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23ndWorldComputerChessChampionshipsJanKrabbenbos,JaapvandenHerik,GuyHaworthThe23ndWorldComputerChessChampionshipstartedonJuly3,2017.Fourprogramsparticipateinatripleroundrobintournamentofninerounds.ThetournamenttakesplaceattheLeidenUniversityandisorganizedbytheICGA,LIACSandLCDS.ThesponsorsareOracle,themunicipalityofLeiden,LeidenUniversity,FacultyofScience,ICGA,iSSC,SurfSaraandDigitalGameTechnology.Itisheldinconjunctionwiththe7thWorldComputerSoftwareChampionship,20thComputerOlympiadandthe15thAdvancesinComputerGamesconference.

Round1 Jonny–Komodo½-½ Chiron–Shredder½-½InthefirstroundJonnyandKomodoplayedagameofhighlevel.Uptomove13itwastakenfromthebook.Thereafterthestrategiclinesweresetout.Onmove20whitebelieveditcouldgainsomespaceatthekingside.Howeverblackwaswellpreparedandrepliedwithawellconsideredcounteraction.Thesacrificeofapawnwastemporarilyandmeanttoopenthelongdiagonaltothewhiteking.Yetthebalanceremaineduntouchedandaftermanyexchangesthedrawwasagreedintheendgame.Chironplayedtheopeninginanoriginalway.InanycasetheprogrammadeclearthatShreddershouldbealertfromthebeginning.Obviouslyitwasandthereforealivelygamewastobeseenontheboard.Bothplayersareinthecategoryofstrongerthanthehumanworldchampion.Sotheyknowverywellwhattheyaredoing.Forinstance38.…f5wasamovewhichclearlyshowedaspirations,atleastitwouldemphasizeitsinfluenceinthecenteroftheboard.Blacksaggressiveideasalsogavewhiteopportunitiestoinvadetheblackposition.Bothsideshadtheirownattackandevenheretheymanagedthatthegameremainedequal.Atthemomentwhitehadawinningattackonpawnh6,blackcompletethegamebyrepetitionofmoves.Standings:1-4Komodo,Chiron,Jonny,Shredder0.5.

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4q1k1/6p1/p1p4p/P1P2p2/1P1R1Q1P/8/4r1P1/6K1w--039

Round2 Komodo–Shredder1-0 Jonny–Chiron½-½Komodoplayedasharpopeninglineinwhichtheessenceisaresultantmid-gamewithaqueenagainstthreeminorpieces.Theyfollowedthetheoryupto13.Qg4.Atthatmomentblackhastwocontinuationsbeing13.…Kf8org6.Somepreferg6butShredderchoseforKf8.Themaintaskforblackwastodevelopitspiecesandtoactivateitsrooks.

r1b1k1nr/1pbp1ppp/2n1p3/8/4P1Q1/2P5/PP3PPP/R3KB1RbKQkq-113

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Tobepreciseblackhadthreechallengestosolve,namely1tocompleteanartificialcastling,2todevelopitrookonh8and3todevelopthewhite-squaredblackbishoponc8.Thefirstchallengewaseasilysolved.Thesecondchallengewashandledbyplayingh7-h5-h4anddevelopingtherooktoh5.Howeveronthefifthranktherookcouldnotfindastableplace,butatleastitwasintoplay.Thatwasnotthecasewiththebishoponc8.Whiteplayedinsuchway(developingpressingpoweronthequeensideandfixingtheblackpawnona6)thattheblackbishopwasanobstacleforconnectingtherooks.Blackdidnotseeanysolutionsforthischallengeexceptforsacrificingafullpiece(seediagram).Whitereactedaccurately,tookthepiece,sacrificetheexchangeandtransferredthepositionintoaadvantageouspositionforwhite.Thepawnsonthequeensidedidtheworkbymarchingontothepromotionsquare.AwellplayedgamebyKomodo.Insuchastrongfieldavictoryagainstanopponentisveryvaluable.

