Chess Room Newsletter #953

Newsletter #953

January 29, 2021

By Abel Talamantez

Table of Contents

• 2021 US Amateur Team West
• TNM Report
• ThNM
• Swindle of the Year
• Twitch Arena
• Weekly Classes
• Online Events Schedule
• Scholastic Corner
• FM Paul Whitehead's Column
• GM Nick de Firmian's Column
• Submit your piece or feedback

2021 US Amateur Team West Championship This Weekend!

The 2021 US Amateur Team West Championship starts tomorrow, and it is shaping up to be quite the battle. There will be 75 teams and 300 players seated in our virtual club competing in one of the greatest open-team battles in the country. The Mechanics' Institute is proud to host this event for the 2nd year in a row, with games being manually paired on Chess.com by our very experienced TD crew, led by Dr. Judit Sztaray and Chief TD John McCumiskey. This will be the first event of the 2021 amateur team events, which will go on through the end of February with championships from the North, South, and East. The winners of each region compete in the national semi-final to determine the US Amateur Team Champion. 

We will provide full coverage of the event on our Twitch channel starting at 9:30am Pacific time here: https://www.twitch.tv/mechanicschess

You can get full information on the event page, including updated standings, results, and list of players and round times: https://www.milibrary.org/chess/usatw

Here is the current team list as of Friday at 6am. As you can see, it will be quite a battle with a who's who of players and teams. We hope to see everyone join us on the broadcast this weekend, and good luck to all the players!

See the Teams who entered

Teams in the 1800+ Section

Teams in the u1800 Section

January 2021 TNM Report

The Tuesday Night Marathon concluded this past week, with the two GM's in the field holding on to share first place with 5.5/6, a full point ahead of 3rd place finisher NM Mike Walder. In the u/1800 section, Aaron Nicoski and Sebby Suarez shared first place with 5/6, and it appeared Sebby was on his way to taking clear first but appeared to misplay and endgame in his round 6 game, leading to a draw. Congratulations to all the players for an exciting month of chess in January!

If you would like to register for the February TNM, you may do see by following this link: https://www.milibrary.org/chess-tournaments/february-2021-tuesday-night-marathon-online

To watch the live coverage of the final two rounds, you can watch the broadcast here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kez87qlbUvM

Here are some games from the final rounds, annotated by GM Nick de Firmian.

(1) GM Gadir Guseinov (GGuseinov) (2614) - FM Kyron Griffith (KyronGriffith) (2304) [B12]
MI January TNM Online Chess.com (5.2), 26.01.2021
[de Firmian,Nick]

1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.Nd2 dxe4 4.Nxe4 Nd7 The "Modern" Variation. Perhaps Kyron used to play this -- but in any case, he moves on (or maybe this was a "serious" occasion) from what he's been playing lately. [Which is: 4...Nf6!? 5.Nxf6+ exf6 6.c3 Bd6 7.Bd3 0-0 8.Qc2 Re8+ 9.Ne2 h5!? which has been been fashion or fad, both by him and quite a few of the finest players.; 4...Bf5 , the Classical Variation, mostly goes 5.Ng3 Bg6 6.h4 h6 7.Nf3 Nd7 8.h5 Bh7 9.Bd3 Bxd3 10.Qxd3 (enough dancing!) and Black must start thinking about on which side he wants his king to castle.; Those three moves have been seen tens of thousands of times. So it's quite a surprise to stumble upon 4...Qc7 , played a mere twenty-five times in the Mega database. 5.Bc4 Nf6 6.Ng5 e6 7.Qe2 h6 8.N5f3 Bd6 9.Ne5 c5 10.Ngf3 cxd4 11.Bf4 Nc6 12.h4 Bd7 13.0-0 0-0-0 14.c3!? g5!? 1/2-1/2 (57) Guseinov,G (2645)-Carlsen,M (2832) chess.com INT 2017] 5.c3!?

Not as rare as 4...Qc7 at two-hundred plus, but compared to the fifteen thousand games after 4...Nd7, it's still pretty rare! But it has some unique and sensible intentions. Mainly -- f3 is not just for the knight! But the main moves: [The exchange of knights usually happens after the old 5.Nf3 Ngf6 6.Nxf6+ (6.Ng3!?) ; The old trappy line used to be 5.Bc4 Ngf6 6.Ng5 e6 7.Qe2 Nb6 (7...h6?? 8.Nxf7 Kxf7 9.Qxe6+ Kg6 10.Bd3+ Kh5 11.Qh3#) when after 8.Bd3 taking the d-pawn runs into a quick Ng1-f3-e5. (or 8.Bb3 is similar) Another trap: 8...Qxd4? 9.N1f3 Bb4+ 10.c3! Bxc3+ 11.Kf1! takes the bishop next move.; 5.Ng5!? has been the "big thing" now for quite a few years, when coaches around the world must have a hard time explaining to their students why moving the knight a third time with no other pieces developed could even remotely be anything but a beginner's move!] 5...Ngf6 6.Nxf6+ Nxf6 7.Bc4 [7.Bd3 It's safe to say the highest rated game in this new world was 7...Qd5 8.f3 Bf5 9.Ne2 Bxd3 10.Nf4 Qg5 11.Qxd3 Nd5 12.g3 e6 13.Qe2 Nxf4 14.Bxf4 Qd5 15.Be5 f6 16.Bf4 0-0-0 1/2-1/2 (47) Carlsen,M (2864)-Morozevich,A (2760) Moscow 2013] 7...Qc7 The computers' favorite move now! [Guseinov has tested out 5. c3 a few times before, with the first (?) game being encouraging: 7...e6 8.Nf3 Be7 9.0-0 0-0 10.Ne5 Qc7 11.Qf3 Nd7 (11...c5!?) 12.Qg3 Nxe5 13.dxe5 Re8 14.Bh6 Bf8 15.Rad1 b5 16.Bb3 Bb7 17.Rd4 Rad8

(17...c5!?) 18.Bxg7! This feels like a ten-move combination! 18...Bxg7 19.Rg4 Kh8 20.Rxg7 Rg8 21.Rxg8+ Rxg8 22.Qf4 c5 23.Qf6+ Rg7 24.Rd1 Bxg2 25.Rd8+ Qxd8 26.Qxd8+ Rg8 27.Qxg8+ 1-0 (27) Guseinov,G (2614)-Emiroglu,C (2338) Nakhchivan 2015] 8.Qf3 And here is the distinct development. No, it's similar to a topical line against the Taimanov Sicilian (!), where White plays Qf3-Qg3, challenging the Black queen, and happy with resulting pawn structure. 8...Bg4 [8...e6 9.Bf4 Bd6 10.Ne2 0-0 11.Bxd6 Qxd6 12.Qf4 White is content to reduce everything to "Black has a bad bishop." Guseinov's optimistic queenside castling could have been problematic, but all was good after a few misdirected spurts by Fedoseev: 12...Qe7 13.0-0-0 (13.0-0 with a quiet, even game) 13...b5! 14.Bd3 Bb7 Black's plan should be pushing the b- and c-pawns, with rooks behind. This bishop now is just in the way. (14...c5!?) 15.Qh4 with a threat 15...Rae8 16.Ng3 c5? (16...b4!?=) 17.Bxb5 White takes that one and disrupts Black's game, with a clear advantage: 1-0 (46) Guseinov,G (2647)-Fedoseev,V (2733) Antalya 2017] 9.Qg3!

