Under the Volcano

朱锦尔 (Zhū Jǐn’ěr) – Nana Dzagnidze
FIDE Women’s Grand Prix 2022–23; 3rd stage; New Delhi, March 31, 2023
Sicilian Defence B96

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Bg5 e6 7. f4 h6 8. Bh4 Nbd7 9. Bc4 Qc7. Many years ago, Samuel Reshevsky managed to achieve a laborious draw after 9. ... e5 10. fxe5 Nxe5 11. Bb3 Be7 12. 0-0 0-0 13. Nf5 Bxf5 14. Rxf5 Nfd7 15. Bg3 Rc8 16. Kh1 g6 17. Rf1 b5 18. Qd4 Rc5 19. Nd5 Bh4 20. Bxh4 Qxh4 21. Rf4 Qd8 22. Raf1 Nc4 23. Nf6+ Nxf6 24. Rxf6 Qe7 25. c3 Re5 26. Bxc4 bxc4 27. Qxc4 Rxe4 28. Qxa6 Re2 29. Qc4 d5 ½ : ½ van der Sterren – Reshevsky, 8th Louis D. Statham Tournament, Lone Pine 1978, but it’s quite evident that White might have aimed for more.
10. Qe2! 10. Bxe6!? at once was also possible.
10. ... b5

11. Bb3!? Of course there’s nothing wrong with it, but most consistent was 11. Bxe6! fxe6 12. Nxe6 Qc6 13. 0-0-0→ with a vehement attack, Kuindzhy – Bukhman, “Zenit” Championship, Moscow 1971.
11. ... Nc5. Not 11. ... Bb7 12. 0-0-0 b4? by reason of 13. Nd5! with a crushing initiative. But 11. ... b4 12. Na4 Bb7 was worth consideration, since 13. 0-0 Bxe4 (not 13. ... Nxe4? 14. Nxe6! fxe6?? because of 15. Qh5+ followed by mate) 14. f5!? (14. c3! gives some compensation) 14. ... e5 (14. ... exf5? 15. Rxf5!) 15. Ne6!? fxe6 16. fxe6 Ne5 17. Rxf6!? gxf6 18. Qh5+ Kd8 19. Bxf6+ Be7 20. Bxe7+ Qxe7 21. Nxc5 Bc6! (21. ... dxc5? 22. Qxe5+−) 22. Rd1 Kc7 leads nowhere for White.
12. e5! dxe5 (12. ... b4 13. Nd5!↑)
13. fxe5 Nh7 (13. ... Nfd7? 14. Nxe6! Nxe6 15. Bxe6+−)
14. 0-0-0 Ng5 15. Bxg5 hxg5 16. Ne4 Nxb3+? As it will become soon clear, Black needed her Knight more than White needed her Bishop. Black could not play 16. ... Qxe5? on account of 17. Nc6! (17. ... Qxe4?? 18. Rd8#), but 16. ... Be7! might have avoided the worst, at least for a while.
17. axb3 Be7 18. Nd6+!? Not bad. 18. Rhf1, however, seems even stronger, for if 18. ... 0-0? then 19. Nf6+! with an irresistible attack.
18. ... Bxd6 19. exd6 Qxd6

20. Nxe6? A miscalculation, which dissipates White’s advantage. Simple and strong was 20. Nxb5 Qf4+ 21. Kb1 0-0 (owing to her erroneous 16th move, Black cannot parry the check at b5 by interposing her Knight after 21. ... axb5 22. Qxb5+ Ke7 23. Qc5+ Kf6 24. Rhf1+−) 22. Nd6 with an overwhelming advantage.
20. ... Qxe6 21. Qf3. Probably 朱锦尔 (Zhū Jǐn’ěr) still believed she was winning, because of the double threat of Qf3xa8 and Rh1-e1.

21. ... Bb7! However strange it may seem, 朱锦尔 (Zhū Jǐn’ěr) must have overlooked this when she played 20. Nxe6.
22. Qxb7 0-0! An escape worthy of Houdini: now White is left empty-handed!
23. Rhe1 Qh6 24. Kb1 g4 25. Qd7 Qh5 26. Rd5 Qh4 27. g3 Qxh2 28. Qxg4 Rae8 29. Red1 Qe2 30. Qh3 Re6 31. R5d2 Qe3 32. Rd3 Qe2 33. R3d2 Qe3 34. Rd3 Qe2 ½ : ½.

朱锦尔 (Zhū Jǐn’ěr) went astray for a moment and was not able to reap the fruit of her powerful initiative. Photo © Ismael Nieto/FIDE.

