Learn how to fight and win with Magnus Carlsen and Hikaru Nakamura! FIGHTING CHESS with MAGNUS CARLSEN ProgISSNCKess Adrian Mikhalchishin and Oleg Stetsko FIGHTING CHESS WITH MAGNUS CARLSEN His Best Games annotated by Adrian Mikhalchishin and Oleg Stetsko, with many cag €24,95 Available among the world’ eit, the Norwegian { Magnus Carlsen has been setting recor He became a grandmaster at the age of just 1 since he embarked fon his ches 13, and in 2010 he became the youngest player to be ranked No. in the word, According to his mentor, Garry Kasparov, Carlsen has a posi tional style similar to previous worle champions such as Jose Raut pablan ily Smyslov and Anatoly Karpov. The comparison genius Capablanca seems especially apt, ¢ Carlsen also comes from a small country with no particulary strong chess Karsten Maller and Raymund Stolze FIGHTING CHESS WITH HIKARU NAKAMURA His Best Games annotated by Karsten Maller and Raymund Stolze. pp with many diagrams. 5-01025-2 €24,95 Available Thisis the very frst Book to focus exclus yon Hikaru Ni the greatest American che: other than Bobby's insider and sus against Boris Spassky in 1972 of the century In ten chapters the authors focus on the main reasons for the suc: cess of Nakamura, who, like arch-rival Magnus Carlsen, was coached for Garry Kasparov to the summit of ch admire Hikaru Nakarnu est for a successfulBESTSELLERS Mastering Complex Endgames Proctical Lessons on Critica! 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Once again ¢ false stort forced top-seed Magnus Carlsen 19 90 after one of his rivals, chase him from Sa0 Paulo to Bilbao, grind him down ina direct encounter and deal the decisive blow in the blitz play-off 28 Interview: Garry Kasparov The winner of the 2012 Martin Buber Award talks about the KCF's his nego- ations with FIDE, his upcoming 50th birthday and his plans for the coming years 36 Trio tops London GP Veselin Topaloy, Boris Gelfand and Shakhriyar Momedyarov are the top contenders for the 2012-2013 FIDE Grand Prix series, following its inaugural event in London's ‘Simpson'sin-the-Strand. 54 Alekhine’s school days enna Sosonko presents @ most remorkable memoir written by Alexander Alekhine’: classmate Georgy Rimsky-Korsakov. 62 Napoleon, of Corse! Nigel Shorts first ever visit te Corsica brought back happy childhood memories of re-enacting the Battle of Waterloo. 65 Vive la France! A celebration of French chess by Charles Herton, rg Cen eee eee oii peerey a FIDE Grand Prix London 3 Borislav Ivkov ‘Frankly speaking, like one year ago I didn’t think he was (hesitates) much at all. But now I am getting more and more impressed with him in every tournament, He actually reminds me a lot of what I did three or four years ago when during one of these tournaments I became briefly the number one in the live ratings. [think if he keeps going he can do great things.’ — Magnus Carlsen on Fabiano CaruanaJust Checking CONTRIBUTORS TO THIS ISSUE Boris Avrukh, Magnus Carlsen, Fabiano Caruana, Charles Hertan, Vassily Ivanchuk, Hikary Nakamura, Macauley Peterson, Hans Ree, Georgy Rimsky-Korsokoy, Nigel Shor, ivan Sokolov, Genna Sosonko, Jan Timman, Veselin Topalov PHOTOS AND ILLUSTRATIONS David Llada, Fred Lucas, Macauley Peterson COVER PHOTO Fabiano Carvana: Dovid Lada 66 Stemming the leak Hikarv Nakamura won back pr rating points in Hoogeveen, 72 Borislav Ivkov Ivan Sokolov takes « look ot the legacy of his former countryman. 82 ‘Hello, Bucharest!" Four months ter the Kings’ Tourna ‘ment in Bazna was cancelled, it took place after all in the capital Bucharest. 96 Down Planine’s Path Watching a film on the tragic life of Albin Planine, Hans Ree remembered the years when the Slovenian scourged the board with fabulous attacks 100 When chess comes to town. In the monumental KaiserbahnhoF in Potsdam, Jan Timman met fellow-GMs cand railway workers for a special chess event. 106 Just Checking Who would Boris Avruh ike to be if he weren't himself? COLOPHON ae cece See eensCol CECR CTL year running. This ime the Chess See en ed eter ee Bree hae pene eked nes Pe Cote Train next year eee (waving his hand) is waiting for rent ce PeetersAgainst all odds ver since FIDE introduced P7iitke knock-out system in r their world championships, + _Sine format has had propo- nents and detractors. The bone of con- tention seems to be whether as many players as possible should get a shot at the highest title (would®t that be desirable) or whether the champion Women's World Champion. should be the indisputably strong. est player around (wouldnt that be wonderful?) The Women’s World Champion. ship in Khanty-Mansiysk is bound to reignite the dispute. While the fans of new World Champion Anna Ush: enina, currently rated 2452, will cele- bate her biggest success to date, other people will question a championship in which the two top favourites, de- fending champion Hou Yifan (2606) and Humpy Koneru (2610) were elim. inated as early as Round 2, and the ti- tle was taken by the 30th seed, Both Humpy Koneru and Hou Yifan lost to opponents rated more than 150 points lower than them. The Indian top seed was defeated 2-0 by Natalia Zhukova (2451). Hou Yifan went under against Monika Socko (2445), In the first game Hou Yifan was in firm command, but when Socko (with black!) levelled the score inthe second game, the World Cham- pion lost control and was knocked out aroviyaus in the tie-break (0-2). Hou Yifan was in tears afer this upset and explained at the press conference that she was suffering from a cold that she caught in Khanty-Mansiysk. Apparently the ‘weather in Siberia did not agree with the other Chinese girls ether, as none cofthem managed to take over the role oftheir number one. The last survivor was Ju Wenjun, who lost to Ushenina in the semi-finals. In the final, 27-year-old Ushenina met former World Champion Antoaneta Stefanova (2004-2006). In a nervous affair both players got chances, but in the end the Ukrain- ian prevailed, With the score tied after the four regular games, a tiebreak was needed to determine the title. In the first rapid game Stefanova had the ini tiative, but had to settle fora draw af ter 89 moves. Inthe second game the roles were reversed and after 91 moves, Ushenina did manage to convert her advantage. At the end of 2013 Ushenina will have to defend her title in a match against the winner of the 2011-12 FIDE Grand Prix, none other than Hou Vifan! PolgarDay hile the Women's \ \ World Championship v in Khanty-Mansiysk vas in full swing Ju dit Polgar, the lady regarded by many people, and not without reason, asthe real Queen of Chess, was the centre of attention atthe annual Polgar Day in Budapest Her sisters Susan and Soft were in attendance as well, ofcourse, and once again the visitors (more than 4,000 this time!) were treated toa var- ied programme. There was chess-box {ng (that potent and curious mix of blows tothe brain), an escape artist freeing himself while hanging from the ceiling and playing a game of blitz with Susan, a choreographed chess game and various simuls. In one of the simuls, against businessmen and artists from all over Europe, Ameri can billionaire George Soros, who was Nic’s caré born in Budapest, took part. In an ther simul, Judit played against 27 children representing the 27 members of the European Union. The youngest of the Polgar sisters isan ambassador of the Chess in the Schools project that has the support of the European Parliament, and at the press confer: ence she announced that as from next, year chess will be introduced in the ‘curriculum in Hungary as an alterna: tive subject. We wouldn't be surprised. ifher active support ofthis initiative played an essential role. Not a mean achievement for a girl who never at tended school herself! One for the family album udit Polgar may be an ambassa dor of Chess in the Schools, she remains of course, frst and fore sf most,an ambassador of our game ‘Wherever itis played, It was in this ca pacity that she travelled to Mexico City to take part in the UNAM chess festival a huge gathering of thousands ‘of ches fans attracted by a wide var: ety of lectures, exhibitions, films and tournaments. The main event was a knockout blindfold tours with Magnus Carlsen and Judit Pol garas the crowd:-pullers. As everyone had hoped, the two met in the final (Carlsen disposed of Lazaro Bruzon, Polgar of Manuel Leon-Hoyos), where Polgar got the spectators in raptures by winning the first game. A historical ‘moment, asit was her first ever defeat of the world’s number one.Ki 20.5 -£90 ‘Mexico City 2012 LOIS O16 2.04 g6 3.0¢3 2g7 4. 04 d6 5.d4 0-0 6.h3 e5 7.45 a6 8.203 We8 9.84 Ac 10.d2 a5 .e2 c6 12.2g1 wh8 13.h4 O0g8 14.Wc2 Sd7 15.0-0-0 cxd5 16.0xd5 De6 17.5 g5 18.eb1 Ga4 19.b3 26 20.0b6 nas 21.We3 2f4 22..f2 h6 23.1Wxa5 {5 24.gx15 WxhS 25.te1 26 26. Qd5 Za 27.Wb4 Tfds x x 2 a fh Ab RAW 28.43 This ‘optically understandable move hands the initiative to Black According to the engines, Whit would keep a clear advantage after 28.04, 28...wh4 29.001 2xd5 30. exd5 Played too quickly. With the in: termediate move 30..xf4 Wxf4 31 exd5 Qixd5 32. Wet White could have limited the damage. 30...4xd5 = ja x 4 aad a a aca A Now Black gets a winning advantage and Polgar converts with a steady hand, 34.0xg5 Wxg5 32.0xe5 Oxb4 33.0g2 d5 34.exd5 “fxd 35.04 He3 36.16 Gf8 37.0h2 Hac8 38.204 xed 39.bx04 ig8 Inthe second game Magnus Carlsen, playing ‘with the black blindfold, hod {or the historic defeat inthe first game. 40.0b2 He7 41.c5 ds 42.502 Eed7 43.c6 bxe6 44.5xc6 wf7 48.0b6 /ic5 46.0xd7+ Exd7 47. 42 WS 48.206 Hd2 49.03 eG 50.24 Zh2 White resigned. Carlsen hit back in the second game and also won the play-off, but its clear which of these three games will stick in the publics memory. When he turned 22 ‘agnus Carlsen may lose \, the occasional rapid blindfold game against £ fF © a woman, but in the World rankings the Norwegian re: ‘mains firmly in control. On the FIDE December list, published one day af: ter his 22nd birthday, Carlen is still in first place, ahead of Levon Aronian, the only other 2800+ player ofthe mo- ‘ment and Vladimir Kramnik. At2848, Carlsen is three points shy of Garry Kasparov’ all-time high, a record he seems poised to break next year. ‘The curtent Top-10 underwent few changes. Ivanchuk climbed back to th place atthe cost of Mamedyarov (now 11) and Grischuk dropped from 9th to 10th place without adding or los- ing any points. 1. Carlsen (Norway), 2848; 2. Aronian (Armenia), 2815; 3. Kramnik (Russia), 2795; 4. Radjabov (Azerbaijan), 2793;5. Caruana (Italy), 2782; 6, Anand (India), 2775;7, Kar- jakin (Russia), 2775; 8. Topalov (Bul garia), 2771; 9. Ivanchuk (Ukraine), 2766; 10. Grischuk (Russia), 2764. nics CAFE After the match ndrey Filatov, the spon- \ tera fand World Champion: LX. ship match inthe Moscow Tretyakov Gallery, keeps making grand gestures to give 20th-century Russian artists the place in art history that he believes they deserve. Filatov, who in a CNN news release was de- scribed as ‘a professional chess player and businessman; has created an art fund, named the Filatov Family Art Fund, that aims to bring back to Rus sia paintings, sculptures and draw- ings that let the country after the co lapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. His wish is not only to repatriate Russian art, but also to show that many of the artists are equal in quality to many of their peers in Europe and the US. One ofthe paintings Filatov bought back from a private collection in the Bahamas is Alexander Laktianov’s ‘Letter from the Front; painted in 1947 and one of Stalin's favourites For Filatov itis an ‘emotional paint ing, as it reminds him of his grand Alexander Laklianov's “Letter from the Front’. father, who died in 1943 fighting the Germans on the Eastern Front. “The fund hopes to acquire 10 to 12 ‘works from the period of 1917-1991 cach year inorder to show them inex: hibitions in Russia. Filatov has already spent over $100 million to buy Soviet art works over the last five years. rewincss 9Stalemate Tam deeply concerned by the desire of GMs Short and Kaufman, recently expressed in your fine publication, to resurrect the old idea that a win should be awarded for giving stalemate. These gentlemen have made contributions to chess which dwarf anything I could ever hope to achieve, butt seems to me that their proposal would be disastrous for our game. The impact on endgame theory would obviously be radical: king and-pawn versus king would almost always be a trivial win, with implica tions for the vast array of endings that can reduce to it. Many pawnless end- ings would also be affected. The overall result would be a great increase in the advantage conferred by material supe- riority. Players would find it much harder to all back on a materially unbalanced but drawn ending after unsuccessfully sacrificing material; this would inhibit risk-taking. I therefore very much cerry To NEN Ns doubt that this rule change would enli ven chess in the way Mr. Short hopes. It is essential to considerhow many great ‘games from chess history would never have happened under his proposal; I suspect the number is considerable. The aesthetic impact of making stalemate a win would also be griev ‘ous. A significant source of paradox Write to us | New In Chess, PO. Box 1093 1810 KB Alkmacr, The Netherlands ‘t e-mail: editors@newinchess.com Letters may be edited and surprise would be removed from the game, and vast numbers of prob: lems and studies would be invalidated beyond hope of repair. ‘The current stalemate rule may be illogical ina certain narrow sense, but in all the ways that really matter, the change Short and Kaufman advocate would destroy so much and add so lit tle. Where they see absurdity, I see sub tety and beauty. I hope Iam not alone. ‘Andrew Medworth Hong Kong, Chine The F*** word have been a subscriber for some time and enjoy your magazine very much. {99.9% of all the articles written I enjoy. But do have question, about New In Chess 2012/6, Short Stories on pages (68 and 69, Do you really think it nec essary to put the point of the article across by using the F*“* word? Oh, please, if you were a complete adult magazine that would be one thing, but you're not. 