Game Of the Week: GM Bindrich vs.GM Tregubov

GM Bindrich vs.GM Tregubov

Opening: A30: English opening, Symmetrical Variation

Player(s): Bindrich, Tregubov

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We're going to return to the German Bundesliga for a game played amidst unusual circumstances. Ten moves into the second round match, German grandmaster Falko Bindrich was asked by the arbiter to hand over his smart phone, after one of many early trips to the bathroom. After refusing this request, Bindrich was forfeited in accordance with league rules. Bindrich claimed he would not hand over the phone because he simply did not want to expose important business and personal data.

He was not using a chess program he said, though he admitted his phone contained analysis of his first round game, which he made after that game finished (obviously it was a big priority to get that done right away). Pavel Tregubov, his first round opponent, was not amused. He had been frustrated by his opponent's frequent trips to the bathroom during their game, but the arbiter did not see enough evidence to take action. Bindrich contended that the opening had followed his home preparation and his play in the middle of the game was not very accurate. Viewers can decide for themselves what inspiration provided White's moves in this week's game. In any case, you'll see a spectacular, though not necessarily inhuman, moment or two in this one. Let's investigate what happened.