居文君 (Jū Wénjūn) – Aleksandra Yuryevna Goryachkina
Women’s World Chess Championship 2020; tie-break game 3; time control: 25 minutes plus 10 seconds per move; Vladivostok, January 24, 2020
Despite my extended experience with the Women’s World Chess Championship match, this was the first time I got involved in the event without playing myself. I joined Nigel Short to do the live commentary for most of the second part of the match in Vladivostok. Why not the whole second part? Because e-visa would only allow visitors to stay a maximum of 8 days in the region. It prevented me from following the tie-breaks on site, but that didn’t change the essence of the match, which was full of tension and fight.
I had expected a balanced match after I learned that Aleksandra Goryachkina had qualified from the Candidates tournament. Although I have never played her, her recent rating progress and stable performances amply demonstrate her strengths. On the other hand, 居文君 (Jū Wénjūn) is a very experienced player who has participated in many major events in the past decade, Women’s World Championships, Olympiads, etc.
There were some key moments during the match when both players had chances to extend their lead, especially in the 9th classical game, which saw several ups and downs. After a number of decisive moments the match came to the tiebreak. Here the situation was similar again: Goryachkina missed a couple of very good winning chances, while 居 (Jū) was able to grab the opportunities that came her way. All I can say is that 居 (Jū) is extremely lucky to have won the match. Congratulations!
Now let’s have a look at the game that determined the winner of the match, the third rapid tiebreak game.
1. Nf3 d5 2. g3 c6 3. Bg2 Bg4 4. 0-0 Nd7 5. h3 Bh5 6. d4 e6 7. c4 Be7 8. cxd5 exd5 9. Nc3 Bxf3 10. exf3
居 (Jū) improved on the line she also played in the previous game as White. Though generally it is not recommended to have this relatively ugly pawn structure — doubled f-Pawn plus an isolated d4-Pawn — here the situation is quite specific: both the f3- and the d4-Pawn restrict the activity of Black’s Knights, and the open e-file may give White the initiative for the moment.
10. Bxf3 was played in the first tiebreak game, in which Black gained a clear advantage in the middlegame due to White’s impatient kingside “Pawn attacks”.
10. ... Ngf6 11. h4 0-0 12. Bh3
I had expected a balanced match after I learned that Aleksandra Goryachkina had qualified from the Candidates tournament. Although I have never played her, her recent rating progress and stable performances amply demonstrate her strengths. On the other hand, 居文君 (Jū Wénjūn) is a very experienced player who has participated in many major events in the past decade, Women’s World Championships, Olympiads, etc.
There were some key moments during the match when both players had chances to extend their lead, especially in the 9th classical game, which saw several ups and downs. After a number of decisive moments the match came to the tiebreak. Here the situation was similar again: Goryachkina missed a couple of very good winning chances, while 居 (Jū) was able to grab the opportunities that came her way. All I can say is that 居 (Jū) is extremely lucky to have won the match. Congratulations!
Now let’s have a look at the game that determined the winner of the match, the third rapid tiebreak game.
1. Nf3 d5 2. g3 c6 3. Bg2 Bg4 4. 0-0 Nd7 5. h3 Bh5 6. d4 e6 7. c4 Be7 8. cxd5 exd5 9. Nc3 Bxf3 10. exf3
居 (Jū) improved on the line she also played in the previous game as White. Though generally it is not recommended to have this relatively ugly pawn structure — doubled f-Pawn plus an isolated d4-Pawn — here the situation is quite specific: both the f3- and the d4-Pawn restrict the activity of Black’s Knights, and the open e-file may give White the initiative for the moment.
10. Bxf3 was played in the first tiebreak game, in which Black gained a clear advantage in the middlegame due to White’s impatient kingside “Pawn attacks”.
10. ... Ngf6 11. h4 0-0 12. Bh3
12 ... Nb6
Still number one  With a rating of 2664, 侯逸凡 (Hóu Yìfán) is still the world’s strongest female chess player, clearly ahead of runner-up 居文君 (Jū Wénjūn) (2583). Although 侯逸凡 (Hóu Yìfán) competes only rarely these days, she continues to be ambitious as a chess player. At the same time, she seems to have doubts about a life as a chess professional and is considering different options, based on her wide interests in global social and educational issues. Last summer she returned to China after her studies at Oxford University thanks to a Rhodes scholarship. She has been approached with several job opportunities, some of them combining her general interests and chess. |
Starting from here, Black has various options to coordinate her pieces. The text-move makes sense, since it not only provokes White to push b2-b3 to get some dark squares for the Bishop, but also keeps the possibility of the Knight to manoeuvre to d6 via c8. However, the alternative set-up with 12. ... Bd6, which keeps the pieces in the centre, seems more natural to me.
Let’s have a look: 12. ... Bd6 13. Qd3 Re8 14. Bd2 Nf8 (aiming to go to e6 to attack the isolated Pawn on d4) 15. Kg2 Ne6. This is maybe not necessary. Black could also simply maintain the structure and wait for White’s plan. 16. Rfe1 Qb6 17. Bxe6 Rxe6 18. Rxe6 fxe6 19. Re1 Re8 20. f4.
