Best Games Played in 2011 According to ChessPro

Written by Administrator

Friday, 11 May 2012

Kamsky-Svidler, spectacular for Peter's 26..Re2!! move, won the first prize as the best game played in 2011

ChessPro has published the final table of the best chess games played in 2011.

Here is the panel of judges, unique in terms of chess strength:

Valentina Gunina, Tatiana Kosintseva, Nadezhda Kosintseva, Viktoria Cmilyte, Natalia Pogonina, Olga Alexandrova, Natalia Zhukova, Ekaterina Kovalevskaya, Tatiana Grabuzova, Alexander Grischuk, Dmitry Jakovenko, Evgeny Tomashevsky, Nikita Vitiugov, Adrian Michalchishin, Sergei Movsesian, Viorel Bologan, Emil Sutovsky, Sergei Rublevsky, Alexander Riaziantsev, Artem Timofeev, Mikhail Kobalia, Miguel Iljescas, Evgeny Miroshnichenko, Mikhail Krasenkow, Vitaly Golod, Igor Lysyj, Sergei Ivanov, Andrei Zontakh, Ruslan Scherbakov, Mikhail Prusikin, Dmitry Kryakvin, Maxim Matlakov, Alexandr Shimanov, Alexei Korotylev, Vladimir Barsky, Sergei Zagrebelny, Konstantin Landa, Evgeny Gleizerov, Konstantin Sakaev.

Natalia Pogonina voted the following way:

1. Gelfand - Grischuk. In my opinion, Boris was one of the best chess players in 2011. His victory in the Candidates was both convincing and beautiful. The decisive fight against Grischuk, which I have watched live, was a thriller. Gelfand has shown a lot of passion in that game: 18.Nh4 and 19.f4 capturing the centre. Alexander couldn't find any counter-arguments. First place for great play and importance of the victory.

2. Shirov - Kramnik. It looks like Vladimir Kramnik can play any opening and still have some interesting ideas up his sleeve. Very strong, almost impeccable play by Black.

3. Kamsky - Svidler. 26...Re2 is the move of the year. An exquisite combination by the World Cup winner. This game deserves to be in the top-3.

4. Carslen - Gelfand. Exciting action. Until the very end if was unclear who was winning. Boris had good attacking chances, but was the last one to make a mistake and lose. Got to give credit to Carlsen's steel nerves.

5. Grischuk - Kramnik. To play such a game blindfolded is a serious achievement. A spectacular game by Grischuk.

6. Vachier-Lagrave - Carlsen. Maybe Carlsen didn't sense the dangers of the position at the right time, or was too self-confident about his defensive skills. It's unclear why he chose to play that way. Nonetheless, it doesn't lessen Maxime's achievement. The French GM has demonstrated a perfect example of boa constrictor technique - squeeze and take advantage of the positional weaknesses in the opponent's camp.

7. Sutovsky - Naiditsch. Are you bored of boring Berlin endgames? Do you want to see something spicy and energetic? Invite Sutovsky! Emil is known for his chess fireworks, and in this case he has demonstrated an interesting technique using just a few pieces.

8. Pantsulaia - Polgar. It was hard for me to choose between this victory by Polgar and her game against Iordacescu. Finally I decided to settle with the Pantsulaia game. It is memorable for a few brilliant sacrifices aimed at keeping the White king in the centre followed by an unexpectedly quiet play for domination. White didn't last long.

9. Korobov - Vocaturo. 18.Rd8 came like a thunderbolt. A very nice win by Korobov.

10. Aronian - Svidler. 2011 will be remembered not only by Svidler's Re2, but also by striking chess geometry from Levon Aronian. The White queen has devoured virtually all the Black pawns just like a tornado.