Caruana closes in on London title
American Fabiano Caruana registered two consecutive wins to take a half-point lead over Russian Ian Nepomniachtchi after the sixth round of the London Chess Classic in the UK.
The world No. 3 had four points on a remarkable two wins, four draws performance, and moved closer to capturing the strongest year-ending chess championship.
Five other players were within one point of the lead entering the final three rounds. They were Norwegian world champion Magnus Carlsen, Armenian Levon Aronian, Frenchman Maxime Vachier-Lagrave and Americans Wesley So (Story at right) and Hikaru Nakamura.
They were followed by Indian Vishy Anand, Russian Sergey Kariakin and hometown bet Mikey Adams at 2.5 apiece.
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The recently concluded Chinese team championship matches produced a good amount of stimulating classical games. This one carried off the best attacking game of the tournament.
2017 Chinese Team Chess
Championship
W) Yu Yangi g (China)
B) Wen Yang g (China)
Semi-Slav Defense
1. d4 d5
2. c4 c6
3. Nf3 Nf6
4. Nc3 e6
In the Semi-Slav, Black normally seeks chances on the Queen side, while White attempts to control the center and find attacking play on the other wing. This game did not follow that pattern, as the Black King remained stuck in the center.
5. Bg5 h6
5...dxc4 leads to double edged complications after 6. e4 b5 7. e5 h6 8. Bh4 g5 9. Nxg5 hxg5 10. Bxg5 Nbd7 11. exf6 Bb7.
6. Bh4 ...
A promising alternative is 6. Bxf6 Qxf6 7. e3 Nd7 8. a3 Qd8 9. Bd3 Be7 10. 0-0 0-0 11. Qc2 a6 12. e4 dxc4 13. Bxc4 and the game perhaps near equality.
6... dxc4
7. e4 g5
8. Bg3 b5
9. Be2 Bb7
10. Qc2 ...
In the famous game Kasparov-Tahl, Moscow Interzonal 1982, play continued 10. e5!? Nd5 11. h4 Qa5 12. Rc1 g4 13. Nd2 c5 14. Nce4 cxd4 15. 0-0 h5, with fighting chances for both sides.
10... Nbd7
11. Nd2 Qb6
12. Rd1 Be7
13. a4 a6
14. O-O h5
15. h3 h4
16. Bh2 g4
17. hxg4 h3
18. Bg3 hxg2
After 18...0-0-0 19. b3 Rdg8 20. bxc4 Nxg4 21. Bxg4 Rxg4 22. gxh3 Rxh3 23. Kg2 Rh5 24. Ne2 Nf6 25. Rh1, the computer assessed the game as equal.
19. Kxg2 Rg8
20. f3 Rc8
20...Nh5 is best according to the engine. For instance 21. Bb2 Rd8 22. Rg1 e5 23. dxe5 Qe3 24. Nf1 Qg5 and Black obtains counterplay.
21. Rh1 Ba8
22. Rh3 c5
23. d5 exd5
24. exd5 Nxd5
25. Nxc4 Qe6
26. axb5 Nxc3
27. bxc3 Rxg4
28. Qd2! ...
Threatening 29. Qxd7ch.
28... Rd8
29. Qe3 axb5
30. Ne5! ...
This move wins material by forced.
30... Rxg3ch
Black has no choice. 30...Rg8 is met by 31. Bxb5, while 30...Nxe5 loses to 31. Rh8ch Bf8 32. Rxd8ch Kxd8 33. Rxf8ch Kd7 34. Rxa8.
31. Rxg3 c4?
31...Bc6 probably prolongs the game, though White keeps the advantage.
32. Rg8ch ...
The engine’s 32. Rxd7 leads to a quick finish. E.g., 32...Rxd7 33. Rg8ch Bf8 34. Ng6! Qxe3 35. Rxf8 mate.
32... Bf8
33. Kf2 Bd5
34. Rxd5 Qxd5
35. Nxc4ch 1-0
If 35...Ne5, then White wins with 36. Nxe5 f6 37. Nc6ch Kd7 38. Nxd8 Qxg8 39. Qa7ch Kxd8 40. Qb8ch Ke7 41. Qc7ch Ke6 42. Bc4ch! bxc4 43. Qxc4ch. Or 35...Qe6 36. Nd6ch Ke7 37. Nf5ch Ke8 38. Ng7ch.
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White to move and win.
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