How to watch? The games of the 2021 Sinquefield cup can be foundhereas part of ourlive events platform.
Sinquefield | Day 1 Standings
The Sinquefield Cup concludes the 2021 Grand Chess Tour, being its second classical time control event. Looking at the field of participants we may lament the absence of many elite players. Of the regular Tour contestants, only Vachier-Lagrave was able to come to the United States in the face of the ongoing COVID-19 restrictions on travel. Without GMsLevon Aronian,Teimour Radjabov,Anish Giri, orAlexander Grischukthe overall Grand Chess Tour race has been thrown into a tailspin.
The above-mentioned players only got to participate in two events, which effectively put them out of contention. Also, Rapport, who missed the opening stage in Bucharest due to illness, will end up with three events only. This leaves So, Mamedyarov, Vachier-Lagrave, and Caruana competing for the three top spots in the tour. I'm not even sure whether it makes sense to award overall tour standings prize money under such unfortunate circumstances.
In any case, the Sinquefield Cup is good enough as a stand-alone event, and it gives more U.S. players a chance to match their wits against the top guys listed above.
Round one did not disappoint, as all the games were fought to the end. I will start with the quietest one, a draw between Xiong and Rapport:
Xiong, Jeffery (2710)vs.Rapport, Richard (2763)
1/2-1/2Grand Chess Tour Sinquefield Cup 2021Chess.com17 Aug 2021Round: 1ECO: E38
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1.d4f62.c4e63.c3b44.c2c55.dxc5a5 !?Rapport can always be counted on to original ideas early in the game. This move is known, but it has never been seen at the elite level of competition.6.d2xc57.e3d58.a3White doesn't appear to be accomplishing much in the case of8.cxd5xd59.c1xc310.a3e411.xb4xc212.xc2c68...xc39.xc3dxc410.b4Xiong decided to go to the endgame right away.There is something to be said in favor of the developing move10.f3as10...b511.d4h512.a4c613.xf6gxf614.axb5xb515.xc4b4+16.e2is good for White.10...c611.xc4xc412.xc4c613.c3e4 !Rapport made sure his opponent wouldn't get to enjoy his bishop pair.14.c1A solid start of the tournament seemed Xiong's main concern.14.xg7g815.h6xg216.f4is an interesting idea, threatening to imprison the black rook with Bg3, but what if Black takes up the challenge and goes16...xf217.d3c5 !figuring out his compensation for the exchange as sufficient? We know how good Rapport is in situations like this.14...xc315.xc3d716.f3c817.d3e7The position is equal, but the game goes on.18.e2h619.hc1b820.e5xc321.xc3c822.d2xc323.xc3c824.f4d725.xd7xd726.e4f627.d4d628.e5+fxe5+29.fxe5+e7White cannot make progress because the black pawns on b6 and h6 cover all infiltration paths for the white king.30.e4b631.c4d832.d4e733.h4b534.g3d735.c2e236.a4+c737.e3h538.f4e239.g4d840.c6e741.g5h541...hxg5+ ?!42.xg5and you never know...42.b4d143.a4h543...a5 ?!The same goes for44.bxa5bxa545.e444.b5d145.a5h546.f1e847.g2h548.c6d149.gxh6gxh650.e3h551.d3d852.axb6axb653.e3e754.d3d855.e3e756.d3d857.e3
I'm far from blaming the two young players for taking a cautious approach in their first-round game. They just went through a grueling schedule of 27 games played over five days of the Saint Louis Rapid and Blitz. Some rest was needed. I'm sure both young stars will dazzle us with their talent as the tournament goes along.
So may have missed a chance or two today. Photo: Crystal Fuller/Saint Louis Chess Club.
So held a large, if not decisive, advantage throughout most of his game with Mamedyarov. White's structural edge became visible early, and after Mamedyarov missed his only shot at meaningful counterplay (15...b6!? instead of 15...Re8), it seemed that Wesley would meet no obstacles on his path to victory.
Perhaps, it would have been the case against anyone else, but Mamedyarov is a very special player. Somehow, someway, he managed to create threats against So's king, and it took just one or two errors from White for Black to complete his miraculous escape—a very enjoyable game.
