Adjudicated Games of Ove Ekebjaerg.

By: Nol van 't Riet (TD)

This tournament started on 15.01.02. In February 2003 the Danish player Ove Ekebjaerg had to withdraw from the tournament, due to serious illness. At that moment he had finished 3 of his 14 games. So 11 games had to be adjudicated. Claims and analysis were sent in by his opponents in these games. But unfortunately Ove wasn't even able to send his own claims and analysis. ICCF World Champions have adjudicated the adjourned positions, the claims and the analysis sent by the opponents of Ove Ekebjaerg. In one game an appeal was made against the outcome of the first adjudication.

On TCCMB, but also in my personal mailbox, there have been many requests to publish the complete bundle of analysis. Not every player does understand the result sec.

Below you will find the 11 games and their adjudications. In one case the adjudicator only wants to decide about the publication of his analysis if he knows how wants these analysis to be published. So please let me know if this relevant to you.

I have used as much as possible the own language of the people involved, although I know that this not be too easy to read for anyone.

V.-M. Anton (GER) - O. Ekebjaerg (DEN) [B06]
1.d4 g6 2.e4 Bg7 3.Nf3 c5 4.d5 Nf6 5.Nc3 0-0 6.Be2 b5 7.e5 Ng4 8.Bxb5 Nxe5 9.Nxe5 Bxe5 10.Qe2 d6 11.h4 Qa5 12.Bd2 Ba6 13.Bxa6 Nxa6 14.h5 Nc7 15.Qf3 Qb4 16.b3 Qd4 17.Rd1 Bg7 18.Kf1 Rae8 19.Ne4 Qb2 20.Na5 f5 21.Ng5 h6 22.Bxc7 hxg5 23.Qe2 Rf6 24.Re1 gxh5 25.Rxh5 g4 26.Ba5 e5 27.c4 Qa3 28.Qd2 Ref8 29.f4! 1-0 (adj) [Anton hat den folgenden Antrag gestellt: Gewinn für Weiss. Begründung (Analysen): Die Varianten zeigen, dass die Abseitsstellung der Dame auf a3 für Schwarz zu unlösbaren Stellungsproblemen führt. Dabei helfen auch andere als die angeführten Züge Schwarz nicht, denn sie können die grundsätzliche weiße Gewinnstrategie nicht erschüttern. Weiß kombiniert sein Druckspiel (aufgrund seiner aktiveren Figuren) gegen den schwarzen König mit der permanenten Bedrohung der schwachen Bauern (Bd6) von Schwarz. Die Hauptfortsetzung ist: 29... gxf3 (a. 29... Th6 30.Tg5!± Th1+ (zu 30... e4 31.Lc3 vgl. Variante c.) 31.Kf2 Txe1 32.Kxe1 exf4 33.Lc3 Tf7 34.Lxg7 Txg7 35.Txf5 mit Gewinn. b. 29... Lh6 30.g3!±, z.B. 30... Tg6 31.Lc3 Da6 32.Dh2 Lg7 33.Kg1 und die schwarze Stellung bricht zusammen. c. 29... e4 30.Lc3!±, z.B. c1. 30... Th6 31.Tg5 Th7 32.Tg6 Da6 33.Db2 Tf7 34.Ke2! Te7 35.Kd1 Schwarz ist völlig gelähmt und befindet sich gewissermaßen im Zugzwang. Er kann auf Dauer Materialverlust nicht mehr verhindern kann. Die Bauernschwäche d6 spielt immer eine Rolle, wodurch auch die Abwicklung in ein Endspiel den Verlust nicht vermeiden kann. c1.1 35... Tf7 36.g3 Te7 37.Lxg7 Thxg7 (37... Texg7 38.Df6!) 38.Th1! e3 39.Th2 Dc8 40.Df6 mit Gewinn. c1.2 35... e3 36.Lf6! mit Gewinn. c2. 30... Tg6 31.Lxg7 Txg7 32.Th6 Td8 33.Dc3 g3 (33... Dxa2? 34.Ta1 mit Damenverlust) 34.Df6 Te8 35.Dh4 Db2 36.Th8+ Kf7 37.Dh5+ Tg6 (37... Kf6 38.Th6+ Matt in 4 Zügen) 38.Th7+ Kf8 39.Dxf5+ Df6 (39... Tf6 40.Th8+ Matt in 6 Zügen) 40.Dxf6+ Txf6 41.Th4 mit gewonnenem Turmendspiel für Weiß.) 30.gxf3 Tg6 (Auch in dieser Variante zeigen sich die Unzulänglichkeiten der schwarzen Stellung. Weiß besitzt immer die aktiveren Figuren, die schneller zum Angriff kommen. Schwarz kommt aufgrund seiner abseitsstehenden Dame in allen Varianten entscheidend in Nachteil. Oder 30... T8f7 31.Te2 Tg6 32.Ld8 Kf8 33.Lh4 Ke8 34.Tg2 Txg2 35.Kxg2 Kf8 36.Dc2 und gewinnt.) 31.Te2 Tg3 (Oder 31... Tf7 32.Ld8 Kf8 {32... e4 33.Tg5 Txg5 34.Lxg5 a5 35.Lf4 a4 36.Da5 exf3 37.Tc2 Db4 38.Dxb4 cxb4 39.Lxd6 Ld4 40.Tf2 Lxf2 41.Kxf2 Ta7 42.Lxb4 axb3 43.axb3 Kf7 44.Lc5 Ta2+ 45.Kxf3 Tb2 46.b4 Tc2 47.Kf4 und gewinnt.}33.Lg5 Ke8 34.Dc2 Da6 35.Tg2 e4 36.Lh4 Txg2 37.Dxg2 Kf8 38.Dg5 Da5 39.Le1 Dc7 40.Dg6± und gewinnt.) 32.Tg2 f4 (a. 32... Txf3+ 33.Kg1 Tf4 34.Th6! und Weiß dringt entscheidend in die schwarze Stellung ein, erzielt materiellen Vorteil und gewinnt, z.B. 34... Tg4 35.Txg4 fxg4 36.Txd6+-. b. 32... Txg2 33.Kxg2 Tf6 34.Kf1 f4 35.Ld8 Tf7 36.Th2 Kf8 37.Dc2! a5 38.Lg5 a4 39.Th6+- mit Gewinnstellung.) 33.Dc2! Tf7 (Oder 33... Dxa5? 34.Dh7+ Kf7 35.Tg5+- und gewinnt.) 34.Txg3 fxg3 35.Ld2 Txf3+ 36.Kg2 Tf7 37.Th3 Da6 (Oder 37...e4 38.Txg3 Kf8 39.Tg4 und gewinnt.) 38.Txg3 Dc8 39.Dg6+-