9...Qxg3 10.hxg3 e6 11.f3 Bf5 12.g4 Bg6 Outside the pawns but note particularly effective, a slight problem in Slav and Caro Kann lines. 13.Ne2+/= Kd7 14.Bf4 The computer likes other developments: [14.a4 Nd5 15.Ng3 Bd6?! 16.Ne4] 14...Nd5 [14...b5!?] 15.Bxd5!?= Guseinov chooses to fix the pawns and pose to Black a difficult recapture question. But this has its own problems -- White will have a hard time getting his knight to a better square. 15...exd5 Griffith sets up action on the e-file. [15...cxd5 , equally sound, adds a possible Minority Attack (...b5-b4) and central expansion (...f6/...e5) to the equation. Black will have nothing to fear.] 16.Kd2 Re8 17.Ng3

17...Bd6?! The computer goes out of its way to avoid this exchange -- it's not even in the top ten! But it's the sort of move that one might play on autopilot. Still, Kyron took almost a minute on it. Note that neither of them has broken a sweat so far, both with over thirty minutes left on the clock. 18.Bxd6 Kxd6

19.g5!? White treats Black's bishop as if it doesn't matter. 19...Re7 20.Ne2 Improving the knight while he can. 20...Rhe8 21.Nf4 b6 Considering ...c5!? 22.Rad1 To discourage it? Or anticipate it? 22...a5 23.Rhf1 c5 Kyron commits to change (perhaps prematurely) -- 24.Rfe1! --as does Gadir! 24...Rxe1 25.Rxe1 Griffith spent the longest thought of the game here, but in the end just made the obvious trades. 25...Rxe1 26.Kxe1 With the rooks off White's king and knight are free to move, with a small but endurign plus. 26...b5 27.Kd2

27...c4? Commital and bad. The plan is some day to play ...b4 with king entry through b5, but it can't be engineered, the knight is too strong. ...Bf5 is always met with Nh5 and the kingside crumbles. [27...cxd4 28.cxd4 b4 should be holdable.] 28.a3 f6 29.gxf6 gxf6 30.Ke3 Bf7 31.Ne2 Bg6 [31...Kc6 is uncomfortably met by 32.Kf4 Bg6 33.Ng3 Nothing clear yet, but the threat of taking f6 and marching the f-pawn keeps Black busy and away from the long queenside king run.] 32.g4 Bd3 33.Ng3 Bg6 34.Kf4 Ke6

35.g5! The way forward! 35...fxg5+ Another long think (and Black is down to 6:43), another inability to find anything else. 36.Kxg5 And White has 22 minutes left. 36...Bc2 37.Nf1!? [The computer is hot on 37.Nh5 but after 37...Bd1 White seems to be backing up.] 37...Bd1 [37...h6+!? 38.Kxh6 Bd1 39.Nh2 Kf5 40.Kg7!? Kf4 41.Kf7! keeping f6 for the knight, on the d-pawn. Enough to win? It's not at all clear!] 38.f4 Bc2 39.Ne3 Be4 40.f5+ Ke7 41.Ng4 Kf7 42.Ne5+ Ke7 43.Nc6+ winning the a-pawn? 43...Kf7 44.Ne5+ or not -- it's irrelevant! 44...Ke7 45.Ng4 Kf7 The repeat of move 41. On the other hand, then Black had five minutes, while now he has 1:25. 46.Nh6+! Stopping the h-pawn for now. 46...Ke7 47.Kf4 Kf6 48.Ng4+ Ke7 49.Ke5 h5 and down to thirty seconds 50.Nf6 h4 51.Nxe4 dxe4 52.Kxe4

with a won pawn ending. Very impressive! 52...Kf6 53.Kf4 h3 54.Kg3 Kxf5 55.Kxh3 Here Black has 4.3 seconds (hite 13:04 minutes), plus the position is fairly hopeless. 55...Kf4 56.Kg2 Kg4 57.Kf2 Kf4 58.Ke1 [58.Ke2 is fine, but why not give Kyron a bit more to think about!] 58...Kf5 59.Kd2 Kf4 60.Kc1 White decides to just completely avoid any lines where Black plays ...Kd3 and lets White queen but gets into the pawns. 60...Ke4 61.Kc2 Kf5

62.a4!? [62.Kb1 (when 63.a4 doesn't even allow the game continuation) 62...a4 63.Kc1] 62...bxa4 63.Kb1 a3

64.Ka2! The last grandmaster flourish! [64.bxa3 also wins.] 64...axb2 65.Kxb2 Black is one move behind. 65...Ke4 66.Ka3 Kd5 67.Ka4 Kc6 68.Kxa5 Kd6 69.Kb4 Kd5 70.Kb5 GGuseinov won by resignation. A worth game by Guseinov, keeping up with Lenderman going into the final round. 1-0

(2) GM Aleksandr Lenderman (AlexanderL) (2734) - NM Mike Walder (FlightsOfFancy) (2071) [E60]
MI January TNM Online Chess.com (5.1), 26.01.2021
[de Firmian,Nick]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.g3 Lenderman plays the King's Indian as well, so it's noteworthy that he goes with the fianchetto. But he is not one to always play any one line, so it could just have been the moment. 3...Bg7 4.Bg2 0-0 5.Nc3 d6 6.Nf3 Nc6 7.0-0 a6 The Panno Variation, also the case of something Walder has played quite a bit as White, too. 8.d5 The most disruptive of many moves here. 8...Na5 9.b3 And this looks a bit dangerous but holds up tactically. [Still outnumbering the text is 9.Nd2 but the percentages are with 9.b3. 9...c5 10.Qc2 Rb8 11.b3 b5 gets play going, when it's hard for White to turn the knight on a5 into a weakness.] 9...Rb8 Calmly preparing the advance. [9...Ne4? is well known to be bad: 10.Nxe4 Bxa1 11.Bd2 picks up material; 9...Nxd5?! isn't much better -- 10.Nxd5 Bxa1 11.Bd2 c6 12.Nxe7+ Qxe7 13.Qxa1 b6 14.Bh6; 9...c5 is the standard followup in the Panno, but White has to contend with 10.dxc6!? when 10...Nxc6 is looking like the slightly saner recapture.; But is preparation necessary? 9...b5!? has been played by such adventurers as Nunn and Vachier-Lagrave, with excellent results (and even better for Black in the lower-rated strata). The best response looks like 10.cxb5 axb5 11.b4! Nc4 a) 11...c5!? is a bewildering alternative that has held up so far in a couple games, but Stockfish has some advantage for White after 12.dxc6 (or 12.bxa5) ; b) So far unplayed is 11...Ng4!? when 12.Nd4! Bxd4! 13.Qxd4 Nb3! 14.axb3 Rxa1 15.Nxb5 starts to veer White's way.; 12.Nd4 Bd7 13.Ncxb5 Qb8 14.a4 is good for White, although 0-1 (42) Wang,Y (2720)-Vachier Lagrave,M (2758) Beijing 2014] 10.Bg5 h6 11.Bd2 c5 12.dxc6 Nxc6 [Might as well make use of having played ...Rb8: 12...bxc6] 13.Rc1 Bd7 14.Nd5 Kh7 15.Bc3 Nxd5 16.cxd5 Ne5+/- 17.Nxe5 Bxe5 18.Bxe5 dxe5 19.Qd2

White has gained a clear edge from the opening and seeks to press via the c-file 19...Qb6 20.Rc4 f5 21.Rfc1 Rbc8 [21...Qd6 22.Qb4 Rfc8 23.Qxd6 exd6 24.Rc7 Kg8 may be a better defensive try] 22.Rxc8 Bxc8 23.Qc3 Qf6?! [23...Qd6 24.Qc7 g5 tries to lock it up.] 24.f4 Qb6+ 25.Qc5?! [25.Kf1 would make Black's life a bit harder] 25...Qxc5+ 26.Rxc5 e4? this loses a critical pawn [26...exf4 puts up a bit more of a fight.] 27.Rc7 Re8

