After 5 rounds of the Foxwoods Open 2009, GM Yury Shulman leads the way with a perfect 5/5. In round 4 he defeated GM Darmen Sadvaksov and in round 5 he took out 2nd seed, GM Loek Van Wely. Shulman has a half-point lead over GMs Varuzhan Akobian and Alex Shabalov, and IM Robert Hess.
Shulman started the day with the black pieces on board 1 against GM Darmen Sadvakasov. Playing his usual French Defense, Shulman sacrificed a pawn that provided compensation in Sadvakasov’s ruined pawn structure. In the end this lead to Shulman getting his sacrificed pawn back plus an extra one, which he managed to convert in true GM fashion.
In the 5th round Shulman got the white pieces against Van Wely. Play developed out of the opening with Van Wely obtaining an extra pawn but unable to castle.
GM Yury Shulman-GM Loek Van Wely, Round 5
Position after 27.Rc1
Here Van Wely blundered with 27…Bg3? allowing Shulman to finish off the game quickly with 28.Rxd5 exd5 29.Nf5 (threatening 30.Rc8#) Ke8 30.Nxg3 Kd7 31.Bd4 Rbb8 32.Ra1 1–0
Of the group of people on 4½, IM Robert Hess probably caused the biggest sensation by beating GM Hikaru Nakamura in round 5. Nakamura employed yet another gambit, this time from the English, and eventually an equal position was reached where he managed to regain the gambitted pawn. However, Nakamura then proceeded to play a couple of inaccuracies and Hess’ position came to life with his queen and bishop gaining way too much activity and pressure against an open king.
GM Hikaru Nakamura-IM Robert Hess, Round 5
Position after 30.b4
30…Qd4!
Activity is the key. Black’s queen dominates despite the fact that all his queenside pawns will disappear.
31. bxa5 Qxf2 32. Qb3+ Kg7 33. Qxb7+ Kh6 34. Qb2 Qxc5+ 35. Kd1 e4!
Closing in the bishop and winning White’s remaining queenside pawn. Black will soon be two pawns to the good in a totally winning position.
36. Be2 e3 37. Ke1 Qxa5+ 38. Kf1 Qc7 39. Qd4 Qc1+ 40. Qd1 Qb2 41. a4 Qb4 42. Kg1 Bd7 43. Qa1 Qf4 44. Qf1 Qxf1+ 45. Kxf1 Bxa4 46. Bd3 Bd1 47. Be2 Bc2 48. Bb5 f5 49. g3 g5 0-1
Another key victory was scored by GM Alex Shabalov against GM Alex Ivanov on board 4. Shabalov’s e and f pawns formed a formidable battering ram into Ivanov’s position and a couple of sacrifices later the full point was wrapped up although officially Ivanov lost on time after he left himself with only 30 seconds remaining to make another 10 moves before the first time control.
Other key results from the day were IM Ray Robson’s win over GM Julio Becerra in round 4 only to follow that up with a loss in round 5 to Akobian, while IM Sam Shankland put up a brave fight against Van Wely in round 4 only to go down in the longest game of the round. Shankland did pick himself up from that setback though and drew GM Jaan Ehlvest in round 5, although Shankland immediately pointed out a cute win to Ehlvest that was available a couple of moves before the draw was agreed.
IM Sam Shanland-GM Jaan Ehlvest, Round 5
Position after 38.Rb4
Shankland just played 38.Rb4 and immediately spotted a move that would have given Ehlvest a possibly winning edge. Thankfully Ehlvest only had a couple of minutes to reach the time control and played 38…Rxb4 and after 39.Nxb4 a draw was agreed.
Ehlvest of course should have played the neat tactic 38…Nxc3! winning at least a pawn.
Saturday’s action starts at 11:00 am EST and live games can be followed here at www.foxwoodsopen.com. All of the above games, plus many more (102 in total) are available by downloading the PGN file.