(Weiß hat entscheidenden Vorteil. Auch ein Damentausch kann Schwarz nicht entlasten. Das entstehende Endspiel ist für Schwarz immer verloren (schwache Bauern), Weiß verfügt über die bessere weißfeldrige (!) Bauernstruktur.).
Based on this analysis the adjudicator (Tonu Oim) made the follwoing decision: "Adjucated Anton-Ekebjaerg is very hard. I understand, that White likes to continue this game, but after 29.f4 gxf4 30.gxf4 Tg6 31.Te2 (Mr. Anton's move) Tg3 32.Tg2 Txg2 33.Kxg2 Tf7 (Programs: Fritz 5 + 0,4; Hierec 7,32 +0,12) I didn't see material for attacking, for example: 34.Lc3 Da6 35.Dc2 Dc8. So my resolution: after 29.f4 position is very unclear. Therefore draw."
Then Anton made an appeal against this decision. Begründung des Einspruches (Analysen): Gegen die Remis-Abschätzung lege ich hiermit Einspruch ein! Dabei weise ich ausdrücklich auf die bereits vorliegenden ausführlichen Analysen bei meiner erster Antragstellung hin. Nachfolgend nehme ich Stellung zu der vom Abschätzer angegebenen Variante und begründe meinen Einspruch gegen sein Abschätzungsurteil und beantrage Gewinn für Weiss. Die Hauptforsetzung ist:
29... gxf3 30.gxf3 Tg6 31.Te2 Tg3 32.Tg2 Txg2 33.Kxg2 Tf7 (Auf diesen Turmzug (33... Tf7) weist der Abschätzer hin. Weiß widerspricht seiner Einschätzung, dass die Position "very unclear" sei und Schwarz danach Remis hat. Es treffen auch in dieser Variante grundsätzlich die gleichen Stellungsbesonderheiten zu, wie sie in den übrigen, bereits bekannten Gewinnvarianten von Weiß ausführlich dargelegt worden sind in den ersten Analysen. Festzustellen ist doch, dass es zwar verschiedene schwarze Züge gibt, die aber den weißen Gewinnplan aufgrund der schwarzen Stellungsschwächen grundsätzlich nicht verhindern können. Die Abschätzung muss die strategischen und positionellen Tatsachen der Stellung beachten, die in den weißen Analysen ausführlich zum Ausdruck kommen. Weiß bekräftigt deshalb seinen Gewinnanspruch und beweist anhand der folgenden Varianten, dass Weiß auch nach 33... Tf7 usw. - Zugfolge, die der Abschätzer angibt - durch 35.f4! klaren Gewinnvorteil besitzt.) 34.Lc3 Da6 35.f4! (Der Zug 35.f4! ist eindeutig stärker als der vom Abschätzer angegebene Zug 35.Dc2. Danach ergeben sich zwangsläufig Abwicklungen, die zu Gewinnvorteil für Weiß führen. Einige Beispiele: 35... Kf8 (a. 35... exf4 36.Kf3! b. 35... Db7 36.Kf1! c. 35... Dc8 36.Kf1! De8 37.fxe5 Lxe5 {37... dxe5 38.Df2 Dc8 39.Dg3 f4 40.Dg2 f3 41.Dg3 +-}38.Dg5+ Tg7 39.Dh4 Tg4 40.Tg5+ Txg5 41.Dxg5+ Kh8 42.Dxf5 Lxc3 43.Dh3+ Kg8 44.Dxc3+- d. 35... e4 36.Kf1! Da3 37.Lxg7 Txg7 38.Txf5 Th7 {38... Tg3 39.Tg5+}39.Kg1+-) 36.Dc2 Dc8 (Oder 36... e4 37.Lxg7+ Txg7+ {37... Kxg7 38.Kf1+-} 38.Kf1 Da3 39.Txf5+ Ke8 40.Dxe4+ Te7 41.Db1+-) 37.Kf1! Dd7 (37... Ke7 38.Dg2!) 38.fxe5! dxe5 39.Df2 Dc8 40.Dg3 Dc7 (40… f4 41.Dg5!) 41.Dg6 Db6 42.De6! Dxe6 43.dxe6 Te7 (43... Tc7 44.Lxe5 Lxe5 45.Txf5+ Ke7 46.Txe5 +-) 44.Lxe5 +- mit Gewinn. (Die Überlegenheit der weißen Stellung zeigt sich auch darin, dass Weiß z.B. im 36. und 38.Zug sogar noch über Alternativen verfügt, die genauso zum Gewinn führen: 36.Kf1 Ke8 37.Db2 Db6 (37... Te7 38.Tg5) 38.Df2 Ke7 39.fxe5 dxe5 40.Txf5 Txf5 41.Dxf5 Df6 42.Dxf6+ Lxf6 43.Ke2 +- usw. Oder 38.Dh2 Dc7 39.Dg3 Ke7 (39... exf4 40.Lxg7+ Txg7 41.Dxf4+-) 40.Dg6 Dd7 41.b4! cxb4 42.Lxb4 a5 43.La3+- Da4 44.Dxd6+ Ke8 45.Db8+ Kd7 46.Db7+ Kd8 47.Db3+-.
Based on these analysis the second adjudicator (Gert Timmerman) made a final decision:
The analysis by Mr. Anton, given along with his appeal to the decision of a draw as is taken by the "1st" arbiter about the critical position, arising after 29.f4 gxf3 30.gxf3 Rg6 31.Re2 Rg3 32.Rg2 Rxg2 33.Kxg2 Rf7 34.Bc3 Qa6 is convincing enough by the strong move 35 f4! (instead of 35.Qc2 as the 1st arbiter gives in his line for a draw) etc. to justify the verdict that Blacks defensive resources are too limited to survive in the long run. Blacks out-of-play-Queen for a long time and a weak Black-pawn structure, standing mainly on squares of the colour of the White Bishop are the main causes of Blacks defencelessness. So herewith I declare the game as a win for White."]

