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Prague Chess Festival 2022 Masters R3-4: Harikrishna's beautiful Knightmare

by Shahid Ahmed - 12/06/2022

We all know that two knights cannot force a checkmate to a lone king, only helpmate is possible. What if a pawn is added to the position, does that change the equation? Harikrishna showcased a beautiful way to score a victory which was seemingly a draw. Sure his opponent, Parham made a few mistakes. However, it was the India no.3's immaculate technique that earned him a full point. It is well-known that endgame is his forte, and once again he showed it to the world. Today is a rest day. Round 5 starts tomorrow Monday 13th June at 3 p.m. local time (6:30 p.m. IST). Photo: Petr Vrabec/Prague International Chess Festival

Harikrishna shares the lead with Liem

Vidit Gujrathi and Krishnan Sasikiran drew their respective games against Sam Shankland (USA) and Jergus Pechac (SVK).

Harikrishna reminded everyone why he is the endgame maestro | Photo: Petr Vrabec/Prague International Chess Festival

Masters Round 4: Parham - Harikrishna: 0-1

Iran no.1 GM Parham Maghsoodloo (2716) had an opportunity to exchange his bishop with Harikrishna's knight in the middlegame. It would not have been the best decision at that moment. Little did he know that the knight along with the other one will play a crucial role in deciding the fate of the game.

Position after 38...Ra1

38...Ra1 was almost a precursor to what's about to happen in the end. White cannot take it because 39.Rxa1 Nc2+ 40.Ka5 Ra8#

Position after 52.Rc6+

White first gave up his rook to stop the passed pawn at f4, 50.Rxf4 Nxf4 51.Rb6+ Kc7 52.Rc6+ Rxc6 53.bxc6 now this should lead to a draw. However, Harikrishna knew that the White pawns are a liability for the defender and he can squeeze a full point out of it. He showcased correct technique by using his knight to block the pawns' movement 53...Ned5 54.b4 Nb6 55.Kb5 Ne6. Suddenly the white king is forced to go towards black's queenside.

Position after 66.Kh6

White just walked into a checkmate trap. Black used the technique of doing a checkmate with bishop and knight, minus the bishop. 66...Kg4 67.Kh7 Kh5 68.Kg7 Kg5 69.Kh7 Nf7 allowed White one last chance to save the day via 70.Kg8. He missed it and played 70.Kg7 instead and resigned after four more moves.

Harikrishna's immortal Zugzwang + Endgame wizardry | Video: ChessBase India

Round 4: Sam Shankland - Vidit Gujrathi: 0.5-0.5 | Photo: Petr Vrabec/Prague International Chess Festival 2022

Round 4: Krishnan Sasikiran - Jergus Pechac: 0.5-0.5 | Photo: Petr Vrabec/Prague International Chess Festival 2022
Prague International Chess Festival 2022 Masters Round 3 Live Commentary by IM Sagar Shah | Video: ChessBase India
Prague International Chess Festival 2022 Masters Round 4 Live Commentary by IM Sagar Shah | Video: ChessBase India

Replay Round 3-4 Masters games

Replay Round 3-4 Challengers games

Schedule

The Round-Robin tournament will take place from 8th to 17th June 2022. Every day except the last round, games will start at 3 p.m. local time (6:30 p.m. IST). Sunday 12th June is a rest day. The ninth round game on 17th June will start at 11 a.m. local time (2:30 p.m. IST).

Masters Round 4 results

Bo.No.Rtg NameResultName RtgNo.
1102692
GMAnton Guijarro David0 - 1GMVallejo Pons Francisco
27037
282718
GMShankland Sam½ - ½GMVidit Santosh Gujrathi
27236
392716
GMMaghsoodloo Parham0 - 1GMHarikrishna Pentala
27015
412681
GMNavara David1 - 0GMSalem A.R. Saleh
26794
522610
GMNguyen Thai Dai Van½ - ½GMLe Quang Liem
27093

Round 5 pairings

Bo.No.Rtg NameResultName RtgNo.
132709
GMLe Quang LiemGMAnton Guijarro David
269210
242679
GMSalem A.R. SalehGMNguyen Thai Dai Van
26102
352701
GMHarikrishna PentalaGMNavara David
26811
462723
GMVidit Santosh GujrathiGMMaghsoodloo Parham
27169
572703
GMVallejo Pons FranciscoGMShankland Sam
27188

Complete pairings

Challengers Round 4 results

Bo.No.Rtg NameResultName RtgNo.
1102564
GMHracek Zbynek½ - ½GMAbdusattorov Nodirbek
26617
282541
GMStocek Jiri0 - 1GMKrzyzanowski Marcin
25356
392613
GMWarmerdam Max1 - 0GMMichalik Peter
25775
412675
GMKeymer Vincent½ - ½GMNiemann Hans Moke
26784
522635
GMSasikiran Krishnan½ - ½GMPechac Jergus
25983

Round 5 pairings

Bo.No.Rtg NameResultName RtgNo.
132598
GMPechac JergusGMHracek Zbynek
256410
242678
GMNiemann Hans MokeGMSasikiran Krishnan
26352
352577
GMMichalik PeterGMKeymer Vincent
26751
462535
GMKrzyzanowski MarcinGMWarmerdam Max
26139
572661
GMAbdusattorov NodirbekGMStocek Jiri
25418

Complete pairings

Time Control

The time control is 90'/40 moves + 30'/end & 30"/move.

Links

Official site

Prague Chess Festival: fbtwitter, instagram and youtube



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