Leela Chess Zero's Star Idea in the Slow Slav | TCEC Season 16

Featured is a game from round 6 of the Top Chess Engine Championship, Season 16 between Leela Chess Zero (LCZero) v0.22.0-nT40B.4-160 and KomodoMCTS (Monte Carlo Tree Search) 2381.00. There are many instructional moments in this game out of a Slav Defense, Quiet (Slow) variation. In it, white doesn't deploy the bad bishop outside the pawn chain, whereas black does. Eventually KomodoMCTS is successful in exchanging the bad bishop for white's good bishop. In the process, white achieves a slight queenside space advantage, and a black pawn to bite at on g6. What follows as white pursues a kingside attack is a star idea that I have only ever previously seen surface with a knight taking center stage.
PGN:
1. c4 c6 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. d4 d5 4. e3 a6 5. Bd3 Bg4 6. Nbd2 Nbd7 7. Qc2 e6 8. b3 Bd6 9. O-O Bh5 10. Bb2 Qc7 11. c5 Be7 12. g3 a5 13. a3 O-O 14. b4 Bg6 15. Bxg6 hxg6 16. Bc3 axb4 17. axb4 Rfb8 18. Kg2 Ne8 19. Rab1 Qc8 20. h4 Nc7 21. Rh1 Nb5 22. Rbe1 Na3 23. Qc1 Nb5 24. e4 Qf8 25. Qc2 Na3 26. Qd3 Nb5 27. Bb2 Nc7 28. Bc1 b6 29. e5 Na6 30. Ba3 Nc7 31. Bc1 Ra4 32. Ng5 bxc5 33. bxc5 Rbb4 34. Ndf3 Bxg5 35. hxg5 Qa8 36. Qe3 Qa6 37. Qf4 Kf8 38. Rh8+ Ke7 39. Qf6+ Nxf6 40. exf6+ gxf6 41. gxf6+ Kxf6 42. Bg5+ Kg7 43. Reh1 Qf1+ 44. Rxf1 Ra8 45. Rxa8 Nxa8 46. Ra1 Nc7 47. Be3 Rb7 48. g4 g5 49. Bxg5 f6 50. Be3 Nb5 51. g5 fxg5 52. Bxg5 e5 53. dxe5 Nc7 54. Bf6+ Kg6 55. Nd4 Rb4 56. Nxc6 Rc4 57. Ne7+ Kf7 58. Ra7 Ne6 59. c6 d4 60. Nf5+ Kg6 61. Nh4+ Kh6
Software used in video:
Blitzin via www.chessclub.com
I'm a self-taught National Master in chess out of Pennsylvania, USA who was introduced to the game by my father in 1988 at the age of 8. The purpose of this channel is to share my knowledge of chess to help others improve their game. I enjoy continuing to improve my understanding of this great game, albeit slowly. Consider subscribing here on KZbin for frequent content, and/or connecting via any or all of the below social medias. Your support is greatly appreciated. Take care, bye. :D
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[@ginoginoh]

My favourite time of the year has come: when Jerry uploads.

[@PersimmonHurmo]

@@achyt guess you comment that each time he comments

[@stewartzayat7526]

@@PersimmonHurmo guess you reply like that every time he says that

[@VinnyG_Music]

@@stewartzayat7526 guess you all think you're clever when you're not

[@YesPlease1]

13:04 When my girlfriend's father asks me what my intentions are

[@Asztalot]

Mating ideas after a capture? Sounds sketchy 🧐

[@antoineleblanc2509]

Lmao

[@k2dab88]

xD

[@AliHamedMoosavian]

I have to defend my thesis in 5 hours and I'm lacking about 10 slides. Yet, I'm here watching Jerry explain Leela's Slow Slav strats :D

[@NotGettinAny]

Whats your thesis on?

[@ChessNetwork]

You are a master multi-tasker. 😎

[@AliHamedMoosavian]

@notgettingany it's about quantum algorithms that can be used to simulate quantum field theories.