E. Bang (DEN) - O. Ekebjaerg (DEN) [A43]
1.d4 g6 2.e4 Bg7 3.Nc3 c5 4.d5 d6 5.Nf3 Nf6 6.Be2 0-0 7.0-0 e6 8.Nd2 exd5 9.exd5 Nbd7 10.Nc4 Nb6 11.Ne3 Re8 12.a4 Ne4 13.Nxe4 Rxe4 14.c3 a5 15.Bd3 Re8 16.Qb3 Bd7 17.Bd2 Qc7 18.Bb5 Bxb5 19.Qxb5 c4 20.Rfb1 Rec8 21.b4 cxb3 22.Qxb3 Ra6 23.Ra2 f5 24.g3 Qf7 25.Rab2 f4 26.gxf4 Qxf4 27.Qd1 Rf8 28.Qe2 Nxa4 29.Rxb7 Qf3 30.Qxa6 ½-½ (adj) [Bang gave the following analysis, which was confirmed by the adjudicator (Mikhail Umansky): 30… Qxf2+ 31.Kh1 Nc5 (If Black tries to win White is better after 31… Qxd2 32.Qa7 Qxc3 34.Rb8 with the idea Rf1. Black can also play 31… Be5 32.Ng2 Nc5 33.Be3 and White is better, or 32… Qxd2 33.Rb8 and White is also better) 32.Rxg7+ Kxg7 33.Qxd6 Qf3+ 34.Kg1 Qf2+ 35.Kh1]

O. Ekebjaerg (DEN) - V.-M. Anton (GER) [C00]
1.Nc3 d5 2.e4 e6 3.f4 dxe4 4.Nxe4 Nf6 5.c3 c5 6.Nf3 Nc6 7.Qc2 Be7 8.Bc4 Bd7 9.0-0 0-0 10.Nfg5 g6 11.Nxf6 Bxf6 12.Ne4 Be7 13.Be2 Qc7 14.d3 f5 15.Nd2 Rac8 16.a4 a6 17.Bf3 b5 18.axb5 axb5 19.g3 Bd6 20.Nb3 c4 21.dxc4 bxc4 22.Nd4 Bc5 23.Be3 e5 24.fxe5 Nxe5 25.Bd5+ Kh8 26.Bh6 Rf6 27.Bf4 Qb6 28.Bxe5 Rxe5 29.Bxc4 Bc6 30.Rf2 f4 31.Qd2 Bb7 32.Raf1 Qd6 33.Rxf4 Qc6 34.R1f3 Rxf4 35.gxf4 Re7 ½-½ (adj) [At first Black claimed for a win: "In der vorliegenden Stellung beherrscht Schwarz souverän das Brett. Das Läuferpaar (Lb7 und Lc5) lähmt völlig das weiße Spiel. Aufgrund des gefesselten Sd4 und der direkten schwarzen (Matt-)Drohungen gegen den weißen König auf der Diagonalen a8-h1 erzielt Schwarz in allen Varianten zwangsläufig Materialvorteil (Qualitäts- oder sogar Figurengewinn) und sichert damit den Gewinn der Partie. 36.Kf1 - Hauptfortsetzung (36.Kg2 Td7 37.De2 Lxd4 38.cxd4 Dxf3+ 39.Dxf3 Lxf3+ 40.Kxf3 Txd4 Schwarz gewinnt.) 36... De4! 37.Ld3 (a. 37.Tg3 Db1+ 38.Kf2 Dh1 39.Lf1 - oder 39.Te3 Dg2+ 40.Ke1 Dg1+ 41.Ke2 Lg2 mit Gewinn - 39... Dxh2+ 40.Lg2 Te4!! mit totaler Lähmung der weißen Stellung, z.B. 41.b4 Lb6 42.b5 Ld5 43.Dc1 g5! mit Gewinn; b. 37.Le2 Lxd4 38.cxd4 La6! 39.Lxa6 Dxf3+ 40.Kg1 Dg4+ Schwarz erzielte entscheidenden Materialvorteil (Qualität) und gewinnt.) 37... Dd5 38.Le2 Lxd4 39.Dxd4+ (39.cxd4 Txe2 (39...La6 -+) 40.Dxe2 Dxf3+ 41.Dxf3 Lxf3 mit Gewinn.) 39... Dxd4 40.cxd4 Lxf3 41.Lxf3 Tf7 (41... Td7 42.d5 Kg7 mit Gewinn.) 42.Ke2 Txf4 43.Ke3 Th4 44.b4 Txh2 mit Gewinn." The adjudicator reported: "In the game Ekebjaerg- Anton, Black does stand better, but I have not been able to find a forced win for him -- in fact, it is quite clear that White can draw with best play."
At this moment the analysis of the adjudicator is not available for publication. People who want to know his analysis, can send a request to the Tournament Director (aa.riet@inter.NL.net) who then will forward this request to the adjudicator.
Finally Anton reported that he accepted this result.]

