Tuesday, May 27, 2014
Tuesday, May 27, 2014
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Philippines' #1 chess player Wesley So crushed the competition in the recent Annual Capablanca Memorial Tournament last week. Immdediately right after his victory, the Caviteno was shrouded with praises from thousands of fellow Filipino chess fans all over the world.
So's remarkable triumph in Havana, Cuba boosted
Philippine chess morale with a lot of young aspiring players worshipping him and making him their idol...
Philippine chess morale with a lot of young aspiring players worshipping him and making him their idol...
Which is really not that bad if we ain't talking about religion :)
Just after the monumental quick draw that So made with Hungarian GM(Grand-Master) Zoltan Almasi, it was clear who would bring home the filthy bacon:)
It is fantastically fortunate that the grueling hard work of Wesley So and his US-based coach, GM Susan Polgar has beard fruit, and that such training had not been in vain:)
Perhaps one of the key factors that lead to Wesley's triumph in Havana was his 8th round win against Cuban Grandmaster Leinier Dominguez. Their imbalanced game seemed OK for both sides(black and white), just until Dominguez first faltered.
So the million dollar question right now is...
What's next for So?
By now, So is currently rated #15 in the FIDE live ratings, which means that So might get even more elite tournament invites. While this is obviously good for the Filipino #1, this also means that the challenges will be tougher. One big challnge for So that I could easily pinpoint is his arch-nemesis, GM Anish Giri:)
A lot of Filipino chess players from the homeland are prasing So right now and are making noise that Wesley So should be given 100% support its national government. And hopefully, So will get the support he needs which will fuel his passion even more to climb to the top of the chess elite.
Friday, May 16, 2014
Friday, May 16, 2014
- 0 Comments
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| Wesley So |
Havana, Cuba--
The number 1 Flipino chess player Wesley So grabs solo lead in the current Capablanca Memorial Tournament ahead of many of chess veterans which included Vassily Ivanchuk (Ukraine), Vallejo Pons Francisco (Spain), and Cuba's #1 Leinier Perez, Dominguez. Other notable players included former Hungarian #1 Zoltan Almasi, and Lazaro Bruzon. Although So leads by only half a point, he is the only player in the tournament to achieve a +2 performance. Meanwhile, GM Lazaro Bruzon (Cuba's #2) was content in obtaining a 50% performance with all games having drawn. The biggest disappointment in the tournament however was Vassily Ivanchuk who was a top seed of the event. Ivanchuk, a regular top ten player and World championship candidate, could only grab as much as 2.5 points in 7 rounds. Had he at least drawn his round 3 game against Zoltan Alamasi (a game which Ivanchuk lost.), he would have at least have a 50% performance. Right now, So's closest rival within regards in having the most points, is Leinier Dominguez (4 points compared to So's 4.5 points). Perhaps it should not surprise us if ever Dominguez would try something a little bit "wild" to snatch the lead from So. Or he may just wait if So eventually cracks during the tournament. For that, we will never know for sure.
NOTE:
at this time of writing, 7 rounds have been finished and the 8th round starts at 3AM May 17 (Philippine Time)
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| "Capablanca Memorial Tournament" |
Friday, April 25, 2014
Friday, April 25, 2014
- 1 Comment
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| Russian president Vladimir Putin (right) and Kirsan Ilyumzhinov (left) |
In October last year, incumbent FIDE president, Kirsan Ilyumzhinov announced that he would run for re-elections this 2014, signalling the start of a fierce electoral battle against his rival, former world champion Garry Kasparov, for the FIDE presidency. Ilyumzhinov also launched the "FIDE Arena" this year which is an online chess server where official ratings are given to it's members who play rated games in the website. The existence of such online server may help boost Ilyumzhinov's bid for the presidency which is terrible news for Kasparov's camp. Nonetheless, Kasparove has to do something about this. So how is Kasparov going to counter Ilyumzhinov's plans?
