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50. g8a8 | 1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... a7a6 4. b5a4 4... g8f6 5. e1g1 5... f8e7 6. f1e1 6... b7b5 7. a4b3 7... e8g8 Evgeny Tomashevsky is a very solid player who solves the opening problems in a somewhat unusual way. His white color remains true to his style, while with the black pieces he prefers to go for sharp opening lines where the situation is clarified as soon as possible. The Marshall line in the Ruy Lopez have served him well for many years. 8. a2a4 Vachier-Lagrave does not want to test his opponent in the main lines. 8... c8b7 9. d2d3 9... d7d6 10. c1d2 A modern move. White has a wide choice in the position. 10... b5b4 Now that the bishop had occupied the d2 square for the knight this is strong. 11. c2c3 11... a8b8 A common temporary pawn sacrifice. 12. c3b4 12... b7c8 Evgeny comes well prepared for the game. The bishop is moving to a better position. 13. b4b5 13... a6b5 14. a4b5 14... b8b5 15. a1a8 15... b5b8 16. a8b8 16... c6b8 17. d3d4 MVL occupies some central squares with his knights. 17... e5d4 18. f3d4 18... c7c5 Tomashevsky replies in an adequate way. Next he wants to carry out the freeing d6-d5 advance which will level the game completely. 19. d4f3 19... b8c6 20. d2c3 20... c8e6 21. b1d2 This allows the central break, but the French GM obviously had some interesting complications in mind. 21... d6d5 22. f3g5 22... e6g4 23. d1c2 Consisten and... wrong. Vachier-Lagrave missed some detail in his calculations. 23... c5c4 Very strong! The bishop is becoming too vulnerable. 24. d2c4 24... d5c4 25. b3c4 25... f6d7 26. g5f7 The best practical chance! 26... f8f7 27. c4f7 27... g8f7 28. c3g7 28... f7g7 29. c2c6 After some forced moves the game reaches a highly unusual distribution of forces. White has a rook and four pawns versus three light pieces. I have never seen anything like this before. How can we asses the situation? Well, obviously the pawns can become dangerous in an endgame if there is time to advance them. If not, they will be targets. The three light pieces can easily unite their efforts attacking any of the pawns and it will be lost as the rook cannot separate itself into pieces. The general rule is that the smaller parts should be better than the major piece as long as they are united. This is the case here; the pieces are clearly better. One more thing that helps is that two of them are bishops! 29... d7e5 30. c6c3 30... e7f6 31. c3g3 31... h7h5 32. h2h3 32... h5h4 33. g3e3 33... g4e6 Black has consolidated his forces and starts attacking the pawns. 34. b2b4 34... d8d3 True to his solid style, Tomashevsky removes the queen from the board as well as the possibility of a perpetual. 35. g1h2 35... f6e7 36. f2f4 36... d3e3 37. e1e3 37... e5c4 38. e3e2 At a glance it seems as White should be OK, but the reality is that he is about to lose all his pawns one by one... 38... e7b4 One down, more to go. 39. g2g3 39... c4d2 40. g3h4 This trades the last black pawn, but there are too many pieces! 40... e6c4 41. e2g2 41... g7h6 42. h2g3 The king leaves the danger zone 42... c4f1 43. g2h2 43... f1d3 44. g3g4 44... d2e4 Two down. 45. g4f5 45... b4d6 46. h2g2 46... h6h5 47. g2g8 47... e4g5 48. f5f6 48... g5h7 49. f6g7 49... d6f4 Three. |
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50... f4e5 | 1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... a7a6 4. b5a4 4... g8f6 5. e1g1 5... f8e7 6. f1e1 6... b7b5 7. a4b3 7... e8g8 Evgeny Tomashevsky is a very solid player who solves the opening problems in a somewhat unusual way. His white color remains true to his style, while with the black pieces he prefers to go for sharp opening lines where the situation is clarified as soon as possible. The Marshall line in the Ruy Lopez have served him well for many years. 8. a2a4 Vachier-Lagrave does not want to test his opponent in the main lines. 8... c8b7 9. d2d3 9... d7d6 10. c1d2 A modern move. White has a wide choice in the position. 10... b5b4 Now that the bishop had occupied the d2 square for the knight this is strong. 11. c2c3 11... a8b8 A common temporary pawn sacrifice. 12. c3b4 12... b7c8 Evgeny comes well prepared for the game. The bishop is moving to a better position. 13. b4b5 13... a6b5 14. a4b5 14... b8b5 15. a1a8 15... b5b8 16. a8b8 16... c6b8 17. d3d4 MVL occupies some central squares with his knights. 17... e5d4 18. f3d4 18... c7c5 Tomashevsky replies in an adequate way. Next he wants to carry out the freeing d6-d5 advance which will level the game completely. 19. d4f3 19... b8c6 20. d2c3 20... c8e6 21. b1d2 This allows the central break, but the French GM obviously had some interesting complications in mind. 21... d6d5 22. f3g5 22... e6g4 23. d1c2 Consisten and... wrong. Vachier-Lagrave missed some detail in his calculations. 23... c5c4 Very strong! The bishop is becoming too vulnerable. 24. d2c4 24... d5c4 25. b3c4 25... f6d7 26. g5f7 The best practical chance! 26... f8f7 27. c4f7 27... g8f7 28. c3g7 28... f7g7 29. c2c6 After some forced moves the game reaches a highly unusual distribution of forces. White has a rook and four pawns versus three light pieces. I have never seen anything like this before. How can we asses the situation? Well, obviously the pawns can become dangerous in an endgame if there is time to advance them. If not, they will be targets. The three light pieces can easily unite their efforts attacking any of the pawns and it will be lost as the rook cannot separate itself into pieces. The general rule is that the smaller parts should be better than the major piece as long as they are united. This is the case here; the pieces are clearly better. One more thing that helps is that two of them are bishops! 29... d7e5 30. c6c3 30... e7f6 31. c3g3 31... h7h5 32. h2h3 32... h5h4 33. g3e3 33... g4e6 Black has consolidated his forces and starts attacking the pawns. 34. b2b4 34... d8d3 True to his solid style, Tomashevsky removes the queen from the board as well as the possibility of a perpetual. 35. g1h2 35... f6e7 36. f2f4 36... d3e3 37. e1e3 37... e5c4 38. e3e2 At a glance it seems as White should be OK, but the reality is that he is about to lose all his pawns one by one... 38... e7b4 One down, more to go. 39. g2g3 39... c4d2 40. g3h4 This trades the last black pawn, but there are too many pieces! 40... e6c4 41. e2g2 41... g7h6 42. h2g3 The king leaves the danger zone 42... c4f1 43. g2h2 43... f1d3 44. g3g4 44... d2e4 Two down. 45. g4f5 45... b4d6 46. h2g2 46... h6h5 47. g2g8 47... e4g5 48. f5f6 48... g5h7 49. f6g7 49... d6f4 Three. 50. g8a8 |
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51. g7f7 | 1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... a7a6 4. b5a4 4... g8f6 5. e1g1 5... f8e7 6. f1e1 6... b7b5 7. a4b3 7... e8g8 Evgeny Tomashevsky is a very solid player who solves the opening problems in a somewhat unusual way. His white color remains true to his style, while with the black pieces he prefers to go for sharp opening lines where the situation is clarified as soon as possible. The Marshall line in the Ruy Lopez have served him well for many years. 8. a2a4 Vachier-Lagrave does not want to test his opponent in the main lines. 8... c8b7 9. d2d3 9... d7d6 10. c1d2 A modern move. White has a wide choice in the position. 10... b5b4 Now that the bishop had occupied the d2 square for the knight this is strong. 11. c2c3 11... a8b8 A common temporary pawn sacrifice. 12. c3b4 12... b7c8 Evgeny comes well prepared for the game. The bishop is moving to a better position. 13. b4b5 13... a6b5 14. a4b5 14... b8b5 15. a1a8 15... b5b8 16. a8b8 16... c6b8 17. d3d4 MVL occupies some central squares with his knights. 17... e5d4 18. f3d4 18... c7c5 Tomashevsky replies in an adequate way. Next he wants to carry out the freeing d6-d5 advance which will level the game completely. 19. d4f3 19... b8c6 20. d2c3 20... c8e6 21. b1d2 This allows the central break, but the French GM obviously had some interesting complications in mind. 21... d6d5 22. f3g5 22... e6g4 23. d1c2 Consisten and... wrong. Vachier-Lagrave missed some detail in his calculations. 23... c5c4 Very strong! The bishop is becoming too vulnerable. 24. d2c4 24... d5c4 25. b3c4 25... f6d7 26. g5f7 The best practical chance! 26... f8f7 27. c4f7 27... g8f7 28. c3g7 28... f7g7 29. c2c6 After some forced moves the game reaches a highly unusual distribution of forces. White has a rook and four pawns versus three light pieces. I have never seen anything like this before. How can we asses the situation? Well, obviously the pawns can become dangerous in an endgame if there is time to advance them. If not, they will be targets. The three light pieces can easily unite their efforts attacking any of the pawns and it will be lost as the rook cannot separate itself into pieces. The general rule is that the smaller parts should be better than the major piece as long as they are united. This is the case here; the pieces are clearly better. One more thing that helps is that two of them are bishops! 29... d7e5 30. c6c3 30... e7f6 31. c3g3 31... h7h5 32. h2h3 32... h5h4 33. g3e3 33... g4e6 Black has consolidated his forces and starts attacking the pawns. 34. b2b4 34... d8d3 True to his solid style, Tomashevsky removes the queen from the board as well as the possibility of a perpetual. 35. g1h2 35... f6e7 36. f2f4 36... d3e3 37. e1e3 37... e5c4 38. e3e2 At a glance it seems as White should be OK, but the reality is that he is about to lose all his pawns one by one... 38... e7b4 One down, more to go. 39. g2g3 39... c4d2 40. g3h4 This trades the last black pawn, but there are too many pieces! 40... e6c4 41. e2g2 41... g7h6 42. h2g3 The king leaves the danger zone 42... c4f1 43. g2h2 43... f1d3 44. g3g4 44... d2e4 Two down. 45. g4f5 45... b4d6 46. h2g2 46... h6h5 47. g2g8 47... e4g5 48. f5f6 48... g5h7 49. f6g7 49... d6f4 Three. 50. g8a8 50... f4e5 |
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51... h5h4 | Four. | 1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... a7a6 4. b5a4 4... g8f6 5. e1g1 5... f8e7 6. f1e1 6... b7b5 7. a4b3 7... e8g8 Evgeny Tomashevsky is a very solid player who solves the opening problems in a somewhat unusual way. His white color remains true to his style, while with the black pieces he prefers to go for sharp opening lines where the situation is clarified as soon as possible. The Marshall line in the Ruy Lopez have served him well for many years. 8. a2a4 Vachier-Lagrave does not want to test his opponent in the main lines. 8... c8b7 9. d2d3 9... d7d6 10. c1d2 A modern move. White has a wide choice in the position. 10... b5b4 Now that the bishop had occupied the d2 square for the knight this is strong. 11. c2c3 11... a8b8 A common temporary pawn sacrifice. 12. c3b4 12... b7c8 Evgeny comes well prepared for the game. The bishop is moving to a better position. 13. b4b5 13... a6b5 14. a4b5 14... b8b5 15. a1a8 15... b5b8 16. a8b8 16... c6b8 17. d3d4 MVL occupies some central squares with his knights. 17... e5d4 18. f3d4 18... c7c5 Tomashevsky replies in an adequate way. Next he wants to carry out the freeing d6-d5 advance which will level the game completely. 19. d4f3 19... b8c6 20. d2c3 20... c8e6 21. b1d2 This allows the central break, but the French GM obviously had some interesting complications in mind. 21... d6d5 22. f3g5 22... e6g4 23. d1c2 Consisten and... wrong. Vachier-Lagrave missed some detail in his calculations. 23... c5c4 Very strong! The bishop is becoming too vulnerable. 24. d2c4 24... d5c4 25. b3c4 25... f6d7 26. g5f7 The best practical chance! 26... f8f7 27. c4f7 27... g8f7 28. c3g7 28... f7g7 29. c2c6 After some forced moves the game reaches a highly unusual distribution of forces. White has a rook and four pawns versus three light pieces. I have never seen anything like this before. How can we asses the situation? Well, obviously the pawns can become dangerous in an endgame if there is time to advance them. If not, they will be targets. The three light pieces can easily unite their efforts attacking any of the pawns and it will be lost as the rook cannot separate itself into pieces. The general rule is that the smaller parts should be better than the major piece as long as they are united. This is the case here; the pieces are clearly better. One more thing that helps is that two of them are bishops! 29... d7e5 30. c6c3 30... e7f6 31. c3g3 31... h7h5 32. h2h3 32... h5h4 33. g3e3 33... g4e6 Black has consolidated his forces and starts attacking the pawns. 34. b2b4 34... d8d3 True to his solid style, Tomashevsky removes the queen from the board as well as the possibility of a perpetual. 35. g1h2 35... f6e7 36. f2f4 36... d3e3 37. e1e3 37... e5c4 38. e3e2 At a glance it seems as White should be OK, but the reality is that he is about to lose all his pawns one by one... 38... e7b4 One down, more to go. 39. g2g3 39... c4d2 40. g3h4 This trades the last black pawn, but there are too many pieces! 40... e6c4 41. e2g2 41... g7h6 42. h2g3 The king leaves the danger zone 42... c4f1 43. g2h2 43... f1d3 44. g3g4 44... d2e4 Two down. 45. g4f5 45... b4d6 46. h2g2 46... h6h5 47. g2g8 47... e4g5 48. f5f6 48... g5h7 49. f6g7 49... d6f4 Three. 50. g8a8 50... f4e5 51. g7f7 |
52. a8a4 | 1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... a7a6 4. b5a4 4... g8f6 5. e1g1 5... f8e7 6. f1e1 6... b7b5 7. a4b3 7... e8g8 Evgeny Tomashevsky is a very solid player who solves the opening problems in a somewhat unusual way. His white color remains true to his style, while with the black pieces he prefers to go for sharp opening lines where the situation is clarified as soon as possible. The Marshall line in the Ruy Lopez have served him well for many years. 8. a2a4 Vachier-Lagrave does not want to test his opponent in the main lines. 8... c8b7 9. d2d3 9... d7d6 10. c1d2 A modern move. White has a wide choice in the position. 10... b5b4 Now that the bishop had occupied the d2 square for the knight this is strong. 11. c2c3 11... a8b8 A common temporary pawn sacrifice. 12. c3b4 12... b7c8 Evgeny comes well prepared for the game. The bishop is moving to a better position. 13. b4b5 13... a6b5 14. a4b5 14... b8b5 15. a1a8 15... b5b8 16. a8b8 16... c6b8 17. d3d4 MVL occupies some central squares with his knights. 17... e5d4 18. f3d4 18... c7c5 Tomashevsky replies in an adequate way. Next he wants to carry out the freeing d6-d5 advance which will level the game completely. 19. d4f3 19... b8c6 20. d2c3 20... c8e6 21. b1d2 This allows the central break, but the French GM obviously had some interesting complications in mind. 21... d6d5 22. f3g5 22... e6g4 23. d1c2 Consisten and... wrong. Vachier-Lagrave missed some detail in his calculations. 23... c5c4 Very strong! The bishop is becoming too vulnerable. 24. d2c4 24... d5c4 25. b3c4 25... f6d7 26. g5f7 The best practical chance! 26... f8f7 27. c4f7 27... g8f7 28. c3g7 28... f7g7 29. c2c6 After some forced moves the game reaches a highly unusual distribution of forces. White has a rook and four pawns versus three light pieces. I have never seen anything like this before. How can we asses the situation? Well, obviously the pawns can become dangerous in an endgame if there is time to advance them. If not, they will be targets. The three light pieces can easily unite their efforts attacking any of the pawns and it will be lost as the rook cannot separate itself into pieces. The general rule is that the smaller parts should be better than the major piece as long as they are united. This is the case here; the pieces are clearly better. One more thing that helps is that two of them are bishops! 29... d7e5 30. c6c3 30... e7f6 31. c3g3 31... h7h5 32. h2h3 32... h5h4 33. g3e3 33... g4e6 Black has consolidated his forces and starts attacking the pawns. 34. b2b4 34... d8d3 True to his solid style, Tomashevsky removes the queen from the board as well as the possibility of a perpetual. 35. g1h2 35... f6e7 36. f2f4 36... d3e3 37. e1e3 37... e5c4 38. e3e2 At a glance it seems as White should be OK, but the reality is that he is about to lose all his pawns one by one... 38... e7b4 One down, more to go. 39. g2g3 39... c4d2 40. g3h4 This trades the last black pawn, but there are too many pieces! 40... e6c4 41. e2g2 41... g7h6 42. h2g3 The king leaves the danger zone 42... c4f1 43. g2h2 43... f1d3 44. g3g4 44... d2e4 Two down. 45. g4f5 45... b4d6 46. h2g2 46... h6h5 47. g2g8 47... e4g5 48. f5f6 48... g5h7 49. f6g7 49... d6f4 Three. 50. g8a8 50... f4e5 51. g7f7 51... h5h4 Four. |
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52... h4h5 | 1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... a7a6 4. b5a4 4... g8f6 5. e1g1 5... f8e7 6. f1e1 6... b7b5 7. a4b3 7... e8g8 Evgeny Tomashevsky is a very solid player who solves the opening problems in a somewhat unusual way. His white color remains true to his style, while with the black pieces he prefers to go for sharp opening lines where the situation is clarified as soon as possible. The Marshall line in the Ruy Lopez have served him well for many years. 8. a2a4 Vachier-Lagrave does not want to test his opponent in the main lines. 8... c8b7 9. d2d3 9... d7d6 10. c1d2 A modern move. White has a wide choice in the position. 10... b5b4 Now that the bishop had occupied the d2 square for the knight this is strong. 11. c2c3 11... a8b8 A common temporary pawn sacrifice. 12. c3b4 12... b7c8 Evgeny comes well prepared for the game. The bishop is moving to a better position. 13. b4b5 13... a6b5 14. a4b5 14... b8b5 15. a1a8 15... b5b8 16. a8b8 16... c6b8 17. d3d4 MVL occupies some central squares with his knights. 17... e5d4 18. f3d4 18... c7c5 Tomashevsky replies in an adequate way. Next he wants to carry out the freeing d6-d5 advance which will level the game completely. 19. d4f3 19... b8c6 20. d2c3 20... c8e6 21. b1d2 This allows the central break, but the French GM obviously had some interesting complications in mind. 21... d6d5 22. f3g5 22... e6g4 23. d1c2 Consisten and... wrong. Vachier-Lagrave missed some detail in his calculations. 23... c5c4 Very strong! The bishop is becoming too vulnerable. 24. d2c4 24... d5c4 25. b3c4 25... f6d7 26. g5f7 The best practical chance! 26... f8f7 27. c4f7 27... g8f7 28. c3g7 28... f7g7 29. c2c6 After some forced moves the game reaches a highly unusual distribution of forces. White has a rook and four pawns versus three light pieces. I have never seen anything like this before. How can we asses the situation? Well, obviously the pawns can become dangerous in an endgame if there is time to advance them. If not, they will be targets. The three light pieces can easily unite their efforts attacking any of the pawns and it will be lost as the rook cannot separate itself into pieces. The general rule is that the smaller parts should be better than the major piece as long as they are united. This is the case here; the pieces are clearly better. One more thing that helps is that two of them are bishops! 29... d7e5 30. c6c3 30... e7f6 31. c3g3 31... h7h5 32. h2h3 32... h5h4 33. g3e3 33... g4e6 Black has consolidated his forces and starts attacking the pawns. 34. b2b4 34... d8d3 True to his solid style, Tomashevsky removes the queen from the board as well as the possibility of a perpetual. 35. g1h2 35... f6e7 36. f2f4 36... d3e3 37. e1e3 37... e5c4 38. e3e2 At a glance it seems as White should be OK, but the reality is that he is about to lose all his pawns one by one... 38... e7b4 One down, more to go. 39. g2g3 39... c4d2 40. g3h4 This trades the last black pawn, but there are too many pieces! 40... e6c4 41. e2g2 41... g7h6 42. h2g3 The king leaves the danger zone 42... c4f1 43. g2h2 43... f1d3 44. g3g4 44... d2e4 Two down. 45. g4f5 45... b4d6 46. h2g2 46... h6h5 47. g2g8 47... e4g5 48. f5f6 48... g5h7 49. f6g7 49... d6f4 Three. 50. g8a8 50... f4e5 51. g7f7 51... h5h4 Four. 52. a8a4 |
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53. h3h4 | 1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... a7a6 4. b5a4 4... g8f6 5. e1g1 5... f8e7 6. f1e1 6... b7b5 7. a4b3 7... e8g8 Evgeny Tomashevsky is a very solid player who solves the opening problems in a somewhat unusual way. His white color remains true to his style, while with the black pieces he prefers to go for sharp opening lines where the situation is clarified as soon as possible. The Marshall line in the Ruy Lopez have served him well for many years. 8. a2a4 Vachier-Lagrave does not want to test his opponent in the main lines. 8... c8b7 9. d2d3 9... d7d6 10. c1d2 A modern move. White has a wide choice in the position. 10... b5b4 Now that the bishop had occupied the d2 square for the knight this is strong. 11. c2c3 11... a8b8 A common temporary pawn sacrifice. 12. c3b4 12... b7c8 Evgeny comes well prepared for the game. The bishop is moving to a better position. 13. b4b5 13... a6b5 14. a4b5 14... b8b5 15. a1a8 15... b5b8 16. a8b8 16... c6b8 17. d3d4 MVL occupies some central squares with his knights. 17... e5d4 18. f3d4 18... c7c5 Tomashevsky replies in an adequate way. Next he wants to carry out the freeing d6-d5 advance which will level the game completely. 19. d4f3 19... b8c6 20. d2c3 20... c8e6 21. b1d2 This allows the central break, but the French GM obviously had some interesting complications in mind. 21... d6d5 22. f3g5 22... e6g4 23. d1c2 Consisten and... wrong. Vachier-Lagrave missed some detail in his calculations. 23... c5c4 Very strong! The bishop is becoming too vulnerable. 24. d2c4 24... d5c4 25. b3c4 25... f6d7 26. g5f7 The best practical chance! 26... f8f7 27. c4f7 27... g8f7 28. c3g7 28... f7g7 29. c2c6 After some forced moves the game reaches a highly unusual distribution of forces. White has a rook and four pawns versus three light pieces. I have never seen anything like this before. How can we asses the situation? Well, obviously the pawns can become dangerous in an endgame if there is time to advance them. If not, they will be targets. The three light pieces can easily unite their efforts attacking any of the pawns and it will be lost as the rook cannot separate itself into pieces. The general rule is that the smaller parts should be better than the major piece as long as they are united. This is the case here; the pieces are clearly better. One more thing that helps is that two of them are bishops! 29... d7e5 30. c6c3 30... e7f6 31. c3g3 31... h7h5 32. h2h3 32... h5h4 33. g3e3 33... g4e6 Black has consolidated his forces and starts attacking the pawns. 34. b2b4 34... d8d3 True to his solid style, Tomashevsky removes the queen from the board as well as the possibility of a perpetual. 35. g1h2 35... f6e7 36. f2f4 36... d3e3 37. e1e3 37... e5c4 38. e3e2 At a glance it seems as White should be OK, but the reality is that he is about to lose all his pawns one by one... 38... e7b4 One down, more to go. 39. g2g3 39... c4d2 40. g3h4 This trades the last black pawn, but there are too many pieces! 40... e6c4 41. e2g2 41... g7h6 42. h2g3 The king leaves the danger zone 42... c4f1 43. g2h2 43... f1d3 44. g3g4 44... d2e4 Two down. 45. g4f5 45... b4d6 46. h2g2 46... h6h5 47. g2g8 47... e4g5 48. f5f6 48... g5h7 49. f6g7 49... d6f4 Three. 50. g8a8 50... f4e5 51. g7f7 51... h5h4 Four. 52. a8a4 52... h4h5 |
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53... e5b2 | 1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... a7a6 4. b5a4 4... g8f6 5. e1g1 5... f8e7 6. f1e1 6... b7b5 7. a4b3 7... e8g8 Evgeny Tomashevsky is a very solid player who solves the opening problems in a somewhat unusual way. His white color remains true to his style, while with the black pieces he prefers to go for sharp opening lines where the situation is clarified as soon as possible. The Marshall line in the Ruy Lopez have served him well for many years. 8. a2a4 Vachier-Lagrave does not want to test his opponent in the main lines. 8... c8b7 9. d2d3 9... d7d6 10. c1d2 A modern move. White has a wide choice in the position. 10... b5b4 Now that the bishop had occupied the d2 square for the knight this is strong. 11. c2c3 11... a8b8 A common temporary pawn sacrifice. 12. c3b4 12... b7c8 Evgeny comes well prepared for the game. The bishop is moving to a better position. 13. b4b5 13... a6b5 14. a4b5 14... b8b5 15. a1a8 15... b5b8 16. a8b8 16... c6b8 17. d3d4 MVL occupies some central squares with his knights. 17... e5d4 18. f3d4 18... c7c5 Tomashevsky replies in an adequate way. Next he wants to carry out the freeing d6-d5 advance which will level the game completely. 19. d4f3 19... b8c6 20. d2c3 20... c8e6 21. b1d2 This allows the central break, but the French GM obviously had some interesting complications in mind. 21... d6d5 22. f3g5 22... e6g4 23. d1c2 Consisten and... wrong. Vachier-Lagrave missed some detail in his calculations. 23... c5c4 Very strong! The bishop is becoming too vulnerable. 24. d2c4 24... d5c4 25. b3c4 25... f6d7 26. g5f7 The best practical chance! 26... f8f7 27. c4f7 27... g8f7 28. c3g7 28... f7g7 29. c2c6 After some forced moves the game reaches a highly unusual distribution of forces. White has a rook and four pawns versus three light pieces. I have never seen anything like this before. How can we asses the situation? Well, obviously the pawns can become dangerous in an endgame if there is time to advance them. If not, they will be targets. The three light pieces can easily unite their efforts attacking any of the pawns and it will be lost as the rook cannot separate itself into pieces. The general rule is that the smaller parts should be better than the major piece as long as they are united. This is the case here; the pieces are clearly better. One more thing that helps is that two of them are bishops! 29... d7e5 30. c6c3 30... e7f6 31. c3g3 31... h7h5 32. h2h3 32... h5h4 33. g3e3 33... g4e6 Black has consolidated his forces and starts attacking the pawns. 34. b2b4 34... d8d3 True to his solid style, Tomashevsky removes the queen from the board as well as the possibility of a perpetual. 35. g1h2 35... f6e7 36. f2f4 36... d3e3 37. e1e3 37... e5c4 38. e3e2 At a glance it seems as White should be OK, but the reality is that he is about to lose all his pawns one by one... 38... e7b4 One down, more to go. 39. g2g3 39... c4d2 40. g3h4 This trades the last black pawn, but there are too many pieces! 40... e6c4 41. e2g2 41... g7h6 42. h2g3 The king leaves the danger zone 42... c4f1 43. g2h2 43... f1d3 44. g3g4 44... d2e4 Two down. 45. g4f5 45... b4d6 46. h2g2 46... h6h5 47. g2g8 47... e4g5 48. f5f6 48... g5h7 49. f6g7 49... d6f4 Three. 50. g8a8 50... f4e5 51. g7f7 51... h5h4 Four. 52. a8a4 52... h4h5 53. h3h4 |
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54. a4f4 | 1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... a7a6 4. b5a4 4... g8f6 5. e1g1 5... f8e7 6. f1e1 6... b7b5 7. a4b3 7... e8g8 Evgeny Tomashevsky is a very solid player who solves the opening problems in a somewhat unusual way. His white color remains true to his style, while with the black pieces he prefers to go for sharp opening lines where the situation is clarified as soon as possible. The Marshall line in the Ruy Lopez have served him well for many years. 8. a2a4 Vachier-Lagrave does not want to test his opponent in the main lines. 8... c8b7 9. d2d3 9... d7d6 10. c1d2 A modern move. White has a wide choice in the position. 10... b5b4 Now that the bishop had occupied the d2 square for the knight this is strong. 11. c2c3 11... a8b8 A common temporary pawn sacrifice. 12. c3b4 12... b7c8 Evgeny comes well prepared for the game. The bishop is moving to a better position. 13. b4b5 13... a6b5 14. a4b5 14... b8b5 15. a1a8 15... b5b8 16. a8b8 16... c6b8 17. d3d4 MVL occupies some central squares with his knights. 17... e5d4 18. f3d4 18... c7c5 Tomashevsky replies in an adequate way. Next he wants to carry out the freeing d6-d5 advance which will level the game completely. 19. d4f3 19... b8c6 20. d2c3 20... c8e6 21. b1d2 This allows the central break, but the French GM obviously had some interesting complications in mind. 21... d6d5 22. f3g5 22... e6g4 23. d1c2 Consisten and... wrong. Vachier-Lagrave missed some detail in his calculations. 23... c5c4 Very strong! The bishop is becoming too vulnerable. 24. d2c4 24... d5c4 25. b3c4 25... f6d7 26. g5f7 The best practical chance! 26... f8f7 27. c4f7 27... g8f7 28. c3g7 28... f7g7 29. c2c6 After some forced moves the game reaches a highly unusual distribution of forces. White has a rook and four pawns versus three light pieces. I have never seen anything like this before. How can we asses the situation? Well, obviously the pawns can become dangerous in an endgame if there is time to advance them. If not, they will be targets. The three light pieces can easily unite their efforts attacking any of the pawns and it will be lost as the rook cannot separate itself into pieces. The general rule is that the smaller parts should be better than the major piece as long as they are united. This is the case here; the pieces are clearly better. One more thing that helps is that two of them are bishops! 29... d7e5 30. c6c3 30... e7f6 31. c3g3 31... h7h5 32. h2h3 32... h5h4 33. g3e3 33... g4e6 Black has consolidated his forces and starts attacking the pawns. 34. b2b4 34... d8d3 True to his solid style, Tomashevsky removes the queen from the board as well as the possibility of a perpetual. 35. g1h2 35... f6e7 36. f2f4 36... d3e3 37. e1e3 37... e5c4 38. e3e2 At a glance it seems as White should be OK, but the reality is that he is about to lose all his pawns one by one... 38... e7b4 One down, more to go. 39. g2g3 39... c4d2 40. g3h4 This trades the last black pawn, but there are too many pieces! 40... e6c4 41. e2g2 41... g7h6 42. h2g3 The king leaves the danger zone 42... c4f1 43. g2h2 43... f1d3 44. g3g4 44... d2e4 Two down. 45. g4f5 45... b4d6 46. h2g2 46... h6h5 47. g2g8 47... e4g5 48. f5f6 48... g5h7 49. f6g7 49... d6f4 Three. 50. g8a8 50... f4e5 51. g7f7 51... h5h4 Four. 52. a8a4 52... h4h5 53. h3h4 53... e5b2 |
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54... b2c3 | 1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... a7a6 4. b5a4 4... g8f6 5. e1g1 5... f8e7 6. f1e1 6... b7b5 7. a4b3 7... e8g8 Evgeny Tomashevsky is a very solid player who solves the opening problems in a somewhat unusual way. His white color remains true to his style, while with the black pieces he prefers to go for sharp opening lines where the situation is clarified as soon as possible. The Marshall line in the Ruy Lopez have served him well for many years. 8. a2a4 Vachier-Lagrave does not want to test his opponent in the main lines. 8... c8b7 9. d2d3 9... d7d6 10. c1d2 A modern move. White has a wide choice in the position. 10... b5b4 Now that the bishop had occupied the d2 square for the knight this is strong. 11. c2c3 11... a8b8 A common temporary pawn sacrifice. 12. c3b4 12... b7c8 Evgeny comes well prepared for the game. The bishop is moving to a better position. 13. b4b5 13... a6b5 14. a4b5 14... b8b5 15. a1a8 15... b5b8 16. a8b8 16... c6b8 17. d3d4 MVL occupies some central squares with his knights. 17... e5d4 18. f3d4 18... c7c5 Tomashevsky replies in an adequate way. Next he wants to carry out the freeing d6-d5 advance which will level the game completely. 19. d4f3 19... b8c6 20. d2c3 20... c8e6 21. b1d2 This allows the central break, but the French GM obviously had some interesting complications in mind. 21... d6d5 22. f3g5 22... e6g4 23. d1c2 Consisten and... wrong. Vachier-Lagrave missed some detail in his calculations. 23... c5c4 Very strong! The bishop is becoming too vulnerable. 24. d2c4 24... d5c4 25. b3c4 25... f6d7 26. g5f7 The best practical chance! 26... f8f7 27. c4f7 27... g8f7 28. c3g7 28... f7g7 29. c2c6 After some forced moves the game reaches a highly unusual distribution of forces. White has a rook and four pawns versus three light pieces. I have never seen anything like this before. How can we asses the situation? Well, obviously the pawns can become dangerous in an endgame if there is time to advance them. If not, they will be targets. The three light pieces can easily unite their efforts attacking any of the pawns and it will be lost as the rook cannot separate itself into pieces. The general rule is that the smaller parts should be better than the major piece as long as they are united. This is the case here; the pieces are clearly better. One more thing that helps is that two of them are bishops! 29... d7e5 30. c6c3 30... e7f6 31. c3g3 31... h7h5 32. h2h3 32... h5h4 33. g3e3 33... g4e6 Black has consolidated his forces and starts attacking the pawns. 34. b2b4 34... d8d3 True to his solid style, Tomashevsky removes the queen from the board as well as the possibility of a perpetual. 35. g1h2 35... f6e7 36. f2f4 36... d3e3 37. e1e3 37... e5c4 38. e3e2 At a glance it seems as White should be OK, but the reality is that he is about to lose all his pawns one by one... 38... e7b4 One down, more to go. 39. g2g3 39... c4d2 40. g3h4 This trades the last black pawn, but there are too many pieces! 40... e6c4 41. e2g2 41... g7h6 42. h2g3 The king leaves the danger zone 42... c4f1 43. g2h2 43... f1d3 44. g3g4 44... d2e4 Two down. 45. g4f5 45... b4d6 46. h2g2 46... h6h5 47. g2g8 47... e4g5 48. f5f6 48... g5h7 49. f6g7 49... d6f4 Three. 50. g8a8 50... f4e5 51. g7f7 51... h5h4 Four. 52. a8a4 52... h4h5 53. h3h4 53... e5b2 54. a4f4 |
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55. f7e6 | 1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... a7a6 4. b5a4 4... g8f6 5. e1g1 5... f8e7 6. f1e1 6... b7b5 7. a4b3 7... e8g8 Evgeny Tomashevsky is a very solid player who solves the opening problems in a somewhat unusual way. His white color remains true to his style, while with the black pieces he prefers to go for sharp opening lines where the situation is clarified as soon as possible. The Marshall line in the Ruy Lopez have served him well for many years. 8. a2a4 Vachier-Lagrave does not want to test his opponent in the main lines. 8... c8b7 9. d2d3 9... d7d6 10. c1d2 A modern move. White has a wide choice in the position. 10... b5b4 Now that the bishop had occupied the d2 square for the knight this is strong. 11. c2c3 11... a8b8 A common temporary pawn sacrifice. 12. c3b4 12... b7c8 Evgeny comes well prepared for the game. The bishop is moving to a better position. 13. b4b5 13... a6b5 14. a4b5 14... b8b5 15. a1a8 15... b5b8 16. a8b8 16... c6b8 17. d3d4 MVL occupies some central squares with his knights. 17... e5d4 18. f3d4 18... c7c5 Tomashevsky replies in an adequate way. Next he wants to carry out the freeing d6-d5 advance which will level the game completely. 19. d4f3 19... b8c6 20. d2c3 20... c8e6 21. b1d2 This allows the central break, but the French GM obviously had some interesting complications in mind. 21... d6d5 22. f3g5 22... e6g4 23. d1c2 Consisten and... wrong. Vachier-Lagrave missed some detail in his calculations. 23... c5c4 Very strong! The bishop is becoming too vulnerable. 24. d2c4 24... d5c4 25. b3c4 25... f6d7 26. g5f7 The best practical chance! 26... f8f7 27. c4f7 27... g8f7 28. c3g7 28... f7g7 29. c2c6 After some forced moves the game reaches a highly unusual distribution of forces. White has a rook and four pawns versus three light pieces. I have never seen anything like this before. How can we asses the situation? Well, obviously the pawns can become dangerous in an endgame if there is time to advance them. If not, they will be targets. The three light pieces can easily unite their efforts attacking any of the pawns and it will be lost as the rook cannot separate itself into pieces. The general rule is that the smaller parts should be better than the major piece as long as they are united. This is the case here; the pieces are clearly better. One more thing that helps is that two of them are bishops! 29... d7e5 30. c6c3 30... e7f6 31. c3g3 31... h7h5 32. h2h3 32... h5h4 33. g3e3 33... g4e6 Black has consolidated his forces and starts attacking the pawns. 34. b2b4 34... d8d3 True to his solid style, Tomashevsky removes the queen from the board as well as the possibility of a perpetual. 35. g1h2 35... f6e7 36. f2f4 36... d3e3 37. e1e3 37... e5c4 38. e3e2 At a glance it seems as White should be OK, but the reality is that he is about to lose all his pawns one by one... 38... e7b4 One down, more to go. 39. g2g3 39... c4d2 40. g3h4 This trades the last black pawn, but there are too many pieces! 40... e6c4 41. e2g2 41... g7h6 42. h2g3 The king leaves the danger zone 42... c4f1 43. g2h2 43... f1d3 44. g3g4 44... d2e4 Two down. 45. g4f5 45... b4d6 46. h2g2 46... h6h5 47. g2g8 47... e4g5 48. f5f6 48... g5h7 49. f6g7 49... d6f4 Three. 50. g8a8 50... f4e5 51. g7f7 51... h5h4 Four. 52. a8a4 52... h4h5 53. h3h4 53... e5b2 54. a4f4 54... b2c3 |
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55... c3e1 | 1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... a7a6 4. b5a4 4... g8f6 5. e1g1 5... f8e7 6. f1e1 6... b7b5 7. a4b3 7... e8g8 Evgeny Tomashevsky is a very solid player who solves the opening problems in a somewhat unusual way. His white color remains true to his style, while with the black pieces he prefers to go for sharp opening lines where the situation is clarified as soon as possible. The Marshall line in the Ruy Lopez have served him well for many years. 8. a2a4 Vachier-Lagrave does not want to test his opponent in the main lines. 8... c8b7 9. d2d3 9... d7d6 10. c1d2 A modern move. White has a wide choice in the position. 10... b5b4 Now that the bishop had occupied the d2 square for the knight this is strong. 11. c2c3 11... a8b8 A common temporary pawn sacrifice. 12. c3b4 12... b7c8 Evgeny comes well prepared for the game. The bishop is moving to a better position. 13. b4b5 13... a6b5 14. a4b5 14... b8b5 15. a1a8 15... b5b8 16. a8b8 16... c6b8 17. d3d4 MVL occupies some central squares with his knights. 17... e5d4 18. f3d4 18... c7c5 Tomashevsky replies in an adequate way. Next he wants to carry out the freeing d6-d5 advance which will level the game completely. 19. d4f3 19... b8c6 20. d2c3 20... c8e6 21. b1d2 This allows the central break, but the French GM obviously had some interesting complications in mind. 21... d6d5 22. f3g5 22... e6g4 23. d1c2 Consisten and... wrong. Vachier-Lagrave missed some detail in his calculations. 23... c5c4 Very strong! The bishop is becoming too vulnerable. 24. d2c4 24... d5c4 25. b3c4 25... f6d7 26. g5f7 The best practical chance! 26... f8f7 27. c4f7 27... g8f7 28. c3g7 28... f7g7 29. c2c6 After some forced moves the game reaches a highly unusual distribution of forces. White has a rook and four pawns versus three light pieces. I have never seen anything like this before. How can we asses the situation? Well, obviously the pawns can become dangerous in an endgame if there is time to advance them. If not, they will be targets. The three light pieces can easily unite their efforts attacking any of the pawns and it will be lost as the rook cannot separate itself into pieces. The general rule is that the smaller parts should be better than the major piece as long as they are united. This is the case here; the pieces are clearly better. One more thing that helps is that two of them are bishops! 29... d7e5 30. c6c3 30... e7f6 31. c3g3 31... h7h5 32. h2h3 32... h5h4 33. g3e3 33... g4e6 Black has consolidated his forces and starts attacking the pawns. 34. b2b4 34... d8d3 True to his solid style, Tomashevsky removes the queen from the board as well as the possibility of a perpetual. 35. g1h2 35... f6e7 36. f2f4 36... d3e3 37. e1e3 37... e5c4 38. e3e2 At a glance it seems as White should be OK, but the reality is that he is about to lose all his pawns one by one... 38... e7b4 One down, more to go. 39. g2g3 39... c4d2 40. g3h4 This trades the last black pawn, but there are too many pieces! 40... e6c4 41. e2g2 41... g7h6 42. h2g3 The king leaves the danger zone 42... c4f1 43. g2h2 43... f1d3 44. g3g4 44... d2e4 Two down. 45. g4f5 45... b4d6 46. h2g2 46... h6h5 47. g2g8 47... e4g5 48. f5f6 48... g5h7 49. f6g7 49... d6f4 Three. 50. g8a8 50... f4e5 51. g7f7 51... h5h4 Four. 52. a8a4 52... h4h5 53. h3h4 53... e5b2 54. a4f4 54... b2c3 55. f7e6 |