Halfway Home

谭中怡 (Tán Zhōngyí) – 雷挺婕 (Léi Tǐngjié)

“两江新区杯” (“Liǎngjiāng New Area Cup”) FIDE Women’s Candidates Tournament 2022–23 Final; match game 3; 重庆 (Chóngqìng), March 31, 2023

Tarrasch Defence D32

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 c5 4. cxd5 exd5 5. Nf3 Nc6 6. dxc5 d4 7. Na4 Bxc5 8. Nxc5 Qa5+ 9. Bd2 Qxc5

10. b4!? A Pawn sacrifice favoured by most engines.
10. ... Qb6. Critical is 10. ... Nxb4 11. Rc1 Qd6 12. e3!? which gives rise to the sort of tactical nuances that usually provide for enough compensation — though usually no more than enough. Be that as it may, 雷挺婕 (Léi Tǐngjié) prefers a safer and quieter way.
11. Qa4 a6 12. e3 dxe3 13. fxe3 Rb8 14. b5 axb5 15. Qxb5 (15. Bxb5 Ne7=)
15. ... Qxb5 16. Bxb5 Nf6! (16... Bd7 17. Bc3 Nf6 18. Bxf6 gxf6 19. 0-0 Ke7 20. a4 Rhc8 21. Nd2 Ne5 22. Ne4 Bxb5 23. axb5 Nd7 24. Rad1 Rc2 25. Rf4 Ra8 26. Nd6 Raa2 27. Nf5+ Kd8 28. Rg4 Kc7 29. Ne7 Kb6 30. Rg7 Ne5 31. Nd5+ Kxb5 32. Rb1+ Kc5 33. Nxf6 Ng6 34. Rxh7 Rxg2+ 35. Kh1 Rgc2 36. Ng4 Rg2 37. Nf6 Rgc2 38. Ng4 Rg2 39. h3 f5 40. Rh5 Nh4 41. Rxh4 fxg4 42. hxg4 b5 43. Rh5+ Kc4 44. Rbxb5 Rxg4 45. Rb1 Re2 46. Ra1 Re4 47. Rc1+ Kd3 ½ : ½ K. S. Shevchenko – Song, 55th Biel Master Open Tournament, Biel/Bienne 2022)
17. Ne5

17. ... 0-0. The point of Black’s previous move: a Pawn sacrifice which offers plenty of play in all lines.
18. Nxc6 bxc6 19. Bxc6 Ba6 20. Bf3 Rfe8. 20. ... Rb2 at once also leads to equality.
21. Kf2 Rb2 22. Rhd1 Ne4+ Reb4 25. Rxb2 Rxb2 26. a4 f5 27. Ke1 Bd3 28. a5 g5

29. Ra1. White cannot do anything but allow the exchange of Rooks, thus remaining with a meaningless extra Pawn in an ending with Bishops of opposite colours.
29. ... Rb1+ 30. Rxb1 Bxb1 31. Bb4 Be4 32. g3 g4 33. Kd2 Kf7 34. Kc3 Ke6 35. Kd4 Kd7 36. a6 Kc6 37. Bc5 Kb5 38. a7 Ka6 39. Ke5 Kb7 40. Kd6. White cannot go hunting for the h7-Pawn: 40. Kf6 Ka8 41. Kg7 Kb7 42. Kxh7?? f4+ and Black wins.
40. ... Bd3 ½ : ½.

When interviewed afterwards, 谭中怡 (Tán Zhōngyí) admitted she was unable to put her opponent to the test, not seeing a way to do so, but also because “I was still in a blue mood, after losing yesterday”. 雷挺婕 (Léi Tǐngjié) too, on her part, seemed laconically content with the outcome: “It’s okay”. Photo: 王亮 (Wáng Liàng).

Yes, Edna, sometimes the best moves are those one does not make

Artwork © Piss hat (@1983buick_)

Hello Sunshine

The round of 16 matches of the First China Women’s Chess Open Finals 2022 were all held on Thursday, March 30, 2023 at 深圳阳光酒店 (Shēnzhèn Sunshine Hotel) in 罗湖区 (Luōhú District), 深圳 (Shēnzhèn), China. After fierce battles, six seeded players, namely: 侯逸凡 (Hóu Yìfán), 居文君 (Jū Wénjūn), 郭琦 (Guō Qí), 黄茜 (Huáng Qiàn), 翟墨 (Zhái Mò), 赵雪 (Zhào Xuě), and two non-seeded players, namely: 张岚琳 (Zhāng Lánlín), 赵盛鑫 (Zhào Shèngxīn), made it to the final eight. Here are the matchups for the quarterfinals, scheduled for Friday, March 31, 2023, 2 P.M.: 侯逸凡 (Hóu Yìfán) vs. 翟墨 (Zhái Mò), 赵盛鑫 (Zhào Shèngxīn) vs. 黄茜 (Huáng Qiàn), 赵雪 (Zhào Xuě) vs. 郭琦 (Guō Qí), and 张岚琳 (Zhāng Lánlín) vs. 居文君 (Jū Wénjūn).

