The Chess Candidates 2020 takes place under all the controversial circumstances that are happening in our world due to global pandemic. As most of the international events have been cancelled, there was quite a debate about postponing the candidates. But finally we find ourselves witnessing the clash of the elites to challenge the chess crown. Special precautions are being taken.

Spectators are not allowed in the venue.

Shaking hands is not mandatory and as a precaution most players do avoid it.

Many people thought that the given circumstances might affect the quality of play. However, right from the word go, we got to see some fire-works. Blood thrusty warriors ready for full fledged fights.

Big Upsets:

Ian Nepomniachtchi showed his class by playing a phenomenal game against Anish Giri.

Ding Liren played a beautiful strategic game but the positional masterpiece was ruined when Ding was taken aback by Wang’s f5! Wang Hao took full advantage of the slip by his opponent and converted it into full point.

Caruana had good chances against MVL and so does Grischuk against Alekseenko but both the games ended in a draw. Grischuk is cursed as always by time trouble and lost all the advantage he had.

Here is the Result after round one.

Anish Giri vs Ian Nepomniachtchi 0-1

1. Nf3 Nf6

2. c4 c5

3. Nc3 Nc6

4. d4

The English Opening

4… cxd4

5. Nxd4 e6

6. g3 Qb6

This is quite a trending line among top grandmasters. It leads us to some very interesting and sharp positions.

7. Ndb5 Ne5

8. Bf4 Nfg4

9. e3 a6

As the b2-pawn hangs, white here cannot move his b5-knight. Thus he goes for a Zwischenzug (Counter attack).

10. h3

10… axb5

11. hxg4 Nxc4

Position after 11… Nxc4

After 11 moves we reach this position. The main move in this position is 12. Qb3, threatening Bxc4, protecting the pawn on b2, as well as trying to regain the b5-pawn.

But Anish here has prepared a little surprise for his opponent.

12. Rc1

This position had only been reached once before in a correspondence game. So we are in a relatively fresh position.

12…d5

After a little think Nepo plays d7-d5. This is the most logical move in the position.

It over-protects the knight as well as the pawn controls important squares in the center.

Note: Anish was playing his moves very quickly while Nepo well-aware that he might step into his opponent’s prep was slowing down quite a bit.

This is generally a good idea as you want to allow yourself to familiarize with the position. Correctly access it and avoid falling in traps.

13. b3

The point of playing Rc1. The idea is that black Knight is unable to move away as it drops the b5-pawn.

That leaves Nepo with two moves to consider, Bb4 & e5.

13…Bb4!

It was clear that it’s too late for either of the player to backdown. The next few moves are nearly forced.

14. bxc4

White takes the knight.

14…Ra3

15. Be5 f6

16. Bd4 Qa5

Black will regain the piece. Also e5 is a strong threat. Did Anish just blundered? Does he even have any compensation for the lost material.

Was this some sort of preparation or just a bluff. Well, if you know Anish, you’d definitely know that he is among the most well prepared players and he won’t just go in for any of this if he didn’t have any concrete ideas.

17. Be2!

So prep it was. Anish again playing very quickly.

17… Bxc3+

18. Rxc3! Rxc3

19. Kf1!

This is modern day preparation. Modern opening prep is simply to get into positions which are familiar to you. In this particular position Black has several ways to continue and this is exactly what makes it difficult for black.

White however has very clear plans to attack with g4-g5 and we can be seen his powerful bishop and h1-rook is ideally placed for the break.

But Nepo shows why he was here. And why he deserves to be seen as a potential contender for the candidate.

19…b4!!

I would give this move two exclamation mark.

This is a Highly Practical Move of exceptional strength. Ian after carefully considering all the options goes for this move as it tries to solve black’s problems.

Nepomniachtchi should be applauded for the way he kept himself composed and responded to Anish’s opening prep.

Nepo fights back! This move somewhat caught Anish off guard.

