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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