Though deeply absorbed in her university career, four-time Women’s World Chess Champion 侯逸凡 (Hóu Yìfán) reassured reporters that “I very much cherish any opportunity to sit at the board and play chess”. Photo: 郑志鹏 (Zhèng Zhìpéng)/深圳晚报 (Shēnzhèn Evening News).

Thrills and Chills

朱锦尔 (Zhū Jǐn’ěr) – Ekaterina Aleksandrovna Lagno
FIDE Women’s Grand Prix 2022–23; 3rd stage; New Delhi, March 30, 2023
Sicilian Defence B84

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nc6 5. Nc3 Qc7 6. Be3 a6 7. Be2 Nf6 8. a3 Be7 9. f4 d6 10. 0-0 0-0 11. Kh1 Bd7 12. Qe1 Nxd4 13. Bxd4 Bc6 14. Qg3 b5 15. e5 dxe5 16. Bxe5 Qb7 17. f5 exf5 18. Rxf5 Ne8 19. Bd3 (19. Bd4 g6 20. Rf2 Rd8 21. Be3 Ng7 22. Re1 f5 ½ : ½ Polugaevsky – Matulović, 17th Chess Olympiad, Havana 1966)
19. ... g6. All theory so far.
20. Rff1!? The Rook usually goes to f2, so as not to exclude to double on the f-file.
20. ... Rd8 21. Rae1 Bd6 (21. ... f6!?)
22. Be4 Bxe5 23. Qxe5 Bxe4 24. Nxe4 Qc6 25. Ng5 Rd2 26. Rf3 Rd5 27. Qf4 Nd6? Lagno is a little too anxious to defend f7, which was in no real danger (Black could play 27. ... Qc4, 27. ... Qd7, and even 27. ... f6), while overlooking other troubles.

28. Nxh7! Kxh7 29. Rh3+ Rh5 30. Rxh5+ gxh5 31. Re5

31. ... Ne8? Black’s only chance lay in 31. ... Ne4! 32. Rxe4 Qd5 33. h3± leaving White a Pawn ahead in a heavy pieces ending.
32. Rxh5+ Kg8 33. Qf5 Qg6 34. Rg5 Ng7 35. Rxg6 fxg6 36. Qd5+ Kh7 37. h3 Nh5 38. Kh2 Rf6 39. Qd4 Re6 40. Qd7+ Ng7 41. b3 1 : 0.

朱锦尔 (Zhū Jǐn’ěr) played powerfully, with sharp style and thrilling moves. Photo: Ismael Nieto/FIDE.

Back to Square One

雷挺婕 (Léi Tǐngjié) – 谭中怡 (Tán Zhōngyí)

“两江新区杯” (“Liǎngjiāng New Area Cup”) FIDE Women’s Candidates Tournament 2022–23 Final; match game 2; 重庆 (Chóngqìng), March 30, 2023

Semi-Slav Defence D31

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 dxc4 4. e4 b5 5. a4 c6 6. Nc3 Bb4 7. Bd2 Qb6 8. Be2 Ne7 9. Qc2 Bb7 10. b3 cxb3 11. Qxb3 a5 12. axb5 cxb5 13. Bxb5+ Bc6 14. Bd3 Nd7 15. 0-0 0-0 16. Rab1 Rfb8 17. Bf4 Rd8 18. Na2 Nf6 19. Bg5 Rab8

20. d5 Be8 21. Qb2 Ng6 22. Rfc1 h6 23. Be3 Qb7 24. Nxb4 axb4 25. Ra1 Rbc8 26. Rxc8 Qxc8 27. Qxb4 exd5 28. e5 Ne4 29. Rc1 Qe6 30. Qa5 Rb8 31. Qc7 Ra8 32. h3 Qe7 33. Qxe7 Nxe7 34. Nd4 Ng6 35. e6 fxe6 36. Nxe6 Bf7 37. Nc7 Rd8 38. Bd4 Nf4 39. Ba6 Ng5 40. Be5. 40. ... Nfxh3+? 41. Kf1! loses material for Black.
40. ... Ng6 41. Bd4 Nf4 42. h4 Nge6 43. Nxe6 Nxe6 44. Be5 h5 45. Bd3

