Tegernsee Round Six

WON with black today after being upfloated against an Austrian 1695.

Tegernsee Round Five

LOST with white today against a 1727.

Good News, Bad News, Badder News

Good: found a hi-tech computer-repair centre less than two miles from where I am staying in Rottach-Egern.

Bad: they could not fix my computer. 

Badder: I lost with white yesterday against a 2053 and with black today against a 1704. 

Disaster!

MY HP laptop is displaying an error message: Boot Device Not Found.

This is apparently a Hard Disk (3F0) issue, but I cannot solve it as my F2 key seems to be not working.

Frustrating does not begin to describe it, especially as I have no idea where I am going to find a computer shop.

Playing Conditions

THE Tegernsee tournament is being played at the Seeforum, a lakeside cultural centre in Rottach-Egern.

Thanks to the German/Bavarian equivalent of social distancing, numbers were limited to 122, I believe, although in the event only 113 showed up.

The main tournament hall

This has made for spacious playing conditions, with masks mandatory while walking about the centre.

The organisers have also recommended wearing masks at the board, but almost no one is.

Tegernsee Round Two

PLAYED today.

Winfried Basener (2070) - Spanton (1912)

Senioren Cup

Sicilian Accelerated Dragon

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 g6 5.Nc3 Bg7 6.Be3 Nf6

The first seven games to reach this position in ChessBase's 2022 Mega database feature Henry Bird with the black pieces.

7.Bc4 0-0 8.h3?

There are 128 examples of this move in Mega22, but it is a mistake.

Including transpositions, there are 191 games with this position in Mega22

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8...Nxe4

A standard 'equalising' tactic, although here, thanks to White's eighth move, which turns out to be irrelevant to the position, Black gains an edge.

9.Nxe4

Probably not 9.Nxc6?!, when both 9...Nxc3 10.Nxd8 Nxd1 and 9...Bxc3+ 10.bxc3 bxc6 seem strong. However Stockfish14.1 prefers 9.Bxf7+!? Rxf7 10.Nxe4, although Komodo12.1.1 favours the text.

9...d5 10.Nxc6

The engines agree this is best.

10...bxc6 11.0-0

MB spent 42 minutes on this move, which comes to be Stockfish14.1's top choice, at least for a while. Komodo12.1 prefers 11.Bd4!?

11...dxc4

Looking at the game later ,while soaking up sunshine outside a cafe near the Seeforum venue in Rottach-Egern, 11...Bxb2!? was suggested by Geoffrey Stern, but the engines reckon 12.Bh6 comes close to equalising, eg 12...Re8 13.Rb1 Bg7 14.Bxg7 Kxg7 15.Qd4+ e5 16.Qc5 dxe4 17.Qxc6. However this seems better than 11...dxe4?!, when the engines reckon 12.c3 gives White full compensation for a pawn.

12.Qc1 Qc7 13.Bh6 Rb8 14.Bxg7 Kxg7 15.Re1 Bf5 16.Ng3 Be6 17.b3!?

This offers Black the chance to dissolve his doubled c pawns.

17...Qa5

This is better than 17...cxb3, according to the engines, as they reckon 18.axb3 gives White a tiny edge. Presumably they value White's piece-activity and better pawn-structure more than Black's extra pawn.

18.Qe3 Rfd8 19.Ne4

WB offered a draw (in my time).

19...Bf5

Probably not 19...Bd5?! 20.Nc5, but possibly marginally better is 19...Rb5. I rejected it because of 20.a4 Re5 21.f4, missing that 21...Red5 22.bxc4 can be met by 22...Rd4. This line is not forced, and does not seem clearly better than the text.

20.bxc4!?

The engines prefer 20.Rac1!? or 20.Ng5. The former probably cannot be met by 20...Qxa2?! as 21.Qc3+ Kg8 22.Ra1 cxb3 (only move) 23.Rxa2 bxa2 24.Qa5 favours White, according to the engines.

20...Qa4?

White is at least equal after this. The engines reckon 20...Qe5 keeps an advantage for Black.

21.Ng3 Qxc2?

21...Be6, as suggested by Stern, seems to hold the balance. I think I rejected it because I believed it would leave Black no better than equal, which is true, but after ...

22.Qxe7

... White has the advantage, and even better may be the engines' 22.Rac1!?

22...Re8!?

The engines' 22...Bd3 may keep Black's disadvantage to a minimum.

How should White proceed?

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23.Nxf5+?!

Probably best is 23.Qxa7, but not 23.Qxe8? Rxe8 24.Rxe8 Be6, when White's pieces are uncoordinated.

