Monthly Archives: October 2012
Huebner on the Huebner 4.e3 c5 Nimzo-Indian(E41)
The featured instructive game features GM Huebner and shows black’s defensive maneuvering potential.
The position under consideration arises from and is known as the Huebner Variation(4…c5)
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.e3 c5 5.Bd3 Nc6 6.Nf3 Bxc3+ 7.bxc3 d6 8.e4 e5 9.d5 Ne7
He served as a second to Nigel Short in his efforts to win the World Chess Championship match against Garry Kasparov in 1993. In 2000 he won, with the German team, a silver medal in the 34th Chess Olympiad in Istanbul. His International Master (IM) title was awarded in 1969 and his Grandmaster (GM) title in 1971.’-Wikipeida
Najdorf,Miguel (2560) – Huebner,Robert (2590) [E41]
Hoogovens Wijk aan Zee (7), 01.1971
Critical Position 1
White has just played 18.Ne3. How do you assess the position? White has more space, the semi-open b-file but who is better? is the position a delicate equality?
What is black’s plan? Is it consistent with the assessment?
What move do you propose for black?
Black to play
Critical Position 2
The strategic race is well underway. What is the next step for black? Is it a hidden combination? Or perhaps something mundane like opening the h-file? Maybe the e-file possibilities catch your attention? Is it something to do with the …e4 break?
Black to play
Trends in the 4.e3-9…b6 Nimzo-Indian(E54)
The rock solid 9…b6 Karpov Variation is a tough nut to crack. The main position arises after
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.e3 0–0 5.Bd3 c5 6.Nf3 d5 7.0–0 cxd4 8.exd4 dxc4 9.Bxc4 b6 10.Bg5 Bb7 11.Re1
Sokolov,I examines this position deeply in The Stratgic Nimzo-Indian(NIC 2012). Let us examine a key recent game. to see the impact on published analysis.
Potkin,V (2684) – Harikrishna,P (2665) [E54]
74th Tata Steel GMB Wijk aan Zee NED (7), 21.01.2012
Sokolov considered 18..e5 but black played 18…Qd6 which resulted at least an equal game.
Critical Position 1 The position is tense. The long diagonal has been blocked with f3. The Nh5 looks offside and perhaps deserves a bigger role. Is the time for quiet play or concrete play? Perhaps there is a combination based on the inconvenient lineup of Re8 vs Qe2 on the e-file. What should black do?
Black to play
Vintage Portisch 4.e3-11.Ba2 Nimzo-Indian(E59)
This is the line under consideration.
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.e3 c5 5.Bd3 Nc6 6.Nf3 d5 7.0–0 0–0 8.a3 Bxc3 9.bxc3 dxc4 10.Bxc4 Qc7 11.Ba2
This old game is still of some relevance in 2012 but the 14.Ne1 idea should not be considered dangerous for black.
Portisch,Lajos (2630) – Sosonko,Gennadi (2575) [E59]
Tilburg (4), 1978
Critical Position 1
White is passively placed after the Ne1/f3 idea. What is the plan for black? How do you play?
Black to play
Critical Position 2
Ne5 and Rd2 are under attack. How do you react?
Black to play
RIP Paul Arvaj(2011)
- ‘Paul Arvaj passed away sometime in 2011 (age 73? – according to his background info in his book) but no one I spoke to knows the month, and also apparently there was no obituary published. I played Paul many games over the span of some 30 years and the first one was also the first game in one of his books “About Chess”. In his last game against me – a celebrity active event at the Germania Club in Hamilton organized by IM Brian Hartman, Paul shocked me by beating me in crushing style – 2003? – maybe. Paul Arvajs last known residence was a nursing home at the corner of Main and Victoria in downtown Hamilton and for many years he enjoyed kibitzing, casual chess, speed chess, and recounting chess memories at the Hamilton Public Library.’-Hans Jung
From Chesstalk.com message board. Chesstalk
Hans Rudolf Jung (2139) – Paul Arvaj [A12]
Hamilton Open Hamilton YMCA (2), 01.05.1976
Black had chances in this game.
Black to play
Trends in the 4.e3-11.Bb2 Nimzo-Indian(E59)
The following position is well known to Nimzo-Indian theory.
1.c4 Nf6 2.Nc3 e6 3.d4 Bb4 4.e3 0–0 5.Bd3 d5 6.Nf3 c5 7.0–0 dxc4 8.Bxc4 Nc6 9.a3 Bxc3 10.bxc3 Qc7 11.Bb2
- Best World ranking on the FIDE ELO list 12th (several times).
- Won many GM top events out which most important are Hastings, Sarajevo, Selfoss, Reykjavik, Hoogeveen, Lost Boys, Staunton memorial, etc.
- With Chess Club Bosna won European Clubs 4 times.
- Participated in 10 Chess Olympiads and 6 European National Team Championships.
- 1988: Yugoslav Champion.
- 1995, 1998 : Dutch Champion.
- 1994 : Won with Bosnian team silver medal on OL Moscow.
- 2005 : Won with a Dutch team gold on European teams 2005 in Gothenburg.
40th Olympiad Open Istanbul TUR (10.5), 07.09.2012
TWIC 938(CAN) IM Piasetski,L at Unive Open 5/9
IM Leon Piasetski got 5/9 at the Unive Open.
