Spanton (1896) - Päivi Walta (1807)
Sicilian Bb5(+)
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.Bb5+ Nc6 4.0-0 Bd7 5.c3 g6!?
The main line in ChessBase's 2025 Mega database runs 5...Nf6 6.Re1 a6 7.Bf1!? Bg4!? 8.h3 Bxf3 9.Qxf3, with a slight edge for White, according to Stockfish17 and Dragon1.
6.d4 cxd4 7.cxd4 Bg7 8.Nc3 Nf6 9.h3!? 0-0
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| Now both sides have castled, how would you assess the position? |
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White's central space advantage gives the upper hand, according to the engines.
10.Qe2!?
The engines are not keen on this, suggesting instead moves such as 10.Bd3!?, 10.Re1, 10.Bc4!? and 10.a4.
10...Ne8!?
Probably a novelty. Known moves are 10...a6 and 10...Rc8.
11.Rd1 Nc7 12.Ba4 a6 13.Be3 b5 14.Bc2 Bc8!?
The engines suggest ...Na5, followed by ...b4 (or the same moves in reverse order).
15.Rac1 Bb7 16.Bb1
15.Rac1 Bb7 16.Bb1
Playing on the kingside with 16.h4, or 16.Qd2 followed by h4, is liked by the engines.
16...Rc8 17.a3 Na5 18.Bb2 Nc4!?
The engines are OK with this pawn sacrifice, although they prefer 18...d5 or 18...e6.
19.Bxc4 bxc4 20.Qxc4
Declining the pawn is better, according to the engines, which give 20.d5!?, eg 20...Nb5 21.Na4 c3!? 22.Nxc3 Rxc3!? 23.bxc3 Nxc3 24.Rxc3 Bxc3 25.Qc4, claiming White's queenside initiative gives at least the upper hand.
20...Nb5?!
Probably better is 20...Nd5 21.Qd3 Nxe3, albeit the engines reckon Black's bishop-pair does not give full compensation for a pawn.
21.Qd3 Qa5 22.Nxb5?!
The engines' 22.Ne2!? seems better.
22...Qxb5!? 23.Qxb5?!
Keeping queens on, with the engines' 23.Qb1!?, is probably better.
23...axb5
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| How would you assess this queenless middlegame? |
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Black's bishop-pair and pressure against the white queenside and centre give Black equality (Stockfish17), or at least leave White only slightly better (Dragon1).
24.Nd2 f5 25.exf5
The engines prefer 25.f3.
25...gxf5 26.f4!?
The engines suggest 25.Nb1 or 25.f3.
26...e5!? 27.dxe5 dxe5 28.fxe5 Bxe5 29.b3
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| How should Black proceed? |
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29...Bb2
The engines suggest 29...Rxc1 30.Rxc1 Rd8!? 31.Rc5 Rxd2!? 32.Rxe5 Rxg2+ 33.Kf1 Rb2, or 29...f4 30.Rxc8 Rxc8 31.Bb6 Rc3, in both cases claiming complete equality.
30.Rxc8 Rxc8 31.a4 bxa4 32.bxa4
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| How would you assess this rook-and-minor-piece ending? |
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Black's bishop-pair and active rook give sufficient compensation for a pawn, according to the engines.
32...Bd5 33.a5 Rc2?
The engines reckon the a pawn should be contained with 33...Ra8.
34.a6?!
This may be enough for an advantage, but 34.Nf3 is winning (Dragon1) or at least gives the upper hand (Stockfish17).
34...Bc3?
Now White is definitely winning. Instead 34...Bc1 gives good drawing chances.
35.a7?
Correct is 35.Nf3.
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| Black to play and draw |
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35...Ra2??
After 35...Bxd2 36.Bxd2 Be4 37.Be3 Rxg2+ 38.Kf1 Rg3 there is no win.
36.Nf3?!
This is good enough, but 36.Nb1 removes all doubt by winning a piece.
36...Be4 37.Bf2?!
There are stronger moves, eg 37.Ng5!? Bxg2 (37...Rxg2+? 38.Kf1 is similar to the game) 38.Rd8+ Kg7 39.Ne6+ Kf7 40.Nc7 etc.
37...Kf7?
This makes it easy for White. Instead 37...Kg7 leaves White better, but maybe not better enough to win.
38.Bg5+ Kg6 39.Nxe4 fxe4 40.Rd8 Ra1+ 41.Kh2 Be5+ 42.g3 1-0
TEAM RESULTBrian Hewson (2039) 1-0 Juha Pessi (2052)
Anthony Ashby (2049) 1-0 Veikko Kosinen (1889)
Tim Spanton (1896) 1-0 Päivi Walta (1807)
Anthony Ashby (2049) 1-0 Veikko Kosinen (1889)
Tim Spanton (1896) 1-0 Päivi Walta (1807)
Charles Higgie (1945) 1-0 Aulikki Ristoja (1726)
ENGLAND 3 4-0 HELSINKI
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