From a Terrace in Prague

David Navara – Richárd Rapport
ČEZ Chess Trophy 2016; match game 4; Prague, June 8, 2016
Alekhine Defence B05

1. e4 Nf6 2. e5 Nd5 3. d4 d6 4. Nf3 Bg4 5. Be2 e6 6. 0-0 Be7 7. h3 Bh5 8. c4 Nb6 9. Nc3 0-0 10. Be3 d5 11. cxd5 exd5 12. Ne1 Bxe2 13. Qxe2 c6 14. Nd3!? A novelty, as far as I know. For 14. f4 f5 15. g4 see M. D. Tseitlin – Vasiukov, Almaty 1979. 14. ... Na6 15. Rae1 Nc7 16. Nf4. Navara’s looking for luck on the Kingside, but, contrary to any appearances, the strategic key of White’s position is (or better should be) more positional than tactical. 16. ... Qd7 17. Nh5 Rae8 18. Qf3 Kh8 19. Ne2 Nc4 20. Bc1 f6! A cool defence. 21. Qg3 Bb4 22. exf6 g6

23. Bh6!? Regardless of the result, I think it’s a very interesting idea, which maybe deserved better luck. 23. ... Bxe1! But Rapport doesn’t fear anyone and anything. 24. Bxf8? Too hasty! White should have played 24. Rxe1 Rf7 25. Ng7 Ref8 26. Nf4! with good chances to complicate matters; for instance: 26. ... Rxf6 27. b3 Nd6 28. Nd3 Ne4 29. Qe5 Kg8 30. f3 Nd6 31. Nh5! gxh5 32. Bxf8 Rxf8 33. Qg3+ finally winning back the Knight with definite drawing chances. Of course, it’s all but forced, but it was better than the text. 24. ... Rxf8 25. Rxe1 gxh5 26. Nf4 Rxf6 27. Nxh5 Rg6. That’s all. There’s nothing for White. 28. Qh4 Re6 29. Rxe6 Qxe6 30. Nf4 Qf7 31. Qd8+ Ne8 32. Nd3 h6 33. b3 Nd6 34. Ne5 Qc7 35. Qh4 Qg7 36. Qd8 Kh7 37. f4 Qf6 38. Qd7+ Ng7 0 : 1.

Richárd Rapport
Photo: praguechess.cz

David Navara
Photo: praguechess.cz