16th Unive Open 2012
L’Ami,E and Nijboer,F tied for first 7/9. Piasetski,L was part of a large group at 5/9.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
1 L’Ami,E 2631 -1 +1 -1 +½ -0 +1 -½ +1 -1 7.0/9
2 Nijboer,F 2525 +0 -1 +1 -1 +1 -1 +1 -1 +0 7.0/9
3 Ernst,S 2554 -1 +1 -½ +1 -0 +1 +½ -1 -½ 6.5/9
4 Timman,J 2578 -0 +1 -½ +1 -1 +1 -½ +1 -½ 6.5/9
5 Van Kampen,R 2570 +1 -½ +½ -1 +1 -0 +1 -1 +½ 6.5/9
31 Piasetski,L 2298 -1 +½ -0 +0 -1 +1 -0 +1 -½ 5.0/9
Here is an exiting game from Piasetski played in Rd2 against Van Kampen,R(2570).
Piasetski,L (2298) – Van Kampen,R (2570) [D12]
16th Unive Open Hoogeveen NED (2), 20.10.2012
White had been in some trouble but now had a chance for a big turnaround.
White to play
TWIC 938(HUN) Almasi,Z 2/3 at the Chigorin Memorial
There is not much action to report for Hungarian players in TWIC 938.
Chigorin Memorial 2012(In progress)
A large group of players are at 3/3. Almasi,Z is at 2/3 after an upset loss to a 2425 player.
1 GM Negi Parimarjan IND 2657 3.0 6.0 2.0 6.0
GM Smirin Ilia ISR 2638 3.0 6.0 2.0 6.0
IM Demchenko Anton RUS 2610 3.0 6.0 2.0 6.0
4 GM Khismatullin Denis RUS 2638 3.0 5.5 2.0 6.0
GM Shimanov Aleksandr RUS 2599 3.0 5.5 2.0 6.0
IM Gladyszev Oleg RUS 2446 3.0 5.5 2.0 6.0
IM Matinian Nikita RUS 2439 3.0 5.5 2.0 6.0
8 GM Hovhannisyan Robert ARM 2610 3.0 5.0 2.0 6.0
GM Epishin Vladimir RUS 2574 3.0 5.0 2.0 6.0
GM Grigoryan Avetik ARM 2572 3.0 5.0 2.0 6.0
GM Stupak Kirill BLR 2520 3.0 5.0 2.0 6.0
IM Hayrapetyan Hovik ARM 2450 3.0 5.0 2.0 6.0
FM Alekseenko Kirill RUS 2434 3.0 5.0 2.0 6.0
14 GM Malakhatko Vadim BEL 2558 3.0 4.5 1.5 6.0
GM Cori Jorge PER 2522 3.0 4.5 1.5 6.0
16 GM Zhigalko Andrey BLR 2582 3.0 4.0 1.0 6.0
IM Popilski Gil ISR 2475 3.0 4.0 1.0 6.0
76 GM Almasi Zoltan HUN 2707 2.0 5.5 2.0 4.0
Here is an Almasi win in the popular Sicilian Taimanov English Attack(B48).
Almasi,Z (2707) – Zalkind,K (2232) [B48]
Chigorin Memorial 2012 St Petersburg RUS (1.3), 27.10.2012
Some of the themes examined in this game include
- Transition to queenless play
- Weak pawns
- Convert P+ technique
White to play
BTCh Div 4 Rd2: Wesselenyi SK 2.5-Rakosligeti AC 3.5
RAC won the monday night match against the Blind Institute 3.5-2.5 despite fielding only 5 of the 6 required players.
Wesselenyi RAC
Eros,P 0 – Nadasi,B 1
Rev,M +
Vojan,I 0 – Stenner 1
Nemes,G 0 – Yip,M 1
Almadi,B 1 – Szili,A 0
Denes,J 0 – Balla.A 1
After the round I visited the Hungarian High School Team Ch which was nearby. I was promised some pictures for the blog by one the the coaches-GM Joseph Horvath who was particularly happy as his team was in the lead. The event will last a couple more days.
Here is my game from this evening(Monday Oct 29).
Vemes,G (2007) – Yip,M (2087)
Sicilian Kan[B42]
Division 4 BTCh (2), 29.10.2012
White tried an unsound queen sacrifice early in the opening and is now being pushed back. Black has Q+P for 3 minors pieces and has consolidated nicely.
Black to play
Vintage Portisch on the 3.Bb5+ Sicilian(B52)
Here is an interesting game in a very popular sideline.
The middlegame themes illustrated include
- Queenside counterplay
- Quiet maneuvering
- Small tactics
- Choosing the right pawn center
Garcia Martinez,Silvino – Portisch,Lajos [B52]
Palma de Mallorca Palma de Mallorca (2), 1971
Critical Position 1
Black has an equal position. The forces are not yet in direct contact. Now it is time to form a plan. What do you propose for black?
Black to play
Critical Position 2
White is attacking Nb6. What should black do?
Black to play
Critical Position 3
The stray rook is almost trapped. How do you play?
Black to play
Vintage Portisch in the 2.c3 d5 Sicilian(B22)
Here is an interesting game that can be studied under the following theme(s)
- IQP defence
- Small tactics
- Weak king position
- Attack on the king
Braga,Fernando Alberto (2375) – Portisch,Lajos (2630) [B22]
Mar del Plata Mar del Plata, 1982
Critical Position 1(17.Bd3)
White is threatening Qxh7# How should black defend the kingside?
Black to play
Critical Position 2(24.Rac1)
Black has beaten back the first wave of white’s attempted attack and has sucessfully secured the kingside. Now black is looking for more. How do you continue? Is there a way to press the kingside? Maybe …Nf4 or …g5 perhaps?
Black to play
Critical Position 3(35.Qc8)
The attack is well under way. How do you play?
Black to play
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