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56. f4f3 | 1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... a7a6 4. b5a4 4... g8f6 5. e1g1 5... f8e7 6. f1e1 6... b7b5 7. a4b3 7... e8g8 Evgeny Tomashevsky is a very solid player who solves the opening problems in a somewhat unusual way. His white color remains true to his style, while with the black pieces he prefers to go for sharp opening lines where the situation is clarified as soon as possible. The Marshall line in the Ruy Lopez have served him well for many years. 8. a2a4 Vachier-Lagrave does not want to test his opponent in the main lines. 8... c8b7 9. d2d3 9... d7d6 10. c1d2 A modern move. White has a wide choice in the position. 10... b5b4 Now that the bishop had occupied the d2 square for the knight this is strong. 11. c2c3 11... a8b8 A common temporary pawn sacrifice. 12. c3b4 12... b7c8 Evgeny comes well prepared for the game. The bishop is moving to a better position. 13. b4b5 13... a6b5 14. a4b5 14... b8b5 15. a1a8 15... b5b8 16. a8b8 16... c6b8 17. d3d4 MVL occupies some central squares with his knights. 17... e5d4 18. f3d4 18... c7c5 Tomashevsky replies in an adequate way. Next he wants to carry out the freeing d6-d5 advance which will level the game completely. 19. d4f3 19... b8c6 20. d2c3 20... c8e6 21. b1d2 This allows the central break, but the French GM obviously had some interesting complications in mind. 21... d6d5 22. f3g5 22... e6g4 23. d1c2 Consisten and... wrong. Vachier-Lagrave missed some detail in his calculations. 23... c5c4 Very strong! The bishop is becoming too vulnerable. 24. d2c4 24... d5c4 25. b3c4 25... f6d7 26. g5f7 The best practical chance! 26... f8f7 27. c4f7 27... g8f7 28. c3g7 28... f7g7 29. c2c6 After some forced moves the game reaches a highly unusual distribution of forces. White has a rook and four pawns versus three light pieces. I have never seen anything like this before. How can we asses the situation? Well, obviously the pawns can become dangerous in an endgame if there is time to advance them. If not, they will be targets. The three light pieces can easily unite their efforts attacking any of the pawns and it will be lost as the rook cannot separate itself into pieces. The general rule is that the smaller parts should be better than the major piece as long as they are united. This is the case here; the pieces are clearly better. One more thing that helps is that two of them are bishops! 29... d7e5 30. c6c3 30... e7f6 31. c3g3 31... h7h5 32. h2h3 32... h5h4 33. g3e3 33... g4e6 Black has consolidated his forces and starts attacking the pawns. 34. b2b4 34... d8d3 True to his solid style, Tomashevsky removes the queen from the board as well as the possibility of a perpetual. 35. g1h2 35... f6e7 36. f2f4 36... d3e3 37. e1e3 37... e5c4 38. e3e2 At a glance it seems as White should be OK, but the reality is that he is about to lose all his pawns one by one... 38... e7b4 One down, more to go. 39. g2g3 39... c4d2 40. g3h4 This trades the last black pawn, but there are too many pieces! 40... e6c4 41. e2g2 41... g7h6 42. h2g3 The king leaves the danger zone 42... c4f1 43. g2h2 43... f1d3 44. g3g4 44... d2e4 Two down. 45. g4f5 45... b4d6 46. h2g2 46... h6h5 47. g2g8 47... e4g5 48. f5f6 48... g5h7 49. f6g7 49... d6f4 Three. 50. g8a8 50... f4e5 51. g7f7 51... h5h4 Four. 52. a8a4 52... h4h5 53. h3h4 53... e5b2 54. a4f4 54... b2c3 55. f7e6 55... c3e1 |
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56... d3g6 | 1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... a7a6 4. b5a4 4... g8f6 5. e1g1 5... f8e7 6. f1e1 6... b7b5 7. a4b3 7... e8g8 Evgeny Tomashevsky is a very solid player who solves the opening problems in a somewhat unusual way. His white color remains true to his style, while with the black pieces he prefers to go for sharp opening lines where the situation is clarified as soon as possible. The Marshall line in the Ruy Lopez have served him well for many years. 8. a2a4 Vachier-Lagrave does not want to test his opponent in the main lines. 8... c8b7 9. d2d3 9... d7d6 10. c1d2 A modern move. White has a wide choice in the position. 10... b5b4 Now that the bishop had occupied the d2 square for the knight this is strong. 11. c2c3 11... a8b8 A common temporary pawn sacrifice. 12. c3b4 12... b7c8 Evgeny comes well prepared for the game. The bishop is moving to a better position. 13. b4b5 13... a6b5 14. a4b5 14... b8b5 15. a1a8 15... b5b8 16. a8b8 16... c6b8 17. d3d4 MVL occupies some central squares with his knights. 17... e5d4 18. f3d4 18... c7c5 Tomashevsky replies in an adequate way. Next he wants to carry out the freeing d6-d5 advance which will level the game completely. 19. d4f3 19... b8c6 20. d2c3 20... c8e6 21. b1d2 This allows the central break, but the French GM obviously had some interesting complications in mind. 21... d6d5 22. f3g5 22... e6g4 23. d1c2 Consisten and... wrong. Vachier-Lagrave missed some detail in his calculations. 23... c5c4 Very strong! The bishop is becoming too vulnerable. 24. d2c4 24... d5c4 25. b3c4 25... f6d7 26. g5f7 The best practical chance! 26... f8f7 27. c4f7 27... g8f7 28. c3g7 28... f7g7 29. c2c6 After some forced moves the game reaches a highly unusual distribution of forces. White has a rook and four pawns versus three light pieces. I have never seen anything like this before. How can we asses the situation? Well, obviously the pawns can become dangerous in an endgame if there is time to advance them. If not, they will be targets. The three light pieces can easily unite their efforts attacking any of the pawns and it will be lost as the rook cannot separate itself into pieces. The general rule is that the smaller parts should be better than the major piece as long as they are united. This is the case here; the pieces are clearly better. One more thing that helps is that two of them are bishops! 29... d7e5 30. c6c3 30... e7f6 31. c3g3 31... h7h5 32. h2h3 32... h5h4 33. g3e3 33... g4e6 Black has consolidated his forces and starts attacking the pawns. 34. b2b4 34... d8d3 True to his solid style, Tomashevsky removes the queen from the board as well as the possibility of a perpetual. 35. g1h2 35... f6e7 36. f2f4 36... d3e3 37. e1e3 37... e5c4 38. e3e2 At a glance it seems as White should be OK, but the reality is that he is about to lose all his pawns one by one... 38... e7b4 One down, more to go. 39. g2g3 39... c4d2 40. g3h4 This trades the last black pawn, but there are too many pieces! 40... e6c4 41. e2g2 41... g7h6 42. h2g3 The king leaves the danger zone 42... c4f1 43. g2h2 43... f1d3 44. g3g4 44... d2e4 Two down. 45. g4f5 45... b4d6 46. h2g2 46... h6h5 47. g2g8 47... e4g5 48. f5f6 48... g5h7 49. f6g7 49... d6f4 Three. 50. g8a8 50... f4e5 51. g7f7 51... h5h4 Four. 52. a8a4 52... h4h5 53. h3h4 53... e5b2 54. a4f4 54... b2c3 55. f7e6 55... c3e1 56. f4f3 |
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57. f3f1 | 1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... a7a6 4. b5a4 4... g8f6 5. e1g1 5... f8e7 6. f1e1 6... b7b5 7. a4b3 7... e8g8 Evgeny Tomashevsky is a very solid player who solves the opening problems in a somewhat unusual way. His white color remains true to his style, while with the black pieces he prefers to go for sharp opening lines where the situation is clarified as soon as possible. The Marshall line in the Ruy Lopez have served him well for many years. 8. a2a4 Vachier-Lagrave does not want to test his opponent in the main lines. 8... c8b7 9. d2d3 9... d7d6 10. c1d2 A modern move. White has a wide choice in the position. 10... b5b4 Now that the bishop had occupied the d2 square for the knight this is strong. 11. c2c3 11... a8b8 A common temporary pawn sacrifice. 12. c3b4 12... b7c8 Evgeny comes well prepared for the game. The bishop is moving to a better position. 13. b4b5 13... a6b5 14. a4b5 14... b8b5 15. a1a8 15... b5b8 16. a8b8 16... c6b8 17. d3d4 MVL occupies some central squares with his knights. 17... e5d4 18. f3d4 18... c7c5 Tomashevsky replies in an adequate way. Next he wants to carry out the freeing d6-d5 advance which will level the game completely. 19. d4f3 19... b8c6 20. d2c3 20... c8e6 21. b1d2 This allows the central break, but the French GM obviously had some interesting complications in mind. 21... d6d5 22. f3g5 22... e6g4 23. d1c2 Consisten and... wrong. Vachier-Lagrave missed some detail in his calculations. 23... c5c4 Very strong! The bishop is becoming too vulnerable. 24. d2c4 24... d5c4 25. b3c4 25... f6d7 26. g5f7 The best practical chance! 26... f8f7 27. c4f7 27... g8f7 28. c3g7 28... f7g7 29. c2c6 After some forced moves the game reaches a highly unusual distribution of forces. White has a rook and four pawns versus three light pieces. I have never seen anything like this before. How can we asses the situation? Well, obviously the pawns can become dangerous in an endgame if there is time to advance them. If not, they will be targets. The three light pieces can easily unite their efforts attacking any of the pawns and it will be lost as the rook cannot separate itself into pieces. The general rule is that the smaller parts should be better than the major piece as long as they are united. This is the case here; the pieces are clearly better. One more thing that helps is that two of them are bishops! 29... d7e5 30. c6c3 30... e7f6 31. c3g3 31... h7h5 32. h2h3 32... h5h4 33. g3e3 33... g4e6 Black has consolidated his forces and starts attacking the pawns. 34. b2b4 34... d8d3 True to his solid style, Tomashevsky removes the queen from the board as well as the possibility of a perpetual. 35. g1h2 35... f6e7 36. f2f4 36... d3e3 37. e1e3 37... e5c4 38. e3e2 At a glance it seems as White should be OK, but the reality is that he is about to lose all his pawns one by one... 38... e7b4 One down, more to go. 39. g2g3 39... c4d2 40. g3h4 This trades the last black pawn, but there are too many pieces! 40... e6c4 41. e2g2 41... g7h6 42. h2g3 The king leaves the danger zone 42... c4f1 43. g2h2 43... f1d3 44. g3g4 44... d2e4 Two down. 45. g4f5 45... b4d6 46. h2g2 46... h6h5 47. g2g8 47... e4g5 48. f5f6 48... g5h7 49. f6g7 49... d6f4 Three. 50. g8a8 50... f4e5 51. g7f7 51... h5h4 Four. 52. a8a4 52... h4h5 53. h3h4 53... e5b2 54. a4f4 54... b2c3 55. f7e6 55... c3e1 56. f4f3 56... d3g6 |
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57... e1b4 | 1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... a7a6 4. b5a4 4... g8f6 5. e1g1 5... f8e7 6. f1e1 6... b7b5 7. a4b3 7... e8g8 Evgeny Tomashevsky is a very solid player who solves the opening problems in a somewhat unusual way. His white color remains true to his style, while with the black pieces he prefers to go for sharp opening lines where the situation is clarified as soon as possible. The Marshall line in the Ruy Lopez have served him well for many years. 8. a2a4 Vachier-Lagrave does not want to test his opponent in the main lines. 8... c8b7 9. d2d3 9... d7d6 10. c1d2 A modern move. White has a wide choice in the position. 10... b5b4 Now that the bishop had occupied the d2 square for the knight this is strong. 11. c2c3 11... a8b8 A common temporary pawn sacrifice. 12. c3b4 12... b7c8 Evgeny comes well prepared for the game. The bishop is moving to a better position. 13. b4b5 13... a6b5 14. a4b5 14... b8b5 15. a1a8 15... b5b8 16. a8b8 16... c6b8 17. d3d4 MVL occupies some central squares with his knights. 17... e5d4 18. f3d4 18... c7c5 Tomashevsky replies in an adequate way. Next he wants to carry out the freeing d6-d5 advance which will level the game completely. 19. d4f3 19... b8c6 20. d2c3 20... c8e6 21. b1d2 This allows the central break, but the French GM obviously had some interesting complications in mind. 21... d6d5 22. f3g5 22... e6g4 23. d1c2 Consisten and... wrong. Vachier-Lagrave missed some detail in his calculations. 23... c5c4 Very strong! The bishop is becoming too vulnerable. 24. d2c4 24... d5c4 25. b3c4 25... f6d7 26. g5f7 The best practical chance! 26... f8f7 27. c4f7 27... g8f7 28. c3g7 28... f7g7 29. c2c6 After some forced moves the game reaches a highly unusual distribution of forces. White has a rook and four pawns versus three light pieces. I have never seen anything like this before. How can we asses the situation? Well, obviously the pawns can become dangerous in an endgame if there is time to advance them. If not, they will be targets. The three light pieces can easily unite their efforts attacking any of the pawns and it will be lost as the rook cannot separate itself into pieces. The general rule is that the smaller parts should be better than the major piece as long as they are united. This is the case here; the pieces are clearly better. One more thing that helps is that two of them are bishops! 29... d7e5 30. c6c3 30... e7f6 31. c3g3 31... h7h5 32. h2h3 32... h5h4 33. g3e3 33... g4e6 Black has consolidated his forces and starts attacking the pawns. 34. b2b4 34... d8d3 True to his solid style, Tomashevsky removes the queen from the board as well as the possibility of a perpetual. 35. g1h2 35... f6e7 36. f2f4 36... d3e3 37. e1e3 37... e5c4 38. e3e2 At a glance it seems as White should be OK, but the reality is that he is about to lose all his pawns one by one... 38... e7b4 One down, more to go. 39. g2g3 39... c4d2 40. g3h4 This trades the last black pawn, but there are too many pieces! 40... e6c4 41. e2g2 41... g7h6 42. h2g3 The king leaves the danger zone 42... c4f1 43. g2h2 43... f1d3 44. g3g4 44... d2e4 Two down. 45. g4f5 45... b4d6 46. h2g2 46... h6h5 47. g2g8 47... e4g5 48. f5f6 48... g5h7 49. f6g7 49... d6f4 Three. 50. g8a8 50... f4e5 51. g7f7 51... h5h4 Four. 52. a8a4 52... h4h5 53. h3h4 53... e5b2 54. a4f4 54... b2c3 55. f7e6 55... c3e1 56. f4f3 56... d3g6 57. f3f1 |
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58. f1f4 | 1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... a7a6 4. b5a4 4... g8f6 5. e1g1 5... f8e7 6. f1e1 6... b7b5 7. a4b3 7... e8g8 Evgeny Tomashevsky is a very solid player who solves the opening problems in a somewhat unusual way. His white color remains true to his style, while with the black pieces he prefers to go for sharp opening lines where the situation is clarified as soon as possible. The Marshall line in the Ruy Lopez have served him well for many years. 8. a2a4 Vachier-Lagrave does not want to test his opponent in the main lines. 8... c8b7 9. d2d3 9... d7d6 10. c1d2 A modern move. White has a wide choice in the position. 10... b5b4 Now that the bishop had occupied the d2 square for the knight this is strong. 11. c2c3 11... a8b8 A common temporary pawn sacrifice. 12. c3b4 12... b7c8 Evgeny comes well prepared for the game. The bishop is moving to a better position. 13. b4b5 13... a6b5 14. a4b5 14... b8b5 15. a1a8 15... b5b8 16. a8b8 16... c6b8 17. d3d4 MVL occupies some central squares with his knights. 17... e5d4 18. f3d4 18... c7c5 Tomashevsky replies in an adequate way. Next he wants to carry out the freeing d6-d5 advance which will level the game completely. 19. d4f3 19... b8c6 20. d2c3 20... c8e6 21. b1d2 This allows the central break, but the French GM obviously had some interesting complications in mind. 21... d6d5 22. f3g5 22... e6g4 23. d1c2 Consisten and... wrong. Vachier-Lagrave missed some detail in his calculations. 23... c5c4 Very strong! The bishop is becoming too vulnerable. 24. d2c4 24... d5c4 25. b3c4 25... f6d7 26. g5f7 The best practical chance! 26... f8f7 27. c4f7 27... g8f7 28. c3g7 28... f7g7 29. c2c6 After some forced moves the game reaches a highly unusual distribution of forces. White has a rook and four pawns versus three light pieces. I have never seen anything like this before. How can we asses the situation? Well, obviously the pawns can become dangerous in an endgame if there is time to advance them. If not, they will be targets. The three light pieces can easily unite their efforts attacking any of the pawns and it will be lost as the rook cannot separate itself into pieces. The general rule is that the smaller parts should be better than the major piece as long as they are united. This is the case here; the pieces are clearly better. One more thing that helps is that two of them are bishops! 29... d7e5 30. c6c3 30... e7f6 31. c3g3 31... h7h5 32. h2h3 32... h5h4 33. g3e3 33... g4e6 Black has consolidated his forces and starts attacking the pawns. 34. b2b4 34... d8d3 True to his solid style, Tomashevsky removes the queen from the board as well as the possibility of a perpetual. 35. g1h2 35... f6e7 36. f2f4 36... d3e3 37. e1e3 37... e5c4 38. e3e2 At a glance it seems as White should be OK, but the reality is that he is about to lose all his pawns one by one... 38... e7b4 One down, more to go. 39. g2g3 39... c4d2 40. g3h4 This trades the last black pawn, but there are too many pieces! 40... e6c4 41. e2g2 41... g7h6 42. h2g3 The king leaves the danger zone 42... c4f1 43. g2h2 43... f1d3 44. g3g4 44... d2e4 Two down. 45. g4f5 45... b4d6 46. h2g2 46... h6h5 47. g2g8 47... e4g5 48. f5f6 48... g5h7 49. f6g7 49... d6f4 Three. 50. g8a8 50... f4e5 51. g7f7 51... h5h4 Four. 52. a8a4 52... h4h5 53. h3h4 53... e5b2 54. a4f4 54... b2c3 55. f7e6 55... c3e1 56. f4f3 56... d3g6 57. f3f1 57... e1b4 |
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58... h7f8 | 1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... a7a6 4. b5a4 4... g8f6 5. e1g1 5... f8e7 6. f1e1 6... b7b5 7. a4b3 7... e8g8 Evgeny Tomashevsky is a very solid player who solves the opening problems in a somewhat unusual way. His white color remains true to his style, while with the black pieces he prefers to go for sharp opening lines where the situation is clarified as soon as possible. The Marshall line in the Ruy Lopez have served him well for many years. 8. a2a4 Vachier-Lagrave does not want to test his opponent in the main lines. 8... c8b7 9. d2d3 9... d7d6 10. c1d2 A modern move. White has a wide choice in the position. 10... b5b4 Now that the bishop had occupied the d2 square for the knight this is strong. 11. c2c3 11... a8b8 A common temporary pawn sacrifice. 12. c3b4 12... b7c8 Evgeny comes well prepared for the game. The bishop is moving to a better position. 13. b4b5 13... a6b5 14. a4b5 14... b8b5 15. a1a8 15... b5b8 16. a8b8 16... c6b8 17. d3d4 MVL occupies some central squares with his knights. 17... e5d4 18. f3d4 18... c7c5 Tomashevsky replies in an adequate way. Next he wants to carry out the freeing d6-d5 advance which will level the game completely. 19. d4f3 19... b8c6 20. d2c3 20... c8e6 21. b1d2 This allows the central break, but the French GM obviously had some interesting complications in mind. 21... d6d5 22. f3g5 22... e6g4 23. d1c2 Consisten and... wrong. Vachier-Lagrave missed some detail in his calculations. 23... c5c4 Very strong! The bishop is becoming too vulnerable. 24. d2c4 24... d5c4 25. b3c4 25... f6d7 26. g5f7 The best practical chance! 26... f8f7 27. c4f7 27... g8f7 28. c3g7 28... f7g7 29. c2c6 After some forced moves the game reaches a highly unusual distribution of forces. White has a rook and four pawns versus three light pieces. I have never seen anything like this before. How can we asses the situation? Well, obviously the pawns can become dangerous in an endgame if there is time to advance them. If not, they will be targets. The three light pieces can easily unite their efforts attacking any of the pawns and it will be lost as the rook cannot separate itself into pieces. The general rule is that the smaller parts should be better than the major piece as long as they are united. This is the case here; the pieces are clearly better. One more thing that helps is that two of them are bishops! 29... d7e5 30. c6c3 30... e7f6 31. c3g3 31... h7h5 32. h2h3 32... h5h4 33. g3e3 33... g4e6 Black has consolidated his forces and starts attacking the pawns. 34. b2b4 34... d8d3 True to his solid style, Tomashevsky removes the queen from the board as well as the possibility of a perpetual. 35. g1h2 35... f6e7 36. f2f4 36... d3e3 37. e1e3 37... e5c4 38. e3e2 At a glance it seems as White should be OK, but the reality is that he is about to lose all his pawns one by one... 38... e7b4 One down, more to go. 39. g2g3 39... c4d2 40. g3h4 This trades the last black pawn, but there are too many pieces! 40... e6c4 41. e2g2 41... g7h6 42. h2g3 The king leaves the danger zone 42... c4f1 43. g2h2 43... f1d3 44. g3g4 44... d2e4 Two down. 45. g4f5 45... b4d6 46. h2g2 46... h6h5 47. g2g8 47... e4g5 48. f5f6 48... g5h7 49. f6g7 49... d6f4 Three. 50. g8a8 50... f4e5 51. g7f7 51... h5h4 Four. 52. a8a4 52... h4h5 53. h3h4 53... e5b2 54. a4f4 54... b2c3 55. f7e6 55... c3e1 56. f4f3 56... d3g6 57. f3f1 57... e1b4 58. f1f4 |
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59. e6d5 | 1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... a7a6 4. b5a4 4... g8f6 5. e1g1 5... f8e7 6. f1e1 6... b7b5 7. a4b3 7... e8g8 Evgeny Tomashevsky is a very solid player who solves the opening problems in a somewhat unusual way. His white color remains true to his style, while with the black pieces he prefers to go for sharp opening lines where the situation is clarified as soon as possible. The Marshall line in the Ruy Lopez have served him well for many years. 8. a2a4 Vachier-Lagrave does not want to test his opponent in the main lines. 8... c8b7 9. d2d3 9... d7d6 10. c1d2 A modern move. White has a wide choice in the position. 10... b5b4 Now that the bishop had occupied the d2 square for the knight this is strong. 11. c2c3 11... a8b8 A common temporary pawn sacrifice. 12. c3b4 12... b7c8 Evgeny comes well prepared for the game. The bishop is moving to a better position. 13. b4b5 13... a6b5 14. a4b5 14... b8b5 15. a1a8 15... b5b8 16. a8b8 16... c6b8 17. d3d4 MVL occupies some central squares with his knights. 17... e5d4 18. f3d4 18... c7c5 Tomashevsky replies in an adequate way. Next he wants to carry out the freeing d6-d5 advance which will level the game completely. 19. d4f3 19... b8c6 20. d2c3 20... c8e6 21. b1d2 This allows the central break, but the French GM obviously had some interesting complications in mind. 21... d6d5 22. f3g5 22... e6g4 23. d1c2 Consisten and... wrong. Vachier-Lagrave missed some detail in his calculations. 23... c5c4 Very strong! The bishop is becoming too vulnerable. 24. d2c4 24... d5c4 25. b3c4 25... f6d7 26. g5f7 The best practical chance! 26... f8f7 27. c4f7 27... g8f7 28. c3g7 28... f7g7 29. c2c6 After some forced moves the game reaches a highly unusual distribution of forces. White has a rook and four pawns versus three light pieces. I have never seen anything like this before. How can we asses the situation? Well, obviously the pawns can become dangerous in an endgame if there is time to advance them. If not, they will be targets. The three light pieces can easily unite their efforts attacking any of the pawns and it will be lost as the rook cannot separate itself into pieces. The general rule is that the smaller parts should be better than the major piece as long as they are united. This is the case here; the pieces are clearly better. One more thing that helps is that two of them are bishops! 29... d7e5 30. c6c3 30... e7f6 31. c3g3 31... h7h5 32. h2h3 32... h5h4 33. g3e3 33... g4e6 Black has consolidated his forces and starts attacking the pawns. 34. b2b4 34... d8d3 True to his solid style, Tomashevsky removes the queen from the board as well as the possibility of a perpetual. 35. g1h2 35... f6e7 36. f2f4 36... d3e3 37. e1e3 37... e5c4 38. e3e2 At a glance it seems as White should be OK, but the reality is that he is about to lose all his pawns one by one... 38... e7b4 One down, more to go. 39. g2g3 39... c4d2 40. g3h4 This trades the last black pawn, but there are too many pieces! 40... e6c4 41. e2g2 41... g7h6 42. h2g3 The king leaves the danger zone 42... c4f1 43. g2h2 43... f1d3 44. g3g4 44... d2e4 Two down. 45. g4f5 45... b4d6 46. h2g2 46... h6h5 47. g2g8 47... e4g5 48. f5f6 48... g5h7 49. f6g7 49... d6f4 Three. 50. g8a8 50... f4e5 51. g7f7 51... h5h4 Four. 52. a8a4 52... h4h5 53. h3h4 53... e5b2 54. a4f4 54... b2c3 55. f7e6 55... c3e1 56. f4f3 56... d3g6 57. f3f1 57... e1b4 58. f1f4 58... h7f8 |
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59... b4e7 | 1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... a7a6 4. b5a4 4... g8f6 5. e1g1 5... f8e7 6. f1e1 6... b7b5 7. a4b3 7... e8g8 Evgeny Tomashevsky is a very solid player who solves the opening problems in a somewhat unusual way. His white color remains true to his style, while with the black pieces he prefers to go for sharp opening lines where the situation is clarified as soon as possible. The Marshall line in the Ruy Lopez have served him well for many years. 8. a2a4 Vachier-Lagrave does not want to test his opponent in the main lines. 8... c8b7 9. d2d3 9... d7d6 10. c1d2 A modern move. White has a wide choice in the position. 10... b5b4 Now that the bishop had occupied the d2 square for the knight this is strong. 11. c2c3 11... a8b8 A common temporary pawn sacrifice. 12. c3b4 12... b7c8 Evgeny comes well prepared for the game. The bishop is moving to a better position. 13. b4b5 13... a6b5 14. a4b5 14... b8b5 15. a1a8 15... b5b8 16. a8b8 16... c6b8 17. d3d4 MVL occupies some central squares with his knights. 17... e5d4 18. f3d4 18... c7c5 Tomashevsky replies in an adequate way. Next he wants to carry out the freeing d6-d5 advance which will level the game completely. 19. d4f3 19... b8c6 20. d2c3 20... c8e6 21. b1d2 This allows the central break, but the French GM obviously had some interesting complications in mind. 21... d6d5 22. f3g5 22... e6g4 23. d1c2 Consisten and... wrong. Vachier-Lagrave missed some detail in his calculations. 23... c5c4 Very strong! The bishop is becoming too vulnerable. 24. d2c4 24... d5c4 25. b3c4 25... f6d7 26. g5f7 The best practical chance! 26... f8f7 27. c4f7 27... g8f7 28. c3g7 28... f7g7 29. c2c6 After some forced moves the game reaches a highly unusual distribution of forces. White has a rook and four pawns versus three light pieces. I have never seen anything like this before. How can we asses the situation? Well, obviously the pawns can become dangerous in an endgame if there is time to advance them. If not, they will be targets. The three light pieces can easily unite their efforts attacking any of the pawns and it will be lost as the rook cannot separate itself into pieces. The general rule is that the smaller parts should be better than the major piece as long as they are united. This is the case here; the pieces are clearly better. One more thing that helps is that two of them are bishops! 29... d7e5 30. c6c3 30... e7f6 31. c3g3 31... h7h5 32. h2h3 32... h5h4 33. g3e3 33... g4e6 Black has consolidated his forces and starts attacking the pawns. 34. b2b4 34... d8d3 True to his solid style, Tomashevsky removes the queen from the board as well as the possibility of a perpetual. 35. g1h2 35... f6e7 36. f2f4 36... d3e3 37. e1e3 37... e5c4 38. e3e2 At a glance it seems as White should be OK, but the reality is that he is about to lose all his pawns one by one... 38... e7b4 One down, more to go. 39. g2g3 39... c4d2 40. g3h4 This trades the last black pawn, but there are too many pieces! 40... e6c4 41. e2g2 41... g7h6 42. h2g3 The king leaves the danger zone 42... c4f1 43. g2h2 43... f1d3 44. g3g4 44... d2e4 Two down. 45. g4f5 45... b4d6 46. h2g2 46... h6h5 47. g2g8 47... e4g5 48. f5f6 48... g5h7 49. f6g7 49... d6f4 Three. 50. g8a8 50... f4e5 51. g7f7 51... h5h4 Four. 52. a8a4 52... h4h5 53. h3h4 53... e5b2 54. a4f4 54... b2c3 55. f7e6 55... c3e1 56. f4f3 56... d3g6 57. f3f1 57... e1b4 58. f1f4 58... h7f8 59. e6d5 |
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60. f4f1 | 1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... a7a6 4. b5a4 4... g8f6 5. e1g1 5... f8e7 6. f1e1 6... b7b5 7. a4b3 7... e8g8 Evgeny Tomashevsky is a very solid player who solves the opening problems in a somewhat unusual way. His white color remains true to his style, while with the black pieces he prefers to go for sharp opening lines where the situation is clarified as soon as possible. The Marshall line in the Ruy Lopez have served him well for many years. 8. a2a4 Vachier-Lagrave does not want to test his opponent in the main lines. 8... c8b7 9. d2d3 9... d7d6 10. c1d2 A modern move. White has a wide choice in the position. 10... b5b4 Now that the bishop had occupied the d2 square for the knight this is strong. 11. c2c3 11... a8b8 A common temporary pawn sacrifice. 12. c3b4 12... b7c8 Evgeny comes well prepared for the game. The bishop is moving to a better position. 13. b4b5 13... a6b5 14. a4b5 14... b8b5 15. a1a8 15... b5b8 16. a8b8 16... c6b8 17. d3d4 MVL occupies some central squares with his knights. 17... e5d4 18. f3d4 18... c7c5 Tomashevsky replies in an adequate way. Next he wants to carry out the freeing d6-d5 advance which will level the game completely. 19. d4f3 19... b8c6 20. d2c3 20... c8e6 21. b1d2 This allows the central break, but the French GM obviously had some interesting complications in mind. 21... d6d5 22. f3g5 22... e6g4 23. d1c2 Consisten and... wrong. Vachier-Lagrave missed some detail in his calculations. 23... c5c4 Very strong! The bishop is becoming too vulnerable. 24. d2c4 24... d5c4 25. b3c4 25... f6d7 26. g5f7 The best practical chance! 26... f8f7 27. c4f7 27... g8f7 28. c3g7 28... f7g7 29. c2c6 After some forced moves the game reaches a highly unusual distribution of forces. White has a rook and four pawns versus three light pieces. I have never seen anything like this before. How can we asses the situation? Well, obviously the pawns can become dangerous in an endgame if there is time to advance them. If not, they will be targets. The three light pieces can easily unite their efforts attacking any of the pawns and it will be lost as the rook cannot separate itself into pieces. The general rule is that the smaller parts should be better than the major piece as long as they are united. This is the case here; the pieces are clearly better. One more thing that helps is that two of them are bishops! 29... d7e5 30. c6c3 30... e7f6 31. c3g3 31... h7h5 32. h2h3 32... h5h4 33. g3e3 33... g4e6 Black has consolidated his forces and starts attacking the pawns. 34. b2b4 34... d8d3 True to his solid style, Tomashevsky removes the queen from the board as well as the possibility of a perpetual. 35. g1h2 35... f6e7 36. f2f4 36... d3e3 37. e1e3 37... e5c4 38. e3e2 At a glance it seems as White should be OK, but the reality is that he is about to lose all his pawns one by one... 38... e7b4 One down, more to go. 39. g2g3 39... c4d2 40. g3h4 This trades the last black pawn, but there are too many pieces! 40... e6c4 41. e2g2 41... g7h6 42. h2g3 The king leaves the danger zone 42... c4f1 43. g2h2 43... f1d3 44. g3g4 44... d2e4 Two down. 45. g4f5 45... b4d6 46. h2g2 46... h6h5 47. g2g8 47... e4g5 48. f5f6 48... g5h7 49. f6g7 49... d6f4 Three. 50. g8a8 50... f4e5 51. g7f7 51... h5h4 Four. 52. a8a4 52... h4h5 53. h3h4 53... e5b2 54. a4f4 54... b2c3 55. f7e6 55... c3e1 56. f4f3 56... d3g6 57. f3f1 57... e1b4 58. f1f4 58... h7f8 59. e6d5 59... b4e7 |
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60... g6c2 | 1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... a7a6 4. b5a4 4... g8f6 5. e1g1 5... f8e7 6. f1e1 6... b7b5 7. a4b3 7... e8g8 Evgeny Tomashevsky is a very solid player who solves the opening problems in a somewhat unusual way. His white color remains true to his style, while with the black pieces he prefers to go for sharp opening lines where the situation is clarified as soon as possible. The Marshall line in the Ruy Lopez have served him well for many years. 8. a2a4 Vachier-Lagrave does not want to test his opponent in the main lines. 8... c8b7 9. d2d3 9... d7d6 10. c1d2 A modern move. White has a wide choice in the position. 10... b5b4 Now that the bishop had occupied the d2 square for the knight this is strong. 11. c2c3 11... a8b8 A common temporary pawn sacrifice. 12. c3b4 12... b7c8 Evgeny comes well prepared for the game. The bishop is moving to a better position. 13. b4b5 13... a6b5 14. a4b5 14... b8b5 15. a1a8 15... b5b8 16. a8b8 16... c6b8 17. d3d4 MVL occupies some central squares with his knights. 17... e5d4 18. f3d4 18... c7c5 Tomashevsky replies in an adequate way. Next he wants to carry out the freeing d6-d5 advance which will level the game completely. 19. d4f3 19... b8c6 20. d2c3 20... c8e6 21. b1d2 This allows the central break, but the French GM obviously had some interesting complications in mind. 21... d6d5 22. f3g5 22... e6g4 23. d1c2 Consisten and... wrong. Vachier-Lagrave missed some detail in his calculations. 23... c5c4 Very strong! The bishop is becoming too vulnerable. 24. d2c4 24... d5c4 25. b3c4 25... f6d7 26. g5f7 The best practical chance! 26... f8f7 27. c4f7 27... g8f7 28. c3g7 28... f7g7 29. c2c6 After some forced moves the game reaches a highly unusual distribution of forces. White has a rook and four pawns versus three light pieces. I have never seen anything like this before. How can we asses the situation? Well, obviously the pawns can become dangerous in an endgame if there is time to advance them. If not, they will be targets. The three light pieces can easily unite their efforts attacking any of the pawns and it will be lost as the rook cannot separate itself into pieces. The general rule is that the smaller parts should be better than the major piece as long as they are united. This is the case here; the pieces are clearly better. One more thing that helps is that two of them are bishops! 29... d7e5 30. c6c3 30... e7f6 31. c3g3 31... h7h5 32. h2h3 32... h5h4 33. g3e3 33... g4e6 Black has consolidated his forces and starts attacking the pawns. 34. b2b4 34... d8d3 True to his solid style, Tomashevsky removes the queen from the board as well as the possibility of a perpetual. 35. g1h2 35... f6e7 36. f2f4 36... d3e3 37. e1e3 37... e5c4 38. e3e2 At a glance it seems as White should be OK, but the reality is that he is about to lose all his pawns one by one... 38... e7b4 One down, more to go. 39. g2g3 39... c4d2 40. g3h4 This trades the last black pawn, but there are too many pieces! 40... e6c4 41. e2g2 41... g7h6 42. h2g3 The king leaves the danger zone 42... c4f1 43. g2h2 43... f1d3 44. g3g4 44... d2e4 Two down. 45. g4f5 45... b4d6 46. h2g2 46... h6h5 47. g2g8 47... e4g5 48. f5f6 48... g5h7 49. f6g7 49... d6f4 Three. 50. g8a8 50... f4e5 51. g7f7 51... h5h4 Four. 52. a8a4 52... h4h5 53. h3h4 53... e5b2 54. a4f4 54... b2c3 55. f7e6 55... c3e1 56. f4f3 56... d3g6 57. f3f1 57... e1b4 58. f1f4 58... h7f8 59. e6d5 59... b4e7 60. f4f1 |
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61. f1g1 | 1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... a7a6 4. b5a4 4... g8f6 5. e1g1 5... f8e7 6. f1e1 6... b7b5 7. a4b3 7... e8g8 Evgeny Tomashevsky is a very solid player who solves the opening problems in a somewhat unusual way. His white color remains true to his style, while with the black pieces he prefers to go for sharp opening lines where the situation is clarified as soon as possible. The Marshall line in the Ruy Lopez have served him well for many years. 8. a2a4 Vachier-Lagrave does not want to test his opponent in the main lines. 8... c8b7 9. d2d3 9... d7d6 10. c1d2 A modern move. White has a wide choice in the position. 10... b5b4 Now that the bishop had occupied the d2 square for the knight this is strong. 11. c2c3 11... a8b8 A common temporary pawn sacrifice. 12. c3b4 12... b7c8 Evgeny comes well prepared for the game. The bishop is moving to a better position. 13. b4b5 13... a6b5 14. a4b5 14... b8b5 15. a1a8 15... b5b8 16. a8b8 16... c6b8 17. d3d4 MVL occupies some central squares with his knights. 17... e5d4 18. f3d4 18... c7c5 Tomashevsky replies in an adequate way. Next he wants to carry out the freeing d6-d5 advance which will level the game completely. 19. d4f3 19... b8c6 20. d2c3 20... c8e6 21. b1d2 This allows the central break, but the French GM obviously had some interesting complications in mind. 21... d6d5 22. f3g5 22... e6g4 23. d1c2 Consisten and... wrong. Vachier-Lagrave missed some detail in his calculations. 23... c5c4 Very strong! The bishop is becoming too vulnerable. 24. d2c4 24... d5c4 25. b3c4 25... f6d7 26. g5f7 The best practical chance! 26... f8f7 27. c4f7 27... g8f7 28. c3g7 28... f7g7 29. c2c6 After some forced moves the game reaches a highly unusual distribution of forces. White has a rook and four pawns versus three light pieces. I have never seen anything like this before. How can we asses the situation? Well, obviously the pawns can become dangerous in an endgame if there is time to advance them. If not, they will be targets. The three light pieces can easily unite their efforts attacking any of the pawns and it will be lost as the rook cannot separate itself into pieces. The general rule is that the smaller parts should be better than the major piece as long as they are united. This is the case here; the pieces are clearly better. One more thing that helps is that two of them are bishops! 29... d7e5 30. c6c3 30... e7f6 31. c3g3 31... h7h5 32. h2h3 32... h5h4 33. g3e3 33... g4e6 Black has consolidated his forces and starts attacking the pawns. 34. b2b4 34... d8d3 True to his solid style, Tomashevsky removes the queen from the board as well as the possibility of a perpetual. 35. g1h2 35... f6e7 36. f2f4 36... d3e3 37. e1e3 37... e5c4 38. e3e2 At a glance it seems as White should be OK, but the reality is that he is about to lose all his pawns one by one... 38... e7b4 One down, more to go. 39. g2g3 39... c4d2 40. g3h4 This trades the last black pawn, but there are too many pieces! 40... e6c4 41. e2g2 41... g7h6 42. h2g3 The king leaves the danger zone 42... c4f1 43. g2h2 43... f1d3 44. g3g4 44... d2e4 Two down. 45. g4f5 45... b4d6 46. h2g2 46... h6h5 47. g2g8 47... e4g5 48. f5f6 48... g5h7 49. f6g7 49... d6f4 Three. 50. g8a8 50... f4e5 51. g7f7 51... h5h4 Four. 52. a8a4 52... h4h5 53. h3h4 53... e5b2 54. a4f4 54... b2c3 55. f7e6 55... c3e1 56. f4f3 56... d3g6 57. f3f1 57... e1b4 58. f1f4 58... h7f8 59. e6d5 59... b4e7 60. f4f1 60... g6c2 |
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61... c2b3 | 1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... a7a6 4. b5a4 4... g8f6 5. e1g1 5... f8e7 6. f1e1 6... b7b5 7. a4b3 7... e8g8 Evgeny Tomashevsky is a very solid player who solves the opening problems in a somewhat unusual way. His white color remains true to his style, while with the black pieces he prefers to go for sharp opening lines where the situation is clarified as soon as possible. The Marshall line in the Ruy Lopez have served him well for many years. 8. a2a4 Vachier-Lagrave does not want to test his opponent in the main lines. 8... c8b7 9. d2d3 9... d7d6 10. c1d2 A modern move. White has a wide choice in the position. 10... b5b4 Now that the bishop had occupied the d2 square for the knight this is strong. 11. c2c3 11... a8b8 A common temporary pawn sacrifice. 12. c3b4 12... b7c8 Evgeny comes well prepared for the game. The bishop is moving to a better position. 13. b4b5 13... a6b5 14. a4b5 14... b8b5 15. a1a8 15... b5b8 16. a8b8 16... c6b8 17. d3d4 MVL occupies some central squares with his knights. 17... e5d4 18. f3d4 18... c7c5 Tomashevsky replies in an adequate way. Next he wants to carry out the freeing d6-d5 advance which will level the game completely. 19. d4f3 19... b8c6 20. d2c3 20... c8e6 21. b1d2 This allows the central break, but the French GM obviously had some interesting complications in mind. 21... d6d5 22. f3g5 22... e6g4 23. d1c2 Consisten and... wrong. Vachier-Lagrave missed some detail in his calculations. 23... c5c4 Very strong! The bishop is becoming too vulnerable. 24. d2c4 24... d5c4 25. b3c4 25... f6d7 26. g5f7 The best practical chance! 26... f8f7 27. c4f7 27... g8f7 28. c3g7 28... f7g7 29. c2c6 After some forced moves the game reaches a highly unusual distribution of forces. White has a rook and four pawns versus three light pieces. I have never seen anything like this before. How can we asses the situation? Well, obviously the pawns can become dangerous in an endgame if there is time to advance them. If not, they will be targets. The three light pieces can easily unite their efforts attacking any of the pawns and it will be lost as the rook cannot separate itself into pieces. The general rule is that the smaller parts should be better than the major piece as long as they are united. This is the case here; the pieces are clearly better. One more thing that helps is that two of them are bishops! 29... d7e5 30. c6c3 30... e7f6 31. c3g3 31... h7h5 32. h2h3 32... h5h4 33. g3e3 33... g4e6 Black has consolidated his forces and starts attacking the pawns. 34. b2b4 34... d8d3 True to his solid style, Tomashevsky removes the queen from the board as well as the possibility of a perpetual. 35. g1h2 35... f6e7 36. f2f4 36... d3e3 37. e1e3 37... e5c4 38. e3e2 At a glance it seems as White should be OK, but the reality is that he is about to lose all his pawns one by one... 38... e7b4 One down, more to go. 39. g2g3 39... c4d2 40. g3h4 This trades the last black pawn, but there are too many pieces! 40... e6c4 41. e2g2 41... g7h6 42. h2g3 The king leaves the danger zone 42... c4f1 43. g2h2 43... f1d3 44. g3g4 44... d2e4 Two down. 45. g4f5 45... b4d6 46. h2g2 46... h6h5 47. g2g8 47... e4g5 48. f5f6 48... g5h7 49. f6g7 49... d6f4 Three. 50. g8a8 50... f4e5 51. g7f7 51... h5h4 Four. 52. a8a4 52... h4h5 53. h3h4 53... e5b2 54. a4f4 54... b2c3 55. f7e6 55... c3e1 56. f4f3 56... d3g6 57. f3f1 57... e1b4 58. f1f4 58... h7f8 59. e6d5 59... b4e7 60. f4f1 60... g6c2 61. f1g1 |