[@YitzharVered]

@@AliHamedMoosavian chess will be a great help, I'm sure.

[@muntoonxt]

Same except it's for a meeting regarding a demo at NeurIPS. :P

[@michaellupu2080]

Jerry, you already know I'm a big fan of your work, but I must reiterate how well done these videos are: Your commentary is full of passion and intellectual curiosity, it's great! Have a lovely day!

[@cornerstone2449]

Why dont you just go for his zipper already?

[@michaellupu2080]

@@cornerstone2449 Dude, what the hell? Where did that come from?

[@AbanoubMG]

We missed you jerry, i am watching while i am walking in a jammed road lol

[@ChessNetwork]

Watch out for any upcoming forks.

[@DrLawIrk]

@@ChessNetwork Jerry could you pleeease start making such analytical videos on more regular basis?) because they are actually the most instructive chess videos one could find)

[@muntoonxt]

Another turning point, a fork stuck in the road You grab a knight with the wrist, direct it where to go So make the best of this game and don't ask why It's not a puzzle, but a lesson learned in time It's something unpredictable, but in the end it's right I hope you had the time of your life

[@JamesBu11]

Алексей Петров: Look in the ChessNetwork history there are thousands of analysed videos there.

[@DrLawIrk]

@@JamesBu11 I know but Jerry almost stopped posting them, although there were quite a few major tournaments)

[@ninepoints5932]

@17:09 There's an important variation on move 44 with black to move if Kxh8. What would follow I believe is Bf6+ and if Kh7, Rh1#. If instead Kg8, Rh1 anyways threatens Rh8# next turn with no defense.

[@ninepoints5932]

Oh wait I see you left it as a puzzle for us with a comment on the left side :) Thanks for showcasing the game Jerry. Awesome stuff as usual.

[@ninepoints5932]

For the f6 variation, Rh1 threatens Rh7#. If fxg5, Rh7+, Kf6, Rf8#. If instead the king runs to Ke6, Rh7# is immediate.

[@pizzashark7067]

@@ninepoints5932 Rh7 after Ke6 isn't mate for several reasons, most of them having to do with the illegality of the king moving several squares to take his own pawn. Kf7 is arguably better because it is legal and probably what you meant, but best of all is resignation.

[@ninepoints5932]

@@pizzashark7067 I meant Kf7 there as Ke6 isn't a legal move.

[@daredevilofficial4100]

Also, fun fact: Stockfish found the Rh8 Ke7 Qf6 line and all the moves after it ;)

[@antoineleblanc2509]

I love these types of videos. AI play chess in such a unique way, I love how every move are played for a reason but also how the timing of the attack has to be perfect. Jerry, your commentary allows me to appreciate a game I wouldn't be able to understand otherwise. Thank you very much for doing this!

[@tylerweathersby]

Very well said

[@Jesse1996]

Was really having a bad day today. Went on KZbin knowing that I'd probably find some alleged comedy which I wouldn't find funny and would as a result make me feel worse, like an addict getting a quick fix. Then I saw this video recommended to me. I'd seen it before, but I just knew it was perfect. I love your game breakdowns, especially your ones involving chess AI, and everything about your voice and the way you teach and learn at the same time with such passion was just the exact energy I needed. Thank you, Jerry.

[@mrbdzz]

One of the most beautiful combinations ever

[@jacksonsandidge7771]

Thank you Jerry, this made my night

[@alieskandari6036]

Not so many videos but every single your videos are awesome. I love your commentary on move 11 and 16. Leela’s move on 39 ( the queen sacrifice) was fantastic! I have never seen something like that.Thank you Jerry. Like always, something to learn from your videos 👍

[@lbblackburn]

I enjoy watching or reading a well-analyzed game like I enjoy reading a novel. The experience itself is the reward, not any potential elo gain. Thank you for the well-analyzed game.

[@rotcod2886]

I bet we see Leela's face before we see Jerry's.

