New York Open Archives - Chess Essentials

Chess Tactics: Smirin — Afek, 1992

Ilya Smirin was born in Vitebsk, Belarus in 1968. He earned his Grandmaster title in 1990 and immigrated to Israel two years later.

Smirin was Israeli Champion in 1992 and 2002. He also won the final edition of the New York Open in 2000, and the Biel GMT (Grandmaster Tournament) in 2002.

His highest FIDE rating was 2702 in July 2001, and he has been ranked as high as World #13 on two occasions.

Here Smirin wins a miniature against International Master and prominent chess composer Yochanan Afek.

Something has definitely gone wrong for Black. White to play.

8.?

Beware Early Queen Sorties!

Chess Tactics: Van Wely — Ki. Georgiev, 1997

Loek Van Wely (b. 1972) is one of the greatest Dutch players ever, becoming Champion of the Netherlands eight times so far.

A notable tournament victory was the 1996 New York Open. He is also a fixture at the prestigious Wijk aan Zee super tournaments.

In October 2001 Van Wely achieved a career-high rating of 2714 while climbing to 10th in the world rankings, also a career high.

Van Wely wins a sparkling game against Kiril Georgiev, another former top player (=9th in the world, January 1993), and author. This game was played in the first FIDE Knockout World Championship in 1997. This tournament has since become the World Cup.

White to play. How did Van Wely punch his ticket to the Quarterfinals of the grueling knockout?

18. ?

Tag: New York Open

Chess Tactics: Smirin — Afek, 1992

Beware Early Queen Sorties!

Chess Tactics: Van Wely — Ki. Georgiev, 1997

Line Clear