Let’s have a look: 12. ... Bd6 13. Qd3 Re8 14. Bd2 Nf8 (aiming to go to e6 to attack the isolated Pawn on d4) 15. Kg2 Ne6. This is maybe not necessary. Black could also simply maintain the structure and wait for White’s plan. 16. Rfe1 Qb6 17. Bxe6 Rxe6 18. Rxe6 fxe6 19. Re1 Re8 20. f4.
ANALYSIS DIAGRAM
And interestingly enough, the Pawn structure is the same as in the game. However, the main difference is that Black’s two minor pieces are much better placed, while the White Knight is less powerful. Practically speaking, the position is quite tenable for Black.
13. Qd3 Re8 14. b3
13. Qd3 Re8 14. b3
14. ... Nfd7?!
This and the next move lead Black into the wrong direction. Continuing to play on the Queenside seems more logical:
14. ... a5 15. Bd2 Qc7 16. Kg2 a4 17. Rab1! (this is suddenly unpleasant for Black, as it is now clear that opening the b-file helps White) 17. ... Bd6 (17. ... axb3 18. Bf4, and there is an unprotected piece on the b-file) 18. Rfc1 (now White has found the best places for her Rooks!) 18. ... Qe7 19. bxa4 Nxa4 20. Nxa4 Rxa4 21. Re1! (changing direction — now the weakness is the 8th rank) 21. ... Qc7 22. Bg5,
This and the next move lead Black into the wrong direction. Continuing to play on the Queenside seems more logical:
14. ... a5 15. Bd2 Qc7 16. Kg2 a4 17. Rab1! (this is suddenly unpleasant for Black, as it is now clear that opening the b-file helps White) 17. ... Bd6 (17. ... axb3 18. Bf4, and there is an unprotected piece on the b-file) 18. Rfc1 (now White has found the best places for her Rooks!) 18. ... Qe7 19. bxa4 Nxa4 20. Nxa4 Rxa4 21. Re1! (changing direction — now the weakness is the 8th rank) 21. ... Qc7 22. Bg5,
ANALYSIS DIAGRAM
with a promising position for White.
Interesting was 14. ... Bd6!? 15. Bd2 Qc7 (threatening ... Bd6xg3 at some points) 16. Kg2 Nh5!. A hidden move! Now sacrificing on g3 is a real threat, so White has to play 17. f4 Nf6! (the e4-square is under Black’s control) 18. Rfe1, and here the fact that the pawn has advanced to f4 slightly favours Black, since it limits White’s options to develop the position.
15. Re1
Interesting was 14. ... Bd6!? 15. Bd2 Qc7 (threatening ... Bd6xg3 at some points) 16. Kg2 Nh5!. A hidden move! Now sacrificing on g3 is a real threat, so White has to play 17. f4 Nf6! (the e4-square is under Black’s control) 18. Rfe1, and here the fact that the pawn has advanced to f4 slightly favours Black, since it limits White’s options to develop the position.
15. Re1
15. ... Bf6?!
The Bishop should have stayed on the f8-a3 diagonal and left the f6-square for the Knight, but it is always difficult for humans to admit the mistakes they’ve just made and turn back in the right direction immediately.
Maybe a better option was 15. ... a5 16. Bd2 Qc7 17. Nd1! a4 18. Ne3, and the wasted tempos (... Nd7-b6, ... Nf6-d7) allow White to slowly transfer her pieces to the Kingside, where it’s easier to exert pressure.
16. Bd2 a5
Here 16. ... Qc7 17. Bf4 shows the drawback of moving the Bishop away.
17. Kg2
The Bishop should have stayed on the f8-a3 diagonal and left the f6-square for the Knight, but it is always difficult for humans to admit the mistakes they’ve just made and turn back in the right direction immediately.
Maybe a better option was 15. ... a5 16. Bd2 Qc7 17. Nd1! a4 18. Ne3, and the wasted tempos (... Nd7-b6, ... Nf6-d7) allow White to slowly transfer her pieces to the Kingside, where it’s easier to exert pressure.
16. Bd2 a5
Here 16. ... Qc7 17. Bf4 shows the drawback of moving the Bishop away.
17. Kg2
17. ... Nf8
After 17. ... Rxe1 18. Rxe1 a4 19. Nd1 (exchanging on a4 wouldn’t yield White anything) 19. ... Nc8 20. Bb4 the Knight on c8 is cut off, which makes for comfortable play for White.
18. Rxe8 Qxe8 19. Re1 Qd8 20. Nd1!
Compared to the position five moves ago, White has activated all her pieces and is ready to manoeuvre the Knight to the Kingside. On the other hand, Black’s pieces are even less coordinated and the e-file is also under White’s control now.
After 17. ... Rxe1 18. Rxe1 a4 19. Nd1 (exchanging on a4 wouldn’t yield White anything) 19. ... Nc8 20. Bb4 the Knight on c8 is cut off, which makes for comfortable play for White.
