ODT070213

=**Close finish at Wijk aan Zee**=


 * Problem:** White to play and mate in 3.

The annual Corus festival at Wijk aan Zee in the Netherlands is the longest running event of its calibre in the international chess calendar. Moves are afoot to make its Grandmaster A tournament part of an international 'Grand Slam' along with Linares, Sofia (Mtel Masters) and Bilbao in 2008.

This year's event lived up to its usual reputation of uncompromising chess, and much interest was sparked by whether the World Champion Vladimir Kramnik or world number one ranked player and arch-rival Veselin Topalov would prove superior. Though after five rounds the sole leader was 19 year old Teimour Radjabov of Azerbaijan with 4½ points, in the process singlehandledly resurrecting the King's Indian Defence as a viable opening at the elite level. Topalov, the premier tournament player of the last two years, was not to be denied, however, and he soon overtook Radjabov to lead by a point. But a late loss to Svidler against the run of play allowed Radjabov to catch up, along with Armenian GM Levon Aronian who went through undefeated. All three finished equal first on 8½/13 ahead of Kramnik alone in 4th on 8 points. Kramnik was also without a loss, but his three wins were never going to be enough for first place.

On a less pleasant note, much media attention surrounded the continuing poor relations between Kramnik and Topalov after their World Championship match. They managed to agree a draw without speaking to each other or shaking hands in their individual encounter. Even worse were the growing allegations of computer cheating against Topalov (via signalling from his manager in the crowd) without real evidence to back the claims.

Today's game, from the twelfth round at Wijk aan Zee is a brutally short win by Dutch GM Loek van Wely playing White against Russian SuperGM Peter Svidler, showing that even the great can miss something fundamental. media type="custom" key="26949966" The Classical Exchange variation of the Grunfeld Defence. White develops the bishop first to avoid a pin on the knight by ...Bg4, with the intention of maintaining a big pawn centre. Svidler's favourite line, avoiding the well known exchange sacrifice after 10 ... Bg4 11 f3 Na5 12 Bd3 cxd4 13 cxd4 Be6 14 d5!? and consequent attack which had been used by Topalov to beat Shirov earlier in the tournament. Black's plan is queenside play based on playing ...a6 and ...b5. A very risky exchange, bringing the white queen to the hole at h6. Svidler thought he had calculated it out, but he missed some great tactical ideas hidden in the position, which van Wely uses to exploit Black's weakened kingside. As intended when making the exchange on h6, but missing White's next move after which Black is lost. 19... Nxd4? also loses to 20 Rh5! exploiting the pin on g6 along the 6th rank. 19 ... f6 avoids immediate catastrophe leaving White with the advantage. Hoping for 21 gxf3? Nxf3+ as there is no saving the bishop. E.g. 20 ... Be6 21 Nh5 mates, or 20 ... Bd7/c8 21 Rh5 winning the queen. Winning a piece.
 * 1. d4 Nf6**
 * 2. c4 g6**
 * 3. Nc3 d5**
 * 4. cxd5 Nxd5**
 * 5. e4 Nxc3**
 * 6. bxc3 Bg7**
 * 7. Bc4 ---**
 * 7. --- c5**
 * 8. Ne2 Nc6**
 * 9. Be3 O-O**
 * 10. O-O Bd7**
 * 11. Rb1 Qc7**
 * 12. Bf4 Qc8**
 * 13. Rc1 a6**
 * 14. Qd2 b5**
 * 15. Bd3 Qb7**
 * 16. Bh6 Bxh6?!**
 * 17. Qxh6 cxd4**
 * 18. cxd4 Qb6**
 * 19. Rc5! Bg4?**
 * 20. Nf4! Nxd4**
 * 21. Rg5 Bf3**
 * 22. Rg3**


 * 1-0**


 * Solution:** 1 Qh6+! Kxh6 2 Rh4+ 3 Kg7 Bh6#