QUEEN'S GAMBIT DECLINED: EXCHANGE VARIATION

My former teammate, Armanov, explained this variation beautifully in MSSM blog exampling a game between NWM Tan Li Ting vs WFM Nur Najiha Azman Hisham played in this year's MSSM. The variation, played at move 5, has lead to a promising position for White. However, several self-destructive moves were played carelessly by the newly crowned NWM, and Black capitalised these mistakes masterfully. For further reading, please visit the post here.

Here is a game where White won convincingly using the exchange.

Sorry for not updating the blog regularly this Ramadhan. This is because I am busy marking the papers for SPM trial. Hopefully I will update more frequently after raya, insha Allah. May you have a prosperous Ramadhan, ameen.

WAN NURHAZIRAH, THE DARLING OF TUMPAT

Wan Nurhazirah created a sensation when she beat Wan Zarif Sofea in Round 4 of the tournament. Moreover, Zarif's agony was limited to only 15 moves by the time she was checkmated. Although the game was far from a masterpiece, it was surely a memorable one for the Tumpat lass.

MSSK Kelantan
Round 4
White: Wan Nurhazirah (PPD Tumpat)
Black: Wan Zarif Sofea (PPD Pasir Puteh)

Annotation by Cikgu Azizul

1.d4 e6 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.c4 d5 4.e3

Zarif tried to seduce Nurhazirah into playing the French, but the latter comfortably stayed within the realm of the Queen's Gambit.

4... Nc6

This is rather an awkward move. Queen's Knight usually develops after the c-pawn advance so that the Queen has more breathing space.

5.Be2 h6

Before the game, Nurhazirah told me that Zarif likes to play moves like h6 and a6. I explained to her that such moves are unnecessary and weakening, and advised her to continue with her development.

6.O-O Be7 7.Nc3 Ne4

Now this move created a pawn weakness for Black. After the exchange of Knights, the advanced e-pawn will be hard to defend.

8.Nxe4 dxe4 9.Nd2 f5

An ugly move, but quite necessary if she was to defend the e-pawn. Now the weakness of 5... h6 will be apparent.

10.Nb3?!
An inaccuracy. A check at h5 was mandatory.

10... b6??

Zarif failed to see the danger. Luckily Nurhazirah did not miss the chance to check for the second time. Now Black's position crumbled.

11.Bh5+ Kd7 12.d5 exd5 13.Qxd5+ Bd6 14.Qxf5+ Ke7 15.Qf7# 1-0

Finished in style. Congratulations!

DISAPPOINTING

My 20km drive to the school ended with a sour note. Nobody turn up for the selection. I was waiting for nearly two hours in vain. Maybe the students mistakenly heard the announcement on Thursday that the co-curricular programme on that particular Saturday was only for the chairmen, vice chairmen and the secretaries of every clubs/uniform bodies, although this should not include the chess selection. Not giving up hope, I will postpone the selection to be held this Monday at 4 p.m. Interested players PLEASE BE THERE.

Nevertheless, while waiting, I conjured up an interesting position against my Chess Genius in my cellphone. White (yours truly) looks like he is going to be a piece down, but yet, it is Black (Chess Genius) who should find a draw if he tries to trap the noble White Knight. This is the critical position:

After 35...f5

Highlight below for answers:

36.f3 Rh8, 37.Nxf5+ exf5, 38.Rxh8 Bxh8, 39.Kb4 Bxd4, 40.b3! Kd6, 41.Kxb5 Kd5, 42.Kb4 and Black holds for a draw.

Xabi celebrated his goal after the final whistle (pic from LFC official site)

RECORD BREAKING

Chelsea 0 - Liverpool 1. Do not adjust your computer screen, it is true. Liverpool had done what other teams could not do for the past 86 games (4 and a half years) by beating Chelsea at their own turf - the Stamford Bridge. Xabi Alonso's deflected goal was enough for the Reds to maintain their unbeaten run this season thus confirming their title credentials despite what others said or would say about them. One interesting fact I want to share with you - IM Malcolm Pein (picture right) is a Liverpool fan and last night he commented on the 9th game of Anand vs Kramnik from the stand at the Stamford Bridge.

Enough said. Now let us ponder upon Kramnik's record of going without a win for nearly 2 years now with the black pieces. He needed to win this game to have a chance of ever winning the championship. However, the game was delayed for about half an hour because of the daylight saving time. But this did not deter Anand from playing the ultra sharp anti-Moscow gambit in order to kill Kramnik off. Even a novelty with 11...Bb4 and a Bishop sacrifice could not stop Anand from getting the result he wanted. So, Kramnik's waiting continues.

Anand played the anti-Moscow gambit

Kramnik sprang a novelty

Kramnik sacrificed a Bishop