White is better by virtue of her two Bishops and Black’s isolated Pawn, but it is all but sure that such an advantage may translate itself into a win, depending upon how Black will defend.
45. ... Re8 46. f4 Rd8 47. Kf2 Nf8 48. Rc6. 雷挺婕 (Léi Tǐngjié) continues to torment her opponent, making the best use possible of what she has (i.e., a small, but lasting, advantage).
48. ... Ra8 49. Bf5 Nh7 50. Ke3 Ra3+ 51. Bc3 Ra8 52. Rd6 Re8+ 53. Be5 Nf6 54. Ra6

54. ... Ne4. With the move in the text — in fact a Pawn sacrifice — Black hopes for Bishops of opposite colour.
55. Kd4 Ng3 56. Bd3 Ne4 57. Ra7 Rc8 58. Bc7 Re8 59. Be5 Rc8 60. Ra3 Kf8 61. Rb3 Ra8 62. Rb8+ Rxb8 63. Bxb8 g6 64. Ke5 Kg7 65. Ba7 Ng3 66. Bd4 Kf8 67. Kd6 Nf5+ 68. Bxf5 gxf5 69. Ke5 Be8 70. Kxf5 Bd7+ 71. Kg5

71. ... Bg4?? When the worst seemed to be over, 谭中怡 (Tán Zhōngyí) slipped into a blunder. Instead after the only move 71. ... Be8! White would have to resign herself to a draw; a sample line is 72. g4 hxg4 73. Kxg4 Kg8 74. Kg5 Kh7 75. f5 Bf7 76. Kf6 Kg8 77. Ke7 Bg6!= (but 77. ... Bh5 draws as well).
72. Kg6! Simply threatening f4-f5-f6-f7 followed by Bd4-g7+.
72. ... Be2 73. f5 Bd3 74. g3. Or at once 74. Kxh5 Bxf5 75. g4 winning as in the game.
74. ... Kg8 75. Kxh5 Bxf5 76. g4. White’s passed Pawns are irresistible.
76. ... Bd3 77. Kh6 Kf7 78. h5 Ke6 79. Kg7 1 : 0.

What comes around goes around, and so today 雷挺婕 (Léi Tǐngjié), with just a little luck, levelled the score. Photo: Sina Sports.

Nay, Edna, no one has ever become rich by selling bites for bytes

Artwork © ctdsnark

Phantasmagoria

The First China Women’s Chess Open Finals 2022 opened today, Wednesday, March 29, 2023, in 罗湖区 (Luōhú District), 深圳 (Shēnzhèn), China, with the introduction of the “Magnificent Sixteen” and the announcement of the matchups for the round of 16. Thus, four-time Women’s World Chess Champion and women’s world No. 1 侯逸凡 (Hóu Yìfán) will meet Woman Grandmaster 肖依依 (Xiào Yīyī), who’s understandably excited about playing with the iconic chess Queen for the first time: “侯逸凡 (Hóu Yìfán) has always been a benchmark in China as well as in the chess circles of all the world. I’m very happy for the opportunity to play with her. I hope I will manage to give her a fight and learn something from our four games”, she told reporters. Photos: 郑志鹏 (Zhèng Zhìpéng)/深圳晚报 (Shēnzhèn Evening News).

Geometrically speaking

Aleksandra Yuryevna Goryachkina – Bibisara Erkhanovna Assaubayeva
FIDE Women’s Grand Prix 2022–23; 3rd stage; New Delhi, March 29, 2023
Catalan Opening E04

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. g3 d5 4. Bg2 dxc4 5. Nf3 Bb4+ 6. Bd2 a5 7. a3 Be7 8. Qa4+ Nbd7 (8. ... Bd7 9. Qxc4 Bc6 10. Nc3 0-0 11. Qd3 b6 12. 0-0 Bb7 13. Ne5 Bxg2 14. Kxg2 Nfd7 15. Qf3 Ra6 16. Rfd1 Qe8 17. Bf4 Bd6 18. Nxd7 Qxd7 19. Rac1 a4 20. e4 Bxf4 21. Qxf4 Ra5 22. d5 Na6 23. dxe6 Qxe6 24. Rd5 Rc5 25. Rxc5 Nxc5 26. Qxc7 Rc8 27. Rd1 f6 28. Rd8+ Rxd8 29. Qxd8+ Kf7 30. Qd5 Ke7 31. Qd4 h5 32. Nxa4 Nxe4 33. Nxb6 h4 34. Nd5+ Kf8 35. Nf4 h3+ 36. Nxh3 Qc6 37. f3 1 : 0 Goryachkina – Pähtz, 14th European Women’s Team Chess Championship, Terme Čatež 2021)
9. Qxc4 0-0 10. Qc2

