Today’s Chess Corner
White to play and win! How?
How are you doing today? There is so much great chess going on right now that I felt that I could not but share some of it with you. The Argentina Championship, the Serbian Championship, the Israeli Championship, the Ukraine Championship…the list goes on!
Surprisingly quick finish!
gm Perez,F – gm Peralta,F
95th-Argentina Ch Round 3
9.12.2021
The position after 33 moves of play. Of course, White is clearly better; the Black King is in serious danger. The experienced Peralta, many time Champion of Argentina, is hoping that his passed d-pawn will keep him in the game.
Despite this defeat, Peralta quickly recovered and after 8 rounds he finds himself in a 3-way tie for the lead with 3 rounds to go.
King side attack!
im Radovanovic,N – gm Ivic,V
Serbia Ch
10.12.2021
The following position arose after 21 moves of play in the 5th round of the Serbian Championship. Black has just played his Rook to f5, bringing in reinforcements for his attack on the King side.
White must now play very carefully, his position is still quite defensible. But we can forgive White for losing his nerve…
Attack with opposite color bishops
gm Smirin,I – Friedland,E
Israeli Open
8.12.2021
The position below occurred after 23 moves in the round-1 game between veteran grandmaster Smirin and the young talent (17 years old) Friedland. Both sides have navigated some complex play until now.
The evaluation of the position really depends on whose move it is. White has the move and Smirin skillfully demonstrates the value of opposite colour Bishops when pursuing an attack.
The Israeli Open is taking place at the same time as the official Israeli Championship, but from what I can see the Open is the stronger event! The tournament is 9 rounds long and will end on the 16th.
Fatal Error
gm Ratkovic – gm Bogosavljevic
Serbia Ch
6.12.2021
This curious position arose after 32 moves of play during the first round of the championship. Black had just played his Queen to a8, preparing to retreat his Knight to f6 and exchanging Queens. White can clearly not allow this to happen.
Clearly a result influenced by time trouble!