Gens Una Sumus!
Newsletter #967
May 8, 2021
By Abel Talamantez
Table of Contents
- Club Match vs Royal Dutch Chess Club
- Club Match vs. Zurich
- Schutt/Brandwein/Jay Whitehead Memorial Blitz
- Free Tuesday Night Online Report
- May 2021 TNM
- ThNM
- Twitch Arena
- Weekly Classes
- Online Events Schedule
- Scholastic Corner
- FM Paul Whitehead's Column
- GM Nick de Firmian's Column
- Solutions to FM Paul Whitehead's Column
- Submit your piece or feedback
Mechanics' Institute vs. Royal Dutch Chess Club Saturday May 8 9:00am PT
The Mechanics' Institute plays its 3rd match this Saturday morning in its Spring Club Match Series against the Royal Dutch Chess Club from The Hague, Netherlands. We will have more than 20 players for Mechanics' Institute, led by the top board matchup of GM Patrick Wolff playing for Mechanics' against GM John Van der Wiel for the Royal Dutch Club. We will also have some of the players from our scholastic programs participate against their scholastic players, so the competition will be from grandmaster to novice. Join us this Saturday morning starting at 9am PT with live coverage on our Twitch channel HERE. We will have live commentary with GM Nick de Firmian, FM Paul Whitehead, WCM Allyson Wong, and Abel Talamantez. Judit Sztaray will be the Chief TD, pairing the games on Chess.com. See you all Saturday - Go Mechanics'!
Mechanics' Institute and SG Zurich Split Club Match
The Mechanics' Institute split a club match last Saturday against the oldest continuously running chess club in the world: SG Zurich. Mechanics' won the matchup of scholastic players 14.5-5.5, and Zurich won the main event 16-12. GM Jim Tarjan led the charge for the Mechanics' Institute, in a match the had players from grandmasters to scholastic beginners. It was a great to see our scholastic players, many of whom compete in our weekend scholastic events on Chesskid.com, participate in a club match like this, with an opportunity to compete against other scholastic players from Zurich. Although Mechanics' lost the main event, we did have a very spirited comeback in the 2nd round of the match, highlighted by an incredible comeback upset by Clarence Lehman and Ethan Boldi delivering a checkmate with king, bishop, and knight in the final game of the match with seconds left on his clock. Congratulations to all the participants, and we would like to thank SG Zurich for helping organize this historic event. Full results for the match can be found by clicking HERE. To watch the broadcast of the match, please follow this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=azpT-oEs6Hs
Here are some games from the match, annotated by GM Nick de Firmian
(1) Ambroise Labelle [Frambi] Zurich (2340) - Clarence Lehmann [FrankJamesMarshall] Mechanics' (1866) [C55]
Mechanics' vs. Zurich Chess.com (2.10), 01.05.2021
[de Firmian, Nick]
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.d3 Be7 5.0-0 0-0 6.Re1 d6 7.a4 Na5 8.Ba2 c5 Expansion common in Italian and Spanish circles (the openings, not the countries). 9.Bg5 Nd7 10.Be3 Nc6 11.Nc3 Nb4 12.Bc4 Nb6 13.Bb3 Bg4 14.a5 Nd7 15.h3 Be6 16.Bxe6 fxe6 17.Ne2 d5 18.c3 Nc6 19.a6+/=
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(2) GM James Tarjan [Tirantes] Mechanics' (2348) - GM Christian Bauer [crazyboy26] Zurich (2476) [A20]
Mechanics' vs. Zurich Chess.com (2.1), 01.05.2021
[de Firmian, Nick]
1.c4 e5 2.g3 Nc6 3.Bg2 Bc5 4.Nc3 a6!? Yes, Carlsen has played it. Right away Black secures a retreat for the bishop. 5.Nf3 d6 6.0-0 Ba7 The waiting game continues. Will Black put his pawn to f5 before developing his knight, White must ask himself. 7.e3 Nf6 8.h3 White continues a restraining strategy and is slightly better. 8...0-0 9.d4 h6 10.dxe5 GM David Howell's concept, endorsed in the recently published "Iron English" by Simon Williams and Richard Palliser. It clarifies the pawn structure and the black bishop's plight on a7, but White isn't without weaknesses as well. [10.b3 keeps the center open to various transformations.] 10...dxe5
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[27.Nxe4 Qh4 28.Re2 is an attempt to hold the fort, when 28...Bh2+ 29.Kf1 Rae8 looks a good try to bring White to the brink.] 27...Qh4-+ And it's over. 28.Qe6+ Kh8 29.Re2 Bxg3 Weighted Error Value: White=0.56/Black=0.18 0-1
(5) FM Jonathan Rosenthal (OneLastBreath) Zurich (2410) - FM Kyron Griffith (kyrongriffith) Mechanics' (2371) [E27]
Live Chess Chess.com, 01.05.2021
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.f3 0-0 5.a3 Bxc3+ 6.bxc3 Nh5 As usual Kyron plays an active, entertaining move. He threatens 7...Qh4+ 7.Nh3 f5 8.e3 c5 9.Bd3 Nc6 10.0-0 d6 11.Rb1 b6 [11...e5!] 12.g4?
