Volume 143

SEPTEMBER
2023

WORLD CUP IN BAKU:

A MONTH-LONG
MARATHON OF
UPSETS AND
SURPRISES

GM RAY KEENE:
HOW DO
CHESS MASTERS
EAT?

HENRIK CARLSEN FOR BCM (PART 2):

MAGNUS' ROAD TO STARDOM: THE WEIGHT OF THE CROWN
AND THE PRICE OF FAME
Interview with Steven A. Jones who surprisingly came in second in the
British Chess Championships: ‘I DON’T HAVE ANY FEAR IN
PLAYING FOR THE WIN AGAINST STRONG OPPONENTS’
 IMPRESSUM
Contents
BRITISH CHESS MAGAZINE
Founded 1881

www.britishchessmagazine.co.uk

Chairman Shaun Taulbut

Director Stephen Lowe

527
Editors AN ODD END TO A
Milan Dinic and Shaun Taulbut CHEATING CONTROVERSY:
Storm in a teacup
Photo editor
David Llada
516 Royal Game receives a
Prepress Specialist right royal boost in the UK!
Milica Mitic £1M package to support chess
Photography
David Llada, Henrik Carlen,
518 A closer look at the 2023 British
British Chess Championships, Chess Championships
FIDE Official - Stev Bonhage, By IM Shaun Taulbut
Anna Stourman, Shutterstock, Wikipedia
524 Interview with Steven A. Jones
Advertising ‘I don’t have any fear in playing
Stephen Lowe for the win against strong opponents’
Enquiries By James Pratt
[email protected]

ISSN 0007-0440
530 World Cup in Baku:
© The British Chess Magazine Limited A month-long marathon of
upsets and surprises
Company Limited by Shares By GM Aleksandar Colovic
Registered in England No 00334968
553 BCM EXCLUSIVE Interview:
Postal correspondence: Henrik Carlsen (Part Two)
Albany House, 14 Shute End Magnus’ road to stardom:
Wokingham, Berkshire RG40 1BJ
the weight of the crown
Subscription
and the price of fame
[email protected] By Milan Dinic
12 monthly issues
UK: £55 | RoW: £85 560 How do chess masters eat?
By Grandmaster Raymond Keene OBE
Printed in the UK: by Lavenham Press Ltd
566 Openings for Amateurs
Cover photography: The Open Defence to the Ruy Lopez
FIDE Officia, Stev Bonhage
By Pete Tamburro

514 | BRITISH CHESS MAGAZINE

It´s
now
even easier
to subscribe to
British Chess Magazine
An exclusive chess magazine!

We have some great news to share!

BCM goes interactive!

We are delighted to announce an exciting new partnership with one of the world’s most innovative
publishers of Chess eBooks, Forward Chess. Using state of the art technology, Forward Chess
now enables BCM readers to witness the magic of the chess board
unfold onscreen literally before their eyes.
Check it out and contact Forward Chess at forwardchess.com and experience the magic of movement!

Purchase or renew your subscription and have BCM delivered to your door:
On-line: visit our website www.britishchessmagazine.co.uk
Email: contact [email protected], we’ll get back to you right away
By post: write to BCM at Albany House, 14 Shute End, Wokingham, Berkshire, England RG40 1BJ
with a cheque payable to British Chess Magazine Limited, your post and
email addresses (and if possible a contact phone number)

printed magazine

£55 UK
99
$114
12 issues per year
Non-UK
postage included

Thank you for your continuing support!

BRITISH CHESS MAGAZINE, the World’s Oldest Chess Journal
09/143

Royal Game receives a In a ground-breaking move, a

comprehensive package of measures
right royal boost in the UK! worth nearly £1 million has been
unveiled by the UK government to
promote chess in England

On 22 August 2023, the UK government

announced a £1M package to support chess
in England. This bold and long-awaited
strategic initiative aims to inspire a new
generation of chess players, promote wider
engagement with the game particularly in
primary schools in disadvantaged areas,
and bolster elite competitive play.

The overall thinking was summarised in a

speech in July 2023 by the UK’s Culture
Secretary Lucy Frazer in which she
highlighted the multifaceted benefits of
chess. She said:

“Chess is a brilliant way for young people to

develop skills such as patience and critical
thinking. It is something constructive on
which to spend their time and feel part
of. It inspires creativity and sparks the
competitive spirit.

We want to give more young people the

opportunity to find the thing that they love
and realise their potential. So this package
is focused on getting more young people
playing chess and supporting them to
develop their talent.

We’re also equipping our elite chess

£1M
players with expert coaching to help them
dominate at the highest levels of the global
game and restore England’s reputation

PACKAGE
among the best in the world.”

The whole initiative is congruent with the

Culture Secretary’s vision to provide young

TO SUPPORT individuals with productive outlets beyond

their school environments, offering them
“someone to talk to, something to do and

CHESS somewhere to go.”

The plan, which is set to be a game-

changer, encompasses diverse components
designed to target various facets of chess

516 | BRITISH CHESS MAGAZINE

 September 2023

development across the country. Underlining David Howell, one of the UK’s leading
a commitment to fostering chess talents at players, hailed the initiative as a boon
an early stage, the Department for Culture for the chess community: “Chess has
Media and Sport will invest £500,000 over been my life and, as a professional
two years in the English Chess Federation player, the news of support from
(ECF). This injection of funds will play a the government is music to my ears.
pivotal role in nurturing emerging talents Hopefully, this will inspire the next
by facilitating expert coaching, training generation of chess players, as well as
camps, and advanced computer analysis bringing the joys of the game that I love
for international competitions. A portion of to an even wider audience.”
this funding will be dedicated to supporting
visually impaired and deaf players to compete Jitendra Singh, father of the UK’s standout
in their own elite-level competitions. chess prodigy Shreyas Royal, warmly
welcomed the funding as a huge step in
In addition to the funds allocated to helping young aspiring players (and their
the ECF, and to enhance accessibility parents) develop their talents.
and engagement with the game, the
Department for Levelling Up Housing and This comprehensive package of
Communities will allocate £250,000 to investment could and hopefully will be
85 local authorities in England in order a turning point for chess in England,
to install 100 new chess tables in public providing as it does substantial direct
parks and outdoor green spaces. This cash support for chess in various ways
initiative aims to provide opportunities for and signalling an important change of
more people to connect, play, and develop attitude at the governmental level.
their problem-solving skills while also
combating social isolation. So let us applaud and congratulate the UK
government for taking such a bold step,
Notably, the drive to expand chess education particularly at this time of fiscal challenge.
also extends to children in primary schools,
particularly in disadvantaged areas. The It is of course true that more could be
Department for Education will in addition done - chess in the UK is still not officially
give grants of up to £2,000 to at least 100 recognised as a sport which means it is not
schools, enabling them to introduce chess eligible for financial support from Sport
sets, online tutorials, and learning platforms England or other UK sport funding bodies.
to encourage more children (particularly
girls) to learn to play the game. This But this is a moment for optimism about
concerted effort to make chess accessible the future of chess, and a moment when the
at a young age is expected to contribute to UK chess community should collectively
students’ wellbeing, cognitive development say thank you to those in charge.
and problem-solving abilities.
Chess players and administrators will now
The chess community and players in the eagerly anticipate a reenergised interest
UK have not been slow to voice their in chess at all levels from this substantial
enthusiasm for the new funding for chess. boost to funding and infrastructure. And
Harriet Hunt, International Master and let us dare to hope that the UK will soon
former World Girls’ Champion, expressed re-emerge as a major force in world
her support: “I am delighted that this chess, and that our elite talents will once
government funding will enable the next again rank among the very best players
generation of English talents to reach their in the world.
potential and compete successfully at the
highest level internationally.” Editor

BRITISH CHESS MAGAZINE | 517

09/143

A CLOSER LOOK AT THE Michael Adams - Daniel Fernandez

109th ch-GBR 2023 Leicester ENG (4.1)
2023 BRITISH CHESS 1.e4 d5 2.exd5 £xd5 3.¤c3 £d8
CHAMPIONSHIPS XIIIIIIIIY
9rsnlwqkvlntr0
By IM Shaun Taulbut 9zppzp-zppzpp0
Photo: British Chess Championships 9-+-+-+-+0
9+-+-+-+-0
The British Chess Championships were
9-+-+-+-+0
held at De Montfort University in Leicester 9+-sN-+-+-0
from the 20th until 30th July 2023. In the 9PzPPzP-zPPzP0
Championship Michael Adams won with
7.5/9 with Steven A Jones second with 9tR-vLQmKLsNR0
6.5/9 and a tie for 3rd to 6th place between xiiiiiiiiy
Daniel Fernandez, Harry Grieve, Matthew The most cautious of the queen moves; the
Wadsworth and Yichen Han, all with 6/9. alternatives are 3...£a5 and 3...£d6. White
Michael Adams won the first prize of has a lead in development so Black must
£5000 and Steven A Jones – a 2175-rated- be careful.
player(!) - the second prize of £2500. The
3rd to 6th prizes were £1500, £1000, £1000 4.d4 ¤f6 More combative is the kingside
and £750 and these were shared equally fianchetto 4...g6 played by Blackburne, eg
between those in 3rd-6th places. 5.e3 (Strongest is 5.¥f4 ¥g7 6.£d2 as
in Fischer- Robatsch Varna 1962) 5...¥g7
Lan Yao won the Women’s Championship 6.¥c4 ¤c6 7.¤ge2 ¤h6 8.£d2 ¤f5 9.0–
and the prize of £1000 and Yichen Han the 0–0 a6 10.h3 b5 11.¥d5 ¥b7 12.¥xc6+
Under-21 Championship. ¥xc6 13.f3 h5 14.¥f4 ¤d6 15.£d3 b4
16.¤e4 ¥b5 17.¤xd6+ cxd6 18.£e3 ¦c8
In this issue, we will take a closer look at 19.¦he1 0–0 20.¢b1 £a5 21.¤c1 ¥d7
some of the top games from the British 22.g4 ¥e6 23.¥g5 ¦c4 24.¦e2 ¦fc8
Chess Championships. 25.¥xe7 £c7 26.¦dd2 £xe7 27.d5 £f6
28.£b3 ¥d7 29.¦e4 ¥a4 30.¦xc4 ¦xc4
In the first round the favourite and highest 31.g5 £xg5 32.£xc4 £xd2 Meitner-
graded payer Michael Adams beat Steven Blackburne Vienna 1873 0-1.
A Jones and in round three Michael Adams
on 2.5/3 met Daniel Fernandez who had 5.¤f3 ¥g4 6.h3 ¥xf3 7.£xf3 c6 Black
3/3 and this was their game, featuring the has surrendered the bishop pair but plans
Scandinavian Defence against 1.e4. to control d5

518 | BRITISH CHESS MAGAZINE

 September 2023
XIIIIIIIIY
9rsn-wqkvl-tr0 14...¤bd5 Not 14...h6, when 15.g5 is much
9zpp+-zppzpp0 better for White.
9-+p+-sn-+0 15.¤xd5 ¤xd5
9+-+-+-+-0 XIIIIIIIIY
9-+-zP-+-+0 9r+-wqk+-tr0
9+-sN-+Q+P0 9+p+-vlpzpp0
9PzPP+-zPP+0 9-+p+p+-+0
9tR-vL-mKL+R0 9+-+n+-+-0
xiiiiiiiiy 9p+-zP-+PzP0
8.¥e3 e6 9.¥d3 ¤bd7 10.0–0–0 a5
XIIIIIIIIY 9zP-+LvLQ+-0
9r+-wqkvl-tr0 9-zPP+-zP-+0
9+p+n+pzpp0 9+K+R+-+R0
9-+p+psn-+0 xiiiiiiiiy
9zp-+-+-+-0 The alternative 15...£xd5 16.£e2 is
worth consideration. Now White makes an
9-+-zP-+-+0 interesting choice, allowing the exchange
9+-sNLvLQ+P0 of his dark-squared bishop but further
9PzPP+-zPP+0 increasing his lead in development.
9+-mKR+-+R0 16.c4 ¤xe3 17.£xe3 Also worth
xiiiiiiiiy consideration was 17.fxe3 ¥xh4 (17...£d7
10...¥b4 looks stronger, threatening to capture 18.g5 0–0 19.£g4 with good attacking
the white knight on c3 but Black hopes to chances for White) 18.d5 cxd5 19.cxd5 exd5
generate counterplay on the queenside. 20.¥b5+ f8 21.¦xd5 £e7 22.¦d7 £f6
23.£xb7 with a decisive attack against f7.
11.g4 ¤b6 12.¢b1 a4 13.a3
XIIIIIIIIY 17...£b6 If 17...¥xh4 18.d5 £e7 19.dxe6
fxe6 20.f4 is decisive, with the threat of
9r+-wqkvl-tr0 trapping the bishop on h4 with g5.
9+p+-+pzpp0
18.c5 £c7 18...£b3 19.£e2 £d5 20.¥c4
9-snp+psn-+0 £d8 21.f4 with strong play for White.
9+-+-+-+-0
9p+-zP-+P+0 19.f4XIIIIIIIIY
9zP-sNLvLQ+P0 9r+-+k+-tr0
9-zPP+-zP-+0 9+pwq-vlpzpp0
9+K+R+-+R0 9-+p+p+-+0
xiiiiiiiiy 9+-zP-+-+-0
Preventing Black from disrupting the 9p+-zP-zPPzP0
queenside with ...a3.
9zP-+LwQ-+-0
13...¥e7 14.h4 White prepares g5 to harass 9-zP-+-+-+0
the black knight and attack the black king
if he castles queenside.
9+K+R+-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
BRITISH CHESS MAGAZINE | 519
09/143

White is ready to break through with f5 5.¤c3 ¤f6 6.¥f4 a6 7.¦c1 £b6 Aiming
and the black king is poorly placed in the to disturb White’s development by attacking
centre; Castling kingside is unattractive as the pawn on b2.
White can launch a pawn storm with g5 and
h5, and castling queenside leaves the pawn 8.¤a4 £a5+ 9.¥d2 £d8 10.£b3 White
on a4 vulnerable. has the edge on the queenside.

19...b6 20.f5 exf5 If 20...bxc5 21.fxe6 cxd4 10...e6 11.¤b6 ¦b8 12.¤e5 White
22.exf7+ ¢f8 23.£xd4 with a decisive continues with his attack; 12.e3 was
advantage for White. more prudent.

21.d5 f4 After 21...bxc5 22.d6 £xd6 12...¤e4 The most accurate move.
23.¥xf5 £f6 24.¦hf1 £xh4 25.¥d7+
¢f8 26.¥xc6 ¦c8 (26...¦b8 27.£e5 is After 12...¤xd4 13.£a4+ ¤b5 14.¥a5
winning) 27.£e6 wins; £d6 15.f4 ¥d7 16.e4, with a strong attack:
16...dxe4 17.¤bxd7 ¤xd7 18.¦d1 is
or 21...cxd5 22.¥b5+ ¢f8 23.cxb6 winning for White.
¥c5 24.bxc7 ¥xe3 25.¦xd5 g6 26.gxf5
¢g7 27.¥d7 ¥b6 28.¦c1 ¥xc7 13.¤xc8 If 13.¤xc6 bxc6 14.¦xc6
29.¦xc7 is winning. (14.¥a5 ¥d7 15.e3 ¥d6 16.f3 ¤f6
17.¥xa6 ¥c7 is winning for Black)
22.£e4 cxd5 23.¥b5+ ¢f8 24.¦xd5 ¦d8 14...¥d7 is winning for Black.
25.¦hd1 ¦xd5 26.¦xd5 g6 27.c6 ¥f6 28.g5
£e7 29.£xe7+ ¥xe7 30.c7 ¢g7 31.¦d7 13...¤xd2 After 13...¤xe5 14.dxe5 ¦xc8
15.£xb7 ¦xc1+ 16.¥xc1 £a5+ 17.¢d1
1–0 ¤xf2+ 18.¢c2 £c5+ 19.¢b1 ¤xh1
20.£a8+ ¢d7 21.e4 dxe4 22.¥xa6 £xe5
23.£b7+ £c7 24.¥b5+ ¢d8 25.¥g5+
Daniel Fernandez did very well to bounce f6 26.£a8+ ¢e7 27.¥f4 e5 28.£e8+
back after this loss beating Mark Hebden ¢d6 29.¥e3 Black cannot escape easily
and then Matthew Wadsworth in the with a draw by perpetual check.
following game.
14.¢xd2 ¤xe5 15.dxe5 ¦xc8
Matthew J Wadsworth – XIIIIIIIIY
Daniel Fernandez
9-+rwqkvl-tr0
109th ch-GBR 2023 Leicester ENG (6.2)
9+p+-+pzpp0
1.c4 c6 2.¤f3 d5 3.cxd5 cxd5 4.d4 ¤c6 9p+-+p+-+0
XIIIIIIIIY 9+-+pzP-+-0
9r+lwqkvlntr0 9-+-+-+-+0
9zpp+-zppzpp0 9+Q+-+-+-0
9-+n+-+-+0 9PzP-mKPzPPzP0
9+-+p+-+-0 9+-tR-+L+R0
9-+-zP-+-+0 xiiiiiiiiy
9+-+-+N+-0 16.£xb7 Best is 16.¦xc8 £xc8 17.e3,
9PzP-+PzPPzP0 with an equal position.
9tRNvLQmKL+R0 16...¥c5 17.£xa6 0–0
xiiiiiiiiy
520 | BRITISH CHESS MAGAZINE
 September 2023

XIIIIIIIIY lead with 6/7 followed by Yichen Han

with 5/7. In round eight Daniel Fernandez
9-+rwq-trk+0 was paired with Harry Grieve, the 2022
9+-+-+pzpp0 British Champion, and they had a tense
struggle as follows
9Q+-+p+-+0
9+-vlpzP-+-0 Harry Grieve - Daniel Fernandez SIN
9-+-+-+-+0 109th ch-GBR 2023 Leicester ENG (8.2)
9+-+-+-+-0
9PzP-mKPzPPzP0 1.e4 e5 2.¤f3 ¤f6 3.¤xe5 d6 4.¤f3 ¤xe4
5.d4 d5 6.¥d3
9+-tR-+L+R0
xiiiiiiiiy XIIIIIIIIY
Now the white king is exposed on d2 and 9rsnlwqkvl-tr0
Black has direct threats including ...£g5+. 9zppzp-+pzpp0
18.¢d1 ¦a8 19.£d3 ¥xf2 20.e3 ¦xa2 9-+-+-+-+0
21.£d4 £g5 22.¢e2 ¦xb2+ 23.£xb2 9+-+p+-+-0
£xe3+ 24.¢d1 £e1+ 25.¢c2 ¦c8+ 9-+-zPn+-+0
26.¢b1 £e4+
XIIIIIIIIY 9+-+L+N+-0
9-+r+-+k+0 9PzPP+-zPPzP0
9+-+-+pzpp0 9tRNvLQmK-+R0
9-+-+p+-+0 xiiiiiiiiy
6...¤d6 7.0–0 ¥e7 8.¤c3 c6 9.¤e2 0–0
9+-+pzP-+-0 10.¤g3 ¦e8 11.¥f4
9-+-+q+-+0 XIIIIIIIIY
9+-+-+-+-0 9rsnlwqr+k+0
9-wQ-+-vlPzP0 9zpp+-vlpzpp0
9+KtR-+L+R0 9-+psn-+-+0
xiiiiiiiiy 9+-+p+-+-0
The white king cannot move to the a-file 9-+-zP-vL-+0
because of ...¦a8+, winning.
9+-+L+NsN-0
27.¦c2 ¥d4 28.¥a6 After 28.£b3, £e1+ 9PzPP+-zPPzP0
mates.
9tR-+Q+RmK-0
28...¥xb2 29.¥xc8 ¥xe5 30.¥d7 £b4+ xiiiiiiiiy
31.¢a2 £a5+ 32.¢b3 £b6+ 33.¢a3 ¥d6+ White has a space advantage and uses this
White resigned as, after the king goes to the to build up a kingside attack: 11...¤d7
a-file, ...£a7+ wins the bishop and the game. 12.h4 ¤f8 13.£d2 ¤g6 14.h5 ¤xf4
15.£xf4.
0–1
White has surrendered the bishop pair to
bring his queen into an attacking position,
At the end of the seventh round Michael but Black has no weaknesses.
Adams and Daniel Fernandez were in the

BRITISH CHESS MAGAZINE | 521

09/143

XIIIIIIIIY After 26.¦xf6 gxf6 27.¤g4 ¦e8 28.g3

9r+lwqr+k+0 £d7 29.¤e3 f5 30.¤xf5 ¦e1+ 31.¢g2
9zpp+-vlpzpp0 £e6 Black is better, so White defends the
knight on e5 and the struggle continues
9-+psn-+-+0 around the control of the e5-square.
9+-+p+-+P0
9-+-zP-wQ-+0 26...¦e8 27.f4 c5 28.¢h1 b5 Preparing...
b4 to undermine the white queenside.
9+-+L+NsN-0
9PzPP+-zPP+0 29.g4 White continues his attack plan; not
29.£xb5 cxd4, when Black is much better.
9tR-+-+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy 29...cxd4 30.£xd4
15...h6 16.¦ae1 ¥f8 17.c3 a5 18.¥b1 XIIIIIIIIY
¦xe1 19.¦xe1 ¤e8 20.¤f5 ¤f6 21.¤e5
¥xf5 Not 21...¤xh5 22.¤xh6+ which 9-+-+rmk-+0
leads to mate. 9+-wq-+pzp-0
22.£xf5 £c8 23.£d3 ¥d6 24.¦e3 9-+-vl-sn-zp0
XIIIIIIIIY 9zpp+psNR+P0
9r+q+-+k+0 9-+-wQ-zPP+0
9+p+-+pzp-0 9+-zP-+-+-0
9-+pvl-sn-zp0 9PzP-+-+-+0
9zp-+psN-+P0 9+L+-+-+K0
9-+-zP-+-+0 xiiiiiiiiy
9+-zPQtR-+-0 Not 30.cxd4 £c1+ 31.¢g2 £xb2+, which
9PzP-+-zPP+0 is winning for Black.
9+L+-+-mK-0 30...b4 31.g5
xiiiiiiiiy XIIIIIIIIY
White brings his rook to the third rank to
further threaten the black kingside 9-+-+rmk-+0
9+-wq-+pzp-0
24...¢f8 25.¦f3 £c7 26.¦f5
9-+-vl-sn-zp0
White defends the outpost on e5 and the game 9zp-+psNRzPP0
revolves around the control of this outpost. 9-zp-wQ-zP-+0
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-+-mk-+0 9+-zP-+-+-0
9+pwq-+pzp-0 9PzP-+-+-+0
9-+pvl-sn-zp0 9+L+-+-+K0
9zp-+psNR+P0 xiiiiiiiiy
31...hxg5 Best was 31...¥xe5 32.fxe5
9-+-zP-+-+0 (After 32.¦xe5 ¦xe5 33.fxe5 ¤xh5 34.gxh6
9+-zPQ+-+-0 gxh6 Black is slightly better) 32...¤xh5
33.¢g2 (33.gxh6 ¤g3+ 34.¢g2 ¤xf5
9PzP-+-zPP+0 35.¥xf5 gxh6 36.e6 bxc3 37.£h8+ ¢e7
9+L+-+-mK-0 38.£g7 cxb2 39.£xb2 ¦g8+ 40.¢h1 £g3
xiiiiiiiiy
522 | BRITISH CHESS MAGAZINE
 September 2023

41.£b7+ ¢f6 42.£xf7+ ¢e5 43.£c7+ This game won the Alexander best
¢xf5 is winning for Black) 33...g6 34.¦f1 game prize for 2022 British Champion
hxg5, when Black is better. Harry Grieve.

