Giri paces Tata Steel Masters
In the Netherlands, hometown GM Anish Giri continued to impress, posting an undefeated 7.5 out of 11.0 points to maintain the lead entering the penultimate round of the 2021 Tata Steel Masters Festival.
With two rounds remaining at Wijk aan Zee, the prestigious tournament remains wide open among four players.
Giri, 26, who is hoping to become the second Dutchman to win the title (since Jan Timman in 1985), halved the point with Norwegian world champion Magnus Carlsen for a 7.5 total, giving him a half-point lead over defending champion Fabiano Caruana (USA), compatriot Jorden Van Foreest and 17-year-old Iranian exile, Alireza Firouzja.
Russian teenager Andrey Esipenko, who upset Carlsen in round eight, was one point back at 6.5, followed by Carlsen with 6.0.
Van Foreest, 21, defeated India’s Pentala Harikrishna while Caruana and Firouzja battled to a 61-move draw.
Round 12 is underway with Giri pitted against Firouzja, Caruana vs. Anton and Van Foreest vs Esipenko.
Games can be watched live with commentaries at various chess websites.
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The following game is considered the gem of the Tata Steel Masters 2021.
W) A. Esipenko (RUS)
B) M. Carlsen (NOR)
Sicilian Defense
1. e4 c5; 2. Nf3 d6; 3. d4 cxd4; 4. Nxd4 Nf6; 5. Nc3 a6; 6. Be2 e6; 7. Be3 Be7; 8. g4 ....
The well-known Keres Attack against the Scheveningen Variation was named after Estonian world contender, Paul Keres (1916-1975).
8.... b5
Black’s last move is a risky action, as it creates early complications to White’s favor. Better is the engine’s 8....d5, which would compel exchanges and reduce the sting of White’s attack. For instance, 9. exd5 Nxd5 10. Nxd5 Qxd5 11. 0-0 Qa5 12. c4 0-0, and the ensuing middle game is about even.
9. g5 Nfd7; 10. a3!? ....
White offers an interesting Pawn sacrifice in preference to obtaining the initiative.
10.... Bxg5; 11. Qd2 Bxe3; 12. Qxe3 Qh4?!
Here, Black’s ineffective maneuvering starts. Better is the normal developing move 12....Bb7.
13. Rg1 g6; 14. O-O-O Qe7; 15. f4 Bb7
The situation is slightly disturbing in that Black suffers from lack of development and an uncastled King in the center.
16. Kb1 Nc6??
A fatal error which loses material. Either 16....Nc5 or 16....Nf6 is a much better alternative.
17. Ncxb5! ....
The start of a sparkling combination that nets White a decisive advantage.
17.... axb5; 18. Nxc6 Bxc6; 19. Qc3! ....
White based his entire combination on this move, combining power and elegance.
19.... 0-0; 20. Qxc6 d5; 21. exd5 Rfc8
21....exd5 should have been tried, though White emerges with a huge advantage after 22. Bxb5 Nf6 23. Rge1.
22. d6 Qd8; 23. Qxb5 Rcb8; 24. Qc4 Rxa3; 25. Qc7! ....
Now with an advanced passed Pawn and material advantage, the rest is a routine win for the 18-year-old Russian. Henceforth, comments are no longer needed.
25.... Qe8; 26. Rg5 Ra4; 27. Ra5 Rab4; 28. B3 R4b7; 29. Qc3 Qd8; 30. Bf3 Rb4; 31 . Qc7 Qf6; 32. Ra8 Rxa8; 33. Bxa8 Qf5; 34. Kb2 Rb5; 35. Qxd7 Rc5; 36. Rc1 Qxf4; 37. Qe8ch Kg7; 38. d7 1-0
Solution to last week’s puzzle:
White to move and win.
White=Kg2, Qg3, Nf3, Bg5, Pa2, Pb3, Pd4, Pe5, Pf2, Ph6
Black=Kh7, Qc7, Bb4, Nd3, Pa6, Pb5, Pd5, Pe6, Pf5, Pg6,
1. Bd8! 1-0
If 1....Qxd8 (1....Ne1ch 2. Kf1! ) 2. Ng5ch Kg8 3. h7ch Kg7 4. Nxe6ch and wins.
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