'm a member ofa very large chess club and I know of at least 25 kids under the age of 15 that take the magazine, sobe kind and tone it down for the kids’sake. An article like that should not have been written in the first place. Thank You. Leon Ritchie Scottsdole, AZ, USA LE SIRENE? Htaly 2° SALENTO INTERNATIONAL CHESS TOURNAMENT 2013 25th M Olst La 2013 your moveCross-examination I was just about to write something about the Marin article from the last issue with that distinctive cover with the Olympiad faces, when 1 realised it was from the New In Chess 2012/5 edition with Magnus on the front. The ‘months are passing far too quickly! Perhaps its abit redundant to men- tion it now, bt in one ofthe positions ~ the second diagram on page 75, when the queens have been exchanged and it is two bishops against two knights it seemed to me that White must be bet- ter, and Marin didnt try hard enough to show why. Al the lines he mentions are direct assaults on Black's position, but as Marin himself knows, in such situa- tions there is a lotto be said for get- ting the bishops out of the way of the knights, keeping them as far back as possible, and only then doing some- thing more pointed. In this case I would say something like 25.f4 h5 and perhaps 25.Badl and if say, 25 Had8 then 26. @cl!. Ifneeds be White can even follow up with 27. b1!? just for aesthetic effect, to prove the point. There are many possibilities, but I feel White is certainly better, as Jong as he doesn't rush into anything, ‘The knights are good reactively, but will struggle with the bishops and the kkingside majority in the long term, and dont seem to be able to generate ‘enough activity in the short term, to get in White’ way. I know that’ just statement, rather than a stream of variations to prove the point, but I wondered atleast if Marin considered this way of playing, Of course, I mention this only because Marin articles are invariably fresh and of the highest quality so well worthy of cross-examination, Jonathan Rowson Pumey, United Kingdom am impressed by Jonathan Rowsonis deep and (as faras I understand) acct- rate evaluation of that critical posi- tion from the Fischer-Larsen game Tt actually gives me a chance to focus con Larsens originality from a different angle. True, I have some doubis about the 100% soundness of Black’s posi- tion, and so might have Larsen. But if the latter is true, just try to imagine: hhow brave one must be to accept play- ing that position against Fischer? ‘As for my personal feelings regard ing the position, I am afraid that I would not find the most accurate regrouping with white. But would not be surprised if atop clas player could do it! And I would be confident that I ‘could control Black’s position in just ‘one practical game; and immediately afer that drop the whole variation! In conclusion, | am rethorically asking myself: does the truth exist in chess? Miho! Morin Bucharest, Romania Faces recognized many of the faces on the ‘Olympiad special cover (New In Chess 2012/7), but notall. It would have been nice to have a list of who's who on the inside. In particular I wonder if you could name the pretty girl third row from top right side ofthe page. Bob Long Davenport, iA, USA Editorial postscript: ‘That is Turkey's Board 2, WGM Betul Cemre Yildiz. Extreme time-trouble? In his very readable article about Sve- tozar Gligoric in New In Chess 2012/7 your author Jan Timman quotes a YOUR MOVE ‘game Hort-Gligoric, commenting on Black’s 39th move (..Sxa2): “The tri- tumph of the black bishop pair. I ask myself, however, why not 39..c2+ instead, with mat in 2to follow? Obvi: ‘ously both players were in extreme time-trouble, but was this also true for the annotator!? Wolter Nagort Homover, Germany Editorial postscript: You are right. The mistake was our fault. Jan Timman used the correct game score given in Informant 10, which has 39.Bee2 as Whites 39th move. However, we used the game score as given in ChessBase, which erroneously has White play 39..ce2, This latter move would allow your quicker win. The correct diagram after ‘Amsterdom 1970 postion ofter 39.Bee2 Determine by deduction In New In Chess 2012/7, p. 57, you are asking for help to identify the young “devoted lady’ in one of the pictures taken at the Chess Olympiad in Istan- bul. ‘Well, as can easily be looked up at ‘The Week In Chess, the position on the board in front of her is from the ‘game Noela- Joyce Lomandong versus ‘Ana Berke (Croatia-Monaco, Round 6), apparently after the move 15. 47 and before 16.Ef1. So one might assume that the devoted lady’ is Noela- Joyce Lomandong from Monaco. Kilous Eckler| eld, Germany—— Eee) Bw where See Paulo organizer David Israel fing for him with © special prize. : Sergey Karjakin and Fabiano Caruana have their own inala thoughts. cota It had all the trademarks of a rushed remake of last year’s catch-up classic The Big Chase (see New In Chess 2011/7), but as no one could be really sure about the outcome (after all we're not talking movies!), the 2012 Grand (eae MCMC rel tema e Rl Re CMU Mes ol MoM ol 3 start forced top-seed Magnus Carlsen to go after one of his rivals, chase him LLB oC ee ROM LeCoMo Lo MURS RO Rs eam Um e Merely Cee Cane ira Nc MCR uCR: euttech acm ren tet in 2011, it was Fabiano Caruana this time who seemed to be racing to victory until he had the world number one breathing down his neck. Still, the 2012 Final Masters will be remembered as Caruana’s definite breakthrough into the Pee ech akc Rn ea eM AR ec Pye UUme uta) BILBAO 1aewvos Aosome teat otc up or thera ound, Keep the spectators bellevea smal rales needed atleast very disadvantageous position by now that you cannot help think ing that half the time like th protagonist in a carefully crafted plot And he really does. When I asked him at the end of the Grand Slam Final if he sometimes feels as if he is ina script, he immediately replied, as if he had been expecting this ques- tion: 'Yes I do! Adding mething is wrong when it doesn't turn out that way. In Biel I had to play catch-up and then I didn't win in the end, That couldn't happen two times in a row! Was that the wrong pt? Did he fire the script-writer? He answered with a grin: "That was just an accident. Even the best writers, sometimes make mistakes SAO PAULO / BILBAO eowincnss 13,Eee ewa cee Like last year, the Grand Slam Final was split between Sao Paulo and Bilbao. The Basque city welcomed the winners of the various Grand Slam tournaments for the fifth time, but was happy to have the first leg in Brazil again, With the continuing economic crisis in Spain they gladly divided costs and also used the opportunity to send alocal business delegation on a fruitful mission to Sa0 Paulo, There were immediate signs in the first round that was played in the glass cube in the Ibirapuera Park that Carlsen’ script writer wasnt losing any time developing an entrancing plot, His game against Fabiano Caruana lasted 91 moves and could have had any of the three possible outcomes. As Carlsen, who played the French Defence ed: think L was a litle too ambitious in the opening. He surprised me and then I tried to avoid the normal paths. Black’ position was very solid, but alittle bit passive, As it turned out, the way I played was just avful and already very early on Thad to search for ways to prevent myself from losing immediately. Fortunately he didnt play in the most incisive way, ‘Then I took over, winning.a pawn, and after the time-control it seemed to ‘me that even though the position was somewhat blocked, I should b to break through eventually. Then it turned out it wasn't so easy; I burned a lot of time. In the end I found a pretty good plan actually, but I miscalcu lated something and then he went for this exchange sacrifice. In hindsight it turned out to be wrong, but it was an excellent practical decision, as the line that [ thought was winning for me was actually winning for him. Carlsen didn't want to blame the fast time-control for the loss (90 min tutes for the first 40 moves followed by one hour for the remaining game, with 10-second increments), although it was clear that he had a serious time problem in the crucial phase of the ame. He was annoyed, of course, but he found solace in the fact that he h been pressing most of the game and 14 nonin had outplayed his opponent in the middle Caruana counted himself lucky, call ing his win ‘a total accident; but he had also shown fighting spirit when he tempt after suffering made a winnis for many moves. Still, at this point it was hard to pre- dict that these two players would totally dominate the proceedings, relegat ing the other four to supporting roles, with only a few moments in the lime light. Yet there was a first glimpse in the second round when Caruana won an excellent game against Sergey Kar jakin and Carlsen defeated Vallejo with « beautiful manoeuvre in the endgame. AS Vallejo-Carl position after 30.846 31.Ze4 White hopes to relieve the pressure by exchanging rooks, but this hope is soon dashed. 311..21e2. 32.4x64 h4 The black h-pawn will adache. 33.gxh4 gxh4 SAO PAULO / BILBAO 34,xa6 Taking the plang. what can you do when you s ling after 34.2 @xc2 the pawn e 35.dhxc2 eS is hopelessly lost, e.g, 36.chd3 deft 37.doxd4 deg 38.cbe5 sixg? 39.£4 h3 and the black h-pawn is t00 quick. 34...243 35.0b4 Of1 36.s2d2 xg? 37.262 0h 38.04 2f5 39.axb5 39...d3+ The point. The pawn cannot be taken, as this would allow the black hpawn to break through. 40.63 3 41.2xd3 Oxd3 White resi‘Caruana blew up Karjakin’ defences ‘with two exchange sacrifices. Korjakin-Carvana position after 26.94 ‘This position arose from a Ruy Lopez. Have a look at the pieces and itis not hard to say who did the better ma- noeuvring. And now it's time for a couple of exchange sacrifices. 26... Dxe4l 27.0xe4 Bxe4 28.ixe4 Exe4 29.We2 We7 30.2g1 And here comes number two. 30...2xe3! 31.fxe3 Wxe3 32.64 ‘Ge2 The white rooks are no match for the black bishops. 33.¥f5 sid3 ‘Another way to harvest was 33...0h4 34.@xh4 eS, but when you want to show the might of your bishops this is the way to go. 34.W47 Se5+ ‘35.ishd Neutralizing one attack- er doesn't bring any relief: 35.2xe5 WreS+ 36.cth] Ges+ 37.22 “f4, and it’s curtains. 35...2e4 36.We8+ £48 White resigned. “This was Karjakin second loss in arow after running into a fine piece of open- ing preparation against Levon Aronian in Round 1. Thisatrocious start seemed to spell disaster for the young Russian, bbutat the end of the day Karjakin was not too disappointed. He didn't suffer any more losses, and thanks to a win over Vallejo he even made a positive score in the second hal. ‘Aronian fine win inthe first round seemed to herald an active partici pation in the fight for first place, but his ambitions stranded immediately afterwards. The Armenian's remain- ing games only yielded him a string of ‘draws and one loss that had a consid erable impact on the final standings. tthe end of the tournament Aronian took sober view: tried but it didn't work out, as simple as that? A mod- est conclusion, given the fact that in the first leg he could have beaten both Carlsen and Caruana, who miracu. lously escaped from a lost position. Caruana summed up the Sao Paulo leg as follows: ‘In the frst half a lot of players weren't playing very well. It ‘was clear that both Magnus and Levon ‘were bit out of form. There were a lot ‘of blunders. And my games were very uneven as well. But somehow I man- aged to handle itll abit better! Did he say that Carlsen was in bad form too? He did, and the Norwegian was the first to confirm this assess- ment: ‘The most upsetting thing in Sao Paulo (afte the first two rounds) was my play inthe next three rounds, ‘That wasnt very good. I made an awful blunder against Aronian, against Kar- jakin [failed to make the most of my advantage and against Anand, too, my play was too indecisive to exploit my advantage? Carlsen’s oversight against Aro- nian will find its way into various text-books. SAO PAULO / BILBAO Carlsen-Aronian positon after 26..Wh3 Both players were running short of time. ‘Optically, Black has the better position, but White should be able to hold without too many problems. Carlsen spots a neat ‘trick’ to simpli- fy the position. 27..2f47 &e3 And Aronian believes him. He could have ‘claimed the point (or should we say points?) with 27...8xf4! 28.gxf4 ‘@xf4, and now after 29.21a8+ Black doestit play 29...82h7, wh Aronian had noticed in a flash and which runs into 30.%)g5+, but the cool 29,48, and there is no way for White to prevent mate, for example 30.Eigi Wah2+! 31.dexh2 Bh3 mate. 28.Wxf3 Axa 29.We2 WES 30. 2d2 dé and the game ended in a draw after 48 moves. Indeed, Caruana managed to ‘handle ital abit better, and at the end of the firstleg the italian grandmaster topped the field with 11 points from 5 games, thanks to is wins over Carlsen, Karja- kin and Vallejo (and the football scor- ing system of 3 points for a win). Aro- nian was second, four points adrift, ew Ns 15a) x0 with Carlsen on six points, one point ahead of World Champion Anand, who had drawn all his games. It was tempting to believe Caruana was heading straight for his greatest success to date. But that was not what the was thinking himself when he flew back to the Old World: ‘Its like playing two distinct tournaments. What hap: pens in the first half doesn't have any bearing on the second hall In general youcan wipe the slate clean, regardless of whether you have a bad first leg or good one. With a break that big any- thingcan happen. I wasnit tall sure of victory afer Id been doing so well in the first half. realized that I was very lose to winning and that [only had to do one thing: survive against Magnus? ‘And again the Norwegian totally agreed: ‘I thought that everything came down tothe first game in Bilbao. If beat Caruana, Tdhavea chanceand iff didrit I wouldn't But that’ normal. ve had games like that before that I needed to win, Sometimes I don't ‘manage, but sometimes I do! ‘This time he managed it again, and it was a majestic effort that Carlsen annotates below. He didn't only impress the spectators, but also his ‘opponent, As Caruana acknowledged: "He just outplayed me. I didn't even play so badly. Let’s say I played far ‘worse in my first game against him He played a very good technical game and didnt give me many chances. It ‘was kind of funny, because after the game I couldn't even point out a clear mistake I made. I was going through the game, backtracking from the end, and I realized that my mistake might have been a5 on move 7 (laughs). 