O. Ekebjaerg (DEN) - H.-M. Elwert (GER) [B30]
1.Nc3 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.e4 e6 4.Bb5 Nge7 5.0-0 Qc7 6.Re1 a6 7.Bf1 Ng6 8.Ne2 Be7 9.c3 0-0 10.d4 b5 11.Be3 cxd4 12.cxd4 Bb7 13.Rc1 Qd6 14.Ng3 Rfc8 15.Bd3 Nb4 16.Bb1 Rxc8 17.Qxc1 Rc8 18.Qd2 Nc6 19.Rc1 Qb8 20.Ne1 Bb4 21.Qd1 Ba5 22.Nf3 Nce7 23.h4 Rxc1 24.Qxc1 Qc7 25.h5 Qc1+ 26.Bxc1 Nf8 27.Nd2 f6 28.Nb3 Bc7 ½-½ (adj) [The Tournament Director decided a draw as Elwert wrote that he expected this result as the outcome of an adjudication procedure.]

O. Ekebjaerg (DEN) - T. Hamarat (AUT) [C46]
1.Nc3 Nf6 2.e4 e5 3.Nf3 Nc6 4.g3 Bc5 5.Bg2 d6 6.d3 a6 5.0-0 Be6 8.h3 h6 9.Be3 Qd7 10.Kh2 Bxe3 11.fxe3 0-0-0 12.d4 d5 13.exd5 Nxd5 14.Nxd5 Bxd5 15.c3 f5 16.b4 exd4 17.exd4 Rhf8 18.a4 Ne7 19.b5 a5 20.Qe2 Be4 21.Ne5 Qd5 22.Bxe4 Qxe4 23.Qa2 Qd5 24.Qa3 Rd6 25.Ra2 g5 26.Raf2 Re6 27.Qb2 Rd8 28.Re1 Rf6 29.Qd2 Kb8 ½-½ (adj) [The adjudicator could agree with the following analysis of Hamarat (although he also indicates that black stands slightly better): "In the final position I intended to make use of a) the weak White pawns on the queenside and b) White's weakened King in the long run. 30.Ng4 Re6 and 30.c4 Qxd4 brings nothing for White, so he will go on manoeuvring and at this stage of the game, it can only be given as a draw."]

O. Ekebjaerg (DEN) - J. J. van Oosterom (NED) [A00]
1.Nc3 d5 2.e4 d4 3.Nce2 e5 4.Ng3 Be6 5.Nf3 f6 6.Be2 Nh6 7.0-0 c5 8.Bb5+ Nd7 9.Qe2 g6 10.Bc4 Qe7 11.Bxe6 Qxe6 12.d3 Nf7 13.c4 Be7 14.Re1 h5 15.Nh4 Rg8 16.h3 0-0-0 17.a3 Rdf8 18.b4 Bd8 19.Kh1 Qc6 20.b5 Qb6 21.a4 f5 22.a5 Qf6 23.Nxg6 Qxg6 24.exf5 Qh7 25.a6 Nd6 26.Qf3 Kb8 27.Qd5 Bc7 28.h4 Qf7 29.Qf3 Rxg3 30.fxg3 Qxf5 31.Qxf5 Nxf5 32.g4 hxg4 33.Bg5 e4 34.dxe4 Nxh4 35.axb7 Ng6 36.Ra6 Nge5 0-1 (adj) [The adjudicator (Fritz Baumbach) could agree with the following analysis of Van Oosterom: Two White pawns (b7 and e4) are ready to be taken. The Black pieces dominate the centre and White doesn't have any counter play. Some possibilities: A) 37.Kg1 Nxc4 38.Rc1 Ne3 39.Be7 Rf7 40.Bxc5 Nxc5 41.Rxc5 Rf1#; B) 37.Be7 Rf7 38.Bd6 Bxd6 39.Rxd6 Nxc4 with an easy win; C) 37.Rea1 Bb6 38.R6a4 Nd3 with threats which can't be parried; D) 37.Ra4 Nb6 38.Raa1 (or 38.Ra2 Nbxc4 39.Be7 Rh8+ 40.Kg1 Bb6 -+) 38. ... Nd3 and Black wins; E) 37.Rc1 Nxc4 38.Kg1 Ne3 which leads to variant A.]