1rb2rk1/1p4p1/1P2p3/P1P1R3/Q1B2n1p/6nP/6P1/6K1b--240Jonny–ChironfollowedtheCatalanopeningline.Itwasaquietpositionalfight.Bothsidesattemptedtotaketheinitiativebutneithersidewasabletoachieveanyadvantage.Inanequaltransitionphasetotheendgametherewasanopportunitytotransferthegameintoanendgamewithanunbalancedmaterialrelation.Againthequeenwasexchanged,thistimefortworooks.Itturnedouttobeafairexchangesincethepowerbalancewasnotshifted.Finallythegameendedinperpetualcheck.Adeservedhalfpointforbothsides.Standings:1.Komodo1.52-3.Jonny,Chiron14.Shredder0.5

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8/p1q2pk1/1r3npp/Q1p1p3/2Pr4/1R2N1P1/P3PP1P/1R4K1b--329

Round3 Chiron–Komodo½-½ Shredder–Jonny½-½TheFrenchopeningusuallyleadstoclosedpositions.HoweverKomodowasplayingsharplyandopenedtheg-filebyplaying17.…gxf4,18.gxf4.Withthewhitequeenond4andtheblackkingonh8itenabledwhitetostartanicecombinationby20.Nxd5(seediagram).Thesacrificedpiecewasgainedbackbyacheckbydiscovery22.e6+and23.exd7.TheresultingpositionwasstillcomplexandKomodotriedtocomplicatemattersevenmore.Howeverwhitekepthiscomputerbrainscoolandmanagedbysharpplaytoforceblacktogiveperpetualcheck.

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1r3r1k/1bqn1p1p/p3p3/1p1pP3/3Q1P2/P1N5/1PP3BP/3RR1K1w--320Shredder–JonnywasatoughgamethatstartedquietlyfromaSemiSlavopening.Thecomplicationwereneververydeepandcanbecharacterizedaspositionalfights.Yetblacktriedtohavetheinitiativeandwhitewasfirsttoreplyadequately.Bothsideshadtheiractiveandpassivepieces.Facingtheactivitiesblackseemedtobebetter.Howeverwhitehaspositioneditspiecesverywellandsoonasblackdidnothaveanythreatwhiteshouldunfoldhisintentions.Thisstimulatedblacktoarepetitionofmoves.Standings:1.Komodo2(outof3)2-3.Jonny,Chiron1.54.Shredder1

Round4 Komodo–Jonny½-½ Shredder–Chiron½-½ThegameKomodo–Jonnyhadeverythingtobeanexcitingcontest.HoweverKomodoshardwarewasnotreadyintimeforthefullgame.Soinsteadofplayingwith60coresithadtorelyon24coresonly.Therewasasimilarrepercussionfortheopeningbookwhichnowsmallerthantheusualopeningbook.SoitcouldhappenthatKomodofollowedasimplelineintheItalianvariation.Jonnyplayingblack,followedthemainlineoftheopening.Onmove12therewasarepetitionofmoveswhichbothprogramsaccepted.Adrawwastheresultandthespectatorshadtoacceptthis.ThegameShredder–ChironstartedasaSemi-Slav.Itwasapleasuretoseehowbothsidestriedtotaketheinitiative.Whitewasactiveonthequeenside,blackinthecenterandabitonthekingside.Bothplayerskeptintheirmemorythemaneuversoftheopponentwhileperformingtheirownactivities.Thegamehadaclimaxonmove46.e5sincethatwasthestartofanindirectexchangeofpawns.46.…Re7(seediagram)47.Qe4Qxe548.Qh7+Kf849.Dxh6+Ke850.Qc6.Whitemighthavehopedtohavesomeattackontheblackkingbutitturnedoutthattheresultwascheck,checkandcheck.Sosoonadrawwasagreed.

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6k1/1b2rp2/2p4p/1p2P1p1/8/1P2QPqP/R1B3P1/5K2w--147Standings:1.Komodo2.5(outof4)2-3.Jonny,Chiron24.Shredder1.5.

