London 01: Sometimes bishops, sometimes knights!
What a start to the London Chess Classic! All the players came to the game in a fighting mood. Wesley So like he did in the Sinquefield Cup began with a win over birthday boy Hikaru Nakamura. Vladimir Kramnik was in his element as he dispatched Veselin Topalov and Michael Adams would be kicking himself at making a wrong king move after a well played game to lose to Levon Aronian. The other two games ended in fighting draws. We have detailed analysis, beautiful pictures and much more.
Pictures by Lennart Ootes
The 8th London Chess Classic began on an exciting note as three out of the five games ended decisively. There were some exciting pairings are arch-rivals Kramnik-Topalov and Nakamura-So took on each other to produce some fireworks.
Results of round 1
| Bo. | Title | Name | Country | ELO | Res. | Title | Name | Country | ELO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | GM | Hikaru Nakamura |
|
2779 | 0 - 1 | GM | Wesley So |
|
2794 |
| 2 | GM | Fabiano Caruana |
|
2823 | ½ - ½ | V Anand |
|
0 | |
| 3 | GM | Vladimir Kramnik |
|
2809 | 1 - 0 | GM | Veselin Topalov |
|
2760 |
| 4 | GM | Maxime Vachier Lagrave |
|
2804 | ½ - ½ | GM | Anish Giri |
|
2771 |
| 5 | GM | Levon Aronian |
|
2785 | 1 - 0 | GM | Michael Adams |
|
2748 |
The road that leads to the Olympia centre in Kensington (photo by Amruta Mokal)
The setting of the playing hall. Nakamura vs So takes place in the center
The opening move in all the rounds of the London Chess Classic are always made by a young kid with Malcolm Pein giving some lively comments in the background!
Hikaru Nakamura vs Wesley So 0-1
Born in 1987, Hikaru Nakamura turned 29 on 9th Decemeber. But he had a forgettable birthday as he blundered big time on move 13.
13.Ne2? was really a horrible move by Hikaru Nakamura. Can you see how Black wins?
Little did Hikaru know at this point that within two moves he would land into a losing position
Wesley simply took the pawn on e4 with his knight and with some simple calculations emerged with a completely winning position.
Look at the central pawns and the bishop pair and excellent co-ordination of black pieces! The birthday had turned ugly for Hikaru Nakamura.
[Event "8th London Chess Classic 2016"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2016.12.09"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Black "So, Wesley"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "D85"]
[WhiteElo "2779"]
[BlackElo "2794"]
[Annotator "Sagar Shah"]
[PlyCount "58"]
[EventDate "2016.??.??"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[SourceTitle "playchess.com"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[TimeControl "40/7200:3600+30"]
{Wesley So began with a win against Nakamura in the Sinquefield cup and won
the event. Maybe he will repeat this feat at the London Chess Classic!} 1. d4 {
[%emt 0:00:06]} Nf6 {[%emt 0:00:07]} 2. c4 {[%emt 0:00:09]} g6 {[%emt 0:00:04]}
3. Nc3 {[%emt 0:00:19]} d5 {[%emt 0:00:05] Wesley goes for the Grunfeld.} 4.
cxd5 {[%emt 0:00:04]} Nxd5 {[%emt 0:00:04]} 5. e4 {[%emt 0:00:26]} Nxc3 {
[%emt 0:00:05]} 6. bxc3 {[%emt 0:00:04]} Bg7 {[%emt 0:00:04]} 7. Be3 {[%emt 0:
00:11]} c5 {[%emt 0:00:07]} 8. Rc1 {[%emt 0:00:06]} (8. Qd2 {is the main line
here.} O-O 9. Nf3 {is what Karpov used to play.}) 8... O-O {[%emt 0:00:33]} 9.
Qd2 {[%emt 0:00:05] This particuar idea with Qd2 and Rc1 has become quite
popular recently.} e5 $5 {[%emt 0:00:45] You can bank on Wesley to know what
he is doing in the opening. This was the same move that MVL used to beat Peter
Svidler in the Biel rapid in July 2016.} 10. d5 {[%emt 0:00:14] This looks the
most logical. Getting a protected passed pawn can never be so bad.} (10. dxe5
Qxd2+ 11. Kxd2 Rd8+ 12. Kc2 Bd7 {When Black had decent compensation for the
pawn.}) 10... Nd7 {[%emt 0:02:14]} 11. c4 {[%emt 0:06:00]} f5 $1 {[%emt 0:01:
45] Black has the lead in development and must strike in the center.} 12. Bg5 {
[%emt 0:00:08]} Nf6 {[%emt 0:03:18]} 13. Ne2 $2 {[%emt 0:00:25][%cal Gg1e2]
Played after just 25 seconds of thought! Something had definitely gone wrong
with Nakamura.} (13. Bd3 $1 {was surely preferable as after} fxe4 14. Bb1 $14 {
White will sooner or later regain the e4 pawn and have a fine position.}) (13.
f3 $2 fxe4 14. fxe4 Nxe4 $19) 13... Nxe4 {[%emt 0:15:26] Wesley took his time.
15 minutes before making this move. It is clear that Black is already close to
winning!} 14. Bxd8 {[%emt 0:00:24]} Nxd2 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 15. Be7 {[%emt 0:10:
15] White tries to regain the pawn, but in vain.} Rf7 {[%emt 0:00:26]} 16. Bxc5
{[%emt 0:19:33]} Nxf1 {[%emt 0:00:18]} 17. Rxf1 {[%emt 0:25:06] 25 minutes!
Wonder what Naka was thinking. He must been livid with himself for getting
into this position after just 17 moves. The material is even but let's discuss
the situation in two moves from now.} b6 $1 {[%emt 0:00:15]} 18. Bb4 {[%emt 0:
03:32]} Ba6 $19 {[%emt 0:00:22][%csl Ga6,Ge5,Gf5,Gg7][%cal Ga8c8] Let's take
stock. Black has the bishop pair, beautiful central pawn majority and rooks
that will be activated down the central file. White on the other hand has no
co-ordination, the c4 pawn is weak, the knight is without an occupation and
overall completely lost position. The only good thing is the material is even,
but that too won't last for long!} 19. f4 {[%emt 0:00:31]} Rc8 {[%emt 0:04:46]}
20. fxe5 {[%emt 0:01:46]} Bxe5 {[%emt 0:04:38]} 21. Rf3 {[%emt 0:00:06]} Bxc4 {
[%emt 0:07:22]} (21... Rxc4 {looked more natural not to get into a pin down
the c-file but Wesley's move was well calculated.}) 22. Re3 {[%emt 0:02:27]}
Bg7 {[%emt 0:02:03]} 23. Nf4 {[%emt 0:02:02]} Rd7 {[%emt 0:10:17]} 24. a4 {
[%emt 0:11:21]} Bh6 {[%emt 0:21:47]} 25. g3 {[%emt 0:00:20]} Bxf4 {[%emt 0:04:
50]} 26. gxf4 {[%emt 0:00:06]} Rxd5 {[%emt 0:00:04] Picking up the second pawn.
In spite of the opposite coloured bishop position we are nowhere close to a
draw.} 27. Re7 {[%emt 0:06:28]} Rd4 {[%emt 0:02:04]} 28. Bd2 {[%emt 0:00:07]} (
28. Rxa7 Rxf4 $19) 28... Kf8 {[%emt 0:04:54]} 29. Bb4 {[%emt 0:00:08]} (29.
Rxa7 Re8+ 30. Kd1 Bb3+ $19) 29... Re8 $1 {[%emt 0:01:06] Such games at the top
level are not seen often where one side blunders and the game is instantly
over right out of the opening.} 0-1
[Site "London"]
[Date "2016.12.09"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Black "So, Wesley"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "D85"]
[WhiteElo "2779"]
[BlackElo "2794"]
[Annotator "Sagar Shah"]
[PlyCount "58"]
[EventDate "2016.??.??"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[SourceTitle "playchess.com"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[TimeControl "40/7200:3600+30"]
{Wesley So began with a win against Nakamura in the Sinquefield cup and won
the event. Maybe he will repeat this feat at the London Chess Classic!} 1. d4 {
[%emt 0:00:06]} Nf6 {[%emt 0:00:07]} 2. c4 {[%emt 0:00:09]} g6 {[%emt 0:00:04]}
3. Nc3 {[%emt 0:00:19]} d5 {[%emt 0:00:05] Wesley goes for the Grunfeld.} 4.
cxd5 {[%emt 0:00:04]} Nxd5 {[%emt 0:00:04]} 5. e4 {[%emt 0:00:26]} Nxc3 {
[%emt 0:00:05]} 6. bxc3 {[%emt 0:00:04]} Bg7 {[%emt 0:00:04]} 7. Be3 {[%emt 0:
00:11]} c5 {[%emt 0:00:07]} 8. Rc1 {[%emt 0:00:06]} (8. Qd2 {is the main line
here.} O-O 9. Nf3 {is what Karpov used to play.}) 8... O-O {[%emt 0:00:33]} 9.