1 mean, it can't be but I couldn't find anything clear after that. He has this tendency to win these technical games, Make the most of any slight advantage he gets. I realized when | ‘got into this endgame that I was pretty much on his territory. And this guy make this as uncomfortable for me ashe can’ With this win Carlsen moved into striking distance of Caruana, and rosowtvcs the very next day he annihilated the ‘two-point difference that still sepa rated them when Caruana drew with Karjakin and he himself demolished Vallejo. ‘The fight for tournament victory reached a dramatic climax in Round 9. Carlsen was White against Anand in a game that was important for ‘more than one reason, while Caru: ana had the white pieces against Aro- nian. Those lucky enough to be in the Alhondiga that day witnessed a his- torical round. S11.9-852 Magnus Carlsen Vishy Anand Sa0 Paulo/Bilboo 2012 (9) Led 05 2.18 dé 3.0b5+ 247 4. Sid 7+ Waxd7 5.04 216 6.03 g6 7.04 oxd4 8.xd4 297 9. 9...WWe7 A novelty, probably show- ing that Anand was still in his prepa- ration. 9..0-0 had been played earlier, 10.b3 Wa5 14.22 “c6 12.0-0 0-0 13.202 fd8 14.23 Wb 15th, A Wak Aa ABA Ag A a DAR x 415...d81 And Black should be fine, SAO PAULO | BILBAO 16.2x66 As he indicated after the game, Carlsen, for understandable reasons, was not interested in 16.cxd5 xd5 17.exd5 Hxd5 18.2ixc6 Exdl 19.¢2xe7+ doh 20.axdl We6. 16... bxc6 17.Wed A [= & ay a b> i> Clon & w & As e ag Ad a a Int all A OZ A ol Wr) 17...8d¢8? This move was con demned by Anand after the game. He indicated 17...2e8 as the correct move, when after 18e5 2d7 19.6 fixe6 20.sxg7 dhxg7 21.424 €5 Black is perfectly fine 18.e5! Now this push, followed by the further advance, is much stronger, disturbing the coordination between the black pieces. 18...0e8 19.06 fxe6 20.064 Gxc3 21.Wxe3 d4 22.Wd2 65 23.a0d g7 24.g4 Restraining the knight on g7. 24.206 And now ‘comes the move of the tournament, Carlsen had been looking at moves like 25.Be5, until he spotted: 25.2h31 A great move that is easy to find once you've seen it! The threat of Wh6, followed by 2g5, will give White an iron grip on Black’ position. 25...2208 26.WN6 O16 27.085 43A logical last-ditch attempt, but White replies: 28.21e5 Threatening the dev. astating 29.2xh7. 28...ceh8 2 Wa6 30.04 D os & And being a pawn down, the World Champion resigned, Theres nothing he can do against White’ plan to first ar- rest the pawn on d3, then win the pawn, ‘on e6 and then, being pawn up, wreak further havoc. After he had resigned, Anand walked, away from the board with frustration ‘written all over his face. He was clearly at a loss why he couldnt get a grip on his play. Knowing that some of is col leagues are doubting his motivation, and eagerness, he didn't even want to ‘come up with an explanation. Asked for an explanation anyway, he sug. gested I write what he had said after other recent disappointments; that he was at a loss himself as well, that he really didnt knov. Carlsen remained seated atthe board for a while, smiling broadly. When he walked out of the players’ zone, he showed his happiness with a telling ‘worse things could have happened today, and later he commented: “This is special for me, obviously, and I think it was a pretty good game. I especially liked knight h3. If an unusual kind of domination that White gets after that? But the round was not over yet. ‘Caruana had come to his game against Aronian in a good mood, feeling that he had chances. It would be mislead ing to say that he stepped up his efforts when Carlsen had won, but the was no denying that he looked totally focused and determined when he got Round 9 saw two dramatic clashes, Magnus Carlsen's defeat of World Champion ert eer eae eee on ener ecu nas his chance to defeat Aronian. In the notes below, Caruana describes the way he defeated the world’s number two, His win made a deep impression con everyone, including Carlsen: ‘Yeah, Lam enormously impressed. Not only by his start, which is one thing, but that he came back. From his loss in the Carlsen on his VTE Anand: ‘I especially ae an asa ee unusual aa of ATO are White gets after nin first round here he just kept on going. and played very good chess. And beat Aronian, I mean, that’sa huge achieve ent. Because not everyone would ave the mental strength to come back after this loss Thanks to Caruana’s win the last SAO PAULO / BILBAO round promised to be highly exciting, Carlsen was Black against Aronian, who might have awaited this moment to light up his tournament. Caruana also had the black pieces and would no doubt try to find ways to defeat Paco Vallejo, who had probably been men. tally destroyed by getting only one meagre draw from his last two games against Aronian and Karjakin instead ‘of the two wins that seemed feasible, Sadly, all excitement vanished pre maturely when, much to Caruana's dismay, Vallejo went for a well-known, drawing mechanism in the Ruy Lopez that Black cannot avoid without seri ‘ously compromising his position. From all the possibilities he had been look ing at, this was the one Caruana had not expected from an opponent who is known for his fighting chess. Under: standably, Caruana was speechless and invardly appalled when, at the press conference, the first question was why he had made such a short draw. While Caruana was raging inside, Vallejo explained that utter disappointment about his previous games had brought hhim to this decision, and that he was so dejected that he was going to take a serious break from chess, The audience showed understanding and thanked him with applause, a kind move that visibly touched him. But you still won.ET Re a a dlcekd dee what to think of Vallejo’ refusal t0 play on the decisive day ofthe tourna ment, especially since he hadn't quali- fied, but had been invited asa friendly gesture, an appreciation for his position in Spanish chess. With what seemed the crucial game cover, all that remained was waiting to seeif Aronian and Carlsen would reach the draw that would lead to a blitz play-off between Carlsen and Caruana for the ttle, As Carlsen never got any chance to play for a win and Aronian’ edge never tookon serious dimensions, the draw after 44 moves was a natural result. For the second year running, frst prize in the Grand Slam Final was decided by blitz games. Whether this is a satisfactory tiebreaker remains a matter of taste, but the Alhondiga was certainly the right place for this climax, Everyone knows that the vast majority of spectators follow the games online in the comfort oftheir homes these days, but ifyou ae inthe habit of attending major events, there are moments that sitting in empty sports halls or thea- tres with four other visitors becomes slightly depressing. How different was the atmosphere in Bilbao, where hun- dreds of spectators surrounded the glass cube, breathlessly watching the games and listening to the live com- ‘mentary and the interviews on stage. What they got to see was certainly spectacular, but also a bit painful In blitz, Caruana was no match for Carlsen. In the first game he was grad- ually outplayed on the white side of a Berlin Defence, while in the second game they had barely started when it was all over $141.1 ~B40 Magnus Carlsen Fabiano Caruana Bilbao 20212 blitz tie-break (2) Led 05 2.013 06 3.g3 b6 4.iig2 ib7 5.We2 d6 6.04 oxd4 7.2xd4 5/6 8.0-0 Abd7 9.2d4 a6? Not wanting to see the knight appear on 5, Black takes a seemingly innocent precaution that is instantly punished. veravivons nna expected little from 10.. Award for his unifying work with young people in Europe. Previous winners of the award include politicians Helmut Schmidt rte MMU itel MOU sXeCouN AMCs hs roe yo s aTUrA SoM Mol eM ACMI colo) eet lena strode SCUM Celt etl Ure rs Wolo Cohn-Bendit praised Kasparov's political acumen and his courage as a member of Ree SLM oA 0S he Py COR CUR CU e ul Climates Fe TR AC AORTA Lob MGeE 2 = ko) 012 Rete CM uPM ema cte] lle hi i ua FIDE, his 50th birthday and his plains for|the coming years. ‘Life must have @ PUFBOSE, that’s what | learned from my mother ‘I feel that Tam really Teterere Crem en euteTeNy places and that makes nie feel good.’ee) Ce ee a eesHe would like to spend more time on the ground than in the air. Crisscross ing the world, travelling from one time zone to another, takes its toll on his body. He says he doesnt have a recipe tohandle jet lag, ashe is always suffer ing from jet lag. But it’s not only the dehydration during intercontinental flights and the inevitable lack of sleep — even if you travel as comfortably as he does — that bothers him. "I wish I could spend my time more effectively’ he says. Then, realizing this sounds like a rly absurd remark from his mouth, headds with an apologetic smile: am always complaining” There is one ray of light, though, his talent for power naps. ‘I can sleep literally everywhere, even ina chairin a restaurant? Saying that Garry Kasparov isa busy ‘man is asking for misunderstandings. Everyone is ‘busy’ these days after all For him a different word should be invented. We talk around midnight Moscow time via Skype. In Russia, or any European country where he finds himself, he never goes to sleep before 3 ‘a.m. In the US he tends to call ita day between midnight and 2 a.m. As long ashe getsat least sic hours of sleep he is fine. We met one week ago in Rokduc, in the south ofthe Netherlands, where he received the Martin Buber Award. The eulogy was spoken by his friend Daniel Cohn-Bendit, the legendary student leader of the revolt in Paris in 1968, who is Co-President ofthe Euro- aonwinanss pean Greens-European Free Alliance inthe European Parliament the In his speech Cohn-Bendit expressed his admiration for Kasparov's fearless role as facilitator in the Russian oppo- sition movement. Without declaring himself politically he wants to bring about a change in his country that will ‘guarantee the democratic rights of any ‘opposition party. The first aim is the freedom of democracy; once this has been achieved the voters may decide ‘whose views they embrace. ‘The day afer the award ceremony, Kasparov left for Russia via a small detour to the Junior World Championship in Maribor, Slovenia. We speak at the end of a weekend that was largely devoted to a meeting of the opposition par- ties. He will stay in Moscow for five more days and then he is off to Macau, China where he isto give a speech. Three days later he will be at the cother end of the world again for another speech in Washington DC and a further one in New York City the day after. Late at night is relatively quiet in his study in Moscow. Only twice does he briefly interrupt our conversation to take another call. ‘The Martin Buber plaque was awarded to you in the first place for your work with young people. The Kasparov Foun: dation states that its aim is the educa tion of children. You and your people do 50 by teaching young kids to play ches bout the ultimate goal isthe general edu cation of children. How and when did {you come to this philosophy? “Tve been an advocate of chess in the schools for more than two decades. Even at the end of the Soviet Union I had the idea of pushing chess in the educational system. Many people believe wrongly that chess was part INTERVIEW ‘Many people believe wrongly that chess ESS eRe MET education in the Soviet Union,’ of the education in the Soviet Union, On the contrary it was purely a sports discipline and educational values have never been exercised. In 1988 there was a time of change in the Soviet Union, and one of the ideas was to start using this huge chess experience and to push it ito educational areas. I emember I first tried to work with Yury Razu: vaev.and many of the future ideas were worked out at that time. We tried it in various places. In Vigo (Spain), in the Colegio Marcote, there was an attempt with a bunch of Soviet coaches started a programme combined with lemy, trying to have chess les: sons in schools. And in the early 1990s these projects started in the United States and els where in Europe. “Now it comes as a surprise for outsiders that chess in schools is highly popular around the world The big problem is that it's a very spon. taneous development Some are very suc cessful, like for instance Leo Battesti in Corsica. Of course you should mention ‘Armenia, where chess has been inte grated in the school system by the gov ernment. Georgia. Azerbaijan now, that’s where things are done at state level. You have programmes in Tur- key, in many European countries, but they are not yet, in my view, designed tomaximize the effect for general edu cation. You have Brazil, and especialy South Africa, with very sophisticated programmes designed for socially deprived kids. We have enough proof that chess works very effectively both for education and socially. But we never had a centralized entity. Because FIDE, as often happens, spectacularly failed in coming up with one un centralized structure to attract global sponsors for the initiative. ‘My first successful implementa- tion was in the United States, where wwe started 10 years ago. We have morethan 3,600 schools now working on the blu the meantime there are thousands of schools that are doing it separately from us in America. So it’s highly popular but totally disorganized. 