Chinese chess players beat British Grandmasters

By Kristianus Liem

JAKARTA (JP): Since early this year several of the best Chinese players have been playing in Europe. Three of them played a challenge match against three British Grandmasters in six rounds, three board matches sponsored by the Malaysian millionaire Dato Tan Chin Nam.

The event took place from February 25 until March 2 at the London College of Traditional Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine in East Finchley, north west London, England.

The three English Grandmasters were British Champion Chris Ward, the Leigh Grand Prix winner Keith Arkell, and new Grandmaster Neil McDonald.

On the Chinese side were the top three of its formidable Olympiad team, Wang Zili, Ye Jiangchuan and Peng Xiaomin. Each team member played two games, one as White and one as Black against each of the opposing Grandmasters. This is the double round Scheveningen system.

The score fluctuated but it ended in a clear victory by 10 points to 8 for the Chinese team. For the complete result see the cross-table. Below is one of the best tactical game from the member of the winning team.

White: GM Peng Xiaomin

Black: GM Chris Ward

Sicilian Defense

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.c3 Nf6 4.Be2 g6

Black cannot take the e-pawn because of 4...Nxe4 5.Qa4+ and 6.Qxe4, White wins a piece.

5.0-0 Bg7 6.Re1 0-0 7.Bf1 Bg4 8.d3 Bxf3 9.Qxf3 Nc6 10.Nd2 b5 11.Qd1 Nd7 12.Nf3 b4 13.Bd2 a5 14.a3 Qb6 15.Qa4 Ra7 16.Rac1 Rb8 17.Be3 Rab7 18.d4!?

Peng realized that he was being outplayed on the queen-side, so he decided to break in the center.

18...cxd4 19.cxd4 Nxd4 20.Nxd4 Bxd4 21.Rc6 Bxe3!

Ward showed very good judgment in sacrificing his Queen. The text better than 21...Qa7 22.Ra6 Qc5 23.Rxa5.

22.Rxb6 Bxb6 23.axb4 axb4 24.Rc1 Bd4

The Bishop returns to its favorite diagonal. Black has a Rook, Knight and pawn for the Queen and a very compact position. Furthermore, he can try for an advantage in view of the weakness of b2. But, immediately 25...Nf6! with the dual threat of 25...Nxe4 and ...Ng4 would have been extremely awkward for White.

25.Qc2 b3 26.Qd2 e5?

See diagram. A very instructive error. The most beautiful thing about Black's position is the lack of targets for White pieces. After the simple 26...Bg7, planning to attack b2 with Nc5 and ...Na4 etc. Black would have all winning chances.

27.Rc4!

Peng shows his tactical imagination by immediately pouncing on Black's error. He sacrifices the Exchange to gain attacking chances against the Black King.

27...Nc5 28.Rxd4 exd4 29.Qxd4 Rb4

Black reacts badly to the sudden change in circumstances. He should keep his Rook on the second rank to defend the vulnerable f7 square. After 29...Rc8 30.Qxd6 Nxe4 31.Qd5 Nc5 Black would defend safely.

30.Qxd6 Nxe4 31.Qc7 R4b7 32.Qf4 Re8 33.h4 h5 34.Bc4 Kg7?

The second bad move from Ward. He had to play 34...Nc5, when 35...Qd6 Ne6 shields f7.

35.Bd5!

Almost unbelievably Black is losing material!

35...Rbe7 36.Bc6 Rd8

Giving up the Exchange with 36...Nf6 is also hopeless after 37.Bxe8 Rxe8 38.Qb4 the b-pawn is lost as well.

37.Bxe4 Rd4

It looks Black can take back his piece, but ...

38.f3 f5 39.Qg5 Re5 40.Bc6

Now White keep his advantage in materials.

40...Rd1+ 41.Kh2 Re2 42.Bb5 Re5 43.Bc4 Rd4 44.Bxb3 Rb4 45.Qd8!

Once again Peng shows how good his tactical imagination is.

45...Rxb3 46.Qd4 Rbe3 47.f4 R3e4 48.Qxe5+

Black resigned here, because after 48...Rxe5 49.fxe5 Kf7 50.Kg3 Ke6 51.Kf4 and White's pass-pawn running smoothly to be Queen. 1-0.