Marshall Gambit stuns Anand
Not unexpectedly, the final half (Rds. 8-14) of the Morelia-Linares Super GM Tournament got underway in sunny
Anand trounced Shirov in a Sicilian Sveshnikov to retain the overall lead. Aronian upended Topalov in a sharp attacking game, and Carlsen thumped Ivanchuk, who ran out of time. Radjabov and Leko halved the point. When the smoke finally cleared, the standings after Rd. 8 read:
Anand, (
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The sharp nineteenth-century Marshall Gambit is usually a dangerous and unpredictable weapon for Black. In this game it claims even world champion Anand as a victim, confronting him with problems, which he fails to solve satisfactorily.
Morelia-Linares 2008
W) V. Anand g 2801
B) L. Aronian g 2741 ARM
Spanish Opening
1. e4 e5
2. Nf3 Nc6
3. Bb5 a6
4. Ba4 Nf6
5. 0-0 Be7
6. Re1 b5
7. Bb3 0-0
8. c3 ...
Anand invites the well-known Marshall Gambit. Anti-Marshall alternatives are 8. a4, h3 and d3.
8... d5
The sharp Marshall Gambit – a throwback to the romantic style of the last century. At higher levels of play, the system has stayed in favor, thanks to its aggressive outlook and attacking possibilities.
9. exd5 Nxd5
10. Nxe5 Nxe5
11. Rxe5 c6
12. Re1 Bd6
13. g3 Re8!?
A rarely played line, which Aronian must have studied and found some improvements for Black. The usual developing moves are 13...Qd7 and 13...Bf5.
14. d4 Rxe1ch!?
This is Black’s improvement on the previous 14...Bg4 in which White can effectively answer with 15. Rxe8ch Qxe8 16. Qxg4 Qe1ch 17. Kg2 Qxc1 18. Qe2! and White has the upper hand since 18...Nf4? is refuted by 19. gxf4 Qxf4 20. Kf1! Qxh2 21. Qf3, etc.
15. Qxe1 Ra7
The idea behind Black’s 13th move. Now Black’s other rook comes into play along the open e-file.
16. Be3 Re7
17. Nd2 Qe8
18. Nf1 h5!
Almost an automatic advance in this type of position, aiming to weaken White’s kingside pawn structure.
19. a4 ...
White has to create quick counterplay on the queenside.
19... Be6
Threatening to win with 20...Nxe3.
20. Bd1 h4
21. axb5 axb5
22. Bf3 Bh3
23. Bxd5 ...
Seems forced as Black threatens 23...Bxf1 followed by 24...Nxe3, but the text creates weaknesses on White’s light squares.
23... cxd5
24. Qd1 ...
White aims to defend his light squares with Qf3 or Qh5.
24... f5!?
Preventing 25. Qh5 and opening up the square g6 for the black queen.
25. Bg5?! ...
Seems risky at this point. The intermediate 25. Qb3 deserves attention, although Black retains the initiative after 25...Qc6.
25... Re4
26. Bxh4 Qg6!
Not 26...Rxh4? 27. gxh4 Qg6ch 28. Ng3 f4 29. Qh5! and White wins a piece. Now the threat of 27...Rxh4 forces White’s dark-squared bishop away from the kingside.
27. Bd8 f4
28. Qd3 Qh5
29. Nd2?! ...
This may not be the appropriate move for White here as it merely activates the black rook, but it is hard to indicate a good plan for White. After the waiting 29. Bb6 Black can improve with 29...Bg4 or can force a draw with 29...Bxf1 30. Rxf1 fxg3 31. hxg3 (31. fxg3 Bxg3 32. hxg3 Re2 33. Rf2 Re1ch 34. Rf1 Re2) 31...Rh4! 32. gxh4 Qg4ch, etc.
29... Re2!
The threat is 30...Rxd2 31. Qxd2 Qf3 and mate.
30. Nf3? ...
Definitely the losing move, although after 30. Bh4 Rxd2! 31. Ra8ch Bf8 32. Qxd2 (or 32. Rxf8ch Kxf8 33. Qxd2 Kg8! 34. Qd3 Qe8 35. Qb1 Qe2! followed by ...Qf3 and wins) 32...Qf3 33. Rxf8ch Kh7! 34. Qc2ch g6 35. Rf7ch Kh6 is hopeless White.
30... Re3!
A clever zwischenszug which leads to a decisive mating attack for Black.
31. fxe3 Qxf3
32. Qc2 fxg3
33. hxg3 Qxg3ch
34. Kh1 Bf5!
0:1
After 35. Qxf5 Qh2 mates.
Solution to last week’s puzzle:
1. Ne5! b2
Or 1...Kxe5 2. Ke7 b2 3. f4 mate.
2. f4 Kd6/f6 3. Rc6 mate
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