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62. d5e4 | 1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... a7a6 4. b5a4 4... g8f6 5. e1g1 5... f8e7 6. f1e1 6... b7b5 7. a4b3 7... e8g8 Evgeny Tomashevsky is a very solid player who solves the opening problems in a somewhat unusual way. His white color remains true to his style, while with the black pieces he prefers to go for sharp opening lines where the situation is clarified as soon as possible. The Marshall line in the Ruy Lopez have served him well for many years. 8. a2a4 Vachier-Lagrave does not want to test his opponent in the main lines. 8... c8b7 9. d2d3 9... d7d6 10. c1d2 A modern move. White has a wide choice in the position. 10... b5b4 Now that the bishop had occupied the d2 square for the knight this is strong. 11. c2c3 11... a8b8 A common temporary pawn sacrifice. 12. c3b4 12... b7c8 Evgeny comes well prepared for the game. The bishop is moving to a better position. 13. b4b5 13... a6b5 14. a4b5 14... b8b5 15. a1a8 15... b5b8 16. a8b8 16... c6b8 17. d3d4 MVL occupies some central squares with his knights. 17... e5d4 18. f3d4 18... c7c5 Tomashevsky replies in an adequate way. Next he wants to carry out the freeing d6-d5 advance which will level the game completely. 19. d4f3 19... b8c6 20. d2c3 20... c8e6 21. b1d2 This allows the central break, but the French GM obviously had some interesting complications in mind. 21... d6d5 22. f3g5 22... e6g4 23. d1c2 Consisten and... wrong. Vachier-Lagrave missed some detail in his calculations. 23... c5c4 Very strong! The bishop is becoming too vulnerable. 24. d2c4 24... d5c4 25. b3c4 25... f6d7 26. g5f7 The best practical chance! 26... f8f7 27. c4f7 27... g8f7 28. c3g7 28... f7g7 29. c2c6 After some forced moves the game reaches a highly unusual distribution of forces. White has a rook and four pawns versus three light pieces. I have never seen anything like this before. How can we asses the situation? Well, obviously the pawns can become dangerous in an endgame if there is time to advance them. If not, they will be targets. The three light pieces can easily unite their efforts attacking any of the pawns and it will be lost as the rook cannot separate itself into pieces. The general rule is that the smaller parts should be better than the major piece as long as they are united. This is the case here; the pieces are clearly better. One more thing that helps is that two of them are bishops! 29... d7e5 30. c6c3 30... e7f6 31. c3g3 31... h7h5 32. h2h3 32... h5h4 33. g3e3 33... g4e6 Black has consolidated his forces and starts attacking the pawns. 34. b2b4 34... d8d3 True to his solid style, Tomashevsky removes the queen from the board as well as the possibility of a perpetual. 35. g1h2 35... f6e7 36. f2f4 36... d3e3 37. e1e3 37... e5c4 38. e3e2 At a glance it seems as White should be OK, but the reality is that he is about to lose all his pawns one by one... 38... e7b4 One down, more to go. 39. g2g3 39... c4d2 40. g3h4 This trades the last black pawn, but there are too many pieces! 40... e6c4 41. e2g2 41... g7h6 42. h2g3 The king leaves the danger zone 42... c4f1 43. g2h2 43... f1d3 44. g3g4 44... d2e4 Two down. 45. g4f5 45... b4d6 46. h2g2 46... h6h5 47. g2g8 47... e4g5 48. f5f6 48... g5h7 49. f6g7 49... d6f4 Three. 50. g8a8 50... f4e5 51. g7f7 51... h5h4 Four. 52. a8a4 52... h4h5 53. h3h4 53... e5b2 54. a4f4 54... b2c3 55. f7e6 55... c3e1 56. f4f3 56... d3g6 57. f3f1 57... e1b4 58. f1f4 58... h7f8 59. e6d5 59... b4e7 60. f4f1 60... g6c2 61. f1g1 61... c2b3 |
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62... f8g6 | 1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... a7a6 4. b5a4 4... g8f6 5. e1g1 5... f8e7 6. f1e1 6... b7b5 7. a4b3 7... e8g8 Evgeny Tomashevsky is a very solid player who solves the opening problems in a somewhat unusual way. His white color remains true to his style, while with the black pieces he prefers to go for sharp opening lines where the situation is clarified as soon as possible. The Marshall line in the Ruy Lopez have served him well for many years. 8. a2a4 Vachier-Lagrave does not want to test his opponent in the main lines. 8... c8b7 9. d2d3 9... d7d6 10. c1d2 A modern move. White has a wide choice in the position. 10... b5b4 Now that the bishop had occupied the d2 square for the knight this is strong. 11. c2c3 11... a8b8 A common temporary pawn sacrifice. 12. c3b4 12... b7c8 Evgeny comes well prepared for the game. The bishop is moving to a better position. 13. b4b5 13... a6b5 14. a4b5 14... b8b5 15. a1a8 15... b5b8 16. a8b8 16... c6b8 17. d3d4 MVL occupies some central squares with his knights. 17... e5d4 18. f3d4 18... c7c5 Tomashevsky replies in an adequate way. Next he wants to carry out the freeing d6-d5 advance which will level the game completely. 19. d4f3 19... b8c6 20. d2c3 20... c8e6 21. b1d2 This allows the central break, but the French GM obviously had some interesting complications in mind. 21... d6d5 22. f3g5 22... e6g4 23. d1c2 Consisten and... wrong. Vachier-Lagrave missed some detail in his calculations. 23... c5c4 Very strong! The bishop is becoming too vulnerable. 24. d2c4 24... d5c4 25. b3c4 25... f6d7 26. g5f7 The best practical chance! 26... f8f7 27. c4f7 27... g8f7 28. c3g7 28... f7g7 29. c2c6 After some forced moves the game reaches a highly unusual distribution of forces. White has a rook and four pawns versus three light pieces. I have never seen anything like this before. How can we asses the situation? Well, obviously the pawns can become dangerous in an endgame if there is time to advance them. If not, they will be targets. The three light pieces can easily unite their efforts attacking any of the pawns and it will be lost as the rook cannot separate itself into pieces. The general rule is that the smaller parts should be better than the major piece as long as they are united. This is the case here; the pieces are clearly better. One more thing that helps is that two of them are bishops! 29... d7e5 30. c6c3 30... e7f6 31. c3g3 31... h7h5 32. h2h3 32... h5h4 33. g3e3 33... g4e6 Black has consolidated his forces and starts attacking the pawns. 34. b2b4 34... d8d3 True to his solid style, Tomashevsky removes the queen from the board as well as the possibility of a perpetual. 35. g1h2 35... f6e7 36. f2f4 36... d3e3 37. e1e3 37... e5c4 38. e3e2 At a glance it seems as White should be OK, but the reality is that he is about to lose all his pawns one by one... 38... e7b4 One down, more to go. 39. g2g3 39... c4d2 40. g3h4 This trades the last black pawn, but there are too many pieces! 40... e6c4 41. e2g2 41... g7h6 42. h2g3 The king leaves the danger zone 42... c4f1 43. g2h2 43... f1d3 44. g3g4 44... d2e4 Two down. 45. g4f5 45... b4d6 46. h2g2 46... h6h5 47. g2g8 47... e4g5 48. f5f6 48... g5h7 49. f6g7 49... d6f4 Three. 50. g8a8 50... f4e5 51. g7f7 51... h5h4 Four. 52. a8a4 52... h4h5 53. h3h4 53... e5b2 54. a4f4 54... b2c3 55. f7e6 55... c3e1 56. f4f3 56... d3g6 57. f3f1 57... e1b4 58. f1f4 58... h7f8 59. e6d5 59... b4e7 60. f4f1 60... g6c2 61. f1g1 61... c2b3 62. d5e4 |
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63. e4f5 | 1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... a7a6 4. b5a4 4... g8f6 5. e1g1 5... f8e7 6. f1e1 6... b7b5 7. a4b3 7... e8g8 Evgeny Tomashevsky is a very solid player who solves the opening problems in a somewhat unusual way. His white color remains true to his style, while with the black pieces he prefers to go for sharp opening lines where the situation is clarified as soon as possible. The Marshall line in the Ruy Lopez have served him well for many years. 8. a2a4 Vachier-Lagrave does not want to test his opponent in the main lines. 8... c8b7 9. d2d3 9... d7d6 10. c1d2 A modern move. White has a wide choice in the position. 10... b5b4 Now that the bishop had occupied the d2 square for the knight this is strong. 11. c2c3 11... a8b8 A common temporary pawn sacrifice. 12. c3b4 12... b7c8 Evgeny comes well prepared for the game. The bishop is moving to a better position. 13. b4b5 13... a6b5 14. a4b5 14... b8b5 15. a1a8 15... b5b8 16. a8b8 16... c6b8 17. d3d4 MVL occupies some central squares with his knights. 17... e5d4 18. f3d4 18... c7c5 Tomashevsky replies in an adequate way. Next he wants to carry out the freeing d6-d5 advance which will level the game completely. 19. d4f3 19... b8c6 20. d2c3 20... c8e6 21. b1d2 This allows the central break, but the French GM obviously had some interesting complications in mind. 21... d6d5 22. f3g5 22... e6g4 23. d1c2 Consisten and... wrong. Vachier-Lagrave missed some detail in his calculations. 23... c5c4 Very strong! The bishop is becoming too vulnerable. 24. d2c4 24... d5c4 25. b3c4 25... f6d7 26. g5f7 The best practical chance! 26... f8f7 27. c4f7 27... g8f7 28. c3g7 28... f7g7 29. c2c6 After some forced moves the game reaches a highly unusual distribution of forces. White has a rook and four pawns versus three light pieces. I have never seen anything like this before. How can we asses the situation? Well, obviously the pawns can become dangerous in an endgame if there is time to advance them. If not, they will be targets. The three light pieces can easily unite their efforts attacking any of the pawns and it will be lost as the rook cannot separate itself into pieces. The general rule is that the smaller parts should be better than the major piece as long as they are united. This is the case here; the pieces are clearly better. One more thing that helps is that two of them are bishops! 29... d7e5 30. c6c3 30... e7f6 31. c3g3 31... h7h5 32. h2h3 32... h5h4 33. g3e3 33... g4e6 Black has consolidated his forces and starts attacking the pawns. 34. b2b4 34... d8d3 True to his solid style, Tomashevsky removes the queen from the board as well as the possibility of a perpetual. 35. g1h2 35... f6e7 36. f2f4 36... d3e3 37. e1e3 37... e5c4 38. e3e2 At a glance it seems as White should be OK, but the reality is that he is about to lose all his pawns one by one... 38... e7b4 One down, more to go. 39. g2g3 39... c4d2 40. g3h4 This trades the last black pawn, but there are too many pieces! 40... e6c4 41. e2g2 41... g7h6 42. h2g3 The king leaves the danger zone 42... c4f1 43. g2h2 43... f1d3 44. g3g4 44... d2e4 Two down. 45. g4f5 45... b4d6 46. h2g2 46... h6h5 47. g2g8 47... e4g5 48. f5f6 48... g5h7 49. f6g7 49... d6f4 Three. 50. g8a8 50... f4e5 51. g7f7 51... h5h4 Four. 52. a8a4 52... h4h5 53. h3h4 53... e5b2 54. a4f4 54... b2c3 55. f7e6 55... c3e1 56. f4f3 56... d3g6 57. f3f1 57... e1b4 58. f1f4 58... h7f8 59. e6d5 59... b4e7 60. f4f1 60... g6c2 61. f1g1 61... c2b3 62. d5e4 62... f8g6 |
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63... e7d8 | 1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... a7a6 4. b5a4 4... g8f6 5. e1g1 5... f8e7 6. f1e1 6... b7b5 7. a4b3 7... e8g8 Evgeny Tomashevsky is a very solid player who solves the opening problems in a somewhat unusual way. His white color remains true to his style, while with the black pieces he prefers to go for sharp opening lines where the situation is clarified as soon as possible. The Marshall line in the Ruy Lopez have served him well for many years. 8. a2a4 Vachier-Lagrave does not want to test his opponent in the main lines. 8... c8b7 9. d2d3 9... d7d6 10. c1d2 A modern move. White has a wide choice in the position. 10... b5b4 Now that the bishop had occupied the d2 square for the knight this is strong. 11. c2c3 11... a8b8 A common temporary pawn sacrifice. 12. c3b4 12... b7c8 Evgeny comes well prepared for the game. The bishop is moving to a better position. 13. b4b5 13... a6b5 14. a4b5 14... b8b5 15. a1a8 15... b5b8 16. a8b8 16... c6b8 17. d3d4 MVL occupies some central squares with his knights. 17... e5d4 18. f3d4 18... c7c5 Tomashevsky replies in an adequate way. Next he wants to carry out the freeing d6-d5 advance which will level the game completely. 19. d4f3 19... b8c6 20. d2c3 20... c8e6 21. b1d2 This allows the central break, but the French GM obviously had some interesting complications in mind. 21... d6d5 22. f3g5 22... e6g4 23. d1c2 Consisten and... wrong. Vachier-Lagrave missed some detail in his calculations. 23... c5c4 Very strong! The bishop is becoming too vulnerable. 24. d2c4 24... d5c4 25. b3c4 25... f6d7 26. g5f7 The best practical chance! 26... f8f7 27. c4f7 27... g8f7 28. c3g7 28... f7g7 29. c2c6 After some forced moves the game reaches a highly unusual distribution of forces. White has a rook and four pawns versus three light pieces. I have never seen anything like this before. How can we asses the situation? Well, obviously the pawns can become dangerous in an endgame if there is time to advance them. If not, they will be targets. The three light pieces can easily unite their efforts attacking any of the pawns and it will be lost as the rook cannot separate itself into pieces. The general rule is that the smaller parts should be better than the major piece as long as they are united. This is the case here; the pieces are clearly better. One more thing that helps is that two of them are bishops! 29... d7e5 30. c6c3 30... e7f6 31. c3g3 31... h7h5 32. h2h3 32... h5h4 33. g3e3 33... g4e6 Black has consolidated his forces and starts attacking the pawns. 34. b2b4 34... d8d3 True to his solid style, Tomashevsky removes the queen from the board as well as the possibility of a perpetual. 35. g1h2 35... f6e7 36. f2f4 36... d3e3 37. e1e3 37... e5c4 38. e3e2 At a glance it seems as White should be OK, but the reality is that he is about to lose all his pawns one by one... 38... e7b4 One down, more to go. 39. g2g3 39... c4d2 40. g3h4 This trades the last black pawn, but there are too many pieces! 40... e6c4 41. e2g2 41... g7h6 42. h2g3 The king leaves the danger zone 42... c4f1 43. g2h2 43... f1d3 44. g3g4 44... d2e4 Two down. 45. g4f5 45... b4d6 46. h2g2 46... h6h5 47. g2g8 47... e4g5 48. f5f6 48... g5h7 49. f6g7 49... d6f4 Three. 50. g8a8 50... f4e5 51. g7f7 51... h5h4 Four. 52. a8a4 52... h4h5 53. h3h4 53... e5b2 54. a4f4 54... b2c3 55. f7e6 55... c3e1 56. f4f3 56... d3g6 57. f3f1 57... e1b4 58. f1f4 58... h7f8 59. e6d5 59... b4e7 60. f4f1 60... g6c2 61. f1g1 61... c2b3 62. d5e4 62... f8g6 63. e4f5 |
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64. f5e4 | 1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... a7a6 4. b5a4 4... g8f6 5. e1g1 5... f8e7 6. f1e1 6... b7b5 7. a4b3 7... e8g8 Evgeny Tomashevsky is a very solid player who solves the opening problems in a somewhat unusual way. His white color remains true to his style, while with the black pieces he prefers to go for sharp opening lines where the situation is clarified as soon as possible. The Marshall line in the Ruy Lopez have served him well for many years. 8. a2a4 Vachier-Lagrave does not want to test his opponent in the main lines. 8... c8b7 9. d2d3 9... d7d6 10. c1d2 A modern move. White has a wide choice in the position. 10... b5b4 Now that the bishop had occupied the d2 square for the knight this is strong. 11. c2c3 11... a8b8 A common temporary pawn sacrifice. 12. c3b4 12... b7c8 Evgeny comes well prepared for the game. The bishop is moving to a better position. 13. b4b5 13... a6b5 14. a4b5 14... b8b5 15. a1a8 15... b5b8 16. a8b8 16... c6b8 17. d3d4 MVL occupies some central squares with his knights. 17... e5d4 18. f3d4 18... c7c5 Tomashevsky replies in an adequate way. Next he wants to carry out the freeing d6-d5 advance which will level the game completely. 19. d4f3 19... b8c6 20. d2c3 20... c8e6 21. b1d2 This allows the central break, but the French GM obviously had some interesting complications in mind. 21... d6d5 22. f3g5 22... e6g4 23. d1c2 Consisten and... wrong. Vachier-Lagrave missed some detail in his calculations. 23... c5c4 Very strong! The bishop is becoming too vulnerable. 24. d2c4 24... d5c4 25. b3c4 25... f6d7 26. g5f7 The best practical chance! 26... f8f7 27. c4f7 27... g8f7 28. c3g7 28... f7g7 29. c2c6 After some forced moves the game reaches a highly unusual distribution of forces. White has a rook and four pawns versus three light pieces. I have never seen anything like this before. How can we asses the situation? Well, obviously the pawns can become dangerous in an endgame if there is time to advance them. If not, they will be targets. The three light pieces can easily unite their efforts attacking any of the pawns and it will be lost as the rook cannot separate itself into pieces. The general rule is that the smaller parts should be better than the major piece as long as they are united. This is the case here; the pieces are clearly better. One more thing that helps is that two of them are bishops! 29... d7e5 30. c6c3 30... e7f6 31. c3g3 31... h7h5 32. h2h3 32... h5h4 33. g3e3 33... g4e6 Black has consolidated his forces and starts attacking the pawns. 34. b2b4 34... d8d3 True to his solid style, Tomashevsky removes the queen from the board as well as the possibility of a perpetual. 35. g1h2 35... f6e7 36. f2f4 36... d3e3 37. e1e3 37... e5c4 38. e3e2 At a glance it seems as White should be OK, but the reality is that he is about to lose all his pawns one by one... 38... e7b4 One down, more to go. 39. g2g3 39... c4d2 40. g3h4 This trades the last black pawn, but there are too many pieces! 40... e6c4 41. e2g2 41... g7h6 42. h2g3 The king leaves the danger zone 42... c4f1 43. g2h2 43... f1d3 44. g3g4 44... d2e4 Two down. 45. g4f5 45... b4d6 46. h2g2 46... h6h5 47. g2g8 47... e4g5 48. f5f6 48... g5h7 49. f6g7 49... d6f4 Three. 50. g8a8 50... f4e5 51. g7f7 51... h5h4 Four. 52. a8a4 52... h4h5 53. h3h4 53... e5b2 54. a4f4 54... b2c3 55. f7e6 55... c3e1 56. f4f3 56... d3g6 57. f3f1 57... e1b4 58. f1f4 58... h7f8 59. e6d5 59... b4e7 60. f4f1 60... g6c2 61. f1g1 61... c2b3 62. d5e4 62... f8g6 63. e4f5 63... e7d8 |
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64... b3e6 | 1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... a7a6 4. b5a4 4... g8f6 5. e1g1 5... f8e7 6. f1e1 6... b7b5 7. a4b3 7... e8g8 Evgeny Tomashevsky is a very solid player who solves the opening problems in a somewhat unusual way. His white color remains true to his style, while with the black pieces he prefers to go for sharp opening lines where the situation is clarified as soon as possible. The Marshall line in the Ruy Lopez have served him well for many years. 8. a2a4 Vachier-Lagrave does not want to test his opponent in the main lines. 8... c8b7 9. d2d3 9... d7d6 10. c1d2 A modern move. White has a wide choice in the position. 10... b5b4 Now that the bishop had occupied the d2 square for the knight this is strong. 11. c2c3 11... a8b8 A common temporary pawn sacrifice. 12. c3b4 12... b7c8 Evgeny comes well prepared for the game. The bishop is moving to a better position. 13. b4b5 13... a6b5 14. a4b5 14... b8b5 15. a1a8 15... b5b8 16. a8b8 16... c6b8 17. d3d4 MVL occupies some central squares with his knights. 17... e5d4 18. f3d4 18... c7c5 Tomashevsky replies in an adequate way. Next he wants to carry out the freeing d6-d5 advance which will level the game completely. 19. d4f3 19... b8c6 20. d2c3 20... c8e6 21. b1d2 This allows the central break, but the French GM obviously had some interesting complications in mind. 21... d6d5 22. f3g5 22... e6g4 23. d1c2 Consisten and... wrong. Vachier-Lagrave missed some detail in his calculations. 23... c5c4 Very strong! The bishop is becoming too vulnerable. 24. d2c4 24... d5c4 25. b3c4 25... f6d7 26. g5f7 The best practical chance! 26... f8f7 27. c4f7 27... g8f7 28. c3g7 28... f7g7 29. c2c6 After some forced moves the game reaches a highly unusual distribution of forces. White has a rook and four pawns versus three light pieces. I have never seen anything like this before. How can we asses the situation? Well, obviously the pawns can become dangerous in an endgame if there is time to advance them. If not, they will be targets. The three light pieces can easily unite their efforts attacking any of the pawns and it will be lost as the rook cannot separate itself into pieces. The general rule is that the smaller parts should be better than the major piece as long as they are united. This is the case here; the pieces are clearly better. One more thing that helps is that two of them are bishops! 29... d7e5 30. c6c3 30... e7f6 31. c3g3 31... h7h5 32. h2h3 32... h5h4 33. g3e3 33... g4e6 Black has consolidated his forces and starts attacking the pawns. 34. b2b4 34... d8d3 True to his solid style, Tomashevsky removes the queen from the board as well as the possibility of a perpetual. 35. g1h2 35... f6e7 36. f2f4 36... d3e3 37. e1e3 37... e5c4 38. e3e2 At a glance it seems as White should be OK, but the reality is that he is about to lose all his pawns one by one... 38... e7b4 One down, more to go. 39. g2g3 39... c4d2 40. g3h4 This trades the last black pawn, but there are too many pieces! 40... e6c4 41. e2g2 41... g7h6 42. h2g3 The king leaves the danger zone 42... c4f1 43. g2h2 43... f1d3 44. g3g4 44... d2e4 Two down. 45. g4f5 45... b4d6 46. h2g2 46... h6h5 47. g2g8 47... e4g5 48. f5f6 48... g5h7 49. f6g7 49... d6f4 Three. 50. g8a8 50... f4e5 51. g7f7 51... h5h4 Four. 52. a8a4 52... h4h5 53. h3h4 53... e5b2 54. a4f4 54... b2c3 55. f7e6 55... c3e1 56. f4f3 56... d3g6 57. f3f1 57... e1b4 58. f1f4 58... h7f8 59. e6d5 59... b4e7 60. f4f1 60... g6c2 61. f1g1 61... c2b3 62. d5e4 62... f8g6 63. e4f5 63... e7d8 64. f5e4 |
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65. g1d1 | 1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... a7a6 4. b5a4 4... g8f6 5. e1g1 5... f8e7 6. f1e1 6... b7b5 7. a4b3 7... e8g8 Evgeny Tomashevsky is a very solid player who solves the opening problems in a somewhat unusual way. His white color remains true to his style, while with the black pieces he prefers to go for sharp opening lines where the situation is clarified as soon as possible. The Marshall line in the Ruy Lopez have served him well for many years. 8. a2a4 Vachier-Lagrave does not want to test his opponent in the main lines. 8... c8b7 9. d2d3 9... d7d6 10. c1d2 A modern move. White has a wide choice in the position. 10... b5b4 Now that the bishop had occupied the d2 square for the knight this is strong. 11. c2c3 11... a8b8 A common temporary pawn sacrifice. 12. c3b4 12... b7c8 Evgeny comes well prepared for the game. The bishop is moving to a better position. 13. b4b5 13... a6b5 14. a4b5 14... b8b5 15. a1a8 15... b5b8 16. a8b8 16... c6b8 17. d3d4 MVL occupies some central squares with his knights. 17... e5d4 18. f3d4 18... c7c5 Tomashevsky replies in an adequate way. Next he wants to carry out the freeing d6-d5 advance which will level the game completely. 19. d4f3 19... b8c6 20. d2c3 20... c8e6 21. b1d2 This allows the central break, but the French GM obviously had some interesting complications in mind. 21... d6d5 22. f3g5 22... e6g4 23. d1c2 Consisten and... wrong. Vachier-Lagrave missed some detail in his calculations. 23... c5c4 Very strong! The bishop is becoming too vulnerable. 24. d2c4 24... d5c4 25. b3c4 25... f6d7 26. g5f7 The best practical chance! 26... f8f7 27. c4f7 27... g8f7 28. c3g7 28... f7g7 29. c2c6 After some forced moves the game reaches a highly unusual distribution of forces. White has a rook and four pawns versus three light pieces. I have never seen anything like this before. How can we asses the situation? Well, obviously the pawns can become dangerous in an endgame if there is time to advance them. If not, they will be targets. The three light pieces can easily unite their efforts attacking any of the pawns and it will be lost as the rook cannot separate itself into pieces. The general rule is that the smaller parts should be better than the major piece as long as they are united. This is the case here; the pieces are clearly better. One more thing that helps is that two of them are bishops! 29... d7e5 30. c6c3 30... e7f6 31. c3g3 31... h7h5 32. h2h3 32... h5h4 33. g3e3 33... g4e6 Black has consolidated his forces and starts attacking the pawns. 34. b2b4 34... d8d3 True to his solid style, Tomashevsky removes the queen from the board as well as the possibility of a perpetual. 35. g1h2 35... f6e7 36. f2f4 36... d3e3 37. e1e3 37... e5c4 38. e3e2 At a glance it seems as White should be OK, but the reality is that he is about to lose all his pawns one by one... 38... e7b4 One down, more to go. 39. g2g3 39... c4d2 40. g3h4 This trades the last black pawn, but there are too many pieces! 40... e6c4 41. e2g2 41... g7h6 42. h2g3 The king leaves the danger zone 42... c4f1 43. g2h2 43... f1d3 44. g3g4 44... d2e4 Two down. 45. g4f5 45... b4d6 46. h2g2 46... h6h5 47. g2g8 47... e4g5 48. f5f6 48... g5h7 49. f6g7 49... d6f4 Three. 50. g8a8 50... f4e5 51. g7f7 51... h5h4 Four. 52. a8a4 52... h4h5 53. h3h4 53... e5b2 54. a4f4 54... b2c3 55. f7e6 55... c3e1 56. f4f3 56... d3g6 57. f3f1 57... e1b4 58. f1f4 58... h7f8 59. e6d5 59... b4e7 60. f4f1 60... g6c2 61. f1g1 61... c2b3 62. d5e4 62... f8g6 63. e4f5 63... e7d8 64. f5e4 64... b3e6 |
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65... d8e7 | 1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... a7a6 4. b5a4 4... g8f6 5. e1g1 5... f8e7 6. f1e1 6... b7b5 7. a4b3 7... e8g8 Evgeny Tomashevsky is a very solid player who solves the opening problems in a somewhat unusual way. His white color remains true to his style, while with the black pieces he prefers to go for sharp opening lines where the situation is clarified as soon as possible. The Marshall line in the Ruy Lopez have served him well for many years. 8. a2a4 Vachier-Lagrave does not want to test his opponent in the main lines. 8... c8b7 9. d2d3 9... d7d6 10. c1d2 A modern move. White has a wide choice in the position. 10... b5b4 Now that the bishop had occupied the d2 square for the knight this is strong. 11. c2c3 11... a8b8 A common temporary pawn sacrifice. 12. c3b4 12... b7c8 Evgeny comes well prepared for the game. The bishop is moving to a better position. 13. b4b5 13... a6b5 14. a4b5 14... b8b5 15. a1a8 15... b5b8 16. a8b8 16... c6b8 17. d3d4 MVL occupies some central squares with his knights. 17... e5d4 18. f3d4 18... c7c5 Tomashevsky replies in an adequate way. Next he wants to carry out the freeing d6-d5 advance which will level the game completely. 19. d4f3 19... b8c6 20. d2c3 20... c8e6 21. b1d2 This allows the central break, but the French GM obviously had some interesting complications in mind. 21... d6d5 22. f3g5 22... e6g4 23. d1c2 Consisten and... wrong. Vachier-Lagrave missed some detail in his calculations. 23... c5c4 Very strong! The bishop is becoming too vulnerable. 24. d2c4 24... d5c4 25. b3c4 25... f6d7 26. g5f7 The best practical chance! 26... f8f7 27. c4f7 27... g8f7 28. c3g7 28... f7g7 29. c2c6 After some forced moves the game reaches a highly unusual distribution of forces. White has a rook and four pawns versus three light pieces. I have never seen anything like this before. How can we asses the situation? Well, obviously the pawns can become dangerous in an endgame if there is time to advance them. If not, they will be targets. The three light pieces can easily unite their efforts attacking any of the pawns and it will be lost as the rook cannot separate itself into pieces. The general rule is that the smaller parts should be better than the major piece as long as they are united. This is the case here; the pieces are clearly better. One more thing that helps is that two of them are bishops! 29... d7e5 30. c6c3 30... e7f6 31. c3g3 31... h7h5 32. h2h3 32... h5h4 33. g3e3 33... g4e6 Black has consolidated his forces and starts attacking the pawns. 34. b2b4 34... d8d3 True to his solid style, Tomashevsky removes the queen from the board as well as the possibility of a perpetual. 35. g1h2 35... f6e7 36. f2f4 36... d3e3 37. e1e3 37... e5c4 38. e3e2 At a glance it seems as White should be OK, but the reality is that he is about to lose all his pawns one by one... 38... e7b4 One down, more to go. 39. g2g3 39... c4d2 40. g3h4 This trades the last black pawn, but there are too many pieces! 40... e6c4 41. e2g2 41... g7h6 42. h2g3 The king leaves the danger zone 42... c4f1 43. g2h2 43... f1d3 44. g3g4 44... d2e4 Two down. 45. g4f5 45... b4d6 46. h2g2 46... h6h5 47. g2g8 47... e4g5 48. f5f6 48... g5h7 49. f6g7 49... d6f4 Three. 50. g8a8 50... f4e5 51. g7f7 51... h5h4 Four. 52. a8a4 52... h4h5 53. h3h4 53... e5b2 54. a4f4 54... b2c3 55. f7e6 55... c3e1 56. f4f3 56... d3g6 57. f3f1 57... e1b4 58. f1f4 58... h7f8 59. e6d5 59... b4e7 60. f4f1 60... g6c2 61. f1g1 61... c2b3 62. d5e4 62... f8g6 63. e4f5 63... e7d8 64. f5e4 64... b3e6 65. g1d1 |
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66. d1a1 | 1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... a7a6 4. b5a4 4... g8f6 5. e1g1 5... f8e7 6. f1e1 6... b7b5 7. a4b3 7... e8g8 Evgeny Tomashevsky is a very solid player who solves the opening problems in a somewhat unusual way. His white color remains true to his style, while with the black pieces he prefers to go for sharp opening lines where the situation is clarified as soon as possible. The Marshall line in the Ruy Lopez have served him well for many years. 8. a2a4 Vachier-Lagrave does not want to test his opponent in the main lines. 8... c8b7 9. d2d3 9... d7d6 10. c1d2 A modern move. White has a wide choice in the position. 10... b5b4 Now that the bishop had occupied the d2 square for the knight this is strong. 11. c2c3 11... a8b8 A common temporary pawn sacrifice. 12. c3b4 12... b7c8 Evgeny comes well prepared for the game. The bishop is moving to a better position. 13. b4b5 13... a6b5 14. a4b5 14... b8b5 15. a1a8 15... b5b8 16. a8b8 16... c6b8 17. d3d4 MVL occupies some central squares with his knights. 17... e5d4 18. f3d4 18... c7c5 Tomashevsky replies in an adequate way. Next he wants to carry out the freeing d6-d5 advance which will level the game completely. 19. d4f3 19... b8c6 20. d2c3 20... c8e6 21. b1d2 This allows the central break, but the French GM obviously had some interesting complications in mind. 21... d6d5 22. f3g5 22... e6g4 23. d1c2 Consisten and... wrong. Vachier-Lagrave missed some detail in his calculations. 23... c5c4 Very strong! The bishop is becoming too vulnerable. 24. d2c4 24... d5c4 25. b3c4 25... f6d7 26. g5f7 The best practical chance! 26... f8f7 27. c4f7 27... g8f7 28. c3g7 28... f7g7 29. c2c6 After some forced moves the game reaches a highly unusual distribution of forces. White has a rook and four pawns versus three light pieces. I have never seen anything like this before. How can we asses the situation? Well, obviously the pawns can become dangerous in an endgame if there is time to advance them. If not, they will be targets. The three light pieces can easily unite their efforts attacking any of the pawns and it will be lost as the rook cannot separate itself into pieces. The general rule is that the smaller parts should be better than the major piece as long as they are united. This is the case here; the pieces are clearly better. One more thing that helps is that two of them are bishops! 29... d7e5 30. c6c3 30... e7f6 31. c3g3 31... h7h5 32. h2h3 32... h5h4 33. g3e3 33... g4e6 Black has consolidated his forces and starts attacking the pawns. 34. b2b4 34... d8d3 True to his solid style, Tomashevsky removes the queen from the board as well as the possibility of a perpetual. 35. g1h2 35... f6e7 36. f2f4 36... d3e3 37. e1e3 37... e5c4 38. e3e2 At a glance it seems as White should be OK, but the reality is that he is about to lose all his pawns one by one... 38... e7b4 One down, more to go. 39. g2g3 39... c4d2 40. g3h4 This trades the last black pawn, but there are too many pieces! 40... e6c4 41. e2g2 41... g7h6 42. h2g3 The king leaves the danger zone 42... c4f1 43. g2h2 43... f1d3 44. g3g4 44... d2e4 Two down. 45. g4f5 45... b4d6 46. h2g2 46... h6h5 47. g2g8 47... e4g5 48. f5f6 48... g5h7 49. f6g7 49... d6f4 Three. 50. g8a8 50... f4e5 51. g7f7 51... h5h4 Four. 52. a8a4 52... h4h5 53. h3h4 53... e5b2 54. a4f4 54... b2c3 55. f7e6 55... c3e1 56. f4f3 56... d3g6 57. f3f1 57... e1b4 58. f1f4 58... h7f8 59. e6d5 59... b4e7 60. f4f1 60... g6c2 61. f1g1 61... c2b3 62. d5e4 62... f8g6 63. e4f5 63... e7d8 64. f5e4 64... b3e6 65. g1d1 65... d8e7 |
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66... e6c8 | 1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... a7a6 4. b5a4 4... g8f6 5. e1g1 5... f8e7 6. f1e1 6... b7b5 7. a4b3 7... e8g8 Evgeny Tomashevsky is a very solid player who solves the opening problems in a somewhat unusual way. His white color remains true to his style, while with the black pieces he prefers to go for sharp opening lines where the situation is clarified as soon as possible. The Marshall line in the Ruy Lopez have served him well for many years. 8. a2a4 Vachier-Lagrave does not want to test his opponent in the main lines. 8... c8b7 9. d2d3 9... d7d6 10. c1d2 A modern move. White has a wide choice in the position. 10... b5b4 Now that the bishop had occupied the d2 square for the knight this is strong. 11. c2c3 11... a8b8 A common temporary pawn sacrifice. 12. c3b4 12... b7c8 Evgeny comes well prepared for the game. The bishop is moving to a better position. 13. b4b5 13... a6b5 14. a4b5 14... b8b5 15. a1a8 15... b5b8 16. a8b8 16... c6b8 17. d3d4 MVL occupies some central squares with his knights. 17... e5d4 18. f3d4 18... c7c5 Tomashevsky replies in an adequate way. Next he wants to carry out the freeing d6-d5 advance which will level the game completely. 19. d4f3 19... b8c6 20. d2c3 20... c8e6 21. b1d2 This allows the central break, but the French GM obviously had some interesting complications in mind. 21... d6d5 22. f3g5 22... e6g4 23. d1c2 Consisten and... wrong. Vachier-Lagrave missed some detail in his calculations. 23... c5c4 Very strong! The bishop is becoming too vulnerable. 24. d2c4 24... d5c4 25. b3c4 25... f6d7 26. g5f7 The best practical chance! 26... f8f7 27. c4f7 27... g8f7 28. c3g7 28... f7g7 29. c2c6 After some forced moves the game reaches a highly unusual distribution of forces. White has a rook and four pawns versus three light pieces. I have never seen anything like this before. How can we asses the situation? Well, obviously the pawns can become dangerous in an endgame if there is time to advance them. If not, they will be targets. The three light pieces can easily unite their efforts attacking any of the pawns and it will be lost as the rook cannot separate itself into pieces. The general rule is that the smaller parts should be better than the major piece as long as they are united. This is the case here; the pieces are clearly better. One more thing that helps is that two of them are bishops! 29... d7e5 30. c6c3 30... e7f6 31. c3g3 31... h7h5 32. h2h3 32... h5h4 33. g3e3 33... g4e6 Black has consolidated his forces and starts attacking the pawns. 34. b2b4 34... d8d3 True to his solid style, Tomashevsky removes the queen from the board as well as the possibility of a perpetual. 35. g1h2 35... f6e7 36. f2f4 36... d3e3 37. e1e3 37... e5c4 38. e3e2 At a glance it seems as White should be OK, but the reality is that he is about to lose all his pawns one by one... 38... e7b4 One down, more to go. 39. g2g3 39... c4d2 40. g3h4 This trades the last black pawn, but there are too many pieces! 40... e6c4 41. e2g2 41... g7h6 42. h2g3 The king leaves the danger zone 42... c4f1 43. g2h2 43... f1d3 44. g3g4 44... d2e4 Two down. 45. g4f5 45... b4d6 46. h2g2 46... h6h5 47. g2g8 47... e4g5 48. f5f6 48... g5h7 49. f6g7 49... d6f4 Three. 50. g8a8 50... f4e5 51. g7f7 51... h5h4 Four. 52. a8a4 52... h4h5 53. h3h4 53... e5b2 54. a4f4 54... b2c3 55. f7e6 55... c3e1 56. f4f3 56... d3g6 57. f3f1 57... e1b4 58. f1f4 58... h7f8 59. e6d5 59... b4e7 60. f4f1 60... g6c2 61. f1g1 61... c2b3 62. d5e4 62... f8g6 63. e4f5 63... e7d8 64. f5e4 64... b3e6 65. g1d1 65... d8e7 66. d1a1 |
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67. a1a5 | 1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... a7a6 4. b5a4 4... g8f6 5. e1g1 5... f8e7 6. f1e1 6... b7b5 7. a4b3 7... e8g8 Evgeny Tomashevsky is a very solid player who solves the opening problems in a somewhat unusual way. His white color remains true to his style, while with the black pieces he prefers to go for sharp opening lines where the situation is clarified as soon as possible. The Marshall line in the Ruy Lopez have served him well for many years. 8. a2a4 Vachier-Lagrave does not want to test his opponent in the main lines. 8... c8b7 9. d2d3 9... d7d6 10. c1d2 A modern move. White has a wide choice in the position. 10... b5b4 Now that the bishop had occupied the d2 square for the knight this is strong. 11. c2c3 11... a8b8 A common temporary pawn sacrifice. 12. c3b4 12... b7c8 Evgeny comes well prepared for the game. The bishop is moving to a better position. 13. b4b5 13... a6b5 14. a4b5 14... b8b5 15. a1a8 15... b5b8 16. a8b8 16... c6b8 17. d3d4 MVL occupies some central squares with his knights. 17... e5d4 18. f3d4 18... c7c5 Tomashevsky replies in an adequate way. Next he wants to carry out the freeing d6-d5 advance which will level the game completely. 19. d4f3 19... b8c6 20. d2c3 20... c8e6 21. b1d2 This allows the central break, but the French GM obviously had some interesting complications in mind. 21... d6d5 22. f3g5 22... e6g4 23. d1c2 Consisten and... wrong. Vachier-Lagrave missed some detail in his calculations. 23... c5c4 Very strong! The bishop is becoming too vulnerable. 24. d2c4 24... d5c4 25. b3c4 25... f6d7 26. g5f7 The best practical chance! 26... f8f7 27. c4f7 27... g8f7 28. c3g7 28... f7g7 29. c2c6 After some forced moves the game reaches a highly unusual distribution of forces. White has a rook and four pawns versus three light pieces. I have never seen anything like this before. How can we asses the situation? Well, obviously the pawns can become dangerous in an endgame if there is time to advance them. If not, they will be targets. The three light pieces can easily unite their efforts attacking any of the pawns and it will be lost as the rook cannot separate itself into pieces. The general rule is that the smaller parts should be better than the major piece as long as they are united. This is the case here; the pieces are clearly better. One more thing that helps is that two of them are bishops! 29... d7e5 30. c6c3 30... e7f6 31. c3g3 31... h7h5 32. h2h3 32... h5h4 33. g3e3 33... g4e6 Black has consolidated his forces and starts attacking the pawns. 34. b2b4 34... d8d3 True to his solid style, Tomashevsky removes the queen from the board as well as the possibility of a perpetual. 35. g1h2 35... f6e7 36. f2f4 36... d3e3 37. e1e3 37... e5c4 38. e3e2 At a glance it seems as White should be OK, but the reality is that he is about to lose all his pawns one by one... 38... e7b4 One down, more to go. 39. g2g3 39... c4d2 40. g3h4 This trades the last black pawn, but there are too many pieces! 40... e6c4 41. e2g2 41... g7h6 42. h2g3 The king leaves the danger zone 42... c4f1 43. g2h2 43... f1d3 44. g3g4 44... d2e4 Two down. 45. g4f5 45... b4d6 46. h2g2 46... h6h5 47. g2g8 47... e4g5 48. f5f6 48... g5h7 49. f6g7 49... d6f4 Three. 50. g8a8 50... f4e5 51. g7f7 51... h5h4 Four. 52. a8a4 52... h4h5 53. h3h4 53... e5b2 54. a4f4 54... b2c3 55. f7e6 55... c3e1 56. f4f3 56... d3g6 57. f3f1 57... e1b4 58. f1f4 58... h7f8 59. e6d5 59... b4e7 60. f4f1 60... g6c2 61. f1g1 61... c2b3 62. d5e4 62... f8g6 63. e4f5 63... e7d8 64. f5e4 64... b3e6 65. g1d1 65... d8e7 66. d1a1 66... e6c8 |
