I have been slothful in getting out the results and games from the Albany Area Chess Club title event. Today is to make up for that neglect.
Wednesday evening saw a full round, the second, played, and there were a couple of surprises; Dean Howard, the defending Champion was held to a draw by Jason Denham as was Peter Henner by Art Alowitz. The latter is not so big a surprise as the former. Alowitz is always a difficult opponent. His results against the Class A/Experts locally has been improving the last few years.
One game from the first round was not played and rescheduled to a later date; Lack - Henner. The standings after Wednesday’s play are:
Gordon Magat leads with 2 - 0. He is followed by Dean Howard and Akhil Kamma at 1 ½ - ½. Next is Jonathan Lack at 1 - 0, then Art Alowitz at 1 - 1. Peter Henner stands at ½ - ½, followed by Tim Wright, Jason Denham. and Chris Caravaty with ½ - 1 ½. Trailing the field is Cory Northrup at 0 - 2.
It is way too early to draw any conclusions about what the ultimate outcome will be. Gordon has yet to meet any of the top rated players; Howard, Wright , Henner and Lack. Dean was not able to generate any real play against Denheam’s Petronsian style Rubinstein variation of the French even after using a great deal of time in the middle game. He had to concede a draw in this second round game. Tim Wright spoiled his start to the event with an error early on against Lack. That coupled with the draw he had with Alowitz in round one makes a high finish for Mr. Wright a matter of doing well against the contenders from here on out; possible but difficult. Art Alowitz won the trophy for best under 1800 in last year’s AACC tournament, and he is off to an excellent start to repeat with draws against Wright and Henner. To really understand who’s leading we will need a couple of more rounds of play.
To obtain scores of the games herein published, I record the games underway for the most part. My experience has been that three games are about all I can handle at once. Trying for more works pretty well enough through the middle game, but once time trouble shows up, or a bunch of moves are made in a rush, making an accurate record suffers. In that light, choosing which games to record is a challenge. My rule has been to always try to record games where contenders play contenders, then games where emerging talents are playing, and finally, games with openings that in which I am interested. Today’s game is one between new talents and it is a Slav Defense. Ever since GM Har-Zvi’s Saturday lectures of a while back on the Slav, it has been a favorite of mine, and so today’s choice.
Caravaty, Chris - Kamma, Akhil [D11]
AACC Championship Guilderland, NY, 09.11.2011
1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.e3,.
Most common here is 4 Nc3. The text is the second choice among the GMs.
4...,Bg4
Much more frequently played is 4..., Bf5; we are still well within known theory.
5.Nc3 e6 6.Qb3 Qc7 7.Ne5 Bh5?!
Now the game is out in the high weeds of the non-theoretical. Normal is 7..., Bf4. There is not a lot of material in the databases on this position, but there are some games by high level players. Here are two:
(627747) Burmakin, Vladimir (2522) - Gurevich, Mikhail (2688) [D11]
EU-ch 2nd Ohrid (7), 07.06.2001
1.d4 d5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.c4 c6 4.e3 Bg4 5.Nc3 e6 6.Qb3 Qc7 7.Ne5 Bf5 8.Bd2 Nbd7 9.f4 Be7 10.Be2 0–0 11.0–0 Ne4 12.Nxe4 Bxe4 13.Nxd7 Qxd7 14.Bb4 b6 15.Bxe7 Qxe7 16.Rac1 c5 17.cxd5 exd5 18.Qa3 Rac8 19.Rc3 Rc6 20.Bf3 Bxf3 21.Rxf3 Qc7 22.dxc5 bxc5 23.Rf1 h6 24.Rd1 Rd8 25.Rcd3 d4 26.Qa4 Rcd6 27.Qa3 Qb6 28.g3 Re8 29.exd4 cxd4 30.Qb3 Qc5 31.Qa3 Qd5 32.Qb3 Qc5 33.Qa3 Qc6 34.R3d2 d3 35.Rf2 Re3 36.Qc3 Qd5 37.Qb3 Qd4 38.Qc3 Qa4 39.Qc8+ Kh7 40.Qf5+ Kg8 41.Qc8+ Re8 42.b3 Qe4 43.Qc3 Red8 44.Qe5 Qc6 45.Qe3 d2 46.Qxa7 Ra8 47.Qe3 Re8 48.Qxd2 Rxd2 49.Rfxd2 Kh7 50.Kf2 Qb6+ 51.Kg2 Re3 52.Rf2 Qc6+ 53.Kg1 g6 54.Rdf1 Qe4 55.Rd1 Kg7 56.Rdf1 h5 57.Rd1 Kh6 58.Rdf1 Qd5 59.Rc1 Rd3 60.Rcf1 Kg7 61.Re1 Kf6 62.Rfe2 Rd2 63.Kf2 Qd4+ 64.Kf3 Qd5+ 65.Kf2 Qc5+ 66.Kf3 Qc6+ 67.Kf2 Qb6+ 68.Kf3 Qb7+ 69.Ke3 Rd6 70.Kf2 Ra6 71.Ra1 Qb6+ 72.Kg2 Qc6+ 73.Kf2 Qc5+ 74.Kg2 Qd5+ 75.Kh3 Re6 76.Rf2 Re3 77.Raf1 Qe4 78.Rd1 Kg7 79.Rdd2 Re1 0–1