32.h6 gxf4 A practical try was 32...gxh6 In round eight Michael Adams drew
33.¦xf6 (33.¤g6+ ¢g8 34.£xf6 ¦e1+ with Yichen Han and then in the final,
35.¢g2 fxg6 36.£xg6+ £g7) 33...¥xe5 ninth round, he beat Jonah Willow while
34.fxe5 £xe5 when Black has drawing chances. Steven A Jones beat Daniel Fernandez.
This left Michael Adams as the winner
33.hxg7+ ¢g8 If 33...¢xg7 34.¦g5+ by a whole point.
¢h6 (34...¢h8 35.£xf4 ¥xe5 (35...¤h7
36.£xf7) 36.£h4+), 35.£xf4 is winning. Adams played consistently at a high
level to win, beating his rivals Nick Pert,
34.£xf4 ¦e6 34...¦xe5 35.¦xe5 ¥xe5 Harry Grieve and Daniel Fernandez, and
36.£h6. deservedly won his eighth title (clinching
the first one as far back as 1989)!
35.£h6 ¤h7 36.¦f6
1–0 Also, a great result for Steven A Jones and
Women’s Champion Lan Yao.

FINAL RANKING AFTER 9 ROUNDS

Rk. SNo. Namr FED Rtg TB1 K rtg+/-
1 1 GM Adams, Michael ENG 2666 7.5 10 4.1
2 32 Jones, Steven A ENG 2175 6.5 20 62.8
3 3 GM Fernandez, Daniel H ENG 2518 6 10 -1.1
5 IM Grieve, Harry ENG 2459 6 10 5.1
7 IM Wadsworth, Matthew J ENG 2431 6 10 1
10 FM Han, Yichen NED 2412 6 10 0.1
7 2 GM Pert, Nicholas ENG 2536 5.5 10 -10.3
4 GM Gasanov, Eldar UKR 2481 5.5 10 -7.8
6 GM Hebden, Mark L ENG 2436 5.5 10 -2
8 IM Pert, Richard G ENG 2421 5.5 10 -11.4
9 IM Willow, Jonah B ENG 2421 5.5 10 2.2
13 IM Eggleston, David J ENG 2358 5.5 10 -8.9
15 IM Kanyamarala, Tarun IRL 2344 5.5 10 -1.7
17 FM Derakhshani, Borna ENG 2341 5.5 10 3.5
18 FM Balaji, Aaravamudhan ENG 2334 5.5 20 -15.8
19 FM Claridge-Hansen, William ENG 2332 5.5 20 13.4
23 IM Ledger, Andrew J ENG 2299 5.5 10 14.7
24 IM Rudd, Jack ENG 2286 5.5 20 17
31 WIM Yao, Lan ENG 2242 5.5 20 37.6
36 Boswell, Jacob Connor ENG 2163 5.5 20 4

BRITISH CHESS MAGAZINE | 523

09/143

INTERVIEW WITH STEVEN A. JONES STEVEN

(RATED 2175) WHO SURPRISINGLY JONES
CAME IN SECOND IN THE BRITISH
CHESS CHAMPIONSHIPS

‘I DON’T HAVE
ANY FEAR IN PLAYING
FOR THE WIN AGAINST
STRONG OPPONENTS’
By James Pratt; [email protected]
Photo: S. Jones

I caught up with Steven Jones on online Chris Chadwick – still talk chess
after he had shown great patience and whenever we can.’
good humour, your scribe attempting entry
without due aplomb. Some things never Steven eventually graduated from Royal
change! Holloway in Egham. He seems to have
thrived on it!
Steven, 30, is a Project Manager based in
Ascot and, unsurprisingly, a member of his SJ: ‘My dad taught me the rules at six and
local Basingstoke club. I would play him pretty much every single
day. I didn’t win my first game until I was
SJ: ‘I moved to the Basingstoke area in eight. It still helps me now knowing that
2017, and have felt very settled in the no matter how badly I play, I won’t go on
area sense. It is my partner’s neck of a two-year losing streak again.
the woods, we have been in the house
for about three years now and the local University was a wonderful experience
chess scene keeps me on my toes!’ for me. I met my partner in first-year
halls of residence, and the block was so
Originally from the North – he spoke fondly supportive with my chess. They would
about his first games in the Warrington joke whenever I went to games that I
League – he was pleased to pay tribute to needed to win to get let back in, but then I
an early teacher, George Davison. remember the reaction when in my third
week on university I beat my first IM
SJ: ‘George was incredible for me and so and we had the biggest celebration party.
many other young players in the region. I grew so much in those three years: it set
It is a huge testament to the impact one me up for adulthood, no doubt about it.’
enthusiastic person can have on chess
that the U18 Cheshire County team that Though seeded a modest thirty-third in a
won the national championships had all field of sixty-four aspirants, the untitled man
eight players go through the same junior finished second – second alone – in the British
club ran in a junior school on Friday Chess Championship in Leicester, runner-
nights. I would never have found chess up to England’s greatest ever grandmaster,
the way I did without that and without Mickey Adams, but ahead of many higher
the friends I made from that time; my rated, younger and, in so many cases, more
best friend from the age of four and I – experienced players. In Elo terms this is

524 | BRITISH CHESS MAGAZINE

 September 2023

about 2473, an IM norm but nothing grander. be shutting down reasonable questions
And as to that he honestly seemed not to because cheating really does represent an
mind. Not that he came without cups and the existential threat to the game we love.
jangle of medals, having been placed 2nd in
Basman’s Delancey Terafinal as long ago as Tangentially, I cannot understand in the
2009. Congress success followed. slightest the appeal of cheating in chess
and think that those caught cheating
SJ: ‘I have never been a touted player but should face very strong action. The way I
I back myself and get a lot of joy out of think of it is that if I tomorrow decided I
surpassing expectations. Having spent a lot wanted to win the Olympic 100m; I could
of time with high-rated players, something take every performance enhancing drug
I’ve noticed that sets me apart from some under the sun and wouldn’t be able to do
of my contemporaries is that I don’t have it. That would still be incredibly wrong,
any fear in playing for the win against but it is performance enhancement to
strong opponents. I play the best move if I an already talented individual. Using an
can and if I am better then I intend to win. engine for chess completely removes the
Having done some coaching and spoken player from the game, there’s no sense of
with others, it shocks me that this mentality accomplishment, no reason. I think people
isn’t as common as you might expect, with the mindset to do that, to inflict the
there’s a lot of aiming to draw or being damage it would cause on chess players and
in a terrible mental state before the game the game as a whole, need to be taken out of
begins. I have always been dangerous, I’ve the competitive scene when identified.’
beaten enough strong opponents not to be
overawed before games start.’ I asked about pre-tournament preparation
and here he used Ravi Haria’s new book on
I asked him first about accusations of cheating the Rossolimo 3.b5 Sicilian, not a text with
in the game, a recent bugbear that clouded the which I was familiar.
English Chess Forum. I noticed the testing
going on whilst I was watching the event and SJ: ‘It’s a very good book! One of
our man seemed totally unfazed. Ravi’s anti-Sicilian series. Trying to find
improvement areas from the black side
‘I was oblivious to this before the interview! was anything but trivial.’
I have had a check of the forum since and
it was interesting to read through the He explained that as the championships
comments; it was quite clear quite fast unfolded (it has recently been shortened to
that it was more a case of ‘trolling’ than a 9 rounds) he became better at predicting his
genuine belief I had cheated. opponent’s moves; the options became clearer.

I think in general, though, it is important SJ: ‘The event was only average for me
for me to acknowledge my position after the first four rounds, and I was well
on cheating scrutiny in chess. I have beaten in the fourth round by Ankush
absolutely no problem with people Khandelwal and had a big reflection
correctly recognising that this event was on what wasn’t going right. I’ve never
a bit anomalous on paper and it is worth taken this approach before, but I made
thinking critically when odd results a spreadsheet after my fourth game in
happen. I think if you look through my which I listed out all the moves that I’d
games it is quite abundantly obvious I missed during my calculations.
was not cheating, but I don’t get offended
by people asking the right questions. I I made 21 miscalculations during the
don’t think we should be encouraging first four games, which was about one
witch-hunts but nor do I think we should every ten moves (not too terrible). The

BRITISH CHESS MAGAZINE | 525

09/143
XIIIIIIIIY
concerning thing was that, of the 21 9r+-+k+-tr0
miscalculations, 12 of the times I missed
literally the move that my opponent 9zppwq-+pvlp0
played on the board: mistakes at the 9-+-+l+p+0
depth of less than one move of depth.
9+-zp-zp-+-0
I made a really concerted effort to 9-snNsn-zP-+0
tighten this up for the rest of the event, 9+P+-+-zP-0
and the impact it had was immense. It’s
always been the issue for me kicking on, 9PvLPzPQ+LzP0
not the good I do but the unforgivably 9+-mKR+-sNR0
bad moves I make. I believe I showed
if I can be solid then I can be a threat xiiiiiiiiy
14.¥xd4 cxd4 15.a3 d3 16.cxd3 ¤c6
and do some exciting things in the near 17.¤f3
future. I guess we will find out soon.’ XIIIIIIIIY
Though this had been his career best – 9r+-+k+-tr0
best so far – he added that he hoped better 9zppwq-+pvlp0
results would still be his. By the time this is
read by BCM readers he should have played
9-+n+l+p+0
in Gavin Wall’s Masters in Newcastle, so 9+-+-zp-+-0
we’ll have to see! I wished him well and 9-+N+-zP-+0
thanked him for his time.
9zPP+P+NzP-0
Daniel H Fernandez - Steven A Jones 9-+-zPQ+LzP0
British Championship Leicester ENG (9.2) 9+-mKR+-+R0
1.e¤4 c5 2.b3 First played by John Cochrane
xiiiiiiiiy
17…b5! Excellent timing.
in the nineteenth century, today a fav with
the Azerbaijani GM Vasif Durarbayli but
what about Fernandez? It can appear in his 18.¤fxe5 ¤xe5 19.¥xa8 How long did the
games, almost, but as the gambit 2.b4?! GM spend on the clock to settle on this snatch?
Black, unrelenting, sharpens his spears.
2… ¤c6 3.¥b2 ¤f6 4.e5 ¤d5 5.g3 d6
6.exd6 £xd6 Howell, writing in ‘The 19 … bxc4 20.dxc4? 0–0 Later Jones gave
Times’, claimed ‘Black has won the 20 … ¤xc4 21 bxc4 and only now 21 …
opening battle.’ I am not sure. 0–0 as preferable.

7.¥g2 e5 8.¤a3 ¥e6 9.¤c4 £c7 10.£h5?! 21.fxe5 xa8 22.d4 White’s defences are
Provocation or just time-wasting? £e2 a move as thin as a membrane and as useless as a
earlier and a timely f2-f4 are surely better. pantomime cow’s tail!

10… g6 Black has formed a bind with 22 … b8 23.d5 ¥f5 24.b4 ¥xe5 25.g4
effective central control. White, a grandmaster e8 26.£f1 ¥xg4 27.c5 ¥f4+ 28.b2
and tournament No.2 seed, is getting in a mess. e2+ 29.b3 £e5 30.a4 a6 31.c6 ¥f5
32.¢a5 £c7+ 33.¢xa6 ¥e3 34.¢b5
11.£e2 ¥g7 12.f4 “?” Says Howell and £b6+ 35.¢c4 £a6+ 36.¢c3 £xa3+
this time I do agree. 37.¢c4 £a6+ 38.¢c3 ¦c2+ 39.¢b3 £a2#

12 … ¤db4 13.0–0–0 ¤d4 0-1

526 | BRITISH CHESS MAGAZINE

 September 2023

An odd end to a cheating controversy:

Hans Niemann, Magnus Carlsen and Chess.com reach an agreement

Storm in a teacup
By GM Aleksandar Colovic
“This is the way the world ends,
Not with a bang but a whimper.”

T. S. Eliot, “The Hollow Men”

When last September then World Champion left the Sinquefield Cup after losing a game
to Hans Niemann, the world went crazy with speculation about the reasons for this
unprecedented flashpoint in Carlsen’s career.

Soon that speculation turned into concrete accusations of cheating on Niemann’s part. The
American grandmaster was ostracised by many in the chess community, starting with the famous
streamer Hikaru Nakamura and including the world’s dominating chess server, chess.com.

Niemann did not accept the accusations against him without a fight. In October of that year he
filed a lawsuit in Missouri against Carlsen, Nakamura and chess.com, seeking (at least) 100
million in compensation from each for what he claimed was the damage to his reputation.

At first, the lawsuit was dismissed on technical grounds, but Niemann intended to take
matters further.

FIDE decided to launch its own investigation into the matter and, while it took months
to prepare, the report of the Fair Play Commission (FPL) was eventually submitted to the
Ethics and Disciplinary Commission (EDC) for consideration and a final decision. However,
not wanting to affect the proceedings of the civil lawsuit brought by Niemann in Missouri,
FIDE decided to postpone the publication of the FPL report.

BRITISH CHESS MAGAZINE | 527

09/143

The chess world meanwhile was divided into two camps - some believed Carlsen in spite
of him giving no evidence to support his accusations, while others believed Niemann
thinking that he had every right to sue his accusers since no evidence to support the
accusations against him had been adduced.

These allegations caught the attention of the outside world, too. Famous people who
have nothing to do with chess felt free to express their opinions. This even grabbed
the interest of Elon Musk, a genius who is often disdainful towards chess. In his usual
somewhat eccentric style, one of Musk’s tweets even suggested that anal beads (it
really takes a genius to come up with this!) might have been used in order to cheat…

It is in fact not unusual for people who have not delved more deeply into chess to
ridicule it. They only see the surface - the 64 squares, 32 pieces, symmetry on the
board, the hunched chess players - and simplistically conclude that the game is
“boring.” The great German chess player Siegbert Tarrasch would have felt sorry for
them (one of his most famous quotes is “Chess, like love, like music, has the power
to make people happy”), but Tarrasch would no doubt have regarded such a failure
to understand the depth and beauty of chess and the rich diversity it can offer as
undoubtedly standing to the great loss of the game’s detractors.

And so it is with Musk, who perhaps subconsciously realises that his genius in other
areas does not extend to chess and so he feels the need to deride the game.

Nonetheless, the dispute between Carlsen and Niemann meant that chess was all over
the news and everybody was talking about it. It’s debatable whether that was a good
thing or not, in view of the “cheating” storyline, but at least chess once again was up
there in lights and, for a brief period at least, was once again (sort of) popular.

Months passed and no news came out from the concerned parties. Which only gave rise
to more speculation.

And then, a few days before this issue of BCM went to print, the following statement was
issued by chess.com:

“Chess.com and Hans Niemann have resolved their differences and are moving forward.”

You can read the whole statement on their website.

Each side also issued a very carefully written (probably by lawyers) and coordinated statement:

‘We are pleased to report that we have reached an agreement with Hans Niemann to
put our differences behind us and move forward together without further litigation.
At this time, Hans has been fully reinstated to Chess.com, and we look forward to
his participation in our events. We would also like to reaffirm that we stand by the
findings in our October 2022 public report regarding Hans, including that we found
no determinative evidence that he has cheated in any in-person games. We all love
chess and appreciate all of the passionate fans and community members who allow
us to do what we do.’ - Chess.com

‘I acknowledge and understand Chess.com’s report, including its statement that

there is no determinative evidence that Niemann cheated in his game against me at

528 | BRITISH CHESS MAGAZINE

 September 2023

the Sinquefield Cup. I am willing to play

Niemann in future events, should we be
paired together.’ - Magnus Carlsen

‘I am pleased that my lawsuit against

Magnus Carlsen and Chess.com has been
resolved in a mutually acceptable manner,
and that I am returning to Chess.com. I
look forward to competing against Magnus
in chess rather than in court and am
grateful to my attorneys at Oved & Oved
for believing in me and helping me resolve
the case.’ - Hans Niemann

What was expected to be a bombshell

lawsuit ended in a friendly agreement.

In other words, the lawsuit was drawn. With

a whimper.

However, as in every drawn game, one

side has more to be happy about than the
other. In this particular draw, it seems
that Niemann is the one happier with the
result in spite of not getting the millions
he had claimed.

Chess.com decided to reinstate him on their server (for a second or third time – some
players rightfully asked how is it that he gets more chances than others who only get one,
and was the threat of a lawsuit strong enough for chess.com to relent?), despite chess.com
stating that they “stand by their findings.”

Carlsen’s own statement seems to hinge on a single, face-saving word - “determinative.”

When you compare Carlsen’s concluding statement (see above) it denotes a stark change
from his furious reaction when leaving St. Louis more than a year ago and the strong
conviction of harm having been done to him. But now the wordsmiths have come up
with this excellent word, “determinative,” which appears to allow everybody to continue
believing what they had done and said while also allowing them to sign a peace treaty.

The last important part of this saga that may (or may not) see the light of day is the
FIDE report. The intriguing part here is that FIDE’s rules essentially state that where a
manifestly unfounded accusation is made (i.e. one without presenting any evidence) then
sanctions against the accuser shall follow. In light of the above statements, with Carlsen
acknowledging that there was no determinative proof of Niemann cheating in the game
against him, the accusation he made might be considered to be manifestly unfounded. So,
will FIDE take action against the former World Champion, or will FIDE align itself with
the amicable settlement between Carlsen and Niemann and also comfortably conclude the
entire affair with another drawn result and a judicious whimper or even silence?