23...Qxf5 24.Qxa7 c5!?

Blocking the white queen's defence of f2.

25.Qa3 Red8!?

Possibly better is the engines' 25...Rxe1+ 26.Rxe1 Rb4.

26.Qc3+ Kg8?!

Probably better is 26...Qf6 27.Qxf6+ Kxf6, when Black has the more-active king, although the position has been simplified, meaning fewer chances for either side to go wrong.

27.a4 Rd4 28.a5 Qf4 29.Reb1?!

White is still much better after this, but there seems no decent answer to 29.a6, eg 26...Rxc4 27.Qa5 Rc2 28.Rf1 with a7 to follow.

29...Rxb1+ 30.Rxb1 Rxc4 31.Qa3?

White is better after 31.Rb8+ Qxb8 32.Qxc4, when the engines reckon Black's best hope is 32...h5!, eg 33.Qxc5 Qb1+ 34.Kh2 Qb8+ 35.g3 h4, which may be drawn. However the engines give 33.a6! as being more difficult for Black to meet, although it is far from clear White is winning.

31...Rc2 32.Rf1 Qd2 33.a6 Ra2 34.Qxc5 Qa5

Not 34...Rxa6?? 35.Qc8+ Kg7 36.Qxa6.

35.Qe7 Qxa6?!

This draws, but only just. Simpler is 35...Kg7.

36.Rd1!?

The best try.

Black to play and draw

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36...Qe2?

The engines give 36...Qc4!, when 37.Rd8+ Kg7 38.Qf8+ Kf6 seems survivable for Black. Another possibility is 36...Kg7, but then 37.Rd6 Qe2 38.Qf6+ Kh6 39.Rd4 Ra1+ 40.Kh2 Ra5 41.Rh4+ Rh5 42.Rxh5+ Qxh5 43.Qxf7 is not pleasant for Black.

37.Rd8+ Kg7 38.Qf8+ Kf6

White to play and win

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39.Qd6+?

White wins with 39.Rd6+ Kg5 40.h4+, eg 40...Kxh4 41.Qh6+ Kg4 (41...Qh5? 42.Rd4#) 42.Rd4+ Kf5 43.Qf4+ Ke6 44.Rd6+ Ke7 45.Qf6+ and mate, or 40...Kg4 41.Rd4+ Kh5 42.Rd5+ f5 43.Rxf5+! etc.

Also winning is 39.Qh8+.

39...Kg7?

39...Qe6 had to be played. The text gives White another chance to find the winning Rd6+.

40.Qf8+ Kf6 41.Qd6+? Kg7? 42.Qd4+

Black can claim a draw by threefold repetition after 42.Qf8+.

42...Kh6 43.Qh4+ Kg7 44.Qd4+ Kh6 45.Qf4+

Or 45.Rg8 Qe1+ 46.Kh2 Qxf2 with a draw.

45...Kg7 46.Qd4+ ½–½

Hot Air

GOT up reasonably early this morning.

View from my hotel balcony

After breakfast I headed into town in search of a decent espresso.

I was unsuccessful, but in the distance I saw what seemed to be a hot-air balloon, or possibly an advertising hoarding.

Morning glory

Moving on, and sneaking a view between Rottach-Egern's buildings, I could see it was definitely a hot-air balloon.

Sneaky view

It was not long before the balloon came into full view.

Full view

And soon it dominated the lens.

Centre stage

Tegernsee Round One

PLAYED this afternoon.

Spanton (1912) - Heidi Oswald-Meister (1308)

Senioren Cup

Blackmar-Diemer Gambit

1.d4 d5 2.e4 e5?

Position after 2...e5?

There are 21 examples of this move in ChessBase's 2022 Mega database, but it is just bad. At least one of the games is nonsense - it supposedly continued 3.Nf3 Nc6 4.Bc4?? Nf6?? 0-1.

3.dxe5 dxe4!?

This is the top choice of Stockfish14.1 and Komodo12.1.1, at least for a while, which only goes to show how poor Black's last move was.

4.Qxd8+ Kxd8 5.Nc3 Bb4 6.Bg5+ f6 7.0-0-0+ Bd7 8.exf6 Nxf6 9.Nxe4

Also strong is 9.Nd5, but the text is simplest and probably best.

9...Rf8 10.Nf3 Kc8!?

Breaking the pins like this is the engines' top choice.

11.Nxf6 gxf6 12.Bh6 Re8 13.Bd3 Nc6 14.c3 Bf8? 15.Bxf8 Rxf8 16.Bxh7 (1-0, 34 moves)

Tegernsee

FLEW to Munich yesterday afternoon for the 10th Senioren Cup on the shore of Tegernsee, a lake in south Bavaria close to the Austrian border.