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[The only chance was to fight the exchange down after 20.Rg1 Rg6+ 21.Kh1 Ng3+ 22.Rxg3 Rxg3] 20...Nxf4+! 21.exf4 Rg6+ 22.Ng4 Rxg4+ 23.Kf3 □ 23...Bxc4! 24.Bxc4 Nxc4 25.Qxc4 There was no defense anyway. 25...Qh3+ White resigned. It's mate after [25...Qh3+ 26.Kf2 Qg2#] 0-1
(7) Mike Hilliard (echecsmike) Mechanics' (1280) - Karl Dulli (oharot) Zurich (1056) [D02]
Live Chess Chess.com, 01.05.2021
1.d4 d5 2.Nf3 Bf5 oharet plays the London System reversed! 3.e3 e6 4.Be2 Bd6 5.Nbd2 Nd7 6.b3 Ngf6 7.Bb2 0-0 8.0-0 c5 8...c6 is the soldi "London" style move. 8...c5 is equaly good and more aggressive. 9.Rc1 cxd4 10.Nxd4 Bg6 11.c4 a6 12.cxd5 Nxd5 So far this has been excellent opening play by both players. The game is even here. 13.e4!? aggressive yet somewhat loosening 13...N5b6?! [13...Nf4 would be at least equal for Black] 14.Bd3 [14.f4!] 14...Ne5 15.N2f3 Rc8 [15...Qf6!] 16.Rxc8 Qxc8 17.Nxe5 Bxe5 18.f4 Bxd4+?+/- This gives up the bishop for knight and causes tactical problems. The game would still be equal after 18...Bf6 19.Bxd4 Qd8 20.Bb1? [20.Bc5 Re8 21.f5! would win a piece. 21...Nd7 (21...Bh5 22.Qxh5 Qxd3 23.fxe6) 22.fxg6] 20...h6?!+/- [Material stays even after 20...Bh5!] 21.Rf2? [White wins an exchange after 21.Bc5 since the queen trade would remove the defender of the b6 knight] 21...Qc7?+/-
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The deadly pin finally gets the knight. 32...Kf8 33.Bxf6 echecsmike won by resignation 1-0
2021 Schutt/Brandwein/Jay Whitehead Memorial Blitz Online Report
Free Tuesday Night Online Results
We organized a free blitz tournament during the TNM off week on Tuesday March 4th. Christophe Bambou (HasDisconnected) won the event with an impressive 5/6 in a tough field. There was one particularly epic and exciting game between Kevin Zimmerman (chefkez) and Sos Hakobyan (sacrificeandcrush) that is well worth a look. Full results can be found here: https://www.chess.com/tournament/live/mechanics-free-blitz---live-on-twitch-2288594 You can watch the replay of the broadcast for some fun lighthearted entertainment by clicking here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HKoKRcIDq94
Here are some games from the tournament, annotated by GM Nick de Firmian.