We shall simply have to wait and see, as the clock of the chess world’s most important
body continues to tick down…

BRITISH CHESS MAGAZINE | 529

 WORLD CUP IN BAKU:
A MONTH-LONG
MARATHON OF
UPSETS AND
SURPRISES
By GM Aleksandar Colovic
alexcolovic.com
Photo: FIDE Official
Stev Bonhage
Anna Stourman

The event in Baku will be remembered for Sam Shankland - Ivan Schitco
some of the best games in chess as well
as because of yet another achievement by FIDE World Cup 2023 Baku AZE (2.1)
Magnus Carlsen. The former World Champion XIIIIIIIIY
accomplished a significant milestone by
capturing his inaugural World Cup title, the 9-+-+-+-tr0
only tournament that was missing from his 9+-+-mkp+-0
immense collection of victories
9-+-+p+-zP0
The FIDE World Cup in Baku took place 9+-+-zP-+R0
from 30 July to 24 August. The almost full 9p+p+-zP-tR0
month gruelling competition is among the
most beloved and popular in the world. The 9zPrmK-+-+-0
reason for this is that the two-game knock- 9-+-+-+-+0
out matches produce so many upsets and
surprises that we get a welcome break from 9+-+-+-+-0
the never-ending elite round-robins. xiiiiiiiiy
S¢hankland was pressing the whole
In Baku, the upsets and surprises were game, but his opponent defended well and
happening every day. For example, pre- now it was time to settle down for a draw.
tournament favourites like Mamedyarov However...
and Abdusattorov lost their first matches to
Tin Jingyao and Sanal Vahap respectively. 57.¢xc4?? The other king moves led to a draw.
Grischuk also lost his first match to
Daneshvar Bardiya, deep into the tie-breaks 57...¦c8+ 58.¢d4 ¦bc3! There is no
with a score 5-4. defence against ...¦8c3#. A shocking
loss for the favourite, who couldn’t win
To give you a taste of the “action” that was the second game on demand and was
omnipresent at the World Cup, here’s an eliminated from the competition.
appetizer from the second round, where 0–1
another favourite (in the match) bit the dust.

530 | BRITISH CHESS MAGAZINE

 September 2023

There were many stories in the World Cup, The game where Abasov equalised the
happy and sad, triumphant and tragic. I will score in the second rapid game was an
take a look at the biggest three of them. impressive, if uneven game where even Giri
got his chances. His opening innovation
Ninja Abasov in a well-known theoretical position also
deserves praise.
I met and played Nijat Abasov 10 years ago Nijat Abasov - Anish Giri
at an open tournament in Italy. Our game
was an uneventful draw. I was higher rated FIDE World Cup 2023 Baku AZE (3.4)
than him back then (though he was rated
almost 2500) and I finished a clear second 1.d4 ¤f6 2.c4 e6 3.¤f3 d5 4.¤c3 ¥e7 Giri
in the tournament, while he finished half was relying on the QGD in this match and
a point behind me. My impression of him it served him well. In this game he needed a
was of an intelligent and curious young man draw to progress to the next round, so he sticks
who was not entirely sure how far he could to one of the most solid openings in chess.
go. I have followed him over the years as he
comfortably crossed into the 2600 territory 5.¥g5 h6 6.¥h4 dxc4 This capture is a
and stayed there without much effort. In spite relatively recent short-cut. Instead of the
of this, he was always in the shadow of his vast theory of the main lines of the QGD,
eminent compatriots - not only Radjabov and Black strives for a position with an IQP
Mamedyarov but also Mamedov, Guseinov for White (or a symmetrical position,
and Safarli. However, in this event in Baku, depending on White’s choice on move 9)
he outshone all of them, earning him the which is quite acceptable for him.
nickname Ninja Abasov, as somebody on
the internet wittily called him. 7.e3 One of Black’s ideas is that 7.e4?! is met
by the typical trick 7...¤xe4! 8.¤xe4 ¥xh4
Except for the first round, when he eliminated when Black has already solved his problems.
Rodwell Makoto of Zimbabwe, Abasov was
an underdog in every match afterwards. He 7...c5 8.¥xc4 cxd4 9.exd4 Naturally, in a
started with a win over Fressinet 2.5-1.5, must-win situation White goes for the more
with three draws and a win with White in dynamic option with an IQP instead of the
the rapid tie-breaks. This match set the tone symmetrical position with 9.¤xd4.
for the style of his progress – playing for
draws in the classical games and keeping 9...0–0 10.0–0 ¤c6 11.¦e1
his opening surprises and looking for his XIIIIIIIIY
chances in the tie-breaks at faster time
controls. In the past, this strategy has been 9r+lwq-trk+0
used by lower-rated players with success, 9zpp+-vlpzp-0
but in order to be successful, the lower-rated
player must still play some decent chess! 9-+n+psn-zp0
9+-+-+-+-0
The next, and much bigger surprise, was his 9-+LzP-+-vL0
elimination of one of the tournament favourites,
Anish Giri. In the preview I did for my Youtube 9+-sN-+N+-0
channel I noted that Giri is not quite the same 9PzP-+-zPPzP0
at faster time controls – his results are markedly
worse, especially compared to his fellow elite 9tR-+QtR-mK-0
players. This was borne out in the match with xiiiiiiiiy
Abasov, where first Giri couldn’t hold a draw After 11.¦c1 ¤h5! was the strong move
to win the match and later lost with White after that Karpov introduced in his match with
being outplayed in the Dragon Sicilian. Korchnoi in Merano, winning an exemplary

BRITISH CHESS MAGAZINE | 531

09/143

game that made it to all textbooks on how to see a pawn storm in IQP positions, but
play against the IQP. Giri has also used this White’s centre is stable and he must take
move before. 12.¥xe7 ¤xe7 13.¥b3 (13. some risks in view of the match situation.
d5 leads to mass simplifications and a draw This is quite a creative opening preparation,
after 13...exd5 14.¥xd5 ¤xd5 15.¤xd5 especially as the engine is unconvinced and
¤f6 ½–½ (36) Vidit,S (2695)-Giri,A (2783) gives the boring 0.00.
Wijk aan Zee 2019) 13...¤f6 14.¤e5 ¥d7
15.£e2 ¦c8 16.¤e4 ¤xe4 17.£xe4 ¥c6 16...¤c6 16...¥e8 17.g5 ¤d7 18.gxh6
18.¤xc6 ¦xc6 with an advantage for Black gxh6 is what the engine proposes, but
in: 0–1 (43) Korchnoi,V (2650)-Karpov,A it’s understandable that Giri didn’t want
(2690) Merano m/9 1981. to weaken his kingside. 19.¤xd7 ¥xd7
20.£h5 ¢h7 21.¤e4 is very unclear.
11...¤h5 The same idea is applicable with
a rook on e1, too. 17.g5 hxg5? Clearly surprised, Giri makes
it worse than it objectively was. This is
12.¥xe7 ¤xe7 13.¤e5 White must try to a stark example how much an opening
win, so he keeps the IQP. surprise is important in modern chess.
Even an elite grandmaster couldn’t find
In their classical encounter, Abasov chose his way after being surprised and ended up
the simplifying 13.d5 just like Vidit did in lost mere 2 (!) moves after his opponent’s
Wijk against the same opponent (see the 16.g4!
previous note). Not surprisingly, the game
was drawn without too many adventures: 17...¤xe5 18.dxe5 ¤h7 is preferable,
13...exd5 14.¤xd5 ¤xd5 15.¥xd5 ¤f4 though White keeps attacking chances after
16.¥e4 ¥e6 17.£d4 £xd4 18.¤xd4 ¥d5 19.¥d3 ¥c6 20.¦e3.
½– ½ (37) Abasov,N (2632)-Giri,A (2775)
Baku AZE 2023. 18.hxg5 White should be winning now,
though a lot of play remains.
13...¤f6 14.a4 Curiously enough, White
now plays three moves in a row with 18...¤xe5 19.¦xe5 ¤h7 20.£h5 Black is
pawns, the first one of the queenside... passive and only helped White bring more
pieces to the queenside.
14...a6 15.h4 Then one on the kingside...
20...¦c8 21.¥d3?
15...¥d7 XIIIIIIIIY
XIIIIIIIIY 9-+rwq-trk+0
9r+-wq-trk+0 9+p+l+pzpn0
9+p+lsnpzp-0 9p+-+p+-+0
9p+-+psn-zp0 9+-+-tR-zPQ0
9+-+-sN-+-0 9P+-zP-+-+0
9P+LzP-+-zP0 9+-sNL+-+-0
9+-sN-+-+-0 9-zP-+-zP-+0
9-zP-+-zPP+0 9tR-+-+-mK-0
9tR-+QtR-mK-0 xiiiiiiiiy
xiiiiiiiiy Natural, retreating with tempo, but this
16.g4! And now another one on the helps Black as he actually wants to play his
kingside, signalling an attack! It’s rare to next move.

532 | BRITISH CHESS MAGAZINE

 September 2023

It was better to keep the bishop on the a2–g8

diagonal with 21.¥b3! as this stops ...f5 and
also threatens g6, to weaken the e6–pawn.
21...g6 stops g6, but after 22.£h6 threatening
g2 and ¦h1. 22...¥c6 23.¦d1 White crashes
through, with the threat of ¦d3–h3 or d5.

21...f5! Now Black is back into the game.

22.gxf6 ¤xf6 23.£h4 ¢f7 24.¦ae1

¦h8 25.£g5 ¦h6 Black managed to
consolidate, though at least visually White
still has the initiative.
Nijat – Ninja – Abasov:
26.¦1e3?! 26.¥e4 is best according to the A huge surprise from Azerbaijan
engine, stopping ...¥c6, but after 26...¤xe4
27.¤xe4 ¥c6 Black is in no way worse. I wonder why Giri didn’t go for
the simplifications after 31...¤xc3
26...¥c6! Now Black takes over the 32.¥xc6 bxc6 33.bxc3 as Black
initiative. The crude threat is ...¦h1#. should have little trouble drawing this
endgame. For example, even an active
27.¢f1? This should have lost, but tie- play sacrificing a pawn should suffice:
breaks have their own rules. 33...¦c8!? 34.¦xg7 c5 with enough
counterplay.
27.f3 is better, but after 27...£h8! it is
Black who starts to attack the opponent’s 32.¥xc6 ¤xc6 It was better to take with
king. pawn, but then it would have been better to
play that position without knights!
27...¤d5? Black wants an endgame to
secure himself against an attack, but misses 33.¤e4+ White has an unpleasant
a good chance. initiative now.

27...£xd4! was brave and decisive. After 33...¢f7 34.¦f3+ ¢e7 35.¦b3 b5 36.¦c3
28.¦xe6 ¢g8 the threat is still ...¦h1. ¦h4! The only move for Black to stay in
Black’s king is safer here and this gives the game. This already indicates that his
him a decisive advantage. choice on move 31 was rather risky, forcing
him into a position where he needs to find
28.¦g3 White is equal now. only moves.

28...£xg5 29.¦exg5 ¦g8 Under normal 37.axb5 axb5 38.f3 ¤xd4 39.¦c7+ ¢f8??
circumstances Giri would have never lost Cracking under pressure.
this endgame.
39...¢d8 was the only move. It looks
30.¥g6+ ¢f6 30...¢e7 31.¥e4 Attacks scary, but Black holds. 40.¦gc5 (40.¦a7
the pawn on g7 and that is most likely why ¦h1+ 41.¢g2 ¦gh8 is also fine for
Giri didn’t play it. Still, after 31...¤xc3 Black.) 40...¦e8 41.¤g5 (41.¦xg7 ¦e7)
32.¥xc6 bxc6 33.bxc3 g6 the double-rook 41...¦e7 42.¤f7+ ¢e8 43.¤d6+ ¢d8
endgame should be a draw. and White has nothing more than a
perpetual.
31.¥e4 ¤e7 A rather surprising move,
leaving White with an active knight. 40.¤d6 ¦f4

BRITISH CHESS MAGAZINE | 533

09/143

XIIIIIIIIY Magnus Carlsen - Nijat Abasov

9-+-+-mkr+0 FIDE World Cup 2023 Baku AZE (7.1)
9+-tR-+-zp-0 XIIIIIIIIY
9-+-sNp+-+0 9-+l+-+-+0
9+p+-+-tR-0 9zpk+-+q+-0
9-+-sn-tr-+0 9-+p+r+-zp0
9+-+-+P+-0 9+-zp-vL-+R0
9-zP-+-+-+0 9-+P+-+-+0
9+-+-+K+-0 9+P+P+-+-0
xiiiiiiiiy 9P+K+Q+-+0
41.¦g4! Perhaps Giri missed this move?
9+-+-+-+-0
41...¦xf3+ 41...¦xg4 42.¦f7# being the xiiiiiiiiy
point. Carlsen was pressing after a favourable
opening, but Abasov defended well and
42.¢g2 Black loses a piece as the knight now the position is objectively equal.
on d4 cannot move and defending it allows
¦xe5, winning the rook on f3. 34.£h2? A blunder that neither of the
players noticed.
1–0
34.¢b2 £e8 35.¢a3 ¦e7 with the idea to
activate the bishop with ...¥g4 is one way
Next in line was previous World Cup to continue the game.
winner Svidler. The same strategy worked
again, solid draws in classical and an 34...¦g6? Missing a one-in-a-million
immediate pounce on Svidler’s blunder chance.
in the second rapid game.
34...£f1! Carlsen admitted that this move
The next two matches were won in never entered his head. The idea is ...¦g6–
classical, first against Salem, a 2-0 g2, starting a surprising attack. 35.£d2
sweep, though in the second game he ¦g6 36.¦h2 is a way to control the second
was risking a serious attack on his king rank, but now the attack switches to the
and then 1.5-0.5 against Vidit. first rank: 36...¦g1 37.¥b2 £b1+ 38.¢c3
¥f5! what a massive transformation of the
Reaching the semi-finals - and with pieces of both armies. The passive black
this a qualification for the Candidates pieces are delivering the final blow (the
Tournament (in view of Carlsen’s threat is ...¦d1 and the pawn on d3 cannot
practically guaranteed refusal to play be defended) while White’s active pieces
there) - is a dream come true for any are sentenced to utter passivity.
player and Abasov made that dream
come true. The first match he lost was 35.¥f4 White is safe now, with the position
to none other than Carlsen, but even going back to equal, but it is White who
in that match, he missed a golden has the easier game, as he can probe the
opportunity in the first game when weaknesses on c5 and h6.
he could have won it (and later a few
opportunities not to lose). 35.¦xh6 ¦xh6 36.£xh6 £f2+ is an easy
draw after 37.£d2 £xd2+ 38.¢xd2 ¢b6

534 | BRITISH CHESS MAGAZINE

 September 2023

35...¦f6 One of the several possible moves, 39...¥g4 40.¥xa7? One move earlier this
but this choice indicates that Black was set was working, now surprisingly it doesn’t.
on passive defence. Another surprise is Carlsen messing up
the technical phase of the game. It seems
35...£g7! looks the most concrete, threatening that these calculational positions where
...£a1 and/or ...¦g1. 36.¥d2 £a1 gives his opponent has counterplay aren’t
Black strong counterplay and no worries at among his favourite ones.
all. 37.¥c1 £xa2+ 38.¥b2 a5 with the idea
...a4 ensures Black won’t suffer. 40.£f4 was the best way. 40...h5 41.¦h1
£f6+ 42.£xf6 ¦xf6 43.¢b4 gives
36.¥e3 ¥f5?! The bishop is activated, but White good winning chances, but also
the other two pieces are stuck behind it. some drawing chances to Black. It would
have been a long game.
36...¦g6 was a better way to activate the
pieces. 37.¦xh6 this is White’s best chance. 40...£f6+?? The wrong square.
(37.¦xc5 £f1 38.¥d2 £a1 39.¦a5 ¥g4
gives Black good compensation.) 37...¦xh6 40...£g7+! was correct, covering
38.£xh6 £e7 is passive, but quite drawable the seventh rank. After this check the
after a long suffering. position is a draw. 41.¥d4 (41.d4 ¢xa7
42.¦xg4 £xg4 43.£c7+ is another
37.¥xc5 £g6?! In this phase of the game perpetual; 41.¢b4 ¢xa7 42.£g1+
Black fails to coordinate his pieces in an ¢b7 43.¦xg4 c5+! 44.¢xc5 £e5+
optimal way. 45.¢b4 ¦b6+ 46.£xb6+ ¢xb6 is a
complicated line leading to a draw after
37...¦e6 38.¥d4 a5 was a more harmonious 47.¦g6+ ¢b7 48.¦xh6 where a rook
way, though not a solution to all problems. and four (!) pawns are not weaker than
That chance was missed earlier. 39.¢d2! a queen.) 41...£g5! threatens ...£c1.
(39.¦xh6? ¥xd3+! is the idea of Black’s 42.¥b6 (42.¢b4? this even loses to
defence. 40.¢xd3 £f1+ 41.¢d2 £e1+ 42...¦e2! 43.£g3 c5+! and White gets
42.¢d3 £f1+ leads to a perpetual check.) mated! 44.¥xc5 £d2+ 45.¢a4 ¥d7+
39...£g6 and the game goes on. 46.¢a3 £a5#) 42...¢xb6 43.¦xg4
£xg4 44.£b8+ is a perpetual and that’s
38.¢c3 Going to b2 is even stronger, but the best White has.
Carlsen wanted to have the option to play
¢b4. 41.¢b4 White wins now.

38...¦e6? Too many weak moves by Black. 41...¦e5 42.d4 £e7+ 43.c5 Too many
pieces hanging - the rook on e5 and the
38...£e8! was the only way to stay in the bishop on g4, especially as the rook cannot
game. The threat is ...£e1, so White must move in view of £b8.
play 39.¢b4 ¥xd3 40.¦h3 with the threat
of ¦e3–e7 with a strong attack for White, 1–0
though it’s not quite winning yet.

39.¦h4? Missing the win. He also managed to put pressure on Carlsen

in the second classical game, but the former
39.¥xa7! was a tactical solution that World Champion held firm.
works. 39...£g7+ (39...¢xa7 40.£f2+
wins the bishop on f5; 39...¥xd3 40.£b8+ In the match for third place, facing former
¢a6 41.£b6#) 40.¥d4 leaves White two World Championship candidate Caruana, he
healthy pawns up. won a miniature in the first classical game.

BRITISH CHESS MAGAZINE | 535

09/143

Nijat Abasov - Fabiano Caruana acceptable for Black, who established better
control over the central squares. 18.¤bd2
FIDE World Cup 2023 Baku AZE (8.1) ¥d5 19.£d3 c5 with good counterplay.

1.d4 ¤f6 2.¤f3 d5 3.c4 e6 4.g3 The 15.¢h1 White’s plan is simple - pile up
Catalan was a popular choice in Baku. along the g-file and combine it with the
Abasov used it for the first time in this central advance e4–e5.
game.
15...¥xf3 Another typical operation for
4...¥e7 5.¥g2 0–0 6.0–0 dxc4 Caruana has Black in this line, but one that leaves him
tried many lines against the Catalan, but here passive where he can only rely on the
he goes for what is considered the main line. solidity of his position.

7.£c2 a6 Firmly in the classical territory, 15...¤d5 16.e3 £e7 17.¦g1 ¢h8 leads to
not venturing the long lines after 7...b5, similar play, but the presence of the knight
which has been analysed to a draw and it on f3 and the bishop on g2 makes it more
was the line Nepomniachtchi prepared for difficult for White to use the g-file.
his match with Carlsen.
16.¥xf3 c6 17.¦g1 ¢h8 18.e4 White has
8.a4 ¥d7 9.£xc4 ¥c6 10.¥g5 Equally easy play now.
popular is 10.¥f4.
18...£e7?!
10.¥f4 ¥d6 11.£d3 XIIIIIIIIY
10...¤bd7 Another option is 10...¥d5. 9r+-+-tr-mk0
9+p+nwqpzp-0
11.¤c3 h6 12.¥f4 A rare move compared
to the capture on f6. This was Abasov’s 9-+p+psn-zp0
surprise for this game. 9zp-+-+-+-0
12...¥d6 This is the usual reaction for
9P+-zPPzP-+0
Black when White plays ¥f4, as for 9+-sNQ+L+-0
example on move 10. 9-zP-+-zP-zP0
13.£d3 The queen is comfortable on d3 9tR-+-+-tRK0
because thanks to the knight on c3 Black xiiiiiiiiy
cannot play ..¥e4. Additionally, the queen The problem with this move is that it takes
supports the e4–push. away the e7–square from the knight.

13...¥xf4 14.gxf4 a5 A typical move for 18...¤c5!? sends the knight to b4, but
Black in this line, but in view of White’s perhaps Caruana didn’t want to put the
straight-forward plan in the centre and knight far away from the kingside. 19.£e3
kingside, perhaps it made sense to play ¤a6 20.¦g3 (20.e5 ¤g8 21.¤e4 ¤e7!
more dynamically with 14...b5!? with the idea of ...¤f5 is good for Black.
This is why Black needs the e7–square free.)
14...b5!? 15.¦fc1 (15.axb5 axb5 16.¤xb5 20...¤b4 21.¦ag1 ¦g8 is very solid for
¦xa1 17.¦xa1 £b8 18.¤a3 £xb2 is equal. Black with no easy way forward for White,
With things happening on the queenside, but again, Black is forced to sit still and wait.
White cannot build up his play on the
other side of the board as in the game.) 19.¦g3 White doesn’t rush, though he
15...b4 16.¤b1 ¥e4 17.£b3 £e7 is quite could have pushed e5 immediately.

