Paravyan rules Gibraltar Masters
The Gibraltar Masters Festival, which traditionally follows Wijk aan Zee, was held Jan. 20-30 at the Caleta Hotel in the British territory of Gibraltar.
GM David Paravyan, 21, one of the young talents of Russian chess, copped this one, beating compatriot Andrey Esipenko and Chinese Candidates qualifier Wang Hao in speed chess tie-break playoff . Paravyan took home the 30,000 euro champion’s prize.
The 18th edition of the world’s strongest open, brought together 250 players, including 60 strong GMs.
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Meanwhile, Fabiano Caruana ran away with the top prize at the Tata Steel Masters in Wijk aan Zee.
The American world No. 2 went undefeated, finishing with 10.0 points out of 13.0, and two points clear of runner-up Magnus Carlsen (Norway). Wesley So (USA) wound up third, 2.5 points off the pace.
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Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa, the youngest Indian GM at 14, is a regular in the international chess circuit. He may be over-chessed, but obviously youth is on his side. Praggnanandhaa has the compulsiveness of youth with an attending thirst for complications. His sacrilegious ways are evident in the game below where he knocks down Vaselin Topalov, a former Bulgarian world champion.
Gibraltar Masters 2020 round 06
W) R. Praggnanandhaa (India)
B) V. Topalov (Bulgaria)
French Defense
1. e4 e6
2. d4 d5
3. Nc3 Nf6
4. e5 ....
The Steinitz Variation, named after Austrian-American Wilhelm Steinitz (1836-1900), the first world chess champion.
4.... Nfd7
5. f4 c5
6. Nf3 Be7
6....Nc6 used to be more popular here.e.g., 7. Be3 cxd4 8. Nxd4 Bc5 9. Qd2 0-0 10. 0-0-0 a6, the game is probably even.
7. Be3 b6
8. Qd2 Nc6
9. Be2 O-O
10. O-O cxd4
11. Nxd4 Nxd4
12. Bxd4 Nb8
The alternative 12....Bb7 leads to a slight edge for White after 13. Rad1 Nc5 14. a3 Ne4 15. Nxe4 dxe4 16. c4.
13. Bf2 Ba6
14. Bxa6 Nxa6
15. f5 exf5
15....Nb4 seems a better alternative than the text, according to the engine.
16. Nxd5 Nb4
17. c4 Rc8
18. a3 Nc6
19. Rfe1 Bc5
20. b4 Bxf2ch
21. Qxf2 Qd7
Black’s position looks safe that he does not even dream of being in danger.
22. Qh4! Qd8?
This move loses right off.. A better bet would be 22....Kh8 and after 23. Rad1 Qe6 24. Nf4 Qe7 25. Qxe7 Nxe7 26. Rd7, White has the edge but the game is far from over..
23. Nf6ch!! ....
Like a bolt from the blue, is the least we can say of this move.
23.... gxf6
24. Rad1! ....
The point. This beautiful zwischenzug brings down the curtains.
24.... Nxe5
There’s no good reply. If instead 24....Qc7, 25. exf6 Kh8 27. Rd3 followed by 28. Rh3.
25. Rxd8 Rfxd8
26. Qxf6 ....
Resignation is honorable at this point, as White’s material advantage is decisive.
26.... Ng6
27. h4 h5
28. Rf1 f4
29. g4 Rd3
30. gxh5 Rg3
31. Kf2 Nxh4
32. Qxh4 Rxc4
33. Re1 1-0
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