Candidates tourney back
The FIDE Candidates Tournament, suspended halfway last year due to the pandemic, will resume play on April 19-29 in Yekaterinburg, Russia.
Frenchman Maxime Vachier-Lagrave and local bet Ian Nepomniachtchi shared the lead going into the final seven rounds with a one-point advantage. The winner of this eight-player, double-round robin selection process will earn the right to play Magnus Carlsen for the world championship in November this year.
Standings after seven rounds: Vachier-Lagrave 4.5, Nepomniachtchi 4.5, Fabiano Caruana (USA) 3.5, Anish Giri (NED) 3.5, Alexander Grischuk (RUS) 3.5, Wang Hao (CHN) 3.5, Ding Liren (CHN) 2.5 and Kirill Alekseenko (RUS) 2.5.
While MVL and Nepomniachtchi remain the slight favorites, a number of quality players are still in serious contention for the title, including Giri, who showed excellent form and consistency in dominating the fourth leg of the online Meltwater Champions Tour.
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In his march to victory at the Meltwater Champions Tour fourth leg, Giri delivered in the deciding tie break, capping a 41-move title-clinching victory.
W) A. Giri (NED)
B) I. Nepomniachtchi (RUS)
Sicilian Defense
1. e4 c5
2. Nf3 e6
3. d4 cxd4
4. Nxd4 Nc6
5. Nc3 Qc7
This is known as the Taimanov Variation, a Sicilian variant introduced in the 70s by Russian world contender Mark Taimanov.
6. Be3 a6
7. g4 ...
In the game Giri vs Nepomniachtchi, 06-03 finals, play went 7. Nxc6 Qxc6 8. Be2 b5 9. e5 Bb7 10. Bf3 Qc7 11. Bxb7 Qxb7 12. Qd3 Bb4, with equal chances. (drawn in 37 moves).
7... h6
8. h4 Nf6
9. Nxc6 bxc6
10. Qf3 d5
11. g5 hxg5
12. hxg5 Rxh1
13. Qxh1 ....
White has a slight edge in development as both players prepare for the middle game.
13.... Ng4
14. Bd2 Bb7
There are other possibilities, but 14....Rb8 is most accurate, according to the engine.
15. Qh3 Ne5
16. O-O-O d4?!
A premature Pawn advance which releases tension in the center favoring White. Instead, 16....Ng6 is a better alternative maintaining the possibility of a center counterplay.
17. Nb1 c5
18. f4 Nc6?
Another premature action which spoils Black’s chances of survival. Correct is the natural 18....Ng6 with possibilities of stopping White from making headway.
19. g6! ....
A timely Pawn advance which creates weaknesses on Black’s center Pawn structure.
19.... O-O-O
20. gxf7 Qxf7
21. Bc4 Kb8
Defending with 21....Re8 is not ideal because of 33. Qf1 and Black’s pieces will be passively tied down. But the text move is no bargain either as White picks up the Pawn without much fuss.
22. Bxe6 Qc7
23. Bc4 Ka7
Now with material plus and positional advantage, White has a win.
24. Na3 Nb4
25. Re1 Be7
26. Kb1 Re8
27. e5 Bd8
28. Bb3 g5
29. Nc4 ....
29. Qh5! is stronger, according to the engine.
29.... gxf4
30. Bxf4 Nd5
31. Bd2 Qg7
32. Nd6 Rh8
33. Qe6 Bh4
34. Rc1 ....
34. Nxb7 Bxe1 35. Nxc5 Nb6 36. Bxe1 wins for White as well.
34.... Nc7
35. Qc4 Qxe5?
This loses more material, but Black’s game is hopeless anyhow.
36. Nf7 Qh2
37. Qxc5ch Kb8
38. Qxd4 Rf8
39. Bf4 Bg3
40. Bxg3 Qxg3
41. Qb4 1-0
There’s no satisfactory reply anymore, e.g., 41....Qg7 42. Nd6 Qg2 43. Nxb7 and White wins.
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Solution to last week’s puzzle:
White to play and win.
White=Kg1, Qa4, Rd1, Re1, Bh6, Pa2, Pf2, Pg3, Ph2
Black=Kg8, Qc7, Re7, Rf3, Bf6, Pa7, Pb6, Pg6, Ph7
1. Qc4ch! 1-0
If 1....Qxc4 2. Rd8ch Re8 3. Rdxe8ch and mate. Or 1....Kh8 2. Qxc7 Rxc7 3. Re8ch and mate.
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