CHESS #1312

CHESS #1312

Shakhriyar Mamedyarov won Biel in style. The Azeri GM scored 7.5 points in 10 rounds, in the six-player double round-robin. He was followed by Magnus Carlsen (6), Peter Svidler and Maxime Vachier-Lagrave (both 5.5), David Navara (4) and Nico Georgiadis (1.5). The key to victory was Mamedyarov’s penultimate round win over the world champion. 

Carlsen blundered under heavy pressure but Mamedyarov may have won anyway. This elo 2921 performance will push the world #3 to a rating high of 2817, just behind Fabiano Caruana's 2822. Carlsen drops to 2836. 

The challenger will gain just a little confidence at the recent evidence of Carlsen's frailty. Of  course, Carlsen may have been hindered to some extent by a desire to conceal preparation but he really seemed a little flat after starting with two good wins. 

Meanwhile, in Danzhou in the Chinese Riveira, Yu Yangyi (4) leads after six rounds of the eight-player single round robin.  Bu Xiangzhi and Jan Krzysztof Duda (both 3.5) are just one step behind and a good last round win could pull either of them into first place. Liem Le Quang (3), Sam Shankland (2.5), Vladimir Fedoseev, Wei Yi and Vidit Gujrathi (all 2.5) share "last". Vidit lost his first game this year to Duda and he also handed Shankland his first defeat. 

The Indian teams at the Asian Nations Cup aren't doing well. Iran Green, the first team of the hosts, have put up a terrific performance to lead with five straight wins in the Open section (10 match points). This is a seriously talented bunch of players — four of the five are teenagers. 

China is second (7 MP) with three wins, one loss and one draw versus India. Iran Red (6) shares third to sixth place with India, Vietnam and Kazakhstan but India is the worst placed on board points. In the women's section, China leads with 10 MP with Vietnam (7) and Iran Green (6) following. India (5) is tied for fourth-fifth in the eight team event. 

The Diagram, Black to Play (White: Mamedyarov Vs Black Carlsen, Biel 2018) looks miserable for black. White has extra material and initiative. However, the opposite-coloured bishops can be a drawing resource. Carlsen thought for three minutes over his next move and he may have assumed that he had to defend f6. So 56. — Bc1?? 57. e7 (1-0). The last trap is 57.— Re2 threatening Rh2 mate. But 58. Kh3 and then e8=Q. 

What's interesting is 56.-- Bc5! (or 56— Bb4) keeping a double-lock on e7 is hardly a clear win. White will play 57. Rxf6+ Kg7 58. Rf7+ Kh6. Black may hold here even though white will keep probing. One nice line is 59. Bd7? Re2 60. Kh3 Bg1!  61. g4 Kg5! 

Devangshu Datta is an internationally rated chess and correspondence chess player