(1192478) Rukavina, Josip (2382) - Rogic, Davor (2512) [D11]
Pula op Pula (4), 26.06.2007
1.Nf3 d5 2.c4 c6 3.e3 Nf6 4.d4 Bg4 5.Nc3 e6 6.Qb3 Qc7 7.Ne5 Bf5 8.Be2 Nbd7 9.f4 h5 10.0–0 Be7 11.Bd2 g5 12.cxd5 gxf4 13.Nxd7 Qxd7 14.dxc6 bxc6 15.Bf3 fxe3 16.Bxe3 Bd6 17.Ne2 Rb8 18.Qc3 Nd5 19.Bxd5 cxd5 20.Bf4 Rg8 21.Rac1 h4 22.b3 Rg4 23.Qf3 e5 24.h3 Rg6 25.dxe5 Be4 26.exd6 Bxf3 27.Rxf3 Rxd6 28.Nd4 Rb4 29.Re1+ Kf8 30.Be5 Rg6 31.Ref1 Qe7 32.Rf5 Ke8 33.Rc1 Qd7 34.Rh5 f6 0–1
Both of these games see White converting the situation to something resembling a Bird’s formation with 9 f4. In both cases Black won. Overall, the databases show White at plus 1 over eight games. The player’s ratings in this selection of games are rather mixed from unrated to GM. For players above 2350 the results are even, +2 and -2. Drawing a conclusion re: the goodness of 9 f4, has to wait for more GM games and/or some serious analysis. Our game proceeds differently.
8.Bd3 dxc4 9.Bxc4 Bd6 10.Bxe6?!,..
White launches a highly speculative attack. It should not work. The complications are sufficient that the temptation is obvious. I’ve lost a casual game or two to Mr. Caravaty and can testify to his ambitious aggression at the board. This time I think he may have been carried away with the chance for a sprightly win.
10..., fxe6
At first glance declining the offer gives up a pawn for nothing. After 10..., 0-0 11 Bh3 Bxe5 12 dxe5 Qxe5 13 Qxb7, White seems to have the pawn safely in hand, but if the analysis is carried forward Black just might get compensation with 13..., Nbd7 14 0-0 Bg4; and White’s tardy development is a worry. Trying to improve the line by interjecting 14 Bxd7, seems to lead to a material imbalance favoring White after 14..., Nxd7 15 Qxc6 Rac8 16 Qd5 Rxc3 17 Qxe5 Rxc1+ 18 Rxc1 Nxe5; giving him a Rook and two pawns for the Bishop and Knight. It is true White will have to work hard to turn the material plus into a victory, but it should be possible.
I was watching the game and this passage closely. Akhil gave some serious thought to this move debating declining the offer no doubt.
11.Qxe6+ Be7?
Either 11..., Kf8; or 11..., Kd8; would be better. The text seems to be played with the hope of eventually castling. Until the White Queen can be shifted from her post whisking the Black King away is impossible. White has some more aggression in mind that keeps Black busy for a few moves. These moves alter the terrain significantly.
12.g4!,..
A nice as well as necessary move. Now Black is at a crossroads; giving some material to ease the heat of the attack is reasonable, but how to do so? Worth a thought is; 12..., Nxg4 13 Nxg4 Qd7 14 Qxd7 Nxd7; returning the piece and emerging down a pawn but with the Bishop pair as compensation and a more compact pawn structure; two versus three islands. There was no chance to interrogate the participants after the game to discover if either took under consideration the old wisdom that one of many things can be done is to return sacrificed material to ease the pressure against your position.
12..., Bg6 13.g5 Nfd7?
Of the three possible moves; 13..., Nd5; 13..., Nh5; and the text, it is the worst of the three. The other two alternatives lead to interesting play where Black has real chances to hold up the pawns, and slowly work towards winning back some of them.
14.Nxg6 hxg6 15.Qxg6+ Kf8 16.Qf5+ Ke8 17.Qg6+ Kf8 18.h4,..
Maybe Black was hinting at a draw offer. White declines. This is the best way to try for more according to Rybka.
18..., Qd6 19.Qxd6?!,..
This move is puzzling. White made a sacrifice to reach a position where the Black King is awkwardly placed, and now he agrees to a trade of Queens that relives a good deal of the awkwardness. Additionally, his Bc1 and Ra1 are not close to participating in the game and White exchanges his most active piece. The only reason the move does not get a straight out query is there is a possible and interesting line of play that allows White to solve many of his problems; 19 Qxd6 Bxd6 20 h5!? Na6 21 Ne4 Bc7 22 Ke2, and White is on his way to getting all his pieces out; the Bishop goes to d2 and then the Ra1 may be used on the c, f or g-files as required.
