Vishy wins first world rapid title
Viswanathan Anand won the world rapid championship in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Thursday, for his first speed chess victory of the year, easily beating Vladimir Fedoseev, 2-0, in the tiebreak play-off.
Fedoseev, 22, one of Russia’s rising young star, took second, while another Russian, Ian Nepomniachtchi came in third.
The former world champion, now 48, delivered a Chess-Oscar performance in the $750,000, 15-round Swiss event, scoring 10.5 points, with an undefeated six wins and nine draws record, to capture the gold.
The Indian superstar strutted past the likes of No. 1 seed and reigning world champion, Magnus Carlsen, candidates qualifiers Sergey Kariakin, Levon Aronian, Ding Liren, Alexander Grischuk and Shakriyar Mamedyarov, and world No.5 Maxime Vachier-Lagrave.
Fedoseev paced the field up to round 11, before losing to Carlsen in round 12, who in turn suffered a calamitous collapse, scoring only one point in the last three rounds.
2017 World Rapid Ch.
W) M. Carlsen (NOR)
B) V. Anand, (IND)
Nimzo-Indian Defense
1. d4 Nf6
2. c4 e6
3. Nc3 Bb4
The Nimzo-Indian Defense, a hypermodern opening named after pioneer and leader Aron Nimzowitsch (1886-1932), who employed it with success in the 1920s.
4. e3 ...
The Rubinstein variation, a modest reply in which White achieves without the slightest risk, a sound position, and could quickly get an advantage should Black play inaccurately.
4.... O-O
5. Bd3 ...
A well-known line, which the sixth world champion, Mikhail Botvinnik, popularized in the 50s. The other system of development here is Rubinstein idea, 5. Ne2, which avoids a doubled c pawn in case of 5...Bxc3ch..
5.... d5
Also possible is 5...c5 with approximately equal chances.
6. a3 Bxc3
7. bxc3 dxc4
8. Bxc4 c5
9. Nf3 ...
9. Ne2 also leads to equality after 9...e5 10. 0-0 Nc6 11. Bb2 Qc7.
9.... Qc7
10. Be2 b6
11. Bb2 Bb7
12. O-O Nbd7
13. c4 Rac8
14. Rc1 Rfd8
The opening is just about over, with neither side enjoying an edge, going into the middle game.
15. Qb3 ...
Seems risky as it allows Black’s next reply. 15. h3 is safer, according to the engine.
15.... Ng4!
A good move, forcing White to create weaknesses along the diagonal a8-h1, which Black will exploit later in the game.
16. g3 Ngf6
17. Rfd1 ...
17. Nd2 deserves attention.
17.... Ne4
18. Ne1 Nd6
The engine suggests 18...Ndf6.
19. d5 exd5
20. cxd5 c4
21. Qc2 b5
22. Ng2 Nc5
Black activates his Knight, bound for the Queen side, while White eyes Kingside action.
23. Nf4 Qe7
24. Bg4 Rc7
25. Qc3 ...
White’s attempt to create laborious arrangement of his Bishop and Queen on the long diagonal has no immediate effect.
25.... f5
26. Bf3 Rcd7
27. Qb4 Nb3!?
The text leads to interesting complications. Credit Black for the will to fight,
28. Ne6 Nxc1
29. Rxc1 ...
29. Nxd8 is met by 29...Na2!
29.... Nc8
30. Qxb5 ...
30. Nxd8 is the computer’s choice.
30.... Rxd5
31. Bxd5 Rxd5
32. Qb4 Nd6
33. Nc5? ...
This is a fatalistic reply. Correct is 33. Nf4, when the position is still unclear after 33...Rb5.
33.... Rxc5!
This ends the story as White’s bid for fireworks has backfired.
34. Qxc5 Qe4
0-1
The rest of the story (though Carlsen is no longer interested) would be 35. Kf1 Qh1ch 36. Ke2 Bf3ch 37. Kd2 Ne4ch 38. Kc2 Qxc1ch 39. Bxc1 Nxc5.
Solution to last week’s puzzle:
White to move and win.
white=Kb1, Qd6, Rd1, Rh1, Bd3, Pa2, Pf2, Pg2, Pg7 black=Kg5, Qc3, Ra8, Rg8, Ba6, Pa7, Pc4, Pe6, Pf7
1. Rd5ch! Kg6
If 1...exd5 2. Qh6ch Kf5 3. Rh5ch Ke4 4. f3ch Kd4 5. Qf6ch and wins.
2. Bd3ch! 1:0
After 2...Qxd3 3. Rxd3, and 2...cxd3 3. Qg3ch Kf6 4. Qg5 mate.
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