28.d6 winning the decisive pawn 28...Rd8 29.dxe7 Re8 30.e3 Kg7 31.Bf1 b5 32.a4 bxa4 33.bxa4 Kf6 34.Bc4 Be6 35.Rc6 Rxe7 36.Rxa6 Kf7 37.Rxe6 Rxe6 38.a5! AlexanderL won by resignation. 1-0

(3) IM Elliott Winslow (ecwinslow) (2240) - GM aleksandr Lenderman (AlexanderL) (2737) [B07]
MI January TNM Online Chess.com (6.1), 26.01.2021
[de Firmian,Nick]

1.d4 d6 There's just no predicting what Lenderman is going to play! 2.e4 Nf6 3.Nc3 e5 The "modern" way of getting into a Philidor Defense. 4.Nf3 [4.dxe5 dxe5 5.Qxd8+ Kxd8 6.Bc4 Ke8 keeps Black's king in the center, but without queens it's going to be hard to take advantage of that. (6...Be6!?) ] 4...Nbd7 5.a4 [5.Bc4 is the usual move order, but it's there soon enough.] 5...Be7 6.Bc4 0-0 7.0-0 c6 8.h3 a5 9.Re1 Nb6!? This is the very last line in Negi's first volume of Grandmaster Repertoire series 1.e4. He considers this the fashion, and indeed there are a lot of games with it - well over 500 in the 21st Century! [9...exd4 10.Qxd4! Nc5 11.Bf4 gets right on the d-pawn.; 9...h6 10.Be3 Re8 11.Qe2 Qc7 12.Bb3!? Nf8 13.d5! Ng6 14.Nd2 Rf8 15.Nc4 1-0 (52) Ragger,M (2696)-Bortnyk,O (2565) Gjakova 2016] 10.Ba2 Negi likes to sacrifice pawns for the initiative or the outright attack, and this is his recommended line. [Winslow may or may not have seen the only game in the record where Lenderman played this opening, but it didn't seem to be a harbinger of anything: 10.Bf1 exd4 11.Qxd4 d5 12.Bg5 h6 13.Bh4 dxe4 14.Nxe4 Qxd4 15.Nxd4 Nbd5 16.Nxf6+ Bxf6 17.Bxf6 Nxf6 18.Bc4 Rd8 19.c3 Kf8 White doesn't have much of anything in this symmetrical queenless middlegame -- and yet he managed to turn it into a full point. 1-0 (99) So,W (2770)-Lenderman,A (2634) ch-USA (rapid) lichess. org 2020] 10...Nfd7 Black keeps up with the knight moves. 11.Be3 exd4 [11...Bf6!? 12.d5! doesn't let that bishop participate, 1-0 (44) Berescu,A (2452)-Baciu,S (2172) Calimanesti Caciulata 2016] 12.Nxd4 Nc5 13.Qh5

Negi's dare: take the a-pawn? [13.Qd2!? is nowhere near as popular; in fact this could have been falling into preparation for another opponent, look at this game: 13...Bd7 14.Nde2 Nbxa4 15.Nxa4 Nxa4 16.Bxf7+ Rxf7 17.Rxa4 b5 18.Rd4 a4 19.c3 Be6 20.Nf4 Bc4 21.e5 d5 22.Nh5 g6 23.Rg4 Rf5 24.Nf6+! Bxf6 25.exf6 Qxf6 26.Bd4 Qf7 27.Qh6 Rf8

28.Re7! 1-0 (28) Guseinov,G (2647)-Gantner,M (2324) Antalya 2017] 13...Bf6!? taking was all that was given, with pages of fun for White. 14.Bb3?! Surprised by Lenderman's ignoring the pawn, Winslow has a solid think, and cops out! [The computers aren't impressed, though and think White should just keep pressing: 14.Nf3! g6 15.Qh6 Bg7 16.Qf4; And well-known Lithuanian grandmaster Aloyzas Kveinys kept it all in stride with 14.Rad1 g6 15.Qf3 Qe7 16.Bh6 Bg7 17.Bxg7 Kxg7 18.Qg3 Nbxa4 19.Nxa4 Nxa4 20.Nf5+ Bxf5 21.exf5 Qf6 22.fxg6 Qxg6 23.Qf4 Nc5 24.Rxd6 with a won game; 1-0 (37) Kveinys,A (2510)-Weil,V (2065) Heusenstamm 2015] 14...g6 15.Qf3 Bg7 16.Rad1 Nxb3 17.cxb3 Nd7 18.Nc2?! [18.Qg3 Qe7 19.Bg5 f6 20.Bh6! Now a computer sequence; 20...Rf7 21.Be3 Rf8 22.f4 Re8 23.Nf3! Is White really winning? It's close to that.] 18...Qe7 19.Bd4 Nc5 20.Bxg7 Kxg7 21.Nd4 Qf6 22.Qg3 Re8? [Better to defend d6 at once: 22...Rd8] 23.f4? [23.Nf3 is critical for Black.] 23...Kh8?! [23...Be6 24.Rf1!? Rad8 25.f5 Bc8 26.Rf4 Kh8 27.fxg6 Qxg6 28.Qf3 Ne6 29.Nxe6 Bxe6 30.Rd3 Rg8 31.Qf2 Qg5 32.Ne2 Qe5 33.Nd4 Rg6 still unclear!] 24.e5?! dxe5 25.fxe5 Qg7 26.Ne4?! [26.Qf2 Qf8 27.Nb1 Be6 28.Nxe6 Rxe6 29.Na3+/= (c4 will be a great square, finally)] 26...Nxe4 27.Rxe4 Bf5 [27...Kg8] 28.Nxf5 [28.Ree1+/=] 28...gxf5 29.Qxg7+ Kxg7 30.Rf4 [30.Re3!+/= is ready to kick the king off g6 with Rg3+, and will require care from Black to not slip into a worse ending.] 30...Rxe5 31.Rd7 b5 32.g4 bxa4 33.bxa4 Rb8 34.Rxf5 Rxf5 35.gxf5 Rxb2

Surely White could hold this, if he weren't so completely out of time! The rest of the game is pretty sloppy, as White reaches a very drawn simplified rook ending but flounders. 36.Ra7 Kf6 37.Rxa5 Rc2 38.Ra7 Ra2 39.Rc7 Rxa4 40.Rxc6+ Kg5 [40...Kxf5 41.Rh6 would be pretty easy to hold] 41.Kg2 [41.Rc7! Kf6 42.Rc6+ was pretty obvious] 41...f6 42.Rc3 Kxf5 43.Kg3 Kg6 This is a clearly drawn rook and pawn ending in classical time control, but in faster chess there are always mistakes. 44.Rb3 h5 45.h4 Rg4+ 46.Kh3 Re4 47.Kg3 Kf5 48.Rb5+ Re5 49.Rb3 Rd5 50.Kf3 Rd4 51.Rb5+ Kg6 52.Kg3 Rd3+ 53.Kg2 Re3 54.Ra5 Re5 55.Ra8 Kf5 56.Kf3 Rb5 57.Ra3 Ke6 58.Ra6+ Kf7 59.Kf4 Rb3 Woops -- now White traps himself. 60.Ra4 Kg6 61.Ke4 [61.Ra1 Rh3 (61...Rb4+ 62.Kg3 Re4 63.Ra5) 62.Rg1+ Kf7 63.Kf5 Rxh4 64.Ra1 will be dead drawn after a check and capture. h-pawns don't cut it very often in rook endings!] 61...Rg3 62.Kd5?-/+ White loses his mind going off to nowhere with his king. [The R+f+h ending is "known" to be a draw with correct play, not happening with no time! 62.Ra8 Rg4+ 63.Kf3 Rxh4 64.Kg3] 62...Rg4 63.Ra1 Rxh4 64.Ke6 Re4+ 65.Kd5 Kf5 66.Rh1 h4 67.Rh2 Rf4 68.Rh1 Kg4 69.Rg1+ Kf3 70.Rg8 h3 AlexanderL won by resignation 0-1