536 | BRITISH CHESS MAGAZINE

 September 2023

19.e5 was quite good. After 19...¤h7 It’s interesting that Caruana spent almost
20.¤e4 ¤b6 21.¤d6 ¤c8 22.¤c4 the 25 minutes on this blunder.
knight on c8 is badly placed and White can
continue to double on the g-file. 23...f5 was natural and a move Black should
sooner or later play. 24.exf6 (24.¥b1 ¤d5
19...¦ad8 20.¦ag1 ¦g8 21.e5 ¤h7 is OK for Black.) 24...¤xf6 25.¥f5 ¦de8
21...¤e8 was an alternative. The knight 26.¥g6 ¤bd5 27.£e5 ¦d8 is unclear,
covers the d6–square and is not subject to White’s activity is enough compensation
an attack after ¥e4 as in the game. 22.¦h3 for his pawn weaknesses; 23...g6 is also
(22.f5? ¤xe5; 22.¤e4 f5 23.exf6 ¤dxf6 fine, though it’s a risky move because
gives Black counterplay against White’s Black should always be careful about
isolated central pawns.) 22...f5 23.¥h5 possible sacrifices with f5 or on g6.
still looks unpleasant for Black, but he’s
solid and can resist White’s attack, for 24.¥xh7! ¢xh7 25.¤e4 All of a sudden
example 23...¤c7 24.£g3 ¤f8. Black is getting mated!

22.£e3?! Moving away from the d-file, but 25...£e7 25...¢h8 26.f5 exf5 27.¦xg7!
allowing Black to consolidate. leads to mate.; 25...£xd4 26.¤g5+ ¢h8
27.¤xf7+ ¢h7 and now White wins in
22.¤e2 was better, safely covering the more than one way, for example 28.£f3
d4–pawn and intending f5. 22...¤b6 (22... threatening £h5–g6. (or 28.£xd4 ¦xd4
f5 23.£b3! this stops ...¤b6–d5. 23...¤b8 29.¤xh6; or 28.¤xd8) 28...£d5 29.£xd5
24.£b6 £b4 25.£xb4 axb4 26.h4 is a ¦xd5 30.¤xh6 with a winning position.
good endgame for White, but Black is still
solid.) 23.f5 exf5 24.£xf5 g6 25.£c2 c5!? 26.f5 Some of the possible finishes are 26.f5
introduces dynamics in the position, which exf5 (26...¤d5 27.f6! ¤xe3 28.¦xg7+
increases Black’s chance as White cannot ¦xg7 29.¦xg7+ ¢h8 30.fxe7 ¦a8 31.¦xf7;
calmly build up his attack. After 26.£b3 26...£h4 27.¦h3) 27.¤f6+ ¢h8 (27...gxf6
¤d7 27.¥d5 cxd4 28.¥xf7 ¦g7 29.¥xg6 28.£xh6+ ¢xh6 29.¦h3#) 28.£xh6+!
¤g5 the position becomes a mess, where gxh6 29.¦xg8+ ¦xg8 30.¦xg8#
the objective evaluation of somewhat better
for White matters little. 1–0

22...¤b6 22...f5 was a good alternative.

23.¤e2 ¤b6 with ...¤d5 next. His somewhat risky repertoire with the black
pieces was masterly exploited by Caruana in
23.¥e4 £b4?? the second game, who entered a sharp line
XIIIIIIIIY where precise memorisation was required –
a strategy similar to Caruana’s famous win
9-+-tr-+rmk0 against Vachier Lagrave at the Yekaterinburg
9+p+-+pzpn0 Candidates when the line in question was
the notorious Poisoned Pawn. Abasov didn’t
9-snp+p+-zp0 recall his preparation and Caruana equalised.
9zp-+-zP-+-0 In the tie-breaks, Abasov didn’t stand a
9Pwq-zPLzP-+0 chance and lost 0-2, mostly because he was
out-prepared and surprised in the openings.
9+-sN-wQ-tR-0
9-zP-+-zP-zP0 It’s worth noting that this was also a great
result for Caruana, who qualified for the
9+-+-+-tRK0 next Candidates and who vowed to prepare
xiiiiiiiiy and do better than in the last one.

BRITISH CHESS MAGAZINE | 537

09/143

Carlsen will most likely not play next in the world on the live rating list, surpassing
year’s Candidates, which makes Abasov Anand and Giri! His loss to Carlsen showed a
a participant in this tournament. He is the clear shortcoming in his play, something that
lowest-rated player to play the Candidates he also noted in an interview, an insufficient
in the history of the event and will certainly (for elite level) technique in endgames.
be considered an outsider, however, given Nevertheless, this incredible result will see
the time he has to prepare for it, he will him eighth in the world on the September
definitely be a better player by then. The other rating list, which at the age of 17 is definitely a
participants will already know what to expect sign that the sky is the limit for the youngster.
of him, but having a new face in Toronto will It is worth reminding that he still can qualify
certainly add to the dynamics of the event. for the Candidates from the Grand Swiss
tournament, which will take place on the Isle
The Four Indian Musketeers of Man from 23 October to 6 November.

A lot of expected of the new wave of Erigaisi was very confident, too. He needed
Indian prodigies and they didn’t disappoint. tie-breaks to eliminate Azarov in round two
Nihal (19), Gukesh (17), Erigaisi (19) and (3.5-2.5) and from then on won his matches
Praggnanandhaa (18) have already established in classical, beating Fedoseev, Sindarov
themselves as a force to be reckoned with and Grandelius 1.5-0.5. These victories sent
and they certainly proved their worth in him on a crash course with his compatriot
Baku. Of these four, Sarin was stopped by and friend Praggnanandhaa.
Nepomniachtchi in the fourth round, but he
was successfully replaced by the ¤veteran” Praggnanadhaa dispatched Lagarde and
Vidit (28), who avenged his compatriot by Navara (both 1.5-0.5) before a crucial
beating Nepomniachtchi in the next round. round-four match with one of the pre-
tournament favourites Nakamura.
The four Indian musketeers all made it to
the quarter-finals! In other words, half of the This was the real test of character for the
participants still in contention were Indians. youngster and he passed it with flying colours.
After two balanced classical games, the match
Such a success was not really expected, but went to tie-breaks. Nakamura is famously
the young grow up fast and take the places fantastic at faster time controls, but now this
of the old(er). We may have expected Giri didn’t show at all. It was uncharacteristic for
to finally make it to the Candidates (in Nakamura to mess up his preparation in the
truth, he may still do so from the Grand first game, where in a theoretical position he
Swiss or the FIDE Circuit), but we will erred as early as move 9!
have Praggnanandhaa there instead.
Hikaru Nakamura – R Praggnanandhaa
Each of these four players had an incredible
tournament. Vidit played the most games, FIDE World Cup 2023 Baku AZE (4.3)
eliminating Mastrovasilis, Bluebaum and
Nepomniachtchi on tie-breaks (4.5-3.5, 5-4 1.c4 Nakamura often plays the English
and 4-2 respectively), Bacrot in classical Opening, but always with a concrete idea
1.5-0.5, before being eliminated by Abasov in mind.
with the same score.
1...¤f6 2.¤c3 e5 3.¤f3 ¤c6 4.g3 ¥b4
Gukesh was impressive, he only needed tie- 5.¤d5 An alternative to the move 5.¥g2.
breaks to eliminate Esipenko (2.5-1.5) and his
run of classical wins (2-0 against Iskandarov, 5...e4 The sharp reply. The alternative is
1.5-0.5 against Narayanan, 1.5-0.5 against moving the bishop back to c5. Now the
Wang Hao) brought him as high as seventh white knight is forced to h4, a square where

538 | BRITISH CHESS MAGAZINE

 Nihal Sarin (19) September 2023

it can easily perish. White hopes to obtain

compensation in that case.

6.¤h4 0–0 7.¥g2 d6 8.0–0 Nakamura

sacrifices the knight on the rim.

8.¤xb4 is another option. 8...¤xb4 9.a3

¤c6 or 9...¤a6!? 10.d3 with a complex
middlegame ahead.

8...g5 9.a3??
Gukesh D (17)
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+lwq-trk+0
9zppzp-+p+p0
9-+nzp-sn-+0
9+-+N+-zp-0
9-vlP+p+-sN0
9zP-+-+-zP-0
9-zP-zPPzPLzP0
9tR-vLQ+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
Clearly a case of messed-up preparation.

9.d4 is the only move. After 9...h6 10.a3

White also has other moves at his disposal.
(10.¤e3; 10.¤xb4 ¤xb4 11.f3) 10...¥a5
11.¤e3 gxh4 12.b4 ¥b6 13.c5 White
regains the piece with a messy endgame
ahead after 13...h3 14.¥h1 dxc5 15.dxc5
£xd1 16.¦xd1 ¥xc5 17.bxc5 as in the game
½–½ (83) Kramnik,V (2753)-Sadhwani,R
(2620) Krasnogorsk 2022.

9...¥a5 Now Black remains a piece up

without compensation for White.
Arjun Erigaisi (19)
10.d3 10.d4 ¤xd5 11.cxd5 ¤b8 makes sure the
bishop on a5 is safe and the knight on h4 isn’t.

10...¤xd5 11.cxd5 ¤b8 The same motif

as in the note to White’s 10th move. White
is simply a piece down for nothing and
the rest is a conversion phase. A strange
opening mishap from Nakamura.

12.dxe4 gxh4 13.¥h6 ¦e8 14.gxh4 £xh4

15.£c1 f6 Covering the dark squares.

R Praggnanandhaa (18)
09/143

16.¢h1 ¤d7 17.¥f4 ¤e5 18.¥g3 £h5 before Praggnanandhaa won the sudden-
19.¦g1 ¤g6 20.f4 ¥b6 21.e3 ¢f7 death game with White!
Removing the king from the vulnerable
g-file and threatening ...¥h3 to finish In the semi-final Praggnanandhaa met
development and exchange pieces. Caruana. This was another incredible
match where Caruana was pressing in
22.e5 Desperate, but White must try something. both classical games and was winning
by force in the first rapid game and
22...dxe5 23.fxe5 ¤xe5 24.£c3 ¥h3 yet all these games finished in draws.
25.¦af1 ¥xg2+ 26.¦xg2 ¤g4 Both pawns A great achievement and testament to
on e3 and d5 are hanging. Praggnanandhaa’s resilience. As usual
in matches, if you don’t score, you
27.d6 cxd6 28.£b3+ d5 29.£a4 ¦e4 concede. Praggnanadhaa took his first
30.£d1 ¥xe3 31.a4 ¦ae8 32.£b3 chance to win - in the fourth rapid game,
b6 33.£b5 ¥d4 Threatening ...¤e3. the first one played with the time control
Nakamura had enough and resigned. of 10 minutes + 10 seconds per move
(the first two rapid games were played
0–1 with the time control of 25 minutes +
10 seconds per move). Caruana couldn’t
come back and Praggnanandhaa made it
In the second game, Nakamura tried a to the final.
Modern set-up, but while this may work in
Titled Tuesdays, it didn’t against a focused Magnus Carlsen
Praggnanandhaa who kept everything
under control, didn’t allow a single chance, It has been a strange period for
and won the game convincingly. Magnus Carlsen. His reluctance to play
classical chess was countered by his
Beating one of the favourites 2-0 in rapid acceptance to play the World Cup. As
gave incredible confidence to the teenager he admitted after the tournament, he
and fueled his next victory against another decided to do so after his poor showing
surprise in the event, Ferenc Berkes, rated at Norway Chess, but even this decision
¤only” 2615. Berkes eliminated Gelfand, was questionable as he realised that
Vitiugov and Ponomariov before losing 0.5- only winning the event would make
1.5 to Praggnanadhaa. it worthwhile. It’s clear that putting
so much pressure on oneself, when
The quarter-finals saw the duel of the winning is all that matters, is far from
friends Erigaisi and Praggnanadhaa. an optimal state of mind.
It’s notable that these two took walks
together even after the games they And yet, in spite of the self-imposed
played! A win practically guaranteed a pressure and the food poisoning that he
place in the Candidates, but one of them suffered during the semi-final, Carlsen
had to step aside. managed to win the only tournament he
hadn’t won in his career.
In a fluctuating match that started with
Erigaisi winning with Black, forcing While the first few rounds were rather
Praggnanadhaa to equal the score by smooth, his first scare came in round
doing the same in the second game, four, when he met Germany’s star
eventually, it was Praggnanandhaa who Vincent Keymer. Carlsen lost the first
controlled his nerves better. Two draws classical game in an uncharacteristic
in the rapid were followed by four manner – by blundering in an
consecutive wins for the black pieces equal endgame.

540 | BRITISH CHESS MAGAZINE

 September 2023

Vincent Keymer - Magnus Carlsen 39...¦b5 The only way not to lose a
second pawn.
FIDE World Cup 2023 Baku AZE (4.1)
XIIIIIIIIY 40.¦xb5 cxb5 41.¤c6 ¢e8 42.¤b4 The
knight endgame is won for White as he
9-+-+-mk-+0 simply pushes his central pawns forward.
9+p+-+pzp-0
42...¢e7 43.f4 ¢d6 44.¢f3 ¤e6 45.¢e2
9-+p+-+-+0 ¤g7 46.e4 ¤h5 47.¢f3 ¤g7 48.¤d3
9+-tRn+N+-0 The immediate 48.e5+ is also possible.
9-+-zP-+P+0 48...¢c7 49.d5 ¢b6 50.¤d3
9+-+-zP-+-0 48...¤h5 48...¤e6 49.¢e3 with d5 and
9-+-+-zPK+0 e5 to come.
9tr-+-+-+-0 49.¢e3 ¤g3 50.d5 Black is in sort of
xiiiiiiiiy zugzwang. If the king moves ¢d4 comes,
The position is objectively equal, but White if the knight moves ¢d4 comes again.
has some visual initiative in view of his
active pieces and compact central mass. 50...¢c7 51.¢d4 ¢b6 52.¤e5 Keymer is
a materialist.
36.g5 White gains more space on the kingside.
52...b4 53.¤xf7 b3 54.¤e5 ¤e2+ 55.¢e3
The immediate 36.¤d6 is met by the ¢b5 56.¤d3 ¤c3 57.d6 ¢c6 58.e5 These
simple defence of the pawn by 36...¦b1 pawns were meant for rolling. Carlsen resigned.
and Black is fine.
1–0
36...¤c7?? A strange case of Carlsen failing
to apply prophylactic thinking and missing his
opponent’s idea. He had many moves at his Even more uncharacteristically, the
disposal that kept the balance. For example: blunders didn’t stop there. In the second
classical game, which was a must-win for
36...g6 37.¤d6 ¦b1; 36...¦a2 37.¢g3 ¤e7 him to stay in the tournament, Carlsen
38.¤d6 b5; 36...¤e7 37.¤d6 b6 38.¦c2 blundered again.
¦a5 in all cases with an equal position.
Magnus Carlsen - Vincent Keymer
37.¤d6 Suddenly White wins a pawn. It’s a
double attack in fact, as it’s not only the b7– FIDE World Cup 2023 Baku AZE (4.2)
pawn that is attacked, but also the f7–pawn XIIIIIIIIY
cannot be defended in view of the threat
¦f5 - this was White’s idea with his move 9r+-+r+k+0
35.g5 - he took control over the f6–square 9+-zpl+pzp-0
and Black can no longer play ...f6 to defend
against that attack. 9p+pzp-sn-zp0
9+-+-wq-+-0
37...g6 37...¦b1 38.¦f5 wins the pawn on f7. 9-vl-+P+-vL0
38.¤xb7 White is technically winning now 9+-sNQ+P+-0
and he converts confidently. 9PzPP+N+PzP0
38...¦b1 39.¤d8 Forcing a knight endgame. 9+-mKR+-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
BRITISH CHESS MAGAZINE | 541
09/143

In a must-win situation Carlsen got a what was he doing there (a question he

playable position after the opening. Here, had been asking himself since round
however, he commits a big mistake. one!), claiming classical chess is ¤stressful
and boring” for him. And yet, there he
16.a3?? 16.g4!? was an aggressive option. was, spending time and energy trying
Black should strike in the centre with 16... to win a World Cup. Trying to do this in
d5 17.h3!? (17.¥g3 £g5+ 18.¥f4 £g6 spite of knowing that he will not play at
19.h3 dxe4 20.fxe4 leads to a complex the Candidates, a stance he has repeated
middlegame.) 17...dxe4 18.fxe4 is another consistently, expressing his displeasure at
complicated position with chances for both the slow time controls.
sides;
Playing classical events while talking
16.¥g3 was decent. After 16...£g5+ against classical control is certainly
17.¥f4 £a5 18.a3 ¥c5 19.¤d4 everything contradictory. Carlsen is scheduled to play
lies ahead. the European Club Cup and the Qatar
Open, which are two more classical events
16...¥xc3 17.£xc3 £xc3?? Keymer missed for him this year.
a glorious chance to send the former World
Champion packing. I think the reason he After the match with Keymer, Carlsen beat
missed this chance is that he didn’t believe Ivanchuk 2-0 (the Ukranian had problems
it was there, he didn’t look for it. He didn’t arriving in Baku and had a great run until
sense something was wrong and the chance that point), Gukesh and Abasov 1.5-0.5
went unnoticed. Carlsen’s look of relief once before the final with Praggnanandhaa.
the danger passed was priceless.
The game against Gukesh was yet another
17...¤xe4! 18.£xe5 (18.fxe4 £xe4 is the marvellous demonstration of Carlsen’s
double attack on the light pieces that wins endgame technique and a clear message to
material for Black.) 18...¦xe5 19.fxe4 the youngster about what he should work on.
¦xe4 again the double attack, this time
with a rook, gives Black a winning position. Gukesh D - Magnus Carlsen
18.¤xc3 Now the endgame is a bit FIDE World Cup 2023 Baku AZE (6.1)
more favourable for White. Black played
well for a long time, but eventually the 1.d4 ¤f6 2.¥f4 Gukesh tried to surprise
inevitable happened. Carlsen with the London System.
Nowadays nobody should be surprised by
1–0 the London System, but, strangely as it may
sound, Carlsen was.

Luck favours the strong, they say. It was 2...b6 So Carlsen tried to surprise his
certainly the case here. opponent in return, but Gukesh would have
none of it.
The tie-break wasn’t much easier, two
draws in the 25+10 rapid games were 3.¤c3! Probably the only way to challenge
followed by a draw in the first 10+10 Black’s move-order. But now at least the
game. Only in the second of these games game has nothing to do with the usual
did Carlsen finally manage to win a game London System set-ups.
and the whole match.
Something like 3.e3 ¥b7 4.¤f3 g6 5.h3
Carlsen’s post-match interview was ¥g7 6.¥e2 0–0 7.0–0 d6 with ...c5 next
confusing. when he openly asked himself leads to a reversed Reti Opening.

542 | BRITISH CHESS MAGAZINE

 September 2023

3...¥b7 4.f3 White wants to build a full The position is complicated, White’s pair of
centre with e4. bishops should give him a slight edge here.

4...e6 The alternative is 4...d5, but Carlsen 8...¥xc3 9.£xc3 dxe4 10.d5 Gukesh
prefers more French-like ideas. shows aggressive intentions but after the
forcing 10.¥xc7 leads to simplifications
5.e4 a6 Covering the b5–square and and an equal endgame after 10...¤d5
avoiding ¤b5 ideas. 11.¥xd8 ¤xc3 12.bxc3 ¢xd8.

5...d5 is possible, as 6.¤b5 ¤a6 is not too 10...¤xd5 11.£xg7 £f6! 12.£xf6 ¤xf6
scary. We land in an endgame which is balanced.

6.£d2 d5 7.0–0–0 7.exd5 ¥xd5! (7...¤xd5 is 13.¥e5 ¢e7 14.¥xc7 ¤bd7 White’s pair
also possible, but it gives White free play after of bishops is compensated with Black’s
8.¤xd5 ¥xd5 9.c4 ¥b7 10.0–0–0) 8.¤xd5 smooth development and central control.
¤xd5 9.¥g5 £d7 is comfortable for Black
as the knight is stable on d5. It cannot be 15.¥g3 ¦hg8 16.¥e2 White defends
chased away with c4 in view of ...¥b4. the pawn on f3 so that he can finish
development with ¤h3.
7.e5 ¤fd7 8.¥g5 £c8 is a good French for
Black who gets in ...c5 quickly. 16...¢e8 A prophylactic move, avoiding a
check on d6.
7...¥b4 Still playing with French motifs.
17.fxe4
7...b5!? is an interesting alternative. XIIIIIIIIY
8.a3 9r+-+k+r+0
XIIIIIIIIY 9+l+n+p+p0
9rsn-wqk+-tr0 9pzp-+psn-+0
9+lzp-+pzpp0 9+-+-+-+-0
9pzp-+psn-+0 9-+-+P+-+0
9+-+p+-+-0 9zP-+-+-vL-0
9-vl-zPPvL-+0 9-zPP+L+PzP0
9zP-sN-+P+-0 9+-mKR+-sNR0
9-zPPwQ-+PzP0 xiiiiiiiiy
White decides to simplify the game.
9+-mKR+LsNR0
xiiiiiiiiy In the case of 17.¤h3 Black can play
White decides to keep the centre more fluid. 17...¤h5 not fearing a check on d6,
thanks to his last move. After 18.¥d6
8.e5 is a major option. 8...¤fd7 9.¥g5 £c8 ¦xg2 19.¦hg1 ¦xg1 20.¦xg1 ¤hf6
(9...¥e7 is probably simpler 10.¥xe7 £xe7 White has certain compensation for
11.f4 c5 is a typical French position, which the pawn as his dark-squared bishop is
means it’s complex and with chances for particularly strong.
both sides.) 10.a3 ¥xc3 11.£xc3 c5 12.f4
¤c6 13.¤f3 cxd4 14.£e1!? (14.¤xd4 ¤xd4 17...¤xe4 18.¥f3 ¤xg3 19.hxg3 19.¥xb7
15.£xd4 £c5 is slightly worse, but holdable, ¦a7 20.hxg3 ¦xb7 21.¦xh7 ¦xg3 22.¦d2
for Black.) 14...£c7 15.¥h4 with ¥f2 in mind. is similar to the game.

