European Chess Cup: Gathering of top teams

Antalya is the fifth most populous city in Turkey. It is a Turkish resort city, known for its blue waters and beautiful beaches, surrounded by big hotels. It is a favorite retreat and getaway for majority of Europe’s rich and famous.

Last week, Antalya played host to 36 chess clubs and some 220 players (80 GMs) participating at the 2017 European Club Cup.

The seven-round Swiss at Avantgarde Hotel was organized by the European Chess Union and held under the auspices of the Turkish Chess Federation. Team matches were played over six boards, with two points scored for a win and one point for a draw.

The Russian team of Globus was the heavy favorite this year, with former world champion Vladimir Kramnik at the helm. Joining Kramnik in the powerhouse lineup were WCC challenger Sergey Kariakin, world No. 6 Shakriyar Mamedyarov, No. 8 Alexander Grischuk, No. 13 Anish Giri and No. 25 Ian Nepomniachtchi.

Other big names were candidates qualifier Ding Liren, Pavel Eljanov, Dmitry Andreikin, Yu Yangi and Dmitry Jakovenko of second favorite Alkaloid of Macedonia.

As of this writing, the Azerbaijan team of Odlur Yurdu had 11.0 points and a one point lead over Globus, entering the final round.

Sixth-seeded Odlur Yurdu boasted of Arkadji Naiditsch, Rauf Mamedov, Gadir Guseimov, Eltaj Safarli, Nijat Abasov and Azer Mirzoev.

Other contenders were Alkaloid of Macedonia and AVE Novy Bor of the Czech Republic at 9.0 each.

* * *

In the following game, Black chooses a dubious line in the opening, allowing a sound piece sacrifice, and, thereby, attacking chances on his uncastled King. He hopes to get away with it by means of solid defense, but this plan fails, and White’s attack soon takes on crushing force.

European Club Cup 2017

W) M. Matlakov (Russia)

B)  E. Najer (Russia)

Queen’s Gambit Accepted

1. Nf3                            d5

2. d4                             Nf6

3. c4                             dxc4

4. e3                             e6

5. Bxc4                         c5

6. O-O                          Nbd7

6...Nc6 is a promising alternative for Black.

7. Nc3                           a6

8. e4                             b5

9. Bb3                           cxd4

10. Nxd4                       b4?!

Better is the developing move 10...Bb7, and after 11. Be3 Rc8 12. f3 Bc5 13. Rc1 0-0, the game is about even. Or 10...Qb6 11. Be3 Bc5, with approximately equal chances.

11. Na4                         Bb7

11...Nxe4? is met by 12. Bxe6!

12. Bxe6!?                    ...

An interesting sacrifice in which  White is happy to give away the Bishop so that the Knight can anchor itself on e6 and choke Black’s game.

12...                              fxe6

13. Nxe6                       Qa5

14. Bf4                          Rc8

15. Qb3                        ...

15. Re1 seems stronger, and as the engine shows, White has tremendous pressure after 15...Rc6 16. Nxf8 Nxf8 17. Bd6, followed by 18. e5.

15...                              Nh5?

The losing move. Correct is 15...Bxe4 and after 16. Rfe1 Bd5 17. Qh3 Kf7 18. b3 h6 19. Rad1, and the game still hangs in the balance (computer).

16. Ng5!                        Nxf4

17. Qf7ch                     Kd8

18. Qxf4                       ...

Taking into account White’s light resources (Q+N), his attack has been soundly sustained. The immediate threat of 19. Nf7ch is difficult to parry.

18...                              Rg8

After 18...Qxa4 19. Nf7ch Ke8 20. Nxh8 Qc6 21. Qf7ch Kd8 22. Rfd1 Be7 23. Qxg7 Qf6 24. Nf7ch Ke8 25. Qxf6 Nxf6 26. Nd6ch Bxd6 27. Rxd6, White’s three-pawn advantage will be a major factor. (engine).

19. Rad1                       ...

White seeks to enlarge a bridgehead for his attack on the Black King.

19...                              Bc6

On 19...Qxa4, White wins material with 20. Qf7 Kc7 21. Ne6ch Kb6 22, Rxd7 Qc6 23. Rxb7ch Qxb7 24. Qxg8 (computer).

20. e5!                          ...

As early chess writers wrote, “A quiet move is sometimes more impressive than a display of fireworks.” Nothing could be more modest than this simple advance to complete the encirclement of the Black King.

20...                                    h6?

This ends the story. But Black has no good reply anyway. E.g. 20...Qa4 21. Qf7 with the double-threat of 22. Ne6mate and 22. Qxg8. Or 20...Bd5 21. Qd4 h6 22. Qxd5 Qxd5 23. Rxd5 hxg5 24. e6 and wins. And 20...Kc7 21. e6ch Ne5 22. Rfe1 Kb7 23. Rxe5 Qxa4 24. b3 Qxa2 25. Qf7ch Kb8 26. Qg8 wins material.

21. Nf7ch                          Ke8

22. Qf5                              Be7

23. Qg6                             Qxa4

24. Ng5ch                         1:0

24...Kd8 or 24...Kf8 is punished by instant 25.Ne6 mate.

Solution to last week’s puzzle:

White to move and win. white=Kg1, Qe5, Bg5, Pb4, Pf2, Pg2, Ph4 black=Kg8, Qd7, Bd5, Pa7, Pb5, Pe6, Pf7, Pg6, Ph5

1. Qf6!                              ...

Threatening 2. Bh6.

1...                                     Kh7

Or 1...Bxg2 2. Bh6 Qd1ch 3. Kxg2 Qg4ch 4. Kh2.

2. Bh6!!                            Kxh6

3, Qh8                            mate.

* * *

White to move and win.