Revisiting the 2015 National Premier Championship (2)
The 53rd edition of India’s National Premier Championship was held from 15 November 2015 to 28 November 2015 at Thiruvarur, Tamil Nadu. The 13 round all-play-all with a rating average of 2501 was the strongest Indian tournament of the year, and the tournament was won by sixteen-year-old grandmaster Murali Karthikeyan. In this second part of our illustrated report with GM analysis, you will see how the tournament witnessed a breathtaking finish and how most of the top-players fared, with post-tournament comments, self-analysis and observations by the players themselves!
Revisiting the 2015 National Premier Championship (2)
Read Part 1 here.
Round 8: S.P. Sethuraman (2651) vs. Vidit Gujrathi (2651)
There was complete chaos on the board! - Vidit
The classical French between these two titans turned into a crazy affair as Sethu launched himself on the kingside with his pawns while Vidit returned the punches on the other flank, where White’s King stood. The game was further complicated when Vidit bombed the center with 26…e5, initiating a complicated series of exchanges embedded with a queen sacrifice, en-passant. All this happened while both players were grappled by serious time-trouble.
Sethuraman-Vidit (Analysis by FM Nihal Sarin)
[Event "ONGC 53rd National Premier Chess Champi"]
[Site "Hotel Kasi's Inn,Tiruvarur"]
[Date "2015.11.23"]
[Round "8.3"]
[White "Sethuraman, S.P."]
[Black "Vidit, Santosh Gujrathi"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C11"]
[WhiteElo "2651"]
[BlackElo "2651"]
[Annotator "Nihal Sarin"]
[PlyCount "96"]
[EventDate "2015.11.15"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "IND"]
[SourceDate "2003.06.08"]
[Site "Hotel Kasi's Inn,Tiruvarur"]
[Date "2015.11.23"]
[Round "8.3"]
[White "Sethuraman, S.P."]
[Black "Vidit, Santosh Gujrathi"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C11"]
[WhiteElo "2651"]
[BlackElo "2651"]
[Annotator "Nihal Sarin"]
[PlyCount "96"]
[EventDate "2015.11.15"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "IND"]
[SourceDate "2003.06.08"]
1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. e5 Nfd7 5. f4 c5 {The classical french.} 6. Nf3
Nc6 7. Be3 Be7 8. Qd2 O-O 9. dxc5 Nxc5 10. O-O-O a6 11. h4 Qa5 12. Kb1 b5 13.
Bd3 b4 14. Ne2 Nxd3 15. Qxd3 Qb5 $1 {The exchange of queens favours black.} 16.
Qd2 a5 {Black has the bishop pair, and should attack on the queenside.White
should seek his chances on the kingside.} 17. Ned4 Nxd4 18. Nxd4 Qc4 19. g4 f6
20. exf6 Bxf6 21. h5 a4 22. h6 g6 {Black is slightly better.} 23. Rhe1 Bd7 24.
Bf2 Rfe8 {Rae8 also was considerable} 25. Nf3 b3 26. Bd4 e5 $5 {A sharp fight
begins!} 27. fxe5 Bxg4 $2 {a wrong move.But white fails to exploit it.} 28.
exf6 bxc2+ 29. Qxc2 Bf5 30. Qxf5 gxf5 31. Rg1+ $2 {Missing a win by.....} (31.
Ng5 Re4 (31... Kf8 32. f7 Rxe1 33. Rxe1 Qd3+ 34. Ka1 Qxd4 35. Ne6+ Kxf7 36.
Nxd4 $18) 32. f7+ Kf8 33. Rxe4 dxe4 34. Bc5+ Qxc5 35. Ne6+ Kxf7 36. Nxc5 $16)
31... Kf8 32. Ng5 Re2 33. Nxh7+ Ke8 34. a3 (34. f7+ $5 Kxf7 35. Rg7+ Ke6 36.
Ng5+ Kd6 37. Nf7+ Ke6 38. Ng5+ Kd6 39. Nf7+ Ke6 40. Ng5+ $11) 34... Rb8 35. Ka1
{Still possible was......} (35. f7+ Kxf7 36. Rg7+ Ke8 37. Nf6+ Kf8 38. Bc5+
Qxc5 39. Nd7+ Ke8 40. Nxc5 Rbxb2+ 41. Ka1 Ra2+ 42. Kb1 Rab2+ 43. Ka1 $11) 35...
Rb3 36. f7+ $1 Kxf7 37. Rg7+ Ke8 38. Nf6+ Kd8 39. Rg8+ $2 {losing the
game!White could have played....} (39. Bb6+ $3 Rxb6 40. h7 Rh2 41. Rg8+ Ke7 42.
Nxd5+ Qxd5 43. Rxd5 Rxh7 44. Rxf5 {A variation very difficult to calculate})
39... Ke7 40. Nxd5+ Qxd5 $2 {missing a win by.....} (40... Kf7 $1 41. Rg7+ Kf8
42. Nb4 Rxa3+ 43. bxa3 Qb3 44. Bc5+ Ke8 45. Rg8+ Qxg8 46. Nd5 Qh8+ 47. Bd4 Qxh6
) 41. Bf6+ Kxf6 42. Rxd5 Rexb2 43. Rg1 Rh2 44. Rf1 Rxa3+ 45. Kb1 Rb3+ 46. Ka1
Ra3+ 47. Kb1 Rb3+ 48. Ka1 Ra3+ 1/2-1/2
Nc6 7. Be3 Be7 8. Qd2 O-O 9. dxc5 Nxc5 10. O-O-O a6 11. h4 Qa5 12. Kb1 b5 13.
Bd3 b4 14. Ne2 Nxd3 15. Qxd3 Qb5 $1 {The exchange of queens favours black.} 16.
Qd2 a5 {Black has the bishop pair, and should attack on the queenside.White
should seek his chances on the kingside.} 17. Ned4 Nxd4 18. Nxd4 Qc4 19. g4 f6
20. exf6 Bxf6 21. h5 a4 22. h6 g6 {Black is slightly better.} 23. Rhe1 Bd7 24.
Bf2 Rfe8 {Rae8 also was considerable} 25. Nf3 b3 26. Bd4 e5 $5 {A sharp fight
begins!} 27. fxe5 Bxg4 $2 {a wrong move.But white fails to exploit it.} 28.
exf6 bxc2+ 29. Qxc2 Bf5 30. Qxf5 gxf5 31. Rg1+ $2 {Missing a win by.....} (31.
Ng5 Re4 (31... Kf8 32. f7 Rxe1 33. Rxe1 Qd3+ 34. Ka1 Qxd4 35. Ne6+ Kxf7 36.
Nxd4 $18) 32. f7+ Kf8 33. Rxe4 dxe4 34. Bc5+ Qxc5 35. Ne6+ Kxf7 36. Nxc5 $16)
31... Kf8 32. Ng5 Re2 33. Nxh7+ Ke8 34. a3 (34. f7+ $5 Kxf7 35. Rg7+ Ke6 36.
Ng5+ Kd6 37. Nf7+ Ke6 38. Ng5+ Kd6 39. Nf7+ Ke6 40. Ng5+ $11) 34... Rb8 35. Ka1
{Still possible was......} (35. f7+ Kxf7 36. Rg7+ Ke8 37. Nf6+ Kf8 38. Bc5+
Qxc5 39. Nd7+ Ke8 40. Nxc5 Rbxb2+ 41. Ka1 Ra2+ 42. Kb1 Rab2+ 43. Ka1 $11) 35...
Rb3 36. f7+ $1 Kxf7 37. Rg7+ Ke8 38. Nf6+ Kd8 39. Rg8+ $2 {losing the
game!White could have played....} (39. Bb6+ $3 Rxb6 40. h7 Rh2 41. Rg8+ Ke7 42.
Nxd5+ Qxd5 43. Rxd5 Rxh7 44. Rxf5 {A variation very difficult to calculate})
39... Ke7 40. Nxd5+ Qxd5 $2 {missing a win by.....} (40... Kf7 $1 41. Rg7+ Kf8
42. Nb4 Rxa3+ 43. bxa3 Qb3 44. Bc5+ Ke8 45. Rg8+ Qxg8 46. Nd5 Qh8+ 47. Bd4 Qxh6
) 41. Bf6+ Kxf6 42. Rxd5 Rexb2 43. Rg1 Rh2 44. Rf1 Rxa3+ 45. Kb1 Rb3+ 46. Ka1
Ra3+ 47. Kb1 Rb3+ 48. Ka1 Ra3+ 1/2-1/2
Practically, it is next to impossible to calculate all the details accurately, especially with mere seconds left per move. Sethu and Vidit did miss chances galore, but see the game and tell us, are you not entertained?
IM P. Shyaamnikhil (2436)
While Vidit was running away with the title and Sehu was slowly resurrecting himself after a disastrous first half, Murali Karthikeyan scored yet another victory in the ninth round, and his victim was IM P. Shyaamnikhil.