Round5 Shredder–Komodo½-½ Chiron–Jonny½-½Somegamesareexcitingtoplaybutnotsoexcitingtobereplayedbyaspectator.Withfourtopprogramsinthistournamentthatplayallonaveryhighlevelweseeregularlygamesthatshowequalityofpowerandconsequentlynotalwayscomplexattacksorinventivedefences.InthegameShredder–Komodobothplayerswentoutofbookonmove13inanequalposition.Thisstatusquodidnotchangeduringthenext60moves.Soitlooksthatchessisaneasygamebutiscertainlynottrue.Everydecisioniswellcomputedandevaluated.Thedrawthatresultedafter73moveswasfornobodyasurprise.ThegameChiron–Jonnystartedwithanestablishedopeningvariationfromthepast.TheDragonvariationoftheSicilianDefenselongtimehadareputationofbeingafightersopening.Overtheyearsmanygoodschemesforattackontheblackpositionhavebeendeveloped.Inthegamewhitetriedtoapplysuchaschemebutblackwaswellpreparedandtooktherightcountermeasuresonallwhite’sattemptstoobtainsomeadvantage.Althoughthefightdirectunderthesurfacemighthavebeenintense,theresultlookedlikeacoldgamewithmanyexchangesandalmostnotensionatall.Theexchangesofmanypiecesseemedtobeinharmonywiththecharacteristicsoftheopening.Finallythereexistedarookendinginwhichnosidecouldaimforadvantage.Thedrawwasagreedafter62moves.Standings:1.Komodo3(outof5)2-3.Jonny,Chiron2.54.Shredder2.

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Round6 Komodo–Chiron½-½ Jonny–Shredder½-½ManyspectatorsweresurprisedonthedrawbetweenKomodoandChiron.Notthefactthatthegameendedinadraw–Chironisareallygoodprogram-,butthewayinwhichthedrawhappened.WhenaskedtoErdoganGunes(operatorofKomodo)heanswered“Ithappened”,meaningthatheacceptedtheopeninglineoftheprogramandtherepetitionofmovesasdictatedbytheopeningbook.Forareporteritisdifficulttoaddsomethingmoresincethedrawwasadirectresultfromtheopeningbook.ThegameJonny–ShredderwasoneofalongrowbetweenthebrainchildsofthetwoprogrammersJohannesZwanzgerandStefanMeyer-Kahlen.ThistimetheyplayedtheSemi-Slav,Meranervariation.Theyplayedbothquietlyandseriouslyattemptingtoobtainasmallpositionaladvantage.Inthediagrampositionbothsideshavethepairofbishops,blackhasthreegroupsofpawns,whitetwo.Usuallytwoisbetterbutblack’sthirdgroupconsistedofapassedpawn.Thequestioniswhetherthepassedpawnisstrongorweak.Blacksawanopportunitytolookforafurtherendgameinwhichthepassedpawnreallycouldplayapart.Inthediagrampositionplaycontinuedby21.…Bxf322.Qxf3Bxh2+23.Kxh2Qd6+24.g3Dxd325.Rfd1.Intheendthec-pawnwasneitheranadvantagenoradisadvantage.Inthecontinuationbothsidestriedtofindsomenewresourcesbutadequatedefensesuppressedrealaspirationsforawin.

r2r2k1/4qppp/p1bb2n1/P1p5/8/2BBPN2/4QPPP/2R2RK1b--021Standings:1.Komodo3.5(outof6)2-3.Jonny,Chiron34.Shredder2.5.

