The Grand Chess Tour finals returns to London once again as the tour’s four finalists square off starting tomorrow at the Olympia London Convention Center.
World champion Magnus Carlsen (Norway), world No. 3 Ding Liren (China), fourth-ranked Maxime Vachier-Lagrave (France) and No. 7 Levon Aronian of Armenia figure in the week-long classical (semifinal and final) match play format.
Prize fund is $350,000, with the champion getting $150,000, runner-up $100,000, third $60,000 and fourth $40,000.
Carlsen, 29, who dominated the recent GTC Kolkata (India) leg with an awesome 14 wins, 11 draws, two-loss record, is the top favorite to win the title. The Norwegian has been a dominant force in the tour over the years, winning eight of the last 10 editions he participated.
Candidates qualifier Ding Liren will look to do better this year as the second seed. The 27-year-old Chinese has won the prestigious GTC Sinquefield Cup in the USA last August, beating Carlsen in a breathtaking tie-break playoff. He also dealt out Carlsen’s only two defeats in Kolkata.
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In Carlsen’s march to victory in this tournament, he was stopped only twice by Liren. Here’s the more brilliant point scored against him by the Chinese world contender.
2019 Grand Chess Tour (India)
W) M. Carlsen (Norway)
B) D. Liren (China)
Ruy Lopez
1. e4 e5
2. Nf3 Nc6
3. Bb5 a6
4. Ba4 Nf6
5. O-O Be7
6. Bxc6 dxc6
7. d3 ....
This remarkable line, apparently a very old one with very new points, sails under the banner of the popular Exchange Variation.
7.... Nd7
There are promising alternatives such as 7....Bd6, 7....Bg4 and 7....Qd6, but how Black proceeds is a matter of personal taste.
8. Nbd2 O-O
9. a4 a5
10. b3 f6
11. Nh4 Nc5
12. Nf5 Ne6
13. Nc4 b6
14. Nxe7ch ....
The engine recommends 14. h4, and after 14....Bb4 15. h5 Nd4 16. Nxd4 exd4 17. h6 g6, the game probably hangs in the balance.
14.... Qxe7
Now skillful maneuverings for middle game initiative begins.
15. Ne3 g6
16. Bb2 c5
17. Qd2 Bb7
18. Rae1 Rad8
19. f3 Kf7
20. Qf2 Ke8
21. Qh4 Kd7
22. f4 Nxf4
23. Rxf4 exf4
24. Ng4 g5
25. Qh6 Qe6
26. Nxf6ch Kc8
27. Qxg5?! ....
Not a good choice as it opens up the g file to Black’s advantage.
27.... f3!
This sharp Pawn stab paves the way for Black’s major pieces.
28. Rf1 Rg8
29. Nxg8 Rxg8
30. Qe5? ....
The losing move as Black quickly develops a winning attack against the exposed White King. The best chance, according to the engine is 30. Qf6, e.g., 30....Qxf6 31. Bxf6 Rxg2ch 32. Kh1 Rxc2 33. Rxf3 Rd2, White is inferior but retains drawing chances.
30.... Rxg2ch
31. Kh1 Qg6!
This is the end. Queen and Rook on the open file are irresistible.
32. h4 Bc6
33. Qf4 Rxc2
34. Rg1 Rg2
35. Qe3 Qg3!
0--1
Mate is unavoidable.
Solution to last week puzzle
White to move and win.
White=Kg1, Qd1, Ra1, Re1 Ne5, Bg3, Pb3, Pb2, Pc2, Pf2, Pg2, Ph4 Black=Ke8, Qa7, Ra8, Rh8, Bc5, Ne4, Pa6, Pb5, Pd5, Pf7, Pg4, Ph5
1. Rxe4! dxe4
2. Rxa6!! 1-0
If 2....Qxa6 3. Qd7ch Kf8 4. Qxf7 mate, or 2....Qb7 3. Rxa8ch Qxa8 4. Qd7ch Kf8 5. Qxf7 mate. And on 2....Rd8 3. Qxd8ch Kxd8 4. Rxa7 and wins.
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Black to play and win.