(4) Christophe Bambou (HasDisconnected) (2243) - FM Eric Li (kingandqueen2017) (2316) [B22]
Live Chess Chess.com, 04.05.2021
1.e4 c5 2.c3 Nf6 3.e5 Nd5 4.Nf3 d6 5.exd6 Qxd6?! [5...e6 is safer] 6.d4 cxd4 7.Na3! Nc6 8.Nb5 Qd8 9.Nbxd4 Nxd4 10.Qxd4 This is simple but just better for White. 10...e6 11.Bc4 Nb6 12.Qxd8+ Kxd8 13.Bb3 f6 14.Be3 The endgame is simply better for White with a lead in development and the uncastled black king. 14...Kc7 15.Nd4 [15.a4!] 15...e5 16.Nb5+ [16.Ne6+! Bxe6 17.Bxe6 Is a clear edge due to the bishop pair] 16...Kc6!
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(6) Kevin Zimmerman (chefkez) (1441) - Sos Hakobyan (SacrificeandCrush) (1734) [C02]
Live Chess Chess.com, 04.05.2021
1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 c5 4.Nc3?! This doesn't deal with the strategic threat to the white central pawn chain. Once the d4 pawn is removed the e5 pawn becomes weak. 4...Nc6 5.Nge2?! Qb6 [5...cxd4 6.Nxd4 Nxe5 is simply a pawn to the good] 6.Na4 Qa5+ 7.c3 cxd4 8.Nxd4 Nxd4 [8...Bd7 causes a lot of problems also] 9.Qxd4 f6?! [9...Ne7! comes out effectively to the c6 square] 10.Bf4?! [10.b3] 10...Bd7! 11.b3 Bxa4?! This is too soon as it gives up the light squares [11...Rc8] 12.bxa4 Bc5
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The best try in the position, 52.Qxf6?? [52.Qg6+ Kf3 53.Rc8 A time induced blunder going from won to lost. White is still easily winning after.] 52...Rh7+ 53.Kg4?! [53.Kg5 Qb5+! 54.Be5 Qxe5+ 55.Qxe5+ Kxe5 is a winning ending] 53...Qh3+ 54.Kg5 Qh5# Some mistakes, but an epic battle. 0-1
May 2021 TNM Begins Tuesday May 11
The May 2021 Tuesday Night Marathon begins next Tuesday May 11 with a 6SS G/35+2 in 2 sections, 1800+ and u/1800. Two games per evening starting at 6:30pm PT, games will be manually paired on Chess.com and will be USCF online rated. We will broadcast all rounds of the tournament with live commentary. Register NOW by following this link: https://mechanics-institute.jumbula.com/2021OnlineTournaments/May2021TNMOnline
Full tournament information can be found by clicking here: https://www.milibrary.org/chess-tournaments/may-2021-tuesday-night-marathon-online
Thursday Night Marathon Begins Thursday May 13
For those wanting the challenge of a longer time control, our Thursday Night Marathon will begin its May-June edition this Thursday May 13th. This is a 5SS G/60+5 with one game per evening. Round starts at 6:30pm PT on Chess.com. Register for the ThNM HERE.
Full tournament information can be found by clicking here: https://www.milibrary.org/chess-tournaments/thursday-night-marathon-g605-mayjune-2021
Take on the Mechanics' Chess Staff Live on Twitch!
The chess room staff at the Mechanics' Institute are taking on all comers now weekly, as each of us will live stream an arena tournament where we will commentate our own games! You might be playing 3-time US Champion GM Nick de Firmian, or perhaps our commentator and instructor extraordinaire FM Paul Whitehead.
Arenas are an hour long, and the chess staff will be paired against the first available player to play at the conclusion of their games. All other players will be paired with the next available opponent. This will continue for the whole hour. While there is no guarantee you will be paired against a chess staff member, you will have a very good chance at it, depending on the number of players playing. All games will be streamed live on our Twitch channel: https://www.twitch.tv/mechanicschess
GM Nick de Firmian/FM Paul Whitehead Arena: Tuesdays 5pm-6pm, 5/11: https://www.chess.com/live#r=1146076
See you in the arena!
Mechanics' Institute Regular Online Classes
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Monday's 4:00-5:30PM - Mechanics' Chess Cafe
Ongoing casual meeting to talk about chess, life, and pretty much everything else of interest. Join 3-time US Champion GM Nick de Firmian and FM Paul Whitehead as they give a lecture and class in a fun casual atmosphere where you can discuss games, learn strategy, discuss chess current events and interact in a fun casual atmosphere. Enter our Monday chess café for the pure love of the game. Class suitable for ALL level of players and FREE for MI members.