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67... h5h4 | Five! Tomashevsky swiped off all the pawns! This is a theoretically won position. | 1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... a7a6 4. b5a4 4... g8f6 5. e1g1 5... f8e7 6. f1e1 6... b7b5 7. a4b3 7... e8g8 Evgeny Tomashevsky is a very solid player who solves the opening problems in a somewhat unusual way. His white color remains true to his style, while with the black pieces he prefers to go for sharp opening lines where the situation is clarified as soon as possible. The Marshall line in the Ruy Lopez have served him well for many years. 8. a2a4 Vachier-Lagrave does not want to test his opponent in the main lines. 8... c8b7 9. d2d3 9... d7d6 10. c1d2 A modern move. White has a wide choice in the position. 10... b5b4 Now that the bishop had occupied the d2 square for the knight this is strong. 11. c2c3 11... a8b8 A common temporary pawn sacrifice. 12. c3b4 12... b7c8 Evgeny comes well prepared for the game. The bishop is moving to a better position. 13. b4b5 13... a6b5 14. a4b5 14... b8b5 15. a1a8 15... b5b8 16. a8b8 16... c6b8 17. d3d4 MVL occupies some central squares with his knights. 17... e5d4 18. f3d4 18... c7c5 Tomashevsky replies in an adequate way. Next he wants to carry out the freeing d6-d5 advance which will level the game completely. 19. d4f3 19... b8c6 20. d2c3 20... c8e6 21. b1d2 This allows the central break, but the French GM obviously had some interesting complications in mind. 21... d6d5 22. f3g5 22... e6g4 23. d1c2 Consisten and... wrong. Vachier-Lagrave missed some detail in his calculations. 23... c5c4 Very strong! The bishop is becoming too vulnerable. 24. d2c4 24... d5c4 25. b3c4 25... f6d7 26. g5f7 The best practical chance! 26... f8f7 27. c4f7 27... g8f7 28. c3g7 28... f7g7 29. c2c6 After some forced moves the game reaches a highly unusual distribution of forces. White has a rook and four pawns versus three light pieces. I have never seen anything like this before. How can we asses the situation? Well, obviously the pawns can become dangerous in an endgame if there is time to advance them. If not, they will be targets. The three light pieces can easily unite their efforts attacking any of the pawns and it will be lost as the rook cannot separate itself into pieces. The general rule is that the smaller parts should be better than the major piece as long as they are united. This is the case here; the pieces are clearly better. One more thing that helps is that two of them are bishops! 29... d7e5 30. c6c3 30... e7f6 31. c3g3 31... h7h5 32. h2h3 32... h5h4 33. g3e3 33... g4e6 Black has consolidated his forces and starts attacking the pawns. 34. b2b4 34... d8d3 True to his solid style, Tomashevsky removes the queen from the board as well as the possibility of a perpetual. 35. g1h2 35... f6e7 36. f2f4 36... d3e3 37. e1e3 37... e5c4 38. e3e2 At a glance it seems as White should be OK, but the reality is that he is about to lose all his pawns one by one... 38... e7b4 One down, more to go. 39. g2g3 39... c4d2 40. g3h4 This trades the last black pawn, but there are too many pieces! 40... e6c4 41. e2g2 41... g7h6 42. h2g3 The king leaves the danger zone 42... c4f1 43. g2h2 43... f1d3 44. g3g4 44... d2e4 Two down. 45. g4f5 45... b4d6 46. h2g2 46... h6h5 47. g2g8 47... e4g5 48. f5f6 48... g5h7 49. f6g7 49... d6f4 Three. 50. g8a8 50... f4e5 51. g7f7 51... h5h4 Four. 52. a8a4 52... h4h5 53. h3h4 53... e5b2 54. a4f4 54... b2c3 55. f7e6 55... c3e1 56. f4f3 56... d3g6 57. f3f1 57... e1b4 58. f1f4 58... h7f8 59. e6d5 59... b4e7 60. f4f1 60... g6c2 61. f1g1 61... c2b3 62. d5e4 62... f8g6 63. e4f5 63... e7d8 64. f5e4 64... b3e6 65. g1d1 65... d8e7 66. d1a1 66... e6c8 67. a1a5 |
68. a5a1 | 1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... a7a6 4. b5a4 4... g8f6 5. e1g1 5... f8e7 6. f1e1 6... b7b5 7. a4b3 7... e8g8 Evgeny Tomashevsky is a very solid player who solves the opening problems in a somewhat unusual way. His white color remains true to his style, while with the black pieces he prefers to go for sharp opening lines where the situation is clarified as soon as possible. The Marshall line in the Ruy Lopez have served him well for many years. 8. a2a4 Vachier-Lagrave does not want to test his opponent in the main lines. 8... c8b7 9. d2d3 9... d7d6 10. c1d2 A modern move. White has a wide choice in the position. 10... b5b4 Now that the bishop had occupied the d2 square for the knight this is strong. 11. c2c3 11... a8b8 A common temporary pawn sacrifice. 12. c3b4 12... b7c8 Evgeny comes well prepared for the game. The bishop is moving to a better position. 13. b4b5 13... a6b5 14. a4b5 14... b8b5 15. a1a8 15... b5b8 16. a8b8 16... c6b8 17. d3d4 MVL occupies some central squares with his knights. 17... e5d4 18. f3d4 18... c7c5 Tomashevsky replies in an adequate way. Next he wants to carry out the freeing d6-d5 advance which will level the game completely. 19. d4f3 19... b8c6 20. d2c3 20... c8e6 21. b1d2 This allows the central break, but the French GM obviously had some interesting complications in mind. 21... d6d5 22. f3g5 22... e6g4 23. d1c2 Consisten and... wrong. Vachier-Lagrave missed some detail in his calculations. 23... c5c4 Very strong! The bishop is becoming too vulnerable. 24. d2c4 24... d5c4 25. b3c4 25... f6d7 26. g5f7 The best practical chance! 26... f8f7 27. c4f7 27... g8f7 28. c3g7 28... f7g7 29. c2c6 After some forced moves the game reaches a highly unusual distribution of forces. White has a rook and four pawns versus three light pieces. I have never seen anything like this before. How can we asses the situation? Well, obviously the pawns can become dangerous in an endgame if there is time to advance them. If not, they will be targets. The three light pieces can easily unite their efforts attacking any of the pawns and it will be lost as the rook cannot separate itself into pieces. The general rule is that the smaller parts should be better than the major piece as long as they are united. This is the case here; the pieces are clearly better. One more thing that helps is that two of them are bishops! 29... d7e5 30. c6c3 30... e7f6 31. c3g3 31... h7h5 32. h2h3 32... h5h4 33. g3e3 33... g4e6 Black has consolidated his forces and starts attacking the pawns. 34. b2b4 34... d8d3 True to his solid style, Tomashevsky removes the queen from the board as well as the possibility of a perpetual. 35. g1h2 35... f6e7 36. f2f4 36... d3e3 37. e1e3 37... e5c4 38. e3e2 At a glance it seems as White should be OK, but the reality is that he is about to lose all his pawns one by one... 38... e7b4 One down, more to go. 39. g2g3 39... c4d2 40. g3h4 This trades the last black pawn, but there are too many pieces! 40... e6c4 41. e2g2 41... g7h6 42. h2g3 The king leaves the danger zone 42... c4f1 43. g2h2 43... f1d3 44. g3g4 44... d2e4 Two down. 45. g4f5 45... b4d6 46. h2g2 46... h6h5 47. g2g8 47... e4g5 48. f5f6 48... g5h7 49. f6g7 49... d6f4 Three. 50. g8a8 50... f4e5 51. g7f7 51... h5h4 Four. 52. a8a4 52... h4h5 53. h3h4 53... e5b2 54. a4f4 54... b2c3 55. f7e6 55... c3e1 56. f4f3 56... d3g6 57. f3f1 57... e1b4 58. f1f4 58... h7f8 59. e6d5 59... b4e7 60. f4f1 60... g6c2 61. f1g1 61... c2b3 62. d5e4 62... f8g6 63. e4f5 63... e7d8 64. f5e4 64... b3e6 65. g1d1 65... d8e7 66. d1a1 66... e6c8 67. a1a5 67... h5h4 Five! Tomashevsky swiped off all the pawns! This is a theoretically won position. |
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68... h4g5 | 1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... a7a6 4. b5a4 4... g8f6 5. e1g1 5... f8e7 6. f1e1 6... b7b5 7. a4b3 7... e8g8 Evgeny Tomashevsky is a very solid player who solves the opening problems in a somewhat unusual way. His white color remains true to his style, while with the black pieces he prefers to go for sharp opening lines where the situation is clarified as soon as possible. The Marshall line in the Ruy Lopez have served him well for many years. 8. a2a4 Vachier-Lagrave does not want to test his opponent in the main lines. 8... c8b7 9. d2d3 9... d7d6 10. c1d2 A modern move. White has a wide choice in the position. 10... b5b4 Now that the bishop had occupied the d2 square for the knight this is strong. 11. c2c3 11... a8b8 A common temporary pawn sacrifice. 12. c3b4 12... b7c8 Evgeny comes well prepared for the game. The bishop is moving to a better position. 13. b4b5 13... a6b5 14. a4b5 14... b8b5 15. a1a8 15... b5b8 16. a8b8 16... c6b8 17. d3d4 MVL occupies some central squares with his knights. 17... e5d4 18. f3d4 18... c7c5 Tomashevsky replies in an adequate way. Next he wants to carry out the freeing d6-d5 advance which will level the game completely. 19. d4f3 19... b8c6 20. d2c3 20... c8e6 21. b1d2 This allows the central break, but the French GM obviously had some interesting complications in mind. 21... d6d5 22. f3g5 22... e6g4 23. d1c2 Consisten and... wrong. Vachier-Lagrave missed some detail in his calculations. 23... c5c4 Very strong! The bishop is becoming too vulnerable. 24. d2c4 24... d5c4 25. b3c4 25... f6d7 26. g5f7 The best practical chance! 26... f8f7 27. c4f7 27... g8f7 28. c3g7 28... f7g7 29. c2c6 After some forced moves the game reaches a highly unusual distribution of forces. White has a rook and four pawns versus three light pieces. I have never seen anything like this before. How can we asses the situation? Well, obviously the pawns can become dangerous in an endgame if there is time to advance them. If not, they will be targets. The three light pieces can easily unite their efforts attacking any of the pawns and it will be lost as the rook cannot separate itself into pieces. The general rule is that the smaller parts should be better than the major piece as long as they are united. This is the case here; the pieces are clearly better. One more thing that helps is that two of them are bishops! 29... d7e5 30. c6c3 30... e7f6 31. c3g3 31... h7h5 32. h2h3 32... h5h4 33. g3e3 33... g4e6 Black has consolidated his forces and starts attacking the pawns. 34. b2b4 34... d8d3 True to his solid style, Tomashevsky removes the queen from the board as well as the possibility of a perpetual. 35. g1h2 35... f6e7 36. f2f4 36... d3e3 37. e1e3 37... e5c4 38. e3e2 At a glance it seems as White should be OK, but the reality is that he is about to lose all his pawns one by one... 38... e7b4 One down, more to go. 39. g2g3 39... c4d2 40. g3h4 This trades the last black pawn, but there are too many pieces! 40... e6c4 41. e2g2 41... g7h6 42. h2g3 The king leaves the danger zone 42... c4f1 43. g2h2 43... f1d3 44. g3g4 44... d2e4 Two down. 45. g4f5 45... b4d6 46. h2g2 46... h6h5 47. g2g8 47... e4g5 48. f5f6 48... g5h7 49. f6g7 49... d6f4 Three. 50. g8a8 50... f4e5 51. g7f7 51... h5h4 Four. 52. a8a4 52... h4h5 53. h3h4 53... e5b2 54. a4f4 54... b2c3 55. f7e6 55... c3e1 56. f4f3 56... d3g6 57. f3f1 57... e1b4 58. f1f4 58... h7f8 59. e6d5 59... b4e7 60. f4f1 60... g6c2 61. f1g1 61... c2b3 62. d5e4 62... f8g6 63. e4f5 63... e7d8 64. f5e4 64... b3e6 65. g1d1 65... d8e7 66. d1a1 66... e6c8 67. a1a5 67... h5h4 Five! Tomashevsky swiped off all the pawns! This is a theoretically won position. 68. a5a1 |
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69. a1g1 | 1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... a7a6 4. b5a4 4... g8f6 5. e1g1 5... f8e7 6. f1e1 6... b7b5 7. a4b3 7... e8g8 Evgeny Tomashevsky is a very solid player who solves the opening problems in a somewhat unusual way. His white color remains true to his style, while with the black pieces he prefers to go for sharp opening lines where the situation is clarified as soon as possible. The Marshall line in the Ruy Lopez have served him well for many years. 8. a2a4 Vachier-Lagrave does not want to test his opponent in the main lines. 8... c8b7 9. d2d3 9... d7d6 10. c1d2 A modern move. White has a wide choice in the position. 10... b5b4 Now that the bishop had occupied the d2 square for the knight this is strong. 11. c2c3 11... a8b8 A common temporary pawn sacrifice. 12. c3b4 12... b7c8 Evgeny comes well prepared for the game. The bishop is moving to a better position. 13. b4b5 13... a6b5 14. a4b5 14... b8b5 15. a1a8 15... b5b8 16. a8b8 16... c6b8 17. d3d4 MVL occupies some central squares with his knights. 17... e5d4 18. f3d4 18... c7c5 Tomashevsky replies in an adequate way. Next he wants to carry out the freeing d6-d5 advance which will level the game completely. 19. d4f3 19... b8c6 20. d2c3 20... c8e6 21. b1d2 This allows the central break, but the French GM obviously had some interesting complications in mind. 21... d6d5 22. f3g5 22... e6g4 23. d1c2 Consisten and... wrong. Vachier-Lagrave missed some detail in his calculations. 23... c5c4 Very strong! The bishop is becoming too vulnerable. 24. d2c4 24... d5c4 25. b3c4 25... f6d7 26. g5f7 The best practical chance! 26... f8f7 27. c4f7 27... g8f7 28. c3g7 28... f7g7 29. c2c6 After some forced moves the game reaches a highly unusual distribution of forces. White has a rook and four pawns versus three light pieces. I have never seen anything like this before. How can we asses the situation? Well, obviously the pawns can become dangerous in an endgame if there is time to advance them. If not, they will be targets. The three light pieces can easily unite their efforts attacking any of the pawns and it will be lost as the rook cannot separate itself into pieces. The general rule is that the smaller parts should be better than the major piece as long as they are united. This is the case here; the pieces are clearly better. One more thing that helps is that two of them are bishops! 29... d7e5 30. c6c3 30... e7f6 31. c3g3 31... h7h5 32. h2h3 32... h5h4 33. g3e3 33... g4e6 Black has consolidated his forces and starts attacking the pawns. 34. b2b4 34... d8d3 True to his solid style, Tomashevsky removes the queen from the board as well as the possibility of a perpetual. 35. g1h2 35... f6e7 36. f2f4 36... d3e3 37. e1e3 37... e5c4 38. e3e2 At a glance it seems as White should be OK, but the reality is that he is about to lose all his pawns one by one... 38... e7b4 One down, more to go. 39. g2g3 39... c4d2 40. g3h4 This trades the last black pawn, but there are too many pieces! 40... e6c4 41. e2g2 41... g7h6 42. h2g3 The king leaves the danger zone 42... c4f1 43. g2h2 43... f1d3 44. g3g4 44... d2e4 Two down. 45. g4f5 45... b4d6 46. h2g2 46... h6h5 47. g2g8 47... e4g5 48. f5f6 48... g5h7 49. f6g7 49... d6f4 Three. 50. g8a8 50... f4e5 51. g7f7 51... h5h4 Four. 52. a8a4 52... h4h5 53. h3h4 53... e5b2 54. a4f4 54... b2c3 55. f7e6 55... c3e1 56. f4f3 56... d3g6 57. f3f1 57... e1b4 58. f1f4 58... h7f8 59. e6d5 59... b4e7 60. f4f1 60... g6c2 61. f1g1 61... c2b3 62. d5e4 62... f8g6 63. e4f5 63... e7d8 64. f5e4 64... b3e6 65. g1d1 65... d8e7 66. d1a1 66... e6c8 67. a1a5 67... h5h4 Five! Tomashevsky swiped off all the pawns! This is a theoretically won position. 68. a5a1 68... h4g5 |
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69... c8g4 | 1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... a7a6 4. b5a4 4... g8f6 5. e1g1 5... f8e7 6. f1e1 6... b7b5 7. a4b3 7... e8g8 Evgeny Tomashevsky is a very solid player who solves the opening problems in a somewhat unusual way. His white color remains true to his style, while with the black pieces he prefers to go for sharp opening lines where the situation is clarified as soon as possible. The Marshall line in the Ruy Lopez have served him well for many years. 8. a2a4 Vachier-Lagrave does not want to test his opponent in the main lines. 8... c8b7 9. d2d3 9... d7d6 10. c1d2 A modern move. White has a wide choice in the position. 10... b5b4 Now that the bishop had occupied the d2 square for the knight this is strong. 11. c2c3 11... a8b8 A common temporary pawn sacrifice. 12. c3b4 12... b7c8 Evgeny comes well prepared for the game. The bishop is moving to a better position. 13. b4b5 13... a6b5 14. a4b5 14... b8b5 15. a1a8 15... b5b8 16. a8b8 16... c6b8 17. d3d4 MVL occupies some central squares with his knights. 17... e5d4 18. f3d4 18... c7c5 Tomashevsky replies in an adequate way. Next he wants to carry out the freeing d6-d5 advance which will level the game completely. 19. d4f3 19... b8c6 20. d2c3 20... c8e6 21. b1d2 This allows the central break, but the French GM obviously had some interesting complications in mind. 21... d6d5 22. f3g5 22... e6g4 23. d1c2 Consisten and... wrong. Vachier-Lagrave missed some detail in his calculations. 23... c5c4 Very strong! The bishop is becoming too vulnerable. 24. d2c4 24... d5c4 25. b3c4 25... f6d7 26. g5f7 The best practical chance! 26... f8f7 27. c4f7 27... g8f7 28. c3g7 28... f7g7 29. c2c6 After some forced moves the game reaches a highly unusual distribution of forces. White has a rook and four pawns versus three light pieces. I have never seen anything like this before. How can we asses the situation? Well, obviously the pawns can become dangerous in an endgame if there is time to advance them. If not, they will be targets. The three light pieces can easily unite their efforts attacking any of the pawns and it will be lost as the rook cannot separate itself into pieces. The general rule is that the smaller parts should be better than the major piece as long as they are united. This is the case here; the pieces are clearly better. One more thing that helps is that two of them are bishops! 29... d7e5 30. c6c3 30... e7f6 31. c3g3 31... h7h5 32. h2h3 32... h5h4 33. g3e3 33... g4e6 Black has consolidated his forces and starts attacking the pawns. 34. b2b4 34... d8d3 True to his solid style, Tomashevsky removes the queen from the board as well as the possibility of a perpetual. 35. g1h2 35... f6e7 36. f2f4 36... d3e3 37. e1e3 37... e5c4 38. e3e2 At a glance it seems as White should be OK, but the reality is that he is about to lose all his pawns one by one... 38... e7b4 One down, more to go. 39. g2g3 39... c4d2 40. g3h4 This trades the last black pawn, but there are too many pieces! 40... e6c4 41. e2g2 41... g7h6 42. h2g3 The king leaves the danger zone 42... c4f1 43. g2h2 43... f1d3 44. g3g4 44... d2e4 Two down. 45. g4f5 45... b4d6 46. h2g2 46... h6h5 47. g2g8 47... e4g5 48. f5f6 48... g5h7 49. f6g7 49... d6f4 Three. 50. g8a8 50... f4e5 51. g7f7 51... h5h4 Four. 52. a8a4 52... h4h5 53. h3h4 53... e5b2 54. a4f4 54... b2c3 55. f7e6 55... c3e1 56. f4f3 56... d3g6 57. f3f1 57... e1b4 58. f1f4 58... h7f8 59. e6d5 59... b4e7 60. f4f1 60... g6c2 61. f1g1 61... c2b3 62. d5e4 62... f8g6 63. e4f5 63... e7d8 64. f5e4 64... b3e6 65. g1d1 65... d8e7 66. d1a1 66... e6c8 67. a1a5 67... h5h4 Five! Tomashevsky swiped off all the pawns! This is a theoretically won position. 68. a5a1 68... h4g5 69. a1g1 |
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70. g1g2 | 1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... a7a6 4. b5a4 4... g8f6 5. e1g1 5... f8e7 6. f1e1 6... b7b5 7. a4b3 7... e8g8 Evgeny Tomashevsky is a very solid player who solves the opening problems in a somewhat unusual way. His white color remains true to his style, while with the black pieces he prefers to go for sharp opening lines where the situation is clarified as soon as possible. The Marshall line in the Ruy Lopez have served him well for many years. 8. a2a4 Vachier-Lagrave does not want to test his opponent in the main lines. 8... c8b7 9. d2d3 9... d7d6 10. c1d2 A modern move. White has a wide choice in the position. 10... b5b4 Now that the bishop had occupied the d2 square for the knight this is strong. 11. c2c3 11... a8b8 A common temporary pawn sacrifice. 12. c3b4 12... b7c8 Evgeny comes well prepared for the game. The bishop is moving to a better position. 13. b4b5 13... a6b5 14. a4b5 14... b8b5 15. a1a8 15... b5b8 16. a8b8 16... c6b8 17. d3d4 MVL occupies some central squares with his knights. 17... e5d4 18. f3d4 18... c7c5 Tomashevsky replies in an adequate way. Next he wants to carry out the freeing d6-d5 advance which will level the game completely. 19. d4f3 19... b8c6 20. d2c3 20... c8e6 21. b1d2 This allows the central break, but the French GM obviously had some interesting complications in mind. 21... d6d5 22. f3g5 22... e6g4 23. d1c2 Consisten and... wrong. Vachier-Lagrave missed some detail in his calculations. 23... c5c4 Very strong! The bishop is becoming too vulnerable. 24. d2c4 24... d5c4 25. b3c4 25... f6d7 26. g5f7 The best practical chance! 26... f8f7 27. c4f7 27... g8f7 28. c3g7 28... f7g7 29. c2c6 After some forced moves the game reaches a highly unusual distribution of forces. White has a rook and four pawns versus three light pieces. I have never seen anything like this before. How can we asses the situation? Well, obviously the pawns can become dangerous in an endgame if there is time to advance them. If not, they will be targets. The three light pieces can easily unite their efforts attacking any of the pawns and it will be lost as the rook cannot separate itself into pieces. The general rule is that the smaller parts should be better than the major piece as long as they are united. This is the case here; the pieces are clearly better. One more thing that helps is that two of them are bishops! 29... d7e5 30. c6c3 30... e7f6 31. c3g3 31... h7h5 32. h2h3 32... h5h4 33. g3e3 33... g4e6 Black has consolidated his forces and starts attacking the pawns. 34. b2b4 34... d8d3 True to his solid style, Tomashevsky removes the queen from the board as well as the possibility of a perpetual. 35. g1h2 35... f6e7 36. f2f4 36... d3e3 37. e1e3 37... e5c4 38. e3e2 At a glance it seems as White should be OK, but the reality is that he is about to lose all his pawns one by one... 38... e7b4 One down, more to go. 39. g2g3 39... c4d2 40. g3h4 This trades the last black pawn, but there are too many pieces! 40... e6c4 41. e2g2 41... g7h6 42. h2g3 The king leaves the danger zone 42... c4f1 43. g2h2 43... f1d3 44. g3g4 44... d2e4 Two down. 45. g4f5 45... b4d6 46. h2g2 46... h6h5 47. g2g8 47... e4g5 48. f5f6 48... g5h7 49. f6g7 49... d6f4 Three. 50. g8a8 50... f4e5 51. g7f7 51... h5h4 Four. 52. a8a4 52... h4h5 53. h3h4 53... e5b2 54. a4f4 54... b2c3 55. f7e6 55... c3e1 56. f4f3 56... d3g6 57. f3f1 57... e1b4 58. f1f4 58... h7f8 59. e6d5 59... b4e7 60. f4f1 60... g6c2 61. f1g1 61... c2b3 62. d5e4 62... f8g6 63. e4f5 63... e7d8 64. f5e4 64... b3e6 65. g1d1 65... d8e7 66. d1a1 66... e6c8 67. a1a5 67... h5h4 Five! Tomashevsky swiped off all the pawns! This is a theoretically won position. 68. a5a1 68... h4g5 69. a1g1 69... c8g4 |
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70... e7c5 | 1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... a7a6 4. b5a4 4... g8f6 5. e1g1 5... f8e7 6. f1e1 6... b7b5 7. a4b3 7... e8g8 Evgeny Tomashevsky is a very solid player who solves the opening problems in a somewhat unusual way. His white color remains true to his style, while with the black pieces he prefers to go for sharp opening lines where the situation is clarified as soon as possible. The Marshall line in the Ruy Lopez have served him well for many years. 8. a2a4 Vachier-Lagrave does not want to test his opponent in the main lines. 8... c8b7 9. d2d3 9... d7d6 10. c1d2 A modern move. White has a wide choice in the position. 10... b5b4 Now that the bishop had occupied the d2 square for the knight this is strong. 11. c2c3 11... a8b8 A common temporary pawn sacrifice. 12. c3b4 12... b7c8 Evgeny comes well prepared for the game. The bishop is moving to a better position. 13. b4b5 13... a6b5 14. a4b5 14... b8b5 15. a1a8 15... b5b8 16. a8b8 16... c6b8 17. d3d4 MVL occupies some central squares with his knights. 17... e5d4 18. f3d4 18... c7c5 Tomashevsky replies in an adequate way. Next he wants to carry out the freeing d6-d5 advance which will level the game completely. 19. d4f3 19... b8c6 20. d2c3 20... c8e6 21. b1d2 This allows the central break, but the French GM obviously had some interesting complications in mind. 21... d6d5 22. f3g5 22... e6g4 23. d1c2 Consisten and... wrong. Vachier-Lagrave missed some detail in his calculations. 23... c5c4 Very strong! The bishop is becoming too vulnerable. 24. d2c4 24... d5c4 25. b3c4 25... f6d7 26. g5f7 The best practical chance! 26... f8f7 27. c4f7 27... g8f7 28. c3g7 28... f7g7 29. c2c6 After some forced moves the game reaches a highly unusual distribution of forces. White has a rook and four pawns versus three light pieces. I have never seen anything like this before. How can we asses the situation? Well, obviously the pawns can become dangerous in an endgame if there is time to advance them. If not, they will be targets. The three light pieces can easily unite their efforts attacking any of the pawns and it will be lost as the rook cannot separate itself into pieces. The general rule is that the smaller parts should be better than the major piece as long as they are united. This is the case here; the pieces are clearly better. One more thing that helps is that two of them are bishops! 29... d7e5 30. c6c3 30... e7f6 31. c3g3 31... h7h5 32. h2h3 32... h5h4 33. g3e3 33... g4e6 Black has consolidated his forces and starts attacking the pawns. 34. b2b4 34... d8d3 True to his solid style, Tomashevsky removes the queen from the board as well as the possibility of a perpetual. 35. g1h2 35... f6e7 36. f2f4 36... d3e3 37. e1e3 37... e5c4 38. e3e2 At a glance it seems as White should be OK, but the reality is that he is about to lose all his pawns one by one... 38... e7b4 One down, more to go. 39. g2g3 39... c4d2 40. g3h4 This trades the last black pawn, but there are too many pieces! 40... e6c4 41. e2g2 41... g7h6 42. h2g3 The king leaves the danger zone 42... c4f1 43. g2h2 43... f1d3 44. g3g4 44... d2e4 Two down. 45. g4f5 45... b4d6 46. h2g2 46... h6h5 47. g2g8 47... e4g5 48. f5f6 48... g5h7 49. f6g7 49... d6f4 Three. 50. g8a8 50... f4e5 51. g7f7 51... h5h4 Four. 52. a8a4 52... h4h5 53. h3h4 53... e5b2 54. a4f4 54... b2c3 55. f7e6 55... c3e1 56. f4f3 56... d3g6 57. f3f1 57... e1b4 58. f1f4 58... h7f8 59. e6d5 59... b4e7 60. f4f1 60... g6c2 61. f1g1 61... c2b3 62. d5e4 62... f8g6 63. e4f5 63... e7d8 64. f5e4 64... b3e6 65. g1d1 65... d8e7 66. d1a1 66... e6c8 67. a1a5 67... h5h4 Five! Tomashevsky swiped off all the pawns! This is a theoretically won position. 68. a5a1 68... h4g5 69. a1g1 69... c8g4 70. g1g2 |
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71. g2g3 | 1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... a7a6 4. b5a4 4... g8f6 5. e1g1 5... f8e7 6. f1e1 6... b7b5 7. a4b3 7... e8g8 Evgeny Tomashevsky is a very solid player who solves the opening problems in a somewhat unusual way. His white color remains true to his style, while with the black pieces he prefers to go for sharp opening lines where the situation is clarified as soon as possible. The Marshall line in the Ruy Lopez have served him well for many years. 8. a2a4 Vachier-Lagrave does not want to test his opponent in the main lines. 8... c8b7 9. d2d3 9... d7d6 10. c1d2 A modern move. White has a wide choice in the position. 10... b5b4 Now that the bishop had occupied the d2 square for the knight this is strong. 11. c2c3 11... a8b8 A common temporary pawn sacrifice. 12. c3b4 12... b7c8 Evgeny comes well prepared for the game. The bishop is moving to a better position. 13. b4b5 13... a6b5 14. a4b5 14... b8b5 15. a1a8 15... b5b8 16. a8b8 16... c6b8 17. d3d4 MVL occupies some central squares with his knights. 17... e5d4 18. f3d4 18... c7c5 Tomashevsky replies in an adequate way. Next he wants to carry out the freeing d6-d5 advance which will level the game completely. 19. d4f3 19... b8c6 20. d2c3 20... c8e6 21. b1d2 This allows the central break, but the French GM obviously had some interesting complications in mind. 21... d6d5 22. f3g5 22... e6g4 23. d1c2 Consisten and... wrong. Vachier-Lagrave missed some detail in his calculations. 23... c5c4 Very strong! The bishop is becoming too vulnerable. 24. d2c4 24... d5c4 25. b3c4 25... f6d7 26. g5f7 The best practical chance! 26... f8f7 27. c4f7 27... g8f7 28. c3g7 28... f7g7 29. c2c6 After some forced moves the game reaches a highly unusual distribution of forces. White has a rook and four pawns versus three light pieces. I have never seen anything like this before. How can we asses the situation? Well, obviously the pawns can become dangerous in an endgame if there is time to advance them. If not, they will be targets. The three light pieces can easily unite their efforts attacking any of the pawns and it will be lost as the rook cannot separate itself into pieces. The general rule is that the smaller parts should be better than the major piece as long as they are united. This is the case here; the pieces are clearly better. One more thing that helps is that two of them are bishops! 29... d7e5 30. c6c3 30... e7f6 31. c3g3 31... h7h5 32. h2h3 32... h5h4 33. g3e3 33... g4e6 Black has consolidated his forces and starts attacking the pawns. 34. b2b4 34... d8d3 True to his solid style, Tomashevsky removes the queen from the board as well as the possibility of a perpetual. 35. g1h2 35... f6e7 36. f2f4 36... d3e3 37. e1e3 37... e5c4 38. e3e2 At a glance it seems as White should be OK, but the reality is that he is about to lose all his pawns one by one... 38... e7b4 One down, more to go. 39. g2g3 39... c4d2 40. g3h4 This trades the last black pawn, but there are too many pieces! 40... e6c4 41. e2g2 41... g7h6 42. h2g3 The king leaves the danger zone 42... c4f1 43. g2h2 43... f1d3 44. g3g4 44... d2e4 Two down. 45. g4f5 45... b4d6 46. h2g2 46... h6h5 47. g2g8 47... e4g5 48. f5f6 48... g5h7 49. f6g7 49... d6f4 Three. 50. g8a8 50... f4e5 51. g7f7 51... h5h4 Four. 52. a8a4 52... h4h5 53. h3h4 53... e5b2 54. a4f4 54... b2c3 55. f7e6 55... c3e1 56. f4f3 56... d3g6 57. f3f1 57... e1b4 58. f1f4 58... h7f8 59. e6d5 59... b4e7 60. f4f1 60... g6c2 61. f1g1 61... c2b3 62. d5e4 62... f8g6 63. e4f5 63... e7d8 64. f5e4 64... b3e6 65. g1d1 65... d8e7 66. d1a1 66... e6c8 67. a1a5 67... h5h4 Five! Tomashevsky swiped off all the pawns! This is a theoretically won position. 68. a5a1 68... h4g5 69. a1g1 69... c8g4 70. g1g2 70... e7c5 |
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71... g6f4 | 1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... a7a6 4. b5a4 4... g8f6 5. e1g1 5... f8e7 6. f1e1 6... b7b5 7. a4b3 7... e8g8 Evgeny Tomashevsky is a very solid player who solves the opening problems in a somewhat unusual way. His white color remains true to his style, while with the black pieces he prefers to go for sharp opening lines where the situation is clarified as soon as possible. The Marshall line in the Ruy Lopez have served him well for many years. 8. a2a4 Vachier-Lagrave does not want to test his opponent in the main lines. 8... c8b7 9. d2d3 9... d7d6 10. c1d2 A modern move. White has a wide choice in the position. 10... b5b4 Now that the bishop had occupied the d2 square for the knight this is strong. 11. c2c3 11... a8b8 A common temporary pawn sacrifice. 12. c3b4 12... b7c8 Evgeny comes well prepared for the game. The bishop is moving to a better position. 13. b4b5 13... a6b5 14. a4b5 14... b8b5 15. a1a8 15... b5b8 16. a8b8 16... c6b8 17. d3d4 MVL occupies some central squares with his knights. 17... e5d4 18. f3d4 18... c7c5 Tomashevsky replies in an adequate way. Next he wants to carry out the freeing d6-d5 advance which will level the game completely. 19. d4f3 19... b8c6 20. d2c3 20... c8e6 21. b1d2 This allows the central break, but the French GM obviously had some interesting complications in mind. 21... d6d5 22. f3g5 22... e6g4 23. d1c2 Consisten and... wrong. Vachier-Lagrave missed some detail in his calculations. 23... c5c4 Very strong! The bishop is becoming too vulnerable. 24. d2c4 24... d5c4 25. b3c4 25... f6d7 26. g5f7 The best practical chance! 26... f8f7 27. c4f7 27... g8f7 28. c3g7 28... f7g7 29. c2c6 After some forced moves the game reaches a highly unusual distribution of forces. White has a rook and four pawns versus three light pieces. I have never seen anything like this before. How can we asses the situation? Well, obviously the pawns can become dangerous in an endgame if there is time to advance them. If not, they will be targets. The three light pieces can easily unite their efforts attacking any of the pawns and it will be lost as the rook cannot separate itself into pieces. The general rule is that the smaller parts should be better than the major piece as long as they are united. This is the case here; the pieces are clearly better. One more thing that helps is that two of them are bishops! 29... d7e5 30. c6c3 30... e7f6 31. c3g3 31... h7h5 32. h2h3 32... h5h4 33. g3e3 33... g4e6 Black has consolidated his forces and starts attacking the pawns. 34. b2b4 34... d8d3 True to his solid style, Tomashevsky removes the queen from the board as well as the possibility of a perpetual. 35. g1h2 35... f6e7 36. f2f4 36... d3e3 37. e1e3 37... e5c4 38. e3e2 At a glance it seems as White should be OK, but the reality is that he is about to lose all his pawns one by one... 38... e7b4 One down, more to go. 39. g2g3 39... c4d2 40. g3h4 This trades the last black pawn, but there are too many pieces! 40... e6c4 41. e2g2 41... g7h6 42. h2g3 The king leaves the danger zone 42... c4f1 43. g2h2 43... f1d3 44. g3g4 44... d2e4 Two down. 45. g4f5 45... b4d6 46. h2g2 46... h6h5 47. g2g8 47... e4g5 48. f5f6 48... g5h7 49. f6g7 49... d6f4 Three. 50. g8a8 50... f4e5 51. g7f7 51... h5h4 Four. 52. a8a4 52... h4h5 53. h3h4 53... e5b2 54. a4f4 54... b2c3 55. f7e6 55... c3e1 56. f4f3 56... d3g6 57. f3f1 57... e1b4 58. f1f4 58... h7f8 59. e6d5 59... b4e7 60. f4f1 60... g6c2 61. f1g1 61... c2b3 62. d5e4 62... f8g6 63. e4f5 63... e7d8 64. f5e4 64... b3e6 65. g1d1 65... d8e7 66. d1a1 66... e6c8 67. a1a5 67... h5h4 Five! Tomashevsky swiped off all the pawns! This is a theoretically won position. 68. a5a1 68... h4g5 69. a1g1 69... c8g4 70. g1g2 70... e7c5 71. g2g3 |
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72. e4e5 | 1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... a7a6 4. b5a4 4... g8f6 5. e1g1 5... f8e7 6. f1e1 6... b7b5 7. a4b3 7... e8g8 Evgeny Tomashevsky is a very solid player who solves the opening problems in a somewhat unusual way. His white color remains true to his style, while with the black pieces he prefers to go for sharp opening lines where the situation is clarified as soon as possible. The Marshall line in the Ruy Lopez have served him well for many years. 8. a2a4 Vachier-Lagrave does not want to test his opponent in the main lines. 8... c8b7 9. d2d3 9... d7d6 10. c1d2 A modern move. White has a wide choice in the position. 10... b5b4 Now that the bishop had occupied the d2 square for the knight this is strong. 11. c2c3 11... a8b8 A common temporary pawn sacrifice. 12. c3b4 12... b7c8 Evgeny comes well prepared for the game. The bishop is moving to a better position. 13. b4b5 13... a6b5 14. a4b5 14... b8b5 15. a1a8 15... b5b8 16. a8b8 16... c6b8 17. d3d4 MVL occupies some central squares with his knights. 17... e5d4 18. f3d4 18... c7c5 Tomashevsky replies in an adequate way. Next he wants to carry out the freeing d6-d5 advance which will level the game completely. 19. d4f3 19... b8c6 20. d2c3 20... c8e6 21. b1d2 This allows the central break, but the French GM obviously had some interesting complications in mind. 21... d6d5 22. f3g5 22... e6g4 23. d1c2 Consisten and... wrong. Vachier-Lagrave missed some detail in his calculations. 23... c5c4 Very strong! The bishop is becoming too vulnerable. 24. d2c4 24... d5c4 25. b3c4 25... f6d7 26. g5f7 The best practical chance! 26... f8f7 27. c4f7 27... g8f7 28. c3g7 28... f7g7 29. c2c6 After some forced moves the game reaches a highly unusual distribution of forces. White has a rook and four pawns versus three light pieces. I have never seen anything like this before. How can we asses the situation? Well, obviously the pawns can become dangerous in an endgame if there is time to advance them. If not, they will be targets. The three light pieces can easily unite their efforts attacking any of the pawns and it will be lost as the rook cannot separate itself into pieces. The general rule is that the smaller parts should be better than the major piece as long as they are united. This is the case here; the pieces are clearly better. One more thing that helps is that two of them are bishops! 29... d7e5 30. c6c3 30... e7f6 31. c3g3 31... h7h5 32. h2h3 32... h5h4 33. g3e3 33... g4e6 Black has consolidated his forces and starts attacking the pawns. 34. b2b4 34... d8d3 True to his solid style, Tomashevsky removes the queen from the board as well as the possibility of a perpetual. 35. g1h2 35... f6e7 36. f2f4 36... d3e3 37. e1e3 37... e5c4 38. e3e2 At a glance it seems as White should be OK, but the reality is that he is about to lose all his pawns one by one... 38... e7b4 One down, more to go. 39. g2g3 39... c4d2 40. g3h4 This trades the last black pawn, but there are too many pieces! 40... e6c4 41. e2g2 41... g7h6 42. h2g3 The king leaves the danger zone 42... c4f1 43. g2h2 43... f1d3 44. g3g4 44... d2e4 Two down. 45. g4f5 45... b4d6 46. h2g2 46... h6h5 47. g2g8 47... e4g5 48. f5f6 48... g5h7 49. f6g7 49... d6f4 Three. 50. g8a8 50... f4e5 51. g7f7 51... h5h4 Four. 52. a8a4 52... h4h5 53. h3h4 53... e5b2 54. a4f4 54... b2c3 55. f7e6 55... c3e1 56. f4f3 56... d3g6 57. f3f1 57... e1b4 58. f1f4 58... h7f8 59. e6d5 59... b4e7 60. f4f1 60... g6c2 61. f1g1 61... c2b3 62. d5e4 62... f8g6 63. e4f5 63... e7d8 64. f5e4 64... b3e6 65. g1d1 65... d8e7 66. d1a1 66... e6c8 67. a1a5 67... h5h4 Five! Tomashevsky swiped off all the pawns! This is a theoretically won position. 68. a5a1 68... h4g5 69. a1g1 69... c8g4 70. g1g2 70... e7c5 71. g2g3 71... g6f4 |
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72... c5f2 | 1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... a7a6 4. b5a4 4... g8f6 5. e1g1 5... f8e7 6. f1e1 6... b7b5 7. a4b3 7... e8g8 Evgeny Tomashevsky is a very solid player who solves the opening problems in a somewhat unusual way. His white color remains true to his style, while with the black pieces he prefers to go for sharp opening lines where the situation is clarified as soon as possible. The Marshall line in the Ruy Lopez have served him well for many years. 8. a2a4 Vachier-Lagrave does not want to test his opponent in the main lines. 8... c8b7 9. d2d3 9... d7d6 10. c1d2 A modern move. White has a wide choice in the position. 10... b5b4 Now that the bishop had occupied the d2 square for the knight this is strong. 11. c2c3 11... a8b8 A common temporary pawn sacrifice. 12. c3b4 12... b7c8 Evgeny comes well prepared for the game. The bishop is moving to a better position. 13. b4b5 13... a6b5 14. a4b5 14... b8b5 15. a1a8 15... b5b8 16. a8b8 16... c6b8 17. d3d4 MVL occupies some central squares with his knights. 17... e5d4 18. f3d4 18... c7c5 Tomashevsky replies in an adequate way. Next he wants to carry out the freeing d6-d5 advance which will level the game completely. 19. d4f3 19... b8c6 20. d2c3 20... c8e6 21. b1d2 This allows the central break, but the French GM obviously had some interesting complications in mind. 21... d6d5 22. f3g5 22... e6g4 23. d1c2 Consisten and... wrong. Vachier-Lagrave missed some detail in his calculations. 23... c5c4 Very strong! The bishop is becoming too vulnerable. 24. d2c4 24... d5c4 25. b3c4 25... f6d7 26. g5f7 The best practical chance! 26... f8f7 27. c4f7 27... g8f7 28. c3g7 28... f7g7 29. c2c6 After some forced moves the game reaches a highly unusual distribution of forces. White has a rook and four pawns versus three light pieces. I have never seen anything like this before. How can we asses the situation? Well, obviously the pawns can become dangerous in an endgame if there is time to advance them. If not, they will be targets. The three light pieces can easily unite their efforts attacking any of the pawns and it will be lost as the rook cannot separate itself into pieces. The general rule is that the smaller parts should be better than the major piece as long as they are united. This is the case here; the pieces are clearly better. One more thing that helps is that two of them are bishops! 29... d7e5 30. c6c3 30... e7f6 31. c3g3 31... h7h5 32. h2h3 32... h5h4 33. g3e3 33... g4e6 Black has consolidated his forces and starts attacking the pawns. 34. b2b4 34... d8d3 True to his solid style, Tomashevsky removes the queen from the board as well as the possibility of a perpetual. 35. g1h2 35... f6e7 36. f2f4 36... d3e3 37. e1e3 37... e5c4 38. e3e2 At a glance it seems as White should be OK, but the reality is that he is about to lose all his pawns one by one... 38... e7b4 One down, more to go. 39. g2g3 39... c4d2 40. g3h4 This trades the last black pawn, but there are too many pieces! 40... e6c4 41. e2g2 41... g7h6 42. h2g3 The king leaves the danger zone 42... c4f1 43. g2h2 43... f1d3 44. g3g4 44... d2e4 Two down. 45. g4f5 45... b4d6 46. h2g2 46... h6h5 47. g2g8 47... e4g5 48. f5f6 48... g5h7 49. f6g7 49... d6f4 Three. 50. g8a8 50... f4e5 51. g7f7 51... h5h4 Four. 52. a8a4 52... h4h5 53. h3h4 53... e5b2 54. a4f4 54... b2c3 55. f7e6 55... c3e1 56. f4f3 56... d3g6 57. f3f1 57... e1b4 58. f1f4 58... h7f8 59. e6d5 59... b4e7 60. f4f1 60... g6c2 61. f1g1 61... c2b3 62. d5e4 62... f8g6 63. e4f5 63... e7d8 64. f5e4 64... b3e6 65. g1d1 65... d8e7 66. d1a1 66... e6c8 67. a1a5 67... h5h4 Five! Tomashevsky swiped off all the pawns! This is a theoretically won position. 68. a5a1 68... h4g5 69. a1g1 69... c8g4 70. g1g2 70... e7c5 71. g2g3 71... g6f4 72. e4e5 |
