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by Aviv Friedman
Ivanchuk - Vallejo:
Ivanchuk - Vallejo:
The Paulsen Sicilian is clearly a part of Vallejo's repertoire and one could
assume both players have expected and prepared for that for today. This is an
amazingly flexible variation with many set-ups and possible move orders.
9…Re8 was a new move but part of a plan that is sometimes seen. I was a bit
surprised to see 13.Rad1 by white, as often that rook lands on e1 with
later attempts to support an e5 break. After black's reaction, white got e5
in anyway, maybe even under better circumstances, because Rad1 indirectly
keeps an eye on the black d6 pawn. Instead of 13…Nh5?, black should have
preferred 13…Qc7. Chuky built a nice position for himself, 16.Ng5! (threatening
for example Nxh7 and Qxh5) started the action going, but who would have
guessed it would take only 7 more moves to see the end? The combination of
motifs that include Qh3, Bc3, along with the ever-looming Rxd7 or Nf6+ if given
a chance, were a lot to handle. Perhaps 20…Qxc4 was more challenging, but
with white obviously on top, the end came quickly: 21.Qh3! was a clincher
and although 22…Nf5 23.g4 is still a fight, the result should not be in doubt.
Paco managed to 'find a shortcut' to end the agony with 22…e5? 23.Qxd7. This
is the Spaniard's worst loss yet. This second half of the event certainly
started on the left foot for him.
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