Tradewise

The Tradewise Masters in Gibraltar has been won by the American grandmaster Hikaru Nakamura, with the British co-champion David Howell in clear second place. This is possibly a career best for Howell, whose forte turned out to be remarkable resilience in difficult endgames. Last week the puzzle showed Nakamura defeating the pre-tournament favourite and highest ranked competitor, Veselin Topalov. This week’s game from Gibraltar is a fine win by a grandmaster who was trained in the classical Soviet tradition.
 
Sutovsky-Spraggett: Tradewise Gibraltar Masters 2015; Centre Counter
 
1 e4 d5 Although the Centre Counter has notched some notable scalps, including that of Anatoly Karpov against Bent Larsen at Montreal 1979, I cannot help feeling that the entry of Black’s queen at such an early stage, where it can be attacked, is open to suspicion. 2 exd5 Qxd5 3 Nc3 Qd6 This has recently become fashionable. The traditional way to rescue the black queen is 3 … Qa5. 4 d4 Nf6 5 Nf3 g6 As events will demonstrate, 5 … c6 is much safer. 6 Nb5 The introduction to a thoroughly original concept. This looks like a beginner’s move but it conceals a profound point. 6 … Qb6 Black could hardly have guessed White’s astonishing reply. 7 Na3 This looks ridiculous since White has expended three moves to redirect his knight to a square which is conventionally regarded as inferior. However, White is about to gain a great deal of time by chasing the exposed Black queen. 7 … c6 8 Nc4 Qd8 9 Nce5 (see diagram 1) The true point of White’s manoeuvre. Although the knight’s peregrinations might have seemed artificial, White is now focusing concentrated force against the weak points in Black’s camp, in particular f7 and later g6. 9 … Bg7 10 Bc4 0-0 11 0-0 Nd5 12 Re1 a5 13 a3 Na6 14 Ba2 White’s attack flows beautifully.