Qd2 {[%emt 0:00:05] This particuar idea with Qd2 and Rc1 has become quite
popular recently.} e5 $5 {[%emt 0:00:45] You can bank on Wesley to know what
he is doing in the opening. This was the same move that MVL used to beat Peter
Svidler in the Biel rapid in July 2016.} 10. d5 {[%emt 0:00:14] This looks the
most logical. Getting a protected passed pawn can never be so bad.} (10. dxe5
Qxd2+ 11. Kxd2 Rd8+ 12. Kc2 Bd7 {When Black had decent compensation for the
pawn.}) 10... Nd7 {[%emt 0:02:14]} 11. c4 {[%emt 0:06:00]} f5 $1 {[%emt 0:01:
45] Black has the lead in development and must strike in the center.} 12. Bg5 {
[%emt 0:00:08]} Nf6 {[%emt 0:03:18]} 13. Ne2 $2 {[%emt 0:00:25][%cal Gg1e2]
Played after just 25 seconds of thought! Something had definitely gone wrong
with Nakamura.} (13. Bd3 $1 {was surely preferable as after} fxe4 14. Bb1 $14 {
White will sooner or later regain the e4 pawn and have a fine position.}) (13.
f3 $2 fxe4 14. fxe4 Nxe4 $19) 13... Nxe4 {[%emt 0:15:26] Wesley took his time.
15 minutes before making this move. It is clear that Black is already close to
winning!} 14. Bxd8 {[%emt 0:00:24]} Nxd2 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 15. Be7 {[%emt 0:10:
15] White tries to regain the pawn, but in vain.} Rf7 {[%emt 0:00:26]} 16. Bxc5
{[%emt 0:19:33]} Nxf1 {[%emt 0:00:18]} 17. Rxf1 {[%emt 0:25:06] 25 minutes!
Wonder what Naka was thinking. He must been livid with himself for getting
into this position after just 17 moves. The material is even but let's discuss
the situation in two moves from now.} b6 $1 {[%emt 0:00:15]} 18. Bb4 {[%emt 0:
03:32]} Ba6 $19 {[%emt 0:00:22][%csl Ga6,Ge5,Gf5,Gg7][%cal Ga8c8] Let's take
stock. Black has the bishop pair, beautiful central pawn majority and rooks
that will be activated down the central file. White on the other hand has no
co-ordination, the c4 pawn is weak, the knight is without an occupation and
overall completely lost position. The only good thing is the material is even,
but that too won't last for long!} 19. f4 {[%emt 0:00:31]} Rc8 {[%emt 0:04:46]}
20. fxe5 {[%emt 0:01:46]} Bxe5 {[%emt 0:04:38]} 21. Rf3 {[%emt 0:00:06]} Bxc4 {
[%emt 0:07:22]} (21... Rxc4 {looked more natural not to get into a pin down
the c-file but Wesley's move was well calculated.}) 22. Re3 {[%emt 0:02:27]}
Bg7 {[%emt 0:02:03]} 23. Nf4 {[%emt 0:02:02]} Rd7 {[%emt 0:10:17]} 24. a4 {
[%emt 0:11:21]} Bh6 {[%emt 0:21:47]} 25. g3 {[%emt 0:00:20]} Bxf4 {[%emt 0:04:
50]} 26. gxf4 {[%emt 0:00:06]} Rxd5 {[%emt 0:00:04] Picking up the second pawn.
In spite of the opposite coloured bishop position we are nowhere close to a
draw.} 27. Re7 {[%emt 0:06:28]} Rd4 {[%emt 0:02:04]} 28. Bd2 {[%emt 0:00:07]} (
28. Rxa7 Rxf4 $19) 28... Kf8 {[%emt 0:04:54]} 29. Bb4 {[%emt 0:00:08]} (29.
Rxa7 Re8+ 30. Kd1 Bb3+ $19) 29... Re8 $1 {[%emt 0:01:06] Such games at the top
level are not seen often where one side blunders and the game is instantly
over right out of the opening.} 0-1
When Wesley won the first round of the Sinquefield Cup against Nakamura, he went onto win the event. Something similar awaits us in London?!
Fabiano Caruana vs Vishy Anand 0.5-0.5
Vishy Anand played 2...Bb4 in the English and quickly got an equal position
Players at the London Classic often look at the big screen to check whether their opponent has made the move!
22...h5! was a typical Vishy move that posed minor inconveniences to the opponent and doesn't let him continue unhindered with his plan of f4.
It's never easy to beat the master of creative defence - Vishy Anand!
[Event "8th London Chess Classic 2016"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2016.12.09"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Black "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A21"]
[WhiteElo "2823"]
[BlackElo "2779"]
[Annotator "Sagar Shah"]
[PlyCount "83"]
[EventDate "2016.??.??"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[SourceTitle "playchess.com"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[TimeControl "40/7200:3600+30"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2016.12.09"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Black "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A21"]
[WhiteElo "2823"]
[BlackElo "2779"]
[Annotator "Sagar Shah"]
[PlyCount "83"]
[EventDate "2016.??.??"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[SourceTitle "playchess.com"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[TimeControl "40/7200:3600+30"]
1. c4 {[%emt 0:00:03]} e5 {[%emt 0:00:11]} 2. Nc3 {[%emt 0:00:06]} Bb4 {
[%emt 0:00:10] It seems as if Anand has prepared this system in depth and is
not shy of using it. He has already played it thrice in the last six months.}
3. Nd5 {[%emt 0:00:06]} Bc5 {[%emt 0:00:11]} 4. Nf3 {[%emt 0:00:08]} c6 {
[%emt 0:00:14]} 5. Nc3 {[%emt 0:00:05]} d6 {[%emt 0:00:10]} 6. g3 {[%emt 0:00:
07]} (6. d4 exd4 7. Nxd4 Nf6 {leads to different type of positions, one where
I think White has a slight edge.}) 6... Nf6 {[%emt 0:03:49]} 7. Bg2 {[%emt 0:
00:17]} O-O {[%emt 0:01:54]} 8. O-O {[%emt 0:00:14]} Re8 {[%emt 0:10:27]} 9. d3
{[%emt 0:00:14] Caruana decides to play it slow.} (9. d4 exd4 (9... Bb6 $5 10.
dxe5 dxe5 11. Qxd8 Bxd8 $11) 10. Nxd4 $14 {was another way to play.}) 9... h6 {
[%emt 0:00:50]} 10. Na4 {[%emt 0:01:18]} Bb4 {[%emt 0:02:36]} 11. a3 {[%emt 0:
00:07]} Ba5 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 12. b4 {[%emt 0:00:07]} Bc7 {[%emt 0:00:06] It
seems as if Black has lost a lot of time, but it was important to save the
bishop. We see a similar manoeuvre in the Giuoco Piano. The bishop is well
placed on c7 and Black can think about central expansion with d6-d5.} 13. e4 {
[%emt 0:02:27]} Bg4 $1 {[%emt 0:06:06] The d4 square has been softened up, and
it makes sense to exchange the bishop for the knight.} (13... d5 $6 14. exd5
cxd5 15. cxd5 Nxd5 16. Bb2 {With Re1 coming up, Black's lack of development
really starts to tell.}) 14. h3 {[%emt 0:09:08]} Bxf3 {[%emt 0:00:56]} 15. Qxf3
{[%emt 0:00:22]} Nbd7 {[%emt 0:01:10]} 16. Qd1 {[%emt 0:19:02] Fabiano
prepares to strike the center with f4.} a6 {[%emt 0:05:54]} 17. Nc3 {[%emt 0:
17:42]} Bb6 {[%emt 0:08:10]} 18. Ne2 {[%emt 0:01:12]} (18. Kh2 Bd4 19. Bb2 b5
$15) 18... a5 {[%emt 0:05:52]} 19. Bb2 {[%emt 0:05:13]} Qe7 {[%emt 0:09:04]}
20. Kh2 {[%emt 0:14:12] White is now well placed for the f4 break.} axb4 {
[%emt 0:04:25]} 21. axb4 {[%emt 0:00:06]} Rxa1 {[%emt 0:00:52]} 22. Qxa1 {
[%emt 0:03:51]} (22. Bxa1 Ra8 {is not something that Fabi wanted.}) 22... h5 $1
{[%emt 0:04:40][%cal Gh6h5] Typical Vishy Anand! He finds the best resources
in the position. The exchange on a1 forced the white queen away from the
kingside and now with the move h5 he tries to tell White that look you may the
center and the f4 related ideas, but with ...h5 I am going to start my own
counterplay.} 23. Kh1 {[%emt 0:12:29]} (23. f4 $6 h4 $1 (23... Ng4+ 24. hxg4
hxg4 25. Qc1 $1 Qf6 26. fxe5 $18) 24. g4 exf4 25. Nxf4 Be3 26. Ne2 Ne5 $15 {
Black has excellent control on the dark squares and is better.}) 23... h4 {
[%emt 0:06:24]} 24. g4 {[%emt 0:07:05]} Nh7 $1 {[%emt 0:05:26] The knight will
be well placed on g5 in the future.} 25. f4 {[%emt 0:03:50]} Be3 {[%emt 0:02:
18]} 26. Bc3 {[%emt 0:07:28]} c5 $6 {[%emt 0:07:54]} (26... exf4 $1 27. Nxf4 (
27. Bxg7 $2 Ne5 $1 28. Bh6 (28. Bxe5 dxe5 $19) 28... f3 $1 29. Bxe3 fxg2+ 30.
Kxg2 Nxd3 $17) 27... Ne5 $15) 27. bxc5 {[%emt 0:02:29]} Nxc5 {[%emt 0:00:00]}
28. Qb1 $1 {[%emt 0:00:00] Rf3 is going to trap the bishop now.} (28. Rf3 exf4
29. Nxf4 Bxf4 30. Rxf4 Nxd3 $17) 28... Ra8 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 29. d4 {[%emt 0:00:
00]} exd4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 30. Nxd4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Bxd4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 31.
