The FIDE Grand Prix, which chooses two qualifiers for the Candidates Tournament, is underway at the Central Chess Player’s House in the Russian capital of Moscow.
Local bet Ian Nepomnianchtchi, and the Polish tandem of Jan-Krzysztof Duda and Radoslav Wojtaszek were the opening day winners in the 16-player, two-game, knockout match play, that began Friday.
Nepomninachtchi beat Armenian Levon Aronian, while Duda and Wojtaszek won over American Wesley So and Azeri Shak Mamedyarov respectively.
Other matches, Giri-Dubov, Kariakin-Griscguk, Radjabov-Nakamura, Vitiugov-Svidler and Wei-Yi-Jakovenko, all ended peacefully.
Twenty participants were selected through their Elo ratings, for the period February 2018 to January 2019, with one wild card nominated by the FIDE. Players are required to participate in three of four Grand Prix tournaments, with the top two finishers (highest GP points), advancing to next year’s Candidates Tournament, the final event, which selects the world championship challenger.
Grand Prix champion gets 8.0 points, runner up, 5.0, semifinalist, 3.0 and quarter finalist, 1.0.
The next Grand Prix tournaments will be held July 11-25 in Riga (Latvia), Nov. 4-18 in Hamburg (Germany), and Dec. 10-24 in Tel aviv ( Israel).
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This is a highly instructive classical game with both players showing good technique.
FIDE Grand Prix 2019
W) J. K. Duda (Poland)
B) W. So (USA)
Giuoco Piano
1. e4 e5
2. Nf3q Nc6
3. Bc4 ....
The Giuoco Piano, a very old opening with very new points, has become the latest preference in grand master play....
3.... Bc5
4. c3 Nf6
5. d3 O-O
6. O-O d5
Not without a point, but Black’s last is an unproven commodity.. Normal is 6....h6 and after 7. Re1 d6 8. Nbd2 a5, Black has a promising game.
7. exd5 Nxd5
8. a4 a6
9. Re1 Bg4
10. Nbd2 Kh8
10....Nb6 is preferable, according to the engine.
11. h3 Bh5
12. Ne4 Ba7
Another move of little significance as will be seen later in the game. Instead, 12....Be7 is a much better alternative.
13. Ng3 Bg6
Not a good choice. Better is 13....Bxf3 and after 14. Qxf3 Nb6 15. Bxa6 bxa6 16.Qxc6 Qxd3, Black has a good chance to hold the balance.
14. Nxe5 Nxe5
15. Rxe5 Nb6
16. Qf3 c6
16...Nxc4 is Black’s best chance to stay in the game.
17. Bf4 Bb8
18. Ree1 Nxc4
19. dxc4 Qh4
20. Ne2 Ba7?
A time-wasting move. The Bishop is badly placed here as soon appears. Correct is 20....a5.
21. Bd6 Rfe8
22. Nf4 Bc2
23. c5! a5?
This move makes matters worse. Correct is 23...f5 with chances to play on after 24. b4 a5 25. Re2 Be4, etc.
24. Re2 Bb3
25. Ra3! 1-0
There’s no satisfactory continuation anymore. For instance 25...Be6 26. Nxe6 fxe6 27. Qf7 and White picks another Pawn. Or 25... Rxe2 26. Qxe2 Be6 27. Nxe6 fxe6 28. Rb3 and White has material plus and big positional advantage.
Solution to last week puzzle
White to play and win.
White=Kg1, Qh5, Rd6, Rf1, Be4, Pc4, Pf2, Pg2, Ph2 Black=Kh8, Qa2, Rc3, Rf8, Bh6, Pa6, Pg7, Ph7
1. Rf6! 1-0
1. Rxh6? Qxf2ch! 2. Rxf2 Rc1ch and Black wins. Now If 1....gxf6 (1....Rxf6 2. Qe8ch or 1...Rg8 2. Rxh6 gxh6 3. Qe5ch) 2. Qxh6 Rf7 3. Bxh7 Qa3 (3....Rxh7 4. Qf8 mate) 4. Bf5ch Kg8 5. Be6 and wins.
White to play and win.