10. ... c6?! This leads to a somewhat clumsy Queenside’s arrangement. 10. ... c5! was much more to the point.
11. 0-0 Ra6 12. Nc3 b5 13. Bg5 Bb7 14. Ne5 Nxe5 15. dxe5 Nd7 16. Bxe7 Qxe7

17. Nxb5! cxb5? Probably Assaubayeva didn’t like the look of her Queenside Pawns after 15. ... Nxe5 16. Nd4 Rc8 17. a4⩲/± — and probably rightly so — but allowing Goryachkina to secure a “zero risk” material advantage is a mission really impossible.
18. Bxb7 Rb6 19. Be4 g6 20. Qc7 Qd8 21. Qxd8 Rxd8 22. Rfd1 Rbb8 23. Bc6 Nxe5 24. Rxd8+ Rxd8 25. Bxb5. White eventually came out a Pawn ahead, which will be enough for her to make a win.
25. ... Rd5 26. a4 Rd4. Prevents b2-b4.
27. Rc1 Kg7 28. Rc7 g5 29. Ra7 Rb4 30. Rxa5 Rxb2 31. f3. Now Goryachkina provides a superb display of virtuoso technique.

31. ... h5 32. Ra7 h4 33. Kg2 hxg3 34. hxg3 Kf8 35. Kf2 Rb4 36. Rc7 f6 37. Ke3 Nf7 38. Rd7 g4 39. f4 e5 40. fxe5 Nxe5 41. Ra7 f5 42. Bd3 f4+ 43. gxf4 g3 44. Ra8+ Kg7 45. Rc8 Nxd3 46. exd3 g2 47. Rc1 Kf6 48. Rg1 Rb2 49. a5 Kf5 50. a6 Ra2 51. a7 Rxa7 52. Rxg2 Re7+ 53. Kf3 Re1 54. Rg5+ Kf6 55. Kf2 Re8 56. Ra5 Re7 57. Kf3 Re1 58. d4 Rf1+ 59. Ke4 Re1+ 60. Kd5 Rf1 61. Ra6+ Kf5 62. Ra8 Kf6 63. Kd6 Kf7 64. Ke5 Re1+ 65. Kf5 Rd1 66. Ra7+ Ke8 67. Ke5 Re1+ 68. Kf6 Re4 69. f5 Rxd4 70. Ra8+ 1 : 0.

Faithful to herself, Goryachkina showed at her best in a technical endgame. Photo: Ismael Nieto/FIDE.

Nerves and Common Sense

谭中怡 (Tán Zhōngyí) – 雷挺婕 (Léi Tǐngjié)

“两江新区杯” (“Liǎngjiāng New Area Cup”) FIDE Women’s Candidates Tournament 2022–23 Final; match game 1; 重庆 (Chóngqìng), March 29, 2023

English Opening A20

1. c4 e5 2. d3 Bb4+ 3. Nd2 c5 4. Nf3 Nc6 5. g3 d6 6. Bg2 Nge7 7. 0-0 Bxd2. Or by transposition: 7. ... 0-0 8. Nb3 Na5 9. Nfd2 Bxd2 10. Nxd2 Nac6 with approximate equality, Grischuk – Giri, 2020 Magnus Carlsen Chess Tour, 3rd stage, Chessable Masters, chess24.com, June 26, 2020, match game 3 (time control: 15 minutes plus 10 seconds per move).
8. Bxd2 h6 9. a3 a5

10. b4. 谭中怡 (Tán Zhōngyí) makes no secret of her intentions and offers at once a Pawn pseudo-sacrifice.
10. ... axb4 11. axb4 Rxa1 12. Qxa1 Nxb4 13. Bxb4 cxb4 14. Rb1 Nc6 15. d4. Neither now nor on the next few moves, White shows any interest whatsoever in regaining her Pawn.
15. ... Bf5. 谭中怡 (Tán Zhōngyí) said afterwards that after Black’ 15. ... Bf5 she felt a little worried and hence decided to make the situation more complicated still.
16. Rc1 0-0 17. d5 Nb8 18. c5 dxc5 19. Nxe5 f6 20. Nc4 Nd7 21. Ne3 Bg6

22. d6. White is ready to give up a second Pawn for the sake of initiative.
22. ... Kh7 23. Nd5 Qa8 24. Qb2. Of course White cannot afford the exchange of Queens, as after 24. Qxa8? Rxa8 25. Bh3 b3! her situation would be hopeless.
24. ... Qa6. 雷挺婕 (Léi Tǐngjié) too is playing for the win.
25. Nf4 Qxd6 26. Nxg6 Kxg6 27. Qc2+ f5 28. Rd1. White is two Pawns down, but her bind on the light squares should compensate somewhat for her material deficit.
28. ... Qe7 29. Bh3 Ne5