FREE for Mechanics' members. $5 for non-members.
More information: https://www.milibrary.org/chess/chess-cafe
Register: https://mechanics-institute.jumbula.com/2020OnlineClasses_120/ChessCafe -
Monday's 6:00-7:00PM -- NEW 6-week Specialty Class: Modern Chess Openings (MCO) with GM Nick de Firmian with FM Paul Whitehead
Course Dates: April 5 - May 10, 2021Modern Chess Openings was a revolutionary text, and it has come back to life as it was featured in The Queen's Gambit. Mechanics' Institute Grandmaster in Residence GM Nick de Firmian was the editor of several editions of that book and now it will come to life as a class! This will be club players of various strengths and will focus on about 5 key openings. He will cover open game openings that reinforce fundamentals such as piece development, control of the center and king safety, and he will also cover more complex openings that need deeper understanding such as the Sicilian, Queen's Gambit, and Ruy Lopez. The purpose of this class is to gain a better understanding of the ideas behind playing these openings and what to look for. The class will be interactive and engaging. FM Paul Whitehead will also be on to facilitate the class. The class will be fluid and interaction in the class is encouraged. We hope to enlighten the student on what it means to play openings and hpw they can lay the foundation for the course of the entire game. More information: https://www.milibrary.org/chess/modern-chess-openings
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Wednesday's 5:00-6:30PM - Free Adult Beginner Class for Mechanics' Members
Are you an adult who wants to put learning chess on top of your New Year's resolution? Get a head start with us at the Mechanics' Institute! This virtual class is open to any MI member who has no knowledge of the game or who knows the very basics and wants to improve. Taught by MI Chess Director Abel Talamantez along with other MI staff, we will patiently walk through all the basics at a pace suitable for our class. Our goal is to teach piece movement basics, checkmate patterns, importance of development, and general strategy. We will also show students how to play online so they may practice. The goal of the class is to open a new world of fun and joy through the magic and beauty of chess, from one of the oldest and proudest chess clubs in the world.
Registration: Current class is full.
Next class starts June. Free for MI members. Members will have to register online to secure their spot and to receive an email confirming the Zoom link: https://mechanics-institute.jumbula.com/2021OnlineClasses/FreeAdultBeginnerClassforMechanicsMembersJuneJuly2021
More information: https://www.milibrary.org/chess/free-adult-beginner-class-mechanics-members -
Wednesdays 6:30-8PM -- New offerings start next week: Advanced Attacking Techniques by FM Paul Whitehead
Course Dates: April 28 through June 2 (6 classes)
Special class for players with 1800+ USCF rating to learn, discuss and improve on their attacking skills.
$150 Mechanics' members. $180 for non-members. Few single class registrations are available -- Registration is needed to receive the zoom link.
More information:
Register: https://mechanics-institute.jumbula.com/2021OnlineClasses/AdvancedAttackingTechniquesbyFMPaulWhitehead
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Wednesdays 7-8PM - Tactics for the Developing Players
Course Dates: March 31 through June 2 (10 classes)I am IM (International Master) Elliott Winslow, and I’ll be teaching this course! I will go over one of the greatest players (world champions, groundbreakers, players who advanced chess theory and practice) per week, including some of the history of the player and the time period in which they made their mark, and use their games to instill basic tactical and positional thinking to those in the class. I will do weekly game analysis of at least one game from the star of the week, and show how to find tactics in that game and through puzzles, and at the end of class either leave time open to go over games sent by the participants ahead of class, or for the students to play some games.
More information: https://www.milibrary.org/chess/tactics-developing-players
Register: https://mechanics-institute.jumbula.com/2021OnlineClasses/TacticsfortheDevelopingPlayersWednesdays78PM -
Sundays 10AM - 12PM -- Free Women's Online Chess Class by FIDE Trainer Sophie Adams
Come join us on Sundays as we are offering a free class for women from 10am-12pm(noon) online.