BRITISH CHESS MAGAZINE | 543

09/143

19...¥xf3 20.¤xf3 ¦xg3 21.¦xh7 ¢e7 XIIIIIIIIY

The position is equal, but if anyone, it’s
Black who can play for more. He has 9-+-+-+r+0
two factors going on for him, one is his 9+-+-mkp+R0
centralised king and two is his central pawn
majority (with the passed e-pawn) that can 9pzp-+p+-+0
advance with the support of that king, 9+-+-+-+-0
unlike White’s queenside majority. 9-zP-+-tr-+0
22.¤d4 Threatening ¤c6. 9zP-zP-+-+-0
9-+K+R+P+0
22.¦d2 ¦ag8 gives Black unpleasant pressure.
9+-+-+-+-0
22...¤e5 23.¦e1 ¦g4 Carlsen wants to go xiiiiiiiiy
for a double-rook endgame where White’s White decides to activate his majority, but
king is cut off along the d-file. this turns out to lead to a position where
everything will depend on precise moves.
23...¢f6 24.¦h6+ ¤g6 25.¦h7 creates
the threat of ¦f1, winning the pawn on f7. 28.¢d2 ¦fg4 29.¦h2 looks unappealing,
Now a curious line is 25...¤f4 26.¦f1 ¢g6 but White can bring the king to f1 to
27.¦xf4!? (27.¦fh1 is simpler.) 27...¢xh7 liberate one rook.
28.¦xf7+ ¢g6 29.¦e7 ¦e3 30.¦xe6+
¦xe6 31.¤xe6 and this should be a draw, 28...b5 29.¢b3 ¦fg4 30.¦f2 ¦8g7
but it’s a long game ahead. 31.¦xg7 ¦xg7 32.a4 White must be quick
with his counterplay.
24.¦xe5 24.¤f5+ is an attempt to keep
the knights on the board. 24...¢f6 25.¤d6 32...f5 33.axb5 axb5 34.¦a2? The losing
threatening ¤xf7 followed by ¦f1. 25...¦f8 mistake. It doesn’t seem like it, but the
26.¦e2 ¢g6 27.¦h3 ¦d4 28.¤e4 ¦fd8 position is more dangerous for White than
29.b3 ¤g4 when the game is more complex it appears at first sight. In fact, White had
where White is on the defensive. only one (!) move to avoid defeat and it was
not an obvious one.
24...¦xd4 The endgame should be a draw,
but it is White who must exercise some 34.c4! is the only move. 34...¦g3+ 35.¦f3!
care. bxc4+ 36.¢xc4 ¦xg2 37.¦b3! and the
passed b-pawn secures enough counterplay
25.¦e2 25.¦e3 is another option, with the for a draw.
idea to activate the rook via the c3–square,
for example 25...¦ad8 26.b3 ¦f4 27.¦c3 34...¦g5? Carlsen wants to have his b5–
¦f2 28.g3 and Black cannot easily advance pawn protected once he plays ...f4, but this
his pawns while White’s rooks are active. misses the win.

25...¦ad8 26.c3 ¦f4 Preventing ¦f2, 34...¢d6! was the winning move. Perhaps
which would awkwardly attack the pawn he didn’t want to enter the race after 35.¦a5
on f7. ¢c6 36.¦a6+ ¢d5 37.¦b6 ¦xg2 38.¦xb5+
¢e4 but as the old saying goes "Black’s
27.¢c2 27.¦g7!? would have been a nice pawns run faster." 39.¦b8 f4 40.b5 f3 41.¦f8
prophylactic move, preventing Black from (41.b6 ¦g1!) 41...¦g5! 42.c4 ¦f5.
using the g-file like in the game.
35.¦a7+? White misses his chance, but it
27...¦g8 28.b4 wasn’t an easy one.

544 | BRITISH CHESS MAGAZINE

 September 2023

35.¦a5! f4 36.¢c2! the tough move, giving

up g2 with check, but activating the king. R Praggnanandhaa - Magnus Carlsen
After 36...¦xg2+ 37.¢d3 ¦g5 38.¢e4 ¦f5
39.¦a7+ ¢f6 40.¢f3 White should be able FIDE World Cup 2023 Baku AZE (8.3)
to draw because Black cannot coordinate his
pieces to get his pawns moving and keep 1.e4 e5 2.¤f3 ¤c6 3.¥c4 ¤f6 In
his opponent’s counterplay at the queenside important encounters Carlsen sticks to his
controlled, at the same time. World Championship preparation.

35...¢f6 36.¦a2 f4 Now White has nothing 4.d3 ¥c5 5.a4 One of the many ways for
to oppose the central advance. White to play the Giuoco Piano.

37.¦c2 ¦g3 Stopping c4. 5...d6 6.0–0 6.a5 has been played by
Carlsen himself. After 6...a6 7.c3 ¥a7
38.¢a2 ¢e5 White is passive and in rook 8.0–0 0–0 we have the usual Italian stuff.
endgame that equals death. 1–0 (50) Carlsen,M (2862)-Vidit,S (2726)
chess24.com INT 2020.
39.¢b2 ¢d5 40.¦d2+ ¢e4 41.¢b3 e5
42.¦e2+ ¢f5 43.¦d2 e4 44.¦d5+ ¢f6 6...a5 The alternative is to play ...a6.
45.¦xb5 e3 Black’s pawns are too far
advanced. 7.¥e3 One of the moves that the engine
likes. There are others, too, like 7.c3, 7.h3,
46.¦b6+ ¢f5 47.¦b5+ ¢e4 48.¦b8 e2 7.¦e1, 7.¤bd2 etc.
One of the black pawns will cost White a
rook and the second one will promote to 7...¥xe3 8.fxe3 0–0 9.¤bd2 ¤e7 Carlsen
a queen. plans ...¤g6 or a central expansion,
preparing ...c6 and ...d5.
0–1
9...¥e6 was Giri’s choice. After 10.h3
¥xc4 11.¤xc4 £e7 12.¦f2 b6 13.¤fd2
In the semi-final against Abasov, Carlsen ¤b8! 14.¤b1 ¤bd7 he strengthened
committed another blunder. You can see the knight on f6 and drew in: ½–½ (21)
the excerpt from that game above. Just like Aronian,L (2735)-Giri,A (2764) Wijk aan
in the match with Keymer, his opponent Zee NED 2023.
didn’t notice it.
10.¤h4 The idea behind this move is to
I have the impression that these blunders dissuade Black from ...¤g6, but here Black
have become a tad more present in can go for it.
Carlsen’s games than before. For the time
being, he has avoided being punished, but 10...c6 Carlsen decides to expand in the
that won’t last for long if he continues to centre.
afford these opportunities to his opponents.
10...¤g6 was still possible, for example
The final was marred by Carlsen’s food 11.¤f5 (11.¤xg6 hxg6 12.£f3 £e7 with
poisoning, which led him to seek a quick ...¥e6 to come, with equality.) 11...c6
draw in the second game when he had 12.¥b3 d5 13.£f3 ¥e6 14.¦f2 with
the white pieces. In the tie-break he won unclear play, but White can claim he has
a technical game against the teenager with an annoying knight on f5 and play on
the black pieces before easily drawing with the f-file.
White in the second game, thus winning the
match and the tournament. 11.£e1 Intending £g3.

BRITISH CHESS MAGAZINE | 545

09/143

11...d5 12.¥b3 £d6 Lending the knight 15...¥xf5 16.exf5 ¢g7 Black is fine now.
on f6 extra protection, but allowing White
some initiative on the kingside. 17.¢h1?!

12...¥e6 13.£g3 ¤d7 is a more compact

XIIIIIIIIY
way to deal with White’s play. 14.¦f2 £b6 9r+-+-tr-+0
15.¦af1 ¢h8 with a tense position for both 9+p+-snpmkp0
sides.
9-+pwq-+p+0
13.£g3 ¤h5 14.£g5 g6?! 14...¤f6 is 9zp-+pzpPwQn0
better, though it’s understandable why 9P+-+-+-+0
Carlsen was reluctant to waste a move like
this. The retreat, however, creates the threat 9+L+PzP-+-0
of ...¤g4. 15.h3 h6 16.£g3 ¤h5 17.£h2 9-zPPsN-+PzP0
¤f6 with a position where Black isn’t
worse. 9tR-+-+R+K0
xiiiiiiiiy
15.¤f5? A vague move that only helps Black.
XIIIIIIIIY 17.¦ae1 is better. It’s a "mysterious rook
9r+l+-trk+0 move" whose idea is seen deep into one
9+p+-snp+p0 line. 17...£f6 (17...¦ae8 is safer, but also
more complex.) 18.£g4 ¤xf5 19.e4 ¤h6
9-+pwq-+p+0 20.£d7 £d8 21.£xd8 ¦axd8 22.exd5 cxd5
9zp-+pzpNwQn0 23.¦xe5 here we see the deep idea behind
9P+-+P+-+0 putting the rook on e1 on move 17. 23...¤f6
24.c3 ¤f5 with a fairly balanced endgame.
9+L+PzP-+-0
9-zPPsN-+PzP0 17...£f6! 18.£xf6+ ¤xf6 19.fxg6 hxg6 The
endgame is more pleasant for Black, who
9tR-+-+RmK-0 has a better structure and central control.
xiiiiiiiiy
A mistake in evaluation. After the 20.e4 dxe4 With this exchange Black
exchanges Black has no problems. isolates the e4–pawn and then quickly
attacks it.
15.¤hf3! was better. The threat is to take
on e5, so Black must play 15...f6 but after 21.dxe4 ¦ad8 22.¦f2 ¦d4 This was
16.£h4 Black’s position is a bit loose, Carlsen’s idea on move 20.
being susceptible to opening of the centre.
16...¤g7 17.¦ae1 the last preparation before 23.¦af1 White’s counterplay is on the
d4. (17.¤g5!? ¤h5! forces the knight back; f-file.
17.d4!? this is immediately possible. 17...
exd4 18.e5!? £b4 19.e4 leads to very sharp 23...¤eg8 Carlsen keeps the tension in
play where Black must be careful. 19...fxe5 the position.
20.¤g5 ¦xf1+ 21.¦xf1 ¤h5 22.£f2 ¤f4
23.¤df3 with a messy play.) 17...¤e6 18.d4 23...¤xe4 leads to simplifications. 24.¤xe4
exd4 19.exd5 cxd5 (19...¤xd5? 20.e4 ¤dc7 ¦xe4 25.¦xf7+ ¦xf7 26.¦xf7+ ¢h6
21.e5! shows the dangers Black is facing.) 27.¢g1 is easy for White.
20.e4 ¢g7 21.exd5 ¤xd5 22.¤xd4 with
strong initiative for White, who is better 24.c3 ¦d7 The first attempt at activity was
developed and has a safer king. fended off, so Carlsen retreats and regroups.

546 | BRITISH CHESS MAGAZINE

 September 2023

25.¦e2 ¦e7 Freeing the d7–square for the 33.¤e3 ¦f6 34.¦fg1 the threat is ¤f5
knight. and when the king comes to the h-file,
¦h3. This is why the rook retreated to g3.
26.¥c2?! Somewhat passive and time-wasting. 34...¤h6 35.¤c4 intending ¦d1, attacking
the knight that defends the pawn on e5.
The immediate 26.¤c4 was preferable. 35...b5 36.axb5 cxb5 37.¤e3 a4 38.¤d5
26...¦a8 (26...b5 27.axb5 cxb5 28.¤xa5 ¦d6 with a dynamically balanced endgame.
¦c7 doesn’t really bring much. After
29.¥c2 the knight can drop back to b3.) 32...¦e6 33.¦d2 It was still possible to
27.¤b6 is the difference with the game, the play on the kingside with 33.¤e3 ¦f6
knight is still on f8 and not on d7, thus not 34.¦fg1 ¤f8 (34...¤c5 35.¤f5+ ¢h7
controlling the b6–square. 27...¦a6 28.¤c8 36.¤e7 ¤h8 37.¦g4 is another unclear
¦c7 (28...¦d7? 29.¥c4 ¦a8 30.¤b6 wins position.) 35.¤f5+ ¢h7 with a rook on g2
for White.) 29.¤d6 ¦d7 30.¤c4 and the there is no check on the h-file. 36.¦g3!?
knight’s pirouette made Black’s position an interesting sacrifice. 36...gxf5 37.¦g7+
less harmonious and coordinated. ¢h6 38.exf5 ¦e8 39.¦7g3 ¢h7 40.¦g7+
¢h6 41.¦7g3 with a repetition.
26...¤d7 Carlsen is cautious with his pawns.
33...¦f6 34.¦xf6 34.¦fd1?! the rooks are
26...b5 is an alternative, stopping ¤c4. ineffective on the d-file, as there is no entry
27.¦a1 ¦a8 28.¤b3 (28.¢g1 ¦b7 29.¤f3 point, for example 34...¤c5 35.¤b6 ¦h8
¤d7 30.g4!? with the idea of g5 leads to an though the position is still equal;
interesting endgame with mutual chances.)
28...¦ea7 29.¦d2 with a complex endgame. If White wanted to exchange rooks, he
could have brought the king closer to the
27.¤c4 ¦a8 28.g4?! But Praggnanadhaa centre with 34.¢g1 ¦xf1+ 35.¢xf1 ¤f6
isn’t. White could still improve the position 36.¤b6 ¦h8 (36...¦a6 37.¤d7 ¤xd7
of his pieces before committing like this. 38.¦xd7 ¦b6 39.¥d3! with the idea of
¥c4 and suddenly White wins! 39...¢f8
28.¦ef2 ¤gf6 29.¤d6 b6 (29...¦e6 40.b4 axb4 41.a5 traps the rook.) 37.¤c4
30.¦d2) 30.h3 and White’s activity doesn’t forcing a repetition as the rook must go
allow Black to untangle; 28.¤d6 ¤c5 back to a8 to defend the a5–pawn.
29.¦ef2 ¦f8 30.b3 is another way to play.
34...¤xf6 35.b4 35.¤b6 ¦a6 (35...¦h8
28...f6 Carlsen doesn’t allow g5, but it was 36.¤c4 ¦a8 is a repetition.) 36.¤d7 ¤xd7
possible to do so. 37.¦xd7 ¦b6 38.¥d3!? (38.b3 is also fine,
the rook is awkward on b6 while 38...c5
28...¤gf6!? 29.¤d6 (29.g5 ¤h5 exposes weakens the d5–square. 39.¦d5 c4 40.bxc4
the f4–square.) 29...¤xg4 30.¤xb7 ¤b6 ¦b2 41.¥d1 Black has compensation here,
31.¤c5 ¦aa7 is sharper than the game, with but only for equality.) 38...¦xb2 39.¥c4
both sides having damaged pawn structures. ¦f2 with the king on h1 this square is
available, something that wasn’t the case
29.¦g2 ¤h6 30.g5 Before Black could stop in the analogous line after 34.g1. 40.¦xb7
this move with ...¤f7, when the weakening ¢f8 with approximate equality, as both
of the kingside would make less sense. sides have a lot of weaknesses.

30...fxg5 31.¦xg5 ¤f7 32.¦g2 Played with 35...axb4 36.cxb4 ¢f8 Black centralises
the idea of swinging the rook to the d-file. the king.

32.¦g3 is an alternative, with the idea 37.¢g2 37.¤b6 ¦e8 38.¤d7+ ¤xd7
of using the rooks on the g-file. 32...¦e6 39.¦xd7 ¦e7 40.¦d2 should again be a

BRITISH CHESS MAGAZINE | 547

09/143

draw. (40.¦xe7 ¢xe7 41.¢g2 is another play White couldn’t adjust to the sudden
draw, the king will defend the pawn on e4 (in the last few moves) change of scenery.
and then the bishop can be activated.) His attempt at dynamic counterplay comes
3 moves too late.
37...¢e7 38.a5 ¦h8 White missed several
options to make a draw easily and now has to 42.¥d1! was the only move, an unobvious
deal with the impending activation of Black’s one at that. The idea is to meet 42...¦c3
pieces on the kingside. The position is still a with 43.¦c2.
draw, but he needs to be more careful.
42...bxa6 43.¥a4 ¦c3 43...¤g5! was even
39.¦e2?! The first small step in the wrong stronger. 44.¦c2 ¤f3+ 45.¢h1 ¢f6 and
direction. White doesn’t think he should do the pawn on c6 is taboo in view of ...¤d4.
anything urgent and stay put, but what’s
clear is that it is Black who has easier play 44.¤a5? This is too much. Even visually
and can build up his play on the kingside. it’s clear that White cannot possibly survive
with his pieces offisde on the a-file.
39.¥d3 ¦h4 40.¦b2! with the idea of b5
is the engine’s suggestion. It’s a difficult 44.¦c2 was more resilient. 44...¦f3
line to choose as in order to do so White 45.¥xc6 ¤g5 should still be winning for
must feel the urgency to switch from Black. Now White must stop ...¤h3 by
normal to dynamic play in search of 46.¥d7! but after 46...¦b3 47.¥c8 ¦b1+
counterplay. 40...¤xe4 (40...¦g4+ 41.¢f1 48.¢f2 ¤xe4+ 49.¢f3 ¤g5+ 50.¢f2
¦f4+ 42.¢g2 changes little.) 41.b5 cxb5 ¦h1 Black should eventually win, though
42.¦xb5 the double attack on e5 and b7 White can play on, unlike in the game.
ensures that White regains the pawn.
44...¤g5 45.¦c2 ¤gh3+ 46.¢f1 ¦a3
39...¤h5 40.¢g1 ¤f4 41.¦d2 ¦h3 Black Threatening mate on a1 and the bishop
made obvious progress and all of a sudden on a4.
White has only move to stay in the game.
47.¤xc6+ ¢f6
42.a6? But he doesn’t find it and it’s not
surprising. After a whole game of normal 0–1

Who won and who lost

rating points in Baku The Women’s
A final note on the democratic nature of
the World Cup. One look at the classical
World Cup
rating changes of the top players, we The women’s cup also had its fair share
see that only Carlsen, Caruana (both 3.8 of surprises.
points) and Gukesh (7.4 points) won rating.
In round two, one of the tournament favourites,
Everybody else lost, starting with Kateryna Lagno, was eliminated by Mary-
Nakamura (7 points), Nepomniachtchi Ann Gomes of India in tie-breaks. The former
(8.2), Giri, (9.4), So (15.8), Mamedyarov Iranian, now Spanish, player, Sarasadat
(13) etc. Khademalsharieh was also eliminated in
round two, losing 1.5-0.5 to Aulia Medina
The conclusion is that more players should Warda from Indonesia. Teodora Injac from
be given a chance and then the elite may Serbia managed to eliminate former World
not look as untouchable as it appears when Champion Alexandra Kosteniuk by winning
seeing it play their round robins. both games in the tie-break.

548 | BRITISH CHESS MAGAZINE

 September 2023

Winner, Aleksandra Goryachkina

Worth noting is Elisabeth Paehtz’s Salimova took the lead again by winning in
result, who eliminated reigning World a miniature.
Champion Ju Wenjun in the tie-breaks
in round four. Nurgyul Salimova – Anna Muzychuk
FIDE World Cup Women 2023 Baku AZE (6.5)
That same round saw the curious pairing
of Mariya vs Anna Muzychuk. The sisters 1.d4 d5 2.c4 dxc4 This is not Muzychuk’s
always make draws, but this time one normal choice against 1.d4, but she used
of them had to win. After two draws in the QGA twice against Salimova.
classical, Anna was more successful in the
rapid, winning it 1.5-0.5. 3.¤f3 ¤f6 4.e3 e6 5.¥xc4 c5 6.0–0
a6 7.¦e1 Their classical encounter saw
The women’s tournament had the typical Geller’s idea 7.e4!? b5 8.¥e2 ¤xe4 9.a4
Hollywood scenario of the heavy favourite b4 10.¤bd2 ¥b7 11.¤xe4 ¥xe4 12.¥e3
(Goryachkina) battling the unexpected with compensation for the pawn: ½–½ (41)
underdog. Even though Nurgyul Salimova Salimova,N (2409)-Muzychuk,A (2504)
isn’t really a newcomer, being an IM with a Baku AZE 2023.
rating 2403, she was definitely not a player
many expected to see in the final. 7...¤c6 Other options are 7...¥e7 and 7...b5.

