GM Yermolinsky - WR Masters 2023 - Video 3

Opening: D26, D37, E60: QGA; Classical Variation, QGD; 4.Nf3 Be7 5.Bf4 (Harrwitz Attack), King's Indian Defence

Player(s): Nepomniachtchi, Gukesh, Aronian, Keymer

A new tournament in Dusseldorf, Germany, came right on the footsteps of the Wijk aan Zee festival. Seven participants just traveled from the Netherlands to Germany to be joined by three more players for a modern 10-player format. It is interesting to see the dynamics of how the players form changes with the change of scenery. The only consistently good performance belongs to Wesley So, who followed his solid +2 with no losses showing in Wijk with an equally firm +2-1=6 in Dusseldorf. The others not so much. The heroes, Giri and Abdussatorov, turned into zeroes, while Aronian and Gukesh went from mediocrity to the shining heights. Keymer, who totally tanked in Wijk (no wins) became more of a force to be reckoned with in Dusseldorf (the last round loss to Nepo notwithstanding), but Pragganandha couldn't improve on his -1 result. The first video showcases Levon Aronian's talents, as his three wins with the white pieces had the aura of inevitability. Levon seemed destined for a runaway victory, but the loss to Nepo took the wind out of his sails, and the newly minted US star could do no better than fall over the finish line. Luckily, his +2 was enough to earn a spot in a three-way tie for first. Video 2 belongs to the young Dommaraju Gukesh. Again, I'm hugely impressed with what this 16-year-old has to offer. Gukesh is very strong in counterattack, which makes him capable of winning with Black against the highest quality opposition. Lastly, there was Ian Nepomniatchchi, whose mind is obviously focused on the upcoming World Championship match. A bigger fish to fry or not, Ian woke up from his mighty slumber just in time to win two critical games with Black in Rounds 7 and 9 (shown in Video #3), playing like he had to win on demand. This success goes the long way to cheer up his army of supporters in view of what might come next month in Astana. You can download the games in PGN format HERE

Teacher's library (718) D26 D37 E60 Nepomniachtchi Gukesh Aronian Keymer recap