Tradewise | 9 February 2017

The Tradewise tournament at Gibraltar has gained a colossal reputation and is even challenging the traditional tournament at Wijk aan Zee (see last week’s column) in terms of playing strength.
This year the tournament was graced by our very own Michael Adams and Nigel Short, as well as such illustrious denizens of the international arena as Vassily Ivanchuk, Fabiano Caruana and Hikaru Nakamura. Astonishingly, Nakamura succeeded in winning the event for the third year running, having triumphed in a play-off after an initial triple-tie for first place. His first-prize reward was a handsome £23,000.
Notes to Nakamura’s last-round victory are based on the excellent comments by former British Chess magazine editor John Saunders (using commentary from the players themselves), which appeared in the daily bulletin.
 
Edouard-Nakamura: Gibraltar Masters, Caleta Hotel 2017; Nimzo-Indian Defence
 
1 d4 Nf6 2 c4 e6 3 Nc3 Bb4 4 Nf3 0-0 5 Bg5 c5 6 Rc1 h6 7 Bh4 cxd4 8 Nxd4 d5 9 e3 e5 Black chooses an aggressive strategy, giving up a pawn for active play and good development.