As I write, the Mikhail Tal Memorial tournament in Moscow is still underway. The Dutch grandmaster Anish Giri stormed into an early lead, winning three games out of his first five. But he was toppled when coming to grief in the following dramatic situation.
Aronian-Giri: Tal Memorial Moscow 2016
(see diagram 1)
White has sacrificed a rook but can regain material with 31 Nc6 Qb6 32 Nxb8 Qxb7 with an extra pawn. Nevertheless, the Armenian triple olympiad gold medal winner came up with something far more dashing. 31 Qxb8 Rxb8 32 Rc8+ Qd8 Obviously forced. 33 Rxd8+ Rxd8 34 Nc6 Black resigns If 34 … Re8 35 Ne7+ Kf8 36 Nc8 sheltering the promotion square for White’s passed pawn. Or 34 … Rb8 35 Nxb8 Nc5 36 Nc6 Nxb7 37 Nxa7 leaves White two pawns ahead with an easy win. Finally 34 … Rd1+ 35 Kg2 Rb1 36 Nb4 again ensures promotion.
In the next extract White also exploits a pseudo-sacrifice of his queen to reach a winning endgame.
Comments
Join the debate for just $5 for 3 months
Be part of the conversation with other Spectator readers by getting your first three months for $5.
UNLOCK ACCESS Just $5 for 3 monthsAlready a subscriber? Log in