Menu
The Magnificent Sicilian Taimanov
DEFENSE versus ATTACK
17/08/2021 – Emotion plays a big part in order to win games. If you can not hold your temper or anxiety can be the reason to misjudge a position or miscalculate a winning move. If you are calm and controlled, your mind will work much better to find better moves. The cause and effect is the result of our actions.
Our featured game is a Sicilian Taimanov encounter between GM Fabiano Caruana (USA) vs. GM Richard Rapport (Hungary). This game will teach us why it is important to control our emotions while playing. To fear is normal but overcoming it is essential.
Let’s take a look at the exciting game below…
The Sicilian Taimanov: One thing I like about this opening is flexibility and the counter-attacking principles. The opening set-up noticeably where all pieces and pawns position first at least at 6th rank then slowly expand to deflect white’s attack, enough to control the game.
Sicilian Taimanov is similar to Sicilian Kan Opening
CHESS BLOG No. 17 : Date: 17th August 2021
INTRODUCTION: THE RUY LOPEZ (KARPOV SYSTEM)
The Ruy Lopez: (B47) Chess Opening Classification
GM Fabiano Caruana (FIDE: 2806) vs. GM Richard Rapport (FIDE: 2763)
(Event: 2021 GCT – Saint Loius Chess Club, USA)
1. e4 c5 (The Sicilian)
2. Nf3 e6
3. d4 cxd4
4. Nxd4 Nf6
5: Nc3 Nc6
6. Be2 Qc7 (The Taimanov variation)
7. Ndb5 Qb8 (Best position for the queen)
8. f4 d6
9. Be3 Be7
10. g4 Nd7
11. h4 0-0
12. g5
Let’s analyze this position:
- White’s king side pawns are positioning to attack but without the help of pieces its unproductive.
- White still is uncastled.
- Obviously, black is ready to strike since most pieces are developed.
- GM Caruana is fully aware of what he is doing but can he control his emotions?
12… a6
13. Nd4 Nxd4 (reducing the pressure)
14. Qd4 b5
15. a3 Bb7
16. 0-0-0 Nc5
17. f5 e5 (First Strike)
18. Qd2 Nxe4
19. Nxe4 Bxe4
20. f6 Bd8 (Black’s Bd8 is the only move)
21. fxg7 Re8
22. Rhf1 Bb6
23. h4 Rc8
24. Bd3 Bd3
25. Qd3 Be3
26. Qe3 Qc7
27. Qf2 e4
28. c3 Qe7
28. Qf6 Re8
29. Rxd6 e3
30. Re1 e2
31. h6 Qe3 ch
32. Rd2 Re6
33. Rexe2 Qxe2
34. Rxe2 Re2
35. Qc6 Ree8
36. Kc2 Rec8
37. Qf3 Ra7
38. Kb3 Re7
39. a4 Re6 (After a4, GM Caruana decided to play for a win in this difficult position, but draw is imminent by just playing solid moves.
40. ab5 ab5
41. Qb7 Ree8
42. Kb4 Rb8
43. Qf3 Re6 (This is drawish)
44. b3 Rg6
45. Qf5 Re6
46. Qd5 Rg6
47. Qe5 Rgb6
48. Rxe2 Re2
49. Ka5 b4
50. cb4
After black's move 49...b4, the only move for white to draw is 50. c4. But GM Caruana's emotion is out of control. Other reasons could be fatigue or time trouble. Sometimes overconfidence betrays our purpose to win.
ENDGAME CORNER - SOLVE THE PROBLEM BELOW