Bxd4 {[%emt 0:00:00] White has the brilliant centre and bishop pair, but Black
king is safe, the knight on c5 is well placed and the white king on h1 is not
the happiest of people in the world. Hence, Black is not worse by a huge
margin.} Rc8 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 32. Ba1 {[%emt 0:00:00]} (32. e5 $5 dxe5 33. Bxe5
$14) 32... Nf6 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 33. e5 {[%emt 0:00:00]} dxe5 {[%emt 0:00:00]}
34. Bxe5 {[%emt 0:00:00]} (34. fxe5 Nh7 {followed by Ng5-e6 gives Black a fine
position.}) 34... Nfd7 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 35. Bc3 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Qe3 {[%emt 0:
00:00]} 36. Ba1 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Re8 $11 {[%emt 0:00:00] Anand has
co-ordinated his position excellent and is not worse anymore.} 37. Qb2 {
[%emt 0:00:00]} Nf6 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 38. Qd4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} (38. g5 Nh5 39.
Bf3 Nd3 40. Qc3 Ng3+ 41. Kh2 Nxf1+ $19) 38... b6 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 39. Qxe3 {
[%emt 0:00:00]} Rxe3 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 40. Bd4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Rd3 {[%emt 1:00:
30]} 41. Bf2 {[%emt 1:00:30]} Rc3 {[%emt 0:00:30]} 42. Bxh4 {[%emt 0:00:30]
The players agreed to a draw. After...Rxc4 White may have a theoretical edge.
But it is nothing substantial.} 1/2-1/2
[%emt 0:00:10] It seems as if Anand has prepared this system in depth and is
not shy of using it. He has already played it thrice in the last six months.}
3. Nd5 {[%emt 0:00:06]} Bc5 {[%emt 0:00:11]} 4. Nf3 {[%emt 0:00:08]} c6 {
[%emt 0:00:14]} 5. Nc3 {[%emt 0:00:05]} d6 {[%emt 0:00:10]} 6. g3 {[%emt 0:00:
07]} (6. d4 exd4 7. Nxd4 Nf6 {leads to different type of positions, one where
I think White has a slight edge.}) 6... Nf6 {[%emt 0:03:49]} 7. Bg2 {[%emt 0:
00:17]} O-O {[%emt 0:01:54]} 8. O-O {[%emt 0:00:14]} Re8 {[%emt 0:10:27]} 9. d3
{[%emt 0:00:14] Caruana decides to play it slow.} (9. d4 exd4 (9... Bb6 $5 10.
dxe5 dxe5 11. Qxd8 Bxd8 $11) 10. Nxd4 $14 {was another way to play.}) 9... h6 {
[%emt 0:00:50]} 10. Na4 {[%emt 0:01:18]} Bb4 {[%emt 0:02:36]} 11. a3 {[%emt 0:
00:07]} Ba5 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 12. b4 {[%emt 0:00:07]} Bc7 {[%emt 0:00:06] It
seems as if Black has lost a lot of time, but it was important to save the
bishop. We see a similar manoeuvre in the Giuoco Piano. The bishop is well
placed on c7 and Black can think about central expansion with d6-d5.} 13. e4 {
[%emt 0:02:27]} Bg4 $1 {[%emt 0:06:06] The d4 square has been softened up, and
it makes sense to exchange the bishop for the knight.} (13... d5 $6 14. exd5
cxd5 15. cxd5 Nxd5 16. Bb2 {With Re1 coming up, Black's lack of development
really starts to tell.}) 14. h3 {[%emt 0:09:08]} Bxf3 {[%emt 0:00:56]} 15. Qxf3
{[%emt 0:00:22]} Nbd7 {[%emt 0:01:10]} 16. Qd1 {[%emt 0:19:02] Fabiano
prepares to strike the center with f4.} a6 {[%emt 0:05:54]} 17. Nc3 {[%emt 0:
17:42]} Bb6 {[%emt 0:08:10]} 18. Ne2 {[%emt 0:01:12]} (18. Kh2 Bd4 19. Bb2 b5
$15) 18... a5 {[%emt 0:05:52]} 19. Bb2 {[%emt 0:05:13]} Qe7 {[%emt 0:09:04]}
20. Kh2 {[%emt 0:14:12] White is now well placed for the f4 break.} axb4 {
[%emt 0:04:25]} 21. axb4 {[%emt 0:00:06]} Rxa1 {[%emt 0:00:52]} 22. Qxa1 {
[%emt 0:03:51]} (22. Bxa1 Ra8 {is not something that Fabi wanted.}) 22... h5 $1
{[%emt 0:04:40][%cal Gh6h5] Typical Vishy Anand! He finds the best resources
in the position. The exchange on a1 forced the white queen away from the
kingside and now with the move h5 he tries to tell White that look you may the
center and the f4 related ideas, but with ...h5 I am going to start my own
counterplay.} 23. Kh1 {[%emt 0:12:29]} (23. f4 $6 h4 $1 (23... Ng4+ 24. hxg4
hxg4 25. Qc1 $1 Qf6 26. fxe5 $18) 24. g4 exf4 25. Nxf4 Be3 26. Ne2 Ne5 $15 {
Black has excellent control on the dark squares and is better.}) 23... h4 {
[%emt 0:06:24]} 24. g4 {[%emt 0:07:05]} Nh7 $1 {[%emt 0:05:26] The knight will
be well placed on g5 in the future.} 25. f4 {[%emt 0:03:50]} Be3 {[%emt 0:02:
18]} 26. Bc3 {[%emt 0:07:28]} c5 $6 {[%emt 0:07:54]} (26... exf4 $1 27. Nxf4 (
27. Bxg7 $2 Ne5 $1 28. Bh6 (28. Bxe5 dxe5 $19) 28... f3 $1 29. Bxe3 fxg2+ 30.
Kxg2 Nxd3 $17) 27... Ne5 $15) 27. bxc5 {[%emt 0:02:29]} Nxc5 {[%emt 0:00:00]}
28. Qb1 $1 {[%emt 0:00:00] Rf3 is going to trap the bishop now.} (28. Rf3 exf4
29. Nxf4 Bxf4 30. Rxf4 Nxd3 $17) 28... Ra8 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 29. d4 {[%emt 0:00:
00]} exd4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 30. Nxd4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Bxd4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 31.
Bxd4 {[%emt 0:00:00] White has the brilliant centre and bishop pair, but Black
king is safe, the knight on c5 is well placed and the white king on h1 is not
the happiest of people in the world. Hence, Black is not worse by a huge
margin.} Rc8 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 32. Ba1 {[%emt 0:00:00]} (32. e5 $5 dxe5 33. Bxe5
$14) 32... Nf6 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 33. e5 {[%emt 0:00:00]} dxe5 {[%emt 0:00:00]}
34. Bxe5 {[%emt 0:00:00]} (34. fxe5 Nh7 {followed by Ng5-e6 gives Black a fine
position.}) 34... Nfd7 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 35. Bc3 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Qe3 {[%emt 0:
00:00]} 36. Ba1 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Re8 $11 {[%emt 0:00:00] Anand has
co-ordinated his position excellent and is not worse anymore.} 37. Qb2 {
[%emt 0:00:00]} Nf6 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 38. Qd4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} (38. g5 Nh5 39.
Bf3 Nd3 40. Qc3 Ng3+ 41. Kh2 Nxf1+ $19) 38... b6 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 39. Qxe3 {
[%emt 0:00:00]} Rxe3 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 40. Bd4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Rd3 {[%emt 1:00:
30]} 41. Bf2 {[%emt 1:00:30]} Rc3 {[%emt 0:00:30]} 42. Bxh4 {[%emt 0:00:30]
The players agreed to a draw. After...Rxc4 White may have a theoretical edge.