I have played in the tournament twice before, when it was held in Bad Wiessee, but this year it has been moved around the lake to a new venue in Rottach-Egern.

Originally I was on the waiting list, with not much hope of playing, but last week, while in Bad Wörishofen, I was told there had been sufficient withdrawals - Germany has experienced a covid spike - to let me participate.

Here is the list of entrants: SC.

My hotel

The spire of Saint Laurentius' church in the distance

 

Lake view

Another lake view

Central London League

PLAYED on board one (of five) last night for Battersea 2 against Pimlico Bishops in Central London League Division One.

Spanton (2016) - Christopher Russell (2334)

French Burn

1.Nc3 e6 2.d4 d5 3.e4 Nf6 4.Bg5 dxe4 5.Nxe4 Be7 6.Bxf6 gxf6!?

This is a popular alternative to 6...Bxf6, and better-scoring, at least in ChessBase's 2022 Mega database.

7.Nf3 f5 8.Ned2!?

The main line in Mega22 runs 8.Nc3 a6!? 9.g3, which Stockfish14.1 and Komodo12.1.1 reckon slightly favours White.

8...c5 9.Bb5+!? Bd7!?

This gives up the bishop-pair but accelerates Black's development, as after ...

10.Bxd7+ Nxd7

... both players have two pieces developed, whereas two moves earlier White had two pieces developed against Black's one.

11.c3

The engines like 11.d5!?, which is not in Mega22, meeting 11...exd5 with the calm 12.0-0, claiming a slight edge for White.

11...Qc7 12.Qe2

Bearing in mind what comes next, 12.0-0 may be better.

How should Black proceed?

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12...cxd4 13.Nxd4 Qe5!

This comes to be Stockfish14.1's main sequence, the point being an exchange of queens benefits Black more than White as the white king can find a safer haven than is available to the black king.

14.Qxe5 Nxe5 15.0-0

The engines' 15.Ke2!? deserved serious consideration.

15...Rd8 16.N2f3 Nc4 17.b3 Nd6 18.Rfe1

Hoping to create something along the e file, but a damage-limitation exercise was in order, hence the engines preferring 18.Rfd1 or 18.Rad1.

18...Ne4 19.Rac1 Bf6 20.Kf1 0-0 21.Re2 Rd7 22.h3

This comes to be Komodo12.1.1's top choice for a while, but eventually the engines agree best is 22.Rec2, albeit giving Black at least the upper hand after 22..Rc8.

22...Rc8 23.Rec2 a6 24.Ke2?!

The engines prefer 24.g4 (the main reason for playing 22.h3) or 24.Ne2.

24...b5 25.Ke3 Rcd8 26.Nc6 Rc8 27.Ncd4

If 27.Nce5 then 27...Rdc7 28.c4 Bg7!? 29.Ke2 Bh6 with continuing pressure, although no immediate breakthrough.

27...Bg7!?

How should White proceed?

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28.Nd2?

Necessary is 28.g4, meeting 28...Bh6+ with 29.g5, when 29...Nxg5? runs into 30.Rg1. However the engines reckon Black is winning after 29...Bf8, eg 30.Ne5 Rd5 31.Nec6 Ba3.

28...Nxc3 29.N2f3 Bh6+ 0-1

The match was drawn 2.5-2.5.

'Perfect' Tube Puzzle

SAW this serial number on a Central line tube: 93436.
As usual, each number should be used once, and once only, and must be added, subtracted, multiplied or divided to make a balanced equation.
There is a perfect solution, ie one that uses the numbers in the order they appear.
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My solution: (9 - 3 - 4) x 3 = 6

London League

PLAYED on board two (of eight) for Battersea at home to Hammersmith in London League Division One West last night.

Marco Gallana (2337) - Spanton (2016)

Catalan

1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.g3 Bb4+ 5.Bd2 Be7

The point of Black's well-known manoeuvre with the dark-square bishop is to lure the white dark-square bishop to d2, where it is misplaced, or at least less well placed than it would be on b2.

6.Bg2 0-0 7.0-0 b6!?

The main line in ChessBase's 2022 Mega database runs 7...c6 8.Qc2 b6, when 9.cxd5 (not considered best) can be met by 9...cxd5.

8.cxd5 exd5

After 8...Nxd5 White dominates the centre with e4, either immediately or in any event soon.

9.Nc3 Bb7 10.Rc1 Nbd7 11.Bf4 a6?!

