7th HD Bank Cup International: Ho Chi Minh City

March 23, 2017March 23, 2017 Contributor 0 Comment

The seventh HD Bank Cup International came off the wraps March 12-17 in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
Vietnamese top gun Le Quang Liem had to be around to assure a creditable Vietnamese showing. Eventually, Le, 26, the 2013 world blitz champion and seeded No. 2, topped the nine-round Swiss event with 7.0 points on five wins and four draws without loss.

Tied for second-eighth at 6.5 apiece were Chinese super GMs Wei Yi, Bu Zhangzhi and Wang Hao, seeded No. 1, 3 and 5, respectively, local bet Tran Tuan Minh, Ivan Rozum (Russia), Vishna Prasamma (India) and Mareco Sandro of Argentina.

The tourney featured 103 players (26 GMs!) from various countries.

In the following game, the struggle for supremacy is all on the Queenside. When the decision comes through, it is on the Kingside, with two sharp Bishop moves – sudden and unexpected. A fine performance by the tournament winner.
7th HD Bank Cup:
W) Le Quang Liem (VIE)
B) A. Goganov (RUS)

Queen’s Gambit Declined

1. d4 Nf6
2. c4 e6
3. Nc3 d5
4. cxd5 exd5

The Exchange Variation, an old line in which White obtains a center pawn majority, and chances for a minority attack with b2-b4-b5 advance or a center break with Nge2, f2-f3 and e2-e4.

5. Bg5 c6
6. e3 Be7
7. Bd3 Nbd7

Nothing new has come out so far.

8. Nge2 …

After 8. Nf3 0-0 9. Qc2 Re8 10. 0-0 Nf8 11. h3 g6 12. Bh6 Nh5 13. Rab1 Ng7 14. b4 a6, White has a slight edge.

8… Nf8
8…0-0 and 8…h6 are fair alternatives.

9. 0-0 Ne6
10. Bh4 0-0
11. a3 a5

Preventing the minority attack.

12. f3 b6
13. Kh1 g6
14. Rc1 Bb7
15. Bb1 Ba6
16. Bf2 c5

Here Black embarks on ineffective pawn advance. The engine offered these possibilities. 16…Nh5 17. Bd3 f5 18. Bxa6 Rxa6 19. Qd3 Ra7 20. Na4 Qc7, with chances to hold the balance.

17. Re1 Bc4
18. Bd3 cxd4
18…Bxd3 19. Qxd3 Re8 slightly favors White.

19. Nxd4 Nxd4
20. exd4 Rc8
21. Bxc4 Rxc4?!

The Rook is badly placed here as soon appears. But after 21…dxc4 22. Rc2 Qd7 23. Rce2 Rce8 24. d5 b5 25. Qd4, White also obtains a clear advantage.

22. Qb3! Rc6
23. Na4! …

Simple and elegant. Now White wins the b pawn.

23… Rxc1
24. Rxc1 Qd7
25. Nxb6 Rb8?!

A fatalistic time-wasting move.

26. Bg3! …

A beautiful Zwischenzug after which White enjoys maximum prospects.

26… Rb7
27. Nxd7 Rxb3
28. Rc8ch Kg7
29. Be5! …

Intensifying the pressure on Black’s pieces which are now pinned and attacked two times. The text is a crusher.

29… Rxb2