The French GM Matthieu Cornette is the leader in the closed tournament of the City of Barcelona, with the presence of ten players. The contest has an average of 2,447 Elo points and takes place from February 16 to 24. Cornette leads to the sixth round with 5 points (+ 4, = 2, –0). They are followed by Marc Andria Maurizzi, France, 4; 3rd. Bilel Bellahcene, Algeria, 4 points.
White: GM Matthieu Cornette, France, 2,555. Black: Daniel García Ramos, Spain, 2,397. London system, C12. R-2, Barcelona closed tournament, 16–02-2021.
1.d4 d5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Bf4 e6 4.Nbd2 Bd6 5.Bg5 The current thing is to play 5.e3 Bxf4 6.exf4 0–0 7.Bd3 with a micro-advantage in development. 7 … Qd6 8.g3 In theory the light squares f3 and h3 are weakened; but it is difficult that they can be exploited. White has also created a strong control on the d5 square that can serve as an outpost. 5 … 0–0 It might be more convenient to immediately harass the active piece with h6. 6.e4 dxe4 7.Nxe4 The advantage in development and space allows greater prospects for attack. 7 … Be7 is perhaps preferable 7 … Nbd7 with the idea of developing another piece and not wasting time. 8.Bd3 8.Bxf6 Bxf6 9.Qd3 A little better 9.Bc4 The castling is prepared and the queen does not obstruct the activity of Bf1. 9 … Nd7 10.0–0–0 Qe7 In the position there are two offensive natural moves. 11.h4 Greater strength presents 11.g4 g6 12.Nxf6 + Nxf6 13.Ne5 ± .11 … c5 12.Nfg5 g6 13.dxc5 Nxc5 14.Nxf6 + Qxf6 15.Qd6 + – Nd7 (15 … b6 16.Qxf8 + Kxf8 17.Nxh7 + Ke7 18.Nxf6 Rxf6 19.Rd8 And White with the quality of advantage and majority on the queenside reaches decisive superiority. 16.Bb5 h6 17.Nf3 Nb6 18.Rd4 Better 18.Ne5 Qg7 19.h5 g5 20.The1 + -. 18 … Qg7 19.Rhd1 a6? They forget the weakness of the eighth. 20.Qxb6 axb5 21.Rd8 Ra6 22.Qc5 With the obvious threat of capturing on f8 and winning a piece or Qe7 that wins the queen. 22 … Rc6 23.Qe7 Black resigns. If 23 … Rxd8 24.Rxd8 + Kh7 25.Qe8 + -.
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