Shyaamnikhil-Karthikeyan (Analysis by GM Murali Karthikeyan)
[Event "National Premier chess championship"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2015.11.24"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Shyaam Nikil, P."]
[Black "Karthikeyan, Murali"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B04"]
[WhiteElo "2434"]
[BlackElo "2498"]
[Annotator "Murali Karthikeyan"]
[PlyCount "72"]
[EventDate "2015.??.??"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2015.11.24"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Shyaam Nikil, P."]
[Black "Karthikeyan, Murali"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B04"]
[WhiteElo "2434"]
[BlackElo "2498"]
[Annotator "Murali Karthikeyan"]
[PlyCount "72"]
[EventDate "2015.??.??"]
1. e4 g6 2. d4 Bg7 3. Nf3 d6 4. Bc4 Nf6 5. Qe2 c6 (5... O-O 6. e5 dxe5 7. dxe5
Nd5 8. O-O) 6. e5 Nd5 7. h3 (7. Bxd5 cxd5 8. Qb5+ Nc6 9. Qxd5 Be6 (9... dxe5
10. Qxd8+ Kxd8 {is also possible}) 10. Qb5 dxe5 11. dxe5 (11. Nxe5 O-O 12. Nxc6
(12. c3 Nxe5 13. dxe5 Qc7) 12... bxc6 13. Qxc6 Qxd4 $17) 11... O-O 12. O-O Qd5
$15) 7... O-O 8. O-O Qc7 $5 (8... dxe5 9. dxe5 {Nearly transpose with not much
pressure for white} (9. Nxe5 Nd7)) (8... b5 $5 9. Bd3 (9. Bxd5 cxd5 10. Nc3 (
10. Qxb5 dxe5 (10... Ba6 11. Qxd5)) 10... dxe5 (10... b4 11. Nxd5 dxe5 12. Qe4
(12. Nxb4 a5) 12... Nc6 $5 (12... Bf5 13. Nxe7+ Qxe7 14. Qxa8) 13. Nxe5 Nxe5
14. dxe5 Bb7 15. Nf6+ Bxf6 16. Qxb7 Bxe5 17. Qxb4 Rb8 18. Qc5 Bxb2 19. Bxb2
Rxb2 20. Qxa7 Rxc2 $14) 11. Nxe5 (11. dxe5 b4 $17) 11... b4 $15) (9. Bb3 a5 10.
c3 (10. a4 bxa4 11. Rxa4 Ba6 12. c4 (12. Bc4 Nb6) 12... Nb6 13. Ra1 dxe5 14.
dxe5 N8d7 $132) (10. c4 bxc4 11. Bxc4 Nd7 $132) 10... a4 11. Bc2 Nd7) 9... dxe5
10. dxe5 Nd7) (8... Bf5 {But white will get slight edge here} 9. Nc3 $5 (9. Re1
dxe5 10. dxe5 Nd7) 9... Nxc3 10. bxc3 $14) 9. Bb3 (9. Bxd5 cxd5 10. Nc3 dxe5 (
10... Qc6 11. Bf4) 11. dxe5 Be6 (11... e6 12. Nb5)) (9. exd6 exd6 (9... Qxd6
10. Nc3 Nd7 $132 (10... Bf5 11. Re1)) 10. Bxd5 cxd5 11. Nc3 Be6 (11... Qc6 12.
Bf4 (12. Qb5 Bf5) 12... Na6 $14) 12. Bf4 a6 $132) (9. Nc3 dxe5 10. dxe5 Nxc3
11. bxc3 b5 12. Bb3 a5) (9. Re1 $5 dxe5 10. dxe5 $14) 9... Bf5 $6 (9... Na6 10.
c4 Nb6 11. Nc3 $14) (9... dxe5 10. dxe5 Nd7 11. e6 fxe6 (11... Nc5 12. exf7+
Rxf7 13. Ng5) 12. Qxe6+ Kh8 $13) 10. Re1 $6 (10. c4 Nb4 11. Qd2 (11. Bd2 Bd3 (
11... c5 $5) 12. Qe3 Bxf1 13. Bxb4 a5) (11. a3 Nd3 12. g4 (12. Bg5 h6 13. Bh4
dxe5) 12... Nxc1 13. Rxc1 Bxb1 14. Raxb1 dxe5 $11) (11. exd6 exd6 12. Rd1 (12.
Bf4 Bd3 (12... Qd7 13. Rd1) 13. Qd2 Bxf1 14. Kxf1 c5 (14... N4a6 15. c5) 15.
dxc5 $44) 12... d5 13. cxd5 Nxd5 14. Nc3 $14) 11... Nd3 12. g4 Nxc1 13. Rxc1
Be4 $15) (10. g4 $5 Be6 11. c4 Nb6 12. Bf4 {could have been played}) 10... dxe5
11. dxe5 (11. Nxe5 Nd7 12. Nf3 (12. Nxd7 Bxd7 $11) 12... e5 $5 13. dxe5 (13.
Bxd5 cxd5 14. dxe5 Nxe5 15. Nxe5 Rfe8) 13... Rfe8) 11... Nd7 12. Bd2 (12. c4
Nb4) (12. Nd4 Qxe5 $15 13. Qxe5 Bxe5) (12. Nc3 Nxc3 13. bxc3 Nc5 14. Nd4 Bc8
15. Ba3 {was a good way to try}) (12. g4 Be6 13. Nd4 (13. c4 N5b6) 13... Bxe5
14. Nxe6 fxe6 $15) (12. Bxd5 cxd5 13. Nc3 Nb6 {Although white has slight edge
here, it is difficult for white to consider the exchange of bishop to the
knight} (13... e6 14. g4 Be4 15. Nxe4 dxe4 16. Qxe4)) 12... Nc5 13. Nd4 (13.
Nc3 Nb4 (13... Nxc3 14. Bxc3 Rfd8 15. Nd4) 14. Nd4 (14. Nb5 cxb5 15. Bxb4 a5
16. Bxc5 Qxc5 $11) 14... Nxb3 15. cxb3 Qd7) (13. c4 Bd3 14. Qd1 Nb6 15. Be3
Nxb3 16. axb3 $15) (13. Bxd5 cxd5 14. Nc3 Rad8 $11) 13... Be4 (13... Ne4 14.
Nc3 (14. Nxf5 gxf5 15. f4 Rad8) 14... Ndxc3 (14... Bxe5 15. Nxf5 gxf5 16. Nxe4)
15. Bxc3 Nxc3 16. bxc3 Bc8 17. f4 $14) (13... Bc8 14. Bxd5 (14. c4 Nxb3 15.
Nxb3 Nb6 $132) 14... cxd5 15. Nc3 $11) 14. f4 $6 (14. Qc4 Qb6 (14... Qxe5 15.
Qxc5 Qxd4 16. Qxd4 Bxd4 17. c3 (17. Rxe4 Bxb2) 17... Bxb1 18. cxd4 Bf5 19. Bxd5
cxd5 20. Rxe7 $14) (14... Nxb3 15. axb3) 15. Nc3 Nxc3 16. Bxc3 Bd5 $11) (14. c4
Bxe5) (14. Bxd5 $5 cxd5 15. f3 Bxe5 16. Nb5 Qb6 17. fxe4 Bxb2 (17... Nxe4+ 18.