Round7 Jonny–Komodo½-½ Chiron–Shredder½-½

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InthegameJonny–Komodotheissueofstaticevaluationversusdynamicevaluationcametosurface.AfteraClosedCatalanopeningtheplayersarrivedatthediagramposition.Thedifficultywhichsuchpositionsistheevaluation.Thepositioncanbeassessedbyastaticevaluationorbyadynamicevaluation.Althoughbothevaluationsmighthavethesamevalue,thewaythatvalueisreachedwillbecompletelydifferent.Webelievethatthedynamicevaluationgivesmoreinsightintheintricaciesofgamebutisnotdefinitivelythebetterevaluation.Thefollowinghappenedinthisposition:14.…cxb415.Qb3Rc316.Qa3bxa317.Nb1Rc818.Nxa3.Blackisapawnupandhaseventwopassedpawns.Yettherearemanydifficultiestoovercomebeforeblackcanthinkofawin.

2rqnrk1/pb1nbppp/1p6/2ppP3/1P1P4/P4NP1/2QN1PBP/R1BR2K1b--014Inthefollowingitlookedthatblackplayedwell,diligentlyandaccuratelytokeepthewinintoreach.Howeverwhenthepositionofdiagram2occurredontheboardJonny’sevaluationfunctionhadreacheda6-menendgametablebasepredictedthatthegamewouldendinadraw.Therewassomedisbeliefundertheaudience.Theyfollowedthecourseofthegamewiththeeyesofaneagle.Whathappenedinthegamewasthefollowing:33.Qxd7Rxd734.g4hxg435.Nxg4Rd636.f7Kg737.Ne5Bd7.Apperentlytheprogramhadlookedfortwentypliesdeepandthentouchuponthe6-piecedatabase.Playingthroughthegameitisnotunderstandableforahumanbeingtoseethatthisgameendsinacleardraw.Disbelieversamongthereadersofthisreportsareencouragedtoreplaythegameinitsentirely.Theywillseethenicedrawwhichisinaccordancewiththeactualgameresult.

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r5k1/3qQr2/p1b1nPp1/Rp1p3p/3P3P/4N1P1/5PBK/3R4w--233Anewobservationinatournamentofhighrankedprogramsisthetendencyforadrawbyrepetitionofmoves.Apparentlytheprogramsare“stubborn”andremainintheirtreesearchatthebestmovefoundsofar.Thecontemptfactorisnotalwaysinuseintheseprograms.ForChironwecansaythatitbelievedtotheweakestprogramofthefourandthereforeithasputitscontemptfactorof+0.15whichmeansthatitdoesacceptrepetitionofmovesevenwhenitis0.15ahead.Thismayhavebeenofinfluenceinthisgamewherethemoveswererepeatedfrommove26onward.Standings:1.Komodo4(outof7)2-3.Jonny,Chiron3.54.Shredder3.

Round8 Komodo–Shredder½-½ Jonny–Chiron1-0ThegameKomodo–ShredderwasaSicilianvariationdifferentfromtheirearliercontestinround2.NowShredderplayed7.…Nf6instead7…a6.ThegamefollowedtheusualthemesoftheSicilianvariation.Whitegainedsomeadvantage.Itturnedoutnottobesufficientforawinningattempt.Thecomplicationsweremainlysuperficialalthoughsomedeepstructuresmayunderlyingthepatternsthatoccurredtotheeyesofthebeholders.Thegamehadahighlevelasallmeetingsinthisclasshavenowadays.Theresultingdrawwasacknowledgesassuchbybothsides.JonnyagainstChironwasaCatalanopening.Blackplayedactivewithitsrookpawnatthekingside.Inarealfightitisalwaysessentialtokeepthepositiondynamic.Thatenablescomplexlinesandcombinations.Howeveritisawellknownrulethatoneshouldalwaystakeintoaccountthattheopponentcansolvethedynamicelementsbyunexpectedlycapturingadynamicelementandevendestroyingitsownpawnstructure.ThatwasadecisionJonnytookonmove27

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byplayinggxh4(seediagram).Thenewh-pawnsoonbecameapainintheassintheblackposition.Whiteregroupedsomeofitspieces,progressedtheh-pawnandstartedtomakesomecomplicationsaroundtheblackking(seediagram2).