For Salimova the most important match 8.¤c3 b5 In his triumphant Berlin Grand
was the semi-final against Anna Muzychuk, Prix Nakamura played 8...¥e7 9.dxc5
as victory in that match secured her £xd1 10.¦xd1 ¥xc5 and held the
participation in the Women Candidates. endgame without much trouble. ½– ½ (31)
That match was full of drama. Grischuk,A (2764)-Nakamura,H (2736)
Berlin 2022.
After two draws in classical Salimova
took the lead by winning the first rapid 9.¥d3 ¥b7 10.a4 b4 11.¤e4 cxd4
game with Black. Muzychuk struck back Deviating from the main stream theory,
by doing the same. Then in the next game which is 11...¤a5.

BRITISH CHESS MAGAZINE | 549

09/143

12.¤xf6+ gxf6 13.exd4 ¤a5?! 19.¥xa6 ¦c5 20.¥b5+ ¢d8 20...¢e7

XIIIIIIIIY 21.¥e3 wins material as if the rook escapes
9r+-wqkvl-tr0 ¦xd5 comes.
9+l+-+p+p0 21.¥e3 ¦c7 22.¦xd5 exd5 23.¥b6 With
9p+-+pzp-+0 the pretty threat of £e8, mating.
9sn-+-+-+-0 1–0
9Pzp-zP-+-+0
9+-+L+N+-0
After this Muzychuk couldn’t come back
9-zP-+-zPPzP0 and Salimova was in the final.
9tR-vLQtR-mK-0
xiiiiiiiiy Credit must go to Muzychuk, who managed
It appears that Muzychuk mixed up her to win the match for third place by beating
lines while trying to remember how Tan Zhongyi 1.5-0.5 and securing her place
Black should play. This move is 2 moves in the Candidates.
too late.
The final was another story of “you don’t
13...¤e7! is better, keeping an eye on score, you concede.” It was Salimova
the d5–square. Black must still finish who had advantages and winning
development, so she’d better not allow the positions in the first three games (two
opening of the game. 14.¥d2 £d6 15.a5 classical and the first rapid), failing
h5 with the idea of ...¥h6 leads to a very to capitalise on them. The position in
sharp middlegame. the first rapid game seemed so easily
winning, but it required some precise
14.¥f4 White develops normally and soon (if not very difficult) calculation, which
enough crashes through - Black’s king Salimova failed to do.
stuck in the centre makes it very difficult
for Black to defend. Nurgyul Salimova –
Aleksandra Goryachkina
14...¦c8?! Black had to try to exchange FIDE World Cup Women 2023 Baku AZE (7.3)
some pieces. XIIIIIIIIY
After 14...¥d6 15.¥xd6 (or 15.¥h6 ¥f8 9-+q+-tr-mk0
16.¥d2) 15...£xd6 16.¦c1 the problem 9zp-+-+-zpp0
of the safety of Black’s king makes her
position problematic long-term. 9-vlN+-zp-+0
9zPP+Q+p+-0
15.£e2 ¥d6 16.¥h6 ¤b3 16...¥f8 9-+-+-+-+0
17.¥xf8 ¢xf8 18.¥xa6 wins a pawn, but
this was probably the lesser evil for Black. 9+-+-+-+-0
9-+-+-zPPzP0
17.¦ad1 White is ready to blast open the
position. 9+-+-+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
17...£a5 18.d5! Crashing through. Salimova completely outplayed her
opponent in the London System and
18...¥xd5 18...£xd5 19.¥b5+ wins should be easily winning. Her passed
the queen. pawns on the queenside simply
march forward.

550 | BRITISH CHESS MAGAZINE

 September 2023

29.a5 ¥c7 30.¤xa7 £b8 31.¤c6 ¥xh2+ 39.g3 ¦e2 40.¢g1 £c5 41.£f1 ¦a2 the
32.¢h1 £f4 Black’s faint hope is to stir pawns are under control.) 39...£f4+
up counterplay against White’s king as 40.¢g1 £d2 41.b6 ¢g7 again the only
nothing can stop the pawns. move! 42.a8£ luring the rook away from
the e-file, but still insufficient. (42.b7 ¦e1+
33.£f3 This wins, too, but it allows Black 43.£xe1 £xe1+ 44.¢h2 £xf2 45.b8£
to hang on for a while. £h4+ with a perpetual check.) 42...¦xa8
43.b7 ¦e8 44.b8£ ¦e1+ 45.£xe1 £xe1+
33.¤d4! was the cleanest win. The knight 46.¢h2 £xf2 and with a single pawn left
comes back to f3 to guard the king and White cannot win this position.
Black doesn’t have a useful discovered
check after 33...£h6 34.¤xf5! £h5 38...£f4+ 39.¢g1 £c1+ 40.¢h2 £f4+
35.£f3. 41.¢g1 £c1+ 42.¢h2

33...£h4 34.£h3 £c4 ½–½

XIIIIIIIIY
After this incredible save, Goryachkina got
9-+-+-tr-mk0 a small advantage in the next game, which
9+-+-+-zpp0 in spite of being a draw, managed to nurture
9-+N+-zp-+0 to a win. The draw was perhaps elementary
in the following position, but after a month-
9zPP+-+p+-0 long slugfest, we can excuse the players for
9-+q+-+-+0 missing these things.
9+-+-+-+Q0 Aleksandra Goryachkina -
9-+-+-zPPvl0 Nurgyul Salimova
9+-+-+R+K0 FIDE World Cup Women 2023 Baku AZE (7.4)
xiiiiiiiiy XIIIIIIIIY
35.¢xh2? A move based too much on
general principles, in this case that the 9-+-+-+-+0
pawns should promote, and too little on 9+-+-+-+-0
calculation. It turns out that Black has
sufficient counterplay with her active queen.
9-+-+-+-+0
9+-+-+-+-0
35.¦b1 was simple and strong. The 9-+lzpk+p+0
bishop must retreat and then White will
consolidate. 35...¥c7 (35...£c2 36.£b3 9+-+-+-zP-0
£xf2 37.¢xh2 is hopeless for Black.) 9-+NmKPzP-+0
36.¢g1 with the idea of £b3 and then the
pawns can march forward.
9+-+-+-+-0
xiiiiiiiiy
35...£xf1 36.£xf5 £c4 White cannot win Salimova defended well and here she could
anymore. force a draw by reducing the material even
more.
37.a6 g6 38.£d7 Allowing a perpetual
check. 68...¥a6?! But she missed the simple
tactic. Now White obtains two connected
38.£b1 was the only move to play on. passed pawns and can continue to play for
Black should draw by playing only moves, a win, in spite of the objective evaluation
starting with 38...¦e8 39.a7 (In case of being a draw.

BRITISH CHESS MAGAZINE | 551

09/143

89...¥d3 90.¤e4 ¥e2; 89...¥d7 90.¢g5

A surprise in the finals:
d3 91.f4 ¢d4.
Nurgyul Salimova
90.¢f5 Now White wins by simply pushing
her pawns.

90...¥d3+ 91.¢f6 ¥c2 92.g5 ¥d3 93.g6

¢c6 94.g7 ¥h7 95.¢f7 ¢d5 96.f4 d3
97.¢e7 Preparing f5.

The immediate 97.f5?? would be very

unfortunate in view of 97...¥xf5!
98.g8£ ¥e6+.

97...¢d4 98.f5 ¢e3 99.¤c4+ ¢d4

100.¤b2 d2 100...¢c3 101.¤xd3 is
68...¥xe2! 69.¤xd4 (69.¢xe2?? d3+ the simplest.
70.¢d2 dxc2 71.¢xc2 ¢f3 even wins for
Black.) 69...¥c4 and White cannot possibly 101.f6 ¢c3 102.¤d1+ ¢c2 103.¤f2
win this position. d1£ 104.¤xd1 ¢xd1 105.f7

69.¤e1 ¥b5 70.f3+ gxf3 71.exf3+ ¢d5 1–0

72.¤d3 White can certainly make progress
here by trying to activate her king and
advance her pawns. The position remains a It was a stellar run for Salimova, who,
draw until move 89. like Abasov, will certainly use the time
until the Candidates to further raise
72...¥c4 73.¤f2 ¢e5 74.¤d3+ ¢d5 her level. Goryachkina, on the other
75.¤e1 ¢e5 76.¤c2 ¥d5 77.¤e1 ¢f5 hand, is a well-established force in
78.¢e2 ¥c4+ 79.¢f2 ¢e5 80.¤g2 ¥b5 women’s chess and confirmed her status
81.¤f4 ¥c4 82.¤h3 ¥b5 83.¤g5 ¥c4 as a favourite, one she will carry to the
84.¤e4 ¥d3 85.¤d2 ¥b5 86.¢g2 ¢d5 Candidates as well. As for Muzychuk, if
87.g4 ¥d3 88.¢g3 ¥b5 89.¢f4 ¥e2? The she manages to add a bit more stability to
decisive mistake as it allows ¢f5. Black had her play, don’t forget that her peak rating
to stop this move. She had two moves to do was 2606, she will also have excellent
so, moving the bishop to d3 or d7. chances of winning the Candidates.

FIDE WORLD CUP 2023 BAKU AZE FIDE WORLD CUP WOMEN 2023 BAKU
SUN 30TH JUL 2023 - THU 24TH AUG SUN 30TH JUL 2023 - THU 24TH AUG
Rk. Namr Pts Rk. Namr Pts
1 Carlsen, Magnus 2.5 1 Goryachkina, Aleksandra 2.5
2 Praggnanandhaa, R 1.5 2 Salimova, Nurgyul 1.5
3rd - 4th 3rd - 4th
3 Caruana, Fabiano 3 3 Muzychuk, Anna 1.5
4 Abasov, Nijat 1 4 Tan, Zhongyi 0.5

552 | BRITISH CHESS MAGAZINE

BCM EXCLUSIVE Interview: Henrik Carlsen (Part Two) September 2023

MAGNUS CARLSEN’S
ROAD TO STARDOM:
THE WEIGHT OF THE
CROWN AND THE
PRICE OF FAME
By Milan Dinic; Photo: Henrik Carlen, BCM
In the second part of this interview, Henrik Carlsen shares his memories of
Magnus’ path to the chess Acropolis, the circumstances in Chennai and the
first World Championship match victory, but also talks about the doubts and
struggles the chess crown brings
This is part two of our three-part interview I remember him mentioning to me ‘this
with Henrik Carlsen (61) the father and incredible kid from Norway who is going
manager of Magnus Carlsen, the former to be a world champion one day’ (one of
World Champion in classical chess and the the rare predictions my father made which
reigning World Champion in Rapid and turned out to be correct!). Magnus was
Blitz and now – the winner of the World playing in the under-14 category and ended
Cup in Baku (the only big chess title up with 7.5/9.
Carlsen was missing!).
The tournament in Budva took place at the
The road to stardom end of September, a month after Magnus
was awarded the title of International
In the early 2000s, Magnus Carlsen started Master. This was one of the first tournaments
making ripples in the chess world and Magnus played in that seminal period of his
even the non-chess media picked up on the life when his parents took the entire family
‘wunderkind’ from Norway. for trips across the world.

The first time I heard more about him was at the

2003 European Youth Chess Championship in
Budva, Montenegro (at the time, Yugoslavia). I
“The first real idea of Magnus
was also playing in that tournament in Budva, being world champion came
but in a different age group. While my days
mostly consisted of getting beaten by peers when he was nine and a
from across Europe, my father – a journalist
and a chess fan – was having fun reconnecting
half, and played some of the
with his chess friends and enjoying the games. juniors in Norway”
BRITISH CHESS MAGAZINE | 553
09/143

I asked Henrik when was the first time

he thought his son could become a
world champion.

He first puts a caveat - ‘I did not want to

have specific expectations on his behalf’ –
and then responds: ‘The first real idea of
him being world champion came when
he was nine and a half, and played some
of the juniors in Norway. Despite being
a much weaker player than someone like
Kasparov at the same age, he was making
rapid progress. When he was nine and a
half, he achieved a draw against the best
Norwegian junior at the time and I thought:
this could lead somewhere if he continues
to be interested in chess.’

Conversations between parents and children

on any topic are often uneasy, but how does
one even approach their child to talk about
them becoming – a world champion?
Magnus Carlsen and
‘We never did that’, Henrik quickly Vasily Smyslov
responds. Jokes are usually the best way
to ease the pressure and relax things, and event, he defeated Ivanchuk both times –
that’s how the Carlsens approached it. a stunning achievement for someone who
was not that known or respected at the top
‘We talked about some incremental steps at that time.
because he had some ideas about becoming
International Master and Grandmaster. He ‘In Linares in 2007 he felt that he could
even had an ICC account [the Internet Chess compete with these big guys at some point
Club, the first online chess server, founded and his first small attempt was in 2008’,
in 1995 – note, BCM] ‘IMtobesoon’ and notes Henrik.
then a ‘GMtobesoon’. The whole family
was into making jokes about this, and that In 2008 Magnus took part in the FIDE
helped ease the pressure of the seriousness’. Grand Prix six-tournament series, a qualifier
for the World Chess Championship 2012.
But then there was a moment of He finished in tied third place in the first
breakthrough in 2007. In the Corus tournament in the series, held in Baku.
tournament, he had nine draws and four However, he later decided to withdraw
losses, scoring only 4.5/13. Then, in the from the Grand Prix cycle, criticising the
round-robin tournament in Linares, his FIDE leadership of the time for "changing
creativity and strength just sprang from the rules dramatically in the middle of a
him: in a field featuring chess legends World Championship cycle".
such as Viswanathan Anand, Levon
Aronian, Peter Leko, Vasyl Ivanchuk, This was the first big moment when Carlsen
Veselin Topalov, Peter Svidler and showed he has strong principles and is not
Alexander Morozevich, Magnus finished afraid to speak out for them: a trait which is
second. With 7.5/14, he was just behind admirable but could also be double-edged.
Anand (who beat him both times). In that ‘He got irritated’, Henrik remembers. ‘He

554 | BRITISH CHESS MAGAZINE

 September 2023

Magnus Carlsen in Budva in 2003

was and is a principled young man and it place in their country and with their number
did not make sense to him to change the one asset, Vishy Anand, they were destined
cycle rules – during the cycle. What made to keep the chess crown at home. During
us a bit annoyed was that Makropoulos my visit to India in April this year I had a
[the then FIDE Vice President, note BCM] conversation with one chess arbiter whose
tried to defend this as a ‘good deal’ for the name is Anand (‘my father was obsessed
players, but that made no sense to us’. with chess and Vishy and he named me
after him’, he told me), who explained
Magnus dropped off in 2008 and he didn’t how the 2013 match hit them hard. While
try to become World Champion in 2011. His I cannot quote the exact sentence, he said
strong performance and convincing results, something along the lines: ‘Nobody could
however, were pointing in the direction of believe it. Magnus was a kid – talented,
the world championship. strong, big, but still, a kid. And Vishy was
and is – Vishy! And we were playing in
Three weeks in Chennai India’. ‘How could this be, sir!’, he said,
quite emotionally.
In 2013 Magnus Carlsen made history. In
the match for the title of World Champion,
he not only defeated the great Viswanathan
Anand but did it on Anand’s home turf. The
On the 2013 Match in
match took place in Chennai, the capital of Chennai against Anand: ‘We
India’s most southern state, where Anand
comes from. understood that Magnus
The outcome was a shock for the Indians.
was very nervous. That was
They thought that, with the match taking something a little bit unusual’
BRITISH CHESS MAGAZINE | 555
09/143

Here’s Henrik’s take on the moment his thought his son had enough strength to
son became World Champion. withstand the pressure of the match.

‘Thinking about those three weeks he ‘But to play a world championship match
spent in Chennai, the fact that he won and is something special. It’s something you
the moment he won are not of particular haven’t done before and you can’t really
importance really because it was such a prepare for that.’
unique experience overall’, he explains.
‘Magnus’ nervousness eased when he
‘Playing your first championship match realised that he had “survived” the first
in such a different cultural setting from three rounds against Anand. He said, “OK,
that which you’re used to. A lot of media he didn’t punish me“, and he leaned back
interest, different sounds and smells. during the games that followed. You could
It was so exotic and overwhelming and see from the body language that he was
amazing! In a way it was larger than life, saying “I can handle this”.’
the whole experience’.
This attitude was partly helped by the
But the match wasn’t a smooth sail for fact that Magnus was fortunate not to
Magnus who was in a lot of trouble in the lose any of the first games despite being
first few games against Anand and wasn’t under pressure.
feeling very comfortable.
‘That changed the dynamics. The last
‘We understood that Magnus was very one and a half weeks of the match
nervous. That was something a little bit were just a fantastic experience. There
unusual’, remembers Henrik. was such confidence in the team in
Chennai because you could feel Magnus
‘While a lot of chess players have nerves was comfortable’.
to some extent, he had seemed unusually
good at focusing on the game itself and Carlen would go on to defend his crown
not on the consequences, the result of the four more times before deciding to abdicate
game. He could normally shield himself from the chess throne.
from consequences.’

Henrik attributes his son’s stability in

The weight of the crown
character to coming from ‘a middle-class In July 2022 Magnus Carlsen announced
background in arguably the best country that he would not be defending his title of
in the world in terms of social security World Champion, citing lack of motivation
and having a homogenous society’. and fatigue. His announcement, however,
Describing Magnus as a ‘balanced young didn’t really come as a huge surprise and
man without too many expectations some welcomed the end to what was turning
leaning on him from the outside’, Henrik into a soap opera of intrigue and speculation
When Magnus decided he in chess. At the time it was already widely
speculated that the Norwegian was unlikely
wanted to become World to play a match. Furthermore, it wasn’t the
first time Carlsen’s routineness to defend
Champion in 2012 it was the crown had come to the fore.
not something that he When he made the announcement
thought he would continue Carlsen was 31. By that point, he had
won five consecutive matches for the
to do for a long time chess crown and achieved the highest

556 | BRITISH CHESS MAGAZINE

 September 2023

Magnus Carlsen VS Anatoly Karpov

World Blitz Championship, 2007

rating in history to date (2882), had a According to his father, when Magnus
comfortable score against all of his decided he wanted to become World
contemporaries and won every possible Champion in 2012 it was not something
prestigious chess tournament (albeit the that he thought he would continue to do for
World Cup, which he will try to win now a long time.
in Baku in August!).
‘It was something he wanted to try to
I asked Henrik Carlsen,’ When did being a become and accomplish. Immediately
world champion start becoming a problem after that, it became a bit of a burden. He
for Magnus?’ understood intuitively that, if you win,
you have to win again and again. And the
‘Immediately, I would think’, he responded match is a difficult thing – you invest all
quickly. I was a bit surprised by the answer. this effort, anguish and nerves and, if you
lose, you haven’t achieved anything, it’s
‘First, when he was told after defeating for nothing’.
Anand that he would have to defend
his title one year later. I think he didn’t I have heard several strong players,
decide to play that match at all until early including two ex-participants in
September 2014. When he told me in St world championship matches, saying
Louis (during the Sinquefield Cup, where something along these lines. In chess, as
he finished second, behind Fabiano a competitive sport, you measure your
Caruana – note BCM) that he had made achievements in terms of results. And if
his mind up, I thought he had decided not you lose a match one way or the other
to defend his title. My impression was it doesn’t make much difference to the
that he was leaning that way. We signed a results. Yes, the process is important
contract a week later and he played’. and as a human being you must put in

BRITISH CHESS MAGAZINE | 557

09/143

an effort and learn from the experience,

but again if you lose – you have lost. It’s
therefore a mentally hard thing to play
again and again.

‘In that sense, playing Caruana was a bit

simpler’, explains Henrik.

In 2014 he was again up against Anand.

This time it was a significantly more
confident Magnus, and it was clear that
Vishy was the one struggling to make
a confident impression. After beating
Anand in the second game, the Indian
struck back in the third. Magnus again
scored in games six and the eleventh – a
crucial game – without losing any others,
and thus secured his tile.

In 2016 Carlsen faced Sergey Karjakin

in New York. Following seven
consecutive draws, Karjakin broke
the seal in game eight by winning. It
seemed that in this match Carlsen was
closest to breaking, but he fought back
and won in game ten and held a draw
in the final two games. In the rapid –
where Carlsen is almost universally
unmatched – he won two and drew two
games, to secure the title. Henrik Carlsen with daugther Ingrid
at the Qatar Masters Open 2015
Then came the London match of 2018 when Photo: David Llada
Carlsen was up against Caruana. All games
in the classical part of the match ended in
a draw – a brief reminder of the Karpov-
Kasparov matches. Then, in the Rapid,
Carlen outshone his opponent.
The price of fame
When Magnus Carlsen plays in a world
In his final World Championship match championship match or an important
(so far?), in 2021 in Dubai, Carlsen event, the Norwegian national broadcaster
confidently defeated Ian Nepomniachtchi has a special live programme dedicated
by 7.5:3.5. to it. Millions across the country tune in
to watch his match. Carlsen is also the
This is how his father assessed the only chess person to be depicted in the
matches: ‘Magnus felt that Caruana was Simpsons. Whenever he appears at a chess
his equal, so it was a match to see who event, he is mobbed by the crowds asking
could win. While in the other matches, for autographs.
he felt, at least in matches two, three
and five “I have to win, I’m supposed Not many people can handle fame.
to win, I’m a better player.” And that’s Especially those who are young. The music
hard mentally’. world is full of them – “Club 27” (ie, those

558 | BRITISH CHESS MAGAZINE

 September 2023

‘People are generally

respectful. They approach
Magnus on the street quite a
lot. Sometimes he needs to
do a bit more planning than
most people, to avoid too
many interruptions’
approach Magnus on the street quite a
lot. Sometimes he needs to do a bit more
planning than most people, to avoid too
many interruptions’, Henrik explains.