(4) Nathan Fong (nathanf314) (2291) - NM Ruiyang Yan (jij2018) (2145) [B90]
Live Chess Chess.com (5.5), 26.01.2021
[de Firmian,Nick]

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.h3 An unsual line against the Najdorf which aims to slowly take control of kingside squares. 6...e5 7.Nde2 h5!? A direct way to stop g2-g4. White can play for the d5 square now. 8.Bg5 Be6 9.Bxf6 Qxf6 10.Nd5 Qd8 11.Qd3 Nd7 12.0-0-0 g6 13.Kb1 Rc8

White has firm control over d5 and has a small edge. Black though has played a logical strategy and makes it hard for White to advance, particulary as the black bishops could become strong if the position opens up. 14.Nec3 b5 15.a3 Nc5 16.Qf3 Bg7 17.Be2 0-0 18.g4 h4 It's important to keep the kingside closed to a White advance. 19.Qe3 g5?! This keeps the kingside closed but is too rigid. With [19...Bxd5 20.Nxd5 Bf6! (trying to get the good g5 square) 21.Nxf6+ Qxf6 22.g5 Qe7 the game would be about equal] 20.Rd2 f6 21.Rhd1 White can't break through on the kingside but can advance on the queenside because of better placed pieces and the great knight on d5. With [21.b4 Nd7 22.Qa7! Black would have been in trouble right away.] 21...Rf7 22.f3 Bf8 23.Qf2?! [23.b4! Nd7 24.Kb2 Rc6 25.a4 takes the initiative on the queenside and puts Black under real pressure.] 23...Kg7 24.Ne3 Rb7 25.Nf5+ Bxf5 26.gxf5 Qe8? [26...b4! would get Black lines on the queenside] 27.Nd5 Qf7 28.b3 a5 29.Ka2 Kh8 30.Qf1 Rcb8 31.Rb1 [31.c3] 31...Be7 32.Qd1 Bd8 33.c4?! bxc4?! This keeps the game open but to White's advantage. [33...b4! probably locks things up for a draw] 34.Bxc4 Qf8 35.Rc2 Qh6 36.Qd2 Qh5 37.Qe3 Qh6 38.Rc3 Bb6 39.Qe2 Nd7 40.Rc2 Bd4 41.Qd2?! [41.Ba6 Ra7 42.Ne7! is a big advantage for White] 41...Nc5 42.Qxa5? this opens lines for Black towards the white king 42...Qg7?! [42...Qf8 is the right square for the queen so the rook gets supported at a8 rather than a7] 43.Qd2?! [43.b4! Ra7?! 44.bxc5 Rba8 (44...Rxa5 45.Rxb8+ Kh7 46.c6 wins) 45.Ba6! Rxa6 46.Rb8+ leaves White well ahead after both 46....Rxb8 47. Qxa6 or 46....Kh7 47. Rxa8 Rxa5 48. Rxa5] 43...Ra7 44.Nc3

44...Rxa3+! 45.Kxa3 Qa7+ 46.Kb2 [46.Na4? Nxa4 47.bxa4 Rxb1] 46...Na4+ [46...Ra8 47.Kc1 Be3 48.Qxe3 Nxb3+ 49.Rxb3 Qxe3+ 50.Kb2 Qxf3 is about even chances] 47.Kc1 Be3 48.Nxa4 [48.bxa4!] 48...Bxd2+ 49.Rxd2 Qe3 50.Kc2 Qxf3 we have an unusual material balance of queen and pawns against rook, bishop and knight. Chances are even. 51.Nc3 Qxh3 52.Rxd6 Qg2+ 53.Rd2 Qg4 54.Rh1 Ra8 55.Kb2 Qf4 56.Rhh2 Kg7 57.Rd7+ Kh6 58.Rhd2? too aggressive! Just retreating with [58.Rdd2 would stop the pawns advancing and keep the game level] 58...Rf8 59.R2d6 h3

now the black pawns run 60.Nd5 Qd2+ 61.Kb1 h2 That's it. The second black queen makes it easy. 62.Ne3 h1Q+ 63.Nf1 Qe1+ 64.Rd1 Qf2 65.Ne3 Qxe4+ 66.Bd3 Qexe3 67.Rh1+ Qh4 68.Rxh4+ gxh4 69.Bc2 h3 70.Rd3 Qxd3 71.Bxd3 h2 72.Be4 Rg8 73.Kb2 Rg1 74.Kc3 h1Q 0-1

(5) Sebby Suarez (SebbyMeister) (1740) - Aaron Nicoski (KingSmasher35) (1811) [B01]
MI January TNM Online u1800 Chess.com (5.1), 26.01.2021
[de Firmian,Nick]

1.e4 d5 2.exd5 Qxd5 3.Nc3 Qd6 4.d4 Nf6 5.Nf3 c6 6.Ne5 Bf5 7.g4 Be4?!+/-

[This should lead to trouble, but even after 7...Be6 8.g5 Nd5 9.Ne4 Qd8 10.c4 Nb4 11.Be3 Bf5 12.Bg2 Is a big advantage for White] 8.f3?! [8.Nxe4 Nxe4 9.Qf3! Qxd4 10.Qxf7+ Kd8 11.Qf4 is a huge advantage for White] 8...Bd5 9.Bf4

[9.Qe2 Nbd7 10.Bf4 is more accurate, not allowing Black a trick] 9...Qd8?! [9...Nxg4! works the pins and would gain Black equality - 10.Nxc6 Qxf4 11.Nxd5 Qd6 12.Ncb4 Nc6 13.fxg4 Nxb4 14.Nxb4 Qxb4+ 15.c3 Qxb2] 10.Nxd5 Nxd5 11.Bg3 Ne3?!+/- trading off Black's only developed piece 12.Qd2 Nxf1 13.Rxf1 e6 14.Qf4+/- Qf6 15.Qxf6?! trading into the endgame takes away all the attacking chances. White keeps a good edge with [15.Qe4 Nd7 16.0-0-0] 15...gxf6 16.Nc4 Nd7 17.Nd6+ Bxd6 18.Bxd6 0-0-0 19.Bg3 h5 20.c3 [20.Kf2!] 20...hxg4 21.fxg4 Rdg8 22.Rf4 Rh7 23.Kf2 e5 [23...Nb6! 24.Rxf6 Rxg4 keeps the better pawn structure] 24.Re4 Rg5?! [24...exd4 25.cxd4 f5 26.gxf5 Nf6 27.Rh4 Ng4+ 28.Ke2 Rxh4 29.Bxh4 Nxh2 is equal] 25.Rae1 [25.Kg2 Rhg7 26.Rf1! Rxg4 27.Rxg4 Rxg4 28.dxe5 wins the pawn back with favorable play for White on the kingside] 25...f5 26.gxf5 Rxf5+ 27.Kg2 f6 28.dxe5 Nxe5 29.Bxe5 fxe5 30.Rxe5 Rff7 31.R5e3 Kc7 32.Rh3 Rhg7+ 33.Rg3 Rh7 34.Re2 Kb6 35.b3 a5!

