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GENIUS, HARD WORK OR FATE
"BRAVO" GM WESLEY SO...
09/08/2021 – Congratulations to GM Wesley So on achieving another significant milestone in winning the 2021 Chessable Masters. He beat GM Le Quang Liem of Vietnam in the Finals (Rapid). GM Wesley So is such a well prepared player either using e4 or d4 as white. His unpredictability and high chess IQ make him dangerous to play with.
GM Wesley So is a rare prodigy combined with passion to learn more and more is his super skill. He has God-given talent which he nurtured well.
I am fascinated by his game versus GM Le Quang Liem and how he handles the Ruy Lopez Opening. Let’s find out and learn from it…
The Ruy Lopez: This type of opening is flexible yet quick in developing pieces and castles early as well. Strategy is essential to occupy key squares many times especially with knights help. Center control is also important to maintain positional balance.
It’s not about money or connections – it’s the willingness to outwork and out-learn everyone.... MARK CUBAN
CHESS BLOG No. 15 : Date: 9th August 2021
INTRODUCTION: THE RUY LOPEZ
The Ruy Lopez: Closed Variation (C92) Chess Opening Classification
GM Wesley So vs. GM Le Quang Liem
(Event: 2021 Chessable Masters (Rapid) – chess24 -internet)
1: e4 e5
2: Nf3 Nc6
3: Bb5 a6 (The Ruy Lopez)
4: Ba4 Nf6 (Both aim is to develop pieces first)
5: 0-0 Be7
6. Re1 b5
7. Ba4 d6 (again, annoying white bishop)
8. c3 0-0 (c2 is safe haven for the white bishop)
9. h3 Bb7 (h3 is prophylactic move – not allowing pin)
10. d4 Re8
11. Ng5 Rf8
12. Nf3 Re8
13. Nbd2 Bf8
14. a4 exd4 (black wants to open the position)
15. cxd4 h6
16. Bc2 Nb4
17. Bb1 c5 (the importance of keeping the white bishop)
18. d5 Nd7 (Notice: the black bishop will become like statue for display)
19. Ra3 c4 (now, the rook is pivoting to kingside)
20. Nd4
Let’s visualize white’s strategy to attack black’s kingside:
- Rook at a3 is heading to g3 square
- Bishop at b1 eyeing h7 square
- Bishop at c1 pointing at h6
- Knight at d4 hopping to f5 square
- Queen at d1 is checking on g4 or h5 squares
20… Qf6 (Queen is too late to protect the king)
21. N2f3 Nc5
22. b3 Nd3 (b3 is tricky move)
23 Bxd3 Nxd3
24. Re3 b4 (rook is heading to g3 square)
25. Ra1 Ne5
26. Nxe5 dxe5
27. Nf5 c3
28. Rf3 Qd8
29. (If you are white, what is your next move?)
ENDGAME CORNER - SOLVE THE PROBLEM BELOW