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73. g3a3 | 1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... a7a6 4. b5a4 4... g8f6 5. e1g1 5... f8e7 6. f1e1 6... b7b5 7. a4b3 7... e8g8 Evgeny Tomashevsky is a very solid player who solves the opening problems in a somewhat unusual way. His white color remains true to his style, while with the black pieces he prefers to go for sharp opening lines where the situation is clarified as soon as possible. The Marshall line in the Ruy Lopez have served him well for many years. 8. a2a4 Vachier-Lagrave does not want to test his opponent in the main lines. 8... c8b7 9. d2d3 9... d7d6 10. c1d2 A modern move. White has a wide choice in the position. 10... b5b4 Now that the bishop had occupied the d2 square for the knight this is strong. 11. c2c3 11... a8b8 A common temporary pawn sacrifice. 12. c3b4 12... b7c8 Evgeny comes well prepared for the game. The bishop is moving to a better position. 13. b4b5 13... a6b5 14. a4b5 14... b8b5 15. a1a8 15... b5b8 16. a8b8 16... c6b8 17. d3d4 MVL occupies some central squares with his knights. 17... e5d4 18. f3d4 18... c7c5 Tomashevsky replies in an adequate way. Next he wants to carry out the freeing d6-d5 advance which will level the game completely. 19. d4f3 19... b8c6 20. d2c3 20... c8e6 21. b1d2 This allows the central break, but the French GM obviously had some interesting complications in mind. 21... d6d5 22. f3g5 22... e6g4 23. d1c2 Consisten and... wrong. Vachier-Lagrave missed some detail in his calculations. 23... c5c4 Very strong! The bishop is becoming too vulnerable. 24. d2c4 24... d5c4 25. b3c4 25... f6d7 26. g5f7 The best practical chance! 26... f8f7 27. c4f7 27... g8f7 28. c3g7 28... f7g7 29. c2c6 After some forced moves the game reaches a highly unusual distribution of forces. White has a rook and four pawns versus three light pieces. I have never seen anything like this before. How can we asses the situation? Well, obviously the pawns can become dangerous in an endgame if there is time to advance them. If not, they will be targets. The three light pieces can easily unite their efforts attacking any of the pawns and it will be lost as the rook cannot separate itself into pieces. The general rule is that the smaller parts should be better than the major piece as long as they are united. This is the case here; the pieces are clearly better. One more thing that helps is that two of them are bishops! 29... d7e5 30. c6c3 30... e7f6 31. c3g3 31... h7h5 32. h2h3 32... h5h4 33. g3e3 33... g4e6 Black has consolidated his forces and starts attacking the pawns. 34. b2b4 34... d8d3 True to his solid style, Tomashevsky removes the queen from the board as well as the possibility of a perpetual. 35. g1h2 35... f6e7 36. f2f4 36... d3e3 37. e1e3 37... e5c4 38. e3e2 At a glance it seems as White should be OK, but the reality is that he is about to lose all his pawns one by one... 38... e7b4 One down, more to go. 39. g2g3 39... c4d2 40. g3h4 This trades the last black pawn, but there are too many pieces! 40... e6c4 41. e2g2 41... g7h6 42. h2g3 The king leaves the danger zone 42... c4f1 43. g2h2 43... f1d3 44. g3g4 44... d2e4 Two down. 45. g4f5 45... b4d6 46. h2g2 46... h6h5 47. g2g8 47... e4g5 48. f5f6 48... g5h7 49. f6g7 49... d6f4 Three. 50. g8a8 50... f4e5 51. g7f7 51... h5h4 Four. 52. a8a4 52... h4h5 53. h3h4 53... e5b2 54. a4f4 54... b2c3 55. f7e6 55... c3e1 56. f4f3 56... d3g6 57. f3f1 57... e1b4 58. f1f4 58... h7f8 59. e6d5 59... b4e7 60. f4f1 60... g6c2 61. f1g1 61... c2b3 62. d5e4 62... f8g6 63. e4f5 63... e7d8 64. f5e4 64... b3e6 65. g1d1 65... d8e7 66. d1a1 66... e6c8 67. a1a5 67... h5h4 Five! Tomashevsky swiped off all the pawns! This is a theoretically won position. 68. a5a1 68... h4g5 69. a1g1 69... c8g4 70. g1g2 70... e7c5 71. g2g3 71... g6f4 72. e4e5 72... c5f2 |
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73... g4h3 | 1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... a7a6 4. b5a4 4... g8f6 5. e1g1 5... f8e7 6. f1e1 6... b7b5 7. a4b3 7... e8g8 Evgeny Tomashevsky is a very solid player who solves the opening problems in a somewhat unusual way. His white color remains true to his style, while with the black pieces he prefers to go for sharp opening lines where the situation is clarified as soon as possible. The Marshall line in the Ruy Lopez have served him well for many years. 8. a2a4 Vachier-Lagrave does not want to test his opponent in the main lines. 8... c8b7 9. d2d3 9... d7d6 10. c1d2 A modern move. White has a wide choice in the position. 10... b5b4 Now that the bishop had occupied the d2 square for the knight this is strong. 11. c2c3 11... a8b8 A common temporary pawn sacrifice. 12. c3b4 12... b7c8 Evgeny comes well prepared for the game. The bishop is moving to a better position. 13. b4b5 13... a6b5 14. a4b5 14... b8b5 15. a1a8 15... b5b8 16. a8b8 16... c6b8 17. d3d4 MVL occupies some central squares with his knights. 17... e5d4 18. f3d4 18... c7c5 Tomashevsky replies in an adequate way. Next he wants to carry out the freeing d6-d5 advance which will level the game completely. 19. d4f3 19... b8c6 20. d2c3 20... c8e6 21. b1d2 This allows the central break, but the French GM obviously had some interesting complications in mind. 21... d6d5 22. f3g5 22... e6g4 23. d1c2 Consisten and... wrong. Vachier-Lagrave missed some detail in his calculations. 23... c5c4 Very strong! The bishop is becoming too vulnerable. 24. d2c4 24... d5c4 25. b3c4 25... f6d7 26. g5f7 The best practical chance! 26... f8f7 27. c4f7 27... g8f7 28. c3g7 28... f7g7 29. c2c6 After some forced moves the game reaches a highly unusual distribution of forces. White has a rook and four pawns versus three light pieces. I have never seen anything like this before. How can we asses the situation? Well, obviously the pawns can become dangerous in an endgame if there is time to advance them. If not, they will be targets. The three light pieces can easily unite their efforts attacking any of the pawns and it will be lost as the rook cannot separate itself into pieces. The general rule is that the smaller parts should be better than the major piece as long as they are united. This is the case here; the pieces are clearly better. One more thing that helps is that two of them are bishops! 29... d7e5 30. c6c3 30... e7f6 31. c3g3 31... h7h5 32. h2h3 32... h5h4 33. g3e3 33... g4e6 Black has consolidated his forces and starts attacking the pawns. 34. b2b4 34... d8d3 True to his solid style, Tomashevsky removes the queen from the board as well as the possibility of a perpetual. 35. g1h2 35... f6e7 36. f2f4 36... d3e3 37. e1e3 37... e5c4 38. e3e2 At a glance it seems as White should be OK, but the reality is that he is about to lose all his pawns one by one... 38... e7b4 One down, more to go. 39. g2g3 39... c4d2 40. g3h4 This trades the last black pawn, but there are too many pieces! 40... e6c4 41. e2g2 41... g7h6 42. h2g3 The king leaves the danger zone 42... c4f1 43. g2h2 43... f1d3 44. g3g4 44... d2e4 Two down. 45. g4f5 45... b4d6 46. h2g2 46... h6h5 47. g2g8 47... e4g5 48. f5f6 48... g5h7 49. f6g7 49... d6f4 Three. 50. g8a8 50... f4e5 51. g7f7 51... h5h4 Four. 52. a8a4 52... h4h5 53. h3h4 53... e5b2 54. a4f4 54... b2c3 55. f7e6 55... c3e1 56. f4f3 56... d3g6 57. f3f1 57... e1b4 58. f1f4 58... h7f8 59. e6d5 59... b4e7 60. f4f1 60... g6c2 61. f1g1 61... c2b3 62. d5e4 62... f8g6 63. e4f5 63... e7d8 64. f5e4 64... b3e6 65. g1d1 65... d8e7 66. d1a1 66... e6c8 67. a1a5 67... h5h4 Five! Tomashevsky swiped off all the pawns! This is a theoretically won position. 68. a5a1 68... h4g5 69. a1g1 69... c8g4 70. g1g2 70... e7c5 71. g2g3 71... g6f4 72. e4e5 72... c5f2 73. g3a3 |
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74. a3a5 | 1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... a7a6 4. b5a4 4... g8f6 5. e1g1 5... f8e7 6. f1e1 6... b7b5 7. a4b3 7... e8g8 Evgeny Tomashevsky is a very solid player who solves the opening problems in a somewhat unusual way. His white color remains true to his style, while with the black pieces he prefers to go for sharp opening lines where the situation is clarified as soon as possible. The Marshall line in the Ruy Lopez have served him well for many years. 8. a2a4 Vachier-Lagrave does not want to test his opponent in the main lines. 8... c8b7 9. d2d3 9... d7d6 10. c1d2 A modern move. White has a wide choice in the position. 10... b5b4 Now that the bishop had occupied the d2 square for the knight this is strong. 11. c2c3 11... a8b8 A common temporary pawn sacrifice. 12. c3b4 12... b7c8 Evgeny comes well prepared for the game. The bishop is moving to a better position. 13. b4b5 13... a6b5 14. a4b5 14... b8b5 15. a1a8 15... b5b8 16. a8b8 16... c6b8 17. d3d4 MVL occupies some central squares with his knights. 17... e5d4 18. f3d4 18... c7c5 Tomashevsky replies in an adequate way. Next he wants to carry out the freeing d6-d5 advance which will level the game completely. 19. d4f3 19... b8c6 20. d2c3 20... c8e6 21. b1d2 This allows the central break, but the French GM obviously had some interesting complications in mind. 21... d6d5 22. f3g5 22... e6g4 23. d1c2 Consisten and... wrong. Vachier-Lagrave missed some detail in his calculations. 23... c5c4 Very strong! The bishop is becoming too vulnerable. 24. d2c4 24... d5c4 25. b3c4 25... f6d7 26. g5f7 The best practical chance! 26... f8f7 27. c4f7 27... g8f7 28. c3g7 28... f7g7 29. c2c6 After some forced moves the game reaches a highly unusual distribution of forces. White has a rook and four pawns versus three light pieces. I have never seen anything like this before. How can we asses the situation? Well, obviously the pawns can become dangerous in an endgame if there is time to advance them. If not, they will be targets. The three light pieces can easily unite their efforts attacking any of the pawns and it will be lost as the rook cannot separate itself into pieces. The general rule is that the smaller parts should be better than the major piece as long as they are united. This is the case here; the pieces are clearly better. One more thing that helps is that two of them are bishops! 29... d7e5 30. c6c3 30... e7f6 31. c3g3 31... h7h5 32. h2h3 32... h5h4 33. g3e3 33... g4e6 Black has consolidated his forces and starts attacking the pawns. 34. b2b4 34... d8d3 True to his solid style, Tomashevsky removes the queen from the board as well as the possibility of a perpetual. 35. g1h2 35... f6e7 36. f2f4 36... d3e3 37. e1e3 37... e5c4 38. e3e2 At a glance it seems as White should be OK, but the reality is that he is about to lose all his pawns one by one... 38... e7b4 One down, more to go. 39. g2g3 39... c4d2 40. g3h4 This trades the last black pawn, but there are too many pieces! 40... e6c4 41. e2g2 41... g7h6 42. h2g3 The king leaves the danger zone 42... c4f1 43. g2h2 43... f1d3 44. g3g4 44... d2e4 Two down. 45. g4f5 45... b4d6 46. h2g2 46... h6h5 47. g2g8 47... e4g5 48. f5f6 48... g5h7 49. f6g7 49... d6f4 Three. 50. g8a8 50... f4e5 51. g7f7 51... h5h4 Four. 52. a8a4 52... h4h5 53. h3h4 53... e5b2 54. a4f4 54... b2c3 55. f7e6 55... c3e1 56. f4f3 56... d3g6 57. f3f1 57... e1b4 58. f1f4 58... h7f8 59. e6d5 59... b4e7 60. f4f1 60... g6c2 61. f1g1 61... c2b3 62. d5e4 62... f8g6 63. e4f5 63... e7d8 64. f5e4 64... b3e6 65. g1d1 65... d8e7 66. d1a1 66... e6c8 67. a1a5 67... h5h4 Five! Tomashevsky swiped off all the pawns! This is a theoretically won position. 68. a5a1 68... h4g5 69. a1g1 69... c8g4 70. g1g2 70... e7c5 71. g2g3 71... g6f4 72. e4e5 72... c5f2 73. g3a3 73... g4h3 |
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74... h3g2 | The bishops are cutting the king along the diagonals an the knight assists them to push it towards the back rank. | 1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... a7a6 4. b5a4 4... g8f6 5. e1g1 5... f8e7 6. f1e1 6... b7b5 7. a4b3 7... e8g8 Evgeny Tomashevsky is a very solid player who solves the opening problems in a somewhat unusual way. His white color remains true to his style, while with the black pieces he prefers to go for sharp opening lines where the situation is clarified as soon as possible. The Marshall line in the Ruy Lopez have served him well for many years. 8. a2a4 Vachier-Lagrave does not want to test his opponent in the main lines. 8... c8b7 9. d2d3 9... d7d6 10. c1d2 A modern move. White has a wide choice in the position. 10... b5b4 Now that the bishop had occupied the d2 square for the knight this is strong. 11. c2c3 11... a8b8 A common temporary pawn sacrifice. 12. c3b4 12... b7c8 Evgeny comes well prepared for the game. The bishop is moving to a better position. 13. b4b5 13... a6b5 14. a4b5 14... b8b5 15. a1a8 15... b5b8 16. a8b8 16... c6b8 17. d3d4 MVL occupies some central squares with his knights. 17... e5d4 18. f3d4 18... c7c5 Tomashevsky replies in an adequate way. Next he wants to carry out the freeing d6-d5 advance which will level the game completely. 19. d4f3 19... b8c6 20. d2c3 20... c8e6 21. b1d2 This allows the central break, but the French GM obviously had some interesting complications in mind. 21... d6d5 22. f3g5 22... e6g4 23. d1c2 Consisten and... wrong. Vachier-Lagrave missed some detail in his calculations. 23... c5c4 Very strong! The bishop is becoming too vulnerable. 24. d2c4 24... d5c4 25. b3c4 25... f6d7 26. g5f7 The best practical chance! 26... f8f7 27. c4f7 27... g8f7 28. c3g7 28... f7g7 29. c2c6 After some forced moves the game reaches a highly unusual distribution of forces. White has a rook and four pawns versus three light pieces. I have never seen anything like this before. How can we asses the situation? Well, obviously the pawns can become dangerous in an endgame if there is time to advance them. If not, they will be targets. The three light pieces can easily unite their efforts attacking any of the pawns and it will be lost as the rook cannot separate itself into pieces. The general rule is that the smaller parts should be better than the major piece as long as they are united. This is the case here; the pieces are clearly better. One more thing that helps is that two of them are bishops! 29... d7e5 30. c6c3 30... e7f6 31. c3g3 31... h7h5 32. h2h3 32... h5h4 33. g3e3 33... g4e6 Black has consolidated his forces and starts attacking the pawns. 34. b2b4 34... d8d3 True to his solid style, Tomashevsky removes the queen from the board as well as the possibility of a perpetual. 35. g1h2 35... f6e7 36. f2f4 36... d3e3 37. e1e3 37... e5c4 38. e3e2 At a glance it seems as White should be OK, but the reality is that he is about to lose all his pawns one by one... 38... e7b4 One down, more to go. 39. g2g3 39... c4d2 40. g3h4 This trades the last black pawn, but there are too many pieces! 40... e6c4 41. e2g2 41... g7h6 42. h2g3 The king leaves the danger zone 42... c4f1 43. g2h2 43... f1d3 44. g3g4 44... d2e4 Two down. 45. g4f5 45... b4d6 46. h2g2 46... h6h5 47. g2g8 47... e4g5 48. f5f6 48... g5h7 49. f6g7 49... d6f4 Three. 50. g8a8 50... f4e5 51. g7f7 51... h5h4 Four. 52. a8a4 52... h4h5 53. h3h4 53... e5b2 54. a4f4 54... b2c3 55. f7e6 55... c3e1 56. f4f3 56... d3g6 57. f3f1 57... e1b4 58. f1f4 58... h7f8 59. e6d5 59... b4e7 60. f4f1 60... g6c2 61. f1g1 61... c2b3 62. d5e4 62... f8g6 63. e4f5 63... e7d8 64. f5e4 64... b3e6 65. g1d1 65... d8e7 66. d1a1 66... e6c8 67. a1a5 67... h5h4 Five! Tomashevsky swiped off all the pawns! This is a theoretically won position. 68. a5a1 68... h4g5 69. a1g1 69... c8g4 70. g1g2 70... e7c5 71. g2g3 71... g6f4 72. e4e5 72... c5f2 73. g3a3 73... g4h3 74. a3a5 |
75. a5a3 | 1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... a7a6 4. b5a4 4... g8f6 5. e1g1 5... f8e7 6. f1e1 6... b7b5 7. a4b3 7... e8g8 Evgeny Tomashevsky is a very solid player who solves the opening problems in a somewhat unusual way. His white color remains true to his style, while with the black pieces he prefers to go for sharp opening lines where the situation is clarified as soon as possible. The Marshall line in the Ruy Lopez have served him well for many years. 8. a2a4 Vachier-Lagrave does not want to test his opponent in the main lines. 8... c8b7 9. d2d3 9... d7d6 10. c1d2 A modern move. White has a wide choice in the position. 10... b5b4 Now that the bishop had occupied the d2 square for the knight this is strong. 11. c2c3 11... a8b8 A common temporary pawn sacrifice. 12. c3b4 12... b7c8 Evgeny comes well prepared for the game. The bishop is moving to a better position. 13. b4b5 13... a6b5 14. a4b5 14... b8b5 15. a1a8 15... b5b8 16. a8b8 16... c6b8 17. d3d4 MVL occupies some central squares with his knights. 17... e5d4 18. f3d4 18... c7c5 Tomashevsky replies in an adequate way. Next he wants to carry out the freeing d6-d5 advance which will level the game completely. 19. d4f3 19... b8c6 20. d2c3 20... c8e6 21. b1d2 This allows the central break, but the French GM obviously had some interesting complications in mind. 21... d6d5 22. f3g5 22... e6g4 23. d1c2 Consisten and... wrong. Vachier-Lagrave missed some detail in his calculations. 23... c5c4 Very strong! The bishop is becoming too vulnerable. 24. d2c4 24... d5c4 25. b3c4 25... f6d7 26. g5f7 The best practical chance! 26... f8f7 27. c4f7 27... g8f7 28. c3g7 28... f7g7 29. c2c6 After some forced moves the game reaches a highly unusual distribution of forces. White has a rook and four pawns versus three light pieces. I have never seen anything like this before. How can we asses the situation? Well, obviously the pawns can become dangerous in an endgame if there is time to advance them. If not, they will be targets. The three light pieces can easily unite their efforts attacking any of the pawns and it will be lost as the rook cannot separate itself into pieces. The general rule is that the smaller parts should be better than the major piece as long as they are united. This is the case here; the pieces are clearly better. One more thing that helps is that two of them are bishops! 29... d7e5 30. c6c3 30... e7f6 31. c3g3 31... h7h5 32. h2h3 32... h5h4 33. g3e3 33... g4e6 Black has consolidated his forces and starts attacking the pawns. 34. b2b4 34... d8d3 True to his solid style, Tomashevsky removes the queen from the board as well as the possibility of a perpetual. 35. g1h2 35... f6e7 36. f2f4 36... d3e3 37. e1e3 37... e5c4 38. e3e2 At a glance it seems as White should be OK, but the reality is that he is about to lose all his pawns one by one... 38... e7b4 One down, more to go. 39. g2g3 39... c4d2 40. g3h4 This trades the last black pawn, but there are too many pieces! 40... e6c4 41. e2g2 41... g7h6 42. h2g3 The king leaves the danger zone 42... c4f1 43. g2h2 43... f1d3 44. g3g4 44... d2e4 Two down. 45. g4f5 45... b4d6 46. h2g2 46... h6h5 47. g2g8 47... e4g5 48. f5f6 48... g5h7 49. f6g7 49... d6f4 Three. 50. g8a8 50... f4e5 51. g7f7 51... h5h4 Four. 52. a8a4 52... h4h5 53. h3h4 53... e5b2 54. a4f4 54... b2c3 55. f7e6 55... c3e1 56. f4f3 56... d3g6 57. f3f1 57... e1b4 58. f1f4 58... h7f8 59. e6d5 59... b4e7 60. f4f1 60... g6c2 61. f1g1 61... c2b3 62. d5e4 62... f8g6 63. e4f5 63... e7d8 64. f5e4 64... b3e6 65. g1d1 65... d8e7 66. d1a1 66... e6c8 67. a1a5 67... h5h4 Five! Tomashevsky swiped off all the pawns! This is a theoretically won position. 68. a5a1 68... h4g5 69. a1g1 69... c8g4 70. g1g2 70... e7c5 71. g2g3 71... g6f4 72. e4e5 72... c5f2 73. g3a3 73... g4h3 74. a3a5 74... h3g2 The bishops are cutting the king along the diagonals an the knight assists them to push it towards the back rank. |
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75... f4e2 | 1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... a7a6 4. b5a4 4... g8f6 5. e1g1 5... f8e7 6. f1e1 6... b7b5 7. a4b3 7... e8g8 Evgeny Tomashevsky is a very solid player who solves the opening problems in a somewhat unusual way. His white color remains true to his style, while with the black pieces he prefers to go for sharp opening lines where the situation is clarified as soon as possible. The Marshall line in the Ruy Lopez have served him well for many years. 8. a2a4 Vachier-Lagrave does not want to test his opponent in the main lines. 8... c8b7 9. d2d3 9... d7d6 10. c1d2 A modern move. White has a wide choice in the position. 10... b5b4 Now that the bishop had occupied the d2 square for the knight this is strong. 11. c2c3 11... a8b8 A common temporary pawn sacrifice. 12. c3b4 12... b7c8 Evgeny comes well prepared for the game. The bishop is moving to a better position. 13. b4b5 13... a6b5 14. a4b5 14... b8b5 15. a1a8 15... b5b8 16. a8b8 16... c6b8 17. d3d4 MVL occupies some central squares with his knights. 17... e5d4 18. f3d4 18... c7c5 Tomashevsky replies in an adequate way. Next he wants to carry out the freeing d6-d5 advance which will level the game completely. 19. d4f3 19... b8c6 20. d2c3 20... c8e6 21. b1d2 This allows the central break, but the French GM obviously had some interesting complications in mind. 21... d6d5 22. f3g5 22... e6g4 23. d1c2 Consisten and... wrong. Vachier-Lagrave missed some detail in his calculations. 23... c5c4 Very strong! The bishop is becoming too vulnerable. 24. d2c4 24... d5c4 25. b3c4 25... f6d7 26. g5f7 The best practical chance! 26... f8f7 27. c4f7 27... g8f7 28. c3g7 28... f7g7 29. c2c6 After some forced moves the game reaches a highly unusual distribution of forces. White has a rook and four pawns versus three light pieces. I have never seen anything like this before. How can we asses the situation? Well, obviously the pawns can become dangerous in an endgame if there is time to advance them. If not, they will be targets. The three light pieces can easily unite their efforts attacking any of the pawns and it will be lost as the rook cannot separate itself into pieces. The general rule is that the smaller parts should be better than the major piece as long as they are united. This is the case here; the pieces are clearly better. One more thing that helps is that two of them are bishops! 29... d7e5 30. c6c3 30... e7f6 31. c3g3 31... h7h5 32. h2h3 32... h5h4 33. g3e3 33... g4e6 Black has consolidated his forces and starts attacking the pawns. 34. b2b4 34... d8d3 True to his solid style, Tomashevsky removes the queen from the board as well as the possibility of a perpetual. 35. g1h2 35... f6e7 36. f2f4 36... d3e3 37. e1e3 37... e5c4 38. e3e2 At a glance it seems as White should be OK, but the reality is that he is about to lose all his pawns one by one... 38... e7b4 One down, more to go. 39. g2g3 39... c4d2 40. g3h4 This trades the last black pawn, but there are too many pieces! 40... e6c4 41. e2g2 41... g7h6 42. h2g3 The king leaves the danger zone 42... c4f1 43. g2h2 43... f1d3 44. g3g4 44... d2e4 Two down. 45. g4f5 45... b4d6 46. h2g2 46... h6h5 47. g2g8 47... e4g5 48. f5f6 48... g5h7 49. f6g7 49... d6f4 Three. 50. g8a8 50... f4e5 51. g7f7 51... h5h4 Four. 52. a8a4 52... h4h5 53. h3h4 53... e5b2 54. a4f4 54... b2c3 55. f7e6 55... c3e1 56. f4f3 56... d3g6 57. f3f1 57... e1b4 58. f1f4 58... h7f8 59. e6d5 59... b4e7 60. f4f1 60... g6c2 61. f1g1 61... c2b3 62. d5e4 62... f8g6 63. e4f5 63... e7d8 64. f5e4 64... b3e6 65. g1d1 65... d8e7 66. d1a1 66... e6c8 67. a1a5 67... h5h4 Five! Tomashevsky swiped off all the pawns! This is a theoretically won position. 68. a5a1 68... h4g5 69. a1g1 69... c8g4 70. g1g2 70... e7c5 71. g2g3 71... g6f4 72. e4e5 72... c5f2 73. g3a3 73... g4h3 74. a3a5 74... h3g2 The bishops are cutting the king along the diagonals an the knight assists them to push it towards the back rank. 75. a5a3 |
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76. a3a5 | 1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... a7a6 4. b5a4 4... g8f6 5. e1g1 5... f8e7 6. f1e1 6... b7b5 7. a4b3 7... e8g8 Evgeny Tomashevsky is a very solid player who solves the opening problems in a somewhat unusual way. His white color remains true to his style, while with the black pieces he prefers to go for sharp opening lines where the situation is clarified as soon as possible. The Marshall line in the Ruy Lopez have served him well for many years. 8. a2a4 Vachier-Lagrave does not want to test his opponent in the main lines. 8... c8b7 9. d2d3 9... d7d6 10. c1d2 A modern move. White has a wide choice in the position. 10... b5b4 Now that the bishop had occupied the d2 square for the knight this is strong. 11. c2c3 11... a8b8 A common temporary pawn sacrifice. 12. c3b4 12... b7c8 Evgeny comes well prepared for the game. The bishop is moving to a better position. 13. b4b5 13... a6b5 14. a4b5 14... b8b5 15. a1a8 15... b5b8 16. a8b8 16... c6b8 17. d3d4 MVL occupies some central squares with his knights. 17... e5d4 18. f3d4 18... c7c5 Tomashevsky replies in an adequate way. Next he wants to carry out the freeing d6-d5 advance which will level the game completely. 19. d4f3 19... b8c6 20. d2c3 20... c8e6 21. b1d2 This allows the central break, but the French GM obviously had some interesting complications in mind. 21... d6d5 22. f3g5 22... e6g4 23. d1c2 Consisten and... wrong. Vachier-Lagrave missed some detail in his calculations. 23... c5c4 Very strong! The bishop is becoming too vulnerable. 24. d2c4 24... d5c4 25. b3c4 25... f6d7 26. g5f7 The best practical chance! 26... f8f7 27. c4f7 27... g8f7 28. c3g7 28... f7g7 29. c2c6 After some forced moves the game reaches a highly unusual distribution of forces. White has a rook and four pawns versus three light pieces. I have never seen anything like this before. How can we asses the situation? Well, obviously the pawns can become dangerous in an endgame if there is time to advance them. If not, they will be targets. The three light pieces can easily unite their efforts attacking any of the pawns and it will be lost as the rook cannot separate itself into pieces. The general rule is that the smaller parts should be better than the major piece as long as they are united. This is the case here; the pieces are clearly better. One more thing that helps is that two of them are bishops! 29... d7e5 30. c6c3 30... e7f6 31. c3g3 31... h7h5 32. h2h3 32... h5h4 33. g3e3 33... g4e6 Black has consolidated his forces and starts attacking the pawns. 34. b2b4 34... d8d3 True to his solid style, Tomashevsky removes the queen from the board as well as the possibility of a perpetual. 35. g1h2 35... f6e7 36. f2f4 36... d3e3 37. e1e3 37... e5c4 38. e3e2 At a glance it seems as White should be OK, but the reality is that he is about to lose all his pawns one by one... 38... e7b4 One down, more to go. 39. g2g3 39... c4d2 40. g3h4 This trades the last black pawn, but there are too many pieces! 40... e6c4 41. e2g2 41... g7h6 42. h2g3 The king leaves the danger zone 42... c4f1 43. g2h2 43... f1d3 44. g3g4 44... d2e4 Two down. 45. g4f5 45... b4d6 46. h2g2 46... h6h5 47. g2g8 47... e4g5 48. f5f6 48... g5h7 49. f6g7 49... d6f4 Three. 50. g8a8 50... f4e5 51. g7f7 51... h5h4 Four. 52. a8a4 52... h4h5 53. h3h4 53... e5b2 54. a4f4 54... b2c3 55. f7e6 55... c3e1 56. f4f3 56... d3g6 57. f3f1 57... e1b4 58. f1f4 58... h7f8 59. e6d5 59... b4e7 60. f4f1 60... g6c2 61. f1g1 61... c2b3 62. d5e4 62... f8g6 63. e4f5 63... e7d8 64. f5e4 64... b3e6 65. g1d1 65... d8e7 66. d1a1 66... e6c8 67. a1a5 67... h5h4 Five! Tomashevsky swiped off all the pawns! This is a theoretically won position. 68. a5a1 68... h4g5 69. a1g1 69... c8g4 70. g1g2 70... e7c5 71. g2g3 71... g6f4 72. e4e5 72... c5f2 73. g3a3 73... g4h3 74. a3a5 74... h3g2 The bishops are cutting the king along the diagonals an the knight assists them to push it towards the back rank. 75. a5a3 75... f4e2 |
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76... f2g3 | 1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... a7a6 4. b5a4 4... g8f6 5. e1g1 5... f8e7 6. f1e1 6... b7b5 7. a4b3 7... e8g8 Evgeny Tomashevsky is a very solid player who solves the opening problems in a somewhat unusual way. His white color remains true to his style, while with the black pieces he prefers to go for sharp opening lines where the situation is clarified as soon as possible. The Marshall line in the Ruy Lopez have served him well for many years. 8. a2a4 Vachier-Lagrave does not want to test his opponent in the main lines. 8... c8b7 9. d2d3 9... d7d6 10. c1d2 A modern move. White has a wide choice in the position. 10... b5b4 Now that the bishop had occupied the d2 square for the knight this is strong. 11. c2c3 11... a8b8 A common temporary pawn sacrifice. 12. c3b4 12... b7c8 Evgeny comes well prepared for the game. The bishop is moving to a better position. 13. b4b5 13... a6b5 14. a4b5 14... b8b5 15. a1a8 15... b5b8 16. a8b8 16... c6b8 17. d3d4 MVL occupies some central squares with his knights. 17... e5d4 18. f3d4 18... c7c5 Tomashevsky replies in an adequate way. Next he wants to carry out the freeing d6-d5 advance which will level the game completely. 19. d4f3 19... b8c6 20. d2c3 20... c8e6 21. b1d2 This allows the central break, but the French GM obviously had some interesting complications in mind. 21... d6d5 22. f3g5 22... e6g4 23. d1c2 Consisten and... wrong. Vachier-Lagrave missed some detail in his calculations. 23... c5c4 Very strong! The bishop is becoming too vulnerable. 24. d2c4 24... d5c4 25. b3c4 25... f6d7 26. g5f7 The best practical chance! 26... f8f7 27. c4f7 27... g8f7 28. c3g7 28... f7g7 29. c2c6 After some forced moves the game reaches a highly unusual distribution of forces. White has a rook and four pawns versus three light pieces. I have never seen anything like this before. How can we asses the situation? Well, obviously the pawns can become dangerous in an endgame if there is time to advance them. If not, they will be targets. The three light pieces can easily unite their efforts attacking any of the pawns and it will be lost as the rook cannot separate itself into pieces. The general rule is that the smaller parts should be better than the major piece as long as they are united. This is the case here; the pieces are clearly better. One more thing that helps is that two of them are bishops! 29... d7e5 30. c6c3 30... e7f6 31. c3g3 31... h7h5 32. h2h3 32... h5h4 33. g3e3 33... g4e6 Black has consolidated his forces and starts attacking the pawns. 34. b2b4 34... d8d3 True to his solid style, Tomashevsky removes the queen from the board as well as the possibility of a perpetual. 35. g1h2 35... f6e7 36. f2f4 36... d3e3 37. e1e3 37... e5c4 38. e3e2 At a glance it seems as White should be OK, but the reality is that he is about to lose all his pawns one by one... 38... e7b4 One down, more to go. 39. g2g3 39... c4d2 40. g3h4 This trades the last black pawn, but there are too many pieces! 40... e6c4 41. e2g2 41... g7h6 42. h2g3 The king leaves the danger zone 42... c4f1 43. g2h2 43... f1d3 44. g3g4 44... d2e4 Two down. 45. g4f5 45... b4d6 46. h2g2 46... h6h5 47. g2g8 47... e4g5 48. f5f6 48... g5h7 49. f6g7 49... d6f4 Three. 50. g8a8 50... f4e5 51. g7f7 51... h5h4 Four. 52. a8a4 52... h4h5 53. h3h4 53... e5b2 54. a4f4 54... b2c3 55. f7e6 55... c3e1 56. f4f3 56... d3g6 57. f3f1 57... e1b4 58. f1f4 58... h7f8 59. e6d5 59... b4e7 60. f4f1 60... g6c2 61. f1g1 61... c2b3 62. d5e4 62... f8g6 63. e4f5 63... e7d8 64. f5e4 64... b3e6 65. g1d1 65... d8e7 66. d1a1 66... e6c8 67. a1a5 67... h5h4 Five! Tomashevsky swiped off all the pawns! This is a theoretically won position. 68. a5a1 68... h4g5 69. a1g1 69... c8g4 70. g1g2 70... e7c5 71. g2g3 71... g6f4 72. e4e5 72... c5f2 73. g3a3 73... g4h3 74. a3a5 74... h3g2 The bishops are cutting the king along the diagonals an the knight assists them to push it towards the back rank. 75. a5a3 75... f4e2 76. a3a5 |
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77. e5e6 | 1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... a7a6 4. b5a4 4... g8f6 5. e1g1 5... f8e7 6. f1e1 6... b7b5 7. a4b3 7... e8g8 Evgeny Tomashevsky is a very solid player who solves the opening problems in a somewhat unusual way. His white color remains true to his style, while with the black pieces he prefers to go for sharp opening lines where the situation is clarified as soon as possible. The Marshall line in the Ruy Lopez have served him well for many years. 8. a2a4 Vachier-Lagrave does not want to test his opponent in the main lines. 8... c8b7 9. d2d3 9... d7d6 10. c1d2 A modern move. White has a wide choice in the position. 10... b5b4 Now that the bishop had occupied the d2 square for the knight this is strong. 11. c2c3 11... a8b8 A common temporary pawn sacrifice. 12. c3b4 12... b7c8 Evgeny comes well prepared for the game. The bishop is moving to a better position. 13. b4b5 13... a6b5 14. a4b5 14... b8b5 15. a1a8 15... b5b8 16. a8b8 16... c6b8 17. d3d4 MVL occupies some central squares with his knights. 17... e5d4 18. f3d4 18... c7c5 Tomashevsky replies in an adequate way. Next he wants to carry out the freeing d6-d5 advance which will level the game completely. 19. d4f3 19... b8c6 20. d2c3 20... c8e6 21. b1d2 This allows the central break, but the French GM obviously had some interesting complications in mind. 21... d6d5 22. f3g5 22... e6g4 23. d1c2 Consisten and... wrong. Vachier-Lagrave missed some detail in his calculations. 23... c5c4 Very strong! The bishop is becoming too vulnerable. 24. d2c4 24... d5c4 25. b3c4 25... f6d7 26. g5f7 The best practical chance! 26... f8f7 27. c4f7 27... g8f7 28. c3g7 28... f7g7 29. c2c6 After some forced moves the game reaches a highly unusual distribution of forces. White has a rook and four pawns versus three light pieces. I have never seen anything like this before. How can we asses the situation? Well, obviously the pawns can become dangerous in an endgame if there is time to advance them. If not, they will be targets. The three light pieces can easily unite their efforts attacking any of the pawns and it will be lost as the rook cannot separate itself into pieces. The general rule is that the smaller parts should be better than the major piece as long as they are united. This is the case here; the pieces are clearly better. One more thing that helps is that two of them are bishops! 29... d7e5 30. c6c3 30... e7f6 31. c3g3 31... h7h5 32. h2h3 32... h5h4 33. g3e3 33... g4e6 Black has consolidated his forces and starts attacking the pawns. 34. b2b4 34... d8d3 True to his solid style, Tomashevsky removes the queen from the board as well as the possibility of a perpetual. 35. g1h2 35... f6e7 36. f2f4 36... d3e3 37. e1e3 37... e5c4 38. e3e2 At a glance it seems as White should be OK, but the reality is that he is about to lose all his pawns one by one... 38... e7b4 One down, more to go. 39. g2g3 39... c4d2 40. g3h4 This trades the last black pawn, but there are too many pieces! 40... e6c4 41. e2g2 41... g7h6 42. h2g3 The king leaves the danger zone 42... c4f1 43. g2h2 43... f1d3 44. g3g4 44... d2e4 Two down. 45. g4f5 45... b4d6 46. h2g2 46... h6h5 47. g2g8 47... e4g5 48. f5f6 48... g5h7 49. f6g7 49... d6f4 Three. 50. g8a8 50... f4e5 51. g7f7 51... h5h4 Four. 52. a8a4 52... h4h5 53. h3h4 53... e5b2 54. a4f4 54... b2c3 55. f7e6 55... c3e1 56. f4f3 56... d3g6 57. f3f1 57... e1b4 58. f1f4 58... h7f8 59. e6d5 59... b4e7 60. f4f1 60... g6c2 61. f1g1 61... c2b3 62. d5e4 62... f8g6 63. e4f5 63... e7d8 64. f5e4 64... b3e6 65. g1d1 65... d8e7 66. d1a1 66... e6c8 67. a1a5 67... h5h4 Five! Tomashevsky swiped off all the pawns! This is a theoretically won position. 68. a5a1 68... h4g5 69. a1g1 69... c8g4 70. g1g2 70... e7c5 71. g2g3 71... g6f4 72. e4e5 72... c5f2 73. g3a3 73... g4h3 74. a3a5 74... h3g2 The bishops are cutting the king along the diagonals an the knight assists them to push it towards the back rank. 75. a5a3 75... f4e2 76. a3a5 76... f2g3 |
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77... g5g6 | 1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... a7a6 4. b5a4 4... g8f6 5. e1g1 5... f8e7 6. f1e1 6... b7b5 7. a4b3 7... e8g8 Evgeny Tomashevsky is a very solid player who solves the opening problems in a somewhat unusual way. His white color remains true to his style, while with the black pieces he prefers to go for sharp opening lines where the situation is clarified as soon as possible. The Marshall line in the Ruy Lopez have served him well for many years. 8. a2a4 Vachier-Lagrave does not want to test his opponent in the main lines. 8... c8b7 9. d2d3 9... d7d6 10. c1d2 A modern move. White has a wide choice in the position. 10... b5b4 Now that the bishop had occupied the d2 square for the knight this is strong. 11. c2c3 11... a8b8 A common temporary pawn sacrifice. 12. c3b4 12... b7c8 Evgeny comes well prepared for the game. The bishop is moving to a better position. 13. b4b5 13... a6b5 14. a4b5 14... b8b5 15. a1a8 15... b5b8 16. a8b8 16... c6b8 17. d3d4 MVL occupies some central squares with his knights. 17... e5d4 18. f3d4 18... c7c5 Tomashevsky replies in an adequate way. Next he wants to carry out the freeing d6-d5 advance which will level the game completely. 19. d4f3 19... b8c6 20. d2c3 20... c8e6 21. b1d2 This allows the central break, but the French GM obviously had some interesting complications in mind. 21... d6d5 22. f3g5 22... e6g4 23. d1c2 Consisten and... wrong. Vachier-Lagrave missed some detail in his calculations. 23... c5c4 Very strong! The bishop is becoming too vulnerable. 24. d2c4 24... d5c4 25. b3c4 25... f6d7 26. g5f7 The best practical chance! 26... f8f7 27. c4f7 27... g8f7 28. c3g7 28... f7g7 29. c2c6 After some forced moves the game reaches a highly unusual distribution of forces. White has a rook and four pawns versus three light pieces. I have never seen anything like this before. How can we asses the situation? Well, obviously the pawns can become dangerous in an endgame if there is time to advance them. If not, they will be targets. The three light pieces can easily unite their efforts attacking any of the pawns and it will be lost as the rook cannot separate itself into pieces. The general rule is that the smaller parts should be better than the major piece as long as they are united. This is the case here; the pieces are clearly better. One more thing that helps is that two of them are bishops! 29... d7e5 30. c6c3 30... e7f6 31. c3g3 31... h7h5 32. h2h3 32... h5h4 33. g3e3 33... g4e6 Black has consolidated his forces and starts attacking the pawns. 34. b2b4 34... d8d3 True to his solid style, Tomashevsky removes the queen from the board as well as the possibility of a perpetual. 35. g1h2 35... f6e7 36. f2f4 36... d3e3 37. e1e3 37... e5c4 38. e3e2 At a glance it seems as White should be OK, but the reality is that he is about to lose all his pawns one by one... 38... e7b4 One down, more to go. 39. g2g3 39... c4d2 40. g3h4 This trades the last black pawn, but there are too many pieces! 40... e6c4 41. e2g2 41... g7h6 42. h2g3 The king leaves the danger zone 42... c4f1 43. g2h2 43... f1d3 44. g3g4 44... d2e4 Two down. 45. g4f5 45... b4d6 46. h2g2 46... h6h5 47. g2g8 47... e4g5 48. f5f6 48... g5h7 49. f6g7 49... d6f4 Three. 50. g8a8 50... f4e5 51. g7f7 51... h5h4 Four. 52. a8a4 52... h4h5 53. h3h4 53... e5b2 54. a4f4 54... b2c3 55. f7e6 55... c3e1 56. f4f3 56... d3g6 57. f3f1 57... e1b4 58. f1f4 58... h7f8 59. e6d5 59... b4e7 60. f4f1 60... g6c2 61. f1g1 61... c2b3 62. d5e4 62... f8g6 63. e4f5 63... e7d8 64. f5e4 64... b3e6 65. g1d1 65... d8e7 66. d1a1 66... e6c8 67. a1a5 67... h5h4 Five! Tomashevsky swiped off all the pawns! This is a theoretically won position. 68. a5a1 68... h4g5 69. a1g1 69... c8g4 70. g1g2 70... e7c5 71. g2g3 71... g6f4 72. e4e5 72... c5f2 73. g3a3 73... g4h3 74. a3a5 74... h3g2 The bishops are cutting the king along the diagonals an the knight assists them to push it towards the back rank. 75. a5a3 75... f4e2 76. a3a5 76... f2g3 77. e5e6 |
