Corus, Round 4 : Wesley So - Abhijeet Gupta DRAW

Round 4

Wesley were paired against 2008 World Junior Champion - Abhijeet Gupta tonight.

Analysed by Hairulov and Fritz 11

GM Wesley So (2627) - GM Gupta (2569) [C89]
Corus C, Round 4, 20.01.2009

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.0–0 Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 0–0 8.c3 d5

This is the Ruy Lopez Marshall Attack variation . Black sacrifiece a pawn for rapid development. This opening has cost many "midnight oil" of the super GMs and not so super chess players. IM Jeremy Silman once said - "So why doesn't everyone play the Marshall? While it's an excellent opening, it requires a lot of memorization. More importantly, Black's "good result" is usually an easy draw, while White is hoping to win. In fact, many top players use the Marshall as a drawing weapon!" 9.exd5 Nxd5 10.Nxe5 Nxe5 11.Rxe5 c6 12.d4 Bd6 13.Re1 Qh4 14.g3 Qh3 15.Qe2 Bg4 16.Qf1 Qh5 17.Nd2 Rae8 18.f3 f5?

This brave move seems like a serious mistake cause black will lose a piece after 19.Rxe8! Qxe8 20.c4 bxc4 (20...Ne3 21.c5+ Kh8 22.Qe2) 21.Nxc4 Bc7 22.fxg4 fxg4 23.Qd1
19.fxg4 This move is not best but probably enough for a win 19...fxg4 20.Rxe8 Qxe8 21.Qg2 black possible continuation is 21...Qe3+ 22.Kh1 Rf2 23.Bxd5+ cxd5 24.Nf1 Qe2 25.Qxd5+ Kh8 26.Be3 Rxf1+ 27.Rxf1 Qxf1+ 28.Bg1 but white have extra pawn and better endgame prospect
21...Qe3+ 22.Kh1 Rf2 23.Qg1?! 23.Bxd5 or 23.Nf1 seems better 23... Bxg3?

a dubious sacrifice "according" to Fritz 11 but not easy to handle over the board . Fritz give 23...Kf8 as equal 24.Qxg3 Qe2 25. Qg1?! Wesley should have probably "wait and win" with
25.a4! Kf8 (25...h6 26.axb5 axb5) 26.Qb8+ Kf7 (26...Ke7 27.Qe5+) 27.Qc7+ 25...Kh8
26.Bd1 Rxh2+ 27.Qxh2 Qe1+ 1/2-1/2 Draw . Wesley can't avoid a perpectual by black e.g
28.Qg1 Qh4+ 29.Kg2 Nf4+ 30.Kf1 Qh3+ 31.Kf2 [31.Ke1 Nd3+ 32.Ke2 Nf4+] 31...Nd3+ 32.Ke2 Nf4+ perpectual

A close escape by Gupta although he should be praised for being brave !