4NCL - The Four Nations League - www.4ncl.co.uk/pre2010

Daily Telegraph

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This article is used on the 4NCL web site with permission.

Guildford ADC edged further ahead of Wood Green I in the seventh round of the 4 Nations Chess League Division one held at West Bromwich. Guildford despatched Wood Green II convincingly conceding just one defeat and a draw over the eight boards to win 6.5-1.5 while Wood Green I conceded five draws to Numerica 3Cs.

The two leaders still have the same number of match points but Guildford increased their lead on game points which could well be crucial at the end of the season if both sides continue to win their matches. The 4NCL was graced by the presence of newly crowned European Women's Champion Alexandra Kosteniuk who is also the Vice Women's World Champion as well as a fashion model and film star in Russia.

Ms Kosteniuk played for Numerica 3Cs against Wood Green I and drew a short but spectacular game against England international Jon Speelman after the latter sacrificed his queen for three pieces and numerous tactical threats. Kosteniuk held the balance with a counter combination, see below.

4NCL Division 1

The Ads 4.5-3.5 Warwickshire Select; Micro Markets Northwest Eagles 4.5-3.5 Richmond; Betsson.com 5-3 Barbican 4NCL II; Barbican 4NCL I 5.5-2.5 Slough; Numerica 3Cs 2.5-5.5 Wood Green I; Guildford 6.5-1.5 Wood Green II.

J Speelman - A Kosteniuk
4NCL Div1 (7.2) West Bromwich
Semi Slav

1 Nf3 d5 2 c4 c6 3 e3 Nf6 4 Nc3 e6 5 b3 Nbd7 6 Qc2 Bd6 7 Bb2 Qe7 8 d4 0-0 9 Be2 Re8 10 0-0 b6 11 e4 Nxe4 12 Nxe4 dxe4 13 Qxe4 Bb7 14 Rad1 e5 15 dxe5 Nxe5 16 Nxe5 c5 17 Qxb7 Qxb7 18 Rxd6 Rxe5! 19 Bxe5 Qe4 20 Bxg7! Qxe2 21 Bh6 Re8 22 h3 Re6 23 Rd8+ Re8 24 Rd6 Re6 25 Rd8+ draw

a) Speelman could also have tried 17 Qf5 and if 17...g6 18 Nxg6! hxg6 19 Qh3 with a big advantage but 17 Qf5 Bxe5 18 Rd7 Qf6 19 Qxf6 Bxf6 20 Bh5 Bc6 21 Bxf7+ Kf8 22 Bxe8 Bxd7 23 Bxd7 Bxb2 is probably a draw but White has some chances. If 20 Bh5 Re7 21 Rxb7! Rxb7 22 Bxf6 gxf6 23 Bf3 with a clear advantage. 17.Qg4 was also possible but 17...Bxe5 18 Rd7 Bc8! 19 Rxe7 Bxg4 20 Rxe5 Bxe2 is level.

b) Black's eighteenth move is forced, White was threatening Bf3-d5

c) If 20...Kxg7 21.Bf3 Qe7 22.Rd7 and the a7 pawn falls while f7 remains weak, White would be better.

d) Black repeats the position because playing on was very dangerous for example 24...Qxa2 25 Rfd1 f6 26 Rd7 Qxb3 27 R1d3 Qb1+ 28 Kh2 a5 29 Rg3+ Kh8 30 Bg7+ Kg8 31 Bxf6+ Kf8 32 Bg7+ Kg8 33 Bc3+ Kf8 34 Rf3+ Kg8 35 Rg7+ Kh8 36 Rg5+ Re5 37 Bxe5 mate

Final position after 25.Rd8+

board

After failing to get any opening advantage White gets his pieces in a tangle but just when material loss seems inevitable he finds an amazing defensive try 27 Rb8! however his hopes are cruelly dashed by 28...Kh8!; the idea was 28 Rxb8 29 Ne7+ Kf8 30 Nxc6 Rb6 31 Rc1

P.Wells - B.Kelly
4NCL Div1 (7.2) West Bromwich
Slav Defence

1 d4 d5 2 c4 c6 3 Nc3 Nf6 4 e3 a6 5 Nf3 b5 6 b3 Bg4 7 Be2 e6 8 0-0 Nbd7 9 h3 Bh5 10 Ne5 Bxe2 11 Nxe2 dxc4 12 Nxd7 Qxd7 13 bxc4 bxc4 14 Qc2 Be7 15 Qxc4 0-0 16 a4 Qd5 17 Qc2 Rfc8 18 Ba3 Bxa3 19 Rxa3 c5 20 Rc3 Ne4 21 Nf4 Qb7 22 Rb3 cxd4 23 Qd3 Qc6 24 Qxd4 e5 25 Qxe5 Nd2 26 Nd5 Re8 27 Rb8! Raxb8 28 Qxb8 Kh8! 0-1

Position after 28.Qxb8 and now the calm 28...Kh8! won material.

board