But it is nothing substantial.} 1/2-1/2
10-year-old Aditya Mittal was watching the game of Vishy Anand live at night. He went off to sleep at 11.45 p.m. thinking it would be a quiet draw. He was surprised to see the fight when he woke up in the morning and sent us his annotations.
[Event "London Chess Classic 2016"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2016.12.09"]
[Round "1.2"]
[White "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Black "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A21"]
[WhiteElo "2823"]
[BlackElo "2779"]
[Annotator "Aditya Mittal"]
[PlyCount "87"]
[EventDate "2016.??.??"]
[TimeControl "5400+30"]
[WhiteClock "0:30:05"]
[BlackClock "0:10:32"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2016.12.09"]
[Round "1.2"]
[White "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Black "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A21"]
[WhiteElo "2823"]
[BlackElo "2779"]
[Annotator "Aditya Mittal"]
[PlyCount "87"]
[EventDate "2016.??.??"]
[TimeControl "5400+30"]
[WhiteClock "0:30:05"]
[BlackClock "0:10:32"]
1. c4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} e5 {Vishy almost always plays like this against 1.c4} 2.
Nc3 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Bb4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} (2... Nf6 {is more classical}) 3. Nd5
{[%emt 0:00:00]} Bc5 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 4. Nf3 {[%emt 0:00:00]} c6 {[%emt 0:00:
00]} 5. Nc3 {[%emt 0:00:00]} d6 {Also a very popular line, with Anand having
used it a lot} 6. g3 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Nf6 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 7. Bg2 {[%emt 0:00:
00]} O-O {[%emt 0:00:00]} 8. O-O {[%emt 0:00:00]} Re8 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 9. d3 {
The game has started as a slow, theoretical and normal opening} h6 {[%emt 0:00:
00]} (9... a5 {might be better cementing the bishop and gaining space}) 10. Na4
$1 {[%emt 0:00:00] Now Fabiano takes aim at Vishy's bishop} Bb4 {[%emt 0:00:00]
} 11. a3 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Ba5 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 12. b4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Bc7 {
Black is being pushed but there is nothing wrong with his position White has
got only a slight edge} 13. e4 {Fabiano is trying his best to expand and limit
the Black pieces However this can also allow d5 sometimes} Bg4 {[%emt 0:03:50]}
(13... d5 {was possible here also for example} 14. cxd5 cxd5 15. exd5 Nxd5 16.
Bb2 b6 $14) 14. h3 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Bxf3 {[%emt 0:01:26]} 15. Qxf3 {[%emt 0:00:
00]} Nbd7 {Till here Fabiano was playing quickly but now he goes into the tank}
16. Qd1 {[%emt 0:11:51]} a6 {A passive move but a good one} (16... a5 {also
interesting} 17. b5 cxb5 18. cxb5 Nb6 19. Nc3 $13 Nbd7 20. Na4 Nb6 21. Nc3 {
is one way to draw}) 17. Nc3 {[%emt 0:18:12]} Bb6 {[%emt 0:16:44]} 18. Ne2 {
[%emt 0:01:42]} a5 $1 {Anand finally plays a5! He has chosen the right moment}
19. Bb2 {[%emt 0:05:43]} Qe7 {At 11.45 pm IST this position was reached and I
slept thinking it would be a peaceful draw Well....} 20. Kh2 {[%emt 0:14:42]}
axb4 {[%emt 0:20:51]} 21. axb4 {[%emt 0:00:36]} Rxa1 {[%emt 0:01:22]} 22. Qxa1
{Anand has played brilliant against the potential candidate for the World no.1
and has equalised But.... this is where he starts to get ambitious} h5 {
[%emt 0:05:10]} 23. Kh1 {[%emt 0:17:20]} h4 {[%emt 0:06:54]} 24. g4 {[%emt 0:
07:35]} Nh7 {[%emt 0:05:56]} 25. f4 $1 {Now it i clear. Fabiano wanted to
punish Vishy for h5-h4} Be3 {[%emt 0:02:48]} 26. Bc3 {[%emt 0:12:18]} c5 $6 {
The first inaccuracy} (26... exf4 {was better} 27. Nxf4 Ne5 $13) 27. bxc5 {
[%emt 0:02:59]} Nxc5 {[%emt 0:08:54]} 28. Qb1 {[%emt 0:00:30]} Ra8 $6 {Another
inaccuracy but Fabiano was low on time} 29. d4 {[%emt 0:00:30]} exd4 {[%emt 0:
01:00]} 30. Nxd4 {[%emt 0:00:30]} Bxd4 {[%emt 0:00:30]} 31. Bxd4 {[%emt 0:00:
30]} Rc8 {[%emt 0:00:30]} 32. Ba1 $6 {[%emt 0:00:30]} (32. e5 {would have
resulted in a clear advantage} dxe5 33. Bxe5 {the same position is reached as
in the game but here Black's knight is on h7}) 32... Nf6 {[%emt 0:00:30]} 33.
e5 {[%emt 0:00:30]} dxe5 {[%emt 0:00:30]} 34. Bxe5 {[%emt 0:00:30]} Nfd7 {
[%emt 0:00:30]} 35. Bc3 {[%emt 0:00:30]} (35. Bd4 {was better}) 35... Qe3 {
[%emt 0:00:30]} 36. Ba1 {[%emt 0:00:30]} Re8 {[%emt 0:00:30]} 37. Qb2 {The
game has again become equal} Nf6 {[%emt 0:00:30]} 38. Qd4 {[%emt 0:01:00]} b6 {
[%emt 0:00:30]} 39. Qxe3 {[%emt 0:00:30]} Rxe3 {[%emt 0:00:30]} 40. Bd4 {
[%emt 0:00:30]} Rd3 {[%emt 0:00:30]} 41. Bf2 {[%emt 0:00:30]} Rc3 {[%emt 0:00:
30]} 42. Bxh4 {The position is drawn after rxc4} Rd3 {I don't know if this
really played It makes no sense probably the digital board went wrong} 43. Bf2
(43. f5 $16 {White is clearly better but as I said it might be an error}) 43...
Rc3 44. Bh4 1/2-1/2
Nc3 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Bb4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} (2... Nf6 {is more classical}) 3. Nd5
{[%emt 0:00:00]} Bc5 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 4. Nf3 {[%emt 0:00:00]} c6 {[%emt 0:00:
00]} 5. Nc3 {[%emt 0:00:00]} d6 {Also a very popular line, with Anand having
used it a lot} 6. g3 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Nf6 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 7. Bg2 {[%emt 0:00:
00]} O-O {[%emt 0:00:00]} 8. O-O {[%emt 0:00:00]} Re8 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 9. d3 {
The game has started as a slow, theoretical and normal opening} h6 {[%emt 0:00:
00]} (9... a5 {might be better cementing the bishop and gaining space}) 10. Na4
$1 {[%emt 0:00:00] Now Fabiano takes aim at Vishy's bishop} Bb4 {[%emt 0:00:00]
} 11. a3 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Ba5 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 12. b4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Bc7 {
Black is being pushed but there is nothing wrong with his position White has
got only a slight edge} 13. e4 {Fabiano is trying his best to expand and limit
the Black pieces However this can also allow d5 sometimes} Bg4 {[%emt 0:03:50]}
(13... d5 {was possible here also for example} 14. cxd5 cxd5 15. exd5 Nxd5 16.
Bb2 b6 $14) 14. h3 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Bxf3 {[%emt 0:01:26]} 15. Qxf3 {[%emt 0:00:
00]} Nbd7 {Till here Fabiano was playing quickly but now he goes into the tank}
16. Qd1 {[%emt 0:11:51]} a6 {A passive move but a good one} (16... a5 {also
interesting} 17. b5 cxb5 18. cxb5 Nb6 19. Nc3 $13 Nbd7 20. Na4 Nb6 21. Nc3 {
is one way to draw}) 17. Nc3 {[%emt 0:18:12]} Bb6 {[%emt 0:16:44]} 18. Ne2 {
[%emt 0:01:42]} a5 $1 {Anand finally plays a5! He has chosen the right moment}
19. Bb2 {[%emt 0:05:43]} Qe7 {At 11.45 pm IST this position was reached and I
slept thinking it would be a peaceful draw Well....} 20. Kh2 {[%emt 0:14:42]}
axb4 {[%emt 0:20:51]} 21. axb4 {[%emt 0:00:36]} Rxa1 {[%emt 0:01:22]} 22. Qxa1
{Anand has played brilliant against the potential candidate for the World no.1
and has equalised But.... this is where he starts to get ambitious} h5 {
[%emt 0:05:10]} 23. Kh1 {[%emt 0:17:20]} h4 {[%emt 0:06:54]} 24. g4 {[%emt 0:
07:35]} Nh7 {[%emt 0:05:56]} 25. f4 $1 {Now it i clear. Fabiano wanted to
punish Vishy for h5-h4} Be3 {[%emt 0:02:48]} 26. Bc3 {[%emt 0:12:18]} c5 $6 {
The first inaccuracy} (26... exf4 {was better} 27. Nxf4 Ne5 $13) 27. bxc5 {
[%emt 0:02:59]} Nxc5 {[%emt 0:08:54]} 28. Qb1 {[%emt 0:00:30]} Ra8 $6 {Another
inaccuracy but Fabiano was low on time} 29. d4 {[%emt 0:00:30]} exd4 {[%emt 0:
01:00]} 30. Nxd4 {[%emt 0:00:30]} Bxd4 {[%emt 0:00:30]} 31. Bxd4 {[%emt 0:00:
30]} Rc8 {[%emt 0:00:30]} 32. Ba1 $6 {[%emt 0:00:30]} (32. e5 {would have
resulted in a clear advantage} dxe5 33. Bxe5 {the same position is reached as
in the game but here Black's knight is on h7}) 32... Nf6 {[%emt 0:00:30]} 33.
