Grand Chess Tour back in London

The Grand Chess Tour finals returns to London once again as the tour’s four finalists square off starting tomorrow at the Olympia London Convention Center.

World champion Magnus Carlsen (Norway), world No. 3 Ding Liren (China), fourth-ranked Maxime Vachier-Lagrave (France) and No. 7 Levon Aronian of Armenia figure in the week-long classical (semifinal and final) match play format.

Prize fund is  $350,000, with the champion getting $150,000, runner-up $100,000, third $60,000 and fourth $40,000.

Carlsen, 29, who dominated the recent GTC Kolkata (India) leg with an awesome 14 wins, 11 draws, two-loss record, is the top favorite to win the title. The Norwegian has been a dominant force in the tour over the years, winning eight of the last 10 editions he participated.

Candidates qualifier Ding Liren will look to do better this year as the second seed. The 27-year-old Chinese has won the prestigious GTC Sinquefield Cup in the USA last August, beating Carlsen in a breathtaking tie-break playoff. He also dealt out Carlsen’s only two defeats in Kolkata.    

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In Carlsen’s march to victory in this tournament, he was stopped only twice by Liren. Here’s the more brilliant point scored against him by the Chinese world contender.

2019 Grand Chess Tour (India)

W) M. Carlsen (Norway)

B) D. Liren (China)

Ruy Lopez

1. e4                     e5 

2. Nf3                   Nc6 

3. Bb5                  a6 

4. Ba4                   Nf6 

5. O-O                   Be7 

6. Bxc6                 dxc6 

7. d3                     ....  

 This remarkable line, apparently a very old one with very new points, sails under the banner of the popular Exchange Variation.

7....                      Nd7

There are promising alternatives such as 7....Bd6, 7....Bg4 and 7....Qd6, but how Black proceeds is a matter of personal taste.

8. Nbd2                O-O 

9. a4                     a5 

10. b3                   f6 

11. Nh4                 Nc5 

12. Nf5                  Ne6 

13. Nc4                 b6 

14. Nxe7ch            ....

The engine recommends 14. h4, and after 14....Bb4 15. h5 Nd4 16. Nxd4 exd4 17. h6 g6, the game probably hangs in the balance.

14....                     Qxe7

Now skillful maneuverings for middle game initiative begins.

15. Ne3                 g6 

16. Bb2                 c5 

17. Qd2                 Bb7

18. Rae1               Rad8 

19. f3                    Kf7 

20. Qf2                  Ke8 

21. Qh4                 Kd7 

22. f4                    Nxf4 

23. Rxf4                exf4 

24. Ng4                 g5 

25. Qh6                 Qe6

26. Nxf6ch            Kc8 

27. Qxg5?!            ....

Not a good choice as it opens up the g file to Black’s advantage. 

27....                     f3!

This sharp Pawn stab paves the way for Black’s major pieces.

28. Rf1                  Rg8 

29. Nxg8               Rxg8 

30. Qe5?               ....

The losing move as Black quickly develops a winning attack against the exposed White King. The best chance, according to the engine is 30. Qf6, e.g., 30....Qxf6 31. Bxf6 Rxg2ch 32. Kh1 Rxc2 33. Rxf3 Rd2, White is inferior but retains drawing chances.

30....                     Rxg2ch

31. Kh1                 Qg6!

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

32. h4                   Bc6 

33. Qf4                  Rxc2 

34. Rg1                 Rg2 

35. Qe3                 Qg3!

0--1

Mate is unavoidable. 

Solution to last week puzzle

White to move and win.

White=Kg1, Qd1, Ra1, Re1 Ne5, Bg3, Pb3, Pb2, Pc2, Pf2, Pg2, Ph4 Black=Ke8, Qa7, Ra8, Rh8, Bc5, Ne4, Pa6, Pb5, Pd5, Pf7, Pg4, Ph5 

1. Rxe4!                dxe4

2. Rxa6!!               1-0

If 2....Qxa6 3. Qd7ch Kf8 4. Qxf7 mate, or 2....Qb7 3. Rxa8ch Qxa8 4. Qd7ch Kf8 5. Qxf7 mate. And on 2....Rd8 3. Qxd8ch Kxd8 4. Rxa7 and wins.

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Black to play and win.