{"id":8292,"date":"2018-08-17T22:50:38","date_gmt":"2018-08-17T20:50:38","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.mvlchess.com\/?p=8292"},"modified":"2018-08-23T20:25:28","modified_gmt":"2018-08-23T18:25:28","slug":"long-live-blitz","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.mvlchess.com\/en\/2018\/08\/17\/long-live-blitz\/","title":{"rendered":"Long live blitz!"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Rapid & Blitz tournament opened this long August month of chess in Saint-Louis. It was organized on the now customary model of Grand Chess Tour (GCT) rapid competitions, with three days of Rapid games 25\/10, and two days of blitz 5\/3.
\n<\/p>\n

DAY 1<\/strong><\/p>\n

I began the tournament against wild card Dominguez, whit whom I had just played 31 games online a few days before!<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Dominguez-Mvl,
Dominguez-Mvl, Round 1; I already had this position in a blitz game against Grischuk!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

But I didn\u2019t remember all the details of the opening, and white got the advantage. Luckily, Dominguez didn\u2019t show enough precision in the follow-up (draw).<\/p>\n

\"Let
Let the fight begin! (photo: Spectrum Studios).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Against Anand, for the first time in the tournament (but not the last!), I entered the Berlin endgame. My advantage was minimal, but Vishy somewhat lost the thread.<\/p>\n

\"Mvl-Anand,
Mvl-Anand, Round 2; black is suffering.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Clearly, Vishy should have exchanged Rooks, for instance 36\u2026Rd7 37.Rxd7 (37.Rc8 Rd3!) 37\u2026Bxd7 38.Bxc7 b5, even if the opposite-coloured Bishops endgame is maybe lost, I didn\u2019t check. With the Rooks on, the remainder of the game after 36\u2026c6?! 37.Rb8 b5 38.cxb5 cxb5 39.Bd6 was rather easy for me (1-0).<\/p>\n

The third round draw against So is of no great interest, but even in the most insipid positions, there are things you can still look at!<\/p>\n

\"So-Mvl,
So-Mvl, Round 3; 20\u2026Nd5 sets a trap!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

White could be tempted to go for 20.Rxd5 exd5 21.Qd4, but it doesn\u2019t work, because of 21\u2026Bf8 22.Nf6+ Kh8 23.Qxd5 (23.Qh4 Qc2) 23…Rc8! 24.Qf5 Qc2.<\/p>\n

DAY 2<\/strong><\/p>\n

Because of a visa problem, Grischuk landed in Saint-Louis on the morning of the tournament, after a long journey. In our round 4 game, he looked tired, playing particularly slowly, even by his standards! He ended up losing a difficult, but maybe tenable endgame.<\/p>\n

With Caruana, we resumed our Najdorf theoretical debate. Even if the opening is not perfect after 18\u2026h5, I got a playable position. The advantage swang from one side to the other, until the final position where I repeated moves whereas I was probably winning! <\/p>\n

\"Caruana-Mvl,
Caruana-Mvl, Round 5; I repeat moves once too much!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Here, I quickly repeated moves a second time by 50\u2026Rh2+ 51.Kc1, before to understand that I should have played 50\u2026Qa8+! straight away, as after 51.Rb7+ Kf8, the black Queen threatens to penetrate decisively on a2 with check. In the game, with the King on c1, I couldn\u2019t follow up with 51\u2026Qa8 anymore, because white would have had a dangerous counter-attack with 52.Qf3!, taking advantage of the fact that my Queen no longer penetrates with check! (draw).<\/p>\n

Against Mamedyarov, I made an early opening confusion (7.d4?), after which my position was a disaster. I thought I managed to get through at one point because he hadn\u2019t been immediately decisive. But he came back to his senses early enough to cleanly complete the work.<\/p>\n

\"In
In the lodges, busy talking with Caruana (photo: GCT).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

DAY 3<\/strong><\/p>\n

A bad game against Nakamura to begin with\u2026<\/p>\n

\"Nakamura-Mvl,
Nakamura-Mvl, Round 7; 20\u2026Nc5, a bad choice.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

In this typical Hedgehog position, I played 20\u2026Nc5 with the idea 21.Nxc5 dxc5, before realizing that 22.e5! followed by 23.Ng4 was far too dangerous for me. Therefore, I changed my mind with 21\u2026bxc5, but it\u2019s by no means better after 22.f4! gxf4 23.Qxf4 (1-0).<\/p>\n

Then I lost a third game in a row, against Aronian, and it was clearly the most painful one. Despite an opening which was maybe slightly suspicious, I took a decisive advantage with the nice tactical shot 29\u2026Rh2!, and in the following position, I looked for the cleanest way to wrap it up.<\/p>\n