Be3) 18. N1c3 {white should have opted for this} Nxe4+ 19. Be3 Nxc3 20. Nxc3
Qa5 21. Nb5 Bxa1 22. Rxa1 a6 {requires precise play from black}) (14. Nc3 Bxe5
15. Nxe4 Bxd4 16. Nxc5 Bxc5 $15) 14... Qb6 15. Qf2 (15. Kh1 Rad8 $15 (15...
Nxb3 16. Nxb3 Bxc2 17. Ba5 $1)) 15... f6 (15... Rad8 16. Bxd5 cxd5 17. Nc3 $11
Qxb2 18. Rab1 Qa3 19. Ndb5) 16. Nc3 (16. Be3 $5 {leads to complicated play}
Nxb3 (16... fxe5 17. Ne6 Nxe3 18. Nxc5+ $18) 17. axb3 (17. Nxb3 Nxe3 18. Rxe3
Bxc2 $15) 17... fxe5 (17... Nxe3 18. Qxe3 fxe5 19. Ne6 {Transpose}) 18. Ne6
Nxe3 19. Qxe3 (19. Rxe3 Bxc2 20. Nxf8 exf4) 19... Qxe3+ 20. Rxe3 Bxc2 21. Nxf8
exf4 22. Re2 (22. Rxe7 Bxb2 23. Ra2 Bd4+ 24. Kh1 Bxb1 25. Rd2 Bc5) 22... Bd3 (
22... Bxb1 23. Nd7) 23. Rd2 Bxb1 $17) (16. exf6 Bxf6 {is nothing} 17. Nc3 Nxb3
18. Nxb3 Bxc2) (16. Bxd5+ cxd5) 16... fxe5 (16... Nxb3 17. cxb3) 17. Ne6 $2 (
17. Nxe4 exd4 (17... Nxe4 18. Rxe4 exd4 19. Rxe7 $11) 18. Nxc5 Qxc5 19. Re6 $15
) 17... Nxe6 18. Nxe4 $6 (18. Qxb6 $5 axb6 19. Nxe4 {is tenacious but most
likely will transpose to our game where black wont have additional e5 pawn} (
19. Rxe4 Nc5 (19... Nexf4 20. Bxf4 exf4 (20... Rxf4 21. Nxd5 cxd5 22. Bxd5+ Kh8
23. Bxb7) 21. Nxd5 cxd5 22. Bxd5+ Kh8 23. Rxe7 {Must be equal}) 20. Nxd5 cxd5 (
20... Nxe4 21. Nf6+) 21. Bxd5+ Kh8 22. Re2 (22. Ree1 Rad8) 22... Rad8 $15)
19... Nd4 (19... Nexf4 20. c4) 20. fxe5 Nxb3 21. axb3 Bxe5 $17) (18. Rxe4 Qxf2+
19. Kxf2 Nc5) 18... Nd4 (18... Nexf4 19. Qxb6 axb6) 19. c4 (19. Be3 exf4) 19...
Nxb3 20. axb3 Nxf4 (20... Qxf2+ 21. Nxf2 Nxf4 22. Be3) 21. Qxb6 axb6 22. Rxa8
Rxa8 23. Be3 Ra2 24. Rb1 (24. Rd1 Rxb2 25. Rd8+ Kf7 26. Ng5+ Kf6 27. Nxh7+ Kf5)
24... Ne2+ 25. Kf2 Nd4 26. Nc3 (26. Bxd4 exd4 27. Ke2 Rxb2+ 28. Rxb2 d3+ 29.
Kxd3 Bxb2 $17) 26... Ra8 27. b4 Kf7 (27... b5 $5 {is equally good option} 28.
cxb5 cxb5 (28... Nxb5 29. Nxb5 cxb5 30. Rc1) 29. Ne4 (29. Bxd4 exd4 30. Nxb5
Ra4) 29... Rc8) 28. Ne4 h6 29. Bd2 (29. Bxd4 exd4 30. Ke2 Ra4 31. Kd3 Rxb4 32.
b3 c5 {Rook will escape}) 29... b5 30. c5 (30. cxb5 Nxb5 31. Bc3 Nd6 $17) 30...
Ke6 31. Ke3 Rd8 (31... Kd5 32. Bc3) 32. Bc3 Nc2+ 33. Ke2 (33. Kf3 Nxb4 34. Bxb4
Rd3+ 35. Kf2 Rd4 $19) 33... Nxb4 34. Ng5+ hxg5 35. Bxb4 e4 36. Bd2 Bf6 (36...
Bf6 37. Ra1 Bxb2 38. Ra7 Bf6 39. Rxb7 Kd5) 0-1
Nd5 8. O-O) 6. e5 Nd5 7. h3 (7. Bxd5 cxd5 8. Qb5+ Nc6 9. Qxd5 Be6 (9... dxe5
10. Qxd8+ Kxd8 {is also possible}) 10. Qb5 dxe5 11. dxe5 (11. Nxe5 O-O 12. Nxc6
(12. c3 Nxe5 13. dxe5 Qc7) 12... bxc6 13. Qxc6 Qxd4 $17) 11... O-O 12. O-O Qd5
$15) 7... O-O 8. O-O Qc7 $5 (8... dxe5 9. dxe5 {Nearly transpose with not much
pressure for white} (9. Nxe5 Nd7)) (8... b5 $5 9. Bd3 (9. Bxd5 cxd5 10. Nc3 (
10. Qxb5 dxe5 (10... Ba6 11. Qxd5)) 10... dxe5 (10... b4 11. Nxd5 dxe5 12. Qe4
(12. Nxb4 a5) 12... Nc6 $5 (12... Bf5 13. Nxe7+ Qxe7 14. Qxa8) 13. Nxe5 Nxe5
14. dxe5 Bb7 15. Nf6+ Bxf6 16. Qxb7 Bxe5 17. Qxb4 Rb8 18. Qc5 Bxb2 19. Bxb2
Rxb2 20. Qxa7 Rxc2 $14) 11. Nxe5 (11. dxe5 b4 $17) 11... b4 $15) (9. Bb3 a5 10.
c3 (10. a4 bxa4 11. Rxa4 Ba6 12. c4 (12. Bc4 Nb6) 12... Nb6 13. Ra1 dxe5 14.
dxe5 N8d7 $132) (10. c4 bxc4 11. Bxc4 Nd7 $132) 10... a4 11. Bc2 Nd7) 9... dxe5
10. dxe5 Nd7) (8... Bf5 {But white will get slight edge here} 9. Nc3 $5 (9. Re1
dxe5 10. dxe5 Nd7) 9... Nxc3 10. bxc3 $14) 9. Bb3 (9. Bxd5 cxd5 10. Nc3 dxe5 (
10... Qc6 11. Bf4) 11. dxe5 Be6 (11... e6 12. Nb5)) (9. exd6 exd6 (9... Qxd6
10. Nc3 Nd7 $132 (10... Bf5 11. Re1)) 10. Bxd5 cxd5 11. Nc3 Be6 (11... Qc6 12.
Bf4 (12. Qb5 Bf5) 12... Na6 $14) 12. Bf4 a6 $132) (9. Nc3 dxe5 10. dxe5 Nxc3
11. bxc3 b5 12. Bb3 a5) (9. Re1 $5 dxe5 10. dxe5 $14) 9... Bf5 $6 (9... Na6 10.
c4 Nb6 11. Nc3 $14) (9... dxe5 10. dxe5 Nd7 11. e6 fxe6 (11... Nc5 12. exf7+
Rxf7 13. Ng5) 12. Qxe6+ Kh8 $13) 10. Re1 $6 (10. c4 Nb4 11. Qd2 (11. Bd2 Bd3 (
11... c5 $5) 12. Qe3 Bxf1 13. Bxb4 a5) (11. a3 Nd3 12. g4 (12. Bg5 h6 13. Bh4
dxe5) 12... Nxc1 13. Rxc1 Bxb1 14. Raxb1 dxe5 $11) (11. exd6 exd6 12. Rd1 (12.
Bf4 Bd3 (12... Qd7 13. Rd1) 13. Qd2 Bxf1 14. Kxf1 c5 (14... N4a6 15. c5) 15.
dxc5 $44) 12... d5 13. cxd5 Nxd5 14. Nc3 $14) 11... Nd3 12. g4 Nxc1 13. Rxc1
Be4 $15) (10. g4 $5 Be6 11. c4 Nb6 12. Bf4 {could have been played}) 10... dxe5
11. dxe5 (11. Nxe5 Nd7 12. Nf3 (12. Nxd7 Bxd7 $11) 12... e5 $5 13. dxe5 (13.
Bxd5 cxd5 14. dxe5 Nxe5 15. Nxe5 Rfe8) 13... Rfe8) 11... Nd7 12. Bd2 (12. c4
Nb4) (12. Nd4 Qxe5 $15 13. Qxe5 Bxe5) (12. Nc3 Nxc3 13. bxc3 Nc5 14. Nd4 Bc8
15. Ba3 {was a good way to try}) (12. g4 Be6 13. Nd4 (13. c4 N5b6) 13... Bxe5
14. Nxe6 fxe6 $15) (12. Bxd5 cxd5 13. Nc3 Nb6 {Although white has slight edge
here, it is difficult for white to consider the exchange of bishop to the
knight} (13... e6 14. g4 Be4 15. Nxe4 dxe4 16. Qxe4)) 12... Nc5 13. Nd4 (13.
Nc3 Nb4 (13... Nxc3 14. Bxc3 Rfd8 15. Nd4) 14. Nd4 (14. Nb5 cxb5 15. Bxb4 a5
16. Bxc5 Qxc5 $11) 14... Nxb3 15. cxb3 Qd7) (13. c4 Bd3 14. Qd1 Nb6 15. Be3
Nxb3 16. axb3 $15) (13. Bxd5 cxd5 14. Nc3 Rad8 $11) 13... Be4 (13... Ne4 14.
Nc3 (14. Nxf5 gxf5 15. f4 Rad8) 14... Ndxc3 (14... Bxe5 15. Nxf5 gxf5 16. Nxe4)
15. Bxc3 Nxc3 16. bxc3 Bc8 17. f4 $14) (13... Bc8 14. Bxd5 (14. c4 Nxb3 15.
Nxb3 Nb6 $132) 14... cxd5 15. Nc3 $11) 14. f4 $6 (14. Qc4 Qb6 (14... Qxe5 15.
