2015 Tata Steel Masters: Round #11

Round #11 – Friday 23 January 2015

Masters

Giri, A. – Van Wely, L., 1-0
So, W. – Saric, I., 1-0
Wojtaszek, R. – Ding, L., 0-1
Carlsen, M. – Vachier-Lagrave, ½-½
Aronian, L. – Ivanchuk, V., ½-½
Caruana, F. – Radjabov, T., ½-½
Hou, Y. – Jobava, B., 1-0

Today we saw a comedy of errors as several of the games ended abruptly after gross blunders. Hou Yifan was the recipient of a gift from Baadur Jobava who has donated a boatload of ELO points after losing his 9th game. Of course, Jobava is a strong player, but perhaps in not psychological prepared for this level of competition each round.

In this game, he was positionally worse, but had good chances to hold the position. For some inexplicable reason, he played 38…Qc2+ 39.Kf1 Kg8?? when 40.Qe6+ picks up the loose bishop. Unbelievable. In the post-mortem, Hou stated that she thought he was going for a perpetual check, but there was none. Thus, Hou Yifan earned her first victory and sits on 4/11 far below her goals, but close to her expected performance.

The woman’s world champion gave a very delightful interview where she discussed Judit Polgar, her profile in China, chess in China and her future goals.

In the games vying for top positions, Magnus Carlsen was held by MVL, but Wesley So notched yet another win. This time the victim was Ivan Saric who seems to have collapsed after a decent start. He has now lost four of his last five games. So remains undefeated and moved within a half-point of the lead.

So-Saric turned into a miniature when Saric tossed a piece after 23…Bd5?? 24.g4! winning a piece after 24…Qf6 25.Bxd5 Nxd5 26.Qxd5. After 26…Nc6 27.Nf3 Rd8 28.Ne4 black resigned. Another win puts So at #7 in the live rating list vaulting over several top-ten luminaries such as Levon Aronian, Vladimir Kramnik and Hikaru Nakamura.

In Wojtaszek-Ding, white spurned a draw twice and ended up losing! His exchange sacrifice was ambitious and offered chances even after the queens were traded. He had three connected passed pawns ready to march, but overlooked a nice break with 62…b5! giving black a sprinting passed pawn. White’s bishop was helpless and the white king was cut off. All of the white’s pawns would eventually fall.

Standings after Round #11 (Masters)

Wei Yi continues to demolish the field and is now at the door of 2700. That would make seven Chinese players of 2700 or better. He smashed Bart Michiels when the later accepted an exchange sacrifice only to watch the light squares around his king become indefensible. Wei has 4½ points in his last five games and opens up a lead over David Navara who drew against Valentina Guinina.

A win by Wei Yi over Anna Haast tomorrow would practically clinch the tournament. Robin Van Kampen is eliminated after losing to Saleh Salem. Samuel Shankland has had a good tournament and was glad to get an easy 18-move romp over a beleaguered David Klein.

Standings after Round #11 (Challengers)

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