e5 {[%emt 0:00:30]} dxe5 {[%emt 0:00:30]} 34. Bxe5 {[%emt 0:00:30]} Nfd7 {
[%emt 0:00:30]} 35. Bc3 {[%emt 0:00:30]} (35. Bd4 {was better}) 35... Qe3 {
[%emt 0:00:30]} 36. Ba1 {[%emt 0:00:30]} Re8 {[%emt 0:00:30]} 37. Qb2 {The
game has again become equal} Nf6 {[%emt 0:00:30]} 38. Qd4 {[%emt 0:01:00]} b6 {
[%emt 0:00:30]} 39. Qxe3 {[%emt 0:00:30]} Rxe3 {[%emt 0:00:30]} 40. Bd4 {
[%emt 0:00:30]} Rd3 {[%emt 0:00:30]} 41. Bf2 {[%emt 0:00:30]} Rc3 {[%emt 0:00:
30]} 42. Bxh4 {The position is drawn after rxc4} Rd3 {I don't know if this
really played It makes no sense probably the digital board went wrong} 43. Bf2
(43. f5 $16 {White is clearly better but as I said it might be an error}) 43...
Rc3 44. Bh4 1/2-1/2
Vladimir Kramnik vs Veselin Topalov 1-0
Vladimir Kramnik's off beat openings are not so benign anymore! In the first round he scalped his arch rival...
...Veselin Topalov!
As chess fans we might not be too happy with the fact that both the players do not shake hands before the game. However, the good news is that their rivalry always produces an exciting battle.
In a well known position of the Fianchetto Grunfeld, Topalov went for the move 6...c5. This has hardly been played at the top level and rightly so. Vladimir got an advantage without any difficulties and soon had his pawn reach...
....the c7 square!
[Event "8th London Chess Classic 2016"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2016.12.09"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Adams, Michael"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C50"]
[WhiteElo "2785"]
[BlackElo "2748"]
[Annotator "Sagar Shah"]
[PlyCount "81"]
[EventDate "2016.??.??"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[SourceTitle "playchess.com"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[TimeControl "40/7200:3600+30"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2016.12.09"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Adams, Michael"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C50"]
[WhiteElo "2785"]
[BlackElo "2748"]
[Annotator "Sagar Shah"]
[PlyCount "81"]
[EventDate "2016.??.??"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[SourceTitle "playchess.com"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[TimeControl "40/7200:3600+30"]
1. e4 {[%emt 0:00:04]} e5 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 2. Nf3 {[%emt 0:00:04]} Nc6 {
[%emt 0:00:05]} 3. Bc4 {[%emt 0:00:05]} Bc5 {[%emt 0:00:07]} 4. d3 {[%emt 0:00:
17]} Nf6 {[%emt 0:00:42]} 5. c3 {[%emt 0:00:31]} d6 {[%emt 0:01:47]} 6. Bg5 {
[%emt 0:00:06] We have been taught that playing the move Bg5 before Black has
castled is not a good idea because then Black can always break the pin with h6
and g5. But top players like to bend the rules and all that Levon wants is a
relatively fresh position to play with.} h6 {[%emt 0:11:00]} 7. Bh4 {[%emt 0:
00:05]} a6 {[%emt 0:00:09]} 8. Nbd2 {[%emt 0:00:10]} Ba7 {[%emt 0:00:56]} 9.
Bb3 {[%emt 0:01:43]} Qe7 {[%emt 0:01:56]} 10. Nc4 {[%emt 0:11:22]} Be6 {
[%emt 0:09:00]} 11. Ne3 {[%emt 0:05:18]} g5 {[%emt 0:09:24]} 12. Bg3 {[%emt 0:
00:05]} O-O-O {[%emt 0:02:41] Overall Michael Adams has played the opening
really well and has a great position.} 13. Ba4 {[%emt 0:06:48]} Nb8 $5 {
[%emt 0:04:08] The Breyer ideas never get old!} 14. Qc2 {[%emt 0:06:36]} Bxe3 {
[%emt 0:09:12]} 15. fxe3 {[%emt 0:00:35]} Nh5 {[%emt 0:00:04]} 16. Bf2 {
[%emt 0:06:18]} f5 {[%emt 0:01:55]} 17. exf5 {[%emt 0:00:52]} Bxf5 $15 {
[%emt 0:00:09]} 18. Qe2 {[%emt 0:02:26]} Bxd3 $5 {[%emt 0:20:45][%cal Gf5d3]} (
18... e4 $5 19. Nh4 (19. Nd4 Bg6 $15) 19... gxh4 20. Qxh5 Qg5 21. Qxg5 (21.
Qxh4 exd3 $17) 21... hxg5 22. d4 Rdf8 $15) 19. Qxd3 {[%emt 0:00:11]} e4 {
[%emt 0:00:03]} 20. Qd4 {[%emt 0:02:52]} c5 {[%emt 0:03:46]} (20... exf3 21.
Qg4+ Nd7 22. Qxh5 $16) 21. Qd1 {[%emt 0:03:00]} exf3 {[%emt 0:00:13]} 22. Qxf3
{[%emt 0:00:07]} Nf6 {[%emt 0:01:10]} 23. Bc2 {[%emt 0:00:15] One more game in
the day where we see two knights versus two bishops. Black has the better
structure but White should hold the balance.} Nbd7 {[%emt 0:09:32]} 24. O-O-O {
[%emt 0:03:35]} Ne5 {[%emt 0:00:39]} 25. Qe2 {[%emt 0:04:23]} Qe6 {[%emt 0:05:
15]} 26. Bg3 {[%emt 0:00:07]} Qxa2 $6 {[%emt 0:08:32]} (26... d5 $1 27. Rhf1
Ne4 $11) 27. Rhf1 $6 {[%emt 0:15:57]} (27. Bxe5 dxe5 28. Qf3 $14 {was a better
way to play. The knight on f6 doesn't have too many good squares to go to.}
Qa1+ 29. Bb1 Nd7 30. Qg4 h5 31. Qe6 $36) 27... Nd5 $1 {[%emt 0:01:07]} 28. Bxe5
{[%emt 0:01:39]} (28. Bb1 Nxc3 $1 $19) 28... dxe5 {[%emt 0:00:39]} 29. Bb1 {
[%emt 0:05:07]} Qb3 {[%emt 0:04:25]} (29... Nxc3 30. Qg4+ $18) 30. Bc2 {
[%emt 0:03:54]} Qa2 {[%emt 0:00:02]} 31. Qg4+ {[%emt 0:01:20] Aronian is in an
ambitious mood and shuns the draw.} Kb8 {[%emt 0:00:09]} 32. Qe4 {[%emt 0:00:
19]} Nb6 {[%emt 0:05:03]} 33. Qxe5+ {[%emt 0:03:41][%cal Gb8a8,Gb8a7] The
question is where to move your king. One is correct, the other is wrong.} Ka8
$2 {[%emt 0:00:07][%cal Gb8a8]} (33... Ka7 $1 34. Qxc5 Rxd1+ 35. Rxd1 Rc8 $11)
34. Rxd8+ {[%emt 0:03:18]} Rxd8 {[%emt 0:00:02]} 35. Qf6 $1 {[%emt 0:00:52] A
double attack on the knight on b6 and the rook on d8 and Black has to resign.
Well, Mickey made a few more moves but it was just to get out of the suicidal
mind frame and getting ready for the next game.} Nc4 {[%emt 0:02:32]} 36. Qxd8+
{[%emt 0:00:05]} Ka7 {[%emt 0:00:01]} 37. Qd3 {[%emt 0:00:14]} Nxb2 {[%emt 0:
01:44]} 38. Qf5 {[%emt 0:01:15]} Qa1+ {[%emt 0:00:19]} 39. Kd2 {[%emt 0:00:14]}
Nc4+ {[%emt 0:00:04]} 40. Ke2 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Qxc3 {[%emt 0:00:12]} 41. Qxc5+
{[%emt 0:00:00] A heartbreaking loss for the wild card entrant.} 1-0
[%emt 0:00:05]} 3. Bc4 {[%emt 0:00:05]} Bc5 {[%emt 0:00:07]} 4. d3 {[%emt 0:00:
17]} Nf6 {[%emt 0:00:42]} 5. c3 {[%emt 0:00:31]} d6 {[%emt 0:01:47]} 6. Bg5 {
[%emt 0:00:06] We have been taught that playing the move Bg5 before Black has
castled is not a good idea because then Black can always break the pin with h6
and g5. But top players like to bend the rules and all that Levon wants is a
relatively fresh position to play with.} h6 {[%emt 0:11:00]} 7. Bh4 {[%emt 0:
00:05]} a6 {[%emt 0:00:09]} 8. Nbd2 {[%emt 0:00:10]} Ba7 {[%emt 0:00:56]} 9.
