-Indian Defense

1.  d4                         Nf6

2. c4                          e6

3. Nc3                       Bb4

The Nimzo-Indian, a hypermodern opening introduced into tournament play by its pioneer and leader Aron Nimzowitsch, a leading  Danish master and chess writer.

4. Nf3                        ...

A well-known flexible line used successfully by Kasparov against Karpov in their 1985 World Championship Match.

4. ...                         b6

5. e3                          Bb7

6. Bd3                       0-0

7. 0-0                        d5

Rather unexpected. As Black had already developed his Bishop at b7, it would be logical to play 7...Bxc3 right away to restrain White’s thematic break e2-e4.

8. cxd5                      exd5

9. a3                          Bd6

10. b4                       Nbd7

11. Qb3                    a6

12. a4                       Qe7

13. Rb1                    c6

14. a5                       Rfb8

Or 14...bxa5 15. bxa5 Rab8 16. Na4 Ne4 17. Qc2 and White enjoys a slight edge.

15. axb6                   Bc8

16. Qc2                     Nxb6

After 16...Rxb6 17. Bd2 Rbb8 18. e4, White has a clear advantage.

17. e4!                      ...

This sharp pawn advance leads to tactical turns in White’s favor.

17...                           dxe4

18. Nxe4                  Nxe4

19. Bxe4                   h6

After 19...g6, White obtains a dangerous initiative with 20. Re1 Qc7 21. Bh6 Bb7 22. Ne5.

20. Re1                    Qc7

Seems forced as 20...Qf8 is simply met by 21. Bxc6.

21. Bh7ch                ...

Compelling the Black King to move into a more vulnerable spot. The situation is disturbing as Black suffers from the exposed position of his King.

21...                            Kf8

22. Ne5!                   Nd5

22...Be6 is met by 23. Ng6ch.

23. Nxf7!                  ...

This is the end. Queen, rook, knight and bishop on an open game are irresistible.

23...                            Qxf7

24. Bg6                     Bf5

25. Bxf5                    Nxb4

26. Qe4                    Nd5

26...Re8 loses to 27. Be6.

27. Be6                     Qf6?

This arrives to a quick finish, 27...Nf6 seems forced to prolong the game.

28. Rxb8ch              Rxb8

29. Qh7                    g5

30. Qg8ch                1:0

Solution to last week’s puzzle:

White to move and win.

White=Kg1, Rg7, Bc5, Ne4, Nh4, Pa3, Pb2, Pf2, Pg2, Ph2

Black=Kh5, Qd8, Rh8, Pa7 Pb5, Pc6, Pe6, Ph7

1. Ng3ch                  1:0

If 1...Kxh4 2. Be7ch and wins. Or 1...Kh6 2. N4f5ch exf3 2. Nxf5ch Kh5 3. g4 mate.

Black to play and win.