Hangover Holiday

Pascal Karsay – Rustam Mashrukovich Kasimdzhanov
3rd GRENKE Chess Open; Karlsruhe, March 29, 2018
4r1k1/3q1pb1/1np3p1/p4p1p/1pPP4/3B1QP1/PP3P1P/2BR2K1 w - - 1 25

Position after 24. ... Bf8-g7

In the meantime, Fabiano Caruana’s second, Uzbek Grandmaster and former FIDE World Champion (2004-2005) Rustam Mashrukovich Kasimdzhanov, made its debut in the record-breaking 3rd GRENKE Open (featuring more than 1,500 players from everywhere) with a disconcerting defeat against a young opponent. After 25. Be3, he didn’t resist the temptation of taking right now the d-Pawn with 25. ... Bxd4? when instead it would have been wiser policy to have played first 25. ... Na4 as after 26. Rd2 Bxd4 27. Bxf5 Qxf5 28. Qxf5 gxf5 29. Bxd4 Rd8 30. b3 Nc5 the game would have manifestly tended to a draw. 26. Bxf5 Rxe3?? And now, still in the hangover of the Berlin celebrations, Rustam Mashrukovich blunders the Exchange. Black had nothing better than 26. ... Qxf5 27. Qxf5 gxf5 28. Rxd4 Na4 29. Rd2 f6 30. Kg2 which, however, gave White a clear advantage in the ending, due to the scattered Black Pawns on the Kingside. 27. Qxe3 1 : 0.