‘There is also a mental cost to this’, he

notes: ‘If people go out in a group, they are
with friends. If they are on their own, they
might be listening to music or something
or they might be in their thoughts. So, if
you go on your own and are interrupted too
much, it’s just painful. So, Magnus wants
to avoid too much interruption if he can.’

‘We have seen so much passion and

support and appreciation for what Magnus
who died at the age of 27) includes the has been doing. We have had more than
likes of Brian Jones, Jim Morrison, Amy half of the population tune in to the world
Winehouse, Janis Joplin and Jimi Hendrix. championship matches on TV, so it’s
Carlsen was 27 when he defeated Caruana something that has captured the nation.
to defend his crown… People appreciate what he is doing and
they treat him and the family with a lot of
I asked Henrik if there were any moments appreciation.’
when Magnus struggled with this and how
he handles it. The conversation then moves on to the rest
of the family.
‘I think as children become adolescents
and then adults there are some intellectual ‘I don’t think the other kids or my wife
fights which happen during the process feel they are famous in that sense. One
of maturing. With the kids, you are not of our daughters has been commenting
always in agreement on everything. on chess on TV so she is probably more
Listening to what a lot of other people recognisable to the average Norwegian,
have experienced, we were very fortunate but I don’t think that has impacted her too
to have children who were reasonable and much in her daily life.’
nice’, Henrik explains.
In the third part of the interview to be
Living in Norway made things easier. published in the next issue of BCM:
‘People are generally respectful. They Magnus’ place in history and his future

BRITISH CHESS MAGAZINE | 559

09/143

HOW DO CHESS MASTERS EAT?

FEASTING WITH GRANDMASTERS
By Grandmaster Raymond Keene OBE

How do chess Grandmasters fuel their little Imperial College. Indeed, during the
grey cells to achieve maximum efficacy Howard Staunton Memorial Tournament,
during their often lengthy chessboard battles? which I organised with one of Britain’s
I have argued the case for a marine-based most distinguished artists, Barry Martin, at
diet, rich in brain foods, such as Omega-3 Simpson’s-in-the-Strand, Britain’s foremost
fatty acids, DHA (Docosahexaenoic grandmaster, Nigel Short MBE, was so
acid) and EPA (Eicosapentaenoic acid), convinced by Professor Crawford’s opening
as advocated by Professor Michael A. oration, that he adopted an entirely piscine
Crawford, Director of the Institute for Brain regime during the competition, which he
Chemistry and Human Nutrition at London’s then proceeded to win.

560 | BRITISH CHESS MAGAZINE

 September 2023

There are, though, alternatives. Garry the hosts always appointed a table captain,
Kasparov, for example, favoured the or Tamada, to deliver suitably elaborate
demolition of a large rare-cooked steak toasts, whereupon the guests were expected
about one hour before his games. Most other to drain their glasses, in expectation of a
elite grandmasters, not to mention we lesser top-up for the inevitable next toast.
mortals, might succumb to drowsiness after
a large meal, becoming inattentive during My Georgian friends explained that their
the opening phase of a game. Writing from curative antidote, after such record-breaking
bitter personal experience, I can assure volumes of food and accompanying
readers that even Grandmasters can go lubrication, was to struggle into the garden,
catastrophically astray during the initial dig a hole in the ground, lie over it, with
few moves, if the brain is not fully engaged. space for the belly in the hole, and cry out
a promise to God that this would be the
Kasparov’s secret antidote to the dangers last time for such super-over-indulgence…
of mental torpor in the opening moves of until the next time, that is.
a game was that he knew his openings so
well that he could navigate such dangerous After the third and final banquet, I departed
stretches on autopilot. Kasparov could then in the early hours with my friend, Icelandic
rely on the fact that the mental energy Grandmaster Guðmundur Sigurjónsson.
provided by the steak would kick into We scoured the streets for a cab in vain,
action in the early middle game, when he until I saw a car glide sedately into view,
needed it most. with a flashing green light and a seemingly
smartly dressed gentleman in a peaked
The former World Champion Magnus hat at the wheel. I promptly hailed the
Carlsen favours Lebanese and Chinese long-awaited cab, in spite of Sigurjónsson
cuisine, with a considerable trend nervously tugging at my arm and urging
towards vegetarian dishes, and in general me to desist.
the top modern players are quite ascetic
in their habits. The car pulled over, and, with my Icelandic
companion becoming ever more tense,
Back in the day, chess players used for reasons which I utterly failed to
to feast more extravagantly than their comprehend, I addressed the driver, stating
modern counterparts and, on the whole, in my vestigial Russian: “Gastinitsa Iveria
were more friendly towards strong spirits, pojalsta” or words to that effect, thus
gourmandising and reliance on nicotine. indicating that he should please drive us
to the Hotel Iveria, where we were staying.
For example, there was the Georgian method, On being informed that we were two chess
which raised conspicuous consumption grandmasters in need of a lift, the driver
to a whole new level of intensity. In politely saluted, ushered us into car and
1974 I competed in a Grandmaster level duly headed towards the Hotel Iveria. The
tournament in Tbilisi, capital of Soviet siren, which suddenly sounded, should have
Georgia. The rounds were punctuated given me the first clue, plus the fact that we
by three evening banquets, to which all were sitting in a cage, unusually located at
contestants were invited. A long central the back of the cab. As alert readers will
table was always laden with Georgian have by now deduced, I had hailed not a
delicacies, fuelled by heroic quantities taxi, but a police car!
of Soviet caviar, blinis and pelmeni, all
washed down with vintage champagne In foreign tournaments the only chess
and Russian brandy or vodka. To ensure banquets I have encountered to rival those
that sufficiently gargantuan measures of in Georgia were those served up in so-
alcohol were being consistently consumed, called government rest houses in Shanghai,

BRITISH CHESS MAGAZINE | 561

09/143

Guangzhou and Beijing. The most lavish expenditure) was the installation of the new
consisted of nineteen separate courses: fish Archbishop of York, the aristocratic George
carved into the shape of dragons, crispy Neville, brother to “Kingmaker” the Earl
duck, dried baby scorpions, and, instead of Warwick, in 1466. It included as main
of vodka, a distilled Chinese spirit called ingredients: 104 peacocks, 4,000 ducks,
Maotai (which seemed to the British 204 cranes, 400 herons, 1,000 sheep and
delegation to resemble a peculiarly potent 104 oxen.
brand of rocket fuel) – no wonder the
government needed a rest after such repasts. High-status food tended to be separately
served to high-status people, of course
England in the Middle Ages witnessed some (such as the items at the start of the above
spectacular feasts, with up to forty deer and list) and was often recorded as especially
a thousand chickens regularly sacrificed on impressive. As historian Richard Eales has
the twin altars of Dionysus and Hestia, but noted, it’s not too clear that the participants
such excess had little or nothing to do with did much afterwards – or if they did
chess, apart from the presence of bishops, play chess they would have been utterly
or perhaps Grandmasters of military oblivious to their results.
crusading orders. The most extravagant banquet ever held in
the UK in connection with chess was staged
Generalities apart, one of the most elaborate during the London 1883 tournament, which
medieval feasts for which there is specific saw Johannes Zukertort triumph, ahead
hard evidence (such as actual accounts of of such luminaries as Wilhelm Steinitz,

562 | BRITISH CHESS MAGAZINE

 September 2023

Mikhail Tchigorin and our own Joseph In spite of such culinary excursions
Henry Blackburne. Here is that lavish menu and adventures, there can be no doubt
from the book Games Played in the London that the dining establishment which has
International Chess Tournament, 1883 entertained by far the greatest number of
edited by James Innes Minchin. chess Grandmasters, whether in the UK or
worldwide, is that self-same Simpson’s-
Although the tournament was held in London, in-the-Strand (pictured above), where, as
the menu was doubtless deemed to increase we have seen, Nigel Short converted, if
in prestige if rendered in French. Here is my briefly, to a DHA-enriched diet of lobsters,
translation of the menu into English: oysters and Dover sole, in order to boost
his little grey cells for the chessboard
It is said, possibly apocryphally, that when combat to come. Simpson’s standard fare
the toast to the best chessplayer in the focuses traditionally on roast lamb and
world was pronounced, both Zukertort and beef, carved at the table from mobile
Steinitz leaped to their feet. silver trolleys.

BRITISH CHESS MAGAZINE | 563

09/143

During the 19th century Simpson’s was, in between Johannes Zukertort and Joseph
fact, the world’s greatest chess club, with Henry Blackburne, the absolute pinnacle of
coffee and cigars proving as popular as Zukertort’s chess creativity.
roast beef and lamb. A famous chess board
and pieces situated at the top of the main Errors arise in top games, both from
staircase still commemorate the exploits contemporary tournaments, with some of
on the 64 squares of such chessboard their weird openings possibly influenced
immortals as Howard Staunton, Adolph by the perverted, heretical abomination of
Anderssen, Paul Morphy and Emanuel Fischerrandom, and from the romantic and
Lasker. On my 50th birthday the genius classical eras. To my mind, with their driving
loci Brian Clivaz (now of L’Escargot in imperative to fight for the initiative, the
Soho, London) invited me to play a couple Romantic games of Anderssen, error-free
of games on this hallowed chessboard turf, though they are not, exhibit an epic quality
and generously inscribed my name on the which games such as Nakamura v Xiong.
plaque, along with the gods of the game.
As for the Immortal Game, controversy
Simpson’s was the location of the still persists as to whether Black played …
masterpiece known as The Immortal Game, Bxg1 first, or Qxa1+ first. In the heat of
won by Anderssen in 1851. So impressed pyro-sanguinary combat, I cannot believe
were both the loser and the onlookers that Black would have passed up the
that top-hatted runners were despatched opportunity to capture a rook with check
down the Strand to telegraph the moves before capturing the rook on g1.
to the Café de la Régence in Paris, the
then epicentre of Gallic chess activity, the In that case, and much analysis has been
original, sadly, no longer being extant. You lavished on this, Black’s final, fatal error
will find this game following. was to miss the possible salvation offered by
18…£xa1+ 19 ¢e2 and now not the greedily
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle can be added to the cooperative, if consistent 19…¥xg1 but the
illustrious list of patrons who frequented cold-blooded 19…£b2!! when Black might
Simpson’s, and he rewarded Sherlock have survived, and Anderssen’s magnificent,
Holmes with “something nutritious” there epic conception would have been consigned
after solving the cases of The Illustrious to the wastepaper basket of history, instead
Client and The Dying Detective. It is my of being lauded by such Illuminati as Steinitz
belief that Sir Arthur observed the chess and Lasker as one of the most magnificent
champion Wilhelm Steinitz in action at duels of the mind of the entire 19th century.
Simpson’s, borrowed his shaggy hair and
beard, huge domed forehead and short, but Adolf Anderssen - Lionel Kieseritzky
muscular stature, to describe the epitome of
the scientific adventurer, Professor George Casual game, Simpsons-in-the-Strand,
Challenger, from his novels The Lost World London, 1851
and The Poison Belt.
1.e4 e5 2.f4 exf4 3.¥c4 £h4+ 4.¢f1
I conclude with the brilliant tour de force b5?! Bryan’s Counter Gambit, and to
by the two combatants, referenced earlier, modern eyes a very dubious idea. For his
who contested what has become known as pawn, Black lures the white bishop from
‛The Immortal Game.’ Play it below, and its attacking post and creates an avenue of
enjoy the rich spice of chess at the high development for his own queen’s bishop on
table. And since all great meals require b7. In 1851, even masters regarded this as
a two-dessert finish, I also recommend sufficient compensation for a pawn.
the game by the winner of that world-
class tournament, held in London in 1883 5.¥xb5 ¤f6 6.¤f3 £h6

564 | BRITISH CHESS MAGAZINE

 September 2023

XIIIIIIIIY both rooks and the queen in order to

deliver checkmate.
9rsnl+kvl-tr0
9zp-zpp+pzpp0 17...£xb2 18.¥d6 Closing the noose
around the black king.
9-+-+-sn-wq0 18... £xa1+
9+L+-+-+-0 XIIIIIIIIY
9-+-+Pzp-+0 9rsnl+k+ntr0
9+-+-+N+-0 9zp-+p+pzpp0
9PzPPzP-+PzP0 9-+-vL-+-+0
9tRNvLQ+K+R0 9+pvlN+N+P0
xiiiiiiiiy 9-+-+P+P+0
7.d3 ¤h5 Black should have played 7...¥b7.
The transparent threat of ... ¤g3+ which the 9+-+P+Q+-0
text move introduces is parried simply. 9P+P+-+-+0
8.¤h4 £g5 9.¤f5 c6 10.g4 ¤f6 Better 9wq-+-+KtR-0
would have been 10...cxb5 11. gxh5 but xiiiiiiiiy
Black evidently expected to win White’s g4 Black wins his first rook.
pawn after the hoped for continuation 11.
¥c4 £xg4. Instead of cooperating in this 19.¢e2 ¥xg1 Black does not believe
fashion, Anderssen gives up his bishop, the White’s attack and captures the second
first of many sacrifices in this brilliant game. rook.
20.e5 ¤a6 21. ¤xg7+ ¢d8 Now comes
11.¦g1 cxb5 12.h4 £g6 the queen sacrifice to cap all of White’s
XIIIIIIIIY earlier efforts. No wonder this was known
as ‛The Immortal Game.’
9rsnl+kvl-tr0
9zp-+p+pzpp0 22.£f6+!! ¤xf6 23.¥e7 checkmate.
9-+-+-snq+0 Sadly, Covid shut Simpson’s down and it
9+p+-+N+-0 has not yet reopened. Indeed, an auction
9-+-+PzpPzP0 of Simpson’s memorabilia was held on
2nd August. Items included the wooden
9+-+P+-+-0 cabinet with a chess display, organised
9PzPP+-+-+0 by Barry Martin, Clive Davey, Brian
Clivaz and myself, all founding members
9tRNvLQ+KtR-0 of the Howard Staunton Society, which
xiiiiiiiiy has organised several Grandmaster-
13.h5 £g5 14.£f3 White now has the level tournaments at Simpsons. I do not
terrible threat of ¥xf4, trapping Black’s know whether the auction augurs well or
queen. In order to create an avenue of badly for Simpson’s. The absence of the
escape for the queen, Black has to retreat famous Simpson’s chess set and pieces,
one of the few pieces he has already usually adorning the foyer, played upon
developed. by Morphy, Lasker and other luminaries,
implies that Simpsons, the Lords hallowed
14...¤g8 15.¥xf4 £f6 16.¤c3 ¥c5 turf equivalent for chess, might yet survive
17.¤d5 The introduction to a grandiose as the bearer of the flame of London’s
combination in which White sacrifices illustrious chess history.

BRITISH CHESS MAGAZINE | 565

09/143

Openings
for Amateurs
THE Boris Ivkov - Johannes Donner
Capablanca Memorial Tournament

OPEN Havana (3), 1965

1.e4 e5 2.¤f3 ¤c6 3.¥b5 a6 4.¥a4 ¤f6

DEFENCE TO 5.0–0 ¤xe4 6.d4 Nothing exciting comes

from 6.¦e1 ¤c5 7.¥xc6 dxc6 8.¤xe5

THE RUY LOPEZ

with an early draw likely, although Black
might try to make something of the two
bishops against a lesser opponent.
By Pete Tamburro; 6...b5 An exciting line, known as the
[email protected] Riga Variation, that is one that should be
committed to memory is: 6...exd4 7.¦e1
And then, there’s the Open Defence. As d5 8.¤xd4 ¥d6 9.¤xc6 ¥xh2+ 10.¢h1!!
I mentioned in previous columns, it is (A perpetual check results from 10.¢xh2)
impossible to cover the Ruy Lopez in this 10...£h4 11.¦xe4+! dxe4 12.£d8+!
type of series. What I have tried to do is £xd8 13.¤xd8+ ¢xd8 14.¢xh2±.
whet your appetite. You have seen the
varied themes in the main closed line of 7.¥b3 Black should be ready for the
the Morphy Defence and even in the Berlin speculative 7.d5 ¤e7 8.¦e1 bxa4 9.¦xe4
Defence. You’ve seen the Schliemann in d6 10.c4 f5µ.
this column and my first two Openings for
Amateurs books. 7...d5 8.dxe5 White can try 8.¤xe5 ¤xe5
9.dxe5 c6 10.¤d2 ¤xd2 11.£xd2 ¥f5
There are different ways to approach 12.£f4 ¥g6 13.¥e3 ¥e7, if there’s an
Black’s scheme, which, by the way edge, it’s microscopic. (13...c5 14.c3 ¥e7
was strongly supported and played by 15.¥d1± and the White bishops will have
Tarrasch and later greats. The most pressure on the Black queenside after ¥f3
popular White line is 9.c3, which has and the rooks will help as well.)
good reasons. It also has more complex
strategic challenges and even a gambit 8...¥e6 9.£e2 Sure. Vacate d1 so the rook
line known as the Dilworth Attack for can indirectly attack the queen. The d5
Black. Thus, I recommend a line that pawn is then pinned so White can plan c4
gained notoriety back in the great World with an attack on the Black pawns. It’s a
Championship Tournament of 1948. Paul pretty clear plan--nothing terribly deep.
Keres’ name became associated with this
line, although he only played it five times 9...¤c5 9...¥c5 10.¤bd2 ¥f5 11.a4 ¦b8
and had a 50% score with it. Still, most 12.¤xe4 ¥xe4 13.axb5 axb5 14.¥e3 ¥xe3
players new to the Ruy Lopez would feel 15.£xe3 ¥xf3 16.£xf3 0–0 17.£e3±.
more comfortable with this line because
the positions are a bit clearer and there 10.¦d1 ¤xb3 10...¥e7 11.¥xd5 ¥xd5
are no deep gambits to worry about. As 12.¤c3 ¤b4 13.¤e1 c6 14.a3 ¤xc2
you get comfortable with this opening, 15.¤xc2 ¤b3 16.¤xd5 cxd5 17.¦b1 £c7
you can "graduate" to the c3 line. 18.¦d3±.

566 | BRITISH CHESS MAGAZINE

 September 2023

11.cxb3!! 18.¤g3 Still preventing c5 because of the

XIIIIIIIIY pressure on d5.
9r+-wqkvl-tr0
9+-zp-+pzpp0 18...¦c8 19.¤f5 It’s worth noticing that
the weak black squares are fatal to Black.
9p+n+l+-+0 The ¥e3 can go to b6 when necessary.
9+p+pzP-+-0 Even g7 will be under attack by £g4 and
9-+-+-+-+0 possibly ¥h6. The d5 pawn still needs to
c6 pawn to stay where it is.
9+P+-+N+-0
9PzP-+QzPPzP0 19...g6
9tRNvLR+-mK-0 XIIIIIIIIY
xiiiiiiiiy 9-+rwq-trk+0
Rossolimo, in annotating the game, really 9+n+-vlp+p0
liked this approach: "An ingenious idea!
Instead of making the mechanical move axb3, 9p+p+-+p+0
White prepares to block the black squares on 9+p+pzPN+-0
the weakened queenside and in the centre." 9-+-+-+-+0
(Chess Life, Nov. 1965, p236.)
9+P+-vLQ+P0
11...¥e7 12.¤c3 0–0 13.¥e3 ¤a5 Black’s 9PzP-+-zPP+0
best chance for equality was 13...£d7
14.¦ac1 (Sokolov liked 14.¦d2) 14...¦ad8= 9+-tRR+-mK-0
But not 15.¤e4 (15.h3) 15...dxe4 16.¦xd7 xiiiiiiiiy
exf3 17.gxf3 ¥xd7 and Black will win. A surprising move from a player of
Donner’s stature, but 19...¢h8 wasn’t
14.¦ac1 ¤b7 14...c5 15.¤e4 c4 16.bxc4 good either. But to add to the dark square
¤xc4 17.h3². catastrophe, well....
20.¦xd5!! A pretty blow that wraps
15.¤e4 White can use the pin here, and it’s things up.
quite effective. The big idea is that there are now
three White pieces hitting that key c5 square. If 20...£e8 20...cxd5 21.¦xc8 £xc8
White keeps the c7 pawn backward, Black’s 22.¤xe7+.
game becomes quite difficult, as demonstrated
by Capablanca in Chess Fundamentals. We Black Resigned. Rossolimo donated an
will cover that in the next column. ivory chess set for the brilliancy prize
game in this tournament, and Ivkov won,
15...¥g4 16.h3 A fascinating tactical thrust much to Rossolimo’s satisfaction.
in the centre would be 16.£c2 ¥xf3 17.gxf3
c5 18.¤d6!! ¤xd6 (18...¥xd6 19.¦xd5 ¦c8 21.¥h6 Black Resigns.
20.exd6) 19.¦xd5± ,but the pawn move works
as well. 21...cxd5 22.¦xc8 £xc8 23.¤xe7+ ¢h8
24.£f6# Next, we’ll take a look at how
16...¥xf3 The aggressive central placement Capablanca, using one of his games as
of the White pieces doesn’t allow for a bishop a model, instructed a generation on the
retreat: 16...¥h5 17.¤g3 ¥g6 18.¤d4 c5 importance of the c5 square in the Open
19.¤df5 d4 20.£f3 ¦b8 21.b4+–. Defence in the 9.c3 line.