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78. a5a6 | 1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... a7a6 4. b5a4 4... g8f6 5. e1g1 5... f8e7 6. f1e1 6... b7b5 7. a4b3 7... e8g8 Evgeny Tomashevsky is a very solid player who solves the opening problems in a somewhat unusual way. His white color remains true to his style, while with the black pieces he prefers to go for sharp opening lines where the situation is clarified as soon as possible. The Marshall line in the Ruy Lopez have served him well for many years. 8. a2a4 Vachier-Lagrave does not want to test his opponent in the main lines. 8... c8b7 9. d2d3 9... d7d6 10. c1d2 A modern move. White has a wide choice in the position. 10... b5b4 Now that the bishop had occupied the d2 square for the knight this is strong. 11. c2c3 11... a8b8 A common temporary pawn sacrifice. 12. c3b4 12... b7c8 Evgeny comes well prepared for the game. The bishop is moving to a better position. 13. b4b5 13... a6b5 14. a4b5 14... b8b5 15. a1a8 15... b5b8 16. a8b8 16... c6b8 17. d3d4 MVL occupies some central squares with his knights. 17... e5d4 18. f3d4 18... c7c5 Tomashevsky replies in an adequate way. Next he wants to carry out the freeing d6-d5 advance which will level the game completely. 19. d4f3 19... b8c6 20. d2c3 20... c8e6 21. b1d2 This allows the central break, but the French GM obviously had some interesting complications in mind. 21... d6d5 22. f3g5 22... e6g4 23. d1c2 Consisten and... wrong. Vachier-Lagrave missed some detail in his calculations. 23... c5c4 Very strong! The bishop is becoming too vulnerable. 24. d2c4 24... d5c4 25. b3c4 25... f6d7 26. g5f7 The best practical chance! 26... f8f7 27. c4f7 27... g8f7 28. c3g7 28... f7g7 29. c2c6 After some forced moves the game reaches a highly unusual distribution of forces. White has a rook and four pawns versus three light pieces. I have never seen anything like this before. How can we asses the situation? Well, obviously the pawns can become dangerous in an endgame if there is time to advance them. If not, they will be targets. The three light pieces can easily unite their efforts attacking any of the pawns and it will be lost as the rook cannot separate itself into pieces. The general rule is that the smaller parts should be better than the major piece as long as they are united. This is the case here; the pieces are clearly better. One more thing that helps is that two of them are bishops! 29... d7e5 30. c6c3 30... e7f6 31. c3g3 31... h7h5 32. h2h3 32... h5h4 33. g3e3 33... g4e6 Black has consolidated his forces and starts attacking the pawns. 34. b2b4 34... d8d3 True to his solid style, Tomashevsky removes the queen from the board as well as the possibility of a perpetual. 35. g1h2 35... f6e7 36. f2f4 36... d3e3 37. e1e3 37... e5c4 38. e3e2 At a glance it seems as White should be OK, but the reality is that he is about to lose all his pawns one by one... 38... e7b4 One down, more to go. 39. g2g3 39... c4d2 40. g3h4 This trades the last black pawn, but there are too many pieces! 40... e6c4 41. e2g2 41... g7h6 42. h2g3 The king leaves the danger zone 42... c4f1 43. g2h2 43... f1d3 44. g3g4 44... d2e4 Two down. 45. g4f5 45... b4d6 46. h2g2 46... h6h5 47. g2g8 47... e4g5 48. f5f6 48... g5h7 49. f6g7 49... d6f4 Three. 50. g8a8 50... f4e5 51. g7f7 51... h5h4 Four. 52. a8a4 52... h4h5 53. h3h4 53... e5b2 54. a4f4 54... b2c3 55. f7e6 55... c3e1 56. f4f3 56... d3g6 57. f3f1 57... e1b4 58. f1f4 58... h7f8 59. e6d5 59... b4e7 60. f4f1 60... g6c2 61. f1g1 61... c2b3 62. d5e4 62... f8g6 63. e4f5 63... e7d8 64. f5e4 64... b3e6 65. g1d1 65... d8e7 66. d1a1 66... e6c8 67. a1a5 67... h5h4 Five! Tomashevsky swiped off all the pawns! This is a theoretically won position. 68. a5a1 68... h4g5 69. a1g1 69... c8g4 70. g1g2 70... e7c5 71. g2g3 71... g6f4 72. e4e5 72... c5f2 73. g3a3 73... g4h3 74. a3a5 74... h3g2 The bishops are cutting the king along the diagonals an the knight assists them to push it towards the back rank. 75. a5a3 75... f4e2 76. a3a5 76... f2g3 77. e5e6 77... g5g6 |
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78... e2d4 | 1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... a7a6 4. b5a4 4... g8f6 5. e1g1 5... f8e7 6. f1e1 6... b7b5 7. a4b3 7... e8g8 Evgeny Tomashevsky is a very solid player who solves the opening problems in a somewhat unusual way. His white color remains true to his style, while with the black pieces he prefers to go for sharp opening lines where the situation is clarified as soon as possible. The Marshall line in the Ruy Lopez have served him well for many years. 8. a2a4 Vachier-Lagrave does not want to test his opponent in the main lines. 8... c8b7 9. d2d3 9... d7d6 10. c1d2 A modern move. White has a wide choice in the position. 10... b5b4 Now that the bishop had occupied the d2 square for the knight this is strong. 11. c2c3 11... a8b8 A common temporary pawn sacrifice. 12. c3b4 12... b7c8 Evgeny comes well prepared for the game. The bishop is moving to a better position. 13. b4b5 13... a6b5 14. a4b5 14... b8b5 15. a1a8 15... b5b8 16. a8b8 16... c6b8 17. d3d4 MVL occupies some central squares with his knights. 17... e5d4 18. f3d4 18... c7c5 Tomashevsky replies in an adequate way. Next he wants to carry out the freeing d6-d5 advance which will level the game completely. 19. d4f3 19... b8c6 20. d2c3 20... c8e6 21. b1d2 This allows the central break, but the French GM obviously had some interesting complications in mind. 21... d6d5 22. f3g5 22... e6g4 23. d1c2 Consisten and... wrong. Vachier-Lagrave missed some detail in his calculations. 23... c5c4 Very strong! The bishop is becoming too vulnerable. 24. d2c4 24... d5c4 25. b3c4 25... f6d7 26. g5f7 The best practical chance! 26... f8f7 27. c4f7 27... g8f7 28. c3g7 28... f7g7 29. c2c6 After some forced moves the game reaches a highly unusual distribution of forces. White has a rook and four pawns versus three light pieces. I have never seen anything like this before. How can we asses the situation? Well, obviously the pawns can become dangerous in an endgame if there is time to advance them. If not, they will be targets. The three light pieces can easily unite their efforts attacking any of the pawns and it will be lost as the rook cannot separate itself into pieces. The general rule is that the smaller parts should be better than the major piece as long as they are united. This is the case here; the pieces are clearly better. One more thing that helps is that two of them are bishops! 29... d7e5 30. c6c3 30... e7f6 31. c3g3 31... h7h5 32. h2h3 32... h5h4 33. g3e3 33... g4e6 Black has consolidated his forces and starts attacking the pawns. 34. b2b4 34... d8d3 True to his solid style, Tomashevsky removes the queen from the board as well as the possibility of a perpetual. 35. g1h2 35... f6e7 36. f2f4 36... d3e3 37. e1e3 37... e5c4 38. e3e2 At a glance it seems as White should be OK, but the reality is that he is about to lose all his pawns one by one... 38... e7b4 One down, more to go. 39. g2g3 39... c4d2 40. g3h4 This trades the last black pawn, but there are too many pieces! 40... e6c4 41. e2g2 41... g7h6 42. h2g3 The king leaves the danger zone 42... c4f1 43. g2h2 43... f1d3 44. g3g4 44... d2e4 Two down. 45. g4f5 45... b4d6 46. h2g2 46... h6h5 47. g2g8 47... e4g5 48. f5f6 48... g5h7 49. f6g7 49... d6f4 Three. 50. g8a8 50... f4e5 51. g7f7 51... h5h4 Four. 52. a8a4 52... h4h5 53. h3h4 53... e5b2 54. a4f4 54... b2c3 55. f7e6 55... c3e1 56. f4f3 56... d3g6 57. f3f1 57... e1b4 58. f1f4 58... h7f8 59. e6d5 59... b4e7 60. f4f1 60... g6c2 61. f1g1 61... c2b3 62. d5e4 62... f8g6 63. e4f5 63... e7d8 64. f5e4 64... b3e6 65. g1d1 65... d8e7 66. d1a1 66... e6c8 67. a1a5 67... h5h4 Five! Tomashevsky swiped off all the pawns! This is a theoretically won position. 68. a5a1 68... h4g5 69. a1g1 69... c8g4 70. g1g2 70... e7c5 71. g2g3 71... g6f4 72. e4e5 72... c5f2 73. g3a3 73... g4h3 74. a3a5 74... h3g2 The bishops are cutting the king along the diagonals an the knight assists them to push it towards the back rank. 75. a5a3 75... f4e2 76. a3a5 76... f2g3 77. e5e6 77... g5g6 78. a5a6 |
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79. e6e7 | 1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... a7a6 4. b5a4 4... g8f6 5. e1g1 5... f8e7 6. f1e1 6... b7b5 7. a4b3 7... e8g8 Evgeny Tomashevsky is a very solid player who solves the opening problems in a somewhat unusual way. His white color remains true to his style, while with the black pieces he prefers to go for sharp opening lines where the situation is clarified as soon as possible. The Marshall line in the Ruy Lopez have served him well for many years. 8. a2a4 Vachier-Lagrave does not want to test his opponent in the main lines. 8... c8b7 9. d2d3 9... d7d6 10. c1d2 A modern move. White has a wide choice in the position. 10... b5b4 Now that the bishop had occupied the d2 square for the knight this is strong. 11. c2c3 11... a8b8 A common temporary pawn sacrifice. 12. c3b4 12... b7c8 Evgeny comes well prepared for the game. The bishop is moving to a better position. 13. b4b5 13... a6b5 14. a4b5 14... b8b5 15. a1a8 15... b5b8 16. a8b8 16... c6b8 17. d3d4 MVL occupies some central squares with his knights. 17... e5d4 18. f3d4 18... c7c5 Tomashevsky replies in an adequate way. Next he wants to carry out the freeing d6-d5 advance which will level the game completely. 19. d4f3 19... b8c6 20. d2c3 20... c8e6 21. b1d2 This allows the central break, but the French GM obviously had some interesting complications in mind. 21... d6d5 22. f3g5 22... e6g4 23. d1c2 Consisten and... wrong. Vachier-Lagrave missed some detail in his calculations. 23... c5c4 Very strong! The bishop is becoming too vulnerable. 24. d2c4 24... d5c4 25. b3c4 25... f6d7 26. g5f7 The best practical chance! 26... f8f7 27. c4f7 27... g8f7 28. c3g7 28... f7g7 29. c2c6 After some forced moves the game reaches a highly unusual distribution of forces. White has a rook and four pawns versus three light pieces. I have never seen anything like this before. How can we asses the situation? Well, obviously the pawns can become dangerous in an endgame if there is time to advance them. If not, they will be targets. The three light pieces can easily unite their efforts attacking any of the pawns and it will be lost as the rook cannot separate itself into pieces. The general rule is that the smaller parts should be better than the major piece as long as they are united. This is the case here; the pieces are clearly better. One more thing that helps is that two of them are bishops! 29... d7e5 30. c6c3 30... e7f6 31. c3g3 31... h7h5 32. h2h3 32... h5h4 33. g3e3 33... g4e6 Black has consolidated his forces and starts attacking the pawns. 34. b2b4 34... d8d3 True to his solid style, Tomashevsky removes the queen from the board as well as the possibility of a perpetual. 35. g1h2 35... f6e7 36. f2f4 36... d3e3 37. e1e3 37... e5c4 38. e3e2 At a glance it seems as White should be OK, but the reality is that he is about to lose all his pawns one by one... 38... e7b4 One down, more to go. 39. g2g3 39... c4d2 40. g3h4 This trades the last black pawn, but there are too many pieces! 40... e6c4 41. e2g2 41... g7h6 42. h2g3 The king leaves the danger zone 42... c4f1 43. g2h2 43... f1d3 44. g3g4 44... d2e4 Two down. 45. g4f5 45... b4d6 46. h2g2 46... h6h5 47. g2g8 47... e4g5 48. f5f6 48... g5h7 49. f6g7 49... d6f4 Three. 50. g8a8 50... f4e5 51. g7f7 51... h5h4 Four. 52. a8a4 52... h4h5 53. h3h4 53... e5b2 54. a4f4 54... b2c3 55. f7e6 55... c3e1 56. f4f3 56... d3g6 57. f3f1 57... e1b4 58. f1f4 58... h7f8 59. e6d5 59... b4e7 60. f4f1 60... g6c2 61. f1g1 61... c2b3 62. d5e4 62... f8g6 63. e4f5 63... e7d8 64. f5e4 64... b3e6 65. g1d1 65... d8e7 66. d1a1 66... e6c8 67. a1a5 67... h5h4 Five! Tomashevsky swiped off all the pawns! This is a theoretically won position. 68. a5a1 68... h4g5 69. a1g1 69... c8g4 70. g1g2 70... e7c5 71. g2g3 71... g6f4 72. e4e5 72... c5f2 73. g3a3 73... g4h3 74. a3a5 74... h3g2 The bishops are cutting the king along the diagonals an the knight assists them to push it towards the back rank. 75. a5a3 75... f4e2 76. a3a5 76... f2g3 77. e5e6 77... g5g6 78. a5a6 78... e2d4 |
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79... g6g7 | 1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... a7a6 4. b5a4 4... g8f6 5. e1g1 5... f8e7 6. f1e1 6... b7b5 7. a4b3 7... e8g8 Evgeny Tomashevsky is a very solid player who solves the opening problems in a somewhat unusual way. His white color remains true to his style, while with the black pieces he prefers to go for sharp opening lines where the situation is clarified as soon as possible. The Marshall line in the Ruy Lopez have served him well for many years. 8. a2a4 Vachier-Lagrave does not want to test his opponent in the main lines. 8... c8b7 9. d2d3 9... d7d6 10. c1d2 A modern move. White has a wide choice in the position. 10... b5b4 Now that the bishop had occupied the d2 square for the knight this is strong. 11. c2c3 11... a8b8 A common temporary pawn sacrifice. 12. c3b4 12... b7c8 Evgeny comes well prepared for the game. The bishop is moving to a better position. 13. b4b5 13... a6b5 14. a4b5 14... b8b5 15. a1a8 15... b5b8 16. a8b8 16... c6b8 17. d3d4 MVL occupies some central squares with his knights. 17... e5d4 18. f3d4 18... c7c5 Tomashevsky replies in an adequate way. Next he wants to carry out the freeing d6-d5 advance which will level the game completely. 19. d4f3 19... b8c6 20. d2c3 20... c8e6 21. b1d2 This allows the central break, but the French GM obviously had some interesting complications in mind. 21... d6d5 22. f3g5 22... e6g4 23. d1c2 Consisten and... wrong. Vachier-Lagrave missed some detail in his calculations. 23... c5c4 Very strong! The bishop is becoming too vulnerable. 24. d2c4 24... d5c4 25. b3c4 25... f6d7 26. g5f7 The best practical chance! 26... f8f7 27. c4f7 27... g8f7 28. c3g7 28... f7g7 29. c2c6 After some forced moves the game reaches a highly unusual distribution of forces. White has a rook and four pawns versus three light pieces. I have never seen anything like this before. How can we asses the situation? Well, obviously the pawns can become dangerous in an endgame if there is time to advance them. If not, they will be targets. The three light pieces can easily unite their efforts attacking any of the pawns and it will be lost as the rook cannot separate itself into pieces. The general rule is that the smaller parts should be better than the major piece as long as they are united. This is the case here; the pieces are clearly better. One more thing that helps is that two of them are bishops! 29... d7e5 30. c6c3 30... e7f6 31. c3g3 31... h7h5 32. h2h3 32... h5h4 33. g3e3 33... g4e6 Black has consolidated his forces and starts attacking the pawns. 34. b2b4 34... d8d3 True to his solid style, Tomashevsky removes the queen from the board as well as the possibility of a perpetual. 35. g1h2 35... f6e7 36. f2f4 36... d3e3 37. e1e3 37... e5c4 38. e3e2 At a glance it seems as White should be OK, but the reality is that he is about to lose all his pawns one by one... 38... e7b4 One down, more to go. 39. g2g3 39... c4d2 40. g3h4 This trades the last black pawn, but there are too many pieces! 40... e6c4 41. e2g2 41... g7h6 42. h2g3 The king leaves the danger zone 42... c4f1 43. g2h2 43... f1d3 44. g3g4 44... d2e4 Two down. 45. g4f5 45... b4d6 46. h2g2 46... h6h5 47. g2g8 47... e4g5 48. f5f6 48... g5h7 49. f6g7 49... d6f4 Three. 50. g8a8 50... f4e5 51. g7f7 51... h5h4 Four. 52. a8a4 52... h4h5 53. h3h4 53... e5b2 54. a4f4 54... b2c3 55. f7e6 55... c3e1 56. f4f3 56... d3g6 57. f3f1 57... e1b4 58. f1f4 58... h7f8 59. e6d5 59... b4e7 60. f4f1 60... g6c2 61. f1g1 61... c2b3 62. d5e4 62... f8g6 63. e4f5 63... e7d8 64. f5e4 64... b3e6 65. g1d1 65... d8e7 66. d1a1 66... e6c8 67. a1a5 67... h5h4 Five! Tomashevsky swiped off all the pawns! This is a theoretically won position. 68. a5a1 68... h4g5 69. a1g1 69... c8g4 70. g1g2 70... e7c5 71. g2g3 71... g6f4 72. e4e5 72... c5f2 73. g3a3 73... g4h3 74. a3a5 74... h3g2 The bishops are cutting the king along the diagonals an the knight assists them to push it towards the back rank. 75. a5a3 75... f4e2 76. a3a5 76... f2g3 77. e5e6 77... g5g6 78. a5a6 78... e2d4 79. e6e7 |
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80. a6a1 | 1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... a7a6 4. b5a4 4... g8f6 5. e1g1 5... f8e7 6. f1e1 6... b7b5 7. a4b3 7... e8g8 Evgeny Tomashevsky is a very solid player who solves the opening problems in a somewhat unusual way. His white color remains true to his style, while with the black pieces he prefers to go for sharp opening lines where the situation is clarified as soon as possible. The Marshall line in the Ruy Lopez have served him well for many years. 8. a2a4 Vachier-Lagrave does not want to test his opponent in the main lines. 8... c8b7 9. d2d3 9... d7d6 10. c1d2 A modern move. White has a wide choice in the position. 10... b5b4 Now that the bishop had occupied the d2 square for the knight this is strong. 11. c2c3 11... a8b8 A common temporary pawn sacrifice. 12. c3b4 12... b7c8 Evgeny comes well prepared for the game. The bishop is moving to a better position. 13. b4b5 13... a6b5 14. a4b5 14... b8b5 15. a1a8 15... b5b8 16. a8b8 16... c6b8 17. d3d4 MVL occupies some central squares with his knights. 17... e5d4 18. f3d4 18... c7c5 Tomashevsky replies in an adequate way. Next he wants to carry out the freeing d6-d5 advance which will level the game completely. 19. d4f3 19... b8c6 20. d2c3 20... c8e6 21. b1d2 This allows the central break, but the French GM obviously had some interesting complications in mind. 21... d6d5 22. f3g5 22... e6g4 23. d1c2 Consisten and... wrong. Vachier-Lagrave missed some detail in his calculations. 23... c5c4 Very strong! The bishop is becoming too vulnerable. 24. d2c4 24... d5c4 25. b3c4 25... f6d7 26. g5f7 The best practical chance! 26... f8f7 27. c4f7 27... g8f7 28. c3g7 28... f7g7 29. c2c6 After some forced moves the game reaches a highly unusual distribution of forces. White has a rook and four pawns versus three light pieces. I have never seen anything like this before. How can we asses the situation? Well, obviously the pawns can become dangerous in an endgame if there is time to advance them. If not, they will be targets. The three light pieces can easily unite their efforts attacking any of the pawns and it will be lost as the rook cannot separate itself into pieces. The general rule is that the smaller parts should be better than the major piece as long as they are united. This is the case here; the pieces are clearly better. One more thing that helps is that two of them are bishops! 29... d7e5 30. c6c3 30... e7f6 31. c3g3 31... h7h5 32. h2h3 32... h5h4 33. g3e3 33... g4e6 Black has consolidated his forces and starts attacking the pawns. 34. b2b4 34... d8d3 True to his solid style, Tomashevsky removes the queen from the board as well as the possibility of a perpetual. 35. g1h2 35... f6e7 36. f2f4 36... d3e3 37. e1e3 37... e5c4 38. e3e2 At a glance it seems as White should be OK, but the reality is that he is about to lose all his pawns one by one... 38... e7b4 One down, more to go. 39. g2g3 39... c4d2 40. g3h4 This trades the last black pawn, but there are too many pieces! 40... e6c4 41. e2g2 41... g7h6 42. h2g3 The king leaves the danger zone 42... c4f1 43. g2h2 43... f1d3 44. g3g4 44... d2e4 Two down. 45. g4f5 45... b4d6 46. h2g2 46... h6h5 47. g2g8 47... e4g5 48. f5f6 48... g5h7 49. f6g7 49... d6f4 Three. 50. g8a8 50... f4e5 51. g7f7 51... h5h4 Four. 52. a8a4 52... h4h5 53. h3h4 53... e5b2 54. a4f4 54... b2c3 55. f7e6 55... c3e1 56. f4f3 56... d3g6 57. f3f1 57... e1b4 58. f1f4 58... h7f8 59. e6d5 59... b4e7 60. f4f1 60... g6c2 61. f1g1 61... c2b3 62. d5e4 62... f8g6 63. e4f5 63... e7d8 64. f5e4 64... b3e6 65. g1d1 65... d8e7 66. d1a1 66... e6c8 67. a1a5 67... h5h4 Five! Tomashevsky swiped off all the pawns! This is a theoretically won position. 68. a5a1 68... h4g5 69. a1g1 69... c8g4 70. g1g2 70... e7c5 71. g2g3 71... g6f4 72. e4e5 72... c5f2 73. g3a3 73... g4h3 74. a3a5 74... h3g2 The bishops are cutting the king along the diagonals an the knight assists them to push it towards the back rank. 75. a5a3 75... f4e2 76. a3a5 76... f2g3 77. e5e6 77... g5g6 78. a5a6 78... e2d4 79. e6e7 79... g6g7 |
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80... g2h3 | 1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... a7a6 4. b5a4 4... g8f6 5. e1g1 5... f8e7 6. f1e1 6... b7b5 7. a4b3 7... e8g8 Evgeny Tomashevsky is a very solid player who solves the opening problems in a somewhat unusual way. His white color remains true to his style, while with the black pieces he prefers to go for sharp opening lines where the situation is clarified as soon as possible. The Marshall line in the Ruy Lopez have served him well for many years. 8. a2a4 Vachier-Lagrave does not want to test his opponent in the main lines. 8... c8b7 9. d2d3 9... d7d6 10. c1d2 A modern move. White has a wide choice in the position. 10... b5b4 Now that the bishop had occupied the d2 square for the knight this is strong. 11. c2c3 11... a8b8 A common temporary pawn sacrifice. 12. c3b4 12... b7c8 Evgeny comes well prepared for the game. The bishop is moving to a better position. 13. b4b5 13... a6b5 14. a4b5 14... b8b5 15. a1a8 15... b5b8 16. a8b8 16... c6b8 17. d3d4 MVL occupies some central squares with his knights. 17... e5d4 18. f3d4 18... c7c5 Tomashevsky replies in an adequate way. Next he wants to carry out the freeing d6-d5 advance which will level the game completely. 19. d4f3 19... b8c6 20. d2c3 20... c8e6 21. b1d2 This allows the central break, but the French GM obviously had some interesting complications in mind. 21... d6d5 22. f3g5 22... e6g4 23. d1c2 Consisten and... wrong. Vachier-Lagrave missed some detail in his calculations. 23... c5c4 Very strong! The bishop is becoming too vulnerable. 24. d2c4 24... d5c4 25. b3c4 25... f6d7 26. g5f7 The best practical chance! 26... f8f7 27. c4f7 27... g8f7 28. c3g7 28... f7g7 29. c2c6 After some forced moves the game reaches a highly unusual distribution of forces. White has a rook and four pawns versus three light pieces. I have never seen anything like this before. How can we asses the situation? Well, obviously the pawns can become dangerous in an endgame if there is time to advance them. If not, they will be targets. The three light pieces can easily unite their efforts attacking any of the pawns and it will be lost as the rook cannot separate itself into pieces. The general rule is that the smaller parts should be better than the major piece as long as they are united. This is the case here; the pieces are clearly better. One more thing that helps is that two of them are bishops! 29... d7e5 30. c6c3 30... e7f6 31. c3g3 31... h7h5 32. h2h3 32... h5h4 33. g3e3 33... g4e6 Black has consolidated his forces and starts attacking the pawns. 34. b2b4 34... d8d3 True to his solid style, Tomashevsky removes the queen from the board as well as the possibility of a perpetual. 35. g1h2 35... f6e7 36. f2f4 36... d3e3 37. e1e3 37... e5c4 38. e3e2 At a glance it seems as White should be OK, but the reality is that he is about to lose all his pawns one by one... 38... e7b4 One down, more to go. 39. g2g3 39... c4d2 40. g3h4 This trades the last black pawn, but there are too many pieces! 40... e6c4 41. e2g2 41... g7h6 42. h2g3 The king leaves the danger zone 42... c4f1 43. g2h2 43... f1d3 44. g3g4 44... d2e4 Two down. 45. g4f5 45... b4d6 46. h2g2 46... h6h5 47. g2g8 47... e4g5 48. f5f6 48... g5h7 49. f6g7 49... d6f4 Three. 50. g8a8 50... f4e5 51. g7f7 51... h5h4 Four. 52. a8a4 52... h4h5 53. h3h4 53... e5b2 54. a4f4 54... b2c3 55. f7e6 55... c3e1 56. f4f3 56... d3g6 57. f3f1 57... e1b4 58. f1f4 58... h7f8 59. e6d5 59... b4e7 60. f4f1 60... g6c2 61. f1g1 61... c2b3 62. d5e4 62... f8g6 63. e4f5 63... e7d8 64. f5e4 64... b3e6 65. g1d1 65... d8e7 66. d1a1 66... e6c8 67. a1a5 67... h5h4 Five! Tomashevsky swiped off all the pawns! This is a theoretically won position. 68. a5a1 68... h4g5 69. a1g1 69... c8g4 70. g1g2 70... e7c5 71. g2g3 71... g6f4 72. e4e5 72... c5f2 73. g3a3 73... g4h3 74. a3a5 74... h3g2 The bishops are cutting the king along the diagonals an the knight assists them to push it towards the back rank. 75. a5a3 75... f4e2 76. a3a5 76... f2g3 77. e5e6 77... g5g6 78. a5a6 78... e2d4 79. e6e7 79... g6g7 80. a6a1 |
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81. a1h1 | 1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... a7a6 4. b5a4 4... g8f6 5. e1g1 5... f8e7 6. f1e1 6... b7b5 7. a4b3 7... e8g8 Evgeny Tomashevsky is a very solid player who solves the opening problems in a somewhat unusual way. His white color remains true to his style, while with the black pieces he prefers to go for sharp opening lines where the situation is clarified as soon as possible. The Marshall line in the Ruy Lopez have served him well for many years. 8. a2a4 Vachier-Lagrave does not want to test his opponent in the main lines. 8... c8b7 9. d2d3 9... d7d6 10. c1d2 A modern move. White has a wide choice in the position. 10... b5b4 Now that the bishop had occupied the d2 square for the knight this is strong. 11. c2c3 11... a8b8 A common temporary pawn sacrifice. 12. c3b4 12... b7c8 Evgeny comes well prepared for the game. The bishop is moving to a better position. 13. b4b5 13... a6b5 14. a4b5 14... b8b5 15. a1a8 15... b5b8 16. a8b8 16... c6b8 17. d3d4 MVL occupies some central squares with his knights. 17... e5d4 18. f3d4 18... c7c5 Tomashevsky replies in an adequate way. Next he wants to carry out the freeing d6-d5 advance which will level the game completely. 19. d4f3 19... b8c6 20. d2c3 20... c8e6 21. b1d2 This allows the central break, but the French GM obviously had some interesting complications in mind. 21... d6d5 22. f3g5 22... e6g4 23. d1c2 Consisten and... wrong. Vachier-Lagrave missed some detail in his calculations. 23... c5c4 Very strong! The bishop is becoming too vulnerable. 24. d2c4 24... d5c4 25. b3c4 25... f6d7 26. g5f7 The best practical chance! 26... f8f7 27. c4f7 27... g8f7 28. c3g7 28... f7g7 29. c2c6 After some forced moves the game reaches a highly unusual distribution of forces. White has a rook and four pawns versus three light pieces. I have never seen anything like this before. How can we asses the situation? Well, obviously the pawns can become dangerous in an endgame if there is time to advance them. If not, they will be targets. The three light pieces can easily unite their efforts attacking any of the pawns and it will be lost as the rook cannot separate itself into pieces. The general rule is that the smaller parts should be better than the major piece as long as they are united. This is the case here; the pieces are clearly better. One more thing that helps is that two of them are bishops! 29... d7e5 30. c6c3 30... e7f6 31. c3g3 31... h7h5 32. h2h3 32... h5h4 33. g3e3 33... g4e6 Black has consolidated his forces and starts attacking the pawns. 34. b2b4 34... d8d3 True to his solid style, Tomashevsky removes the queen from the board as well as the possibility of a perpetual. 35. g1h2 35... f6e7 36. f2f4 36... d3e3 37. e1e3 37... e5c4 38. e3e2 At a glance it seems as White should be OK, but the reality is that he is about to lose all his pawns one by one... 38... e7b4 One down, more to go. 39. g2g3 39... c4d2 40. g3h4 This trades the last black pawn, but there are too many pieces! 40... e6c4 41. e2g2 41... g7h6 42. h2g3 The king leaves the danger zone 42... c4f1 43. g2h2 43... f1d3 44. g3g4 44... d2e4 Two down. 45. g4f5 45... b4d6 46. h2g2 46... h6h5 47. g2g8 47... e4g5 48. f5f6 48... g5h7 49. f6g7 49... d6f4 Three. 50. g8a8 50... f4e5 51. g7f7 51... h5h4 Four. 52. a8a4 52... h4h5 53. h3h4 53... e5b2 54. a4f4 54... b2c3 55. f7e6 55... c3e1 56. f4f3 56... d3g6 57. f3f1 57... e1b4 58. f1f4 58... h7f8 59. e6d5 59... b4e7 60. f4f1 60... g6c2 61. f1g1 61... c2b3 62. d5e4 62... f8g6 63. e4f5 63... e7d8 64. f5e4 64... b3e6 65. g1d1 65... d8e7 66. d1a1 66... e6c8 67. a1a5 67... h5h4 Five! Tomashevsky swiped off all the pawns! This is a theoretically won position. 68. a5a1 68... h4g5 69. a1g1 69... c8g4 70. g1g2 70... e7c5 71. g2g3 71... g6f4 72. e4e5 72... c5f2 73. g3a3 73... g4h3 74. a3a5 74... h3g2 The bishops are cutting the king along the diagonals an the knight assists them to push it towards the back rank. 75. a5a3 75... f4e2 76. a3a5 76... f2g3 77. e5e6 77... g5g6 78. a5a6 78... e2d4 79. e6e7 79... g6g7 80. a6a1 80... g2h3 |
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81... h3g4 | 1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... a7a6 4. b5a4 4... g8f6 5. e1g1 5... f8e7 6. f1e1 6... b7b5 7. a4b3 7... e8g8 Evgeny Tomashevsky is a very solid player who solves the opening problems in a somewhat unusual way. His white color remains true to his style, while with the black pieces he prefers to go for sharp opening lines where the situation is clarified as soon as possible. The Marshall line in the Ruy Lopez have served him well for many years. 8. a2a4 Vachier-Lagrave does not want to test his opponent in the main lines. 8... c8b7 9. d2d3 9... d7d6 10. c1d2 A modern move. White has a wide choice in the position. 10... b5b4 Now that the bishop had occupied the d2 square for the knight this is strong. 11. c2c3 11... a8b8 A common temporary pawn sacrifice. 12. c3b4 12... b7c8 Evgeny comes well prepared for the game. The bishop is moving to a better position. 13. b4b5 13... a6b5 14. a4b5 14... b8b5 15. a1a8 15... b5b8 16. a8b8 16... c6b8 17. d3d4 MVL occupies some central squares with his knights. 17... e5d4 18. f3d4 18... c7c5 Tomashevsky replies in an adequate way. Next he wants to carry out the freeing d6-d5 advance which will level the game completely. 19. d4f3 19... b8c6 20. d2c3 20... c8e6 21. b1d2 This allows the central break, but the French GM obviously had some interesting complications in mind. 21... d6d5 22. f3g5 22... e6g4 23. d1c2 Consisten and... wrong. Vachier-Lagrave missed some detail in his calculations. 23... c5c4 Very strong! The bishop is becoming too vulnerable. 24. d2c4 24... d5c4 25. b3c4 25... f6d7 26. g5f7 The best practical chance! 26... f8f7 27. c4f7 27... g8f7 28. c3g7 28... f7g7 29. c2c6 After some forced moves the game reaches a highly unusual distribution of forces. White has a rook and four pawns versus three light pieces. I have never seen anything like this before. How can we asses the situation? Well, obviously the pawns can become dangerous in an endgame if there is time to advance them. If not, they will be targets. The three light pieces can easily unite their efforts attacking any of the pawns and it will be lost as the rook cannot separate itself into pieces. The general rule is that the smaller parts should be better than the major piece as long as they are united. This is the case here; the pieces are clearly better. One more thing that helps is that two of them are bishops! 29... d7e5 30. c6c3 30... e7f6 31. c3g3 31... h7h5 32. h2h3 32... h5h4 33. g3e3 33... g4e6 Black has consolidated his forces and starts attacking the pawns. 34. b2b4 34... d8d3 True to his solid style, Tomashevsky removes the queen from the board as well as the possibility of a perpetual. 35. g1h2 35... f6e7 36. f2f4 36... d3e3 37. e1e3 37... e5c4 38. e3e2 At a glance it seems as White should be OK, but the reality is that he is about to lose all his pawns one by one... 38... e7b4 One down, more to go. 39. g2g3 39... c4d2 40. g3h4 This trades the last black pawn, but there are too many pieces! 40... e6c4 41. e2g2 41... g7h6 42. h2g3 The king leaves the danger zone 42... c4f1 43. g2h2 43... f1d3 44. g3g4 44... d2e4 Two down. 45. g4f5 45... b4d6 46. h2g2 46... h6h5 47. g2g8 47... e4g5 48. f5f6 48... g5h7 49. f6g7 49... d6f4 Three. 50. g8a8 50... f4e5 51. g7f7 51... h5h4 Four. 52. a8a4 52... h4h5 53. h3h4 53... e5b2 54. a4f4 54... b2c3 55. f7e6 55... c3e1 56. f4f3 56... d3g6 57. f3f1 57... e1b4 58. f1f4 58... h7f8 59. e6d5 59... b4e7 60. f4f1 60... g6c2 61. f1g1 61... c2b3 62. d5e4 62... f8g6 63. e4f5 63... e7d8 64. f5e4 64... b3e6 65. g1d1 65... d8e7 66. d1a1 66... e6c8 67. a1a5 67... h5h4 Five! Tomashevsky swiped off all the pawns! This is a theoretically won position. 68. a5a1 68... h4g5 69. a1g1 69... c8g4 70. g1g2 70... e7c5 71. g2g3 71... g6f4 72. e4e5 72... c5f2 73. g3a3 73... g4h3 74. a3a5 74... h3g2 The bishops are cutting the king along the diagonals an the knight assists them to push it towards the back rank. 75. a5a3 75... f4e2 76. a3a5 76... f2g3 77. e5e6 77... g5g6 78. a5a6 78... e2d4 79. e6e7 79... g6g7 80. a6a1 80... g2h3 81. a1h1 |
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82. h1g1 | 1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... a7a6 4. b5a4 4... g8f6 5. e1g1 5... f8e7 6. f1e1 6... b7b5 7. a4b3 7... e8g8 Evgeny Tomashevsky is a very solid player who solves the opening problems in a somewhat unusual way. His white color remains true to his style, while with the black pieces he prefers to go for sharp opening lines where the situation is clarified as soon as possible. The Marshall line in the Ruy Lopez have served him well for many years. 8. a2a4 Vachier-Lagrave does not want to test his opponent in the main lines. 8... c8b7 9. d2d3 9... d7d6 10. c1d2 A modern move. White has a wide choice in the position. 10... b5b4 Now that the bishop had occupied the d2 square for the knight this is strong. 11. c2c3 11... a8b8 A common temporary pawn sacrifice. 12. c3b4 12... b7c8 Evgeny comes well prepared for the game. The bishop is moving to a better position. 13. b4b5 13... a6b5 14. a4b5 14... b8b5 15. a1a8 15... b5b8 16. a8b8 16... c6b8 17. d3d4 MVL occupies some central squares with his knights. 17... e5d4 18. f3d4 18... c7c5 Tomashevsky replies in an adequate way. Next he wants to carry out the freeing d6-d5 advance which will level the game completely. 19. d4f3 19... b8c6 20. d2c3 20... c8e6 21. b1d2 This allows the central break, but the French GM obviously had some interesting complications in mind. 21... d6d5 22. f3g5 22... e6g4 23. d1c2 Consisten and... wrong. Vachier-Lagrave missed some detail in his calculations. 23... c5c4 Very strong! The bishop is becoming too vulnerable. 24. d2c4 24... d5c4 25. b3c4 25... f6d7 26. g5f7 The best practical chance! 26... f8f7 27. c4f7 27... g8f7 28. c3g7 28... f7g7 29. c2c6 After some forced moves the game reaches a highly unusual distribution of forces. White has a rook and four pawns versus three light pieces. I have never seen anything like this before. How can we asses the situation? Well, obviously the pawns can become dangerous in an endgame if there is time to advance them. If not, they will be targets. The three light pieces can easily unite their efforts attacking any of the pawns and it will be lost as the rook cannot separate itself into pieces. The general rule is that the smaller parts should be better than the major piece as long as they are united. This is the case here; the pieces are clearly better. One more thing that helps is that two of them are bishops! 29... d7e5 30. c6c3 30... e7f6 31. c3g3 31... h7h5 32. h2h3 32... h5h4 33. g3e3 33... g4e6 Black has consolidated his forces and starts attacking the pawns. 34. b2b4 34... d8d3 True to his solid style, Tomashevsky removes the queen from the board as well as the possibility of a perpetual. 35. g1h2 35... f6e7 36. f2f4 36... d3e3 37. e1e3 37... e5c4 38. e3e2 At a glance it seems as White should be OK, but the reality is that he is about to lose all his pawns one by one... 38... e7b4 One down, more to go. 39. g2g3 39... c4d2 40. g3h4 This trades the last black pawn, but there are too many pieces! 40... e6c4 41. e2g2 41... g7h6 42. h2g3 The king leaves the danger zone 42... c4f1 43. g2h2 43... f1d3 44. g3g4 44... d2e4 Two down. 45. g4f5 45... b4d6 46. h2g2 46... h6h5 47. g2g8 47... e4g5 48. f5f6 48... g5h7 49. f6g7 49... d6f4 Three. 50. g8a8 50... f4e5 51. g7f7 51... h5h4 Four. 52. a8a4 52... h4h5 53. h3h4 53... e5b2 54. a4f4 54... b2c3 55. f7e6 55... c3e1 56. f4f3 56... d3g6 57. f3f1 57... e1b4 58. f1f4 58... h7f8 59. e6d5 59... b4e7 60. f4f1 60... g6c2 61. f1g1 61... c2b3 62. d5e4 62... f8g6 63. e4f5 63... e7d8 64. f5e4 64... b3e6 65. g1d1 65... d8e7 66. d1a1 66... e6c8 67. a1a5 67... h5h4 Five! Tomashevsky swiped off all the pawns! This is a theoretically won position. 68. a5a1 68... h4g5 69. a1g1 69... c8g4 70. g1g2 70... e7c5 71. g2g3 71... g6f4 72. e4e5 72... c5f2 73. g3a3 73... g4h3 74. a3a5 74... h3g2 The bishops are cutting the king along the diagonals an the knight assists them to push it towards the back rank. 75. a5a3 75... f4e2 76. a3a5 76... f2g3 77. e5e6 77... g5g6 78. a5a6 78... e2d4 79. e6e7 79... g6g7 80. a6a1 80... g2h3 81. a1h1 81... h3g4 |
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82... d4e2 | 1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... a7a6 4. b5a4 4... g8f6 5. e1g1 5... f8e7 6. f1e1 6... b7b5 7. a4b3 7... e8g8 Evgeny Tomashevsky is a very solid player who solves the opening problems in a somewhat unusual way. His white color remains true to his style, while with the black pieces he prefers to go for sharp opening lines where the situation is clarified as soon as possible. The Marshall line in the Ruy Lopez have served him well for many years. 8. a2a4 Vachier-Lagrave does not want to test his opponent in the main lines. 8... c8b7 9. d2d3 9... d7d6 10. c1d2 A modern move. White has a wide choice in the position. 10... b5b4 Now that the bishop had occupied the d2 square for the knight this is strong. 11. c2c3 11... a8b8 A common temporary pawn sacrifice. 12. c3b4 12... b7c8 Evgeny comes well prepared for the game. The bishop is moving to a better position. 13. b4b5 13... a6b5 14. a4b5 14... b8b5 15. a1a8 15... b5b8 16. a8b8 16... c6b8 17. d3d4 MVL occupies some central squares with his knights. 17... e5d4 18. f3d4 18... c7c5 Tomashevsky replies in an adequate way. Next he wants to carry out the freeing d6-d5 advance which will level the game completely. 19. d4f3 19... b8c6 20. d2c3 20... c8e6 21. b1d2 This allows the central break, but the French GM obviously had some interesting complications in mind. 21... d6d5 22. f3g5 22... e6g4 23. d1c2 Consisten and... wrong. Vachier-Lagrave missed some detail in his calculations. 23... c5c4 Very strong! The bishop is becoming too vulnerable. 24. d2c4 24... d5c4 25. b3c4 25... f6d7 26. g5f7 The best practical chance! 26... f8f7 27. c4f7 27... g8f7 28. c3g7 28... f7g7 29. c2c6 After some forced moves the game reaches a highly unusual distribution of forces. White has a rook and four pawns versus three light pieces. I have never seen anything like this before. How can we asses the situation? Well, obviously the pawns can become dangerous in an endgame if there is time to advance them. If not, they will be targets. The three light pieces can easily unite their efforts attacking any of the pawns and it will be lost as the rook cannot separate itself into pieces. The general rule is that the smaller parts should be better than the major piece as long as they are united. This is the case here; the pieces are clearly better. One more thing that helps is that two of them are bishops! 29... d7e5 30. c6c3 30... e7f6 31. c3g3 31... h7h5 32. h2h3 32... h5h4 33. g3e3 33... g4e6 Black has consolidated his forces and starts attacking the pawns. 34. b2b4 34... d8d3 True to his solid style, Tomashevsky removes the queen from the board as well as the possibility of a perpetual. 35. g1h2 35... f6e7 36. f2f4 36... d3e3 37. e1e3 37... e5c4 38. e3e2 At a glance it seems as White should be OK, but the reality is that he is about to lose all his pawns one by one... 38... e7b4 One down, more to go. 39. g2g3 39... c4d2 40. g3h4 This trades the last black pawn, but there are too many pieces! 40... e6c4 41. e2g2 41... g7h6 42. h2g3 The king leaves the danger zone 42... c4f1 43. g2h2 43... f1d3 44. g3g4 44... d2e4 Two down. 45. g4f5 45... b4d6 46. h2g2 46... h6h5 47. g2g8 47... e4g5 48. f5f6 48... g5h7 49. f6g7 49... d6f4 Three. 50. g8a8 50... f4e5 51. g7f7 51... h5h4 Four. 52. a8a4 52... h4h5 53. h3h4 53... e5b2 54. a4f4 54... b2c3 55. f7e6 55... c3e1 56. f4f3 56... d3g6 57. f3f1 57... e1b4 58. f1f4 58... h7f8 59. e6d5 59... b4e7 60. f4f1 60... g6c2 61. f1g1 61... c2b3 62. d5e4 62... f8g6 63. e4f5 63... e7d8 64. f5e4 64... b3e6 65. g1d1 65... d8e7 66. d1a1 66... e6c8 67. a1a5 67... h5h4 Five! Tomashevsky swiped off all the pawns! This is a theoretically won position. 68. a5a1 68... h4g5 69. a1g1 69... c8g4 70. g1g2 70... e7c5 71. g2g3 71... g6f4 72. e4e5 72... c5f2 73. g3a3 73... g4h3 74. a3a5 74... h3g2 The bishops are cutting the king along the diagonals an the knight assists them to push it towards the back rank. 75. a5a3 75... f4e2 76. a3a5 76... f2g3 77. e5e6 77... g5g6 78. a5a6 78... e2d4 79. e6e7 79... g6g7 80. a6a1 80... g2h3 81. a1h1 81... h3g4 82. h1g1 |