This has been played by Étienne Bacrot, but as Black seems unable to later get in a successful ...c5 it may well be 11...c6 is better.

12.Ne5 Rc8?

Bacrot (2669) played the superior 12...Re8 in a 2019 rapid-play draw against a 2331.

13.Qb3

Even stronger may be 13.Bh3!?

13...c6

This is the commonest move in Mega22. It leaves White well on top, but Black does not seem to have a good move, eg Komodo12.1.1 gives 13...c5 14.Nxd7 Qxd7 15.Qxb6, when 15...Rc6 16.Qb3 cxd4 17.Na4 Rxc1 18.Rxc1 is clearly good for White, while Stockfish14.1 suggests 13...b5!?, albeit claiming White is positionally winning.

14.Bh3 c5?!

Both engines prefer 14...b5, although Black is in great difficulties.

15.Nxd7 Nxd7 16.Nxd5 cxd4 17.Bc7 Rxc7!?

This desperate exchange sac is the engines' second choice behind 17...Qe8, when 18.Nxb6 Nc5 19.Rxc5 Bxc5 20.Bxc8 Bxc8 21.Nxc8 Qxc8 22.Bf4 leaves White a pawn up with play against two isolanis.

Worse is 17...Bxd5? 18.Bxd8 Bxb3 19.Bxe7, eg 19...Rfe8 can be met by 20.Bxd7 as 20...Rxc1 21.Rxc1 Rxe7? loses to 22.Rc8+ etc.

How should White proceed?

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18.Nxc7 

This is much clearer than 18.Nxe7+?! Kh8.

18...Bc5 19.Nd5 Ne5 20.Rxc5! bxc5 21.Qxb7

White is a bishop up. The game finished:

21...d3 22.exd3 Re8 23.Qc8 Nf3+ 24.Kh1 Qxc8 25.Bxc8 1-0

Update 28/3/22: the result of the match was published today at the London League website; Hammersmith won 8-0 (no defaults).

Inn-Coming

MY flight back to Heathrow from Innsbruck had its interesting moments, and I am not just referring to when the pilot told us there was a "technical" problem with the brakes.

Firstly we were informed over the public-address system that everyone had to fill in a passenger locator form before arriving in London, and also had to follow relevant covid regulations.

I pointed out to a member of the cabin crew that the requirement for such forms ended on Friday.

A corrected announcement was made, but then we were told everyone had to wear a mask except when eating or drinking.

I told the same crew member that British Airways' policy on masks had been updated since Friday.

I explained the new policy was masks had to be worn to countries where masks on public transport were still a requirement, but not to countries where such a requirement no longer applied.

The chief steward quickly came over and told me I was wrong, I was being selfish and it was unfair not to wear a mask "when everyone else is."

I suggested he should check BA's updated policies, but he said he did not need to as he knew he was right.

For anyone interested in BA's mask policy, and one hopes that would include BA staff, here is the relevant section from ba.com:

Keeping our customers and colleagues safe at all times is always our number one priority, and during the pandemic we introduced new measures to make sure we were able to continue to do that to enable us to operate during the most challenging period in our history.
One of the requirements introduced was for us all to wear face coverings.
The legal requirement to wear a face covering has now been removed in England and Wales and we have updated our face mask policy.
Customers are no longer required to wear a mask at some airports in England.
However, as an international airline flying all around the world, we are obliged to ensure our customers continue to comply with local restrictions and meet the requirements of the destination they arrive at.
Therefore, we ask you to check the requirements of the destination you’re flying to before departing for the airport, as:
If you are travelling on our flights, you will be required to wear a mask on board if the destination you are flying to or from requires you to
If you are travelling on our flights, you will be required to wear a mask to disembark the aircraft, and at your arrival airport, if the destination you are flying to requires it
Where we are unsure or have not been able to clarify the local restrictions, we will still require you to wear face coverings, and we ask that you continue to carry masks with you for the duration of your journey.
For destinations where we have established that the wearing of a face covering is not mandated, you are able to make a personal choice and we kindly request everyone respects each other’s preferences.

I was relying on the last paragraph, which seems pretty clear to me: For destinations where we have established that the wearing of a face covering is not mandated, you are able to make a personal choice and we kindly request everyone respects each other’s preferences.

However, on closer reading, I can see why another interpretation would be to rely on the seventh paragraph: If you are travelling on our flights, you will be required to wear a mask on board if the destination you are flying to or from requires you to

Perhaps BA might like to clarify ...

British Failways

RAY Kearsley and I were supposed to be flying back early yesterday afternoon from Munich airport.