O. Ekebjaerg (DEN) - O. Rause (LAT) [B01]
1.Nc3 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nxe4 Bf5 4.Ng3 Bg6 5.Nf3 Nd7 6.Bc4 e6 7.d3 Ngf6 8.0-0 c6 9.Re1 Qc7 10.a4 Bd6 11.Qe2 0-0 12.Nh4 Rfe8 13.Nxg6 hxg6 14.Bg5 Bf4 15.Bxf4 Qxf4 16.c3 a5 17.Ne4 Ne5 18.Nxf6+ gxf6 19.b3 Rad8 20.Rab1 Kg7 21.h3 Re7 22.d4 Nxc4 23.bxc4 c5 24.Qe3 Qh4 25.f4 Rc7 26.Rec1 ½-½ (adj) [The adjudicator (Tonu Oim) did agree with the analysis of Olita Rause: A complicated heavy pieces struggle. White has several possibilities here but only 27.Rd1 deserve serious attention: 27.Rd1 {27.d5? exd5 28.cxd5 Rxd5 29.Rxb7 Rd3-+; 27.dxc5? Rd2 28.Qf3 R8d3 29.Qg4 Qxg4 30.hxg4 Rg3-+} 27... cxd4 28.cxd4 {28.Rxd4?! Qh5 29.Qf2 ( 29.Rb5 Rxd4³) 29... Rxd4 30.cxd4 Qf5 31.Rxb7 Qd3 32.d5! exd5 33.Qa7 Rf8 34.cxd5 Qd1+ 35.Kh2 Qxa4 36.Qf2 Rd8 37.Qd2 Qe4 38.Rb5 Rc8ƒ} 28... Rc7 29.Rbc1 {29.c5?! Rd5 30.Rd3 ( 30.Kh2 Rcd7 31.Rd3 e5 32.g3 Qh5 33.g4 Qh8³) 30... Rcd7 31.Rbd1 Qh8 follow by Qd8, b6 and Black is slightly better.} 29... Qh5 {29... Rdc8?! 30.d5! ( 30.c5 Rd8 31.Qf2 Qh5 32.Qe1 Qf5³) 30... Rxc4 31.Rxc4 Rxc4 32.d6 ( 32.dxe6 Qxf4 33.Qxf4 Rxf4 34.Rd7 Rxa4=) 32... Qh5 33.Rd2²; 29... Qh8 30.d5 exd5 31.cxd5 Rxc1 32.Qxc1 Qe8 33.Qc4 Qe3+ 34.Kh2 Rd6 35.Qd4 Qxd4 36.Rxd4 f5=} 30.Rd3 Rdc8 31.Rdc3 Qh8 32.d5 {32.c5?! Qe8 33.f5!? a) B. 33.Ra1 Rd8 a1) 33... b6 34.Rc4 (a1) 34.Kh2 bxc5 35.dxc5 Rb7 36.Rc4 Qc6 37.Qc3 Rcb8 38.Qxa5 Rb2 39.Rg1 R8b3 40.Rc3 Rb4³) 34... Qd8 35.Rac1 Qd5 36.Kh2 Rc6 37.R1c2=; a2) 33... Rd7 34.Rc4 (a2) 34.Rb1) 34... b6 35.Rb1 bxc5 36.dxc5 Qd8 37.Rb5 Rd3 38.Qe4 Rd5 39.Kh2 Rc6 40.Qf3=; 34.Rc4 (a) White should avoid to protect d4 pawn from backside like: 34.Kh2?! Rcd7 35.Rc4 Rd5 36.Qf2 Qd7 37.Rd1 Qc6 38.Rb1 Rf5 39.Qe3 Qc7 40.Rf1 Rfd5 41.Kg1 Qd7 42.Rd1 e5µ) 34... Qc6 35.Rb1 Qd5 36.Qe2 Qf5 37.Rf1 Rdc8 38.Qf3 Rc6 39.Rfc1 g5³; b) A. 33.Rc4?! Qd8 34.Qb3 (b) ‹34.Qf3 Rd7 35.Qf2 Rd5 36.Re1 b6 37.c6 Rf5 38.Rb1 Qd6 39.Rxb6 Rxf4 40.Qd2 Re4³) 34... Rd7 35.Qc3 Qc7 36.Qe3 Rd5 37.Rb1 Rcd8 38.Rb5 Rf5³; 33... Rd8 ( 33... exf5 34.Qxe8 Rxe8 35.d5=) 34.fxg6 ( 34.fxe6 Qxe6 ( 34… fxe6 = 34.fg6 fg6) 35.Qd2 ( 35.Qf4 Rcd7 36.Rd3 Rd5 37.Qd2 Qe8 38.Rc4 Qe4 39.Qc3 Re8ƒ) 35... Qc6 36.Rc4 Re7 37.Rd1 Re4 38.Re1 Rxe1+ 39.Qxe1 Qd5 40.Qe2 Rh8!?³ 41.Kh2 Rh4 42.g4 Kf8 43.Qd3 f5 44.gxf5 g5µ 45.c6) 34... fxg6 35.Rc4 Qc6 36.Rb1 Qd5 37.Qc3 Rcd7 38.Qc2 Qf5 39.Qxf5 gxf5 40.Rc2 Rc7 41.Rd2 e5 42.Rb5 Rd5 43.Kf2 f4 44.Rxa5 Kg6 45.Ke2 Kf5 46.dxe5 Rxd2+ 47.Kxd2 fxe5³ Black advantage is most probably not sufficient.} 32... exd5 33.cxd5 Rxc3 34.Rxc3 Rxc3 35.Qxc3 Qe8 36.Qxa5 {36.d6 Qxa4³}36...Qe3+ with perpetual check.]