Qxc5 Qxd4 16. Qxd4 Bxd4 17. c3 (17. Rxe4 Bxb2) 17... Bxb1 18. cxd4 Bf5 19. Bxd5
cxd5 20. Rxe7 $14) (14... Nxb3 15. axb3) 15. Nc3 Nxc3 16. Bxc3 Bd5 $11) (14. c4
Bxe5) (14. Bxd5 $5 cxd5 15. f3 Bxe5 16. Nb5 Qb6 17. fxe4 Bxb2 (17... Nxe4+ 18.
Be3) 18. N1c3 {white should have opted for this} Nxe4+ 19. Be3 Nxc3 20. Nxc3
Qa5 21. Nb5 Bxa1 22. Rxa1 a6 {requires precise play from black}) (14. Nc3 Bxe5
15. Nxe4 Bxd4 16. Nxc5 Bxc5 $15) 14... Qb6 15. Qf2 (15. Kh1 Rad8 $15 (15...
Nxb3 16. Nxb3 Bxc2 17. Ba5 $1)) 15... f6 (15... Rad8 16. Bxd5 cxd5 17. Nc3 $11
Qxb2 18. Rab1 Qa3 19. Ndb5) 16. Nc3 (16. Be3 $5 {leads to complicated play}
Nxb3 (16... fxe5 17. Ne6 Nxe3 18. Nxc5+ $18) 17. axb3 (17. Nxb3 Nxe3 18. Rxe3
Bxc2 $15) 17... fxe5 (17... Nxe3 18. Qxe3 fxe5 19. Ne6 {Transpose}) 18. Ne6
Nxe3 19. Qxe3 (19. Rxe3 Bxc2 20. Nxf8 exf4) 19... Qxe3+ 20. Rxe3 Bxc2 21. Nxf8
exf4 22. Re2 (22. Rxe7 Bxb2 23. Ra2 Bd4+ 24. Kh1 Bxb1 25. Rd2 Bc5) 22... Bd3 (
22... Bxb1 23. Nd7) 23. Rd2 Bxb1 $17) (16. exf6 Bxf6 {is nothing} 17. Nc3 Nxb3
18. Nxb3 Bxc2) (16. Bxd5+ cxd5) 16... fxe5 (16... Nxb3 17. cxb3) 17. Ne6 $2 (
17. Nxe4 exd4 (17... Nxe4 18. Rxe4 exd4 19. Rxe7 $11) 18. Nxc5 Qxc5 19. Re6 $15
) 17... Nxe6 18. Nxe4 $6 (18. Qxb6 $5 axb6 19. Nxe4 {is tenacious but most
likely will transpose to our game where black wont have additional e5 pawn} (
19. Rxe4 Nc5 (19... Nexf4 20. Bxf4 exf4 (20... Rxf4 21. Nxd5 cxd5 22. Bxd5+ Kh8
23. Bxb7) 21. Nxd5 cxd5 22. Bxd5+ Kh8 23. Rxe7 {Must be equal}) 20. Nxd5 cxd5 (
20... Nxe4 21. Nf6+) 21. Bxd5+ Kh8 22. Re2 (22. Ree1 Rad8) 22... Rad8 $15)
19... Nd4 (19... Nexf4 20. c4) 20. fxe5 Nxb3 21. axb3 Bxe5 $17) (18. Rxe4 Qxf2+
19. Kxf2 Nc5) 18... Nd4 (18... Nexf4 19. Qxb6 axb6) 19. c4 (19. Be3 exf4) 19...
Nxb3 20. axb3 Nxf4 (20... Qxf2+ 21. Nxf2 Nxf4 22. Be3) 21. Qxb6 axb6 22. Rxa8
Rxa8 23. Be3 Ra2 24. Rb1 (24. Rd1 Rxb2 25. Rd8+ Kf7 26. Ng5+ Kf6 27. Nxh7+ Kf5)
24... Ne2+ 25. Kf2 Nd4 26. Nc3 (26. Bxd4 exd4 27. Ke2 Rxb2+ 28. Rxb2 d3+ 29.
Kxd3 Bxb2 $17) 26... Ra8 27. b4 Kf7 (27... b5 $5 {is equally good option} 28.
cxb5 cxb5 (28... Nxb5 29. Nxb5 cxb5 30. Rc1) 29. Ne4 (29. Bxd4 exd4 30. Nxb5
Ra4) 29... Rc8) 28. Ne4 h6 29. Bd2 (29. Bxd4 exd4 30. Ke2 Ra4 31. Kd3 Rxb4 32.
b3 c5 {Rook will escape}) 29... b5 30. c5 (30. cxb5 Nxb5 31. Bc3 Nd6 $17) 30...
Ke6 31. Ke3 Rd8 (31... Kd5 32. Bc3) 32. Bc3 Nc2+ 33. Ke2 (33. Kf3 Nxb4 34. Bxb4
Rd3+ 35. Kf2 Rd4 $19) 33... Nxb4 34. Ng5+ hxg5 35. Bxb4 e4 36. Bd2 Bf6 (36...
Bf6 37. Ra1 Bxb2 38. Ra7 Bf6 39. Rxb7 Kd5) 0-1
Vidit was a point ahead of Murali Karthikeyan when the two met in the tenth round…
Murali Karthikeyan – Vidit Gujrathi
[Event "ONGC 53rd National Premier Chess Champi"]
[Site "Hotel Kasi's Inn,Tiruvarur"]
[Date "2015.11.25"]
[Round "10.4"]
[White "Karthikeyan, Murali"]
[Black "Vidit, Santosh Gujrathi"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C07"]
[WhiteElo "2498"]
[BlackElo "2651"]
[PlyCount "125"]
[EventDate "2015.11.15"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "IND"]
[SourceDate "2003.06.08"]
[Site "Hotel Kasi's Inn,Tiruvarur"]
[Date "2015.11.25"]
[Round "10.4"]
[White "Karthikeyan, Murali"]
[Black "Vidit, Santosh Gujrathi"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C07"]
[WhiteElo "2498"]
[BlackElo "2651"]
[PlyCount "125"]
[EventDate "2015.11.15"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "IND"]
[SourceDate "2003.06.08"]
1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nd2 c5 4. dxc5 Nf6 5. exd5 Qxd5 6. Ngf3 Qxc5 7. Bd3 Nbd7
8. O-O Qc7 9. c4 Be7 10. b3 b6 11. Bb2 Bb7 12. Qe2 Rd8 13. Rad1 O-O 14. Ne4 Nh5
15. Qe3 Nf4 16. Bb1 f5 17. Nc3 Bc5 18. Nb5 Bxe3 (18... Qb8 {would have been
simply better for black.}) 19. Nxc7 Bxf3 20. gxf3 Bc5 21. Bc1 $1 Ne2+ 22. Kg2
Nxc1 23. Nxe6 Ne2 24. Rd2 Nd4 25. Nxd8 Rxd8 26. b4 {The move Vidit may have
missed originally.} Nxf3 27. Rd5 $1 $16 (27. Kxf3 Ne5+ 28. Ke2 Rxd2+ 29. Kxd2
Bxb4+ $14) 27... Nh4+ 28. Kg3 Bxb4 29. Kxh4 Be7+ 30. Kh3 Nc5 31. Rxd8+ Bxd8 32.
Rd1 Bf6 33. Bxf5 g6 34. Bc2 Kf7 35. f4 Be7 36. Kg4 Kg7 37. h4 Kf7 38. Rd5 Kg7
39. Rd1 Kf7 40. h5 Kf6 41. Rd2 gxh5+ 42. Kxh5 Ne6 43. Kg4 h6 44. Kf3 Bc5 45.
Rg2 Nd4+ 46. Ke4 a5 47. Rh2 Nf5 48. Bd1 Nd6+ 49. Kd5 Nf5 50. Kc6 Ne3 51. Be2
Kf5 52. Rxh6 Kxf4 53. Kb5 Ke5 54. Rxb6 Bxb6 55. Kxb6 Kd4 56. Kb5 a4 57. c5 Nd5
58. Bf3 Ne7 59. c6 a3 60. c7 Kc3 61. Bg4 Kb2 62. Be6 Kb1 63. Kc5 1-0
8. O-O Qc7 9. c4 Be7 10. b3 b6 11. Bb2 Bb7 12. Qe2 Rd8 13. Rad1 O-O 14. Ne4 Nh5
15. Qe3 Nf4 16. Bb1 f5 17. Nc3 Bc5 18. Nb5 Bxe3 (18... Qb8 {would have been
simply better for black.}) 19. Nxc7 Bxf3 20. gxf3 Bc5 21. Bc1 $1 Ne2+ 22. Kg2
Nxc1 23. Nxe6 Ne2 24. Rd2 Nd4 25. Nxd8 Rxd8 26. b4 {The move Vidit may have
missed originally.} Nxf3 27. Rd5 $1 $16 (27. Kxf3 Ne5+ 28. Ke2 Rxd2+ 29. Kxd2
Bxb4+ $14) 27... Nh4+ 28. Kg3 Bxb4 29. Kxh4 Be7+ 30. Kh3 Nc5 31. Rxd8+ Bxd8 32.