1 am not using the word disorganized negatively, but much more could be achieved. In countries like the United States or Germany or Spain, its impos sible to have a state-run programme, because everything is always decided state by state, city by city, municipait by municipality and often even school by school print of our organization. In If we may briefly return to the early years, was ita logical step for you to dedicate yourself to teaching and training young- (it did in Georgia ical. Because all the programmes from sters after your career, just lke we create a new Convekta, our partner, are signed by yor, as a kid, were trained by arn environment KCE Europe. Europe is very much the Botvinnik? Champion. where things can central point of our activities, because T always felt that it was for my be done differently together with the ECU we lobbied for own good to share information, Again, for us chess isnot the written declaration (by members of knowledge and experience. Actually, an ultimate end goal, it’s just a means. the European Parliament to have chess started doingit with Botvinnikin 1985, That's why I prefer to use the word included in the curriculum), and now when I won the (world) title, Starting chess education rather than chess in ‘we have more countries to follow: Hol: in March 86 for two years we ran ses- schools. Its not just a discipline, like land looks very promising, hopefully sions with Soviet kids learning from just another physical activity It's very part of Germany, we're also working important element in the change of the with France and now we are already hhaving pilot sessions in Estonia. So Europe isthe top target for expansion, tus. We had a spectacular lst of players, headed by Kramnik and Shirov global educational system: If we are looking for essential differ- In the past couple of years your Foun: because we have this written declara: se Slovenia now, we ences, in Rolduc you said that chess is dation has grown explosively with new tion. And of cout not @ goal, but a means in the educa- branches around the world. Are all have a letter of intent to open a Ka tional system. branches essentially doing the same paroy Academy that will be under the I gradually changed my interest in thing or are there regional differences? auspices of Kasparov Chess Founda: education in general. I believe that “They are not branches, because tech: tion Europe, an academy working for with what I call the iPad generation, _nically they are not connected. ‘they the most talented kids in Europe on a which I can witness with my six-year carry my name, Iam the chairman of regular basis. ‘old daughter, I recognize that there the board, but they are totally inde are so many challenges, both at the _ pendent charitable organizations. They Indeed, the Kasparov Foundation high end and at the low end, We have are based on the laws of the respective Europe has been very successful lately many problems to tackle and chess countries, the United States, Europe, especially by obtaining the support of helps kids to get adjusted to the mod- which isacting under Belgian law, and the European Parliament to get chess ern educational system. We need kids South Africa. Obviously they exchange accepted as a subject in the curricu: with iPads to find their way ina class information, they are working in syne lum, What is the exact situation right room thats still unchanged. Instead of but they are totally independent. They now, what is still needed after you got an interactive exchange of information have the same goal, but naturally in the all these signatures from the members of there is one teacher in the class room US, with 10 years of experience and the European parliament? 2s the sole source of authority. ts one- lot of money allocated from the spon “thes all very nice. But way trafic, When we offer computer- sors, they ae the largest operation. But ‘; not where the story ends. You ized versions of our programme, as we Europe today is probably the most crit have to lobby in each specific coun atures are InreRViEW aton macuiy aOR) AE ENTERPRISES ‘CHESS ANAL PUZZLE i ‘i ae . et er To celebrate the return of Hans Ree’s popular online column “Dutch Treat”, Russell Enterprises will be hosting a Holiday Quiz that is certain to challenge as well as delight fans around the world. Prizes include a selection of Russell Enterprises books, DGT clocks and a subscription to New In Chess. See wonw.russellenterprises.com Peper cen eet perenne ened saxon try or in each specific region. We have ‘avery powerful political weapon. Not only in Europe, also outside Europe we ‘can wave these papers, butat the end of the day itsalocal decision, We had 415 signatures, the aim was 378, we could have gotten more but we stopped at ‘one point Do you envision new KCFS in the near future? ‘Yes, that’s the goal, My goal is to cover the world. The key element ofthe pro: gramme is based on the language plat form, We will have a universal playing zone that should be ready next year. That’s where we will bring all the kids of all the programmes together and eventually create a world school cham: pionship on the Internet What does that mean, the main focus is on the language platform? It means that wh grammes in Georgia, Estonia or you have pro: Poland it easy, you go to the Minis ter of Education if you can open the door, you have a national federation, you sign the contract and in the end try or for some regions. You have one source of authority to sign a contract with you, But ‘many, you carit have one authority for the whole country, so you have to find ‘one place where you can sign the coun try to operate the German speaking platform, which also includes Austria and Switzerland. A platform that will have all the software in German, th can include the other regions of th country or other countries. The same in France and even more so in Spain, A platform means that in case of major languages, you're not operating from the centre, from the capital. Maybe you find a sponsor. Maybe a coopera: tion, maybe a region that is willing to host the platform, because you cannot afford to duplicate your efforts in hun: dreds of different locations plement it for the whole coun- operate in Ger- You already touched on it, but how is the KCF funded? What’ the financial interview basis and how do you get your money? ‘Which KCF? In America it’s private sponsors, We have a contract with the Saint Louis Chess Club on work, ig with American kids. And two of our guys from the KCF program sponsored by the Saint Louis Chess Club now won the Junior World title, Kayden Troff under-14 and Sam Sevian under-12. In Europe we had ‘one major private donation and we are raising money. Basically is not for us, ‘we are raising money from the respec tive countries to pay Convekta. This is ‘not money-making, we are guarantee ing the services. In South Africa we have just started. We had a donation from Europe and small local dor tions, but we haventt started the opera tion yet There can be no denying that chess in schools is very hot these days. There's your foundation, there is the chess in the schools project in England of Mal: colm Pein, there’ FIDE’ programme. A cynic might say that suddenly a lot of people have discovered that with school chess you can create a highly interest. ing market where a lot of money wil be spent. ‘dont know. So far I concer raising funds and all entities, all KCF', are strictly charities. They operate under different laws, but all of them are foundations that are not for profi’ rate on You say that fr the moment chess in the schools is still disorganized. Are there pplans to cooperate ‘Hopefully one day FIDE will be in a position to help. I think that even through the Kasparov Chess Founda. tion we can start organizing to get peo. ple together. Eventually everyone will ‘move to the computers, weil like to be ready for this moment. As said, we will be offering a global Internet competi tion on our playing zone that should be available next year. (Now) we are doing teaching platforms for each country, but inthe next six months we will launch a new playing zone. That will be strictly available for schools inthe programme. What I want isa chess Facebook for kids! Creating a new market may sound bit cynical, but you could also say: Whats wrong with creating a new chess gen- eration and looking at them as a new ‘market? “Of course its a positive idea and of course I like launching products that are related to my name. But its a long shot, you have to build it, literally, from scratch. For obvious reasons, the global chess market was quite alien to commercial sponsorship. With this FIDE leadership you cannot attract any major corporation. Who wants to be associated with aliens, Assad or Gaddafi?” You mean that if there is going to be 4 change of leadership in FIDE in the ‘future, al this can come together? ‘Absolutely. [believe that if we can have a decent and respectful leadership FIDE that is fully recognized as such in the developed world, then it will not be impossible, although it will not be easy, to dream about the Googles or Coca-Colas of this world looking at chess in a much more friendly way. FIDE’ budget is something like two million euros a year. FIDE lives from the payments of the major national federations. FIDE has to help to cre- ate a commercial environment. These clements were mentioned in Karpov ‘campaign, but now Ihave had time to think about it more thoroughly” For your ambitions in Europe you closcly worked together with Silvio Danailov, the president of the European Chess Union. You were not known to be the closes of friends. Is this a pract- cal pact or have you come closer to each other? ‘Silvio has pointed out that we have different political agendas, but it very important for KCFE to operate Europe alongside the official organiza tion and FIDE Europe is a very valu- able and reliable partner. He needs ‘success and he sees benefits in working ‘with us. wouldnt callita friendly alli ance, but there is no animosity either, but our political agenda may be, as Silvio pointed out, different. For me it was very important to demonstrate that our long-term goals are not alien to those of official organizations. And FIDE Europe is part of FIDE. Its not that Iam trying to interfere with FIDE and cut them off from any potential benefits, but I just dor't want to work with global FIDE because you can't have them as partners in dealing political and business circles? Both you and Danailov are openty eit- ical of FIDE and would like to see the current leadership replaced. You say that your agendas are different, so there won't be any kind of cooperation on the chess political Jront? “No, he said so. Ws important to stress that he said that, in an interview in ‘64.1 never said that and 1 think it’s premature to talk about 2014, but right now Lam quite com fortable in cooperating with him and ECU, because I believe its a very good partnership for KCFE. And we need each other. We would not suc- ceed without the help of the ECU in the European Parliament and vice versa? to In our previous issue we wrote about the remarkable scene that we witnessed at the FIDE Congress in Istanbul. You held ‘an impassioned speech seated next 10 Kirsan Ilyumihinov. Anyone who only sees that photo could believe that the hatchet has been buried and you were {friends again. How would you explain 10 people who only go by that image what really happened? ‘Professional chess players dont look at the af-square and make a judge- ‘ment of the position. You have to see the whole board, That was a separate INTERVIEW ‘Its aco tea eela am working hard give FIDE a new leadership in 2014. picture as part ofa long-term negotia tion which started after another long ‘and painful case (atthe Court of Arbi- tration) in Lausanne. FIDE recognized that they had to change the rules to adjust themselves to international laws ‘and obligations. And I wanted to make sure that we have equal positions in the future, that any opposition to llyum- zhinov will not have to go through the ‘same nightmare as in Khanty-Man- siysk. FIDE basically agreed with most ‘of our proposals. | found the results of the negotiations very positive and if you hear my speech and you listen to my voice, and not only look at the picture, it was clea. I said thatthe dif- ferences are still there and I believe we have to make FIDE bet ter and stronger. You can do it through conflict oF through competing pro- ‘grammes. I believe we can make a better offer. But its no secret that I am working hard to give FIDE a new lead- ership in 20142 What do you see as the major achievements in Istanbul? “There are no loopholes left in the rules. There are still some litle things left in the proxies procedure, but now at least you can follow them and you can have a decent discussion. Before, in Khanty-Mansiysk, it was just a nightmare, because FIDE was in the position to ignore almost everything, Now they have agreed not to make a level playing field but its almost equal! Were there other changes inthe statutes that you would have liked 1 see? “There are some minor things lef stil think that FIDE should stop interfer- ing in the affairs ofthe national federa- tions. Its a global body and it should not interfere in the business of the national federations, which of course FIDE does now by supporting some local organizations and wreaking hhavoc in the places where FIDE doesnt ew css 93like the local leadership. The changes in the statutes are probably OK, there is some work for the lawyers, but I would like to see, for instance, firm limits for the president, And I am not sure if 1 like the idea ofa ticket. It may not be the end of the world, but maybe people should run separately. But that’ fine. T can live with that, There’ still time to come up with more precise plans. What's more important is that FIDE ‘must start raising money from global corporations. FIDE must get spon sors to help federations rather than get ‘money out of them? How do you see the role of AGON in all this? ‘it doesnt bring any money. AGON is an empty shel. hope Lam wrong. Iwas not happy to see how FIDE handled the AGON contract. I understand that there are some situations where you can get a promise. But ifthe promise comes from IBM or Deutsche Telekom, that’s a different story. Ifa big promise comes from a company that was registered a couple of weeks before signing the con. ‘act with FIDE and its based in one of the British isles... I mean, it smells, it smells very suspiciously? But its a commitment for many y ‘OK, commitments can be made, but before you