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83. g1f1 | 1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... a7a6 4. b5a4 4... g8f6 5. e1g1 5... f8e7 6. f1e1 6... b7b5 7. a4b3 7... e8g8 Evgeny Tomashevsky is a very solid player who solves the opening problems in a somewhat unusual way. His white color remains true to his style, while with the black pieces he prefers to go for sharp opening lines where the situation is clarified as soon as possible. The Marshall line in the Ruy Lopez have served him well for many years. 8. a2a4 Vachier-Lagrave does not want to test his opponent in the main lines. 8... c8b7 9. d2d3 9... d7d6 10. c1d2 A modern move. White has a wide choice in the position. 10... b5b4 Now that the bishop had occupied the d2 square for the knight this is strong. 11. c2c3 11... a8b8 A common temporary pawn sacrifice. 12. c3b4 12... b7c8 Evgeny comes well prepared for the game. The bishop is moving to a better position. 13. b4b5 13... a6b5 14. a4b5 14... b8b5 15. a1a8 15... b5b8 16. a8b8 16... c6b8 17. d3d4 MVL occupies some central squares with his knights. 17... e5d4 18. f3d4 18... c7c5 Tomashevsky replies in an adequate way. Next he wants to carry out the freeing d6-d5 advance which will level the game completely. 19. d4f3 19... b8c6 20. d2c3 20... c8e6 21. b1d2 This allows the central break, but the French GM obviously had some interesting complications in mind. 21... d6d5 22. f3g5 22... e6g4 23. d1c2 Consisten and... wrong. Vachier-Lagrave missed some detail in his calculations. 23... c5c4 Very strong! The bishop is becoming too vulnerable. 24. d2c4 24... d5c4 25. b3c4 25... f6d7 26. g5f7 The best practical chance! 26... f8f7 27. c4f7 27... g8f7 28. c3g7 28... f7g7 29. c2c6 After some forced moves the game reaches a highly unusual distribution of forces. White has a rook and four pawns versus three light pieces. I have never seen anything like this before. How can we asses the situation? Well, obviously the pawns can become dangerous in an endgame if there is time to advance them. If not, they will be targets. The three light pieces can easily unite their efforts attacking any of the pawns and it will be lost as the rook cannot separate itself into pieces. The general rule is that the smaller parts should be better than the major piece as long as they are united. This is the case here; the pieces are clearly better. One more thing that helps is that two of them are bishops! 29... d7e5 30. c6c3 30... e7f6 31. c3g3 31... h7h5 32. h2h3 32... h5h4 33. g3e3 33... g4e6 Black has consolidated his forces and starts attacking the pawns. 34. b2b4 34... d8d3 True to his solid style, Tomashevsky removes the queen from the board as well as the possibility of a perpetual. 35. g1h2 35... f6e7 36. f2f4 36... d3e3 37. e1e3 37... e5c4 38. e3e2 At a glance it seems as White should be OK, but the reality is that he is about to lose all his pawns one by one... 38... e7b4 One down, more to go. 39. g2g3 39... c4d2 40. g3h4 This trades the last black pawn, but there are too many pieces! 40... e6c4 41. e2g2 41... g7h6 42. h2g3 The king leaves the danger zone 42... c4f1 43. g2h2 43... f1d3 44. g3g4 44... d2e4 Two down. 45. g4f5 45... b4d6 46. h2g2 46... h6h5 47. g2g8 47... e4g5 48. f5f6 48... g5h7 49. f6g7 49... d6f4 Three. 50. g8a8 50... f4e5 51. g7f7 51... h5h4 Four. 52. a8a4 52... h4h5 53. h3h4 53... e5b2 54. a4f4 54... b2c3 55. f7e6 55... c3e1 56. f4f3 56... d3g6 57. f3f1 57... e1b4 58. f1f4 58... h7f8 59. e6d5 59... b4e7 60. f4f1 60... g6c2 61. f1g1 61... c2b3 62. d5e4 62... f8g6 63. e4f5 63... e7d8 64. f5e4 64... b3e6 65. g1d1 65... d8e7 66. d1a1 66... e6c8 67. a1a5 67... h5h4 Five! Tomashevsky swiped off all the pawns! This is a theoretically won position. 68. a5a1 68... h4g5 69. a1g1 69... c8g4 70. g1g2 70... e7c5 71. g2g3 71... g6f4 72. e4e5 72... c5f2 73. g3a3 73... g4h3 74. a3a5 74... h3g2 The bishops are cutting the king along the diagonals an the knight assists them to push it towards the back rank. 75. a5a3 75... f4e2 76. a3a5 76... f2g3 77. e5e6 77... g5g6 78. a5a6 78... e2d4 79. e6e7 79... g6g7 80. a6a1 80... g2h3 81. a1h1 81... h3g4 82. h1g1 82... d4e2 |
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83... g3f4 | 1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... a7a6 4. b5a4 4... g8f6 5. e1g1 5... f8e7 6. f1e1 6... b7b5 7. a4b3 7... e8g8 Evgeny Tomashevsky is a very solid player who solves the opening problems in a somewhat unusual way. His white color remains true to his style, while with the black pieces he prefers to go for sharp opening lines where the situation is clarified as soon as possible. The Marshall line in the Ruy Lopez have served him well for many years. 8. a2a4 Vachier-Lagrave does not want to test his opponent in the main lines. 8... c8b7 9. d2d3 9... d7d6 10. c1d2 A modern move. White has a wide choice in the position. 10... b5b4 Now that the bishop had occupied the d2 square for the knight this is strong. 11. c2c3 11... a8b8 A common temporary pawn sacrifice. 12. c3b4 12... b7c8 Evgeny comes well prepared for the game. The bishop is moving to a better position. 13. b4b5 13... a6b5 14. a4b5 14... b8b5 15. a1a8 15... b5b8 16. a8b8 16... c6b8 17. d3d4 MVL occupies some central squares with his knights. 17... e5d4 18. f3d4 18... c7c5 Tomashevsky replies in an adequate way. Next he wants to carry out the freeing d6-d5 advance which will level the game completely. 19. d4f3 19... b8c6 20. d2c3 20... c8e6 21. b1d2 This allows the central break, but the French GM obviously had some interesting complications in mind. 21... d6d5 22. f3g5 22... e6g4 23. d1c2 Consisten and... wrong. Vachier-Lagrave missed some detail in his calculations. 23... c5c4 Very strong! The bishop is becoming too vulnerable. 24. d2c4 24... d5c4 25. b3c4 25... f6d7 26. g5f7 The best practical chance! 26... f8f7 27. c4f7 27... g8f7 28. c3g7 28... f7g7 29. c2c6 After some forced moves the game reaches a highly unusual distribution of forces. White has a rook and four pawns versus three light pieces. I have never seen anything like this before. How can we asses the situation? Well, obviously the pawns can become dangerous in an endgame if there is time to advance them. If not, they will be targets. The three light pieces can easily unite their efforts attacking any of the pawns and it will be lost as the rook cannot separate itself into pieces. The general rule is that the smaller parts should be better than the major piece as long as they are united. This is the case here; the pieces are clearly better. One more thing that helps is that two of them are bishops! 29... d7e5 30. c6c3 30... e7f6 31. c3g3 31... h7h5 32. h2h3 32... h5h4 33. g3e3 33... g4e6 Black has consolidated his forces and starts attacking the pawns. 34. b2b4 34... d8d3 True to his solid style, Tomashevsky removes the queen from the board as well as the possibility of a perpetual. 35. g1h2 35... f6e7 36. f2f4 36... d3e3 37. e1e3 37... e5c4 38. e3e2 At a glance it seems as White should be OK, but the reality is that he is about to lose all his pawns one by one... 38... e7b4 One down, more to go. 39. g2g3 39... c4d2 40. g3h4 This trades the last black pawn, but there are too many pieces! 40... e6c4 41. e2g2 41... g7h6 42. h2g3 The king leaves the danger zone 42... c4f1 43. g2h2 43... f1d3 44. g3g4 44... d2e4 Two down. 45. g4f5 45... b4d6 46. h2g2 46... h6h5 47. g2g8 47... e4g5 48. f5f6 48... g5h7 49. f6g7 49... d6f4 Three. 50. g8a8 50... f4e5 51. g7f7 51... h5h4 Four. 52. a8a4 52... h4h5 53. h3h4 53... e5b2 54. a4f4 54... b2c3 55. f7e6 55... c3e1 56. f4f3 56... d3g6 57. f3f1 57... e1b4 58. f1f4 58... h7f8 59. e6d5 59... b4e7 60. f4f1 60... g6c2 61. f1g1 61... c2b3 62. d5e4 62... f8g6 63. e4f5 63... e7d8 64. f5e4 64... b3e6 65. g1d1 65... d8e7 66. d1a1 66... e6c8 67. a1a5 67... h5h4 Five! Tomashevsky swiped off all the pawns! This is a theoretically won position. 68. a5a1 68... h4g5 69. a1g1 69... c8g4 70. g1g2 70... e7c5 71. g2g3 71... g6f4 72. e4e5 72... c5f2 73. g3a3 73... g4h3 74. a3a5 74... h3g2 The bishops are cutting the king along the diagonals an the knight assists them to push it towards the back rank. 75. a5a3 75... f4e2 76. a3a5 76... f2g3 77. e5e6 77... g5g6 78. a5a6 78... e2d4 79. e6e7 79... g6g7 80. a6a1 80... g2h3 81. a1h1 81... h3g4 82. h1g1 82... d4e2 83. g1f1 |
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84. f1d1 | 1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... a7a6 4. b5a4 4... g8f6 5. e1g1 5... f8e7 6. f1e1 6... b7b5 7. a4b3 7... e8g8 Evgeny Tomashevsky is a very solid player who solves the opening problems in a somewhat unusual way. His white color remains true to his style, while with the black pieces he prefers to go for sharp opening lines where the situation is clarified as soon as possible. The Marshall line in the Ruy Lopez have served him well for many years. 8. a2a4 Vachier-Lagrave does not want to test his opponent in the main lines. 8... c8b7 9. d2d3 9... d7d6 10. c1d2 A modern move. White has a wide choice in the position. 10... b5b4 Now that the bishop had occupied the d2 square for the knight this is strong. 11. c2c3 11... a8b8 A common temporary pawn sacrifice. 12. c3b4 12... b7c8 Evgeny comes well prepared for the game. The bishop is moving to a better position. 13. b4b5 13... a6b5 14. a4b5 14... b8b5 15. a1a8 15... b5b8 16. a8b8 16... c6b8 17. d3d4 MVL occupies some central squares with his knights. 17... e5d4 18. f3d4 18... c7c5 Tomashevsky replies in an adequate way. Next he wants to carry out the freeing d6-d5 advance which will level the game completely. 19. d4f3 19... b8c6 20. d2c3 20... c8e6 21. b1d2 This allows the central break, but the French GM obviously had some interesting complications in mind. 21... d6d5 22. f3g5 22... e6g4 23. d1c2 Consisten and... wrong. Vachier-Lagrave missed some detail in his calculations. 23... c5c4 Very strong! The bishop is becoming too vulnerable. 24. d2c4 24... d5c4 25. b3c4 25... f6d7 26. g5f7 The best practical chance! 26... f8f7 27. c4f7 27... g8f7 28. c3g7 28... f7g7 29. c2c6 After some forced moves the game reaches a highly unusual distribution of forces. White has a rook and four pawns versus three light pieces. I have never seen anything like this before. How can we asses the situation? Well, obviously the pawns can become dangerous in an endgame if there is time to advance them. If not, they will be targets. The three light pieces can easily unite their efforts attacking any of the pawns and it will be lost as the rook cannot separate itself into pieces. The general rule is that the smaller parts should be better than the major piece as long as they are united. This is the case here; the pieces are clearly better. One more thing that helps is that two of them are bishops! 29... d7e5 30. c6c3 30... e7f6 31. c3g3 31... h7h5 32. h2h3 32... h5h4 33. g3e3 33... g4e6 Black has consolidated his forces and starts attacking the pawns. 34. b2b4 34... d8d3 True to his solid style, Tomashevsky removes the queen from the board as well as the possibility of a perpetual. 35. g1h2 35... f6e7 36. f2f4 36... d3e3 37. e1e3 37... e5c4 38. e3e2 At a glance it seems as White should be OK, but the reality is that he is about to lose all his pawns one by one... 38... e7b4 One down, more to go. 39. g2g3 39... c4d2 40. g3h4 This trades the last black pawn, but there are too many pieces! 40... e6c4 41. e2g2 41... g7h6 42. h2g3 The king leaves the danger zone 42... c4f1 43. g2h2 43... f1d3 44. g3g4 44... d2e4 Two down. 45. g4f5 45... b4d6 46. h2g2 46... h6h5 47. g2g8 47... e4g5 48. f5f6 48... g5h7 49. f6g7 49... d6f4 Three. 50. g8a8 50... f4e5 51. g7f7 51... h5h4 Four. 52. a8a4 52... h4h5 53. h3h4 53... e5b2 54. a4f4 54... b2c3 55. f7e6 55... c3e1 56. f4f3 56... d3g6 57. f3f1 57... e1b4 58. f1f4 58... h7f8 59. e6d5 59... b4e7 60. f4f1 60... g6c2 61. f1g1 61... c2b3 62. d5e4 62... f8g6 63. e4f5 63... e7d8 64. f5e4 64... b3e6 65. g1d1 65... d8e7 66. d1a1 66... e6c8 67. a1a5 67... h5h4 Five! Tomashevsky swiped off all the pawns! This is a theoretically won position. 68. a5a1 68... h4g5 69. a1g1 69... c8g4 70. g1g2 70... e7c5 71. g2g3 71... g6f4 72. e4e5 72... c5f2 73. g3a3 73... g4h3 74. a3a5 74... h3g2 The bishops are cutting the king along the diagonals an the knight assists them to push it towards the back rank. 75. a5a3 75... f4e2 76. a3a5 76... f2g3 77. e5e6 77... g5g6 78. a5a6 78... e2d4 79. e6e7 79... g6g7 80. a6a1 80... g2h3 81. a1h1 81... h3g4 82. h1g1 82... d4e2 83. g1f1 83... g3f4 |
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84... e2c3 | 1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... a7a6 4. b5a4 4... g8f6 5. e1g1 5... f8e7 6. f1e1 6... b7b5 7. a4b3 7... e8g8 Evgeny Tomashevsky is a very solid player who solves the opening problems in a somewhat unusual way. His white color remains true to his style, while with the black pieces he prefers to go for sharp opening lines where the situation is clarified as soon as possible. The Marshall line in the Ruy Lopez have served him well for many years. 8. a2a4 Vachier-Lagrave does not want to test his opponent in the main lines. 8... c8b7 9. d2d3 9... d7d6 10. c1d2 A modern move. White has a wide choice in the position. 10... b5b4 Now that the bishop had occupied the d2 square for the knight this is strong. 11. c2c3 11... a8b8 A common temporary pawn sacrifice. 12. c3b4 12... b7c8 Evgeny comes well prepared for the game. The bishop is moving to a better position. 13. b4b5 13... a6b5 14. a4b5 14... b8b5 15. a1a8 15... b5b8 16. a8b8 16... c6b8 17. d3d4 MVL occupies some central squares with his knights. 17... e5d4 18. f3d4 18... c7c5 Tomashevsky replies in an adequate way. Next he wants to carry out the freeing d6-d5 advance which will level the game completely. 19. d4f3 19... b8c6 20. d2c3 20... c8e6 21. b1d2 This allows the central break, but the French GM obviously had some interesting complications in mind. 21... d6d5 22. f3g5 22... e6g4 23. d1c2 Consisten and... wrong. Vachier-Lagrave missed some detail in his calculations. 23... c5c4 Very strong! The bishop is becoming too vulnerable. 24. d2c4 24... d5c4 25. b3c4 25... f6d7 26. g5f7 The best practical chance! 26... f8f7 27. c4f7 27... g8f7 28. c3g7 28... f7g7 29. c2c6 After some forced moves the game reaches a highly unusual distribution of forces. White has a rook and four pawns versus three light pieces. I have never seen anything like this before. How can we asses the situation? Well, obviously the pawns can become dangerous in an endgame if there is time to advance them. If not, they will be targets. The three light pieces can easily unite their efforts attacking any of the pawns and it will be lost as the rook cannot separate itself into pieces. The general rule is that the smaller parts should be better than the major piece as long as they are united. This is the case here; the pieces are clearly better. One more thing that helps is that two of them are bishops! 29... d7e5 30. c6c3 30... e7f6 31. c3g3 31... h7h5 32. h2h3 32... h5h4 33. g3e3 33... g4e6 Black has consolidated his forces and starts attacking the pawns. 34. b2b4 34... d8d3 True to his solid style, Tomashevsky removes the queen from the board as well as the possibility of a perpetual. 35. g1h2 35... f6e7 36. f2f4 36... d3e3 37. e1e3 37... e5c4 38. e3e2 At a glance it seems as White should be OK, but the reality is that he is about to lose all his pawns one by one... 38... e7b4 One down, more to go. 39. g2g3 39... c4d2 40. g3h4 This trades the last black pawn, but there are too many pieces! 40... e6c4 41. e2g2 41... g7h6 42. h2g3 The king leaves the danger zone 42... c4f1 43. g2h2 43... f1d3 44. g3g4 44... d2e4 Two down. 45. g4f5 45... b4d6 46. h2g2 46... h6h5 47. g2g8 47... e4g5 48. f5f6 48... g5h7 49. f6g7 49... d6f4 Three. 50. g8a8 50... f4e5 51. g7f7 51... h5h4 Four. 52. a8a4 52... h4h5 53. h3h4 53... e5b2 54. a4f4 54... b2c3 55. f7e6 55... c3e1 56. f4f3 56... d3g6 57. f3f1 57... e1b4 58. f1f4 58... h7f8 59. e6d5 59... b4e7 60. f4f1 60... g6c2 61. f1g1 61... c2b3 62. d5e4 62... f8g6 63. e4f5 63... e7d8 64. f5e4 64... b3e6 65. g1d1 65... d8e7 66. d1a1 66... e6c8 67. a1a5 67... h5h4 Five! Tomashevsky swiped off all the pawns! This is a theoretically won position. 68. a5a1 68... h4g5 69. a1g1 69... c8g4 70. g1g2 70... e7c5 71. g2g3 71... g6f4 72. e4e5 72... c5f2 73. g3a3 73... g4h3 74. a3a5 74... h3g2 The bishops are cutting the king along the diagonals an the knight assists them to push it towards the back rank. 75. a5a3 75... f4e2 76. a3a5 76... f2g3 77. e5e6 77... g5g6 78. a5a6 78... e2d4 79. e6e7 79... g6g7 80. a6a1 80... g2h3 81. a1h1 81... h3g4 82. h1g1 82... d4e2 83. g1f1 83... g3f4 84. f1d1 |
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85. d1d3 | 1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... a7a6 4. b5a4 4... g8f6 5. e1g1 5... f8e7 6. f1e1 6... b7b5 7. a4b3 7... e8g8 Evgeny Tomashevsky is a very solid player who solves the opening problems in a somewhat unusual way. His white color remains true to his style, while with the black pieces he prefers to go for sharp opening lines where the situation is clarified as soon as possible. The Marshall line in the Ruy Lopez have served him well for many years. 8. a2a4 Vachier-Lagrave does not want to test his opponent in the main lines. 8... c8b7 9. d2d3 9... d7d6 10. c1d2 A modern move. White has a wide choice in the position. 10... b5b4 Now that the bishop had occupied the d2 square for the knight this is strong. 11. c2c3 11... a8b8 A common temporary pawn sacrifice. 12. c3b4 12... b7c8 Evgeny comes well prepared for the game. The bishop is moving to a better position. 13. b4b5 13... a6b5 14. a4b5 14... b8b5 15. a1a8 15... b5b8 16. a8b8 16... c6b8 17. d3d4 MVL occupies some central squares with his knights. 17... e5d4 18. f3d4 18... c7c5 Tomashevsky replies in an adequate way. Next he wants to carry out the freeing d6-d5 advance which will level the game completely. 19. d4f3 19... b8c6 20. d2c3 20... c8e6 21. b1d2 This allows the central break, but the French GM obviously had some interesting complications in mind. 21... d6d5 22. f3g5 22... e6g4 23. d1c2 Consisten and... wrong. Vachier-Lagrave missed some detail in his calculations. 23... c5c4 Very strong! The bishop is becoming too vulnerable. 24. d2c4 24... d5c4 25. b3c4 25... f6d7 26. g5f7 The best practical chance! 26... f8f7 27. c4f7 27... g8f7 28. c3g7 28... f7g7 29. c2c6 After some forced moves the game reaches a highly unusual distribution of forces. White has a rook and four pawns versus three light pieces. I have never seen anything like this before. How can we asses the situation? Well, obviously the pawns can become dangerous in an endgame if there is time to advance them. If not, they will be targets. The three light pieces can easily unite their efforts attacking any of the pawns and it will be lost as the rook cannot separate itself into pieces. The general rule is that the smaller parts should be better than the major piece as long as they are united. This is the case here; the pieces are clearly better. One more thing that helps is that two of them are bishops! 29... d7e5 30. c6c3 30... e7f6 31. c3g3 31... h7h5 32. h2h3 32... h5h4 33. g3e3 33... g4e6 Black has consolidated his forces and starts attacking the pawns. 34. b2b4 34... d8d3 True to his solid style, Tomashevsky removes the queen from the board as well as the possibility of a perpetual. 35. g1h2 35... f6e7 36. f2f4 36... d3e3 37. e1e3 37... e5c4 38. e3e2 At a glance it seems as White should be OK, but the reality is that he is about to lose all his pawns one by one... 38... e7b4 One down, more to go. 39. g2g3 39... c4d2 40. g3h4 This trades the last black pawn, but there are too many pieces! 40... e6c4 41. e2g2 41... g7h6 42. h2g3 The king leaves the danger zone 42... c4f1 43. g2h2 43... f1d3 44. g3g4 44... d2e4 Two down. 45. g4f5 45... b4d6 46. h2g2 46... h6h5 47. g2g8 47... e4g5 48. f5f6 48... g5h7 49. f6g7 49... d6f4 Three. 50. g8a8 50... f4e5 51. g7f7 51... h5h4 Four. 52. a8a4 52... h4h5 53. h3h4 53... e5b2 54. a4f4 54... b2c3 55. f7e6 55... c3e1 56. f4f3 56... d3g6 57. f3f1 57... e1b4 58. f1f4 58... h7f8 59. e6d5 59... b4e7 60. f4f1 60... g6c2 61. f1g1 61... c2b3 62. d5e4 62... f8g6 63. e4f5 63... e7d8 64. f5e4 64... b3e6 65. g1d1 65... d8e7 66. d1a1 66... e6c8 67. a1a5 67... h5h4 Five! Tomashevsky swiped off all the pawns! This is a theoretically won position. 68. a5a1 68... h4g5 69. a1g1 69... c8g4 70. g1g2 70... e7c5 71. g2g3 71... g6f4 72. e4e5 72... c5f2 73. g3a3 73... g4h3 74. a3a5 74... h3g2 The bishops are cutting the king along the diagonals an the knight assists them to push it towards the back rank. 75. a5a3 75... f4e2 76. a3a5 76... f2g3 77. e5e6 77... g5g6 78. a5a6 78... e2d4 79. e6e7 79... g6g7 80. a6a1 80... g2h3 81. a1h1 81... h3g4 82. h1g1 82... d4e2 83. g1f1 83... g3f4 84. f1d1 84... e2c3 |
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85... c3e4 | 1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... a7a6 4. b5a4 4... g8f6 5. e1g1 5... f8e7 6. f1e1 6... b7b5 7. a4b3 7... e8g8 Evgeny Tomashevsky is a very solid player who solves the opening problems in a somewhat unusual way. His white color remains true to his style, while with the black pieces he prefers to go for sharp opening lines where the situation is clarified as soon as possible. The Marshall line in the Ruy Lopez have served him well for many years. 8. a2a4 Vachier-Lagrave does not want to test his opponent in the main lines. 8... c8b7 9. d2d3 9... d7d6 10. c1d2 A modern move. White has a wide choice in the position. 10... b5b4 Now that the bishop had occupied the d2 square for the knight this is strong. 11. c2c3 11... a8b8 A common temporary pawn sacrifice. 12. c3b4 12... b7c8 Evgeny comes well prepared for the game. The bishop is moving to a better position. 13. b4b5 13... a6b5 14. a4b5 14... b8b5 15. a1a8 15... b5b8 16. a8b8 16... c6b8 17. d3d4 MVL occupies some central squares with his knights. 17... e5d4 18. f3d4 18... c7c5 Tomashevsky replies in an adequate way. Next he wants to carry out the freeing d6-d5 advance which will level the game completely. 19. d4f3 19... b8c6 20. d2c3 20... c8e6 21. b1d2 This allows the central break, but the French GM obviously had some interesting complications in mind. 21... d6d5 22. f3g5 22... e6g4 23. d1c2 Consisten and... wrong. Vachier-Lagrave missed some detail in his calculations. 23... c5c4 Very strong! The bishop is becoming too vulnerable. 24. d2c4 24... d5c4 25. b3c4 25... f6d7 26. g5f7 The best practical chance! 26... f8f7 27. c4f7 27... g8f7 28. c3g7 28... f7g7 29. c2c6 After some forced moves the game reaches a highly unusual distribution of forces. White has a rook and four pawns versus three light pieces. I have never seen anything like this before. How can we asses the situation? Well, obviously the pawns can become dangerous in an endgame if there is time to advance them. If not, they will be targets. The three light pieces can easily unite their efforts attacking any of the pawns and it will be lost as the rook cannot separate itself into pieces. The general rule is that the smaller parts should be better than the major piece as long as they are united. This is the case here; the pieces are clearly better. One more thing that helps is that two of them are bishops! 29... d7e5 30. c6c3 30... e7f6 31. c3g3 31... h7h5 32. h2h3 32... h5h4 33. g3e3 33... g4e6 Black has consolidated his forces and starts attacking the pawns. 34. b2b4 34... d8d3 True to his solid style, Tomashevsky removes the queen from the board as well as the possibility of a perpetual. 35. g1h2 35... f6e7 36. f2f4 36... d3e3 37. e1e3 37... e5c4 38. e3e2 At a glance it seems as White should be OK, but the reality is that he is about to lose all his pawns one by one... 38... e7b4 One down, more to go. 39. g2g3 39... c4d2 40. g3h4 This trades the last black pawn, but there are too many pieces! 40... e6c4 41. e2g2 41... g7h6 42. h2g3 The king leaves the danger zone 42... c4f1 43. g2h2 43... f1d3 44. g3g4 44... d2e4 Two down. 45. g4f5 45... b4d6 46. h2g2 46... h6h5 47. g2g8 47... e4g5 48. f5f6 48... g5h7 49. f6g7 49... d6f4 Three. 50. g8a8 50... f4e5 51. g7f7 51... h5h4 Four. 52. a8a4 52... h4h5 53. h3h4 53... e5b2 54. a4f4 54... b2c3 55. f7e6 55... c3e1 56. f4f3 56... d3g6 57. f3f1 57... e1b4 58. f1f4 58... h7f8 59. e6d5 59... b4e7 60. f4f1 60... g6c2 61. f1g1 61... c2b3 62. d5e4 62... f8g6 63. e4f5 63... e7d8 64. f5e4 64... b3e6 65. g1d1 65... d8e7 66. d1a1 66... e6c8 67. a1a5 67... h5h4 Five! Tomashevsky swiped off all the pawns! This is a theoretically won position. 68. a5a1 68... h4g5 69. a1g1 69... c8g4 70. g1g2 70... e7c5 71. g2g3 71... g6f4 72. e4e5 72... c5f2 73. g3a3 73... g4h3 74. a3a5 74... h3g2 The bishops are cutting the king along the diagonals an the knight assists them to push it towards the back rank. 75. a5a3 75... f4e2 76. a3a5 76... f2g3 77. e5e6 77... g5g6 78. a5a6 78... e2d4 79. e6e7 79... g6g7 80. a6a1 80... g2h3 81. a1h1 81... h3g4 82. h1g1 82... d4e2 83. g1f1 83... g3f4 84. f1d1 84... e2c3 85. d1d3 |
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86. e7d8 | 1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... a7a6 4. b5a4 4... g8f6 5. e1g1 5... f8e7 6. f1e1 6... b7b5 7. a4b3 7... e8g8 Evgeny Tomashevsky is a very solid player who solves the opening problems in a somewhat unusual way. His white color remains true to his style, while with the black pieces he prefers to go for sharp opening lines where the situation is clarified as soon as possible. The Marshall line in the Ruy Lopez have served him well for many years. 8. a2a4 Vachier-Lagrave does not want to test his opponent in the main lines. 8... c8b7 9. d2d3 9... d7d6 10. c1d2 A modern move. White has a wide choice in the position. 10... b5b4 Now that the bishop had occupied the d2 square for the knight this is strong. 11. c2c3 11... a8b8 A common temporary pawn sacrifice. 12. c3b4 12... b7c8 Evgeny comes well prepared for the game. The bishop is moving to a better position. 13. b4b5 13... a6b5 14. a4b5 14... b8b5 15. a1a8 15... b5b8 16. a8b8 16... c6b8 17. d3d4 MVL occupies some central squares with his knights. 17... e5d4 18. f3d4 18... c7c5 Tomashevsky replies in an adequate way. Next he wants to carry out the freeing d6-d5 advance which will level the game completely. 19. d4f3 19... b8c6 20. d2c3 20... c8e6 21. b1d2 This allows the central break, but the French GM obviously had some interesting complications in mind. 21... d6d5 22. f3g5 22... e6g4 23. d1c2 Consisten and... wrong. Vachier-Lagrave missed some detail in his calculations. 23... c5c4 Very strong! The bishop is becoming too vulnerable. 24. d2c4 24... d5c4 25. b3c4 25... f6d7 26. g5f7 The best practical chance! 26... f8f7 27. c4f7 27... g8f7 28. c3g7 28... f7g7 29. c2c6 After some forced moves the game reaches a highly unusual distribution of forces. White has a rook and four pawns versus three light pieces. I have never seen anything like this before. How can we asses the situation? Well, obviously the pawns can become dangerous in an endgame if there is time to advance them. If not, they will be targets. The three light pieces can easily unite their efforts attacking any of the pawns and it will be lost as the rook cannot separate itself into pieces. The general rule is that the smaller parts should be better than the major piece as long as they are united. This is the case here; the pieces are clearly better. One more thing that helps is that two of them are bishops! 29... d7e5 30. c6c3 30... e7f6 31. c3g3 31... h7h5 32. h2h3 32... h5h4 33. g3e3 33... g4e6 Black has consolidated his forces and starts attacking the pawns. 34. b2b4 34... d8d3 True to his solid style, Tomashevsky removes the queen from the board as well as the possibility of a perpetual. 35. g1h2 35... f6e7 36. f2f4 36... d3e3 37. e1e3 37... e5c4 38. e3e2 At a glance it seems as White should be OK, but the reality is that he is about to lose all his pawns one by one... 38... e7b4 One down, more to go. 39. g2g3 39... c4d2 40. g3h4 This trades the last black pawn, but there are too many pieces! 40... e6c4 41. e2g2 41... g7h6 42. h2g3 The king leaves the danger zone 42... c4f1 43. g2h2 43... f1d3 44. g3g4 44... d2e4 Two down. 45. g4f5 45... b4d6 46. h2g2 46... h6h5 47. g2g8 47... e4g5 48. f5f6 48... g5h7 49. f6g7 49... d6f4 Three. 50. g8a8 50... f4e5 51. g7f7 51... h5h4 Four. 52. a8a4 52... h4h5 53. h3h4 53... e5b2 54. a4f4 54... b2c3 55. f7e6 55... c3e1 56. f4f3 56... d3g6 57. f3f1 57... e1b4 58. f1f4 58... h7f8 59. e6d5 59... b4e7 60. f4f1 60... g6c2 61. f1g1 61... c2b3 62. d5e4 62... f8g6 63. e4f5 63... e7d8 64. f5e4 64... b3e6 65. g1d1 65... d8e7 66. d1a1 66... e6c8 67. a1a5 67... h5h4 Five! Tomashevsky swiped off all the pawns! This is a theoretically won position. 68. a5a1 68... h4g5 69. a1g1 69... c8g4 70. g1g2 70... e7c5 71. g2g3 71... g6f4 72. e4e5 72... c5f2 73. g3a3 73... g4h3 74. a3a5 74... h3g2 The bishops are cutting the king along the diagonals an the knight assists them to push it towards the back rank. 75. a5a3 75... f4e2 76. a3a5 76... f2g3 77. e5e6 77... g5g6 78. a5a6 78... e2d4 79. e6e7 79... g6g7 80. a6a1 80... g2h3 81. a1h1 81... h3g4 82. h1g1 82... d4e2 83. g1f1 83... g3f4 84. f1d1 84... e2c3 85. d1d3 85... c3e4 |
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86... e4c5 | 1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... a7a6 4. b5a4 4... g8f6 5. e1g1 5... f8e7 6. f1e1 6... b7b5 7. a4b3 7... e8g8 Evgeny Tomashevsky is a very solid player who solves the opening problems in a somewhat unusual way. His white color remains true to his style, while with the black pieces he prefers to go for sharp opening lines where the situation is clarified as soon as possible. The Marshall line in the Ruy Lopez have served him well for many years. 8. a2a4 Vachier-Lagrave does not want to test his opponent in the main lines. 8... c8b7 9. d2d3 9... d7d6 10. c1d2 A modern move. White has a wide choice in the position. 10... b5b4 Now that the bishop had occupied the d2 square for the knight this is strong. 11. c2c3 11... a8b8 A common temporary pawn sacrifice. 12. c3b4 12... b7c8 Evgeny comes well prepared for the game. The bishop is moving to a better position. 13. b4b5 13... a6b5 14. a4b5 14... b8b5 15. a1a8 15... b5b8 16. a8b8 16... c6b8 17. d3d4 MVL occupies some central squares with his knights. 17... e5d4 18. f3d4 18... c7c5 Tomashevsky replies in an adequate way. Next he wants to carry out the freeing d6-d5 advance which will level the game completely. 19. d4f3 19... b8c6 20. d2c3 20... c8e6 21. b1d2 This allows the central break, but the French GM obviously had some interesting complications in mind. 21... d6d5 22. f3g5 22... e6g4 23. d1c2 Consisten and... wrong. Vachier-Lagrave missed some detail in his calculations. 23... c5c4 Very strong! The bishop is becoming too vulnerable. 24. d2c4 24... d5c4 25. b3c4 25... f6d7 26. g5f7 The best practical chance! 26... f8f7 27. c4f7 27... g8f7 28. c3g7 28... f7g7 29. c2c6 After some forced moves the game reaches a highly unusual distribution of forces. White has a rook and four pawns versus three light pieces. I have never seen anything like this before. How can we asses the situation? Well, obviously the pawns can become dangerous in an endgame if there is time to advance them. If not, they will be targets. The three light pieces can easily unite their efforts attacking any of the pawns and it will be lost as the rook cannot separate itself into pieces. The general rule is that the smaller parts should be better than the major piece as long as they are united. This is the case here; the pieces are clearly better. One more thing that helps is that two of them are bishops! 29... d7e5 30. c6c3 30... e7f6 31. c3g3 31... h7h5 32. h2h3 32... h5h4 33. g3e3 33... g4e6 Black has consolidated his forces and starts attacking the pawns. 34. b2b4 34... d8d3 True to his solid style, Tomashevsky removes the queen from the board as well as the possibility of a perpetual. 35. g1h2 35... f6e7 36. f2f4 36... d3e3 37. e1e3 37... e5c4 38. e3e2 At a glance it seems as White should be OK, but the reality is that he is about to lose all his pawns one by one... 38... e7b4 One down, more to go. 39. g2g3 39... c4d2 40. g3h4 This trades the last black pawn, but there are too many pieces! 40... e6c4 41. e2g2 41... g7h6 42. h2g3 The king leaves the danger zone 42... c4f1 43. g2h2 43... f1d3 44. g3g4 44... d2e4 Two down. 45. g4f5 45... b4d6 46. h2g2 46... h6h5 47. g2g8 47... e4g5 48. f5f6 48... g5h7 49. f6g7 49... d6f4 Three. 50. g8a8 50... f4e5 51. g7f7 51... h5h4 Four. 52. a8a4 52... h4h5 53. h3h4 53... e5b2 54. a4f4 54... b2c3 55. f7e6 55... c3e1 56. f4f3 56... d3g6 57. f3f1 57... e1b4 58. f1f4 58... h7f8 59. e6d5 59... b4e7 60. f4f1 60... g6c2 61. f1g1 61... c2b3 62. d5e4 62... f8g6 63. e4f5 63... e7d8 64. f5e4 64... b3e6 65. g1d1 65... d8e7 66. d1a1 66... e6c8 67. a1a5 67... h5h4 Five! Tomashevsky swiped off all the pawns! This is a theoretically won position. 68. a5a1 68... h4g5 69. a1g1 69... c8g4 70. g1g2 70... e7c5 71. g2g3 71... g6f4 72. e4e5 72... c5f2 73. g3a3 73... g4h3 74. a3a5 74... h3g2 The bishops are cutting the king along the diagonals an the knight assists them to push it towards the back rank. 75. a5a3 75... f4e2 76. a3a5 76... f2g3 77. e5e6 77... g5g6 78. a5a6 78... e2d4 79. e6e7 79... g6g7 80. a6a1 80... g2h3 81. a1h1 81... h3g4 82. h1g1 82... d4e2 83. g1f1 83... g3f4 84. f1d1 84... e2c3 85. d1d3 85... c3e4 86. e7d8 |
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87. d3d5 | 1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... a7a6 4. b5a4 4... g8f6 5. e1g1 5... f8e7 6. f1e1 6... b7b5 7. a4b3 7... e8g8 Evgeny Tomashevsky is a very solid player who solves the opening problems in a somewhat unusual way. His white color remains true to his style, while with the black pieces he prefers to go for sharp opening lines where the situation is clarified as soon as possible. The Marshall line in the Ruy Lopez have served him well for many years. 8. a2a4 Vachier-Lagrave does not want to test his opponent in the main lines. 8... c8b7 9. d2d3 9... d7d6 10. c1d2 A modern move. White has a wide choice in the position. 10... b5b4 Now that the bishop had occupied the d2 square for the knight this is strong. 11. c2c3 11... a8b8 A common temporary pawn sacrifice. 12. c3b4 12... b7c8 Evgeny comes well prepared for the game. The bishop is moving to a better position. 13. b4b5 13... a6b5 14. a4b5 14... b8b5 15. a1a8 15... b5b8 16. a8b8 16... c6b8 17. d3d4 MVL occupies some central squares with his knights. 17... e5d4 18. f3d4 18... c7c5 Tomashevsky replies in an adequate way. Next he wants to carry out the freeing d6-d5 advance which will level the game completely. 19. d4f3 19... b8c6 20. d2c3 20... c8e6 21. b1d2 This allows the central break, but the French GM obviously had some interesting complications in mind. 21... d6d5 22. f3g5 22... e6g4 23. d1c2 Consisten and... wrong. Vachier-Lagrave missed some detail in his calculations. 23... c5c4 Very strong! The bishop is becoming too vulnerable. 24. d2c4 24... d5c4 25. b3c4 25... f6d7 26. g5f7 The best practical chance! 26... f8f7 27. c4f7 27... g8f7 28. c3g7 28... f7g7 29. c2c6 After some forced moves the game reaches a highly unusual distribution of forces. White has a rook and four pawns versus three light pieces. I have never seen anything like this before. How can we asses the situation? Well, obviously the pawns can become dangerous in an endgame if there is time to advance them. If not, they will be targets. The three light pieces can easily unite their efforts attacking any of the pawns and it will be lost as the rook cannot separate itself into pieces. The general rule is that the smaller parts should be better than the major piece as long as they are united. This is the case here; the pieces are clearly better. One more thing that helps is that two of them are bishops! 29... d7e5 30. c6c3 30... e7f6 31. c3g3 31... h7h5 32. h2h3 32... h5h4 33. g3e3 33... g4e6 Black has consolidated his forces and starts attacking the pawns. 34. b2b4 34... d8d3 True to his solid style, Tomashevsky removes the queen from the board as well as the possibility of a perpetual. 35. g1h2 35... f6e7 36. f2f4 36... d3e3 37. e1e3 37... e5c4 38. e3e2 At a glance it seems as White should be OK, but the reality is that he is about to lose all his pawns one by one... 38... e7b4 One down, more to go. 39. g2g3 39... c4d2 40. g3h4 This trades the last black pawn, but there are too many pieces! 40... e6c4 41. e2g2 41... g7h6 42. h2g3 The king leaves the danger zone 42... c4f1 43. g2h2 43... f1d3 44. g3g4 44... d2e4 Two down. 45. g4f5 45... b4d6 46. h2g2 46... h6h5 47. g2g8 47... e4g5 48. f5f6 48... g5h7 49. f6g7 49... d6f4 Three. 50. g8a8 50... f4e5 51. g7f7 51... h5h4 Four. 52. a8a4 52... h4h5 53. h3h4 53... e5b2 54. a4f4 54... b2c3 55. f7e6 55... c3e1 56. f4f3 56... d3g6 57. f3f1 57... e1b4 58. f1f4 58... h7f8 59. e6d5 59... b4e7 60. f4f1 60... g6c2 61. f1g1 61... c2b3 62. d5e4 62... f8g6 63. e4f5 63... e7d8 64. f5e4 64... b3e6 65. g1d1 65... d8e7 66. d1a1 66... e6c8 67. a1a5 67... h5h4 Five! Tomashevsky swiped off all the pawns! This is a theoretically won position. 68. a5a1 68... h4g5 69. a1g1 69... c8g4 70. g1g2 70... e7c5 71. g2g3 71... g6f4 72. e4e5 72... c5f2 73. g3a3 73... g4h3 74. a3a5 74... h3g2 The bishops are cutting the king along the diagonals an the knight assists them to push it towards the back rank. 75. a5a3 75... f4e2 76. a3a5 76... f2g3 77. e5e6 77... g5g6 78. a5a6 78... e2d4 79. e6e7 79... g6g7 80. a6a1 80... g2h3 81. a1h1 81... h3g4 82. h1g1 82... d4e2 83. g1f1 83... g3f4 84. f1d1 84... e2c3 85. d1d3 85... c3e4 86. e7d8 86... e4c5 |