Instead I woke to find emails from BA cancelling our flight, with no reason given, and offering alternative flights today from Innsbruck.

I could have rebooked us on to flights yesterday from Munich with Lufthansa, but they would have cost about £600 a head.

So we travelled by train to Innsbruck and stayed overnight at the Gasthof Goldener Adler (Hotel Golden Eagle) for about £160 each.

We have other extra expenses to take into account - meals, transport to Innsbruck airport, etc - but apparently are not entitled to any compensation from BA.

However, every cloud has a silver lining, and in this case the beneficiary is Vic Rumsey, who was originally supposed to be traveling with us.

He went down with covid on Tuesday, is self-isolating and does not expect to leave Bad Wörishofen for a few more days, but presumably will be able to pick a suitable flight from BA at no extra charge.

And at least Ray and I get compensatory alpine views like this from Innsbruck

Summing-Up Bad Wörishofen

MY score of +6=2-1 saw me gain 2.9 Fide elo.

I finished tied 1st-3rd in the U2000 (3rd on tiebreak), winning a trophy and 300 euros.

A handsome figure

Bad Wörishofen Round Nine

FACED a Dutchman in the last round this morning.

Arjan Plug (1850) - Spanton (1912)

U2000

French Tarrasch

1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nd2 a6!?

There are over 4,800 examples of this semi-waiting move in ChessBase's 2022 Mega database.

4.Ngf3

This is easily White's commonest response, although many other moves have been tried by grandmasters - not surprising when Black's last is so non-forcing.

4...c5 5.exd5 exd5

One of the points of 3...a6!? becomes clear in that in the mainline sequence 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nd2 c5 4.exd5 exd5 White often likes to play 5.Bb5+.

Black's first five moves in this game have been with pawns - an unusual occurrence when White opens 1.e4. However during those five moves White has effectively only developed one piece, as the queen's knight will probably have to move again to let the white dark-square bishop into the game.

How should White proceed?

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6.dxc5!?

This is the main move in Mega22, even though Black gets to recapture with the king's bishop without having spent a tempo on developing it at e7 or d6. Second-most popular is 6.Be2, which is not exactly an inspiring square for the bishop.

6...Bxc5 7.Bd3

The main line in this variation continues 7.Nb3 Bb6 8.Bd3, when Stockfish14.1 gives White a slight edge, but Komodo12.1.1 reckons Black has equalised.

7...Nf6 8.Qe2+

How should Black meet the check?

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8...Be7!

Intervening with a developed piece may seem strange, but the bishop will have to move soon anyway when White plays Nb3. The alternatives are not exactly palatable: allowing an exchange of queens after 8...Qe7 reduces Black's isolani attacking chances, while 8...Be6 is a not-very active square for the queen's bishop. Meanwhile, in the game, the white queen will likely prove somewhat awkwardly placed on the open file. The engines agree the text is best.

9.0-0 0-0 10.h3 Nc6 11.c3

10.h3 prevented the pinning ...Bg4, and 10.c3, as well as being a typical move in similar IQP lines, prevents the light-square bishop being harassed with ...Nb4. But the whole concept seems slow to me. The engines reckon the position is equal.

11...Re8 12.Nb3 Bd6 13.Qc2 Ne4 14.Nbd4

On 14.Re1 I planned 14...Qf6!?, when 15.Bxe4 dxe4 16.Rxe4 runs into 16...Bxh3! (16...Bf5 also seems fine for Black), and if 17.Bg5 Black has 17...Qf5.

14...Qf6 15.Be3 Bd7

Not a great square for the bishop, but now ...Rc8 can come with tempo as Black will threaten ...Nb4.

16.Nxc6!?

Transforming an isolani structure into one with a pawn-island pair is nearly always a major, and frequently a controversial, commitment. The engines prefer development with 16.Rad1.

16...bxc6 17.Bxe4?!

Komodo12.1.1 is happy enough with this, but Stockfish14.1 is probably right in labelling it a mistake.

17...dxe4 18.Nd2

Even worse is 18.Nh2? Qe5.

18...Qe5 19.g3?

White has to play 19.f4 exf3 20.Rxf3, although 20...Qh2+ 21.Kf2 leaves White with a very-suspect position, eg one line given by the engines continues 21...Be6 22.Nf1 Qe5 23.Bd4 Qg5, when Black has the bishop-pair on an open board and much-the-safer king.

19...Bxh3 20.Nc4?

Better is 20.Rfe1.

20...Qf6 21.Nd2

Not 21.Nxd6?? Qf3 with unstoppable mate, while 21.Qd1 can be met by 21...Rad8.