O. Ekebjaerg (DEN) - H. Tarnowiecki (AUT) [A00]
1.Nc3 d5 2.e4 d4 3.Nce2 e5 4.Ng3 Be6 5.Nf3 f6 6.Be2 Ne7 7.0-0 g6 8.d3 c5 9.Ne1 h5 10.f4 exf4 11.Bxf4 Nd7 12.c4 Nc6 13.Nh1 Be7 14.a3 a6 15.Rb1 b5 16.b3 Qb6 17.Nf2 b4 18.axb4 cxb4 19.Nf3 g5 20.Bd2 Nc5 21.Ne1 Bf7 22.Nf3 Bd6 23.Qe1 Rb8 24.Kh1Bg6 25.Nh3 0-0 26.Qc1 Qd8 27.Nf2 Rb7 28.Qc2 a5 0-1 (adj) [The adjudicator (Fritz Baumbach) could agree with the analysis of Harald Tarnowiecki: This position is strategically winning for Black for the reasons outlined below: space advantage, better pawn structure, powerful position of the Knight on c5, control over central square e5, Black has the possibility to play on both wings, White has no activity (this is very important!). In this type of position it is not possible to give variations. Black's plan is: to create additional weaknesses on the King's wing (… Rh7, … Bc7, … Qd6 threatening … g4), to prepare … f5 concentrating all forces in the centre, and the threat … a4 is also very annoying for White. It is important not to allow White to exchange light pieces in the current position - Black will do this only when everything is prepared. Practically it is very difficult to defend such a position. Therefore the claim is a win for Black: 0-1.]

J. J. van Oosterom (NED) - O. Ekebjaerg (DEN) [B27]
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 g6 3.d4 Bg7 4.d5 Nf6 5.e5 Ng4 6.Nfd2 f5 7.exf6 Nxf6 8.Nc3 0-0 9.Be2 b6 10.0-0 Bb7 11.Nde4 Nxe4 12.Nxe4 e6 13.Bg5 Qc7 14.Be7 Re8 15.Bd6 Qd8 16.Bc4 b5 17.Bxb5 Bxd5 18.Qe2 Bxb2 19.Rad1 Nc6 20.Bxc5 a6 21.Bd3 Qa5 22.Be3 Qc7 23.c4 Bxe4 24.Bxe4 Rab8 25.c5 a5 26.Rd2 Bc3 27.Rd3 Be5 28.f4 Bg7 29.Rfd1 Re7 30.Rd6 Rb2 31.Qc4 Bf8 32.a3 Rf7 33.Bxc6 dxc6 34.Rxe6 Qb7 35.Rd8 Qb3 36.Qe4 Rb1+ 37.Kf2 Rb2+ 38.Kg3 Ra2 39.Rd3 1-0 (adj) [The judgement of the adjudicator (Mikhail Umansky) was: I agree with this analysis: 39... Db2 [39...Dc2 40.Te8+-; 39...Db1 40.Te8 De1+ 41.Kh3+-; 39...Db7 40.Te8 Te2 41.De6+- Dc7 42.Tdd8+-] 40.Ld4 Db1 [40...Dc2 41.h3+- (41.Kh3+-) ; 40...Db8 41.Le5 Dc8 42.Ld6 Tc2 43.Tb3+-; 40...Db5 41.Te3 Df1 42.Tf6 Dc4 (42...Le7 43.Txg6+ hxg6 44.Dxg6+) 43.Txg6+ hxg6 44.Dxg6+ Tg7 45.Lxg7 Dc2 46.Dxc2 Txc2 47.Lxf8 Kxf8 48.Kf3 Txc5 49.g4+-] 41.Kh3 Df1 [41...Dc2 42.Te8+-; 41...Db8 42.Le5 Dc8 43.Dxc6] 42.Tg3 Dxf4 43.Tgxg6+ hxg6 44.Dxg6+ +-]

