Norwegian world champion Magnus Carlsen moved into position for his third victory in his last four GTC starts this year, after he took the third round lead at the Grand Chess Tour Asian swing in Kolkata, India.
Carlsen, 29, had five points on two wins and one draw in the 10-player all-play-all rapid event, in which a win is counted two points and a draw scored one point.
American HIkaru Nakamura was in second spot with four points, followed by Anish Gir (NED), Ding Liren (CHN) and local bets Vishy Anand, Pentala Harikrishna and Vidit Santosh Gujrathi, at three apiece.
Rounding out the top 10 with two each were Wesley So (USA), Levon Aronian (ARM) and Ian Nepomniacthchi (RUS).
The Kolkata GCT is the final event in the year-long series leading to next month’s GTC grand finals in London, Great Britain. Carlsen has already sealed a place in the four-player finals, along with Liren and Aronian, while a number of top players are still in contention for the last remaining spot, including Anand and Vachier-Lagrave.
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A highly dubious move by Black enables White to start a sharp attack. For some time the position is fraught with bewildering complications. At the end Black collapses, but the struggle makes the following game a pleasant one to follow.
2019 Grand Chess Tour (India)
W) I. Nepomniachtchi (Russia))
B) V. Anand (India)
English Opening
1. c4 e5
2. g3 Nf6
3. Bg2 Bc5
4. Nc3 c6
5. Nf3 e4
6. Nh4 d5
So far, the players have followed the game Anton-Grischuk, 2019 Isle of Man FIDE Grand Swiss. As that game showed, the variations employed have promising alternatives for both sides.
7. d4!? ....
An interesting improvement from the above-mentioned game, which went 7. cxd5 cxd5 8. d3 with probably a slight edge for White, (1-0- 24).
7.... Be7
8. cxd5 cxd5
9. O-O O-O
10. f3 exf3
The alternative 10....Nc6 11. fxe4 dxe4 12. e3 Bg4, leads to interesting possibilities.
11. Rxf3 Nc6
12. Nf5 Ne4
13. Rf1 Bf6
14. e3 Nxc3
After 14.... Re8 15. Qb3, White enjoys a slight advantage.
15 bxc3 Be6
16. Rb1 Qd7
Not a good idea, but other attempts also leads to White’s advantage. For instance, 16....Na5 17. Ba3 Re8 18. Nd6 Be7 19. Nxe8 Bxa3 20. Nxg7 Kxg7 21. e4! and White will exert tremendous pressure.
17. e4! Rfe8?
This dubious move allows White to intensify his King side pressure. 17....Bxf5 seems forced, and after 18. Rxf5 dxe4 19. Bxe4 Rae8 20. Bc2 Qe7, Black may put up a stiff resistance.
18. Nh6ch Kh8
18....gxf6 is probably bettter than the text., e.g., 19. Rxf6 dxe4 20. Qh5 Qd5 21. Qxh6 Ne7, and though Black is inferior, the game continues.
19. Rxf6 gxf6
20. Qf3 Kg7
20....Qd8 also loses to 21. exd5.
21. exd5 Bxd5
22. Nf5ch 1-0
After 21...Kh8 22. Qxd5 Qxd5
23. Bxd5 is hopeless for Black.
Solution to last week’s puzzle:
White to move and win.
White=Kf4, Qg5, Rd1, Nf6, Pc5, Pd4, Pe5
Black=Kf8, Qc3, Rb8, Rd8, Bc4, Pa4, Pa2, Pd5, Pf5, Pf7
1. e6! -0-
Threatening 2. Qg8ch and 3. Qxf7mate. If 1....Ke7 2. Nxd5ch Kf8 (2....Kxe6 3. Qxf5 mate)
3. Qh6ch Ke8/Kg8? 4. Qh8/Nf6 mate.