[@SaikanthDacha]

I learn more from one video by Jerry than from 10 videos of most others. The level of clarity and nuance in your analysis and explanations is unmatched. Thank you Jerry!

[@kriztoperurmeneta7089]

Brilliant way of discussing the themes in the game. Hoping for more content!

[@ambrose788]

Thanks Jerry.

[@RS-od8xy]

Good Choice of game due to 2 Star Ideas g3 & Queen Sac at f6. Great commentary as always. Keep doing the good work.

[@jenzhen2361]

I needed this on a Monday

[@Think_4_Yourself]

Thanks Jerry. This is my favorite content on youtube

[@richarddavis8486]

Wow! What a beautiful game with an amazing tactical shot. What calculation to find Qf6. A real reminder of why we all love the game of Chess.

[@ogug3395]

Finally! you are in right track, keep going and you will be number one again...

[@JellyMonster1]

Leela Chess Zero always gets my vote - thanks for the upload Jerry.

[@aleratz]

Thank you Jerry! Welcome back! Don't abandone us for too long!

[@darepawn7744]

the only one on web analyzes chess very good, unfortunately the least active! please make more videos. thanks!

[@Pintkonan]

i saw this game live at the tcec website. as soon as the queen sac was shown in the preview of leela the whole chat went crazy. the "pros" in the chat claimed that every grandmaster would've found that move easily. i go with the lines of jerry, who has never seen a queen jumping into f6 (o: thank you jerry, as always - you are the best (:

[@neillastima]

Where have you been? We missed you. Please upload more frequently.

[@falor-j2340]

im learning allot of your videos Jerry. keep up the work!

[@frabousie]

These moves are mad shrewd, dawg. Leela's got nerves of steel

[@harryzefaa]

We really missed you Jerry! Hope you ll be back more frequently. Great video as always

[@ILoveHuskies1]

17:17 If king takes rook, then bishop f6 check. If king moves to h7 then rook check mate after king moves to g8. If king moves to g8 first, then rook to h1 preparing to go to h8. king can run to f8 but it would be too late and rook h8 checkmate.

[@countrybumkingrower8857]

Thanks for the commentary. Hope you have a happy Thanksgiving

[@Oblivic]

This game is stupidly beautiful!

[@patrickmoloney672]

Hello everyone! Have a great day!

[@lucariololxdrofl]

thanks man, you too :)

[@hnalike7778]

Very very instructive

[@dovhalpern]

Missed you Jerry ❤️

[@grandchampion7275]

Jerry, can you upload more often? Love your videos.

[@fep_ptcp883]

Thanks for this amazing analysis

[@glaucosaraiva363]

why Jerry is not making videos so frequently as before?

[@Phil-ex2dd]

Thanks Jerry

[@mirandawrigth]

Good lesson, thanks!

[@niecierpliwy3195]

Your analysis are much more better than agadmator's, hope you get your GM soon

[@skerpracso]

Great video. Thank you!

[@OregonMikeH]

That was absolutely GRAND :)

[@daredevilofficial4100]

It looks like we have a first. We have a FEARLESS QUEEN! ;)

[@JordanMetroidManiac]

Leela is our fearless queen!

[@lain_is_skill]

Awesome video

[@whjk83921]

Insane move

[@miachen2635]

nice poke at kasparov at the end!

[@MrSupernova111]

Amazing game! I think one thing you didn't mention is that black has his pieces concentrated on the queenside while white managed to open the kingside and line up all his pieces to attack the king. It seems to me that black put too much weight on material and went for those pawns while white focused on attacking the king with a long term strategy.

[@dsdasdfasdf1818]

I saw your video on the philador defense (rook vs queen). Can you do a video that shows how to get past the third and second rank defenses? that would help a lot to reach the actual philador situation.

[@SSA-X002]

Legend has it that after Leela´s Qf6, bitcoins were tossed onto the digital board by spectators, although this is contested by other accounts. The game is also known as "Artificial intelligence Beauty".

