The Grand PRIX at Nalchik is a partial triumph. Nalchik in the Southern Caucasus region of Russia has pulled Fide’s chestnuts out of the fire. The GP cycle was on the skids when Montreaux cancelled as a venue.
Like the previous three GPs, this is very strong with a rating average of 2725. After two rounds, Levon Aronyan leads with 2 wins (versus Mamedaryov and Vladimir Akopjan). Alexander Grischuk and Peter Svidler are at 1.5 while Eljanov, Alexeev, Kamsky, Leko, Ivanchuk, Bacrot, Karjakin, Kasimdzhanov and Boris Gelfand are all 50 per cent or less. There are no discernible weak links with a spread of less than 100 points between lowest rated Eljanov 2693 and top-seeded Aronyan 2754.
This GP edition is heavily overweight in former Soviet citizens (Leko of Hungary and Bacrot of France are the only players born outside the borders of the erstwhile USSR). They have all just emerged from the viciously competitive Russian teams championship. Hence, there could be some fatigue towards the latter stages.
Every GP invitee gets to play four of the six GPs and accumulates points. As of now, just the winner of the overall set of six is supposed to play the 2011-12 title cycle (which is one reason why Carlsen and Adams quit).
Radjabov leads overall with Wang Yue, Vugar Hashimov and Grischuk behind. Each of them has played three and Grischuk is playing his fourth on the the trot. Aronyan won the only GP in which he participated. He would push into top place with two events in hand if he wins at Nalchik.
The diagram, WHITE TO PLAY (Svidler Vs Ivanchuk, Nalchik Grand Prix 2009) is the launch pad for some hair-raising and deeply calculated tactics. Svidler tried 20. e6 fxe6 21. Nxd4 Rd8 22. Bxe6+ Kh8 23. g5 Rxd4?
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Though the preceding moves look natural and almost forced for both sides, engines suggest both had improvements. Instead of the exchange sacrifice, which loses, black could have played the very nasty 23. —Qa4! and earlier, white could have profitably inverted moves with 22. g5 intending 23. Bxe6+ because the Bb3 stops Qa4.
Anyhow Svidler, who may have been still in analysis, continued with 24. Qxd4 Bc5 25. Qe5 Bxf2+ 26. Kf1 Qf8 — the mainline of 26. —Bxe1 27. gxh6 Qf8+ 28. Bf4 reaches positions similar to the game. The ice-cool finish was 27. gxh6 Bxe1+ (The idea of 26. — Bg3+ 27. Qf5 Qxf5+ 28. Bxf5 Bxe1 29. Kxe1 leads to a dead-lost endgame) 28. Bf4 Nd2+ 29. Ke2! (1-0). Black can defend the mating threats with 29. — Qf6 when white has the pleasant choice of 30. hxg7+ Kxg7 31. Qxc7+ or 30. Bf5!? Bc6 31. Qxc7 winning in either case.
