22-year-old tops world rapid chess
The 2018 world rapid championship, which ended Friday in St. Petersburg (Russia), paid off for Russian chess.
Local GM Daniil Dubov, 22, who is growing in strength, topped the table with 11.0 of 15.0 and added another porcupine quill to his fearsome reputation in speed chess.
Tied for second-fifth at 10.5 apiece were Azeri Shakriyar Mamedyarov (second), American Hikaru Nakamura (third), Russian Vladislav Artemiev (fourth) and Norwegian Magnus Carlsen (fifth).
Rounding out the top 10 in tie-break order were Firouza Alireza (Iran), Yu Yangi (China), Anish Giri (Netherlands), Sergey Kariakin (Russia) and Tigran Petrosian (Armenia).
The tourney featured the participation of 206 players from various countries.
In the women’s championship, Ju Wenjun of China ran away with the top prize. The reigning world champion scored an impressive 10.0 of 12.0, without a loss in the 124-field that included several former world champions. Biting the dust in a tie for second-third were Sarasadat Khademalsharieh of Iran and Aleksandra Goryachkina of Russia, a full point behind at 9.0.
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The following game is considered the gem of the tournament. Its every facet sparkles with light and fire.
World Rapid Championship 2018
W) P. Svidler (Russia)
B) D. Andreikin (Russia)
Reti Opening
1. Nf3 Nf6
2. c4 b6
3. g3 Bb7
4. Bg2 g6
5. O-O c5
6. e3 Bg7
This is the hypermodern setup, applicable also in a number of other lines.
7. d4 O-O
8. Nc3 Ne4
9. Ne2 Nc6
10. Nf4 e6
11. Re1 f5
12. d5 exd5
13. Nxd5 Ne7
14. Nf4 Qc7
15. a4 g5
16. Nh5 4
17. Nh4 Ng6
18. Nxg7?! ....
Embarking on some interesting complications. A safer alternative is 18. Nxg6 and after 18...hxg6 19. Nxg7 Kxg7 20. a5, the game hangs in the balance.
18.... Nxh4
19. gxh4 Kxg7
20. Qc2 Rf6
21. b3 Rh6
22. Bb2ch Kf7
23. Bxe4 Bxe4
24. Qc3 Rg8
25. a5? ....
Even in rapid chess, one cannot ignore precision play. Punishment in the form of mating combination comes quickly. Correct is 25. Qe5 and White can probably hold out.
25.... Qxh2ch!!
The start of a powerful combination (starring a Queen sacrifice), in which the White King walks from one treacherous vis-a-vis to another.
26. Kxh2 Rxh4ch
27. Kg3
. . . .
27. Kg1 leads to instant mate after 27....Rh1.
27.... Rh3ch
28. Kf4 Rf3ch
29. Ke5 Rg6!
0-1
Mate is unavoidable. Apart from the threat 30....Re6, there’s another in 30...d6..
Solution to last week puzzle
White to move and draw.
white=Kd1, Bg6,
black=Kb2, Bf4, Pb3, Pe3
Black is threatening to win with ....Ka1 followed by ...b2-b1, so White played.
1. Bf7! Ka2
If 1....Ka3/Kc3, then White plays 2. Bg6 b2 3. Bb1 and draw.
2. Be6 Ka3
Again 2...Kb2 3. Bf7 and draws.
3. Bf5! and draw.
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