Wesley whips Russian champ

Following a tight three-game first set, ninth seed Wesley So distanced himself from fourth seeded Ian Nepomniachtchi to open up a one-set lead at the start of the FTX Crypto Cup online semifinals.

Having drawn the first three games, the American exploited Nepomniachtchi’s weak Kingside Pawns in Game 4 of a Knight and Bishop ending in a 2.5-1.5 demolition of the Russian champion.

In the other semifinal matchup, 10th seed Teimour Radjabov bounced back in convincing fashion, beating top-seeded Magnus Carlsen in Game 4 to level the score at two apiece.

Carlsen, the Norwegian world champion, took the lead by winning Game 3. But the 33-year-old Azeri spearhead recovered well, winning comfortably in 54 moves of a Queen’s Pawn Opening.

The second set of the $320,000 Chess Cup semifinals starts today at 1700 (CEST) and can be viewed live with commentaries at various chess websites.

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The following game is both lively and instructive. The focal point is undoubtedly a daring Bishop sacrifice that paves the way for White’s other pieces

Champions Chess Tour

2021 FTX Crypto Cup

Quarterfinals (Game 2)

W) M. Carlsen ()NOR)

B) H. Nakamura (USA)

Giuoco Piano

1. e4       e5; 2. Nf3       Nc6; 3. Bc4       ....

The Giuoco Piano or Italian Opening, which originated in the 16th Century, is the oldest chess opening recorded

3....        Bc5; 4. O-O      Nf6;           5. d3       O-O; 6. h3        ....

In Carlsen-Nakamura Game 5, White continued with 6. Re1 and after 6....Ng4 7. Re2 Kh8 8. h3 f5! Black grabs the initiative, 0-1=57.

6....        h6

Carlsen-Nakamura Game 4 went 6....d5 7. exd5 Nxd5 8. a4 Be6 9. Ng5 Bf5 10. Qf3 Nde711. c3 h6, and White is slightly better, 1-0=37.

7. c3       d6;          8. Re1      a5;        9. d4       Bb6;      10. Be3     exd4 11. cxd4     d5      12. exd5     Ne7; 13. Nc3     Nexd5;                 14. Qd2     c6;      15. Bxh6!?    ....

An interesting Bishop sacrifice that leads to an abundance of attractive possibilities. The ensuing middle game hangs in the balance.

15....       gxh6;    16. Qxh6    Bf5?

The start of Black’s trouble as it allows White to gain an important tempo in the attack. Correct is the engine’s 16....Nh7 with these possibilities: 17. Nxd5 cxd5 18. Bd3 f5 19. Re3 Qf6 21. Qf4 Kh8 21. Ne5, and although White has strong pressure, the game is far from over.

17. Re5!     Bg6; 18. Rg5     ....

18. Nh4 is stronger, according to the engine, e.g., 18....Bxd4 19. Nxg6 fxg6 20. Nxd5 cxd5 21. Rg5, and White has a winning attack.

18....       Nh7;     19. Rg4     Re8

19....Kh8 seems a safer alternative than the text.

20. Nxd5    cxd5;                21. Bd3     Nf8;    22. Ne5     Re6;   23. Bf5      Rd6

After 23....Qd6 24. Bxe6 Qxe6 25. Re1 Qf5 26. Rf4 Qh5 27. Nxf7 Qxh6 28. Nxh6ch Kg7 29. Nf5ch Bxf5 30. Rxf5 Bxd4 31. Re7ch Kh8 32. Rxd5 Bxb2 33. Rxb7, White has the upperhand. Now White chops wood, transitioning into a winning position.

24. Nxg6    fxg6;                 25. Bxg6    Rxg6;                26. Rxg6ch   Nxg6;            27. Qxg6ch   Kh8;              28. Qh5ch   Kg8;

29. Qg4ch   Kh7;                30. Re1!     ....

This is the end. Queen and Rook in the open file are irresistible.

30....       Rc8;       31. Re6     1-0

Solution to last week’s puzzle:

Black to move and win.

White=Kg1, Ra1, Re6, Bc5, Pb2, Pc3, Pf2, Pg2, Ph2

Black=Kg8, Ra8, Rf8, Ba5, Pc4, Pd5, Pg7, Ph7

1....          Bxc3!;  0-1

After 2. Rea6 ( 2.Rxa8 (2. bxc3? Rxa1ch) Rxa8 3. Ba3 Bf6 followed by 4....c3 and wins) Rxa6 3. Rxa6 Re8 4. f3 Bxb2

5. Rd6 Rc8 6. Be3 (6. Rxd5 Rxc5 7. Rxc5 Bd4ch) c3 7. Rb6 Ba3

8. Ra6 d4 9. Bf4 (9. Bxd4 c2 10. Be3 Bc5) Bb2 10. Rb6 d3 and Black wins.