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| Garry Kasparov |
One thing's for sure, Kasparov isn't staying behind the sidelines.He has been very active campaigning in countries in Asia and Africa where a significant number of chess federations are supporting his bid. Take for example in Africa, Kasparov simultaneously visited 7 countries which were Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Malawi, Zimbabwe, Zambia and South Africa. He was warmly welcomed there in each of those countries. On top of that, three West African chess federations (Nigeria, Senegal, and Ivory Coast) have united together to declare their support for Kasparov, saying that they were already tired of the crappy ole' FIDE shenanigans and thought it was time for some change. To say that all of these African federations would truly support Kasparov might be too optimistic. But at least it is something Ilyumzhinov would not be particularly thrilled about.
And In Asia, Kasparov has been drumming up support from a lot Asian countries like Macau, India, Hongkong, you name it! Yet the most intriguing among his Asian campaign visits were actually "ASEAN" ones (Southeast Asia).
Recently, the word came out that Kasparov had been making a "secret" deal with FIDE general-secretary Ignatius Leong of Singapore (well, it wasn't any secret at all since Kasparov wanted as much transparency as possible to discourage any corruption which Kasparov himself said in a New York Times report).
Along with the deal, Kasparov would virtually receive up to 15 federation votes from Leong's region (whoah, what a number of votes!) In exchange for the votes, Leong would be given finacial support of up to 250,000 US dollars per year, for four years. The money will be used to fund chess development projects in Singapore and perhaps in some parts of the ASEAN countries as well. However, as Morten Sand (Kasparov's lawyer) stated, the deal would be void if Kasparov didn't win. So Leong really needs to deliver well.
And I mean very well.
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| Garry Kasparov (right) and Ignatius Leong (left) |
Now that we're done chit-chatting about Kasparov's campaign programs, let's give some time to our very own FIDE president, Kirsan Ilyumzhinov ;)
Ilyumzhinov has been so far well-received in Latin America, particularly in Central America where not only do its federations' presidents welcome him, but as well as their very own national sports ministers of their respective nations. But how about Canada and the USCF? Well forget about it because Kasparov's got them. If there's any consolation for Ilyumzhinov, a Kasparov would not getting any from China since it would be ridiculous for that country to support an anti-Putin ( 'cause obviously in China, Putin is like an uncle to them). Meanwhile...
One of Ilyumzhinov's important allies, Jorge Vega, is the Continental President in the Americas for FIDE. he is very influential in garnering sizable amounts of votes in the Americas (particularly Latin America). He has also been constantly around the incumbent president during campaigns and is a respected voice in Latin American chess. Having Vega in his camp is a good move in Ilyumzhinov's part.
In Europe however, Kasparov will most likely have better chances since the supporters of Anatoly Karpov (Ilyumzhinov's rival in the previous FIDE elections, and awesome chess legend), will now support Kasparov... And so does Germany's ChessBase (for propaganda purposes). Hehe.
But at least Chessdom will always post glorious infomercials for Ilyumzhinov, right? Oops...
AND DID YOU KNOW?
A key supporter from Europe, Dr. Adrian Siegel, president of the Swiss Chess Federation, has just joined the Ilyumzhinov elections ticket for the position of Treasurer?
So this could be a good move, right?
Not even close. I don't think this is enough for Ilyumzhinov to drum-up support from the ECU (European Chess Federation). Even the ECU President, Silvio Danailov, who is a "well-hated" figure in FIDE, dislikes him in so many ways. So how do you expect Ilyumzhinov to gather enough support from Europe? Well as for now, only his henchmen know...
A key supporter from Europe, Dr. Adrian Siegel, president of the Swiss Chess Federation, has just joined the Ilyumzhinov elections ticket for the position of Treasurer?
So this could be a good move, right?
Not even close. I don't think this is enough for Ilyumzhinov to drum-up support from the ECU (European Chess Federation). Even the ECU President, Silvio Danailov, who is a "well-hated" figure in FIDE, dislikes him in so many ways. So how do you expect Ilyumzhinov to gather enough support from Europe? Well as for now, only his henchmen know...