21...Bxf1 22.Rxf1 Qg6 23.Kg2 f5 24.Nc4 Bc7 0-1

Bad Wörishofen Round Eight

U2000 leaderboard pairings for round eight:

table	TNr	name	elo	pts	-	TNr	name	elo	pts	(w)	-	(b)
1	1	Spanton,Tim R	1912	5	-	12	Abed,David	1754	6		-
2	13	Bail,Leonhard	1759	5	-	14	Bigott,Martin	1747	6		-
3	22	Klein,Robert	0	4.5	-	4	Eschle,Hubert	1876	4.5		-
4	41	Fresow,Boris	0	4.5	-	9	Litfin,Boris	1818	4.5		-
5	16	Kampfmeier,Dirk	1733	4	-	11	Kopischke,Maik	1800	4.5		-

Spanton (1912) - David Abed (1754)

Veresov

1.Nc3 d5 2.d4 Nf6 3.Bg5 h6!?

Hitting the bishop when a capture on f6 would mean Black having to recapture with a pawn is not very popular, although it has been tried by grandmasters. I guess the thinking is White may well want to double Black's pawns anyway, so why give him a tempo with which to do it?

4.Bh4!?

The main line in ChessBase's 2022 Mega database runs 4.Bxf6 exf6 5.e3 c6 6.Bd3, which Stockfish14.1 and Komodo12.1.1 reckon is a tad better for Black.

4...c6 5.Qd3 Qa5 6.f3 g5!? 7.Bg3 b5!

This aggressive continuation is much-liked by the engines.

8.e4 b4 9.Nce2 Ba6 10.Qe3 e6

How should White proceed?

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11.Bxb8?

Based on a misevaluation of tactical chances. The engines like 11.h4 Rg8 12.hxg5 hxg5 13.Nh3, when they slightly prefer Black, but the position is unclear.

11...Rxb8 12.exd5?!

It is probably better to keep the centre closed with 12.e5.

12...Qxd5

Black is spoilt for choice, eg 12...b3+ 13.c3 bxa2 14.Qd2 Nxd5 15.Nc1 Nxc3! 16.bxc3 Rb1 17.Rxa2 Rxc1+ 18.Qxc1 Qxa2 wins a pawn to add to Black's advantage of having the bishop-pair. The engines point out also strong is 12..Nxd5!? as 13.Qe5 can be coolly met by 13...Rb7, when grabbing the king's rook by 14.Qxh8?! is met by 14...b3+, eg 15.Nc3 (this is best, according to the engines) bxc2 16.Bxa6 Nxc3! 17.Bxb7 Nb1+ 18.Kf2 c1=Q, when Black's extra queen should be more than a match for the out-of-play white rooks. Even 12...cxd5!? is possible as 13.Qe5 can be met by 13...Qd8.

13.Qe5

The engines give 13.Nf4!, eg 13...gxf4 14.Qxf4 Rd8 15.Bxa6 (not 15.Qxf6 Bxf1! 16.Qxh8? Bxg2) Qxd4 16.Qxd4 Rxd4, but reckon Black is better.

13...Qd8

Taking queens off with 13...Qxe5!? 14.dxe5 Nd5 may be even stronger.

14.Nh3 Bd6 15.Qe3 Nd5 16.Qd2 c5

Neither king is safe, but Black has more pieces developed and is better coordinated.

17.Ng3 c4 18.Qe2 0-0 19.f4!?

Desperation - giving up a pawn to try to open lines to the black king.

19...Nxf4 20.Nxf4 Bxf4 21.Rd1 Bb5 22.Qg4 Qa5 23.Nh5 f5 24.Qe2 Rb6!?

Black is still on top after this, according to the engines, but it weakens the back rank. I thought Black more-or-less had to play Stockfish14.1's choice, 24...Rbe8, when 25.Nxf4 gxf4 26.Qe5 gives White equality, according to the engines. However Black has a major improvement in 25...e5!, when Black is again much better.

25.Nxf4 gxf4 26.g3 c3 27.Qe5 cxb2 28.gxf4 b3+ 29.Kf2

How should Black proceed?

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29...bxc2??

This is Komodo12.1.1's second-choice, but Black had to play 29...Rf7, when 30.Rg1+ Kh7 31.axb3 b1=Q! 32.Rxb1 Qd2+ 33.Be2 Bxe2 34.Qxe2 Qxf4+ and ...Qxd4+ leaves Black a pawn to the good and with the safer king.

30.Rg1+

Komodo12.1.1, like Stockfish14.1, now sees White has a mate-in-seven.

30...Kf7 31.Qc7+

31.Rg7+ also mates.

