White to Play

Magnus played Bxg6 attacking the Black Queen and defending the f2 square

After an exciting week of chess we have reached the Final of the Opera Euro Rapid competition. World Champion Magnus Carlsen defeated MVL in a very thrilling and topsy turvy semi-final. Magnus showed both extremes of live rapid chess by playing brilliantly one game and dropping pieces in the next.

In the position below it is Magnus (White) to move, most of us would play Re1 or Rf3 protecting the Bishop on e3. Magnus actually played Qd3?? and resigned on the spot. At least we can be assured that no engines are being used in this competition!

His opponent in the Final is Wesley So, who played excellent chess to beat Teimour Radjabov. Wesley’s play is well suited to rapid chess as he can switch between ultra solid and very aggressive, a perfect combination when playing Carlsen.

Interestingly in the very first game of the Opera Tournament a week ago, Wesley So defeated Magnus Carlsen. Will history repeat itself in the final?

After 2 very exciting days at the Opera Euro Rapids we now know the players through to the semi-finals. World Champion Magnus Carlsen rode his luck to scrape through, where he will face MVL

The other semi will see Wesley So play Teimour Radjabov.

I think the most interesting final would be Radjabov v MVL, especially considering what happened at the 2020 Candidates!

Yet again, there have been many exciting games played this week, from Super GMs in the Opera Euro Rapid to us, the mere wood pushers playing in the Thanet All Play All.

In the Thanet competition the following position was reached in the all Broadstairs clash between Andy Flood and Trefor Owens

I think that Black is slightly better, mainly because the White King is badly placed and the pawn on g2 is weak. After the obvious Queen trade there would be chances to save the game. However Andy went ALL IN in with Rxg6+ and duly lost as he doesn’t get enough compensation for a whole Rook. Still another strong game from Andy against a higher rated opponent. He is certainly the most genuinely improved player in the online event, boding well for the next over the board season.

However my choice of game of the week comes from the University of Salamanca Masters event played in Spain. Amongst the eight participants were two of the greatest attacking players of all time; Alexei Shirov and Veselin Topalov

The tournament was won, convincingly by Shirov but my favourite game was played by Topalov against the young French WGM Almira Skripchenko. The game is fascinating and very educational for club players – watch how Topalov takes control of the entire board before igniting the tactics.

If, like me, you are a fan of his style of play I can thoroughly recommend the following book. My Magic Years with Topalov by Romain Edouard an exciting and interesting read.

Naturally a great place to purchase chess books and equipment from is Chess & Bridge, their store can be found by simply clicking on the logo to the right.

Here is the game for your enjoyment, the notes, and therefore any mistakes, are all mine and not the fault of either player

 White:  GM Veselin Topalov       Black:  WGM Almira Skripchenko

University of Salamanca Masters

   1. e4 d6 2. d4 Nf6 3. Nc3 e5 {a variation of the Philidor or Black Lion defence   } 4. Nf3 {White could have taken the Queens off the board, but that is not   Topalov's style} (4. dxe5 dxe5 5. Qxd8+ Kxd8) 4... Nbd7 5. Bc4 Be7 6. O-O O-O   7. Re1 {we have reached a level position but White has more space} a6 8. a4 b6   9. h3 {Topalov takes control of the g4 square} Bb7 10. d5 {fixing the pawn   structure} Kh8 {Skripchenko moves her King in case the f pawn moves later in   the game} 11. b3 Nc5 12. b4 {It looks strange to play b3 and then b4, however   Topalov has won a tempo with this little trick} Ncd7 13. Nd2 Ne8 {Both players   look at a possible break on the f file} 14. a5 Bg5 {A standard ploy, Black   looks to trade her 'bad' dark squared Bishop} 15. Bd3 g6 16. Ne2 Ng7 17. c4 {   Excellent move, once the queenside is blockaded Topalov will see his   opponent's King} f5 18. Nc3 bxa5 19. Rxa5 c5 {You have to admire Skripchenko's   attitude, playing one of the greatest attacking players of our time she still   opens the game and invites complications} 20. dxc6 Bxc6 21. Nd5 Nf6 22. Bb2 {   The Bishop finally moves and points directly as the Black King} fxe4 {we see   this at our level. Black has been under pressure, eventually she breaks the   tension with an exchange that just opens the board up. Her King is hardly safe   on h8} 23. Nxe4 Bxd5 24. Nxg5 {The sign of a world class player, if Topalov   had captured on d5 or f6 his advantage would have been lost} Bb7 25. c5 {   Wonderful move, now the a2 - g8 diagonal is open} Nd5 26. Be4 Nxb4 {Tempting   but the tactics favour her opponent} 27. Bxb7 Qxa5 28. Bxa8 Nd3 {This move   threatens Rook, Bishop and the pawn on f2, and the Bishop on a8 is still en   pris, however Topalov has calculated everything to perfection} 29. Re3 Nxb2 30.   Qxd6 {Checkmate is now unstoppable} Rxa8 31. Nf7+ Kg8 32. Nh6+ Kh8 33. Qd5 {   Black resigned as she is completely lost, the prettiest continuation would   have been 33... Rd8 34. Qg8+ Rxg8 35. Nf7++} 1-0   

Having completed 3 rounds of All Play All, the Opera Euro Rapid event has reached the knockout stages. With half of the original field of 16 already eliminated it come as no surprise that some very big names have already heard the fat lady sing. Amonst those eliminated are Nakamura, Grishuk, Nepomniachtchi and Ding Liren!

The quarter-final line up is :

Magnus Carlsen    v    Daniil Dubov

Levon Aronian    v    Maxime Vachier-Lagrave

Jan Krzysztof Duda    v    Wesley So

Teimour Radjabov    v    Anish Giri