Coached by FIDE Trainer Sophie Adams, this class is for women and girls looking to develop their chess skills with a community of women. Knowledge of piece movements and mates is expected. Registration is required so we may send the links for players to join. Zoom will be required to participate, and we will include optional links to participate in online platforms like chess.com if players would like to play with each other online.Be sure to be a part of the Mechanics' Women's Chess Club on chess.com: https://www.chess.com/club/mechanics-womens-club
More information: https://www.milibrary.org/chess/free-womens-online-chess-class
Class is free, but must register to receive class information: https://mechanics-institute.jumbula.com/2021OnlineClasses/FREEWomensOnlineChessClassSundays1012
Mechanics' Institute Regular Online Events Schedule
The Mechanics' Institute Chess Club will continue to hold regular online events in various forms. Here is the upcoming schedule for players:
Format: 6SS G/35+2
Registration: https://mechanics-institute.jumbula.com/2021OnlineTournaments/May2021TNMOnline
Join Now! May/June 2021 Thursday Night Marathon (May 13-June 10)
Format: 5SS G/60+5
Registration: https://www.milibrary.org/chess-tournaments/thursday-night-marathon-g605-mayjune-2021
Any questions? [email protected]
Scholastic Corner
By Judit Sztaray
Spring Session of our Virtual Chess Classes are starting
March 22 through May 31
Not too late to join - Prorating is available!
- All Girls Class with Coach Colin -- Mondays 4-5PM - Register HERE
- Intermediate Class with Coach Andrew -- Thursdays 4-5PM - Register HERE
- Advanced Class with Coach Andy -- Thursdays 5-6PM - Register HERE
- Tactics, Tactics, Tactics with Coach Andrew for players rated 1000+ (ChessKid rating) -- Friday 3-4PM - Register HERE
Players have to be part of Mechanics' Group on ChessKid. Need help how to join? Watch the tutorial here: https://youtu.be/kEeMKhpecGY
1) Free daily non-rated tournaments on chesskid.com: https://www.milibrary.org/chess-tournaments/scholastic-online-tournaments-every-day-chesskidcom
Tournaments start at 4PM and players can join the tournaments 30 minutes before the tournament.
- Monday, May 10: 4SS G/10+5: https://www.chesskid.com/play/fastchess#t=459440
- Tuesday, May 11: 5SS G/5+5: https://www.chesskid.com/play/fastchess#t=459441
- Wednesday, May 12: 3SS G/20+0: https://www.chesskid.com/play/fastchess#t=459442
- Thursday, May 13: 5SS G/5+5: https://www.chesskid.com/play/fastchess#t=459443
- Friday, May 14: 4SS G/10+5: https://www.chesskid.com/play/fastchess#t=459444
- Saturday, May 15: 5SS G/5+5: https://www.chesskid.com/play/fastchess#t=459456
2) USCF Online Rated Tournaments on the weekends
More information: https://www.milibrary.org/chess-tournaments/uscf-online-rated-scholastic-tournaments-2021-chesskidcom
5/8 Saturday - 4SS G/20+10 affecting USCF Online Regular rating.
Register online: https://mechanics-institute.jumbula.com/2021OnlineTournaments/ScholasticOnlineRatedTournamentMay8SAT
5/16 Sunday - 8SS G/5+2 affecting USCF Online Blitz rating.
Register online: https://mechanics-institute.jumbula.com/2021OnlineTournaments/ScholasticOnlineRatedTournamentMay16SUN
Scholastic Game of the Week: Annotations by GM Nick de Firmian
(3) RichTenderClove (1475) - ArcherTBayAreaChess (1622) [A00]
Live Chess ChessKid.com
[de Firmian, Nick]
1.g3 d5 2.Bg2 e5 3.d4 White doesn't forget the center, but this is going to put his queen where it can get hit around. [Other ways to pick on the center are 3.c4; and 3.d3 (intending maybe e2-e4 after getting castled)] 3...exd4 4.Qxd4 Nf6 5.Bg5
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Finishing Tactics from the World Championship Matches 13: Alekhine – Bogoljubov 1929
FM Paul Whitehead
[email protected]
Alekhine decided to give his old friend Efim Bogoljubov a shot at the title rather than risk a rematch with Capablanca - even though the money wasn’t as good. Bogoljubov was no pushover, however: he had won the great Moscow tournament of 1925 ahead of Lasker and Capablanca, and was the newly formed 1928 F.I.D.E. Champion after winning two matches against Max Euwe. Nevertheless, the only top player who thought Bogoljubov had a chance was… Bogoljubov.