31...Ke8 32.Bxb5+??

This turns a win into a loss. Correct is 32...Rg7 33.cxd1=N+ Kg1 (I missed that the g1 square would be free for the king), after which the black king cannot escape the white mating net.

How should Black recapture?

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32...Rxb5

Not 32...Qxb5? as White draws with 33.Qc8+ Kf7 34.Qc7+ Ke8 35.Qc8+ etc. But White must avoid the plausible 34.Rg7? as Black wins with what is arguably a double-queen sacrifice: 34...Qe2+! 35.Kxe2 cxd1=Q+ 36.Kxd1 b1=Q+ etc.

33.Qc6+

Black to play and win

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33...Ke7

Not 33...Kf7?? 34.Qd7+ Kf6 35.Qg8#,  but the engines point out 33...Kd8 34.Qd6+ Kc8! 35.Qxf8+ Qd8, when White seems to have nothing better than 36.Qxd8+ Kxd8 37.Rb1 cxb1=Q 38.Rxb1, which the engines reckon is an easily won rook-and-pawn ending for Black.

White to play and draw

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34.Rg7+

Not 34.Rg6 cxd1=N+, eg 35.Ke2 Rf6 36.Rg7+ Rf7 37.Rg6 Qd8! But 34.Rde1! draws, eg 34...Qd2+ 35.Kg3 e5! (35...Rg8+? 36.Kh3 wins for White) 36.Rxe5+ Rxe5 37.Qc7+! and the engines agree the black king cannot escape the checks.

Black to play and win

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34...Kf6??

Winning is 34...Rf7 35.Rxf7+ Kxf7 as 36.Qd7+ fails to 36...Kf6 while 36.Qxc2 runs into 36...Qb6 37.Qb1 Rb4 38.Ke3 Qc6 etc.

White to play and win

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35.Rg6+

This only draws, whereas 35.Qg2! cxd1=N+ 36.Ke2+! Nc3+ 37.Kf3 leaves Black unable to escape being mated, viz 37...Rf7 (37...b1=Q 38.Qg6#) 38.Qg6+ Ke7 39.Qxf7+ Kd6 40.Qd7#.

35...Kxg6 36.Qxe6+ Kh5 37.Qe2+ Kh4

White to play and draw

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38.Rd3?

This threatens mate-in-two by 39.Rh3+! Kxh3 40.Qh5#, but Black can foil this, whereas 38.Qe7+ forces a draw by repetition.

Black to play and win

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38...Qe1+??

The right idea, but this wrong execution turns a win into a loss. Winning is 38...Qd2 39.Rxd2 (39.Qxd2 c1=Q is no improvement for White) c1=Q, eg 40.Qe7+ Kh5 41.Qe2+ Kg6 42.Qe6+ Kg7 43.Qe7+ Rf7, and also winning is the engines' 38...Qd8, eg 39.Qf3 Qxd4+! 40.Rxd4 c1=Q 41.Qg3+ Kh5 42.Qh3+ Kg6 43.Rd6+ Kf7 44.Qh5+ Ke7 etc.

39.Qxe1 c1=Q 40.Qe7+

Other moves also lead to a quick mate.

40...Kg4 41.Qg7+ Kxf4 42.Qg3+ Ke4 43.Qf3#

U2000 leaderboard pairings for round nine:

table	TNr	name	elo	pts	-	TNr	name	elo	pts	(w)	-	(b)
1	14	Bigott,Martin	1747	6.5	-	4	Eschle,Hubert	1876	5		-
2	7	Plug,Arjan	1850	5	-	1	Spanton,Tim R	1912	6		-
3	12	Abed,David	1754	6	-	22	Klein,Robert	0	5		-
4	9	Litfin,Boris	1818	5.5	-	6	Klein,Reinhard	1874	5		-
5	11	Kopischke,Maik	1800	5	-	13	Bail,Leonhard	1759	5.5		-

Bad Wörishofen Round Seven

U2000 leaderboard pairings at the start of round seven:

table	TNr	name	elo	pts	-	TNr	name	elo	pts	(w)	-	(b)
1	14	Bigott,Martin	1747	5.5	-	1	Spanton,Tim R	1912	4.5		-
2	12	Abed,David	1754	5	-	6	Klein,Reinhard	1874	4		-
3	4	Eschle,Hubert	1876	4	-	41	Fresow,Boris	0	4		-
4	20	Steuer,Christopher	1656	4	-	13	Bail,Leonhard	1759	4		-

Martin Bigott (1747) - Spanton (1912)

Queen's Gambit Declined with Bf4

1.d4 d5 2.Nf3 e6 3.c4 Nf6 4.Nc3 Be7 5.Bf4 0-0 6.e3 c5 7.dxc5 Bxc5

If 7...Na6!?, intending ...Nxc5, my main analysis engines Stockfish14.1 and Komodo12.1.1 give 8.cxd5 Nxd5 9.Nxd5 exd5 10.Bxa6 Qa5+ 11.b4!? Qxa6 12.Nd4, when Black's bishop-pair gives some compensation for being a pawn down.

