CHESS #1389

Humpy Koneru won the Cairns Cup, which is billed as the strongest ever women’s tournament. She scored 6 points from 9 games to take home $45,000. Reigning world champion, Ju Wenjun, came second with 5.5 to win $35,000. Koneru managed a 2627 Elo performance with four wins and one loss (to Mariya Muzychuk) to overtake Ju in the rating list. If she maintains form, she should qualify easily for the Candidates, where she would be one of the favourites. 

In the Open Candidates, which start in Yekaterinburg on March 15, the two Chinese representatives will have to arrive early. While both Wang Hao and Ding Liren say that it hasn’t been too difficult to cope with the travel restrictions due to the coronavirus, their plans to hold training camps have had to be cancelled. 

However, they will not have a problem getting visas for Russia, according to the Fide spokespersons. Wang is in Tokyo and doesn’t intend to return to China, thus obviating quarantine requirements. But Ding is in his hometown of Wenzhou (800 km from Wuhan) where anybody who goes out on the street has to pass a “temperature test” to avoid quarantine. 

The Madras High Court has set aside the election process to the All India Chess Federation, and asked AICF to hold a new Annual General Meeting to elect office-bearers. Only five candidates for 16 positions were deemed to have correctly submitted nomination papers and therefore, “elected” unopposed. The nominations of 23 others were rejected, as they did not file papers in person as required by Para 6.4 of the National Sports Development Code. 

Vidit Gujrathi is leading the strong Prague Masters, going into the last round, despite a loss to David Navara in the second-last round. The GM from Nasik has scored 5 from 8 games in the 10-player Round Robin (Average Elo 2707). Second place is shared by Nikita Vitiugov, 

David Antón Guijarro and Alireza Firouzja (4.5 each). 

The Diagram, White to Play, (White: Gujrathi Vs Black: Firouzja, Prague Masters 2020) is incredible. Alireza is a 2726 player. They were in a Slav Exchange, among the most drawish of openings. By move 13, black is lost! 

White played 13. Qb3! [Now b7 can’t be defended] So black replies 13.— b5 14. Rxc6 Qxa4 15. Qc3 e5 [Forced, to cover the threat of 16. Rc8+] After 16. Nxe5 b4 [Again forced, to prevent 17. Re6+ followed by Qc6+]. 

White killed the position with 17. axb4 Ne4 18. Qa1! Qxa1 19. Rxa1 Bxb4 20. Rcxa6 Rxa6 21. Rxa6 O-O 22. Nc6! [ The Kt hits Bb4 and threatens Ne7xf5 if e7 is unguarded.] Now Black tried the last ditch 22. — Rc8 23. g4! Nc3 24. Bf1 (1-0). Material losses can’t be stopped. 

Devangshu Datta is an internationally rated chess and correspondence chess player