Rd1 Bf6 33. Bxf5 g6 34. Bc2 Kf7 35. f4 Be7 36. Kg4 Kg7 37. h4 Kf7 38. Rd5 Kg7
39. Rd1 Kf7 40. h5 Kf6 41. Rd2 gxh5+ 42. Kxh5 Ne6 43. Kg4 h6 44. Kf3 Bc5 45.
Rg2 Nd4+ 46. Ke4 a5 47. Rh2 Nf5 48. Bd1 Nd6+ 49. Kd5 Nf5 50. Kc6 Ne3 51. Be2
Kf5 52. Rxh6 Kxf4 53. Kb5 Ke5 54. Rxb6 Bxb6 55. Kxb6 Kd4 56. Kb5 a4 57. c5 Nd5
58. Bf3 Ne7 59. c6 a3 60. c7 Kc3 61. Bg4 Kb2 62. Be6 Kb1 63. Kc5 1-0
At this point, Vidit knew that something had gone wrong…
26.b4! The critical move that eventually won Karthikeyan the game
Therefore, after ten rounds, Vidit and M. Karthikeyan were in the joint lead. Vidit took on GM Neelotpal Das and was narrowly able to hold a draw. Meanwhile, M. Karthikeyan faced no difficulties in holding…
…GM Abhijit Kunte (2515), who was the third player to begin the tournament with 0/2
Although he was nowhere in contention, the following tactic is surely a memorable one:
Arghyadip Das-Abhijit Kunte
[Event "ONGC 53rd National Premier Chess Champi"]
[Site "Hotel Kasi's Inn,Tiruvarur"]
[Date "2015.11.23"]
[Round "8.2"]
[White "Das, Arghyadip"]
[Black "Kunte, Abhijit"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B41"]
[WhiteElo "2456"]
[BlackElo "2515"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "br4k1/3r1pp1/3p1n1p/pPp1q3/2B1P3/P1N1Q3/5RPP/3R2K1 w - - 0 32"]
[PlyCount "16"]
[EventDate "2015.11.15"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "IND"]
[SourceDate "2003.06.08"]
[Site "Hotel Kasi's Inn,Tiruvarur"]
[Date "2015.11.23"]
[Round "8.2"]
[White "Das, Arghyadip"]
[Black "Kunte, Abhijit"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B41"]
[WhiteElo "2456"]
[BlackElo "2515"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "br4k1/3r1pp1/3p1n1p/pPp1q3/2B1P3/P1N1Q3/5RPP/3R2K1 w - - 0 32"]
[PlyCount "16"]
[EventDate "2015.11.15"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "IND"]
[SourceDate "2003.06.08"]
32. Rf5 $4 {White played this as if it were the most natural move in the world,
however he failed to spot Black's devious idea.} Qxh2+ $1 33. Kxh2 Ng4+ 34. Kg1
Nxe3 35. Be2 Nxd1 $19 36. Bxd1 Re8 37. Bf3 Re5 38. Rxe5 dxe5 39. Na4 c4 0-1
however he failed to spot Black's devious idea.} Qxh2+ $1 33. Kxh2 Ng4+ 34. Kg1
Nxe3 35. Be2 Nxd1 $19 36. Bxd1 Re8 37. Bf3 Re5 38. Rxe5 dxe5 39. Na4 c4 0-1
GM Swapnil Dhopade (2497)
In the penultimate round, Vidit was only able to draw with GM Deep Sengupta, and M. Karthikeyan took full advantage of this opportunity to beat GM Swapnil Dhopade, and steal the lead!
Swapnil commented: "I just wanted to give my best in all the games. But unfortunately I messed up many better positions. So, obviously the tournament wasn't that great for me. I learned a lot of things from this tournament, especially the areas on which I need to work on. Hopefully I will improve on these areas. Nevertheless, I liked this last round win over GM Neelotpal Das."
Swapnil Dhopade-Neelotpal Das (Analysis by GM Swapnil Dhopade)
[Event "National Premier 2015, Thiruvarur"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2015.12.01"]
[Round "13"]
[White "Dhopade, Swapnil"]
[Black "Das, Neelotpal"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D37"]
[WhiteElo "2497"]
[BlackElo "2475"]
[PlyCount "119"]
[EventDate "2015.??.??"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2015.12.01"]
[Round "13"]
[White "Dhopade, Swapnil"]
[Black "Das, Neelotpal"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D37"]
[WhiteElo "2497"]
[BlackElo "2475"]
[PlyCount "119"]
[EventDate "2015.??.??"]
{The second half of the tournament didn't go well for me. So, I desperately
wanted to win the last round.} 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 Be7 5. Bf4
O-O 6. e3 Nbd7 7. cxd5 {this is rarely played.} (7. c5 {is the main line here.}
) (7. Qc2 c5 8. Rd1 {is recently in fashion.}) 7... Nxd5 8. Nxd5 exd5 9. Bd3 c5
(9... Bb4+ {is the principled response.} 10. Nd2 c5 11. a3 Bxd2+ 12. Qxd2 cxd4
13. exd4 Re8+ 14. Be3 Nf6 15. f3 Qb6 16. O-O Bd7 17. a4 a5 18. Rfc1 Rec8 19.
Rc5 Qe6 20. Bf2 b6 21. Rxc8+ Rxc8 22. b3 Qc6 23. Be1 Ne8 24. Ba6 Rc7 25. Bd3
Qf6 26. Bf2 Qc6 27. Re1 Qc3 28. Qe3 Rc8 29. g4 g6 30. Qe7 Be6 31. Ba6 Rb8 32.
Rxe6 fxe6 33. Qxe6+ Kf8 34. Qxd5 Qc7 35. Bc4 Nf6 36. Qg5 Qe7 37. Qf4 {1-0 (37)
Giri, A (2776)-Antipov,M (2520) Doha QAT 2014}) 10. O-O cxd4 $6 {I was pleased
to see this move. Now white gets a pleasant choice between Nd4 and ed4.} (10...
c4 {is the main move here.}) 11. exd4 $5 $14 {Blacks knight is better placed
on c6.} (11. Nxd4 $14 {looks more logical to play against the IQP. But since
black has already developed his knight on d7, ed4 appealed more to me.}) 11...
Nf6 12. Qb3 {preventing the development of the c8 Bishop.} Bd6 13. Bg5 (13. Be5
{might be better} Bg4 14. Bxd6 Qxd6 15. Ne5 Be6 16. Rac1 $14 {white has a
better bishop, well placed knight on e5 plus the b7 pawn is under fire.}) 13...
Qb6 14. Bxf6 Qxb3 15. axb3 gxf6 16. Ne1 $1 {The Knights movements were limited
on f3 so I decided to transfer it to e3 via c2, from where it keeps pressure
on d5 pawn and also keeps control of the f5 square.} Bc7 $1 17. Nc2 Bb6 {
the Bishop is well placed here eyeing the d4 pawn.} 18. Rfd1 {intending Ne3 as
Bd4 can be met by Bh7.} Bg4 19. Rd2 Kg7 20. Ne3 Be6 21. Be2 $1 {now my idea is
to play f4 followed by Bf3.} f5 {black has to paly this at some point to stop
whites f-pawn from advancing to f5, but now blacks f5P becomes another target.}
22. f4 Rfd8 23. Kf2 Rac8 24. g3 Rd6 25. Bf3 {All whites pieces are optimally
placed. Now my simple plan is to exchange both pair of rooks because in the
B+N vs. B+B endgame black will loose one of the weak d5 or f5 pawn.} a6 26. Ke2
Ba7 27. Rd3 {defending b3 in advance.} Rcd8 28. Rc1 Rc6 29. Kd1 (29. Rxc6 bxc6
30. b4 a5 $1) 29... Rxc1+ 30. Kxc1 {on pair of rook exchanged. White is
getting closer to his target.} a5 31. Kc2 Rc8+ 32. Kd2 Rd8 33. Nc2 {intending
to break with b4.} Rc8 34. Rc3 (34. b4 {is also possible but there is no need
to hurry.}) 34... Rc6 35. Kd3 {the king is well placed on d3 supporting the d4
pawn.} Rb6 36. b4 $1 {this powerful break wins the game for white.} axb4 37.
