Today marks the birth anniversary of Mikhail Botvinnik, the sixth World Champion, who was born in 1911. He reigned from 1948 to 1963, with two brief interruptions, and is regarded as the founder of the Soviet Chess School, which emphasized a scientific approach to all aspects of preparation.

You may also have been tempted by sacrifices on g4, but this thematic central break against White’s Maroczy formation is just fine, especially as White’s king is still lingering in the middle. Still, the lines are not at all easy in this case.

14.g5 is complicated: 14…dxe4 15.gxf6 ♘xf3+ 16.♗xf3 (16.♔f1 ♗xf6) 16… exf3 17.fxe7 ♖xe7 18.♘e4 ♗f5, winning back material.

Black has the initiative.

Aleksandra Goryachkina is the winner of the 2023 FIDE Women's World Cup! 🏆

Aleksandra clinches the title and the $50,000 prize by winning today's tiebreaks against Nurgyul Salimova. Congratulations! 👏

Nurgyul Salimova is the runner-up of the 2023 FIDE Women's World Cup! 🥈

The Bulgarian IM caps an outstanding tournament with the second prize of $35,000 and a spot in the next Women's Candidates tournament. Congratulations! 👏

Black’s queen bishop lacks a good square. He equalized with the bishop tour, 1 …Bg4+! 2 f3 Bh5 and … Bg6.

Play went 3 h4 0-0 4 g4 Bg6. Then on 5 Bxg6, the irregular recapture, 5 … fxg6! followed by … Rae8 is best. This favors Black because of his play along the e- and f-files.

White has greater winning chances with a knight shift, 1 g4! Bg6 2 Nh4!. After 2 …Nc6 he was careful to avoid 3.Nxg6? because this is another case when 3 … fxg6! helps Black.

White’s superiority was clear after 3.Nhf5! Qd8 4 Qf3 Ne8 5 h4! Bxf5 6 exf5! Rc8 7 g5 and he eventually won.

The best move is 1 … b4 so that a White knight move allows 2 … Nd5!.