Vladislav Artemiev, the fourth youngest Russian GM at 22, emerged on top at the Abu Dhabi (UAE) Super Blitz Challenge, one of those major online tournaments that have gained popularity world-wide during the CODVID-19 lockdown.
Artemiev, the reigning European champion, defeated Oleksandr Bortnyk of Ukraine in the knockout finals and took home the $5,000 champion’s purse. Bortnyk, pocketed $3,000, while Russian Daniil Dubov won $2,000 for finishing third.
Rounding out the top eight were 16-year-old Artur Avalyan of Russia, compatriots Ian Nepomniachtchi and Peter Svidler, Parham Maghsoodloo of Iran and 15-year-old Nihal Sarin of India.
Other notable players in the star-studded, two-stage (swiss and knockout) event were Americans Fabiano Caruana and Hikaru Nakamura, Maxime Vachier-Lagrave (France), Anish Giri (Netherlands) and Russians Alexander Grischuk and Sergey Kariakin. The tourney drew 1,215 players, including 300 GMs and 276 IMs, setting an attendance record in online chess.
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At the chess24.com Banter Blitz Cup, which was the strongest in recent years, youth once again came to fore. Alireza Firouzja, the talented 16-year-old Iranian exile, who plays under the FIDE flag, defeated Norwegian world champion Magnus Carlsen, 8.5-7.5, in Wednesday’s finals to win the $14,000 top prize. Banter Blitz Cup was an online 128-player knockout match play, where participants were given three minutes each to finish.
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Meanwhile, the $250,000 Magnus Carlsen internet invitatonal is underway as we go to press. Round one pairings were Firouzja vs Ding Liren, Carlsen vs Nakamura, Caruana vs Nepomniachtchi and Vachier-Lagrave vs Giri. All games can be viewed move-by-move live at chess24.com.
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In this game, a fatal blunder on the 32nd move put a dramatic finish to a dull opening and tranquil middlegame.
Candidates Tournament 2020
W) I. Nepomniachtchi (Russia)
B) Wang Hao (China)
Petroff Defense
1. e4 e5
2. Nf3 Nf6
The Petroff Defense was popularized by Russian master Alexander Petrov (1794-1867). For some time, the Petroff has an unfair reputation of being dull and drawish, but it was found that several sidelines are sharp, double-edged and offers attacking opportunities for both sides.
3. Nxe5 d6
4. Nf3 Nxe4
5. d4 ....
In the game Caruana-Wang, Rd. 07, play continued sharply after 5. Nc3 Nxc3 6. dxc3 Be7 7. Be3 0-0 8. Qd2 Nd7 9. 0-0-0 Nf6 10. Bd3 c5 11. Rhe1 Be6 12. Kb1 Qa5, with equal chances. (1/2:1/2=41). In Grischuk-Wang, Rd. 03, the game had gone 5. d3 Nf6 6. d4 d5 7. Bd3 Bd6 8. Qe2ch Be6, and Black has equalized early. (1/2:1/2=49).
5.... d5
6. Bd3 Bf5
7. O-O Be7
8. Re1 O-O
9. Nbd2 Nd6
10. Nf1 Bxd3
11. Qxd3 c6
12. Bf4 Na6
13. h4 Nc7
14. Ng5 Bxg5
15. Bxg5 f6
16. Bf4 Qd7
Neither player has obtained the upperhand in the opening maneuvers.
17. Ng3 Rae8
18. Bxd6 Qxd6
19. Nf5 Qd7
20. Qh3 Kh8
The alternative 20....Ne6 leads to interesting bypaths after 21. Qg3 g6 22. Qd6.
21. h5 Rxe1ch
22. Rxe1 Re8
23. Rxe8ch Nxe8
24. g4 a6
25. b3 Qe6
26. Ne3 Nd6
27. h6 ....
White tries to force the issue; he breaks up Black’s Pawns on the Kingside and aims to make headway there, though Black has defensive resources.
27.... g6
28. c4 dxc4
29. bxc4 Kg8?!
A dubious move in which White obtains winning chances. Correct is the engine’s 29....Nf7, e.g., 30. c5 Qxa2 31. Qh2 Qa1ch 32. Kg2 Qxd4 33. Qb8ch Qd8 34. Qxb7 Qe8 35. g5 fxg5 36. Ng4 Qe4ch 37. f3 Qe2ch 38. Kg3 Qe1ch 39. Kg2 and the game still hangs in the balance.
30. Qh2 Kf7
31. c5 Nb5
32. Qb8 Qd7?
Definitely the losing move. Instead, Black should have tried 32....Nxd4 with probably drawing chances after 33. Qxb7ch Qe7 34. Qxa6 Qe4, etc. Now watch Black’s position disintegrated like a house of cards.
33. Qh8 Ke6
34. f4 Nxd4
35. Qg8ch Qf7
36. Qc8ch Qd7
37. Qg8+ch Qf7
38. Qd8 Qd7
39. f5ch gxf5
40. gxf5ch Nxf5
41. Qxd7ch Kxd7
42. Nxf5 Ke6
43. Ne3 1-0
After 43....Ke5 44. Kf2 Kf4 45. Nc4 Kg5 46. Nd6 Kxh6 47. Nxb7 Kg5 48. Nd8, White simplifies into a won endgame.
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Solution to last week puzzle
Black to play and win.
White=Kh4, Qe4, Re8, Pb4, Pc5, Pf2, Ph2
Black=Kh7, Qf5, Rg8, Pb7, Pf7, Pg7, Ph6
1.... g5ch
2. Kh5 Qg6ch!
3. Qxg6ch fxg6 mate.
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White to play and win.