4r1k1/1b1rqpp1/1ppbpn2/p7/P1PP3p/1P3QP1/1BN2PBP/3RR1K1w--827Whiteplayedaninterestingexchangeofqueensandkepttheinitiativebypromotingtoaknightgivingchecktotheblackking:39.hxg7,Nxf440.gxf8N+Rxf841.dxe6Rxd242.Rxd2Bxg243.e7Re844.Nxg2Ng645.Rd6.

3r1q2/1b1r1ppk/1p2p2P/2pP3n/PpP2Q2/1P2N2P/3R1PB1/3R2K1w--339Theresultwasapositionwithtwopawnsup.Stillthiswasnotaneasywin.Thedifficultyisinthenotconnectedfandhpawn.Ifotherpawnsandthetwoknightsdisappearfromtheboardthatisconsideredadraw.Thereforewhiteshould(1)solvethepositionatthequeensideand(2)notexchangetheknight.

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Inposition3Jonnyshowedtheaudiencehowtohandlethepositiononthequeenside.Inthatpositionplayed54.Rxb2Rxa455.Re2Nd756.Re7Nxc557.Rxf7+.NowJonnyhasreachedthepreferredpositionwhichisawinforwhiteprovidedthattheknighsremainontheboard.Inthenext14movesJonnyshoweditssuperiorityandwonthegameaccordingtostrategicguidelinesmentionedabove.BythiswinJonnybecameco-leaderinthetournament.

8/5p1k/8/1RP1n3/P4N2/7P/1p3PK1/r7w--254Standing1-2.Jonny,Komodo4.5(outof8)2-3Shredder,Chiron3.5.

Round9 Chiron–Komodo½-½ Shredder–Jonny½-½Chiron–KomodostartedasaquietCaro-Kannopening.Aftertheplayershadlefttheirbookwhitewassearchingforaninitiativetobetaken.Inthediagrampositionitplayed16.Ne4,startinganindirectexchangeofpawnsandhopingtohaveaninitiativethereafter.Thisturnedouttobenotwithoutrisk,sinceblackstartedadangerousadvanceoftheh-pawn.Bythisadvancementthewhiteprotectionofthekingwasheavelyhurt.Thewhitequeenwascalledtosupportthedefenceandwasevenforcedtoresideonh1(seediagram2).Althoughblackwasregroupingallitsforcesforavigorousattacktothewhiteking,Chironuseditsinvadedpawnandrooktobalancethechances.Forhumanchessplayerstherewasanunclearsituationontheboard.Forcomputersalmostclear.Itwasadraw,acleardrawbyperpetualcheck.Seediagram3.

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3rrnk1/1pq3pp/p1pbpp2/P7/3P4/1QP3N1/1P3PPP/R1B1R1K1w--016

7r/3r1kp1/p1pqpp2/P7/1R1P3n/2P2Q1P/1P3P2/2BR2K1w--131

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7r/1R6/p1p2pk1/P3Pqp1/4QP1n/2Pr3P/1P6/2B1R1K1w--537After11movesShredderandJonnywereoutofbook.TheyhadplayedanacceptedSemi-SlavoftheQueensopening.Inthepositionofdiagram1blackdecidedtoexchangetheb-pawnforthewhited-pawn,by14.…b415.Bxb4Qb616.Ba3Qxd4.

r2qk2r/1b1n1pb1/p1pBp2p/1p4p1/P1pPP3/2N5/1P2BPPP/R2Q1RK1bkq-014Thereafterplaycontinuedinafastandcorrectway.Thismeansregularexchangesandnoupsetsateitherside.Sowearrivedatthepositionofdiagram2wherewhitetemporarilygainedapawnby31.Bxc5.

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2kr4/1b6/p1r1pp1p/P1p3p1/1nP5/5P2/5BPP/1R2RBK1w--031Theblackpositionwasdynamicandabletodevelopmanythreatstowardsthewhiteking.Forthecomputersthecombinationswereeasytounravelbuthumanchessplayersneededmanyeyestoseeallintricaciesoftheposition.Afteranumberofexchangesthepositionofdiagram3appeared.Forwhiteeverythingwasundercontrolbythemove53.Rd6.Thereafterdrawwasunavoidable.

