Russians stage duel for the ‘ages’

Spurred on by the success of last year’s Shirov-Dubov Battle of Generation match, the Russian organizers redoubled their efforts and held the 2014 edition on a bigger scale, pitting four well-known veterans against young local stars and aspiring hopefuls. Tabbed the Match of Generations (Nutcracker), the event took place Dec. 20-25 at the Kremlin’s capital city of Moscow. Hungarian Peter Leko, a one-time world championship challenger, led the formidable Team veterans. Joining Leko in the powerhouse line-up were Latvian star Alexei Shirov and the Russian tandem of Alexander Morozevich and Alexey Dreev. Vladimir Fedoseev (19), spearheaded the all-Russian youngsters, that included Daniil Dubov (18), Gregoriy Oparin (17) and Vladislav Artemiev (16). The match was played under the Scheveningen System, i.e., each player of one team play all players from the other team. There were four classical rounds and eight rounds of rapid chess. When the smoke cleared,  the veterans won the rapid event by a close 16.5-15.5, after the classical games ended in a 8.0-8.0 standoff.

 In the game below, White’s middle game pressure subjects Black to burning moments. One false move (as 31...Bc3 here) and the fat is in the fire. A fine performance by the winner.

2014 Generation Match (Classical)

 W) V. Fedoseev (RUS)

 B)  A. Shirov (LAT)

 Semi-Slav Defense

 1. d4     d5

 2. c4      c6

 3. Nc3   Nf6

 4. e3     e6

 The opening has transposed into the razor-sharp Meran Defense, which fits a tactician like Shirov.

 5. Nf3                   Nbd7

 6. Qc2                   Bd6

 The alternatives 6...Be7 and 6...b6 are both promising.

 7. Bd3                   ...

 7. b3!? is an interesting possibility recommended by Taimanov.

 7...                         0-0

 8. 0-0                    dxc4

 9. Bxc4                 b5

 10. Be2                ...

 10. Bd3 is the normal reply, but the text indirectly restrain the thematic break 10...e5.

 10...                      Bb7

 11. Rd1                ...

 The point of White’s last move.

 11...                      Qc7

 12. Bd2                b4

 13. Na4                c5

 14. Rac1               ...

 After 14. dxc5 a5 15. Rac1 Rac8 16. a3 Nxc5 17. Nxc5 Qxc5, the game is close to equality.

 14...                      Rfc8

 15. Be1                Qa5

 16, dxc5               Nxc5

 17. Nxc5              Rxc5

 18. Bc4                 ...

 18. Qb1 was the engine’s suggestion.

 18...                      Bxf3

 19. gxf3               Qc7

 20. f4                    a5

 21. b3                   Rc8

 22. Qe2                g5

Double-edged and therefore very interesting.

 23. f3                    gxf4

 24. e4                   Nd7

 25. Qg2ch           Kf8

 26. Qh3                Ne5

 27. Bf2                 Nxc4

 28. bxc4               Rg5ch

 29. Kh1                Kg8

 30. c5                    Be5

 31. c6                    Bc3?

 Now the fat is in the fire. Black secures some defensive resources after 31...Rg6, although the position remains very complicated in which the Black King is more vulnerable.

 32. Qh4!              ...

 The refutation of Black’s error lies in this move.  White gains an important tempo, which will pave the way for a decisive breakthrough.

 33. Rd7                Qxc6

 34. Qe7                Kh8?

 The text loses quickly, but other moves as well. For example 34...Rf8 35. Bc5 is fatal, or 34...Bg7 35. Rd8 and Black cannot hold out longer. Now White wins material by forced.

 35. Qxf7              Rg7

 36. Qxg7ch         Bxg7

 37. Rxc6               Rxc6

 38. Rd8ch            Bf8

 39. Rxf8ch          Kg7

 40. Ra8                 1:0

Solution to last week’s puzzle: 

White to move and win.

white=Ka6, Qb2, Ra2, Pa4

black=Kc5, Qh7, Re4, Pd4, Pg7

1. Qb6ch              Kd5

2. Rh2!                  Qxh2

if 2...Qf5 3. Rh5 Qxh5 4. Qb5ch

wins the Queen.

3. Qb3ch      Kc6

3...Kd6/Ke5  4. Qb8ch wins.

4. Qb7ch              Kc5

5. Qb5ch              Kd6

6. Qb8ch and wins.