FM Nguyen Anh Khoi impressive at World Youth Chess 2012

Nguyen Anh Khoi is already a star in Vietnam, now it is time the world to learn about him.

FM Nguyen Anh Khoi was convincing in his win in the U10 World Youth Chess Championship. After 10 rounds of play the young chess player from Vietnam had 10,0/10, and today he confirmed his superiority by yet another win finishing the WYCC with perfect score of 11,0/11. Does the chess world know who this young phenomenon is? For those following youth chess, FM Nguyen Anh Khoi is no surprise. His star rose in 2010 when he conquered the U8 Asian Youth Chess Championship. He missed the medal with a loss in the last round in the World Youth 2010. He started competing in the U10 category in the Asian Youth Chess Championship 2011, where he was one of the youngest players, and finished at solid 7th position. In 2012 FM Nguyen Anh Khoi participated in the 13th ASEAN age group championships, scoring 8,0/9 and grabbing the gold medal U10.

Now with the performance at the World Youth Chess 2012, FM Nguyen Anh Khoi adds another gold medal to his carreer and makes a serious bid to be a future chess prodigy.

Experienced trainer Adrian Mikhalchishin commented on the game of FM Nguyen Anh Khoi from round 9, “I am impressed – practically all moves were the best! Remember this name!” Here is the full commentary with diagrams.

1.e4 c5 2.Sf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Sxd4 Sf6 5.Sc3 a6 6.Df3
Nowadays it is rear move, but at the very beginning of Najdorf variation history, it was one of the main moves in this line.

6…e6 7.g4!

Correct way how to develop play on the Kings side, as other moves are a bit artificial.

7.Lg5; 7.Dg3

7…Dc7

Very useful was to stop Whites initiative for a while 7…h6

8.g5 Sfd7 9.Le3

Correct way of development of the play here can be demonstrated by the next variation 9.Dg3 b5 10.a3 Lb7 11.f4 g6 12.Le3 Sc5 13.Lg2 Lg7

14.0–0–0 0–0 15.h4 and White is ready for opening h file.

9…b5 10.a3 Lb7 11.Dg3

Much more interesting was to open a bit position of Black King with the help of pin on h file 11.Dh3! Sc6 12.g6! Sxd4 13.gxf7+ Kxf7 14.Lxd4 Le7

15.0–0–0 Lf6 16.Tg1

11…Sc6 12.0–0–0

Nothing special would obtain White in the case of 12.Sxc6 Lxc6 13.h4 Db7 14.f3 b4 15.axb4 Dxb4

16.Ta2 d5!

12…b4

It is necessary to exploit any chance opening position of enemy King.

13.axb4 Sxb4

14.f3

White player decided to strengthen his center, as he could not like the typical Sicilian development in the variation 14.f4 Sc5 15.Lg2 Tc8 16.Kb1 e5 17.Sde2 Sxe4!
14…Sc5

Correct plan, but it was possible to start, bringing Rook into the attack first [14...Tc8]

15.Kb1 Tc8 16.Tc1?

Passive continuation-it was much better to add to defence other Rook

16.h4 Da5 17.Th2

16…Da5

Black continues to build up his presence on the Queens side, much closer to the White King.

17.Lc4

17…Sxe4! 18.fxe4 Txc4 19.Sb3 Dc7 20.Sd2
No real perspective promised 20.Thf1 Le7 21.Df2 0–0 22.Lb6 Dc8

20…Tc6

Just here small Vietnamese boy did not had enough experience for typical exchange sacrifice 20…Txc3 21.bxc3 Dxc3 22.Lf4 Dxg3 23.hxg3 e5

24.Le3 d5

21.h4

Preferable was to stop development of Black Bishop 21.Ld4

21…Le7 22.h5 0–0

Once more was possible positional exchange sacrifice 22…Txc3 23.bxc3 Dxc3 24.Lf4 Dxg3 25.Lxg3 Lxg5 26.Sc4 0–0
23.Thf1?
Last chance in such positions is to create some mess on the board 23.g6

23…d5?!

Not completely bad, but once more exchange sac was a bit better 23…Txc3 24.bxc3 Dxc3

24.Lf4 Db6

Now the best way was really complicated for the kids 24…Dd8 25.Sb3 d4 26.Tcd1 d3 27.cxd3 a5 28.Le5 La6
25.exd5?
25.g6! could create some problems for Black.

25…exd5

At this age kids don’t know the real value of typical exchange sacrifice, which could be performed many times! 25…Txc3 26.Dxc3 Da5 27.Da3

Dxa3 28.bxa3 Sxd5

26.Sb3 d4! 27.Se2 Tc4

The best move.

28.Sexd4

White saw very bad attack after normal 28.Tfd1 Sxc2 29.Txc2 Txc2 30.Kxc2 Le4+ 31.Td3 Dc6+ 32.Kd2 Lb4+

28…Txd4 29.Sxd4 Dxd4 30.Le5 Dd5 31.Tcd1 Da2+ 32.Kc1 Tc8 33.Tf2 Da1+ 34.Kd2 Td8+

I am impressed -practically all last moves were the best! Remember this name!

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