30. Rd5? They both are scarily short of time, which may justify the excesses of emotive meaning. Probably best was 30. f4! b3! (30. ... Nc6 31. Bxf5+! Rxf5 32. g4 Qe3+ 33. Kh1 Qxf4 34. gxf5+ Kf7∞) 31. Qxb3 Nc6 leaving Black a Pawn up and a good game.
30. ... Qe6? A blunder due to time-trouble. 30. ... c4! was both natural and strong.
31. Qxc5. Suddenly the tables are turned.
31. ... Nd7 32. Rxd7! Qxd7 33. Qxf8 Qd1+ 34. Bf1! b3! 35. Qe8+? Given the circumstances, 谭中怡 (Tán Zhōngyí) cannot be blamed for missing 35. e4! fxe4 36. Qe8+ Kf6 37. Qa4+− — which apparently was the only “magic formula”.
35. ... Kh7 36. Qb5

36. ... f4?? As Tartakower used to say, “Victory goes to the player who makes the next-to-the-last mistake”. Likewise, if 36. ... Qc2? then 37. e3! b2 38. Bd3 and Black is lost, but after 36. ... Qb1! 37. e4! (37. e3 does the job as well) 37. ... b2 38. Qxf5+ White has nothing more than a draw by perpetual check.
37. e3! fxe3 38. Qd3+ 1 : 0.

Then 谭中怡 (Tán Zhōngyí) said that at least this time Goddess Luck stood on her side. Photo: Sina Sports.

Of course, Edna, she that can take the stage away from anyone, may take it for her own and for mankind’s benefit, and take it even against the will of the kings and mighty

Artwork © Anna Adamova (@adamova.art)

The Return of the Pink Panther

There is only one day left before the start of the First China Women’s Chess Open Finals 2022, which will be held in 罗湖区 (Luōhú District), 深圳 (Shēnzhèn), China from March 29 to April 2, 2023. The format is a knockout (eight-quarter-semifinal and final) consisting of four rapid games (with a time control of G/15+5), followed, in case of a tie, by two blitz games (G/3+2) and Armageddon. The eight seeds already qualified directly (by rating) are: 侯逸凡 (Hóu Yìfán), 居文君 (Jū Wénjūn), 赵雪 (Zhào Xuě), 黄茜 (Huáng Qiàn), 沈阳 (Shěn Yáng), 郭琦 (Guō Qí), 宁凯玉 (Níng Kǎiyù), 翟墨 (Zhái Mò). They will be joined by other eight, who have qualified in the online prelims: 白雪 (Bái Xuě), 张岚琳 (Zhāng Lánlín), 洪星 (Hóng Xīng), 赵盛鑫 (Zhào Shèngxīn), 孙方卉 (Sūn Fānghuì), 颜天琪 (Yán Tiānqí), 王楚乔 (Wáng Chǔqiáo), and 肖依依 (Xiào Yīyī). Playbills courtesy of 深圳特区报 (Shēnzhèn Special Zone Daily).

星期二 (Tuesday)

The “两江新区杯” (“Liǎngjiāng New Area Cup”) 2022–23 FIDE Women’s Candidates Final was officially opened today, Tuesday, March 28, 2023 in 重庆 (Chóngqìng), China, with the introduction of 雷挺婕 (Léi Tǐngjié) and 谭中怡 (Tán Zhōngyí), both natives of 重庆 (Chóngqìng), who, starting tomorrow, will be playing a 6-game match for the right to challenge the reigning Women’s World Chess Champion, 居文君 (Jū Wénjūn). Photos: 张质 (Zhāng Zhì)/cqnews.net.

To be sure, Edna, one should never forget that the decision whether to dress or undress is not one which one has to take in a hurry

Artwork © Jose-Ramiro

Towers and Bridges

A Chinese student who calls herself Evie makes a video for her followers on 抖音 (Dǒuyīn), the Chinese version of TikTok, on Tower Bridge in London, Britain. Photo: Kevin Coombs/Reuters.

However, Edna, the fear is that the worst has yet to come

Artwork © Sarai Depp (@lo_veo_lo_hago)

Indian Nocturne

朱锦尔 (Zhū Jǐn’ěr) – Aleksandra Yuryevna Goryachkina
FIDE Women’s Grand Prix 2022–23; 3rd stage; New Delhi, March 26, 2023
Spanish Game C67

The 3rd stage of FIDE Women’s Grand Prix 2022–23 would be a psychodrama worth a Bollywood movie, if it weren’t a serious matter. In any case, it is a kind of “world record” that four players eligible to participate withdrew before the tournament began!