PART II COMING SOON
Author:Guy Chessman
Author:Guy Chessman
Monday, April 21, 2014
Monday, April 21, 2014
- 2 Comments
by Aldwin Daculan
Kramnik's Bayonet Attack
1.d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. Nf3 O-O 6. Be2 e5 7. O-O Nc6 8. d5 Ne7 9. b4 Nh5 10. g3 f5 11. Ng5 Nf6 12. Bf3c6 13. Bg2 N
In the Bayonet Attack of the King's Indian defense, a special variation from Kramnik had made a strong impression towards KID players. The variation runs like this: 1.d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. Nf3 O-O 6. Be2 e5 7. O-O Nc6 8. d5 Ne7 9. b4 Nh5 10. g3 f5 11. Ng5 Nf6 12. Bf3c6 13. Bg2 N. Players from the Black side tried to find new ways to battle it , looking for new alternatives on the previous moves. Here I will discus a sample game played by two strong grandmasters. I shall do my best to provide to you suggestions that may help you get insights and some understanding on this particular line :)
Wojtaszek,Radoslaw (2717) - Morovic Fernandez,Ivan (2575) [E97]
Istanbul ol (Men) 40th Istanbul (3.1), 30.08.2012
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6 5.Nf3 0–0 6.Be2 e5 7.0–0 Nc6 8.d5 Ne7 9.b4 The Bayonet Attack, a favorite of V.Kramnik.
9..Nh5 10.g3
10.Re1 f5 11.Ng5 Nf6 12.Bf3 For a long time has been Kramnik's main weapon against the KID., but later Black has able to find some fine method of defending the position.
10...f5 11.Ng5 Nf6 12.Bf3 c6 :
But if Black players tried not to engage Kramnik's novelty 13.Bg2. For example. 12...fxe4 :
The move relieves the tension. 13.Ncxe4 Nf5 14.Ne6 Bxe6 15.dxe6 Rb8 16.Bb2 Qe7 17.Nxf6+ Bxf6 18.c5 dxc5 19.bxc5 Qxc5 20.Rc1 Qb6 21.Qe2 Rbe8 22.Bd5 Re7 23.Bxe5 c6 24.Bc4 Bxe5 25.Qxe5 Qd4 26.Qe1 Qf6 , with equal play. Nguyen,DH 2492-Paragua,M. 2533, Ho Chi Minh City HD Bank op (3), 2013.;
and
12...Rb8
13.b5 h6 14.Ne6 Bxe6 15.dxe6 Qc8 16.Ba3 Rd8 17.Nd5 Qxe6 18.exf5 gxf5 19.Nxc7 Qxc4 20.Rc1 Qf7 21.Qa4 Nc8 22.Rfd1 e4 23.Be2= Wang,H.2733 -Ding,L. 2660, CHN-chT Beijing(5), 2012.
13.Bg2 :
This was Kramnik's novelty played in the same year against A.Grischuk in Moscow. 13.Ba3 was played by Kramnik against Giri game (Hoogeveens 2011), the play continued 13...cxd5 14.exd5 e4 15.Be2 Here Black could have played 15...h6 16.Ne6 Bxe6 17.dxe6 f4! with strong counterplay.
13...h6 14.Ne6 Bxe6 15.dxe6 fxe4
15...Nxe4 16.Nxe4 fxe4 17.b5 Rf6 18.Bxe4 Rxe6 19.Qa4 d5 20.Rd1 White's has the initiative for the missing pawn. Kramnik 2801–-Grischuk 2761, Moscow Tal Memorial 7th(2), 2012.
16.b5 d5
16...Re8 would be better, staying away fron the a3-f8 diagonal.
17.Ba3 Re8 18.cxd5 cxd5 19.Qb3 Qb6 20.Bxe7 Rxe7 21.Nxd5 Nxd5 22.Qxd5 e3 :
22...Rd8 is the correct attacking play for an equality. 23.Qxe4 Qxe6
22.fxe3 Qxe3+ 24.Kh1 Qb6 25.Rad1 Rae8?
If 25...Qxe6 , then 26.Qxe6+ Rxe6 27.Bd5; So 25...Kh8 , moving away from the in is more logical.
