Nepomniachtchi on a roll
Russian world No. 4 Ian Nepomniachtchi notched his third straight win to take a onepoint lead after the third round of the second Grand Chess Tour in Zagreb, Croatia.
Nepomniachtchi, 28, winner of last month’s FIDE Grand Prix in Moscow, outplayed Azeri Shak Mamedyarov on the Black side of a King’s Indian formation for a perfect three out of three.
World champion and topseeded Magnus Carlsen of Norway, and Wesley So (USA) shared second-third spots with two points apiece.
American world title challenger Fabiano Caruana was in a group of four players, after halving the point with Carlsen.
Maxime Vachier-Lagrave (France), Levon Aronian (Armenia) and Russian Sergey Kariakin were tied with Caruana, with each scoring 1.5 points.
The rest of the table read Ding Liren (China), Dutchman Anish Giri, Vishy Anand (India), Hikaru Nakamura (USA) and Mamedyarov, 1.0 each.
The all-play-all category 22 event, with nine of the world’s top 10 players competing, will run up to July 07.
* * * * In the following game, Black’s pieces looked cramped, but they quickly surged into action, skillfully conducted by the world No. 4.
2019 Grand Chess Tour (Croatia) W) V. Anand (IND) B) I. Nepomniachtchi (RUS) Two Knights Defense 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6
This Two Knights Defense has always been a reliable equalizer against the Italian Opening. 4. d3!? ....
The latest preference in top level chess, leading to a positional type of struggle than the complications arising from 4. Ng5. 4 .... h6
In Nepomniachtchi Grischuk, FIDE Grand Prix 2019, play went 4...Bc5 5. c3 d6 6. a4 a6 7. h3 Ba7 8. 0-0 h6 9. Re1 0-0, with equal chances. 5. c3 d6 6. Nbd2 g5 7. h3 Bg7 8. Bb3 O-O 9. Nf1 .... The normal 9. 0-0 is safer, and as the early chess writers wrote, “The player who hesitates to castle is lost.” 9 .... Ne7 10. h4 g4 11. N3h2 d5 12. f3 Ng6 13. fxg4 Nxh4 14. g3 Ng6 15. Qe2 a5 16. Bc2 d4 17. g5 hxg5 18. Bxg5 a4 19. c4 .... 19. a3, preventing Black’s planned activities on the Q-side, is considered best by the computer. 19 .... Qd6 20. Nd2?! .... A time wasting move. Again 20. 0-0-0 is necessary 20 .... Ra6 20 .... Qb4 is stronger, according to the engine. 21. Rb1 Nh7 22. Qh5 Nxg5 23. Qxg5 Qe7 24. Qxe7 Nxe7 25. Nhf3 f5 26. Bd1 Bd7 27. Nh4 Bh6 28. exf5 Nxf5 29. Ne4 Be3! A useful move, vacating h6 square for the Rook. 30. Be2? .... This loses material by forced. The best try is 30. Bh5 to keep this game going, though Black’s positional advantage is huge.. 30 ..... Rh6 31. Rh2 Bc6 32. Rg2 Nd6 0-1 There’s no satisfactory continuation anymore. After 33. Nxd6 cxd6 34. Rh2 Bg1 35. Rh3 Bg2, Black wins material. Solution to last week puzzle White to play and win. White=Kf2, Rb7, Rd7, Pe5, Pg2, Ph2 Ph6Black=Kf8, Re8, Bc4, Pa5, Pb5, Pg6, 1. Rh7 h5 If 1...Rxe5 2. Rb8ch Re8 3. Rh8ch and wins. 2. Rh8ch Bg8 3. e6! 1-0 The threat is 4.Rf7 mate, and 3...Rxe6 loses to 4. Rb8ch.