\"Aronian-Mvl,
Aronian-Mvl, Round 8; a dramatic game!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

I saw that on the simple 31\u2026Bd8, white had 32.Rf1 Qc2+ (32\u2026Rxg4? 33.Rxf8+! Kxf8 34.Qf5+ with perpetual) 33.Qxc2 Rxc2 34.Rxc4, completely forgetting the intermediary 34\u2026Rxc1+! which wins. So I preferred 31\u2026Bxd6 32.Qd5+, but it compelled me to find the necessary 32\u2026Kh8 instead of 33\u2026Kh7? 34.Rg5!, which I didn\u2019t manage to do. In my defense, you don\u2019t expect a ressource such as 34.Rg5! in this position.<\/p>\n

\"Aronian-Mvl.\"
Aronian-Mvl.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Computers show that black still had a draw after 34.Rg5! Qc2+ 35.Ka1 (diagrammed position), but it was really difficult to find. Yet I saw 35\u2026Nf4 36.Qf7 Bf8! 37.Qxf8 Ne6, but I thought I was being mated after 38.Rh5+ Kg6 39.Rg1+? (actually, this is a losing move, and white should play 39.Qe8+ Kf6, which is probably equal) 39\u2026Rg4! (the move I missed; 39\u2026Rg2? 40.Rxg2+ Qxg2 41.Qf5#) 40.Rxg4+ Kxh5, and there\u2019s no more 41.Qh8 mate as the Rg4 is en prise! (1-0)<\/p>\n

After three losses, what I wanted most was to end the rapid portion by mitigating damage. However I got an opprtunity against Karjakin:<\/p>\n

\"Mvl-Karjakin,
Mvl-Karjakin, Round 9; white is better.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Instead of 23.Rd1+ Ke8 24.Rd7 Bxc2 25.Rxc7 b5! with equality, I could have played 23.f4 Bxc2 24.Re2! followed by 25.Th2, but I didn\u2019t see this manoeuvre, which would have given me a clear advantage.<\/p>\n

With only 4\/9 in the Rapid tournament, I was very conscious of the fact that I would have to be much more efficient in Blitz to catch up with the leaders. A good night\u2019s sleep and the prospect of a completely new rhythm of play allowed me to wake up the next morning with a conviction: either I would blow up in flames in the blitz, or I would come free of any pressure and raise my game. There would certainly be no half-measure!<\/p>\n

DAY 4<\/strong><\/p>\n

I began the blitz tournament with a win against Anand and a draw against Grischuk. Then, my game with Dominguez was a first turning point:<\/p>\n

\"Dominguez-Mvl,
Dominguez-Mvl, Round 12; castling into it!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Here, I made the insane d\u00e9cision of castling Kingside, expecting to follow up quietly with 18\u2026f6, but completely omitting 18.Ng5!, after which my King is too much on his own. The fact that I pulled through in this game allowed me to launch my blitz tournament. (0-1).<\/p>\n

After a draw with Aronian, I was in great danger against Mamedyarov:<\/p>\n

\"Mamedyarov-Mvl,
Mamedyarov-Mvl, Round 14; 26.Bf3, a huge relief.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Instead of 26.Bf3 which lets me breathe, white had 26.Ng5!, idea Bh3, which I would certainly not have appreciated! Then I got a superior Knight ending and, by the way, I quite liked my technical conversions in this blitz portion (0-1).<\/p>\n

\"Photographers.
Photographers. Which photographers? (photo: Austin Fuller).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Immediately afterwards against Caruana, I also converted a minor pieces endgame, which was by no means easy:<\/p>\n

\"Caruana-Mvl,
Caruana-Mvl, Round 15; not so simple for black, but he will make it.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Keeping the momentum, I won a third game in a row\u2026<\/p>\n

\"Mvl-Karjakin,
Mvl-Karjakin, Round 16; 26\u2026Ne8?! was inaccurate..<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

I took advantage of the Russian\u2019s inaccuracy 26\u2026Ne8?! to go 27.f4!, and never let him escape (1-0).<\/p>\n

After a black draw against So, the last blitz of the day was against Nakamura. A weird fight, where I earned a clear edge but somehow managed to deteriorate my position at great speed.<\/p>\n

\"Mvl-Nakamura,
Mvl-Nakamura, Round 18; 39\u2026Nxd5 forces an immediate draw, but black could have done better.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Here, the American probably thought he had missed the win previously, otherwise he would never have played 39\u2026Nxd5 40.Rxd5 a1=Q+ 41.Bxa1 Rxa1+ Draw. Instead, 39\u2026Ne8! would have kept good winning chances.<\/p>\n