18. Rxe8 Qxe8 19. Re1 Qd8 20. Nd1!
Compared to the position five moves ago, White has activated all her pieces and is ready to manoeuvre the Knight to the Kingside. On the other hand, Black’s pieces are even less coordinated and the e-file is also under White’s control now.
20. ... Nbd7
The good-humoured commentary team in Vladivostok, former World Champion 侯逸凡 (Hóu Yìfán) and FIDE Vice-President Nigel Short. Photo © Eteri Kublashvili. |
If I were Black, continuing to move the two Knights around the d7-square wouldn’t feel too promising.
Instead, 20. ... Nc8 should be the move: 21. Ne3 Nd6 22. Ng4 a4 23. Nxf6+ Qxf6 24. Bg5 Qg6 25. Qd1, and this is difficult for Black, but a certain hope remains, especially in time-pressure.
21. Ne3 Qb6 22. Bc3 a4 23. b4
Instead, 20. ... Nc8 should be the move: 21. Ne3 Nd6 22. Ng4 a4 23. Nxf6+ Qxf6 24. Bg5 Qg6 25. Qd1, and this is difficult for Black, but a certain hope remains, especially in time-pressure.
21. Ne3 Qb6 22. Bc3 a4 23. b4
23. ... Ne6
Things have slowly turned in White’s favour, and now the position is already super-tricky. The tougher defence here seems to be to try and keep the Bishop on the board.
Black didn’t play 23. ... g6, maybe because of the following natural follow-up: 24. Ng4 Bg7 25. h5 f5! (it’s hard to make such a decision during the game, but apparently this is the only way to keep the battle going) 26. Ne5 Nxe5 27. dxe5 Ne6 28. f4.
Things have slowly turned in White’s favour, and now the position is already super-tricky. The tougher defence here seems to be to try and keep the Bishop on the board.
Black didn’t play 23. ... g6, maybe because of the following natural follow-up: 24. Ng4 Bg7 25. h5 f5! (it’s hard to make such a decision during the game, but apparently this is the only way to keep the battle going) 26. Ne5 Nxe5 27. dxe5 Ne6 28. f4.
ANALYSIS DIAGRAM
If Black can successfully block both flanks, the position would be fine, but currently both b5 and g4 are potential breakthrough points.
However, with the Knight on e6 and the passed d-Pawn, there are still some chances for Black to save the game.
24. Bxe6! A straightforward and decisive decision.
24. ... fxe6 25. Ng4 Re8 26. f4 Qd8 27. h5
However, with the Knight on e6 and the passed d-Pawn, there are still some chances for Black to save the game.
24. Bxe6! A straightforward and decisive decision.
24. ... fxe6 25. Ng4 Re8 26. f4 Qd8 27. h5
27. ... h6?!
If she had realized that h5-h6 is not a real threat, Black could have stopped the breakthrough on the Queenside with 27. ... b5! 28. Qe2 (threatening f4-f5; after 28. h6 g6 Black successfully stonewalls White’s invasion route, as the weakened dark squares in Black’s camp cannot be exploited) 28. ... Nf8 29. f5?! Kf7!.
28. Re3. There was nothing wrong with the immediate 28. b5!.
28. ... Kh8. Again 28. ... b5 was the move to be played, as after 29. Qg6 Black has 29. ... Kh8.
29. b5! Nb8 30. Qe2 cxb5 31. Qxb5 Qc8 32. Qxa4
If she had realized that h5-h6 is not a real threat, Black could have stopped the breakthrough on the Queenside with 27. ... b5! 28. Qe2 (threatening f4-f5; after 28. h6 g6 Black successfully stonewalls White’s invasion route, as the weakened dark squares in Black’s camp cannot be exploited) 28. ... Nf8 29. f5?! Kf7!.
28. Re3. There was nothing wrong with the immediate 28. b5!.
28. ... Kh8. Again 28. ... b5 was the move to be played, as after 29. Qg6 Black has 29. ... Kh8.
29. b5! Nb8 30. Qe2 cxb5 31. Qxb5 Qc8 32. Qxa4
With full control plus an extra Pawn, White is clearly winning.
32. ... Nc6 33. Bb2 Re7 34. Qc2 Qe8 35. Nxf6 gxf6 36. Ba3 Rg7 37. f5 e5 38. dxe5 fxe5 39. f6 Rg5 40. f4 Rxh5 41. fxe5
32. ... Nc6 33. Bb2 Re7 34. Qc2 Qe8 35. Nxf6 gxf6 36. Ba3 Rg7 37. f5 e5 38. dxe5 fxe5 39. f6 Rg5 40. f4 Rxh5 41. fxe5
41. ... Qe6. The e-Pawn is poisoned and could not be taken.
42. Kg1 d4 43. Qg6 Qd7 44. e6 Qc7 45. Qxh5 1–0. Black resigned.
42. Kg1 d4 43. Qg6 Qd7 44. e6 Qc7 45. Qxh5 1–0. Black resigned.
