Carlsen shows way

No. 1 seed Magnus Carlsen registered the day’s most convincing victory to take a half point lead after the 10th round at the 2019 World Rapid Championship in Moscow, Russia.

The Norwegian world champion clobbered Vietnamese Le Quang Liem in a QGA opening, and scored eight points, on an undefeated six wins and four draws record, going into the last five rounds of the 15-round Swiss system tournament.

Tied for second-fourth at 7.5 apiece were Chinese Candidates qualifier Wang Hao, Frenchman Maxime Vachier-Lagrave, the No. 2 seed, and Polish youngster Jan-Krzysztof Duda.

Hometown bet and Candidates qualifier Ian Nepomniachtchi was in a big group of 11 players in a tie for fifth with seven points.

Tabbed the King Salman Cup, the $1-million, 15-minute rapid chess brought together 206 of the world’s elite players 

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In the following game, White throttled Black’s pieces in highly respectable manner. A well-executed and sparkling performance by the Norwegian world champion.

World Rapid Championship 2019 Round 10 W) M. Carlsen (Norway) B)  Le Quang Liem (Vietnam) Queen’s Gambit Accepted.

1. d4              d5 

2. c4              dxc4 

3. e4!?               ....

The unbooked version of the QGA. The move is played purely for surprise value. 3. Nf3 is the standard continuation.

3....                Nf6 

This is a rarely played line, sharp and risky (as it provokes White’s center Pawn advance), but not necessarily bad. Normal here is 3....e5 which leads to a balance middle game.

4. e5               Nd5

5. Bxc4           Nb6 

6. Bb3             Bf5 

7. Nf3              e6

8. Nc3             Nc6 

9. Be3             Be7 

10. O-O           O-O 

11. a3              Na5 

12. Bc2           Qd7?!

A dubious move, as it  allows White’s crippling Pawn advance. Correct is 12...Bxc2 and after 13. Qxc2 Nc6 14. Rfd1  h6, White enjoys only a slight  advantage.

13. Bxf5           exf5 

14. d5              ....

Early in the game Black is  caught in the toils.

14....               Nac4 

15. Bxb6          Nxb6 

16. Qb3            Rad8 

17. Rad1           Rfe8 

18. Rfe1            ....

Here White’s space advantage  is alarming in that Black has no  chance for counter play.

18,....                g6 

19. h4               Kg7 

20. h5               Bc5 

21. Qc2!?          ....

Now the White Queen will be transferred to the Kingside, while  Black’s passive pieces could only  watch. Also good is the engine’s  21. g3!? to be followed by 22. Kg2  and 23. Rh1.

21....                 a5 

22. Qc1            Qe7

23. Qf4             Nd7?!

This loses outright. 23....Qf8  probably holds for the time being,  though White’s positional advantage is overwhelming.

24. b4!               ....

White’s last is a crusher which nets material advantage.

24....                 axb4 

25. axb4            Bb6 

Or 25....Bxb4 26. h6ch Kf8 27. d6! cxd6 27. Qxb4 and White picks up a piece.

26. h6ch            Kg8 

27. d6!               ....

It’s time for the breakthrough.

27....                 Qf8 

27....cxd6 is met by 28. Nd5 with  a crushing attack.

28. e6                fxe6 

29. dxc7            ....

We draw the curtains here, as   the rest are too much to handle for Black.

29....                 Rc8

30. Rxd7            Re7

31. Rxe7            Qxe7

32. Nd5              1-0

Solution to last week puzzle:

Black to play and win.

White=Kg1, Qc4, Ra8, Bg8, Pf2, Pg2, Ph3

Black=Kg7, Qd7, Nd4, Be5, Pc7. Pe4, Pf5, Pg6, Ph6

1....           Nf3ch!

2. gxf3       Qd1ch

0-1

If 3. Qf1 (3. Kg2 exf3 mate) 3....Bh2ch 4. Kg2 exf3ch 5. Kxh2 Qxf1 and Black wins.

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White to play and win.