Keymer Sweeps Through the German Championship

German #1 Vincent Keymer put forth a dominating performance at the German Championship, securing clear first place with a round to spare, and losing only his last game to finish at 7/9. He earns a nice 10-point rating bump, which will land him at 2730, and #22 on the live rating list.

There are many highlights, but we will showcase the fascinating finish to his last game, against Alexander Donchenko.

Keymer, as White, was doing well earlier in the game, though it dwindled down to a touchy equality. There was one chance here after Black’s 33. …Rc6-c4??: White can sacrifice with 34. Rxe4!! Rxb4+ 35. Rxb4 and Black has no way to stop the b-pawn when White’s remaining material is so well co-ordinated. For example, 35. …h5 36. b7 Qb8 37. Nc5 Kh7 38. Nd7 reaches the following position, where Black would have a couple checks at most before resigning.

From the initial position, it would be easy to miss that after 34. Rxe4 Rc1+ White can hide with 35. Ka2 Qc2+ 36. Qb2!.

Blocking with the knight would have allowed a perpetual by …Qb1-Qc2. Now White wins easily, 36. …Qxe4 37. Qxc1 and there’s a back rank problem in addition to the passed pawn and extra knight.

A few moves later in the game, 39. b7?? (D) turned out to be a game-losing blunder.

The White king is left too vulnerable, so a more defensive move was needed. 39. …Qc2+ 40. Kb4 Rb1+ 41. Ka5 Nc4+ compelled White to give up the queen much less favourably. 42. Qxc4 Qxc4 43. Re8+ Kh7 44. b8=Q Qd5+ 45. Ka6 Rxb8 46. Rxb8 Qd6+ (D) and resigns, likely because the a3-pawn is lost, 47. Rb6 Qxa3, and it is hopeless on the kingside without it.

You can review the full game and the event on Lichess.

Photo via Stev Bonhage / German Chess Federation