2017 World Cup 2-27 September, Tbilisi

[Mick Norris]

Ding - So game 4 drawn in 9 moves

[Jonathan Rogers]

Er, that piece sacrifice in the second rapidplay game in the Aronian-MVL match, is that theory?

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. f3 c5 4. d5 d6 5. Nc3 e6 6. e4 Bg7 7. Nge2 O-O 8. Ng3 a6 9. a4 h5 10. Bg5 Qc7 11. Qd2 exd5 12. cxd5 Nh7 13. Bh6 h4 14. Bxg7 Kxg7 15. Bc4 hxg3 16. hxg3

If it isn't, it will soon catch on

[NickFaulks]

Wow. When Aronian's good, he's really good.

[Chris Rice]

Not sure how sensible that choice of opening was for MVL when he only needed a draw.

[Roger de Coverly]

Er, that piece sacrifice in the second rapidplay game in the Aronian-MVL match, is that theory?

The position at move 15 has been seen before with White continuing with the routine Nge2. The move 15. Bc4 would appear to be an Aronian novelty. The associated idea is that White delays O-O. Usually they go Be2 to meet h4 with Nf1. If they've already castled and haven't moved the Rook from f1, they play Nh1 after .. h4.

The chessbomb stockfish was saying it was equal or better for Black until 21. .. g5 and 24 .. Qd4.

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. f3 c5 4. d5 d6 5. Nc3 e6 6. e4 Bg7 7. Nge2 O-O 8. Ng3 a6 9. a4 h5 10. Bg5 Qc7 11. Qd2 exd5 12. cxd5 Nh7 13. Bh6 h4 14. Bxg7 Kxg7 15. Bc4 hxg3 16. hxg3 Rh8 17. e5 Qe7 18. O-O-O Nd7 19. exd6 Qxd6 20. Ne4 Qe5 21. d6 g5 22. Rhe1 b5 23. Bd5 Rb8 24. f4 Qd4 25. Qe2 Qb4 26. Qh5 1-0

It's an idea which now gets added to theory being something you can reach from a mainline Samisch or Modern Benoni.

[Jonathan Bryant]

Not sure how sensible that choice of opening was for MVL when he only needed a draw.

Another stunning success for JB’s patented "Sharp defence when you need a draw" approach.


I’ll get me coat.

[Christopher Kreuzer]

The So-Ding game has exploded into tactical complications again (this is the first 10+10 game).

So is not going to get out of jail this time.

[Roger de Coverly]

So is not going to get out of jail this time.

So's Reti and Catalan haven't been working terribly well against Ding.

[LawrenceCooper]

Ding safely through and Aronian-MVL match continues.

[Jonathan Bryant]

Ding safely through ....

Yup. A rather efficient shut down. No pawn breaks at all for So after Bxe5.

I’m not quite sure what you’re supposed to do as Black in So’s position. Benoni with early ... exd5 is ropey. Delay it and you let White recapture with the e-pawn as Ding did.

It’s not surprising people are so cagey when playing with White, really.

[Mick Norris]

Well done Ding, China's first Candidate

Puts Shak quite close to qualifying too, as it takes Ding out of the way for 1 of the 2 spots from the GP; if MVL wins today, Shak is in

Makes the rating race between Caruana, So & Kramnik very interesting now

[Roger de Coverly]

I’m not quite sure what you’re supposed to do as Black in So’s position. Benoni with early ... exd5 is ropey.

What do you gain by delaying .. exd5? I suppose you rule out the Knight tour from f3 to d2 to c4. Also maybe you rule out Bb5+ in f4 variations. Anything else? In the longer term can you viably not eventually take on d5?

[IM Jack Rudd]

Longer term you could play ...e5 and go into a King's Indian-like position, I suppose.

[Matt Mackenzie]

Well it seems that God may have been occupied by other things today.

[Jonathan Rogers]

Well done Ding, China's first Candidate

Puts Shak quite close to qualifying too, as it takes Ding out of the way for 1 of the 2 spots from the GP; if MVL wins today, Shak is in

Makes the rating race between Caruana, So & Kramnik very interesting now

yes, but quite likely the one who misses out would get the wildcard, surely?