Final round 4/5

The last double round of the tournament.

It was a good day for Chizhov again. He was quite lucky against Getmanski, who failed to see a simple combination in draw position.

This was a pity for the Dutch audience, that has still the best hope for their favorites Thijssen and now also Baljakin. We have to go back until 1984 for the last Wch-titel for the Netherlands...

Only Valneris can keep up the pace with Chizhov at the moment and it is wonderful to see him play. In every game he played he was looking for complications.

In the morning he played a very interesting game against Baljakin, who played als in a courageous style. The draw was a just result.

In the afternoon it was Valneris-Samb. These players in one game is a formula for fire work.

The opening from the game was interesting, but not yet really spectaculair. Both players anticipated the coming battle. Samb constructed a plan to paralyze the right wing from Valneris, who volunteered in giving him that chance.

From that moment we saw a very exciting mid-game with chances for both players, but the balance was disturbed ,after a discutable decision from Samb, in the favour of Valneris.

Still, the situation was complicated and clear advantage was not evident, but Valneris found a way:

Valneris-Samb

Earlier on, Valneris infiltrated square 17. Samb has still hope for a tempo game. Through waiting he might expect some chance.

Valneris gives us some lesson in strategy now:

41.43-38 14-19 42.38-33 19-23 43.37-31! ...

The key to victory. White had to see the destination for this piece.

... 8-13 44.31-26 30-35 45. 26-21! ...

With the deadly menace 33-28! (23x32) 27x38 (16x27) 38-32 (27x38) 39-33 (38x29) 34x12 etc. White has a winning position.

...23-28 46.33x22 20-24 47.34-29 24x33 48. 39x28 25-30 49.17-12 18x7 50. 21-17 7-11 51. 28-23 15-20 52.17-12 20-25 53.23-18 13-9 54.12-8

2-0

Paul Oudshoorn.