Archive for November 27th, 2009

… is certainly no exception anymore in modern opening lines (here Ruy Lopez/Moller Variation 5…Lc5), yet it should always be treated with care. Here Black was facing the question whether he could expand even further with
18…g4, trying to win White’s central pawn d4. What do you think?
A) Black gets the advantage, thanks to his strong Nf5 he keeps firm control; 
B) this backfires, the position is weakened too much; ; 
C) White can equalize with precise play.
The solution is here,
but first ponder over it with a  larger version of the diagram.

None of the top players left in the tiebreak matches faltered: Peter Svidler disposed efficiently of upstart Tomi Nyback; Ponomariov ground down Akobian; Eljanov and Karjakin were successful; and Alexei Shirov won all three games. Maybe one small surprise: Fabiano Caruana eliminated Leinier Dominguez, the highest rated player to drop out today. Pictorial report.