actually sign you anon have to evaluate the strength of the commitment, The validity of the commitment! Taking into account the previous elec tions, do you think there is a chance to change the leadership in FIDE as long a there is the one-country-one-vore rule and so many delegates are bribed? Is there anything that can be done against this practice? They are the rules ofthe game and the rules have to be respected. Again, if you have general elections in any coun: try, especially ina big country, you will have very different voters. Some of them are rich, some of them are poor. But you cant complain, because that is fundamental principle of democracy. Yes, Lunderstand there are huge differ ences, and not just between European federations and others. You have some federations from the developing world where there are people who are really committed to doing something and are ready to work. And there are some small federations that are not inter: ested in anything but being part of the FIDE family. But, you know, that’s the current map, you have to work with this map and you have to offer bet r services. I believe there is a huge potential for change and the winds of history are no longer blowing in Kir sani sails INTERVIEW I still vividly remember the elections in Khanty-Mansiysk, and more specifically aascene in which your lawyer, Ank San: tens of White & Case, is staring in dis belief atthe stage where the FIDE board is sitting, as she is rudely told that she is not allowed to speak, even though she was promised exactly this at what seemed a fruitful meeting the night before. Why are you more hopeful that the FIDE leadership will keep their word “That's why we have worked hard so that such situations can no longer -ment of the procedure, y element, has now been the elections in Tromso. By the way, you understand the dif ference between elections in Tromso and Khanty-Mansiysk. Every of the congress will be very much pro: tected by the rules. That's what was the greatest achievement in Istanbul and that’s what many people didn't understand! ment Which leads to the inevitable ques tion: who does Garry Kasparov have in ‘mind as the new FIDE president? What should his or her profile be lke? ‘As said, I made_a full commitment to changing the FIDE leadership in 2014, Tam working hard to make sure that it will be a very strong team. Its not just a team of six, it should also have LEGEND LIVES ONstrong connections to the federations. Tam now working in different parts of the world, I think sometime next year 3 it will become clear. I keep all options | n. Lf have to, Iwill do it myself. I's not yet my top priority, but I am con sidering tas one ofthe options ifother options will not look as attractive for the voters. We just have to make sure that the voters will like what t Because we want change and I believe Thave enough support already to move forward. [ want to make sure that in 2014 there will be an impeccable rr ticket that will atract people tom Are i7 Europe and all other continents Conary Poe Would you have time to run your Fe oa self? Youre so incredibly busy paar enn That's why 1 am saying that my prea will happen in sy mother, Ihave my wife. Actually I candidacy is not yet top priority 2014, And of am spending more time with my kids There are a number of reservations. course whatever now. My little one, who is at the amaz. I will have to see what happens and. happens in Russia very ing age of six, my son, who is 16 now, hopefully the next few months will _ much affects other events in my life who is in Moscow. I was in Paris with help me to make some key decisions him and I am taking him to America in my life This April you will turn 50, which still for the Christmas vacation. My eldest sounds amazingly young for someone daughter is in Columbia University «life as intense as yours. studying political science. I'm trying Because its also connected with your who has liv ‘ambitions in Russian politics. Ifit wasn’t for your energy my estimate to get positive energy from my three T would not say ambitions, [d call it would be that you are turning at least children? moral involvement. [believe that my 150, going by everything youve already role is to help my country to make done. How do you keep the motivation You have this burning desire to live the transition, to soften the pain that and the drive? every day at least three times. we will suffer from the collapse of the ‘You pushed a very painful button. ‘Yeah. I am tryin system Turning 50, I am not sure what I want the day is full. My mother is turning to do on that day, how I am going to 76 next year and she keeps up because Suppose you decide to fully dedicate celebrate it, whether I want to do that shes busy. Life must have a purpose, yourself tothe FIDE presidency, would it at all. Tam very puzzled. I am busier that’s what [ learned from her. That’ ¢ possible to opt for a background role now than ever, Ihave too many plans. what I am doing. I have too many 1 Russian politics? Things happening in Russia, 1do more focuses, and I want to cut them but its “I donit know: Iam not trying to mis- lectures than ever, I have a new book impossible lead you or your readers. We don't coming, FIDE..” hhave a calendar. Like in America, Travelling to different time zones all where the next presidential elections What do you do to maintain this intense the time, working day and night. What are in 2016and you know that Obama _ life and stay healthy? makes it worth it? isnot running, Here in Russia wedont ‘Look, you know, (hesitates), that's You can make the difference if you know what will happen, when it will also a good question... I don't know, are required to, I feel that I am really happen and under what conditions it ’m just trying to be cautious. Some of needed in many places and that makes, will happen. Putin may stay in power the events of last August (When he was ime feel good. Do you remember when longer, which I doubt very much, arrested in Moscow -DjtG) let a mark. answered the last page questions in or his regime may collapse. That’s I have problems with my elbow now, New In Chess? Look there, What was why unfortunately I have to keep all _ my right arm. I wish I had more time my answer to the question what is my options alive. In FIDE I know it's2014 to look at my health, but I am trying greatest fear? I said, itis to become and in Russia you don't know what _ to havea healthy life. You know, Ihave irrelevant! w INTERVIEW new ives 35- London Veselin Topalov, Boris Gelfand and Shakhriyar Mamedyarov are the top contenders for the 2012-2013 Grand Prix series, following its 4 inaugural event in London's Simpson’s-in-the-Strand. Gelfand and Mamedyarov led the field throughout, each inflicting losses along 4. the way on the rating favourite Hikaru Nakamura, who surprisingly ended in shared last place. reports.When FIDE announced earlier this year that the rights to the World Championship cycle were being contracted to a brand new company led by an American businessman, more than a few eyebrows, the organization of the next s* match be Candida bidding process? Can Grand Prix mn open to a tournaments really be org ly in major Europe: Who is this Andrew Paulson fellow, nized prof capitals? Nine months on, some questions remain, but most chess professionals and fans are crossing their fingers and hoping that this new venture, branded simply’ World Chess, will succeed, with head scratching gradually giving way to cautious optimism, Paulson has assembled a cadre of London-based professionals and companies to oversee the organization and marketing of the next Candidates Tournament in March, as well as the current Grand Prix 2012-2013 series, and potentially all World Champion. ship cycle events betwee 2022. The organization of the first Grand Prix tournament, however, was not originally the responsibility of Paul: soris team in London. In March, FIDE announced plans to hold the event in Chelyabinsk, Russia, (See Sidebar: Best laid plans..’) By July, a disagreement with the Russian Chess Federation which declined to authorize the tournament - forced Paulson to switch gears and arrange it in Lon now and aemwinonss don. Simpsor’s-in-the-Strand, the venerable landmark restaurant and famous 19th century chess club and coffee house, provided the backdrop for the event, which took on the char acteristics of a private tournament: Elegant decor, few spectators other than invited Given the relatively short time ests, private bar, frame, most of the more elab orate presenta tions, espoused by Paulson for future events, were dropped from the plan and no external sponsors were found. Paul ata loss son reports that he person ally financed losotaound (MOOI EES so, Erie Lait to id Bi pecpreseeresey neiece a sue more mainstream media exposure than would otherwise have been pos sible. The tournament was the subject of stories from the likes of The Finan cial Times and CNN, and the publicity he asserts ~ citing estimates from the nt's London-based PR firm Mission — was worth far more than the money spent. The hope is that such PR value will redound to the World Chess endeavour as a whole. Grand but not Grandiose Some of the new World Chess sensi: bility was on display in London, such as the and partitions, built by design firm Pentagram, whose partners also con tributed the brand's irompe-loeil logo, promotional artwork, and slogan: The Best Mind Wins. ‘At an elegant party at S House, an arts and cultural ce the bank of the Thames river, Paul- son welcomed the players and a few efined aesthetic of the tables ‘Paulson reports that he person- Pl NMED eer | the event of around $000,000 hundred invited guests, including ambassadors and celebrities. After a pre-party drawing of lots, the players entertained the crowd by playing blitz first with each other, then with select guests As chance would have it, the pairi Boris Gelfand versus Hikaru Nak: ‘mura was the same as would occur in Round 1, the following afternoon, with reversed colours, In the blitz, Nakamura lost a pawn and appeared tobe in dire straits positionally, only just barely managing to hold a draw in a bishops of opposite colours end- ing, The game was for show, and yet it almost proved prescient. The next day, Gelfand, this time with black against Nakamura, again reached an opposite-coloured bish- ‘ops ending. Nakamura-Gelfand postion after 37..04 ack is slightly better, but White should manage to draw, Nakamura played 38.24? h5 39.Ge2 516 39, .2{5! immediately was strong. 40. Bidet ZfS! 44.c.d1 Zbf8 Now Black threatens to penetrate with ..ig5+ and ..28g3, forcing White to exchany and giving Black con. nected passed pawns. Gelfand con verted the endgame with ease rooks on Nakamura, who was a favourite to win alongside Vassily Ivanchuk in 4 pre-tournament ChessVit poll of 442 chess fans, won his second, round, but struggled to convert sev cral promising positions in the next three rounds. In the fifth, he even got lucky escapeDominguez-Nekamura position after 68.21h2 68...2b8 69.2 In a winning pos tion, Dominguez missed the crusher: 69.dixg6+! dexg6 70.154 E7 71.g6> ef 72.f6 SIb1 73.:%5 and it lights cout for Nakamura, 69...3b7 70.5h2 [EB Instead, after repeating once, Do: minguez gives his opponent a new lease on ile, 71.6? Zh8 72.2xh8 5 xh8 And Nakamura hung on fora drav. Finally, in the sixth round, the Ameri: can luck ran out, and he fell to Wang, Hao, the start of a disastrous four- game losing streak “Once I failed to draw that game [against Gelfand), and then I didn't win the games in the middle, it all really just spiralled out of control, with the loss to Wang Hao from a bet ter position} Nakamura said. ‘And unfortunately I wasn't really able to get my wits about me until [Round 10] against Anish [Giri]: He and Giri ultimately shared last place, earning €7500 and a measly 15 Grand Prix points apiece. Nakamura had the most decisive games in London, with two wins and five losses. Despite losing a boatload of rating points, he was surprisingly "upbeat when it wasall over “Ws abad result, but you just have to try and learn from what went wrong and move on, because there's not really much else to do.Sure I went on Ait [a poker term, describing someone who irrationally lets his bad or improb: table luck affect his play ~ MP] and 1 Jost four games in a row, but its not all that bad, because I still got good positions. Its not like throughout the whole tournament I was worse, and then had a bad streak and that’ the end of the story Each player will play four of the six tournaments in the Grand Prix series, and the best three results are counted for the final points total. Having one bad tournament isn't catastrophic. but the fourth score can be used asa tiebreaker. In search of a ‘Cubik Rubik’ Vassily Ivanchuk, the other rating favourite going in, also had a strange tournament. Often to be seen pac ing absentmindedly before a game, Ivanchuk seemed even more remote in London than usual. Most players tended to linger in the press room after their games, analysing a bit or chatting with colleagues and guests, bbut Vassily typically left for the hotel directly, not wishing to be disturbed or give comments, Fashion statements were another matter, and Ivanchuk alternatively ‘came t0 the board in an Amsterdam ‘cap, from his summer trip to tourna. ‘ment outside the Dutch capital, or one from his favourite football club, Chel- sea. Once, a purple scarf tucked into his suit jacket pockets represented an even bolder move. Despite the tactical accoutrement, he suffered an early loss to Peter Leko in Round 2 Leko-lvanchuk position ofter 32.3 In time pressure Leko had just repeated moves (3-d4, and back) tobe closer to move 40 ~ there was no increment used before move 61 ~ and LONDON Best laid plans... ‘When FIDE and Agen Limited signed their ‘Promotion ond Event Organization Agree ment’, dated the 20th of February, there wos ‘already interest in hosting the first Grondl Prix tournament in Chelyabinsk ‘According te Agon's Director of Commu- ications, lya Merenzon, « local company ‘offered sponsorship funding inthe sum ‘of 2011, which he pursued on beholf of FIDE. (He declines