3k4/3b1R2/B6R/2P3p1/5P2/8/3r1r2/7Kw--453Theresultofthisroundwastwodrawsleadingtothefollowingfinalstandings:1-2Jonny,Komodo5(outof9),3-4Chiron,Shredder4(outof9).Weseethatofthe18gamesplayedinthetournamentonlytworesultedinadecision.Thefinalstandingsledtotwoplay-offmatches,oneforthefirstplaceandoneforthethirdplace.

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Theplay-offsForthetitleworldchampionaplay-offbetweenKomodoandJonnywasnecessary.Bothprogramsscored5outof9.Thefirstplay-offconsistsoftwogamesof45minuteswith15secondsincrementfrommove1.Incaseof1–1asecondplay-offwouldtakeplaceunderthetimeregime20minuteswith10secondsincrementfrommove1,incaseof1–1againathirdplay-offwilltakeplaceunderregimeof10minuteswith10secondsincrementfrommove1.Forthethirdplacealsoaplay-offwasnecessary,namelybetweenShredderandChiron.Thegameswereplayedsimultaneouslysowecallthemplay-offround1andplay-offround2(forthefirstplay-off),play-offround3andplay-offround4(forthesecondplay-off)andplay-offround5andplay-offround6(forthethirdplay-off)thatonlyconcernedthetitlematch.Atthebeginningofround1drawingoflotstookplaceinordertodeterminethecolour.Atthebeginningofroundthreedrawingoflotstookplaceagain.

Play-offRound1 Komodo–Jonny½-½ Chiron–Shredder½-½InthedirectcontestforthetitleKomodochosethemostquietopeningofthegame:GuicoPianissimo.Piecesfoundthecorrectplaces,peacewasreigning.Stillbothprogramswerealertandpreparedtosacrificeapawnforattackingchances.Whitehadthestrongestfeelingtodoso.Itsacrificedapawnandinvadedtheblackposition.Howeverblackwasonthealertandinvadedwithhisqueenthewhiteposition.Thismaneuverwassufficientforperpetualcheck.After51movesthedrawwasagreed.ThebattleforthethirdplacestartedwithaSicilianopening.Bothsidesmaneuveredtheirpiecestotheirfavouredplaces.Thenblacktookuptheideatoopentheg-fileforanattackonthewhiteking.Thereforeheplayed18.…gxf5.Itwasfollowebby19.Qxf5Bc820.Qf2Rg821.Bf3Rg622.h3Reg823.Rd2Rg3.

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4rr1k/1bq1bp1p/p2p1np1/1p2pP2/4P3/P1N1BQ2/1PP1B1PP/3R1R1Kb--318Insummaryblackincreasedhispressureonthewhitekingsideandthespectatorswereeagerlywaitingforthefinalblow.Atfirstsightblackbelievedthat27.…Bxh3wasthebeginningoftheblow.Thetensionaroseandcomplicationscouldbeonlycorrectlyevaluatedbythetwocomputerprograms.

6rk/1q2bp1p/3p1n2/pN2p3/1p2P3/P4Brb/1PPRQ1P1/5RBKw--028Duringthesequenceofhitsbytheblacksledgehammerwhiteproducedafinecounterattackbyplaying32.Bxe5+.Forhumanbeingsasurprise,themoresosince32.…f6wasansweredby33.Rxf6.Thecontinuationwasasfollows:33.…Rg1+34.Kh2R4g235.Qxg2Rxg236.Rxg2dxe537.Ra6withathreat38.Ra8.Blackdefendedaccuratelybyinvadingthequeeninthewhitefortressmeanwhilepreventingmatebyinterruptingthechecklinewiththebishop.Thereafterblackfoundasavingbyperpetualcheck.

