Trends in the Sicilian Scheveningen 11..Re8(B85) 2013

The tabiya in question is 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 a6 5.Be2 Nf6 6.Nc3 d6 7.0–0 Be7 8.a4 Nc6 9.Be3 0–0 10.f4 Qc7 11.Kh1 Re8(Diagram)

Here a recent effort(TWIC 950) from the just completed Tata Steel Group A tournament played by Harikrishna against Van Wely.

Harikrishna,P (l) - Van Wely,L (r)

Photo Tatasteelchess 2013 gallery day5

This was previously analyzed by Orlova on her Youtube channel BeautyandChessGeek

Harikrishna,P (2698) - Van Wely,L (2679)

Sicilian Schevening 6.Be2/11...Re8[B85]

75th Tata Steel GpA Wijk aan Zee NED (5.7), 17.01.2013

Position 1
White has a massive buildup on the kingside and after 28.Nf4, the big threat is Nxh5 with devastation on the h-file to follow.

Black to Play

28.Nf4

Position 2
Both sides look like they are attacking each other but now white has the move. What do you suggest?

White to Play

38...Nxf7

Trends in the Sicilian Scheveningen Keres Attack

Here is a recent game in the Keres Attack. The 6...h6 is one of the main defensive methods and allowed Hou Yifan to play for the win in rd10 of the Tata Steel Group A tournament.

Harikrishna,P (l) - Hou Yifan(r)

Photo Tatasteelchess 2013 gallery day10

Harikrishna,P (2698) - Hou Yifan (2603)

Sicilian Keres Attack 6...h6[B81]

75th Tata Steel GpA Wijk aan Zee NED (10.6), 23.01.2013

Position 1
A complex RR-RR ending has been reached where each side has one active and one passive rook. What do you suggest for black now?

Black to Play

34.c3

Tata Steel 2013 Rd13,GM Rapport(HUN)

Here is Rapport's rd 13 game.

Rapport got a difficult position from the opening but fought back creatively to win the game by sacrificing a pawn for a chance at generating counterplay.

Rapport(l) playing Nikolic(r)

Photo Tatasteelchess 2013 gallery day13

Nikolic,Pr (2619) - Rapport,R (2621)

Benoni g3[A62]

75th Tata Steel GpB Wijk aan Zee NED (13.4), 27.01.2013

Position 1
Black has been fighting back hard and now has some compensation for the pawn. How should black continue?
-34...gf to open up white's kingside
-34...h6 to reinforce the kingside
-Something else

Black to Play

34.Kg2

Tata Steel 2013 Rd 12-GM Rapport(HUN)

Here is Rapport's rd12 win over the veteran GM Timman.

Black got caught uncastled in the opening and then loosened the king's position with some risky play which allowed Rapport to swoop in.

Timman(l) playing Rapport(r)

Photo Tatasteelchess 2013 gallery day12

Rapport,R (2621) - Timman,J (2566)

Nimzo-Indian Hybrid 6.Nd2[E21]

75th Tata Steel GpB Wijk aan Zee NED (12.3), 26.01.2013

Position 1
Black has initiated kingside counterplay with 21...h5. How should white respond?

White to Play

21...h5

Tata Steel 2013 A-Rd11 Leko

Here is a beautiful game by Peter Leko from Tata Steel Group A played in rd11. The Tata Steel event was beautifully photographed and organized.

Van Wely defended aggressively with the Sicilian Dragon but Leko invited a RRB-RRN ending and showed some fabulous technique to grind out the win in model fashion.

Leko,P(l) - Van Wely(r) in rd 11

Photo Tatasteelchess 2013 Gallery day11

Leko,P (2735) - Van Wely,L (2679)

Sicilian Dragon 9.0-0-0 d5[B76]

75th Tata Steel GpA Wijk aan Zee NED (11.1), 25.01.2013

Position 1
White has the better structure. How should white continue?

White to Play

28..Kf8

Position 2
Black is preparing a pawn break after playing 47..f6. How should white continue?

White to Play

47...f6

Tata Steel 2013 Group B Rd11-GM Rapport(HUN)

Here is Rapport's rd11 with Naiditsch who won a fantastic minor piece ending BN-BN with opposite color bishops. 

The game started off with a harmless looking Winawer with 4.ed ed. Then the maneuvering action started with Rapport having his share of the chances.

Rapport,R(l) playing Naiditsch,A(r)

Photo Tatasteelchess 2013 gallery day11

Naiditsch,A (2708) - Rapport,R (2621)

French Winawer 4.ed ed[C15]

75th Tata Steel GpB Wijk aan Zee NED (11.4), 25.01.2013

Position 1
The kingside is closed off. What is the plan for white now?

White to Play

40...Be8

Position 2
White is pushing hard on the queenside. What is the next step?

White to Play

56...Be8

Tata Steel 2013 Group B Rd10-Rapport(HUN)

Here Rapport's rd10 game. The main feature is the R-R P+ conversion with all the play on the kingside.

Ipatov(l)-Rapport(r)

Photo Tatasteelchess 2013 gallery day10

Rapport,R (2621) - Ipatov,Alexander (2587)

QGD Exchange Variation[D35]

75th Tata Steel GpB Wijk aan Zee NED (10.3), 23.01.2013

Position 1
Black is causing problems with the active rook and it is not so clear how white can or should make progress. What do you suggest for white?

White to Play

56...Ke6

Tata Steel 2013 Rd8-GM Rapport(HUN)

Here is GM Rapport's Rd8 game against Smeets.

Smeets(l) playing Rapport(r) in rd8

Photo Tatasteelchess Gallery Day8

Rapport,R (2621) - Smeets,J (2615) 
Semi-Slav 9.a3[D47]
75th Tata Steel GpB Wijk aan Zee NED (8.3), 20.01.2013

Position 1
White is well centralized and has two strong bishops. What do you suggest for black?


Black to Play

26.Qd4