The games were interesting, and despite the challenger’s reputation for tactics he had absolutely nothing over Alekhine in that department. The final score of +11 -5 =9 for Alekhine indicates the fight it was: loose and entertaining.
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1. Alekhine - Bogoljubov, 1st Match Game 1929.
White moves. This should be easy.
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2. Bogoljubov – Alekhine, 8th Match Game 1929.
Black moves. Time to crash the party.
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3. Bogoljubov – Alekhine, 10th Match Game 1929.
Black moves. A calculated finish.
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4. Alekhine – Bogoljubov, 13th Match Game 1929.
Black moves. One move and it’s over.
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5. Bogoljubov – Alekhine, 18th Match Game 1929.
White moves. A nifty little combo.
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6. Bogoljubov – Alekhine, 22nd Match Game 1929.
Black moves. Shut the door.
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GM Nick de Firmian
Victory for the Old Guys
Mechanics' Institute Trustee GM Patrick Wolff played in the US Senior Invitational last year, which is for players aged 50 and up. Elliott Winslow remarked, “ Over 50 is a senior?” It’s not that long ago that the World Champions would be in their 50’s – Lasker, Alekhine, Botvinnik. Other players were great late in their life, e.g. Keres, Korchnoi and Smyslov (who made it to the finals of the Candidates at 63). This questions the notion that players over 50 needs a separate tournament to make up for their age.
The flip side has a compelling argument – youth will be served, and anyone past 30 is over the hill. It was only a few years ago that the world’s top players were in their teens and twenties. We all looked for the future challenger by watching the World Cadet Championship and the 13 year old grandmasters. We gave up hope on former Chinese prodigy Wei Yi. He was such a talent four years ago when he passed the 2700 rating mark, but his rating hasn’t improved in four years and he’s reached the venerable age of 21 years. Time for the Chinese to develop someone else!
The last week has brought hope to the old guys. The most recent major world tournament was the New in Chess Classic, with most of the top players. The final featured two old combatants past the age of 30 (the time when people would be “renewed” (i.e. recycled) in the classic movie Logan’s Run. One of these players was the world champion, Magnus, who had not been able to win any event since he passed his critical 30th birthday. The other was our old American, Hikaru Nakamura. Naka seems to have given up on classical chess at his ripe old age of 33, but he remains a potent force in blitz and rapid chess. His career seems to be focused on streaming and blitz chess, making him a notable e-sports figure. The final between these two old guys was great entertainment and we give two of their critical games below.
(1) Carlsen,Magnus - Nakamura,Hikaru [C54]
New in Chess Classic, 01.05.2021
We give this third to last gameof the match particularly for its psychological points. The match was two four game rapid sets and Magnus won the first of those. Hikaru struck back in the first game of the second set and so only needed to draw out to win the second set. 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.c3 Nf6 5.d3 This Guico Piano is all the rage these days, more popular than the Ruy Lopez. 5...0-0 6.0-0 d5 The aggressive way to play. Black takes central space, even if it means his e-pawn becomes a target. 7.exd5 Nxd5 8.Re1 Bg4! 9.h3 Bh5 10.b4 Be7 11.b5 Na5 12.Rxe5 Nf6
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(2) Nakamura,Hikaru - Carlsen,Magnus [D31]
New in Chess Classic, 01.05.2021
Two games to go in the mini-match. Naka wants to draw both to even the set score and head to an armaggeddon final. If Magnus ties this second mini-match he wins the touranment. 1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 a6 4.cxd5 exd5 5.Bf4 Nf6 6.e3 Bd6 7.Bxd6 Qxd6 8.Bd3 Bg4 9.Qb3 Nc6 10.h3 [Risky but probably good is 10.Qxb7 0-0 11.Qb3 Rfb8 12.Qa3 Nb4 13.Bb1] 10...Bh5 11.Nge2 Bxe2 12.Nxe2 0-0 13.Rc1 Nd8 14.Qa3 Qd7 15.0-0 g6 16.Nf4 Re8 17.Bc2 c6 18.Nd3 Ne6 Thus far Naka has gotten what he should be looking for. A small edge in a solid position. Yet all the blitz and entertaining streaming he does leads him to choose a sharp continuation. 19.f4!? Ng7 20.f5?! g5! [20...Nxf5 21.Nc5 Qc8 22.Bxf5] 21.Ne5 Qc7 22.h4?!