Rb3 Bd7 38. Rxb4 {white achieves his target! black is forced to exchange the
last remaining pair of rooks.} Bb5+ 39. Kd2 Bc6 40. Rxb6 Bxb6 41. Kc3 {now the
N is free to move.} Kf6 42. Ne3 Ke6 43. Bg2 $1 $18 {and black loses on the f5
pawn.} h6 44. Bh3 Kf6 45. Bxf5 Ba5+ 46. b4 {White pawns on the dark squares
effectively dominates blacks dark square B giving black no counterplay.} Bd8
47. Bg4 b6 48. Bc8 Kg6 49. h4 Kf6 50. Bg4 Bb7 51. Bf3 Ke6 52. Ng4 Be7 (52... h5
53. Ne3 $18) 53. Nxh6 f5 54. Bh5 Bc6 55. Bg6 Bf8 56. Nxf5 Be8 57. Bh7 Bh5 58.
Ne3 Bf3 59. Bg8+ Kd6 60. g4 1-0
wanted to win the last round.} 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 Be7 5. Bf4
O-O 6. e3 Nbd7 7. cxd5 {this is rarely played.} (7. c5 {is the main line here.}
) (7. Qc2 c5 8. Rd1 {is recently in fashion.}) 7... Nxd5 8. Nxd5 exd5 9. Bd3 c5
(9... Bb4+ {is the principled response.} 10. Nd2 c5 11. a3 Bxd2+ 12. Qxd2 cxd4
13. exd4 Re8+ 14. Be3 Nf6 15. f3 Qb6 16. O-O Bd7 17. a4 a5 18. Rfc1 Rec8 19.
Rc5 Qe6 20. Bf2 b6 21. Rxc8+ Rxc8 22. b3 Qc6 23. Be1 Ne8 24. Ba6 Rc7 25. Bd3
Qf6 26. Bf2 Qc6 27. Re1 Qc3 28. Qe3 Rc8 29. g4 g6 30. Qe7 Be6 31. Ba6 Rb8 32.
Rxe6 fxe6 33. Qxe6+ Kf8 34. Qxd5 Qc7 35. Bc4 Nf6 36. Qg5 Qe7 37. Qf4 {1-0 (37)
Giri, A (2776)-Antipov,M (2520) Doha QAT 2014}) 10. O-O cxd4 $6 {I was pleased
to see this move. Now white gets a pleasant choice between Nd4 and ed4.} (10...
c4 {is the main move here.}) 11. exd4 $5 $14 {Blacks knight is better placed
on c6.} (11. Nxd4 $14 {looks more logical to play against the IQP. But since
black has already developed his knight on d7, ed4 appealed more to me.}) 11...
Nf6 12. Qb3 {preventing the development of the c8 Bishop.} Bd6 13. Bg5 (13. Be5
{might be better} Bg4 14. Bxd6 Qxd6 15. Ne5 Be6 16. Rac1 $14 {white has a
better bishop, well placed knight on e5 plus the b7 pawn is under fire.}) 13...
Qb6 14. Bxf6 Qxb3 15. axb3 gxf6 16. Ne1 $1 {The Knights movements were limited
on f3 so I decided to transfer it to e3 via c2, from where it keeps pressure
on d5 pawn and also keeps control of the f5 square.} Bc7 $1 17. Nc2 Bb6 {
the Bishop is well placed here eyeing the d4 pawn.} 18. Rfd1 {intending Ne3 as
Bd4 can be met by Bh7.} Bg4 19. Rd2 Kg7 20. Ne3 Be6 21. Be2 $1 {now my idea is
to play f4 followed by Bf3.} f5 {black has to paly this at some point to stop
whites f-pawn from advancing to f5, but now blacks f5P becomes another target.}
22. f4 Rfd8 23. Kf2 Rac8 24. g3 Rd6 25. Bf3 {All whites pieces are optimally
placed. Now my simple plan is to exchange both pair of rooks because in the
B+N vs. B+B endgame black will loose one of the weak d5 or f5 pawn.} a6 26. Ke2
Ba7 27. Rd3 {defending b3 in advance.} Rcd8 28. Rc1 Rc6 29. Kd1 (29. Rxc6 bxc6
30. b4 a5 $1) 29... Rxc1+ 30. Kxc1 {on pair of rook exchanged. White is
getting closer to his target.} a5 31. Kc2 Rc8+ 32. Kd2 Rd8 33. Nc2 {intending
to break with b4.} Rc8 34. Rc3 (34. b4 {is also possible but there is no need
to hurry.}) 34... Rc6 35. Kd3 {the king is well placed on d3 supporting the d4
pawn.} Rb6 36. b4 $1 {this powerful break wins the game for white.} axb4 37.
Rb3 Bd7 38. Rxb4 {white achieves his target! black is forced to exchange the
last remaining pair of rooks.} Bb5+ 39. Kd2 Bc6 40. Rxb6 Bxb6 41. Kc3 {now the
N is free to move.} Kf6 42. Ne3 Ke6 43. Bg2 $1 $18 {and black loses on the f5
pawn.} h6 44. Bh3 Kf6 45. Bxf5 Ba5+ 46. b4 {White pawns on the dark squares
effectively dominates blacks dark square B giving black no counterplay.} Bd8
47. Bg4 b6 48. Bc8 Kg6 49. h4 Kf6 50. Bg4 Bb7 51. Bf3 Ke6 52. Ng4 Be7 (52... h5
53. Ne3 $18) 53. Nxh6 f5 54. Bh5 Bc6 55. Bg6 Bf8 56. Nxf5 Be8 57. Bh7 Bh5 58.
Ne3 Bf3 59. Bg8+ Kd6 60. g4 1-0
Meanwhile, S.P. Sethuraman was completing a remarkable comeback after a bad start to the tournament.
Venkatesh-Sethuraman (Analysis by GM S.P. Sethuraman)
[Event "53rd ch-IND 2015"]
[Site "Thiruvarur IND"]
[Date "2015.11.27"]
[Round "12.1"]
[White "Venkatesh, M."]
[Black "Sethuraman, S."]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "A05"]
[WhiteElo "2464"]
[BlackElo "2651"]
[Annotator "S.P. Sethuraman"]
[PlyCount "74"]
[EventDate "2015.11.15"]
[Site "Thiruvarur IND"]
[Date "2015.11.27"]
[Round "12.1"]
[White "Venkatesh, M."]
[Black "Sethuraman, S."]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "A05"]
[WhiteElo "2464"]
[BlackElo "2651"]
[Annotator "S.P. Sethuraman"]
[PlyCount "74"]
[EventDate "2015.11.15"]
1. Nf3 Nf6 2. g3 c5 3. Bg2 Nc6 4. d3 d5 5. Nbd2 g6 6. O-O Bg7 7. e4 O-O 8. Re1
e5 9. exd5 Nxd5 {A reversed Fianchetto in Kings Indian.} 10. Nc4 f6 11. Nfd2
Be6 12. Ne4 Qe7 13. f4 exf4 14. gxf4 (14. Ned6 f3 (14... Qd7 $5) 15. Qxf3 Ne5)
14... Rad8 15. Qf3 Nd4 16. Qf2 Nb4 17. Na3 (17. Ne3 Ndxc2 18. Nxc2 Nxd3 19. Qf1
Nxe1 $17) 17... h6 {Since the knight was stuck on a3 i thought it was not
necessary to enter the position with two pieces for rook with 17....Ndc2} (
17... Ndxc2 18. Nxc2 Nxd3 $17) 18. Be3 f5 19. Ng3 b5 20. Rad1 Nxa2 21. c3 b4
22. Nb1 Nb3 23. Qc2 a5 24. Bc6 (24. c4 Nd4 25. Qa4 b3) 24... Qf6 25. Ba4 Na1 {
Dominating Knights on a2 and a1!} 26. Qf2 Bb3 $19 27. Bb5 Bxd1 28. Bc4+ Kh7 29.
Rxd1 bxc3 30. bxc3 Nxc3 31. Nxc3 Qxc3 32. Qa2 Nc2 33. Rc1 Rfe8 34. Bf2 Nb4 35.
Rxc3 Nxa2 36. Ra3 Nb4 37. Rxa5 Nxd3 0-1
e5 9. exd5 Nxd5 {A reversed Fianchetto in Kings Indian.} 10. Nc4 f6 11. Nfd2
Be6 12. Ne4 Qe7 13. f4 exf4 14. gxf4 (14. Ned6 f3 (14... Qd7 $5) 15. Qxf3 Ne5)
14... Rad8 15. Qf3 Nd4 16. Qf2 Nb4 17. Na3 (17. Ne3 Ndxc2 18. Nxc2 Nxd3 19. Qf1
Nxe1 $17) 17... h6 {Since the knight was stuck on a3 i thought it was not
necessary to enter the position with two pieces for rook with 17....Ndc2} (
17... Ndxc2 18. Nxc2 Nxd3 $17) 18. Be3 f5 19. Ng3 b5 20. Rad1 Nxa2 21. c3 b4
22. Nb1 Nb3 23. Qc2 a5 24. Bc6 (24. c4 Nd4 25. Qa4 b3) 24... Qf6 25. Ba4 Na1 {
Dominating Knights on a2 and a1!} 26. Qf2 Bb3 $19 27. Bb5 Bxd1 28. Bc4+ Kh7 29.