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87... c5e4 | 1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... a7a6 4. b5a4 4... g8f6 5. e1g1 5... f8e7 6. f1e1 6... b7b5 7. a4b3 7... e8g8 Evgeny Tomashevsky is a very solid player who solves the opening problems in a somewhat unusual way. His white color remains true to his style, while with the black pieces he prefers to go for sharp opening lines where the situation is clarified as soon as possible. The Marshall line in the Ruy Lopez have served him well for many years. 8. a2a4 Vachier-Lagrave does not want to test his opponent in the main lines. 8... c8b7 9. d2d3 9... d7d6 10. c1d2 A modern move. White has a wide choice in the position. 10... b5b4 Now that the bishop had occupied the d2 square for the knight this is strong. 11. c2c3 11... a8b8 A common temporary pawn sacrifice. 12. c3b4 12... b7c8 Evgeny comes well prepared for the game. The bishop is moving to a better position. 13. b4b5 13... a6b5 14. a4b5 14... b8b5 15. a1a8 15... b5b8 16. a8b8 16... c6b8 17. d3d4 MVL occupies some central squares with his knights. 17... e5d4 18. f3d4 18... c7c5 Tomashevsky replies in an adequate way. Next he wants to carry out the freeing d6-d5 advance which will level the game completely. 19. d4f3 19... b8c6 20. d2c3 20... c8e6 21. b1d2 This allows the central break, but the French GM obviously had some interesting complications in mind. 21... d6d5 22. f3g5 22... e6g4 23. d1c2 Consisten and... wrong. Vachier-Lagrave missed some detail in his calculations. 23... c5c4 Very strong! The bishop is becoming too vulnerable. 24. d2c4 24... d5c4 25. b3c4 25... f6d7 26. g5f7 The best practical chance! 26... f8f7 27. c4f7 27... g8f7 28. c3g7 28... f7g7 29. c2c6 After some forced moves the game reaches a highly unusual distribution of forces. White has a rook and four pawns versus three light pieces. I have never seen anything like this before. How can we asses the situation? Well, obviously the pawns can become dangerous in an endgame if there is time to advance them. If not, they will be targets. The three light pieces can easily unite their efforts attacking any of the pawns and it will be lost as the rook cannot separate itself into pieces. The general rule is that the smaller parts should be better than the major piece as long as they are united. This is the case here; the pieces are clearly better. One more thing that helps is that two of them are bishops! 29... d7e5 30. c6c3 30... e7f6 31. c3g3 31... h7h5 32. h2h3 32... h5h4 33. g3e3 33... g4e6 Black has consolidated his forces and starts attacking the pawns. 34. b2b4 34... d8d3 True to his solid style, Tomashevsky removes the queen from the board as well as the possibility of a perpetual. 35. g1h2 35... f6e7 36. f2f4 36... d3e3 37. e1e3 37... e5c4 38. e3e2 At a glance it seems as White should be OK, but the reality is that he is about to lose all his pawns one by one... 38... e7b4 One down, more to go. 39. g2g3 39... c4d2 40. g3h4 This trades the last black pawn, but there are too many pieces! 40... e6c4 41. e2g2 41... g7h6 42. h2g3 The king leaves the danger zone 42... c4f1 43. g2h2 43... f1d3 44. g3g4 44... d2e4 Two down. 45. g4f5 45... b4d6 46. h2g2 46... h6h5 47. g2g8 47... e4g5 48. f5f6 48... g5h7 49. f6g7 49... d6f4 Three. 50. g8a8 50... f4e5 51. g7f7 51... h5h4 Four. 52. a8a4 52... h4h5 53. h3h4 53... e5b2 54. a4f4 54... b2c3 55. f7e6 55... c3e1 56. f4f3 56... d3g6 57. f3f1 57... e1b4 58. f1f4 58... h7f8 59. e6d5 59... b4e7 60. f4f1 60... g6c2 61. f1g1 61... c2b3 62. d5e4 62... f8g6 63. e4f5 63... e7d8 64. f5e4 64... b3e6 65. g1d1 65... d8e7 66. d1a1 66... e6c8 67. a1a5 67... h5h4 Five! Tomashevsky swiped off all the pawns! This is a theoretically won position. 68. a5a1 68... h4g5 69. a1g1 69... c8g4 70. g1g2 70... e7c5 71. g2g3 71... g6f4 72. e4e5 72... c5f2 73. g3a3 73... g4h3 74. a3a5 74... h3g2 The bishops are cutting the king along the diagonals an the knight assists them to push it towards the back rank. 75. a5a3 75... f4e2 76. a3a5 76... f2g3 77. e5e6 77... g5g6 78. a5a6 78... e2d4 79. e6e7 79... g6g7 80. a6a1 80... g2h3 81. a1h1 81... h3g4 82. h1g1 82... d4e2 83. g1f1 83... g3f4 84. f1d1 84... e2c3 85. d1d3 85... c3e4 86. e7d8 86... e4c5 87. d3d5 |
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88. d5d3 | 1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... a7a6 4. b5a4 4... g8f6 5. e1g1 5... f8e7 6. f1e1 6... b7b5 7. a4b3 7... e8g8 Evgeny Tomashevsky is a very solid player who solves the opening problems in a somewhat unusual way. His white color remains true to his style, while with the black pieces he prefers to go for sharp opening lines where the situation is clarified as soon as possible. The Marshall line in the Ruy Lopez have served him well for many years. 8. a2a4 Vachier-Lagrave does not want to test his opponent in the main lines. 8... c8b7 9. d2d3 9... d7d6 10. c1d2 A modern move. White has a wide choice in the position. 10... b5b4 Now that the bishop had occupied the d2 square for the knight this is strong. 11. c2c3 11... a8b8 A common temporary pawn sacrifice. 12. c3b4 12... b7c8 Evgeny comes well prepared for the game. The bishop is moving to a better position. 13. b4b5 13... a6b5 14. a4b5 14... b8b5 15. a1a8 15... b5b8 16. a8b8 16... c6b8 17. d3d4 MVL occupies some central squares with his knights. 17... e5d4 18. f3d4 18... c7c5 Tomashevsky replies in an adequate way. Next he wants to carry out the freeing d6-d5 advance which will level the game completely. 19. d4f3 19... b8c6 20. d2c3 20... c8e6 21. b1d2 This allows the central break, but the French GM obviously had some interesting complications in mind. 21... d6d5 22. f3g5 22... e6g4 23. d1c2 Consisten and... wrong. Vachier-Lagrave missed some detail in his calculations. 23... c5c4 Very strong! The bishop is becoming too vulnerable. 24. d2c4 24... d5c4 25. b3c4 25... f6d7 26. g5f7 The best practical chance! 26... f8f7 27. c4f7 27... g8f7 28. c3g7 28... f7g7 29. c2c6 After some forced moves the game reaches a highly unusual distribution of forces. White has a rook and four pawns versus three light pieces. I have never seen anything like this before. How can we asses the situation? Well, obviously the pawns can become dangerous in an endgame if there is time to advance them. If not, they will be targets. The three light pieces can easily unite their efforts attacking any of the pawns and it will be lost as the rook cannot separate itself into pieces. The general rule is that the smaller parts should be better than the major piece as long as they are united. This is the case here; the pieces are clearly better. One more thing that helps is that two of them are bishops! 29... d7e5 30. c6c3 30... e7f6 31. c3g3 31... h7h5 32. h2h3 32... h5h4 33. g3e3 33... g4e6 Black has consolidated his forces and starts attacking the pawns. 34. b2b4 34... d8d3 True to his solid style, Tomashevsky removes the queen from the board as well as the possibility of a perpetual. 35. g1h2 35... f6e7 36. f2f4 36... d3e3 37. e1e3 37... e5c4 38. e3e2 At a glance it seems as White should be OK, but the reality is that he is about to lose all his pawns one by one... 38... e7b4 One down, more to go. 39. g2g3 39... c4d2 40. g3h4 This trades the last black pawn, but there are too many pieces! 40... e6c4 41. e2g2 41... g7h6 42. h2g3 The king leaves the danger zone 42... c4f1 43. g2h2 43... f1d3 44. g3g4 44... d2e4 Two down. 45. g4f5 45... b4d6 46. h2g2 46... h6h5 47. g2g8 47... e4g5 48. f5f6 48... g5h7 49. f6g7 49... d6f4 Three. 50. g8a8 50... f4e5 51. g7f7 51... h5h4 Four. 52. a8a4 52... h4h5 53. h3h4 53... e5b2 54. a4f4 54... b2c3 55. f7e6 55... c3e1 56. f4f3 56... d3g6 57. f3f1 57... e1b4 58. f1f4 58... h7f8 59. e6d5 59... b4e7 60. f4f1 60... g6c2 61. f1g1 61... c2b3 62. d5e4 62... f8g6 63. e4f5 63... e7d8 64. f5e4 64... b3e6 65. g1d1 65... d8e7 66. d1a1 66... e6c8 67. a1a5 67... h5h4 Five! Tomashevsky swiped off all the pawns! This is a theoretically won position. 68. a5a1 68... h4g5 69. a1g1 69... c8g4 70. g1g2 70... e7c5 71. g2g3 71... g6f4 72. e4e5 72... c5f2 73. g3a3 73... g4h3 74. a3a5 74... h3g2 The bishops are cutting the king along the diagonals an the knight assists them to push it towards the back rank. 75. a5a3 75... f4e2 76. a3a5 76... f2g3 77. e5e6 77... g5g6 78. a5a6 78... e2d4 79. e6e7 79... g6g7 80. a6a1 80... g2h3 81. a1h1 81... h3g4 82. h1g1 82... d4e2 83. g1f1 83... g3f4 84. f1d1 84... e2c3 85. d1d3 85... c3e4 86. e7d8 86... e4c5 87. d3d5 87... c5e4 |
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88... e4g5 | 1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... a7a6 4. b5a4 4... g8f6 5. e1g1 5... f8e7 6. f1e1 6... b7b5 7. a4b3 7... e8g8 Evgeny Tomashevsky is a very solid player who solves the opening problems in a somewhat unusual way. His white color remains true to his style, while with the black pieces he prefers to go for sharp opening lines where the situation is clarified as soon as possible. The Marshall line in the Ruy Lopez have served him well for many years. 8. a2a4 Vachier-Lagrave does not want to test his opponent in the main lines. 8... c8b7 9. d2d3 9... d7d6 10. c1d2 A modern move. White has a wide choice in the position. 10... b5b4 Now that the bishop had occupied the d2 square for the knight this is strong. 11. c2c3 11... a8b8 A common temporary pawn sacrifice. 12. c3b4 12... b7c8 Evgeny comes well prepared for the game. The bishop is moving to a better position. 13. b4b5 13... a6b5 14. a4b5 14... b8b5 15. a1a8 15... b5b8 16. a8b8 16... c6b8 17. d3d4 MVL occupies some central squares with his knights. 17... e5d4 18. f3d4 18... c7c5 Tomashevsky replies in an adequate way. Next he wants to carry out the freeing d6-d5 advance which will level the game completely. 19. d4f3 19... b8c6 20. d2c3 20... c8e6 21. b1d2 This allows the central break, but the French GM obviously had some interesting complications in mind. 21... d6d5 22. f3g5 22... e6g4 23. d1c2 Consisten and... wrong. Vachier-Lagrave missed some detail in his calculations. 23... c5c4 Very strong! The bishop is becoming too vulnerable. 24. d2c4 24... d5c4 25. b3c4 25... f6d7 26. g5f7 The best practical chance! 26... f8f7 27. c4f7 27... g8f7 28. c3g7 28... f7g7 29. c2c6 After some forced moves the game reaches a highly unusual distribution of forces. White has a rook and four pawns versus three light pieces. I have never seen anything like this before. How can we asses the situation? Well, obviously the pawns can become dangerous in an endgame if there is time to advance them. If not, they will be targets. The three light pieces can easily unite their efforts attacking any of the pawns and it will be lost as the rook cannot separate itself into pieces. The general rule is that the smaller parts should be better than the major piece as long as they are united. This is the case here; the pieces are clearly better. One more thing that helps is that two of them are bishops! 29... d7e5 30. c6c3 30... e7f6 31. c3g3 31... h7h5 32. h2h3 32... h5h4 33. g3e3 33... g4e6 Black has consolidated his forces and starts attacking the pawns. 34. b2b4 34... d8d3 True to his solid style, Tomashevsky removes the queen from the board as well as the possibility of a perpetual. 35. g1h2 35... f6e7 36. f2f4 36... d3e3 37. e1e3 37... e5c4 38. e3e2 At a glance it seems as White should be OK, but the reality is that he is about to lose all his pawns one by one... 38... e7b4 One down, more to go. 39. g2g3 39... c4d2 40. g3h4 This trades the last black pawn, but there are too many pieces! 40... e6c4 41. e2g2 41... g7h6 42. h2g3 The king leaves the danger zone 42... c4f1 43. g2h2 43... f1d3 44. g3g4 44... d2e4 Two down. 45. g4f5 45... b4d6 46. h2g2 46... h6h5 47. g2g8 47... e4g5 48. f5f6 48... g5h7 49. f6g7 49... d6f4 Three. 50. g8a8 50... f4e5 51. g7f7 51... h5h4 Four. 52. a8a4 52... h4h5 53. h3h4 53... e5b2 54. a4f4 54... b2c3 55. f7e6 55... c3e1 56. f4f3 56... d3g6 57. f3f1 57... e1b4 58. f1f4 58... h7f8 59. e6d5 59... b4e7 60. f4f1 60... g6c2 61. f1g1 61... c2b3 62. d5e4 62... f8g6 63. e4f5 63... e7d8 64. f5e4 64... b3e6 65. g1d1 65... d8e7 66. d1a1 66... e6c8 67. a1a5 67... h5h4 Five! Tomashevsky swiped off all the pawns! This is a theoretically won position. 68. a5a1 68... h4g5 69. a1g1 69... c8g4 70. g1g2 70... e7c5 71. g2g3 71... g6f4 72. e4e5 72... c5f2 73. g3a3 73... g4h3 74. a3a5 74... h3g2 The bishops are cutting the king along the diagonals an the knight assists them to push it towards the back rank. 75. a5a3 75... f4e2 76. a3a5 76... f2g3 77. e5e6 77... g5g6 78. a5a6 78... e2d4 79. e6e7 79... g6g7 80. a6a1 80... g2h3 81. a1h1 81... h3g4 82. h1g1 82... d4e2 83. g1f1 83... g3f4 84. f1d1 84... e2c3 85. d1d3 85... c3e4 86. e7d8 86... e4c5 87. d3d5 87... c5e4 88. d5d3 |
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89. d8e7 | 1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... a7a6 4. b5a4 4... g8f6 5. e1g1 5... f8e7 6. f1e1 6... b7b5 7. a4b3 7... e8g8 Evgeny Tomashevsky is a very solid player who solves the opening problems in a somewhat unusual way. His white color remains true to his style, while with the black pieces he prefers to go for sharp opening lines where the situation is clarified as soon as possible. The Marshall line in the Ruy Lopez have served him well for many years. 8. a2a4 Vachier-Lagrave does not want to test his opponent in the main lines. 8... c8b7 9. d2d3 9... d7d6 10. c1d2 A modern move. White has a wide choice in the position. 10... b5b4 Now that the bishop had occupied the d2 square for the knight this is strong. 11. c2c3 11... a8b8 A common temporary pawn sacrifice. 12. c3b4 12... b7c8 Evgeny comes well prepared for the game. The bishop is moving to a better position. 13. b4b5 13... a6b5 14. a4b5 14... b8b5 15. a1a8 15... b5b8 16. a8b8 16... c6b8 17. d3d4 MVL occupies some central squares with his knights. 17... e5d4 18. f3d4 18... c7c5 Tomashevsky replies in an adequate way. Next he wants to carry out the freeing d6-d5 advance which will level the game completely. 19. d4f3 19... b8c6 20. d2c3 20... c8e6 21. b1d2 This allows the central break, but the French GM obviously had some interesting complications in mind. 21... d6d5 22. f3g5 22... e6g4 23. d1c2 Consisten and... wrong. Vachier-Lagrave missed some detail in his calculations. 23... c5c4 Very strong! The bishop is becoming too vulnerable. 24. d2c4 24... d5c4 25. b3c4 25... f6d7 26. g5f7 The best practical chance! 26... f8f7 27. c4f7 27... g8f7 28. c3g7 28... f7g7 29. c2c6 After some forced moves the game reaches a highly unusual distribution of forces. White has a rook and four pawns versus three light pieces. I have never seen anything like this before. How can we asses the situation? Well, obviously the pawns can become dangerous in an endgame if there is time to advance them. If not, they will be targets. The three light pieces can easily unite their efforts attacking any of the pawns and it will be lost as the rook cannot separate itself into pieces. The general rule is that the smaller parts should be better than the major piece as long as they are united. This is the case here; the pieces are clearly better. One more thing that helps is that two of them are bishops! 29... d7e5 30. c6c3 30... e7f6 31. c3g3 31... h7h5 32. h2h3 32... h5h4 33. g3e3 33... g4e6 Black has consolidated his forces and starts attacking the pawns. 34. b2b4 34... d8d3 True to his solid style, Tomashevsky removes the queen from the board as well as the possibility of a perpetual. 35. g1h2 35... f6e7 36. f2f4 36... d3e3 37. e1e3 37... e5c4 38. e3e2 At a glance it seems as White should be OK, but the reality is that he is about to lose all his pawns one by one... 38... e7b4 One down, more to go. 39. g2g3 39... c4d2 40. g3h4 This trades the last black pawn, but there are too many pieces! 40... e6c4 41. e2g2 41... g7h6 42. h2g3 The king leaves the danger zone 42... c4f1 43. g2h2 43... f1d3 44. g3g4 44... d2e4 Two down. 45. g4f5 45... b4d6 46. h2g2 46... h6h5 47. g2g8 47... e4g5 48. f5f6 48... g5h7 49. f6g7 49... d6f4 Three. 50. g8a8 50... f4e5 51. g7f7 51... h5h4 Four. 52. a8a4 52... h4h5 53. h3h4 53... e5b2 54. a4f4 54... b2c3 55. f7e6 55... c3e1 56. f4f3 56... d3g6 57. f3f1 57... e1b4 58. f1f4 58... h7f8 59. e6d5 59... b4e7 60. f4f1 60... g6c2 61. f1g1 61... c2b3 62. d5e4 62... f8g6 63. e4f5 63... e7d8 64. f5e4 64... b3e6 65. g1d1 65... d8e7 66. d1a1 66... e6c8 67. a1a5 67... h5h4 Five! Tomashevsky swiped off all the pawns! This is a theoretically won position. 68. a5a1 68... h4g5 69. a1g1 69... c8g4 70. g1g2 70... e7c5 71. g2g3 71... g6f4 72. e4e5 72... c5f2 73. g3a3 73... g4h3 74. a3a5 74... h3g2 The bishops are cutting the king along the diagonals an the knight assists them to push it towards the back rank. 75. a5a3 75... f4e2 76. a3a5 76... f2g3 77. e5e6 77... g5g6 78. a5a6 78... e2d4 79. e6e7 79... g6g7 80. a6a1 80... g2h3 81. a1h1 81... h3g4 82. h1g1 82... d4e2 83. g1f1 83... g3f4 84. f1d1 84... e2c3 85. d1d3 85... c3e4 86. e7d8 86... e4c5 87. d3d5 87... c5e4 88. d5d3 88... e4g5 |
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89... g5f7 | 1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... a7a6 4. b5a4 4... g8f6 5. e1g1 5... f8e7 6. f1e1 6... b7b5 7. a4b3 7... e8g8 Evgeny Tomashevsky is a very solid player who solves the opening problems in a somewhat unusual way. His white color remains true to his style, while with the black pieces he prefers to go for sharp opening lines where the situation is clarified as soon as possible. The Marshall line in the Ruy Lopez have served him well for many years. 8. a2a4 Vachier-Lagrave does not want to test his opponent in the main lines. 8... c8b7 9. d2d3 9... d7d6 10. c1d2 A modern move. White has a wide choice in the position. 10... b5b4 Now that the bishop had occupied the d2 square for the knight this is strong. 11. c2c3 11... a8b8 A common temporary pawn sacrifice. 12. c3b4 12... b7c8 Evgeny comes well prepared for the game. The bishop is moving to a better position. 13. b4b5 13... a6b5 14. a4b5 14... b8b5 15. a1a8 15... b5b8 16. a8b8 16... c6b8 17. d3d4 MVL occupies some central squares with his knights. 17... e5d4 18. f3d4 18... c7c5 Tomashevsky replies in an adequate way. Next he wants to carry out the freeing d6-d5 advance which will level the game completely. 19. d4f3 19... b8c6 20. d2c3 20... c8e6 21. b1d2 This allows the central break, but the French GM obviously had some interesting complications in mind. 21... d6d5 22. f3g5 22... e6g4 23. d1c2 Consisten and... wrong. Vachier-Lagrave missed some detail in his calculations. 23... c5c4 Very strong! The bishop is becoming too vulnerable. 24. d2c4 24... d5c4 25. b3c4 25... f6d7 26. g5f7 The best practical chance! 26... f8f7 27. c4f7 27... g8f7 28. c3g7 28... f7g7 29. c2c6 After some forced moves the game reaches a highly unusual distribution of forces. White has a rook and four pawns versus three light pieces. I have never seen anything like this before. How can we asses the situation? Well, obviously the pawns can become dangerous in an endgame if there is time to advance them. If not, they will be targets. The three light pieces can easily unite their efforts attacking any of the pawns and it will be lost as the rook cannot separate itself into pieces. The general rule is that the smaller parts should be better than the major piece as long as they are united. This is the case here; the pieces are clearly better. One more thing that helps is that two of them are bishops! 29... d7e5 30. c6c3 30... e7f6 31. c3g3 31... h7h5 32. h2h3 32... h5h4 33. g3e3 33... g4e6 Black has consolidated his forces and starts attacking the pawns. 34. b2b4 34... d8d3 True to his solid style, Tomashevsky removes the queen from the board as well as the possibility of a perpetual. 35. g1h2 35... f6e7 36. f2f4 36... d3e3 37. e1e3 37... e5c4 38. e3e2 At a glance it seems as White should be OK, but the reality is that he is about to lose all his pawns one by one... 38... e7b4 One down, more to go. 39. g2g3 39... c4d2 40. g3h4 This trades the last black pawn, but there are too many pieces! 40... e6c4 41. e2g2 41... g7h6 42. h2g3 The king leaves the danger zone 42... c4f1 43. g2h2 43... f1d3 44. g3g4 44... d2e4 Two down. 45. g4f5 45... b4d6 46. h2g2 46... h6h5 47. g2g8 47... e4g5 48. f5f6 48... g5h7 49. f6g7 49... d6f4 Three. 50. g8a8 50... f4e5 51. g7f7 51... h5h4 Four. 52. a8a4 52... h4h5 53. h3h4 53... e5b2 54. a4f4 54... b2c3 55. f7e6 55... c3e1 56. f4f3 56... d3g6 57. f3f1 57... e1b4 58. f1f4 58... h7f8 59. e6d5 59... b4e7 60. f4f1 60... g6c2 61. f1g1 61... c2b3 62. d5e4 62... f8g6 63. e4f5 63... e7d8 64. f5e4 64... b3e6 65. g1d1 65... d8e7 66. d1a1 66... e6c8 67. a1a5 67... h5h4 Five! Tomashevsky swiped off all the pawns! This is a theoretically won position. 68. a5a1 68... h4g5 69. a1g1 69... c8g4 70. g1g2 70... e7c5 71. g2g3 71... g6f4 72. e4e5 72... c5f2 73. g3a3 73... g4h3 74. a3a5 74... h3g2 The bishops are cutting the king along the diagonals an the knight assists them to push it towards the back rank. 75. a5a3 75... f4e2 76. a3a5 76... f2g3 77. e5e6 77... g5g6 78. a5a6 78... e2d4 79. e6e7 79... g6g7 80. a6a1 80... g2h3 81. a1h1 81... h3g4 82. h1g1 82... d4e2 83. g1f1 83... g3f4 84. f1d1 84... e2c3 85. d1d3 85... c3e4 86. e7d8 86... e4c5 87. d3d5 87... c5e4 88. d5d3 88... e4g5 89. d8e7 |
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90. d3d4 | 1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... a7a6 4. b5a4 4... g8f6 5. e1g1 5... f8e7 6. f1e1 6... b7b5 7. a4b3 7... e8g8 Evgeny Tomashevsky is a very solid player who solves the opening problems in a somewhat unusual way. His white color remains true to his style, while with the black pieces he prefers to go for sharp opening lines where the situation is clarified as soon as possible. The Marshall line in the Ruy Lopez have served him well for many years. 8. a2a4 Vachier-Lagrave does not want to test his opponent in the main lines. 8... c8b7 9. d2d3 9... d7d6 10. c1d2 A modern move. White has a wide choice in the position. 10... b5b4 Now that the bishop had occupied the d2 square for the knight this is strong. 11. c2c3 11... a8b8 A common temporary pawn sacrifice. 12. c3b4 12... b7c8 Evgeny comes well prepared for the game. The bishop is moving to a better position. 13. b4b5 13... a6b5 14. a4b5 14... b8b5 15. a1a8 15... b5b8 16. a8b8 16... c6b8 17. d3d4 MVL occupies some central squares with his knights. 17... e5d4 18. f3d4 18... c7c5 Tomashevsky replies in an adequate way. Next he wants to carry out the freeing d6-d5 advance which will level the game completely. 19. d4f3 19... b8c6 20. d2c3 20... c8e6 21. b1d2 This allows the central break, but the French GM obviously had some interesting complications in mind. 21... d6d5 22. f3g5 22... e6g4 23. d1c2 Consisten and... wrong. Vachier-Lagrave missed some detail in his calculations. 23... c5c4 Very strong! The bishop is becoming too vulnerable. 24. d2c4 24... d5c4 25. b3c4 25... f6d7 26. g5f7 The best practical chance! 26... f8f7 27. c4f7 27... g8f7 28. c3g7 28... f7g7 29. c2c6 After some forced moves the game reaches a highly unusual distribution of forces. White has a rook and four pawns versus three light pieces. I have never seen anything like this before. How can we asses the situation? Well, obviously the pawns can become dangerous in an endgame if there is time to advance them. If not, they will be targets. The three light pieces can easily unite their efforts attacking any of the pawns and it will be lost as the rook cannot separate itself into pieces. The general rule is that the smaller parts should be better than the major piece as long as they are united. This is the case here; the pieces are clearly better. One more thing that helps is that two of them are bishops! 29... d7e5 30. c6c3 30... e7f6 31. c3g3 31... h7h5 32. h2h3 32... h5h4 33. g3e3 33... g4e6 Black has consolidated his forces and starts attacking the pawns. 34. b2b4 34... d8d3 True to his solid style, Tomashevsky removes the queen from the board as well as the possibility of a perpetual. 35. g1h2 35... f6e7 36. f2f4 36... d3e3 37. e1e3 37... e5c4 38. e3e2 At a glance it seems as White should be OK, but the reality is that he is about to lose all his pawns one by one... 38... e7b4 One down, more to go. 39. g2g3 39... c4d2 40. g3h4 This trades the last black pawn, but there are too many pieces! 40... e6c4 41. e2g2 41... g7h6 42. h2g3 The king leaves the danger zone 42... c4f1 43. g2h2 43... f1d3 44. g3g4 44... d2e4 Two down. 45. g4f5 45... b4d6 46. h2g2 46... h6h5 47. g2g8 47... e4g5 48. f5f6 48... g5h7 49. f6g7 49... d6f4 Three. 50. g8a8 50... f4e5 51. g7f7 51... h5h4 Four. 52. a8a4 52... h4h5 53. h3h4 53... e5b2 54. a4f4 54... b2c3 55. f7e6 55... c3e1 56. f4f3 56... d3g6 57. f3f1 57... e1b4 58. f1f4 58... h7f8 59. e6d5 59... b4e7 60. f4f1 60... g6c2 61. f1g1 61... c2b3 62. d5e4 62... f8g6 63. e4f5 63... e7d8 64. f5e4 64... b3e6 65. g1d1 65... d8e7 66. d1a1 66... e6c8 67. a1a5 67... h5h4 Five! Tomashevsky swiped off all the pawns! This is a theoretically won position. 68. a5a1 68... h4g5 69. a1g1 69... c8g4 70. g1g2 70... e7c5 71. g2g3 71... g6f4 72. e4e5 72... c5f2 73. g3a3 73... g4h3 74. a3a5 74... h3g2 The bishops are cutting the king along the diagonals an the knight assists them to push it towards the back rank. 75. a5a3 75... f4e2 76. a3a5 76... f2g3 77. e5e6 77... g5g6 78. a5a6 78... e2d4 79. e6e7 79... g6g7 80. a6a1 80... g2h3 81. a1h1 81... h3g4 82. h1g1 82... d4e2 83. g1f1 83... g3f4 84. f1d1 84... e2c3 85. d1d3 85... c3e4 86. e7d8 86... e4c5 87. d3d5 87... c5e4 88. d5d3 88... e4g5 89. d8e7 89... g5f7 |
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90... f4g5 | 1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... a7a6 4. b5a4 4... g8f6 5. e1g1 5... f8e7 6. f1e1 6... b7b5 7. a4b3 7... e8g8 Evgeny Tomashevsky is a very solid player who solves the opening problems in a somewhat unusual way. His white color remains true to his style, while with the black pieces he prefers to go for sharp opening lines where the situation is clarified as soon as possible. The Marshall line in the Ruy Lopez have served him well for many years. 8. a2a4 Vachier-Lagrave does not want to test his opponent in the main lines. 8... c8b7 9. d2d3 9... d7d6 10. c1d2 A modern move. White has a wide choice in the position. 10... b5b4 Now that the bishop had occupied the d2 square for the knight this is strong. 11. c2c3 11... a8b8 A common temporary pawn sacrifice. 12. c3b4 12... b7c8 Evgeny comes well prepared for the game. The bishop is moving to a better position. 13. b4b5 13... a6b5 14. a4b5 14... b8b5 15. a1a8 15... b5b8 16. a8b8 16... c6b8 17. d3d4 MVL occupies some central squares with his knights. 17... e5d4 18. f3d4 18... c7c5 Tomashevsky replies in an adequate way. Next he wants to carry out the freeing d6-d5 advance which will level the game completely. 19. d4f3 19... b8c6 20. d2c3 20... c8e6 21. b1d2 This allows the central break, but the French GM obviously had some interesting complications in mind. 21... d6d5 22. f3g5 22... e6g4 23. d1c2 Consisten and... wrong. Vachier-Lagrave missed some detail in his calculations. 23... c5c4 Very strong! The bishop is becoming too vulnerable. 24. d2c4 24... d5c4 25. b3c4 25... f6d7 26. g5f7 The best practical chance! 26... f8f7 27. c4f7 27... g8f7 28. c3g7 28... f7g7 29. c2c6 After some forced moves the game reaches a highly unusual distribution of forces. White has a rook and four pawns versus three light pieces. I have never seen anything like this before. How can we asses the situation? Well, obviously the pawns can become dangerous in an endgame if there is time to advance them. If not, they will be targets. The three light pieces can easily unite their efforts attacking any of the pawns and it will be lost as the rook cannot separate itself into pieces. The general rule is that the smaller parts should be better than the major piece as long as they are united. This is the case here; the pieces are clearly better. One more thing that helps is that two of them are bishops! 29... d7e5 30. c6c3 30... e7f6 31. c3g3 31... h7h5 32. h2h3 32... h5h4 33. g3e3 33... g4e6 Black has consolidated his forces and starts attacking the pawns. 34. b2b4 34... d8d3 True to his solid style, Tomashevsky removes the queen from the board as well as the possibility of a perpetual. 35. g1h2 35... f6e7 36. f2f4 36... d3e3 37. e1e3 37... e5c4 38. e3e2 At a glance it seems as White should be OK, but the reality is that he is about to lose all his pawns one by one... 38... e7b4 One down, more to go. 39. g2g3 39... c4d2 40. g3h4 This trades the last black pawn, but there are too many pieces! 40... e6c4 41. e2g2 41... g7h6 42. h2g3 The king leaves the danger zone 42... c4f1 43. g2h2 43... f1d3 44. g3g4 44... d2e4 Two down. 45. g4f5 45... b4d6 46. h2g2 46... h6h5 47. g2g8 47... e4g5 48. f5f6 48... g5h7 49. f6g7 49... d6f4 Three. 50. g8a8 50... f4e5 51. g7f7 51... h5h4 Four. 52. a8a4 52... h4h5 53. h3h4 53... e5b2 54. a4f4 54... b2c3 55. f7e6 55... c3e1 56. f4f3 56... d3g6 57. f3f1 57... e1b4 58. f1f4 58... h7f8 59. e6d5 59... b4e7 60. f4f1 60... g6c2 61. f1g1 61... c2b3 62. d5e4 62... f8g6 63. e4f5 63... e7d8 64. f5e4 64... b3e6 65. g1d1 65... d8e7 66. d1a1 66... e6c8 67. a1a5 67... h5h4 Five! Tomashevsky swiped off all the pawns! This is a theoretically won position. 68. a5a1 68... h4g5 69. a1g1 69... c8g4 70. g1g2 70... e7c5 71. g2g3 71... g6f4 72. e4e5 72... c5f2 73. g3a3 73... g4h3 74. a3a5 74... h3g2 The bishops are cutting the king along the diagonals an the knight assists them to push it towards the back rank. 75. a5a3 75... f4e2 76. a3a5 76... f2g3 77. e5e6 77... g5g6 78. a5a6 78... e2d4 79. e6e7 79... g6g7 80. a6a1 80... g2h3 81. a1h1 81... h3g4 82. h1g1 82... d4e2 83. g1f1 83... g3f4 84. f1d1 84... e2c3 85. d1d3 85... c3e4 86. e7d8 86... e4c5 87. d3d5 87... c5e4 88. d5d3 88... e4g5 89. d8e7 89... g5f7 90. d3d4 |
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91. e7e8 | 1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... a7a6 4. b5a4 4... g8f6 5. e1g1 5... f8e7 6. f1e1 6... b7b5 7. a4b3 7... e8g8 Evgeny Tomashevsky is a very solid player who solves the opening problems in a somewhat unusual way. His white color remains true to his style, while with the black pieces he prefers to go for sharp opening lines where the situation is clarified as soon as possible. The Marshall line in the Ruy Lopez have served him well for many years. 8. a2a4 Vachier-Lagrave does not want to test his opponent in the main lines. 8... c8b7 9. d2d3 9... d7d6 10. c1d2 A modern move. White has a wide choice in the position. 10... b5b4 Now that the bishop had occupied the d2 square for the knight this is strong. 11. c2c3 11... a8b8 A common temporary pawn sacrifice. 12. c3b4 12... b7c8 Evgeny comes well prepared for the game. The bishop is moving to a better position. 13. b4b5 13... a6b5 14. a4b5 14... b8b5 15. a1a8 15... b5b8 16. a8b8 16... c6b8 17. d3d4 MVL occupies some central squares with his knights. 17... e5d4 18. f3d4 18... c7c5 Tomashevsky replies in an adequate way. Next he wants to carry out the freeing d6-d5 advance which will level the game completely. 19. d4f3 19... b8c6 20. d2c3 20... c8e6 21. b1d2 This allows the central break, but the French GM obviously had some interesting complications in mind. 21... d6d5 22. f3g5 22... e6g4 23. d1c2 Consisten and... wrong. Vachier-Lagrave missed some detail in his calculations. 23... c5c4 Very strong! The bishop is becoming too vulnerable. 24. d2c4 24... d5c4 25. b3c4 25... f6d7 26. g5f7 The best practical chance! 26... f8f7 27. c4f7 27... g8f7 28. c3g7 28... f7g7 29. c2c6 After some forced moves the game reaches a highly unusual distribution of forces. White has a rook and four pawns versus three light pieces. I have never seen anything like this before. How can we asses the situation? Well, obviously the pawns can become dangerous in an endgame if there is time to advance them. If not, they will be targets. The three light pieces can easily unite their efforts attacking any of the pawns and it will be lost as the rook cannot separate itself into pieces. The general rule is that the smaller parts should be better than the major piece as long as they are united. This is the case here; the pieces are clearly better. One more thing that helps is that two of them are bishops! 29... d7e5 30. c6c3 30... e7f6 31. c3g3 31... h7h5 32. h2h3 32... h5h4 33. g3e3 33... g4e6 Black has consolidated his forces and starts attacking the pawns. 34. b2b4 34... d8d3 True to his solid style, Tomashevsky removes the queen from the board as well as the possibility of a perpetual. 35. g1h2 35... f6e7 36. f2f4 36... d3e3 37. e1e3 37... e5c4 38. e3e2 At a glance it seems as White should be OK, but the reality is that he is about to lose all his pawns one by one... 38... e7b4 One down, more to go. 39. g2g3 39... c4d2 40. g3h4 This trades the last black pawn, but there are too many pieces! 40... e6c4 41. e2g2 41... g7h6 42. h2g3 The king leaves the danger zone 42... c4f1 43. g2h2 43... f1d3 44. g3g4 44... d2e4 Two down. 45. g4f5 45... b4d6 46. h2g2 46... h6h5 47. g2g8 47... e4g5 48. f5f6 48... g5h7 49. f6g7 49... d6f4 Three. 50. g8a8 50... f4e5 51. g7f7 51... h5h4 Four. 52. a8a4 52... h4h5 53. h3h4 53... e5b2 54. a4f4 54... b2c3 55. f7e6 55... c3e1 56. f4f3 56... d3g6 57. f3f1 57... e1b4 58. f1f4 58... h7f8 59. e6d5 59... b4e7 60. f4f1 60... g6c2 61. f1g1 61... c2b3 62. d5e4 62... f8g6 63. e4f5 63... e7d8 64. f5e4 64... b3e6 65. g1d1 65... d8e7 66. d1a1 66... e6c8 67. a1a5 67... h5h4 Five! Tomashevsky swiped off all the pawns! This is a theoretically won position. 68. a5a1 68... h4g5 69. a1g1 69... c8g4 70. g1g2 70... e7c5 71. g2g3 71... g6f4 72. e4e5 72... c5f2 73. g3a3 73... g4h3 74. a3a5 74... h3g2 The bishops are cutting the king along the diagonals an the knight assists them to push it towards the back rank. 75. a5a3 75... f4e2 76. a3a5 76... f2g3 77. e5e6 77... g5g6 78. a5a6 78... e2d4 79. e6e7 79... g6g7 80. a6a1 80... g2h3 81. a1h1 81... h3g4 82. h1g1 82... d4e2 83. g1f1 83... g3f4 84. f1d1 84... e2c3 85. d1d3 85... c3e4 86. e7d8 86... e4c5 87. d3d5 87... c5e4 88. d5d3 88... e4g5 89. d8e7 89... g5f7 90. d3d4 90... f4g5 |
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91... f7e5 | Picturesque domination. The threat Bg4-h5 can be stopped only at the expense of the rook. White resigned and Tomashevsky is getting very close to overall tournament victory! | 1. e2e4 1... e7e5 2. g1f3 2... b8c6 3. f1b5 3... a7a6 4. b5a4 4... g8f6 5. e1g1 5... f8e7 6. f1e1 6... b7b5 7. a4b3 7... e8g8 Evgeny Tomashevsky is a very solid player who solves the opening problems in a somewhat unusual way. His white color remains true to his style, while with the black pieces he prefers to go for sharp opening lines where the situation is clarified as soon as possible. The Marshall line in the Ruy Lopez have served him well for many years. 8. a2a4 Vachier-Lagrave does not want to test his opponent in the main lines. 8... c8b7 9. d2d3 9... d7d6 10. c1d2 A modern move. White has a wide choice in the position. 10... b5b4 Now that the bishop had occupied the d2 square for the knight this is strong. 11. c2c3 11... a8b8 A common temporary pawn sacrifice. 12. c3b4 12... b7c8 Evgeny comes well prepared for the game. The bishop is moving to a better position. 13. b4b5 13... a6b5 14. a4b5 14... b8b5 15. a1a8 15... b5b8 16. a8b8 16... c6b8 17. d3d4 MVL occupies some central squares with his knights. 17... e5d4 18. f3d4 18... c7c5 Tomashevsky replies in an adequate way. Next he wants to carry out the freeing d6-d5 advance which will level the game completely. 19. d4f3 19... b8c6 20. d2c3 20... c8e6 21. b1d2 This allows the central break, but the French GM obviously had some interesting complications in mind. 21... d6d5 22. f3g5 22... e6g4 23. d1c2 Consisten and... wrong. Vachier-Lagrave missed some detail in his calculations. 23... c5c4 Very strong! The bishop is becoming too vulnerable. 24. d2c4 24... d5c4 25. b3c4 25... f6d7 26. g5f7 The best practical chance! 26... f8f7 27. c4f7 27... g8f7 28. c3g7 28... f7g7 29. c2c6 After some forced moves the game reaches a highly unusual distribution of forces. White has a rook and four pawns versus three light pieces. I have never seen anything like this before. How can we asses the situation? Well, obviously the pawns can become dangerous in an endgame if there is time to advance them. If not, they will be targets. The three light pieces can easily unite their efforts attacking any of the pawns and it will be lost as the rook cannot separate itself into pieces. The general rule is that the smaller parts should be better than the major piece as long as they are united. This is the case here; the pieces are clearly better. One more thing that helps is that two of them are bishops! 29... d7e5 30. c6c3 30... e7f6 31. c3g3 31... h7h5 32. h2h3 32... h5h4 33. g3e3 33... g4e6 Black has consolidated his forces and starts attacking the pawns. 34. b2b4 34... d8d3 True to his solid style, Tomashevsky removes the queen from the board as well as the possibility of a perpetual. 35. g1h2 35... f6e7 36. f2f4 36... d3e3 37. e1e3 37... e5c4 38. e3e2 At a glance it seems as White should be OK, but the reality is that he is about to lose all his pawns one by one... 38... e7b4 One down, more to go. 39. g2g3 39... c4d2 40. g3h4 This trades the last black pawn, but there are too many pieces! 40... e6c4 41. e2g2 41... g7h6 42. h2g3 The king leaves the danger zone 42... c4f1 43. g2h2 43... f1d3 44. g3g4 44... d2e4 Two down. 45. g4f5 45... b4d6 46. h2g2 46... h6h5 47. g2g8 47... e4g5 48. f5f6 48... g5h7 49. f6g7 49... d6f4 Three. 50. g8a8 50... f4e5 51. g7f7 51... h5h4 Four. 52. a8a4 52... h4h5 53. h3h4 53... e5b2 54. a4f4 54... b2c3 55. f7e6 55... c3e1 56. f4f3 56... d3g6 57. f3f1 57... e1b4 58. f1f4 58... h7f8 59. e6d5 59... b4e7 60. f4f1 60... g6c2 61. f1g1 61... c2b3 62. d5e4 62... f8g6 63. e4f5 63... e7d8 64. f5e4 64... b3e6 65. g1d1 65... d8e7 66. d1a1 66... e6c8 67. a1a5 67... h5h4 Five! Tomashevsky swiped off all the pawns! This is a theoretically won position. 68. a5a1 68... h4g5 69. a1g1 69... c8g4 70. g1g2 70... e7c5 71. g2g3 71... g6f4 72. e4e5 72... c5f2 73. g3a3 73... g4h3 74. a3a5 74... h3g2 The bishops are cutting the king along the diagonals an the knight assists them to push it towards the back rank. 75. a5a3 75... f4e2 76. a3a5 76... f2g3 77. e5e6 77... g5g6 78. a5a6 78... e2d4 79. e6e7 79... g6g7 80. a6a1 80... g2h3 81. a1h1 81... h3g4 82. h1g1 82... d4e2 83. g1f1 83... g3f4 84. f1d1 84... e2c3 85. d1d3 85... c3e4 86. e7d8 86... e4c5 87. d3d5 87... c5e4 88. d5d3 88... e4g5 89. d8e7 89... g5f7 90. d3d4 90... f4g5 91. e7e8 |
1. c2c4 | ||
1... e7e5 | The reversed Sicilian that is. | 1. c2c4 |
2. b1c3 | 1. c2c4 1... e7e5 The reversed Sicilian that is. |
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2... g8f6 | 1. c2c4 1... e7e5 The reversed Sicilian that is. 2. b1c3 |
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3. g1f3 | 1. c2c4 1... e7e5 The reversed Sicilian that is. 2. b1c3 2... g8f6 |
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3... b8c6 | 1. c2c4 1... e7e5 The reversed Sicilian that is. 2. b1c3 2... g8f6 3. g1f3 |
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4. g2g3 | 1. c2c4 1... e7e5 The reversed Sicilian that is. 2. b1c3 2... g8f6 3. g1f3 3... b8c6 |
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4... f8b4 | The reversed Rossolimo line. | 1. c2c4 1... e7e5 The reversed Sicilian that is. 2. b1c3 2... g8f6 3. g1f3 3... b8c6 4. g2g3 |
5. c3d5 | 1. c2c4 1... e7e5 The reversed Sicilian that is. 2. b1c3 2... g8f6 3. g1f3 3... b8c6 4. g2g3 4... f8b4 The reversed Rossolimo line. |
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5... b4c5 | 1. c2c4 1... e7e5 The reversed Sicilian that is. 2. b1c3 2... g8f6 3. g1f3 3... b8c6 4. g2g3 4... f8b4 The reversed Rossolimo line. 5. c3d5 |
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6. f1g2 | 1. c2c4 1... e7e5 The reversed Sicilian that is. 2. b1c3 2... g8f6 3. g1f3 3... b8c6 4. g2g3 4... f8b4 The reversed Rossolimo line. 5. c3d5 5... b4c5 |
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6... d7d6 | 1. c2c4 1... e7e5 The reversed Sicilian that is. 2. b1c3 2... g8f6 3. g1f3 3... b8c6 4. g2g3 4... f8b4 The reversed Rossolimo line. 5. c3d5 5... b4c5 6. f1g2 |
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7. e1g1 | 1. c2c4 1... e7e5 The reversed Sicilian that is. 2. b1c3 2... g8f6 3. g1f3 3... b8c6 4. g2g3 4... f8b4 The reversed Rossolimo line. 5. c3d5 5... b4c5 6. f1g2 6... d7d6 |
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7... e8g8 | 1. c2c4 1... e7e5 The reversed Sicilian that is. 2. b1c3 2... g8f6 3. g1f3 3... b8c6 4. g2g3 4... f8b4 The reversed Rossolimo line. 5. c3d5 5... b4c5 6. f1g2 6... d7d6 7. e1g1 |
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8. d2d3 | 1. c2c4 1... e7e5 The reversed Sicilian that is. 2. b1c3 2... g8f6 3. g1f3 3... b8c6 4. g2g3 4... f8b4 The reversed Rossolimo line. 5. c3d5 5... b4c5 6. f1g2 6... d7d6 7. e1g1 7... e8g8 |
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8... f6d5 | 1. c2c4 1... e7e5 The reversed Sicilian that is. 2. b1c3 2... g8f6 3. g1f3 3... b8c6 4. g2g3 4... f8b4 The reversed Rossolimo line. 5. c3d5 5... b4c5 6. f1g2 6... d7d6 7. e1g1 7... e8g8 8. d2d3 |
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