GM Joel’s Chess Week Recap - Episode 44

Opening: D02, C06, C48, A48:

Player(s): Colas, Nyzhnyk, Pruijssers, Wempe, Ginsburg, Mcshane, Short, Mangao

This week we will take a look at a few international events that have just started over the weekend and check out the triumph and frustration of peripatetic English GM Nigel Short in his latest travels. First, we have the SPICE Cup from St.Louis. A number of strong GMs are playing there, mostly U.S. based players affiliated with college programs. In the first round two Webster students contested an interesting pawn ending, and if you know anything about me, you know I have to show you that. The chess festival in Hoogeveen in the Netherlands includes two grandmaster matches, Ivanchuk vs. Wei Yi, and Adhiban vs. Van Foreest. After three games Ivanchuk has taken a 2-1 lead, while the other match is tied with one win apiece. I may have games from those matches next week. Meanwhile, in the Open tournament, I found an interesting game where a FIDE Master Joost Wempe has some surprises for his grandmaster opponent, but Roeland Pruijjssers proves to be too resilient in the end. The 2017-2018 German Bundesliga has just started up, with Baden-Baden looking to defend their title. Let's look at a game where Luke McShane takes advantage of his opponent's indifferent opening play to whip up an instant attack with a few sacrificial flourishes. Last but not least, I have a game which you might be aware of if you are a follower of social media. Nigel Short is no longer competing against elite GMs, but he loves to travel the world, experiencing new people and places, while trying to win lots of small tournaments. His latest visit, the Negros Open in the Philippines, finished happily for Nigel with 8/9 and an emphatic first place finish. While some players may grumble about their opponents resigning too late, Nigel spread the word on Twitter and FaceBook of his frustration at his opponent resigning just a bit too early!