fo name the company, for ‘ear of exposing them to political problems in Russia) ‘Merenzon, « Chelyabinsk native now based in London, wos a business associate of Paulson's prior to his interest in World Chess, and introduced Paulson 10 FIDE officials ‘Merenzon and Paulson represent the ‘Agon sie of the "nterface Team, « quartet defined isthe contract to resolve contract= ‘elated inves. FIDE Executive Director Nigel Freeman and Deputy President Georgios ‘Makropoulos represent the other two mem- bers of the “nterface’. ‘On March 28th, FIDE published a revised colendar of events in the World Champion- ‘hip cyele, offilly moving the Candidates’ ‘0 Moreh, 2013. The change came partly out ‘of deference to the organizers of the Bilboo ‘Masters Final ond the London Chess Classic, whe worried thatthe intial schedule of Octo- ber 23 to Nevember 13 would interfere with ‘heir ournements. The same calendar included the first Grand Prix in Chelyabinsk, September 19 to October 3. Over the next few months, however, it emerged that Chelyabinsk wos not a viable option after al. There was never ony written agree- ‘ment between the local sponsor ond FIDE, ‘according to Chief Exeative Officer Geof- rey Bora, who said the offer came from the Chelyabinsk Chess Federation. Meren- pew cuss 39therefore, Leko says, Ivanchuk ‘made instantly an impulsive move ~ ef? which lost immediately 32, like half an hour before, because there were many times these lines when, the motif was still the same with And suddenly Black can resign immediately. [think it was a moment for Vassily’ White threatens g6+ and Zg8, win ning the g7-pawn, 33...hxg5 34.0xg5+ we7 35.228 xe5 36.0xg7+ sid6 37.0xc7 The e6-pawn falls as well, and White’ ery sad The Hun ter hasn't won a tou 2008 Sparkassen Chess Meeting in Dort mund, and London, with ten draws. After the fourth round, Ivanchuk wanted to forget about his draw with Giri, and instead was on a search for an oversized five-by-five Rubiks Cube. He visited three shops in nearby Covent ¢ handed The next days he played short but interesting draws both with Alexan der Grischuk and Boris Gelfand, each moves before a grand nent since th was his only win in iden but came up empty less than peti tion appeared. The tournament rules prohibited agreed draws, and players were expected to consult the arbiter in the case ofa move repetition. sonmwinonss [Andrew Paulson seems to be pleated as he inspects the winners of his fist Grand Prix. In the final position against Gelfand there was quite an interesting possible continuation, which the players dis. cussed afterwards, z ime AOU Aba wha | a ek a AS | 3 Re a2 4) wh & Gelfand.tvanchuk final position, after 25.192 Black can offer a temporary queen sacrifice by playing: 25.0! 65 26,0 G+ ext 27.0xe8+ Bixe8 28.0xc6 oxe6 [ xnen la aa 2h - wl A & a oe a Oe A i Swe & 29.xd4 Black's minor pieces are extremely dangerous, and White is LONDON. forced to take the knight. If, for in 29,<8f1 263 30. WI Zed, the has no escape: 31.Wd3 (31 33 32. Wb2 He2) 31...i202+ 29,84 Gulf3+ 30.cof2 (30,cot1 @xh2+ gh Dgld+ 32.82—2 Sgt) 30. Oh3+ 31.ceg? Digl+ 32.9ef1 ss 33,Wa2 Be2, and again White must give up the queen, 29...2f3+ And Whites best option is 30.Wxf3 30.dig2 edd 31.cef1 3 32. Wb1 Ged is also balanced. 30...0xf3 34. x05 a6 With a likely draw stanc It looks like a draw anyway, so I don't think there are significant winning chances for me, Ivanchuk said after the game. Gelfand thought that it would be even dangerous for Black. Ivanchuk was upbeat, and smil ing br Simpson’. ‘I think my games in this tournament [are] quite interesting, so many interesting ideas, so | am opti ‘oadly, as he prepared to leave istic. There are six rounds more? No, five, OK, Iam still fighting, thank you In Round 7, however, Vassily was demonstrably addled. He played the first few moves against Rustam Kasimdzhanoy without touching his, scoresheet. Then he couldn't find his pen, and requested one from Interna: tional Arbiter Carol Jarecki, but before she could comply he discovered his ‘own pen in an inside jacket pocket, much to his apparent surprise. Moresurprising was what happened on the board, as the players began repeating as early as move eight! Kasimdzhanov was recovering from a bad loss to Mamedyarov the day before. ‘After that, my main objec: tive was basically to come back to my senses, Rustam explained. ‘I thought my opponent today would try to use the condition I was in to kind of knock me out, because he was White and he’ also, wel, a stronger player! Rustam Kasimdzhanov London 2012 (7) 14 06 2.03 d5 3.3 dxo4 4..i¢2 047 5.04 O05 6.043 Le6 7.We2 ‘x Wesak| aa haba JAS ‘I defended my pawn twice, and then he started repeating moves, which [never expected from him? 7..2b3 would have even given Kasimdzhanov the advantage, eg. 8 Eb] Ws 9,We3 (now after 9.2h4 the queen has the c5-square: 9.. We5 followed by 10.248, with aclear edge to Black) 9.18, 8.0h4 Wad 9.013 z Aad eka aaks 2 ec >> w A aS ee & AWA ff & 6 os 9...Wd5, “Tlooked for a way to avoid the repeti tion but didn't find anything comfort- able, Kasimdzhanov insisted. ‘After 9..Wed 10,Wre xed 11.25, ‘Tthought I have chances to be worse very quickly, because c4 and c6 are hanging, and then suddenly he gets a pleasant endgame. Because if I lose a pawn for nothing, somehow my whole strategy doesn't make sense: ts easy to second guess with the aid ‘ofa computer, but while the position is sharp, its unlikely Black could be worse, eg 11..8c5 12.4)x06 (12.b4!2 exb3 13.Oxc6 6 14.b5 Sed 15, e7+ ded 16.4ixd5 bxe6) 12...2b3! 13.Bb1 265. 10.54 Waa 14.043 Draw. Ivanchuk quickly left the playing hall, forgetting even to sign his scoresheet. Jarecki had to phone him in his hotel room to return and give his signature. Kasimdzhanov defended the result, arguing that it lays bare the fallacy of a reliance on the Sofia-Corsica rule to discourage short draws. “You can apply the Sofia rules all you like, the percentage of draws will only rise...because people will use every ‘opportunity to repeat moves because they think, “OK, when will I get to repeat moves again?” - if you know what I mean’ Hehasadvocated a radical approach that draws should immediately be replayed with reversed colours at rapid time controls, until a decisive results reached. “Ifa draw was replayed, then I would probably leave today with a more sat- isfied feeling of a guy who actually played a game of chess, and not some freak occurrence like this? Curious how other players viewed this unusual result, [asked Boris Gel- fand for his take on the game: I sense that Vassily mishandled the move order in the opening, and then he had the choice either to play without ‘pawn with no real compensation, or to force a draw. So he forced a draw.. LONDON. ‘zon describes the proposed sponsorship (5 4 “written commitment, not @ contract, @ protocol ‘At the FIDE General Assembly in istanbul, where the contract with Agon was ratified, Ilya Levitew, Chairman of the Board of the Russian Chess Federation, asked pointed {questions regarding the sponsorship of the Grand Pris, He insisted thatthe Governor of the Chelyabinsk province, Mikhail Yurevich, was unaware of any plans. ‘When asked about Levitor’s statement 10 the General Assembly, Borg responded by ‘e-mail thot ‘Levtov claimed ignorance, but ‘here wore many people involved. Meren- ‘zon points out thatthe proposed sponsor was {8 company not directly connected with the governor. Inremoins unelecr who exectly wos behind the idea of holding « tournament in Chely- ‘binsk, ond why. What is clear is that the ACF pressured the political leadership there not even to consider holding the tournament without the explicit approval ofthe national federation, underscoring ongoing tensions ‘between the RCF ond FIDE os 0 rest of the ‘deal with Paulson. Levitov has been « vocal cic of FIDE’ decison from the outset. ‘The RCF then told Paulson that they would ‘only outhorize the tournament if three ofthe 2x ‘wild card! spots were given to Russian players. One was already going 10 Alex ‘ander Morazevich, and three other players hhad quolified (Alexander Grischuk, Sergey Kariakin and Peter Svidler), but the RCF insisted on two more. "don't ike being bullied, 0 we pushed for ‘on unconditional permission, which was not forthcoming’, Poulson explained by e-moil. ‘Without RCF approval, any potential sponsorship money was moot. Therefore, With Chelyabinsk unable to host the tourna- ‘ment, Paulson and FIDE mode the decision to ‘move the event to London, while keeping the connounced dates. For future events, FIDE is to receive a deposit from Agon for €500,000, within 60 days following the ratification of the contract. That deadline came and went on November 6th. At press time, FIDE had not ‘yet received the funds, although they expect the delay will be temporary. wines 41Faszination Blindschach Schauspiel des Geistes DaeUr rr Tae aca! Oar ent) Der deutsche FIDE-Meister Mare Lang schraubte am 26. November 2011 den ‘Weltrekord im Blindsimultan auf sagenhafte 46 Bretter! Er berbot damit die bisherige Bestmarke von Miguel Najdorf, die 64 Jahre Bestand hatte. ‘Mare Lang gibt Einblick: ‘Vorbereitung auf und in seine Gedankenwelt wihrend des Weltrekordes. ‘AnschlieBend entwirft Schach-Historiker Dr. Michael Negele einen ausfihrlichen Abriss der Geschichte des Blindschachs seit den ersten Erwahnungen im Jahre 1266, Exhiililich im: Exzelsior Verlag (Berlin) ‘Tel: 0049-30-61076285 Email: info@exzelsior.de 200 Seiten, kartoniert, 23,80 Euro ISBN 978-3-935800-07-5 saw hons ‘Of course I do believe it’s very pain: ful to agree a draw so eatly, nobody enjoys it, but we are all professional players, so to play a pawn down and then fighting another six hours to make the same draws, I dont think its a better option: Gelfand agrees that the Sofia-Cor- sica rule is no solution. ‘A lot of these ideas are built under wrong presump: tions which officials have that chess players are lazy bastards whose whole idea is to deceive [the] public and to make short draws and go home. Its not true, It’s lie, We see that all the ple and if you want to go to the very top you have to be motivated, other wise you have no chance to be on top’ (He dislikes Kasimdzhanov’s pro: posal, however.) No Motivation Further up the standings, Alexander Grischuk says he arrived in London, ‘without any hopes, without any moti: vation, without anything, but still I think I played quite OK, not that bad’ He would have preferred to play in the second event in the series, Tashkent but had already requested to skip the Lisbon tournament, scheduled for just ten days after the Candidates, and other players had conflicts with Lon don, (See Sidebar: ‘A field in flux.) Grischuk was undefeated with two wins, and finished in clear fourth place, netting 90 Grand Prix points, and a €17,500 prize. Grischuk’s two wins came against two of the winners, Mamedyarov and Gelfand, He was nevertheless far from satisfied ‘Of course it’s not comparable to the Olympiad, when I was extremely upset, but still, the day when I will consider such result to be a success is the day I should stop playing: In the ninth round, Grischuk’s defeat of Gelfand injected some addi tional drama into the final rounds, as he moved into a tie fo Gelfand and Topalo, trailing Mame dyarov by just halfa point second with LONDON $131.4-830 Alexander Grischuk Boris Gelfand London 2012 (9) With three rounds to go Boris ( was confidently leading ment, showi reat chess. Yet | scared enough not to try to win Led 65 2.23 “66 3..b! 4.083 ip Swe or Yury Sergeevich Balashov played this dimes in the 90s, but to very original positions in most lines, which is perfect fora player in a must-win situation, 106 Bo against Vallejo. Obviously Black has a lot of other options as wel. 5.0.0 a6 6.3 “66 In the mentioned above Boris chose 6... 7.02 xq SWe gar a 4 bhi rer became really popular. Itleads Tou2441 This move I had missed in my preparation. 7 4 cxd4 9. 4xd4 946 leads to the Paulsen, and76 8.44 cxdd 9.Oxd4 D6 to the Scheveningen. B.5.d3 Here I could get a gre sion of the reversed Simon Williams Dutch with 8.2xd4 exd4 9.2b1 De7 10.d3 2e6 11.242 46 12.f4 g6 13.213 g7 14.Wel 0-0 15.242, but a re sersed Dutch, even in the greatest of versions, is not something White usu ally dreams about 8.../1€6 9.b3! _—x Ss | ‘Alexander Grischuk said that he arrived in London ‘without any hopes, without any a See ee een aCe eC a In case of 10,..2e7 11.Hel sf the Afier the text-move, and even more so AR AAP computer is ecstatic about 12.¢5 Oxe5 afer the super solid 11..e5, the game gE swore 13.4xe5 ixeS 14.Fixe5 des 15. Whs, is way more prosaic: 3 first promising White a hu wt 08 axes 13. x05 9. tage, bu er 13786 es a ey an Bee xiwer Co aeee ee rice > ek meg ime open, Wake aa After 9..g5 10,.2b2 27 the compu- definitely has enough compensation gO fe livcts aalscy owe i Wet te pslally nota Minderhs 13001 Odd t4Wes 2. Bed edi Back continues logialy with p Teds 15 ga x )Wee Hf f a Aaa Ez x swe AE A Abba 43.2477! a a’ a Teould not really citiite any of ake Black tnoves pret thie point, bat ae a the correct 13..“xe5 14.2 x Wb io) RAE Black is extremely close to equalizing. A nS a Wk © Her im Mawr 11..wie7 Raiiaeehene People sometimes complain that there are fewer ‘brilliant sacrifices than 1 preity much resign after there used to be in the past. How this one is a serious inaccuracy. After are the lines: he 16.4 Another logical set-up, 9...2\ge7 10. allow them anymore! For example I ‘an be met with 11,2d5 was going to meet 11...We7 with 12 ever, the point is that players just don't b2 g6, Bel! (12.2e3 Df) 12..exd5 Dds! exd5 13.exds+ Ge7 14.c4, and 13.exd5+ Dce7 14.c4. We will see athe position is great in the sense that similar position a litle bit further on. the one who plays better will win. This 10.562 16 is what chess is supposed to be about! ANALYSIS DIAGRAM Lonpon. 43= 15.Qe4 Seb! 16.2xc5 Ade! 17.We2 (17.2ixe6 fxe6 18.Bxe6+ Sbd7 19.265 the? 20.04 Be8) 17. Saxe 18, Wes WAS. ~ 15.Bg5 g6 16.Hg3 0-017. We2 fis, 14.004 [Now White grabs the initiative. 14...0xe5 15.5.xe5 S.c6 16.13 es 16..0-0 loses a pawn: 17. 