GM So loses in Round 2

Standings after 2 rounds:

Group A

1-2. Andreikin, Hammer 1.5
3-4. Kuzubov, Mamedov 1.0
5-6. So, Akobian 0.5

Round 2 Spice Cup 2009
20.09.2009
Jon Ludvig Hammer - Wesley So

Annotation from Chessdom.com

1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 Slav Defense, as expected.

3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 dxc4 5.a4 Bf5 The main line. Now the alternatives are 6.e3 and 6.Ne5.

6.Ne5 The variation with this ambitious move is named after Alekhine.

6... Nbd7 (6... e6 7.f3 Bb4 8.e4 Bxe4 leads to very complex positions.)

7.Nxc4 Nb6 ( This line became very popular lately. The alternative 7... Qc7 leads to very sharp play.)

8.Ne3 A rare move, Hammer himself lost a game as Black an year ago.

8... e6 ( Played without any hesitation, obviously the Filipino was prepared for such turn of events. After the natural 8... Bg6 9.a5 Black experiences some problems.)

9.a5 ( In the only game after 8...e6 Black equalized easily: 9.Nxf5 exf5 10.g3 Bb4 11.Bg2 O-O 12.O-O a5)

9... Nbd5 10.Nxf5 exf5 11.a6 b6 (11... b5 seems more ambitious and follows the spirit of Slav Defense. In a line like 12.g3 Bb4 13.Bd2 O-O 14.Bg2 Bxc3 15.Bxc3 (15.bxc3 Ne4 16.Qc2 Re8 17.O-O Rc8) 15... b4 16.Bd2 Qb6 this pawn plays essential role in restricting the dark-squared Bishop.)

12.g3 Bb4 13.Bd2 O-O 14.Bg2 Qe7 For the time being both players simply develop their pieces but very soon the midgame plans should be determined.

15.O-O Rac8 16.Nxd5 Nxd5 (16... cxd5 17.Bg5)

17.e3 Rfd8 18.Bxb4 Clock readings: 0.40 0.51

18... Nxb4 19.Qb3 c5 Both sides had fortified very well but the pawn structure was very static. So went for the only way to change it in order to use his better control of the central files for the moment. He will secure a strong position for his Knight on 'b4' but on the other hand Bb7 would be very strong as well.

20.dxc5 Qxc5 20...bxc5 would let the Bishop in some lines to get to the dominant square 'c4'

21.Rfd1 g6 22.Bb7 This way White takes 'd' file under control.

22... Rxd1+ 23.Qxd1 Rc7 24.Qd8+ Kg7 25.Rd1 As So found himself into trouble the clock readings have changed: 0.28 0.19

25... h5 ( And this is simply a blunder missing 25... h5 26.Rd6) ( Of course the endgame after 25... Qe5 26.Qd4+ Qxd4 27.Rxd4 is not a pleasant one because of the weak pawn 'a7' but now the game may be over in several moves.)

26.Rd6 Qc1+ 27.Rd1 (27.Kg2 Nc2 28.Qf6+ Kh7 29.Rd8 Nxe3+ 30.Kf3 and Black has only several checks before the White King escapes safely.)

27... Qc4 28.Rd6 Qc1+ 29.Kg2 Nc2 30.Qf6+ Kh7 31.Rd8 Nxe3+ 32.fxe3 (32.Kf3 was a bit easier way to win)

32... Rc2+ 33.Kh3 Qf1+ 34.Kh4 Qc4+ 35.Rd4 Rxh2+ 36.Kg5 Qc7 37.Qd6 f6+ The only way to keep things messy a bit longer.

38.Kxf6 Qg7+ 39.Ke6 Qg8+ 40.Kd7 Rc2 41.Qe7+ Kh6 42.Rd6 The time trouble is over and Black is simply a piece down.

42... Rc5 43.Bc6 Black resigned. So had good position after the opening but overestimated his chances and unblocked the center. Hammer played very well afterwards, forced his opponent into time trouble leading to a decisive mistake and to a nice victory. 1-0