17.£xf3 c6 17...dxe4 18.¦xd8 exf3 19.¦xa8 1–0

¦xa8 20.¦xc7 ¤d6 21.¦xe7 ¤f5 22.¦a7±.

BRITISH CHESS MAGAZINE | 567

 Problem
World
by Christopher Jones
[email protected]
Grandmaster of Chess Composition
Solutions are given on page 574

xiiiiiiiiy xiiiiiiiiy
Kabe Moen (USA) Abdelaziz Onkoud (France)
Mate in 2 Mate in 3
Original Original

xiiiiiiiiy xiiiiiiiiy
Leonid Lyubashevsky and Ljubomir Ugren (Slovenia)
Leonid Makaronez (Israel)
Mate in 3 Helpmate in 8
Original Original

568 | BRITISH CHESS MAGAZINE

 September 2023

QUOTES AND QUERIES

THE KITCHIN
CORRESPONDENCE
TOURNAMENT
By Alan Smith
6237 The Kitchin correspondence was equal, but Walbrodt improved with
tournament was first contested in 1901. 10.f3.
Eight leading Yorkshire players, including
four county champions, contested the first 8.cxd4 ¥b4+ 9.¤c3 £g6 10.0-0 ¥xc3
event in memory of Charles Stuart Kitchin. Surrendering the bishop pair to win a pawn.

Two of the contestants made significant 11.bxc3 £xe4 This is a risky pawn grab.
contributions to the opening theory. Walter
Gledhill analysed 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.¤c3 12.¦e1 £h4 13.g3 £f6 14.£d2 h6 15.¥f4
¤f6 4.e5 ¤fd7 5.£g4!?, the Gledhill 0-0 16.¥e5 £b6 17.¦ab1 ¤g6 18.¥xd7
Attack. John Hall was the first player to White has a healthy lead in development.
employ the sequence 1.e4 ¤f6 2.e5 ¤d5
3.d4 d6 which he used to win the final of 18...£a6 19.¥b5 £a5 20.¥d3 a6 21.£c2
the 1893 Yorkshire championship. f5 22.£b3+ ¢h7 23.£c4 c6 23...¤xe5
24.¦xe5 £a3 does not work, 25.£xc7
Alfred Denham - Walter Gledhill £xa2 26.¦e7 £g8 27.¥c4 £h8 28.£e5!
Kitchin correspondence, 1901
24.¥d6 ¦d8 25.¥c5 ¦d5 25...b5.
1.e4 e5 2.¤f3 ¤c6 3.d4 exd4 4.¤xd4 ¥c5
5.¥e3 £f6 6.c3 ¤ge7 7.¥b5 The Paulsen 26.¥b6 £a3 27.¦e8! h5 29.£b3 b5
Attack, this line has never been trendy, but 30.£d1 ¢h6 31.£d2+ f4 32.gxf5 £c7
it is still tricky. 33.f5+ ¤f4 34.¦e5
1-0
7...¤xd4 7...0-0 8.0-0 ¥b6 9.f4 d6
10.¤a3 L.Paulsen – Anderssen, Leipzig Huddersfield Daily Examiner,
1877, Gunsberg suggested 8...¥xc3 16th July 1901
9.bxc3 d5 10.¤c3 dxe4 11.¤xe4 £g6

BRITISH CHESS MAGAZINE | 569

09/143

John Musgrove - Alfred Denham 19.¥d6 ¦e8 20.¥e5 ¤c7 21.¦c3 Winning
a pawn.
Kitchin correspondence, 1901
21...¤d5 22.¦xc6 £a5 23.a3 ¤xe5
1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 exd5 4.¤c3 ¤f6 24.dxe5 ¦eb8 25.¦d1 ¤e7 25...b4 was his
5.¥d3 ¥d6 6.¤f3 c6 7.0-0 0-0 8.¤e2 only hope 26.¦a6 £c7.
¥g4 9.¥e3 ¤bd7 10.¤g3 £c7 11.£d2
¦fe8 12.¦ae1 ¤e4 13.£c1 Thus far the 26.¦c5 £a4 27.¦d7 ¤f5 28.¦cc7 ¦f8
players have followed Blackburne - J. 29.£d3 £a5 30.b4 £b6 31.¤d6 a5
Schwarz, Berlin 1881. 31...¤xd6? 32.exd6 leaves black without
an answer to the threat of 33.¦xf7!
13...f5! A big improvement on
Schwarz’s play 13...¥xf3 14.gxf3 ¤xg3 32.¤xf7 ¦xf7 33.¦xf7 axb4 34.¦fd7
15.hxg3 ¥xg3 16.¢g2! which led to a ¦f8 35.axb4 £g1+ 36.¢b2 £b6 37.£c3
brilliant win for White in 28 moves. £b8 38.£c5 38...£a8 39.¦g7+! ¤xg7
40.£e7! Gunsberg.
14.¤e2 ¦e6 15.¥f4 ¥xf4 16.¤xf4 ¦h6
17.¤e5 ¤xe5 18.dxe5 g5 19.f3? White 1-0
needed to try 19.¤e2 and then to answer
19...£xe5 with 20.¤g3. Huddersfield Daily Examiner,
18th November 1901
19...£b6+! 20.£e3 £xe3+ 21.¦xe3
gxf4 22.¦ee1 ¥h5 23.fxe4 fxe4
24.¥e2 ¦f8 25.¦f2 ¥xe2 26.¦fxe2 Alfred Denham - Walter Atkinson
¦e6 27.c4 ¦xe5 28.cxd5 cxd5 29.¦d1
¢f7 30.¦d4 ¢f6 31.¦c2 ¦f7 32.¢f1 Kitchin correspondence, 1901 - 1902
¢e6 33.¦c3 f3
1.e4 e5 2.¤f3 ¤c6 3.d4 exd4 4.¥c4 ¥c5
0-1 5.c3 d3 5...¤f6 is a Giuoco Piano.

Leeds Mercury, 9th November 1901 6.b4 ¥b6 7.b5 Gunsberg analysed 7.£b3
£e7 8.0-0 d6 9.a4 a6 10.¥g5 ¤f6 11.¤bd2
0-0 which he gave as level.
Alfred Denham - John Edmund Hall
7...£e7 7...¤a5 8.¥xd3 d5 is best.
Kitchin correspondence, 1901
8.0-0 ¤d8 8...¤e5 is dubious, James
1.e4 d5 2.exd5 £xd5 3.¤c3 £d8 4.d4 White analysed 9.¤xe5 £xe5 10.£b3
¤f6 5.¥c4 5.¤f3 is almost invariably £h5 11.e5 when black is struggling.
played.
9.e5 ¤e6 10.a4 f6 10...f5 was correct.
5...¥g4 6.f3 ¥f5 7.¤ge2 e6 8.g4 ¥g6
9.¤f4 ¥d6 10.h4 ¥xf4 11.¥xf4 h5 12.g5 11.¤bd2 f5 12.a5 ¥c5 13.¤b3 a6
¤fd7 12...¤d5 13.¤xd5 exd5 14.¥d3 14.£xd3 £f8 This protects f5 , but gets in
¥xd3 15.£xd3 g6 16.£b5+. the way of castling.

13.£e2 0-0 14.0-0-0 c6 15.¥d3 ¥xd3 15.bxa6 b6 16.axb6 cxb6 17.¥xe6!

16.¦xd3 g6 17.¤e4 ¤a6 18.¦b3 b5 Removing a key defender.
He had little choice 18...£c8 19.¤d6 or
18...¤b6 19.¤f6+ ¢h8 20.¥e5 were 17...dxe6 18.¦d1 h6 19.¤h4 ¤e7 20.¤xc5
both grim. bxc5 21.a7 Threatening 22.£f3.

570 | BRITISH CHESS MAGAZINE

 September 2023

21...¢f7 22.£f3 ¤d5 23.¤xf5 exf5 ¤xe5 17.£xb7 ¦fd8 18.¥xe5 £xe5
24.£xd5+ ¥e6 25.£b7+ £e7 26.£xe7+ 19.£c6 ¦ab8 20.£xh6 ¥xf2+! 21.¢h1
¢xe7 27.¥e3 ¦hc8 28.¦db1 ¦c7 29.¦b8 ¦b6 22.£h3 ¦f6 23.g3 ¥xg3 24.¤a3 ¥f4
¥d5 He can’t round up the a7 pawn 25.¦f2 ¢g7 26.axb5 ¦h8 27.£d3 ¥xh2
because of ¥xc5+. 28.¦xf6 £xf6 29.¢g2 ¥e5 30.¦h1 ¦xh1
31.¢xh1 £f2 32.£h3 £e1+ 33.¢g2 £e2+
30.f4 ¥b7 31.¥xc5+ ¢e6 32.c4 32...¦xc5
33.¦xb7 ¦cc8 34.¦a6+. 0-1

1-0
Leeds Mercury, 15th February 1902
Huddersfield Daily Examiner,
29th January 1902 The four county champions all struggled.
Final scores:

The battle for second place was decided by

Denham +4=3
the following game: Gledhill +5-2
Atkinson +4-3
Walter Atkinson - Walter Gledhill
Wildman +2=3-2
Kitchin correspondence, 1901- 1902
Hall +2=2-3
1.e4 e5 2.¤f3 ¤c6 3.¥b5 a6 4.¥a4 ¤f6 5.0- Musgrove +2=2-3
0 b5 6.¥b3 ¥c5 7.c3 ¥b6 8.d4 £e7 9.¥g5 Rev Peach +2=1-4
h6 10.¥h4 ¥b7 11.¥d5 d6 12.a4 g5 13.¥g3
0-0 14.dxe5 dxe5 15.¤xe5 ¤xd5 16.£xd5 Woollard =3-4

Hardinge Simpole
is delighted to announce
the publication of

Fifty Shades
of Ray
Chess in the year of the
Coronavirus Pandemic

Raymond D. Keene
With an Introduction
by CJ de Mooi

BRITISH CHESS MAGAZINE | 571

09/143

Endgame Studies
by Ian Watson
[email protected]

xiiiiiiiiy xiiiiiiiiy
S. Didukh W. Mees
SSh/ST 2004 Nouveau Trait Complet 1952
win draw

xiiiiiiiiy xiiiiiiiiy
J. Fritz P. Arestov
Narodni Listy 1933 Georgian Internet Ty 2011
draw win

572 | BRITISH CHESS MAGAZINE

 September 2023

TEST-SOLVING

I usually set you solving tests, but this the later play, meaning alternative white
month it’s test-solving. I do a lot of test- moves late on. Study composers usually
solving; when there is going to be a solving aren’t composing for solving tourneys,
competition, one person chooses the so their solution line may have such
problems, and another person test-solves branches later on, but that makes real
them, meaning he solves them and decides if difficulties for solvers. This issue can
they are suitable for use in the competition. be dealt with, by shortening the solution
line so that it ends on the previous white
There are many criteria for suitability. Most move, but the test-solver must identify
importantly, it must be possible for White it, and tell the tourney organiser to only
to achieve the stipulation - if it’s a mate give points up to that move.
in four. but Black can delay the mate until - Cooks. These are alternative white moves
move five, or if it’s a win study and Black that achieve the stipulation, and that
can draw, then the composition is bust and occur early in the solution. These make
mustn’t be used. The compositions also the study unsound and so the test-solver
have to be the right level of difficulty, so must find them and reject the study.
you have to consider how strong the solvers - Possible cooks. These are alternative
in the competition are going to be - if no early white moves that might achieve the
one could solve it in the time allowed, or stipulation, but it’s all but impossible for a
if everyone would be able to solve it much solver to analyse the variation to a result.
more quickly than the time allowed, you The test-solver has to examine all White’s
reject it. You also want the compositions not options and decide whether the solver will
to be well-known - you don’t want some of be able to analyse them clearly.
the competitors to recognise and remember - Black duals. These are still more awkward.
them and be able to write the solution down In any study, Black has multiple options but
straight away. I’ve looked at some of the only one of them is part of the composer’s
solving events held this year, and in one solution. Usually, the alternatives fail more
of them there was a study by Kubbel; I easily than in the composer’s solution or
recognised it, and I even remembered how lead to positions where White’s next move
the solution goes. It was perhaps a marginal isn’t the only one that works; if solvers
case - it wasn’t one of the most famous will be able to realise that, then the black
studies, so maybe it was okay to use, but duals can be ignored by the test-solver.
personally, if I had been the test-solver, I However, it often isn’t a clear decision.
would have recommended it be replaced. If the test-solver thinks that the strongest
solvers might not identify clearly what the
For most compositions, it’s not hard to check composer intended, then the study should
those things. With studies, several other be rejected.
things are more difficult to deal with. This
month, your task is to be a test-solver - solve In these four studies, there are two that are
the studies, but also identify the issues with cooked, one that is unclear but might be
them and decide whether they are suitable for cooked, and one that has a serious black
a competition. Here are some of the issues dual. See if you can solve all four, and find
that a study test-solver has to look out for: the defects, and then decide if you reject or
- White duals. Studies should have a unique allow each study.
series of white moves. Sometimes, study
composers allow there to be duals in The solutions are on page 575.

BRITISH CHESS MAGAZINE | 573

09/143

Solutions to Problems
This month’s problems
We start with a very approachable problem; in Kabe’s two-mover there is a mate already
set for every black move apart from 1…b2 – so what to do about that? Then two contrasting
three-movers. Which do you find harder to solve – a miniature (just seven pieces) with wide
scope on an open board or a diagram such as that of the Leonids with two armies of twelve
men and lots of configurations that may suggest ways to disentangle the complexities?
Finally, a typical puzzle from Ljubomir – as regulars will need no reminding, Black will
initiate a collaborative sequence, eight moves on either side, leading to a position in which
Black is mated.

An incomplete block
with change mates…

…is Kabe’s description of the two-mover. and 1…c5 2.¢c3 d5 3.£f4. As ever with
If it weren’t for 1…b2, this would be such problems, I’m impressed by how
complete block (1…c3 2.¦b4; 1…¥b8 much accurate play can be achieved with
2.£xc5; 1…¥b6 2.¤d6), though even in so few pieces. Well done if you found these
complete block problems it can be difficult unique variations!
to find a key move that would preserve all
White’s possibilities, and White may have A very non-miniature
to change his mating responses to certain three-mover
black moves (a description of a mutate
problem). Here we have to rejig White’s Unless you’re a top solver, you may need
forces so as to have a mating reply to 1… to read on to glean all the nuances of the
b2, and the way to do this is to play 1.¦f5! Leonids’ three-mover. The key is 1.¥f2!.
Now the new pin on the 5th rank allows This threatens 2.£d4+ cxd4 3.¦b5. If
1…b2 2.£xb2, and there are two changed 1…¤d7 White plays his two moves in the
mates – 1…c3 2.£e2 and 1…¥b8 2.£xb8 opposite order: 2.¦b5! (threat 3.£d4), and
(both also relying on the new 5th rank pin). now if 2…¤c3 then 3.£b3. If 1…¤xe6,
One mate is unchanged: 1…¥b6 2.¤b6. 2.g8=£ forces mate next move by £xe6.
Another defence is 1…¥b7, met by 2.c4+!
A miniature three-mover bxc3 e.p. 3.£xb7 (very well visualised if
you saw that one!); or 1…¤c3 2.£b3+
As might be inferred from my introductory c4 3.£xc4; or 1…a6 2.¤c4! ¤c3 3.¤b6
comments, I’ve always found three-movers (or 2…¤d7 3.¤e3); or 1…¥c6 2.¤axc6,
on an open board deceptively difficult to with the deadly threat of 3.¤e7. Plenty
solve. Perhaps you had the same experience of pinning play, and also plenty of white
with Abdelaziz’s. Seductive is the try 1.¤b2 knight play.
(threatening 2.£f4+ ¢d5 3.£c4), but
White has nothing after 1…c5!. A subtler Back yet again to the
approach is required, and 1.¢b3! creates murky world of helpmates
zugzwang. There are four possibilities –
1…¢d3 2.£f3+ ¢d4 3.¥f2; Ljubomir specializes in helpmates like our
fourth problem: minimals in which the one
1…¢d4 2.£f5, to be followed by 3.¥f2; white officer begins in deep storage from
which it eventually emerges, after a fairly
1…d5 2.£f4+ ¢d3 3.£e3; miraculously accurate sequence of moves,

574 | BRITISH CHESS MAGAZINE

 September 2023

(See page 568)

to administer mate – 1.¢b5 ¢h2 2.£g1+ seen especially richly in Ljubomir’s, and
¢h3 3.¦g5 ¢h4 4.¦hg6 ¤xf6 (free at last!) I sometimes think that despite the very
5.£d4 ¤d7 6.¦d6 (had you anticipated, considerable distance between helpmate
from the diagram, that the move ¦h6>d6 play and the combativeness of a competitive
would be played?!) ¢xg5 (or, from the game this capacity for visualising surprising
diagram, this move?!) 7.¢c4 ¢xf5 8.¢d5 reconfigurations may (apart from any
¤b6. We finish with a model mate – each aesthetic pleasures) have some benefit for
potential flight square is either blocked or the practical player. (Though in my playing
guarded just once. The transformational days I never dabbled in helpmates on the
possibilities in long helpmates are always same day as playing a match!)

Solutions to Endgames (See page 572)

Didukh should mention the anticipation on the
answer sheet that is circulated after the
1.f3 ¥xf3 2.e4 fxe4 3.d4 e3 4.d5 ¥xd5 solving finishes.
5.¥c4 ¥xc4 6.b7 e2 7.¢d2 and wins.
Unfortunately, White can also play 1.¢c3; Fritz
the threat is 2.e4, and if 1...¥b7 2.¥g2
¥xg2 3.e4. A big cook, on move one, 1.¦b5+ ¢c8 2.¦b4 ¥h2+ 3.¢h3 c1£
makes this definitely unusable. 4.¦c4+ £xc4 5.¤d6+ ¥xd6 stalemate.
That’s clearly what the composer intended,
Mees but there’s a major flaw - White can simply
capture the h2 bishop. So, we have a cooked
1.¤b4 h5 2.¤c6 ¢e4 3.¤a5 h4 4.¤c4 h3 study: it has a white alternative on move
5.¤d2+ ¢e3 6.¤f1+ ¢f2 7.¤h2 draws. three. 3.¢xg2 ¤f3+ 4.¢g2 ¤d2 5.¤d6+
When I was looking at this study, I chose ¢d7 is met by 6.¦d4 or 6.¤e4. This study
2...h4 3.¤e5 h3 4.¤g4+ ¢f3 5.¤h2+. certainly has to be rejected.
The composer’s line is better because
Black makes it more difficult for White Arestov
to achieve the draw - the knight is forced
to a more circuitous route. The issue with 1.h6 ¤f3 2.h7 ¤e5+ 3.¢xe6 ¤g6 4.¢f7
this study is that the black dual 2...h4 is ¤h8+ 5.¢g8 g4 6.hxg4 ¤xg4 7.¢g7
followed by a sequence of unique white b4 8.c4 b3 9.a3 wins. There are several
moves, so the solver might consider that sidelines that the composer gave: 2.¢xe6?
it must be the composer’s intention. A g4 3.hxg4 ¤xg4 4.h7 ¤g5+ 5.¢f5 ¤xh7;
difficult judgement, but on balance I don’t 4.¢f6? ¤h8 5.¢g7 g4 6.hxg4 ¤xg4
think this study should be rejected. By the 7.¢xh8 ¤f6 8.¢g7 ¤xh7 9.¢xh7 b4 10.c4
way, I looked up this study and found that b3 11.a3; and 9.axb3+ ¢b4 10.¢xh8 ¤f6
it was ’anticipated’, meaning that there was 11.¢g7 ¤xh7 12.¢xh7 ¢xb3 13.c5 ¢xb2.
an earlier and very similar study. Nikolai He also gave 1.cxd4? ¤f5 2.¢xe6 ¤g7+,
Grigoriev published, in 1932, a study but this line seems to be winning for White
with the identical solution and the only after 3.¢f6 ¤xh5+ 4.¢xg5 (my computer
difference in position was that the h-pawn agrees); if so, the study is cooked on move
started on h7. That doesn’t prevent the study one. It might not be, but there is enough
being used in a solving event, although one doubt, so the study should be rejected.

BRITISH CHESS MAGAZINE | 575

ACMchess.com