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. 0-0 Nxe4 5. d4 Nd6 6. Bxc6 dxc6 7. dxe5 Nf5 8. Qxd8+ Kxd8 9. Nc3 Ke8 10. h3 h5 11. Bf4 Be7 12. Rad1 Nh4 13. Nd4 Nf5 14. Nce2 g5 15. Bh2 Rh6 16. Rfe1. If 16. Nxf5 then 16. ... Bxf5 17. Nd4 Bd7 18. f4 gxf4 19. Bxf4 Rg6 20. e6 Bxe6 21. Nxe6 fxe6 22. Bxc7 Rc8 23. Be5 Rd8 24. Rxd8+ Bxd8 25. Bd4 a6 26. Bc5 Be7 27. Bxe7 Kxe7 28. Rf4 Rg5 29. Kf2 Rb5 30. b3 Ra5 31. a4 Rc5 32. Rc4 Rf5+ 33. Ke3 Re5+ 34. Re4 Rg5 35. g4 hxg4 36. hxg4 Kf6 37. Rf4+ Ke7 38. Kf3 e5 39. Re4 Ke6 40. Re2 Rg7 41. Rg2 a5 42. Ke4 Rg5 43. Kf3 ½ : ½ A. O. Muzychuk – Goryachkina, 14th European Women’s Team Chess Championship, Terme Čatež 2021.
16. ... Bd8 17. Rd2 Nxd4 18. Nxd4 c5 19. Nb5 Be6 20. Nc3 Be7 21. Nb5 Bd8 22. f4 gxf4 23. Bxf4 Rg6 24. Kh2 a6 25. Nc3 Be7 26. Nd5 Bxd5 27. Rxd5 Rd8 28. c4 c6 29. Rxd8+ Bxd8 30. Bg3 Bc7 31. Rf1 Ke7 32. Rf5 Rh6 33. Rf6 Rg6 34. b3 b5 35. Rf5 Rh6 36. Rf6 Rg6 37. Rf5 Rh6 38. Bf4. White disdains the draw by repetition — but after Black’s reply, her claim is or rather should be objectively baseless.

38. ... Ke6! 39. Rxf7 Kxf7? A careless response, which precipitates Black into a totally lost Bishop ending. The correct move was 39. ... Bxe5! 40. Rf8 Bxf4+ 41. Rxf4 h4 with a drawish Rook endgame.
40. Bxh6 Bxe5+ 41. g3 Kg6 (41. ... h4 42. Bf4+−)

42. Bf4! The win for White is due to Black’s doubled Pawns, which in fact make the position an ending where White is one Pawn up.
42. ... Bg7. After 42. ... Kf5 43. Bxe5 Kxe5 44. g4 h4 45. Kg2 Ke4 46. Kf2 Kf4 47. a3 Black will very soon end up in zugzwang.
43. Kg2 Kf5 44. Kf3 Bf8 45. g4+ hxg4+ 46. hxg4+ Ke6 47. Ke4 Be7 48. Bh6 Bd6 49. Bg7 Be7 50. Kf4 Kf7 51. Be5 Kg6 52. Ke4 Kg5 53. Kf3 Kg6 54. Bf4 Kf6 55. Ke4 Ke6 56. Bd2 Bd6 57. Bc3 Bc7 58. g5 Bh2 59. g6 Bg1

60. Kf4?? An incredible error, which throws away the win; for example: 60. Be5! Ke7 61. Kf5 Bd4 62. g7 Kf7 63. g8=Q+! Kxg8 64. Ke6 raiding Black’s Queenside Pawns.
60. ... bxc4 61. bxc4 Bd4! 62. Be1. Or 62. Bxd4 cxd4 63. c5 Kf6 64. Ke4 Kxg6 65. Kxd4 Kf6 with a draw.
62. ... Kf6 63. g7 ½ : ½.

As they say, the show must go on. Photo: Ismael Nieto/FIDE.

An Asian Affair

The “两江新区杯” (“Liǎngjiāng New Area Cup”) 2022–23 FIDE Women’s Candidates Final will kick off with the opening ceremony on Tuesday, March 28, 2023, 5 P.M. at 重庆悦来温德姆酒店 (Wyndham Chóngqìng Yuèlái Hotel) in 重庆 (Chóngqìng), China. 雷挺婕 (Léi Tǐngjié) and 谭中怡 (Tán Zhōngyí), both natives of 重庆 (Chóngqìng), will play a 6-game match for the right to challenge the reigning Women’s World Champion, 居文君 (Jū Wénjūn), and a €60,000 prize.

