Joker Poker

Pyotr Veniaminovich Svidler – Shakhriyar Hamid oglu Mamedyarov
80th Tata Steel Chess Tournament; Groningen, January 24, 2018
Queen’s Gambit Declined D38

1. c4 Nf6 2. Nf3 e6 3. Nc3 d5 4. d4 Bb4 5. cxd5 exd5 6. Bf4 Ne4 7. Qa4+!? Nc6 8. Rc1 0-0 9. g3? This seems the most illogical way to develop the light-squared Bishop, so as to give substance to Black’s next move. Maybe Svidler has been inspired from 9. e3 g5 10. Bg3 h5 11. Ne5 h4 12. Nxc6 Bxc3+ 13. bxc3 bxc6 14. Be5 Bd7 15. Qa5 Qe7 16. Be2 f6 17. Bxc7 Nxf2! 18. Kxf2 Rae8 with at least a draw, Mikenas – Kirillov, Vilnius 1949, and was unconsciously aiming to improve Black’s play. 9. ... g5! 10. Be3 f5 11. Bg2 f4! 12. gxf4 Bxc3+ 13. bxc3 gxf4 14. Bd2 Kh8! Black stands much better already, but...

15. Qb3?? That’s wonderful. 15. ... Na5 16. Qc2 Nc4 17. Rd1 Rg8 18. Ne5. Or 18. Bf1 Bf5 and White can resign. 18. ... Nxe5 19. Bxe4 Qg5! Threatening ... Qg5-g1+ followed by mate. 20. Bxf4 Qxf4 21. Bxd5 Bf5 0 : 1.

Artwork © Willum Morsch