So, Wesley (2772)vs.Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar (2782)
1/2-1/2Grand Chess Tour Sinquefield Cup 2021Chess.com17 Aug 2021Round: 1ECO: C54
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1.e4e52.f3c63.c4c54.O-Of65.d3O-O6.h3d67.c3e78.e1g69.d4b610.d3d5This is a novelty in a line that pretty much has been abandoned by Black.after unsuccessful efforts in Karjakin-Le Quang Liem, Saint Louis Blitz 201710...c611.bd2exd412.cxd4d513.e5h514.f1hf415.xg6xg616.g5f617.exf6gxf618.h6and Karjakin-So, Bilbao Masters, 201610...e811.bd2c612.f1d513.g5dxe414.xe4 !h615.xf6xf616.e3f517.xf5xf518.g3d719.xe5xe520.xe5xe521.dxe5although in the latter case So was able to save a draw.11.exd5exd412.c4c613.c2 !cxd514.c5Our commentators, IM Danny Rensch and GM Robert Hess pointed out the long-term advantages offered to White in this pawn structure, and I couldn't agree more.14...c715.xd4e8 ?Yet, it's this natural move that lead Mamedyarov into a bad situation.Time is the deciding factor here, and Black could ill afford to waste any. The only chance was to be found in15...b616.b416.c6d616...a516.xe8+xe817.c3e1+So was cool with that - one check was not going to make him nervous.18.f1d719.e2xe220.dxe2Without the queens, Black's position is utterly devoid of counterplay.20...c821.e3e722.d1a622...b623.g4h624.g2brings no relief.23.g4c624.f3 !A classic restrictive strategy.24...h625.b4e826.f2d727.f4xf428.xf4d4The only attempt left for Mamedyarov to try29.xd4c630.d6xb431.b6a532.xb7c633.a7g534.d3d835.e5d2+36.g3c237.a3 !After this precise move we all thought that So was going to win, especially considering bad time trouble for Mamedyarov.37...bd538.xd5Yet, you can never count him out! Mamedyarov found some incredible tactics with only seconds left on his clock.38...xd5 !?I expected38...xd539.c6h5and here White only has to find one more important move39...xc6loses to40.a640.h4 !to make room for his king.40...gxh4+41.xh4hxg442.d3c343.fxg4xc644.xf7wins, because Black cannot hope to eliminate all the white pawns with44...xg4on account of45.h7+h846.g6#39.d3 ?Again,39.h4was the right move. After39...e340.d3g2+41.h3even Mamedyarov would run out of tricks.39...xc540.xf7f4So could hardly believe his eyes. His advantage is all gone.41.f5d542.e5c343.xa5e3 !He even had to be careful to find the only move that doesn't lose.44.d3 !This is it.44...xf3+45.h2xh3+46.g1g3+47.f2f3+47...xd348.xd3xd3+49.e3f4is not a winning attempt because of the strength of White's a-pawn.50.a4etc.48.g1g3+49.f2f3+50.g1g3+51.f2
Now to the decisive games, and we had those aplenty. First, it was Caruana who simply wiped GMSam Shanklandoff the board. The final execution was neat, but what really stood out for me was the intricate way Caruana prepared his plans. I particularly refer to the great 16.Qe1 move, but I will allow GM Dejan Bojkov to display this beauty.
Full analysis coming soon.
Caruana, Fabiano (2806)vs.Shankland, Sam (2709)
1-0Grand Chess Tour Sinquefield Cup 2021Chess.com17 Aug 2021Round: 01
No less impressive was Vachier-Lagrave's win over GMPeter Svidler. The world's two best mavens (I'm leaving the word "experts" to the USCF class designations) of the Gruenfeld Defense didn't get to match their wits in any of the traditional lines of their favorite opening.
Vachier-Lagrave and Svidler played a very interesting game today. Photo: Lennart Ootes/Saint Louis Chess Club.
Instead, Vachier-Lagrave went for the topical 3.h4 line, which is taking over modern theoretical discussions. Svidler's choice was to transpose to a Benko Gambit in its delayed variety. It's amazing to watch how the French star was able to utilize his h-pawn to a game-winning effect. Bravo!
Vachier-Lagrave, Maxime (2751)vs.Svidler, Peter (2714)
1-0Grand Chess Tour Sinquefield Cup 2021Chess.com17 Aug 2021Round: 1ECO: E73
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1.d4f62.c4g63.h4Is this the new main line of the Indian Defenses?3...g74.c3O-OThe interesting4...d65.e4c6 !?brought Carlsen a great victory over Fedoseev in their first game of the 3rd place consolation match of the World Cup.5.e4d66.e2c57.d5b5The Benko makes perfect sense as an attempt to distract White from his plans on the kingside.8.cxb5a69.a4In all delayed Benko situations White has an option of retaining control over the b5-square, and that's what Vachier-Lagrave did.9.bxa6xa610.h5xe211.gxe2xh512.f3d713.f2was seen in Jobava-Yuffa, World Rapid 2018. White applies a similar strategy: his potential play on the h-file interferes with Black's usual Benko procedure of Qa5, Rfb8 etc.9...axb510.xb5a611.d2xb512.axb5Now Black must focus his efforts on winning that b5-pawn.12...bd713.f3xa114.xa1b615.O-Ob816.a6e817.a1f8 !?I guess Svidler wanted maximum comfort for regaining the pawn.It doesn't seem that parting with the bishop would be such a big