Outside of 重庆悦来温德姆酒店 (Wyndham Chóngqìng Yuèlái Hotel). Photo: 重庆悦来温德姆酒店 (Wyndham Chóngqìng Yuèlái Hotel).

Aurora

Today unexpectedly we met Aurora, a distinguished dancer of the Associazione Culturale “Il Delta della Luna”, at the charity lunch for the A.M.A. (Friends of Animal World) Cat Pound of Bagno a Ripoli, Metropolitan City of Florence, Italy.

Yes, Edna, fasting will strengthen your self-discipline and fortify you against tiramisu temptations

Photo © Ольга Нуарэ / Olga Noiret 🍀 (@noiret.dolls)

Daylight Saving

艾丽斯·李 (Alice Lee) – Irina Borisivna Krush

2nd American Cup — Women’s Champions Bracket; match game 2; Saint Louis, March 25, 2023

Bogo-Indian Defence E11

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 Bb4+ 4. Bd2 Bxd2+ 5. Qxd2 d5 6. cxd5. That’s a strange way to go all out for a win as the text gives White little or nothing.
6. ... exd5 7. Nc3 Bf5 (7. ... c6 8. e3 0-0 9. Bd3 Nbd7 10. 0-0 Qe7 11. a3 ½ : ½ Dražić – Savić, GM Third Saturday 122, Novi Sad 2019)
8. e3 0-0 9. Bd3 Bxd3 10. Qxd3 c6 11. 0-0 a5 12. Na4 Ne4 13. Rac1 Nd7 14. Nc5 Ndxc5 15. dxc5 Qe7 16. Nd4

16. ... a4 (16. ... Nxc5 17. Qa3 b6 18. Nxc6⩲)
17. f3 Nxc5 18. Qa3 b6 19. Nxc6 Qf6 20. Nb4 Rad8. 20. ... d4 at once seems likewise possible; for example: 21. Nd5 Qd6 22. e4 f5 23. Nxb6 Qxb6 24. Qxc5 Rab8 with a dynamic equilibrium.
21. Rfd1. Possibly the wrong Rook, as Black can now make the advance ... d5-d4.
21. ... d4 22. e4. Had the other Rook been on d1, White could now play 22. exd4 Rxd4 23. Nd5 Qe5 24. Ne7+! Kh8 25. Nc6 winning material, since ... Rd4xd1 is not check!
22. ... Rd6 23. Nd5 Qg5. Perhaps simpler was 23. ... Qe5 24. Nxb6 Rxb6 25. Rxc5 Qb8 26. Qxa4 Rxb2 27. Qxd4 Rxa2 28. Rg5 g6 29. h4 Qb2! coming down to a four Rooks ending in which White’s extra Pawn counts for nothing.
24. Nxb6! Alea iacta est.

24. ... Nxe4? A clear oversight, overlooking White’s 25th move. She ought to play 24. ... Rg6 25. g3 Rxb6 (25. ... Nxe4 26. Nd7 Rd8 27. fxe4 Rxd7 28. Rc5! Qd8 29. Rdc1 Qf8 30. Qxa4 might be a bit more difficult for Black) 25. ... Rxb6 26. Rxc5 Qf6 27. Rd2 d3! 28. Rf5 Qh6 29. Qc3 Qe3+ 30. Kg2 Rfb8 31. Rd5 Qxd2+! 32. Qxd2 Rxb2 33. Rxd3 Rxd2+ 34. Rxd2 Kf8 and Black, despite the minus Pawn, should draw the ending.
25. Nc8! A deadly zwischenzug. In all probability White was expecting 25. fxe4? Rxb6= with equality.
25. ... d3. Desperation, but if 25. ... Rg6 (menacing mate at g2), then 26. Ne7+ forking King and Rook.
26. fxe4 Rd7 27. Qc5 Qd8 28. Nb6 Rd4 29. Nd5 Rxe4 30. Rxd3 Rfe8 31. Rdd1 Qh4 32. Qf2 Qxf2+ 33. Kxf2 Re2+ 34. Kf3 Rxb2

35. Re1! Rd8 36. Re2! An elegant display of technique by Lee.
36. ... Rb5 37. Ne7+ Kf8 38. Rc8 Rxc8 39. Nxc8 Rf5+ 40. Ke4 g6 41. Nd6 Rf1 42. Kd4 f5 43. Nc4 Kg7 44. Kd3 f4 45. Ke4 Kf6 46. Nd2 Rh1 47. Nf3 g5 48. Re1 1 : 0.

Nice comeback from Lee, but in the end — like last year — it was Krush who had the last word, taking her second straight title on a tie-breaker. Photo © Lennart Ootes/Saint Louis Chess Club.