[@tobiasgrodde9736]

In all honesty, I did see 39. Qf6+ and that it would lead to a winning position for White. After 43. ... Qf1+ though I would have captured with the King. My idea: 44. Kxf1 Ra1/b1+ 45. Ne1 Rxe1+ 46. Kxe1 Ra1/b1+ 47. Ke2 Rxh1 48. Rxe1 and White plays with Rook vs Pawn

[@NotQuiteFirst]

Please can you tell me what stocks to buy

[@asdaasda2594]

jerry why don't you upload more? and will you be broadcasting at lichess tilted?

[@preenair]

got the puzzle jerry 44 KxR then Rh1 and then Kg8 Bf6 and no stopping mate on h8.

[@WilXuH]

thx jerry!!

[@eliasmontoya7112]

New video!

[@taavettiihantola561]

Great video, thanks. I wonder if Leela can get eny better

[@playchess24]

Hi Jerry Thanks for nice explanation.

[@exilestreethawk6822]

Jerry's back!! Yayyy

[@mathistruth9105]

Its a shame that Leela didnt qualify to play stockfish. She didnt lose a single game in the qualifiers!

[@bruceli9094]

Jerry = LockPickingLawyer?

[@abcdefghilihgfedcba]

More Leela videos please!!

[@colinjava8447]

At 17:14, if black king takes on h8, then Bf6+, Kg8, Rh1, Kf8(or any move), Rh8#

[@Kurisutina03]

Wow you cant even capture on h8 with the king

[@uguree]

Jerry I found that Queen move wow :)

[@DavidMichaelFabian]

At 6:35, it is interesting that White spent three moves to get his King to g2 with the KingRook on h1, when he could have skipped castling and walked the King there in only two moves. 🤔

[@gavinb238]

Will you be making a video about the Alpha Chess vs Alpha Chess games? I'd like to see that.

[@bennieblanks5129]

I saw the combination but I continued staring at the screen for another 20 minutes assuming I was missing something. I was convinced that if I saw it that a super computer would never have found itself in that situation. I guess I underestimated just how strong Leela is. Let's just hope it sticks to chess. The last thing we need is it taking an interest in utilitarianism. Death by ethical human purge isn't my idea of a good time.

[@KeNi666]

Wouldn't it be better if after 44. ... Rb1 45. Ne1? What I'm I missing?

[@iwersonsch5131]

It just isn't a Leela game without e5!.

[@iwersonsch5131]

...and it even prepared the star move!

[@cloudforest4087]

I sure learn from him.

[@JonasHockeyZone]

hopefully this is top 10

[@hoomanov]

Ty!

[@williamarreaga7208]

thanks, Jerry... I think I got something out of this video :)

[@cptnoremac]

I'm quite curious to know if Stockfish finds Qf6.

[@cptnoremac]

@@outsmiter4894 Easier to find it when someone tells you to look for a star move there. And if it's so obvious that you can find it, why did Komodo allow it?

[@PaddyRoon7]

I may have missed this but how is g3 aggressive?

[@peterfriedl6206]

I see only Leela / Alpha games with the bots winning with White. Are there not any wins with black ?

[@The22Century]

Very strange. In position Stockfish analysis shows move Nce8 instead of Qa8-a6 which engine see's right away. How could Komodo play such a stupid move Qa6. Also after e4 there is a move Nf6 with an idea of Ng4 outpost. It's like something was "rigged" to allow Leela Chess make a beautiful game.

[@talesseed]

Yes that's wierd

[@looinrims]

Could’ve sworn the text at the end said “if KxR can you find the mate in 37?”

[@fienddube]

17:10 the puzzle on the left....Bf6? Followed by Rh1 then Rh8 mate? Does that work? Oh yeah, and if black tries f6, then Rfh1, black captures the bishop with fxg5, then R1h7+, Kf6 only move, then Rf8 mate?