20. g5

For the first time Anish was spending time. A clear indication that from here on, he was on his own.

Did Anish got anything because of his opening preparation?

Ans. Absolutely, he has more time on his clock. Every little advantage can have it’s weight in gold in such a prestigious event.

20…e5!

With this move Nepo tries to bring more clarity to his position.

21. Bxc3 Bxc3

22. gxf6 gxf6

23. Qb1!

This move guards the a2 pawn, attacks the h7 pawn and stops the c8-bishop from developing as that would leave the b7- pawn hanging.

23…Qc7

24. Qd3 b5!

Nepomniachtchi has cleverly taken the Battle in his comfort zone. He feels extremely comfortable in such tactical positions. This was a psychological important moment in the game that favoured Nepo and Anish found himself in a uncomfortable seat.

The idea ofcourse is that the pawn cannot be taken as then the c-pawn supported by the queen will advance.

25. Qxc3 bxc4

26. e4 dxe4

27. Rh4 Be6

28. Rxe4 0-0

29. Bxc4

This was a very risky choice by Anish allowing the pin.

29…Kg7!

White’s position is already delicate and he must play very carefully.

Turns out that Anish was psychological affected but the sudden turn of events. From an attacking position now he was forced to defend. His own momentum was his biggest enemy. Things quickly went bad for him.

30. Qb3 Rb8!

Anish after a long think now decides to go in for a practical endgame by Sacrificing his queen for a Bishop and Rook.

It was clear that only one player can win this game, that was Nepo.

31. Bxe6 Rxb3

32. Rg4+ Kf8

33. Bxb3 Qc1+

34. Kg2

Anish’s Opening prep did give him advantage on clock but Nepomniachtchi played exceptionally well and outclassed Giri.

In this position it’s clear that if any only Nepo can win.

This endgame is highly instructive and let’s jump a few moves and try to understand in detail the subtleties of this materially imbalanced endgame.

After 46. Rg5

We jump at move 46, white has just played Rg5.

There are few important things to remember by both to sides.

As White:

White will try to construct a fortress. For that he will bring his rook from g5-g3-e3!

White also wants to bring his king on the other side of the f2 pawn. If allowed he should go Kf1 to e2 or e1.

As Black:

White’s king should not be allowed to come down to the other side. The queen should keep restricting White’s king.

Black will try to arrange the pawn break e3! Once the position of the king opens up then the game is just lost for white.

If the f2 pawn moves up or is provoked to move, then the king is opened up and black will win as he will be able to collect the weakened pawns.

46…Qa1!

Keeping the White king locked and not allowing him to come to the other side via f1.

The Rest of the game shows the excellent technique of Nepomniachtchi.

Nepo first uses his king to eliminate the white h-pawn!

47. Rg4 Qb1 48. Rg3 Qxa2 49. Rh3 Qd5 50. Kf1 Qd1+ 51. Kg2 Qg4+ 52. Rg3 Qh5 53. Ra3 Qd5 54. Kg1 Kf6 55. Rg3 Qd1+ 56. Kg2 Kf5 57. Rg5+ Kf4 58. Rg3 Qd5 59. Kf1 Qd2 60. Kg2 Qd1 61. Re3 Kf5 62. Rg3 Kf6 63. Rh3 Kg6 64. Rg3+ Kh5 65. Rh3 Qb1!

Keeping an eye on the e4-pawn as well as restricting the king from coming to the other side.

66. Re3 Kxh4

Now it’s time to bring the king over to the other side!

67. Rg3 Kh5 68. Rh3+ Kg4 69. Rg3+ Kf4 70. Re3 Qd1 71. Ra3 Ke5 72. Rg3 Ke5 72. Rg3 Kd4 73. Re3 Qd3 0-1

A brilliant game by Ian Nepomniachtchi, Keeping himself calm and composed against a well prepared opponent and then fighting back in such a style is definitely worth applauding!