8.Be2!?

The main moves in ChessBase's 2022 Mega database are 8.Qc2 and 8.a3.

8...Nc6 9.0-0

MB offered a draw.

9...Re8!?

9...dxc4 and 9...a6 are the main moves in Mega22.

10.Bg5 Be7?!

Probably better is 10...dxc4, when the engines reckon White has a slight edge..

11.Bxf6 Bxf6 12.cxd5 exd5 13.Qxd5 Be6!?

13...Qxd5 14.Nxd5 Bxb2 15.Rab1 Be5 16.Nxe5 Rxe5 gives White the upper hand, according to the engines.

14.Qxd8 Rxd8 15.a3 Na5 16.Nd4?!

Giving back the pawn to simplify, and hopefully hold on for a draw. Best, according to the engines, is 16.Rfd1.

16...Bxd4 17.exd4 Nb3 18.Rad1 Nxd4 19.Bf3?!

Seeking more simplification, but it comes at some cost.

19...Nxf3+ 20.gxf3 Bb3 21.Rxd8+ Rxd8 22.Rf1 Ke8 23.Kg2

How should Black proceed?

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23...Rd6

I rejected 23...Rd2 because of 24.Re2, but the engines reckon 24...Rxe2 25.Nxe2 Ke7 is promising for Black (winning, according to Stockfish14.1; slightly better, according to Komodo12.1.1). However they also reckon 24.Re4!? Rxb2 25.Rb4 is dead-equal, albeit preferring Black after 24...b6 or 24...Be6.

24.Re4 Be6 25.f4?!

This seems weakening. Perhaps best is 25.Rb4 b6 26.Nb5 Rd7, which the engines reckon favours Black.

25...Rc6

The engines like 25...Bd7!?, eg 26.Re3 Bc6+ 27.f3 Rd2+ 28.Re2 Rd3 29.Rf2 Ke7, when Black is more active.

26.Kg3 Rb6 27.Re2 Bc4 28.Re4!?

The more modest 28.Rd2 may be better.

28...Rg6+

The engines' 28...Bf1!? could be best.

29.Kf3 Bf1

How should White proceed?

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30.f5!

Giving up a pawn, but only temporarily.

30...Bg2+ 31.Kf4 Bxe4 32.fxg6 Bxg6

Black has won a pawn, but after ...

33.Nb5 a6 34.Nd6 b5 35.b4 Ke7 36.Nb7 Ke6 37.Nc5+ Kd5 38.Nxa6

... White has won it back.

How would you assess this ending?

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Pawns are equal, but Black has bishop versus knight in an ending with rival pawn-majorities. Black also has the slightly more active king. Nevertheless the engines reckon the ending is dead-equal.

38...Bd3 39.Nc5 Bf1

39...Bc2 prevents 40.a4, but White has 40.Na6, and if 40...Kc4 then 41.Nc7.

40.a4 bxa4 41.Nxa4 Kc4 42.Nc5 Kxb4 43.Ne4 f6

There is no way for Black to get an advantage, according to the engines.

44.Nd6 Bd3 45.Ne8 Kc5 46.Nxg7 Kd5 47.Nf5

MB offered a draw.

47...Ke6 48.Ne3 h6 49.Ng4 h5 50.Ne3 Bg6 51.h4 Bd3 52.Nd1 Kd5 53.Ne3+ Kd4 54.Nf5+ Kd5 55.Ng7 Bg6 56.Nxh5!? ½–½

U2000 leaderboard pairings for round eight:

table	TNr	name	elo	pts	-	TNr	name	elo	pts	(w)	-	(b)
1	1	Spanton,Tim R	1912	5	-	12	Abed,David	1754	6		-
2	13	Bail,Leonhard	1759	5	-	14	Bigott,Martin	1747	6		-
3	22	Klein,Robert	0	4.5	-	4	Eschle,Hubert	1876	4.5		-
4	41	Fresow,Boris	0	4.5	-	9	Litfin,Boris	1818	4.5		-
5	16	Kampfmeier,Dirk	1733	4	-	11	Kopischke,Maik	1800	4.5		-