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.