26.Be4
Too many weak spots for Black in the kingside, White should win.
26...g5 27.Bg6 Rf8 28.Rxf8+ Bxf8 29.Bf7+ 1-0
Black resigns, play might continue with 29...Rxf7 [29...Kh8 30.Qxe5+ Kh7 31.Qf6 wins.; 29...Kh7 30.Qe4+ with same outcome as 29...Kh8.] 30.exf7+ Kh8 31.Qxe5+ Kh7 32.Qf5+ Kg7 33.h4. Kramnik's new move proves to be an excellent idea! Only Morovic has the balls to try it but with no avail. Now seems like Black players on the KID tried to avoid it, only time will tell.
by Aldwin Daculan
"A Pest in The Budapest?"
Nowadays the 6.Bd2 variation of the Budapest Gambit rarely occurs in tournament at any level. A surprise weapon shall I say. Surprise your opponent with this move, and it can be a pest for him! Hehe.
Berkovich (2350) - Peev (2320) [A52]
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e5 3.dxe5 Ng4 4.Nf3 Bc5 5.e3 Nc6 6.Bd2!?
Not even considered in John Nunn's Chess Openings! Mostly 6. Nc3, 6.b3 and 6.Be2 had been played here, it was played first by the great Cuban Jose Capablanca at London,1919!
6...Ngxe5
6...0–0 would also transposed to our line.
7.Nxe5 Nxe5 8.Bc3 Qe7
Black should be careful here, 8...d6 9.b4 Bb6 10.c5; and 8...f6 9.Bxe5 fxe5 10.Qh5+ are bad for Black.
9.Nd2 0–0 10.Be2 a5 11.Qc2 Ra6
with the idea of transfering the rook to the kingside to gain some attack.
12.Nb3 Bb4 13.0–0–0!?
With this move, it neutrtalizes the idea of Black to transfer the rook on the kingside, and now it simply stands bad on a6.
13...Bxc3
13...a4 14.Nd4 intending to play 15. Nf5 Qc5 16. Rd5.; The simple 13...d6 is possible alternative intending to give Black's last piece into to enter the game, but the rook on a6 looks misplaced.
14.Qxc3 a4 15.Nd4 d6
White gains the initiative in the endgame by this temporary pawn sacrifice.
16.c5! dxc5!
17.Bxa6 cxd4 18.exd4
Not 18.Rxd4 bxa6 19.Re4 f6 20.f4 Bf5
18...Ng4 19.Bd3 Nxf2 20.Rhe1 Nxd1
20...Qh4 is also possible, for example: 21.Re2 Nxd3+ 22.Rxd3 Qxh2 23.d5 with roughly equal play.
21.Rxe7 Nxc3 22.bxc3
White here has a slight edge in the endgame, because White's pieces are more active and Black's queenside pawns are rather shaky, for they can easily be attacked by White's king.
22...c6 23.Kb2 g6 24.Ka3 Kg7
If 24...b5 , then 25.Be4 with a huge advantage for White.
25.Kxa4 Be6 26.Kb4 Bxa2 27.c4!
This is more accurate than 27.Rxb7?! Bd5 28.Kc5 Forced. 29... c5 is the threat. 28...Bxg2 29.Rb2(29.Rc7 h5 30.Ra7 Rd8 31.c4) 29...Bh1 30.Rb1 with equal play.
27...b5
If 27...b6? 28.Ra7+-]
28.cxb5 cxb5 29.Bxb5
Now the smoke is cleared and White has a cental passed pawn, but with correct play, Black can hold this endgame, but I prefer to play with White here.
29...Rd8 30.Rd7
30.Re2 is also possible here, with the idea to place the rook behind the passed pawn.
30...Rxd7?
This is already a bad idea by Black. Keeping the rook would be difficult for White to exploit his passed pawn. [30...Rc8 was far more better.
31.Bxd7 Kf6 32.Kc5 Ke7 33.Bb5 f5 34.d5 f4 35.d6+ Kd8 36.Bd3
36.Kd4 is better, going to the kingside and attack the pawns the idea.
