New women’s champ
As the chess world now knows, Tan Zhongyi is the new women’s world champion.
The 25-year-old Chinese, seeded only ninth, pulled a stunning victory over second-seed Anna Muzychuk of Ukraine, 3.5-2.5, in the knockout format world championship finals in Tehran, Iran.
Tan beat her third straight higher-seeded opponent in the 64-player field. Earlier, she ousted top-seeded compatriot Ju Wenjun in the quarterfinals and eliminated No. 4 seed Harika Dronavallli of India in the semifinals.
The new champion is little known outside her country. She powered China to gold in the Baku 2016 Women’s Olympiad and won the gold on Bd. 4 with an unblemished 9.5/11.0 record.
By winning the championship, Tan will automatically be awarded the title of a full-fledged grandmaster.
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The following battle is both interesting and instructive. The focal point of the game is White’s mastery of the dark squares, achieved in this instance through a fine Exchange sacrifice.
2017 FIDE Grand Prix
W) D. Liren (China)
B) L. Aronian (Armenia)
Catalan System
1. Nf3 Nf6, 2. c4 e6, 3. g3 d5, 4. Bg2 Be7, 5. 0-0 0-0, 6. d4 dxc4, 7. Qc2 ...
After 7. Ne5 Nc6 8. Nxc6 bxc6 9. Na3 Bxa3 10. bxa3 Ba6 11. Qd2 Rb8 12. Qa5, White stands better. So- Nakamura, Sinquefield Cup 2016.
7... a6, 8. a4 Bd7, 9. Qxc4 Bc6, 10. Bf4 ...
10. Bg5 used to be more popular here, but the text is more in keeping with White’s middle game strategy. After 10. Bg5 a5 11. Nc3 Ra6 12. Qd3 Rb6 13. Qc2 h6 14. Bd2 Bb4 15. Rfe1 Bxf3 16. Bxf3 Nc6 17. e3, White has a slight edge. So-Adams, London Classic 2016.
10... Bd6, 11. Qc1 a5, 12. Nc3 Na6, 13. Bd2 Nb4, 14. Qb1 Bxf3, 15. Bxf3 c6, 16. Rd1 Qe7, 17. Ne4 ...
After 17. Bg5 h6 18. Bxf6 Qxf6 19. Ne4 Qe7 20. Nxd6 Qxd6 21. e3 Rad8, the game is in the balance.
17... Nxe4, 18. Qxe4 Rfd8
18...f5 19. Qb1 Qf6 20. e3 g5 leads to a balance middle game=Computer.
19. Bc3 Rd7, 20. Rd2 Qd8, 21. Rad1 Be7, 22. h4 Rb8, 23. e3 Nd5, 24. Qc2 Qc7, 25. Kg2 g6
25...Rbd8 seems safer.
26. h5 Bf8, 27. e4 Nb4
After 27...Nxc3 28. bxc3 Bg7 29. c4, White obtains a big space advantage.
28. Qb3 c5?!
This premature advance spoils Black’s chances of survival. The text not only yields the important d file to White, but it also opens up the a1-h8 long diagonal to his detriment. Correct is the engine’s 28...Bh6, with possibilities of stopping White from making headway.
29. dxc5 Rxd2, 30. Rxd2 Qxc5, 31. Rd7 b5
After 31...Qg5 32. Qd1 Nc6 33. Bg4, White also obtains tremendous pressure.
32. axb5 Qxb5, 33. Qd1 Nc6, 34. Be2 Qb6, 35. Bc4 Rb7, 36. b3 Qa7?!
This allows a beautiful Exchange sacrifice. The computer’s 36...Rxd7, which prevents White from exploiting his open file advantage, seems forced. E.g. 37. Qxd7 Nb4 38. Qd2 Nc6 39. Qf4, White has the initiative, but the game is far from over.
37. Rd6! ...
A brilliant idea. White sacs his Rook for Bishop to gain control of the vital dark squares.
37... Bxd6
Or 37...Rc7 38. hxg6 hxg6 39. Qh1 Bg7 40. Bxg7 Kxg7 41. Qa1ch Kg8 42. Qc3 and White has the upper hand.
38. Qxd6 Qb6, 39. Qf4! ...
Mastery of the dark squares is the point of White’s 37th move. Now Black is helpless against the looming threat to his vulnerable King.
39... Kf8, 40. Bxe6! Nb4, 41. Qf6 Nd3, 42. Bd4 Qd6, 43. Be3! ...
White simply threatens 44. Bh6ch.
43... Nf1ch
There’s no satisfactory continuation anymore, 43...Ke8 44. Bxe8ch Kd7 45. Qg7 and White wins.
44. Kf1 1:0
After 44...Qxe6 45. Qd8ch Qe8 (45...Kg7 46. h6 mate) 46. Bc5ch is curtains. Or 44...g5 45. Kxe1 Ke8 46. Bxf7ch Kd7 47. Qf5ch followed by 48. Bxg5 and White wins.
Solution to last week’s puzzle:
White to move and win.
White=Kg1, Qf6, Re1, Bd7, Bd6, Pd4, Pf3, Pg2, Ph3
Black=Kg8, Qa6, Ra8, Bb5, Ng6, Pb7, Pd5, Pf7, Pg5, Ph6
1. Be6! 1:0
If 1...fxe6 2. Qxg6ch Kh8 3. Be5 mate. Or 1...Nh8 2. Be5 Kf8 3. Qxh8ch Ke7 4. Qf6ch and wins.
And finally 1...Qxd6 2. Bxf7ch Kf8 (2...Kh7 3. Bxg6ch Kg8 4. Qf7ch Kh8 5. Qh7 mate.) 3. Re8ch! Bxe8 (3...Rxe8 4. Be6 mate) 4. Be6ch Bf7 5. Qxf7 mate.
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