Uzbek one and two

IM Malcolm Pein October 25, 2023

 

A BLUNDER decided the Qatar Masters, as the leader Arjun Erigaisi lost a rook in his last round game against Uzbek number one Nodirbek Abdusattorov.
Just as at the 2022 Chess Olympiad, the Uzbeks got the better of the Indians when the chips were down. Nodirbek Yakuboev defeated Murali Karthikeyan and, with Hikaru Nakamura under pressure, and eventually drawing his game, the tournament was decided in an all-Uzbek tie-break that Yakuboev, who started as 19th seed, won.

A Shimanov – V Fedoseev

1.Nf3 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.Nc3 e6 4.g3 b6 5.Bg2 Bb7 6.0–0 Be7 7.d4 Ne4
(This is a standard plan in the Queen’s Indian, and works well when Black has played 0–0 and not c7–c5. Now White can gain space, block Black’s bishop on b7 and not worry about the weakening of his structure)
8.d5! Nxc3 9.bxc3 Bf6? (Better 9...d6 10.e4 e5 11.h4 when Black is solid, but White can play on the kingside with Nf3–h2 and f2–f4)
10.Bf4 (10.Nd2! Bxc3 11.Ne4 Bxa1 12.Nd6+ Kf8 13.Bf4 Bd4 14.Nxb7 Qf6 15.Bd6+ Kg8 16.dxe6 was winnning)
10...0–0 11.e4 (Black is being overrun, so he grabs a pawn and hopes for the best)

11...Bxc3 12.Rc1 Ba5 13.e5 exd5 14.cxd5 f6 (14...d6 15.Qc2 h6 16.Rfd1 dxe5 17.Nxe5 Nd7 18.Nc6 Qf6 19.Qa4 leaves Black without a good move)
15.Qb3 Kh8 16.exf6 Rxf6 17.Ne5 Qf8 (Black is also lost after 17...d6 18.Nc6 Bxc6 19.dxc6 Na6 20.Bg5)
18.Nc4 (Threat Nxa5 winning a piece)
18...Ba6 19.Nxa5! Bxf1 20.Rxf1 bxa5 21.Qb7 Na6 22.d6 1–0

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Yakubboev – Adhiban,

White to play and win:

Show Answer

 

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