Dutch power

Chess Notes
By Harold Dondis and Patrick Wolff
July 3, 2010

Loek van Wely is probably the Netherlands strongest player. Another is Anish Giri, only 16 years old and this year’s winner of the Corus B tournament who is looming as a strong world performer. Van Wely often plays in the United States and this year he annexed the Chicago Open, placing a half point ahead of a very strong field by defeating Sam Shankland in the final round.

Here is a win of his from that tourney vs. Aung Zin of Myanmar. Van Wely has said that European tournaments require more opening preparation than those in the United States, where, he says, tactics are more important. This game illustrates what he says. The players are relaxed in the opening, with slow development and what seems like a lot of loafing around. Van Wely finally lines up his queen and two bishops along the long diagonals, wins a weak pawn, and easily moves forward to triumph.

Here is the article with game analysis.