Rxd1 bxc3 30. bxc3 Nxc3 31. Nxc3 Qxc3 32. Qa2 Nc2 33. Rc1 Rfe8 34. Bf2 Nb4 35.
Rxc3 Nxa2 36. Ra3 Nb4 37. Rxa5 Nxd3 0-1
Sethu: I liked the position of my knights on a2 and a1 -- picturesque!
Despite having a horrendous first-half, Sethu regally climbed back to contention in the final few rounds. Nevertheless, he was not too happy with his performance. "Strangely I have been spending too much in all my games. To balance my time consumption effectively was one of the key lessons I learnt from this tournament."
Murali Karthikeyan needed a draw with Arghyadip Das to become the 2015 National Champion of India. In case he happened to lose, it would open up doors for both Vidit and Sethuraman. The only way Vidit would win the tournament is by winning with the white pieces against Shyam Sundar M. and at the same time, M. Karthikeyan lost with black to Arghyadip. Sethuraman would join the race if he managed to win and M. Karthikeyan lost while Vidit drew or lost his game. In such a case, since Karthikeyan had beaten Vidit but lost to Sethuraman, while Sethuraman had drawn with Vidit as well, Sethuraman would be the winner!
The pressure had reached a boiling point in the final round as Vidit took on…
…GM Shyamsundar M. (2481)
Vidit-Shyamsundar (Analysis by FM Nihal Sarin)
[Event "ONGC 53rd National Premier Chess Champi"]
[Site "Hotel Kasi's Inn,Tiruvarur"]
[Date "2015.11.28"]
[Round "13.3"]
[White "Vidit, Santosh Gujrathi"]
[Black "Shyam, Sundar M"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E04"]
[WhiteElo "2651"]
[BlackElo "2481"]
[Annotator "Nihal Sarin"]
[PlyCount "104"]
[EventDate "2015.11.15"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "IND"]
[SourceDate "2003.06.08"]
[Site "Hotel Kasi's Inn,Tiruvarur"]
[Date "2015.11.28"]
[Round "13.3"]
[White "Vidit, Santosh Gujrathi"]
[Black "Shyam, Sundar M"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E04"]
[WhiteElo "2651"]
[BlackElo "2481"]
[Annotator "Nihal Sarin"]
[PlyCount "104"]
[EventDate "2015.11.15"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "IND"]
[SourceDate "2003.06.08"]
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. g3 d5 4. Bg2 dxc4 5. Nf3 Bb4+ 6. Nbd2 b5 {Black is
trying to save his extra pawn.} 7. O-O a5 8. a3 Be7 9. b3 cxb3 10. Qxb3 O-O 11.
Qxb5 c5 $5 {Black challenges the centre immediately.} 12. dxc5 Ba6 13. Qb2 Nd5
$6 (13... Nc6 $5) 14. Ne4 Nd7 15. c6 N7f6 16. Nd4 $1 {Protecting the c6 pawn,
keeping thefuture in mind.} Nxe4 17. Bxe4 Bf6 18. Rd1 h6 19. Qc2 Bxe2 $1 {
The best practical chance to complicate the matters.} 20. Nxe2 Bxa1 21. Nf4 Be5
22. Bxd5 $6 (22. Nxd5 $16 {Would have been better.}) 22... exd5 23. Nxd5 Rc8 {
White has a strong passed pawn on c6.White has only one pawn for the exchange,
but the passer provides more than sufficient compensation for the exchange.}
24. Be3 Qe8 25. c7 (25. Qc5 $5 Kh8 26. Ne7 Rc7 27. Qxe5 Rxe7 28. Qc5 $16) 25...
Qe6 26. Bb6 h5 27. Bxa5 h4 28. Qe4 hxg3 29. hxg3 Rfe8 30. Bb4 $2 (30. Kg2 $5
Bxg3 $2 31. Qxe6 fxe6 32. Kxg3 exd5 33. Rxd5 $18) 30... Bxg3 $1 {Now the
position is very drawish. (Played with less than one minute on the clock.)} 31.
Qxe6 fxe6 32. Ne7+ (32. Nb6 Bxc7 33. Nxc8 Rxc8 $11) 32... Rxe7 33. Bxe7 Bxc7
34. Kg2 Bb6 35. Rd2 Rc4 36. Rd6 Kf7 37. Rd7 Kg6 38. Rb7 Bd4 39. Rb4 Rxb4 40.
axb4 Kf7 41. Bc5 Bxc5 42. bxc5 Ke7 43. Kf3 Kd7 44. Ke4 Kc6 45. Kd4 e5+ 46. Kxe5
Kxc5 47. f4 Kc4 48. f5 Kd3 49. Kf4 Kd4 50. Kg5 Ke4 51. Kg6 Kf4 52. Kxg7 Kxf5
1/2-1/2
trying to save his extra pawn.} 7. O-O a5 8. a3 Be7 9. b3 cxb3 10. Qxb3 O-O 11.
Qxb5 c5 $5 {Black challenges the centre immediately.} 12. dxc5 Ba6 13. Qb2 Nd5
$6 (13... Nc6 $5) 14. Ne4 Nd7 15. c6 N7f6 16. Nd4 $1 {Protecting the c6 pawn,
keeping thefuture in mind.} Nxe4 17. Bxe4 Bf6 18. Rd1 h6 19. Qc2 Bxe2 $1 {
The best practical chance to complicate the matters.} 20. Nxe2 Bxa1 21. Nf4 Be5
22. Bxd5 $6 (22. Nxd5 $16 {Would have been better.}) 22... exd5 23. Nxd5 Rc8 {
White has a strong passed pawn on c6.White has only one pawn for the exchange,
but the passer provides more than sufficient compensation for the exchange.}
24. Be3 Qe8 25. c7 (25. Qc5 $5 Kh8 26. Ne7 Rc7 27. Qxe5 Rxe7 28. Qc5 $16) 25...
Qe6 26. Bb6 h5 27. Bxa5 h4 28. Qe4 hxg3 29. hxg3 Rfe8 30. Bb4 $2 (30. Kg2 $5
Bxg3 $2 31. Qxe6 fxe6 32. Kxg3 exd5 33. Rxd5 $18) 30... Bxg3 $1 {Now the
position is very drawish. (Played with less than one minute on the clock.)} 31.
Qxe6 fxe6 32. Ne7+ (32. Nb6 Bxc7 33. Nxc8 Rxc8 $11) 32... Rxe7 33. Bxe7 Bxc7
34. Kg2 Bb6 35. Rd2 Rc4 36. Rd6 Kf7 37. Rd7 Kg6 38. Rb7 Bd4 39. Rb4 Rxb4 40.
axb4 Kf7 41. Bc5 Bxc5 42. bxc5 Ke7 43. Kf3 Kd7 44. Ke4 Kc6 45. Kd4 e5+ 46. Kxe5
Kxc5 47. f4 Kc4 48. f5 Kd3 49. Kf4 Kd4 50. Kg5 Ke4 51. Kg6 Kf4 52. Kxg7 Kxf5
1/2-1/2
Vidit had a serene advantage when Shyamsundar decided to stir the pot 19… Bxe2. The game eventually ended in a draw.
Vidit looked dazed as he stared at his position during the final few moves. "I started quite well, but somehow in the last rounds, I didn't capitalize on the chances and finish strong enough. Good nerves are more important than I thought!" Vidit noted while summarizing his almost successful campaign.
Meanwhile, M. Karthikeyan was beaten soundly!