good defense. Black gets ready for queenside counterplay while White has a hard time advancing the h-pawn 36.b4 axb4 37.cxb4 Rf4 38.a3 c5 39.Rg6+ Kb5 40.Rg5 b6 41.Rc2 Rfh4! 42.Kg1 R7h5 43.Rxh5 Rxh5 Game drawn by agreement. 1/2-1/2

(7) Cailen Melville (Mangonel) (1754) - Chelsea Zhou (mwncklmann) (1972) [D30]
MI January TNM Online Chess.com (6.11), 26.01.2021
[de Firmian,Nick]

1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.g3 Be7 5.Bg2 0-0 6.0-0 dxc4 7.Ne5 Nc6 8.Nxc6 bxc6 This active defense to the Catalan trades pawn structure for easy developement and open lines. 9.Na3 Bxa3 10.bxa3 White choses the same - activity for pawn structure (and the bishop pair) 10...Ba6 11.Qd2 Rb8 12.Qa5 Rb6 13.a4 Qc8?! [a better square for the black queen is 13...Qe7] 14.Ba3 Re8 15.Bc5

[15.Rfd1 gains a slight edge] 15...Nd7?! This sacrifices the exchange for insufficent compensation. [15...e5! 16.e4 exd4 17.Bxd4 Nxe4 is active and equal] 16.Bxb6 cxb6 17.Qc3 Rd8+/- Black has some compesnsation for the exchange and practical chances, but objectively not enough 18.Rfd1 Nf6 19.e4 Qc7 20.Rd2 Rd7 21.Rad1 Qd8 22.f3 h6 23.Bf1 b5 24.axb5 cxb5 25.a4! bxa4 26.Rb1 Rc7 27.Rdb2 [27.Ra2] 27...Rc8?! [27...Nd7 would get the knight to help out on the queenside and give more chances] 28.Rb4 Qd7 now some tactics come into play 29.Bxc4?

[29.Rb8 would simplify and give White excellent chances to convert the extra exchange] 29...Qc6? [29...Nd5! 30.exd5 exd5 31.Rb8 Bxc4 would be equal] 30.Rc1? [White would be winning again after 30.Rb8! Rxb8 (30...Bxc4 31.Rxc8+ Qxc8 32.Rb4) 31.Rxb8+ Kh7 32.Rb4 Nd7 33.Qc2 Nb6 34.Bd3] 30...Nd7 31.Qd3?-/+ [31.Bxa6 giving back the exchange for an equal endgame is necessary 31...Qxc3 32.Rxc3 Rxc3 33.Rxa4 Rxf3 34.Bb5 Nf6 35.e5] 31...Ne5? [31...Nb6 just wins as 32. Bxa6 Qxc1+ is finished] 32.dxe5?-/+ [White could still keep it even with 32.Qa3! Nxc4 33.Qxa4] 32...Qc5+ 33.Kg2 Qxb4 The white bishop is still pinned. No way out. 34.Bxa6 Rxc1 mwncklmann won on time , though White's position is completely hopeless here. 0-1

 Thursday Night Marathon Report

Our Thursday Night Marathon is three rounds in, and the top two seeds remain the only perfect scores at 3/3. This should set up a great round 4 matchup between GM Gadir Guseinov and IM Elliott Winslow next week. Many strong players are at 2.5, including FM Allan Savage, NM Mike Walder, Kristian Clemens, Jonah Busch, and Jacob Wang. Here are the current standings.

SwissSys Standings. Jan-Feb 2021 Thursday Night Marathon: Open (Standings (no tiebrk))

For more tournament information on our ThNM, please follow this link: https://www.milibrary.org/chess-tournaments/thursday-night-marathon-g605-jan-feb-2021

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FM Kyron Griffith Wins New in Chess 2020 Swindle Award

 

Everyone loves a great escape, be it Harry Houdini or Clint Eastwood in Escape From Alcatraz. We witnessed an amazing escape recently - FM Kyron Griffith in a match played for Mechanics' Institute in the Chess.com Club's League against Pan-Am finalist University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. It netted him 250 Euro and the title of Swindle of the Year from New in Chess magazine! Kyron was gratious enough to visit the Mechanics' Chess Cafe to discuss the game, and we have it below, with annnotations by GM Nick de Firmian. I remember watching the game live as it happened and my jaw dropping at the finish, I hope you enjoy it also. Congratulations to Kyron!

(6) Indirect (2138) - FM Kyron Griffith (KyronGriffith) (2201) [B12]
Live Chess Chess.com, 07.11.2020
[de Firmian,Nick]

1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 Bf5 4.Nc3 The modern way is 4. Nf3. The game move is very sharp and tactical but Black is in good shape if he navigates the complications. 4...e6 5.g4 Bg6 6.Nge2 c5 7.h4 h5! 8.Nf4 Bh7 This keeps Black's pawn structure intact at the cost of a pawn. Black also gains in the cente while White grabs a pawn on the rim. 9.Nxh5 cxd4 [9...Nc6] 10.Nb5 Bc5 11.Nxd4 Nc6? This gives a second pawn for little reason. Black would be ok after [11...Kf8] 12.Nxg7+ Kd7 13.Nxc6 bxc6 14.Nh5 Be4 15.Rh3

Black looks active but White can parry the threats. Meanwhile White is slowly unravelling with the extra pawns. 15...Qb6 16.Qe2! a5 17.c3 Rb8 18.b3 Kc7 19.Ng3 Bh7 20.Nh5 [20.Bg5] 20...Rd8 21.Bg5 Rb8 22.Bg2 Ne7 23.Rd1 Nc8 24.f4 Be7 25.Nf6 White is objectively winning with the two pawn advantage, but there are many pieces left and still a long way until the end of the game. 25...Bxf6 26.exf6?! [26.Bxf6 Rg8 27.Kf1 gives less chance of counterplay] 26...Nd6 27.c4 [27.f5 is also good here] 27...Be4 28.Kf1 a4 29.f5! exf5 30.Be3 Qa6 31.Bf4 31...axb3?! The position is difficult anyway but this loses at least a piece. 32.Bxd6+ Kxd6 33.c5+ oops. There goes the black queen on a6. Most people would resign here, but Kyron finds courage and sees he still has some positional compensation for his lost material. (Not nearly enough, but there can still be tricks.) 33...Ke5! 34.Qxa6 b2 35.Bxe4 dxe4 36.Rb3! The only danger is the black b-pawn and this keeps it under control for now. 36...fxg4 37.Qxc6 Rxb3 38.axb3 38...Rxh4 There is some hope. Kyron threatens to check on h1, trade rooks and queen the pawn. No reason to give up yet. 39.Qd6+ Kf5 40.Rd5+?! Indirect has played excellent moves for a long time. Here is the first slip, taking the white rook from the defense the b-pawn queening. [40.Kg2] 40...Kg6 41.Rd1 Kf5! [41...b1Q 42.Rxb1 Rh1+ 43.Kg2 Rxb1 44.c6 is winning without complications, so Kyron makes a practical decision to repeat and see if Indirect gets confused.] 42.Kg2 Rh3 43.c6 Rd3 44.Rxd3?! [44.c7 Rxd6 45.c8Q+ is mate in 7; or 44.Qxd3 exd3 45.c7 would work. Still these are both a little unnatural with little time on your clock.] 44...b1Q 45.Rd2 Kg6 46.c7 Qxb3 47.Rf2 [47.c8Q!] 47...Qh3+ 48.Kg1 Kyron was a whole queen down 16 moves ago and is still lost but still alive. 48...e3 [48...g3 49.Rg2!] 49.c8Q exf2+ 50.Kxf2 OK, now it is really at the end. Kyron siezes his last chance to swindle. 50...g3+