36...Bf7 37.Kd4 h6 38.Ke5 g5 39.Be4
39.Bb5 is another alternative.]
39...Kd7 40.Bf3
40.g3 immediately is more direct.
40...Bc4 41.Bg4+ Kd8 42.g3 fxg3 43.hxg3
Zugzwang!
43...Bf7 44.Kf6 Be8 45.Be6 g4 46.Bxg4 h5 47.Be2
1–0
This game gives me a good impression of playing 6.Bd2 line against the Budapest, though I must admit that in this game, Black played excellently in the opening and in the middlegame but a couple of inaccurate moves in the endgame causes his fall.The 6.Bd2 line deserve futher practical test.
Here's the PGN DOWNLOAD if you guys wanna view this game on your Chessbase softwares:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B-PXUPMH0sUhbTdXVzJMaEhtWjg/edit?usp=sharing
Here's the PGN DOWNLOAD if you guys wanna view this game on your Chessbase softwares:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B-PXUPMH0sUhbTdXVzJMaEhtWjg/edit?usp=sharing
by San Riumin
The g4 Gambit in the English Opening
This is a very interesting game
played in the very first "FIDE KNOCK-OUT" tournament in 1997. As we all know, in such high level events during at that
time, it is very difficult to prepare for an over-the-board game, since the opponent might play openings that he's never played before, all for sake to surprise the counterpart. Such is the case in this game...
Krasenkow,Michal (2645) - Garcia,Gildardo (2480) [A17]
FIDE-Wch k.o. Groningen (2.1),
11.12.1997
1.Nf3 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.g4!?
This is Krasenkov's patent move. The ideas of course is to
play for a king-side attack, something in common with the "Semi-Slav Anti-Meran" (7.g4). GM Zviagenstev incidentally played this, also
in the same tournament against Joel Benjamin, a day before Krasenkow got to actually play it.
4...d5?!
4...h6
5.Rg1 (5.h3 This deserves attention.) 5...d6 (5...d5!?; 5...Nc6) 6.h4 e5 7.g5 hxg5 8.hxg5 Ng4 9.Nd5 Bc5 10.d4
Bb6 11.Nxb6 axb6 with a good game. Zviagentsev 2635-Benjamin 2580, FIDE-Wch
k.o. 1997 (1.3)]
5.g5 Ne4
5...Bxc3
6.bxc3 is better for White.; 5...Nh5 is also a possibility but not yet tested.
6.Qa4+
6.h4
Nc6 7.a3 Bxc3 8.dxc3 dxc4 9.Qxd8+ Kxd8 10.Bf4 Nd6 11.h5 b6 12.Ne5 Bb7 13.f3 f5
14.Nxc6+ Bxc6 15.Be5 with chances for both sides, though I prefer White.
Krasenkov, M. 2652- Smirnov, A. 2435, EU-ch 11th, Rijeka(10), 2010. So 13 years
after! Amazing.
6...Nc6 7.Nxe4
I think Krasenkow is avoiding this variation 7.Ne5 Bxc3
8.dxc3 Bd7 9.Nxd7 Qxd7 10.Bg2= when Black has easy play. So he destroys the
pawn structure first, then plays Ne5.
7...dxe4 8.Ne5 e3!
The Columbian GM finds the correct and only move here.
8...Qd6 9.Nxc6 bxc6 10.Bg2; 8...Bd7 9.Nxc6 Bxd2+! 10.Bxd2 Bxc6 11.Qb3 e3
12.Qxe3 Bxh1 13.0–0–0! 0–0 (13...Bc6 is
bad due to 14.Bb4 Bd7 15.Bg2 and
Black is tied up.) 14.Bb4 regains the
exchange with a huge advantage for White.
9.fxe3 Qxg5
According to the notes given by Krasenkow himself, After 9...Bd7 10.Nxd7 Qxg5!? (10...Qxd7 11.Bg2
0–0–0 12.0–0 Bxd2 13.Rd1 Bxc1 14.Rxd7 Bxe3+ 15.Kh1 Kxd7 16.Qb5 winning for
White.) 11.Ne5! An Amazing move!-ASD.