O. Rause (LAT) - O. Ekebjaerg (DEN) [B34]
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 g6 3.d4 Bg7 4.Nc3 dxc4 5.Nxd4 Nc6 6.Be3 Nf6 7.Bc4 0-0 8.Bb3 d6 9.f3 Bd7 10.Qd2 Nxd4 11.Bxd4 b5 12.h4 a5 13.h5 e5 14.hxg6 exd4 15.Bxf7+ Kh8 16.Qxd4 h6 17.Qe3 Ng8 18.g4 b4 19.Nd5 Be8 20.g5 Bxf7 21.gxf7 Rxf7 22.0-0-0 Qf8 23.f4 Re8 24.gxh6 Bxh6 25.Rdg1 Ne7 26.Qa7 Kh7 27.Qd7 Ng8 28.Qh3 1-0 (adj) [White's analyses was: "At this moment the game was interrupted. Black have a large choice between 28... Rxe4, 28... Kh8, 28... Rg7, 28... Rxf4, 28...a4 and 28...Ne7. 28...Rxe4! {Seems the best defence. A. 28...Ne7? 29.Nc7 Rxf4™ 30.Kb1! Rf6 31.Ne6+-; B. 28... a4 29.Kb1!? (29.Qd3±) 29... a3 30.Qd3 axb2 31.e5+ Kh8 32.Rxg8+ Kxg8 33.Qg6+ Qg7 34.Rxh6 dxe5 (34... Qxg6 35.Rxg6+ Kf8 36.Rxd6+-) 35.Qc6+-; C. 28... Rxf4 29.Nxf4 Qxf4+ (29... Rxe4? 30.Rg7+! Kxg7 (30... Qxg7 31.Qf5+) 31.Qg2+) 30.Kb1 Nf6 (30...Kh8 31.Rg6 Rf8 32.Qd3 Rf7 33.Rxd6+-; 30... Re7 31.Rg4 Qe5 32.Rxg8 Kxg8 33.Qxh6 Qxe4 34.Rd1 Rh7 35.Qg5+ Rg7 36.Qd8+ Kh737.Qxd6+) 31.e5 dxe5 (‹31... Rxe5 32.Qg2 Ng4 33.Rh4+-)32.Qd3+ e4 (‹32... Qe4 33.Qd6) 33.Qd4 Qe5 34.Qe3 Nh5 (34... Ng8 35.Rxg8 Kxg8 36.Qxh6 Qg7 37.Qe3 Re6 38.Qc5 Qf7 39.Qc8+ Qe8 40.Qc7 Qg6 41.Qb8+ Qe8 42.Qh2+-)35.Qa7+ Qe7 (35.. .Re736.Rxh5 Qxb2+37.Kxb2 Rxa7 38.Rgh1Ra6 39.Re5+-) 36.Qxe7+ Rxe7 37.Rxh5+-; D. 28... Rg7 29.Rg5 Kh8 (29... Rxe4 30.Qd3 Rge7 31.Nxe7 Qxf4+ 32.Kb1 Nxe7 33.Rgh5 Nf5 (‹33... d5 34.Qh3 Ng8 35.Qd7+ Ne7 (35... Re7 36.Rxh6+ Qxh6 37.Rxh6+ Kxh6 38.Qd6+ Kg7 39.Kc1+-) 36.Rxh6+ Qxh6 37.Rxh6+ Kxh6 38.Kc1 Kg5 39.Qa7+-) 34.a3 (‹34.Qd5 Kg6!) 34... bxa3 35.Qd5 axb2™ 36.Qf7+ Kh8 37.Rxh6+ Nxh6 38.Qg6+-) 30.Rhg1 Rxg5 (30... Ree7 31.Qh2 Ref7 32.Ne3 Rxf4 33.Rxg7 Rf1+ 34.Rxf1 Qxf1+ 35.Kd2 Kxg7 36.Qxh6+ Nxh6 37.Nxf1+-) 31.fxg5 Rxe4 32.gxh6 Qxh6+ 33.Qxh6+ Nxh6 34.Rg6 Ng4 (34...Nf5 35.Nf6 Ne7 36.Nxe4 Nxg6 37.Nxd6) 35.Rxd6 and White should win; E. 28... Kh8 29.Rg6 Rh7 30.Qe3!? (‹30.Qf3 Ne7 31.Rf6 Qg7 32.Re6 Rf8! (‹32.. .a4 33.Kb1 a3 34.Nf6 Rc8 35.e5+-) 33.Nxe7 (a) 33.Rhxh6 Rxh6 (a) 33... Qg1+? 34.Kd2 Nxd5 35.Rxh7+ Kxh7 36.exd5+-) 34.Rxh6+ Qxh6 35.Nxe7 Rxf4! 36.Ng6+ Qxg6 37.Qxf4 Qg1+ 38.Kd2 Qd4+ 39.Ke2 Qxb2 40.Qh6+ Kg8 41.Qg6+ Kh8=; b) 33.Rxe7 Rxf4 34.Nxf4 Bxf4+ 35.Kb1 Qxe7 36.Rxh7+ Qxh7=) 33...Rxf4 34.Ng6+ Kg8™ (34... Qxg6? 35.Rxg6 Rxf3+ 36.Rgxh6) 35.Nxf4 Bxf4+ 36.Kb1 Rxh1+ 37.Qxh1 Kf7! 38.Qh5+ Kxe6 39.Qf5+ Ke7 40.Qxf4 Qg1+ 41.Qc1 Qg3 with good drawish chances) 30...Bg7 (‹30.. .a4 31.Rhg1 Bg7 32.Nc7 Nf6 33.Nxe8 Qxe8 34.e5!+-) 31.Qf3 Bh6 32.Rhg1 (32.Kb1!?) 32... Bg7 33.Nc7 Re7 ( 33...Rc8 34.Ne6 Qf7 35.Rxg7 ( 35.Nxg7? Qxa2) 35... Qxe6 36.Rxh7+ Kxh7 37.e5!+-) 34.Ne6 Rxe6 (34... Qc8 35.f5 and Blacks is out of moves) 35.Rxe6 Qf7 (35... Bh6 36.Reg6 Qxf4+ 37.Qxf4 Bxf4+ 38.Kd1 Ne7 39.Rf6 Bh6™ 40.Rxd6 +-) 36.f5 Be5 37.Qd3 Nf6 38.Qb5 Qf8 (38... Rg7 39.Rh1+ Rh7 40.Re1) 39.Kb1!? (39.Qxa5 Bd4 40.Re1 b3!? 41.axb3 Ra7 42.Qb5 Ra1+ 43.Kd2 Qh6+ 44.Kd3 Qh3+ 45.Kxd4 Rxe1 46.Qb8+ Ng8 47.Kc4±) 39... Qd8 40.Rd1± / + -.} 29.Qd3 {29.Rxg8 Rfxf4 30.Qxh6+ Qxh6 31.Rxh6+ Kxh6 32.Nxf4 Rxf4 33.Kd2 is also very dangerous for Black as his King is cuted quiet far, say, 33... Rd4+ 34.Ke3 Rc4 35.Kd3 d5 36.Rg2 a4 (36... Kh5 37.b3 Rc3+ 38.Kd4) 37.b3 axb3 38.axb3 Rf4 39.Rg8 Kh7 40.Rd8 +- is a small illustration of danger, on same time Black has a hugh number of defending resources in this complex ending.} 29... Rfxf4™ 30.Kb1 {Less precise 30.Nxf4?! Qxf4+ 31.Kb1 Ne7!? (‹31... a4 32.Qa6!? as we will see below) 32.Rh5 Nf5! and Black may hope for consolidation.} 30... a4 {Other moves here are: A. 30... Ne7?? 31.Re1; B. 30... Kh8 31.Nxf4 Qxf4 (31... Rxf4 32.Qd5 Kh7 33.Qxa5) 32.Qd5 Re8 33.Qxa5 Rf8 34.Qc7 Rf7 35.Qb8 Rg7 36.Rf1 Qd2 37.Rd1 Qf4 38.Rxd6+-; C. 30... Qf7 31.Nxf4 Qxf4 32.Qb5 Qf6 (32... Qf7 33.Qxa5 Qe6 (33... d5 34.Qd8 Qe6 35.a4!) 34.Qa8 d5 35.a4! Ne7 (35... bxa3 36.Rxg8 Re1+ 37.Rxe1 Qxe1+ 38.Ka2 Qe5 39.Kxa3+-) 36.Qb8+-) 33.Qxa5 Ne7 34.Qc7±); D. 30... Qf5 31.Nxf4 Qxf4 (After 31... Rxf4 32.Qxd6 Rg4 (in case of 32. ... a4 White have a pleasant choice between 33.Qd8 and 33.Qc7+ Qf7 34.Qxf7+ Rxf7 35.Rg4 Rb7 36.Rxg8 Kxg8 37.Rxh6), 33.Qc7+ Kh8 34.Rxg4 Qxg4 35.Qxa5 Qe4 36.Qh5 Kh7 37.Qf7+ Kh8 38.Rg1 Ne7 39.Qe8+ Kh7 40.Qd7 Qe3 the Q-exchange will secure win: 41.Qg4 Qf4 42.Qxf4 Bxf4 43.c3 bxc3 44.bxc3 Nd5 45.Kc2 Kh6 46.Kb3 Bg5 47.a4 Kg6 48.Rxg5+ Kxg5 49.Kc4 and #27, according to Tablebases ) 32.Qh3 (32 Qb5 transforms to C. Variation and is good as well) Re7 33.Qg2 Qf7™ 34.Qd2 Qe6 35.Qd3+ Kh8 36.Qa6 Rg7 37.Rd1 Qe5 38.Rxd6 Rh7™ 39.Qd3 Now, after 39. ... Qe3 both: 40.Qg6 and 40.Qxe3 Bxe3 41.Rxh7 Kxh7 42.Ra6 looks sufficient.} 31.Nxf4 Qxf4 32.Qa6!? Ne7 {32... a3?? loosing on spot after 33.Qa8; 32... b3 33.cxb3 Ne7 (33. ... Qf5 34.Ka1 ab3 35.Qxd6 Rg4! 36.Qc7 Kh8 37.Qc3 Kh7 38.Rxg4 Qxg4 39.Qxb3 +/- +-) 34.Rf1 Qe5 35.bxa4 Re2 36.Qb7 Kg6 37.Rhg1+ Bg5 38.a5 and only 38... Qe4+ could stop a pawn but the resulting ending is hopeless 39.Qxe4+ Rxe4 40.a3 Nf5 41.b4.} 33.Rf1 {‹33.Qxa4 Qf6 34.Qb3 d5 35.Qd3 Qe6 36.Qg3 Qg6 37.Qh2 Qe6 38.Rf1 Nf5 39.Qc7+ Qe7 40.Qc6 and the White advantage is obvious but not decisive.} 33... Qg5 {‹33...Qe3 34.Qxa4 b3 35.Qe8 bxc2+ 36.Kxc2 Rc4+ 37.Kb1+-.} 34.Qxa4 Rh4 {‹34... Rf4 35.Re1 Rh4 36.Rhf1 Bg7 37.Qd7 Ng6 38.Qxd6+-.} 35.Qd7 Rxh1 36.Rxh1 Qe5 37.Qb7 Kg6 38.Qxb4 with winning position. So the claim is: win for White." The adjudicator (Gert Timmerman wrote: "After carefully studying the correctness of the analysis of the position after 28.Qh3 in the game Rause - Ekebjaerg, sent in by Mrs. Rause, I have come to the conclusion that her analysis is extensive, objective and correct. Black has a small advantage in material (a piece for 2 pawns) in the broken-off position, but the Black pieces are very passively placed, and with every move Whites initiative will be growing substantially which Black will compel to lose material, often on the Queenside with mostly at the end lost endgame-situations for Black. Therefore I approve the claim of Mrs. Rause i.e.: White wins."]

