Candidates Tournament called off
The Candidates Tournament in Yekaterinburg (Russia), the only major world sports event held as scheduled, eluding the coronavirus, has been put off halfway after the Russian government suspended all air transportation due to the virus.
The world chess body (FIDE), announced that the tournament will be resumed on a later date, with all scores standing after seven rounds.
Maxime Vachier-Lagrave (France) and Ian Nepomniachtchi (Russia) shared the lead at 4.5 points apiece when eight round play was suspended. Other scores read Fabiano Caruana (USA), Alexander Grischuk (Russia), Anish Giri (Netherlands) and Wang Hao (China), 3.5 each, Ding Liren (China) and Kiril Alekseenko (Russia), with 2.5.
The Candidates winner will earn the right to challenge Magnus Carlsen for the world championship crown to be held in December in Dubai, UAE.
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MVL, a last-minute replacement for Azeri Teimour Radjabov, did very well in this Candidates Tournament, posting an unblemished record of two wins and five draws. If his fine performance needs any confirmation, the following game provides it.
Candidates Tournament 2020 Round 07
W) M. Vachier-Lagrave (France)
B) I. Nepomniachtchi (Russia)
French Defense
1. e4 e6
This the French Defense has not been popular among leading players in recent years due to its passive outlook and the strong pressure White obtains on the Kingside.
2. d4 d5
3. Nc3 Bb4
The sharp Winawer Variation, named after Polish master Szymon Winawer (1838-1919). It often leads to complex struggle.
4. e5 c5
5. a3 Bxc3ch
6. bxc3 Ne7
7. h4!? ....
This is the latest preference in grandmaster play. The idea is to weaken Black’s Kingside Pawn structure. The standard continuation here is 7. Qg4.
7.... Qc7
8. h5 ....
In the game Alekseenko-Nepomniachtchi, Rd. 03 same tournament, play went 8. Nf3 b6 9. Bb5ch Bd7 10. Be2 Ba4 with probably equal chances.
8.... h6
9. Rb1 b6
10. Qg4 Rg8
10....Nf5 seems preferable, though the text move looks sound.
11. Bb5ch Kf8
11....Nbc6 and 11....Bd7 are fair alternatives with varying chances for both sides.
12. Bd3 Ba6
13. dxc5 Bxd3
14. cxd3 Nd7
14....bxc5 15. Nf3 Nd7 16. 0-0 Rb8 17. Rxb8ch Qxb8 18. Qa4, leads to a slight edge for White.
15. d4 bxc5
16. Qd1 Qa5
17. Bd2 Rb8
After 17....Qxa3 18. Ne2 Qa6 19. 0-0, White obtains a clear advantage because of Black’s passive and immobile pieces..
18. Ne2 c4?!
The text seems premature as it paves the way for White’s Bishop to be activated. Correct is 18....Qa6, with possibilities of holding White from making headway.
19. O-O Rb6
20. Qc2 Rh8
21. a4 Ke8
22. Rb4 Nc6
23. f4! ....
Here White initiates Kingside action, he foresees that the game will be decided on the King’s flank.
23.... Ne7
After 23....Nxb4? 24. cxb4 Qa6 25. b5 Qb7 26. Bb4! the vulnerable Black King will be under tremendous pressure.
24. Rfb1 f5
25. Rb5 Qa6
26. Bc1 Kf7?
26....g6 seems necessary, though Black’s position already needs a helping hand.
27. Ba3 Rhb8
28. Bxe7 Kxe7
29. g4! ....
This sharp Pawn thrust breaks the game wide open.
29.... Rxb5
30. axb5 Rxb5
31. gxf5 Rxb1ch
32. Qxb1 exf5
33. Ng3 Qb6?!
This loses quickly, but in any case, White’s attack is too powerful. 33....Qa3 34. Ne2, and 33....g6 34. Kf2 are also hopeless for Black.
34. Nxf5ch Kf8
35. Qa1 Qe6
36. Ng3! ....
This finally is a crusher to which there is no good reply.
36.... Qg4
37. Kg2 Qxf4
38. Qxa7 Ke7
38,,,,Qg4 is met by 39. Qa8ch Ke7
40. Qxd5 and White wins easily.
39. Qa3ch Kd8
40. Qd6 g5
41. hxg6 h5
42. g7 1-0
If 42....Qd2ch 43. Kh3 Qg5
44. e6 wins the pinned Knight..
Solution to last week puzzle
White to play and win.
White=Kg1, Qa4, Rf1, Bh6, Pa6, Pf2, Pg2, Ph2
Black=Kg8, Qd8, Ra5, Be5, Pe4, Pf7, Pg6, Ph7
1. Rd1! 1-0
If 1....Qxd1ch (1....Qc7 2. Qe8 mate) 2. Qxd1
Ra1 3. Qxa1 Bxa1 4. a7 and wins.
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White to move and win.
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