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24...Rxe5! 25.dxe5 Qxe5 The powerful exchange sacrifice leaves Black in control. The white bishop and rooks cannot find anything to target while the black knights move smoothly around the board. 26.Qc3 Qg3 27.Qe1 Qd6 28.Qf2 Re8 29.Rcd1 Qe5 30.Rd4 c5 31.Rd2 Ng3 32.Rfd1 Kf8 33.Rd3 Nfe4 34.Qe1 Qf6! The black queen finds a way to the kingside to get to the white king. White is busted. 35.Rxd5 Qxh4 36.Bxe4 Qh1+ 37.Kf2 Nxe4+ 38.Ke2 Qxg2+ 39.Kd3 Nakamura resigned. There are many ways to win for Black, e.g. 39...b5, 39...Qxb2 or 39...c4+. Magnus easily drew the final game to win the tournament. He felt great relief at finally winning an event in his now old age. *
Solutions to Paul Whitehead's Column
1. Alekhine - Bogoljubov, 1st Match Game 1929.
The challenger started the match off terribly, and Alekhine put him out of his misery with 1.Ne5+! 1-0. If 1…Nxe5 2.Ra7+ Kc6 (or 2…Kd8/c8 3.Rxa8+ winning) 3.Qe4#.
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2. Bogoljubov – Alekhine, 8th Match Game 1929.
Another brutal finish: 1…Ng3+! 2.hxg3 (if instead 2.Kg1 then 2…Bg4! wins the queen) 2…hxg3+ 3.Nxh3 Bxh3 4.gxh3 (there’s nothing else) 4…Rxh3+ 5.Kg2 Rh2#. 0-1.
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3. Bogoljubov – Alekhine, 10th Match Game 1929.
1…Rh5+ seals white’s fate. Bogojubov tried 2.Kg4, as 2.Rh4 Rxh4+ 3.gxh4 Qf3# is a quick mate. But the inevitable occurred anyway after 2…Qe2+ 3.f3 (if 3.Rf3 Rf5 and either …c2 or …h5+ coming is hopeless for white as well) 3…Rg5+ 4.Kh3 (4.Kh4 Qxh2#) 4…Qf1+ 0-1. Bogoljubov resigned as 5.Kh4 Rh5+! 6.Kxh5 (6.Kg4 Qh3#) 6…Qh3+ 7.Rh4 Qf5# would have been the pretty finish.
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4. Alekhine – Bogoljubov, 13th Match Game 1929.
1…Qe4! is a tactic worth remembering. Black exploits the weak back rank and wins a piece. Alekhine capitulated after a few short moves: 2.Qd2 (2.Rxe4 Rc1+ 3.Re1 Rxe1#) 2…Qxa4 3.d6 Qd4 4.Qxd4 exd4 0-1.
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5. Bogoljubov – Alekhine, 18th Match Game 1929.
It all comes together for white after the ‘petit combination’ 1.Rxc7+! Qxc7 2.Nc5+ Kb6 3.Qxc7+! transposing into a winning king and pawn ending: 3…Kxc7 4.Nxe6+ Kd7 5.Nxd8 Kxd8 6.b4 (also winning was 6.Kc2) 6…Kd7 7.Kc2 Kc6 8.Kb3 Kb5 9.Kxa3 Kc4 10.b5! Kxb5 11.Kb3 Ka5 12.a4 Ka6 13.Kb4 Kb6 14.a5+ Kc6 15.Ka4 1-0.
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6. Bogoljubov – Alekhine, 22nd Match Game 1929.
Black kept the white king in custody with the straightforward 1…Nxf3+ 2.gxf3 Ree1! threatening 3…Rh1+ 4.Kg2 Rdg1#. White tried to escape out to g4 with 3.Kh3, but 3…h5! turned the key. 0-1. Mate cannot be stopped.
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