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.