DAY 5<\/strong><\/p>\n

Unbeaten with 7\/9 halfway of the blitz tournament, I was back chasing the leaders before the last day\u2026 But as early as my first draw against Anand, I felt that things wouldn\u2019t go as smoothly as the previous day. Impression confirmed the next round against Grischuk, where I had a terrible position; after escaping the worst, I got the following position:<\/p>\n

\"Grischuk-Mvl,
Grischuk-Mvl, Round 20; a rare case of mutual blindness.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

When I played 34\u2026Nf6, I had anticipated that the white Queen couldn\u2019t leave the Nc4 unprotected. And when he uncorked 35.Qg2?, I inexplicably answered 35\u2026Qh5? instead of taking the Knight! Luckily, he commited further mistakes, allowing me to end up winning the game.<\/p>\n

\"Mvl-Dominguez,
Mvl-Dominguez, Round 21; white\u2019s winning task should be easy.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Maybe the only game where I didn\u2019t convert properly, missing the simple fork 41.Ne7 followed by Rd5+, forcing resignation. Instead, I chose 41.Nf4? Bc2! which makes my task much more complex, because I will have to give up my Queenside pawns. (1-0).<\/p>\n

\"Aronian-Mvl,
Aronian-Mvl, Round 22; the only lost blitz game!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

I sacrificed a Bishop on a2 in order to get this position, in which I had calculated 26\u2026axb2 27.Rxb2 Qa5 with a mating attack, forgetting 28.Nc2, which covers everything! I should neverthelees have played this way, as after 28\u2026Rc3, it is not so easy to unravel for white. Understanding my mistake, I preferred 26\u2026Qa5?, but after the consolidating 27.Qd2! followed by 28.Nf4, black has nothing left to play for (1-0).<\/p>\n

The next game against Mamedyarov was particularly important, as it was against one of the leaders, just after a loss, and only a few rounds before the end!<\/p>\n

\"Mvl-Mamedyarov,
Mvl-Mamedyarov, Round 23; Mamedyarov takes too much risks.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

I got nothing from the opening and after the normal 18\u2026Nxe5 19.Nxb7, the position would have remained roughly equal. Instead, Mamed played 18\u2026Bg4?!, allowing 19.Bb5 and white is better. This time, I converted a Rook ending a pawn up.<\/p>\n

After a good win against Caruana, I had two further draws, quite an obscure one against Karjakin, and a savourless one against So. So I entered the very last round in second place, together with Mamedyarov, behind Nakamura who could already not be overtaken anymore. Only problem, I was black against him!<\/p>\n

Even with the tournament\u2019s win in the pocket, the American decided to play a normal game, which turned out to be rather hectic.<\/p>\n

\"Nakamura-Mvl,
Nakamura-Mvl, Round 27; a glory win to end up.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

After an interesting Hedgehog middlegame where I managed to push \u2026d5, we got this position. Black is slightly better, but with a likely draw if white chooses the normal 41.Bxb5 Nf5 42.Bf2 Rxa3 43.Rxa3 Bxa3. Instead, Hikaru opted for the tactical way 41.Bg5? Re1 42.Bxh6 Rxf1+ 43.Kh2 Be5+ 44.g3, but after 44\u2026f6, white didn\u2019t have any real threat, and I remained a clear pawn up, which I converted in a Rook endgame.<\/p>\n

It is clear that I played in Saint-Louis the best blitz tournament of my life!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\"So,
So, so close of spot #1 in the World Blitz rankings! (image: 2700chess.com).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Three points ahead of Nakamura with a 3006 Elo performance, and World blitz #2 behind Carlsen\u2026 Of course, I\u2019m delighted but honestly, these numbers don\u2019t matter that much\u2026<\/p>\n

However, I\u2019m glad to be #2 in the 2018 GCT standings before the classical and last tournament, to begin Saturday, August 18. I have bought myself a slight margin in order to get one of the four qualifying spots for the London finals in December. But the main goal remains the tournament itself, especially as I have a title to defend!<\/p>\n

Lastly, I would like to congratulate Hikaru Nakamura for this victory in the Saint-Louis Rapid & Blitz which follows the Paris one, because I know what it means to win two GCT tournaments in a row\u2026<\/p>\n

\"Next
Next to Rex Sinquefield, the benefactor of American chess, at the closing ceremony, listening to GM Maurice Ashley, MC (Photo: Spectrum Studios).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

[otw_shortcode_quote border=”bordered” border_style=”bordered” background_pattern=”otw-pattern-1″]Trash talking<\/b>