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7k/3qbp1p/3p4/pN2B3/1p2P1r1/P7/1PPRQ1r1/5R1Kb--032Standings:ForthetitleWorldChampionJonny,Komodo½outof1.ForthethirdplaceShredder,Chiron½outof1.

Play-offRound2 Jonny–Komodo½-½ Shredder–Chiron½-½Jonny–KomodowasanacceptedQueenGambit.Thegamefollowedtheopeningbooklinesandinthemiddlegameithandledtherequiredstrategicallinesconsequently.Bothsidesplayedverywellanditseemedthattherewasalmostnothingtoreport.Howeveronmove31whiteplayedR1xc3inthediagrambelow.Thepointewasnotdeepbutsurprisingforthespectatorssinceafter31.…bxc332.Ne7+Qxe733.Rxd5theblacke-pawnwaspinned.Yetitwasnotsufficientforawinsinceblackcouldeasilyequalthepositionby34.…fxg535.hxg5Rf536.Rxc2Qxg5+.Aftersixmoremovesthedrawwasagreed.

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5rk1/5q1p/2N1ppp1/p1Rr2P1/1p1P3P/1Pn1Q3/P4P2/2R3K1w--631ShredderwasfacingtheAnti-MeraneroftheSemi-Slavvariation.Stefan’sprogramfollowedthefavouritewayofplayaswasperformedbyBotvinnik.Sohesacrificedapieceforpressureandtwopawns.Botvinniklovedtoplaythispositionwithwhiteaswellaswithblack.Thereasonistheinterestingnessoftheposition.Inthisgamebothopponentswerewellprepared.Theyknewthetricksandhiddenintricasiesverywell.Onmove22blackreimbursedtheexchangeforapawnandpressure.22.…Rxe423.fxe4Qxe424.Qc3Ne525.Kg1Ng426.Ba7c5.

2k2b1r/p2n1p2/b1p1pP2/P2q3P/2prN3/1p2BP2/1P3KP1/R1Q2B1Rb--022Playcontinuedinasharpwaybutstillwithintherangeofequality.Atmove34whitesolvedpartofhisdifficultiesbyplaying34.Rxc4Be3+(awellthoughtcheck)35.Kh2Bd4.Playwasresumedandafteranewsacrificeoftheexchangewhitedidnothaveanydangeranymore,andblackdidnothaveanychancesanymore.So,drawwasagreed.

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8/1k3p2/bB2p2b/P1p4n/2p5/1p3P2/1P6/2R2BK1w--234Standings:ForthetitleWorldChampionJonny,Komodo1outof2.ForthethirdplaceShredder,Chiron1outof2.

Play-offRound3Aftertworoundsofplay-offtwomoreroundsturnedouttobeneeded.Aswasagreedtheseroundswereplayedwiththetimecontrolof20minutesand10seconds.Moreoverbeforethestartofthisroundcolourswerehandledbytossingpawns.Fortheprecisepairingseebelow. Jonny–Komodo½-½ Chiron–Shredder0-1Jonny–KomodostartedasaacceptedQueenGambitfollowingtheMannheimvariation.Jonnywasaimingadynamicpositionandtriedtoreachitbychangingthematerialbalance.Itexchangedtwoofitspiecesforarookandtwopawns.Seediagram1.By15.Nxf7Jonnysurprisedtheopponent.Thenextmoveweremoreorlessforce:15.…Rxf716.Bxe6Qf817.Rd1Re818.d5Kh8.

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r1q2rk1/1b1n1ppp/p2bpn2/2p1N1B1/Q1BP4/2N5/PP3PPP/2R1R1K1w--015Inthebattlethatfollowedblackhadsomeinitiativewhichwastransformedintoakingattack,seediagram2.Whitehadaningeniousmaneuvertostoptheattackbyplaying23.Qf3.Itwasfollowedby23.…Bxf424.Qxg4h625.Qe6.Afterthequeenexchangetheendgameoftwopiecesagainsttherookandanextrapawnwasacleardrawwhichwasagreedaftersomemoves.

