A Queen Sacrifice for Two Minor Pieces That Would Have Deserved a Draw • Le vs Kunin • World Cup • Tbilisi, Georgia (2017) • Queen’s Pawn: English Defense (A40)
Francisco Yepes Barrera
2 min read
Jani Kaasinen - https://unsplash.com/photos/brown-chess-pieces-on-brown-wooden-chess-board-7VGzV09YnvA
The FIDE World Cup 2017 was a massive 128-player knockout tournament held in Tbilisi, Georgia. It is one of the most grueling events in the chess calendar, as it serves as a direct qualifier for the Candidates Tournament.
Le Quang Liem is a Vietnamese Grandmaster and former World Blitz Champion. At the time, he was rated 2739, placing him firmly among the world’s elite “Super GMs.” He is known for his immense tactical alertness and endgame precision.
Vitaly Kunin is a German Grandmaster of Russian origin. While a very strong and experienced player, he entered this match as the underdog (rated 2531). In a knockout format, players like Kunin often aim to provoke complications to upset the favorites.
This game was the second of the first-round match. After a draw in the first game, the pressure was entirely on Le Quang Liem to convert his white pieces and avoid the lottery of rapid tie-breaks. Kunin, on the other hand, chose a provocative opening setup—the English Defense/Dutch hybrid—to take the elite Vietnamese player out of his comfort zone.
The game is a masterpiece of dynamic tension where White successfully navigates a chaotic opening to reach a superior endgame.
The game begins with 1.d4 e6 2.c4 b6, an English Defense. Black quickly adopts a Dutch-style wall with 4…f5. The game leaves theoretical paths early when White plays 9.Nb5.
A critical moment occurs at move 11. White plays 11.Nxf4, and Black responds with 11…O-O?!, which the engine considers slightly inaccurate. White immediately exerts pressure on the center with 12.b4 and the central thrust 13.dxe6.
The most spectacular phase begins at move 17. Black plays 17…Nc3, attacking the Queen. Le Quang Liem decides to go for a massive material imbalance:
- 18.Bxb7!: White gives up the Queen in exchange for a Bishop and the initiation of a powerful attack.
- After 18…Nxd1 19.Rxd1, the position is roughly equal but extremely difficult for a human to play as Black. White has a Bishop, a Knight, and advanced passed pawns against Black’s Queen.
White simplifies into an endgame where he possesses a Bishop and a Knight against a Rook. Around move 43, Kunin makes a decisive error with 43…Rd6?. Instead of holding the draw with 43…h5!, Black allows the White King to penetrate.
Le Quang Liem shows “Super GM” technique:
- He uses his King to support the h-pawn and the b-pawn.
- He maneuvers his Bishop to g6, creating a shield.
- The final sequence is clinical: 58.Bc4+ Kf6 59.Bg8.
Black is completely paralyzed. The h-pawn promotes, and Kunin resigned as checkmate was unavoidable. Kunin defended precisely until the error 43…Kd6? and would have deserved a draw.
