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Sports

Norway assembles top GMs

LET’S PLAY CHESS - Edgar De Castro - The Philippine Star

Stavanger is Norway’s fourth largest city. It is also a tourist attraction and home of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization Warfare Center. This week,  Stavanger played host to 10 super GMs participating in the Fifth Norway Chess, the world’s strongest individual tournament.

Russian Vladimir Kramnik and American Hikaru Nakamura made charges to surge into the lead following third round play at Stavanger.

They had two points overall, and one half point better than Norwegian world champion Magnus Carlsen.

Carlsen was in a group of six players that included Wesley So (USA), Levon Aronian (ARM),  Fabiano Caruana (USA), Sergey Kariakin (RUS) and Maxime Vachir-Lagrave (FRA) 

Next at one point was Indian  Vishy Anand, along with Dutchman  Anish Giri.

The single round robin, category 22 event runs up to June 16.

* * *

A rare sideline which  Carlsen must have prepared, helps him to obtain a dangerous initiative. For some time the game is full of explosive possibilities with White pressing to convert and Black  putting up stiff resistance. At the end, a little but surprising finesse saves the  day for the American GM.

Altibox Norway Chess 2017

W) M. Carlsen (Norway)

B)  H. Nakamura (USA)

Sicilian Defense

1. e4           c5 

2. Nf3          d6 

3. d4           cxd4 

4. Nxd4       Nf6 

5. Nc3         a6

6. h3           ...

White’s line is the Adams Attack, quite popular in the 60s and subject of a great deal of attention then, especially by  Fischer, who essayed it with some regularity. 

6...               g6

The alternatives are 6...e5, 6...e6 and 6...Nc6.

7. g3           ...

Half a century ago, the  enterprising double-edged 7. g4 was in vogue, but is now considered risky.

7...               Nc6

8. Be3         Bg7 

9. Bg2         O-O 

10. O-O       Nd7 

Another system of development is 10...Bd7. E.g. 11. Qd2 Rc8 12.  Rfd1 Nxd4 13. Bxd4 Be6 and the game is probably in the balance= Engine.

11. b3         Nxd4 

12. Bxd4      Bxd4 

13. Qxd4     b6 

14. Nd5       Bb7 

15. c4          ...

Now the opening is a Dragon type Sicilian with the Maroczy Bind in good condition. White has the edge.

15...             e5

16. Qe3       b5 

Seems best, as the immediate 16...Bxd5 favors White according to the engine after 17. cxd5 a5 18. Rac1 Nc5 19. f4 exf4 20. gxf4 Qe7 21. e5 Rae8 22. Rce1. etc.

17. Rac1     bxc4 

18. Rxc4      Bxd5 

19. exd5      a5 

20. Rfc1      Nc5 

21. a3         f5

21...a4 is probably stronger For example 22. b4 Nb3 23. R1c3 Nd4 24. Bf1 f5, the game hangs in the balance. The text allows White to gain control of the open c file.

22. b4         axb4 

23. axb4      Nd7 

24. Rc6       ...

Now White has a chance to pressure the d6 pawn.

24...             f4!

And here’s Black’s timely relief action. 24...Qf6 or 26...Qb8 instead, offers White a good game after 25. b5.

25. gxf4       exf4 

White has the edge after 25... Rxf4 26. Rxd6 Qe7 27. Rc6 Qxb4 28. d6=Computer.

26. Qe6       Rf7 

27. Qxd6     ...

Obviously 27. Rxd6?! is met by 27...f3! 28. Bxf3 Qg5ch.

27...             Qg5!

Black’s whole counteraction is sound.

28. Kh1       f3 

29. Bf1        Nf6 

30. Qe6       ...

After 30. Qg3 Qxg3 31. fxg3 Ra2 32. b5 Rb2 (or 32...Kg7 33. R6c2 Rxc2 34. Rxc2 Nxd5) 33. Rc6 Nh5 34. g4 Ng3ch 35. Kg1 Nxf1 36. Kxf1 Rxb5, Black should hold.

30...             Kg7

31. Rc7       ...

31. d6 is stronger according to the computer, although still  inconclusive.

31...             Rxc7

32. Rxc7ch  Kh6 

33. Qe1       Ra2 

Threatening 22...Re2!

34. Re7       Ng4!

Here’s Black’s little finesse, which leads to a draw by  repetition. 

35. hxg4     Qh4ch

36. Kg1      Qxg4ch

37. Kh1      Qh4ch

38. Kg1      Qg4ch

39. Kh1      Qh4ch

40. Kg1      Qg4ch

Solution to last week’s puzzle:

White to play and mates in two.

W=Kf8, Rf1, Rh2

B=Kh8, Ng1, Pg6, Ph7

1. Rf6        ...

Threatening 2. Rxg6 and 3. Rg8 mate.  If 1...Nh3 2. Rxg6 hxg6 3. Rxh3 mate. Or. 1...h5 2. Rxh5ch gxh5 3. Rh6 mate. And finally, 1...g5 2. Rg6, followed by mate on g8 or h6.

 

Black to move and win.

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