Chess #606

THE BILBAO GRAND SLAM turned into yet another triumph for Levon Aronyan. The Armenian GM has been on a hot streak winning the Grand Prix, the Amber, and now Bilbao. Bilbao is played to a scoring system of 3 points for a win, 1 for a draw but that would not have made a difference. Aronyan played to +4, -1, =1 while Karjakin went +1,-1, =4 and Grischuk was +2,-2,=2. Under the Bilbao system, Grischuk edged out Karjakin. Alexei Shirov was last with a dreadful -3, =3.

Spain is the epicentre of world chess — it hosts many top events and it's not an accident that Topalov, Anand, Ivanchuk, Shirov, etc, are domiciled there. Bilbao was followed by a match in Valencia that evoked much nostalgia.

Kasparov plays Anatoly Karpov, renewing the greatest rivalry ever. In their five title matches, Kasparov eked out a 21-19 lead with 104 draws. GK won three of those matches, one was tied and the first was aborted when Karpov led 5-3.

Valencia consists of 4 rapid games followed by 8 blitz (all with increments). Kasparov started in great style, leading 2-0 after the first two rapid games. Karpov looked rusty. GK has apparently kept himself match-fit, through writing a series of high-quality books, in between spending time on the political campaign trail against Vladimir Putin.

Game 2 was consummated by a sharp sacrificial attack. In game 1, AK flagged out in an unclear position where GK had pressure. On day two, Karpov broke back with a nice win in Game 3 but Kasparov sealed another win, on time, in Game 4 The final position appeared superior for GK but much work would have had to be done.

Karpov follows through with another exhibition where he faces Anand. Kasparov has decided to step up his active involvement by training Norwegian prodigy, Magnus Carlsen. The contours of the arrangement are not clear but this is obviously a coup for Team Carlsen.

Valencia has generated so much publicity, it has drowned out another match. Zahar Efimenko plays Nigel Short in Mukachevo, Ukraine in an eight gamer at normal controls. That is tied 1-1, after three games.

The DIAGRAM, WHITE TO PLAY, (Kasparov Vs Karpov, Game 2, Valencia 2009) is one of those situations where lightning strikes out of a clear sky. Apparently this is a balanced position. Black has simplified but Nc5, Ra7, Qb8 are out of touch with the kingside.

Kasparov rattled off 22.Nf6+! gxf6 23.Qxh6 f5 24.Qg5+ Kh8 25.Qf6+ Kg8 26.Rxf5 Ne4 27.Qh4 Re8 28.Rh5 f5 (1-0). Now 29.Rh8+ Kf7 30.Qh7+ Ke6 31.Qg6+ Nf6 32.Re1+ is the most efficient. The variations are not so tough - it is more a question of realising the Q+R can break in if the pawn cover is disturbed.