Malcolm Pein on…A New Rising Star

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Malcolm Pein tells of his own online chess experiences in today’s Daily Telegraph column, and presents an impressive game from a new rising star.

Malcolm Pein on…A New Rising Star

I ventured into the world of serious online competition two weeks ago and played for my over-the-board club Wood Green in the group stage of the European Online Club Cup. It was pretty terrifying at times; the time limit of 15 minutes plus five seconds per move was not too bad, but nevertheless, I’m looking forward to playing in the face- to-face edition in Slovenia this coming November.

Young players prospered. The rising 19-year-old Russian star Andrey Esipenko, already rated 2701, won the individual gold medal on board four, playing for Mednyi Vsadnik, who took team bronze behind the Parisians Clichy Echecs 92 and the winners SF Deizisau of Stuttgart.

A sacrificial masterpiece that any GM would be proud of, even at a Classical time limit.

A. Esipenko – E. Bacrot
Queen’s Gambit Declined
15+5

1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 Be7 4.Nc3 Nf6 5.Bf4 0–0 6.a3 b6 7.e3 Bb7 8.cxd5 Nxd5 9.Nxd5 exd5 10.Bd3 c5 11.h4 Nd7 12.Ng5 h6? (The losing move, 12…Nf6 is forced when 13.Qc2 h6 14.Be5 hxg5 15.Bxf6 Re8 is a tightrope, but Black appears to be OK) 13.Nh7 Re8

A. Esipenko – E. Bacrot

14.Bxh6!! gxh6 15.Qg4+ Kh8

A. Esipenko – E. Bacrot

16.Ng5!! Bxg5 (If 16…Rf8 17.Qh5 Nf6 18.Qxh6+ Kg8 19.Rh3 or 16…hxg5 17.Qh5+ Kg7 18.Qh7+ Kf6 (18…Kf8 19.Qh8#) 19.Qh6#) 17.hxg5 Nf8 (17…Re6 18.Rxh6+ Rxh6 19.gxh6 Qf6 20.Qxd7 Bc6 21.Qf5 Qxh6 22.0–0–0 wins) 18.Rxh6+ Kg7 (18…Kg8 19.Qh5 Re6 20.Rh8+ Kg7 21.0–0–0 cxd4 22.Rh1 dxe3 23.Qh7+ Nxh7 24.R1xh7#) 19.Qh5 cxd4 20.Rh7+ Nxh7 (20…Kg8 21.Qxf7#)

Test Your Strength

A. Esipenko – E. Bacrot White to Play and Win

White to play and win

Highlight the space below this line to reveal the answer.

21.Qh6+ 1-0 21…Kg8 22.Bxh7+ Kh8 23.Bg6+ Kg8 24.Qh7+ Kf8 25.Qxf7#.

Play Through the Game

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