The man who spoiled his party was IM Arghyadip Das (2456)
Arghyadip Das-M. Karthikeyan (FM Nihal Sarin)
[Event "ONGC 53rd National Premier Chess Champi"]
[Site "Hotel Kasi's Inn,Tiruvarur"]
[Date "2015.11.28"]
[Round "13.6"]
[White "Das, Arghyadip"]
[Black "Karthikeyan, Murali"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B09"]
[WhiteElo "2456"]
[BlackElo "2498"]
[Annotator "NIhal Sarin"]
[PlyCount "181"]
[EventDate "2015.11.15"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "IND"]
[SourceDate "2003.06.08"]
[Site "Hotel Kasi's Inn,Tiruvarur"]
[Date "2015.11.28"]
[Round "13.6"]
[White "Das, Arghyadip"]
[Black "Karthikeyan, Murali"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B09"]
[WhiteElo "2456"]
[BlackElo "2498"]
[Annotator "NIhal Sarin"]
[PlyCount "181"]
[EventDate "2015.11.15"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "IND"]
[SourceDate "2003.06.08"]
1. e4 g6 2. d4 Bg7 3. Nc3 d6 4. f4 Nf6 5. Nf3 O-O 6. e5 dxe5 7. fxe5 Nd5 8. Bc4
Be6 9. Bxd5 Bxd5 10. Nxd5 Qxd5 11. Qe2 e6 12. c4 {White has a space advantage
and the better centre control.Black will play c5 and try to challenge the
centre.White will try to maintain his pawn on e5,and lock the black bishop on
g7.} Qd7 13. Bf4 c5 14. dxc5 Na6 $6 (14... Qc7 $5 15. O-O Qxc5+ 16. Kh1 Nc6 $11
) 15. O-O Qc7 16. a3 Nxc5 17. b4 Nd7 18. Rac1 Nb6 (18... a5 $5 {was better.})
19. Be3 Rfc8 20. Bc5 $16 Nxc4 $2 21. Rxc4 $6 (21. Qxc4 $1 b6 22. Ng5 bxc5 23.
Nxf7 Qe7 24. Nd6 Rf8 25. Qxc5 Rxf1+ 26. Rxf1 $16) 21... b6 22. Ng5 $1 {White
sees that he can win a pawn.} bxc5 23. Rxf7 Qb6 24. bxc5 Rxc5 25. Rxg7+ $1 Kxg7
26. Nxe6+ (26. Rxc5 $4 Qxc5+ $19 {It is a check,so white cannot play Nxe6 fork.
}) 26... Qxe6 27. Rxc5 Qb6 28. Qb5 h5 29. a4 Rd8 (29... Qd8 $5) 30. Qxb6 axb6
31. Rc7+ Kh6 32. e6 $1 Re8 33. Rc6 Ra8 34. e7 Kg7 35. Rd6 Re8 36. Rxb6 Rxe7 37.
Rb1 $1 {The rook must go behind the pawn,according to theory.} Ra7 38. Ra1 Ra5
39. Kf2 Kf6 40. Ke3 Ke5 41. Kd3 Kd6 42. Kc4 Kc7 43. Ra2 Kb6 44. Kd4 {The king
goes to the kingside,to capture the pawns.} Rg5 45. a5+ Ka6 46. Ke4 Rf5 47. Rd2
$1 {White is winning here.Black will lose both of his pawns.} Rxa5 $4 (47...
Kxa5 $2 48. Rd5+ Rxd5 49. Kxd5 Kb4 50. Ke5 Kc3 51. Kf6 Kd4 52. Kxg6 h4 53. Kg5
$18) (47... Rf6 $1 {would have made white's task more difficult.}) 48. Rd6+ Kb7
49. Rxg6 h4 50. h3 $2 (50. g4 $1 Ra2 51. h3 Ra3 52. Rh6 Rxh3 53. g5 Kc7 54. Kf5
Kd7 55. Kg4 Rh1 56. Rxh4 Rg1+ 57. Kh5 Ke6 58. Rf4 Ke5 59. Rf2 $18) 50... Rh5
51. Kf4 Kc7 52. Kg4 Rh8 53. Kg5 Kd7 54. Kf6 Ke8 55. Rg5 Kf8 $2 (55... Rf8+ 56.
Ke6 Rh8 57. Rg7 Rh6+ 58. Kf5 Rh5+ 59. Kg4 Rh8 $14) 56. Ra5 Rh6+ 57. Kg5 Rc6 58.
Kxh4 $18 {White is simply winning.} Kg7 59. Ra3 Kg6 60. g4 Rb6 61. Kg3 Rc6 62.
h4 Rb6 63. h5+ Kh6 64. Kh4 Rb4 65. Ra5 Rc4 66. Re5 Rb4 67. Re6+ Kg7 68. Kg5
Rb5+ 69. Kf4 Rb1 70. Kf5 Rf1+ 71. Kg5 Ra1 72. Re7+ Kg8 73. h6 Ra6 74. Kh5 Rb6
75. g5 Rb5 76. Kg6 Rb8 77. Rg7+ Kh8 78. Rf7 Kg8 79. Rf5 Rb6+ 80. Kh5 Rb1 81. g6
Rh1+ 82. Kg5 Rg1+ 83. Kf6 Rg2 84. Rd5 Rf2+ 85. Kg5 Rg2+ 86. Kf5 Rf2+ 87. Ke4
Re2+ 88. Kf3 Re8 89. Kf4 Ra8 90. Kg5 Rb8 91. h7+ 1-0
Be6 9. Bxd5 Bxd5 10. Nxd5 Qxd5 11. Qe2 e6 12. c4 {White has a space advantage
and the better centre control.Black will play c5 and try to challenge the
centre.White will try to maintain his pawn on e5,and lock the black bishop on
g7.} Qd7 13. Bf4 c5 14. dxc5 Na6 $6 (14... Qc7 $5 15. O-O Qxc5+ 16. Kh1 Nc6 $11
) 15. O-O Qc7 16. a3 Nxc5 17. b4 Nd7 18. Rac1 Nb6 (18... a5 $5 {was better.})
19. Be3 Rfc8 20. Bc5 $16 Nxc4 $2 21. Rxc4 $6 (21. Qxc4 $1 b6 22. Ng5 bxc5 23.
Nxf7 Qe7 24. Nd6 Rf8 25. Qxc5 Rxf1+ 26. Rxf1 $16) 21... b6 22. Ng5 $1 {White
sees that he can win a pawn.} bxc5 23. Rxf7 Qb6 24. bxc5 Rxc5 25. Rxg7+ $1 Kxg7
26. Nxe6+ (26. Rxc5 $4 Qxc5+ $19 {It is a check,so white cannot play Nxe6 fork.
}) 26... Qxe6 27. Rxc5 Qb6 28. Qb5 h5 29. a4 Rd8 (29... Qd8 $5) 30. Qxb6 axb6
31. Rc7+ Kh6 32. e6 $1 Re8 33. Rc6 Ra8 34. e7 Kg7 35. Rd6 Re8 36. Rxb6 Rxe7 37.
Rb1 $1 {The rook must go behind the pawn,according to theory.} Ra7 38. Ra1 Ra5
39. Kf2 Kf6 40. Ke3 Ke5 41. Kd3 Kd6 42. Kc4 Kc7 43. Ra2 Kb6 44. Kd4 {The king
goes to the kingside,to capture the pawns.} Rg5 45. a5+ Ka6 46. Ke4 Rf5 47. Rd2
$1 {White is winning here.Black will lose both of his pawns.} Rxa5 $4 (47...
Kxa5 $2 48. Rd5+ Rxd5 49. Kxd5 Kb4 50. Ke5 Kc3 51. Kf6 Kd4 52. Kxg6 h4 53. Kg5
$18) (47... Rf6 $1 {would have made white's task more difficult.}) 48. Rd6+ Kb7
49. Rxg6 h4 50. h3 $2 (50. g4 $1 Ra2 51. h3 Ra3 52. Rh6 Rxh3 53. g5 Kc7 54. Kf5
Kd7 55. Kg4 Rh1 56. Rxh4 Rg1+ 57. Kh5 Ke6 58. Rf4 Ke5 59. Rf2 $18) 50... Rh5
51. Kf4 Kc7 52. Kg4 Rh8 53. Kg5 Kd7 54. Kf6 Ke8 55. Rg5 Kf8 $2 (55... Rf8+ 56.
Ke6 Rh8 57. Rg7 Rh6+ 58. Kf5 Rh5+ 59. Kg4 Rh8 $14) 56. Ra5 Rh6+ 57. Kg5 Rc6 58.
Kxh4 $18 {White is simply winning.} Kg7 59. Ra3 Kg6 60. g4 Rb6 61. Kg3 Rc6 62.
h4 Rb6 63. h5+ Kh6 64. Kh4 Rb4 65. Ra5 Rc4 66. Re5 Rb4 67. Re6+ Kg7 68. Kg5
Rb5+ 69. Kf4 Rb1 70. Kf5 Rf1+ 71. Kg5 Ra1 72. Re7+ Kg8 73. h6 Ra6 74. Kh5 Rb6
75. g5 Rb5 76. Kg6 Rb8 77. Rg7+ Kh8 78. Rf7 Kg8 79. Rf5 Rb6+ 80. Kh5 Rb1 81. g6
Rh1+ 82. Kg5 Rg1+ 83. Kf6 Rg2 84. Rd5 Rf2+ 85. Kg5 Rg2+ 86. Kf5 Rf2+ 87. Ke4
Re2+ 88. Kf3 Re8 89. Kf4 Ra8 90. Kg5 Rb8 91. h7+ 1-0
Nevertheless, as it so happened, both Sethuraman and Vidit were only able to draw their games, and Murali Karthikeyan was crowned the champion anyway.
You may gauge how much love the state of Tamil Nadu, the birthplace of Vishy Anand, has for chess and their players!
Murali Karthikeyan with his proud parents
Special thanks to FM Nihal Sarin for analyzing the games in this report.