0x16 Sixi6 18.Oxf6+ Wrto 19.Whs, and although Black gets very reason: able drawing chances after 19..26 20,Wxc5 Efd8, no one would go for this voluntarily. 17.5e3! bS Black cannot really hope to castle safely, so 17,..h5 was probably best, but anyway, after 18.2lael Sf8 19.h3 h6 20. We2 White keeps very annoy ing pressure. 17...2d5 doesn't work because of 18.3. aed. 18.c4 was also possible, but itjust looks too ugly. ‘This move is connected with a blun. der, but it is hard to realy criticize it Objectively, Black should have tried 18,..245, but this move is very risky. I failed to find a win for White. Here are some lines: A) 19.W gli? (19,..Pixe3? gives White good chances: 20, Wg 8 21 6 Sif 22.66) 20.bxe bcd 21 Big3!?exd3 22.04 2b6 (22.268 loses 023, Wag? Sxet 24. Wah ded? 25 Eixd3+) 23. Wag? BiB 24.D66+ x16 25.xf6 Wa6 26.Wxh7 Zxcl 27. Sig? ded7 28, Oxf8 Wat8 29, Wrxd+ 45 30.Wed4, and White is clearly better, but Black has counter-chances; Exclusive Distributor of Chess Informant for the USA The Best in Chess Monthly Columnists Include: Karsten Miler ‘Arka Naiitsch ‘Bruoe Pandolfr ‘Yasser Selrawan iru G.Urcan ‘and many moce! Mark Dvoratsky GeurtGissen Carsten Hansen Tim Harding Dan Honan Gay ue fy Manto plus Honest Book Reviews, Great Antcles, Endgame Studies and, one of the ChessCafe.com “arguably the highest-quality chess website around!” ~Sarah Hurst largest onl of books & equipment anywher ‘Three ways to order: 1-877-91-CHESS shop.chesscafe.com mail: P.O. Box 1201, Harwich, MA 02645 senowinoess LONDON.B) 19.Wg3 cA! 20.bxe4 (20.503 exd3 21,2ixf7 26 22.Exe7+ Wre7 23.0d6+ ids is fine for Black) 20.. bbxc4 21.58 (21. Wxg7 BfB) 21..cxd3 22h (22. Ext? sexf7 23. Wag? oes 24,Wxh8+ d7 25.Wsh7 bs is about equal) 22...5 23.2d6+ xd 24. Oxd6 7 25.exd5 Sxd5 26.5 gS 27.2ixd3 h, and White is only ‘marginally better; C) 19.B3e21? is an easy way to keep the pressure: 19,,0-020.Wh3 h6 21.Wet. 19.bxe4 bxe4 20.0x16 20...iKe4! Boris had probably missed that after 20...xf6 21. 2xc4 £5 White has 22. Wh5, with a huge advantage: 22.. fred 23. x06 His 24.°5 Be7 25 Bret sixes 26.fxed Wad? 27.93, and the attack will never stop. 2L.nxed ‘Obviously it would be desirable to play 21,Wxed, but then Black has 21..gxf6! 22, xed f5, when 23. WeS ‘8.6 24.4 won't work because of 24..Wa 22,..Wxd27? AA very strange mistake, taking into account that after the subsequent 23, 2xe6 (but not 23.43, since Black’ bishop wil fel 00 comifortableon the dark squares), White wins in many ways. Afr the normal 22..0-0 23. Eie2 Black will face along and diff ceult defence, but I would evaluate his chances to survive as 60-40. 23.s.xe6 fre6 24..xe6+ wid7 Other moves lose quickly as wel: ~ 24...89f7 25.WhS+! (but even 25,Wb7+ digs 26.Wes+ cho - 26,..947 27.He7+ ~ 27 dis very dan- serous for Black) 25..6 26.3 Wes 27. Ess Wf 28. W074; ~ While after 24...02f8 White can mate in 13 with 25.Bxf6+ (but 25. hd or 25.43 are also good enough) 25..gxf6 26.Wxi6+ dogs 27. We6+ hog? 28.Wait 7 29.WIS+ digs (29... 3eg7 30.2e7+) 30. Wxc8+, and ‘mate in 7 more moves. 25.We4! “The last accurate move, 25...8007 26.Wod+ did7 27.Wade Sed 28. W xa6 sid 7 29.WDS+ sed 30.0e8+ Black resigned. ‘This game was played after the rest day, and I spent about 10 hours pre- paring for it. But the victory itself ‘came quite easily. Asthe great Russian commander Alexander Suvorov used to say: “The more you sweat in train- ing, the les you bleed in war! Gelfand felt that he had overestimated his position. ‘2... Wxd2 was a miscal- culation, because I understand tha dorit take on d2 ma pawn down, but like 50/50 chances to save the game, but I thought that I could take it,and I LONDON missed one finesse in calculation, Soit just can be called a blunder. I thought that I could play ..9ef8.. and unfor- tunately I was already pretty short of time, so I couldrit double-check it ‘After losing his World Champion- ship match, Gelfand took some well- earned vacation time with family to recovery physically and mentally, and ays the psychological toll was harder to overcome. “The stress was big, and physically after each tournament I'm very tired, but still, know that with time I get energy back, and here it ‘was the case also” At the same time, hhe says, he had ‘so many postive emo tions while preparing for the match and playing the match ~ you know you did something that you enjoy so ‘much ~ soit really helped Selfand is automatically seeded into the next Candidates tournament in March, so this Grand Prix series is laying the groundwork for an eventual run at a planned 2015 title match, in case he fils to win sooner. The small details ‘Topaloy, forthe first time in a while, is back at the beginning of a qualif cation run, Although he is a reserve player for the March Candidates, itis unlikely he will eta spot. “Lwas never so low in the cycle. So for me it’s strange. But still its good that not only I shared first place, but somehow I could play solidly, didn't make many big blunders, as during the Olympiad or during my previous events ~ in Wijk it was terrible, for example? In London Topalov focused on improving his concentration, screen- ing out distractions. He travelled to London alone, preferring to work with seconds only via the Internet. ‘Once distinguished for his theoretical novelties, now its the small details like nerves, and stamina in key moments that account for the difference between the elite players in a tourna- ment, according to Topalov ~ even more so than opening preparation. seins 43“Everybody pushes the same but- ton — the computer is looking at the same lines and you cannot really make a big difference, and so its about the moment? Once stich moment came in the sixth round. Topaloy was badly in need of a win, and got little out of the opening against Leinier Domin- guer Perez, but the Cuban opened a window into his closed position, and ‘Topalov dove through it ‘Topalov was rather surprised tofind himself in shared first place at the end of the eleventh round, when he beat a struggling Anish Giri ‘After the opening, at some point [chuckles}, I saw my position, I saw Mamedyarov’s position and I con- igratulated him with the win ~ dur- ing the game - because it was ‘obvious ~ almost clear he was goi to make a draw, and I just couldn't see what could happen in my game as wel. thought that I was going to have a quick draw, and so did he. But OK, ithappens. You know, sometimes youre lucky in life? ores @0 1.537 Anish \Veselin Topalov London 2012 (11) Before the last round Mame (Mame- dyarov ~ ed.) was leading, and there were three guys half a point behind him: Gelfand and Grischuk, who were both playing with white, and me play ing with black against Giri. The st mn was quite unclear, but I didnt believe I had real chances to be the final winner. Since we were playing two hours earlier than in the previ fous rounds, I decided to play solidly instead of going for a sharp open- ing. One of the reasons was that its a Grand Prix, consisting of six events, and this was only the first one. So 1 enews didrit realy care if was on plus-2 or plus-3, and didn't object toa draw. 1.44 516 2.04 €6 3.13 d5 4.0.63 e7 5.4 0-0 6.e3 “bd? 7.02 dxc4 8.0-0 ¢5 9.dxc5 /xc5 10. sixes We quickly played through the same opening line that Gelfand chose against me in the second round and against Kasimdzhanov at the Olympiad, hhanov 1 went 10 ly, but against Gel: fand I improved. fsa pretty harmless line, but in that game, too, was in trouble at some point, because f had forgotten what my second had told AL.Dfxdd b6 42.4 2b7 43. Bact a6 {in _ Uke | @0 Baba ak 4A oe | 14.4 ‘The other move is 14.8, when Black plays 14..ac8, However, if White wants to achieve something he has to chase away the knight 14... c04 15.0xe4 Sixed 16.23 ‘White can also play 16.£3 here, but this doesnt make too much difference. LONDON, 16...a5 Against Gelfand I played 16, Ble8, and later on committed an in- accuracy. After the game I reread the ‘email that my second had sent me be- fore the game and saw that he had told me that I should play 16..a5, which isnot only a novelty, but also the first ‘move the computter shows. The move ‘opens up the a-file, which means that the plan of ancl e4 that Gelfand used would no longer be so effective. My bishop was pushed back to b7, where it was not well placed, whereas now I would have had time to exchange it 17,43 id5 18.04 sixc4 19.5xc4 Now I open up the a-file. 149...axb4 20.axb4 ‘And Lalso exchange one pair of rooks. 20...2fe8 24.0de4 Here 21.“c6 doesn't work, because I can just take the pawn: 21...dixb4, and Tam utterly fine 21...0x04 22.5x04 h6 For some reason I played this move. Perhaps it would have been better to (g0 22.218 immediately. i 8 we a a A 8A ae Arasg oy a GAm a8 A 23.8 Ithe goes 23.26 immediately, | will start cheching wth my rook and it wil be a drew immediatly So freee ee ee Anish had not won a single game in the tournament, which may have been the reason why he continued to play for a win. On the other hand, his, choice of opening was a bit stran, in this pect, as White has nothing, I he really was that eager to win, he should have played differently, since it was not very likely that I would allow him to beat me in the same manner as Kasimdzhanov had done. 23...f8 This | played immediately. 24.6 There are not many plans for White. For example, 24.5 would give mea very good square for the bishop: 24, se. 24...b5 Now I am in time to play the pawn to bs, 25.24 25.,.a6 As after 25...e8 26.xe7 dhxe7 he ‘can put the bishop on d6 with check In the game I get but without allowing in the bishop. the same position, 26..xe7 soxe7 27.242 47 The position is still equal, but if man. age to get my knight to c4, I would already have small chan aeaa a a 28.11e2 A good move, improving the position of the rook 28...25 Asking the bishop where it wants to go. I don't have time to attack the pawn on b4 with 28...Ba4, because then 29.Eic6 is good and the p: cannot be touched. I could go 29. €5 then, and the position is still very much equal 29.567 16 Aimed against the strong positional threat e5, 30.2.5 Closing off the rook. 30... In some variations the pawn on ho mig advance it t be weak, so I decided to London, 3i.h4 he position is still very much equal. For instance, in case of 31.Bc7 eds 32.1507 dic6 we're already in a move repetition situation. The move he played isa bit strange. After the game Anish told me that he felt he was a bit better and could play for a win, and that he was afraid I would block the position with... Still, the text-move is not the losing one 31...gxh4 32.508 He could still go for move repetition, with 32.5.7, His choice surprised me as itallows me to activate my knight. 32...085 & 33.2107+ Here | thought 33.2e5 was better, because compared to the game my king is worse on e7 than on d, yet after 33..h3 M4.gxh3 @xf3 35.Zxb3 (more precise was to first go 35.42) it should objectively be a draw, al though White already has some prob. lems. Also 33.8h8 was better than the text-move, d6 34.2b7 toa, playing the rook to the hefile looked better. Now I am getting ew lyons 4740.5 side, but this allows me to start push- With tenacious defending White ing my pawns. ‘might still make a draw, but the situa 44...0e3+ 45.005 14 tion has become precarious. 4..nh7 This looks logical, to have a check with the bishop on c7, but on h5 the rook kept me from playing ..e5, as I ‘cannot give up the protection of the £5-pawn 44.05 Now things are already looking 34...n3 35.gxh3 Oxf3 36.2KbS gloomy for White 242+ his check seemed logical to 42.674 we6 ‘me, but perhaps 36.5 is even strong- er. 36..<2g5 was another option. 37.82 Ba could have taken on e4 of course, but ‘Now White is clearly ost. The advanc- ing pawn is going to cost him a piece. [first wanted to activate the rook. 46.0N6+ d5 47.206 £3 48.58 3B.DxhS DgB+ 39.2 Mxed+ a3 ‘And take the pawn with check. ‘Threatening mate with 49,..2d6, 40.863 Reaching move 40. I could 49.cg1 The endgame after 49.s%c5 @xc5 is completely hopeless for White. 49.12 50x12 Oxt2 54.0d8+ see that Anish was not happy with the position by now. hea 52.06 He3+ White resigned. ee oon All this was what [ had more or less calculated when I played 37...a8. 1 Mamedyarov’s four wins came at the also looked at 43.b5 Hg3+ 44.2 F4, expense of the bottom four on the when it’s hard not to notice the really cross-table. Against Kasimdzhanov in bad position ofthe white king Round 6, he mounted a strong king- 43...g3+ 44.004 side attack with black that dwarfed ‘The king tries to escape to the queen: ‘Whites queenside counterplay.. International Correspon Play with the world's best correspondence chess players on one of the ‘most advanced chess servers in the world. Register at: wwwuiecF-webchess.com Join a team of thousands playing great chess at ICCF. ICCF also offers World Championships, Olympiads, and many other Team ‘and Individual Tournaments where you can participate from any place around the globe. View live games of the world's best players ~also free games downloads. Contact us at: wwwieet.com anew incu LONDON.si.9.2-D47 Rustam Kasimdzhanov Shakhriyer Mamedyarov London 2012 (6) 1.04 d5 2.04 c6 3.63 26 4. 06 5.013 Dbd7 6.243 dxcd xed bS 8.203 b4 9.204 Oxed 10.ixed b7 14.4442 "This knight manoeuvre was introduced in Savon-Ree, Wijk aan Zee 1972. White may possibly want to take his knight to c4 and reserves square £3 for the king’ bishop. 