Spassky vs Korchnoi

In the 6th game of the Spassky vs Korchnoi 2009 match, Spassky has a comfortable position up to move 31. In the diagram, Spassky has just played 32. Bd6 which is a huge blunder. Can you find the sequence?

Also, what happens if the game goes 32 ...Nxe3 33 Qxc7. Find the one and only one continuation without the help of machines!


Enjoy the full game here:

Christmas Live Chess Ratings

1 Carlsen 2810
2 Topalov 2805
3 Anand 2790
4 Kramnik 2788
5 Aronian 2781
6 Gelfand 2761
7 Gashimov 2759
8 Wang Yue 2751
9 Ivanchuk 2749
10 Mamedyarov 2741

Carlsen vs Kramnik, London Chess Classic

London Chess Classic Round 1 - Carlsen vs Kramnik

Carlsen has matured so much in the last 4-5 years that he now conciously chooses to enter complex positions against one of the strongest players ever. Carlsen understands the nuances of the game with mind boggling depth. More than brilliant moves, his subtle quiet looking moves are breath-taking. Here's an example:



Here, Kramnik was already suffering and was in a lost position at this level. It is not easy for an ordinary GM to convert this win over Kramnik. But Carlsen is a VS (Very Super) GM. The position is after Kramnik's 40 ... Nb3, which is a blunder at this level. Carlsen goes 40. Be2 Qb1 42. Bc4 Rxa3 43. Ne2 Ra2 44.
Bxf7+ Kxf7 45. Qc4+ Kf8 46. Rb7 Rxe2+ 47. Qxe2 Qa1 48. Rxb3 Qa5 1-0

A combination of squeezing the Queen and mate threats does it. Kramnik loses huge material. Carlsen is home and how!
With this win, Carlsen has deservedly cemented his place at the top of the Live Chess Ratings list.

Watch the amazing display in full:

First round Matchups at the London Chess Classic

Teenage sensation, Magnus Carlsen plays the in form Vladimir Kramnik at the London Chess Classic which starts today (actual games start tomorrow)

In other matchups, Luke Mc Shane takes on England top Nigel Short and young David Howell tests his skills against experienced spider, Adams. The remaining encounter is an Oriental one - Nakamura vs Ni Hua.

Gelfand crushes Karjakin 2-0

A confident GM Gelfand completely dominated GM Karjakin in the Semi-finals of the World Cup.



In the diagram, White has just played 25. h4. Karjakin was already in a spot of trouble, having to deal with an encroacher and a pawn deficit. His best tries probably were 25 ... Na6 26 Be1 Be8 27 h5 or 25 ... Qc8 26 f3 Be8 27 h5 Nc6. Am I wrong or am I wrong?

Karjakin inadvertently chooses the suicidal 25 ... h5 and after 26 Bxg6, its quick death.

Check out the full game here:

Gelfand busts Karjakin's novelty

A rare Opening puzzle.


In the World Cup Semi-finals, Karjakin belted out a novelty (in a Two Knights 4. d4 exd4 5. e5 - Max Lange Attack) on the 11th move. Gelfand immediately offered a piece sacrifice with 11 .... Ra6. Can Karjakin play 12 Bxd5 Qxd5 13. Re7 (Bishop en prise?) Can one hold on to the piece? What do you think of this rare opening puzzle?

Karjakin survived this shock but went on to lose the game. Psychological war won! Watch the interesting game in full here:

Humpy outwits Hort

GM Humpy is known for her tenacity. She recently spearheaded the Snowdrops against the Old hands in the Czech Coal Chess Match and beat them handily.

Here is a sample of her endgame skills against the experienced veteran GM Hort.

In the diagram, Humpy has laid a clever trap for Hort with 73. Kb2. Hort falls for it and goes for a potential pawn grab with 73 ... Kg3



74. Rc3! Kg2 75. Ra3!! The point. Horror of horrors! Humpy polishes it off with 76. Rxa7 Kxh3
77. Kc3 Kxg4 78. Kd2 Kh3 79. Ke2 g4 80. Kf1 Kh2 81. Ra2+ Kh1 82. Ra4 h3 83. Kf2
1-0 Painful for Hort.

Follow the full game here:

IM S P Sethuraman vs GM A Gupta, Indian Premier Chess

IM SP Sethuraman from Chennai is just 15 and won the World U-16 title recently. GM Abhijeet Gupta is also very young but is outplayed by his younger opponent. Sethuraman plays with the flair worthy of a GM, a title which he will acquire very soon. In the position, Sethuraman harasses the black Queen and wins it by force.
What will you play after 37 Rd8.



Solution: Black must play 37 ... Qf5 and hope to survive the material deficit and inferior position. He will at least have a Queen swap. Whereas, in the game, Black lost the Queen after playing 37 ... Qc6? Sethu has the brillant stroke 38 Bd6, which serves double purpose. After 38 ... Re8 39 b5! Black loses the Queen for a Rook and the game.

Watch this exciting upset here

Karjakin vs Mamedyarov

Mamedyarov made a routine looking move to lose to Karjakin in the World Cup Chess Quarter finals. The blunder is at move 49 with ... Rb2. Karjakin wins with mate threats.

GM Prasad vs IM Sharma, Indian Premier Chess Championship

IM Himanshu Sharma blundered when he was about to hold GM Arun Prasad to a draw at the Indian Premier Chess Championship.



GM Prasad found this amazing killing sequence:
45. Qf2 Bxf2 46. Rxe4 Bxe4 47.
Kxf2 Bxf5 48. c6 Bc8 49. Bf7 g5 50. Be8 Kg7 51. Bd7 Ba6 52. c7 Kf6 53. c8=Q
Bxc8 54. Bxc8 Ke5 55. Kg3 h5 56. h4 1-0

Here's the full game.