A better choice for White is 19 Qf5+, and after 19..., Ke8; the main alternatives are; a) 20 Bd2, with long castling mobilizing all forces to support the extra pawns. b) 20 h5, when 20..., g6; introduces a complex fight. c) 20 e4, offering a pawn to get his pieces out after 20..., Qxd4 21 Be3 and eventually Ra1-d1. Instead of these options, White chooses to take the game to an ending where Black’s pieces have every chance to blockade the advancing pawns.
19..., Bxd6 20.f4 Na6 21.a3 Kf7 22.h5,..
White has purposefully advanced this h-pawn; it was a key part of his ambitious play to this point in the game. That makes it curious how he forgets about it later in the game.
22..., Ke7 23.b4,..
It was around this point in the game another of the spectators asked me why Chris wasn’t developing his pieces. The only answer I can think of is he was more worried about the Black pieces infiltrating his position than making the maximum use of his own forces.
23..., Nc7 24.e4,..
This looks risky but it is probably the best move in the situation. The Ra8 is ready to come in to the fight, White therefore wants to crowd the Black minor pieces as much as possible. The next operation continues this idea.
24..., Ne6 25.e5 Bc7 26.d5 cxd5?
This move concedes the advantage to White. Black could play 26..., Nxe5; seeking counter-play in complications by returning material, or 26..., Nd4 27 d6+ Ke6 28 Rb1 Bb6; when Black is close to blockading the pawns completely.
27.Nxd5+ Kd8
A little more stubborn defense might be 27..., Kf7; keeping the Rooks connected.
28.Nxc7?,..
This natural looking move lets slip most of the advantage White obtained so recently due to the Black errors. It is better to complete mustering all the White forces with 28 Be3, and if 28..., Nb6 29 0-0-0, than it is to trade this active Knight
28..., Kxc7 29.Be3 Raf8 30.Rc1+ Kb8 31.Rc4 Nb6 32.Bxb6 axb6 33.Rh4,..
The Rooks defending pawns in this way are a bit awkward.
33...,b5 34.Re4 Rd8?
This is the moment to bring the Black King closer to the scene of the action with 34..., Kc7. The Black pieces are well place to fight against the advance of the White pawn hoard. Why go adventuring?
35.Ke2 Nd4+ 36.Kf2 Nf5 37.Rh3 Rd2+ 38.Re2 Rd4 39.Kf3 Rd3+ 40.Kg4 Rxh3 41.Kxh3?,..
We now see why; Black must have had this general operation in mind all along. White probably did not see it clearly otherwise he could have defended better with 38 Kf3 Rd3+ 39 Kg4 Rxa3 40 Kxf5, and although White is down a Rook, his pawns are becoming mobile, the Black g-pawn is very weak while the Black King is about one move short of being able to help effectively.
Of course here White should have played for the win with 41 Kxf5!, and after 41..., Kc7 42 Kg6 Rxa3 43 e6 Raa8 44 e7 Kd7 45 Kf7 Rhe8 46 Kxg7 Rxe7+ 47 Rxe7+ Kxe7 48 h6, this pawn will cost Black his Rook. White has then an easily won ending.
41..., Rc8??
The dreaded double query is given because 41..., Rxh5+; wins for Black after 42 Kg4 g6; and if 43 e6? Rh4+; and 44..., Nd4+; is a final blow. The better alternative for White 43 Ra2, leaving Black just about winning after 43..., Kc7. What is just as bad as missing the immediate tactical point is the text begins an operation that gives White a winning possibility.
42.Kg4 Nd4 43.Re4 Rc4?
Self pinning the Nd4 making the potential push h5-h6 very strong indeed.
44.e6?!,..
A strong move but not clearly winning as is 44 h6! . How then does Black stop the coming Queen on the h-file? The most reasonable try; 44..., gxh6 45 gxh6 Rc6 46 Rxd4 Rxh6 47 f5, is obviously won for White with little counter-play for Black.
44..., Nc6 45.Kf5??,..
White fails to count. Now simply 45 Rxc4 bxc4 46 h6. White will Queen with check gaining enough time to bring the new Queen to h1 stopping or delaying the c-pawn from reaching the first rank, and there is always the White e-pawn waiting in the wings to Queen with or without the help of the f6-pawn.
45..., Ne7+ 46.Ke5 Nc6+ 47.Kd5 Ne7+ 48.Ke5,..
The clocks were becoming a problem for both sides now. White did not have the leisure to calculate a last winning try with 48 Kd6, which looks won for him. He here decides on a split of the point.
48..., Nc6+ 49.Kf5 Ne7+ 50.Ke5 ½–½
The draw was offered and accepted. The game has it flaws, but both sides had ideas and were making every effort to win the game. The participants demonstrated ambition and imagination, they both also have some problems in calculation. Some more outings in the crucible of tournament chess will, if they seriously analyze their games, will certainly see improvement in calculation. It will be interesting to see how high they climb in the local pecking order.
More soon.
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