51.Ke1?? [51.Qxg3+ is really finished. Indirect didn't see the long queen attack in time pressure.] 51...Qxc8 52.Qxg3+ Kxf6 Amazingly Black is now up material, even if it is just a little pawn. The queen ending is objectively a draw, though after what has happened Kyron was confident he would win. 53.Qf4+ Qf5 54.Qh4+ Ke5 55.Qh8+ Ke4 56.Qb8 Qe5 57.Qb3 Kf4+ 58.Kf1 f6 59.Qd3 Qa1+ 60.Kg2 Qb2+ 61.Kf1 Qc1+ 62.Kg2 Qc6+ 63.Kf1? [63.Kf2 would draw with proper play] 63...Qf3+ 64.Qxf3+ Kxf3 with a winning king ending 65.Ke1 Kg2 66.Ke2 f5 67.Ke3 Kg3 68.Ke2 f4 69.Ke1 Kg2 70.Ke2 f3+ 71.Ke1 f2+ Indirect resigned and Kyron pocketed 250 euros for the best swindle prize. A most amazing comeback from a whole queen down! 0-1

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Take on the Mechanics' Chess Staff Live on Twitch!

The chess room staff at the Mechanics' Institute are taking on all comers now weekly, as each of us will live stream an arena tournament where we will commentate our own games! You might be playing 3-time US Champion GM Nick de Firmian, or perhaps our commentator and instructor extraoridinaire FM Paul Whitehead. 

Arenas are an hour long, and the chess staff will be paired against the first available player to play at the conclusion of their games. All other players will be paired with the next available opponent. This will continue for the whole hour. While there is no guarantee you will be paired against a chess staff member, you will have a very good chance at it, depending on the number of players playing. All games will be streamed live on our Twitch channel: https://www.twitch.tv/mechanicschess

Check out the times here:

FM Paul Whitehead Arena: Tuesdays 5pm-6pm, 2/2: https://www.chess.com/live#r=896658

GM Nick de Firmian Arena Thursdays 5pm-6pm, 2/4: https://www.chess.com/live#r=896660

See you in the arena!

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Mechanics' Institute Regular Online Classes

 

1. Monday's 4:00-5:30PM - Mechanics' Chess Cafe
   OngoingCasual meeting to talk about chess, life, and pretty much everything else of interest. Join 3-time US Champion GM Nick de Firmian and FM Paul Whitehead as they give a lecture and class in a fun casual atmosphere where you can discuss games, learn strategy, discuss chess current events and interact in a fun casual atmosphere. Enter our Monday chess café for the pure love of the game. Class suitable for ALL level of players and FREE for MI members.
   FREE for Mechanics' members. $5 for non-members.
   More information: https://www.milibrary.org/chess/chess-cafe
   Register: https://mechanics-institute.jumbula.com/2020OnlineClasses_120/ChessCafe

2. Monday's 6:30-8:00PM - Game Review Class with FM Paul Whitehead
   Course Dates: Starting Feb 1 - Monday
   Registration Fee: $20/class for Mechanics' member, $25/class for non-member
   More information: https://www.milibrary.org/chess/game-review-class-fm-paul-whitehead
   Register: https://mechanics-institute.jumbula.com/2021OnlineClasses/GameAnalysisClasswithFMPaulWhitehead

3. Wednesday's 5:00-6:30PM - Free Adult Beginner Class for Mechanics' Members
   New session started on January 27, 2021!
   Are you an adult who wants to put learning chess on top of your New Year's resolution? Get a head start with us at the Mechanics' Institute! This virtual class is open to any MI member who has no knowledge of the game or who knows the very basics and wants to improve. Taught by MI Chess Director Abel Talamantez along with other MI staff, we will patiently walk through all the basics at a pace suitable for our class. Our goal is to teach piece movement basics, checkmate patterns, importance of development, and general strategy. We will also show students how to play online so they may practice. The goal of the class is to open a new world of fun and joy through the magic and beauty of chess, from one of the oldest and proudest chess clubs in the world.
   Registration: Free for MI members. Members will have to register online to secure their spot and to receive an email confirming the Zoom link.
   More information: https://www.milibrary.org/chess/free-adult-beginner-class-mechanics-members

4. Endgame Lab with FM Paul Whitehead
   Wednesdays 6:30-8PM - Endgame Lab with FM Paul Whitehead
   Course Dates: January 11 through February 17 (6 classes)
   For tournament players looking to solve some of toughest situations they face, here is the class to help you learn the essentials to work out and win or save games.
   FM Paul Whitehead’s Endgame Lab Class will focus solely on endgame techniques and will teach you the essentials in a 6-week course meant to build endgame skills you need to get your chess to the next level. Here is the syllabus for the course:
   $150 Mechanics' members. $180 for non-members. Few single class registrations are available -- Registration is needed to receive the zoom link.
   More information: https://www.milibrary.org/chess/endgame-lab-fm-paul-whitehead
   Register: https://mechanics-institute.jumbula.com/2021OnlineClasses/EndgameLabbyFMPaulWhitehead
    

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Mechanics' Institute Regular Online Events Schedule

The Mechanics' Institute Chess Club will continue to hold regular online events in various forms. Here is the upcoming schedule for players:

2/9 Tuesday - February 2021 Tuesday Night Marathon
Format: 6SS G/35+2
Registration: https://www.milibrary.org/chess-tournaments/february-2021-tuesday-night-marathon-online

 

Not too late to join! January/February 2021 Thursday Night Marathon
Format: 5SS G/60+5
Registration: https://mechanics-institute.jumbula.com/2021OnlineTournaments/ThursdayNightMarathonG605JanFeb2021

Past Club Tournament results are here:

https://www.chess.com/club/live-tournaments/mechanics-institute-chess-club-1

 

Before playing in our online tournaments, be sure to do the following:

1. Sign up and log in to chess.com

2. Sign up to be a member of Mechanics' Institute Chess Club at https://www.chess.com/club/mechanics-institute-chess-club-1. You need to become a member before you can play.

3. Please fill out the Google Form, so we know who you are, and can inform you about changes, and ad hoc events: https://forms.gle/UbE3ocC4TaLZV3ZK8

Any questions? [email protected]

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Scholastic Corner

By Judit Sztaray

Chess is fun and exciting! Chess is giving us so much these days when we have to stay home!

Many of our scholastic players are online playing every day, and practicing hard, as well as taking advantage of our daily free daily tournaments. Their hard work is inspiring and encourages Mechanics' Institute to continue offering fun events. Players who are participating in our weekend US Chess online rated events have a chance to play for trophies or medals, and for some rating points as well. 

We are always happy to get news of players when they are encouraged by the trophies and or their enthusiasm fueld by the shiny medals. This week we are happy to report on Ansh, who after recently starting to participate in our events, won his first medal. While wearing the medal during his play in the recent tournament, he went on to get 1st Place in the next tournament! Congratulations and keep up the hard work! 

And, of course, many thanks for your parents for your continued support towards Mechanics' and your chess education.

Not too late to join - We have 2 more spots!
Tactics, Tactics, Tactics!
Fridays 3-4PM with Coach Andy

Register: https://mechanics-institute.jumbula.com/2021OnlineClasses/TacticsTacticsTacticswithCoachAndyFridays34PM
Designed specially for players with ChessKid rating 1000+, and will cover the following topics: things to look for on the board to find tactics, how to set up tactics in your own games, middlegame tactics famous tactical players, endgame tactics, and more. Recording is available for the first class!

