FIDE World Cup 2021 R5.1: Vidit makes a great escape

by Shahid Ahmed - 26/07/2021

Vidit had an early opportunity against Durarbayli which he missed and then got himself into a great peril in the first game of the fifth round of FIDE World Cup 2021. He went into a survival mode and eventually managed to save the game and got out of his nightmare. Martirosyan and Kosteniuk scored the sole victory of the day. Their opponents Tabatabei and Gunina must win today's game to force tie-breaks. Two-time Olympic Silver medalist, world champion and European champion, Evgenia Medevedeva made the inaugural move on Carlsen's board 1.d4 to commence the fifth round games. The second game of the fifth round starts today at 5:30 p.m. IST. Photo: Eric Rosen/FIDE

Martirosyan and Kosteniuk score a win each

The fifth round of FIDE World Cup and FIDE Women's World Cup witnessed a victory each by Haik Martirosyan (ARM) and Alexandra Kosteniuk (RUS) respectively. While Martirosyan was never in a great danger, Kosteniuk was for quite some time.

Vidit survived by the skin of his teeth | Photo: Eric Rosen/FIDE

FIDE World Cup 2021 and FIDE Women's World Cup 2021 Official logo | Photo: Official site

Vidit - Durarbayli: 0.5-0.5

The game exploded very quickly in the early stage while both kings were at their original position.

Position after 19...h6

Vidit's best and only chance was in the above diagram. 20.Nd6+ Bxd6 21.Qxg6 and White has a substantial advantage. White played it after a few moves which turned things in his opponent's favor.

Position after 23.Nd6+

The effect is no longer the same. In fact, now it only helps Black as 23...Bxd6 24.exd6 b2 25.Rb1 Qc5 and gains the upper hand.

Position after 33.gxh5

Here 33...Rd6 maintains the advantage for Black, but he blundered 33...Rd8 and allowed White to get back in the game 34.Rxd4 b1=Q 35.Rxb1 Bxb1 36.Bd5 Kf7 37.Ra4 Rxd7 38.Bxe6+ Kxe6 39.Rxa5 and the game headed towards a draw.

Vidit Gujrathi dodges a bullet | Video: ChessBase India

Vidit had a topsy-turvy game | Photo: Eric Rosen/FIDE

Tabatabaei - Martirosyan: 0-1

Tabatabei went wrong in the endgame for which he had to pay a heavy price. Martirosyan scored the sole victory of the day in the Round of 16.

Martirosyan is now just a draw away from advancing to the Quarter-Finals | Photo: Eric Rosen/FIDE

Kosteniuk - Gunina: 1-0

Former women's world champion, Alexandra Kosteniuk scored the sole win of the day in the Quarter-Finals.

Position after 19.h4

19.h4 is a big mistake as it allows Black to gain huge advantage using tactics. How? White needed to play either 19.Rfd1 or Bg3 to keep things balanced. After a bit of back and forth play, eventually White liquidated the position into a winning opposite color bishop endgame which she won comfortably.

Kosteniuk made a good recovery | Photo: Eric Rosen/FIDE

Highlights

Here is an interesting finish from Round 5.1

Alexandra Kosteniuk (RUS) defeated Valentina Gunina (RUS), Round 5.1

FIDE World Cup 2021 Round 5.1 - Live Commentary by IM Sagar Shah | Video: ChessBase India

Photo Gallery

Durarbayli missed a great opportunity | Photo: Anastasiia Korolkova/FIDE

Two-time world champion, Olympic Silver medalist and European champion - Evgenia Medvedeva makes the inaugural move 1.d4 | Photo: Eric Rosen/FIDE

Carlsen poses in a rare smile | Photo: Anastasiia Korolkova/FIDE

Etienne Bacrot | Photo: Eric Rosen/FIDE

Fun fact: All matches of Bacrot were decided in the tie-breaks whereas his opponent Piorun is yet to play a single tie-break game in the event so far.