Sinquefield Cup R1: Caruana scores a brilliant win
Shahid Ahmed·3 min read
The fifth and final leg of the Grand Chess Tour 2021 is Sinquefield Cup. The first round had three winners - Caruana, Leinier and Vachier-Lagrave. While MVL and Leinier scored relatively comfortable victories over Svidler and Swiercz respectively, Caruana scripted a beautiful win over Shankland which is definitely an early contender for the brilliancy prize worth US$ 5000. Mamedyarov made the biggest escape of the day against So as he was completely lost in the endgame till the American loosened his grip and let him escape with a draw. Round 2 starts tonight from 1:30 a.m. IST. Photo: Austin Fuller/Grand Chess Tour
The eighth edition of Sinquefield 2021 witnessed three decisive games. One of the draws could have been decisive too, if only So capitalized on his advantage. Unfortunately for him, Mamedyarov made an escape with a draw.
Caruana's win is undoubtedly the game of the day | Photo: Austin Fuller/Grand Chess Tour
So - Mamedyarov: 0.5-0.5
Mamedyarov got himself in deep trouble in the endgame after he made an incorrect decision about his isolated queen's pawn.
Position after 28.Nxf4
Black's d5-pawn is under attack, how should he respond? Mamedyarov played 28...d4 which landed him in quite a bit of trouble.
Position after 38...Nxd5
White is completely winning here. Find out the best continuation. So opted for 39.Bd3 which allowed Black to get back in the game 39...Rxc5 and White's all advantage evaporated.
Mamedyarov would definitely be happy to escape with a draw | Photo: Lennart Ootes/Grand Chess Tour
Vachier-Lagrave - Svidler: 1-0
Svidler made a strange retreat in a seemingly equal endgame which cost him the game.
Position after 25...Ne8
Try to figure out why 25...Ne8 is a huge mistake and what Black could have done instead. Vachier-Lagrave wrapped up the game in another six moves.
Interview with Vachier-Lagrave | Video: Saint Louis Chess Club
Vachier-Lagrave would like to win his second event of the season and win the entire Grand Chess Tour 2021 | Photo: Lennart Ootes/Grand Chess Tour
Xiong and Rapport had a solid draw | Photo: Crystal Fuller/Grand Chess Tour
Caruana - Shankland: 1-0
Caruana launched a beautiful attack after Shankland made a positional inaccuracy in an already difficult position.
Position after 27...Ndf5
27...Ndf5 does not serve the purpose with which Black played the move. Instead, it only helps White. How? Black was already in dire straits. Perhaps 27...Rxf2 was a relatively better option. Caruana converted his advantage into a win comfortably.
Interview with Fabiano Caruana | Video: Saint Louis Chess Club
Caruana is off to a good start | Photo: Lennart Ootes/Grand Chess Tour
Swiercz - Leinier: 0-1
Swiercz misplayed in the queen and minor piece endgame, which allowed his opponent Leinier to create a passed pawn.
Position after 37.Bd1
37.Bd1 is a mistake, as Black gets to create a passed pawn via 37...b4. White should have played 38.d5 instead which would have kept things fine.
Interview with Leinier Dominguez Perez | Video: Saint Louis Chess Club
Swiercz got swerved in the endgame | Photo: Lennart Ootes/Grand Chess Tour
Photo Gallery:
Nakamura playing Titled Tuesday at Saint Louis Chess Club and he created another record, a day after making GCT record | Photo: Lennart Ootes/Grand Chess Tour
The spooky eyes tell the story of what Caruana composed on the board | Photo: Lennart Ootes/Grand Chess Tour
Can you guess the man standing by the window? | Photo: Lennart Ootes/Grand Chess Tour
By now we are all well-versed with how So keeps his chair while playing | Photo: Lennart Ootes/Grand Chess Tour
Mamedyarov seems to have won the rock, papers and scissors battle | Photo: Austin Fuller/Grand Chess Tour
Xiong made a good start by making a solid draw against Rapport | Photo: Crystal Fuller/Grand Chess Tour
Replay Round 1 games
Round 1 results
Three games ended decisively in the first round | Photo: Grand Chess Tour
Standings after Round 1
Caruana, Vachier-Lagrave and Leinier score a victory each | Photo: Grand Chess Tour
2021 Sinquefield Cup Round 1 - Live commentary by GMs Alejandro Ramirez, Yasser Seirawan, and Maurice Ashley | Video: Saint Louis Chess Club
