Sports

Candidates tourney

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

March 16, 2020 | 12:00am

The 2020 Candidates tournament, which will determine the world champion’s next challenger, gets underway March 17 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Yekaterinburg, Russia.

American world No. 2 and defending champion Fabiano Caruana, who is seeking to win the top prize for the second time, headlines the elite eight-player field, that included world cup runner-up and world No. 3 Ding Liren of China.

They will be joined by local bets Alexander Grischuk and Ian Nepomniachtchi, the top two finishers in last year’s FIDE Grand Prix, FIDE Grand Swiss champion Wang Hao of China, FIDE ratings qualifier Anish Giri of the Netherlands, Frenchman Maxime Vachier-Lagrave (who replaced world cup winner Teimour Radjabov), and Russian wild card Kiril Alekseenko. Radjabov withdrew after the FIDE declined his request to postpone the event due to coronavirus. The FIDE has adopted precautionary measures to protect players against the in-flux of COVID-19.

While Caruana and Liren remains the heavy favorites, a number of quality players are in serious contention for the title, including Grischuk and Vachier-Lagrave.

The double round robin tournament, the last key battleground in the year-long selection process, will hopefully provide another terrific three weeks of action for chess fans around the world. All games with computer analysis will be available live on line starting Tuesday.

The winner will challenge Norwegian Magnus Carlsen in a 14-game world championship match to be held in December in Dubai, UAE.

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Connoisseurs of positional play will relish this game. It is both interesting and instructive, but the focal point of the game is White’s mastery of the open c file. A fine performance by the winner.

Battle of the Generations 2020

W) E. Tomashevsky (Russia)

B) S. Lomasov (Russia)

Queen’s Indian Defense

1. d4 e6

2. c4 Bb4ch

3. Bd2 Qe7

4. Nf3 Nf6

For all the moves made so far, the opening is not yet completed

5. Nc3 b6

6. e3 Bxc3

7. Bxc3 Ne4

8. Rc1 Bb7

Transposition of moves had led to a Queen’s Indian formation.

9. Bd3 O-O

10. O-O Nxc3

A sound alternative is 10...f5, which leads to a balanced middle game after 11. h3 d6 12. Bxe4 Bxe4, etc.

11. Rxc3 d6

12. c5! ....

After this timely Pawn advanced, White seizes the initiative.

12.... g6

13. cxd6 cxd6

14. Nd2 Na6

15. Qa4 Nc7

16. e4 Rfc8

17. Rfc1 Kg7

18. Nf1 Ne8

19. Ne3 Nf6

20. f3 d5?!

This dubious move creates sharp complications, but to Black’s detriment. Most natural is 20....Rxc3.

21. e5 Ng8

22. f4 Rxc3

23. Rxc3 Qd8?

Another mistake which allows White’s next reply. The best try probably is 23....Qe8.

24. f5! ....

A sharp Pawn stab, after which Black’s dark square weaknesses comes into view.

24.... exf5

Seems forced as other moves leads to a huge advantage for White., e.g., 24....a5 25. f6ch Kh8 26. Qc2 Rc8 27. Rxc8 Qxc8 28. Qxc8 Bxc8 29. g4 and Black’s Knight is caught in the web.

25. Bxf5! ....

A well-calculated piece sacrifice that keeps the attack rolling.

25.... gxf5

25....Bc8 should have been tried to prolong the game.

26. Nxf5ch Kh8

27. Nd6 Qe7

28. Qc2 Rd8

29. Nxb7 Qxb7?

29....Rd7 may put up a longer resistance, though White retains winning chances after 30. Nd6.

30. Rc7! 1-0

Nothing can be done about 31. Rxf7, finishing off Black’s resistance.

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