Upcoming Tournaments

Players have to be part of Mechanics' Group on ChessKid. Need help how to join? Watch the tutorial here: https://youtu.be/kEeMKhpecGY

1) Free daily non-rated tournaments on chesskid.com: https://www.milibrary.org/chess-tournaments/scholastic-online-tournaments-every-day-chesskidcom
Tournaments start at 4PM and players can join the tournaments 30 minutes before the tournament.

• Sunday, Jan 31: 5SS G/5+5: https://www.chesskid.com/play/fastchess#t=271048
• Monday, Feb 1: 5SS G/5+5: https://www.chesskid.com/play/fastchess#t=292513
• Tuesday, Feb 2: 5SS G/10+5: https://www.chesskid.com/play/fastchess#t=292514
• Wednesday, Feb 3: 3SS G/20+0: https://www.chesskid.com/play/fastchess#t=292515
• Thursday, Feb 4: 5SS G/5+5: https://www.chesskid.com/play/fastchess#t=292517
• Friday, Feb 5: Special Practice tournament for all the participants of the US Amateur Team West Online Championship Scholastic Event

2) This coming weekend we have a very special tournament coming up on Saturday, February 6 - ALL DAY EVENT!

The Scholastic side event of the 2021 US Amateur Team West Online National Championship

More information: www.milibrary.org/chess-tournaments/scholastic-side-event-2021-us-amateur-team-west-online-national-championship
Register: https://www.milibrary.org/chess-tournaments/scholastic-side-event-2021-us-amateur-team-west-online-national-championship

Special Trophies -- Unique & Fun Team event -- Live Zoom meeting througout the day 
All day live broadcast via twitch.tv/mechanicschess with GM Nick de Firmian, FM Paul Whitehead & Mr. Abel Talamantez

USCF Online Rated Tournaments - Registration needed via the links below, and players must have current US Chess membership. Games will affect US Chess online ratings (not over-the-board ratings). Trophies or Medals for Top Finishers - Curbside pickup is available per arrangement.
If you have any problems connecting with us on chesskid.com, please send us an email and we'll send you step-by-step instructions with pictures. 

Plan Ahead: 2021 Spring camp schedule - Register NOW to save your spot!
Camps are becoming very popular, and fill up fast!

• Feb 15, Monday - Presidents Day Camp - Register: https://mechanics-institute.jumbula.com/2021OnlineClasses/PresidentsDayChessCamp
• Mar 29 - Apr 2 - Spring Break Camp - Register: https://mechanics-institute.jumbula.com/2021OnlineClasses/SpringBreakChessCamp

  

 

Scholastic Game of the Week, annotations by GM Nick de Firmian

(8) SummerKnight20 (1454) - BestMiddleSun (1541) [D02]
Live Chess ChessKid.com

1.d4 d5 2.Bf4 Once again we see the trendy London System. 2...Nc6 3.Nf3 Bf5 4.e3 Nf6 5.c3 [5.Bb5 Should seriously be considered here. It is not a normal move in the London System, but in this particular position the pin causes Black some trouble.] 5...e6 6.Nbd2 Bd6 7.Bg3 Qd7 8.Nb3 [Development with 8.Be2 would be very logical here] 8...0-0 9.Qd2?! This invites Black to jump in. Again, it was better to develop the light-squared bishop. 9...Ne4 10.Qe2 Rad8 11.Bxd6 Nxd6 12.0-0-0?! I must give SummerKnight credit for originality as I have not seen White castle queenside before in the London System. That said, the white king is not as safe on this side. 12...Nc4?! [12...Qe7 13.Rg1 a5! gets play rolling on the kingside] 13.Nc5 Qe7 14.Nxb7? This pawn is poisoned. Black gets to invade on the b-file now. 14...Rb8 15.Nc5 Rxb2 Ouch. White is in big trouble. 16.Rd2 better for White to give up the queen, but it's hard to offer good advice here 16...Rxd2? [16...Rb1#! was the end!] 17.Nxd2 Nxd2 18.Qxd2 Rb8 19.Nb3 Na5!

Black still has a terrific attack with all the pieces working on the queenside and White's bishop and rook still on their original squares. 20.Qb2 [20.Nxa5 Rb1#] 20...Nc4 21.Qe2 [Losing a piece with 21.Bxc4 dxc4 may be best, though that's hard to recommend.] 21...a5 22.g4 Qa3+ 23.Kd1 Nb2+ 24.Ke1 Nd3+ 25.Kd1

25...Rxb3! 26.gxf5 Qc1# BestMiddleSun won by checkmate 0-1

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FM Paul Whitehead

[email protected]

Test your chess at the Tata Steel Masters Tournament, Wijk ann Zee 2021

 

This fantastic tournament isn’t over as I write these words, and the play has been crisp, sharp -and non-virtual.

See if you can bring home the point like the GM’s do it. 

And no moving the pieces!

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1. Alireza Firouzja vs David Anton Guijarro

White moves.

This one’s kind of easy: how did the 16-year-old genius from Iran polish off the veteran Spanish GM? 

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2. Nils Grandelius vs Maxim Vachier-Lagrave

White Moves.

The Frenchman – and his favorite Najdorf Sicilian – are taking a bit of a shellacking in this tournament.  How did the Swedish GM crash through?  You’ll need to work out the lines, but it’s quite straight forward.

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3. Radoslaw Wojtaszek vs Fabiano Caruana

Black moves.

The World #2 has been playing some fascinating and daring chess in Holland.  Here he knocks out the flailing Polish GM.  Can you find black’s killing move?

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4. Magnus Carlsen vs Alireza Firouzja

White moves.

The World Champion may not be in top form, but he takes down his dangerous rival with a precise finish.

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5. Alireza Firouzja vs Jan-Krzysztof Duda

White moves.

The other Polish player, Duda, is also not doing so well in this tournament.  What quiet move sends him packing?

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6. Nils Grandelius vs Pentala Harikrishna

Black moves.

These two GM’s are holding their own in this field, but here the Indian brings home the point. How?  Hint: simplify things.

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7. Alexander Donchenko vs Alireza Firouzja

Black moves.

Firouzja again!  Here he gives the Russian GM no chance with a precise series of moves… oh, you work it out.

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8. Anish Giri vs Radoslaw Wojtaszek

White moves.

The Dutch must be over-joyed, as their home-town guy is winning the tournament!  Giri is really in excellent form, and here he spots his chance.  White blows black away with…

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GM Nick de Firmian

Three-time US Champion Lubomir Kavalek died January 18, 2021, at the age of 77 years. Most serious chess players know this already and have read about the fateful life he lived. I feel compelled personally to write some comments about him as I had played along with Lubosh many times in the US Championships and Olympiads and had the greatest respect for his tremendous character.  (Also for his imaginative creations over the board.)  This gentleman grandmaster was always honorable, trustworthy, and principled. He had to deal with the invasion of his native Czechoslovakia in 1968 while he was breaking through in his chess career in his 20s. He escaped the Eastern bloc in 1968 by bribing the border guards with cases of vodka bought from his chess tournament winnings. He adapted easily to living in the United States and worked over the years against the communist regime, but not in a bitter way as Korchnoi did. The fall of the Soviet Union and liberation of Czechoslovakia was, of course, reportedly immensely satisfying to him.

With the death of Kavalek, the oldest living former US Champion is now former MI grandmaster in residence Roman Dzindzihashvilli. Dzindzi also played many US team and invdiviual events with Kavalek and emigrated from the Soviet bloc, but they were made from different molds. The highly entertaining Dzindzi often had you wondering what is happening next, while Kavalek was always a calm source of inspiration.