(11.Qb5 Qh4+ 12.Kd1 Kxd7 13.Bg2 Rab8 and
Black is OK.) 11...Qxe5 12.Bg2 Rb8
13.Bxc6+ bxc6 14.Qxc6+ Kf8 15.0–0 and Black does not have enough compensation
for the sacrificed pawn. If 15...Bd6 ,
White simply replies with 16.Rf2
10.Nf3
10.Nxc6? is just horrible: Bd7 11.Qxb4 Bxc6 and the
rook is trapped. So instead, White retreats his knight intending to build a strong
pawn structure.
10...Qe7?
After a good defense... unfortunately... GM Garcia cracks! There were 4
possibilities that Black could have considered:
10...Qh5 11.a3 Be7 12.d4 0–0 13.Qc2 Bf6 14.Rg1 Rd8 15.Bg2 Bh4+ 16.Nxh4;
10...Qh6 11.a3 Bd6 12.b4 Bd7 13.Qc2 0–0 14.Bb2 Qh5 15.Bg2 e5 16.0–0 a6 17.c5;
10...Qf5 11.Bg2 0–0 12.0–0 Qg6 13.Ne5 Nxe5 14.Qxb4 Bd7 15.e4 f6 16.d4 Nc6;
10...Qf6 was considered by Krasenkov to
be better than the text move. 11.a3 Be7 12.d4 Bd7 13.Qb3 Rb8 14.Bd2 0–0
15.0–0–0 b5 16.cxb5 a6 17.Bg2
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| GM Gildardo Garcia from Colombia |
11.a3 Bd6 12.d4 Bd7 13.Qc2 Qf6
Now we can see the sad consequence of 10...Qe7...
14.b4 e5??
A decisive error!14...Qg6 is correct since 15.e4? is
premature in view of 15...e5! 16.c5 Be7 17.d5 (17.dxe5
0–0–0) 17...Nd4 18.Nxd4 exd4 with chances for Black. Note that 15.Qc3 just might be better, but after 15...Qe4, Black can still fight :)
15.d5
Black is helpless. 15.b5?! (Krasenkov) then 15...Bf5 16.Qb2 e4
17.bxc6 exf3 18.cxb7 f2+ 19.Kd1 Rb8 is a complicated path to tread.
15...Bf5 16.Qa4
16.e4? Nd4 17.Nxd4? Qh4+ 18.Kd1 Bxe4 wins for Black! Even here, White must be extra-careful not to fall for any slip-ups.
16...Be4
16...e4
17.Nd4
17.dxc6 b5!?
17...Bxc6
18.Qc2
18.cxb5 Bxf3 19.exf3 e4?!
After 19...Qh4+ 20.Ke2 Qc4+ 21.Kf2 Qh4+ 22.Kg1 Black runs out of checks.; 19...Qxf3 20.Rg1 Be7
21.Rg3 Bh4 22.Ra2 Bxg3+ 23.hxg3 Qxg3+ 24.Rf2 0–0 25.Qb3 Rad8 26.Bg2 should win
anyway.--Krasenkow
20.Ra2 exf3 21.Rf2 Rd8 22.Qc2 Be5
22...Qh4
23.Qf5 Bxb4+ 24.axb4 Qxb4+ 25.Bd2 --Krasenkow
23.Bb2!
Black could have resigned earlier at this moment because unfortunately, there was nothing he could actually do to revive the game :(
23...0–0 24.Bxe5 Qxe5 25.Rxf3 Rd6 26.Bg2 Qxb5 27.Rf5 Qa6 28.Ra5 Qb6 29.Qc5
Qb8 30.0–0!!
The final position
deserves a diagram ;)
After the game, Krasenkow said this interesting quote, "Castling on move 30 is not
very common... especially if it is the last move!" And so Black resigned, but not without grace!
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| GM Michal Krasenkow from Poland |
So guys, where can you find
such game with 30 0-0 in the end? Hehe.
Tell me, and I'll be surprised, hehe.
by Sans Riumin
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