7k/1b1n1qpp/p7/2pPb3/4QBn1/2N5/PP3PPP/4R1K1w--423ThegameChiron–ShredderhadapositionalSicilianstart.Bothplayersoccupiedthebestsquaresfortheirpieces.Itwasarealfightgoodsquaresandinretrospectwecanremarkthatthedecisiveexchangewasonmove36,seediagram1whenblackexchangeditsblackbishopforthewhiteknightonf5.The

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remainingblackknightwasabletooutperformthewhitebishopalbeitonthelongrun.

4rk2/3b1p2/1p1p2qp/p1nP1Np1/P1P3P1/1P3R1P/3Q2BK/8b--436Thegamecontinuedwithweakeningthewhitequeensidepawnsandfinallycapturingthemattherighttimebyafineinterplaybetweenknightandqueen.Seediagram2.

8/5pk1/1P1p3p/3Pn1p1/2P3P1/5R1P/1qr5/5BQKw--1752Aftertherookswereexchangedandblackwasproudtobeonepawnupthetechnicalphasehadtobepreciselyexecuted.ThiswasingoodhandsofShredder.Fromdiagram3youseehowitaccuratelyperformeditstask.Aftergainingthepawnd5whiteresigned.

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6k1/5p2/3p3p/3Pn1p1/3Q2P1/7P/6BK/1q6b--1969Standings:ForthetitleWorldChampionJonny,Komodo1½outof3.ForthethirdplaceShredder2outof3,Chiron1outof3.

Play-offRound4 Komodo–Jonny½-½ Shredder–Chiron½-½KomodoandJonnyplayedtheItalianopeningwhichisapopularstartinthistournament.Thegamewenttheusualwayandwasnotreallyspectacular.Ataviewpointwhiteaswellasblacktriedtotaketheinitiativeindevelopingandexecutingaplanbuttheopponentalwaysunderstoodwasthreateningandtookadequateactions.Hencethegameendedinadrawwhichimpliedthatthesecondplay-offresultedalsoinatieandathirdplay-offwasnecessary.ChironwasfacingthetaskofbeatingShredderinthisgame.IfnotthenShredderwouldbethird.HoweverChironnevercameinapositionwithrealwinningchances.ThisimpliesthatShreddereasilywentintoadrawnpositionandreachedthatdrawalso,securingthethirdplaceintheWCCC2017.Standings:ForthetitleWorldChampionJonny,Komodo2outof4.ForthethirdplaceShredder2½outof4,Chiron1½outof4.ShredderachievedthirdplaceintheWCCC2017.

Play-offRound5 Jonny–Komodo½-½

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InthegameJonny–Komodotheaudiencesawaacceptedqueensgambitwithsafeplayfrombothsides.Thesequenceofexchangesledtoanendgamewithoppositebishopsandaclosedpawnstructure.Nowonderthatthegameendedquicklyinadraw.Standings:ForthetitleWorldChampionJonny,Komodo2½outof5.

Play-offRound6 Komodo–Jonny1-0JonnyplayedtheopeningratherpassivelyandgaveKomodoallopportunitytoplaceitspiecesintostrongpositionsforanattackagainsttheblackking.Inthepositionwhichwasalreadytroublesomeitcouldnotfindanadequatewaytodefenditselfagainstthefatewhichwasintheairabovehisheadandthereforetheveryweakmove28.…a5.Seethediagram.Thereafterthepositionwasnolongerplayable.WithsomestraightforwardpunchesKomodoputanendtothehopewhichJonnymayhavehadatthebeginningofthegame.AsitwentthecomputerchessworldwelcomesKomodoastheworldchampionfor2017,whodefendedits2016titlewithsuccess.Congratulations.

3r1rk1/b2qn1p1/p4p2/1ppppP2/6Q1/2PP1R2/PP1B1PP1/3BR1K1b--728Standings:ForthetitleWorldChampion1.Komodo3½outof62.Jonny2½outof6.