We give below three of Kavalek’s best games. This is part of his legacy along with his writings and works as a citizen. The reader has likely seen the 3^rd game – his marvelous signature game against Gufeld - but we include it with brief notes in case you haven’t.

(1) Lubomir Kavalek - Milan Matulovic [E76]
Bucharest Bucharest ROU (7), 01.05.1966

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 d6 4.Nc3 g6 5.e4 Bg7 6.f4 The Four Pawns Attack! Kavalek in his youth would always play the most aggressive attacking variations. 6...0-0 7.Bd3 e6 8.dxe6 White trades off the advanced d-pawn to get a more fluid pawn structure. 8...fxe6 9.Nge2 Nc6 10.0-0 Nd4 11.Ng3 [Black would have very good play if this knight gets exchanged and the black c-pawn comes to the advanced post 11.Nxd4 cxd4 12.Ne2 e5 with a firm center] 11...Ne8!? 12.Be3 Qh4 13.f5!? This is sharp and risky - the distinct style of Kavalek in the 60s. 13...exf5?! [13...Nf6! would serve Matulovic better even though it is complicated 14.Rf4 Qh6 15.Qd2 g5 16.e5! (16.Rff1? Ng4 17.h3 Nxe3 18.Qxe3 Nxf5 19.exf5 Bd4) 16...gxf4 (16...dxe5? 17.Rxd4 exd4 18.Bxg5) 17.Bxf4 Qh4 18.exf6 Bxf6 19.Bxd6 Rd8 20.Nce4 with at least equal chances for Black in this confusing position.] 14.Qd2 f4 15.Bxf4 Ne6 16.Be3 Rxf1+ 17.Rxf1 Bd7 18.Nd5 The centralized white knight gives White the edge. Matulovic feels compelled to challenge it and runs into a brilliant refutation. 18...Nf6?

19.Rxf6! Bxf6 20.Nf5! This fantastic follow up breaks the coordination of the black forces. 20...gxf5 21.g3 Now the black queen cannot defend the bishop on f6. 21...Bc3 22.bxc3 Qd8 23.exf5 Ng7 24.Bg5 White is clearly winning now. The black queen cannot guard the second black bishop against the knight fork without running into a fork herself. 24...Qf8 25.Nf6+ Kh8 26.Nxd7 Qf7 27.Nf6 Nh5 28.Nxh5 Qxh5 29.Bf6+ Kg8 30.Be4 The powerful white bishops are far too much for the black rook. 30...h6 31.Qxd6 Re8 32.Bd5+ 1-0

(2) Lubomir Kavalek - Anatoly Karpov [C98]
Caracas Caracas VEN (10), 01.07.1970

Kavalek was one of the top 10 players in the world at this time. Here he battles the great Karpov (though before Karpov was World Champion). 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 d6 8.c3 0-0 9.h3 Na5 10.Bc2 c5 11.d4 Qc7 12.Nbd2 Nc6 This is a classic Ruy Lopez position that his been seen hundreds of times in tournament play. 13.dxc5 Kavalek plays Fischer's choice. Nowadays more players choose to take space with [13.d5] 13...dxc5 14.Nf1 Be6 15.Ne3 Rad8 16.Qe2 c4 17.Nf5 Rfe8 [17...Bxf5 18.exf5 h6 19.Nd2 and coming to the e4 square with the knight would give White an edge.] 18.N3h4 Kh8 19.Nxe7 Qxe7 20.Qf3 Nd7?! White begins to take a grip on the central squares now. Karpov would do better with [20...h6] 21.Nf5 Qf8 22.Be3 Nc5 23.Red1 [Decades later the computer shows us the missed opportunity of 23.Nxg7! Kxg7 24.Bh6+ Kxh6 25.Qf6+ Kh5 26.g4+ Bxg4 27.hxg4+ Kxg4 28.Kg2] 23...f6

White has an inventive maneuver to advance into the black camp. 24.Rd6! Rxd6 25.Bxc5 Rd1+ 26.Rxd1 Qxc5 27.Rd6! Once again Kavalek uses tactics to invade on the d-file. 27...Bf7 [If 27...Bxf5 28.Rd5 Qf8 29.exf5 Rd8 30.Rxd8 Nxd8 31.Qd5 leaves White a winning endgame] 28.Qd1 Nb8 29.Rd8 Qc7 30.Nd6! Rxd8 31.Nxf7+ Qxf7 32.Qxd8+ Qg8 33.Qd6 The white queen dominates the board from this square while the black knight on b8 is stuck out of play. 33...Qe8 34.Bd1 h5 35.Be2 Kh7 36.b3 cxb3 37.axb3 Nc6 38.b4 Kh6 39.h4 Qc8 40.g3 Black can't untangle against the force of the coordinated white queen and bishop. 40...Kg6 41.Qd1 Kf7 42.Bxh5+ Ke7 43.Bg4 Qc7 44.Qd5 Nd8 45.Bf5 Nf7 46.Qe6+ Kf8 47.Qxa6 Nd6 48.Qa8+ Ke7 49.Qg8 White takes many pawns and coasts to the win. 49...Nxf5 50.exf5 Qxc3 51.Qxg7+ Kd6 52.Qxf6+ Kd5 53.Qf7+ Ke4 54.Qb7+ Kxf5 55.Qxb5 Qe1+ 56.Kg2 Qe4+ 57.Kh2 Kg4 58.Qd7+ Kf3 59.Qd2 1-0

(3) Eduard Gufeld - Lubomir Kavalek [C64]
Student Olympiad Marianske Lazne CSR (7), 20.07.1962

This is Kavalek's signature game, where he wins with mind over material. We show it third as the reader has likely seen it, but it is not a game to be missed. 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 Bc5 4.c3 f5 5.d4 fxe4 6.Ng5 [Other complications arise after 6.Bxc6 dxc6 7.Nxe5 Bd6 8.Qh5+ g6 9.Nxg6 Nf6 10.Qh4 Rg8] 6...Bb6 7.d5?! Gufeld thinks the black knight will move from the attack. Aggressive young Lubosh (19 at the time) doesn't think of backing down. 7...e3! 8.Ne4 Qh4 9.Qf3 Nf6 10.Nxf6+ gxf6 11.dxc6? This greed leads to big trouble. White had to get rid of the trouble maker with [11.Bxe3] 11...exf2+ 12.Kd1 dxc6 13.Be2 Be6! Not fearing the piece down endgame while he has the powerful black pawns 14.Qh5+ Qxh5 15.Bxh5+ Ke7 16.b3 Bd5 17.Ba3+ Ke6 18.Bg4+ f5 19.Bh3 Rhg8 20.Nd2 Bxg2 21.Bxg2 Rxg2 22.Rf1 Rd8 23.Ke2

23...Rxd2+! 24.Kxd2 e4 A whole rook down Kavalek calmly advances the e and f pawns. 25.Bf8 f4 26.b4 Gufeld figures out he can stop the advance of the pawns by blocking the black bishop from supporting them. Then the white king has a square to stop them. This meets an inventive response. 26...Rg5 27.Bc5 Rxc5!! 28.bxc5 Bxc5

An amazing position! Black is down a rook and the exchange, having only only pawns, a bishop and the king. 29.Rab1 f3 30.Rb4 Kf5 31.Rd4 Bxd4 32.cxd4 Kf4 The black king arrives in time help the pawns run to the finish. e4-e3 is coming and there is nothing White can do. Gufeld resigned. 0-1

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