SPOT ON CHESS PUZZLES For THURSDAY, May 11th of 2023

Sometimes we all need a break from chess…

NOT! But a little time away to work on your game and for the playing of training matches is most definitely necessary from time to time. After the most recent round at the SUPERBET CLASSIC both Ian Nepomniachtchi and Ding Liren lost their respective games. Traveling to this event hot on the heels of their epic World Chess Championship Match has left them both drained. Never a good thing to wear one’s self out - No matter what you are doing. Today we briefly look over Ian Nepomniachtchi’s loss to Maxime Vachier-Lagrave. The two puzzles are meant to break down the tactic pointed out during the chess movie with the final position of the game being a Bonus Round Tactical Puzzle.

SPOILER ALERT: Game Moves Given down below!

Happy Friday and have a most excellent weekend one and all ~ S.

Nepomniachtchi, Ian versus Vachier-Lagrave, Maxime SUPERBET CLASSIC
1. e4 c5 2. c3 d5 3. exd5 Qxd5 4. d4 Nf6 5. Nf3 e6 6. Na3 a6 7. Nc4 Nbd7 8. a4 b6 9. Be2 Bb7 10. O-O cxd4 11. Qxd4 Bc5 12. Qh4 Qe4 13. Qxe4 Nxe4 14. Nfd2 Nef6 15. Nb3 Be7 16. Bf4 Bd5 17. Rfd1 O-O 18. Nbd2 Rfc8 19. Ne3 Bc6 20. Ndc4 a5 21. Nd6 Bxd6 22. Bxd6 Nc5 23. Bb5 Nb7 24. Ba3 Rc7 25. f3 Rac8 26. Rd2 h6 27. Rad1 Bxb5 28. axb5 Kh7 29. Kf2 g5 30. h4 Kg6 31. hxg5 hxg5 32. g4 Rh8 33. Kg3 Rcc8 34. c4 Rh7 35. Bd6 Nd7 36. b3 f6 37. Ba3 Ne5 38. Bb2 Rch8 39. Kf2 Nc5 40. Bxe5 fxe5 41. Rd6 Rh2+ 42. Kg1 Rh1+ 43. Kf2 R1h2+ 44. Kg1 e4 45. Nf1 Rb2 46. Rxb6 exf3 47. Rd2 Rb1 48. Rc6 Rxf1+ 49. Kxf1 Rh1+ 50. Kf2 Ne4+ 51. Kxf3 Nxd2+ 52. Ke3 Nxb3 53. b6 Rh3+ 54. Kf2 Rh8 55. Rxe6+ Kf7 56. Re5 a4 57. Rb5 Ke6 58. Ke3 a3 0-1