Bb3 {[%emt 0:01:43]} Qe7 {[%emt 0:01:56]} 10. Nc4 {[%emt 0:11:22]} Be6 {
[%emt 0:09:00]} 11. Ne3 {[%emt 0:05:18]} g5 {[%emt 0:09:24]} 12. Bg3 {[%emt 0:
00:05]} O-O-O {[%emt 0:02:41] Overall Michael Adams has played the opening
really well and has a great position.} 13. Ba4 {[%emt 0:06:48]} Nb8 $5 {
[%emt 0:04:08] The Breyer ideas never get old!} 14. Qc2 {[%emt 0:06:36]} Bxe3 {
[%emt 0:09:12]} 15. fxe3 {[%emt 0:00:35]} Nh5 {[%emt 0:00:04]} 16. Bf2 {
[%emt 0:06:18]} f5 {[%emt 0:01:55]} 17. exf5 {[%emt 0:00:52]} Bxf5 $15 {
[%emt 0:00:09]} 18. Qe2 {[%emt 0:02:26]} Bxd3 $5 {[%emt 0:20:45][%cal Gf5d3]} (
18... e4 $5 19. Nh4 (19. Nd4 Bg6 $15) 19... gxh4 20. Qxh5 Qg5 21. Qxg5 (21.
Qxh4 exd3 $17) 21... hxg5 22. d4 Rdf8 $15) 19. Qxd3 {[%emt 0:00:11]} e4 {
[%emt 0:00:03]} 20. Qd4 {[%emt 0:02:52]} c5 {[%emt 0:03:46]} (20... exf3 21.
Qg4+ Nd7 22. Qxh5 $16) 21. Qd1 {[%emt 0:03:00]} exf3 {[%emt 0:00:13]} 22. Qxf3
{[%emt 0:00:07]} Nf6 {[%emt 0:01:10]} 23. Bc2 {[%emt 0:00:15] One more game in
the day where we see two knights versus two bishops. Black has the better
structure but White should hold the balance.} Nbd7 {[%emt 0:09:32]} 24. O-O-O {
[%emt 0:03:35]} Ne5 {[%emt 0:00:39]} 25. Qe2 {[%emt 0:04:23]} Qe6 {[%emt 0:05:
15]} 26. Bg3 {[%emt 0:00:07]} Qxa2 $6 {[%emt 0:08:32]} (26... d5 $1 27. Rhf1
Ne4 $11) 27. Rhf1 $6 {[%emt 0:15:57]} (27. Bxe5 dxe5 28. Qf3 $14 {was a better
way to play. The knight on f6 doesn't have too many good squares to go to.}
Qa1+ 29. Bb1 Nd7 30. Qg4 h5 31. Qe6 $36) 27... Nd5 $1 {[%emt 0:01:07]} 28. Bxe5
{[%emt 0:01:39]} (28. Bb1 Nxc3 $1 $19) 28... dxe5 {[%emt 0:00:39]} 29. Bb1 {
[%emt 0:05:07]} Qb3 {[%emt 0:04:25]} (29... Nxc3 30. Qg4+ $18) 30. Bc2 {
[%emt 0:03:54]} Qa2 {[%emt 0:00:02]} 31. Qg4+ {[%emt 0:01:20] Aronian is in an
ambitious mood and shuns the draw.} Kb8 {[%emt 0:00:09]} 32. Qe4 {[%emt 0:00:
19]} Nb6 {[%emt 0:05:03]} 33. Qxe5+ {[%emt 0:03:41][%cal Gb8a8,Gb8a7] The
question is where to move your king. One is correct, the other is wrong.} Ka8
$2 {[%emt 0:00:07][%cal Gb8a8]} (33... Ka7 $1 34. Qxc5 Rxd1+ 35. Rxd1 Rc8 $11)
34. Rxd8+ {[%emt 0:03:18]} Rxd8 {[%emt 0:00:02]} 35. Qf6 $1 {[%emt 0:00:52] A
double attack on the knight on b6 and the rook on d8 and Black has to resign.
Well, Mickey made a few more moves but it was just to get out of the suicidal
mind frame and getting ready for the next game.} Nc4 {[%emt 0:02:32]} 36. Qxd8+
{[%emt 0:00:05]} Ka7 {[%emt 0:00:01]} 37. Qd3 {[%emt 0:00:14]} Nxb2 {[%emt 0:
01:44]} 38. Qf5 {[%emt 0:01:15]} Qa1+ {[%emt 0:00:19]} 39. Kd2 {[%emt 0:00:14]}
Nc4+ {[%emt 0:00:04]} 40. Ke2 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Qxc3 {[%emt 0:00:12]} 41. Qxc5+
{[%emt 0:00:00] A heartbreaking loss for the wild card entrant.} 1-0
Maxime Vachier-Lagrave vs Anish Giri 0.5-0.5
Maxime Vachier-Lagrave's game saw the Najdorf in action. Nothing surprising, right? After all the Frenchman is the biggest exponent of that opening. Just that it was not him who played the Najdorf but...
...Anish Giri!
On one hand this is a dangerous strategy as your opponent knows everything about the opening. On the other you take him into an uncomfortable situation where he would have preferred to have the black pieces! It is also quite possible that Anish wanted to know what MVL thinks is the best line against the Najdorf from white.
Maxime got absolutely no advantage and had to settle for a draw right out of the opening
[Event "8th London Chess Classic 2016"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2016.12.09"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Vachier-Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Black "Giri, Anish"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B90"]
[WhiteElo "2804"]
[BlackElo "2771"]
[Annotator "Sagar Shah"]
[PlyCount "47"]
[EventDate "2016.??.??"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[SourceTitle "playchess.com"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[TimeControl "40/7200:3600+30"]
1. e4 {[%emt 0:00:06]} c5 {[%emt 0:00:03]} 2. Nf3 {[%emt 0:00:05]} d6 {[%emt 0:
00:02]} 3. d4 {[%emt 0:00:04]} cxd4 {[%emt 0:00:04]} 4. Nxd4 {[%emt 0:00:04]}
Nf6 {[%emt 0:00:03]} 5. Nc3 {[%emt 0:00:03]} a6 {[%emt 0:00:03][%cal Ga7a6]
Many people watching the game thought that Giri had gone crazy! To play the
Najdorf against the biggest expert of Najdorf is not a great idea! However, it
is also possible that Anish wanted to know what's MVL's preferred way of
meeting his favourite opening.} 6. h3 {[%emt 0:00:27] MVL thinks that h3 is
the best way to respond to the Najdorf.} e5 {[%emt 0:00:17]} 7. Nde2 {[%emt 0:
00:04]} h5 {[%emt 0:00:05] As has been known quite well, it is not a good idea
to allow White to play g4 followed by Bg2 and Ng3. Hence, h5 is a logical move
stifling the g-pawn.} 8. g3 {[%emt 0:00:05]} Be6 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 9. Bg2 {
[%emt 0:00:26]} b5 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 10. O-O {[%emt 0:00:45]} Nbd7 {[%emt 0:00:
42] It's funny that this position that has arisen has been played by Giri on
the white side against Wojtaszek and by MVL from the black side against
Caruana!} 11. Be3 {[%emt 0:00:30]} Be7 {[%emt 0:00:26]} 12. Nd5 {[%emt 0:00:08]
} Nxd5 {[%emt 0:00:43]} (12... Bxd5 {The usual way to take on d5 in the
Najdorf is not the best here.} 13. exd5 O-O 14. f4 $14) 13. exd5 {[%emt 0:00:
04]} Bf5 {[%emt 0:00:04]} 14. f4 {[%emt 0:00:08]} Rc8 {[%emt 0:00:11]} (14...
Qc8 $5 15. c3 O-O {The bishop on f5 remains defended and there is latent
pressure on h3.}) 15. c3 {[%emt 0:01:06]} Bh7 {[%emt 0:00:08]} 16. a4 {[%emt 0:
13:16]} (16. fxe5 dxe5 $1 (16... Nxe5 17. Nd4 $1 $16 {The knight is coming
into c6 and is not so great for Black.}) 17. d6 Bg5 18. Bxg5 Qxg5 $11) 16...
