Carlsen makes move

Norwegian world champion Magnus Carlsen moved into position for his third victory in his last four GTC starts this year, after he took the third round lead at the Grand Chess Tour Asian swing in Kolkata, India.

Carlsen, 29, had five points on two wins and one draw in the 10-player all-play-all rapid event, in which a win is  counted two points and a draw scored one point.

American HIkaru Nakamura was in second spot with four points, followed by Anish Gir (NED), Ding Liren (CHN) and local bets Vishy Anand, Pentala Harikrishna and Vidit Santosh Gujrathi, at three apiece.

Rounding out the top 10 with two each were Wesley So (USA), Levon Aronian (ARM) and Ian Nepomniacthchi (RUS).

The Kolkata GCT is the final event in the year-long series leading to next month’s GTC grand finals in London, Great Britain. Carlsen has already sealed a place in the four-player finals, along with Liren and Aronian, while a number of top players are still in contention for the last remaining spot, including Anand and Vachier-Lagrave.

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A highly dubious move by Black enables White to start a sharp attack. For some time the position is fraught  with bewildering complications. At the end Black collapses, but the struggle makes the following game a pleasant one to follow.

2019 Grand Chess Tour (India)

W) I. Nepomniachtchi (Russia))

B) V. Anand (India)

English Opening

1. c4       e5

2. g3       Nf6

3. Bg2      Bc5

4. Nc3      c6

5. Nf3      e4

6. Nh4      d5

So far, the players have followed the game Anton-Grischuk, 2019 Isle of Man FIDE Grand Swiss. As that game showed, the variations employed have promising alternatives for both sides.

7. d4!?     ....

An interesting improvement from  the above-mentioned game, which went 7. cxd5 cxd5 8. d3 with probably a slight  edge for White, (1-0- 24).

7....       Be7

8. cxd5     cxd5

9. O-O      O-O

10. f3      exf3

The alternative  10....Nc6 11. fxe4 dxe4 12. e3 Bg4, leads to interesting possibilities.

11. Rxf3     Nc6

12. Nf5      Ne4

13. Rf1      Bf6

14. e3       Nxc3

After 14.... Re8 15. Qb3, White enjoys a slight advantage.

15 bxc3      Be6

16. Rb1      Qd7

Not a good idea, but other attempts also leads to White’s advantage. For instance, 16....Na5 17. Ba3 Re8 18. Nd6 Be7 19. Nxe8 Bxa3 20. Nxg7 Kxg7 21. e4! and White will exert tremendous pressure.

17. e4!      Rfe8?

This dubious move allows White to intensify his King side pressure. 17....Bxf5 seems forced, and after 18. Rxf5 dxe4 19. Bxe4 Rae8 20. Bc2 Qe7, Black may put up a stiff resistance.

18. Nh6ch     Kh8

18....gxf6 is probably bettter than the text., e.g., 19. Rxf6 dxe4 20. Qh5 Qd5 21. Qxh6 Ne7, and though Black is inferior, the  game continues.

19. Rxf6      gxf6

20. Qf3       Kg7

20....Qd8 also loses to 21. exd5.

21. exd5      Bxd5

22. Nf5ch     1-0

After 21...Kh8 22. Qxd5 Qxd5

23. Bxd5 is hopeless for Black.

Solution to last week’s puzzle:

White to move and win.

White=Kf4, Qg5, Rd1, Nf6, Pc5, Pd4, Pe5

Black=Kf8, Qc3, Rb8, Rd8, Bc4, Pa4, Pa2, Pd5, Pf5, Pf7

1. e6!     -0-

Threatening 2. Qg8ch and 3. Qxf7mate. If 1....Ke7 2. Nxd5ch Kf8 (2....Kxe6 3. Qxf5 mate)

3. Qh6ch Ke8/Kg8? 4. Qh8/Nf6 mate.