H. Tarnowiecki (AUT) - O. Ekebjaerg (DEN) [E91]
1.d4 g6 2.c4 Bg7 3.Nc3 c5 4.d5 d6 5.e4 Nf6 6.Nf3 0-0 7.Be2 a6 8.a4 e6 9.0-0 exd5 10.cxd5 Bg4 11.Bf4 Bxf3 12.Bxf3 Qe7 13.a5 Nbd7 14.Re1 Rab8 15.Qd2 Rfc8 16.Na4 Ne5 17.Nb6 Rd8 18.Bxe5 Qxe5 19.Nc4 Qd4 20.Qxd4 cxd4 21.Rad1 Nd7 22.Be2 b5 23.axb6 Nxb6 24.Na5 Re8 25.Nc6 Ra8 26.Bd3 Na4 27.b4 f5 28.f3 Bh6 29.Nxd4 Nb2 30.Nc6 Nxd1 31.Rxd1 ½-½ (adj) [White's analysis was: Black has to take on 34: 31… fxe4 Bxe4. White keeps his Rook on the a-line and moves his King to b3. Black's only activity is … g5-g4 which White meets with h3 and g4. The adjudicator (Timmerman) confirmed this analysis: Black has a litle material plus (Rook versus Knight plus pawn), but the dominant White Knight on c6 keeps the Blacks Rooks at bay. Because of this there is no real foreseeable active plan for Black to get the passive Black Rooks activated.]