Category Archives: Tata Steel 2013
Trends in the Sicilian Scheveningen 11..Re8(B85) 2013
The tabiya in question is 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 a6 5.Be2 Nf6 6.Nc3 d6 7.0–0 Be7 8.a4 Nc6 9.Be3 0–0 10.f4 Qc7 11.Kh1 Re8(Diagram)
Here a recent effort(TWIC 950) from the just completed Tata Steel Group A tournament played by Harikrishna against Van Wely.
Position 1
White has a massive buildup on the kingside and after 28.Nf4, the big threat is Nxh5 with devastation on the h-file to follow.
Black to Play
Position 2
Both sides look like they are attacking each other but now white has the move. What do you suggest?
White to Play
Trends in the Sicilian Scheveningen Keres Attack
Here is a recent game in the Keres Attack. The 6…h6 is one of the main defensive methods and allowed Hou Yifan to play for the win in rd10 of the Tata Steel Group A tournament.
Position 1
A complex RR-RR ending has been reached where each side has one active and one passive rook. What do you suggest for black now?
Black to Play
Tata Steel 2013 Rd13,GM Rapport(HUN)
Here is Rapport’s rd 13 game.
Rapport got a difficult position from the opening but fought back creatively to win the game by sacrificing a pawn for a chance at generating counterplay.
Position 1
Black has been fighting back hard and now has some compensation for the pawn. How should black continue?
-34…gf to open up white’s kingside
-34…h6 to reinforce the kingside
-Something else
Black to Play
Tata Steel 2013 Rd 12-GM Rapport(HUN)
Here is Rapport’s rd12 win over the veteran GM Timman.
Black got caught uncastled in the opening and then loosened the king’s position with some risky play which allowed Rapport to swoop in.
Position 1
Black has initiated kingside counterplay with 21…h5. How should white respond?
White to Play
Tata Steel 2013 A-Rd11 Leko
Here is a beautiful game by Peter Leko from Tata Steel Group A played in rd11. The Tata Steel event was beautifully photographed and organized.
Van Wely defended aggressively with the Sicilian Dragon but Leko invited a RRB-RRN ending and showed some fabulous technique to grind out the win in model fashion.
White has the better structure. How should white continue?
Position 2
Black is preparing a pawn break after playing 47..f6. How should white continue?
White to Play
Tata Steel 2013 Group B Rd11-GM Rapport(HUN)
Here is Rapport’s rd11 with Naiditsch who won a fantastic minor piece ending BN-BN with opposite color bishops.
The game started off with a harmless looking Winawer with 4.ed ed. Then the maneuvering action started with Rapport having his share of the chances.
Position 1
The kingside is closed off. What is the plan for white now?
White to Play
Position 2
White is pushing hard on the queenside. What is the next step?
White to Play
Tata Steel 2013 Group B Rd10-Rapport(HUN)
Here Rapport’s rd10 game. The main feature is the R-R P+ conversion with all the play on the kingside.
Position 1
Black is causing problems with the active rook and it is not so clear how white can or should make progress. What do you suggest for white?
White to Play
Tata Steel 2013 Rd5-GM Rapport(HUN)
Here GM Rapport’s rd5 win over the veteran Tiviakov.
Position 1
Black would like to attack white on the queenside. What do you suggest?
Black to Play
Tata Steel 2013 Rd8-GM Rapport(HUN)
Here is GM Rapport’s Rd8 game against Smeets.
Rapport,R (2621) – Smeets,J (2615)
Semi-Slav 9.a3[D47]
75th Tata Steel GpB Wijk aan Zee NED (8.3), 20.01.2013
Position 1
White is well centralized and has two strong bishops. What do you suggest for black?
Black to Play
Tata Steel 2013 Rd4
Here is GM Rapport’s Rd4 game.
Rapport,R (2621) – Movsesian,S (2688)
Slav Slow 4..a6[D10]
75th Tata Steel GpB Wijk aan Zee NED (4.4), 15.01.2013
Position 1
There is a massive central confrontation happening. What should white do now?
White to Play
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