13th London Chess Classic 2023 R2: Gukesh survives a scare against Vitiugov

by Shahid Ahmed - 03/12/2023

GM D Gukesh seemed to be cruising towards a draw against GM Nikita Vitiugov in the second round until he misplayed. It gave the England no.1 great winning chances. However, he could not manage to seize his advantage, allowing the teenager to escape with a draw. GM Andrei Volokitin (UKR), GM M Amin Tabatabaei (IRI) and GM Mateusz Bartel (POL) scored victories against IM Shreyas Royal (ENG), GM Luke McShane (ENG) and GM Jules Moussard (ENG) respectively. Currently, Gukesh, Adams and Volokitin are at 1.5/2 each, followed by four players at 1/2 and three at 0.5/2 each. Gukesh faces Volokitin in the third round. Round 3 starts today at 2 p.m. local time, 7:30 p.m. IST. Follow the action live on FM WIM Anna-Maja Kazarian's twitch channel. Photo: Tao Bhokanandh

White wins three

In the first round, there were two decisive games. Both were won by players having the white pieces. In Round 2, three decisive games were won by the white pieces.

D Gukesh managed to save a lost same color bishop endgame against Nikita Vitiugov (ENG)

Vitiugov - Gukesh

Position after 39.Kb4

The above same color bishop endgame can end in a draw with a correct play by Black. However, incorrect play will lead to a win for White. The plan is simple for White, create a passed pawn on the queenside, use it to keep the black king occupied and then use his own king to capture Black's kingside pawns. It sounds easier in plan than execution. Black needed to start pushing pawns on the kingside to avert a loss. 39...h5 would have been fine for Black. However, 39...Bf7 started turning things in White's favor 40.a5 Kc7 41.Kc5 Bb3 42.Bc6 Bc2 43.b6+ axb6 44.axb6+ Kb8 45.Kd5 e4 46.Kd4 exf3 47.Bxf3 f4 48.Ke5 Bg6 49.Kf6 Be8

Position after 49...Be8

White cannot play Kg7 now due to h5 and Black manages to escape with a draw. Thus, 50.h3 or Be4 is what White needed to go. After 50.Ke7 Bb5 51.Kf6 Be8 White went 52.Kg7 h5 53.Kf6 g4 54.Be4 f3 and Black salvaged a draw eventually.

GM Andrei Volokitin (UKR) - IM Shreyas Royal (ENG): 1-0

GM M Amin Tabatabaei (IRI) - GM Luke McShane (ENG): 1-0

GM Hans Niemann (USA) - GM Michael Adams (ENG): 0.5-0.5

GM Mateusz Bartel (POL) - GM Jules Moussard (FRA): 1-0

Round 2 in progress

Schedule

There are one round each day starting from 2 p.m. local time, 6:30 p.m. IST. Rest day is on Wednesday 6th December 2023.

13th London Chess Classic will take place 1st to 10th December 2023

Prizes

1st £15000, 2nd £10000, 3rd £7500 and 4th £6000

Replay Round 2 games

Round 2 Results

Bo.	No.	Rtg		Name	Result		Name	Rtg	No.	PGN
1	10	2659	GM	Volokitin, Andrei	1 - 0	IM	Royal, Shreyas	2438	6	PGN
2	7	2692	GM	Tabatabaei, M. Amin	1 - 0	GM	Mcshane, Luke J	2631	5	PGN
3	8	2667	GM	Niemann, Hans Moke	½ - ½	GM	Adams, Michael	2661	4	PGN
4	9	2659	GM	Bartel, Mateusz	1 - 0	GM	Moussard, Jules	2635	3	PGN
5	1	2704	GM	Vitiugov, Nikita	½ - ½	GM	Gukesh, D	2720	2	PGN

Details

Standings after Round 2

Rk.	SNo		Name	FED	Rtg	TB1
1	2	GM	Gukesh, D	IND	2720	1,5
	4	GM	Adams, Michael	ENG	2661	1,5
	10	GM	Volokitin, Andrei	UKR	2659	1,5
4	1	GM	Vitiugov, Nikita	ENG	2704	1
	7	GM	Tabatabaei, M. Amin	IRI	2692	1
	8	GM	Niemann, Hans Moke	USA	2667	1
	9	GM	Bartel, Mateusz	POL	2659	1
8	3	GM	Moussard, Jules	FRA	2635	0,5
	5	GM	Mcshane, Luke J	ENG	2631	0,5
	6	IM	Royal, Shreyas	ENG	2438	0,5

Details

Round 3 pairings

Bo.	No.	Rtg		Name	Result		Name	Rtg	No.	PGN
1	2	2720	GM	Gukesh, D		GM	Volokitin, Andrei	2659	10
2	3	2635	GM	Moussard, Jules		GM	Vitiugov, Nikita	2704	1
3	4	2661	GM	Adams, Michael		GM	Bartel, Mateusz	2659	9
4	5	2631	GM	Mcshane, Luke J		GM	Niemann, Hans Moke	2667	8
5	6	2438	IM	Royal, Shreyas		GM	Tabatabaei, M. Amin	2692	7

Details

Links

Official site

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