O-O {[%emt 0:02:36]} 17. axb5 {[%emt 0:01:35]} axb5 {[%emt 0:00:12]} 18. Ra6 {
[%emt 0:08:26]} (18. fxe5 $5 dxe5 $1 (18... Nxe5 $5 19. Nd4 Bg5 $11) 19. d6 Bg5
20. Bf2 (20. Qd2 Bxe3+ 21. Qxe3 Qb6 22. Qxb6 Nxb6 $11) 20... h4 21. g4 Nf6 $11)
18... exf4 {[%emt 0:21:30]} 19. Nxf4 {[%emt 0:05:59]} h4 {[%emt 0:00:23]} 20.
Bd4 {[%emt 0:08:46]} Ne5 {[%emt 0:08:26]} 21. Nh5 {[%emt 0:03:30]} Bg6 {
[%emt 0:02:42]} (21... hxg3 22. Nxg3 $11) 22. Nf4 {[%emt 0:07:22]} Bh7 {
[%emt 0:02:13]} 23. Nh5 {[%emt 0:02:08]} Bg6 {[%emt 0:00:46]} 24. Nf4 {[%emt 0:
04:45] It can be said that the Najdorf turned out to be a huge success for
Anish as MVL couldn't find a way to get any advantage with white.} 1/2-1/2
[Site "London"]
[Date "2016.12.09"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Vachier-Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Black "Giri, Anish"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B90"]
[WhiteElo "2804"]
[BlackElo "2771"]
[Annotator "Sagar Shah"]
[PlyCount "47"]
[EventDate "2016.??.??"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[SourceTitle "playchess.com"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[TimeControl "40/7200:3600+30"]
1. e4 {[%emt 0:00:06]} c5 {[%emt 0:00:03]} 2. Nf3 {[%emt 0:00:05]} d6 {[%emt 0:
00:02]} 3. d4 {[%emt 0:00:04]} cxd4 {[%emt 0:00:04]} 4. Nxd4 {[%emt 0:00:04]}
Nf6 {[%emt 0:00:03]} 5. Nc3 {[%emt 0:00:03]} a6 {[%emt 0:00:03][%cal Ga7a6]
Many people watching the game thought that Giri had gone crazy! To play the
Najdorf against the biggest expert of Najdorf is not a great idea! However, it
is also possible that Anish wanted to know what's MVL's preferred way of
meeting his favourite opening.} 6. h3 {[%emt 0:00:27] MVL thinks that h3 is
the best way to respond to the Najdorf.} e5 {[%emt 0:00:17]} 7. Nde2 {[%emt 0:
00:04]} h5 {[%emt 0:00:05] As has been known quite well, it is not a good idea
to allow White to play g4 followed by Bg2 and Ng3. Hence, h5 is a logical move
stifling the g-pawn.} 8. g3 {[%emt 0:00:05]} Be6 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 9. Bg2 {
[%emt 0:00:26]} b5 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 10. O-O {[%emt 0:00:45]} Nbd7 {[%emt 0:00:
42] It's funny that this position that has arisen has been played by Giri on
the white side against Wojtaszek and by MVL from the black side against
Caruana!} 11. Be3 {[%emt 0:00:30]} Be7 {[%emt 0:00:26]} 12. Nd5 {[%emt 0:00:08]
} Nxd5 {[%emt 0:00:43]} (12... Bxd5 {The usual way to take on d5 in the
Najdorf is not the best here.} 13. exd5 O-O 14. f4 $14) 13. exd5 {[%emt 0:00:
04]} Bf5 {[%emt 0:00:04]} 14. f4 {[%emt 0:00:08]} Rc8 {[%emt 0:00:11]} (14...
Qc8 $5 15. c3 O-O {The bishop on f5 remains defended and there is latent
pressure on h3.}) 15. c3 {[%emt 0:01:06]} Bh7 {[%emt 0:00:08]} 16. a4 {[%emt 0:
13:16]} (16. fxe5 dxe5 $1 (16... Nxe5 17. Nd4 $1 $16 {The knight is coming
into c6 and is not so great for Black.}) 17. d6 Bg5 18. Bxg5 Qxg5 $11) 16...
O-O {[%emt 0:02:36]} 17. axb5 {[%emt 0:01:35]} axb5 {[%emt 0:00:12]} 18. Ra6 {
[%emt 0:08:26]} (18. fxe5 $5 dxe5 $1 (18... Nxe5 $5 19. Nd4 Bg5 $11) 19. d6 Bg5
20. Bf2 (20. Qd2 Bxe3+ 21. Qxe3 Qb6 22. Qxb6 Nxb6 $11) 20... h4 21. g4 Nf6 $11)
18... exf4 {[%emt 0:21:30]} 19. Nxf4 {[%emt 0:05:59]} h4 {[%emt 0:00:23]} 20.
Bd4 {[%emt 0:08:46]} Ne5 {[%emt 0:08:26]} 21. Nh5 {[%emt 0:03:30]} Bg6 {
[%emt 0:02:42]} (21... hxg3 22. Nxg3 $11) 22. Nf4 {[%emt 0:07:22]} Bh7 {
[%emt 0:02:13]} 23. Nh5 {[%emt 0:02:08]} Bg6 {[%emt 0:00:46]} 24. Nf4 {[%emt 0:
04:45] It can be said that the Najdorf turned out to be a huge success for
Anish as MVL couldn't find a way to get any advantage with white.} 1/2-1/2
Levon Aronian vs Michael Adams 1-0
Levon Aronian played the Giuoco Piano System and didn't get anything special out of the opening. In fact the game was pretty equal right until the very end.
Levon has just picked up the pawn on e5 with his queen and given a check. Where would you move your king a7 or a8?
Michael Adams chose the wrong square and had to resign in a few moves
[Event "8th London Chess Classic 2016"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2016.12.09"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Adams, Michael"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C50"]
[WhiteElo "2785"]
[BlackElo "2748"]
[Annotator "Sagar Shah"]
[PlyCount "81"]
[EventDate "2016.??.??"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[SourceTitle "playchess.com"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[TimeControl "40/7200:3600+30"]
1. e4 {[%emt 0:00:04]} e5 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 2. Nf3 {[%emt 0:00:04]} Nc6 {
[%emt 0:00:05]} 3. Bc4 {[%emt 0:00:05]} Bc5 {[%emt 0:00:07]} 4. d3 {[%emt 0:00:
17]} Nf6 {[%emt 0:00:42]} 5. c3 {[%emt 0:00:31]} d6 {[%emt 0:01:47]} 6. Bg5 {
[%emt 0:00:06] We have been taught that playing the move Bg5 before Black has
castled is not a good idea because then Black can always break the pin with h6
and g5. But top players like to bend the rules and all that Levon wants is a
relatively fresh position to play with.} h6 {[%emt 0:11:00]} 7. Bh4 {[%emt 0:
00:05]} a6 {[%emt 0:00:09]} 8. Nbd2 {[%emt 0:00:10]} Ba7 {[%emt 0:00:56]} 9.
Bb3 {[%emt 0:01:43]} Qe7 {[%emt 0:01:56]} 10. Nc4 {[%emt 0:11:22]} Be6 {
[%emt 0:09:00]} 11. Ne3 {[%emt 0:05:18]} g5 {[%emt 0:09:24]} 12. Bg3 {[%emt 0:
00:05]} O-O-O {[%emt 0:02:41] Overall Michael Adams has played the opening
really well and has a great position.} 13. Ba4 {[%emt 0:06:48]} Nb8 $5 {
[%emt 0:04:08] The Breyer ideas never get old!} 14. Qc2 {[%emt 0:06:36]} Bxe3 {
[%emt 0:09:12]} 15. fxe3 {[%emt 0:00:35]} Nh5 {[%emt 0:00:04]} 16. Bf2 {
[%emt 0:06:18]} f5 {[%emt 0:01:55]} 17. exf5 {[%emt 0:00:52]} Bxf5 $15 {
[%emt 0:00:09]} 18. Qe2 {[%emt 0:02:26]} Bxd3 $5 {[%emt 0:20:45][%cal Gf5d3]} (
18... e4 $5 19. Nh4 (19. Nd4 Bg6 $15) 19... gxh4 20. Qxh5 Qg5 21. Qxg5 (21.
Qxh4 exd3 $17) 21... hxg5 22. d4 Rdf8 $15) 19. Qxd3 {[%emt 0:00:11]} e4 {
[%emt 0:00:03]} 20. Qd4 {[%emt 0:02:52]} c5 {[%emt 0:03:46]} (20... exf3 21.