concession, so17...xc318.bxc3xb519.xb5xb520.a8b8was possible.Another idea was17...d818.h5c719.a4xc320.bxc3a821.d1xb5where Black must answer22.c4with22...d4 !18.h5c719.a4 !Now in case of19.xb6xb620.a7xc321.bxc3xb5the e7-pawn is defended, and it's Black who has the better chances.19...a820.d1xa121.xa1e522.h6 !That h-pawn strikes again! In the absence of attacking prospects on the h-file, pushing it forward poses new problems on the back rank.22...xf3+23.gxf3xc3 ?!23...e5is a hard decision to make, because Black would still need a move or two to secure his king. Yet, it works in case of24.g2f625.a4f724.xc3xb525.b4 !A brilliant idea, considering the shortage of possibilities offered by the reduced material on the board.25...e8 ?A big error, caused by the pressure relentlessly applied by the opponent.25...cxb426.xb4e826...f627.xd6 !was the point of Vachier-Lagrave's play.27.h8+d728.xh7Svidler saw this, and thought it would be all over for him. Amazingly,28...xd5 !!29.exd5xd5would save the game, as perpetual checks cannot be avoided.He could have also tried25...e826.bxc5xc5running with the king out of the danger zone.26.bxc5dxc526...xc527.b4 !!clearing out for Qh8 mate!27.g7+g828.a8Suddenly Black finds himself in a real pickle, as he can hardly move anything.28...c4Of course,28...f6gets busted by29.c829.d8a430.g2No need to get excited.Of course not30.xe7 ?xg730...b531.b2 !The last exact move. Svidler resigned because:31.b2f8is met with32.a3b733.d6
The last game to finish was GMDarius Swierczversus Dominguez, although the issue had pretty much been decided before the time control. Swiercz must have suffered from stage chills, as his play was unrecognizably passive, yet credit is due to his opponent who conducted a flawless positional game out of a sleepy Petroff.
0-1Grand Chess Tour Sinquefield Cup 2021Chess.com17 Aug 2021Round: 1ECO: C42
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1.e4e52.f3f63.xe5d64.f3xe45.d4d56.d3d67.O-OO-O8.c4c69.c3xc310.bxc3dxc411.xc4f512.e1More aggressive is the topical line that begins with12.g5a513.d5 !?Karjakin and Nepomniachtchi tried it against their young compatriot Esipenko in the Russian Championship last year.12...d713.g5a514.h4ae8Perhaps, an improvementover14...b615.b3ae816.xf5xe1+17.xe1xf518.d2d519.e2was seen in Nakamura-Aronian, Lindores Abbey 2020.15.xf5xe1+16.xe1xf517.h4This is going to cost Whte his hard-earned bishop pair.On the other hand,17.d2allows Black to get a hold of light squares on the queenside with17...b518.b3b619.e2a5etc.17...h518.g3xg319.hxg3Most of us are happy to see this little change in the kingside structure, reasoning that a pawn moving towards the center is always good. The continuation of this game supports a different opinion.19...f620.e2a521.f3e822.d2h5 !The key move that stops White's possible expansion with g3-g4.23.c1e724.c2g625.b2g726.e2Being short of time, Swiercz just decided to sit tight.Most likely,26.c4had to be played, but he must have been concerned with26...e1+27.xe1xe1+28.h2g5where his king is boxed in. Still, White should easily survive this if he continues with the natural29.d5cxd530.xd5 !making room for his bishop.26...g527.f3a528.e2c5 !Dominguez rightfully rejected a silent draw offer by repetition.29.f3cxd430.cxd4e1+31.xe1xe1+32.h2b633.c2 ?!This hesitation is going to cost White dearly.Commentators Rensch and Hess correctly mentioned that33.d5e734.d4d6would be good for Black. A true statement it was, but White is still in the game, as long as he avoids a queen trade. I think the key move here is35.a4 !making it difficult for Black to create a passed pawn.33...b434.d3a5Dominguez saw no need to get greedy:34...b235.d5xa236.d6with some counterplay for White.35.a3d636.g1Horrible time trouble for Swiercz further aggravated his difficult task of defending.36...b537.d1 ?For the last time37.d5 !b438.axb4axb438...xb439.d639.d4was the way to go.37...b438.axb4xb4 !Now the game is practically over because in the long run White cannot deal with the a-pawn.39.b3a440.c4a341.f3b242.b3xd4+43.h2a744.c3c745.d4e746.b3h747.f4g748.d4g849.d3h750.d4g8A nice knight transfer.51.a2h6The f7-pawn is defended, and Black plans Nf5.52.b1e153.b6c354.g1c1+55.h2b256.xb2axb257.g1f558.f2d4Swiercz resigned, not waiting to see Nb5-a3 played on the board.
On a final note, welcome back, Fabiano. The 2800 club was missing you, fortunately not for long.
Caruana is back over 2800 with today's victory. Photo: Bryan Adams/Saint Louis Chess Club.
All Games Day 1
So, Wesley (2772)vs.Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar (2782)
1/2-1/2Grand Chess Tour Sinquefield Cup 202117 Aug 2021Round: 01
The 2021 Sinquefield Cup tournament is the last stop of the 2021 Grand Chess Tour. Games started on August 17 with 10 of the best chess players in the world competing for a piece of the $325,000 prize fund.
Full analysis coming soon.