[@bakor111]

Planing on videos from newest tournament with Magnus? Cant wait if yes

[@omegalulomegalul1107]

hot anime girls 7u7

[@lebumbcrack7248]

6:52 I thought e1 before the move took place for the reasons outlined in the video I must be some sort of chess engine right?

[@VocalMabiMaple]

17:16 why did black not take rook with king?

[@MA-ml3zz]

I❤️LCZ

[@santiagovelez1447]

I think that the prep for e and h were more about advancing into blacks territory rather that aming towards the king or the territory itself

[@jordangoodfriend9165]

JERRY COME BACK

[@SnekNOTSnake]

16:57 Why don't white play Kxf1? If Black proceed with either Ra+ or Rb+ then White could block it with the Knight, then Black have to give up more material. Edit: My Lichess Stockfish analysis also says so.

[@billpiano]

44. Kxf1 That's the first thing I saw. Forced mate by White.

[@lain_is_skill]

Qf6 is cool

[@don_pedrot.isreal7446]

OK, yeah Leela is Alpha's offspring for sure Wow

[@richardfredlund3802]

wow ... the Q sack then counter sack all forcing, and the game continues...literally never seen anything like it.

[@austinconner2479]

I was looking at 38. Qf6 immediately. Couldn't find a refutation but it probably doesn't work since noones mentioned it

[@BookFan101010]

I was thinking about that move too, and I double checked with stockfish. My calculations weren't entirely correct, but 38. Qf6 seems to work and transpose to the game. There are some tricky Rh8+ in-between moves White has to find to transpose

[@austinconner2479]

@@BookFan101010 I checked it, the problem is just Kg8 after exf6. No threats and down a queen

[@midlertidig]

if KxR, Bf6+, Kh7, Rh1+, Kg8, Rh8#. if f6, Rfh1, fxg5, Rh1 to h7+, Kf6, Rf8#. Did I do right? :D

[@taavettiihantola561]

Yes also Rh1 after Kg8

[@JS-yz3ck]

Being honest, I saw move 39 qf6 variation

[@JordanMetroidManiac]

39. Qf6+

[@kasurusak5168]

Hi jerry where are u T_T

[@jasonanno9230]

So black can't take the rook on h8 at the end because of Rh1+ Kg8, Bf6 then any move for black followed by Rh8# ? Is that correct?

[@mortodella]

Jason Anno almost. You have the right idea. But if you on Kh8 play Rh1+ the king can also go to g7. Instead you first play Bf6+, Kg8, Rh1 with mate on h8 next move. If black instead of Kh8 plays f6 then Rh1, fxg5, Rh1h7+, Kf6, Rh8f8#. Hope that helps :) Great lesson as always Jerry.

[@JTheoryScience]

hi jerry

[@TheJustin500]

At move 44 why didn't leela use the king to capture the king? Won't that give her a faster mate?

[@masterkni666]

bc a king capturing a king is cheating ;)

[@collinstump9706]

Jerry, @3:56 "When you say 'A', You should say 'B'" What do you mean by this? The arrows do not make sense to me. What Am I missing here?

[@littleroff]

I think he means that if you make the first move, then you are expected to play the second as well.

[@littleroff]

The arrows are the moves the bishop made

[@collinstump9706]

@@littleroff Gotcha, thanks!

[@stefanpuzic9785]

Do you have a game where leela is black?

[@Asw_2004]

17 16, why not king takes rook??

[@Jesse1996]

It would allow Bishop to f6, and though it's undefended, it is also immovable as the king can now no longer stop the bishop being on the a1-h8 diagonal. The knight can't get to e8 fast enough as all of white's following moves either give check or threaten mate in 1. Bishop to f6 would be check, the king can only go to g8 or h7. If h7, rook h1 check, king goes to g8 anyway. So, king to g8, but rook to h1 is still unavoidable mate (rook to h8) on the next turn because the Bishop on f6 still guards e7.