11..008 “The usual move is 11..e7, intending tocastle as quickly as possible. Mame. fo 0 bn > HA AB Wk & kc C OVES 2 * ae a a 4 & a a White to move and win ae White to move and win Delo) 4 Sm he a earl ic> Nhe cS bat ae > be E> p> AAB E Black to move and win oD w Black to move and win White to move and win FORCING MOVES Black to move and win wien 65Peer Nakamura arrived elm MOC leao lait determined to repair some of the rating damage he suffered at the London Grand Prix. Losing a depressing ORCC IEE cucueilscueuct oR CMa ile Pe CORRE capital and even dropped out of the top- Oa a leXelot actu Roll a tee eu odo set last year by Vladimir Kramnik (win your white games, draw with black), scoring 41/2 from 6 at the cost of Hou Yifan, Anish Giri and Sergey Tiviakov. Nakamura left with 4000 euro, the traditional glass chess set and 5 Peete tesPeed RL7.4-CO7 ikaru Nakamura Anish Giri Hoogeveen 2012 (1) have been fortunate to have played in the Netherlands quitea few times du ing my chess career. Howeves this was the rst time I had the opportunity to see the northern part ofthe country and pla a tournament in Hoogeveen. Unlike past evens, the whol phere was quite different, from the great greenery and countryside fel to the unabashed friendliness of the Locals as well asthe very open nature ofthe playing hall This first-round game against Anish iti eally proved critical for my tour nanent victory. Coming off fa disas ter inthe London Grand Prix, flowed by a shaky performance inthe Euro pean Club Cup it was imperative that Tgotoff 0 good startin Hoogeveen, Led 05 2.13 “1061? The irs real surprise ofthe game. In ‘our past encounters, Anish has a preferred the Petrft 3.0b5 /f6 4.0-0 xed 5.0e1 Twas really not inthe mood to ply the Berlin endgame, so I chose aqui eter and simpler continuation. I had also noticed that both Polga, inthe Olympiad, and Kasimdzhanoy, in the London Grand Prix, had obtained some very pleasant positions. Why not give ita whirl 6 6.0 x05 e7 7.18. x 8.5xe5 x iven & AARAGARE 8...0-07 9.d4 2f6 10.Ze1 He8 11. 63 Exel 12.Wxed 5 Ep2W | AAdh bb 13.0817 Previously I had tried 13.42d3, but it yielded mea big. nothing: 13..45 14.sif¢ e6 15.242 hd 16,We2 265 17.2365 ofS 18.013 Wer 19.Ze1 Wee: Exed, with adrawin Na Kramnik, Wijk aan Zee 2011 13...06 While 1am not going to claim that [ knew of this line, 1 did suspect that Thad seen the position before. Lit. tle did I realize it was the exact same position from the 4th game between Steinite and Zukertort in the 1886 World Championship match! That game saw 13..d6 14.042 206 15,.2d3, While the position remains equal, I slightly prefer White, due to his spatial advantage. x aw Te) aa bk ddd mount of absolutely WooGevEEN oe that te PROMS cei(e taste and under- Eni ea 14.a41? This was an over-the-board inspira- tion, Around this point in the game, I started trying to envision possible ‘endgames in which [ would have win ning chances. | figured that if T could get the pawn toa, I would have pos sible ideas involving b4 and #d2. 3-5, or even a possible a6 later on, g a weakness on a7 should all the major pieces come off the board, After 14.942 d5 15.03 Odo 16.243 5 Black has obtained equality quite neets-Kram- easily, as was seen in S nik, Wijk aan Zee 2011. 14...a521 This natural looking move is prol bly still fine objectively, but it c ‘weakness in both the middlegame and future endgames. 1.d6 15.0431? (15.Sd3 Ge6 16.22 Sig5) 15.06 16,24 would lead to a dif ferent position which is still equal but in which White's prospects are slightly better. Houdini suggests 16..g512, but that requires a very specific taste and understanding To 14.d5 White replies 15.35, angling for the aforemer endgame ideas. 15.567 W18 16.043 d5 17.b6 17.22 is the Houdini suggestion, but I felt my move kept the more complicated and gave Anish ‘more chances to go wrong, Play might, continue 17...g6 (in case of 17...S.d8 18, i2f4 g6 19.We2 Ge6 20.Bel once again White is starting to create some New Ics 67Peer Theres not much sense in 18.c5 22.4.0xd3 23.axd6 We8 24.013 6 19.22 Wa8. Once Black plays a6 25.005 Le7 26.id6 216 pressure and question the entire black After <3 W Afier 28,05 Black has 28. eB! set-up) 18.03 @e6, and Black has 24 213, Bl 28... 87 29.105 consolkdatedand will play...,.d8 next should draw with correct play, but move, with clear equality there is still some work left to be Xr @ 17...£:d6 18.02 done atwoaea 2 a for the initiative x whe w 18.....e6 19.Wbd g6 20.b4 axb4 a ama " 2a.xb4 t8 ematl a w AS see ba @ played this tty quickly, and I won- ‘mated the looming dan % 2 Black dr th ease after 29... Web: BVA) Nomove repetition. 1 played this ater 0.03 323 We2 o ) a deep think. Simply put, I felt like 33.ixa6 bxa6 34.53 2h here was enough play left without whole lot of risk. 27...Wd7 28.7 Ty Ec) concurs HooGevEENAA ne 34.h3? Almost immediately after In board in anger, as I realized I had overlooked 31...We6. Had I seen it, would have played the much strong continuation 31.271. Itis worth not: ing that it takes some time for Houd ini to realize just how idea is: de this move, [ got up from the A) 31...Wd32 32:h3 cd 33.c¢h21 (d2 34.Be3 Wxf2 35.Sg5 a8 36, £3 Wel 37.We7 Wee 38. 39, Wxb7, winning an exchange and 3 WES the game B) 31..h5 32.3 We3 33.%6+ xf 34. Wat WAS (after 34...Wxe3 He3 Wel+ 36.dh2 Black is com pletely lost, as 37.23 is unstoppa ble) 35. Was Sct 36.Be3, and White may not be winning yet, but with the dark-square weaknesses on the king side, in practical terms this should be 3 winning; ©) 31..We2 32.h3 Wxe3 33.He3 Welt (33...Wxdd 34.966 Wdl+ is the same motif in a differ ent order) 34.0eh2 h5 35.2164 xf 36, axt6 Bc8 37.2e5, and once again, After their game Anish Giti and Hikaru Nakamura had a lot to talk about the the king will decide the game 31..WW06 32.Wxe6 fre6 33..1c5 rk-square weaknesses around xe \ os ha ei acaa | Bae a a The smoke has cleared and we have reached an endgame, Strangely. Houdini evaluates this as completely equal. I'm pretty sure no living human being (from before 2030) would think that this ending is equal, Less clear was 33,.2b4 SxeS 34.2ixe5 after 34.dxe5 b6 Black draws easily since the bind on the queenside has been broken) 34.27, 33...65 Bet original intention was 34.dxe5, but even with a very deep long-term plan, Black might be able to sit back and draw: 34.. 243 35.05 Ba8 36.al g5 37.63 dof7 38.\4f2 ogo 39.dbe3 2b5 10.2d6 S65 Al.gt+ go 42.< hs 43,stec5 Ehs 44.deb6 a6 46.22 B17, and itis not exactly WooceveEN how White is going to break through here) 34 36.4 Has 37.06 deft 38.dog2 39.393 ic 35.05 ht? 6, and again I do not see a clear-cut plan to make p 34.0b4 a ® 34...n6? Missing the last opportunity to get rid of the powerful knight on es. After 34...ixe5 3 47 Black must be holding with the extra ..g5 and ...h6 space gaining moves being played unlike in previ ‘ous variations, 35.0d7! wf7 36.003 sig6 37. 06 h5 38.005 f6 x a 2 sf ae & aa new noms 69Daniel Naroditsky has done it again! Mastering | Complex | Endgames | wea i ns, Practical Lesso Critical Ideas & Plans a 4 . + N 1 ry | } y N i { H ) Ueda dele) Oe eer eee is a mature author for his young age!” Oca ad author of ‘Fundamental Chess Endings’ Dee eet ee Eee en re ee eRe Pe39.64 After 39.206 was very unsure ifthe ensuing bishop endgames were win- ning: 39..dif7 40.5 Bxe3 41 fre3 gf 42.hxgd hxgd 43.812 Ons 44, ig e7 45.226 bab 46.04 47 hed cheb 48.cid3 Sad8 49.04 gs, and despite the extra pawn, this end- ‘game appears to be drawn. 39...nxg4 40.hxe4 f7 42.c¢2 a8 42.25 De8, 43.5eh, After 43.047 2d8 44.0034 dig8 45. O16+ Gxto 46.Exf6 243 47.293 White should be better again, but this seems much easier to defend for Black. *43...0d8 44.Dad Zh8 45.05 Eh7 46.046 5h8 47.f3 5h6 48. 05 2h7 49.c¢g3 Zh6 50.2b1. 50...iixa5 S4.0xb7 Axb7 52. Exb7+ de8 53.5g7 dB 54.cig27! ‘Trying to be too precise and to avoid any counterplay. Similar to the game was 54.2g8+ shd7 55.64 xt 56, Gxt Bhl 57.95, except I would not have wasted a ‘bunch of tempos! 54.,.0e7 55.0g8+ ed7 56.208? Another inexplicable move. At this point, I was getting tired and low on Bd8+ dic7 67.97 Hgs+ 68.412 Ge7! time and I simply forgot Anish could (69,g8W (69..xe7 xg? 70.24 Bet push his¢ pawn! 71.Eh8 Exdi isa theoretically drawn position) 69...xg8 70.2ixg8 2xf6 71.sbe3 ¢5, reaching another theoreti- caldrave. 62.26 (3+ 63.cixf3 105! 57.2g8 exd4?! He should have played 57..c4 58.f4 Bhd 59.63 gxft+ 60.dixf4 Zh 61. sig? Mb1 62.95 £d663.2g7+ dics 64..Axd6 dexd6 65.96 Ebs 66,13 €5, 63...0h5 and this draws without any relative In case of 63..Bh3+ 64.ceg4 xf danger. (65,dxh3 de7 66.28 xd 67.b7+ SB.cxd4 Zh7 59.f4 ext? EAB 68.c2g4 Gby8 69.dig5 c3 70. ‘A further inaccuracy. After 59...2uh4 e7 5 71.Be7 Wdd 72. E17, | simply 60.cby3 gxft+ 61.xt4 Bhi 62.95 pickoff thed- and e-pawnsand then it ‘Side! Black easily holds a draw. isa well-known theoretically winning 60.25 dG 61.56? position. ‘The wrong order! Correct was 61. 64.205 (26 Hh5 62. fo 13+ 63.0842, and the ‘26-pawn rules the day. Anish resigned here, as the pawn on 6 cannot be stopped without sacri 7? ficing considerable material: 64.16 ‘The final mistake. Black should have 65.iixf6 BiS+ 66.:8e2 Exf6 67.87 gone 61...3+ 62.dext3 Tha! 63.62 igo 68.2a8 Hug? 69.Ea7+, winning Eh2+ 64.cig1 Bh4 65.96 Bf 66. the rook and the game. m 1 ao ae # TPR 2 Sergey Tiviekov IGM NED 2659 40 ** 4% Val 9 2707 4 Hou Yifon GM CHN 2605 0% 40 Yave ** 2 2600 HOOGEVEEN ewincness 71TT Nao CERCA ut wnata oreat player! His imposing career spans more than half a century. In 1951 Borislav lvkov won the Junior World Championship, in 2006 he became Senior European Champion. For many years he belonged to the world elite, counting greats such as Fischer, Petrosian, Tal, Smyslov and Bronstein Tee MMU UM Ales Chie MMe RMU ele two after the legendary Svetozar Gligoric. Earlier this year Ivkov (79) published a book on his career in Serbo- Croat, My 60 Years in Chess. Inspired by this retrospective, shares his memories of lvkov and takes a critical look at his massive body of work.al scone in Ovielo. Td TORS Ou oa MGIC sor td sot hve TMM WY Eo LA ey NOLEN ACO) play Ivkov at the Sot anal otic Pre ht ae omen Pecnaiteemelttome 3: participation in the portunity to h nd no couch ton, 1988 TAA E OR VOUEeEOM ° board boy. Perhaps this lapse to 1990 I had was not all that strange, since no fewer d . ene) aealtene than nine of his games were 15-mov rt time I met Iv BORISLAV IVKOVTEC hands innovative plan and shortly after- over and over again that he has never wards we received our ‘invitations, worked, prepared or studied. Appar written in Politburo style, to pactici- ently he was more or ess born clever! patein the championship. When Iwas A natural genius! Playing all sorts of served such an ‘invitation, I refused different openings against the world’s point-blank to participate, and so very best, without doing any work — did, as expected, the two highest- just by having been born clever! rated players, Ljubojevic and Nikolic. Some months of deliberation followed In general this is MODY tuntl the federation ‘forgot’ about the what I would call the threatened sanctions. Yugoslav syndrome. fight the world’s best players, even Soviets, Iam not sure about this ‘established truth, Itis very likely that at home they worked seriously, fol Towing the latest theoretical develop. ‘ments. (Naturally, kov explains that people like Reshevsky or Najdorf could not SETTING se mace soy on the strength of their Rr Te RCT oc" es Pees call the pies hes Ikox of oat At the end of 1989 the Investbanka all too well, and for- tou with the European team champion- generation is better! ship in Haifa. As (Ljubojevic, Nikolic, Kozul and Dam- hear ‘those people janovic) were playing in Belgrade, sitting there, Polu Ivkov called me and, much tomy sur-gaevsky, Gelfand, prise, asked if wanted to play Board 1 Khalifman, Gurev for Yugoslavia in Haifa. The tourna- ich, Bareev.... they have no talent at ‘ment went well, my play was OK, the all, A bunch of bookish morons! No team won silver (behind the Soviets) talent atall! But me! If Thad worked. and our relations improved. When, in 1990, was doing my military service, Let me gi Ivkov was very supportive and urged Ivkov’s book. In the chapter ‘Prepara: the federation to contact the military _ tion’ Ivkov really takes his time trying authorities to grant me leave to par- to convince the reader that he was a ticipate in the Balkan championships born genius, who always understood in Kavala, where I played Board 1 and things without any work! This makes we won, and the Olympiad in Novi _me wonder why, with so much talent, Sad, where I played Board 1 for the _he always remained in the shadow of B-team, Gligoric who, contrary to Borislav always spoke openly about his work arlier this year Boris Ivkov pub- and his professionalism and never lished an autobiographical book claimed to have been born clever. entitled My 60 Years in Chess, which The following game comments show for the moment is only available in _Ivkov’s arrogance. Ivkov: “The times Serbo-Croat, It’s a good read, writ- of Lasker, Capablanca, toa considera. ten by someone with a broad chess ble extent the younger Reshevsky and knowledge. Besides his own games, Najdorf, who did not follow opening he includes many games and exam- theory closely — contrary to Alekhine ples from other players. Advanced or Fischer ~ have disappeared forever. chess players will read it with pleas- Today it s difficult to imagin player who hours before the game instructional mate will not spend his time at his laptop, The only irritating aspect of the checking datebases, etc. Therefore the book is Ivkov’s attempt to paint him- complaint of Dragan Solak (a young self as a genius. He may even think Serbian 2600 GM) does not come as, that hes, but... he definitely isnot. He a surprise that in the Moscow Aero: jve you telling example from isa great player with a lot of know!- _flot Open he had only four hours to edge and talent, but he is not as bril- prepare for each game. Now, even liantas he would like to present him- though Reshevsky and Najdorf were self. Throughout the book, he repeats considered natural talents who could 7anulons BORISLAV IVKOV aa race ae a there is only one player in the world rious top players In my time youd JRE WTORW Beran MT LMM tht I am convinced too well. has worked even less than me: Zivojin Lju bisavljevic (a Serbi master ~ LS.) nick named Zika Tal... Thinking back to y ‘preparation’ | can say that the games I properly prepared for can be counted on the fingers of one hand, oing to a game against Timman I Visited Velimirovic in his room for 30 minutes, because felt Timman would play the Alekhine Defence AL 8.2803 Borislav Ivkov Jan Timman Amsterdam IBM 1974 (6) 04 246 2.05 Od5 3.44 d6 4.c4 be EAoWes Fi ‘bee ddd 4) AW OS RAR a wwee BE 54 Ivkov: ‘I! The double exclam to this, move is only for this game, Once I asked Larsen about the most danger: ‘ous weapon against the Alekhine De fence and he replied: the Four Pawns Attack, Out of curiosity I then asked