Spanish Open Games

Game 1: Eljanov-Karjakin

Berlin 4.d3 Bc5(C65)

The 6.Qe2 line in the Berlin middlegame is a popular branch. White tried a more modest approach with g3 and c4/Nd5 but could not get much against the solid Berlin formation.

After 19.Kf1(Diagram)

White is more active in the centre and has dreams of a kingside attack so how should Black manage the defence?

After 19.Kf1

Game 2: Azarov-Zhigalko,S

Breyer 9.h3 Nb8(C95)

The solid Breyer continues to be a tough nut to crack.

After 26..Kg7(Diagram)

White needed some cooperation in the attacking phase but took the necessary risks to get some winning chances.

After 26..Kg7

Non-Spanish Open Games

Here are some interesting games from this weeks TWIC issue.

Game 1: Karjakin-Aronian

Italian Game(C50)

Black mismanaged his position after accepting an isolated pawn for activity and was then positionally smothered.

After 31..Rfe8(Diagram)

The knight is king and the e-pawn a permanent target but what is the plan now?

After 31..Rfe8

Game 2: Jones-Ragger

Scotch Game, Mieses Attack (C45)

White played a model endgame gambit in the topical Scotch Opening.

After 27..a6(Diagram)

White has a nice good knight vs bad bishop RN-RB endgame. How to continue?

After 27..a6

Game 3: Grigorian-Harutyunian

Vienna Game 3.g3 Bc5(C26)

A typical plan for White is f4-f5 and a kingside pawn avalanche.

After 7.Nge2(Diagram)

Black must make a key defensive decision early in the game.

After 7.Nge2

After 24.Bxf4(Diagram)

Black voluntarily opened up his kingside in a sharp chaotic game and now must make a decision about the Bf2.

(a) Guard it 24..Qc5 or

(b) Move it with 24..Bxg1+ 

After 24.Bxf4

SENSE 4-MTK 2

I lost in rather listless and pathetic fashion.

Yip-Baranyi,T

Dutch Leningrad 7..e6(A87)

After  18..Nd7(Diagram)

My position during the game was not as bad I had initially thought during the post-game analysis.

After 18..Nd7

Much later

After 28.Qf2(diagram)

After quite a few mistakes, it is Black to Plan and Win:

After 28.Qf2

Some things for 1.d4 players.

Games Selection

Maiorov-Kovalenko

Nimzo-Indian(E32) 4.Qc2 d6!?

The 4..d6 sideline is an interesting way to avoid the massive theory of the main lines.

After 18-Kh1(Diagram)

White took some liberties with the odd Qc1  retreat and then 18.Kh1 just invited a massive attack. The remainder of the game was a comedy  errors though.

After 18.Kh1

Lalith-Visakh

Open Catalan 8.a4(E05)

After 15..Ra8(Diagram)

White has the bishops and a nice pawn centre. White is the plan now?

After 15..Ra8

Martinez-Granda Zuniga

Queen’s Indian 4.g3 Ba6(E15)

After 21..Qc6(Diagram)

White lasted until deep into the ending when the losing blunder was made but certainly had chances in the early going.

After 21..Qc6

Endgame Phase

After 32.Ke2(Diagram)

Black ground out a win by keeping the pressure up.

After 32.Ke2

Results

MTK did not have a great day, losing two of three matches today.

I. osztály, Lilienthal csoport
Mattolda SSC I – SENSE I 7:5
Tabáni Spartacus II – Újpesti KSE I 3,5:8,5
Vasas SC II – BEAC II 9:3
Fabulon-Lombik – MTK Budapest III 7,5:4,5
Sirály I – Pénzügyőr SE III 7:5
Barcza GSC I – Palota Sakk I 5:7

A Tabáni Spartacus II az 1. táblán ifjúsági játékos kontumálásáért 2 büntetőpontot kapott.

II. osztály, Bilek csoport
Mattolda SSC II – Csepeli TK 2,5:9,5
Aquaréna KSC III – Sárkány DSE II 5:7
Törekvés SE – BEAC III 7,5:4,5
SENSE II – MTK Budapest IV 6,5:5,5
Pestszentlőrinc II – A. Láng MKKE 5:7
Barcza GSC II – HÜSI SC II 4:8

III. osztály, Szén csoport
Palota Sakk II – Pénzügyőr SE IV 6:6
MTK Budapest V – Sárkány DSE III 8:4
Rákosliget – ATTE-ARISZ 4:8
MLTC II – Aquaréna KSC IV 9:3
Aquaréna KSC V – Pestszentimre 3:9
Honvéd ASE III – Újpesti KSE II 10,5:1,5
BEAC IV – Sirály II 2:10
Barcza GSC III – HÜSI SC III 8,5:3,5

I contributed a win for MTK III against Fabulon

Horvath,B-Yip

The play was sharp and somewhere White missed a tactical shot.

After 13.Re1(Diagram)

Black to play and win.

After 13.Re1

Some of my teammates have become slightly camera shy.

Yip,M(CAN)

From this week’s TWIC 1158. Every players’ favorite task is going through relevant repertoire games to stay on top of developments.

Berlin Wall 5.Re1(C67)

Hovhannisyan-Pashikan ARM Ch 2017

The 5.Re1 is a very popular way to avoid the painfully equal and solid Berlin Endgame.

White won this game after getting some nagging pressure in an equal position. There were some inaccuracies and then blunders decided in the rook endgame.

After 24..Qxe8(Diagram)

After 24..Qxe8

The Rook Ending Phase

After 59.Rh5(Diagram)

The rook ending is equal but requires precise handling.

Are you up to the task?

After 59.Rh5

I will be on MTKIII facing Fabulon tomorrow(Jan 22-2017) in Rd5 of the BTCh. Hopefully this will be enough preparation in case I am Black.

Final Ranking after 9 Rounds

Business as usual for IM Aczel Gergely who took clear first with 8,5/9.

Open: Final Ranking after 7 Rounds

IM Aczel Gergely won with a perfect score.

I had an ordinary result with 3/7.

After the tournament I enjoyed some blitz and tandem chess at the Bumblebee Club to bring in the new year.

IM Hardiscay-Yip

This game was a hard fought marathon with lots of maneuvering, sharp play, tactics and an long endgame. I spent a few hours on this game and believe I only scratched the surface of what happened in the game.

Berlin Defence(C65)

After 47.Nf1(Diagram)

The position looks fairly non-special. Is Black defending or just sitting on an equal position?

After 47.Nf1

After 73..Kg8(Diagram)

The drama continues. Who is doing what to who? I thought the c-pawn gave Black enough counterplay.

After 73..Kg8

B: Final Ranking after 7 Rounds

Moricz Benedek won with 6,5/7.

MTK narrowly won 3,5-2,5 after the top two boards narrowly lost.

I won my game on board 3.

Lakatos,A-Yip

White’s kingside was very loose after 44.f4(Diagram)

After 44.f4

MTK won one match and lost one this past Sunday.

Tapolca Rockwool VSE – MTK Budapest: 4-8

SE Kisbér-Ászár – MTK Budapest II.: 7-5

I contributed a draw with Black but MTK lost the match.

Balogh.P-Yip,M

After 23.Bd1(Diagram)

My kingside looks quite loose as White prepares to exploit the light squares but Black has the h-file and a useful knight that can hop into f4.

I had one chance to be clever in the game and missed my chance.

After 23.Bd1

My opponent offered my a draw in what he thought was an even position but some computer checking showed that I was White who had the chances.

I took the offer without much hesitation as White also had a big rating and I was Black and feeling quite sleepy in the game.