GM-heavy Isle of Man
World contenders Maxime Vachier-Lagrave of France and American Hikaru Nakamura made charges in the Isle of Man International and wound up tied for the lead along with six others at the Villa Marina in Douglas.
The two leaders completed seven rounds with 5.5 points, the same output registered by Levon Aronian of Armenia, Poland’s Radoslav Wojtaszek, Azeri Arkadji Naiditsch, Chinese Wang Hao, England’s Mikey Adams and the 17-year-old American Jeffrey Xiong.
With two rounds remaining, the nine-round Swiss tournament remains wide open, even for former world champions Vishy Anand of India and Vladimir Kramnik of Russia, who led a large group with 5.0 points.
The 2018 edition featured the participation of 59 strong GMs from 37 countries.
* * * * The ongoing Isle of Man International produced a good amount of highly instructive games. Below is a hard-fought game with both youngsters showing excellent technique. Isle of Man 2018 W) R. Rapport (Hungary) B) J. Xiong (USA) Queen’s Pawn Opening 1. d4 Nf6 2. c3 d5 3. Nf3 e6 4. Bg5 Nbd7 5. Nbd2 h6 6. Bh4 b6 7. e4!? ....
There are other alternatives, but the text is an improved way of handling
the opening. 7... g5 8. Bg3 dxe4 After 8...Nxe4 9. Nxe4 dxe4 10. Ne5 Nxe5 11. Bxe5 Rg8 12. f3, White probably enjoys a slight edge. 9. Ne5 Bb7 10. Bb5 a6 11. Bc6 Bxc6 12. Nxc6 Qc8 13. Qe2 Qb7 14. Ne5 Bd6
After 14...Be7 15. 0-0-0 Rf8 16. Kb1 0-0-0 17. h4 Kb8 18. hxg5 hxg5 19. Qc4, chances are rich in possibilities.
15. Nxd7 Kxd7 16. O-O Bf4 17. f3 ....
Intending to open up the position while the Black King is stuck in the center. 17... e3 18. Nc4 Nd5 19. Bxf4 gxf4 20. Ne5ch Ke8 21. Qe1 c5 22. c4 cxd4!?
An interesting piece sacrifice which Black obviously holds to offer counter play based on his two connected passed pawns. The safety minded would prefer 22...Ne7. 23. cxd5 Qxd5 24. Nd3 ... After 24. Ng4 Kf8 25. Qh4 Qg5, Black seems OK. 24... Qf5 25. Qd1 Ke7 26. Qb3 Rhd8 27. Rfc1 Rac8 28. Rc4 ...
28. Qa3ch, followed by 29. Qxa6, as the engine suggests, seems stronger. 28... b5 29. Rc2 Kf8 30. Rac1 e5 31. h3 Rxc2 32. Rxc2 Kg7 33. Rc7 ... Threatening 34. Nxe5. 33... Re8 34. Qd5 ...
Not without a point, but the engine’s 34. Qc2 is much better, as 34...h5 35. Qc6 Re6 36. Qe4, gives White a slight edge.
34... Re6 35. Nxf4? ...
Definitely the losing move. Correct is 35. h4 and the game continues. 35... Rf6!
The refutation is simple and direct. 36. Ne2 d3 37. Nc3 ...
After 37. Ng3 Qg5 38. Qxd3 Qxg3 39. Qxe3 e4 40. Rc2 Rd6 41. Rf2 Rd1ch 42. Rf1 Rxf1ch 43. Kxf1 exf3 44. Qxf3 Qxf3 45. gxf3 Kg6, Black wins the ensuing K and P ending handily. 37... Rg6 38. Re7 ...
38. Rc6 only prolongs the game, but no bargain either, as after 38...Rxc6 39. Qxc6 e2 40. Nxe2 dxe2 41. Kf2 Qb1, White is hopeless. 38... b4 39. Nb1 e2 40. Qxe5ch Qxe5 41. Rxe5 Rc6 0-1 If 42. Kf2, Black wins with 42...Rc1 43. Nd2 Rd1 44. Rxe2 dxe2 45. Kxe2 Ra1.
Solution to last week’s puzzle: White to move and win. white=Kg4, Rd8, Bd5, Nb6, Pe5, Pf4, Pg5, Ph6 black=Kg8, Rc7, Bf8, Nc5, Pb3,Pf7, Pg6, Ph7 1. Bxb3! Nxb3 2. Nd5! 1:0 If 2...f5ch 3. gxf6 Rc1 4. e6 and wins.