Qg4+ Nd7 22. Qxh5 $16) 21. Qd1 {[%emt 0:03:00]} exf3 {[%emt 0:00:13]} 22. Qxf3
{[%emt 0:00:07]} Nf6 {[%emt 0:01:10]} 23. Bc2 {[%emt 0:00:15] One more game in
the day where we see two knights versus two bishops. Black has the better
structure but White should hold the balance.} Nbd7 {[%emt 0:09:32]} 24. O-O-O {
[%emt 0:03:35]} Ne5 {[%emt 0:00:39]} 25. Qe2 {[%emt 0:04:23]} Qe6 {[%emt 0:05:
15]} 26. Bg3 {[%emt 0:00:07]} Qxa2 $6 {[%emt 0:08:32]} (26... d5 $1 27. Rhf1
Ne4 $11) 27. Rhf1 $6 {[%emt 0:15:57]} (27. Bxe5 dxe5 28. Qf3 $14 {was a better
way to play. The knight on f6 doesn't have too many good squares to go to.}
Qa1+ 29. Bb1 Nd7 30. Qg4 h5 31. Qe6 $36) 27... Nd5 $1 {[%emt 0:01:07]} 28. Bxe5
{[%emt 0:01:39]} (28. Bb1 Nxc3 $1 $19) 28... dxe5 {[%emt 0:00:39]} 29. Bb1 {
[%emt 0:05:07]} Qb3 {[%emt 0:04:25]} (29... Nxc3 30. Qg4+ $18) 30. Bc2 {
[%emt 0:03:54]} Qa2 {[%emt 0:00:02]} 31. Qg4+ {[%emt 0:01:20] Aronian is in an
ambitious mood and shuns the draw.} Kb8 {[%emt 0:00:09]} 32. Qe4 {[%emt 0:00:
19]} Nb6 {[%emt 0:05:03]} 33. Qxe5+ {[%emt 0:03:41][%cal Gb8a8,Gb8a7] The
question is where to move your king. One is correct, the other is wrong.} Ka8
$2 {[%emt 0:00:07][%cal Gb8a8]} (33... Ka7 $1 34. Qxc5 Rxd1+ 35. Rxd1 Rc8 $11)
34. Rxd8+ {[%emt 0:03:18]} Rxd8 {[%emt 0:00:02]} 35. Qf6 $1 {[%emt 0:00:52] A
double attack on the knight on b6 and the rook on d8 and Black has to resign.
Well, Mickey made a few more moves but it was just to get out of the suicidal
mind frame and getting ready for the next game.} Nc4 {[%emt 0:02:32]} 36. Qxd8+
{[%emt 0:00:05]} Ka7 {[%emt 0:00:01]} 37. Qd3 {[%emt 0:00:14]} Nxb2 {[%emt 0:
01:44]} 38. Qf5 {[%emt 0:01:15]} Qa1+ {[%emt 0:00:19]} 39. Kd2 {[%emt 0:00:14]}
Nc4+ {[%emt 0:00:04]} 40. Ke2 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Qxc3 {[%emt 0:00:12]} 41. Qxc5+
{[%emt 0:00:00] A heartbreaking loss for the wild card entrant.} 1-0
[Site "London"]
[Date "2016.12.09"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Adams, Michael"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C50"]
[WhiteElo "2785"]
[BlackElo "2748"]
[Annotator "Sagar Shah"]
[PlyCount "81"]
[EventDate "2016.??.??"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[SourceTitle "playchess.com"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[TimeControl "40/7200:3600+30"]
1. e4 {[%emt 0:00:04]} e5 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 2. Nf3 {[%emt 0:00:04]} Nc6 {
[%emt 0:00:05]} 3. Bc4 {[%emt 0:00:05]} Bc5 {[%emt 0:00:07]} 4. d3 {[%emt 0:00:
17]} Nf6 {[%emt 0:00:42]} 5. c3 {[%emt 0:00:31]} d6 {[%emt 0:01:47]} 6. Bg5 {
[%emt 0:00:06] We have been taught that playing the move Bg5 before Black has
castled is not a good idea because then Black can always break the pin with h6
and g5. But top players like to bend the rules and all that Levon wants is a
relatively fresh position to play with.} h6 {[%emt 0:11:00]} 7. Bh4 {[%emt 0:
00:05]} a6 {[%emt 0:00:09]} 8. Nbd2 {[%emt 0:00:10]} Ba7 {[%emt 0:00:56]} 9.
Bb3 {[%emt 0:01:43]} Qe7 {[%emt 0:01:56]} 10. Nc4 {[%emt 0:11:22]} Be6 {
[%emt 0:09:00]} 11. Ne3 {[%emt 0:05:18]} g5 {[%emt 0:09:24]} 12. Bg3 {[%emt 0:
00:05]} O-O-O {[%emt 0:02:41] Overall Michael Adams has played the opening
really well and has a great position.} 13. Ba4 {[%emt 0:06:48]} Nb8 $5 {
[%emt 0:04:08] The Breyer ideas never get old!} 14. Qc2 {[%emt 0:06:36]} Bxe3 {
[%emt 0:09:12]} 15. fxe3 {[%emt 0:00:35]} Nh5 {[%emt 0:00:04]} 16. Bf2 {
[%emt 0:06:18]} f5 {[%emt 0:01:55]} 17. exf5 {[%emt 0:00:52]} Bxf5 $15 {
[%emt 0:00:09]} 18. Qe2 {[%emt 0:02:26]} Bxd3 $5 {[%emt 0:20:45][%cal Gf5d3]} (
18... e4 $5 19. Nh4 (19. Nd4 Bg6 $15) 19... gxh4 20. Qxh5 Qg5 21. Qxg5 (21.
Qxh4 exd3 $17) 21... hxg5 22. d4 Rdf8 $15) 19. Qxd3 {[%emt 0:00:11]} e4 {
[%emt 0:00:03]} 20. Qd4 {[%emt 0:02:52]} c5 {[%emt 0:03:46]} (20... exf3 21.
Qg4+ Nd7 22. Qxh5 $16) 21. Qd1 {[%emt 0:03:00]} exf3 {[%emt 0:00:13]} 22. Qxf3
{[%emt 0:00:07]} Nf6 {[%emt 0:01:10]} 23. Bc2 {[%emt 0:00:15] One more game in
the day where we see two knights versus two bishops. Black has the better
structure but White should hold the balance.} Nbd7 {[%emt 0:09:32]} 24. O-O-O {
[%emt 0:03:35]} Ne5 {[%emt 0:00:39]} 25. Qe2 {[%emt 0:04:23]} Qe6 {[%emt 0:05:
15]} 26. Bg3 {[%emt 0:00:07]} Qxa2 $6 {[%emt 0:08:32]} (26... d5 $1 27. Rhf1
Ne4 $11) 27. Rhf1 $6 {[%emt 0:15:57]} (27. Bxe5 dxe5 28. Qf3 $14 {was a better
way to play. The knight on f6 doesn't have too many good squares to go to.}
Qa1+ 29. Bb1 Nd7 30. Qg4 h5 31. Qe6 $36) 27... Nd5 $1 {[%emt 0:01:07]} 28. Bxe5
{[%emt 0:01:39]} (28. Bb1 Nxc3 $1 $19) 28... dxe5 {[%emt 0:00:39]} 29. Bb1 {
[%emt 0:05:07]} Qb3 {[%emt 0:04:25]} (29... Nxc3 30. Qg4+ $18) 30. Bc2 {
[%emt 0:03:54]} Qa2 {[%emt 0:00:02]} 31. Qg4+ {[%emt 0:01:20] Aronian is in an
ambitious mood and shuns the draw.} Kb8 {[%emt 0:00:09]} 32. Qe4 {[%emt 0:00:
19]} Nb6 {[%emt 0:05:03]} 33. Qxe5+ {[%emt 0:03:41][%cal Gb8a8,Gb8a7] The
question is where to move your king. One is correct, the other is wrong.} Ka8
$2 {[%emt 0:00:07][%cal Gb8a8]} (33... Ka7 $1 34. Qxc5 Rxd1+ 35. Rxd1 Rc8 $11)
34. Rxd8+ {[%emt 0:03:18]} Rxd8 {[%emt 0:00:02]} 35. Qf6 $1 {[%emt 0:00:52] A
double attack on the knight on b6 and the rook on d8 and Black has to resign.
Well, Mickey made a few more moves but it was just to get out of the suicidal
mind frame and getting ready for the next game.} Nc4 {[%emt 0:02:32]} 36. Qxd8+
{[%emt 0:00:05]} Ka7 {[%emt 0:00:01]} 37. Qd3 {[%emt 0:00:14]} Nxb2 {[%emt 0:
01:44]} 38. Qf5 {[%emt 0:01:15]} Qa1+ {[%emt 0:00:19]} 39. Kd2 {[%emt 0:00:14]}
Nc4+ {[%emt 0:00:04]} 40. Ke2 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Qxc3 {[%emt 0:00:12]} 41. Qxc5+
{[%emt 0:00:00] A heartbreaking loss for the wild card entrant.} 1-0
Crosstable after round one
Kramnik, So and Aronian lead after the first round
Tournament director Malcolm Pein makes sure that the London Chess Classic along with all its side events happen every year with great pomp and splendour
Making sure that she gets all the details right Operations Manager Tereza Pribanova
Chief Arbiter Albert Vasse on duty! Did you know he is one of the founders of DGT Projects?